Kevin Kelly welcomed Triple H to the show and asked Triple H to describe what he was feeling when he stepped through that curtain on live TV for the first time in eight months. Triple H said the feeling was just indescribable. That's what you live for in this business, as a performer. You live for the fan participation, in one form or another. After hearing all the lead up, the videos and all the hype, walking out at MSG after all that time was something he'll never forget. He expected reaction, but said he had no idea he would get that much reaction.
Kevin said Triple H has earned the respect of the fans, and asked him how that makes him feel. Triple H said it feels great. He said it makes it better to him that he's spent 90% of his career as the most hated guy in the business, but despite that the fams respect his accomplishments and what he has given to the business. Said it's great to be in a position to where even if the fans don't like you, they still respect you.
They talked about how huge his return was, and Triple H said he's honored to be compared to guys like Hogan. It's just off the chart to him, and there's not much more he can add to that. It all just blew his mind, and was probably the greatest feeling in the world. He'll never forget it. Said before he was injured, he was a heel. Now he's a face due to the fact that the fans support him, but he hasn't changed his style, or anything he does.
About his new logo, he said every now and then you have to change things up. It was something he'd been thinking about for a while, and he took the time off to go through some ideas and get advice from some people. Said he likes the end result, and he hopes the fans will, too.
Kevin asked him if the belt had more meaning to him now. Triple H said the WWF title has always been his goal, and now that the indusry has changed, WCW is gone, there is only one. There is one undisputed championship, so maybe that does make it that much better. There's noone else to say anything against you now. Chris Jericho has the title now, but it's definitely his goal. Said Jericho has come a long way since his debut in the WWF, and he takes his hat off to him. People questioned his ability for a long time, but he's kicked it into high gear these last few months. Said he deserves to hold that belt, and that he [Triple H] didn't expect to come back and be given anything. Said he'll win the Rumble, and go on to Wrestlemania to fight the undisputed champ, be it Jericho, the Rock, or anybody else.
Kevin talked about many feeling the buzz is coming back to the WWF. Triple H said now that he's back in it, the buzz feels much bigger to him. He said it's good for business any time there's increased competition and the factors change. Said everybody steps it up when another big name is brought in because there are already so many in the business right now. Said that's good for the fans.
Caller question: Triple H has said that growing up he looked up to a lot of people in the business. He's mentioned that he's tried to emulate Flair. What's it like working with him now in the WWF? Triple H said that it's great. He and Flair got in the ring together before he [Triple H] came back to TV, trying to get their feel for the ring back. It was the first time he'd been in a ring with Flair, and it was a thrill for him. He considers Flair to be one of the all-time greats in the business, and it'll be fun to work with him somewhere down the line. He's looking forward to any interaction with Flair; be it in the ring or otherwise. It's like getting the opportunity to work with one of your heroes.
Caller question: Has not being a part of the Invasion angle effected Triple H, with everybody talking about it and how big it was? Triple H said it was difficult having to sit back and not be a part of it. He's always wanted to be in the thick of things, and it was hard being on the sidelines with something huge like that going on. He's been asked what side he would be on, but by the time he got back it was all over. Said it was good to be able to watch it as a fan, though. Talked about watching wrestling as a fan the whole time he was off, and said he wishes people would understand that it would be better for the business if people within the company didn't give away things sometimes before they happen.
What will his return mean? Triple H said his return will make just as much impact as his arrival did. He's been gone for a long time, and he's one of the top stars in the business. Said when you have a passion for the business [mentions Benoit, Rhyno] when you come back it'll have a major impact. Said there's a lot of guys who will make a lot of waves this year.
Caller question: How hard was it to sit back for eight months and rehab his leg? Was it the toughest thing he's ever had to do, and if not, what was? Triple H said he guesses it was the toughest. If you look at it as taking a year, it'll be a whole year from now, you won't do it. You take it day by day. When it's over, you look back and think I went through a lot of crap, but it's over. Then it doesn't seem all that bad. You can't think that you won't make it through eight months; a year. You just take it step by step. Some days were great, sometimes there were two days in a row where he lost ten degrees, but you can't let yourself get knocked down. Just keep your head above water; take it a step at a time. They always tried to keep him in a positive state of mind. Having a positive attitude is a big thing, and it helps.
Chat question: How does he do the water thing? Does your mouth work like a fountain? Triple H and Kevin both laugh, and Triple H said he gets asked that question all the time. All you gotta do is spit!
Caller question: Triple H says he's going to win the Rumble. Would he rather face Jericho, Rock or Austin at Wrestlemania? Triple H said it doesn't really matter to him, as long as it's whoever has the belt. He's had good matches with all of them before, and had huge interest with all of them. He said sooner or later he and Austin are going to butt heads again, and when they do, they'll set the world on fire. He and the Rock have had every possible match there is to have with each other. Jericho was tough before, and he's stepped up his game now. Triple H is looking forward to that challenge. Whoever it ends up being, they better be ready, because Wrestlemania is his time.
Triple H said he'd like to work with Van Dam. Said he thinks down the line Test is going to be big time, and that Edge is an incredible star. Said there's too many guys that are going to be really good in the future to list them all. Said he'd also like to work with Spike Dudley.
They talked about the Beautiful Day video and all the emotion in it. Kevin said the television production crew work endlessly and are just amazing.
Triple H said returning was the one goal he had in mind from when he got hurt. Said his return is one big thing, not just one day. We saw the beginning of his return at MSG, but to continue with the success of his return will be for him to win the Undisputed Championship. Then it will be complete as far as the comeback goes, but that will be only the start of the story. Being the WWF champ means you are number one in the business, and that has always been his goal. He has to be number one.
Caller question: How will he adjust his wrestling style, coming back from a serious injury, depending on where he is in the Royal Rumble? Also, a lot of rumors have been out there concerning a Clique formation. Does he see himslef working with these guys, and is there a place for them in the current storylines? Triple H said he's got one speed in the ring as far as the Rumble goes, and that's 100%. Nobody has had a chance to really see him in the ring yet because the things he's done have been brief. If he goes at 100% and can't make it, then he can't make it. Don't expect to see a lot of changes in him in the Rumble. He's heard the Clique rumors. He looks forward to Shawn Michaels hopefully returning one day. He's heard rumors about Nash and Hall coming in, and if they do, that's great. There'a plenty of room. All those guys are top talents in the business. As far as a reformation of the Clique, that remains to be seen. A lot has changed since those days. It's a very competitive business. Everyone wants to be the best, but, unfotunately, there can only be one.
They wrapped up Triple H's segment with Kevin thanking Triple H for being on the show, and for all his hard work in and out of the ring.
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