New Triple H Interview From Powerslam Magazine

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When Boxing News' senior writer and lifelong wrestling fan Danny Flexon attended the September 18 weigh-in for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, he could not believe his luck when he ran into Paul 'Triple H' Levesque and the wrestler agreed on the spur of the moment to do an interview about WWE. What follows is the transcript of Flexen's conversation with HHH, who was in town with wife Stephanie to walk Mayweather to the ring before his fight the next day. To the writer's surprise, 'The Game' was both likeable and willing to discuss everything from retirement to the accusations that he exploits power in WWE . . .

HUNTER, FROM humble beginnings on the independent scene as Terra Ryzing from 1992-1994 and prelim wrestler Jean-Paul Levesque in WCW from 1994-1995, you now hold an amazing position of power in WWE -- as a headliner on-screen and in the booking department backstage. What advice would you give to any aspiring wrestler who would like to reach your hofty heights in the ring?

Personality: that's the key to everything. I see a lot of guys who are good wrestlers -- good hands --- and they might have a decent match, but they all look like they're cut from the same mould. Ric Flair tells this great story about when he was (wrestling) in Maryland (in the 1970s): it was his first real opportunity, and Blackjack Mulligan walked into the dressing room. He asked Ric what he was doing that night, and Ric said he had a four-minute match. Blackjack asked him, "What are you going to do in that four minutes to make yourself stand it, to make yourself different?" And that's what it's all about: what can you do to make the fans spend their money? It's like in boxing: Floyd Mayweather is a great fighter and a great personality.

You said many younger wrestlers "look like they're cut from the same mould". Others have also brought up the "cookie cutter" syndrome. In WWE, do you think this could be attributed to the way in which prospects are prepared by the same team of trainers in the same development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling?

A little of it. I think for your first few years (as a wrestler), you're so green and nervous that personality is the least of your concerns. And you're a victim of your own success: when I was coming up, there were lots of places to work and learn your craft and, by the time you got called up to the WWE, you already had plenty of ability - whereas now, you achieve a bit of success and you come in before you've learned. There's fewer places to send wrestlers where you can let them make mistakes. Guys used to say that WWE wouldn't even look at you until you've had five years' experience. But, now, we're looking at guys who've had between six months and a year.

What's the remedy to this: more WWE developmental promotions?

More developments . . . There are still some little groups out there. You should spend a year or two in as many different places as you can. If you have the desire, if you really want to learn, there are still areas, like Harley Race's company in (Eldon, Missouri) and Mexico, Japan, the U.K. You're going to starve, but it's about if (wrestling) is what you really want to do. It's all such a rush these days: everyone wants to be the next flash in the pan. But that's not a good thing to be, because the flash in the pan burns out so quickly.

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

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.

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?

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, "Who does Vince push him so much?" He sells so much (merchandise) and he sells out arenas. It's all about what benefits the business.


What do you say to those who accuse you of zealously safeguarding your position at the top of the card and refusing to help elevate wrestlers to the main event level?

All the stars are at a certain level. You can't make someone a star by simply bringing other stars down. That's not how the business works; it's not how it's ever worked. The new stars have to rise on their own. What big star ever laid down for me? That's never been how business is done. Bret Hart didn't put Shawn Michaels over and refused to get beat (at Survivor Series 1997); he wouldn't lose the title. Now, that's not a knock: that's what happened. Look at Steve Austin. I remember when Vince said they were bringing Austin in, and he said, "He'll be a good hand, to help the other guys." Then, they made him The Ringmaster, and gave him those plain trunks to wear. And I was there at King of the Ring 1996 when Austin made himself a star, and then at WrestleMania (XIII) when he really got over. And, remember, he actually lost that match against Bret Hart (at WM XIII), but he got himself over doing it. I've never said, "No" to putting anybody over. But you put C.M. Punk in a 30-minute match with The Undertaker, it's 50-50 all the way and then Punk wins clean, the fans won't accept it. It does nothing for C.M. Punk, and it's also detrimental to the Undertaker.

You had competitive matches with Jeff Hardy on his journey to the top spot last year. But Booker T/King Booker was not afforded the same equality in his bouts with you at WrestleMania XIX or SummerSlam 2007. Is the amount of offence a wrestler is allowed dependent on his status?

Yes. Jeff was competitive with me, and I also put Jeff over, eventually. But Jeff was being built up a certain way. He couldn't get there: he was the guy that just couldn't beat me and, the more that happened, the more desperate the fans became for him to do it. So, when he did beat me, it made a much bigger impact. He could have gone out and beat me clean in our first match, but the fans would not have accepted him in the way they have now. We used to say the "marks" were the fans who believed wrestling was all real -- not choreographed -- but now the smart fans, the ones who think they know everything, have became the marks. I know the majority of them don't know the business, they've never been in the business or wrestled in their lives.

Do you ever take it upon yourself to change match lay-outs or booking plans so your opponents have more offense?

Yeah. Look, Shawn Michaels and I have just come back as DX and, on our first night back, we got the crap kicked out of us (by Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes on the August 17 Raw - Ed). It wasn't Vince who suggested that; it was us. It's about what's right for the business, at the right time. Some people think we're scheming all the time to improve our own situations. But the more people we make stars, the more money we all make, and everyone's happy.

Your father-in-law is obviously the Chairman of the company you work for. Do these family ties make your working life easier?

No. It's actually the hardest for me because I can't say, "No" to anything. If Vince says, "I want you to do 'this' show" or "Can you go to 'this' media event", I can't refuse: I have to set an example. He expects more of me.


What about your wife Stephanie, another powerful figure in WWE: do work disagreements ever accompany you on the trip home?

Every now and then, there's something: we sometimes bring our petty problems home from work. But as important as this business is in my life, my wife and kids are more important.

Who do you regard as the next wave of headline-level talent in WWE?

Well, C.M. Punk is obviously already on his way to becoming a big star. Jack Swagger, I like. Sheamus. Evan Bourne is very good. Kofi Kingston. They are all moving up, but slowly, which is the right way.

Finally, are you mentoring any WWE wrestler in particular? And in who, do you see the most of the young Triple H?

The closest to me is probably Sheamus, because we always train together on the road. But I try to watch all the young guys' matches and give them advice, if they want to hear it. If they take advice to heart and really want to improve, them I am wanting to help. As for seeing some of myself in someone? Thats tough. Sheamus just the other day showed up at a show he didn't have to be at. He does whatever he's asked to do without complaining, he goes to every show and is always wanting to work: he does it all, goes above and beyond. That's what I was like.

On the rare occasions he does an interview, Trips does make a fair dollop of sense. The bit about Jeff Hardy is the point I was making on another thread about how a decent feud with an established main eventer is crucial for making new stars.

But regardless of what Trips says, I don't think we'll ever see Evan Bourne as a main eventer.

Yeah but he shows an insight onto his character when he said the following

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All the stars are at a certain level. You can't make someone a star by simply bringing other stars down. That's not how the business works; it's not how it's ever worked. The new stars have to rise on their own. What big star ever laid down for me?

Mick Foley and Owen Hart where putting Triple H over all through 97 and 98 and even when The Rock was getting arguably the most intense crowd reactions since Hogan in 99 and 2000 he was still the guy who had to put over HHH

I felt he really lets himself down with that kind of disrespectful statement

And after his burial of Hart Dynasty last night and him staying in the ring after the bell - loved the way Finley kicked him out then stared him down just shows that despite what he claims about pushing the business forward he will always come 1st.

Also couldn't believe he claimed no one laid down for him - Foley put him over big time.

So what's the deal with HHH and Sheamus? An odd couple if ever i saw one!

If i am being really thick and he isn't on about Sheamus O Shaunessy then please ignore me

Fuck knows, he just likes him

therustman wrote:

And after his burial of Hart Dynasty last night and him staying in the ring after the bell - loved the way Finley kicked him out then stared him down just shows that despite what he claims about pushing the business forward he will always come 1st.

Not a burial!

Definitley not a burial, he came in for the hot tag and took out some heels, thats what faces do, especially big faces, he also didn't just stay in the ring, he got knocked out, not often you see Trips take a drop like that without some comeback, he was the skipper of the team, he took issue with Big Show and got knocked out for it, the fact he was lying their motionless for me gives Shows punch some major credibility

And he also sold Kane's chokeslam, as it totally stopped his momentum.

And Finlay kicking him out of the ring - my money would be on this being scripted to show that Smackdown was the winning show / team. How would Trips lying in the ring not moving be him burying the blue team anyway? the hard camera was hardly used, they cut to the hand-helds on the ring apron and didn't show the Raw team leaving the arena or anything. All we saw was a brief promo later between Cody and Kofi and their little scrap.