Shawn Michaels currently serves as NXT's Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, meaning he plays a crucial role in developing the Superstars we see on Tuesday nights (most of whom then make the leap to RAW and SmackDown).
LA Knight had a successful run in the developmental brand before being brought to the main roster...as manager Max Dupri. Vince McMahon's brief departure from the company gave Triple H the chance to make things right, of course, and Knight has since become one of WWE's most popular Superstars.
While we wait on the push that reflects how fans respond to him, Michaels has shared his thoughts on seeing Knight find such a huge level of success. Remember, as well as those huge crowd responses, he's also become one of WWE's biggest merchandise sellers in recent months.
"I'm thrilled for him. He's a guy that is very unique," the WWE Hall of Famer says. "He was great for us. I don't want to divulge more than I probably should I guess, but he's one of those guys that thinks about it a lot and it gives a lot of thought. He seems so calm and reserved and cool on the surface, but he's the guy when you talk to him in private, he's very passionate about this and he wants to know everything."
"I enjoyed him. I liked him. He's a grown man. I thought he was going to be a perfect fit for the main roster. There were times when we were having difficulty down here when it wasn't always maybe my call on some things, that I had to go to bat for some people and really had to make sure that I impressed on them, 'My goodness, you don't want to sleep on these people. You don't want to lose these people. Let's keep them around. Trust me on this.'"
"I'm very thankful that they did because again, LA Knight is a guy that is enjoying that right now, and again, I think the WWE Universe is enjoying LA Knight right now," Michaels concludes. "He's somebody that I think's got a great future. I'm excited for him and I'm happy for him."
Getting the Heartbreak Kid's seal of approval means a lot and Michaels is clearly a big fan of Knight's. Considering the fact he's close with Triple H - who remains in charge of WWE Creative, for the most part - here's hoping there are now plans in place for Knight to receive a run at the top.
Rumour has it that will happen after SummerSlam, something which is looking increasingly more likely now he's been added to the PLE's card.