11. Kane/Undertaker WWE Breakdown 1998
While there were countless ingredients involved in the success of the WWE in the late 90s, the bulk of the Attitude Eras main event scene often involved two key components: Steve Austin and widespread chaos...which is why it should come as no surprise that those two elements play a key role in the next entry to this list. Already well into his second reign as WWF Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austins summer-long feud with both The Undertaker and Kane had been boiling over nicely throughout much of 98; with an occasional sprinkling of Mick Foley madness here and there to bring some hardcore flavour to the mix. With Foley taking a backseat to vie for the No.1 Contenders spot with the likes of Ken Shamrock and The Rock, the stage was set for The Deadman, The Demon and The Rattlesnake to collide in a three-way war at In Your House: Breakdown in Hamilton, Ontario. Sadly for Austin, things would go south for the champ in the Great White North. Going into the bout, it was ruled that Taker and Kane were prohibited from pinning each other in the contest; making the bullseye on Austins back that much bigger when the bell rang. With the odds stacked firmly against the defending champion, Stone Cold played the part of the valiant outlaw well; making the most of the no disqualification ruling to fend off his two larger adversaries. However, after twenty minutes of physicality, the stereo assault became too much for the Texan and would eventually result in Austins second WWF Title loss albeit under very chaotic circumstances. The combined might of the two demonic warriors would prove to be Austins downfall, with a tandem Chokeslam from Taker and Kane leading to a both men covering the champ at the same time for the three count. Austin had lost the WWF Title; that much was clear but who was the rightful champion? While the definitive victor was unclear, the fact remained that Austin was no longer champion; a fact that pleased Austins hated superior, Mr McMahon. In the confusion, corporate stooge, Gerald Brisco, ran to ringside, snatching the title away from the referee before the title could be presented to either Kane or Undertaker. Belt in hand, McMahon made a hasty exit with the championship while Austin seethed, rampaging through the arena in furious vexation. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5uwvu_stone-cold-vs-kane-vs-undertaker-1_people The Chairman was set to name a new champ the following night on Raw; however, further carnage from the Bionic Redneck resulted in this presentation being postponed; with McMahon instead announcing that a champion would be crowned at the next pay-per-view, where Taker would face Kane for the vacant strap. That too would end in Austin-related carnage. Ah, the Attitude Era...
Martyn Grant
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Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack.
@MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!
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