Earlier in 1998, the WWE cemented its Attitude Era at WrestleMania 14. In King of the Ring 1998, that bar gets pushed even higher, what with a match that will go down in history as one of the most iconic (and industry-changing) of all-time.
I won't beat around the bush: that match is a Hell in A Cell between Undertaker & Mankind. Foley puts on a show like no other, allowing Taker to thrown him off the enormous structure (onto a table), choke-slam him right through the top of it (I don't believe this was planned), and then piledrive him onto a mat full of thumbtacks. Not only is it entertaining/shocking for Foley's utter fearlessness (perhaps a bit of stupidity mix in as well), but it shows that the WWE was only going to double-down on the edgier content strategy. No longer was the WWE going to be able to call itself "wholesome family entertainment". This match marks the final turning point in that process, with the danger, blood, and general feel of the whole show.
Some other highlights of this really solid card:
-Another Shamrock/Rock match, which were always surprisingly entertaining. -The major debut of X-Pac, a spunky little guy who flies around with reckless abandon. -Kane vs. Stone Cold being a solid finale (if not quite a bit overshadowed by the carnage that had come before).
Overall, KOTR '98 was a great overall event filled with talent, solid matches, and an edge the WWE hadn't had in a long, long time. Some may see this as where professional wrestling became too profane or beyond the realm of family entertainment. Others will see it as where the company really started beating back WCW again and re-asserting its dominance on top of the pro wrestling food chain. Either way, it was iconic to say the least.
I won't beat around the bush: that match is a Hell in A Cell between Undertaker & Mankind. Foley puts on a show like no other, allowing Taker to thrown him off the enormous structure (onto a table), choke-slam him right through the top of it (I don't believe this was planned), and then piledrive him onto a mat full of thumbtacks. Not only is it entertaining/shocking for Foley's utter fearlessness (perhaps a bit of stupidity mix in as well), but it shows that the WWE was only going to double-down on the edgier content strategy. No longer was the WWE going to be able to call itself "wholesome family entertainment". This match marks the final turning point in that process, with the danger, blood, and general feel of the whole show.
Some other highlights of this really solid card:
-Another Shamrock/Rock match, which were always surprisingly entertaining. -The major debut of X-Pac, a spunky little guy who flies around with reckless abandon. -Kane vs. Stone Cold being a solid finale (if not quite a bit overshadowed by the carnage that had come before).
Overall, KOTR '98 was a great overall event filled with talent, solid matches, and an edge the WWE hadn't had in a long, long time. Some may see this as where professional wrestling became too profane or beyond the realm of family entertainment. Others will see it as where the company really started beating back WCW again and re-asserting its dominance on top of the pro wrestling food chain. Either way, it was iconic to say the least.