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WWE News
WWE News: Revealing and insightful Triple H interview - his future in the wrestling business Oct 26, 2009 - 1:44:42 PM
WWE star Triple H says he could walk away from the wrestling business tomorrow if his family (including his wife, WWE executive Stephanie McMahon) wanted him to be at home more. Hunter says he doesn't feel it's time to walk away because he feels like he's still popular with the fans and the next generation of stars aren't ready.
"I've always said that I won't be one of those guys still wrestling at 50 or 60," Hunter told boxing writer Danny Flexon in an interview for Powerslam Magazine. "I look at the business now from the other side and, if I was Vince McMahon, I'd know when to tell me to step away. Right now, the talent's not there: there is no depth. But, yeah, I do think about retiring: wrestling isn't the only thing in my life, like it was when I broke in. If my family asked me to give up wrestling tomorrow, I'd do it in a heartbeat for them, and I'd never look back."
Hunter is often criticized for having too much power backstage as part of the McMahon family. The general belief is that Hunter, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, and Randy Orton wield the most power backstage to make or break younger stars. Hunter said he would give up his power, though.
"People say the power I have puts me in a position of dominance but, if I lost that power, I'd be quite happy," he said. "It's all about what benefits the business for me. ...The critics I listen to are the ones I can hear when I walk into the arena. When people aren't caring about me anymore, I'll know."
Caldwell's Analysis: Triple H was very good at "shifting the focus" in the interview. He said he would be willing to walk away when the crowd cheers die down, but if you watch TV, you see Hunter positioned in the spotlight in nearly every segment he's involved in to make sure the cheers stay strong with him as the cool top babyface that fans want to cheer. Hunter is still a strong enough character to where he doesn't need to get himself over at the expense of other wrestlers, but it comes across like an issue of insecurity when he's the only one in a 14-man tag match not wearing team colors, when he sticks his face in the camera to get the spotlight in a backstage segment, and when he knocks everyone else down a peg in his promos. Hunter also pointed out in the interview he has power to make changes or suggestions, such as Legacy giving DX a beat down on DX's reunion night a few months ago on Raw.
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