Starting our reviews section with the first event I watched as a fan of wrestling – the 1999 Royal Rumble. I had just got into wrestling and this was up first (on my birthday no less!) taking place on January 24, 1999.
Austin/McMahon, a $100,000 dollar bounty and 11 brutal chair shots. Let’s dive in!
Here’s how my rating system works for these reviews:
Number of matches on PPV (6) divided by 100 = each match will be rated out of 16.5. The event will then be given a total out of 100.
1. Road Dogg vs Big Boss Man (challenge match)
The Hardcore champion at the time, Road Dogg started off this historic event (historic as it was my first viewing event ha) coming out to his usual schtick before the mood changed with the entrance of one-half of the tag team champions, The Boss Man.
This was a battle between two members of different factions – DX and The Corporation and The Corporation had plans to dominate this event.
Michael Cole summed it up: “It’s the size and power of the bossman versus the agility and quickness of the Road Dogg.”
I’m not sure why the Hardcore Title wasn’t on the line here. It was mentioned by commentary, with Cole saying he was suspicious of The Corporation and King quipping ‘Bossman would have killed him if it was a hardcore match’.
Always loved King’s commentary, rooting for the heels.
Inside the ring, Boss Man took to hurling his opponent into the turnbuckles and then crushing him with a bear hug. Despite some punching back from Road Dogg, Boss Man dominated most of the match from this point and despite a shake, rattle and roll from Road Dogg, Boss Man used his opponent’s momentum to catch him in the Boss Man Slam, pinning him for the 1-2-3.
Suppose they didn’t want the hardcore championship on Bossman. The ending was quite underwhelming and the crowd seemed a little surprised it ended right there.
Rating: 4/16.5
2. Billy Gunn vs Ken Shamrock (c) Intercontinental Championship
For weeks, Mr Ass (Billy Gunn if you’re unfamiliar) had been taunting Ken Shamrock and perhaps went a step too far when he pinned eyes on Shamrock’s sister. I loved Billy Gunn and I don’t understand how he didn’t go on to be a main eventer, but that’s a story for another day.
‘The world’s most dangerous man’ Ken Shamrock always scared the shit out of me, the intensity never seemed to let up. A great line from Jerry the King Lawler – “if somebody had stooped low enough to pull down their pants and stick their big, fat, hairy butt in my sister’s face he wouldn’t be walking around today I can assure you.”
King always gave me so many laugh-out-loud moments. And again – “That’s where your sister was sitting Kenny. He mooned her!”
As the match reached it’s conclusion, Gunn accidentally clotheslined referee Tim White and while he was down, Val Venis ran in and delivered a DDT on Shamrock. By the time White was conscious to make a pin count, Shamrock kicked out.
Billy Gunn gained momentum and eventually went for a move from the turnbuckle. When he came down, Shamrock caught his ankle and took him to the ground, using his ankle lock finisher to make Gunn submit.
I really loved the mid-card stars around this time. Oh and just noticed towards the end of this match that there are two dudes in the crowd dressed as Val Venus!! Wearing just a towel! 1999 crowds were wild!
This was quite an enjoyable match for me and Shamrock gained some revenge for Billy Gunn’s dastardly antics of mooning his sister.
Rating: 6/16.5
3. Gangrel vs X Pac (c) European Championship
Well confession time, around this time when I first got into wrestling, X Pac was my favourite. Even though he has “a bad attitude” according to King.
Well so far we have had two members of DX pick up losses so surely the tide will turn here?
The European Championship match started with X-Pac running roughshod over Gangrel using a variety of spinning kicks. Gangrel’s short advantage came from throwing X-Pac onto the ropes but X-Pac would not be kept down, trying a Bronco Buster.
X-Pac tried to go to the top rope, fighting Gangrel from it, and then going for a flying crossbody. Some controversy arose when referee Teddy Long (playa) seemed to make the three count as Gangrel rolled the diving X-Pac into a roll-up pin, the champion kicking out too late.
The match continued, though, despite chants from fans in attendance about the pin-fall, but only for a short while as X-Pac jumped and drove a running Gangrel’s head into the floor for the X Factor and pinning him.
At least they didn’t shy away from the botch, showing it again on replay after the match. Teddy was probably thinking about booking someone one-on-one with tha Undertaakkkerrr.
All these matches seem quite short so far, suppose they need the time for the two main event matches.
Rating: 5/16.5
4. Luna vs Sable (c) Women’s Championship (Strap Match)
Shane O’Mac is out first to introduce the challenger, Luna. He then announces that Sable will be giving up the title due to a back injury, sustained at the hands of Luna on Sunday Night Heat earlier in the night. Sable wasn’t having it though and here we go with the match.
After being kicked in the corner by Sable, Luna side-slammed Sable and then wrapped the strap around Sable’s neck, hoisting Sable on her back. She then toured the turnbuckles, tapping three of them unaware that Sable was doing the same from her back.
Just before she could tap the fourth, Luna was taken off her feet by Sable. Fearing a turn in the match, Shane McMahon jumped on the apron to distract the referee, but as Luna went to tap the fourth turnbuckle, Tori (announced as a stalker) attacked her and ran back into the crowd, letting Sable freely tap the fourth turnbuckle in sight of the referee to retain the Women’s Championship.
“You know they got a lot of stalkers out here in California.” Yep, another from King. Probably hasn’t aged well, King’s commentary!
Rating: 4/16.5
5. Rock vs Mankind (c) WWE Championship (I Quit Match)
“You’re simply not championship material.” Mankind talking to the Rock as he tries to get a rematch for the title at the Rumble. Eventually, Rock gets his match, but it will be an ‘I Quit’ match for the title. Right up Foley’s street!
I remember watching this match and being blown away, but I was only 14 at the time and as I got older, I realised just how brutal this match was. Loved The Rock’s slow walk to the ring and his music (WWF the Music vol 3?)
The “I Quit” Match began with Mankind clotheslining and punching Rock into the turnbuckle before putting him on the ground and punching him, trying to make him quit early on with no success. When The Rock insulted Mankind over the microphone, Mankind struck him with the microphone and then clotheslined him out of the ring.
After punching Rock against the barricade, he was thrown over the steel steps but managed to take control once again when The Rock joined the commentary team to further mock Mankind and was clotheslined over the table.
Back In The Ring
After hitting him again with the microphone when he would not quit, Rock was thrown inside the ring again, where Mankind stuffed a smelly sock down the Rock’s throat to the point where Rock could not talk to quit, as the Rock had passed out from the mandible claw.
Mankind then took Rock out of the ring and through the crowd but when he tried to clothesline Rock, Rock slammed him back into the ringside barricade. Rock then took the bell to Mankind’s head, ringing it next to his ear (and humorously singing “bells will be ringing” into the microphone) before trying to Rock Bottom him through the Spanish announce table, but the table gave way before the move could be performed.
Mankind ran for recovery up the walkway but was chased by The Rock who lost control when his opponent began head-butting him. Rock thumbed Mankind’s eye and took him through the technical area, smashing his head into the food there and then performing a DDT on him on the concrete, at which point Mankind refused to quit.
Rock then brought a ladder into the match but was knocked down with the ladder on top of him, he escaped just as Mankind delivered a running elbow drop onto the ladder, though he would still not quit. The Corporate champ then set the ladder up and climbed to the first tier of crowd, fighting in front of them with Mankind just about to throw him off.
Starting To Get Uncomfortable
Rock low-blowed him though, and then climbed over the barrier up the stairs to make a running punch which launched Mankind onto the electrical hub of the arena, causing them to spark and the lights to go out briefly. Shane McMahon came to stop the match but Rock demanded his opponent quit, though he would not ask him the question as he kicked a crawling Mankind back towards the ring.
With Mankind lying unconscious in the ring, Rock handcuffed his hands behind his back and hit his head into the turnbuckle. Mankind kicked the Rock low, then dropped a knee into his crotch and asked him if he quit. That’s going to hurt the Corporate Jewels!
The Rock managed to stand up and clotheslined Mankind to the mat, putting a chair on his face and performing the Corporate Elbow.
When he was asked if he would quit, Mankind told Rock to go to hell, Rock told him he’d go to hell first. This is where it gets uncomfortable.
The Ending
The first 2 shots to the head sound absolutely brutal. And so do the rest.
Mankind stood up only to be met with three hard steel chair shots but still refused to quit, saying he’d have to be killed first. Rock then chased Mankind out of the ring and up the walkway, hitting him repeatedly with a chair until he fell unconscious on the concrete.
Finally, Mankind was heard shouting “I quit!” three times in a row. The audio was actually a recording from a promo Mankind made on Heat in the match build-up. Mankind never actually quit, but the Rock was declared the winner
Some weird feelings watching this back. At the time (14 year old me) I was in awe of this match and for a long time I have said this match was in my top 5, for one reason or another.
Watching it right now, as I’ve just passed my 40th birthday, I feel shocked at The Rock. Watching the force of the chair shots, especially near the end, I feel like this was incredibly dangerous. Who knows what damage he has done to Foley.
I’m still going to give this a decent rating because of the impact it left on me.
Rating: 12/16.5
6. Royal Rumble Match
So here we go! My first Rumble Match had Stonecold entering as number 1 and Vince as number 2. Also, a $100,000 bounty on Austin’s head, meaning anyone who eliminates Austin will collect the money.
Ahhh I’ve just remembered the Vince training video of him preparing for the Rumble, in the style of Rocky. One for you to check it. Obviously did the business as Vince comes out looking absolutely jacked.
And off we go to The Fink to run through the rules. King cracking me up again. “Ok Howard” “Anything else? We only got an hour left you moron”. King also reminded us that only 1 star in this match has never lost a match in his life. Vince McMahon (because he’s never had a match – pointed out by Michael Cole).
The Royal Rumble match began with Steve Austin and Vince McMahon circling each other. McMahon mistimed a clothesline and Austin punched him into the corner, stomping a mudhole.
The opening 3 minutes of this match is just pure joy and the commentary of King and Cole is fantastic.
Austin went to throw McMahon over the top rope but stopped. He wanted to take his time as Golga came to the ring. With Austin distracted by Golga, McMahon fled under the bottom rope. This meant he wasn’t eliminated, and Austin gave chase.
Austin followed McMahon through the crowd and eventually fought their way into the public toilets. Unfortunately, The Corporation was waiting to beat Austin down and leave him unconscious on the floor.
Back In The Ring
Droz had come out followed by Edge and they quickly eliminate Gillberg as soon as he entered the ring.
When Dan Severn entered the ring he immediately went for Steve Blackman. The two fought in the corner until Tiger Ali Singh came in and attacked Blackman. Meanwhile, clips were shown of Austin being lifted onto a stretcher and eventually being taken to hospital.
Shortly after, The Blue Meanie entered the match and went after Singh, before being cornered by Droz. When the eleventh man was scheduled to enter, nobody showed and backstage Mabel was shown throwing Headbanger Mosh into a wall before entering the Rumble himself in Mosh’s place.
Shortly after entering the match, Mabel took out Blackman, Severn, Singh, Meanie and Droz, and started a clash with Road Dogg, who was just fresh and took Edge out, having the upper hand.
But after having some dominance, the lights went out, and when they came back up, under a blue hue, The Acolytes and Mideon had eliminated Mabel and took him to meet The Undertaker who put him in a trance. None of them were competitors.
Kane
A few entrants later and Kane makes his entrance. I was also a big fan of Kane at the time, but I was so disappointed with what happened here. He eliminates Road Dogg, Kurrgan, Godfather and Goldust in quick time but then the white coats turn up and Kane eliminates himself. What a complete waste!
Ken Shamrock was next and this is when Vince returned to the ring. He quickly realised he didn’t want the ring with Shamrock, so goes to the commentary table.
The next entrant was Billy Gunn, with only one shoe due to his ankle being injured from their earlier match-up. As Test entered the ring, the Ministry were shown in the parking lot putting Mabel into a hearse. Then an ambulance pulled up with Steve Austin driving! Here we go!!
He quickly made his way to the ring, overshadowing the entrance of the Big Boss Man. McMahon ran around the ring away from Austin, running through it to allow Shamrock to secure him before fleeing again to the commentary team.
Austin eliminated Shamrock with little trouble but put more effort into Boss Man, choking him with a turnbuckle tie. The ring began to fill up, with two members of DX in Triple H and X Pac, Test and Boss Man representing The Corporation. Joining them were Val Venus, Mark Henry, Jeff Jarrett, D’Lo Brown and Owen Hart.
Austin took a break from being in the ring to go to the commentary team to throw a jug of water in McMahon’s face before returning to the fight.
Chyna
At this point, the first woman to enter a Royal Rumble, Chyna came to the ring.
She instantly targeted Mark Henry, delivering forearms before throwing him over the top rope. However, before she had time to celebrate Austin immediately clotheslined her over the top rope. Triple H then attacked him, and in addition, the latter took both Val and Jarrett out.
Triple H was soon eliminated by Austin as the numbers started to dwindle after Austin threw D’Lo and Owen over. After giving a Stunner to Boss Man, Austin eliminated him leaving only him and McMahon.
You can hear the excitement in the crowd at this point. King proclaiming can’t we all just get along here?”
Austin went to the announce table and attacked McMahon, throwing him into the crowd and then back to ringside, hitting him with a chair. Austin then threw McMahon into the ring, standing over him as McMahon clambered to his feet and lowblowed Austin.
The two both staggered to their feet when Austin stunnered McMahon. Then The Rock came to ringside taunting Austin with the WWF Championship up to the apron. As Austin ran to punch Rock, McMahon climbed to his feet and came up behind Austin. The unthinkable happened – Vince threw him over the top rope, winning the 1999 Royal Rumble match.
What a ride that was! I remember feeling gutted at the time when Austin left the Rumble. Then obviously ecstatic when he returned, driving the ambulance. I was shocked though with the finish. Vince. Royal Rumble winner. 14 year-old me was livid!!
Mr McMahon books himself a WrestleMania main event!
Rating: 11/16.5
Final Rating
| 1. Road Dogg vs The Boss Man | 4 |
| 2. Billy Gunn vs Ken Shamrock | 6 |
| X Pac vs Gangrel | 5 |
| Sable vs Luna | 4 |
| The Rock vs Mankind | 12 |
| Royal Rumble Match | 11 |
Final Rating: 42/100
Wow. So what I thought for years was an incredible event, actually watching it back, I’ve not rated it very highly. There you go. Thanks for reading!
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