Shawn Michaels’ WWE costumes fell apart; conservators used chemistry to save them

Shawn Michaels is remembered for his high-energy performances, signature wrestling moves and distinctive stage costumes. However, preserving the outfits worn by the WWE legend presented a different kind of challenge. The synthetic materials used in some wrestling costumes can deteriorate over time, leaving conservators with the difficult task of protecting both the fabric and its visual details. Conservation science offers a way to address this problem by examining how materials age and how carefully selected adhesives can help stabilise damaged components. The work highlights the role of chemistry in preserving sports and entertainment history, where costumes are more than clothing. They are part of the visual identity and cultural legacy of performers who shaped professional wrestling.Shawn Michaels’ WWE costume that was falling apartThe preservation project began when World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contacted the Textile Conservation Workshop in South Salem, New York. Conservator Alison Castaneda explained that the organisation had an outfit belonging to Shawn Michaels that had deteriorated badly during storage. The costume, made from synthetic leather, had been kept in a pl...