-
The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Astrodome, Houston)
WrestleMania 17 on April 1, 2001, was the first live event that WWE hosted inside an MLB park in 11 years. Due to this factor alone, “The Grandest Stage of Them All” was highly anticipated, but also having not one, but two babyface titans in the main event with Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock was the icing on the cake. The bout is one of the most talked-about matches in the company’s history, and for good reason.
The wheel was set into motion for this matchup following Austin’s win at the Royal Rumble, while The Rock was the reigning WWF Champion. After missing almost a year due to neck surgery, Austin was desperate to regain the title, especially since the bout would take place in his home state.
The match itself was a brutal one, as it included a surprise no disqualification stipulation added right before introductions that made things even more intense. The two would battle back and forth with both drawing blood before WWF CEO Vince McMahon came ringside to observe the match. What would take place next is recognized as one of the most shocking WrestleMania moments in history.
Accepting a steel chair from his once nemesis, Austin would deliver 16 unprotected shots to The Rock before securing the pinfall for the win. The crowd was stunned to realize Austin had turned heel, confirmed when he shook hands with McMahon after the match.
This bout is seen as the finale to the “Attitude Era”, and the intense in-ring action, as well as the well-crafted storyline both before and during the match, earned it top honours as one of the best WWE pay-per-views of all time.
The best WWE matches to take place in MLB parks also mark some of the most iconic bouts in the history of the company. By using these massive venues, normally reserved for “America’s pastime”, WWE sets the stage for its superstars to do what fans have come to expect: hit it out of the park. Whether this year’s Survivor Series: WarGames from Petco Park can deliver remains to be seen.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the significant news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and Peacock (WWE Main Event, as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
