July 5, 2000
Hello boys and girls, sorry it has been so long since my last commentary, as we have been off enjoying the summer. Our little munchkin is six months old and now more than ever I realize what parents mean when they say it goes by so fast. It seems like only yesterday we were welcoming him into this world. That is why I have taken and will continue to spend so much more time with my family. I hope you will be understanding if I am not always punctual.
I have read recently that some of you are a little upset with a particular Internet writer who no longer feels I have a place in the wrestling business. He believes I should stay home and "do the family thing". No problem. C'mon, you have to admit it's kind of funny that a guy feels sorry for a former wrestler who is only making an awful lot of money for doing a couple of minutes work. Hell, I'll take that kind of sympathy any day. But seriously, for some wrestling fans it is hard to fathom the fact that a guy who once craved and excelled in the spotlight is no longer driven by that same need. And make no mistake about it, that is what this gentleman is, a wrestling fan. Sometimes other fans hold these Internet writers to higher standards than that of every other fan simply because they write about wrestling. Trust me, they are every bit a fan as you and me. And as a fan, they want to remember their favorites as they saw them. Bigger than life.
While I was wrestling I understood when people would get excited when they met me. I was this "cool" guy on TV that could do whatever he wanted. How many of us would love to curse, smack or even talk down to their boss? As a wrestler on TV you get to live a fantasy life that 90% of the world would want to live. That is why so many wrestlers don't want to give it up and stay past their prime. Going from being the number one guy to just a face in the crowd is very difficult for a lot of people. I guess I just didn't see it being all that hard.
I think one of the reasons it was not very difficult for me was because everyone thought that it would be. For years they were told by the "insiders" of this guy with an enormous ego and chip the size of Texas. Was it true? To a certain extent. But the one thing that has always been synonymous with the name of Shawn Michaels was unpredictability. Natural unpredictability. So when the world thought it would be tough, I found it rather easy. So lets give this guy a break, huh? He is just stating his opinion and he has every right.
If I may get deep for a second. Meeting the love of your life and having a beautiful baby boy doesn't hurt either. Wrestling is sports entertainment kids and means absolutely nothing in the big scheme of things. On my judgement day when I am standing before God my best guess is that he is going to ask me absolutely nothing about my World Championships or Match or the Year awards. I'm hoping he'll want to know if I was a good husband, father, and son. Did I try to give back to my fellow man and did I do my best to treat others as I had wanted to be treated. To those questions I believe that I can answer an enthusiastic, YES.
I guess I have changed some huh? What do you expect I'm going to be 35 this month. AAAHHH I'm getting old. LOL. Take care and I'll see you down the road.
See ya in the funny papers,
Bye bye,
Shawn