Facts Only Hardcore Fans Know About The Heartbreak Kid

Shawn Michaels always had one of the more memorable entrances in wrestling, complete with a catchy theme song and pyro. It turns out that his entrance was somewhat inspired by one of the biggest music stars of all time.

Michaels’ entrance pose where he would stretch to his right in a varied squad position and flex was taken directly from a stage move that Elvis Presley used to do during his live shows. “I stole that from Elvis,” Michaels affirmed to Sports Illustrated. “Elvis was a really big influence early in my career.”

Michaels was 12 years old when Presley passed away in 1977. Though he may not have been a huge fan at the time, he listened to more and more Elvis as he got older. This came by way of traveling the road with Al Madril, a veteran wrestler who would often play Presley’s music while they shared a car together.

“I developed a real appreciation for the work that Elvis did,” Michaels said. “And I always loved that pose I would see Elvis do at the end of his concerts. He wouldn’t flex, which I felt comfortable doing, but he’d use that stance, so I have to give the King of Rock and Roll the credit for that one.”

Of course, that wasn’t the last time Michaels would pay homage to Elvis throughout his career. Early on during his initial singles run, an announcement would made on television by Bobby Heenan that “Shawn Michaels has left the building” after his matches. He also hosted a television segment called the “Heartbreak Hotel” on WWF television.