Triple H has been widely praised for his open-minded leadership style, a stark contrast to Vince McMahon’s more rigid approach. This shift in leadership has had a significant impact on WWE, especially for superstars like Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes, who worked for WWE for a decade under Vince McMahon before leaving in 2016, returned to the company in early 2022. His decision to come back was influenced by a meeting with Vince McMahon and WWE’s Executive Director Bruce Prichard. However, the landscape of WWE has changed dramatically since Rhodes’ return.
Two years after his return, at WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes became the WWE Champion for the first time. This monumental achievement came under the leadership of Triple H, who now serves as WWE’s Chief Content Officer. With Vince McMahon no longer involved in the company, it was Triple H who decided it was time for Rhodes to lead WWE.
During an appearance on “Behind The Turnbuckle” with Jonathan Coachman, Cody Rhodes spoke candidly about Triple H’s open-mindedness and how it has positively influenced the WWE environment.
“Having an open mind is crucial. A lot of the luminaries, legends, and old-timers make the mistake of imposing rigid rules on the modern locker room. This generation, especially Gen Z, doesn’t respond well to that kind of motivation,” Rhodes said. “Triple H is a prime example of a leader who understands this. He could have adhered strictly to the rules set by his mentors like Killer Kowalski or Vince McMahon. Instead, he has chosen to keep an open mind, recognizing that there are many ways to succeed in this industry.”
Rhodes highlighted that younger talent today are more independent and strong-willed than ever before. They appreciate leaders who are willing to listen and adapt rather than strictly enforce outdated rules. “The classic principles like ‘less is more’ will always have their place, but being open to new ideas is what keeps the industry evolving,” he added.
Rhodes also emphasized the importance of having fun and staying open to different approaches. “This is a goofy industry with serious angles and real-life drama. But it’s also about entertainment and family. There are countless ways to do this as long as the fans are engaged and making noise,” he said.
In a recent interview, Triple H described WWE as “a movie about a sport” rather than a sport itself. He emphasized the importance of storytelling and the fans’ interest in both the on-screen drama and the real lives of the superstars. “Our fanbase is ravenous for content. They are just as interested in the storylines as they are in the real people behind them,” Triple H said.
As WWE gears up for a big episode of SmackDown from Madison Square Garden on June 28th, featuring the follow-up to Jacob Fatu’s debut, the company continues to thrive under Triple H’s open-minded leadership.
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