There's no doubt that Paul Levesque has made a name for himself in the world of professional wrestling. As Hunter Hearst Helmsley, otherwise known as Triple H, he has become one of the top icons in the sport, as well as one of the most powerful wrestlers in the backstage area. He's been an incredible fan favorite, drawing the cheers out of the crowd with little effort. He's been the most hated wrestler in the world, due to his rule-breaking tactics. He's done it all, and he's got a long way to go before his career finishes up.

Levesque grew up in New Hampshire, competing in basketball and baseball throughout high school. What really interested Levesque, though, was body-building. After graduating from high school, Levesque entered into various competitions, and won the Teenage Mr. New Hampshire competition at 19, a major accomplishment. Still, Levesque felt that there was more in store for him than just body-building competitions, and began looking into other options.

IWF

Soon, Levesque chose the direction of his future, signing up to train with legendary pro wrestling star Killer Kowalski, attending his wrestling school in Reading, Massachusetts. Under Kowalski, Levesque learned the art of the sport, as well as getting tips from one of the biggest rule-breakers in wrestling history. In 1992, Levesque made his debut, wrestling for the IWF (Kowalski's training federation) under the name "Terra Ryzing". It didn't take long for Terra Ryzing to make an impact, as he won the IWF Heavyweight Title in July '92, defeating Tony Roy. Terra Ryzing would remain a major part of the IWF for the next year, training himself continuously in the hopes of climbing up the ladder to the more well-known federations.

WCW

In 1994, he was given his chance, as he signed with World Championship Wrestling. Still wrestling as Terra Ryzing, he never truly got a chance to shine, competing mainly against low-card opposition. Terra Ryzing's only bright spot was a Television Title match against Larry Zbyszko, where Zbyszko stayed the champ. In May 1994, Levesque tried a new tactic, changing his name from Terra Ryzing to a variation of his own name, Jean-Paul Levesque. As a French-Canadian aristocrat, Levesque gained a little momentum, and even appeared at Starrcade '94, losing to Alex Wright. But just as it seemed that Levesque might be on his way with WCW, he surprisingly refused to sign a new contract, then left WCW in favor of the World Wrestling Federation.

WWF: 1995

Levesque entered the WWF in the spring of '95, with a brand-new name to wrestle under: Hunter Hearst Helmsley. For the first few months, Helmsley wrestled again in the low-card position, usually coming up victorious as his push was slowly built. At Summerslam '95, he was given his first WWF PPV shot, and took advantage of it, winning over Bob Holly. He then entered into an extended feud with Fatu, competing against him at several pay-per-view events. Triple H's battles with Fatu led to his next feud, as he met up with Henry Godwinn, a professed "pig farmer". At this point in his career, Helmsley was still the aristocrat, and looked down on Godwinn. The two fought in an "Arkansas Hog Pen" Match at In Your House V, as Helmsley was forced to roll in the mud, tarnishing his "high-class" image. But Helmsley did manage to get the victory with his finisher, the Pedigree, continuing to earn respect from his peers.

It was during this time that the Clique began to form in the backstage area. Helmsley became friends with many of the other WWF superstars, forming a powerful union that worked to make the members of the Clique look good. The group included Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman, some of the best in the business at the time.

1996

Helmsley's next feud started at the '96 Royal Rumble, as he faced off against Duke "The Dumpster" Droese for the right to enter the Rumble as #30. Due to Helmsley getting disqualified, he was forced to enter #1 in the Rumble. Helmsley put on a strong performance, lasting over 50 minutes before finally being thrown out by Diesel. Although he did well, Helmsley wasn't happy, blaming his loss on Droese. He attacked Droese at one point, Pedigreeing him on a trash can lid, then cutting off his hair. The two fought at In Your House VI, with Helmsley getting the victory. Helmsley next entered into a short feud with the Ultimate Warrior, who was making his return to the WWF. At Wrestlemania XII, Helmsley suffered a devestating defeat, as the Warrior won in less than 2 minutes. Helmsley blamed the loss on his valet, Sable, but when he went to attack her, he was stopped by Sable's husband, Marc Mero.

Helmsley and Mero would feud for the next few months, splitting their matches evenly as they went at it. Just as it seemed like Helmsley was gaining momentum in his WWF career, however, the infamous kayfabe incident took place. At Madison Square Garden, Helmsley wrestled Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) while Shawn Michaels took on Diesel (Kevin Nash). This was the last night for Hall & Nash, who were both jumping to WCW. After their matches, the members of the Clique came together in the ring, hugging each other and breaking "kayfabe", otherwise known as the mystique of the business. By showing their friendship in the ring, the group allowed the world to see that their "hatred" for each other was not true. After the incident, Hall and Nash left the WWF, with Sean Waltman (X-Pac) leaving soon after. Since Michaels was currently the World Champ, the only member of the Clique that Vince McMahon could punish for the incident was Helmsley.

Over the next few months, Helmsley's punishment was very clear. While thought of as a favorite for the '96 King of the Ring Tournament, he didn't compete in it, instead fighting at the PPV in a dark match with Aldo Montoya (Justin Credible). Helmsley was forced to lose to many mid-carders over the period, including men like Sycho Sid, an aging Jake Roberts and a growing star in Steve Austin. Finally, though, Helmsley started to climb back up the WWE ladder in November '96. Due to an incident where Mr. Perfect "stole" his harem of women, Helmsley challenged the man to a match at Monday Night Raw. During the night, though, Helmsley attacked Perfect, apparently injuring his leg. Pefect convinced Marc Mero, the Intercontinental Champion at the time, to take his place in the match. But it all turned out to be a double-cross, as Perfect helped Helmsley defeat Mero by hitting the Marvelous One with a steel chair. This helped Triple H win his first WWE gold, the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship.

1997

Helmsley would feud with Mero for the rest of the year, and although Triple H usually took the loss, he always managed to find a way to slip out with the Intercontinental Title. At the beginning of '97, Helmsley, with his "butler", Curtis Hughes, began to take a liking to Marlena, who was the valet of Goldust. As expected, Goldust disliked the attention being sent towards his girl, and a new feud erupted. At the '97 Royal Rumble, Helmsley and Goldust went at it, with Hughes helping Helmsley to the victory. Later on that night, Helmsley competed in the Rumble, but didn't last long, as Goldust managed to throw him out. Helmsley and Goldust continued their feud into the next month, but Helmsley also had other problems to worry about. Curtis Hughes left him, leaving Helmsley without an ally to aid him in matches. Soon, Helmsley lost the WWF Intercontinental Title, surprisingly being beaten by "The Rock" Rocky Maivia.

At the Final Four pay-per-view, Triple H got a rematch against Maivia, trying to regain his title. Unfortunately for Helmsley, Goldust & Marlena also got involved, coming to ringside and distracting the challenger. Because of their appearance, Maivia was able to take out Helmsley and get the victory, staying the champion. After the match, however, Triple H got some revenge, as a massive woman came out of the crowd and attacked Marlena. It was soon announced that the woman, Chyna, was Triple H's new bodyguard. Helmsley & Chyna fought against Goldust & Marlena all the way up to Wrestlemania XIII, where Helmsley and Goldust met in a final, feud-ending match. Helmsley got the victory with his Pedigree, his first Wrestlemania win.

Helmsley next had a short, forgettable feud with Flash Funk, beating him at A Cold Day In Hell, before getting himself entered into the '97 King of the Ring Tournament. At first, it seemed that Helmsley was not going to be involved, as he was disqualified in his qualifying match against Ahmed Johnson due to Chyna's interference. But when Helmsley claimed that he didn't know he could be disqualified, he was allowed to take the place of the injured Vader in the tournament, and beat Crush in the qualifying round to move forward. At the '97 King of the Ring, Helmsley defeated Ahmed Johnson with Chyna's help, getting some revenge for his DQ loss. Helmsley then went into the finals against Mankind. The two had a terrific match, which included Mankind's infamous mask being torn off. In the end, Helmsley got the victory, winning the King of the Ring. But Helmsley wasn't satisfied, as he brutally attacked Mankind after the match with the KOTR crown.

Triple H and Mankind continued their violent feud after KOTR, and faced off again at the next Pay-Per-View, Canadian Stampede. But nothing was settled, as the two were both counted out as they took their bloody fight to the outside. The two couldn't be separated, and throughout the rest of the night, they were seen still brawling in and out of the crowd, the backstage area, and even outside of the arena. Helmsley and Mankind next signed to fight in a "Steel Cage" Match at Summerslam '97, so that there would be no countout. In another bloody match, the two delivered tremendous amounts of punishment to the other. At one point, Helmsley had the chance to escape the cage, but stayed, wanting to do more damage. This backfired on him, though, as Mankind was able to land a huge elbowdrop from the top of the cage on Helmsley, then escaped the cage, getting the victory despite Chyna's interference.

Soon after Summerslam, Helmsley and Chyna began hanging out with Clique member Shawn Michaels, as well as "Ravishing" Rick Rude. The group came together, calling themselves Degeneration-X, the next generation of the WWF. The powerhouse group mocked wrestlers and announcers alike, and soon were feuding with the Hart Foundation, one of the toughest stables around. Helmsley also managed to put a good finishing touch on his feud with Mankind, who had reverted to his "Dude Love" persona. Helmsley defeated Dude Love with the Pedigree at One Night Only. Later that night, Helmsley joined with the rest of Degeneration-X to help Michaels take out the British Bulldog. The group injured the Bulldog's leg, and the referee was forced to declare him unfit to continue, causing the European Title to go to Michaels.

Due to Degeneration-X's antics, the Commissioner, Sargeant Slaughter, began to take action against them. It was announced that Helmsley would have to face Slaughter at the Degeneration-X pay-per-view in a "Boot Camp" Match. During the violent match, Chyna tried to interfere, only to have powder thrown into her eyes, blinding her. Despite Chyna being out of commission, however, Helmsley got the victory, landing the Pedigree onto a steel chair. Not long afterwards, Slaughter, looking for some revenge, ordered that Shawn Michaels would have to defend his WWF European Title against Helmsley. Michaels & Helmsley had the last laugh, though, as Michaels laid down and let Helmsley pin him for the belt.

1998

Helmsley then started to feud with Owen Hart, who wanted to reclaim the European Title for the Hart Foundation. During this time, though, Helsmley's knee was injured, leaving him unfit to compete. This didn't stop Helmsley from interfering with Hart, costing him, among other things, the '98 Royal Rumble. Helmsley nailed Hart with a crutch during the Rumble match, making Hart easy pickings to be eliminated.

It was soon announced that Helmsley's thirty-days to defend the European Title were almost up, and that he would have to defend the belt against Hart at a Monday Night Raw, injured or not. Helmsley, in return, sent in Goldust, dressed up like Helmsley, to wrestle for him. Hart got the victory over "Hunterdust", and Slaughter gleefully declared that since the belt was supposed to be on the line, Hart became the European Champion, even though Helmsley wasn't involved in the match. At No Way Out '98, Helmsley joined up with the New Age Outlaws (Jesse James & Billy Gunn) & Savio Vega (who was subbing for the injured Shawn Michaels) to fight against Hart, Steve Austin, Cactus Jack, & Terry Funk. Triple H continued to go after Hart during the match, but was unable to prevent Austin from knocking Jesse James out with the "Stone Cold Stunner" to get the victory. After the match, Austin nailed Chyna with a Stunner as well.

After No Way Out, Helmsley again had to rest his injured knee, but still continued his feud with Owen Hart. For the next few weeks, Chyna surprisingly attacked Hart's opponents, making sure that Hart didn't lose the European Title. In March '98, with Hart feeling the pain of injuries himself, Helmsley challenged him to a match for the title. During the fight, Chyna nailed Hart on his injured leg with a baseball bat, then rolled him into the ring. Triple H then put on an ankle lock, and Hart was forced to tap, allowing Helmsley to reclaim the European Title. At Wrestlemania XIV, Helmsley and Hart went at it one more time for the belt, with Sgt. Slaughter handcuffed to Chyna at ringside to keep her from interfering. This plan didn't work, however, as Chyna threw powder into Slaughter's face, blinding him. Chyna then got a low blow on Hart, which allowed Helmsley to hit the Pedigree for the victory. The DX band, which was on hand at the event, played the DX theme live for the champion as he and Chyna departed the ring.

At Raw following Wrestlemania XIV, Helmsley came out and announced that, since Michaels was injured, he was taking over as leader of Degeneration-X. He claimed that Michaels had dropped the ball, so he had picked it up. He then introduced X-Pac (returning from a stint in WCW) as the newest member of D-X. Later that night, Helmsley, Chyna, & X-Pac surprisingly interfered in the tag title match, helping the New Age Outlaws win the WWF Tag-Team Titles. It was obvious that the DX Army was now in place. Helmsley, as the leader of D-X, continued his feud with Owen Hart, setting up a match between them at Unforgiven '98. Chyna was suspended above the ring in a cage, to keep her from being involved. During the fight, though, Chyna began to escape the cage, bending the bars. As Jesse James came down to lower the cage, the referee missed X-Pac's interference, as he hit Hart with a fire extinguisher. Helmsley then hit the Pedigree and got the victory, staying the European Champion.

Degeneration-X began one of their most infamous segments the night after Unforgiven, as the entire group appeared outside the Norfolk Scope, where a WCW card was taking place. Helmsley was able to get several fans to state that WCW sucked, landing some shots against the competition. It was a major success for the WWF. Degeneration-X then became involved in a wild feud with the Nation of Domination, since Owen Hart had joined the group to fight Helmsley. At Over the Edge '98, Helmsley & the New Age Outlaws faced off against Hart, D-Lo Brown, & Kama. Hart managed to get some revenge in the match, as he landed a Pedigree maneuver on Helmsley, dropping him onto the European Title. Hart then got the pinfall, beating Triple H.

Helmsley next concentrated on defending his "royal" title in the '98 King of the Ring Tournament. Helmsley was forced to face X-Pac in the qualifying round, causing some trouble between the D-X members. However, this was cleared up due to the Nation of Domination interfering, attacking X-Pac. Helmsley, not seeing the assault, got the victory, moving on. Helmsley next faced the Rock in the quarterfinals, and despite the interference of Chyna, the Rock moved on, taking out Helmsley. This caused a major feud to erupt between Triple H and the Rock, which included Helmsley spitting water in the Rock's face, helping Ken Shamrock beat the Rock in the finals of the KOTR tournament. The feud continued to build during the next month, as the Rock cost Helmsley the European Title, knocking him out with the Rock Bottom so that D-Lo Brown could get the victory.

At Fully Loaded '98, Helmsley and the Rock met in a "Three Falls" Match, with the Rock's Intercontinental Title on the line. The match was wrought with interference from both stables, as the match went back and forth. The Rock scored the first pin with the Rock Bottom, but Chyna helped even things up, hitting a low blow that allowed Triple H to get a small package pinfall. At the end of the match, Helmsley seemed to be about to get the three count, when the referee declared that the time limit had run out, causing a draw. Helmsley, not surprisingly, was unhappy with the ending of the match, and continued to feud with the Rock over the next month. Triple H also had problems with X-Pac, but the two managed to patch things up in their war against the Nation of Domination. At Summerslam '98, Helmsley and the Rock got it on once more, fighting in a "Ladder" Match. Mark Henry tried to interfere to help the Rock win, but Chyna again was the deciding factor, hitting a bleeding Rock with a low blow. Helmsley then climbed the ladder and got the Intercontinental Title, winning the match and the belt.

Helmsley and D-X continued to battle against the Nation after Summerslam, with Triple H feuding with Mark Henry. Before the next PPV, Breakdown, Helmsley was shown in the backstage area, being attacked. He couldn't compete at the pay-per-view, and later was shown with a knee injury, keeping him out of action for months. In October, Helmsley was stripped of the Intercontinental Title, and a tournament was put together, with Ken Shamrock winning. At the next PPV, Judgment Day '98, Helmsley reluctantly handed over the IC Title, then followed it up with the DX "Suck It" maneuver. This angered Shamrock, who later that night attacked Helmsley, slamming his already-injured knee in a car door. This would keep Helmsley on the disabled list. At the '98 Survivor Series, Triple H was expected to return, as he was included in the "Deadly Games" tournament for the World Title. But when his match came around, it was announced that, although he was "sent tickets", he didn't show. Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco announced that the Big Boss Man would take his place in the tournament, and that Helmsley would be fired for not appearing.

A few weeks later, X-Pac was attacked by Ken Shamrock, but Helmsley surprisingly reappeared to save his D-X partner. He then challenged for a shot against the Rock, who held the WWF World Heavyweight Title at the time. However, McMahon changed the match, giving X-Pac the shot instead. At Capital Carnage '98, Helmsley took on Jeff Jarrett, taking him out with the Pedigree for his first major win since his injury. Later on that night, Helmsley, with Chyna, tried to help X-Pac win the World Title. But due to his interference, the Rock won via Disqualification. At the next Raw is War, Helmsley and X-Pac, apparently the last two members of DX, confronted the New Age Outlaws, who had apparently switched to Vince McMahon's Corporation. However, later that night, the Outlaws helped Helmsley and X-Pac, showing that the betrayal was just a hoax. DX was still as strong as ever. In the middle of December '98, Helmsley was finally given the shot he'd been wanting, facing the Rock for the World Title on Raw is War. But during the match, while Chyna was distracted taking care of Shawn Michaels, a mystery man, Test, made his first appearance, attacking Helmsley and keeping him from winning the title.

1999

The war continued to grow between DX and the Corporation, with Helmsley allying himself with Mankind. The McMahons tried to break up the alliance by pitting Helmsley against Mankind, with a shot at the Royal Rumble on the line. Shane McMahon, who was the referee, helped Helmsley win the chance to compete in the Rumble, but Helmsley, annoyed at the outcome, Pedigree'd Shane, leaving him in the ring with Mankind. At the '99 Royal Rumble, Helmsley entered as #23, and was able to eliminate Jeff Jarrett and Val Venis. But Triple H was unable to stop "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who landed a Stunner on Helmsley and eliminated him, ending his hopes as the Rumble winner.

On the next Raw is War, Helmsley fought against the World Champ, the Rock, in an "I Quit" Match. During the brawl, Helmsley landed the Pedigree on the Rock, and looked to be in good shape, when the Corporation came out with Chyna. They threatened to take Chyna out unless Helmsley said "I Quit". Having no other choice, Triple H gave in, costing himself the match. He then checked on Chyna, but was surprisingly low-blowed, as Chyna showed that the 'threat' was actually a trick. She betrayed Helmsley and joined with the Corporation. Helmsley later called her a "2-dollar whore", and continued his feud with the Corporation, fighting with one of their newer members, Kane. At the Valentine's Day Massacre, Helmsley & X-Pac teamed up against Chyna & Kane. At one point in the match, while X-Pac was fighting with Shane McMahon, Helmsley went for the Pedigree on Chyna, only to be chokeslammed by Kane, losing the match.

Helmsley & X-Pac continued to feud with Chyna & Kane, as well as the rest of the Corporation. A trick from Shane McMahon cost X-Pac the European Title at one point, but Helmsley helped X-Pac get a rematch at Wrestlemania. At one point during the month, Chyna called Helmsley out. Triple H was quickly followed by Kane. As Chyna was holding Triple H, Kane threw a fireball at his face. But Helmsley ducked, and Chyna took the horrific blow instead. Later on that month, Helmsley called out Kane for some revenge, but got the Undertaker in Kane's mask instead. Helsmley would later come out disguised as Goldust, hitting Kane with a fireball of his own. At Wrestlemania XV, Kane and Helmsley went at it in a violent way, but the match wasn't decided until Chyna came down to ringside. She surprisingly nailed Kane with a steel chair, getting Triple H disqualified. Helmsley then attacked Kane, showing that he and Chyna were back together. Just as it seemed, though, that they were both becoming faces, they interfered in X-Pac's European Title match later on, helping Shane McMahon retain his belt. Helmsley was now part of the Corporation.

For the next month, Helmsley & Chyna feuded with X-Pac & Kane, the two men they had turned on. After numerous clashes, Helmsley met X-Pac at Backlash '99, with Chyna continuously interfering. Kane came to the ring and evened the odds, attacking both Chyna & Helmsley. Despite the attack, Triple H came back to hit the Pedigree, beating X-Pac. In the weeks following the pay-per-view, Helmsley and Chyna began to target the Rock. Their stable changed as well, as the Corporation merged with the Ministry of Darkness, forming the Corporate Ministry. During the month, Helmsley continuously assaulted the Rock, breaking his arm at one point by throwing him off the stage, then later attacking the arm with a sledgehammer. At Over the Edge '99, Helmsley fought a brutal war against the Rock, even using his own cast against him. Eventually, though, Triple H went too far, grabbing a chair from Chyna, then shoving the referee out of the way, getting himself disqualified. Helmsley didn't seem to care, going after the Rock with the chair, only to get his head busted open when the Rock came back. Chyna turned the tables again, though, allowing Helmsley to attack the Rock's injured arm with the chair. Mankind eventually came down to make the save.

The next night, on Raw is War, Helmsley delivered an emotional speech about Owen Hart, who was killed in an accident at the PPV. He dedicated his victory over Al Snow to Hart. Afterwards, Helmsley went back to his heel ways, feuding with Mankind and the injured Rock. Triple H was also scheduled to compete in the '99 King of the Ring Tournament, but refused, saying that he had nothing to prove. Chyna was allowed to take his place. Helmsley, at one point, was put into a "Cast" Match against the Rock, forcing him to compete with a cast around his leg. The match went badly for Helmsley until the Undertaker interfered. As the pay-per-view approached, Triple H and the Undertaker, due to various miscues, began to fight amongst themselves, as well as against the Rock, who would face the Undertaker for the World Title. Triple H publicly stated that, whoever won the match, he wanted the next title shot.

At the '99 King of the Ring, Helmsley tried to help Chyna in the quarterfinals of the tournament, but was stopped by Commissioner Shawn Michaels. Chyna then lost to the Roaddogg Jesse James. It was later announced that, since Shane McMahon had been "injured" at the hands of Ken Shamrock on Sunday Night Heat, Triple H could take his place, teaming with Vince McMahon in a handicap match against Steve Austin. During the World Title match, the Rock placed a cloth covered with ether across the Undertaker's mouth, trying to knock him out. But Helmsley came to the ring and attacked the Rock, nailing him with the Pedigree and allowing the Undertaker to retain the World Title. After the match, Commissioner Michaels ejected Helmsley from the building due to his interference, keeping him from the main event match.

Soon after the pay-per-view, Helmsley & China joined up with "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn, reforming part of Degeneration-X. The group claimed that they deserved the rights to the DX name, a fact disputed by X-Pac & the Roaddogg Jesse James, who were also using the title. The two groups would feud during the month over the naming rights, while Helmsley also continued to concentrate on the Rock. At Fully Loaded '99, Helmsley watched as Chyna & Gunn lost to X-Pac & the Roaddogg, losing the "DX" rights. A furious Helmsley then went into his own match, a "#1 Contender No-Disqualification Strap Match" against the Rock, with the winner getting a World Title shot at Summerslam. During the match, both Chyna and Gunn interfered, helping to keep Helmsley in the match. In the end, after the Rock got rid of Gunn, Helmsley landed the Pedigree, to get himself the victory.

The next month was a crazy one for Triple H. At one point, he was forced to put his #1 Contendership on the line in a Triple Threat match against the Undertaker and Chyna. Helmsley thought that Chyna didn't deserve the shot, since she was "just a woman". This of course infuriated Chyna, making it a true Triple Threat match. During the bout, Steve Austin, the current World Champ, interfered, taking out Helmsley and putting Chyna on top of him, giving her the World Title shot. Helmsley argued with Chyna on the next show, saying that he deserved his contendership back, and they arranged a second match between them. But once again there was interference, with Mankind costing Helmsley the match. Mankind later beat Chyna for the spot, then took on Helmsley, with both men being counted out in their fight. It was eventually decided that both Helmsley and Mankind would face Austin at the next PPV.

The Triple Threat match at Summerslam '99 featured a special referee in Jesse "The Body" Ventura, who resolved that he'd call the match fairly. Early on, Helmsley was helped out by interference from Chyna. But this soon ended, as Ventura sent Chyna away from ringside. Later on, Helmsley used a steel chair to knock out Mankind, but Ventura refused to count, not allowing the attack with the foreign object. Shane McMahon tried to come to Triple H's defense, ordering Ventura to do his job, but Austin landed the Stone Cold Stunner on McMahon, allowing Ventura to throw the boss's son out. Austin later hit Triple H with the Stunner, and Triple H was able to land the Pedigree, with Mankind breaking up the pin both times. The match ended with Mankind hitting a double-arm DDT on Austin, allowing him to win the World Title. After the match, a frustrated Helmsley attacked the downed Austin with a chair, going after his injured knee, with Chyna keeping the ring officials from making the save.

The next night, on Raw is War, Triple H came to the ring and angrily demanded a World Title shot, saying that he was cheated by Jesse Ventura. He grabbed Jim Ross's arm, threatening to break it unless Mankind granted a title shot. Mankind, having no choice, agreed to it, only to have Helmsley injure Ross's arm anyway. The match was signed, with Shane McMahon making himself the special referee. The Rock came to ringside as a 'commentator', to keep an eye on things. During the match, McMahon conveniently looked in the other direction, as Helmsley hit first Mankind, then the Rock, with a steel chair. Helmsley then put Mankind into the ring and hit the Pedigree, getting the quick count to win the WWF World Heavyweight Title for the first time.

A few days later, Helmsley appeared on Smackdown, taunting both Mankind and the Rock. He was quickly answered by the Rock, who demanded a title shot. This was granted by the Commissioner, Shawn Michaels, who also made himself the referee. As the match commenced, Michaels was continuously distracted by both Chyna and Shane McMahon, who worked hard to interfere on the champ's behalf. The Rock worked through it, though, and put Helmsley on the mat, preparing for the People's Elbow. Just as he was running across the ring to land it, though, Michaels surprisingly stepped in, hitting his Sweet Chin Music. Triple H then recovered enough to hit the Pedigree, winning the match and retaining the World Title. Afterwards, Helmsley, Chyna, McMahon, & Michaels celebrated the double-cross in the ring.

Soon, Triple H seemed to be feuding with all of the top faces in the WWF. He fought against the Rock, Steve Austin, Kane, Mankind, the Undertaker, Billy Gunn, the Big Show, and others, always finding a way (usually with Chyna or Shane McMahon's help) of slipping away with the World Title still around his waist. With his sledgehammer always nearby, Triple H began to brag about all the people he had injured, calling himself "The Game". On one night, Mankind and the Rock, as the tag champs, were scheduled to face the Undertaker & the Big Show in a "Buried Alive" Match. Helmsley attacked the Rock in the back, then came down to the front, hitting the Big Show with the sledgehammer. He then buried Mankind, allowing the Undertaker & the Big Show to win the World Tag-Team Titles. But just as it seemed that Helmsley's night was complete, he was surprised by an attack from Steve Austin, who threw Triple H into an ambulance, then ran the ambulance over with a monster truck.

Helmsley later had Austin arrested for aggravated assault, but the charges didn't stick. The two later had a match, which ended in a No-Contest after Austin attacked the referee. At the next show, Austin demanded a rematch, but Helmsley instead said that he'd challenge another "main-eventer". Later that night, Helmsley called out Vince McMahon, and after insulting the boss's wife, the match got started. There was a lot of interference in the fight, from Shane McMahon, Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco, and Chyna, but the main interference came from Austin, who Stunned Helmsley, then pulled McMahon on top, costing Helmsley the World Title. It was later announced that McMahon would vacate the World Title, leaving it open to six competitors at the next pay-per-view. Helmsley demanded one of the spots, saying that he would injure a member of the McMahon family if it was not granted to him.

Helmsley's problems continued with the McMahons, as Vince put Helmsley in five matches in one night. Helmsley would have to win three of the five matches to keep a spot in the Six-Pack pay-per-view match. First, Helmsley was beaten in a "Chokeslam" Match by the Big Show, since Helmsley couldn't possibly chokeslam the 500-lb wrestler. In the second match, Triple H was outmatched by Kane in their "Inferno" bout, but interference by Mideon & Viscera forced Kane to burn his hand, thus giving Helmsley the victory. Helmsley then had to have a "Handicap Casket" Match against both Mideon & Viscera. Although he tried hard, Helmsley was unable to overcome the odds, and lost the match. In the fourth bout, Helmsley had to win a "Boiler Room Brawl" against Mankind. Thanks to interference once again, Helmsley snuck out of the room and got the win. In the fifth and final match, Helmsley took on the Rock in a "Strap" Match, with the British Bulldog as the special referee. Just as it seemed that the Rock would win, ending Triple H's title chances, the Bulldog attacked him, taking the Rock out with the Running Powerslam. Helmsley then landed the Pedigree for the victory, ensuring his spot in the "Six-Pack" Match.

At Unforgiven '99, the wild "Six-Pack" Match took place, with Helmsley facing off against the Rock, Kane, Mankind, the British Bulldog, & the Big Show. Steve Austin was brought in as the special guest enforcer for the match, but he later became the referee, after the WWF ref was taken out by "striking" refs who thought he had crossed the picket line to work the match. During the bout, the British Bulldog used a steel chair on the Rock, knocking him out. Austin quickly intervened, nailing the Bulldog with the same chair, but the road was left open for Helmsley, as he came in and hit the Pedigree on the Rock. Austin reluctantly made the count, giving Triple H the win and allowing him to regain the WWF World Heavyweight Title. After the match, Austin tried to raise Helmsley's hand, only to have Helmsley break away from him. Austin then hit the Stone Cold Stunner on Triple H, breaking up his victory celebration.

Helmsley would feud with Austin over the next month, with Austin quickly getting named the number-one contender to Triple H's World Title. The feud didn't take long to turn brutal, with Helmsley apparently being attacked by a rattlesnake at one point. Helmsley appeared at the next show with snake bite scars on his face, and claimed that he was going to retire because of the attack. He even showed signs of a seizure from the poison. But it was all a ruse, as Helmsley attacked Austin at the end of the night, then peeled off the fake scars. A few weeks before No Mercy, Helmsley faced the Rock in a "Steel Cage" Match at Rebellion '99, the British PPV. After a lot of interference, Helmsley was able to get out with the World Title still around his waist, as he prepared to face Austin.

At No Mercy '99, Helmsley and Austin were signed to fight in a "No Holds Barred" Match by Vince McMahon, who didn't want Triple H to escape via a disqualification result. As the night progressed, the Rock announced that he wanted the first shot at whoever won that night. Helmsley, apparently annoyed by the Rock's opinion, attacked the superstar with his sledgehammer. When the match rolled around, both Helmsley and Austin used every weapon they could find. Helmsley was eventually bloodied, but continued to fight back, getting many close calls. The Rock then came to the ring, intent on nailing Helmsley with his own sledgehammer. But Helmsley ducked, forcing the Rock to smack Austin instead. Triple H then took out the Rock with a Pedigree, then pinned Austin to stay the WWF World Champion.

After the pay-per-view, both Austin and the Rock claimed that they deserved the next shot at Triple H's belt. Helmsley arrogantly claimed that he wasn't afraid of either man, so Vince McMahon quickly arranged for Helmsley to defend the World Title against both men in a "Triple Threat" Match at the next PPV! During the month, the three men routinely fought against each other, leading up to the PPV. Triple H seemed to be slightly outmatched, as both Austin and the Rock would attack him first at any occassion. But Helmsley soon found himself some back-up, as he reformed Degeneration-X, teaming once again with Chyna, X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws. The group worked well together, fighting against many of the top faces at the time. At the '99 Survivor Series, Triple H lured Austin to the back, where Austin was surprisingly run down with a car. D-X members all denied involvement in the sudden assault on Austin. Triple H thought he would only have to fight the Rock. But in a shocking maneuver, McMahon placed the Big Show into the match instead as Austin's replacement.

The wild match featured many unbelievable maneuvers, the biggest of which was Triple H and the Rock actually working together, landing a double-suplex that put the Big Show through a table. During the match, the referee was knocked out, but Commissioner Shawn Michaels ran down to take his place. The Rock landed his Rock Bottom on Helmsley, but Michaels was taken out of action by the Big Show. Degeneration-X then became a factor, running to ringside to try to aid their leader. But the biggest interference came from Vince McMahon, who came down to the ring and knocked out Helmsley with his own World Title. The Big Show then fought his way back into the ring and picked up Helmsley, hitting his chokeslam. A vindictive McMahon stayed in the ring and made the count, making the Big Show the shocking winner and the new World Champion, taking the belt away from Helmsley once again.

Triple H was furious after Survivor Series, claiming that Vince McMahon cheated him. McMahon, meanwhile, continued to look into the car that hit Austin, blaming DX. Helmsley and McMahon, along with their respective factions, went back and forth, with Helmsley challenging McMahon to a match at Armageddon. McMahon seemed to be losing control, as he rammed the DX limo with a car, then attacked the car with a baseball bat. Helmsley quickly had him arrested, but McMahon returned later on to hit Triple H with a chair, knocking him off the stage. Helmsley came to the next show with a court order, stating that McMahon couldn't get within 50 feet of DX. DX then later attacked Shane McMahon and Test. Vince responded by sending out the entire roster to go after DX.

The next week, on Smackdown, the wedding of Stephanie McMahon and Test was scheduled to take place. Before it could, however, Triple H made another appearance, showing footage of him and an unconscious Stephanie at a drive-in wedding chapel. Test couldn't marry Stephanie because Helmsley was already her husband! Stephanie later tried to get Helmsley to annul the marriage, and Triple H said that if he lost the match against Vince, that he would grant it, but if he won, he gets a World Title shot. The match at Armageddon '99 was "No Holds Barred", and weapons quickly came into play. Most of them were donated by Mankind, to help Vince. The fight left the ring and headed backstage, even going to the parking lot, where Helmsley tried to run over McMahon. In the end, McMahon got hold of Triple H's sledgehammer, but before he could swing, Stephanie appeared, wanting the chance to hit him. But Triple H took the hammer from Stephanie and nailed Vince, allowing him to get an easy pin. After the match, Stephanie embraced Helmsley, showing that the marriage wasn't fake.

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley & Triple H soon took over the WWF, as Vince, heartbroken, left the arena. The couple then took over booking duties, making many matches that were biased against the face stars. Helmsley also seemed to be biased against Kurt Angle, while Stephanie showed occassional "feelings" for the young star. Helmsley was eventually confronted by Mankind, who tried to interfere with the matches any chance he had. Helmsley answered back by putting Mankind and the Rock in a "Pink Slip on a Pole" Match, with the loser getting fired. The Rock won, apparently ending Mankind's career. But Mankind would return later in the night for one last appearance, attacking Helmsley during his No-Disqualification Match against the World Champ, the Big Show, helping the champ retain the title.

2000

This wasn't the end, though, as, on the first Raw of 2000, Helmsley again put himself against the Big Show. During the match, the Big Show got distracted by the DX members at ringside, allowing Helmsley to recover and hit a low blow. Helmsley followed it up with the Pedigree and got the 1-2-3, winning the WWF World Heavyweight Title for a third time.

The next week, the Rock started Raw is War by bringing most of the roster to the ring. He threatened a walk-out unless the Helmsley couple agreed to their terms. Hunter & Stephanie came out to answer the terms, and eventually agreed not to fire anyone else, as well as to reinstate Mick Foley, aka Mankind. Mankind then came out and used the power of the moment to get himself a World Title match against Helmsley at the Royal Rumble, with Street Fight rules. During the night, problems crept up between the members of DX, as they were forced to fight against each other by the Rock. But the group later came back together, apologizing to each other. As the Royal Rumble approached, Mankind took some beatings from DX, and later came out and stated that 'he' wasn't up for a Street Fight. But his alter-ego, Cactus Jack, was, so he took off his mask and white shirt and became the different wrestler, making him even more of a threat to Triple H's World Title.

At the '00 Royal Rumble, Helmsley and Cactus Jack engaged in one of the bloodiest matches yet seen in the WWF. Both men were badly bloodied, as each used any weapon they could find. At one point, Cactus Jack brought out a 2x4 covered in barbed wire, waffling Triple H with it. Helmsley came back later on by handcuffing Cactus Jack's hands behind him, making him defenseless. But Cactus Jack was able to lure Helmsley back to the entryway, where Helmsley was suddenly attacked by the Rock. A policeman then came out to take off the handcuffs, evening things up again. In the end, Triple H hit Cactus Jack with the Pedigree, but still couldn't get the three count. So he pulled Cactus Jack up again, dragged him to where a pile of thumb tacks were located, and hit another Pedigree on top of them. This finally did it, as Triple H got the three count. After the match, Helmsley was carried out by EMTs, only to have Cactus Jack come after him again, proving that the feud wasn't over.

The time after the Royal Rumble showed a lot of action by Helmsley. He had to deal with the Rock, who won the Royal Rumble (and thus a shot at the World Title at Wrestlemania). He heard the complaints of the Big Show, who claimed that the Rock's feet hit the ground first at the Rumble, making him the winner. Helmsley eventually allowed the Big Show to fight the Rock at the next PPV in a #1 Contender's match. Helmsley's main attention, thought, was still on Cactus Jack. At one point during the month, Cactus Jack came out with the Radicals (Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko & Eddie Guerrero), a group of former WCW stars who wanted WWF contracts. Helmsley gave matches to each Radical, pitting them against a DX member, with the stipulation that they had to win two of their matches to get contracts. None of the Radicals won their matches, with Helmsley himself beating Benoit in the main event.

At the next show, Helmsley came out and confronted Cactus Jack and the Radicals, demanding another match against Cactus Jack at No Way Out. Helmsley had Cactus Jack place his career on the line, while giving Cactus Jack the right to choose the match. Cactus Jack chose a Hell in a Cell. Helmsley then talked to the Radicals, asking whether they showed their appreciation to the man who gave them an opportunity, or the man who gave them contracts. The Radicals then turned on Cactus Jack, beating him down and joining with Triple H. The two wrestlers met once again at No Way Out '00, fighting first off inside the cell, which was chained shut. However, Cactus Jack was able to break the cage open by throwing the steel steps through it, and the fight spilled outside into the crowd. Helmsley later made his way on top of the cage, then attacked Cactus Jack with a barbed-wire 2x4, knocking him off the side and down through a table. Cactus Jack would make a comeback later on, hitting Triple H with the now-inflamed 2x4, but Helmsley managed to back bodydrop Cactus Jack through the cage and down to the ring. Cactus Jack was then easy pickings for a Pedigree, as Helmsley both kept his World Title and ended Cactus Jack's wrestling career.

After No Way Out, Helmsley began to focus his energies on the #1 Contender, which was still the Rock. Meanwhile, though, Helmsley started having problems with the Big Show, who had allied himself with Shane McMahon. Since both Shane and Stephanie had booking powers, many surprising matches were put together, usually involving the Rock. Tempers soon rose between the Helmsleys and Shane'o'Mac, which led to Vince McMahon reappearing on the side of the Rock. They set up a Triple Threat Match for the World Title on Raw, with Helmsley making the stipulation that the match, happening now, wouldn't happen at Wrestlemania. During the match, all three McMahons became involved, but Helmsley did the most in the end, hitting the Pedigree on the Big Show for the victory. After the match, though, Linda McMahon, Vince's wife, came out and announced that she was backing Mick Foley, giving him one final match in the WWF. This set up Wrestlemania main event with a McMahon in every corner.

The match was set up as No-Disqualfication, No-Countout by Vince McMahon, to make sure that Helmsley did not sneak out with the gold. At Wrestlemania 2000, Helmsley, Mick Foley, the Big Show and the Rock went at it in an "Elimination" Match for the World Title. The Big Show seemed to take the advantage at first, but his attacks only made the other three wrestlers gang up on him and eliminate him first. The match then settled down into a three-way contest, with no one working together. Helmsley made the next big impact of the match, hitting Foley with a chair, then Pedigree'ing him on the chair to get the pinfall. Foley didn't leave right away, though, attacking Helmsley with barbed wire. Finally, it was down to Triple H and the Rock. While they battled it out, Vince and Shane started fighting on the outside, with Vince being sent to the back for 'medical attention'. However, Vince soon returned, taking out Shane and entering the ring. Surprisingly, Vince then attacked the Rock, knocking him out with 2 chair shots and allowing Helmsley to get the pin, staying the WWF World Champion. Vince and Stephanie then got together, father and daughter reuniting while Triple H celebrated his shocking victory. It didn't last long, as the Rock ended up attacking all three members of the McMahon family with Rock Bottoms.

Helmsley continued to feud with the Rock after Wrestlemania, while also dealing with other concerns. On one night, after Chris Jericho insulted Stephanie, Helmsley took him on, with the World Title on the line. In a stunning turn of events, Jericho took Helmsley down after Triple H shoved the second referee, Earl Hebner. Hebner made the quick 3 count and declared Jericho the winner, handing him the World Title. However, later in the night, Helmsley demanded that Hebner reverse the decision, since Hebner wasn't the official referee. Hebner agreed, as long as Helmsley didn't attack him while he was a WWF referee. Helmsley agreed, but after Hebner reversed the decision, Helmsley fired him, then attacked him, brutally beating up the senior ref. Triple H then feuded briefly with Jericho, before turning back to the Rock, who was given the World Title shot at the next PPV. It was also announced by Linda McMahon that Steve Austin would be in the Rock's corner at the event. This was later proven when Austin destroyed the DX Express bus.

As the main event at Backlash '00 started, Steve Austin was nowhere to be found. This left the Rock against the mercy of the Helmsley-McMahon regime. Not surprisingly, Shane McMahon was made the special guest referee. At one point, the Rock hit the Rock Bottom on Helmsley through the announcers' table, which also knocked out Shane. But Vince quickly interfered, helping get things back on Helmsley's side. In the ring, Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco took over the referee duties, but still couldn't get the 3 count to fall. Infuriated, the entire gang of thugs started stomping on the Rock, only to have Austin finally appear, running to the ring and nailing everyone except for the Rock with a steel chair. Linda McMahon then brought down the reinstated Earl Hebner, who took over the referee position even as the Rock got the People's Elbow on Triple H, making the pin and taking away the WWF World Heavyweight Title, ending Helmsley's long reign at the top.

It didn't take Triple H long to declare that he deserved another crack at the World Title. He challenged the Rock every chance he could, while also going after the man he thought cheated him, Earl Hebner. Helmsley and Shane McMahon took on the Rock in a "Triple Threat" Match at Insurextion '00, with all the odds apparently in their favor. But once again, when the ref was taken out, Hebner came down and, despite Vince McMahon's arguments, made the 3 count when the Rock pinned Shane. Helmsley didn't give up, however, as he worked out a deal to face the Rock at Judgment Day '00 in an "Iron Man" Match. It was later learned that Shawn Michaels would return to be the special guest referee for the epic encounter, something that Helmsley was not quite pleased to hear.

The 60-minute Iron Man match started quickly, with both men showing the rage that they had for the other. The Rock earned the first fall, landing the Rock Bottom, but Triple H soon evened it up with the Pedigree. Helmsley then used his smarts, getting a quick roll-up for a second fall, then hitting a piledriver for the third. Ahead 3-1, Helmsley tried to slow the pace of the match down, but the Rock wouldn't allow it, getting a pinfall after a DDT. Helmsley then had to use dirty tactics, hitting the Rock with a steel chair. Michaels immediately disqualified Triple H, evening up the score. Helmsley, though, didn't care, as he was back in control. He used a sleeper on the unconscious Rock, retaking the lead 4-3. However, the Rock would come back and even things up, looking like he was going to take the victory in the closing minutes of the match. Shawn Michaels was pulled from the ring, though, by Vince and Shane McMahon, allowing DX to attack the Rock. However, the Undertaker suddenly appeared on his bike, driving to the ring and taking out DX. When he attacked Helmsley, though, hitting him with the tombstone piledriver, Shawn Michaels had no recourse but to DQ the Rock, which allowed Helmsley to win the match and regain the WWF World Title.

Over the next few weeks, Helmsley and Degeneration-X found many foes to oppose them. Both the Rock and the Undertaker wanted World Title shots, as well as Kane, who attacked Triple H and stole the belt at one point, forcing Helmsley to give him a #1-Contendership match against him, which Kane won. However, since both the Rock and the Undertaker had also been promised the title shot, the trio could not get along. It was eventually announced by Linda McMahon that Helmsley, Vince, & Shane would face the Rock, the Undertaker, & Kane at the next PPV. She also later added the stipulation that if any of Helmsley's team was pinned, Helmsley would lose the World Title to them. Vince tried to have the face team taken out, sending various teams to attack them, but this just led Linda to add a "No Interference" stipulation. At the '00 King of the Ring, Triple H was clearly outmatched, as Vince and Shane couldn't begin to stand up against the three faces. But the faces also worked against each other, breaking up the pinfalls so that they could have a shot at the title. In the end, while Helmsley was fighting on the outside, the Rock stopped Vince from doing the People's Elbow on him, then landed the Rock Bottom to get the win and take away the World Title.

On the next Raw, Helmsley demanded to be named the #1 Contender, only to have the new Commissioner, Mick Foley, declare that he would have to fight Kurt Angle and the Rock. If Helmsley or Angle won, they'd get a shot. Otherwise, neither would. In the match, Helmsley and Angle broke up each other's pin attempts, with Triple H getting the advantage near the end. But a distraction from Chris Jericho allowed the Rock to nail Helmsley with the Rock Bottom, taking away Helmsley's title shot. Helmsley and Jericho feuded for the next month, with Triple H still angry about a kiss Jericho had stolen from Stephanie. Foley's interference, however, gave Jericho an advantage, as he wouldn't give Helmsley a match against Jericho. But Jericho asked the Commish for a Last Man Standing match at the PPV, which Foley granted, setting up the bout. During this time, problems were starting to brew between Helmsley and Angle, who continued to make advances on Stephanie.

At Fully Loaded '00, Stephanie received some flowers, apparently from Angle. Helmsley angrily went to Angle's dressing room, only to be ambushed by Jericho. During the match between Jericho and Helmsley, Triple H went for a chair, but was stopped by the ref. This allowed Jericho to get back into it, and he managed to get the Walls of Jericho applied. Stephanie came to the ring to break it up, only to be placed in the Walls as well. But Helmsley recovered, eventually backsuplexing Jericho through the announcer's table. Triple H got up, but Jericho couldn't make the count, giving Triple H the victory.

Problems continued to grow between Helmsley and Stephanie as time went on. Triple H was placed in a tag-team match with Trish Stratus as his partner. When he tried to show Trish some wrestling holds, Stephanie came in, believing that Helmsley was cheating on her. The next week, Stephanie was chosen to tag with Helmsley, who accidentally called her Trish, causing Stephanie to leave. Stephanie later teamed up with Helmsley and Angle in a match, getting the win. Stephanie and Angle embraced afterwards, making Triple H furious. The problems only got worse when, in a #1 Contenders match, both Helmsley and Angle pinned Jericho for the shot. It was later announced that Helmsley and Angle would face the Rock at the next PPV. The two tried to work together over the next couple of weeks, with mixed results, especially after Angle kissed an injured Stephanie.

Helmsley confronted Stephanie about the kiss at Summerslam '00, but Stephanie swore she felt nothing for Angle. In the Three-Way match, Helmsley and Angle couldn't wait to get it on, brawling even before the World Champion, the Rock, could get to the ring. Helmsley put Angle through a table, then went for his sledgehammer, but was stopped by the Rock. As the two started to fight, Angle was carried out on a stretcher. Helmsley had the advantage at one point, but couldn't seem to finish off the Rock. Meanwhile, in the back, Stephanie convinced Angle to return to the match, and he made a major impression, hitting Triple H with the sledgehammer. However, this allowed the Rock to throw Angle out, then hit the People's Elbow for the victory, retaining the title.

Triple H and Angle continued to go against each other after Summerslam, with Angle claiming that Helmsley had gotten back together with Chyna. Stephanie angrily slapped Helmsley, but he was able to convince her that there was no affair. However, Triple H was then arrested and accused of "spousal abuse", due to him accidentally hitting Stephanie at Summerslam. At the next show, Triple H demanded to know who called the police. It was eventually revealed to be Test, who was getting revenge for Helmsley stealing Stephanie away from him. A mini-feud blew up between the two, which also involved Test's partner, Albert. Triple H also continued to go after Angle, with the two brawling repeatedly. The Commissioner, Mick Foley, set up a match between Helmsley and Angle at Unforgiven, then continued to team the two up against T&A. Just before the PPV, Angle took Helmsley out with the sledgehammer, then stole another kiss from Stephanie.

At Unforgiven '00, Stephanie apologized to Helmsley for sticking up for Angle. She claimed that things were through between them, and that she supported Helmsley fully. Helmsley and Angle then went at it, with Commissioner Foley as the special referee to keep things even. The match went back and forth, with neither man having a clean advantage throughout. Stephanie became the major factor of the match, coming down the aisle and landing a low blow on Angle while Foley's back was turned. Helmsley quickly took advantage, hitting the Pedigree and successfully pinning Angle. Helmsley and Stephanie then left together, once again appearing as a happy couple. This didn't last.

Helmsley started into a feud with Chris Benoit in the next month, while also still having problems with Kurt Angle. At one point, Commissioner Foley placed Triple H and Angle in a #1 Contenders match. Beforehand, Helmsley asked Stephanie to stay away from the ring, but Stephanie would come down anyway, halfway through the match. Benoit then came to the ring to attack Stephanie, distracting Helmsley constantly. When Helmsley came out for a second time to save Stephanie, Benoit knocked Triple H out, allowing Angle to get the easy pin. Helmsley later blamed Stephanie for the loss, forcing tears to roll down her face. This would backfire, as Stephanie would later announce that she was now Kurt Angle's manager, not Triple H's.

At No Mercy '00, Helmsley was granted a match against Benoit. The two went back and forth, with Benoit even managing to get his Crippler Crossface submission hold applied. Triple H was able to escape, though, keeping the match alive. It was later decided surprisingly not by the competitors, but by Stephanie, who came to ringside and slapped Benoit. With her distracting the referee, Helmsley landed a low blow, then a Pedigree, getting the victory. Later in the night, Stephanie came out to manage Kurt Angle in his match against the World Champ, the Rock. When the champ took out Stephanie with a Rock Bottom, Triple H came to the ring. After throwing Angle out of the ring, Triple H attacked the Rock, hitting the Pedigree. He then left with the unconscious Stephanie, as Kurt Angle took advantage, eventually winning the World Title.

Over the next few weeks, Triple H feuded with the champ, Angle, as well as the team of the Radicalz. There were even signs of a Degeneration-X reunion. But things would change quickly only a short time later. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin had been out of action for months, due to being hit by a car. It had been discovered that Rikishi was the driver of the automobile. On Raw is War, Austin was being attacked by both Rikishi and Kurt Angle, when Triple H came to his aid. However, after getting rid of Angle, Helmsley then attacked Austin with a sledgehammer, bloodying him. Helmsley claimed that he was the one who had orchestrated the attack on Austin, showing his partnership with Rikishi. Commissioner Foley then stepped in, saying that Helmsley would face Austin at the next PPV in a No-Disqualification match.

At the '00 Survivor Series, the energy was high between Austin and Helmsley. The match quickly ventured away from the ring, as the two men battled it out up and down the aisle. Triple H tried to take advantage early on by throwing Austin into the ring steps, but the Rattlesnake quickly came back, opening up Triple H's forehead with a television monitor. The match went back and forth, involving many weapons, including some of Austin's beers. Austin gained a lot of momentum as the match went on, backdropping Helmsley through the announce table. Helmsley tried to beg off, but Austin wouldn't hear of it, and landed his finisher, the Stone Cold Stunner. This wasn't enough for the enraged Austin, though, as he went and got a chair, putting it on Helmsley's neck. Helmsley escaped, though, as the fight headed into the back. The Radicalz then attacked Austin, giving Helmsley a chance to get into a car, where he apparently planned to once again run Austin down. But Austin escaped the Radicalz, then reappeared with a forklift, picking up Helmsley's car, then dropping it upside-down to the concrete. The match was declared a no-contest, as medics ran to Helmsley's aid.

Helmsley was out of action for a few weeks, as it was announced by Stephanie that he had a concussion, along with numerous other injuries. Helmsley reappeared during a match between Austin and the World Champ, Kurt Angle. Triple H brutally attacked Austin, causing the DQ. It was announced soon afterwards by Commissioner Foley that there would be a six-man Hell in a Cell Match for the World Title at the next PPV, involving Helmsley, Angle, Austin, the Rock, the Undertaker, and Rikishi. An alliance was quickly formed between Helmsley, Angle, & Rikishi, as they went against the faces. The alliance was partially broken only a few days later, though, as, after an assault on the three faces, Angle turned on the group, attacking Rikishi. Triple H then nailed Angle with a chair, apparently staying on Rikishi's side.

The '00 Armageddon match proved to be one of the most brutal matches ever seen, as most of the athletes involved were bloody messes by the end of the fight. Helmsley was opened up by Austin, who rubbed his face across the steel. At one point in the match, Rikishi saved Triple H, dropping his leg across Austin's head. He helped up Helmsley, only to have Triple H Pedigree Rikishi and nearly get the win, with the Rock breaking up the pinfall. During the match, Vince McMahon, who was firmly against his "investments" becoming injured, tried to tear down the cell. He managed to tear down the door with a truck, before Foley had him evicted. This allowed the wrestlers to escape the cage, as Helmsley and Austin fought down the aisle. Helmsley finally got some control going, as he threw Austin through a glass window. Triple H later led the climb up the side of the cage, still fighting Austin. He would later climb down safely, while the Undertaker threw Rikishi from the top of the cage into the back of the pick-up truck. In the end Austin hit the Stunner on the Rock, but was then taken out by Triple H. Angle then slipped in and made the pin on the Rock, staying the World Champion.

2001

Helmsley was out for a short time afterwards, but would soon return in early 2001, once again costing Steve Austin a chance to become the World Champion. He also opened Austin up with a steel pipe. It was later announced that Helmsley would face Kurt Angle for the World Title at the Rumble. Vince McMahon also said that if Helmsley or Austin attacked the other, they would lose their shots at respective matches at the PPV. The two had many confrontations, usually circling around Kurt Angle. At one point, after bumping into each other, Austin delivered the Stunner to Helmsley. McMahon later claimed that, since it was in the heat of the moment, he would allow both to compete. Another factor building throughout the month was the animosity between Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and Trish Stratus, who had begun hanging out with the World Champ, Angle.

At the '01 Royal Rumble, Helmsley asked Stephanie not to ruin his chances due to her problems with Trish. During their talk, Drew Carey, the comedian/television star, entered their dressing room and introduced himself. Helmsley then sent Carey over to meet Trish, which eventually led to Carey being put in the Royal Rumble match. During the World Title match, both Trish and Stephanie became involved in one way or another. When Trish tried to help Angle escape a figure-four, Stephanie attacked her, and they brawled all over until Vince McMahon came down to separate them, eventually getting them to the backstage area. Meanwhile, in the ring, the referee was knocked down, allowing Angle to get his World Title. But Helmsley blocked the shot, then Pedigree'd Angle, looking like he was about to win. However, Steve Austin ran to the ring and struck Triple H with the World Title, then followed it up with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin then departed, while Angle made the weak cover to get the victory, staying the champ. Later in the night, when Austin came out for his turn in the Royal Rumble, a vengeful Helmsley attacked him from behind, opening his forehead up. This didn't stop Austin from winning the Rumble, however.

The rivalry between Helmsley and Austin continued to grow in the coming weeks, with Vince McMahon announcing that they would fight each other again at the next PPV. The two men would attack each other whenever they had the chance, usually in violent affairs. At one point, Austin injured Helmsley's arm, forcing him to keep it taped up. At No Mercy '01, the two men fought in a "Three Falls" Match. The first fall was under regulation rules, keeping the action inbetween the ropes. The match went back and forth repeatedly, with Helmsley getting an advantage after a low blow. He climbed the turnbuckle and came off, only to get caught with a Stone Cold Stunner, getting Austin the first pinfall.

The second match involved a street fight, sending them outside the ring. Helmsley managed a comeback during the fight, bloodying Austin with a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire. In the ring, Helmsley nailed Austin in the face with his sledgehammer, then followed it up with the Pedigree, winning the second part. The third part of the match brought a steel cage down around the two combatants. The two men fought harder than ever, frequently using the steel as a dangerous weapon. In the end, it came down to who fell first, as both Helmsley and Austin knocked each other out with their respective weapons (2x4, sledgehammer). Triple H fell on top of Austin for the pinfall victory, winning the hotly contested bout. After the match, Austin hit another stunner on Helmsley before leaving.

At the next show, Helmsley bragged about how he had beaten everyone in the WWF. This brought out the Undertaker, who didn't quite agree with Helmsley's assessment. The two would start a violent feud leading up to Wrestlemania, which included Helmsley destroying the Undertaker's expensive motorcycle. The two signed to fight at Wrestlemania X-7 in a straight-up match, but the fight quickly deteriorated into a brawl. Helmsley went for his sledgehammer early in the fight, only to have the referee take it away from him. The Undertaker then got control, but after a few close counts, the dead man took out the referee, eliminating the need to stay in the ring. The two wrestlers fought into the crowd, heading back to a section of scaffolding, where the Undertaker chokeslammed the Game off to the ground below. Medics tried to check on Triple H, only to have the Undertaker take them out as well. The fight then returned to the ring, where the Undertaker went for his finisher, the Last Ride, only to have Helmsley hit him in the head with his sledgehammer, bloodying him. That was about it for Triple H, however, as the Undertaker would later come back and hit the Last Ride for the victory, maintaining his Wrestlemania winning streak.

Also at Wrestlemania X-7, Steve Austin turned on the fans, joining with Vince McMahon in order to beat the Rock for the World Title. This caused some uproar in the back, with no less than Hunter Hearst Helmsley becoming upset over the event. He confronted Vince McMahon, wanting to know where his place was in the mix. Later on that night, the Rock fought against Austin in a cage match. During the match, Helmsley made his way to the ring with his sledgehammer, supposedly coming to the aid of the Rock. Instead, Triple H used his sledge on the Rock, hammering away on him along with Austin and McMahon. The owner of the WWF would suspend the Rock indefinitely for "his own good", as Helmsley, Austin & Mcahon ran rampant on the federation. With the aid of Austin, Helmsley was able to take out Chris Jericho, winning the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.

The first people to step forward to challenge the Two-Man Power-Trip were the Hardy Boyz. Helmsley was put into a title defense against Jeff Hardy. With Matt's help, Jeff got the victory, taking away the title after only a week. However, Vince McMahon quickly gave Helmsley a rematch, and he and Austin ko'ed the Hardy Boyz, allowing Triple H to regain the Intercontinental Title. The Two-Man Power-Trip was next challenged by the Undertaker & Kane, who had managed to beat Edge & Christian for the Tag-Team Titles. Sensing an opportunity, Vince McMahon worked out a deal where the two teams would face off at the next PPV with all three of the championships on the line. Helmsley & Austin made sure to work in various assaults on the two brothers, focusing on Kane's injured arm, trying to make the injury worse as the PPV came closer, and not fully failing. At Backlash '01, the two teams had it out, with the larger, more powerful faces keeping the advantage at the beginning, before the Two-Man Powertrip concentrated again on Kane's arm. At one point, Helmsley hit Kane with his Pedigree, but Austin insisted on being the one to make the pin, which gave Kane enough time to recover and kick out. Later on, Austin hit the Stunner on Kane, then went off and brawled with the Undertaker, while Helmsley, hefting his sledgehammer that Mr. McMahon had been holding, pounded Kane and got the pinfall, winning the WWF Tag-Team Titles and giving the two men two titles each.

On the next card, Triple H, Austin, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley & Vince were shown celebrating their victory. Austin also said he'd give a World Title shot to Kane, whose arm was still badly injured. Linda McMahon appeared on the Titon Tron, though, and said that Kane deserved the night off, but since Austin was wanting to defend the belt, he could do it against the Undertaker. When the Undertaker came out to the ring for the main event title match, Helmsley & Austin were shown in the back, viciously beating down Kane. The Undertaker then ran to the back and threw Helmsley into a door, knocking him out and leaving it a one-on-one fight between Austin and the Undertaker that went back to the ring. After a few minutes of back-and-forth action, a recovered Helmsley came to the ring and attacked the Undertaker with the sledgehammer, causing the DQ, but also making sure that Austin retained the belt. Afterwards, Helmsley & Austin beat down the Undertaker and Kane, with Austin putting Kane's injured arm between a chair and stomping on it.

With Kane temporarily out of the picture, the Two-Man Power-Trip took every opportunity to double-team the Undertaker, including meeting him in a Handicap match at the British PPV, Insurrextion '01. However, the Undertaker fought through both men, managing to pin Helmsley to get the win. Despite the loss, Helmsley & Austin continued to work as a team, defending the tag titles on various occassions, usually by cheating. Things got worse for Helmsley, though, as Kane made his return, immediately challenging for Triple H's Intercontinental Title. At Judgment Day '01, Helmsley and Kane fought in a Chain Match. At one point, Kane slammed Helmsley into a chair, while also shoving him against a ringpost, breaking open Helmsley's forehead. Triple H came back, getting in some moves, but Kane soon took advantage with a shot to the groin with the chain. When Kane hit his chokeslam, Austin ran to the ring to help out. This backfired, though, as Austin accidentally nailed Helmsley with a chair shot, allowing Kane to get the victory and take away the IC strap.

After the match, hostility grew between Helmsley and Austin, with McMahon trying to keep them focused on the main event, Austin vs. the Undertaker in a No Holds Barred Match. During the fight, Helmsley came to the ring with his sledgehammer, only to be knocked down by the Undertaker with a chair shot. Vince McMahon also became involved, as he was accidentally clocked by Austin. The Undertaker then went for the Last Ride on Austin, but Helmsley came back, hitting the Undertaker with the sledge. As Triple H kept Kane busy on the outside, Austin was able to win the match, keeping the World Title. Another important event at the PPV involved the Tag-Team Turmoil match, with the winner earning a tag-team title shot. Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit won the match, setting up a bout between them and the Two-Man Power-Trip on Raw.

Both Helmsley and Austin showed some resentment towards each other going into the match, due to Helmsley having lost the IC Title to Kane. The match between the two teams quickly fell apart, as all four men stayed involved for the majority of the bout. A crucial moment in Helmsley's career occured early on, as he went to save Austin from the Walls of Jericho. Triple H lunged forward to hit Jericho, but as he did so, he tore his left quadracep muscle, leaving him in devestating shape. Despite the injury, Helmsley continued the match, even going as far as to be put in the Walls of Jericho on the announce table. Helmsley later entered the ring to save Austin from being pinned, only to hit Austin with the sledgehammer instead. Helmsley was then knocked out of the ring, while Jericho landed the Lionsault on Austin and got the pin, taking away the tag-team titles. This was the least of Helmsley's concerns, however.

After the match, Helmsley was carried painfully from the ring, and immediately taken to the hospital for an MRI on his leg. It was later announced that Helmsley's torn muscle would require immediate surgery, putting him out of the wrestling business for nearly a year. Helmsley went to Dr. James Andrews and had the procedure, leaving him weak but recovering. Triple H would work hard over the rest of 2001, training his body and keeping himself in shape. He slowly worked his leg back, fighting against the pain of the injury. Vignettes were shown on WWF television, showcasing his work to return to the squared circle.

2002

Triple H would make his return at the first Raw in 2002, coming back as a fan favorite. He immediately got himself entered in the '02 Royal Rumble, knowing that the winner of the match would be given a World Title shot at Wrestlemania. With Stephanie again at his side, Triple H went into the Rumble as one of the favorites. More than halfway through the Rumble, Steve Austin eliminated Val Venis and Test to empty the ring. The next person down was Helmsley. After a staredown, Helmsley and Austin went at it, proving that their old partnership was not renewed. Their brawl was interrupted by the Hurricane, who attempted a double-chokeslam on the two wrestlers. Instead, the Hurricane was eliminated by both. Triple H would later eliminate Faarooq on his quest for the victory. The final four turned out to be Helmsley, Austin, Kurt Angle and Mr. Perfect. Surprisingly, Austin went out first, being eliminated by Angle. Austin would reenter the ring and knock out all three competitors with chair shots. Angle and Perfect then tried to double-team Helmsley, but Triple H used some miscommunication to get rid of Perfect. Angle then nearly eliminated Helmsley, but Triple H came back into the ring, hit a face-buster on Angle, then threw him out to get the win and the guaranteed World Title shot.

Problems began to develop with Helmsley and his wife, Stephanie, around this time. Stephanie had changed a lot since Helmsley was injured, including a run as the owner of ECW. When Triple H returned, Stephanie started to brag about how her brains and business savvy had created his career, taking a lot of undeserved credit. Things seemed to be falling apart between them, and a divorce seemed imminent. Then Stephanie announced to Hunter that she was pregnant. Helmsley hugged her, lifting her up in joy. A week later, though, when the couple was planning to renew their vows in the ring, Helmsley found out that his wife wasn't really pregnant, that it was just a ploy to keep them married. At the renewal ceremony, Helmsley told Stephanie exactly how he felt about her. He also said that he wanted a divorce. When Vince McMahon got into Helmsley's face, Triple H attacked, destroying the wedding set-up. He and Stephanie were through (at least in storylines).

This, of course, led to Helmsley having to deal with the wrath of the McMahons. Stephanie once again hooked up with Kurt Angle, who wanted a shot at Helmsley's #1-Contendership shot at Wrestlemania. The match was set up for No Way Out '02. The odds were further set against Helmsley when Stephanie was set up as the special referee. At the match, Stephanie showed up first, having herself announced as "Stephanie McMahon", dropping the Helmsley part. It was clear that Stephanie wasn't going to call the match down the middle. During the match, though, Angle accidentally clotheslined Stephanie, taking her out of the match, as another ref came to the ring. This gave Helmsley back the advantage, as he got many close 2-counts. Angle, though, took out the replacement referee, then landed a low blow to get the advantage back. Stephanie then returned to the ring, even as Angle put on his Ankle Lock submission hold. Helmsley rolled through it, though, tossing Angle once again into Stephanie. Angle tried to use a chair, but Helmsley ducked, then hit the Pedigree. Before the replacement ref could count to 3, though, Stephanie took him out with an elbow drop. Helmsley grabbed Stephanie for another Pedigree, but Angle got back up, nailing Helmsley with two chair shots, followed by the Olympic Slam. Stephanie made the quick count to give Angle the victory, and the #1 Contendership.

Fortunately for Helmsley, he was given a rematch against Angle for the spot the next night, and he utilized it, beating Angle for the spot. Helmsley and Angle would continue to feud going up to Wrestlemania, with the two fighting once in a steel cage match, which was won by Angle, thanks in part to interference from Chris Jericho, who was the Undisputed World Champion at the time. Jericho was also partnered with Stephanie, who would do anything to keep Helmsley away from his goal. Jericho and Helmsley exchanged both verbal and physical shots throughout March, as they headed towards their confrontation at Wrestlemania X-8. At one point, Jericho injured Helmsley's leg, looking to repeat the injury that put Helmsley out for a year, an injury that Jericho had caused. At the PPV, Jericho came out with Stephanie, while Helmsley came out alone.

The two men quickly took it to the outside, fighting against the guardrail and on the announce table. Jericho's attack plan was obvious, as he went after Helmsley's injured leg. Stephanie also soon became involved, raking Triple H's eyes at one point. Helmsley then brought Stephanie up to the ring apron, then dodged a spear from Jericho, which instead hit Stephanie. Helmsley brought Stephanie into the ring to Pedigree her, but Jericho made the save. He then went back to the injured leg, getting a figure-four around the ringpost, even as Stephanie mocked Triple H. The two later fought back to the announce table, where Triple H went for a Pedigree. Instead, Jericho backdropped Helmsley through the table. The turning point in the match came when Jericho brought a chair into the ring. Helmsley was able to reverse a move, DDT'ing Jericho on the chair. This brought Stephanie into the ring, where she tried to use the chair, only to be stopped by the ref. Helmsley then hit the Pedigree on Stephanie. Jericho used this moment to get in a chair shot, but it still wasn't enough to stop Helmsley, who came back to land the Pedigree on Jericho for the victory, earning the Undisputed WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

A brand split took place after Wrestlemania, with Triple H being saved from the draft lottery, since he was the champion. This meant that Triple H could appear on either Raw or Smackdown. Over the next month, Helmsley still had problems with Chris Jericho and Stephanie, but his main focus was on defending the World Title. In a surprising move, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan was named as the #1-Contender, after the Hulkster's great match with the Rock at Wrestlemania (Hulk lost). Helmsley and Hogan both showed respect for the other, although it was unclear how deep the respect actually ran. The two had to team with the other in various matches against Chris Jericho & Kurt Angle, and the teamwork, while there, was not brought about by friendship.

At Backlash '02, Helmsley and Hogan went at it in a regular match, with no special stipulations. It started out as a friendly contest, even involving a Test of Strength. But the fighting soon turned ugly, as the wrestlers went to the outside, with Helmsley slamming Hogan's head on the ringsteps. Helmsley would later concentrate on Hogan's hurt knee, trying to do some damage to it with chop blocks and figure four leglocks. Hogan would soon Hulk up, though, and took Helmsley down, before landing the leg drop. Chris Jericho then came to the ring and took down the ref, before nailing Hogan with a chair shot. Helmsley got rid of Jericho, though, then went back to Hogan, who again Hulked Up. Helmsley dodged the leg drop, though, and got the Pedigree, only to have the Undertaker come to the ring and smack Triple H with a steel chair shot of his own. Hogan got rid of the Undertaker, but then dropped the leg and got the victory, taking away the World Title. After the match, an angry Helmsley still shook Hogan's hand, renewing the respect.

WWE Smackdown: 2002

With the loss, Triple H became the property of Smackdown, no longer allowed to be part of both shows. He would get some revenge on the Undertaker at the England pay-per-view, Insurrextion '02. They had a fierce match, which even began tearing down the ring, as the top rope broke. Helmsley was able to get the victory in the end with the Pedigree. This wasn't Helmsley's primary focus, though, as he was more interested in going at it again with Chris Jericho. Helmsley and Jericho had had difficulties with each other for years, especially with Stephanie's involvement. It was worked out that the two would settle things at Judgment Day '02, in one of the most violent matches around, the Hell in a Cell. The match started out inside the ring, as the referees locked the cage. Inside, the two men beat heavily on each other, with Helmsley getting the early advantage when Jericho missed a flying elbow, instead hitting the ringpost and falling to the outside. Both tasted the cage's steel outside, with Jericho bleeding from a wound to his arm, while Helmsley's head was busted open. Weapons were put into play, as Jericho used a ladder from under the ring to pummle the Game. Helmsley used a chair to get back into the match, but Jericho's attack was relentless, even going as far as to knock out the referee!

While other refs worked to get inside the cage to help the bloodied referee, the fight continued, with Helmsley kicking the chair back into Jericho's face. Helmsley then found his favorite weapon, the sledgehammer, which he smashed into Jericho's head. Unfortunately, the referees were busy elsewhere, tending to the fallen ref, so no pin could be made. The two wrestlers battled outside, through the now-opened door, and went to the announce tables, where Jericho attempted a Pedigree, only to have Helmsley fight his way out and deliver a DDT through the table instead. Helmsley then got another weapon, a barbed-wire 2x4, and chased Jericho with it, who climbed the cage to try to escape. Helmsley followed him up, but Jericho got the 2x4 and used it against Triple H. Jericho then put on the Walls of Jericho, with a referee climbing to the top of the cage to check for a submission. Helmsley fought his way out, then managed a low blow, to slow down Jericho. He then tried a Pedigree, only to be backdropped into the cage. But Helmsley would come back once more, knocking Jericho out with a bat, then Pedigreeing him on top of the cage for the pinfall victory.

With a great victory under his belt, Helmsley again looked towards bigger things. At the first Smackdown in June, Helmsley competed in a 20-man Battle Royal, with the winner to become the #1 Contender to the World Title, which was around the Undertaker's waist. Helmsley and Hulk Hogan "won" the Battle Royal, which put them in a #1 Contenders match later that night. Helmsley was able to avenge his title loss, getting the victory over the Hulkster and earning the title shot. Triple H and the Undertaker would confront each other many times over the next few weeks, with Helmsley teaming with Hogan against the Undertaker & Kurt Angle. The Rock also became involved in the storyline, as he showed his support for Helmsley, due to his problems with the Undertaker.

At King of the Ring '02, Helmsley prepared to face the Undertaker for the World Title. He was given some unexpected support from the nWo, as he hugged his old friends Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels & X-Pac. The nWo said that, if Helmsley needed it, they would help him out. Helmsley didn't think he would need it. The match quickly disintegrated into a brawl, as the referee, Earl Hebner, was soon taken out. The Rock then came to ringside, going to the announce table to watch the match. With the ref down, the Undertaker went for a steel chair, only to have it kicked out of his hands by Helmsley. The Undertaker then landed a cheap shot on the Rock, bringing him into the ring. The Rock tried to nail the Undertaker with a chair, only to accidentally hit Helmsley instead. This allowed the Undertaker to hit the Last Ride on Helmsley and make the pin, as another ref ran to the ring. But Helmsley kicked out, leading to the Undertaker angrily throwing the ref out of the ring. This was a mistake, as the Rock came back in and Rock Bottomed the Undertaker. Triple H then recovered and got the Pedigree, but the referee was down. As Helmsley checked on him, the Undertaker got a low blow and rolled up Triple H, getting the victory and retaining the title. After the match, the Rock came back to the ring and hit the People's Elbow on the Undertaker. But as he tried to help Helmsley, Triple H nailed the Rock with the Pedigree. The Undertaker then chokeslammed Helmsley to end the night.

After the match at King of the Ring, Helmsley took some time off to rest and recover from some injuries. On the first Raw in July '02, Shawn Michaels and the other members of the nWo came out to ringside, with Michaels saying that one of their 'family' was going to return soon. He claimed that Triple H would soon be joining the nWo. Over the next few weeks, Michaels and the nWo continued to send their advances to Helmsley, saying that, if he didn't join them, he'd have to face them. However, things fell apart for the nWo soon afterwards, as Kevin Nash was injured. Vince McMahon came out on Raw to the nWo's music, saying that they were dead, and that it was a new era for WWE. He announced that Eric Bischoff was the new general manager of Raw, while Stephanie McMahon was given control of Smackdown. Bischoff didn't waste any time, as he promised to bring Helmsley to Raw.

At Vengeance '02, things seemed to be going against Bischoff. When he approached Helmsley early on, Triple H was on his way to see Stephanie. Later on, Stephanie had some papers delivered to her, causing Bischoff to sweat bullets. However, this was a swerve, as Helmsley was signing the divorce papers, officially ending his and Stephanie's marriage. Triple H then made his way out to the ring, followed by Bischoff and Stephanie. Bischoff told Triple H that Raw was the way to go, since it would be "strickly business", nothing personal. Stephanie pointed out Bischoff's past with WCW, and how he didn't give Helmsley the chance to be a star there. Triple H seemed to be leaning towards Smackdown, when Shawn Michaels came out of the back and asked his friend to join him on Raw. Helmsley then made his decision, opting to sign with Raw.

WWE Raw: 2002

On the next show, Triple H, with Bischoff, called out his friend, Michaels. Bischoff then named Michaels as Helmsley's manager. Michaels took exception to this, though, as he said he wouldn't let Bischoff order him around. Michaels then left the ring, with Bischoff sending Helmsley after him. Helmsley met Michaels in the backstage area and told him not to leave, that Helmsley had a plan. Later in the night, Triple H handed Michaels a clothes bag, whose contents seemed to surprise Michaels. At the end of the night, Helmsley and Michaels made their way out to the DeGeneration-X music, with both wearing the old-fashioned DeGeneration-X t-shirts! The two men recited the DX catchphrases, but the reunion was quickly broken up, as Triple H suddenly turned, kicked Michaels, then landed the Pedigree, ending the friendship by throwing his torn-off t-shirt on top of the Heart Break Kid.

The next week saw an angry Shawn Michaels searching the arena for Triple H. Helmsley would later come to the ring, saying that the attack was all Michaels' fault, since HBK couldn't give up the spotlight to Helmsley. As Helmsley talked about how Michaels' career was over, an official came to the ring, telling Helmsley about something. Triple H then left the ring and ran to the back, finding a bloodied Shawn Michaels in the parking lot, having apparently been rammed headfirst into a car window. Helmsley claimed that he had nothing to do with the attack to Bischoff. On the next Raw, Triple H searched for the attacker, trying to find out who had done it. After interviewing several wrestlers, Helmsley was brought to the ring by Bischoff, who also had Shawn Michaels live via Titon Tron. The two men showed Helmsley a blurry videotape, which showed the attack. After some computer enhancement, the attacker was shown to be none other than Hunter Hearst Helmsley himself! Triple H admitted to attacking Michaels, which caused Michaels to challenge Helmsley for a match at the next PPV.

In the weeks leading up to Summerslam, Helmsley bragged about how he would end Michaels' career. He even brought papers to a Raw for Michaels to sign, so that HBK couldn't sue him for breaking his bones. Michaels faxed the signed papers into Raw that night, but it was a trick, as Michaels would attack Helmsley during his World Title match with the Rock, causing it to end in a No-Contest (Brock Lesnar also interfered). At Summerslam '02, Helmsley and Michaels faced off in an "Unsanctioned" match, thus keeping any responsibility for injury away from Bischoff. Neither wrestler kept much of a long advantage, as the momentum continued to swing back and forth. Various weapons quickly became involved, from trash cans to the sledgehammer. At one point, Helmsley backdropped Michaels onto a steel chair. But the Heartbreak Kid would come back, nailing Helmsley with his Sweet Chin Music, connecting with the chair and knocking it back into Triple H's face that bloodied him. Michaels also performed a few other sensational moves, from leaping off the turnbuckle to slam Triple H through a table on the outside, to diving off a ladder for an elbow drop. In the end, Triple H recovered enough to try for the Pedigree, but Michaels dodged it and got a roll-up for the victory. Afterwards, a pissed-off Helmsley viciously attacked Michaels, severely injuring him with his sledgehammer.

On the next Raw, while Brock Lesnar was giving a victory speech after becoming the World Champ, Shawn Michaels' music played over the speakers. Helmsley then surprisingly came out to the music, saying that it was the last time anyone would ever hear it, since he had ended Michaels' career. Helmsley then challenged Brock Lesnar to a World Title match. However, the Undertaker then came out, saying that he, too, deserved a shot. A #1 Contenders match was set up for that night between the two wrestlers. The two men were evenly matched, which led to things being decided by the champ, Lesnar. After the referee had been knocked out, Lesnar came to the ring, going after the Undertaker and nailing him between the eyes with the World Title. Triple H then made the cover to become the #1 Contender. However, when Brock Lesnar left the arena that night, it was announced that he would wrestle exclusively on Smackdown. This would have a major effect on Helmsley's title hopes.

A week later, Eric Bischoff brought Helmsley to the ring, saying that Raw deserved to have its own champion. He pulled out the old WCW title from a briefcase and gave it to Helmsley, declaring him the champion, since he had won the #1 Contenders match the week before. The gift of the title was disputed by Ric Flair, and the two fought later in the show, with Helmsley getting the victory via a low blow and the Pedigree. On the next show, Bischoff announced that there would be a Fatal Fourway Elimination contendership match to decide Helmsley's PPV opponent. It involved Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy and the Big Show, with Van Dam winning the match. Triple H and RVD would feud up to the PPV, with Helmsley causing RVD to lose his Intercontinental Title to Chris Jericho.

At Unforgiven '02, Triple H and Rob Van Dam went at it, with their two different styles making for an entertaining match. As is typical with these matches, the referee took a bump, knocking him down. Van Dam then started to get the momentum going, taking down Helmsley with his arsenal of quick maneuvers. Ric Flair then came from the back, holding Helmsley's sledgehammer. He went to hit Helmsley, but then turned around and nailed Van Dam instead, turning heel and joining up with Triple H. Helmsley seemed surprised by the turn-around, but went with it, hitting the Pedigree on Van Dam even as Flair brought the referee around, waking him up in time to count the 1-2-3. Helmsley & Flair then left together, celebrating the victory.

Flair soon became known as Triple H's 'manager', being there to help the champion retain his belt. The duo had a short feud with Van Dam & Bubba Ray Dudley, before having his next major foe set up in the Intercontinental Champion, Kane. Bischoff announced that the winner of the PPV match would unify the titles, effectively ending the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. This was the beginning of the one of the most bizzare, contoversial feuds in WWE history. On an October edition of Raw, after Kane single-handedly defended the World Tag Titles in a TLC match (Helmsley & Flair had taken out the Hurricane earlier in the night), Helmsley came out and mentioned the name Katie Vick to Kane. Helmsley then called Kane a murderer, saying that he had killed Vick 10 years before. Kane later admitted that he had known Vick, and that the lady had died in a car accident, with a somewhat drunk Kane driving. At No Mercy '02, the two men fought a brutal match, with Helmsley being aided repeatedly by Flair. In the end, that was enough, as Triple H got the Pedigree for the win, defending his title.

A day later, Helmsley & Flair appeared on Raw, bragging about the win. They also brought a tape with them, supposedly confirming their accusations towards Kane. Although Hurricane Helms tried to steal the tape, it was delivered to the production truck and played, showing a masked Helmsley apparently performing sexual acts on a "corpse", a dummy in a casket. It became known as one of the most perverse acts in wrestling history. Later on that night, Kane & Rob Van Dam defeated Helmsley & Flair, with Van Dam getting the pin by hitting the Five-Star Frog Splash on Flair. Afterwards, Kane took Helmsley back to the Hurricane's car and threw him in the trunk, before driving away. Helmsley was able to escape from the trunk, however, and showed up the next week with the Katie Vick dummy, making fun of Kane. The Hurricane then came out, showing a tape of a man dressed like Triple H having a sledgehammer surgically removed from his butt. Kane appeared shortly thereafter, attacking Helmsley. The two men fought in a non-title Casket match later that night, with the main factor being a returning Shawn Michaels, who nailed Helmsley with some Sweet Chin Music. Kane took advantage, chokeslamming Helmsley and throwing him in the coffin for the win.

Things didn't get any better for Helmsley after this, as it was announced that the main event of the next PPV would be the Elimination Chamber match, involving six men fighting for the Raw World Title: Helmsley, Shawn Michaels, Kane, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho. All six men would have altercations going into the pay-per-view, specifically between Helmsley and Michaels. At the '02 Survivor Series, the rules for the Elimination Chamber were explained. Four of the wrestlers would start out in chambers, with the other two starting the match. Every few minutes, a random chamber would open, putting another wrestler into action. Pinfall and submission were the ways to be eliminated. The last person standing would win the match and the World Heavyweight title.

The first two in the ring were Helmsley and Rob Van Dam. Helmsley tried for the early advantage, going for the Pedigree, but was backdropped to the outside of the ring, onto the steel portion of the cage. Van Dam then climbed up one of the chambers, kicking away at Chris Jericho, who tried to stop him. RVD leapt off the cage with a flip onto Helmsley, doing some more damage. The countdown then started, and Jericho's chamber opened. Jericho went after RVD, but the man was hard to stop, as he leapt at Jericho from the top rope. Jericho ducked, but RVD clung to the side of the cage like a spider, then turned and leapt again, smashing him down. Finally, Helmsley and Jericho double-teamed RVD, beating on him, as Booker T was released from his chamber. Booker T attacked everyone, as a melee broke out. RVD, meanwhile, climbed onto an empty chamber and came off for an attempted frog splash on Triple H, landing with a knee on Helmsley's throat, injuring him. Booker T then nailed RVD with a missile dropkick, eliminating Van Dam.

Kane was the next one into the match, with brutal results, as he threw Jericho through one of the "bulletproof" windows of the chambers. Kane then attacked Helmsley and Booker T, getting a chokeslam on Booker. Jericho came back with a lionsault on Booker to eliminate him. By this point, Helmsley was bleeding from shots into the cage. Shawn Michaels was the last one to enter, as he attacked everyone. Kane showed his power, chokeslamming all three opponents, but this just led to them teaming against him. They hit Sweet Chin Music, the Pedigree and the Lionsault to eliminate him. Helmsley and Jericho next double-teamed Michaels, opening up his forehead for a crimson mask. But Triple H and Jericho couldn't decide who would get the pin, and started to attack each other. Jericho reversed the Pedigree into his submission finisher, the Walls of Jericho, but Michaels took advantage, hitting Jericho with Sweet Chin Music and eliminating him.

This left the two hated rivals, Helmsley and Michaels, to go at it, with Helmsley's World Title on the line. Helmsley took advantage early on by catapulting Michaels through one of the windows. But Michaels came back, dodging the Pedigree and returning the catapult. Michaels then climbed up onto a chamber and dropped an elbow on Helmsley, adding to the damage. Michaels prepared for some Sweet Chin Music, but Helmsley blocked the maneuver, kicked Michaels in the stomach, then hit the Pedigree. But a slow pin didn't work, as Michaels kicked out. Helmsley decided to try another Pedigree, but Michaels escaped it, then hit Sweet Chin Music for the victory, winning the WWE Raw World Title away from Triple H. Helmsley later had to have his throat worked on, due to the hit from R.V.D.

After a week off from Raw, Triple H reappeared during a title match between Michaels and R.V.D. Helmsley took out both guys, hitting Van Dam with the Pedigree and knocking out Michaels with a chair. Triple H was then placed into a #1 Contenders match with Van Dam at the next show. Michaels was also named the special referee, and he quickly used his power, sending Ric Flair to the back. During the match, Michaels obviously favored RVD, but miscues allowed Helmsley to stay in it. In the end, Van Dam accidentally hit HBK with a sidekick, allowing Triple H to nail Van Dam with a chair shot and get the pinfall, earning the shot at a rematch. Helmsley and Michaels fought afterwards, with HBK knocking out the Game with some Sweet Chin Music. Later on in the month, HBK challenged Helmlsey to meet him in the parking lot, only to attack him as soon as he and Flair came out.

At Armageddon '02, Triple H and Michaels went at it in a "Three Falls" Match for the World Title. The first fall went under "Street Fight" rules, with weapons like trash cans and tables becoming major factors. As the match wore on, Helmsley headed to the back and brought out a barbed-wire 2x4. He then lit it on fire, before going after Michaels. But HBK managed to knock the 2x4 back into Helmsley's face, busting him open. The two fought back to the ring, with Helmsley getting the Pedigree for the first win. The second fall was a "Steel Cage" Match, with the two being surrounded by the cell. Helmsley dominated the match early on, but Michaels began to come back, causing Flair to steal the key from the referee and enter the cage. Michaels was ready, though, waffling Flair with a chair. Michaels then hit Helmsley with some Sweet Chin Music, before putting him on a table and climbing the cage. Michaels came off the cage with a huge splash through the table, pinning Triple H for the second fall.

In the third and final portion of the match, the two fought it out in a "Ladder" Match, with the World Title hanging above them. Both wrestlers, already badly beaten, continued to fight, using the ladder as a lethal weapon. Both wrestlers hit their finishers, but were unable to capitalize by climbing up the ladder. In the end, as Michaels stretched out for the World Title, Helmsley pushed the ladder over, sending Michaels plunging out of the ring and through a set of tables that had been set up. Triple H then pulled the ladder back up and slowly made the climb, managing to grab hold of the "Raw" Championship. For the 7th time, Triple H was at the top of the food chain.

2003

A ceremony was arranged on the next Raw, celebrating Helmsley's victory over Michaels. At the same time, however, the spot was promised to Scott Steiner's contract signing. When Helmsley came out for the ceremony, Steiner came out as well, signing his contract and announcing that, as part of the contract, he was awarded a World Title shot against Helmsley at the Rumble. Over the next few weeks, Helmsley challenged Steiner to various contests. First, Helmsley lost an arm-wrestling contest to Big Poppa Pump. The next week, the two had a "posedown" contest, with the judges giving the win to Triple H. The judges then attacked Steiner, showing that they were on the Game's team. A bench-press contest was scheduled the next week, but it didn't take place, as Steiner looked like he would easily win it. Steiner and Helmsley then brawled, with Steiner easily getting the upper hand, ripping off Helmsley's suit and tie.

The match at the Royal Rumble '03 began with a face-off, but soon became the brawl that everyone had expected to see. Steiner dominated early on, nearly getting on the Steiner Recliner submission hold, with Flair pulling Helmsley out of harm's way. Steiner started to go after Flair, giving Helmsley the opportunity to get back in the match. But Steiner soon regained control, causing Triple H & Flair to try and leave with the World Title, willing to take a count-out loss. Steiner went after them, though, smashing Helmsley with the title and causing him to bleed. Triple H later tried to leave again, leading to a fight with Steiner through the crowd. Helmsley tried another trick later on, attacking the referee, but the ref refused to disqualify him. Finally, Helmsley brought out his sledgehammer and attacked Steiner, forcing the ref to end the match, giving Steiner the win via DQ. After the match, the ref stopped Helmsley from using the sledgehammer. During the distraction, Steiner got hold of the weapon and laid out both Triple H and Flair, then placed Helmsley in the Steiner Recliner.

On the next Raw, Steiner demanded a rematch against Helmsley, but Triple H claimed he had a doctor's note that would not allow him to wrestle. Instead, Steiner was set against Flair's protege, Batista. The match didn't get started, though, as Helmsley, Flair, and Randy Orton also came down, joining with Batista to beat down Steiner. Helmsley's allies would help him on many occasions to attack Steiner, helping to protect the World Champ, who was using a crutch due to a hematoma in his leg. Helmsley came out at one show and introduced his comrades, basically refering to them as the Evolution. The group wasn't able, however, to keep Steiner from once again becoming the #1 Contender, winning over Chris Jericho.

At No Way Out '03, Helmsley and Steiner again met for the World Title, this time with Steiner focusing on Triple H's injured leg. Flair again became involved, causing Steiner to chase him around the ring. Helmsley attacked Steiner as he came back through the ropes, taking the advantage. Triple H tried to use the ropes to get the pin, but only managed to get the referee angry with him. Steiner retook control, applying the Steiner Recliner, which led to the Evolution running to the ring, only to have Steiner take them out. As the ref ejected the Evolution from ringside, however, Helmsley nailed Steiner with the championship belt, then, after a failed pin attempt, got the Pedigree to win the match, once again defending his World Title.

It was announced on the next Raw that a 20-man Battle Royal would take place, with the winner getting the title shot against Triple H at Wrestlemania. The Rock was the heavy favorite going in, but he was tossed out by Booker T, who earned the shot. The tension between Helmsley and Booker T quickly became racially-oriented, with Triple H & Flair telling Booker T to carry their bags, drive their limo, and more. Booker T didn't take kindly to the comments, starting a heated feud. At one show, Helmsley fought Maven, another black wrestler, and decimated the youngster, before leaving him hanging on the ropes. Helmsley also defeated Goldust, Booker T's tag partner, while Booker T was taken out by a "fan"'s crutch, who was revealed as Randy Orton. Things weren't all perfect for Triple H, though, as he was bloodied and beaten by Booker T during a tag match (also involving Flair and Goldust).

The match for the World Title took place at Wrestlemania X-9, Triple H's eighth time at the grand event. Booker T took control at the beginning, as the fight went on both in and out of the ring. Helmlsey soon came back, slamming Booker T into the steel steps at ringside. The fight went back and forth, with close pinfalls happening on both sides of the brawl. Ric Flair, as always, was a factor on the outside, helping to get in some cheap shots. Booker T fought back to take out Flair, then nearly won the match with a guillotine leg drop. But the Game, despite an injured leg, managed to land the Pedigree, then made the tired cover to get the victory, staying the champ after a hard battle.

In the weeks after Wrestlemania, Helmsley continued to have problems with Booker T, as well as renewing his long-time feud with Shawn Michaels. At one Raw, Helmsley teamed with Chris Jericho, who was feuding with Michaels at the time, against Booker T & Michaels in a tag match. Booker T won the match by pinning Helmsley with a bridge, but the heels attacked the faces after the match, beating them down. The Hurricane tried to make the save, only to be taken out as well. Suddenly, an old theme hit the speakers, the Diesel theme, and Kevin Nash came down the aisle. He took out Jericho and Flair, then turned to Helmsley, who had gotten his sledgehammer. They looked like they were going to duke it out, but Triple H simply dropped the hammer and left the ring. Helmsley and Nash continued to come face-to-face as time went by, talking about their long-time friendship. Helmsley wanted Nash to make the decision of which side he was going to be on. Things finally broke down between the two during a match between Helmsley and Booker T, when Nash came to ringside, helping up both Triple H and Michaels. Helmsley attacked Nash, saying that he had made Nash's decision for him.

A match was set up for Backlash '03, with Triple H, Flair & Jericho taking on Nash, Booker T & Michaels. The primary feud, though, was between Helmsley and Nash, with the former friendship hovering between them. The match between the six former World Champs was a wild one, with each man taking his turn in the spotlight at one point or another. Eventually, the match broke down into a brawl, with the referee losing complete control. Nash stayed in the ring, taking out Chris Jericho with his Jackknife Powerbomb. But the referee was distracted, keeping Nash from getting the pinfall victory. It also allowed Helmsley to come into the ring and crack Nash in the head with the sledgehammer, allowing Jericho to get the win for the heel team.

On the next Raw, Helmsley arranged for him & Flair to get a tag-team title shot against Rob Van Dam & Kane. As the match began, Shawn Michaels was shown in the back, talking on a cell phone. He said that Helmsley was a sitting duck. During the match, Helmsley & Flair seemed to be on the way to victory, as Triple H nailed Kane with the Pedigree. Kevin Nash then came out with a sledgehammer, chasing Helmsley from the ring, which left Flair being double-teamed and beaten by the tag champs. Helmsley, meanwhile, fled to a limo, with Nash hitting out the windows behind him. A week later, Chris Jericho hosted one of his "Hi-Lite Reels", his version of a talk-show. He brought out Nash, who called Helmsley a dead man for trying to end his career with the sledgehammer. Triple H then came out, and the two immediately brawled, destroying nearly everything around them while leaving the arena. A final confrontation occured at the Raw before the PPV, when Nash was wrestling Jericho. Triple H & Flair came down to try to injure Nash, but Shawn Michaels evened the odds, and the night ended with Nash "pinning" Helmsley via Michaels' count. Nash then raised the World Title over his head, showcasing the belt he would be fighting for.

At Judgment Day '03, Helmsley was signed to face Nash for the World Title. In a memorable moment before the match, Stephanie McMahon, now the general manager of Smackdown, told her former husband to be careful. The match was a bad one for Helmsley, as Nash dominated the fighting with his power and rage. Helmsley nearly stole the win with a surprise Pedigree, but Nash kicked out of the pinfall. A shocked Helmsley then left the ring and got his sledgehammer, only to have the referee stop him from using it. Nash, though, had his own weapon, nailing Helmsley with the World Title and forcing the ref to call for the DQ. The assault continued after the bell, with Nash putting Helmsley through the announce table with his jackknife powerbomb. Helmsley was still the champion, but Nash was clearly the survivor of the night.

The next night, Steve Austin, who was the co-general manager of Raw, called out Helmsley & Flair, even stopping the Game's intro. He announced that, since Helmsley had been thoroughly beaten the night before, he didn't deserve to be wearing the World Title. Austin also said that, although Helmsley was "hurt", he would have to defend the belt that night against a former World Champion. To the surprise of many, Helmsley chose his opponent to be Ric Flair. Helmsley was expecting Flair to lie down for him, but, after a pep talk from Shawn Michaels, Flair told Helmsley that he wouldn't just allow Helmsley to pin him. The match was a great one, with both men coming close to getting the victory in the early goings, including Flair getting on his Figure Four leglock. At one point, with the referee down, Helmsley went to knock out Flair with the World Title, only to have Flair counter the maneuver and hit Triple H instead, getting a close 2 count. Finally, Helmsley hit the Pedigree to get the victory and hold on to his World Title. After the match, Nash came to the ring to chase Helmsley out. As Triple H rested painfully on the ramp, Austin came out again and announced that Triple H would face Kevin Nash at the next PPV, in a Hell In A Cell match. After the show ended, Triple H participated with several other wrestlers in honoring Flair, breaking kayfabe to praise the legendary Nature Boy.

The next show featured a signed match of Triple H facing both Shawn Michaels & Ric Flair in a handicap match, thanks to Eric Bischoff, the other co-owner of Raw. Helmsley was later seen kissing up to Austin, to try and get the match changed, but to no avail. It all turned out to be a swerve, however, as Flair attacked Michaels as soon as he was tagged in. Helmsley then got Michaels with the Pedigree for the victory. Meanwhile, in the back, a masked man attacked Kevin Nash before he could come to the rescue, and was later revealed as the returning Randy Orton, who was rejoining the Evolution. The three men then beat on Nash, as the show ended. On the next Raw, Helmsley, Flair, & Orton stayed as a unit, bragging about their trickery. Michaels, Nash, & the Hurricane then attacked them, setting up a 6-man match later that night. Helmsley also intimidated the referees, getting them to tell Austin & Bischoff, the co-GM's of Raw, that they wouldn't referee the Hell in the Cell match at Bad Blood. Austin said he knew of someone crazy enough to do it, though. At the end of the night, Helmsley's team won when he Pedigreed the Hurricane, getting the win.

It was later announced by Austin that the special referee for the match-up was going to be Mick Foley, Helmsley's old nemesis. Helmsley protested, and got in Foley's face, saying that he was the one who ended Foley's career. Later in the night, Foley, who had seemed reluctant to get back in the ring, opted to be the referee, and was savagely hit with a chair by Helmsley as a result. But Foley weathered the blow, and wanted more. Helmsley attacked him again, but Nash came out, making the save and knocking Triple H out. A bloodied Foley then made a pretend three count, showing what could happen at the pay-per-view.

At Bad Blood '03, Helmsley and Nash met up for the Hell in a Cell war, with Helmsley's World Title on the line. Nash controlled the beginning of the match, with Foley, as the ref, looking on. The battle went in and out of the ring, although not leaving the cell. Nash used a chair early on, but Helmsley got the momentum back when he pulled a tool box from under the ring, taking a hammer from it and "hammering" Nash, cutting him open. Foley, however, took away the hammer, causing more problems between Helmsley & Foley. After choking Nash with a screwdriver, Helmsley got a barbed wire 2x4, but Nash blocked the shot and reversed it, causing Helmsley to bleed as well. Helmsley went for his sledgehammer at one point, but again, Foley took it away. This came back to haunt Foley, though, as Helmsley, after drilling Nash with a chair shot, smacked Foley as well, making even the referee of the match bloody. Foley came back to get his Mr. Socko maneuver on Triple H, but Helmsley escaped with a low blow. The distraction allowed Nash to hit his Jacknife Powerbomb, but Helmsley kicked out at 2. Later on, Helmsley hit Nash in the head with the sledgehammer, and followed it up with the Pedigree to get the victory, staying the champ. After the match, Helmsley celebrated with Ric Flair & Randy Orton.
On the next Raw, Mick Foley came out and talked about the match at Bad Blood, only to be interrupted by Evolution. It was announced that Evolution was looking for a fourth member, and Orton seemed to indicate Foley. But Foley wanted no part of the "Four Horsemen wannabes", causing Evolution to attack him. Al Snow and Maven made the save, sending Evolution from the ring. Later on that night, during the Kane/Rob Van Dam vs. La Resistance tag match, Kane lost control, attacking La Resistance with a steel chair and getting DQ'ed. After the match, Triple H came out, praising the 'return' of the old Kane, and offering Kane the fourth spot in Evolution. Steve Austin came out immediately after, though, and told Kane to take a World Title shot against Helmsley rather than join his stable. Eric Bischoff put in an added clause stating that if Kane lost, he would lose his mask. Kane made his decision by chokeslamming Helmsley, setting up the match.

As promised, Helmsley and Kane faced off in a Title-vs-Mask Match the very next Raw. Kane was all brute force, and dominated part of the match, although Triple H continued to fight on. Near the end, a Kane clothesline from the top turnbuckle 'accidentally' knocked Helmsley into the referee. Ric Flair then ran into the ring, only to be chokeslammed. This allowed Helmsley to get the Pedigree, but Kane kicked out, then got back up, preparing to chokeslam Triple H. Randy Orton interfered, though, getting a low blow. Helmsley then hit a second Pedigree and got the victory, retaining the title. It also brought Bischoff to the ring, who said that Kane had to unmask. Before he could, though, Evolution attacked him, landing several blows before Rob Van Dam ran down for the save. Afterwards, Kane took off his mask, revealing a bald head and no burn scars at all. Kane then chokeslammed RVD before leaving the ring.

A week later, due to Kane apparently not wanting a rematch due to his unmasking, Bischoff instead gave a World Title shot to Rob Van Dam. The match between Triple H and RVD went about as usual for a Helmsley match, as Ric Flair quickly became involved from the outside. Later on, though, Van Dam came back, hiting the Five Star Frog Splash on Helmsley. Before he could get the pinfall victory, Flair charged the ring, hitting Van Dam with the World Title and causing the DQ. This only lasted a few seconds, though, as Bischoff came out and said that the match had to continue, with "No-Disqualification" rules. Bischoff also added a "Falls Count Anywhere" stipulation, allowing Van Dam to make a cover on the floor, which was broken up by Randy Orton, who came out to help Triple H. The group headed to the stage area, where Van Dam tried hard to fight off the 3-1 odds. Despite landing a Rolling Thunder on the stage, though, Van Dam couldn't manage it, as Helmsley put him away with a DDT on the steel. After the match, Kane's fire exploded all around the stage, startling everybody. Kane then came out and looked like he was going to chokeslam Van Dam, but instead grabbed Bischoff and threw him off the stage, while Evolution took off.

Evolution would feud some with the Dudley Boyz over the next few weeks, with Helmsley and his group usually coming out on top. Evolution then came to the ring late in July '03 to reveal their new t-shirt. Helmsley made sure to state that no one could stand in their way. Before he could finish, though, he was interrupted by Bill Goldberg, who was quick to announce that Helmsley was next. The two nearly got into it, but Helmsley backed off, saying that their fight would be on his terms. It was later announced that Helmsley and Goldberg were signed to face off at the next PPV. A match was also signed for Raw pitting Goldberg against Flair. During the night, when Bischoff was scheduled to fight Shane McMahon, he approached Helmsley and made a deal: the match at Summerslam would be No Disqualification, obviously favoring Evolution, as long as Helmsley helped out Bischoff. As the Flair/Goldberg match went down, Orton and Helmsley were quick to attack Goldberg, causing the DQ. Shawn Michaels ran down to try and make the save, only to be followed by Chris Jericho, who attacked Michaels. Kevin Nash then cleared the ring with a steel chair. Afterwards, Steve Austin came out and made a change for the PPV, stating that the match for the World Title would now be an Elimination Chamber Match between Triple H, Goldberg, Orton, Jericho, & Michaels. An irate Helmsley then canceled the Evolution's deal with Bischoff.

At Summerslam '03, the Elimination Chamber was set up, with Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels starting things out, while the other four participants were locked behind glass cases. The two went back and forth, showing their animosity towards each other. Randy Orton came out next, and a three-way brawl erupted. The fourth man allowed out was Kevin Nash, who quickly used his power to cut through the other individuals. However, this forced them to team up against him, with Michaels catching Nash with some Sweet Chin Music while he was attempting a Jackknife Powerbomb on Jericho. Jericho rolled him over to get the pinfall, eliminating Nash. A furious Nash then took out all three men with powerbombs before leaving, giving the next entrant, Bill Goldberg, a great advantage. Goldberg nailed Orton with a spear, then pinned him, taking out one. Goldberg followed that up with a Jackhammer on Michaels, eliminating another. Michaels would recover enough to catch Helmsley with some Sweet Chin Music as he came out at last, knocking him back in. Goldberg, meanwhile, speared Jericho through a glass wall, then took him into the ring and speared him again, eliminating him and making it just Helmsley and Goldberg, who kicked in Helmsley's glass cell to get to him. But a bloody Helmsley persevered, and managed to crack Goldberg with the sledgehammer as he tried for another spear, allowing Triple H to keep the title. After the match, Evolution came in and beat down Goldberg, bloodying him with the sledgehammer.

On the next Raw, Goldberg demanded a rematch, with just him and Helmsley involved. Triple H granted the rematch, as long as Goldberg put up something against the World Title: Goldberg's career. Goldberg accepted, wanting to get his hands on Helmsley. Triple H later said that he was tired of all the hype around Goldberg, and that he was no different than the other contenders who had faced him in the past. None had gotten the title from him. At one point, Goldberg teamed up with Shawn Michaels & Maven to win a 6-Man match over Evolution. The next week, Bischoff announced that he was going to have a surprise tag match, with Goldberg & an unknown partner vs. Helmsley & an unknown partner. This was a set-up, however, as Helmsley teamed with Ric Flair while Goldberg was forced to 'tag' with Randy Orton. Goldberg had to basically fight 3-on-1 odds, and couldn't do it, as Evolution beat him down. The cage was lowered around them, as Helmsley cut Goldberg open with a huge chair shot, then later Pedigree'd him, leaving the man out on the mat in a pool of blood.

The Raw before the PPV featured Evolution throwing a going-away party for Goldberg. Helmsley came out to th