What if Shawn Michaels did not injure his back? – WrestleMania 14
At the next year’s event, he won the WWF title from Michaels – which provided us with another what if.
Michaels broke his back in a coffin match with The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble 1998 after being backdropped onto it. With HBK’s back such a wreck, it meant the WWF champion was in constant pain. Despite last year pretending to be injured, however, this year he was injured and was still forced to wrestle.
It was likely the champion would try to skip out on doing the job to undeniably the biggest star in the company at the time, in the form of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
A certain lockerroom leader forced the Heartbreak Kid to competed in the match, as The Undertaker taped up his fists backstage and demanded that he face the ‘Texas Rattlesnake’ or face the wrath of The Undertaker’s hands.
In the match, it was obvious Michaels was in pain – wincing after simple moves. To protect this, it was a heavy brawl with lots of fighting outside the ring. Eventually, Austin won which signalled the coronation of wrestling’s biggest rising star. Steve may not have been such a big star had he not beaten Michaels and paired with Mike Tyson. Michaels was forced into the match that would be his last for over 4 years. You have to wonder how it all might have differed had the injury – and subsequent Undertaker threat – of Michael’s not taken place.
