MTB wheelset recomendations

since i have been banned from the “other” bike forum thought i would post the question here. i fucked my front wheel on my mountain bike. it happened on its maiden voyage…the bike was in a box just hours before i ate shit. now i have a new bike with a questionable front wheel. the LBS kind of straightened the wheel, but i am guessing the next ride i will fold it over. the bike is a specialized rockhopper comp 29er. i guess the truth about 29 wheels being weak came true. any good wheel sets out there…less than the $1k i spent on the bike?