Black Widow
06-27-2009, 11:30 AM
This Sunday, Randy Orton will defend his WWE Title against Triple H under stipulations the WWE Universe hasn't seen in seven years: A Three Stages of Hell Match. The odds will be stacked against The Viper as this is his first Three Stages of Hell contest, while his opponent, The Game, has not only competed in both of the match type's prior outings, but also walked away the victor. Join WWE.com as we take a look at the history of this devilish competition, and make sure to check out our full preview of Sunday's WWE Championship Match.
Stage One - No Way Out, February 25, 2001
Back in 2001, Triple H was embroiled in a heated rivalry with none other than WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Things became much more than simply professional after The Game paid to have The Rattlesnake brutally run down by a car. Their rivalry would culminate at No Way Out in the first-ever Three Stages of Hell Match. Though Austin won the first contest (a standard wrestling match), Triple H rallied to defeat his opponent in both a Street Fight and a Steel Cage Match to attain a hard-fought victory against a WWE Legend.
Stage Two - Armageddon, December 15, 2002
Though younger fans may think Triple H and Shawn Michaels have always been close friends, the core members of D-Generation X have had some of the most brutal matches in WWE history. In late 2002, their friendship was put on the back burner as The Game challenged HBK for his coveted World Heavyweight Title in a Three Stages of Hell Match. Things were tied up after Triple H won a Street Fight and Michaels defeated his opponent inside a steel cage, but The Game won the title by taking their final contest, a Ladder Match.
Stage Three - The Bash, June 28, 2009
Once Randy Orton was a member of Triple H's group, Evolution. Today, things couldn't be more different, as The Viper and his Legacy have attempted to take away or destroy everything in Triple H's life, repeatedly attacking his family and securing the coveted WWE Championship. At The Bash, The Cerebral Assassin will have a chance to not only win Orton's title, but to completely obliterate his opponent's body as they compete in a standard wrestling match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match and a Stretcher Match - if they make it that far.
WWE.com
Stage One - No Way Out, February 25, 2001
Back in 2001, Triple H was embroiled in a heated rivalry with none other than WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Things became much more than simply professional after The Game paid to have The Rattlesnake brutally run down by a car. Their rivalry would culminate at No Way Out in the first-ever Three Stages of Hell Match. Though Austin won the first contest (a standard wrestling match), Triple H rallied to defeat his opponent in both a Street Fight and a Steel Cage Match to attain a hard-fought victory against a WWE Legend.
Stage Two - Armageddon, December 15, 2002
Though younger fans may think Triple H and Shawn Michaels have always been close friends, the core members of D-Generation X have had some of the most brutal matches in WWE history. In late 2002, their friendship was put on the back burner as The Game challenged HBK for his coveted World Heavyweight Title in a Three Stages of Hell Match. Things were tied up after Triple H won a Street Fight and Michaels defeated his opponent inside a steel cage, but The Game won the title by taking their final contest, a Ladder Match.
Stage Three - The Bash, June 28, 2009
Once Randy Orton was a member of Triple H's group, Evolution. Today, things couldn't be more different, as The Viper and his Legacy have attempted to take away or destroy everything in Triple H's life, repeatedly attacking his family and securing the coveted WWE Championship. At The Bash, The Cerebral Assassin will have a chance to not only win Orton's title, but to completely obliterate his opponent's body as they compete in a standard wrestling match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match and a Stretcher Match - if they make it that far.
WWE.com