In the world of professional wrestling, the backstage environment can be as intense and unpredictable as the matches themselves. But according to WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, things have changed significantly under the leadership of Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE's Chief Content Officer. The Undertaker, known for his intense and chaotic preparation processes, finds the current backstage atmosphere almost too calm.
"It's crazy to me how calm everything is backstage now," The Undertaker said on the 'The Hall of Fame' podcast. "Paul's demeanor is so chill. Every time I see him, he's got time to sit down and explain something to you. It's not that helter-skelter fire drill, which I thrived in. You had to be able to. I just remember working on a promo all day long, and then 10 minutes before you go out, completely changed, and you have to come up with [something on the fly]. You got to go do it and you got to do it live. It's almost too calm for me."
The Undertaker's comments highlight a stark contrast between the leadership styles of Levesque and his predecessor, WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Under McMahon's leadership, the backstage environment was reportedly chaotic, with last-minute changes and loud voices. The Undertaker, however, came to expect this chaos on a weekly basis. He believes that the current environment, characterized by predictability and nurturing, benefits the WWE stars of today.
"I know it's got to be better for the athletes and the performers to get there and [know] okay, this is what we're going to do, and that's pretty much what's going to happen," The Undertaker said. "It's got to be better for them."
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently echoed these sentiments, noting that there is more direct back-and-forth communication between Levesque and WWE talents. This shift in the backstage environment has led to a more stable and predictable workflow, which The Undertaker believes is beneficial for the performers.
However, this calmness and predictability may not be to everyone's liking. The Undertaker, who thrived in the chaos, finds the current environment almost too calm. This raises a deeper question: Is the new backstage environment better for the performers, or is it simply different? The answer may lie in the fact that the new environment allows for more creativity and innovation, while the old environment was characterized by unpredictability and high-pressure situations.
In my opinion, the backstage environment is a crucial aspect of the professional wrestling experience. It shapes the performers and influences the outcome of the matches. The shift from chaos to calmness may be a reflection of the changing nature of the industry, with a focus on stability and predictability. However, it also raises the question of whether the old environment was more authentic and intense. Personally, I think that the backstage environment should be a blend of both chaos and calmness, with a focus on creating a supportive and creative atmosphere for the performers. This, in my view, is the key to a successful and engaging professional wrestling experience.
