Who attacked HBK?

WHO ATTACKED SHAWN MICHAELS?

       On Raw Monday, July 29, 2002 Shawn Michaels interrupted Eric Bischoff's unveiling of his new acquisitions, the un-Americans (Lance Storm, Test, Christian) to call out Triple H, who pedigreed the Heartbreak Kid the previous week on RAW in what up until that moment had appeared to be a reunion of DX. As a result of these comments, Triple H would later take to the ring to answer HBK's challenge, seemingly while Michaels was waiting for the Cerebral Assassin in the parking lot. However, while Triple H was putting down his former friend, he was alerted to a situation in said parking lot.

       The situation was that Michaels had been brutally attacked, leaving him a bloodied mess (see photo above), laid out on the concrete floor beside a car window that looked to have been smashed with his face. When Triple H arrived, Michaels' body was surrounded by concerned WWE Superstars. The question posed as the segment ended was who did this?

       Let's review the immediate suspects:

Booker T- The Bookerman was standing directly over HBK's fallen body, placing him on the scene, giving him opportunity. His motives are simple: it was Shawn Michaels who quite-literally "kicked" Booker T out of the nWo, publicly humiliating him. Then, while still one of the leaders of the ill-fated nWo, HBK promised to "end" Booker T on the group's last night in business. He even delivered Sweet Chin Music to the Book during the scuffle following Kevin Nash's most recent injury. All of these issues are unresolved, as elluded to on the night Michaels was attacked, when Booker T and HBK bumped into one another and Booker said to Golddust that Michaels put-down of him sounded like an invitation to do something. Did the 5 time WCW Champion exact his revenge?
The Big Show- Like Booker T, The Big Show was publicly humiliated by HBK while the former still had Kevin Nash and the nWo to protect him. Michaels delivered a sneak-attack superkick to the 500 pound monster in an act of "tough love". Just last week the Show intimated that he might have to see how tough Michaels still was, giving him more than enough motive. Then, on the night of the attack, the "show-stoppa" blew the Big Show off in his pursuit of Helmsley, a move that did not sit well with the big man. The last we saw of Show, before he was among the WWE Superstars gawking at the befallen Heartbreak Kid was him overhearing Michaels tell a security guard that he'd be waiting for Triple H in the parking lot, which was also the last we saw of Michaels.
The Un-Americans- After demolishing The Undertaker, Lance Storm, Christian and Test said they had one last piece of business to take care of before the night was through. This was the last we saw of the trio. Was that last piece of business demolishing the man who interrupted their RAW brand debut, the man who bragged about beating the Canadian icon Bret Hart, the man who once put the Canadian flag up his nose?
Chris Jericho- While Jericho has had no heat with Michaels in the past, perhaps he attacked Michaels on behalf of the Un-Americans, a group he hasn't officially joined but has been linked to since he helped Storm and Christian win the Tag Team Titles and left Smackdown with to join RAW.

Eric Bischoff- While the Bisch probably would not attack HBK directly, perhaps he put somebody up to an attack of the man who openly defied him on the previous week's RAW and publicly declared he would make Bischoff's life a living hell at Vengeance. This could be just the showing of force that would put Bischoff over as a maniacal heel, instead of just the snivelling heel he is now. Think it a bit severe? Then think about what he had the Island Boys do to Moolah and Mae Young.

These are all strong candidates, but my money is on another guy: Triple H. I know he said he didn't do it, quite passionately I might add. But, who cares? If a guy is capable of smashing his old best friend's face into a window, I think he's capable of lying. Plus, this is straight up the alley of the Cerebral Assassin. Not too long ago he master-minded the vehicular assault of one Stone Cold Steve Austin, a move he also initially denied. Why would Triple H do this? Well, Michaels did pick a fight with him. Hell, Michaels was waiting in that parking lot to kick his ass. That seems reason enough. Add to that his reasons for pedigreeing HBK the week before, and I think we have a suspect. Still think I'm crazy? Then ask yourself, if Michaels was waiting for Triple H in the parking lot, how is it that Triple H got past him to deliver his promo in the ring?

So there you have it, the attacker was none other than The Game, who cements his new heel turn with this vicious attack. My feelings on Triple H's heel turn are mixed: on one hand, I don't think his face run was given enough time to fully develop, but on the other, it will be nice to see the best heel of all time back at doing what he does best. Oh, and one more prediction: after all the guessing is done, and the red herrings are played out, look for this little attack to lead to a Triple H versus Shawn Michaels bout at Summerslam.

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