10 Times Triple H Won WWE Matches He Should Have Lost

9. Vs Rob Van Dam (Unforgiven 2002)

Triple H
WWE.com

There's a misconception about Triple H's mid-200s reign of terror that he should have put absolutely everybody he faced over.

This isn't the case - champions don't stay hot by losing all the time - but 'The Game' was so infuriatingly strategic in the hows, whens and to-whos that the prevailing feeling that he never lost simply wouldn't subside.

Such was the case when he wrestled Rob Van Dam at Unforgiven 2002.

As per numerous reports at the time, the summer's prepping of 'Mr Monday Night' had very much been just that. Van Dam was being readied for a top spot by consolidating all the midcard titles into a single secondary strap that could eventually serve as Raw's top prize. All until the plans change, pal and Triple H was simply awarded a brand new World Heavyweight Championship instead.

With that established, the rationale became about doing the same for the inaugural champion. RVD was flattened, Hunter kept his spot, and Raw trudged further into - rather than away from - some overfamiliar sludge.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett