7) The Rock
One of the biggest names rumored to have HATED Shawn Michaels is Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. You ever wonder why they never worked a big program together, even though they are two of WWE’s top stars of all time? While we don’t have any instances where the Rock has said outright that he disliked Michaels, was can only assume based on some of his comments.
The story goes that Michaels was disrespectful to the Rock’s Grandmother back in the day when the Rockers worked for Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling (Rock’s Grandma was the promoter). Bret Hart in his book, states that Triple H and Michaels were jealous of the Rock when he came into WWE and tried to sabotage his push. These are all rumors though, but I think the Rock’s responses in the below interviews are telling enough for us to assume that at least some of the animosity was true.
So Why Are There Rumors Of The Rock Hating HBK?
The Rock was asked in a 1999 interview with Wade Keller of PWTorch about his feelings of Shawn Michaels:
“He was not helpful to me. I never sought his help. I really have nothing to say about Shawn” (Source: PWTorch).
If he ever wanted to face Michaels:
“No, I have no desire to work with Shawn. None whatsoever” (Source: PWTorch).
Later, in a 2005 interview with WWE.com, the Rock was asked about if he would like to face Michaels:
“I was never ever interested in working with him, to be honest with you. I’ve known him for a long time. He came in and worked for my family in Hawaii when I was like 13 — him and Marty Jannetty. It was just one of those things. He was always one of those guys that I said “Hey” to and he said “Hey” — it’s no big deal” (Source: WWE.com).
The two have reportedly made up since. Reading through the lines here though it definitely seems like there was some hate between both sides. It is a shame too as the Rock vs Shawn Michaels would have been an incredible match.
8) Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas has wrestled for various promotions throughout the years, including WWF, ECW, WCW, and TNA. When you compile a list of people who dislike Shawn Michaels, he is always going to be near the top.
Douglas was supposed to win the WWF Intercontinental Title from Michaels back in 1995. The story goes that HBK didn’t want to lose to Douglas so he forfeited the title instead. Douglas ended up losing his title after only 11 minutes when he lost to Razor Ramon (which we can assume was due to backstage politics). He ended up leaving WWF shortly after.
Douglas has been very outspoken in shoot interviews about Michaels over the years. He respects him as an incredible in-ring talent but that is where the respect ends.
Here Are Some Quotes From Douglas About HBK Backstage
“He had run his mouth when I was in Germany in the dressing room three weeks prior saying he was going to embarrass me on national television. I said to Davey Boy Smith…..that if he tries to embarrass me on national TV, that I’ll stretch his rear end. And I didn’t say rear end. Almost within hours, I get the call that the finish has been changed and that Shawn has had a relapse of his concussion and can’t perform. … That’s Shawn” (Source: WrestlingInc).
“He’s afraid of his own shadow. Not that I’m the toughest guy in the world, but I’ve always been very passionate about it. If you have a problem with me, we can just as easily go outside to settle it or we can settle it like professionals. It really doesn’t matter to me. But if you go out and make a statement in front of the dressing room, saying you’re going to embarrass me, then you can expect there to be a response to that” (Source: WrestlingInc).
Another example of Michaels throwing around his weight backstage. You can find a number of shoot interviews of Douglas expressing his displeasure with HBK.
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