Royal Rumble: No Chance in Hell

The WWF was so into their storyline over actual action that they runied an event that could have been so much better. The only real highlight would have to be the Mankind vs. the Rock match for the world title. These guys give it all they got and give definately some of the best performance in their careers. The only flaw of this match is the ending which is the exact same as Survivor Series 98. The rest of the card is not very interesting: Bossman beats Road Dogg out of nowhere, X-Pac fighting Gangrel is pretty weak, Billy Gunn getting pounded by Ken Shamrock isn't too thrilling, and Sable vs. Luna has to be one of the worst matches in Rumble history. As for the actual Rumble, there is such an emphasis by the Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler regarding the whole Austin vs. McMahon issue that you know that one of them is going to win the match. Both Austin and McMahon spend more than half of the Rumble away from the ring and we are stuck with few potential winners(Triple-H, Owen Hart, Shamrock), some longshots(D-Lo Brown, Bossman, X-Pac), a few with even longer shots(Steve Blackman, Dan Severn, Jeff Jarrett), a large number of no-shots(Golga, Droz, Blue Meanie, Al Snow), and even a few that you know were just in it because they ran out of guys(Gillberg, Mabel, Chyna). Besides, how can enjoy a Royal rumble that doesn't have the Undetaker compete?

The royal rumble should always be the main events of the evening if the event is called the Legendary story lines little wrestlingRoyal rumble. In my reviews you see me moan about the lack of storytelling sometimes in later rumbles. This event covers both for me with the Rumble has the main event and very strong on story lines beginning with McMahon and Austins feud who will be entering the rumble one and two . Right through the night with lots of mini storylines and feuds being played out in the middle of the rumble ironically with so many storylines going on the wrestling gets forgotten ending up with very little wrestling. A strong early card with matches like the rock versus mankind I quit. The road dog versus big boss man. WWE women's title on the line with Luna facing stable. The first ever female entry to the Royal rumble in the form of china set up the night Brilliantly for the rumble. Which was a shame Because the story's are strong on the night If had been balance with some quality wrestling could've made this a legendary royal rumble.

The 1999 Royal Rumble was billed as "No Chance in Hell," as Mr. McMahon claimed that Stone Cold Steve Austin had no chance in hell of winning the January spectacular and advancing to WrestleMania XV. Austin had won a spot in the Rumble by defeating Undertaker in a "Buried Alive" match at the "Rock Bottom" In Your House Pay-Per-View in December 1998. Knowing that the Rattlesnake was a definite threat to win the event, Mr. McMahon made him enter the bout at No. 1. The cocky owner then said that he himself would be entering the Rumble, and would do so at No. 30! Then, to turn the heat up even more, he placed a $100,000 bounty on Austin's head -- meaning that the superstar who eliminated the Rattlesnake would take home a cool hundred grand! But Commissioner Shawn Michaels had plans of his own. He forced Mr. McMahon to enter the Rumble at No. 2, meaning that Stone Cold could get his hands on WWE chairman! Austin dominated the bout in the early-going, until Mr. McMahon led him into an assault by the Corporate team! The Rattlesnake was taken away in an ambulance -- only to return about half an hour later! Stone Cold was a man on a mission, and the last two men in the Rumble match turned out to be Austin and Mr. McMahon! Stone Cold was in control, until The Rock made his way to ringside. The then-Corporate Champion distracted the Rattlesnake, allowing Mr. McMahon to dump Austin out of the ring! Mr. McMahon was the winner of the Royal Rumble! Also at the 1999 Royal Rumble, The Rock and Mankind brutalized each other in a brutal "I Quit" match for the WWE Championship. Rocky won the title from Mick after destroying his foe with 11 chair shots to the head! But Mick would regain the title just two days later, during "Halftime Heat!"

Big Boss Man defeated Road Dogg via pinfall Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock defeated Mr. Ass via submission European Champion X-Pac defeated Gangrel via pinfall Women's Champion Sable defeated Luna in a Strap Match The Rock defeated Mankind in an "I Quit" Match to win WWE Championship Vince McMahon won the Royal Rumble

Overall Mark: C+

For many years, Vince McMahon was either behind the scenes (owner) or behind the mic (announcer) for the WWE. As 1998 turned into '99, however, he stepped out of the tuxedo and into the wrestling role itself. While this Royal Rumble isn't nearly one of the best, it is still very entertaining because it represents one of the greatest feuds in WWE history.

To me, there is no doubt that the angle between Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin is maybe the most exciting (or at very least interesting) in the history of the company. I mean, everyone's dream in life is to beat up and give the finger to the boss man, right?! That's the catharsis (the heart of the WWE experience) that plays out here, with Austin of course playing that role perfectly. When him and McMahon are doing their thing, there is an electricity in arenas that is almost unmatched.

Besides the Rumble itself, which is usually always entertaining, the other great match on this card is The Rock vs. Mankind. It says a lot about the WWE talent-wise that this can be the penultimate event. This could easily have been the finale and no one would have gone home disappointed.

The '99 Rumble also represents the debut (or at least close to it) of lead announcer Michael Cole. While at first I was skeptical, as Jim Ross had been so good, but Cole proves to be a great mic man and it is nice to have a new voice in the mix.

Overall, this card is very back-heavy, but the talents of Rock, Mankind, Austin, and McMahon truly do make it worthwhile. If this hadn't happened sometime earlier, WWE is clearly on top of the fading WCW at this point.