#6: Royal Rumble 1998
Winner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
In January 1998, the WWF was heating up like it had never before. The Attitude Era had officially kicked off following the infamous Montreal Screw in November, and it seemed like everyone on the roster had a major issue with at least one other person. Hunter Hearst Helmsley had problems with Owen Hart, which were compounded by Jeff Jarrett and Jim Cornette, “ambassadors” from the NWA. Mick Foley competed as Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love all in one night. Trash cans, chainsaws, and steel chairs all played a role early on in the match, while later on the marked man “Stone Cold” Steve Austin had to fight the entire roster after Mr. McMahon placed a bounty on his head. If that’s not enough, the Nation of Domination began to implode before everyone’s eyes.
The ’98 Royal Rumble match was a symbol of the absolute chaos that the Attitude Era would bring in the coming years. The whole match was a set up for Steve Austin to win, and for many it was beyond obvious, but the story that played out was among the best in the Texas Rattlesnake’s career to date.
