Shawn Michaels was living pretty hard in the mid-nineties, now his friend and former tag team partner Triple H has reflected on one of the most troubling things Michaels said at that time.
The Shawn Michaels of today is very different from the one who helped lead the ‘New Generation’ in the World Wrestling Federation and ultimately realised his boyhood dream at WrestleMania 12. Michaels was dealing with different substance abuse issues as well as a professional need to be the centre of attention that won him few friends in that era.
One of those friends that have stuck by Michaels through thick and thin over the years is current WWE EVP Triple H. Speaking on Michaels’ A&E Biography special, The Game discussed Michaels attitude going into his last match before a four-year in-ring hiatus. The match in question was the main event of WrestleMania 14 when Michaels lost the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Triple H recalled:
“He was bitter. It had nothing to do with him losing, it had to do with being replaced. He never had his moment. He never had his run. ‘I’m still the greatest here, now it’s his run. What do I do? Now I’m the backup guy?’”
Triple H then recounted one of the most distressing things Shawn Michaels ever said:
“One of the most messed up things I ever heard Shawn say in his life was, I should have taken so many pills I died after WrestleMania 10. I would have been the biggest star of all time. I would have been Elvis.”
WrestleMania 10 in 1994 saw Michaels compete with close friend Razor Ramon in their famed and critically acclaimed ladder match for the Undisputed Intercontinental Championship.
Elsewhere in the documentary, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon spoke about the relationship between Michaels and his son-in-law, Triple H. McMahon went as far as to say that he believes The Heartbreak Kid owes his life to Triple H.