Ex-WWE star addresses one thing missing from Triple H's creative regime (Exclusive)

Triple H has made several changes to WWE programming since replacing Vince McMahon as the company's creative figurehead in July 2022. In a recent video, former WWE star EC3 discussed one big difference between the two men's storytelling.

During McMahon's creative tenure, dozens of storylines revolved around an emerging talent defeating an established star in a torch-passing moment. One of the last notable examples came in 2017 when Roman Reigns beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33.

EC3 appeared on the latest episode of Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws with host Dr. Chris Featherstone and veteran writer Vince Russo. Discussing Triple H's creative approach, the 42-year-old addressed the lack of torch-passing moments since The Game took over.

"I think some of the greatest stories told in wrestling are always the proverbial torch-pass, and it feels like you mentioned 'Taker and Roman, but it was kinda like not the perfect send-off, and it [torch-passing moments] seemed to kinda end with the Triple H-Undertaker feud [in 2012], and their End of an Era kinda thing," EC3 said. "Who's going over on the way out? 'Taker maybe a year or two prior putting somebody over in like a high-level, meaningful feud with a banger match [means] more." [3:14 – 3:55]

Watch the video above to hear Vince Russo's honest thoughts on WWE allowing more wrestlers to leave.

EC3 shares Vince McMahon's WWE storytelling theory

From 1982 to 2022, Vince McMahon was responsible for WWE's match outcomes and storyline developments. In 2014, he controversially ended The Undertaker's 21-match WrestleMania undefeated streak by booking Brock Lesnar to defeat The Deadman.

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According to EC3, McMahon cared more about the storyline direction of the winner than he did about creating a torch-passing moment:

"Vince McMahon, I believe, had a theory, which I didn't agree with, but what do I know? But it always seemed like the guy who puts somebody over, it's not about the guy who he put over, but who beats the guy that got put over, which I think was the theory between the Brock and Undertaker streak ending." [3:56 – 4:16]

EC3 also explained why he thinks fans should "relax" after the latest talent cuts led to widespread criticism on social media.

Please credit Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Danny Hart