Kayla Braxton reveals the strict rules WWE had for backstage interviews back in the day.
During her recent appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, former WWE backstage interviewer Kayla Braxton opened up about wrestlers and interviewers breaking character during interviews. She revealed that the promotion pulled back the curtain when she was on her way out, and that they made the decision after seeing positive fan reactions to such unscripted moments.
“To be honest, I think all that started happening on my way out, where they’re allowing the curtain to be pulled back a little bit more,” Kayla Braxton said. “I think maybe that was it. I think Triple H and the powers that be probably saw, ‘Oh, we’re getting a lot of good reactions from these fans who have been a part of us for so many years. They’re feeling like they get to peek in now, and it’s really good for the fans. It’s really good for the fanbase.’
“It’s how the WWE has gotten into more homes and more eyeballs. That’s kind of what I think, and I think lately, we’ve been seeing a lot more views inside of what’s happening backstage.
Kayla Braxton revealed WWE’s strict rules for backstage interviews
However, Kayla Braxton pointed out that things were very different just a few years ago, when WWE kept a much tighter lid on everything. She revealed that the rules were extremely strict: performers were never allowed to break character and couldn’t smirk, blink, or even take a deep breath during interviews.
“Back then, we kept things very tight closed. You can’t know what anything’s happening, no breaking character. I remember, even me, there were some times it was very hard for me to keep my composure when I was interviewing some of these guys. When I was new, I remember being told like, ‘You cannot break, do not smirk, do not blink, do not breathe,'” Kayla Braxton continued.
Braxton says things started changing after she began hosting WWE’s The Bump
She also shared that things started changing after she became the co-host of WWE’s The Bump, when officials realized she had a personality and rapport with the wrestlers.
“I think after The Bump, people started seeing that I have a personality and a rapport with these people; they allowed it. So sometimes, you will see a little smirk, or like it’s hard to keep down the laugh because how do you not laugh at some of these people? How do you not laugh at Paul Heyman, who’s screaming and spitting in your face?” Kayla Braxton said.
The host then pointed out how it’s also hard not to laugh when a heel is staring at the interviewer during an interview and that when they’re told not to break character, it’s like a teacher telling a student not to laugh. Kayla Braxton then continued, “In NXT, that was a big thing, where they’re like, ‘You cannot break.’ I’m like, ‘You should not have said that. Now all I’m gonna be thinking about is laughing.’
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