Triple H has a fascinating pro wrestling career. He has been deemed a “ring general” by his peers, is respected among some of the greatest wrestlers ever, has been involved in leading roles in some of the most successful groups in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and he’s has participated in some of the most controversial broadcasts in history. While working with WWE Triple H has been a “World Champion” a total of fourteen times. He’s held the “WWE Championship” eight times, the “World Heavyweight Championship” six times, the “Intercontinental Championship” four times. He has, also, held the “Undisputed Heavyweight Championship”, “The European Championship”, and the “Tag Team Championships” (with Steve Austin).
Real Name : Jean-Paul Michael Levesque
Alias(es) : Triple H, Hunter Hurst Helmsley, HHH, The Game, The Cerebral Assassin, & Terra Ryzing
Date Of Birth : July 27,1969 Height : 6’4 Weight : Approx. 255lbs
Pro Debut : March 1992
Wrestling Organization : World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Trainer(s) : Killer Kowalski
Finisher(s) : The Pedigree
Early in his career, Levesque was hired by the Independent Wrestling Federation, using the name Terra Ryzing. He won the “IWF Heavyweight Championship” and later signed a one year contract with (not defunct) WCW. During this time, he changed his name to Jean-Paul Levesque and was billed as a French heel. From 1994 to early 1995 Levesque matched against Brian Armstrong and Alex Wright, started using his finish move “The Pedigree”, and tag teamed with Lord Steven Regal. Levesque wound up leaving WCW in early 1995 because they refused to push him as a singles competitor.
At the end of April in 1995, Hunter Herst Helmsley was born. He appeared on broadcasts talking about proper etiquette and sporting the French heel role from his WCW days. It wasn’t until “Wrestlemania 12″, when he turned on his manager Sable after losing a match to the Ultimate Warrior, that Helmsley started to gain attention.
Behind the scenes, Helmsley was known backstage for his inflence on the WWF creative team. He became part of “The Kliq” that consisted of wrestlers Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, and Sean Waltman. During this time, in a house show that featured Hall and Nash’s last match for the WWF, Michaels, Helmsley, Nash, and Hall all broke character in a group hug that got Helmsley demoted to “jobber” status. Despite this incident, Helmsley’s career continued to be successful.
In late 1996, Helmsley picked up Mr. Perfect as a manager and won his first “Intercontinental Championship” defeating Marc Mero. He held the title for four months, during which time he dropped Mr. Perfect as his manager, and eventually lost it to The Rock in February of 1997. After losing the “Intercontinental Title” Helmsley began feuding with Goldust, and at “Wrestlemania 13″ 1997, he defeated Goldust and debuted his new bodyguard Chyna.
Hunter was crowned “King Of The Ring” in 1997 after defeating Mankind and later that year, made a historic move by joining Shawn Michaels, Rick Rude, and Chyna to form “D-Generation X”. This group was known for pushing WWF management with their risque promos, unscripted performances, and the now famous, “Suck it!” catch phrase while performing hand chop movements to the groin area. It was during this time Helmsley’s persona completely changed from a “pompus snob”, to appearing in t-shirts and leather (and occasionally nothing but a Christmas card). He shortened his moniker to simply refect “HHH” and along with Michaels, Rude, and Chyna D-Generation X started berating Brett Hart and Canadians in general every chance they got. This lead to a rivalry between DX and The Hart Foundation that culminated at “Wrestlemania 14″. HHH defeated Owen Hart for the “European Championship” in what has got to be one of “Wrestlemania’s Greatest Moments”. During the match, Chyna appeared at ringside handcuffed to then-WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter to prevent her from interfering in the match. Chyna, however, giving Slaughter an awful time during the whole match, managed to throw powder in Slaughter’s eyes and interfered anyway, getting HHH the win. After the match, she un-cuffed herself and brutally punched Slaughter in the face, knocking him out.
During the Royal Rumble of 1998, then-DX leader, Shawn Michaels was forced into an early retirement due to a back injury suffered at the hands of the Undertaker in a casket match. It was then that HHH reformed “D-Generation X” to include himself, Chyna, X-Pac, and the New Age Outlaws (BG James and the ‘Bad Ass’ Billy Gunn). The newly formed DX began feuding with the “Nation of Domination”, a group of wrestlers including The Rock, Faarooq, Kama Mustafa, and D’Lo Brown. This led to “Summerslam” 1998 where HHH beat the Rock in a “Ladder” match for the “Intercontinental Championship”.
On November 15th, 1998 Vince McMahon formed a new group to try to control DX (and some other rogue elements of the show) called “The Corporation”. Many matches between The Rock (then Corporation leader) and HHH (DX leader) came out of this formation until on January 25th, 1999 during an airing of RAW, HHH and The Rock battled over the “WWF Championship” in an “I Quit” match. The match ended when HHH was forced to say “I quit” or watch his bodyguard, and rumored girlfriend, be choke slammed by Kane. After losing the match, in an unexpected move, Chyna turned on HHH attacking him and joining “The Corporation”.
As “Wrestlemania 15″ approached, Chyna reconciled with HHH and re-joined D-Generation X. As “Wrestlemania” unfolded, HHH defeated Kane with the help of Chyna. But later, in the event, fellow DX member X-Pac fought Shane McMahon for the “European Title”. As the match progressed Chyna appeared, distracting the referee, and HHH “Pedigree’d” X-Pac and threw McMahon on top of him causing him to lose the belt. This night was significant because D-Generation X, as we knew it, ceased to exist. HHH and Chyna had joined McMahon to become corporate members and Levesque refined his character as the main attraction singles competitor known, simply, as “Triple H”.
After many battles with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Mankind, it wasn’t until the week after “Summerslam” 1999 , on a live Raw event, that he captured his first ” WWF Championship Title”. After losing the title to Vince McMahon, he regained it once again at “Unforgiven” in a “Six-Pack Challenge” that featured himself, The Rock, Big Show, Mankind, Kane, and Davey Boy Smith. He went on to retain the title at “No Mercy” 1999 fighting “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in a controversial “Anything Goes” match only to lose it in September of ’99 during the “Survivor Series” to the Big Show in a “Triple Threat” match.
This brings is to the year 2000 and once again Levesque re-invents his persona, calling himself “Triple H The Game of wrestling”. He continued his feuds with the McMahons and pursued a rather outrageous story line that wound up with he and Stephanie McMahon being married, much to the chagrin of her father. Together they ran Vince off of Raw and for the next seventeen months, Stephanie and Triple H ran the show. This was known as the “McMahon-Helmsley Era”. Early in 2000 he and Mick Foley started a feud that led to the “Hell In A Cell” match at “No Way Out” and, ultimately, Mick Foley’s retirement from wrestling in the WWF. Triple H then began a long feud with The Rock that passed the “WWF Championship Title” back and forth between them until “King Of The Ring” where The Rock ultimately won the title.
Triple H had to set his sights on Chris Jericho. Jericho had begun a weekly tirade on Raw protesting the “McMahon-Helmsley” faction and calling his wife, Stephanie, all sorts of names. This led to a “Last Man Standing” match” at “Fully Loaded” 2000 where Triple H suplexed Jericho through an announce table.
Now, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin appeared on the scene returning from a one year long hiatus after being sideswiped by a car in the parking lot on the previous year’s “Survivor Series” (1999). Wanting to know who was responsible, Austin began a personal investigation and found out Triple H had paid Rikishi to hit him. This led to “Survivor Series” 2000 where he tried to trick Austin into the parking lot again, only Austin showed up with a fork-lift, scooped up his car with him inside, and flipped it upside down onto it’s roof. A few weeks later, Triple H returned and attacked Austin. This culminated into a “Three Stages Of Hell” match in which he defeated Austin. However, in early 2001, Triple H and Austin would join forces and win the “WWF Tag Team Championships” and the “Intercontinental Championship” twice.
While performing on the May 21rst, 2001 episode of Raw, Triple H suffered a career-threatening injury while defending the “Tag Team Championships” with Austin against Jericho and Chris Benoit. During a run-in, to save Austin from the Walls Of Jericho and tapping out, his left quadricep tore completely off the bone. He continued the match despite his inability to put any weight on his leg without it collapsing and eventually found himself in the Walls of Jericho. Due to the severity of the tear, surgery was required and Triple H was sidelined for seven months. This abruptly ended the “McMahon-Helmsley” era.
As I sit blogging about this, all I can remember about the January 7th, 2002 Raw show is, the crowd reaction when Triple H’s music started “it’s time to play the game…. muwha hahahaha”. It was deafening! You couldn’t even hear the broadcast announcers on television talk. A few weeks later at the “Royal Rumble” the crowd reacted the same way as he walked away the winner of the “Rumble”, securing a “Championship Title” match at “Wrestlemania 18″. As Triple H returned to the spotlight, Stephanie became an increasing problem in his quest for gold. This drove a wedge in their relationship that caused a separation. Stephanie, in desperation, faked a pregnancy and the two were re-united until eventually he found out she was lying. Triple H then unceremoniously dumped her on a live Raw broadcast where they were supposed to re-new their wedding vows. This turned a McMahon against him H once more. At “Wrestlemania 18″, Stephanie joined Chris Jericho to get revenge on Triple H, but wound up being pedigreed and Jericho lost his “Undisputed Championship Title”. Stephanie was forced to leave Raw the next night by her ex-husband after winning a “Triple Threat” match against her and Jericho via pin-fall.
With Raw having no general manager, Vince McMahon appears once again and abuses his power until Ric Flair shows up in a massive power grab and takes over Raw. This lead to chaos and eventually, the creation of a new wrestling show called “Smackdown!”. Flair ran Raw, McMahon ran Smackdown and Triple H was drafted, for the first time ever, to a different show. His battle continued with Chris Jericho on the new brand until finally escalating on “Judgement Day” 2002 in a “Hell In A Cell”. Again, Triple H was victorious after delivering a pedigree to Jericho on the top of the cell.
In the meantime, Vince McMahon, in a mad quest to destory his own production, hires the nWo (Hogan, Hall, and Nash). Shorty after, Vince disbands the nWo and Nash (now on Raw) hooks up with the returning Shawn Michaels. Nash and Michaels try to bring Triple H to Raw to get the D-Generation X band rolling again, and while they succeed in bringing him to Raw, he pedigrees Michaels in the ring instead of joining DX and started a long rivalry between the two. This dispute led to a nasty “Un-Sanctioned Street Fight” at “Summerslam” that Shawn won, but Triple H finished… (with a sledgehammer).
On September 2nd, 2002 the WWE created a new title for Raw called the “World Heavyweight Championship” which was bestowed upon Triple H by, then acting general manager, Eric Bischoff. He defended the new title many times before losing it to HBK in the first ever “Elimination Chamber” match at “Survivor Series”. Approximately a month later, he regained the title in a “Three Stages Of Hell” match against HBK at “Armageddon”. Triple H held on to the “World Heavyweight Championship” for most of 2003 facing challengers such as Booker T, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash, and Rob Van Dam (I think they even threw former WCW wrastler Bill Goldberg at him).
On February 3rd of 2003 the group Evolution was born. It consisted of sixteen time champion Ric Flair and newcomers Dave Batista and Randy Orton. Together they dominated the WWE and at “Armageddon” 2003 they all walked out holding title belts. During this time Triple H continued feuding with HBK through the 2004 “Royal Rumble” where, in a “Last Man Standing” match Michaels and Triple H battled to a double count out. Triple H would retain the title until “Wrestlemania 20″ where during a “Triple Threat” match Chris Benoit beat both Triple H and Michaels. HBK and Triple H’s continued war finally came to a halt at “Bad Blood” 2004 when Triple H was defeated in a “Hell In A Cell”.
Triple H went back to focusing on the “World Heavyweight Championship” but it continued to eluded him. Meanwhile, fellow Evolution member, Randy Orton went on to win the title at “Summerslam” 2004 against Benoit making him the youngest WWE Champion ever. The following night on the August 16th, 2004 airing of Raw, during what appeared to be a celebration of his victory, Orton was dropped from Batista’s shoulders and attacked by the remaining members of Evolution. Triple H went on to “Unforgiven” to defeat Randy Orton for the title.
The December 6th, 2004 airing of Raw showcased Edge, Chris Benoit, and Triple H in a “Triple Threat” match for the “World Heavyweight Title”. This match ended in a double pin-fall vacating the title until “New Year’s Revolution” 2005. In the “Elimination Chamber” match that ensued Triple H pinned Orton, with help from Batista, to regain the “World Heavyweight Championship” for the tenth time. But once again, there was dissension in the ranks of Evolution as Batista had won the “Royal Rumble” and was guaranteed a title match at “Wrestlemania 21″. Triple H tried desperately to persuade Batista to challenge for the “WWE Championship” instead of his, but Triple H’s ego put him and Batista at odds and not only did he lose the belt at “Wrestlemania”, Evolution lost it’s animal. Triple H would wrestle Batista two more times before taking time off due to minor neck problems.
October 3rd, 2005 Triple H returns to Raw teaming with fellow Evolution member Ric Flair against The Masterpiece and Carlito. After the match, Triple H attacked Flair with a sledgehammer completely ending Evolution and sparking a short-lived feud between the two. Flair and Triple H fought showcasing at “Taboo Tuesday” in a “Steel Cage” match (which Flair won) and a “Last Man Standing” match at “Survivor Series” (which HHH won). Thus ended the friction between Flair and Triple H.
Deciding to go back to championship status, Triple H entered the “Royal Rumble” and while he did not win, he did win the “Road To Wrestlemania Tournament” granting him the right to challenge the “WWE Champion” at “Wrestlemania 22″. In the main event, Triple H fought John Cena and wound up tapping out. He continued his losing streak at “Backlash” 2006 in a “Triple Threat” match against Cena and Edge that ended with a sledgehammer attack on the two. After several attempts to regain the title from Cena, Triple H started blaming Vince McMahon for his problems. This led to yet another McMahon-Triple H war. Vince, hired a group of unknown young wrestlers called the “Spirit Squad” in an attempt to subdue Triple H, but Shawn Michaels returned shortly after and the two reformed D-Generation X. Together, they beat the Spirit Squad in a five on two “Handicapped Match”, maimed the McMahons at “Summerslam” withstanding several handpicked superstars before even fighting Vince or Shane. At Unforgiven they not only beat the McMahon’s and the Big Show in a “Hell In A Cell Match”. But during the match, they pulled down the Big Show’s tights and shoved Vince’s head in the crack of his bare behind. As if that wasn’t enough, Triple H broke a sledgehammer over Vince’s shoulder while Michael followed up with “sweet chin music”.
Edge created a team with Randy Orton calling the group “Rated-RKO” and vowed to destroy D-Generation X and at “Cyber-Sunday” they almost did. Michaels took a chair shot to the head while Triple H was RKO’ed on a steel chair. Things went differently at “Survivor Series” though, as Team-DX slaughtered Team-RKO in a victory that left all five men of Team DX standing at the conclusion of the match. This was a first in “Survivor Series” history. “New Year’s Revolution” 2007, DX took on Rated-RKO for their “Tag Team Championships” and about 15 minutes into the match, Triple H suffered another quadricep tear, except this time in his right leg. Seeing that Triple H was badly hurt, Michaels ended the match abruptly by hitting the referee, Orton, and Edge with a steel chair. DX then viciously brutalized Rated -RKO and left them bloodied on the announce tables. Two days later, Triple H had his second successful quadricep surgery and would be sidelined for eight months.
During his time off Levesque not only re-habed his leg, but he also tweaked his character once again. He now sports a thicker beard and mustache looking like a modern day Conan The Barbarian with a crown naming him “The King of Kings”. This sets Booker T (the newly crowned “King Of The Ring”) off on a tangent and leads in to “Summerslam” 2007 where Triple H beats Booker T for “King” status.
“No Mercy” 2007 lived up to it’s name for Triple H. In the opening match, he defeated Randy Orton for his sixth “WWE Championship” reign and defended it against Umaga in the same night. However, in typical McMahon fashion, Vince decided the final match of the night would be a “Last Man Standing” re-match against Randy Orton. Triple H suffered a devastating RKO on the announce table and lost the title in the same night to the same man he won it from originally. This is recorded as the fourth shortest title reign in WWE history.
After being screwed at “No Mercy” Triple H gained a “WWE Championship” title match at “Wrestlemania 24″ by outlasting HBK, Jeff Hardy, Umaga, Jericho, and JBL in an “Elimination Chamber” at “No Way Out” 2008. The match ended when Triple H pedigreed Jeff Hardy on a steel chair. Continuing to “Wrestlemania 24″ in a “Triple Threat” match against Orton and Cena, Triple H failed to wrest the title from Randy Orton. Approximately one month later, Triple H won the “WWE Championship” in a “Fatal Four Way” match featuring JBL, Orton, and Cena. Orton and Triple H would continue their feuding through “Judgement Day” set in a “Steel Cage” and finally ending at “One Night Stand” in a “Last Man Standing” match where Triple H “prematurely ended their feud breaking Randy’s collarbone and putting him out of action for approximately nine months.
Once again, Triple H was drafted to Smackdown on the June 23rd, 2008 airing of Raw making the “WWE Championship” exclusive to the brand. After successful title defenses against both Edge and The Great Khali, Triple H decided to give Jeff Hardy’s career a push. This led to the two respectfully battling in singles competition and even tag teaming together on occasion. Finally, at “Survivor Series” 2008 Triple H lost the “WWE Championship” to Edge in, yet another, “Triple Threat” match that also featured Vladimir Koslov. Triple H then engaged himself in a battle with Koslov (a brash Russian with serious attitude) that led to “No Way Out” 2009 where, in an “Elimination Chamber”, Triple H defeated Koslov, The Undertaker, Edge, Big Show, and Jeff Hardy to begin a record setting eighth “WWE Championship” reign.
Even though Triple H was a Smackdown superstar he had ties to Raw and things were not going so well there. Stephanie McMahon was responsible for general managerial duties when Randy Orton returned from his collarbone injury and began making accusations and demands. Stephanie fired Orton but Orton appealed to Vince McMahon claiming that she was just a puppet. Vince showed up the following week on Raw and backed Stephanie’s decision. In a fury, as the words “you’re fired” left Vince’s mouth, Randy RKO’ed the chairman and punted him in the head bringing son Shane McMahon on the scene. Shane and Stephanie began feuding with Orton and the newly formed group “Legacy” consisting of Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.
On the February 16th, 2009 episode of Raw, Orton laid out Shane and Stephanie bringing Triple H to the scene. Four days later on Smackdown, Triple H broke character revealing one of the worst kept secrets in the WWE. “Is Triple H married? Is Triple H still married to Stephanie McMahon?” The answer, of course is “yes”. With revenge on his mind for the atrocities inflicted upon his family, Triple H showed up on the February 23rd broadcast of Raw chasing Legacy from the arena with a sledgehammer. In the weeks that followed; Triple H was handcuffed to the ring by Legacy and forced to watch an assault on his wife, Orton was chased through his house by Triple H with a sledgehammer and thrown out his front window, and Triple H being attacked by or attacking Legacy. At “Wrestlemania 25″, Triple H, due to general manager Vikki Guerrero stipulating that any disqualification during the match would result in a title change, got at least a small amount of satisfaction in defeating Orton and retaining his championship.
The rivalry between HHH and Legacy was far from over and became increasingly more violent as the weeks progressed. Triple H brother-in-law Shane McMahon and Dave Batista joined him during “Backlash” 2009 in a “Six Man Tag Team” match stipulating that if Triple H’s team won, he would retain the title, otherwise, it would go to Randy Orton. In summary, Orton RKO’ed Triple H and punted him in the head, knocking him out allowing Randy to get the pin-fall. Triple H was taken out on a stretcher and sidelined until June 8th, 2009, when the battle resumed.
Jean-Paul Levesque has worked extremely hard for the WWE. He’s been able to tweak his persona over the years, whether playing heel or hero, in a way that has, repeatedly, been successful. Not only for his own career, but for the entire WWE. While it’s obvious that wrestling veterans and noobs respect his abilities and dedication to the business, it’s Triple H’s in-ring performances that really keep us hardcore wrestling fans watching. It is, after all, “all about The Game and how you play it”.