Triple H on what he looks for in future talents

[Stopspot]

Yahoo! Sports has an article about Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee eying a possible WWE career once his NFL days are over. McAfee actually has a match under his belt, as he faced "War Pig" at an independent show in West Virginia in 2009, which you can watch above. McAfee's former Colts teammate Tom Pestock wrestles in NXT as Baran Corbin, and said that McAfee had discussed entering the business in the future.

"We talked about how much we enjoyed watching it and what we loved about it," Pestock said. "We just told each other it was something we wanted to get to when that path ended... I'm sure he'll try to do something when he's done."

The article also contains quotes from Triple H. McAfee noted that he modeled his personality after The Rock, and Triple H talked about the importance of charisma in his recruits.

"I will take someone with charisma and desire over anything else," said Triple H. "It's hard to teach someone how to be charismatic. You ever met that person who has something about them? That's the biggest factor, I think. Nobody pays to just see a wrestler. You pay to see superstars."

You can check out video below of McAfee delivering a Stone Cold Stunner in the Colts' locker room:
http://seenive.com/v/1024780588634497024

Wrestlinginc

 

[seabs]

This is why they didn't sign the wolves IMO. They're bland as a protein shake with water.

 

[Stopspot]

That's what I think to. And I agree with Triple H. If you recruit ten guys who have charisma you can most likely teach 9 out of 10 to wrestle proper and the one who doesn't can be used as an interviewer or announcer. If you sign ten wrestlers there's no guarantee you can create 9 charismatic mofos.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

I just need someone to explain to me the guys without talent or charisma. Ryback, I'm looking at you.

 

[Farooq]

Interesting. You can teach someone the basics of wrestling, so I assume that's what he meant. Natural charisma is great to have in your talent roster since it is Sports Entertainment. No complaints from me, I know Triple H knows what he is doing.

 

[seabs]

I just need someone to explain to me the guys without talent or charisma. Ryback, I'm looking at you.

Ryback's got a decent look which is handy at times as wrecking ball, there was a time when he was connecting with the crowd pretty well. Although he's the example to give when people say Reign's hype is based on his look to show it's more than that.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Ryback's got a decent look which is handy at times as wrecking ball, there was a time when he was connecting with the crowd pretty well. Although he's the example to give when people say Reign's hype is based on his look to show it's more than that.

people who doubt Reigns are just contrarians IMO. I don't feel the need to explain to them why he is the shit. If they can recognize it that is there bad.

 

[Pop Tatari]

Well its not a surprise about what he looks for in wrestlers, it is a sports entertainment company after all.

 

[Lockard 23]

I wouldn't expect any other answer from Triple H. Any promoter in the wrestling business (at least one who wants to be successful) knows that qualities in a superstar like charisma, presence, look, mic skills, etc. obviously take precedence over wrassling skillz. The latter (as mentioned) can be easier taught to people than charisma and the IT Factor can.

 

[seabs]

I wouldn't expect any other answer from Triple H. Any promoter in the wrestling business (at least one who wants to be successful) knows that qualities in a superstar like charisma, presence, look, mic skills, etc. obviously take precedence over wrassling skillz. The latter (as mentioned) can be easier taught to people than charisma and the IT Factor can.

I'm picking up minor details here but the traits you've mentioned is mainly for the US scene you could and many have been successful in Japan and Mexico (especially this one) headed by guys with little to no charisma. Japan focus more on ability in the ring up until very recently with Tana's rise in the early to mid 2000s,with Mexico being more stories built around the talent such as Mistico who was more about his "upbringing" as the orphan picked up by the priest Fray Tormenta and his liquid like ability to flow between spots than anything else plus his heritage. Different cultures look for different things so you can't make such a sweeping statement on the industry as a whole.

#JoeRulezingIt

 

[TheArabHammer]

Surprised I didn't see vanilla midget anywhere in his quote #disappointed

 

[Lockard 23]

I'm picking up minor details here but the traits you've mentioned is mainly for the US scene you could and many have been successful in Japan and Mexico (especially this one) headed by guys with little to no charisma. Japan focus more on ability in the ring up until very recently with Tana's rise in the early to mid 2000s,with Mexico being more stories built around the talent such as Mistico who was more about his "upbringing" as the orphan picked up by the priest Fray Tormenta and his liquid like ability to flow between spots than anything else plus his heritage. Different cultures look for different things so you can't make such a sweeping statement on the industry as a whole.

#JoeRulezingIt

Well, yes, I'm referring to the US scene, which happens to be the most popular and profitable place to work if you want get into the wrestling industry. It's more of a sport in places like Mexico and Japan but in the States it's more to do with the showmanship and live theatre aspect. The biggest stars in the industry (all of whom have global presence) are guys like Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Andre and the like, guys who all became big for something other than how well they could perform in the ring (from a technical standpoint.)

 

[seabs]

Well, yes, I'm referring to the US scene, which happens to be the most popular and profitable place to work if you want get into the wrestling industry. It's more of a sport in places like Mexico and Japan but in the States it's more to do with the showmanship and live theatre aspect. The biggest stars in the industry (all of whom have global presence) are guys like Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Andre and the like, guys who all became big for something other than how well they could perform in the ring (from a technical standpoint.)

Honestly you're under rating the ability of these foreign guys to draw the US is the biggest but it seems your suggesting the gap is a lot bigger than it is.

2004
Kenta Kobashi
Pro Wrestling Noah
2005
Kenta Kobashi
Pro Wrestling Noah
2006
Místico
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2007
John Cena
World Wrestling Entertainment
2008
Brock Lesnar
Ultimate Fighting Championship
2009
Brock Lesnar
Ultimate Fighting Championship
2010
Brock Lesnar
Ultimate Fighting Championship
2011
The Rock
WWE
2012
The Rock
WWE

It's wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wrestling_Observer_Newsletter_awards#Best_Box_Office_Draw but the stats should be available elsewhere.
These are the stats for the biggest draws over the past 6 years according to wrestling observer (ignore the UFC ones as that's neither here or there as Brock wasn't pro wrestling at the time if you want to count MMA Sakuraba and Sapp x 2 are further for Japan) That's a 3 on 3 split in wrestling and two of those for the US were from a guy who spent the majority of the time in movies than wrestling. The US was dominant during the AE but now it's pretty damn close.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

damn you seabs with your vanilla midget tangents

 

[seabs]

damn you seabs with your vanilla midget tangents