WWE: Why Fans Will Always Want One More Match from Shawn Michaels

We long for the good old days.

The legendary Superstars, the classic matches, the defining moments that changed the business forever.  The territory days, the Monday Night Wars, the Attitude Era and everything in between.  It’s all there, burned deep into our collective memory, and we constantly relive, discuss and debate those days, all the time.

It’s just part of our nature as pro wrestling fans to look back on the past and remember what used to be.  We’ve all done it, and despite how much we enjoy thinking about those times, we always have to come back to reality.  

And, the reality for us as WWE fans is that Shawn Michaels is no longer a pro wrestler.

I know.  It’s been two years, Tom, move on already.  

Think about that, though.  It’s been two years since Shawn Michaels hung up the boots and called it a career.

Does it feel like it’s been that long to you?

Seems like only yesterday that Shawn was in the ring, doing what he does best.  Smiling, posing and Super-kicking his way to one exciting victory after another.  Few did it better than Shawn Michaels in WWE, before or since.

Maybe it’s because of the impact that he’s had in the business, the amount of time he spent in the ring, that it’s so hard for so many fans to let go.  And, make no mistake about it.

Many fans have yet to let go.

The number of columns here on Bleacher Report about HBK, the number of times Shawn’s name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for various positions on WWE TV—the fact is, fans can not get enough of the Show Stopper.

And, no matter how many times we talk about him, there are typically two responses from fans when it comes to Shawn Michaels’ retirement.

One goes something like this.

“Shawn is done.  Period.  He said he would never wrestle again, and we believe him.  Wish all you want, but Shawn is Shawn, and when he gives his final word on the issue, the conversation is over.”

And, the other response from fans?

“Look, we know what he said.  But, all we want is one more match.”

Of all the uncertainties in the business, one fact holds true for a good number of workers who have ever set foot in the ring.  Once it’s in your blood, you can’t get enough of it.

It’s not just the main event spotlight, or the thrill of being a part of the sport that you love, that hooks you.  It’s the camaraderie, the atmosphere of the locker room, the fun of going out there and entertaining the crowd.  It’s extremely hard to replace that feeling for most guys.  Surely Shawn Michaels is no different.

Now that he’s returned for his guest referee gig at WrestleMania between Triple H and Undertaker, Shawn is back in character, back in his element and standing tall in one promo after the other.

Watching him this past Monday on Raw, as he confronted the Deadman, it’s almost as if he never left.

Two years of little to nothing from him, and Shawn shows, once again, that he still knows how to own the moment and entertain the fans who love having him back.

It’s no wonder that some of the WWE faithful are still holding on to that hope that one day, perhaps if the timing is right, and if the situation demands it, we will once again see The Icon back in the squared circle.

I mean, he’s right there.  One bell away from being the Heartbreak Kid once again.

But--and you knew there was a but—the first half of fans are right on this one.  It does look as though Shawn is indeed done.  He has made no statements to the contrary, and has done nothing to make any of us believe any differently.

Shawn has made his money, ruled WWE and helped other guys get to the top once his time was done. He did everything that a professional can be expected to do, and has truly nothing left to prove.

However, will that stop us from wanting one more match?  Don’t count on it.  The Heartbreak Kid has now become part of those good old days that we will always long for.  And, we always will.