HBK Shawn Michaels

by Sindeed
(New Delhi, India)

Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American former professional wrestler, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), serving in an ambassadorial role. He actively wrestled for WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), from 1988 until his retirement in 2010. He is considered one of WWE's senior performers, having performed for over 20 years.

Michaels failed to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Bret Hart in July 1992, even losing against him at a live event in the WWF's first-ever ladder match. He, however, won the title from The British Bulldog on the October 27, 1992 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, which aired on November 14. Shortly thereafter, he was in a pay-per-view main event for the first time, in which he lost to Hart, for the WWF Championship at the 1992 Survivor Series.

Michaels and Hart were moved to the main event after The Ultimate Warrior was unable to compete in the tag team match that involved Randy Savage against the team of Ric Flair and Razor Ramon.During this time, Michaels and Sherri split and he engaged himself in a feud with former tag team partner Marty Jannetty.

Michaels lost the Intercontinental Championship to Jannetty on Monday Night Raw on May 17, 1993.He then regained it on June 6 with the help of his debuting "bodyguard" (and off-air friend) DieselOn a special episode of Raw dubbed Thursday Raw Thursday, Michaels vacated the WWF Championship; he explained to fans that he was informed by doctors that he had conjured a knee injury, and that he had to retire. His speech was regarded as controversial, as Michaels was allegedly unwilling to lose to Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 (since it was noted that he was going to have a rematch with Hart at WrestleMania).

Michaels contemplated thoughts of retirement and stated that he "had to find his smile again," which he had "lost" somewhere down the line. After knee surgery by Dr. James Andrews, Michaels returned a few months later, briefly teaming with Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.

In his autobiography, Michaels reveals about his real-life feud with Bret Hart, claiming that Bret did interviews on live television claiming that he Michaels was faking his whole injury.

Finishing moves
Modified figure four leglock - early 2008
Sweet Chin Music (Superkick, with theatrics)
Teardrop Suplex (Leg hook Saito suplex) - 1992-1993

Signature moves
Arm trap crossface - 2007-2010
Backhand chop
Belly to back suplex
Diving elbow drop, with theatrics
Dropkick
Figure four leglock
Flying forearm smash followed by a kip-up
Inverted atomic drop
Moonsault, sometimes while springboarding to the outside
Skin the cat
Slingshot crossbody