Thread: in the grand scheme of things, did Shawn Michaels matter?
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Old 03-31-2022, 09:56 AM   #26
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We’ve had a fair bit of debate about “name value” and/or crossover appeal the last few weeks.

I think there’s very few wrestlers that have permeated general popular culture, and for this generation I think Taker and HHH are probably towrads the top of the list, ahead of an Austin. Austin’s run at the top was so short. Taker and to a lesser extent HHH have been billed as big deals for over 20 years, that’s a lot of fans that have come and gone but have seen these guys at the top of the card.

You’ve got your Rock’s that had a short run but became a megastar, and Cena’s who had a huge run on top and is breaking into the mainstream, and being the guy that the kids were into means your moms and dads also know who he is.

Michaels not being around from 98-2002 is a real hit to him as this was the time that most eyes were on WWE. This is where a lot of “lifers”/“hardcore” fans got their start with wrestling, and where a lot of “casuals” would have been tuned in before drifting away from the product.

I also think “didn’t have great impact in the mainstream” =/= “meant nothing in the grand scheme of things”. HBK is massively influential in changing the perception of what a main event star could be, and for all its faults what the “workrate era” looks like today.
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