9 Times Injuries Actually Helped A Wrestler's Career

Prior to sustaining multiple herniated discs in a Casket Match against The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels was headed down a bad road. He was deep into various addictions, constantly raising hell behind the scenes, faking injuries to get out of "doing a job," disrespecting nearly everyone in the locker room, and likely earning himself a one-way ticket to unemployment. Or something worse.

And then this back injury comes along and forces him into early retirement. Over the next four years, he appeared on television sporadically, acting as the Commissioner or showing up as a special guest referee. He still wasn't doing well in his personal life.

But in 2002, after becoming a born-again Christian and considering himself well enough to come back to the company, HBK embarked one on of the most successful second runs in WWE history. He was back baby, and it was dazzling to watch a less jerk-ish Michaels pick up right where he left off.

So not only did his back injury likely keep him from throwing his career and possibly his life down the drain, it also boosted the legend of Shawn Michaels to a level that only guys like Ric Flair and The Undertaker could possibly understand.

Plus, he was able to make up with Bret Hart for that whole Montreal Screwjob fiasco. Bonus!