A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has shed light on the backstage perception of Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s leadership style, with some in the company reportedly using the term “Dana-envy” to describe his alleged desire to position himself as the “Dana White of WWE.”
The report details a mixed view from within the company, with some expressing concern over his recent absences from television tapings and his focus on his on-screen persona, while others maintain that the product is thriving under his creative direction and that his leadership is a vast improvement over the previous regime in Vince McMahon.
According to Dave Meltzer, the conversation around Levesque’s leadership has been fueled by his recent absences from some television tapings, which some have attributed to his “political priorities.” However, a source close to Levesque refuted this, stating that he has not missed any creative meetings and that his schedule is worked out in advance.
The more prevalent talking point, according to Meltzer, is the idea that Levesque is attempting to model his on-screen role after that of UFC President Dana White. “But even those have and still do solidly back him have said that he wants to be Dana White, basically positioned to the crowd as the biggest star of the brand. TKO may want that as well, as fighters, like wrestlers, come and go, but Dana White is the constant in UFC and he’s the only one who can be the Dana White,” Meltzer wrote. “One person even used the term “Dana-envy” to us.”
Despite these concerns, the report also notes that there is a “major consensus that things are better for everyone with him in charge rather than McMahon.” One source near the top of the company stated that the product would be no different if Levesque was there 24/7 or micro-managed every detail, a stark contrast to the “control freak dictator” style of his father-in-law, Vince McMahon. The current success of the company, with record-breaking live gates, merchandise sales, and television rights fees, has reportedly given Levesque a long leash and has put him under “zero pressure” to make any drastic creative changes.
The report also touches on the perception that Levesque may be more concerned with how the product is presented on the acclaimed docuseries WWE Unreal than with the week-to-week reality of the shows. “One person questioned if he cares more about how it will look on WWE Unreal than what is really happening and it was also said that would be a very fair question,” Meltzer wrote. Ultimately, the report paints a picture of a company that is in a major boom period, with a leader who is secure in his position and is focused on long-term, deliberate storytelling rather than the short-term, reactionary booking of the past.
Cory Hays of BodySlam.net added to the report:
He has really been more hands on as of late. Trying to cook up better stories especially on the SmackDown side https://t.co/dQg7Lwikdm
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) October 10, 2025
