Where Were You When They Lifted the Briefcase? - WWE King of the Ring 1999 Review

I'll never forget how mad that ending got me as a kid! It's time to look back at a DISMAL edition of the King of the Ring tournament from 1999!
00:00 Intro - Our Story So Far
06:19 The Show Begins, a Recap of HeAT
07:20 King of the Ring Quarterfinal: X-Pac vs. Hardcore Holly
09:07 King of the Ring Quarterfinal: Kane vs. The Big Show
11:03 King of the Ring Quarterfinal: Mr. Ass vs. Ken Shamrock
13:08 Chyna hopes to become the Queen
13:39 King of the Ring Quarterfinal: Road Dogg vs. Chyna
16:09 The Rock speaks in "tongues"
17:15 The Brood vs. The Hardy Boyz
19:15 The Undertaker gives us a riddle
19:28 Mr. McMahon wants a replacement partner
19:56 King of the Ring Semifinal: Mr. Ass vs. Kane
20:52 X-Pac and Road Dogg: May the Best Man Win
21:15 King of the Ring Semifinal: Road Dogg vs. X-Pac
22:09 WWF Championship: The Undertaker vs. The Rock
25:31 Mr. McMahon's backup plan is foiled
25:44 King of the Ring Final: Mr. Ass vs. X-Pac
27:57 Ladder Match for Full Control of the WWF: Steve Austin vs. Vince & Shane McMahon
33:02 Final Thoughts
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[@Matt-ob3it]

It was heavily implied that it was Boss Man, who had been "fired" shortly before (to make him no longer part of The Corporation, and therefore no longer subject to the stipulation) but was then brought back like a returning hero the night after. They fired him long enough for him to do the dirty work legally, then brought him back in. Sunrise, sunset.

[@tempestfennac9687]

I was going to comment on this due to Wrestling Bios covering the relevant episodes a while back: after Bossman failed to beat Austin in the match where he had to win for Corporate interference to be allowed in the ladder match he was subjected to a Corporate ass-whooping backstage and then ran out to save The Rock at the end of the show. The next RAW after KotR started with Mr. McMahon cutting a promo where Bossman came out and hugged him, so it seems likely that Bossman seemingly leaving the Corporation was just a plan b in case he lost to Austin.

[@MrGared22]

So it was basically like when they fired Big Show before Johnny Ace's match with John Cena in 2012 that stipulated that no WWE employee could interfere in the match, Show interfered in, and then Johnny Ace rehired him with the "iron-clad" contract?

[@Nediablo]

Came to say this. It was Bossman. Nothing to add!

[@KodmaniacX]

Anytime someone complains about stories in wrestling lacking any sort of subtlety and how they hammer the audience over the head with the same information constantly I always point to this. It's obviously Bossman but somehow this escapes so many.

[@mrsejanoz523]

@@MrGared22 Pretty much, except that this was much more subtle.

[@akiraslayer7934]

"It was me Austin! It was me all along" "Aww son of a bitch" those two lines together will never not be one of the most memorable at this time.

[@randywilder6662]

"He's his own ass now" just absolutely sent me rolling in laughter 😂

[@Alsebra]

"Ass is in control for a minute" got to me, lol.

[@jasonjimerson7046]

"Oh, dear God... You see, my name is Billy, and I just won King of the Ring. But there's one problem... Everyone still thinks that I ABSOLUTELY SUCK!" - The Rock

[@claymathewselevator8121]

HBK wearing his wrestling school shirt makes me think of Jerry Brisco in his brother’s body shop shirt

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Or Terry Funk wearing his "Funk U" wrestling school shirt.

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

Oh ho better get Brisco

[@Brian00007]

"31 days till raw is Jericho"

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Christopher Daniels as The Higher Power would’ve been an interesting alternate timeline

[@user-ih2tr7rt9r]

That would’ve been so awesome but you know Vince going to act like he’s better than everybody

[@SakAttack87]

Interesting, but even your biggest diehard wrestling fan in the late 90s would have had no clue who Christopher Daniels was. Add to that, his small stature was never going to fly in a main event position back in that era of the WWF. Jake Roberts is another name that often gets brought up when discussing who should have been revealed as the "Higher Power." He would have fit the role just fine I'm sure, but I doubt he was ever even considered as a potential candidate seeing as he was up to his eyeballs in substance abuse issues/"personal demons." He was an absolute trainwreck in 1999.

[@dkupke]

It would have gone over like a fart in an elevator. No one knew who he was at the time.

[@user-ih2tr7rt9r]

@@SakAttack87 well yeah but I think both of them could play it very awesome but in my opinion I think as the higher power who could’ve played as him From ECW it’s Raven

[@dkupke]

@@SakAttack87I have heard Bret’s name mentioned

[@celebrity292]

There was a point on TV it was mentioned the higher power was bigger than god and in that moment I was pissed because I knew it was Vince. There was no one else. In that company with an ego like that except him

[@z0m813]

I knew when Bischoff spoiled it on Nitro that night lol he said the higher power has the initial V M and I was like of course it is him

[@MCastleberry1980]

Summer of '99 was a bittersweet one for me. It was the summer after graduation so not long after one of my best friends joined the air force. Didn't think it'd be the last time I ever saw him. When he was in boot camp his parents divorced and moved, so he never came back to San Diego to visit. We keep up on Facebook, but it's not the same. We were huge wrestling fans at the time so losing one of the guys I watched Raw with every week stung.

[@Siddduffy]

The first and only diving Fame-Asser I ever actually saw Billy Gunn do for real

[@marcohavokkhaos]

And it's still in the game ever since

[@ZakynthosDiamandis]

Duck Dodgers sound bite caught me off guard and got me good 😂

[@wwetnabamafan194]

"Well what do you know, it disintegrated".

[@num1Jaysta]

Ha same here

[@chrisbreezy3048]

While this was a tough PPV to sit through, the review was great, as always! From the Duck Dodgers sound bite to Brian's 'Why?' reaction to the ridiculous 'Mikdunals imploiee of da munth' crowd sign, I got a good laugh out of it all. 😂

[@mrterp04]

As I remember, it was alluded to that Big Bossman was the one who raised the briefcase. IIRC the show before had HBK threaten forfeit the main event to Austin if a Corporate Ministry member interfered, and Bossman was randomly “fired” later that show.

[@mattypaul87]

Wanna know what I remember most about Billy Gunn as King of the Ring? When Edge made fun of him two years later on Raw.

[@AutoArtemAuto]

Also when The Rock systemically destroyed Billy Gunn with that prayer promo on the Sunday Night Heat from July 11, 1999.

[@tp2005]

Literally, that exact promo popped up in my head while watching this review. Billy kinda went down as the most failed KOTR and they happily played on that

[@marioaustin9312]

"I promise I won't "billy Gunn" this opportunity"

[@Alex-nq9mw]

​@AutoArtemAuto I disagree on that one, the Rock cut a standard Rock promo. Billy wasn't good enough to go toe to toe in the main event

[@BirdGang6]

Good old Billy Bitchcakes!

[@JoeSelf1982]

I was in attendance at the Over the Edge PPV and they should have stopped that show 100%! I didn’t know about Owen’s death until I got home that night and watched it on the news. They totally kept the crowd in the dark.

[@thekidfromiowa]

Nowadays, that would be impossible. Fans can check their phones and find out for themselves before an official announcement is made. There might have been a riot if those in attendance knew the truth or at least a mass walkout.

[@JoeSelf1982]

@@thekidfromiowa I would hope that the majority of fans would have walked out. That’s why I know VKM didn’t want to alert us.

[@Alsebra]

I have a feeling it stems from the old credo "The show must go on." The way I see it is that it's not too different than the first show after 9/11 (the scope is vastly different, yes, but it's still a controversial decision)...as much pain as everyone was in, they still performed for various reasons (honoring Owen, performing to help ignore the pain, etc.). I'm also willing to believe that Vince would allow those that wanted to to take some time off to mourn.

[@juliusl1200]

Vince asked the wrestlers if they wanted to continue the show or go home and everyone decided to let the show go on. When Brian pillman died at bad blood 97 the show still went on. That always seems to be glossed over. Honestly in both situations the show shouldn't have continued but not only does this happen in the wrestling business.

[@lnknprkkrngcsp]

My dad and my older brother were at the show, I had the misfortune of being at the Raw after….it was an incredibly sad day for wrestling…

[@johnathanblack124]

It was The Big Boss Man who raised the briefcase.

[@schizzo8959]

Was never outright said.

[@makaveli4205]

Big boss man was awesome in this time period. He messed with people all the time.

[@marcohavokkhaos]

He never showed up on tv and revealed it.

[@sleezboy992]

No, it was the guy who pied Kevin Owens and what was in that lockbox?

[@chrisbreezy3048]

14:20 What makes it even funnier is JR's reaction to King's ridiculous statement: 'Have you ever told the truth? And you want to be mayor of Memphis? Good God!' 🤣🤣🤣

[@charlottecorday8494]

I HATE HATE HATE the "reveal my hidden armour" spot like Road Dogg did to Chyna. Win the match first, THEN reveal your hidden trick! She totally could have hit him in the balls again after he took the cup out because the match was still active.

[@Kaltagstar96]

I mean, Road Dogg was never the smartest tool in the shed, either in kayfabe or in real life.

[@Bsfnelz20]

True

[@Spacewizzard090]

20:24 Big Show was so mistaken with that swing, he swung the chair about 18 inches above Billy's head, what a klutz!

[@briwanderz]

well, the sun was in his eyes... he is so tall he thought he was swinging the right height... he was actually not trying to hit anyone, he was trying to swat a big fly. but really, yeah, they often do those "accidental" hits so badly, like how do accidentally hit someone that is 2 feet further then your intended target?? they should at least be close together.

[@jamiedw21]

That segment by Hardcore Holly looked like Ed Helms portraying Holly portraying Ed Helms

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Christopher Daniels never getting a WWE run still shocks me to this day

[@Hyde_Hill]

He was a conquistador for a bit wasn't he? Not really a run though.

[@user-ih2tr7rt9r]

@@Hyde_Hill he does a lot more better

[@Hyde_Hill]

@@user-ih2tr7rt9r ? Not sure what you mean. I am a big Daniels fan.

[@dkupke]

I would have loved to have seen him as a one-off guest in the early days of NXT, like Jushin Thunder Liger. The Fallen Angel vs The Demon Finn Balor would have written itself.

[@user-ih2tr7rt9r]

@@dkupke it would’ve been a banger

[@Joecbg100]

I always assumed it was Boss Man lifting up the case to help the McMahons

[@inrainbows1829]

It was me Austin It was me all along

[@trojandarkhorse2022]

You assumed correctly...

[@dwaterson21]

Because it was. They literally told us the day after. I don’t know why they still give this whole “mystery, who raised the briefcase? I wonder who did it” when YOU TOLD US BOSSMAN DID IT

[@Joecbg100]

​@dwaterson21 I thought they didn't tell us cause this event flew over my head and the aftermath till Fully Loaded

[@jjenk911]

I was 15 in the Summer of 1999 (I'd turn 16 in September) and I remember enjoying the show until Austin getting screwed over. And as a 40-year-old man, you're right, it's such a dark show.

[@Presto_King]

BZ! History is something to be remembered, and I just have to say that no one makes it more fun to remember than you sir! I hope you are doing great and keep up the great work!

[@reecepower8906]

Lindas pronunciation of the word profanity makes me laugh every time when she announces Austin as the new CEO

[@riotd.r.8363]

I tend to forget how chaotic WWF Title matches were in 1999, not to mention the guarantee of a walk-n-brawl.

[@user-sb8ig9dk2f]

Everytime the WWE title is on the line in 1999, something crazy happens.

[@SlutBurgerWithCheese]

You can thank shit stain for that

[@thekidfromiowa]

BRO!!! Swerve! Crash TV! BRO!

[@danielhess1082]

Goes without saying, Over the Edge will never be reviewed

[@paulcarpenter7844]

KZbinr reliving the war does it with a lot of respect

[@Devondavis-fm2dz]

I don't like board games lol 😂 love Steve man 🔥

[@MasterOfViewership]

The only part of anatomy that King knows is PUPPIES!

[@ctt4lfecw]

“The whole dang tournament, really” lol

[@0M366Y]

Man you’ve been on fire these past few videos. Been laughing my ass off, thanks Z Man!

[@chadmcfly1299]

Your videos make my day

[@haxdarwood]

Chyna's knee drop on Road Dogg is absolutely textbook. 14:35

[@makaveli4205]

Chyna is the only female wrestle to have a men's title. The girls can't fight the guys in modern wrestling.

[@alexgeorge501]

0:00 Oh Mr. Austin? there's a board meeting in 5 minutes! (Yeah i don't like board games...) 6:16 Ask not what your COMPANY dan do for you 22:14 House Music! 22:49 Daffy Duck! 23:52 Taker Scream! 26:33 JR is tired already

[@aaronhurst4379]

5:07 This is the first time I've properly seen Austin come out with that hilarious T-shirt/neck tie combo, gave me a good chuckle 🤭

[@thegreatczarn]

Fun fact: Greensboro Coliseum has display cases of items from major events over the years. One of those items is one of the front row collector chairs from this event! (90% sure it is KotR. If not, it is Unforgiven: In Your House, which happened a year prior. Need to check it out next time I go to an event there!)

[@chrisbreezy3048]

I can confirm that the collectible chair is from KotR '99 as I took a photo of it while attending an event at Greensboro Coliseum back in 2019. It also has WWE DVD sets for Starrcade and Ric Flair that the Nature Boy signed himself, along with a SmackDown flyer that's signed by Matt Hardy and Batista.

[@freakfoxvevo7915]

That's cool. More arenas should do that to celebrate all the events they put on

[@TonySpike]

If only Steve M Blackman (the M is for Mufuggin) had been allowed in this match, he would have won it single handedly 😂

[@marcelthorsen]

Billy Gunn's theme song during this period will always remind me of WWF No Mercy and how as a kid I'd just listen to my favourite theme songs inside the game.

[@sonicheroxd5767]

As bad as the reveal of Vince as the Hower Power was, we still got one of JR's funniest calls ever. "Aww, sonuvabitch!"

[@hawk494edward]

Plus the soundbite of Vince Mcmahon saying "It's Me Austin!" is gold😂😂😂😂

[@thirdworldrenegade]

What did you edit? You still didn't put "Higher Power". 🤣

[@jackcarraway4707]

The Higher Power should have been RVD.

[@totz_the_plaid9625]

For legal reasons alone, "Over the Edge" should have been stopped. Fact is, while it PROBABLY was an accident that caused Owen's death, the scene of the fall, and the equipment involved was compromised to the point that no thorough legal investigation was able to be done. Proper procedure would have had the show immediately stopped and investigators thoroughly examine the catwalk, ring, and all equipment involved, as well as interview EVERYONE* present. And that would've been true for if Owen had survived as well. Laws were broken by continuing the show. * Yes, including the audience. Somone could've seen something happen on the catwalk that would've required further investigation.

[@BigVoodooGaming]

That's the police's fault. THEY should have shut the show down. It shouldn't have been Vince's call.

[@barnard369]

Actually; lovely flowing, inclusive writing for each match. Depth and resect for wrestler, accompanied by fair and insightful review. Thumbs up.

[@vbadger1056]

One thing I noticed just from the clips here is how insanely athletic early Jeff Hardy was. I would of loved to see early to mid 20s Jeff Hardy in today’s wrestling he would fit right in

[@RC99_Productions]

I never realised it until now.... but that's a throne. Thanks, Brian, for blowing my mind as a lifelong fan.

[@m.m.cgaming1645]

I was in the crowd when the lifted the briefcase 😂😂

[@thekidfromiowa]

HBK is wearing a shirt for his wrestling academy, and it was around this time that some kid from Washington had begun his training there.

[@typruitt7363]

Yeah some kid who had wrestling fans chanting "YES YES YES YES"

[@thekidfromiowa]

You hit the nail on the head when discussing the shadow that Owen's death cast over this time frame and how strange it is that they quickly transitioned back to business as usual. For example, Austin's antics as CEO are still amusing but hard to believe those hijinks happened within a month of an unfathomable tragedy. Somehow, fans and talent alike conjured enough enthusiasm in light of the horror of the previous PPV.

[@lastdayonearthmysteryman4849]

Christopher Daniels as The Higher Power would have been interesting especially since at the time he was an unknown! Could have been his break out moment a lot sooner than TNA!

[@TheLibermania]

18:40 That little Wizard of Oz reference. I like it.

[@johnamaral375]

I can relate to the tinge in how you watched after Owen Hart’s death. For me my first real viewing was in middle school too, 2005-06 and after Eddie Guerrero’s passing and the Benoit tragedy definitely changed how I watched even at a younger age.

[@funandyvideos]

"The winner is... me, The Big Shooter, Bob Holly!" is, to this day of having watched 30+ years of wrestling, one of the biggest spontaneous laughs I've ever gotten. Absolutely out of nowhere and hilarious.

[@rowdyroughman]

Anyone remember when Bob Holly and X-Pac were tag team champions once? Only for 24 hours. "Note" I just wanted to bring that up. Because I hope Brian will review the 1995 Royal Rumble soon. 😅

[@senorfish2503]

I remember watching this as a kid and being pissed with the ending of the last match lol

[@robc4736]

The only negative coming from me going back to work Monday is that I now have to wait until I’m out to watch your weekly video. As usual, this was great and something in my sick, twisted mind is genuinely excited for next weeks Bash 99 review. That show was a legendary disaster and you’re the perfect person to cover it and mercilessly mock it!

[@JamelVVanderburg]

I’m looking forward to it too. I’m always intrigued with the breakdown of the greatest era and how it wasn’t so great when you look at it

[@coreyhendricks9490]

Cool review as always Brian 💯

[@Hallofshame-f7x]

The funniest thing in the summer of 1999 is Ecw had a much better summer than wwf and wcw 😂

[@williammcmillan-johnstone3962]

Van dam Vs jerry Lynn great feud one of my favourites

[@TheHive616]

32:40 Well, you nailed it right there. 1999 was the darkest year in WWF History. Not just because of Owen, but because everything you had been told to cheer for and believe in was being subverted every chance they got. No Babyface or Heels this year... Everyone is just trying to do what is LEAST EXPECTED. And by doing so, became uncomfortably predictable. It was the worst year of the Attitude Era, and probably the last truly BAD year of WWF until we got to 2007... Then it just got stupid and weak and hasn't recovered since.

[@KKarimTheDream]

another great video on Wednesday, thank you Brian.

[@marcohavokkhaos]

I was watching this event at my grandmas house. She had an illegal box and I was able to watch every PPV, for free, for a couple years.

[@JayRasheed718]

I was today years old when I found out that stage set was supposed to resemble a throne

[@Drummerboy_marc]

What I like about Brian reviews is that he sounds like a fan that actually wants to enjoy the show

[@evilpez]

Holy crap I totally forgot that Vince being the higher power was revealed right after Over the Edge. That's actually insane.

[@davidbrian8336]

Thanks for the content . Keeping me sane during the storm knocked out the power in Houston.

[@charlottecorday8494]

Oh damn, hope you're okay. That one looks NASTY

[@juliangonzalex3964]

1999 was wild. Owen dying, Austin going on the injured list by the end, Russo wrapping up his tenure, jericho debuting a few weeks later, Foley getting ready to wrap up his career by the start of the following year.

[@DoncoEntAgain]

I liked it when Undertaker said, "Do you know what happens when you rip the balls off a bull?" And JR just said, "That would make it a steer."

[@patrickmcgavin2245]

Now that I think about it, this is the true origins of 💰 in the bank match.

[@InfernoScorpion14]

Brian's sentiments at the start is exactly how I felt after Eddie Gurrero died and the tasteless storylines that happened in the immediate aftermath. I never actually recovered from it, I don't watch wrestling and haven't for a long time, but I still keep up with the video games and stuff.

[@tapset]

Duly noted

[@AliSubhi-xs4rn]

Eddie would've okayed it if not loved it.

[@InfernoScorpion14]

@@AliSubhi-xs4rn I know that as an adult but as a kid mark it hurt.

[@alecnickel5069]

According to the schedule that day for Cartoon Network I was probably watching either the Flintstones or the Tex Avery show.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the review Brian

[@Shez327]

I was at Fully Loaded the next month and it's funny watching these stories come together because that event is so burned into my memory, I forgot how everything led to the next month.

[@TheHive616]

14:20 This little Lawler moment is one of the best examples of Heel-Color, and how to do it right. Lawler was pretty good about it when he wasn't being a pervert or trying to show JR some kind of solidarity, but the UNCONTESTED KING of heel commentary will always be... Heenan. Watch the Shawn Michaels barber segment for the perfect heel color call... He tried to escape through the window!

[@TheCheat420]

The answer to who raised the briefcase is in the lock box.

[@charlesshoffner4201]

Where was I???? I was in the crowd! The Rock and Undertaker brawled 3 rows in front of where my friends and I were sitting. Good times. P.S. Any WWF or WCW show that took place in the state of NC during the Attitude Era.....I was there!

[@BrandanTheBroker]

GTV walked so NXT Anonymous could be weird AF but kinda cool 😂

[@TobyTBD]

I kept laughing every time you slowly said “Big SHoww”.

[@ThePayneFactor]

Always like your retrospective videos. Will you be doing any reviews of the recent ppvs?

[@Wildberryjamband]

Holly and Kid were once tag team champions. Great stuff when I was in fifth grade - tag title tournament. And back at Owen's King of the Ring, 123 kid took a guitar shot from Jeff Jarrett and ended up advancing to lose a squash to Owen in Round 2.

[@VorpalBender]

0:00 I STILL quote that Austin line every now and then! It's so silly! 😆

[@JW666]

Brian talking about Owen Hart made me think of the recent emotional interview/promo with Jeff Jarrett about his participation in the Owen Hart Tournament on AEW Collision.

[@MidwestMachete]

Any chance we could get the month of August be dedicated to Steve Austin for classic reviews titled Austin August this year?

[@steve5by5]

Stone Cold Steve August

[@mongomongo7664]

This was my first Wwf vhs tape when I first watched wrestling back in 2000 when I was 12 years old happy memories 👍

[@bergman864]

We're around the same age. I also started high school in 1999. I didn't have cable so I got caught up by friends, the one off April Smackdown before it became a regular show and clip shows on Saturday or Sunday when I could find them. I'm glad I didn't watch live during this period. It would've been soul draining. But the quick highlights kept my love alive.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

You're right, Brian. Everytime I watch WWF after Owen Hart died. I often think, how do the wrestlers go on like nothing happened? I mean, you can't help but think about that during that time.

[@hawk494edward]

The closest thing to this in terms of impact on the company and the roster is the Benoit tragedy.

[@Atricks861]

The have mortgages.

[@DJ_Coppertop93]

King of the Ring 99 will forever remain my personal favourite PPV due to it been the first WWE programming I'd watched and was the first PPV bought for me on VHS. Instantly became an Austin fan after watching this

[@marcohavokkhaos]

I remember Hardcore Holly pinned Kane with one foot, on Raw. And Kane was so pissed, he chokeslammed Bob 4 times in a row. But it was so strange, Holly kept getting up and no selling. Just stay down lol

[@chrismorin51]

I love this ppv. One of my favorites. Everyone can crap on the matches but I was so invested into every wrestler it didn’t matter.

[@Joker_JAK]

I always assumed Vince just paid off a backstage worker to lift the briefcase. It was never a big mystery that needed a reveal to me.

[@Wrestlespective]

So I liked this show a whole lot when I was 13. But I was a HUGE DX mark, so for me, having the KoR involve all of them was great! Also it gave us those great Billy Gunn trunks with the crowns on the lips! Lastly, do we know if they aired a Tuesday replay of Over The Edge? Something I just thought of watching this. They used to push those airing, but I've never heard if they did the replay

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

Like how the Vince McMahon storyline was reused for here comes the pain

[@calinator51]

Me too Brian! Summer of '99 entering High School great times and wrestling was at its peak!!

[@Ballpython77]

first 4 seconds= totally me! LMFAO!

[@job489]

I remember 'Who raised the briefcase?' and 'Who was behind GTV?' were two of the five 'unsolved' mysteries on the WWE website. Big Boss Man was going to be revealed as raising the briefcase, and Goldust was going to be revealed behind GTV with The Headbangers planting cameras.

[@JDjade1]

Bruce Prichard, honest man that he is(holding....in....laughter....) said that Christopher Daniels was the original idea.

[@Stafford5150]

You see how high that dropkick was that Gunn hit. Damn!

[@Roflcrabs]

As an 8 year old in New Zealand around this time with parents who were very social each weekend we'd be at someone else's house watching rugby or having drinks after playing rugby so catching WWF was tricky and this was the only WWF show I managed to record on tape. Your criticisms are totally valid, I can't defend it being a good show but back then this was my only window into WWF besides catching Raw at someone else's house. One thing I will say though, I liked Billy winning. My parents weren't mean but they told me wrestling was fake, I knew that and didn't care it was still fun to watch but Billy winning added some realism and made it seem like anyone could win. Without being able to articulate it I understood the hierarchy of main event talent, there were like 6-8 guys in 1999 in the main event picture.. coincidentally all on the WWF Attitude game cover. All legends but the fact that it was always about them made it seem fake. WCW did the same thing but much worse, us kids would tune out at the main event as it was always Hulk slowly meandering around the ring with Rowdy Roddy Piper or something with run ins and stuff.. Anyway I was a big Goldust and Al Snow fan and Billy winning made me think anything's possible.. Not knowing Goldust was gone. I was rooting for Billy though just to shake up in the main event picture. With the power of hindsight it wouldn't have worked but back then I legitimately liked the outcome. It's a shame there wasn't a resolution to the briefcase thing though, it might have raised Boss Man's stock a little if he had 2 minutes to do a promo about it.

[@JFitz815]

0:03 I'm now imagining Austin flipping over a Chess board like Gaston.

[@nathanjones5457]

I was absolutely devastated at school the day after this PPV. Only Royal Rumble 1999 could compare for how badly the results went.

[@hhtptai]

Owen Hart's death frustrates me to this day and I wasn't even born yet when he died.

[@kevinclark5802]

What was it about June 1999 and never figuring out who did it? Never found out who raised the briefcase from Austin. Never found out who drove the White Hummer.

[@danieltravis5082]

Christopher Daniels as the higher power would have been great. That is one of Vince's fatal booking flaws though - he never uses opportunities like that to get new talents over - he fucks his talent and some get over IN SPITE of his meddling.

[@arashi86]

Wild to think back to me being 13 when this show happened, it's almost 30 years ago for me now