Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story
#PWHS #BookReview #Heartbreak #Triumph #ShawnMichaels #HBK #HBShizzle #Wrestling #ProWrestling
4/5 Stars
"Mr. Hall of Fame", the "Show Stopper", the "Main Event", the "Icon", "Mr. Wrestlemania", the first WWE Grand Slam champion, one of the most charismatic, flamboyant showmen, mixed with natural athleticism, wrestling ability, and microphone skills ever, 3 time WWE heavyweight champion, 1 time world heavyweight champion in WWE, multi time match of the year award winner with Wrestling Newsletter Observer and Pro Wrestling Illustrated, one of the most controversial careers of all time, from the 'Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels.
This is the story of a boyhood dream growing into a reality, only to become the catalyst for self-destruction, before redemption could be found and a legacy of greatness could be truly built. With a prologue taking you straight into Montreal, possibly the sight of the most controversial incident ever to have happened in the modern era of the wrestling industry. Shawn gives you a taste of what is to come, what he was like back in 1997 when it occurred and what he had become by time of writing Heartbreak & Triumph. Shawn shows you through his childhood moving around a lot before adjusting to where he would eventually settle. His charisma comes through in the writing as he explains the process of the claws of wrestling latching onto him, guiding him to Jose Lothario who would be Michaels' trainer and then manager at the culmination of what would be called the 'Boyhood Dream' at Wrestlemania XII. Before Shawn takes you to the World Wrestling Federation [Now WWE] though, he takes you through some other smaller territories and also the American Wrestling Association retelling stories of his antics with Marty Jannetty, often funny, involving alcohol and other wrestlers, while together as the Midnight Rockers, which would later be shortened to the Rockers in the WWF. HBK takes the reader into his own mind shedding light on decisions made and what he was thinking during the eventual split of himself and Marty. The events that would then lead to him finally reaching his goal in the beginning of 1996, and New Generation Era, before crashing and burning in early 1998, after helping kick star the Attitude Era with D-Generation X and Stone Cold, all seems to be told with an honesty, relaying what he felt took place and some of the demons in his life which would effect him personally, the 'Cliq' and backstage politics pertaining to himself. Shawn then takes us through his period away from wrestling, the meeting of his wife which would take him down the road of redemption, and recuperation, finding his Lord and Saviour. Everything appears to be laid out on the table that is important in these turbulent years of Shawn's life, giving the reader for what was at the time a first time in depth look into his career and finally clear up some of the rumours, confirming what was true and what was not. The Story of Shawn Michaels takes us right up until Wrestlemania XXI against the Olympic Gold Medallist, Kurt Angle. Shawn discusses his slow return to wrestling against best friend Triple H, going over the rest of his career, discussing the feuds he has enjoyed, generally recalling stories and other highlights of the legacy he has been able to create since finding God, after being told he would never wrestle again.
A surprisingly open book to be released by someone who was at the time a current WWE superstars, although don't expect great details of drug abuse or sexual encounters, Shawn doesn't hold anything important back whilst keeping the book within the WWE audience range. A very interesting read into one of the more unique stories of any professional wrestler. Many consider Shawn Michaels the greatest in ring performer who ever lived, including people such as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Triple H, and Jim Ross. His autobiography may not be the greatest autobiography ever told, but it is one of the better ones out there. Funny, as open as restraints would allow, not afraid to make himself look bad, a must read for any Shawn Michaels fan and Heartbreak & Triumph is also a great read for anyone interested in the changes of sports entertainment over the course of the 90's, through the eyes of a major player.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #15.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #15.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story.
Authors: Shawn Michaels with Aaron Feigenbaum.
Pages: 352.
Published as Paperback: November 22, 2005.
Publisher: WWE.