Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE CCO, recently made an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” where he talked about his initial meeting with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson back in the 90s.
Triple H reminisced about their progression together in the world of wrestling and their ascension to executive roles in WWE.
Below are some key points from the show:
Regarding his induction into WWE Hall of Fame: “The idea of reaching a stage in your career and your life where you are eligible for Hall of Fame induction is astounding. You might still feel youthful, but the mirror reminds you of your age. Despite being in charge of WWE’s creative aspect, in recent years I’ve ruled out self-nominating for the Hall of Fame. This year, we had other individuals lined up for Hall of Fame, and during a town hall meeting with about 800 WWE employees, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker showed up unexpectedly at the end. I wish I had paid closer attention to the meeting’s agenda. I was totally taken aback when they began discussing the Hall of Fame, and overjoyed when it was revealed that I was to be inducted. It made it even more meaningful to have it announced by the people who mean so much to me in the industry – Shawn, my best friend and The Undertaker, one of the greatest legends.”
Triple H on his first Wrestlemania appearance versus The Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania 12: “It’s peculiar to mention my debut at WrestleMania because some perceive it as an embarrassing moment in my career, where I was swiftly defeated by The Ultimate Warrior. Yet for me, it was a significant moment – my first WrestleMania and a chance to compete against one of WWE’s biggest stars. I was thrilled when I was told about it and I consider it a proudest memory. It was like playing in the Super Bowl against [Tom] Brady. It was a phenomenal experience that I will forever cherish.”
On him and The Rock earning top-executive positions in WWE: “It’s incredible. I recall the first time I met Dwayne, his charisma was radiant. I thought to myself, if he has any athletic ability, he is destined for stardom. Not only did he become a star in WWE, he went on to become Hollywood’s biggest box-office draw. I find it exciting that after all these years, we still collaborate behind the scenes to enhance WWE. Wrestling runs in his veins, and I often tease him about the surge of adrenaline he gets from the WWE live crowd. It’s a kind of thrill that Hollywood can’t replicate. Dwayne still gets goosebumps from the crowd’s energy and he often shows it to the camera. That energy and rapport we have with our fans is pure magic.”
Triple H’s views on Wrestlemania 41: “What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but with us, the news of that weekend will be broadcasted across the globe. John Cena, the ultimate hero who stood for hustle, loyalty, and respect has surprisingly morphed into a villain. Despite being the top wish-granter for Make-A-Wish Foundation, he’s decided to end his wrestling ring career with WWE in December. He surprisingly attacked Cody Rhodes in his retirement run alongside The Rock and Travis Scott, which was a stark departure from his beloved character. Watching him transform from WWE’s most adored character to the most detested one is intriguing.”