THTRobtaylor
Once & Future Wrestlezone Columnist
So we know Shawn Michaels is the "Headliner" for the 2011, Hall Of Fame. JR has gone as far to say it's "one headliner per year" in his blog?
This thread is to play Devils Advocate on whether Shawn truly deserves this honour or whether WWE should be inducting another "blockbuster" name alongside him.
I look at Shawn and see 2 different guys, 2 different careers.
I don't question what Shawn Michaels has accomplished since 2002, his return was handled correctly and his performances rarely disappointed. He was part of some of the moments of the decade and gave all he could in the name of the game. That guy deserves a HOF nod this year.
BUT
The Shawn who left WWE in 1998?
This is a man who was fired weeks into his first WWF run, given a 2nd chance and yes, he was an accomplished Tag Team star. When his singles push commenced however, problems began which in my mind rule this Shawn out of the HOF...
This is a man who NEVER was pinned for a singles belt till he dropped the belt to Sid. He was "stripped" of his first IC belt, gave up his 2nd after his infamous "Marine" incident and "lost his smile", instead of his first World title...he then "gave Trips" the Euro belt.
This was a man who was one of the main instigators of the Kliq and their ways. Only dropping belts to each other, slating other talent causing backstage drama and doing things for themselves rather than the good of the business that was a major part of costing WWE talent that COULD have made it big... Guys like Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow and ultimately, Bret Hart. Rather than using his stroke and power as a source for good like Triple H started to do once Shawn was out of the picture, he chose poorly. That the WWF won the wars in his absence is quite telling really.
This was a man who according to some, stole ideas and passed them off as his own. Bret Hart alludes to the original ladder match being his idea for he and Shawn and HBK selling it to Vince as his; who used people's personal issues against them for his own gain, for example the "Sunny Days" comment.
I don't hate Shawn, The Rockers were one of my faves, the Barbershop was my favourite moment growing up and I always enjoyed watching him. Till it became clear that he was not a likeable guy. I am not a Bret Hart apologist either and as I said Shawn post 2002 DID change, and DOES deserve a HOF spot.
But I would argue that the sins of the past should still count, that the honour of being a sole headliner, with a night geared to his career should not be given unless Shawn and WWE is prepared to address the bad in Shawn's career as well as the good. The night should belong to someone else as well, who shows the otherside of the coin.
My personal pick is Sting... If they can get him, make them joint headliners... both trod similar paths, redeemed themselves in the eyes of their families and friends and are beloved by fans. These are the 2 best of their generation, few will dispute Shawn's contribution but not all can say he was always a good man. Few will have a bad word to say about Sting full stop.
If Sting isn't available, then make it Brian Pillman the joint headliner. He was the one who made the whole DX side of Shawn's career possible. He was Shawn's WCW counterpart for most of his career and the one man who, had he stayed healthy have surpassed Shawn in the ring.
This thread is to play Devils Advocate on whether Shawn truly deserves this honour or whether WWE should be inducting another "blockbuster" name alongside him.
I look at Shawn and see 2 different guys, 2 different careers.
I don't question what Shawn Michaels has accomplished since 2002, his return was handled correctly and his performances rarely disappointed. He was part of some of the moments of the decade and gave all he could in the name of the game. That guy deserves a HOF nod this year.
BUT
The Shawn who left WWE in 1998?
This is a man who was fired weeks into his first WWF run, given a 2nd chance and yes, he was an accomplished Tag Team star. When his singles push commenced however, problems began which in my mind rule this Shawn out of the HOF...
This is a man who NEVER was pinned for a singles belt till he dropped the belt to Sid. He was "stripped" of his first IC belt, gave up his 2nd after his infamous "Marine" incident and "lost his smile", instead of his first World title...he then "gave Trips" the Euro belt.
This was a man who was one of the main instigators of the Kliq and their ways. Only dropping belts to each other, slating other talent causing backstage drama and doing things for themselves rather than the good of the business that was a major part of costing WWE talent that COULD have made it big... Guys like Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow and ultimately, Bret Hart. Rather than using his stroke and power as a source for good like Triple H started to do once Shawn was out of the picture, he chose poorly. That the WWF won the wars in his absence is quite telling really.
This was a man who according to some, stole ideas and passed them off as his own. Bret Hart alludes to the original ladder match being his idea for he and Shawn and HBK selling it to Vince as his; who used people's personal issues against them for his own gain, for example the "Sunny Days" comment.
I don't hate Shawn, The Rockers were one of my faves, the Barbershop was my favourite moment growing up and I always enjoyed watching him. Till it became clear that he was not a likeable guy. I am not a Bret Hart apologist either and as I said Shawn post 2002 DID change, and DOES deserve a HOF spot.
But I would argue that the sins of the past should still count, that the honour of being a sole headliner, with a night geared to his career should not be given unless Shawn and WWE is prepared to address the bad in Shawn's career as well as the good. The night should belong to someone else as well, who shows the otherside of the coin.
My personal pick is Sting... If they can get him, make them joint headliners... both trod similar paths, redeemed themselves in the eyes of their families and friends and are beloved by fans. These are the 2 best of their generation, few will dispute Shawn's contribution but not all can say he was always a good man. Few will have a bad word to say about Sting full stop.
If Sting isn't available, then make it Brian Pillman the joint headliner. He was the one who made the whole DX side of Shawn's career possible. He was Shawn's WCW counterpart for most of his career and the one man who, had he stayed healthy have surpassed Shawn in the ring.