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  • February 18, 2025
‘Mafia Don’ wrestling icon terrified WWE legend Shawn Michaels with years-long backstage prank

‘Mafia Don’ wrestling icon terrified WWE legend Shawn Michaels with years-long backstage prank

There may not have been much to scare Shawn Michaels, but one WWE icon managed to do so with astonishing triumph.

The Heartbreak Kid, who now helps shape the future of the next generation of WWE wrestlers as the de facto “boss” of NXT, the developmental brand, is one of the greatest performers of all time.

At his peak, few stars were more talented or controversial than Shawn Michaels

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At his peak, few stars were more talented or controversial than Shawn MichaelsCredit: WWE

He is also widely regarded as one of the most controversial. Michaels was never shy about an opinion or two – or the need to express them fiery figure in his WWE prime and was also one of the most insanely talented wrestlers of his era.

But he wasn’t always so confident. Back in his formative years in what was Vince McMahonIn the company of Michaels, he was left with fear of one man in particular: Andre The Giant.

Billed as standing over eight feet tall during his wrestling career, Andre commanded respect wherever he went, and his stature earned him the nickname “boss” backstage.

In his book “Heartbreak and Triumph,” Michaels recalled that he actually won the towering giant much sooner than he realized, when Andre decided to have a little fun at his expense.

“(Backstage), everyone came up and shook his hand,” Michaels wrote, describing the Frenchman’s charisma. “Even the big stars, like Hulk HoganRandy Savage, Jake Roberts and the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase would pay their respects to Andre.

“Hogan may have been the main event guy on TV, but Andre was the main event in the locker room.

“Everyone would come over and ask, ‘How are you doing, boss?’ and stretch out their hand. He looked up and shook their hands. It was almost like a mafia don greeting line. I thought it was really cool.”

In 1987, Michaels and Rockers tag team partner Marty Jannetty lasted just two weeks WWE before being fired after an incident in a bar that HBK claimed resulted in him smashing a glass over his own head.

However, McMahon opted to give the pair a second chance and rehired them a short time later – British legend The Dynamite Kid quickly lectured the upstarts on the need to introduce themselves to their peers and shake hands shake.

To try that with Andre, Michaels things didn’t go so well, adding: “We didn’t want to screw this up. So we went up to him, held out our hands and said, “How are you, boss?” He wouldn’t even look up. We just shuffled away with our heads down like sad puppies.

Shawn Michaels first wrestled in the WWE in the late 1980s

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Shawn Michaels first wrestled in the WWE in the late 1980sCredit: WWE
Arguably wrestling's most legendary big man, Andre The Giant was a feared performer

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Arguably wrestling’s most legendary big man, Andre The Giant was a feared performerCredit: WWE

“For almost two years, every show we worked on together, I would come up to him, extend my hand and say, ‘How are you, boss?’ Not once did he acknowledge my existence.”

“Jannetty apparently gave up trying to curry favor with the big man, but probably realized the importance of keeping such an influential and respected figure on side,” Michaels – surprisingly – insisted for more than a year.

Ultimately, his efforts were rewarded. In a tag team match with the man who briefly held the WWE Championship, he took his chance again – and got an unexpected response.

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The Texan continued: “After the match, everyone shook hands, as usual. Those guys said, “Thanks, boss,” and he shook their hands. Now it was our turn. Andre extended his hand! What a relief that was.

“Later that evening I saw him in the hotel bar. He waved at me. “Have a beer,” he said.

“I kind of whispered, ‘I know you don’t like us.’ (He replied:) ‘When you first came in, I didn’t like you. But after that you’ll be fine.’

The future star, who later enjoyed multiple reigns as Intercontinental and WWE Champion, insisted, “But you never shook hands with us?”, before Andre reportedly admitted, “After that, I was just scolding you at the time.” ”

Andre The Giant won the WWE Championship, but only held it briefly before being stripped of it in a storyline

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Andre The Giant won the WWE Championship, but only held it briefly before being stripped of it in a storylineCredit: WWE

Michaels added, “For a year?” He just laughed and went back to his beer.

Andre the Giant died of a heart attack in 1993 after long ending his wrestling career.

He was the very first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, the company still includes him in its annual video game and holds the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal around WrestleMania season in his memory.