Happy Shawnter Sunday, here's few screenscaps of these silly old man Shawn Michaels and Triple H from Peacock's documentary: The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels
Nothing cures a rough week like heading into the weekend and finding out your favorite classic fanfics were just reposted. Honestly, what could be better?
Huge thanks to the author for posting these stories on AO3, and a massive shoutout to the person who encouraged them to share their work!
Q. How did the idea for this unforgettable entrance come about?
I was told before the show that WWE wanted me to do a big entrance. I was told about coming down on a rope or something. But at In Your House, I swung off of the house from a rope. For WrestleMania, I envisioned swinging from the entrance to the ring, going maybe 12 or 15 feet off the ground. I didn't really have any idea what it was going to be when I got to the arena.
Q. What was your initial reaction on that day?
I remember I got to the building and Mr McMahon said, "We got your entrance and we need you to try it out. I did it already and it's safe. I wouldn't want you to do anything that wasn't safe." Of course, the second you hear someone safe "it's safe." you think, well why wouldn't it be?
Q. Were there any snafus during the rehearsals?
No. But at that point in my career I had been on ladders, and I really didn't have a whole lot of fear of anything, but I never really have been a fan of heights.
Q. How did you conquer your fear of heights?
They always say don't look down, and then you look down and suffer second thoughts. I was a little shaken, but then I backed up, put the harness on and just let go. There was a sort of calming effect when I was in the air.
Q. So it was really that easy?
Yes, but.... for the past 25 years I've always liked to have one last potty break before my matches. I was up there with the harness strapped on, and I knew I had an hour long Iron Man Match ahead of me. And I had to go to the bathroom. It was a long way up obviously, so i just pulled the harness off and ran back to somewhere secluded and used the restroom. Then I strapped myself back in and waited for the music to start- and off I went.
Q. What was more nerve-racking: The entrance or knowing you had to compete in a 60-minute Iron Man Match?
Coming down on the wire became an afterthought because I knew right after that I had an hour of wrestling ahead of me. So it was almost like, "Don't make too much of a big deal of this mountain because there's another mountain right after this."
Q. Did you think the zip-line entrance would turn out to be such a memorable WrestleMania moment?
No. I have to be honest, my WrestleMania moments aren't planned. I think the greatest moments in sports entertainment just sort of happen organically. I go into ever 'Mania trying to do my best, but never really thinking, "Holy cow, this is my opputunity to create a WrestleMania moment." I just always want my matches to be good.
Q. In retrospect, was this an unforgettable experience for you?
I don't want to say i took it for granted, butI didn;t really have the maturity to appreciate everything I was going through at that time. As I get older, I can look back and that I've had some awesome moments in WWE. I've made highlight reel moments, and I'm going to be remembered as the guy who entered from the rafters, and no one has ever done that since. I've come to appreciate these moments more. Now I can look back and say "Hey that was pretty cool."
Shawn Michaels on Stopping The Show
Q. What are the ingredients of a showstopping match?
Beats the hell out of me! But first and foremost, I think it's not focusing too much on stealing the show. The whole thing about me being The Showstopper- and Mr WrestleMania- is that it was something I said once, and it took on a life of it's own from there. Truthfully, I think the idea of going out and stealing the show is something you ought to do every time you wrestle. But if you focus only on that element, you end up doing almost too much.
Q. So what should a Superstar focus on when striding to the ring at The Show of Shows?
Going out there and giving it the best effort you can. Everything else falls into place if you concentrate on that When you over-think things, it all becomes a blur.
Q. Your match against Razor Ramon at WreslteMania X is still a fan favourite. In your opinion, why has it endured?
Over the years, the ladder itself has become the central figure of that particular stipulation, but in our situation, it served as a backdrop for something much bigger," Michaels said. "We were two guys claiming rightful ownership of those titles, and the ladder was just there as a way for us to prove who was the best. Now, the ladder is the primary element, and these matches are often about what the contestants can do with it.
Q. Do you think there's any pressure backstage on Superstars who must follow The Showstopper?
I think that's probably a question better left for those Superstars. I would like to think that, if nothing else, my presence inspires people to be better, I talked a bunch of crap for years, and then went out and worked hard. That's the extent of it. There's no magical genuis to it, as much as I'd like to think there is. I'm just a guy who works hard- and I hope other Superstars are challenged by that.
Q. When your match is over, do you ever bask in your success?
Years ago, when I was younger, I not only basked in it, I rubbed it in everyone's face! I was angrier then. Since my return in 2002, I've honestly just felt privileged to do what I do. I enjoy the pats on the back, but every year I go back up to my hotel room and sit with my wife and children, and have the traditional pizza and cookies, and feel to unbelievably fortunate. My return in 2002 was a second chance, and a lot of people don't get that.
Q. Speaking of second chances, is there a 'Mania match you wish you could do over?
The one I always come back to is my match against Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14. I just wasn't in a great place physically or emotionally. That one could have been so much more. Steve didn't get me at my best. And that's unfortunate, because it was the last time I got to work with him. Steve went on to such great things afterward, and I had an opportunity to make that match so much more.
Q. Is there a 'Mania match you've witnessed and thought, "I wish I was part of that."?
Not that I can recall, and I say that because I haven't seen that many of them. One of the things about me is I work until the time I go out. I still get nervous, so I'm busy training, going over details and being by myself. I'd love to tell everyone that i'm completely calm, cool and collected, but that's not the case. I'm a bundle of nerves. Don't think I don't know the image that I've stumbled into over the years- I know what i have to live up to every time I go out there.
Q. Have you ever been surprised by how well one of your 'Mania matches was received?
There have been a number of them that have surprised me- even the Ladder Match, which i knew was special, I just didn't have any idea of the impact it would have on the entire industry. The Iron Man Match against Bret Hart at WM12 was another one, and the bout at WM19 against Chris Jericho. I walked away feeling those were really good, then people satrted saying "Holy cow, it was the best match of the show!"
Q. How do you judge you impact on WrestleMania?
Well, to me, recalling a match is like re-telling a fishing story. The fish goes from an 8-incher to a 15-incher, and it gets bigger every time the story is told. I'll take all the pats on the back, but I've never focused on creating an historic event. I think true greatness comes from never believing you're great. It comes from always having that need to go out and prove yourself.
Q. When you hang up the boots, who do you think could emerge as the next Showstopper?
I never like these question, because I always feel like I'm leaving someone out. But I will say I could watch Randy Orton and John Cena over and over again. Randy has come so far, and his persona is so strong and dark. I look into his eyes and he's got me. In the last year, some of the matches contested between John and Randy have been phenominal.
Q. Looking back over your career, is there one Superstar you wish you could have had a chance to face at 'Mania?
Not really. I find it very hard at this point in my career to have too many complaints or regrets. I got my match with Ric Flair. I got to wrestle Hulk Hogan. I will say that I wish I had been in a better place in my life with Bret. Our matches were phenomenal, but I shudder to think what he and I could have accomplished had we gotten along.
Other Mentions......
Stephanie McMahon
Q. Any other WrestleMania memories stand out for you?
Every Superstar and Diva performs to his or her absolute best. But I think certain moments stand out more than others, like Undertaker-Shawn from last year. And Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels at WM10, in what was our first real Ladder Match. I don't know if it was momentous simply because we hadn't done it before, or because it was a tremendous match.
Paul Bearer
Q. Do you think anyone can break Undertaker's streak, and if so who would be the one to do it?
Shawn Michaels. I thought that if anyone had a chance, it was HBK last year. I've seen every Undertaker match, and his bout against Shawn Michaels at the The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania was probably the best match Undertaker has ever contested, and it was certainly one of the greatest matches I've ever seen. And I've seen thousands and thousands of bouts. It was just excellent- his best match without a doubt.
Q. Is there anyone you'd like to see Undertaker face off against this year at WM26?
I'd like to see John Cena face Undertaker. Or maybe Shawn Michaels again?
Sheamus
Q. You're enjoying arguably one of the most impressive debut seasons in WWE history. How will it feel to cap it off by competing at WrestleMania?
It'll be the icing on the cake to what has honestly been one of the best years of my life. I've always wanted to be a WWE Superstar, but more than anything, everyone wants to get into the ring at WrestleMania. That's what everyone here strives for, because not everyone gets to do it. I was at WrestleMania 24, and to see it live, I just thought, "Yes." I remember watching Shawn Michaels take on Ric Flair and hearing the crowd and thinking "This is what I want to do."
Q. What have you learned from the Superstars who've appeared at The Show of Shows before you?
They've made it very, very hard to go in there and steal the show. Some matches are at an absolute other level. The Undertaker-Shawn Michaels bout from last year; that was probably one of the greatest matches of all time. Those guys have been competing so remarkably for so many years- and they're still out there stealing the show. They set the bar, and that makes everyone else rise to that level.
Mike Chioda
Q. Was it (The Rock vs Hulk Hogan match) also the most challenging contest to officiate?
No, that would be the Austin-Michaels bout at WM14. The original referee for the match had gotten sick right before it, and I took over for him. I was nervous but very excited. I had done some high-quality matches before that night, but nothing quite at that level. So I psyched myself up, got in the ring and worked that 30-minute, high intensity match with two of the top guys in the business. The Mike Tyson throws one punch and takes all the credit (laughs).
Q. Finally, aside from the matches you've personally refereed, what's your favourite 'Mania moment?
Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at WM25. It was one of the most amazing matches I'd ever seen. The two of them have always been great at WM, but at that match they took things to the next level. It was completely amazing to watch- by far the best match I've ever seen. It was two veterans at the top of their game. I really wish I could have been part of it, but hey, there might be a part two at WM26, so who knows?
Complete Short Fics
3 Words
All I Knew
Be There
Breakdown
Come to me
Deadly Chase
Everybody Loves Shawnie
Happy
Heart
Just A Man
Never Ending
One Love
Twit
What I Can't Be
Wise Up
dededos
andulkaphoto
turnnoffyourmind
2087
snowghoul
stormborns
