10 Times Triple H Proved He Was The Cerebral Assassin

2. Turning On Shawn Michaels Via A Fake DX Reunion

Triple H versus Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam 2002 is one of the finest matches in WWE history. The idea that Triple H lured Shawn Michaels into said match via a promised D-Generation X reunion is the stuff of "cerebral assassin" legend. Shawn Michaels returned to WWE television after 18 months away from the company as a member of the re-formed nWo. When the nWo disbanded, Triple H and Michaels began a friendship that was supposed to be cemented with a reformation of D-Generation X on Raw. However, before performing their "Suck It" taunt, Triple H turned on Michaels by hitting him with the Pedigree. This begat an epic non-sanctioned match at SummerSlam, which, after Michaels won, Triple H with a sledgehammer. At Survivor Series, Michaels won the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H in the first-ever Elimination Chamber, with Michaels' reign ending a month later via Triple H in a Three Stages of Hell match at Armageddon 2002. A man beats you, then you eclipse his glory again, and again and again. Build them up to break them down even further. That's how it's done.