Former WWE Star reveals the company's alleged shielding of Triple H's image in video game promotions

In the world of WWE, image and branding are paramount, especially for top stars. Recently, former WWE star Stevie Richards shared a behind-the-scenes account that sheds light on just how far the company went to maintain a polished image for Triple H, WWE’s current Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a dominant figure in the wrestling industry.
According to Richards, there was an alleged internal directive prohibiting any video game content from showing Triple H in a vulnerable position - a move that underscores the lengths WWE goes to protect its biggest stars’ reputations.
Stevie Richards spoke out about this on the Stevie Richards show, revealing details from his experience working on one of WWE’s SmackDown video games. Richards explained, “One of the games - I’m not exactly sure which one, but it might be one of the SmackDown games - I was involved in because I was talking to the video game people.” This disclosure came as Richards recounted the unusual instruction reportedly given to the game developers.

“There was a memo going around when we were promoting the video game,” Richards said. “In fact, while we were promoting it, this memo said that under no circumstances could Triple H be shown in any promotional materials, commercials, ads, screenshots, or gameplay in a vulnerable position or getting pinned.” This directive, while not uncommon in highly image-conscious industries, highlights WWE’s specific emphasis on keeping Triple H’s persona strong and untarnished.
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Richards, a former WWE star and industry insider, voiced his surprise at the memo’s priorities. He remarked, “You know, there are certain things you should spend your time and resources on when you run a company, but I don’t think that’s something that should even be in the top 10 - or even the top 100.” According to Richards, Triple H’s image protection might have been taken too far, especially considering the long list of operational challenges a company like WWE regularly faces.
This isn’t the first time Triple H has come under scrutiny for allegedly controlling his portrayal. Fans recall WWE’s "Reign of Terror" era in the early 2000s, when Triple H was frequently seen on top, with accusations from fans and fellow wrestlers that he maintained his dominance by undercutting others. Even former WWE star Ryback has made similar claims, stating that Triple H “changed the script in order to bury him” during an episode of SmackDown, hinting at a pattern of behavior where Triple H allegedly leveraged his influence to secure his position in WWE.

Richards’ recollection of this video game memo reaffirms long-standing discussions around WWE’s approach to image control, especially for their top stars. Fans and critics alike have questioned WWE’s priorities, particularly in protecting high-profile figures like Triple H. While some argue that a clean and dominant portrayal of top stars is essential to the brand, others feel it reflects misplaced priorities within WWE’s management.

With Triple H now in the COO position, overseeing every creative decision in WWE, this alleged memo serves as a reminder of his complex legacy within the wrestling world. The discussion Richards sparked about WWE’s image management and the unique status of top stars like Triple H continues to resonate with fans and insiders.
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