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chucky101 · 01-28-2013, 05:05 PM

im curious how much did he train for this match, did he have a ring set up with hhh and they prepared several months

i heard somewhere that he actually had a match in 2000, not sure if this is true

im shocked by how good he was, no rust at all after 5 years

**Sho'nuff** · 01-28-2013, 06:59 PM

If I'm not mistaken, he had his own wrestling school around that time and actually sold it when he came back to WWE. So, I'm pretty sure he stayed active & in shape during those years off, especially since the back surgery was 2-3 years before he returned. Not sure the extent or interaction he had with them but Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Hernandez, Michael Shane and Brian Danielson, among others, all spent time training there.

Rumor was he was supposed to start much earlier than 2002 (I wanna say 2000) and work a program with HHH but on the taping that the program was scheduled to begin, he showed up "in no condition to perform" and was sent home.

zep81 · 01-29-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deandre Cole

Rumor was he was supposed to start much earlier than 2002 (I wanna say 2000) and work a program with HHH but on the taping that the program was scheduled to begin, he showed up "in no condition to perform" and was sent home.

Yeah, sure that (i could too be wrong) was at/just before Mania 17.

**ShowStopper '97** · 01-29-2013, 10:07 AM

Re: training for the SummerSlam 2002 match:

I've heard HBK and Triple H both say that they trained in the Titan Tower basement where there is a WWE ring. I don't think it was ever said how long in advance they prepared.

Issues_Sunshyne · 01-29-2013, 10:39 AM

I suppose you never lose it. As mentioned, he did have a school so I bet he spent the vast majority of his time away from WWE still in the ring, as well making indie appearances and did he wrestle for his own promotion once or twice? Or rather, wrestle along with the guys he was training in whatever promotion it was? Texas Wrestling Academy, or something, had shows and HBK was either ref or performed. I've read that, but can't say it's true with his back being in poor shape.

I reiterate though, when you're as good as Shawn Michaels and in there with someone like HHH where a lot of the basis was on intensity, they could have just kicked eachother and hit eachother with chairs and it would have been a great match.