Why is everyone so sure that Michaels isn't retiring?

[Tastycles]

In just about every thread discussing the match between Taker and Michaels, there is an assumption that even if Michaels loses, he'll be back in a matter of months. However, why is everyone so sure he isn't going to leave the business, at least in a constant capacity?

He's done everything he's ever going to do, he's wrestled just about everyone, he's never going to win another championship and he has spent this year doing things like teaming with his best friend, winning a title, and now trying to emulate one of his most noteworthy matches. They've brought out another DVD, which seems strange considering he's likely to be retiring reasonably soon, but then if he was going to go, you'd think they'd wait.

Personally, I don't think he will go for good, but maybe until the Royal Rumble, and then return and retire at the next WrestleMania, but I do think there's a slight chance we'll never see him in any sort of meaningful roster role ever again.

Anyway, do you believe that there is a chance he'll go for good, or would you bet your mortgage on him being on the WWE roster this time next year?

 

[Mr. Dejan]

I think that his match at Wrestlemania will end with both men not being able to answer the refs call. This Way Shawn doesn't have to Retire and The Streak will still be alive.


I truly think that this year will be Shawn's Last Wrestlemania. Because Firstly Shawn Doesn't work on Tuesdays so that Cancels The Smackdown Option, leaving him on Raw. Right now the only thing for Shawn to do on Raw is his Feud with Taker. After that What else is there for him to do?

 

[Ferbian]

After that What else is there for him to do?

A great feud with Triple H culminating in a match at Wrestlemania?
That's what could be done for Shawn Michaels with the current WWE superstars. The draft could change the looks all thou, leaving the possibilities that Raw might have CM Punk or John Morrison on the roster, which would make for two matches I would personally LOVE to see.

But to answer Tastycles question.
I don't know really, no I wouldn't bet anything of worth on Shawn Michaels being on the roster by 2011, and I actually see the possibility that Shawn could indeed retire, for good, this year.
All thou it saddens me a little bit, because as I mentioned above, there's two matches I would absolutely love to see happen, especially at a Wrestlemania scene, considering that's most definatly where we're gonna see the most of Shawn.
But as I said, I don't know, and I can only hope that Shawn does not retire permanently, because as much as I actually want Undertaker to retain, I think a WWE without Shawn Michaels will just be a little bit.. empty.

But time will show, Wrestlemania is right around the corner, we could actually see a Shawn Michaels victory, so I'm not throwing any bets.

 

[Mr. Dejan]

A great feud with Triple H culminating in a match at Wrestlemania?

I had that same Idea but I'm really quite sick of seeing Triple H vs Michaels. Every time after DX breaks up they feud for a while. This time though they remained friends.

The draft could change the looks all thou, leaving the possibilities that Raw might have CM Punk or John Morrison on the roster, which would make for two matches I would personally LOVE to see.

You Sir Have just shot up my list of favorites with that idea. having Punk traded to Raw as a Heel would be excellent. an angle where he brags to Shawn about beating Taker and Making him Tap.

Personally I'd prefer to see Morrison on Smackdown where he can become a Main Eventer possibly winning the WHC later on in the Year if he's ready.

 

[dboudy]

I agree with what was just said, Taker and HBK will end in a no contest so that the streak is still alive and HBK doesn't have to retire. HBK will then take a extended leave of absence (longer than last year) because he still didn't beat Taker at Mania. HBK will probably take off and return at next years Rumble, but not to win, to cost HHH a chance to win the Rumble. They will then begin to feud only to have the feud come to a head at WM27 in a retirement match (like HHH did with Mick Foley, but not at Mania). And of course have HHH play heel (HHH is long overdue for a heel turn). That's the only logical way that I see HBK retiring is against best friend and fello DX member HHH. If the WWE plans this program out correctly, it will be a wonderful send-off for HBK.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It wouldn't really surprise me if he did actually retire. However, retirement isn't exactly "retirement" in pro wrestling. When the Undertaker lost a TLC match against Edge, his career was supposed to be over. Taker was back months later. Ric Flair was supposed to have retired two years ago, he got the greatest send off in wrestling history but he started wrestling again with Hulk Hogan this past summer and he wrestled for the first time in a couple of years on live television last week on iMPACT!.

I'm with Tastycles on this one. I think HBK will wind up taking perhaps the rest of 2010 off and eventually make his return. As he also said, there's not really much left for HBK to do.

 

[Ghost of Benoit]

I think that his match at Wrestlemania will end with both men not being able to answer the refs call. This Way Shawn doesn't have to Retire and The Streak will still be alive.

Have you forgotten this match was recently changed to a submission/pinfall only match?? There will be no DQs or countouts! They probably did that to get the idea out of the mind of over-analyzing smarks who will find anyway to create a scenario where both the streak and career will stay intact. In other words, one is definitely going to end, whether you like it or not!!!!

 

[Greenlight13]

To be honest looking at the two of them these days they could both do with only working Royal Rumble - Wrestlemania from here on out, but then it would be a little bit cheap to have others carry the load and then they walk straight into a high profile pay-off feud.

Of the two of them Undertaker looks the most physically banged up so if his career was also on the line I'd pick him to be the one who gets retired and then have him return for one or two more Wrestlemania dream matches later on.

Shawn appears to have a bit more left than Taker and sure, he won't win more titles, but he is capable of delivering stellar work when called upon and anyone who works with him will be elevated. I think it's important that he sticks around, if only to become an enhancement talent to the stars.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Anyone who thinks HBK is going to retire after Wrestlemania 26 is being MASSIVELY worked by WWE. The whole career VS Streak stipulation is being designed to make this match more interesting. The World Heavyweight title won't be on the line, and we already saw the legend VS legend thing at last year's Mania, so the prospect of HBK putting his career on the line adds something new to this match.

Shawn won't retire this year. When he decides to call it quits, he will have a Ric Flair style send-off, and he deserves it. Even if he has to take the rest of this year off, Wrestlemania 26 won't be the end of the line for HBK. I have a strong feeling his last match will be against Triple H, and it might happen at Wrestlemania 27.

 

[Saritafan]

With the stipulation of the winner only winning through pinfall or submission, I see this happening. Triple H runs down to ringside cheering on micheals, he eventually screws micheals costing him the match, taker goes 18-0 and shawn dissapears for the rest of the year. Micheals returns challenging Triple h at wrestlemania 27 which will be micheals last match, shawn wins and he and triple h hug and thats it

It makes total sence, it's very straight forward and I could see WWE doing it. Wasn't their a report saying triple h will turn heel eventually, this could be how

 

[SickJames]

I had that same Idea but I'm really quite sick of seeing Triple H vs Michaels. Every time after DX breaks up they feud for a while. This time though they remained friends.

I dont think thats the match most wanna see, atleast not in that way is what I mean. This time, on the grandest stage, it should just be a match where two friends fight each other one last time and have it be because Shawn wants to go out to his friend and who he considers the best after he leaves.

It'll be about respect, nothing more. No hatred. And they should fight at WrestleMania... it's just never been done there and would sell

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

I wouldn't think this is it for HBK. I mean, if it is, this has been a pretty weak build up for it. It seems to me that when Shawn is ready to go, it will be ALL ABOUT Shawn leaving. Actually, I would think it would be the same as Ric Flairs exit.

I see Shawn vs. Triple H as Shawns last match. I don't think he would want to leave by losing to Taker two Manias in a row. If anyone is going to retire Shawn, I would guess it would be HHH. But who knows, maybe Shawn doesn't have as much creative control as we all think (but I am pretty sure he does).

 

[marklouis]

I really don't know what to expect from the HBK/Undertaker match, because I can't imagine the Undertaker will lose the streak, and I can't imagine HBK would retire with 2 straight losses to Undertaker at Wrestlemania. WWE has me guessing on this one. I agree with others that it makes sense for HBK to have his last match at Wrestlemania
27, against HHH. It would be similar to the send off Flair got, and HBK deserves it. Flair is a legend, but HBK has had more of an impact on WWE than Flair-he's just a WWE guy. I guess is HBK loses legitimately and retires, he'll get the big send off the next night on RAW. But I don't see it happening with the way the build up has gone. I really don't know what to expect.

 

[DX vs NWO]

The match at Mania this year will be so unpredictable. There is a 50/50 chance on both sides. HBK has said that he has been trying to retire for the last 3 years. But If HBK wins, I dont think that he will have nothing else to do after Mania. He could work with the younger talent like John Morrison, Miz, and CM Punk, and putting guys like that over will really expand their careers. He could fued with the WWE or World champion, or even fued with Triple H, any fued with HBK should be a good one for any superstar involved.

We'll have to find out at WrestleMania 26!

 

[THEMIZISTRULYAWESOME22]

i think there's a very good chance Hunter could cost him at mania,
They have teased it so much all ready, Shawn being at fault for everything
and the game looking majorly pissed, but never reacting, just getting on with it,
Trying to rebuild dx and failing.... again.

If HHH is on the card before this match which is about 99% probable then he wil prob lose 2 sheamus and adds fuel to the fire for the story.

 

[lineo]

1. Undertaker will win
2. Shawn gets a standing ovation while leaving the arena
3. Shawn will be present on the next night of Raw for a farewell
4. The entire Raw roster is present to greet Shawn
5. Shawn enjoys the sentiment
6. The roster clears out of the arena for Triple H to approach his best friend
7. Triple H and Shawn are the only ones in the ring now
8. Triple H: "Well, Shawn, we aren't quite done yet."
9. Triple H turns heel hits a pedigree on Shawn
10. Triple H: "You'll retire after I'm done with you!"

When we get to the real retirement celebration, I think the entire WWE roster will be there to greet Shawn. And WWE will try to make it better than Flair's sendoff since I'm sure at least a few people in the back must think that sendoff is spoiled now.

 

[DX vs NWO]

1. Undertaker will win
2. Shawn gets a standing ovation while leaving the arena
3. Shawn will be present on the next night of Raw for a farewell
4. The entire Raw roster is present to greet Shawn
5. Shawn enjoys the sentiment
6. The roster clears out of the arena for Triple H to approach his best friend
7. Triple H and Shawn are the only ones in the ring now
8. Triple H: "Well, Shawn, we aren't quite done yet."
9. Triple H turns heel hits a pedigree on Shawn
10. Triple H: "You'll retire after I'm done with you!"

When we get to the real retirement celebration, I think the entire WWE roster will be there to greet Shawn. And WWE will try to make it better than Flair's sendoff since I'm sure at least a few people in the back must think that sendoff is spoiled now.

Woah! I like your thinking man. Why not just do that. If the rivalry works it could lead up to WrestleMania 27. Woah, just Woah. Great idea. Only thing is though, the match at WM 26 will mean nothing, and all the hype will mean nothing, Taker would go 18-0 and HBK would lose, but wouldn't give up his career. Ah well, I really like your idea.

 

[TheDaneTrain]

ever since they said that michaels Career was on the line.. It made me wonder.. I don't know how much longer the guest GM would go on for after Mania but what if maybe sometime after mania is over and then guest GM thing ends... michaels becomes the new official raw GM because he can't wrestle anymore due to his stipulation with the undertaker... That gives him time to rest.. He's still on the show.. and then maybe towards WM 27 he decides to overrule his own "retirement" because he's GM puts himself in his real last match at WM 27....

Idk how realistic or likely that is.. it's just a different idea that I think could be interesting.

 

[imfromhoiland]

I think he's returning because wrestlezone reported that he is reportedly taking a break after Wrestlemania. A break assumes that he's coming back from a break. Undertaker is also reportedly taking a break as well, so I'm really interested to see how they're going to finish the match so that storyline-wise it makes sense for both people to leave, and not just disappear. The thing I like about this match is that there is no assumption that either man will win, like there was more of an assumption next year that Taker would win.

 

[Hype]

Just for the record, I have read the Taker and Michaels plan on having surgery sometime after WM26. As well as Mysterio. Just thought I'd throw that in. Not really that huge of a fan of either, but I would like Taker to keep his record. And Shawn go out, kinda passing the torch similar to Flair. Then again, I hate that Flair went out with a loss.

 

[CKguy217]

Is anyone remembering a few years back on a RAW episode where HBK faced HHH for the title? Michaels hit the Sweet Chin Music on HHH and the way HBK fell across HHH for the pin had HHH AND HBK's shoulders on the mat, causing a double pin count, thus ending in a draw. However, because of HHH being champ coming into the match, he remained champion.
Couldn't this happen with HBK vs Taker?

 

[saint_edward]

seems plausible that Shaun could lose at WM and retire, or 'retire'. then come back to RAW in a general manager role, sometimes getting in the ring etc... maybe then he could feud with Trips aswell, but to answer your question i'm not sure if Shaun will be an active wrestler on the roster this time next year, i wouldn't bet on it.

you never know though, recon if he went into a GM role on Raw him and Trips could have the match that so many want to see at WM27 next year with Shaun as the Heel GM and Trips as the massive Face.

 

[RicSpade]

Honestly my whole scenario on this has to be HBK winning the match via controversy, Taker has his foot under the ropes or something stupid, and this whole you never really beat taker thing happens and Shawn goes to find himself only coming back for one more match where he has to know...I don't know maybe it will be straight forward its for once hard for any smark or fan to actually figure out certain matches and honestly I think thats the way it should be...

 

[chief]

I doubt this would happen but I would like to see Bret cost Shawn the match. It would be good payback for the Montreal Screwjob. Bret could take care of both issues, even though he has put aside his issue with Shawn (so he claims). But like I say, its doubtful.

As far as Shawn actually retiring, I am sure he will take at least 6-12 months off, and come back in a different role. As GM possibly, or as Mr America 2, HA!

 

[mont3818]

I'm pretty sure HBK is more likely to lose this match than Taker is... by far. And a draw would be a major let down and throw away of a match.

Anyway, have any of you seen the new HBK dvd?? Because that will pretty much give you your answer to this question. Shawn Michaels said exactly this: "I'm ready to go. I don't wanna over stay my welcome." And he talked about how his kids are his pride and joy, how he wants to retire still on the top of his game, he doesn't wanna embarrass himself. Basically he hs made peace with himself and is ready to say goodbye. And the dvd closed with an emotional tribute to Shawns career as if it IS leave.

So I personally think this is the way a humble guy like HBK wants to go out. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want a long grand send off like Flair. He doesn't want people saying "Is he gonna retire this year??" I think he would want to go out abruptly and with a bang. I think he will be around from time to time but never again as a fighter.

And really what else is there for Shawn? He's had so many classic matches since his return in 2002. So many that in might trump the number of classic matches he had before that. It is in some way a blessing and I will miss him fighting the younger guys. That's what I will miss the most. No doubt a lot will go away when Shawn goes away. But it has to happen you know? I don't think he'd have it any other way. And Shawn IS scheduled for Raw the next night, so maybe that will be a tentative goodbye. What do you guys think? Either way I'm ready to watch something amazing at WM26.