The Rock Vs. Steve Austin | Wrestling Timelines

November 15, 1998 - Deadly Game

The Rock Corporate Champion
WWE.com

This is nothing that a rampant WWF can not handle.

A masterstroke of a booking decision unfolds in the ‘Deadly Game’ tournament held at Survivor Series to determine the new WWF champion. There are holes in it, of course. This is 1998 WWF. Shane McMahon, recently introduced, helps Austin before screwing him. Why?

It doesn’t really matter. Fans fill in the blanks because they are entertained.

In a retread of Montreal, the Rock is revealed to be Vince McMahon’s instrument to remove the title from Steve Austin, who is screwed in the semi-final.

Rock beats the brilliantly pathetic Mick Foley in the final; Mankind is revealed to be a patsy, a decoy, but his history with the Corporation as Dude Love makes for an effective ruse. Captivating, unpredictable, the Deadly Game tournament is Russo’s twist-happy masterpiece. The ruse is so dense and convoluted that Austin is no fool when he falls for it; the move to turn the Rock heel is so counterintuitive that nobody sees it coming. You don’t turn a guy that hot heel…

…unless you have a Steve Austin.

In one deft stroke of genius, the WWF avoids comparisons between the Rock and Austin, and sets up an enormous WrestleMania match.

Fans are betrayed. The Rock is absolutely incredible at rubbing their face in it. The coolest guy in the world no longer wants to be their friend, and the new Corporate Champion delights in mocking their spurned feelings.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!