View source for Triple H

{{Short description|American business executive, professional wrestling promoter and wrestler (born 1969)}}
{{other uses}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Triple H
| image              = P20250731DT-0076 Paul Levesque 2025.jpg
| image_size         = 
| caption            = Levesque in 2025 at the [[White House]]
| birthname          = Paul Michael Levesque
| birth_place        = [[Nashua, New Hampshire]], U.S.
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1969|7|27|mf=y}}
| occupation         = {{hlist|Business executive|professional wrestler|actor}}
| years_active       = 1992–2022 (wrestling)<br />1998–2017 (acting)<br>2010–present (business)
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Stephanie McMahon]]<br />|2003}}
| children           = 3
| family             = [[McMahon family|McMahon]]{{efn|Member of the McMahon family via marriage}}
| module             = {{Infobox professional wrestler
| child        = yes
| names        = Hunter Hearst Helmsley<br />Jean-Paul Lévesque<br />'''Paul Levesque'''<br />'''Paul "Triple H" Levesque'''<br />Terra Risin'<br />Terra Ryzing<br />Terror Rising<br />'''Triple H'''
| height       = 6 ft 4 in<!-- Please do not change the height or weight. These are the measures as officially stated--><ref name="WWEBio">{{cite web |title=Triple H – WWE Bio |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/triple-h |website=[[WWE]] |access-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804114039/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/triple-h |url-status=live }}</ref>
| weight       = 255 lb<!-- Please do not change the height or weight. These are the measures as officially stated--><ref name="WWEBio"/>
| billed       = [[Boston, Massachusetts]]<br />[[Greenwich, Connecticut]]<br />[[Sainte-Mère-Église|Sainte-Mère-Église, France]]
| trainer      = [[Killer Kowalski]]
| debut        = March 24, 1992
| retired      = [[WrestleMania 38|April 2, 2022]]
}}
| signature          = Triple H Signature.png
}}
'''Paul Michael Levesque''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|v|ɛ|k}}; born July 27, 1969), also known by the [[ring name]] '''Triple H''', is an American business executive, [[professional wrestling]] [[Promoter (entertainment)#Professional Wrestling|promoter]] and retired wrestler. He is signed to [[WWE]], where he serves as its [[chief content officer]], head of creative, and is an [[executive producer]].

Levesque began his wrestling career in 1992 under the ring name '''Terra Ryzing''', and gained his first mainstream exposure in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1994, becoming known as '''Jean-Paul Levesque'''. In 1995, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and became known as '''Hunter Hearst Helmsley''', which was later shortened to Triple H. In WWF, he gained fame during the [[Attitude Era]] as a member of [[The Kliq]] and {{nowrap|co-founder}} of {{nowrap|[[D-Generation X]]}}. Amongst other wrestling accomplishments, he is a {{nowrap|14-time}} world champion in WWE, having won the [[WWE Championship|WWF/WWE Championship]] nine times and the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] five times, a {{nowrap|2-time}} [[Royal Rumble]] winner ([[Royal Rumble (2002)|2002]], [[Royal Rumble (2016)|2016]]), the seventh [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown]] winner, and second [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)|Grand Slam]] winner. He has headlined multiple WWE {{nowrap|pay-per-view}} events, including its flagship annual event, [[WrestleMania]], seven times ([[WrestleMania 2000|16]], [[WrestleMania X8|18]], [[WrestleMania XX|20]], [[WrestleMania 21|21]], [[WrestleMania 22|22]], [[WrestleMania 25|25]], and [[WrestleMania 32|32]]). In 2022, he retired from working as an in-ring performer due to health concerns but remains active in an executive role and as an on-screen presence.

Through his marriage to [[Stephanie McMahon]], he is a member of the [[McMahon family]], which held a controlling interest over WWE until its sale to [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor]] in 2023. Levesque has garnered praise for his {{nowrap|behind-the-scenes}} work within the promotion,{{citation needed|reason=Ideally a source should be given for each of the claims in this sentence|date=August 2025}} which includes creating the acclaimed developmental branch [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], elevating [[Women in WWE|female wrestlers]] to the level of their male counterparts, and spearheading WWE's international expansion with concepts such as [[NXT UK (WWE brand)|NXT UK]]. He was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]]'s [[WWE Hall of Fame (2019)|2019 class]] as part of {{nowrap|D-Generation X}} and was inducted for his individual career in the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2025)|class of 2025]]. Outside of wrestling, he has done acting with roles in ''[[Blade: Trinity]]'' (2004) and ''[[The Chaperone (2011 film)|The Chaperone]]'' (2011).

== Early life ==
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
Paul Michael Levesque was born in [[Nashua, New Hampshire]], on July 27, 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhtourguide.com/famous_nh_people/index.htm|title=Famous People From New Hampshire|publisher=NH Tour Guide|access-date=October 3, 2011|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215006/http://www.nhtourguide.com/famous_nh_people/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has a sister named Lynn.<ref name="grips" /> His first experience of watching professional wrestling was seeing a match involving [[Chief Jay Strongbow]] as a young child, and he took up bodybuilding at the age of 14 because he wanted to look like the professional wrestlers he saw.<ref name="Fact or Fiction 2020">{{cite AV media |people=[[Loudwire]], Triple H |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Triple H - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? |trans-title= |type= |language=English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eNm7T0A7xM&ab_channel=Loudwire |access-date=November 6, 2023 |format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106071657/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eNm7T0A7xM&ab_channel=Loudwire |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated in 1987 from [[Nashua High School South|Nashua High School]], where he played baseball and basketball.<ref name="nhmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhmagazine.com/October-2013/Q-A-With-Paul-Triple-H-Levesque/|title=An Interview With WWE Star Triple H Paul Levesque|date=September 18, 2013|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160724010748/http://www.nhmagazine.com/October-2013/Q-A-With-Paul-Triple-H-Levesque/|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued to enter bodybuilding competitions and won the 1988 Mr. Teenage New Hampshire competition at the age of 19.<ref name="grips">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFY/is_5_20/ai_98539200 |title=Coming to grips with Triple H |first=Peter |last=McGough |publisher=Flex |access-date=September 20, 2007 |date=July 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014024057/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFY/is_5_20/ai_98539200 |archive-date=October 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="time">{{cite video|title=It's Our Time|people=Triple H and Chyna|date=1999|medium=VHS|publisher=World Wrestling Federation}}</ref> While working as the manager of a gym in Nashua, he was introduced to champion powerlifter and professional wrestler [[Ted Arcidi]], who was signed to [[WWE]] at the time. After numerous attempts, he persuaded Arcidi to introduce him to professional wrestler [[Killer Kowalski]], who ran a professional wrestling school in [[Malden, Massachusetts]].<ref name="Fact or Fiction 2020"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Gerry |title=Q&A With Paul "Triple H" Levesque |url=https://www.nhmagazine.com/qa-with-paul-triple-h-levesque/ |website=New Hampshire Magazine |date=September 18, 2013 |access-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207204359/https://www.nhmagazine.com/qa-with-paul-triple-h-levesque/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Professional wrestling career ==
=== Training and early career (1990–1993) ===
In early 1990, Levesque began to train as a professional wrestler at Killer Kowalski's school in Malden.<ref name="nhmagazine.com"/><ref name="WWEProfile">{{cite web|url=http://us.wwe.com/superstars/raw/tripleh|title=Triple H Bio |access-date=April 14, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124220226/http://us.wwe.com/superstars/raw/tripleh/|archive-date=November 24, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> His classmates included fellow future WWF wrestlers [[Chyna]], whom he would later date, and [[Perry Saturn]]. He made his professional debut under the [[ring name]] '''Terra Ryzing''' (a play on "terrorizing") in Kowalski's [[International Wrestling Federation]] (IWF) on March 24, 1992, defeating Tony Roy.<ref name="slam">{{cite news |author1=Milner, John |author2=Clevett, Jason |author3=Kamchen, Richard |date=December 5, 2004 |title=Hunter Hearst Helmsley |work=[[Canoe.ca]] |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]] |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/helmsley.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429201914/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/helmsley.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |access-date=July 11, 2007}}</ref> In July 1992, he defeated Mad Dog Richard to win the IWF Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="HCaprio2010">{{cite book|author1=Triple H|author2=Robert Caprio|title=Triple H Making the Game: Triple H's Approach to a Better Body|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y91D4O8cAAgC&pg=PT39|date=May 11, 2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4391-2175-7}}</ref> Managed by John Rodeo, he wrestled for various promotions on the East Coast [[independent circuit]] until 1993.<ref name="Rodeo">{{cite web|url=http://www.johnrodeo.com/archives/yandek.html |title=John Rodeo Interview |work=JohnRodeo.com |date=September 16, 2001 |access-date=April 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311020807/http://www.johnrodeo.com/archives/yandek.html |archive-date=March 11, 2016 }}</ref>

=== World Championship Wrestling (1994–1995) ===
In early 1994, Levesque signed a one-year contract with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW).<ref name="grips"/><ref name="threat">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_6_2/ai_71403973/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005145417/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_6_2/ai_71403973/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2008|title=Triple Threat|page=2|first=Alex|last=Marvez|publisher=Wrestling Digest|access-date=July 17, 2008|date=April 2001}}</ref> In his first televised match, he debuted as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] named '''Terror Risin{{'}}''', defeating [[Cole Twins|Keith Cole]]. His ring name was soon modified to '''Terra Ryzing''',<ref>{{cite book|first=Jason|last=Skog|title=Triple H: At the Top of His Game|publisher=Capstone Press|year=2012|isbn=978-1429686778|page=8 pp}}</ref> which he used until he was renamed '''Jean-Paul Lévesque''' in mid-1994.<ref name=snapshot>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761521 |title=Wrestler snapshot: Triple H |publisher=Wrestling Digest |access-date=September 20, 2007 |date=August 2002 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071121150725/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761521 |archive-date=November 21, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=crap204>Baer, Randy and R. D. Reynolds. ''Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling'' (p.204)</ref> This [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] referred to his real surname's French origins, and he was asked to speak with a [[Standard French|French accent]] as he could not speak [[French language|French]].<ref name="threat2">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_6_2/ai_71403973/pg_3?tag=artBody;col1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005145422/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_6_2/ai_71403973/pg_3?tag=artBody;col1|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2008|title=Triple Threat (p. 3)|first=Alex|last=Marvez|publisher=Wrestling Digest|access-date=July 17, 2008|date=April 2001}}</ref> He began using what would become his popular finishing maneuver, the ''[[The Pedigree|Pedigree]]'', during this time.<ref name="Fact or Fiction 2020"/>

Lévesque had a brief [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Alex Wright]] that ended on December 27 at [[Starrcade (1994)|Starrcade]]<ref name="snapshot" /> with Wright [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#94|title=Starrcade 1994 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=July 13, 2009|archive-date=February 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222221018/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#94|url-status=live}}</ref> Between late 1994 and early 1995, Lévesque briefly teamed with English wrestler [[William Regal|Lord Steven Regal]], whose [[upper class]] British gimmick was similar to Lévesque's character; in real life, they became close friends, and Regal would serve as his right-hand man behind the scenes in [[WWE]] decades later.<ref name="crap204" /> The tag team was short-lived as Lévesque left for WWE (then WWF) in January 1995 after he and WCW could not come to terms on a new contract.<ref name="Fact or Fiction 2020"/>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2023}}

=== World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment / WWE (1995–present) ===
==== Intercontinental Champion (1995–1997) ====
[[File:Hunter Hearst Helmsley tailcoat.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Helmsley wore a [[tailcoat]] suit and carried a traditional [[Atomizer nozzle|atomizer]] [[perfume bottle]] to highlight his extreme snobbishness.]]
In a modified version of his gimmick in WCW, Levesque started his WWF career as a "[[Connecticut]] [[Nobility|Blueblood]]".<ref name="threat2"/> According to Levesque, [[J. J. Dillon]] originally gave him the name of Reginald DuPont Helmsley, but Levesque asked for a name to play with the first letters and management ultimately agreed to his suggestion of '''Hunter Hearst Helmsley'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho|title=Podcast is Jericho Ep71|publisher=Podcastone|access-date=September 8, 2014|archive-date=December 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227192705/http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho|url-status=live}}</ref> He appeared in taped [[Vignette (wrestling)|vignettes]], in which he talked about how to use proper etiquette, up until his wrestling debut on the April 30, 1995, episode of ''[[WWF Wrestling Challenge|Wrestling Challenge]]'' defeating [[Buck Zumhofe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/challenge.htm|title=Wrestling Challenge Results|access-date=July 12, 2007|publisher=The History of WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629183751/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/challenge.htm |archive-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref> Helmsley made his WWF [[pay-per-view]] debut on August 27 at [[SummerSlam (1995)|SummerSlam]], defeating [[Hardcore Holly|Bob Holly]].<ref name="summerslam95">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1995/results|title=SummerSlam 1995 results|access-date=March 21, 2015|publisher=WWE|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080008/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1995/results|url-status=live}}</ref> Helmsley remained undefeated during the early months of his career, suffering his first pinfall at the hands of [[The Undertaker]] in a [[Survivor Series match]] at [[Survivor Series (1995)|the namesake event]]. In the fall of 1995, Helmsley began a feud with hog farmer [[Henry O. Godwinn]], whom he defeated in the infamous [[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|Hog Pen match]] on December 17 at [[In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings]].<ref name="iyh5">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/iyh.html#5|title=In Your House 5 results|access-date=March 21, 2015|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104242/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/iyh.html#5|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Hunter Hearst Helmsley in 1996 (2).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Helmsley in 1996]]
After being highly promoted in the first few months after his debut, his career stalled during 1996, starting off with a feud with [[Duke Droese|Duke "The Dumpster" Droese]] following a loss during the ''[[WWE Free for All|Free for All]]'' at [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996 Royal Rumble]].<ref name=crap>Baer, Randy and R. D. Reynolds. ''Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling'' (p.206)</ref><ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.95)</ref> Up until that event, his [[Angle (professional wrestling)|angle]] included appearing on television each week with a different female valet (which included [[Playboy Playmates]] [[Shae Marks]] and [[Tylyn John]]).<ref name=snapshot/> It was during this time that Helmsley suffered his first loss in singles competition in WWF, against [[Bret Hart]] on the March 4 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. [[Sable (wrestler)|Sable]] would become Helmsley's valet at [[WrestleMania XII]] on March 31 and after his loss to [[The Ultimate Warrior]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/12/results|title=WrestleMania XII results|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 4, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101031/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/12/results|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of the storyline, he took his aggressions out on her. The debuting [[Marc Mero]] (her real-life husband) came to her rescue, starting a feud between the two wrestlers.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ |title=Raw – 1996 Results |access-date=July 12, 2007 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106083518/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ |archive-date=January 6, 2011 }}</ref>

On June 1, 1996, Hunter appeared on an episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'' in a match against [[Marty Garner]].<ref name="garner profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/marty-garner.html|title=Marty Garner Profile|access-date=March 17, 2008|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling|archive-date=December 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213173031/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/marty-garner.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> When he attempted to perform the ''Pedigree'', Garner mistook the maneuver for a [[double underhook suplex]] and tried to jump up with the move, causing him to land squarely on top of his head and suffer neck damage.<ref name="garner profile"/> Garner reportedly sued the WWF, eventually settling out of court. However, in 2020, Garner affirmed there was no lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-ex-wwe-star-reveals-truth-triple-h-lawsuit-rumors-busting-27-year-myth |title=Ex-WWE star reveals the truth about Triple H lawsuit rumors, busting 27-year myth |publisher=Sportskeeda |accessdate=July 8, 2023 |first=Danny |last=Hart |date=May 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708145847/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-ex-wwe-star-reveals-truth-triple-h-lawsuit-rumors-busting-27-year-myth |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was known backstage as a member of [[The Kliq]] (alongside [[Shawn Michaels]], [[Kevin Nash]], [[Sean Waltman]], and [[Scott Hall]]), a group known for influencing Vince McMahon and the WWF creative team.<ref name=crap/> It is widely believed that he was scheduled to win the [[King of the Ring (1996)|1996 King of the Ring tournament]], but the victory was instead awarded to [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] after the [[The Kliq#The MSG "Curtain Call"|"Curtain Call" incident]] at [[Madison Square Garden]], in which the Kliq members openly broke character in front of fans after a match to say goodbye to the departing Nash and Hall.<ref name="game">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_4/ai_94123534?tag=artBody;col1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005145411/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_4/ai_94123534?tag=artBody;col1|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2008|title=The don't call him "the Game" for nothing|publisher=Wrestling Digest|access-date=July 20, 2008|date=December 2002}}</ref> Despite the punishment, Helmsley did have success following the incident. [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]] became his manager and he won the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] for the first time on October 21 by defeating Marc Mero.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling1996"/><ref name="game"/> When Mr. Perfect left the WWF, his departure was explained to be a result of Helmsley turning his back on his manager as soon as he won the Intercontinental Championship. Helmsley held the title for nearly four months before [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|dropping]] it to [[Dwayne Johnson|Rocky Maivia]] on ''[[List of WWE Raw special episodes|Thursday Raw Thursday]]'', a special episode of ''Raw'' that aired on February 13, 1997.<ref>Laurer, Joanie. ''If They Only Knew'', 266–267.</ref> For a very brief time, Helmsley was accompanied by [[Curtis Hughes|Mr. Hughes]], who was his storyline bodyguard reminiscent of [[Ted DiBiase]] and [[Virgil (wrestler)|Virgil]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Mick|last=Foley|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.213)|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|isbn=0-06-103101-1}}</ref> After losing the title, he feuded with [[Goldust]], defeating him on March 23 at [[WrestleMania 13]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xiii.htm|title=WrestleMania XIII|access-date=August 10, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420234745/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xiii.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> During their feud, [[Chyna]] debuted as his new bodyguard.<ref>Laurer, Joanie. ''If They Only Knew'', 269.</ref>

==== D-Generation X (1997–1999) ====
{{Main|D-Generation X}}

Helmsley was being highlighted again in 1997, winning the [[King of the Ring (1997)|1997 King of the Ring]] tournament by defeating [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] in the finals.<ref name="game" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1997.htm|title=King of the Ring 1997 Results|access-date=August 10, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=February 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227074009/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1997.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Shawn Michaels, Helmsley, Chyna and [[Rick Rude]] formed D-Generation X (DX).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwf-h.html|title=W.W.W.F./W.W.F./W.W.E. World Heavyweight Title|access-date=October 8, 2007|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|archive-date=September 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918155550/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwf-h.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwe-world-h.html|title=World Heavyweight Title (W.W.E. Smackdown!)|access-date=October 8, 2007|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|archive-date=September 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926233556/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwe-world-h.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This stable became known for [[wikt:pushing the envelope|pushing the envelope]], as Michaels and Helmsley made risqué promos—using the catchphrase "Suck It" and a "crotch chop" hand motion<ref name="crap210">Baer, Randy and R. D. Reynolds. ''Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling'' (p.210)</ref>—and sarcastically derided Bret Hart and Canada. By that point, Helmsley had all but dropped the "blueblood snob" gimmick, appearing in T-shirts and leather jackets. During this period, his ring name was shortened to simply '''Triple H''', though he was still called Helmsley from time to time and Hunter for the rest of his career.<ref name="game" /> Even after DX's feud with [[The Hart Foundation|Hart Foundation]] storyline ended, he continued to feud with the sole remaining Hart family member [[Owen Hart|Owen]] over the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]], which Helmsley won by "defeating" Michaels after Michaels laid down for him on December 11, which aired on the December 22 episode of ''Raw is War''. Triple H lost the title to Hart after [[Goldust|The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust]] competed against Hart in drag as Triple H on the January 22 episode of ''Raw is War''. Triple H defeated Hart to win his second European Championship on the March 16 episode of ''Raw is War''. At [[WrestleMania XIV]] on March 29, Triple H defended the title against Hart in a rematch, with the stipulation that Chyna had to be handcuffed to then-Commissioner [[Sgt. Slaughter]]. Triple H won after Chyna threw powder into Slaughter's eyes, momentarily "blinding" him and allowing her to interfere in the match.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Chyna and Triple H.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Triple H and then-girlfriend [[Chyna]] in April 1999]]

After WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels was forced into temporary retirement due to a [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] back injury sustained in January at the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|Royal Rumble]],<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.100)</ref> with Triple H taking over the leadership position in DX,<ref name="game" /> claiming that his now-former associate had "dropped the ball". He introduced the returning [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] the night after WrestleMania and joined forces with [[The New Age Outlaws]].<ref name="game" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1998/ |title=Raw – 1998 Results |access-date=July 12, 2007 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720104717/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1998/ |archive-date=July 20, 2008 }}</ref> As 1998 went along, DX became more popular, turning the group from [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]] to [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorites]]. During this time, he adopted an entrance gimmick of asking the crowd "Are you ready? I said, are you ready?", followed by a parody of rival promotion WCW's ring announcer [[Michael Buffer]]'s famous catch-phrase, "Let's get ready to rumble", substituting the word "rumble" with the DX slogan, "suck it". Also during this time, Triple H began a feud with the leader of the [[Nation of Domination]] and rising WWF [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]], [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]].<ref name="time" /> This storyline rivalry eventually led to a feud over the Intercontinental Championship. As part of the feud, Triple H lost the European Championship to Rock's Nation teammate [[D-Lo Brown]] on the July 20 episode of ''Raw is War''. Triple H eventually defeated Rock in a [[ladder match]] to win his second Intercontinental Championship on August 30 at [[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam]].<ref name="time" /><ref name="wwe.com 2005 j106">{{cite web |date=November 29, 2005 |title=WWE: TV Shows > SummerSlam > History > 1998 > Results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1998/results/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129203123/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1998/results/ |archive-date=November 29, 2005 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=wwe.com}}</ref> He did not hold the title long, as he was sidelined with a legitimate knee injury.<ref name="time" /> When The Rock won the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] on November 15 at [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]],<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.102)</ref> the rivalry between the two continued, as DX fought [[The Corporation (professional wrestling)|The Corporation]] stable of which The Rock was the main star and Triple H received a shot at the WWF Championship on the January 25, 1999, ''Raw is War'' in an [["I Quit" match]], but the match ended when Triple H was forced to quit or see his aide Chyna [[chokeslam]]med by [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]].<ref name="time" /> This began a new angle for Triple H, as Chyna betrayed him by attacking him after the match and joining The Corporation.<ref name="time" />

On March 28 at [[WrestleMania XV]], Triple H lost to Kane after Chyna interfered on his behalf and she was thought to have rejoined DX.<ref name="time" /> Later on in the night, he betrayed his long-time friend and fellow DX member X-Pac by helping [[Shane McMahon]] retain the European Championship and joined The Corporation,<ref name="time" /> turning [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] in the process. In April, he started to move away from his DX look, taping his fists for matches, sporting shorter wrestling trunks, and adopting a shorter hairstyle.<ref name="time" /> His gimmick changed as he fought to earn a WWF Championship opportunity.<ref name="time" /> After failed attempts at winning the championship, Triple H and Mankind challenged then WWF Champion [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] to a [[3-Way Dance|triple threat match]] on August 22 at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]], which featured [[Jesse Ventura|Jesse "The Body" Ventura]] as the special guest referee. Mankind won the match by pinning Austin.<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.104)</ref>

The following night on ''Raw Is War'', Triple H defeated Mankind to win his first WWF Championship.<ref name=time/> He dropped the WWF Championship to Mr. McMahon on the September 16, 1999, episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' before regaining it on September 26 at [[Unforgiven (1999)|Unforgiven]] in a [[3-Way Dance|Six-Pack Challenge]] that included Davey Boy Smith, [[Big Show]], Kane, The Rock and Mankind. He defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin on October 17 at [[No Mercy (1999)|No Mercy]] before dropping the title to Big Show on November 14 at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]]. Triple H then continued his feud with Mr. McMahon by marrying his daughter [[Stephanie McMahon]] and defeating McMahon on December 12 at [[Armageddon (1999)|Armageddon]]. As a result of the feud, an angle with Triple H and Stephanie began which carried the WWF throughout the next seventeen months; together they were known as The McMahon-Helmsley Faction.<ref name=crap257>Baer, Randy and R. D. Reynolds. ''Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling'' (p.257)</ref>

==== McMahon–Helmsley Era (2000–2001) ====
{{Main|Two-Man Power Trip}}

By January 2000, Triple H had nicknamed himself "The Game" after stating he was above the top of the wrestling world (as in not merely the "best in the game" but in fact "the game" itself) and was nicknamed "The Cerebral Assassin" by [[Jim Ross]].<ref name="pw">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_48886.shtml|title=A guide to collecting WrestleMania's biggest stars from WrestleMania 1 to 27|last=Moore|first=Michael|date=March 31, 2011|website=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]|access-date=June 22, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207195623/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_48886.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On the January 3 episode of ''Raw Is War'', Triple H defeated Big Show to win his third WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541403 |title=Triple H's third reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109012301/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541403 |archive-date=January 9, 2008 }}</ref>

Triple H feuded with [[Mick Foley]] in early 2000. On January 23 at the [[Royal Rumble (2000)|Royal Rumble]], Triple H retained the WWF Championship in a Street Fight after performing two ''Pedigree''s on Foley. The feud ended on February 27 at [[No Way Out (2000)|No Way Out]] inside [[Hell in a Cell]], where Triple H retained the title and forced Foley to retire.<ref name=NoWayOut2000>{{cite web|title=Triple H vs. Cactus Jack – Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/2000/mainevent|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 25, 2012|date=February 27, 2000|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214306/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/2000/mainevent|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H defeated The Rock, Mick Foley and Big Show in a Fatal 4-Way elimination match at [[WrestleMania 2000]] on April 2 to retain the title,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xvi.htm|title=WrestleMania 2000 Results|access-date=August 17, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413110302/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xvi.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> but lost it on April 30 at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]] to The Rock, ending his reign at 118 days.<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.105)</ref> Triple H regained it three weeks later, in an [[Iron Man match]] against The Rock on May 21 at [[WWF Judgment Day (2000)|Judgment Day]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/may/2000.htm|title=Judgment Day 2000 Results|access-date=August 17, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104827/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/may/2000.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> only to lose it back to The Rock on June 25 at [[King of the Ring (2000)|King of the Ring]].<ref name="pwi106">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.106)</ref> Triple H then entered a storyline with [[Chris Jericho]], who upset Triple H by defeating him for the WWF Championship on the April 17 episode of ''Raw Is War'' before the title was returned to Triple H because of a fast count made by referee [[Earl Hebner]], and Jericho's reign is not recognized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/000417.htm|title=Raw is War results – April 17, 2000|access-date=June 15, 2008|date=April 17, 2000|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085326/http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/000417.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Their feud culminated in a [[Last Man Standing match]] at [[Fully Loaded (2000)|Fully Loaded]] on July 23 which Triple H won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gerweck.net/2010/05/31/fully-loaded-3/|title=Fully Loaded 2000 Report|publisher=Gerweck.net|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503214517/http://www.gerweck.net/2010/05/31/fully-loaded-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H feuded with [[Kurt Angle]], initially over the WWF Championship, but then as a love triangle between himself, Angle, and Stephanie.<ref>{{cite book|title=If They Only Knew|last=Laurer|first=Joanie|publisher=ReaganBooks|year=2001|isbn=0-06-109895-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/chyna9thwonderof00chyn_0/page/122 122]|url=https://archive.org/details/chyna9thwonderof00chyn_0/page/122}}</ref> Both Triple H and Angle wrestled for the WWF Championship against The Rock on August 27 at [[SummerSlam (2000)|SummerSlam]], but The Rock retained the title after Angle received a [[Glossary of professional wrestling#Legit|legit]] [[concussion]] during a [[Botch (professional wrestling)|botched]] ''Pedigree'' on a commentary table by Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2000/results/ |access-date=March 15, 2008 |title=SummerSlam (2000) Results |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224064424/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="SLAM">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/aug28_summerslam.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715121001/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/aug28_summerslam.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|access-date=March 15, 2008|title=Stunts highlight SummerSlam|last=Powell|first=John|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The feud culminated at [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]] on September 24, where Triple H defeated Angle with a ''Pedigree'' after a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]] from McMahon.<ref name=pwi106/>

After a brief run as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] that saw Triple H defeat [[Chris Benoit]] on October 22 at [[No Mercy (2000)|No Mercy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2000/results|title=No Mercy 2000 results|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=July 2, 2013|date=October 22, 2000|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310113730/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2000/results|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H reverted to his heel persona and restarted his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin when it emerged that Triple H had paid off [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]] to run down Austin at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]], causing him to take a year off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/2010/05/27/survivor-series-3/|access-date=December 6, 2010|title=Survivor Series 1999 Report|publisher=Gerweck.net|date=May 28, 2010|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118230935/http://www.gerweck.net/2010/05/27/survivor-series-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> While Triple H said he had done it in order to shield Austin from the WWF Championship and end his career in storyline, Austin's previous neck injuries started bothering him again in reality, forcing him to have surgery. At [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]] on November 19, Triple H and Austin had a match that ended when Triple H tried to trick Austin into coming into the parking lot to run him over again, only to have Austin lift his car up with a forklift and flip the car onto its roof 10&nbsp;feet high.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/|title=Survivor Series 2000 official results|access-date=March 20, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224051027/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/|archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Survivor Series 2000 Report|url=http://www.gerweck.net/2010/05/31/survivor-series-4/|publisher=Gerweck.net|access-date=March 31, 2011|date=June 2010|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503214530/http://www.gerweck.net/2010/05/31/survivor-series-4/|url-status=live}}</ref> A brutal [[Professional wrestling match types#Three Stages of Hell match|Three Stages of Hell match]] between the two at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25, 2001, saw Triple H defeat Austin 2–1, thus ending their feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent |title=No Way Out 2001 Results |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] |access-date=September 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002213703/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent/ |archive-date=October 2, 2008 }}</ref> The Three Stages of Hell match received universal acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the most brutal and one of the best professional wrestling match of all times.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tjrwrestling.net/feature/almost-5-star-match-reviews-triple-h-vs-steve-austin-3-stages-of-hell-wwe-no-way-out-2001-by-alex-podgorski/ | title=(Almost) 5-Star Match Reviews: Triple H vs. Steve Austin - 3 Stages of Hell, WWE No Way Out 2001 – TJR Wrestling | date=February 23, 2021 | access-date=March 12, 2023 | archive-date=March 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312100955/https://tjrwrestling.net/feature/almost-5-star-match-reviews-triple-h-vs-steve-austin-3-stages-of-hell-wwe-no-way-out-2001-by-alex-podgorski/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/kevin-random-reviews-wwf-no-way-out-2001/ | title=411Mania | access-date=March 12, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106034633/https://411mania.com/wrestling/kevin-random-reviews-wwf-no-way-out-2001/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H also feuded with [[The Undertaker]], who [[The Streak (wrestling)|defeated him]] on April 1 at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]].<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.107)</ref> The night after WrestleMania, Triple H interfered in a steel cage match between Austin (who had just won the WWF Championship) and The Rock where he joined forces with Austin and double teamed on The Rock,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/raw01.htm|title=Raw results – 2001|access-date=September 24, 2009|publisher=The History of the WWE|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410013437/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/raw01.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> forming a [[tag team]] called [[The Power Trip|The Two-Man Power Trip]]. Triple H then defeated Chris Jericho for his third Intercontinental Championship on the April 5 ''SmackDown!'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/smackdown01.htm|title=SmackDown! results – 2001|access-date=September 24, 2009|publisher=The History of the WWE|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410013438/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/smackdown01.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and won it for a fourth time two weeks later by defeating [[Jeff Hardy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322664 |title=Triple H's fourth reign |access-date=April 16, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422084301/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322664 |archive-date=April 22, 2007 }}</ref> Triple H then became a [[World tag team championship|world tag team champion]] by winning the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] for the first time at [[Backlash (2001)|Backlash]] on April 29 when he and Austin defeated [[The Brothers of Destruction|Kane and The Undertaker]] in a "Winner Take All" tag team match. As Triple H was still Intercontinental Champion, the win made him a double champion. In doing so, Triple H became the seventh Triple Crown winner and second Grand Slam winner in WWE history.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lucio|last=Guerrero|title=WWF's big show drives local fans wild|date=April 30, 2001|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=1}}</ref>

During the main event of the May 21, 2001, episode of ''Raw Is War'', Triple H suffered a legitimate and career-threatening injury.<ref name=snapshot/><ref name="quad muscle 01">{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Quiones|title=Hart's death is still causing pain|date=May 24, 2001|work=[[The Star-Ledger]]|page=56}}</ref> He and Austin were defending the WWF Tag Team Championship against Chris Jericho and [[Chris Benoit]]. At one point, Jericho had Austin trapped in the ''[[Elevated Boston crab|Walls of Jericho]]'' and Triple H ran in to break it up, but just as he did, he suffered a tear in his left [[Quadriceps femoris muscle|quadriceps muscle]],<ref name=snapshot/><ref name="quad muscle 01" /> causing it to come completely off the bone.<ref name=grips/> Despite Triple H's inability to place any weight on his leg, Triple H was able to complete the match.<ref name=grips/> Triple H even allowed Jericho to put him in the ''Walls of Jericho'', a move that places considerable stress on the quadriceps. The tear required an operation, which was performed by [[Orthopedic surgery|orthopedic surgeon]] [[James Andrews (physician)|Dr. James Andrews]]. This injury brought an abrupt end to the McMahon-Helmsley Era, as the rigorous [[Physical therapy|rehabilitation]] process kept Triple H out of action for over eight months,<ref name=grips/><ref name=snapshot/> completely missing [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|The Invasion]] storyline.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==== World Heavyweight Champion and Evolution (2002–2005) ====
{{Main|Evolution (professional wrestling)|l1 = Evolution}}

[[File:HHHwmX8.jpg|thumb|Triple H after he won the [[WWE World Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X8]]|left|232x232px]]
Triple H returned to ''Raw'' as a face on January 7, 2002, at [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref name=grips/> He won the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] on January 20, receiving an [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]] match on March 17 at [[WrestleMania X8]],<ref name=pwi110>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.110)</ref> where Triple H defeated Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF Championship.<ref name=snapshot/><ref name=pwi110/> After holding the title for a month, Triple H lost it to [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hulk Hogan]] on April 21 at [[Backlash (2002)|Backlash]].<ref name=pwi110/> Triple H then became exclusive to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] roster due to the [[WWE Brand Extension|WWF draft lottery]] and continued to feud with Jericho, culminating in a Hell in a Cell match on May 19 at [[WWE Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]], which Triple H won. On the June 6 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Triple H defeated Hogan in a #1 contender match for the WWE Undisputed Championship at [[King of the Ring (2002)|King of the Ring]] against The Undertaker, but was unsuccessful at King of the Ring on June 23.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In the interim, between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, the McMahon-Helmsley Faction was brought to an official on-screen conclusion. By the time he returned, Triple H's on-screen marriage to Stephanie McMahon was faltering, so Stephanie faked a pregnancy in order to get him back on her side.<ref name=pregnancy>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/oww/hallofshame/preg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624113547/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/oww/hallofshame/preg.html|archive-date=June 24, 2007|title=HALL "OWW" SHAME: I'M PREGNANT!|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 19, 2007}}</ref> When he learned that it was fake, he dumped her publicly on ''Raw'' when they were supposed to renew their wedding vows.<ref name=pregnancy/> Stephanie aligned with Jericho afterward,<ref name=pregnancy/> but she was forced to leave after losing a triple threat match on the March 25 episode of ''Raw'' when she was pinned by Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=Raw Results: March 25, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 19, 2007|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104844/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The divorce, and thus the storyline, was finalized on July 21 at [[Vengeance (2002)|Vengeance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance02.html|title=Vengeance 2002 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 19, 2007|archive-date=November 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113163552/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance02.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels had made his return to WWE and joined the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo). Michaels and Kevin Nash planned to bring Triple H over to ''Raw'' in order to put him into the group. Mr. McMahon disbanded the nWo following several backstage complications and brought in [[Eric Bischoff]] as the ''Raw'' [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Raw brand authorities|general manager]]. One of Bischoff's first intentions was to follow up on the nWo's plan and bring Triple H over to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] roster. Triple H moved to the Raw brand at Vengeance, reuniting with Michaels, but he turned on Michaels by performing a ''Pedigree'' on him during what was supposed to be a DX reunion, turning [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] once again. The following week, Triple H smashed Michaels' face into a car window to prove that Michaels was weak. These events led to the beginning of a long storyline rivalry between the former partners and an eventual "[[Hardcore wrestling|Unsanctioned Street Fight]]" on August 25 at [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]], in which Michaels came out of retirement to win. Triple H then attacked him with a [[sledgehammer]] and he was carried from the ring on a stretcher.<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.111)</ref>

Before September 2, 2002, WWE recognized only one [[Professional wrestling world championship|world champion]], the WWE Undisputed Champion, for both the Raw and SmackDown! brands. After SummerSlam, then WWE Undisputed Champion [[Brock Lesnar]] became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, leaving the Raw brand without a world champion. Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff then awarded Triple H the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]], represented by the [[Big Gold Belt]] (which previously had been used to represent the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] and [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]), making him the first World Heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 13 Reigns of Triple H |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/tripleh/13-reigns-of-triple-h |access-date=September 27, 2020 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220235351/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/tripleh/13-reigns-of-triple-h |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H retained his title against [[Rob Van Dam]] on September 22 at [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]] when [[Ric Flair]] hit Van Dam with a sledgehammer.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In October, Triple H began a controversial feud with Kane, leading to a match at [[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]] in which both Kane's Intercontinental Championship and Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship were at stake. In the weeks preceding the match, Triple H claimed that, several years earlier, Kane had an [[Unrequited love|unrequited]] relationship with a woman named Katie Vick.<ref name="wc267">{{cite book|title=WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling|last=Reynolds|first=R. D.|year=2003|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-584-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/267 267]|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/267}}</ref> He went on to claim that, after Vick was killed in a [[Car accident|car crash]], Kane (the driver) [[rape]]d her corpse.<ref name="wc267"/> Triple H later threatened to show video footage of Kane committing the act in question; the footage that finally aired showed Triple H (dressed as Kane) simulating [[necrophilia]] with a [[mannequin]] in a [[Coffin|casket]];<ref name="wc267"/> Kane's tag team partner The Hurricane responded the following week by showing a video of Triple H (rather, someone wearing a Triple H series of masks) getting an [[enema]]. The [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]] was very unpopular with fans,<ref>{{cite video|date=2006|title=McMahon|medium=DVD|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> and was de-emphasized before the title match. Triple H went on to defeat Kane at No Mercy on October 20, [[Championship unification|unifying]] the two titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/2002.htm|title=No Mercy 2002 Results|access-date=November 3, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413110455/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/2002.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Triple H eventually lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Shawn Michaels in the first [[Elimination Chamber]] match on November 17 at [[Survivor Series (2002)|Survivor Series]].<ref name=pwi112>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.112)</ref> He defeated Van Dam on the December 2 episode of ''Raw'' to earn a title shot at [[Armageddon (2002)|Armageddon]] with Michaels as the [[special guest referee]]. He regained the title from Michaels in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Three Stages of Hell match|Three Stages of Hell match]] at Armageddon on December 15, winning 2–1.<ref name=pwi112/>

[[File:TripleH WrestlemaniaRevenge2.JPG|thumb|Triple H in April 2005|220x220px]]

In February 2003, Triple H formed a stable known as [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]] with Ric Flair, [[Randy Orton]], and [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]. The group was heavily pushed on ''Raw'' and the height of their dominance occurred after [[Armageddon (2003)|Armageddon]], where every member of Evolution left the event holding a title.<ref name="pwi114">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.114)</ref> Triple H held the World Heavyweight Championship for most of 2003, successfully defending against [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] on March 30 at [[WrestleMania XIX]] in an angle with racist undertones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030303.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=June 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629224123/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030303.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He lost the title after 280 days on September 21 at [[Unforgiven (2003)|Unforgiven]] to [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]], in a match with the stipulation that had Goldberg lost, he would have to retire.<ref name="Unforgiven2003">{{cite web|title=Triple H vs. Goldberg for the World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=February 23, 2008 |date=September 21, 2003 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/mainevent/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327053253/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref> After failing to win back the title from Goldberg in a rematch on November 16 at [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]], he finally regained the championship from Goldberg in a triple threat match at [[Armageddon (2003)|Armageddon]] on December 14, which also involved Kane. Triple H fought Shawn Michaels in a Last Man Standing match on January 25, 2004, at the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|Royal Rumble]] to a double [[countout]], so he retained the title as a result.<ref name="pwi114" /> Triple H lost the championship to Chris Benoit on March 14 at [[WrestleMania XX]] in a triple threat match also involving Michaels.<ref name="pwi115">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.115)</ref> Triple H was drafted to the SmackDown! brand on the March 22 episode of ''Raw'' and failed to capture the [[WWE Championship]] from [[Eddie Guerrero]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=Raw results – March 22, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=February 18, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216232751/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H was traded back to ''Raw'' without competing on ''SmackDown!'' and tried to reclaim the World Heavyweight title from Benoit in a WrestleMania rematch against Benoit and Michaels on April 18 at [[Backlash (2004)|Backlash]], but was unsuccessful.<ref name="pwi115" />

At [[WWE Bad Blood (2004)|Bad Blood]] on June 13, Triple H defeated Michaels in the longest Hell in a Cell match in history, ending their feud.<ref name=pwi115/> He failed to win the title from Benoit on July 11 at [[Vengeance (2004)|Vengeance]] and on the July 26 episode of ''Raw'' in a [[Iron Man match|60-Minute Iron Man match]] after interference from [[Nick Dinsmore|Eugene]], whom he defeated on August 15 at [[SummerSlam (2004)|SummerSlam]].<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.116)</ref> The following night on ''Raw'', Triple H turned on his protège Randy Orton (who became the youngest world champion in WWE history at SummerSlam), expressing jealousy over Orton's title victory. He regained the championship from Orton on September 12 at [[Unforgiven (2004)|Unforgiven]]. Following a triple threat World Heavyweight title defense against Benoit and [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] on the November 29 episode of ''Raw'', the World Heavyweight Championship became [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Vacant|vacant]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041129.html|title=Raw – November 29, 2004 Results|access-date=July 11, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=December 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206234428/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/041129.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[New Year's Revolution (2005)|New Year's Revolution]] on January 9, 2005, Triple H won an Elimination Chamber match to regain the World Heavyweight Championship after last eliminating Orton, then retained the title against him on January 30 at the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]] to end their feud. That same night, his stablemate Batista won the [[Royal Rumble#Match|Royal Rumble match]], earning a world title match at [[WrestleMania 21]]. Tension between the two began in the weeks leading up to the event as Triple H convinced Batista to challenge for the [[WWE Championship]] instead of his World Heavyweight Championship. On the February 21 episode of ''Raw'', Batista turned on Triple H and signed a contract to face him for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.<ref name="PS127">{{cite news|author=Evans, Anthony|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 127|work=Tripper strikes back (New Years Revolution 2005)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=January 21, 2005|pages=30–31}}</ref> At WrestleMania on April 3, Triple H lost the championship to Batista,<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.117)</ref> and subsequently lost two rematches on May 1 at [[Backlash (2005)|Backlash]]<ref name="PS131">{{cite news|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 131|work=WrestleMania rerun (Backlash 2005)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=May 21, 2005|pages=32–33}}</ref> and on June 26 at [[Vengeance (2005)|Vengeance]], where Batista became the first man to pin Triple H inside Hell in a Cell.<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.118)</ref> After Vengeance, Triple H took a hiatus from WWE due to suffering from minor neck problems.<ref name="KOK">{{cite video|date=2008|title=Triple H: The King of Kings|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE Home Video}}</ref>

After a four-month hiatus, Triple H returned to ''Raw'' on October 3, where he and Flair defeated [[Chris Masters]] and [[Carly Colón|Carlito]]. After the match, Triple H turned on Flair by attacking him with a sledgehammer, sparking a feud between the duo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051003.html|title=Raw – October 3, 2005 Results|access-date=July 11, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917133829/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051003.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Flair defeated Triple H in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cages|steel cage match]] on November 1 at [[Taboo Tuesday (2005)|Taboo Tuesday]] for Flair's [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]].<ref name=pwi119>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.119)</ref> Subsequently, Triple H defeated Flair in a non-title Last Man Standing match on November 27 at [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]] to end their feud.<ref name=pwi119/>

==== D-Generation X reunion (2006–2007) ====
Triple H failed to win the [[Royal Rumble#Match|Royal Rumble match]] on January 29, 2006, at the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]], but another championship opportunity arose for him in the [[WWE tournaments#Road to WrestleMania Tournament|Road to WrestleMania Tournament]], which he won, granting him a match for the [[WWE Championship]] at [[WrestleMania 22]] on April 2, where he lost to champion [[John Cena]] via [[Submission (professional wrestling)|submission]].<ref name="PS142">{{cite news|author=Hurley, Oliver|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 142|work="WrestleMania In Person" (WrestleMania 22)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=April 20, 2006|pages=16–19}}</ref> On April 30 at [[Backlash (2006)|Backlash]], Triple H was involved in another WWE Championship match, fighting Edge and Cena in a triple threat match, where he lost again. Angered at his loss, a bloodied Triple H used his sledgehammer to attack both Edge and Cena and then performed a number of DX crotch chops.<ref name="pwi121">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.121)</ref> Triple H unsuccessfully attempted to win the WWE title from Cena on numerous occasions, blaming his shortcomings on Vince McMahon, which eventually led to a feud between the McMahons and Triple H.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Dx-sig-pose@commons.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|D-X striking their signature pose]]

Shawn Michaels returned on the June 12 episode of ''Raw'' and reunited with Triple H to re-form D-Generation X, turning Triple H [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] for the first time since 2002.<ref name="der">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=Raw – June 12, 2006 Results|access-date=July 11, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=December 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202020448/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|url-status=live}}</ref> DX defeated [[The Spirit Squad]] on June 25 at [[Vengeance (2006)|Vengeance]] in a 5-on-2 handicap match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/2006.htm|title=Vengeance 2006 Results|access-date=August 17, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413110459/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/2006.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> They continued their feud with Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and The Spirit Squad for several weeks. They then defeated The Spirit Squad again on the July 15, 2006, episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII]]'' in a 5-on-2 elimination match. They then again defeated the McMahons on August 20 at [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]], withstanding the attack of several wrestlers who assaulted them before the match as directed by Mr. McMahon.<ref name="pwi121" /> At [[Unforgiven (2006)|Unforgiven]] on September 17, DX defeated the McMahons and [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW World Champion]] [[Big Show]] in a 3-on-2 handicap Hell in a Cell match. During the match, DX embarrassed Vince by shoving his face in between Big Show's buttocks, and DX won when Triple H broke a sledgehammer over the shoulders of Mr. McMahon after Michaels performed ''[[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]]'' on him.<ref name="pwi122">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p.122)</ref>

At [[Cyber Sunday (2006)|Cyber Sunday]] on November 5, during DX's feud with [[Rated-RKO]] ([[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Randy Orton]]), special guest referee Eric Bischoff allowed the illegal use of a weapon to give Rated-RKO the win.<ref name="pwi122" /> On November 26 at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]], DX got their revenge when their team defeated Edge and Orton's team in a clean sweep during their [[Elimination tag team match|five-on-five elimination match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/november/2006.htm|title=Survivor Series 2006 Results|access-date=July 11, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104705/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/november/2006.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[New Year's Revolution (2007)|New Year's Revolution]] on January 7, 2007, DX and Rated-RKO fought to a no contest after Triple H suffered a legitimate torn right quadriceps (similar to the one he suffered in 2001 in his other leg) 15 minutes into the match.<ref name="trouble">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFY/is_3_25/ai_n19041827 |title=Triple trouble |first=Shawn |last=Perine |publisher=Flex |access-date=September 20, 2007 |date=May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123175001/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFY/is_3_25/ai_n19041827 |archive-date=November 23, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/newyearsrevolution07/ |title=New Years Revolution 2007 Results |access-date=July 11, 2007 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214011227/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/newyearsrevolution07/ |archive-date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref> Surgery was successfully performed two days later by Dr. James Andrews.<ref name="trouble" />

==== Multiple WWE Championship reigns (2007–2009) ====
At [[SummerSlam (2007)|SummerSlam]] on August 26, he defeated [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]] in his return match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/august/2007.htm|title=SummerSlam 2007 Results|access-date=September 2, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413110500/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/august/2007.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 7 at [[No Mercy (2007)|No Mercy]], Triple H was originally scheduled to face [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] in a singles match. At the start of the night, Triple H challenged newly named WWE Champion Randy Orton, reigniting their feud that had been interrupted following his injury. Triple H won the match, winning his eleventh world championship and sixth WWE Championship,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2007/matches/5267288|title=WWE Champion Triple H def. Umaga|access-date=May 4, 2012|date=October 7, 2007|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072703/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2007/matches/5267288|url-status=live}}</ref> then defended his title against Umaga in his regularly scheduled match after Mr. McMahon declared the match to be for the WWE title.<ref name="No Mercy">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/2007.htm|title=No Mercy 2007 Results|access-date=October 8, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104154/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/2007.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> After that, McMahon gave Orton a rematch against Triple H in a Last Man Standing match in the main event, and Triple H lost after an ''[[The RKO|RKO]]'' on a broadcast table.<ref name="No Mercy"/> Triple H's title reign at No Mercy is the fifth shortest reign in WWE history, only lasting through the duration of the event.<ref name="No Mercy"/> After winning the ''Raw'' Elimination Chamber match on February 17, 2008, at [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]], Triple H gained a WWE Championship match by outlasting five other men, last eliminating [[Jeff Hardy]] after a ''Pedigree'' on a steel chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/2008/matches/5908216|title=Triple H wins Raw Elimination Chamber|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173521/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/2008/matches/5908216|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania XXIV]] on March 30, Orton retained the title in a triple threat match after [[Professional wrestling attacks#Punt|punting]] Triple H and pinning John Cena following Triple H's ''Pedigree'' on Cena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/matches/6199854|title=Triple Threat Match: Randy Orton def. John Cena and Triple H (Orton retains WWE Title)|date=March 30, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071550/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/matches/6199854|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 27 at [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]], Triple H won the title in a fatal four-way elimination match against Orton, Cena, and [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]], tying the record for most WWE Championship reigns with The Rock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|title=History of the WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=April 27, 2008|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223053803/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H retained the title against Orton on May 18 at [[WWE Judgment Day (2008)|Judgment Day]] in a steel cage match<ref>{{cite web|first=Bob|last=Kapur|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/05/18/5609326.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718052924/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/05/18/5609326.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 18, 2012|title=Judgment Day spoils streak of good shows|access-date=June 23, 2008|date=May 18, 2008|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> and again on June 1 at [[One Night Stand (2008)|One Night Stand]] in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/05/30/5721341.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724193637/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/05/30/5721341.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=One Night Stand WWE's best this year|date=May 30, 2008|last=Mackinder|first=Matt|access-date=May 4, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Orton suffered a legitimate [[Clavicle|collarbone]] injury during the match, prematurely ending the feud.<ref>{{cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/exclusives/ortoncollarinjury|title=Orton suffers broken collarbone|access-date=June 2, 2008|date=June 1, 2008|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216125325/http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/exclusives/ortoncollarinjury|archive-date=December 16, 2008}}</ref>[[File:Triple H WWE Champion 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Triple H as [[WWE World Championship|WWE Champion]] in November 2008|211x211px]]On the June 23 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H was drafted to the SmackDown brand as a part of the [[2008 WWE draft]], in the process making the WWE Championship exclusive to ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/|title=A Draft Disaster|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=June 23, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=June 25, 2008|archive-date=July 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726180217/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H then went on to defeat John Cena [[Glossary of professional wrestling#Clean finish|cleanly]] to retain the WWE Championship on June 29 at [[Night of Champions (2008)|Night of Champions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_26077.shtml|title=Keller's WWE Night Of The Champions PPV Report 6/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event|date=September 29, 2008|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|access-date=September 28, 2013|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165702/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_26077.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He defended the championship over the summer by defeating the likes of [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] on July 20 at [[The Great American Bash (2008)|The Great American Bash]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/7582302/results/ |access-date=July 21, 2008 |title=Maul in the Family |last=Adkins |first=Greg |date=July 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723213545/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/7582302/results/ |archive-date=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[The Great Khali]] on August 17 at [[SummerSlam (2008)|SummerSlam]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/08/17/6484406.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730124909/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/08/17/6484406.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=SummerSlam comes close to 'blockbuster' status|date=August 17, 2008|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=February 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> and was the only champion to retain his title at [[Unforgiven (2008)|Unforgiven]]'s [[Professional wrestling match types#Championship Scramble|Championship Scramble matches]] on September 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/09/08/6698911.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629151951/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/09/08/6698911.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Scramble matches make for wild Unforgiven|date=September 8, 2008|last=Bishop|first=Matt|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=October 27, 2008}}</ref> He successfully defended it against [[Jeff Hardy]] both on October 5 at [[No Mercy (2008)|No Mercy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/8069684/results/|title=The Game escapes with the gold|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|date=October 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=October 6, 2008|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530045052/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/8069684/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Cyber Sunday (2008)|Cyber Sunday]] on October 26.<ref name="WWETitleMatch">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/8292514/results/|title=Cyber Sunday: Triple H marches on as champion|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|date=October 26, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=October 27, 2008|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530044510/http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/8292514/results/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[Survivor Series (2008)|Survivor Series]] on November 23, Triple H was scheduled to defend the title against [[Vladimir Kozlov]] and Jeff Hardy, but Hardy was kept out of the match after a scripted attack and injury. During the match, ''SmackDown'' general manager [[Vickie Guerrero]] announced that Edge had returned and introduced him into the contest. Hardy interfered and hit Triple H with a steel chair meant for Edge, costing him the title after a 210-day reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2008/matches/8627844|title=Edge def. WWE Champion Triple H & Vladimir Kozlov (Triple Threat Match)|date=November 23, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310070939/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2008/matches/8627844|url-status=live}}</ref> After failing to regain the title on December 14 at [[Armageddon (2008)|Armageddon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229313534.shtml|title=Armageddon PPV results – 12/14/08 – Buffalo, NY|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=December 14, 2008|publisher=Wrestleview|access-date=December 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216161902/http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229313534.shtml|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H entered seventh in the [[Royal Rumble (2009)|Royal Rumble]] on January 25, 2009, but was last eliminated by Randy Orton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9050360/results/|title=Results:Detroit "RKO" City|date=January 25, 2009|last=Tello|first=Craig|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=January 27, 2009|archive-date=December 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217012110/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9050360/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[No Way Out (2009)|No Way Out]] on February 15, Triple H won the WWE Championship in the ''SmackDown'' Elimination Chamber match, setting the record for most reigns at eight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/9253224/results/|title=Results: Regaining the throne|last=Passero|first=Mitch|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=February 15, 2009|archive-date=March 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304074552/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/9253224/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> That record stood until 2011 when John Cena won his ninth WWE Championship.<ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=Coyle|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,14203_7063250,00.html|title=Title glory for Cena|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-date=August 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816232739/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,14203_7063250,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the February 16 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H made an appearance aiding [[Stephanie McMahon|Stephanie]] and [[Shane McMahon]], after they were attacked by Orton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02162009/|title=Game changer|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=February 16, 2009|publisher=WWE|access-date=April 13, 2009|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410014248/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02162009/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the February 20 episode of ''SmackDown'', Triple H was interviewed by [[Jim Ross]]; in the interview, footage was shown highlighting the events that occurred on the February 16 episode of ''Raw''. Ross asked Triple H how he felt seeing that footage, in response, he broke character (after 5 years of marriage) by admitting that [[Vince McMahon]] is his father-in-law, that Shane is his brother-in-law, and that Stephanie is his wife, creating a rivalry between Triple H and Orton. On the February 23 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H confronted Orton, before attacking him, [[Ted DiBiase, Jr.|Ted DiBiase]], and [[Cody Rhodes]] (a group known as [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|The Legacy]]) with a sledgehammer and chasing them from the arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02232009/|title="Legacy" gets hammered|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=February 23, 2009|publisher=WWE|access-date=April 13, 2009|archive-date=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217210725/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02232009|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 25]] on April 5, Triple H defeated Orton to retain the title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plummer |first=Dale |date=April 6, 2009 |title=Wrestlemania 25: HBK-Undertaker steals the show |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania25/2009/04/06/9019621.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143629/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania25/2009/04/06/9019621.html |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On the April 13 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H was drafted back to the Raw brand as part of the [[2009 WWE draft]], thus bringing the WWE Championship back to Raw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/10341-raw-results-4-13-09/?amp|title=Raw Results – 4/13/09|last=Nemer|first=Paul|date=April 14, 2009|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108053814/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/10341-raw-results-4-13-09/?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> He teamed with Shane McMahon and Batista against Orton and The Legacy in a six-man tag match for the WWE Championship on April 26 at [[Backlash (2009)|Backlash]], which they lost after Orton pinned Triple H.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sitterson |first=Aubrey |date=April 26, 2009 |title=Punter's quarry |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/9808790/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430114606/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/9808790/results/ |archive-date=April 30, 2009 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He lost a Three Stages of Hell title match to Orton on June 28 at [[WWE The Bash|The Bash]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=June 28, 2009 |title=Caldwell's WWE The Bash PPV Report 6/28: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Orton vs. Triple H, Punk vs. Hardy |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_33162.shtml |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408070055/https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_33162.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Night of Champions (2009)|Night of Champions]] on July 26, he again lost a title match to Orton in a triple threat match involving John Cena.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tello |first=Craig |date=July 26, 2009 |title=Results:The Viper repeats hisss-tory |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2009/matches/10729722/results/ |access-date=January 4, 2023 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118044253/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2009/matches/10729722/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Third run with D-Generation X (2009–2010) ====
On the August 10 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H met with Michaels at an office cafeteria in Texas where Michaels was working as a chef; throughout the show, Triple H tried to convince Michaels to return to WWE from hiatus. After several incidents (including grease grill burgers on fire and Michaels shouting at a little girl), Michaels agreed to team with Triple H to face The Legacy at [[SummerSlam (2009)|SummerSlam]], [[Professional wrestling attacks#Superkick|superkicked]] the girl, and quit his chef job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08102009/|first=Greg|last=Adkins|title=North of disorder|access-date=August 10, 2009|date=August 10, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=December 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218052908/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08102009|url-status=live}}</ref> On the August 17 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H and Michaels officially reunited as DX, but as they were in the process of their in-ring promo, The Legacy attacked them both.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/17/10492196.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713172730/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/17/10492196.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Raw: Road to Summerfest nears its end|date=August 17, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=August 19, 2009}}</ref> Their first match after reuniting was against The Legacy at SummerSlam on August 23, which they won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2009/matches/11196552|title=D-Generation X def. The Legacy|date=August 23, 2009|access-date=May 4, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085912/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2009/matches/11196552|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 13 at [[WWE Breaking Point|Breaking Point]], they lost to The Legacy in the first ever [[Falls count anywhere match|Submissions Count Anywhere match]] in WWE history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwebreakingpoint/2009/11459926|title=Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase def. D-Generation X (Submissions Count Anywhere Match)|date=September 13, 2009|access-date=May 4, 2012|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061337/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwebreakingpoint/2009/11459926|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[Hell in a Cell (2009)|Hell in a Cell]] on October 4, DX defeated The Legacy in a Hell in a Cell match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2009/10/05/11300786.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714103825/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2009/10/05/11300786.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Title changes highlight Hell in a Cell|last1=Sokol|first1=Chris|first2=Bryan|last2=Sokol|date=October 5, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=October 6, 2009}}</ref> DX unsuccessfully challenged John Cena for the WWE Championship in a triple threat match on November 22 at [[Survivor Series (2009)|Survivor Series]],<ref>{{cite web|first1=Dale|last1=Plummer|first2=Nick|last2=Tylwalk|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2009/11/23/11879686.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717080709/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2009/11/23/11879686.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Lots of wrestlers per match but no title changes at Survivor Series|access-date=December 14, 2009|date=November 23, 2009|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> after which they remained friends and partners. On December 13 at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs (2009)|TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs]], DX defeated [[Jeri-Show]] (Chris Jericho and Big Show) to win the Unified [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] in a [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_37357.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE TLC PPV Report 12/13: Complete PPV report on Cena vs. Sheamus, DX vs. JeriShow, Taker vs. Batista|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=December 13, 2009|publisher=PWTorch|access-date=December 16, 2009|archive-date=November 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130130012/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_37357.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Triple H 2010 Tribute to the Troops.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Triple H at the [[WWE Tribute to the Troops#2010|Tribute to the Troops]] in December 2010]]On December 21, Triple H announced that [[Hornswoggle]] was the new DX mascot.<ref name="dx mascot">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/12/21/12235071.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728143854/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/12/21/12235071.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 28, 2012|title=Raw: Santas, DX dominate holiday show|last=Plummer|first=Dale|date=December 21, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=December 28, 2009}}</ref> This came about after Hornswoggle sued DX for emotional and physical distress due to them not allowing him to join DX.<ref name="dx mascot" /> After being taken to court where they were ruled guilty by a jury and judge consisting of [[Dwarfism|dwarves]], Michaels told Triple H that Hornswoggle could be the mascot. Triple H agreed to it only if the charges were dropped, which Hornswoggle agreed to.<ref name="dx mascot" /> On the January 11, 2010, episode of ''Raw'', Mike Tyson, who was the ''Raw'' guest host for the night, teamed with Jericho to face DX; at the end of the bout, Tyson turned on Jericho and aligned himself with Triple H and Michaels.<ref>{{cite web |last=Golden |first=Hunter |date=January 11, 2010 |title=Raw Results – 1/11/10 |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1263270064.php |access-date=January 22, 2010 |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205524/http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1263270064.php |url-status=live }}</ref> On the February 8 episode of ''Raw'', DX lost the Unified Tag Team Championship to ShoMiz ([[The Miz]] and Big Show) in a triple threat elimination tag match, also involving [[The Straight Edge Society]] ([[CM Punk]] and [[Doc Gallows|Luke Gallows]]). On the March 1 episode of ''Raw'', they lost a rematch for the titles in their last televised match before Michaels retired.<ref name="Raw0103">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/03/01/13076276.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717195117/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/03/01/13076276.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=RAW: A bad trip on the Road to Wrestlemania|last=Plummer|first=Dale|date=March 1, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=April 9, 2010}}</ref>

On February 21, Triple H eliminated then WWE Champion [[Sheamus]] from the [[Elimination Chamber (2010)|Elimination Chamber]] match, though he did not win the title. Sheamus attacked him weeks later, setting up a match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]] on March 28, which Triple H won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1269831368 |title=Wrestlemania 26 Results – 3/28/10 |date=March 28, 2010 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=March 29, 2010 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401034109/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1269831368 |archive-date=April 1, 2010 }}</ref> Also at WrestleMania, Michaels lost to The Undertaker and was forced to retire. While giving a farewell speech the next night, Sheamus attacked him and set up a rematch at [[Extreme Rules (2010)|Extreme Rules]] on April 25. Sheamus attacked Triple H at the start of the show, before later winning the match, after which Triple H took a long hiatus from the WWE.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=April 25, 2010 |title=Extreme Rules PPV Results – 4/25/10 |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/uncategorized/12960-extreme-rules-ppv-results-4-25-10/ |access-date=January 4, 2023 |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110135/https://www.wrestleview.com/uncategorized/12960-extreme-rules-ppv-results-4-25-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H made an untelevised appearance on October 30 at the WWE Fan Appreciation Event and also at the 2010 [[WWE Tribute to the Troops|Tribute to the Troops]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Gerweck |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1292171243 |title=Spoilers: WWE 2010 Tribute to the Troops results |access-date=December 21, 2010 |date=December 12, 2010 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216004611/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1292171243 |archive-date=December 16, 2010 }}</ref>

==== Chief Operating Officer (2011–2013) ====
On the February 21, 2011, episode of ''Raw'', Triple H returned, interrupting the return of [[The Undertaker]] and challenging him to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]], which later became a No Holds Barred match. A week later, he attacked Sheamus with a Pedigree through a broadcast table in retaliation for Sheamus giving him a ten-month injury. At WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, Triple H lost, which [[The Streak (wrestling)|extended The Undertaker's undefeated streak to 19–0]]; The Undertaker was carried from the ring on a stretcher whereas Triple H left on his own accord.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full WrestleMania XXVII results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/27/results |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110130/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/27/results |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the end of the July 18 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H returned on behalf of WWE's board of directors to relieve his father-in-law [[Vince McMahon]] of his duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-07-18/mcmahon-relieved-of-duties|title="Game" changer for McMahon|last=Tello|first=Craig|publisher=[[WWE]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822134722/http://us.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-07-18/mcmahon-relieved-of-duties|archive-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref> This was followed by the announcement that he had been assigned to take over as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the WWE. This was during a storyline where CM Punk had won the WWE Championship and left the company. Though a new champion was crowned, Triple H helped re-sign Punk and upheld both championship reigns. He announced he would referee a match to unify both WWE Championships on August 14 at [[SummerSlam (2011)|SummerSlam]]. Although he counted a pinfall for CM Punk to win, John Cena's leg was on the ropes, which would break the pin. Regardless, Triple H's longtime friend [[Kevin Nash]] attacked Punk immediately after the match to allow [[Alberto Del Rio]] to become the new champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2011/cena-punk-wwe-title|title=John Cena vs. CM Punk&nbsp;– Undisputed WWE Championship Match|access-date=August 1, 2011|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=November 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106013829/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2011/cena-punk-wwe-title|url-status=live}}</ref> Though Nash and Punk demanded a match against each other, Triple H fired Nash for insubordination and booked himself in a No Disqualification match on September 18 at [[Night of Champions (2011)|Night of Champions]] with his position of COO on the line.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 7, 2011 |title=Kevin Nash released |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/kevin-nash-released |access-date=September 7, 2011 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421020646/http://www.wwe.com/inside/kevin-nash-released |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H defeated Punk at Night of Champions despite interference from [[John Laurinaitis]], Nash, [[The Miz]] and [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/2011/punk-tripleh|title=WWE COO Triple H def. CM Punk (No Disqualification Match)|access-date=December 5, 2011|last=Tello|first=Craig|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132826/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/2011/punk-tripleh/|url-status=live}}</ref> After repeated attacks from these wrestlers in various matches, the majority of WWE's on-screen staff gave Triple H a vote of no confidence. Mr. McMahon returned to relieve him of his duties on the October 10 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', though he remained the COO. Laurinaitis was named interim general manager of ''Raw'', and booked him and Punk in a tag team match against The Miz and R-Truth on October 23 at [[Vengeance (2011)|Vengeance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-10-10/results|title=WWE Raw SuperShow results: The "Laurinaitis Era" begins|access-date=October 12, 2011|publisher=WWE|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043243/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-10-10/results|url-status=live}}</ref> During the match, Nash once again attacked him (costing Triple H and Punk the match) and did so the following night on the October 24 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', hospitalizing him (kayfabe).<ref>{{cite web |title=Triple H & CM Punk vs. The Miz & R-Truth |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/2011/triple-h-punk-miz-truth |access-date=October 12, 2011 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180109/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/2011/triple-h-punk-miz-truth |url-status=live }}</ref> WWE later announced that Triple H had sustained a fractured vertebra, and would be out of action. He returned on December 12, as part of the [[Slammy Awards#2011|Slammy Awards]]. On December 18, he defeated Nash at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs (2011)|TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs]] in [[Ladder match|sledgehammer ladder match]], after attacking him with a sledgehammer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/12/18/19141396.html|title=TLC: The trouble with tables|date=December 18, 2011|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|access-date=December 18, 2011|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731085650/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2011/12/18/19141396.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>[[File:Undertaker stares down HHH.jpg|thumb|254x254px|Triple H being taunted by [[The Undertaker]] ahead of their second consecutive [[WrestleMania]] match]]Triple H returned on the January 30, 2012 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'' to evaluate Laurinaitis' performance as general manager. Before he could announce the decision, he was interrupted by the returning Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-01-30/results|title=The Undertaker returned with his sights set on Triple H|publisher=[[WWE]]|last=Passero|first=Mitch|date=January 30, 2012|access-date=January 30, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043300/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-01-30/results|url-status=live}}</ref> After initially refusing the rematch as he did not want to tarnish The Undertaker's legacy,<ref>{{cite web|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|title=WWE Raw SuperShow results: Has Cena embraced the hate|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-02-13/results|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=February 14, 2012|date=February 13, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071908/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-02-13/results|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H accepted the challenge after being called a coward who lives in Shawn Michaels' shadow, on the condition their rematch be contested inside Hell in a Cell.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Undertaker vs. Triple H (Hell in a Cell Match with special referee Shawn Michaels) |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/undertaker-triple-h-hell-in-a-cell |access-date=February 20, 2012 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531015208/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/undertaker-triple-h-hell-in-a-cell |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H went on to lose this match on April 1 at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ryan |date=February 4, 2012 |title=End of an era |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/wrestlemania-28-results-the-undertaker-triple-h/page-5 |access-date=April 2, 2012 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071724/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/wrestlemania-28-results-the-undertaker-triple-h/page-5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Triple H returned on the April 30 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', when he refused to give in to [[Brock Lesnar]]'s unreasonable contract demands, resulting in Lesnar attacking him and storyline breaking his arm.<ref name="Raw4-30">{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=April 30, 2012 |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/30: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw Starring Brock Lesnar – PPV fall-out, Triple H returns |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_60937.shtml |access-date=June 12, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220450/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_60937.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon his return two weeks later, Triple H was confronted by Lesnar's legal representative, [[Paul Heyman]], who announced Lesnar was filing a lawsuit against WWE for breach of contract. After he accosted Heyman, Heyman threatened another lawsuit against Triple H for assault and battery.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=May 14, 2012 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 5/14: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Cena & Triple H return, final PPV hype |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_61412.shtml |access-date=October 10, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195024/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_61412.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[No Way Out (2012)|No Way Out]] on June 17, Triple H challenged a non-present Lesnar to a match at [[SummerSlam (2012)|SummerSlam]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_62544.shtml|title=CALDWELL'S WWE NO WAY OUT PPV REPORT 6/17|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 17, 2012|date=June 17, 2012|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410063809/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_62544.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> which Heyman refused on Lesnar's behalf the following night on ''Raw SuperShow''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=June 18, 2012 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 6/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw #994 – PPV fall-out, Johnny says good-bye, Hunter-Heyman |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_62576.shtml |access-date=October 10, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211343/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_62576.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> At ''[[WWE Raw 1000|Raw 1000]]'', Stephanie McMahon goaded Heyman into Triple H's challenge against Lesnar.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=July 23, 2012 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 7/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw #999 – WWE recognizes 1,000 episodes, WWE Title match, Lesnar, Rock, DX, wedding |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_63621.shtml |access-date=July 28, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306062051/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_63621.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> To anger Triple H, Lesnar broke Michaels's arm on the August 13 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=August 13, 2012 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Brock-Hunter contract signing turns physical, Punk-Cena, final Summerslam hype |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_64255.shtml |access-date=October 11, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002149/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_64255.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Six days later at SummerSlam, Triple H lost to Lesnar after submitting to the Kimura Lock, breaking his arm again in storyline.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bishop |first=Matt |title=Lesnar snaps Triple H's arm at SummerSlam |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2012/08/19/20118431.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115085534/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2012/08/19/20118431.html |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |work=SLAM! Wrestling |url-status=usurped |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Adam |title=WWE: Triple H suffers "broken arm" at Summerslam |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1345485116 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024023327/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1345485116 |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |publisher=WrestleView}}</ref>

Triple H returned on the February 25, 2013, episode of ''Raw'', brawling with Brock Lesnar after he attempted to attack Mr. McMahon. The brawl resulted in Lesnar having his head legitimately split open and requiring 18 stitches.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=February 25, 2013 |title=Paul Heyman's fight against Mr. McMahon degenerated into a brawl between Brock Lesnar and Triple H |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-02-25/wwe-raw-results-26094181 |access-date=February 26, 2013 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200059/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-02-25/wwe-raw-results-26094181 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week, Triple H issued a challenge to Lesnar, requesting a rematch with him at [[WrestleMania 29]] on April 7, which Lesnar accepted on the condition that he could choose the stipulation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=March 4, 2013 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live "Old-School Raw" - Taker returns, Rock-Cena in-ring confrontation, WM29 hype, more |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122510/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=March 11, 2013 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/11: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - WWE recognizes Bearer by incorporating him into Taker-Punk, Lesnar challenges Hunter, no Cena, more |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69177.shtml |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404155029/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69177.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week, after Triple H signed the contract and assaulted Heyman, the stipulation was revealed as No Holds Barred with Triple H's career on the line.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=March 18, 2013 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/18: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Hunter signs WM29 contract, IC Title match, more WM29 developments |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69381.shtml |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203084316/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69381.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H defeated Lesnar after a ''Pedigree'' onto the steel steps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=April 7, 2013 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 29 PPV RESULTS: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from MetLife Stadium - Rock-Cena II, Taker-Punk, Lesnar-Hunter, more |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_69830.shtml#.Y7aNV3bMKbg |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010032/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_69830.shtml#.Y7aNV3bMKbg |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 19 at [[Extreme Rules (2013)|Extreme Rules]], Triple H lost to Lesnar in a steel cage match after interference from Heyman, and also injured his jaw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=April 22, 2013 |title=Brock Lesnar def. Triple H |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/2013/triple-h-vs-brock-lesnar-steel-cage-match |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110127/https://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/2013/triple-h-vs-brock-lesnar-steel-cage-match |url-status=live }}</ref>

The next night on ''Raw'', Triple H wrestled Heyman's newest client, [[Curtis Axel]]. He suffered a storyline [[concussion]] and was deemed to have forfeited.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=May 20, 2013 |title=Curtis Axel def. Triple H |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-05-20/wwe-raw-results-26116382/page-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616054936/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-05-20/wwe-raw-results-26116382/page-10 |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 27, 2013 |title=Triple H injury update |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-05-20/triple-h-injury-update-26116877 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630165829/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-05-20/triple-h-injury-update-26116877 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Triple H exits the arena: WWE App Exclusive, May 20, 2013 |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-exits-the-arena-wwe-app-exclusive-may-20-2013-26116567 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225152549/http://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-exits-the-arena-wwe-app-exclusive-may-20-2013-26116567 |archive-date=December 25, 2014 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Despite being medically cleared to wrestle before the June 3 episode of ''Raw'', Vince and Stephanie McMahon did not allow Triple H to wrestle Axel, citing concerns for his well-being and the safety of his children. In response, Triple H stormed out the arena and vowed to return to the ring the next week on ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Triple H storms off Raw |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/triple-h-storms-off-raw |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205090850/http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/triple-h-storms-off-raw |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== The Authority (2013–2016) ====
{{Main|The Authority (professional wrestling)|l1 = The Authority}}

[[File:Triple H and Stephanie McMahon 2014.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Triple H and Stephanie McMahon as [[The Authority (professional wrestling)|The Authority]]]]
On August 18 at [[SummerSlam (2013)|SummerSlam]], Triple H served as the special guest referee for the WWE Championship match between champion [[John Cena]] and [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]]. After Bryan won the match, Triple H attacked him, allowing Randy Orton to cash in his [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank contract]] and win the title, turning heel for the first time since 2006.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=July 15, 2013 |title=Daniel Bryan def. WWE Champion John Cena; Randy Orton cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Bryan to become WWE Champion |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2013/john-cena-daniel-bryan |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305174605/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2013/john-cena-daniel-bryan |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with his wife Stephanie, they subsequently created [[The Authority (professional wrestling)|The Authority]], with [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]] ([[Seth Rollins]], [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Dean Ambrose]]) as his enforcers, Kane as the Director of Operations and Orton as their hand-picked WWE Champion.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Triple H at WM30.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.7|Triple H making his entrance at [[WrestleMania XXX]]]]
At [[WrestleMania XXX]] on April 6, 2014, Triple H lost to Bryan, thereby granting Bryan a part in the subsequent WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against Batista and Orton,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wortman |first=James |date=March 10, 2014 |title=Daniel Bryan def. Triple H |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/daniel-bryan-triple-h |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404170213/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/daniel-bryan-triple-h-26193670 |url-status=live }}</ref> which Bryan ultimately won.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/daniel-bryan-randy-orton-batista |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404170114/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/randy-orton-batista-26178334 |url-status=live }}</ref> In order to end Bryan's title reign, Triple H re-formed Evolution with Orton and Batista on the April 18 episode of ''SmackDown'', but Bryan remained champion due to The Shield turning on The Authority. Evolution subsequently lost back-to-back matches with The Shield on May 4 at [[Extreme Rules (2014)|Extreme Rules]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=May 4, 2014 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE EXTREME RULES PPV RESULTS 5/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV - Bryan vs. Kane, Evolution vs. Shield, Cena vs. Wyatt steel cage match |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_78185.shtml#.Y7aUAXbMKbg |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210061555/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_78185.shtml#.Y7aUAXbMKbg |url-status=live }}</ref> and on June 1 at [[Payback (2014)|Payback]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=June 1, 2014 |title=CALDWELL'S WWE PAYBACK PPV RESULTS 6/1: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV - Bryan's Decision, Shield vs. Evolution "Final Battle," Cena vs. Wyatt |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_78756.shtml#.Y7aUf3bMKbh |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407163953/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_78756.shtml#.Y7aUf3bMKbh |url-status=live }}</ref> Batista quit WWE on the ''Raw'' after Payback after Triple H refused to grant him his shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H then went to "Plan B", Seth Rollins, who turned on The Shield and rejoined The Authority.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=Derek |title=WWE Raw results: Seth Rollins explains betraying The Shield as Money in the Bank takes shape |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-raw-results-seth-rollins-explains-why-he-turned-his-back-shield-while-money-bank-begins-take-shape-9518609.html |website=[[The Independent]] |date=June 11, 2014 |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009050821/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-raw-results-seth-rollins-explains-why-he-turned-his-back-shield-while-money-bank-begins-take-shape-9518609.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Triple H WrestleMania 31 entrance.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Triple H making his ''[[Terminator Genisys]]'' inspired entrance at [[WrestleMania 31]]]]
The Authority were briefly removed from power after losing a five-on-five tag team elimination match on November 23 at [[Survivor Series (2014)|Survivor Series]] after [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] made his WWE debut to assist their opponents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ryan |date=October 27, 2014 |title=Team Cena def. Team Authority (Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match) |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2014/team-cena-team-authority-traditional-survivor-series-elimination-match |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=November 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127060034/https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2014/team-cena-team-authority-traditional-survivor-series-elimination-match-26758255 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, The Authority were reinstated on the December 29 episode of ''Raw'' after Rollins coaxed Cena into reinstating them by holding [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] hostage.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |date=December 29, 2014 |title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 12/29: Lesnar and Heyman show up, Ziggler vs. Rusev in a champion vs. champion match, Edge & Christian host, Bryan's big announcement |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_82500.shtml |access-date=December 31, 2014 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193134/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_82500.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Back in power, Triple H began feuding with Sting, whom he defeated in a no disqualification match on March 29, 2015, at [[WrestleMania 31]] after interference from D-Generation X.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Kevin |date=February 22, 2015 |title=Triple H def. Sting |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/31/sting-triple-h |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110127/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/31/sting-triple-h |url-status=live }}</ref> After his match with Sting, he and Stephanie McMahon were later confronted by The Rock and [[Ronda Rousey]] during a promo regarding the record crowd at the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronda Rousey's takedown of The Authority makes headlines |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/rock-ronda-rousey-wrestlemania-in-the-news-27249603 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712102537/http://www.wwe.com/inside/rock-ronda-rousey-wrestlemania-in-the-news-27249603 |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship was vacated after Rollins suffered a legitimate severe knee injury in November 2015 and a tournament to determine a new champion was held at [[Survivor Series (2015)|Survivor Series]] on November 22, which was won by Roman Reigns. Throughout the remainder of 2015, The Authority aligned with Sheamus, who successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contact immediately after Reigns' victory.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Ryan|title=Roman Reigns def. Dean Ambrose in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final Match; Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2015/wwe-world-heavyweight-championship-tournament-finals-28164052|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 22, 2015|date=November 22, 2015|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531103154/https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2015/wwe-world-heavyweight-championship-tournament-finals-28164052|url-status=live}}</ref> After Sheamus defeated Reigns at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2015)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] on December 13, Reigns viciously attacked Triple H, which resulted in a storyline injury that took him off television. During this hiatus, Reigns regained the championship from Sheamus on the following episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caldwell |first1=James |date=December 14, 2015 |title=12/13 WWE TLC PPV results |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2015/12/13/1213-wwe-tlc-ppv-results-caldwells-ongoing-real-time-report/ |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216141600/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2015/12/13/1213-wwe-tlc-ppv-results-caldwells-ongoing-real-time-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 24, 2016, Triple H made his return during the [[Royal Rumble (2016)|Royal Rumble]] match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as the unannounced 30th entrant. After eliminating Reigns, he then eliminated Dean Ambrose to secure his second Royal Rumble win and 14th (and final) world championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE Royal Rumble 2016: Triple H wins WWE World Heavyweight Title |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/10142960/wwe-royal-rumble-2016-triple-h-wins-wwe-world-heavyweight-title |access-date=January 25, 2016 |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213161107/http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/10142960/wwe-royal-rumble-2016-triple-h-wins-wwe-world-heavyweight-title |url-status=live }}</ref> He successfully defended the championship against Ambrose on March 12 at [[Roadblock (March 2016)|Roadblock]],<ref name="Roadblock">{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=March 12, 2016 |title=3/12 WWE Roadblock Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/03/12/march12roadblockresults/ |access-date=March 12, 2016 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504061037/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/03/12/march12roadblockresults/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and defeated [[Dolph Ziggler]] in non-title match two days later on ''Raw'', but lost the championship to Reigns in the main event of [[WrestleMania 32]] on April 3, ending his last world championship reign at 70 days.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caldwell |first1=James |date=April 3, 2016 |title=4/3 WrestleMania 32 PPV Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report on Main PPV |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/03/wm32liveresults/ |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404040347/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/03/wm32liveresults/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After WrestleMania 32, with The Authority now disbanded, Triple H competed in the WWE Live tour of the United Kingdom in late April before taking a hiatus from WWE television. However, he continued making occasional appearances in an executive role for [[WWE NXT (TV series)|NXT]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jason |date=September 15, 2016 |title=9/14 Powell's WWE Cruiserweight Classic Live Review: The finale featuring Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik, Zack Sabre Jr., and TJ Perkins |url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2016/09/14/914-powells-wwe-cruiserweight-classic-live-review-the-finale-featuring-kota-ibushi-gran-metalik-zack-sabre-jr-and-tj-perkins/ |access-date=September 17, 2016 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112529/http://prowrestling.net/site/2016/09/14/914-powells-wwe-cruiserweight-classic-live-review-the-finale-featuring-kota-ibushi-gran-metalik-zack-sabre-jr-and-tj-perkins/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jason |date=January 15, 2017 |title=1/15 WWE UK Title Tournament Day Two live review: The first WWE UK Champion crowned |url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/01/15/115-wwe-uk-title-tournament-day-two-live-review-the-first-wwe-uk-champion/ |access-date=February 6, 2017 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112927/http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/01/15/115-wwe-uk-title-tournament-day-two-live-review-the-first-wwe-uk-champion/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Final feuds and retirement (2016–2022) ====
On the August 29 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H made his return by interfering in the main event for the recently vacated and established [[WWE Universal Championship]]. Firstly, he attacked rival Roman Reigns with a ''Pedigree'', allowing former Authority stable member Seth Rollins to eliminate him, before attacking Rollins with a ''Pedigree'', allowing [[Kevin Owens]] to win the title.<ref name="Raw08292016">{{cite web |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |date=August 29, 2016 |title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REVIEW 8/29: Ongoing coverage of fatal four-way for the WWE Universal Title |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/29/kellers-wwe-raw-review-829-ongoing-coverage-fatal-four-way-wwe-universal-title-match-kevin-owens-seth-rollins-roman-reigns-big-cass/ |access-date=August 29, 2016 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129210842/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/29/kellers-wwe-raw-review-829-ongoing-coverage-fatal-four-way-wwe-universal-title-match-kevin-owens-seth-rollins-roman-reigns-big-cass/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This began a feud with Rollins, which culminated in a "non-sanctioned match" at [[WrestleMania 33]] on April 2, 2017,<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=March 27, 2017 |title=Seth Rollins vs. Triple H (Non-Sanctioned Match) |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/seth-rollins-vs-triple-h |access-date=March 27, 2017 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429080934/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/seth-rollins-vs-triple-h |url-status=live }}</ref> where Rollins defeated Triple H.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=April 2, 2017 |title=Seth Rollins def. Triple H (Non-Sanctioned Match) |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/seth-rollins-vs-triple-h-results |access-date=April 2, 2017 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404043542/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/seth-rollins-vs-triple-h-results |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:HHH & Steph McMahon WM34 crop.jpg|thumb|Triple H with his wife [[Stephanie McMahon]] at [[WrestleMania 34]]]]
Despite being part of Kurt Angle's Team Raw on November 19 at [[Survivor Series (2017)|Survivor Series]], Triple H attacked him and caused him to be eliminated in their match against Team SmackDown, and he ultimately got credit for winning the match after he pinned Shane McMahon of Team SmackDown.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=November 19, 2017 |title=Powell's WWE Survivor Series 2017 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles, "Team Raw" Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Triple H, Finn Balor, and Samoa Joe vs. "Team Smackdown" Shane McMahon, John Cena, Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and Bobby Roode, The Shield vs. New Day, Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2017/11/19/powells-wwe-survivor-series-2017-live-review-brock-lesnar-vs-aj-styles-team-raw-kurt-angle-braun-strowman-triple-h-finn-balor-samoa-joe-vs-team-smackdown-shane-mcmahon-john-cena/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-date=December 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208111520/https://prowrestling.net/site/2017/11/19/powells-wwe-survivor-series-2017-live-review-brock-lesnar-vs-aj-styles-team-raw-kurt-angle-braun-strowman-triple-h-finn-balor-samoa-joe-vs-team-smackdown-shane-mcmahon-john-cena/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Angle subsequently joined forces with the debuting Ronda Rousey, and the two defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag match at [[WrestleMania 34]] on April 8, 2018, after Stephanie submitted to Rousey's armbar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=April 8, 2018 |title=Powell's WrestleMania 34 live review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-live-review-aj-styles-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-wwe-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-charlotte-flair-vs-as/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409013212/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-live-review-aj-styles-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-wwe-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-charlotte-flair-vs-as/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Triple H turned face again for the first time since 2013 and his final feuds were high-profile rematches with wrestlers that he had previously worked with. On April 27 at the [[WWE Greatest Royal Rumble|Greatest Royal Rumble]] in [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]], John Cena defeated Triple H in the first match ever featured on a [[WWE in Saudi Arabia|Saudi pay-per-view]] event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benigno |first=Anthony |date=April 27, 2018 |title=John Cena def. Triple H |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/greatest-royal-rumble/2018/john-cena-triple-h-results |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428095519/http://www.wwe.com/shows/greatest-royal-rumble/2018/john-cena-triple-h-results |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently defeated The Undertaker on October 6 at [[Super Show-Down (2018)|Super Show-Down]] in a match that was billed as the "Last Time Ever".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pappolla |first1=Ryan |title=Triple H def. The Undertaker |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-super-show-down/2018-10-06/the-undertaker-triple-h-results |access-date=October 6, 2018 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203145903/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-super-show-down/2018-10-06/the-undertaker-triple-h-results |url-status=live }}</ref> His feud with The Undertaker continued into [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]] on November 2, where Shawn Michaels came out of retirement to reform DX with him, in a winning effort against [[The Brothers of Destruction]] (The Undertaker and Kane).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=D-Generation X def. The Brothers of Destruction|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-crown-jewel/2018/triple-h-shawn-michaels-the-undertaker-kane-results|publisher=WWE|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103092331/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-crown-jewel/2018/triple-h-shawn-michaels-the-undertaker-kane-results|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 35]] on April 7, 2019, Triple H defeated Batista with assistance from Ric Flair in what was Batista's retirement match.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oestriecher |first1=Blake |date=April 7, 2019 |title=WWE WrestleMania 35 Results: Triple H Vs. Batista Flop Highlights One Of WWE's Biggest Problems |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakeoestriecher/2019/04/07/wwe-wrestlemania-35-results-triple-h-vs-batista-flop-highlights-one-of-wwes-biggest-problems/#6ad107042bad |access-date=October 4, 2020 |website=[[Forbes]] |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309105506/https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakeoestriecher/2019/04/07/wwe-wrestlemania-35-results-triple-h-vs-batista-flop-highlights-one-of-wwes-biggest-problems/#6ad107042bad |url-status=live }}</ref> His final match on pay-per-view was a loss to Randy Orton at [[Super ShowDown (2019)|Super ShowDown]] on June 7.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=October 6, 2018 |title=Powell's WWE Super Show-Down live review: Undertaker vs. Triple H for the final time, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe in a no DQ, no count-out match for the WWE Title, The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, and Dolph Ziggler, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte for the Smackdown Women's Title |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/10/06/powells-wwe-super-show-down-live-review-undertaker-vs-triple-h-for-the-final-time-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-in-a-no-dq-no-count-out-match-for-the-wwe-title-the-shield-vs-braun-strowman-dre/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006155017/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/10/06/powells-wwe-super-show-down-live-review-undertaker-vs-triple-h-for-the-final-time-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-in-a-no-dq-no-count-out-match-for-the-wwe-title-the-shield-vs-braun-strowman-dre/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H's final [[house show]] match took place on June 29 in Tokyo, Japan, where he and [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] defeated [[Bobby Roode|Robert Roode]] and [[Samoa Joe]] in a tag team match after Nakamura pinned Roode.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |date=July 1, 2019 |title=6/29 WWE Live Results: Tokyo, Japan (Second night in Tokyo, Triple H and Nakamura team) |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-live-events/132474-6-29-wwe-live-results-tokyo-japan-second-night-in-tokyo-triple-h-and-nakamura-team/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110124/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-live-events/132474-6-29-wwe-live-results-tokyo-japan-second-night-in-tokyo-triple-h-and-nakamura-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Triple H's appearances became increasingly sporadic and 2020 became the first year in which he did not wrestle a match since the start of his career. However, he continued to make occasional on-screen appearances in non-wrestling roles, including on the April 24 episode of ''SmackDown'', which was dedicated to his 25th anniversary in WWE.<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Friday Night SmackDown to celebrate 25 Years of Triple H in WWE |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/triple-h-25-years-wwe-celebration |access-date=April 25, 2020 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423043512/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/triple-h-25-years-wwe-celebration |url-status=live }}</ref> The final match of his career took place on the January 11, 2021, episode of ''Raw'' when he faced Orton in an "unsanctioned fight", but after [[Alexa Bliss]] and [[Bray Wyatt|"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] got involved, Bliss attacked Orton with a fireball causing the match to end in no-contest.<ref name="Raw01112021">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/01/11/1-11-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-wwe-champion-drew-mcintyres-first-comments-since-testing-positive-for-covid-19-triple-hs-show-opening-segment-the-continued-build-to-the-royal-rumb/|title=1/11 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of WWE Champion Drew McIntyre's first comments since testing positive for COVID-19, Triple H's show opening segment, the continued build to the Royal Rumble|date=January 11, 2021|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113022740/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/01/11/1-11-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-wwe-champion-drew-mcintyres-first-comments-since-testing-positive-for-covid-19-triple-hs-show-opening-segment-the-continued-build-to-the-royal-rumb/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2021, Triple H suffered from [[heart failure]] and an [[Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator|ICD]] was installed in his chest.<ref name=Defib/> Due to his newly discovered heart condition, Triple H announced his retirement from wrestling during an appearance on ''[[First Take (talk show)|First Take]]'' on March 25, 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=WWE |title=Breaking: @TripleH announced his retirement from in-ring competition on @espn @firsttake with @stephenasmith |number=1507386044660035585 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022}}</ref> On April 3, he introduced the second night of [[WrestleMania 38]] as the COO of WWE, subsequently leaving a microphone and his wrestling boots in the ring to signify his official in-ring retirement.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Rose |first=Bryan |date=April 3, 2022 |title=Triple H appears at WWE WrestleMania 38, leaves his boots in the ring |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/triple-h-appears-at-wwe-wrestlemania-38-lays-boots-inside-ring |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110126/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/triple-h-appears-at-wwe-wrestlemania-38-lays-boots-inside-ring |url-status=live }}</ref> He later expressed a sense of being at peace with his forced retirement, stating that he "did everything [he] wanted to do and then some".<ref>{{cite web |title="I Was Afraid Of Dying" Visibly Emotional Triple H Reflects On Health Scare & In-Ring Retirement |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj7AJZwrbzs&t=856s&ab_channel=BTSport |website=YouTube | date=September 7, 2022 |publisher=BT Sport |access-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419154011/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj7AJZwrbzs&t=856s&ab_channel=BTSport |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Post-retirement and corporate roles (2022–present) ====
[[File:Triple H, April 2024.jpg|thumb|Triple H in April 2024]]
On September 6, 2022, WWE announced that Levesque had been promoted to [[chief content officer]] of the company.<ref>{{cite web |last=Currier |first=Joseph |date=September 6, 2022 |title=WWE announces Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's promotion to chief content officer |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-announces-paul-triple-h-levesques-promotion-to-chief-content-officer |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123112744/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-announces-paul-triple-h-levesques-promotion-to-chief-content-officer |url-status=live }}</ref> Levesque maintained this role after WWE was [[TKO Group Holdings|acquired]] by [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor]] the following year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/future-full-of-change-for-vince-mcmahon-and-paul-triple-h-levesque-in-wwe | title=Future Full of Change for Vince McMahon and Paul 'Triple H' Levesque in WWE | date=August 14, 2023 | access-date=October 6, 2023 | archive-date=October 9, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009205824/https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/future-full-of-change-for-vince-mcmahon-and-paul-triple-h-levesque-in-wwe | url-status=live }}</ref> Since his retirement, he has continued to make appearances at post-show press conferences and in storylines, typically acting as an [[Professional wrestling authority figures|on-screen authority figure]] under his real name and ring name.

==Legacy in wrestling==
[[File:Triple H @ Adelaide South Australia RAW.jpg|upright=1.13|thumb|Triple H setting up the [[Pedigree (professional wrestling)|Pedigree]] on [[John Cena]] in October 2005]]
Considered by ''[[Men's Journal]]'' and [[news.com.au]] as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time,<ref>{{cite news |last=De Medeiros |first=James |date=April 1, 2013 |title=The 10 Greatest Wrestlers Ever |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/the-10-greatest-wrestlers-ever/7-triple-h/ |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=[[Men's Journal]] |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417022238/https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/the-10-greatest-wrestlers-ever/7-triple-h/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fordy|first=Tom|date=March 8, 2017|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/the-12-best-wrestlers-in-wwe-history-stone-cold-the-rock-shawn-michaels-or-hulk-hogan-who-claims-top-spot/news-story/69448b593478242ccb6490f641a6dad9|title=WWE: 12 greatest wrestlers in history: The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Undertaker, John Cena|website=News.com.au|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017070348/https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/the-12-best-wrestlers-in-wwe-history-stone-cold-the-rock-shawn-michaels-or-hulk-hogan-who-claims-top-spot/news-story/69448b593478242ccb6490f641a6dad9|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H received most of his acclaim for his work as a villain throughout his career. In 2011, the ''[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]'' stated that he was "widely regarded as the best wrestler in North America" by 2000.<ref name="Brugnoli 2020">{{cite web|last=Brugnoli|first=Simone|date=April 29, 2020|url=https://www.wrestling-world.com/news/news/wwe/5794/triple-h-reveals-his-favorite-opponent/|title=Triple H reveals his favorite opponent|website=Wrestling World|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810075618/https://www.wrestling-world.com/news/news/wwe/5794/triple-h-reveals-his-favorite-opponent/|url-status=live}}</ref> His WrestleMania matches against [[Chris Benoit]] and [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania XX]], [[John Cena]] at [[WrestleMania 22]], Cena and [[Randy Orton]] at [[WrestleMania XXIV]], [[The Undertaker]] at both [[WrestleMania XXVII]] and [[WrestleMania XXVIII]], and [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] at [[WrestleMania XXX]] have been considered among Triple H's best WrestleMania matches and some of the best matches in WrestleMania history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bentley|first=Ross|date=March 23, 2016|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/triple-h-wrestlemania-matches-ranked/|title=Time To Play The Game: The Definitive Ranking Of Triple H's WrestleMania Matches|website=Uproxx|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405164109/https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/triple-h-wrestlemania-matches-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kabbara|first=Kasima|date=April 2, 2022|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/kasimkabbara/ranking-the-best-wrestlemania-matches|title=Ranking The Best Wrestlemania Matches In WWE History|website=BuzzFeed|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405015450/https://www.buzzfeed.com/kasimkabbara/ranking-the-best-wrestlemania-matches|url-status=live}}</ref>

Triple H's later career, especially after 2014 during which he was a part-time performer, has been sometimes criticized. [[Bret Hart]] commented on Triple H winning the [[2016 Royal Rumble]] match for the [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]] while not wrestling full-time, saying: "I didn't like the decision that Triple H, surprise, put the belt on himself again ... it just showed a real lack of imagination if you ask me."<ref>{{cite web |last=Namako |first=Jason |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Bret Hart on cancer diagnosis, Triple H winning Rumble |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/57657-bret-hart-on-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-triple-h-winning-rumble/ |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website= |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811204757/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/57657-bret-hart-on-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-triple-h-winning-rumble/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Triple H using his relationship with the [[McMahon family]] to continually dominate the spotlight and book himself in high-profile matches has been a subject of criticism since his full-time career ended.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Matt |date=December 6, 2013 |title=The Boss: Triple H, Vince McMahon and the Evolution of WWE's Authority |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878320-the-boss-triple-h-vince-mcmahon-and-the-evolution-of-wwes-the-authority |access-date=January 5, 2013 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208010333/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878320-the-boss-triple-h-vince-mcmahon-and-the-evolution-of-wwes-the-authority |url-status=live }}</ref> After his tag team match along with Michaels against Undertaker and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] at [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]] in 2018, [[Wade Keller]] from ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' wrote that Triple H "moves like the trees in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|Wizard of Oz]]''".<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Dave|date=November 2, 2018|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-11-2-kellers-report-on-styles-vs-joe-strowman-vs-lesnar-world-cup-tournament-michaels-triple-h-vs-kane-undertaker/|title=WWE Crown Jewel Results 11/2: Keller's report on Styles vs. Joe, Strowman vs. Lesnar, World Cup tournament, Michaels & Triple H vs. Kane & Undertaker|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331123035/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/11/02/wwe-crown-jewel-results-11-2-kellers-report-on-styles-vs-joe-strowman-vs-lesnar-world-cup-tournament-michaels-triple-h-vs-kane-undertaker/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jason Powell from ''Pro Wrestling Dot Net'' stated that wrestlers like Triple H, alongside Michaels, Undertaker, and Kane, "need to accept their limitations, stop pretending they belong in main events, and stop acting like being in these main events isn't stealing the spotlight (from newer talent)".<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=November 3, 2018|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/11/03/powells-wwe-crown-jewel-hit-list-undertaker-and-kane-vs-shawn-michaels-and-triple-h-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-for-the-vacant-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-for-the-wwe/|title=Powell's WWE Crown Jewel Hit List: Undertaker and Kane vs. Shawn Michaels and Triple H, Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the vacant WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, World Cup tournament|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103195859/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/11/03/powells-wwe-crown-jewel-hit-list-undertaker-and-kane-vs-shawn-michaels-and-triple-h-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-for-the-vacant-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-samoa-joe-for-the-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Triple H has also been criticized for allegedly abusing his influence within WWE from the early to mid-2000s to have himself inserted into high-profile angles, or to have match or feud finishes changed in his favor.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 8, 2012 |title=WWE Retro Perspective: Triple H vs. Booker T at WrestleMania XIX |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1175873-wwe-retro-perspective-triple-h-vs-booker-t-at-wrestlemania-xix |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530101251/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1175873-wwe-retro-perspective-triple-h-vs-booker-t-at-wrestlemania-xix |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sass |first=Aaron |date=February 26, 2016 |title=10 Wrestlers Buried By Triple H |url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/10-wrestlers-buried-by-triple-h |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530005522/https://whatculture.com/wwe/10-wrestlers-buried-by-triple-h |url-status=live }}</ref>

As the founder and executive producer of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] since its inception in 2012, Levesque has been widely praised for helping cultivate the brand, recruiting fresh new talent, and helping guide the brand to various levels of success including sold-out shows, increased respect for [[women's professional wrestling]], international expansion, and critically acclaimed matches.<ref name="Fiorvianti 2016">{{cite web |last=Fiorvianti |first=Tim |date=August 12, 2016 |title=NXT development system preparing WWE for the future |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17275466/triple-h-creation-importance-nxt-wwe-performance-center |access-date=February 19, 2021 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109175548/https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17275466/triple-h-creation-importance-nxt-wwe-performance-center |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Middleton |first=Marc |date=December 18, 2015 |title=More WWE NXT Events Sell Out, Triple H Comments, Renee Young And Stardust Continue Star Wars Week |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/1218/605918/more-wwe-nxt-events-sell-out/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Wrestling Inc |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110135/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/1218/605918/more-wwe-nxt-events-sell-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Business career ==
[[File:Web Summit 2017 - Centre Stage Day 1 SM1 4292 (26464204789).jpg|thumb|right|Levesque backstage at the 2017 [[Web Summit]], performing the "Are you ready?" catchphrase, which by this point was associated with [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]]]]
In 2010, Levesque's role in WWE as an Executive Senior Advisor was officially formalized as he was given an office at the company's headquarters in [[Stamford, Connecticut]].<ref name="TripleHNewTitle">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=September 8, 2010 |title=More details on Triple H's new title with WWE |url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1283981091 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921063813/http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1283981091 |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |access-date=September 8, 2010 |publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> He was named Executive Vice-President of Talent and Live Events in 2011. In 2013, his title was elevated to Executive Vice-President of Talent, Live Events, and Creative, which led him to work on storylines with WWE's creative team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/bios/p_levesque.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025083048/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/bios/p_levesque.jsp|url-status=dead|title=WWE Corporate – Executive Team Bios – Paul Levesque |archive-date=October 25, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> That year, he earned a combined salary of approximately $1.5 million from his front office job and as a wrestler. He also owned just over $1.5 million in WWE [[stock]] at the time.<ref name="HHH411">{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jeremy |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Salaries of Vince McMahon, Triple H and Other WWE Executives Revealed |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/317078/Salaries-of-Vince-McMahon,-Triple-H-and-Other-WWE-Executives-Revealed.htm |access-date=March 23, 2014 |publisher=411Mania |archive-date=August 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801110902/http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/317078/Salaries-of-Vince-McMahon,-Triple-H-and-Other-WWE-Executives-Revealed.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, Levesque was named WWE's Executive Vice-President of Global Talent Strategy and Development. In this role, he oversaw the company's Talent Development department and served as a senior advisor to the CEO for talent strategy.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/leadership|title=Leadership|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=August 5, 2021|archive-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528123427/https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/leadership|url-status=live}}</ref> He also founded and executive produced WWE's [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] brand since 2014,<ref name="Fiorvianti 2016"/> though he has not been involved with the brand's "NXT 2.0" overhaul from September 2021 onwards.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mooneyham |first=Mike |title=WWE sending signal with release of NXT staff, respected vets |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/wwe-sending-signal-with-release-of-nxt-staff-respected-vets/article_f56be3de-7933-11ec-9ba7-83d5b3a39fc3.html |website=[[The Post and Courier]] |access-date=February 2, 2022 |date=January 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202122037/https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/wwe-sending-signal-with-release-of-nxt-staff-respected-vets/article_f56be3de-7933-11ec-9ba7-83d5b3a39fc3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 22, 2022, WWE promoted Levesque to Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2022/07-22-2022-150013868|title=Paul "Triple H" Levesque Is Back|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722194518/https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2022/07-22-2022-150013868|url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later, following the retirement of his father-in-law and WWE CEO [[Vince McMahon]], he was also named Head of WWE Creative.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Currier |first=Joseph |date=July 25, 2022 |title=Triple H Named Head of WWE Creative After Vince McMahon Resignation |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/07/25/triple-h-wwe-creative-head-vince-mcmahon-retirement |access-date=July 27, 2022 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |publisher=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122181013/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/07/25/triple-h-wwe-creative-head-vince-mcmahon-retirement |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 2, he was named [[chief content officer]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=September 3, 2022 |title=Triple H Named WWE's Chief Content Officer, Gets Salary Bump Along With Three Other Top Execs in Wake of Vince McMahon Exit |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/triple-h-wwe-chief-content-officer-salary-1235358941/ |access-date=September 3, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903131306/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/triple-h-wwe-chief-content-officer-salary-1235358941/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 6, 2022 |title=WWE elevates Paul "Triple H" Levesque to Chief Content Officer |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-paul-levesque-chief-content-officer |access-date=September 6, 2022 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=September 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910125114/https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-paul-levesque-chief-content-officer |url-status=live }}</ref> This role entails overseeing the company's creative writing, talent relations, live events, talent development, and creative services departments.<ref name=":1" />

On October 15, 2023, it was announced that Endeavor CEO [[Ari Emanuel]] had removed McMahon from WWE creative power and tasked Levesque with leading "99.9% of the creative" moving forward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/backstage-update-on-vince-mcmahons-removal-from-wwe-creative-power/|title=Backstage Update On Vince McMahon's Removal From WWE Creative Power|date=October 16, 2023|access-date=December 11, 2023|archive-date=December 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211074245/https://wrestlingheadlines.com/backstage-update-on-vince-mcmahons-removal-from-wwe-creative-power/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
In 2014, Levesque and his wife Stephanie created the Connor's Cure cancer fund in honor of [[Connor Michalek|Connor "The Crusher" Michalek]], a WWE fan who died of cancer at the age of eight,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.givetochildrens.org/butterflies3?tab=0&frsid=67|title=Connor's Cure|publisher=Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810165616/https://www.givetochildrens.org/butterflies3?tab=0&frsid=67|url-status=dead}}</ref>  which has now raised nearly $4.5 million to fund research grants and provide family assistance in battling pediatric cancer.<ref name="VFoundation">{{cite web |title=Connor's Cure |url=https://www.v.org/fundraising-friends/connors-cure/#:~:text=Through%20a%20partnership%20between%20WWE,grants%20and%20provide%20family%20assistance. |website=V Foundation |access-date=30 May 2024}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
From 1996 to 2000, Levesque was in a relationship with fellow wrestler [[Chyna|Joan "Chyna" Laurer]]. What began as an on-screen storyline marriage in 2000 became a real-life romance when Levesque began dating [[Stephanie McMahon]]. They were married in [[Sleepy Hollow, New York]], on October 25, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/stephanie-mcmahon.html|title=Miscellaneous Wrestler Profiles|work=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730035237/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/stephanie-mcmahon.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> They have three children,<!--Please see [[WP:BLPNAME]].--> born in 2006,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/itsagirl|title=It's a girl|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=July 26, 2006|archive-date=July 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717152956/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/itsagirl|url-status=live}}</ref> 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.owow.com/frameindex.htm?goto=http%3A//www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Stephanie/08Update.htm|title=Stephanie Gives Birth|access-date=August 1, 2009|publisher=OWOW.com|date=August 1, 2008|archive-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531012441/http://www.owow.com/frameindex.htm?goto=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.owow.com%2FRingsideWith%2FStephanie%2F08Update.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://morningjournal.com/articles/2008/08/03/sports/19882815.txt |title=Off The Turnbuckle: WWE hires former teen heartthrob Prinze Jr. |last=Gilles |first=Dan |date=August 3, 2008 |work=[[The Morning Journal]] |access-date=August 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331163951/http://morningjournal.com/articles/2008/08/03/sports/19882815.txt |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }}</ref> and 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rxmuscle.com/hmr-radio-show/2424-jefftheproducer-hmr.html|title=Heavy Muscle Radio/Access Bodybuilding: (1–3–11):TRIPLE H! Plus, Dr. Scott Connelly!|access-date=January 3, 2011|publisher=rxmuscle|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313055050/http://rxmuscle.com/hmr-radio-show/2424-jefftheproducer-hmr.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Levesque is an avid fan of [[Motörhead]], who performed three original entrance themes for him over the course of his career, and was good friends with the band's frontman [[Lemmy]] until Lemmy's death in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=March 1, 2011 |title=Triple H and Motorhead |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/01/triple-h-motorhead/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629222303/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/03/01/triple-h-motorhead/ |archive-date=June 29, 2013 |access-date=July 7, 2015 |publisher=[[MTV]]}}</ref> He sported Lemmy-inspired facial hair during a portion of his career<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s6.photobucket.com/user/nikkiheyman/media/HHH/76.jpg.html|title=HHH Lemmystache|publisher=[[Photobucket]]|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120528/http://s6.photobucket.com/user/nikkiheyman/media/HHH/76.jpg.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and spoke at Lemmy's funeral on January 9, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/triple-h-speaks-at-lemmy-kilmister-memorial-service|title=Triple H speaks at memorial service for Lemmy Kilmister|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=March 6, 2018|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202436/http://www.wwe.com/inside/triple-h-speaks-at-lemmy-kilmister-memorial-service|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also a supporter of English football team [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United FC]].<ref>{{cite web |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Triple H says it's Game time for West Ham United |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-message-west-ham-united-premier-league-kickoff |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105110144/https://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-message-west-ham-united-premier-league-kickoff |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2021, WWE reported that Levesque underwent a procedure at [[Yale New Haven Hospital]] following a "cardiac event" caused by a genetic heart issue.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Paul 'Triple H' Levesque health update |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/paul-triple-h-levesque-health-update |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website= |publisher=[[WWE]] |quote='Paul Levesque, a.k.a. Triple H, underwent a successful procedure last week at Yale New Haven Hospital following a cardiac event. The episode was caused by a genetic heart issue and Paul is expected to make a full recovery.'}}</ref> During an appearance on ''[[First Take (talk show)|First Take]]'' on March 25, 2022, Levesque gave his first interview since being hospitalized. He revealed that he had viral [[pneumonia]] and inflamed lungs, which worsened over time. He said that Stephanie noticed he was coughing up blood, and doctors subsequently discovered fluid in his lungs and around his heart; they informed him that his heart was working at a fraction of its full strength and that he was in a "bad" state of [[heart failure]]. He also said there were moments where he thought he would die and confirmed that the event forced his retirement: "I was nose-diving and sort of at the one-yard line of where you don't want to be really, for your family and your future. [...] I will never wrestle again. First of all, I have a [[defibrillator]] in my chest, which, you know, probably not a good idea for me to get zapped on live TV."<ref name=Defib>{{cite news |last1=Raimondi |first1=Marc |title=WWE star Triple H announces retirement from in-ring action after heart surgery |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/33594137/wwe-star-triple-h-announces-retirement-ring-action-heart-surgery |access-date=March 25, 2022 |work=[[ESPN]] |date=March 25, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325171604/https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/33594137/wwe-star-triple-h-announces-retirement-ring-action-heart-surgery |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2025, Levesque was appointed to the [[President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/08/president-trump-revives-iconic-pillars-of-american-youth/ | title=President Trump Revives Iconic Pillars of American Youth | work=[[WhiteHouse.gov]] | date=August 1, 2025 | accessdate=28 September 2025}}</ref> He serves as the council's vice chair.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidents-sports-council/ | title=The President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition | work=[[WhiteHouse.gov]] | accessdate=28 September 2025}}</ref>

== Other media ==
According to the Wrestling Figure Checklist, Levesque had 412 action figures produced of his likeness between the 1990s and 2010s. The majority of these were produced by [[Jakks Pacific]] and [[Mattel]], making Levesque one of the most produced wrestlers in history.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Harvey |last=George |title=Wrestling Figure Checklist: The Definitive Guide to the Action Figures of Professional Wrestling |date=September 13, 2020 |publisher=Independently Published |isbn=979-8683720728}}</ref>

In 2004, Levesque released the book ''Making the Game: Triple H's Approach to a Better Body''. It is mostly devoted to bodybuilding advice with some autobiographical information, memoirs, and opinions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jericho |first=Chris |title=Triple H Making the Game: Triple H's Approach to a Better Body (Wwe) (9780743478885): Triple H, Robert Caprio, James Rosenthal: Books |isbn=0743478886 |date=December 7, 2004 |publisher=Simon and Schuster }}</ref>

Levesque wrote his own chapter giving advice in entrepreneur [[Tim Ferriss]]' 2016 book ''[[Tools of Titans]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

== Filmography ==

===Film===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Blade: Trinity]]''
| Jarko Grimwood
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Relative Strangers]]''
| Wrestler
| Uncredited
|-
| 2011
| ''[[The Chaperone (2011 film)|The Chaperone]]''
| Raymond "Ray Ray" Bradstone
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Inside Out (2011 film)|Inside Out]]''
| Arlo "AJ" Jayne
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery]]''
| Himself
| Voice
|-
| 2014
| ''[[WWE Workout Series|WWE Power Series]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon]]''
| Himself
| Voice
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Surf's Up 2: WaveMania]]''
| Hunter
| Voice
|}

===Television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Pacific Blue (TV series)|Pacific Blue]]''
| Triple H
| 1 episode
|-
| 1998
| ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''
| The Disciplinarian
| 1 episode
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Grown Ups (1999 TV series)|Grown Ups]]''
| Cameron Russell
| 1 episode
|-
| 2001
| ''[[The Weakest Link]]''
| Himself
| 1 episode
|-
| 2001
| ''[[MADtv]]''
| Triple H
| 1 episode
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]''
| Triple H<ref name="futon-20050203fox01">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050203fox01 |title=Triple H Brings His Game to 'The Bernie Mac Show' Friday, March 11, on Fox |access-date=June 4, 2011 |author=The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |date=February 3, 2005 |website=The Futon Critic}}</ref>
| 1 episode
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| Triple H / Werewolf (voice)
| 1 episode
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Billions (TV series)|Billions]]''
| Himself
| 1 episode
|}

=== Video games ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 1996
| ''[[WWF In Your House (video game)|WWF In Your House]]''
| Video game debut
|-
| 1998
| ''[[WWF War Zone]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1999
| ''[[WWF Attitude]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF WrestleMania 2000 (video game)|WWF WrestleMania 2000]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2000
| ''[[WWF SmackDown! (video game)|WWF SmackDown!]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWF Royal Rumble (2000 video game)|WWF Royal Rumble]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF No Mercy (video game)|WWF No Mercy]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2001
| ''[[With Authority!|WWF With Authority!]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF Betrayal]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF Road to WrestleMania]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2002
| ''[[WWF Raw (2002 video game)|WWF Raw]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania X8]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE Road to WrestleMania X8]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2003
| ''[[WWE Crush Hour]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania XIX (video game)|WWE WrestleMania XIX]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE Raw 2]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2004
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWE Survivor Series (video game)|WWE Survivor Series]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2005
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania 21 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania 21]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE Aftershock]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning 2]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006]]''
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 2007
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008]]''
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| ''[[WWE Legends of WrestleMania]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010]]''
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2011
| ''[[WWE All Stars]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE '12]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| ''[[WWF WrestleFest#Follow-up titles|WWE WrestleFest]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE '13]]''
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[WWE 2K14]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2014
| ''[[WWE SuperCard]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K15]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2015
| ''[[WWE Immortals]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K (video game)|WWE 2K]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K16]]''
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[WWE 2K17]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2017
| ''WWE Champions''
|
|-
| ''WWE Tap Mania''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K18]]''
|
|-
| ''WWE Mayhem''
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[WWE 2K19]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2019
| ''WWE Universe''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K20]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2020
| ''[[WWE 2K Battlegrounds]]''
|
|-
| ''WWE Undefeated''
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[WWE 2K22]]''
|
|-
|2023
| ''[[WWE 2K23]]''
|
|-
|2024
| ''[[WWE 2K24]]''
|
|-
|2025
| ''[[WWE 2K25]]''
|
|}

== Bibliography ==
* ''Making the Game: Triple H's Approach to a Better Body''. Paul Levesque; Robert Caprio (2006). WWE Books.
* ''The Unauthorized History of DX''. Triple H; Shawn Michaels; Aaron Williams (2009). WWE Books.

== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:Triple H WWE Champion No Mercy 07 b.jpg|thumb|upright=0.79|Triple H making his entrance with the [[WWE Championship]], which he has won [[list of WWE Champions|nine times]]]]
[[File:Triple H-WorldHeavyweight-Champ@Commons.jpg|thumb|upright=0.79|Triple H is also [[list of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE, 2002–2013)|the inaugural and five-time]] [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Champion]], making him a 14-time [[Professional wrestling world championship|world champion]] overall in WWE]]
* '''''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'''''
** Wrestler of the Decade (2010)<ref>{{cite web|last=Eck|first=Kevin|title=Best of the Decade awards|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-01-best_of_the_decade_awards-story.html|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204084558/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-01-best_of_the_decade_awards-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[CBS Sports]]'''
** Worst Angle of the Year (2018) {{small|with [[Shawn Michaels]] vs. [[The Undertaker]] [[the Brothers of Destruction|and]] [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/the-man-comes-around-becky-lynch-breaks-out-for-wwe-as-the-2018-wrestler-of-the-year/|title=The Man comes around: Becky Lynch breaks out for WWE as the 2018 Wrestler of the Year|last=Silverstein|first=Adam|date=December 26, 2018|work=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227080132/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/the-man-comes-around-becky-lynch-breaks-out-for-wwe-as-the-2018-wrestler-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''International Wrestling Federation'''
** IWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="slam"/>
** [[IWF Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) - with [[Perry Saturn]]
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2000) {{small|vs. [[Kurt Angle]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|archive-date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|access-date=March 6, 2018}}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (2004) {{small|vs. [[Chris Benoit]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (2009) {{small|vs. [[Randy Orton]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (2013) {{small|vs. [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] – as a member of [[The Authority (professional wrestling)|The Authority]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (2004) {{small|vs. Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels at [[WrestleMania XX]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm |access-date=June 28, 2008 |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Match of the Year |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616063308/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** Match of the Year (2012) {{small|vs. The Undertaker in a [[Hell in a Cell]] match at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Most Hated Wrestler of the Decade (2000–2009)
** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (2003–2005)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2013) – {{small|as a member of The Authority}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2014) – {{small|with [[Stephanie McMahon]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Wrestler of the Decade (2000–2009)
** [[PWI Wrestler of the Year|Wrestler of the Year]] (2008)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/2000.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2000|website=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318074252/http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2009/08/the_pwi_500.html|title=The PWI 500|last=Eck|first=Kevin|date=August 2009|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=September 4, 2009|archive-date=February 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206200628/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2009/08/the_pwi_500.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 139 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|access-date=September 6, 2010|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – PWI Years|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>
*'''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''
**Ranked No. 7 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pullar III |first1=Sid |title=20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/features/10-greatest-wwe-wrestlers-of-all-time |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment/WWE]]'''
** [[WWE Championship|WWF/WWE Championship]]{{Efn|Triple H's fifth reign was as Undisputed WWF Champion. His next three were as simply WWE Champion, while his ninth reign was as WWE World Heavyweight Champion.}} ([[List of WWE Champions|9 times]])<ref name=wwechamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|title=Title History: WWE Championship|access-date=October 14, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223053803/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE, 2002–2013)|5 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/|title=Title History: World Heavyweight Championship|access-date=October 14, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214184932/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|5 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/|title=Title History: Intercontinental|access-date=October 14, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306105424/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]] ([[List of WWE European Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/|title=Title History: European|access-date=October 14, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222151021/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|1 time]]) – with [[Shawn Michaels]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/20091213 |title=Title History: WWE Tag Team: D-Generation X |access-date=December 14, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217082149/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/20091213 |archive-date=December 17, 2009 }}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF World Tag Team Championship]]{{Efn|Triple H's reign with Shawn Michaels was when the title, then known as World Tag Team Championship, was unified with the WWE Tag Team Championship and known as Unified WWE Tag Team Championship.}} ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|2 times]]) – with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211111112 |title=Title History: World Tag Team: Stone Cold & Triple H |access-date=October 14, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033420/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211111112 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref> (1) and [[Shawn Michaels]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/200912131 |title=Title History: World Tag Team: D-Generation X |access-date=December 14, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217075511/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/200912131 |archive-date=December 17, 2009 }}</ref>
** [[King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring (1997)|1997]])<ref name="WWEProfile"/>
** [[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (2002)|2002]], [[Royal Rumble (2016)|2016]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chhabria |first1=Vinay |title=Every Royal Rumble match winner: Where are they now? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/every-royal-rumble-winner-where-are-they-now-ss |website=Sportskeeda |date=January 18, 2019 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220214941/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/every-royal-rumble-winner-where-are-they-now-ss |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[List of WWE tournaments#Road to WrestleMania Tournament|Road to WrestleMania Tournament (2006)]]
** [[List of wwe triple crown champions|Seventh]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]]
** [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)#Original format (established 1997)|Second]] [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)|Grand Slam Champion]]
** [[Slammy Award]] (3 times)
*** Best Hair ([[1997 Slammy Awards|1997]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barron |first1=Bob |title=411 Video Review: Slammy Awards 97 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411-video-review-slammy-awards-97/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website= |publisher=411Mania |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220214949/https://411mania.com/wrestling/411-video-review-slammy-awards-97/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*** OMG Moment of the Year ([[2011 Slammy Awards|2011]]) – {{small|The Undertaker [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Kick-out|kicks out]] of a ''[[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Kneeling reverse piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]]'' against Triple H at WrestleMania XXVII}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-12-12/2011-slammy-award-winners|title=2011 Slammy Award winners|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=February 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229064939/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-12-12/2011-slammy-award-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>
*** Match of the Year ([[2012 Slammy Awards|2012]]) – {{small|vs. The Undertaker in a [[Hell in a Cell match]] at WrestleMania XXVIII}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-12-17/slammy-award-winners|title=2012 WWE Slammy Awards and WWE.com Slammy Awards winners|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163733/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-12-17/slammy-award-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] (2 times)
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2019)|Class of 2019]] – as a member of [[D-Generation X]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |date=February 18, 2019 |title=Chyna, Triple H and DX Will be Inducted into 2019 WWE Hall of Fame |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2821333-wwe-rumors-chyna-triple-h-and-dxs-2019-hall-of-fame-induction-ad-video-leaks |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108121734/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2821333-wwe-rumors-chyna-triple-h-and-dxs-2019-hall-of-fame-induction-ad-video-leaks |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=D-Generation X to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019; tickets available now |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2019/article/dx-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019-inductee |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922104340/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2019/article/dx-wwe-hall-of-fame-2019-inductee |url-status=live }}</ref>
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2025)|Class of 2025]] – individually<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Droste |first1=Ryan |title=Triple H To Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame [Reports] |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/triple-h-to-be-inducted-into-wwe-hall-of-fame |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=January 31, 2025 |date=January 29, 2025}}</ref>
**[[WrestleMania Axxess#Hall of Fame statue|WWE Bronze Statue]] (2025)
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Booker|Best Booker]] (2015) {{small|with Ryan Ward}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Meltzer|first =Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 25, 2016|title=January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue|magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=[[Campbell, California]]|issn=1083-9593|page=45}}</ref>
** Best Booker (2023, 2024)<ref name="Melz23">{{cite web |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/newsletters/wrestling-observer-newsletter/february-26-2024-observer-newsletter-2023-observer-awards-issue |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Melz24">{{cite web |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=February 17, 2025 Observer Newsletter: The 2024 Awards issue |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/february-17-2025-observer-newsletter-the-2024-awards-issue/ |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025}}</ref>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2000) {{small|vs. [[Mick Foley]]}}<ref name=WON2010>{{cite magazine|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (2004) {{small|vs. Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** Feud of the Year (2005) {{small|vs. [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (2000)<ref name=WON2010/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic|Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic]] (2002) {{small|Accusing Kane of murder and necrophilia (Katie Vick)}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Overrated|Most Overrated]] (2002–2004, 2009)<ref name=WON2010/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler|Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler]] (2002, 2003)<ref name=WON2010/>
** [[Worst Feud Award|Worst Feud of the Year]] (2002) {{small|vs. Kane}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** Worst Feud of the Year (2006) {{small|with Shawn Michaels vs. [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Shane McMahon]]}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** Worst Feud of the Year (2011) {{small|vs. [[Kevin Nash]]}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 30, 2012|title=Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news|magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, CA|issn=1083-9593}}</ref>
** [[Worst Feud Award|Worst Feud of the Year]] (2013) – {{small|as member of The Authority vs.  Big Show}}<ref name="WON13">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 27, 2014|title=Jan 27 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2013 Annual awards issue, best in the world in numerous categories, plus all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA over the past week and more|journal=[[Dave Meltzer#Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=[[Campbell, California]]|issn=1083-9593|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/35067-jan-27-2014-wrestling-observer-newsletter-2013-annual-awards-issue-best-in-the-world-in-numerous-categories-plus-all-the-news-in-pro-wrestling-and-mma-over-the-past-week-and-more|pages=1–37|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827052359/https://www.f4wonline.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (2003) {{small|vs. [[Scott Steiner]] at [[Royal Rumble (2003)|Royal Rumble]]}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** Worst Worked Match of the Year (2008) {{small|vs. [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Vladimir Kozlov]] at [[Survivor Series (2008)|Survivor Series]]}}<ref name=WON2010/>
** Worst Match of the Year (2018) {{small|with [[Shawn Michaels]] vs [[The Undertaker]] and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] at [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/03/17/bonus-show-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards/|title=BONUS SHOW: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|date=March 17, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2019|work=Post Wrestling|archive-date=March 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323203703/https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/03/17/bonus-show-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 2005]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fontaine |first1=Paul |date=April 2, 2016 |title=WWE WRESTLEMANIA TOP 10 PERFORMER SERIES: TRIPLE H |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-wrestlemania-top-10-performer-series-triple-h-210286 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=F4WOnline.com |publisher=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514134328/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-wrestlemania-top-10-performer-series-triple-h-210286 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''Luchas de Apuestas'' record ===
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:20%;"|Winner (wager)
! style="width:20%;"|Loser (wager)
! style="width:20%;"|Location
! style="width:10%;"|Event
! style="width:15%;"|Date
! width=5%|Notes
|-
|Triple H ([[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|championship]]) || [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] (mask) || [[New York, New York]] || ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' || {{dts|2003|06|23}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030623.html|title=WWE Raw Results – June 23, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007105133/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030623.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

== Other awards and honors ==
* '''[[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]]'''
** Hall of Fame (2017)<ref>{{cite tweet|user=WWE|author=WWE|number=862335540171079680|date=May 10, 2017|title=BREAKING: @TripleH is set to be inducted into the @BGCA_Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame! More details:…}}</ref>
* '''[[International Sports Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2015<ref>{{cite web |last=Scherer |first=Dave |date=January 8, 2015 |title=TRIPLE H HEADED INTO THE HALL OF FAME |url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/90664/triple-h-headed-into-the-hall-of-fame.html?p=1 |access-date=January 5, 2023 |publisher=PWInsider |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306214558/http://www.pwinsider.com/article/90664/triple-h-headed-into-the-hall-of-fame.html?p=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Revolver (magazine)#Epiphone Revolver Music Awards|'''Revolver Golden Gods Awards''']] 
** Most Metal Athlete (2013)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-03 |title=REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS Awards 2013: Winners And Performance Highlights |url=https://metalinjection.net/show-recap/revolver-golden-gods-awards-2013-winners-and-performance-highlights |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''[[Metal Hammer|''Metal Hammer'' magazine]]'''
** Metal Hammer's Spirit of Lemmy Award (2016)<ref>{{cite web |last=Fernandes |first=Steven |date=June 11, 2016 |title=TRIPLE H HONORED |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/102631/triple-h-honored.html?p=1 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website= |publisher=PWInsider |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220215151/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/102631/triple-h-honored.html?p=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Sources ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|title=Making the Game: Triple H's Approach to a Better Body|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|year=2010|isbn=9780743483612|first1=Paul |last1=Levesque |first2=Robert |last2=Caprio }}
* {{Cite book|title=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|isbn=0-06-103101-1|first=Mick|last=Foley|title-link=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks}}
* {{Cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling's historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|author=PWI Staff}}
* {{Cite book|title=Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling|publisher=ECW Press|year=2003|isbn=1-55022-584-7|author1=Baer, Randy|author2=R. D. Reynolds|name-list-style=amp|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre}}
* {{Cite book|title=If They Only Knew|publisher=ReaganBooks|year=2001|isbn=0-06-109895-7|author=Laurer, Joanie|url=https://archive.org/details/chyna9thwonderof00chyn_0}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|d=Q44567|commons=Paul Michael Levesque|b=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|species=no|display=Triple H}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* [http://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/leadership#paul-levesque Paul Levesque's executive profile at WWE.com]
* {{IMDb name|name = Paul Levesque}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Triple H}}
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