This will be my first official Book Review, as I will review "Wrestling For My Life" the latest book by WWE Hall of Famer turned NY Times Best Selling Author Shawn Michaels. For anyone expecting this book to be simply about his career, I suggest that you read "Heartbreak & Triump" instead. This book focuses more on Shawn's transition away from the ring, and the lessons that he learned in his journey. Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin both write the Foreword of this book, and share their thoughts of how much Michaels has changed. Shawn starts off with the details leading up to his retirement match with Undertaker at WrestleMania 26, and how Michael Hayes and Vince McMahon presented the idea of a farewell tour. Shawn made up his mind that he just wanted the match and end with that. Shawn explains how the match with Taker at WrestleMania 25 firmly convinced him that it was time to call it a career. After that match, Shawn had been interviewed. The interviewer asked Shawn how old his son Cameron was. He told him he was 9. Right after that, the interviewer tells Shawn his son is "almost gone" meaning he was 9 years away from being 18 and becoming a young man. This made Shawn realize even more that he needed to spend time with his family. From that moment, he started looking at his life away from the industry. Shawn also talks about what led him to Christ. He opens up and becomes totally transparent about how his life was taking a downward spiral within two years of his marriage to his wife Rebecca. Shawn realized that he had hit the wall when his son Cameron said that he was "tired". Tired really meant that he was wasted from the pills that he was taking. Longtime friend Kevin Nash got into his ear and told him to get away from the pills completely. Shawn says that he tried to justify his actions, but Nash convinced him that since he was now married with a son, he could not do those things anymore. God was drawing Shawn's heart to repent and accept Christ as his Savior. Rebecca was making her way back to Christ, and her example led Shawn closer to God. Shawn's steps were being ordered to Christ in many different ways, including when Rebecca buys him a Bible. Finally, Shawn found himself in the parking lot of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, where a Minister asks him if he would like to invite Jesus Christ into his life and he openly accepts. Shawn talks about his life growing up as he had been a Catholic before this. He was the typical story of a person who had grown up going to church for religious reasons, but not for a relationship. He did it as a way to check it off of his list, but not in a way to know Jesus for himself. Everyone knows Shawn's reckless lifestyle, and he explains how it led him to this point. After accepting Christ, Shawn became fully involved in the Ministry at his church, along with even becoming a Sunday School Teacher. Michaels talks about how the mentors that God placed in his life challenged him to become the Christian Warrior that he is now. Michaels also talks about how he and Triple H reconciled after his conversion. He goes deeply into his Church involvement, and how he has become a mentor himself. It is great to see how Shawn talks about how God used his experiences in wrestling to help him apply them into his Christian walk. He talks about how being in teams with the likes of Marty Jannetty in the Rockers to Triple H in DX helped him understand what it was like to work in a team with his wife to walk with Christ. Shawn compared his first retirement to his second retirement, and says that when he left in 1998, he was not in a great place. Injuries took their toll, drugs and alcohol plagued his life, and he was very miserable as a result. In his last match with Austin, Shawn was in intense pain. Meanwhile, he was much happier in his last match with Taker. His family was there to witness his last match, as they had time to bond after the show. Shawn is also open about the stages in his Christian life. He says that in his first book, he was in the brighter, colorful stages of his Christian walk. However, this time Shawn admits that he is in a place that his character is being strengthened. I admire how open he was about this season of his life, and how God has given him grace. Another fun fact is that Shawn opens up each chapter with a Bible verse. Shawn explains the issues that he faced when looking for the right balance of being a Christian Wrestler. His understanding of Christian Theology is very impressive by the way. It was also fun to see him share how God gave him the confirmation to get back into wrestling, as he got a call from WWE while in service. Shawn also says that his purpose to return to wrestling was that WWE would be his platform to glorify God. God opened many different doors for Shawn to share his faith and pray with and disciple others in the locker room. He says that during his absence, the locker room environment had changed, which was the right time for him to make the return. He says that Vince was very accepting of his family commitments and respected what he had to do to find a balance between his career and life. God made provisions and move the heart of the king (Vince) like the rivers of water (Proverbs 21:1). He and Vince have always had a close bond anyway, so this helped even more. Shawn has even been asked to lead the locker room in prayer. At this point, Shawn was at a much happier place in both his life and career, as he even says himself that this was the best time of his career. God redeemed and rejuvenated him for that season. He also talks about how he discovered hunting during his time away from WWE. As we all know, Shawn has a hunting show. Michaels talks about the friendships that he has built on the show as well. Finally, Shawn talks about the power of forgiveness as the best example that he gives from his career is how he and Bret Hart reconciled following the Montreal Screwjob. Shawn's story doesn't fell complete without him explaining the way that him and Bret finally cross paths to bury the past. The way that both men made peace truly had to be an act of God, and Shawn admits that himself. The book starts strong and ends strong as things come full circle. I appreciate the different angle that Shawn takes as he goes beyond the surface of the glitz and glamor of his career to dig into the dirt behind it. This is a story of redemption from near tragedy to ultimate triumph, as Shawn shows what it is like to truly do all things through Christ that strenghens you. God's prize and high calling are far more important than any title or award that Shawn has ever won. Outstanding book. I give it 4/5 Stars. As far as belt ratings, I would give it 5 out of 5 HBK Intercontinental Championship belts.
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