Tonight, on WWE Network, NXT is celebrating the 25th anniversary of In Your House, WWF’s monthly PPVs before they were given more significant names like Judgement Day, or Hell In A Cell. A few days ago, Triple H and NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair each took part in a media call to promote the pay-per-view and also share on the current situation for WWE in the pandemic context.
Triple H on the In Your House themed event:
“It absolutely came about given the circumstances, as TakeOver’s evolved in the beginning. They all had second names, and as we started going to the cities, we started sort of walking them into the city, the location. It’s always a fluid work-in-progress kind of thought. When we were going to have the opportunity to do a TakeOver on June 7th on the WWE Network, what should we do there now because we’re back in Florida? We’re in our home, so the conversation came up, and it was just the perfect timing because everyone’s stuck in their house. The reaction to it was huge. It’s funny that we made the decision to name it In Your House, and it wasn’t until we made the decision that it was pointed out to me that the date is like a couple of days away from the 25th anniversary of the first In Your House pay-per-view. It was all just a happy coincidence. I think we’ll see where it goes and the enjoyment level and everything else, but it definitely could be something that comes back. If it’s as good as I think it’s going to be, then I think people might demand it to come back, so we’ll work on it.”
Triple H on if NXT TakeOver: In Your House will be live:
“Basically, everything in the show, with the exception of Dream vs. Cole match, is live. That match has already been taped, it was shot outdoor, so there was some component of weather that we wanted to be cautious of, but everything else within the show will be live.”
Triple H on the importance of NXT in his 25-year wrestling career:
“25 years is a long time, there’s a lot of moments, and I enjoyed all of them. But now, it comes down to moments of watching the future talent grow and knowing that we’re giving them that platform, knowing that somehow in a small way, we’re helping them get there. This Sunday will be no different, you’re going to see a lot of talents, some of which have been in this position before with TakeOvers on big stages, and some arriving, and you’re going to see them rise to the occasion and grow as performers. It might seem cliché, but those moments are almost bigger to me now than the moments of my career. It’s akin to doing something in your life, and then watching your kids succeed. What’s more special to me right now at this moment, I wouldn’t trade any of it. Watching the men and women of NXT and beyond just captivate the world, do what they do, have that opportunity to live their dream, those are the moments now for me that are the most important.”
Triple H on fans potentially returning to WWE events amid Florida’s phase two of re-opening:
“Since the beginning of this, we’ve been looking at all options, trying to figure out just how to navigate all of this. Since things have changed, we’ve worked closely with the government in Florida to make sure we’re doing everything that they want us to do and then some and try to stick to everything. This has just come about, and all options are on the table for us. We need to understand completely what they’re saying can and can not be done, and what they want us to do, and we’ll respond accordingly. What we do is for our fans, and we feel it’s our duty to continue to deliver for them. They’ve been there for us, and we want to be there for them at this time when they need that entertainment. The faster we can get ourselves in front of our fans and doing what we do, the better, as long as it’s safe for everyone.”
Triple H on the situation of NXT UK:
“We’re still committed to that as ever. I can’t wait. I know we have a lot of athletes chomping at the bit. They can’t wait for the race to be big enough, so the restraint should be taken off and let them get back to what they do and what they love to do. I think when they’re given the green light, the product’s going to be spectacular, just from their enthusiasm. We have to figure out where things will go after we come out of this situation, but that is very much still a goal. When all of this first started to happen, talent like Pete Dunne, we sent them home because we could see some of this travel stuff happen. We were trying to get them back before it became problematic, and now, we’re just waiting for this to open up so we can get back to doing what we do, and they can get back to their careers. So, when all of this is behind us, it will be very exciting for them.”
Triple H on how well the women have done over the last few years in NXT:
“I’m continually blown away by our women. Our women have always risen to the occasion, but the opportunity changed, the platform changed, and they took that inch and made that change happen. Talking about NXT, I can go back to the pages with Sasha, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and all the women that you think of at the beginning of that NXT who kind of changed the pace and changed what women were doing in the ring. Fast forward to today, more often than not, they’re stealing the show. More often than not, they are telling better stories. It’s amazing what they can do, and the in-ring product is off the chart. If you look at the six women match, the depth of what is there, the number of women that have that ability to steal the show at any given moment is incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of all of them, they have worked so hard for it, they have given everything they have for it. I think that’s why it’s so successful, they pour their heart and soul in everything they do, and they deliver every time.”
Triple H on how Charlotte Flair being the Women’s Champion helps NXT have a presence on RAW and SmackDown:
“I’ve been thrilled with this whole thing, and I think this speaks to Charlotte as a performer. Sometimes she’s bashed because of her dad and her name and everything else. But, to me, it just speaks to her as a performer that she would want to do this. That she would work across all the brands if she could, that she would want to carry that torch when it was put in front of her and to do this. And really, the long term on this is to build up other talent and as spectacular as a moment as Rhea Ripley had, and then going into WrestleMania, I wish they could have had that in a stadium. I wish they could have had that in front of fans. I wish for both of them, for everybody, for Rhea to have that moment and to have it with Charlotte in that stadium would have been a making moment for her. For me, Rhea’s loss almost helps her get to where she needs to be for the longterm arc of who she is, as a character. You know, the burnout factor in stuff is quick and intense with short attention spans and everything else, so, to me, this is phenomenal.”
Triple H on NXT TakeOver: In Your House Triple Threat Match for the Women’s Championship:
“Charlotte carries with her the aura of, whether perceived by her work or a behind-the-scenes standpoint, somebody that is unbeatable or is this champion that carries herself in a different light. You feel it; at least I do when I see her on TV. She carries herself in a different way. To have Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai step in the ring with that and do what they all can do, they’re going to tear this thing up on Sunday. I know they will. There is nothing Charlotte likes more than when people say she has been given something, and then going out there and putting on a performance of that night, and showing everybody why she is where she is. I know Rhea feels like she’s got something to prove. That where she was wasn’t a fluke and stuff like that. Io Shirai is ready and willing and able to step up to that level. To be the greatest in-ring female in the world, you could make that argument very easily. This match will be off the chart, I know they are going to want to steal the show and take it to another level, and I’m thrilled with where it’s at.”
Charlotte Flair on being back at an NXT TakeOver PPV:
“I’m going to be a part of In Your House, it’s almost been five years since I’ve been on a TakeOver, which is great. I was travelling with RAW and SmackDown, pulling up TakeOver on my phone on the network and watching the men and women. Now I’m going to be on that show again, and there’s such energy around TakeOver’s, they just seem so unique and special and to be able to be a part of that again, I’m very honoured.”
Charlotte Flair on the difference between facing Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai one-on-one and the Triple Threat Match situation:
“There’s a huge difference. Obviously, the stakes are higher in a Triple Threat match. I told Rhea she needed to wait in line. Io is the number one contender, but Rhea continued to butt into our business, making it a triple threat match. It seems fitting as Rhea has never got a rematch for the NXT Women’s Championship, so, to me, the more the merrier. It’ll just make a better match having three talents.”
Charlotte Flair on working the three WWE brands:
“I really do think that my consistency is also a detriment to people missing me. I think I am doing some of the best work of my career right now, promo wise and ring wise, but because people see me all the time. I just don’t think it’s not like they’re used to it. The expectation is so high, and it’s so frustrating because it’s like, what am I not supposed to be hungry, am I not supposed to always want to be on top, am I not supposed to be fighting to get better? It’s like a Catch-22. I’m on all three brands, but if you look at my storylines that I am a part of, I’m a part of someone else’s storyline. It’s not like anything is a Charlotte Flair push. Currently, I am just all over the place, brand-wise, because I am the hardest worker. I’ve been doing it straight for six years, and I like getting better. I like being at work, this is my job, and I love it.”
Charlotte Flair’s secret behind her success:
“I think it’s my ability to adapt to storylines that aren’t necessarily like ‘I’m playing the good guy, I’m playing the bad guy’. I’m also consistent. I also learn very quickly. If something goes wrong, I learn from it and move on and don’t make the same mistake again – or at least I try not to. I think that has a lot to do with it. I can just be placed pretty much anywhere, and I want to be the best. I guess that my greatest opponent is the person I look in the mirror every day. I just want to get better. Nothing is ever good enough. I’ve checked off everything almost on my bucket list of what I’ve done, but it’s almost like I want more.”
Charlotte Flair on facing the young talents of WWE and NXT:
“I’ve had the opportunity to face Liv Morgan before and Ruby Riott and Chelsea Green. To be honest, what I’m having the most fun with is the empty arena element. It’s really been a learning experience, and I’ve taken it seriously to where, how can I stand out as a performer with this circumstance, and how do I improve with it? Having the opportunity to work with Liv, I’ve worked with her, what, twice now? – seeing her growth, Chelsea’s growth, and just being able to be apart of every division on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT is fun. But what I’ve had honestly the most fun with is taking this challenge of the empty arena and standing out. Elevating my work by growing through this circumstance.”
Charlotte Flair on the NXT female roster of 2012-2015 compared to the current one:
“I would have to say that the women now are more polished because the brand is now on the network. Travelling for live events and for TakeOver’s is the norm. When I was in NXT, we were fighting for all these things, and whereas now, they are the third brand. We were fighting to be equal as they are equal now.”
Charlotte Flair on wrestling in front of NXT trainees:
“It actually adds a different kind of pressure because these are your peers. These are the people who want to be where you are and know what you’re doing actually. It kind of makes me a little more nervous because, to be honest, it’s great to have the talent there and their energy, but these are people who are training to take your spot.”
NXT TakeOver: In Your House is airing live on WWE Network this Sunday at 7 ET (midnight BST). The kickoff show will start at 6.30 PM (11.30 PM BST) live on WWE Network, YouTube channel and WWE social media.
Here is NXT TakeOver: In Your House card:
- NXT Championship Backlot Brawl: Adam Cole (c) vs. The Velveteen Dream
- NXT Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Io Shirai
- Tommaso Ciampa vs. Karrion Kross with Scarlett
- NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
- Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest
- Mia Yim, Tegan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai & Raquel González
Special thanks to DS Communication – All pics and videos courtesy of WWE