The AEW roster has grown exponentially since September of 2021 with several former WWE names becoming ALL Elite in the process.
Triple H recently spoke to The Athletic, where he was asked about the numerous former NXT stars who have jumped from WWE to AEW stating:
“I like all those guys. They helped us get where we needed to get, and I’m thankful for it. The truth is there was a period of time where we were trying to build NXT. We built NXT. Then we were trying to build a brand that could get a television show and sustain it. All those names helped us get there. Whether anybody believed or not they fit on “Raw” or “SmackDown,” those aren’t necessarily my decisions solely, and they’re Vince’s (McMahon) decisions and fans’ decisions; and then, can we continue to do business with them?
“If they have great gigs, I’m happy for them. I stay in touch with almost all of them. I like to think they came into us here, we taught them a lot, got them to (a higher level) where they learned how to do television, how to be professionals and all that to be successful there. At some point, they might come back with us, or they might never because they don’t fit our brand as well, but that’s OK. They got us to certain places, and I’m thankful for that, and they’re thankful for that, and they’re off to different things. But that doesn’t stop the train. People leave football teams, move to different teams all the time, and it’s great.”
Former NXT Champion Adam Cole wrestled for the AEW World Championship in a losing effort against champion Adam Page at this past Fridays’s live edition of AEW Rampage.
Triple H has taken a big step back from working under the NXT umbrella since his cardiac event in September of 2021. He also officially announced his retirement from in-ring competition last month on the Stephen A Smith show which resulted in him leaving his wrestling boots in the middle of the ring to open Night 2 of Wrestlemania 39.
H/T to WrestleTalk for the transcription
