WWE: Where is Triple H?
The last time we saw Triple H in an on-screen capacity, he lost to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 33. Having been away for six months now, the question needs to be asked: Where is Triple H?
In real life, Paul Levesque is keeping himself busy. Not only did he recently visit India to plug WWE’s upcoming tour, he’s also a driving force behind NXT’s success, which includes the recent announcement of the return of War Games.
In kayfabe, though, Triple H has been missing in action. There’s still a long way to go on the road to WrestleMania 34, but things often move faster than we expect in WWE. Before you know it, it’ll be Royal Rumble season, a precursor to the biggest event of the year.
If his WrestleMania track record is any indication, the King of Kings will be involved this year, one way or another.
Since WrestleMania XII, he’s wrestled every year, except one (WrestleMania 23) due to injury. That’s twenty-one ‘Mania matches in twenty-two years, including seven main event spots. Though it’s highly unlikely he’ll be closing the show this year, it would be shocking if he didn’t get in the ring.
So how and when will Triple H make his return?
To begin, it should be noted that – save for a quick appearance during the Kevin Owens-Vince McMahon SmackDown Live segment a few weeks ago – Stephanie McMahon has also been away from television for quite some time, and she’d actually been a more permanent character in recent years than her husband.
The logical place for her to reappear would be on Raw, likely in a power-struggle narrative with current General Manager Kurt Angle. This would be a reasonable landing spot for Triple H.
Angle has said on numerous occasions he’d love to have just one more match, and this bout would follow a recent trend of Triple H WrestleMania “special attractions” (Triple H-Sting, anyone?). On the other hand, the blue brand could offer a much more compelling story.
What if Stephanie’s recent SmackDown appearance to scold Kevin Owens and check on her father wasn’t just a throwaway? What if it was meant to signal further McMahon family involvement?
Triple H has been advertised for a SmackDown live event in November, which could easily be an indication of future plans. A Triple H-Kevin Owens program is a plausible scenario, but let’s allow ourselves to move slightly away from conventional booking.
It wasn’t so long ago that Kevin Owens was Triple H’s chosen Universal Champion. Now, Owens is teamed up with Sami Zayn, another NXT graduate. Could there be an NXT stable on the horizon?
WWE has done nothing to hide Triple H’s behind-the-scenes NXT role. Fans also know that Owens is his golden boy, and KO and Sami are now on the same page against Shane McMahon, who’s been fighting for and defending Vince.
Does Triple H feel like it’s time to make a power play? Perhaps it’s time to “take over”.
Not only does SmackDown’s main storyline have Triple H written all over it, it also coincides with the impending return from injury of another NXT alum and Triple H favourite, Samoa Joe. Add in an NXT-bred, anti-Shane heel – perhaps Baron Corbin – and you have a group with a common goals and motivations, led by Triple H, who’s been hypothetically putting his chest pieces into place, readying himself for a big move.
Next: Who Is The Greatest Superstar To Never Be World Champion?
The most probable WrestleMania role for Triple H is a “superfight” of sorts, and matches with Kurt Angle, Kevin Owens or Shane McMahon all fit that description. Either way, expect to see the reemergence of the Cerebral Assassin sooner rather than later.