Welcome to the second of three posts looking at the epic rivalry between The Rock and Stone Cold at WrestleMania. This edition will look at the iconic encounter between the two at WrestleMania X-Seven.
As previously mentioned on the first post, their encounter in 2001 was a culmination of different paths coming together to reunite a classic feud. While The Rock and Stone Cold had met at WrestleMania XV and Backlash in 1999, their next major epic match was not until this show. While the end of No Mercy 1999 hinted that these two and Triple H would be involved in a Triple Threat match, Stone Cold needed to get his neck surgery that he had put off for a couple years.
While Austin went out for his neck surgery, the company turned to The Rock as the sole lead face on WWF programming. The Rock was the central attaction of WWF programming from 1999-2000 and helped the company maintain its position as the #1 wrestling promotion in the world. (WCW's own internal problems helped with that too, but that's a story for another time.) The Rock became even more popular in 2000, including guest spots on several TV shows (including Star Trek Voyager, believe it or not) and filming for The Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns (which would help spawn his own spinoff prequel movie later). The Rock benefitted from having a central important position on the top of the roster. The only time Austin was on WWF programming during his hiatus from in-ring action was the Smackdown before Backlash 2000 and on the Backlash show itself to help Rock fend off The McMahon-Helmsley Faction while Rock beat Triple H for the WWF Championship that night.
But September 2000 came along, and with it, Stone Cold Steve Austin made his return to WWF at Unforgiven 2000. Austin was thrust into a storyline about who ran him over at Survivor Series 1999 (the angle WWF used to write him off TV for 10 months). It was a hot month-long angle in which Austin was accusing everyone of being the culprit, saying "Your (bleep) is guilty until proven innocent." WWF Commissioner Mick Foley, under duress, found out that it was The Rock's cousin Rikishi who had been the man who ran down Stone Cold using The Rock's rental car. However, Rikishi was later revealed to have been working for Triple H in doing the deed. This led to Austin and The Rock fighting both men throughout the fall and winter of 2000. In fact, these four men would fight in the first ever Six Man Hell in a Cell Match at Armageddon 2000, along with Kurt Angle and The Undertaker. This marked the first time The Rock and Stone Cold were in the ring together fighting each other since 1999. And their interaction only lasted a couple moments at best.
At Royal Rumble 2001, we again were able to see The Rock and Stone Cold go at it in the context of the Rumble match. Austin would end up winning The Royal Rumble match that year by last eliminating the match's "Iron Man" Kane (who had lasted over 50 minutes in the match). Austin was guaranteed his spot at WrestleMania X-Seven to challenge the WWF Champion. Meanwhile, at No Way Out 2001, The Rock defeated Kurt Angle to regain his WWF Championship from The Olympic Gold Medalist. This led to the ultimate confrontation between two of the (legitimately) biggest stars in WWF history. And we also got this iconic hype package. Check this out...
WrestleMania X-Seven Austin vs. Rock Hype Video- "My Way"
Again, I could go over all the things that happened between No Way Out and WrestleMania X-Seven, but this does it all for me as far as I'm concerned. Iconic piece of video there as far as hype is concerned. Stone Cold says HE NEEDS to win. And it's a match both men say that they cannot afford to lose. But someone has to lose (unless you get Brock Lesnar to interfere. But that's just me being snarky).
So, let's get to this iconic match.
WrestleMania X-Seven
No Disqualification Match
WWF Championship
The Rock (c) vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Prior to the match, it was announced by Howard Finkel that this match would be No Disqualification which shocks J.R. "When was that added?!" J.R. asks. "Glass Shatters" by Disturbed starts playing, and THE CROWD ERUPTS! Here comes Stone Cold Steve Austin (this time with a vest), and he does the corner pose to the delight of the crowd.
The Rock comes out to a very mixed reaction from the crowd. You can hear some cheers, but there's a good percentage (60-70%) who are booing him. Remember, this is in Houston, TX. That means Stone Cold walks on water in this state. The Rock does his corner poses, but while he does his second one, Austin is behind him just waiting for The Rock to get down and turn around. THE FIGHT AND THE MATCH ARE ON!!!!
Punches by Austin. Rock is caught in the corner. Rock is firing back now. Thesz Press and elbow drop by Austin! Another elbow drop. Swinging Neck Breaker by The Rock. Rock Bottom Avoided. Stunner Avoided. Rock tries a stunner himself, but Austin sends him flying over the top to the outside. Austin follows. Austin presses the attack. Rock goes over the railing. Austin goes out with him out to the audience. Rock unloads with rights on Austin and sends him back over the railing. Rock and Austin fight near the announce teams. Austin's head is smacked against the table, but he ends up getting a clothesline on Rock. Austin rakes the eyes of Rock with the knee brace. Both men are back in the ring.
Austin stomps Rock and puts his neck on the middle rope. Austin jumps on Rock on the rope. 2 count. Austin puts The Rock on the top of the corner. Austin climbs up. SUPLEX OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND THE ROCK IS SCREAMING IN PAIN! 1-2-KICKOUT. Austin unties the top turnbuckle in the corner they were just in. Rock fires back with punches. FLYING forearm by The Rock. The Rock hits a Belly to Belly Throw for a 2 count. Austin is stumbling around the ring, and he gets clotheslined over the top back out to the floor. The Rock goes out after him.
Austin's head smacks against the announce table and the ring table with the bell. The Rock accidentally causes the referee to trip up on the ring steps, but AUSTIN HITS THE ROCK WITH A RING BELL WHEN HE TURNS AROUND! AND THAT WAS ON PURPOSE!!!! Austin attacks The Rock, who is busted open. Austin now bounces The Rock's head off the announce table. Austin is being tied up with the referee, and it looks like The Rock accidentally put himself through the announce table. (Was that rigged for a spot or just a happy accident?) Austin grabs The Rock and continues his attack. Both men get back in the ring. Austin continues the punches to the open wound of The Rock. Once Rock gets on the mat, Austin UNLOADS with punches to The Rock. Austin takes The Rock into the exposed turnbuckle, but The Rock avoideds it and attacks Austin. But Austin gets the advantage with his own swinging neckbreaker to Rock. 1-2-Kickout.
Rock is now undoubtedly wearing The Crimson Mask as Austin continues to pound at the wound of The Rock. Stomps to the laying Rock in the corner. Mudhole stomps. He's kicking his damn head in. Austin takes the knee and puts it right into Rock's face. He backs up Hebner, and HE TURNS AROUND TO EAT AN EXPLODING CLOTHESLINE FROM THE CORNER BY THE ROCK! Another clothesline by Rock now. Austin gets the knee up into Rock's gut, but The Rock unloads with punches to Austin. HE FLIPS OFF AUSTIN AND SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING!!!! The Rock goes out and gets the bell that Austin used on him earlier. THE ROCK NAILS AUSTIN WITH IT. THIS CROWD IS BOOING LIKE CRAZY. AUSTIN IS BLEEDING NOW! 2 count only though! (So far, this is an absolute war between these two, and it is definitely the more sound wrestling match between this and WrestleMania XV. I love the back and forth between both men where they are playing heel to the others' fans. It is adding another dimension to this match that elevates it to another notch above WrestleMania XV.)
Rock waits for Austin to turn around. And now The Rock nails Austin in his open wound on the face. J.R. is losing it. "THE RATTLESNAKE WILL NOT QUIT. HIS JOURNEY ENDS HERE!" Austin continues to be knocked all over the ring by Rock. Rock pulls Austin's head on the apron and nails a running elbow strike on him. Austin falls on the floor. Austin blocks a guard rail shot and starts to strike at Rock repeatedly. Austin drops Rock chest first on the guard rail. "THIS IS INTENSE" says J.R. He's right! AUSTIN CATAPULT'S ROCK RIGHT INTO THE RING POST!
Rock falls in the rubble of the broken table from earlier. AUSTIN NAILS ROCK WITH AN OLD SCHOOL BOX MONITOR! Austin and Rock go back into the ring. 1-2-KICKOUT by The Rock. Austin lets Rock get up, flips him off, but gets caught in a ROCK SHARPSHOOTER!!! Austin is bleeding in a Sharpshooter at WrestleMania AGAIN!!!! GREAT RETRO SEGMENT OF THIS MATCH HERE! He's reaching for the ropes, but THE ROCK DRAGS HIM BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING! HE GETS TO THE ROPE!!! (This is so much better than I remembered.) Rock goes for the Sharpshooter again, but Austin rakes the eyes. AND NOW AUSTIN HAS THE ROCK IN HIS OWN SHARPSHOOTER!!!! WOW! ROCK BRIDGES UP IN A BLOODY MESS!!!! GEEZ! The Rock powers out with his legs sending Austin off of him. (By the way, Austin's Sharpshooter was better. And I'm a Rock fan saying that.)
AUSTIN JUST BOUNCES ROCK'S KNEE OFF THE MAT AND KICKS HIM IN THE ROCK'S ROCKS. AUSTIN REAPPLIES THE SHARPSHOOTER! This is incredible. Rock gets to the ropes again, but Austin WILL NOT let go! He flips off the referee. But he finally lets it go. Kick to Rock's face. Now, Austin... LOCKS IN THE MILLION DOLLAR DREAM?! That's another history throwback to Austin's days as The Ringmaster. Wow! (THIS IS DEEP STORYTELLING HERE!) Rock climbs the corner and flips back on Austin in a pinning attempt for a 2 count. Austin goes back to Rock. Punches to Rock's face. THE ROCK SCORES WITH A STUNNER TO STONE COLD! J.R. is losing it. "Don't tell me he's going to be Austin in TX with a Stone Cold Stunner?!" 2 count only. Wow.
HERE COMES VINCE MCMAHON! Rock continues to attack Austin with punches to the face, but Austin catches him with a spinebuster for a CLOSE 2 count. Rock gets his own spinebuster on Austin. The Elbow Pad comes off. The arm is kicked in. Here it comes: The Most Electrifying Move in Sports Entertainment. THE PEOPLE'S ELBOW. 1-2-VINCE PULLED THE ROCK OFF THE COVER!!!! Rock chases McMahon around ringside. Rock and Vince come back in the ring. ROCK BOTTOM TO THE ROCK!!! The crowd explodes. 1-2-KICKOUT!!!!!
Austin goes for the Stunner, but The Rock sends him into the referee who crashes and burns through the ropes and out to the floor. Rock goes to pick up Austin, but Austin gives him a low blow! Austin tells McMahon to get a chair, and McMahon comes in the ring. McMahon SMACKS the chair off the head of The Rock. Austin has the cover. McMahon rolls Hebner back in the ring! 1-2-KICKOUT! THE CROWD EXPLODES! AUSTIN SMACKS THE RING IN FRUSTRATION! Austin grabs the chair. He goes to hit The Rock, but The Rock gets a Rock Bottom! Vince gets on the apron, and The Rock sends him over the top into the ring. Rock explodes with punches to McMahon. HOWEVER HE TURNS INTO THE STONE COLD STUNNER! ROCK FLIPS INTO THE ROPES IN THE SELL! THE CROWD ERUPTS! 1-2-KICKOUT AGAIN!!!! MY GOD! THIS IS INSANE!
Austin takes the chair from McMahon and attacks Rock with a vicious chair shot to the face! 1-2-KICKOUT! THE PLACE STILL IS GOING NUTS! Austin is cussing like a mad man! He grabs the chair, and HE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYS THE ROCK WITH 4 SHOTS TO THE RIBS AND ABOUT 10 SHOTS TO THE REST OF ROCK'S BODY! 1-2-3!!!! NEW CHAMPION!!!!
Austin goes over to Vince McMahon and THEY SHAKE HANDS! STONE COLD HAS SOLD HIS SOUL TO SATAN HIMSELF!!!! They're drinking beers together, and the crowd in Texas is in Hell with them in applause!!!! It sounds like the crowd could care less if Austin turned heel. They were along for the ride. They drink beers over the unconscious body of The Rock. The Rock gets up only to get SMACKED IN THE FACE by Austin with the WWF Championship. Austin and Vince walk off to the stage together, and Austin poses with the title one last time. J.R. is losing it. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WE'VE GOT A NEW WWF CHAMPION. AND GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY, THINGS WILL NEVER EVER BE THE SAME!"
Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin (new WWF Champion)
Match Grade: A+. How is this anything but an absolute classic? You have the two biggest stars in the history of the business going at for 30 minutes. Both men get enough offense in to save face. Both are bleeding for about 20 minutes of the match. And these two masters of the craft created a captivating spectacle that held the attention of 70,000 plus for 30 minutes and got them into a frenzy at its climax. I'm not the biggest fan of the Stone Cold heel turn. I think it was the wrong call, and I still think it adversely affected the company's future. I get that Austin wanted something fresh, but I feel the heel turn did a lot of damage to WWF among non die-hard wrestling fans. Imagine the pop that would have happened if the finish went down the way it did, but after the handshake and even after smacking The Rock with the championship belt, Austin turned right around and stunnered McMahon. Austin would have remained a face and had two blood enemies going after him. The Rock could have used that to propel him into a rematch with Austin at SummerSlam, and Vince being Vince could have used that to be more creative with the WWF roster.
This was the end of the Attitude Era, but it was not the end of The Rock vs. Stone Cold feud. They have one WrestleMania match left in them, and it's a testament to Stone Cold Steve Austin's toughness that the match even happened. How is that? Well, check out the next and final installment of The Rock vs. Stone Cold at WrestleMania.
Until then, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
As previously mentioned on the first post, their encounter in 2001 was a culmination of different paths coming together to reunite a classic feud. While The Rock and Stone Cold had met at WrestleMania XV and Backlash in 1999, their next major epic match was not until this show. While the end of No Mercy 1999 hinted that these two and Triple H would be involved in a Triple Threat match, Stone Cold needed to get his neck surgery that he had put off for a couple years.
While Austin went out for his neck surgery, the company turned to The Rock as the sole lead face on WWF programming. The Rock was the central attaction of WWF programming from 1999-2000 and helped the company maintain its position as the #1 wrestling promotion in the world. (WCW's own internal problems helped with that too, but that's a story for another time.) The Rock became even more popular in 2000, including guest spots on several TV shows (including Star Trek Voyager, believe it or not) and filming for The Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns (which would help spawn his own spinoff prequel movie later). The Rock benefitted from having a central important position on the top of the roster. The only time Austin was on WWF programming during his hiatus from in-ring action was the Smackdown before Backlash 2000 and on the Backlash show itself to help Rock fend off The McMahon-Helmsley Faction while Rock beat Triple H for the WWF Championship that night.
But September 2000 came along, and with it, Stone Cold Steve Austin made his return to WWF at Unforgiven 2000. Austin was thrust into a storyline about who ran him over at Survivor Series 1999 (the angle WWF used to write him off TV for 10 months). It was a hot month-long angle in which Austin was accusing everyone of being the culprit, saying "Your (bleep) is guilty until proven innocent." WWF Commissioner Mick Foley, under duress, found out that it was The Rock's cousin Rikishi who had been the man who ran down Stone Cold using The Rock's rental car. However, Rikishi was later revealed to have been working for Triple H in doing the deed. This led to Austin and The Rock fighting both men throughout the fall and winter of 2000. In fact, these four men would fight in the first ever Six Man Hell in a Cell Match at Armageddon 2000, along with Kurt Angle and The Undertaker. This marked the first time The Rock and Stone Cold were in the ring together fighting each other since 1999. And their interaction only lasted a couple moments at best.
At Royal Rumble 2001, we again were able to see The Rock and Stone Cold go at it in the context of the Rumble match. Austin would end up winning The Royal Rumble match that year by last eliminating the match's "Iron Man" Kane (who had lasted over 50 minutes in the match). Austin was guaranteed his spot at WrestleMania X-Seven to challenge the WWF Champion. Meanwhile, at No Way Out 2001, The Rock defeated Kurt Angle to regain his WWF Championship from The Olympic Gold Medalist. This led to the ultimate confrontation between two of the (legitimately) biggest stars in WWF history. And we also got this iconic hype package. Check this out...
WrestleMania X-Seven Austin vs. Rock Hype Video- "My Way"
Again, I could go over all the things that happened between No Way Out and WrestleMania X-Seven, but this does it all for me as far as I'm concerned. Iconic piece of video there as far as hype is concerned. Stone Cold says HE NEEDS to win. And it's a match both men say that they cannot afford to lose. But someone has to lose (unless you get Brock Lesnar to interfere. But that's just me being snarky).
So, let's get to this iconic match.
WrestleMania X-Seven
No Disqualification Match
WWF Championship
The Rock (c) vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Prior to the match, it was announced by Howard Finkel that this match would be No Disqualification which shocks J.R. "When was that added?!" J.R. asks. "Glass Shatters" by Disturbed starts playing, and THE CROWD ERUPTS! Here comes Stone Cold Steve Austin (this time with a vest), and he does the corner pose to the delight of the crowd.
The Rock comes out to a very mixed reaction from the crowd. You can hear some cheers, but there's a good percentage (60-70%) who are booing him. Remember, this is in Houston, TX. That means Stone Cold walks on water in this state. The Rock does his corner poses, but while he does his second one, Austin is behind him just waiting for The Rock to get down and turn around. THE FIGHT AND THE MATCH ARE ON!!!!
Punches by Austin. Rock is caught in the corner. Rock is firing back now. Thesz Press and elbow drop by Austin! Another elbow drop. Swinging Neck Breaker by The Rock. Rock Bottom Avoided. Stunner Avoided. Rock tries a stunner himself, but Austin sends him flying over the top to the outside. Austin follows. Austin presses the attack. Rock goes over the railing. Austin goes out with him out to the audience. Rock unloads with rights on Austin and sends him back over the railing. Rock and Austin fight near the announce teams. Austin's head is smacked against the table, but he ends up getting a clothesline on Rock. Austin rakes the eyes of Rock with the knee brace. Both men are back in the ring.
Austin stomps Rock and puts his neck on the middle rope. Austin jumps on Rock on the rope. 2 count. Austin puts The Rock on the top of the corner. Austin climbs up. SUPLEX OFF THE MIDDLE ROPE, AND THE ROCK IS SCREAMING IN PAIN! 1-2-KICKOUT. Austin unties the top turnbuckle in the corner they were just in. Rock fires back with punches. FLYING forearm by The Rock. The Rock hits a Belly to Belly Throw for a 2 count. Austin is stumbling around the ring, and he gets clotheslined over the top back out to the floor. The Rock goes out after him.
Austin's head smacks against the announce table and the ring table with the bell. The Rock accidentally causes the referee to trip up on the ring steps, but AUSTIN HITS THE ROCK WITH A RING BELL WHEN HE TURNS AROUND! AND THAT WAS ON PURPOSE!!!! Austin attacks The Rock, who is busted open. Austin now bounces The Rock's head off the announce table. Austin is being tied up with the referee, and it looks like The Rock accidentally put himself through the announce table. (Was that rigged for a spot or just a happy accident?) Austin grabs The Rock and continues his attack. Both men get back in the ring. Austin continues the punches to the open wound of The Rock. Once Rock gets on the mat, Austin UNLOADS with punches to The Rock. Austin takes The Rock into the exposed turnbuckle, but The Rock avoideds it and attacks Austin. But Austin gets the advantage with his own swinging neckbreaker to Rock. 1-2-Kickout.
Rock is now undoubtedly wearing The Crimson Mask as Austin continues to pound at the wound of The Rock. Stomps to the laying Rock in the corner. Mudhole stomps. He's kicking his damn head in. Austin takes the knee and puts it right into Rock's face. He backs up Hebner, and HE TURNS AROUND TO EAT AN EXPLODING CLOTHESLINE FROM THE CORNER BY THE ROCK! Another clothesline by Rock now. Austin gets the knee up into Rock's gut, but The Rock unloads with punches to Austin. HE FLIPS OFF AUSTIN AND SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE EXPOSED TURNBUCKLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING!!!! The Rock goes out and gets the bell that Austin used on him earlier. THE ROCK NAILS AUSTIN WITH IT. THIS CROWD IS BOOING LIKE CRAZY. AUSTIN IS BLEEDING NOW! 2 count only though! (So far, this is an absolute war between these two, and it is definitely the more sound wrestling match between this and WrestleMania XV. I love the back and forth between both men where they are playing heel to the others' fans. It is adding another dimension to this match that elevates it to another notch above WrestleMania XV.)
Rock waits for Austin to turn around. And now The Rock nails Austin in his open wound on the face. J.R. is losing it. "THE RATTLESNAKE WILL NOT QUIT. HIS JOURNEY ENDS HERE!" Austin continues to be knocked all over the ring by Rock. Rock pulls Austin's head on the apron and nails a running elbow strike on him. Austin falls on the floor. Austin blocks a guard rail shot and starts to strike at Rock repeatedly. Austin drops Rock chest first on the guard rail. "THIS IS INTENSE" says J.R. He's right! AUSTIN CATAPULT'S ROCK RIGHT INTO THE RING POST!
Rock falls in the rubble of the broken table from earlier. AUSTIN NAILS ROCK WITH AN OLD SCHOOL BOX MONITOR! Austin and Rock go back into the ring. 1-2-KICKOUT by The Rock. Austin lets Rock get up, flips him off, but gets caught in a ROCK SHARPSHOOTER!!! Austin is bleeding in a Sharpshooter at WrestleMania AGAIN!!!! GREAT RETRO SEGMENT OF THIS MATCH HERE! He's reaching for the ropes, but THE ROCK DRAGS HIM BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING! HE GETS TO THE ROPE!!! (This is so much better than I remembered.) Rock goes for the Sharpshooter again, but Austin rakes the eyes. AND NOW AUSTIN HAS THE ROCK IN HIS OWN SHARPSHOOTER!!!! WOW! ROCK BRIDGES UP IN A BLOODY MESS!!!! GEEZ! The Rock powers out with his legs sending Austin off of him. (By the way, Austin's Sharpshooter was better. And I'm a Rock fan saying that.)
AUSTIN JUST BOUNCES ROCK'S KNEE OFF THE MAT AND KICKS HIM IN THE ROCK'S ROCKS. AUSTIN REAPPLIES THE SHARPSHOOTER! This is incredible. Rock gets to the ropes again, but Austin WILL NOT let go! He flips off the referee. But he finally lets it go. Kick to Rock's face. Now, Austin... LOCKS IN THE MILLION DOLLAR DREAM?! That's another history throwback to Austin's days as The Ringmaster. Wow! (THIS IS DEEP STORYTELLING HERE!) Rock climbs the corner and flips back on Austin in a pinning attempt for a 2 count. Austin goes back to Rock. Punches to Rock's face. THE ROCK SCORES WITH A STUNNER TO STONE COLD! J.R. is losing it. "Don't tell me he's going to be Austin in TX with a Stone Cold Stunner?!" 2 count only. Wow.
HERE COMES VINCE MCMAHON! Rock continues to attack Austin with punches to the face, but Austin catches him with a spinebuster for a CLOSE 2 count. Rock gets his own spinebuster on Austin. The Elbow Pad comes off. The arm is kicked in. Here it comes: The Most Electrifying Move in Sports Entertainment. THE PEOPLE'S ELBOW. 1-2-VINCE PULLED THE ROCK OFF THE COVER!!!! Rock chases McMahon around ringside. Rock and Vince come back in the ring. ROCK BOTTOM TO THE ROCK!!! The crowd explodes. 1-2-KICKOUT!!!!!
Austin goes for the Stunner, but The Rock sends him into the referee who crashes and burns through the ropes and out to the floor. Rock goes to pick up Austin, but Austin gives him a low blow! Austin tells McMahon to get a chair, and McMahon comes in the ring. McMahon SMACKS the chair off the head of The Rock. Austin has the cover. McMahon rolls Hebner back in the ring! 1-2-KICKOUT! THE CROWD EXPLODES! AUSTIN SMACKS THE RING IN FRUSTRATION! Austin grabs the chair. He goes to hit The Rock, but The Rock gets a Rock Bottom! Vince gets on the apron, and The Rock sends him over the top into the ring. Rock explodes with punches to McMahon. HOWEVER HE TURNS INTO THE STONE COLD STUNNER! ROCK FLIPS INTO THE ROPES IN THE SELL! THE CROWD ERUPTS! 1-2-KICKOUT AGAIN!!!! MY GOD! THIS IS INSANE!
Austin takes the chair from McMahon and attacks Rock with a vicious chair shot to the face! 1-2-KICKOUT! THE PLACE STILL IS GOING NUTS! Austin is cussing like a mad man! He grabs the chair, and HE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYS THE ROCK WITH 4 SHOTS TO THE RIBS AND ABOUT 10 SHOTS TO THE REST OF ROCK'S BODY! 1-2-3!!!! NEW CHAMPION!!!!
Austin goes over to Vince McMahon and THEY SHAKE HANDS! STONE COLD HAS SOLD HIS SOUL TO SATAN HIMSELF!!!! They're drinking beers together, and the crowd in Texas is in Hell with them in applause!!!! It sounds like the crowd could care less if Austin turned heel. They were along for the ride. They drink beers over the unconscious body of The Rock. The Rock gets up only to get SMACKED IN THE FACE by Austin with the WWF Championship. Austin and Vince walk off to the stage together, and Austin poses with the title one last time. J.R. is losing it. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WE'VE GOT A NEW WWF CHAMPION. AND GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY, THINGS WILL NEVER EVER BE THE SAME!"
Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin (new WWF Champion)
Match Grade: A+. How is this anything but an absolute classic? You have the two biggest stars in the history of the business going at for 30 minutes. Both men get enough offense in to save face. Both are bleeding for about 20 minutes of the match. And these two masters of the craft created a captivating spectacle that held the attention of 70,000 plus for 30 minutes and got them into a frenzy at its climax. I'm not the biggest fan of the Stone Cold heel turn. I think it was the wrong call, and I still think it adversely affected the company's future. I get that Austin wanted something fresh, but I feel the heel turn did a lot of damage to WWF among non die-hard wrestling fans. Imagine the pop that would have happened if the finish went down the way it did, but after the handshake and even after smacking The Rock with the championship belt, Austin turned right around and stunnered McMahon. Austin would have remained a face and had two blood enemies going after him. The Rock could have used that to propel him into a rematch with Austin at SummerSlam, and Vince being Vince could have used that to be more creative with the WWF roster.
This was the end of the Attitude Era, but it was not the end of The Rock vs. Stone Cold feud. They have one WrestleMania match left in them, and it's a testament to Stone Cold Steve Austin's toughness that the match even happened. How is that? Well, check out the next and final installment of The Rock vs. Stone Cold at WrestleMania.
Until then, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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