Shawn Michaels Compares WWE NXT to ECW Ahead of 2300 Arena Event

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has drawn a bold comparison between NXT and the iconic ECW as the developmental brand gears up for a special episode at the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on November 6.

Known as the former home of Extreme Championship Wrestling, the 2300 Arena holds a special place in wrestling history, and Michaels is excited to bring NXT’s energy to that hallowed ground.

During the October 21 episode of Monday Night Raw, a vignette narrated by Michaels aired, promoting NXT’s upcoming event at the historic venue. Speaking with Bully Ray and David LeGreca on Busted Open Radio, Michaels opened up about his thoughts on NXT’s connection to the spirit of ECW.

“It’s huge. As strange as it sounds, I thought it was so awesome and innovative, what [ECW] was doing at that time,” Michaels said, acknowledging the influence of ECW’s rebellious style on WWE’s attempts to capture a similar vibe. He emphasized that NXT carries on that tradition, with a focus on young talent pushing boundaries and making names for themselves.

Michaels reflected on ECW’s impact and how it inspired WWE’s creative direction, admitting, ““I recognized that, at that time, from a WWE standpoint, we were never going to be able to do it. You only strike those things a few times in your career and you guys [speaking to Bully] did something very special back then. There has always been, in the eyes of WWE and my eyes, an aspect of ‘how can we do that again?’… NXT encapsulates all of that.”

This event will mark Michaels’ first time inside the 2300 Arena, and he expressed excitement about performing in front of the passionate Philadelphia crowd. “They brought it out of you,” he said of the fans who fueled ECW’s energy. “That’s what I’m hoping happens when NXT goes there. “They are hungry, maybe in a different way, but they are hungry and excited for getting out on the road. Everybody understands the history of this building and what was built.”

While no matches have been officially announced for the November 6 episode, Michaels emphasized that NXT’s roster is eager to embrace the venue’s history and carve out their own legacy. “They want to build on that and do something on their own… Everybody is jacked and excited,” he added.

Tickets for the event went on sale on October 22, with fans eagerly anticipating how NXT will honor ECW’s legacy while forging its own path.