Shawn Michaels talks working with new NXT women's signings

[Chris]

“The most challenging thing, right now, with those particular talents is the communication aspect and making sure that they’re understanding what you’re conveying, especially when you’re talking about those subtleties."

“Sometimes words mean different things in other languages, so making sure that I choose my words carefully with the two of them has been the biggest challenge, certainly from my standpoint.”

“We’re also taking it slow because of that language barrier. We’re obviously being patient, I think they are being unbelievably understanding and I think they’re also doing their best to find better way to communicate with us as well.”

“You can get along with people and have a great relationship with people behind the scenes, but when the newbies come in and there’s a lot of excitement – there is a good wholesome competition going on in our women’s division right now because it is so stacked. So you have people coming into NXT with outside fanfare so to speak, and our girls take offense to it, and nobody more than Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez.”

 

[Comrade Khan]

Shawn continues to be a fucking stellar ambassador and booker for NXT. I feel he should get an eventual raise and run creative on the MR. Dunno if that will ever happen with the current hierarchy and his age but man...if Hunter retires or leaves for any reason they got HBK locked and loaded and he would kill it. He's also just better with the media and fans, as he is much less arrogant

 

[Chris]

He comes across very genuine in all his interviews. I'm sure he's very prepped but it doesn't feel like it, a lot of it feels like he's kinda just rambling bc he's passionate. And when he touches the subjects like Vince or controversies he may not say much but he has better non-answers than anyone else, probably helps he is very disconnected from the "business" part and just books and trains tho.

 

[Comrade Khan]

He comes across very genuine in all his interviews. I'm sure he's very prepped but it doesn't feel like it, a lot of it feels like he's kinda just rambling bc he's passionate. And when he touches the subjects like Vince or controversies he may not say much but he has better non-answers than anyone else, probably helps he is very disconnected from the "business" part and just books and trains tho.

Yeah he seems like he actually loves his job and wrestling. He seems to really get a kick out of his guys and girls succeeding more so than ratings etc which I don't think he talks about much. He seeks really into creative too n tbh his flamboyance as HBK bleed into the product I'm a way that is refreshing and almost nostalgic while remaining modern (big characters, colorful costuming , loud n zany people doing loud zany things). It's very 90s

 

[Chris]

Yeah I don't think he even expected to do this long term or have as much of a role, certainly never becoming the "head of NXT." It was a favor for HHH at first for his health issues, but he really put his stamp on everything

 

[Comrade Khan]

Yeah I don't think he even expected to do this long term or have as much of a role, certainly never becoming the "head of NXT." It was a favor for HHH at first for his health issues, but he really put his stamp on everything

Yknow as much as black n gold early era was my jam....I think hbk runs a better show and a better pipeline to the MR. Feels weird to say as hhh nxt was our smarky workrate gritty escape...but even if it's not often "for me" ya I think hbk is objectively fucking amazing at this

 

[Comrade Khan]

Obviously helps that the left hand talks to the right now , Hunter had different challenges

 

[Chris]

He balances the green athletes vs the older guys brought in from AEW or down from the main roster really well. It's the only show that's basically 50/50 mens and women's content naturally (TNA has had moments in the past but not recently). I really can't say enough good things lol but yeah him and HHH actually have a partnership so that does help too. The second HHH started making NXT indierific, that was your cue that Vince wasn't paying any attention

 

[Chris]

Also balancing still being developmental and trying to do that well with being on national TV is a crazy challenge, it's easier now bc WWE in general is so hot but HHH really struggled once NXT moved to USA

 

[Comrade Khan]

He balances the green athletes vs the older guys brought in from AEW or down from the main roster really well. It's the only show that's basically 50/50 mens and women's content naturally (TNA has had moments in the past but not recently). I really can't say enough good things lol but yeah him and HHH actually have a partnership so that does help too. The second HHH started making NXT indierific, that was your cue that Vince wasn't paying any attention

he is the best women's booker in an intergender promotion maybe of all time? maybe too early but it's trhe only organic 50 50 show gender wise, sometimes it has more women than men featured, even. Now I understand there is less pressure for ratings etc but he still just fucking does it. He seems to understand or have a team who understands the demo well as well, because I often hear the womens storylines make sense and are not always reduced to ''women only'' storylines. obviously the acting aint the best but yeah, they just give people so many chances to succeed. its pretty awesome. I cant really talk shit about this product anymore really outside of just saying i dont watch it lol

 

[Comrade Khan]

Also balancing still being developmental and trying to do that well with being on national TV is a crazy challenge, it's easier now bc WWE in general is so hot but HHH really struggled once NXT moved to USA

I will say to be fair to Hunter, the tables were reversed and AEW was white hot and had a ton of momentum, wwe meanwhile had a serious image problem. he did not perform, i agree though. Just think it's fair to point out he had a much steeper hill to climb when WWE was a legit villain in a lot of fans eyes still + the pissants company and tshirt comments made ppl really want AEW to stick it to them at the time. times change eh....