Challenges in the Life of Triple H in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Triple H. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Paul Michael Levesque, famously known as Triple H, is an American business executive and retired professional wrestler. He currently serves as the chief content officer for WWE. Triple H achieved immense success as a wrestler, winning multiple championships and headlining numerous WrestleMania events. Beyond his in-ring career, he has played a pivotal role in shaping WWE's developmental system, NXT, and now oversees the company's creative direction.

Sections (5)

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

June 1, 1996: Marty Garner Incident

On June 1, 1996, during a match against Marty Garner on Superstars, an attempt to perform the Pedigree resulted in Garner landing on his head and suffering neck damage.

1996: Career Stalled After Initial Promotion

In 1996, after being highly promoted in the first few months after his debut, Hunter Hearst Helmsley's career stalled, starting off with a feud with Duke "The Dumpster" Droese.

January 25, 1999: "I Quit" Match and Chyna's Betrayal

On January 25, 1999, on Raw is War, Triple H faced The Rock in an "I Quit" match for the WWF Championship, but the match ended when Triple H was forced to quit or see Chyna chokeslammed by Kane, leading to Chyna betraying him and joining The Corporation.

2000: Feud with Mick Foley and Championship Reign

In 2000, Triple H engaged in a feud with Mick Foley, retaining his WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 23 in a Street Fight. The feud concluded at No Way Out on February 27 in a Hell in a Cell match, where Triple H retained the title, forcing Foley's retirement. Triple H also retained the title at WrestleMania 2000 on April 2 by pinning The Rock, but lost it to The Rock at Backlash on April 30. He regained the title at Judgment Day on May 21, only to lose it back to The Rock at King of the Ring on June 25. He also had a storyline with Chris Jericho, defeating him for the WWF Championship on April 17, although the title was returned to Triple H. Their feud culminated in a Last Man Standing match at Fully Loaded on July 23 which Triple H won. Further into the year, Triple H feuded with Kurt Angle over the WWF Championship and a love triangle involving Stephanie, culminating in a match at Unforgiven on September 24 where Triple H defeated Angle.

May 21, 2001: Triple H Suffers Career-Threatening Injury

On May 21, 2001, during a Raw Is War main event while defending the WWF Tag Team Championship with Austin against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit, Triple H tore his left quadriceps muscle. Despite the severe injury, he completed the match, even enduring Jericho's Walls of Jericho. The injury required surgery, sidelining him for over eight months and ending the McMahon-Helmsley Era abruptly.

2001: Legitimate Torn Right Quadriceps

In 2001, Triple H suffered a similar injury to the one he had in 2007.

January 29, 2006: Triple H Fails to Win Royal Rumble Match

On January 29, 2006, at the Royal Rumble, Triple H failed to win the Royal Rumble match. However, he later won the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, earning a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 22.

January 7, 2007: Triple H Suffers Another Quadriceps Tear

On January 7, 2007, at New Year's Revolution, Triple H suffered a legitimate torn right quadriceps during a match against Rated-RKO, similar to the injury he sustained in 2001. The injury occurred 15 minutes into the match.

February 21, 2011: Triple H returns and challenges 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, which later became a No Holds Barred match.

January 30, 2012: Triple H evaluates Laurinaitis and is interrupted by The Undertaker

On January 30, 2012, Triple H returned on Raw SuperShow to evaluate Laurinaitis' performance as general manager, but was interrupted by the returning Undertaker. He accepted The Undertaker's challenge for a rematch at WrestleMania XXVIII inside Hell in a Cell.

February 25, 2013: Triple H brawls with Brock Lesnar

On the February 25, 2013, episode of Raw, Triple H returned and brawled with Brock Lesnar after he attempted to attack Mr. McMahon. The brawl resulted in Lesnar having his head split open and requiring 18 stitches.

March 29, 2015: Triple H defeats Sting at WrestleMania 31

On March 29, 2015, at WrestleMania 31, Triple H defeated Sting in a no disqualification match after interference from D-Generation X. After his match with Sting, he and Stephanie McMahon were later confronted by The Rock and Ronda Rousey during a promo regarding the record crowd at the event.

2016: Criticism of Triple H's Royal Rumble Win

In 2016, Bret Hart criticized Triple H for winning the Royal Rumble match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship while not wrestling full-time, calling it a lack of imagination.

April 2, 2017: Seth Rollins defeats Triple H at WrestleMania 33

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

April 8, 2018: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon lose to Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34

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

2018: Criticism After Crown Jewel Match

After his tag team match at Crown Jewel in 2018, Triple H received criticism about his in-ring performance, with some critics suggesting he and other veteran wrestlers were stealing the spotlight from newer talent.

January 11, 2021: Triple H's Final Match on Raw

On January 11, 2021, Triple H had the final match of his career on Monday Night Raw against Randy Orton in an unsanctioned fight, which ended in no-contest after interference from Alexa Bliss and The Fiend Bray Wyatt, with Bliss attacking Orton.