The Rock Vs. Steve Austin | Wrestling Timelines

March 28, 1999 - WrestleMania XV

stone cold steve austin the rock
WWE.com

Steve Austin recaptures the WWF title.

It’s another brawl elevated by nuclear heat. Austin closes in on victory, which summons Mr. McMahon. Rock and Vince put the boots in before Mankind, returning from hospital as all the babyfaces would do, evens things out. The finishing sequence is hot, if rushed. The ferocious counter exchanges are just getting really damn good before Austin wins with the Stunner.

The TV formula is so outrageously successful that it has long since bled into the PPV format.

A record buy amount of 863,000 positions WrestleMania XV as the most successful event in company history; this, combined with weekly smash TV ratings and eye-watering merchandise sales, cements this era of the WWF/WWE as the most successful in history. Austin can’t boast the same longevity, but for as long as he’s on top, he eclipses Hulk Hogan as the biggest drawing card ever.

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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!