WWE’s evolving approach to talent development involves strategic partnerships with other wrestling promotions. This is a move that Shawn Michaels believes is accelerating the growth of NXT’s upcoming stars.
In a recent interview with Brad Gilmore of Reality Wrestling, WWE Hall of Famer and NXT executives highlight that the collaboration between TNA Wrestling and Japanese Pro Wrestling Noah offers a valuable learning experience to develop talent.
“When you’re in the ring with people more than you do, you’ll improve. You’ll get better. You’ll learn things you didn’t know before,” Michaels explained when asked about the benefits of working with other promotions. “That’s one of the things this TNA collaboration has given us.”
The partnership has expanded beyond North America, and NXT’s talents also gain international experience.
“The partnership with Noah allows us to go to Japan and learn that our talent is in that style, another style, and have some of their superstars join our show,” Michaels continued. “Inamura was a huge asset on the WWE roster. People love him and we love him.”
These collaborations represent a major shift in WWE’s developmental philosophy under the Triple H Creative Regime. NXT has always been about preparing the talent for the main roster, but adding inter-promotion experiences adds dimensions that were previously unavailable within the WWE ecosystem.
Michaels highlighted the overall impact these partnerships had.
“All of these partnerships and collaborations we can do have helped us improve our talent and made NXT a must-see show in WWE programming.”
As NXT heads to Tampa for Battlegrounds during WWE’s Memorial Day weekend acquisition, the benefits of these partnerships will continue to be shown in the in-ring work of the brand’s emerging stars, potentially setting new standards for how wrestling promotions work together for mutual benefits.
