Shawn Michaels - Wrestling for My Life: The Legend, the Reality, and the Faith of a WWE Superstar

ZONDERVAN

Wrestling for My Life

Copyright 2014 by Shawn Michaels

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition January 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-34079-9

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with the agency of Encore Sports & Entertainment, LLC, 703 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

Cover photography and design: Micah Kandros

Interior illustration: All photos were provided by the author unless otherwise noted.

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

First Printing December 2014

DEDICATION

When you get asked to do a dedication page, lots of things and people go through your head.

For me, first and foremost, my family: Rebecca, Cameron, and Cheyenne. My life! Plain and simple, without them I shudder to think where I would be. Mom, Dad, brothers, sister, friends the list would go on.

For this book, I want to dedicate it to anyone and everyone who maybe is like me: Not totally sure of everything other than where theyve been. And as they go forward, just want to do their best not to make the same mistakes, use the wisdom theyve gained from those mistakes, and honor God the best way they know how. Now, I know that still allows a lot of room for error, but truthfully, I cling, in white-knuckle fashion, to the Scripture that Man looks at the outside but God looks at the heart because I know where my heart lies. And if you do too, but find yourself unsure (admittedly or not) about Gods plan for you, His direction, or His will for your life and are just trying to do your best, then this book is for you.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried.

PSALM 18:30 KJV

SPECIAL DEDICATION

My father passed away last summer as this book was being done. His tombstone reads: Devoted Husband, Father, Patriot, He lived with honor.

I mention that because, we, his family sons, daughter, even Mom may debate whether Dad was good at this or that, but no one has ever questioned my fathers devotion or his honor. Everyone who ever met him has said the same thing.

Ive thought a lot about that since my fathers passing. What will they say about me? Now hear me clearly on this: I didnt say what will people say; I said what will they my family say about me? And the reason I emphasize this, though it may be harsh, is that people werent by my fathers side when he passed, nor will they be by mine. It will be family.

My father was the first person Ive ever watched die... I was right by his side, my hand on his heart as he breathed his last breath here and his first breath in eternity.

All I could think about was what a great man he was and how fortunate I was to get to be there by his side.

I say all this to emphasize: what will your family say about you? Thats what it all comes down to. Respectfully, friends, business associates, fans, you name it they likely wont be there. We get caught up in so much that is trivial and unfortunately forsake so much that isnt. My tombstone wont say I lived with honor, because for much of my life, before I found Christ, I didnt do so. But Im still here... and so are you! This world doesnt let us forget our past, but the Creator of the universe does! Dont let anyone tell you what your tombstone will say. Begin today, like my father, to be devoted to those who love you and to live with honor.

CONTENTS

I was sitting on the bed in my hotel room getting ready for a show in Birmingham, Alabama, when I got the call from Kevin Nash asking if I would speak to Shawn Michaels. I didnt know how I felt about it.... Of course I would talk to him, but Shawn and I hadnt spoken in a long time.

For six years we had been best friends, almost like family. We were together more than we were apart, riding up and down the road more than 300 days a year. There is nothing we wouldnt do for each other. But ultimately, Shawns addictions and self-destruction had pushed me away.

Hunter, its Shawn. It was so good to hear his voice, because it sounded different. He wasnt slurring his words. He didnt sound bitter and angry, like the Shawn who would say things he knew would hurt you the worst, just to make you feel as bad as he did. There was a clarity and a sincerity to his voice... and I hadnt heard that Shawn in a very long time.

He asked me for my forgiveness. I was blown away. Forgiveness struck me, because it wasnt something the Shawn I knew would say. In the past, Shawn was always defensive, almost unapologetic for his actions. I wasnt sure if I should believe Shawn at first, but I was elated at the thought of having my best friend back. Even more than that, I was relieved to unload the burden that on any given day, Shawn might die. He had found the path back to his life, and I couldnt be happier.

Then he hit me with another request. After four years of retirement, Shawn asked if he could come back to WWE for one more match, and he said he wanted that match to be with me. Shawn said he wanted his son to watch him wrestle, but I knew the reason ran much deeper than that. Shawn wanted to go out on his terms; he wanted to end his career his way, with one more moment in the spotlight. This match represented closure. The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, is one of the greatest performers in the history of our industry, and I was honored he wanted to dance his last dance with me.

At SummerSlam 2002, one of WWEs biggest pay-per-view events, I wrestled Shawn in front of a sold-out crowd in the Nassau Military Veterans Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, not knowing whether or not he could still physically perform. Truthfully, I dont know if Shawn knew for sure either. Thirty seconds in, I knew Shawn was still the best I had ever stepped in the ring with. For forty minutes we blew the roof off the building and had what for me, for many reasons, would be one of my most memorable matches. In my mind, that match closed the door on the past and opened the door to Shawn reviving his career and getting his life on track. Most importantly to me, I had my brother back.

I watched Shawn continue down his path and ultimately become the best husband, best father, and quite possibly the best man I know. This book will take you on Shawns journey and show you how his faith helped him find himself again.

Shawn, I love you, my brother.

Hunter

Before you turn another page, you need to ask yourself one question, Are You Ready?

Its always nice to see Shawn Michaels these days. We both proudly come from the same line of work, professional wrestling. The pro wrestling scene back in the day was like the Wild Wild West. We traveled all over the world wrestling and living like rock stars. Shawn Michaels was one of the greatest performers in the history of the business.