The Attitude Era was in full effect as WWE rolled into the Gund Arena in Cleveland for No Mercy 1999. Triple H was in the midst of building a title reign for himself that would not only firmly establish him as a main event player but, also, the undisputed top heel in the industry. His opponent that night? The Texas Rattlesnake himself, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The two waged war in the night's marquee bout while both The Rock and Mankind fought further down the card, squaring off with the British Bulldog and Val Venis, respectively. But it was four young stars determined to steal the show and prove their worth to WWE management that stole the show right out from the top stars of that time, forever changing tag team history in the process. The Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian wowed the fans with a display of death-defying stunts and bumps off of ladders that not only earned Match of the Year recognition from numerous publications, but also earned them the respect and attention of management and their fellow wrestlers (who gave all four a standing ovation backstage). With star-making performances from them, and a history-making intercontinental championship victory for Chyna, No Mercy remains one of the better shows the company produced in a year that may have been financially successful but was full of illogical storylines and Vince Russo silliness.
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.
