Triple H

He’s The King of Kings, a nickname with no hint of exaggeration considering that Triple H is essentially WWE royalty. From his days as a Greenwich snob, to his era-defining run as a co-founder of D-Generation X, to the time he spent shepherding future main eventers Randy Orton and Batista toward WWE greatness in Evolution, Triple H hasn’t just existed on the cutting edge, he’s been the one sharpening the blade.

A 13-time World Champion, The Game has clashed with a litany of ring legends to seize the throne as The King of Kings. The Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, John Cena, even WWE Chairman Vince McMahon – each mowed down by the sledgehammer-wielding fist of The Cerebral Assassin. He has methodically and systematically usurped sports-entertainment, capturing every major WWE championship (multiple times), the King of the Ring crown, a Royal Rumble Match victory (2002) and the marquee spot at WrestleMania on several occasions, all throughout a career that spans nearly two decades.

As The Game’s role within WWE shifted from active competition, he used his squared circle acumen to nab the title of Chief Operating Officer and steer WWE toward some it’s most exciting and controversial moments in 2011. A bitter, personal rivalry with anti-authority crusader CM Punk tested Triple H’s resolve, and a mutiny by the whole Raw roster made it clear that even the combined power of an entire locker room couldn’t keep him down. Both situations necessitated The Cerebral Assassin’s return to the ring and, during each encounter – not to mention his five-star classic bout against The Phenom at WrestleMania XXVII – he demonstrated that, whether in a suit or trunks, he can still compete at the most elite level without missing a beat.

At WrestleMania XXVIII, after four years of battles between Triple H, The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, the trio participated in a post-bout curtain call that truly signified The End of an Era. Triple H’s passion for the squared circle burns hot and ensures that, no matter his role in WWE, those who choose to play The Game should be prepared to play by his rules.

Unfortunately, The Cerebral Assassin has had to deal with Brock Lesnar breaking those rules at every turn since the freakish brute’s return to WWE on the night after WrestleMania XXVIII. The WWE COO also couldn't escape the taunts of Lesnar's representative, Paul Heyman, who has slapped Triple H with lawsuits and insulted his family.

Three months after a heated confrontation with Lesnar where he broke The Game's arm, The King of Kings finally came face-to-face with Lesnar at The 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam. And despite mustering up a tenacious and valiant effort, The Game learned a painful lesson in helplessness as he was unable to overpower the beastly competitor. After the match, a humbled Triple H refused medical treatment — it was revealed the following morning that Lesnar had again broken his arm — and apologized to the capacity crowd that counted on him to get Lesnar under control.

The Cerebral Assassin selected The Grandest Stage of Them All to settle his differences with Brock, though. Weeks before WrestleMania 29, Triple H returned to Raw to protect his father-in-law, Mr. McMahon, from the brute. After drawing blood from the beast, The Game returned to Raw the following week to challenge Brock Lesnar to an ultimate showdown at MetLife Stadium on April 7. Lesnar accepted the challenge, only to declare that he and Paul Heyman would name the battle's stipulations only after The Cerebral Assassin accepted those terms.

After signing the contract, Paul Heyman revealed that the match between The Game and Brock Lesnar would not only be No Holds Barred, but The Cerebral Assassin would also be putting his career on the line. However, The King of Kings would not be facing The Anomaly alone. One week before the battle, Triple H's best friend, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels — who also suffered a broken arm at the hands of Lesnar — announced he would be in The Game's corner.

With everything on the line at The Show of Shows, The Game weathered everything Lesnar threw at him, from steel chairs to the metal ring steps, Triple H absorbed every blow and stood tall, taking out The Anomaly with a Pedigree on the steel steps. With Brock Lesnar defeated, Triple H's legendary in-ring career is safe.

However, Brock Lesnar was not satisfied in defeat and after decimating 3MB, The Anomaly challenged The Game to another brawl. This time, however, Paul Heyman informed the WWE Universe that Lesnar wanted to face The Cerebral Assassin inside a steel cage! Triple H surprised Heyman on Raw from London, accepting the challenge and then taking out Lesnar's representative with a Pedigree.

With only weeks until their Extreme Rules confrontation, Lesnar made his way to WWE headquarters in Stamford, Conn., looking for The Game. With Triple H unavailable, The Anomaly destroyed The Cerebral Assassin's office. In response, Triple H appeared on Raw and told Paul Heyman that if he and Brock Lesnar want to confront The Game, they know where to find him — inside the squared circle. Before their brawl inside a steel cage at Extreme Rules, Triple H invited Lesnar into the steel-enclosed ring on Raw. The Game delivered a powerful message, slamming The Anomaly through the cage door.

At Extreme Rules, Triple H pulled out all the stops inside the cage. The Game's attack on Lesnar's knee, along with a hidden sledgehammer, seemed to ensure his victory. However, Paul Heyman's interference turned the tide in favor of the animalistic Lesnar, who defeated Triple H with an F-5.

The controversial conclusion to the bout left the WWE Universe wondering if Triple H will challenge “The Beast Incarnate” once again. However, on Raw the night after Extreme Rules, The Game batled Paul Heyman's new client, Curtis Axel. Although Triple H was clearly on the offensive, the devastating effects of his match with Lesnar led The King of Kings to collapse at ringside, suffering from post-concussion symptoms.