Heartbreak & Triumph introduces Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, the youngest of four children whose conservative upbringing made him quiet and reserved. But upon discovering Southwest Championship Wrestling one night, Hickenbottom realized instantly what he wanted to become. From there, Hickenbottom fully recounts his exciting and vast career history, and how he transformed into "The Heartbreak Kid."

Shawn shares firsthand details of the allegation that brought about HBK's classic Ladder match with Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X; the incident in Syracuse that set the stage for Shawn's unbelievable "comeback" victories at Royal Rumble 1996, and in the Iron Man WWE Championship match with Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII; and how his escalating backstage feud with Hart inadvertently built toward the formation of "D-Generation X," as well as the first-ever "Hell in a Cell" contest against Undertaker. Beyond the squared circle, Michaels clears the air about his days running with The Kliq, their contributions to WWE's wildly successful "Attitude" era, and the consequences of their uncharacteristic Madison Square Garden "Curtain Call" in May 1996. And for the first time anywhere, Michaels shoots completely straight about his role in one of the biggest scandal in wrestling history, the infamous "Montreal screwjob" at Survivor Series 1997.

While reliving the crippling back injury that forced him to retire in his prime following his WWE Championship loss at WrestleMania XIV, Michaels credits the new loves in his life--his second wife Rebecca, his children, and his newfound faith--with giving him the strength to kick his habit, recover physically, and make a jubilant return to the ring at SummerSlam 2002. Now back on top and doing what he enjoys most, the WWE Superstar regards Heartbreak & Triumph as the perfect means "to review my life, and attempt to figure out how I became the person I am."