This Friday in Abu Dhabi, Triple H will face Roman Reigns for the first time since WrestleMania 32. Ahead of the match, WWE’s Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative spoke to TheNational.ae about competing in Abu Dhabi for the first time, his opinion on the mixed crowd reactions Reigns often gets at live events, still wrestling while holding an executive position, and more.
Highlights from the interview are as follows:
How good is Roman Reigns?
“I think he is one of the best that the WWE have right now.
“Roman is in an unique position because the fan base tends to believe that he is this chosen one that the WWE wants in this position so they choose not to accept that position.
But the truth is, and some people will listen to this and want to argue against it, but honestly most of the people who argue against it aren’t qualified to make that argument. I am. Roman is one of the most skilled performers bar none in the WWE right now and that is on every level.
“It is funny that Roman goes to the ring every night and there is a decision being made whether they want to boo him or cheer him depending on where you are and depends what is done. But usually by the end of the night, because he works so hard and he is so good at what he does that he wins them over.
“That has been the trend recently, as you saw with John Cena, as you see with others. He is a skilled guy in the ring, no matter how you break it down. I would consider him to be one of the very best in the WWE today.”
Still wrestling while holding an executive position:
“Right now it is still fun for me. It is still something that I enjoy. I don’t think that I’ll ever not enjoy it, stepping out in front of the WWE Universe.
“When I do something in the office there aren’t 10,000 people screaming and cheering so it is not quite the excitement level that performing is.
“But I get just as much enjoyment to be honest out of watching the others. When I am working with these kids who are just starting in NXT and doing a Takeover and watching them perform to a level that they never thought they could.
“That is a completely different adrenaline rush for me and I really enjoy that. It is kind of where my focus is now. I love getting in the ring. This year I have wrestled a bit more, as you are about to see here in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, and in India, but they have all been last minute and surprises.
“But I am enjoying the process. It is fun to get out there and remember why you love the business in the first place.”
Triple H also talked about how important the Middle East is to WWE, WWE returning to Abu Dhabi, his match with Reigns at WrestleMania 32 and more. For the full interview, click here.