Shawn Michaels has responded to Bret Hart’s explosive claim from late last year that he believed Michaels and Vince McMahon were romantically involved during the 1990s. Hart made the comment during a Q&A in November, citing moments such as McMahon’s emotional reaction backstage during Michaels’ famous “Lost My Smile” speech in February 1997 as the basis for his suspicion. Speaking with Ringer Wrestling, Michaels addressed the claim with characteristic composure and a degree of dry humor.
“It wasn’t long after that, that I hear about whatever, doing things with Vince. Which you go like, ‘Ah, what are you gonna do.’ Never happened. But you know, it’s the wrestling business. I’m never sure what’s out there to get a rise out of people or to make things — it’s the wrestling business, and I don’t put a lot of stock in that,” Michaels said.
He also revealed that the last real conversation he had with Hart was at last year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, where the two shared a genuinely warm moment backstage. “The last time we had a conversation, I believe it was the Hall of Fame last year. Actually yeah, because we were in the same dressing room and I helped him put on his suspenders — I mean in a good way. It’s just one of those things. But you know, we chatted then.”
Shawn Michaels Says He Prefers to Live a Positive and Joyful Life Rather Than Getting Drawn Into Wrestling Drama
Michaels used the broader question to reflect on his general philosophy toward controversy and negativity, making clear that he has no interest in becoming what he called a “bitter old timer” — while stopping short of applying that label to anyone specifically.
“It sounds silly, I guess. But good news is not clickworthy and bingeworthy. I live a positive, joyful life. It’s boring as hell to some people, but I’d just rather do that than the other. And I also say that I don’t want to be a bitter old timer. I feel like we get enough of those. Not to imply that anyone is. I’m just saying that I look at the whole life thing of, ‘The glass is half-full’ type stuff and go from there.” Michaels acknowledged that people have a right to their opinions on everything and said he bears no ill will toward Hart despite the provocative nature of the comments. His focus, he said, remains on WWE NXT, where he continues to work in a senior creative and coaching capacity, and on giving back to a business that has given him so much throughout his career.
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