Shawn Michaels Tells All During NXT Heatwave Media Call

Shawn Michaels was named the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative for NXT in the Fall of 2022. Being friends with WWE CCO Triple H has its privileges. However, Michaels is one of the greatest in-ring performers to ever live. Therefore, even if his best buddy were not in a major position in WWE, Michaels would likely be in the same position. Michaels does not just run creative for NXT; he also helps train many NXT performers we have seen over the last 3 to 4 years.

Michaels took part in a media call to promote NXT Heatwave, which will take place live from Toronto, Canada, this Sunday. During the call, Michaels was asked about a ton of things and did not hold back. This included discussions about releases and much more. Shawn Michaels has never been known to be a guy who holds his tongue on a lot of things. He’s also pretty bad at not speaking his mind about things. While that has improved, he’s still a fun-loving guy who we love for this type of thing.

That is why allowing him to conduct this media call was a pretty big deal for reporters. They know they can ask him about a lot of subjects, and he’ll give them more than enough to report on. With all of that being said, let’s dive into some of the things that he discussed.

ON NXT WORKING WITH TNA

Shawn Michaels has been given a lot of freedom to do as he pleases with the NXT brand. He and Triple H are very like-minded, so any time he wants to try something out, the two usually try to make it happen. That includes a partnership with TNA Wrestling that has, so far, been considered very successful for both companies. He was asked about the TNA relationship during the media call.

Michaels said he could not speak much about the future of the TNA relationship. This is likely due to current negotiations and TNA tapings. Just so everyone is aware, NXT talent Charlie Dempsey and others actually appeared at the recent TNA tapings. NXT will likely be part of the TNA Slammiversay event that is coming up relatively soon. Charlie, among others, could play a nice role on the show, especially since they are part of the tapings. Michaels was also asked specifically about TNA breakout star Joe Hendry.

Hendry appeared on NXT to take part in the Battle Royal to decide the new challenger for the NXT Championship. He also had a nice segment backstage with Shawn Michaels himself. When asked about all of this, Michaels said:

“Clearly you could see what it was. It was my first time meeting Joe. Again, even for me not being the most skilled social media guy. You see his turnaround all the time from a social media standpoint. Clearly, he is a bright young man. The short dealings that I had with him, I liked him a great deal. So again, nothing would thrill me more than to have the opportunity to work with Joe Hendry in the future. I think he would tell you the same thing, he is someone who wants to continue to grow and move up.

But right now, unfortunately, nothing to add at this point in time, but I think he’s a young man that’s very bright, certainly has a very bright future and I appreciate the way he has generated this on his own and I think that always speaks well of somebody. Again, you used the words thinking outside of the box, he’s obviously done that and I always appreciate the intellect that it takes for somebody to grow outside the wheelhouse that they’re in.”

While Michaels won’t say it, we should note that there are plans in place for Hendry to appear on NXT in the future. How he will appear and when is unknown, but we’re pretty sure if someone says his name on NXT, he’ll likely appear.

ON RELEASED TALENT

Shawn Michaels was asked about a few recent releases from WWE, who had primarily worked out of the NXT brand. One person everyone wanted to know about was Gable Steveson, who had been under a WWE contract pretty much since he won his gold medal at the 2021 Olympic Games. WWE thought he could become the next Kurt Angle, the last American heavyweight to win an Olympic Gold Medal before Gable did so. Naturally, many wanted to know what happened, so Michaels addressed it. He claimed:

“As far as Gable is concerned, he’s an incredibly talented guy. It’s amazing some of the things he can do. He’s a dude who lands on his feet. I wish him luck (in the NFL), and excited to see how that works out. At NXT, we use people to the best of their ability, but from a main roster standpoint, if they feel there is not a place for them, and their contracts are up, from a business standpoint, they choose to move on.” 

Michaels was being kind in his response. What was actually claimed about Steveson is that, unlike his brother, he could not seem to adapt. He was also seemingly focused on earning his way back on the American team for the 2024 Olympic Games for a while, too. This led to multiple issues with training and focus. Gable had all the potential in the world but seemingly could never properly adapt.

After being released from WWE, the NFL’s Buffalo Bills signed him. He will apparently play defensive tackle for the team. As of now, it is unknown if he’ll make the roster after training camp and pre-season cuts take place.

DREW GULAK:

Perhaps the most controversial release was Drew Gulak, who Michaels also addressed on the media call. He claimed about Drew:

“From my understanding, nothing on anyone’s part other than contracts being up. Certainly, in the place of Drew Gulak. From a company standpoint, there not being anything from a main roster standpoint that they were going to be using him in. In NXT, over the last year and a half to two years, we’ve been trying to get into the process of keeping it fluid. It’s all about getting to the main roster when everything is said and done. In two or three years, if that doesn’t happen, we bring other people in or see if we’re ready to move on.”

The problem with Shawn’s response is that Drew was regularly appearing on NXT programming. He was a major member of the No Quarter Catch Crew and could have perhaps been seen as the leader of the unit initially. Gulak would appear on some main roster shows from time to time, but the regular NXT role was a good spot for him. He could have a big role in developing talent.

What is clear is that Ronda Rousey claimed Gulak sexually harassed her. Drew responded to this, claiming he accidentally touched the string on her sweatpants when raising his hand to shake Ronda’s hand and those with her. She was upset by their exchange and even claimed he apologized to her. That should be the end, but WWE removed him from all televised appearances and, eventually, all shows entirely. He was then released during the bit Spring Cuts.

That said, Michaels is not wrong about how NXT and WWE operate. However, Drew was more than capable of being used on all brands and proved that. Many believe his release came after an internal investigation into the Ronda accusations, which found that he had been considered a bully backstage and a legitimate problem in the locker room. Therefore, the Ronda investigation might not have found much for that case but did for other issues.

ON NXT GOING ON THE ROAD SOON

There had been rumors that NXT would potentially go on the road once the brand lands on The CW this Fall. Shawn Michaels was asked about this and gave an answer that most would have expected. He praised Orlando as a great place for NXT. While a lot of shows are conducted out of the WWE Performance Center, WWE had been doing shows out of a Full Sail University studio before that. Both are in Orlando, Florida, obviously.

NXT has gone on the road in the past, beyond the PLEs they’d do in the same place as other main roster PLEs. Michaels acknowledged hearing rumors that they’d go on the road more, but that was not set in stone. He feels there is no need to leave the Orlando home base full-time. This means NXT would not become a major touring brand like we see with RAW and SmackDown weekly.

He expressed being excited about the trip to Toronto, and highlighted that it is significant for the younger talents to experience this. As many have never traveled outside of the United States. Michaels thinks PLEs on the road can strike a good balance and does not foresee any immediate changes. However, he made sure to note that, like all plans in WWE, things can always change.

SHAWN MICHAELS SPEAKS ON NXT OVERALL

One issue Shawn Michaels and other WWE Creative Team members have to deal with is the WWE Draft. NXT, more than any other brand, has to deal with top stars departing often. They even leave before the draft sometimes. Michaels expressed during the media call that you need to remain fluid with things. Flexibility is needed with storylines, as some issues can be unpredictable. Like his approach to wrestling matches, Michaels takes the creative process personally.

He praised Triple H’s influence in teaching him how to embrace the business’s ups and downs. Shawn also discussed potential lessons for talents regarding outside talents coming in and their concerns about losing their spot. He explained that in NXT, everyone grasps that it is a developmental territory. That means opportunities rotate frequently. New talents have often not yet become desensitized to the business dynamics.

That is different for those on the main roster or veteran rosters where roles have been more established.

Michaels also expressed how much he enjoys blurring the lines with people like Ridge Holland and Brooks Jensen. Both of which have been involved in stories that seem to connect to real-life situations.

Shawn also praised people like Ethan Page, who is a clear main roster star. Yet he has come to NXT and become a useful veteran asset to the brand. While he respects any veteran who turns that down, he praises those who are willing to do it.

He also went on to praise Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice. For Jordan, he expressed how hard it can be to introduce new stars, but she is a clearly impressive young talent. For Vice, he expressed that she is probably main roster ready right now…but he is happy to have her on NXT.