In a March 2003 episode of WWE RAW, a match took place between Maven and WWE World Champion Triple H. The match was set up as a squash match which saw Maven struggle for control. The match was specifically orchestrated to highlight Triple H’s prowess ahead of his WrestleMania XIX clash with Booker T.
Squash matches were somewhat out of favor in WWE during that period, and Triple H was among those who voiced opposition to such arrangements.
In a recent YouTube video, Maven shared that Triple H had taken the time to apologize to him before the match. Triple H didn’t appreciate squash matches, as he expressed to Maven.
Maven added that post-match, The Rock offered him consolation, expressing a desire to work with him because he was uneasy about the way the match had been structured against the Tough Enough winner.
Maven quoted Triple H as saying, “‘Maven, typically, I’m not a fan of squash matches.’
In our line of work, we refer to these matches where one wrestler does all the attacking and the other gets no offense as ‘squash matches.’
Creating a narrative for your character involves building up your opponent. If I just thrash an opponent, it doesn’t accomplish much. ’ Triple H had earlier explained his dislike for squash matches to Maven on that very day. Yet, in an effort to push his villain persona leading to WrestleMania, Triple H needed to keep the viewer’s disdain for him alive. And to daemonize his character, beating up the Tough Enough champion seemed a good move.
Following the match, Maven recalled, “ The Rock approached me, expressing his dissatisfaction. He expressed regret about the way I had been defeated. He said, ‘This isn’t the way to do business.’ He was unhappy that Triple H had merely used me. As a junior, I was in no position to object. I was merely grateful to be on the show. But The Rock took a moment to let me know he disagreed with what had happened. He said, ‘When I am back – wherever from – we’ll collaborate.’ The fact that he offered to rectify the situation touched me. Although it never happened, I’m still hopeful. His support made a lot of difference to me.”
As it turned out, Triple H successfully battled Booker T at WrestleMania XIX, retaining the title till September of the same year. His reign ended when Goldberg beat him at WWE Unforgiven.