The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 6

Shawn Michaels (January 19, 1997 - February 13, 1997)

Shawn Michaels: Regained the WWE Championship at the 1997 Royal Rumble

Contrary to what some observers might say, Shawn Michaels' second WWE Championship reign was always scheduled to be a short one.

Michaels, in front of his home crowd at the 64,000 capacity Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas defeated Sycho Sid, who had beaten him for the belt two months earlier.

In contrast to the prior bout, Michaels received a hero's welcome and was vociferously cheered as he super-kicked his way to another title win.

Michaels did drop the title on the date he was supposed to; February 13, 1997. However, he did no lose it in the ring as planned.

Michaels was supposed to drop the Championship back to Sid, then lose to Bret Hart at WrestleMania, to return the favor for his victory over Hart, the previous year.

However, HBK, was not happy with losing two high-profile matches in such quick succession and exaggerated a knee injury to sidestep doing both jobs.

Instead, a tearful Michaels vacated the WWE Championship, in an in-ring interview with McMahon where he memorably stated that he had "lost his smile."

In truth, Michaels was doing plenty of smiling.