On this date in WCW history: Jean Paul Levesque vs Ricky Steamboat on Saturday night

It's really amazing to think of the progression of Triple H's career.

He debuted in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Terror Risin' in early 1994 before quickly getting switched to the variation Terra Ryzing and finally settling on Jean Paul Levesque. From there he went to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and became Hunter Hearst Helmsley, then Triple H, then "The Game," then "The Cerebral Assassin," then the "King of Kings."

Along the way, he married WWF Owner Vince McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, and now, all these years later in 2012, is on the cusp of retiring from active in-ring duty to take over behind-the-scenes and inherit the family business alongside his wife, who he runs the company with.

It helps, of course, that he's always been pretty good at his job.

One need look no further for proof of that than his match against United States Champion Ricky Steamboat on WCW Saturday Night, which took place on this date in history (Sept. 3, 2012).

It's always interesting to go back this far in a guy's career and see how far he's come. In the case of Trips, it was clear from the outset he had the right look and the necessary athletic ability to get over. He jus needed polishing and getting the chance to work with expert hands like Steamboat certainly helped.

Check out Triple H before he was Triple H after the jump.

Also on this date in history: The Great Muta defeats Sting to win the NWA television title