WWE News: Triple H talks about Elias not being made for NXT and the brand pushing the main roster
What's the story?
Triple H was recently interviewed on the CBS Sports Network's show In The Corner to promote WWE NXT making its national television debut Wednesday night on the USA Network. During the interview, the subject of Elias was brought up.
In case you didn't know...
Elias made his professional wrestling debut in 2008 wrestling mainly for territories in the northeast. He signed a deal with NXT in 2014 and would be enhancement talent for a period of time before he was rebranded as "The Drifter" Elias Samson.
It was the Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania this past April where he made his main roster debut randomly appearing in backstage segments.
The heart of the matter
In the interview, they would first talk about NXT on if it can be equal as a brand like Raw and Smackdown; which Triple H stated that if you look at how it has grown over the past five years, it is now a show that NBC Universal (parent company of the USA Network) wants on their programming. To Triple H, that is simply awesome.
They also discussed on if NXT pushes the main roster, and Triple H stated that it is already evident in the Women's Revolution. He likens the brand to an "old school territory" that does push the main roster to be better.
On the subject of Elias, Triple H mentioned that Elias' gimmick, the way he is, and his demeanour were made for the main roster and not NXT. When Elias was in NXT, that was something that Triple H said to Dusty Rhodes. Everything that Elias did on NXT was to get him ready for the main roster.
It's been a very successful time on the main roster for Elias as well. He recently came close to capturing the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Roman Reigns in a spectacular match, and he's been featured on a weekly basis. The amount of airtime that Elias has shows that Vince McMahon and Triple H have a lot of faith in him.
What's next?
After losing to Roman Reigns last week on Raw, Elias had a rare night off on Monday this week. With Miz gone for a few more weeks filming The Marine 6: Close Quarters, you may see him team with The Miztourage very soon.
Author's take
Though not many shared my sentiment at the time, I have always enjoyed the Elias gimmick going back to NXT, and I have podcast episodes from then to prove it! I think he's adjusted the main roster very well, and as you could see in his match with Roman Reigns, he's improved in the ring.
I think 2018 will be the first year that Elias gets to hold gold in some form in the WWE whether it be in a tag team or the WWE Intercontinental Championship.