Triple H's Recent Booking Diminishes WWE World Heavyweight Title

Triple H is the man in WWE. While that statement has been made on numerous occasions in the past, it's taken on a whole new meaning now due to his booking, which has been nonexistent since winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

He won the belt at the Royal Rumble and then essentially disappeared, which has not helped the company in its early build to WrestleMania. More importantly, it has diminished the title itself.

It's funny how quickly things change in WWE.

It was not long ago when Seth Rollins was the world heavyweight champion, and while his own booking was the topic of debate for many fans, no one could deny the impact he had. He was a champion with a constant presence on WWE programming, and whether he was working or talking, he was at least there nearly every week.

Credit: WWE.com

The belt was always seen on his shoulder, around his waist or hoisted above his head when he won a match. Every time a guy cut a promo wanting to become champion, fans were reminded of the belt they just saw. Every time the commentators hyped an upcoming title match, the hype centered on a tangible item that was seen more than once every time WWE was on the air.

The belt was not a prop; it was the most important piece of hardware in the company.

But now, it's merely just talked about. Fans know it's important and that it's the main event of WrestleMania 32. They also know Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose all want it so much that they will go to war at Fastlane for the opportunity to win it.

However, as of right now, those facts don't seem all that important.

Where is the champ? Where is the top titleholder in the industry? How many times has Triple H defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship since he won it?

Fans know the deal; Hunter becoming champion likely has less to do with him and more to do with crowning the next guy at Mania. It's a logical move by the company, and the way The Authority has always been presented, beating The Game is the rite of passage for anyone vying for the top spot in WWE.

But logic doesn't mean much this time.

The impact that the belt should have has been lessened due to Triple H not being used. Fans may know it's all a work, but putting the belt on him just because WWE didn't see another way to sell WrestleMania is just too obvious.

It's like advertising that none of it is real.

Once the suspension of disbelief has been damaged, it's hard to repair. Fans are left with an absentee champion while the rest of the company moves toward the next pay-per-view. The one thing that should be the primary object of desire, the top trophy every Superstar wants more than anything else, must be present and promoted above all others.

That's just not the case now.

All of this harkens back to a time when Lesnar was champ. Like Triple H, Lesnar had the respect of fans, and his presence was indeed a big deal every time he was on TV. But while the intention was to protect him and make his appearances mean more by using him so sparingly, it backfired to many fans.

Soon, the outcry could not be denied as the frustration set in. Lesnar was not around, and neither was the gold around his waist.

Understanding why he was booked that way did little to satisfy fans who wanted the top championship to be as visible as it had always been in the past. It seemed as though the title's importance meant more to the fans than it did to the company.

None of that helped increase Reigns' value as the possible next top guy then or now.

Talking a good fight is great and makes for a nice promo. Seeing Reigns fight the odds works in small doses and gets the point across. But when the object of his animosity and hatred is not there for him to confront, then nothing good is accomplished.

The top babyface needs the top heel to play off, and that is not happening here. Stephanie McMahon is not an adequate substitute; she cannot get physically involved on Hunter's behalf. That means Reigns and Ambrose are left to deal with Lesnar, who also is not there every week.

The title may be a prop to some; it's given based upon who Vince McMahon feels should have it, not necessarily who deserves it. But for the fans, for the paying customers who are conditioned to believe the belt is to be respected, it's a real championship.

The fans' perception means everything here, as it does with every aspect of WWE. The perception of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is not what it was before, and it's only getting worse. Despite what happens at Fastlane, fans can only hope it's all leading to a full-time Superstar as the full-time champion once again.

Tom Clark can regularly be found on Bleacher Report and his podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.