TheEvilDoink1987
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 22, 2010 21:37:52 GMT -5
Posts: 2,631
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Post by TheEvilDoink1987 on Jan 7, 2022 23:19:23 GMT -5
January 7, 2002.
Hard to believe it has been exactly 20 years. I was a freshman in high school and even though it was a total bummer going back after the long holiday break, that Monday wasn't too bad because my brother and I had tickets to Raw at Madison Square Garden that night.
As a wrestling fan, it's still hard to hear "Beautiful Day" from U2 and not think about the vignettes they ran promoting his return. The crowd was absolutely on fire all night and when that first chord from Motorhead hit the arena exploded.
That was a memorable night for sure and definitely one of the best live experiences I've ever had at a wrestling show. With his recent health issues and the sudden reset over at NXT, I kind of have been feeling for HHH these days so it feels right to look back on one of the biggest nights of his career on a milestone anniversary.
Whether you were there or just watching on TV, what were your memories from the night HHH returned wearing that sweet leather jacket/denim vest combo?
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Jan 8, 2022 1:19:47 GMT -5
I just remember that entire Raw in general being good.
McMahon busting open Flair, Tazz and Spike winning the WWE Tag Titles, Triple H returning.... man, I know the WWE Network is around, but it makes me wish that the WWE would have put together a box set of like the MSG Raw shows. I always felt they gave the Raw MSG shows all they had for matches, moments and title changes.
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Post by k5 on Jan 8, 2022 2:01:32 GMT -5
I’m gonna find and watch that whole raw tmw
still remember the denim over leather look he wore for it, and the pop was real
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Post by JokerFC on Jan 8, 2022 5:22:22 GMT -5
That pop was incredible...top 5 I've ever heard I reckon. Austin pop on Jan 4th 99 Raw is still the 👑 but man this was incredible too.
I might watch that Raw later too...
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Post by The Brain on Jan 8, 2022 7:31:40 GMT -5
The POP no doubt.
It felt like a Bruno MSG pop in his prime.Trips played a great heel from 99-01 but man you wouldnt know it with that ovation.Definitely up there as one of the loudest for sure.
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Post by jason88cubs on Jan 8, 2022 7:55:40 GMT -5
where does the time go
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Post by PJ on Jan 8, 2022 8:11:18 GMT -5
“Just in case you forgotten…let me tell you just who the hell I am”
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Post by JokerFC on Jan 8, 2022 13:12:53 GMT -5
The POP no doubt. It felt like a Bruno MSG pop in his prime.Trips played a great heel from 99-01 but man you wouldnt know it with that ovation.Definitely up there as one of the loudest for sure. But the crowd cooled on him quickly enough...he was down the chart in terms of reactions pretty quick after his return. The Steph Jericho storyline wouldn't have helped that though. |
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Post by Its Tiffy Time on Jan 8, 2022 13:33:08 GMT -5
HHH is just plain better as the sadistic evil heel, just an awful babyface.
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Post by Scott! on Jan 8, 2022 13:37:09 GMT -5
Still remember seeing this on the Tuesday after school, as my dad taped all the Raws and we watched them together. It was such a big moment in Wrestling for me, especially in my mind. I'd never heard anything like it, and I just remember being so young and thinking that it must be a big deal. Him winning the Rumble that year solidified it for me. As I was so young and had only started watching at Wrestlemania 17 time, I didn't know much about Triple H, but I damn sure sat up and took notice at that Raw.
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Post by The Brain on Jan 8, 2022 13:37:23 GMT -5
The POP no doubt. It felt like a Bruno MSG pop in his prime.Trips played a great heel from 99-01 but man you wouldnt know it with that ovation.Definitely up there as one of the loudest for sure. But the crowd cooled on him quickly enough...he was down the chart in terms of reactions pretty quick after his return. The Steph Jericho storyline wouldn't have helped that though.Yeah this and losing the belt to Hogan a month later did him no favors |
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Post by JokerFC on Jan 8, 2022 13:42:48 GMT -5
But the crowd cooled on him quickly enough...he was down the chart in terms of reactions pretty quick after his return. The Steph Jericho storyline wouldn't have helped that though.Yeah this and losing the belt to Hogan a month later did him no favors It didn't & even at the Royal Rumble he wasnt the crowd favorite to win it. When Austin got eliminated the air got sucked out of the room... He was such an excellent heel. Like he was an incredibly over face for one year(not even) from 95-01 but folks did embrace him as a face twice after the white hot & really underrated heel turn only for him to turn pretty immediately to gain more heat. |
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Post by k5 on Jan 8, 2022 14:25:06 GMT -5
Rock/Hogan obviously overshadowed but I remember not giving the least care about HHH/Jericho
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Post by JokerFC on Jan 8, 2022 16:02:58 GMT -5
Rock/Hogan obviously overshadowed but I remember not giving the least care about HHH/Jericho I was the same man...but I was like that going into WM. Jericho was killed in cold blood during the HHH vs Steph feud. It was pretty awful & hard to have any interest in. |
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Post by MKSavage on Jan 8, 2022 16:10:45 GMT -5
“Just in case you forgotten…let me tell you just who the hell I am” That was one hell of a POP. Also, Kurt Angle was soooo good playing the smarmy little heel. |
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TheEvilDoink1987
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 22, 2010 21:37:52 GMT -5
Posts: 2,631
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Post by TheEvilDoink1987 on Jan 8, 2022 16:40:59 GMT -5
Rock/Hogan obviously overshadowed but I remember not giving the least care about HHH/Jericho I was the same man...but I was like that going into WM. Jericho was killed in cold blood during the HHH vs Steph feud. It was pretty awful & hard to have any interest in. Even if Rock/Hogan never happened, I still think the HHH/Jericho main event would've fell flat. Jericho had only been champ for three months and didn't look particularly strong in the two PPV title defenses he had at Royal Rumble and No Way Out. That did not help, but being booked as the third wheel in his feud with HHH leading into WrestleMania X8 absolutely killed his credibility. It was so obvious that HHH was beating him for the belt it would have been hard to sink your teeth into that match even if the build was decent. The event card honestly should have read HHH versus Stephanie McMahon (w/ Chris Jericho). He was a complete afterthought. People were so excited to see him return that he naturally was going to come back as a babyface. He won the Rumble match and was still getting plenty of cheers. Things then culminate at WrestleMania where he wins the title in the main event which seemed like a fitting end to his comeback story. After that, the crowd was tired of being behind him and the remainder of his face run was totally forgettable. It wasn't until he turned against Shawn that summer where it seemed like he finally found his stride again No doubt HHH was miles better as a heel, but people loved to hate him and genuinely missed his character after he got injured. Add to it, fans were aware from all the vignettes they ran just how hard he rehabbed to get back as soon as he could. It was almost impossible not to cheer for him that night for that reason alone. |
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Post by JokerFC on Jan 8, 2022 16:45:31 GMT -5
I was the same man...but I was like that going into WM. Jericho was killed in cold blood during the HHH vs Steph feud. It was pretty awful & hard to have any interest in. Even if Rock/Hogan never happened, I still think the HHH/Jericho main event would've fell flat. Jericho had only been champ for three months and didn't look particularly strong in the two PPV title defenses he had at Royal Rumble and No Way Out. That did not help, but being booked as the third wheel in his feud with HHH leading into WrestleMania X8 absolutely killed his credibility. It was so obvious that HHH was beating him for the belt it would have been hard to sink your teeth into that match even if the build was decent. The event card honestly should have read HHH versus Stephanie McMahon (w/ Chris Jericho). He was a complete afterthought. People were so excited to see him return that he naturally was going to come back as a babyface. He won the Rumble match and was still getting plenty of cheers. Wins the title in the main event at WrestleMania which seemed like a fitting end to his comeback story. After that, the crowd was tired of being behind him The rest of his face run was totally forgettable and it wasn't until he turned against Shawn where it seemed like he finally found his stride again No doubt HHH was miles better as a heel, but people loved to hate him and genuinely missed his character. Add to it, fans were aware from all the vignettes they ran just how hard he rehabbed to get back as soon as he could. It was almost impossible not to cheer for him that night for that reason alone. Great Post man...nailed it |
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Post by MKSavage on Jan 9, 2022 16:33:53 GMT -5
I was the same man...but I was like that going into WM. Jericho was killed in cold blood during the HHH vs Steph feud. It was pretty awful & hard to have any interest in. Even if Rock/Hogan never happened, I still think the HHH/Jericho main event would've fell flat. Jericho had only been champ for three months and didn't look particularly strong in the two PPV title defenses he had at Royal Rumble and No Way Out. That did not help, but being booked as the third wheel in his feud with HHH leading into WrestleMania X8 absolutely killed his credibility. It was so obvious that HHH was beating him for the belt it would have been hard to sink your teeth into that match even if the build was decent. The event card honestly should have read HHH versus Stephanie McMahon (w/ Chris Jericho). He was a complete afterthought. People were so excited to see him return that he naturally was going to come back as a babyface. He won the Rumble match and was still getting plenty of cheers. Things then culminate at WrestleMania where he wins the title in the main event which seemed like a fitting end to his comeback story. After that, the crowd was tired of being behind him and the remainder of his face run was totally forgettable. It wasn't until he turned against Shawn that summer where it seemed like he finally found his stride again No doubt HHH was miles better as a heel, but people loved to hate him and genuinely missed his character after he got injured. Add to it, fans were aware from all the vignettes they ran just how hard he rehabbed to get back as soon as he could. It was almost impossible not to cheer for him that night for that reason alone. Well said. Great Post. |
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Post by Kill Em' All on Jan 24, 2022 17:54:43 GMT -5
I think HHH would of organically went face in 2001. The Austin story or the invasion route both would of produced a top baby fade. And I think that HHH being baby face would of been a staple for years. And HHH may have been defined more as face or wrestler who is good at playing both.
I think the 2002 run picked up and I think with a enticing angle waiting it could of worked.
Jericho stuff was garbage; but WWE still was trying hard to keep him face with the build up to judgment day. But; you could see the lack of faith when HHH drops the belt to Hogan Month later? I think like others said it all fell into place with hhh going against Shawn that summer.
I prefer HHH as heel; but I think this definitely stunted any idea for a baby face HHH in the future.
I think WWE did nail the face HHH in 2007-2008. I think HHH always had great career; and each era since the DX formation there’s something good to offer.
hhhs work rate fell off in 02-06; he did produce some stinkers. I’m still fan from this era and he did put out great work. But; 07/08 his work rate was off the chain. I think HHH portrayal as top baby face here was what 02 should of been
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Post by cordless2016 on Jan 24, 2022 20:21:47 GMT -5
I was 11 and remember going nuts with my younger brother when he returned. That pop still gives chills today.
I think part of the reason for the huge pop (outside of Hunter being a great performer) is that he got hurt right before the Invasion storyline. That storyline signaled the downturn of the WWF for a lot of fans, so seeing HHH return seemed to be a “refresh” for the WWF.
Hunter has never been a great face IMO, and if we are to believe Jericho, his ego killed any potential there feud has going into WM18, but man was he over like crazy during the first few months of 2002
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