How a 2000 Wrestling Event Became a Masterclass in Scripted Chaos and Real-Life Controversy

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2000 Royal Rumble was a landmark night for the World Wrestling Federation, blending brutal, critically acclaimed brawls with bizarre behind-the-scenes blunders. From a high-stakes championship street fight to a botched main event finish that took sixteen years to resolve, this pay-per-view remains a defining moment in wrestling history.

Held on January 23, 2000, at Madison Square Garden, the 13th annual Royal Rumble was a pivotal chapter in the McMahon-Helmsley Era. The card featured six matches, including a violent championship encounter between Triple H and Cactus Jack. This match was notable for its intensity, featuring thumbtacks and barbed wire, and a finish that Mick Foley later claimed was decided spontaneously in the ring rather than pre-planned with Vince McMahon.

The event also marked a significant cultural milestone as the first WWF pay-per-view to air on terrestrial television in the United Kingdom via Channel 4. However, the broadcast relationship soured after Mae Young, a participant in the Miss Rumble 2000 swimsuit contest, exposed her breasts on air. This incident ultimately led to the termination of the WWF's deal with the network.

The main event, a 30-man battle royal, ended in a controversial victory for The Rock. While the broadcast declared him the winner after he eliminated Big Show, the sequence was technically botched; The Rock’s feet accidentally touched the floor before Big Show’s. Big Show later used this as a storyline point, claiming he had video evidence of his win. Sixteen years later, during a return to Raw, The Rock finally admitted to Big Show that he should have been the legitimate winner of the 2000 match.

Beyond the main storylines, the event showcased the debut of Tazz, who ended Kurt Angle’s undefeated streak, and a brutal Tag Team Tables match between the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz. This match, which featured twelve steel chair shots, set a tone for the era's extreme style. The rivalry between these teams proved enduring, culminating over 25 years later in 2025, when the two legendary teams faced each other one final time at TNA Bound for Glory.

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