Shawn Michaels: I was told to cut LA Knight "several times"

[Saiyanic Panic]

Per ESPN. Def a worthwhile read featuring Shawn, Knight, DDP, Norman Smiley and a grumpy Bill DeMott (was there any other on offer?).

To save Knight's job and give him more time in NXT to prove his capability, Michaels would say he couldn't be released because he was in a storyline.

"I never lied, I did always have him in stuff. But there were a couple of people that I knew from this mythical age thing, wasn't fitting their qualifications, but I always kept them in storylines. And so my excuse was, we can't get rid of him now."

Michaels said he was also allowed to keep a core of wrestlers with experience to teach the younger wrestlers. But even then, Knight was on thin ice.

"They never f---ing paid attention to us," Michaels said. "I was trying to finesse a certain someone, but all he would see is the one number, the three-eight. Someone who's damn near my age, and I'm having an argument with them. Were you old when you were 38?"

[Nosnorb]

Whoever told HBK to cut Knight is a

[Doo Doo is Worse Than WCW 2000]

That's my booker of the year!

[Mozenrath]

I am shocked that worked, given NXT having a bit of an infamous streak of having people yanked for the main roster or outright fired mid-storyline. Glad for Knight, in any case.

[Jindrak Mark]

I've got to be honest when I first heard he had been hired I thought it was strange. At the time I thought solid hand in the NWA was the level for him at that point of his career. I never ever saw him reaching the level of popularity he has and am glad to be proven wrong.

[ace]

Jan 25, 2024 17:12:17 GMT -5 Jindrak Mark said:

I've got to be honest when I first heard he had been hired I thought it was strange. At the time I thought solid hand in the NWA was the level for him at that point of his career. I never ever saw him reaching the level of popularity he has and am glad to be proven wrong.

The level of popularity hes reached was completely unforeseeable.  But when he was in Impact he definitely had *something*.  A unique charisma that has obviously ended up connecting on a major level.  And I’ve always thought he was underrated in the ring too.  Not that he’s super flashy or crisp…that he knows how to work a crowd.  Remember that famous match where DeAngelo Williams had that ridiculously great match and everyone marveled at how good he was with like no training?  Knight was the guy doing all the bumping for him.  Now obviously Williams had an immediate star power look of his own that helped…but Knight went out to make him look like the best athlete in the world…and he did.

[Venti]

Current day Shawn Michaels cursing like that was the most unexpected thing here.

I wonder who was trying to cut LA Knight.

Had to be one of the assclowns in Vince's inner circle

[Celexa Bliss 54]

Jan 25, 2024 17:31:05 GMT -5 Venti said:

Current day Shawn Michaels cursing like that was the most unexpected thing here.

I wonder who was trying to cut LA Knight.

Had to be one of the assclowns in Vince's inner circle

My immediate thought is Triple H, actually. He's only four years younger than Shawn and had his last major run as Champion (holding the title for most of the year) when he was 38.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

He didn't fire him, but ironically. It was an ironic not firing.

[Mayonnaise]

Nevermind all the stories of people "saving" him, how do you think he feels knowing he basically should be done in WWE had Vince had his way? That has to be a weird spot to be in knowing only a few select people wanted you there.

[Spider2024]

[Doo Doo is Worse Than WCW 2000]

Jesus was told to cut John Cena in that nightclub several times.

[A Platypus Rave]

Jan 25, 2024 19:56:23 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

Nevermind all the stories of people "saving" him, how do you think he feels knowing he basically should be done in WWE had Vince had his way? That has to be a weird spot to be in knowing only a few select people wanted you there.

and the only reason you are anything is because the old boss was kicked out for being a sex pervert...

Jan 25, 2024 18:30:24 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

Jan 25, 2024 17:31:05 GMT -5 Venti said:

Current day Shawn Michaels cursing like that was the most unexpected thing here.

I wonder who was trying to cut LA Knight.

Had to be one of the assclowns in Vince's inner circle

My immediate thought is Triple H, actually. He's only four years younger than Shawn and had his last major run as Champion (holding the title for most of the year) when he was 38.

I dunno because as I said above HHH in charge is what saved him on the main roster...

[fw91]

Imagine being sent back in time to 1995. You're in a room with Vince and Shawn. And you tell them this "Guess what guys? In 2024 You are going to be the best booker in the world and you are going to be the biggest douche who defecates on his sexual assault victims?" And Shawn's the booker.

[Celexa Bliss 54]

Jan 25, 2024 22:12:15 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Jan 25, 2024 19:56:23 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

Nevermind all the stories of people "saving" him, how do you think he feels knowing he basically should be done in WWE had Vince had his way? That has to be a weird spot to be in knowing only a few select people wanted you there.

and the only reason you are anything is because the old boss was kicked out for being a sex pervert...

Jan 25, 2024 18:30:24 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

My immediate thought is Triple H, actually. He's only four years younger than Shawn and had his last major run as Champion (holding the title for most of the year) when he was 38.

I dunno because as I said above HHH in charge is what saved him on the main roster...

Yeah, that's the one flaw in my theory lol

[Doo Doo is Worse Than WCW 2000]

Bill DeMott sounds like such a bitter never-was. What a clown.

[Chuck Conry]

Shawn is dropping f-bombs again?

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

To be honest, I absolutely hate LA Knight, but even I wouldn't cut him. The guy is clearly a star. f***ing idiots.

[Susan "Poison" Candy]

"MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN WWE WHO WANT TO RELEASE PEOPLE ARE SOOOOOOOO STUPID. HEHEHEHE"

[kingoftheindies]

Jan 25, 2024 23:39:17 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

Jan 25, 2024 22:12:15 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

and the only reason you are anything is because the old boss was kicked out for being a sex pervert...

I dunno because as I said above HHH in charge is what saved him on the main roster...

Yeah, that's the one flaw in my theory lol

The counterpoint would be that Triple H is more willing to go with what crowds like. He was turned back to LA Knight but was also just there to put Bray over but got himself over.

Not saying it was Triple H, but I don't think anybody saw him doing what he's done