Wrestler Karrion Kross encountered a nerve-wracking moment when a phone call with WWE executive Triple H abruptly dropped during their first conversation. The incident occurred as Kross was traveling to an independent wrestling event in Seattle, and the call’s interruption nearly caused him to panic over what he feared was a lost chance to impress a key figure in his career. This moment of tension highlights the high stakes behind what Kross describes as a pivotal communication in his journey with WWE’s NXT brand.
Speaking with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard while promoting his new book Life Is Fighting, Kross recounted how the call started unexpectedly. After texting to introduce himself, Triple H immediately asked to talk live. Despite being on a subway and in transit, Kross answered, only for the call to drop when the train went underground. The dropped call left Kross worried about the impression it might make on one of wrestling’s most influential executives.
Karrion Kross Reflects on the Pressure of the “Phone Call of Your Life”
Kross described the situation during his interview, emphasizing how the phone call’s timing and location added to his anxiety. Traveling to a DEFY Wrestling show, he remembered,
“I was on some sort of aboveground/underground train. And that was just the time we decided to talk. There was so much I didn’t take into consideration with where I was going to be geographically.”
He detailed the moment the call cut out mid-conversation and his immediate reaction of disbelief and concern:
“I’m sitting there like, ‘What the f? Oh my God! What the f? I can’t believe this is happening. He’s going to think I’m an idiot.’ And then we get back above ground finally. The call still is not going through. I’m like, ‘We are above ground. What’s going on?’ The signal comes back and finally picks up, ‘Hey man, sorry about that. I’m on my way to a show, went underground.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, no worries.’ I was like… Because you never know how somebody is going to react, right? It is the phone call of your life. So much stress.”
—Karrion Kross
This unnerving experience shows how even small technical glitches can feel monumental when a career opportunity is on the line. Interestingly, another wrestler, Ricky Starks, shared a situation resembling Kross’s. Starks also had a disrupted conversation with Triple H while in Seattle, leading to miscommunications about his WWE future. Starks responded affirmatively to questions he didn’t fully hear, later discovering that he was not immediately placed on WWE’s main roster shows RAW or SmackDown but was instead given time to develop in NXT.
The Collaborative Dynamic Between Kross and Triple H Throughout NXT
Karrion Kross dedicates a section of his book to discussing his debut and ongoing working relationship with Triple H, underscoring his initial efforts to present a clear character vision to WWE’s leadership. Over time, Kross’s persona has evolved, winning fans despite inconsistent exposure on television until more recent times, including during his feud with Sami Zayn.
Kross revealed, however, that his involvement in shaping his on-screen character and storylines remains limited. He expressed a desire to contribute creatively but acknowledged the realities of WWE’s backstage environment:
“Virtually none. Yeah, not much. I don’t know how much I can say. Not much, unfortunately. I would love to be more involved with how that comes to life.”
—Karrion Kross
He continued:
“A lot of times, I’m just given what I am given. And I’m gonna do my absolute best to make that as entertaining as possible. What’s really cool about doing anything live in front of the audience, like during a commercial break, is that it’s very free-flow. And any time you ever get in front of the audience whether you are on the ring or you are on the mic, there is an opportunity to allow engagement. And more or less the backstage stuff is very controlled.”
—Karrion Kross
Despite these creative limitations, Kross’s connection with live audiences remains strong, amplified by his performances and social media presence. The book Life Is Fighting is currently available both in physical and digital formats through major retailers like Amazon, offering deeper insight into Kross’s career and mindset.
Why This Moment Matters for Karrion Kross’s Career Outlook
Karrion Kross’s near meltdown during the dropped call with Triple H illustrates the intense pressure faced by wrestlers trying to seize breakthrough opportunities within WWE. While the call ultimately resumed smoothly, the incident reveals the human side of navigating high-stakes conversations in the wrestling industry, especially for emerging talents.
As Kross continues to seek greater creative input and screen presence, his experience underscores how success in WWE involves not only performing but also managing unpredictable moments under pressure. Going forward, fans and insiders alike will watch to see if Kross’s ambition and resilience translate into a more collaborative and prominent role in WWE storylines.
