At the recent NXT Battleground Premium Live Event held at the UFC Apex arena, a historic encounter unfolded backstage as WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels crossed paths with UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin.
As Shawn Michaels, the creative head of NXT, engaged with Griffin, he extended his congratulations to the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, acknowledging his illustrious Hall of Fame career within the UFC. Michaels conveyed his profound regard for Griffin’s contributions to the sport, emphasising that he had “set the bar” inside the octagon during his tenure as a dominant force in the UFC.
Following his retirement from MMA, Griffin transitioned to a role at the UFC Performance Institute, further solidifying his enduring connection to the world of combat sports. Notably, Griffin had previously ventured into the WWE ring, notably appearing in an altercation with Grayson Waller at a WWE live event in Las Vegas the previous December.
The event at the UFC Apex represents a significant milestone, marking the first collaboration between UFC and WWE since the two entities merged under the TKO banner. Although UFC President Dana White clarified that the promotions operate independently, he indicated that select members of his team have engaged in collaborative efforts with WWE, underscoring the evolving dynamics between the two organisations.
.@ForrestGriffin 🤝 @ShawnMichaels
A meeting of two LEGENDS at the @UFC APEX for #NXTBattleground! pic.twitter.com/fPhTP9fIzD
— WWE (@WWE) June 10, 2024
What Reason Did Shawn Michaels Have For Introducing A NXT Women’s North American Championship?
Shawn Michaels addressed the decision to create an NXT Women’s North American Title and said that due to the depth of talent in the NXT Women’s roster, it was the only logical thing to do and that since they have a men’s North American Title then it only makes sense that there is also a women’s variant.