Personal Information
Full Name | Michael Shawn Hickenbottom |
Date of Birth | July 22, 1965 |
Nationality | USA |
Birth Place | Chandler, Arizona |
Height | 6'1" |
Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Theme Song | Sexy Boy |
Debut | October 10, 1984 |
Nickname | The HeartBreak Kid (HBK); Mr. WrestleMania; The Showstopper |
Family | Rebecca Curci Hickenbottom (m. 1999), Theresa Lynn Wood (m. 1988–1994) |
Shawn Michaels Videos
Shawn Michaels: A Brief Biography
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom is better known by his in-ring name, Shawn Michaels. Micheal has spent decades with WWE and won several accolades with the company. He is a triple crown winner and a two-time Hall of Fame inductee. He is currently retired from wrestling and makes appearances on WWE programming. He is working as a backstage producer for NXT 2.0 and is currently the WWE's Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
Professional Wrestling Career
Independent Promotions (1984-1988)
Hickenbottom wrestled all over the United States before catching his big break with the World Wrestling Federation. Michaels wrestled under NWA, Texas All-Star Wrestling and American Wrestling Association before working with WWF.
WWF/E
The Rockers (1988-1992)
Hickenbottom and Martey Jannetty formed the team called The Rockers. The high-flying duo impressed the audience and won several matches. The team faced The Hart Foundation frequently but failed to capture the gold. The Rockers stayed as a team for almost fours years. On an episode of Barber Shop, Michaels turned on his partner to become The Boy Toy and disbanded the team.
The Boy Toy (1992-1995)
Hickenbottom turned heel and adopted the nickname "The Heart Break Kid". He hired Sensational Sherry as his manager and challenged Bret Hart for the WWF title, which he lost. Hickenbottom won the Intercontinental Championship and Tag Titles with Diesel. Hickenbottom entered a rivalry with Razor Ramon which sparked a ladder match between for the title.
Hickenbottom cost Diesel the Intercontinental title and set up a feud between the two. The two met at WrestleMania, where Hickenbottom won the Royal Rumble, and Diesel was the champion. Hickenbottom lost and took some time off.
WWF Champion (1995-1998)
Hickenbottom returned and started another feud with Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship. They faced each other at SummerSlam in a ladder match, which Hickenbottom won. Hickenbottom gave up the championship due to drug allegations. Michaels returned to the rumble and won it. At WrestleMania XII, Hickenbottom defeated WWF Champion Bret Hart in the overtime of their sixty-minute Iron Man match, which was Michael's first world title.
Hickenbottom's title reign ended by Sid at Survivor Series. However, Hickenbottom won it for the second time at the Royal Rumble. Hickenbottom gave up his second title due to his altercations with Bret Hart. Hickenbottom left for a while and returned to team up with Stone Cold to win the tag titles.
At Montreal, Hickenbottom won the title for a third time by screwing Bret Hart. The controversy was not good publicity for the company as they never planned the whole incident, and Bret spat on Vince's face before leaving the company. Hickenbottom was injured facing the Undertaker in a casket match and wrestled his last match against Stone Cold before his first retirement.
Special Appearances (1998-2002)
During his first retirement, Hickenbottom stayed as an on-air talent. He teamed up with the Corporation and became the commissioner of RAW. He often teamed up with DX and commentated on RAW. Hickenbottom opened Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy and trained Daniel Bryan.
Return & Feud with Hunter (2002-2004)
Hickenbottom returned and announced his return to wrestling. Triple H turned on his former friend and viciously attacked Hickenbottom. It turned into one of the hottest rivalries of the year, where they faced each other in an unsanctioned match at SummerSlam, which Hickenbottom won. At SummerSlam, Hickenbottom won his fourth world title, where he defeated Triple H inside Elimination Chamber.
Hickenbottom lost the title to Triple H a month later in a Three Stages of Hell match. Hickenbottom started his rivalry with Chris Jericho, which concluded at WrestleMania 19, where he won. After WrestleMania, Hickenbottom faced Evolution members such as Batista, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton.
Angle, Hogan and DX Reunion (2005-2007)
Shawn Michaels eliminated Kurt Angle, which sparked a heated rivalry between the two. It was concluded at WrestleMania, where Michaels tapped out to Kurt. On the July 4 episode of RAW, Michaels turned heel, which set a match between the two legends, which Michaels lost.
In 2006, Michaels started a rivalry with Shane and Vince McMahon. The duo faced Michaels in a handicapped match at WrestleMania, where he won. The feud went on for a brief period, which led to Triple H reuniting with Shawn to reform DX. DX won the rivalry, but started another one with Rated RKO. The rivalry was concluded due to Triple H's knee injury.
Championship Feuds and The Undertaker (2007-2010)
Michaels faced John Cena for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 23, which he lost. Michaels and John exchanged victories over the coming months. Michaels feuded with Randy Orton for the WWE Championship and it concluded at Survivor Series, where he lost.
In 2008, Michaels faced Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24 and won. It was Ric Flair's last match with the company as he retired after the loss. Michaels feuded with Batista, Jericho, and JBL throughout the year.
At WrestleMania 25, Shawn Michaels faced the Undertaker, which was the highlight of the night. Michaels could not end the undefeated streak. Michaels took some time off and returned around SummerSlam. Michaels and Hunter teamed up and faced The Legacy. The team won the tag titles from Jeri-Show and lost it to Show-Miz.
Michaels entered the Royal Rumble and was eliminated by Batista. Michaels challenged Undertaker for a match at WrestleMania 26 by putting his career on the line. Michaels lost and retired at the grandest stage of all.
Special Appearances (2010-Present)
Michaels has been appearing on WWE programming for over a decade. Michaels makes special appearances on RAW, SmackDown and NXT. He is currently working as a backstage producer for NXT 2.0.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
2017 | The Resurrection of Gavin Stone | Doug |
2017 | Pure Country: Pure Heart | Ted |
2018 | Avengers of Justice: Farce Wars | Incredible Master Yoga |
2018 | The Marine 6: Close Quarters | Luke Trapper |
2019 | 90 Feet from Home | James Devine |
Championships and Accomplishments
Championships | Number of Times |
AWA World Tag Team Championship | 2 |
TASW Texas Tag Team Championship | 2 |
TASW Six-Man Tag Team Championship | 1 |
TWA Heavyweight Championship | 1 |
WWF World Heavyweight Championship | 3 |
World Heavyweight Championship | 1 |
WWF Intercontinental Championship | 3 |
WWF European Championship | 1 |
WWF/World Tag Team Championship | 6 |
Royal Rumble | 2 |
FAQ's
Q. What is Shawn Michaels's real name?
Shawn Michaels's real name is Michael Shawn Hickenbottom.