Shawn Michaels unique ability to attract the support of his colleagues has made him one of the most powerful men in WWF history. He wants to expand his stable even further...but will doing so crumble the foundation of DX?
The Wrestler, June '98
By: Bryan Ethier
According to legend, Gorgeous George never passed a mirror he didn't peer into. The curly blond, who arguably was wrestling's first true entertainer and showman, hardly lacked a public bravado and exaggerated ego. But like many public figures who thrive in teh spotlight, George needed to constantly reaffirm his own tenuous self-esteem. The image he saw in the mirror was that of a man larger than life, a man who could have been the kind of a nation.
And with that image, Gorgeous Gorge set the standard for today's wrestling showmanship.
Nearly two generations have passed since Gorgeous George preened in a wrestling ring, bedecked in his flowing dressing gown, curlers twisting locks in bouncy curls. Mirrors in travel bags and on dressing room walls remain irresistible to some competitors, to be sure. But in a sport that is chock-full of cliques, many wrestlers need more than exaggerated reflection of themselves to bolster their mercurial egos.
Consider today's premier showsman, Shawn Michaels. Few wrestling artists are as magnetically drawn to their image on a television monitor as is "The Heartbreak Kid." But where he leaps from self-absorbed icon to narcissistice despot is when he struts around with his troupe of sergeants and corporals from D-Generation X. Indeed, it is through the admiring glances of comrades Chyna and Hunter Hearst Helmsley that Michaels' selfesteem is charged and recharged.
They say a man is measure by the company he keeps. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Michaels' boundless image and self-esteem are determined by the mob of groupies that travel in his wake.
First, he had a bodyguard in Diesel, then another in Sid. Now he has flunkies HHH and Chyna to salve his tender ego. HBK's extended "family" includes Goldust, New Age Outlaws, and even the clique Los Boricuas. They're all in a position to lend support to Michaels' ego and help him in times of need- that need being a difficult match in which Shawn is at a disadvantage.
"I think it's pretty sad that a wrestler of Michaels' caliber needs people around him to constantly rub his back," observed WWF commentator Jim Ross. "It illustrates his insatiable hunger to be popular- and to be right. You may remember when Michaels was on hiatus with that knee injury last year. Alone at home, empty, bummed out. No one to boost his self-value. It must have eaten away at him: Look to what extremes he has gone just to feel good about himself."
As Gorgeous George sought out the mirror, Michaels seeks out a handshake from a colleague, a slap on the back, interference in the ring. Like an addict craving a drug, Michaels craves attention...and needs more and more all the time.
Michaels recently invited Kane to join D-Generation X. While such an addition would fortify Michaels' power in WWF, it likely would have a backlash effect on the group. In fact, if and when DX expands, don't be surprised if the foundation of the clique begins to crack, as we've seen in the Nation of Domination.
"As popular as D-Generation X is, this is stil the Shawn Show," said a WWF wrestler who requested to remain nameless. "Helmsley isn't happy having a secondary role in the group. And Chyna? Well, she's so upset iwth the whole situation, she won't speak to anyone."
Now that Helmsley no longer holds the European title, he has little positive reinforcement to bolster his sagging pride. Clearly, Michaels is not going to hold his hand, even though word has it Michaels all but let his ally and friend beat him for the Euro-belt. HHH could fall into an emotional chasm if any other wrestlers are brought into the group.
And how long will Chyna allow herself to remain a servant for both men? Clearly, with a physique that is almost shocking, she could earn her own keep as a manager or wrestler. Chyna has shown tremendous support for her colleagues, even when she obviously abhorred some of the trash spewing from Michaels' mouth.
"The problem with cliques is that as the group gorws larger, the individual roles grow smaller, less significant," explained Ken Shamrock, who has shunned the group approach. "Look at what that punk Michaels is doing to Helmsley and Chyna already. He soaks up all of the spotlight, leaving them a sliver of public attention to grab on to. Imagine DX 10 members strong! Who'd run the show? And how could you keep control over these diseased personalities?"
That's what Chyna and Helmsley fear most- lack of control. DX has been fine for them as long as Michaels dished out scraps of attention to keep them going. But there simply is not enough public fanfare to feed a large stable of DXers...at least as long as Michaels is in the group.
What does that mean for the future? As long as Michaels continues to need approval from more and more wrestlers, the risk of DX expanding to server Michaels' vast interests increases. Friction will build within the clique until, ultimately, the clique crumbles.
And what then? Would Helsley and Chyna seek redemption against their former teammate and boss? Would they create a DX splinter group to band against the newly expanded DX?
So many questions. So much potential for violence and retribution.
Shawn Michaels' life would be so much easier if he could just look into a mirror and be happy.
