WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has opened up about the life-changing decision that led him to leave Texas and move to Florida to take on his current role as a coach and producer for WWE NXT.
Speaking on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Michaels recalled how a family vacation to Florida – and an invitation from longtime friend Triple H – sparked an “unbelievable impulse” that reignited his passion for wrestling after retirement.
“I can remember when Hunter talked about NXT and just asking me to come by one time,” Michaels said. “We went on a vacation to Florida, taking the family out there. They just happened to be doing a television show, and Hunter was in town, and wanted me to come down and see the Performance Center. When I walked through those doors, that feeling just sort of came back. I hadn’t felt that in years.”
Michaels revealed that the moment was so powerful, his wife noticed immediately when he returned to their rental home.
“When I came back, my wife said, ‘Obviously, it went well.’ And we just got into this big conversation. She told me she was always surprised that I completely walked away from the business, that she figured I’d eventually do something with WWE again.”
Within hours, Michaels and his wife made a life-altering choice.
“In probably three hours of conversation, we decided to go back to Texas, pack up in three weeks, and move our entire lives to Florida. And that’s what we did.”
Since making the move, Michaels has become one of the driving forces behind WWE’s developmental brand, helping to shape the next generation of Superstars at the Performance Center and on NXT television.
