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Shawn Michaels used one manoeuvre for years – and it became synonymous with the man himself: Sweet Chin Music. He perfected it as the years went on.
Ever since Shawn Michaels retired last year from active competition, I’ve seen a growing trend in the amount of people who use the superkick; thrust kick; Sweet Chin Music.
At Vengeance 2011 I saw both Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler use the move on their opponents. I’ve also noticed that one of the Uso brothers (can’t tell the difference between the two) uses it frequently too. This may or may not be more in homage to the late Eddie Fatu, AKA Umaga, who passed away a while back. He used this manoeuvre too. Umaga was one of his relatives, and was also part of the famed Anoa’i Samoan wrestling dynasty.
It became more and more common in the last decade for stars to try and emulate Shawn Michaels and even use the superkick. Nobody did it during the 90’s during the height of his career, but in the 2000’s and onwards, I saw it being used more and more often. This can go two ways. It’s either used in respect, or disrespect.
I’ve seen Triple H use it at times but only in jest. He’s more often than not hurt himself doing it – probably the weakened quads. John Morrison has used it – and on Shawn Michaels years ago, when he was still part of a tag team with The Miz, and they feuded with DX. CM Punk also used it once to mock Shawn Michaels whilst he was still part of The Nexus, but hasn’t ever used it in the ring.
I’ve even seen some divas like Tamina on NXT use the “thrust kick” too.
Then of course there’s Matt Bentley, Shawn’s nephew, whom he trained. He uses it too.
The most impressive impersonation though probably comes from The Big Show. He not only uses the superkick, but also the flying elbow from the top rope. He executed the latter move at Survivor Series 2011 to the delight of much of the crowd. Many were chanting: “HBK!”
This isn’t an uncommon thing in sports entertainment however. Shawn Michaels and Triple H have both used moves that were made famous by Ric Flair for instance – a man they both idolised growing up watching pro wrestling. Among these include the knife-edge chop and various show-offy moves like the “Flair flop”, the strut, or getting caught up in the turnbuckles and falling to the outside of the ring dramatically.
Anyway, I guess we’re set to see more people use the move over the years, and others out of his repertoire, especially now HBK’s hung up his boots for good… perhaps.
