Shawn Michaels has backed one of the top stars of WWE NXT to be a success on the main roster when the time comes for that all-important call-up.
Despite the fact that management has changed and NXT call-ups are no longer dead on arrival thanks to unnecessary repackaging, not every wrestler brought up to the main roster has been able to create the same impact that they did in developmental. With many top stars in NXT thriving and ready for the mainstream, fans are hoping that their favourite stars can still shine on Raw or SmackDown.
While appearing on Busted Open Radio, Michaels was asked about current NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez and if he believes that the 2-time champion could still be a success on the main roster:
I think that’s a tough call. I think she can (Michaels responded when asked if he thinks Roxanne Perez can succeed on WWE main roster). I will say this, I agree with you guys. It was probably two or three months ago and I think Mark (Henry) and Bully (Ray), you guys know, at a point in your career, there’s one of those times you’re out there, you have a match and sort of that lightbulb goes on and everything begins to make a little bit more sense, and that enables you to then begin to carry yourself with a confidence and a comfortability that she didn’t have before.
Roxanne had that match — for me, that turning point was against Chase U. and I think she had that opportunity out there and she just sort of stepped into her own as the champion.
Continuing, Michaels also acknowledged that the move to the main roster is a much greater challenge but added that if Perez maintains the course then she can definitely become a top star of the division:
“Now look, I think any time you go to the main roster, much like you’re talking about with Giulia, it’s an entirely different world. It’s a big move. Now how you deal with that move I think determines how well you do. Whether she steps into that with the confidence and the aggression and just the comfortability that she has right now, and she does that on the main roster, you bet I think she can be successful. As you guys know, a lot of it is how you yourself carry yourself when you’re in those environments.”
Shawn Michaels Celebrates A Successful Night On NXT
October 1st saw NXT usher in a new era of programming as the show premiered on the CW Network and will remain on the channel for at least the next 5 years. With many expecting a newsworthy night, the WWE NXT premiere drew a huge rating.
H/t to Post Wrestling.