A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: October 14th 2013
Available From: www.wwedvd.co.uk
Price:
DVD £ 19.99
Blu-ray £ 22.99
(Prices from www.wwedvd.co.uk: high street prices will vary)
Format Reviewed:
DVD (3 Discs)
(Also Available on Blu-ray (2
Discs)
What It’s About:
A
career biography of one of the greatest wrestlers to step into the ring and the
current COO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Triple H. Complete with
interviews with those closest to him as well as unseen footage from his career
and personal life, ‘Triple H: Thy Kingdom Come’ aims to bring you closer to
‘The Game’ than ever before. The DVD release comes with 12 complete matches
from Triple H’s career and the Blu-ray contains extra stories.
Strengths:
The
opening video package, featuring WWE talent speaking on Triple H is very
complimentary. The segment is complied with some rare and unseen backstage
footage of the Triple H we rarely get to see. It’s a very nice beginning to
what turns out to be an excellent documentary.
The
2 hour 7 minute documentary running time may worry a lot of fans who think
there’s not that much left that can be said about Triple H. People need not
worry. The documentary begins with some early pictures of Triple H as a child
along with comments from his mother and father. It’s striking how much his
father looks like him earlier in his father’s life. Out of all the other Triple
H releases which WWE have released before, this is by the most in depth and you
get that feeling before its five minutes old. This segment of the release adds
a personal touch to the man who keeps his private life mostly away from his
wrestling life. The pictures of him bodybuilding are freakish but again, cement
how dedicated he was when he set his mind on something.
WWE
could have shied away from Triple H’s training, merely skirting over the issue
with a couple of talking heads. However they don’t. Triple H’s training with
the later Killer Kowalski is accompanied by some excellent footage of his early
days in the business as well as at Kowalski’s school. The footage is a credit
to the release as to my knowledge it has never been released to the public
before. Triple H speaks fondly of Kowalski and we get an idea of how
instrumental he was to Triple H’s career, allowing him to pay what he could
when he could. Had Kowalski insisted that Triple H pay the full amount every
months then maybe he wouldn’t be who he is and where he is today. The segment
ends with some very early footage of Triple H’s first ever matches – and boy oh
boy was he ever rough.
The
picture that is painted of Paul Levesque is one of a hard working individual,
who when he wasn’t in the ring or training to be a wrestler was doing several
different jobs just to stay alive. No one has a bad word to say about his work
ethos back then or today which is a huge credit to Triple H, seeing as he has
to juggle his corporate job as well as being a husband and father. It doesn’t
look an easy job but its one which he accomplishes with panache. Considering
that Triple H was a very selfish wrestler early on in his career and everyone
is willing to overlook that in order to praise him just goes to show how much
he’s matured and he deserves a lot of praise for that.
Thankfully,
Triple H’s WCW days are covered this time around in depth. His previous release
‘King of Kings’ touched upon his time in WCW but we never got a good insight
into his time there. Like all segments, there is footage here of Triple H
wrestling in WCW as Triple H relates to us a story of how Eric Bischoff offered
him a two year contract and he asked for only one and his WCW mentor William
Regal speaks highly of the man behind the character, cementing his
determination to be the very best in the industry and know absolutely everything
about how to work a match and get the best from every opponent. Triple H’s
determination to be the best is a recurring theme through the release.
Triple
H’s story about Ric Flair repackaging him as Jean-Paul Levesque and how, as a
booker in WCW, Flair kept changing Triple H’s character when he found out what
he could and couldn’t do puts a smile on the face. It’s told with great love
and an amusing look by Triple H and the Jean-Paul Levesque character was an
early version of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, without the French of course. WCW’s
explanation of the character change from Terra Rising to Jean-Paul Levesque,
heard in a clip, is appalling since he spoke in perfect English as Terra Rising
and broken French as Jean-Paul Levesque.
Another
plus for the release is that almost every interview is new and not taken from
other releases. There is the odd exception but for the most part, WWE have gone
to the trouble of sitting everybody down and conducting a new interview with
them. This particularly important when it comes to people like The Rock, a
slimmed down Kevin Nash and for the first time in a very long time on a WWE
release, The Undertaker. That Mark Calloway deems to appear on here out of The
Undertaker character when he could have but hasn’t on so many other WWE
releases adds an air or authenticity to what people have to say about Triple H
and his importance in the wrestling industry. The great thing about Calloway is
that he doesn’t bullshit. He’ll tell the truth and if WWE ask him to say
something he doesn’t believe then he won’t do it.
The
now infamous Curtain Call is covered well and shows the small mindedness of the
business in 1996. Having broken kayfabe by going to the ring and celebrating
with his friends Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels – Nash and Hall were
leaving for WCW – Triple H was the only one punished for the incident even
though it happened on a house show and he had Vince McMahon’s permission. Yet
because others in the locker room didn’t like it McMahon was pressured into doing
something about it. That Vince considered firing Triple H for it was ridiculous
but Triple H is very open and honest about what went on and what was said in
Vince’s office after the incident. Sadly, the segment skips Triple H’s
punishment and the effect it had on him mentally and as a performer. We could
have done with knowing what Triple H really thought of his punishment for doing
nothing wrong.
Triple
H’s storytelling is almost as good as Bret Hart’s. ‘The Game’ is endearing,
funny and has a great sense of comic timing. This is never demonstrated more
than when Triple H is talking about the inclusion of Chyna to D-Generation X
and Vince McMahon’s efforts to put off hiring her, finding replacements here,
there and everywhere. It’s great that Chyna is mentioned on a WWE release
considering her fractured relationship with the company in 2013 but naturally
she’s missing as a talking head. It’s only right that Chyna is mentioned though
as she was such a huge part of Triple H’s career in WWE early on – it wouldn’t
have been a complete career retrospective without her, though it’s not hard to
see why WWE left off fact that for a long time, Triple H and Chyna were an item
in real life and Chyna blames Stephanie McMahon for breaking them up. Michael
Hayes is correct when he says that Triple H knew how to use Chyna and that
there’s an art to that.
At
last, finally, shout it from the rooftops, Triple H gives Mick Foley the credit
he deserves for helping make his career, though not in the main event but in
1997 – 1998. Though it has been a long time coming, it’s slightly disappointing
that Triple H doesn’t credit Foley for making him a main event star. As I’ve
stated before, without Mick, Triple H would have been lost as a main event
player in WWE at the beginning of 2000.
The
formation of DX is covered with honesty as Undertaker rightly states that WWE
were getting their butts kicked in the ratings and needed to shift their
product. Michael Hayes chips in with something which Vince McMahon should take
note of when says; “To reach a different you have throw away the rule book”.
The footage of D-Generation X in 1997 is nothing we haven’t seen before and in
fact its been wheeled out so much that we probably never need to see it again.
The ‘State of the Nation’ address is worth sitting through just for HBK trying
not to laugh. At this point in the release, the DX segment is the longest yet.
No doubt it was a special time but there really is nothing else that can be
said about DX that hasn’t been said before. It does however highlight how times
have changed in WWE. As WWE European Champion, Triple H was a main player in
the company. In 2013, no one who holds a lower card Championship will be a main
player whilst the gold is around their waist.
Speaking
on DX vs The Nation of Domination, Triple H reminisces more on his mid-card
feud with The Rock rather than the group warfare. But then both were the stand
out stars of their stables. Both The Rock and Triple H speak highly of their
time and matches together and knowing how much they didn’t like each other at
the time, it’s a great compliment to both men’s talents that in 2013 they are
able to credit the other as a superior performer, when you consider they could
have spat venom at each other – which admittedly would have been more thrilling
to watch. Triple H touches upon him and The Rock gelling with each other and
when you see any match between the pair, you can see how good they were
together.
Levesque’s
determination to be the best is highlighted yet again when the release touches
upon his real life exit from DX to concentrate on his singles career and being
the most hated heel in the industries history. That he was willing to risk
everything if it went south shows how serious Triple H was about being the best
and how gutsy he was. To get validation from Undertaker that he deserved the
singles stardom he got is maybe the highest praise Triple H could ever receive.
The
segment which covers Stephanie McMahon and Triple H’s real life relationship as
well as their on screen McMahon-Helmsley era begins strong with Stephanie
telling us how she thought Triple H was disrespectful the first time they ever
met. The acknowledgement from both Triple H and Stephanie as well as Triple H’s
mother and Linda McMahon, who appears on a WWE release for the first time in
many years, that the mothers knew there was something between Triple H and
Stephanie before they knew themselves adds a human element to a McMahon and
maybe for the first time ever you don’t see Stephanie as the rich daughter of
the boss but a normal human being with normal feelings and emotions. It sounds
ridiculous to say that but WWE haven’t portrayed Stephanie in this light on
television ever, so it’s refreshing to see and hear. The segment is the longest
on the release but that’s in no way a bad thing. It’s humanity and the way it
portrays a real life forbidden love makes it one of the strongest on this
release and any WWE have released in the past. Their journey from strangers to
married couple, bypassing Vince McMahon forbidding Stephanie to date wrestlers,
giving her permission to date Triple H and then retracting that permission is a
rollercoaster in itself and the part in which its explained that no one in the
locker room thought it was a good idea makes you ask the question of what the
hell did it have to do with anyone but those involved? Instead of holding a
grudge against those who for a while got Stephanie and Triple H split up, ‘The
Game’ is jovial as he laughs his way through a very private moment in his life.
From that the release takes a poignant and thought provoking turn when Triple H
ponders on his mind set back in 2000 and his concern thirteen years ago that if
their relationship went sour then he would, in his own words, be ‘pissing away
his career’. The moment is touching as Triple H really puts thought into what
could have happened and portrays a man who didn’t know what to do for the best.
Go after the girl he loved and risk everything he had worked tirelessly for or
concentrate on the career he had put everything on the backburner for. It’s a
strong moment in the release and it’s made even more heartfelt when Stephanie
puts its all in focus saying that “Paul put it all on the line, everything he’d
worked for...for me” meaning herself. The boss’s daughter says it in such a
happy yet sentimental tone that it won’t leave many a dry eye. Speaking on the
subject, Undertaker says that he wished them both the best and Triple H is
trying to fight back the tears when he follows up Undertaker’s sentiments with
that fact that when he went to The Undertaker about his predicament, ‘Taker
told him to “Fuck all of them” – which is bleeped out – and that he had nothing
left to prove. There is such love on show from both Stephanie and Triple H here
and Trip is absolutely right when he says that their relationship has nothing
to do with business. This wonderful segment ends with the couples marriage in
2003 displaying never before seen footage of the wedding and reception. Linda
McMahon gives us a quaint little story about the vicar refusing to marry the
pair because someone had shown him the television divorce between the pair and
he thought it was real, so the wife of the main man had to run the vicar
through all the storylines and pictures of Michael Hayes singing at the wedding
are followed up by Big Show informing us that Triple H asked Show to kill Hayes
if he sang another song – that brings a smile to the face. If you cry easily
then you may want a towel handy for this segment.
From
the blossoming relationship between Stephanie and Triple H, the release turns
its attention back to Triple H’s 2000 main event run and his headline feud with
The Rock. Once again the pair touches upon their unique bond in the ring and
The Rock says that he classes those 2000 matches as the best of his entire
career – they certainly were special. With a wry smile, The Rock says that both
were hungry, which is another way of saying they both had big egos which made
neither look upon losing to the other, favourable. Tough Triple H and The Rock
never mention it, The Undertaker touches upon the animosity between the pair
and it truly is a nice touch, after everything they’ve been through together in
and out of the ring, that Triple H classes The Rock as one of his favourite
opponents of all time. The Undertaker ends the segment with a quote which every
WWE wrestler should take not of when he says; “Not everybody is going to be the
best. Not everybody is going to be that top guy. But if you don’t aspire to be
that, you’re wasting your time!”
Up
next is Evolution. Touching upon his own hardships when Triple H picked him up
in 2002, Ric Flair’s sentiments that Triple H is a sensitive guy are heartfelt
from ‘Naitch’. For the first time in three years, Batista returns to a WWE
release and relates how much Triple H helped him when Evolution was formed.
There is a thankfulness in Batista’s eyes when he admits that Triple H became
more of a friend than a mentor and that his time with Triple H was the
highlight of his career. Randy Orton – instead of telling the truth that he
couldn’t stand Triple H – Orton famously commented to Umaga in a WWE draft when
Triple H went to Smackdown that “You have to deal with him now!” – says that
Triple H was a father figure to him. Which he was, but we would have all liked
to hear how Randy Orton genuinely believed that Triple H was behind keeping him
back as World Heavyweight Champion.
The
return of DX in 2006 kicks off with Stephanie conveying her insecurities that
she was pregnant at the time of the reformation and ladies loved DX, which is
enlightening. Let’s be honest, she’s so beautiful that she had nothing to worry
about. As if Triple H, or any man for that matter would choose any other woman
over her. Sadly though, as Triple H and Shawn Michaels speak about this time
like it was something special, most of us remember it as a torturous time in
WWE. Very little of what HBK and Triple H did as DX in 2006 was funny. At last
though we get Vince McMahon’s admission that it’s very difficult to do things
on a PG rating – though he won’t budge on removing it. Michaels puts us all in
our place however when he says that they never thought they were going to be as
good as they’re 90’s run and were poking fun at what they used to be. It’s a
great way of looking at it and whether that’s what the duo believe at the time
or not, in 2013, when you look at it that way, you can kind of see what they
were getting at I suppose.
Unusually
on a WWE release, Triple H and Randy Orton admit to their mistakes at
WrestleMania 25. For those that don’t remember it, the pair had one of the
worst and least exciting WrestleMania matches of all time. The segment focuses
on two things. The first is Triple H’s 2009 feud with Randy Orton as well as
acknowledging his marriage to Stephanie on television for the first time. ‘The
Cerebral Assassin’ notifies us that he didn’t want to overdo it and wanted the
fans to see him as one of us – someone who is going through the same marital
stuff everyone goes through. When it touches upon Orton and Triple H’s feud –
which was all very good until it came to crunch time – the segment is
accompanied with some footage which has been seen before but is a good reminder
for new fans of the build up to the match. As the release arrives at
WrestleMania 25, Orton and Triple at last admit their faults, stating that how
hard it would be to top Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker. Orton acknowledges
that the crowd were spent after HBK and ‘Taker’s epic collision and Triple H
owns up that on the night, neither man delivered. It’s not often we get to hear
a wrestler admit to his mistakes so all credit for that.
Leaving
wrestling behind for a while, the release turns to Triple H’s acting, of course
accompanied by footage of him filming plus behind the scenes peeks at Triple H
off of set. It’s surprising to hear that after his respectable turn in Blade 3,
Triple H was offered a three picture deal by New Line Cinema. Whether this is
true or another of WWE’s famous fabrications I cannot tell you but what I can
is that Triple H should have taken the deal if it was on the table. The only
film offers Triple H got after supposedly turning down that deal was from WWE
Films – which is where we’re taken next. WWE try their best to big up ‘The
Chaperone’ with clips from the film and footage of Triple H behind the scenes
but the fact remains that the film was awful. The segment once again hammers
home the work ethic of the man in question and though it’s not that great it
does hammer home the fact wrestling is the most important thing to him. Though
one can’t help feel this was a shot at The Rock.
WWE
couldn’t have completed this release without casting the spotlight upon Triple
H’s feud with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27 and 28. The matches were so
good that it would have been a disservice to leave them out. The Undertaker
speaks very highly and with fondness about his WrestleMania matches with Triple
H but the release doesn’t even mention their excellent WrestleMania 17 war. We
finally get an admission from The Undertaker about the pressure getting bigger
each year to perform at WrestleMania which is something we’ve never heard from
Undertaker before and it’s a side to ‘The Phenom’ hardly ever shown. The
strength to this segment is The Undertaker and his thoughts, especially when he
declares that standing atop the stage with Triple H and Shawn Michaels at
WrestleMania 28 was the highlight of his career – a moment which ‘Taker gets a
little emotional about, though he isn’t the only one. When the footage of
Undertaker, Triple H and Shawn Michaels backstage after the match is shown
hugging its a wholly moving moment, never more so than when Vince McMahon
breaks down in floods of tears. Undertaker has the final word on this stating
rightly that “It doesn’t get much better than that!”
As
the release begins to wrap itself up, it turns away from the ring and to Triple
H’s job in company in 2013, as COO. Cameras follow him about his day to day
business which is eye opening in every sense of the word and after keeping the
succession of WWE shielded from the fans for more than thirty years, Vince
McMahon opens up on the subject and puts forth his wishes that the company be
handed down to Triple H and Stephanie and through the line of McMahon /
Levesque’s to come. This is wonderful stuff to hear. When quizzed about his
Chief Operating Officer position, Triple H utters with a smile that he got into
wrestling to avoid getting a job and now he has one. Linda is correct when
saying that Triple H is more valuable to the company outside the ring as he
learns more how to run the company from Vince and a huge ovation should go up
from the WWE Universe when Triple H firmly exclaims that the in ring talent is
the only resource the company has – which is why he wants to guard and look
after it so well. Through the comments of others and footage of Triple H taking
charge of NXT tapings and helping put the matches together makes you truly
believe that the future of this company is in safe and the right hands. The
footage throughout and to end this segment is utterly brilliant. It depicts
someone who loves his job, his family and the wrestling business as a whole.
Someone who can have a good laugh with his staff and friends. The recording of
Triple H, Stephanie and their daughters in the ring messing about warms the
heart as do the stories of Triple H being two different people. The man we know
and love in the ring and the loving husband and father. That he’s able to
separate the two jobs is another credit and string to his bow and the man of
the moment is right when he says in the end, wrestling is only one piece of his
life.
The
closing sentiments do Triple H great justice. The Rock states that there is no
one like Triple H and that he’s a unique breed. William Regal correctly conveys
that Triple H is as good as anyone that ever laced up a pair of boots and
doesn’t get the credit he deserves for drawing a lot of money to the company.
William Regal also adds that when all is said and done, Triple H will be very
well remembered. Terry ‘Red Rooster’ Taylor articulates that it’s never been
about him but always about what’s best for business whilst Road Dogg
compliments Triple H with the comment that there will never be anyone as good
athletically or mentally. Jim Ross describes Paul Levesque the man as a Hall of
Fame human being and The Undertaker says that it’s been a pleasure wrestling
him and being his friend as well as that Triple H is the total package and that
he lived, worked and thought like a champion. However it’s Vince McMahon who
really tugs at the heart strings as he wraps up the release by exclaiming,
almost in tears, that Triple H is one of the most wonderful things to happen to
the business and also to happen to him. It’s a brilliant end to a sensational
documentary.
Jean-Paul
Levesque vs Rick Steamboat (WCW Saturday Night, September 1994) is a very
capable match from a man in the twilight of his career and one who was only
just beginning his. Of course it’s not going to be thrilling but working around
the usual WCW mid-card formula, the pair manages to contest a good back and
forth bout. It may be one of the weakest matches included on the release but
it’s a credit to Triple H that Steamboat doesn’t have to carry him through the
bout.
Hunter
Hearst Helmsley vs Dude Love (WWE One Night Only, September 1997) is another
good match and one of the better outings of the Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Mick
Foley encounters, though it couldn’t eclipse their thrilling SummerSlam 1997
Steel Cage Match. A methodical effort which builds to a respectable if subdued
finale. Mick Foley may be the favourite here with the crowd but there are
glimpses of what was to come from Levesque here. Foley puts a lot on the line
here to make sure Triple H gets over.
Triple
H vs The Rock (Judgment Day 2000, May 21st 2000) is their excellent 60 Minute
Iron Man clash. One which is much better than Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels – who
is Special Guest referee here – at WrestleMania 12. As you would expect HBK
provokes a huge reaction on his entrance and the big fight atmosphere is
undeniable. Both men are given every distraction available to them and use them
well to pad out the time, saving this match from becoming the usual iron man
bore and even the stalling which comes in the form of rest holds and submission
moves is disguised very well by Rock and Triple H. Unusually for a match, every
submission hold is intense. The Rock Bottom which hands The Rock his first fall
of the match comes out of nowhere and is approved by the crowd whilst his
suplex over the top rope take Rock out of his comfort zone but he has to be
credited for trying something different to keep the match alive. There’s great
ring psychology on show as the pair build the drama and tension and The Rock
working over Triple H’s injured leg looks part of the match instead of a stalling
method. The pairs work outside the ring is hard hitting and smart whilst The
Rock’s kneebreaker on the turnbuckle is page from Ric Flair’s book and looks
very good. A fluid and quality chain of reversals lead to the Pedigree which
hands Triple H his first fall of the match almost half way in and ‘The Game’
naturally goes ahead on falls with a botched inside cradle, to build a big Rock
comeback as the underdog face. The fans never seem to quiet from the first bell
to the last which lends the match such an electric atmosphere as the pair take
their fight up the aisle, using the pay-per view set as a weapon and a welcome
break from the in ring work. Once back in the ring Triple H executes a fine
piledriver for his third fall, making The Rock’s comeback even more heroic. The
comeback commences with an inside cradle and belly to belly suplex, showcasing
more of The Rock’s arsenal than we’re used to seeing, though Rock does botch a
swinging DDT putting too much power into it and throwing himself away from Triple
H. The Rock nails a huge DDT for his second fall though Triple H’s ring
psychology and know how of the business is never more prudent than when he
causes a DQ with a chair shot just to weaken The Rock and then pin him
immediately for his fourth fall, which sees Triple H go ahead 4-3. ‘The Game’s’
last fall by stoppage is weak. The last ten minutes of the match are ultra
heated as The Rock plays comeback king, fighting a losing battle. Rock’s
Pedigree on Triple H on the announcers table is excellent giving ‘The Brahma
Bull’ his fourth fall by count out and the people are on the feet for Rock’s
fifth fall which ties the match with a People’s Elbow. Michaels gets a great
reaction when he attacks the advancing McMahon Family and the return of The
Undertaker is massive moment in the match and WWE at that point in time.
Vince’s selling at the hands of ‘Taker is wonderfully comical as he tries to
get away, however the ending of the match and the deciding fall is ill timed as
Shawn Michaels calls for the disqualification in favour of Triple after the
time limit has expired. It was never explained if this was meant to happen or
it was bad timing. This is an excellent effort.
Triple
H vs Kurt Angle (WWE Unforgiven 2000, September 24th 2000) is a lively and
gripping match which rarely stops for breath. The pair share some great
reversals in the beginning and Kurt Angle manages to pull out some top class
suplex’s which Triple H sells well. Angle’s German Suplex is purely divine and
Foley as the special Guest Referee provides enough of a distraction so the
match doesn’t become samey. There is great contrast between Triple H the rough
cut brawler who can execute any move from anywhere and Kurt Angle, the clean
cut superb athlete who used polished moves to win matches. Angle’s belly to
belly from the top rope is superior as Triple H takes a beating in order to
build Kurt Angle for his forthcoming WWE Championship win over The Rock one
month later. Angle’s missed moonsault looks and is timed to perfection and
forcing Stephanie to choose between Kurt Angle and Triple H is a great ending
to the match and feud.
Triple
H and Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Undertaker and Kane (WWE Backlash 2001,
April 29th 2001) is a war of a tag team match. Austin plays the cowardly heel
to precision; however Triple H’s main event aura had begun to fade fast in
2001. His association with Austin had put Triple H second when he was anything
but and unlike 2000 when The Rock and Triple H were both top guys and the
company managed to balance it so both had the spotlight, they got it wrong
here. They failed to keep Triple H relevant as a main event talent,
concentrating too much on Austin. I don’t want this to sound horrible, but
maybe Triple H’s injury the month following was a blessing in disguise. It gave
his character a chance to breathe and come back with a new meaning. The match
goes back and forth with The Undertaker impressing as a dominant force in the
match, though the action dips when Triple H and Austin lead the match. Kane
looks good here, but then this was still a time when he was willing to put an
effort in. A really good match in which Stephanie takes a nasty boot shot from
Kane.
Triple
H vs Rob Van Dam (Raw, June 30th 2003) isn’t as thrilling as the rest of the
best matches on the release but holds up well thanks to Triple H’s acumen in
the ring and RVD’s willingness to throw himself about in the name of
entertainment. Van Dam flies well and his moonsault from the turnbuckle to the
outside is pure precision, whilst his reversal of the Pedigree actually
suspends belief for a moment and makes it look like RVD is going to do the
unthinkable. The Van-Daminator out of nowhere pops the crowd well. Randy Orton
only just gets to the ring in time to break up a near fall and almost misses
his mark. The match ends with a great looking and vicious DDT on the stage.
Triple
H vs Randy Orton (WWE No Mercy 2007, October 7th 2007) is a well thought out
Last Man Standing Match. Being Triple H’s third match of the night and Randy
Orton’s second, it was never going to be an all out war but the pair make up
for that with some logical action. This was also only one of maybe four matches
between the pair which was any good. Who knows why the pair never gelled that
well. Orton’s missed RKO which sends him sailing through the announce table
looks excellent and Triple H’s spinebuster on the outside can be felt through
the television screen. Towards the end of the match the pair manage to extract
some real emotion from the situation with an exact RKO onto a set up steel
chair which is done with aplomb. Triple H is painted as the valiant champion as
he’s RKO’d onto the remaining announce table and fights desperately to get back
up and answer the referee ten count – which he doesn’t manage. The struggle to
retain the WWE Championship at the end is a dramatic one.
Triple
H vs Jeff Hardy (Smackdown, November 21st 2008) is packed to the brim with
reversals though it does pail in comparison to some of their other clashes
which may have been a better replacement for this. Hardy misses a crossbody
sends him flying from the ring in a great looking move and both men give a
great account of themselves, with Triple H staring at the lights in order to
build Hardy’s character and image. The ending is also well timed.
Triple
H vs Chris Jericho (Raw, November 30th 2009) like the previous match, is short
so there’s not that much one can say about it, though it has enough about it to
keep it watchable. The close near fall off of a DDT to Triple H and another
from a Triple H spinebuster add to the tension whilst Shawn Michaels whacks his
head hard on the apron stemming from a punch from Big Show. The Codebreaker
into the Pedigree into a Roll Up for the win is an excellent chain of events to
end.
Weaknesses:
There
isn’t a whole lot you can say in detriment to the documentary, however it can
turn into a little bit of a mush fest as countless wrestlers and talking heads
repeat each others sentiments about Triple H. The amount of time people says
“You knew he was going to be special” will begin to grate before the thirty
minute mark with one hour and thirty still to go.
On
the subject of the beginning of The Clique, Kevin Nash seems wholly false and
can’t even seem to convince himself when he comes out with the line that
himself, Shawn Michaels, Sean ‘X Pac’ Waltman and Scott Hall used to watch WCW
on Saturdays and their favourite character was Jean-Paul Levesque. That four
great wrestlers would pick one lower card player as their favourite wrestler on
the opposite brand either tells me that they didn’t have great judgment –
Triple H wasn’t great when he was in WCW – or that Kevin Nash is making this up
just for the release, which the small smirk on his face would suggest. WWE
should have cut this from the release.
Once
again on the formation of The Clique, Triple H seems to want us to believe that
his participation in the now famous group outside the squared circle was purely
because he wanted to know more about the business and not because he became
good friends with all involved. This is fine, but that’s all there is the to
segment. With the amount of time they were together and the amount of times
they rode together, there must have been a books worth of funny stories Triple
H could have told us. This would have benefitted the segment greatly, to hear
some road tales about what the group got up to. Funny Triple H should have
replaced hard working Triple H. Yet again, WWE have saved some stories for the
Blu-ray release hoping we’ll fork out more just to hear them.
In
his autobiography / bodybuilding and diet book, Triple H tells us of a woman he
was madly in love with. Said woman was going to be his wife and life partner
but he left her behind to join WCW. Anyone who has read that book will know of
the story I speak of. Yet when discussing his early life and insertion into the
business, Triple H doesn’t even mention the woman. Now, there’s no reason why
he should, but with a large portion of the documentary trying to hammer home
how much of a hard working and dedicated guy he is, surely a story that he
sacrificed what could have been happiness for the sake of the business would
have driven home how dedicated he was to the business more than some of the
stuff mentioned?
SummerSlam
1999 is glossed over in a huge way – when the truth would have been more eye
opening and welcome. For those who don’t know what I mean, allow me to regale
you with the story. Stone Cold Steve Austin defended the WWE Championship
against Triple H and Mankind in a triple threat match on the card. On this
release Triple H tells us that Austin hurt his leg and thought the match would
be best as a three way, so he could lose the title to Foley and then Foley
could lose it to Triple H the next night on Raw. The truth is that Austin
didn’t see Triple H as a big enough guy in the company and selfishly refused to
lose the Championship to Triple H as was the plan. Triple H doesn’t seem to
want to say a bad word about Austin here even though he implies it hugely on
‘The Epic Journey of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’ release. In any case his story
that Austin hurt his leg and thought losing it to Foley doesn’t stand up.
Injured leg or not, unless Austin didn’t see Triple H as his equal there was no
reason for him to refuse to lose to Hunter. This story can be seen straight
through. Thankfully Foley – as a talking head – does say what everyone is
thinking when he mentions that it would have been better for Triple H’s career
to win the Championship at SummerSlam. There was no reason to gloss over this,
everyone knows Austin was selfish on that night and I would have much preferred
to hear Triple H actually come out and say that rather than paper over the
cracks.
The
2001 quad injury may have new comments over the previously released footage –
which comes straight from his 2002 ‘Triple H: The Game’ release, but apart from
that it’s a largely unexplained moment in his career which seems more bothered
about rushing through to his 2002 comeback at Madison Square Garden. This could
have been a standout angle had Triple H explained to us what it did to him
mentally to be out for so much time and some new footage, which WWE do have in
their archive wouldn’t have gone amiss.
On
the same lines as his first felling, Triple H’s 2007 quad injury is covered in
almost as little depth as his 2001 wound. Fleeting and with very little
explanation or footage, this yet again ruses back to his return at SummerSlam
2007. It could have done with a lot more explanation here to show Triple H’s
vulnerable side.
Triple
H vs Shawn Michaels (WWE Royal Rumble 2004, January 25th 2004) is a very
disappointing Last Man Standing Match, which should have been ten times better.
Neither man uses the Last Man Standing Rules to full effect instead
concentrating the action inside the ring when an all out hardcore brawl would
have been more welcome. There are moments of hope here and minimal hardcore
play but not enough to call this a classic by any means. On top of all of that
it goes for far too long. The Sweet Chin Music at the end is very well timed
but the double draw ending isn’t a favourable one with the audience. It’s a
rare off night for both men.
Triple
H vs Ric Flair (Raw, February 6th 2006) is unremarkable when put against other
efforts of the two. Flair had long since failed to be relevant in wrestling and
whilst he gives it his all in a commendable effort this match never really gets
started. The sad thing is that Triple H tries so hard to make Ric Flair and the
match look good but on this occasion he was fighting a losing battle.
Triple
H vs Booker T (WWE SummerSlam 2007, August 26th 2007) is a ten minute
anti-climax to Triple H’s much hyped return to the company. What we’re
basically given, barring a few odd moments, is a burial of Booker T which
doesn’t flow as well as it could have done. Triple H’s entrance with the ‘We
Shall Rebuild Him’ entrance video is the highlight of a match which could have
been a Raw mid-card effort.
Triple
H vs Shawn Michaels (Badd Blood 2004), Triple H vs John Cena (WrestleMania 22),
Triple H vs The Rock (SummerSlam 1998), Triple H vs Chris Jericho (Fully Loaded
2000), Triple H vs Kurt Angle vs The Rock (SummerSlam 2000), Triple H vs Stone
Cold Steve Austin (Survivor Series 2000), Triple H vs The Rock vs Big Show vs
Mick Foley (WrestleMania 16), Triple H vs Batista (Vengeance 2005), Triple H vs
The Undertaker (WrestleMania 17, 27 and 28) and Triple H vs Mankind (Raw,
August 29th 1999) should have all been included even though some have been on
numerous releases before. In a career retrospective you need the best matches
of a career included.
Blu-ray Exclusive
Extras:
WrestleMania 29 – April
7th 2013
No Disqualification
Match
Triple
H vs Brock Lesnar
Stories:
Motivation
in High School
Hard
Way In
Paul
Scream
Resume
Sherri
Diamond
Cutter
Hunter
Hearst Helmsley – The Name
Wild
‘n Crazy Guys
Evolution’s
Fifth Member
Shawn’s
Comeback
WrestleMania
26
Two
Movies at Once
Commemorating
the End
Worst
Gas on the Planet
Candy
Bar
Praising
the Boss
Behind
the Scenes – Photo Shoot
Behind
the Scenes – WrestleMania 29 Weekend
Taping
Wrists
The
Levesque Game
King
of Signs
Conclusion:
‘Triple
H: Thy Kingdom Come’ is an emotional piece of work which has been put together
with heart and soul, and it shows. By far the greatest of any previous Triple H
release the discs portray a man who loves the business, the fans and his
family. It’s certainly a side to the man we’ve never seen before and an
approach WWE need to be taking with other career biographies. Although not
every truth is told and some people hold back, this release goes to show that
honesty is the best policy and it will inevitably make for a better end
product. Whilst his previous selfishness in ring and real life feuds with other
wrestlers is bypassed, you get the impression that Triple H is finally ready to
move on. The Rock and Steve Austin, two men who Triple H famously didn’t get
along with at the height of their popularity have moved on now and this release
shows a Triple H who realises that it’s also time he moved on from that as he
seems determined to make peace with both his past misdemeanours and those who
he saw as competition for his spot. Certainly, this is a far wiser and more
grown up Triple H and the company is all the better for it. The Undertaker is
right, Triple H has nothing left to prove.
There’s
no reason the matches on the release should end in 2009 and WWE could have
easily added a fourth disc (DVD) and third disc (Blu-ray) to the package in
order to get in some more of Triple H’s matches. It’s something they did for
the last Stone Cold Steve Austin release and an approach which would have been
welcomed here and though the matches on the release aren’t all great and some
could have done with being replaced by other more deserving outings, it never
ruins the release. The matches aren’t what anyone will be purchasing this
release for. The documentary is the star of the show and one which is well
worth the asking price to own. However, that is only a very small gripe about
what is truly an excellent and emotional release.
This
release is at its very best when it delves into Triple H’s previously guarded
private life with stories and footage which we’ve never heard or seen before.
It was a risky approach by WWE to reveal this much about the man who will own
the company one day, but one which pays off time and time again. Almost every
talking head adds something to the release and even though there is the odd
comment which doesn’t matter, they’re soon forgotten about because of the
quality of the two hour seven minute documentary. Of all the talking heads,
Stephanie McMahon, Vince McMahon and The Undertaker are the very best and once
the documentary has finished you will be left with a warm feeling that you have
just witnessed something truly special and a feeling depression that your life
isn’t as good Triple H’s.
By
far, ‘Triple H: Thy Kingdom Come’ is one of WWE’s best release of the year and
has to be in one of the top ten of all time. If you purchase only one WWE
release this year then make it this one. And if your Christmas list is full of WWE
releases then make sure you prioritise this at the top. If you don’t see it
then you are truly missing out. All hail the king, The King of Kings.
Rating: A
Next time in Review
Corner: WWE Annual DVD
Onwards
and upwards...
