The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines

March 20, 2012 - A Strange Communication

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The Wrestling Observer Newsletter publishes an article revealing the imminent closure of sole developmental group Florida Championship Wrestling. The Observer learns that a manager in WWE’s programming department has reached out to FCW’s local TV provider, Bright House Sports, to disclose that production on FCW TV has ceased indefinitely. Operations will move to Stamford, Connecticut during an evaluation of the system.

A flabbergasting rebuttal is posted to WWE’s official website. It is entitled ‘WWE EVP Triple H Refutes False Reports Of FCW’s Closing’.

In this almost immediate response, a defensive and contradictory Levesque says in the official WWE article - which leads with “an unreliable online news source published an erroneous report” - that “it is absolutely not true. FCW is not closing”.

This quote is from March 20, 2012; the last ‘FCW Arena’ show takes place on August 2, 2012.

Both sides are correct; technically, FCW will cease to exist, and will no longer produce television accordingly. Conversely, Levesque, who is attempting to prevent widespread panic within developmental, is right to say that the system is being “revamped” and not shuttered because that is what happens in a move from Tampa to Orlando. In any event, this is the origin story of Triple H’s NXT.

Fittingly, it’s very Triple H.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!