Alright, let’s talk about something I’ve been tracking myself, just watching the shows and seeing how things play out. It’s about how Triple H seems to be handling Black wrestlers since he got the book.
Getting Started: Just Watching
So, when Hunter first took over the creative side of things, I just started watching like usual. Didn’t really go in looking for anything specific, just wanted to see if the vibe changed, you know? Week after week, tuning into Raw and Smackdown, plus NXT when I got the chance.
Noticing a Shift
After a few months, I kinda started noticing… hey, wait a minute. Certain folks seemed to be getting more consistent screen time. It wasn’t just one or two people anymore. I saw Bianca Belair, obviously, she was already champ, but her presentation felt strong, dominant. Then you had the Street Profits. They felt like they were being treated more seriously, not just the fun-loving guys, but guys who could really go and were part of actual stories.
I remember specifically paying attention to how they were used in segments. Were they just background guys? Or were they cutting promos, having meaningful matches? It felt like more of the latter.
Digging a Bit Deeper (My Process)
This got me thinking. So, I did what I usually do – I kinda mentally reviewed how things felt before. Without getting into the weeds, it just felt different. So, I started actively tracking it in my head, almost like keeping a mental tally.
- Who’s getting title shots?
- Who’s involved in major storylines?
- How are they presented in backstage segments or video packages?
- Are they winning important matches?
Down in NXT, it really seemed noticeable too. Guys like Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams weren’t just there; they were often the main focus of the show. Hayes holding the top title for a good while, presented like a star. Trick’s rise felt pretty organic and the crowd got behind him.
Looking at the ‘How’
It wasn’t just that they were on TV, but how. Take Bobby Lashley for example. He was already a top guy, yeah, but his presentation, the formation of his group for a time… it felt like an attempt to give him something solid, keep him in that upper-tier mix consistently.
I looked at the women’s division too. Beyond Bianca, seeing others get opportunities, even if smaller, seemed more frequent than I recalled. It wasn’t a total revolution overnight, don’t get me wrong, but the needle felt like it was moving.
My Takeaway (For Now)
So, after all this watching and thinking, my personal observation is that there seems to be a more conscious effort under Triple H to feature Black talent more prominently and in more meaningful roles. It’s not just about having faces on the screen; it feels more about integrating them into the core structure of the shows, letting them carry segments, storylines, and hold championships.
Is it perfect? Probably not. Booking is always up and down for everyone. But based on my own practice of just watching the shows week in and week out, comparing it to how things were, I definitely picked up on a shift. It’s something I’m still keeping an eye on, seeing how it evolves. Just sharing what I’ve clocked myself.
