Shawn Michaels teases ‘big surprises’ coming to WWE NXT
With WWE NXT moving to The CW this week, Shawn Michaels says the brand has some big surprises “coming down the pike.”
Ahead of Tuesday’s show, Michaels told Sports Illustrated that he believes NXT has the best women’s roster in the world and teased new additions to the division are coming.
“The best stacked women’s roster in all of the world, if you ask me,” Michaels said. “Roxanne Perez, Kelani Jordan, Jaida Parker, and then of course, two of the hottest free agents in all the world with Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer. And there are other big, big surprises coming down the pike. If you thought we were stacked before, you haven’t seen anything yet. And that goes on both sides of the roster.”
There are a few possibilities as to who Michaels could be alluding to. Jordynne Grace’s TNA contract expires in January and she could officially sign with WWE then. Talent from Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold promotion could also be brought in. On the men’s side, HIkuleo and both members of The Motor City Machine Guns are expected to land in NXT shortly.
Michaels continued to say that his brand is on a hot streak as they move into a new era, mentioning they have seen a significant rise in key demographics.
“NXT has had a great deal of momentum in the last year. Very proud to say that we’re 15 percent up in those advertising demo viewers that everybody likes to throw around these days. We’re still doing fantastic and the futures look even better as we launch on October 1st on the CW Network,” Michaels continued.
Michaels’ full interview with Sports Illustrated is available here.
In an earlier interview with The Chicago Tribune, Michaels also said there are changes coming to the appearance of NXT.
“Certainly we want to make a big splash on the CW Network,” Michaels said. “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.”
WWE NXT (Tuesday, October 1) —
- NXT Champion Ethan Page defends against Trick Williams with CM Punk as guest referee
- Street fight: Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill appear
- The Miz hosts Miz TV with guests NXT North American Champion Oba Femi and Tony D’Angelo
- Jaida Parker & Lola Vice vs. two members of Fatal Influence
- NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez defends against Giulia
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.