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TRIPLE H
Nickname: The Game
Born: July 27, 1969
From: Greenwich, Connecticut
Trained By: Walter "Killer" Kowalski

Career Accomplishments: Twelve Time WWE World Champion, Five Time Intercontinental Champion, Two Time European Champion, Tag Team Champion, Royal Rumble Winner, King of the Ring

Career Highlight: Twelve World championships. It's hard to say which one was most significant in the career of Triple H. Personally; I believe the most emotional victory for Triple H came in the main event at WrestleMania X8. Almost a year earlier Hunter had torn his quadriceps muscle during a tag team title match with Stone Cold Steve Austin against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit. Triple H gallantly continued that match but eight months of therapy and rehabilitation waited for him on the other side of the curtain. WrestleMania was his first title match back. There's no doubt that the undercard match between Hulk Hogan and The Rock overshadowed the main event that night in the Toronto Skydome, but Triple H and Chris Jericho under tough conditions went out and worked a solid, old school match that culminated with Triple H winning his fifth of twelve World titles. After the physical hell that Hunter had to endure to reach that moment, this one was no doubt the sweetest victory for The Game.

Career Low Point: Quad tear- Take Two. If the first one was physically painful, the second one must have been mentally crippling for Triple H. Ironically enough Triple H would tear his opposite quadriceps muscle during another tag team title match at the 2007 New Year Revolution. It was DX pitted against Rated RKO and Hunter planted his knee into the mat during a routine spinebuster and that was all it took. Injuries are unpredictable in wrestling and though there is never a good time to get injured, Triple H seems to get thrown onto the injured reserve at the most inopportune moments. In 2007, Helmsley was scheduled to challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 22. Now, instead of headlining the biggest event of the year, Hunter had to watch the event from the comfort of his own wheelchair.

What If: Triple H had never married Stephanie McMahon? Rob Van Dam would be Undisputed WWE Champion right now! Okay, that's pushing it just a little but I have no doubt that men like RVD, Kane and Booker T's stock in WWE would have risen if Triple H didn't have the stranglehold on the World Championship like he does. It has been rumored for years that back in 2002 Hunter was slated to lose the title in September to Van Dam but plans conveniently changed. Then he was slated to lose the title to Kane in October but plans conveniently changed. Triple H also reportedly dodged losing the belt to Booker T at WrestleMania XIX and Goldberg at SummerSlam 2003. Ever wonder why Triple H has so much heat? Is it a coincidence that out of those four names mentioned only Kane, the longest standing employee is still with WWE?

Although let's be unbiased here. Wwe as fans were conditioned to believe that whatever success WWE has achieved is due to the brilliant mind of Vince McMahon. So I believe most if not all of fan's hostilities should be cast on McMahon himself. It's always a safe bet to put a title on Triple H since regardless of his reputation he is revered as one of the great superstars in WWE today, but to overlook the fact that a title win would have meant more to the likes of RVD and Booker T is ignorant. In reality it's a company shooting itself in the foot, but I believe that's got more to do with McMahon being reluctant to push talent that wasn't homegrown (RVD - ECW, Booker T and Goldberg - WCW) rather than Triple H refusing to job to the aforementioned wrestlers.

One thing I would like to make clear is that whether he married Stephanie or not, Triple H would still be a multi-time World Champion. Maybe twelve is a little excessive but we shouldn't ignore the fact that the Game is clearly one of the best all around and consistent performers in the last ten years in any wrestling company. He won his first four World titles before he was ever in a relationship with the boss' daughter and ironically was the internet darling before he ever captured his first championship. Hunter's drive to succeed and return from debilitating injuries is truly unparalleled, his ability to make matches feel big time is incomparable and he still receives the loudest pop on any show he is on. Don't agree? Watch last weeks SmackDown. When the increasingly popular Jeff Hardy surprised Hunter with the Twist of Fate he received a mostly negative reaction from the crowd! When was the last time Hardy was booed at a WWE show? Triple H's star power is undeniable and moving to SmackDown did more to legitimize the brand than any other superstar could. Hell, the Undertaker himself has been a fixture on SmackDown for six years and still couldn't help rid SmackDown of the stigma of being the 'B' show. Hunter did it in one night.

There is no doubt that nepotism plays a big part in WWE booking in 2008. It's extremely frustrating that come WrestleMania time Triple H always seems to figure himself into a title situation, especially considering talents of equal importance like Shawn Michaels, Undertaker and Chris Jericho have been relegated to mid card status more often than not. To discount the athlete and wrestler Triple H is however is not fair to the man. He may have kept his spot because of Stephanie McMahon but he earned it all on his own.

Am I right? Am I wrong? I welcome feedback at vasilevski.torch@gmail.com

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