10 Injuries That Changed WWE History
5. Triple H
When you're as figured into company plans as Triple H was back in the mid-2000s, significant injuries were certain to cause upheaval.
His 2001 and 2007 quad injuries both caused complete re-writes of WWE Title plans, and in one case resulted in a new longevity record for a champion still trying to find a foothold amongst the best in the industry.
Missing out on a run against Steve Austin following the dissolution of their 'Two Man Power Trip' unit in 2001 may have cost him some healthy supercard paydays, but 'The Game' benefitted by avoiding shrapnel from the damaging 'Invasion' angle.
Talents had been so shoddily handled during that storyline that the Madison Square Garden crowd considered the untainted 'Game' a demigod upon his legendary return to the ring in January 2002.
In 2007 though, the company was able to move forward without him. Collapsing in a heap at the close of an energetic brawl pitching DX against Randy Orton and Edge at the 'New Years Revolution' pay-per-view, Triple H saw a WrestleMania WWE Title victory slip through his grasp.
In Hunter's absence, Shawn Michaels stepped in, but apparently had little interest in silverware. Putting over Cena at the 'Show of Shows', Michaels helped elongate an eventual 380 day reign that would finally establish 'The Champ' as the industry's number one drawing talent.