WWF Survivor Series ’98

by

Live from St. Louis, MO

Airdate: November 15, 1998

Attendance: 19,322 (sold out)

Hosted by Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler

Who will win the vacant WWF title? Austin? Undertaker? Kane? Mankind? Rock? Shamrock? Snow? How will Sable fare against Jacqueline? Let’s see how this show stands up.

Mr. McMahon emerges from his wheelchair and stands at ringside. As McMahon makes his introduction, he usurps Neil Armstrong’s famous moon-landing speech to bring Mankind to the ring. He dons his reading glasses while the St. Louis faithful clamors for Shawn Michaels.

Match 1 for the WWF title (first round): WWF Hardcore champion Mankind versus ????

Highlights:

  • Instead, Mankind’s mystery opponent is…
  • Duane Gill.
  • ICYMI, Mankind had been literally groomed by Mr. McMahon, and Mankind admired him like a father. On the other hand, McMahon begrudgingly accepted it.
  • When Mankind brought him into the ring the hard way, he dealt Gill a double-arm DDT.
  • He cradled and pinned Gill at 0:31.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Cupcake first-round match for Mankind. Better things lay ahead for Gill.

We revisit HeAT when Jacqueline ambushed Sable.

Backstage, Kevin Kelly interviews Sable who states that Jacqueline “pissed (her) off.” She vows to regain the title.

Match 2 for the WWF title (first round): Al Snow (w/ Head) versus Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra McMichael)

Highlights:

  • Debra distracted Snow enough for him to saunter after her.
  • As Jarrett followed, he brawled with Snow at ringside.
  • Snow utilized the steps as a springboard for a somersault dive.
  • With Jarrett back in the ring, Snow scored with a springboard leg drop.
  • Jarrett reversed an Irish whip and dealt Snow a stun gun.
  • When he connected with a back elbow, Jarrett reversed a cross corner whip.
  • Snow took a Snow flip, landed on the apron, ducked a clothesline, and fed Jarrett one of his own.
  • After he reverse-guillotined Jarrett with the top rope, Snow mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
  • Jarrett rebounded with a dropkick for 2.
  • While Snow hooked a crucifix, he got 2.
  • Jarrett spilled and rolled up Snow for 2.
  • Clotheslining Jarrett, Snow got reversed on an Irish whip but countered a spinebuster with a DDT for 2.
  • Snow delivered an atomic drop, but when Jarrett caromed off the ropes, they had a meeting of the minds.
  • Jumping onto the apron, Debra grabbed Head, and referee Tim White chided her before taking Head away.
  • Snow grabbed Jarrett’s guitar, yet Jarrett grabbed Head.
  • Swinging wildly, Snow missed Jarrett by a country mile, but Jarrett connected with Head.
  • Jarrett summoned White to dispose of the guitar, so Snow commandeered Head and blasted Jarrett with it.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Snow advanced at 3:32.

Rating: **

Summary: Solid chemistry from two good hands in the ring, but the storyline finish ended Jarrett’s evening. Snow will face Mankind in the quarterfinals.

Match 3 for the WWF title (first round): Stone Cold Steve Austin versus the Big Boss Man

Highlights:

  • Before the bell, Bossman not only met Austin in the aisle but also the steel steps.
  • Austin scored with a Thesz press although the camera was focused on Mr. McMahon backstage.
  • When Austin hammered him into the top turnbuckle, Bossman took him WAY DOWNTOWN.
  • Austin rebounded with a clothesline, but Bossman thwarted a back drop attempt.
  • As he dealt Austin a running guillotine, Bossman unloaded with a sliding uppercut for 2.
  • The St. Louis faithful chanted “Aus-tin,” and their hero stomped a mud hole into Bossman.
  • After Bossman slid out of the ring, Austin followed only to get blasted by a nightstick.
  • Referee Mike Chioda called for the bell, so Austin advanced at 3:19.

Rating: *

Summary: As JR and King speculated, the motive for Bossman wasn’t victory but annihilation.

After the match, Bossman destroyed Austin with the nightstick much to the delight of Mr. McMahon.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Mr. McMahon who states “the night is young.”

Match 4 for the WWF title (first round): Stephen Regal versus X-Pac

Highlights:

  • I’m sorry. What the WWF did to his Lordship was downright WRONG.
  • As X-Pac blocked a hip toss, he dealt Regal a leg lariat.
  • He unleashed a belly-to-back suplex and got 2.
  • When he dropped two leg drops, he got another 2.
  • He tossed Regal into the corner but came up empty.
  • After Regal knocked him silly with a forearm, he got 2.
  • He locked X-Pac in a seated abdominal stretch, but the St. Louis faithful informed him that he indeed “sucks.”
  • While he sent X-Pac into the corner, Regal not only came up empty but also succumbed to a sunset flip.
  • He rolled through and catapulted X-Pac across the ring.
  • Delivering a gutwrench suplex, Regal got 2.
  • X-Pac rebounded by whipping Regal into the corner but came up empty again.
  • Suplexing X-Pac atop the top turnbuckle, Regal joined, unleashed a double underhook superplex, and got 2. Impressive!
  • X-Pac reversed an Irish whip and connected with a spinning heel kick for 2.
  • Dropkicking Regal into the corner, X-Pac uncorked a Bronco buster.
  • He suplexed Regal, mounted the top turnbuckle, but got crotched on the top rope.
  • Blocking a double underhook suplex, X-Pac hit another vertical suplex albeit on the floor.
  • The bell rang, and referee Tim White ruled the bout a double countout at 8:11.

Rating: ***

Summary: Although the chemistry was evident, so was the telegraphing of a non-finish. As a result, Austin advanced to the semifinals.

Backstage, Mr. McMahon demands overtime, so Slaughter rushes as well as he can to ringside. He informs ring announcer Howard Finkel about a “five-minute sudden death overtime period.” The bell rings, but X-Pac hobbles backstage for medical attention. Nevertheless, Austin “gets a bye” according to a livid Mr. McMahon.

Match 5 for the WWF title (first round): Goldust versus WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock

Highlights:

  • Shamrock scored quickly with a spinning heel kick and slammed Goldust.
  • When he missed a lariat attempt, Goldust nailed a second effort.
  • He slammed Shamrock and landed a knee drop.
  • As Goldust gave him a cross corner whip, Shamrock exploded with a clothesline for 2.
  • He dealt Goldust a side-Russian leg sweep for another 2.
  • After Goldust gave Shamrock a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
  • He blocked a suplex and fed Shamrock one of his own.
  • While Goldust reversed a cross corner whip, Shamrock blocked a monkey flip attempt.
  • Shamrock blocked a powerbomb attempt with a knuckle sandwich and got 2.
  • Planting Shamrock with a bulldog, Goldust set him up for Shattered Dreams.
  • Referee Jim Korderas thwarted the move by stepping in much to the dismay of the St. Louis faithful.
  • Mounting the second turnbuckle, Shamrock launched a huracanrana.
  • He delivered a belly-to-belly suplex and hooked an ankle lock.
  • Due to Goldust’s submission, Shamrock advanced at 5:58.

Rating: **

Summary: Good story told here, but Shamrock’s on a mission to destroy.

Backstage, Cole reports that Austin “has refused medical attention.” Considering his salary and merchandise money, I’m sure he could afford it.

Match 6 for the WWF title (first round): Rock versus ????

Highlights:

  • According to the tournament schedule, his opponent was supposed to be HHH.
  • However, HHH’s knee had not recovered yet, so a replacement was needed.
  • As Finkel introduced HHH, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco approached ringside.
  • Brisco will fine HHH “very heavily,” so Patterson introduced…Bossman!
  • Talk about second chances!
  • When Bossman hit the ring, Rock instantly trapped him with an inside cradle.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Rock advanced at 0:04.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Great way to pop the crowd as the fan favorite shocks his last-second opponent in mere seconds.

Match 7 for the WWF title (quarterfinal): Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) versus Kane

Highlights:

  • The bell rang, and it was on like…
  • When Undertaker gave Kane a cross corner whip, he ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
  • Kane dealt Undertaker a big boot and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
  • As the match segued to the floor, Kane rammed Undertaker face-first into the apron.
  • Kane charged, but Undertaker guillotined him with the barrier.
  • After he rammed Kane shoulder-first into the steps, Undertaker unloaded a leg lariat.
  • Kane reversed an Irish whip, powerslammed Undertaker, but missed an elbow drop.
  • While Kane reversed a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Undertaker pounded on him, but Kane no-sold it.
  • Reversing another cross corner whip, Kane connected with a corner clothesline.
  • He mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a flying clothesline for 2.
  • Chokeslamming Undertaker, Kane whiffed when trying to strike Bearer on the apron.
  • Undertaker planted Kane with a tombstone, and Bearer held Kane’s foot. Nefarious!
  • 1-2-3.
  • Undertaker advanced at 7:17.

Rating: **½

Summary: Chicanery by Undertaker and Bearer led to Kane’s demise.

Match 8 for the WWF title (quarterfinal): WWF Hardcore champion Mankind versus Al Snow (w/ Head)

Highlights:

  • Snow entered the ring and began brawling with Mankind.
  • As he gave Mankind a cross corner whip, Snow clotheslined him.
  • He dropkicked Mankind between the ropes to the floor and joined him.
  • When Snow grabbed a chair, he nailed Mankind.
  • He attempted to decapitate Mankind but HIT THE POLE with the chair instead.
  • After he dealt Mankind a thrust kick, Snow mounted the barrier, leaped, but ate a shot to the chops.
  • Mankind rebounded by flapjacking Snow face-first into a chair.
  • While Mankind gave him a cross corner whip, Snow applied the brakes and unfurled an enziguri.
  • He grabbed Head, swung wildly, but missed Mankind.
  • Dumping Snow with a belly-to-back suplex, Mankind realized Mr. Socko was around Head.
  • He removed Mr. Socko, stomped Head, and fed it a knuckle sandwich.
  • Clotheslining Mankind, Snow reversed an Irish whip but ate a discus clothesline.
  • Snow delivered a sit-out spinebuster and got 2.
  • Mankind rebounded again with a double-arm DDT and brandished Mr. Socko.
  • Applying Mr. Socko to Snow, Mankind won by submission at 3:57.

Rating: **

Summary: Good combination of hardcore wrestling, pro wrestling, and sports entertainment all in less than four minutes. Mankind advances to the semifinals to meet Austin.

Match 9 for the WWF title (quarterfinal): Rock versus WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock

Highlights:

  • Rock clotheslined Shamrock, gave him a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • When Shamrock scored with a snap suplex, he got 2.
  • He gave Rock a cross corner whip and followed with a corner clothesline.
  • As Shamrock gave him another cross corner whip, Rock exploded from the corner with another clothesline.
  • The match segued to the floor, and Rock rammed Shamrock face-first into the broadcast table.
  • After he took a drink of JR’s refreshment, Rock got reversed on an Irish whip and sent shoulder-first into the steps.
  • Shamrock slammed Rock on the floor, tossed him back into the ring, and dealt him a spinning heel kick.
  • While he unloaded with a side-Russian leg sweep, Shamrock got 2.
  • He delivered a knee lift followed by a back elbow.
  • Sauntering toward the ring, Big Bossman focused his eyes on Rock.
  • The St. Louis faithful chanted “Bossman sucks,” and Shamrock uncorked a huracanrana.
  • Taking down Rock, Shamrock secured an ankle lock.
  • Will the Rock submit?
  • Maybe?
  • Possibly?
  • No, the Rock ultimately grabbed the bottom rope.
  • Nonetheless, a mid-ring collision occurred, and by the count of seven, Rock crawled over only to earn a 2-count.
  • Shamrock reversed an Irish whip, but Rock caught him with a float-over DDT.
  • Despite Bossman’s jumping onto the apron to distract referee Mike Chioda and stop the momentum, Rock took Shamrock WAY DOWNTOWN.
  • He slammed Shamrock and unleashed a People’s Elbow to a monster reaction for 2.
  • Ducking a clothesline, Rock attempted a Rock Bottom, but Shamrock blocked it.
  • Shamrock hit a belly-to-belly suplex, and Bossman jumped onto the apron again.
  • Notwithstanding Bossman’s attempt to toss the nightstick to Shamrock, Rock caught and demolished Shamrock with it.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Rock advanced at 8:21.

Rating: ***

Summary: As expected, there’s solid chemistry between the two, yet Bossman’s interference backfired spectacularly. Rock will face Undertaker in the semifinals.

Backstage, Cole interviews Bearer who believes Undertaker will regain the WWF title.

Prior to the next match, we revisit RAW from two months ago when Mero helped Jacqueline beat Sable for the title. During Jacqueline’s entrance, we revisit HeAT when Jacqueline nailed Sable from behind.

Match 10 for the WWF Women’s title: Jacqueline (champion w/ Marc Mero) versus Sable

Highlights:

  • Mero distracted Sable, so Jacqueline belted her from behind again.
  • As Sable blocked a hip toss attempt, he fed Jacqueline one of her own.
  • She blasted Jacqueline with a thrust kick and destroyed her with a TKO.
  • Do we have a new champion?
  • 1-2-NO!
  • Mero yanked Sable out of the ring.
  • When Sable argued with Mero at ringside, she kicked a FIELD GOAL neutralizing Mero.
  • She powerbombed Mero on the floor, and that, my friends, was the nail in Mero’s coffin of a career.
  • After Jacqueline attacked her from behind once again, she tossed Sable back into the ring and taunted her with her weave.
  • She unleashed a series of kicks and attempted a powerbomb.
  • Conversely, Sable countered with a back drop.
  • Jacqueline mounted the second turnbuckle, attempted a tornado DDT, but got vaulted across the ring.
  • Powerbombing Jacqueline, Sable pinned her at 3:14.
  • WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: **

Summary: Jacqueline not only did THE job but also her job at carrying Sable to a watchable match.

Match 11 for the WWF title (semifinal): Stone Cold Steve Austin versus WWF Hardcore champion Mankind

Highlights:

  • Austin hit the ring, and the brawl was ON.
  • When he removed Mankind’s jacket and loafers, Austin CREAMED him with a loafer.
  • He dealt Mankind a running guillotine before finally removing his own vest.
  • As Mr. McMahon and his entourage approached ringside, Mankind obliterated Austin with a running knee to the head in the corner.
  • Austin rebounded with a Thesz press and pounded Mankind into 1999.
  • After he fed Mankind an axe handle, he attempted a Stone Cold Stunner.
  • Mankind escaped and hightailed it back toward the entrance.
  • While Brisco and Patterson coached Mankind back to the ring, Austin conducted a meeting of all three minds.
  • Austin attempted a piledriver on the floor, but Mankind countered with a back drop.
  • At ringside, Mankind sent Austin hip-first into the steps and tossed him into the front row.
  • Austin clotheslined Mankind back to ringside and attempted to ram him face-first into the steps.
  • Blocking it, Mankind bounced Austin face-first off them.
  • Back in the ring, Mankind got 2.
  • A mid-ring collision occurred, and Mankind reversed a cross corner whip.
  • Exploding from the corner, Austin belted Mankind.
  • He stomped the BEJEEZUS out of Mankind and tried to neuter him with the ring post.
  • Instead, Mankind made Austin HIT THE POLE.
  • Mankind grabbed a chair, brought it into the ring, charged, but got it kicked into his face.
  • Attempting a running guillotine, Austin came up empty.
  • Mankind annihilated Austin with a double-arm DDT onto the chair but somehow only got 2.
  • Trying to end Austin’s career, Mankind attempted a piledriver onto the chair.
  • Austin countered by moving forward and backdropped Mankind onto it.
  • Catching Mankind with a Stunner, Austin only got 2 because Mr. McMahon yanked referee Mike Chioda out of position. How dastardly!
  • He and Commissioner Slaughter dragged Chioda out of the ring, and Mr. McMahon knocked the daylights out of him. Evil!
  • Blocking another Stunner, Mankind applied a Mandible claw.
  • Austin took Mankind WAY DOWNTOWN and scored with a second Stunner.
  • Sliding into the ring, referee Shane McMahon counted to 2…but purposefully hesitated.
  • Austin glared at him, so Shane fed him a double bird. SHANE SWERVED AUSTIN!
  • In any case, Mankind reversed a cross corner whip and clotheslined Austin.
  • Brisco and Slaughter slid into the ring, and Brisco destroyed Austin with a chair.
  • Returning to the ring, Shane counted the pin, and Mankind advanced at 10:29.

Rating: ***

Summary: Very storyline-driven match, but since Austin wasn’t willing to job, they had to find a way for Mankind to succeed.

Following the match, Mr. McMahon walks backstage with his entourage including Shane. It was all a ruse! They jog backstage to a waiting limousine, and Austin saunters after them. Before Austin can reach them, the limousine pulls away. Austin steals an SUV and chases them out of the arena.

Match 12 for the WWF title (semifinal): Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) versus Rock

Highlights:

  • Rock gave Undertaker a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • As the match segued to the floor, Undertaker rammed him face-first into the steps.
  • Rock rebounded by ramming Undertaker face-first into the apron, sent him back-first into the barricade, but ate a clothesline.
  • When they returned to the ring, Undertaker knocked Rock silly and got 2.
  • He gave Rock a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
  • After Rock clotheslined him, Undertaker reversed an Irish whip and unloaded a back elbow.
  • Rock got tied up in the ropes, so Undertaker pounded him into hamburger.
  • While Undertaker charged, Rock backdropped him over the top rope to the floor.
  • Rock joined and rammed him face-first into the broadcast table.
  • Taking another refreshment, Rock SMACKED Undertaker with it.
  • He clotheslined Undertaker into the front row, joined, but ate the barricade himself.
  • Back in the ring, Undertaker distracted referee Earl Hebner, so Bearer gave Rock the business. SNEAKY!
  • Undertaker gave Rock another cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Reversing an Irish whip, Rock dumped Undertaker with a Samoan drop.
  • Bossman sauntered toward ringside again, yet Rock flattened Undertaker with a DDT.
  • Mocking Bossman, Rock took Undertaker WAY DOWNTOWN as Bossman distracted Hebner.
  • Rock slammed Undertaker, attempted a People’s Elbow, but Bossman tripped him.
  • Clotheslining Rock, Undertaker landed an elbow drop.
  • Bossman jumped onto the apron, but Undertaker laid him out.
  • Eating a clothesline, Undertaker positioned Rock for a chokeslam.
  • Suddenly, Kane slid into the ring and chokeslammed Rock.
  • Hebner called for the bell, and Rock advanced by DQ at 8:24.

Rating: **

Summary: Three months ago, Rock was hanging with HHH for the IC title. With this match, Undertaker elevated Rock literally to the main event with this match.

Afterward, Undertaker clocks Hebner, but Kane clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Undertaker yanks him down to the floor, and they brawl through the St. Louis faithful back to the locker room.

Backstage, Cole interviews Mankind who lets us know what “the Sock is cookin’.” Cole offers a wry smile to sell it.

Prior to the next match, Road Dog recites his spiel with the assistance of the St. Louis faithful. Before Billy Gunn offers his part, he hurls a shoutout to HHH and Chyna. We revisit HeAT when the Headbangers crashed the NAO interview while Brown and Henry joined the fracas.

Match 13 for the WWF tag team titles (triple-threat): New Age Outlaws (champions) versus the Headbangers versus D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry

Highlights:

  • Brown reversed an Irish whip, but Gunn blocked a hip toss and clotheslined him.
  • When Gunn missed an elbow drop, he reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Brown scored with a standing spinning heel kick and showboated allowing Mosh to sneak in for a 2-count.
  • As Brown gave Mosh a cross corner whip, he also came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Mosh crushed Brown in the corner with a back splash while the St. Louis faithful informed Brown that he indeed “sucks.”
  • After Brown migrated to the apron, Mosh launched a springboard clothesline for 2.
  • Road Dog tagged in, and the NAO along with Brown/Henry occupied the ring.
  • While the NAO unwrapped stereo ten-punch count-alongs, Brown dealt Road Dog a powerbomb.
  • The Headbangers took advantage, double-flapjacked Road Dog, and Mosh got 2.
  • Tagging in, Brown joined Mosh in double-teaming Road Dog.
  • Gunn distracted referee Tim White, so Mosh kicked a FIELD GOAL on Road Dog.
  • Taking his turn, Henry trapped Road Dog in a bear hug until Mosh employed a chop block.
  • Mosh dealt Henry an ankle crusher, and Road Dog got 2.
  • Rejoining the match, Brown got hammered by Thrasher who fed Road Dog a jawbreaker for 2.
  • Mosh tagged in, but Brown hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle and launched a super huracanrana.
  • Reversing an Irish whip, Mosh sent Brown into Road Dog on the apron.
  • He delivered a side-Russian leg sweep but only got 2 thanks to a distracted White.
  • Although Mosh baited Gunn into the ring, Road Dog rebounded with fists galore until Henry plowed him under with a lariat.
  • Brown got 2 off that, attempted a running powerbomb, but Mosh countered with a sunset flip for 2.
  • Quickly, Brown clotheslined Mosh and tagged out.
  • Henry slammed and decimated Road Dog with a leg drop for 1, brother.
  • Refreshed, Thrasher tagged in and encouraged Henry to slam Road Dog again.
  • Henry buried Road Dog with another leg drop, but Thrasher blocked the pin attempt.
  • Getting another turn, Mosh tagged in, and the Headbangers hit Road Dog with a leapfrog guillotine.
  • Brown beckoned for another leapfrog guillotine with him, but Mosh responded by splitting his uprights for 2.
  • Illegally entering the match, Thrasher pounded on Road Dog and got 2.
  • Mosh tagged in, but Brown slammed him.
  • Due to a mid-ring collision, all three wrestlers were down on the mat.
  • HOT TAG GUNN.
  • Sorry, Chester.
  • Brown reversed an Irish whip and unfurled a Sky High for 2.
  • Countering a back drop attempt, Gunn obliterated Mosh with a Rocker Dropper for 2.
  • Henry attempted to splash Gunn yet inadvertently splashed Mosh for 2.
  • Piledriving Mosh, Gunn pinned him to retain at 10:10.

Rating: **½

Summary: Way too long for what they were trying to accomplish. They lost the St. Louis faithful with the elongated heat segment on Road Dog, and the match never recovered.

After the match, Gunn celebrates with a full moon over St. Louis.

Prior to the main event, Mr. McMahon alongside Shane advises Bossman to be on the lookout for Austin.

Match 14 for the WWF title (final): WWF Hardcore champion Mankind versus Rock

Highlights:

  • At the bell, the St. Louis faithful showered Rock with a “Rock-y” chant.
  • Lawler tossed another grenade at WCW for the HH ’98 snafu, and Mankind gave Rock a cross corner whip.
  • As Rock exploded from the corner with a clothesline, he got 2.
  • The match segued to the aisle, and Mankind rammed Rock face-first into the steps. Rock’s tasted those steps so much tonight that I’ll bet they tasted like key lime pie.
  • When Shane and Mr. McMahon approached ringside, Rock countered a side head lock with a belly-to-back suplex.
  • The match returned to the floor, and Rock blocked a suplex and dealt Mankind one of his own.
  • After they wandered among the St. Louis faithful, Rock plastered Mankind with a plastic trash can. Now THAT will leave a mark.
  • Mankind reversed an Irish whip, but Rock backdropped him over the barricade back to ringside.
  • While they returned to the ring, Mankind buried a knee into the midsection.
  • He fed Rock a Cactus clothesline and grabbed a steel chair.
  • Blasting Rock with the chair, Mankind grabbed the top step.
  • Rock, in self-defense, whacked the step knocking Mankind down.
  • Repeatedly hammering the step with the chair, Rock CROWNED Mankind with it.
  • He tossed Mankind back into the ring and got 2.
  • Rebounding with his trick knee, Mankind yanked Rock to the floor again.
  • He mounted the apron and launched a Cactus elbow.
  • Ramming Rock face-first into the broadcast table, Mankind removed the protective screen atop the broadcast table and nailed Rock with it.
  • With Rock lying atop the broadcast table, Mankind delivered a leg drop, brother.
  • They returned to the ring, and Mankind got 2.
  • Backdropping Rock over the top rope to the floor, Mankind swiftly returned him to the ring.
  • Rock rebounded with a DDT, but Mankind reversed an Irish whip.
  • Booting Mankind, Rock charged but got vaulted over the top rope to the floor once again.
  • Mankind mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, missed Rock, and CRASHED through the Spanish broadcast table!
  • Whacking Mankind with the protective screen, Rock tossed him back into the ring.
  • He slammed Mankind and followed with a People’s Elbow much to the delight of the St. Louis faithful.
  • Do we have a new champion?
  • 1-2-NO!
  • Mankind rebounded with a double-arm DDT and brandished Mr. Socko for the second time tonight.
  • Applying Mr. Socko, Mankind came THIS CLOSE as Rock barely raised his arm on the third try.
  • Rock broke the hold and leveled Mankind with a Rock Bottom.
  • Crawling over, Rock could only get 2.
  • Rock flashed the People’s Eyebrow at Mr. McMahon and hooked a Sharpshooter.
  • Wait a minute! What’s happening here?
  • Immediately, Mr. McMahon called for the bell despite Mankind’s lack of a submission.
  • McMahon SCREWED Mankind!
  • Rock won at 17:17.
  • WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: ****

Summary: Yes, folks. For the second year in a row, Mr. McMahon screwed someone out of the WWF title. Regardless, it was all storyline and not actual like last year.

Following the match, Shane raises Rock’s arm signifying victory. Mr. McMahon grabs the WWF title belt and enters the ring. Unfathomably, Rock hugs Shane and Mr. McMahon in celebration. WE HAVE A HEEL TURN!

Mr. McMahon grabs the microphone and declares that “the people screwed the people.” As Mr. McMahon refers to him as “gullible,” Mankind stands in disbelief.  Mr. McMahon crows about screwing over Austin to a chorus of boos. When he congratulates both Shane and Rock, Shane tells him he’s “just like (him)” before hugging him again.

Rock takes the microphone and informs everyone to kiss his ass. In spite of everything, a confused Mankind gets his turn and questions the outcome. What’s Mr. McMahon’s answer? If Mankind getting CLOBBERED from behind by Rock with the WWF title belt is your guess, you win a 1998 Fiat Multipla.

After Rock plants Mankind with another Rock Bottom, Mr. McMahon straps the WWF title belt around him. Shane fervently reaffirms the match’s decision by announcing Rock as the “corporate champion.”

Remarkably, Austin returns, sprints to the ring, but Rock gets the upper hand. Austin rebounds posthaste and destroys Rock with a Stunner. Tossing Rock over the top rope to the floor, Austin grabs the WWF title belt and throws it at the fallen Rock. He sees Mankind rise to his feet and dismantles him with another Stunner much to the delight of the St. Louis faithful.

Before the show ends, Austin beats up Rock informing him that he’s in line for a title shot.

Conclusion: On one hand, from a scientific wrestling standpoint, this show stinks on Melba toast.

On the other hand, from a sports entertainment standpoint, this PPV is explosive, exciting, compelling and worth the investment in time.

With Austin as the #1 babyface, making Rock the #1 heel is excellent booking. In addition, how they got there by Shane screwing Austin and Mr. McMahon screwing Mankind is also brilliant storytelling.

Put your **** wrestling handbook down and watch this show for its entertainment value. You’ll thank me later.

Buyrate: 1.30

Stay tuned for WCW Monday Nitro 11-16-98!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).