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Shawn Michaels held a conference call with reporters today in advance of this weekend’s Vengeance Day live event. Shawn talked about how this will be the first time we did it with video. He said he was trying to improve the process. He said he felt he should wear a jacket and look professional. Shawn is always great at self-depreciating humor.
New process, Mike Johnson got in first. Mike also took a shot at himself. Love it. Mike asked about how things were going from a live event perspective. Shawn said it’s gone well. They are expecting about 5,000 people, which is close to capacity. He said that everyone is excited and a little nervous. It’s a new crew taking the show on the road post-pandemic. He said that they are looking to have a blast and put on a fantastic show.
The next caller came from New Zealand. He asked about Dakota Kai and her jump to the main roster. HBK said she is doing great up there and that’s no surprise to him. He’s a big fan. He said that he doesn’t know if there is a tougher woman than her. She is getting what she deserves. Her and Io are very talented and they are doing great with Bayley.
He was asked about having William Regal back. He said it’s great. He hasn’t been in Orlando that much since he is up working on the main roster. He’s always welcome at the PC, of course. HBK said he’s back where he belongs. He is an OG. He’s family and they are glad he’s there. He said they are looking forward to having him more down in Orlando. He’s currently adjusting to his new role.
Sean Sapp asked about how NXT talents get into the Rumble matches. He said that’s up to the folks running the main roster. He gives his recommendations but in the end it’s up to the main roster. For this year it was about who they wanted, along with a couple of backups. This year they needed women. He said where it comes to main roster talent coming to NXT, he makes the request and most of the time it’s granted.
A caller from Australia put over Grayson Waller and compared him to Shawn Michaels. Can HBK relate to that attitude and does he give him advice. HBK said they communicate a lot. They have a great relationship. Once he gets in that cage it’s up to him to deliver. He said he compares him to Carmelo, he saw the talent and pushed them as quickly as they could. He said that Waller is pretty much the same person in real life that you see on TV.
He was asked about the status of Dragunov and Satamura. He said he loves having them there. Part of it is visa issues. Part of it is that it’s a big move to come to America. A lot of it is up to the talent to want to make the move here long term. It’s not an easy decision to make.
He was asked about New Day being in NXT. It’s something that they asked for and then get it in sync with the main roster. They love having main roster talent because it helps in many different ways. He also remembers that NXT is developmental and it’s about teaching and developing. It’s great having New Day for that reason. They share wisdom with the wrestlers outside of the ring. He said that he expects the process to continue as all sides are invested in growing talent for the future.
The next caller asked about Alba Fyre and how he views her. He said he worked with her in the UK and obviously he’s a fan. He said that as time they get thrown curveballs so he has to hit as many of them as he can. He said that when there are name/character changes you have to let them play out. He said that he thinks that the future is very bright for her. He said that being moved up isn’t just about talent, it’s also about a spot being there for the talent. You just don’t call them up with nothing planned. He said he hopes that there will be some call ups around WrestleMania but it’s not his call.
He was asked what the status of NXT Europe is. They are moving forward, putting the infrastructure in place. They are looking for venues and dates. He hopes to have an announcement in the next few months. They have meetings about it this week.
He was asked if he was talking with HHH now about NXT call ups. He said that he hopes to have those talks down the line. He said that he doesn’t get to talk to HHH that much due to schedules. There has been no information right now about it. This is a big year for Hunter and the company. He knows the pressure HHH is under so he’s staying out of his hair and running NXT. When HHH is ready to talk, he’s there.
The next caller, I think, asked about if he had any say in how the NXT talents were used in The Rumble. No, that’s up to the main roster. He doesn’t have a say and he doesn’t want to be a pain and interject himself into it.
Shawn was asked about the talent pushing the envelope like he did. He encourages. He said what Vince told him, go out there and push it and when needed, I’ll pull you back. He wants the best for them and most success for them. He won’t give them information that won’t benefit them. He also tells them about how things have changed since he was young and stuff he did then won’t play now. He tries to have people to focus on the dollar signs because a lot of people drew more than him that didn’t push the envelope.
He was asked about Mandy Rose’s exit from NXT. Obviously not the ideal situation. He wanted to make it clear that he didn’t fire her, he doesn’t have that power. He said she was great and he loved working with her. He would have liked to have kept working with her but the situation didn’t allow that. Nothing comes before the brand. They were going to Roxanne as champ anyway, but they just had to do it sooner. He said Mandy was great and they miss her. Roxanne will take us into the future.
What is the process when a talent gets called up. Does he deliver the message. He said that Drake Maverick handles Main Event and he talked to HHH about using NXT talent. HBK lets his head writer delivers the news and they are thrilled about it when they get to go and work the main roster. He said he thinks it’s great when the NXT talents get to work the main roster shows. It’s a huge plus for them.
The next caller asked if Vince McMahon has had any involvement in NXT or WWE creative. He has not. He doesn’t expect that he will. Vince has bigger fish to fry than booking NXT. He said he doesn’t ask questions. That way he doesn’t have answers when he is asked. He said Vince was hands off of NXT when he was there. HHH is as well. He has freedom down in NXT.
Is there a match he is expecting the most from? There are a few, but he would have to say Carmelo vs. Apollo. The card is loaded but if you ask him that’s the one he is looking forward to.
He was asked about Duke Hudson’s potential. Duke is one of his favorite guys. He’s been there a while. He’s big and handsome and he think it’s been about finding the right fit for him. He thinks that there were times that Duke was not trusting of the creative for him. HBK said he hopes that he has earned his trust and he thinks he is doing a great job in Chase U. Duke is a guy who always makes him smile.
The last caller showed up with his baby. He asked if a surprise would debut at the show. HBK said if it’s a surprise, he can’t tell him here! There are lot of surprises and good things coming for NXT down the road. It’s Mania season. They are excited to go on the road this weekend and build to Stand And Deliver. He thinks everyone will enjoy what WWE and NXT have planned in the coming months.
Shawn ended the call by saying that he liked the video aspect of the call. He appreciates the help getting the word out. One day he would like to do it live in person. He asked that we do what we can to watch the show on Saturday. So here you go, WATCH THE SHOW PEOPLE! He reiterated that he enjoys the interaction with the press and he wants all feedback, good and bad. He thanked us and that was the call.
Shawn did a great job in promoting the brand.
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