It took 18 years for Triple H to finally get a documentary disc from the company he essentially runs at this point. Think about that for a second. The second-most powerful man in the entire industry had to wait almost two decades to tell the story of his Hall of Fame career on a feature-length WWE Home Video release! When the time came for The Game to finally get the treatment he deserved, the company delivered an excellent look at one of its greatest. The documentary feature is really where the viewer gets his or her moneys worth as it takes an in-depth and comprehensive look at the career of Triple H. From his chance meeting with idol Nature Boy Ric Flair to his training with Killer Kowalski (including a hilarious story about how the Terra Ryzing name came to pass), the feature does an excellent job of setting the stage for his arrival in WCW and his eventual rise in WWE. While the look at his in-ring career is excellent, and the meat of the entire set, it is the look at his life outside the ring and numerous responsibilities he has taken on in the business side of things that earns Triple H more respect for his constant work to ensure the future of the industry. The footage of him climbing into the squared circle and helping train the NXT stars demonstrates just how invested he is in that brand and the young stars he has helped accumulate there. Add to that the love and affection with which he speaks of his daughters and it is impossible not to like the COO of WWE more than you did before popping the disc into the DVD player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRqTdMdbkoI With that said, there are criticisms of the documentary. The most glaring omission from the piece is the political horror stories involving The Game. Unlike presentations based on Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels, the honesty surrounding backstage occurrences involving Triple H are nowhere to be found. Instead, he is treated like a saint and celebrated for his work in front of the cameras. In fact, the only time his political power is even discussed is when it is briefly hinted at when the conversation turns to his marriage to wife Stephanie McMahon. Otherwise, it is very much a hands-off topic, one that cant afford to be when the release is supposed to be the most comprehensive look at his Hall of Fame career. Still, that omission is not enough to send the DVD out of the top five.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
