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Shawn - a four-time world champion - piled praise onto the Irish Ace who has been tearing it up in WWE's latest show NXT UK.

HBK now works backstage with WWE's young wrestlers - in both NXT and NXT UK.

He was speaking as WWE unveiled the NXT UK Performance Centre in north London.

Triple H and HBK were on hand to reveal the 17,000 square ft facility that features two full size rings, a fully stocked gym, and TV production studios.

Talking to reporters after the unveiling, Devlin was the one who earned the big thumbs up from Shawn.

Michaels said: "One guy who I didn't know, or hadn't seen was Jordan Devlin.

"He was good when he came in, but now he is really starting to feel it.

"[Jordan] is oozing confidence. And I hate to pinpoint one person, but I have seen him grow exponentially

"He is a real talented kid, and his ceiling is pretty darnn high."

HBK also praised Joe and Mark Coffey, Wolfgang, and added Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate are "pretty damn special".

(Image: WWE)

Devlin was one of the original signees for NXT UK, competing at the original tournament in Blackpool in 2017.

He is trained by WWE megastar Finn Balor, and has been making waves on the British indie scene, as well on shows in his native Ireland.

Known for his extraordinary athleticism, Devlin flips and flies around the ring before punishing opponents with his Ireland's Call slam.

The 28-year-old, from Bray, will tomorrow face the Kiwi Buzzsaw Travis Banks at NXT UK: TakeOver Blackpool.

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

NXT UK is WWE's first ever show based outside the US and stars dozens of wrestlers from around the UK and Europe.

London's new Performance Centre is the next step in WWE's expansion in Britain.

Brit wrestling has been on fire for the past few years with an explosion of talent spearheaded by stars like Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Zack Gibson and Trent Seven.

NXT UK will be hosting it's first Takeover special in Blackpool tomorrow, and the main event will be Dunne against Scottish brawler Joe Coffey for the WWE United Kingdom Championship.

(Image: DS)

Michaels said: "As much as I loved being in front of the camera and having my moments, I have found watching these men and women have their's is almost like watching your kids.

"Seeing the joy on their face when they come back.

"It's impossible to work with someone so much and not get attached to them."

HBK also compared the NXT UK stars to his wonder at getting to live his childhood dream, adding wrestling his hero Ric Flair is still the "coolest thing ever".

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

Shawn said if you told himself and Triple H they would get to have the careers they have had, they "wouldn't have believed you".

He added: "And we want that for these young guys, and we want to build these facilities who allow them to do that "

HBK retired from in-run competition after a match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26.

He has since comeback for one-off nostalgia bouts, but remains reluctant to return to fulltime in ring competition.