The McMahon-Helmsley Era rose to prominence late in 1999, the result of the wicked relationship between the cerebral and opportunistic villain Triple H and the spoiled, Billion Dollar Princess, Stephanie McMahon. Together, they set out to make the lives of the most popular WWE Superstars a living hell, beginning with Mick "Mankind" Foley. The power couple fired Foley after the former world champion lost a Pink Slip on a Pole match to The Rock, then openly mocked the legacy of the proud competitor. Every instance of a video package or promo devoted to the spoofing of Foley's career intensified the issues between him and Triple H. A strike by The Rock and the rest of the WWE roster necessitated the reinstatement of the the Hardcore Legend. Soon, Foley donned the black and yellow of his infamous Cactus Jack persona, leaving behind the mask of Mankind, and engaged The Game in a vicious, violent Street Fight at the 2000 Royal Rumble event. The contest was exactly what the culmination of an intensely personal blood feud should be. It was violent and hard to watch. The images of Triple H delivering a Pedigree to his opponent, driving his face into a pile of thumbtacks, is one of the most visceral images of the entire Attitude Era. The Game won the match but the resilient challenger to his throne as WWE champion got the last laugh, leaving him lying in a heap. It was an epic conclusion to one of the most emotional stories in WWE history, not to mention one of the most enduring programs of the Attitude Era.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
