Steve Carrier on February 1, 2024
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, WWE executive Shawn Michaels engaged in a conversation with the professional wrestling media to promote the upcoming NXT Vengeance Day premium live event scheduled for Sunday. Be sure to refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
Shawn Michaels began the call by discussing the NXT Vengeance Day card. When asked about protective measures for vulnerable NXT talent, Michaels acknowledged the need for improvement. He expressed his sadness about the situation and clarified his limited involvement in corporate decisions. He mentioned the updated regulations from 2022 and emphasized the importance of providing a secure working environment for talent. Michaels commended NXT for their efforts in this regard.
Regarding conversations with NXT talent concerning Vince McMahon’s allegations, Michaels confirmed that everyone was aware of the situation and its gravity. He reiterated the sadness surrounding it and stressed the seriousness with which NXT approaches the development of young talent. Michaels acknowledged the challenges young talents face when leaving home to pursue their dreams and highlighted NXT’s commitment to supporting and empowering them to ask important questions.
When questioned about a system for talent to reach out in case of future incidents, Michaels explained they have existing policies in place but are actively seeking ways to enhance them. He also mentioned that they offer external support services beyond the Performance Center for individuals to reach out to if needed.
Regarding William Regal’s return, Michaels mentioned Regal’s interaction with the Ava character and how she can always call him for help. He emphasized the need for more than just a single appearance for a character like Regal, expressing excitement about his brief cameo and confidently stating that there would be more Regal appearances in the future.
When questioned about Wren Sinclair, Michaels admitted that he hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know her well yet. However, he acknowledged her arrival with prior knowledge and praised the impact she has made since her debut.
Regarding the NXT wrestlers who participated in the Royal Rumble match, Michaels expressed the significance of the moment for both the individuals involved and NXT as a whole. He singled out Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, and Tiffany Stratton as foundational talents they have built their future around. Michaels also drew a parallel to how he believes Paul Levesque feels when watching a locker room filled with NXT talents and the immense pride it brings.
When asked about female representation in creative and WWE PC coaching staff, Michaels mentioned Sara Amato’s consistent presence at the PC, noting that the only time she’s absent is during showtimes when she’s at home with her baby. He expressed their commitment to highlighting women in NXT moving forward.
Regarding the policies updated in 2022, Michaels acknowledged their existence but couldn’t provide specific details off the top of his head. He stressed that what truly matters to him is creating an environment where both men and women feel comfortable, emphasizing the importance of genuine actions to take care of the talent and treat them with the respect they deserve.
In response to a question about NXT talents moving to the main roster, Michaels highlighted that having NXT talent featured in events like the Royal Rumble is an indicator that the main roster has its eye on certain individuals. He explained that their task in NXT is to develop talent and prepare them for potential call-ups.
When discussing Jordynne Grace’s role in the Royal Rumble, Michaels mentioned his curiosity about whether she would be interested in joining NXT. He also mentioned the possibility of working with other promotions and expressed a willingness to bring experienced talent into NXT while humorously referencing the negotiation approach.
On the topic of CM Punk’s involvement at the WWE Performance Center, Michaels mentioned Punk’s visits and his desire to pursue a career in wrestling. He assured that Punk is welcome at the PC anytime, recognizing that Punk’s priority is getting healthy and back in the ring.
Regarding changes in the culture at the PC, Michaels acknowledged significant changes, emphasizing the importance of creating an enjoyable environment for the talent.
When asked about allegations made by Brutus Beefcake and issues raised on Dark Side of the Ring, Michaels stated that he doesn’t hide from his past. He refuted any allegations of non-consensual situations with women and explained that such allegations were not reflective of his issues. He emphasized that any claims suggesting non-consensual encounters were untrue, and he mentioned seeking counseling and the importance of separating fact from fiction in certain stories circulating in the wrestling industry.
When asked about the dynamic between him and Paul Levesque regarding talent moving to the main roster, Michaels mentioned that many things have changed since the past, and there is now more synergy between NXT and the main roster. He emphasized that call-ups don’t have to be abrupt and that they can create a more fluid transition between the two. He also acknowledged that one of the more challenging aspects of their job is managing these transitions.
Regarding social media, Michaels shared that people often make generalizations about what “everybody” thinks based on social media trends. He cautioned that social media doesn’t represent everyone’s opinion and mentioned that they have professionals working with talent on their social media presence. Michaels emphasized the importance of being careful on social media and clarified that he takes accountability for his own actions but won’t do so for things he didn’t do.
Shawn Michaels acknowledged that this media session had been his toughest one yet. He expressed his appreciation for the media’s role and recognized that they have a job to do. Michaels admitted that he isn’t necessarily corporately trained but hoped that he had done a good job. He looked forward to returning to more enjoyable media sessions in the future.
Michaels also expressed gratitude for the media members for their dedication and hoped that they could shift the conversation toward discussing Vengeance Day and the promising future of NXT after the event. He emphasized his belief in the bright future ahead, filled with incredible talent, while acknowledging the importance of addressing the pain that has been caused in the past. He concluded by thanking everyone for participating and promoting Vengeance Day for the upcoming Sunday.
February 1, 2024 11:55 am
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