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The King of Kings. The Game. The Cerebral Assassin. Since making his debut all the way back in 1992, Triple H has become one of the most iconic WWE Superstars of all time. He has won countless championships along the way, been an integral part to some of the most influential and memorable memories in WWF/E history and also was a crucial part to the development of the company.
Triple H is the currently the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development while also being the leader of the NXT. The Game has managed to carve out a niche for himself -- without being too overbearing in the current role.
Triple H has managed to be one of the few Superstars to transcend the sport and become a member of pop culture -- helped by Motorhead singing his theme song and being the founder of one of the most influential stables in history, D-Generation X.
So, as he has transitioned into a backstage role within WWE, you may need to be reminded just how incredible he was inside the squared circle.
And due to it being his birthday a few days ago, what better excuse? So let's get started, please find below the top 5 Triple H matches of all time.
#5 Triple H vs. The Rock - Iron Man Match (Judgement Day 2000)
At Backlash 2000, The Rock took on Triple H and had a pretty great match that was enjoyed by fans at the time and is still looked back with fondness today. They then turned up to Judgement Day and made the previous bout look almost poor in comparison.
In direct contrast to the Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels Iron Man match with barely any falls, the match that many going into this were saying they had to live up to, both The Game and The Brahma Bull took a completely different approach.
With 11 falls taking place, it meant that the match never slowed down and they managed to keep that pace going for the entire sixty minutes.
The Undertaker interference hurts it slightly, which is why it's at the bottom of this list, but it is undoubtedly one of the best matches either man ever had in their careers.
With what was coming up in both men's careers in the coming 12-24 months, it's a fascinating insight into the booking of the WWF at the time.
#4 Triple H vs. Steve Austin - Three Stages of Hell (No Way Out 2001)
From 'The People's Champion' to 'The Texas Rattlesnake'.
One year after facing The Rock, Triple H found himself facing off against his former competitor's greatest foe -- Stone Cold Steve Austin. When considering the year WWF was having in 2001, just looking at this matchup tells you exactly why they were so successful.
This was the first encounter between the two men once it was revealed that Triple H had hired Rikishi to hit Austin with a car and take him out of the world title picture. As a result, a special stipulation was needed -- Three Stages of Hell. The first match was a straight-up wrestling match, the second was a Street Fight, and the final was a Steel Cage match.
Both men absolutely went to war against one another, with Austin completely dialing up the desperation and emotion behind it while Triple H showcased his brutality and it's an absolute joy to watch.
In a year that is, arguably, defined by big matches -- there are few bigger than this in terms of the Attitude Era.
#3 Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels - Unsanctioned Match (Summerslam 2002)
Best friends are always even better enemies, right?
For the first time in four years, Shawn Michaels returned to the WWE and fans lost their minds. Even more so when Triple H came out to join him in the ring and D-Generation X was formed. However, that then turned to shock and devastation as Hunter hit Shawn with a pedigree and turned heel on his long time best friend.
The build to this match at SummerSlam wasn't...great (with a lot focusing on another mystery attacker that turned out to be Triple H himself), but hey, it was all worth it for this contest alone. With Shawn Michaels initially thinking this was a 'one and done' type gig, he threw absolutely everything into it and his friend reciprocated that.
After a grueling battle that left both men battled and broken, Shawn managed to pick up the pinfall in the unsanctioned match, but his celebrations were soon halted as he was met with a sledgehammer to his surgically repaired back -- courtesy of his former brother in arms.
Another contest that needs to be watched if you are a fan of this sport.
#2 Triple H vs. The Undertaker - Hell in a Cell match (WrestleMania 28)
This match, in many people's opinion, has the best near fall of all time.
When The Undertaker was hit with Sweet Chin Music and fell into a pedigree, many in the building and millions watching at home all thought they had seen the streak finally come to an end at the hands of Triple H.
Now, obviously, it didn't, but this match is must-see for that moment alone and a defining part of Triple H's career as a whole. This was the third time Triple H stood against The Undertaker at WrestleMania and he fell victim to The Deadman for a third time but it was certainly third time lucky in terms of match quality.
Having the story of Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee -- with the hint of 'Will Shawn call it down the middle or will he screw over the man who he couldn't beat and cause him to retire?' -- and pair that with the huge title of 'End of an Era', it was always going to have a lot of hype around it, but it somehow surpassed even those lofty expectations.
Now what 'era' it actually ended is unclear as all three men involved would go onto compete again -- once against each other actually -- but still, it's a moment in time to look back on in the most fondest of ways.
#1 Triple H vs. Cactus Jack - Street Fight (Royal Rumble 2000)
The best...ever.
It defined a generation and is often touted as one of the greatest matches to have ever taken place in a WWE ring. The greatest match in Triple H's career was the street fight at Royal Rumble 2000 against Cactus Jack/Mick Foley.
Up until this point, some doubted Paul Levesque as a 'credible' world champion. After this match, 'Triple H' was an established Superstar and made him a main eventer. The hardcore bumps, the intricate technical work, the hard-hitting offense. It all came together beautifully and created one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time and, arguably, the best non-Rumble match in the history of the PPV.
Triple H got a huge gash that caused blood to continuously trickle out of him for the majority of the match but the image of him rolling in his own blood to try and keep a desperate hold onto the gold made it all the sweeter. Foley cannot be forgotten as it would have been nowhere near as good without him either -- he knew exactly what they had to do in order for the matchup to work.
Of all matches on this list, this is the most must-see. It was on this night that the 'King of Kings' as we know him was born.
