WWE News: Shawn Michaels explains why he retired and why he will not return for another match, comments on his relationship with Vince McMahon

WWE star Shawn Michaels was interviewed by Bill Simmons of ESPN.com. The following are among the highlights of the 50-minute interview. You can listen to the full interview at ESPN.com.

Michaels on whether he will return to the ring: "No... I understand the skepticism with that, but I wouldn't have left if I didn't know I was ready. It's funny, I made the decision a month before WrestleMania 25. I knew that 26 was going to be my last one. I didn't know how it was going to look or what it was going to be, but I knew that was going to be my last one...

"I can't even remember who it was, but like a month before WrestleMania 25 asked how old my boy was. I said he was nine and the guy said, 'Wow, halfway gone.' He said he was halfway to 18 and when he's 18 he's gone. That blew me away... He's halfway gone and I'm not going to miss that. Period... The company is behind it. The ending, the story, everything about it was perfect... To come back, to have another match would taint that moment. That in and of itself is reason enough for me to not come back. I watched the NBC special, I cried. I know the story. It was beautiful... That's how I worked. I wanted to create beautiful moments. My last one the most beautiful thing I ever had the privilege of being a part of and there's absolutely no way I will ruin that."

Michaels on his relationship with Vince McMahon: For me, the greatest boss in the world to ever work for. I know the real man. I know the text that he sent me after that special. He's a good man. People don't know him... That's why I walked through fire for him and that's why I walked through walls for him, not because he's some kind of crazed Hitler. There is a decent dude there. He's got tough, tough decisions to make. And I've watched him make them and weep and struggle... Walk a mile in that man's shoes. I've seen and I've walked with him for 25 years, but that's my opinion of him. I will always be a WWE guy and proudly say it. I am a former WWE superstar and damn proud of it."

Powell's POV: Simmons suggested that Michaels tweet during the WWE pay-per-views. "That would mean I'd have to be watching them," Michaels cracked. Great interview. Shawn doesn't do many lengthy mainstream interviews, so this is definitely a must-listen for HBK fans. His comments regarding Vince and his backstage appearance at a recent Raw should put the rumors to rest regarding a falling out between the two.

Other interview topics include Mick Foley raising the bar in the Hell in a Cell, whether pro wrestling needs an offseason, and Michaels saying he could return on Monday and perform better than 70 percent of the current wrestlers. We covered a lot of ground with the quotes today, but there is plenty of additional material in the actual audio.