The On-Screen and Off-Screen Relationship Between Triple H and Shawn Michaels

Triple H and Shawn Michaels have been the best of friends and the worst of enemies in their WWE careers. Both men started off on different tangents, but their paths met, friendship happened and it only grew stronger as years passed by.

How it started for Michaels and Triple H

Both ‘The Game’ and ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ didn’t know each other before WWF/WWE. Shawn Michaels was already in the WWE, while Triple H wrestled in WCW. But Michaels saw his work in WCW and pushed Vince McMahon to sign Triple H.

Since joining the WWE, their friendship only got stronger. Both men infamously formed D-Generation X, that changed the landscape of professional wrestling and gave WWE the edge over WCW in the Monday Night Wars at the time.

Their friendship not only reflected in the work inside the ring but outside it too. The two were closely knit, and Shawn often called Hunter as Triple H backstage (a short form of his ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley) which eventually became his official ring name.

The rift and reconciliation

All best friends have bitter-sweet moments, and the DX stablemates had their own. Shawn Michaels was a problem child during the 90s, and it continued even after his retirement in 1998.

Triple H faced The Undertaker at WrestleMania X-Seven and the initial plan was for Michaels to be a part in some capacity. Maybe as an official, we don’t know. Shawn being Shawn, showed up under the influence and was in no state for action.

Both men exchanged some heated words before the show; ‘The Game’ was so upset with his best friend that he didn’t talk to him for an entire year! Friends never stay mad at each other for long, and the two finally settled their differences.

Shawn Michaels returned to the WWE in 2002 and immediately embarked on a feud with his best friend turned nemesis, Triple H. The two put on a classic at WWE Summerslam 2002 marking Michaels’ return to the ring.

Triple H and Shawn Michaels have a close friendship and through the tough times, both have been there for each other. Michaels now serves as a Producer at NXT and also trains at the WWE Performance Center. It’s safe to say that this friendship is made to last forever.