Shawn Michaels Tips WWE Star To Succeed Him In NXT

Shawn Michaels would support a top WWE star if they wanted to work in NXT.

Back in December, it was reported that CM Punk was already looking to take over leadership of NXT when Shawn Michaels retired. The Heartbreak Kid officially began working backstage with NXT in late 2018 before taking leadership of the brand in September 2021 when Triple H was forced to step down due to ill health.

Since then, Michaels has played a huge role in shaping the next generation of WWE stars, with both wrestlers and other figures praising his impact and influence.

In recent months, HBK has been given an increasingly large helping hand by CM Punk who has regularly attended tapings to pass on advice to NXT talent as well as appearing on-screen.

On the eve of NXT’s move to the CW Network on October 1st which will see Punk act as special guest referee in the main event, Michaels sat down with The Ringer Wrestling Show to discuss all things WWE. During the conversation, Michaels discussed Punk possibly succeeding him when his career comes to an end.

So, if that is in his heart to do, absolutely (Michaels said about CM Punk being his successor in NXT), and again, I will say whether it’s CM Punk or anyone that has a passion for that, I would absolutely understand it because it happened to me.

This place is infectious. Again, the environment here at NXT and at the Performance Center down here in Orlando is unlike any other culture in the entire business and that’s why everybody does come around here because it takes them back to the beginning when this business was about, again, the making it and the being in the ring and the excitement about the future.

So, and again, I would have never thought in a million years, a guy that loved performing like I did and being out there and having all the eyes and focus on me would get such a joy out of doing everything he can to provide that for the future stars of the WWE, and CM Punk obviously seems to be somebody that enjoys that as well.

So, I will say this as I’ve said on many occasions: When he’s ready to make that move after his in-ring career, I’ll support him every step of the way and help in any way that I can, and you know, a lot of people have tried to kick me out of the door before (he laughed)…

Shawn Michaels Promises More Surprises

Speaking elsewhere, Shawn Michaels promised that even more “big, big surprises are coming down the pike.” Michaels praised the NXT women’s division as the best in the world, praising the likes of Roxanne Perez, Kelani Jordan, and new arrivals Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer before teasing that this is just the beginning.

On October 1st, Giulia will challenge Perez for the NXT Women’s Title.

H/t to POST Wrestling