18 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Shawn Michaels
15. He Was Suspended For Steroids In 1993
WWE instituted drug tests following Eddie Guerrero's death in 2005, but it wasn't the first time the company had such a policy in play. In 1991, with the U.S. Government closely monitoring WWE amidst steroid distribution allegations, the promotion instituted independent testing for anabolic steroids. These tests ran until 1996, and with the threat of jail looming over Vince McMahon, they were taken very seriously.
Michaels was a casualty of the program, suspended in September 1993 after testing positive for steroids. Though he never admitted to any culpability, HBK was stripped of the Intercontinental Championship and taken off of television.
Of course, like many of Michaels's transgressions, this worked out well for him in the long run. Razor Ramon captured the vacant Intercontinental Championship, leading to a feud with the returning Michaels (who continued to carry his own copy of the belt around). The two faced off for the title at WrestleMania X in wrestling's most famous ladder match, a contest which quickly assumed legendary status and guaranteed Michaels was a future superstar.