Shawn Michaels is a big part of NXT, working alongside Triple H to help the steer direction of the brand along with his Performance Center teachings.
Rhea Ripley has always looked up to Michaels and getting the change to work with him couldn't have her more excited.
"I've had a lot of people pass on advice to me and it's super crazy to think about that," Ripley told WWOS. "Having people like Triple H and Shawn Michaels at the performance centre, it's just insane. All the people around me are just so great. They've all been through it and they all know so much and to have them all give me their knowledge is so insane. Going into work and seeing Shawn Michaels - someone I watched growing up - how many people can say that? That they get to see people like Shawn Michaels at work and that they get to learn off Shawn Michaels. To me that's insane."
She continued, "I remember Shawn Michaels just walking around, and he came over to me and started telling me things, and he's like, 'You don't have to listen to me, I'm just an old man.' I'm like, 'You're not just an old man, you're Shawn Michaels! You're one of the best. Of course I'm going to listen to you.'"
Ripley has been one of the top female stars on the NXT brand since making the full-time move last summer. She recently competed for the NXT Women's Championship in a triple threat match against Io Shirai and Charlotte Flair at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.