The Rock Wins the Rumble; Triple Remains ‘the Game’ at the Royal Rumble

The Rock kept his promise and won the thirteenth annual “Royal Rumble” battle royal at Madison Square Garden in New York City before a crowd of nearly 20,000. The win earned the Rock an automatic WWF title shot against whomever is the WWF champion at Wrestlemania 2000 on April 2nd in Anaheim, California.

The “People’s Champion” entered the Rumble at number twenty-four, and upon enter the ring, eliminated the Big Bossman. Crash Holly, Al Snow, X-Pac (who re-entered the battle royal when officials missed his elimination), and finally the Big Show were all eliminated by The Rock.

[A few side notes (space permitting): Former WWF champion Bob Backlund made a guest appearance at number fourteen in the rumble. Kai En Tai and the Mean Street Posse did frequent run-ins only to be eliminated quickly each time].

WWF champion Triple H battled Cactus Jack in a “streetfight” for the company’s top prize - the WWF title. The challenger used a 2x4 wrapped with barbed wire to bust open Triple H’s forehead, as the champion bleed profusely during the match.

Triple H gained control of the match upon handcuffing Cactus Jack, in the same manner Foley was cuffed at the 1999 “Royal Rumble,” when The Rock forced Mankind to “quit” in the “I Quit” WWF title match. The Rock made an appearance to clobber a chair over the champion’s head. A police officer took the opportunity to unlock Foley’s handcuffs.

Cactus Jack received Triple H’s finisher, the pedigree, but was able to kick out. A frustrated WWF champion finally delivered a second pedigree on thumbtacks to remain WWF champion. This match was a classic brawl.

Due to outside interference from fellow DX member X-Pac, the New Age Outlaws successfully defended the WWF World Tag Team title against the Acolytes when Billy Gunn pinned Bradshaw.

Chris Jericho defeated Chyna and Hardcore Holly in a three-way match to be declared the undisputed WWF Intercontinental champion. Jericho blocked a Boston crab submission Chyna attempted on Holly, and executed a springboard moonsault to pin “the ninth wonder of the world.”

The first annual Miss Rumble bikini contest featured the WWF Women’s champion The Kat, Terri, Jacqueline, Luna, B.B., Ivory, and Mae Young. It appeared the contest was over when Mae Young made her appearance. Judges Freddie Blassie, Johnny Valiant, Moolah, Sgt. Slaughter, and special guest from the Conan O' Brien show, Andy Richter declared Young the winner after she removed her top.

The Hardy Boyz defeated the Dudley Boyz in a table match. In the end, Buh Buh Ray was tossed from the balcony through two tables, followed by Jeff Hardy jumped from the same area and crashing D-Von through another table for the victory.

In the opening contest, former ECW champion Taz made his much anticipated WWF debut defeating Kurt Angle with a sleeper. The previously undefeated Angle required medical attention as announcers Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler debated if Taz had actually choked his opponent for the victory.

The World Wrestling Federation returns to pay-per-view on Sunday, February 27th for “No Way Out.”

[ HOME | [ LEGENDS/FREE AGENTS | [ WWE ROSTER | [ WWA ]