Major WWE creative direction differences between Triple H and Shawn Michaels seemingly revealed
The WWE in-ring action was once dominated by Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Longtime friends and rivals, the duo now help run the company behind the scenes, and they are lauded for their leadership. Recently, a top superstar close to both officials revealed a major inside creative update on the wrestling legends.
The Cerebral Assassin is the Chief Content Officer of WWE, whereas The Heartbreak Kid is the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Triple H founded the current version of NXT in 2012 and later Michaels joined the team in 2018 but took on more duties in September 2021 due to Hunter's health-related hiatus. The Hall of Famers are widely praised for improving the product put forth by the main roster and developmental, now seen as WWE's third brand. One rising superstar who they have worked closely with is Carmelo Hayes.
D-Generation X's legendary leaders have been high on Melo since he joined WWE in February 2021. Michaels pushed Hayes in NXT, while Triple H now has him on SmackDown. The 30-year-old recently appeared on The Masked Man Show and disclosed creative differences between The Game and HBK, noting that The King of Kings is passionate but still fairly reserved when it comes to creative visions, while Mr. WrestleMania wears his passion on his sleeve.
"It’s a positive, not a negative at all. I think Shawn is very... he reacts with passion and emotion. With Hunter, he’s very calm and cool all the time, so it’s never like you ever see him get out of pocket or nothing. There’s nothing against being passionate and emotional at all, but you’ve gotta be a little sharper with Shawn sometimes because he has a vision he wants to come true. If it doesn’t come true, he’s passionate. Hunter's passionate as well, don’t get me wrong, but he’s just kinda cool. He’s not gonna yell at you or anything," Carmelo Hayes said. [H/T to Fightful]
Hayes was a one-time NXT Champion, two-time North American Champion, and one-time Cruiserweight Champion in NXT. He also won the 2021 Breakout Tournament. The former Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Champion was called to SmackDown in late April but has yet to win a main roster championship.
WWE to continue heated SmackDown series
The WWE SmackDown series between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade will continue. The former AEW star currently leads the series at 3-2.
El Idolo defeated Melo on September 13 in what was believed to be the finale to a Best of Five Series, which was tied 2-2 going into the show. However, Andrade vs. Hayes VI will happen this Friday at SmackDown in Oklahoma City.
Andrade won their first match on July 19, and the second on August 2. Hayes won on August 16 and August 30 but lost the tie-breaker on September 13. The last win earned El Idolo a title shot, but he failed to dethrone United States Champion LA Knight this past Friday.