Shawn Michaels NXT media call: CM Punk, McKenzie Mitchell, NXT Europe

Ahead of Saturday's WWE NXT Deadline, Shawn Michaels talked to the media for nearly an hour on Thursday afternoon where he gave some insight into the rehiring of CM Punk, McKenzie Mitchell's release, Wes Lee's injury, and more.

On Punk returning, Michaels said he felt the decision made business sense for everyone and is glad to see him back. He said it makes the end of someone's career easier if they go out on their own terms. He reiterated he seems them as very similar people.

He was blindsided by Mitchell's release last week, but said she is always part of the NXT family and that he hopes they can work together again someday. She was very well-liked by people down there, according to him.

There is no update on NXT Europe other than that they are still working on it and that the region is an important one for the company.

The decision to pull Wes Lee from this Saturday's Deadline was a last-second one as Lee has been struggling with his injury for a while and that they didn't know the depth of it. He didn't think he could make it through the match given the pain he's in so they made the call.

To hear his thoughts on Lexis King, Trick Williams, why the 18-34 demo is enjoying NXT more these days, and more, click the link below for the audio:

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