On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels discussed being regarded as a father figure and “Papa” Michaels to the NXT talents and developmental athletes.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On being viewed as a “Papa” and father figure to the NXT talents: “Obviously, my wife and kids mellowed me out. It’s also the Performance Center … it brings out that hunger and passion. And it’s at the beginning when you’re dealing with [young men and women] who just want to be pro wrestlers. They’re not aware of the backstabbing and whatnot … they just want to [train] and the fact you’re getting paid is a bonus. I’ve been down the road many times, and I also feel like I can be a cautionary tale. I want to help people get through this process — they’re not gonna go through anything I haven’t.”
On wanting to be a reassuring presence: “I’m there as a resource to try and help them get through it, help them avoid some of the pitfalls that either myself or [I] saw someone else go through. That’s where you go from being the rebellious guy to ‘papa’ because you want what’s best for them.”
On the camaraderie in NXT: “It’s a unique camaraderie, much like y’all had in ECW. [Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer]. It’s when you feel like you’re doing something special together, something different and innovative — that’s what we have going on there. Because we have so many young men and women, it’s the purest form of that you’re going to get in this business. Because they haven’t been too jaded and that cynicism hasn’t seeped in yet … that’s one of the reasons I use family-like … at least in the beginning, it is genuine. At least for me, being the sort of papa of all this, it’s a nice feeling.”
On NXT TV: “A lot of people think that ‘NXT’ is the best two-hour wrestling show out there today. And we will stand by that. We’ll put our show up against anybody, because we think we’ve got a great show, and we’ll compete with anybody. Our young men and women know that, believe that, and they’re ready to go to battle.”
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Shawn Michaels Discusses His Role as a Father Figure to NXT Talents
In a recent episode of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels opened up about his role as a father figure and mentor to the NXT talents and developmental athletes. Michaels, who is affectionately known as “Papa” Michaels, shared his insights and experiences in guiding the young wrestlers through their journey in the industry.
Michaels acknowledged that his own personal growth and the influence of his wife and children have played a significant role in mellowing him out. However, he also attributed his passion and hunger for the business to the environment at the Performance Center. He emphasized that at the beginning of their careers, these aspiring wrestlers are solely focused on training and becoming professional wrestlers, unaware of the politics and backstabbing that can occur in the industry. Michaels sees himself as a cautionary tale and aims to help them navigate through the challenges they may face, drawing from his own experiences.
The WWE Hall of Famer expressed his desire to be a reassuring presence for the NXT talents. He sees himself as a resource, offering guidance and helping them avoid the pitfalls that he or others have encountered. Michaels believes that this transition from being a rebellious figure to a fatherly figure is driven by his genuine concern for their well-being and wanting what is best for them.
Michaels also highlighted the unique camaraderie within NXT, comparing it to the bond shared by wrestlers in ECW such as Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer. He described the atmosphere as something special, innovative, and different. The purest form of camaraderie can be found in NXT due to the young talents’ lack of cynicism and jadedness. Michaels finds joy in being a fatherly figure in this environment and cherishes the feeling of being part of a family.
Regarding NXT TV, Michaels expressed confidence in the product, stating that many people consider it to be the best two-hour wrestling show currently airing. He emphasized that the NXT talents are ready to compete with anyone and believe in the quality of their show. Michaels’ faith in the young men and women under his guidance is a testament to their talent and dedication.
As Shawn Michaels continues to mentor and guide the NXT talents, his role as a father figure remains crucial in shaping the future of professional wrestling. His experiences and wisdom serve as valuable tools for these aspiring wrestlers as they navigate the challenges of the industry. Michaels’ commitment to their growth and well-being ensures that the legacy of wrestling excellence will continue for generations to come.
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