Opinion

Matt’s Retro Review: WWF Championship 1998

Matt takes a look back at the WWF Championship in 1998, including the first reigns for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock!

Published

5 years ago

January 11, 2020

Matthew Davis

WWF Championship 1998 Steve Austin Shawn Michaels

Matt takes a look back at the WWF Championship in 1998, including the first reigns for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock!

Welcome to the 12th edition of the Retro Review on The Chairshot! This will be a biweekly article here on The Chairshot because we have a lot to discuss! In starting, my question for you is; have you ever had a discussion with a friend or in a group online about who is the greatest champion of all time? What is your defense of your claim? Wins? Quality of matches? Length of reign? In this weekly article, I will be looking back one year at a time and evaluating one specific championship in each article, with a yearly grade ranking and overall grade ranking and as we progress through the years, I will reveal who I believe is the best champion of all time.

To start us off, I am going to discuss the most recognizable championship in the history of wrestling, the WWE Heavyweight Championship. These articles will not discuss the “Big Gold” World Championship, Universal Championship, or any other recognized heavyweight championship in WWE, those will be discussed in other articles. During these reviews, I will count matches aired on weekly television, PPV, and matches also released on VHS and later on home media.

Shawn Michaels (November 9th, 1997 – March 29th, 1998)

Record: 4-4
Clean Losses: 2
Successful Defenses: 2

Recommended Matches to Watch

Shawn Michaels d. Bret Hart, November 9th, 1997, Survivor Series
Undertaker & Steve Austin vs Degeneration X, November 15th, 1997, WWE Network: Hidden Gems
Legion of Doom d. Degeneration X (DQ), December 15th, 1997, Monday Night RAW
Shawn Michaels d. Undertaker, January 18th, 1998, Royal Rumble
Steve Austin d. Shawn Michaels, March 29th, 1998, Wrestlemania XIV

Thoughts: Truth being told, this was a good reign. The WWF was closing the gap between WCW and themselves, and it was because of Shawn Michaels and his Degeneration X faction at the head of the company and the chase by Stone Cold Steve Austin that was captivating audiences. WrestleMania XIV in Boston is arguably one of the biggest pre-football arena WrestleMania’s of all time, capped off by the involvement of Mike Tyson in the event. I remember how big that match was, it was the first WWF PPV I can remember my friends being excited about ordering since we were little kids. Notably, Shawn Michaels would injure his back in the Casket match against Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, and he was told he should drop the championship, but he wanted Steve Austin to beat him at WrestleMania, so he limped to the finish line and put over the next big star. Had HBK relinquished the championship after the injury, who knows what could have happened. Everyone wanted to see that smug SOB get his from Stone Cold, so had it been anyone else, it wouldn’t have felt as big or important. That’s why this reign is important even if he only wrestled 8 times in five months (two of them untelevised, later released on home media). There were five Recommended matches in those 8 matches, so that’s pretty impressive!

Grade (A+ through F ): B

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (March 29th, 1998 – June 28th, 1998)

Record: 2-2
Clean Losses: 0
Successful Defenses: 2

Recommended Matches to Watch

Steve Austin d. Shawn Michaels, March 29th, 1998, Wrestlemania XIV
Mankind d. Steve Austin (DQ), April 26th, 1998, Unforgiven
Steve Austin d. Mankind, May 31st, 1998, Over the Edge
Kane d. Steve Austin, June 28th, 1998, King of the Ring

Thoughts: The most recongized WWF Championship reign of this era, this reign was remarkable in the sense that Austin only officially wrestled on PPV during this reign, even though he had 5 matches end in no contest on RAW during this reign (Who does he think he is, Seth Rollins?). All four matches are high quality and entertaining or important. The reign ended by some nefarious decisions which resulted in Austin bleeding during a First Blood match. Hard time judging such a historically important and mainstream reign, but ultimately, it doesn’t hold up to other reigns. It is the complete opposite of the preceding reign, where it was just chaotic and ended prematurely.

Grade (A+ through F ): D

Kane (June 28th, 1998 – June 29th, 1998)

Record: 1-1
Clean Losses: 0
Successful Defenses: 0

Recommended Matches to Watch

Kane d. Steve Austin, June 28th, 1998, King of the Ring

Thoughts: Funnily enough, I copied the template from 1997, and reign fell in this same exact spot as Bret Hart’s one day reign. I didn’t have to change the record, losses, or defenses. This is a one day reign, and the only WWF Championship for Kane in his career.

Grade (A+ through F ): F

Steve Austin (June 29th, 1998 – September 27th, 1998)

Record: 5-4
Clean Losses: 2
Successful Defenses: 1

Recommended Matches to Watch

Steve Austin & Undertaker d. Kane & Mankind, July 26th, 1998, Fully Loaded (WWF Tag Titles)
Steve Austin & Undertaker d. The New Age Outlaws, August 3rd 1998, Monday Night RAW
Steve Austin d. Undertaker, August 30th, 1998, SummerSlam
Undertaker & Kane d. Steve Austin, September 27th, 1998, Breakdown

Thoughts: This reign was far more about the WWF Tag Team Titles and the team of Austin and Undertaker, as they seemingly defended the tag titles every week for a month straight. It all culminated in the Highway to Hell at Madison Square Garden where Austin would come out victorious in an epic clash against Undertaker. The next month the championship would be vacated when Undertaker and Kane pinned Austin at the same time in a triple threat match. Didn’t think much about this reign, even if we ignore the one night change, Austin and the WWF Championship dominated 1998, but it was more spectacle and middle fingers and Stunners than anything involving the championship itself. The war between Vince McMahon and Austin dominated the calendar year, and it is perhaps the most memorable feud in the history of wrestling, but it was messy and in the middle of the “Attitude Era” where match quality was low, shock and obscenity was high, fans loved everything, but in judging an individual reign, I was not entertained with Steve Austin as WWF Champion

Grade (A+ through F ): D

The Rock (November 15th, 1998 – January 4th, 1999)

Record: 7-4
Clean Losses: 0
Successful Defenses: 3

Recommended Matches to Watch

The Rock d. Mankind, November 15th, 1998, Survivor Series
Steve Austin & Mankind d. The Rock & Undertaker, December 7th, 1998, Monday Night RAW
The Rock d. Triple H, December 14th, 1998, Monday Night RAW
Mankind d. The Rock, January 4th, 1999, Monday Night RAW

Thoughts: This reign was everything you want in a championship reign. After the second Survivor Series screwjob in as many years, The Rock left Survivor Series as the most hated man in the company, in arguably Vince Russo’s greatest swerve ever written. The Rock came into Survivor Series as a huge babyface and Mankind a corporate lackey of Vince McMahon and The Corporation, and both left in opposite positions in the eyes of fans. The long term storytelling and brilliance of this turn is truly remarkable, and was never done before and only been badly imitated since. The Rock was never pinned cleanly, defended the title three times in two months, wrestled on Heat, RAW, and PPV. Hard to say anything bad about this reign. It certainly put butts in the seats!

Grade (A+ through F ): B

Overall WWE Champion Ranking

Hulk Hogan (January 23rd, 1984 – February 5th, 1988) – A
Bret Hart (March 20th, 1994 – November 26th, 1994) – A
Yokozuna (June 13th, 1993 – March 20th, 1994) — B+
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (April 5th, 1992 – September 14th, 1992) – B
The Rock (November 15th, 1998 – January 4th, 1999) — B
Undertaker (March 23rd, 1997 – August 3rd, 1997) — B
Shawn Michaels (November 9th, 1997 – March 29th, 1998) — B
Bret Hart (October 12th, 1992 – April 4th, 1993) — B-
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (March 27th, 1988 – April 2nd, 1989) – C+
Sgt. Slaughter (January 19th, 1991 – March 24th, 1991) – C
Hulk Hogan (April 2nd, 1989 – April 1st, 1990) – C
Bret Hart (August 3rd, 1997 – November 9th, 1997) — C-
Hulk Hogan (March 24th — November 27th, 1991) – D+
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (March 29th, 1998 – June 28th, 1998) — D
Ric Flair (January 19th, 1992 — April 5th, 1992) — D
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (June 29th, 1998 – September 27th, 1998)– D
The Ultimate Warrior (April 1st, 1990- January 19th, 1991) – D
Ric Flair (September 14th, 1992 – October 12th, 1992) — D
Diesel (November 26th, 1994 – November 19th, 1995) — D
Bob Backlund (November 23rd, 1994 – November 26th, 1994) — D-
Psycho Sid (November 17th, 1996 – January 19th, 1997) — F
Psycho Sid (February 17th, 1997 – March 23rd, 1997) — F
Shawn Michaels (January 19th, 1997 – February 13th, 1997) — F
Bret Hart (February 16th, 1997 – February 17th, 1997) — F
Undertaker (November 27th, 1991- December 3rd, 1991) – F
Hulk Hogan (December 3rd, 1991 – December 4th, 1991) – F
Kane (June 28th, 1998 – June 29th, 1998) — F
Yokozuna (April 4th, 1992 – April 4th, 1992) — F
Hulk Hogan (April 4th, 1993 – June 13th, 1993) — F

**Speaking of championships, I am currently designing custom made championships and shirts for your wrestling figure collections! Check out the page at Grand Slam Creations – Custom Wrestling Belts & Accessories on Facebook, give us a like and a follow and share with your friends!

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1