The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines

An Unspecified Time During The Brand Extension - Player One

Triple H
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Former creative writer Dr. Ranjan Chhibber tells a story transcribed by Randazzo V in Ring of Hell. Chhibber was a known ally of Paul Heyman, whose ratings success on the critically acclaimed SmackDown was a poor reflection on the real-life McMahon-Helmsley Regime.

After a Raw taping, Triple H sits with Chhibber to give him tips on how to “write better” - one imagines “Feature Rob Van Dam more!” isn’t one of his notes - even though he isn’t a formal member of the creative team. Triple H also urges Chhibber to align himself with Stephanie and lead Raw writer Brian Gewirtz - because they want him to succeed, where Heyman talks sh*t about Chhibber behind his back.

Chhibber also recounts that John Laurinaitis, head of developmental, walks in at this very moment. Triple H instructs him, coldly, to go wait in his limo. The power dynamic is striking to Chhibber; Triple H is meant to be talent, where Laurinaitis is, officially, a high-ranking executive.

“By the time I got to the limo,” Chhibber recalls, “Johnny was treating me like I was Triple H’s son.”

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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!