The 1999 Royal Rumble was the final Royal Rumble of the decade and the show didn't fail to deliver. The Royal Rumble match itself was bitterly disappointing considering the main focus was on Mr. McMahon and Steve Austin. There were four championship matches on the show, a non-title match, and the Royal Rumble match headlined the show as expected.
Several future World Champions and WWE Hall of Famers competed in the 1999 Royal Rumble match, and fans are always excited to tune in for the Rumble. However, whilst the majority of fans remember the outcome of the Royal Rumble match, some other interesting facts have gone unnoticed.
10 The European Championship Was Defended Only Once At The Royal Rumble
There was an underrated European Championship on the card between DX's X-Pac, and the Brood's Gangrel. X-Pac was the reigning champion, and he had a hard-fought battle on his hands.
The European Championship was functioning for five editions of the Rumble from 1998-2002. Triple H was injured in 1998, and Val Venis, William Regal, and Christian were the other reigning European Champions who competed in the Royal Rumble match. Nevertheless, X-Pac saw off Gangrel with an X-Factor in a successful European Title defense and both competed in the Royal Rumble match.
9 Road Dogg's Hardcore Championship Was Not At Stake
X-Pac wasn't the only member of D-Generation X walking into the 1999 Royal Rumble as a reigning champion. Road Dogg held the Hardcore Championship, and he clashed with the Corporation's Big Boss Man, who was one-half of the WWE World Tag Team Champions.
There was an interesting footnote as it was a non-title match with Road Dogg's Hardocre Championship not at stake which was bizarre. Nevertheless, Boss Man prevailed, and he would have become a double champion once more had the Hardcore Championship been at stake.
8 Mabel Was Abducted By The Ministry Of Darkness
The Undertaker announced on Heat that he had his sights set on recruiting another member to join his Ministry of Darkness. Mabel stole Headbanger Mosh's spot who was supposed to be the 11th entrant in the Royal Rumble match.
Mabel was on a rampage as he eliminated the likes of Steve Blackman, Dan Severn, Tiger Ali Singh, The Blue Meanie, and Droz. Whilst, Mabel shifted his attention towards Road Dogg, the lights went out, and Undertaker's "Graveyard Symphony" played. The Acolytes and Mideon eliminated Mabel and they assaulted him and he was taken into a hearse. One night later on Raw, Mabel was rechristened as Viscera as the newest member of the Ministry.
7 The Women's Championship Was Defended At The Royal Rumble For The First Time In A Decade
Sable and Luna slugged it out over the WWE Women's Championship in a strap match. Shane McMahon undertook commentary duties but he was in Luna's corner as he was backing her to unseat Sable as the Women's Champion.
Their Women's Championship match was significant as it was the first Women's Championship match at the Rumble in 10 years since Rockin' Robin and Judy Martin battled over the title. Ultimately, Sable weathered the storm, and she managed to beat Luna to remain as WWE Women's Champion.
6 "No Chance In Hell" Was The Theme Song
"No Chance In Hell" will go down in history as one of the most well-renowned theme songs in WWE history. This was the theme song of the show, and it was also the tagline of the event. Jim Johnston has been the mastermind behind many memorable entrance theme songs, and this was another masterpiece.
After, Mr. McMahon won the Royal Rumble match it became his theme song for over two decades, and the Corporation used it as their official theme song as did Shane McMahon for a couple of years.
5 Chyna Became The First Woman To Enter The Royal Rumble Match
Chyna broke down many barriers for women's wrestling, and competing in the 1999 Royal Rumble match was a historic moment. The Ninth Wonder of the World won the Corporate Royal Rumble, and she became the 30th participant in the Royal Rumble match.
Chyna was never going to win the Rumble but she made an impact by eliminating Mark Henry from the Rumble. Her quest was ended by Steve Austin, and the likes of Beth Phoenix, Kharma, and Nia Jax have followed in her footsteps by competing in a men's Royal Rumble match.
4 The Rock Hit Mankind With 11 Unprotected Chair Shots To The Head
The rivalry between Mankind and The Rock was outstanding in the Attitude Era, and they could not be separated. At the 1999 Royal Rumble, Mankind defended the WWE Championship against The Rock in an "I Quit" match.
Unfortunately, Mankind took 11 unprotected chair shots to the head which was uncomfortable to watch. That wasn't part of the plan, but it was a pretty good wrestling match with Rock capturing the WWE Championship for a second time with Mankind uttering the words "I Quit" albeit on a recorder.
3 Steve Austin Was Aiming To Win Three Royal Rumble Matches In Succession
Steve Austin entered the 1999 Royal Rumble match as the two-time defending Royal Rumble winner. Austin was the third man after Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches. However, he was aiming to become the first man to win three Rumbles in succession.
Austin entered first and McMahon was the second participant. They spent a large amount of time outside of the Rumble. However, Austin eliminated the most competitors with eight to his name. The Texas Rattlesnake failed to win three Rumbles consecutively, all thanks to the new WWE Champion The Rock who distracted Austin with Mr. McMahon winning the Rumble.
2 The Corporation Won All Of Their Scheduled Matches
The 1999 Royal Rumble was a fantastic night for the Corporation as they were dominant throughout their matches. Big Boss Man got the night off to a positive start for the faction as he beat Road Dogg in a non-title match.
Ken Shamrock and Billy Gunn had an underrated Intercontinental Championship with Shamrock retaining the gold. The Rock reclaimed the WWE Championship from Mankind in an "I Quit" match, and Mr. McMahon ensured that it was a clean sweep by winning the Royal Rumble match.
1 Mr. McMahon Became The Oldest Royal Rumble Match Winner
Mr. McMahon entered the Royal Rumble match as the second entrant with his bitter rival Steve Austin as the number one participant. McMahon and Austin began the Rumble but the action spilled onto the outside and into the locker room.
McMahon eventually returned when the coast was clear and he undertook some commentary duties. Austin had the upper hand and he looked certain to win his third Rumble in succession. However, that failed to materialize with McMahon dumping Austin over the top rope to become the oldest Royal Rumble match winner at the age of 53. To date, McMahon is the only Royal Rumble match winner aged 50 or above.