When I wrote my history books about the WWF, WCW, and ECW, I called 1999 “The Year of Nonsense.”

The Monday Night Wars had been raging for a few years, and the WWF and WCW threw out all sorts of crazy matches and scenarios in 1999 to knock each other out.

One of those bizarre occurrences was Vince McMahon winning the 1999 Royal Rumble.

McMahon’s feud with Steve Austin was red-hot, and they started the Rumble in the No. 1 and 2 positions.

McMahon ran away and led Austin into an ambush by his Corporation team. Austin went to the hospital while McMahon took a seat at the commentary table.

Austin returned from the hospital and was the last man standing, so he had to drag Vince back into the bout.

However, The Rock showed up and taunted Austin with the WWF title belt. Vince took advantage and dumped Austin to win the Rumble.

Vince gave up his chance to challenge for the WWF title. Commissioner Shawn Michaels invoked the Miss America rule and gave Austin the title shot.

Austin destroyed Vince in a steel cage match at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre before beating The Rock for the WWF title at WrestleMania XV.

THE ROCK WINS IN 2000

While 30 men entered the 2000 Royal Rumble, the two obvious candidates to win the match were The Rock and The Big Show.

Indeed, they were the final two men in the Rumble and tumbled over the top rope. The Rock was declared the winner.

Later, Big Show protested and said The Rock’s feet hit the ground first. He was right!

Big Show defeated The Rock at No Way Out 2000 to win Rocky’s WrestleMania title shot.

However, The Rock ended up in the main event anyway along with Big Show and the retiring Mick Foley.

Triple H beat his three challengers to retain the WWF title at WrestleMania 2000.

After 15 years of babyface celebrations, a heel stood tall at the end of the biggest show of the year.

ABOUT THOSE BOOKS…

Interested in the wrestling history books I mentioned earlier? They are available at the following links:

·      King of New York (World Wrestling Federation)

·      King of Atlanta (World Championship Wrestling)

·      King of Philadelphia (Extreme Championship Wrestling)