“Similar in that respect,” Shawn Michaels draws parallels between 29-year-old star and John Cena

A rising star has irked the attention of Shawn Michaels.

“Similar in that respect,” Shawn Michaels draws parallels between 29-year-old star and John Cena

Shawn Michaels compares Trick Williams with John Cena (via WWE)

‘The Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels is no stranger to The Cenation Leader, John Cena. Both legends have shared the ring on multiple occasions, including the main event clash at WrestleMania 23. In this WrestleMania season, Michaels was seen looking back at the very match alongside Trick Williams.

In a video shared by WWE, HBK sat down with NXT talents to relive his classic WrestleMania moments. He watched his favorite battles against the likes of Kurt Angle, Diesel, and Cena. While recalling what all went through in the WM 23 bout, he drew parallels between the 16-time champion and Trick Willaims.

YouTube video

Shawn Michaels stated how Cena had a lot to prove to the people just like Williams is doing now in NXT. He advised Trick that it would take him to mow down over and over again until he would receive respect from his peers. Going into the matches, Cena knew he had to take on the likes of some best stars like Triple H or himself. That’s the recipe for performing at big-time matches and just clicking them off.

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John had a lot to prove to a lot of people. You and him are similar in that respect. Sometimes, it's going to have to take you having to mow down guy after guy after guy to earn that respect from your peers.
Shawn Michaels compares Trick Williams with John Cena

Michaels then stated how the face that once ran the place was also doubted by the fans. At times, Cena was the champion, yet the people weren’t sure if he was ready for it or not. This resembles the way Cena did earlier in his career. Shawn somehow generalized this idea and advised Trick to get slowed down by it.

Shawn Michaels opines on the main event spot for Stand & Deliver 2024

It has been around the entirety of 2023 that the duo of Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes entertained the WWE Universe. The beloved babyfaces have together shared great times and ‘delivered’ epic matches. However, they have to ‘stand’ against each other on this weekend at ‘Stand & Deliver 2024’.

Camelo Hayes and Trick Williams
Camelo Hayes and Trick Williams (via SEScoops)

In praise of both NXT superstars, Shawn Michaels claimed that they have earned the main event spot for Stand & Deliver. While speaking on Busted Open Radio, HBK stated that the Trick-Carmelo rivalry has been the deepest, most passionate, and most intriguing storyline in NXT history. These factors have contributed to making Williams vs. Hayes a well-deserved headline match.

They’re a joy to the coaches and not just me, to everybody in NXT at the Performance Center. And obviously, have earned this spot at WrestleMania at Stand and Deliver as the main event.
Shawn Michaels about Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes headlining NXT Stand & Deliver 2024

Michaels added that the Trick Melo Gang had been fantastic, which made him love them with all his heart. The duo has been a joy to the coaches as well as to every NXT member at the Performance Center. This has brought the year-long success of Hayes and the recent push of Williams to the main event level.

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