10 Things You Didn't Know About Shane Helms
7. It Was The Rock's Idea For Hurricane To Go Over Him In Raw Main Event
The Hurricane was clearly a very popular performer in 2002/03, with fans entertained by his comical antics and fun matches. Despite his burgeoning popularity, however, he wasn't a threat to the main eventers. He was the comedic relief, the cruiserweight, not the WrestleMania headliner.
He did run foul of many of the big boys during his WWE career, though, with one of his most memorable feuds being against The Rock. One well-received backstage segment turned into a mini feud during The Great One's feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin in March 2003. Their interactions were always entertaining.
Heading into WrestleMania XIX, Rocky decided to challenge The Hurricane (whom he kept referring to as 'The Hamburglar') to a main event match on Raw.
Shockingly, Helms won the match with a rollup when Austin strode out and distracted The People's Champ (in the years before that was the finish to every other Raw match). Hurricane soon scarpered from the ring to give the two titans the spotlight, but the record books show it as Hurricane 1 - 0 Rock.
Interestingly, the idea to have Helms go over The Rock was that of the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment himself. He felt as though it would add an interesting twist going into his huge 'Mania match with Austin and convinced the creative team to let it happen.
WWE should have capitalised on it afterwards, yes, but it was a great moment nonetheless and another example of #NiceGuyTheRock.