10 Worst Booked Dream Matches
5. The Rock Vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania XIX)
The Rock was completely without compare during his 2003 return.
He was hilarious bantering off Hulk Hogan before their WrestleMania rematch at No Way Out, and even funnier following his move to Monday Night Raw after the show. His Hollywood persona brought a truly abysmal brand back from the brink. Exposing World Champion Triple H as a charlatan headliner, 'The Great One' turned in material light years beyond 'The Game's capacity and got both Booker T and The Hurricane over as midcarders for him to squash after the fact.
He'd raced so far ahead that there was barely a comparison to be made between the "equals" of the Attitude Era. The same was troublingly true with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
'The Rattlesnake' received a warm welcome from the crowd when he resolved his issues with the company right around the same time, but in the weeks between his non-match with Eric Bischoff and WrestleMania showdown his longstanding rival, his limitations became clear.
It was all bits and skits rather than fury and fists, which played into the greatest hits nature of the story but undermined the severity of Rock's desire to finally get his big win. The match and all it represented on the night fortunately provided the gravitas their televised interactions never could.