Shawn Michaels Discusses Transition Period Following Triple H Left NXT Due To Health Issues

WWE

A WWE Hall of Famer has discussed the transition period following Triple H left NXT due to health issues.

In September 2021, Triple H stepped away from his duties of running the NXT brand following health issues stemming from a genetic heart disorder.

In his place, Shawn Michaels took on the day to day duties of running the brand and has since been promoted to WWE’s senior vice president of talent development creative.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Michaels discussed the transition period following Triple H’s departure and revealed that he wasn’t sure who he was answering to at the time of his sabbatical.

In regards to the changes made to NXT in 2021, he said:

“Nothing sucks more than to have to follow in those footsteps and then have all these abrupt changes that you have to take over. I will say this, for my knowledge at the time, for instance, the logo that came at the last minute, even from Hunter’s standpoint, from the best of my understanding, it was ‘this is what it is.’ That’s maybe something that, I saw the interview you did with Hunter where he said there were a lot of things that people thought that he wouldn’t have done or decisions he didn’t make, but they actually were. There were some things that he did know about, but then there were others, especially as it started going and he wasn’t there, that were very different and difficult to deal with. Me, having stepped in from the outside, you can be in Orlando, but not have any idea what’s going on from a corporate standpoint in Stamford. That’s where it was difficult for me. I stepped in and was no longer answering to Hunter, I was answering to other people, and quite honestly, I wasn’t sure who that was because it was different people at different times. It was very challenging.”

Michaels continued on to discuss how he had to adjust to the change, saying:

“The one thing in this company you must adjust to is change. Things can change overnight, but it was my understanding that Hunter did want to get back to the developmental. I don’t think we would have done it as drastically, for instance, starting out on the first shows with 75% new people, we wouldn’t have put anybody out there before we were ready. There were some things sort of insisted upon that we couldn’t control, I certainly couldn’t control, and Hunter because he wasn’t here had no say. It was challenging and it wasn’t fun trying to be that guy to balance both sides. Putting on a two-hour live wrestling event with people who have never done it before is not easy. What this crew has been through over the last year really brought us closer together and the fans got to watch the progression of these young men and women over the last year and over time, I think you respect what they went up against because it wasn’t easy for any of us. You do what you’re told, you take that hill whether you should be taking it, and that’s what we’ve certainly tried to do. When everything is said and done, I think we’re all better for it, going through the challenge. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say it was rough.”

Triple H returned to the WWE and was eventually promoted to Head of Creative following the retirement of Vince McMahon in July.

NXT experiences a brand revamp in September 2021 when they introduced the 2.0 era. Following the one year anniversary, the brand once again evolved with a new white and gold logo as well as set.

Stay up to date with the NXT roster’s win-loss record (for televised matches) at this link.

Transcription via Fightful

Check out WrestleShop.com for all your favorite WrestleTalk merch, the WrestleTalk Magazine, wrestling shirts for grown-ups, and more!

• Triple H
• wwe nxt
• shawn michaels
• wwe

Share this article with friends