Triple H on Retirement and Backstage Power

Q. You've been on top for a decade. Now 40, you're married with two children. Do thoughts of retirement ever cross your mind?

A. Sure. I've always said that I won't be one of those guys still wrestling at 50 or 60 like (Randy 'The Ram' Robinson) in (The Wrestler). I look at the business now from the other side and, if I was Vince McMahon, I'd know when to tell me to step away. Right now, the talent's not there: there is no depth. But, yeah, I do think about retiring: wrestling isn't the only thing iny my life, like it was when I broke in. If my family asked me to give up wrestling tomorrow, I'd do it in a heartbeat for them, and I'd never look back.

Q. Plenty of people say you use your backstage position and your marriage to your advantage --- even that you abuse the power you have. How do you respond to that? And does criticism bother you?

A. People say the power I have puts me in a position of dominance but, if I lost that power, I'd be quite happy. It's all about what benefits the business for me. As for criticism? I think that if you go through life and no one hates you, then that means you're not good at anything. The critics I listen to are the ones I can hear when I walk into the arena. When people aren't caring about me anymore, I'll know. Not even Vince deems that: fans deem that. Look at John Cena. People say, "Why does Vince push him so much?" He sells so much (merchandise) and he sells out arenas. It's all about what benefits the business.

source: powerslam magazine