Week 1 - The Road to Backlash Continues
RAW
We're live from the National Car Rental Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Of course, good ol' J.R. and the King on commentary following the opening package and pyro to introduce us to tonight's show, and we kick things off with the People's Champion.
Rock skips his usual shtick about coming back to Ft. Lauderdale and takes us back to last week, with special footage of Vince. He assures Vince it's not the footage of him reuniting with Shane, or the footage of him, the Chinese midgets, the 900 lb tuna and a pair of chopsticks, it's the footage of Vince and Rock both at their best. We go to footage from Thursday's Smackdown, which starts with Vince pulling Hebner our after Rock's got the cover on Road Dogg and lays him out. Rock goes right after Vince as he tries to leave and he gets laid out. Vince and family try to come to his aid but Rock grabs a chair from backstage and cracks Vince right in the head with it.
Back to Raw, Rock says after he scrambled Vince's brains, after the smoke had cleared and dust had settled, after all the llamas anuses have been licked, there's one more shot he wants us to see, one more he wants Vince to remember, write it down, take a picture of it, frame it, put it above his mantelpiece, and remember this picture forever. We see a picture of Vince unconscious on the stage after Rock's chair shot on the Titantron, with Rock's foot on his chest. Clear as day, the People's boot on Vince's unconscious candy ass. He says after that shot, after all the humiliation he's put Vince, his jackass son, and everything he's put Vince's slut daughter through, he still wants more. That's why tonight in the People's Ring, he wants his WWF Title shot, smack dab in the Rock's home.
Vince's music hits and out he comes with chair and mic in hand. Vince holds the chair up teasing he's going to hit Rock with it, but Rock says one of three things are gonna happen: Vince can put the chair down, try and hit the People's Champion, or Rock will take the chair, turn that sumbitch side ways and stick it up Vince's candy ass, which of course infuriates Vince. Vince makes the smart move to drop the chair, but says if Rock makes one move towards him, he'll hit Rock so hard his brains will turn into crushed papaya. Interesting choice of words. He says as far as Rock's title shot, tonight he'll be given the opportunity to get his title shot, given he wins tonight against opposition to be announced in a Steel Cage Match. He says however that Vince is tired of giving gifts and Rock has to earn everything that he gets, which prompts an asshole chant, to which Vince says he doesn't appreciate it, only encouraging it further. He says that somewhere deep down, Rock has to say "who am I" and "why am I who I am".
Vince takes him back a year ago, asking who was it that made him who he is, taking credit for it. He was in Rock's corner, by his side, while he was the Corporate Champion although not a very good one, with more asshole chants. Then he says Rock would have been a star without him, but never a superstar. He would have achieved a certain level of stardom, in fact, and if they took makeup and took a bulbous ball and put it on Rock's nose, he would have made a good Doink. He also says if they could take feathers around Thanksgiving, he'd make a good Gobbledy Gooker. He says he could have allowed himself to physically go to Hell, gain a bunch of weight, grown warts, and made a good Bastion Booger, then takes more credit for Rock becoming a superstar, for hosting SNL, a guest on the Tonight Show, offers for TV and movies, and a best-selling author. Vince asks him to look back, and explains that he betrayed Rock at Wrestlemania simply because there's one thing he never got from Rock: a thank you. He asks if Rock knows who Vince thinks he is, and Vince gets angry when Rock says nothing.
Rock asks if that's what he thinks, and Vince calls him an utter, complete ingrate. Rock says he wipes a monkey's ass with what Vince thinks. Vince asks what's with Rock's obsession with animal asses, saying it's strange, he has a fixation with the rectal cavity, it's not normal, but thinks that Rock really has a fixation of what comes out of it. He says if you can take the feces from all the fans there in the arena over 24 hours, gather it all up, try to shine it up, but then Vince quips that even Rock can't shine that up, but put it all in abig pizza oven, that's when he and everyone else can truly smell what the Rock is cooking.
HHH comes out now alongside Shane and Stephanie. Vince tries to take advantage of the distraction to hit Rock with the chair but Rock catches him and nails Vince in the back. He swings for HHH as he tries to climb the apron but just barely misses. Rock's music hits as Vince is helped to the back with family in tow.
Up next, DX vs E&C for the tag titles.
Back from break we get a replay of the chair shot from moments ago before our first match of the night.
WWF Tag Team Championship: D-Generation X (Road Dogg & X-Pac) (w/ Tori) vs Edge & Christian (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: J.R. tells us this is a reward for supporting and helping HHH and Steph. Roadie does his shtick before E&C come out. We see replays from the ladder match at Wrestlemania where E&C won the titles.
Christian and X-Pac start out, Pac spitting water in Christian's face before laying in some right hands. Christian sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, and catches Pac with a powerslam. Edge tagged in, Pac whipped into the corner, Christian launches off Edge's corner with a splash, then follows with a spinning heel kick for a cover and a 2 count. Edge with a side headlock but Pac fights him off. Roadie gets a knee to the back as Edge comes off the roeps and Pac nails a spinning heel kick. Double teaming in the corner while Roadie gets tagged in.
Back and forth rights, Roadie sent off the ropes but ducks a clothesline some Shake, Rattle and Roll for a cover, but Christian breaks it up. Pac now stomping away, Edge sent off the ropes ducks a clothesline and takes them out with clotheslines. Christian tagged in, rights and an atomic drop for Road Dogg, followed by a noggin knocker for DX. Roadie knocked out of the ring and Edge follows, Christian hits Pac with a backbreaker for a cover, but the ref is distracted by what's going on at ringside. Edge gets distracted by Tori and Roadie sends him face first into the ring post. Pac sends Christian into the corner and misses a Bronco Buster. Christian goes for the Unprettier, but Tori has the ref distracted, allowing Roadie to nail Christian with a tag belt. Pac hooks the leg and we have new Tag Champions in 2:49.
Oh wait, Hebner rushes the ring and tells Chioda what happened, so he orders the match to continue. DX lays into E&C now, try for a back body drop on Christian but he slips free. Edge nails Pac with a spear, Christian takes down Roadie and E&C retain the titles in 3:48.
To the back, Godfather is with his hos with cigar in hand and heads out to the ring, coming up next.
Back from break, Terri approaches Kat who's reading WWF Magazine (I think). Kat gets all jumpy and Terri tells her to stop, right before we get a graphic saying this was earlier in the day. Terri says a lot of stuff happened before Wrestlemania, lot of petty stuff and she thought it was silly. She asks if her phone's been ringing off the hook, apparently directors, producers, her agent all over their feud I guess? Terri apologizes because of all that and wants to treat Kat to a spa day.
The Godfather vs Kurt Angle
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Apparently HHH is defending his title against a deserving opponent tonight, and Jericho's getting a rematch for the European Title later. Godfather does his shtick. Kurt comes out with mic in hand, saying he's happy the crowd is happy and in such a great mood, because he wants to talk to them about something that gives him great joy: the joy of celibacy. He says the three Is are tremendous, but the reason he's had so much success in life, the reason he's the man he is today is from abstinence. He says unlike anybody there tonight, he abstains voluntarily, it's true it's true. He turns his attention to Godfather, about he comes out week after week, parading his filth and debauchery. He has a little surprise for Godfather, and he pulls out a condom, and strongly suggests he starts using them. He then has a nursery rhyme for the children out there, something even Godfather can understand: You can prance, and you can dance, but when it comes to relations, keep it in your pants. Godfather's had enough and kicks Kurt right in the midsection and clubs to the back to get the match started.
Kurt sent off the ropes and ducks a clothesline and lays in rights. Godfather reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a boot. Kurt sent off the ropes into a big back body drop. Godfather with a scoop slam, off the ropes for a spinning leg drop. Kurt rolls out and uses a ho as a shield as Godfather comes after him, tries to slide back in the ring but Godfather's on him immediately. Right hands on Kurt before he holds him up, and one of the hos slaps Kurt.
Back in the ring, Kurt retreats to the corner and gets whipped to the opposite, then whipped again to the original, Godfather goes for the Ho Train but Kurt moves out of the way and hits a back suplex, cover and a two count. Godfather with a series of clotheslines, but Kurt ducks a third and nails the Olympic Slam for the win in 2:03.
Kurt makes a quick exit celebrating, then we go to footage of Kat and Terri again from earlier, entering a limo, Terri quipping it'll be a day she never forgets. Eddie and Chyna arrive just as they leave.
Back to the present, Scotty, Rikishi and Tazz are on their way to the ring for 6-man action before the break.
Back from break, Big Show's with Shane, all excited about something. He says last week was just the tip of the iceberg, he's letting it all hang out and cutting loose. He insists Shane has got to see something and Show goes off camera, throwing his shirt at Shane. Show says he's large and in charge, and Shane says if the shoe fits as he leaves.
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Scotty 2 Hotty, Rikishi & Tazz vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion), Perry Saturn & Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from last week with Sexay and Big Show. I guess he criticized Show's dancing, so Show laid him out and splashed him through a convenient table in the locker room, I guess injuring him and explaining his absence tonight, but then J.R. says he had knee surgery, which seems kind of inconsistent.
Benoit and Scott start the match off with some quick chain wrestling, Scotty gets the advantage with a back body drop and a kip up. Perry distracts the referee allowing Dean to nail to come in and nail Scotty from behind, laying in with right hands. I guess Dean is in now and nails a dropkick before tagging in Saturn.
Scotty sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then a knee to the head. Saturn picks Scotty up over her shoulder and drives him chest first into the corner before tagging in Benoit.
Benoit with a snap suplex and tags in Dean, Scotty whipped into the corner and escapes a back suplex attempt, only for Dean to switch and get a roll up, Scotty pushes him off and sends him shoulder first into the ring post. Scotty tags in Rikishi who whips all three into one corner, knocking down Benoit and Saturn with rights as Dean slumps down in the corner. Kish gets him with a Stinkface before Kish and Benoit, and Tazz and Saturn take things to the outside. Scotty hits a bulldog on Dean and nails The Worm.
Benoit tries to get him from behind but Scotty catches him with a right hand, Rikishi not far behind. Kish nails Benoit with a standing side kick, Scotty whips Dean into the corner, then nails a splash. Kish goes for one but gets pulled out by Benoit before he gets a running start. Saturn in now and Tazz argues with the referee. Scotty goes for a Cloverleaf, but Saturn breaks it up. Kish and Benoit are fighting up the ramp, Dean makes the cover and gets the win in 3:49.
Radicalz make their exit before we cut to the back, where HHH is on his way out with Steph and Shane, so I guess his title defense is next.
Back from break, and to earlier today, Terri introduces Kat to Francois, a hairdresser, and Terri goes off to get Kat a drink. We see Terri nonchalantly put something in Kat's drink behind Francois while she tells him what she wants. Kat thanks Terri and tells her she appreciates it.
Back to the arena and out come the McMahons minus Vince. We see Kaientai along with the APA in tow, much to the chagrin of the McMahons, and it looks like Taka will be getting the title shot.
WWF Championship: Triple H (c) (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs Taka Michinoku (w/ Funaki & The APA)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Well the APA waste no time chasing Shane out of there, Shane running like a scalded dog as J.R. would say.
Taka wastes no time flying at HHH in the corner and lays in with rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Taka, only to be taken down with a flying headscissor and a dropkick and a spinning heel kick, then a low dropkick as HHH sits up. Taka hooks the leg for a two count.
Rights by Taka, but gets reversed off the ropes, HHH launches him up only to be dropkicked again. Rights by Taka in the corner, HHH reverses a whip into the opposite but Taka gets the boot up as he charges, up to the second rope and nails a tornado DDT, hooks the leg for another two count.
Taka with chops, sends HHH off the ropes but gets hit with a facebuster, then clotheslined over the ropes to the outside. HHH follows with a right and drops him chest first on the barricade. Hard chops to Taka sending him to the floor before it goes back to the ring. Take sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but runs into a high knee, HHH hooks the leg for a near fall.
Taka taken to the corner for kicks to the midsection, stomping away and choking Taka with his boot. Hebner's having none of this and even shoves him when shoved. Crowd is loving Hebner. Hard rights by Taka takes HHH down, but HHH gets a shot in to the throat. Taka tossed to the outside, sends Taka into the steel steps before they go back in. Funaki hits a baseball slide on HHH and knocks him into the APA, who are standing at the bottom of the ramp. HHH begs and APA lay into him while Hebner deals with Funaki on the other side, and Bradshaw takes him out with a Clothesline from Hell. HHH rolled back into the ring now. Funaki nails HHH with a dropkick while Hebner argues with Bradshaw on the apron, while Taka hits a moonsault, hooks the leg but HHH kicks out. Taka.
Shane comes back out with Vince in tow as Taka starts a 10 punch in the corner. The APA back off father and son. Taka goes back up, then all of a sudden Boss Man and Buchanan take out APA with lead pipes. Taka tries for the Michinoku Driver but HHH fights out of it. Taka ducks a clothesline and goes for a hurricanrana but HHH powerbombs him to the mat. HHH nails the Pedigree to retain in 5:52.
The McMahons return to the ring while HHH nails Funaki with a Pedigree, then they celebrate. Shane gets a cheap shot on Bradshaw, then HHH with a couple for both, then Vince gets one in on Farooq.
Back from break, we see footage from Smackdown, where HHH seemed intent on putting Trish through a table but T&A make the save. Then we go to Trish directing T&A into the Dudleyz locker room, and we hear a beatdown ensue. It spills out to the hallway where T&A beat the crap out of Dudleyz.
Back from break again? And I thought they were bad with commercials these days. We get a replay of what happened during the WWF Title match, then onto our next match.
T&A (Test & Albert) (w/ Trish Stratus) vs Hardy Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a replay of the fight that happened before the break.
Test and Matt start things out and Test goes right in with a knee and rights, whipping Matt into the corner who connects with an elbow as Test follows, goes up and hits a moonsault on an upright Test, hooks the leg for a 2 count. Rights by Mat, Test pulls Matt back off a whip off the ropes into a knee to the midsection, then hoists Matt up into a gutwrench powerbomb.
Albert tagged in now, Matt whipped off the ropes into a... I guess a double team flip over slam? Albert covers for a 2 count. Albert off the ropes for a shoulder block,then catapults Matt throat first into the second rope. Matt taken to the corner now with some rights and a headbutt. Matt tries to fight back but gets overpowered, kicks and shoulders to the midsection before being thrown across the ring. Matt sent off the ropes and tries to counter with a neckbreaker, only to be caught with a sidewalk slam. Albert to the second rope but misses a leg drop.
Matt tags out and Jeff goes up top, taking down Albert with a missile dropkick, then a nice hurricanrana. Test runs in and takes Jeff out with a clothesline. Jeff whipped into the corner, then Albert whipped into Jeff for a splash, allowing Test to hit a sitout one-handed chokebomb. Test hooks the leg but Matt breaks it up. Test gets sent to the outside and Albert presses Matt up, only to slip out and hit the Twist of Fate. Jeff meanwhile goes up top and hits the Swanton Bomb for the win in 3:08.
Hardyz make their exit up the ramp and the Dudleyz rush down beside the ramp, immediately attacking Test, nailing a 3D. Bubba wastes no time in pulling out a table, sliding it in the ring and... for some reason T&A's music hits. Trish climbs the apron and distracts, allowing Albert to send Bubba through the table with a two-handed chokeslam. They make their exit while D-Von checks on Bubba and we go to a replay.
Back from break for our next match.
Val Venis vs The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thought: Show has some weird remixed version of his theme and... oh we're in this phase are we? Show comes out mocking Val, with a towel and long-haired wig. J.R. mentions it may have something to do with his SNL notoriety? I didn't even know he appeared on SNL. He's even got Val's trunks on. He grabs a mic and does Val's shtick, saying the ladies know it's not the motion in the ocean, but the size of the boat that turns them on. He says never mind the SS Minnow in the ring, but buy a ticket on the Big Show Titanic instead. Val takes the mic, saying if Show's brain was as big as his mouth, he would have realized the Titanic sank, and that contrary to popular belief, it wasn't because of an iceberg, it was Show's dimply, fat ass. Show immediately retaliates going for a clothesline, but Val ducks and lays in some rights to start the match.
Show backed into the corner, then face first into the adjacent, more rights and kicks, then to the next corner. Show reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a side kick, sending Val rolling to the outside. Val climbs the apron and Show goes for his boot, but ends up crotched on the top rope as Val moves out of the way. More rights by Val as he comes back and a nice dropkick. Val off the ropes, takes down Show with a leaping shoulder block, then up to the middle rope for an elbow, cover and a kick out.
Show face first in the corner again, Val goes up for a 10 punch but gets shoved off at 5, Show with a clothesline out of the corner. Elbow to the back of the head, then some chops in the corner. Val sent off the ropes into a forearm to the head. Another elbow to the head by Show, who then charges only for Show to tumble over the ropes to the outside. Show slides back in and takes his wig to choke Val, giving Val the DQ win in 2:30.
Val being choked against the ropes as the ref tries to pull Show off of him, then starts to hang Val over the ropes a few moments before releasing. Show mocks Val a bit more before he makes his exit.
Up next, Eddie defends the European Title.
European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Chris Jericho
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Eddie wearing a "Va-Chyna" shirt down to the ring. We see a replay from last week where Chyna turned on Jericho to give Eddie the title. Jericho out with mic in hand who welcomes us to Raw is Jericho. He says that contrary to what Chyna and Eddie may or may not believe, he's ecstatic that they're together, but he does ask which of them is the man, which of them has the bigger package, and Chyna subtly points to Eddie. Then he says the Taco Bell chihuahua has more Latino Heat than Eddie does, but at least its bitch is housebroken.
Loud Y2J chants as the match gets started, Eddie goes right after but Jericho lays in with some rights, Eddie sent off the ropes in a forearm, then a double underhook backbreaker. Eddie rolls out immediately and Jericho chases him back in. Eddie uses the ref as a shield allowing him to dropkick Jericho at the knees and take him down. Eddie working the knees before working Chris in the corner for a bit, sending him off the ropes into another low dropkick. More Y2J chants as Eddie works the leg in the ropes now.
Eddie gets Chris into a figure 4 but he manages to reverse the pressure rather quickly, then reversed back by Eddie, but Chris gets to the rope. More kicks to the leg by Eddie and chops against the rope. Chris reverses as he's sent off and launches Eddie up and down to the mat. Chris tries to follow up but Eddie pulls him face first into the middle turnbuckle. Eddie with a snapmare and a rake of the face with his boots. Chris whipped to the corner and Eddie follows, but Chris gets the boot up, sending Eddie rolling backwards, ducks a clotheslined but gets chopped into the corner.
Eddie whipped off the ropes into a back body drop, then nailed with a clothesline. Eddie backs off into the corner and Chris goes to whip into the opposite. Eddie follows and launches himself up, Chris turns around and Eddie goes to roll him up, but Chris rolls through and gets Eddie in the Walls.
Chyna immediately hops the apron and Chris releases, going after her but she leaps back to the floor. Eddie rolls him up and gets his feet on the ropes but Jericho kicks out anyways. Chris comes off the ropes and nails a bulldog, covers but Eddie kicks out. Chyna tosses the title to Eddie while she argues with the referee, but Chris grabs onto it before Eddie can use it. They play tug of war a little before Eddie's sent into the referee. Chris ducks a belt shot and takes Eddie down with a flying forearm, then hits the Lionsault. Chyna comes in though and nails a low blow, then a DDT and pulls Eddie on top. Referee comes to and makes the count for Eddie to retain in 5:18.
Chyna helps Eddie out and they head to the back celebrating.
Back from break, we see the cage being lowered for our main event. We see more footage from Terri and Kat's spa day, where Kat's hair and makeup been made a mess and "tramp" has been written on her forehead. Kat is just waking up after being drugged. Terri walks off laughing while Kat just screams. Terri returns with Kat's dog, who's been half shaved and she keeps screaming.
We see Rock heading to the ring for our main event, which is next.
Back from break, Rock makes his way out. It's weird not hearing the rules told to us, Lilian just tells us it's scheduled for one fall. Rock paces around as he waits his unnamed opponents, and HHH's music hits. Out he comes with Vince, Shane and Steph. Of course we're made to think it's HHH stepping in the cage, but...
Handicap Steel Cage Match: The Rock vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man (w/ Vince & Shane McMahon, Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley & WWF Champion Triple H)
Rock wastes no time laying into Boss Man as he enters, while Bull paces around ringside, tossing Boss Man face first into the corner, laying in some right hands. Bull enters shortly after who's then sent into Boss Man, bouncing off into a forearm. The bell is never officially rung for some reason. Rock immediately starts to climb but Bull pulls him back down. Rock sent off the ropes into back elbows before more rights. Rock sent into the corner, then Boss Man sent into Rock. Rock whipped into the opposite corner and Bull whipped toward him, but Rock moves and nails a DDT, only to walk into a forearm by Boss Man.
Boss Man tries to make his escape but Rock pulls him back down. Bull gets nailed with a back suplex and Shane tries to get inside through the top only to be knocked down with a right hand. Rock drops crotch first on the top rope after being nailed by Bull. More double team against the wall of the cage, rights by Boss Man as Bull holds him up. Bull off the ropes with a leg drop, a cover and a kick out. Rock sent off the ropes and avoids a double team, sending Bull face first into the mat before laying in some rights on Boss Man. Boss Man reverses a whip and sets Rock up, Bull nails an axe kick, another cover and a near fall.
Elbow drop by Bull, then a double team suplex on Rock. More shots by Bull and Boss Man before choking Rock across the middle rope. Rock sent off the ropes into a clothesline by Boss Man, a cover and a kick out. Windup right hand by Boss Man, more rights by Bull, then Rock sent face first into the cage. Low blow by Boss Man. More shots by Bull as Boss Man holds him up. Bull goes for a clothesline off the middle rope but Rock moves and he nails Boss Man instead. Rock with rights on Bull then sends him face first into the cage into a Samoan drop. Boss Man sent into the cage but catches Rock in a spinning side slam. Bull tries to escape while Rock nails a spinebuster on Boss Man, then goes back to Bull. He leaps off but gets caught in a Rock Bottom and Rock gets the pin in 7:13, with Boss Man just barely coming to to try and break it up.
Shane tries to climb in over the top again while HHH enters through the door. Rock goes after Shane and pulls him in, but HHH cuts him off and sends him off the cage wall twice. HHH pulls out some brass knuckles and nails Rock in the head with them. Shane takes out Hebner and HHH lays in with rights, Rock busted open. More rights by HHH before he nails the Pedigree. Vince gets a chair from Steph and HHH gets a mic, getting in Rock's unconscious face, telling him he's in the game now. He says it's his dream to be WWF Champion, saying he's done playing games with Rock, and says he's Rock's worst nightmare. He says this is just step one, and tells Shane and Vince to pick him up.
HHH goes for a Pedigree on the chair, but the APA rush the ring and take out Boss Man and Buchanan. They rush into the ring and the McMahon's make a quick exit before they can get their hands on them. HHH's music hits as Vince looks on pissed. Christ Rock is bleeding tons, laying in a puddle of his own blood. HHH talks some trash to APA while holding his title up and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well this was... a mixed show. Plenty of matches, but only three of them went over 5 minutes. The main event was slow and dull, but we now have a main event for Backlash. That being said, with a runtime of 1:34:09, this show had a total 33:41 of wrestling.
Smackdown
We start with a video package from Raw's cage match, then our opener to the show. We're live from the Ice Palace in Tampa, Florida, with Michael Cole and the King on commentary who welcome us to the show, and we waste no time getting to a match.
European Championhip: Rikishi Phatu vs Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Eddie's out with a mic in hand, and after handing Chyna some roses, he says as a 2x European Champion from Europe, it would be a disgrace to the prestigious belt if it fell into the hands of an islander from Samoa, then asks where Samoa even is. He tells Mamacita not to worry, because Rikishi might have the biggest ass in the world, but he's got the biggest supply of Latino Heat in the world. Commentary also tell us that X-Pac will face Y2J later, plus Benoit & Malenko vs the Hardyz.
Eddie wastes no time with right hands barely fazing Kish, who then lays in with rights of his own, sending Eddie off the ropes before launching him up and down to the mat, then a powerslam into a cover and a kick out, and Rikishi inadvertently elbows the ref in the process. Eddie sent into the corner and Kish follows with a splash. Kish climb the ropes for a Banzai Drop, but Chyna climbs the apron and smashes the flower vase of Kish's head. Eddie makes the cover but Kish gets the shoulder up in time.
Eddie frustrated stomps and hammer away, off the ropes and knocks Kish out of the ring. Chyna turns Kish inside out with a clothesline before sending him back in. Eddie goes out to the apron with a slingshot senton and a cover but Kish powers out, sending him through the ropes to the floor. Chyna helps Eddie back into the ring, who goes after the taped left knee of Kish, Kish fights back with right, sends Eddie off the ropes into a back body drop and a Samoan drop. Eddie sent into the corner and Kish sets up for the Stinkface. Chyna sneaks in from behind but Kish catches her. Eddie takes advantage and dropkicks Kish, but it inadvertently sends him into Chyna and down in the corner. Kish nails Eddie with a side kick then gives Chyna the Stinkface. Kish goes for the Rikishi Driver on Eddie but Chyna nails a low blow for the DQ in 4:09, so Eddie retains the championship.
Eddie and Chyna make their escape, but Chyna's upset with Eddie a bit for the Stinkface.
Cut to the back, HHH, Steph and Shane are in the back enjoying a platter of food. HHH feeds Steph some grapes while he says how Raw was the most fun he's ever had. Shane says Vince isn't there tonight, and HHH says if anyone gets in their way, they'll just do more of the same. Shane suggests they go out and have more fun, and Steph says they'll make Vince more proud.
Cut outside to a car having arrived at the arena and out steps the Rock with a big bandage on his head, heading into the arena. Back to the McMahon's watching this on their TV, HHH says let the games begin and they head out, then to break.
Back from the break, HHH's music hits and out he comes with Steph and Shane in tow. Shane gets a mic but the crowd get an asshole chant going before he can speak, then he takes us back to Monday on Raw, saying what happened was awesome, a joyous occasion, and how HHH turned it up a notch, how the People's Champion was laying at their feet. A loud Rocky chant starts up, and Shane points out they were chanting the same thing when Rock was laying in a pool of his own blood, the lifeblood of the people oozing from his skull onto the mat. Shane tells HHH that it was such a proud moment for him and gives him big props. Most of this is just rambling. He says Rock tried to play the game, but it was obviously game over for him and they even hug.
Steph gets on the mic and says they're getting her choked up, while the fans get a loud slut chant going. She says they're going to make her cry, she's just like Vince, she's emotional. She says she knows Vince is at home watching this, and apparently has an announcement that Vince wanted to keep a surprise. She says that when HHH faces Rock for the title, but she gets interrupted by an even louder slut chant, then goes on to say that Vince will be in HHH's corner.
HHH gets the mic and says he's flattered and honored, but he knows how Vince is a bit of a glory hound, they all are. He doesn't want Vince going out there thinking he's gonna steal HHH's thunder. He says it's between him and Rock and he wants to do it himself, and Vince can have a front row seat as he destroys Rock's dreams once and for all. He says on Monday, Rock got taught a lesson on what it takes to be a real champion like him, to be the WWF Champion, to be the best and not just talk about it. He says it takes a lot of sweat, tears, and he showed Rock firsthand it takes a a whole lot of his blood. He says every time Rock comes back, he'll teach him the same lesson, even it takes a million times, but that it doesn't matter how much sweat comes from his body, how many tears he cries, or how much of the People's Blood pumps from his body, it will be for nothing, because Rock will never be the WWF Champion, because he'll never beat HHH.
Rock's music hits as HHH goes to say more and out he comes with mic in hand. HHH speaks up before he can get a word in edgewise though, and says while he knows Rock is in his home state, and out to talk about his chance of becoming champion, and he's thought about when and where Rock would get it. He thought maybe tonight, but then realized they should do such a big match somewhere important, and makes it for Backlash in Washington, D.C. Rock says HHH did it all on Monday, beat his ass, left him in his own blood, and admits he can hardly stand, but makes it clear that just as sure as HHH stands in the ring surrounded by a silver spoon jackass, and a bargain basement... I assume slut, but it's been bleeped out... is as sure as Rock still walked out of Raw with his title shot. He calls them candy-ass jabronies, gloating about how they have Vince in their corner, and says to bring it, bring on Vince, congress, Senate, Vice President, President, dig up George Washington's candy ass and bring him too, because there ain't nobody (and The Rock means nobody!) that's gonna stop him from whipping HHH's candy ass.
HHH says that for a guy who lost half his blood on Monday he seems full of himself. He says he's looking at Rock standing up on the stage, at he assumes 70% or 60% of his best, his shirt is baggy. He says it doesn't matter what percent he's at, he doesn't care if he's at 100%, then announces Rock and HHH for tonight... but not for the WWF Title, it's a 6-man tag: Rock and the APA vs HHH, Bull & Boss Man. Rock mocks HHH and asks if this is the best he can come up with, and then says it doesn't matter if it's the best he can come up with. Rock says it doesn't matter, because come Backlash he guarantees, no promises, promises the People, that he will whoop HHH's candy ass and walk out the champion, if you smell what he's cooking. Rock's music hits as he heads to the back and we go to break.
Back from break, we see footage from earlier in the day where Al Snow and Steve Blackman arrive at a nursing home. Steve says this is ridiculous, but Al insists they're gonna love Blackman. Steve thinks they're just there for a few handshakes and autographs, but as they arrive in a dining room, turns out they're there to do stand up... well, at least Blackman is. Al gives him some cue cards and tells him to knock em dead, but not literally. Blackman is clearly not happy.
Back to the arena for our next match.
The Hardy Boyz vs Dean Malenko (Light Heavyweight Champion) & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Matt and Dean start things out, Dean with knees and rights as they go to lock up, sends Matt off the ropes but he reverses into a hip toss, then a drop toe hold, sending Dean stumbling to the corner. Rights by Matt before whipping him into the opposite corner and missing a clothesline, Dean now with rights in the corner.
Matt dragged to Dean's corner and Benoit tags in. Dean whips Matt into another corner, Benoit whips Dean toward Matt but he moves out of the way, goes to kick Benoit but he spins Matt around into a dropkick, into Benoit who nails a couple of German suplexes. Matt elbows his way out of a third, knocks Dean off the apron, only to be dropkicked from behind by Benoit and knocked out of the ring. Dean sends Matt into the barricade before rolling him back in, kick tot he side of the head and a right by Benoit, whipping Matt into the corner and Benoit follows, only for Matt to get the elbow up, go to the second rope and hit a bulldog.
Jeff tagged in now, Hardyz send Benoit off the ropes into a double elbow. Dean comes in only to be tripped up by Jeff, Matt comes off the top with a leg drop. Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes, brought up for a powerbomb, stumbling towards his corner and Dean tags himself in. Dean off the top with a modified Doomsday Device, goes for the cover for a moment but pulls Jeff up when the ref takes too long. Dean lays in with some rights now and stomps away, then follows with a back suplex.
Benoit tagged back in and Dean knocks Matt off the apron. Benoit with a snap suplex and a leg drop to the back of the neck, then a back breaker for a cover and a near fall. Jeff dragged towards the Radicalz corner to tag in Dean, who takes Jeff to the corner, face first off the turnbuckle, whipped into the opposite corner and Dean follows immediately with a clothesline into it, then kicks to the midsection, elbows to the side of the head. Benoit tagged in again and Jeff is nailed with a double headbutt. Jeff pulled into a vicious clothesline, then sent off the ropes into an elbow, cover and a kick out.
Dean tagged in again, Jeff sent off the ropes by Benoit into a drop toe hold, Dean comes off the ropes with a baseball slide to the head. Benoit tagged back in kicking Jeff in the ribs as Dean holds him up, then goes for a back suplex but Jeff flips out. Benoit with a chop to the chest as he turns around, whips Jeff chest first into the corner and nails him from behind with a forearm. Jeff lifted up to the top rope now and Benoit climbs up and goes for a back suplex, but Jeff turns midair and lands on top.
Jeff makes the hot tag as Dean is tagged in, Matt with some rights, sends Dean off the ropes into a back body drop, then one for Benoit as he comes in. Matt goes to clothesline both and nails Benoit, but Dean ducks and comes off the ropes with a heel kick. Dean makes the cover but Jeff breaks it up. Benoit sends Jeff face first off the turnbuckle, while Dean is sent into the corner by Matt. Benoit whips Jeff toward Malenko while Matt is in place for Jeff to leap off his back, right into Dean. Benoit nails Matt with a clothesline, Jeff sends Benoit off the ropes only to be reversed and sent to the outside.
Jeff comes around the other side of the ring while Dean slams Matt down. Benoit argues with the referee as Dean makes the pin, Jeff goes up top and nails Dean with the Swanton Bomb to the back. Jeff takes out Benoit with a dropkick and Matt rolls on top of Dean for the win in 6:52.
Hardyz make a quick exit up the ramp as we go to the replay. We go to the back where Shane is remarking how heavy the WWF Title is, with Kurt and HHH standing next to him. HHH says he and Shane were talking about how they were wrong about Kurt in the past, how he got screwed at Mania. HHH asks how Kurt would feel about wearing gold again, and of course Kurt loves the idea. HHH tells him he's got a shot at the tag titles tonight, and his partner, handpicked by Shane and HHH, is Big Show. Kurt thanks them and leaves, then we go to commercial.
Back from break, we have a Smack of the Night replay, where we see Crash winning the Hardcore Title with help from the APA two weeks ago, then back to the arena for another title match.
Hardcore Championship: Crash (c) vs Perry Saturn
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Perry comes out prepared, with a trash can loaded with assorted weapons, most notably a crutch, lid and baking sheet sticking out. Perry's the only Radical without a title right now. Perry sets the can down at ringside and slides in the ring with crutch in hand, while Crash slides out right after, tossing in the rest of the weapons, which are a piece of plywood and a street sign and the bell is rung.
Perry slides out before Crash can finish and lays in with rights, before dropping him face first off the apron. Perry goes to whip into the steps but gets reversed before being slid into the ring, followed by a dropkick to the back by Crash, a cover and a near fall. Crash is reversed off the ropes, but catches Perry with a headscissor take down, another cover and a kick out. Crash grabs the street sign and lays it in the middle of the ring, goes for a DDT but Perry sends him off the ropes, ducks the clothesline, Crash leaps up for a hurricanrana but gets powerbombed onto the sign. Perry grabs the trash can lid but Crash leaps over for a sunset flip, only to be nailed by the lid before he can pull Perry down, drops down for the pin, but Crash reverses for a pin of his own, then Perry reverses only to be nailed with the lid now. Crash rolls him up for a near fall.
Crash comes off the ropes only to be picked up by Saturn on his shoulders into a flapjack. Stomp to the chest, then breaks the crutch over Crash's back, a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Gutwrench lift by Saturn onto his shoulder, then drives Crash chest first into the corner. Perry picks up the baking sheet, goes to hit Crash but he moves, and I assume the sheet was supposed to hit the turnbuckle, bounce up and hit Perry but it doesn't quite work out. Crash nails a tornado DDT and a cover but Perry kicks out. Crash with the sheet now, but Perry superkicks it back into his face and wins the title in 3:10.
Tazz rushes down with a referee by his side while Perry is celebrating, nails him with the sheet and wins the title. Crash grabs the sheet and nails Tazz and wins back the title and rushes to the back as soon as he can. Perry and Tazz start going at it now and more referees are called down to break it up. Tazz's music hits as we go to break.
Back from break, we catch up with Blackman who's trying be Jerry Seinfeld I guess. Of course, there's no reaction from any of the seniors, and Al of course is cracking up. One of the ladies tells "black man" he stinks. Back to the arena for our next match.
Tag Team Championship: Kurt Angle & The Big Show vs Edge & Christian (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt is out first with mic in hand, who says his quest to reacquire gold has finally come to an end, because he has the one partner guaranteed to bring home the tag titles, the most dominant force in sports entertainment. Suddenly, you'd think it's Piper coming out by how the music starts, and soon some bagpipes come in, as Show comes out looking like a Scotsman eating... something, while drinking from a water bottle, much to Kurt's confusion. Then we cut to HHH and Shane cracking up in the back. Kurt asks what he's doing and while doing his best(?) accent, Show asks him to hold on a second, saying he's just trying to have a bit of fun. Kurt says he's here to win championship gold, Show thinking he wants more medals around his neck, but quips he has no neck, that he has more of a bowling ball on a concrete block. Cole mentions he's trying to be Fat Bastard from Austin Powers, which I thought too, but the last movie came out in June of the previous year, and the next one doesn't come out until two years later. Show says the fan's aren't here to see Kurt get gold too, but he doesn't want to see gold around Kurt's neck or waist, they want to know what's under his kilt. He tells them to put their wee ones away and bet their daisies, says he's dead sexy, and despite Kurt's best efforts to stop him he lifts his kilt to... well trunks, so that wasn't even a big deal. He tells Kurt he'll help with his quest for gold and calls out E&C to get this going. Wow that was bad.
Edge goes right after Show to start the match with right hands, only to be thrown across the ring. Christian comes in with a chop block, then a double dropkick to send Show into the corner. Christian drops in front of Show and Edge leaps off his back with a splash, then vice versa into Show, but Christian is caught on his attempt into a press slam. Edge comes off the top rope only to be caught by Show, goes for a chokeslam but Christian stops him with a kick to the midsection. Show grabs them both for a headbutt to each, then whips them into the corner one after the other. Show dances around with his kilt up, and Kurt has had enough, getting the blind tag.
Kurt charges toward E&C only to be lifted and dropped face first on the top turnbuckle and a flapjack. Christian with some rights and Edge tags in. Scoop slam by Christian, followed by double headbutt, a cover and a near fall. Christian tagged back in, Kurt chopped against the ropes, sent off the ropes but nails a clothesline. Kurt goes for a tag but Show instead lifts his kilt again with his back turned, allowing Edge to come from behind off a tag with a bridging German, cover and a near fall.
Kurt sent off the ropes and Edge goes for a hip toss, but Kurt blocks and delivers a belly to belly. Kurt argues with Show, Christian tries to take advantage but gets an elbow to the face. Kurt slaps Show, so Show climbs in and tosses Kurt to the outside. Show follows and starts laying into Kurt, and does away with the horrible Scottish accent. Eventually they're counted out, and E&C retain the titles in 3:01.
Angle and Show get back in the ring while E&C leave with their titles. Kurt is hit with a powerbomb before Show makes his exit, ripping off his fake eyebrows.
To the back, Jericho arrives in what I assume is catering, grabbing a cold one from the bucket sat there. He asks a couple of ladies nearby if they've seen Godfather, and they turn around, as it turns out it's Steph and Tori, obviously offended by his question. He apologizes and leaves, then go to commercial.
Back from the break for the Slam of the Week to this week's Raw, where we see Bubba sent through the table by Albert. Back to the arena for our next match. I like how they waste no time getting to the action on this show.
Prince Albert (w/ Trish Stratus & Test) vs Bubba Ray Dudley (w/ D-Von Dudley)
Bubba rushes the ring and Albert lays in with a boot and clubs to the back immediately as the bell is rung. Rights in the corner and kicks to the midsection, then choking Bubba. Bubba whipped into the opposite but gets the boot up as Albert charges, Bubba off the middle rope with a shoulder block, cover and a shoulder up for two. Trish walks up the steps to the apron as Albert reverses a whip off the ropes, sending Bubba toward Trish. Bubba stops before he runs into her, takes a swing but she ducks, and he turns into a kick from Albert, a cover and a near fall.
More rights by Albert in the corner, Bubba whipped hard into the opposite into a sidewalk slam, cover and a kick out. Scoop slam by Albert, who goes up to the second rope and goes for a leg drop but Bubba rolls out of the way. Clothesline and a DDT by Bubba, cover and a kick out. Albert reverses a whip off the ropes only to be cut off by Bubba, who just barely leaps up onto Albert's shoulders, into a sitout powerbomb and pin attempt for a kick out.
Bubba sent off the ropes but ducks a clothesline, nails a cutter and gets the win in 2:31.
D-Von climbs onto the apron to join Bubba but Test yanks him back down and drops him with a clothesline. Test calls to Trish and he joins her to pull out a table. Test tosses it in the ring and sets it up. D-Von meanwhile grabs a chair and nails Test from behind as he goes to powerbomb Bubba through the table, sending him rolling out of the ring. D-Von nails Albert in the head with the chair, sending him onto the table. Bubba goes up top and splashes Albert through the table as Trish looks on. Dudleyz's music hits as we go to a replay, and we come back to Bubba in that trance of his.
To the back, Jericho's in the locker room getting ready and in comes Steph and Tori, saying he's glad they came and apologizes again for earlier, and says they're almost as attractive as the hos from behind, although a little wider in the hips. They wish him luck against X-Pac, then informs him he has to face Road Dogg too now, saying it's no hard feelings before they leave and we go to break.
Back from break, they show Wade Boggs in the front row, then we catch up again with Blackman failing stand up some more with a horrible Viagara joke to audible boos, and the lady from earlier one again says "black man" sucks. Blackman then tells the woman her momma's so hairy, Bigfoot takes pictures of her. She then says her mom died in '64 and calls him a heartless bastard. He's had enough, drops the mic and pulls out his nun-chucks from his back pocket. She tells him to bring it on.
Back to the arena for our next match... match?
The Kat & Mae Young vs Terri & The Fabulous Moolah
Pre-Match(?) Notes & Thoughts: Right, I forgot Moolah and Mae were involved in this for some reason. They were in their corners for their Mania "match". Moolah and Mae are out in actual wrestling gear, and we get a replay of what Terri did to Kat on Monday. Apparently Mae became jealous of the spotlight Mae has gotten which is why they're on opposite sides, so that's something.
This match is about as exciting as you'd expect and I'm not gonna cover it. Kat spears Moolah... sort of and Mae drops an elbow to win in 4:15.
Mae and Kat leave and that's it. Up next, Jericho vs Road Dogg and X-Pac.
Back from break, we get our Lugz Boot of the Week, where we see Jericho getting screwed out of the European Title on Monday by Chyna, then to the match.
Chris Jericho vs X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; Jericho is out with mic in hand and welcomes us to Tampa is Jericho. He says he's seemingly insulted Steph, and he was going to come out and apologize, but since he's getting screwed with this handicap match anyways, he's gonna get his money's worth. He says Rock and the Jerichoholics were correct in calling her a bargain basement slut, and on top of that, he thinks she's the filthiest, dirtiest, most disgusting, skankiest, brutal, bottom feeding, trash bag ho that he has ever, EVER seen in his life. We get a brief shot of Steph in the back which I didn't pay much notice to, and I thought it was Tori with her for some reason until Tori came out, not to mention that woman is blond. Can't tell who it is a from the side view we get and neither can commentary.
Roadie starts it out and he and Jericho circle a bit before X-Pac comes from behind into a backhand chop from Jericho, who lays into Roadie with some rights before being reversed from a whip off the ropes, taking Roadie down with a forearm, only for X-Pac to nail a spinning heel kick. Double team on Chris before the ref sends X-Pac to the apron. Chris whipped into the corner but gets a boot up as Roadie follows, then nails a spinning heel kick of his own. X-Pac back in and Jericho ducks a clothesline, goes for a powerbomb but Roadie takes him out with a clothesline.
Jericho down in the corner and X-Pac goes for the Bronco Buster, only for Chris to move out of the way. Roadie in now, sends Chris off the ropes, he slips between the legs into some Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Jericho ducks the final shot and trips Roadie up to lock in the Walls. X-Pac comes around and breaks it up with a kick to the midsection, goes for the X-Factor, but Jericho powerbombs him instead, then a second and a Lionsault, hooks the leg, Roadie goes to drop an elbow to break it up but Chris moves out of the way, causing X-Pac to take the hit instead. Jericho nails Roadie with the running bulldog, then knocks X-Pac off the apron with a springboard dropkick out of the corner.
While the ref is dealing with Roadie in the corner, Tori enters the ring and goes to slap Chris but he catches her arm in timeand locks in the Walls. Roadie kicks him in the back of the head and X-Pac comes back in to hit the X-Factor, giving DX the win in 2:24.
DX make their exit as we go to break.
Back from break, Shane is yelling at Hebner for his officiating of late, saying he's terrible at his job. Shane's about to fire him but HHH cuts him off, saying they're going to put him on probation instead, but makes it clear it's his last chance, then sends him out.
We catch up again with Blackman and Snow as they're leaving the old folks home, and I guess Blackman did nail that 84-year old woman, Blackman justifying himself by saying she annoyed him. here are sirens going in the distance as they get in their car to leave.
Back to the arena and HHH's music for here I thought was the main event, but out comes Steph with the earlier mentioned blonde woman, who's wearing one of those ear piece microphones. I guess she's new. Steph gets a mic, who says she understands it's hard for the fans to look at the two of them and their svelte, hard bodies, but says it's a lot tougher to look out at all of them. She calls them fat, lazy, cellulite-ridden people, and make them sick, while the blonde says they're jealous. She says as the Women's Champion, she not only represents all the women out there, but also the men and their fat kids too. She says she's going to do a public service, and introduces the blonde as her, and now their, personal trainer Muffy.
She tries to get the fans going but we immediately cut to Rock, followed by the APA on their way out. Rock stops and asks if they're man enough to tell him if they got bought off by HHH, and Farooq tells him they're man enough not to tell him a damn thing, then Bradshaw tells him he'll just have to trust them. Rock looks on as they walk on before we go to break.
Back from break we get a replay of what happened on Monday after the cage match, then onto our main event.
WWF Champion Triple H, The Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan (w/ Shane McMahon and Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs The Rock & The APA
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Hebner is the referee for this match so that should make things interesting. Rock's head bandage is noticeably a lot smaller than it was before the break.
Rock and Boss Man start the match, Rock ducks a clothesline and lays in some rights sending him over the ropes to the outside. Bull in now and eats a forearm, then tossed through the ropes to the outside. Rock stares down HHH and talks a bit of trash, HHH teases entering only for Boss Man to come back in and take him down with a right. Rights in the corner then drags Rock over to tag in HHH with a right. Rock face first into a turnbuckle then stomps away at Rock. Hebner pulls HHH off allowing Rock to come back with some rights of his own, HHH reverses an Irish whip to send Rock off the ropes, who ducks a clothesline but gets a high knee. Bull tagged in with rights and lefts, sends Rock off the ropes but ducks a clothesline. Bull reverses a whip off the ropes now and Rock ducks again to nail a DDT.
Rock makes the tag to Farooq as Bull gets up, Farooq taking him and Boss Man down with clotheslines, then knocks HHH off the apron. Bull pulled over to Bradshaw to make the tag, Bull sent off the ropes into a double team spinebuster. Bradshaw with a series of elbows to the chest now, a cover but Boss Man breaks it up. Bradshaw clubs him across the back as he goes to exit back to the apron, sending him to the floor instead, then goes to drop HHH again but he ducks. Bradshaw goes up and nails a shoulder block, hooks the leg but Bull kicks out.
Bull reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a boot, then leaps out of the corner with a clothesline. More rights against the ropes and a headbutt, Bradshaw sent off the ropes but cuts off Bull as he bends over, then nails a swinging neckbreaker, then a second. Farooq tagged in, he goes off the ropes but gets tripped up by Shane, allowing Boss Man to nail him from behind and send Farooq off the ropes into a boot, then a scissors kick from Bull. Bull with the cover and a near fall.
Bull nails the scoop slam and a couple of elbows before he tags in Boss Man, who tosses out Farooq. Bull off the apron with an ax handle before he and HHH send Farooq into the steps. Bull tosses Farooq back in the ring, Boss Man with more rights before Farooq fights back, goes off the ropes into a boot, a cover and a kick out. Knee to the face by Boss Man before HHH is tagged in, a kick to the midsection and more rights. HHH knocks Bradshaw off the apron which makes Rock mad and inadvertently distracts Hebner, allowing for triple teaming in HHH's corner, then double teaming while Hebner goes after him. Farooq taken to the adjacent corner with kicks to the midsection and choking, Hebner is forced to pull hi m off. Shane now yells at Hebner and pushes him, forcing Hebner to shove Shane off the apron. HHH and Hebner shove each other, allowing Farooq to get back in it with right hands, HHH sent off the ropes but hits a facebuster. HHH goes for the Pedigree but Rock comes in with a clothesline before going back to the apron.
Farooq makes the hot tag to Rock who lays in some rights to HHH, who reverses a whip into the corner, but Rock comes out with a clothesline. Rock goes for the Rock Bottom but Bull comes in and cuts him off, then APA come in and take out Bull, then go after Boss Man sending him out to the floor. HHH is left between all three, APA stopping HHH from running away.
X-Pac and Road Dogg rush the ring to deal with APA while Rock lays in more rights on HHH into the corner. Boots in the corner to the midsection but HHH fights back. Rock reverses a whip off the ropes and nails the spinebuster. Shane rushes into the ring and nails Rock from behind, then makes a quick escape as Rock turns around. Rock chases him around ringside over by the announce table, then nails Shane in the head with one of the monitors. Rock sends Shane through the table with a Rock Bottom.
You can see HHH running to the back as Rock slides back in the ring and... Oh I guess the match is over? The bell never rung, I can't tell if it's a No Contest, or if Rock won by DQ? I mean he should have when Shane ran in. For now though, I'll put this at 8:23, from the opening bell to Shane's attack from behind on Rock.
Rock poses in the corner as HHH raises his title on the stage with Steph by his side and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well this was an... interesting show. Yet again though, nothing went past 5 minutes aside from the Hardyz/Radicalz match and the main event. The action was still good for how short it was, and I did get a couple laughs with the Blackman/Snow stuff, so it's not like it was a bad show. That being said though, with a runtime of 1:30:12, there was only 30:15 of total wrestling, which is not including the women's match.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While not perfect, WWE clearly had the better week than WCW in action and storylines, so at least it will be counteracting the horrible booking that is WCW in the coming months.
We're live from the National Car Rental Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Of course, good ol' J.R. and the King on commentary following the opening package and pyro to introduce us to tonight's show, and we kick things off with the People's Champion.
Rock skips his usual shtick about coming back to Ft. Lauderdale and takes us back to last week, with special footage of Vince. He assures Vince it's not the footage of him reuniting with Shane, or the footage of him, the Chinese midgets, the 900 lb tuna and a pair of chopsticks, it's the footage of Vince and Rock both at their best. We go to footage from Thursday's Smackdown, which starts with Vince pulling Hebner our after Rock's got the cover on Road Dogg and lays him out. Rock goes right after Vince as he tries to leave and he gets laid out. Vince and family try to come to his aid but Rock grabs a chair from backstage and cracks Vince right in the head with it.
Back to Raw, Rock says after he scrambled Vince's brains, after the smoke had cleared and dust had settled, after all the llamas anuses have been licked, there's one more shot he wants us to see, one more he wants Vince to remember, write it down, take a picture of it, frame it, put it above his mantelpiece, and remember this picture forever. We see a picture of Vince unconscious on the stage after Rock's chair shot on the Titantron, with Rock's foot on his chest. Clear as day, the People's boot on Vince's unconscious candy ass. He says after that shot, after all the humiliation he's put Vince, his jackass son, and everything he's put Vince's slut daughter through, he still wants more. That's why tonight in the People's Ring, he wants his WWF Title shot, smack dab in the Rock's home.
Vince's music hits and out he comes with chair and mic in hand. Vince holds the chair up teasing he's going to hit Rock with it, but Rock says one of three things are gonna happen: Vince can put the chair down, try and hit the People's Champion, or Rock will take the chair, turn that sumbitch side ways and stick it up Vince's candy ass, which of course infuriates Vince. Vince makes the smart move to drop the chair, but says if Rock makes one move towards him, he'll hit Rock so hard his brains will turn into crushed papaya. Interesting choice of words. He says as far as Rock's title shot, tonight he'll be given the opportunity to get his title shot, given he wins tonight against opposition to be announced in a Steel Cage Match. He says however that Vince is tired of giving gifts and Rock has to earn everything that he gets, which prompts an asshole chant, to which Vince says he doesn't appreciate it, only encouraging it further. He says that somewhere deep down, Rock has to say "who am I" and "why am I who I am".
Vince takes him back a year ago, asking who was it that made him who he is, taking credit for it. He was in Rock's corner, by his side, while he was the Corporate Champion although not a very good one, with more asshole chants. Then he says Rock would have been a star without him, but never a superstar. He would have achieved a certain level of stardom, in fact, and if they took makeup and took a bulbous ball and put it on Rock's nose, he would have made a good Doink. He also says if they could take feathers around Thanksgiving, he'd make a good Gobbledy Gooker. He says he could have allowed himself to physically go to Hell, gain a bunch of weight, grown warts, and made a good Bastion Booger, then takes more credit for Rock becoming a superstar, for hosting SNL, a guest on the Tonight Show, offers for TV and movies, and a best-selling author. Vince asks him to look back, and explains that he betrayed Rock at Wrestlemania simply because there's one thing he never got from Rock: a thank you. He asks if Rock knows who Vince thinks he is, and Vince gets angry when Rock says nothing.
Rock asks if that's what he thinks, and Vince calls him an utter, complete ingrate. Rock says he wipes a monkey's ass with what Vince thinks. Vince asks what's with Rock's obsession with animal asses, saying it's strange, he has a fixation with the rectal cavity, it's not normal, but thinks that Rock really has a fixation of what comes out of it. He says if you can take the feces from all the fans there in the arena over 24 hours, gather it all up, try to shine it up, but then Vince quips that even Rock can't shine that up, but put it all in abig pizza oven, that's when he and everyone else can truly smell what the Rock is cooking.
HHH comes out now alongside Shane and Stephanie. Vince tries to take advantage of the distraction to hit Rock with the chair but Rock catches him and nails Vince in the back. He swings for HHH as he tries to climb the apron but just barely misses. Rock's music hits as Vince is helped to the back with family in tow.
Up next, DX vs E&C for the tag titles.
Back from break we get a replay of the chair shot from moments ago before our first match of the night.
WWF Tag Team Championship: D-Generation X (Road Dogg & X-Pac) (w/ Tori) vs Edge & Christian (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: J.R. tells us this is a reward for supporting and helping HHH and Steph. Roadie does his shtick before E&C come out. We see replays from the ladder match at Wrestlemania where E&C won the titles.
Christian and X-Pac start out, Pac spitting water in Christian's face before laying in some right hands. Christian sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, and catches Pac with a powerslam. Edge tagged in, Pac whipped into the corner, Christian launches off Edge's corner with a splash, then follows with a spinning heel kick for a cover and a 2 count. Edge with a side headlock but Pac fights him off. Roadie gets a knee to the back as Edge comes off the roeps and Pac nails a spinning heel kick. Double teaming in the corner while Roadie gets tagged in.
Back and forth rights, Roadie sent off the ropes but ducks a clothesline some Shake, Rattle and Roll for a cover, but Christian breaks it up. Pac now stomping away, Edge sent off the ropes ducks a clothesline and takes them out with clotheslines. Christian tagged in, rights and an atomic drop for Road Dogg, followed by a noggin knocker for DX. Roadie knocked out of the ring and Edge follows, Christian hits Pac with a backbreaker for a cover, but the ref is distracted by what's going on at ringside. Edge gets distracted by Tori and Roadie sends him face first into the ring post. Pac sends Christian into the corner and misses a Bronco Buster. Christian goes for the Unprettier, but Tori has the ref distracted, allowing Roadie to nail Christian with a tag belt. Pac hooks the leg and we have new Tag Champions in 2:49.
Oh wait, Hebner rushes the ring and tells Chioda what happened, so he orders the match to continue. DX lays into E&C now, try for a back body drop on Christian but he slips free. Edge nails Pac with a spear, Christian takes down Roadie and E&C retain the titles in 3:48.
To the back, Godfather is with his hos with cigar in hand and heads out to the ring, coming up next.
Back from break, Terri approaches Kat who's reading WWF Magazine (I think). Kat gets all jumpy and Terri tells her to stop, right before we get a graphic saying this was earlier in the day. Terri says a lot of stuff happened before Wrestlemania, lot of petty stuff and she thought it was silly. She asks if her phone's been ringing off the hook, apparently directors, producers, her agent all over their feud I guess? Terri apologizes because of all that and wants to treat Kat to a spa day.
The Godfather vs Kurt Angle
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Apparently HHH is defending his title against a deserving opponent tonight, and Jericho's getting a rematch for the European Title later. Godfather does his shtick. Kurt comes out with mic in hand, saying he's happy the crowd is happy and in such a great mood, because he wants to talk to them about something that gives him great joy: the joy of celibacy. He says the three Is are tremendous, but the reason he's had so much success in life, the reason he's the man he is today is from abstinence. He says unlike anybody there tonight, he abstains voluntarily, it's true it's true. He turns his attention to Godfather, about he comes out week after week, parading his filth and debauchery. He has a little surprise for Godfather, and he pulls out a condom, and strongly suggests he starts using them. He then has a nursery rhyme for the children out there, something even Godfather can understand: You can prance, and you can dance, but when it comes to relations, keep it in your pants. Godfather's had enough and kicks Kurt right in the midsection and clubs to the back to get the match started.
Kurt sent off the ropes and ducks a clothesline and lays in rights. Godfather reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a boot. Kurt sent off the ropes into a big back body drop. Godfather with a scoop slam, off the ropes for a spinning leg drop. Kurt rolls out and uses a ho as a shield as Godfather comes after him, tries to slide back in the ring but Godfather's on him immediately. Right hands on Kurt before he holds him up, and one of the hos slaps Kurt.
Back in the ring, Kurt retreats to the corner and gets whipped to the opposite, then whipped again to the original, Godfather goes for the Ho Train but Kurt moves out of the way and hits a back suplex, cover and a two count. Godfather with a series of clotheslines, but Kurt ducks a third and nails the Olympic Slam for the win in 2:03.
Kurt makes a quick exit celebrating, then we go to footage of Kat and Terri again from earlier, entering a limo, Terri quipping it'll be a day she never forgets. Eddie and Chyna arrive just as they leave.
Back to the present, Scotty, Rikishi and Tazz are on their way to the ring for 6-man action before the break.
Back from break, Big Show's with Shane, all excited about something. He says last week was just the tip of the iceberg, he's letting it all hang out and cutting loose. He insists Shane has got to see something and Show goes off camera, throwing his shirt at Shane. Show says he's large and in charge, and Shane says if the shoe fits as he leaves.
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Scotty 2 Hotty, Rikishi & Tazz vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion), Perry Saturn & Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from last week with Sexay and Big Show. I guess he criticized Show's dancing, so Show laid him out and splashed him through a convenient table in the locker room, I guess injuring him and explaining his absence tonight, but then J.R. says he had knee surgery, which seems kind of inconsistent.
Benoit and Scott start the match off with some quick chain wrestling, Scotty gets the advantage with a back body drop and a kip up. Perry distracts the referee allowing Dean to nail to come in and nail Scotty from behind, laying in with right hands. I guess Dean is in now and nails a dropkick before tagging in Saturn.
Scotty sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then a knee to the head. Saturn picks Scotty up over her shoulder and drives him chest first into the corner before tagging in Benoit.
Benoit with a snap suplex and tags in Dean, Scotty whipped into the corner and escapes a back suplex attempt, only for Dean to switch and get a roll up, Scotty pushes him off and sends him shoulder first into the ring post. Scotty tags in Rikishi who whips all three into one corner, knocking down Benoit and Saturn with rights as Dean slumps down in the corner. Kish gets him with a Stinkface before Kish and Benoit, and Tazz and Saturn take things to the outside. Scotty hits a bulldog on Dean and nails The Worm.
Benoit tries to get him from behind but Scotty catches him with a right hand, Rikishi not far behind. Kish nails Benoit with a standing side kick, Scotty whips Dean into the corner, then nails a splash. Kish goes for one but gets pulled out by Benoit before he gets a running start. Saturn in now and Tazz argues with the referee. Scotty goes for a Cloverleaf, but Saturn breaks it up. Kish and Benoit are fighting up the ramp, Dean makes the cover and gets the win in 3:49.
Radicalz make their exit before we cut to the back, where HHH is on his way out with Steph and Shane, so I guess his title defense is next.
Back from break, and to earlier today, Terri introduces Kat to Francois, a hairdresser, and Terri goes off to get Kat a drink. We see Terri nonchalantly put something in Kat's drink behind Francois while she tells him what she wants. Kat thanks Terri and tells her she appreciates it.
Back to the arena and out come the McMahons minus Vince. We see Kaientai along with the APA in tow, much to the chagrin of the McMahons, and it looks like Taka will be getting the title shot.
WWF Championship: Triple H (c) (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs Taka Michinoku (w/ Funaki & The APA)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Well the APA waste no time chasing Shane out of there, Shane running like a scalded dog as J.R. would say.
Taka wastes no time flying at HHH in the corner and lays in with rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Taka, only to be taken down with a flying headscissor and a dropkick and a spinning heel kick, then a low dropkick as HHH sits up. Taka hooks the leg for a two count.
Rights by Taka, but gets reversed off the ropes, HHH launches him up only to be dropkicked again. Rights by Taka in the corner, HHH reverses a whip into the opposite but Taka gets the boot up as he charges, up to the second rope and nails a tornado DDT, hooks the leg for another two count.
Taka with chops, sends HHH off the ropes but gets hit with a facebuster, then clotheslined over the ropes to the outside. HHH follows with a right and drops him chest first on the barricade. Hard chops to Taka sending him to the floor before it goes back to the ring. Take sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but runs into a high knee, HHH hooks the leg for a near fall.
Taka taken to the corner for kicks to the midsection, stomping away and choking Taka with his boot. Hebner's having none of this and even shoves him when shoved. Crowd is loving Hebner. Hard rights by Taka takes HHH down, but HHH gets a shot in to the throat. Taka tossed to the outside, sends Taka into the steel steps before they go back in. Funaki hits a baseball slide on HHH and knocks him into the APA, who are standing at the bottom of the ramp. HHH begs and APA lay into him while Hebner deals with Funaki on the other side, and Bradshaw takes him out with a Clothesline from Hell. HHH rolled back into the ring now. Funaki nails HHH with a dropkick while Hebner argues with Bradshaw on the apron, while Taka hits a moonsault, hooks the leg but HHH kicks out. Taka.
Shane comes back out with Vince in tow as Taka starts a 10 punch in the corner. The APA back off father and son. Taka goes back up, then all of a sudden Boss Man and Buchanan take out APA with lead pipes. Taka tries for the Michinoku Driver but HHH fights out of it. Taka ducks a clothesline and goes for a hurricanrana but HHH powerbombs him to the mat. HHH nails the Pedigree to retain in 5:52.
The McMahons return to the ring while HHH nails Funaki with a Pedigree, then they celebrate. Shane gets a cheap shot on Bradshaw, then HHH with a couple for both, then Vince gets one in on Farooq.
Back from break, we see footage from Smackdown, where HHH seemed intent on putting Trish through a table but T&A make the save. Then we go to Trish directing T&A into the Dudleyz locker room, and we hear a beatdown ensue. It spills out to the hallway where T&A beat the crap out of Dudleyz.
Back from break again? And I thought they were bad with commercials these days. We get a replay of what happened during the WWF Title match, then onto our next match.
T&A (Test & Albert) (w/ Trish Stratus) vs Hardy Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a replay of the fight that happened before the break.
Test and Matt start things out and Test goes right in with a knee and rights, whipping Matt into the corner who connects with an elbow as Test follows, goes up and hits a moonsault on an upright Test, hooks the leg for a 2 count. Rights by Mat, Test pulls Matt back off a whip off the ropes into a knee to the midsection, then hoists Matt up into a gutwrench powerbomb.
Albert tagged in now, Matt whipped off the ropes into a... I guess a double team flip over slam? Albert covers for a 2 count. Albert off the ropes for a shoulder block,then catapults Matt throat first into the second rope. Matt taken to the corner now with some rights and a headbutt. Matt tries to fight back but gets overpowered, kicks and shoulders to the midsection before being thrown across the ring. Matt sent off the ropes and tries to counter with a neckbreaker, only to be caught with a sidewalk slam. Albert to the second rope but misses a leg drop.
Matt tags out and Jeff goes up top, taking down Albert with a missile dropkick, then a nice hurricanrana. Test runs in and takes Jeff out with a clothesline. Jeff whipped into the corner, then Albert whipped into Jeff for a splash, allowing Test to hit a sitout one-handed chokebomb. Test hooks the leg but Matt breaks it up. Test gets sent to the outside and Albert presses Matt up, only to slip out and hit the Twist of Fate. Jeff meanwhile goes up top and hits the Swanton Bomb for the win in 3:08.
Hardyz make their exit up the ramp and the Dudleyz rush down beside the ramp, immediately attacking Test, nailing a 3D. Bubba wastes no time in pulling out a table, sliding it in the ring and... for some reason T&A's music hits. Trish climbs the apron and distracts, allowing Albert to send Bubba through the table with a two-handed chokeslam. They make their exit while D-Von checks on Bubba and we go to a replay.
Back from break for our next match.
Val Venis vs The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thought: Show has some weird remixed version of his theme and... oh we're in this phase are we? Show comes out mocking Val, with a towel and long-haired wig. J.R. mentions it may have something to do with his SNL notoriety? I didn't even know he appeared on SNL. He's even got Val's trunks on. He grabs a mic and does Val's shtick, saying the ladies know it's not the motion in the ocean, but the size of the boat that turns them on. He says never mind the SS Minnow in the ring, but buy a ticket on the Big Show Titanic instead. Val takes the mic, saying if Show's brain was as big as his mouth, he would have realized the Titanic sank, and that contrary to popular belief, it wasn't because of an iceberg, it was Show's dimply, fat ass. Show immediately retaliates going for a clothesline, but Val ducks and lays in some rights to start the match.
Show backed into the corner, then face first into the adjacent, more rights and kicks, then to the next corner. Show reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a side kick, sending Val rolling to the outside. Val climbs the apron and Show goes for his boot, but ends up crotched on the top rope as Val moves out of the way. More rights by Val as he comes back and a nice dropkick. Val off the ropes, takes down Show with a leaping shoulder block, then up to the middle rope for an elbow, cover and a kick out.
Show face first in the corner again, Val goes up for a 10 punch but gets shoved off at 5, Show with a clothesline out of the corner. Elbow to the back of the head, then some chops in the corner. Val sent off the ropes into a forearm to the head. Another elbow to the head by Show, who then charges only for Show to tumble over the ropes to the outside. Show slides back in and takes his wig to choke Val, giving Val the DQ win in 2:30.
Val being choked against the ropes as the ref tries to pull Show off of him, then starts to hang Val over the ropes a few moments before releasing. Show mocks Val a bit more before he makes his exit.
Up next, Eddie defends the European Title.
European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Chris Jericho
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Eddie wearing a "Va-Chyna" shirt down to the ring. We see a replay from last week where Chyna turned on Jericho to give Eddie the title. Jericho out with mic in hand who welcomes us to Raw is Jericho. He says that contrary to what Chyna and Eddie may or may not believe, he's ecstatic that they're together, but he does ask which of them is the man, which of them has the bigger package, and Chyna subtly points to Eddie. Then he says the Taco Bell chihuahua has more Latino Heat than Eddie does, but at least its bitch is housebroken.
Loud Y2J chants as the match gets started, Eddie goes right after but Jericho lays in with some rights, Eddie sent off the ropes in a forearm, then a double underhook backbreaker. Eddie rolls out immediately and Jericho chases him back in. Eddie uses the ref as a shield allowing him to dropkick Jericho at the knees and take him down. Eddie working the knees before working Chris in the corner for a bit, sending him off the ropes into another low dropkick. More Y2J chants as Eddie works the leg in the ropes now.
Eddie gets Chris into a figure 4 but he manages to reverse the pressure rather quickly, then reversed back by Eddie, but Chris gets to the rope. More kicks to the leg by Eddie and chops against the rope. Chris reverses as he's sent off and launches Eddie up and down to the mat. Chris tries to follow up but Eddie pulls him face first into the middle turnbuckle. Eddie with a snapmare and a rake of the face with his boots. Chris whipped to the corner and Eddie follows, but Chris gets the boot up, sending Eddie rolling backwards, ducks a clotheslined but gets chopped into the corner.
Eddie whipped off the ropes into a back body drop, then nailed with a clothesline. Eddie backs off into the corner and Chris goes to whip into the opposite. Eddie follows and launches himself up, Chris turns around and Eddie goes to roll him up, but Chris rolls through and gets Eddie in the Walls.
Chyna immediately hops the apron and Chris releases, going after her but she leaps back to the floor. Eddie rolls him up and gets his feet on the ropes but Jericho kicks out anyways. Chris comes off the ropes and nails a bulldog, covers but Eddie kicks out. Chyna tosses the title to Eddie while she argues with the referee, but Chris grabs onto it before Eddie can use it. They play tug of war a little before Eddie's sent into the referee. Chris ducks a belt shot and takes Eddie down with a flying forearm, then hits the Lionsault. Chyna comes in though and nails a low blow, then a DDT and pulls Eddie on top. Referee comes to and makes the count for Eddie to retain in 5:18.
Chyna helps Eddie out and they head to the back celebrating.
Back from break, we see the cage being lowered for our main event. We see more footage from Terri and Kat's spa day, where Kat's hair and makeup been made a mess and "tramp" has been written on her forehead. Kat is just waking up after being drugged. Terri walks off laughing while Kat just screams. Terri returns with Kat's dog, who's been half shaved and she keeps screaming.
We see Rock heading to the ring for our main event, which is next.
Back from break, Rock makes his way out. It's weird not hearing the rules told to us, Lilian just tells us it's scheduled for one fall. Rock paces around as he waits his unnamed opponents, and HHH's music hits. Out he comes with Vince, Shane and Steph. Of course we're made to think it's HHH stepping in the cage, but...
Handicap Steel Cage Match: The Rock vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man (w/ Vince & Shane McMahon, Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley & WWF Champion Triple H)
Rock wastes no time laying into Boss Man as he enters, while Bull paces around ringside, tossing Boss Man face first into the corner, laying in some right hands. Bull enters shortly after who's then sent into Boss Man, bouncing off into a forearm. The bell is never officially rung for some reason. Rock immediately starts to climb but Bull pulls him back down. Rock sent off the ropes into back elbows before more rights. Rock sent into the corner, then Boss Man sent into Rock. Rock whipped into the opposite corner and Bull whipped toward him, but Rock moves and nails a DDT, only to walk into a forearm by Boss Man.
Boss Man tries to make his escape but Rock pulls him back down. Bull gets nailed with a back suplex and Shane tries to get inside through the top only to be knocked down with a right hand. Rock drops crotch first on the top rope after being nailed by Bull. More double team against the wall of the cage, rights by Boss Man as Bull holds him up. Bull off the ropes with a leg drop, a cover and a kick out. Rock sent off the ropes and avoids a double team, sending Bull face first into the mat before laying in some rights on Boss Man. Boss Man reverses a whip and sets Rock up, Bull nails an axe kick, another cover and a near fall.
Elbow drop by Bull, then a double team suplex on Rock. More shots by Bull and Boss Man before choking Rock across the middle rope. Rock sent off the ropes into a clothesline by Boss Man, a cover and a kick out. Windup right hand by Boss Man, more rights by Bull, then Rock sent face first into the cage. Low blow by Boss Man. More shots by Bull as Boss Man holds him up. Bull goes for a clothesline off the middle rope but Rock moves and he nails Boss Man instead. Rock with rights on Bull then sends him face first into the cage into a Samoan drop. Boss Man sent into the cage but catches Rock in a spinning side slam. Bull tries to escape while Rock nails a spinebuster on Boss Man, then goes back to Bull. He leaps off but gets caught in a Rock Bottom and Rock gets the pin in 7:13, with Boss Man just barely coming to to try and break it up.
Shane tries to climb in over the top again while HHH enters through the door. Rock goes after Shane and pulls him in, but HHH cuts him off and sends him off the cage wall twice. HHH pulls out some brass knuckles and nails Rock in the head with them. Shane takes out Hebner and HHH lays in with rights, Rock busted open. More rights by HHH before he nails the Pedigree. Vince gets a chair from Steph and HHH gets a mic, getting in Rock's unconscious face, telling him he's in the game now. He says it's his dream to be WWF Champion, saying he's done playing games with Rock, and says he's Rock's worst nightmare. He says this is just step one, and tells Shane and Vince to pick him up.
HHH goes for a Pedigree on the chair, but the APA rush the ring and take out Boss Man and Buchanan. They rush into the ring and the McMahon's make a quick exit before they can get their hands on them. HHH's music hits as Vince looks on pissed. Christ Rock is bleeding tons, laying in a puddle of his own blood. HHH talks some trash to APA while holding his title up and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well this was... a mixed show. Plenty of matches, but only three of them went over 5 minutes. The main event was slow and dull, but we now have a main event for Backlash. That being said, with a runtime of 1:34:09, this show had a total 33:41 of wrestling.
Smackdown
We start with a video package from Raw's cage match, then our opener to the show. We're live from the Ice Palace in Tampa, Florida, with Michael Cole and the King on commentary who welcome us to the show, and we waste no time getting to a match.
European Championhip: Rikishi Phatu vs Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Eddie's out with a mic in hand, and after handing Chyna some roses, he says as a 2x European Champion from Europe, it would be a disgrace to the prestigious belt if it fell into the hands of an islander from Samoa, then asks where Samoa even is. He tells Mamacita not to worry, because Rikishi might have the biggest ass in the world, but he's got the biggest supply of Latino Heat in the world. Commentary also tell us that X-Pac will face Y2J later, plus Benoit & Malenko vs the Hardyz.
Eddie wastes no time with right hands barely fazing Kish, who then lays in with rights of his own, sending Eddie off the ropes before launching him up and down to the mat, then a powerslam into a cover and a kick out, and Rikishi inadvertently elbows the ref in the process. Eddie sent into the corner and Kish follows with a splash. Kish climb the ropes for a Banzai Drop, but Chyna climbs the apron and smashes the flower vase of Kish's head. Eddie makes the cover but Kish gets the shoulder up in time.
Eddie frustrated stomps and hammer away, off the ropes and knocks Kish out of the ring. Chyna turns Kish inside out with a clothesline before sending him back in. Eddie goes out to the apron with a slingshot senton and a cover but Kish powers out, sending him through the ropes to the floor. Chyna helps Eddie back into the ring, who goes after the taped left knee of Kish, Kish fights back with right, sends Eddie off the ropes into a back body drop and a Samoan drop. Eddie sent into the corner and Kish sets up for the Stinkface. Chyna sneaks in from behind but Kish catches her. Eddie takes advantage and dropkicks Kish, but it inadvertently sends him into Chyna and down in the corner. Kish nails Eddie with a side kick then gives Chyna the Stinkface. Kish goes for the Rikishi Driver on Eddie but Chyna nails a low blow for the DQ in 4:09, so Eddie retains the championship.
Eddie and Chyna make their escape, but Chyna's upset with Eddie a bit for the Stinkface.
Cut to the back, HHH, Steph and Shane are in the back enjoying a platter of food. HHH feeds Steph some grapes while he says how Raw was the most fun he's ever had. Shane says Vince isn't there tonight, and HHH says if anyone gets in their way, they'll just do more of the same. Shane suggests they go out and have more fun, and Steph says they'll make Vince more proud.
Cut outside to a car having arrived at the arena and out steps the Rock with a big bandage on his head, heading into the arena. Back to the McMahon's watching this on their TV, HHH says let the games begin and they head out, then to break.
Back from the break, HHH's music hits and out he comes with Steph and Shane in tow. Shane gets a mic but the crowd get an asshole chant going before he can speak, then he takes us back to Monday on Raw, saying what happened was awesome, a joyous occasion, and how HHH turned it up a notch, how the People's Champion was laying at their feet. A loud Rocky chant starts up, and Shane points out they were chanting the same thing when Rock was laying in a pool of his own blood, the lifeblood of the people oozing from his skull onto the mat. Shane tells HHH that it was such a proud moment for him and gives him big props. Most of this is just rambling. He says Rock tried to play the game, but it was obviously game over for him and they even hug.
Steph gets on the mic and says they're getting her choked up, while the fans get a loud slut chant going. She says they're going to make her cry, she's just like Vince, she's emotional. She says she knows Vince is at home watching this, and apparently has an announcement that Vince wanted to keep a surprise. She says that when HHH faces Rock for the title, but she gets interrupted by an even louder slut chant, then goes on to say that Vince will be in HHH's corner.
HHH gets the mic and says he's flattered and honored, but he knows how Vince is a bit of a glory hound, they all are. He doesn't want Vince going out there thinking he's gonna steal HHH's thunder. He says it's between him and Rock and he wants to do it himself, and Vince can have a front row seat as he destroys Rock's dreams once and for all. He says on Monday, Rock got taught a lesson on what it takes to be a real champion like him, to be the WWF Champion, to be the best and not just talk about it. He says it takes a lot of sweat, tears, and he showed Rock firsthand it takes a a whole lot of his blood. He says every time Rock comes back, he'll teach him the same lesson, even it takes a million times, but that it doesn't matter how much sweat comes from his body, how many tears he cries, or how much of the People's Blood pumps from his body, it will be for nothing, because Rock will never be the WWF Champion, because he'll never beat HHH.
Rock's music hits as HHH goes to say more and out he comes with mic in hand. HHH speaks up before he can get a word in edgewise though, and says while he knows Rock is in his home state, and out to talk about his chance of becoming champion, and he's thought about when and where Rock would get it. He thought maybe tonight, but then realized they should do such a big match somewhere important, and makes it for Backlash in Washington, D.C. Rock says HHH did it all on Monday, beat his ass, left him in his own blood, and admits he can hardly stand, but makes it clear that just as sure as HHH stands in the ring surrounded by a silver spoon jackass, and a bargain basement... I assume slut, but it's been bleeped out... is as sure as Rock still walked out of Raw with his title shot. He calls them candy-ass jabronies, gloating about how they have Vince in their corner, and says to bring it, bring on Vince, congress, Senate, Vice President, President, dig up George Washington's candy ass and bring him too, because there ain't nobody (and The Rock means nobody!) that's gonna stop him from whipping HHH's candy ass.
HHH says that for a guy who lost half his blood on Monday he seems full of himself. He says he's looking at Rock standing up on the stage, at he assumes 70% or 60% of his best, his shirt is baggy. He says it doesn't matter what percent he's at, he doesn't care if he's at 100%, then announces Rock and HHH for tonight... but not for the WWF Title, it's a 6-man tag: Rock and the APA vs HHH, Bull & Boss Man. Rock mocks HHH and asks if this is the best he can come up with, and then says it doesn't matter if it's the best he can come up with. Rock says it doesn't matter, because come Backlash he guarantees, no promises, promises the People, that he will whoop HHH's candy ass and walk out the champion, if you smell what he's cooking. Rock's music hits as he heads to the back and we go to break.
Back from break, we see footage from earlier in the day where Al Snow and Steve Blackman arrive at a nursing home. Steve says this is ridiculous, but Al insists they're gonna love Blackman. Steve thinks they're just there for a few handshakes and autographs, but as they arrive in a dining room, turns out they're there to do stand up... well, at least Blackman is. Al gives him some cue cards and tells him to knock em dead, but not literally. Blackman is clearly not happy.
Back to the arena for our next match.
The Hardy Boyz vs Dean Malenko (Light Heavyweight Champion) & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Matt and Dean start things out, Dean with knees and rights as they go to lock up, sends Matt off the ropes but he reverses into a hip toss, then a drop toe hold, sending Dean stumbling to the corner. Rights by Matt before whipping him into the opposite corner and missing a clothesline, Dean now with rights in the corner.
Matt dragged to Dean's corner and Benoit tags in. Dean whips Matt into another corner, Benoit whips Dean toward Matt but he moves out of the way, goes to kick Benoit but he spins Matt around into a dropkick, into Benoit who nails a couple of German suplexes. Matt elbows his way out of a third, knocks Dean off the apron, only to be dropkicked from behind by Benoit and knocked out of the ring. Dean sends Matt into the barricade before rolling him back in, kick tot he side of the head and a right by Benoit, whipping Matt into the corner and Benoit follows, only for Matt to get the elbow up, go to the second rope and hit a bulldog.
Jeff tagged in now, Hardyz send Benoit off the ropes into a double elbow. Dean comes in only to be tripped up by Jeff, Matt comes off the top with a leg drop. Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes, brought up for a powerbomb, stumbling towards his corner and Dean tags himself in. Dean off the top with a modified Doomsday Device, goes for the cover for a moment but pulls Jeff up when the ref takes too long. Dean lays in with some rights now and stomps away, then follows with a back suplex.
Benoit tagged back in and Dean knocks Matt off the apron. Benoit with a snap suplex and a leg drop to the back of the neck, then a back breaker for a cover and a near fall. Jeff dragged towards the Radicalz corner to tag in Dean, who takes Jeff to the corner, face first off the turnbuckle, whipped into the opposite corner and Dean follows immediately with a clothesline into it, then kicks to the midsection, elbows to the side of the head. Benoit tagged in again and Jeff is nailed with a double headbutt. Jeff pulled into a vicious clothesline, then sent off the ropes into an elbow, cover and a kick out.
Dean tagged in again, Jeff sent off the ropes by Benoit into a drop toe hold, Dean comes off the ropes with a baseball slide to the head. Benoit tagged back in kicking Jeff in the ribs as Dean holds him up, then goes for a back suplex but Jeff flips out. Benoit with a chop to the chest as he turns around, whips Jeff chest first into the corner and nails him from behind with a forearm. Jeff lifted up to the top rope now and Benoit climbs up and goes for a back suplex, but Jeff turns midair and lands on top.
Jeff makes the hot tag as Dean is tagged in, Matt with some rights, sends Dean off the ropes into a back body drop, then one for Benoit as he comes in. Matt goes to clothesline both and nails Benoit, but Dean ducks and comes off the ropes with a heel kick. Dean makes the cover but Jeff breaks it up. Benoit sends Jeff face first off the turnbuckle, while Dean is sent into the corner by Matt. Benoit whips Jeff toward Malenko while Matt is in place for Jeff to leap off his back, right into Dean. Benoit nails Matt with a clothesline, Jeff sends Benoit off the ropes only to be reversed and sent to the outside.
Jeff comes around the other side of the ring while Dean slams Matt down. Benoit argues with the referee as Dean makes the pin, Jeff goes up top and nails Dean with the Swanton Bomb to the back. Jeff takes out Benoit with a dropkick and Matt rolls on top of Dean for the win in 6:52.
Hardyz make a quick exit up the ramp as we go to the replay. We go to the back where Shane is remarking how heavy the WWF Title is, with Kurt and HHH standing next to him. HHH says he and Shane were talking about how they were wrong about Kurt in the past, how he got screwed at Mania. HHH asks how Kurt would feel about wearing gold again, and of course Kurt loves the idea. HHH tells him he's got a shot at the tag titles tonight, and his partner, handpicked by Shane and HHH, is Big Show. Kurt thanks them and leaves, then we go to commercial.
Back from break, we have a Smack of the Night replay, where we see Crash winning the Hardcore Title with help from the APA two weeks ago, then back to the arena for another title match.
Hardcore Championship: Crash (c) vs Perry Saturn
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Perry comes out prepared, with a trash can loaded with assorted weapons, most notably a crutch, lid and baking sheet sticking out. Perry's the only Radical without a title right now. Perry sets the can down at ringside and slides in the ring with crutch in hand, while Crash slides out right after, tossing in the rest of the weapons, which are a piece of plywood and a street sign and the bell is rung.
Perry slides out before Crash can finish and lays in with rights, before dropping him face first off the apron. Perry goes to whip into the steps but gets reversed before being slid into the ring, followed by a dropkick to the back by Crash, a cover and a near fall. Crash is reversed off the ropes, but catches Perry with a headscissor take down, another cover and a kick out. Crash grabs the street sign and lays it in the middle of the ring, goes for a DDT but Perry sends him off the ropes, ducks the clothesline, Crash leaps up for a hurricanrana but gets powerbombed onto the sign. Perry grabs the trash can lid but Crash leaps over for a sunset flip, only to be nailed by the lid before he can pull Perry down, drops down for the pin, but Crash reverses for a pin of his own, then Perry reverses only to be nailed with the lid now. Crash rolls him up for a near fall.
Crash comes off the ropes only to be picked up by Saturn on his shoulders into a flapjack. Stomp to the chest, then breaks the crutch over Crash's back, a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Gutwrench lift by Saturn onto his shoulder, then drives Crash chest first into the corner. Perry picks up the baking sheet, goes to hit Crash but he moves, and I assume the sheet was supposed to hit the turnbuckle, bounce up and hit Perry but it doesn't quite work out. Crash nails a tornado DDT and a cover but Perry kicks out. Crash with the sheet now, but Perry superkicks it back into his face and wins the title in 3:10.
Tazz rushes down with a referee by his side while Perry is celebrating, nails him with the sheet and wins the title. Crash grabs the sheet and nails Tazz and wins back the title and rushes to the back as soon as he can. Perry and Tazz start going at it now and more referees are called down to break it up. Tazz's music hits as we go to break.
Back from break, we catch up with Blackman who's trying be Jerry Seinfeld I guess. Of course, there's no reaction from any of the seniors, and Al of course is cracking up. One of the ladies tells "black man" he stinks. Back to the arena for our next match.
Tag Team Championship: Kurt Angle & The Big Show vs Edge & Christian (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt is out first with mic in hand, who says his quest to reacquire gold has finally come to an end, because he has the one partner guaranteed to bring home the tag titles, the most dominant force in sports entertainment. Suddenly, you'd think it's Piper coming out by how the music starts, and soon some bagpipes come in, as Show comes out looking like a Scotsman eating... something, while drinking from a water bottle, much to Kurt's confusion. Then we cut to HHH and Shane cracking up in the back. Kurt asks what he's doing and while doing his best(?) accent, Show asks him to hold on a second, saying he's just trying to have a bit of fun. Kurt says he's here to win championship gold, Show thinking he wants more medals around his neck, but quips he has no neck, that he has more of a bowling ball on a concrete block. Cole mentions he's trying to be Fat Bastard from Austin Powers, which I thought too, but the last movie came out in June of the previous year, and the next one doesn't come out until two years later. Show says the fan's aren't here to see Kurt get gold too, but he doesn't want to see gold around Kurt's neck or waist, they want to know what's under his kilt. He tells them to put their wee ones away and bet their daisies, says he's dead sexy, and despite Kurt's best efforts to stop him he lifts his kilt to... well trunks, so that wasn't even a big deal. He tells Kurt he'll help with his quest for gold and calls out E&C to get this going. Wow that was bad.
Edge goes right after Show to start the match with right hands, only to be thrown across the ring. Christian comes in with a chop block, then a double dropkick to send Show into the corner. Christian drops in front of Show and Edge leaps off his back with a splash, then vice versa into Show, but Christian is caught on his attempt into a press slam. Edge comes off the top rope only to be caught by Show, goes for a chokeslam but Christian stops him with a kick to the midsection. Show grabs them both for a headbutt to each, then whips them into the corner one after the other. Show dances around with his kilt up, and Kurt has had enough, getting the blind tag.
Kurt charges toward E&C only to be lifted and dropped face first on the top turnbuckle and a flapjack. Christian with some rights and Edge tags in. Scoop slam by Christian, followed by double headbutt, a cover and a near fall. Christian tagged back in, Kurt chopped against the ropes, sent off the ropes but nails a clothesline. Kurt goes for a tag but Show instead lifts his kilt again with his back turned, allowing Edge to come from behind off a tag with a bridging German, cover and a near fall.
Kurt sent off the ropes and Edge goes for a hip toss, but Kurt blocks and delivers a belly to belly. Kurt argues with Show, Christian tries to take advantage but gets an elbow to the face. Kurt slaps Show, so Show climbs in and tosses Kurt to the outside. Show follows and starts laying into Kurt, and does away with the horrible Scottish accent. Eventually they're counted out, and E&C retain the titles in 3:01.
Angle and Show get back in the ring while E&C leave with their titles. Kurt is hit with a powerbomb before Show makes his exit, ripping off his fake eyebrows.
To the back, Jericho arrives in what I assume is catering, grabbing a cold one from the bucket sat there. He asks a couple of ladies nearby if they've seen Godfather, and they turn around, as it turns out it's Steph and Tori, obviously offended by his question. He apologizes and leaves, then go to commercial.
Back from the break for the Slam of the Week to this week's Raw, where we see Bubba sent through the table by Albert. Back to the arena for our next match. I like how they waste no time getting to the action on this show.
Prince Albert (w/ Trish Stratus & Test) vs Bubba Ray Dudley (w/ D-Von Dudley)
Bubba rushes the ring and Albert lays in with a boot and clubs to the back immediately as the bell is rung. Rights in the corner and kicks to the midsection, then choking Bubba. Bubba whipped into the opposite but gets the boot up as Albert charges, Bubba off the middle rope with a shoulder block, cover and a shoulder up for two. Trish walks up the steps to the apron as Albert reverses a whip off the ropes, sending Bubba toward Trish. Bubba stops before he runs into her, takes a swing but she ducks, and he turns into a kick from Albert, a cover and a near fall.
More rights by Albert in the corner, Bubba whipped hard into the opposite into a sidewalk slam, cover and a kick out. Scoop slam by Albert, who goes up to the second rope and goes for a leg drop but Bubba rolls out of the way. Clothesline and a DDT by Bubba, cover and a kick out. Albert reverses a whip off the ropes only to be cut off by Bubba, who just barely leaps up onto Albert's shoulders, into a sitout powerbomb and pin attempt for a kick out.
Bubba sent off the ropes but ducks a clothesline, nails a cutter and gets the win in 2:31.
D-Von climbs onto the apron to join Bubba but Test yanks him back down and drops him with a clothesline. Test calls to Trish and he joins her to pull out a table. Test tosses it in the ring and sets it up. D-Von meanwhile grabs a chair and nails Test from behind as he goes to powerbomb Bubba through the table, sending him rolling out of the ring. D-Von nails Albert in the head with the chair, sending him onto the table. Bubba goes up top and splashes Albert through the table as Trish looks on. Dudleyz's music hits as we go to a replay, and we come back to Bubba in that trance of his.
To the back, Jericho's in the locker room getting ready and in comes Steph and Tori, saying he's glad they came and apologizes again for earlier, and says they're almost as attractive as the hos from behind, although a little wider in the hips. They wish him luck against X-Pac, then informs him he has to face Road Dogg too now, saying it's no hard feelings before they leave and we go to break.
Back from break, they show Wade Boggs in the front row, then we catch up again with Blackman failing stand up some more with a horrible Viagara joke to audible boos, and the lady from earlier one again says "black man" sucks. Blackman then tells the woman her momma's so hairy, Bigfoot takes pictures of her. She then says her mom died in '64 and calls him a heartless bastard. He's had enough, drops the mic and pulls out his nun-chucks from his back pocket. She tells him to bring it on.
Back to the arena for our next match... match?
The Kat & Mae Young vs Terri & The Fabulous Moolah
Pre-Match(?) Notes & Thoughts: Right, I forgot Moolah and Mae were involved in this for some reason. They were in their corners for their Mania "match". Moolah and Mae are out in actual wrestling gear, and we get a replay of what Terri did to Kat on Monday. Apparently Mae became jealous of the spotlight Mae has gotten which is why they're on opposite sides, so that's something.
This match is about as exciting as you'd expect and I'm not gonna cover it. Kat spears Moolah... sort of and Mae drops an elbow to win in 4:15.
Mae and Kat leave and that's it. Up next, Jericho vs Road Dogg and X-Pac.
Back from break, we get our Lugz Boot of the Week, where we see Jericho getting screwed out of the European Title on Monday by Chyna, then to the match.
Chris Jericho vs X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; Jericho is out with mic in hand and welcomes us to Tampa is Jericho. He says he's seemingly insulted Steph, and he was going to come out and apologize, but since he's getting screwed with this handicap match anyways, he's gonna get his money's worth. He says Rock and the Jerichoholics were correct in calling her a bargain basement slut, and on top of that, he thinks she's the filthiest, dirtiest, most disgusting, skankiest, brutal, bottom feeding, trash bag ho that he has ever, EVER seen in his life. We get a brief shot of Steph in the back which I didn't pay much notice to, and I thought it was Tori with her for some reason until Tori came out, not to mention that woman is blond. Can't tell who it is a from the side view we get and neither can commentary.
Roadie starts it out and he and Jericho circle a bit before X-Pac comes from behind into a backhand chop from Jericho, who lays into Roadie with some rights before being reversed from a whip off the ropes, taking Roadie down with a forearm, only for X-Pac to nail a spinning heel kick. Double team on Chris before the ref sends X-Pac to the apron. Chris whipped into the corner but gets a boot up as Roadie follows, then nails a spinning heel kick of his own. X-Pac back in and Jericho ducks a clothesline, goes for a powerbomb but Roadie takes him out with a clothesline.
Jericho down in the corner and X-Pac goes for the Bronco Buster, only for Chris to move out of the way. Roadie in now, sends Chris off the ropes, he slips between the legs into some Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Jericho ducks the final shot and trips Roadie up to lock in the Walls. X-Pac comes around and breaks it up with a kick to the midsection, goes for the X-Factor, but Jericho powerbombs him instead, then a second and a Lionsault, hooks the leg, Roadie goes to drop an elbow to break it up but Chris moves out of the way, causing X-Pac to take the hit instead. Jericho nails Roadie with the running bulldog, then knocks X-Pac off the apron with a springboard dropkick out of the corner.
While the ref is dealing with Roadie in the corner, Tori enters the ring and goes to slap Chris but he catches her arm in timeand locks in the Walls. Roadie kicks him in the back of the head and X-Pac comes back in to hit the X-Factor, giving DX the win in 2:24.
DX make their exit as we go to break.
Back from break, Shane is yelling at Hebner for his officiating of late, saying he's terrible at his job. Shane's about to fire him but HHH cuts him off, saying they're going to put him on probation instead, but makes it clear it's his last chance, then sends him out.
We catch up again with Blackman and Snow as they're leaving the old folks home, and I guess Blackman did nail that 84-year old woman, Blackman justifying himself by saying she annoyed him. here are sirens going in the distance as they get in their car to leave.
Back to the arena and HHH's music for here I thought was the main event, but out comes Steph with the earlier mentioned blonde woman, who's wearing one of those ear piece microphones. I guess she's new. Steph gets a mic, who says she understands it's hard for the fans to look at the two of them and their svelte, hard bodies, but says it's a lot tougher to look out at all of them. She calls them fat, lazy, cellulite-ridden people, and make them sick, while the blonde says they're jealous. She says as the Women's Champion, she not only represents all the women out there, but also the men and their fat kids too. She says she's going to do a public service, and introduces the blonde as her, and now their, personal trainer Muffy.
She tries to get the fans going but we immediately cut to Rock, followed by the APA on their way out. Rock stops and asks if they're man enough to tell him if they got bought off by HHH, and Farooq tells him they're man enough not to tell him a damn thing, then Bradshaw tells him he'll just have to trust them. Rock looks on as they walk on before we go to break.
Back from break we get a replay of what happened on Monday after the cage match, then onto our main event.
WWF Champion Triple H, The Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan (w/ Shane McMahon and Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs The Rock & The APA
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Hebner is the referee for this match so that should make things interesting. Rock's head bandage is noticeably a lot smaller than it was before the break.
Rock and Boss Man start the match, Rock ducks a clothesline and lays in some rights sending him over the ropes to the outside. Bull in now and eats a forearm, then tossed through the ropes to the outside. Rock stares down HHH and talks a bit of trash, HHH teases entering only for Boss Man to come back in and take him down with a right. Rights in the corner then drags Rock over to tag in HHH with a right. Rock face first into a turnbuckle then stomps away at Rock. Hebner pulls HHH off allowing Rock to come back with some rights of his own, HHH reverses an Irish whip to send Rock off the ropes, who ducks a clothesline but gets a high knee. Bull tagged in with rights and lefts, sends Rock off the ropes but ducks a clothesline. Bull reverses a whip off the ropes now and Rock ducks again to nail a DDT.
Rock makes the tag to Farooq as Bull gets up, Farooq taking him and Boss Man down with clotheslines, then knocks HHH off the apron. Bull pulled over to Bradshaw to make the tag, Bull sent off the ropes into a double team spinebuster. Bradshaw with a series of elbows to the chest now, a cover but Boss Man breaks it up. Bradshaw clubs him across the back as he goes to exit back to the apron, sending him to the floor instead, then goes to drop HHH again but he ducks. Bradshaw goes up and nails a shoulder block, hooks the leg but Bull kicks out.
Bull reverses a whip off the ropes and nails a boot, then leaps out of the corner with a clothesline. More rights against the ropes and a headbutt, Bradshaw sent off the ropes but cuts off Bull as he bends over, then nails a swinging neckbreaker, then a second. Farooq tagged in, he goes off the ropes but gets tripped up by Shane, allowing Boss Man to nail him from behind and send Farooq off the ropes into a boot, then a scissors kick from Bull. Bull with the cover and a near fall.
Bull nails the scoop slam and a couple of elbows before he tags in Boss Man, who tosses out Farooq. Bull off the apron with an ax handle before he and HHH send Farooq into the steps. Bull tosses Farooq back in the ring, Boss Man with more rights before Farooq fights back, goes off the ropes into a boot, a cover and a kick out. Knee to the face by Boss Man before HHH is tagged in, a kick to the midsection and more rights. HHH knocks Bradshaw off the apron which makes Rock mad and inadvertently distracts Hebner, allowing for triple teaming in HHH's corner, then double teaming while Hebner goes after him. Farooq taken to the adjacent corner with kicks to the midsection and choking, Hebner is forced to pull hi m off. Shane now yells at Hebner and pushes him, forcing Hebner to shove Shane off the apron. HHH and Hebner shove each other, allowing Farooq to get back in it with right hands, HHH sent off the ropes but hits a facebuster. HHH goes for the Pedigree but Rock comes in with a clothesline before going back to the apron.
Farooq makes the hot tag to Rock who lays in some rights to HHH, who reverses a whip into the corner, but Rock comes out with a clothesline. Rock goes for the Rock Bottom but Bull comes in and cuts him off, then APA come in and take out Bull, then go after Boss Man sending him out to the floor. HHH is left between all three, APA stopping HHH from running away.
X-Pac and Road Dogg rush the ring to deal with APA while Rock lays in more rights on HHH into the corner. Boots in the corner to the midsection but HHH fights back. Rock reverses a whip off the ropes and nails the spinebuster. Shane rushes into the ring and nails Rock from behind, then makes a quick escape as Rock turns around. Rock chases him around ringside over by the announce table, then nails Shane in the head with one of the monitors. Rock sends Shane through the table with a Rock Bottom.
You can see HHH running to the back as Rock slides back in the ring and... Oh I guess the match is over? The bell never rung, I can't tell if it's a No Contest, or if Rock won by DQ? I mean he should have when Shane ran in. For now though, I'll put this at 8:23, from the opening bell to Shane's attack from behind on Rock.
Rock poses in the corner as HHH raises his title on the stage with Steph by his side and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well this was an... interesting show. Yet again though, nothing went past 5 minutes aside from the Hardyz/Radicalz match and the main event. The action was still good for how short it was, and I did get a couple laughs with the Blackman/Snow stuff, so it's not like it was a bad show. That being said though, with a runtime of 1:30:12, there was only 30:15 of total wrestling, which is not including the women's match.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While not perfect, WWE clearly had the better week than WCW in action and storylines, so at least it will be counteracting the horrible booking that is WCW in the coming months.
Comments
Post a Comment