The Night a back Body Drop Nearly Ended Shawn michaels’ Career
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker consistently rank among the WWE’s all-time greats. Their wrestlemania clashes are legendary, frequently topping lists of the greatest matches in professional wrestling history. However, a match outside of WrestleMania, just months after their groundbreaking Hell in a Cell encounter, brought Michaels to the brink of retirement.
The 1998 wrestling calendar began with the Royal Rumble, where Michaels defended his WWE Championship against The Undertaker. This contest was a casket match,a stipulation The Undertaker was intimately familiar with,having competed in more of them than any other WWE superstar. Surprisingly, Michaels secured the victory, retaining his title, but the outcome wasn’t the most significant takeaway from the night.
During the match, a seemingly routine back body drop from the ring to the outside proved devastating. Michaels’ lower back impacted the ringside casket, an impact that would alter the course of his career. initially, the moment appeared innocuous, but it ultimately forced Michaels to step away from wrestling for over four years.
The impact herniated two discs in Michaels’ back and crushed a third. Despite completing the match, doctors delivered a grim prognosis: they believed he would never wrestle again.
Michaels bravely continued, dropping the WWE Championship to “Stone Cold” steve Austin at wrestlemania XIV. looking back, he acknowledges he shouldn’t have competed, admitting he was perilously close to a catastrophic injury. Remarkably, Michaels harbored no resentment toward The Undertaker for the move.
He explained his back was already severely compromised, and the Royal Rumble match simply delivered the final blow. Fortunately,the injury proved career-halting,not career-ending. Michaels made a triumphant return at SummerSlam 2002,embarking on a second act that many consider even more notable than his first.
Ironically,his in-ring career would ultimately conclude at WrestleMania XXVI against The Undertaker. Michaels himself has stated that his final match doesn’t truly count as his last.
Here’s a rapid recap of the key events:
* The Setup: A WWE Championship match between Shawn michaels and The Undertaker at the 1998 Royal Rumble.
* The Incident: A back body drop onto a ringside casket caused severe spinal damage to Michaels.
* The Diagnosis: Doctors initially believed Michaels’ wrestling career was over.
* The Comeback: Michaels returned to WWE in 2002 and enjoyed a triumphant second run.
* The Finality: A match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI marked the end of Michaels’ in-ring career.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll professional wrestling takes on it’s performers. It also highlights the resilience and determination of Shawn michaels, a true icon of the sport who defied the odds and left an indelible mark on the industry.
