CB’s World: The McMahon Helmsley Regime, Then and Now

Columns, Top Story

Last Monday night on Raw, WWE’s Board of Directors — and Triple H — ended the Vince McMahon era, effective immediately:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4UmMkL5u4k

While this was truly a sight to see — especially when Hunter said my favorite line of the segment, “I love you pop”, and Vince teared up — it made me think about the last time Triple H’s character took control of the situation for an extended period of time.

I am referring, of course, to the original McMahon Helmsley Regime, which was in full force at the turn of the new millennium, and made Triple H and Stephanie into two of the most hated heels in the history of professional wrestling.

Triple H’s legacy was cemented during this period, and this was most evident during his amazing feud with Mick Foley. Mick’s work during this time was really the boost that propelled Triple H into the top heel of the company, and with Stephanie by his side Hunter was able to terrorize Mick — and even more importantly — best him in the ring when seemingly everything was at stake, from Triple H’s WWF Championship and his stranglehold at the top of the company, to Mick Foley’s career at the end of his run as a full-time wrestler.

The below clip represents what I believe to be the best work that Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Mick Foley ever did together, back when there was no brand extension, 11 and a half years ago, from WWF SmackDown, at the height of the McMahon Helmsley Regime:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkeAIirWhc

Man, I still mark out for Mick Foley’s big Cactus Jack reveal at the end of this segment, and what followed at the Royal Rumble was just a classic Street Fight between Triple H and Cactus Jack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT_jqGPWweE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esz5RMJPFT4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRu28TPLE04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XxRJhnoXIo

Looking back at all of this makes me appreciate the Attitude Era even more, but it also gives me a glimmer of hope for the future now that Triple H is back in power on Raw. Of course, I also have my reservations.

The biggest positive is that Triple H values the WWE Championship — you know, the title that CM Punk still holds and brings with him to Chicago Cubs games and Comic-Con shows — more than just about anyone. And Hunter understands the importance of that lineage because he’s been a vital link in that historic chain that I suspect he will be desperate to bring back to the flagship show that he now heads once again.

Now for the negative side of the coin.

I agree with many of my colleagues that CM Punk will not be in a rush to come back to Raw to defend the WWE Championship, but at some point sooner than later, when the time is right and Punk feels rejuvenated, Triple H will do everything in his power to get the real champion — and the real championship — to come home.

Because ultimately, the new Helmsley Regime is nothing without the most coveted prize in the wrestling industry, and Triple H knows it.

That’s why Hunter fought so hard to keep it 11 and a half years ago at everyone else’s expense, and that’s why the first McMahon Helmsley Regime was so intensely feared by everyone who stepped in his way.

It’s time for that kind of “Attitude” to reemerge in wrestling, and CM Punk is just the man to bring it all the way back. But this time, Triple H is the one on his heels in an unfamiliar corporate role, the one with everything on the line before even stepping into the ring.

And as long as the Summer of Punk continues, this new incarnation of the Helmsley regime will remain firmly, emptily, on hollow ground.

That’s all from me this week — CB.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.