If anyone disputed just how much the defection of television writers Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera to WCW has hurt the WWF, last night’s sham of Survivor Series pay-per-view confirmed that the loss has severely crippled the once leading edge federation. All told, Survivor Series was the worst WWF pay-per-view in years. From the opening match to the Three Way battle (The Rock versus Triple H versus The Big Show) for the WWF World Heavyweight Title, the 1999 edition of the Survivor Series was a crash course on how NOT to book pay-per-view television.
The trouble began with the WWF slopping together three pointless Survivor Series rules matches to round out an anorexic card. The only one built around an established feud being The Big Show’s team versus The Big Boss Man’s. A shameless feud involving the death of Paul Wight’s father (who died in real life some years ago) illustrates how desperate the WWF is to generate interest without Russo and Ferrera as their imaginative pointmen.
Whether they realize it or not, the WWF also substantially damaged the careers of Chris Jericho and Chyna in their match for the Intercontinental Title. A bout that became more sillier and stupider the longer it dragged on. Shades of Hulk Hogan’s ludicrous antics, the seemingly impervious Chyna kicked out of everything Jericho could throw at her including moves which would’ve and have put many WWF superstars down for the three count. A title belt to the head, a tactic that recently KO’ed even the federation’s biggest star – Stone Cold Steve Austin – had no effect on Chyna. Survivor Series is yet another example of how inconsistent booking around his character has massacred Chris Jericho’s standing in the business ever since he debuted in the WWF.
As if the second-rate card wasn’t bad enough, fans also had to put up with a puzzling and drastic change to the main event. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was written out of the Three Way – WWF World Title bout and replaced by The Big Show. Austin was the victim of a hit and run backstage and carted off in an ambulance as a concerned Vince McMahon tagged along. Though Hunter-Hearst Helmsley and DX (now the WWF’s version of the nWo) denied involvement, it was inferred that Billy Gunn arrived at the arena late and was nowhere to be seen until the World Tag Team Title match.
Yepper. WCW’s mysterious Hummer storyline has been resurrected in the WWF.
Shane McMahon penciled in The Big Show in as Austin’s substitute and took his father’s place officiating the main event which of course begs the question…Does the WWF World Heavyweight Title ever change hands any more without the involvement of the McMahon family or a screw-job ending which devalues the belt and the person holding it? Shane didn’t last long though as Triple H Pedigreed him in the middle of the ring. With no ref to watch over the match, DX stormed out attacking The Big Show and The Rock.
An enraged Vince McMahon powerwalked to the ring scooping up the WWF World Title belt. His first swing missed Helmsley. His second knocked him into Dreamland. The Big Show Choke Slammed and covered Triple H winning the belt in the ring as The Rock blasted McMahon for his actions outside.
- The next WWF pay-per-view is Armageddon on December 12th.
WWF Survivor Series ‘99 Results
- On Sunday Night Heat, The Big Show decided to wrestle his Survivor Series match alone so he punked out his teammates. Where’s Johnny Diamond when you need him? He wouldn’t put up with that crap. (Inside joke, folks.)
D’Lo Brown, The Godfather, Head Bangers Vs The Dudley Boyz, Acolytes
- D’Lo and the Head Bangers came out in Godfather pimp attire.
- Bradshaw pinned Thrasher at 3:02.
- The Dudleys executed 3-D on Mosh at 4:47.
- At 5:44, Bradshaw goes psycho with a steel chair in the ring. He is disqualified.
- Faarooq and D-Von Dudley brawl in the aisle and are both counted out at 6:36.
- D’Lo frog splashes Buh Buh Dudley for the win.
- Survivors: D’Lo Brown and The Godfather at 9 minutes and 26 seconds.
- Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Kurt Angle Vs Shawn Stasiak
- Angle comes out to The Patriot’s old theme when he was in the WWF.
- Angle reprimands the crowd for booing him since he is an Olympic champion.
- Angle beats Stasiak with a fall-away slam.
- Winner: Kurt Angle at 5 minutes and 57 seconds.
- Match Rating: 2 / 10.
Val Venis, Mark Henry, Gangrel, Blackman Vs The British Bulldog, Mean Street Posse
- Blackman pins Pete Gas at 2:58.
- At 4:22, Gangrel eliminates Rodney.
- Henry splashes Joey Abs and sends him packing at 6:00.
- Gangrel is booted when Bulldog Super-Plexes him at 6:43.
- Bulldog Fisherman Suplexes Blackman eliminating him at 7:33.
- Mark Henry splashes The Bulldog. Venis hits the Money Shot to beat The Bulldog.
- Survivors: Mark Henry and Val Venis at 9 minutes and 8 seconds.
- Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Mae Young, Moolah, Torrie, Debra Vs Jackie, Luna, Terri Runnels, Ivory
- Mae Young and Moolah double team Ivory and put her away at 1:51.
- Winners: Mae Young, Moolah, Torrie, Debra at 1 minute and 50 seconds.
- Match Rating: 0 / 10.
X-Pac Vs Kane
- DX does a run-in at 3:29 when it looks like X-Pac is a goner.
- DX lays a beating on Kane. Torrie tries help Kane. X-Pac spin-kicks her in the head. DX, they treat women so badly yet the fans still cheer for them. Go figure.
- Kane chases DX off. “Hardcore” Chris laughs it up in my front room. Kane is sad. EMTs stretcher Torrie out. Kane cries like a baby.
- Winner: Kane via disqualifaction at 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
- Match Rating: 3 / 10.
- The Rock is about to cut a promo. Triple H attacks him.
Mideon, Viscera, Prince Albert, Big Bossman Vs The Big Show
- Someone should tell Mideon that his make-up makes him look like a Road Warrior reject.
- The Big Show defeats Mideon at 19 seconds, Prince Albert at 30 seconds and Viscera at 55 seconds. Boss Man walks away and gets counted out at 1:26.
- Survivor: The Big Show at 1 minute and 26 seconds.
- Match Rating: 0 / 10.
- Austin cuts a promo. Triple H attacks beaning Austin with the World Title belt in the head. Triple H flees. Austin gives chase as The Road Dogg and X-Pac are shown waiting to punk Austin.
- Stone Cold searches the underground parking area. A black car drives through a steel fence and hits Austin…or a stuntman dressed as him.
- Mucho time is wasted as Stephanie, Vince, Shane, Test and Jim Ross watch as Austin is loaded into an ambulance.
Chris Jericho (challenger) Vs Chyna (champion) (WWF Intercontinental Title Match)
- Jericho has to lead Chyna and is seen clearly whispering instructions to her all throughout the match.
- Chyna powers out of the Walls Of Jericho by breaking the hold and grabbing the ropes. The crowd shows their dissatisfaction by booing. Chyna royally fouls up a Pedigree from the top rope but still manages to pin Jericho.
- Winner: …and still WWF Intercontinental Champion…Chyna at 13 minutes and 34 seconds.
- Match Rating: 2 / 10.
The Hollys, Too Cool Vs Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boys
- Hardcore beats Edge at 6:09.
- Scotty Too Hotty pins Matt Hardy at 6:30.
- Jeff Hardy dumps Scotty Too Hotty at 10:00.
- Grandmaster Sexy Tennessee Jams Jeff Hardy at 11:40 to elminate him.
- Christian gets rid of Crash at 14:05.
- Hardcore rolls up Christian at 14:27.
- Survivor: Hardcore Holly at 14 minutes and 27 seconds .
- Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Mankind, Al Snow (challengers) Vs The New Age Outlaws (champions) (WWF World Tag Team Title Match)
- Outlaws do the Spike Piledriver thing to retain the titles.
- Winners: …and still WWF World Tag Team Champions…The New Age Outlaws at 13 minutes and 59 seconds.
- Match Rating: 5 / 10.
The Big Show (challenger) Vs The Rock (challenger) Vs Triple H (champion) (WWF World Heavyweight Title Match)
- Winner: …and new WWF World Heavyweight Champion…The Big Show at 16 minutes and 13 seconds.
- Match Rating: 4 / 10.
- Total Event Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- Overall Event Rating: 3 / 10.