WWE Hall of Famer & Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels says WWE is still reaching out to indie wrestlers.
WWE Co-President Nick Khan stated last summer that the company would focus more on collegiate athletes and less on indie wrestlers. It was then reported that the top of WWE had told them that there would be “no more independent talent as far as scouting” and that “AEW can have all the independent talent itself.”
In an update, Michaels was recently asked by MySanAntonio.com if WWE still plans to sign independent wrestlers.
“We are still reaching out to other people with experience that have wrestled on the independent scene or been out in Japan or in other companies. That is something NXT will continue to do in the future. Nothing is off the table. We simply want to continue to find people that are just as passionate about the WWE product as we are.”
Michaels also commented on changes since Triple H became in charge of WWE creative.
“I think I would be lying if I didn’t say there was a great deal of excitement and encouragement going around, but I have worked for this company for 35 years and they have been incredibly good to me. I have always tried to give my best to them and that is what I am going to do in the future. Now, though, I will say that Hunter trusts me quite a bit and I have sort of a great deal of freedom to do what I think is the best thing for NXT and our talent here. But, I can’t speak ill of Vince [McMahon] or any of the other people. They have all been good to me over the years, and I always tried to give them everything I can. So, that isn’t going to change. But, Hunter and I’s thought process is certainly more in line, so I don’t find myself having to ask him a lot of questions or if this or that is OK to do, or what do you think of this? He has given me a great deal of freedom down here, which I appreciate. But, the good thing is we are best friends, and we are going to talk all the time. But, nine times out of 10 we are on the same page, so I think that makes it easier for everyone involved and it certainly is a more streamlined process. I think everyone is encourage by that and there is a great deal of excitement from a talent standpoint as well.”
In addition to performing an on-screen authority figure role, Michaels continues to work behind the scenes to expand the NXT brand.
