Abandoned on the steps of a children's home as an infant in February of 1979 Michael Williams was named after the nurse that found him (Michelle Williams) and spent his early years running away from the children's homes of Liverpool England.

At the age of Fifteen after yet again running away from one of these homes, a chance meeting with Blackpool wrestling legend Shane Macdonald led Williams into the wrestling business. Macdonald was later to adopt the youngster as his son.

The pair toured the European wrestling circuit as "The Macdonalds", later on joining forces with Ax and Smash, the original members of Demolition to form the House of Pain. The group was abruptly broken up by a car crash which killed Shane Macdonald and left Williams with a broken back. After three years and much rehab Williams came back to the ring in the fledgling EWNF (now the 3WA), where he won a tournament comprising of the entire 3WA roster to become the first 3WA World Heavyweight Champion.

After a brief and bitter feud with Shaun Stetson cost him his championship, Williams began to contemplate his future. Having achieved his goal so early, what else was there to achieve?

The answer would come from the then 3WA talent scout. When Williams visited the talent scout to ask for his release, Edward Gaines informed Williams of a fledgling organisation that the 3WA had taken under their wings, insisting that a star of his magnitude was needed to get the AWA off the ground. Gaines managed to talk Williams into a temporary contract with the AWA

Williams ran through the AWA roster like a forest fire. Decimating everything in his path it took him less than a month to relieve Brian Cruise of the AWA Heavyweight Championship. Attendance rose and the AWA began to become a force to be reckoned with.

Williams again grew bored, the challenge had gone. After only a month and a half as champion Williams walked out of the arena after a house show and never went back. He later learned that the AWA hired an imposter in order to 'lose' his Title to the soon to become infamous Connor Macmanus. Though Williams never actually took part in the match.

Little is known of his where abouts for the intervening six months, but rumours persist that at some point he was comitted to a mental institution, though the reason is unknown. However what is known is that in early February a masked man named Starr was entered into the double elimination tournament for the World and Internet Championship. The mask didn't last long, in his first match Stetson removed the headwear revealing the returning Shane Williams. Though out of the World Title Tournament Williams made short work of the Internet title bracket to become the new Internet Champion

After a brief feud with Draven Matrix led to Dravens retirement from the 3WA Williams again moved into the World title picture. After falling only inches short of regaining the title against Tom Hart in his first attempt at Annihilation in May, his second attempt became one of the most controverisal title matches in history.

As the opening bell rang for the main event at Redemption Williams lay down for Tom Hart in the center of the ring, allowing Hart to retain the title and along with Shaun Stetson bringing to life yet another incarnation of the Wrath of God.

And WCCW did tremble at their feet

Coming into Reunion it was announced that the 3WA Internet Title would be unified with the UWF North American Championship. Shane Williams opponent would turn out to be his long term rival Ice, a man that had won the N.A. Title just one week earlier from Jason Reubens. Williams made short work of Ice to once again become an original champion, this time of the WCCW International Championship.