Judgment Day 1998

The night after Backlash on RAW, a 20-man over-the-top rope battle royal was held, with the winner receiving a WWE Championship match at Judgment Day. John Cena and Edge were the final two men left in the match. The Rated-R Superstar attempted a Spear, but Cena countered it into an FU over the ropes. It was official. At Judgment Day, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper will defend the WWE Championship against John Cena. The next week, Randy Orton came out and said that he deserves one last title shot. The gong struck. It was The Undertaker! Despite being booed at first, The Phenom turned babyface and claimed that he's tired of being Orton's insurance policy, the devil has controlled him for too long, and that he will now destroy the men who should be destroyed. Undertaker also said that he deserves a title shot as well. Later that night, Orton fought The Deadman in a match. Whoever won would be added to the WWE Championship match at Judgment Day, making it a Triple Threat. The Legend Killer won after hitting an RKO on the outside, getting a countout victory. Undertaker sat up, however, and chokeslammed Orton to end the show. The next week, all three men had a contract signing. Piper claimed that despite the odds, he'll remain champion at Judgment Day and that he'll be the company's leader for years to come. Cena claimed that he's ready to take home the title he never lost, and that he will not stop until his promise is fulfilled. Orton claimed that the WWE Championship is his life, and that all the hopes and dreams of many will be crashed at Judgment Day when he takes back the title. The show ended with all three men brawling. Cena almost hit the FU on Orton, but The Legend Killer countered it into an inside-out RKO on the table. The Scottish sensation hit the Brogue Kick on Orton to end the show. The next week, Jonathan Coachman was assaulted by a masked man, who ended up taking control of RAW. He ordered all three men to compete in matches with special stipulations. The Viper was first up, but got the easiest night. He fought an injured Billy Kidman in a Tables Match. Kidman showed some courage, and even once set up for the BK-Bomb. But it was mostly a squash, and the match ended with Orton hitting an RKO through a wooden table. Piper was next-he would have to face General Mayhem in a Stretcher Match. Mayhem dominated early, and once threw the WWE Champion onto the stretcher like it was nothing. But Piper staged an unanswered comeback, and hit Forth Bridge off the barricade onto the stretcher. The Hot Rod rolled the stretcher over the finish line for the victory. After the match, Mayhem hit the Attention! off the stage, standing over his victorious opponent. And finally, Cena was last. He faced Mick Foley in a Hardcore Match. Although the deranged WWE Hall of Famer showed exactly why he is extreme, a bloodied Chain Gang Soldier clocked Foley with a lead pipe, a steel chair, and a barbed wire baseball bat. Cena locked in the STFU with the bat wrapped around the Hardcore Legend's throat. Foley tapped out. Orton came and hit the RKO on the chair, knocking Cena out. The Viper then posed as Judgment Day could be the reincarnation of the "Age of Orton".