Passion is a funny thing. It is often misidentified by those who either don't have it in their daily lives or over-analyzed by those who enjoy such activities or who have college degrees in the field of psychology. If your partner doesn't share your passion for a particular subject, more often than not you've got problems. "You're just obsessed," or "you care more about that than you do me," can often be heard. But without passion in our business, one cannot and will not survive, nor will one be successful. Passion is a necessary trait for success in the World Wrestling Federation. It's the one thing that all WWF Superstars have in common. Passion is more important than athletic ability, physique, knowledge of wrestling maneuvers, entrance music or catch phrases.
The great ones have more passion than their less successful peers. Ric Flair returned to the business he loved after surviving a near-fatal plane crash that broke his back. Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to prominence after undergoing extensive spinal surgery that could have been career-ending. Despite having a broken neck, Kurt Angle won a gold medal for the USA wrestling team in the '96 Olympic Games. William Regal overcame personal demons to become one of our most valuable performers. X-Pac has succeeded despite serious neck problems and a perceived lack of size by some. Rhyno, Mike Awesome, Kanyon, and Chris Benoit are all working diligently to return from serious injuries and resume their chosen careers - and they will. Undertaker has bravely worked thought a variety of injuries over his magnificent 11-year career in the WWF.
And then there is "The Game." Triple H sustained one of the most painful and serious injuries an athlete can suffer when his quadriceps muscle tore completely loose from his tendon and rolled up his left leg. I can only imagine the pain "The Game" must have had to endure as he finished that match, perhaps knowing it could have been his last one. The uncertainty of not knowing just how bad he was injured, how long it would take for him to return, and if he would be able to return to the same level must have been devastating.
The guy was at the top of his profession, and suddenly it was all gone. No more main events. No more pay-per-views. No more magazine covers. No more screaming fans sitting on the edge of their seats while being taken for an emotional ride by a true mat artist. The crowds were silent. The cameras were turned off. Eight months of grueling, rehabilitation began on a daily basis. Eight to ten hours spent each and every day pushing his body to sadistically painful levels that the normal man couldn't and wouldn't have ever endured. Only seeing his home twice in those eight months, and both times for only a few hours. Being separated from family and friends, except for the occasional telephone conversation. Wondering if he could ever be the same again.
Some of the best athletes in the world never make it all the way back from major injuries. The great NFL running back Earl Campbell was never the same after a major injury. Mickey Mantle was never the same after suffering a severe knee injury early in his career. The NBA's Patrick Ewing never fully recovered from back problems to once again become the dominant player he was. Will Orlando's Grant Hill never overcome his seemingly never-ending saga of foot problems. Twenty-five year old major league baseball pitchers often see their careers ended by elbow and shoulder surgery.
Even though medical advances are the best that they've ever been and there are surgeons like Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Lloyd Youngblood, who are the best in their fields, there are still no guarantees. Triple H knew this when he embarked on his painful and isolated journey back to the ring. There were no guarantees. The only certainty was that without hours of hard work in physical therapy it wouldn't happen. Building on this alone, "The Game" began the toughest stretch of his life, filled with more challenges than someone his age should have to endure. No doubt, memories of past accomplishments and his love of the business drove this tremendous athlete minute by minute, day by day, month by month to return to the passion of his life's work.
Triple H's hard work and dedication paid off. He is back and looks to be better than ever. Physically, the "Cerebral Assassin" is 100 percent, but mentally, after almost losing what he was put on this earth to do, I think Triple H is 150 percent. Eight months of hell will do that to a man. He has survived. He has willed himself to return without limitations. Many of us in our business have had to overcome physical challenges in our lives much like "The Game," and we did it because of the passion we have for the industry we love. But no one loves the sports-entertainment business more passionately than Triple H. He is back. Without limitations. Better than ever. Welcome home. Let "The Game" begin!