Triple H Justifies Using Insider Wrestling Terms in WWE RAW Netflix Cold Open Video

Monday Night RAW’s Netflix debut on January 6 was truly a night of memorable moments and incredible matches, as it truly marked the beginning of a new era in WWE. Before the show, WWE aired a cold open that featured Triple H using insider wrestling terms and got criticism for the same and he has now defended himself against the critics.

WWE released the opening segment for RAW’s Netflix premiere, emphasizing the history of wrestling and the essence of conflict. The segment, narrated by Triple H, incorporated insider terms like “work,” “shoot,” “heel,” and “face,” offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes language of the wrestling world. However, many criticized Triple H for not maintaining kayfabe at all.

While speaking during the post-WWE RAW-show press conference, Triple H talked about the purpose of the opening and defended using insider terms in the cold open. He explained that the goal was to capture the emotional essence of wrestling while being transparent about the nature of the industry. The use of insider terms was intentional, stating how these words have become widely recognized beyond wrestling fans.

Triple H added that the video was designed to honor longtime fans by celebrating what they love about wrestling while also introducing new viewers to what makes it special. WWE wanted to show wrestling as an emotional and creative art form that connects with its audience.

“The reaction seems like we did a good job with it. That was the intent, to capture the emotion and let people know, we’re not hiding what we do. I saw a lot of chatter today from people saying, ‘Oh my God, they said heel and face and shoot and work in one promo.’ We’re not hiding what we do. That’s what we do. To be honest, I think most of the world understands those terms and they’ve almost transcended our business. It’s transcended our business. It’s what it is, people know what we are. We talk about it.

We’re not insulting anybody’s intelligence. We’re an art form. Absolutely an art form that captures people’s emotions. We don’t take ourselves as seriously as most other people take us. It was all part of trying to capture that and say, ‘If you’ve watched, watch this and hopefully we honor what you love. If you’ve never watched this, watch this, we’ll explain to you what we are.’ That was the attempt.”

WWE’s choice to break the fourth wall has stirred some debate, but it shows the company’s focus on evolving its storytelling while still honoring its traditions. Time will tell if this change connects with fans in the long run, but Triple H certainly felt it was necessary.

What do you think of WWE’s decision to use insider terms in the RAW Netflix debut cold open? Does it enhance the storytelling experience, or does it break the immersion of wrestling’s traditional presentation? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.