The WWF was riding high heading into Wrestlemania 15, and had a killer main event of Steve Austin vs. The Rock for the World Title. However, there was a severely lack of a well built undercard, due largely to the Crash TV style booking of Vince Russo.

However, the feuds revolving around the Intercontinental and Hardcore Titles were fairly compelling. The IC title was being contested by Ken Shamrock, Val Venis, Billy Gunn and Goldust, with the first three being involved in an angle with Ken’s sister Ryan Shamrock.

The Hardcore Title was around the waist of the Road Dog for a good amount of time before WM, and both Al Snow and Hardcore Holly were in the hunt for the title.

Both of these angles had some good buildup and heat, and were getting good reputations for the Outlaws in singles competition. However, someone in the WWF braintrust decided not to leave well enough alone, and switched the Outlaws, putting Gunn in the Hardcore Title match, and Road Dog in the IC title match.

To make matters worse, the WWF put the IC title on the Road Dog, in an attempt to push him as a serious contender. After spending so much time pushing him as hardcore, then to switch Gunn into that division where he was totally out of place just for the sake of the swerve proves why Vince Russo did not have staying power in the world of pro wrestling.