Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Theresa Lynn Wood |
| Known For | Former spouse of WWE legend Shawn Michaels (Michael Shawn Hickenbottom) |
| Reported Date of Birth | May 23, 1963 (unconfirmed) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Marital Status | Divorced (married to Shawn Michaels: May 28, 1988 – August 1994) |
| Children | None reported |
| Parents | Mother reportedly named Joan (limited public details) |
| Occupation | Undisclosed/private |
| Public Presence | Maintains a low profile; no verified social media |
| Notable Family Connections | Ex-husband Shawn Michaels; his later spouse Rebecca Curci; his children Cameron (b. 2000) and Cheyenne (b. 2004) |
Early Life and Identity
Theresa Lynn Wood’s story is, by design, a quiet one. Beyond a reported birthdate of May 23, 1963, and American roots, the public record offers few verified details about her upbringing, education, or early influences. Occasional mentions note a mother named Joan, but no further family history is widely available. This scarcity of information speaks less to mystery than to choice: Wood has consistently chosen privacy over the echoing corridors of celebrity attention. In an era when personal histories are often spilled across timelines and feeds, her silent page stands out.
Marriage to Shawn Michaels (1988–1994)
Theresa Lynn Wood married Michael Shawn Hickenbottom—known worldwide as Shawn Michaels—on May 28, 1988. The ceremony has often been described as traditional and tied to their shared roots in San Antonio. As Michaels’ star ascended in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the marriage shouldered the strain carried by relentless travel, the glare of televised fame, and the complicated rhythms of a wrestling career at its peak.
By August 1994, the couple divorced. Accounts generally depict the split as amicable, with the pressures of the road and lifestyle cited as contributing factors. The two did not have children together. Public speculation swirled around the breakup—gossip was a predictable storm around a superstar—but firm, first-hand details remain sparse. What remains clear is the human outline: a young marriage, years marked by career turbulence, and a courteous decision to part.
Family Members and Connections
- Mother: The name Joan appears in scattered references as Wood’s mother; beyond that, the trail runs cold.
- Ex-Husband: Shawn Michaels (b. July 22, 1965), one of WWE’s most iconic performers, “The Heartbreak Kid,” a multiple-time world champion whose career milestones span decades.
- Shawn Michaels’ Later Family: Michaels married Rebecca Curci on March 31, 1999. They have two children—Cameron Kade (b. 2000) and Cheyenne Michelle (b. 2004). While these are not Theresa’s children, they are part of the extended narrative that trails public curiosity around her former marriage.
Distinguishing Her from Others with the Same Name
Because “Theresa Lynn Wood” is not a unique name, it is crucial to separate the quiet figure linked to Shawn Michaels from others who share the same identity marker. Two commonly conflated examples include:
| Different Individual | Key Details | Why Distinct |
|---|---|---|
| Theresa Lynn Wood (obituary, 2009) | Born April 30, 1957; passed away in 2009 in Colorado | Birth and death dates do not align with the ex-spouse of Shawn Michaels |
| Theresa Lynn Wood (arts/community work) | Reported as born in 1985; active in social impact and arts circles | Age, timeline, and public focus differ from the Michaels connection |
When researching, dates, locations, and family links matter. The Theresa linked to Michaels was alive and publicly referenced after 1994 and is not associated with these other profiles.
Career, Work, and Finances: What Is and Isn’t Known
Theresa Lynn Wood’s professional life remains offstage. No confirmed job titles, industries, or career milestones are publicly documented. This void has fueled speculation, but speculation is not the same as record. Online estimates sometimes assign her a net worth in the low seven figures, yet those figures typically lack transparent sourcing. Such numbers may be guesses extrapolated from her past marriage or assumed private endeavors rather than substantiated financial records.
In contrast, her former husband’s finances are widely discussed due to his long WWE tenure. Public estimates place Shawn Michaels’ net worth in the eight-figure range, reflecting decades of in-ring performance, merchandise, media appearances, and executive responsibilities. That contrast—public wealth versus private life—helps explain why curiosity about Wood persists even as reliable details remain limited.
Life After 1994: Privacy in the Digital Age
Since the divorce, Wood has remained largely absent from public events, interviews, and social media. There are no verified profiles under her name, no tell-all memoirs, and no paid interviews. Her life after 1994 is the quiet house at the end of the cul-de-sac, lights on, curtains drawn. In the swirling galaxy of wrestling nostalgia and celebrity retrospectives, she is a steady point that resists gravity.
Timeline at a Glance
- May 28, 1988: Marries Shawn Michaels in San Antonio.
- 1993–1994: Public interest crescendos as Michaels’ career intensifies; personal life remains guarded.
- August 1994: The couple finalizes an amicable divorce; no children.
- March 31, 1999: Michaels marries Rebecca Curci.
- 2000: Birth of Cameron Kade Hickenbottom.
- 2004: Birth of Cheyenne Michelle Hickenbottom.
- 2010 and beyond: Michaels transitions from full-time in-ring work to on-screen appearances and executive roles; Wood remains out of the spotlight.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- Children: Despite periodic rumors, Wood and Michaels did not have children. Claims that they shared a son arise from misunderstandings and are not supported by reliable records.
- Wedding Details: Reports frequently place their wedding in San Antonio and describe it as traditional; granular details are not publicly confirmed.
- Identity Mix-Ups: Obituaries and profiles of other women named Theresa or Teresa Lynn Wood, especially those with different birth years, have sometimes been incorrectly linked to her.
Why Her Story Resonates
In the carnival of professional wrestling, personalities are larger than life: costumes clash, pyrotechnics roar, and storylines blend theater with athleticism. Against that backdrop, Theresa Lynn Wood’s narrative is the whisper heard after the music stops—a reminder that private people sometimes move alongside public giants, leaving only the lightest footprints in the sand. Her reluctance to step into the spotlight has become her defining choice, a kind of strength that resists both spectacle and scrutiny.
FAQ
Who is Theresa Lynn Wood?
She is best known as the former spouse of WWE legend Shawn Michaels, with whom she was married from 1988 to 1994.
When did she marry and divorce Shawn Michaels?
They married on May 28, 1988, and divorced in August 1994.
Did Theresa and Shawn have children together?
No, they did not have any children.
What is known about her career?
Her professional life has not been publicly disclosed, and no verified career details are available.
Is she active on social media?
No verified social media profiles are associated with her; she maintains a private life.
Is she the same person as the Theresa Lynn Wood who died in 2009?
No, that is a different individual with different birth and death details.
What family details are known about her?
Her mother is reportedly named Joan, though further family information is scarce.
What about Shawn Michaels’ later family?
After their divorce, Michaels married Rebecca Curci in 1999; they have two children, Cameron (b. 2000) and Cheyenne (b. 2004).
