Triple H defends the WWE World Title.

Triple H is in full Harley Race cosplay mode here. Not only has he got the facial hair, but works this match is a slow, technical style not too different from Race's. This match walks the thin line between 'slow and methodical' and 'slow and boring', with it leaning slightly towards the latter. Trips takes out Orton with a slick drophold that I wasn't expecting from him. Orton sells the leg well as Triple H tears it apart. The referee gets knocked out and outside hi-jinks ensue as Evolution run down to screw Orton out of the title on his first PPV defence. Orton puts up a good fight, and he hits some of his best RKOs he's ever done on all three members of Evolution before Triple H puts him away with a Pedigree on a steel chair. 

★★¾

The build up to this match was so weak that even the highlights package is second rate. They should have ran this at Survivor Series to give Orton more time to adjust to working face. He doesn't have a likeable persona. He's still the smug jerk who spits in other wrestlers' faces and brags about his accomplishments. The only thing he has going for him is the RKO, which they were banking on getting over the Stone Cold Stunner. In fact, the part where Orton takes on Evolution and RKOs everyone was reminiscent of Austin during the Attitude Era. The match s slow. There are some decent moments early on,, but it becomes a grind once Triple H starts doing his cerebral assassin shit. I don't mind Triple H matches, but there's nothing compelling about this particular match up. Triple H blades, but the blood adds nothing to the match. Orton is screwed over in his very first PPV defence, and you have to wonder if some of JR's disgust is legit. This felt like a momentum killer.  There's a chance that RAW will nose dive now that Hunter is on top again