Even the most powerful men need powerful allies.
If ever there has been a man in World Wrestling Enertainment history capable of going it alone, it is Triple H. "The Game" possesses perhaps the greatest combination of physical power and intellectual acumen in the history of sports-entertainment. His prowess in the ring is virtually unmatched, and he has long prided himself as the ultimate student of the industry.
When Triple H forges an alliance, he does so only with the absolute elite of the business. From his early partnership with the wily veteran Mr. Perfect to his D-Generation X alliance with Shawn Michaels, from his association with Mr. McMahon to his "Two-Man Power Trip" faction with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H has a long history of augmenting his own considerable power with the cream of the WWE crop.
Yet, this time Triple H has outdone himself. He has entered into an unholy bond with the one man he has long held in the highest esteem - "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. It's safe to say that in the storied history of the mat wars, there has never been a greater pairing of wrestling savvy than the partnership of "The Game" and the legendary 16-time World Champion.
But the merger is no cause for celebration. These men are two of the greatest and most cunning athletes in the history of sports-entertainment. They have dedicated themselves to nothing short of ruling the entire industry, no matter how low they have to sink to accomplish their goal. Anyone in their right mind has to be thinking twice about challenging Triple H, knowing that he now has the full backing of the great Ric Flair.
Triple H has brought out the very worst in Flair, and although it seemed like the "Cerebral Assassin" couldn't be more despicable, the "Nature Boy's" nefarious influence has made him just that. Just when fans thought that Flair was content to occupy the elder statesman role on Raw, giving advice and encouragement to bright young Superstars like Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam, Triple H issued a pointed challenge to Flair's pride. To the uneducated eye, it seemed like Triple H was merely mocking Flair after his defeat by Rico. If anything, fans were waiting anxiously for Slick Ric to lash out and teach Triple H a harsh lesson in the ring.
But the ever-wily Triple H knew exactly what he was doing. The "Cerebral Assassin" knew that he was challenging Flair for all the right reasons, laying the groundwork for him to revert to the attitude that earned him the nickname of "The Dirtiest Player in the Game." Once Flair snapped back into that loathsome mode, the common ground between the two men was cemented. Goals were shared, enemies were made and a pact was emphatically sealed when Flair planted a sledgehammer into the midsection of Van Dam at Unforgiven.
The mutual benefits became all too obvious. For Triple H, this was a dream come true. He has long spoken of his reverence for Flair and of his extensive videotape collection of the "Nature Boy's" greatest matches. As a young man preparing for his sports-entertainment career, Triple H pored endlessly over tapes of Flair at his best, absorbing as many psychological tactics and dirty tricks as he could from the man who many consider to be the greatest athlete ever to grace a ring.
When Triple H first broke into the professional ranks in the old WCW in the early 1990s, he went to great lengths to further immerse himself in Flair's vast knowledge. Then called Jean-Paul Levesque, Triple H could often be found just off in the shadows as Flair held strategy sessions with the Four Horsemen, listening intently as the master espoused his theories.
This did not go unnoticed by Flair. Well before Triple H's young career truly got rolling, Flair was whispering to confidants that this kid could be "the one" - the man who would perpetuate Flair's incredible legacy. He had all the tools, Flair noted, and most especially the brains. Even then, Flair knew that their paths would cross again somewhere down the road.
Years later, Flair's partnership with "The Game" has revitalized his already legendary career. After years of defying the effects of time and engaging in brutal wars with the likes of Undertaker and Chris Jericho, Flair found himself in the unfamiliar position of becoming complacent. Whispers began circulating that he was unmotivated and contemplating retirement. But Flair and Triple H have spent countless hours in the ring and in the gym, pushing each other to the limit, and the effects on Flair have beem extraordinary.
Flair's influence on "The Game" has also been profound. Triple H's already legendary ring generalship and psychological tactics have become even greater. Plus, away from the ring, Triple H has embraced Flair's "limo-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin'" way of life. These men are living as high on the hog as even the notorious Four Horsemen ever dared. They hold the world in the palms of their hands, and they know it.
The preeminent student of the game has found the ultimate tutor, and the man who holds more knowledge and experience than anyone in the history of the sport has finally found a pupil worthy of his vast intellect. The balance of power on Raw has shifted dramatically in their favor. Triple H and Flair do as they please, when they please. They have an iron grip on the World Heavyweight Championship - with Triple H proudly wearing the very same belt worn by Flair on 16 different occassions.
As Triple H wards off challenges from young and hungry Raw Superstars - men like Kane, Bubba Ray Dudley, RVD and Booker T - he has the ultimate ace up his sleeve: The full physical and mental backing of the "Nature Boy." It's a hand that may be too strong for anyone to beat, at least not with any permanence.
Powerful men, powerful allies. It should come as no shock that in this game, "The Game" is holding all the right cards - yet again.