The dastardly Mr. McMahon character always worked best when attempting to screw Stone Cold Steve Austin out of the WWF championship. In the autumn of 1998, his master plan involved the Brothers Of Destruction: The Undertaker and Kane. McMahon set up a triple threat match at the Breakdown pay-per-view, which would see all three men compete in the ring at once. Traditionally, a triple threat match can be won by any one man pinning or submitting any other man: the title can therefore be won without the champion being defeated. In this case, McMahons personal stipulation had it that Taker and Kane could only win if they pinned Austin not each other. That probably sounded cleverer in his head, but of course the two huge disturbing men have more issues together than Time magazine, and this matchs gimmick was guaranteed to set them at odds with one another. Which one would back down and let the other pin Austin? It turned out that neither would both pinned him at the same time. So far, so good but also the result that was intended, McMahons vindictive but shortsighted booking being part of the plan. Heres where it gets stupid, though. With no clear winner, McMahon intended to pick one of the brothers as the winner on the following nights RAW, but they were interrupted by Stone Cold, who attacked McMahon. In a fit of pique that neither of his potential champions defended him, McMahon declared that the two would have to fight it out for the title at the next pay-per-view, Judgement Day and that Austin would be the special guest referee. At this point, even hardened pro wrestling fans threw their nachos into the air in despair (like they just did not care). How did including the human spoiler Stone Cold Steve Austin McMahons nemesis in a position of authority over the WWF championship hed just unfairly lost make any kind of sense? Why include Austin at all? McMahon already had what hed wanted Austin had lost the title. It was idiotic: worse, it rendered the pay-per-view predictable, as the stipulation pretty much guaranteed a non-finish for the match.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
