Thank You Shawn

Everyone has that one dirty secret. Whether if it's you secretly rocking out to Bon Jovi, watching Sex & the City, or imagining you're a superhero. Everyone has a vice, and growing up, mine was professional wrestling. I do believe the majority of the people I know have at least watched it a few times, and whether they admit it or not, they were definitely entertained by it. I mean how couldn't you??

As a kid you believe they're actually fighting and you just wait for Hulk Hogan to "hulk up" (not a steroid reference) and hit the infamous legdrop. As you mature you learn it's all predetermined and scripted, but the action is still real. Simply put, it's a soap opera, where the stars actually beat the hell outta their bodies. It's got everything you need; weapons, double crossing, surprise attacks and scantily-clad women. No I did not just describe the plot for 60% of all movies.

Last night, one of the all-time great performers/athletes, Shawn Michaels retired in after a heartfelt speech. You're probably thinking how could it be heartfelt if it's all "fake". Imagine you had the ability to do something you loved for 20+ years, and one day woke up realizing you just can't do it anymore. You'd probably get emotional too, telling whomever you've lost that ability (not a ED reference).

As a kid and teenager, I hated the guy. Thought he was the epitome of every guy you'd deal with in High School and most fraternities at college. Arrogant, self-centered, and full of attitude. I was more in the pro-Bret Hart crowd, so you couldn't help but hate Shawn. You'd hope everyday someone would jump the railing and just pummel him into submission.

As I grew older, you learn to respect those who are great in their craft. Much like Derek Jeter, John Mayer, Alexander Ovechkin, and Tiger Woods. I cannot stand any of them for different reasons, but do I doubt their abilities? Absolutely not!, they are machine like in their approach to sports and music. You cannot deny their ability, skill, and charisma. In the same way, it changed my view of Shawn. He would put on entertaining skits, matches and interviews, week in and week out. Sacrificing his body and future, just for pure entertainment. There's something crazy enough about that, you gotta respect if you're a fan or not.

Wrestling is one of those games that the stunts are real. As much as you want to believe, it's impossible to fake all of the chair shots, diving off stages and ladders, and repeatedly getting slammed on a mat. I dare anyone to try it, and after a week, tell me how you feel. I was that kid crazy enough to give professional wrestling a shot. I will tell you, if you left without you're back feeling like it was going to crumble, you didn't try hard enough. It's intense what these grown men go through 300 nights a year. All other "sports" have offseasons to rest up, but this is the only one that doesn't.

It's unfortunately the reason why many of these same men are dead, paralyzed, or recovering-drug addicts before the age of 50. Watch the movie "Beyond the Mat" and it'll give you the grim reality of this lifestyle.

The difference here is Shawn made it through it all. He knew when to quit, and how to win people's respect. Only a truly great performer can make you hate his guts for years, and then when he goes to hang it up, clap in respect for what he meant.

It's like another part of my childhood has faded away, just as another birthday approaches. I wish I could find that hot-tub time machine and go back to when things were much more simple as a teenager. I wish wrestling still had that effect of me.

I got two words for ya! "Thank You", Shawn for the childhood memories.