In recent posts, I've looked at comeback appearances. This time, I look at the return of a ring of someone who had made sporadic appearances, but hadn't laced up the boots for a long time.
It seems hard to believe now, but at one point Shawn Michaels, the Showstopper, hadn't wrestled for over four years. HBK had been one of the greatest wrestlers of the '90s right up until WrestleMania 14 in 1998, when he lost the WWF Title to Stone Cold Steve Austin. Due to a serious back injury, HBK disappeared immediately and, eventually, underwent what was assumed to be career-ending back surgery in 1999. Despite the occasional surprise appearance on Raw, the chances of HBK ever wrestling again were very unlkely.
In 2002, however, things changed. Michaels returned to Raw in June 2002 as a member of the nWo. The group disintegrated within weeks, but not before HBK called for Triple H to join the new World order at the Vengeance Pay-Per-View.
At Vengeance, with the nWo gone, Shawn's motive was to have H3 join him on Raw. The Game agreed and signed for the Monday night brand. The next night, a DX reunion was teased, only for HHH to Pedigree Michaels. This was followed by an assault in a car park, which led to Michaels challenging HHH to what would be an unsanctioned match at SummerSlam 2002. The Game agreed.
It's worth noting that, prior to August 25 2002, it was assumed that this match was one last match. And, besides, unlike other wrestlers who had been out injured, this was someone who had missed years of action due to a major back injury. Expectations were low heading into SummerSlam, although it would be great to see the Heartbreak Kid back in the ring, even if only for one more match.
SummerSlam came, and although HBK had some early offence, Triple H turned things around in his favour, using a steel chair to punish HBK's back further. Eventually, The Game called for a Pedigree, but a superkick that bashed the chair into HHH's face handed the momentum to Shawn.
Over the next few minutes, HBK busted HHH open with the chair, then pounded him in and out of the ring, and then amazingly hit a top rope splash onto HHH and through a table at ringside.
Back in the ring, Michaels unbelievably hit an elbow off the top of a ladder and signalled for Sweet Chin Music. HHH countered it, though, and motioned for the Pedigree. However, Michaels flipped HHH over, and got the three count.
It may not sound like much now, but for someone who hadn't wrestled in over 4 years, and had been sidelined by a severe injury, this was an astonishing performance. And, as it turned out, it was only the beginning of a second career which, combined with his 1988-1998 stint, made HBK arguably the greatest wrestler in WWE history.
But it all began at SummerSlam 2002. Everything, from the WM 21 classic against Kurt Angle to the various DX reunions to the showdowns at WrestleMania with The Undertaker, was all still to come on the night HBK stepped back into the ring. The impact of that match on Michaels' legacy, and the future of WWE (imagine the last nine years if Shawn hadn't returned) made this not only a memorable moment, but one of the most memorable matches of the last decade, and the history of SummerSlam.
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