Shawn Michaels Offers Advice to NXT Proteges Competing in the WWE Royal Rumble, Reflects on Rumble Wins

Ahead of the WWE Royal Rumble, WWE Hall of Famer and two-time Royal Rumble winner Shawn Michaels sat down with Vic Joseph and discussed the event and the Rumble match. Below are some highlights:

Shawn Michaels on Being the First Man to Enter No. 1 to Win the Royal Rumble

“No, look, obviously the first one, going in at number one, and last until the end. That obviously was very special, ’cause at at the time, I was the first guy to do that. And then of course, you know, you get to share the ring with Pam Anderson. So a lot of things that made that one really cool and special.”

On What It Means for His Career If He Didn’t Win the Royal Rumble

“You may not get to headline a WrestleMania, you may not get to have an opportunity to win a World Championship, and that is clearly the goal for anyone that gets into this line of work. I was 100% focused that I was going to make that happen one way or another.”

On His Favorite Part About His Current Role With WWE

“That’s easy. It’s working with the young talent. It is having the opportunity to be a part of their careers when it’s the learning stage, and I always say the part that’s the most enjoyable, the most fun. They’re young, they’re hungry, they’re passionate, they’re excited, and we’re able to give them the opportunity to give them sort of a launching point. I get as much joy, if not more, from that than I did anything from my own career.”

On the Recent NXT Athletes Moving Up to the Main Roster and Achieving Their Dreams

“Look, that’s the best part. That’s the absolute reason why everybody here at the Performance Center in Orlando does this job, is to watch them succeed. They are major players, and exciting, I think, the fans of the WWE for the future. And I’m sure they’re watching right now.”

His Advice to NXT Superstars Competing in the Men’s and Women’s Rumble Matches

“Do your best not to be overwhelmed, not to overthink it. Take time to have enjoyed that moment, and don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back and be proud of yourself.”

On What Fans Can Expect From NXT in 2026

“I think more of the same, which is to look at these young, new, fresh superstars that are on RAW, that are on SmackDown, and how much excitement that they’ve inserted into those brands. And that all started here in NXT. And now it’s time for us to build more, and it’s absolutely going to happen. Well, I thank you so much for your time. And just a reminder that the Road to WrestleMania begins tonight at the Royal Rumble.”

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 takes place later today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will air live on the ESPN App in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit WWE, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.