Triple H spoke with Brian Campbell of ESPN.com about various topics. Here are the highlights.
On how NXT will be affected by the Brand Extension: It’s funny that when people talk about it to me, some will say, ‘Well, isn’t that the downfall of NXT because when a superstar becomes big enough that he’s immediately going to be taken away from you?’ I feel that’s the strength of the brand. If you look at the growth of NXT in the last couple years, there are points in time when people said, ‘Oh no, these characters are getting called up and [NXT] is doomed.’ We made somebody else the lead characters of the show and that’s the challenge and the beauty of it. It’s always fresh, it’s always different, it always feels like there is something new going on to me. With NXT being different, it complements Raw and SmackDown. You have the opportunity to see these guys come in and make a name for themselves on a bigger platform. They can grow themselves while helping to create NXT’s brand. Then, if you’re following NXT, you’re ahead of the curve when they come to Raw and SmackDown. You know everything about them and their backstories. It’s like being a fan of the band before they hit it big. You have that claim to fame. And to our most passionate fan base that’s an exciting vibe that we have. I think that’s why social media is so strong for us — it’s people that want to be ahead of the curve.
On Bret Hart being upset that Triple H’s rating on WWE2K17 was higher than his: [Laughs]. I have not heard that. I’m sorry, there was a report that somebody was upset that their video game ranking was lower than mine? I don’t even know how that works to be honest but I suppose there is. I see guys arguing about stuff all the time in the locker room and video game rankings would probably be part of that. I know that they are very competitive with each other in a lot of ways so it wouldn’t surprise me. Trust me, the locker room can make anything a competition.
Triple H also talked about Shinsuke Nakamura, NXT and more. You can read the entire interview here.