Triple H has opened up about one of AEW’s most memorable moments while appearing as a guest on Cody Rhodes’ podcast. At AEW’s inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2019, Rhodes dramatically destroyed a throne modeled after Triple H’s entrance prop using a sledgehammer. The bold act symbolized his commitment to the new rival promotion, but with Rhodes now the Undisputed WWE Champion and Triple H leading creative, the two wrestling powerhouses finally addressed this with Triple H stating he never held any grudge against Rhodes for the throne-smashing stunt.
“I remember when people brought it to me and were showing it to me and I was like, ‘F*ck yeah, all right, good for him,’ That’s the kind of sh*t you do. You’re trying to make a name for yourself … If I would have thought there was malice in it and maybe indirectly there was some at the time, I don’t know. But if I would have thought there was any serious malice in it, I would have called you and said, ‘Hey, dude, like, are we okay?’ Because I was so close to your Dad.” – Triple H
Rhodes co-founded AEW in 2019 as an Executive Vice President and in-ring talent. He delivered iconic moments, including an emotional bloodbath victory over brother Dustin at the inaugural Double or Nothing and became the inaugural TNT Champion. A three-time titleholder, he feuded with stars like MJF, Brodie Lee, and Chris Jericho while helping elevate the promotion, but ultimately returned to WWE in 2022.
