Every WWE Gimmick Match And The Wrestlers That Defined Them

24. Three Stages Of Hell - Triple H

The Undertaker HIAC
WWE.com

Triple H, for best and for worst.

The first match was a spellbinding, epic triumph in which Trips and Austin brutalised one another at length and in very interesting ways. Bloody, harrowing and dramatic, it was distinctive sports entertainment storytelling of the highest quality.

The stipulation degenerated into tedious, self-indulgent melodrama from that point forward, and had it not, WWE may have used it more liberally. Defined by stalling within an already grinding pace, and packed with so many barbaric spots that the effect could only be lessened, it is or was a match that can only ever peak before the finish.

It is a super-serving of content that doesn't really work - a bit like attempting to watch RAW, SmackDown, NXT, 205 Live and NXT UK in the same week.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!