The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines

April 1, 2012 - WrestleMania XXVIII

Triple H Undertaker
WWE.com

While the back half of the 2000s is relatively kinder to his legacy than the first, Triple H is still accused of holding onto a spot he does little to earn.

A Hell In A Cell classic on the Grandest Stage against the Undertaker reminds the world that, on his day, he is still that damn good.

The rematch is set because at WrestleMania XXVII, ‘Taker beats Triple H, but takes such a battering that he can’t leave the ring under his own power.

Triple H orchestrates the most gutwrenching near-fall in WWE history. The drama is informed by the meta aspect - a lot of fans readily believe that Triple H would engineer his way into ending the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania - but the craft of the sequence is sublime. Special Guest referee Shawn Michaels, who failed in his pursuit in 2009 and 2010, drills ‘Taker with Sweet Chin Music. Triple H immediately follows up with the Pedigree. Two potent finishers, the idea that Shawn still wants to play a part in ending the Streak, Triple H’s political reputation: it all converges to create a feeling of finality. ‘Taker kicks out. It’s a genuine ‘WrestleMania Moment’ that resuscitates Triple H's uneven WrestleMania record.

And then the next year happens.

Advertisement
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!