NXT Deadline Media Call: Vengeance Day 2023, Iron Survivor Challenge, William Regal, Sean Waltman, New Day

Shawn Michaels held a media call this past Thursday to promote tonight’s NXT Deadline event at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Some of the notable highlights included Michaels stating that he currently feels excited that NXT will be traveling for events outside of the Performance Center next year and confirmed the recent reports of it starting with NXT Vengeance Day 2023 on February 4, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On the topic of the upcoming debut of the Iron Survivor Challenge match, Michaels stated that one of the best things about being in NXT is being able to try out and test new ideas. Michaels stated that the idea for this match came as a result of them wanting to do something different for the last NXT event of this year. Michaels also stated that this new match was due to him liking certain aspects about an Iron Man match and Gauntlet match and wanted to combine them together for an entirely new match.

In regards to Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s creative handling of the NXT brand, Michaels stated that Levesque pretty much lets him do whatever he wants for NXT. Michaels also stated that there has not been that much communication between them over the past couple weeks.

In regards to William Regal’s potential return to WWE, Michaels stated:

“Right now, there is nothing official that I really have to announce. I will say this, we love Steve. We have a great deal of respect for Steven Regal and what he means to NXT and the WWE and wrestling at all levels. Nothing would thrill me more than to give you more information. Obviously, stay tuned because hopefully we’ll all know a little bit more as we get down the road. Honestly, right now, I’m the guy that has been reading it from you guys. That’s where we’re at for the time being.”

On the topic of the idea of WWE Hall of Famer Sean Waltman working in the ring in NXT in the future, Michaels stated:

“He didn’t say that to me while he was here, I would have taken him up on that. I know that he’s been getting back in there, here and there, he’s in like the best shape he’s been in, in a long time, he looks fantastic. Obviously, that would be something I would have to run up the flag pole. The talent would benefit from that so much. I know he’d have a blast. If that is an option that we are allowed to explore, I’d jump all over it. We’re all buddies, and he tells you guys, but he doesn’t say anything to me about it. We were busy trying to work and we can’t just pick it up and do it off the cuff like we used to. The time we did the panel, he was focused on helping us out and getting that done. It would be awesome. The talent would benefit so much and clearly, we do, as a program if we get that kid doing anything for us, that’s a huge plus for NXT.”

On the topic of if New Day’s recent appearance in NXT and upcoming match at Deadline is any indication of them sticking around in NXT for a long term stay, Michaels stated:

“We never go into it asking for long-term, we kind of take everybody’s temperature when they come here and hope that it does. We understand if it doesn’t and the commitments, but I’ll say this, they really enjoyed being here Tuesday and I know that there is an aspect, Xavier started here and has wanted to come back for a long time. It’s amazing, the two young guys, and they’ve been doing this for a long time and have accomplished everything. They get to that point where they want to start to be able to give back and I think that’s where New Day is. I won’t lie, I am absolutely hoping to take advantage of that. They really had a great time and we are going to try and do everything we can to keep them here as long as we can. I asked them if we could broach those conversations and they were certainly open to it. I’m really hoping it’s certainly more than a one-time thing. It just becomes a question of how long. Those are always the questions and we understand that, those are the ones that they have to think about and talk with family members and those are things that have to get straightened out with NXT and main roster talents, but they appear to be open to the conversation, which we are very excited about.”

Michaels also gave his thoughts about the talks he has had with Levesque over bringing in main roster talent onto NXT shows.

“There are a lot of main roster talent that have NXT roots and a lot of them like to come back and help out. We have a lot of them that live here in Orlando, that’s a big advantage to us as well. Usually, the process is something like, if we’re thinking about from a creative standpoint and we have it at X date, I do everything I can to get on the horn to Hunter [Triple H] and Bruce (Prichard), and see what the possibility is. Then, there are some, I don’t know whether it’s right or not, I take advantage of the cool titles and, ‘Hey, this is a quick one out of the blue, this is what we need. Can we get someone on the quick?’ That’s obviously more difficult and it’s not always…if we can get to somebody, but we’re not sure who. It is a number of different ways and we’ve done every one of them at one point or another.”

On the topic of who from NXT he feels is the most ready for a main roster call-up, Michaels gave Pretty Deadly, JD McDonagh, Grayson Waller, Apollo, Alba Fyre, and Zoey Stark as his choices. Michaels also stated that Bron Breakker and The Creed Brothers would also be good choices but he wants them to spend some more time in NXT first.

On the topic of NXT Europe, Michaels stated that he will be very hands on early with the brand once it launches in 2023. Michaels stated that his current plan is to use his NXT team to run the brand but eventually set up its own separate team to run it afterwards.

On the topic of Ava Raine’s recent debut, Micahels stated that she is doing well and has been getting comfortable with her new character. In terms of in-ring skills, Michaels stated that she has been progressing well with her development.

On the topic of if NXT will be the only brand to host WWE events in the month of December going forward, Michaels stated that is something that is not his decision to make but he would be fine with it.

Full media call audio: Fightful.com

Sources: PWInsider.com, Fightful.com 1, 2, & 3