25 Most Iconic WWE Ring Entrances Ever
8. Triple H (Raw, January 7th 2002)
Triple H’s 2002 return on Monday Night Raw is what pro wrestling feels like when it’s at its most powerful - the sort of moment that freezes time, reduces adults to children, and sends shivers through even the most cynical of fans. And it being 'The Game', there were more than a few.
Not that you know that from Madison Square Garden's response here.
'The Game' had missed eight months after tearing his quad in May 2001. It was a legitimately career-threatening injury and ultimately brought about an end to his in-ring golden era, but the rehabilitation was purposefully brutal - he wasn't just toasting it, he was conquering it. And WWE made damn sure the world would take notice. 'The World's Most Famous Arena' was jam-packed and molten, and when his music hit, the outpouring of respect, relief, and pure, unfiltered joy was impossible not to marvel at.
Triple H emerged in a denim-and-leather combo that itself became iconic because of how huge the entrance - the camera cuts between his glowering face, the fans losing their collective minds, and a sea of signs welcoming him home created a scene that felt more like a WrestleMania main event than a Monday night opener.
Unsurprisingly, he took his time, soaking in every second. Every step was a victory lap - something he's always loved even without the stage erected to take one. But this one was all his - the best entrances are more than music and pyro and where the wrestler stands. They’re the emotions from the audience that run alongside them. In this case, the shared love and catharsis became a near-incomparable sight to behold. 'The Game' was better, and sentiment was so strong that it would take months before anybody came to realise that WWE wasn't going to magically recover with him atop it.