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The Phenomenal One recently appeared in an interview with WWE's Cathy Kelley and opened up on a variety of topics. Styles also talked about a potential dream match against "The Heart Break Kid" and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
Styles revealed that he had asked Michaels for a match, but was met with a 'no'.
I would have loved the opportunity to get in the ring with him. I asked Shawn about a match and he said ‘No.’ I can’t do anything about that. I would love the opportunity to have a match. But I get where he’s coming from. When I retire, I want to remain retired too.
When one talks about some of the biggest dream matches in WWE history, AJ Styles vs Shawn Michaels has to be up there among the most anticipated ones. Let's look at five possible reasons why Michaels rejected Styles' proposal for a dream match.
Also read: A 14-year old Charlotte Flair makes WCW appearance (WWE history)
#5 Michaels might be done for good
It has been almost a decade since Michaels' 'original retirement'. The Heart Break Kid challenged The Undertaker to a match at WrestleMania 26, a year after losing a classic to The Deadman.
The second loss resulted in Michaels retiring. For eight years, Michaels stayed true to his word, until WWE called him back for Crown Jewel.
Maybe Michaels thinks that it's finally time for him to lace up his boots, and he must have realized that he doesn't need to add another feather to his cap at this point in his life. Around a decade ago, WWE named Michaels the company's greatest Superstar ever. What more does one need?
Michaels' career will be remembered as a gold standard for future generations to look forward to, and maybe he knows that having another match won't make much of a difference with regards to the credibility of his illustrious career.
#4 The Crown Jewel fiasco must have upset Michaels
Michaels retired from WWE in 2010 and gave a heartfelt speech on the Raw after WrestleMania 26. He was one of a very rare crop of stars who retired and didn't come back for one last hurrah, as is the case with many in the world of pro-wrestling.
It all changed last year, when WWE convinced him to come back for another match, eight years after he rode off into the sunset. Michaels and his best friend Triple H teamed up to face The Undertaker and Kane, The Brothers of Destruction. Michaels held his own in the match, but the bout was heavily slammed by critics.
This fiasco must have upset Michaels to the point that he doesn't want to try his hand at a return again.
Also read: 5 big losses that led to legendary pushes
#3 Maybe Michaels knows something we don't
Over the course of the past few years, we have seen several legends make a comeback to WWE, giving us dream matches we thought we would never see. What if WWE is planning behind the scenes for another dream encounter?
Shawn Michaels vs Daniel Bryan was teased back in 2013, when the Yes Movement was at its peak. The match never happened though.
There could be a slight chance that Michaels and WWE are secretly planning for a Teacher vs Student dream match between him and Bryan, somewhere down the line, which could serve as his final match in the company, and this could be the reason why he said no to Styles.
Currently, all signs are pointing at Bryan feuding with Roman Reigns on the blue brand. After this rivalry reaches its conclusion, WWE might give us Bryan vs Michaels sometime in the future.
Remember, WWE has a tendency to use legends at Saudi Arabian shows like Crown Jewel and Super ShowDown.
If WWE is indeed preparing for a Student vs Teacher dream match for a Saudi show, let's say next year, the next several months would give the company enough time to build up a rivalry between the two of them.
#2 Michaels could be stalling
Another possibility here could be that Michaels is simply stalling. His return to the ring was at a Saudi Arabian show.
Michaels has earned the nickname of Mr. WrestleMania, thanks to his legendary performances at The Show of Shows throughout his career. What if he wants to have a last hurrah at 'Mania?
Styles told Kelley that Michaels said no to his offer, but what if Michaels just isn't ready for a match yet, and wants to wrestle his final match at a WrestleMania?
If this is indeed the case, one can hope that WWE brings back Michaels for a dream match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. After all, a match of this caliber deserves to take place at WrestleMania.
Also read: 5 times Vince McMahon abruptly canceled a Superstar's push
#1 Michaels probably thinks the ship has sailed for this particular match
Back in the early to late 2000s, Shawn Michaels was enjoying a second run in WWE, and was having amazing bouts one after the other.
At the same time, AJ Styles was building a career in Impact Wrestling. Both Superstars were at their absolute best at the time, and a match between the two could have been an instant 5-star classic!
More than a decade later, Michaels is 54 and his body isn't capable of doing what it used to do back in the day.
Maybe Michaels is aware of the fact that a match against Styles will do nothing but irk the fans, as they won't be getting the masterpiece that these two would have presented in the 2000s.
