Michael Shawn Hickenbottom ( born July 22 , 1965 ) is a retired American professional wrestler , better known by the ring name Shawn Michaels , he has been given the nickname of `` The Heartbreak Kid '' ( sometimes referred to as HBK ) . He used to performs on the Raw brand of World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) . Michael Shawn Hickenbottom ( born July 22 , 1965 ) , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels , is an former American professional wrestler , currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) , where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December 2010 .