8 Wrestlers Who Tried To Look Cool (...& Immediately ATE Sh*t)
3. Triple H’s Terrible New Nickname
This is a different take on the same concept. Shawn Michaels was not about to do some cool action with his “Check this sh*t out motherf*cker” moment. He was trying to get a new nickname over on behalf of his best mate.
In late 1997, Shawn Michaels was the top heel. Triple H, who did have a popper in him on occasion, was still his uncool sidekick. Shawn would carry the load on the microphone and, with the crowd engaged, hand it over to Triple H for an easy pop. That way, Triple H could steadily build his profile. It worked; fans gradually bought into the former aristocrat’s schtick to the extent that, after two years, Hunter finally got over. By April 1998, he was considered an adequate replacement as the leader of D-Generation X. This device relied on his mate’s brilliance, but even Shawn Michaels in 1997 was not infallible.
On December 1, 1997, DX appeared on stage. The basic thrust of the promo was to build Triple H’s upcoming matches with Jim Neidhart and Sgt. Slaughter. After Shawn was done with his part - a crap gag about “suckers” with a lollipop in his mouth - he handed over to Triple H, saying “Tell him, Tri’!”
Now, reading that, you won’t get the gist of how rubbish it was. Shawn pronounced it as “Try”. That isn’t even close to being short for “Triple”! It was a tri-hard attempt at being cool, and a certain legendary commentator let him have it.
Jim Ross was deeply unimpressed, echoing back “...Tri’...” with the most withering voice he could muster. For once, it was Jim Ross sh*tting in somebody’s mouth, and not the other way ‘round.
Michaels never again said it.