Royal Rumble ’98

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Royal Rumble

January 18, 1998

San Jose Arena

San Jose, California

News & Notes: After D-Generation X, Shawn Michaels addressed Owen Hart’s return. Shawn compared Owen to a nugget of crap you can’t flush down the toilet. He ran off the rest of the Harts, but Owen floated back to the top. Then Hart emerged from the crowd again to disrupt DX’s game of strip poker. Vince McMahon admonished Owen for this behavior. He claimed Hart endangered fans by coming through the stands. Owen shoved Vince for his words. He then told McMahon he wasn’t back for the WWF title. Owen cared nothing for it. This was about making HBK’s life a living hell. But Michaels had his issues with The Undertaker. Shawn passed the Owen problem to Triple H through a game of Rock Paper Scissors. Then an annoyed Sgt. Slaughter tried to play games with DX. He forced HBK to defend his European title against Triple H. Owen prevented the match from happening once. The second time, DX made a mockery of the bout. Shawn let Triple H pin him to become the new champ. So Slaughter ordered Hunter to defend his new belt against Owen. However, Triple H suffered a dislocated knee at a house show. Since the Helmsley match couldn’t happen, Sarge changed it to Owen vs. Shawn for the WWF title. Owen almost won until Helmsley attacked Hart with his crutches.

Owen Hart wasn’t the only Superstar Vince accused of endangering the fans. Steve Austin drove a pickup into the arena at D-Generation X. Vince said this was reckless. He ordered Stone Cold to have a rematch with The Rock. But Austin didn’t like being told what to do. He ate hot dogs and drank beer instead. Austin wouldn’t wrestle. So Vince demanded Austin forfeit the Intercontinental title to The Rock. It appeared Austin was compliant. Steve said he wanted to go after the WWF title. Austin gave The Rock the Intercontinental championship. He even shook Rocky’s hand. Then Austin hit The Stunner and ran off with the belt. The Rock would have to earn it! As Austin left the ring, he knocked Vince off the apron. This infuriated McMahon. (They’re planting the seeds. Austin will continue antagonizing Vince over the coming weeks.) In the following episode, Austin took the belt to a bridge. If The Rock wanted it, he’d have to swim! Austin threw it into the river, along with a snorkel, flippers, and other equipment.

I also want to discuss the ongoing Kane storyline. Kane confronted The Undertaker once more. He slapped him, as he did at D-Generation X. This time, Taker blocked a strike. But he didn’t retaliate. Then Kane jumped Taker during Taker vs. The Rock. Kane beat his brother in the corner until Taker almost fought back. However, Taker kept his cool. Next, all of Kane’s victims plotted to attack him. They surrounded the big red machine, so Taker came to the ring. Everyone thought he’d join in the attack. They were wrong. Taker helped Kane fend off his enemies. This led to a disheveled Paul Bearer claiming Kane left him. He had no idea where Kane was. Paul wanted him to come home. There is more, but I’ll save it for the main event’s match notes.

There is no parallel or higher accolade than being the WWF champion. Everyone from rookies to legends and everything in between look to win the Rumble. There are former football players and renegades. One man has multiple personalities. And there’s even a master of the octagon! 30-men dare to dream. They’re on a collision course with destiny. (Someone’s been listening to Dusty Rhodes’ commentary.) This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become the heir apparent to the throne! The video ends with a clip of Shawn Michaels doing a crotch chop. No one asked him if he wanted an heir apparent.

1-800-Collect presents the Royal Rumble! Jim Ross welcomes everyone to San Jose. There are thousands of people in attendance and three titles on the line! Plus, we have the Royal Rumble match. Lawler says Austin is a marked man. Jerry is also excited that Mike Tyson is somewhere in the building. Then they introduce the international announcers and we see Tyson in his luxury box. The fans boo when he’s shown on the screen. (They announced on RAW Tyson will participate at WrestleMania. We don’t know the exact capacity yet. But they hyped his arrival with an appearance from Don King.)

Next, The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust arrives for his match. He’s wearing one of his garish outfits. It’s striped and has a thong over it. JR says Goldust is starved for attention. Ross also says Goldust’s family tree needs trimming. Then they show clips of Goldust’s story so far. We see him breaking up with Marlena. And they show Goldust’s many costumes. Meanwhile, Vader gets a great reaction for his entrance. Goldust jumps Vader when he enters the ring. (On a side note, JR mentions Austin during this bout. He says Stone Cold isn’t at the building yet.)

Vader vs. The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust (w/ Luna Vachon)

Notes: Goldust found many new ways to express himself since D-Generation X. First, he wore nothing but a trench coat and flashed Vader during a match. Next, he dressed as a Christmas tree and read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. While Goldust read, Santa distributed gifts to the crowd. But this wasn’t Santa! It was Vader in disguise! He attacked Goldust. However, it didn’t deter Goldust from dressing like the New Years’ baby. This time, Steve Austin gave him a Stunner and threw Goldust into a port-a-potty marked Crapper 3:16. But wait! It gets worse. Goldust appeared in blackface the following episode. He wrestled Flash Funk while wearing an Afro wig. But Vader chased Goldust away. Then Goldust did something truly bizarre. He accompanied Marc Mero dressed as Sable! This included lingerie and a coconut-stuffed bra. Goldust broke a coconut over Vader’s head.

The Match: Vader shakes off Goldust’s forearms. He then nails him with multiple Avalanche attacks. This includes one on the floor when Goldust regroups. Then Vader pushes Goldust into the steps and grabs them. But the ref stops Vader from using it as a weapon. Next, Luna trips Vader. It allows Goldust to get the advantage. Goldy avoids Vader sitting on him and drops elbows onto Vader’s crotch. He then sends Vader outside and returns the favor with the steps. After this, Goldust distracts the ref, and Luna attacks with her shoe! This leads to corner punches and a kiss. But it pisses off Vader. After Goldust’s back gives out on slam attempts, Vader pounces. He nails a suplex, a short-arm clothesline, and a splash. Vader even tries for a Vader Bomb. But Luna distracts the ref again and Goldust hits a low blow. Goldust follows with a sunset flip and Vader sits on him! It opens the door for another Vader Bomb attempt. This time, Luna leaps onto Vader’s back! Vader says screw it and does the Vader Bomb. The crowd goes crazy as Luna goes for the ride. It’s enough for a Vader victory.

Thoughts: This was decent. But then the finish put it over the top. I love the ending. It was a cool visual, and it popped the crowd. That was a good way to start the show hot. The action was hard-hitting and fun. Plus, it didn’t overstay its welcome and the right person won. Vader’s reactions made me wish the WWF did more with him.

Winner: Vader (7:51)

Michael Cole is backstage waiting on Austin. Stone Cold pulls up in his truck, so Cole attempts to get a word. But Austin thinks he’s the valet. Steve tosses his keys to Michael and tells him to park the pickup. If he scratches it, he’ll get his ass whipped. Then Austin enters a room behind Cole. Michael says Stone Cold is a marked man. Everyone wants a piece. This leads to The Godwinns confronting Cole. They want to know where Austin went. (Did they not see him go through the door? How could they miss it if they saw him?) Cole claims ignorance. But The Godwinns enter the door Austin went through. (So they saw him! Why did they bother asking?)

Then The Fink introduces Sunny as the guest referee for the minis match. She spots a sign that says, “We want Sunny, not Sable.” Sunny smirks and shrugs her shoulders at it. They were supposed to play the minis’ music. But someone in the truck plays Mankind’s piano theme for a moment. Sunny then checks all the wrestlers for weapons and even dances with one of them. Meanwhile, Lawler makes short jokes.

Max Mini, Mosaic, & Nova vs. El Torito, Battalion, & Tarantula

Notes: I introduced five of the six competitors in previous reviews. So I’ll speak about Battalion for a moment. Believe it or not, I mentioned him once before. But it was under a different name. He wrestled on RAW as the pirate Piratita Morgan. Why didn’t he keep that gimmick? What’s cooler than a miniature pirate? He used the gimmick in Mexico. Battalion also wrestled as a mini clown named Payasito Rojo Rojo. This was a mini version of a wrestler by the same name, hence the extra Rojo. It means little red clown. His personas are all over the place! Now, he has a military theme. Battalion better be careful with this identity crisis. He’ll speak with inanimate objects. Just ask Al Snow!

The Match: Nova starts with Tarantula. He gives Tarantula multiple arm drags and headscissor takeovers. In fact, everyone takes turns in the ring hitting arm drags. When two competitors go outside, two more replace them. Next, Nova tries his hand with Torito. Nova nails arm drags out of springboards, powerbomb attempts, and body scissors. After this, Mosaic does headscissor takeovers, a monkey flip, and—you guessed it. It’s more arm drags! However, Tarantula uses kicks and backdrops. Max answers with a flying dragonrana and more—oh, come on! (This is almost as bad as the side slams!) Torito counters by shoving Max into Sunny. Max slides under her, so Sunny picks him up. Max uses his position to dropkick Battalion. Then it’s time for everyone to hit a dive! Mosaic does a cannonball first. Torito follows with a plancha. Max adds an Asai Moonsault to the mix. And Tarantula hits a tope! This leaves a pile of bodies, so Nova fakes them out. He then does his own Asai Moonsault. Once they’re back inside, Max does another flying dragonrana and an arm drag! He then cradles Torito for the win.

Thoughts: I wanted to like this. They botched nothing and there were some fun moments. But this had too many arm drags! I’m going to have arm drag flashbacks as I do with side slams! They went to that well too often. It affected my enjoyment of this bout.

Winners: Max, Mosaic, & Nova (7:48)

The match exhausted Sunny, but she still poses with the minis afterward. Lawler tells her his lap is the best seat in the house. She doesn’t hear him. So JR asks if Jerry is jealous of the minis.

Meanwhile, The Nation is backstage looking for Austin. They find his locker room and almost break open the door. But Faarooq has another idea. It wasn’t his idea for Mark Henry to join. Henry needs to prove himself to the leader of The Nation. He tells Mark to get in there and kick Austin’s ass. Mark shoulders the door open and the Nation storms inside. However, they find the room empty. The only thing inside is a foam middle finger on a chair. Faarooq tells them to find Austin.

Then they show Mike Tyson in the skybox with Vince McMahon and his son Shane. JR speculates about the negotiations with Don King. But Lawler wants Tyson to ask for his autograph. If he’s such a fan, he should come down there and get in Lawler’s face!

Next, they recap the Rock/Shamrock feud. We see Ken defeating D’Lo with an anklelock. He then beat Kama with the same move. They also show Shamrock defeating Faarooq after a Nation miscommunication. The next week, Shamrock teamed with Mark Henry. But Henry turned on him and joined The Nation. The Rock directed traffic while Mark beat up Shamrock.

This leads to Cole interviewing The Rock. But first, he shows footage from the Free for All. The Nation argued about who would win the Rumble. Cole calls it dissension. The Rock says Cole is a complete idiot. Then The Rock addresses his fans. Many people asked The Rock for his opinion on President Clinton and Paula Jones. He gives Bill some advice. If you lay down with a dog, you get fleas. Don’t be silly. You got to cover it, Willie! (They fill these early Rock promos with non sequitur political references. They’re odd, but they bring us some of his famous catchphrases.) Next, The Rock promises a one-on-one encounter with Shamrock. It’s what Ken wanted. But don’t worry. Someone will stand by to carry Shamrock’s sorry ass out of the building.

When The Rock enters the ring, the fans chant Rocky sucks. The Rock grabs a mic and tells them to do their chants. But The Rock is their Intercontinental champion. And he’s the best damn Intercontinental champion there ever was!

Intercontinental Title Match: The Rock (c) vs. Ken Shamrock

Notes: As I mentioned earlier, Austin forfeited the Intercontinental title to The Rock. After Rocky fished it from the river, he challenged Ken Shamrock. Ken had beaten D’Lo, so Rocky told Shamrock to prove himself against the best damn IC champion. This new emboldened Rock also showed more authority in The Nation. But it didn’t sit well with Faarooq. Rocky wouldn’t let Faarooq speak, and ordered him around. The Rock even made matches between The Nation and Shamrock without asking. This included Faarooq. Faarooq lost to Ken when Rocky distracted the ref at the wrong time. Then Rocky & D’Lo faced Shamrock & Mark Henry. But it was a swerve! Henry attacked Ken and joined The Nation. The problem is, Rocky never consulted with Faarooq about this decision. Faarooq realized he was losing control of his faction.

The Match: Rocky is slow to lock up. They shove each other into the corners for breaks and trade punches. One of Ken’s sends Rock over the ropes, so Rocky regroups. The Rock returns with corner clotheslines and stomps. He also reverses Ken’s hurricanrana into a hotshot. This leads to more corner stomps and punches. The Rock uses eye rakes. But Shamrock answers with a crossbody and a fisherman’s suplex. Maivia takes Ken outside and rams him into the steps. Then Rocky nails a float-over DDT and slows the action with chinlocks. Ken fights back until The Rock uses more eye rakes. However, Ken turns a second float-over into an overhead toss. Shamrock continues with a powerslam and mounted punches. When Ken adds a hurricanrana to the mix, The Nation arrives to distract him. This allows Rocky to grab brass knuckles. He punches Ken and places the knux in Ken’s tights! But The Rock only gets a two! Meanwhile, D’Lo got trapped in the ropes while helping. This distracts the ref while Shamrock nails a belly-to-belly. The ref turns and counts a three for Shamrock.

But wait! The Rock tells the ref Ken hit him with brass knuckles. Ken celebrates with his belt until the ref confronts him. Mike Chioda asks if Shamrock used knux. He pleads innocence, but the ref pats Ken down. Mike finds the knux in Ken’s tights and reverses his decision. The Rock wins by DQ!

Thoughts: This was another solid encounter that was elevated by a great finish. (They’re on fire tonight with the endings.) I love the storytelling. It makes The Rock look crafty and gives Shamrock sympathy. The fans reacted as they should to the decision. It did exactly what it needed to do. This feud does a lot for both men. It’s the storytelling that’s missing nowadays.

Winner: The Rock (by DQ) (10:52)

The ref explains his actions, but Shamrock is having none of it. Ken gives Mike Chioda a belly-to-belly and puts him in the anklelock. Lawler says they should suspend Shamrock. Then more officials arrive to stop him. But Ken chases them away. They pull Chioda to safety while Shamrock yells at them. Lawler maintains Ken used the knux. But the replays show a different story. Meanwhile, Mike Tyson likes what he sees.

Then JR gives Lawler some bad news. Cactus Jack is in the Rumble, but Mankind and Dude Love have to stay at home. (Are you sure about that, JR?) Lawler doesn’t care. He’s more focused on the blimp. This exchange is interrupted by Los Boricuas. They think they’ve found Steve Austin. Los Boricuas enters a locker room and attacks a bald man. But it’s either Skull or 8-Ball. This leads to a brawl between Los Boricuas and the DOA.

Next, they recap the LOD/Outlaws feud. We see footage of the LOD hitting Doomsday Devices on various teams. The video even includes a clip of the LOD winning the titles in 1991. But then it changes to scenes of The Outlaws attacking Hawk & Animal. They shaved one of Hawk’s Mohawks and put Animal through a table. Hawk foamed at the mouth. They play dramatic music over it.

This leads to The New Age Outlaws’ entrance. The Outlaws wear Packers jerseys to annoy the 49ers fans. The Road Dogg antagonizes them about Steve Young missing the Super Bowl.

After the entrance, we go to Michael Cole with The Legion of Doom. Cole says Animal almost missed the contest because of a back injury. He shows a clip of a powerbomb through the table. But Animal says there wasn’t a chance in Hell he’d miss this Rumble. The doctors don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s a matter of having a heart. You suck it up and don’t nurse your injuries. He gets in the ring and kicks some butt. And the Outlaws will get their butts kicked! Tell ’em, Hawk! Hawk then says The Outlaws think they’re as cool as the other side of the pillow. But they’ll be colder when the LOD puts them on ice! Oh, what a rush!

Tag Team Title Match: The Legion of Doom vs. The New Age Outlaws (c)

Notes: The Outlaws finally have their name, and we have JR to thank for it! He called them The New Age Outlaws. Billy Gunn liked it and ran with the moniker. Then The Outlaws attacked the LOD with DX’s help. Jesse & Billy shaved one of Hawk’s Mohawks. And they put Animal through the announce table with a powerbomb. But then The Outlaws started trouble with another Superstar. They threw Dude Love off the stage and locked Mankind in a freezer. So it was Cactus Jack’s turn to get revenge. Jack promised help from a mysterious man named Chainsaw Charlie. This man sawed his way out of a box to reveal—Terry Funk in a powdered pantyhose mask. (Wait. Didn’t Terry Funk retire in September? That’s classic Terry.) Cactus & Chainsaw terrorized The Outlaws with Charlie’s chainsaw. They chased them through the backstage area, sawing through doors along the way. Next, The Outlaws faced The Headbangers. But Charlie chased them with his saw once more.

The Match: The Outlaws jump The LOD. But Animal catches Road Dogg in a powerbomb. Then The Outlaws regroup after Hawk throws Billy over the ropes. Billy & Jesse retreat, so The LOD chase them and bring them back. Next, Hawk & Animal control the bout with shoulder tackles, clotheslines, a big boot, and a fist drop. Animal even uses a head vice. (We see Road Dogg’s mouth is bleeding from the attack.) Hawk then nails a neckbreaker and a Thesz Press on Gunn. Billy fights until Animal hands out powerslams to The Outlaws. The LOD continues with chinlocks and an STF. But The Outlaws take Animal to the floor and work on his back. Once they incapacitate him, they double-team Hawk. After Hawk hits the post on a missed charge, The Outlaws ram him into the steps. They also handcuff Hawk to the post! It appears Animal is in trouble. But he rallies with a double clothesline and a shoulder tackle. So Gunn counters with an eye poke and a flying crossbody. However, Animal catches Billy in a scary powerslam! This worries Road Dogg. He attacks Animal with a chair to cause a DQ.

Thoughts: This was much better than their last match. But that finish ruined it. (So much for the good finishes tonight.) The action was good until that point. The Outlaws continued building their characters as cheating little weasels. However, it’s hard to like the ending. As you can see by the build, The Outlaws have a new feud. That makes this match unsatisfying.

Winners: The Legion of Doom (by DQ) (7:57)

The Outlaws continue attacking Animal’s back with the chair. Hawk is still handcuffed to the post. He pulls and wrenches at the cuffs while Billy Gunn nails a diving splash onto Animal. This is enough for Hawk to break the cuffs in anger. He chases The Outlaws away with the chair and checks on his partner. The Outlaws retreat and demand their belts from the ref. JR calls them lucky. But Lawler calls them smart.

Then JR and Lawler give away Austin’s truck. A fan named Mildred Bowers from Nashville wins it. Since she lives in Tennessee, JR jokes Lawler will wash her truck every weekend.

Next, they recap Austin’s road to the Rumble. We see Austin giving everyone Stunners and driving a truck into the arena. Austin draws a target on himself and dares everyone to come after him. If you say he’s a marked man, he’ll say you’re full of you-know-what. Then Austin claims it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy until after the Rumble. Now, give him a hell yeah! Once again, Tyson likes what he sees.

Then The Fink explains the rules of the Rumble match. He even has a graphic to help. This leads to the entrances of the first two men. #1 is Cactus Jack. He brings trash cans to the ring. JR says Jack is colder than a mother-in-law’s kiss. Next, the sound of a chainsaw announces #2’s entrance. It’s Chainsaw Charlie! The Fink exits the ring in fear because Charlie swings his saw around. Even Cactus bails and throws chairs. Funk deflects them with his saw.

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

Notes: After forfeiting the IC title to The Rock, Austin focused on the Rumble. He knew everyone would gang up on him in the match. Austin promised to beat them to the punch. He’s a marked man, so Austin drew a target on himself to demonstrate this point. Then Stone Cold went Stunner crazy! His victims included: Goldust (twice), Shamrock, Jarrett, The Rock, Mark Henry, Marc Mero, both Godwinns, and Mankind. Meanwhile, there are few other happenings to mention. Marc Mero is inexplicably feuding with the former Salvatore Sincere. (He’s now known as Tom Brandi.) Mero also made Sable wear a potato sack, but she rebelled by showing off her bikini. Then The Truth Commission’s Interrogator changed his name to Kurrgan. The group refocused their efforts around him. Plus, Jim Cornette brought the NWA to the WWF to restore tradition! This includes Barry Windham, Jeff Jarrett, and The Rock n Roll Express! Jarrett holds the NWA North American Championship.

The Match: Jack and Charlie start by trading chair shots to the head and back. Charlie even lifts his pantyhose mask and smiles. He wants to get hit. Charlie stumbles around afterward. But Jack asks him to return the favor. Then Tom Brandi arrives at #3. Jack & Charlie jump him and dump poor Tom over the ropes. (He didn’t even last long enough to fight Mero!) After this, Jack suplexes Charlie onto some chairs. #4 is The Rock. He attacks the fallen Cactus and Charlie with a smile on his face. But Jack places a trash can on Rock’s head and they punch it. The Rock falls through the ropes before Mosh enters at #5. Charlie tries to do a moonsault on him, but he misses. Then #6 is Phineas Godwinn. Everyone fights until we get 8-Ball at #7. Meanwhile, Charlie low-bridges Cactus, and Jack is eliminated. (After this, Lawler announces someone got to Austin backstage.) The next man is Bradshaw at #8. Then #9 is Owen Hart. But Jeff Jarrett and Cornette jump him. Jim hits Owen with his racket. JR calls Cornette a stain on the underwear of life. The NWA and Tennessee should be proud of this back-jumper! And #10 brings us, Steve Blackman. He almost eliminates Charlie, but Funk hangs on.

#11 is D’Lo Brown. The Rock teams with him to attack Bradshaw. But D’Lo punches The Rock! Next is Kurrgan at #12. He dumps Mosh and absorbs Blackman’s kicks. Then we get Mero at #13. (Sable wears a leather outfit with a whip.) Mero helps Kurrgan throw out Blackman. #14 is Shamrock. He kicks Kurrgan down and everyone teams to dump The Interrogator. After this, Thrasher joins the fray at #15 while D’Lo chokes The Rock. (Lawler doesn’t understand why.) #16 brings—Mankind?? (This confuses the commentators.) He goes after Chainsaw Charlie and eliminates him for revenge. Mankind also fights with The Rock in a preview of next year. But Shamrock takes over that fight. Next is Goldust at #17. He has a new silver outfit. Meanwhile, Mero dances around to get some attention. While this happens, Goldust throws out Mankind. #18 is Jeff Jarrett. Owen Hart returns to attack him. Jarrett throws Owen over the ropes and struts. But Owen skins the cat and hurls Jeff to the floor. The Honky Tonk Man then arrives at #19. But Triple H & Chyna follow him while The Rock dumps Shamrock. Owen spots them and blocks Chyna’s crutch shot. But Hunter knocks Owen over the ropes with another crutch. Owen chases Hunter to the back and falls down the steps. He passes Ahmed Johnson, who is #20.

#21 is Mark Henry. He goes after Ahmed. (JR says Mark is handling the big Johnson.) Mark even uses powder! After this, we get—no one at #22. (They think it was Austin’s spot.) While the commentators speculate, wrestlers eliminate Ahmed and Phineas. (Godwinn lands on Jack Doan and gives him a concussion.) Meanwhile, D’Lo attacks Henry! #23 is Kama, and he shoves Ahmed. Kama then trades punches with D’Lo, so there’s no Nation cooperation. Then we get the countdown for #24 and the glass shatters. Everyone waits for Austin. But he enters through the crowd and jumps them from behind. Austin throws out Mero and 8-Ball. He also gives D’Lo a low blow and chokes him with his vest. (They show Tyson cheering Austin’s entrance.) Next is Henry Godwinn at #25. He targets Austin. When the #26 spot arrives, Los Boricuas runs to the ring. Savio is the entrant, but all of them attack Austin. Steve fends off the assault. Then we see Faarooq at #27. He goes straight for The Rock. But Rock and Austin go through the ropes and fight on the floor. Rock sends Austin into the steps and the rail.

#28 is—Dude Love?? (Wait a second. Is this allowed?) He dumps Bradshaw, who isn’t happy. Meanwhile, The Rock gives D’Lo a People’s Elbow. But Austin fights The Rock. Next is Chainz at #29. Finally, we get Vader at #30. He brawls with Goldust. Vader then dumps Honky Tonk. Austin throws out Thrasher and Kama. Stone Cold also avoids a piledriver by Savio. He punishes Vega by throwing him out. After this, Goldust eliminates Vader. But Chainz tosses Goldust straightaway. Next, Austin eliminates Chainz and Faarooq knocks Mark Henry off the apron. This leaves the final four.

(Final Four: Steve Austin, The Rock, Dude Love, & Faarooq.) Dude gives The Rock Sweet Shin Music and a Double-Arm DDT. But Austin attacks Dude Love. Dude answers with a Mandible Claw. Austin gives him a low blow. This allows The Rock to toss Dude over the ropes. The Rock then pretends to rest while Faarooq fights with Austin. When Rocky sees his opening, he dumps Faarooq. Austin and The Rock then trade punches to a great reaction. Austin throws Rocky over the ropes, but he hangs on. When The Rock returns, Austin nails a Stunner. It dazes The Rock, so Austin throws him over the ropes for the win.

Thoughts: This Rumble match gets hate. But I thought it was fun. It started and finished hot. The middle dragged a little, but that’s usual for Rumbles. I even enjoyed Mick Foley’s three appearances. It’s acceptable wrestling silliness. Plus, I like how it came down to Austin and The Rock. The crowd reacted well to it. You can tell there’s a future in that feud. I know the winner was a foregone conclusion. But that’s okay. Predictability is fine when it’s the outcome people want. (On a side note, #22 was empty because Los Boricuas jumped Skull backstage. It was his number.)

Winner: Steve Austin (55:25)

Michael Cole interviews Mike Tyson. He asks what Mike thought of the Rumble. Mike calls it intense. Cold Stone is his man! He won a fortune tonight! (Who is Cold Stone? Is Tyson hungry for ice cream?) Tyson also says no one believed he could win. Next, Cole asks for Mike’s prediction for the main event. Tyson says he’s been a fan of The Undertaker for years. But that Michaels is a young up and comer! (Mike proved he doesn’t watch the current product with this interview. Michaels has been in the WWF longer than The Undertaker.)

This leads to a recap of the HBK/Taker feud. Shawn Michaels is a tremendous champion with a fighting spirit. The Undertaker is a phenom. Somebody is going to rest in peace. Then we see footage from the Hell in a Cell Match and Kane’s debut. If not for Kane, the outcome would have been different. This time the stakes are higher and the challenge is graver. Taker has a legendary record in Casket Matches. He also used some casket shenanigans to intimidate Shawn. But DX had strength in numbers. They teased Kane joining the group. But Kane and Taker worked together to fend off DX’s attack. It was an incredible moment involving a bond between brothers.

During HBK’s entrance, JR sings Shawn’s praises. He says no one outperforms Michaels in these matches, not even Hogan or Savage. Meanwhile, it appears Taker’s entrance doesn’t intimidate Shawn. He stands on the ropes and taunts Taker. JR wonders where Kane is. He thought Kane would be at ringside. Then Taker raises the lights with a bang. It’s enough to make Shawn scared. He bails to the floor.

Casket Match for the WWF Title: Shawn Michaels (c) (w/ Chyna & Triple H) vs. The Undertaker

Notes: They announced this on RAW. Taker said he only lost one Casket Match. (Poor Goldust. They erased his win at Beware of Dog.) It took ten men to defeat him, and Shawn doesn’t have ten friends. So Michaels’ scrawny ass belongs to him. But Shawn claimed he wouldn’t rest in peace. He stays up all night! Then DX taunted Taker. Druids rolled a casket to the ring, but Michaels appeared from it. Shawn & Hunter tagged the casket with DX graffiti. The next week, druids arrived with the DX casket during Shawn’s promo. He thought it was Hunter & Chyna. But they were on the stage. It was Taker! He pulled Shawn into the casket with him. In the following episode, a scared Shawn tried to recruit Kane as a backup. Taker told Michaels to leave his family out of it. Then Taker almost chokeslammed Chyna, so DX attacked him. Since Taker saved Kane from a beating, Kane returned the favor. Afterward, Kane and Taker raised their hands toward each other as a sign of respect. Are they on the same page?

The Match: Shawn sticks and moves. Taker shoves Michaels away, but Shawn peppers him with punches. HBK also avoids chokeslams and press slams by using eye rakes and kicks to the knee. But then Taker backdrops Shawn over the ropes. His lower back clips the casket on the way down. (This innocuous bump messed up Shawn’s back.) Then Taker press slams Shawn and whips him around the ring. He puts Michaels in the casket twice. The second time, only Shawn’s arms remain outside. While inside the casket, Michaels grabs powder. He throws it in Taker’s face. A blinded Undertaker swings until he connects with a punch. But HBK sticks and moves again. Next, Shawn avoids a chokeslam and lands a moonsault. The fight then spills to the floor. Shawn sends Taker into the steps and gives him a piledriver on them! Hunter whacks Taker with his crutch. Shawn uses a chair. But Taker still avoids the casket.

Shawn continues with a neckbreaker and a sleeper hold. Those don’t work, so Shawn nails the jumping forearm, a kip-up, and Sweet Chin Music! However, Shawn pauses for a crotch chop after placing Taker in the casket. Taker uses the opening to grab Shawn by the balls. He throws Michaels around and whips him into a corner flip. But Taker tumbles into the casket on a missed jumping clothesline. This allows Shawn to nail a flying elbow into the casket. And the lid closes on both men! They fight until Taker pulls Shawn back inside. Then they return to the ring, but Taker does the chokeslam. He then lifts Michaels for the Tombstone and steps over the ropes. Taker hits the move into the casket, so Chyna decks the referee! This opens the door for Los Boricuas and The Outlaws. They attack Taker until Kane comes to the rescue! Kane clears the ring and tries to set off his pyro. Nothing happens. (Oops.) But then—Kane punches The Undertaker! He also stomps him in the corner and chokeslams Taker into the casket. Shawn closes the lid and runs for his life.

Thoughts: This wasn’t their best match, but it was still good. I don’t think they’re capable of having a bad encounter with each other. Plus, give Shawn credit. He took the nasty bump early in the action. Michaels wrestled most of this bout with a messed-up back. He didn’t know it at the time, though. Shawn didn’t realize how hurt he was until a few days later. He suffered two herniated discs and one was crushed. Shawn takes off a month to prepare for Mania. But that Mania match will be his last for many years.

Winner: Shawn Michaels (20:30)

Paul Bearer joins Kane. Bearer has a grin on his face and padlocks in his hands. They lock Taker in the casket and wheel it to the entrance. Then Kane heads backstage to fetch an ax and a can of gasoline. Kane takes the ax and punches a hole in the casket’s lid. He then soaks the casket in gas. JR says they couldn’t be that heinous. But they are! Paul lights a book of matches and hands them to Kane. He throws it on the casket and sets the thing on fire! Kane poses in front of the inferno as the show ends. JR screams, “The casket is on fire!”

The Good:

• Vader/Goldust had a memorable ending.

• Rock/Shamrock was solid and had a great finish.

• The Rumble Match was fun.

• This show had some good character and storyline work.

The Bad:

• The finish of the LOD/Outlaws match.

• Too many arm drags in the minis match!

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to The Rock. Between his promo and the match, he’s coming into his own. You see his character growing with each passing event. (I was going to give this to Shawn. But I realized my reasoning was more suited for his Mania performance. I’ll save the accolade for that show.)

Final Thoughts:

This was an enjoyable PPV. It did a great job of setting the stage for WrestleMania. Plus, it included some innovative and clever match finishes. (The tag title match is an exception.) This did everything it needed to do. They set the tone for what is one of the WWF’s most exciting years. The event was a return to form after the dull December show.

Thank you for reading. My next review is WCW’s Souled Out ’98. Look for it next Sunday.