10 Desperate Booking Decisions WWE Have Made In December
5. Buried Alive Match - Rock Bottom 1998
This match was a huge stipulation for a result that didn't mean a great deal. Rock Bottom: In Your House's main event saw Stone Cold Steve Austin take on The Undertaker in a 'Buried Alive' match with the winning gaining a spot in the following month's Royal Rumble. The feud between the pair started when Austin dropped the WWF Championship in a match effectively against both 'Taker and Kane. During a rematch for the title, Taker would interfere and hit Austin in the head with a shovel, meaning the Texas Rattlesnake would be admitted to hospital. During a live interview from the hospital on Raw, Austin was kidnapped by The Undertaker who attempted to bury him alive before changing his mind and embalming him instead. Kane would come in to attack 'Taker and save Austin. Wanting to further distance Austin from the WWF Championship, Mr McMahon capitalised on the rivalry between the pair and booked them in a Buried Alive match, with the winner receiving a spot in the Royal Rumble. Kane would get involved in the match, tombstone pile-driving his brother, allowing Austin to order a driver to dump a lorry load of soil on 'Taker in the open grave. McMahon would of course win the following Rumble.