12. Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon - St. Valentine's Day Massacre
The rivalry between Steve Austin and Vince McMahon ignited the Attitude Era and helped make Monday Night Raw destination programming. With every passing week, fans would grow louder in their support for the anti-authority rebel Austin as he waged war with the vindictive and egotistical billionaire owner of WWE. Yet, despite the hatred that existed between them, some seemed resolved to the fact that they would never lock horns in anything resembling an official match. That changed in February 1999 at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre pay-per-view when Austin and McMahon finally wrestled their long-awaited singles bout inside a steel cage designed to keep out the boss' corporate henchmen. With nowhere the run, McMahon found himself on the receiving end of a Stone Cold ass whooping, including a big bump that sent him crashing from the top of the cage through a table at ringside. The spot resulted in McMahon suffering a broken tailbone. Late-match interference from the debuting Paul "Big Show" Wight could not even secure the win for McMahon, who had to watch as Austin was tossed through the cage, landing on the arena floor and picking up the win. After a year of witnessing the industry icons wage war, both physically and emotionally with each other, the audience erupted over the idea of Austin vanquishing his greatest rival and earning a one-way trip to WrestleMania XV and a WWE title match against The Rock.
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.
