• WWE Responds to Criticism of Triple H’s Booking of Black Wrestlers With Major Talent Scouting Shift
WWE is changing how it finds new stars, moving away from college sports and focusing more on diversity and experience. According to the Wrestling Observer, a recent five-day tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando showed a major shift in the company’s recruitment philosophy.
Dave Meltzer reports that the company had two main goals for this latest camp: recruiting more Black male athletes and finding “bodybuilder-style” prospects. This move is seen as a direct response to public criticism regarding Triple H’s booking of Black male talent. By focusing on these specific groups, WWE hopes to improve representation and maintain a strong physical presence on its rosters.
In addition to diversifying the talent pool, WWE is making a significant “about-face” on where it looks for talent. While the company spent the last few years prioritizing college athletes, they are now returning to their roots by scouting the independent wrestling scene. Key figures like William Regal and Gabe Sapolsky are back to finding seasoned indy veterans who already know how to talk on the microphone and have great physiques.
This strategy is already being seen on television with the recent promotions of stars like Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans to the main roster. These moves signal that WWE is serious about showcasing diverse, high-level athletes who can connect with a global audience.
• Sad News For Roman Reigns Ahead Of The Road To WrestleMania 42
The shocking title change on the January 9 episode of WWE SmackDown wasn’t just a creative whim, it was a strategic pivot fueled by the superstars themselves.
New reports reveal that Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes were both instrumental in the decision to move the Undisputed WWE Championship to The Scottish Psychopath just months before WrestleMania 42.
According to the Wrestling Observer, the final call to make the title change and scrap the previous WrestleMania roadmap was made a mere 48 hours before the match took place.
Drew McIntyre was reportedly very vocal behind the scenes, arguing that a title change was the best move for the entire locker room and the fans. Surprisingly, Cody Rhodes agreed. Rhodes felt that heading into Las Vegas as a challenger – the “chaser” – would be a much fresher and more compelling story than defending the title for a second consecutive year.
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H reportedly took a hard look at the original plan – a third Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes main event – and worried about “audience fatigue.” He wanted to avoid a predictable build and opted for a “monkey wrench” to keep fans guessing. Rhodes himself consulted with leadership, questioning if he would be more valuable to the company chasing the gold. Ultimately, everyone agreed that a new direction was needed.
As for the Original Tribal Chief, the Wrestling Observer reports that Roman Reigns may currently be the “odd man out” regarding the championship picture. While he is expected to return at Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia on January 31, he may not be involved in the WWE Title match in Las Vegas. Instead, WWE is currently weighing two main options for WrestleMania 42:
1. A high-stakes Triple Threat match featuring Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
2. A direct one-on-one rematch between McIntyre and Rhodes for the WWE Title.
LATEST: WWE’s 2 Upcoming Plans For CM Punk
