As noted earlier, Triple H is on the cover of the latest edition of Muscle & Fitness magazine, which is on newsstands now. Here are a few highlights from the interview:
How he transitioned to into a creative position:
"In some ways, I've been doing it behind the scenes for years. Vince McMahon used to say to me, 'When are you going to stop playing around and come do some real work?' Once I had kids and was looking to be home more and getting a little older, I saw it was time to make that transition. Vince sort of baited me in, saying, 'Why don't you come in to the office once or twice a week on your off days?' And the next thing I know it's, 'I need you to take over this department and come off the road full time.' Vince likes to call me [to wrestle] in case of emergency. I'm a character they can pull in here and there. But honestly, the less I do it at this point, the better. Even wrestling once or twice a year is hard, and I have to prepare for it as if I'm Floyd Mayweather preparing for a boxing match. It's a commitment, and trying to do that with a full-time job and a wife and kids is very time-consuming."
How the Performance came come to be:
"WWE has had a development system for a long time, but I felt we needed to do more. So, from concept to development, the Performance Center was mine. And it was something that Vince, when I pitched him on it, said was phenomenal. I helped design it, and worked with the architects. I went to NFL and NHL training centers and saw what the best teams in the world had. I thought, 'If I were a 20-year-old today, what would I need to succeed?' And I put it all in that building. That includes everything from strength and conditioning, rings for [future Superstars] to work in, to promo rooms where they can work on their verbal skills. We train everyone from referees to announce teams there. That's the platform for the next generation of Superstars."
Advice for other business people to stay in shape despite hectic schedules and travel:
"I make sure I always have a body-weight routine on hand, or bands, so I can do something in my hotel room. Even if you do only 15-20 minutes of intense exercise every day, your life changes dramatically. The Rock and I have always had a rivalry. And even though he's one of the biggest movie stars in the world now, to this day, I'll still look at his Twitter account, and it says something like '4:30 a.m. in Bolivia filming a movie, about to hit cardio.' So when I have to motivate myself, I'll think about that and say, 'f--kin' Rock. If he can do it, I can do it.' He motivates me. He's not afraid of a hard day's work. If being successful means I have to miss sleep, that's what I'll do. And that's most people's problem. Most don't want it more than they want to hang out or go and see the new Iron Man movie. When I was in high school, I didn't hang out with my friends, I hung out with the guys from my gym. My friends wanted to go to parties and I didn't, because I was going to get up at seven the next morning and do a heavy leg day. That's just how I've always been. I hope that drive never goes away."
His favorite WrestleMania moment:
"Of all time, I guess it's that iconic moment at WrestleMania III, with Hogan slamming Andre. It represents that time and the explosion of the business. For me, personally, it would be WrestleMania 28, with me and Undertaker and Shawn Michaels as the referee. There was a moment I'll never forget, with the three of us standing at the top of the ramp - we were like the three guys of the Attitude Era left standing, after the Monday Night Wars and everything. Three guys who couldn't be closer or have more respect for one another. I have a photo of that moment framed at my house."
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June 1, 2014
Triple H Talks Rivalry With The Rock, Working Behind The Scenes, Favorite WrestleMania Moments
Rumor Mill - Triple H calls meeting at RAW for better direction for story lines
There was a meeting called by Triple H before this past Monday’s RAW in Knoxville, TN. Triple H reportedly expressed his desire for RAW and SmackDown to have “more of a flow from top to bottom.”
There are concerns within WWE that people aren’t subscribing to the WWE Network because the product on TV isn’t good enough, which can be largely attributed to lack of flow, storylines being forgotten or outright dropped.
One source pointed to Triple H and Vince McMahon having “different visions” and the ideas of the two clashing.
It’s said that going into the summer, Triple H really wants more focus placed on under-card programs as a way to help build up the mid-card.
Rumor Mill - Three Big Names Expected To Begin Training With WWE Soon
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that independent stars KENTA, Kevin Steen and Prince Devitt will begin training at the WWE Performance Center from August.
WWE has to clear all their visas, medical tests and many other factors before allowing them to join the developmental roster.
May 30, 2014
Brie Bella Talks About Her Thoughts on Stephanie McMahon, Bryan & Total Divas, Rosa, More
Scott Fishman of The Miami Herald recently spoke with Brie Bella to promote the season finale of WWE Total Divas. Below are some highlights:
Being on Total Divas:
"I look at all of us girls, and we all bring something different to the table. I think women can relate to us because I think it’s very common women have to balance career and relationship. At the same time, you never know what the world is interested in at that moment. There was the thinking of, ‘I think it will do well because we have something great here.’ At the same time, are people interested in women fighting in the ring and fighting for relationships outside?"
Daniel Bryan and the show:
"When I brought it up to Bryan [about doing the show], he was just like, ‘Brie, I don’t think we’re entertaining to watch. I don’t think this is a good idea for you and I.’ I was kind of like, ‘I think you’re right. We are kind of boring.’ It’s because we are very private, so it was hard for us to open up with all the cameras. He is such a good sport. He is just so good to me. With anything I want to do, he is 100 percent for it, even if he thinks I’m crazy. It was very hard for he and I at first, but now we have fun with it. We are so comfortable that sometimes we forget that the cameras are there. Bryan and I came to look at this as people can see he and I are very into the environment. That’s our passion outside of work."
Rosa Mendes being added to the third season:
"She has kind of been in this business for a really long time but has never really gone to the top. It will be neat to see her story and her struggles."
Having baby fever:
"I’m 30, and I’ll be 31 in November. You do get that baby fever where everyone around me is having children. I think in two years Bryan and I would love to have kids. Now it could be sooner, or it could be later. I’m not ready just yet, so for me it’s later. You never know. I just can’t wait to be a mother and to see Bryan as a father because I know he will be amazing at that. It will be crazy."
Her girl crush on Stephanie McMahon:
"I have to say I have like a girl crush on her. She is just an amazing woman. She is so talented and with the way she is with all the charities to represent WWE. Then she can put that all aside, when she gets to that ring. It’s just insane to me. I just really admire her, and it has been a lot of fun to work with her and learn from her. I’ve really enjoyed it. The storyline is insane, and you never know what it holds. I’m excited for Payback because I think it will have a really great twist."
Ric Flair Wrestling for Japanese Promotion, Flair Talks About Dolph Ziggler, Charlotte, His Health
Ric Flair recently spoke with Mike Mooneyham of The Charleston Post & Courier. Flair noted that he's down to 228 pounds and is in the best shape he's been in since his TNA run.
The article confirms a recent report that Flair is scheduled to wrestle for a Japanese promotion in September. Flair also talked about wanting to manage Dolph Ziggler when he returns to WWE soon. Flair commented on Ziggler:
"I think he's awesome. He'd be a great guy to manage. He looks like a million bucks. He just can't find his gimmick. He needs to work on his entrance. I could help him with that."
Flair also talked about his daughter, NXT Women's Champion Charlotte:
"She will be the greatest Flair of all time. Her credentials speak for themselves," says Flair. "I'd put her resume up against anybody. She's Rey Mysterio but bigger. She is going to be the greatest female wrestler and the most famous diva in the history of the WWE."
May 29, 2014
CM Punk Says He Is Retired, Talks Life After Wrestling
Red Eye Chicago is featuring an interview with former WWE star CM Punk for his role painting for charity sponsored by the Chicago Cubs. The interview refers to Punk as being a retired pro wrestler and asks about his life after wrestling.
"It feels good. It's a lot easier when you hook up with organizations like the Cubs and being friends with some of the team members. It isn't hard to support their charities. Plus I get to do fun stuff like bowl and paint chairs and play whiffle ball with Bill Murray. It was super fun and for a great cause. You've got athletes and actresses and musicians and all kinds of people painting chairs. I'm super happy to be a part of it."
WWE working on new Randy Savage documentary DVD
WWE has started work on a new documentary about the career of "The Macho Man" Randy Savage according to a new report. No word on when the DVD will be released. The company released "Macho Madness- The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection DVD" in 2009.
Triple H's Twitter Q&A Highlights: NXT Takeover, Who To Watch, Proof That NXT Works, Sami Zayn, More
Which match is he most excited for tonight? "has to be split between Kidd/Neville and Charlotte/Natalya. Zayn/Breeze isn't far behind."
Who is the mega-star to look out for in NXT? "NXT Champion Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin and Alexa Bliss"
Who has been the best example that the NXT system works? "look no further than Bray Wyatt"
Which Takeover star will be a future WWE Champion? "they will all be prepared for it. Right now? Adrian Neville."
When will we see Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville on the main roster? They are two of the best young talents right now. "they absolutely are. When the time is right. The goal is to make sure everyone is prepared on EVERY level."
Which NXT star do you hope to face one day? "I hope none of them! But if I had to pick one to work with today? @iLikeSamiZayn"
Do you see NXT as a developmental system or more of a brand? "it's both. It's clearly it's own brand but is definitely a launching pad to Raw, Smackdown, and WWE main roster."
Are you a lemon or a Rosebud? "that depends on the day!"
Are you concerned that people might work on NXT but fail to transition onto the main roster? "always a concern, we give them the tools but Success or failure depends on the talent. If it was easy, anyone could do it."
Is Full Sail University going to be the main location for NXT or are there any plans to take it elsewhere? "Full Sail is an amazing partnership, we're thrilled with it. We hope that Full Sail remains NXT's home for years to come."
What do you think is the biggest key to success these athletes need to learn in the business? "Confidence in the ability to let go and not just pretend to be something - but to actually be something."
If NXT was around when you came to WWE would you have wanted to gone through that or straight to the big time? "the journey that my generation had is different than this one has. NXT and the PC were designed to give them everything they need."
Is there anyone on the NXT roster that you would compare to yourself? "Lot of talent based on hunger to succeed and their passion."
May 28, 2014
Triple H Praises Natalya and Charlotte, Talks About Tyson Kidd, WWE Payback, NXT, More
Triple H is back for another sitdown interview with Michael Cole this week, which you can see on WWE's website at this link. Below are highlights:
* He says Payback is where it all comes to an end, the final battle. He's been telling The Shield to adapt or perish and the time is at Payback.
* Triple H talks about NXT Takeover on Thursday night. He says he got the name Takeover from looking at social media and seeing that fans were talking about how NXT is taking over WWE. He says NXT is going to make an impact on the world.
* He praises Natalya as one of the best in-ring performers int he Divas division and says Charlotte is becoming one of the best. He says Charlotte is one of the most genetically gifted athletes he's ever seen.
* He talks about how Tyson Kidd made a little bit of an impact on the main roster, got hurt and is now using NXT as his pathway back. He brings up a possible scenario of Tyson losing and Natalya winning. He refers to Kidd as a sidekick husband and says that's hard for some guys to handle. Cole talks about a NXT Takeover preview show interview he conducted with Kidd where Kidd got emotional.
* Triple H says NXT is an infectious environment and everyone there should be congratulated. He says we will see the NXT talents put their heart and soul on the line like never before at Takeover.
Triple H Talks About Future Plans for NXT, Tough Enough, Vince's Opinion on NXT, Merriman, More
Today, Triple H has been very busy promoting tomorrow's NXT Takeover live special on the WWE Network, not just to Michael Cole on WWE.com, but also to the wrestling media in an official conference call, which has been made publicly available on f4wonline.com. Below is all the news and interesting comments Hunter made during the 50 minutes Q&A session:
Triple H said they're considering eventually doing monthly NXT live specials for the WWE Network, but at the moment the plan is to stick with the quarterly format. He put the specials over as a great learning experience for all the NXT talent, down to the trainee cameramen, audio and lighting technicians, directors and producers, to work side by side with the WWE crew on a live television shoot, which is perfect preparation to get them ready for a position on the main WWE roster and build anticipation amongst fans for that moment.
Hunter admitted that just because an act works in the small, intimate setting of the NXT tapings at Full Sail University, it doesn't mean they will translate well in major arenas on a national scale, partly due to the extra pressure of finally getting to work in the big time.
He cites Cesaro as an example of someone who he had to pull aside after watching his NXT matches and tell him "Do that when you get to Raw, do that when you get to Smackdown, you work differently [here].", as he adapted to the transition.
The NXT Takeover name was inspired by the real-life takeover of WWE television by former NXT talent like The Shield, The Wyatt Family, etc.
It sounds unlikely that they will move to more regular NXT TV tapings and more live specials at the moment due to the increased costs involved, but it remains a work in progress.
Triple H claimed that the next step in the development of the WWE Performance Center is finding the right people and talent to make it as productive as possible and they are doing a series of global tryouts to find performers that not only can get over as stars in their local market, but also succeed internationally.
"I can look at Bray Wyatt and say Bray right now is just becoming comfortable. That's really how I feel and people can say, now listen, has he been knocking it out of the park since he walked in the door? Absolutely, but he is just now to me, from what I see and what I know of him, is just starting to get comfortable. That kid is nicking the surface of where he's gonna go, because he's just now starting to feel it and just now starting to get in the groove."
"Daniel Bryan's a prime example of that, he's not the same guy he was five years ago working [in Japan and on the independent scene], he had to transition too of becoming a character and a personality and a persona and you know that's where he is now. It didn't change what he does in the ring, it didn't change his skill level, it didn't change anything, but I've always believed that the business is a puzzle and there's a million pieces of it and one is skill in the ring, another is talking. There is all these different pieces, the more pieces of that puzzle you have, the better of a success you're going to be, and there were some pieces of the puzzle he had in spades and there are others he didn't have, and now he does and that's why you see his success. No different than anybody else, it's putting all those pieces together."
Triple H plans to continue mixing in some WWE talent on NXT broadcasts, as it helps their trainees develop, allows them to deliver more compelling storylines on NXT and also potentially reinvigorate the career of someone like Tyson Kidd who have suffered injury setbacks and been underutilized on Raw and Smackdown since their return. However, someone like Cesaro now seems to be deemed to be too big a star to be used regularly on NXT.
There's consideration being made to running NXT house shows and other NXT activities during the weekend of WrestleMania 31. The promotion will definitely be a big part of WrestleMania week.
Hunter claimed that Vince McMahon was surprised at the amount of interest in NXT on the WWE Network. Indeed, he was blown away by the audience figures and the social media buzz for NXT in general and NXT ArRIVAL in particular. He was expecting just a cool looking show, but felt they had launched a brand instead. Thus, NXT is expected to play a bigger and more prominent role on the WWE Network as the brand grows and evolves.
Regarding a new series of Tough Enough for the Network, it's being proposed to be shot at the WWE Performance Center, but it's not a 100% confirmed.
Regarding the WWE status of Christian and Rey Mysterio, they're both still recovering from injuries and Triple H hopes they're back as soon as they can.
Regarding physical training at NXT, the mindset is now different and they concentrate on training for active functional strength and for the performers to be as bulletproof and durable as possible, rather than pure bodybuilding to look as muscular and impressive as possible.
Triple H admitted that they do cut talent who are too engrained in a certain alternative style that they can't do something else or are unwilling to adapt to work in their environment and philosophy.
Regarding KENTA and Prince Devitt, Triple H had no comments on those rumors.
Hunter put over Charlotte as progressing very well and an amazing natural athlete. Regarding putting her in a match with Natalya as a continuation of the feud between her father Ric Flair and Nattie's uncle Bret Hart, he said: "Part of me when I do these things I just put my fan hat on for a minute and go, here's the people I've got to work with, what do I want to see? What would I like to watch? What would I tune into the Network to see from an NXT standpoint and that's kind of how we book it."
Regarding Shawne Merriman, Triple H said they're still in discussions with him. Hunter thinks he's a great guy, an amazing athlete and a very smart individual and he'd love to have him in NXT.
