'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwT/2gAIAQEAAAAAiT//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAkEAACAQIDCQAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAMAIgUGIwETFBchMTVC4v/aAAgBAQABPwAMgMRI4cy2WHrsspRKQcIJFqXlvjI+vr2rko/NqbcwKX3eP+q//8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREAAgP/2gAIAQIBAT8AOVAGp//EABkRAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABIAAQIDFP/aAAgBAwEBPwDRa8xJf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
WWE.com provided an exclusive video of Shawn Michaels making his return to the Manhattan Center for Raw 25. During this interview, 'HBK' would talk about being involved in a match on the very first Monday Night Raw against Max Moon for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
In case you didn't know...
The idea for Max Moon actually came from WCW wrestler Konnan based on a character he saw as he was wrestling in Japan. The WWE even created the outfit (which cost $13k), but strained relationships between Konnan and Vince McMahon led to him no longer working with the WWF.
Paul Diamond would wear the Max Moon outfit on the first episode of Monday Night Raw against Shawn Michaels, but the gimmick would be retired shortly after. Diamond worked in the WWF from 1990 to 1993.
The heart of the matter
When talking about the locker rooms at the Manhattan Center, 'HBK' noted that they were twice as big as they used to be.
Regarding his match with Max Moon on the first episode of Raw, 'HBK' stated that with all the uncertainty of being on a live broadcast for the first time, he was glad that he was going to wrestle a guy with whom he was comfortable in the ring. With the anxiety of going live, it was great to have a guy you can count on in the ring for everything that was needed.
What's next?
It is unknown what is next for 'The Heartbreak Kid' on WWE Television. But he will continue his work at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
As for the WWE, a big weekend is on the horizon with NXT Takeover: Philadelphia on Saturday and the Royal Rumble pay per view on Sunday.
Author's take
That was some great insight by 'HBK' regarding his first ever Monday Night Raw match against Max Moon. Diamond had been with the company for a few years and I can only imagine the nerves of wrestling on live television for the first time. However, at least HBK had the comfort of knowing there was a good hand in the ring on the other side.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
