Baron Corbin describes his experience working with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels in WWE NXT.
Following the 2023 WWE Draft, Baron Corbin officially became a free agent, which meant he was free to roam between each of WWE’s three brands — RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. On May 30, however, Corbin set his sights on the NXT Championship, which has now led him to become a regular fixture on WWE NXT. Since returning to NXT, Corbin has reported to WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who currently serves as WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
During a recent interview with Notsam Wrestling, Baron Corbin opened up about his experience working under the tutelage of Michaels.
“When I came up, Triple H had a lot to do with me in NXT the first run. Obviously, to my opinion [he is] one of the greatest heels of all time as well because he could play this cowardly guy but he was also going to crack you in the teeth. His range was amazing in what he did. But then now going back and getting a different philosophy from one of the greatest of all time, if not the greatest of all time. Getting to be around [Shawn Michaels], not only pick his brain but his excitement. Him revving me up before I went out for that promo, it puts you in this mode and you’re like dude, ‘That’s Shawn Michaels being like go get it. Go take what’s yours.’ You’re like ‘Dude, what?'” Corbin said.
Baron Corbin’s Return To WWE NXT
Amidst the conversation, Corbin also revealed that Michaels had requested for Corbin to work a program for NXT in the early months of 2022. Unfortunately, this plan never panned out, as Corbin was in the process of building toward a WrestleMania match against Drew McIntyre. NXT eventually circled back to Corbin, though, providing a pathway for him to return there in the spring of 2023.
“Now being there, his excitement for the show and the people on the show and the creativity behind the show and his passion to make that show [is incredible],” Corbin said. “We always say it’s not a developmental system anymore, but it is a third brand. It pulled a million viewers a couple months back with Becky. That match I had with Carmelo [Hayes] pulled 900-something-thousand viewers. Seth [Rollins] pulled 900-something-thousand viewers. It has taken a show to another level and it’s because of Shawn and the guys behind him and the coaches in the PC.”
“But when you have Shawn Michaels giving me the shake, like he’s grabbing me and shaking me [and telling me], ‘Close it down. Go do you. Go get yours.’ And he’s told me before too, when I was doing a promo with somebody that will remain unnamed, he said, ‘Hey, [if] they can’t keep up, run them over.’ I go, ‘I plan to.’ He wants the best out there, and he’s driving people to be the best out there. It’s not somebody else telling you, ‘Hey you need to go do this,’ it’s literally the greatest of all time saying ‘go get it.'”
