50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
31. 1998’s Austin ‘Most Wanted’ Was A Hoot
1998 wasn't the first Rumble centred around one story. Indeed, 1996's match was framed around Shawn Michaels repeating his victory in the shadow of Vader's impending debut, and '92 had Flair going from #3 to victory and thus winning the WWF Title. By '98, the roster focused on one man: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. He was very much the Rumble's marked man.
The story dictated there was a big prize awaiting whomever could eliminate him, so a lot of the entrants were focused more on that than actually winning the bout. Admittedly, this shielded the lineup's rougher edges and gave some lower-tier acts like the Disciples Of Apocalypse and Nation Of Domination members some sense of purpose.
Just like in 2022, anyone who thought Austin was done for would have to think again. Fans erupted for his entrance in the #24 slot, and his win played before an even larger pop. The way he ousted old Intercontinental Title rival The Rock last also set the scene for their epic WrestleMania battles to come.
Austin's story gave the pay-per-view a show long thread to work with. It was everywhere. Michael Cole tried to grab a word with Steve when he arrived at the building, other workers were shown desperately searching for him backstage, and even Skull from DOA was unable to enter the Rumble because he'd been attacked in the locker rooms.
This helped tie the '98 event together. It helped that Mike Tyson was watching from a skybox and cheering on his fave 'Cold Stone' too. Sorry, couldn't resist.