Shawn Michaels Talks Upcoming Hall of Fame Induction of Triple H

LAS VEGAS, April 15, 2025 — WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels spoke with Sports Illustrated Saturday morning ahead of WWE’s NXT Stand & Deliver premium live event at T-Mobile Arena. He discussed the promising talents rising through the ranks of NXT, as well as the upcoming Hall of Fame induction of his longtime friend Triple H.

As the excitement builds for WrestleMania 41, taking place next weekend in Las Vegas, Michaels expressed his admiration for the younger generation of wrestlers making a name for themselves. “It’s incredible to see how the talent continues to evolve,” Michaels shared. “With talents like Grayson Waller and Austin Theory, each show is compelling, and the future of WWE looks bright.”

This year, WrestleMania will feature blockbuster matches including John Cena competing for the Undisputed Championship against Roman Reigns and a triple threat match between Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins. However, Waller and Theory, former Tag Team Champions and known as A-Town Down Under, have not yet been announced for the card.

In a separate conversation, Waller and Theory discussed their dream matches if a campaign was dedicated to their tag team in the WWE 2K video game series. “I’d love to go against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Championship,” Theory stated, while Waller highlighted his previous matches with AJ Styles and Edge as pivotal moments in his career.

The duo also reminisced about their favorite tag team matches, naming their battle with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens on SmackDown as a standout. “That was a great match. We really brought our A-game,” Waller added.

The Hardy Boys, iconic figures in WWE’s tag team history, emerged as dream opponents for Waller. “It’s possible now with the collaboration between TNA and WWE,” he said. Meanwhile, Theory suggested wrestling alongside legends like Shawn Michaels and Triple H, joking about the competitive nature of such a match.

In the vibrant world of WWE video games, Waller and Theory expressed excitement over the character creation features in WWE 2K25. They shared their picks for the best attributes among current wrestlers, highlighting speed with Nathan Fraser and brawling with the Brooklyn Brawler, to Theory’s amusement.

Reflecting on their careers, both wrestlers shared their experiences transitioning from NXT to the main roster. Theory noted the shift from working in a controlled environment to the excitement of traveling and performing for audiences around the world. “It’s a huge change. You have to adapt quickly,” he said.

Waller spoke on the competitive atmosphere in WWE, comparing it to moving from high school to college. “In NXT, you have coaches all around you constantly. Making that adjustment to the main roster is a real test of independence,” he explained.

As they look towards their future aspirations in WWE, Waller expressed a desire to capture the United States Championship and transform it into the Australian Championship. “That would be such a proud moment for me,” he said.

Theory, a former United States Champion, has his sights set on the Undisputed Championship. “Winning that title has been my dream since I was a kid,” he remarked, also reflecting on his controversial victory over Cena at WrestleMania 39.

WrestleMania 41 promises to be a defining event, spanning two nights from April 19 to 20. Both Waller and Theory are eager to claim their place on such a monumental stage, even if they have to face off against each other someday. “A match between us would be amazing,” Theory noted, to which Waller half-joked about their competitive nature potentially leading to a more intense showdown.

As the countdown begins for WrestleMania 41, fans can look forward to the thrills and unpredictability that WWE brings to the squared circle.