July 29, 2003 -- Triple H suffered a groin injury last night at RAW in Colorado Springs and will be unable to participate in WWE’s tour of Australia this weekend.

The World Heavyweight Champion was diagnosed this afternoon with a severely strained groin. The injury occurred during a confrontation with Goldberg after the RAW cameras stopped rolling last night.

It was originally thought that the Game had a torn groin. But after an MRI, X-ray and consultation with an orthopedic surgeon in Colorado Springs today, a severe strain was diagnosed.

However, in a phone interview with WWE.com this afternoon, Jim Ross, executive vice president of talent relations, said that the Game will be reevaluated in a few days, after some of the trauma in his groin area has subsided.

“The doctor, without further evaluation, cannot rule out the fact that (Triple H) has a hernia,” Ross said. “He can barely walk. The doctor has prevented him from doing any physical activity for at least a week, and probably longer. He’ll be reevaluated next week.”

Ross said the doctor also strongly recommended that Triple H not fly to Australia. The champion needs to rest the injury right now and, if possible, have physical therapy. The last thing he needs right now is a 17-hour, one-way plane ride, which would only aggravate the condition, the doctor said.

“It’s regretful that we have to take him off the tour,” Ross said. “We just got the information a few minutes ago. We’re in the process of contacting our marketing representative and partners in Australia. We know some of the fans reading the Web site will get the news now, which is what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to be proactive and let them know what the situation is, as is customary with all our events when a star the magnitude of Triple H cannot be there.

“Triple H wanted to make the trip to Australia just to be present at the events,” Ross added. “He was willing to go. He wanted to go. He was packed and ready to go. But the doctor said he would be strongly harmed by being (on a plane) for 17 hours.”

Ross said WWE will offer refunds to fans who request them during the three-event RAW Ruthless Aggression tour of Australia –- Thursday in Melbourne and Friday and Saturday in Sydney.

Ross said WWE is “hopeful” that Triple H will be able to compete with Goldberg on Sunday, Aug. 24 at SummerSlam. Officials will have a better indication when the champion is reevaluated in the next few days.