1. Vince McMahon Declares WWE Championship Vacant After Kane & The Undertaker Defeat Steve Austin - September 1998
At the Breakdown pay-per-view in 1998, the rivalry between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Vince McMahon further intensified, as Austin was pinned simultaneously by both Kane and The Undertaker. McMahon was overwhelmed with joy, snatching the title and immediately declaring it vacant. The two brothers would decide who became the champion at Judgement Day later that year - with Austin serving as the special guest referee in that match. However, Austin pulled out a stunt of his own during the match, as he counted a double pinfall on both men to unbelievably declare himself as the new WWE Champion. McMahon wasn't buying it, though, and immediately fired Austin from the WWE for his actions. The championship would be eventually won by someone at Survivor Series, as The Rock picked up a victory over Mankind in the final of a championship tournament - with a little help from McMahon, of course.
