Triple H Explains Why Gimmicks Don’t Work in WWE Anymore

riple H just explained why the old-school gimmicks that once defined WWE superstars are no longer part of today’s wrestling landscape—and it has everything to do with how the world has changed.

During a conversation on the All-In podcast, The Game was asked why WWE doesn’t use character-driven stereotypes the way it did in the ’80s and ’90s. Back then, it wasn’t unusual to see gimmicks based on real-world political tension, like the Iron Sheik representing Middle Eastern conflict. But those days are long gone.

Triple H was quick to point out that portraying someone through a stereotype today would likely backfire, especially in an era where public sensitivity is higher and more reactionary than ever.

“Absolutely. I just think that if you stereotyped somebody into a particular place, a lot of the world would rebel against that. Yeah. Right. Not in a positive way. And maybe sometimes people that have no real reason to have a position on either side of that, right?”

Advertising

Advertising

He made it clear that WWE isn’t trying to start debates or push controversial viewpoints—it’s supposed to be fun. But some people forget that.

“The one thing about WWE is we’re a fun reflection of the world. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be entertainment. It’s supposed to be fantastical. It’s supposed to let you come to an event for three hours and just turn off and enjoy entertainment and some type of representation of the world that is around you. But people get lost in it, and they begin to take the representations too seriously sometimes.”

According to Triple H, modern fans don’t always separate fiction from reality, and that makes traditional gimmicks a tough sell in today’s climate. So instead of relying on caricatures, WWE focuses more on developing characters who feel grounded yet still entertaining to a global audience.

This shift in direction marks a big departure from the wild personas of the past, but Triple H believes it’s necessary to evolve the product without crossing lines that no longer work in the modern world.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.