That same year, Hickenbottom took part in one of the most controversial matches in wrestling history, dubbed as the " Montreal Screwjob." After a back injury forced him to retire following his WWF Championship loss at WrestleMania XIV, Hickenbottom opened a wrestling academy, called The Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy, in which he trained upcoming wrestlers. This group of wrestlers was known for their sophomoric crude humor. The following year, he teamed up with Hunter Hearst Hemsley, who often was referred to as Triple H (HHH), Chyna, and Rick Rude to form D-Generation X (DX).
He wielded considerable influence on booking decisions as the leader of The Kliq, a backstage group, which however fell apart in 1996. Hickenbottom later worked as a singles performer, taking on a new persona of "The Heartbreak Kid" and, first as a villain and later as a fan favorite, moved into the main event sphere. They returned to AWA, only to go back to the WWF in 1988. Hickenbottom and Jannetty briefly signed with World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1987, while in contract with AWA. During his time with AWA, he performed in partnership with Marty Jannetty, as The Midnight Rockers winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship twice. Hickenbottom began his wrestling career with Mid-South Wrestling, now known as Universal Wrestling Federation, and American Wrestling Association (AWA). He appeared in non-wrestling roles from 1998 to 2000, and resumed his in-ring career in 2002, retiring in 2010. And is currently signed to WWE, He consistently wrestled for WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), from 1988 until his first retirement in 1998, due to injury.
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American professional wrestler. Shawn Michaels="hiddenStructure" style="padding-right: 1.2em vertical-align: top "