REIGN NO. 7: THREE STAGES OF HELL, DEC. 15, 2002
"Shawn and I have had a long history — best of friends, worst of enemies. But any time we’ve been in the ring together, whether on the same side or opposites, it’s been magic. This one was no different. To beat one of the greatest performers in history of our business, this one meant a lot. —Triple H
Triple H and Shawn Michaels had already fought in an unsanctioned Street Fight and in an Elimination Chamber Match, so it was only fitting that their Armageddon match for the World Heavyweight Championship was two-out-of-three falls. Adding to the intrigue, the first fall was a Street Fight, the second fall was a Steel Cage Match and the third fall was a Ladder Match.
Triple H was able to pick up the all-important first fall in the Street Fight after he hit Michaels with the Pedigree.
Michaels bounced back in the Steel Cage Match and pinned Triple H after he connected on a splash through a table. Everything looked like it was lining up for HBK as his specialty, the Ladder Match, would decide the contest. But The Game came to play and as both Superstars were climbing the ladder, Triple H shoved HBK off, causing him to fall through a group of tables. Triple H continued his ascent up the ladder and grabbed the World Heavyweight Championship.
Triple H would go on to hold the championship for more than nine months, his longest reign to date. During this time he defended his championship against the likes of Kevin Nash, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Kane and Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner.