Triple H analysis Hulk Hogan's legacy, Summerslam's new format y Current creative challenges in WWEincluding The impact of Unreal de Netflix. All this in a recent interview with WFAN While the company is two days after the “biggest summer event.”
► In Triple H's words
Tribute to Hulk Hogan in Summerslam
“We are working on the show right now … It's about finding the right balance. You cannot pay enough tax for your achievements in WWE or wrestling in general. You could argue that none of us would be here without him. But there are also controversies, and we want to be aware of that. We are making those decisions in real time, like everyone else. “
His first Hulk Hogan impression
“My first exposure to Hulk was when he came to WWF for the first time, like Heel with Freddy Blassie as his manager. I thought: 'Wow, this guy is incredible'. When he returned and beat Iron Sheik, he unleashed something without comparison. Later, like Hollywood Hogan, he transcended the industry again with the NWO. They were two generational races that positioned him not only as the biggest star, but as someone who transcended out of business.”
Hulk Hogan in popular culture
“There was a moment in the 80s where Hulk Hogan was probably the most recognized man on the planet. He, Michael Jackson … was on that list. I don't think he can ever replicate what he achieved. Because it was the first, the one that caused the explosion. MTV was the biggest, and suddenly were Hulk Hogan, Cyndi Lauper … that was the most commented at that time. Hogan was the one who launched the Bret Hart, Stone Cold, The Rock, etc. That entrance to the 'Zeitgeist' before the Internet was thanks to Hulk Hogan. “
Why will Summerslam be two nights?
“It has been a successful business model with Wrestlemania. Create a destination event: people plan their vacations around that. It's like going to Disney for wrestling fans. If you are a fan, there is nothing the same. This has worked with Wrestlemania, and is working with Summerslam. “
The business is now more challenging
“Before, people did not know what happened behind the scenes. Now everything is known instantly. You have to hide new talents in different airports. And people are as interested in what happens behind the stage as what happens in the ring. With the unreal show, we want to show that process. As Drive to Survive did it with F1, this can attract new audiences to say: 'These people are fascinating, I want to see what final product they present.' And maybe they become fans for life.”
The creative process in WWE
“We do Raw, SmackDown and Nxt every week, 52 weeks a year. There is no other means to do that. It is a constant cycle, and of course there are times where you feel dry creatively. Luckily, we have a huge team. If I am dry, someone else has a great idea. No matter where the idea comes from, if it is good, we use it.”
The creative role of talent
“I like working directly with talent. They know their characters. We listen to all the perspectives and decide the best path. It doesn't matter who the idea is. If we make fans react – be it with emotion or anger – that is what we are looking for. Silence is the enemy. “
