Triple H Says Counter Programming Is ‘Part Of Healthy Of Competition’

AEW Dynamite was coming to Wednesday nights, and then WWE decided that they needed to move NXT from the WWE Network to the USA Network. This apparent counter programming move was followed by more, and Triple H says it’s all part of healthy competition.

WWE seemingly counter programmed AEW a few times including airing EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary special at the same time as Fight For The Fallen. According to Triple H, the Great American Bash’s timing had nothing to do with Fyter Fest.

Sports Illustrated recently spoke with Triple H where he stated that the history of counter programming goes back in pro wrestling history. He said that “almost” all of the NXT storylines were headed to the point where they are right now. He also discussed a “timing gap” which created a chance for a moment of unintentional counter programming.

“It absolutely is part of healthy of competition. Anyone that thinks it isn’t, to a degree, is being naive to the situation. You saw that back in the day when Clash of Champions was counter-programming [to WWE’s WrestleMania IV in 1988]. At the same point, it can’t drive your booking decisions.” 

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“Obviously there are counter-programming decisions, but I can tell you exactly how this came about. Almost all of these storylines were headed where they are now. There was a gap, timing wise, between In Your House and what will become the SummerSlam TakeOver, and you need a halfway point and a build. This is that halfway point. So it doesn’t change our decision-making process. I don’t counter-book, I book what’s right for NXT.”

The Great American Bash just so happened to fall during a half-way point for WWE NXT. That meant a two-week special was coincidentally scheduled during the same two weeks of Fyter Fest according to Triple H.

AEW Fight For The Fallen will air on July 15th. Let’s see if WWE NXT can figure out something big to accidentally book on that same night.