Shawn Michaels: Adding another title to WWE NXT women’s division was an ‘easy call’
For Shawn Michaels, adding another title to the NXT women’s division was an “easy call.”
The inaugural Women’s NXT North American Champion was crowned at Battleground on Sunday night. Kelani Jordan defeated Sol Ruca, Michin, Lash Legend, Jaida Parker, and Fallon Henley in a ladder match to become the first wrestler to hold the newly introduced title.
In an interview with Sportsnet, Michaels said it only made sense that — with NXT having a men’s North American title — they would have a women’s version of the championship as well. He believes the NXT women’s division clearly has enough depth for two singles titles.
Michaels credited WWE’s recruiting team for the college athletes they’ve been able to find. He also praised the athletes for how quickly they’ve adapted to pro wrestling, even if it’s something they weren’t overly familiar with before.
“From the very beginning, from the recruiting process — I don’t know any other way to say it, but just so many stud athletes out there. Gosh, I don’t want to create a competition I guess — or a negative one — with the men or anything. But, again, it’s just amazing, some of the extremely athletic and talented women that are out there. And how quickly they’re adjusting and adapting to learning this if it’s something that they haven’t watched a lot or grown up with,” Michaels said.
“It’s one of those things, again, it’s a word that gets tossed around, but it’s true, has just happened organically. And clearly our women — as are all women — are on the same level as the men. It was only fitting that we have a North American Men’s Champion, we should have a North American Women’s Champion. And clearly NXT has the depth of a roster that can sustain that. So, for me, it was an easy call. And, again, very proud of not just our women’s division but of all of our women that come through here in NXT.”
Jordan (real name Lea Mitchell) was a gymnast for Michigan State University prior to signing with WWE in 2022. On NXT next Tuesday, she will make her first Women’s North American Championship defense in a match against Michin.
NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez currently holds the other title in NXT’s women’s division.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.