Shawn Michaels and Triple H have created countless memories together in WWE whether teaming up or facing off as opponents. The two were close friends behind the scenes when Michaels formed the Kliq with Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. Triple H and Michaels had the most long-term success of the two in WWE that allowed them to work together more often.
The arguments will see them both having better runs as a tag team or as opponents. Michaels and Triple H worked together in the late ‘90s and mid-to-late 2000s as a team. The early 2000s saw them having their biggest feud against each other as rivals. Make your own decision after breaking down both sides to decide if Michaels and Triple H were better off as teammates or rivals.
10 Together: Genuine friendship on screen
Any great tag team or faction would need strong chemistry together on screen to get over. Triple H and Shawn Michaels might have had the strongest bond in WWE history when it comes to wrestlers having a close friendship on screen.
The friendship of Michaels and Triple H was above the in-ring aspect of their team. Both wrestlers knew how to play off each other and still can easily riff together in promos. Triple H and Michaels set a standard for any friends teaming up in the future.
9 Rivals: Made the return of Shawn Michaels special
Shawn Michaels retiring in 1998 saw him step away from the ring for over four years. The back injury of Michaels improved around 2002 when he signed the deal to return to the ring as a full-time performer.
Triple H turned on Michaels when the latter wanted to reform D-Generation X. The return match of Michaels at Summerslam 2002 saw him defeating Triple H in an unsanctioned match. Michaels’ comeback story was pivotal, and fans loved seeing him score a win over the hated Triple H.
8 Together: Incredible reunion moment
WWE finally went through with the D-Generation X reunion four years into Shawn Michaels’ return to the ring. Michaels and Triple H both did crotch chops in their respective matches at WrestleMania 22 to gage the audience’s reaction.
The massive pops for each moment led to WWE booking the reunion for later that summer. Triple H turned heel after developing his own issues with Vince McMahon. Michaels returned from a short break to help Triple H destroy the Spirit Squad as the crowd came unglued.
7 Rivals: Came off as true equal top stars
The rivalry between Triple H and Shawn Michaels always held relevance since it was an attraction. Both wrestlers had great legacies by the time they entered their first feud in 2002 with many more matches coming throughout the decade.
Michaels and Triple H each made the audience believe they could win any match they were involved in whether facing each other or different opponents. The ability to keep the fans invested in every single match made the rivalry great.
6 Together: Great comedy
Triple H and Shawn Michaels always effectively used comedy when working together as peers. D-Generation X was based on comedy in between the matches that made them a highly successful act.
Fans are already anticipating some laughs whenever Triple H and Michaels are in the ring together. Even recent appearances as semi-retire wrestlers provide funny moments like Michaels trolling Triple H during his 25th anniversary celebration on Smackdown.
5 Rivals: Shawn Michaels last World Championship win
Shawn Michaels did not want to have many world title reigns during his second stint in WWE from 2002 to 2010. The love of the sport along with wanting to just have great matches and storylines provided his inspiration.
However, WWE did want to make the most out of Michaels’ return feud in 2002 against Triple H. The big moment saw Michaels pinning Triple H at the end of the first-ever Elimination Chamber match to win the World Championship. Michaels’ moment meant more since it came during the heated feud with Triple H.
4 Together: Bond helped add to Undertaker feuds
The Undertaker recently revealed that the four WrestleMania matches in a row against Shawn Michaels and Triple H provided the proudest work of his career. Undertaker and Michaels delivered iconic matches at WM 25 and 26 that ended in HBK retiring.
The friendship of Michaels and Triple H influenced Triple H to try to break Undertaker’s WM streak at WM 27 and 28. Michaels officiating the legendary Hell in a Cell match at WM 28 gave all three men huge roles too end the feud. There is no way this story is as successful without Triple H and Michaels’ friendship connecting the matches.
3 Rivals: Got the most violent side out of each other
Many wrestlers claim that they will work stiffer against their friends since they get along enough to do extra damage for the betterment of the story. Shawn Michaels and Triple H always laid it in when working against each other in the ring.
Both wrestlers had more of a technical style, but they could get as gritty as anyone else in a street fight situation. WWE used various stipulations with weapons knowing that Michaels and Triple H would make the matches more intense.
2 Together: Made D-Generation X special
D-Generation X changed the game in WWE by helping usher in the Attitude Era. Shawn Michaels was a top star at the time coming off a disappointing WWE Championship reign due to his generic face character.
Triple H and Chyna joined him in this new group that did heel actions while still winning over the audience. DX had a few successful incarnations, but fans most think of Michaels and Triple H together since it led to huge success.
1 Rivals: Only WM match came as opponents
WrestleMania is the place where great feuds become legendary. Rivalries like Steve Austin vs The Rock and Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels get the extra love due to the appeal of having memorable moments on the biggest stage.
The one match to have both Michaels and Triple H involved saw them in the triple threat main event of WrestleMania 20 before losing to Chris Benoit. WWE added Michaels to the mix since the feud with Triple H was a selling point and it put them over the top for a great main event.