10 Times Stipulations Ruined Wrestling Matches

10. Triple H Vs. Randy Orton - WWE WrestleMania 25th Anniversary (Triple H Loses Title If Disqualified)

The ideal wrestling storyline should start with an inciting incident, before scaling itself back, building towards a crescendo, culminating in a high-stakes match when the anticipation is at its highest. It's like a pop album in that respect - start with an anthem, but don't overload the senses - otherwise, the listener is unable to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

The Triple H Vs. Randy Orton feud of 2009 contravened all wrestling logic by unfolding in reverse. Orton, having signalled his intention to challenge for Triple H's WWE title following his Royal Rumble win, engaged in psychological warfare with the McMahon family. It was an interesting meta-textual wrinkle to a worn out pairing; Randy Orton, having already punted Vince and Shane McMahon, drilled Stephanie with an RKO. It was at this point that Triple H acknowledged, directly, that Stephanie was his wife, grunting hilariously like a dragon down the camera.

After backstage confrontations and wild home invasion angles, the two met in the ring...in a match wherein Triple H would lose if he was disqualified. The story was begging for some deranged stipulation. What we got, admittedly, did make some semblance of sense - but it guaranteed and sure enough delivered an anti-climax.

Triple H has since blamed the placement of the match for its failure, and while it could not have followed the Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels G.O.A.T-level classic, it was hamstrung by the creative decisions of a regime he lorded over.