Was Shawn Michael's back injury as serious as they made out?

[Weaf]

I don't think it was, don't get me wrong I think he was injured but I think his hiatus from the WWE was down to different reasons. If it was as bad as they made out then we wouldn't be able to take half the risks he takes now. Personally I think he initially left because of the injury but it was extended because he was so messed up. Its common knowledge that he was addicted to pain killers, his behaviour was also a major headache for the WWE.

When the WWE blew up in 98 thanks to Austin they probably decided it would be best to keep him off television. They did bring him back occasionally but never in a wrestling capacity. Then when he finally got his life back together by finding God we're supposed to believe that he had a miraculous recovery. Let me tell you, if his back injury was as bad as they said he would find it hard to walk never mind wrestle.

I'm glad he's back but I sense a smoke screen...

[WordLife]

I agree with you Weaf, I don't think it was as serious as said. Because if it was, he would never be able to wrestle again. Didn't he have like 2 or 3 levels fused? That would mean he would be risking paralysis everytime he got in the ring, and seeing the stuff he has been doing there is no way it is as serious as thought. I think it is just because like you said, he was so messed up. His behavior was also bad too, like you said. Then when he found the lord and turned his life around, wa-la, a miraculous comeback.

[Lover Nuts]

Well HBK is my favourate wrestler and I don't think that the back injury was as serious as they made it out to be.

But ya have to think that if HBK would pretend to have huge pains in his back, his matches woulden't be good at all.

[Se7en]

It is quite possible, and probebly very likely that you are correct. What you have to keep in mind however is Shawn Michaels is one of the best in the history of wrestling. You dont get that title without recieving heavy paychecks.

Some doctors can perform miraculous things when given insane amounts of money. You never know. I really couldnt care less to be honest. Wrestling is all storylines and gimmicks in the first place. If his back injury really wasnt as bad as described, then i guess he did his job well.

[Superman33]

Well, his back injury was apparently bad enough to require surgury. So, take that however you will. I personally think it is what they say. Maybe it's because of his 4 year hiatus, but you can tell a difference in the ring.

[Sunshine]

kinda off subject but has to do with it...

they shouldnt have had the angle with Kurt Angle being injured and saying he will never be able to wrestle EVER again. Because really, hes coming back in a couple of months...which would make it VERY fake. Does WWE really think the fans are that stupid? :rolleyes:

[Superman33]

*Gives Shim a virtual slap*

[unpossibl1]

I think that it is possible it was made out to be worse than it really was, but even if it was, I think that if HBK could have wrestled he would have. The WWE wouldn't pass at the opportunity to make even more money by selling HBK merchandise.

[Deal]

As WP's HBK mark (Jericho to but that's a different topic) I'll comment.

Personally at the beginning his injury, like Supes said, had to have been pretty serious for surgery.

Now after the surgery, you can look at it both ways. Maybe HBK was still having back problems and not comfortable to wrestle full time, or maybe Vince, knowing his company was doing well, realized he didn't need HBK at that time and further risk injury anyways. So therefore he was kept off tv.

But I would agree with most that it probably wasn't that serious, considering he still competes at a high level, better then that of most guys right now. Now my first impression would be maybe he wasn't ready to come back? At least not come back as a full time wrestler, therefore what better story for a returning face (not really counting his nWo stint) then to sell an injury that he has finally recovered. It's actually quite a smart idea, some people do have injuries like that, and yes, they can recover. Sometimes it does take longer then a year.

So when both WWE and Michaels felt it and he was ready to return this is how they sold it. It was clear when he was back that it was feeling fine, but they wanted to over exaggerate it with the Triple H match, and the match ending.

So basically I think that it wasn't as serious, and the reason he was off for so long was a combination of things between WWE feelings and/or HBK just not wanting to come back at that time.

[Peoples King]

Look at it this way. HBK had alot of sway with Vinnie Mac and I'd say if push came to shove he could have convinced Vince to let him on TV after surgery. But I do believe the injury was genuine. Think about it, would HBK miss the biggest pay days in wrestling? The Attitude Era marked the stage when top talent were getting incredible pay checks. Now if HBK oculd wrestle he would have been in there getting his money. He wouldnt want to miss wrestling biggest pay days.

As to whether it was serious. When you look at it every back injury is serious. But surgeons can do incredible things. If we doubt HBK's back injury why dont we doubt Angles neck injury or Beniots? I think at times internet fans get a little ahead of themselves and start to form these conspiracies. Isnt it possible that Vince and Michaels were telling the truth?

[Chazz]

I have often wondered just how serious Shawn's back injury was. I mean, like you said, it seems thatmaybe his injury was not as bad as people thought. Then again, a back injury is a very serious thing no matter how "minor" it may be. So, I thought to myself "well, let's look back and see what the deal is."


1. Wrestlemania 14- If you have read Stone Cold's book, then you would know that Austin says that Shawn's back was pretty bad, but that Shawn wanted to go through with the match. The match itself was nothing spectacular, and the reason being is that HBK was in alot of pain. I commend Shawn for going through with the match. I'm sure the payout for the main event at WM14 was a nice enticement as well, but still props are deserved for HBK wrestling in bad condition.

II. The Aftermath- Since 1995, Shawn had been in the main event and did a great job. But, all the things he put his body through had finally caught up with him. There is no doubt in my mind that Shawn was really hurting on the night we witnessed the birth of Stone Cold. I think that Shawn had decided that he had had enough. The guy had given us his body for years and now it was time for him to heal. I think we needs to be looked as well is the fact that Shawn had been the "workhorse" for the WWE for many years. I can't think of a time where he was out of the WWE for a long period of time. His body had taken some hellacious beatings. One that comes to mind is his HIAC match with Undertaker, which IMO is the best HIAC match ever (I know Foley vs. Taker was good and is considered the best, but I prefer the HBK/Taker). Shawn could've stayed and wrestled hurt, but why do it?

2. Shawn's absence- for four years, we all wondered if it was possible for HBK to return to wrestle another match. From time to time, he would show up on TV for brief appearances just to keep us from not forgetting him. Now, in this time, Shawn did a complete 180. He found a woman that he fell in love with, started a family, and found God. Now, let me expand on this for a moment. Shawn grew up in his time away from the WWE, and that was the best thing that could have happened for him. I know how it feels to find someone that you connect with and fall in love with. I've been married for over seven years now, and marriage made me grow up and accept responsability. Considering the change it made in Shawn, I'd say marriage was something that he desperately needed. Now, I don't have kids yet, but I know that when my wife's sister had her son, it changed me and my wife. We love that boy like he was our own. Shawn has a son, and I know that if I feel that much love for my nephew, then Shawn's love for his son is probably tripled times mine. Having children makes you two one of two things. You either grow up and become a parent, or you don't. For Shawn, he decided to become a dad to his son. Then, Shawn became a christian. Now, I know that some people may think it is a farce or something, but I disagree. When he returned to competition, I saw a spark in his eyes that I had not seen in him before. For the first time in his career, I really believed Shawn was enjoying wrestling. Look at his matches since his return. He has had great encounters with HHH, had one of the best matches in Wrestlemania history with Jericho (followed up by a great re-match on Raw) and had a great match with Benoit on Raw a couple of weeks ago. Don't get me wrong. I think Shawn has always loved wrestling, but the HBK we see today is different. I think he loves it more now than he ever did. So, where does Christianity fit in? Well, being a Christian, I can tell you that when you accept the Lord as your saviour that it does change your whole outlook on life. It is hard to explain, but trust me when I say that it does change you and your actions. Shawn put the booze, pain killers and other drugs down and cleaned himself up. Shawn's life evolved in the four years he was gone.

2. The Return- When I first learned he was coming back to wrestle, I only thought it would be for one match. And, after his street fight with Hunter at SummerSlam 2002, it really did look that way. Then, Shawn came back again and this time won the World Heavyweight title at Survivor Series 2002. I knew then that Shawn was back for awhile. Since then, HBK has been at the top of his game and has shown why he is one of the best to step foot in a WWE ring.

So, I think his back injury was serious, but I also think that his personal life kept him away from the ring for his four year absence. He changed himself and found his passion to come back and perform for us. He found a woman to love and now has a family to provide for. In short, Shawn had to not only heal his physical pain, but also his emotional pain.

[Gravedigger]

Does WWE really think the fans are that stupid?
I am. :chuckles: