List of WrestleMania 15 Steve Austin vs. The Rock — First WM Meeting

The Build — Corporate Rock vs. People's Redneck

WWF's Two Greatest Characters in Direct Opposition

WM15's main event was built as the ultimate Attitude Era opposition — The Rock as the arrogant Corporation Champion aligned with Vince McMahon versus Stone Cold Steve Austin as the anti-authority people's hero. The tension between their characters provided perfect WM storytelling.

Mankind Won Right to Referee — Beating Big Show by DQ

WM15's Most Consequential Pre-Main Event Match

Earlier in WM15, Mankind (Mick Foley) defeated Big Show by DQ to earn the right to be the special guest referee for the main event — a critical plot element that would determine the match's outcome.

Shawn Michaels Opened the Main Event — 'WM Isn't WM Without HBK'

HBK Gave Speech Before Austin-Rock

Shawn Michaels — WWF Commissioner at the time — entered the ring before the main event and delivered his famous line 'WrestleMania isn't WrestleMania without Shawn Michaels' — before introducing the combatants.

Multiple Referee Changes During the Match

Mike Chioda, Tim White, and Mankind All Refereed

The WM15 main event saw multiple referee changes — Mike Chioda was the official referee before being knocked down, Tim White came out to replace him, and ultimately Mankind counted the final pin after further chaos.

Austin Threw Rock Into the WM15 Logo Fixture

Match Spilled Throughout the Arena

The WM15 main event brawled throughout the arena — Austin threw The Rock into the massive hanging WrestleMania XV logo fixture, causing it to swing dramatically. Both competitors also went through the Spanish announce table.

The Rock Bottom — Austin Kicked Out

The Rock's Finisher Failed to Stop Austin

The Rock hit Austin with the Rock Bottom at WM15 — Austin kicked out of the pin, demonstrating his toughness and sending the crowd into a frenzy of anticipation.

Austin Rolled Away from People's Elbow — Stunner Win

The Decisive Sequence — Austin Won at 18:02

After The Rock missed the People's Elbow (Austin rolled away), Austin sprang up and hit the Stone Cold Stunner — Mankind made the final three-count and Austin won his third WWF Championship at 18:02.

Austin Celebrated with Beer — WM15's Closing Image

Stone Cold Beers in Philadelphia

Steve Austin's WM15 celebration with beer cans — pouring them over the crowd and the ring — was the defining image of the WM15 main event conclusion and quintessential Attitude Era WM celebration.