Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Vacant Championship
The central rivalry forms around the vacant WWF Championship. The five named wrestlers become connected through the title struggle.
Key Events
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Vacant Title Rivalry — Five wrestlers become central figures in the rivalry for the vacant WWF Championship. Characters: The Rock, Triple H, Mankind, Kane, Big Show
Location: WWF championship storyline
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SummerSlam Title Match — Mankind competes against the champion and Triple H in a championship triple-threat match. Characters: Triple H, Mankind
Location: SummerSlam
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Mankind Wins at SummerSlam — Mankind defeats the champion and Triple H in the triple-threat championship match. Characters: Mankind, Triple H
Location: SummerSlam
Mankind's Brief Victory
Mankind defeats the champion and Triple H in a SummerSlam triple-threat championship match. His title position changes again on the following Raw is War.
Key Events
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Raw Title Reversal — Mankind loses the championship on the following night of Raw is War. Characters: Mankind
Location: Raw is War
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New Contender Plan — A five-way match is announced to determine the number-one contender. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Raw is War
The Contender Match
A five-way match is announced to determine the number-one contender for the WWF Championship. The contest brings The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show, and The Undertaker into the same competitive field.
Key Events
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The Undertaker Joins — The announced five-way field includes The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show, and The Undertaker. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Raw is War
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Five-Way Match Begins — The five-way contest begins as a battle for the number-one-contender position. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Unforgiven
Interference and Disorder
Outside interference attacks Mankind and prevents the five-way match from reaching a decisive conclusion. The wrestlers then attack the referees after the no contest.
Key Events
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Mankind Is Attacked — Outside interference targets Mankind during the five-way match. Characters: Mankind
Location: Unforgiven
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Match Descends Into Chaos — The interference prevents the five-way contest from producing a decisive result. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Unforgiven
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No Contest Declared — The five-way match ends in a no contest after the disruption. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Unforgiven
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Referees Attacked — After the no contest, all five wrestlers attack the referees. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Unforgiven
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Contender Question Unresolved — The no contest leaves the number-one-contender issue unresolved. Characters: The Rock, Kane, Mankind, Big Show
Location: Unforgiven