Triple H recently announced his retirement from in-ring competition in an interview with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. While The Game will not be stepping inside a ring to compete again, Triple H leaves behind a legacy of great matches during his lengthy WWE career. In no particular order, here is a selection of Triple H’s best matches in WWE:

Triple H vs. Cactus Jack – Street Fight [Royal Rumble 2000]

This match took Triple H’s career to the next level and established The Game as a true main eventer. Triple H would beat Cactus Jack at his own game in a bloody street fight. Barbed wire and thumbtacks both made an appearance in the no holds barred match that went all over Madison Square Garden. Triple H would win the match and would become established as a top star, all while wrestling with a major cut in his leg following a drop onto an exposed nail.

Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels – Unsanctioned Match [SummerSlam 2002]

The first match of Shawn Michael’s return took place against Triple H at SummerSlam 2002 in an unsanctioned match. The Heartbreak Kid had not lost a step during the hiatus, hitting all the signature spots onto Triple H. The Game made HBK look like the star and played the unforgiving villain perfectly to make the fans rally behind Michaels in his return match.

Triple H vs. The Undertaker – Hell In A Cell Match [WrestleMania 28]

The third meeting between Triple H and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 28 was arguably the greatest of the trilogy and one of the greatest matches in The Undertaker’s undefeated streak. Shawn Michaels would act as the guest referee and played a part in one of the closest nearfalls in WrestleMania history. When The Undertaker was hit with the Sweet Chin Music and Pedigree combination, many thought the streak had ended right there. However, The Dead Man would overcome The Game to increase the streak to 20 and 0.

Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan [WrestleMania 30]

While many had wished for and predicted that Daniel Bryan would be victorious at WrestleMania 30, there was always a doubt in the minds of the WWE Universe. This fear was amplified as Daniel Bryan would have to face Triple H in the opening match of WrestleMania, the stipulation being that if the Game won, he would be inserted into the main event for the title. Triple H sold amazingly in this match and did all he could to make Bryan look like the star that he is.

Triple H vs. The Rock – Ladder Match [SummerSlam 1998]

Before both men would become 2 of the biggest stars in WWE history, The Rock and Triple H would battle for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 1998. Both The Rock and Triple H would utilise the ladder as a weapon as opposed to diving off of it, with Triple H eventually being victorious. The match saw a passing of the torch take place, as Triple H would become Intercontinental Champion so The Rock could go on to the main event picture. Triple H would join The Great One in competing for the WWE Championship 2 years later.

Triple H vs. Cactus Jack – Hell In A Cell Match [No Way Out 2000]

In what should have been Mick Foley’s final match, Cactus Jack wanted to leave on a high note and truly establish Triple H for the future. Both men accomplished this and outdid their previous encounter at the Royal Rumble. Cactus Jack would fall off and go through the cell once again, but this time have safer landings than back in 1998. Fire and barbed wire would also make an appearance in one of the best cell matches of all time.

Featured image: Bleacher Report