Triple H discussed Stephanie McMahon’s impact on the women’s division and fans ahead of her Hall of Fame induction this weekend.
Joe Tessitore interviewed Triple H to discuss the road to WrestleMania. From talking about the stacked match card, competitors, rising up and comers in WWE’s roster, Triple H discussed an array of themes relevant to the Premium Live Event. He emphasized McMahon’s influence ahead of her Hall of Fame induction this year.
“Yeah, it’s so hard to even put in words because also Steph sometimes looks at herself as this inconsequential piece of the business. Yet I believe one of the most influential characters, especially on the women’s side, all the time when we’re out, people come up to Steph and talk about ‘when you were one of the only powerful women characters, female characters on TV at that time. And when I was 10 or I was 12 years old, man, I wanted to be you. I wanted to be that powerful woman in business, the powerful woman that, physically wasn’t intimidated all.’”
He addressed the impact she had on fans and the industry without her realizing it and everybody backstage in WWE says she’s the ‘heart and soul’ of the company.
“These things, but forget how impactful that character was and what a big factor it was in the business. And that’s on camera. Behind the scenes to this day and she hasn’t been around for a few years, but to this day, if you walk through here and you bring up her name to anybody, either in this place or the crew, they will say ‘heart and soul’ of the company. Heart and soul of the company. She knew everybody that worked here. I can’t remember names to save my life. Steph knew everybody’s name. Steph knew their families, knew their kids’ names. We would laugh all the time because it would take us 45 minutes to leave the building as we were trying to get out of there when the show would be over ’cause Steph was stopping and saying goodbye to everybody along the way where we’d be like, ‘we’re gonna see him tomorrow at TV. Can we go and get in the car?’ It’s just who she is and her impact on this business is second to none. And I mean that, second to no one. So whether fans fully understand that or not, that it’s hard for me to think of many people that deserve Hall of Fame as much as she does and she doesn’t think she deserves it.”
McMahon was the first inductee announced for the Hall of Fame in September 2025. The ceremony will take place on April 17 at Dolby Live at Park MGM. In addition to McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), Dennis Rodman, Sid Vicious and Bad News Brown will be honored. Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant’s WrestleMania III match will also be honored as the Immortal Moment.
WrestleMania 42 will emanate from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and April 19, 2026.
