WWF WrestleMania XV Rage Party

WrestleMania XV Rage Party
Date: March 27, 1999
Hosts: Dok Hendrix, Michael Cole, Shane McMahon
Venue: Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
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I saw this on one of the darker corners of the internet today and just had to give it a watch.

And then after a quick search of the BoD archives, turning up no hits, I figured I’d throw it up on here.

Before there was Fan Axxess, there was the Rage Party – WWF’s attempt at a Super Bowl style pre-party, promoted as a sort of after-dark rave meets wrestling, with live music performances, promos, and stooges-related comedy, nestled in the heart of the Attitude era. It took place the night before WrestleMania XV and aired live, late at night on the USA Network (I want to say it started at like 11PM ET).

And oh boy, was this thing a treat…

The Rage Party gets its own unique intro complete with images of strippers on the poll, raving, and The Undertaker! (and Austin, and Rock, and others), all set to a techno club beat with someone intermittently screaming “RAGE!” (This should have been Alex Riley’s 2015 NXT Theme).

The Rage Party starts the way all small venue, overcrowded indoor parties should start – with a massive display of pyro! In fairness this was still four years before the Great White concert fiasco.

Randomly, the Survivor Series 1998 Deadly Game skull set piece was imported to Philly for this event for some reason.

No Chance that’s whatcha got…

Under an enormous Rock banner (there’s a giant Austin one opposite it), out comes the Corporation, who at this point includes Vince, Shane, Rock, Big Show, Test, Ken Shamrock, Big Bossman, the Mean Street Posse, and Kane.

An immediate “asshole” chant breaks out. Ahhh, the good old days.

The Corporation does nothing, though, as instead we cut to Dok Henrdix introducing Issac Hayes who sings “Chocolate Salty Balls” from South Park.

The camera cuts to Vince and Shane, who are dancing like maniacs from a balcony in what is by far the highlight of the night:

Another camera cut away shows WWF superstars including Jerry Lawler and Droz, in a giant top hat, signing autographs while Issac Hayes is singing.

Issac finishes up after the one song.

Do you smell what The Rock is cookin’

Dok Hendrix introduces The Rock, who makes his way into some type of makeshift VIP lounge where the Corporation is hanging out, overlooking the party.

Rock cuts a promo on Austin. He calls Austin the biggest piece of Texas trailer park trash walking for hitting Big Show with a steel chair last Monday Night. Rock drops all his catchphrases: Roody-poo candy ass, Know Your Role boulevard, Smackdown hotel, millions and millions, most electrifying man, people’s champ, if ya smell what the Rock is cookin’. Boiler plate Rock promo. Basically, he’s going to kick Austin’s ass.

The camera then shuffles over to Vince and Shane, off mic. Vince mentions Shane has his posse, and wonders where the hell his stooges are. Shane says they might have scored some chicks, and Vince scoffs.

We cut to the stooges outside the arena trying to get in and being denied entrance by security. Pat Patterson yells at the guard that he was the first Intercontinental champion and there’s no show without him. Brisco adds on he was Oklahoma champion. The crowd boos the stooges as they’re turned away.

Sable is in her dressing room putting on makeup. Dweezil & Ahmet Zappa, Frank Zappa’s kids, bust into her locker room, with Ahmet acting like some overzealous fanboy about to assault her. Sable tells Ahmet if he touches her, she’ll break his hand. Dweezil asks Sable if she’ll come on his new USA show “Happy Hour.” Sable says “Ok…” and the boys run out like they scored a game winner in a World Cup match, but Sable gets her oh so clever burn in “All I was going to say was Ok, I’ve heard enough, get out of here.” (Note: Happy Hour debuted on USA 4/3/99, last aired, 7/25/99. So three months that thing lasted).

We get a crowd shot, and then some Dok Hendrix!

Dok gets two sentences in, before Shane O Mac butts in and steals Dok’s mic, sending him packing so he can “do it Shane O Mac style.”

Shane screams at Rock and Big Show:

“Shane O Mac takin’ over, we got the Mean Street Posse, and oh by the way I heard the bodacious Debra is out on the floor, I’m gonna go check it out. I’m checking it out. Adios. Yeah, boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!”

THAT takes us to commercial.

Commercial Break

“RAAAAGE!” Every time we go to, or come back from commercial, we’re greeted with a shrieking sound of “RAAAAGE!”

The Rage Party is brought to you by Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli!

The stooges are stewing outside about not being let in to the party. Brisco is freaking out that Mr. McMahon will be upset, and he likes his coffee at this time of night. A calm, calculating Patterson, complete with a cigarette behind his ear, tries to calm down Jerry, yelling at him that he sounds like an old woman, and tells him they’ll sneak in to the party. Brisco mocks Patterson for the cigarette behind his ear, and folded up papers hanging out of his back pocket, and calls Patterson a horse’s ass which gives Patterson an idea.

Michael Cole is with a rhythmless Sable who’s doing some gyrating to some generic club music on a stage all by herself. Sable brushes Michael off, “Once I get started, I can’t stop!” Michael slinks off. Thanks for joining us tonight, Michael!

Sable then gyrates on cam for a bit, and then we go down to Debra who’s on the floor amongst the fans (and the Mean Street Posse). Shane O Mac, as frat boy as can be, walks up to Debra and complements her on her “thoroughbred thighs and bodacious set of ta-tas.” Shane proceeds to grind with Debra for a second, then Debra grinds with the entire Mean Street Posse.

*Car Crash*

Mankind comes out and does some stand-up:

• I hurt my knee – limpin’ ain’t easy!
• Mick walks into a bar with Mr. Socko – “Can I help you?” says the bartender. Mr Socko asks to get this guy’s hand out of his ass.
• Mick dedicates his WrestleMania match to his uncle who used to have a boat and drag a net behind it, but he got lost at sea so I guess we can say – shrimpin’ ain’t easy!
• Mick then talks about the places he saw in Philadelphia including a very small museum which contains a videotape of Al Snow’s last decent match.
• Mick says he’s sick of The Rock talking about his monkey ass. Mick then says the monkey is a subspecies of the chimpanzee and – chimpin’ ain’t easy!

Mick then says he has two words for us: Mmmm, Beefy (Mick was the spokesperson for the Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Raviolis).

Commercial Break

The Godfather arrives with his hoes, but says two more hoes are coming and should be sent to his penthouse suite. Patterson and Brisco dress as a pantomime horse and try to sneak in. They actually get past security, but Brisco flees the ass section of the horse saying Patterson farted in his face, and they get busted.

Shane O Mac introduces Big Pun who plays “I’m Not A Player”

Mid-way through the song, we cut to Shane O Mac and Pete Gas bumpin’ on the dance floor. Shane spies PMS grinding with the rest of the Mean Street Posse.

Commercial Break

We’re back and Patterson and Brisco are in drag, trying to sneak into the Rage Party. Patterson is pleased with how his wonder bra fits. They’re shuffled away by the security guard immediately.

Fat Joe is singing “Bet Ya Man Can’t (Triz)” and Shane is dancing on the balcony again.

Are You Ready

DX is in the house, descending down an escalator, HHH leading the way and spitting water as he rides down, while Road Dogg shouts out Philadelphia. DX makes its way through the crowd, while the Corporation watches from their VIP section.

HHH wants us to make some noise up in the bitch. We get the obligatory crotch chops with pyro. Road Dogg is dressed like Konnan.

They do the “Let’s get ready to suck it” bit. Road Dogg takes over and does his New Age Outlaws intro bit. Billy Gunn then moons the crowd, and the camera abruptly cuts away to a crowd shot. That’s it for DX.

Patterson and Brisco are in the back still in drag. Brisco is upset about what he’s going to tell his kids about having been in drag. Uh, how about tell them nothing, Jerry. Patterson spies some coats and tells Brisco that’s their ticket (I didn’t get this. I guess they were security jackets, but they had nothing on them).

Commercial Break

We’re back with the Corporation. Shane is of course dancing. Vince starts yelling at Kane to loosen up because it’s a party. Shane attempts to dance up on Kane but get a death stare. The stooges arrive still sporting their drag makeup. Vince tells them he needs his briefcase out of his limo right now.

Hello Ladies

The Big Valbowski is oiled up and in his towel. Val Venis wants to introduce us to a band that “has a hell of a lot in common with the Big Valbowski.” The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies!

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies sing “Zoot Suit Riot,” and I pray for a gif of Vince dancing to this. While we wait to see if it’s coming, let’s have a moment of silence for the ska era…

Sadly no Vince, but Cherry Poppin’ Daddies leads into Ministry era Undertaker! Allow the purity of evil to guide you!

Taker makes his way out with the Ministry which at this point is Paul Bearer, Viscera, The Brood (maybe Mideon was there, but I didn’t see him).

Undertaker tells Big Boss Man within 24 hours he will come face to face with his destiny in Hell In The Cell. Undertaker sells the torment Boss Man will face in the cell (ironic, considering how bad the match is).

Taker then says to Vince that when Boss Man is out of the way, nothing will stand in between him and “her”

The camera cuts to a bug-eyed Vince and a sad-faced Shane.

Taker says he will take “her” by the hand and lead her into the darkness. Undertaker then uses his magic fireball powers to set a giant symbol of his on fire.

Commercial Break

Patterson and Brisco are at the limo wondering how they’ll get back in the party. Brisco sets off the car alarm on Mr. McMahon’s limo. A security guard comes over and accuses the stooges of breaking into the limo. Brisco gives up and surrenders while Patterson tries to pitch one more scheme. Brisco responds with “those guys in jail are going to love you.” They walk off with security, defeated.

Stone Cold Steve Austin has arrived!

Commercial Break

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies are on the stage, and leave to make way for Stone Cold Steve Austin.

*Glass Shatters*

Austin’s music plays but he’s nowhere to be seen. The Corporation is in their VIP section looking confused. Dok Hendrix does an official intro for Austin who finally walks out on the stage.

Austin, with a beer in hand, addresses the special guest referee situation (to be decided in the Big Show/Mankind match early on the card). Not surprisingly, he says he doesn’t give a shit. Then he mocks The Rock for his “nursery rhymes” and says he’s going to kick Rock’s ass. Austin then says the next Austin reign will involve him drinking more beer on WWE TV, “upgrading his language” on WWE TV, and bringing his single-wide to Vince’s front yard and camping there. Austin then yells at someone telling him to wrap up his promo, before, in fact wrapping it up.

Well, are you pumped for the most disappointing WrestleMania of all time?!

Final Thoughts: This is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. First off, Shane was the star of this thing, either legitimately being a drunken frat boy, or doing the best drunken frat boy imitation ever. You can decide which one it was. Second, for all the promotion of this thing as a risque, pushing the envelope affair, this was rather tame, which I guess isn’t that surprising. I’d ask who actually thought it was a good idea to broadcast this thing, but this is during the hottest period in WWE’s history, USA probably would have put anything on the air WWE wanted to do at that point. Even 60 minutes of this: