At a time when WWE was built around "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock, babyfaces that had penetrated mainstream consciousness, Triple H emerged as the perfect villain to book them against. A hated egotist who referred to himself as "The Game" and had no problem reminding fans just damn good he was. A vicious, vile, ruthless bad guy, he tormented the fan favorites and always managed to be one step ahead of them. He reformed D-Generation X to provide himself some backup and had either Chyna or Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley by his side to provide the necessary distraction at the most opportune time. He was a classic bad guy with a new era edge that appealed to the audience of the Attitude Era. So what made him so infamous? His real life relationship with Stephanie, daughter of boss Vince. No matter what Triple H has accomplished in his career as a performer, there will always be that black cloud that hangs over him. Regardless of whether he was an established main event star with two title reigns to his name before the on-screen relationship with Stephanie, followed by the off-screen one, his achievements will always be credited to the backstage political pull he acquired thanks to his personal affairs. For someone who has given fans every ounce of sweat, blood and tears throughout his near 20-year career with WWE, it is unfortunate that he cannot be recognized for his greatness without an asterisk beside his name. Love him or hate him, that is the definition of an infamous champion.
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.
