According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Shawn Michaels reportedly told the WWE office recently that he is looking at taking more time off than originally planned. The idea with Michaels at this point is that he is financially set for life and his kids are at a certain age where they like him around, which is a very short window.
The original idea was for him to return at SummerSlam in August, but he asked to stay off until late this year or early 2010 as he has interest in coming back for a good WrestleMania angle. He had stated in interviews leading into this year’s WrestleMania that he only intended to stay around until WrestleMania 26 and was looking at taking lots of time off.
While discussions have taken place about a possible retirement angle at WrestleMania 26 next year, he said he doesn’t see why he can’t make occasional big show appearances like Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan when he is well into his 50s. Another issue Michaels has discussed is that once his kids are teenagers, being at home so much won’t be as important and he would be open to spending more time on the road. It should be noted that back in 2007 he was talking about not coming back for a long time due to his severe knee problems. John Cena then tore his pec and Michaels’ wife joked with him that he would be getting a phone call from the office. The next day he got a call and he was back in the ring way too early.