Ever since the brand was created NXT has been thought of as Triple H’s baby, but it’s been reported that some major changes are going to be made in NXT. After WWE released a number of talents from NXT recently it was reported that the idea is for the brand to focus on talents who are bigger and younger.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Vince McMahon, Bruce Prichard and John Laurinaitis were behind the cuts in NXT. Triple H and Shawn Michaels did not have a say in the cuts and they weren’t even aware of them until John Laurinaitis started calling talents.
It’s being said that the releases created a real morale issue which NXT has not had in the past. It’s also being said that there’s a power struggle behind the scenes involving people who support Triple H, and people who fear for their positions if Triple H eventually takes over. The people who fear for their positions are reportedly trying to undermine Triple H.
It had been thought that Triple H was untouchable, but NXT failing to win the Wednesday Night War gave his detractors ammunition. The idea is that Triple H’s vision for NXT failed to attract young viewers at a time when the brand was in a fight with AEW.
People within the company have noted that the situation with the releases was toxic because it was more of a power grab when it came to people looking out for their futures, and the talents were used as pawns. The idea is that Triple H stocked NXT with too many wrestlers who didn’t have potential for the main roster.
One person noted that the mindset was that when WWE would sign independent talent they would have to “beat the independent” out of them, and when talents got called up to the main roster they would have to “beat the NXT” out of them.
The toxic situation is what led to Karrion Kross losing twice on Raw while he was being booked strong in NXT, and Dakota Kai losing to Aliyah on Main Event when she’s set to challenge for the NXT Women’s Title at TakeOver.
