The biography of triple h

American business executive and former professional wrestler (born )

For other uses, see Triple H (disambiguation).

Paul Archangel Levesque (; born July 27, ), better acknowledged by the ring nameTriple H, is an Land business executive and former professional wrestler and performer. He is signed to WWE where he writings actions as Chief Content Officer.

Levesque began his struggle career in , debuting in the International Sport Federation (IWF) under the ring name Terra Ryzing. In , he signed with the World Sport Federation (WWF, now WWE) and became known pass for Hunter Hearst Helmsley, which was later shortened anticipate Triple H. In WWF, he gained fame at hand the Attitude Era as a member of Probity Kliq and co-founder of D-Generation X. He critique a time world champion in WWE, having won the WWF/WWE Championship nine times and the Faux Heavyweight Championship five times. He is also natty five-timeIntercontinental Champion, one-timeWWE Tag Team Champion (with Dancer Michaels), and two-timeWorld Tag Team Champion (once stretch with Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin), bit well as the King of the Ring back, and Royal Rumble winner, seventh Triple Crown supporter, and second Grand Slam winner. He has headlined multiple WWE pay-per-view events, including its flagship yearly event WrestleMania seven times (16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, and 32).

Triple H has garnered late-career praise for his behind-the-scenes work at WWE, which includes creating the acclaimed developmental branch NXT, elevating female wrestlers to the level of their male counterparts, and spearheading WWE's international expansion familiarize yourself concepts such as Clash at the Castle extremity NXT UK. Outside of wrestling, he has covered in acting with roles in Blade: Trinity () and The Chaperone (). He has three young with his wife Stephanie McMahon, the daughter entity former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's class orang-utan part of D-Generation X. After suffering from insurance failure in September , which resulted in swell hour surgery and required the implementation of include ICD, he announced his retirement in March a while ago officially retiring from in-ring competition at WrestleMania 38 the following month.

Early life

Paul Michael Levesque was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on July 27, ^[2] He has a sister named Lynn.^[3] Government first experience of watching professional wrestling was daze a match involving Chief Jay Strongbow as adroit young child, and he took up bodybuilding argue the age of 14 because he wanted fulfil look like the professional wrestlers he saw.^[4] Blooper graduated in from Nashua High School, where of course played baseball and basketball.^[5] He continued to drop a line to bodybuilding competitions and won the Mr. Teenage Spanking Hampshire competition at the age of ^[3][6] Space fully working as the manager of a gym efficient Nashua, he was introduced to champion powerlifter opinion professional wrestler Ted Arcidi, who was signed retain WWE at the time. After numerous attempts, crystal-clear persuaded Arcidi to introduce him to professional grappler Killer Kowalski, who ran a professional wrestling educational institution in Malden, Massachusetts.^[4][7]

Professional wrestling career

Training and early employment (–)

In early , Levesque began to train pass for a professional wrestler at Killer Kowalski's school scheduled Malden.^[5][8] His classmates included fellow future WWF wrestlers Chyna, whom he would later date, and Commodore Saturn. He made his professional debut under justness ring nameTerra Ryzing (a play on "terrorizing") intensity Kowalski's International Wrestling Federation (IWF) on March 24, , defeating Tony Roy.^[9] In July , significant defeated Mad Dog Richard to win the IWF Heavyweight Championship.^[10] Managed by John Rodeo, he wrestled for various promotions on the East Coast sovereign circuit until ^[11]

World Championship Wrestling (–)

In early , Levesque signed a one-year contract with World Title Wrestling (WCW).^[3][12] In his first televised match, purify debuted as a villain named Terror Risin', defeating Keith Cole. His ring name was soon pure to Terra Ryzing,^[13] which he used until purify was renamed Jean-Paul Lévesque in mid^[14][15] This scheme referred to his real surname's French origins, meticulous he was asked to speak with a Land accent as he could not speak French.^[16] Lighten up began using what would become his popular definitive maneuver, the Pedigree, during this time.^[4]

Lévesque had copperplate brief feud with Alex Wright that ended walk out December 27 at Starrcade^[14] with Wright pinning him.^[17] Between late and early , Lévesque briefly teamed with English wrestler Lord Steven Regal, whose bewitched class British gimmick was similar to Lévesque's character; in real life, they became close friends, with the addition of Regal would serve as his right-hand man bottom the scenes in WWE decades later.^[15] The locution team was short-lived as Lévesque left for WWE (then WWF) in January after he and WCW could not come to terms on a pristine contract.^{[4][non-primary source needed]}

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment Curriculum vitae WWE (–present)

Intercontinental Champion (–)

In a modified version accustomed his gimmick in WCW, Levesque started his WWF career as a "ConnecticutBlueblood".^[16] According to Levesque, Tabulate. J. Dillon originally gave him the name waste Reginald DuPont Helmsley, but Levesque asked for dinky name to play with the first letters ride management ultimately agreed to his suggestion of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.^[18] He appeared in taped vignettes, household which he talked about how to use lawful etiquette, up until his wrestling debut on excellence April 30, , episode of Wrestling Challenge defeating Buck Zumhofe.^[19] Helmsley made his WWF pay-per-view premiere on August 27 at SummerSlam, defeating Bob Holly.^[20] Helmsley remained undefeated during the early months center his career, suffering his first pinfall at nobleness hands of The Undertaker in a Survivor Group match at the namesake event. In the sink of , Helmsley began a feud with hogget farmer Henry O. Godwinn, whom he defeated cover the infamous Hog Pen match on December 17 at In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings.^[21]

After self highly promoted in the first few months later his debut, his career stalled during , start off with a feud with Duke "The Dumpster" Droese following a loss during the Free emancipation All at Royal Rumble.^[22][23] Up until that circus, his angle included appearing on television each workweek with a different female valet (which included Lech or letch PlaymatesShae Marks and Tylyn John).^[14] It was through this time that Helmsley suffered his first thrashing in singles competition in WWF, against Bret Lyricist on the March 4 episode of Raw. Jet 1 would become Helmsley's valet at WrestleMania XII rundown March 31 and after his loss to Justness Ultimate Warrior,^[24] as part of the storyline, sharp-tasting took his aggressions out on her. The debuting Marc Mero (her real-life husband) came to any more rescue, starting a feud between the two wrestlers.^[25]

On June 1, , Hunter appeared on an event of Superstars in a match against Marty Garner.^[26] When he attempted to perform the Pedigree, Assemble mistook the maneuver for a double underhook suplex and tried to jump up with the connect, causing him to land squarely on top endorse his head and suffer neck damage.^[26] Garner reportedly sued the WWF, eventually settling out of undertaking. However, in , Garner affirmed there was thumb lawsuit.^[27]

He was known backstage as a member cataclysm The Kliq (alongside Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, and Scott Hall), a group known financial assistance influencing Vince McMahon and the WWF creative team.^[22] It is widely believed that he was listed to win the King of the Ring combat, but the victory was instead awarded to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin after the "Curtain Call" event at Madison Square Garden, in which the Kliq members openly broke character in front of fans after a match to say goodbye to birth departing Nash and Hall.^[28] Despite the punishment, Helmsley did have success following the incident. Mr. Unqualified became his manager and he won the Global Championship for the first time on October 21 by defeating Marc Mero.^[25][28] When Mr. Perfect weigh up the WWF, his departure was explained to ability a result of Helmsley turning his back piece of legislation his manager as soon as he won rank Intercontinental Championship. Helmsley held the title for approximately four months before dropping it to Rocky Maivia on Thursday Raw Thursday, a special episode homework Raw that aired on February 13, ^[29] Yen for a very brief time, Helmsley was accompanied indifferent to Mr. Hughes, who was his storyline bodyguard suggestive of Ted DiBiase and Virgil.^[30] After losing justness title, he feuded with Goldust, defeating him bump March 23 at WrestleMania ^[31] During their vendetta, Chyna debuted as his new bodyguard.^[32]

D-Generation X (–)

Main article: D-Generation X

Helmsley was being highlighted again birth , winning the King of the Ring meet by defeating Mankind in the finals.^[28][33] Later focus year, Shawn Michaels, Helmsley, Chyna and Rick Life formed D-Generation X (DX).^[34][35] This stable became make something difficult to see for pushing the envelope, as Michaels and Helmsley made risqué promos—using the catchphrase "Suck It" stomach a "crotch chop" hand motion^[36]—and sarcastically derided Bret Hart and Canada. By that point, Helmsley difficult to understand all but dropped the "blueblood snob" gimmick, advent in T-shirts and leather jackets. During this interval, his ring name was shortened to simply Triple H, though he was still called Helmsley put on the back burner time to time and Hunter for the put to flight of his career.^[28] Even after DX's feud grasp Hart Foundation storyline ended, he continued to vendetta with the sole remaining Hart family member Industrialist over the European Championship, which Helmsley won tough "defeating" Michaels after Michaels laid down for him on December 11, which aired on the Dec 22 episode of Raw is War. Triple Revolve lost the title to Hart after The Magician Formerly Known as Goldust competed against Hart develop drag as Triple H on the January 22 episode of Raw is War. Triple H disappointed Hart to win his second European Championship acquaintance the March 16 episode of Raw is War. At WrestleMania XIV on March 29, Triple About defended the title against Hart in a repeat, with the stipulation that Chyna had to excellence handcuffed to then-Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. Triple H won after Chyna threw powder into Slaughter's eyes, for the nonce "blinding" him and allowing her to interfere just right the match.^{[citation needed]}

After WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels was awkward into temporary retirement due to a legitimate appal injury sustained in January at the Royal Rumble,^[37] with Triple H taking over the leadership regalia in DX,^[28] claiming that his now-former associate difficult to understand "dropped the ball". He introduced the returning X-Pac the night after WrestleMania and joined forces adequate The New Age Outlaws.^[28][38] As went along, DX became more popular, turning the group from villains to fan favorites. During this time, he adoptive an entrance gimmick of asking the crowd "Are you ready? I said, are you ready?", followed by a parody of rival promotion WCW's unconcerned announcer Michael Buffer's famous catch-phrase, "Let's get ready money to rumble", substituting the word "rumble" with authority DX slogan, "suck it". Also during this halt in its tracks, Triple H began a feud with the head of the Nation of Domination and rising WWF villain, The Rock.^[6] This storyline rivalry eventually well built to a feud over the Intercontinental Championship. Chimpanzee part of the feud, Triple H lost interpretation European Championship to Rock's Nation teammate D-Lo Chromatic on the July 20 episode of Raw survey War. Triple H eventually defeated Rock in a- ladder match to win his second Intercontinental Aid on August 30 at SummerSlam.^[6][39] He did need hold the title long, as he was sidelined with a legitimate knee injury.^[6] When The Quake won the WWF Championship on November 15 story Survivor Series,^[40] the rivalry between the two extended, as DX fought The Corporation stable of which The Rock was the main star and Trinity H received a shot at the WWF Title on the January 25, Raw is War encompass an "I Quit" match, but the match elapsed when Triple H was forced to quit fail to distinguish see his aide Chyna chokeslammed by Kane.^[6] That began a new angle for Triple H, primate Chyna betrayed him by attacking him after greatness match and joining The Corporation.^[6]

On March 28 change WrestleMania XV, Triple H lost to Kane care Chyna interfered on his behalf and she was thought to have rejoined DX.^[6] Later on cloudless the night, he betrayed his long-time friend soar fellow DX member X-Pac by helping Shane McMahon retain the European Championship and joined The Corporation,^[6] turning heel in the process. In April, operate started to move away from his DX browse, taping his fists for matches, sporting shorter sport trunks, and adopting a shorter hairstyle.^[6] His strategy changed as he fought to earn a WWF Championship opportunity.^[6] After failed attempts at winning integrity championship, Triple H and Mankind challenged then WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to a triad threat match on August 22 at SummerSlam, which featured Jesse "The Body" Ventura as the mutual guest referee. Mankind won the match by pinning Austin.^[41]

The following night on Raw Is War, Three-way H defeated Mankind to win his first WWF Championship.^[6] He dropped the WWF Championship to Exposed. McMahon on the September 16, , episode fall foul of SmackDown! before regaining it on September 26 gift wrap Unforgiven in a Six-Pack Challenge that included Davey Boy Smith, Big Show, Kane, The Rock stall Mankind. He defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin country October 17 at No Mercy before dropping blue blood the gentry title to Big Show on November 14 pseudo Survivor Series. Triple H then continued his bad blood with Mr. McMahon by marrying his daughter Stephanie McMahon and defeating McMahon on December 12 representative Armageddon. As a result of the feud, bully angle with Triple H and Stephanie began which carried the WWF throughout the next seventeen months; together they were known as The McMahon-Helmsley Faction.^[42]

McMahon–Helmsley Era (–)

Main article: Two-Man Power Trip

By January , Triple H had nicknamed himself "The Game" tail end stating he was above the top of decency wrestling world (as in not merely the "best in the game" but in fact "the game" itself) and was nicknamed "The Cerebral Assassin" disrespect Jim Ross.^[43] On the January 3 episode suffer defeat Raw Is War, Triple H defeated Big Impression to win his third WWF Championship.^[44]

Triple H feuded with Mick Foley in early On January 23 at the Royal Rumble, he retained the WWF Championship in a Street Fight after performing bend over Pedigrees on Foley. The feud ended on Feb 27 at No Way Out inside Hell slender a Cell, where Triple H retained the term and forced Foley to retire.^[45] Triple H brooch The Rock at WrestleMania on April 2 done retain the title,^[46] but lost it on Apr 30 at Backlash to The Rock, ending tiara reign at days.^[47] He regained it three weeks later, in an Iron Man match on Can 21 at Judgment Day,^[48] only to lose practice back to The Rock on June 25 shake-up King of the Ring.^[49] Triple H then entered a storyline with Chris Jericho, who upset Safety H by defeating him for the WWF Backing on the April 17 episode of Raw Denunciation War before the title was returned to Trio H because of a fast count made harsh referee Earl Hebner, and Jericho's reign is scream recognized.^[50] Their feud culminated in a Last Person Standing match at Fully Loaded on July 23 which Triple H won.^[51] He feuded with Kurt Angle, initially over the WWF Championship, but authenticate as a love triangle between himself, Angle, scold Stephanie.^[52] Both Triple H and Angle wrestled cargo space the WWF Championship against The Rock on Respected 27 at SummerSlam, but The Rock retained rendering title after Angle received a legitconcussion during dialect trig botchedPedigree on a commentary table by Triple H.^[53][54] The feud culminated at Unforgiven on September 24, where Triple H defeated Angle with a Pedigree after a low blow from McMahon.^[49]

After a short run as a face that saw him unexpected defeat Chris Benoit on October 22 at No Mercy,^[55] Triple H reverted to his heel persona topmost restarted his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin when it emerged that Triple H had receive off Rikishi to run down Austin at Unfortunate Series, causing him to take a year off.^[56] While Triple H said he had done go out with in order to shield Austin from the WWF Championship and end his career in storyline, Austin's previous neck injuries started bothering him again disintegration reality, forcing him to have surgery. At Unfortunate Series on November 19, Triple H and Austin had a match that ended when Triple Twirl tried to trick Austin into coming into representation parking lot to run him over again, matchless to have Austin lift his car up go through a forklift and flip the car onto disloyalty roof 10&#;feet high.^[57][58] A brutal Three Stages nigh on Hell match between the two at No Tiptoe Out on February 25, , saw Triple Revolve defeat Austin 2–1, thus ending their feud.^[59] Grandeur Three Stages of Hell match received universal cheering and is widely regarded as one of rendering most brutal and one of the best varnished wrestling match of all times.^[60][61] Triple H further feuded with The Undertaker, who defeated him care April 1 at WrestleMania X-Seven.^[62] The night puzzle out WrestleMania, Triple H interfered in a steel pound match between Austin (who had just won character WWF Championship) and The Rock where he wedded conjugal forces with Austin and double teamed on Rendering Rock,^[63] forming a tag team called The Two-Man Power Trip. Triple H then defeated Chris Village for his third Intercontinental Championship on the Apr 5 SmackDown!,^[64] and won it for a house time two weeks later by defeating Jeff Hardy.^[65] Triple H then became a world tag unit champion by winning the WWF Tag Team Benefaction for the first time at Backlash on Apr 29 when he and Austin defeated Kane standing The Undertaker in a "Winner Take All" mark team match. As Triple H was still Global Champion, the win made him a double encouragement. In doing so, Triple H became the oneseventh Triple Crown winner and second Grand Slam champ in WWE history.^[66]

During the main event of representation May 21, episode of Raw Is War, without fear suffered a legitimate and career-threatening injury.^[14][67] He see Austin were defending the WWF Tag Team Help against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit. At unified point, Jericho had Austin trapped in the Walls of Jericho and Triple H ran in reduce break it up, but just as he outspoken, he suffered a tear in his left extensor muscle,^[14][67] causing it to come completely off integrity bone.^[3] Despite his inability to place any little on his leg, Triple H was able close to complete the match.^[3] He even allowed Jericho preserve put him in the Walls of Jericho, orderly move that places considerable stress on the quad. The tear required an operation, which was complete by orthopedic surgeonDr. James Andrews. This injury cringe an abrupt end to the McMahon-Helmsley Era, trade in the rigorous rehabilitation process kept Triple H get rid of of action for over eight months,^[3][14] completely wanting The Invasion storyline.^{[citation needed]}

World Heavyweight Champion and Flux (–)

Main article: Evolution

Triple H returned to Raw variety a face on January 7, , at President Square Garden.^[3] He won the Royal Rumble allegation January 20, receiving an Undisputed WWF Championship counterpart on March 17 at WrestleMania X8,^[68] where Threebagger H defeated Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF Championship.^[14][68] After holding the title for a moon, Triple H lost it to Hollywood Hulk Linksman on April 21 at Backlash.^[68] Triple H so became exclusive to the SmackDown! roster due sort out the WWF draft lottery and continued to conflict with Jericho, culminating in a Hell in unadulterated Cell match on May 19 at Judgment Period, which Triple H won. On the June 6 episode of SmackDown!, Triple H defeated Hogan break open a #1 contender match for the WWE Unquestioned Championship at King of the Ring against Influence Undertaker, but was unsuccessful at King of righteousness Ring on June ^{[citation needed]}

In the interim, betwixt the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, the McMahon-Helmsley Wing was brought to an official on-screen conclusion. Offspring the time he returned, Triple H's on-screen wedlock to Stephanie McMahon was faltering, so Stephanie affected a pregnancy in order to get him appal on her side.^[69] When he learned that arise was fake, he dumped her publicly on Raw when they were supposed to renew their nuptials vows.^[69] Stephanie aligned with Jericho afterward,^[69] but she was forced to leave after losing a manifold threat match on the March 25 episode make stronger Raw when she was pinned by Triple H.^[70] The divorce, and thus the storyline, was finalized on July 21 at Vengeance.^[71]

Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels esoteric made his return to WWE and joined distinction New World Order (nWo). Michaels and Kevin Author planned to bring Triple H over to Raw in order to put him into the plenty. Mr. McMahon disbanded the nWo following several upbringing complications and brought in Eric Bischoff as picture Rawgeneral manager. One of Bischoff's first intentions was to follow up on the nWo's plan final bring Triple H over to the Raw list. Triple H moved to the Raw brand be neck and neck Vengeance, reuniting with Michaels, but he turned stack Michaels by performing a Pedigree on him midst what was supposed to be a DX meeting, turning heel once again. The following week, Manifold H smashed Michaels' face into a car looking-glass to prove that Michaels was weak. These rumour led to the beginning of a long yarn rivalry between the former partners and an last "Unsanctioned Street Fight" on August 25 at SummerSlam, in which Michaels came out of retirement cope with win. Triple H then attacked him with first-class sledgehammer and he was carried from the tauten on a stretcher.^[72]

Before September 2, , WWE obscurity only one world champion, the WWE Undisputed Gladiator, for both the Raw and SmackDown! brands. Name SummerSlam, then WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, leaving the Succeed brand without a world champion. Raw General Chief Eric Bischoff then awarded Triple H the Nature Heavyweight Championship, represented by the Big Gold Strip (which previously had been used to represent goodness NWA World Heavyweight Championship and WCW World Bigwig Championship), making him the first World Heavyweight Champion.^[73] Triple H retained his title against Rob Automobile Dam on September 22 at Unforgiven when Ric Flair hit Van Dam with a sledgehammer.^{[citation needed]}

In October, Triple H began a controversial feud area Kane, leading to a match at No Forbearance in which both Kane's Intercontinental Championship and Multiply H's World Heavyweight Championship were at stake. Break off the weeks preceding the match, Triple H alleged that, several years earlier, Kane had an unprofitable relationship with a woman named Katie Vick.^[74] Stylishness went on to claim that, after Vick was killed in a car crash, Kane (the driver) raped her corpse.^[74] Triple H later threatened border on show video footage of Kane committing the genuinely in question; the footage that finally aired showed Triple H (dressed as Kane) simulating necrophilia swop a mannequin in a casket;^[74] Kane's tag lineup partner The Hurricane responded the following week past as a consequence o showing a video of Triple H (rather, kind-hearted wearing a Triple H series of masks) deed an enema. The angle was very unpopular warmth fans,^[75] and was de-emphasized before the title reservation. Triple H went on to defeat Kane rag No Mercy on October 20, unifying the three titles.^[76]

Triple H eventually lost the World Heavyweight Aid to Shawn Michaels in the first Elimination Cellar match on November 17 at Survivor Series.^[77] Subside defeated Van Dam on the December 2 affair of Raw to earn a title shot put down Armageddon with Michaels as the special guest arbitrator. He regained the title from Michaels in skilful Three Stages of Hell match at Armageddon divide December 15, winning 2–1.^[77]

In February , Triple Swivel formed a stable known as Evolution with Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista. The group was heavily pushed on Raw and the height pills their dominance occurred after Armageddon, where every associate of Evolution left the event holding a title.^[78] Triple H held the World Heavyweight Championship untainted most of , successfully defending against Booker Routine on March 30 at WrestleMania XIX in gargantuan angle with racist undertones.^[79] He lost the label after days on September 21 at Unforgiven sound out Goldberg, in a match with the stipulation ensure had Goldberg lost, he would have to retire.^[80] After failing to win back the title unapproachable Goldberg in a rematch on November 16 unexpected result Survivor Series, he finally regained the championship be different Goldberg in a triple threat match at Engagement on December 14, which also involved Kane. Threesome H fought Shawn Michaels in a Last Mortal Standing match on January 25, , at goodness Royal Rumble to a double countout, so type retained the title as a result.^[78] Triple Gyrate lost the championship to Chris Benoit on Go by shanks`s pony 14 at WrestleMania XX in a triple risk match also involving Michaels.^[81] Triple H was drafted to the SmackDown! brand on the March 22 episode of Raw and failed to capture leadership WWE Championship from Eddie Guerrero.^[82] Triple H was traded back to Raw without competing on SmackDown! and tried to reclaim the World Heavyweight epithet from Benoit in a WrestleMania rematch against Benoit and Michaels on April 18 at Backlash, however was unsuccessful.^[81]

At Bad Blood on June 13, Triad H defeated Michaels in the longest Hell block a Cell match in history, ending their feud.^[81] He failed to win the title from Benoit on July 11 at Vengeance and on blue blood the gentry July 26 episode of Raw in a Diaphanous Iron Man match after interference from Eugene, whom he defeated on August 15 at SummerSlam.^[83] Magnanimity following night on Raw, Triple H turned rebellion his protège Randy Orton (who became the youngest world champion in WWE history at SummerSlam), pregnant jealousy over Orton's title victory. He regained picture championship from Orton on September 12 at Unforgiven. Following a triple threat World Heavyweight title take care of against Benoit and Edge on the November 29 episode of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship became vacant for the first time.^[84] At New Year's Revolution on January 9, , Triple H won an Elimination Chamber match to regain the Field Heavyweight Championship after last eliminating Orton, then preserved the title against him on January 30 battle the Royal Rumble to end their feud. Think it over same night, his stablemate Batista won the Converse Rumble match, earning a world title match get rid of impurities WrestleMania Tension between the two began in loftiness weeks leading up to the event as Manifold H convinced Batista to challenge for the WWE Championship instead of his World Heavyweight Championship. Periphery the February 21 episode of Raw, Batista salacious on Triple H and signed a contract promote to face him for the World Heavyweight Championship case WrestleMania.^[85] At WrestleMania on April 3, Triple Gyrate lost the championship to Batista,^[86] and subsequently misplaced two rematches on May 1 at Backlash^[87] leading on June 26 at Vengeance, where Batista became the first man to pin Triple H affections Hell in a Cell.^[88] After Vengeance, Triple Whirl took a hiatus from WWE due to misery from minor neck problems.^[89]

After a four-month hiatus, Triad H returned to Raw on October 3, vicinity he and Flair defeated Chris Masters and Carlito. After the match, Triple H turned on Panache by attacking him with a sledgehammer, sparking unembellished feud between the duo.^[90] Flair defeated Triple Turn round in a steel cage match on November 1 at Taboo Tuesday for Flair's Intercontinental Championship.^[91] To sum up, Triple H defeated Flair in a non-title At the end Man Standing match on November 27 at Subsister Series to end their feud.^[91]

D-Generation X reunion (–)

Triple H failed to win the Royal Rumble reservation on January 29, , at the Royal Combat, but another championship opportunity arose for him play a part the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, which he won, granting him a match for the WWE Patronage at WrestleMania 22 on April 2, where take steps lost to champion John Cena via submission.^[92] Setting April 30 at Backlash, Triple H was affected in another WWE Championship match, fighting Edge obscure Cena in a triple threat match, where grace lost again. Angered at his loss, a bloodied Triple H used his sledgehammer to attack both Edge and Cena and then performed a give out of DX crotch chops.^[93] Triple H unsuccessfully attempted to win the WWE title from Cena knockback numerous occasions, blaming his shortcomings on Vince McMahon, which eventually led to a feud between distinction McMahons and Triple H.^{[citation needed]}

Shawn Michaels returned round off the June 12 episode of Raw and reunited with Triple H to re-form D-Generation X, junction Triple H face for the first time thanks to ^[94] DX defeated The Spirit Squad on June 25 at Vengeance in a 5-on-2 handicap match.^[95] They continued their feud with Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and The Spirit Squad for several weeks. They then defeated The Spirit Squad again have a hold over the July 15, , episode of Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII in a 5-on-2 elimination question mark. They then again defeated the McMahons on Revered 20 at SummerSlam, withstanding the attack of many wrestlers who assaulted them before the match translation directed by Mr. McMahon.^[93] At Unforgiven on Sep 17, DX defeated the McMahons and ECW Faux ChampionBig Show in a 3-on-2 handicap Hell person of little consequence a Cell match. During the match, DX discomfited Vince by shoving his face in between Great Show's buttocks, and DX won when Triple Swivel broke a sledgehammer over the shoulders of Viewable. McMahon after Michaels performed Sweet Chin Music energy him.^[96]

At Cyber Sunday on November 5, during DX's feud with Rated-RKO (Edge and Randy Orton), extraordinary guest referee Eric Bischoff allowed the illegal representation of a weapon to give Rated-RKO the win.^[96] On November 26 at Survivor Series, DX got their revenge when their team defeated Edge captivated Orton's team in a clean sweep during their five-on-five elimination match.^[97] At New Year's Revolution charlatan January 7, , DX and Rated-RKO fought effect a no contest after Triple H suffered tidy legitimate torn right quadriceps (similar to the freshen he suffered in in his other leg) 15 minutes into the match.^[98][99] Surgery was successfully rank two days later by Dr. James Andrews.^[98]

Multiple WWE Championship reigns (–)

At SummerSlam on August 26, he defeated King Booker in his return match.^[] On October 7 at No Mercy, Triple Swirl was originally scheduled to face Umaga in elegant singles match. At the start of the threadbare, Triple H challenged newly named WWE Champion Sensual Orton, reigniting their feud that had been straightforward following his injury. Triple H won the issue, winning his eleventh world championship and sixth WWE Championship,^[] then defended his title against Umaga fence in his regularly scheduled match after Mr. McMahon confirmed the match to be for the WWE title.^[] After that, McMahon gave Orton a rematch surface Triple H in a Last Man Standing mate in the main event, and Triple H left out after an RKO on a broadcast table.^[] Trine H's title reign at No Mercy is representation fifth shortest reign in WWE history, only undying through the duration of the event.^[] After sickly the Raw Elimination Chamber match on February 17, , at No Way Out, Triple H gained a WWE Championship match by outlasting five curb men, last eliminating Jeff Hardy after a Pedigree on a steel chair.^[] At WrestleMania XXIV launch an attack March 30, Orton retained the title in clever triple threat match after punting Triple H explode pinning John Cena following Triple H's Pedigree seriousness Cena.^[] On April 27 at Backlash, Triple Swirl won the title in a fatal four-way check match against Orton, Cena, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield, tying the record for most WWE Championship reigns with The Rock.^[] Triple H retained the name against Orton on May 18 at Judgment Expound in a steel cage match^[] and again feign June 1 at One Night Stand in a- Last Man Standing match.^[] Orton suffered a actual collarbone injury during the match, prematurely ending representation feud.^[]

On the June 23 episode of Raw, Threesome H was drafted to the SmackDown brand pass for a part of the WWE draft, in loftiness process making the WWE Championship exclusive to SmackDown.^[] Triple H then went on to defeat Can Cena cleanly to retain the WWE Championship artificial June 29 at Night of Champions.^[] He defended the championship over the summer by defeating probity likes of Edge on July 20 at Honesty Great American Bash^[] and The Great Khali sensation August 17 at SummerSlam,^[] and was the inimitable champion to retain his title at Unforgiven's Backing Scramble matches on September 7.^[] He successfully defended it against Jeff Hardy both on October 5 at No Mercy^[] and Cyber Sunday on Oct ^[]

At Survivor Series on November 23, Triple Swivel was scheduled to defend the title against Vladimir Kozlov and Jeff Hardy, but Hardy was taken aloof out of the match after a scripted pounce upon and injury. During the match, SmackDown general director Vickie Guerrero announced that Edge had returned charge introduced him into the contest. Hardy interfered avoid hit Triple H with a steel chair calculated for Edge, costing him the title after clean day reign.^[] After failing to regain the designation on December 14 at Armageddon,^[] Triple H entered seventh in the Royal Rumble on January 25, , but was last eliminated by Randy Orton.^[] At No Way Out on February 15, Multiply H won the WWE Championship in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match, setting the record for ascendant reigns at eight.^[] That record stood until what because John Cena won his ninth WWE Championship.^[]

On dignity February 16 episode of Raw, Triple H effortless an appearance aiding Stephanie and Shane McMahon, tail end they were attacked by Randy Orton.^[] On position February 20 episode of SmackDown, Triple H was interviewed by Jim Ross; in the interview, stiffness was shown highlighting the events that occurred become the February 16 episode of Raw. Ross on purpose Triple H how he felt seeing that stretch, in response, he broke character (after 5 period of marriage) by admitting that Vince McMahon testing his father-in-law, that Shane is his brother-in-law, innermost that Stephanie is his wife, creating a contention between Triple H and Orton. On the Feb 23 episode of Raw, Triple H confronted Orton, before attacking him, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Financier (a group known as The Legacy) with trig sledgehammer and chasing them from the arena.^[] Go back WrestleMania 25 on April 5, Triple H shamefaced Orton to retain the title.^[] On the Apr 13 episode of Raw, Triple H was drafted back to the Raw brand as part model the WWE draft.^[] He teamed with Shane McMahon and Batista against Orton and The Legacy cut down a six-man tag match for the WWE Backup on April 26 at Backlash, which they vanished after Orton pinned Triple H.^[] He lost spick Three Stages of Hell title match to Orton on June 28 at The Bash.^[] At Hours of darkness of Champions on July 26, he again lacking a title match to Orton in a trine threat match involving John Cena.^[]

Third run with D-Generation X (–)

On the August 10 episode of Raw, Triple H met with Michaels at an put in place cafeteria in Texas where Michaels was working primate a chef; throughout the show, Triple H welltried to convince Michaels to return to WWE wean away from hiatus. After several incidents (including grease grill burgers on fire and Michaels shouting at a various girl), Michaels agreed to team with Triple Pirouette to face The Legacy at SummerSlam, superkicked integrity girl, and quit his chef job.^[] On decency August 17 episode of Raw, Triple H take Michaels officially reunited as DX, but as they were in the process of their in-ring promo, The Legacy attacked them both.^[] Their first fellow after reuniting was against The Legacy at SummerSlam on August 23, which they won.^[] On Sep 13 at Breaking Point, they lost to Position Legacy in the first ever Submissions Count Anyplace match in WWE history.^[]

At Hell in a Lockup on October 4, DX defeated The Legacy strengthen a Hell in a Cell match.^[] DX very much challenged John Cena for the WWE Championship overlook a triple threat match on November 22 fate Survivor Series,^[] after which they remained friends dispatch partners. On December 13 at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, DX defeated Jeri-Show (Chris Jericho additional Big Show) to win the Unified WWE Group of words Team Championship in a Tables, Ladders, and Accommodation match.^[]

On December 21, Triple H announced that Gip was the new DX mascot.^[] This came take notice of after Hornswoggle sued DX for emotional and secular distress due to them not allowing him nip in the bud join DX.^[] After being taken to court they were ruled guilty by a jury delighted judge consisting of dwarves, Michaels told Triple Turn round that Hornswoggle could be the mascot. Triple Swivel agreed to it only if the charges were dropped, which Hornswoggle agreed to.^[] On the Jan 11, , episode of Raw, Mike Tyson, who was the Raw guest host for the nightly, teamed with Jericho to face DX; at leadership end of the bout, Tyson turned on Village and aligned himself with Triple H and Michaels.^[] On the February 8 episode of Raw, DX lost the Unified Tag Team Championship to ShoMiz (The Miz and Big Show) in a three times as much threat elimination tag match, also involving The Wired Edge Society (CM Punk and Luke Gallows). Entire the March 1 episode of Raw, they misplaced a rematch for the titles in their ultimate televised match before Michaels retired.^[]

On February 21, Trine H eliminated then WWE Champion Sheamus from position Elimination Chamber match, though he did not amplify the title. Sheamus attacked him weeks later, enduring up a match at WrestleMania XXVI on Step 28, which Triple H won.^[] Also at WrestleMania, Michaels lost to The Undertaker and was least to retire. While giving a farewell speech ethics next night, Sheamus attacked him and set boost a rematch at Extreme Rules on April Sheamus attacked Triple H at the start of distinction show, before later winning the match, after which Triple H took a long hiatus from glory WWE.^[] Triple H made an untelevised appearance explanation October 30 at the WWE Fan Appreciation Good thing and also at the Tribute to the Troops.^[]