Steve Carrier on May 25, 2023
Join us for live, continuous updates on Shawn Michaels’ media conference this morning, as he discusses the upcoming WWE NXT Battleground PPV in Lowell, MA.
Shawn warmly greeted all participants and expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Lowell for the event. He mentioned the proximity to Carmelo Hayes’ hometown and expressed his desire for everyone to share in the same level of excitement.
Shawn was questioned about the possibility of Bron Breakker joining the main roster after the show, considering NXT suffered a significant setback during the draft. Shawn expressed that taking a substantial blow is actually positive. He believes they will have Bron around for a while and there are still plenty of exciting matches ahead for him.
When asked about updates on certain NXT UK talents, including Blair Davenport, Michaels mentioned that there is interest in them. However, the talents themselves need to decide if they want to be part of NXT. Michaels feels that if Davenport chooses to join, she would make a significant impact. They have reached out to her, and if she expresses her desire to be part of NXT, there will be news to share.
When inquired about Shawn’s thoughts on the new generation of talents occupying prominent positions. He expressed his delight in Wes Lee’s success and acknowledged Carmelo Hayes’ achievements. While Gallus consists of veterans, Shawn is thrilled to see how well Wes has performed since transitioning from his tag team.
Shawn was also asked about the Grizzled Young Veterans requesting a release and not being granted one. He had wanted them to come over from the UK, hoping that everyone could find success in WWE. Regardless of who enters WWE, he wants to assist them in achieving success in the industry as a whole. Shawn understands their sentiments, but he bears no ill feelings and still desires to see them in significant roles. As long as they are willing to work, he is willing to utilize their talents.
Had Indi Hartwell not been injured, the plan was to include her at Battleground. They would have loved for her to have a lengthy reign as Women’s Champion. However, “the unfortunate news” was that she got called up to the main roster. Shawn pointed out that the fact that so many roster members have moved up to the main roster is evidence that the system is effective and working.
Shawn mentioned that, as far as he knows, NXT pay-per-views will not be scheduled to directly compete with AEW in the future. He explained that this weekend was about creating a big Memorial Day weekend of WWE events. The usual order of NXT being the night before WWE was switched due to the Jeddah event taking place on Saturday afternoon in the United States. The decision was made to have NXT on Sunday instead. Shawn expressed his desire to have as many weekends dedicated to NXT as possible, emphasizing that having less competition for the show is preferable. He jokingly mentioned being happy when the playoffs ended, indicating his relief at reduced competition.
When asked about the timeframe for NXT Europe, Michaels stated that he is ready to go. From a company perspective, it is prudent to wait for everything, including the Endeavor situation, to settle. He expressed excitement about the prospects but clarified that his focus is currently on NXT. With a show on Sunday and another on Tuesday, he is concentrating on the daily and weekly schedule.
Regarding Ilja Dragunov not being called up to the main roster yet, Michaels explained that Ilja hasn’t been in NXT for a significant period of time. However, they are thrilled to have him and recognize his incredible talent and uniqueness. He assured everyone that they will be delighted with what they witness from Ilja and Dijak in their Last Man Standing match this weekend. Shawn added that there are many great matches they hope to explore involving Ilja in the future.
Shawn discussed Dijak and acknowledged his extensive experience and talent. He emphasized that they collaborate with the talents and take their input into consideration. Dijak, who was a criminal justice major, has been involved in developing his character and presentation. Despite his size, he is capable of performing incredible feats. Shawn expressed his belief that Dijak has thrived in every situation he has been placed in during his time in NXT. He expects Dijak to excel against Ilja, just as he did against Wes Lee. Dijak is someone who can deliver impressive matches against anyone. They are working on repackaging him in a way that sets him apart from before, aiming to provide talents with opportunities. Shawn noted that he rarely disagrees with the fan base or talents when they express frustration about not having the right opportunities. He understands that sometimes things don’t go as planned, and he sympathizes with the need to overcome setbacks. He drew a comparison between Dijak’s current run and the experiences of talents like Apollo Crews and Finn Balor, who returned to NXT before eventually going back to the main roster. Shawn believes that Dijak will make a return to the main roster in the future.
When asked about the possibility of a secondary women’s title, Michaels revealed that he has occasionally toyed with the idea but feels that they already provide the women with significant storylines. Their focus is on developing individual talents. With the loss of many veterans and leaders due to the Draft, the current NXT locker room is quite young. Although he would like to introduce a secondary title, Shawn wants to thoroughly vet the concept first. He is not yet comfortable with what it would entail and whether the young talents would be prepared for such a role. He is not ready to implement it at this time.
When asked about the potential success of talents who have been called up to the main roster, Michaels expressed his belief that Grayson Waller has the potential for great success. He described Waller as a consummate professional who can adjust to anything. According to Michaels, Waller is mature, intelligent, and possesses all the qualities desired in a WWE star. Regarding Indi Hartwell and Xyon Quinn, Michaels emphasized their uniqueness and special qualities. He mentioned the pride they feel for the Australian talents who have come through NXT.
Michaels also commented on Bron Breakker, stating that he is really finding his groove and experiencing growth in NXT. Michaels expressed his happiness with what Breakker has brought to the table in terms of the new direction. He noted that Breakker’s development is evident every single week, and they are determined to extract the best from him.
Shawn mentioned that when NXT has the opportunity, they will do everything possible to expand the brand outside of the United States, indicating their interest in global growth.
Regarding Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, Shawn believes their focus will be on matches on the main roster. However, he mentioned that it’s just a matter of time before they would have to return to NXT to defend the Women’s Tag Team titles, suggesting that they will eventually make their way back to NXT.
Shawn praised Lyra’s work since transitioning to the United States, describing it as fantastic. He commended her strong work ethic and noted that she displays maturity beyond her age. He expressed that they have two well-equipped women in the finals of the women’s tournament. He highlighted Tiffany Stratton’s rise and improvement with every match, giving credit to the NXT system for nurturing and developing talent. Shawn also acknowledged Sara D’Amato as a significant contributor to the success of the women’s division, emphasizing her role as a pioneer and a secret weapon for NXT. He expressed excitement about crowning the new women’s champion and believes the finalists represent the best of the NXT women’s division, with other talented individuals not far behind.
Michaels expressed his excitement about introducing the Heritage Cup to NXT, as it allows them to take risks and try new things. He highlighted that this is the first time the American audience will witness round-based matches and a pure wrestling fan’s match. Michaels praised the talents involved, specifically mentioning Noam Dar and Dragon Lee, and acknowledged that they have a stacked card for the event. He humorously acknowledged that he might sound like a used car salesman, but he confidently stated that he would put his show up against anyone else’s. Michaels believes that wrestling fans will be treated to a fresh concept and witness an incredible performance that will leave them impressed.
Shawn said that they will have a smaller crew for the upcoming weekend due to the event in Saudi Arabia. However, he loves his job so much that none of the workload feels burdensome to him. He views it as exciting rather than a chore. Describing himself as a “57-year-old teenager,” Shawn is delighted to be working with a younger roster who are filled with enthusiasm and are living out their dreams. He mentioned having fond memories in Lowell, MA and is eagerly anticipating his return there. He humorously mentioned losing his smile in Lowell before but expressed his confidence in finding it again in that city.
When asked about the notice he was given for the recent call-ups compared to the past, Michaels mentioned that this was his first experience with the Draft, but he felt comfortable with it. He acknowledged that they knew they would be losing some tag teams, such as Pretty Deadly and Isla/Alba, who were incredibly talented and sought after by the main roster. There were other call-ups that made sense as well, although there were some surprises. With nearly 15 people lost in the Draft, the show underwent significant changes, but Michaels enjoys the challenge of adjusting and pivoting to make it work successfully.
When discussing the most complicated aspect of his current position, Michaels mentioned the challenge of achieving synergy with the main roster shows and navigating crossover storylines. He emphasized the need to avoid being selfish and to find the right balance between being pro-NXT and supporting Raw and Smackdown. Maximizing the impact of crossovers is crucial. Additionally, Michaels acknowledged that travel is always complicated, particularly when it comes to airport logistics. He shared that he personally enjoys the challenge of handling last-minute changes and ensuring they are executed well.
Michaels concluded by expressing his gratitude for everyone’s time and emphasizing the significance of the upcoming weekend for NXT.
May 25, 2023 10:17 am
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