WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H was notably absent from the September 8th episode of WWE Raw in Milwaukee because he was filming an episode of Tony Hinchcliffe’s Netflix stand-up comedy show, Kill Tony. During a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on September 9th, Triple H revealed the reason for his absence and unintentionally spoiled his upcoming appearance, which is set to air on Monday. “To be honest, I was not there last night, I haven’t had a chance to watch the show yet. I did Kill Tony last night. Oh sh*t. I’m not supposed to say that. I forgot it was a secret that I’m not on there until Monday. It was fun,” he told McAfee[1][2][3].
This filming commitment explains why he was out of the loop regarding some creative decisions for Raw, including the sudden disappearance of the contract signing segment between IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer for their vacant Women’s World Championship match at WrestlePalooza. The contract signing was scheduled for Raw but was pulled at the last minute without explanation, with Vaquer notably absent from the broadcast. Triple H admitted he had not watched the show and was unaware of why the segment was removed[3][5].
Triple H also took the opportunity to praise AJ Lee’s recent return to WWE programming after a near-decade hiatus. He described AJ’s SmackDown performance as “seamless” and said she “hasn’t missed a beat” while maintaining her trademark charisma. His endorsement of her return affirms the significance of her upcoming mixed tag team match scheduled for WrestlePalooza, further boosting the event’s buzz[1].
In other WWE health-related news, former Olympic gold medalist and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has offered a sobering update about his health. Angle revealed that he can no longer feel his pinky fingers, a concerning neurological symptom. His ongoing battle with injuries sustained during his wrestling career has led to this condition, which he openly discussed to raise awareness about the toll professional wrestling can take on athletes’ bodies[3].
Meanwhile, wrestling legend Mike Rotunda, known for his memorable WWE run as Irwin R. Schyster (IRS), is preparing to release his long-anticipated memoir. Ian Douglass, who co-wrote the autobiography with Rotunda, confirmed that the manuscript is complete and that an official release date will be announced once all plans are finalized. This upcoming book promises an insightful look into Rotunda’s career and life inside and outside the squared circle[3].
Upcoming WWE events also continue to generate excitement. Ticket presales are underway for WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden on November 17th, which is set to feature John Cena’s final WWE appearance at the iconic venue. Fans can purchase tickets using the presale code WWEMSG on Ticketmaster. This event is expected to be highly significant as Cena’s farewell marks the end of an era for WWE’s top star[3].
Sources close to WWE also shared that Cody Rhodes will be making his television return soon, providing another highlight for fans to anticipate. Triple H hinted at Cody’s comeback during his Pat McAfee Show appearance, confirming a timeframe for Rhodes’ return to WWE broadcasts[2].
In summary, Triple H’s absence from Raw this week was due to filming a special comedy project, which he inadvertently revealed ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Kurt Angle faces serious health challenges related to nerve damage affecting his pinky fingers, underscoring the physical sacrifices of wrestling veterans. Fans have plenty to look forward to with Mike Rotunda’s memoir release, John Cena’s final MSG appearance, and Cody Rhodes’ soon-to-be return, as WWE continues to blend legacy with fresh storytelling.
This multifaceted update highlights WWE’s ongoing evolution both inside and outside the ring, with executive projects, wrestler health battles, and star returns shaping the landscape as the company heads toward WrestlePalooza and other marquee events later this year.
Reported by Perplexity Wrestling News. Sources include WWE.com, Fightful, The Pat McAfee Show, and insider reports.