Paul Heyman is making it clear that comparing Triple H’s creative job to Vince McMahon’s old job is way too simple.
During his interview with Chris Van Vliet, Heyman was asked about the biggest difference between working for Vince McMahon and working with Paul Levesque. Heyman said it is not the same job anymore, because WWE’s creative boss now has to deal with a completely different business world. Heyman said anyone who does not see that difference does not understand what it takes to lead WWE creative today.
“It’s a completely different job. And anyone that doesn’t see that doesn’t understand the dynamic of what it takes to lead the creative process today.”
Heyman then pointed out that when he was Executive Director of Monday Night Raw, Vince asked him what his long-term goal was. Heyman wanted the top creative job.
“When I became the executive director of Monday Night Raw, Vince asked me, ‘What’s your goal in this long term?’ And my answer was, ‘In five years, I’d like to be the chief creative officer.’”
But Heyman said Triple H is not just doing that job. He said Levesque is operating as WWE’s Chief Content Officer, and that title matters. Heyman explained that WWE is no longer only about what fans want on one Monday or one Friday. The entire content machine is bigger now.
“Paul Levesque is not the chief creative officer in WWE. He’s the chief content officer. And that designation, I think, is the tell-all moment as to his approach to the responsibility and accountabilities that go with the job.”
“This is no longer a job that is dictated by the immediate audience’s need to see this person as champion at this particular show that is followed up that Monday on Raw and the next episode of SmackDown.”
Then Heyman got into the modern reality of WWE, where the algorithm and streaming platforms now matter just as much as old-school booking instincts. Heyman said even the best idea in the world doesn’t matter if the machine doesn’t push it out.
“He is the chief content officer in an era where technology rules the algorithm and the algorithm dictates creativity. The distribution of our content is determined by the algorithm.”
“So, it can be the most creative and the most innovative booking you’ve ever seen, but if it doesn’t feed the algorithm, no one’s going to see it. So, then it’s not efficient. It’s not profitable.”
He also said Triple H has to keep several major players happy, including Netflix, NBCU, ESPN, the fans, and the talent. After laying all that out, Heyman gave Triple H a strong endorsement.
“There are so many masters to serve, one of them being the algorithm, the other being the distributors. You have to please Netflix. You have to please NBCU. You have to please Disney, ESPN. You have to please the purchasing audience. You have to please the talent.”
“You have to please a lot of masters. Paul Levesque is the best person for that job. He’s a collaborator. He pivots. He understands.”
Heyman’s point is that WWE creative is no longer just a booker making calls for next week’s TV. It is a giant content operation, and he believes Triple H is built for that pressure.
What do you think about Paul Heyman’s take on Triple H running WWE creative in the Netflix and ESPN era? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know.
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