Has HHH been a mid card guy longer than he has been a main eventer?

Me and my wife are having sort of a debate.I am saying that he spent a lot of his career as many others in supporting roles.He did ok in WCW but he didn't get much more than a tv title and tag gold with Regal if I am not mistaking.Then he spent many years in the WWE going with the snob from Greenwich and that landed him some feuds with Golddust,Val Venis,and many others but mainly he stuck with IC titles.I mean he was feuding with the Godwins in a pig slop match.Even in DX in the beginning he he only achieved World title when Shawn had to retire due to injury or whatever.It was when Shawn left is when he got his major titles with many groups.