When you launched your come-back in 2002, did you foresee returning to main event status?
I had no idea. That seems like a lifetime ago. Coming off a four-year absence, there were so many things I no longer knew about myself, my ability, even the business. A lot of things changed, but I got back into the swing of things. Some of it was positive; some of it was not.
What do you mean? Some of it wasn't positive?
Not the grind. I'm very careful to avoid falling into ruts in my life. When I came back to WWE, I was full of fire. And I still am. But climbing into the ring every week and getting battered and beaten makes it tough to keep the spirit alive. I thought when I came back I would take on more of a supportive role, but that hasn't been the case. It was all unexpected - I hadn't seen myself being at the forefront of the business ever again.
It's a matter of public record that you're a changed man these days, but it's got to be tough sticking to your principles on the road every week. Ever stray?
The only challenge is dealing with people who think you're straying because of what you do on TV. It would obviously be more wholesome for the Christian audience if I were behaving like Shawn Michaels, the born-again Christian. The DX thing...people know it's TV, but in the same breath they'll say to me, "That's not very Christian of you." But I still read my Bible everyday, and when I'm home on Sunday I go to church. I'm just. not able to represent that stuff so much while in DX mode.
Some people say it's flat-out impossible for you to reconcile the two sides of Shawn Michaels.
I'm held to a whole different standard than absolutely every other Christian in this business. And yet nobody says anything about them.
Why do you think that is?
Let's face it, I went from being chief of all sinners to being born again. Also, I've been outspoken. And you can't get away with being out-spoken without taking persecution. I'm not angry at anyone for giving me a hard time. I'm thrilled that the debate is going on. I think it's positive, but do I have to hear it from believers and nonbelievers alike? Listen, I'm far from perfect. I have the same emotions and feelings as everyone else. I do my best to glorify the Lord in all my actions, but it doesn't always happen.
Speaking of sinful behavior, you once posed for Playgirl. We hear Vito is primping for the lens. Any advice you'd like to give him?
Vito, learn more about what you're doing than I did. I thought it was a magazine for women. Apparently, it's not. I would suggest he get better representation than I had at the time, which was none. But I look back on it as a funny experience. You can't take anything in this line of work too seriously.
You'd know, having been in the biz for 21 years. All modesty aside, are you the best of your generation?
Honestly, there were times when I really did think I was the best. And there were times when I would have been uncomfortable saying that. All I know is, at least at one point in my career, I was better than absolutely everyone else. It was around '96 or '97. I don't think there was anyone better than me at that time.
One thing's for sure, you had the most mind-blowingly awesome leather-studded outfit of the era.
Yeah, I remember Randy Savage coming out in a different outfit every pay-per-view. And I thought at the time, if I start doing that, it'll show people I'm working hard, and I'm ready to go. The look was a cross between biker and cowboy - it was a lot of leather and junk thrown together. I'd love to say there was some genius behind it, but that's not the case. I guess it turned out all right. The young lady who made it is now our full-time seamstress. But I take credit for some key ideas, like including the chaps and the hat.