Back injury and semi-retirement

In 1998, a back injury that Michaels received in the Casket Match against The Undertaker forced Michaels into retirement after losing the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. Shortly after WrestleMania, Michaels would return to the WWF, but not as a wrestler; instead, he replaced Sgt. Slaughter as the WWF Commissioner. Throughout 1998 and 1999, Michaels would switch between heel and babyface briefly joining Vince McMahon's Corporation faction and even costing The Rock the WWF Championship. In early 2000, Michaels handed over the role of commissioner to Mick Foley. Michaels continued to do work for the WWF often appearing at fan conventions such as WWF Fan Axess, and even refereeing the Iron Man match between The Rock and Triple H at Judgement Day in May 2000.

On March 31, 1999, Hickenbottom married Rebecca Curci, formerly a WCW Nitro Girl with the stage name Whisper, with whom he would eventually have a son, Cameron Kade Hickenbottom born on January 5, 2000 at 7:09 P.M., and a daughter, Madison Nicole Hickenbottom born on August 19, 2004. He also became a born-again Christian in 2001 (in large part, he states, due to Rebecca's influence) and does charity work for his church. His messages are known to contain religious, Christian like messages: eg: All things are possible and Prayer Warrior. His clothes are often covered with crosses. As part of his entrance, he gets on his knees and mouths words skyward, throwing his hands up, as if praying.

A Boyhood Dream Comes True, Back injury and semi-retirement, Books, Championship Succession, Championships and accomplishments, Entrance music, Finishing and signature moves, Nicknames, Previous managers, Shawn Michaels and WWF Attitude, Shawn Michaels Early career, The Heartbreak Kid, Trivia, World Wrestling Entertainment

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