#FiftyMatches: Reinventing The Iron Man Match

Triple H v. The Rock

WWF Championship

Iron Man Match

Judgement Day 2000
May 21, 2000

"The intimidating hour."

- Jim Ross

Just like The Rock throwing punches with his right hand, the World Wrestling Federation was sticking with what worked during the months following WrestleMania 2000. The company really had no choice. Mick Foley was now retired. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's return to in-ring action following neck surgery was months away. The Undertaker, as it would turn out, was close to returning from his own injury, but he was not back yet.

The WWF responded to this shortage of main event talent by hitching its wagon to its two hottest young stars. This was the third pay per view main event in a row featuring The Rock and Triple H, and in many ways it's the climax of their in-ring rivalry.

#FiftyMatches: ECW's Last Stand

Mike Awesome v. Tazz

ECW World Heavyweight Championship

ECW on TNN
April 14, 2000

"Tazz is here to stand up for ECW!”

- Joey Styles

It's sad that it came to this for Extreme Championship Wrestling. Hemorrhaging talent at an impossible rate, the company found itself in a terrible situation. Its champion, Mike Awesome, had signed a contract with World Championship Wrestling. His departure suddenly left ECW searching for a new champion, and Paul Heyman mustn't have liked the options he saw inside the company he'd built into the third largest professional wrestling promotion in the United States.

#FiftyMatches: Stealing The Show

Dudley Boyz v. Hardy Boyz v. Edge & Christian

WrestleMania 2000

Tag Team Championship

Ladder Match
April 2, 2000

2000 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the Year

"...And what do you think of these young studs in the WWF?"

-Jim Ross

Like storm clouds gathering on the horizon, you could see this match coming. The definition of "high risk" in the World Wrestling Federation was being redefined by the Hardy Boyz, the Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian.

#FiftyMatches: Making "The Game"

Triple H v. Cactus Jack

WWF Royal Rumble 2000

WWF Championship

Street Fight
January 23, 2000

"How much more could either of these men given us tonight?"

- Jim Ross

The dawn of the 21st century brought with it the breakout performance for the man who would carry the WWF/WWE through the coming decade and beyond. Somewhere between being labeled an undeserving champion and becoming the scourge of the Internet Wrestling Community, Triple H was the most respected performer among professional wrestling's most dedicated and demanding fans. Before injury derailed the prime of his career, Triple H was almost universally praised as a technical marvel, with toughness to match. That reputation did not materialize overnight.