WWE Classic of the Week: X-Pac vs. Triple H from Backlash 1999

Wrestling history is polluted with instances of Superstars betraying their closest friends in hopes of achieving success at the top of the industry.

Recent history gives us the example of Seth Rollins, who shattered The Shield with a single blast of a steel chair to the backs of Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. From there, he joined The Authority and accepted Triple H as his mentor.

The same Triple H who has a history of betraying those closest to him in hopes of achieving singles glory.

In 1999, the man known as The Game turned his back on D-Generation X, most notably X-Pac, and began his journey to the top of the industry where he would thrive, becoming an 11-time heavyweight champion. 

The crushing and emotional split between Triple H and X-Pac led to one of the highest-profile and most emotionally charged bouts at the inaugural Backlash pay-per-view event.

With Seth Rollins echoing Triple H's rise up the ranks, relive the King of Kings' first major singles bout as a marquee villain in WWE.

But first, their story.

The Background

On the March 30, 1998 episode of Monday Night Raw, Sean Waltman surprised everyone, becoming the talk of the wrestling world by jumping from World Championship Wrestling back to the company that made him a star, WWE.

His shoot promo, in which he criticized both Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, made headlines and instantly made him one of the hottest stars in the industry. With Triple H and the New Age Outlaws, Waltman would form a new D-Generation X, a faction that would revolutionize the industry and further inject attitude into WWE at a time when the company most needed it.

As X-Pac, Waltman enjoyed a career renaissance alongside one of his best friends. He captured the European Championship and helped lend credibility to the often misused title.

Meanwhile, Triple H feuded with The Rock and established himself as a young star capable of succeeding at the top of the industry. But as long as he was involved with D-X, the likelihood that the leader would ever take that one last step toward immortality was low.

That is why at WrestleMania XV, he took the necessary steps toward building his own legacy by delivering a Pedigree to his friend, costing X-Pac the European title against spoiled rich boy Shane McMahon on the biggest stage in the industry.

It was a shocking development that necessitated a pay-per-view showdown between the former stablemates.

That showdown came in April 1999 at the newly created Backlash event.

The Match

The Analysis

The match between Triple H and X-Pac at Backlash is one of the underrated gems of the Attitude Era.

The Game battered and pummeled X-Pac, working his surgically repaired neck to the point that commentator Jim Ross became overly concerned with the well-being of the young competitor. It was a brutal assault but one that X-Pac withstood, and he eventually mounted a comeback.

Of course, Chyna being at ringside led to the interference on her part, which drew out Kane, who had been mistreated and manipulated by both Triple H and his bodyguard. The Big Red Machine took both of the villains down, allowing X-Pac to catch them with Bronco Busters, much to the delight of the crowd.

As gleeful as the crowd was watching the baddies get their comeuppance, they were equally as dismayed watching Triple H deliver a Pedigree and pick up the win.

The psychology of the match was incredibly strong, and for once, the over-booking of a match made sense within the context of the story. Kane's involvement fit, as did Chyna's, and it actually enhanced the contest in retrospect.

The Aftermath

Triple H would continue his climb up the ranks, winning the WWE Championship for the first time in August 1999 by defeating Mankind. It was the moment that established The Game as the top heel in the industry, a role he would not relinquish for several years.

X-Pac would form a tag team with Kane, which would net him several title runs throughout 1999.

Late in the year, D-Generation X reformed as a stable of heels, leading X-Pac to betray Kane. That act led to a lengthy rivalry between them that was ultimately won by the Big Red Monster.