10 WWE Matches That Delivered On Their Massive Hype

5. Triple H Vs. Shawn Michaels - SummerSlam 2002

WarGames NXT
WWE.com

Obviously, Triple H is capable of brilliance. He wouldn't inherit the Earth through being as boring as the narrative prevailing in some circles. Of course, his opponent the night of 25 August 2002, did much to glorify his CV. On that specific night; their later matches were bloated in the extreme.

This incredibly dramatic and cathartic match was hyped not as a prospective technical classic, but a war of unspeakable, life-threatening danger. Given that all watching did so with hearts in mouths over the course of 28 anxious minutes, this is one match the polarising 'Game' can hold up as a categorical classic.

You could even blame this for the genesis of the 'Triple H Match' - the slow, methodical plodders that would define his latter career for better or, in too many cases, worse. Triple H, in prime psychopath mode, slaughtered Michaels' surgically-repaired back. Michaels also drafted his latter career template in Uniondale, New York; using his near-peerless selling ability, Michaels hoodwinked his audience into believing he would emerge from this four-year absence crippled, if he emerged from it all.

This needed to be slow, in order to reinforce the emotional crux. The problem, as still isn't clear to Trips, is that few if anybody can master the space between moves as Michaels did.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!