Triple H Draws Parallel Between WWE and the Rocky Franchise While Stressing Entertainment over Sport

It is safe to say that WWE is a mix of storytelling, theatrics, and entertainment. The outcomes are predetermined, and the in-ring action is designed to thrill audiences rather than determine true athletic victors. The Undertaker wasn’t just a 300-pound athlete. He was ‘The Deadman’, a supernatural character whose chilling entrances and larger-than-life aura created unforgettable goosebump moments. 

Similarly, Hulk Hogan’s famous motto, “say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” turned him into a global icon. WWE CCO Triple H understands this better than anyone, knowing that every wrestler is crafted like a role in a movie. These stories are driven ultimately by rivalries, betrayals, and dramatic twists.

During a recent appearance on Nightcap with Unc and Ocho, Paul Levesque broke it down perfectly, pointing to iconic promos like the Royal Rumble 1992 segment and Hard Times speech from legends like Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes while explaining his vision for WWE. He made it clear that the company isn’t a sport in the traditional sense, but rather entertainment modeled around the sport.

I say this a lot of times when people don’t understand. Like, if we’re talking to network executives, they’re trying to figure out what we are. I say, we are less boxing and more Rocky. We’re not the sport. We’re a movie about the sport.

Triple H via Nightcap

Triple H says WWE is ‘not the sport, we’re a movie about the sport’:

“I say this a lot of times when people don't understand, like if we're talking to network executives, they're trying to figure out what we are. I say, 'We are less boxing, more Rocky. We're not the sport. We’re… pic.twitter.com/6HYqpGCrrx

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 13, 2025

The WWE CCO pointed out that the Sylvester Stallone-starring film was larger than life. It was a story where boxing was just a backdrop, while the heart of the film was about an underdog fighting for his dreams with the support of his loved ones. 

In the same way, he explained, WWE thrives because of its ability to blend raw emotion with compelling storytelling. He emphasized that this is what makes the product evergreen, keeping fans invested generation after generation. 

Triple H even noted that, unlike traditional sports, where fans rarely revisit past games unless they are diehards of the technical side, wrestling is different. This is because people go back to watch classic matches because of the drama and the emotions tied to them.

Very few people, unless you’re an incredible student of the technical aspects of it, nobody goes back and watches the Super Bowl from five years ago. People will go back and watch WrestleMania 3 to this day. Forty years later, they’re still watching.

Triple H via Nightcap

He concluded that the reason fans still connect with WWE legends from 40 years ago is not solely because of sporting excellence, but because of the perfect blend of spectacle and athleticism that defined them. 

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That same sense of spectacle continues today, as recently showcased in Netflix’s five-episode docuseries WWE: Unreal, where fans were given a behind-the-scenes look at the complex process it takes to craft the final product.

Triple H weighs in on the concept of work-life balance as WWE CCO

Recently, Triple H made a historic announcement. For the first time, WrestleMania will be held outside North America with WrestleMania 43 officially set for Saudi Arabia. Alongside this, WWE continues to counter-program against AEW, most notably by launching Wrestlepalooza, the debut premium live event on ESPN following WWE’s $1.6 billion deal with the network. 

Clearly, the professional wrestling business has never been busier. To put things into perspective, WWE has been producing two flagship weekly shows for decades, Monday Night Raw since 1993 and SmackDown since 1999. On top of that, the company runs multiple live house shows every month, capped off with a premium live event where major storylines either advance or conclude. 

Add in the constant travel, behind-the-scenes planning, and creative discussions, and it’s easy to see how demanding the business really is. Now, with Triple H as WWE’s Chief Content Officer, his role has only become more vital in steering the company through this nonstop schedule. And so while speaking on Nightcap, ‘The Game’ dismissed the idea of a perfect work-life balance. 

I say this to people all the time – people talk about work/life balance. It’s bulls*it. There is no such thing. All you can really do is your best at whatever it is you’re doing in that moment. So when I’m at work, I try to be at work. When I’m with my kids, I try to put work aside and dedicate that time to my kids, or my wife, or whatever it is that we’re doing.

Triple H via Nightcap

WWE CCO Triple H comments on his "work/life balance":

"I say this to people all the time – people talk about work/life balance. It's bullshit. There is no such thing.

"All you can really do is your best at whatever it is you're doing in that moment. So when I'm at work, I try… pic.twitter.com/Qi3VfHbgzQ

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) September 13, 2025

Triple H stressed that he doesn’t like to juggle multiple things at once. Instead, he believes in giving his full focus to the task at hand, whether that’s running WWE or spending time with his family. 

Just days ago, he reflected on a family vacation to Greece with Stephanie McMahon and their children, admitting it was the first time he remembered taking an entire week away from everything and completely shutting things off.

That trip, he said, taught him the importance of being more present in his personal life. However, the show must always go on in the wrestling business, and no one understands it better than the WWE Hall of Famer. 

Also read:

• The Undertaker Says Bray Wyatt Came Closest to Capturing His Legendary WWE Presence
• Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes Make Their SmackDown Returns Ahead of Wrestlepalooza PLE on ESPN