Triple H, a significant figure in professional wrestling, was inducted into the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame on Friday, April 18. The ceremony was held inside the new BleauLive Theater on-property at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel. Known for his remarkable contributions both as a wrestler and a leader within WWE, Triple H used the occasion to reflect on his complex relationship with WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
In his emotional induction speech, Triple H went on to laud McMahon as his role model. He lovingly called him his “father in law” and the “grandfather” of his three daughters, whom he has with his wife, Stephanie McMahon. Their familial connection only serves to enhance their professional relationship, and vice versa. With time, they’ve cultivated a relationship based on deep respect and admiration.
In his speech during the ceremony, Triple H reflected on many ways McMahon influenced his career and personal life. “It’s a complicated story and a complicated relationship, but in so many ways, I would not be here without him,” Triple H stated. And each time he spoke, his words reverberated off the walls of the packed auditorium, underscoring the strength of their connection.
Throughout his time in WWE, Triple H has held various influential positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer. He is currently the Chief Content Officer at their nonprofit arm, The Moth Inc. He’s been instrumental in crafting WWE’s creative vision since Vince McMahon stepped down. This transition has given Triple H the freedom to execute his vision for the organization while staying loyal to its foundation.
During his speech, Triple H thanked McMahon deeply for the opportunities and guidance that shaped his career. He continued, saying, “In my career, he’s the one that really saw something in me creatively. Invited me in those production meetings, taught me, let me sit under that learning tree … but in my personal life, my family.” This recognition serves to highlight the complex nature of their relationship, one that intertwines the elements of a professional mentorship with that of a familial relationship.
It wasn’t enough that Triple H was still madly in love with McMahon to keep defending him in interviews, something he repeatedly tried to do. I’m not dismissing the resolution to be made or accusations of all types, but when I fall in love with someone, I’m all-in,” he added. This defense of McMahon shows Triple H’s loyalty to protect his mentor even amid consistent scandals plaguing him and toxicity surrounding WWE.
John Cena, another of WWE’s biggest stars, praised McMahon at length in his rapturous praise of McMahon at the ceremony. “I don’t care who hears it: I love Vince,” Cena declared, further reinforcing the strong ties that many current and former wrestlers have with the WWE co-founder.
Triple H’s induction and speech were widely shared on social media platforms, generating discussions among fans and wrestling enthusiasts alike. His frank comments went a long way in honoring his legacy to the sport of wrestling. They give us insight into the complex and often ruthless relationships between titans of the industry.