At 22 years old, Roxanne Perez has already accomplished more than what some a decade older than her have achieved. She is on her second run as the NXT Women’s Champion, has appeared in pivotal matchups as part of the brand’s top shows for the past few years, and has been considered one of the fastest-rising stars.
Discussion has long surrounded whether Perez should be moved up to WWE’s main rosters. Busted Open Radio recently brought that question to NXT’s Shawn Michaels, who said that he believes it’s almost time for her to receive that call-up.
Michaels said that Perez recently had a turning point in her career while feuding with Thea Hail of Chase U, describing the storyline as a moment where a “lightbulb” went on for her.
He explained his thoughts to Dave LaGreca, Bully Ray and Mark Henry on Busted Open Radio.
I think that’s a tough call. I think she can (Michaels responded when asked if he thinks Roxanne Perez can succeed on WWE main roster). I will say this, I agree with you guys. It was probably two or three months ago and I think Mark (Henry) and Bully (Ray), you guys know, at a point in your career, there’s one of those times you’re out there, you have a match and sort of that lightbulb goes on and everything begins to make a little bit more sense, and that enables you to then begin to carry yourself with a confidence and a comfortability that she didn’t have before. Roxanne had that match — for me, that turning point was against Chase U. and I think she had that opportunity out there and she just sort of stepped into her own as the champion.
Michaels said that while Perez has found success in NXT, it’s a completely different deal to be on the main WWE brands. He believes that if Perez can keep the level of skill she has currently on the bigger stage, she’ll thrive.
Now look, I think any time you go to the main roster, much like you’re talking about with Giulia, it’s an entirely different world. It’s a big move. Now how you deal with that move I think determines how well you do. Whether she steps into that with the confidence and the aggression and just the comfortability that she has right now, and she does that on the main roster, you bet I think she can be successful. As you guys know, a lot of it is how you yourself carry yourself when you’re in those environments.
The full interview can be listened to here.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit Busted Open with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
