Shawn Michaels Explains How He Connects With NXT Talent

Shawn Michaels is one of the most revered performers in wrestling history, especially by the current generation of stars.

Since 2016, Michaels has been a trainer, coach, and producer at the WWE Performance Center and NXT, giving him a hands-on role with the stars of today.

Speaking to Robbie Fox on My Mom’s Basement, Michaels discussed how he is able to teach and connect with the likes of Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Tommaso Ciampa, and others on the gold brand.

“When I was coaching on a more regular basis — I never watched my stuff with people, I was very uncomfortable doing that. When I did it, it would be one time, usually after whatever pay-per-view or Raw, I’d have them burn me a DVD and I’d watch it once and take my notes mentally and that would be it. I wasn’t a guy who pored over his stuff a lot because I always thought the business was evolving and growing and moving,” Michaels said. “I did have to get over that when I started coaching guys who grew up with me. When I found I was able to connect with them on a mental and emotional level, professionally and personally, by letting them understand where I was at in that match. What connected most with them was where I was at personally and emotionally going into those matches. Understand that there were always nerves and expectations and to deal with that and convince them that there was never a thought in their mind that I didn’t have. I wanted them to know that there was somebody affirming what they were going through. This business is hard enough in a physical sense. The mental and emotional stuff can also be difficult and I want to make sure I help them there as well. I probably got a lot closer to these guys than they expected at first, but we all appreciate it a little more. Everything that I did, was what it was. I want them to continue to press forward and evolve because that’s what drives this business and success.”

While Michaels has done most of his work behind the scenes at NXT, he has appeared on television, most recently turning the NXT Cruiserweight Title bout between Santos Escobar and Jordan Devlin at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver into a ladder match.

Michaels is set to be the subject of Sunday’s A&E Biography.

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