#51. DX INVADES WCW
April 27 and May 11, 1998 - By Satellite from Norfolk, Va and Atlanta, GA
As the tide of the "Monday Night Wars" between WWE's RAW and WCW's Monday Nitro began to shift, members of DX decided to take the battle to the rival company. Without any prior warning, the ribald contingent turned up outside a WCW show in Norfork, Virginia, while fans and security personnel looked on in amazement. To emphasize that this was indeed combat, the DX members were attired in military fatigues. Imitating George C. Scott's rendition of Patton, Triple H asked fans if they'd been given free tickets to compensate for WCW's diminishing drawing power, and even tried to persuade some of the spectators to chant, "WCW sucks!"
Meanwhile, X-Pac grabben a bullhorn and sent greetings to friends Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Capitalizing on X-Pac's prior claim that the duo was being "held hostage" by WCW, Triple H--wearing a black armband emblazoned with "P.O.W.C.W." shouted, "Let my people go! Let my people go!" Several weeks later, DX was at it again, this time arriving at WCW's corporate headquarters in Atlanta's CNN Center. Although WWE camera people were warned not to record the proceedings, the order was ignored. Security was dispatched to herd the invaders away. But it soon became apparant that the guards were WWE fans themselves. As WWE watchers materialized around the celebrity guests, guards asked for autographs, and even posed for pictures. Confident that they could get away with whatever they wanted, DX exhibited their famour crotch chop, loudly declaring that WCW could "Suck it!"
#52. SABLE PINS MERO
May 11, 1998 - Baltimore, MD
A year earlier, Sable and Marc Mero were partners in everything. But as her star ascended and Mero's remained stagnant, tensions boiled over. Eventually, she decided to assert her independence by battling him in the ring. Mero got the early lead, putting her down with a fireman's carry. He gloated, claiming that he was taking it easy on the lovely valet and asked her to apologize for damaging his career. Instead, she stunned him with her renowned Sable Bomb.
#53. THE STOOGES TAKE A BEATING
May 18, 1998 - Nashville, TN
On paper, Stone Cold Steve Austin seemed damned when he took on Mr. McMahon’s stooges, Pat Patterson and Jerry Brisco, with their ally Sgt. Slaughter as referee. But Austin managed to deliver Stone Cold Stunners to both of his adversaries. Then, when Slaughter trapped him in the dreaded Cobra Clutch, Austin slipped out and executed another Stunner. An interfering Dude Love fared just as poorly. Finally, a mysterious fan–actually Vince McMahon in disguise–stormed the ring, laying out Austin with a chair.
#54. AUSTIN REGAINS THE TITLE
June 29, 1998 - Cleveland, OH
One day after Kane shocked the sports-entertainment world by dethroning Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWE Championship, the two met in a rematch. With his manager Paul Bearer as his side, Kane enjoyed a decisive psychological advantage. But this was the height of the Stone Cold Era, and Austin could not be derailed. Twenty-four hours after his defeat, Austin won back the title with a Stone Cold Stunner, then hit the move on Kane’s half-brother Undertaker after the bell.
#55. WE ARE (NOT) THE NATION
July 6, 1998 - State College, PA
They’d battled the Nation of Domination in the ring. Now, DX decided to parody them in a comical revue. Of the D-Generation X members who partook in the routine, only Chyna played herself. Everyone else chose an NOD member to mimic. Road Dogg perfectly impersonated D’Lo Brown, calling himself “B’Lo.” Billy Gunn spoofed Kama (later known as The Godfather), sporting an ostentatious hat and cigar. X-Pac padded up his body to mock Mark Henry, delivering a number of choice lines to imply that the former Olympian had a weight problem. Triple H played “The Crock,” jerking his head back and forth in imitation of The Rock prior to his executing a People’s Elbow. But just before unleashing the move, Hunter stopped short, having made his point, and said, “You know, The Crock just came from the bathroom, and–oh–you should have smelled what The Rock was cookin’. I ain’t fakin’ The Rock was bakin’.”
The group was joined by Jason Sensation, decked out like Owen Hart, the only Caucasian member of the Nation. The man wore a shaggy wig, and spoke with a Canadian crack in his voice. But his most noticeable prop was an enormous fake snout. “Look at the size of my nose! What am I, an aardvark?” Even those members of the audience who admired NOD couldn’t contain themselves from bursting out in laughter at the near-flawless satire.
#56. DOC GETS ROCKED
July 27, 1998 - Anaheim, CA
For too long, members of the sports-entertainment fraternity had grown tired of outsiders broadstroking their beloved profession with the “fake” label. The Brawl For All tournament was going to change this. According to the rules, the WWE’s toughest athletes would slip on the gloves in a legitimate boxing competition. Almost unanimously, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams was touted as the likely winner. Williams was a former college football star who’d been decreed the toughest wrestler to beat in a street fight. But when he tangled with Bart Gunn, Williams was knocked out by a powerful left–and his WWE career took a dive.
#57. “I CHOPPY-CHOPPY YOUR PEE-PEE!”
August 3, 1998 - San Diego, CA
In his role as an adult film star, Val Venis’ lust knew no boundaries. He’d apparently had a tempestuous relationship with the wife of Yamaguchi-San, the manager of the Japanese unit known as Kaientai. As an added twist to the story, Mrs. Yamaguchi was Kaientai member Taka Michinoku’s sister. Michinoku pretended to partner with Venis. But this was a battle over honor, and Val was soon assaulted by the entire Japanese contingent. Then, he was dragged to the back of the building, where a sword-wielding Yamaguchi-San promised to “choppy-choppy your pee-pee.”
#58. HELL IN THE CELL
August 21, 1998 - Philadelphia, PA
No one expected anything less than a savage melee when Kane and Mankind met in a Hell in the Cell match. But this clash–with its unanticipated twists–exceeded expectations. During the match, Stone Cold Steve Austin popped up from under the ring and crushed Kane with a chair, prompting Undertaker to scale the enclosure. As he clung to the top of the pen, it was suddenly raised, and propelled to the roof of the arena.
#59. CLEARING THE ICE
September 28, 1998 - Detroit, MI
One day after Undertaker and Kane simultaneously pinned Austin to steal the WWE title from him in a Triple Threat match, Vince McMahon brought the brothers out to the ring for a special presentation. But before the new champion could be announced, Austin decided to crash the party. Stone Cold had an interesting means of transport: a Zamboni that he used to knock down a fence and then plow into the ring. As Undertaker and Kane fled, Austin was led away in handcuffs.
#60. BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION
September 28, 1998 - Detroit, MI
Later the same night, Undertaker and Kane learned some disheartening news. Despite their efforts to dethrone Austin for Vince McMahon, neither had been awarded the title. Following a verbal confrontation with the WWE owner, the brothers punched and stomped McMahon, paying particular attention to his leg. After further pummeling, they dragged the mogul to ringside. There, they positioned his knee across the ring steps, and proceeded to break it.
#61. HELLO, MR. SOCKO!
October 5, 1998 - East Lansing, MI
One of the most memorable RAW moments occurred not in an arena, but in the hospital room where Vince McMahon was recuperating from a broken leg. When a nurse told McMahon that he had a disruptive guest, Vince’s face tensed; he was sure that Stone Cold Steve Austin had come to throttle him. Instead, Vince was greeted by Mankind, who’d decided to raise his boss’ spirits. First, Mankind offered to present a woman entertainer who “does a trick with a dog that you wouldn’t believe.” With McMahon’s interest piqued, Mankind brought in a female clown, who plastered a happy sticker on the patient, and bent balloons into the form of various animals. For her finale, she cheerfully bestowed a balloon rainbow on the owner. And the performance was just the beginning! Next, Mankind showed off his hand puppet, Mr. Socko. But after Socko kissed McMahon’s aching leg–inducing more pain–Vince ordered that the room be vacated. Left alone, a disgusted McMahon was heard to mumble, “Mr. Socko” to himself. Meanwhile, Vince was paying little attention to a looming doctor. After a routine blood pressure check, though, the medic turned out to be none other than Austin. Ranting uncontrollably, Austin repeatedly smashed McMahon’s wounded limb. Reaching down, Austin produced a bedpan, clanging it against the owner’s head. McMahon’s screams for help went unheeded, as Stone Cold turned McMahon over in the bed, lifted his hospital gown, snatched an enema tube and painfully implanted it in his enemy.
#62. ONE HEAVY RIDE
October 12, 1998 - Uniondale, NY
Having tired of stomping company owner Vince McMahon, Stone Cold Steve Austin opted to target the boss’ material possessions, most notably the cherished Corvette the mogul enjoyed showcasing backstage. Driving a truck through the arena parking lot, the Texas Rattlesnake found the owner’s car, pulled a lever, and proceeded to fill the luxury vehicle with cement. As McMahon despaired from afar, Austin poured so much cement into the Corvette that the windows popped out.
#63. NEW UNDIES FOR VINCE
October 19, 1998 - Milwaukee, WI
Having used physical torture on Vince McMahon, Stone Cold switched to psychological warfare. After snatching McMahon from his office, Austin led the impresario to the ring and forced him to kneel. McMahon was clearly terrified, as Austin pulled out a pistol. The crowd shouted in horror. Was the Rattlesnake really going to kill his enemy? Austin answered the question by pulling the trigger, releasing a flag with the slogan, “BANG 3:16.” When McMahon rose, it became obvious that he’d wet his pants.
#64. WATCH HAWK FLY
November 16, 1998 - Lexington, KY
When Droz joined the Legion of Doom, Hawk believed that he was being muscled out of the legendary tag team. He was so upset that he climbed up the TitanTron and threatened to jump. Hawk’s partner Animal and Droz were joined by Road Warrior’s old manager Paul Ellering in begging the Superstar to come down. As Droz scaled the giant structure after Hawk, the distraught athlete suddenly crashed to the arena floor. Later, there were questions about whether Droz pushed Hawk from his perch.
#65. THE PEOPLE’S SELLOUT
November 16, 1998 - Lexington, KY
Before becoming “the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment,” The Rock endured several years of fan catcalls. The day after winning the WWE title at Survivor Series, he addressed those same fans, as Vince McMahon looked on. Raging about his prior treatment, The Rock ripped into the audience, mocking them for working day after day for minimum wage. Today, he declared, he was the new champion, and railed at the crowd, telling them, “you are all unintelligent pieces of trailer-park trash.”
#66. STONE COLD SACRIFICE
December 7, 1998 - New Haven, CT
With their Buried Alive match at Rock Bottom just days away, Stone Cold Steve Austin told spectators that the rules of his upcoming encounter with Undertaker were different from anything he’d faced: the loser would be buried under mounds of dirt. Undertaker’s goal was to add Stone Cold’s soul to a demonic “ministry” that had been the talk of the sports-entertainment community. To this end, Undertaker appeared, bathed in purple light, the eerie chimes of his entrance music ringing through the air. As the X-shaped symbol of his Ministry ignited, Undertaker attempted to satisfy his personal gods by sacrificing Stone Cold.
#67. VINCE GETS BUFF
December 28, 1998 - Albany, NY
Vince McMahon had a lot at stake before the 1999 Royal Rumble. At this time, both fans and Superstars perceived him as a savvy businessman, but not necessarily a formidable in-ring participant. McMahon vowed to change those opinions by training fanatically. His coach, though, was an unlikely choice: his son, Shane. RAW watchers saw Shane pump up his father for the free-for-all in general, and Stone Cold Steve Austin in particular. With Shane shouting encouragement, Vince was seen pumping iron and drinking raw eggs. The younger McMahon motivated his old man with these inspiring words: “You gotta eat lightning and crap thunder!”
#68. MRS. FOLEY’S LITTLE BOY DOES IT!
January 4, 1999 - Worcester, MA
Because of his unusual worldview and less-than-traditional appearance–Mick “Mankind” Foley had been told by many that he didn’t have the tools to win a world championship. He decided to ring in the new year by embarrassing his detractors. Foley headed to the ring, surrounded by the members of DX, as he challenged The Rock for the WWE title. The Rock was clearly Vince McMahon’s champ, and the owner sent out his Team Corporate to ensure that he would depart with the gold. With a no-disqualification clause, this contest was punctuated by moments of shocking cruelty. The Rock lifted and hurled the ring steps onto his opponent. Then, as Mankind lay under the stairway, The Rock chucked another set of steps on top of the pile. He then made his way to the announcers’ table and swiped a headset, hoping to provide some play-by-play. When Mankind wrestled the headset away, his foe delivered the Rock Bottom to him through the announcers’ table. Mankind bounced back, and when The Rock came at him with the title belt, he ducked, kicked the champion in the stomach, and executed a DDT on the champion. Seeing The Rock in a vulnerable position, Mankind placed Mr. Socko on his hand, and administered the Mandible Claw. The Rock’s ally Ken Shamrock interfered, but was met by Mankind’s friend Billy Gunn. More bodies piled into the ring. With both combatants down, Steve Austin appeared, placed Mankind on The Rock, and watched cheerfully as the ref counted to three–awarding Foley the title some said he’d never attain.
#69. MR. MCMAHON PINS STONE COLD
February 8, 1999 - Toronto, ON
Forced to wrestle a “gauntlet match” against the Corporation, Stone Cold Steve Austin was more than holding his own. Austin stunned Corporation member after Corporation member, but each time Austin went for a pin someone else would interfere. Austin got DQ wins over Test, Kane and Chyna, but then took a beatdown from the Big Boss Man and his night stick. McMahon sent the entire Corporation into the ring to destroy Austin, then tore off his own shirt and got in Austin’s face to mock his archenemy. McMahon pinned Austin himself for the victory, then poured beer on Stone Cold. The stage was set for the cage match between Austin and McMahon at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
#70. BLOOD, SWEAT AND BEERS
March 22, 1999 - Albany, NY
WrestleMania XV was on the horizon when The Rock entered the ring to gloat about the future with his current buddies, Vince and Shane McMahon. Backstage, Austin carefully watched the proceedings on a monitor, paying fastidious attention when Mankind emerged to argue with the trio. As the discourse heated up, Austin suddenly climbed in a beer truck and zoomed into the arena, destroying the TitanTron, and crushing the company logo. Vince, Shane and The Rock seemed confused when Austin asked them if they’d like to join him in a pre-WrestleMania beer. Before they could answer, he grabbed a hose and doused all three in high-pressure suds.
#71. DOWN COMES THE TITANTRON
April 5, 1999 - Uniondale, NY
To punish the Big Show for saving Stone Cold Steve Austin from a Corporation beatdown the week before, Shane McMahon set up a handicap match pitting The Rock and Triple H against Show. The giant held his own until receiving a low blow from Chyna and a shot to the head with the title belt. An irate Austin came down the ramp and helped Show clear the ring of the Corporation. To add insult to injury, Shane had a freeze-frame of Austin’s “Smokin’ Skulls” championship belt around The Rock’s waist placed on the TitanTron. Austin and Show responded by pulling the massive screen down to the arena floor, with Austin tearing a hold in it and joining Big Show in the obligatory post-match beerfest.
#72. THE CORPORATE CAR GETS CRUSHED
April 19, 1999 - Grand Rapids, MI
One week after The Rock hurled Stone Cold Steve Austin and his "Smokin' Skulls" belt off a bridge into the Detroit River, the "Corporate Champ" thre a funeral for Stone Cold, complete with hearse, grave, floral tributes and eulogy. Austin, however, secured a "3:16" monster truck, and interrupted The Rock's eulogy by crushing The Rock's $40,000 Lincoln. Austin then drove the monster truck into the arena, cracking open a cold one and parking the monster truck on the hood of the hearse. The Rock attacked him, but got pummeled and heaved into the open grave. Austin's celebration was cut short by a shovel across the back from Shane McMahon, who raised the "Smokin' Skulls" belt high as the show ended.
#73. THE BLACK WEDDING
April 26, 1999 - Hartford, CT
Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness had been making sacrifices for weeks, and now he was about to seize the ultimate prize–Mr. McMahon’s own daughter Stephanie. The youngest McMahon had been abducted, bound to Undertaker’s demonic symbol and carried to the ring by Mideon, Viscera and the Acolytes to be joined in unholy matrimony to the Lord of Darkness, with Paul Bearer performing the service. Ken Shamrock was the first to try to save Stephanie, but was beat down by the Ministry. Big Show’s save attempt was thwarted by a baseball bat to the head from Undertaker. But Stone Cold Steve Austin, who earlier had rebuffed Mr. McMahon’s plea for help, overwhelmed the Ministry, chased Undertaker away and rescued Stephanie from Undertaker’s clutches.
#74. OWEN HART TRIBUTE SHOW
May 24, 1999 - St. Louis, MO
Without a question the most emotionally wrenching moment in RAW history took place the night after Owen Hart’s tragic death at Over the Edge in Kansas City. The emotional floodgates were wide open and storylines went out the window as the WWE family openly grieved for the beloved Owen. The show opened with the entire WWE roster standing on the ramp, all wearing armbands and paying tribute to their fallen friend. Howard Finkel announced a 10-toll moment of silence in Owen’s memory, which was followed by a thunderous ovation. A video tribute to Owen, narrated by Vince McMahon, was then played over the TitanTron. The show that followed featured 10 unique matches, with many of the Superstars paying tribute to Owen prior to their matches. Road Dogg and The Godfather, instead of wrestling, decided to leave the ring together to “go burn one and tell some Owen stories.” Emotion packed video messages, delivering anecdotes, memories and messages of sorrow dedicated to Owen, were delivered by Mick Foley, Bradshaw, Mark Hnery (delivering an original poem), Droz, Chyna, Dave Hebner, Bruce Prichard, Goldust, Faarooq, Test, Jeff Jarrett, Edge, Paul Bearer, Pat Patterson, X-Pac, Road Dogg, Gerald Brisco, Debra and Shane McMahon. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler delivered the final words of tribute before the show closed with a wordless toast delivered by Stone Cold Steve Austin to an image of Owen on the TitanTron.
#75. THE GREATER POWER REVEALED
June 7, 1999 - Boston, MA
One week earlier, the mysterious Greater Power–a man who controlled the Corporate Ministry and even WWE Champion Undertaker–entered the ring and revealed his face to Stone Cold Steve Austin, who reacted as if he had seen Satan himself. Now, in Boston’s FleetCenter, the robed figure would reveal himself to the rest of the world. Mr. McMahon, who had been acting on behalf of Austin after Stone Cold rescued Stephanie from Undertaker, appeared on the TitanTron to taunt Shane McMahon, Undertaker and the Greater Power, daring him to show his evil face. But the hoax was exposed when the Greater Power pulled back his cowl to reveal himself as–Mr. McMahon, who had been allied with Undertaker and Shane the whole time. However, the tables were immediately turned when Linda McMahon came out and announced that she had hired a new CEO for the company–Stone Cold himself.