Triple H says WWE talent frustrated over seeing the same names at the top need to stop waiting for their turn and start forcing the company to move them up.
Damian Priest recently said he was tired of seeing the same wrestlers occupy WWE’s biggest spots, with Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Seth Rollins continuing to dominate the main-event scene while names such as Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes and Bron Breakker fight for their place.
Speaking during the SummerSlam post-show, Triple H said he understands why wrestlers get frustrated, but made it clear that WWE does not hand out top spots based on seniority.
“If you’re the guy that wants to take the spot, it’s frustrating when there are guys above you that have the spot. We’re in a period of time where there are a lot of top performers in top spots that, over time, have earned those spots, are selling tickets and are incredibly popular. The narrative of, ‘It’s my turn.’ There are no turns. That’s not how it works. You earn the spot.”
Triple H added that crowd reaction is only part of the equation. WWE also has to know whether someone can handle the pressure, carry the responsibility and avoid falling apart once the spotlight gets bigger.
“If somebody is getting over more than somebody else, we’d move that person into the spot and move the other person down. It’s not just crowd reaction. Are they going to be good in the spot? Are they going to hold up their end of the bargain or screw it up or make a mistake where we regret giving it to them? All those things are factored in.”
He also pushed back on the idea that creative has to make someone a star before they can connect. In Triple H’s view, wrestlers usually get themselves over first and then WWE follows the momentum.
“I’ve seen a million talent succeed because of what they do, not because of storyline or creative. Ninety-nine percent of the time in this business, the person gets over and then gets the push. That’s how it’s supposed to work. You go do you, and then we follow it.”
Triple H then pointed directly at WWE’s biggest stars and challenged anyone complaining about their position to prove they belong above them.
“If you want the spot, go take it. It’s all there for everybody to take. Whenever anybody says, ‘I don’t know why I’m not in that spot,’ are you more over than Cody or Roman or Punk or Liv or IYO? Make those crowd reactions happen. Whatever you need to do.”
He closed by saying frustration can be useful if it pushes talent to work harder instead of waiting for the company to hand them something.
“I love that mentality because it makes people work harder. If you’re not willing to work to get the spot, you shouldn’t have it anyway.”
Oba Femi showed at SummerSlam that new names can break through, defeating Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell and closing the first night of the event. Triple H’s message was clear: the door is open, but nobody is getting moved to the front just because they believe it is their turn.
Do you agree with Triple H that wrestlers must get themselves over before WWE gives them a top push, or should creative do more to build the next generation of main-event stars? Leave your feedback in the comments.
[ad_1
