Shawn Michaels Denies In-Ring Return amid WWE WrestleMania 43 Rumors for Saudi Arabia

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels eliminated any doubt about whether he could step back in the ring again.

HBK appeared on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson’s Nightcap show, during which he was asked about making another comeback. Michaels responded that there’s “not a chance” and revealed he’s scheduled to undergo double knee surgery (via Steve Carrier of Ringside News).

Triple H announced Friday that WWE is taking WrestleMania 43 to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. It will be the first time the company has staged the show outside of North America.

Fans have become accustomed to seeing a legend or two pop up for a one-off match on WrestleMania. Some of the Saudi shows have leaned even harder on nostalgia, with Michaels ending his retirement to compete at Crown Jewel in 2018.

Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio (via Ella Jay of Wrestling Inc) that Saudi Arabia is “putting up an incredible amount of money, a ridiculous amount of money” in order to “present the most star-studded show ever, by far.”

To that end, co-host Bryan Alvarez suggested the likes of Michaels, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock could be competing alongside the stars of today.

In the case of Michaels specifically, it’s tough to imagine him signing on for a match. He’ll be 61 when WrestleMania 43 rolls around, and his last foray in the squared circle might leave him wary of attempting a return.

HBK and Triple H teamed up to beat Kane and The Undertaker at Crown Jewel. The match was critically panned, and the four participants came out the worse for wear once it ended.

Fans won’t exactly be clamoring for Michaels to wrestle when it’s time for WWE to begin building toward WrestleMania 43.