Former WWE Referee Reveals The Backstage Rivalry Between Triple H and The Rock

During the Attitude Era, The Rock and Triple H were the biggest names of WWE. They made WWE (the WWF) famous during the Monday Night Wars. However, there have always been rumors about their equation backstage.

Per various reports, Triple H and Shawn Micheals never liked the rookie Rocky Malvia. They used to bully him and made sure no one worked with him. However, after both of their immense popularity and storylines together, the duo developed a cordial relationship.

Recently, former WWE referee Mike Chioda spilled details about the two men’s relationship. Speaking on “Mailbag Monday with Mike Chioda”(h/t WrestlingNews), the former WWE referee revealed, “I don’t think it was that good back then. Back then, it was more battling for position, not as far as in the company, but as a professional wrestler. They didn’t see eye to eye too many times, that’s for sure.”

Previous plans reported that the Rock might come back to WWE in the next WrestleMania to face his cousin Roman Reigns. However, the plans have been changed, and new reports say he will be back in WWE 2022.

Mike Chioda was the referee for The Rock vs Hulk Hogan in WrestleMania 18

Mike officiated various high-profile matches starting from Wrestlemania 18. He was the referee to The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan in an “Icon vs. Icon” match.

He reminisced about the match and said, “Rock came up to me a couple of weeks before WrestleMania and said, ‘You got my match.’ Talent has a lot to say on who they want for the referee to be in their matches.” 

However, Chris Jericho vs. Triple H was the main event. Chioda revealed that “He (Jericho) said Rock vs. Hogan should be on last. I think HHH didn’t want to give up that title match main event at the end.”

“That energy was taken out of that crowd. I felt bad for that last title match because the energy was sucked out of the crowd. It (Hogan vs. Rock) should have been the main event,” Chioda concluded.

Triple H now serves as the  Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development for WWE. He is also the founder and executive producer of NXT. The Rock is now one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.