PWTorch.com - TRIPLE H CONFERENCE CALL: Who has final say over NXT Creative?, Hunter lays out the structure, comments on McMahon's view of NXT, more

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TRIPLE H CONFERENCE CALL: Who has final say over NXT Creative?, Hunter lays out the structure, comments on McMahon's view of NXT, more

Oct 6, 2015 - 3:49:23 PM

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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

When Triple H says he wants NXT to be its own brand, its own touring company, and have its own identity, he has the authority to make it happen.

Hunter noted during Tuesday's wrestling media conference call that he has final say in the NXT creative process.

The perception is that Vince McMahon has final say over the NXT brand since it's under the WWE umbrella, but Hunter noted that he has autonomy to make booking decisions for the brand/promotion.

For example, Hunter said that he booked the Bayley vs. Sasha Banks Iron Man match for this week's "NXT: Takeover," then told McMahon about it. McMahon does weigh in on what happens at NXT, and he could have told him to change the match, but Hunter said McMahon liked the idea of the match.

In fact, Hunter said the last thing McMahon told him after Monday's Raw TV taping was how much he's looking forward to Bayley vs. Sasha.

Hunter noted the perception is that McMahon is unaware of what's happening at NXT, especially when main roster TV programming feels so different than what has been successful at NXT. However, Hunter chalked that up to McMahon having a different view of the company from his position, so it "might take a while for him to see how fans react to something."

Hunter added that McMahon stood at the Gorilla position at the "NXT: Takeover" event in Brooklyn and just watched the show, soaking up the atmosphere and overall event. "He didn't do anything, and I don't know how the last time he just sat and watched a show instead of producing TV," Hunter said.

Another contributor to McMahon looking forward to Bayley vs. Sasha is how much he liked the post-match "curtain call" in Brooklyn when the wrestlers hugged after their title match.

Although the post-match has been criticized for going against the suspension of disbelief, Hunter likened it to sports teams meeting on mid-field and exchanging hugs and handshakes after going to war against each other. Hunter said they were going for "real emotion" after having a match "that big" to capture a bond between the competitors. "Vince thought it was a great touch," Hunter said.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]