10 Most Shocking Things We Learned From WWE Documentaries In 2020
6. The Hardcore Classic That Almost Wasn’t
WWE Untold: I Am The Game
Triple H and Cactus Jack’s hardcore warfare at Royal Rumble 2000 was a highlight of the Attitude Era’s twilight. The match was a brutal classic, as close to a death match as WWE would flirt with. It still holds up today and you’ll feel all the same winces if you go back for a re-watch. However, it almost didn’t happen.
As the twentieth century was coming to a close, unavoidable due to the ubiquitous use of 2000 as a suffix, Mick Foley was seriously considering hanging up his wrestling boots, having become an icon at the cost of repeatedly putting his body on the line. Even Vince McMahon understood, and made peace with the idea of Foley retiring.
However, after Stone Cold Steve Austin’s neck injury and surgery took the company’s top star, and The Rock was set to main event WrestleMania 2000, a reliable hand was needed to build Triple H up as a top heel. Foley agreed to one last war. Not only was the Royal Rumble clash excellent, but the storyline was strong, allowing Triple H to attract nuclear heat and for Foley to go out as the Hardcore Legend.