Shawn Michaels Talks Being Fired By WWE In The 80s, Vince McMahon Not Wanting Him Back

Shawn Michaels had a hand in training Daniel Bryan, who is experiencing his own battle with size in the WWE, but the Heartbreak Kid had to take on a true land of the giants in theWWE in the 1980's during a steroid era in the company. Michaels talked about this and other obstacles he and Marty Jannetty faces on Talk Is Jericho this week.

Michaels noted that he was told by WWE officials that if the Rockers ever wanted to take down a larger opponent with a move, it would have to be a double dropkick, or something that involved both of them.

"It all made sense, but size was an issue. It was the first time that we'd ever dealt with it. It made sense with us to do a double dropkick, we'd done that before. But to have it emphasized, it's one of those things you have to think about," Michaels said. "If it's my idea, it's okay. If the other guy said he wouldn't go down unless it was a double dropkick, well then I didn't want to do it."

HBK said that he had a chip on his shoulder because he and Marty thought they were a much better team than others. They didn't understand why size would hold them back as a team. He also repeated the story of McMahon firing him over allegations that they tore up a bar.

"We went to the WWE offices in Greenwhich and had snakeskin boots on. Vince came in and said, 'nice boots, they're made for walking you know. Just kidding.' Then he took us in his office and fired us," Michaels said.

After the incident, which Michaels claims was just him breaking a glass, the story expanded. A month later, it had grown out of hand.

"By the time we got to Continental Wrestling, Tony Anthony said 'did you really light your couch on fire and throw it out of the window into a pool?'" Michaels said of the wrestling 'big fish' tale.

After working several territories, Michaels and Jannetty were finally brought back to the WWE.

Michaels said Pat Patterson got the Rockers their jobs back after their first firing. Patterson was given responsibility for them after McMahon repeatedly told him the "Rockers were dead to him." You can listen to the full podcast at this link.