Interview: Triple H talks about WWE's global reach, facing John Cena at the Greatest Royal Rumble and more
Triple H recently took part in a conference call to promote the Greatest Royal Rumble. Here are a few of the highlights:
Q: WWE has strongly promoted the Women's Revolution and work with minority groups. Now that you're in a country that isn't as progressive, is WWE going to play a role in changing that landscape and can you understand the frustration coming from some quarters?
A: WWE is at the forefront of the Women's Revolution around the world, and you can't effect change somewhere by staying away from it. With that being said, we hope our women will be able to perform here (Saudi Arabia) at some point in the future.
There is a cultural shift taking place in Saudi Arabia, and the position of Women in society is changing here. We hope to be at the forefront of this change.
Q: We all know that WWE has a global reach. Does it ever surprise you to see how far it can reach?
A: We were once walking down a road in India, and these kids came out of mud huts chanting our name. It never ceases to amaze me that you can walk down the street in any part of the world and people will know who you are.
There's no part of the world where people won't recognise who you are. Unlike some sports that are very team and region-oriented, WWE is more global. WWE Superstars are like superheroes, and that's part of the reason why they can affect change around the world.
Q: How was the idea to create the Greatest Royal Rumble born and what are the goals of the partnership between WWE and Saudi Arabia?
A: Putting on events like the Greatest Royal Rumble is what we do. We go around the world and put on shows of this calibre. This one is slightly challenging as the infrastructure is a little different, and some of the things we use for entertainment purposes require shifting. Since the timing is quite close to WrestleMania, there were a few challenges that cropped up.
As far as the partnership is concerned, it will span ten years and is going to be a cultural exchange. We have a big fan base in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, as we do all over the world, and we want to put on memorable shows for our fans in this part of the world.
We also want to showcase the people of Saudi Arabia and its culture to the world. Sometimes, people just see things on the news and certain movies, giving them certain misconceptions about Saudi Arabia. We want to show the world that Saudi Arabia is a very welcoming place and that the people are very happy to have us here.
Q: How do you feel about facing John Cena at the Greatest Royal Rumble, and why did you choose him as your opponent for the show?
A: I'm thrilled to be here, in Saudi Arabia, and very excited to wrestle in front of fans who've been watching us on television since the 1990s. As far as John Cena is concerned, it's always a pleasure to work with him, and we had a great rivalry in the past.
We haven't faced each other in nearly ten years, and I think the time is right for us to step into the ring one more time and show the young guys how it's done.
Q: You and John Cena haven't had any interactions on television in a while. What challenges do you face when you have a match without any build-up?
A: With certain guys, you don't need a build to have a big match. Maybe it would've been different in a different arena at a different time, but here in Saudi Arabia, putting our names on the billboard is quite significant to the people here. I'm looking forward to stepping into the ring with Cena and proving t I'm still better than he is.
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