*THE POSITIVE RESULTS
*Name Recognition =
WWE fans remember Shawn Michaels. They talk about him in glowing terms. He
was a deity within the square circle. He pioneered the 'Attitude' era with
D-Generation X (Triple H, X-Pac, Billy Gunn, Chyna). While wrestlers were
conducting themselves in traditional ways, Michaels reinvented the persona
for a WWE competitor and champion. 'Old School' had the Four Horsemen.
Michaels' answer to that was his degeneration group. Individually, he proved
that one does not have to be a super-heavyweight to ascend the top spot.
Work rate superceded a muscular frame and his bouts with Bret Hart, are the
stuff of legend, both good and bad. He left quickly and on top of his game,
leaving fans to wonder when he would come back again. His Sporadic
appearances only whet the appetites of WWE followers and his return as a
member of the nWo has proved a welcome comeback.
*nWo Resurgence =
The nWo entered WWE as the 'same old, same old'. The original members of
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan added to the roster, but hardly
provided an innovative spark to the WWE business, let alone its storylines.
With Hogan donning the Hulkamania-style red and yellow and Scott Hall
released from the federation, Kevin Nash was left behind with new members
X-Pac, The Big Show and Booker T. In an effort to prevent the nWo from going
down similar roads of mediocrity, WWE injected new life into the group with
Shawn Michaels. He is a fresh face in the ring that has proven he can raise
hell and employ a gang mentality. Placing an upper-echelon star and former
champion into the group means that the nWo will stay in the storyline
spotlight. Booker T was the first casualty. More will follow.
*In Ring Potential =
There is no indication that Michaels will make a full or part-time return to
the ring. However, if he chooses to stop through the ropes, the solid work
rate, in WWE will increase significantly. A bad back ended Michaels' career
back in 1998, but no one would have ever known that he was hurt. He still
delivered four-star performances instead of holding back or choosing not to
compete. A lengthy rest of four-plus years would heal nagging injuries, both
minor and major. A fresh Shawn Michaels in a one-night only performance or
embarking on a retirement tour could bring back fans pushed away by stale,
directionless WWE storylines. In his prime, Michael's carried the company
when he was champion. Now, in a time of poor television ratings and PPV buy
rates, the WWE has, once again, turned to Michaels to revitalize it's
fortunes.
NEGATIVE RESULTS =
* Preceding Reputation =
Whether it be from 'losing his smile' or partaking in the framed 'Montreal
Screw job' at Survivor Series in 1997 (vs Bret Hart), Michaels has earned a
reputation for himself that has nothing to do with his work rate. His
sporadic returns to WWE were either short-lived or aborted based on
backstage behaviour by Michaels. Whether it was from being under the
influence, conducting himself in a prima donna fashion, or a mix of the two,
Michaels locker-room presence has not always been welcomed. Recent
interviews reveal a more contrite Michaels, claiming that those days were
far behind him. A more mature Michaels could be a locker-room leader or a
wrestler who could pass on his wisdom, to the up-and-comers in WWE.
* Non-Wrestling Role =
Will grapple fans accept a non-wrestling Shawn Michaels? Will new fans
accept a man who has a reputation for stellar bouts as a mouthpiece for an
insurgent organization? In WWE, the non-wrestling role is normally reserved
for the eye-candy-like diva, manager, or federation 'owner'. No matter how
many promos the 'ex-Heartbreak Kid' may cut, his fans will clamour for him
to step in the squared circle. Sporadic participation and interference in
the fellow-nWo-member matches will not dissuade his loyal followers from
demanding that he don the tights once again. WWE is a place where everyone
seems to get their hands dirty, from Tough Enough alumni to middle-aged
former champions. Shawn Michaels will eventually have to listen to the cries
of WWE faithful.
* Desire To Cheer =
The nWo will have enough trouble eliciting villainous boos as opposed to
anti-hero cheers. Shawn Michaels presence will not help their cause. His
promo on the 10th of June 'Raw', showed that fans wanted to cheer for him,
despite his feelings about 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin or The Rock. They once
loved his 'smart alec' ways and want to root him on as he resumes his
hell-raising ways. If WWE's intention is to turn the group babyface, then
they have taken the proper steps. But the mandate of the nWo is to be a heel
group and babyface versions failed to take of in the past. Perhaps Michaels
will have a short tenure in the group.