How ironic that it all came to an end for HBK on the hood of his rental car, his face occupying the space where the windshield used to be. It was gruesome and tragic. But it wasn't life in the fast lane that predestined this incident. It was a business deal with the Corporation gone awry, with his mistreatment of DX perhaps a contributing factor. Either way, Shawn had paid the price and the show stopped for the "showstoppa..."
Shawn made a lot of mistakes over the years. He'd be the first to admit that. But he had begun to settle down. Going full throttle all the time didn't allow for proper rest or recovery from a grueling decade of combat. During his first of three reigns as World Wrestling Federation Champion, stories of the night life Shawn indulged in were legendary. His early days as a Rocker found him in the doghouse more than once for his wild ways, but as the champion he was cut some slack. While he avoided trouble, the cumulative effects of in-ring and post-match competition took their toll. By the time Shawn turned 30, his body began to show the wear and tear. Old-timers told him when he started that all the crazy stuff he did would catch up with him. Shawn was on borrowed time now.
HIs resiliency made him one of the most successful champions in Federation history. That resiliency was certainly tested throughout 1997. He competed with his back in agony most of the time. The turning point for Shawn was at the 1998 Royal Rumble when a fall onto the casket during a match against the Undertaker ripped away at his spinal column. Shawn could now hear the ticking of the clock. Following WreslteMania XIV, HBK had no choice but to step away. Doctors told him that rest might repair the damage, but they couldn't make any promises. He saw the rise of DX as a group of five without him, the author of the degenerate code. It pained Shawn to be away, but it hurt far more to be there. Forget about competing. Even a simple plane flight was painful. But he wanted to be there.
First as a part-time commentator and then as Federation Commissioner, Shawn Michaels was still a part of the scene. Then he sold his soul to the Corporation and turned on his friends in DX. There would be no free rides to get back into the spotlight. No refunds available either. When the deal went sour, Shawn Michaels was left in a pool of blood as shards of glass surrounded him on the hood of his car. His time was up.
The subsequent spinal surgery prompted reports that Shawn had indeed competed for the final time in the squared circle. Whether or not that is fact, only Michaels knows himself. Physical therapy and time will make the final determination.
Shawn still excerted his authority from his hospital bed, vowing to continue as commissioner. No matter what, Michaels can't let Vince McMahon win that easily. The battles between the two men over the past decade have been difficult for both, as they have a true love-hate relationship.
Shawn Michaels possesses the charisma which has captivated not only the crowds he has so thoroughly entertained but all those around him. And there is perhaps no bigger fan of Shawn than Vince McMahon. The Heartbreak Kid was one of his greatest superstars and seeing Shawn do his thing always brought a smile to the Federation owner's face.
The flip side of Shawn and Vince's relationship is like a bond between father and son, very close and sometimes very destructive. So much alike, the two have often clashed on a number of issues. These blow-ups would shake the walls in McMahon's office and often ended with Michaels storming out. In time, apologies would follow accordingly and arguing and yelling would be replaced with handshakes and hugs.
While they have battled and reconciled in the past, it would appear that the last conflict between these two men so very much alike has finally ended the relationship. Just as with any father/son dispute, sometimes the camel's back can be repaired. Will one or the other party attempt to resolve the differences, or is it really over this time for Shawn and Vince?
And what about DX? Even Shawn would have to admit that he's made mistakes where his former friends are concerned. Will either side be willing to forgive now that Shawn has paid the price for his misdeeds? Forgive? Perhaps. But forget? Never.
The key to Shawn Michaels' success has always been his ability to come back from adversity. That same resiliency, which made him one of the greatest superstars of all time, will have to be called upon if the Heartbreak Kid hopes to fix what is now broken - not only his back, for which Shawn's main goal is simply a pain-free life, but also the torn relationships.
Although the chances seems to be remote, a return to the ring must be in the back of Shawn's mind. The clock may have run out for Shawn Michaels, but he has the rest of his life now to decide what's next.