[1999-08-23-WWF-Raw] HHH vs Mankind

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Last few minutes. The Rock is on commentary and isn't nearly as good as Austin is at getting himself over without shitting on the match. Special referee Shane McMahon ends up attacking Shane with a chair, and HHH lays out Rock at the booth. Good, he was acting like an asshole. HHH gives Mankind a pedigree back in the ring and Shane counts the fall to give HHH his first title win.

[Tim Evans]

Why is Rock burying the babyface champion when he's a babyface? Who does he think he is, Taz? HHH delivers two sick chairshots to the head and wins the title. They try to make it a big deal but it felt really anticlimatic. Still it tops the KISS concert on Nitro at the same time.

[Zenjo]

This company sure knows how to make heel champions look weak. As underwhelming a first title win for HHH as you could not wish for. Really bad booking.

[soup23]

I thought this was fine as a way for HHH to win his first title. Shane was pretty minimal in his involvement and he plastered both Mick and rock with chairs.

[PeteF3]

What is with the Rock shitting on Mankind and Cole? Jesus, what a prick. HHH wins the title in what has to be the most momentous wrestling event (pro or amateur) in the history of Ames, Iowa.

 

I forgot how awful Lillian Garcia was at first (this was her debut). Multiple screw-ups on the night and her voice just doesn't sound good at this point. She'll come a long way.