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1995-1997
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1995-1997
As a continuation of his gimmick in WCW, Triple H started off his WWF career as
the Connecticut Blueblood, Hunter Hearst Helmsley. He appeared in taped
vignettes talking about how to use proper etiquette up until his wrestling debut
which happened on the April 30, 1995 episode of Wrestling Challenge. Although he
had an impressive streak during the first few months within his debut, his
career stalled during 1996, starting off with being squashed by Ultimate Warrior
at WrestleMania XII in 81 seconds. Up until that event, he appeared on
television each week with a different female valet accompanying him. Sable was
his valet at WrestleMania XII, and after his loss to Ultimate Warrior, he took
his aggressions out on her. The debuting Marc Mero came to her rescue and this
started a feud between the two wrestlers.
Helmsley was best known backstage as one of the members of the Clique, a group
of wrestlers including Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman and Scott Hall
who were known for influencing Vince McMahon and the WWF Creative team. Helmsley
was in line to win the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, but was eventually
demoted from championship contender to jobber to the stars and buried after the
Madison Square Garden Incident where the Clique broke character after a match
between Shawn Michaels and Diesel (Nash) to say goodbye to the departing Nash
and Hall. Despite the punishment, Helmsley did have several successes following
the MSG Incident. He found a manager in Mr. Perfect and won his first
Intercontinental Championship on October 21, 1996, defeating Marc Mero. When
Curt Hennig left the WWF, his departure was explained to be a result of Helmsley
turning his back on his manager as soon as he won the Intercontinental
Championship. He held the belt for nearly four months before losing it to Rocky
Maivia on the February 13, 1997 edition of a special Monday Night RAW, called
Thursday RAW Thursday. For a very brief time, Helmsley was accompanied by Curtis
Hughes, who played the role of his bodyguard. After losing the Intercontinental
title, he feuded with Goldust, defeating him at WrestleMania 13. During their
feud, Chyna debuted as his new bodyguard, assaulting Goldust's wife and valet
Marlena.
Helmsley's push resumed in 1997, when he won the King of the Ring tournament on
June 8, defeating Mankind in the finals. Later that year, Shawn Michaels,
Helmsley, Chyna and Rick Rude (who left shortly after the group was formed)
formed D-Generation X (DX). This group became known for pushing the envelope, as
Michaels and Helmsley made risqué promos, spawning the catchphrase "Suck It"
along with a "crotch chop" hand motion, and sarcastically deriding Bret Hart and
Canada. By now, Helmsley fully dropped the "blueblood snob" gimmick and adopted
the name of "Triple H", though some wrestlers still do refer to him as Hunter.
For a time, Triple H took particular joy in riding on then-Commissioner Sgt.
Slaughter, often accusing him of impotence.
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