Top 5 unexpected Triple H returns in the last decade

Over the years, Triple H has been one of the few Superstars who has consistently attracted the audience towards his in-ring storylines as well as his corporate affairs. Every time he goes away from the spotlight, he is dearly missed by the wrestling fans across the planet. Hence, each of his returns stirs the emotions of the WWE Universe.

In the honour of one of the greatest students of the wrestling business, let’s relive the top 5 unexpected returns from Triple H to the squared circle from this millennium.

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#5 Return to Royal Rumble 2016 as the final participant

The Game won the game at Royal Rumble 2016.

By the end of 2015, Roman Reigns had become the new face of WWE. He was booked in a feud against The Authority. The dirty politics played by the McMahons resulted in his outrage at the closing moments of last PPV of 2015, TLC. He unleashed thunderous chair shots on the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Triple H.

The Game was brutally assaulted by the Big Dog, and he wasn’t heard from in the weeks to follow. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns won the WWE World Championship. He was then forced to become the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match, where he had to defend the championship against 29 other Superstars. The Big Dog managed to withstand every other Superstar until the buzzer hit for the final entrant of the match. The 30th superstar was none other than The Game himself.

The King of Kings not only made a triumphed return but also won the WWE Championship to set the tone for the main event at WrestleMania 32. This proved why the Cerebral Assassin is one of the biggest Heels in WWE.

#4 Return to join Team Raw for Survivor Series 2017

Jason Jordan was never on the rise again.

In 2017, the stakes were at an all-time high for the Survivor Series PPV. The team from SmackDown Live had seized Monday Night RAW, and their Commissioner, Shane McMahon, had insulted the General Manager of Raw, Kurt Angle. Hence, the traditional Survivor Series elimination match became a must-win match for Team RAW to avenge this insult.

Kurt Angle’s scripted son, Jason Jordan, was picked to be a part of Team RAW. However, on November 13th episode, he got injured in his match against Bray Wyatt.

Kurt Angle was finding it quite hard to reveal the replacement of his son. In the middle of that segment, Triple H made his return. He announced that he would be the fifth member of Team RAW. He went on to pedigree Jason Jordan, which showed his determination to win the Survivor Series match.

#3 Return to save Vince McMahon from Brock Lesnar

The Beast was slain at WrestleMania 29.

On January 28th episode of RAW in 2013, Vince McMahon was about to fire Paul Heyman. Brock Lesnar interrupted the proceedings and delivered an F-5 to the chairman of WWE. This caused Vince McMahon to undergo hip surgery.

A month later, on February 23rd episode of RAW, Vince McMahon, who was still on crutches after his surgery, challenged Paul Heyman to a match. As soon as Vince started to gain an upper hand in this bout after taking an initial beating at the hands of Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar again returned to attack the chairman.

However, Triple H made a return to save his father-in-law. Notably, The Game’s arm was broken twice in the previous year by the Beast Incarnate. The two Superstars faced each other in a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania 29, where Triple H came out on the top.

#2 Return to backstab Seth Rollins

Kevin Owens' face tells the story.

Seth Rollins was Triple H’s hand-picked member from The Hounds of Justice, whom the Game used as a pawn in 2014 to implode The Shield. This made Seth Rollins an integral part of The Authority.

At SummerSlam 2016, Finn Balor won the inaugural Universal Championship by defeating Rollins. However, he had to vacate the championship the next night due to a shoulder injury, which he sustained during the championship victory. One week later, a fatal four-way match was scheduled to crown a new Universal Champion.

At the closing moment of that match, Triple H returned from the crowd. He delivered a pedigree to Roman Reigns and helped Seth Rollins to pin him. This narrowed down the competition to Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Triple H attacked Seth Rollins and helped Kevin Owens become the new Universal Champion.

#1 Return to challenge the Undertaker for WrestleMania 27

A once in a lifetime confrontation.

Although The Undertaker himself was never advertised to return on the ominous date of February 2nd, 2011 (2.21.11), his signature music and symbolism made it pretty clear to the fans. The Deadman’s return was highly anticipated and the fans were curious to know The Undertaker's opponent at WrestleMania 27.

As the fans were soaking-in the presence of the returned Deadman, Triple H’s music hit and left them baffled. The Game returned by interrupting The Phenom’s music and showed his intent to break The Streak. Not to mention, the same Streak had led to the retirement of Triple H’s best friend, Shawn Michaels, the previous year.

The two legends stared at each other in a highly tense environment and gestured towards each other to confirm their match at WrestleMania 27. Neither legend said a single word in the entire segment while the sheer intensity of their confrontation left the fans gasping for air.