2. Mankind Defeats The Rock for the WWE Championship (Raw, January 4, 1999)
The rivalry between Mankind and The Rock in the Attitude Era was outstanding. Their WWE Championship matches didn’t fail to disappoint. At Rock Bottom: In Your House, Mankind was unable to beat Rock for the WWE Championship with a controversial finish, halting him from winning the gold. However, on January 4, 1999, Tony Schiavone spoiled the result that Mankind dethroned Rock for his first WWE Championship.
Announcing the result on Nitro as RAW was taped whilst Nitro was live. Nevertheless, that move proved to backfire in the Monday Night Wars as several people changed the channel to watch Mankind win the WWE Championship.
Mankind and Rock’s No Disqualification match for the biggest prize in the industry was sublime. There was outside interference from both the Corporation and D-Generation X. However, one of the crucial moments that turned the tide in Mankind’s favor was Steve Austin nailing Rock in the head with a steel chair shot.
Austin placed Mankind on Rock, and Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy could call himself the WWE Champion for the first time. Once again, Mankind and Rock would square up for the WWE Title in an “I Quit” match at the 1999 Royal Rumble.
