Shawn Michaels Says He Only Goes To WrestleMania To Watch Former NXT Talent
Shawn Michaels makes the trip to WrestleMania to see WWE NXT alumni compete.
With WrestleMania 42 less than a week away, several former NXT stars are set to compete at the event for the first time in their careers. Having played a major role in their development, Shawn Michaels is incredibly proud of how far each of them have come.
Speaking to Adrian Hernandez on Unlikely, Shawn Michaels was asked about the next generation of NXT stars preparing to make their WrestleMania 42 debuts this weekend, with ‘HBK’ revealing that the only reason he still attends WrestleMania is to watch former NXT talent compete on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’.
“That’s honestly the only reason, and I mean this in the most positive respect, the only reason I have a desire to go to WrestleManias anymore is to do just that. To be able to watch them go out. Lash [Legend], Trick [Williams], Je’Von [Evans], Oba [Femi], and also speaking in terms of Carmelo [Hayes] and Bron [Breakker], those are people that are gonna have those opportunities. It’s the reason I go to WrestleMania now. Just to have the opportunity to watch them go out there and enjoy that moment, because that is the culmination of all the work that they put in, and getting to just be a part of watching them enjoy that moment is the reason we do it. And it’s an incredibly gratifying thing to watch.”
-Shawn Michaels
Night One of WrestleMania 42 takes place on Saturday April 18 at Allegiant Stadium, with Lash Legend set to team with Nia Jax as The Irresistible Forces look to defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Bayley & Lyra Valkyria, and The Bella Twins.
After a dominant start to life on the main roster, former NXT Champion Oba Femi is set for a major test to kick-start Night Two of WrestleMania 42 on April 19 as he takes on Brock Lesnar.
Later that night, fellow former NXT Champion Trick Williams will challenge Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship, with Zayn having recently dethroned Carmelo Hayes to ensure his spot at this year’s WrestleMania.
Another recent NXT call-up making his WrestleMania 42 debut is Je’Von Evans, as ‘The Young OG’ is set to compete in a six-pack ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship alongside Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, Rey Mysterio, and the champion Penta.
Meanwhile, Week One of NXT Revenge gets underway tomorrow night, with Tony D’Angelo set to defend the NXT Championship against Ethan Page, whilst Jacy Jayne looks to recapture the NXT Women’s Championship as she takes on Lola Vice.
Shawn Michaels recently revealed that he wishes he had more time with Je’Von Evans in NXT. You can read more about that here.
Looking beyond this weekend, many fans will be anticipating the next wave of NXT call-ups landing on the main roster in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42, and it appears as though WWE are discussing a number of potential main roster additions. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on plans for WrestleMania 42 as soon as we hear more.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to WrestlePurists.com for the transcription.
