Triple H, WWE Failing to Capitalize on Karrion Kross Amid Growing Social Media Buzz

Karrion Kross set the wrestling world ablaze over WrestleMania 41 weekend when he lashed out regarding the lack of opportunities he has had during his WWE run.

The 39-year-old spoke with conviction, making sure to get the storyline beats involving Logan Paul in, but also speaking from a place of realism and frustration.

It was a watershed moment for Kross, who has become one of the most interesting, compelling characters on WWE television, albeit in the background.

As the devil on a shoulder, he had spent months prior to that successfully manipulating heel turns for The Miz and The New Day while targeting other fan favorites such as Sami Zayn and AJ Styles.

Since the WrestleMania weekend promo, Kross has become one of the most popular stars on the roster.

The WWE Universe, appreciative of the passion he expressed and the depth of his on-screen persona not to mention the intricacies with which he approaches his social media storytelling, has greeted his in-arena appearances with loud ovations while his backstage vignettes are typically accompanied by the roar of the crowd.

His T-shirt was also the No. 1 seller in all of WWE in May, per a report from Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.

Despite the clear fan sentiment and support for the former NXT champion, Kross still struggles to find television time, with some of his backstage interactions with Zayn even taking place during Netflix commercial break. This is despite an ongoing storyline between the two.

Monday was the latest instance of the company dropping the ball, with Kross congratulating Zayn on his big King of the Ring tournament win and suggesting The Underdog from the Underground is one step closer to realizing what he really is: a bad guy.

It's a compelling storyline that should be focused on and featured more on television, not saved for a timeout on a streaming service.

WWE has continuously dropped the ball with Kross, and while he has remained humble and understanding, ensuring his fans do not mistake frustration for hunger during an interview on the Ariel Helwani Show, it is undeniable that the company he works for has let him down.

This is the company that, since Vince McMahon was at the helm, has preached that talent that goes out, gets themselves over and has the crowd on their side become undeniable. The cream will rise to the top. They will see the fruits of their labor.

And every other cliche possible.

Yet, here is Kross, who rebounded from the doomed Final Testament faction and committed himself to a new character that he and the audience are invested in.

How does WWE repay him? By sticking him in backstage segments, sometimes during commercials, and occasionally booking him on its Main Event show (available on Peacock, since it's never promoted).

As chief content officer, Triple H has established his preference for long-term storytelling. While he has been very effective and, arguably, the best in his role in any pro wrestling company over the last two years, he has struggled when presented with things that do not go according to plan.

We saw how bumpy the road to WrestleMania 40 got when The Rock interjected himself and again heading into this year's show, and we watched the company do a rapid about-face when it brought R-Truth back just five days after notifying him that his contract was not being renewed.

It was likely not planned for Kross to get as over as he is, or to have any significant impact on ongoing storylines. Triple H and his creative team's inability to work him into a bigger role when it is clear there is a fan demand for him ranks as one of the more prominent failures of the regime over the last 12 months.

At a time when creating stars is not as easy as it may appear, to have someone waiting in the wings for one shot to prove himself worthy of the creative attention that others across the main roster receive and not capitalize on it is irresponsible.

Even more so when one considers the undeniable momentum Kross has right now and, according to Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp, that he is in a contract year and has not yet been approached to renew.

Letting that groundswell of support build while denying him an opportunity and potentially letting him walk, will only result in another company benefiting from the outburst of energy and proven creativity that Kross possesses.

Considering the backlash WWE has faced over letting R-Truth go, a so-so John Cena heel run and a foggier creative direction than fans have become accustomed to under Triple H, the company can't afford to watch a performer like Kross take his abilities elsewhere and become the star he was not allowed to be in WWE.