Shawn Michaels: Moving to The CW is 'huge' for WWE NXT

During an appearance on NewsNation, Shawn Michaels discussed WWE NXT's new television deal with The CW Network.

It was announced this week that NXT will be leaving USA Network for a new TV home in October 2024. It's a five-year deal between NXT and The CW. Ari Emanuel stated on a TKO conference call that the deal represents a 70 percent increase in average annual value over NXT's previous contract.

Michaels told NewsNation that moving from cable to broadcast television is a huge deal for NXT:

It's a huge deal for us. Coming to CW in October 2024, this really is -- this is huge for the young men and women here in NXT. As you mentioned, the stars of tomorrow. And sort of since its inception in 2013, coming to network television is just gigantic. And for people who aren't in the television industry, that means the possibility of being in every home in America. Which is just huge for us. Incredibly exciting. And of course, people who may not know, WrestleMania of last year consisted of 90 percent former NXT talent. So make no mistake about it, the people that you're going to be seeing on CW in October 2024 are going to be people who are going to be main eventing WrestleMania in the very near future.

NewsNation asked Michaels what makes NXT different than Raw and SmackDown. Michaels responded:

Obviously we're much younger. We are recruiting college athletes coming out of college. And look, when Hunter started this 13 years ago, his vision was that within the WWE we could hone and develop the future stars of the WWE. Coming to The CW Network for a five-year agreement is just proof positive that his vision has worked. I'm obviously just honored to continue to keep that going.

I guess what you'll see from NXT is excitement, unparalleled innovation, and as they say where the wrestling business and sports entertainment are going in the future -- you're gonna see it first-hand on NXT.

When asked which wrestlers from NXT could be the next big thing in WWE, Michaels named Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Tiffany Stratton, The Creed Brothers, and Tony D'Angelo.

Michaels, who runs NXT, has the official job title of Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.