HBK Talks Hall Missing HOF, A WWE Return, Morrison, Refusing Last Run At Title & More

WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels was a guest on this week's edition of Wrestling News Live. Here are highlights from the interview:

Scott Hall missing his Hall Of Fame induction: "You have to admire him. You've gotta start somewhere. I remember Kevin [Nash] telling me and thinking, 'you know what, that's gotta be a good start.' The fact that he is aware of it... I think that's good, as that's what we all want for (him). I know everyone is sympathetic and cares about Scott, and I was actually really happy to hear that he's at least aware of it, to the point where he can make a statement like that. As we discussed that night, we all know there is going to be several other Hall Of Fame moments for some of the dudes in our group."

His induction into the Hall Of Fame: "It's one of those things, like winning your first world championship, that you always tell people about. It's moments like that when it is all real. It doesn't matter what all the nay-sayers say about our line of work, it's the most real thing in the world, and to get to share it with your present family and your work family and the guys that were the only family I had for many years on the road, and being acknowledged in my line of work and having all the people, my extended family (there), it is very easy for me to well up and cry like a baby when I think about it because there is such an attachment for me to all of those people... There is such a special connection from me to the people and I think it's because they they knew how I felt about that line of work and how much it meant to me."

On how the product has changed: "I don't want to be one of those old timers that continually knock everything because, on one hand, it's very tough on the younger talent these days as they are not having the luxury of what we had, which is years of experience and countless matches with countless different styles before we came to the WWE. They are getting thrown from the frying pan into the fire."

A WWE return: "One, honestly I really don't watch much right now and I do that purposely. I'll tune in every now and then and I'll tune in for a little bit then see something that I don't care for and I go away. The reason I do that is because if I watch and I see something I don't like and I turn away, I know that I'm not ready to come back and look at it objectively yet. I think there will be a time when I'd like to come back and help and contribute in the back if needed, but to do that, I feel like I need to have a real washed, clean, objective, constructive point of view. For me personally, it feels like while I was working, I did not watch that much as I always felt I was too close to it to be objective."

His thoughts on John Morrison: "His name comes up a lot, and a lot of people say 'I like him but...', and he's a young guy. It's my understanding that he just got injured, and as much as you hate hearing about a guy getting injured, it's never good but at the same time, I remember telling John Cena when he got hurt, 'Dude they need to see you come back.' It's part of the 'warrior making' stage, and so I think John needs some time but as the kids like to say, 'He has to get some street cred.' He's got to take some lumps, gotta take on a couple of scars, get beaten up a little... but I certainly think there is potential there. He certainly has all the physical attributes that he needs. He is a sweetheart of a guy and I think that is what hurts him, I just don't think he has a bad bone in his body."

Why he choose not to hold the World Title one last time: "That's a full time commitment and the guy that does that needs to make every show, doing absolutely everything, and that just wasn't for me... It was more important for me just to come back and, I'm gonna be honest, I like it more than the way I did. I know there are some people who are like, 'You only held the world title this many times.' I just didn't think it (was fair). I think the guy who does that [holds the belt] needs to be the work horse, and I in no way wanted to be that."

You can listen to the full interview by clicking here, starting at the 80 minute mark.

Source: Wrestling News Live

Chris Kelly contributed to this article.