Tag: Triple H

Backstage Rumors On Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque’s Role In WWE, TKO

Vince McMahon’s future in the WWE is unclear, with recent SEC filings leading to speculation that the longtime executive might be fashioning an exit plan from the newly-minted TKO Group Holdings, which formed in the wake of WWE’s merger with UFC, under UFC parent company Endeavor. This speculation has led to further speculation about who is running WWE’s creative branch; McMahon, or Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who assumed the reigns of Chief Content Officer following McMahon’s initial retirement. It’s unclear what the power structure is within WWE’s creative brain trust, though some believe the wind is blowing in a certain direction. 

PWInsider Elite’s Mike Johnson recently passed along that rumors within WWE have Levesque driving what he described as “99%” of WWE’s creative direction, with the word being that Levesque has been “knighted” by TKO to lead the promotion, instead of McMahon, a decision which is said to have had a positive effect on backstage morale.

However, this does not mean that McMahon is out of the picture, as the long-time WWE figurehead is currently Executive Chairman of TKO, and has remained active within WWE since his return in January. It is believed that McMahon, as long as he’s around, will always have some input in WWE and that an occasional “tug-of-war” between himself and Levesque may still pop up now and then, with the Chief Content Officer sometimes acquiescing to McMahon’s suggestions.

How much truth there is to these rumblings backstage remains unclear. The most recent word on WWE’s creative process had Levesque running the day-to-day creative, with McMahon overseeing and having final say over certain elements of “Raw,” “SmackDown,” and WWE PLE’s, though McMahon himself had indicated he would no longer be in the day-to-day weeds, as he had been in the past.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Triple H: ‘WWE Is Focused On Character Development’

While taking questions during WWE’s first quarter 2023 earnings call today, Triple H wanted everyone to know that WWE is focused on character development at a time when the company is about to be acquired by The Endeavor Group. Here are the highlights: 

What they’re doing to boost ratings: 

“That really comes down to us just having assembled the right team. Across the board, we have world class superstars and that continues to grow every day through our developmental system, through NIL, through international and domestic recruit, so the pipeline coming in is very strong. You just saw that in the recent draft and the amount of talent we had to draft and coming up from NXT, and through that pipeline. The writing team is world class and Kevin Dunn’s production team, there’s nothing like it in the world.”

Focus on character development: 

“As far as what we’re focused on, we’re focused on character development. I think you see that across storylines where our fans are super engaged in the talent. Let’s take Sami Zayn and the Bloodline over the last, couple of years really, but especially in the last six to eight months, where that story and the character development has reached a whole new level. It has our fans invested and excited in the content like they haven’t been in a long time. For us, extending the planning of the event horizon. Looking out year over year, where we want to be next year and then back tracking from there, so that we’re always ahead of the curve and always thinking ahead. That allows us to have better planning and then it’s just trying new things and getting outside of a box of what we do and seeing what works and what doesn’t. I don’t consider something not working a failure, I consider it learning. Really excited about the future and where we can take all of this.”

Source: eWrestlingNews

Triple H Announces Revival Of WWE World Heavyweight Championship

On Saturday, May 27, a brand new WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned. Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque teased a major announcement ahead of the April 24 edition of “WWE Raw,” and after praising the current reign of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, he delivered on it by reviving and revealing a new incarnation of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. With the Draft set to return, starting this Friday on “SmackDown,” Levesque announced that Roman Reigns will take his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to whichever show drafts him. As for the holder of the new title for the other show, that will be decided at the Night of Champions event in Saudi Arabia.

“This will be a champion you can be proud of,” Triple H declared. “This will be a champion you can respect, that you can admire. This will be a champion that will defend this championship anywhere, any place, any time, all over the world.”

Then, in a not-so-subtle dig at Reigns, he finished his announcement by saying, “This champion will not have to demand your acknowledgment. This champion will earn your acknowledgment, and will earn the title of World Heavyweight Champion.”

Originally, the latest editions of The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments were planned for late May in Saudi Arabia. It would’ve marked the first time since October 2021, when Xavier Woods defeated Finn Balor to become King while Zelina Vega won the first-ever Queen’s Crown tournament by toppling Doudrop (Piper Niven) in the final. Now with the WWE Draft right around the corner and the fact that almost every star from the main roster on down through “NXT” is eligible, it remains to be seen just how WWE will crown its new World Heavyweight Champion come May 27.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Triple H Reportedly Makes Decision On Future Of WWE Tag Titles

The Usos are currently the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the two pairs of belts they hold are inseparable. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Triple H has a plan in place to make sure that there will be two different sets of tag titles for WWE’s men’s division.

The unification of the “WWE SmackDown” and “WWE Raw” Tag Team Championships was the idea initially, but Triple H recently made the decision to go back to treating them as separate entities. Doing this would allow The Usos to keep hold of one set of titles, even after losing the other. The reported hope is that separating the “Raw” and “SmackDown” titles makes it seem more likely that The Usos can lose when defending them.

It was back on the May 20, 2022 episode of “SmackDown” when The Usos defeated RK-Bro to unify the “Raw” and “SmackDown” tag titles together in a “Winner Take All” match. Jimmy and Jey have held the “SmackDown” Championship since July 18, 2021, defeating Dominik and Rey Mysterio at Money In The Bank. Their current reign is the longest WWE Tag Team Championship reign in the company’s history. Along with their “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns, The Usos’ dominance has been a big help in solidifying The Bloodline as the preeminent faction in WWE, with wins over The New Day, The Street Profits, Hit Row and more during their history-making reign. Now the champs will soon be squaring off against The Judgement Day for the “Raw” straps.

Judgement Day vs. The Usos for the RAW Tag Team Titles is set for this Monday at RAW 30th Anniversary show, RAW Is XXX.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Stephanie McMahon & Triple H Reportedly Oppose Sale Of WWE

Stephanie McMahon and Triple H are reportedly against a sale of WWE.

It was announced on Tuesday that Stephanie submitted her resignation from WWE after her father, Vince McMahon, was unanimously re-elected as Executive Chairman to the company’s Board of Directors.

According to a report from Axios, there was some serious opposition from Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and others on a potential sale of WWE.

The report notes that Stephanie and Triple H “had opposed a sale,” with some believing Stephanie’s resignation had to do with her father taking charge of the company. While Stephanie and Triple H won’t comment publicly, it’s said that they are both fuming in private.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Endeavor, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Shahid and Tony Khan, and others are interested in purchasing the company.

Source: ewrestlingnews

Triple H Reveals Survivor Series Will Include Two WarGames Matches

WarGames is finally coming to the main roster.

Triple H has quickly made a number of changes to WWE’s on-air product since being appointed head of creative. From bringing in released stars to giving some who never lost their jobs their names back. Some fans would argue the overall quality of what we see each week on Raw and SmackDown has already been upped considerably too.

The Game is clearly keen to make his mark on what WWE is with him in charge of its creative instead of Vince McMahon as swiftly as possible, and the next way he plans on doing that is via Survivor Series. As first reported by The Ringer, Triple H has revealed there will be two WarGames matches at Survivor Series. One with male Superstars, and another for female Superstars.

https://twitter.com/ringer/status/1571866744599216128

“The tradition of the Survivor Series has ebbed and flowed and changed slightly over time, but this will be similar to that,” Triple H explained. “This will not be Raw versus SmackDown. It will be much more story-line driven. I still look at it as a traditional component to Survivor Series in there because it’s large teams of people competing .”

WarGames lends itself to the Raw vs. SmackDown format, so it’s somewhat surprising WWE won’t be keeping it as simple as a battle for brand supremacy when it brings the two-ring cage to the main roster for the first time. It could be a sign that the battle of the brands at Survivor Series is scrapped entirely despite previous rumors it would remain in place.

Getting rid of the concept altogether would certainly make a lot of sense. Not only does a battle of the brands feel a little redundant when Superstars appear to be able to show up wherever they like, but The Bloodline currently has a lot of the main roster titles. Roman Reigns doesn’t have a World Champion to face on an opposing brand, nor do The Usos have another set of Tag Champions to face. As for WarGames, it’s unclear whether the original format from WCW will return or if Triple H plans on using the tweaked cage without a roof that has been used in NXT.

Source: TheSportster

Backstage News On Triple H Planning More Surprises

Since Paul “Triple H” Levesque became WWE’s head of creative, he has wasted little time putting his imprint on the promotion’s main roster, including bringing back several former WWE Superstars. Dakota Kai, Johnny Gargano, Hit Row, Karrion Kross, and Scarlett Bordeaux have all made their returns to the company since Triple H took control following Vince McMahon’s retirement, but that might not be the end of the surprises. 

While fans have speculated about the likes of Bray Wyatt, Sasha Banks, and Naomi all coming back to WWE television, Levesque is reportedly working on other surprises. According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he has more coming in the future, but they are not the people about whom people are speculating. 

No information was given about who Levesque could be working on bringing to the WWE roster, and whether or not they are former WWE Superstars or talent who have never appeared before, but he is clearly pushing to make big moves to keep the fans engaged.

Braun Strowman’s return to WWE is the latest comback, with the former Universal Champion making his way back on the 9/5 episode of “WWE Raw,” in which he ran through four of WWE’s tag teams. Since then he has appeared on “WWE SmackDown,” taking out both members of the Alpha Academy.

Triple H has also been keeping things fresh on the main roster by bringing talent from “WWE NXT” to the shows, with Dexter Lumis, IYO SKY, and Toxic Attraction getting opportunities to shine.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Triple H Rumored To Be Working On WWE Belt Design Changes

Triple H is reportedly working on design alterations for WWE belts.

WWE’s title belts could be set for a redesign, with Triple H said to be already working on changes.

The Game has been handed a lot more power at WWE and, with that, a lot more responsibility, having taken over as the company’s head of creative on the back of Vince McMahon’s retirement. So far, he’s been doing a pretty good job with the company’s flagship shows, receiving lots of plaudits for the changes which have been introduced.

Monday Night Raw has also seen an impressive jump in ratings recently, going over the two million mark.

Triple H has introduced several changes since taking over, permitting the use of previously banned terms, lifting the Twitch ban, and, more importantly, bringing back a number of released wrestlers such as Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, and Johnny Gargano. Sasha Banks and Naomi are also expected back soon.

It’s believed that HHH is also allowing wrestlers to go by their real names, something given credence by Gargano’s return under his actual name and the Pete Dunne elements that surfaced on SmackDown this past Friday.

It’s now being reported that The Game is looking to make significant changes to belts at WWE. This comes from Belt Fan Dan, who has been responsible for many belt revelations in the past.

For now, the new creative lead is making the United States and Intercontinental Championships important again. Let’s see if the belts themselves receive upgrades.

Source: TheSportster

Triple H Outlines His Plans As Head Of WWE Creative

Triple H has highlighted a “massive opportunity” following his promotion at WWE.

Newly-installed WWE head of creative Triple H has outlined his goals following the retirement of former CEO and chairman Vince McMahon.

McMahon has been replaced by his daughter Stephanie McMahon, who is now chairwoman of the company, as well as co-CEO alongside president Nick Khan. Triple H has taken over as the creative lead and the changes are already evident.

The 11-time World Champion spoke during an earnings call this week, acknowledging how big of an opportunity there is to do something special while noting his experience behind the scenes with claims he’s had a hand in creative affairs for a very long time.

“I think the opportunity in front of us is massive, and as a great man once told me, first day on the job thinking, and that’s what we’re doing here is first day on the job thinking,” he said (H/T WrestleZone).

“For me, I’ve been doing this for a long time, from behind the scenes and creative, since really almost the very beginning of my career here with WWE. But I’m approaching it from a first day. What is working, what isn’t working, from the overall picture all the way down to the smallest of details and really trying to create from there.

“It all comes down to the same thing that it’s come down to since the beginning is creating iconic characters, putting them in amazing storylines, and fantastical storylines and whatever works for those characters the best, and then running with it and watching how fans react to that along the way.

Triple H would certainly love it if the WWE Universe deemed him responsible for the emergence of new stars, so he’s keen on creating at least a few.

“So I think the opportunity is massive, I think it’s an opportunity for us to not only engage with the stars that we have for our fans but to create new stars as well and create the platform and the opportunity for them to become bigger than anything we’ve seen prior to it.”

Stephanie, who paid tribute to her father during the call, revealed she offered to step in as interim CEO after details of the investigation into the latter’s misconduct leaked via the press (and wasn’t forced), despite having taken a leave of absence just prior.

Source: TheSportster

Fans And Wrestlers Have Voiced Resounding Approval Of Triple H’s WWE Booking, WWE Draft And WWE & Universal Title Plans

Ever since Triple H took charge of the creative direction of WWE programming, fans and wrestlers alike have voiced their resounding approval of The Game’s booking. The common consensus seems to be that both “Raw” and “SmackDown” no longer feature predictable segments, rematches and storylines going nowhere, and there’s a lot more focus on character development and in-ring action. The element of unpredictability has also seemingly returned, as evidenced by the shocking returns of Karrion Kross and Dexter Lumis and the bizarre backstage segments laced with easter eggs. Fans have also praised Triple H for allowing talents to cut promos that come across unscripted for the most part, specifically Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens’ passionate promo exchange on “WWE Raw” last night.  

WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has given his thumbs up to Triple H as well, praising his friend for “bringing it” again. 

“RAW produces again,” Nash wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning. “Drew/KO. Lashley/A.J and Theory/Ziggler P.P.V worthy matches. Little things where guys are holding onto the ropes on the apron keep the action going and intensity high. This HHH guy seems to have an incredible grasp on this WRESTLING GAME. Keep bringing it!”

The shake-up of the WWE product is expected to continue in the coming months, with the likes of Bray Wyatt, Sasha Banks and Naomi rumored to return imminently. Furthermore, Triple H plans to hold the next WWE Draft sometime in September or October, with the idea of reshuffling the rosters. According to Fightful Select, there is also chatter of Triple H repackaging the likes of Max Dupri (FKA LA Knight) and T-Bar (FKA Dominik Dijakovic) by giving them their old “NXT” gimmicks back.

Several reports have also suggested that Triple H plans to ensure both brands get a full-time World Champion instead of a part-time Roman Reigns, who unified the WWE & Universal Titles at WrestleMania 38 earlier this year. McIntyre alluded to this on last night’s show, vowing to ‘wrestle every week, on every show, and at every live event’ once he dethrones the Tribal Chief at the at Clash of the Castle on September 3. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.