3 WWE feuds that Triple H fumbled in 2024

The Paul Levesque Era took over the WWE in 2024 as Triple H and his team put together a remarkable 12 months focused on top-tier storytelling. The emphasis on long-term narratives elevated most storylines.

CM Punk's iconic rivalry with Drew McIntyre lasted nine months, but the realistic cinematic elements maintained throughout heightened fan interest. Similarly, Cody Rhodes' story with The Bloodline was universally praised. Roman Reigns' redemption arc has led to an intriguing change in his character, leading to rekindled narratives.

However, Hunter didn't hit the jackpot with all of his storylines. On that note, let's look at three WWE feuds that Triple H fumbled in 2024:

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#3. Triple H fumbled Chad Gable vs. Otis (and the Alpha Academy)

Chad Gable's desperation to win the Intercontinental Championship crossed all boundaries when he snapped and brutally assaulted Sami Zayn, after losing his title match against The Underdog From The Underground, in front of the latter's friends and family in Canada.

The Alpha Academy, comprising of gentle and docile members, was forced to take Gable's side. The former Olympian was ruthless as he ridiculed and physically assaulted his stablemates. Otis took the brunt of the verbal and physical abuse.

Soon after Gable lost to Zayn at Clash at The Castle: Scotland, he crossed the line by slapping Akira Tozawa. This angered Otis, who shoved his Master Gable to the ground to a massive ovation.

However, WWE didn't capitalize on Gable's heat and Otis' popularity. Chad Gable then allied with the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile to form American Made and engaged in a horrifying feud with The Wyatt Sicks.

The Alpha Academy, without Gable, slipped down the card and often struggled for TV time. Triple H revisited the feud in the final weeks of 2024, but it was too late. Otis had lost much of his popularity, and the crowd's hatred for Gable had greatly diminished.

If Hunter had capitalized immediately, Otis could have broken out as a singles superstar, and Gable could have become a strong heel in the mid-card. Instead, Triple H focused on the former Olympian's angle with The Wyatt Sicks.

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#2. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor

When Finn Balor betrayed Damian Priest at SummerSlam to cost him the World Heavyweight Championship, Triple H had the opportunity to create another Bloodline: Civil War-type scenario with The Judgment Day.

Priest and Rhea Ripley formed the Terror Twins, while The Judgment Day (including Liv Morgan) continued to play the numbers game. WWE has held off the blow-off to the Ripley-Morgan-Dominik angle, but they jumped the gun on Priest's redemption.

At Bad Blood, The Archer of Infamy defeated The Prince relatively comfortably. Priest then distanced himself from The Judgment Day and pursued the World Heavyweight Championship, facing Gunther at Survivor Series: WarGames.

Balor showed up to cost Priest again at Survivor Series. Gunther was added into the mix as all three men fought over the World Title at Saturday Night's Main Event, where The Ring General retained his gold.

The stop-start nature of the feud and the inclusion of Gunther took away from the animosity between Balor and Priest. Secondly, The Punisher should have stuck by Ripley's side to give the storyline a sense of a full-fledged civil war.

Lastly, Balor losing to Priest at Bad Blood closed the chapter on the rivalry too soon, when it could have been prolonged with a dirty win for the Irish or a controversial finish.

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#1. LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura fell flat

Shinsuke Nakamura returned in mid-November with a fresh mystical character to blindside the then-United States Champion, LA Knight. The King of Strong-Style would gain a strong psychological advantage by continuously blindsiding the champion with the occasional and dreaded black mist.

At Survivor Series: WarGames, Nakamura dethroned Knight to win the United States Championship. If the intention was solely to make the 44-year-old champion, the bout should have been a one-off. However, Triple H has extended this feud.

The Wayward Samurai attacked Knight a few weeks ago, declaring his intentions. Since the feud has been extended, it made little sense to rush the title change at Survivor Series. Some felt that it was too soon to give Nakamura the title, so Hunter could have spent more time rebuilding him, after the former's recent months-long absence.

Furthermore, it has become a side feud to Knight's ongoing narrative with The new Bloodline, devaluing the United States Championship.