10 Times WWE Screwed Wrestlers Out Of Huge Matches
4. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – Survivor Series 1999
Steve Austin was the top star in WWE in 1999, and he was heavily advertised for the main event of Survivor Series — a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship against Triple H and The Rock, with whom he engaged in a legendary feud. The company promoted the match right up until the night of the show, with Austin featured in all the marketing and build-up.
But Austin never made it to the ring.
Midway through the show, WWE ran an angle where Austin was “run over by a car” in the parking lot. The real reason? Austin had a serious neck injury and needed time off for surgery. WWE knew this well in advance — yet continued to promote him for the match anyway. This was more the fans getting screwed, admittedly.
The bait-and-switch was shocking, and while the storyline injury became iconic, the way WWE handled it was questionable. They used Austin’s name to sell the show, knowing full well he wouldn’t compete. Fans were left disappointed, and Austin was replaced by Big Show, who won the title in a match that felt like a last-minute scramble.