Shawn Michaels compares WWE NXT to the original ECW ahead of the brand hosting television at the 2300 Arena next month.
WWE Vice President of Talent Development Shawn Michaels was a recent guest on Busted Open Radio. When asked about WWE NXT coming to the ECW Arena next month, Michaels spoke on what he believes are similarities between the two brands.
“It’s huge. As strange as it sounds, I thought it was so awesome and innovative, what [ECW] was doing at that time,” Shawn Michaels said. “I recognized that, at that time, from a WWE standpoint, we were never going to be able to do it. You only strike those things a few times in your career and you guys [speaking to Bully] did something very special back then.
“There has always been, in the eyes of WWE and my eyes, an aspect of ‘how can we do that again?’ or at least do our best to come close to capturing that moment. We tried it with the WWE, and it was very very good, but it has to mimic something similar to what you all were doing; a bunch of young guys going out there and letting it fly. I think NXT encapsulates all of that.
“Obviously, it’s a WWE brand. To this day, I’ve never stepped foot in that building. I’m genuinely very excited about going there and I’m excited about being in front of that fanbase. That’s why you guys did what you did; for those people. They brought it out of you. That’s what I’m hoping what happens when NXT goes there.
“They are hungry, maybe in a different way, but they are hungry and excited for getting out on the road. Everybody understands the history of this building and what was built. They want to build on that and do something on their own and make a name for themselves. Everybody is jacked and excited.” [H/T: Fightful]
READ MORE: Donovan Dijak Highlights A Big Takeaway From Working With Shawn Michaels In NXT
What do you make of Shawn Michaels’ overall comments? Do you see the similarities between NXT and the original ECW? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
