10 Wrestlers Who Became Successful Bookers
5. Triple H
It's difficult to properly assess the one-time Hunter Hearst Helmsley's success after swapping Spandex for suits, given we're not privy to the extent of his autonomy, or authority.
However, it's not difficult to reach the conclusion that, seeing how dramatically different NXT is to the general main roster dross, Triple H's fingerprints are all over it. Or, more accurately, that Vince McMahon's aren't.
'The Game' played the political system from day one in WWE, immediately hitching his wagon to the Kliq train - not least by literally appointing himself its designated driver. An impromptu MSG love-in threatened to derail his locomotion, but Triple H found a way back to the top - helped by marrying the boss' daughter.
Para-paternal pedigree was not the only key to Hunter's own. An indefatigable work effort brought him to the apex - his nice slice of nepotism kept him there. In other words, throughout his career Triple H both sweated enough and was smart enough to lead the industry. They are qualities he's brought over to his role in NXT.
The genius of Hunter's work in the ostensible developmental system has been parasitising that of others. Forcing through new pet projects - as he was once wont to do on the main roster - has taken a backseat to cherry picking the best talent the indies have to offer. Not only has this had the natural, organic consequence of transforming NXT into one of the finest wrestling shows around, it's crucially created a paradoxical anti-establishment sentiment within the establishment. By convincing diehard wrestling fans he was one of them - and giving them a sanctioned version of the product they yearned - Hunter turned NXT into a touring brand with prestige outstripping the main roster.
Would Vince McMahon really orchestrate all this just to upstage himself? Probably not.