Who could have predicted that the in-ring return of arguably the greatest of all time would get a mixed reaction? Crazy, right? Of course, when worded like that, and leaving out the sweet old age of Shawn Michaels, it’s easy to scoff at the negative comments on his return. Sure, there are negatives attached to this comeback. However, let’s not forget why we should embrace this comeback. So, let’s take a look at some reasons to be excited about the return of H.B.K.
Wrestling fans sure are a funny bunch, you could even call them hypocritical. After years of chanting “one more match” every chance they got at Shawn Michaels, and even a year after they prayed for a match with AJ Styles, those same fans have found a way to insult and mock the Hall of Famer’s return. Perhaps it is because he is making millions of dollars for this match, and fans would prefer he accept thousands because that shows us how much he loves this business dammit!
In fairness, eight years have passed since he last wrestled in a WWE ring, and the fact he will step in the ring with the same opponent eight years later is not the ideal situation. It’s also a case of old-timers, who are clearly on their last legs in the ring taking time away from the stars of tomorrow. But what fans fail to realise is this could be the beginning of getting what we want because if the former WWE champion wrestles once, what’s stopping him from doing it again?
The tag team match at Saudi Arabia could be the spark for a series or at least one dream match to come to life. With a return to the ring, a showdown with AJ Styles may become a reality. The battle of the generations, the two best of their respective eras could finally clash in a WWE ring. We might even see Shawn Michaels have his long-awaited student/teacher angle with Daniel Bryan. Both men are back in the ring, so how about a match at WrestleMania? These are now legitimate options for the future because of the tag team match at WWE Crown Jewel.
Also, this match at Saudi is probably the best case scenario for Michaels in-ring return. Not only can he lean on three greats, but if we can take anything from the main event at Super Show-Down, it’s that these men know how to make fans emotionally invest in what they are doing. While these legends are slowing down (mainly Undertaker), they know what will generate a reaction from the live crowd. Whether it’s playing off their history when Undertaker forced Michaels to watch him beatdown his best friend with a chair or just simply selling the effects of an injured neck, they are crafty veterans.
As great as Triple H and Undertaker are, there is no one better at pulling on the heartstrings of fans than the Heartbreak Kid. Just think about WrestleMania 24, “I’m sorry. I love you.” Powerful stuff. Combine this with the fact that they will be performing in front of a crowd that is less educated and easily impressed, and it makes sense why this is a fun way to bring back the fifty-three-year-old legend.
Some fans like to mention the age, 53. But they seem to forget their excitement watching a 56-year-old Ricky Steamboat turn back time against Chris Jericho in 2009. Steamboat was older and had not wrestled for 15 years before WrestleMania 25. So taking that into account, how can we dare doubt Shawn Michaels ability to take us on one more rollercoaster ride on November 2nd? He is three years younger than Steamboat was, in much better shape, and he is arguably a better performer than ‘The Dragon.’ If we only see eighty-percent of the performer we saw in 2010, it’s still better than ninety percent of the roster.
If what has been brought up in the above paragraphs is not enough to get you excited about DX versus The Brothers of Destruction, how about the fact that we all love Shawn Michaels, and at WWE Crown Jewel we get one more night of him performing in the ring? Forget wrestling politics. Embrace your inner fanboy. Enjoy this historic moment because if we are lucky, our beloved ‘Showstopper’ only has a few matches left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaE58Kp806U
Are you exciting to see the sexy boy back in the ring? If he stuck around, who would you want to see him face? Let us know @SteelChairMag.