-- Shawn Michaels was recently interviewed by MySanAntonio.com and spoke about his new role as SVP of Talent Development Creative in WWE as well as the strategy that he and Triple H share when recruiting wrestlers to NXT. Below are highlights:
NXT Changes Last Year
“It was all very sudden for all of us. I’ve been with the WWE for 35 years and doing live television for almost 30 of them. When it comes to live television it is always a learning process because anything can happen, and a lot of things have happened that we had to adjust to and that is what this was. It was an event where we had to quickly make a lot of changes and get a lot of things accomplished. Getting trained for the fire drill is what working in the WWE is from a live television standpoint."
"It was a good opportunity for us to come together as a team and learn and grow together. I will say one of the greatest things I had is the phenomenal team that Hunter had put together previously, and I have a lot of great people around me, Matt Bloom, Johnny Russo and numerous others."
"But with everything you learn to do your best and take it in stride and learn from your mistakes and we have done that here was a team and done that with the young talent. I think the thing I am most proud of is that we are starting to be on the other side of that and we are starting to see the hard work paying off and are very excited for what the future holds for NXT and the WWE as a whole.”
Thoughts on NXT Recruiting Indie Wrestlers
“We are still reaching out to other people with experience that have wrestled on the independent scene or been out in Japan or in other companies. That is something NXT will continue to do in the future. Nothing is off the table. We simply want to continue to find people that are just as passionate about the WWE product as we are. "
Changes With Triple H in Control
“I think I would be lying if I didn’t say there was a great deal of excitement and encouragement going around, but I have worked for this company for 35 years and they have been incredibly good to me. I have always tried to give my best to them and that is what I am going to do in the future."
Now, though, I will say that Hunter trusts me quite a bit and I have sort of a great deal of freedom to do what I think is the best thing for NXT and our talent here. But, I can’t speak ill of Vince or any of the other people. They have all been good to me over the years, and I always tried to give them everything I can. So, that isn’t going to change."
"But, Hunter and I’s thought process is certainly more in line, so I don’t find myself having to ask him a lot of questions or if this or that is OK to do, or what do you think of this? He has given me a great deal of freedom down here, which I appreciate. But, the good thing is we are best friends, and we are going to talk all the time. But, nine times out of 10 we are on the same page, so I think that makes it easier for everyone involved and it certainly is a more streamlined process. I think everyone is encourage by that and there is a great deal of excitement from a talent standpoint as well.”
Being promoted to Senior VP
“I am not someone who talks a lot of the wrestling media, but I have been a vice president for the last year or year and half. It was jut recently I was promoted to senior vice president. They just never publicly said the other one, so a lot of people think a lot happened in a week or a week and a half. But I came as a coach then last year became VP of talent creative and then, just recently now, go the senior position. I will be not just be leading NXT but NXT Europe as it continues to expand. But, it has been busy. Very busy. But also great deal of fun. The role continues to get more stacked, but it is something I am enjoying a great deal."
