Breakdown: In Your House

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Breakdown: In Your House
Copps Coliseum[1]
Attendance17,405[2]
Buy rate300,000[3]
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Judgment Day: In Your House
In Your House chronology
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Judgment Day

Breakdown: In Your House was the 24th

Sunday Night Heat pre-show. The promotional poster featured D-Generation X, whose entrance theme was titled "Break It Down." The event is notable for featuring the debut of Christian
.

The main event was a Triple Threat match between Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Kane for the WWF Championship, which ended in controversy when The Undertaker and Kane simultaneously pinned Austin. Another match at the event was a Triple Threat match in a steel cage between Ken Shamrock, Mankind, and The Rock to determine the number-one contender to the WWF Championship.

Production

Background

Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name of the event was about D-Generation X, whose entrance theme was called "Break It Down".[1]

Storylines

The event comprised twelve professional wrestling matches with outcomes predetermined by WWF scriptwriters. The matches involved wrestlers portraying their characters in planned storylines that took place before, during, and after the event.

The main feud heading into the event was between

Billy Gunn. After the match, Austin hit The Undertaker and Kane with a chair. McMahon made one more stipulation if anyone interfered in the match on Austin's behalf then Austin would automatically be stripped of the Title.[4]

On the same night, to prevent Shamrock, The Rock, and Mankind from teaming with Austin, McMahon allowed them to win a shot at the WWF Championship in a Triple Threat match. The match ended in a no-contest when The Undertaker and Kane attacked the three contestants. The Triple Threat match was rescheduled for Breakdown.[4] to be contested inside a steel cage.[5]

Lower down the card,

porn star, a prime target. Venis responded the following evening on Raw with a film involving Runnels's wife, Terri, who had been absent for almost a year. On the September 13 episode of Sunday Night Heat, Dustin jumped through the crowd and attacked with a religious-themed sign, using the wood to choke him. The following week, Dustin, who was providing commentary, assaulted Venis, who was busy fighting Owen Hart
, but Venis managed to tie him up in the ropes and deliver a promo further insinuating the details of his adulterous relationship with Terri.

Event

Other on-screen personnel[1]
Role: Name:
English
commentators
 Jim Ross
Jerry Lawler
Spanish
commentator 		Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Ring announcer Howard Finkel
Interviewers
 Michael Cole
Dok Hendrix
Kevin Kelly
Referees Mike Chioda
Jack Doan
Earl Hebner
Jim Korderas
Tim White

Despite featuring prominently on the promotional poster, Triple H did not participate in the event, due to a legitimate knee injury.[6]

Before the event officially began, three matches were taped for

Triple Threat match
.

The first match of the event was between

Christian at ringside. This distraction allowed Hart to pin Edge with a roll-up. After the match, Edge followed Christian into the crowd.[7][8]

The second match was between

low blow to Taylor with the head. Christopher performed a Tennessee Jam onto Snow, Scorpio performed a flying clothesline to Christopher, and Snow finally pinned Taylor after a Snow Plow.[7][8]

The third match was between

Marvelocity.[7][8]

The fourth match was a

Clothesline from Hell, and pinned Vader after a neckbreaker slam.[7][8]

The fifth match was between

Gangrel. The match went back and forth until Brown performed a low blow, and a running sitout powerbomb. Brown kept the advantage until Gangrel performed a flapjack onto the ropes. Mark Henry then came down to ringside as Gangrel performed a back body drop and a flying clothesline. As Gangrel ran at the ropes, Henry pulled down the ropes, sending Gangrel outside the ring. Brown distracted the referee as Henry sent Gangrel into the ringpost, and back into the ring. Brown then pinned Gangrel after a Sky High. After the match, Gangrel spat "blood" into Henry's face, attacked Brown, and performed an Impaler on Brown.[7][8]

The sixth match was a Triple Threat match in a

People's Elbow to both before climbing the cage. Mankind and Shamrock stopped and attacked The Rock. The Rock then performed a low blow to Shamrock and a Rock Bottom to Mankind. Shamrock fought back with a belly to belly suplex, and applied the ankle lock. Mankind stopped Shamrock and climbed to the top of the cage. The Rock followed but Mankind threw him off. Mankind then performed a diving elbow drop from the top of the cage, but The Rock avoided it. Shamrock then attempted to climb out the door, but Mankind held onto his leg. Shamrock brought a chair into the ring and attempted to hit Mankind. Mankind avoided it, performed a double-arm DDT on Shamrock, and hit him with the chair. As Mankind climbed the cage, The Rock pinned Shamrock to win the match, and become the number-one contender to the WWF Championship.[7][8]

The seventh match was between

Val Venis (accompanied by Terri Runnels). Venis performed a spinebuster, but Runnels came back with a powerbomb. Venis knocked Runnels outside and attacked Runnels. As they re-entered the ring, Runnels performed a backbody drop, but Venis fought back with a Russian legsweep, and applied the camel clutch. Runnels blocked a suplex into his suplex, but Venis came back with a chinlock. Runnels fought back with a DDT and climbed the turnbuckles, but Venis threw him to the outside. They then went back and forth until Venis performed a power slam, several elbow drops, and pinned Runnels after a Money Shot.[7][8]

The eighth match was between

hit X-Pac in the head with the guitar, as Gunn pinned Knight after a Fameasser. X-Pac left holding onto his right eye.[7][8]

The

headbutt, and Austin was dominated again. The Undertaker and Kane stopped each other from pinning Austin, and they fought until they performed clotheslines to each other. Austin took advantage and attacked both. Austin attempted a Stone Cold Stunner on Kane but was shoved into The Undertaker, who performed a big boot. The Undertaker and Kane then performed a double chokeslam, and pinned Austin simultaneously. Austin lost the title, but no new champion was announced. Vince McMahon came to ringside, and took the title belt. McMahon left, and Austin followed him backstage. McMahon told Austin that he wasn't the champion anymore, and the title belt was his.[7][8]

Reception

The event has received mixed reviews from critics.

In 2008, J.D. Dunn of 411Mania gave the event a rating of 6.0 [Average], stating, "The seeds for Rockamania were planted here, and it launched Edge as a singles star -- before they decided to de-push him. Like a lot of 1998 stuff that was heavy on the Russo, it worked at the time but had a short shelf life. It might be worth a look for nostalgia, and for some historical reasons, but the wrestling leaves a lot to be desired. I'll be generous, and call it a mild thumbs up. Don't take it as a ringing endorsement or anything, though. Mildly recommended."[9]

In 2018, Chris of Retro Pro Wrestling described the event as "odd," stating, "Though I can understand why not everybody was a fan of that main event, it was typical of the ‘f**k the rules’ brawling style that was so typical of the WWF main event scene at the time, and it worked pretty well. As for the show as a whole, this was an odd one. Outside of the last three matches, nothing much seemed to matter. Edge/Owen, MeroDroz, and D’Lo/Gangrel were as random as you could have asked for and didn’t seem to have any point to them, whilst the best thing about Venis/Runnels was seeing Terri looking stunning. Not that I’m saying this was a bad show. Most of the matches were decent enough, just not the kind of classics that would make it a must-see viewing 20 years later. If there is one reason to watch this show, it’s The Rock. This wasn’t the best he ever performed, but it was the first PPV where you saw that the former Rocky Maivia wasn’t just over, but was Main Event Superstar over, and during the hottest period in the company’s history, that’s saying something."[10]

In 2022, Paul Matthews of Classic Wrestling Review described the event as "average," stating, "This show was average. Nothing on it was bad, but much of it was dull and flat. The first half was throwaway matches with little build. They developed the matches for the second half well. But the action was lackluster, except for the cage. Even the main event was disappointing. I didn’t hate it, but it was forgettable. However, I love the closing scene of the PPV. Despite the rest of the show, that final shot is memorable."[11]

Aftermath

The following night on

finger behind their backs.[12]

Due to the controversy with the WWF Championship, The Rock was not given a match for the title. The Nation of Domination disbanded shortly after Breakdown, and The Rock went on to feud with Nation members Mark Henry and D'Lo Brown before winning the WWF Championship at Survivor Series.[13][14] Mankind and Shamrock feuded over the WWF Intercontinental Championship after Shamrock won the title in an eight-man tournament.[15] Mankind and The Rock continued their feud after The Rock won the WWF Championship. This would be the final Pay-per-view appearance for both Henry O. Godwinn and Vader, the former due to injury and the latter due to creative differences. [13]

Owen Hart would "quit" the WWF after injuring (kayfabe) Dan "The Beast" Severn on Raw Is War via a reverse piledriver (similar to the move that legitimately injured "Stone Cold" Steve Austin the previous year) but would return after a short absence in his Blue Blazer persona, though more of a heel than the previous incarnation of the character. Severn would return for the 1999 Royal Rumble then leave the WWF shortly afterward to resume his UFC career (as well as defend his NWA World Heavyweight title).

Results

No.Results
WWF Championship
Kane and The Undertaker were prohibited from defeating each other. Had anyone interfered on Austin’s behalf, Austin would be stripped of the title immediately
22:05
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
H – the match was broadcast prior to the pay-per-view on Sunday Night Heat

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "WWF In Your House 24: "Breakdown"". CompleteWWE.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  2. ^ "Breakdown drawing 17,405". prowrestlinghistory. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  3. ^ "WWF PPV Statistics 1998". OSW Review. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  4. ^
    ASIN B00RWUNSRS
    .
  5. ^ a b "WWE Ring Results 1998". The History of WWE. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  6. ^ "PPV REVIEW: WWF Breakdown 1998 - in Your House 24".
  7. ^
    Canadian Online Explorer
    . Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dunn, J.D. (2008-02-20). "Dark Pegasus Video Review: In Your House 24 – Breakdown". 411mania. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  9. ^ Dunn, J.D. (2008-02-20). "Dark Pegasus Video Review: In Your House 24 – Breakdown". 411mania.com. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  10. ^ "PPV REVIEW: WWF Breakdown 1998 - in Your House 24".
  11. ^ "Breakdown: In Your House". 13 March 2022.
  12. ^ Zimmerman, Christopher. "WWF RAW is WAR 28.9.98". Slash Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  13. ^
    Canadian Online Explorer
    . Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  14. Canadian Online Explorer
    . Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  15. ^ Zimmerman, Christopher. "WWF RAW is WAR 12.10.98". Slash Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
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