Shawn Michaels is a big fan of a current NXT superstar, whom he believes is ready right now for the main roster.

Michaels had glowing words about Carmelo Hayes during the NXT media call ahead of Saturday night’s Halloween Havoc event. Hayes will be competing for the North American Championship at Saturday’s show. Highlights of Michaels’ comments are below, per Fightful:

On pushing for Carmelo Hayes: “I have taken interest in Melo from day one. I got him on television as quickly as I could. At the time, I believe it was still 205 Live, I was talking to him and I said, ‘I just want to get you out there, get you in front of the people, and in front of Hunter.’ ‘I don’t want to be living in 205.’ ‘I know.’ For me, it’s more important to get you out there so everyone can see that this kid can go. Carmelo and I get along great. He’s a good kid, and I think the sky is the limit for him. He’s special. He’s talented.”

How he coaches Hayes: “We have a lot of talks and I gave him the same line that I was given many years ago, which is to go ahead and push the envelope, go out there, let me pull you back, and he does. I’ve seen that he’s mentioned it. ‘Shawn has had to pull me back a couple of times.’ That is true. He never complains about it. He’s a pro, and I like that about him as well. He has a lot of charisma, a lot of ability, a lot of attitude, but he’s a respectful young man. That’s what is so great about a lot of people down here. We have some really talented people, and they are darn good men and women of character, too. He is ready anytime someone wants him. Of course, he’s only going to get better. Can he always learn more? You bet, all of us can, but he’s certainly ready whenever they want to take him. He’s going to go up there and be with people better than him and that’s how you improve in this line of work.”