Mankind Aids in Austin’s Third WWF Title

WWF owner Vince McMahon added a list minute stipulation in the main event at Wrestlemania XV pitting WWF champion The Rock against two-time champion Stone Cold Steve Austin. During "Sunday Night Heat," McMahon announced a no disqualification clause to the match, guaranteeing a clean winner.

Mr. McMahon went one step further in his gallant attempt to keep the WWF title away from Austin by declaring himself the special guest referee. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, who was greeted to a thunderous ovation, told McMahon that he had no authority to declare a referee for the match, and escorted him to the back.

After two referees were knocked out, Senior WWF ref Earl Hefner assumed the role. McMahon made his way to the ring, and decked Hefner. Mankind, the fourth official in the match, counted to three after Austin delivered a stone cold stunner to win the WWF title.

Wrestlemania XV marked the return of Jim Ross to pay-per-view, who worked the main event with Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The Undertaker won the in Hell in the Cell match, beating the Big Boss Man with a tombstone piledriver. After the match, the Brood dropped from the ceiling, ala Sting, to passed a rope to the Undertaker. The Boss Man had the rope tied around his neck, and as the cell lifted, it appeared he was being hanged.

During the Undertaker-Boss Man match, I was handed an attendance figure of 20,276 with a $1,438,050 gate by a WWF official in the First Union Center press box.

In the shock of the night, Triple H turned on DX buddy X-Pac, nailing him with a pedigree, and allowing Shane McMahon to retain the European title.

Sable retained the WWF Ladies title by defeating Tori with a Sable Bomb. Former ECW valet Nicole Bass made her WWF debut, and assisted Sable by clobbering Tori.

As Kane made his way to the ring for his bout with Triple H, the San Diego Chicken attacked Kane from behind. When Kane gained the upper hand, it was revealed to be former Phillie great Pete Ross. In a repeat from Wrestlemania XIV, Kane tombstoned Ross.

Ken Shamrock and Val Venis were both counted out in the fatal four way match for the Intercontinental title, leaving Goldust to be the Road Dogg’s last victim in retaining WWF gold.

"The Big Show" Paul Wight fought Mankind, in what was supposed to be the match to decide whom would officiate the WWF championship match. Mankind won via disqualification when Wight choke slammed Foley through two tables. McMahon entered the ring and beraided Wight, who finally punches McMahon. The WWF owner retaliated by having Wight arrested.

Eighteen time "toughman" Butterbean knocked Bart Gunn, the winner of the "Brawl for All" competition last summer. It took Butterbean just three decisive right hands, and two knock downs to force special guest referee Vinny Pazienza to stop the match in the first round.

Babyface D’Lo Brown and Corporate heel Test were the final two men remaining in the battle royal on "Heat" to earn a title shot at WWF tag team champions Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart. The tag team champs retained the belts when Hart hit Brown with a drop kick from the top rope, land D’Lo into a roll up pin by Jarrett.

In the opening match, "BA" Billy Gunn lost the hard-core title, without actually being pinned. In the triple threat match, "Hard-core" Holly stopped a pin fall attempt by Gunn with the use of chair, and covered Snow to win the match and title.

Overall, it was a better than average show, however, not the best Wrestlemania the WWF has delivered. There were several chants of boring during a couple of the matches, including missed spots by the grapplers.

The WWF returns to pay-per-view Sunday, April 25th with "Backlash."

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