Triple H has detailed the origin of using a sledgehammer as his signature weapon, and the only time he injured someone while using the object.
Throughout wrestling history, many wrestlers became synonymous with a weapon that they would utilise in their matches. The Hardys had ladders, The Dudleys had tables, Edge and Christian had chairs, and Mick Foley had barbed wire. When people think of The Game, a sledgehammer is the first object that comes to mind. From gaining an advantage as a heel champion or using the object to overcome the odds as a babyface.
While giving Complex a tour of WWE headquarters as part of a new video, the sledgehammer came up in conversation. The Chief Content Officer first spoke about the first time he used the hammer, and how it became the weapon of choice:
“To be honest, I just used whatever hammer was available. I used it one time because I ended up smashing a coffin with it that The Rock in, and it just became synonymous with me after that.”
The Only Time Triple H Caused Injury With A Sledgehammer
Although many foes were struck with the hammer over the years, there was only one time where things did not go according to plan. Speaking about a match with The Undertaker where a fake hammer was used, Triple H recalled the false head breaking and busting The Deadman open as a result:
“Over the years, I’ve used various ones. I did not like using [prop hammers]. Every now and then they’d have a prop one or something [gimmicked]. Ironically, the only time I ever injured anyone with the hammer was with Taker. I believe it was WrestleMania, he was going to put me up for the Last Ride. I was going to grab the hammer on the way up, but we were so afraid about could I get all the way up there and still use it? So we used a gimmicked sledgehammer that had a foam head because it was much lighter. I went up top and hit him in the head with it, I held onto the foam part to protect him. The handle went all the way through the foam part and cut him from here to here [motions across most of his forehead]. When I hit him, I had no idea. He went down and when he came up, he’s bleeding. I’m like, ‘Holy shit, what happened?’ He was just covered.”
Now retired from in-ring competition, Paul “Triple H” Levesque now oversees creative on the main roster. It should also be noted that the sledgehammer has not been used as a weapon since The Game hung up his boots.
In a previous interview, Triple H named his dream opponent from the current roster.
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