Back in 2010, Shawn Michaels made his WWE exit after losing a Streak vs. Career match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26. The pair had a rematch of what was one of the best WWE matches of all time at WrestleMania 25 the year before. However, in their rematch at the University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Michaels’ career was on the line if he lost.

Of course, at the time, The Undertaker still had his undefeated WrestleMania streak to worry about. Unfortunately for “HBK”, he was once against bested by “The Deadman” at “The Showcase Of The Immortals”. Michaels would wrestle his last match for a decade that night. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Michaels revealed that he wasn’t sure about his retirement until after the match was actually over.

• Sting, Shawn Michaels Among Stars Appear For Ric Flair’s Birthday Celebration

Michaels apparently had an “out clause” for the storyline that would allow him to return to the ring if he changed his mind:

“I don’t know that I ever completely decided that it was going to be it [for my career] until after that match was over. We had always sort of discussed sort of an ‘out clause,’ so to speak, if I had the desire to do it again.

“But I can remember myself, and ‘Taker, and Michaels Hayes just sitting there after the match, like we had done the year before, just the three of us, sort of sitting there, alone, taking it in, and I said, ‘You know something, guys? I feel good with that.’”

The first episode of the WrestleMania Series podcast features “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels discussing his WrestleMania 26 “Career vs. Streak” match against The Undertaker, and it is available on iTunes https://t.co/ApkIcoK50A @ShawnMichaels

— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) March 6, 2019

What do you think about Michaels having an “out clause” in his retirement storyline with The Undertaker?

– Several top WWE superstars were not happy about Jim Ross being off the WrestleMania 26 announcing team. Ross even wrote in his blog  that Vince McMahon didn’t make any time for him during WrestleMania  weekend, which is unfortunate considering how influential Ross has been  over the years.

– Matt Striker’s zany commentary at WrestleMania was a topic of discussion in the days following the event.

– Former WWE star Zach Gowen recently completed a WWE-sponsored rehab program for  pain pill addiction. He is now staying at a sober  living facility and accepting independent bookings.

– WWE.com web traffic and WWEShop.com merchandise sales were both up in February from January.

(Credit to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for the information in this report)

— The official program for WrestleMania XXVI has a Divas match listed for the event: Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Eve, Gail Kim and Mickie James vs. Vickie Guerrero, Maryse, Alicia Fox, Layla and Michelle McCool.

— Former WWE wrestlers Luther Reigns and Gavin Spears are in Phoenix, Arizona visiting friends at WrestleMania XXVI.

— Click here to see a video of Jerry “The King” Lawler sketching a few drawings of Bret Hart at the WrestleMania Art Expo.

source: PWInsider.com

– Most of the WWE talents and crew arrived yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona for the WrestleMania festivities this week.

– At last word, approximately 15,000 tickets remain for Sunday’s WrestleMania pay-per-view at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

– WWE still isn’t advertising who will induct Antonio Inoki into the Hall of Fame this weekend. It was reported back when the news of Inoki’s induction came out that Stan Hansen would be doing the honors.

– A number of the WWE stars have been hanging out at Baby’s Steak & Lemonade in Glendale, Arizona. The restaurant is owned by former WWE star Armando Estrada. Goldust and Dolph Ziggler will be appearing there today at 4pm.

– WWE developmental wrestler Richie Steamboat suffered the first major injury of his career last week, a torn PCL. The second generation performer will be out of action for the next several months and likely need surgery.

(Partial source f4wonline.com)

— WWE has reportedly given thought to having a Mask vs. Hair Match between Rey Mysterio and CM Punk take place at WrestleMania. (source: f4wonline.com)

— The USA Network will be airing the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 11:00 p.m. to midnight. There is no replay this year. The event is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. in Phoenix (7:30 p.m. Eastern). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

In an interview with Frech PlayStation3 website Play3-Live.com, WWE superstar Edge gives an update on his health status following surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon . “I’m doing stairs on it now,” Edge said. “I started therapy. I’m on the long road to getting back. I’m on the road now. Before I wasn’t even on the road. I had crutches and I was in a cast, but now I can I can actually do some things like walk again and I can wear shoes.”

The former WWE World Champion asked whether he will be ready to return to action in time for WrestleMania in March, but he’s not so sure about it. “It will definitely be next year,” Edge said. “It won’t be anytime before next year. I would love to come back in time for WrestleMania and earlier, but it’s too soon to tell. It’s been four months. They said six months, so who knows.”

Before his injury, Edge had been teaming Chris Jericho and the two Canadians were WWE tag champions. Jericho cut some scathing promos on the Rated R Superstar shortly after his injury, setting up what could be a killer program in early-mid 2010 when Edge is healthy.

In his latest blog at JRsBarBQ.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross said the following about Edge’s health status:

“I think Edge being 100 percent by Wrestlemania 26 is going to be a photo finish and I hope that I am wrong on that assumption. Edge had taken his game to another level prior to his injury and he will no doubt return to the ring fresher and ready to turn more heads if he makes sure that he is totally healthy. Torn Achilles obviously cannot be taken lightly. Edge would arguably need to be close to ready by January to really be able to capitalize on the promotional, TV build up for Phoenix or at least that’s one school of thought.”