Following the release of the behind-the-scenes docuseries “WWE: Unreal” on Netflix, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has responded to criticism that the show pulls back the curtain too much. He defended the decision as a way to build a “deeper connection” with the audience.

Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Triple H addressed the potential backlash to a series that takes fans inside the WWE writer’s room. He stated that the company was not afraid of criticism and compared it to the regular critique that sports teams face.

“We looked at every aspect of it, and the positives and the negatives, and we weighed it out. You can’t be afraid to do something in life. You can’t be afraid that ‘Well, somebody might criticize us,’” Levesque said. “If we were afraid that people might criticize what we do, we wouldn’t put on a show every week.”

Triple H explained that he believes the transparency of the docuseries will ultimately be a positive for the company and its performers, leading to a greater appreciation from the fanbase.

“I think this just increases the respect level for what we do. I think it builds that deeper connection,” he stated.

Triple H’s defense of the series comes after one of its featured stars, CM Punk, expressed his own mixed feelings about the project. Punk, who comes from an “old school” mentality of protecting the business, stated in recent interviews that he found the idea of the docuseries “really strange,” though he understood its purpose was to serve the fans. The five-episode first season of “WWE: Unreal” is available now on Netflix.

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque will take center stage at the groundbreaking inaugural TEDSports event, scheduled for September 9-11, 2025, in Indianapolis. The 14-time World Champion and WWE Hall of Famer represents the marquee speaker for this first-ever TED event focused exclusively on sports innovation and transformative ideas.

Levesque, who has revolutionized WWE’s creative direction and spearheaded the company’s successful Netflix transition, currently oversees content strategy that reaches over one billion fans across 150+ countries in more than 20 languages. His TEDSports presentation will explore the psychology of performance, the art of building compelling rivalry structures, and the universal power of narrative in creating global fandom.

“We’re not about exchanging business cards; we’re about igniting ideas that can change the world. Triple H represents precisely what TEDSports aims to showcase: the power of storytelling and innovative leadership to drive global impact.” – Neelay Bhatt, TEDSports co-chair and curator

The highly curated three-day experience will welcome 700-800 global game-changers, including athletes, executives, investors, and creatives from across academia, business, healthcare, sports technology, and women’s sports. Attendees will participate in immersive talks, fireside chats, collaborative workshops, and exclusive experiences at iconic venues including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Stadium.

TEDSports co-chair Patrick Talty emphasized the event’s forward-thinking approach, noting that it targets leaders who aren’t just keeping up with industry changes but actively shaping what comes next. The initiative reflects the growing intersection between sports entertainment, technology, and fan engagement strategies that have become central to modern sports presentation.

Triple H’s inclusion underscores wrestling’s evolving influence on broader sports and entertainment landscapes, particularly in storytelling techniques and audience engagement strategies that extend far beyond the squared circle.

Triple H has shared his thoughts on the performance differences between male and female athletes at the WWE Performance Center, naming women the quicker learners. On the premiere episode of WWE Unreal on Netflix, WWE’s COO argued that women tend to grasp wrestling skills quicker and more efficiently than their male counterparts.

“Their pacing and the understanding of the moments and not arguing about the moments is better than the f****** dudes. To be honest, when you go down to the PC, there’s f****** five women that are great for every guy. It’s like they come in and six months later they’re like f****** really good. The guys are just like starting to figure s*** out. They’re just way smarter than us.”

Despite Triple H’s claim, WWE has spent much of its existence treating women as far below the men, rather than as equals or intellectual superiors. It has only been in the past decade that WWE has made a greater effort with its female storylines, and presentation of the women. For years, the women were seen as mere titilation, though WWE has tried to move on from that and faze out its ‘Divas’ era.

While WWE has made strides, some fans believe not enough has been done. Women still rarely headline Premium Live Events, especially major events from the ‘Big 5.’ While an all-male PLE is often a common occurance, only two all-female events have happened, with a third remaining uncertain.

Triple H’s comments demonstrate that the women in WWE today are proving their worth from the day they arrive. It remains to be seen if a time will come when the women outshine the men in booking, but according to the Game, it’s already happening at the PC.