THE BEGINNING OF THE MCMAHON-HELMSLEY ERA
In late 1999, Triple H revealed that he had drugged Stephanie McMahon and got married at a drive through chapel in Las Vegas. The reveal ruined the wedding between Stephanie and Test on RAW. However, it all turned out to be a ruse as at Armageddon Stephanie aligned herself with Triple H during a no holds barred match between HHH and her father, Vince McMahon. As a result of he betrayal, both Vince and Shane McMahon have been off television.
Triple H has already been the WWF World Champion on two occasions towards the end of 1999. HHH had won the title the night after SummerSlam ’99 by defeating Mankind, but lost the title less than a month later to Vince McMahon on Smackdown. HHH regained the title at Unforgiven ’99 in a six man match to win the vacant title. However, that reign came to an end at Survivor Series ’99. Triple H failed to win the title in a singles match on the December 27th edition of RAW due to Mankind’s interference, despite being fired.
THE BIG SHOW — THE FORGOTTEN GIANT WWF WORLD CHAMPION?
At Survivor Series, Big Show won his first WWF World Championship by defeating Triple and the Rock. Instead of being in a high level feud at the end of ’99, Big Show found himself feuding with Big Bossman leading to a successful title defense at Armageddon ’99. The feud included the infamous segment where Bossman dragged the casket of Big Show’s dead father around and Show leaping onto the casket.
STONE COLD RAN DOWN, THE ROCK TAKES THE TOP FACE ROLE
Big Show being inserted into the main event at Survivor Series only became a possibility due to the controversial and shocking moment when Steve Austin was hit by a car in the parking lot. Austin needed to take time off for a major neck injury and is out of action for nearly a year. With Austin out as the top babyface it is now time for The Rock to shine as the top star for the WWF.
MANKIND IS FIRED
With the McMahon-Helmsley group embracing the power they have in the WWF they took full advantage of the power by putting Mankind and The Rock in a pink slip on a pole match on the December 27th edition of RAW. In the end, The Rock prevailed and won the match marking the end of Mankind’s employment in the World Wrestling Federation.. or is it?
CHRIS JERICHO & CHYNA — WHO IS THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION?
On the December 30th edition of Smackdown, Chyna and Chris Jericho competed in a match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship that ended in a double pin. The title is essentially held up as we enter 2000.
X-PAC BETRAYS KANE, TORI ACTING WEIRD SINCE HOLIDAY WITH X-PAC
For a few months in 1999 X-Pac had been a positive influence on Kane’s career. With X-Pac’s friendship, Kane became a popular wrestler and spoke his first words. As a team, they won the WWF Tag Team Championships on two occasions. Everything was fine until DX reformed and on the October 28th edition of Smackdown, X-Pac turned on Kane proving their friendship was a farce. At Armageddon, Kane defeated X-Pac in a steel cage match, but the issue between the two is not over with. Also, Tori has been acting in a weird manner since having a Christmas holiday with X-Pac. She’s acting as if there’s a level of PTSD and causing Kane to recently attack wrestlers Test and The Rock, who didn’t do anything towards Tori to justify attacks.
KURT ANGLE DEBUTS
The former Olympic gold medalist made his WWF debut at Survivor Series 1999 and has maintained an undefeated streak since his debut. Most recently, Angle has been involved in a feud with Steve Blackman, which saw Angle win their match at Armageddon.
DUDLEY BOYS BRINGING THE TABLES TO THE WWF
Back in August 1999, the Dudley Boys made their debut in the WWF after a successful run in ECW. The Dudley’s recently attacked Mae Young and Fabulous Moolah on RAW. The Dudley’s have recently been involved in a feud with the hard hitting Acolytes.
HEY, WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?
The Undertaker: Undertaker has been off television since mid-September after refusing to compete in a casket match against Triple H (storyline). Undertaker has been off television due to a groin injury and a torn pectoral muscle.
The New Age Outlaws: Currently the WWF Tag Team Champions that had been feuding with The Rock and Mankind, which resulted in a disqualification loss at Armageddon. They are associated with the McMahon-Helmsley power trip.
Val Venis: Currently the WWF European Champion having won the title at Armageddon defeating then champion British Bulldog and D’Lo Brown in a triple threat match.
Miss Kitty/The Kat: Currently the WWF Women’s Champion, who won an evenings gown match at Armageddon and exposed her breasts.
Test: In November, Test was all ready to be married to Stephanie McMahon, but Triple H ruined the moment and it ended up being a ruse at his expense in the long run. After a brief feud with Triple H that included a pin fall win on the November 29th edition RAW, Test has largely competed in the midcard ranks.
WWF 2000 is often times considered to be one of the best years in company history. How well will it hold up after 25-years? We shall soon find out!
Thanks for reading.