Swerve Strickland has shared candid insights about his time working under Triple H within WWE NXT, highlighting difficulties he faced when trying to obtain clear answers about his character’s creative direction. The AEW star revealed these struggles occurred as he sought guidance during the developmental phase of WWE’s Evolve brand and the eventual formation of the Hit Row faction.
During a recent appearance on the Kings of the Ring podcast, Strickland detailed how he persistently approached Triple H with questions and ideas regarding his character’s trajectory, but often encountered avoidance instead of clarity. This lack of communication complicated his efforts to understand where WWE intended to take his persona.
Origins of Hit Row Linked to WWE’s Evolve Project
Strickland described the early development of what became Hit Row as tied to WWE’s internal plans for the Evolve brand, which had experienced significant delays before finally debuting on the streaming platform Tubi. He noted,
“The birth of it was really interesting because they had their own thing going on when they were supposed to have Evolve then. That got delayed for years. I didn’t expect it to take so long for Evolve to become a thing that was on Tubi.” – Swerve Strickland
This timeline meant the faction’s conception and rollout were slower than anticipated, with creative ideas simmering behind the scenes for some time before evolving into a formal group on television.
Strained Communication Between Strickland and Triple H
While striving for concrete direction, Strickland recounted frequent back-and-forth attempts to engage Triple H, describing the reaction as evasive. He shared,
“Triple H, me and him were just going back and forth. He was dodging me when I was coming up with creative questions and stuff.” – Swerve Strickland
This lack of direct responses left Strickland uncertain of his role and the company’s vision for his character amid the evolving landscape of NXT talent and storylines.
Stephanie McMahon’s Support Catalyzes Strickland’s Position
The dynamic began to change after Stephanie McMahon recognized Strickland’s effectiveness portraying a heel in NXT. Her endorsement sparked increased company support for him, ultimately leading to WWE’s decision to position Hit Row as a faction centered around Strickland. He recalled,
“And then finally, I think it was Stephanie McMahon that really told me he was her favorite heel on the show.” – Swerve Strickland
Her backing marked a turning point in how WWE pushed Strickland and the faction, solidifying their momentum within NXT.
Taking on Leadership Within Hit Row
WWE approached Strickland with the proposition of leading the group, which included members Top Dolla, B-Fab, and Ashante Thee Adonis. Despite his independent wrestling background, he admitted to lacking experience managing a stable. Strickland explained,
“They were like, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to put this group behind you. How do you feel?’ I wasn’t really experienced with groups at the time. I didn’t really do groups.” – Swerve Strickland
Before WWE, his career largely involved traveling across various cities and countries, hopping between promotions, which had not given him much exposure to leading a faction.
“I was independent, jumping from city to city, country to country. So running a group was just not my thing. I didn’t know how to.” – Swerve Strickland
Hit Row’s Evolution and Unfulfilled Potential
Despite the early uncertainties, Hit Row gradually solidified into a cohesive unit, with all members supporting one another to form a balanced faction. Strickland reflected on the positive dynamics the group experienced,
“But the group became more like them backing me. Then we became a real group, like all four corners together. The time was good, it was fine. I just wish we had more time together with it, but you know, things happen.” – Swerve Strickland
The faction gained recognition as a unique act within NXT but was unable to sustain its run. WWE roster shifts and subsequent talent releases disrupted the group’s trajectory, cutting their momentum short.
Impact and Future Considerations for Hit Row’s Legacy
Strickland’s revelations offer an important glimpse behind the scenes of WWE’s creative processes during a pivotal period in NXT’s history. Hit Row’s brief but memorable contribution underscores ongoing challenges wrestlers face when navigating organizational dynamics and creative ambiguity.
The faction’s curtailed run leaves fans considering what might have been had Hit Row enjoyed a longer tenure. As Swerve Strickland continues his journey in AEW, his experiences shed light on the complexities of evolving character work within WWE’s competitive environment.
Given these insights, many are left questioning if Hit Row should have been given more time to develop on WWE programming and how the company’s creative communication impacts talent progression.
