Report On NXT, Triple H & How He MIGHT Run WWE Television

[Jack-Hammer]

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter put out an interesting report talking about some of what's going on with NXT and WWE Development.

According to the report, the WWE is purposely not shopping NXT around to local television in Florida or to television networks. The strategy is that they don't want NXT available in the United States as they think it will lower the value if/when they decide to shop the show around or put it on the WWE Network.

The report also states that Triple H continues to recieve praise from the WWE brass and talent alike as to the improvements made to the WWE's developmental system, territory and strategy since Trips took over this duty from Big Johnny. Vince is so pleased that he continues to keep his hands off and allow Triple H to continue with what he's doing. They're thrilled with the talent that's been recruited and signed to WWE's developmental program since Trips took over. It also said that Triple H is attempting to turn the developmental program into something along the lines of a sports franchise training system, which is one reason why Triple H has hired former pro athletes to work within talent relations.

The report also goes onto state that Triple H continues to be praised for the smoother and smoother runnings of the NXT tapings at Full Sail University. The shows are said to be very wrestling-heavy in terms of content and format. There are promo segments as well of course, but there are no skits or "filler segments" at the shows. According to the report, Triple H isn't booking the NXT tapings, but they are being booked with many of his directives in place. As a result, this has a lot of people thinking that this is how WWE's television format will be done once Triple H is ultimately running the entire show.

I think this report sheds further light on some of the management differences between Triple H & Vince McMahon. This report, coupled with others like it I've read since Trips took over his current post, suggest that Triple H doesn't see the need to micro-manage and have total control of every single little aspect of what's going on. He has people in place under his charge that he trusts to do their jobs. Vince McMahon is something of a control freak, which can be good and bad at times. He's known to flip out and go on a rampage whenever something doesn't go exactly as planned while Triple H is, allegedly, reported to be the exact opposite. If mistakes are made, by wrestlers or commentators or whatever, it's said that he calmly talks to people about them rather than flying off the vast majority of the time. Last year during Raw's tapings in London, I remember reading that Triple H was placed in charge of those tapings and that they ran so smoothly because of Trips' presence. If the commentators made a mistake or something, Trips wouldn't yell into their headsets about it during the show. He'd just rationally and calmly talk over their headsets during commercial breaks.

Another key difference is that Triple H seems to be approaching his current role, and his POSSIBLE vision for WWE when he takes over, with the mind of a wrestler and just just the mind of a businessman. A lack of filler & general comedic skits regarding the NXT tapings is something I personally find very, very welcome. At certain times, the WWE does sometimes steer more towards the entertainment aspect with the skits and some of the filler stuff. Personally, I'd have little to no problem with comedy skits going away and for every single thing that happens on WWE television happen for a reason other than filling air time.

 

[taylor360unc]

Triple H will make WWE fun to watch again. I am already getting tired of Raw 3 hours because of all the filler and them showing the same flashbacks or hyping a match 3 or more times a show.

 

[oldschool123]

I don't mind a bit of filler. They need more than just wrestling to appeal to a broader audience and sometimes to build rivalries/story lines. It is when you see the same Lesnar/Triple H clip or fire clip like 4 times each that it just becomes a waste of time that could be used on talent that never sees tv.

 

[WWEIsLife2]

Ive heard nothing but good things about Triple H since he has been getting ready to take over when Vince steps down. Im glad he doesn't yell at the Announcers or micro-manage everything,I know that can be frustrating for everyone. I think WWE will be in good hands whenever Vince retires.

 

[Workrate]

If we assume Triple H is the guy who takes over for Vince McMahon, I think what we'll end up with is a concatenation of their individual management styles and visions. Say what you will about Vince, but his track record shows that he understands how to make money. Triple H, once he reaches that perch, will be responsible for doing the same. If something isn't going to work financially, it isn't going to get done.

Now, that being said, I would certainly except aspects of the show to change. You can almost guarantee there will be a greater emphasis on wrestling and I wouldn't be surprised to see long-forgotten aspects of wrestling, like tag teams and managers, return. We've been reading reports about that anyway.

The thing to remember is this: with NXT and WWE's "minor league" system, it's a heck of a lot easier to avoid filler and focus on a stronger in-ring product. The audience is not only smaller, but it's considerably different. The formats are different. The talents are different. At the WWE level, there will always be filler segments because there are many different demographics that need to be addressed. People complain today about "the PG era," but forget that the Attitude Era was full of segments and characters specifically for children. That will continue under Triple H, so I wouldn't be quick to expect Raw under his control to be 90% wrestling.

 

[GrandSword]

NXT is my favourite WWE show. We get it here in Australia, and I love the new characters and the no nonsense. Although at the moment, as it is introducing new guys, poor Rick Victor seems to get defeated each and every week haha... it is starting to really pick up. The NXT Championship matches have been good so far with really back and forth competitive matches. In the hour we usually get a Divas and tag match as well.

The format I guess is a tried and true type and it resembles the early days of promotions such as TNA. Triple H it would seem is trying to not repeat the sins of the father so to speak and try and provide a good product without all the stress. If guys are being praised more instead of being berrated it could ean a healthier workplace and a better standard of product. Its a simple management method and if Trips is adopting it.

Good point though from someone above that although Trips' shows are very smooth, at the edn of the day, it is about making money, which Vince is known for. It's all about that balance and although I don't really like WWE programming formats (the entertainment emphasis) it does make money. So Trips when he doesn take over (probably when Vince dies at this rate) he will need to find that balance.

 

[Jake Khaotic]

As long as he doesn't insert himself into everything, I'll be fine. I'm sick of him burying everyone in every feud. Last time I remember him losing, it was to the Undertaker, and that's just because it's The Streak. He was tagging with CM Punk last when he lost to Awesome Truth. Again, The Streak remains. Sheamus was used to write Triple H off of TV 'cause Stephanie was pregnant. He was winning matches back and forth before he became a part-timer. If he goes over Lesnar at Summerslam, Brock will lose all credibility, not that he really had any after losing to Cena. Trips just needs to stay behind the scenes when he starts running things unless he plans on putting over a younger star in a Stone Cold vs Vince manner.