WWE has posted a video (above) looking back at the first Halftime Heat 20 years ago featuring The Rock vs. Mick Foley in an Empty Arena match.
Foley defeated Rock to become the new WWE Champion during the pre-taped episode.
Triple H talks return
Sports Illustrated spoke with Paul “Triple H” Levesque about the return of Halftime Heat tomorrow featuring a six man tag team match with NXT talent.
“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the future. Our fans are thirsting for more, and it’s the perfect fit for NXT. This will be something spectacular like you’ve never seen before. This is the right time to offer an alternative at halftime and see what we can do.”
Foley reflects on match with The Rock
Scott Fishman of TV Insider spoke with Mick Foley about the first Halftime Heat back in 1999 and how the empty arena concept was first pitched in the company.
“That was my idea stemming off my fondness for the Terry Funk and Jerry Lawler empty arena match from years earlier in the Mid-South Coliseum. I loved the rivalry with The Rock and thought it would be a way to tell a completely different kind of story. I was definitely banged up. I think I said in one of my books that I was wrapped up with more gauze thank Boris Karloff in the original Mummy movie. I was still hurt from the Rumble, but I was very much looking forward to the match.”