While Paul Levesque, famously known as Triple H, may be gaining in influence and gearing up to take over WWE from father-in-law Vince McMahon one day, the passing of the torch has yet to officially happen.
McMahon is still “in charge,” as it were, even if you would assume his influence is decreasing as Triple H takes over. This odd power-sharing situation is causing increasing confusion, with certain wrestlers being pushed, then falling down the card suddenly. Some of these frustrating ‘Start-and-Stop’ pushes can be attributed to Triple H and Vince’s differing views on wrestlers.
Dave Meltzer mentioned in his subscribers-only Wrestling Observer Newsletter back in May that many people in WWE aren’t sure who is supposed to have the final word: “It’s been noted to us what an impossible position Paul Levesque has been put in when it comes to talent relations, because Vince McMahon is still the guy making all the final calls, and he changes his mind frequently. It’s become a big frustration of talent that they are told a certain direction by Levesque, and then Levesque is put in the position of having to get with the talent again and explain that what he told them before isn’t happening.”
Of WWE talent Triple H and Vince don’t see eye-to-eye on, two names that come to mind are Paige and AJ Lee. It is said that Triple H “infinitely” prefers Paige to AJ, whereas Vince likes AJ much more than Paige.
Triple H adores Paige, so much so that he willing to get her over at all costs, even at the expense of AJ. The 21-year-old is a product of the WWE Performance Center, which many call Triple H’s “baby.” His reputation as an executive is riding on the line with the success of WWE’s developmental program and the last thing he would want is for “his” guys and girls to flop. Fortunately, after some rough patches, Paige appears to be coming into her own as the star she was projected to be when the company first signed her.
Vince, on the otherhand, doesn’t “get” Paige and isn’t a fan of her alternative look. In only her second week on Raw, JBL made fun of pale skin, and it can only be assumed that the remark was directed by Vince via headset. Why WWE, or Vince if you will, feel the need to bury their own talent, I have no idea.
Another likely reason for Vince not digging Paige too much is her accent, which is quite thick. It is said that WWE’s lead producer, Kevin Dunn, HATES accents. This is a big reason why he’s not in favor of certain wrestlers, which includes Adam Rose, Justin Gabriel and Sheamus. And when Dunn doesn’t like certain wrestlers, he gets in Vince’s ear and buries them.
It was also reported recently that of other WWE Superstars Triple H and Vince don’t see eye-to-eye on, Adam Rose is a “Triple H Guy” whereas Vince isn’t a fan. It’s the same thing, but to a lesser extent, with Cesaro.
Although Rose remains undefeated, his push has been irregular thus far. He’ll appear on WWE’s top-line shows one week, and relegated to WWE Superstars or dark match duty the next. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported recently that Vince’s right-hand man, Kevin Dunn buried Rose, which could affect how Vince sees him. Figure Four Weekly editor Bryan Alvarez reported recently that Dunn hates accents, which could explain why he dislikes the South African native.
Cesaro has been subject to those ‘Start-and-Stop’ pushes as much as anyone. He’ll be put over as a big deal one week and portrayed as a non-entity the next. This is in large part due to Vince just not being too into him. Meltzer reported last year that he finds the Swiss grappler to be “boring.” This is why his spot on the card fell following a lengthy United States Championship reign.
With WWE stars, Vince’s standpoint often comes down to whether he make money off of him or at least fall in line with his preferences. If a wrestler doesn’t fit either bill, he or she won’t truly be accepted by him.
