10 Fascinating WWE Survivor Series 1999 Facts

3. WWE Knew With Plenty Of Notice That Austin Couldn't Compete

Triple H Big Show The Rock Survivor Series 1999
WWE Network

"Card subject to change", a four-word phrase that is a promoter's best friend. A wrestling company's announced plans for a big-money event could change as situations warrant, such as the health of a performer being compromised (see: TLC 2017).

In the case of Austin, he needed to undergo spinal surgery, which would end up taking him out of action for nearly a year. The rundown angle was a way to write him out of the main event. That is, after fans had already purchased the pay-per-view, with many tuning in explicitly to see their hero perform.

The Wrestling Observer notes that around 5 November (nine days before the pay-per-view), Austin underwent testing on his neck, and the results were so grim that surgery was deemed an absolute must. WWE still advertised Austin wrestling up into the pay-per-view itself, knowing full well that he wasn't going to take part.

Contributor
Contributor

Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.