WWE Star Shawn Michaels Invited By Penguins To Playoff Game

WWE Hall of Fame star Shawn Michaels has received a tribute from the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL.

WWE Star Shawn Michaels Invited By Penguins To Playoff Game

Three Penguins players — left wing Carl Hagelin, center Nick Bonino, and right wing Phil Kessel — all play on the same line, one they have nicknamed the ‘HBK Line’ based on their last names. Michaels was long known in the WWE as HBK, which stood for “The Heartbreak Kid.”

The Penguins are currently facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Monday, Michaels acknowledged the nickname for the hockey stars via Twitter during Game 2, despite admitting he is unfamiliar with the sport. Pittsburgh won that game 3-2 in overtime, and also took a 4-2 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday to gain a 2-1 series lead.

The Penguins took note of Michaels’ tweet. Game 4 is set for Friday in Tampa Bay, but Game 5 will take place at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Thus, the Penguins also took to Twitter to invite “The Heartbreak Kid” to the big home game.

Michaels, 50, quickly began teasing his WWE fans, as well as Penguins fans. After former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel also said he would save Michaels a seat, the WWE legend said he simply couldn’t refuse the offer.

Michaels has picked a great time to become a Penguins fans because the team has become a dominant force in the NHL. They are seeking to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2009. All three players on the HBK line were acquired by general manager Jim Rutherford since July 1. The trio have combined for 39 points over 13 games.

If Michaels does end up attending Game 5, it will be his first major appearance in a while. He appeared at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas early last month in his ring gear to run in and attack the evil League Of Nations faction, alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Mick Foley, two other WWE Hall of Fame legends.

However, the WWE was allegedly trying to get Michaels to come out of retirement for a match, but Shawn has kept his word that his in-ring retirement would remain intact, and he won’t be coming back to wrestle another match.

Michaels wrestled competitively from 1988 to 1998, and then from 2002 to 2010 after a hiatus. Since December 2010, he has served as a WWE ambassador.

PHOTO: LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 08: WWE personality Shawn Michaels appears at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on February 24, 2014 as the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, offering both scheduled programs and video on demand. The USD 9.99 per month subscription will include access to all 12 live WWE pay-per-view events each year. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)