Shawn Michaels Calls WWE NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov “Special”

(Photo Credit: WWE)

WWE Hall of Famer and NXT executive โ€œThe Heart Break Kidโ€ Shawn Michaels appeared on an episode of Cheap Heat, where he talked about a number of topics including how WWE NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is unique, different and special.

Michaels said, โ€œTo me, once again, the passion and the intensity. Again, learned it with him in the UK too, and Iโ€™m so proud of that, that some of these well-kept secrets, I guess, from a global standpoint, I was so fortunate to get to see it from the beginning over in the UK. You could see then that he unique and different and special. Heโ€™s another one that I think, what heโ€™s doing now is unbelievably impressive. But I think when he has an opportunity to do that globally, again, weโ€™re going to see something special, and also somethingโ€ฆI donโ€™t know. Iljaโ€™s not the biggest person, but heโ€™s got such a great look and an intensity, you can feel his passion. He can come out in a rehearsal and have that kind of passion and intensity, so thatโ€™s the thing thatโ€™s so fantastic about that. What you see from Ilja is who he is and what you get. I think people see that, they connect with it right away because they know authenticity when they see it, and thatโ€™s what Ilja has. Weโ€™re thrilled to have him here, but like I said, it would not surprise me if one day, he gets snatched up. But Iโ€™m so happy that heโ€™ll have an opportunity, and happy for the people that have not seen him to be able to have the chance to see him because he is a special kid for sure.โ€

You can check out the complete podcast below.


(H/T to Fightful for transcribing the above quotes)