What If? – Triple H Wasn’t Punished For The Curtain Call

TheChairshot.com asks the question…What If? Kinny Killa discusses what if Triple H was never punished for the infamous Curtain Call!

“Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16. Austin 3:16 just says I whooped your ass!!”

Famous words spoken into folklore as Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the 1996 King Of The Ring and goes onto be one of the most influential wrestlers of the Attitude Era. Little did we know that “The Texas Rattlesnake” wasn’t meant to win that year’s tournament. This title was meant to be bestowed upon Hunter Hearst Helmsley, later known as Triple H. Hunter’s destiny was ripped away from his grasp due to his part in the historical “Curtain Call,” where Hunter – along with Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash – broke “kayfabe” and hugged each other at Madison Square Garden. But what if Hunter wasn’t involved in the Curtain Call and the plan for him to win the King Of The Ring was executed?

Let’s analyze what actually took place for Hunter by not winning in 1996. Despite not winning, Hunter ate humble pie for a year and went on to win the 1997 King Of The Ring tournament, win the Intercontinental Title, helped create DX, and went on to establish himself in a feud with The Rock. Hunter went on to enjoy enormous success despite the brief setback. The real question in this story is if the “Curtain Call” didn’t happen, would Stone Cold have the opportunity to become King Of The Ring and go on his meteoric rise?

In 1996, WWF made the switch from The Ringmaster character to a more vibrant and realistic Stone Cold who was slowly finding himself in the role. The trajectory he was on doesn’t give off a clear indication that Austin was destined to become the biggest draw in the Attitude Era. Austin was already onto his second character in under a year. Did we see enough before the “Curtain Call” to give us the confidence to say Austin would develop his persona? The King Of The Ring tournament unintentionally helped shape Austin’s brash persona. Austin came away from his semifinal match against Marc Mero with a busted lip and had to receive14 stitches before coming out for the final. This gave Austin a “badass” aura who would battle through anything to win the tournament. The winning speech heard around the world added to this and set him up for a gradual ascendance.

I would like to believe that the cream always rises to the top, but it was clear to see that Hunter would’ve continued his planned trajectory. But Austin still had so much more to do. It’s a hot take, but I believe that if Hunter wins the 1996 King Of The Ring, Austin doesn’t become the Stone Cold we all know and love. What do you think?

The sirens are calling! Kinny Killa is your hook up so holla if ya hear me!