NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 Media Call: Pat Patterson, Rhea Ripley, Survivor Series

Triple H held a NXT TakeOver media call this past Wednesday to promote the upcoming NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 event this Sunday.

Among the topics discussed included Triple H’s thoughts on the passing of Pat Patterson. Triple H stated that he believes that nobody outside of Vince McMahon had as big of influence on WWE and wrestling than Patterson had. Triple H also praised Patterson for the energy and passion he brought to the wrestling business.

On the topic of Pat McAfee, Triple H praised McAfee for being a gifted athlete and his promo skills. Triple H also stated that McAfee and his group will be sticking around in NXT following this Sunday’s TakeOver event.

On the topic of Rhea Ripley’s loss to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36 and NXT’s plans following WrestleMania for their feud, Triple H stated:

“None of that plan exists….or was able….everything changed. I don’t think anybody in that moment could have predicted. You go back to March and it seems like, in some ways, forever ago. If anyone would have said in March, ‘In December, you’re still going to be in lockdown and [COVID] will ramp up again and be arguably worse.’ Everything is changing on a daily basis and it’s hard to plan for next week, let alone next year or next month.

The one thing about Rhea, and her honesty is great, when you’re young, it doesn’t take much to rack your confidence. It doesn’t take much to go from an incredible high to an incredible low and begin to question yourself and those things. That’s part of maturing in any sport. It’s all part of the process. I truly believe, long-term, it’s all valuable things. Everyone wants immediate success and for things to go very smoothly to the end. There are no lessons in that or long-term value. There’s no struggle or difficulties. You don’t grow as a performer, it’s just easy. It’s all learning experiences. It’s horrifying at the time, but you look back and go, ‘Thank God that happened because if that didn’t happen, this wouldn’t have happened.’ It’s all part of the journey. When you’re young, it’s hard to say, ‘think long-term.’ You’re young, long-term is the spring or three months from now. Long-term is five to ten years from now and when you think of things in that manner, those setbacks are valuable in getting you to places you need to go. The Rhea Ripley that I’m watching now is better than when she was on the high. She’s a better performer, more mature, all of it, and it came through that process.”

On the topic of AEW and Impact Wrestling’s recent partnership and if WWE would work with other promotions on a similar level, Triple H stated that “we’re open for business” and dismissed the negative perception others have on how WWE views and interacts with other promotions as being incorrect. Triple H stated that any potential working relationship has to be right for WWE and also benefit them in the long run.

On the topic of NXT’s lack of involvement in last month’s Survivor Series event, Triple H stated that it was due to both creative and coronavirus-related issues. He stated that the company tries to keep the rosters of their brands as separate as possible in order to minimize exposure to coronavirus which made it tougher for NXT to be involved in this year’s event.

On the topic of the current pacing of NXT programming, Triple H stated that he loves the way NXT shows are currently being presented and maintaining the focus on plans for both the present and future.

Sources: PWInsider.com, F4WOnline.com,Fightful.com

Full media call audio: F4WOnline.com