WWE :Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has opened up on why he never faced The Rock in WWE.
The mega-stars are two of WWE’s most iconic performers in its history, but never battled one on one despite several discussions over a potential match-up.
It was a bout almost all fans called for, but The Rock went to Hollywood before The Heartbreak Kid ended up hanging up his boots.
His daughter, however, now wrestles in Michaels’ promotion, NXT, as Ava Raine.
Michaels spoke exclusively to Sportsmail’s Alex McCarthy to discuss his relationship with The Rock and why the match never happened.
WWE legend Shawn Michaels has opened up on why he never faced The Rock in WWE
The two stars had illustrious WWE careers but never battled one on one in the company
‘Everyone knows the story of me being difficult to the best and having a huge change of heart and coming back in 2002,’ Michaels began.
‘I was always open to it but it didn’t work out. He became an incredibly busy man and famous guy and everything else and I would imagine his priorities changed quite a bit, and the things he wanted to do I think he did and I respect that.’
The Rock left WWE to take up acting at the turn of the century, and has gone onto enjoy a long and successful career doing so.
He has appeared in WWE since for rivalries with the likes of John Cena and CM Punk, but hasn’t been seen since 2019 despite calls for him to challenge real-life relative Roman Reigns.
Michaels acknowledged The Rock’s call to pursue other ventures, and revealed that the two met to clear the air on why a match never happened.
Dwayne Johnson, the man behind The Rock character, has gone on to have a successful acting career
‘We all change and we grow,’ he said. ‘I for one always go back to the Hall of Fame when we did get to see each other and talk with each other and make peace.
‘But that’s the thing I’ve had the opportunity to do with everyone that I’ve worked with and that’s what’s most important to me.’
The Rock’s daughter, Simone Johnson is also a WWE wrestler.
She’s currently performing in developmental brand NXT under the ring name Ava Raine, and has enjoyed success as a villain after joining faction Schism with Joe Gacy, Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler.
Michaels heads the brand to help produce the shows and improve talent, and praised Raine while admitting he can help her improve her skills to pay The Rock back.
He also referenced the idea of putting the fans first as he put to bed any speculation on why the match never materlialised.
The Rock’s daughter, Simone Johnson, is now in WWE as Ava Raine on the NXT brand
Michaels suggested that he can make up for never fighting The Rock by helping Raine
‘It’s funny because I get to work with his daughter every day,’ Michaels said. ‘She’s a wonderful young lady and it’s one of those things where I can do my best to help Ava every day.
‘It’s one of one of those ones, the would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, wish that happened, but you go down that line and there’s so many.
‘If I stayed around 10 years longer, me and AJ (Styles), me and this guy. There are always ones you can dream about. I can’t speak for him but I like the fact that as a performer you should always leave them wanting more and I think we did that.’
NXT Stand & Deliver streams live on Saturday April 1 ahead of WrestleMania 39 on Peacock in the US and WWE Network in the UK.
source:dailymail.co.uk
