WWE Tryouts Reportedly Focused On Black Men, Bodybuilders To Counter Triple H Criticisms

The latest WWE tryouts took place over the past week, and a new report claims that the tryouts’ focus on Black men was a response to criticism about Triple H. WWE held their five-day tryouts at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando over the week. The list of attendees included Starboy Charlie, Leon Lokombo, LaBron Kozone, Manny Lo, Jariel Rivera, Manny House, Jack Pasquale, Blade Brown, Tyler Jordan, Jeremiah Lakheani, James Karnik, Bruss Hamilton, Ben Finnesseth and Bhupinder Gujjar for the men.

According to the WON, the idea was to “focus on Black males and bodybuilders” among the men. The report attributes said focus to criticism that Triple H doesn’t push Black men. It is a criticism that has been laid at The Game’s feet from early on in his role in charge of WWE creative, with MVP being critical about how he books Black talent.

Dave Meltzer claims in the report that “obviously” the call-ups of Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans at the same time is an indication that WWE is looking to tamp down on the criticism. Triple H himself addressed the matter of Black representation during the WWE Crown Jewel post-show press event in late 2024, saying:

“I see everybody gets the opportunity. I don’t see the difference in anybody. I don’t see the color, I don’t see the nationality, I don’t see any of it. I just see talent. I don’t see the difference between men and women. I see talent. We tell stories with those talents. How they can handle those stories and represent those stories and bring those stories forward, I don’t keep track of any of that. I do what’s relevant and what’s best in story telling and what’s being delivered the best and that’s what goes.”

The women at the tryout included Elly Finch, Alyssa Daniele, Regina Tarin, KJ Johnson, Sallie Grace, Casey Scharoff, and Nor “Phoenix” Diana. On a related note, Fightful Select issued a correction on Notorious Mimi and Airica Demia, who they previously said were in for the tryouts. The two were actually training at Natalya’s Dungeon.