WWF Royal Rumble 1999
January 24, 1999
Anaheim, CA
December 7, 2014
WWF Attitude is in full force.
The WWF has taken a strong lead in the Monday Night Wars, winning for about 15 straight weeks at this point. While WCW was still putting on a strong fight at this point…and even having some good shows, their decisions at the top killed them long term (booking of Goldberg, The Fingerpoke of Doom). WCW wouldn’t turn into a complete disaster until somewhere in May or June.
But the WWF is at its strongest point since perhaps the Hulkamania days. Riding the Stone Cold vs. Mr. McMahon wave, the WWF had changed wrestling. Crash TV is the norm. While at the time this was amazing, revolutionary stuff, and a lot of it still is, the WWF would find getting past Crash TV very difficult. No doubt Vince wasn’t thinking about that in January 1999.
More good news in 1999 was that some guys were coming into their own as legitimate draws. 1998 was mostly built on Austin vs. McMahon, with Undertaker, Kane and Mick Foley as supporting players at the top. At the end of ’98, Taker was still going strong, as was Kane. Foley solidified his main event status and comes into this event as the World Champion. The Rock, who two years prior was one of the worst babyfaces in wrestling, now is the most charismatic guy in wrestling and may even lead the WWF past the Austin era. Triple H is getting close to the top as well, and he’d get there by Summerslam.
Good luck WCW.
The Card
The PPV was the debut of the “No Chance In Hell” theme, which Vince adopted for himself. Perfect fit. We get a video explaining how we got Austin to be #1 and Vince to be #2 in the Rumble. I’ll get into that when the match comes up.
Road Dogg vs. Big Bossman
Road Dogg and Bossman were feuding over the Hardcore title…which was an extension of the Outlaws vs. Bossman and Shamrock for the Tag belts…which was an extension of DX vs. the Corporation.
This isn’t for the Hardcore title…which is disappointing. I believe though it’s because of the brutality we will see later with Rock and Mankind.
I have no expectations for this. None.
Big Bossman pins Road Dogg in 11:30. Admittedly surprised at this finish. Bossman Slam puts Road Dogg down. Kinda deflating for the crowd. Road Dogg was never a great worker, but the fans reacted to everything he did at this point. Probably why he got the IC title later.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Ken Shamrock© vs. Billy Gunn
This was the first attempt to get Billy Gunn over as a singles guy. I don’t count Rockabilly.
Ryan Shamrock had debuted at this point. Billy Gunn mooned her to get Shamrock to agree to a title match. Sure why not.
Billy Gunn just never had it in the ring.
Gunn just doesn’t do anything exciting. But like Road Dogg, he got an awesome reaction at this time.
It’s Val Venis! DDT! I think Venis was trying to sleep with Ryan Shamrock.
Ken Shamrock makes Billy Gunn submit in 14:24. Gunn rolls his ankle…and Shamrock locks in the ankle lock to make Gunn submit. Big night for the Corporation so far. Rumors were that Gunn did something stupid I don’t recall that got him in trouble. Two boring matches to start though.
Shane McMahon pumps Vince up!
WWF European Championship
X-Pac© vs. Gangrel
Michael Cole says that X-Pac is “perhaps the greatest European Champion ever”…the belt’s been around for about 20 months at this point. How long can that list be?
X-Pac sells a hangman with a somersault. At least he’s trying.
X-Pac comes off the top…and Gangrel tries to reverse the crossbody but doesn’t get the complete rotation. Teddy Long (remember when he was a ref?!) counts 3, which wasn’t the finish.
X-Pac pins Gangrel in 5:51 to retain. X-Factor wins. Despite the fuck-up, it wasn’t too bad. X-Pac carried it for sure. Better than his DX companions for sure.
Shane McMahon comes out to some generic WWF music. Good times. He was in some feud with Sable at the time that I can’t remember. It may have led to her heel turn.
Women’s Championship: Strap Match
Sable© vs. Luna
Luna’s music is someone’s generic theme I just can’t remember.
Luna attacked Sable in HeAt, and Sable has a “chronic” back injury as a result. Shane wants her to vacate the title.
Sable says to ring the bell though!
No idea why this is a Strap Match.
Sable wins in 4:43. They set up the same finish that happens in every strap match ever…where one touches the turnbuckles and the other secretly does as well, only to jump ahead on the last one. A twist here…a “fan” who is Sable’s stalker interferes and costs Luna the match. That would be Tori.
WWF Championship: I Quit Match
Mankind© vs. The Rock
Mankind won the title on the first RAW of 1999, and refused the Rock a rematch. Rock said he’d do any match type to get the rematch, but when he said he’d quit trying…Mankind accepted. An I Quit Match was set. It was booked around Mankind taunting Rock that this was a match he couldn’t possibly lose as no one could ever make Mankind say I Quit.
The Corporation hired Mabel to squash Mankind earlier, which he did. It would be Mabel’s lone night as a member of the Corporation…
Hilarious spot where Rock gets on commentary for a moment. Jerry Lawler tries to warn Rock…but Rock tells him to shut his mouth…before getting attacked.
Rock rings Mankind’s bell!
Rock tries to Rock Bottom Mankind through the table…but the table gives way.
We’ve got a Ladder! Mankind tries to elbow Rock who’s under a ladder…but it doesn’t work out well for him as he misses.
Rock and Mankind fight up on a balcony…and Rock punches Mankind off into some electrical equipment. Unforuntately for the match…the bump itself wasn’t too insane, but it turns into an overkill of sparks…and the lights go out in the arena. Michael Cole tries to sell it like Hell in a Cell…and Shane McMahon even comes out to try to end it…but it doesn’t nearly have the same effect.
On the plus side, Rock really gets his mean streak put over, as he says no matter what Mankind will quit and forces the match to continue.
Here comes the handcuffs. This is about to get ugly.
Mankind actually gets back on the offensive with handcuffs on. Not many guys could pull that off convincingly.
One of the scariest moments in professional wrestling…even at the time. The Rock nails Mankind with chairshot after chairshot to Mankind’s unprotected skull.
Rock also misses a cue to hit Mankind in the back…and continually hits him in the head.
The Rock wins the title in 21:44. After a sickening shot that knocks Foley down, Rock asks is Foley quits again. Foley is heard saying “I QUIT, I QUIT, I QUIT!” and Rock wins the title. It was revealed on RAW that it was a recording to screw Foley. This is a great brawl that’s hurt by the production stunt in the middle…and the finish is a bit much. Still a great brawl, and Rock’s best match at this point. There are three other significant things about this match that has to be considered though.
First: the finish. WWF backed themselves into a corner here with this stipulation. After Hell in a Cell…you really had to kill Mankind to get him to quit. Foley wrote about this in Foley is Good. They discussed different finishes, one where Foley’s wife calls it but it was explained why that wouldn’t work. I have two proposals for a finish. The most sensible was Mankind being knocked out, a la Austin at Mania 13. The second is having Mankind go over. It’s not like he wouldn’t go over anyway during the Superbowl and fight to a draw at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre as champ. Didn’t have to nearly kill Foley here.
Second: This was the match that ended Foley’s career in his mind as a full time wrestler. He talks about how the love of performing was gone after this match.
Third: With that we know about concussions it’s horrifying to watch. I don’t know if Foley got a concussion here…but the footage is just crazy to watch.
1999 Royal Rumble
Stone Cold is #1, Mr. McMahon is #2.
Austin was told he was not getting anymore World Title shots after the RAW after Survivor Series. But to get Austin McMahon dangled a Royal Rumble spot…if he could beat Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match. He did so. Vince then drew #1 for Austin.
Vince decided to enter himself as #30. This backfired when the Corporation lost Commissioner Shawn Michaels. HBK said since Vince entered the Rumble, he would be considered a WWF Superstar. Shawn made Vince #2.
Vince also put a $100,000 bounty on Austin’s head.
I think it’s funny that Vince looks so much better than Austin shape wise. Nothing against Austin…it says more about Vince.
Austin vs. Vince is a huge deal.
Austin beats the crap out of Austin the first two minutes.
#3 is Golga! Golga attacks Austin…for that bounty. Austin dumps Golga in about 15 seconds. At least he can say he was eliminated by Austin and Hulk Hogan in Royal Rumbles!
Vince hightails it…and Austin chases. They both slide under the bottom rope.
#4 is Droz. No one cares. They are watching Austin vs. Vince in the back.
Vince lures Austin into the women’s bathroom…it’s a trap! The Corporation beats the crap out of Austin!
#5 is Edge. Early in the career of the future 11 time World Champ.
#6 is GILLBERG! Edge takes him out in about 3 seconds.
#7 is Steve Blackman. Crowd really has died down since the beginning, obviously. Shoulda threw someone in there who, um…, matters. Like Road Dogg.
Droz with his best Scorpion impression.
#8 is THE BEAST. No not Brock Lesnar. Dan Severn.
If there was someone who didn’t fit the WWF style…it’s Dan Severn.
Austin is being carried out of the restroom and is being loaded into an ambulance.
#9 is Tiger Ali Singh. No one cares about any of these guys. Only Edge would become anything…although in Droz’s case that’s bad luck.
#10 is The Blue Meanie. I mean sure why not.
#11 is…no one? Well, Mabel smashes Mosh into a wall. So I guess #11 is Mabel.
Mabel dumps Severn and Blackman.
#12 is Road Dogg. Crowd wakes up!
Mabel takes out Droz and Meanie.
Road Dogg gets Edge. Some freakiness is about to happen though…
Lights go out…here comes The Undertaker! Old Taker music plays as well, which is odd.
The Ministry of Darkness abducts Mabel and would later turn him into Viscera. Inintended continuity too, as last time Mabel was a full time guy he just got finished feuding with Undertaker! Anyway, someone eliminated Mabel. Road Dogg doesn’t seem to care.
#13 is Gangrel.
Gangrel lasts about 30 seconds. We’re gonna watch Road Dogg stand around I guess.
#14 is Kurrgan!
#15 is Al Snow!
Not a lot happening here. I think it’s about to pick up shortly though.
Snow was pretty over (or at least Head was). He should have been there earlier to help with the crowd reaction.
Snow is gone, just like that by Road Dogg.
#16 is Goldust. A weird case…as Goldust got a huge face reaction when he turned back into Goldust in October on Val Venis…but has begun to turn heel. A real shame there…although I don’t think Goldust was in the right frame of mind at this point anyway.
#17 is the Godfather. Another great choice of someone who should have been in this match about 12 people ago.
#18 is Kane. Business has just picked up. They should have waited one week with the nuthouse angle, as Kane could have been a great last defense for the Corporation against Austin here.
Kane cleans house of course.
Another angle! The white coats are here to get Kane. Kane eliminates himself…he should have went under the bottom rope…and escapes through the crowd. Crowd is bummed.
#19 is Shamrock. Vince also reappears and sits in commentary.
#20 is a limping Billy Gunn. Not sure how coming out without a boot is a good idea…but that’s what Gunn decides. Perhaps it’s the ol’ swelling ankle theory.
#21 is Test.
We cut to the Ministry shoving Mabel into a hearse…but then we hear an ambulance! Austin is back!
#22 is the Bossman. Austin is back! He chases Vince…but SHamrock cuts him off! Austin dumps Shamrock!
#23 is Triple H!
#24 is Val Venis. Somehow he got in the upper tier class in this Rumble.
#25 is X-Pac. Pretty sure he’s not the lightest Royal Rumble competitor ever. I mean I’d have to look, but one of the Mexicans in ’97 I think beats that.
#26 is Mark Henry. He was more Sexual Chocolate here and less Hall of Pain…for sure.
#27 is Jeff Jarrett. The crowd is cheering. For Debra of course.
#28 is D’Lo Brown. I think Terri was on drugs there…
Austin dumps Test.
X-Pac’s out next.
HHH gets rid of Jarrett.
#29 is Owen Hart. Big reaction for him. Too bad he was never getting a chance with Austin on top. It wouldn’t matter soon anyway, sadly.
#30 is Chyna! First women ever.
Chyna eliminates Mark Henry…and Austin clotheslines her out!
Austin, HHH, Val, D’Lo, Owen, Bossman and Vince left.
HHH takes out Val.
Austin drops HHH with a Stunner…and he’s gone.
Austin dumps Owen. D’Lo gets the Lo-Down on Austin but Bossman dumps him. Austin immediately hits Bossman with a Stunner and he’s gone.
Austin vs. McMahon. Austin beats the hell out of him…but here comes The Rock!
Mr. McMahon wins the Royal Rumble in 56:38. Rock and Austin go at it on the apron, and Vince dumps Austin to win! Vince, Shane, and the Stooges celebrate the close the show!
I like this Royal Rumble a lot more than others do…even though it definitely does have it’s faults. Let’s get into it.
The pros: A lot of people didn’t like that the match was made a mockery of (not unlike World War 3 ’98 actually) with the Vince-Austin storyline, nevermind the Kane and Undertaker angle. Here’s why not only do I not mind it…but I think it was the right way to go. This is undoubtedly the most predictable Royal Rumble ever. There is no way this doesn’t come down to Austin and McMahon. No way whatsoever. Every other year you can make a case for another scenario perhaps with the exception of 2000 (it was coming Rock vs. Big Show no matter what). Let’s look at “modern” Rumbles. 2001? Sure Austin woulda have been there, but there were many who thought Rock was actually winning and facing Austin at Mania that way. 2002? Supposed to come down to Austin vs. Taker vs. HHH somehow. Didn’t. 2003? Brock was the safe choice, but Booker T did get some hype for it (despite how it went) and people thought Undertaker was coming back dead. 2004 could have been a lot of people who weren’t Benoit. 2005 coulda been Cena. 2006 Rey was a shocker. No one knew that was the 2007 plan. Etc. etc.
Anyway, since Austin vs. McMahon was the surest thing in Rumble history…why not have fun with it? No one is believing that Owen Hart and D’Lo Brown were threats. Even HHH wasn’t at that level yet. The only guy that it could work with is Kane. But it’s the Attitude Era! Do something new with the Rumble! Everyone only really cares about Austin anyway.
The cons: The booking of the rest of the match is terrible. Nevermind the obvious tiering of the competitors from jobbers (3 through 17 other than Road Dogg were jobbers). So much for randomization. And there’s so much standing around. Droz stands around with no one to fight. Road Dogg stands around. Shamrock stands around. Horrible flow.
So I see both sides. It’s a B Rumble for me, and Rock vs. Mankind was a great match…even if it’s tough to watch now. The rest of the card though sucks. Sucks horribly. Heels also win 4 out of 6 and the 4 most important matches on the card. Odd as well.
There’s too much to defend here…but I did enjoy the Rumble match for the mess that it was. I can’t quite put this into the B range though when considering everything.
Final Grade: C+