Survivor Series 1998 (Deadly Games Tournament)
Vince McMahon would stop at nothing to ensure that Steve Austin would not represent his company as its champion. He didn’t fit the mold of what McMahon envisioned, and thus, we had a summer of the boss screwing Austin at every turn. It led to many shenanigans in 1998, and when the WWE Championship was held up, a one-night tournament was established to determine the undisputed champ.
The wrestlers involved in this tournament were the faces of the Attitude Era. Men like Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Kane, Mankind, and The Rock all had their names drawn, with each having a great shot to take home the gold. It was a top-heavy tournament, but all the important names were there.
Deadly Games was not much about match quality, but it contained a great overall story. This was about Vince McMahon and Steve Austin, and every match was booked accordingly. Having all the matches weave into the overarching rivalry of Austin and McMahon was a stroke of genius and made the night memorable. A night punctuated by two swerves that no one saw coming, and ones that ushered in a new top guy.
