Career Timeline of Triple H: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Triple H, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Paul Michael Levesque, famously known as Triple H, is an American business executive and former professional wrestler. Currently, he holds the position of Chief Content Officer at WWE. His wrestling career saw him achieve considerable success, marked by numerous championships and main event appearances. He is a prominent figure in the wrestling industry, transitioning from in-ring performer to a key leadership role within WWE's corporate structure.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1990: Training at Killer Kowalski's School

In early 1990, Levesque began training as a professional wrestler at Killer Kowalski's school in Malden.

March 24, 1992: Professional Debut

On March 24, 1992, Levesque made his professional wrestling debut in Killer Kowalski's International Wrestling Federation (IWF) under the ring name Terra Ryzing, defeating Tony Roy.

July 1992: IWF Heavyweight Champion

In July 1992, he defeated Mad Dog Richard to become the IWF Heavyweight Champion.

1992: Wrestling Debut

In 1992, Levesque started his professional wrestling career under the ring name Terra Ryzing.

1993: Independent Circuit Wrestling

Until 1993, Levesque wrestled for various promotions on the East Coast independent circuit.

1994: Tag Team with Lord Steven Regal

Between late 1994 and early 1995, Lévesque briefly teamed with Lord Steven Regal in WCW.

1994: WCW Exposure

In 1994, Levesque gained his first mainstream exposure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

January 1995: Leaves WCW for WWF

In January 1995, Lévesque left WCW for WWE (then WWF) after failing to agree on a new contract.

April 30, 1995: WWF Debut

On April 30, 1995, Levesque, now known as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, made his WWF debut on Wrestling Challenge, defeating Buck Zumhofe.

1995: Signs with WWF

In 1995, Levesque signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and became known as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, later shortened to Triple H.

1996: King of the Ring Loss

In 1996, Triple H was rumored to win King of the Ring but "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was awarded the victory instead.

February 13, 1997: Intercontinental Title Loss

On February 13, 1997, on a special episode of Raw called Thursday Raw Thursday, Helmsley lost the Intercontinental Championship to Rocky Maivia.

1997: Formation of D-Generation X and King of the Ring Win

In 1997, Helmsley won the King of the Ring tournament and later formed D-Generation X (DX) with Shawn Michaels, Chyna, and Rick Rude.

1997: King of the Ring

In 1997, he won the King of the Ring tournament.

1998: Rise of D-Generation X

Throughout 1998, D-Generation X gained popularity, transitioning from villains to fan favorites, with Triple H adopting his signature entrance gimmick and feuding with The Rock.

January 25, 1999: "I Quit" Match

On January 25, 1999, on Raw is War, Triple H faced The Rock for the WWF Championship in an "I Quit" match, which ended when he quit to save Chyna from Kane.

September 16, 1999: WWF Championship Loss

On September 16, 1999, Triple H lost the WWF Championship to Mr. McMahon on SmackDown!

January 2000: Triple H wins his third WWF Championship

In January 2000, Triple H had nicknamed himself "The Game" and was nicknamed "The Cerebral Assassin" by Jim Ross. On January 3, Triple H defeated Big Show to win his third WWF Championship.

February 25, 2001: Triple H defeats Stone Cold Steve Austin at No Way Out

On February 25, 2001, at No Way Out, Triple H defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin 2–1 in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match, thus ending their feud. The Three Stages of Hell match received universal acclaim.

January 7, 2002: Triple H returns to Raw

On January 7, 2002, Triple H made his return to Raw as a face at Madison Square Garden after recovering from a quadriceps injury.

September 2, 2002: Triple H is awarded the World Heavyweight Championship

On September 2, 2002, Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff awarded Triple H the World Heavyweight Championship, represented by the Big Gold Belt, making him the first World Heavyweight Champion.

2002: Royal Rumble Win

In 2002, Triple H won the Royal Rumble.

February 2003: Evolution is formed

In February 2003, Triple H formed the stable known as Evolution with Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista.

January 25, 2004: Triple H retains the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble

On January 25, 2004, at the Royal Rumble, Triple H fought Shawn Michaels in a Last Man Standing match to a double countout, retaining the World Heavyweight Championship.

2004: Acting Role in Blade: Trinity

In 2004, Triple H had an acting role in the film "Blade: Trinity".

January 9, 2005: Triple H wins the World Heavyweight Championship at New Year's Revolution

On January 9, 2005, at New Year's Revolution, Triple H won an Elimination Chamber match to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, last eliminating Randy Orton.

July 15, 2006: DX defeats The Spirit Squad at Saturday Night's Main Event

On July 15, 2006, D-Generation X defeated The Spirit Squad in a 5-on-2 elimination match at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII.

2006: Heel Turn

In 2006, Triple H turned heel for the first time since 2006, marking a significant shift in his character.

February 17, 2008: Triple H wins Raw Elimination Chamber match

On February 17, 2008, at No Way Out, Triple H won the Raw Elimination Chamber match, last eliminating Jeff Hardy after a Pedigree on a steel chair, earning himself a WWE Championship match.

2008: WWE Draft and Championship defenses

In 2008, Triple H was drafted to SmackDown, making the WWE Championship exclusive to the brand. He then successfully defended the WWE Championship against John Cena, Edge, The Great Khali and Jeff Hardy throughout the year.

January 25, 2009: Royal Rumble Elimination

On January 25, 2009, Triple H entered the Royal Rumble as the seventh entrant but was ultimately eliminated last by Randy Orton.

2009: Feud with Randy Orton and The Legacy

In 2009, Triple H's feud with Randy Orton intensified after Orton attacked Stephanie and Shane McMahon. Triple H teamed with Shane McMahon and Batista to face Orton and The Legacy. He lost a Three Stages of Hell match and a triple threat match involving John Cena for the title.

2010: Wrestlemania XXVI Win

In 2010, Triple H eliminated Sheamus from the Elimination Chamber match and defeated him at WrestleMania XXVI. Sheamus later attacked Triple H, leading to a rematch at Extreme Rules.

February 21, 2011: Return and challenge to The Undertaker

On February 21, 2011, Triple H returned to Raw, interrupting The Undertaker's return and challenging him to a match at WrestleMania XXVII.

2011: Acting Role in The Chaperone

In 2011, Triple H had an acting role in the film "The Chaperone".

2011: Record standing until 2011

The record for most reigns at eight, after Triple H won the WWE Championship in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out on February 15, stood until 2011 when John Cena won his ninth WWE Championship.

January 30, 2012: Return to evaluate Laurinaitis and Undertaker rematch challenge

On January 30, 2012, Triple H returned on Raw SuperShow to evaluate Laurinaitis. Before he could announce the decision, he was interrupted by the returning Undertaker who challenged Triple H to a match at Wrestlemania.

February 25, 2013: Brawl with Brock Lesnar

On February 25, 2013, Triple H returned on Raw, brawling with Brock Lesnar after Lesnar attempted to attack Mr. McMahon, resulting in Lesnar needing 18 stitches.

April 6, 2014: Loss to Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX

On April 6, 2014, at WrestleMania XXX, Triple H lost to Daniel Bryan, allowing Bryan to participate in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match, which Bryan won.

November 2015: Alliance with Sheamus and Injury Angle

In November 2015, The Authority, led by Triple H, aligned with Sheamus after Rollins suffered a knee injury. After Sheamus defeated Reigns at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 13, Reigns viciously attacked Triple H, resulting in a storyline injury that took him off television.

January 24, 2016: Royal Rumble Win and 14th World Championship

On January 24, 2016, Triple H made his return at the Royal Rumble, entering as the 30th entrant, winning the match and securing his 14th world championship.

2016: Second Royal Rumble Win

In 2016, Triple H won the Royal Rumble for the second time.

April 2, 2017: Loss to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 33

On April 2, 2017, Triple H lost to Seth Rollins in a "non-sanctioned match" at WrestleMania 33, concluding their feud.

April 8, 2018: Loss to Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 34

On April 8, 2018, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon lost to Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey in a mixed tag match at WrestleMania 34, after Stephanie submitted to Rousey's armbar.

April 7, 2019: Triple H defeated Batista at WrestleMania 35

On April 7, 2019, at WrestleMania 35, Triple H defeated Batista in what was Batista's retirement match, with assistance from Ric Flair.

January 11, 2021: Final match against Randy Orton on Raw

On January 11, 2021, Triple H's final match occurred on Raw against Randy Orton in an unsanctioned fight, which ended in no-contest after interference from Alexa Bliss and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt.

March 25, 2022: Triple H announced his retirement from wrestling on First Take

On March 25, 2022, Triple H announced his retirement from wrestling due to his heart condition during an appearance on First Take.

September 6, 2022: Promotion to Chief Content Officer of WWE

On September 6, 2022, WWE announced that Levesque had been promoted to chief content officer of the company.

2022: Retirement from In-Ring Performance

In 2022, Triple H retired from in-ring competition due to health concerns, remaining active as an executive.

October 15, 2023: Levesque tasked with leading "99.9% of the creative"

On October 15, 2023, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel removed McMahon from WWE creative power and tasked Levesque with leading "99.9% of the creative" moving forward.