How a controversial disqualification nearly cost The Rock his wrestling title
In short: In the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, a single referee's decision can shift an entire narrative. During the 2000 Fully Loaded event, a disputed disqualification threatened to strip The Rock of the WWF Championship, leading to a dramatic intervention that redefined the night's outcome.
The main event at the Reunion Arena in Dallas on July 23, 2000, featured The Rock defending his WWF Championship against Chris Benoit. The match carried a high-stakes stipulation: if The Rock was disqualified, he would automatically lose the title. During the contest, The Rock was indeed disqualified—a move that sparked immediate controversy among the audience and officials alike. This technicality initially handed the championship to Benoit.
The resolution came through the authority of WWF Commissioner Mick Foley. Recognizing the controversial nature of the disqualification, Foley intervened to overturn the decision and ordered a match restart. The Rock ultimately retained his title by pinning Benoit following a 'Rock Bottom' maneuver. This sequence served as the climax of a heated rivalry that had been building on television programs like Raw is War and SmackDown!, where Benoit had previously attacked The Rock during a different defense against Shane McMahon.
Beyond the main event, Fully Loaded served as the final iteration of the 'Fully Loaded' branding before being replaced by other events in 2001. The card was densely packed with established storylines, including Triple H and Chris Jericho’s Last Man Standing match and a Steel Cage match between Val Venis and Rikishi for the Intercontinental Championship. These matches were designed to culminate tensions built over months of television broadcasting, where wrestlers portrayed distinct heroes or villains to drive the narrative forward.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fully Loaded (2000)
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