Dutch Mantel Recalls Being Hired By Triple H In 2013, Thinks He Will Make Big Difference In Creative
Dutch Mantel has been in the wrestling business since the 1970s, wearing many hats as a wrestler, manager, and booker.
WWE fans likely know Mantel as Zeb Colter, which is the name he used during his run from 2013 to 2016 where he managed Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro in WWE), Jake Hager (Jack Swagger in WWE), and Alberto Del Rio.
Appearing on Tru Heel Heat, Mantel recalled being hired by Triple H in 2013.
“He [Triple H] was the one that hired me. You know SummerSlam is in Nashville, that’s exactly where I got hired. I got called on Thursday to be at RAW on Monday. I showed up at RAW on Monday at about 3:30. I met Triple H at 4:30, I did an audition tape, it told me what to say to Vince at 5:30, I was hired at 6:30 and I went live on TV that night at 7:30, Central time. That’s crazy, huh? That’s the way it is,” he said.
Triple H took over creative duties from Vince McMahon after McMahon retired on July 22.
Speaking about the potential difference between Triple H and McMahon, Mantel said, “This is the way the business used to work. When a territory went down, you’d change the booker. Any business works like that. I think by putting him back in there, a lot of things are gonna change for the better. I think Triple H would bring a new dynamic to the table. I think people won’t be so scared to pitch an idea to him. I think he’ll make a big, big difference. And I do like that he’s gonna put actual people with wrestling experience on creative.”
After leaving WWE in 2016, Mantel worked as a creative consultant for IMPACT Wrestling 2017.
Triple H has been lead creative in WWE for a week and “made a statement” on WWE Raw. Fans can find Fightful’s full report on WWE Raw by clicking here.
