Ever since WWE announced they were bringing Royal Rumble back to San Antonio... and certainly since it was revealed they’ll be attempting to sell out the 65,000 seat Alamodome... it’s been assumed big, legendary Texas names would be a part of the show, in some form or fashion.
Principal among those was San Antone’s own Shawn Michaels. Though he’s been retired from in-ring competition since losing to another Lone Star Superstar, the Undertaker, at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, the Heartbreak Kid shows up on WWE television every six months or so. Getting HBK to come to at least come out to the ring for some non-match shenanigans on Jan. 29 seemed like a no brainer.
And it still might be. But according to the man himself in a new interview with Dallas/Fort Worth’s 105.3 The Fan, the wheels to make it happen aren’t in motion yet:
No one has even contacted me about that show. I don't know if anyone cares that I'm from there. I think the WWE has happily moved on from me.
Now, either Shawn is overselling like questions about the Rumble are Hulk Hogan - possibly in an effort to throw us off the scent about an appearance - or I’m worried he’s lost his smile again.
At least a follow up question from interviewers Troy Hughes and Kevin Hageland about the dream match with AJ Styles so many people (including AJ) keep talking about gets a less sad answer:
I met AJ Styles once, he’s a phenomenal young man. He’s very nice, very respectable young man and is unbelievably talented. I’m honored that my name pops up darn near every week in people’s wish for guys to wrestle. That’s a compliment to me and I’m thankful of that. But I’m very comfortable with my life and being retired.
So we don’t have to fly Bayley down to the Performance Center to give HBK a hug, at least not right away.
But do you buy that no one’s been in touch about the Rumble?
H/T: Wrestling Inc for transcription.