10 Fascinating Facts That WWE Fans Always Get Wrong
9. The 24/7 Rule Wasn’t Always a Thing
When fans think of the WWE Hardcore Championship, they immediately picture wild backstage brawls, referees hiding in catering, and title changes in airports, amusement parks, and even during weddings. But here’s the kicker: that wasn’t how it started.
When the Hardcore strap was introduced in 1998, it was defended like any other championship—scheduled matches, standard rules (well, as standard as “hardcore” gets), and no 24/7 chaos. The belt was initially awarded to Mankind by Vince McMahon as a storyline reward, and for a while, it was treated with a surprising amount of seriousness.
The now-iconic 24/7 rule—which allowed the title to be defended anytime, anywhere, as long as a referee was present—wasn’t introduced until early 2000, thanks to a promo by Crash Holly. That’s when the title truly descended into glorious mayhem.
So while fans fondly remember the Hardcore belt as a non-stop comedy riot, its early days were far more traditional than most realise.