A decade ago, Hunter Hearst Helmsley was viewed as among the most one-dimensional wrestlers in the business. In the ring, a few punches and clotheslines led to a high knee and then to what seemed to be an anticlimactic finisher, the pedigree. On the mike, his promos were long and tedious, even if they were delivered with a faux aristocratic accent. Out of the ring, he was derided as the Kliq's gofer, a junior running buddy of Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash.
What a difference 10 years make. Today, Triple-H is viewed as the most controversial and multifaceted man in the industry. He is at the same time respected for his intellect and vilified for his motives. Constantly scrutinized and analyzed, he's become the Richard M. Nixon of wrestling.
With all the criticism he's faced over the past few years, isn't "The Cerebral Assassin" starting to feel like "Tricky Dick"?
Take a poll of any group of fans or insiders. Many of them hate Triple-H. Some of them believe he's a tremendous asset to pro wrestling. Others believe "The Game" is always playing politics, saying one thing while doing the opposite.
But how does Triple-H view himself? What does he consider his rightful place in the wrestling business? And, upon his comeback in WWE, does he want to be hated or a hero? Or is he willing to exploit the fans whether they support him or not?
HATED
Triple-H idolizes Ric Flair. He has proven that by keeping Flair as a constant adviser and sidekick over the past three years. Besides, Triple-H has expressed his profound respect for Flair in countless interviews. There's little doubt that as a young man, he dreamed about 60-minute matches and strutting around with Flair's 15 pounds of gold, even if it meant being a dirty player in the wrestling game. At the first opportunity, he strapped a replica of that very same belt around his waist as World champion with Raw. No, Triple-H didn't fantasize about five-minute matches and hanging out with Mr. T. In fact, he has criticized Hulk Hogan almost as often as he has praised Flair. Triple-H probably couldn't care less about having fans cheer his every move. Bathing in strobe lights and spewing bottled water at the crowd, it's obvious that Triple-H enjoys his villainy.
He has that attitude outside the ring, too. Triple-H is energized by the jealousy of others, especially those who were powerbrokers during the many years he worked his way up the ranks. Does Bret Hart have a problem with Triple-H? Too bad. Helmsley watched as Hart wielded power as WWF champion, often trying to protect his own interests at the Kliq's expense. Does Hulk Hogan resent Triple-H's clout behind the scenes? Tough luck. Hogan might have carried the company, but, as Stephanie McMahon's husband, Helmsley is an heir to it. "The Game" loves the idea that he's the first wrestler in 20 years who has more leverage than the "Hulkster."
Do the boos hurt Triple-H's feelings? Do the Internet commentaries bring tears to his eyes? Is it too much negativity?
Not a chance. He thrives on it.
HERO
Everyone wants to be loved. Sure, the New York Yankees enjoy going to Fenway Park so the Boston fans can jeer the heck out of them. Some athletes perform better when the whole world seems to be against them. Ask Kobe Bryant. When the heat is on, some people just get cooler.
But doesn't it get tiresome after a while? How long can someone feed off negative energy? It can't be good for the blood pressure. Worse yet, it can turn a soul's entire existence into a kind of bizarro world. Good is bad, bad is good. Who can live like that?
No one. Not even Triple-H. Truth be told, Helmsley sacrificed his popularity with the fans to become popular in the locker room. He has suffered clean losses, run like a coward, and made the other guy look like a million bucks. He attends production meetings before and after the television programs and pay-per-views. He still appears on house shows. His work ethic and desire to be one of the boys has made him popular among the wrestlers and employees in WWE.
Now he wants to be popular with everyone else, too. Triple-H has already heard the fans' cheers. How about the crowd going crazy whenever he impersonated Michael Buffer during the heyday of DeGeneration X? How about his feud against the evil Kurt Angle, who was trying to steal his wife? How about 68,237 fans celebrating his WWE undisputed title victory over Chris Jericho at Wrestle Mania X8?
As of press time, Triple-H hadn't been seen on Raw since World champion Batista beat him for the third time on pay-per-view in June. "The Game" was scheduled to return in October, when Raw jumped back to the USA Network. The groundwork has already been laid for Triple-H to make a comeback as a fan favorite. Shawn Michaels, despite his feud with Hulk Hogan, is more popular than ever while retaining the cocky attitude that made him famous. Ric Flair rescued Michaels when Intercontinental champion Carlito Caribbean Cool and Chris Masters attacked him on the August 29 edition of Raw. If Triple-H joins Michaels and Flair, his soulmates and two of the best friends he's ever had in the business, wouldn't he become just as popular? And wouldn't he deserve it?
HYPOCRITE
Triple-H is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. If Triple-H returns as a heel, the cynics will say he wants to claim the WWE title at John Cena's expense. If Triple-H returns as a fan favorite, the cynics will say he's trying to get a rub from Michaels and Flair to rejuvenate his own career, that his ego needs more stroking.
Do you hate Triple-H because he's won 10 world titles? Or do you respect him because he's lost 10 world titles? Do you hate him because he married a billionaire's daughter? Or have you admired his conduct during the new McMahon-Helmsley Era? Do you appreciate that he's still spilling blood in "Hell In A Cell" matches? Or do you hate the fact that he's lost only one?
Is Triple-H a hypocrite? It all depends on the person answering the question.