Triple H conducted a conference call this afternoon regarding the WWE NXT Arrival special airing live on the WWE Network tomorrow, and he also discussed the latest news regarding the WWE Performance Center. The following are conference call highlights:
Triple H opened the call stating that it's a great time to be a WWE fan with the Network launch, and with the NXT Arrival special tomorrow it's a great time to be a "wrestling" fan, as taboo of a word as that might be.
HHH recalled sitting on an plane with Hulk Hogan the other night and catching up with memories of the past 30 years in WWE. He said it's amazing that 30 years later WWE is once again rolling the dice with The WWE Network.
Tomorrow's NXT Arrival special will air completely live on the special at 8pm EST, with a pre-show taking place at 7:30pm consisting of a panel including Bret Hart, Kevin Nash and Paul Heyman. HHH noted that he wanted legendary personalities to appear on the panel who are critical of pro wrestling and will offer their opinions of NXT from the heart, as opposed to what someone is telling them to say.
In terms of up and coming talent and the Arrival special tomorrow night, HHH praised Cesaro as an up and comer he's a name that fans expect to see "explode." HHH also put over NXT star Sami Zayn (who Cesaro will be facing tomorrow night), and noted Zayn's rich history in pro wrestling.
As far as the NXT product is concerned, Triple H said that in general he likes to keep NXT simpler and more pure, focusing more on the in-ring aspect of the show.
The conference call was then opened up for a Q&A session, and here are some of those highlights:
When asked why WWE made the choice to air NXT as the Network's first live special, HHH said NXT has created a big buzz in the pro wrestling world, and people have been exposed to it before, but their internal studies have shown that more people want to see it so they think it will be something special for the Network's first live show.
When asked how he hopes NXT might grow as a brand, HHH noted the loves having NXT at Full Sail University because there is a "rabid" fan base has grown with the product. So for now he likes the fact that they tape the shows in one location because the crowd almost has an ECW vibe to it in that they have followed the product and are passionate about it. Before venturing into making NXT a touring brand, or expanding the brand, the first and foremost goal is to get talent ready for "the big leagues."
Triple H was asked how the developmental system has changed from before he took it over, and HHH referred to it previously being WWE's "worst kept secret." He noted that the developmental system was often brushed to the side, but with the WWE Performance Center, developmental has now been given worldwide exposure, which is essential in WWE's quest to acquire talent from all over the world and who have different backgrounds in and out of pro wrestling. Triple H is looking for the best athletes in the world to come to NXT, so the Performance Center gives them the opportunity to harvest those athletes.
As for his role in the creative process in NXT, HHH said that he enjoys the behind the scenes process just as much as he does performing in the ring, and he noted he felt like a "giddy dad" when he watch The Shield vs The Wyatts on PPV the other night, as he loves both sides of the pro wrestling process. He emphasized that his role in NXT creative is to match up the creative process to what is being done on Raw and Smackdown so that the NXT talents can make a smooth transition from developmental to the main roster. As for his specific role in NXT, HHH said that he oversees and develops the developmental product, and does the best he can to make sure the developmental process synchs with the main roster process.
As for the difference between NXT and what you see on Raw and Smackdown, HHH emphasized the importance of talent slowing down in the ring, and remembering that the goal is to learn the art of good story telling. He related cramming a bunch of high risk moves into a match to that of special effects in a movie. You can have all the special effects you want, but if the story is no good then the movie will tank. HHH described NXT as a "throw back to a simpler time" in wrestling.
As for the coaches and trainers down in WWE and NXT, HHH noted three specifically. He praised Norman Smiley as a guy who is excellent at training beginning level talent and getting them ready for the next step, and he then praised guys like Terry Taylor and Pat Patterson for having the ability to put the finishing touches on intermediate and advanced level talents.
Triple H closed the call by saying that he hopes the success of the WWE Network will allow the NXT talents to gain more exposure and work more in front of a live crowd. When asked if there are plans to hold more NXT live specials, HHH noted that it would be great to see NXT hold a few a year, or maybe quarterly, but that all depends on the success of the weekly NXT shows and the WWE Network.
