Wrestle Review: A Legend Hangs it Up

Triple H confirmed Thursday on ESPNs First Take that his in-ring career is over. He debuted March 24, 1992. He announced his retirement almost 30 years to the day-March 25, 2022. That’s one helluva career! Trple H has had quite a few memorable feuds over his career. None of those occurred in WCW. Shocking, I know. I have no idea why Terra Ryzing never panned out (I kid). I’d go for the Rock as his biggest rival. The Stone-Cold feud was heated but I don’t feel as if it was as long.

Triple H won the Intercontinental Championship(5X), world tag champion (2 world tag titles and 1 unified tag title reign), European Champion(2X) and World Champion(14X).  He won his first world title August 23, 1999 when he defeated Mick Foley as Mankind.  His feuds with superstars like Undertaker, Mick Foley, Batista, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Randy Orton, The Rock, John Cena and many more, including WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, have been some of the best feuds in WWE history.

He debuted in WWE in 1995 after two years in WCW.  Paul Levesque began his career in WWE going by the name Hunter Hearst Helmsley, a blueblood character with a pretty bad English accent.  His finishing move, which became legendary, was the pedigree.  Of course. we all remember the “curtain call” incident where Triple H was basically punished because he broke kayfabe by saying goodbye to Scottt Hall and Kevin Nash publicly.  He was slated to win King of the Ring that year.  That honor went to Stone Cold Steve Austin.  Triple H would win it a year later, though.

His first match in WWF was against enhancement talent Buck Zumhoff on Wrestling Challenge.  His first appearance on Raw against enhancement talent John Crystal.  Triple H’s last match took place on an untelevised card in Tokyo on June 29, 2019.  His last televised match was a few weeks earlier-June 7, 2019- against longtime rival Randy Orton in Saudi Arabia.   I certainly wish Paul Levesque the best and congratulate him on an amazing career! What do you bet me he headlines the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame class? 

In other news, it was announced that the late Shad Gaspard will receive the Warrior Award.  As it stands, the hall of fame inductees this year will be Undertaker, Vader, Queen Sharmell and Shad Gaspard (Warrior Award).  Given that we are a week out from WrestleMania, will there be a fifth member of the class?  I read a few weeks ago that Sid was rumored but I guess that’s all that was-a rumor. 

Next weekend I’ll have my WrestleMania preview column.  It’s not just WrestleMania weekend, either.  ROH and Impact Wrestling also have big events.  Once again, we are headed towards a huge wrestling weekend! Enjoy the buildup and I’ll be right back here next weekend.