In the wake of Vince McMahon’s retirement from WWE, Triple H was named both Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and head of WWE Creative. His title was recently upgraded to Chief Content Officer, and he is now the final word when it comes to the running of both Raw and SmackDown. As such, his presence at television tapings every week is of great importance.
However, according to a report from PWInsider earlier today, Triple H has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be forced to miss Monday Night Raw in Oklahoma City, OK. According to the report, he is feeling fine and is in good spirits, but will be away from his in-person duties until he is cleared by WWE’s COVID-19 protocol. Triple H is said to have been in contact with producers and writers and feels good about the production team leading into tonight’s episode of Raw.
A New Report Details Who Will Be In Charge Of WWE Raw During Triple H’s Absence
Now, a further report from PWInsider reveals that Road Dogg will be the point person at Monday Night Raw while Triple H is medically unable to attend. The DX member serves as Senior Vice President of Live Events, and according to the report, he was working under Triple H at the most recent episode of SmackDown in New Orleans, LA. The report notes that Bruce Prichard is not currently backstage in Oklahoma City.
A follow up report from PWInsider notes that Ed Koskey and Michael Hayes are also pitching in to lead the creative process, and that it’s been a team effort backstage today. The reason Bruce Prichard is not backstage is that he’d previously scheduled a vacation for this week, so his absence has nothing to do with Triple H’s illness.
Triple H has not missed an episode of either Raw or SmackDown since taking over from Vince McMahon in July, and according to the PWInsider report, WWE hope that he will be back as soon as he tests negative for COVID-19. It remains to be seen whether Triple H will be cleared to return by this Friday’s episode of SmackDown in Toledo, OH or whether he’ll need to wait until next week’s Monday Night Raw in Charlotte, NC. He was present at last week’s SmackDown in New Orleans, LA, which featured the return of Bray Wyatt.
Brock Lesnar is advertised for tonight’s episode of Raw after making his surprise return last week on the show’s season premiere in Brooklyn, NY. He delivered a brutal beatdown on then-United States Champion Bobby Lashley, hitting him with multiple F5’s before locking in the Kimura, damaging his arm. When Lashley couldn’t put on the Hurt Lock during his title match with Seth Rollins, he fell victim to multiple Stomps and lost his championship.