The Curtain Call That Broke Kayfabe

 

Introduction

In this post I talk about one of wrestling most talked about moment. When the Kliq showed the audience, that wrestling is an act at the end of the MSG show. Which we know for years to come would be the beginning of the secrets coming out. I tell the timeline afterwards. As well as who got punished and what people like Jim Cornette thought of this moment. Image source link at bottom.

What Happened?

In 1996, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were preparing to leave WWF for WCW. Both men wrestled farewell matches at Madison Square Garden—Hall against Triple H and Nash against Shawn Michaels.

After the matches, Hall, Nash, Michaels, and Triple H stood together in the ring and openly embraced, flashing the “Two Sweet” gesture. At the time, this was considered a major breach of kayfabe.

Vince McMahon was reportedly furious. With Hall and Nash already leaving and Michaels serving as champion, Triple H took the punishment. His momentum stalled for nearly a year, while Hall and Nash would go on to form the nWo and change the wrestling landscape. We know that JIm Cornette was pissed and wanted Shawn to lose the belt even if it was to the Brooklyn Brawler. I think this is why Triple H didn’t win king of the ring in 1996. Which Stone Cold Would win king of the ring that year. Who knows what Triple H's career could have been if he won it in 1996 instead of 1997. Maybe one or two more titles reigns. 

Timeline of Events

Hall and Nash would show in WCW. With Scott interrupting a match and cutting you know who I am, but you don’t why I’m here promo. Nash would show up the following week to Jackknife to Eric Bischoff off the stage. This was the famous match between Hall and Nash vs Sting, Lex Luger, and Randy Savage. The story was about who was the 3rd man. Hogan showed up during the end of the match, dropped the leg drop on Savage, and turned heel which shocked the wrestling world in 1996. The shock that would put WCW on top for 83 weeks. 

Shawn Michaels was still the WWF champion. He would go on to feud with both Davey Boy Smith aka British Bulldog and Vader. As well as Sid. He would go into 1997 until losing the belt to Sycho Sid at Royal Rumble in 1997.

I heard Vince Russo spoke up for Triple H after he felt Triple H had been punished for too long. The positive out of this was both men changed the business by DX in 1997 with Shawn and Triple H, which I didn't forget Chyna, and how they both put a stamp on the wrestling business. At the Royal Rumble, Shawn had a match with Undertaker, in which Shawn was thrown out of the ring over the coffin on his back which the coffin hit his back. This would be the beginning of Shawn's back problems. Shawn would lose the Title that year in 1998 at WrestleMania to Stone Cold. Shawn would be out of the ring outside of selective appearances until 2002. Then eventually Triple H would take over in 1998 with Road Dogg, X pac, Billy Gunn, and Chyna. Then in 1999 after success after Tag titles, Intercontinental title, and European title, DX would split. Which was the beginning of the success of Triple H and the game character. Triple H became WWF champ in late August of 1999. Which would be the first time of 13 more title wins. So eventually Triple H's career would go from punished to legend in just 30 years. 

Closing Thoughts

The Kliq went from ruling the wrestling business in the 90s to legends in the 2020s. This post showed the timeline of their careers for the next couple years. Make you wonder what Triple H career would have been like without being part of the curtain call. Let me know your thoughts! Reply below! Also, feel free to donate.

Image - Source/Link: File:Hunter Hearst Helmsley in 1996 (2).jpg - Wikimedia Commons