15 Things You Forgot About Triple H's Rise To Power In WWE

5. He Was The Victim Of Main Event Politics

People point to Triple H playing merciless backstage politics in his WWE main event career. However, there's no confirmed reports of him ever refusing any decisions from management. In contrast, it's well documented that Stone Cold Steve Austin refused Vince McMahon's request to do a job for Triple H at SummerSlam 1999. So how come Steve Austin doesn't get the heat Triple H gets? It's simply down to personalities. Fans are marks for Austin, they refuse to see him in anything but a positive light. With Hunter though, he's an easy target, hence he gets criticised like no other performer (with the exception of John Cena). Austin's refusal to lose the WWF title to Hunter was an example of blatant backstage politics. The Game was a victim of Austin's unwillingness to put someone over who might rival his own brand. McMahon was aggravated by the issue, Austin had creative control, so there was really nothing that could be done. Instead, Austin ended up putting Mick Foley over for the title. The next night, Triple H beat Foley, thus starting his first WWF Championship reign.