WWE Superstar and company COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque recently spoke with Sports Illustrated’s “Extra Mustard” at length about different elements of the WWE Performance Center used as WWE’s developmental system for new aspiring and recruited talents.
During the interview, “The Game” was asked about the criticism of the style used at the WWE Performance Center, which is perceived to be robotic and lacking the individuality needed to be successful in the wrestling business.
“The misconception is always the same, and it’s absolutely wrong,” said Triple H. “We are looking to make our talent as diverse as possible. People say everyone is wearing the same thing and training the same way. Yet they are not training the same way. We are grouping people together to work on building certain skills. The core of what we do is the same – yes, you have to learn the same skills, techniques, and foundation when you start. Then we set you up with people to develop your characters. We want the talent to develop their character, and our job is to help harness the character. We want them, every single one of them, to be unique and have their own feel.”
Levesque continued, “Yes, we are all wearing the same WWE gear. That is because, when you’re here, we’re all the same. No one is above anybody else, and we’re all here to learn. We are a team and a family. What we do in the WWE is a partnership–it’s a partnership with the guy across from you, and a partnership with everybody here. One of the pieces of the Performance Center that makes me so proud is when somebody succeeds here, the whole place goes nuts for them. They’re all here to help each other succeed. When you can build that type of climate, it shows our culture within this place is right to develop and to cultivate the best talent possible.”
HHH was also asked to speak on what he feels makes for a successful coach at the WWE Performance Center.
The current coaching staff at the WWE developmental system consists of Matt Bloom (the head coach), Steve Corino, Norman Smiley, Terry Taylor, Robbie Brookside, Adam Pearce, Scott Taylor (Scotty 2 Hotty) and Sara Amato.
“What makes a successful coach? The coaching process is very difficult,” said Triple H. “Just because you were talented in this business does not mean you will be gifted at teaching it. Great players don’t always make great coaches, and great coaches weren’t always great players. We’ve worked to find a very diverse group, focusing in on who connects best with people and who gives the right message, and then connecting a coach with the message they are best at conveying.
Triple H continued, using Norman Smiley as an example of one of the best coaches on the current WWE Performance Center staff.
“For example, Norman Smiley is one of our best beginner training coaches,” said ‘The Game.’ “Norman is one of our most trusted and valuables coaches. His work is incredibly important in formulating the building blocks to create success in the ring, so it is essential to build a strong foundation. That’s Norman’s wheelhouse – areas like the movements, the rolling, and how to protect yourself at all times. So you find the right people that have that right connection with the talent, you narrow in on the area where they are exceptionally talented at coaching, and you then have them work in that facet.”
Check out the complete Triple H interview at SI.com.
