All Elite Wrestling’s Chris Jericho has opened up about his past issues with WWE Hall of Famer Triple H. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Jericho revealed how he had issues with people in the past before singling out his problems with Triple H.
Chris Jericho recalled how back in the early 2000\’s he and Triple H didn’t like one another. He added how Triple H would admit the same thing. Despite this, they were still able to put on great matches, adding how “I think that\’s one of the reasons why.”
He explained how they had a “professional rivalry” alongside a “bit of a personal dislike” of each other. He also stressed that they are friends now.
Jericho added how there are plenty of professional rivalries taking place when a person is “young full of vim and vigor.” He juxtaposed these rivalries with those that take place in rock and roll, pointing out how bands break up and ten years later get back together.
“I think there\’s that animosity that drives you to become better, and if you have a case like say Jericho and Triple H, our matches were always great because there was a little bit of real-life animosity between us,\” Chris Jericho admitted.
\”\’I\’m gonna show him. Well, I\’m gonna show him. Well, I\’m gonna show him,\’ and I think that\’s good in a certain way.”
Chris Jericho then added how Vince McMahon would “subtly encourage” this kind of personal and professional rivalry. He believes he did so as doing that would inevitably lead to better results in the ring.
You can listen to Jericho\’s comments about his relationship with Triple H in the video player embedded below:
A new SEC filing has revealed that WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Triple H has unloaded WWE stocks worth more than $1 million recently.
The WWE Hall Of Famer sold a total of 23,255 shares of Class A Common Stock on Monday, May 4. The shares were valued at $43.80 per share, totalling at approximate $1,018,569.
Triple H and others had unloaded a large number of shares last year as well and the sale included Vince McMahon selling away over $250 million worth of WWE shares to fund XFL. The filing reveals that The Game still has 144,646 shares of Class A Common Stock left.
This week\’s episode of NXT saw the current champion Adam Cole retaining his title over Velveteen Dream in a one on one match with help from his Undisputed Era teammates.
The stable was interviewed backstage after the successful title defense from Cole where the reigning NXT Champion talked about his victory during the latest episode of the Black And Yellow brand.
During the interview, Adam Cole said that he has defeated everybody in NXT and the title should now be retired in his name. You can check out the post-show interview below:
WWE Hall of Famers Triple H and Shawn Michaels addressed social media\’s impact on WWE during an interview with Inside the Ropes. The WWE Legends acknowledged how social media has impacted upon not only WWE\’s creative process but how fans interact with the product and Superstars.
Triple H spoke about how everybody has an opinion. He pointed to how some characters are positioned to be a heel but end up being cheered. Conversely, they will position someone to be a babyface, only to have a large chunk of the crowd dislike them. He admitted how it’s tougher than it ever has been to create a character that is universally liked or disliked.
He stressed that this isn’t just isolated to pro wrestling, pointing to the music industry as a comparison. Triple H noted how artists will put out an album and how social media will display extreme opinions on both sides.
Using Triple H’s album analogy, Shawn Michaels added how “After you purchase the album we’re good. You know what I mean? Whatever decision you want to come up with after that, knock your socks off.”
Triple H & Shawn Michaels On Encouraging The WWE Universe
Triple H expressed how he loves the passion from the WWE Universe, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. He called it “funny” how some people believe WWE manipulate crowd noise to try and convince them to cheer or boo a Superstar. It’s something he staunchly denies, adding how “It’s just what’s happening.”
“But they’re so passionate about it, but the fact that, we love the fact that they can express their opinion. We love the fact that they can go out there and say, ‘This is great,’ ‘This isn’t great,’ ‘This guy’s a good guy,’ ‘That person’s a bad guy,’ whatever that is, right, and yet, if they also, if they tell us they dislike something, if we’re smart, we listen to that. Might take a while but we can fix it.”
Michaels added how he believes it’s better to have fan engagement rather than total ambivalence. If nobody had an opinion on what they were doing, that would be the time he’d be concerned. “[…] what’s gonna really suck is the day when nobody cares, when nobody wants a picture, when nobody wants an autograph. So, no matter how much, better to have that ‘hassle’ than no hassle at all, and I think that’s how all of us in this line of work look at it.”
AEW Commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently discussed the Backlash 2000 PPV on the Grilling JR podcast. This episode is available to listen to at AdFreeShows.com, you can find more information about the subscription service at the bottom of this article.
During the podcast, JR would allude to then WWF Superstar Triple H \’killing\’ the career of ECW performer Taz. The \’Human Suplex Machine\’ joined WWE/F in January of 2000, appearing at the Royal Rumble PPV as a surprise opponent for Kurt Angle. Following the event, Tazz would then be pushed down the card into the Hardcore division, soon diminishing into obscurity on the roster.
Tazz vs Triple H
One of the (seemingly) brighter moments for Tazz in his run in 2000 was when he faced then WWF Champion Triple H on SmackDown, just 10 days before \’The Game\’ was due to defend his title against The Rock at Backlash 2000.
This match pitted the reigning ECW Champion against the reigning WWF Champion for the very first time ever. Tazz had won the belt by defeating Mike Awesome, a WCW contracted wrestler, in a controversial match set up by Paul Heyman to get the title off of Awesome. Mike Awesome had signed for WCW whilst still ECW Champion, and this caused a major issue for the Extreme brand.
Unprecedented
With the unprecedented match between Tazz and Triple H taking place on SmackDown, it looked like the ECW Champion might be getting a bigger push in the company than the preceding month had indicated. However, as stated by Vince McMahon in the \’Rise and Fall of ECW\’ documentary, it was pretty poor form from WWE; who many believe \’killed\’ the ECW brand that night by having Triple H beat Tazz in the fashion he did.
Did It Kill ECW?
\”It didn\’t do ECW any favours, but \’kill\’ might be a strong word\” Jim Ross refuted on Grilling Jr. \”It didn\’t help anybody in that regard, except Hunter got a nice win in Philadelphia.\”
JR would elaborate further, saying \”Tazz was so under-utilized when we hired him for WWE. For whatever reason, he was never in political favour. You know Hunter/Triple H may have had an issue. Hunter was 6\’4, Tazz what? 5\’8, 5\’10 or 5\’9? I don\’t know, but he\’s under six foot.\” There have been reports in the past of Triple H allegedly destroying pushes for talent that he deemed where not \’big enough,\’ another example being the alleged attempt to hold down Kurt Angle in the same era.
Human Suplex Machine
Jim Ross would elaborate further, saying \”the perception was, even though Tazz could snuff out 99% of the guys on the roster? That he\’s not \’convincing.\’ Well if you watch any of the ECW stuff? Tazz got over. And people believed he WAS the \’Human Suplex Machine.\’ So that was a big get for me [as head of talent relations], I was a big mark for his work in ECW. [Paul] Heyman knew how to book him.\”
Ross would finish by making some scathing remarks, again seemingly aimed towards \’The Game\’ Triple H. \”So, there again you get these egos involved. \’Okay, He\’s too short\’ says who? The f*ck are you now Lou Thesz!? And then the other thing is, guys that haven\’t been in too many real fights? Have never had their ass beat by somebody shorter than them.\”
Do you think that the match hurt Tazz\’s WWE career back in 2000? Check it out below and let us know your thoughts in the comments
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Last night\’s edition of WWE Smackdown featured tributes to Triple H\’s 25 years with WWE. Vince McMahon also sent out a tweet commemorating Triple H\’s time with the company. President of the United States, Donald Trump, replied to the post stating he believes Triple H is a \”total winner.\”
Donald Trump is a WWE Hall of Fame inductee. He was inducted into the celebrity wing of the HOF in 2013. Other inductees that year include Mick Foley, Bruno Sammartino, Trish Stratus, Booker T, and Bob Backlund.
Triple H\’s 25 Years In WWE
Triple H\’s quarter-century in WWE was celebrated on Smackdown this week and several people have been congratulating him online as well. In a recent interview with ESPN, Triple H commented on some of his favorite matches from his career.
“Probably myself vs. The Undertaker in “Hell in a Cell” [at WrestleMania 28]. They billed it as an “End of an Era” match. Shawn Michaels was the guest referee. I think it was the most meaningful for the three of us — the end of all of our time together, the last big hurrah in the ring. So that one really stands out to me.”
WWE is celebrating the 25 year anniversary of the in-ring debut of Triple H and the Game has been doing media rounds on the occasion, talking about various things.
He recently had another such interview with ESPN where the
former World Champion talked about things like the talent adapting to shows
without an audience and more.
When asked which is the favorite WrestleMania match of his
career, Triple H said that it\’s probably his End of an Era bout against The
Undertaker at WrestleMania 28:
\”Probably myself vs. The Undertaker in \”Hell in a Cell\” [at WrestleMania 28]. They billed it as an \”End of an Era\” match. Shawn Michaels was the guest referee. I think it was the most meaningful for the three of us — the end of all of our time together, the last big hurrah in the ring. So that one really stands out to me.\”
When asked if he has a favorite opponent, H said that there
are a bunch of them and the honorable mentions include people like The
Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley and The Rock.
However, if there is one guy he could roll out of his bed on
five minutes\’ notice and can still tear the house apart with in a 45 minutes
match, then it\’s definitely Shawn Michaels.
Apart from this, Triple H talked about his favorite non-WrestleMania match, his favorite behind the scene moment in WWE and more.
WWE Hall of Famer Triple H recently spoke with Newsweek to talk about a wide range of topics.
During the interview, he was asked whether he wishes he was able to work a Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
\”I have no desire to climb a high ladder and get pushed off of it,\” he said. \”There are certain guys that are built for ladders and guys who are and I\’m not one of them.
My ladder matches have normally involved me whacking someone with it or getting whacked with it a lot. So climbing and falling off of it is not my forte.”
Triple H continued by noting that when these types of matches started to come around, it was built around an additional match at WrestleMania. He pointed out how he had various storylines going on at the time of these matches taking place and was never involved in the matches.
Triple H noted that he has worked ladder matches in the past but not working the Money In The Bank Ladder Match is something that he never regrets not being able to do because no one has ever seen him do a moonsault before.
WWE holds the Money In The Bank pay-per-view event on May 10th with both men’s and women’s ladder matches taking place at WWE’s headquarters.
Triple H was recently a guest on After The Bell podcast of Corey Graves, where among other things; he explained the process of putting together the boneyard match between Undertaker and AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36.
The Game first explained how he got assigned to produce the match and revealed that he went to Vince McMahon. He asked the Boss what he needed to look at and McMahon assigned him to the boneyard match without even knowing what it was going to be:
\”I then went to Vince and was like, \’what do you think needs the most for me to look at it?\’\” recalled Triple H. \”And he was like, \’the Boneyard match\’, and I was like, \’OK, great. So what is the Boneyard Match?\’ He\’s like, \’I don\’t know, like a graveyard. It\’s in a graveyard.\’ I said, \’OK.\’\”
The former World Champion then explained the tough conditions they had to shoot in. He remembered how he was only assigned one cameraman for the match because the company was shooting WrestleMania simultaneously at the Performance Center.
Triple H spoke to Vince McMahon about it. He got the approval to get the NXT crew including Jeremy Borash and a team of digital shooters involved in the production and they finally began the shooting:
\”So we gathered everybody up and we started laying it all out together and then set it up like a movie and went and shot it. I think we had seven cameras and we used a couple of drones in the process to shoot some of Taker\’s arrival and things like that.
\”Literally when we were shooting into the graveyard, if it was light out, there\’s a house right there, but luckily the guy that owned this place over here was his house and he had all lights off so you couldn\’t see it on the other side of the darkness.\”
The King Of Kings later also revealed that the set they were
shooting at was a one-acre land that was behind a barn at the end of a
residential neighborhood.
Previous reports have revealed that it took them 5 days to build the set and 8 hours to complete the shoot of the highly praised cinematic match. You can check out some more backstage details and behind the scene photos of the production here.
Triple H is one of the most decorated stars in the history of WWE with 14 world title wins and half a dozen other championship victories over the course of his career.
However, all this wouldn\’t have been possible if the Game had not left WCW in 1995 and joined WWE and during his recent appearance on the Bump, the former World Champion explained how it came to be.
Triple H recalled how he was trying to gain interest because his WCW contract was coming up. He spoke to J.J. Dillon who was the WWE talent head at the time and he arranged a meeting with Vince McMahon.
The DX member then detailed his first meeting with the Boss while he was still under a WCW contract. He revealed that they had a very friendly discussion and his biggest take away from it was the larger than life impression of Mr. McMahon:
\”I spoke to J.J. He brought me into a meeting with Vince. I remember coming in and meeting Vince and thinking well for one, he\’s Vince McMahon, he has a larger than life presence.\” said Triple H\” Also, it was the ultimate meeting you could take in the business, especially at that time – maybe even more so today, I guess.
We had a very cordial meeting. He asked me what my plans were, and why I wanted to go there [WWF], as opposed to where I was, all that kind of stuff. I guess the biggest takeaway for me was the larger than life impression Vince McMahon gave.\”
Triple H then revealed that the company called him a month after this meeting, right after his Starrcade match with Alex Wright. They asked him if he was still interested in joining the promotion and this led to his WWE debut.
The King Of Kings made his in-ring debut for the company in April 1995 and since then, he has went on to become one of the top stars in the history of the business.
The EVP of Global Talent Strategy & Development for WWE Triple H recently appeared on Corey Graves\’ After The Bell podcast this week. \’The Game\’ discussed a number of subjects from his near 25 year career, including the filming and logistics of WrestleMania 36 that took place earlier this month.
This year\’s WrestleMania is unlike any that fans have ever seen and hopefully the worldwide pandemic will have cleared by WrestleMania 37 next year. This year\’s iteration of the biggest show in WWE\’s calendar also took place over 2 nights, unprecedented in the event\’s history.
Many fans and those in the industry would applaud the concept, with previous shows lasting nearly 8 hours including the pre-show. One of the bigger names that agrees with the two night concept? Triple H.
Triple H on a Two-Night Event
\”Well, I mean my opinion is my opinion, but I think it was much more enjoyable than the eight hour extravaganza\” Triple H began on the episode. \”It\’s just become so big that it\’s almost when you think about it; it started out as a concert that ended up being a festival.\”
Concert To Festival
The Cerebral Assassin would elaborate further, saying \”it\’s this week long thing you know? When you think about it in that manner. Now the Thursday would have been the Hall of Fame, Friday was Smackdown, Saturday was going to be NXT Takeover. Sunday would have been WrestleMania, Monday would have been RAW.\”
With Chaos Comes The Genius
Triple H would then confirm that he much preferred the two-night concept for the actual WrestleMania event itself. \”Like, it\’s a week long festival and I think that the big main-stage attraction needs to be those two nights and it\’d be this weekend of events. I do think that\’s probably a change that; with chaos comes the genius and maybe that is the genius of it. I know there\’s been people saying that for a period of time, but that\’s a major shift and that doesn\’t come easy. I think people in the world look at stuff like that and think \’why can\’t they just make it two nights?\’\”
Hunter would sarcastically finish by saying \”yeah, because it\’s really easy to!\”
Do you think that WrestleMania should be a 2-night event going forward? Let us know in the comments
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had a surprise appearance on this week’s episode of WWE show The Bump. Johnson provided a pre-recorded video, congratulating Triple H, who was celebrating his 25th anniversary in WWE.
Recording in his backyard, The Rock reflected on Triple H’s “epic, historic” career. He confessed he was honored to be able to send him a message to commemorate the occasion. “We are lucky boys to have had the career we have had in the world that we love so much in pro wrestling.”
The Rock shared how Triple H has been good to him from the start. He added that he could see the hunger in Triple H’s eyes and knew that they would be competitors. Johnson explained how “That’s exactly why we gelled together; why we had incredible chemistry.”
“There’s only one man that I’ve gone around the world with and wrestled consistently so many times, and put in just incredible matches, and that is you,\” The Rock said. \”And I thank you. I love you. Congratulations, man, on just such an amazing career.”
Rock then spoke about Triple H’s work away from the ring, calling it “unparalleled.” He pointed to his work with NXT and WWE and his commitment to making sure the fans are happy. He talked about how wrestling is in Triple H’s blood and DNA, noting how “it’s as if you were born in the business.”
If you use any quotes from this article, please provide a H/T to SEScoops.
Triple H is apparently unfazed by All Elite Wrestling\’s recent string of ratings victories over NXT. The two shows compete head-to-head on Wednesday nights in what many have dubbed the Wednesday Night Wars. Speaking with Sports Illustrated, \”The Game\” explained why he isn\’t concerned, noting that he believes it\’s a long game.
\”I\’m a believer in the long-term game,\” Triple H said. \”You create the right product, and over time, people will find it. I think back to Monday nights years ago, and it looks different now, but there were periods of time when WWE was putting on much better shows and the content was much better, but we were still getting beat. We were not winning \’the war,\’ but we stayed true to who we were.\”
Triple H stated how fans are attracted to a flashy, exciting product that can\’t maintain its momentum, then \”it loses that pizzazz.\” According to him, it\’s the determination to commit to the long-term that will see a true winner. He stressed how he\’s not concerned by the week-by-week numbers. Instead, all he cares about is putting on the best NXT show possible every week.
NXT General Manager William Regal is set to appear on WWE show The Bumplater today to reveal some breaking news regarding NXT. This week\’s episode will see Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano compete in an empty arena match. Triple H made the matchup official during last week\’s episode of NXT.
Triple H has responded to the criticism WWE has received for going through with WrestleMania 36 despite the current coronavirus pandemic.
Former WWE Champion \”The Game\” was recently a guest on \”The Ariel Helwani MMA Show\” to discuss \”The Show Of Shows.\” Triple H noted that WWE believes they\’re putting on an essential service of entertaining fans during this hectic time.
“Look, there’s going to be critics of everything. I think we’re doing this to provide what we believe is an essential service in entertaining our fans, entertaining people around the world, and I think you see that with ESPN picking up past WrestleManias, and FOX, NBC and that partnership, we can put out content… even our historic content is evergreen in nature because of the storytelling aspect of what we do, and I say this a lot, we’re more akin to the ‘Rocky’ movie than we are actual boxing.
\”Once the event takes place live in boxing, you’re kind of done with it. With us, you’ll watch it over and over again, because it’s the story, and the characters, and the emotion that you feel. You’ll go back and relive those epic moments — Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3, or whatever connects with you from the past.
He went on to note that WWE is working very closely with government officials, and taking all the necessary precautions to protect all involved.
\”We’re working with the government officials very closely. We’re taking all of the precautions, we’re screening our talent. Anybody that’s uncomfortable doing this doesn’t have to. The crew and the staff is very, very limited.
\”We’re working the talent waves, where we bring them in for their particular stuff and then they can leave, and keeping people as separated as possible, trying to do this in as safe a way as possible, while still being able to perform a vital service. We’re following CDC recommendations, as well as Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Jeffrey Dugas.\”
WrestleMania 36 was initially scheduled to take place from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on April 5. However, after the coronavirus outbreak, the event was canceled due to gathering bans. WrestleMania was expected to attract over 70,000 people. Now, the event has been relocated to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Also, the show will take place over the span of two nights. Day one of WrestleMania 36 begins tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
The action continues on Sunday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. ET as well. Aside from the location and date changes, some of the matches have also been affected. One of the biggest changes being Roman Reigns\’ removal from his Universal Title match with Goldberg. Goldberg will now face a replacement opponent on the show.
During Ariel Helwani\’s MMA Show, Triple H was asked what he might be doing had he never met or married Stephanie McMahon. He explained how he\’s always had a fascination with how things work behind-the-scenes, regardless of his relationship with Stephanie. He noted that this interest is how he first started working with Vince McMahon. According to him, they started working together during the beginning of the Attitude Era.
\”I had never even met Steph at that point,\” Triple H explained. \”He and I were working creatively when a bunch of writers left us and Vince was kind of doing everything solo. He kind of tagged me in to help him in a manner and riff ideas off and bounce ideas off of and then I started sitting in production meetings and it became more and more my involvement.\”
\”The Game\” continued, \”Even for stuff that had zero to do with me, which I tended to prefer. I didn\’t like to weigh on the stuff that had to do with me nearly as much because I felt like it was wrong to do and your vision can get warped in that but to weigh in on other people\’s things and to weigh in on other shows, I was always as fascinated with that side of the business.\”
Triple H believes that even if he had never met or married Stephanie McMahon, he would still be involved in behind-the-scenes activity. He noted how his relationship with her is the best thing that ever happened to him.
Triple H has teased that Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania story will pan out in a “unique manner.” Reigns recently pulled out of his WrestleMania 36 matchup. He was due to face Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Triple H addressed Reigns’ decision, noting how there are different ways for fans to engage with the pro wrestling industry.
“Well, it’s a funny thing. You know, I think you can watch our business in multiple different ways,” Triple H said. “One of them is the storyline aspect of and [following] the storyline. Another way is the online component of it. And the reality of it behind it, Roman has is his situation and his reasons for doing the things that he’s doing.”
Triple H suggested that there are still plans in place for where Reigns can go from a narrative perspective. He added that he doesn’t want to go into too much detail, as he didn’t want to “give away the ending of the movie.”
He continued, “But I will say from our standpoint and the storyline standpoint, it’s going to play out in a unique manner. And we wanted it to play out that way. And, you know, it’s not necessarily putting me in an awkward position. It’s just me saying I don’t want to give away the ending of the movie before the movie takes place.\”
\”So I think everybody just has to watch and kind of see how this unfolds. But it will unfold in a unique way. And I think it will be meaningful, you know, for everybody. And again, there’ll always be critics and we’re doing the best we can.”
WrestleMania 36 airs on the WWE Network this weekend on April 4 and April 5.
WWE Vice President Triple H recently had an interview with Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show where he discussed things like the coronavirus pandemic and more.
The Game\’s special appearance on commentary during the March 13 episode of SmackDown created a lot of buzz on social media, though reports had later revealed that the original plans only called for him to be part of the opening segment of the show.
During the interview, Triple H talked about this change and
revealed that the blowing fan reaction of his first appearance on the show made
them alter things:
\”I get on commentary for Cole to continue the reset but
by the time I get off commentary in that first segment it\’s blowing up and as
I\’m walking off to the side, everybody is pulling me back going, \’Don\’t take
the headset off! Man, you gotta go back out there, do the rest of the show.\’
I was like, \’I don\’t want to do the rest of the show.\’ They talked me into it, so I went back out there\” recalled Triple H. \”and for me, it was just, \’Alright, like, I\’m not gonna be very good at this, so I\’m just going to play the idiot.\’\”
The former World Champion then praised Michael Cole for his
job and said that while he takes a lot of criticism, the man is gifted at what
he does.
Triple H continued by recalling how Cole did not know that he was going to be back on the announcers\’ desk and praised him for keeping the show together while also dealing with the \’butt of his jokes\’.
Triple H has addressed the current status of WWE\’s black-and-gold brand amidst the current coronavirus outbreak. During an interview with PWInsider, \”The Game\” noted how the brand is doing well despite the global situation forcing them to perform in front of zero fans.
\”Again, we\’re like everybody else trying to deal with very stressful circumstances and trying to do the best with circumstances that are changing on a minute by minute basis,\” Triple H explained. \”If you go back a month ago and tell people that you\’re in the situation that you\’re in today, it\’s almost unthinkable. But here we are.\”
He continued, \”Over the last few weeks we\’ve gone to doing all our shows without fans out of the Performance Center to the point of even, for the most part, doing WrestleMania that same way. The decision to shift NXT slightly to not doing a Takeover separate and bringing Takeover and putting them onto the weekly episodic series really just came down to, I think, a decision of amount of content that needed to take place in a very short period of time leading into WrestleMania and everything else, and it just made sense for us to do it in a different factor.\”
Taking TakeOver To NXT
NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay was due to take place this Saturday, April 4. Coronavirus concerns, however, forced WWE to cancel all their WrestleMania week plans. TakeOver included. Rather than delay the event, WWE instead set all matches scheduled for TakeOver for future NXT episodes.
Triple H argued how, given TakeOver was a separate event from WrestleMania 36, it made sense to approach their matches from a different angle.
\”When you take into consideration the fact that it\’s a separate event, but really no one\’s going to be there to see it live anyways, it really made sense for us to do it this way.\”
He continued, \”We\’ll start tonight with Keith Lee defending the North American Championship against Dominik Dijakovic and Damian Priest and continue into next week. Not all the matches, at this point, will be able to take place, but we\’ll get there down the line and continue to create the content that we can.\”
Delivering Entertainment During COVID-19
Triple H then stressed how WWE is committed to providing entertainment to people worldwide. He noted how their programming can help people forget the real-world situation, if only for a few hours.
\”And it won\’t be perfect, it won\’t be exactly what everybody wants it to be, maybe in some manner,\” Triple H said. \”But if they can forget about that and just tune out and turn it on and just let themselves been entertained, hopefully we can do that for you and let you forget about it for a brief period of time.\”
WrestleMania 36 will air on the WWE Network this weekend on April 4 and April 5.
Triple H did an interview with Pwinsider.com to talk about a wide range of topics including the decisions made by WWE regarding the coronavirus and running shows.
More specifically, NXT, which did take a week off in mid-March with no matches or in-ring talking segments but rather aired three video packages. Since then, WWE has taped several episodes of the weekly show on the USA Network.
“There is that intimacy with NXT, but no matter what brand it is, Smackdown, NXT, whether it’s WrestleMania or whether it’s Takeover. You’re working for that reaction, and that is really what the performance is about. I think the shifting of that in some way, it’s a totally different mindset working in an empty arena.”
Triple H continued by noting how performers have talked about their performance and they go bigger in this direction because of that reaction. In this situation, they don’t have that reaction from fans so they’re trying to pull their best feelings out, for what those reactions would be and timing of things.
Despite those challenges, he thinks the talent has done a phenomenal job in this situation as they’ve all stepped up together as a team and helped each other out. By seeing them looking out for each other and giving each other advice, it’s inspiring to see.
“I think we all believe right now, and nobody is being required to do any of this, the talent aren’t required to do this, if they have a problem, they don’t perform. And nothing is going to be held against them.”
Triple H stated that while everybody has their own feelings on this and for the most part, their talent, crew, and staff want to do this. He called seeing their talent wanting to perform despite the circumstances is inspiring.
While at these tapings, Triple H brought up seeing the people there and everybody is having fun.
“They’re all banding together, feeling like they’re in this together and they\’re in this challenging situation, but they’re all doing their best to make it work out.”
He brought up how it reminds him of when WWE used to go over to Iraq and Afghanistan under trying circumstances performing shows for the troops. He thinks it’s the same thing as there is a bond and a sense of camaraderie. He added that he’s all proud of them.
Triple H has shared his relief at not having to compete during this year’s WrestleMania. “The Game” joined ESPN SportsCenter for an interview where he spoke about how his current role demands his attention full-time. He explained how he wouldn’t have been able due to his current responsibilities. If he had been expected to wrestle, Triple H noted how it would just be an “added burden.”
“Right now, I’m a full-time office guy. It’s funny, ironically I wasn’t scheduled to be in this year’s WrestleMania anyways. Every year as time goes by, it gets more and more hectic for me. Getting in the ring just becomes an added burden.”
Triple H continued, “Especially this year, with the way things turned out, and what we wanted to accomplish, I was very thankful I wasn’t scheduled to be in the ring this year, because it would have been almost virtually impossible to do everything else that’s happening.”
Triple H\’s New Role
“The Game” hasn’t been a full-time competitor for several years now, rarely competing. When he does, however, it tends to be in a marquee matchup. Triple H\’s comments come following the revelation that his job role recently changed.
During the interview, Triple H also addressed Roman Reigns\’ decision to pull out of WrestleMania 36. He noted how Reigns’ pre-existing condition could potentially make him more susceptible. Reigns has previously twice beaten leukemia.
WrestleMania 36 airs on April 4 and April 5. The event, which has been pre-recorded, was relocated from Raymond James Stadium out of concern of the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been widely reported that Roman Reigns will not appear on the pretaped WrestleMania 36. WWE has yet to acknowledge that Roman will not be on the show, however. Reigns had been scheduled to take on Bill Goldberg for the WWE Universal title on the card.
Triple H recently appeared on ESPN Sportscenter and addressed WWE talent missing the event.
\”You know, there are various talents, and I don\’t wanna get into the specifics of WrestleMania because that\’s a must-see event, but we don\’t like to take precautions with our talent, any more so than we need to, and all of our talents are in this in a voluntary capacity,\” Triple H said on the program.
He would continue to mention Roman Reigns specifically on the show. Triple H noted that Roman Reigns\’ pre-existing condition (Roman has twice beaten Leukemia) could potentially make him more susceptible.
\”If they don\’t want to be a part of this, they feel there\’s a risk, for whatever reasons, be it themselves or somebody around them, they don\’t have to be here. Nothing is held against them for that. Same with our crew and everybody else. We don\’t want to take chances on that, and with Roman having a pre-existing condition, that would make him more susceptible to something, it\’s understandable.\”
AEW on-air talent and former WWE agent Arn Anderson recently talked about the relationship between Triple H and WWE CEO Vince McMahon. This week\’s episode of the ARN podcast focused on WrestleMania 31, which featured the controversial encounter between Sting and the aforementioned HHH.
Arn Anderson on Triple H/Vince McMahon
Anderson was discussing how a number of WWE fans believe that the company will be different once/if Triple H takes over the creative reins overall. The match between HHH and Sting was arguably a creative train wreck, and co-host of ARN Conrad Thompson asked if it was Triple H who likely booked the match or if Vince McMahon had final creative say.
\”I know that Hunter will never be able to override Vince\’s idea\” Arn Anderson began. \”No matter how good [the idea] is that he has. Or how it applies, or what you know is more appropriate. It would always be Vince\’s idea.\”
\”the harder you push against him [Vince], the harder he pushes back. \”
Arn Anderson
Anderson would elaborate further, saying that \”the harder you push against him [Vince], the harder he pushes back. And he just happens to have a lot more weight behind his push.\” Arn would also discuss how the flow of the match was almost nonsensical; especially with the talents who were hitting finishers that were easily kicked out of. \”There was a whole bunch of sh*t. I mean why would you kick out of Shawn Michaels Superkick on top of Hunter\’s Pedigree? And all the other finishes you compile and pile on top of each other?\”
Triple H at WrestleMania 35. Image Credit: WWE.com
Arn would finish by saying that \”you\’re not building anybody, you\’re killing everything off. I don\’t understand why guys of this era don\’t understand your finish is the one thing that should be sacred. Once you hit your finish on the guy, he\’s beat. That\’s why it\’s your finish. If you didn\’t have confidence in it because it had a proven record; then why is it the move that you choose to win a match?\”
WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Mark Henry recently discussed Triple H and his potential move into the CEO position once Vince McMahon retires.
Henry stated that he believes Triple H would change the scope of the company, by putting more emphasis on a number of featured talents instead of one or two \’top guys.\’
Mark Henry on Triple H
\”I think Triple H would broaden the title picture\” Henry began on the latest episode of Busted Open. \”Like it is at NXT. There are six or eight guys right now that can be champion on NXT. They have a lot more versatility in NXT, they don\’t put all the stock in one person to be the lead.\”
Henry elaborated further, describing how he believes HHH would make the \’main roster\’ more of a \’wild west.\’
\”And that\’s that\’s the biggest change I think that he would make. Triple H would make it a more of a wild wild west. Wide open. You know, one week a guy\’s challenging, the next week, another guy challenging. To find out who\’s the cream of the crop.\”
There were recent reports that \’The Game\’ had actually taken a \’demotion\’ in WWE. Hunter\’s new title in WWE is Executive Vice President, Global Talent Strategy and Development; whereas he previously worked as the EVP of Talent, Live Events, and Creative. Triple H himself took a shot at the reports on the first SmackDown live at the Performance Center, saying he has apparently been \”demoted but is even busier.\”
It will be interesting to see if HHH is still likely to take over the helm of WWE once Vince McMahon leaves or retires.
How do you think Triple H will change the format/presentation of WWE if/when he ever takes over from Vince McMahon?
The recent reports of Triple H receiving a demotion within WWE made a lot of buzz and it appears that the Game has also heard these talks.
This week\’s episode of SmackDown Live aired from Performance Center due to coronavirus threats and only the essential personnel were in attendance for the show.
The godfather of NXT was also present for the episode and Triple H took over the commentary duties alongside Michael Cole for the night.
What\’s interesting is that during the episode Cole mentioned how busy H was and replying to him, The King Of Kings said that \”I am the only man in the history of the world that can get demoted and get busier apparently\”:
— Alastair McKenzie??????? (@Mckenzieas93) March 14, 2020
For those who don\’t know, it was reported recently that WWE has edited Triple H\’s job title from being the Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative to Executive Vice President of Global Talent Development & Strategy.
In the new position, the former Champion is made in charge
of running NXT and overseeing the global development of the brand, including
the negotiations for TV rights.
His previous duties of negotiating with talents have been taken over by Vince McMahon’s Chief of Staff Brad Blum and many people within the company are seeing it as a \’quiet demotion\’ for Triple H.
Triple H has shared his thoughts on \’The British Bulldog\’ Davey Boy Smith\’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
Taking to Twitter, he highlighted Smith\’s decorated career. He noted how he provided a national sense of pride for the United Kingdom. Triple H added how this induction allows the British Bulldog his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.
\”A favorite of the @WWE Universe, decorated career and a source of national pride for the entire @WWEUK, British Bulldog is taking his rightful place in the #WWEHOF. Together, we can celebrate his in-ring career and memory as a father, husband, and Superstar.\”
A favorite of the @WWE Universe, decorated career and a source of national pride for the entire @WWEUK, British Bulldog is taking his rightful place in the #WWEHOF. Together, we can celebrate his in-ring career and memory as a father, husband, and Superstar. pic.twitter.com/aRzFrXPKOQ
Corey Graves revealed the news that Smith would be inducted into this year\’s class during his podcast, After The Bell. He was joined by Smith\’s son, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Tyson Kidd and Natalya. It was revealed during the episode that Smith Jr. will have the honor of inducting his late father. The Hall of Fame ceremony takes place on April 2 during WrestleMania week.
\”It\’s been long overdue but I am really excited and glad to be inducting my father into the 2020 Hall Of Fame,\” Smith Jr. said. \”It\’s something that is great not only for my family but the WWE Universe as well.\”
\’The British Bulldog\’ joins Dave Batista, The Bella Twins, JBL and the nWo as part of the 2020 Hall of Fame class.
Triple H is generally considered to be the successor of Vince McMahon. However, the latest news on the matter is not very positive for the Game and reports suggest that he has been given \”quiet demotion\” within the company recently.
According to reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, The former World Champion\’s roles within the company have changed recently and his job title has been edited as well.
Triple H had been working as the Executive Vice President of
Talent, Live Events & Creative since 2013 and he also has the Senior
Producer and creator role with NXT.
However, things have changed recently and the former Evolution member has been given the edited job title of Executive Vice President of Global Talent Development & Strategy.
His main job was being the head of talent relations but The Game has now been moved away from this role and his main duties now are the operation of NXT, selling the NXT TV rights to oversees partners, and overseeing the global expansion of the NXT brand.
Brad Blum, who is Vince McMahon\’s Chief of Staff, has taken
over Triple H\’s previous duties which include the duties of negotiating
contracts with talents.
This is a big change and according to the report, people within the company have called it a \”quiet demotion\” for Triple H.
This change had been kept quiet for almost 5 months before
finally being revealed in an SEC filling and the situation has been described
as \’curious\’.
![\"Triple](\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2020/01/Triple-H-WrestleMania-35-711x399.jpg\")