The show will be stopping next year..

[Mighty NorCal]

Credit Dub-Zee.com

Shawn Michaels appeared on radio station Q101 in Chicago yesterday and said he thinks WrestleMania 26 next year will be his last WrestleMania match.

HBK went on to mention how his WWE contract expires immediately after WrestleMania next year and that he wants to be around more for his children and family.

Michaels concluded by saying he feels he'll return to wrestling again at some point, possibly when his kids are teenagers and don't want to be around him all the time as much anymore.


Well. Damn. So lets get it going. What should he do for his last year, and what should they do for the send off??


During the next year, they absolutely NEED to do a Morrison-HBK feud. Of course Morrison isnt even close to ready, but if HBK is leaving, this needs to happen. Have a ladder match mixed in some place, maybe for the IC title (or one of the world titles, with Shawn retaining??).

As for a way to end it, not sure. Probably Triple H, as they are great friends, and always have fantastic matches. Not sure what the storyline would entail, but they need to do it right.

Thoughts, folks??

[PlayTheGame]

When looking at the current WWE talent I'd have to agree and say that his last match has to be with HHH. I'd love to see one last little DX run as well. Maybe they could win the newly unified tag titles, giving them a little rub in the process.

I would love to see HBK maybe win another world title in his last year. I'm not sure how, or from who, but he definitely deserves one last reign. Not a long one, but just a good one.

[justinsayne]

Hmm, I'm guessing this means HBK will likely be the big name induction for next years HOF ceremony, other than that, not really sure what he should do for his final year, I do think his WM match HAS to be huge, and if he wrestles someone on the active roster then he should put them over, there are a full "Dream" matches I wouldn't mind seeing that I don't think have been done yet, one of which is RVD vs. HBK, I think the two of them could put on on hell of a match at Mania 26, also wouldn't mind seeing another feud with Edge as well, and an MVP/HBK feud would be pretty badass as well IMO not really sure how they should end his career, I'm guessing it will be some sort of Loser must retire match, a few things I really don't have any desire to see, are DX and Triple H ending HBKs career at WM, in fact I really don't want to see Trips wrestle HBK ever again

[kenvin100]

Hmm well I think its great HBK is going to retire, its better to retire with your career in tact as a great memory, rather a joke like the other superstars who retire so god damn late in their life!

As for who faces HBK, it should be a rising WWE star..of course we all say John Cena, but I dont think its necessary since they fought at WM23

But one person I do believe deserves this shot is John Morrison, and a win in his young career will launch him to the main event stream immediately! Hopefully WWE can create something good for WM26!

But if you want to see his final tag match, one final DX reunion couldnt hurt, right? (not his final match, but final tag match)

[TheOneBigWill]

I believe similar to what Justin said, on the Hall of Fame note. If Shawn Michaels is all set to retire next year, especially with Wrestlemania being his possible last match.. then he's a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. (short of him waiting a year, and having The Rock ending up inducted next year)

The loop-hole to this story is that Shawn Michaels said he thinks he'd have his last Mania match, next year. That leaves open two doors. The first being that depending how this year goes, he may not retire next year. The second being, he still may not retire by going out at Mania. (again, ironically) But instead, still run until a later date within next year.

If he is deadset on retiring, there is no reason why it should be anywhere else, than with a match concluding at Wrestlemania however. And that match shouldn't logically involve anyone, other than Triple H. A one-on-one Triple H. against Shawn Michaels match is exactly what Mania next year would need, to sell out over this year's. Especially with the headline being "H.B.K's farewell match".

As long as they don't slap some stupid bogus stipulation with how he must lose to retire. (like Flair) Then I'm of the firm belief he'll also go out on top at Mania.

The one thing I'm of strong hope on, this year, is a World Heavyweight title run. He deserves at least one more before he goes out. And why not have him be the guy who goes over Randy Orton, after Orton (theoretically) defeats the Game at Mania.

On a personal note, this story has made my heart slightly stop. And as I've said else-where, I'm of definite belief that this is roughly a countdown to the end of HBK-aholic's life as we know it.

Seriously though, this will be a sad, sad day in the world of Professional Wrestling.

[Ryanhitman316]

Hmm, I'm guessing this means HBK will likely be the big name induction for next years HOF ceremony, other than that, not really sure what he should do for his final year, I do think his WM match HAS to be huge, and if he wrestles someone on the active roster then he should put them over, there are a full "Dream" matches I wouldn't mind seeing that I don't think have been done yet, one of which is RVD vs. HBK, I think the two of them could put on on hell of a match at Mania 26, also wouldn't mind seeing another feud with Edge as well, and an MVP/HBK feud would be pretty badass as well IMO not really sure how they should end his career, I'm guessing it will be some sort of Loser must retire match, a few things I really don't have any desire to see, are DX and Triple H ending HBKs career at WM, in fact I really don't want to see Trips wrestle HBK ever again

RVD VS HBK will be awesome but it happen already. It was the night after HBK won the elimination chamber match RVD challenge him on RAW. It was a nice match.

[justinsayne]

RVD VS HBK will be awesome but it happen already. It was the night after HBK won the elimination chamber match RVD challenge him on RAW. It was a nice match.

I want a full match, one with a winner, that match was ruined by Triple H running in and causing a DQ, these two need to have a true one on one PPV level match, and if they don't do it at WM then the should do it at SummSlam, it would be epic, I think there are a lot of people who would love to see the match as well, RVD wouldn't even have to comeback full time either, he could just come back make a few appearaces here and there, cut a few promos, and then wrestle the match, you could set it up as a friendly face vs. face match, and then after a solid match and no matter who wins have the two shake hands

[adamjv80]

what better way for hbk to go out then in a match against his best friend and at one time arch enemy, HHH? Sure, its been done many a time, but its always been awesome feuds with great storylines. plus, it satisfies all those who bitch about hhh being in the title picture at wrestlemania every year.

[SavageTaker]

I hope that john morrison gets the a rub from shawn michaels either at the end of this year or early next year.He definetly has to get the rub before shawn retires.But first he needs to change or at least tweak the gimmick he is currently working with.

Now i can see HBK retiring in one of the following ways:

If they have undertaker defeat shawn at WM25 then next year shawn can say that the match was nothing but a fluke and he wasnt ready.He is so cocky and confident that he is willing to put his career on the line.The undertaker will obviously accept the challenge and cuts a promo saying that he understands that before their match at wm25 he had never beaten shawn but he succeeded at wm25.He accepts shawn's challenge and says he made him retire once and he will do it again to finally get him out of the wwe for good.Also to spice this up more they can have the undertaker doing the heel things kind of how shawn did this year.Also they announce that shawn will be inducted in the HOF and he will lead the class of 2010.Then they have his arch enemy and best friend induct him and wish him luck.

If they dont want to do undertaker vs shawn II then they go for triple h.

I can see shawn capturing the wwe or whc title at the royal rumble.Well we know what trips did to orton and then batista when they wont their first world titles,well they can have him turn on shawn and becoming jealous.The way they have trips turning on shawn is by trips having a celebration for shawn and when they come out they cut a promo and do their thing. suddenly hunter would hit the pedigree on shawn and beat him to a bloody pulp.therefore setting up a match at wrestlemania,but to spice things up even more they have triple h challenge shawn at WM but the loser must retire.The night before they can have ric flair induct shawn into the HOF and of course wishing him luck.When it comes to wrestlemania time they have triple h win and i know alot of people will be mad because he will just be 2 title reigns away from matching flair's recognized world title reigns,but they have trips win to become a 14 time champion.If they want to turn hhh face again because he will obviously be playing the heel,they can have him cut a heartfelt promo on raw the next night,he would say things like he should have never let the champion mess up their friendship.and in order to show he is sorry he will give him a send off similar's to ric flair.


What do you guys think.

[dx58201]

I dont know why you guys are creaming your pants over the idea of john morrison getting put over by hbk next year at mania.. If there is one match hbk should have it should be against jeff hardy and bring back the ladder this would be one hell of a match that could be the one that finally puts jeff in the spotlight for good..

[bulldog76]

HBK, Im guessing will be spending this final year making sure WWE is ready to take the next step with its next crop of stars. Orton, check. Cena, check. Edge, check. So far there are only two major talents Jeff Hardy has pinned, Triple H and Edge. Why not have a somewhat significant fued with these two (HBK/Jeff) later in the year? But I agree. Morrison/HBK (even though Morrison isn't ready yet) could be good at the tail-end of 09. MVP. Heck, I would love to see Christian vs HBK. Christian is another good veteran (like Jeff) who could use a fued with HBK. I wouldn't look for Ladder matches as HBK has said Jericho is likely his last. If Vince has a guy in mind he would really like to get a good rub, HBK is the guy to give them some credibility.

Triple H may be his last match, but until then, I will probably be looking for him to bring up the next crop of WWE stars to ensure a productive future.

[jazzua]

I'm not looking forward to this. I don't know if I will look at the business the same once HBK is gone. He is, was, and always will be my favorite part of the show. If there is ever someone who I think deserves to go out with a win it's him. I think we definately need to see HBK vs. Morrison over the next year. As for his WM 26 opponent. I say Jericho. The two of them could really put on the type of performance that Michaels deserves on his way out. I think it is important for HBK to go out giving the rub even though he may deserve not too. It would only further the speculation that he won't job if he doesn't due it in his final match. But what a better way to go. HOF plus a WM classic verse Jericho. Classic!!

[suneeboy]

What the hell is everyone talking about? Do people realize that this is the great HBK we are talking about? Please show the man some respect. He won't be putting over a new talent, so stop marking out thinking John Morrison is going to be HBK's last opponent. It doesn't even make sense, just because Morrison reminds you of a young HBK and just because he superkicked him in a tag match doesn't mean that they'll feud and that Morrison will be put over by HBK at Mania, in HBK'S LAST MATCH! It will be either Jericho, Cena, or Triple H IF his last match is at Mania next year. It has to be something personal and dear to him for it to be openly his last match. John Morrison, Jeff Hardy, or whoever else you're thinking will not get the rub here.

If I had to gamble on it, I would say HHH. We might see a Morrison mini-feud but I'll be damned if I see Morrison send HBK off. Who the hell would want to see that except for a few IWC Smarks?

[Doctor_What]

Kurt Angle could be back in wwe by the time WM26 rolls around so how about the final chapter in the Angle/Michaels rivalry? Think about it they are level. Angle won 1 Michaels won 1 and they drew a match.

[Y 2 Jake]

I heard it months ago. It's about time. 2009 should mark the fifth anniversary of when he last gave a fuck. I think the real question will be weather he'll put somebody over before he leaves or will he face Triple H. Of course everybody already knows the answer.

[NightShiftLoser]

There's nothing left for him to accomplish, so the year should be filled out with everything we want to see. As NorCal mentioned, a match with John Morrison would be great. Even if they threw it on Cyber Sunday, we'd still want to see it. He needs one last match with Triple H. Either as a team, or against each other. They could do that at No Way Out next year. I'd personally like to see a good long match against Jeff Hardy. Title reigns? Probably not. He's held them all, and he doesn't need a title to solidify anything.

As far as WrestleMania 26, it all depends on if it really is his last match. If he's done there, he needs to put someone over. The only person at a high enough level that he could put over, is Randy Orton. Sure, Orton is already "over", but imagine what it would do for him to beat HBK on the grandest stage. If he's not done at WrestleMania, than he could wrestle just about anybody. I'd personally like to see him in MiTB. He wouldn't win, but he'd have a chance to show youngsters exactly how it's done.

[ballin0812]

before he does bow out, i'd really like to see a tag-team feud with DX and B.O.D.

all four of them are coming to an end within 1-5 years and that has been a feud i would like to see and a match i think would be a classic tag team match. doesn't have to be mania, but maybe a summerslaam bout or something.

[Ryanhitman316]

I want a full match, one with a winner, that match was ruined by Triple H running in and causing a DQ, these two need to have a true one on one PPV level match, and if they don't do it at WM then the should do it at SummSlam, it would be epic, I think there are a lot of people who would love to see the match as well, RVD wouldn't even have to comeback full time either, he could just come back make a few appearaces here and there, cut a few promos, and then wrestle the match, you could set it up as a friendly face vs. face match, and then after a solid match and no matter who wins have the two shake hands

I agree, I always wanted to see RVD VS HBK ever since RVD was in the old ECW. It will be a nice match but who do you think they will put over? A return RVD or a retire hall of famer HBK?

[Milkyway!]

Does it honestly matter? He'll be back. Ric Flair and Funk set the standards a littler higher. Its officially okay to be a professional wrestler until you're 60. As long as you have a little left in the tank. After 4-5 years of going out, he'll begin training and we'll have good ol' dried up HBK back again.

I could be wrong, but I highly doupt it. If any of you have ever watched HBK's bio hes been wrestling since he was a child, with his brothers and doing all these WWE moves. Thats 30-40 years of his life devoted to professional wrestling. Sure hes taken breaks here and there, but face it. Shawn Micheals may nevahhhh retiahhh!!!

[Leeds Guy]

Orton, check. Cena, check. Edge, check. So far there are only two major talents Jeff Hardy has pinned, Triple H and Edge.

Three
Jeff beat HBK clean on Raw early last year.

Shawn retiring is a shame, hes stole the show on countless number of occasions and i dont think he has ever had a bad feud. Deffo agree that hes in next years HOF and probably will headline it, cos lets face it he deserves it. Say what you want about his ''backstage politics'' the man has gone out there for 20 years and given us moment after moment after moment, its truly gonna be a sad day when he retires.

How would i like him to go out? in an epic feud against an up and comer in the WWE which culminates at Wretlemania. i hope its not against the overrated John Morrison (although a feud has to be done at some point between them this year) perhaps somebody brand new,cocky,arrogant,kinda reminds you of shawn. i think it would go down well. When the dust settles though im sure everyone will agree that HBK is one of the greatest Superstars to step foot in the ring.

[KnightShadow]

I'm very surprised no one has thought of this...Shaw will lose to 'Taker today. Next year he will tell 'Taker that he did not get the job done last time but that he will put his career on the line and challenge him one more time. If he loses he will retire and all that. 'Taker wins again, the streak is alive and Shawn will go out with a huge match that everyone will want to see!!!!

[HBK-aholic]

I haven't really got my head around this yet. I'm going to talk random shit and get upset during this, feel free not to read. The Showstopper can't retire. He is the WWE, he is amazing, he is what makes me this excited for an event, he is what makes me love the programming so much. The WWE won't be the WWE without Shawn, and to be honest I can't imagine staying awake until 2 in the morning to watch Raw if he's not there. This isn't to say I won't still watch it, but a huge sense of excitement will be gone.

There'll be no more 5* matches, no more merchandise, no more shows where I can see him. There'll be no more amazing promos, screaming fans - there'll be no more Mr. Wrestlemania. I can't begin to explain how huge that is, Shawn has been a permanent fixture in my life for so long, I've watched WWE since I was born, and Shawn has always been my favourite. When he left with a back injury in '98, even being that young I was still heartbroken. Now will be so much worse. He really is the heartbreak kid.

His match at Wrestlemania 26 will be the best of his career - think of how great what he did with Flair was, and then think abotu how much more loved Shawn is by all of the fans. He'll get a true tribute show - probably the one wrestler who could have one more emotional than Flair's was. He's shown what the business means to him time and time again, and picturing how emotional he was during the 'I lost my smile' speech, I can't begin to imagine what this will be like when he knows it's the end.

This last year, I still can't picture it. Hopefully elongate the feud with 'Taker I guess. I also agree with a feud with Morisson - he could be the next HBK, which is even more important to have now. I can't picture much else, because I can't see Shawn actually leaving. Yes, I know he will, I'm not stupid enough to think he'll change his mind. Shawn's doing this for his family, and it's obvious they're the most important things in his life.

Really holding on to the idea of his returning some day - I don't think I'd be able to live not seeing Shawn at Wrestlemania. I'll make sure to go to as many shows in the UK as possible that have him in - seems even more important now. But his children aren't even 10 yet - and he's discussing them as teenagers. Shawn will be around 50, maybe older, when this happens, can we really see him being as good? I'm slightly worried he could ruin his amazing legacy by returning then, but also selfishly hoping he does, maybe just once, so we can see him again.

I really, really hope he doesn't step away from the business completely, although I have a feeling that he will. He should stay - commentator, manager, anything. A WWE without Shawn is so hard to think about. And who's going to take on his role of putting over younger stars? Triple H? Undertaker? I somehow doubt it. I think there's a problem there.

Eugh, a tiny part of me is still hoping this isn't true. But I know it is. The day he retires will be a horrible day for the industry and for his millions of fans. Thank you Shawn, I love you.

[chief]

Here are the latest odds you can get on HBKs wrestlemania opponent for WMXXVI.

2/1 HHH (Favorite)
4/1 Undertaker
7/1 Randy Orton
8/1 Jeff Hardy
8/1 Edge
9/1 Chris Jericho
12/1 Kurt Angle (I think, his TNA contract expires in September)
15/1 Rey Mysterio
25/1 John Morrison
50/1 Marty Jannetty
100/1 Bret Hart (rank outsider)


Disclaimer: Don't take these seriously, they are mental.

[Twist]

Three
Jeff beat HBK clean on Raw early last year.

Four.. the Undertaker in the Extreme Rules match late last year.

I've never been a fan of HBK and I don't like every major story revolving around him, but he still has a burst of enjoyment every once in a while. I grow very tired of his spots and overall he doesn't entertain me anymore, but he did pull off a great ladder match with Jericho, and an overall great feud.. he had a great match with Cena on Raw, and he can put people over just by being in the match with him. While I don't like the guy, I can respect what will be missed when he's done full-time.

I'd hope he fights Hardy or Morrison next Wrestlemania, but like many have said, it's going to be HHH.

[The Great Gouki]

Credit Dub-Zee.com



Have a ladder match mixed in some place, maybe for the IC title (or one of the world titles, with Shawn retaining??).




I heard somewhere (can't remember the source) that HBK is tired of ladder matches. If you wanna go that route though, just for the sake of something the fans would wanna see. Throw Jeff Hardy in there. I'm SURE he'd do it.

for the record, and I seem to always get heat for saying this...but Jeff Hardy is horrible. But I'd pay to see an HBK/Hardy ladder..or even TLC match.

[schaeffershawn]

It seems peopel are forgetting one important thing. HBK gre wup looking up to Ric Flair and retired him is it not there for fitting that Jericho who became a pro wrestler beacuse of HBK be teh guy to end his career. Jericho becomes the new show stopper. Everyone admits he has upped his game this last year and if he continues Jericho would make perfect sense.

I could see another thing happening with Taker, but unlike hwta has already been said you have them fued ofr a year with both announcing that 26 will be their last maina and HBK beating Taker, then they both leave the two greatest wrestlemaina performers in history.

Finaly My choice would be and the guy who needs the rub teh most, Christian. Retiring HBK would be huge for the Instant Classic. It would certainly propell him up towards teh main event.

[mindlesspuppet]

I'd like to see Michaels vs Morrison at the next Wrestlemania. Michaels and HHH already had an amazing fued, they beat each other half to death back and forth over countless matches. Jeff Hardy doesn't need Michaels' help to get over, plus he's kind of a one trick pony and can't come close to matching Michaels ground game. Morrison feels like "the next HBK" to me. BUT, if Morrison and Michaels doesn't happen...

Then I have to say I want to see Michaels vs. Jericho, one last time. These two have more of a rivalry than HBK/HHH, they've put on FAR better matches. I dunno, just seems fitting.

ALSO!!! I think Michaels should go out winning at Wrestlemania. Time after time he puts on the best show at WM, and time after time he also loses. If he doesn't win I think there should be a 10 count on both competitors... almost thought that's what they were going to do with Taker... haven't seen that in 10+ years...

[HBK-aholic]

Here are the latest odds you can get on HBKs wrestlemania opponent for WMXXVI.

I'm going to go through them, because I'm bored.

2/1 HHH (Favorite)

Definately a strong possibility - people will probably complain that we've seen them wrestle before, and they should really get over that. The 2 have one of the best histories in the business, and both will go down as legends. You know that they will have a good match, and Triple H retiring Shawn would be something different. You can also count on the emotion of the Flair retirement match.

4/1 Undertaker

I think I'd have gone for this if they hadn't fought this year - if Shawn had decided to retire this year (which I'm thankful he didn't) their match at WM would have been perfect.

7/1 Randy Orton

I'd be pretty pissed if it was Orton, actually. I don't think his last match would be as special, somehow. Orton, the 'legend killer' hasn't really been killing many legends lately, I don't really think that's his gimmick anymore. While this would be good if he decided to go back to that, I don't think that it would mean as much, somehow.

8/1 Jeff Hardy

It'd put him over, sure. But does Jeff really need that? He's already more over with the fans than most, and has already been Shawn cleanly. I don't think this would be the best way to end his career.

8/1 Edge

Same as Orton, really. They'd have a good match, in fact, this feud is something I'd like to see in shawn's last year. But I'd prefer to have someone with whom it'll look to mean more.

9/1 Chris Jericho

Someone like Chris Jericho. I'd be happy if it was Jericho - it'd be exactly the same as how Shawn retired Flair. Jericho grew up admiring Shawn, and their feud last year was excellent, very personal. I can see Jericho being just as sorry as Shawn was last year.


12/1 Kurt Angle (I think, his TNA contract expires in September)

It'd never be as good as their WM 21 match, and I'd spend the entire match comparing the 2. It'd be good, I wouldn't complain if it happened, but Triple H and Jericho are both better for this.

15/1 Rey Mysterio

Seriously?

25/1 John Morrison

I'd like this - they guy who many have called the next HBK. To be honest, I don't want Shawn's last match to be him, but I think a good feud would do wonders for Morrison, and they could definately have 2 matches.


50/1 Marty Jannetty

Again, seriously?


100/1 Bret Hart (rank outsider)

Haha, that would be great, in a funny way. It would probably take away from it being Shawn's last match though - something I'd be concious of happening. I would laugh I think, though.

[OIL]

The Showstopper can't retire.

He can, and should.

He is the WWE.

He's not. Plenty of other superstars could take that honour.

The WWE won't be the WWE without Shawn.

It will. Remember when he got injured. The WWE were fine.

There'll be no more 5* matches

There will. Quite a few wrestlers capable.


There'll be no more amazing promos

He wasn't that good at them to begin with.

A WWE without Shawn is so hard to think about.

It's quite easy, and it's been like that before.


And who's going to take on his role of putting over younger stars? Undertaker? I somehow doubt it. I think there's a problem there.

I think you'll find Undertaker does that too.

[Dragonslayer]

Well I think the most likely pairing would be Triple H vs HBK at WM26. Which might not even be such a bad thing, even if they've done it numerous times before. The best thing about it - Triple H doesn't need to have a title for a match like this, so he could be in a high-profile 'Mania match while the title matches are left to others this time around.

Should it have a stipulation? Not really, but maybe a Special Referee would be nice... I could imagine Ric Flair stepping in for that job. Would be nice to have him being a part of HBK's last match, when HBK was part of Flair's. Or of course... the thing that is not going to happen, but still... Bret Hart, either inducting HBK into the HOF (yeah right) or doing the special referee for HBK's last match. But I guess Hart is way out of wrestling anyway, and besides, I fear there's really too much legit bad blood still between Hart and HBK for that to happen. But a nice thought.

Another Angle vs HBK or Jericho vs HBK would be cool as well, though I consider Jericho vs HBK unlikely, as they had this long feud last year, and pairing them yet again would not seem smart; Jericho could be used better in other combinations; besides, the Main Event scene could do with some spicing up anyway - I'd rather see Cena vs Jericho for the world title or something like that, instead of Jericho just "doing the honors" again - this time not for Ricky Steamboat, but for HBK. Not a bad option, definitely... but I could imagine better ones.

Other than that, HBK vs Taker II would of course be tremendous, especially with "careers on the line"... they could even bill it as career vs career match, since people know Undertaker is close to the end of his as well... so HBK claims that Taker got the best of him this year, but he wants to try again, putting all on the line... if he wins he doesn't only end Taker's streak, but his career as well... If he loses, he retires. But somehow I can't see it happening two years in a row. I suppose they might do another HBK vs Taker somehow later this year, around Survivor Series or so maybe, where HBK wins (kind of like HBK's matches with Kurt Angle at WM 21 and Vengeance)...

I guess there are several good options, but HBK definitely needs to go out with a bang, with a "showstopper" - I don't think a loss to give any young guy a rub at WM26 would do him justice. But right now, I would also think that HBK vs HHH is the most likely option for WM26. But who knows what 2009 will bring, so right now, I won't call anything yet heh.

[Y 2 Jake]

With Shawn Michales retiring it at least looks like there's something to look forward to next year. We should steal that countdown clock Kennedy was using two years ago when he said he was going to use his MITB briefcase at Mania.

A boring performer who hasn't produced any five star matches in years. Good riddance.

[shafe_41]

So it's being reported that Shawn Michaels is saying that WM26 will be his last match. It's a good time for him to hang up the boots because HBK has done his time and he's done it damn well. At his age (which isn't exactly old) and still putting on the shows he does is still amazing to me. I know many others have done the same, but it seems like HBK just always has a leg up on everyone. So this raises a few questions. Some past, and some future questions.

1.) Why has HBK gone since the first elimination chamber match to hold one of the major titles? Yes I know he doesn't exactly have the God complex like HHH has, but he is picky who he puts over. But for HBK to not have the title for that many years is pretty lame to me. I realize he knows and we know that he doesn't have anything left to prove, but in that near 7 year period you would think he would have had it at least 1 or 2 other times. I at least think so. So does anyone think that he will hold one of the big ones before he hangs it up? Personally, I don't think he will just because like I said above, if he hasn't for almost the past 5-6 years, he won't now. Plus I just don't see how it would really fit in, but I could be wrong.

2.) Who will his final opponent be? There's a laundry list of people totally capable of being HBK's final opponent but I don't see how any would fit into much of anything. I think the obvious choice would be HHH, but hasn't that match been already beaten to holy hell? I think so. I have seen enough HHH/HBK matches for my liking and if HHH isn't a monster heel who turns on HBK, the match just wouldn't be interesting. Granted I loved this years WM match with HBK/Taker, but I would have booked things differently with HBK. I would have somehow "drug out" the HBK/Jericho feud to all culminate at WM25 because that was just epic. One of the best feuds in recent years. Then, as HBK is ready to retire around WM26 time, he challenges Taker to his final match... Career vs. The Streak. If Taker can beat him, he'll retire, but if HBK wins, he'll end the streak and still retire...but retire on top. I can't really think of anybody else worthy of going up against HBK in his final match. DO NOT SAY CENA. I despised their match at WM23 and their hour long drawn out time killer on Raw, I do not care to see them again. I'm clueless to who it should be with, so what does everyone else think?

[TL]

Want to know who it's going to be? HHH! Who else would it be? I mean, the story's etched in stone, my friends. HBK ends Flair's career. HHH is still bitter knowing HBK had to be the man to put the Nature Boy out. HHH would then go on about how HE would have been in the match if he didn't have a title shot that year. HBK goes on about how much of an ego maniac he is and how he's going to shut HHH up for good and have a showdown for the WWE/WHC title at WM 26. HHH would say something like 'Nothing would be more honorable than to end the career of Mr. Wrestlemania, STOP the Showstopper, SILENCE...Sweet Chin Music, because I AM THE GAME, AND I'M THAT DAMN...

*FWACK* HBK with a kick to HHH's face. HBK says, "See YOU at Wrestlemania!"

Tell me you can't see this coming...IF HBK does indeed retire. It's very possible, and I look for that to be the logical way they go with it. HHH/HBK would be the end all. They had a helluva match after HBK came back from injury. They can tear the house down.

[avi01]

Hopefully it will be not used to put over some other rising star. I`m all for veteran putting over new guys but not in this situation....not for the last HBK match.
So I`m thinking HHH. The list is not too long unfortunately...maybe Jericho.

[HBK-aholic]

I would love for Shawn to hold the title one more time, and he does deserve it. However, he doesn't want it - Shawn hasn't been working a 'full' schedule for quite a few years now; he doesn't attend house shows, or do as many promotional events as the younger stars e.g. John Cena. I think if Shawn wanted it, Vince would give him it. They could definately do worse. Shawn also understands that the title is supposed to be on the face of the company and he knows that he doesn't fulfill that position anymore.

Regarding his last match, I absolutely hate it when people say last matches should be used to put over a star. Why? They have spent their whole life doing things for the business, putting people over etc. The last match should be about them. If they want to have it that way they can, however I think a match with Triple H or Chris Jericho would be more fitting, and I'm going towards the latter at the moment. It'd be much the same as the Flair/Michaels match was - a huge wrestler ending the career of his role model/idol. And that match was amazing. No it wasn't technically sound, but it did exactly what it was supposed to - say goodbye to Ric Flair and make the fans upset that he was leaving. At the end of that match I was in tears, and I expect it to be the same, if not better for Shawn.

[Arrynboot]

HBK doesn't have to lose his final match. I would rather see him face off against Shelton Benjamin than anybody else in WWE, they had in my opinion the best Raw match I have seen in many many years and I think WM26 would allow them the freedom to put on the best match of the year, and elevate Shelton at the same time win or lose.

[Joehaha]

lol you cant have hbk going out to shelton...you just cant. i think it'l end up being hhh...or maybe against edge for the title..because edge and hbk havent had too many matches to my knowledge down the years and iv no doubt that at mania that would steal the show. put the belt on hbk..and have edge face him for it..hbk retires wether he loses or wins..have him win of course.

[Shockwave]

Shawn Michaels is my biggest influence in wrestling and I'm even using the Elbow off the top as my signature move as a mark of respect to pay tribute (though I'll never make it look as good as he does). I believe Shawn more than deserves to hold the title again before he retires and with a long run as champ as well but, along with most, I don't think it's gonna happen. He's probably the most popular face in the company which makes it silly for him to not hold the belt but since when has WWE done the logical thing in the last couple of years. All we can do is hope he's given an extremely fitting send-off and a well deserved induction to the Hall of Fame class of 2010!!

[DC24]

Shawn Michaels is my biggest influence in wrestling and I'm even using the Elbow off the top as my signature move as a mark of respect to pay tribute (though I'll never make it look as good as he does). I believe Shawn more than deserves to hold the title again before he retires and with a long run as champ as well but, along with most, I don't think it's gonna happen. He's probably the most popular face in the company which makes it silly for him to not hold the belt but since when has WWE done the logical thing in the last couple of years. All we can do is hope he's given an extremely fitting send-off and a well deserved induction to the Hall of Fame class of 2010!!
Maybe you didn't know that Macho Man Randy Savage that move famous; I think HBk should go out against Jericho that would best match besides going against Taker again; HBK and Y2J have great chemistry together and would put on a hellva match again.

[Shockwave]

I knew Savage made it famous, i'm just a huge michaels fan so i do it for that reason and as for the Michaels vs Jericho...i would love to see it, i loved their ladder match last year so another Michaels vs Jericho would be a privalege for most wrestling fans to see

[Tariq]

i think it should be taker again. they had an incredible match this wrestlemania. hbk can win this match and be the one who ended the streak in his last match.

[Thewarnole]

My buddy and I were discussing this very topic in the car driving back from mania.

While it will likely be against HHH I would rather it be against an upstart who will eventually be a main eventer. A passing of the torch if you will. Remember it was Bret who made his career off that loss to the bulldog in Wembley stadium. Shawn would retire on top and push his opponent to main event level at the same time...it's a win win.

Personally...an idea for a gimick I thought up would be to push Morrison and turn him into the "new HBK." Have Melina pair with him again to redo the Sherri role and have her sing HBK's music again as his entrance and have him wear older HBK style outfits. He confronts HBK saying he is no longer the true HBK and despite his accomplishments a shadow of his former self and thus needs to leave or at least "lose his HBK name." This would eventually set up a battle for the title of HBK name at Mania between Morrison and Michaels. Michaels wins so he can retire as HBK and Morrison gets pushed. Granted you would then have to change Morrison's gimick then but it would at least get him over to feud Michaels assuming he gets a win over Michaels prior to mania.

Thoughts?

[Asm92784]

HBK HAS to lose in his last match. He was known all through the 90's as a guy who refused to do the job to anyone, and while he has for the most part managed to get rid of that image, there are still a few people out there who dont quite buy it. If Michaels were to win his final match especially if it was advertised as being his final match and at WM, then I think alot of people would use that as "proof" shawn never really changed. It is a time-honored tradition for people to go out on their back, and that was the catalyst for the whole montreal screwjob when bret didnt want to Job to HBK. If after being involved in Montreal and also being the guy to retire Ric Flair, I think it would be a slap in the face to the business if he didnt lose. I dont think it needs to be against an up and coming star, but it needs to be a clean loss against someone, with Jericho or HHH most likely to be the ones to do it. And to be honest, I dont think HBK would want to go out without losing if he has really changed since the 90's (which I personally think he has) for the same reason he hasnt been the champ but once since his return.

[smalltownfan]

If HBK does hang them up after Mania next year, there are two questions. First, will he win or lose his last match? Second, who will his last match be against? The only one to retire a winner in their last match as of late was Trish Stratus. Everyone else has lost their last match so one might think HBK would lose, but then again, he is Mr. WrestleMania and wouldn't it be fitting for him to prove it one last time! As far as who he would face, several have mentioned upstarts and young stars but I just don't see HBK battling a young guy on the biggest stage. My picks, though, if it were going to be a young guy, would be DH Smith or Tyson Kidd acting on behalf of the Hart family to gain the ultimate revenge for the Montreal Screwjob or Mr. Kennedy because, well, it's Kennedy and he wants HBK to move out of the way so he can have the spotlight. I just think, though, that in his last match he will face an established star who knows HBK extremely well and while I agree that HHH would be an obvious choice, I have another pick for you...Batista. Although HHH was sore at HBK for retiring Ric Flair, he got over it. I'm not sure Batista ever did. If you remember, Batista was beyond pissed at HBK for retiring Flair and if memory serves me right, they never really settled the score. This could be a great build-up and could very well be a match for the ages. Also, Undertaker has an outside shot at battling HBK one more time, but don't count on it because I think their program was a one-time deal. So I'm pulling for HBK vs Batista in HBK's farewell match at Mania 26.

[HBK-aholic]

HBK HAS to lose in his last match. He was known all through the 90's as a guy who refused to do the job to anyone, and while he has for the most part managed to get rid of that image, there are still a few people out there who dont quite buy it. If Michaels were to win his final match especially if it was advertised as being his final match and at WM, then I think alot of people would use that as "proof" shawn never really changed. It is a time-honored tradition for people to go out on their back, and that was the catalyst for the whole montreal screwjob when bret didnt want to Job to HBK. If after being involved in Montreal and also being the guy to retire Ric Flair, I think it would be a slap in the face to the business if he didnt lose. I dont think it needs to be against an up and coming star, but it needs to be a clean loss against someone, with Jericho or HHH most likely to be the ones to do it. And to be honest, I dont think HBK would want to go out without losing if he has really changed since the 90's (which I personally think he has) for the same reason he hasnt been the champ but once since his return.

Regarding Montreal, I'd say that was completely different because Hart was going to the rival company, not retiring. There would have been no problem if he was retiring, no fear from McMahon that Hart would take the title to WCW, and therefore no need for what happened to happen.

I don't think he should lose if he doesn't want to - I don't think it really matters, especially if it was against Triple H or Jericho, both who have beaten him before. If Shawn wants to win his last match, he should be allowed to. It was slightly different with Flair because he was still wrestling on the basis he won, so he had to retire with a loss. With Shawn it's different, and if he wants to go out with a win it shouldn't be a problem.

[finneycom1]

I dont know how silly this is going to sound but, why not have Michaels go one on one in his last match with............. Stone Cold Steve Austin? Austin once said he may be willing to do one last match if "the stars would align just right" and the situation was right. Bill it as a Wrestlemania XIV rematch. Have Michaels go over Austin. Michaels goes out the winner. It doesnt make any "active" wrestlers lose any momentum. Fans get treated to a fantastic match- similiar to HBK/Taker match-several stunners and sweet chin musics. Austin has that one final match. It may not make a whole lot of sense to people on here or even myself. But if done right, it would be one helluva build and even a bigger match!! Of course, as of late, I dont know how much faith I have in the WWE writers.

But if not that match, then it should definitely be HHH. Great match, lots of history, great story-telling. They would have to make HHH the heel though. I want a good storyline and a heel/face storyline as much more depth, IMO, than a face/face storyline.

[Bowzer]

Now, I'm a huge HBK fan and I have been since he tossed Marty through that window on the Barber Shop all those years ago, so my idea just might be a little biased towards the Show Stopper, but hear me out.

I think he should win the Rumble and go on to challenge the WWE Champion, Edge, at WM26 in a Title vs Career match. Everyone will expect him to lose and retire, but I say have him win. Then the next night on Raw have him say that it's been a good run, but HBK is going to call it a career while he's on top and have him retire as champ.

Not only does that send off HBK on top, as a reward of sorts for being one of the only top stars to stay with WWE through his entire career, but it also sets up the next WWE Title storyline. An epic tournament to determine the next champ. I'm not talking about some 2 or 3 week crappy tournament that ends with Backlash, I'm talking 32 guys from all 3 brands competing over a couple months with all sorts of intertwining storylines going on (people screwing other, friends turning on each other, Ted DiBiase using his father's money to "buy" his way into the final 4).

[Stinger]

I dont know how silly this is going to sound but, why not have Michaels go one on one in his last match with............. Stone Cold Steve Austin?.

Nah...SCSA said hes closing the door on his career, if you ask me I say it would be The Rock seeing that he is the most obvious candidate for the HOF next year

[jhaze22]

i like the shelton idea....that was a great match on raw...probably the best raw match ever. and i like the tyson kidd or dh smith....makes sense. the problem with those 3 guys is that there isnt' enough time to push them so high up that they would even be seriously considered to wrestling hbk at wrestlemania. shelton would have the edge though. if it's shelton, they have to start pushing him soon. and if it's kidd or smith, they better start today! but really, i think it will be HHH. i don't that hhh has to be a heel either. hbk could come to hhh the same as flair did to hbk. now if hbk doesn't lose, or doesn't want to lose, he will be bret hart all over again and i don't think he wants that. so that being said, i think he will lose his last match.

[Brent.Elsley]

I can only hope that if HHH and HBK square off in a title match at WM 26 next year... that whoever wins the Money in the Bank ladder match cashes it in as soon as HHH beats HBK and takes the title from him... because HHH needs to stop putting himself over and start putting others over. ARGGHHHH!

[BernacK6]

I think he should win the Rumble and go on to challenge the WWE Champion, Edge, at WM26 in a Title vs Career match. Everyone will expect him to lose and retire, but I say have him win. Then the next night on Raw have him say that it's been a good run, but HBK is going to call it a career while he's on top and have him retire as champ.

Not only does that send off HBK on top, as a reward of sorts for being one of the only top stars to stay with WWE through his entire career, but it also sets up the next WWE Title storyline. An epic tournament to determine the next champ. I'm not talking about some 2 or 3 week crappy tournament that ends with Backlash, I'm talking 32 guys from all 3 brands competing over a couple months with all sorts of intertwining storylines going on (people screwing other, friends turning on each other, Ted DiBiase using his father's money to "buy" his way into the final 4).

This was the best idea of the bunch for a few reasons:
1) Shawn Michaels is one of the Top 2-3 Royal Rumble performers ever. Royal Rumble 1995 is one of my personal favorite matches, with HBK-Bulldog going wire to wire. 1996 was about redemption and the culmination of the WWE's best written story ever. Winning the Royal Rumble one last time puts HBK alongside Stone Cold as the only men to win 3 Rumbles and solidifies him as the greatest Post-Hogan superstar ever.

2) Winning the title at Wrestlemania 26 allows Michaels to put the stamp on his self-imposed "Mr. Wrestlemania" title. Regardless of who the opponent is (Edge would be a great choice, as they lack history similar to HBK-HHH, HBK-Cena, etc.), winning the title and retiring on top is how the Shawn Michaels story should end.

3) A Huge tournament to determine a new champion would be epic. 32 men seems to be the perfect number too, because then you get to see some guys who normally aren't in the title picture getting a shot at glory. Have the rounds of 32 and 16 happen over a 2 week period on Raw & Smackdown, leaving 8 men and 7 matches for Backlash. One of the things WWE used to do right was having complete tournaments occur on PPV (1993/1994/1995 King of the Ring, 1998 Survivor Series Deadly Games, etc.). Thus, Backlash 2010 would be the 8 man tourney to crown the new Champion. This would re-establish the Belt as something worth fighting for, as someone will have to win 3 matches in one night to be crowned Champion.

Great idea Bowzer....you're the 1st poster on this site filled with marks, babies, and whiners to have an opinion I agree with!!!

[Brent.Elsley]

For the love of god WWE! Please! Don't let HHH be HBK's final opponent at WM 26. It's already predictable that HHH would win because Michaels will put him over. I can already see the weeks of build up now. HHH going on and on about beating HBK and becoming the new Mr.Wrestlemania. HHH... please retire already! I am sick and tired of seeing this guy win and constantly using his backstage pull to move himself closer to beating Flair's 16 world title reigns. It's sad that HHH is striving for this because it also means he's lost the title so many times. Sad part truly is, that this guy considers himself one of the all time greats of wrestling. In reality, he's just good on the mic and happened to be lucky enough to become Vince McMahon's son in law. I wonder where he'd really be at if he hadn't ever come across Stephanie McMahon. Bottom line is, HHH will never be in the same league as guys like Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin or the The Rock. It's just fact.

As for HBK's final opponent at WM 26... has anyone not thought of Jeff Hardy. It's a risk to take because Jeff has been off and on over the past few years but his fan base is huge. Imagine Jeff Hardy getting a pinfall victory over HBK at a Wrestlemania. Talk about a moment. And I'm not even creating this scenario as a Jeff Hardy fan... I just can see it being huge. Something to ponder over until next year.

[tnarage2]

i think hbk last opponent should be not triple h not y2j not taker but maybe orton reason why legened killer! bar none see hbk should face orton in a match that nevers happed at mania at that match would be called a last man standing the stip would be like the loser leaves wwe for good. but we know that hbk will come back. they always come back.

[farlance]

I'm surprised nobody has said John Morrison for HBK last match. If he gets drafted away from Miz he can be pushed to the moon over the next year, in time for WM26.

As for an Epic match for HBK to go out with, the only dream match I have him in is with The ROCK. But theres about a 1 in a million chance that would ever happen.

[Jordan adams]

Shawn will lose is last match because he likes to put people over now I mean he put Davri over on raw a couple years back. Im suprise this name hasent come up CMpunk seems to be a good choice to me. This is how you do it you cmpunk cash in the mitb and wins the wwe title then you have shawn micheals get same treatment as ric fliar but this time by vicky where if he lose he has to retire. Then have shawn win the royal rummble. then he chose to wrestle cmpunk and he loses. This could help cmpunk career a lot. and i think it would be a great match

[DhA]

Yeah I don't want HHH retiring the guy, but at the same time a complete mid carder doign it would ruin the moment IMO. Jericho is the perfect option IMO as although they'd had their fair share of matches i nthe past, it's no secret than HBk is one of Y2J's favourite wrestlersand WM XIX shows they can produce the goods.

[PsychoWard]

Shawn is picky about who he puts over.... and if it doesn't happen before WM26 I think he should put over John Morrison.
You keep hearing how Morrison is similiar to Shawn. Other than Morrison just isn't that good on the mic, he does however have all the skills to perform up to shawns caliber!

Leading into WM26... Morrison is the IC title holder, he's doing his cocky promos, where no one can touch him at the palace of wisdom. At this point we know shawn is going to have a last match at WM26 and his promos are in search of an opponent....

Morrison ego needs this match, not only with shawn but to show him up on a ladder!?! Hmmmm....

WWE is working to better the IC title... with a Morrison run. A shawn WWM26 win and retire. Will complete a whole lot of goals. Bring Morrison to the top, give shawn his last WM match on top. And give the IC title back its glory!

[Agent-67]

First how we should all realize when wrestlers say this or that about their last match, we must take it with a grain of salt. These guys are night and day about when they will hang it up.
Second, he NEEDS TO LOSE TO AN UPCOMING STAR! Wrestling is FAKE! The Ric Flair retirement match was good, but after its over it did nothing for the WWE. HBK losing to HHH is pointless. HHH is as over as he will ever be. I don’t know who would be a good choice, because it’s a year away. But put someone over. As for him ending the Taker’s streak, that’s just plain stupid. He ends the streak and retires??? What the hell??? What good would that do for the industry? You have to look down the road in this business and what’s good for the company, the fans, and the storylines.
Third, another title run is not in the works. Should he have gotten one? Maybe, but right now for the BUSINESS it would not benefit anyone to put the strap on HBK.

[hoffman40]

Let me go on record yet again with this statement...There is no one in the Wrestling business that has had more influence in his/her career than HBK. Everything that wrestling is today is because of HBK. DX was revolutionary, his style of wrestling was revolutionary, his style of "selling" was revolutionary, and his comeback was/is still beyond belief. JR said it best when he said,"If Ric Flair is the number 1 greatest wrestler of all-time, its hard to argue that Shawn Michaels isn't 1a." If Mania 26 is his last match, than he deserves it and I'll be sad to see THE GREATEST performer to go out, but at least he'll be on top."

Now to answer your questions, Shafe...

1. I personally think HBK should've won the belt off Cena at Mania 24 and WWE had Cena chase the belt through the summer. But, it's true that HBK doesn't want the belt and if he won it he'd probably have to be a little lenient with that relaxed schedule Vince has him on. Also, the real reason he doesn't have the belt is because...unlike Hogan, HBK likes putting over young talent!!! You are right about him being picky about who he puts over but if you notice he has a current theme of WHO he puts over...guys that will A. Help the company B. Are passionate about the business.

2. There is no clear cut answer...Dream scenario is HBK wins the Rumble for the record third time and chooses to face the WWE Champion at Mania...that champion??? UNDERTAKER! This time with an HBK win! Streak over, New Champion, Hall of Fame ending to a Hall of Fame career! I think this possibly could happen, set up UT/HHH or UT/Orton for the next year and play it out till Mania. You can't say that UT wouldn't do the job for him either with all the mutual respect those two have for each other. I think the logical choice is a career vs. career match with either Jericho or HHH. HHH would make sense because of the friendship/honor aspect that those guys have. Jericho is a dream scenario for WWE. I truly think that they only have about another year with the current Jericho gimmick, which is brilliant by the way, giving them a good year to push Jericho in a big way. Plus, they already have a great basis for the feud!!! Remember Jericho HATING the WWE Legends, Hating Ric Flair, Stomping on the watch that HBK had given to him?!?!?! This has all the linings to feud Jericho with either Flair or HBK. I'll go on record as saying that HBK-Jericho at WM19 is seriously one of the greatest Mania matches in history! The match would make the show AND seemingly put Jericho instantly face if done right and in line for a monster push until its Jericho's turn to possibly call it quits at WM27. Another possibility is FLAIR! Think about it...HBK ends his career with the man whose career was ended by HBK. It would be a great way to end HBK's career and give Flair one more match.

[simonhirst]

what an idea from before!!! Have HBK vs whomever in the final match for the title. For arguements sake, say its against HHH. Says HBK tells HHH he's retiring after WM26 and wants that last match to be with his best buddy. So teh match happens and HBK pulls off the win for the title. Both exhausted like Taker and HBK were after there match. Earlier in the night during the MITB ladder match, a major spot happens with four ladders, making a square shape over the ring, all off them lose balance off the ladder n all go thru tables/to the outside. a masked wrestler runs down, sets up a ladder, steals the case and runs off. much confusion...later in the night....after HBK's win, Edge's music plays much to everyone's suprise (say he was injured and was meant to be ruled out of mania) and spears michaels and wins the title.

This could set up an 8 man tournament between the MIYB competitors for the number 1 title shot and give Edge even more heat than he already has. I choose Edge, i would love it to be someone we dont suspect. Kind of like when Coach hit Shane with a chair that once. No1 saw that coming!!! lol. Maybe Benjamin or summet.

[Mental]

I think it will end up as HHH, But if they wanted to progress CM Punk and push him as a heel it would be a good match.

[Thorodrew Atlas]

His last match should be against HHH or to add a little twist Ric Flair

Who knows thats a year from now so he can have even a bigger storyline then he did with Jericho that should be his last match

Supposely his contract will be up by then.....this is just going out on a limb but why not Kurt Angle ...both will give the audience a good match:jason:

[Thewarnole]

I'm surprised nobody has said John Morrison for HBK last match. If he gets drafted away from Miz he can be pushed to the moon over the next year, in time for WM26.

As for an Epic match for HBK to go out with, the only dream match I have him in is with The ROCK. But theres about a 1 in a million chance that would ever happen.

I said John Morrison in the first post of page 2. Here was my scenario.

While it will likely be against HHH I would rather it be against an upstart who will eventually be a main eventer. A passing of the torch if you will. Remember it was Bret who made his career off that loss to the bulldog in Wembley stadium. Shawn would retire on top and push his opponent to main event level at the same time...it's a win win.

Personally...an idea for a gimick I thought up would be to push Morrison and turn him into the "new HBK." Have Melina pair with him again to redo the Sherri role and have her sing HBK's music again as his entrance and have him wear older HBK style outfits. He confronts HBK saying he is no longer the true HBK and despite his accomplishments a shadow of his former self and thus needs to leave or at least "lose his HBK name." This would eventually set up a battle for the title of HBK name at Mania between Morrison and Michaels. Michaels wins so he can retire as HBK and Morrison gets pushed. Granted you would then have to change Morrison's gimick then but it would at least get him over to feud Michaels assuming he gets a win over Michaels prior to mania.

Thoughts?

[C.M.V.P]

His last match should be against HHH or to add a little twist Ric Flair



I dont agree, if HBK is really serious about retiring at WM26, his last shouldnt be against HHH & especially not Ric Flair.
How would a HBK-HHH or HBK-Flair match help WWE create future main eventers? It wouldnt. HBK last match should be against a mid-carder like Morrison or someone else to get rub of him & help him become a main-eveter.

[HBK-aholic]

I dont agree, if HBK is really serious about retiring at WM26, his last shouldnt be against HHH & especially not Ric Flair.
How would a HBK-HHH or HBK-Flair match help WWE create future main eventers? It wouldnt. HBK last match should be against a mid-carder like Morrison or someone else to get rub of him & help him become a main-eveter.

Been wanting to debate you for a long time :)

While I don't dislike Morrison, and I want the 2 to feud during the year, why does Shawn have to eleviate him by letting him beat him in his last match? Surely, if he was good enough, he'd be able to get into the main event scene without having one match with Shawn. I think the rub from this is completely exagerated and unnecessary in a way.

[C.M.V.P]

Been wanting to debate you for a long time :)
It's your lucky day, only thing missing from making you a very happy girl today is NorCal coming online

While I don't dislike Morrison, and I want the 2 to feud during the year, why does Shawn have to eleviate him by letting him beat him in his last match?

I never said anything about HBK losing his last match to Morrison, they could put on a great wrestling match with Morrison coming just short of beating HBK

Surely, if he was good enough, he'd be able to get into the main event scene without having one match with Shawn. I think the rub from this is completely exagerated and unnecessary in a way.
I think he's good enough to be a main eventer once he gets away from the Miz, before he was teamed up with the Miz, he was the ECW champion & I think he was doing a pretty good job at champ, I know he was only champion because of Benoit but still he was the ECW champ

[shadowlaw85]

I don't kno if everyone will agree with my chhoice but I say iy should be john morrison....I kno everyone hasn't forgotton the super kick thay he gave to hbk on raw a couple months back....they could set it up where john morrison starts his singles career and be on a hot streak beatin a few top superstars than he could single out hbk somehow and have they feud start at royal rumble where hbk elimantes morrison.....however the feud starts it could push morrison to be one of the top heels of the near future

[Slam Master]

In the interview he gave, Shawn Michaels said he was gonna call it quits after WM26, but then come back to wrestling when his kids are older. This could be good because it will give him time to rehab his knee and back, as well as concentrate on his physique and fitness. This will also be a good break because it will make him happy to be with his family, and it will give the WWE a chance to give his Main Event spot to someone else, probably the person he puts over at WM26(whoever it may be).

I think since this will be his last hoorah for a few years, they might turn him heel and put the strap on him once towards WM26 so he can drop it to whoever he wrestles. He will definitely have a major role in the upcoming year. I don't think it will be someone like Triple H. HBK is still fairly young (going on 44). Flair was 60, so you knew he was gonna be done for good. It would be a slap in the face if he had a "retirement match" 2010 with someone like HHH, and then he's back wrestling in 2012. It will probably be a younger up-and-coming guy. I can see HBK turning heel and challenging Punk for the briefcase in the near future, and winning it (They'd work good together, I'm sure). He'd cash it in and win the belt to set up the match between him and CM Punk and WM26. If its not Punk, it will be someone along those lines that they want to make into Cena-type status (I'm not a big fan of Cena, either).

[HBK-aholic]

It's your lucky day, only thing missing from making you a very happy girl today is NorCal coming online

Where is NorCal anyway? I miss him :(

I never said anything about HBK losing his last match to Morrison, they could put on a great wrestling match with Morrison coming just short of beating HBK

Why can't they do this in a feud? It'd be quite simple, they could have a few good matches, further improve Morrison's mic skills, and even have him beat Shawn cleanly. Why does this have to take place in Shawn's final match?

I think he's good enough to be a main eventer once he gets away from the Miz, before he was teamed up with the Miz, he was the ECW champion & I think he was doing a pretty good job at champ, I know he was only champion because of Benoit but still he was the ECW champ

He does need to get away from Miz, just like Shawn needed to get away from Jannety. This could happen quite recently, have the 2 feud up until ther end of summer at least.

[HBK-aholic]

In the interview he gave, Shawn Michaels said he was gonna call it quits after WM26, but then come back to wrestling when his kids are older. This could be good because it will give him time to rehab his knee and back, as well as concentrate on his physique and fitness. This will also be a good break because it will make him happy to be with his family, and it will give the WWE a chance to give his Main Event spot to someone else, probably the person he puts over at WM26(whoever it may be).

Do you really think Shawn returning when his children are in their teens is a good thing? Cheyenne is turning 5 in August - that's still at the very least 8 years before she's in her teens, and who says it'll be as soon as she turns 13? We're talking about Shawn moving up his fifties quite quickly here, and we're also talking a whole new generation of fans. Do you think he'll be remembered well enough that this legacy won't be tarnished? Even as Shawn's biggest fan I can't think that hell be anywhere near as good after that long, what if he ruins all the hard work by returning?

[foundation611]

I dont agree, if HBK is really serious about retiring at WM26, his last shouldnt be against HHH & especially not Ric Flair.
How would a HBK-HHH or HBK-Flair match help WWE create future main eventers? It wouldnt. HBK last match should be against a mid-carder like Morrison or someone else to get rub of him & help him become a main-eveter.

How did Flair losing to Shawn last year elevate anyone? Him leaving or retiring doesn't have to elevate anyone or push anyone to main event. It should be against whomever he chooses same way Flair did it. I doubt he will retire next year anyway I've read he's just going to most likely seriously reduce his schedule and show up once in a while.

[Kryonis]

While I like the idea of Morrison or Jericho "retiring" Michaels, I think Orton or CM Punk would be a great choice as well.

The biggest thing going against Orton in this case would be that he is already main event, and when we are talking about an event like this a mid-carder still on the bubble would be elevated even if they lose. The plus side is his promo work is good enough (though I think could use more work) and I think he could go over Shawn for a title in the main event. However, if I had my way to book it, I would have Shawn win the title at Royal Rumble, talking about how he will retire when he loses the strap, but have him go over Orton at WM26 and the next night on Raw retire with the belt, leading to a tournament or maybe even a 6 Man HIAC at Backlash.

With Punk winning MITB again this year, it is hard to say he won't be main event by WM26 unless the writers completely drop the ball again, which means he gets no use of beating Michaels as far as elevation goes. With or without a title, I think this feud would be great. I would put Punk in as the heel talking about how Michaels held people back and didn't do what was right for the business all those years, screwing guys like Punk because they were "indy". Have him talk about how Michaels says he's changed but he knows he hasn't and he has a point to prove at WM. Michaels accepts but goes on to WM and taps to the Anaconda Vice. Next night they have his retirement party and he apologizes to all the guys he held back all those years back and praises the work of the new guys coming up the ranks.

I think overall, any of the above 4 would put on a phenomenal match with him. Any of these guys could steal the show and/or main event WM with Michaels.

[Chaos Theory X]

People may mock me for this and please, feel free to, but i think it could possibly be John Morrison.

Okay, this is all depending if Miz and Morrison split, so bear with me...

Morrison puts up a good performance in an intercontinental title match, but loses, and continues to do so for a few weeks. HBK comes by and tells him he’s good, but he needs ‘help’. HBK then appears at ringside, giving advice, and occasionally tagging with Morrison, becoming his 'mentor' (Morrison even begins using the super kick as his finisher along with the corkscrew moonsault as a more regular finisher). Morrison begins turning face, and he and HBK are given a tag title shot, and beat ???????? (possibly Legacy) for the titles. However, at the PPV rematch (survivor series maybe?), HBK is preparing to super kick one of their opponents, as Morrison prepares the other. Morrison, however, Super Kicks HBK, and not his opponent. He then leaves the ring for HBK to lose the tag titles. Morrison then cuts a promo saying how he was sick of the 'dead weight' around his neck that was HBK, and that he was only using Morrison as one last shot at the big one, and that HBK is nothing but a has been, washed up nobody who lived in the past.

Still with me? Oh good!

They then interfere in each others’ matches for the weeks building up to the Royal Rumble, then at the rumble, morrison (afetr being eliminated himself) emliminates HBK in the latter stages. They then have an epic match on Raw which Morrison narrowly wins with a Superkick. They then have a rematch at No Way Out, which HBK wins. GM comes out and explains that as their personal tally is at 1-1, they will have a decider; a Street fight/Extreme Rules match at Wrestlemania. In the build up, Morrison lets slip that HBK is planning on retiring after WM nomatter what the result, in an attempt to unsettle HBK.

(Ladder matches are overused in the WWE, otherwise, I'd have used that. Also, theres nothing on the line for it to be a ladder match)

The match is back and forth, with many high risk spots (including Morrison hitting a corkscrew moonsault off a ladder, and HBK elbow dropping Morrison through the announcers table), until finally, the young Lion outlasts the evergreen veteran. At teh end of the match, HBK gets up, and offers Morrison his hand. Morrison looks as if he is going to refuse, however on his way out of the ring, has a change of heart, and returns to shake HBK's hand, to symbolize the passing of the torch.

This is my first post ever, so be gentle!

What do you think?????

[Dave]

People may mock me for this and please, feel free to, but i think it could possibly be John Morrison.

Okay, this is all depending if Miz and Morrison split, so bear with me...

Morrison puts up a good performance in an intercontinental title match, but loses, and continues to do so for a few weeks. HBK comes by and tells him he’s good, but he needs ‘help’. HBK then appears at ringside, giving advice, and occasionally tagging with Morrison, becoming his 'mentor' (Morrison even begins using the super kick as his finisher along with the corkscrew moonsault as a more regular finisher). Morrison begins turning face, and he and HBK are given a tag title shot, and beat ???????? (possibly Legacy) for the titles. However, at the PPV rematch (survivor series maybe?), HBK is preparing to super kick one of their opponents, as Morrison prepares the other. Morrison, however, Super Kicks HBK, and not his opponent. He then leaves the ring for HBK to lose the tag titles. Morrison then cuts a promo saying how he was sick of the 'dead weight' around his neck that was HBK, and that he was only using Morrison as one last shot at the big one, and that HBK is nothing but a has been, washed up nobody who lived in the past.

Still with me? Oh good!

They then interfere in each others’ matches for the weeks building up to the Royal Rumble, then at the rumble, morrison (afetr being eliminated himself) emliminates HBK in the latter stages. They then have an epic match on Raw which Morrison narrowly wins with a Superkick. They then have a rematch at No Way Out, which HBK wins. GM comes out and explains that as their personal tally is at 1-1, they will have a decider; a Street fight/Extreme Rules match at Wrestlemania. In the build up, Morrison lets slip that HBK is planning on retiring after WM nomatter what the result, in an attempt to unsettle HBK.

(Ladder matches are overused in the WWE, otherwise, I'd have used that. Also, theres nothing on the line for it to be a ladder match)

The match is back and forth, with many high risk spots (including Morrison hitting a corkscrew moonsault off a ladder, and HBK elbow dropping Morrison through the announcers table), until finally, the young Lion outlasts the evergreen veteran. At teh end of the match, HBK gets up, and offers Morrison his hand. Morrison looks as if he is going to refuse, however on his way out of the ring, has a change of heart, and returns to shake HBK's hand, to symbolize the passing of the torch.

This is my first post ever, so be gentle!

What do you think?????

Good first post Chaos. I liked it from start to finish. I sall be repping you for that.

the thing is, when I was reading that I kind of tried to imagine it playing in my head and I could. This just seems like something that the WWE would and possibly could do. Minor tweaks here and there and I could really see this going somewhere.

I like the idea of Morrison ending Micheals career because they are very similar in the way that they wrestle. Also, many people are looking to Morrison to fill the whole Micheals gap when he leaves.

I just think though, that Micheals deserves a main event match to end his career and not a mid carder. Someone like Triple H would be the best bet because you would definately feel the emotion between the 2 close friends.

[grillzman859]

i really like the idea chaos and i would have morrison be hs last match because i would definly love to see evelation of a superstar career in wrestlemania

[JuviJuiceIsLoose]

I actualy really hate the idea of John Morrison ending Shawn Michaels' career.

1) John is just the latest in the long line of "Next HBK's".

2) John and Shawn don't actually have any history together. They've probably only interacted maybe twice.

3) I would much rather Shawn's last match be with someone he has actual history with. Someone like Jericho or Triple H.

Morrison maybe today's "Next HBK", but who's to say there won't be a next "Next HBK"???

I like John Morrison a lot, I just don't think he's worthy of being the man to retire Shawn Michaels.

[Al Bundy]

Of course the greatest match up for HBK would be Bret Hart but thats a pipe dream with Harts concussion but this match alone would make WM26 memorable.

A realistic match up would be Triple H but thats predictable and boring.

IMO it should be Mrrrrrrr Kennedy!

[jr7936]

As i posted in the Triple H backlash main event section. I feel that they should use everyone triple H is close to screwing him over to lead into a triple H shawn match for the title at wrestlemania for his final match

How i would play it out is this. At backlash have Shane screw his team and have orton win the belt. In a match at another ppv, have it be vince and Triple H vs Shane and orton, in a no dq match. The reason for this match would be that Vince is so pissed off with his son screwing Triple H and joining the side that wants to get rid of the mcmahons. At the end of the Vince and triple H vs shane and orton match have vince lay out triple H with the sledgehammer and let either shane or orton pin him. During the next couple of weeks, we could have an interaction between Shawn and Triple H which would lead up to Triple H wondering if he could trust his long time friend Shawn. Come next ppv and elimination chamber main event. The chamber would include Orton, Legacy, Shane and Vince, Shawn and Triple H. At the end I would have triple H get eliminated in the middle of the match and have Shawn go on to win the belt. A storyline would build up how Triple H wants Shawn to give him a title shot, but since Shawn refuses to damage their friendship he won't fight Triple H. Come the royal rumble. Shawn is still the champ, and triple H wins the royal rumble match. Triple H decides at wrestlemania he wants to fight shawn for the title in shawns last match. It would be a street fight with the ending being, that both men can't continue and shawn retains the belt. The next night on raw shawn gives up the belt since he is retired. This leads up to a 30 or 40 man wwe title tortament :)

let me know what people think of it
thanks

[Okininja]

ok, I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy. But what if there is a big tournament before Wrestlemania, almost like the one after it described in an earlier post. But have this one for the Intercontinental Championship. 32 people, or such... the semi-final matches being at No Way Out. Something like HHH vs The Undertaker and HBK vs Chris Jerico. Something where you won't really know whose going to be in the final match at Wrestlemania. Possibly say loser has to retire in the final match, something the superstars would have think about before entering... But never-the-less have the Championship match between HHH and HBK, it's most likely gonna happen anyway, they have too much history, but this would give more continuity back to the Intercontinental Championship and I think an awesome way for HBK to retire!

[Wavy Crockett]

U Know What Would Be Cool. If HBK Has his last match against HHH and at the end of it, win or lose, have Scott Hall, X-pac And Kevin Nash (If hes no longer with TNA by then) Come Out And Hug Like What They Did at MSG all those years ago. Well I thought it sounded cool anyways lol

[Scott Free]

My pick would be an impossible scenario, because I would love to see HBK vs Bret Hart at WM 26 in a retirement match. Hell, I'd love to see Bret induct HBK in the HOF too. The build up for such a match is practically fool-proof, their past history speaks for itself, neither HBK or Bret would be painted as the heel, it would be billed as the last match for Bret and Shawn simply. I know Bret would not do it because he's not even close to HBK's level anymore, but I'd still would love to see it, and perhaps, if they broke kayfabe at the end and finally put old demons to rest and hugged, I would call that a Wrestlemania moment.

[THTRobtaylor]

I am amazed that no one has mentioned Kendrick or even Bryan Danielson...

HBK originally trained both guys... so if he was gonna put over someone at WM26 surely one of his own guys would be the ideal pick... This is Shawn after all...

[BDennis69]

i say that Flair comes outta retirement to retire HBK

[Chaos Theory X]

JuviJuice, i can totally see what you mean, and you make some very valid points.

My reasons for thinking Morrison would be a good choice are as follows:

- True, there have been many who have been tagged 'the next HBK', but possibly having HBK as a mentor would solidify that with Morrison more than the others.
- This idea is based on Shawn spotting potential in Morrison. They don't need much of a history because they would build a relationship on HBK's respect for Morrisons abilities.
- In my eyes, a feud with HBK may make him worthy. Now I'm probably going out on a limb there and I wont argue with that, but I think it would be a slight shock to the system and would do wonders for Morrison's career (and maybe even for other young up-and-comers down the line)

That isn't me disagreeing with what you say at all. Someone he had history with like HHH or Jericho would also be a good choice. Thats just my justification of my idea.

[nthomas504]

There are many people who are very capable of being worthy of ending HBK's career at Mania 26. he list goes...

HHH- Obvious choice, they have a storied past together and they are two of the most famous wrestlers of all time. They could set it up like they did with Ric Flair last year on how Shawn needs someone to give him a good match if it ends up being his last. If this is the match they plan to do, I really dont want a feud, or even a title involved, I want it to be a respect thing. Its a match in which you know who's gonna win, but it will be heartbreaking no matter the result.

Y2J- Just like Triple H, they have a long history with each other, feuded and been friends many times. Jericho's energy as a face reminds me so much of Shawn and theey work so well with each other on the mic, as well as in the ring. Really all they need to do is get Shawn involved in the Royal Rumble, eliminate Jericho (which usually one Wrestlemania feud has, i.e Randy Vs Trip), then Jericho starts to rumble about HBK's Career, Shawn gets fed up and challenges him to a match at Mania which turns into a Career ending match, and Shawn leaves the WWE with a ceremony made by Jericho thus succesfully turning him face again.

John Morrison- The next HBK in my mind, everything about him makes him seem like HBK. Him and Miz have already defeated DX so we know he has the talent to defeated HBK, but the feud itself would be difficult. I guess Morrison could have a midcard title, Shawn makes him lose tha title, and Morrison challenges him to a match at mania. And after he beats Michaels, his main event push can begin.

Jeff Hardy- Now there's sumthing about Jeff that kinda reminds me of HBK. He doesnt have size, he's quick, and he is usually shown as an underdog compared to some superstars he faces (Trips), They have gone on and on about him being similar to HBK in most ways, so a match would be very interesting, as it has never been done before, and if Hardy isnt World Champ at the time would solidate he main event status. To my knowledge Jeff has never won at Mania, so this would be a huge make up to all the loses he has accumulated over tha past mania's he's been in.

John Cena- Current face vs. Past Face. I believe during his time as Champion after his Iron-Man match with Bret Hart, he became the face of of WWF. Now Cena is the current face, and since one if tha plans of Mania this year was Stone Cold vs Cena, or Hogan vs Cena, they could make it up with Shawn Vs Cena. Sure its been done before, but wat really hasnt, Shawn has faced off against everybody in the WWE really at least once. If Shawn should go, then it should be to someone who's has a future in tha business, young, and is already successful. Now if Cena is unable to do it, then Morrison, Hardy, Jericho, HHH would be fine. But we all remember how Cena and HBK stole the show, but was overshadowed by tha Hype that was going into the Batista Vs Taker match, well this could be the make up to that and if they could put a title into it, it would make into being one of the most important matches in Mania history (Shawn's Career ended, the passing of the torch as tha Show Stopper from Michaels to Cena, and A momentual confrontation between two of the currently most talked about wrestlers).

The only thing about his retirement is, I dont want it to be like Flairs is right now, I dont want him involved in Mania 27, i want him to take a few years off, and maybe at Mania 30 or sumthin far off, he can make his return, not come back after a few months or maybe a year. You need to give fans a chance a accept that your not a superstar anymore but a retired superstar which most of them dont think that Flair is. I have all respect for Flair, but its time to move on, he said he wanted to be Mayor of North Carolina, be like Ventura and do that and maybe come back one day. As for Shawn, it might be wise to talk a job for tha WWE backstage and unseen from tha public eye, til it would be right for a return, and maybe at Mania 30, I wouldnt mind even one more match from you, but u'll have to wait til them

[Raven123]

HBK shud lose to the guy that will be the next "Mr Wrestlemania"

firstly who performs exceptionally at wrestlemania well Shelton does but i dont think he shud.
Morrison has performed well at wrestlemania but he needs a push first
Edge is the obvious heel choice when it comes to wrestlemania but i think it shud be CM Punk back to back money in the banks sets this up perfectly. Maybe have HBK with the title and Punk cashes in and wins, in an absolute blockbuster of a spectacle

[Sean Valjean]

So the countdown begins....

This is a huge deal for me. HBK is my all-time favorite wrestler, and I've been dreading this for years. I only hope that if he does retire at WM26, he stays retired; I don't want to see a Ric Flair in chaps.

As for his last opponent, the guys that pop to mind are Jericho and, of course, Triple H. I would LOVE to see Morrison/HBK, but that doesn't have to happen at 'Mania (though it'd be nice). I'd like to see HBK/Angle one more time, but that's a long shot. Man, how crazy would it be if Bret Hart came out of retirement and challenged HBK at 'Mania wanting to get revenge by retiring him or something like that.