Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

WWE legend and Performance Center coach Shawn Michaels was on "WWE Backstage" this week to chat about the future of the NXT brand and Triple H's 25th anniversary segment.

When asked by host Renee Young who he's most high on, Michaels gave three names: Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis and Timothy Thatcher.

Thatcher made his debut on last week's episode of NXT while Lumis has taken on an expanded role as of late. Kross has been making his presence felt, but has not yet had an official debut match on the brand.  "I think there are a number of guys that are going to be very interesting and are going to continue to take NXT to that next level," he added.

Michaels also discussed last week's episode of SmackDown, which featured a segment celebrating Triple H's 25th wrestling anniversary. As HBK tells it, the proceedings didn't exactly go as planned.

"It started out as a comedy segment. The only people who knew that were Hunter and I," he joked.

Featuring appearances on FaceTime from the likes of Stephanie McMahon, Ric Flair and Road Dogg, the festivities culminated with a surprise, in-person appearance from Vince McMahon. Michaels, though, says there were other things planned.

"I don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but there was a lot more amusing stuff in there. Some people just didn't want to do their part," he said.

No word regarding who Michaels was talking about exactly.

Watch the interview below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew5qwBHtbmE&feature=youtu.be