NXT TakeOver Media Call: Edge, WrestleMania, Velveteen Dream, Steve Cutler, Pat McAfee, & More

Triple H held a NXT TakeOver media call on Thursday discussing a variety of WWE and NXT brand related topics in advance of this Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day event.

On the topic of Edge’s appearance on last week’s episode of NXT, Triple H stated that Edge was the one who came up with the idea and had been something that Edge discussed with him prior to his return to WWE last year. He stated that Edge wanted to go to NXT to help and work with the brand’s young talent.

On the topic of if NXT should have a more consistent presence at WrestleMania every year, Triple H stated that he loves when NXT is a part of WWE’s biggest show of the year since it helps drive the brand forward. He also stated that due to WWE’s large rosters for their brands, there is also the issue of having to balance how much you can fit into a WresteMania show versus NXT having their own event on that weekend.

On the topic of NXT having their own Elimination Chamber match in the future, Triple H stated that he would not be opposed to the idea but rather prefers gimmick matches to be unique to certain brands like NXT having WarGames and NXT UK having the Heritage Cup.

On the topic of adding another championship belt for NXT’s Woman’s division, Triple H stated that he is a fan of having “38 titles in organizations” but there are always conversations around things like that within the company.

On the topic of last month’s Women’s Royal Rumble match, Triple H stated that he had little involvement in the booking of the match beyond being in some conversations on the day of the event.

On the topic of Velveteen Dream’s current status, Triple H stated that he is still in the company and has been training at the Performance Center but was unwilling to discuss any other further details.

Triple H says “there’s nothing to add to Velveteen Dream.” He’s still on the roster, still training, still at the PC. Says they’ve went over it with us a million times.

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) February 11, 2021

On the topic of Steve Cutler’s recent release from WWE, Triple H stated that he has no knowledge of the exact details surrounding his release.

“To be honest, I have no knowledge of precisely that situation or what went into it. It really had nothing to do with me. We take COVID seriously across the board with everything. We’re expecting our talent to be as safe as possible and we’re taking every precaution we can from a testing and cleaning, just every precaution we’ve been advised to take and is best for us to take. We’re taking it all seriously. The safety and health of our performers, staff, and crew is first and foremost on anything we do. I don’t know that situation, only what’s been speculated to me or what I’ve read, but I’ve not specifically asked and I don’t have that information.”

On the topic of Pat McAfee’s recent absence from NXT, Triple H stated that it is due to McAfee’s current busy schedule outside the company.

“Pat’s limitations are that he’s a busy guy. He’s one of the most successful media personalities. Every weekend he seems to be trending with everything he does. Going into the playoffs and Super Bowl, it was a very busy time for him. Everyone leans into everything and has a take on it, and Pat loves that, as do we. His learning about his ‘firing’ on-air was greatly exaggerated. Pat is a busy dude and we’ve been talking about it. He said, ‘give me a moment to breathe when the Super Bowl is over’ because he just got married not too long ago. ‘If I don’t take a breath after the Super Bowl, I may not be married much longer.’ My words, not his. He just needed to take a breather and if we can engage here back again. He loves it and that’s the one thing I love about Pat.”

Sources: PWInsider, F4WOnline

Transcript h/t: Fightful 1 & 2