10 WWE Storylines That Turned Into Real Life Shoots

Having grown weary of life in the squared circle, Shawn Michaels apparently "lost his smile" at the beginning of 1997 after an injury curtailed his chances of headlining WrestleMania 13.

He was so unhappy that he considered, albeit briefly, retiring from the business altogether - a decision he would have to make for real just a year later on the eve of his WWF title defence against Stone Cold.

The circumstances were a little different than they were in the storyline. HBK may indeed have grown disillusioned with the wrestling business - that would explain the apparent personality bypass he underwent in the four years he was away - but it was a serious back injury, caused by a nasty landing on a casket at Royal Rumble 1998, that ultimately forced his hand.

WWE no longer use the same bulky caskets, but they continue to tempt fate when it comes to fake retirements.