WWE Raw: January 4, 1999

It's a 300th Episode Spectacular!  In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys celebrate their 300th episode by taking a look at Halftime Heat, a special WWF Championship match wrestled in an empty arena.  Mankind and the Rock battled it out through all of the areas of the arena to get to a very cinematic finish, complete with Vince McMahon on commentary- it was the only way to beat Stevie Wonder in the ratings!

We just had the I Quit Match- so here's another I Quit Match!  In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys take in the fallout from the Royal Rumble.  Stipulations are afoot as Stone Cold Steve Austin once again becomes the number one contender for the title, the Rock continues to grow beyond the Corporation, and Degeneration X starts to fracture.  Bluedust debuts, and Gangrel loses yet another match.  "Is it the man that I'm cucking that has hurt me? No, it must be someone else entirely."

Here's an idea: Mankind can take some chair shots to the head! In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys watch one of the most memorable Pay Per Views, the 1999 Royal Rumble. Mankind and the Rock headline this in the brutal "I Quit" Match, while the story between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon hits a new high with the finish of the Rumble.  Sable returns to take on Luna, somehow Gangrel gets a European title shot, and Bad Ass Billy Gunn falls flat. McMahon is not on the juice!

There's a rumble in the air! In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys view the go-home show leading into the 1999 Royal Rumble. The Road Dogg Jesse continues to rule the Hardcore Division, Goldust continues to fall down the ladder, and Dan Severn continues to appear on our screens. The Stooges and Chyna have an Intergender Match, Kane finally has enough of the Corporation, and Stone Cold Steve Austin pops the crowd by drinking out of a Dixie Cup. Thank goodness Mankind can take chair shots!

Why doesn't Test know how to dress himself? In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys get the fallout from Mankind's Championship win, and matches start getting set for the Royal Rumble. Val Venis flirts with Ken Shamrock's sister, the Road Dogg gets drenched in a mysterious red liquid, and Goldust has turned his attention to Al Snow's Head. Michael Cole continues to be the bane of everyone's existence, and the Undertaker performs a blood ritual for the children in the audience. Et tu, Brutus?

Who is this man and why is he chained to a pole?  In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys kick off 1999 with an all-time classic episode of Monday Night Raw.  Promos from Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and Mankind set the stage, while matches featuring D-Lo Brown and Goldust prop up the midcard.  Chyna brings her friend "Sammy" into the mix, the Road Dogg remains the Hardcore Champion, and Mankind takes on the Rock for the WWF Championship.  Foley Is Good!

That's it folks, we're done with 1998! In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys take a look back at the single most formative year for the WWE in the 90's. Match of the Year candidates are voted upon, the Jobber of the Year is revealed, and the WWE climbs out of the bottom of the barrel in Wrestling Observer Awards. Highlights, Lowlights, and what's being looked forward to in 1999 cap off the most entertaining year of wrestling so far- it had us a-moanin' and a-groanin' and a-screamin'!

Wait, do you think somebody might be getting fired tonight?  In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys review the final episode of Monday Night Raw in 1998, where Vince McMahon enacts his revenge against DX.  Matches get booked between Triple H and Ken Shamrock, X-pac and the Big Bossman, Billy Gunn and Kane, and the Road Dogg against Mankind.  Al Snow is still covered in a mysterious red substance, and Sable is back on our screens.  The Rock says, "Shut your mouth Michael Cole!"

You can't have Sexual Chocolate without any whipped cream! In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys get exposed to Sexual Chocolate Mark Henry's most erotic, depraved adventure yet. Gangrel and the Brood continue to give people blood baths, Shane McMahon takes the reins while Vince is away, and Commissioner Shawn Michaels makes some great matches. The Big Bossman and the Road Dogg are surprisingly good, while the Blue Blazer story continues to be predictably bad. That's gotta be… a C-clamp!

Does it look like Vince needs to get on a cycle or two?  In this episode of Wrasslin' Raw, the boys examine the fallout from the Rock Bottom Pay Per View, with championship matches being made for the New Age Outlaws against Ken Shamrock and the Big Bossman, as well as the Rock defending his title against Triple H.  The Blue Blazer continues to stink up the card, and Michael Cole leaves quite a bit to be desired on commentary.  But hey, we got to make a Linda Tripp reference!