Both HHH and The Rock were on Raw but The Rock's Hollywood persona stole the show every time. It seemed like the show was revolved around him and main eventing RAWS not HHH. So what was the point of all of that?
Maybe because HHH was never a main eventer, and always road rocks and austins coattatils. So naturally if Rock is in the room partic in 03. Rock is going to steal the limelight, he is that damn charasmatic.
Let's not forget that Rock put over not only Goldberg, but THE FUCKING HURRICANE as well. That's 2 more people than Triple H put over during that period.
The Rock was the bigger star. The Rock has a billion times more charisma. Triple H was busy burying WCW alumni during his reign of terror (Booker T, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash) whilst The Rock had feuds with Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold & Goldberg. Three of the biggest names in the business. it's not hard to see why OP, come on son
Oh Rocks a selfish prick he left early just so Johnny boy could have a chance. He put Cap Hurricane over, he put Goldberg over, and he put Lesnar over. Tell me again how selfish he is. OR do some just relying on their tired out pre conceptions of the guy. IS this same with HHH. Even though lately he has put alot of people over too.
Rock vs Hogan, Austin, & Goldberg or HHH vs Steiner, BookerT & Nash? I think that's an easy answer. Not to mention Rock's Hollywood character was so damn entertaining. The Rock Concert segments are some of my favorite Rock moments.
That '03 title run was pure wish fulfillment for Triple H. He finally got to dress up as '86 Ric Flair, minus the ability to have good matches, or actually put over babyfaces.
Because Triple H was playing the role CM Punk did not like. Being world champion as a means to give you a character trait to be mentioned later on, but not to make the show revolve around you.
Triple H's 2003 reign was all about building up the Evolution group. He was not the focal point of the show because the focal point was The Rock returning to wrestling. In a way, the real world champion was the Rock.
Add the World Title to The Rock at No Way Out 2003 and follow it. It ultimately ends up in Triple H's hands, but by Hunter having it the entire time, it allowed Triple H to add "cred" to his world title reign all in an effort to elevate the championship, Goldberg, and add characterization to Evolution.
Ex:
The Rock vs Hogan II - WHC - Rock Wins.
The Rock vs Austin III at WM - WHC - Rock Wins.
The Rock vs Goldberg at Backlash - WHC - Goldberg wins and is new champion.
Goldberg vs Jericho - Goldberg wins.
Goldberg in an elimination chamber match at Summerslam featuring Triple H - WHC - Triple H wins.
Triple H is champion by Summerslam.
^The issue with that is...what would have made Hunter from a narrative perspective create Evolution? Without something to covet...Triple H is a one man kinda guy. When he holds a championship...he likes to have backup/insurance. This was part of his character at the time. Hunter lacked the self confidence to be his own man as champion.
THIS is why Hunter was made the champion the entire time, but why the show still revolved around The Rock.
Kind of ironic how CM Punk gave Hunter shit about what happened in 2012, yet Hunter suffered the same fate in 2003 for the most part.
Rock was a bigger star, and it didn't help HHH's case that he was paired with Scott freaking Steiner in a 2-month feud, then moved on to Booker T and a returning Kevin Nash.
The only feud i actually enjoyed was the one in which Randy Orton carried his ass. Remember that punt on Shane and RKO on Stephanie? That was a nice wrasslin moment right there.
IS this a Rhetorical Question? Rock in 2003 was a massive movie star, and was hot and in demand and he took advantage of that. Smart man. Back then HHH was the champion. But when you have a guy like Rock who was so charasmatic and mainstream huge. And then his Hollywood Heel Run was hot at the time. Then combine that with Goldberg debuting in WWE. Rock Goldberg was always going to overshadow HHH Nash. Now you can rely on your tired out pre conceptions of Rock, that he is selfish, a sell out e.t.c. Nothing changes this fact. Just like it doesen't change the fact Rock put over Cap Hurricane :lol, which was a pretty good midcard feud at the time. Goldberg in his hometown, Lesnar in 03. So I don't see Rock selfish at all. I see a man who left fulltime on 03 to give the future talent Lesnar, Orton, Cena a chance. I still hope one day my dream match would be Rock v Orton at WM maybe next years, or year after. .
Business was fucking terrible in late 2002/early 2003 so they had to do something and rock was a guy who was a huge star and still fresh in fans minds
Regardless go watch the post wm19 raw on the network and even with rock and Austin on the show 3/4 of the upper tier is tarped. Its amazing how quickly business fell. 2 years earlier that show sells out in 5 minutes
Cos The Rock is the Rock. HHH was great at the time and had been for a few years, on top of that he was one of the greatest ever but when you have The Rock or Austin in the room, HHH is always going to be second best.
Is this even a question? I actually like Triple H, but The Rock was more charismatic that Triple H, and more entertaining at the time too.
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