A former WWE writer claims that it could be "the beginning of the end" for Triple H after the hostile reaction he received following John Cena's final match.
17-time world champion Cena stepped into the ring for the final time on Saturday night, losing to the monstrous Gunther via submission in his last ever encounter after a decorated 23-year career.
Finishing his retirement tour with a 36th date at Saturday Night's Main Event in Washington, D.C, Cena played out all the hits in front of a raucous sold-out crowd but ultimately fell to a loss.
He tapped out to Gunther's sleeper hold before leaving his sweat bands and sneakers in the middle of the ring, riding off into the sunset after being given a send-off by the WWE locker room he had such a huge impact on.
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However, the special tribute didn't quite go to plan as many panned Paul 'Triple H' Levesque - claiming he ruined Cena's swansong.
The 14-time world champion, now chief content officer and head of creative, was loudly booed as he walked down to the ring and the jeers continued when he spoke on the post-show.
While it was reported it was Cena's call to lose on his final night in line with the wrestling business' historic tradition, heat came towards Triple H - who felt the brunt of fan frustrations with how the last run of arguably the greatest ever superstar played out.
And remarkably, Vince Russo, who was head of the creative team in WWE during the 'Attitude Era' and later moved to WCW, believes the turn on Triple H could spark the end of his stint at the top and claimed the boos weren't just a spur of the moment reaction.
"I’m gonna make a bold prediction," Russo said on the Coach and Bro Show.
"I think that marked the beginning of the end for Triple H. I’m gonna tell you right now because the people have turned on him, because those boos were not just for the finish of a match. Those boos were for the last year, and the way this entire thing was penned out under his pen and under his guidance, and that’s where the boos were coming from. And that very, very, very well could be the beginning of the end because there has been a turn on Triple H."
Cena's retirement tour saw him turn heel for the first time in shock fashion but fail to capitalise without the involvement of The Rock and Travis Scott and later revert to his usual persona.
He made history by becoming a 17-time champion and capturing the Intercontinental Championship - the only belt which had evaded him in WWE.
His last loss looks set to elevate Gunther's stock to new heights but Russo believes Cena should not have tapped out as it went against his "Never Give Up" mantra which inspired so many Make-a-Wish kids.
He added: "If I am in that conversation and I am listening to Cena, I am saying, 'John, I respect the sh*t out of you. We ain't doing that, John. Vince, why not? John, it's real simple. You've built a 25 year career of saying never quit, never quit, never quit.'
"So on your very last match, you are going to quit. Therefore, sending a message to all those kids and all the kids in Make-a-Wish that, 'Hey guys, sooner or later you're going to quit. You really want to do that, John?' No way, no way."
In his parting message on the ramp, Cena addressed the WWE fans and said, "It's been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you."
Signed on as ambassador for the WWE, he took to Instagram to upload a photo from Star Wars, showing Obi Wan Kenobi smiling moments before sacrificing himself to Darth Vader in a similar scenario to his last in-ring moment.
SPORTbible has contacted WWE for comment.
Josh Lawless