5 changes already evident in the Paul Levesque Era in WWE: game presentation, new belts & more
Triple H has made many changes in WWE, and many were evident at WrestleMania 40. It was the first Show of Shows completely under his supervision.
As the show began, commentators, stars, and even Stephanie McMahon claimed that WWE was 'in a new era.' After the event, a different aura permeated the entire company.
On the ensuing episodes of RAW and SmackDown, more changes were implemented by The Game. The next five changes are already evident in the Paul Levesque Era of WWE.
#5. Moving WWE away from TV-PG
For nearly 15 years, WWE has been in the TV-PG era. It catered primarily to families and casual fans and only allowed bad language on rare occasions. Blood wasn't used all that much except in extreme situations to sell a feud.
Since Triple H took over, those guidelines have been loosened. The Rock used several curse words and suggestive language in his feud with Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.
On the latest SmackDown, Tama Tonga attacked and bloodied Kevin Owens. It also turns out that he crashed a car into The Prizefighter. The use of blood sells how vicious Solo Sikoa and Tonga are. Bringing reality into the product makes it more relatable for fans.
#4. New terminology and rules
Some technical changes can also be attributed to the new era under Paul "Triple H" Levesque. Performers are allowed to respond to and interact with live fans. Sami Zayn entered through the crowd for his title defense against Chad Gable, connecting with the fans the whole time.
The term 'wrestler' is no longer taboo as WWE moves away from using 'sports entertainer.' The tag team belts now have new names.
After splitting the belts at WrestleMania 40, there's been another change: the titleholders are now referred to as the World Tag Team Champions (The Awesome Truth) and the WWE Tag Team Champions (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory).
The term 'Universal' is no longer mentioned when referring to the Undisputed WWE Championship.
#3. A new visual presentation
In addition to changing terminology has been how the product is presented on TV. RAW and SmackDown often start with shots of stars arriving at the arena. We also see shots of stars before and as they go through the Gorilla position out to the entrance area.
A big reason for the change in visual operation is due to Kevin Dunn no longer being with the company. He was a longtime ally of Vince McMahon and one of the top voices behind the scenes.
Under a new set of eyes, there are still wide shots but a lot of close-up shots and medium shots as well. These camera angles were evident during the title match between Bayley and Naomi during introductions. The entrance area is also a new design in the Paul Levesque era.
#2. New title designs
This change started last year when Rhea Ripley and Asuka were presented with newly designed Championships. Both women have now seen their reigns end and both sets of tag team titles followed suit after WrestleMania 40.
Triple H presented both The Awesome Truth and A-Town Down Under with newly minted title belts. Gone are the predominantly red and blue designs of the previous Championships.
With the changes to the tag team gold, every championship in WWE will have been replaced by a new design within the last five years.
#1. The New Era has several new champions
It's not only a product of the new era but also of the WrestleMania event itself. The biggest event in wrestling usually resets the picture for many championships in WWE.
WrestleMania 40 truly ushered in a new era of titleholders, as Logan Paul was the only defending champion (other than Rhea Ripley) to walk in and out of the show with their title.
Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, Bayley, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, The Awesome Truth, and Sami Zayn all dethroned titleholders at The Show of Shows. WrestleMania 40 also finally split the Undisputed Tag Team titles. The Paul Levesque Era begins with new champions for almost every title in WWE.