10 Amazing Small WWE Royal Rumble Moments You May Have Missed

2001’s Rumble is maximalist brilliance, with more nonsense than one can reasonably keep track of. There’s the hardcore section, Kane’s incredible dominance, the sheer amount of star quality on offer from start to finish. Best of all, though, is one of the few quiet moments, when two generational stars lock eyes across the ring.

As the match enters its endgame, two stars find themselves slumped in corners across from one another. On one side, The Rock, knackered but unblemished. On the other, Stone Cold Steve Austin, sporting the crimson mask like only his big bald head can. The two stare each other down, slowly pull themselves to their feet, and meet in the middle, where they exchange haymakers that send the crowd into the stratosphere.

This is the kind of electricity that can’t be faked. The era-defining superstars feel locked in an endless battle to be top of the heap, and they sell the scale of this battle through facial expressions alone. The Rock, nearly half an hour into this match, can’t believe he has to go through this again. Austin, meanwhile, looks battered, beaten, but eager for the fight.

What makes this perfect is the camera work, which makes sure to get in close on the faces, follow the men to their feet, and leave well enough alone. Compared to the frenetic work of modern WWE, it makes sure we see exactly what we need to see, and leaves the rest down to the wrestlers.