Triple H Leaves Wrestling Boots In The Ring At WWE WrestleMania 38
After his recent retirement, Triple H conducted a ceremony in his surprise WrestleMania appearance.
Triple H made a surprise appearance on WrestleMania 38's second night, drawing a huge pop from the live crowd after the traditional 'America the Beautiful' performance.
It was the first time that 'The Game' has appeared before a live main roster audience since stepping away from WWE in the wake of his life-threatening "cardiac event" last summer. Having made his NXT comeback at Stand & Deliver two days prior, when he embraced the seemingly-outgoing Tommaso Ciampa, the 52-year-old kept it simple at 'Mania, welcoming the attendees to the show.
Afterwards, Triple H laid down a pair of his wrestling boots alongside the microphone in the middle of the ring. As countless wrestlers have done in the past (including The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33, though he eventually came back), this symbolises Hunter stepping away from the squared circle for good, having recently confirmed his in-ring retirement in an interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
Triple H had served as WWE's executive vice president of Global Talent Strategy & Development and NXT's executive producer prior to his heart failure. There is currently no word on how his role has been impacted by this.
Regardless, the 52-year-old is back on his feet after having a defibrillator fitted last September. That's what matters most.