For The Record 01.11.09: Triple H’s Tainted Legacy

Triple H is one of the greatest workers, promo men, and big match players of all time. The who’s who list of legends he’s faced are legion. The Game has had ****+ matches with such such wrestling giants as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, John Cena, and Mick Foley. In the course of time he has even made The Big Show, Kevin Nash, Batista, Kane and Hulk Hogan look pretty darn good. His encounters with Chris Jericho, Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, Jeff Hardy, and Randy Orton were also memorable.

Triple H has headlined numerous Wrestlemanias and has competed in several Match of the Year Candidates. He was also the first heel to walk out of a Wrestlemania as world champion. Beyond Wrestlemania, the “Cerebral Assassin” has also made history by winning the WWE Championship a record setting seven times. Add to that his five reigns as World Heavyweight Champion and it has hard to deny that Triple H is one of the most decorated and successful competitors to ever step foot in a WWE ring.

Not only does Triple H have accolades comparable to the best wrestlers of all-time, including Ric Flair, but he also has amazing longevity. Just look at Triple H in 1995 and compare him to today. He is a far better wrestler than he was 14 years ago! And that’s just his WWE days. How is that possible? Simple. Triple H is an amazing athlete with exceptional work ethic. His drive to be the greatest performer is right up there with Ric Flair and Kurt Angle. That is part of what makes Triple H such a joy to watch… his passion for the wrestling business.

Triple H knows wrestling history. He is proud to be a wrestler, he is aware of the significance of every title reign, and at heart The Game will always be a fan. He has given his all to professional wrestling. He loves wrestling as much as its fans, unlike The Rock and Brock Lesnar who walked away from the sport in their primes for “greener pastures.” It is Triple H’s drive, dedication, success, and God-given talent in wrestling that would ideally put him in an all-time elite category. Unfortunately, Triple H will probably never be put in the category of Stone Cold, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan. He will probably not even crack the top ten list of “Greatest of All-Time” for most writers, pundits, and publications. Why? The answer is not complicated. He married the boss’s daughter.

By becoming a McMahon, he separated himself from the other wrestling legends. Most of the square circle’s most iconic names had to rely solely on their own skills and relationship with the fans to stay relevant and over. They never had the clout that comes with being the son-in-law of Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Unlike the other wrestling greats, Triple H would never again have to worry about losing his spot. He would no longer have to fret about job security or money. He wouldn’t have to concern himself with saving for retirement or personally paying skyrocketing health premiums. He was always going to travel first class, drive the nicest vehicles, and stay in the classiest hotels. Triple H became a company man, a member of management, and thus, one who is no longer living the traditional wrestling experience. That alone would not disqualify him from being the best, but on some level it’s a factor.

Triple H is essentially an heir apparent to the WWE throne. Most signs seem to indicate that WWE will be in the hands of Stephanie McMahon at some point. Because of that, there’s a chance that Triple H will be the future CEO or Executive VP of this or that. Will he get those titles because he is the most qualified person? Maybe yes maybe no. But the stench of nepotism will always hang over the head of Triple H like a dark cloud.

Nobody likes to praise those who are perceived as spoiled or advantaged. Triple H yields great power because of who his spouse is. The fact that he is a gifted performer with a zeal for the business is simply incidental. He will always be looked at by knowledgeable fans and writers as an extension of the McMahons first, wrestling icon second.

And that is unfortunate. If we didn’t know that Triple H was married to Stephanie McMahon, we would be able to appreciate Triple H’s talents unfettered. If he was just a guy trying to make it as a main eventer without the security blanket of his father-in-law and wife, he might hold a higher place in the hearts and minds of the wrestling audience. His lengthy World Heavyweight Championship reign in 2003 might have been viewed in a different light if he wasn’t initially handed the belt for his first reign (an honor that many feel was conferred upon him because he was a McMahon). Ironically though, he would have probably won more Wrestlemania main events if he wasn’t a McMahon because the outcry and complaints leveled towards him wouldn’t have been so loud. In fact, Triple H hasn’t won a Wrestlemania match since his 2003 world title run.

If he wasn’t a McMahon, Evolution might have been considered the second best faction in wrestling history right behind the Four Horseman. Triple H was a fantastic leader, but his in-ring success as the captain of the group was often dogged because a “McMahon son-in-law” was “winning too much.”

I contend that if he wasn’t a McMahon, he would be considered one of the top five wrestlers of all-time, and some might even say the best ever. He is that good; I mean that. But the sense of impropriety and nepotism has tainted his legacy.

With all that said, Triple H should have no regrets. He married a woman he loved, and from that he has two daughters that he cherishes with all his heart. That is far more important than a wrestling legacy. Triple H is the luckiest guy in wrestling. There aren’t many wrestlers who can ever claim to be as fortunate as him.

Every “yes” answer that we give in life is a “no” to thousands of other things. By marrying Stephanie McMahon, he said no to being the best ever. And that’s fine.

It’s just interesting, and perhaps even poetic in an odd way, that he is wrestling royalty. If you recall, he entered the World Wrestling Federation as a Connecticut Blueblood. Funny how life imitates art.