Diesel and The Undertaker's blockbuster semi-main event succeeded where their friends and colleagues elsewhere on the card failed as much because of the tempered expectations of both at the time.
'Big Daddy Cool' was always serviceable in there with the right opponent at his peak, but - like The Undertaker that same year - he'd failed to inspire much excitement in a February clash with Bret Hart. Neither were form, despite the gripping grief between the two dating back to the prior December. As is so often the case with this particular pay-per-view, they were saving it for the 'Grandest Stage'.
Comfortably stealing the show, the two giants wrestled with the energy and effort of men half their size, with Undertaker extending his unbeaten streak to five at Diesel's expense. Performing perhaps for his perspective new employers, Kevin Nash gave Vince McMahon a ringside seat for what he was about to lose out on when the seven-footer went south.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
