Austin and Rock topped their Wrestlemania match, Mankind and Big Show had a boiler room brawl as the war between Hardcore Holly and Al SNow dragged on in this entertaining PPV, the final one to feature Owen Hart.
Well, while Wrestlemania 15 had felt like a genuine culmination, it had left a few stories to be told. Like what was Mankind going to do to Big Show after the heinous beating he'd received at Wrestlemania? And what does it all mean to the Big Show now that he's no longer in the Corporation after punching McMahon? What would McMahon and the Rock do to try and get the WWE Title back off of Austin and what the hell was the deal with the Undertaker and that weird ministry stable? Why had they kidnapped Stephanie? And what was going to happen when he clashed with Ken Shamrock tonight? The night started off with three members of the Undertaker's ministry, Faarooq, Bradshaw and Mideon taking on the Brood (Edge, Christian and Gangrel) in a six man tag match. Mideon brings an eyeball in a jar to the ring to get us going. The match ends with Viscera interfering, distracting Christian who walks into a clothesline from hell from Bradshaw. This was an interesting match. Win goes to the Ministry.
This was followed by the latest chapter in the trilogy of hardcore championship matches between Hardcore HOlly and An Snow for the Hardcore Championship. Previously they had brawled into a freezing lake and through city streets, tonight they brawled through a parking lot and some metal doors, before making their way back to the ring where Snow hits Holly with "head" to get the pin and win the Hardcore Championship. I really enjoyed this particularly rivalry and it always seemed to be successful in getting crowds interested early.
Next match saw Godfather defeat Goldust to retain the Intercontinnetal Championship. Goldust was 'helped' by the Blue Meanie, who he had been in a rivalry with earlier in the year. Anyway, his help did not help and this was not one of his better matches.
Next match saw the Neww Age Outlaws defeat Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett in a decent match. This was Owen's last PPV match. He tragically died in an horrendous accident at the following month's Over the Edge PPV. The win made the Outlaws No.1 contender's for the tag team belts.
This was followed by a pretty entertaining Boiler Room match between Mankind and Big Show. Mankind had previously had a Boiler match with Undertaker at Summerslam 1996. Mankind eventually won the match by burying Big Show in heavy boiler pipes. Big Boss Man and Test came in and started beating up Mankind. Big Show helps him out.
The interference of Kane was not enough to help his tag team partner X-Pac in our next match, a singles encounter between X-Pac and Triple H. Chyna accompanied Triple H to ring side and continually distracted the referee to allow Trips to cheat. Kane comes in and evens things up, but it's too late as Triple H hits the pedigree for the win.
Next comes one of the big matches of the night as Ken Shamrock takes on the Undertaker. This was not a great match and had a stupid ending. I usually try and tell you what happens, no matter how dumb, but this finish can only be comprehended if you actually view it with your own eyes. Taker wins.
The main event was built around some pretty nice angles. But to explain it we have to go back in the way back machine to September 1998 when Austin is pinned simultaneously by Kane and the Undertaker, losing the Championship and McMahon runs out of the building with Austin's gimmick belt. Vince McMahon had hoped to return the belt to Austin to get his help with rescuing Stephanie, but Shane McMahon had given the belt to the Rock who had then thrown it and Austin off a bridge. Needless to say this led to a rematch for the WWE Title between the two. And this was a great match. Good wrestling, fun brawling and some funny moments before Austin wins. McMahon hands Austin the gimmick Skull belt and he's doubly celebrating. NIce PPV with a great finish.
Now, there will be no review for the next PPV, as I've never seen it. But Basically, The Undertaker's kidnapping of Stephanie was all part of McMahon's plan to lure Austin into a trap. The Corporation and Ministry are actually working together and McMahon is the Higher Power the ministry worships. Undertaker beats Austin at the next PPV to win the title. Due to the death of Owen Hart earlier in the show, all the matches I have seen from that PPV are dreadful. YOu can't blame the wrestlers for being off their game. So, I'll see you when I get round to watching King of the Ring. Nice show that one. The Rock becomes a good guy again after leaving the Corporation and challenges the Undertaker, while Austin battles the McMahons in a handicap ladder match.
RIP Owen
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