Hmmmm..
Could be both really, Austin/McMahon already had a year build up and was reaching it's highest levels of popularity, and Rock/Mankind was the hot, chaotic feud that was insanely unpredictable. While Rock/Mankind was refreshing and amazing, Austin/McMahon had an enormous legacy by then, so it was a no brainer that the angle was still the focal point of the show, while the two up-and-comers are both contributing majorly to that same angle and refreshing it, and by token, they are getting elevated by it as well
The real build up was gearing towards Austin vs Rock, that was the money match since SS (and even teased at before, during Rock's short lived babyface run)..
Vince and Foley served a purpose during these 4 or 3 months, which is keeping Austin and Rock apart until WM.
As I said in the other thread, by the start of 1999 Rock took Vince's spot as the #1 heel, and since Austin was clearly the #1 babyface, the obvious match was pairing the two.
Rock's reactions were the loudest of all the heels and his heat was off the charts, but history tends to be forgetful of that because he became very entertaining towards the end of his heel run and fans started reciting his catchphrases, but rewatching these Corporation segments where Vince and Shane were talking and all you could here is "Rocky Sucks", and the chorus of boos Rock got at Royal Rumble especially after costing Austin the win in what maybe the ultimate fan upset ever in WWE history, it's clear as day Austin/McMahon was on it's final peak days, and the product was shifting towards Austin/Rock .. Especially since that every Austin/McMahon angle after WM15 was shit that was listed as pure wrestlecrap, "The Greater Power" is probably the dumbest, illogical story ever and is the ultimate low when put in comparison with the build up towards Breakdown 1998.. That feud should've ended imo at WM15, with the last image being Austin placing his foot on Vince's chest after beating his champion and regaining his title. The perfect climax to a perfect year of booking and one of the (if not THE) greatest arcs in wrestling's modern era.
Plus the pop Austin got when he cost Rock the title against Mankind was clear enough they wanted Austin to be the man to beat The Rock.
So really, Austin/McMahon (1999) and Rock/Mankind were just awesome curveballs for the real main event showdown.
Could be both really, Austin/McMahon already had a year build up and was reaching it's highest levels of popularity, and Rock/Mankind was the hot, chaotic feud that was insanely unpredictable. While Rock/Mankind was refreshing and amazing, Austin/McMahon had an enormous legacy by then, so it was a no brainer that the angle was still the focal point of the show, while the two up-and-comers are both contributing majorly to that same angle and refreshing it, and by token, they are getting elevated by it as well
The real build up was gearing towards Austin vs Rock, that was the money match since SS (and even teased at before, during Rock's short lived babyface run)..
Vince and Foley served a purpose during these 4 or 3 months, which is keeping Austin and Rock apart until WM.
As I said in the other thread, by the start of 1999 Rock took Vince's spot as the #1 heel, and since Austin was clearly the #1 babyface, the obvious match was pairing the two.
Rock's reactions were the loudest of all the heels and his heat was off the charts, but history tends to be forgetful of that because he became very entertaining towards the end of his heel run and fans started reciting his catchphrases, but rewatching these Corporation segments where Vince and Shane were talking and all you could here is "Rocky Sucks", and the chorus of boos Rock got at Royal Rumble especially after costing Austin the win in what maybe the ultimate fan upset ever in WWE history, it's clear as day Austin/McMahon was on it's final peak days, and the product was shifting towards Austin/Rock .. Especially since that every Austin/McMahon angle after WM15 was shit that was listed as pure wrestlecrap, "The Greater Power" is probably the dumbest, illogical story ever and is the ultimate low when put in comparison with the build up towards Breakdown 1998.. That feud should've ended imo at WM15, with the last image being Austin placing his foot on Vince's chest after beating his champion and regaining his title. The perfect climax to a perfect year of booking and one of the (if not THE) greatest arcs in wrestling's modern era.
Plus the pop Austin got when he cost Rock the title against Mankind was clear enough they wanted Austin to be the man to beat The Rock.
So really, Austin/McMahon (1999) and Rock/Mankind were just awesome curveballs for the real main event showdown.
