During the mid-90s, as WWE prepared to transition from New Generation Era to The Attitude Era, the locker room was perceivably filled with talented and hungry young athletes. Names like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, etc were instrumental in the success of Vince McMahon’s company. However, as good as Shawn Michaels was, he encountered numerous personal demons outside the ring. WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray says that Shawn Michaels was a “headache” for Vince McMahon.
A young Shawn Michaels, when left to his own devices, wreaked havoc wherever he went. And Vince McMahon had to bear the brunt of Michaels’ doing. Although McMahon held the power to get rid of Shawn Michaels due to his recklessness and antics outside the ring, he could not afford to lose a top star.
Bully Ray revealed that top star Shawn Michaels was a headache for Vince McMahon
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When WCW was giving Vince McMahon a run for his money during the Monday Night Wars, McMahon was relying on stars like Shawn Michaels to keep his show running. Moreover, Michaels made an enormous contribution to Vince’s company as a top star. While other superstars jumped ships, Michaels remained loyal to Vince McMahon. However, his loyalty came with a price that McMahon paid.
Speaking on The Busted Open Podcast, Bully Ray recalled the times when Shawn Michaels came to the epicenter of controversies, proving to be a “headache” to Vince McMahon.
He said, “Vince McMahon dealt with Shawn Michaels. Because it was a massive upside. I don’t know if there was anybody else was more of a thorn on Vince McMahon’s side, or a headache for Vince than Shawn Michaels. Because Shawn did everything wrong outside of the ring but inside of the ring, there was no better than Shawn.”
It’s no secret that The Heartbreak Kid was one of Vince McMahon’s favorite wrestlers on the roster. And so, even during Michaels’ four years absence from WWE, he was paid millions for sitting home.
The biggest test of Vince McMahon’s patience involving Shawn Michaels came during the time he got into an altercation with a Marine.
Shawn Michaels came to blows with a US Marine
In 1995, Shawn Michaels traveled with Sean Waltman and The British Bulldog to a Live Event that was slated to be held in Syracuse. However, the previous night, the trio visited a late-night Haunt club. At the time, a 30-year-old Michaels was infamous for his shenanigans outside the ring. Not to mention, HBK was also a serial skirt-chaser.
At the bar, the former World Champion started coming onto a pretty woman. But, a young marine didn’t take that very kindly. The lady and the marine were allegedly dating. Despite being warned, Shawn Michaels did not stop pursuing the woman. He apparently went as far as to invite her to his hotel room.
Things escalated quickly when Shawn Michaels got completely inebriated and subjected himself to the receiving end of an ambush. After the bar fight, Michaels was barely able to recall the appalling moments from the previous night. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon was furious that a pro wrestler lost a bar fight to a civilian.
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Speaking on Grillin’ JR, Jim Ross stated, “The philosophy of a pro wrestler losing to a civilian in a fistfight is unacceptable.”
The following night, during the Live Event, Shawn Michaels performed with a black eye and scars from his bar fight. Despite being a thorn in Vince McMahon’s flesh, Shawn Michaels avoided punishment. In fact, he went ahead to win The 1996 Royal Rumble match, ultimately winning his first World Championship at WrestleMania XII.
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What are your thoughts on a young Shawn Michaels and Bully Ray’s revelations about The HeartBreak Kid?
