3. Triple H 2002 2003 World Heavyweight Champion
Triple H as World Heavyweight Champion from 2002 to 2003 was an interesting time in wrestling. With the losses of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, RAW turned to Triple H to carry its top title. Its top title, which was pulled out of a bag by Eric Bischoff, and awarded to Triple H. Sounds like a recipe for fan resentment. To fans, the move reeked of backstage influence, and when Triple H entered the year 2003, he unleashed enough burials in some peoples eyes that Paul Bearer should have managed him. It started with Triple H being the WCW Killer, as he turned back Scott Steiner and Booker T respectively. His angle with Booker was a throwback to a Harley Race style angle where it seemed like Booker would get his revenge on the evil racist champion. Nope, a pedigree then a lifetime between the time of the move and pin and Booker was done as a main eventer. Moving on from there, Triple H and Kevin Nash had a 3 Pay-Per-View feud where the title never left HHH once. As Summerslam 03 approached, Goldberg was gaining his footing in WWE, as everything pointed toward a title win at the second biggest show of the year. However, The Game suffered a groin injury that left him unable to properly wrestle. The match then became an Elimination Chamber contest where Goldberg ripped through 5 other competitors, only to be met by a sledgehammer and pin from HHH who entered the contest last. To say fans were frustrated with HHH as champion in 2003 would be an understatement. All the classic ingredients were there. He had his faction helping him cheat to win, perceived backstage influence, and rising stars being held down. Smackdown became the dominant show in the eyes of fans, while Triple Hs reign caused ratings for RAW to suffer as it just seemed to be Triple H and friends killing the rest of the roster. Pat Patterson quit the company at this time for blaming HHH for this downturn. When Goldberg defeated HHH at Unforgiven it only proved to be temporary relief, but fans were more than ready for it.