Triple H conducted a conference call this afternoon regarding the WWE NXT Arrival special airing live on the WWE Network tomorrow, and he also discussed the latest news regarding the WWE Performance Center. The following are conference call highlights:
Triple H opened the call stating that it's a great time to be a WWE fan with the Network launch, and with the NXT Arrival special tomorrow it's a great time to be a "wrestling" fan, as taboo of a word as that might be.
HHH recalled sitting on a plane with Hulk Hogan the other night and catching up on memories of the past 30 years in WWE. He said it's amazing that 30 years later WWE is once again rolling the dice with The WWE Network.
Tomorrow's NXT Arrival special will air completely live on the Network at 8pm EST, with a pre-show taking place at 7:30pm consisting of a panel including Bret Hart, Kevin Nash and Paul Heyman. HHH noted that he wanted legendary personalities to appear on the panel who are critical of pro wrestling and will offer their opinions of NXT from the heart, as opposed to what someone is telling them to say.
In terms of up and coming talent and the Arrival special tomorrow night, HHH praised Cesaro as an up and comer, and he's a name that fans can expect to see "explode." HHH also put over NXT star Sami Zayn (who Cesaro will be facing tomorrow night), and noted Zayn's rich history in pro wrestling.
As far as the NXT product is concerned, Triple H said that in general he likes to keep NXT simpler and more pure, focusing more on the in-ring aspect of the show.
The conference call was then opened up for a Q&A session, and here are some of those highlights:
When asked why WWE made the choice to air NXT as the Network's first live special on The Network, HHH said NXT has created a big buzz in the pro wrestling world, and though people have been exposed to it before, the company's internal studies have shown that more people want to see it, so WWE thinks it will be something special for the Network's first live show.
When asked how he hopes NXT might grow as a brand, HHH noted he loves having NXT at Full Sail University because there is a "rabid" fan base there that has grown with the product. So for now he likes the fact that they tape the shows in one location because the crowd almost has an ECW vibe to it in that they have followed the product and are passionate about it. Before venturing into making NXT a touring brand, or expanding the brand, the first and foremost goal is to get talent ready for "the big leagues."
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
