Which in turn got me thinking about the thing we all care about here: How much Triple H is a political jerkface, or so we think. It's a strange situation where it's clear he cares about 'the business', wants it to succeed, and is willing to bleed, humiliate himself, hold down others, and generally say and do whatever it takes to ensure the company does what HE thinks is right.
Similarly, it seems most modern-day superstars are yes men. They're happy to have the gig and do whatever the bosses tell them because it's the best way to guarantee themselves a paycheck. However, it's also been made abundantly clear by folks that Paul Heyman that the WWE is actively looking for people who are willing to stick up for themselves in a direct way - instead of bitching on twitter or through passive aggressive means.
Therefore:
What's your arm-chair quarterback view of professional wrestling politics? How do you play (and win) WWE - and therefore Triple H's sports entertainment Game Of Thrones?
The most important thing I ever learned about corporate politics is that a firm handshake, eye contact, and an assertive but friendly attitude will get you everywhere. So I wonder what the general attitude is by professional wrestlers, who are in a sense actors - they're in a creative business, and often times creative people are introverted and don't like to ruffle feathers.
I had an audition to be a XL clothing model today (shut up), WHILE thinking about this quote, WHILE thinking about this QOTD, and ended up putting on a very light, Triple H 'persona' where I answered questions in a such a way that made it seem like my responses were their ideas all along while subliminally campaigning for the gig by getting the folks measuring me / having me try on clothes / taking my pictures to agree that the models they currently use look absolutely nothing like the people that shop at the store - and even better, likely know about as much about clothing as I do - which is zip, so I'd be able to provide them feedback from a customer perspective that 'actual' models and clothing people probably wouldn't be able too.
THIS is where I think Triple H succeeds and others fail. If I had to guess, his genius isn't that he's a force of nature that tells folks how it's going to be, he instead gets people to believe what HE wants is the best idea for business. The most infamous story is the "We make him do business" quote from the Montreal screwjob. I doubt Triple H said "Hey lets just ring the bell and get Shawn out of there!" but instead planted the seeds for the plan Vince and Co. came up with.
See also: The Stone Cold Podcast with The Big Show where Stone Cold didn't want to job to the Big Show and following a five minute conversation with Vince, the result of the match was changed. It was a calm conversation that didn't result in shouting or bitching and moaning, and Stone Cold got what he wanted.
It seems the best way to get what you want in the WWE is to assert yourself in a way that doesn't seem selfish or outlandish. It's sort of like that scene in The Dark Knight where The Joker convinces Harvey Dent to turn into a bad guy by simply talking to him in a calm, understanding, compassionate manner. More flies with honey than with oil, ya know?