It hasn't been an easy transition into the new year for Shawn Michaels, whose personal savings tumbled into the abyss as a result of the 2008 worldwide financial crisis. Unable to answer questions about his own future prosperity, Shawn turned to perhaps the unlikeliest source for possible redemption in John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

You all know the story—all JBL wanted was the World Heavyweight Championship, and in exchange, he was willing to promise Shawn enough money to be set for life. But this arrangement left Shawn bitter—at life, at himself—for having to stoop to such a level. It's safe to say that no one at the Joe Louis arena truly knew what was on Shawn Michaels' mind tonight, and that may even be true of Michaels himself.

JBL, shrewd as ever, wheeled and dealed the best he knew how to ensure Michaels would remain allied with him—promising him immediate payment in full following the victory, and guaranteeing him a spot in tonight's Royal Rumble match (in spite of his earlier decree.) Shawn didn't have long to think about this before he felt the presence of The Undertaker, who had these choice words for The Showstopper: "Sometimes, it's hell getting to heaven."

Fast-forward to match time—John Cena and JBL had an intense back-and-forth battle, slowed down as both men kept an eye on Shawn Michaels, who was sullenly pacing at ringside. From time to time, Michaels offered slight encouragement and assistance to JBL, but outright involvement was out of the question as the referee kept Shawn on a short leash.

All that changed when Cena dodged a big boot from JBL, which accidentally made contact with the referee. Without any law and order in the match, Michaels saw an opportunity to make his presence felt. As JBL and Cena were struggling to their feet, HBK tuned up the band and took aim squarely at Cena—but hit JBL instead! From the look on his face, anybody would have known that it was no accident. Cena was ecstatic—perhaps too much so, as he received the second measure of Sweet Chin Music only moments later.

Michaels stalled some more, taking a moment to think things through, before grimacing as he pulled a lifeless JBL on top of an equally lifeless John Cena, and leaving the ringside area. Within seconds, a second referee appeared from backstage to count the fall, but having had ample recovery time, Cena's shoulder came up at 2.

A short back-and-forth brawl ensued, but with both men nearing their limit, Cena managed to hoist JBL up onto his shoulders and slam him back down onto the canvas in a manner so predictable, so reliable, so virtually guaranteed to result in a victory that you would have to think there would be a more accurate, more concise, more descriptive way I could describe it—but I dunno... somehow there just isn't. Anyhoo, John Cena won and JBL lost.

Which, as far as HBK's personal crises are concerned, resolves nothing from our perspective. Shawn Michaels will not receive his guaranteed payday from JBL. Shawn Michaels did not get to compete in the Royal Rumble. And Shawn Michaels now has surely earned the wrath of his former employer, JBL—who wasn't exactly on friendly terms with Mr. Wrestlemania before this all began.

But if Shawn's eyes moments prior to his attack on John Cena were any indication, it seems as if Shawn was satisfied in atoning for his sins by putting both men into the same predicament, and letting God sort them out. It only remains to be seen how Shawn's fans and the WWE Universe react to Shawn's decision.