On a recent edition of the “Xav & Michelle for Breakfast” podcast, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque discussed the importance of teaching new wrestlers to protect their opponents right off the bat.
“The Game” said, “The first thing that you’re taught when you start learning how to do this [is to] protect your opponent at all times. It’s a team effort. Everybody’s working together to make something look incredibly realistic hopefully, but be as safe as possible. And there’s a fine line there.”
He continued, “Mistakes happen all the time, and half the time injuries happen on simple things that nobody thinks you’re going to get injured on, but you turn the wrong way or something. There are people that are just not necessarily the safest or reckless in the business and they usually weed themselves out.”
Triple H was in charge of the WWE NXT brand for several years before taking time off due to his health issues. He then returned to take over WWE’s creative team following Vince McMahon’s temporary retirement in 2022.
In a recent podcast interview, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque emphasized the importance of teaching new wrestlers to prioritize the safety of their opponents. Levesque, who has had an extensive career in professional wrestling, highlighted the significance of protecting one’s opponent from potential injuries while still delivering a realistic performance.
Levesque explained that from the very beginning of their training, wrestlers are taught to prioritize the safety of their opponents. This aspect of wrestling is a team effort, where everyone involved works together to create a visually compelling and realistic performance while ensuring the safety of all participants. However, Levesque acknowledged that there is a fine line between creating an authentic experience and maintaining safety.
Mistakes are an inevitable part of any physical activity, and wrestling is no exception. Levesque noted that injuries can occur even during seemingly simple moves or actions that one might not expect to result in harm. Something as simple as turning the wrong way can lead to an injury. However, he also mentioned that individuals who consistently display unsafe or reckless behavior in the wrestling industry tend to be naturally weeded out over time.
Levesque’s insights into the importance of protecting opponents shed light on the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into ensuring the safety of professional wrestlers. While the performances may appear intense and dangerous, there is a significant amount of training and coordination involved to minimize the risk of injuries.
It is worth mentioning that Triple H has played a significant role in the development and success of WWE’s NXT brand. He was in charge of NXT for several years before taking time off due to health issues. Upon his return, he assumed responsibility for WWE’s creative team following Vince McMahon’s temporary retirement in 2022.
In conclusion, Triple H’s comments on the “Xav & Michelle for Breakfast” podcast highlight the importance of prioritizing the safety of opponents in professional wrestling. The wrestling industry strives to create visually captivating performances while ensuring the well-being of all participants. Wrestlers are trained to protect their opponents from potential injuries, and those who consistently display unsafe behavior are typically phased out over time. Triple H’s insights provide valuable perspective on the efforts made behind the scenes to maintain a balance between realism and safety in professional wrestling.