The Storyline That Divided Wrestling Fans
More than two decades after the unforgettable Attitude Era, debate still simmers among WWE fans over one of the most polarizing storylines in company history: the revelation that Rikishi was the mastermind behind the mysterious hit-and-run on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at Survivor Series 1999. The angle was designed to write Austin off television so he could undergo a much-needed neck fusion surgery, but fan reaction was far from what WWE creative had hoped for[2]. Now, WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) has finally offered his insights into why the angle misfired, even as he defends its original logic[3].
The Backstory: Survivor Series 1999 and the Car Wreck
WWE had a real-world problem: Steve Austin, the company’s top star, needed major neck surgery and would miss nearly a year of action. Creative needed a dramatic way to explain his sudden absence. The solution? A car wreck, staged backstage at a marquee pay-per-view. After weeks of mystery—Who tried to kill Stone Cold?—the culprit was revealed to be Rikishi, who infamously declared he did it “for The Rock,” plunging the character into a heel turn and igniting a feud that would play out for months[2][3].
“We had to come up with a way so that we could get my a—s out of the way. That was Stone Cold Steve Austin, I had to get my neck fused up and that was a suck-a—s angle,” Austin admitted on his podcast, reflecting on the storyline’s necessity versus its reception[2].
JBL Defends the Angle—But Admits Its Flaws
On the latest episode of Something to Wrestle With, JBL offered a rare insider’s perspective. While many fans and critics lampooned the storyline as ridiculous, JBL argued that, on paper, the creative team’s logic was sound. The plan was to create chaos and speculation, keep Austin’s absence from feeling abrupt, and set up a new main event heel for a returning Austin to feud with upon his comeback[3]. The reveal of Rikishi as the culprit was meant to shock, and to some degree, it certainly did.
But, as JBL explained to podcast listeners, “Sometimes the best-laid plans in wrestling just don’t connect with the audience.” He suggested that the biggest issue was the disconnect between Rikishi’s prior character—a lovable, dancing, ass-shaking babyface—and the sudden transformation into a cold-blooded villain willing to nearly murder WWE’s top star. “You can’t just change a character overnight and expect fans to buy it,” said JBL. “It was a hard sell, and fans didn’t buy it.”[3]
According to a WWE insider familiar with the creative process at the time, “The writers thought Rikishi had the credibility to pull off the heel turn, but the fans weren’t ready to hate him in that way. The angle was rushed, and it put Rikishi in a really difficult spot.”
Fan Reaction and Aftermath
Despite the WWE’s best efforts, the angle was widely panned. Fans struggled to accept Rikishi as a serious villain, and his explanation—“I did it for The Rock”—felt forced, alienating many who saw the reveal as creatively tone-deaf. The payoff—an intense feud between Austin and Rikishi at No Mercy 2000—failed to reach the emotional heights of Austin’s legendary rivalries with Vince McMahon or The Rock[4]. With hindsight, it’s clear that the storyline’s failure was less about its plausibility and more about the readiness of the WWE Universe to buy into Rikishi’s sudden villainy.
As the feud played out, Austin himself made his triumphant return to the ring, but even he has publicly called this his worst storyline ever, citing the discomfort in having to be written off TV in such a dramatic and, in his view, convoluted way[2].
JBL’s Take: What Really Went Wrong?
JBL, who both witnessed and participated in countless WWE angles, believes the storyline failed not because of its logic, but because of the way it was executed. “On paper, it made sense,” he reiterated, “but in wrestling, you have to think two steps ahead of the fans and make sure the audience is emotionally invested. You can’t override character investment for shock value.”
He also pointed out that the timing was off, coming at a point when fans were already questioning WWE’s creative direction. “Fans were used to being shocked, but this was a misstep,” JBL said. “It played into the criticism that WWE sometimes does things just for the sake of doing them, without considering the long-term consequences for the characters involved.”[3]
Lessons Learned: Legacy of the Angle
While the “Rikishi as the driver” storyline is often cited as a misfire, it serves as a cautionary tale in WWE creative lore. It underscores the importance of character continuity, fan investment, and the delicate balance between shock value and believability. According to sources close to WWE creative—who requested anonymity—the company later became more cautious about radical character turns, especially with established fan favorites.
“You can’t just reboot a character overnight without laying the groundwork, and that’s what happened here,” said a backstage source. “It’s a lesson about knowing your audience and respecting their connection to the performers.”
Looking Back: The Rock, Austin, and the Attitude Era
For Austin, the angle remains a sore point, but it’s also a testament to his legacy. Even in the face of a storyline he disliked, Austin’s return from injury and subsequent feuds (including with The Rock and Triple H) kept him atop the WWE mountain. The Rikishi angle, however, is rarely revisited as a highlight, instead remembered as a creative misstep during one of wrestling’s hottest periods.
Conclusion
Twenty-five years on, the debate over the Rikishi car crash angle continues. JBL’s candid reflections provide valuable insight into WWE’s backstage thought process, while also acknowledging the importance of fan sentiment and character integrity. Sometimes, the most controversial storylines are the ones that teach the biggest lessons—in wrestling, timing, character development, and audience trust are everything[3].
And, according to those who were there: “In WWE, even the best ideas can flop if you don’t bring the fans along for the ride.”