[1998-03-16-WWF-Raw] Steve Austin video

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[soup23]

Michael Cole narrates a video showing how Austin is a rebel against the corporate establishment. Austin does a great job explaining his roots and how he became who he is today. They use hometown video and quotes to drive this point home. Another great video.

[Loss]

Another great video, not just for hyping Wrestlemania but for hinting at what the post-WM direction would be, as the Austin-McMahon feud is a big centerpiece. The Shawn video is the best of the three, but these are all tremendous.

[PeteF3]

More great stuff here as we go over Austin's whole WWF career, with the Ringmaster gimmick being brilliantly explained away by WWF corporate attempting to "put a leash" on Austin and Austin having none of it. Cole openly states that the WWF feels it would not be in their best interests to have Austin as champion, and the closing question sends intrigue over the future direction of the company through the roof: what if Austin wins the title...or what if he doesn't?

[TravJ1979]

Third part of a great trifecta hyping the biggest match of the year.

[TonyPulis'Cap]

Not just with this video alone, but Wrestlemania XIV, is arguably the best built up Mania up and down the card of all time. Pretty much every match has at least 2 to 3 months of storyline built in and a reason for everything happen. So many of the characters have been on a logical and well defined trajectory to where the audience wants to see the matches. Compare and contrast with one year later when all the long term planning is thrown out of the window for last minute 'shocking' swerves.