WWF Fully Loaded 1999 - 25/07/1999
WWF World Heavyweight Title #1 Contendership Falls Count Anywhere Strap Match: Triple H vs The Rock
This is preceded by a great Rock promo who just ruins HHH, saying he sucks and that’s why he was “held down” (by being given non stop pushes despite not being over) and says that he’s gonna kick his ass in the match. The match is a strap match but the feud is heated so much that they start wrestling before they can get it attached, but Rock still makes good use of it before finally adhering to the stipulation. The match continues on the outside and makes good use of the environment but the crowd has a very muted reaction to the early parts of the match outside of a brief “Rocky” chant. They moved into the crowd, which escalated the match nicely. Rock largely beats the heck out of Triple H which the crowd prefers with Triple H bumping and using his smarts to get advantages over his fists. The match isn’t a traditional strap match which sets it apart. Instead it’s a tool to keep them in close proximity, as well as a weapon for them to use. There was a cool spot in the match where HHH was on the top rope, hanging Rock with the leather strap, which is sick on its own, but then the Rock flung HHH off the top rope to escape. It was a very clever and smart use of the strap that gave it more use than to hit someone with, which this match has plenty of too. The match transitions into its final stages when HHH takes off the strap and Chyna interferes. Billy Gunn then joins in, hitting The Rock with a club. Triple H is seemingly going to win but the Rock kicks out, surviving for the meantime. Only following more interference from Chyna and Billy Gunn and a pedigree does The Rock lose the match. A fine finish but the only flaw in the logic is Chyna needing to distract the referee when there's no disqualifications. A good semi main event to set up HHH as a title contender beating the Rock and sets up the Billy Gunn feud nicely. It’s just a shame that it’s going to be against Billy Gunn. The brawl was a little too long, lacked the heat you’d expect but it concluded well and established everything it needed to. ***1/2
WWF World Heavyweight Title First Blood Match: Steve Austin (c) vs. The Undertaker
End of an era. Either Austin goes or Vince does. Neither can exist in the WWF (for at least a month and a half, apparently). It’s a year in the making, with the build going back to last year’s King Of The Ring when Taker cost Austin the WWF title in a first blood match, and then so much more has happened since. Too much to cover in a little review (I could but I won’t). In the recent weeks, both guys have been very keen on making each other bleed before this match, which makes it even more likely that they would pour open easily. Makes perfect sense to me. Both have bleed on the show already so they are even coming into the match. The match starts similarly to the prior match. No waiting for the official stuff like ring entrances; immediate fight on the floor. Taker wins the exchange of punches and Austin wisely covers up. The crowd seems much more buzzed for this match though. The stakes are high and the match is wrestled like it. Taker digs his nails into Austin’s head and makes extra care in his aim while punching. Austin’s selling is really good in these moments too. His desperation is palpable. Vince McMahon is on commentary cheering on the Undertaker, going crazy when Taker is in control and is in despair when he’s not. I find it very effective in selling the stipulation. Austin starts working the leg as a defence but that just forces Taker to start using a steel chair but he can’t connect with his wild swings. The match gets to its next level after Taker gets his arms trapped in the ropes Andre style and Austin grabs a chair. Shane McMahon runs to make the save and gets smacked in the face for his troubles but it allows time for Taker to escape. More interference follows whenever someone is in real trouble. First Vince and then X-Pac. Austin gets the rub of the green and hits Taker with a video camera and draws a lot of blood! But the ref is down, because of course but eventually sees and rewards the match to Austin. Vince McMahon is gone! Triple H attacks Austin, his future opponent and the Rock follows to continue the utter chaos. Taker has lost but he’s not very accepting and still tries to fight. Both are bloody and slugging it out on the floor before the refs separate them. Austin humiliates Vince McMahon once more with a stunner, not his first one of the PPV and celebrates to a great reaction. And breathe….****
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