During a recent appearance on What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast hosted by Cody Rhodes, Paul Levesque opened up about one of the most defining promos of his career and how it came together in a way few expected.

Looking back at the now iconic sit down interview with Jim Ross that aired on Sunday Night Heat in July 1999, Triple H made it clear there was no script guiding the moment that would ultimately introduce “The Game” persona. Instead, it all unfolded naturally as he leaned into a turning point he could feel building.

He explained that heading into that period, he was already searching for a shift in his character, sensing that the timing was right for something bigger.

“I was already trying to find the change. You go through a sequence of events in your career that open up opportunities for change. I knew where I wanted to be, and I knew where I was, and I knew there were certain changes that needed to happen, but you kind of can’t force those without them, without the right things taking place. I knew that promo with JR. I knew it when we did it, and I felt it, and there were changes happening in the business. The line was pretty much off the cuff, pretty much. You know, I’ve seen people take credit for, ‘I wrote that script and I wrote that,’ whatever. There was nothing written at that time. It was, here’s what JR is going to ask you, these couple of questions. How are you going to answer them? And if, at best, you jotted down a couple of bullet points for yourself to have them in your head.”

That segment set the stage for a major push, leading into Fully Loaded 1999 and eventually his first WWF Championship win just weeks later. But there was another detail from that interview that nearly changed how fans remember it.

Triple H revealed that in one version of the take, he went even further than what aired.

“I remember we did a take where I said the f**king game. And then they were like, you know, that’s okay. We’re actually gonna show it from the other side where we don’t see your mouth. It’ll be all right, we’ll beep. And I was like, okay. So if they think that’s good enough, like there was something there.”

What truly confirmed the impact for him did not happen in the moment, but rather the following week when he walked out and saw the audience reaction had already caught up.

“When I came out that next TV, and I just remember stepping on the stage and looking out over the crowd and seeing, like, I don’t know, like five or six signs with ‘The Game’ on it, and thinking, like, we’re on to something with that Game thing. I gotta jump on that, like now, like, I need to say it all the time.”

The promo has long been debated behind the scenes, particularly with claims from former head writer Vince Russo that he originated the phrase years earlier. While Triple H did not directly call anyone out, his remarks made it clear he does not agree with those assertions, noting he has seen others attempt to take credit for something that, in his view, was born in the moment.

He also touched on how another key nickname came into play around the same time, with Ross coining “Cerebral Assassin” on commentary, a label that quickly stuck and complemented the evolving character.

Beyond the nickname itself, the interview stood out because Triple H blurred the lines between storyline and reality, referencing real life backstage tensions and the fallout from the infamous Curtain Call. That willingness to tap into genuine frustration added an edge that helped redefine his persona moving forward.

The segment ended with a line that would go on to define an era.

“You guys talk about being students of the game. I am the f**king Game, JR.”

Will Ospreay believes All Elite Wrestling has a unique opportunity to capitalize on WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia by hosting a major event in the United States during the same weekend.

Speaking with Josh Martinez, Ospreay explained that the idea is worth serious consideration given how WrestleMania weekend typically draws large numbers of fans to a single location.

“It has crossed my mind, especially hearing it would be going to Saudi Arabia. Why not? There are going to be a bunch of wrestling fans that usually flock to whatever city they are in and it’s something we should heavily consider. I hope our boss Tony Khan is considering it. I think the best thing we can do, on that day that WrestleMania is in Saudi Arabia, make affordable tickets for one of the greatest wrestling shows ever and make it a whole week. Ring of Honor on Saturday. Help out a bunch of Indie promotions on Friday. We can definitely formulate such a great, affordable time for wrestling fans and families. If we don’t look at that, what’s the point of doing it?” Ospreay said.

His comments come as WWE’s decision to move WrestleMania outside North America has sparked discussion across the industry. The annual event has traditionally boosted business for independent promotions, with fans traveling to attend multiple shows throughout the weekend.

Ospreay suggested AEW could help fill that gap by offering an accessible alternative experience for fans who may not make the trip overseas. His idea includes building out a full week of events, potentially involving Ring of Honor and other promotions.

There has also been uncertainty surrounding the event. WWE has reportedly explored contingency plans due to ongoing tensions in the region. Before those concerns surfaced, high-profile names such as Dwayne Johnson were said to have been approached with major financial offers for the show.

Ospreay’s comments reflect a broader conversation about how wrestling promotions can adapt and create opportunities during one of the busiest weekends on the calendar.

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Charlotte Flair has no interest in entertaining retirement discussions, and she made that clear shortly after turning 40.

Speaking with Katie Nolan on the Casuals podcast, talk about Charlotte Flair possible retirement quickly became a focal point as she responded to being asked about when she might consider stepping away from wrestling.

“None of that. It’s unfortunate that those sentences happen because I feel like in our industry, men don’t reach their prime until 40. I started late. I didn’t win my first title until I was 30. Where the girls are now, which is awesome, a lot of people are in their younger 20s,” Flair said.

Flair reflected on her path into wrestling, noting that her journey came later than many of today’s stars, which shapes how she views her current stage in the business.

“But I graduated, had the awkward 20s of not knowing what to do, and then wrestling came later in life. But saying that the men don’t hit their prime until 40, why am I not hitting my prime now? I think it would be easier for people to label me in that box, but I’m not gonna let anyone put me in that box. And I hope women in any profession who are about to turn 40 don’t think that is a slowdown or an endgame,” she added.

The 14-time world champion emphasized that she plans to continue competing on her own timeline, regardless of the emergence of younger talent.

“But if anything, whatever industry that you’re in and sport like Lindsey Vonn did, it’s whatever you are capable of and are willing to do and put in the time. I’m very fortunate. I started out on top, so it might seem like my career is longer, but I just have had the opportunity to be at the top of the game. And now I’m not gonna say sorry anymore for winning. I’m not gonna age out of my career. I’m gonna quit when I want to quit,” Flair said.

Flair remains one of the most decorated performers in WWE history. She is scheduled to compete at WrestleMania 42, where she will team with Alexa Bliss in a Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on Night One, set for April 18.

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