Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 51-68: Big Expectations

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - April 23: Giles Barnes #14 of Orlando City SC in action during the New York City FC Vs Orlando City SC regular season MLS game at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - April 23: Giles Barnes #14 of Orlando City SC in action during the New York City FC Vs Orlando City SC regular season MLS game at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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55. Triple H, WWE

Triple H’s WrestleMania at Camping World Stadium did not end the way he hoped (or kayfabe hoped).

In an “unsanctioned” match against Seth Rollins, Triple H seemed set to secure the win when Rollins pushed Triple H into his real-life wife, Stephanie McMahon, standing on the apron as a distraction, and sent her hurtling into a table. Triple H took his own finishing move from Rollins and the match was over.

The police escort Triple H received to the ring — down the 80-yard ramp to the ring –was for naught.

But that is not what Triple H really does. His wrestling these days is few and far between. He usually only appears on camera for WrestleMania. What he does behind the camera has really changed the WWE. And a lot of it has happened in Orlando.

Triple H — real name Paul Levesque — was the mastermind behind the WWE Performance Center and for the developmental brand NXT. Both are located in Orlando with NXT taping at Full Sail University. It is safe to say the whole venture has been a huge success. NXT alumni are dominant on the WWE roster — performers like Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and Charlotte have all won major titles.

Former Orlando Magic dancer Naomi was a NXT alumnus (back when it was still formatted as a game show).

WrestleMania weekend in April was a celebration of all things wrestling in Orlando. It feels like Orlando is WWE’s second home. Certainly, its hardcore home as many wrestlers still make their homes in Central Florida.

There are no major events scheduled for Orlando anytime soon. It may be a few more years before WrestleMania returns to Orlando (no reason to think it will not with how central Orlando is to the WWE’s operations). But Orlando will have plenty of things to do for those interested in sports entertainment.