Jim Cornette Reviews WWE Rivals: Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels

[@Devypocalypse]

Austin absolutely obliterated Michaels in the promos leading to that Mania match. Austin was unstoppable. Gold chain and earing Stone Cold was an absolute savage. What times.

[@RKO1988]

When Shawn knows he’s doing the job he doesn’t put in as much effort

[@bobbyjohnson9409]

@@RKO1988yeah he whines and complains because he’s a mark. He’s everything he and the Kliq accused Bret Hart of being.

[@devangpatel5227]

@@bobbyjohnson9409 100% agreed.

[@josephpatti2835]

​@@bobbyjohnson9409 Shawn was putting Bret over for years prior to his WrestleMania 12 win. Bret almost quit the company over it until he got the big 20 year contract and the promise that Shawn would return the favor. Why would he need to return the favor when he did the favor over and over prior to his win. What would you have done if Bret acted that way to you?

[@SinistralEpoch]

@@josephpatti2835 I don't think anyone was trying to say Bret wasn't a mark either. lol.

[@cwalser544]

It's funny how Jim has been in wrestling for 50 years and to this day he still sits around and submerges himself in a idea he still loves. That's commitment.

[@JennyLee-yi5hf]

U people with these suck ass comments wanting likes are less then men

[@cflo1386]

His passion

[@veganpenguin9857]

If you have the name Jim I guess you’re loyal to your profession

[@VeryStupid4547]

"He'd been self-medicating that bad back for 3 years before he got it..." This is gonna be gold.

[@kamfisher1714]

His point is dumb, Shawn was going to back in early 2001 before WCW went out of business but he his self medicating got in the way

[@VeryStupid4547]

@@kamfisher1714 My understanding is Vince kept Shawn on the payroll during his injury to keep him from going to WCW: He was still paid his full-time salary while he was off. The straw that broke the camel's back occurred backstage during the legendary simulcast of Vince announcing he owns WCW. Shawn was completely wasted on God knows what, and was even nodding off and drooling on himself. Vince was disgusted and told him he was done. For whatever reason, Shawn blamed Triple H for telling on him and they literally almost had a physical fight.

[@kamfisher1714]

@@VeryStupid4547 Yet Jim acted like Shawn only came back because WCW went out of business and Vince stopped paying him, when that’s not true. There was planned comebacks before WCW went out of business. Simple as that. This whole video was just nonsense.

[@brandonb6005]

@@kamfisher1714 Shawn was such an untrustworthy sack of crap that no one would buy him coming back until the bell rang. Quitting / retiring three times in roughly 14 months has that effect. When you take your ball and go home that many times, no one believes you when you say you will do something.

[@kamfisher1714]

@@brandonb6005 You do know Shawn had the same injury Bret had in 1996 right? Bret took 2 months off so Shawn wasn’t lying.

[@rickytpb2164]

I love the story that Taker was waiting in gorilla for Michaels and prepared to kick his ass if he didn't job to Austin 😂

[@oneyewitness3823]

He might have gotten fxxked up if it happened...9 times out 10 he wouldn't have done anything...

[@MrFoxxx47]

It's a fun story but if he was actually going to fight him, he just would have. Why make a whole scene taping your wrists like that in front of all the boys? Lol he was obviously just doing a "tough guy" thing, they were never going to fight.

[@stewartmcrae8007]

and thats all it is just a story I have heard a couple of people say it but I don't believe it you think Vince was going to let anything happen to his boy toy i know that undertaker and Vince are real close now probably because of his loyalty and dedication to the company but I am not sure back in 98 how strong their friendship was he probably would have been done with WWF if he laid a finger on HBK

[@Webbie2689]

Shawn was leaving for a while after that Mania and everyone knew it. Vince wasn’t gonna save him. It’s all about the business.

[@crystalrutledge9303]

As cornette once said “Shawn Michaels is 0 for life in fights” 😂 😂😂😂

[@kevinsmith8988]

I was hoping that someone else remembered their King of the Ring 97 match not only were they both in their primes but they were also Tag Team Champions at that time

[@dustinray9950]

I was disappointed that they didn't mention the match they had at King of the Ring '97

[@OmegaRedFan]

The 1st ever "Hell in a Cell" match.

[@jamalwalker04]

​@@OmegaRedFan Your thinking of Shawn vs Taker In Youre House bad blood

[@LeoWhalen1933]

​@@OmegaRedFannot even close

[@SBandy]

Absolutely fantastic match. I also liked the finish even though many don't seem to.

[@spheremode3271]

I agree that setting up Bret vs Austin for WM 14 makes way more sense than what actually happened, but I love the match that we got. It could have been so much better if the two guys were in better shape -- their KotR 97 match is more technically brilliant, but I love the spectacle of this match. I love Michaels' entrance where this grungy punk band plays a very sloppy version of the DX theme. I love Michaels mockingly dedicating the match to Earl Hebner as he's walking out. I love Tyson being there. The finish was great too: instead of giving each other 3 finishers, they tease the superkick, then Austin counters and hits his finisher. It makes the finish feel more dangerous when you feel like a finishing move is gonna put someone down for good. It gives the impression that Austin barely managed to survive with his quick thinking as opposed to him kicking out of the 3rd finisher just because it's Wrestlemania.

[@chrisbutler1668]

WrestleMania 15 was the first case of the "need multiple finishers to win the main event". You can thank Austin and The Rock for setting the precedent a year later.

[@spheremode3271]

@@chrisbutler1668 I think kicking out of finishers can be done well, but I hate where things have gotten to at this point. People kick out of this shit like crazy. It's just another move if it doesn't actually finish anyone off. Yes, Austin and Rock are definitely to blame for this phenomenon spreading, even though I still enjoy their matches. I think an instance where a kick out of finisher worked really well was the final Taker and Triple H match (no, nothing happened in Saudi Arabia to tarnish its legacy). Now, imagine how much more special that moment would have been if we didn't see people kick out of finishers left and right at the big shows.

[@chrisbutler1668]

@@spheremode3271 It definitely ruined the entire idea behind "the finisher". It's all in the name. It's a move so devastating or expertly done that it's supposed to FINISH the match. I barely remember the days when it was "the first guy to hit his finisher" wins. By 2001, I was finding myself watching every big match going "ok, there's the first finisher, now they're building up for the finish of the match". Sometimes it is effective, but typically only in great rivalries and at big shows like you said.

[@acolytewill3682]

The grunge band is the band that actually did the dx song

[@spheremode3271]

@@acolytewill3682 Yeah I know

[@Ai14106]

If Shawn's back and Austin's neck were 100% the match wouldve been a classic

[@xziggy_stardustx6786]

To his credit Shawn put on a solid performance. It wasn't his best but he was in pain and not in good place mentally.

[@shindean]

Did you even listen to this video? The man who was directly in charge of booking Shawn just told you HE WAS F***INK LYING. The only thing broken on HBK was his ego, knowing he just got replaced.

[@dvon1097]

​@@markula_4040that match was fantastic. My parents were there it was in my hometown

[@AD-ur1fk]

@@shindean stop. He was definitely hurt for that match. Why would he get back surgery if he didn’t hurt his back??

[@shindean]

@@AD-ur1fk Surgery that nobody can confirm, that you want to believe, comes back to wrestle in the exact same way, on the very same time WCW folded, and Jim can verify as a liar. I would compliment you for believing in santa before HBK.

[@davepezza2944]

I was 13 when dx formed. Me and all my friends thought it was fantastic. It gave the program such a great edge. I loved it, Michaels and HHH were hilarious. I got in trouble so much telling people to suck it. Hell i still tell people to suck it. Its just as timeless. If you were there you’d understand.

[@SpaceGhost92]

I am tired of Jim and Brian constantly shitting on Michaels and acting like dx wasn’t a huge influence on an entire generation of fans. Their significance to helping wwf climb back in the war is greatly understated here

[@Aliquickk-X]

@@SpaceGhost92 agreed. It's infuriating.

[@LaParka420]

Yeah, there\s nobody looking back at DX and rolling their eyes. They were a much bigger part of the attitude era than Jim cares to admit.

[@matthewgabbard6415]

Of course they were. But those fans were adolescents at the time. Even back then I remember a lot of people viewing them as nothing more than a rip off of the NWO. Michaels couldn’t stand that he wasn’t down there making Nash and Hall money. The early days NWO has stood the test of time though

[@Speedyreedy1218]

​@@LaParka420 Jim loves crediting Austin single handedly for saving the company when its not true. It was a group effort. Austin and DX were tied for being major money grossers. Some fans love Austin's drunk baffoon brawling at his boss schtick. And another group of fans loved the brash, lewd, sex-craving, money chasing, asskicking, entertaining jocks of DX.

[@soulcontrolwo6088]

Shawn and Austin had some good mic promos as well

[@JCD489]

Tito and Rick Martel had a longer rivalry than Austin and Michaels lol

[@MrJjburgess11]

Jake the Snake and Martel also lol

[@OmegaRedFan]

​@@MrJjburgess11 Jake the Snake and Big Van Vader

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

​@@OmegaRedFanBROOOOOOOOO I HAVENT THOUGHT ABT VADER IN PROBLY 25 YEARS PLUS😮 Remember that mask helmet thing he came out wearing? that²¹²²²⅖😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Forever_Thatter]

Vastly underrated feud, they had great chemistry. Their match at KotR 97 was hilarious.

[@Coby_Got]

Meaningless feud.

[@bignewman256]

King of the ring they wasn't feuding though they was the tag champions lol

[@henryviper9091]

I legit love that KOTR match. If Austin's neck hadn't gotten hurt later that year, and then Shawn's back thing in 98, I feel like those two coulda had some bangers.

[@apostolostvable]

It was a great match with a dud finish. They had an awesome house show match in January of 97 thats circulating

[@OmegaRedFan]

​@@henryviper9091 your sisters banger album bro

[@chico1680]

I can remember seeing Shane for the first time as a referee back when the refs wore the sky blue button up shirts instead of the zebra stripes they wear today

[@garyhen2028]

Me too! I remember meeting both Shane and vinnymac back at a northern California show in like 92-93! I think it was the cow palace or Sacramento

[@quentinkaasa47]

WrestleMania 8, Savage vs Flair.

[@CraigCairney83]

Survivor Series ‘89 was the first time I seen Shane at ringside.

[@Jaxsinholt]

Who cares that u remember that

[@Thecallmemisterajp]

In fairness on the Shawn, there were stories in 01 prior to WCW closing of him getting ready to make a comeback, right on down to them doing a story in Raw Mag that February that he had announced his comeback. IIRC he ended up having a fall out with HHH and the company over his drug use, which is why it all fell through.

[@ScionOfTheSeventhDawn]

Also, when he returned in 2002, after WrestleMania and way after WCW was no more, he still returned for a non wrestling role in the new NWO! It was only after that NWO was done that they started a storyline that would lead to his return at SummerSlam.

[@timchumichuck306]

That doesn't mean anything.

[@manuelchavarria]

Yeah I think it was supposed to be Shawn vs HHH at X-7 but he was still messed up so they went with HHH vs Taker, right?

[@johnberry2678]

I know Brian and especially Jim have a hard on for Shawn because of his behavior in the 90’s but his run through 97-98 was fantastic heel work

[@FreeThinkAlways]

Guess that makes it OK then. Randy Orton acting like a prima Donna and getting people fired over nothing or having their pushes killed I guess is OK too?

[@donjohn2695]

Jim just hates Shawn because Shawn was a prick to him Jim thou has admitted that Shawn was unquestionably one of the greatest to ever Lace up a pair of wrestling boots

[@jmmypaddy]

With that logic, it's fine to celebrate Benoit. Fuck off.

[@desisdosis473]

​​@@donjohn2695 In one of the episodes Jim said pretty clear that he doesn't hate Shawn Michaels. Even mentioned they hugged and had a little conversation when Jim introduced the Rock'n'Roll Express into the Hall of Fame.

[@KrishmanyuThakur]

@@FreeThinkAlways if by any chance you're talking about kennedy then no, even cena complained about him being unsafe. Not only that, Kennedy himself in a shoot accepts that the way things went weren't wrong and he wasn't the best person too at the time

[@richardchisolm8430]

At some point Brian has to give up the HBK hate: Shawn has literally admitted and has been contrite and apologetic about his past that Brian is upset with him about. It’s ok….Brian let it go. Everyone who actually worked with him has.

[@HessenUK]

He’s also massively wrong that DX HBK wasn’t still popular and couldn’t have been a top part of the card during that era.

[@OmegaRedFan]

Stop hating on Brian Last. He is your Arcadian Vanguard and you will NOT slander him!

[@OmegaRedFan]

​@@HessenUK DX was never that popular. You're drinking the kool-aid bro

[@seanbrown486]

Couldn't agree more.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

​@@OmegaRedFan 😂

[@Mr92094]

Did they skip the King of the Ring and Austin/Michaels tag stuff in this documentary? Sure WM14 was the big one but they had a little bit before that too

[@highjim7778]

the tag stuff was hilarious, they couldve had a lot longer with that one.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

Austin basically was a tag champ with most his rivals. Dude Love, HBK, Undertaker, HHH.

[@jamalwalker04]

I don't think Austin was feuding with Foley or HHH when they had the tag titles. The feud with Foley started later and He and HHH were the "Two man Power Trip" at the time. ​@@Speedyreedy1218

[@Speedyreedy1218]

@@jamalwalker04 He had a confrontation with Foley briefly in 97. But the feud in 97. Similar deal with HBK. You're right on HHH. But I wasn't specific on time frames. I made a general comment that was factual. Every person he was a tag champ with was a rival at one point.

[@vibezforall99]

pilled up hbk ‘97-98 is insanely better on promos than most people today lol natural 90s iconic talent

[@Speedyreedy1218]

If he's pilled up, it's not natural. He admitted the drugs bought that personality out.

[@vibezforall99]

@@Speedyreedy1218 that’s not how pills work

[@gaipontiff2]

Shane McMahon was actually 28 years old in 1998 when he debuted as a commentator on Sunday Night Heat.

[@derkum7146]

Yay another chance for Corny to bitch about ancient history with the GOAT because they didn't get along. Love both sides, but this gets exhausting when things demonstrably worked out for all involved.

[@amars773]

Bret vs Austin 3 at WM14 instead of HBK and Austin would have been a very interesting match to see especially as the main event. But then again we wouldn’t get Tyson TKO-ing HBK at the end of the match 😂.

[@daundisputedtake7238]

Tyson should have been neutral enforcer in heart vs Austin main event. Shawn ego drags him to the ring where Tyson drops him with a right hook

[@meekcheeks]

Their feud in 97-98 was fun to watch! Shawn would act like a clown! As soon as Stone Cold confronted Shawn, Shawn would turn serious! I liked the chemistry between Shawn and Stone Cold. It was just a shame it wasn't on for long

[@roccojamison89gooker51]

I wish Shawn would've acted like a clown with Austin like he later did with Hogan in 2005.

[@devangpatel5227]

thought austin's chemstry with bret was much better. only thing that made shawn/austin rivalwry was miek tyson's involvement

[@desisdosis473]

​@@devangpatel5227 Before their injuries Shawn and Austin had great in-ring chemistry. Their match at King of the Ring is a minor classic despite they didn't even go full force (which was part of the match story of course because they were Tag Team Champions). Austin vs Michaels during their prime at Wrestlemania would have been a 5 Star match I am sure.

[@meekcheeks]

@Devang Patel yeah I agree with Austin's chemistry being better with Bret. Though I like the feud he had with Shawn. When they had the Tag titles, their arguing was interesting to watch.

[@mikesanders2500]

​@@devangpatel5227 not really. Shawn being an actual prick made the rivalry work. You could tell Shawn was a dick and cared just for himself. Seeing him being beaten must've been a real feel good moment for the boys

[@methodissik]

Brian is such a hater. Sits on his high horse as if he's ever been a part of the business. Too bad Jim won't replace him. I love Jim, but it's hard having to listen to the other guy.

[@darksideon]

IDC if it didn't make sense, when Shawn ripped Tyson's shirt off to reveal the DX shirt I and most fans popped.

[@clarkkent983]

If its Bret vs Austin then Tyson's situation won't be as important as with Shawn because there's no way Bret would allow Tyson punch him after the match

[@Aliquickk-X]

DX is timeless as well as Austin. Even now, going to WWE Events, they play DX music during commercial or down time and crowds pop. It worked in 2006 and 2008 as well, DX was massive and a whole new fan fanbase flocked to the reunion. Tyson joining DX was perfect because it also mainstreamed DX

[@koberino4872]

Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels’ ego

[@UncomfortableShoes]

I have to agree with Jim on HBK being out and then recovering. However, the casket injury I feel was legit. HBK never sold as well as he did in the WM14 match, as someone that’s had a really fucked up back myself that’s what I look like when it’s been unbearable. The stiffness and look on his face are something else, especially when Austin wasn’t even working his back.

[@stevenlornie1261]

As someone with three herniated discs, I feel for Shawn on that match. It makes me physically wince seeing his reaction. He screams when Tyson puts his hand on his lower back. He can't even pick Austin up by the end. There's also the limp Shawn develops after the first major turnbuckle bump. He should never have been cleared for that match.

[@toddbarts9916]

Shawn Michaels was the top heel in the company both in and out of the ring so I disagree with Brian when he says you had Austin and Tyson and anybody else on the roster could have filled the Shawn Michaels role.

[@Giveme1goodreason]

Honestly my favourite match is Austin vs bret. But my favourite story was the Austin vs michaels road to wrestlemania. Which is what I site when I say bret was the best professional wrestler, shawn was the best sports entertainer and Austin was great at both. Also I watched very recently every raw and ppv between jan 1 1998 and wrestlemania 14. It really proved Jim cornette right. The top guys of the attitude era were awesome. Underneath though was a lot of cringe garbage. Found myself fast forwarding a lot of raw.

[@Giveme1goodreason]

Also my favourite promo ever happened in this feud. HBK had been saying he doesn’t lay down for anybody. Then stone cold put out a promo that had the epic finish of “Shawn michaels says he won’t lay down for anybody. Well I ain’t asking you to lay down. I’m gonna keep knocking your ass down till you don’t get up! 1, 2, 3 that damn belt is mine and ain’t nothing anyone can do about it. And that’s the bottom line cos stone cold said so.!” Also I loved how serious both guys were coming to the ring.

[@kerryvodden5004]

As much as love Cornette, his dislike for Shawn is making his comments on him utterly ridiculous. In the rivals show you literally have Taker and Austin saying Shawn was the greatest worker or all time. Yet Cornette is trying to dismiss him as some sort of jobber to Austin. Obviously by mania 14 Shawn was at a low, but still he and Bret had carried the entire promotion for the past 6 or 7 years . Also cringey as fuck how the Cornettes podcast buddy agrees with every single word he says, as if his opinion carries any weight at all.

[@skiitzot2f761]

Vince paying Shawn to stay home could’ve saved his life if we’re being honest

[@slwalsh]

The Tyson joins DX swerve makes sense if you see it created as a reaction of HBK complaining about the focus on Tyson/Stone Cold. With Tyson now aligned with DX, and HBK the de facto leader of DX, it gives Michaels more importance in the story. Basically makes him "the boss" of the mainstream star, who's now kinda less in the story. A story we all knew HBK was losing, but at least (in his mind) he looked a bit better. Also, that one bit of Tyson doing his job & instantly/without haste turning on DX tasted so sweet because it was as close to a HBK Screwjob as we could (and would?) ever get. EDIT: lol, Brian said this (more succinctly) after I posted it; that's what I get for pausing the video to type a reply. ;p

[@dvon1097]

You guys forgot Austin and Bret had a third match. The pay per view after WM 13. It was a number 1 contender for Takers belt and Austin won by DQ

[@artvandelayRFC]

The way folk talk about Shawn they act like his career ended in 98. His second run was his best run and he put plenty of people over.

[@Sir-Chancelot]

This devolved into an opportunity for these guys to crap all over Shawn again.

[@highjim7778]

they were literally the tag champs together and hated each other, it was comedy gold when they ended up fighting each other

[@MrSniperfox29]

Jim is misremembering a lot here Tyson never had an Austin shirt on, Austin GAVE him the shirt afterwards

[@mattjohnson91]

I want to know what Shawn did to Brian to make him hate him so much, it's unhealthy. Also Shawn couldn't have just been replaced by anyone else at WM14 because for instance if you swap Taker in that place the crowd wouldn't be as excited to see Steve win.

[@Aliquickk-X]

It's really weird

[@Speedyreedy1218]

Heels are draws too. Corny doesn't want to accept it. It's a talent making someone hate you so much you convince them to buy a ticket and support the other guy beating your ass.

[@jamiewalsh9184]

Bare in mind he's never met Shawn before in his life. He has the same thing for Jake Roberts and he says some really horrible stuff about him. Just a bit of a horrible guy id say

[@Jwjmcc]

Michaels eye 😂 well done travis again

[@robertnapier624]

The lazy eye crooked eye whatever you want to call it eye won’t get old.

[@lifeofry316]

They took our jobs South Park 😂

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Duh toookur jurrrrr

[@Rschr101]

Back when it was funny.

[@immortalmp1720]

It'll never cease to amaze me at the amount of people that were jealous of Shawn

[@chiteushamutete]

I think I'm in the minority but I remember Shawn Michaels as an incredible babyface. He was by far my favorite from that era. HBK was the man!

[@artvandelayRFC]

Have they still not did Shawn/Taker rivals? That's weird considering some of the "Rivals" shows they've made.

[@rgwebb5165]

I was thinking the same thing. This rivalry was less than a year with only a handful of matches. None of which are considered classic. Historically important because of Stone Cold. Many rivalries deserve covered before this one.

[@PreacherJenkins]

The eye reminds me of RVD doing his Shawn Michaels impression

[@desisdosis473]

Funny that RVD himself has a lazy eye now.

[@donjohn2695]

Rvd apologized to Shawn because rvd suffered a eye injury and has a lazy eye now so he knows what Shawn went through

[@Aliquickk-X]

Brian's gotta have the worst Shawn Michaels takes ever. DX became huge because of Michaels and Tyson. Why do you think when DX reformed 8 years later it was massive? It still is

[@guillermogonzalez7827]

Raw breaks Nitros 83 week winning streak Austin vs Vince RAW April 13 1998

[@1stKindChris]

Hold up..... so "suck it" is silly but "scissor me daddy" is appropriate? 🤔. Jim's bias against Michaels is showing again. I'd much rather he not even talk about Shawn, HHH, Hall or Nash or anything regarding the Kliq lol. And Brian doesn't make it any better.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

Their hatred for the Kliq taints their "analysis." Most of the stuff he reviewed during HHH'S feuds in the RA era, he admitted to not even had watched.

[@robtaylor698]

The hatred that Brian has for Shawn Michaels is exhausting. He really needs to get over it and give the guy proper credit.

[@mythoughtsmyfaultspodcast]

Shawn must have boned his girlfriend in the 90s.

[@GodyP]

Gotta give him his proper credit for type of person he was also

[@rickpowers3677]

Mike Tyson punched Shawn so hard it put Shawn on the shelf for 4 years. Tyson's a bad ass.

[@chrisrodgers1087]

Royal Rumble 98. The thing that doesn't get as much attention as HBKs back injury is the actual match. It looked like they were setting up Shawn vs Owen Hart. Owen attacks HBK at the Dec ppv. RR is in January. I think Shawn and Owen may have had a match on Raw in Dec. But no real feud in 98. HHH would feud/beat Owen. I know it was probaly incredibly awkward between everyone involved so maybe that's the answer. But if it's Shawn/Owen, there's no casket for Shawn to kill his back.

[@Teddy42O]

I miss 90's drunk & high HBK 😂😂

[@osaji922]

That was the best HBK and I don't care what anyone says.

[@SpaceGhost92]

@@osaji922absolutely.

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

im just a sexy boy, SEXXYYYY BOOOOO-OYYYYYYY Im not cha boy toy, BOY TOOOOO-OOYYYYYY🤣 his intro song was some of the lamest shit outta the 90s. I mean a lot of the intro songs were, but still.....

[@MFD00MTR33]

Tyson didn't have an Austin shirt underneath his DX one. Austin tossed his shirt to him, which Tyson laid across Shawn after he knocked him out.

[@patrickdavis5231]

Tyson didn't have a shirt under the DX one. Austin hands Tyson the Austin 3:16 shirt after the match.

[@MichaelSmith-fq6hz]

Such a weird rivalry to do a show on. What’s next? Trump vs Vince? Michaels vs Hogan? Floyd Mayweather vs Big Show?

[@camilocuba6927]

It is always interesting to think of a “What If Shawn didn’t go away” scenario. I can’t imagine him coexisting with Mr. MacMahon being the top heel, but it would have been interesting to see DX invading Nitro with Shawn there. He probably would have pushed things even more to the limit than they did.

[@kraw3026]

Those were all Hunter's ideas so they probably wouldnt happened

[@JCD489]

Shawn had go away heat in 1997 , DX was a better faction without him. Would we have seen the rise of the Rock if Michaels stayed.

[@JCD489]

Shawn had go away heat in 1997 , DX was a better faction without him. Would we have seen the rise of the Rock if Michaels stayed.

[@ValiantWrestling]

@@JCD489 Lmao, DX was never a "good" faction, just another WWF rip off of WCW's NWO.

[@newhere2419]

also what if Bret stayed? how would that have affected Austin's run?

[@benespinosa6725]

This was an awesome episode of WWE Rivals the story of Steve Austin wearing Pink Wrist tape in 1996 to make shawn laugh is Absolutely Hilarious I could be totally wrong here wasn't that in Kuwait that was great their Matches at King of the Ring 1997 and wrestlemania 14 were great.

[@chrisbutler1668]

Yep that was in Kuwait. The infamous, "Steve's Pretty in Pink" alternate attire

[@benespinosa6725]

​@Chris Butler lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@herecomesdatrain]

What's the backstory of Austin the pink wrist bands

[@benespinosa6725]

​@herecomesdatrain it was a Joke to make shawn laugh

[@MrSeandv1]

Love Travis' artwork with Shawns lazy eye

[@MilMaska]

"Undertaker unwrapped his fists. Changed. Got in the car and left. Because Undertaker cared about the business and provided everything necessary" - Jim Cornette

[@OmegaRedFan]

Also jim, "losing your smile is like losing a job". I love my Jim Cornette

[@highjim7778]

yet bret literally refuses to job leading to actual promotors being needed to force the issue live in the ring...........

[@alanmcdonald469]

That Undertaker story, of him being backstage at Mania 14 is one of my favorites. Taker cared about the business, and he was gonna spend the rest of that night beating Shawn Michaels' brains out of his head, if he had the nerve to not put over Austin on that night. That's someone who cared about the business.

[@kaijusoshingeki7214]

That's why I hate him walking out of that 3rd WrestleMania match with Triple H with his arms around those guys. That's Curtain Call #2.

[@chrisbutler1668]

I do think it was an instance of self-preservation. If you have Montréal, then 5 months later Shawn refuses to drop it to Austin at the biggest Mania in years, the WWF would have looked terrible. Because honestly, what would Mark have done on live PPV if Shawn walked to the back and left Steve and Tyson in the ring? He couldn't and wouldn't have done anything on camera or in front of the fans if he was "the keeper of kayfabe".

[@Artmageddin]

Kicked the shit out of Shawn and thrown him back out the curtain.

[@chrisbutler1668]

@@Artmageddin And kayfabe is then destroyed. You think Shawn would have gone willingly all the way down the aisle to the ring? It would have been an embarrassing scene and Vince would have had to cut the live feed unless he wanted to "expose the business".

[@Artmageddin]

@@chrisbutler1668 what is the alternative exactly? Shawn just gets to leave? Fine then have Taker walk him down and throw him in the ring. Then fast count him. I don’t know what you’re expecting to happen if someone is uncooperative and keep Kayfabe.!

[@Aliquickk-X]

Russo was right about Tyson joining DX. It ALSO gave DX a huge rub and making it bigger than nWo.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

DX and nWo were completely different.

[@jamalwalker04]

they not anywhere close to being bigger than NWO lol

[@davsavchav]

I didn't really like Shawn Michaels until the 2007 Royal Rumble and his run against Cena, including the run up to WM23 and his Raw 2007 victory

[@prestonpfeiffer]

As someone who was & still is both a major Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels Mark…them getting out the way was the best thing to happen to WWF. It aint ALWAYS about the greatest wrestling match,Austin had a charisma and drawing power bigger than both. Just is what it is.

[@Kilmarro]

Bret didn't even have to get out of the way. He and Austin tore the house down the year before and Austin beating Bret for the title would have been an amazing match.

[@dmar28]

Man this take on the rivals was hard to watch because of Jim and Brians bias against Shawn Michaels. Especially when Jim said he didn't see where on the bump Shawn would have gotten hurt, it doesn't take a rocket scientist and Chiropractor to figure out that Shawn's lower back and when he landed on his feet was contorted a bit and could have easily ruptured discs in his back

[@aktatiracanal]

Shawn Michaels is an example of something that is as old as time. When you have an exceptional talent, people will tolerate the worst of your behavior. If it wasn't for the back injury, who knows how worse Michaels might have become.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

When you are elite at your job you get away with things that’s how the world should and does work. You work hard and perfect your craft you earned special privileges motivates others around you to work hard and be on that level

[@georgemaranville3305]

@@pleaseshutup7053 doesn’t explain Nash’s success but I see your point. Don’t agree with it but see it.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@georgemaranville3305 yes it does in wwe he didn’t cause trouble in wcw he was elite at his job because he was a draw with the nwo

[@subxzero10000]

@@pleaseshutup7053 that’s exactly how it should be instead now people will complain and say things are not fair

[@Speedyreedy1218]

​@@subxzero10000 Shane Douglas and Bret complained all the time.

[@xziggy_stardustx6786]

Austin vs Bret was the logical rematch (but we know why that didn't happen). It would've been a fitting end to their rivalry if Bret "anointed" Austin as Brian says.

[@CraigSmithII]

WWE REALLY wants to refrain from mentioning the KOTR 1997 classic these 2 had, it was a GREAT match & it's on Dailymotion. Also Travis Heckel does it again with his art

[@daleharris3809]

That was gonna be Bret vs Shawn before Bret had to miss time with a knee injury. Also the night after that was the infamous scuffle in Hartford

[@crystalrutledge9303]

Ppl give Bret hell for not wanting to drop the belt to Shawn but Shawn didn’t wanna drop it to anyone he just lost his smile and found a new “injury”

[@flyguy7825]

Well when you're the world champion and you're on top on the biggest run of your career would you want to drop it to anyone?Austin was like that Rock was like that Triple H was like that Hogan was like that you name any world champion for the most part they will say the same thing.

[@scottdecowski4913]

​@@flyguy7825 😂 wut?!?

[@bobbyjohnson9409]

Shawn has balked at doing the job more than bret has but Shawn is closer to Vince and the company so they like to tell it their way which is where Shawn doesn’t look as bad

[@devangpatel5227]

funny thing is bret did drop it to shawn.. at the biggest stage and in a 60 minute+ iron man match. what else youw ant form the guy?

[@michaelrhett1077]

​@@flyguy7825 plenty of guys may not want to drop it but they know that's how business works

[@andrewisjesus]

Cornette doesnt mention HBKs bombing as 1996 champion because he was in creative there durin that abominatjon

[@prestonpfeiffer]

Lmaoooo and he was working on top with Shawn against Vader

[@RyanRumbles434]

I loved all the false finishes and all the refs getting beat up at KOTR 97. It was fun and crazy.

[@randomiser2267]

“You never knew what he was going to do” That’s a perfect description of his NXT booking too.

[@butchvito]

Austin vs. Triple H was more of a rivalry. The Austin vs. HBK angle was heated though, just didn't last long enough.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

Exactly. This shouldn't had been an episode just like HHH/Batista shouldn't had. It told a good story but because it's so one sided, it's not a rivalry.

[@seanmurphy1218]

The King of the Ring match is vastly superior to the WrestleMania match.

[@SpaceGhost92]

One of my absolute fave angles and match ever

[@SBandy]

Yep, just imagine if they both weren't crocked for WM14

[@televiper11]

WWE Rivals episodes I’d love to see but we never will: - “Superstar” Billy Graham vs Dusty Rhodes - Bruno Sammartino vs Stan Hansen - Bruno Sammartino vs Larry Zbyszko - Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera - Sgt Slaughter vs The Iron Sheik

[@williamperry313]

I wouldn't call it a rivalry. That program was short. Have they done Austin vs. Rock yet. Outside of Bret Hart, that was Austin's main rival.

[@gothard5]

yes, a long time ago. it was one of the first episodes in season 1.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

Austin owned Rock though. Rock won 1 match. How is that a rivalry?

[@VeryStupid4547]

Remember the 1997 Slammy Awards? Bret & Shawn won for match of the year and Shawn (off script) said "I won that match"! 1990s HBK could've taught a masterclass of how to be an obnoxious prick... And I loved it.

[@garyhen2028]

Thank you Jim, I look at that backdrop and Shawn basically missing that casket, he didn't wrestle much different after that spot. It didn't happen there on that spot

[@kylemcgill2966]

I've been saying that for years. If you slow it down he barely clips it. Maybe a scratch.

[@fifaleaks-qr4kj]

Doesn’t have to hit it hard to dislocate a disk in his back.

[@ValiantWrestling]

@@fifaleaks-qr4kj Another lie peddler, lmao Anything to jusitfy and defend Hickenbottom.

[@stevenlornie1261]

@@kylemcgill2966 I exploded a disc opening a loading bay shutter. You don't need to do much to blow out your back.

[@newhere2419]

he also gave Undertake a piledriver on the ring steps in that match that could have compressed the spine. he did it hell in a cell too. He's said his back was already hurting for a while before royal rumble.

[@dustyhaynes5688]

This run was prime HBK at his best.

[@danthemancushecan]

Once again Brian Last trying to downplay HBK importance to WWE. Dude, it's pretty pathetic at this point. You can be a mark for Bret Hart and still acknowledge Shawn's importance, shit I am myself.

[@Speedyreedy1218]

He and Corny always downplay HHH and HBK'S contributions.

[@danthemancushecan]

@@Speedyreedy1218 I can understand Jim. He actually worked with HBK and had professional issues with him. His personal feelings about Michaels always get in the way. However, Brian Last has NEVER even met or worked with Shawn (at least to my knowledge)

[@retepoteil]

Good rivalry. But wouldn’t been better if the rivalry went longer

[@nafost]

I had two major spinal lumber surgeries and only have a small 1-2 inch scar. Corney, where is the beef?

[@kamfisher1714]

The hate for HBK is getting weird now

[@cmoney24ish]

Very weird

[@marcuslee1927]

Insanely weird

[@richardchisolm8430]

agreed….Brian Last starts sounding like a hanger on. Never stepped one foot backstage but has all these “opinions”

[@crashintonickdm]

Hbk wasn’t the focal point of 1998. It was clearly Austin vs McMahon/tyson. Hbk just happened to have the title. The machine always goes so far out of the way to make Shawn/hunter/DX way more important they they were

[@yoholmes273]

FUN FACT - Prior to his comeback....EVERONE HATED HBK He was a tiny pipsqueak force fed fruity flippy flopper. Nobody watched when they put the title on him. It was BRUTAL. Aside from Goof BIg Diesel ⛽️ , HBK was the worst most brutal stupid champions EVeR. The idea SHawn Michaels is the greatest ever is just oh so STUPID

[@michaelomalley6549]

Cornettes Wild For saying he doesn't see the career-ending injury happen it's on tape

[@fayezfawzi3255]

Still waiting for the Chyna Legends review that you said you will do weeks ago, lol.

[@randallrigney420]

Shawn was not wearing a Austin shirt at WrestleMania, he wore a DX shirt the entire time, he just held up a Austin shirt.

[@SithFam]

Shawn and Bret to this day is the most entertaining best work I’ve seen

[@chico1680]

Rock wouldn't have had the stroke to say he won't work with Michaels until 99 so assuming Shawn was in healthy enough shape to continue wrestling in 98, it's highly probable that we could have gotten Rock vs HBK at some point even if it were a one off on Raw with the DX vs Nation feud

[@ranveerphukan]

My thoughts exactly!

[@ceasarsanchez9086]

​@@ranveerphukan More than likely we get Shawn vs HHH a lot earlier.

[@ranveerphukan]

@@ceasarsanchez9086 yup but I think in the end the HHH HBK feud happened at the right time with Shawn's comeback in '02.... It meant more given where HHH was on the card and Shawn returning after 4 years

[@johnberry2678]

Also, Shawn worked with The Rock for a segment before Summerslam 98

[@ValiantWrestling]

His back injury is a well known work of fiction, stop peddling a lie.

[@Weezy232]

Rewatching this match and early in the match hhh throws Austin into the guardrail to which Tyson threatens to punch hhh but why would Tyson punch hhh if he’s part of dx?

[@PsyOpChampion]

According to Shawn, his back was messed up a few years before the casket match. That bump was just the final straw. I considered the whole “back injury was a work to cover the drug issue” or whatever idea for a while, but even as a small child watching the match at WM14 it was pretty clear that the back injury was legit. Look at his flying forearm, the Flair-over-the-buckle spot, his overall speed and timing…it’s all off. The match was still good, but it wasn’t what Shawn Michaels vs Stone Cold Steve Austin should’ve been.

[@MrCromocrunch]

Seems like the back injury was exactly what Michaels needed.

[@Harperd5]

“By the way who does Bruce’s makeup on these things he looks like a corpse!” I damn near choked on my drink on that 🤣

[@Jtaylor812]

I was 15 in 98 and Mike Tyson was the only thing that got my dad to watch wrestling with me…until he joined DX.

[@bigsteve8921]

Really hope we get a Hogan vs Vince rivals episode.

[@roccojamison89gooker51]

I want to see a Jim Cornette vs Vince Russo rivals or a Jim Cornette vs Kevin Dunn rivals episode.

[@JamalTheTitan]

Shawn wrestled during that 4 year layoff in Texas

[@desisdosis473]

He didn't take any bumps.

[@robertgustke652]

I saw on multiple occasions Shawn Michaels refuse autographs, even made a 6 year old lil girl cry when he refused her! Crush went over and made him do it for the lil girl . Then while signing it you could tell that asshole didn't want too . What a jerk

[@TonyT2796]

I disagree with some of these talking points. They are giving DX not much credit. Stone Cold was white hot no doubt but he needed others to be hot with. The Rock, Bret Hart, and HBK. Take Hart out of the equation that leaves the Rock and HBK. My point is Stone Cold couldn't have done it by himself. Also there is a interview with the Dr that performed Shawn surgery out there somewhere. They fused his disc together. Thats pretty common knowledge.

[@bobbyjohnson9409]

I always remember that in 1997, Shawn started coming out in Tupac bandanas and tight jeans acting bad ass. This was like early to mid 1997 before Shawn went home after the Bret fight and came back with the DX character. In early to mid 1997, he was trying to act like Austin. Bret and Shawn fought all year and didn’t realize that it wasn’t either of theirs anymore. Steve had surpassed them both

[@reeseangle9621]

He wasn’t trying to act like Austin.. the whole clique was wearing PAC Bandanas

[@jeffreysharp9925]

It’s funny the mention of The Rock at royal rumble 1998. He was definitely not ready to be a megastar then. The Rock in late 1999 or so was a megastar. This Rock was just finding his footing after the “die Rocky die” thing. I will say, the 1998 rumble ending was the first real sign The Rock could be a top guy.

[@insupportofjunhado]

Couldn't help but fantasy book heel Bret. Of course when you were on the booking team, but had a promoter who wouldn't stay in his lane and let you book, I guess that is justified here.

[@indiarocks5731]

Bryan last is jealous of hbk ....he is bret hart boy toy

[@highjim7778]

100% agree. His lust for the most overrated wretler ever is hilarious. Brets matches all looked the same, other than 97 heel run (which was epic) he was boring in and out the ring. And he literally refused to job causing the screwjob to happen, noone else ever "practiced creative control" like that, even hogan, who resolved it all backstage

[@Speedyreedy1218]

​@@highjim7778 Hogan used CC in WCW a lot.

[@jamalwalker04]

​@@highjim7778 Bret vs Owen was dope