Maven Recalls Lack Of Trust In Triple H During WWE Run, Says Triple H Held His Career Back

Maven has a reputation for taking little potshots at Triple, and he recently explained why while discussing his relationship with the now-WWE CCO. The WWE alumnus was there at the height of The Game’s run as an in-ring performer, and worked with him a couple of times on TV. He had previously spoken about his squash match loss to Triple H in 2003, and in his latest video he spoke about how his relationship with WWE stayed the same but his trust level diminished for a number of factors.

Maven recalled how Triple H, being in a position where he had Vince McMahon’s ear, became a guy who could make or break talent. He noted that he felt like he was being held back, and later had it confirmed that Triple H was the person who always shut down storyline ideas for him. While he acknowledged that he wasn’t ready at that time, he said that others at his level and skill were afforded opportunities while he was kept back. He also noted that while it did hurt at the time, he has let his bitterness go and has a good relationship with Hunter now. You can see highlights below:

On His Early Interactions With Triple H in WWE:

“The Triple H I met was actually very engaging, very disarming — dare I say, charming — and he even congratulated me on winning Tough Enough. In fact, the Triple H that I was now colleagues with was 180 degrees different than the man who made sure we were all in the wrestling business for the right reasons, the man who threatened us with how the life of a wrestler is truly lived.

“The Triple H that I met backstage, I felt like he was in my corner. I felt like he was happy I was there, and I felt like he was there and would help me in every way possible. In fact, Triple H would be the man who provided me with my first ever pair of wrestling boots. Wrestling boots, again, are not cheap. So when he gifted me that very first pair of boots, I took that as a token of support.”

On Being Mentored By Triple H:

“That entire first year of my career, I felt comfortable going up to Triple H and did so on a weekly basis. I would ask him questions about wrestling. I would pick his brain here and there. I felt like we were developing a little bit of a kindred spirit, a little bit of a friendship, dare I say… My relationship with Triple H that first year was more teacher-student oriented.”

“And I admit it was one half I did want to get better. I did want to learn wrestling, but the other half was, I knew this man had the keys to the kingdom. I knew where my bread was buttered. And hey, I’m definitely not too proud to admit there was a little bit of ass kissing, little bit of brown nosing in there with every question I asked The Game.”

On Losing Trust In Triple H:

“You might be shocked to find out that the relationship I had with Hunter on day one was the exact same relationship I had with Hunter on my last day in the WWE. What did change however was my trust I had in Triple H. And I wasn’t the only one. Yeah, guys backstage, guys at the ring, everybody was in his face laughing, smiling, talking with the man. But they were also trying to better their spot on the card. They were trying to make sure their jobs would remain the next time Vince had his next round of cuts.”

On Triple H Holding His Career Back:

“I didn’t know this during my time in the WWE. But I would have it confirmed years after my wrestling career had ended from someone who was actually in those production meetings, someone who went to bat for me that every time my name was brought up, it was quickly squashed back down. And who was the one doing the squashing? None other than Triple H. If people thought, ‘Hey, here’s a good idea. Here’s a good direction that we can send Maven on. Here’s something that we think he can find success doing.’ It would quickly be diminished. ‘Nah, he’s not ready. He’s not there yet. He needs a little bit more time, a little bit more seasoning.’

“And I’m not saying Triple H was wrong. He wasn’t. I did need more time and I wasn’t ready. But I also know that there’s been other people with the same skill level of me and they did get that extra boost, that extra push. It’s just hard to get that push when someone is constantly pulling you back, and that someone has the ear of Vince McMahon.”

On Being Hurt By the Realization:

“Finding out after my WWE career had ended that what I initially thought was indeed true, it hurt and it bothered me for a while. And so that’s why if you ever see me taking what looks like potshots at the man, that’s probably my reasoning. That’s definitely some of my reasoning behind it.

“I’m far from a perfect person and sometimes it’s hard knowing exactly where my abilities ended and where someone putting their thumb on the scales started. I in no way, shape, or form blame Triple H for my career arc, but it just does hurt sometimes knowing that he indeed was weighing in and weighing in, not on my behalf.”

On His Relationship With Triple H Now:

“At this point all of this, it’s ancient history. It happened over 20 years ago, and I have let go of any bitterness that I once had. In fact, the handful of times I’ve seen Triple H since my departure from the WWE, it’s always been cordial and it’s always been friendly. And when he tells me he hopes I’m doing well, I actually believe him and I hope he knows I feel the same way.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Maven with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.