WWF Royal Rumble 1999
Our opening video package starts with highlighting the odds against Austin in tonight's Rumble match, along with Vince's involvement thanks to commissioner Shawn Michaels. There's also a bounty on the head of Austin for whoever can eliminate him from the Rumble. Then to the opening pyro, set to Vince's theme since that is the tagline for this event.
We're live from the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary, who hype up the titular match, before we get to the opener.
Road Dogg (WWF Hardcore Champion) vs The Big Boss Man (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Brief lock up to begin, but Boss Man quickly shoves Roadie down, who pops right back up. Another lock up and Roadie shoved down again. Roadie plays up to the crowd a bit to set off Boss Man, who misses a clothesline and turns into a right hand. Boss Man corners Roadie, who tries to slip around but gets thrown into the corner instead, Boss Man with rapid rights. Roadie whipped across the ring for a corner splash, then choked, then again. Roadie whipped back across the ring but Boss Man misses a corner splash this time, and Roadie follows with with a 10 Punch, but Boss Man counters with an inverted atomic drop, only to miss a clothesline and turn into a dropkick. Roadie retreats from the ring as Boss Man tries to get his nightstick, but gets chastised by the ref, allowing Roadie to trip him up an pull him into the ring post, while the ref is handing off the nightstick to someone at ringside.
Roadie with boots and rights in the corner now, then a front facelock in the ropes. Boss Man sent across the ring but hits a back elbow off the rebound, knocking Roadie out of the ring. Right hand before tossing Roadie back in the ring, then face first in the corner. More rights by Boss Man, and Roadie tries to fight back but gets knocked back down. Now Roadie blocks and delivers right before being thumbed in the eye, Roadie sent off the ropes into a big boot, then whipped hard into the corner, Boss Man with the cover and a kick out. Roadie sent off the ropes right into a bearhug. Roadie bites his way out, off the ropes but gets nailed with a knee to the ribs. More shots in the corner by Boss Man an more choking, then Boss Man loosens the turnbuckle in the adjacent corner. Boss Man with a spinebuster, cover and a kick out.
More back work int he corner by Boss Man, then drops him with a right, then some more. Now Roadie with some, then one from Boss Man knocks Roadie back down, then rakes his eyes over the middle rope before dropping his leg across his back. More choking by Boss Man, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a right and gets Boss Man in a sleeper, but rakes the eyes to get free. Back breaker on Roadie, then Boss Man goes up top but Roadie cuts him off and throws him down. Trading shots now, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and some Shake, Rattle and Roll. Roadie off the ropes with a forearm and a knee drop off the ropes, cover and a kick out. Roadie off the ropes into a spinning side slam, cover and Boss Man with the win in 11:54. Well this wasn't that great a match. Rather slow and uninteresting.
Boss Man poses and celebrates in the corner, then takes his leave.
Commentary start hyping the IC Title match up next. We see footage from two weeks ago, when Billy Gunn mooned Shamrock's sister as she was sitting front row. Shamrock of course snapped and attacked, an would do it again the following week on Raw, which culminated in an ankle lock.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Billy Gunn vs Ken Shamrock (c) (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Shamrock wastes no time rushing into the ring and Billy is right on the attack. Ken sent off the ropes into a flying clothesline, then rapid rights on the mat. Now Shamrock mounts with rights and Billy with some before he starts choking him. Billy stomping away now, then tries to send Shamrock face first in the corner but is blocked,sent into it himself before Shamrock delivers boots to the midsection. Billy whipped across the ring into a clothesline. Billy whipped into the corner again but hits a clothesline of his own, cover after a few moments for a two count. Billy with a side headlock now until he rakes the eyes and is forced to break. Billy with a stalling suplex, floats over for the cover and a kick out.
Shamrock whipped into the corner and Billy goes shoulder first into the ring post, and Shamrock delivers kicks to the kidney area, followed by a knee lift to the face. Scoop slam on Billy, then a knee drop, then kicked in the face as he's sat up and another. Shamrock slams down onto Billy's back, then a spinning heel kick, cover and a kick out. Billy sent off the ropes, goes for a back drop but Billy catches him with a Fame Asser, takes too long to cover and Shamrock gets the shoulder up. More boots by Billy and Shamrock face first into the corner, Billy with the corner punches, then off the ropes only to be sent to the outside as Shamrock pulls down the top rope. Shamrock with knees to the face , against the barricade, then sends Billy face first into the ring post, then the steps after restarting the 10 count, then a chair in the timekeeper's area. Shamrock pulls Billy up on the apron for some rights, but he starts fighting back with elbows, and launches off sending Shamrock face first off the announce table. Back in the ring, Billy makes the cover and Shamrock kicks out.
Shamrock pulled face first into Billy's knee, but Shamrock kicks his bad leg out from under him, then begins working the knee with kicks and knees and driving himself into it repeatedly. Shamrock with a front face lock, and Billy fights his way out, tried to go off the ropes but gets pulled down by his hair. Another face lock by Shamrock., Billy fights out, goes off the ropes, Shamrock tries for a knee to the ribs but Billy slips around for a roll up and a near fall. Shamrock with a fisherman suplex with the bridge for a kick out. Back after the bad leg now, Shamrock tries to whip Billy into the corner, but he pulls back, and Shamrock tries for a clothesline but nails the referee instead, before taking each other out with clotheslines.
Val Venis comes out and hits Shamrock with a DDT, who's also been involving himself with Shamrock's sister. Billy makes the cover as the ref comes to, but Shamrock kicks out. Shamrock sent off the ropes now into a spinning back elbow, then whipped into the corner and Billy with a flying clothesline. Scoop slam by Billy, then he goes up top and misses an ax handle, landing on his bad leg. Shamrock latches on immediately and locks in the ankle lock for the win in 14:26. What was the point of having Val interfere if it wasn't going to factor into the finish at all? Shamrock still won. It was a good match setting that aside.
Billy clutches at his leg and ankle as Shamrock does his thing before leaving with his title.
We see Vince in the back with the Stooges and Shane, getting ready for the Rumble, trying to rally Vince who seems pretty cocky. Billy is seen being helped to the back as we go back to the arena as we get to the next match.
WWF European Championship: Gangrel vs X-Pac (c)
Quick back and forth to start with X-Pac getting the advantage with a hip toss. Another quick back and forth, Gangrel blocks another hip toss, but X-Pac flips around and hits a back suplex, then off the ropes with a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Pac with kicks in the corner, then a spin kick, whipping Gangrel across the ring but misses and hits the corner chest first, then Gangrel follows with a splash to the back. Arm trap belly to belly by Gangrel, cover and a kick out. Pac dropped throat first on the top rope, cover by Gangrel and another kick out, now a rear chinlock on X-Pac. X-Pac powers back to his feet and elbows free, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, popped up and drops face first to the mat, Gangrel covers for another kick out.
Gangrel up top but misses a senton, now X-Pac with rights, blocks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick. Gangrel sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, but runs into a second one, cover by X-Pac for a shoulder up. Gangrel reverses a whip off the ropes, X-Pac ducks a clothesline and hits another spinning heel kick. Corner punches by X-Pac, then an elbow to the top of the head sets up for the Bronco Buster. X-Pac ducks another clothesline attempt and hits a third spinning heel kick, then goes up top but gets crotched, but they trade shots and Gangrel is knocked off, then X-Pac hits a crossbody and I think Gangrel was supposed to roll over for a pin, and it turns into a roll up of sort for Gangrel and it should be a three count, but it's waved off as a two count.
X-Pac sent into the corner and gets Gangrel in the face with two boots, but gets caught with a powerslam for a cover and a near fall. X-Pac sent off the ropes, catches Gangrel with a kick, but then he ducks a clothesline, pops X-Pac up and he hits an X-Factor to retain in 5:54. Aside from the botch this was an alright match.
X-Pac poses in victory before making a quick exit and get a replay of the botch and the finish. Then Cole sends it to the back.
Kevin Kelly is with Roadie, Chyna and HHH and asks if they have a strategy for the Rumble match tonight. The question is for HHH but Roadie takes the mic and says that there's a strategy and asks if he's ever seen a fight in the Armstrong family, and tonight he says he's going to win the $100k and get a shot at the WWF Title. X-Pac comes into shot and mutters something about the $100k. HHH says DX is as tight as anybody can get, but it's for the WWF Title, $100k and it's every man for himself... and woman, as Chyna butts in.
Out comes Shane to some generic music, announced as one of the co-owners of the WWF. He takes the mic from Fink and introduces the next WWF Women's Champion, the lovely Luna, so now out she comes. Shane says that for some reason, Sable has suffered a chronic back injury and will be unable to compete tonight. Though when he says "for some reason," he means Sable was attacked by Luna on Heat before the show as we see the footage. Shane asks Sable to come out and forfeit the title. So now out comes Sable holding her back with the title in hand, but she takes the mic and calls for the bell to be rung, and Shane tells her to have it her way before leaving the ring and the bell is rung.
Strap Match for the WWF Women's Championship: Sable vs Luna
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Shane joins commentary for this match. Of course, the rules are that they have to touch all 4 turnbuckles in succession to win the match and the title, attached at the wrist by a leather strap.
Sable shoves Luna into the corner and starts to whip her with the strap right away in the ribs and chest, Luna retreating from the ring. Sable uses the strap to pull Luna face first into the ring post. Luna rams her shoulder into Sable's midsection through the ropes as she climbs onto the apron. Sable with kicks and whips her across the back with the strap, Luna sent off the ropes into a strap assisted clothesline, before she starts choking her with the strap. Luna thrown across the ring, now Sable touches two turnbuckles, but Luna pulls the strap before she can touch a third and whips her in the ribs. Now Luna choking her with the strap and whipping her with it across the back. Foot pressed to the back while choking Sable, then a bot to the ribs. Luna now touches the turnbuckles, a first and second until Sable pulls on the strap, they start swinging around each other until Luna goes face first into the mat. Luna getting whipped over the back now, now kicks to the midsection in the corner, whipped across the ring but sidesteps, following with a backbreaker on Sable.
More choking with the strap and uses it for a hangman's choke as Luna starts to touch the turnbuckles, but Sable does the same as Luna makes her way around the ring and make it to three. Sable manages to counter and tries to get to the fourth turnbuckle but she's pulled back, and Shane's had enough leaving commentary. Luna. Luna tries to make it to the turnbuckle, but Tori, who at this point is just a fan getting involved in Sable's matches, clocks Luna with a right hand before retreating through the crowd. Sable touches the last turnbuckle to retain in 4:45. Well... It was a match.
Sable recovers in the corner as Shane leaves on his own, and Sable poses in victory holding her back. Luna leaves pissed before Sable leaves the ring herself and we get a replay of the finish. Sable heads to the back.
We cut to the back, where a cameraman is peeking around the corner to see Boss Man, Test and Shamrock talking about the bounty of Austin's head. Boss Man says he's going to do whatever it takes to win.
Up next, the I Quit match. We have a video package that starts with Rock wanting a rematch for the title at the Royal Rumble, and Rock does everything he can to get it, trying to appeal to Mick, to try and make it a match he would like, No DQ, then adds No Countouts, then guarantees that no one from the Corporation will interfere, but Mick denies them all, until Rock decides to quit trying and that's the stip that Mick agrees to. Mick would say he'd never quit, going through the hell he's gone through in his career alongside the accompanying footage, from the King of the Deathmatch to the Hell in a Cell match with Taker and everything in between, but Rock's argument is that he's simply "The Great One," and vows to drop Corporate Elbows, putting him through every announce table he can, down Know Your Role Boulevard, take a right on Jabroni Drive, right to the Smackdown Hotel, take his ass from room to damn room until it's checkout time. Mick would misquote Dr. Seuss to further his point that he won't quit.
Before that though, Dok Hendrix is standing by with the Rock, and asks if Rock will be able to do what no one has ever done and make Mankind utter the words "I Quit." Rock tells Dok to know his role and shut his mouth, then talks to Mankind and says there's something about all this that befuddles him, because he's not just some roody-poo candy ass on the corner of Know Your Role Blvd. and Jabroni Dr. that Mick is just going to have his way with, because tonight in front of the thousands of his fans in the arena chanting his name, and the millions (pause) and millions of his fans watching live, he guaran-damn-tees to prove to Mick that he is The Great One and the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, and after Mick utters "I Quit" he says he will go down as being the best damn WWF Champ there ever was, if you smell what The Rock is cooking. Then he walks off.
"I Quit" Match for the WWF Championship: The Rock vs Mankind (c)
Corporation banned from ringside.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We find out from Cole that Mick was forced to compete in a "warm-up" match against Mabel on Heat before the show, which we see footage of Rock causing a DQ with a Rock Bottom, followed by a splash by Mabel.
Rock tries to get the jump but Foley delivers rights driving Rock into the corner. More rights, Rock whipped across the ring for a clothesline, then more rights drop Rock down to set up for the running knee to the face. The audio is completely off sync for this match for some reason. Mick takes the mic and asks Rock but nothing seems to get picked up. Audio is back in sync as Mick sends Rock face first into the corner, sends Rock across the ring and Mick hits a bulldog coming off the ropes. Mounted rights by Mick and he takes the mic and asks if Rock has something to tell the people, and he tells Mick to kiss his ass, only to be cut off with a right hand. Mick rams the mic repeatedly into Rock's head, then calls him a son of a bitch and tells him to say the words, Rock responding tells him he's going to kick his fat ass, Mick responding with another right. Mick sends himself and Rock tumbling to the outside with a clothesline over the ropes.
More shots and Rock goes face first into the barricade, more rights by Mick, but gets sends knees first into the steps, tumbling over to the floor. Rock takes a headset from commentary and says he's out there proving why he is the Great One, calls Mick a piece of trash and says he isn't. Mick is back up meanwhile with Rock's back turned to him, and he asks why King isn't saying anything and when he goes to speak Rock tells him to shut his mouth and calls him a piece of trash. Rock turns around into some more rights by Foley who sends Rock into the timekeeper's table. Chair to Rock's back as Cole gets the headset back on, Mick rakes at the eyes as he gets the mic and demands Rock quit, and tells Mick to kiss his ass again before getting the mic rammed into his head, then a second time.
Back in the ring now, Mick with the double-arm DDT, then he pulls out Socko and gets Rock with the mandible claw, but as King points out, Rock can't quit like this as Foley brings him down. Hebner on the mic asks Rock if he'll quit but Rock is seemingly unconscious and says nothing, Foley calls him a piece of crap and tells him to get up, then he says he's going to split open that ridiculous eyebrow. Boots to the head of Rock sends him back out of the ring and Foley follows. Rock gets tossed over the barricade and they fight their way through the crowd briefly, but gets powerslammed over to the padded floor with Rock tumbling with him. Rock now with boots to the head and midsection, Foley face first off the steps and Rock grabs the ring bell, holding it up to Foley's missing ear before ringing it with the hammer. Rock takes the mic and sings "The bells will be ringing" before he does it again. Foley is pulled on top of the Spanish table, which collapses under them as Rock tries for the Rock Bottom. Rock takes the mic and tells the "piece of monkey crap" to quit, and Foley responds with "up yours".
Rock laying in with more boots before spitting water in Mick's face, then he fights back with rights. Rock face first off the ring post, then a running clothesline to the back of the head as Rock retreats up the aisle. Mick and Rock fighting their way beside the entrance set to the tech area and Mick goes face first into the tech table. Rock with more rights, then Mick with some until Rock delivers a DDT on the exposed floor. Rock wants him to quit but Foley refuses. Rock with more boots and rights before Rock grabs a ladder from behind an electrical box, but Foley boots it back into him. Foley uses the ladder to crush Rock and Hebner holds the mic up to his mouth and he tells Foley to go piss himself. Foley goes for a running elbow as the ladder lays on top of Rock but he rolls out from under and Mick lands on the ladder. Rock takes the mic who says Mick ain't the one who delivers an electrifying elbow and tells him to quit before calling him a piece of trash, but Mick just screams no into the mic.
Rock grabs the ladder and sets it up in front of the stands, right behind the electrical box and Rock makes the climb and just in front of the railing set up for the fans. Mick follows, Rock with boots and rights, Mick with some rights and Rock teeters. Mick tries to toss him off but Rock nails a low blow. Mick face first into the railing and Rock climbs over it, before knocking Mick off with a right, dropping him onto the electrical box and the lights go out as sparks fly. Rock climbs back down as we get some kind of lighting back on and Mick is barely moving. Shane is out there and he and Hebner are trying to talk sense into Rock and end the match, but Rock off mic says that son of a bitch will scream "I quit" and he'll be damned if he doesn't. Shane is pleading with him but Rock's having none of it, and Mick is crawling, only to be booted in the head, then again. Mick is still crawling as Rock calls him one of the biggest pieces of trailer park trash walking, before booting him in the head again as they make their way back to the ring. Mick face first into the steel barricade in the aisle, then a second time and Mick can't even defend himself. Another boot and a right to the head.
Mick is tossed back in the ring as Rock grabs handcuffs from ringside, cuffing Mick's arms behind his back. Hebner is trying to talk sense into him some more and Rock just delivers more boots and rights to the head and ribs. Foley face first into the corner repeatedly but he finally manages to get in a low blow and he's been visibly busted open just under the top of his mask. Mick now with boots to the head of Rock and he starts to bite him as Rock drops to the mat, then another low blow. Rock asks him to quit and Rock shoves the mic away. Rock comes off the ropes with a clothesline though and delivers more boots. Rock leaves the ring and grabs a chair and lays it down across Mick's face to deliver the Corporate Elbow onto it. Rock gets the mic and wants him, after the most electrifying move in sports entertainment today, to quit, but Mick just tells him to go to hell. Rock says he may go to hell, but Mick's candy ass first.
God these are hard to watch. Now begins those dozen chair shots. Mick gets to his feet, takes one, drops to his knees and takes another. Rock tells him to quit, and Mick tells him he'll have to kill him. Three more shots drop Mick again, then a boot to the back sends Mick out. Rock follows, another shot, tells him to quit, he doesn't respond. Another shot, tells him to quit, no response. Another shot, Rock gets on the mic and tells the fans they can chant "Foley" all they want, but that tonight that piece of trash will say "I quit." He tosses the mic back to Hebner, then two more shots to the head, the last to the back of it. Rock puts the chair down and takes the mic, and says he guaran-damn-teed to the millions (pause) and millions of his fans that he was going to make that son of a bitch scream "I quit," then tells Mick's monkey ass to say "I quit". Rock holds the mic to his mouth, "Mick" says "I quit" and the bell is rung in 21:48, as Rock tells Hebner's monkey ass to get to the ring and award the champ. Fucking hell that was hard to watch. I haven't seen this match in quite a few years, but fucking hell, ten unprotected chair shots to the head.
Rock's music hits as he's awarded the belt and Cole is sickened as Rock poses in the corner with his belt. The fans are pretty much in shock as officials tend to Foley, seen removing his mask as Rock continues to pose and leaves the ring. Foley is being uncuffed as the doc is tending to his head and Rock makes his way out. Rock pulls the doc off so he can pose over Foley with the belt and a stretcher has been brought out which Rock kicks over. Foley refuses to stay on the stretcher as officials keep Rock at bay, but Mick is helped out by the doc to the back.
Up next, the titular match as commentary hype it and go over the rules, as well as the stakes. We go to our video package, which is centered around the McMahon/Austin feud. Thanks to Kane and Taker, Austin lost the WWF Title back at Breakdown and the title was vacated due to a double pin. We had the infamous zamboni incident, and when Austin refused to declare a new champion at Judgement Day, he was fired. Shane out of nowhere though made his debut on TV and rehired Austin, and the contract would guarantee Austin at least one title shot. Austin got screwed out of the title at Survivor Series by Vince, and by a heel turn from Shane, and of course Rock would win the title later that night.
Austin the next night would pull out the previously mentioned contract and get his guaranteed title match, however he'd be screwed by Shamrock. Vince would then announce that Austin would have to earn his spot in the Rumble facing Taker in a Buried Alive Match at Rock Bottom, which Austin would win with help from Kane. Vince would utter that Austin has no chance in hell of winning the Rumble, and "drew" Austin's number at #1, as well as place a bounty on his elimination at the tune of $100k. Vince entered himself in the match, and in making himself an active member on the roster, it gave Commissioner Michaels the power to make Vince the #2 entrant in the Rumble as per Vince's own rules. Vince tried to get out of this by winning the Corporate Rumble, which guaranteed the #30 spot to the winner, however thanks to help from Austin, Chyna would win that spot herself, seemingly sealing Vince's fate.
We see footage from Heat where Austin was denied entrance to the building through the VIP entrance, since he didn't have a limo, so he came back with a monster truck limo and drove through the barricades and some conveniently placed cars. He confronted Vince in the ring and got slapped, and escaped as Austin took out his frustrations on the Stooges instead.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
WWF Title shot at Wrestlemania on the line, as well as $100,000 for whoever can eliminate Austin. Austin and Vince made entrants #1 and 2 respectively prior to the show, while Chyna won the #30 spot in the Corporate Rumble.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: It's so weird seeing Vince come out to no music, when what would become his iconic theme is the theme song and tagline for this PPV. He's also got no shirt on which is an even more weird sight.
Vince immediately goes for a clothesline and Austin ducks, driving Vince into the corner with rights and stomps a mudhole in him and walks it dry. Austin flips him off and hits a scoop slam before delivering a low blow as Vince tries to beg him off. Austin teases tossing Vince over, playing to the crowd to which side to throw him over and he almost does, but he puts the breaks on, before a clothesline and the timer counts down.
Entrant #3 is Golga of The Oddities, who's just John Tenta under a mask. The crowd seems to love him as they wave their arms side to side, and Austin hits a Thesz Press on Vince, Golga rushing into the ring to try and save him with a boot to the back. Golga clubs the back as Vince rolls out, then tries to toss Austin out but gets tossed himself, so Golga's already eliminated. Vince has escaped through the crowd and Austin gives chase, as they go deeper through the fans to the back, neither eliminated. Meanwhile, the timer counts down for the next entrant for an empty ring.
Entrant #4 is apparently Droz of L.O.D., but the camera has followed Austin and Vince who fight their way through the concession area and into a bathroom, where Austin is ambushed by Shamrock, Test and Boss Man. Cameraman is knocked down and we don't see any of it as we see Droz waiting in the ring for the next entrant. We don't have to wait long as the timer counts down for the next entrant.
Entrant #5 is Edge and he ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody, followed by mounted rights. Droz sent off the ropes, ducks an elbow and hits a spinning back elbow. Droz with mounted rights now, then Edge face first into the corner, before Droz tries to lift him over the ropes but Edge rakes the eyes to save himself. Edge now tries to do the same in the adjacent corner, Droz sent off the ropes into a dropkick as the timer counts down once more.
Entrant #6 is Gillberg, as Droz gets in some shots on Edge and Edge gets one in of his own. Gillberg poses over the ropes and immediately gets dumped over by Edge, then he's taken out with a clothesline. We cut back to the bathroom where Austin is out cold, and Vince and the others leave as officials tend to Austin. Droz tries to eliminate Edge in the corner again but he hangs on and gets free. Edge with shots to the back, Droz whipped into the corner and misses a splash, landing on the top rope and Droz kicks him in the midsection, trying to eliminate him as the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #7 is Steve Blackman who chops Droz, then kicks to the ribs and elbows to the back of the head. Droz face first in the corner as we see a stretcher rolled into the bathroom and EMTs work on Austin. Edge clubs Blackman as he tries to eliminate Droz, Blackman sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, then some kicks and a dropkick. Droz clubs him in the back of the neck and tries to dump him over, and tries to get Edge's help but he gets a shot in on Droz instead. We see Austin get loaded onto a backboard as Blackman sends Edge into the corner, who tries to fight his way out and the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #8 is Dan Severn, who takes down Blackman, then they start to fight in the corner. Austin is seen getting carted out of the arena and Severn and Edge are nearly eliminated but they free themselves as the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #9 is Tiger Ali Singh, and we see Austin loaded into an ambulance and just starting to stir and it drives off. Dan and Edge almost eliminated again but save themselves. Droz choked over the middle rope and Edge with rights on Ali in the corner. Tiger reverses a whip and gorilla presses Edge, but he slips from his hands, and tries to eliminate Tiger, then Droz comes up behind and tries to eliminate both but Edge gets free.
Entrant #10 is Blue Meanie from The J.O.B. Squad. Tiger right on the attack as he slides in with boots to the midsection and rights, Meanie sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. Meanie dances a bit and delivers rights on Tiger in the corner, then Edge attacks from behind. Droz and Edge both chop him then try to eliminate Meanie together, but give up. Dan and Tiger work Blackman in another corner as Droz tries to eliminate Meanie again.
Entrant #11 is... not coming out for some reason. Oh we see Mabel send Mosh of the Headbangers into the interview set, so I suppose he was supposed to be next, but Mabel goes out and takes his spot. He attacks and eliminated Blackman and Severn, then clotheslines Ali out of the ring. Clothesline on Meanie and right on Droz.
Entrant #12 is Road Dogg and out go Meanie and Droz thanks to Mabel. Edge gets him with a low blow then trades shots on Roadie, then charges and is sent up and over and nearly eliminated but manages to hang on, but is quickly knocked off and goes face first off the announce table. Roadie and Mabel trade shots a few seconds then the lights go out, and Taker's music hits. Music is back on and the Acolytes and Mideon have eliminated Mabel, who send him up the aisle to a waiting Taker and Bearer. Taker had apparently promised a sacrifice on this show and he says something to Mabel that can't be made out, but Mabel gets clubbed repeatedly as they drive him to the back. Meanwhile Roadie is left alone in the ring waiting for the next entrant.
Entrant #13 is Gangrel and Roadie immediately with rights in the corner, now Gangrel with some of his own, stomping away. Roadie reverses a whip off the ropes then tosses Gangrel over and he's already eliminated. Vince and Austin are both still in this too.
Entrant #14 is Kurrgan, also of The Oddities. Roadie right on the attack but he's nailed with a forearm, then pulled into a clothesline. Roadie face first in the corner and Kurrgan with knees to the midsection, followed by a sidewalk slam. More boots by Kurrgan to the back, then a headbutt sends Roadie into the corner before choking him with his boot. Shots to the ribs and jaw, then Roadie whipped across the ring and Kurrgan misses a splash.
Entrant #15 is Al Snow as Kurrgan tries to eliminate Roadie, then Al clubs him from behind. He and Roadie double team with shots to the back and ribs, then try to eliminate Kurrgan together, but Roadie decides to just eliminate Al after it takes forever. Roadie with a right, then dropped with one from Kurrgan who drops a knee to his back. Roadie whipped into the corner and hits a knee to the ribs, then it's switched around.
Entrant #16 is Goldust who attacks Roadie from behind, then a right hand. Roadie sent off the ropes into a clothesline. He tries to set him up in the corner for Shattered Dreams but Kurrgan cuts him off, Goldie rakes his eyes, Kurrgan sent off the ropes and hits a clothesline but he doesn't go down, then Goldie hits a DDT. Roadie drops him with a right hand now, then a boot to the head of both Kurrgan and Goldie. Roadie sets up Goldie for Shattered Dreams, but then Kurrgan grabs him and Goldie nails a low blow.
Entrant #17 is The Godfather, who comes out with his hos. Kurrgan tries to eliminate Goldie and Roadie tries to eliminate him to no avail. Godfather sure takes his time as Kurrgan has a claw on Roadie, and Godfather sends Goldie into the corner face first. Goldie rakes the eyes, then rights in the corner by Goldie but misses a corner splash. Goldie whipped into the corner for a Ho Train.
Entrant #18 is Kane and he tosses out Roadie, then Kurrgan, then Godfather, then Goldie, leaving him alone. The crowd is eating this up. But now the white coats have come down and Kane lays them out with a right hand and a chokeslam. Kane then steps over the ropes and to the floor eliminating himself as he chases after the rest of the white coats.
Entrant #19 is Ken Shamrock and Vince has made his way back out in the meantime, still in it since he went through the ropes, and now back through the ropes to join commentary. Cole asks Vince since he's still in the Rumble and joining the commentary is he wants no part of Shamrock, to Vince replies "do you think I'm nuts?" which is a fair point, and says he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish, Austin left in an ambulance and won't be coming back.
Entrant #20 is Billy Gunn on a limp and he and Shamrock trade shots, and his bad leg is kicked out from under him. Billy's got one boot on with the other taped up and Shamrock keeps going after the bad leg, but Billy ducks a roundhouse and delivers a back suplex. Billy with a gorilla press sends Shamrock throat first onto the top rope. Billy tosses Shamrock over but he hangs on, and Shamrock with a chop block to the bad ankle as he comes back in.
Entrant #21 is Test, and we go back outside where Taker and his men are attacking Mabel, putting him in what looks like a hearse in the parking lot. We hear a siren in the background and in drives an ambulance and Vince's eyes pop open as he realizes Austin is driving the ambulance. Out he steps as he makes his way back out and still officially in the Rumble. Billy with a double low blow and a double clothesline back in the ring.
Entrant #22 as Austin is on his way back out, is Big Boss Man and Vince leaves commentary as Austin chases after him back in the ring. Shamrock is on the attack and Vince manages to slip out. Shamrock with rights until he's tossed over, and Boss Man is on the attack now, trading shots until he knocks Austin down. Austin face first in the corner for more rights and Austin tries to fight free but he's choked over the middle rope as Test tries to eliminate Billy in the other corner. Austin I think removed the tag rope and starts to choke Boss Man with it.
Entrant #23 is Triple H and goes right after Test with rights, Test sent off the ropes into a high knee. Billy goes after Austin, and Boss Man after Billy as HHH works on Test. Boss Man tries to eliminate Austin but HHH thumbs his eye and pulls him off. Now HHH tries to eliminate Austin and Austin with elbows to Billy in the corner. Billy sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow an Austin is taken out by Boss Man with rights.
Entrant #24 is Val Venis and he's taken out with a clothesline by HHH. Test on Austin as HHH is sent face first into the corner and Test hits Austin with a big boot. Austin rakes the eyes and sends Test face first in the corner, then Billy goes after him, Austin face first a couple times in the corner. Austin stomps the bad ankle and tosses Billy out and he's eliminated. Austin tries to eliminate HHH and Boss Man tries to help but he hangs on, as Test sends Val off the ropes into a clothesline. Test tries to help in eliminating HHH but he still hangs on and Austin nails Val with a clothesline.
Entrant #25 is X-Pac and goes after Test, then HHH saves him from Boss Man. Austin nearly eliminates Val but he hangs on and nails an ax handle off the top. Val stomping away on Austin and choking him as Test sends X-Pac into the corner face first. Austin gets booted under the ropes by Val, then Austin goes up top with an ax handle on Val before sending Pac off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick.
Entrant #26 is Mark Henry as X-Pac tries to eliminate Austin, and Henry goes after Pac then Austin. Pac choked against the ropes by Henry and Austin with shots on Henry, then Boss Man holds up Austin so Henry can deliver shots, until Austin ducks one and he clocks Boss Man instead. Henry now with shots on Boss Man in the corner as Pac goes after Austin now and choking him on the mat. Henry tries to dump HHH but he hangs on. Val tries to eliminate Test but he hangs on.
Entrant #27 is Jeff Jarrett led by Debra. He goes after Pac until Test nails him from behind, then double teams Austin with Val in the corner. Pac and HHH sent Jarrett off the ropes into a double clothesline, then Pac nails HHH with a spinning heel kick. Pac drops Boss Man in the corner to set up for the Bronco Buster as HHH hits Val with a back suplex, and Jarrett tries to eliminate Austin until Pac clubs him, then he tries to eliminate Pac until he fights free. Austin off the middle rope with an ax handle and a low blow on X-Pac.
Entrant #28 is D'Lo Brown led by PMS, Terri and Jacqueline, off the heels of Terri's miscarriage angle. Test on Austin in the corner until he's dumped by Austin, then X-Pac dumped by Boss Man as Vince starts to panic. Boss Man choking Austin and Jarrett joins in on the attack. Henry whipped into the corner by HHH but then nailed with a clothesline. Jarrett and Boss Man try to dump Austin over, then Jarrett sends Austin off the ropes into a single leg dropkick. Austin reverses a whip off the ropes, Jarrett ducks an elbow but gets caught with the Thesz Press. Rights on Jarrett until HHH tosses him over.
Entrant #29 is Owen Hart who goes after Austin and double teams with D'Lo, but HHH knocks their heads together, then Austin does the same, and rolls out and throws water in Vince's face. Val goes face first in the corner by Austin, then dropped by a right from D'Lo, who tries to eliminate Austin but he hangs on, as Henry hits Henry with a splash.
Entrant #30 of course is Chyna and she nails Henry with rights. Boots to the midsection of Henry, then dropped by a forearm, before she tosses Henry over the ropes with ease. Austin then clotheslines her out of the ring and she's out, before being taken down by HHH. He delivers rapid boots in the corner and stomps away. Val attacks HHH from behind, whips him but gets pulled into a clothesline. Austin fights out of the corner, HHH sent off the ropes but caught with a facebuster, then tries to toss him out but Val nails him, then Val tries to toss Austin out, but HHH grabs Val and tosses him out instead. Stunner on HHH and he's clotheslined over the ropes and he's out.
Down to the final five, Austin, Vince, Boss Man, Owen and D'Lo. Leg drop by D'Lo on Austin as Owen goes after Boss Man in the corner, D'Lo choking Austin as Owen tries to eliminate Boss Man. Austin sent off the ropes into a single leg dropkick by D'Lo. Owen face first in the corner, D'Lo sent off the ropes by Austin, ducks a clothesline and Austin sidesteps another dropkick attempt before driving his elbow into D'Lo's chest. Austin choking away at D'Lo then face first in the corner as he tries to eliminate D'Lo, and Owen tries to eliminate Boss Man, neither work out. D'Lo tries to eliminate Austin now but he hangs on. Owen tries to dump Boss Man but D'Lo makes the save, then low blowed by Boss Man and Owen nails Austin with an enziguri, only to be tossed up and over in the corner and eliminated. Boss Man sent off the ropes by Austin but catches him with a kick , then a right hand. D'Lo goes up top and hits the Lo Down on Austin, then Boss Man dumps D'Lo. Austin with the Stunner on Boss Man an eliminates him, and we're down to two.
Austin sets his eyes on Vince who tries to beg him off and leaps over the table, but Vince is on the attack with rights, until Austin bounces his face off the table. Vince thrown over the barricade again and booted before being tossed back to ringside. Vince face first off the apron, then Austin grabs a chair, follows Vince as he stumbles around and nails Vince in the head as he turns around. Vince is tossed back in the ring and Austin stares down, and Vince manages to nail a low blow in desperation. Austin and Vince back up, Austin ducks a clothesline and hits the Stunner. Austin to the middle rope and drives his elbow into Vince's chest. Rock now makes his way out with the title in hand and he and Austin trade words, Rock taunting Austin and trying to goad Rock into fighting him, as Vince takes forever to come to. Rock leaps the apron and he and Austin grab onto each other, allowing Vince to pop up, toss Austin over and win the Royal Rumble in 56:40. I have to admit this match wasn't all that great, I mean not a whole ton happened until Austin made his way back, and the rest just kind of felt like time filler. The whole match was about Austin and Vince, so everyone else was just kind of there, which I mean I get, but they did nothing to make the rest of the entrants seem to matter.
Vince just collapses to his back as his arms are raised, and then the PPV's theme plays as Austin looks on in shock and is livid. He tries to get his hands on Vince but Rock pulls him down and Austin goes after Rock, fighting their way to the back, as the referees tend to Vince in the ring and help him to his feet. Shane's there now along with the Stooges to help Vince stand and Vince barely even knows where he is. Shane has Fink announce Vince the winner a second time and a lucid Vince poses in victory, while Shane gets a mic and tells Vince he's won and that he's going to Wrestlemania. Vince's music starts back up and he asks for beers, sharing them with Shane and the Stooges. They all mock Austin in the corners, downing the beers and enjoying themselves. This goes on for what feels like 10 minutes, at least 5 or maybe even more, I mean I get it but it goes on a bit too long.
Then to close the show we get a video package set to "No Chance in Hell" recapping the events of the night before the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well I didn't think this show was that great. I mean there was a damn good European Title match, and the IC Title match was good until the finish. The "I Quit" Match wasn't terrible, but having to watch those chair shots was just fucking uncomfortable. The main event wasn't that great considering the action, but the story being told was good. So this one was a pretty mixed bag for me. That said, with a run time of 2:43:20, this show had a total 1:55:27 of wrestling.
We're live from the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary, who hype up the titular match, before we get to the opener.
Road Dogg (WWF Hardcore Champion) vs The Big Boss Man (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Brief lock up to begin, but Boss Man quickly shoves Roadie down, who pops right back up. Another lock up and Roadie shoved down again. Roadie plays up to the crowd a bit to set off Boss Man, who misses a clothesline and turns into a right hand. Boss Man corners Roadie, who tries to slip around but gets thrown into the corner instead, Boss Man with rapid rights. Roadie whipped across the ring for a corner splash, then choked, then again. Roadie whipped back across the ring but Boss Man misses a corner splash this time, and Roadie follows with with a 10 Punch, but Boss Man counters with an inverted atomic drop, only to miss a clothesline and turn into a dropkick. Roadie retreats from the ring as Boss Man tries to get his nightstick, but gets chastised by the ref, allowing Roadie to trip him up an pull him into the ring post, while the ref is handing off the nightstick to someone at ringside.
Roadie with boots and rights in the corner now, then a front facelock in the ropes. Boss Man sent across the ring but hits a back elbow off the rebound, knocking Roadie out of the ring. Right hand before tossing Roadie back in the ring, then face first in the corner. More rights by Boss Man, and Roadie tries to fight back but gets knocked back down. Now Roadie blocks and delivers right before being thumbed in the eye, Roadie sent off the ropes into a big boot, then whipped hard into the corner, Boss Man with the cover and a kick out. Roadie sent off the ropes right into a bearhug. Roadie bites his way out, off the ropes but gets nailed with a knee to the ribs. More shots in the corner by Boss Man an more choking, then Boss Man loosens the turnbuckle in the adjacent corner. Boss Man with a spinebuster, cover and a kick out.
More back work int he corner by Boss Man, then drops him with a right, then some more. Now Roadie with some, then one from Boss Man knocks Roadie back down, then rakes his eyes over the middle rope before dropping his leg across his back. More choking by Boss Man, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a right and gets Boss Man in a sleeper, but rakes the eyes to get free. Back breaker on Roadie, then Boss Man goes up top but Roadie cuts him off and throws him down. Trading shots now, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and some Shake, Rattle and Roll. Roadie off the ropes with a forearm and a knee drop off the ropes, cover and a kick out. Roadie off the ropes into a spinning side slam, cover and Boss Man with the win in 11:54. Well this wasn't that great a match. Rather slow and uninteresting.
Boss Man poses and celebrates in the corner, then takes his leave.
Commentary start hyping the IC Title match up next. We see footage from two weeks ago, when Billy Gunn mooned Shamrock's sister as she was sitting front row. Shamrock of course snapped and attacked, an would do it again the following week on Raw, which culminated in an ankle lock.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Billy Gunn vs Ken Shamrock (c) (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Shamrock wastes no time rushing into the ring and Billy is right on the attack. Ken sent off the ropes into a flying clothesline, then rapid rights on the mat. Now Shamrock mounts with rights and Billy with some before he starts choking him. Billy stomping away now, then tries to send Shamrock face first in the corner but is blocked,sent into it himself before Shamrock delivers boots to the midsection. Billy whipped across the ring into a clothesline. Billy whipped into the corner again but hits a clothesline of his own, cover after a few moments for a two count. Billy with a side headlock now until he rakes the eyes and is forced to break. Billy with a stalling suplex, floats over for the cover and a kick out.
Shamrock whipped into the corner and Billy goes shoulder first into the ring post, and Shamrock delivers kicks to the kidney area, followed by a knee lift to the face. Scoop slam on Billy, then a knee drop, then kicked in the face as he's sat up and another. Shamrock slams down onto Billy's back, then a spinning heel kick, cover and a kick out. Billy sent off the ropes, goes for a back drop but Billy catches him with a Fame Asser, takes too long to cover and Shamrock gets the shoulder up. More boots by Billy and Shamrock face first into the corner, Billy with the corner punches, then off the ropes only to be sent to the outside as Shamrock pulls down the top rope. Shamrock with knees to the face , against the barricade, then sends Billy face first into the ring post, then the steps after restarting the 10 count, then a chair in the timekeeper's area. Shamrock pulls Billy up on the apron for some rights, but he starts fighting back with elbows, and launches off sending Shamrock face first off the announce table. Back in the ring, Billy makes the cover and Shamrock kicks out.
Shamrock pulled face first into Billy's knee, but Shamrock kicks his bad leg out from under him, then begins working the knee with kicks and knees and driving himself into it repeatedly. Shamrock with a front face lock, and Billy fights his way out, tried to go off the ropes but gets pulled down by his hair. Another face lock by Shamrock., Billy fights out, goes off the ropes, Shamrock tries for a knee to the ribs but Billy slips around for a roll up and a near fall. Shamrock with a fisherman suplex with the bridge for a kick out. Back after the bad leg now, Shamrock tries to whip Billy into the corner, but he pulls back, and Shamrock tries for a clothesline but nails the referee instead, before taking each other out with clotheslines.
Val Venis comes out and hits Shamrock with a DDT, who's also been involving himself with Shamrock's sister. Billy makes the cover as the ref comes to, but Shamrock kicks out. Shamrock sent off the ropes now into a spinning back elbow, then whipped into the corner and Billy with a flying clothesline. Scoop slam by Billy, then he goes up top and misses an ax handle, landing on his bad leg. Shamrock latches on immediately and locks in the ankle lock for the win in 14:26. What was the point of having Val interfere if it wasn't going to factor into the finish at all? Shamrock still won. It was a good match setting that aside.
Billy clutches at his leg and ankle as Shamrock does his thing before leaving with his title.
We see Vince in the back with the Stooges and Shane, getting ready for the Rumble, trying to rally Vince who seems pretty cocky. Billy is seen being helped to the back as we go back to the arena as we get to the next match.
WWF European Championship: Gangrel vs X-Pac (c)
Quick back and forth to start with X-Pac getting the advantage with a hip toss. Another quick back and forth, Gangrel blocks another hip toss, but X-Pac flips around and hits a back suplex, then off the ropes with a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Pac with kicks in the corner, then a spin kick, whipping Gangrel across the ring but misses and hits the corner chest first, then Gangrel follows with a splash to the back. Arm trap belly to belly by Gangrel, cover and a kick out. Pac dropped throat first on the top rope, cover by Gangrel and another kick out, now a rear chinlock on X-Pac. X-Pac powers back to his feet and elbows free, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, popped up and drops face first to the mat, Gangrel covers for another kick out.
Gangrel up top but misses a senton, now X-Pac with rights, blocks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick. Gangrel sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, but runs into a second one, cover by X-Pac for a shoulder up. Gangrel reverses a whip off the ropes, X-Pac ducks a clothesline and hits another spinning heel kick. Corner punches by X-Pac, then an elbow to the top of the head sets up for the Bronco Buster. X-Pac ducks another clothesline attempt and hits a third spinning heel kick, then goes up top but gets crotched, but they trade shots and Gangrel is knocked off, then X-Pac hits a crossbody and I think Gangrel was supposed to roll over for a pin, and it turns into a roll up of sort for Gangrel and it should be a three count, but it's waved off as a two count.
X-Pac sent into the corner and gets Gangrel in the face with two boots, but gets caught with a powerslam for a cover and a near fall. X-Pac sent off the ropes, catches Gangrel with a kick, but then he ducks a clothesline, pops X-Pac up and he hits an X-Factor to retain in 5:54. Aside from the botch this was an alright match.
X-Pac poses in victory before making a quick exit and get a replay of the botch and the finish. Then Cole sends it to the back.
Kevin Kelly is with Roadie, Chyna and HHH and asks if they have a strategy for the Rumble match tonight. The question is for HHH but Roadie takes the mic and says that there's a strategy and asks if he's ever seen a fight in the Armstrong family, and tonight he says he's going to win the $100k and get a shot at the WWF Title. X-Pac comes into shot and mutters something about the $100k. HHH says DX is as tight as anybody can get, but it's for the WWF Title, $100k and it's every man for himself... and woman, as Chyna butts in.
Out comes Shane to some generic music, announced as one of the co-owners of the WWF. He takes the mic from Fink and introduces the next WWF Women's Champion, the lovely Luna, so now out she comes. Shane says that for some reason, Sable has suffered a chronic back injury and will be unable to compete tonight. Though when he says "for some reason," he means Sable was attacked by Luna on Heat before the show as we see the footage. Shane asks Sable to come out and forfeit the title. So now out comes Sable holding her back with the title in hand, but she takes the mic and calls for the bell to be rung, and Shane tells her to have it her way before leaving the ring and the bell is rung.
Strap Match for the WWF Women's Championship: Sable vs Luna
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Shane joins commentary for this match. Of course, the rules are that they have to touch all 4 turnbuckles in succession to win the match and the title, attached at the wrist by a leather strap.
Sable shoves Luna into the corner and starts to whip her with the strap right away in the ribs and chest, Luna retreating from the ring. Sable uses the strap to pull Luna face first into the ring post. Luna rams her shoulder into Sable's midsection through the ropes as she climbs onto the apron. Sable with kicks and whips her across the back with the strap, Luna sent off the ropes into a strap assisted clothesline, before she starts choking her with the strap. Luna thrown across the ring, now Sable touches two turnbuckles, but Luna pulls the strap before she can touch a third and whips her in the ribs. Now Luna choking her with the strap and whipping her with it across the back. Foot pressed to the back while choking Sable, then a bot to the ribs. Luna now touches the turnbuckles, a first and second until Sable pulls on the strap, they start swinging around each other until Luna goes face first into the mat. Luna getting whipped over the back now, now kicks to the midsection in the corner, whipped across the ring but sidesteps, following with a backbreaker on Sable.
More choking with the strap and uses it for a hangman's choke as Luna starts to touch the turnbuckles, but Sable does the same as Luna makes her way around the ring and make it to three. Sable manages to counter and tries to get to the fourth turnbuckle but she's pulled back, and Shane's had enough leaving commentary. Luna. Luna tries to make it to the turnbuckle, but Tori, who at this point is just a fan getting involved in Sable's matches, clocks Luna with a right hand before retreating through the crowd. Sable touches the last turnbuckle to retain in 4:45. Well... It was a match.
Sable recovers in the corner as Shane leaves on his own, and Sable poses in victory holding her back. Luna leaves pissed before Sable leaves the ring herself and we get a replay of the finish. Sable heads to the back.
We cut to the back, where a cameraman is peeking around the corner to see Boss Man, Test and Shamrock talking about the bounty of Austin's head. Boss Man says he's going to do whatever it takes to win.
Up next, the I Quit match. We have a video package that starts with Rock wanting a rematch for the title at the Royal Rumble, and Rock does everything he can to get it, trying to appeal to Mick, to try and make it a match he would like, No DQ, then adds No Countouts, then guarantees that no one from the Corporation will interfere, but Mick denies them all, until Rock decides to quit trying and that's the stip that Mick agrees to. Mick would say he'd never quit, going through the hell he's gone through in his career alongside the accompanying footage, from the King of the Deathmatch to the Hell in a Cell match with Taker and everything in between, but Rock's argument is that he's simply "The Great One," and vows to drop Corporate Elbows, putting him through every announce table he can, down Know Your Role Boulevard, take a right on Jabroni Drive, right to the Smackdown Hotel, take his ass from room to damn room until it's checkout time. Mick would misquote Dr. Seuss to further his point that he won't quit.
Before that though, Dok Hendrix is standing by with the Rock, and asks if Rock will be able to do what no one has ever done and make Mankind utter the words "I Quit." Rock tells Dok to know his role and shut his mouth, then talks to Mankind and says there's something about all this that befuddles him, because he's not just some roody-poo candy ass on the corner of Know Your Role Blvd. and Jabroni Dr. that Mick is just going to have his way with, because tonight in front of the thousands of his fans in the arena chanting his name, and the millions (pause) and millions of his fans watching live, he guaran-damn-tees to prove to Mick that he is The Great One and the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, and after Mick utters "I Quit" he says he will go down as being the best damn WWF Champ there ever was, if you smell what The Rock is cooking. Then he walks off.
"I Quit" Match for the WWF Championship: The Rock vs Mankind (c)
Corporation banned from ringside.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We find out from Cole that Mick was forced to compete in a "warm-up" match against Mabel on Heat before the show, which we see footage of Rock causing a DQ with a Rock Bottom, followed by a splash by Mabel.
Rock tries to get the jump but Foley delivers rights driving Rock into the corner. More rights, Rock whipped across the ring for a clothesline, then more rights drop Rock down to set up for the running knee to the face. The audio is completely off sync for this match for some reason. Mick takes the mic and asks Rock but nothing seems to get picked up. Audio is back in sync as Mick sends Rock face first into the corner, sends Rock across the ring and Mick hits a bulldog coming off the ropes. Mounted rights by Mick and he takes the mic and asks if Rock has something to tell the people, and he tells Mick to kiss his ass, only to be cut off with a right hand. Mick rams the mic repeatedly into Rock's head, then calls him a son of a bitch and tells him to say the words, Rock responding tells him he's going to kick his fat ass, Mick responding with another right. Mick sends himself and Rock tumbling to the outside with a clothesline over the ropes.
More shots and Rock goes face first into the barricade, more rights by Mick, but gets sends knees first into the steps, tumbling over to the floor. Rock takes a headset from commentary and says he's out there proving why he is the Great One, calls Mick a piece of trash and says he isn't. Mick is back up meanwhile with Rock's back turned to him, and he asks why King isn't saying anything and when he goes to speak Rock tells him to shut his mouth and calls him a piece of trash. Rock turns around into some more rights by Foley who sends Rock into the timekeeper's table. Chair to Rock's back as Cole gets the headset back on, Mick rakes at the eyes as he gets the mic and demands Rock quit, and tells Mick to kiss his ass again before getting the mic rammed into his head, then a second time.
Back in the ring now, Mick with the double-arm DDT, then he pulls out Socko and gets Rock with the mandible claw, but as King points out, Rock can't quit like this as Foley brings him down. Hebner on the mic asks Rock if he'll quit but Rock is seemingly unconscious and says nothing, Foley calls him a piece of crap and tells him to get up, then he says he's going to split open that ridiculous eyebrow. Boots to the head of Rock sends him back out of the ring and Foley follows. Rock gets tossed over the barricade and they fight their way through the crowd briefly, but gets powerslammed over to the padded floor with Rock tumbling with him. Rock now with boots to the head and midsection, Foley face first off the steps and Rock grabs the ring bell, holding it up to Foley's missing ear before ringing it with the hammer. Rock takes the mic and sings "The bells will be ringing" before he does it again. Foley is pulled on top of the Spanish table, which collapses under them as Rock tries for the Rock Bottom. Rock takes the mic and tells the "piece of monkey crap" to quit, and Foley responds with "up yours".
Rock laying in with more boots before spitting water in Mick's face, then he fights back with rights. Rock face first off the ring post, then a running clothesline to the back of the head as Rock retreats up the aisle. Mick and Rock fighting their way beside the entrance set to the tech area and Mick goes face first into the tech table. Rock with more rights, then Mick with some until Rock delivers a DDT on the exposed floor. Rock wants him to quit but Foley refuses. Rock with more boots and rights before Rock grabs a ladder from behind an electrical box, but Foley boots it back into him. Foley uses the ladder to crush Rock and Hebner holds the mic up to his mouth and he tells Foley to go piss himself. Foley goes for a running elbow as the ladder lays on top of Rock but he rolls out from under and Mick lands on the ladder. Rock takes the mic who says Mick ain't the one who delivers an electrifying elbow and tells him to quit before calling him a piece of trash, but Mick just screams no into the mic.
Rock grabs the ladder and sets it up in front of the stands, right behind the electrical box and Rock makes the climb and just in front of the railing set up for the fans. Mick follows, Rock with boots and rights, Mick with some rights and Rock teeters. Mick tries to toss him off but Rock nails a low blow. Mick face first into the railing and Rock climbs over it, before knocking Mick off with a right, dropping him onto the electrical box and the lights go out as sparks fly. Rock climbs back down as we get some kind of lighting back on and Mick is barely moving. Shane is out there and he and Hebner are trying to talk sense into Rock and end the match, but Rock off mic says that son of a bitch will scream "I quit" and he'll be damned if he doesn't. Shane is pleading with him but Rock's having none of it, and Mick is crawling, only to be booted in the head, then again. Mick is still crawling as Rock calls him one of the biggest pieces of trailer park trash walking, before booting him in the head again as they make their way back to the ring. Mick face first into the steel barricade in the aisle, then a second time and Mick can't even defend himself. Another boot and a right to the head.
Mick is tossed back in the ring as Rock grabs handcuffs from ringside, cuffing Mick's arms behind his back. Hebner is trying to talk sense into him some more and Rock just delivers more boots and rights to the head and ribs. Foley face first into the corner repeatedly but he finally manages to get in a low blow and he's been visibly busted open just under the top of his mask. Mick now with boots to the head of Rock and he starts to bite him as Rock drops to the mat, then another low blow. Rock asks him to quit and Rock shoves the mic away. Rock comes off the ropes with a clothesline though and delivers more boots. Rock leaves the ring and grabs a chair and lays it down across Mick's face to deliver the Corporate Elbow onto it. Rock gets the mic and wants him, after the most electrifying move in sports entertainment today, to quit, but Mick just tells him to go to hell. Rock says he may go to hell, but Mick's candy ass first.
God these are hard to watch. Now begins those dozen chair shots. Mick gets to his feet, takes one, drops to his knees and takes another. Rock tells him to quit, and Mick tells him he'll have to kill him. Three more shots drop Mick again, then a boot to the back sends Mick out. Rock follows, another shot, tells him to quit, he doesn't respond. Another shot, tells him to quit, no response. Another shot, Rock gets on the mic and tells the fans they can chant "Foley" all they want, but that tonight that piece of trash will say "I quit." He tosses the mic back to Hebner, then two more shots to the head, the last to the back of it. Rock puts the chair down and takes the mic, and says he guaran-damn-teed to the millions (pause) and millions of his fans that he was going to make that son of a bitch scream "I quit," then tells Mick's monkey ass to say "I quit". Rock holds the mic to his mouth, "Mick" says "I quit" and the bell is rung in 21:48, as Rock tells Hebner's monkey ass to get to the ring and award the champ. Fucking hell that was hard to watch. I haven't seen this match in quite a few years, but fucking hell, ten unprotected chair shots to the head.
Rock's music hits as he's awarded the belt and Cole is sickened as Rock poses in the corner with his belt. The fans are pretty much in shock as officials tend to Foley, seen removing his mask as Rock continues to pose and leaves the ring. Foley is being uncuffed as the doc is tending to his head and Rock makes his way out. Rock pulls the doc off so he can pose over Foley with the belt and a stretcher has been brought out which Rock kicks over. Foley refuses to stay on the stretcher as officials keep Rock at bay, but Mick is helped out by the doc to the back.
Up next, the titular match as commentary hype it and go over the rules, as well as the stakes. We go to our video package, which is centered around the McMahon/Austin feud. Thanks to Kane and Taker, Austin lost the WWF Title back at Breakdown and the title was vacated due to a double pin. We had the infamous zamboni incident, and when Austin refused to declare a new champion at Judgement Day, he was fired. Shane out of nowhere though made his debut on TV and rehired Austin, and the contract would guarantee Austin at least one title shot. Austin got screwed out of the title at Survivor Series by Vince, and by a heel turn from Shane, and of course Rock would win the title later that night.
Austin the next night would pull out the previously mentioned contract and get his guaranteed title match, however he'd be screwed by Shamrock. Vince would then announce that Austin would have to earn his spot in the Rumble facing Taker in a Buried Alive Match at Rock Bottom, which Austin would win with help from Kane. Vince would utter that Austin has no chance in hell of winning the Rumble, and "drew" Austin's number at #1, as well as place a bounty on his elimination at the tune of $100k. Vince entered himself in the match, and in making himself an active member on the roster, it gave Commissioner Michaels the power to make Vince the #2 entrant in the Rumble as per Vince's own rules. Vince tried to get out of this by winning the Corporate Rumble, which guaranteed the #30 spot to the winner, however thanks to help from Austin, Chyna would win that spot herself, seemingly sealing Vince's fate.
We see footage from Heat where Austin was denied entrance to the building through the VIP entrance, since he didn't have a limo, so he came back with a monster truck limo and drove through the barricades and some conveniently placed cars. He confronted Vince in the ring and got slapped, and escaped as Austin took out his frustrations on the Stooges instead.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
WWF Title shot at Wrestlemania on the line, as well as $100,000 for whoever can eliminate Austin. Austin and Vince made entrants #1 and 2 respectively prior to the show, while Chyna won the #30 spot in the Corporate Rumble.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: It's so weird seeing Vince come out to no music, when what would become his iconic theme is the theme song and tagline for this PPV. He's also got no shirt on which is an even more weird sight.
Vince immediately goes for a clothesline and Austin ducks, driving Vince into the corner with rights and stomps a mudhole in him and walks it dry. Austin flips him off and hits a scoop slam before delivering a low blow as Vince tries to beg him off. Austin teases tossing Vince over, playing to the crowd to which side to throw him over and he almost does, but he puts the breaks on, before a clothesline and the timer counts down.
Entrant #3 is Golga of The Oddities, who's just John Tenta under a mask. The crowd seems to love him as they wave their arms side to side, and Austin hits a Thesz Press on Vince, Golga rushing into the ring to try and save him with a boot to the back. Golga clubs the back as Vince rolls out, then tries to toss Austin out but gets tossed himself, so Golga's already eliminated. Vince has escaped through the crowd and Austin gives chase, as they go deeper through the fans to the back, neither eliminated. Meanwhile, the timer counts down for the next entrant for an empty ring.
Entrant #4 is apparently Droz of L.O.D., but the camera has followed Austin and Vince who fight their way through the concession area and into a bathroom, where Austin is ambushed by Shamrock, Test and Boss Man. Cameraman is knocked down and we don't see any of it as we see Droz waiting in the ring for the next entrant. We don't have to wait long as the timer counts down for the next entrant.
Entrant #5 is Edge and he ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody, followed by mounted rights. Droz sent off the ropes, ducks an elbow and hits a spinning back elbow. Droz with mounted rights now, then Edge face first into the corner, before Droz tries to lift him over the ropes but Edge rakes the eyes to save himself. Edge now tries to do the same in the adjacent corner, Droz sent off the ropes into a dropkick as the timer counts down once more.
Entrant #6 is Gillberg, as Droz gets in some shots on Edge and Edge gets one in of his own. Gillberg poses over the ropes and immediately gets dumped over by Edge, then he's taken out with a clothesline. We cut back to the bathroom where Austin is out cold, and Vince and the others leave as officials tend to Austin. Droz tries to eliminate Edge in the corner again but he hangs on and gets free. Edge with shots to the back, Droz whipped into the corner and misses a splash, landing on the top rope and Droz kicks him in the midsection, trying to eliminate him as the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #7 is Steve Blackman who chops Droz, then kicks to the ribs and elbows to the back of the head. Droz face first in the corner as we see a stretcher rolled into the bathroom and EMTs work on Austin. Edge clubs Blackman as he tries to eliminate Droz, Blackman sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, then some kicks and a dropkick. Droz clubs him in the back of the neck and tries to dump him over, and tries to get Edge's help but he gets a shot in on Droz instead. We see Austin get loaded onto a backboard as Blackman sends Edge into the corner, who tries to fight his way out and the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #8 is Dan Severn, who takes down Blackman, then they start to fight in the corner. Austin is seen getting carted out of the arena and Severn and Edge are nearly eliminated but they free themselves as the next entrant comes out.
Entrant #9 is Tiger Ali Singh, and we see Austin loaded into an ambulance and just starting to stir and it drives off. Dan and Edge almost eliminated again but save themselves. Droz choked over the middle rope and Edge with rights on Ali in the corner. Tiger reverses a whip and gorilla presses Edge, but he slips from his hands, and tries to eliminate Tiger, then Droz comes up behind and tries to eliminate both but Edge gets free.
Entrant #10 is Blue Meanie from The J.O.B. Squad. Tiger right on the attack as he slides in with boots to the midsection and rights, Meanie sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. Meanie dances a bit and delivers rights on Tiger in the corner, then Edge attacks from behind. Droz and Edge both chop him then try to eliminate Meanie together, but give up. Dan and Tiger work Blackman in another corner as Droz tries to eliminate Meanie again.
Entrant #11 is... not coming out for some reason. Oh we see Mabel send Mosh of the Headbangers into the interview set, so I suppose he was supposed to be next, but Mabel goes out and takes his spot. He attacks and eliminated Blackman and Severn, then clotheslines Ali out of the ring. Clothesline on Meanie and right on Droz.
Entrant #12 is Road Dogg and out go Meanie and Droz thanks to Mabel. Edge gets him with a low blow then trades shots on Roadie, then charges and is sent up and over and nearly eliminated but manages to hang on, but is quickly knocked off and goes face first off the announce table. Roadie and Mabel trade shots a few seconds then the lights go out, and Taker's music hits. Music is back on and the Acolytes and Mideon have eliminated Mabel, who send him up the aisle to a waiting Taker and Bearer. Taker had apparently promised a sacrifice on this show and he says something to Mabel that can't be made out, but Mabel gets clubbed repeatedly as they drive him to the back. Meanwhile Roadie is left alone in the ring waiting for the next entrant.
Entrant #13 is Gangrel and Roadie immediately with rights in the corner, now Gangrel with some of his own, stomping away. Roadie reverses a whip off the ropes then tosses Gangrel over and he's already eliminated. Vince and Austin are both still in this too.
Entrant #14 is Kurrgan, also of The Oddities. Roadie right on the attack but he's nailed with a forearm, then pulled into a clothesline. Roadie face first in the corner and Kurrgan with knees to the midsection, followed by a sidewalk slam. More boots by Kurrgan to the back, then a headbutt sends Roadie into the corner before choking him with his boot. Shots to the ribs and jaw, then Roadie whipped across the ring and Kurrgan misses a splash.
Entrant #15 is Al Snow as Kurrgan tries to eliminate Roadie, then Al clubs him from behind. He and Roadie double team with shots to the back and ribs, then try to eliminate Kurrgan together, but Roadie decides to just eliminate Al after it takes forever. Roadie with a right, then dropped with one from Kurrgan who drops a knee to his back. Roadie whipped into the corner and hits a knee to the ribs, then it's switched around.
Entrant #16 is Goldust who attacks Roadie from behind, then a right hand. Roadie sent off the ropes into a clothesline. He tries to set him up in the corner for Shattered Dreams but Kurrgan cuts him off, Goldie rakes his eyes, Kurrgan sent off the ropes and hits a clothesline but he doesn't go down, then Goldie hits a DDT. Roadie drops him with a right hand now, then a boot to the head of both Kurrgan and Goldie. Roadie sets up Goldie for Shattered Dreams, but then Kurrgan grabs him and Goldie nails a low blow.
Entrant #17 is The Godfather, who comes out with his hos. Kurrgan tries to eliminate Goldie and Roadie tries to eliminate him to no avail. Godfather sure takes his time as Kurrgan has a claw on Roadie, and Godfather sends Goldie into the corner face first. Goldie rakes the eyes, then rights in the corner by Goldie but misses a corner splash. Goldie whipped into the corner for a Ho Train.
Entrant #18 is Kane and he tosses out Roadie, then Kurrgan, then Godfather, then Goldie, leaving him alone. The crowd is eating this up. But now the white coats have come down and Kane lays them out with a right hand and a chokeslam. Kane then steps over the ropes and to the floor eliminating himself as he chases after the rest of the white coats.
Entrant #19 is Ken Shamrock and Vince has made his way back out in the meantime, still in it since he went through the ropes, and now back through the ropes to join commentary. Cole asks Vince since he's still in the Rumble and joining the commentary is he wants no part of Shamrock, to Vince replies "do you think I'm nuts?" which is a fair point, and says he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish, Austin left in an ambulance and won't be coming back.
Entrant #20 is Billy Gunn on a limp and he and Shamrock trade shots, and his bad leg is kicked out from under him. Billy's got one boot on with the other taped up and Shamrock keeps going after the bad leg, but Billy ducks a roundhouse and delivers a back suplex. Billy with a gorilla press sends Shamrock throat first onto the top rope. Billy tosses Shamrock over but he hangs on, and Shamrock with a chop block to the bad ankle as he comes back in.
Entrant #21 is Test, and we go back outside where Taker and his men are attacking Mabel, putting him in what looks like a hearse in the parking lot. We hear a siren in the background and in drives an ambulance and Vince's eyes pop open as he realizes Austin is driving the ambulance. Out he steps as he makes his way back out and still officially in the Rumble. Billy with a double low blow and a double clothesline back in the ring.
Entrant #22 as Austin is on his way back out, is Big Boss Man and Vince leaves commentary as Austin chases after him back in the ring. Shamrock is on the attack and Vince manages to slip out. Shamrock with rights until he's tossed over, and Boss Man is on the attack now, trading shots until he knocks Austin down. Austin face first in the corner for more rights and Austin tries to fight free but he's choked over the middle rope as Test tries to eliminate Billy in the other corner. Austin I think removed the tag rope and starts to choke Boss Man with it.
Entrant #23 is Triple H and goes right after Test with rights, Test sent off the ropes into a high knee. Billy goes after Austin, and Boss Man after Billy as HHH works on Test. Boss Man tries to eliminate Austin but HHH thumbs his eye and pulls him off. Now HHH tries to eliminate Austin and Austin with elbows to Billy in the corner. Billy sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow an Austin is taken out by Boss Man with rights.
Entrant #24 is Val Venis and he's taken out with a clothesline by HHH. Test on Austin as HHH is sent face first into the corner and Test hits Austin with a big boot. Austin rakes the eyes and sends Test face first in the corner, then Billy goes after him, Austin face first a couple times in the corner. Austin stomps the bad ankle and tosses Billy out and he's eliminated. Austin tries to eliminate HHH and Boss Man tries to help but he hangs on, as Test sends Val off the ropes into a clothesline. Test tries to help in eliminating HHH but he still hangs on and Austin nails Val with a clothesline.
Entrant #25 is X-Pac and goes after Test, then HHH saves him from Boss Man. Austin nearly eliminates Val but he hangs on and nails an ax handle off the top. Val stomping away on Austin and choking him as Test sends X-Pac into the corner face first. Austin gets booted under the ropes by Val, then Austin goes up top with an ax handle on Val before sending Pac off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick.
Entrant #26 is Mark Henry as X-Pac tries to eliminate Austin, and Henry goes after Pac then Austin. Pac choked against the ropes by Henry and Austin with shots on Henry, then Boss Man holds up Austin so Henry can deliver shots, until Austin ducks one and he clocks Boss Man instead. Henry now with shots on Boss Man in the corner as Pac goes after Austin now and choking him on the mat. Henry tries to dump HHH but he hangs on. Val tries to eliminate Test but he hangs on.
Entrant #27 is Jeff Jarrett led by Debra. He goes after Pac until Test nails him from behind, then double teams Austin with Val in the corner. Pac and HHH sent Jarrett off the ropes into a double clothesline, then Pac nails HHH with a spinning heel kick. Pac drops Boss Man in the corner to set up for the Bronco Buster as HHH hits Val with a back suplex, and Jarrett tries to eliminate Austin until Pac clubs him, then he tries to eliminate Pac until he fights free. Austin off the middle rope with an ax handle and a low blow on X-Pac.
Entrant #28 is D'Lo Brown led by PMS, Terri and Jacqueline, off the heels of Terri's miscarriage angle. Test on Austin in the corner until he's dumped by Austin, then X-Pac dumped by Boss Man as Vince starts to panic. Boss Man choking Austin and Jarrett joins in on the attack. Henry whipped into the corner by HHH but then nailed with a clothesline. Jarrett and Boss Man try to dump Austin over, then Jarrett sends Austin off the ropes into a single leg dropkick. Austin reverses a whip off the ropes, Jarrett ducks an elbow but gets caught with the Thesz Press. Rights on Jarrett until HHH tosses him over.
Entrant #29 is Owen Hart who goes after Austin and double teams with D'Lo, but HHH knocks their heads together, then Austin does the same, and rolls out and throws water in Vince's face. Val goes face first in the corner by Austin, then dropped by a right from D'Lo, who tries to eliminate Austin but he hangs on, as Henry hits Henry with a splash.
Entrant #30 of course is Chyna and she nails Henry with rights. Boots to the midsection of Henry, then dropped by a forearm, before she tosses Henry over the ropes with ease. Austin then clotheslines her out of the ring and she's out, before being taken down by HHH. He delivers rapid boots in the corner and stomps away. Val attacks HHH from behind, whips him but gets pulled into a clothesline. Austin fights out of the corner, HHH sent off the ropes but caught with a facebuster, then tries to toss him out but Val nails him, then Val tries to toss Austin out, but HHH grabs Val and tosses him out instead. Stunner on HHH and he's clotheslined over the ropes and he's out.
Down to the final five, Austin, Vince, Boss Man, Owen and D'Lo. Leg drop by D'Lo on Austin as Owen goes after Boss Man in the corner, D'Lo choking Austin as Owen tries to eliminate Boss Man. Austin sent off the ropes into a single leg dropkick by D'Lo. Owen face first in the corner, D'Lo sent off the ropes by Austin, ducks a clothesline and Austin sidesteps another dropkick attempt before driving his elbow into D'Lo's chest. Austin choking away at D'Lo then face first in the corner as he tries to eliminate D'Lo, and Owen tries to eliminate Boss Man, neither work out. D'Lo tries to eliminate Austin now but he hangs on. Owen tries to dump Boss Man but D'Lo makes the save, then low blowed by Boss Man and Owen nails Austin with an enziguri, only to be tossed up and over in the corner and eliminated. Boss Man sent off the ropes by Austin but catches him with a kick , then a right hand. D'Lo goes up top and hits the Lo Down on Austin, then Boss Man dumps D'Lo. Austin with the Stunner on Boss Man an eliminates him, and we're down to two.
Austin sets his eyes on Vince who tries to beg him off and leaps over the table, but Vince is on the attack with rights, until Austin bounces his face off the table. Vince thrown over the barricade again and booted before being tossed back to ringside. Vince face first off the apron, then Austin grabs a chair, follows Vince as he stumbles around and nails Vince in the head as he turns around. Vince is tossed back in the ring and Austin stares down, and Vince manages to nail a low blow in desperation. Austin and Vince back up, Austin ducks a clothesline and hits the Stunner. Austin to the middle rope and drives his elbow into Vince's chest. Rock now makes his way out with the title in hand and he and Austin trade words, Rock taunting Austin and trying to goad Rock into fighting him, as Vince takes forever to come to. Rock leaps the apron and he and Austin grab onto each other, allowing Vince to pop up, toss Austin over and win the Royal Rumble in 56:40. I have to admit this match wasn't all that great, I mean not a whole ton happened until Austin made his way back, and the rest just kind of felt like time filler. The whole match was about Austin and Vince, so everyone else was just kind of there, which I mean I get, but they did nothing to make the rest of the entrants seem to matter.
Vince just collapses to his back as his arms are raised, and then the PPV's theme plays as Austin looks on in shock and is livid. He tries to get his hands on Vince but Rock pulls him down and Austin goes after Rock, fighting their way to the back, as the referees tend to Vince in the ring and help him to his feet. Shane's there now along with the Stooges to help Vince stand and Vince barely even knows where he is. Shane has Fink announce Vince the winner a second time and a lucid Vince poses in victory, while Shane gets a mic and tells Vince he's won and that he's going to Wrestlemania. Vince's music starts back up and he asks for beers, sharing them with Shane and the Stooges. They all mock Austin in the corners, downing the beers and enjoying themselves. This goes on for what feels like 10 minutes, at least 5 or maybe even more, I mean I get it but it goes on a bit too long.
Then to close the show we get a video package set to "No Chance in Hell" recapping the events of the night before the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well I didn't think this show was that great. I mean there was a damn good European Title match, and the IC Title match was good until the finish. The "I Quit" Match wasn't terrible, but having to watch those chair shots was just fucking uncomfortable. The main event wasn't that great considering the action, but the story being told was good. So this one was a pretty mixed bag for me. That said, with a run time of 2:43:20, this show had a total 1:55:27 of wrestling.
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