The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines
An Unspecified Time During The Brand Extension - Player One
Former creative writer Dr. Ranjan Chhibber tells a story transcribed by Randazzo V in Ring of Hell. Chhibber was a known ally of Paul Heyman, whose ratings success on the critically acclaimed SmackDown was a poor reflection on the real-life McMahon-Helmsley Regime.
After a Raw taping, Triple H sits with Chhibber to give him tips on how to “write better” - one imagines “Feature Rob Van Dam more!” isn’t one of his notes - even though he isn’t a formal member of the creative team. Triple H also urges Chhibber to align himself with Stephanie and lead Raw writer Brian Gewirtz - because they want him to succeed, where Heyman talks sh*t about Chhibber behind his back.
Chhibber also recounts that John Laurinaitis, head of developmental, walks in at this very moment. Triple H instructs him, coldly, to go wait in his limo. The power dynamic is striking to Chhibber; Triple H is meant to be talent, where Laurinaitis is, officially, a high-ranking executive.
“By the time I got to the limo,” Chhibber recalls, “Johnny was treating me like I was Triple H’s son.”
Who’s holding the controller?