Shawn Michaels Weighs In on Mr. and Mrs. NXT – WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has had a front-row seat for the ongoing evolution of NXT, guiding the brand as it continues to produce some of the most compelling talent in wrestling. And when it comes to naming the current standout stars—the so-called “Mr. and Mrs. NXT”—Michaels has a clear vision of who’s leading the charge.
In a recent interview with Brad Gilmore of Reality of Wrestling, Michaels first praised NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about competitors on the WWE roster since signing with the company earlier this year.
“Well, in the last couple of months, it’d have to be Stephanie Vaquer for the women’s side,” Michaels said. “She has just taken the entire world by storm. I think she’s somebody that already had an international name, but once she got onto NXT programming, the entire world and the entire globe—her popularity has just skyrocketed.”
Vaquer’s arrival in WWE has been nothing short of impactful. Already an established name in Mexico and Japan, her seamless transition into the NXT system has helped revitalize the women’s division, with critics and fans alike praising her physical in-ring style and high-profile bouts.
On the men’s side, Michaels found it a little harder to narrow things down, ultimately calling it a “toss-up” between Trick Williams and North American Champion Oba Femi.
“I think they’d probably argue about it, but Trick Williams and Oba Femi are two guys—Trick has unlimited charisma, but Oba also has a mystique and an aura about him,” Michaels explained. “They’re two very different individuals, but they’re both guys that are easily superstars. People see it already. They’re going to be Raw and SmackDown superstars in the very near future, I’m sure.”
Trick Williams has surged into the spotlight over the past year, thanks to his electric connection with the crowd and a compelling rise to the top of the NXT Championship picture. Oba Femi, on the other hand, has carved a path through the division with sheer dominance and an intense presence that has drawn comparisons to top-tier WWE powerhouses of the past.
While Trick and Oba are the frontrunners in Michaels’ eyes, NXT is hardly short on rising stars. The brand currently features the likes of Je’Von Evans, Ricky Starks, Wes Lee, Ethan Page, and Charlie Dempsey—all of whom have contributed to what many fans and insiders are calling a creative and competitive resurgence for the developmental brand.
Whether it’s Vaquer’s meteoric rise, Trick’s undeniable charisma, or Oba’s quiet dominance, one thing is clear—NXT continues to produce the kind of talent that will shape the future of WWE across all brands.
Shawn Michaels Weighs In on Mr. and Mrs. NXT
