How did the '24/7' rule for the Hardcore title start and end?

[MoFo]

Ya.

Was there any televised angle for it? I think I remember Crash was champ when it started, not sure how and why tho.

[Furious Beardsley]

I believe something along the lines of "I will defend this title anywhere, anytime, 24/7" Then superstars started taking him up on it and it went from there.

Crash thought he was such a badass. I think he actually lost it soon after he issued that challenge, maybe even the same night. It's been a long time though so my memory is terrible.

[Lock Jaw]

Wikipedia Says:

The 24/7 rule was enforced until August 19, 2002 when Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff decided to suspend it following a six minute Hardcore Battle Royal won by Tommy Dreamer. Prior to this a 24 hour suspension on the rule was in place for Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy's match at WWF Invasion. Commissioner Mick Foley also suspended the rule while Shane McMahon held the belt to ensure he was still the champion at SummerSlam 2000 to defend against Steve Blackman, whom he cheated out of the belt.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Yeah, Crash said he would defend the title anytime, anywhere because he was so excited to win.

It officially ended when Eric Bischoff came into power as the General Manager. He ordered a final hardcore championship scramble that was won by Tommy Dreamer.

That title was then unifed with the European and IC Champions within a few weeks. At the end Rob Van Dam ended up as the actual holder of the Hardcore title belt. That was until RVD gave it to Mick Foley in a celebration who later gave half of that championship to Edge.