 The main narrative for Over the Edge continued the events that unfolded at Backlash , WWF 's previous pay @-@ per @-@ view event , held on April 25 , 1999 . There , The Undertaker abducted Stephanie McMahon , the daughter of chairman Vince McMahon . The Undertaker 's price for Stephanie 's return was control over the wrestling organization . His plans were thwarted , however , by the WWF Champion , Steve Austin , who rescued Stephanie and denied The Undertaker his ransom . This plot development set up a feud between the two wrestlers , which would be settled in a standard singles match for the Championship at Over the Edge , in which both Vince and his son Shane , who had aligned himself with The Undertaker , would serve as the guest referee . Originally Shane had named himself the sole referee of the match , but WWF commissioner Shawn Michaels made Vince the co @-@ referee in order to level the playing field . WWF further built up the rivalry between The Undertaker and Austin by having them attack each other on WWF programming , before their showdown . On May 3 , 1999 , The Undertaker threw Austin off the stage , and two weeks later , the WWF Champion was handcuffed by his title 's challenger to a crucifix , which was raised above the ring . 
