8 Wrestling Exceptions That Prove The 'Top Guy' Rule

6. Shawn Michaels

Being Shawn€™s height in the 90s was a much bigger deal than it is now for prospective top guys. He was part of the €œnew generation€ that were the first to weaken the misconception about the land of the giants. The main reason he makes the list is actually not his size. A unique entry on this list, HBK is an exception to the rule based on his extremely unruly nature and backstage actions. He and his clique have been rumored to €œstarve€ wrestlers who offended them by using Shawn€™s pull with the boss to impede their progress.

Known for his tantrums as much as his ability, the showstopper was at the head of confrontations with the public and with the boys in the back. He was largely hated by his contemporaries and despite causing a lot of problems for many; he was insulated from fallout by Vince.

When rumors abound that The Undertaker watches your title match with taped up hands in case you decide to lose your smile before doing the job, you probably aren€™t the blueprint for top guys after you. Shawn surprised everyone with how many opportunities he was given and unlike most it had nothing to do with his biceps.

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Eddie is a writer, cinephile, TV fan and wrestling abuse victim from Newcastle. After receiving his film degree in London he returned home to lift boxes in the vein of an 80s montage... It's not as fun as it looks in the films.