Following tonight’s WWE NXT Takeover Toronto event, Triple H went live with Cathy Kelley on Facebook to react to the night. Below are some highlights from the live chat.
On Tye Dillinger, Triple H said he thought tonight was going to be Dillinger’s breakout night, but it fell apart. Triple H added after tonight it’s clear Bobby Roode is headed straight for the NXT Title, and Dillinger is left waiting to see what happens next.
On the Dusty Rhodes Classic, Triple H talks about how personal the tournament is to him, and says he doesn’t know if he’s seen a more dominant tag team than The Authors of Pain. He added the last team to be as dominant might have been the other team lead by Paul Ellering, The Road Warriors.
On the NXT Tag Title match, Triple H says on all three WWE rosters, it would be hard to find a more technically sound and together tag team than The Revival. He added the NXT Tag Title win for DIY has been a long time coming, and just like they created their tag team name, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa have created their careers on their own.
On Asuka’s title defense tonight, Triple H praises her as one of the most dominant champions NXT has ever had, and she has cleaned out the Women’s Division in NXT. He added, however, that he thinks Mickie James earned Asuka’s respect tonight, and with regards to James’ future in WWE, it’s up to her whether or not we see her in a WWE ring again.
On the main event, Triple H said it was a shock to see Samoa Joe come up with the win as everyone thinks this is the Shinsuke Nakamura era in NXT. Triple H praised the physicality of both men, and added Nakamura kicks harder than anyone he has ever seen. He indicate the rivalry between Joe and Nakamura is not over, and he believes there will be a rematch, and when it does happen, it will be phenomenal.
Triple H ended by hyping Survivor Series tomorrow night, and said the competition between Raw and Smackdown is legitimate. He talked briefly about Goldberg vs Lesnar, and said it will be interesting to see what happens between the two and that paramedics will be standing by in case things get ugly.
November 20, 2016
Triple H Talks NXT Takeover; Bobby Roode & Mickie James’ Futures, Title Changes, Dusty Rhodes Classic, Goldberg vs Lesnar Potential & More
August 21, 2016
Recap of Triple H's Facebook Q & A
The following are the highlights of Triple H’s appearance on Facebook Live following the NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II event.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Triple H backstage at Barclays Center. They both raved about the live special. He said that changing the entire industry last year and to come back and do this tonight shows that NXT is on fire and is getting bigger and bigger. Kelley raved about how NXT sold out Barclays two years in a row.
-Hunter also spoke with pride about taking NXT to Australia and New Zealand. He said WWE Network is everywhere so they can go anywhere. He said they are at a point where they have to pick and choose.
-Kelley asked what Asuka defeating Bayley means for Bayley. “I guess we will see,” Hunter said with a smile. He said Brooklyn is Bayley’s city and she could be the honorary mayor. He said whether she wins or loses, she lights the place on fire. He said the crowd gave her a standing ovation and the people went crazy for her. Hunter said Asuka is on a different level right now and he doesn’t seen anyone touching her in the NXT women’s division anytime soon.
-Kelley mentioned Shinsuke Nakamura becoming the new NXT Champion and how he and Asuka are international talents who hold titles. Hunter said it speaks to the brand. He said everyone wants to be in NXT. “In my opinion, it’s the hottest brand going right now,” he said.
-Kelley asked about the various wrestlers who have been called up to Raw and Smackdown and how it affects NXT. Hunter said that if you look at last year’s show in Brooklyn, the wrestlers who were on it are the main roster of WWE today. He said you’ll see the first NXT Champion Seth Rollins face the longest reigning NXT Champion Finn Balor at SummerSlam. He also mentioned Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte. He said he watched those wrestlers come through NXT and put it on the map. He said he couldn’t be more proud of all of them. He said that when you look at what NXT did this year, it was a completely different group of people. “The talent pool here is as deep as it’s ever been and will continue to be that because we’re going to continue to create the future and the future always evolves,” he said. Hunter said the secret of NXT is that they will always deliver something “new, fresh, and exciting.”
-Hunter went out of his way to mention the Nakamura entrance. “Who would have predicted a violin player, at a WWE event, just lighting the place up?” he asked. Hunter said it was amazing and Nakamura is “just one of those once in a lifetime athletes who can come in and captivate the world.”
July 14, 2016
Triple H On WWE NXT And The WWE Draft, Bret Hart's Recent Comments, Brock Lesnar, Shinsuke Nakamura
To hear Paul Levesque talk about NXT is akin to hearing a father beam with pride about his firstborn son.
By day, Levesque is the WWE's executive vice president of talent, live events and creative. By night -- though much more infrequently these days -- he's 14-time world heavyweight champion Triple H.
But for all intents and purposes, Levesque is the heart and soul behind NXT, WWE's developmental territory, which has grown to become a legitimate third brand, providing in-house competition for Raw and SmackDown.
Created in 2012, NXT was designed to develop new talent and, in Levesque's words, "bring in a new era of WWE." But even the father of NXT himself has been surprised at how quickly it has grown into something more.
"It's hard for me to imagine that just a few short years ago, NXT was kind of just a concept that we had," Levesque said. "How quickly it has become something so much more than that."
With an old-school feel to the way it's booked and presented, the brand has created a cult following, offering hard-core wrestling fans a much different product from what WWE has traditionally aired on television in recent years. In fact, Levesque outright refers to NXT as the "bedrock" of the WWE Network, where it exclusively airs.
In response to Thursday's announcement that 2K Sports is releasing a collector's NXT edition to their "WWE 2K17" video game, limited to just 50,000 copies on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Levesque took time to answer questions on a number of topics, including NXT's growth.
June 14, 2016
Asuka Talks Learning At The Performance Center, Help From Shinsuke Nakamura And Hideo Itami, More
NXT Women's Champion Asuka was interviewed by Enuhito about her transition to American wrestling. You can see highlights below, or the full interview at this link.
The coaching at the Performance Center:
"Coaches here are teaching me a lot of things I didn't know in Japan. Basics to advance techniques. Some of it is similar to what I was doing in Japan but rhythm or timing is little different in the States, so how I mix Japanese and American techniques to my style is what I need to work on."
Her relationship with other Japanese WWE stars:
"I am in the same promo class with Hideo. We need to do promos in front of other superstars and coaches, but it always turns out to be like a comedy show. Shinsuke took me out to the beach with other superstars. Shinsuke gives me advices after checking my matches."
What she eats in the U.S.:
"Now a day, I only eat Japanese food here! I miss Japanese food! Not so many good Japanese restaurants in Orlando. It's difficult to find authentic Japanese restaurant."
April 25, 2016
Triple H Names Top WWE Stars He Would Like to Work With, His WrestleMania Match Against The Undertaker, WWE NXT and More
WWE star Triple H did a Q&A during the WWE Paris event over the weekend, and below are some highlights:
-When asked who in WWE he would like to get in the ring with, Triple H says he’s not sure if he would want to get in the ring with any of the top WWE stars now, but in his prime he would loved to have faced guys like Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles and Finn Balor. Triple H says when you are as good as those names, you want to get in the ring with them and work with them.
-Triple H says one of his biggest career moments was facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27. He called the match very special and the end of an era in pro wrestling.
-He talked about his career longevity and said that he is proud to have been able to have a 20 year in-ring career and now transition to the WWE offices. He added that he takes a lot of pride in NXT, which he says is the future of WWE.
April 3, 2016
Backstage News on the NXT Deals Signed by Ciampa and Gargano, Speculation on Bobby Roode and Kota Ibushi Deals, Manny Andrade, More
As we noted over the weekend, WWE has officially signed Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano to NXT deals. The two had been appearing on NXT TV for several months prior to being signed.
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, Ciampa and Gargano are actually signed to WWE NXT touring contracts, which differ from regular WWE developmental deals. The two will not be based in Orlando and will not be required to work out at the WWE Performance Center, but neither of them are allowed to work the indy scene.
With regards to Bobby Roode and Kota Ibushi, Meltzer speculates Bobby Roode will be offered a similar deal to that of Ciampa and Gargano, while Kota Ibushi could end up with a regular deal like the one offered to Shinsuke Nakamura. Ibushi’s deal would likely be for less money, however.
In related news, there appears to be some second-guessing with regards to experienced talents like Rich Swann and Biff Busick, as the two are doing developmental tasks like drills and ring crew work. This may have something to do with the type of deals Gargano and Ciampa signed, although that has yet to be confirmed.
The Swann/Busick argument could be made for an experienced talent like Manny Andrade, fka La Sombra, but he has yet to learn the US style of wrestling at the Performance Center.
February 26, 2016
Backstage News on Shinsuke Nakamura’s Pay in WWE, His Projected Run in NXT, His Signing a Major Sports Story in Japan
It has yet to be reported how much actual time Nakamura will spend in NXT, but all signs reportedly point towards a lengthy run in the brand, which makes his high pay interesting to note.
Nakamura’s signing has been treated like a major sports story in Japan, as the February 22nd press conference in Tokyo at the Hard Rock was attended by over 100 reporters, photographers and videographers.
February 22, 2016
Shinsuke Nakamura signs with WWE NXT
Shinsuke Nakamura, perhaps the hottest free agent in sports-entertainment, has officially signed with WWE NXT. The announcement was made during a press conference Monday morning in his home country of Japan.
His signing came during a whirlwind visit to the United States, which included stops at WWE World Headquarters in Stamford, Conn. and the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.
“Talent is the lifeblood of our company, and the signing of Shinsuke Nakamura further demonstrates NXT’s commitment to bringing in the best talent from all over the world,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative said. “His explosive style will make an immediate impact to an already dynamic NXT men’s division.”...More?
January 27, 2016
Shinsuke Nakamura is coming to NXT TakeOver: Dallas
Yes, the rumors are true. Shinsuke Nakamura is coming to WWE NXT.
At Wednesday night’s NXT taping at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla., a video announcing the arrival of the Japanese standout at TakeOver: Dallas, which takes place during WrestleMania 32 Week, played for the live crowd, sending shockwaves through the arena and, moments later, the social media world.
Nakamura, a 14-year veteran of the squared circle, has been a leading star in the New Japan promotion since 2002. Renowned for his striking and submission ability, as well as his unorthodox charisma, Nakamura’s devastating Bomaye knee strike has felled many opponents and his smash mouth style has earned him the nickname The King of Strong Style. A three-time IWGP Champion — the same title once held by the likes of Vader, The Great Muta and AJ Styles — Nakamura is the youngest competitor to win that championship, capturing it for the first time at 23. He has taken on a who’s who of the best grapplers in the world in his career, facing the likes of Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens, Hideo Itami, WWE Performance Center Head Coach Matt Bloom and The Beast Incarnate himself, Brock Lesnar.
Rumors of Nakamura coming to WWE first started in early January, along with gossip about AJ Styles and Bullet Club members Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows returning to America. Reports about Styles became truth during the 2016 Royal Rumble Match when The Phenomenal One entered at No. 3. Now, The King of Strong Style has decreed that he will be stepping between the yellow ropes in the not-so-distant future.
What does Shinsuke Nakamura have planned for NXT and The Superstars of Tomorrow at TakeOver: Dallas? Find out by tuning into NXT, every Wednesday at 8/7 C, only on WWE Network!
January 5, 2016
WWE Website Picks Up On Rumors Of AJ Styles And Other NJPW Stars Coming In
WWE's website has picked up on the rumors of New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura possibly leaving NJPW for WWE.
It's rare that WWE's website covers rumors like these and they are promising updates. Below is what they wrote:
Are AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows coming to WWE?
The sports-entertainment world has been buzzing this week with speculation that WWE has signed four massive international Superstars.
Numerous media outlets reported Monday that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke "Doc" Gallows — most recently of New Japan Pro Wrestling — are in negotiations to compete under the WWE banner.
The office of WWE COO and EVP of Talent Relations, Triple H, declined to comment on the rumors for WWE.com.
Reports began circulating late Sunday that all four had reportedly given their notices to New Japan management. Fueling the rumors that Styles, Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows were WWE-bound was a series of tweets involving reigning NXT Champion Finn Bálor.
Until recently, Styles, Gallows and Anderson were all part of New Japan's Bullet Club faction, a stable formerly led by Bálor when he wrestled in Japan under the alias Prince Devitt. For months, Bálor has made it clear that he's still tight with the Bullet Club members, even tweeting photos of them wearing his "Bálor Club" T-Shirts. On Monday, Bálor stirred the pot again, tweeting an image of Anderson sporting trunks that bore Finn's "demon" design. Additionally, the official Twitter account for the Bullet Club tweeted the NXT Champion Monday, telling him to keep more Bálor Club shirts on hand in case they need them. That tweet has since been deleted.
Rumor Mill - WWE Reportedly Signs AJ Styles And Other Top NJPW Stars
WWE has reportedly signed New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, according to F4WOnline. We first exclusively reported in early December that WWE was interested in signing Nakamura. The group reportedly informed NJPW booker Gedo that they were finishing up before WrestleKingdom 10 this morning.
No word yet on when the four will begin work with WWE but Nakamura apparently is not leaving early as he will most likely drop his title before leaving.
F4W added that Anderson was reportedly also in talks with TNA and close to signing but the WWE deal came through instead. Anderson, Gallows and Nakamura are expected to honor their Ring of Honor dates for February and AJ is likely done with ROH going forward.
