7 PPV Quality Main Events WWE Gave Away For Free
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs The Big Show (Monday Night Raw, 22nd March 1999)
A punishment-come-proving ground contest with the company's biggest star turned out not to be the tough love Vince McMahon intended when he carted his brand new monster out on the WrestleMania 15 go-home edition of Monday Night Raw.
Paul Wight had debuted at February's St Valentine's Day Massacre pay-per-view, involving himself right at the very top in conflicts with 'The Rattlesnake and McMahon's 'Corporate Champion' The Rock. An ex-WCW World Champion who knew his worth a little too much for the fiercely competitive roster's liking at the time, whisperings began almost immediately, pigeonholing the seven-footer as lazy, unmotivated and undeserving of his multi-million dollar ten year contract.
Much of it was true. Carrying excessive weight with an attitude towards diet and exercise that would only truly change in recent years, as well as a hefty chip on his shoulder thanks to breezing through life in World Championship Wrestling, The Big Show was, by his own admission, unprepared for the rigours of life in WWE.
The senseless waste of his first defeat and first singles clash with 'The Rattlesnake', who was set to dethrone 'The Great One' days later and was in desperate need of a brand new rival once his programme with Rock had finally ran its course.