Randy Orton Reveals The Major WWE Backstage Change Under Triple H

Newsweek

4 days ago

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WWE veteran Randy Orton has revealed a significant positive change in the company's backstage culture, crediting Chief Content Officer Triple H for the new direction. The 14-time world champion shared a specific story that highlights a major shift in the company's priorities under the new leadership.
Speaking on the "What's Your Story?" podcast with Stephanie McMahon, Orton discussed how the company now has a "family first" mentality. This is a change he says would have been unheard of in the past.
Leading By Example In WWE
Orton recalled a recent instance where he learned Triple H was not present at a television taping. When he asked where his boss was, he was told Triple H was attending his daughter Murphy's championship softball game.
For Orton, this small act represented a monumental shift in the company's culture.
"Just knowing that in the past that never would have happened, and knowing that now it's okay," Orton said (H/T WrestlingNews.co). "It's almost like, without even knowing it... he's leading by example."
He explained that this leadership gives him confidence that he could also prioritize a major family event without fear of professional repercussions.
"There's no question in my mind that if I say 'Hunter... I've got this thing, and... it's very important to me and my family and my kids... that I'm there,' there's no question in my mind that they'll say 'Done,'" Orton stated. "Like that is huge. That's everything."
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 2: Randy Orton enters the arena during Crown Jewel at Mohammed Abdo Arena on November 2, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 2: Randy Orton enters the arena during Crown Jewel at Mohammed Abdo Arena on November 2, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE/Getty Images
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Randy Orton's Perspective
This cultural shift is especially meaningful coming from a star like Orton, who has been with WWE for 25 years.
For decades, the industry was known for its grueling "grind" schedule, where performers often worked through injuries and missed major family milestones. The idea of a top executive, let alone a top talent, missing a TV taping for a family event was often seen as a lack of dedication.
Orton himself has recently gained a new perspective after returning from a career-threatening back injury that required spinal fusion surgery. After more than a year away, he understands the importance of life outside the ring, making Triple H's new "family first" approach all the more significant to veterans who have spent their lives on the road.
The praise is also powerful given the long and often violent history between Randy Orton and Triple H. Triple H originally brought a young Orton into WWE as his protégé in the Evolution faction, but their relationship famously imploded when Orton won his first World Heavyweight Championship.
This led to a years-long, bloody rivalry that was one of the defining feuds of the Ruthless Aggression era. For Orton to now be the one praising Triple H's leadership shows the immense respect that has developed between the two former rivals over their storied careers.
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