Shawn Michaels Teases Big Changes For WWE NXT
Shawn Michaels has offered up a bit of a tease for what could be coming to the WWE NXT brand.
As the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative of WWE, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is the man in charge of the WWE NXT brand. It is up to Michaels to book the shows on the developmental brand that has really gained a lot of momentum this year.
The next episode of WWE NXT television will be the debut episode on the CW Network. It’s not just going to be some random show from the Performance Center either because it’s taking place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago with former WWE Champion CM Punk in attendance.
CM Punk won’t just be at the NXT debut on the CW, he’ll have an important role as well. It has been announced that when Ethan Page defends the NXT Title against former champion Trick Williams, Punk is going to be the referee of that match.
Shawn Michaels spoke to the Chicago Tribune about CM Punk’s impact in NXT.
“We have numerous fantastic legends and coaches here on NXT, but it is always fantastic when you have a current main roster WWE and global superstars like CM Punk come visit. He has come down here on various occasions. He’s been very supportive of NXT, the talent and the system that we have here.”
NXT Is Ready To Make A Big Splash On The CW According To Shawn Michaels
As he continued talking to the Chicago Tribune, Shawn Michaels spoke more about the big night for the NXT brand on October 1st on the CW.
“Certainly we want to make a big splash on the CW Network. We’ll have some big changes, but I think more of that will be from a look and physical standpoint. We will still be what NXT is, which is bringing some of the most talented, young, diverse athletes in all of the nation, and developing them into the WWE superstars of tomorrow.”
“The hunger, the passion that’s always been the core value of NXT is always going to be there. But certainly we’ll try to put on some pretty cool bells and whistles for the CW launch on Oct. 1.”
Regarding the look that Michaels mentioned, it has been rumored that there might be a new NXT logo that is “reminiscent of the Las Vegas Raiders with black, silver, and white with a metallic aesthetic being emphasized.”
The lineup for WWE NXT on October 1st in Chicago is below:
* NXT Championship: Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams (CM Punk is the special guest referee)
* NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia
* The Miz hosts Miz TV with NXT North American Champion Oba Femi & Tony D’Angelo
* Street Fight: Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz
* Lola Vice & Jaida Parker vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) – two members of the team.
* Appearance from WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair