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The legendary Triple H underwent a heart procedure last week that followed what is described as a “cardiac event” and is expected to make a full recovery. The 52-year-old Paul Levesque had been a staple with the WWE for nearly 25 years until he went into semi-retirement in 2019 but has reappeared from time to time, most notably earlier this year at WWE RAW when he battled Randy Orton in what resulted in a no-contest.
A press release from the WWE stated, “Paul Levesque, a.k.a. Triple H, underwent a successful procedure last week at Yale New Haven Hospital following a cardiac event. The episode was caused by a genetic heart issue and Paul is expected to make a full recovery.”
Triple H is the founder and executive producer of NXT, a developmental brand under the WWE banner. In August, WWE President, Nick Khan, announced that there would be sweeping changes coming to NXT in the months ahead.
“We’re doing a complete revamp on NXT, led by Triple H, Paul Levesque, who is really one of the architects of the original NXT,” Khan said. “In terms of an NXT rebrand, look for it in the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna have a whole new look, it’s gonna have a whole new feel.”
Danielson Makes AEW Debut
We knew him as Daniel Bryan in the WWE but after toiling in the big show for nearly a dozen years, he left the company and hopped on board the upstart AEW for a new beginning and a familiar name, his own, Bryan Danielson.
In 2016, Danielson took a hiatus from the ring but never left the company after being advised that continued ring wars could have permanent debilitating effects due to previous multiple concussions. A brain lesion, as well as seizures, convinced Danielson to stay away from the rough stuff but only two years later, he was given medical clearance to resume competition within the squared circle.
After getting defeated on several occasions by Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Danielson decided to part ways with the WWE despite the company’s overtures to re-sign him to a new contract. And on September 6th, Bryan Danielson did away with his stage name and appeared under his real name for his new company, the AEW. It’s not surprising that many of the best online sportsbooks are dealing odds on Danielson to become the next AEW World champion.
After AEW’s All-Out PPV event, Danielson addressed his departure from the WWE and his relationship with Vince McMahon in a post-event presser (transcript courtesy of Ringside News).
“But the final decision, honestly, was just like, I started thinking about things — WWE was so gracious with me as far as the offer that they gave me. They were gonna let me go do some other stuff on the outside, but I hate to say this, Vince sometimes — He and I have a great relationship.
“I love him (McMahon), I do. Sometimes he’s overprotective of me. I want to be able to push my limits. That’s one of the things that I love about this, is like the physicality of what we do out there and being able to push my limits and being able to do that here in a safe manner is one of the things that really drew me here.”
Danielson’s defection is just the most recent as C.M Punk and Adam Cole had also been successfully wooed to the new promotion. The AEW is taking serious swipes at McMahon’s monopoly on high-priced talent and fans are taking notice.
However, some of the old guard from the WWF/WWE, like Kurt Angle, are puzzled as to Danielson’s departure and subsequent signing with the AEW.
“I’m really surprised at that. I never thought that WWE would let him go. Daniel was a big part of the company for the past ten or so years. He was literally the top babyface in the company for a few years, so, I’m really surprised they let him go.”
“But Daniel is probably happier in AEW for whatever reason. I don’t know if it was money or if he wasn’t happy with the direction of his character, but it had to be something that made him leave.”
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com tweeted, “Daniel Bryan says he loved working in WWE and was grateful, but still left. The reasons why were the talent, especially the ones who came from day 1. He wants fans to thank day one AEW stars for enticing former WWE names over. He says the second reason is the AEW fan base”
There will be more defections from the WWE unless they begin to reinvigorate the brand and bring new, exciting talent to the fore. But let’s not believe for a moment that Vince’s big-top is going to go quietly into that good night. No, there’s nothing more than a bare-knuckled brawl to get Vince’s juices flowing, and if the AEW continues to snipe his talent, get ready for Vince to counter with heavy weapons of his own.