Triple H Wins WWE Title: Now What?
WWE has been disciplined enough with their championships that a world title change means more than it has in several years. And so when Triple H scored the pin on Randy Orton last night at Backlash and won his twelfth world title, it certainly came off as a pretty big deal.
I don't have a big problem with Triple H winning the world title, although I thought Randy Orton had been doing a phenomenal job as a dominant heel champion. He had enough momentum to carry him at least thrugh SummerSlam, at which time a babyface title victory would have meant more. I was surprised that WWE would have Orton retain the title at WrestleMania, only to have him drop it a month later in a far-less significant or memorable event. I guess the argument is that WrestleMania had enough to make it stand out as a memorable event without needing the extra title change.
But for his two-hour reign last October, Triple H has not worn a world title in more than three years, and all things being equal, he was due. Still, his world title victory does raise a lot of questions about what the future has in store for The Game and the WWE main event scene:
- Whether WWE realizes it or not, John Cena remains the company's top star. What do you do with him? Does he remain in the world title picture, or does he move down the card into an upper-midcard feud?
- What do you do with Randy Orton? He's been too good for too long to take him out of the main event scene, but sticking with a Triple H vs. Orton feud much longer may get stale. Maybe we get a Hell in a Cell blowoff match next month.
- With his King of the Ring victory, is William Regal elevated into a main event feud with Triple H? Will fans buy him in such a position?
- How about Mr. Kennedy? Umaga? JBL?
- Does C.M. Punk cash in his Money in the Bank title shot against The Game for a pay per view main event?
- Does Jeff Hardy return to a top-level spot upon his return from a suspension and become a world title contender?
- Does Triple H turn heel, opening up a lot of new possibilities for babyface title challengers, including Shawn Michaels?
- Does WWE hold another draft lottery and move some fresh faces to Raw, such as Rey Mysterio, Batista, or M.V.P.?
Some of those questions will likely be answered in a few hours. With Triple H making his first appearance as world champion, Kennedy returning, and Regal's coronation, tonight's Raw from the Meadowlands promises to be fairly newsworthy.
(Photo credit: WWE.com)
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Comments (10)
Word. I like this blog. I wouldn't have ever heard about Newsday.com if not for The Steel Cage.
I'll be at the show tonight and all I wish for is that they throw that spinner belt in the trash. Hopefully with HHH's pull he can get the last version of the WWE title back and be done with that ugly looking belt.
HHH vs Kennedy please.
and Shaun, I agree with you 100%. Spinner belt = garbage
I want Triple H to turn heel, just because I know there's no way heel Trip would be seen with that stupid belt.
Shaun:
The "spinner" belt has been gone for a while. All that remains is a more flashy version of the belt but the spinner of it is gone.
The belt still looks like a hubcap off of Chavo Guerrero's lowrider.
Looks like they're going to go with another Orton/HHH match. Like you, I don't think that feud should be allowed to go on for too long.
Another interesting name is Umaga. If he doesn't get moved to Smackdown, he could pose as an interesting challenger for HHH. Their feud a couple of months back wasn't all that bad.
"Randy Orton had been doing a phenomenal job as a dominant heel champion" ... really??
I guess its your opinion. But I always thought his promos has been lame and so have been his CHINLOCKS!!
Here's hoping that Triple H ha a long and healthy run as WWE Champion. He has been long over due and I was so ticked that he did not win the title at Mania, but then again the finish at Mania with UT winning the title was great.
The Orton/Triple H feud should end at Judgment Day after the Steel Cage. If I were Orton I would take some time off when my baby girl is born this Summer to be the family man and not immediately get involved in a huge storyline.
I could go for HBK vs Triple H again but with HBK as heel. Perhaps throw Cena back out there in the Main Event picture. Even JBL so long as Triple H stays face.
Triple H is a lot like Flair in that weather he is a heel or face, fans will cheer him.
i was quite dissapointed when Randy Orton lost the title, i dont like Orton all that much but for me hes didnt lose it in the most spectacular fasion.
Also John Cena isn't likely to win the championship anytime soon due to his up and coming film 12 Rounds which is still being filmed so WWE can't have a champion who cant show up every week and be 'the champ'.
I also thought the excuse that JR gave for Cenas absence on monday was rather lame because he said it was due to the kick he recieved by Randy Orton the previous night at Backlash, i thought it would have been better for them not to say anything like they have every other week.