10 WWE Stars And Their Wrestling Role Models

5. Triple H & Harley Race

It's well known that Paul 'Triple H' Levesque idolised Ric Flair as a wrestler - but it was another legendary NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Harley Race, that he patterned himself after, both in his attitude and his style in the ring. Remember that high running knee that causes Michael Cole to keep tonelessly parroting "shades of Harley Race" in every match? Even the way Triple H cuts a money promo is similar in style - methodical, building dramatically to a definitive conclusion. Race was an intense brawler, a genuinely tough-as-nail street fighter who exemplified the 'old school' attributes of hustle, loyalty, respect. No, the irony isn't lost on me either. The kind of no-nonsense bruiser that they don't seem to make anymore, Race was regularly courted by Vince McMahon to leave the NWA and become a WWF star. He once rather famously so enraged McMahon with yet another refusal that the young promoter charged at him, whereupon Race calmly choked him out. That's the attitude - Levesque and his character Triple H both take a good deal of pride in having taken that old school mentality and transformed it into a credo that can take WWE, and wrestling itself, into the future. But he's fully aware of his influences. In late 2013, when John Cena and Randy Orton were about to compete at TLC to unify the World and WWE titles, the hashtag #ChampionOfChampions was going around, as wrestling insiders, pundits and fans alike set out their stall for the greatest champion of all-time. Paul Levesque went for Race all the way. He's even worn Race's signature moustache and whiskers combination before! Race was never a hands-on mentor to Levesque, but he's certainly aware of his work. In interviews, he's asserted that in his view, Triple H is the best wrestler in the world. But of course, given how much the Game cribbed from him, he's more than a little biased€