http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZkt44d5NKI One of the loudest crowd reactions in the 30 year fandom of this particular wrestling writer was heard on January 7, 2002 when Triple H returned from his first quadriceps tear at Madison Square Garden for Monday Night Raw. That night, to a thunderous ovation, he revealed his intent to win the 2002 Royal Rumble match. 13 days later, he did just that. He would, of course, go onto win the Undisputed WWE Championship from Chris Jericho in the main-event of WrestleMania X-8. Yet, it is the story behind the scenes that finds Triple H's conquering return so high up on the list of Royal Rumble happenings. The Game, much like John Cena, has never managed to find the level of universal acceptance amongst the fanbase that have many of his esteemed peers. From his generation, guys like Undertaker, HBK, Austin, Rock, and Mick Foley have all been deemed virtually untouchable by massive sects of the wrestling audience. Yet, Trips remains mired in controversy. Critics often cite his backstage political maneuverings and his cushy spot in the McMahon family as reasons for his success. It was nights like Royal Rumble 2002 that prove why that theory is so inherently flawed. Triple H earned his success. He was "That damn good" for so damn long that he belongs right at the top of the list of all-time great stars of the WrestleMania Era. Royal Rumble 2002, for instance, was drawn on his comeback and owns one of the greatest sums of PPV buys in the history of the industry. His return supercharged the stagnant WWE promotional machine and 50,000 more people than the previous year made statements with their wallets that they wanted to see Triple H triumphantly overcome injury. Much like Cena's 2008 moment, Triple H's 2002 Rumble victory was the peak of his popularity with the audience, at large.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.