10 WWE Pay-Per-View Shocks Nobody Could Predict

4. The Rock Becoming A Corporate Champion

the rock mankind survivor series 1998
WWE.com

Earlier in 1998, the chameleonic Mick Foley had been used by Vince McMahon as a weapon against Steve Austin in the evil owner's quest to seize the WWF Title from his arch nemesis. That continued even when Foley traded Dude Love for Mankind once more, and the impressionable psychopath was very much by McMahon's side.

By contrast, The Rock had emerged as one of the WWF's leading babyface sensations; fans adored Rocky's sarcastic delivery, catchphrases and cool demeanour by '98, and he was a firm favourite to win the 'Deadly Game' tournament, be established as WWF Champion at the Survivor Series pay-per-view, and rocket off into babyface stardom.

Swerving their own audience, McMahon and company outed Rock as the new face of The Corporation faction and left Mankind in the dust. Mimicking what had happened one year earlier during the 'Montreal Screwjob' also left people incredulous.

Celebrating alongside Vince and his son Shane, newly-turned villain The Rock was also WWF Champ for the first time in his career. Survivor Series had another shocking moment, albeit one that was scripted this time.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.