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While Vince McMahon has the final say on what happens on RAW and SmackDown, Triple H is ultimately responsible for the Superstars of NXT.
It was widely speculated when NXT became a two-hour show on the USA Network that McMahon would have more control over the brand. However, as Triple H repeatedly said when the USA Network agreement began, that has clearly not been the case.
With the exception of the WWE Survivor Series 2019 battle of brand supremacy, NXT has mostly remained separate to RAW and SmackDown. Of course, that has not stopped a select few Superstars from discussing a possible NXT return with Triple H.
Many of those Superstars got their wish, but there are also some who Triple H does not want to compete on the Wednesday night show.
In this article, let’s count down four WWE Superstars who Triple H wanted in NXT, as well as four he did not want.
#8 and #7 Triple H wanted The Revival in WWE NXT
The Undisputed Era has dominated the tag team division in WWE NXT over the last three years. Prior to that, several tag teams had a large amount of success on Triple H’s brand, including The Revival.
Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson held the WWE NXT Tag Team titles on two occasions and for a combined total of 306 days. Only The Undisputed Era (550 days) and The Ascension (343 days) held the titles for a longer period of time.
Unfortunately, no longer under the guidance of Triple H, things did not work out for The Revival on Vince McMahon’s RAW and SmackDown. Known as FTR, Cash Wheeler (fka Dash Wilder) and Dax Harwood (fka Scott Dawson) are now part of the AEW roster.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy in November 2020, the two men confirmed that Triple H wanted them back in NXT. Harwood said Triple H made a “very gracious” offer but both he and Wheeler felt it was time to leave WWE.
"There were talks with us and Triple H to go back to NXT and they tried very hard to keep us. It was all professional and all respectful and we were very gracious to the offers we got and to what Triple H was going to provide for us, but ultimately, we knew that our time in WWE was over at that time."
FTR’s highest-profile AEW match so far came when they lost the Tag Team titles to The Young Bucks at the Full Gear pay-per-view.
#6 and #5 Triple H did not want Big Cass & Enzo Amore in WWE NXT
Shortly before NXT became a two-hour show, reports emerged that Triple H was interested in bringing Big Cass and Enzo Amore back to the brand. Although the former NXT duo never won the Tag Team titles, they still had a very successful run on Triple H’s show.
With that in mind, it seemed plausible that Triple H might want to re-sign the two men ahead of NXT’s USA Network launch. However, the NXT founder quickly squashed the rumor in an interview with talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy.
“Which I immediately then had our PR go like, ‘Yeah, no.’ Zero interest.”
Triple H added that, at the time, he had up to 160 Superstars who he could call upon in NXT and NXT UK. He also accused Amore of trying to gain attention by creating the rumor himself.
“Congratulations to Enzo, I’m sure spreading rumors has worked well for him. I just don’t want any part of it.”
Amore later said in an interview on Hannibal TV that he did not start the rumor. He even claimed that he has had confirmation that someone in WWE leaked the false information.
#4 Triple H wanted Kevin Owens in WWE NXT
Finn Balor and Breezango are among the Superstars who permanently returned to Triple H’s NXT in 2019. Kevin Owens also reappeared in NXT at TakeOver: WarGames in November 2019, but his return turned out to be a one-off.
Speaking to CBS Sports in July 2020, Owens made it clear that he wants to work in NXT again. He also implied that Triple H is keen to welcome him back when the time is right.
“I talk to Triple H pretty regularly and we bring it up once in a while. It's just about timing. There's a lot of opportunities. The landscape of WWE is changing quite a bit through this situation [COVID-19] and I think it's going to keep evolving.”
Owens’ previous NXT run did not last for very long. He debuted in December 2014 and officially left the brand in August 2015. He also worked on WWE’s main roster from May 2015 onwards.
Despite only having a brief association with Triple H’s brand, Owens still won the NXT Championship. His 142-day reign began in February 2015 with a win over Sami Zayn and ended against Finn Balor in July 2015.
#3 and #2 Triple H did not want himself and Shawn Michaels in WWE NXT
Shawn Michaels came out of retirement to team with Triple H against Kane and The Undertaker at WWE Crown Jewel 2018. Michaels stressed after the show that his return was a one-off, but that has not stopped people asking if he will compete in NXT.
Like Triple H, The Heartbreak Kid has a very important role behind the scenes in NXT. He works with WWE’s up-and-coming Superstars at the Performance Center, while he also mentors NXT UK talents.
In another interview with talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy, Triple H said he always receives messages from people who want to face him or Michaels.
“Trust me, there’s almost a day that doesn’t go by where I don’t get a text from somebody on these rosters who go ‘what if…’ or ‘what if Shawn…’ or ‘what if you…’ and that’s flattering, I understand that. Look, I watch what they do – I couldn’t hang! Not even in the ballpark anymore.”
Despite the interest from other Superstars, Triple H said he does not want himself or Michaels to compete in NXT. He believes the brand should be about the next generation of Superstars instead of legends.
“Truth is, this brand is more about the youth and the next level than it is the yesterday. We’re looking forward to be progressive, not live in nostalgia.”
Since those comments, which Triple H made in August 2019, he has stayed true to his word. Triple H and Michaels have still never competed in a match in NXT or NXT UK.
#1 Triple H wanted Eric Young in WWE NXT
Eric Young had a successful spell in Triple H’s NXT as part of the SAnitY faction. However, much like The Revival, the group’s talents were hardly put to use during their time on WWE’s main roster. SAnitY broke up after one year on RAW and all four members went their separate ways.
Killian Dain (NXT), Alexander Wolfe (NXT UK), and Nikki Cross (SmackDown) became involved in storylines on other brands. Meanwhile, Young (RAW) rarely appeared on his brand and mostly featured in matches on Main Event.
The former SAnitY leader received his release from WWE in April 2020 as a cost-cutting measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to reveal on David Penzer’s Sitting Ringside podcast that Triple H originally wanted him back in NXT around that time.
“I was still talking with Hunter [Triple H] and he was very interested in having me back in NXT after WrestleMania. That is where I was supposed to go. Obviously plans changed and the pandemic happened and I got furloughed or fired. I say fired but they are going to say furloughed because it sounds better.” [H/T WrestlingNewsCo]
Young also revealed that Triple H was the first person who called him after his WWE release was announced. Triple H was not responsible for the departures and he did not know that Young was going to be released.
