Mankind vs. The Rock

[9.0] "A match that would have been just fine on its own is made great by its circumstances and a red hot crowd. Stone Colds music hitting and Mankind winning is one of the all-time greatest moments and was the exact moment WWF was sent on track to win the Monday night wars. ****1/2"

[8.0] "Hard to know how to rate this match. Based on ring work, the match is like a five. Not that there's anything bad about it, it's just too short. However, the moment is one of the greatest in the history of Raw. If I could give the moment more than a ten, I would. This might be the most "attitude era" match of all time. Such an overbooked match with so much shenanigans, but I ate it all up and asked for seconds and so did that crowd. Stone Cold's entrance at the end might be the single greatest pop in all of wrestling history. That's just special. For the combination of everything, this gets an eight."

[6.0] "One of, if not, THE most pivotal match in the Monday Night War between WWF and WCW... The Rock and Mankind getting on the announcers' headsets made me giggle and was actually a nice/cool touch... the match went at a frenzied pace right the start (I don't know if they were pressed for TV time or...? ), but it was interesting to see the high energy; not real "build, " just lots of action the whole time... the pop for Austin *chefs kiss*... in terms of actual match quality: meh. The match itself wasn't special, but the meaning of the match was inmeasurable."

[7.0] "Mankind did it! That's a very special match, not specifically because of the in-ring action, but also because of Stone Cold Steve Austin's infamous return, to one of the biggest pops in the history of pro-wrestling. The entire episode progresses in a very nice way, Mankind asks for a title shot at the Royal Rumble, but after he was screwed by the special guest referee Shane McMahon in a match against Triple H, he threatens to break his arm if he doesn't receive a title shot at the main event, in a No DQ match, which he got it. The match is very short, and it's a fantastic brawl, they demolish each other, with Rock hitting him with the steel steps, and then they proceed to fight each other at the commentary desk, and Rock hit an amazing bell shot on Foley. After they return to the ring, Austin's theme song hits and the place just erupted, a wild reaction, and he goes over there, hit Rock with a chair, and give Mankind the win, one of the most satisfying payoffs, so good that the match didn't even needed to have a lot of elements to be remembered. Obviously the whole experience relies a lot on the return and the joy of the moment, it's not a classic match, but it's incredible anyway. It's very interesting that, watching the whole episode, the crowd isn't anywhere near an all-timer, I've seen much better ones, but the reaction to Austin is absurd, and it's an isolated moment, which shows how freaking popular the man was at the time - {***1/2}"

[10.0] "It's certainly a bit of nostalgia talking, but this is one of the all-time greats, assuming you followed wrestling. Foley had held tag team titles and was the first to hold the hardcore title, but this was his first run as the holder of the main belt, and it still feels so good to see him raise that belt after his win. It's a classic Attitude Era bout with brawling in and out of the ring, Foley taking some MEAN hits, both Rocky and Mankind getting on the commentary headset mid-fight, Austin coming in towards the end, the crowd going absolutely insane, there's so much to enjoy about this I'd be surprised if people could watch it without getting chills. It also helps that WCW tried to hurt the WWF by spoiling the results on their live broadcast, but instead increasing the viewer numbers."

[10.0] "An iconic Raw main event that got everyones butts on the seat. It's an enjoyable match that plays out a lot like a lumberjack match with DX and the Corporation surrounding the ring which guaranteed some kind of interference, but this all added to the drama because Mick Foley was the classic underdog that was booked consistently in a way where his title win felt unattainable. There's still decent in ring action with the Rock and Mankind here, but this match was really all about the satisfying payoff of a long running storyline where the Corporation get involved right as Mankind has the match won and then Austin finally arrives and smacks Rock with the chair and the rest was history. One of the best feel good moments in wrestling history and a historical swing for the WWF with many WCW fans also switching over to watch this moment when it was spoiled on their show."

[4.0] "This match is not so very good , but also is really helped by the booking. God, if only VM had continued on like this. Foley is forever will be a great wrestler who really helped this match against a Rock who hadn't really found his groove in ring wise quite yet, but still everything around this match still makes it quite nice to see happen."

[10.0] "This is one of my favorite matches of all time. It represents how professional wrestling can bring an energy that creates great moments."

[8.0] "[3.75*] Rock/The Corporation vs Mankind is of the most fun Road to Mania storylines ever. It started at the Survivor Series 98 where Rock beat Mankind in the WWF Title Tournament Finals with a copy of the Montreal Screwjob one year later, that culminated in Rock joining the Corporation and a double-turn. Rock defended the belt against Mankind at In Your House: Rock Bottom and although Mankind technically won the match with the Mandible Claw, Vince screwed him and said he was not the champion because Rock never submitted, he just passed out. So we get to this all-timer episode of RAW is WAR were Mankind opens the show asking for a title shot at the Royal Rumble, but instead Vince gives him a RR Match Qualifier against Triple H with Shane as the referee for that same night. Shane screwed Mankind but as HHH hated the Corporation he attacked Shane post-match and gave the floor to Mankind, where he threatened to break Shanes shoulder if Vince did not get him a title match, so he demands a No DQ WWF Title Match for that same night too! The match is short and super electric, with DX standing in Mankinds corner and the Corporation standing in Rocks. Rock hits him with a Rock Bottom on the announcers table and a Peoples Elbow but Foley still escapes. Foley is on the verge of winning the World Title for the 1st time but Shamrock interferes and hits him with a chair. STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN returns for one of the biggest pops EVER, hits Rock with a chairshot on the face, puts Mankind on top of him and he finally wins the belt. The crowd goes absolutely fucking crazy. Frenetic experience, an eternal return and a fantastic surprise title win. This is Wrestling TV at its finest."

[8.0] "This match may not be the best, but look at this atmosphere! The arena went crazy when Steve Austin appeared and when Mankind did the pin. I love Mankind, and sometimes I miss this era."

[8.0] "[****] One of the most feel-good results in wrestling history. Overall, really fun for an 8 minute match. Brutal chair shots, ring bell shots, chair shots to the head, the whole bunch. Also helps that the crowd was screaming till their vocal cords disintegrated. Stone Cold showing up is arguably one of the biggest pops to ever happen in wrestling. Also...man WCW is stupid!"

[10.0] "One of if not the most iconic moment of Raw ever that chaned pro wrestling history forever. Even though wrestling wasnt anything special, ending and the moment of mick foley finally wining the big one and the story that was told made it a 10/10"

[9.0] "Overbooked as fuck, but this is the WWE at its best doing what it's best at. The whole show builds to this match which has probably the #1 comeback of all time in the denouement. Historically significant in the Monday night wars, proving what puts the butts in the seats. A classic."

[7.0] "[***1/2] This is genuinely one of the most heartwarming and exciting moments in WWF, and perhaps in professional wrestling history as a whole. Although the match itself is quite short and not particularly special, it remains entertaining throughout. The tension over whether Foley is actually going to win the big one is quite high. However, this match is all about the ending and not much else. Steve Austin returns at the end and receives an epic reaction from the crowd when he hits The Rock with a chair, allowing Foley to pin him for the win, resulting in another incredible pop. After several weeks of lackluster and nonsensical WWF TV filled with Russo-esque twists, turns, and crash TV-style programming, for one night Raw seems to finally return to its original Attitude Era style from before Survivor Series 1998. It delivers a simple, compelling story about an underdog overcoming the evil authority to fulfill his lifelong dream, with the help of the fan-favorite star. A beautiful moment."

[8.0] "This was awesome. The Rock and Mankind brawled a lot with some funny moments in between. Austin comes out to a huge pop and helps Mankind win the title while fighting off the whole Corporation."

[10.0] "That moment is changed wrestling history, Foley became a Wrestler Legend and got all of his sacrifices."

[7.0] "When it comes to the match itself, there's nothing that really stands out except for maybe the funny bell noise or when the Rock and Mankind start talking on commentary, but this moment is what won WWF the Monday night war. Steve Austin's entrance is, to this day, one of the loudest crowd reactions in wrestling history. Everything about the ending of this match is purely legendary. Even Michael Cole's commentary is on point. If the match was as good as the finish, it could be an easy 10, but it still deserves it's flowers."

[7.0] "The match itself is nothing special, but the moment itself is legendary. Everyone's heard to story, and even today, it's well worth it to watch. I can't imagine what it would've been like to watch this live. You still get chills hearing the glass shatter for Austin today. 3.5 Stars."

[10.0] "What can be said about this match that has not already been said. The psychology and emotions of this match are just phenomenal the match builds up slowly before exploding into its intense finish involving the run in from Stone Cold, a history making, history changing match."

[10.0] "The match pre-Austin, while not some immaculate classic, is more entertaining than people give it credit for with the steel steps spot, the whole stretch around the commentary table, and the big nearfalls - then the glass shatters and it becomes something just awesome and hype and perfect, so with some deliberation I feel good giving this a 10, the 9-minute TV brawl it may be. An all-timer's crowning moment against corporate asshole Rocky, one of the biggest pops ever, Vince's meltdown, crazy crowd, even Michael Cole with a really strong JR-esque call here, just practically all the good shit the Attitude Era had to offer in a probably not even 15 minute segment. It's a weird 10 but there's a reason it's on a really short list of the biggest matches ever. Real graps. (*****)"

[10.0] "In terms of wrestling, this is an eight match. But the circumstances behind it (Rock and Mankind's amazing feud, the prospect of Mick Foley finally getting a belt, and, of course, WCW shooting themselves in the foot by spoiling it) make it a glorious classic."

[9.0] ""That'll put butts in seats", well it did! I love this match and especially its outcome. Mick Foley is a true legend and this was a feel-good moment. 9/10"

[10.0] "Mankind is good and I thought it was good that he won the title. I am writing this because I have to."

[8.0] "Solid match overall but the moment when Steve Austins music hits is my favorite moment of the attitude era."

[5.0] "I will sound ignorant, but I usually don't watch fights from the previous century. But here I decided to get acquainted with the context a bit to understand what is happening. I realize how important the fight and the moment is, but I missed some things here, first of all it was a bit too short. Second, for a duel involving Mankind, it could be more brutal. And thirdly, I do not like the fact that Mankind is in support here, victory is not won by Mankind, but SCSA, he humiliates The Rock and McMahon, if the last action was performed by Mankind, not Stone Cold, I would have given a higher grade."

[9.0] "The match itself is pretty typical of a Rock/Mankind match. Mankind gets the shit kicked out of him with anything Rock can get his hands on and occasionally gets in some offense before getting decked in the head with a new weapon. But everything after the glass break is wrestling history. Austin obviously got a huge pop when he came out and Mankind got probably the biggest reaction of his career when the ref counted the three. Mankind being hoisted on DX's shoulders with the belt was an incredible moment."

[8.0] "For how short this was I thought this was pretty entertaining. The brawl they have is good, and the energy all match is there. They put the no DQ stipulation to good use in this, and the crowd is hot all match long. The high spots are done well: the Rock bottom through the table, the ring bell, steel steps, and championship belt use was executed really well overall. Both Mankind and Rock also have funny moments on commentary in this. The pop for Stone Cold when the glass breaks was something I've never seen before and the rest afterwards is history.****1/4"

[8.0] "The moment itself is a 5-star classic. Gigantic pop for Mankind, as he should have gotten, and Stone Cold. There's nothing more I can say about this moment that hasn't been said already. It's that iconic and a turning point for the Monday Night Wars. The match itself is not a technically sound since neither competitor really is considered that kind of competitor, as it is mostly brawling and surprisingly short for a title match. However, the energy was there and Mankind fought in the most important match of his career with a lot of heart. There is no denying the significance of this match, and is a must watch when reliving all the classic moments that make Raw what it is today. ****"

[6.0] "*GLASS BREAKS* and the crowd goes wild! Before that Mankind shows his testicular fortitude. Pretty good match."

[8.0] "Absolutely insane pop and an iconic moment for many reasons including Schiavone's famous line. Good match, current WWE could look at this and remind themselves how to get a babyface over."

[10.0] "Without question, one of the iconic matches and moments in professional wrestling history. An all-time crowd, an incredible story, and visuals that endure 20-plus years. Wrestling comes in all shapes and sizes, and this is the absolute epitome of WWF style storytelling. When the music hits, this turns into something that defies explanation with what may be the loudest pop ever. More than a match; an experience. What often gets lost is how good this was before the big finish. There were moments of levity, with both The Rock and Mankind hopping on commentary mid-match. There were moments of brutality, including the brutal ring bell to the head spot, the use of the ring steps, and the Rock Bottom through the announce table. There were moments of sheer drama, including the near falls that had every single person on the edge of their seat. No, it is not a technical masterpiece, but this was the match that won the Monday Night Wars. One of the few that truly meet the requirements for the overused word that is iconic. 5 stars, 10 out of 10."

[10.0] "When it comes to making moments and letting fantastic storylines playout, the attitude era did it best, and this match is one of the best examples of that."

[10.0] "One of the greatest moments in WWE history. The man who should have never won it did it. This wasn't the greatest match but this wasn't about the wrestling. It was about the story which was building up the whole show. This is peak attitude era and for that I have to give it a full score."

[8.0] "It's far from a technical or even Attitude Era classic, but the match quality isn't why this match is important. A storm of WCW digging their own grave, all the main figures of the "Era" in and around the ring, and Foley getting his moment are why this match remains a memorable piece of wrestling history."

[6.0] "It was an okay match, I am not a fan at all of the booking of the Attitude Era but the stipulation was well used and it contained some good spots especially outside of the ring with the announcer table. Unfortunately the ending is overbooked. **3/4"

[10.0] "This is one of my favorite matches of all time. If you want a technical work rate match look elsewhere, but if you want a match that is dripping with emotion, excitement, and incredible hype, this is the match you need to check out. It's the match that finally broke WCW's dominance once and for all, it's a crazy wild brawl filled with fun stuff, and when Austin's music hits I have NEVER, in my life, heard a louder pop, just a moment that shook the wrestling world, and that should count for a lot."

[6.0] "An epochal event from all points of view. In vain, the WCW spoiled the outcome of the match for RAW that day, thereby losing the war on Mondays irrevocably. As a result, in terms of the match, he was quite good and the overbooking was just right here and the reaction of the crowd was amazing to everything that happened."

[5.0] "Overall this match was pretty lackluster, short, and overbooked and functioned almost as much as an angle as it did a match, but the historical significance and crowd reaction speaks for itself and this is a match that should be watched if you're a wrestling fan"