Call him the “Heart Break Kid” or simply Shawn Michaels, one thing remains the same
He may have never changed his name; He’s Just adjusted his “attitude”.

Before the Clique, before the Infamous Montreal Screw Job, Before the Hurt back and forced retirement, Young Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, baby face as he was started wrestling in the mid south in 1984.

Being trained by the legendary Jose Lothario, who named him Shawn Michaels, he wrestled in the Texas All-Star Promotion as well as Central States Wrestling where he first tag teamed with later tag team friend/turned “enemy” Marty Jannetty. Between these different promotions, Michaels also wrestled in World Class Wrestling, all before gaining national TV exposure in 1985 with the AWA. Here he tagged again with Jannetty. Born were the pretty boys “The Midnight Rockers”.
For a period a time they were in feuds and battles for popularity with the other boyish teams; The “Midnight Express” and the Rock N Roll Express until the “Midnight” name was dropped with Michaels and Jannetty answering the call of the WWF.

For the better half of three years the “Rockers” maintained popularity with the fans, mainly woman and children. Although they only won the Tag team title belts once during a house show against the Hart Foundation, however due to a contract renegotiation with Neidhart the Belts where returned and the title change was never made public. (I wonder was this the seed that Karma planted which grew to full capacity in Montreal years later, hmmm).

December 2, 1991, the day Shawn Michaels became the “boy toy” the “Heart Break Kid”. The day he super kicked Jannetty through the “barber shop” glass and out of the WWF. This was the day the singles career of HBK was born. One day to be “born again”.

This “attitude” adjustment brought about manager/valet Sensational Sherri, a brief formation with Mr. Perfect and matches against then Intercontinental champion Brett Hart. Michaels eventually won the title beating the British Bulldog; however after losing and then winning back the title in a rematch against the returning former partner Jannetty, Shawn left due to steroids allegations.
Shawn in one of few wrestlers whom never wrestled or detracted to the rival WCW. Michaels returned in 1993 with his bodyguard Diesel. This return led to a feud with then Intercontinental champ “Razor Ramon”. This feud ended in the first ever WWF held ladder match at Wrestlemania X. Even though Michael’s loss, this match along took both superstars popularity to new heights.
Michaels and Diesel went on to capture the tag team gold at Summerslam 94’ only to spilt after Michaels super kicked Diesel by accident. Michaels went on to win the following royal rumble and faced then World Champ Diesel at Wrestlemania. With then new bodyguard Sid in tow, Michaels was not only still defeated at Wrestlemania he was attacked by Sid. This led to a brief departure from Michaels. Who knew his return would mark the “Genesis” of one of the most popular and celebrated Factions in WWF history.

---to be continued

Part 2: Degeneration X, The Montreal Screw Job, Shawn Michaels in Wrestling History, the infamous Syracuse New York, Beating.