Shawn Michaels Talks Reunion With Bret Hart, Career Regrets, NXT Future, New WWE Era | The MMA Hour

Shawn Michaels discusses his moment in the ring with Triple H recently, life without Vince McMahon at the WWE, how NXT has changed, his recent conversations with Bret Hart, Jessica-Rose Clark walking out to one of his songs, and more on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday.
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[@Rob_Shoot]

14:30 mark as when they talk about Bret. I am so glad they were able to truly patch things up and move forward as friends .

[@abdulsadiq]

This man defines my childhood. I miss his entertainment and hope he lives on a healthy and long life

[@RavenBlaze420]

same big time.

[@aaronnoel7859]

Absolutely. He is the G.O.A.T. for me... Love when he began his 2nd chance with WWE and was a much better guy at that point

[@billj4525]

He was my favorite wrestler when I was little kid. Loved him.

[@MichaelThomas-ll1hw]

@@billj4525 If it was stone cold or the undertaker on youd say the same damn thing

[@billj4525]

@@MichaelThomas-ll1hw Why would you think that? Shawn Michaels was my favorite wrestler when I first started watching wrestling as a kid. I like the undertaker too, but he wasn't my favorite. You're sort of right about stone cold, but that came a bit later. I was a big fan of stone cold after shawn michaels, so what you say is partially true about him. I was a huge Austin 316 fan like pretty much everyone else back then. I was stating facts about my favorite wrestlers though. I don't understand why you were making assumptions on who I liked. I sort of get where you're coming from because people can have multiple wrestlers that they're big fans of, but not everyone is going to be their favorite. You were wrong about the undertaker being my favorite, as I would have never claimed that.

[@fishhookism]

Shawn Michaels really seems happy and content with his life. I'm glad to see he matured and got himself together.

[@markshey2274]

What a change. Shawn has come a long way. He's absolutely changed for the better on a personal level. Good guy !!

[@natem1982]

because he has nothing in his life other than the industry. he was/is a terrible human being who NEEDED to show change to get his life back.

[@jiyu9277]

@@natem1982 this level of cynicism is miserable. Some people just do change for the better and mature. I’ve seen it happen in people.

[@vashthestampede3459]

@@jiyu9277 That does not mean it happened in this case. Just because you think it was for the better does not make it a fact. The other person was just trying to bring in another perspective. Stop trying to shut him down.

[@xavierpark5937]

​​@@natem1982wow you're the type of guy to defend chris Benoit , but shitss on hbk . He was just a young guy who did drugs while Benoit killed people

[@ninetimesaday]

Shawn is the reason why I cared about wrestling. When he was on the main roster, things were good and wrestling was enjoyable. When he left for good in 2010, everything changed.

[@vibezforall99]

hands down, hbk has one of the best entrance themes of the entire industry. glad he never changed it. it’s timeless. loved this brief interview!

[@oneyedthing]

Not sure about the entrance theme. But he is definitely in the mount rushmore of pro wrestling talent

[@kyleconger2109]

Agreed 👍 written by the great Jimmy Hart

[@RL-ww5ev]

@@oneyedthing nah the first 30 seconds of his song is iconic

[@oneyedthing]

@@RL-ww5ev Iconic sure. But the it's only WWE theme playable @ gay bars

[@jedsithor]

@@oneyedthing You say that but surely Billy Gunn's "Ass Man" theme would get a few plays too lol

[@seabrook1976]

Shawn Michaels was one of the best performers who ever stepped in a ring. There was nothing in the ring he couldn't do, he was that gifted. Glad he's doing okay.

[@DannyTubiolo]

he had it all !!

[@frvnxis]

correction *THE best performer ever… and this is from someone who hated Shawn as a kid

[@seabrook1976]

@@frvnxis hard to argue against that. He knew how to oversell where it wasn’t obvious but wrestling fans knew he was overselling. Genius performer.

[@ivanblack2105]

What do you mean 1 of ? He is The ONE AND ONLY BEST PERFORMER ! He is the showstopper! Mr Wrestlmania!

[@brycehigglesfather5791]

Jim Cornette to quote Batista in the Evolution Reunion: "This Man has done has done it all, there is nothing that this man cannot do..... Except beat me."

[@danielsimpson9893]

This a fantastic interview. How introspective Shawn is now is refreshing. He truly seems like someone who has found peace and wants to give back to an industry that gave him so much.

[@RavenBlaze420]

I feel like I've known Shawn my whole life. Growing up my 2 favorite tag teams in the world were the rock n roll express and the rockers. In my childhood I have fond memories of Shawn omg moments. That's one man who's hand I'd like to shake and say thank you for being a big part of my life through the moments you gave to all of us on tv through wwf to wwe,

[@aidanbagwell7879]

“I appreciate you still having me on” 😂😂😂

[@sctmcg]

What a terrific interview - I've watched Shawn's interviews for over 20 years, so it's rare to hear Shawn discuss new takes on his career. Thanks for asking the right questions.

[@HelloMyNamesMichael]

The end of the interview honestly made me tear up a bit because Ariel is coming from a place of pure enjoyment. A true lifelong fan who gets it, and is now interviewing a legend amongst legends in the industry. So freaking cool and I love all the attention he brings to WWE. He’s a fan 1st and foremost and seeing him live out his childhood dream is so inspiring. THANK YOU, ARIEL! 🙌🏾

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

Fair play to Shawn Michaels for being a good sport about Ariel asking about Montreal. He must have heard about that a million times by now.

[@jamirimaj6880]

unlike his counterpart TK lol

[@jacobsaunders3963]

Shawn is a legend and great human being

[@detroitfinest9758]

Great interview as always Ariel! Thank you for having the GOAT on your program. Its always great to hear from the legend himself.

[@RobPalmer80]

Bret and Shawn are my two favourites of all time. I'm so happy that Bret and Shawn are on good terms now.

[@JoshBruin77]

Are you from the UK? I always loved Dynamite Kid

[@SaiyanScholar]

Shawn seems far more certain with his words in this interview. This is a great interview. In previous interviews, he would pause and stutter as if he wasn't saying what his heart felt. But here, it's like he's at peace where he is in life and seems in a far better business mindset than ever. He's constantly improving at something. Absolute role model.

[@freeman4real]

Shawn was BY FAR MY FAVORITE WRESTLER. He was so damn good plain & simple. Alot of people used to hate that OL' HBK but I liked him. With that said I'm glad he found his way & made a beautiful life for himself & family!!

[@michaelgraham5181]

Man am so glad that Bret and shawn have put the past behind them and they can have a friendship I think bret would be a great addition to the wwe backstage team as an agent and helping the younger talent his body of work speaks for itself he had the ability to really make you believe that his matches were real fights and not just two men in tights pretending to hurt each other

[@kazd2561]

Yes,I tota log agree!👍Bret had a great vision of wrestling entertainment,a and everything else you mentioned. If it was,by for what happened with his health ect,I'm sure he has said it himself🤗

[@everythingmainecooncat4938]

The Shawn and Bret story have really shown me that forgiveness can go such a long way and take such a weight off your shoulders.

[@csolisv]

man shawn and triple H behind the WWE is an ABSOLUTE W for everyone. legends!!!

[@geoffjones6444]

I am a huge Bret mark... but I think I love Shawn now. The world is a better place with Bret and Shawn being pals.

[@HabsMike25]

Watching the Shawn & Bret interview DVD by Jim Ross 10 years ago you get sense that it was a serious set of misunderstandings that caused a rift between the 2 & you can say Vince fueled the fire between the two of them saying one thing to Shawn but something different to Bret. Glad Bret & Shawn are still on great terms today

[@gavinanderson9938]

Like many I imagine, I’m a mid 20s die hard MMA fan who grew up glued to WWE. Shaun Michael’s is a legend and respect to Ariel for unapologetically getting wrestling content on the show. MMA would never exist without the world of pro wrestling. Keep up the good work Ariel, and god bless the heart break kid.

[@marcernest3165]

I had 2 childhood heroes growing up, Thierry Henry from Arsenal and the one and only HBK. I cried for days when he retired. A piece of my childhood died with him that day and I'd do anything to go back.

[@fibsniper786]

You should taste his peen, I’d think it’d be good for your childhood soul

[@SuperPeterok]

@Gordon Shumway they're doing great today

[@Psdrop257]

I was lucky enough to meet both of them while working at a hotel in downtown Phoenix. Henry when he was playing with the Redbulls in early 2012 and Michaels when WWE was in town for royal rumble 2013. It was awesome

[@marcernest3165]

@@Psdrop257 dammit Alex 😤

[@jbizzle1593]

People use the word LEGEND too loosely, but Shawn Michaels is a true LEGEND and my favorite WWF star in the 90s!! And I was at UFC 276 when Jessy Jess came out to his song...good stuff!!!

[@MofoWeedian]

Sexy Boy is probably my all time favourite theme song, I'm glad Shawn feels the same.

[@sithari518]

I used to sing it as a 9 year old kid when HBK was in his prime '96 title run, not knowing it was basically a stripper thing. I got one of his zebra police hats at a house show where he faced Vader in San Francisco, and I'd dance around with it on singing the song, not really understanding what it meant. He was bigger than life then. Every kid loved HBK

[@MofoWeedian]

@@sithari518 that's dope you got to see two absolute legends perform live brother! I remember dancing and singing to it pretty much daily at the shower when I was around 10 too hahaha

[@chrisluehr2503]

@@sithari518 u still have it?

[@Jimquivious]

I remember when it was first used. It was 1991 or 1992 when he was with Sensational Sherri, and originally she sang it.

[@sithari518]

@@chrisluehr2503 I do!! Wish I had the Hitman glasses and the Undertaker t-shirt I got as well, which was like 5 sizes too big for me, the glasses were really cheap foam and plastic so they ripped easy. But the HBK hat I'll always keep!

[@dazitmane8905]

Don’t watch WWE anymore but HBK will always be one of my childhood heroes.

[@JayTee713]

My favorite wrestler growing up as a kid

[@thetattooedtraveler]

HBK never failed to put the showbiz in the sports entertainment game. A true icon and I'm thrilled to see NXT recognizing all he brings to the table. I hope the up-and-comers appreciate his mentorship.

[@himalayanwandererrr]

They call him 'Mr. WrestleMania'. But he was and always will be 'Mr. WWF'

[@dr.loomis4221]

Mr. WWF would be Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold

[@jamesromualdez1405]

@@dr.loomis4221 Stone Cold is Mr. Attitude Era, Hogan is Mr. 80's Wrestling

[@miguelangelospinamartinez9871]

​@Maverick 85 agree, but hbk is right up there

[@jayw6115]

2 of my biggest Hero's EVER in professional wrestling. Bret and HBK. LIVING LEGENDS.

[@bretthollywoodsshow6744]

People clown on how HBKs appearance has changed . The guy banged every smoking hot girl in the 90s and his wife is hot . I don’t think he’s losing any sleep over a dude that works swing shift at Olive Garden making fun of the way he looks

[@Longlostpuss]

I don't know about anyone else, but it's really weird for me seeing Shawn as an old man now. Because I always have the image burned in from my childhood of younger him, it just seems surreal how quickly the time feels like its passed. Same with Bret.

[@spms52]

But he still looks good. loving the leaner look!

[@aaronnoel7859]

I agree. It's odd when your heroes (entertainers, sports players, musicians, etc) from when you were younger begin to show their age. Time seems to speed up as we get older.

[@Guitarist888]

17:02 is what I’m here for!

[@robcharette1915]

HBK has shown so much growth as a human being, HHH as well. I’m rooting for both of them to be successful !

[@mpa5281]

Excellent interview !!! HBK has become a true legend. What a respectful legend. Thank goodness he found his real self. Respect!

[@bryanhicks5712]

Kudos for the great interviews Ariel! Love Shawn Michaels!

[@waltbbadd]

Great interview, HBK's best of all time. Miss the old school late 90s heel Michaels but glad he's in a better place personally. Long live the rockers, livin after midnite, rockin to the dawn

[@mdp_-vn4bo]

I remember I got in trouble with the “nice upper class” family in my neighborhood as a kid because I yelled “SUCK IT” goodtimes thank you Shawn

[@timperalta9430]

Ariel is such a great journalist. I don’t know how to express that even more. He asks the questions we actually need!

[@philtaylor2577]

Great to hear Shawn talk these days he seems in a great place

[@cappy2282]

Shawn the Goat

[@JohnnyBargeldBoom]

Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Mr. Perfect. Can't get better.

[@DonMaximo]

Gillberg, The Goon & Bastion Booger Checkmate

[@kingolost5153]

At least he answered the question and didn’t promote his show all the time😊

[@DNiceAdventures]

If you would've told me in 1997 as a teenager, that HBK and HHH would be running the show in WWE, I would've laughed in your face.

[@Heroesworkshop]

I would’ve thought it was a storyline/work if someone told me.

[@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372]

HBK is one of my childhood hero's. Way back when the Rockers first came to wwe i was only 7 years old. Man i feel old lol. Great interview with an absolute Legend of professional wrestling.

[@renatoism]

HBK Shawn Michaels will always be in my.opinion the greatest wrestler of time

[@SamuelDuplessis12]

You can tell this interview and especially that comment from Shawn at the end really made Ariel's day. Very cool moment in the middle of a fantastic interview by one of the all-time great journalists in combat sports.

[@tirthankardey394]

Now that's how you give interviews. Tony has lot to learn from the big leagues.

[@whodidit5761]

Tony won't be ever like this because he hasn't been a normal person in his life. He was born a billionaire and basically was handed everything he has built by his father. So he is constantly in promo/business mode. Correct me of I am wrong but that's what I observed

[@LK-vv2xk]

HBK is the Michael Jordan of wrestling.

[@corvoolafo5417]

He dropped the titles way to much. Never understood his career...

[@StephenAndrew777]

I didn't know Michaels took over NXT, that's awesome

[@jayu9642]

wow. the HBK. Ariel finally made it big time

[@LordHeath1972]

14:04 We finally get to the part we all came here for....

[@nezbola]

I love you,AH! Bro, this interview was so informative and professional without being boring or awkward. You always ask the right questions.

[@GreatHealer.]

Although older which is always weird, Shawn is looking well.

[@GrayRedRoom]

THE GOAT.

[@texasmadd47]

IMO The G.O.A.T. soooo many great memories! #Long #Live #HBK

[@lennystengel8999]

LOVE YOU SHAWN

[@quicoboy]

...The Showstopper, indeed...WOOOOOOOOO!!!...this is what turns a star into a super star; the comedy...Shawn had it...that's why he was my favorite as a kid...he was a clown!...and I loved it...when people asked me who was my favorite wrestler, I wouldn't even respond, I'd take my fat little body and do the HBK leaning pose...and then give them a fookin "Sook IT"...

[@dannyaumua106]

This was a beautiful interview.

[@kranix9166]

Really cool of Michaels to point out that Bret does not say stuff just to say it. Bret is not a mincer of words. When asked about what would you do different in Nov of '97, Michaels should have said, not have told Bret that I would not be a professional in the ring but then again, Shawn did say that he did not have the ability to think past his not being afraid of anything moments and also not being able to be the person that he is now.

[@MrAce-lm8es]

My great claim as a WWF Fan was May 19, 1996, The World Wrestling Federation Live at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The Curtain Call Incident. I was there! Hall, Nash Hickenbottom, and Levesque all said Goodbye.

[@HelloMyNamesMichael]

I’m 37 and have been watching WWE, on and off, since I was 4 years old, and Shawn, and later HHH, were far and away my favorite wrestlers. So to say seeing these guys run the whole damn show is a dream to me would be an understatement.

[@abdulmalikali8082]

Great interview!! Well done Ariel! more WWE plz

[@QAZ-OMEN]

I love the clear barricades , I hope they keep them. Great interview. Look forward to more wrestling interviews

[@mushroomsamba82]

I love that Shawn is still clueless about computers 😅

[@kristianmedina4325]

Imagine how much older vince already looks. I imagine itll be similar to bilbo baggins after he gave up the ring

[@craigwilson3532]

Love ya Shawn

[@mirandasummerset]

i love seeing him & triple h thriving without any limitations (Like vince) WWE is in good hands

[@VulgarBeyondSteel]

The greatest in ring performer of all time

[@jonathandevereaux298]

False, he over sold a lot and it looked awful. Angle and Hart were much better in the ring.

[@jiyu9277]

@@jonathandevereaux298 it’s not true or false it’s just a matter of opinion

[@lex23669]

The 🐐

[@beyondxxl]

The GOAT 🔥🔥

[@kuberakundela7680]

The Greatest in-ring performer to ever grace the ring

[@hookgaming.]

Wow what a holistic development in personality of Shawn .... wow prayers work guys !!

[@Airbear237]

there is something so heartwarming to see the guys I grew up with just be old guys, that wear suits, and relax. It is almost adorable.

[@frankcouste4785]

He was one of my favorites. Who would have thought Degeneration X would be running the shows

[@SBandy]

What a great interviewer.

[@shawnfarley3467]

great interview NXT is in good hands

[@kevinngomez5451]

I love how Shawn is now an office guy

[@TheFinisher669]

Helwani's boyhood dream. That's awesome how strange that dx, after years of taking over wwe in their own way, literally run wwe now. I'm thinking a return to tv14? 😉

[@jimmych1pper926]

Ah ah shawn ....lol his entrances werw always brilliant....his wrestling skills were out of this world

[@emmanuelmakoba6085]

Best wrestler ever!

[@saltbae865]

Great interview... hbk has matured so much... nice for fans to see what wrestlers go through.

[@MrAce-lm8es]

I think the fact that Shawn Michaels is still Computer Illiterate is still quite hilarious! 😂 Keeping up with the Times was never HBKs fortè. Always great to see him nonetheless.

[@Jez316]

talk about the man...... THE MAN!

[@stocktoncalifornia4136]

This was everything Ariel, thank you

[@mmanow]

Thanks Ariel for bringing HBK

[@stangsta-wn5qm]

❤ u were always. Ma. Fav

[@keama71]

HBK is on my Mt Rushmore of professional wrestling. Along with hulk, stone cold, and Ric Flair

[@Aliquickk-X]

He is the greatest wrestler of all time. I could go on and on about why. But if you grew up with him, you saw it with your own eyes and when you knew, you knew.

[@Maniac_Matt]

I knew first time I saw him in the AWA that he had it..

[@patrickderocco296]

The Goat

[@subikshrestha121]

Goat

[@mhu1989]

First time I seen this interviewer but this was brilliant!

[@leebarley3073]

Nice to see hbk in a good place inife n happy and killin it with nxt

[@robrico129]

GOAT!!!!!! Great interview!

[@stiperaddaraddaraddamiocic9708]

Legend

[@EthansCONN]

Wrestling and MMA, love both!

[@sumirsookdeo9443]

Shawn has the best style

[@ExoticHooligan]

mr wreslemania !!

[@Trunks7500]

LEGEND!!!!!