What If Shawn Michael Didn't Retire After WM XIV

[closet_fan]

I'm kind of stealing this from the "What if the Montreal Screwjob Never Happened" thread because it seems whether it did or didn't, the WWF's outcome sounds like it wwould have been the same regardless.

In the 1998 Royal Rumble against the Undertaker, he herniated two discs, with one being crushed completely. This forced him to retire after dropping the belt to Austin at that year's Wrestlemania.

What if he never got injured? He would have been able to participate in No Way Out of Texas: In Your House. But who would his opponent have been?

Would he still have wrestled Austin at Wrestlemania, dropping the belt? Or would he have been able to persuade McMahon in letting him keep it? By that time Austin's popularity was at an all-time high, so it'd be hard seeing Vince let HBK continue to keep the belt.

Also, the night after Austin won, HHH formed a new DX on RAW, claiming "HBK dropped the ball." Personally, I loved this version of DX. This obviously would have changed because HBK would still be around.

Not to mention HBK leaving was a big part of him getting help for his drug abuse and "finding GOD."

But just for the hell of it, HBK comes out of the Rumble against Undertaker injury free.

What happens?

 

[HBKperfect23]

Not too much changes leading into Wrestlemania 14. Michaels would have been part of the 8 man at NWO of Texas. Austin would still go over at Wrestlemania.

Its hard to say what would happen from there since they were writing post WM storylines without Michaels since January, when he told them he was done.I think Michaels would have stuck with DX. They still would have feuded with the nation but with michaels still apart of the main event scene.

It would be interesting to see where HBK would fit in during the summer of 1998 with austin/taker/mankind/kane and DX/Nation. It could have turned into DX spliting and HBK feuding with HHH with each of them leading a DX. That does take away from Rock/HHH tho.

 

[The Perfect Max]

Everything happens for a reason. If Stone Cold Steve Austin winning the WWE Championship happened because Shawn Michaels was injured, WWE really got lucky. Like you said, so many pivotal thing happened following his retirement, and it is hard to see an alternate future from that point onwards. The Attitude Era came in full swing and launched WWE to the next level, one that will be hard to reach again; Triple H, for me, stepped up following this and began his quick ascension. Perhaps if Michaels wasn't injured, Hunter may not have won the title as quickly, I don't know.

If HBK came out injury free, I still think Austin would have won. He was at the top of his game. I know the comparisons may not be as good, but look at Batista when he won the World Heavyweight Championship in 2005, or when Randy Orton won the WWE Championship in 2010, or when CM Punk won the WWE Championship in 2011. Their appeal grew larger in the months leading up, and the WWE took advantage. Back to the 2005 one, Triple H had been on top for a few years, it was time to move on, give Batista the backing, same with HBK in 1998, it was time. He had carried the WWE for a few years with guys like Bret Hart and The Undertaker, and it was hard, but he did it.

I think the one thing missing from the Attitude Era was Shawn Michaels as an active competitor. He was attitude before the attitude era defined attitude. A DX vs Stone Cold Steve Austin feud with Michaels involved further down the line past WrestleMania XIV would have been good. Perhaps this is where the pairing of Michaels and Triple H breaks down. We know how WWE like to split pairings up and make a feud. It would have been typical Michaels in that respect. This would have split DX as well, but that happened anyway, so that would effect things further down the line in the Attitude Era slightly, as The New Age Outlaws continued, and X-Pac still donned DX colors for a while.

Of course, this would have changed everything past this point. What would WrestleMania XV have looked like with Michaels? The Rock vs Stone Cold Part One and perhaps Shawn Michaels vs Triple H? WrestleMania 2000 was missing Austin and The Undertaker, I wonder if Michaels could have fit into the WWE Championship picture or not, seeing as it was McMahon vs McMahon vs McMahon vs McMahon. Triple H yet again involved. WrestleMania X-Seven, the biggest one of them all, he doesn't seem to fit anywhere. Again, The Rock vs Stone Cold Part Two may be effected, and this could change the entire outcome of the Attitude Era from a success point of view and a fans point of view. WrestleMania X8, Hogan vs The Rock, or Hogan vs Shawn Michaels?

Interesting topic. In a way, Michaels involvement may have hindered the events and superstars themselves. I wonder if Stone Cold, The Rock and Triple H would have risen to the occasion so quickly. Each event doesn't seem to fit Michaels anywhere without drastically changing historical events. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, because when he came back, he was better, he was happier and he became a legend following this second pursuit. He was changed, and it lead to an even more successful second half of a career, in my opinion.

 

[theHeadliner]

Billy Gunn and the Roadie were gonna join DX that next night all along. Shawn was looking forward to that. I'm sure Vince would have pushed Shawn to drop the belt to Austin, he probably would have vehemently fought against it, but if Vince wanted it he would have done it, but been a complete asshole times 100 to everyone there. He would have stayed near or at the top of the card though and probably got more titles so he could work with the younger guys to make them look good. Shawn was only 32 at WM14 going on 33 that year, so he was in his prime for sure no doubt about it. He was in no way over the hill or too old or dull or passé.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Make no mistake, Shawn didn't need to "retire" cos of that injury, he needed time to rehab it, but it was no worse than Curt Hennig's injury which kept him out for a year or so...

Shawn's drug use was an issue however, and that continued for some time after he stepped out of the ring. He was even "fired" when he was the Commisioner cos of his state...

At the end of the day, Shawn doesn't step out when he does, he probably dies in a hotel room sometime in 98 or 99... harsh but true... you may never even see him job to Austin... worst case for Vince and WWE, Shawn dies with the belt, cos of drug use and it hands WCW the final nail to hammer into WWE's coffin.

But let's just suppose Shawn makes it another 2 years... he politics his way to keeping the belt as long as possible, Austin comes up short at Mania when Triple H, X-Pac and The New Age Outlaws all interfere on his behalf... Mike Tyson runs them off but Austin's momentum is stunted... at Summerslam - Austin "beats Shawn" but it is overturned by Vince, beginning his feud with Austin... The Rock holds the IC title for the majority of this time but is beaten by Shawn immediately after he drops the World title to Austin at The Rumble setting up a Title for Title match at Wrestlemania 15 - The shock arrival of Paul Wight, taking out DX allows Austin to pin Shawn, whose contract has expired... he immediately signs for WCW having set out what he wanted to do, prevent Austin from gaining momentum enough to "take over" and raising his own value... he then reforms with his Kliq buddies in a new NWO Faction, until he is depressingly found dead...

Make no mistake Shawn HAD to get out when he did, the injury was "good timing" but never the sole reason... the only other alternative they had would have been to release him as they later did with Kurt... but that would have handed WCW a big boost at a crucial time. At the end of the day, things happening as they did led to Mick Foley, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho and Booker T. all becoming top stars... Had Shawn still been around, he would have been doing his damndest to hold them down...

 

[Irishock]

I honestly think Hickenbottom's retirement was a goddamned work of his own. Look at the facts: His back was injured, but it shouldn't have taken the ridiculous duration of 4 years to heal. He was always on fuckin' pills (Cornette) and he also had his own goddamn political issues with everyone on the roster. And of course, he also refused to put over Austin last minute at '14, despite having to "retire". Christ. That was until Taker finally stepped in, set him straight and made him finally act like somebody. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if it was a combination of the big boys in the company tuning him out, his own goddamn personal drug issues and him being a political motherfucker by leaving on purpose just to return when Vince begs for him due to the ratings decline. Of course, the company was set straight following '14, no begging was ensued and Shawn "found god". Well he didn't find god, his wife probably set him straight that one night in 2000 and he'd take no more drugs following that. He opened TWA and scammed DB of 3000 dollars. Then he buried the hatchet with Vince, Taker, and even HHH.

As for the WWF's future had Shawn not "retired"? McMahon already had his own TV character idea, and nobody was going to let Austin walk out of '14 without the belt. With those two factors intact, WWF beats WCW.

 

[Loveless]

Hmm

Austin still wins the belt at WM14

Then it's Austin Vs DX for some time. I can't put a natural stopping point on that feud as it could easily carry on for a year. Eventually though I would guess HHH beats Austin for the title, which sets up

HBK Vs HHH & Austin Vs Taker at WM15

The Rock is obviously the big loser in this scenario but it wouldn't have held him down for long, eventually you need new blood in the main event. If anything, it just pushes everything that happened back a couple of years. Austin Vs Vince happens in 99 instead of 98 off the back of costing Austin against Taker, Mick Foley never gets his title, lesser roles for Jericho and Angle for a while, Brock comes in and isn't allowed to destroy everyone.

 

[SilverBullet1929]

For starters... nothing leading up to WrestleMania XIV would have changed except for Savio Vega's placement in the No Way Out main event. The storyline stayed as is, Shawn still (some would say courageously) wrestled at Mania, and Austin still was set to win the title. Its the aftermath that would have changed. Without getting too deep into it, the biggest change would have been prolonging the rise of Triple H. He still would have made it down the line but him being thrust to the top of DX after Shawn left was enormous for his career. Then, to fast forward, since Shawn did come back eventually, I kinda feel like, in the long run, things might have fallen into place a lot like they really did. I don't think this is one of those "What if..." scenarios that would really lead to a HUGE change in history.

 

[jacdnwarrior]

If HBK had a drug issue at that time he retired, then it's a good thing he retired when he did to straighten himself out. He could have been one more fatality added to a list that is already too long.

Based on the words on many performers, friends, co workers, there is little doubt he would have been difficult for many performers to work with. The Rock, Mick Foley, maybe even Austin would have a difficult time with dealing with HBK. Their rise and the emergence of other performers might have been halted by HBK and his influence. There's no way he would be content being out of the title picture while Rock emerged or Mick Foley emerged and he keep to the side. I'm not going to deny that he could be a great addition to any main event picture but the truth is he isn't a major money maker and is more suited as a transitional champ. Something he wouldn't really accept.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Shawn would have tried to hold people down but whether he succeeded is another matter. He had burned much of his currency with guys like Taker when he vacated the world title... It is said that Taker went as far as stating "The little fucker doesn't want to drop the belt". But WWE and Vince would have had a hard time enforcing it, another screwjob and they lose all credibility... Maybe Taker runs in but legit ensures Shawn loses at 14 but that wastes the money and impact of Tyson. Vince was also in a tough spot with many on his roster after montreal. Foley and Farooq had nearly walked, push or not they had major star power and respect. People were raw cos Pillman had just died and WCW was not only winning the war but appeared to be a better place to work. Once Shawn was hurt, it gave Vince a chance to remove Shawn without him losing face or future marketability and preserving what morale they had... It's telling he was still paid his full contract, it was better business to pay him to stay home, injured or fucked up than him even set foot in WCW.

 

[Tattooed Jesus]

I agree with everyone that HBK retiring was the best thing for him and the WWE at the same time. I actually think that had he not retired he would have ended up in WCW with his boys Hall and Nash. I think by the time he left HHH was more in Vince's ear than Shawn was and he would have pushed Shawn right on out the door so that he could get the spotlight eventually alongside Austin, the Rock, the New DX, etc. Shawn was in horrible shape at that time and had a worse attitude so I could definitely see him getting pissed enough about having to lose to Austin to jump ship and reunite with Hall and Nash. This would have probably led to there being no more HBK right now though as they would have just been enablers and not helping him with any of his various addictions, and sadly he would have just become another dead wrestler to add to the list.

 

[CrucifiedRaven]

Honestly, watching a lot of Shawn's promos and interviews in late 1997, even before the screwjob, you could sense that he wanted to be in WCW with Hall, Nash and Waltman. Pure speculation on my part, and you can tear a strip on me if you want, but I wouldn't be surprised if Shawn was trying to get fired just so he could go to WCW with his buddies.

As THTRobtaylor put it: "It's telling he was still paid his full contract, it was better business to pay him to stay home, injured or fucked up than him even set foot in WCW."

 

[LSN80]

I honestly think Hickenbottom's retirement was a goddamned work of his own. Look at the facts: His back was injured, but it shouldn't have taken the ridiculous duration of 4 years to heal.

Where do you get this from? He was initially told that he would neverwrestle again, he got second opinions and tried different physical therapy, and he was eventually able to get to a place both physically, emotionally, and likely, chemically where he was able to contribute again.

And even when he returned, if you recall, it didnt become a full-time right away, or even for years. His matches with Jericho at WM 19 and Angle at WM 21 were built without his presence for parts of it, and he didn't wrestle in the interim.

He was always on fuckin' pills (Cornette).

He's acknowledged this himself., and how Vince himself tried an intervention on him, and when that failed, and he showed up to non-wrestling functions high on pills, Vince sent him home. Next.

and he also had his own goddamn political issues with everyone on the roster.

You were backstage and a witness to this? Again, he's acknowledged his involvement in "the Kliq", and how they furthered their own agendas.

And of course, he also refused to put over Austin last minute at '14, despite having to "retire".

He did? I could have sworn Austin won that match clean in the middle of the ring with a Stunner. And back to your "pill point", he admitted he popped four just to get through the match.

Christ. That was until Taker finally stepped in, set him straight and made him finally act like somebody.

Yeah, this rumor has gone from unsubstantiated to straight out dispelled over the past few years.

Well he didn't find god, his wife probably set him straight that one night in 2000 and he'd take no more drugs following that.

One doesn't go from slobbering drug addict to clean just because their wife "sets them straight." The idea that he found God is a much more plausible one then his wife simply threatening to leave.

Through his wife he found God,

He opened TWA and scammed DB of 3000 dollars.

And yet Bryan has nothing but praise for HBK and the training he received from him.

Then he buried the hatchet with Vince, Taker, and even HHH.

He and 'Taker were never at odds, nor he and Vince, really. His biggest issue, admittedly, was with HHH, who rightfully told Vince he was using, prompting Vince to send him home. He then refused to talk to HHH for over a year, before Kevin Nash set him straight.

It's obvious you don't like Michaels, which is fine, but don't distort facts with discredited rumors and half-cocked speculation. It's embarrassing.

HBK would have figured in prominently in the Attitude Era, no doubt, and would have been a cog in the machine that helped put WCW out of business. With Foley, Rock, Austin, HHH, and Undertaker all emerging as top guys, he may not have had as many shots at the belt as he had in the past, but he would have been firmly involved in main-event storylines, just as he was when he returned.

He probably would have feuded with Rock at some point, as he was the one big name whom HBK's career simply didn't overlap with. A longer feud with Foley likely would have happened as well, and probably an extended one with Austin following his loss.

And I'm guessing he retires with 5-6 World Championships, rather then the 4 he wound up with.

 

[MCMG]

It is interesting to see what would have happened with DX, Austin, The Rock and the Monday Night Wars in general. Would we have been deprived of one of the greatest feuds in wrestling history. Would we have seen a different one. I would like to have seen HBK vs The Rock at some point so that is a stand-out thing we missed.

There is the possibility that HBK ended up in WCW. He wasn't the guy that retired a few years ago; he was a very different person and even he acknowledged that. Getting a very nice paycheck; to work with your best friends and have some control over booking is obviously something that would appeal to him. Also, his talent meant that the WWF would always except him back. He could have pissed around in WCW for a few years and then returned.

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

Here is how I see the near future after the 98 Rumble playing out had Michaels not gotten injured.

The build to Mania is pretty much the same with 2 slight differences.

1) Michaels is involved more physically as he was held out of all competition from the night after Rumble to Mania.

2) Michaels is in the main event 8 man tag match at No Way Out.

Mania goes off as it did with. The next night on Raw, HHH brings in the Outlaws and X-Pac as he did to make DX stronger so they can get Michaels the title back. Michales and Austin have a rematch at the next ppv where Austin retains. The following night on Raw things could go one of two ways:

1) Michaels blames the rest of DX for dropping the ball in helping him retain the title, he puts down all the members and leaves them thus turning DX face and keeping himself heel.

2) The rest of DX turns on Michaels claiming he's not fit to lead since he can't beat Austin. They attack Michaels and kick him out of DX thus turning Michaels face and keeping DX heel.

In either scenario, it is Michaels and not the Nation who fued with DX during the summer of 98 to set up a match between Michaels and HHH at SummerSlam where Michaels puts HHH over to end their fued. The main event picture would have remained as it did with Austin, Mankind, Taker and Kane all involved with one another during the summer.

After SummerSlam once the title is vacated setting up the Survivor Series tournament, Shawn would be a face going into the tournament and would pretty much play the role Rock did by winning the title and turning heel in the process by joining the Corporation.

That's about as far as I can take it as anything past this has too many variables to consider. But the short of it is Michaels puts HHH over in the summer and then plays the role The Rock did leading up to and at Survivor Series.