WWE had high hopes for Marc Mero once he made the jump over from WCW in 1996. Known in Atlanta as Johnny B. Badd, Mero couldn't use the gimmick when he signed with Vince McMahon, and the decision was made to use his real name instead. One of Mero's first feuds upon his arrival was with Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the first gimmick Triple H played in WWE. Facing one another on numerous occasions, Mero and HHH would have several pretty decent matches, including a lengthy singles encounter at In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog. In addition, the duo would battle over the Intercontinental Title, and even Curt 'Mr. Perfect' Hennig would become involved in their feud - at first, Hennig sided with Mero, before memorably turning his back on the man, naming Triple H as his new protege. One of the last times Mero and Triple H would square off occurred at In Your House 12: It's Time, with Mero defeating Triple H by count out, just coming up short in his attempt to wrestle the Intercontinental belt from The Game's grasp. Showing good chemistry, Mero and Hunter were a good fit for one another, as evidenced by the quality of their in-ring scuffles.