As this issue was going to press, the Heartbreak Kid was preparing for a reprieve of his heralded "ladder match" with Razor Ramon at Wrestlemania X. The rematch would take place at Summer Slam '95, and experts were forecasting a classic.
A reporter who visited Michaels' training camp was surprised to find the Intercontinental Champion devoid of his usual playfullness. This was an individual focused on his upcoming battle, and he was determined to prove something.
Keith: Normally when you're training before a big match,the atmosphere almost feels like a party. There are prety girls running around all over th eplace, music blasting, people hanging out and telling jokes. This is very different from anything I've ever seen. It's very somber. Does the mood indicate that we're seeing a "new" Shawn Michaels?
Shawn: I wouldn't say "new." Maybe I'd say "different." Because this is different from any other match I've ever had before. Maybe you could say that it means the most. And I'll tell you why. If you think back to the time just before Wrestlemania X, I didn't lose the Intercontinental Title. I was the champion, went on a long vacation, and - in my absence - World Wrestling Federation President Jack Tunney cose to strip me of the belt. I didn't get a letter, a telegram or a message on my answering machine warning me.
I just came back to work, and I wasn't the champion anymore. Razor Ramon had won the belt in a tournament, and I was sure I'd beat him at Wrestlemania X and take back the championship. Maybe I was a little naive, a little cocky, a little too sure of myself, but - as history proved - it didn't work out that way.
My match with Razor Ramon might have been the best battle I ever fought. I can honestly say I put more into that fight than when I wrestled Diesel for the World Wrestling Federation Championship at Wrestlemania XI. You see, Diesel was always - in my heart - my buddy, and I couldn't go all out against him. However, Ramon had something that rightfully was mine, and I was determined to crush him.
Well, hats off to Razor Ramon. He won the match at Wrestlemania X, but he won't beat me again in our match at Summer Slam Ecery single day, I'm reminded of ow important this match is. My body still aches from that first match. And Razor Ramon never hesitates to refresh everybody's memory of how the Heartbreak Kid went down at Wrestlemania X. Maybe you can say that I'm obesessed with beating him this time.
This ladder match has nothing to do with my fans. This battle's for me. I'm the Intercontinental Champion now. Razor Ramon's the challenger, And, after we smash each other's bodies and break each other's bones, he's still gonna be a contender for the Intercontinental Title.
Keith: You mentioned your quest to take the World Wrestling Federation Title from Diesel at Wrestlemania XI. Were you surprised that, the very next night when you were attacked by your bodyguard Sid, none other than Diesel came to your aid?
Shawn: Looking back on it now, it isn't surprising. I've said this before. When Sid was my bodyguard, it was strictly a business relationship. He was a big tough guy, a lot of people were gunning for me, and I was paying him to watch my back. We didn't go to nighclubs together, meet each other's families or get together on Sunday afternoons to play minature golf. It was business. Strictly business. Now when Diesel was my bodyguard, we were friends, close friends who really cared about each other. I know, we had a falling out - and it was both of our faults - but the feelings were still there. So when Sid jumped me on Monday Night Raw, it makes sense that Diesel stromed to the ring and made the save. That's what good friends do for each other.
Keith: Do good friends give each other title shots?
Shawn: I know what you're getting at. Diesel's the champ. He walks into the ring every night with the World Wrestling Federation Belt strapped around his waist. He's the man of the hour, the one everyone wants to beat. As the Intercontinetal Champion, I'm a No. 1 contender, but let me answer your question directly. Do friends give each other title shots? Yes, they do. And Diesel gave me one at Wrestlemania XI. He hasn't avoided me. In fact, he's th eone who asked the World Wrestling Federation to give him an open contract. I'm sure if I ever wanted to take a crack at the title again, he'd let me have it. Right now, though, we need each other. The same ones stalking the Heartbreak Kids are the ones trying to take down Diesel. At this point in time, we're better off together than apart.
Keith: It's been a couple of months now since you've had the fans on your side. Have you gotten over the intial shock?
Shawn: Hey, the Heartbreak Kid was never shocked to hear people cheering for him. The Heartbreak Kid expected it. Go into your tape library and look at my Wrestlemania X match against Razor Ramon. Look at the Survivor Series match when I challenged Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the World Wrestling Federation Championship.
Order the Wrestlemania XI tape from Coliseum Video and see how hard I fought against Diesel - even though I think of the guy as a brother. The Heartbreak Kid has always put a thousand percent into every match. And fans appreciate that. By the same token, it feels good to have them vocalizing that a lot more. When my name's announced in the middle of the ring and the fans go nuts, I have to admit it's pretty nice. So let's sum it up this way - the fans appreciate me, and I appreciate their appreciation.