Week 3 - The Go Home Week to Backlash
WWF Raw
Show starts immediately with the opening theme, package and pyro, live from the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. J.R. and the King welcome us to the show before Kurt's music hits and out he comes, wasting no time getting on the mic. He says the question on everyone's mind is "Why Kurt, why set aside your quest for championship gold and concentrate on Big Show?" He says the answer is simple: The Big Show is a big ass, he doesn't like or appreciate big asses, which he uses to segway into his opponent for tonight, Rikishi. He says if maybe if Rikishi's parents would've practiced abstinence we wouldn't be exposed to that awful, repulsive rectum that he carries with him today, it's true, it's true. He hands the mic to Lilian as Rikishi makes his way out.
Kurt Angle vs Rikishi
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; J.R. informs us X-Pac isn't there tonight due to a death in the family. Kurt wastes no time trying to get the jump on Rikishi before the bell to get things started.
Kurt's rights don't do much as Kish just shoves him away. ore rights by Kurt then another shove, rights by Kish before he sends Kurt off the ropes, who catches Kish on the rebound in a headlock for a suplex but Kish hits one of his own. Kurt sent off the ropes again and Kish goes for a back body drop but Kurt flips over, going for a sunset flip but can't pull Kish down. Kish tries to drop onto Kurt's chest but he rolls out of the way just in time.
Kurt does manage to deliver a belly to belly overhead and celebrate prematurely as Kish stumbles into the corner. Kurt now with some rights, followed by a clothesline, then a second but it barely fazes Kish, who comes out and nails Kurt with a clothesline. Kurt whipped into the corner, then the opposite. Kish goes for a corner splash but Kurt shoves the referee into Kish's way for a ref bump and he calls for the bell. Rikishi wins by DQ in 1:24.
Big Show comes in from behind as Kurt tries to argue with the ref and he nails a sidewalk slam in the corner. Kurt backs up into the corner and sets himself up for a Stinkface. Kurt rolls out and Show chases him as Kurt heads to the back. Show joins Kish in the ring and they stare down again before Show hands some shades. Show takes his leave and Kish does his dancing.
We cut to outside where the DX Express is pulling up to the arena and out steps Shane, HHH and Steph, then we go to break.
Back from commercial we cut to Trish who... well she cuts a promo addressing Bubba where I guess she tells us tables turn her on, and using them as metaphors for penises. That was just bizarre and actually kinda funny.
Then we go back to the arena where HHH and the McMahon sibling make their way out. J.R. and King argue some more about the title match that never happened last week. Shane's up first and says their pops Vinny Mac will be there momentarily to grace everyone with his presence but for now, he has something to say. He admits that he can be a hot head sometimes, and owes HHH an apology for what he did last week during the confrontation with Linda. An asshole chant breaks out, and Shane agrees with him, as he says his actions reflected that. He says he now knows HHH loves the McMahon family as much as he does, and that he'd never Pedigree their mother. He says HHH is the greatest brother-in-law a guy could have, gets a bit emotional and says that he loves him, followed by a hug.
Steph speaks up and already we get a slut chant. She says they warmed her heart, and now she wants to apologize, specifically to the fans, if she's ever hurt their feelings with her actions, because she can empathize, that she knows what it's like to have her feelings hurt. She says they only ever see one side of her, that she's a deeply caring soul, and says HHH and Shane can vouch for it. She says she's sensitive,and when they chant "slut" at her, she almost cries, and that it's unfair that they all pass judgement without knowing the real her.
HHH now pipes up and says he agrees with her, and thinks the fans owe her an apology, because they don't know anything about her. A small asshole chant starts and he says if they'd pipe down a minute, he's about to pour his heart out, that he also wants to apologize to them. He says it's been brought to his attention that they feel, as of late that he's been unfair in the decisions being made. He asks if it was unfair to take Jericho's big "win" and strike it from the record books, to take an incompetent ref in Hebner, humiliate and fire him on TV, to make Rock compete in a Lumberjack Match so close to Backlash to get his ass kicked before he gets his ass kicked again by HHH. He says he's not an unfair guy, so in the effort of fairness...
Oh thank god, Jericho's out now to put an end to this and welcomes us to Raw is Jericho. He says the only thing HHH needs to apologize for is for boring the Jerichoholics half to death, week after week, doing these whiny, tedious interviews when nobody gives a damn what he has to say. and begs and pleads with him to shut the hell up. He says if HHH really wants to be fair then he should agree to give Jericho a rematch for the title and do it tonight.
HHH asks if Jericho really thinks he'd come out and reward him for sticking his nose in his business, for coming out week after week and saying derogatory things about Steph, once again saying that she's sensitive and delicate, like a flower. Jericho says Steph lost her flower a long time ago, asking how else he thinks she became a filthy, dirty, disgusting, skanky, brutal, bottom-feeding, trash bag ho in the first place. Shane cuts in all pissed off now and says he's sick and tired of Jericho and Rock making comments about Steph, that it's a matter of pride, then challenges Jericho to a tag match with HHH and Rock as their respective partners. HHHH then denies his request for a title shot, but he's in luck for getting an ass kicking tonight. Steph taunts Jericho with the title belt so he takes it with her and starts to walk up the ramp. HHH takes the bait and Jericho clocks him in the face with the belt before leaving up the ramp. Shane checks on HHH as Jericho heads to the back.
To the back, Eddie and Chyna are getting ready for prom, which just so happens to be the same night as Backlash. She hates his green tux calling him a Gumby reject and tells him to change. J.R. tells us Road Dogg vs Benoit is up next before going to commercial.
We get a replay of what just happened as we come back from commercial, but then we see footage from during the break where Benoit attacked Jericho from behind with a title shot to the back of the head.
Road Dogg vs Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We're reminded that Road Dogg and X-Pac go after the tag titles on Sunday as Roadie welcomes us to the Dogg House. He does his usual shtick, and there's a random shout out to Dennis Knight, the former Mideon as he tells anyone who's not down with him to suck it. I don't know what that was about but alright. Edge and Christian make their way out for commentary.
Lock up to start but Roadie quickly gets backed into the corner, Benoit working him in the corner,, and E&C openly talk about how they're going to cost Roadie the match if he gets the advantage on commentary. Roadie with a thumb to the eye and a headlock, sends Benoit off the ropes who catches a kick into a dragon screw, then a dropkick sends him through the ropes to the outside, while Edge calls Lawler... or J.R. an E&C mark. Exact words. Benoit sends Roadie face first off the announce table as Edge calls Tori trailer trash, before rolling Roadie back in.
Roadie sends Benoit into the corner but he gets the boot up, Roadie ducks a clothesline into some Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Benoit ducks the final shot and slips around, going for a German but Roadie elbows free and drops him with a right, followed by a knee drop, cover and a 2 count. Benoit pulls Roadie through the ropes to the outside before throwing him back first into the barricade, then a second time, only be dropped ribs first onto the barricade with a front suplex.
E&C decide it's the right time for a run-in as they leave commentary. Tori and Christian distract the referee leaving Edge the chance and nails Roadie with a spear before sliding out. Benoit goes up top and nails the diving headbutt for the win in 3:13. The match was alright, standard stuff, but honestly the best part was E&C on commentary.
E&C in the ring as Benoit leaves, nailing a sidewalk slam/inverted DDT combo on Roadie, an inverted DDT on Tori too for good measure. The tag champs leave as the ref checks on Tori.
To the back, I think we have the first look at APA's "office" as Kurt arrives, confused at their lack of a door. He wants to pay them money to beat up Big Show, then they call him a brown-noser. Bradshaw then points out that they don't beat people up for money,t hey're a protection agency. Kurt leaves to get money from the locker room... or at least he's about to, then decides to give some constructive criticism, that if they cut down on the smoking, drinking, women, they could afford a nice place, and the swearing too. They don't take too kindly to that and throw beers at him, kicking him out of their "office" and tells him to take his business elsewhere, then go to break. So much for that.
Back from break, Boss Man and Buchanan are in the back with Steph, then in storms Kurt, who tells them he has this problem with Big Show and how the APA just kicked him out of their office. Kurt remembers Boss Man and Buchanan don't like Big Show, and Boss Man even reminds us about that horrible angle with Show and his dead dad. Kurt kinda just brushes that last bit off and asks them to beat Show up backstage or the parking lot, or even have a wrestling match, so Steph makes a handicap match for tonight.
The Hardy Boyz vs Hardcore Holly & Crash Holly (Hardcore Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: North Carolina's own set to take on the Holly cousins. J.R. informs us that apparently Hardcore has promised his cousin that he won't attack him for his title tonight.
Hardcore and Matt start out as Hardcore gets a kick in to the midsection, and J.R. casually mentions that the Hollys, Perry Saturn and Tazz will compete for the Hardcore Title at the PPV. Clubbing blows by Hardcore, then rights by Matt, off the ropes into a powerslam, cover and a near fall. Matt sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Kicks to the midsection in the corner, Matt whipped across the ring and Hardcore follows, but Matt gets him with an elbow, goes to the middle rope and hits a leg drop, cover and a 2 count. Hardcore reverses a whip off the ropes and goes for the back drop but Matt cuts him off with a kick, but then gets dropped with a clothesline. Crash tags in, sends Matt off the ropes into a back elbow, a cover and a 2 count.
Scoop slam by Crash who then goes up top but Matt gets the foot up, Matt with the hot tag and Hardcore comes in, Jeff sends him into the corner, Matt comes in and throws Hardcore into the corner for Poetry in Motion by Jeff, then a cover but Crash breaks it up. Matt tosses Crash out, then a suplex on Hardcore as Jeff goes up for the Swanton. Crash grabs a trash can lid from under the ring though and nails Jeff in the back while the ref is dealing with Matt. Hardcore hits Jeff with a dropkick as Matt takes out Crash with a baseball slide on the outside, Hardcore makes the cover and gets the win in 2:37.
Impromptu 24/7 Hardcore Title Defense: Crash Holly (c) vs Perry Saturn, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Tazz
Hardcore keeps his promise and leaves ahead of Crash, the Hardyz decide to jump on their chance to go after Crash, sending him back in the ring. They try for a double back body drop but Crash slips free, sending Matt to the outside as he charges toward him. Perry Saturn rushes down as Jeff hits a corkscrew on Crash, makes the cover but Saturn pulls him off and tosses him out. Saturn his a suplex and Hardcore starts to walk down, but Tazz knocks him down from behind, Saturn makes the cover but Tazz breaks it up, then takes Saturn out with a clothesline. Hardcore in now as Tazz goes after Saturn, then Jeff nails the Swanton on Crash, but Matt makes the cover and becomes the new Hardcore Champion.
Matt makes a quick escape to Jeff's disbelief as the others keep fighting and we get a replay of the chaos.
We go back to Chyna and Eddie preparing for prom, Eddie coming out in a Richard Pryor-esque suit, Chyna just laughs and asks him to try the tux she got him. He of course loves the dress she's in, but insists she try on the red one, then to commercial.
Back from break, more Trish horny on tables promo, then to our next match
The Big Show vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; We learn from J.R. that Buchanan and Boss Man are set to take on APA at the PPV, and we're reminded Show is facing Angle. Show goes right after Boss Man to get things started.
Numbers start to get to Show as they send him off the ropes into a double boot. Then off the ropes, under the ropes and trips Show up. More stomps and blows to the back but Show fights back with boots and headbutts before he tosses Bull over the ropes, but he skins the cat and pulls himself back in. Show catches him for a chokeslam but Boss Man cuts him off. Show reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Boss Man for a chokeslam now but Bull cuts him off this time. They send him off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline and then takes them down with one. He goes for a double chokeslam but Kurt runs down and nails a low blow, giving Show the DQ win in 1:23.
Angle nails an Angle Slam and Boss Man and Buchanan stomps away, before the APA come out and even the odds, chasing them to the back. Show's music hits as he gets up pissed, then leaves.
We go outside to a limo pulling up to the arena and out steps Vince, then we go to commercial.
Back from break, another bizarre table turn on promo from Trish. Then Vince makes his way out to the ring. He talks about how he was in Europe last week while his family did deplorable things in the ring. He talks about how Linda came down, in the interest of "fairness," added Austin to Rock's corner, which enraged his family. Then he mentions how Steph tried to slap her mother only to be blocked and struck down herself. Then to make matters worse, HHH tried to give Linda the Pedigree and Shane knocked him on his ass. Then Steph got between them and slaps them both repeatedly and goes hysterical, then asks if he's the only level-headed, sane member of the family. He says that even though HHH has convinced other family members he never intended to Pedigree Linda, Vince isn't buying it, and tells him not to touch his wife again. He says as far as the tag match tonight, HHH is going to have to find a new partner because Shane's been assigned new duties, otherwise he'll have to face Rock and Jericho in a handicap match.
Then he moves onto Backlash, saying no one knows Austin better than he does. He talks to Rock now, saying if he thinks Austin's going to lead him to the Promise Land of the WWF Title, he better think again, saying he should think about history and take a stroll down memory lane. Vince tells him to think back to a year ago, and Vince shows footage of Austin crushing Rock's Lincoln with his monster truck. Vince reminds us that that same night, Rock vowed two things: he'd never drive his personal car to the arena again, and no matter what he'd get even with Austin. He says after plenty of failures to get even, he finally succeeded 7 months later, accusing Rock of running down Austin, that it was Rock's rent-a-car, but he had an alibi. He says it was pretty convenient, and says that Rock would benefit most by taking Austin out. He says Rock got right on that expressway to stardom that Austin built, nothing in his way, a highway that he and Austin built for Rock's success. He leaves Rock and North Carolina with a thought, that when Rock thinks about Austin, convalescing after neck surgery all these months, trying to heal, about Rock stealing Austin's spot, the coincidences, Rock has to be thinking about one thing, straight from Austin's own mouth, DTA: Don't Trust Austin. He wonders if Rock can really trust Austin in his corner, or will Austin strike, saying he won't be striking himself or HHH, it'll be Rock and drive his venom into Rock's flesh. He says when Sunday's over and Rock has once again failed to win the title, it will dawn on him just how appropriate for the PPV really is. Vince's music hits and he makes his exit before going to commercial.
Back from break, Eddie is finally in a proper tux and Chyna is in her red dress, and they decided to do this at an awkward time seeing as Eddie has a match in 10 minutes according to her, so they quickly get undressed behind a screen, making Eddie want to stay there instead.
Al Snow & The Godfather vs D'Lo Brown & Steve Blackman
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Is there something I missed here? I mean I know D'Lo and Godfather broke up last week but last I checked Snow and Blackman were still a team? Snow comes out dressed like a pimp along with Head, and I didn't even realize who it was until the name graphic came up. Oh, J.R. informs us Snow and Blackman split on Heat the night before, so there is an explanation. We get a replay of D'Lo turning on Godfather last week on Smackdown as Brown and Blackman come out.
D'Lo wastes no time attacking Snow from behind, sends him offf the ropes into a side kick. Rights in the corner, sending Snow across the ring, sliding across the mat to avoid hitting the corner and gets D'Lo with a kick to the midsection, followed by a hurricanrana. Rights in the corner, sends D'Lo across chest first into the corner, Snow off the ropes with a clothesline off the rebound.
Godfather tagged in, then Blackman, who's sent face first into the corner, send off the ropes into a back elbow, Godfather off the ropes and goes for an elbow but Blackman moves out of the way. Side kicks to the chest and a dropkick sends Godfather into the ropes, goes to whip him off them but Godfather reverses, Blackman ducks a clothesline and nails a shoulder block, then follows with a backbreaker.
D'Lo in now with rights and a scoop slam, followed by a leg drop. Godfather sent off the ropes and D'Lo goes for the back drop but gets kicked in the midsection, Godfather off the ropes with a clothesline. Snow gets the hot tag and gets D'Lo with the back drop, then a clothesline for Blackman as he rushes in, and another. Godfather in now goes after Blackman while Snow lays into D'Lo with rights. Godfather and Blackman go to the outside as Snow tries to send D'Lo across the ring, only to be pulled back and nailed with the Lo Down for the win 2:31.
D'lo leaves the ring with Blackman as Godfather goes to check on Snow, who tries dance with the hos only to be knocked on his ass by Godfather and tossed out of the ring. Snow looks on pissed from ringside as Godfather dances with the hos, then we go to break.
We come back to another classic Austin moment, when Austin drove the Zamboni to the ring an attacked Vince. Then they promote a local restaurant and we see the owner front row for tonight's show. Then another Trish promo before we get to our next match.
Eddie Guerrero (European Champion) (w/ Chyna) vs Val Venis
Eddie gets a shot in right away as Val eyes Chyna, sends Val off the ropes into a dropkick, then a scoop slam and a slingshot senton from the apron, cover and a near fall. Val blocks a suplex and lands a stalling one for himself, then stomps away. He goes for another suplex but Eddie slips out into a roll up for a near fall, then follows with a clothesline. Elbow drop, cover and a 2 count. Val face first into the corner, whipped across the ring but gets the boot up as Eddie follows, dropping him with a clothesline.
Eddie sent off the ropes into a back elbow, elbow drop then a knee drop, cover and a 2 count. Eddie sent off the ropes again, through the legs, Val catches a kick, hits a fisherman suplex with a bridge for another near fall. Eddie sent of the ropes again and Val launches him up, only for Eddie to counter with a hurricanrana, hooks the leg on the way down for another 2 count.
Val reverses a whip off the ropes, Eddie ducks a clothesline, they maneuver around each other until Val is tossed out. Chyna drops Val with a right hand before rolling him back in. Essa and Lita run down only to be thrown to the floor. Essa runs at Lita only to be launched up and over face first into the ring apron. Lita goes up top as Chyna goes to DDT Essa and nails a crossbody. Meanwhile in the ring, Eddie gets sent off the ropes into a spinebuster. Val up top nails the Money Shot for the win in 3:43. I wish that had gone on longer.
Val makes his exit while Essa and Lita immediately attack Eddie. Chyna finally comes to and knocks Lita out of the ring and they make their exit, before we go to replays. Up next, the Dudleyz take on E&C.
Back from break, the Castrol Slam of the Week is Lita being driven through the table on last week's Smackdown, then to the match.
The Dudley Boyz vs Edge & Christian (Tag Team Champions)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a replay from last week when Trish lip locked Bubba as the Dudleyz hit the ring.
D-Von and Edge start things out with some quick back and forth, D-Von coming out with the advantage as he whips Edge into the corner, comes off the ropes and nails a forearm off the rebound. Edge makes an immediate tag and Christian gets caught with a drop toe hold, then Bubba's tagged in. Rights by Bubba, sends Christian off the ropes into a high back body drop, then a clothesline. Scoop slam by Bubba, then a right on Edge, which of course makes him mad and distracts the referee. Bubba holds Christian in position as D-Von goes up top for the diving headbutt between the legs. Christian sent off the ropes into a reverse elbow and Bubba tags in.
Christian gets backed into the corner for a loud chop, and another. T&A comes out with a table, Trish laid out on top as Christian regains the advantage with a headscissor out of the corner. Bubba hits the Bubba Bomb and realizes Trish is there, mesmerized and in a trance, allowing Christian to take advantage with the inverted DDT for a 2 count. Edge tags in, Bubba whipped into the corner, Edge launching off Christian's back with a splash into Bubba. Bubba sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Rights in the corner before Christian tags in. They send Bubba off the ropes and double over, but Bubba kicks Christian away and hits Edge with the Bubba Cutter.
D-Von tags in now with rights and a back body drop, then slams Christian down for a cover and a near fall. Edge whips Bubba into the corner and Christian gets into position, Bubba goes to the middle rope as Edge launches up and... I don't know if he spears Edge or headbutts him but Edge drops to the mat flat on his back and Bubba goes for the cover but Christian breaks it up. Reverse 3D on Christian, then they go for the 3D on Edge but Bubba gets distracted again by Trish, leaving D-Von hanging. Edge hits the spear on D-Von as Bubba heads up the ramp, giving the champs the win in 4:36.
Bubba comes out of his trance hearing E&C's music as he realizes what's happened, and T&A make their exit. Up next, we hear from Rock.
Back from break, Cole is with Rock for his comments on Vince's words earlier. Rock of course cuts him off and does his thing, then addresses the McMahons, saying they go out and run their mouths, about how he's in a tag match with Jericho, and says he's looking forward to it. He says the countdown is on, Backlash, 6 days, he recaps Vince's segment from earlier, and concedes that maybe he shouldn't fully trust Austin and vice versa, but there are two things Vince can count on, bet his bottom, clear as crystal, dark as night, that the Rock and Austin are unified, knowing the fact they can't trust Vince's candy ass. The second thing is that though Vince thinks Austin will just be in his corner to screw him, just like Vince did at Mania, but says Austin is more of a man, that if Austin had something to say, he'd say it to his face. Then he brings up how Vince claimed his road to success was paved by Austin and Vince, implying Rock's had it easy, then clarifies the word easy, using Steph as his example. He says he's never had it easy, ever since he lost the title, he's kicked, scratched, clawed, with every Rock Bottom, People's Elbow, drop of blood, he's earned the right to call himself the People's Champion. He then brings up DTA, and says he has an expression of his own, which is six days from now, at Backlash, he's going to layeth the smacketh down on HHH's candy ass, walk out of Backlash the champion, People's Champion, WWF Champion, if you smell what the Rock is cooking.
We cut to outside where HHH and Steph leave the Express, and it seems he doesn't have a partner, with that match up next.
Back from break we go right to entrances as Jericho and Rock make their way out, followed by HHH and Steph. He gets a mic from her as they stop on the ramp, saying they were hoping it was going to be a handicap match, then introduces his partner in Benoit, while J.R. tells us Jericho will be fighting for the IC Title at Backlash. Then HHH tells us to ensure there's no screwy finish a la Hebner, he introduces the special referee for this match. Then he decides to introduce Vince who will be in their corner tonight and in his at Backlash.
The Rock & Chris Jericho vs Triple H (WWF Champion) & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion) (w/ Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and Vince McMahon), Special Guest Referee: Shane McMahon
Benoit and Jericho start this out, Benoit right away with a boot and right sending Jericho off the ropes, who ducks a back elbow and nails one of his own before stomping away. Benoit reverses a whip sending Jericho chest first into the corner hard, catching him off the rebound for a back suplex but Jericho slips out. They trade chops a bit before Benoit rakes the eyes, only to be whipped into the corner and hit with the running bulldog off the ropes, a cover and... Shane makes a fair count? Well, alright, Benoit kicks out.
Rock tagged in with rights, Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers some chops, off the ropes only to be sent over the ropes to the floor. Rock wants HHH but Benoit attacks from behind off the distraction. HHH tagged in now, Rock cornered with rights, now Rock with some, HHH sends him off the ropes into a high knee, cover and a 2 count. More rights by HHH and stomps in the corner, choking with his boot, then Benoit in, nailed with a clothesline.
Jericho tags in, chops, Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes and HHH nails Jericho in the back of the head, knocked off the apron for his troubles, Benoit taking advantage dropping Jericho throat first on the top rope as he turns around. Snap suplex by Benoit before HHH tags in, Jericho face first in the corner, Benoit with vicious chops as Shane deals with Rock then more stomps in the corner by HHH, then a suplex and a knee drop, cover and a near fall. Benoit back in, another chop, then trading rights until HHH holds him up for another chop. Jericho sent off the ropes into a clothesline, cover and another near fall. HHH tagged in again, Jericho blocks being sent face first in the corner and fights back with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but catches him with a facebuster, cover and a 2 count. Jericho sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and nails a flying forearm.
Jericho makes the hot tag and Benoit in now, Rock with rights, then pulls HHH back in for some rights in the corner and a DDT. Rock goes to nail Benoit on the apron but gets nailed himself, then Jericho takes Benoit out with his springboard dropkick out of the corner. Rock hits the Rock Bottom and makes the pin and Steph gets on the apron to distract Shane. Rock drops Shane with a right while Vince slides in the ring from behind. Rock goes to hit him and Rock grabs hold but Benoit makes the save, only to be hit with a spinebuster. Rock sets up for the People's Elbow but Vince nails him with a low blow, and HHH hits the Pedigree, makes the cover and gets the win in 7:24.
The McMahons and Benoit stand tall and quickly make their exit, Rock looking on and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well setting aside the long ass opening segment the show was pretty solid and despite the short matches still had better action than Nitro. Several matches already announced for the PPV, although the Hardcore Title match will have to be changed with Matt's win, but I'm sure we'll find out on Smackdown. That said, with a runtime of 1:33:42, there was a total 26:51 of wrestling.
WWF Smackdown
We go right to the opening package and pyro as we go to the arena, live from the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Coole and Lawler welcome us to the show before we get right to our first match of the night.
Eddie Guerrero (European Champion) & Chyna vs Val Venis & Essa Rios (w/ Lita)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from Monday when Val beat Eddie after interference from Lita and Essa, leading to this match.
Eddie right away with a shot on Val and Essa goes after Eddie, while Chyna immediately tries for Lita, only for Essa to come from behind. Val and Eddie properly start the match with trading rights until Val sends Eddie face first into the corner, then reversed off the ropes, sliding through Eddie's legs into a shoulder block, followed by a gorilla press. Val goes to send him off the ropes again but Eddie hangs on with more rights followed by an enziguri. Eddie tries to pull Val to the corner for a tag but gets hit with a spinning sit-out powerbomb for Chyna to break up.
Val comes off the ropes for a clothesline but Eddie ducks and catches him in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before making the tag to Chyna, who runs right into a drop toe hold. Essa tags in now and runs into a drop toe hold. Forearms before sending him off the ropes into a back elbow. Eddie tags in and Chyna nails the scoop slam, setting Eddie up for a slingshot senton from the apron. They whip Essa into the corner for a splash from Eddie, then a handspring elbow from Chyna. Eddie follows with a side suplex for a cover and a near fall.
Essa reverses Eddie off the ropes who slips behind for a back suplex, but Essa flips out, Eddie tries for the tilt-a-whirl but again Essa flips free. Essa now with rights, nearly botches a springboard hurricanrana but manages to save himself. Val in now, they send Eddie off the ropes, Val launches Eddie over with a flapjack right into Essa's boots, then the cover by Val for a 2 count. Eddie with rights and an uppercut but Val takes him back with a clothesline. Eddie sent off the ropes and launched upwards, but turns it into a hurricanrana.
Eddie makes the hot tag, but the ref misses it while he's dealing with Lita on the apron, Chyna getting in a couple clotheslines on Val and Essa before she's sent back to the apron. Eddie turns around into a spinebuster from Val, then Essa nails the top rope moonsault. Val holds Chyna back as Essa makes the pin for the win in 5:20. Good way to start the show.
Val and Chyna start fighting on the outside while Lita nails Eddie with the top rope moonsault. Chyna sends Val into the steps before she chases off Essa and Lita to check on Eddie. To the outside, the DX Express has arrived and out steps DX and the McMahons. Apparently Vince didn't enjoy the ride. Then we see Rock walking backstage before going to break.
Back from commercial, the Lugz Boot of the Week is Rock getting low blowed by Vince and being nailed by the Pedigree on Raw the past Monday. Then we get another classic Austin moment, with Austin driving a limosine monster truck over several cars on route to Vince. I don't even remember this, although it looks like it happened on an episode of Heat, so that could be why.
Back to the arena, Rock makes his way out to the ring. He of course does his usual intro shtick, then says he's been through hell to get where he's at, and looking back at what the McMahons have done to him, every Pedigree, every chair shot, he still stands and is still going to Backlash. He says though that he realizes it's not over yet, that they still have one more night to do what they can to him, and asks what kind of matches they'll put him in tonight, maybe a Steel Cage, or a Lumberjack Match, or a Stephanie's Dirty Panties on a Pole Match, then calls out the McMahons, tells them to bring out the cage, lumberjacks and dirty panties, and says to just bring it.
On cue out they come along with DX minus X-Pac of course. Trips is up first and says Rock had some good ideas, and a very loud asshole chant starts up. He says they've been thinking the last few days, trying to figure out a way to beat the hell out of him again, and Shane in particular has been very creative. He goes to give Steph credit for some of her ideas and a loud slut chant starts up, as he says her ideas were brutal, but he says he's kicked Rock's ass so many times he's getting bored with it, then suggests they just wait until Sunday instead. Trips says he can see how stressed Rock is and maybe he needs to switch to decaf, so Trips gives Rock the night off, while they sit back and watch Road Dogg destroy Christian tonight, and adds a stip that if Edge gets involved they'll be stripped of the tag titles, because if there's one thing they won't put up with it's people interfering in matches.
Vince decides to speak now, and knows Rock is excited about Backlash, while another loud asshole chant starts up. He says he's excited to be in Trips corner, and Rock is excited to have Austin in his, but Rock should know that Shane is very excited, because in order to avoid another Hebner situation, Shane will be the guest referee. He says Rock is gutsy for coming and calling them out, but to him it just means Rock listened to what Vince said on Monday, wondering about Austin, wondering if he can trust him, if Austin will strike him down, and to remember DTA: Don't Trust Anybody.
Rock gets a loud Rocky chant as he goes to speak up, then says speaking of DTA, he spoke to Austin and he didn't want to wait until Backlash, that he was going to make a special appearance tonight. Vince calls him a liar, then says Austin would never show up tonight because he doesn't have the temerity, the grapefruits to show up. Rock tells Vince, for once in his pathetic life, to shut his mouth, because just like he's guaranteed to walk out of Backlash with the title, he also guaran-damn-tees Austin is there tonight, much to the chagrin of a bug-eyed Vince, if you smell what the Rock is cooking.
Back from break, Rock gets into a limosine outside and he drives off. The McMahons go out to the DX Express where some Austin foam fingers have been taped to the windshield, just as Rock is leaving, then go into the bus.
Light Heavyweight Championship: Scotty 2 Hotty (c) vs Dean Malenko
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from Heat where Scotty beat Taka and... someone in a title defense, while Dean clocked him with the belt post match and put him in the Cloverleaf, leading to this rematch. Cole says this was originally supposed to happen at Backlash but it's happening now instead. Dean wastes no time attacking Scotty as he makes his entrance to get the match started.
Dean stomping away before sending Scotty into the corner, more kicks and stomps to the midsection and rapid fire rights tot he face. Scotty sent off the ropes into a back elbow, followed by more rights. Scotty off the ropes again into a knee to the ribs. Scotty sent off the ropes for another knee to the ribs, but he slips around for a roll up and a 2 count, Dean following with a clothesline and a back suplex. More rights by Dean standing over Scotty before whipping him into the corner followed immediately by a splash. Scotty lifted up top and Dean goes for a superplex but Scotty holds on, knocking Dean down with rights and nails a missile dropkick.
Rights by Scotty now, Dean whipped into the corner and Scotty follows, but Dean gets him with a boot, goes for a clothesline but Scotty ducks, arms around the waist and Dean elbows him away, goes for a suplex but Scotty turns it into an inside cradle for a near fall. More rights sending Dean off the ropes into a back body drop, then goes to whip Dean into the corner only to be pulled back and kicked in the midsection, then sent to the corner himself. Dean follows for a clothesline but Scotty moves out of the way, comes off the ropes to set up for the Worm, but gets tossed to the outside following. Scotty back on the apron goes over with a sunset flip attempt, but Dean drops down, holds onto the ropes for leverage and regains the championship in 3:51. Another good one that should have gone longer though.
Dean makes a quick exit with the title as Scotty looks on in surprise and we get a replay. Then we go inside the DX Express where Shane wonders what's next, and Vince says he's looking forward to Dogg's match as someone's pager goes off, apparently it says 3:16 . Vince says he doesn't think Austin's there, but he does have a funny feeling. Shane thinks he's letting Rock get in his head but he denies it, then we go to break.
Back from commercial, we go to Crash backstage who's upset about losing his title, as Hardcore walks up. He says Crash is going to have the chance to get the title back on Sunday just like himself and everyone else, and that even though he lost the title, doesn't have a girlfriend, and still collects Beanie Babies, it doesn't make him any less of a man, before he walks off for their match.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs Crash & Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a highlight package of Trish's table porno... erm, promos set to some... suggestive music this time as she and T&A come out. Cole tells us it will now be a 6-man match at Backlash, with the Hardyz added to the previously announced 4-way.
Hardcore and Test start things out with a lock up, while Lawler tells us the Hardyz will face each other later tonight, Test shoves Hardcore away. He fights back with rights, only to be sent off the ropes and caught in a full nelson slam. Rights in the corner and kicks to the chest by Test, whipping Hardcore across the ring and follows, eating a boot to the face before being sent into the corner himself. Hardcore with boots and sends Test across the ring, following with a splash and a clothesline, cover and a near fall.
Crash tags in with a right off the top, Test face first in the corner, Crash with kicks before he tries to send Test across the ring, only to be reversed, but Test runs chest first into the turnbuckles. Crash goes to the second rope and hits a tornado DDT for a cover and a near fall. Crash off the ropes and goes for a hurricanrana but gets nailed with a sitout powerbomb for another 2 count. We see the Dudleyz watching backstage as Albert tags in and tosses Crash across the ring, then comes off the ropes for a splash but Crash rolls out of the way before tagging in Hardcore.
Hardcore with some rights before sending Albert off the ropes into a dropkick, cover and a two count, then a suplex. Hardcore tries to go to the top rope but Crash stops him, wanting to be tagged in instead to do it, and gets the wish, goes up top and misses the splash. Hardcore comes in now and argues with Crash, allowing Test to nail him with the big boot. Albert tags in Test before hitting Crash with the gorilla press. Meanwhile Test goes up top and nails the flying elbow for the win in 3:18. More decent action on this show.
Hardcore and Crash argue some more as they head to the back and T&A follow close behind. hen the Dudleyz come out with chairs an drop them both. Bubba gets his hands on Trish and tosses her in the ring while D-Von fetches a table, setting it up near the corner. Bubba goes up top and D-Von lifts her up and Bubba. Trish though once again distracts Bubba, which allows T&A to come in, Test dropping D-Von with a boot. They take Trish away as Bubba sits there in a trance, before Albert sends him through the table with a Baldo Bomb, then they make their exit to the back.
We go to the McMahons and DX trying to calm Vince down, but Vince wants to make absolutely sure Austin isn't there and organizes a search party, and they agree so it makes Vince happy. Vince thinks there's someone ready to attack from behind a curtain and puts on a ruse with Shane, making it seem they're oblivious to it. Vince pulls back the curtain to reveal Austin...'s cardboard cutout, which Shane proceeds to beat the crap out of. Shane walks off pissed off and tired of the games before we go to break.
Back from commercial, Steph bumps into Kurt backstage, who plugs the Gladiator movie, about how it'll be a big hit and a blockbuster, and says Spielberg has personally invited him to attend the World Premiere and will have to miss next week's Raw as a result, if it's fine with her. Meanwhile, paranoid Steph is just trying to get out of there, and she gives him the go-ahead, before asking if he's seen Austin anywhere. He says he hasn't, then walks off excited, scaring the crap out of her as he celebrates.
Chris Jericho & Tazz vs Perry Saturn & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Jericho and Benoit of course set to meet for the IC Title, while Tazz and Saturn are going after the Hardcore Title on Sunday. They waste no time going at it as the match gets started, respective PPV opponents going at each other.
Jericho sends Benoit out before he delivers chops to Jericho to start out, Saturn reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Jericho into a flapjack. Jericho sent off the ropes, slides under the legs and gets Saturn in the Walls. Tazz drops Benoit with a right as he goes to break it up, leading to the referee to deal with him in the corner. Benoit grabs his title and nails Jericho in the back of the head before knocking Tazz off the apron. Saturn makes the cover but Tazz breaks it up just in time.
Jericho sent off the ropes now, ducks a clothesline and turns Saturn inside out with a forearm. Tazz tags in with rights, sends Saturn off the ropes and goes for a Tazzplex but Saturn fights out, goes to send Tazz off the ropes but gets pulled back into a bridging Northern Lights, but Benoit kicks Tazz's legs out to break it up. Side suplex by Saturn before he tags in Benoit. Tazz sent off the ropes into a back elbow, cover and a near fall. Snap suplex, another cover and a 2 count for Benoit. Tazz face first in the corner and Saturn tags in. He goes up top as Benoit nails a backbreaker, Saturn with a knee drop from the top for a cover and another near fall.
Benoit tags in, Tazz sent into the corner and Saturn whipped into him. Saturn knocks Jericho from the apron as Benoit locks in the Crossface, but Jericho breaks it up. Tazz whipped chest first into the corner and Benoit goes for the German off the rebound, but Tazz fights out with elbows to the side of the head, following up with a clothesline before he tags in Jericho.
Jericho lays in with rights and chops, Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but eats a back elbow. Jericho knocks Saturn off the apron then nails Benoit with the bulldog, covers but Saturn breaks it up. Tazz in now and goes to put Saturn in the Tazzmission, but he sends them both through the ropes to the outside. Benoit sent off the ropes into Saturn as he's climbing the apron, sending him into the announce table. Tazz is seen locking in the Tazzmission as Jericho hits the Lionsault for the win in 4:17. Keep this action coming.
Benoit rolls out and heads to the back with Saturn as Jericho looks on. Then to the back, Shane and HHH a follow a trail of beer cans into a room, and they find... a ton of empty beer cans, much to their chagrin and we go to break.
Road Dogg vs Christian (Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Roadie doesn't even get his pre-match shtick in and he and Christian immediately start fighting at ringside, midway through Christian's entrance.
Christian sends Roadie ribs first on the barricade with a front suplex, then slips into the ring. Christian with a baseball slide to the legs as Roadie climbs the apron, sending him into it face first, then Christian up top with a right. Back in the ring, Christian with the cover for a 2 count. Christian sent face first in the corner for some rights, then Christian turns it around for some of his own, whips Roadie across the ring and follows after him. Roadie gets the boots up but Christian slides under and out of the ring, tripping Roadie to the mat. Christian back up top but Roadie drops him with a clothesline mid-air, cover and a near fall.
Christian lifted to the top rope, Roadie tries for a suplex but Christian fights out, then spins around for an inverted DDT from the second rope. Christian with some rights now, until Roadie boots him, sends him off the ropes and Christian nails a shoulder block. More rights and a kick and Christian with the front suplex, cover and a kick out. Roadie whipped into the corner but gets the boot up as Christian follows, Christian lifts him up only for Roadie to slip behind him and nail the pumphandle slam for the win in 2:54. Rather anti-climactic, and you could feel the crowd die down after that. Not a bad match though for how short it was.
Roadie throws Christian under the ropes ribs first into the ring post and pushes the referee way, then lays in with rights before whipping him into the steps. Roadie grabs a chair as officials try to separate them and he lays in with more rights before he walks off up the ramp. As a result though, Chioda has the decision reversed, making Christian the winner of the match. Roadie walks off pissed as Christian is helped to the back.
To the back, now Shane, Steph and Trips are on Edge and in walks Tori... I guess she's found Austin? I can't tell what the hell she's saying, but she leads them over to a nearby door where we can hear ... some kind of rap remix of Austin's theme. They open the door ready to attack and it's just a boombox in a janitor's closet, which Trips proceeds to smash against the floor and wall, then we go to commercial.
Kurt Angle, Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man vs Rikisbi Phatu & The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt is out first with mic in hand to clear up a misunderstanding, that many think he hates Big Show, but he doesn't hate anybody, instead he feels sorry for Big Show. He calls him talented, 7 foot tall, 500 lbs, and lets all his talent go to waste. He decides to put it in terms the Charlotte crowd can understand, comparing it to the Charlotte Hornets: a very, very talented bunch, but they're not going anywhere, not going to accomplish anything. Of course the crowd boo him and says he's just as upset as they are about it. He says he's not only going to beat him on Sunday, he's going to beat some sense into him, it's true, it's true.
Bull and Boss Man decide to whip Kurt toward Show, who catches him and nails him with a headbutt, Bull and Boss Man now on the attack. Bull knocks Kish off the apron and hits him with the steel steps, while Boss Man lays in with rights on Show against the ropes, now all three attacking Show. Boss Man sends Show off the ropes and kicks him in the midsection, while Bull comes off the ropes with an ax kick. Kurt now lays in with rights, Bull and Boss Man send Show off the ropes and tries for a double clothesline, but Show takes them down with one of his own, then boots Kurt out of the ring. Boss Man sent off the ropes into a boot to the face, then Kish hits Bull with the steps before rolling him into the ring into a boot from Show, sending Bull into the corner to set up for a Stinkface. Show nails the chokeslam for the win in 1:55. Eh, it was what it was.
Kish hands Show a pair of shades and they get ready to dance, but Boss Man comes in from behind, nailing them both with the nightstick. He and Bull lay into Kish while Kurt goes after Show, but the APA make their way out and lay into Bull and Boss Man as Kurt runs off, now APA chasing after Bull and Boss Man. Kish still has the shades on and stops Show as he goes to leave, putting the shades back on Show and off they go.
To the back, we see someone who resembles Austin from the back in the bathroom and of course Shane and Trips attack, but it's... just some guy who works there, and Shane fires him before kicking him out, then we go to break.
The Castrol Slam of the Week is the Hardcore Title chaos from Monday, then we go to Blackman in the locker room and in comes Al Snow, who's here to reconcile, admitting he was wrong and Blackman was right and wants to get back together, do things his way. Blackman wants no part of it, bringing up Snow dressed like a pimp, something about someone in a bunny outfit, he can't stand it anymore and calls Al a lunatic. Snow agrees but says he can be serious, just as serious Blackman and thinks they could be a serious threat together. Blackman asks how he expects him or anyone to take Al seriously when he walks around talking to a mannequin head, calls him pathetic and says it's over before walking out.
Hardcore Championship: Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Matt comes out prepared with a trash can in hand, with a handle of some sort, trash can lid and a cookie sheet stuck inside.
Matt hands Jeff the cookie sheet and takes the lid for himself. Jeff tosses it away and Matt wastes no time with shots to the head with the lid, cover and a 2 count. Another shot to the head before Matt wedges the sheet between the ropes in the corner, only to be whipped head first into it by Jeff, who nails Matt in the head with the lid now, followed by a cover and another 2 count. Suplex by Jeff, who goes up top and takes the broom from the trash can, using it to add to a leg drop, cover and another near fall.
Saturn makes his way down as Jeff takes out a fire extinguisher, but Matt with more lid shots to the back. Jeff whipped into the corner and flipped upside down, then Matt puts his head into the trash can, following with a running dropkick into the can. Matt keeps Jeff in the can as he pulls him from the corner, goes up top and crushes Jeff with a moonsault. Hardcore comes down as Matt makes the cover for a near fall. Matt off the ropes only to be sent through the ropes, and Jeff goes out the other side. They each pull out a ladder and slide into the ring, only for Jeff to drop his and dropkick Matt's back into him.
Tazz down now as Jeff sets a ladder up near the corner, then slams Matt down. Matt goes up top and leap frogs over the ladder for a leg drop, cover and a near fall. Matt throws the extinguisher down into Matt's ribs before he starts to climb the ladder, and Matt joins him on the other side. Jeff shoves him down though and calls for a Swanton but Matt sprays hims with the extinguisher, before tossing the trash can at him, sending him off the ladder onto Saturn and Tazz on the outside. Hardcore joins in as Matt goes up top and... completely misses Saturn and Jeff, but Saturn goes down anyways, while Jeff goes after Tazz and Hardcore.
Matt and Jeff slide back into the ring, Matt goes for the cover as Crash appears out of nowhere with a trash can lid onto the apron, and breaks up the pin just barely in time. Crash hits Matt in the back with the trash can, makes the cover and regains his championship in 4:32. Alright that was a fun one to watch.
Houdini makes his quick escape to the back with his title among the chaos, as the Hardyz recover in the ring. Then to the back, the McMahons are arguing over this whole Austin thing as a delivery guy walks up, something for Vince. He tells the ladies to stay there as he takes Shane and Trips to get the deliver. They go outside calling out Austin, and it turns out the delivery is a cement truck, he was told to pour it into a Corvette. Vince yells at him to leave and think they were baited, that Austin is now inside the arena, and we go to commercial.
Back from break, J.R. is backstage on the phone presumably with Austin, saying it'll be great to see him Sunday, how everyone is talking about it, and Sunday is going to be a tremendous day. Vince and Trips walk up behind him, who of course think he's talking to Austin, and somewhere Godfather's music is playing for... reasons. J.R. says he was talking to his cousin, who's coming to Backlash. HHH takes the phone and hangs it up before knocking J.R.'s hat off, who calls them paranoid, and Vince and Trips leave.
Oh that's why Godfather's music was playing, he's out in the ring for a match.
The Godfather vs Steve Blackman
Blackman wastes no time going after Godfather before the bell with rights in the corner, kicks and stomps to the midsection. Godafather reverses a whip off the ropes, Blackman ducks a clothesline, Godfather blocks a kicks and nails the clothesline the second time around. Scoop slam by Godfather, off the ropes into his spinning leg drop. Blackman back up by the ropes as Godfather charges, Blackman backs him off with a side kick before whipping him chest first into the corner and follows with a dropkick to the back of the head. Godfather sent off the ropes, Blackman goes for the backdrop but Godfather cuts him off, sends him off the ropes into a boot, followed by clotheslines and a scoop slam. Godfather stands him up in the corner and sets up for the Ho Train, but Snow slides in from behind with a pair of nunchucks to the back of the head, giving Godfather the DQ win in 1:35. Not much else to say here.
Snow leaves the ring while Blackman nails the bicycle kick. Godfather's music hits as Blackman leaves the ring. To the back, the McMahons and co come back to their office to... something making noise on the couch. Shane goes for the bag and they all freak out and leave, the camera panning to reveal a live snake on the couch.a
Then we cut to outside where the limo is returning to the arena, and out steps Rock as we go to commercial.
Back from break, the Smack of the Night is Rock guaranteeing Austin's appearance for tonight. Then the McMahons and company head out to the ring, wasting no time with the usual theatrics. Shane gets on the mic and says he's sick and tired of all the games and calls out Austin, and that McMahon 3:16 says if Austin is here to come down to the ring so they can welcome him back right now. Vince now promises he'll ask all of his family to leave the ring, leaving Vince and Austin alone. Vince fired up trying to goad him out. HHH now gets the mic and says Austin's been back one day and he's already sick to death of him, talking to Austin man to man, and tells him to get his ass out there now. They wait a few moments before HHH says Austin's either not there or he's a chicken shit. HHH says Austin's not going to spoil the party, and knows someone who is there, and even though he told Rock to take the night off and was tired of him, he's changed his mind. He says it won't matter how many go up against Rock, and tells him to walk down the ramp and face him like a man. They start a Rocky chant and Trips calls him a chicken shit too.
Rock's music hits and out he comes with mic in hand, with Vince and co goading him to come down, Trips saying they don't have to wait until Sunday. Rock says he promised Austin would be there tonight, and says he's a man and a half of his word, and keeps his promises. He says all night long he's thoroughly enjoyed watching their candy asses get confused, paranoid, the beer, the rattlesnake, and that the only regret is that the snake didn't bite one of them in their candy asses. He mentions Shane beating up the cutout, Trips beating up the lookalike in the bathroom, and points out he doesn't dress, talk or look like Stone Cold, then points to the Tron and says he looks like Stone Cold.
Right on cue, Austin pops up on the screen, saying he's in the parking lot. He says there's concern over which side he's going to be on on Sunday, whether he'll favor Rock or Trips, and says he's going to be on the side he's always been on which is his own. Meanwhile the camera zooms out to show Austin standing on a crane. He says right now he has a little demonstration, for the grubby bastards who think they're going to get their hands on him. He says there are a lot of people out there good at destruction, building things with their hands, but the only thing he's ever been good at is tearing shit up, simply put he's good at deconstruction. He tears off a covering to reveal "AUSTIN DECONSTRUCTION" printed on the side of the crane, and says he's got an example in case anyone gets their grubby meat hooks on him This is of course the moment where he blows up the DX Express, before Austin says his catchphrase and is music hits. We get a replay of the explosion as the camera pans around the engulfed bus and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I think this was a step up from Raw to be honest. Some decent comedy strewn throughout the show, good action for the most part, and another memorable moment in wrestling history to close out the show, not to mention we have a stacked card going into the PPV. That said, with a runtime of 1:29:32, there was a total 27:42 of wrestling.
BACKLASH MATCH CARD
- WWF Championship: The Rock (w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin) vas Triple H (c) (w/ Vince McMahon), Special Guest Referee: Shane McMahon
- Intercontinental Championship: Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (c)
- European Championship: Eddie Guerrero vs Essa Rios
- Hardcore Championship: Crash Holly (c) vs Hardcore Holly vs Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy vs Tazz vs Perry Saturn
- Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs Road Dogg & X-Pac
- Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan vs The APA
- The Big Show vs Kurt Angle
- T&A vs The Dudley Boyz
and though not announced...
- Light Heavyweight Championship: Dean Malenko (c) vs Scotty 2 Hotty
Show starts immediately with the opening theme, package and pyro, live from the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. J.R. and the King welcome us to the show before Kurt's music hits and out he comes, wasting no time getting on the mic. He says the question on everyone's mind is "Why Kurt, why set aside your quest for championship gold and concentrate on Big Show?" He says the answer is simple: The Big Show is a big ass, he doesn't like or appreciate big asses, which he uses to segway into his opponent for tonight, Rikishi. He says if maybe if Rikishi's parents would've practiced abstinence we wouldn't be exposed to that awful, repulsive rectum that he carries with him today, it's true, it's true. He hands the mic to Lilian as Rikishi makes his way out.
Kurt Angle vs Rikishi
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; J.R. informs us X-Pac isn't there tonight due to a death in the family. Kurt wastes no time trying to get the jump on Rikishi before the bell to get things started.
Kurt's rights don't do much as Kish just shoves him away. ore rights by Kurt then another shove, rights by Kish before he sends Kurt off the ropes, who catches Kish on the rebound in a headlock for a suplex but Kish hits one of his own. Kurt sent off the ropes again and Kish goes for a back body drop but Kurt flips over, going for a sunset flip but can't pull Kish down. Kish tries to drop onto Kurt's chest but he rolls out of the way just in time.
Kurt does manage to deliver a belly to belly overhead and celebrate prematurely as Kish stumbles into the corner. Kurt now with some rights, followed by a clothesline, then a second but it barely fazes Kish, who comes out and nails Kurt with a clothesline. Kurt whipped into the corner, then the opposite. Kish goes for a corner splash but Kurt shoves the referee into Kish's way for a ref bump and he calls for the bell. Rikishi wins by DQ in 1:24.
Big Show comes in from behind as Kurt tries to argue with the ref and he nails a sidewalk slam in the corner. Kurt backs up into the corner and sets himself up for a Stinkface. Kurt rolls out and Show chases him as Kurt heads to the back. Show joins Kish in the ring and they stare down again before Show hands some shades. Show takes his leave and Kish does his dancing.
We cut to outside where the DX Express is pulling up to the arena and out steps Shane, HHH and Steph, then we go to break.
Back from commercial we cut to Trish who... well she cuts a promo addressing Bubba where I guess she tells us tables turn her on, and using them as metaphors for penises. That was just bizarre and actually kinda funny.
Then we go back to the arena where HHH and the McMahon sibling make their way out. J.R. and King argue some more about the title match that never happened last week. Shane's up first and says their pops Vinny Mac will be there momentarily to grace everyone with his presence but for now, he has something to say. He admits that he can be a hot head sometimes, and owes HHH an apology for what he did last week during the confrontation with Linda. An asshole chant breaks out, and Shane agrees with him, as he says his actions reflected that. He says he now knows HHH loves the McMahon family as much as he does, and that he'd never Pedigree their mother. He says HHH is the greatest brother-in-law a guy could have, gets a bit emotional and says that he loves him, followed by a hug.
Steph speaks up and already we get a slut chant. She says they warmed her heart, and now she wants to apologize, specifically to the fans, if she's ever hurt their feelings with her actions, because she can empathize, that she knows what it's like to have her feelings hurt. She says they only ever see one side of her, that she's a deeply caring soul, and says HHH and Shane can vouch for it. She says she's sensitive,and when they chant "slut" at her, she almost cries, and that it's unfair that they all pass judgement without knowing the real her.
HHH now pipes up and says he agrees with her, and thinks the fans owe her an apology, because they don't know anything about her. A small asshole chant starts and he says if they'd pipe down a minute, he's about to pour his heart out, that he also wants to apologize to them. He says it's been brought to his attention that they feel, as of late that he's been unfair in the decisions being made. He asks if it was unfair to take Jericho's big "win" and strike it from the record books, to take an incompetent ref in Hebner, humiliate and fire him on TV, to make Rock compete in a Lumberjack Match so close to Backlash to get his ass kicked before he gets his ass kicked again by HHH. He says he's not an unfair guy, so in the effort of fairness...
Oh thank god, Jericho's out now to put an end to this and welcomes us to Raw is Jericho. He says the only thing HHH needs to apologize for is for boring the Jerichoholics half to death, week after week, doing these whiny, tedious interviews when nobody gives a damn what he has to say. and begs and pleads with him to shut the hell up. He says if HHH really wants to be fair then he should agree to give Jericho a rematch for the title and do it tonight.
HHH asks if Jericho really thinks he'd come out and reward him for sticking his nose in his business, for coming out week after week and saying derogatory things about Steph, once again saying that she's sensitive and delicate, like a flower. Jericho says Steph lost her flower a long time ago, asking how else he thinks she became a filthy, dirty, disgusting, skanky, brutal, bottom-feeding, trash bag ho in the first place. Shane cuts in all pissed off now and says he's sick and tired of Jericho and Rock making comments about Steph, that it's a matter of pride, then challenges Jericho to a tag match with HHH and Rock as their respective partners. HHHH then denies his request for a title shot, but he's in luck for getting an ass kicking tonight. Steph taunts Jericho with the title belt so he takes it with her and starts to walk up the ramp. HHH takes the bait and Jericho clocks him in the face with the belt before leaving up the ramp. Shane checks on HHH as Jericho heads to the back.
To the back, Eddie and Chyna are getting ready for prom, which just so happens to be the same night as Backlash. She hates his green tux calling him a Gumby reject and tells him to change. J.R. tells us Road Dogg vs Benoit is up next before going to commercial.
We get a replay of what just happened as we come back from commercial, but then we see footage from during the break where Benoit attacked Jericho from behind with a title shot to the back of the head.
Road Dogg vs Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We're reminded that Road Dogg and X-Pac go after the tag titles on Sunday as Roadie welcomes us to the Dogg House. He does his usual shtick, and there's a random shout out to Dennis Knight, the former Mideon as he tells anyone who's not down with him to suck it. I don't know what that was about but alright. Edge and Christian make their way out for commentary.
Lock up to start but Roadie quickly gets backed into the corner, Benoit working him in the corner,, and E&C openly talk about how they're going to cost Roadie the match if he gets the advantage on commentary. Roadie with a thumb to the eye and a headlock, sends Benoit off the ropes who catches a kick into a dragon screw, then a dropkick sends him through the ropes to the outside, while Edge calls Lawler... or J.R. an E&C mark. Exact words. Benoit sends Roadie face first off the announce table as Edge calls Tori trailer trash, before rolling Roadie back in.
Roadie sends Benoit into the corner but he gets the boot up, Roadie ducks a clothesline into some Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Benoit ducks the final shot and slips around, going for a German but Roadie elbows free and drops him with a right, followed by a knee drop, cover and a 2 count. Benoit pulls Roadie through the ropes to the outside before throwing him back first into the barricade, then a second time, only be dropped ribs first onto the barricade with a front suplex.
E&C decide it's the right time for a run-in as they leave commentary. Tori and Christian distract the referee leaving Edge the chance and nails Roadie with a spear before sliding out. Benoit goes up top and nails the diving headbutt for the win in 3:13. The match was alright, standard stuff, but honestly the best part was E&C on commentary.
E&C in the ring as Benoit leaves, nailing a sidewalk slam/inverted DDT combo on Roadie, an inverted DDT on Tori too for good measure. The tag champs leave as the ref checks on Tori.
To the back, I think we have the first look at APA's "office" as Kurt arrives, confused at their lack of a door. He wants to pay them money to beat up Big Show, then they call him a brown-noser. Bradshaw then points out that they don't beat people up for money,t hey're a protection agency. Kurt leaves to get money from the locker room... or at least he's about to, then decides to give some constructive criticism, that if they cut down on the smoking, drinking, women, they could afford a nice place, and the swearing too. They don't take too kindly to that and throw beers at him, kicking him out of their "office" and tells him to take his business elsewhere, then go to break. So much for that.
Back from break, Boss Man and Buchanan are in the back with Steph, then in storms Kurt, who tells them he has this problem with Big Show and how the APA just kicked him out of their office. Kurt remembers Boss Man and Buchanan don't like Big Show, and Boss Man even reminds us about that horrible angle with Show and his dead dad. Kurt kinda just brushes that last bit off and asks them to beat Show up backstage or the parking lot, or even have a wrestling match, so Steph makes a handicap match for tonight.
The Hardy Boyz vs Hardcore Holly & Crash Holly (Hardcore Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: North Carolina's own set to take on the Holly cousins. J.R. informs us that apparently Hardcore has promised his cousin that he won't attack him for his title tonight.
Hardcore and Matt start out as Hardcore gets a kick in to the midsection, and J.R. casually mentions that the Hollys, Perry Saturn and Tazz will compete for the Hardcore Title at the PPV. Clubbing blows by Hardcore, then rights by Matt, off the ropes into a powerslam, cover and a near fall. Matt sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Kicks to the midsection in the corner, Matt whipped across the ring and Hardcore follows, but Matt gets him with an elbow, goes to the middle rope and hits a leg drop, cover and a 2 count. Hardcore reverses a whip off the ropes and goes for the back drop but Matt cuts him off with a kick, but then gets dropped with a clothesline. Crash tags in, sends Matt off the ropes into a back elbow, a cover and a 2 count.
Scoop slam by Crash who then goes up top but Matt gets the foot up, Matt with the hot tag and Hardcore comes in, Jeff sends him into the corner, Matt comes in and throws Hardcore into the corner for Poetry in Motion by Jeff, then a cover but Crash breaks it up. Matt tosses Crash out, then a suplex on Hardcore as Jeff goes up for the Swanton. Crash grabs a trash can lid from under the ring though and nails Jeff in the back while the ref is dealing with Matt. Hardcore hits Jeff with a dropkick as Matt takes out Crash with a baseball slide on the outside, Hardcore makes the cover and gets the win in 2:37.
Impromptu 24/7 Hardcore Title Defense: Crash Holly (c) vs Perry Saturn, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Tazz
Hardcore keeps his promise and leaves ahead of Crash, the Hardyz decide to jump on their chance to go after Crash, sending him back in the ring. They try for a double back body drop but Crash slips free, sending Matt to the outside as he charges toward him. Perry Saturn rushes down as Jeff hits a corkscrew on Crash, makes the cover but Saturn pulls him off and tosses him out. Saturn his a suplex and Hardcore starts to walk down, but Tazz knocks him down from behind, Saturn makes the cover but Tazz breaks it up, then takes Saturn out with a clothesline. Hardcore in now as Tazz goes after Saturn, then Jeff nails the Swanton on Crash, but Matt makes the cover and becomes the new Hardcore Champion.
Matt makes a quick escape to Jeff's disbelief as the others keep fighting and we get a replay of the chaos.
We go back to Chyna and Eddie preparing for prom, Eddie coming out in a Richard Pryor-esque suit, Chyna just laughs and asks him to try the tux she got him. He of course loves the dress she's in, but insists she try on the red one, then to commercial.
Back from break, more Trish horny on tables promo, then to our next match
The Big Show vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts; We learn from J.R. that Buchanan and Boss Man are set to take on APA at the PPV, and we're reminded Show is facing Angle. Show goes right after Boss Man to get things started.
Numbers start to get to Show as they send him off the ropes into a double boot. Then off the ropes, under the ropes and trips Show up. More stomps and blows to the back but Show fights back with boots and headbutts before he tosses Bull over the ropes, but he skins the cat and pulls himself back in. Show catches him for a chokeslam but Boss Man cuts him off. Show reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Boss Man for a chokeslam now but Bull cuts him off this time. They send him off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline and then takes them down with one. He goes for a double chokeslam but Kurt runs down and nails a low blow, giving Show the DQ win in 1:23.
Angle nails an Angle Slam and Boss Man and Buchanan stomps away, before the APA come out and even the odds, chasing them to the back. Show's music hits as he gets up pissed, then leaves.
We go outside to a limo pulling up to the arena and out steps Vince, then we go to commercial.
Back from break, another bizarre table turn on promo from Trish. Then Vince makes his way out to the ring. He talks about how he was in Europe last week while his family did deplorable things in the ring. He talks about how Linda came down, in the interest of "fairness," added Austin to Rock's corner, which enraged his family. Then he mentions how Steph tried to slap her mother only to be blocked and struck down herself. Then to make matters worse, HHH tried to give Linda the Pedigree and Shane knocked him on his ass. Then Steph got between them and slaps them both repeatedly and goes hysterical, then asks if he's the only level-headed, sane member of the family. He says that even though HHH has convinced other family members he never intended to Pedigree Linda, Vince isn't buying it, and tells him not to touch his wife again. He says as far as the tag match tonight, HHH is going to have to find a new partner because Shane's been assigned new duties, otherwise he'll have to face Rock and Jericho in a handicap match.
Then he moves onto Backlash, saying no one knows Austin better than he does. He talks to Rock now, saying if he thinks Austin's going to lead him to the Promise Land of the WWF Title, he better think again, saying he should think about history and take a stroll down memory lane. Vince tells him to think back to a year ago, and Vince shows footage of Austin crushing Rock's Lincoln with his monster truck. Vince reminds us that that same night, Rock vowed two things: he'd never drive his personal car to the arena again, and no matter what he'd get even with Austin. He says after plenty of failures to get even, he finally succeeded 7 months later, accusing Rock of running down Austin, that it was Rock's rent-a-car, but he had an alibi. He says it was pretty convenient, and says that Rock would benefit most by taking Austin out. He says Rock got right on that expressway to stardom that Austin built, nothing in his way, a highway that he and Austin built for Rock's success. He leaves Rock and North Carolina with a thought, that when Rock thinks about Austin, convalescing after neck surgery all these months, trying to heal, about Rock stealing Austin's spot, the coincidences, Rock has to be thinking about one thing, straight from Austin's own mouth, DTA: Don't Trust Austin. He wonders if Rock can really trust Austin in his corner, or will Austin strike, saying he won't be striking himself or HHH, it'll be Rock and drive his venom into Rock's flesh. He says when Sunday's over and Rock has once again failed to win the title, it will dawn on him just how appropriate for the PPV really is. Vince's music hits and he makes his exit before going to commercial.
Back from break, Eddie is finally in a proper tux and Chyna is in her red dress, and they decided to do this at an awkward time seeing as Eddie has a match in 10 minutes according to her, so they quickly get undressed behind a screen, making Eddie want to stay there instead.
Al Snow & The Godfather vs D'Lo Brown & Steve Blackman
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Is there something I missed here? I mean I know D'Lo and Godfather broke up last week but last I checked Snow and Blackman were still a team? Snow comes out dressed like a pimp along with Head, and I didn't even realize who it was until the name graphic came up. Oh, J.R. informs us Snow and Blackman split on Heat the night before, so there is an explanation. We get a replay of D'Lo turning on Godfather last week on Smackdown as Brown and Blackman come out.
D'Lo wastes no time attacking Snow from behind, sends him offf the ropes into a side kick. Rights in the corner, sending Snow across the ring, sliding across the mat to avoid hitting the corner and gets D'Lo with a kick to the midsection, followed by a hurricanrana. Rights in the corner, sends D'Lo across chest first into the corner, Snow off the ropes with a clothesline off the rebound.
Godfather tagged in, then Blackman, who's sent face first into the corner, send off the ropes into a back elbow, Godfather off the ropes and goes for an elbow but Blackman moves out of the way. Side kicks to the chest and a dropkick sends Godfather into the ropes, goes to whip him off them but Godfather reverses, Blackman ducks a clothesline and nails a shoulder block, then follows with a backbreaker.
D'Lo in now with rights and a scoop slam, followed by a leg drop. Godfather sent off the ropes and D'Lo goes for the back drop but gets kicked in the midsection, Godfather off the ropes with a clothesline. Snow gets the hot tag and gets D'Lo with the back drop, then a clothesline for Blackman as he rushes in, and another. Godfather in now goes after Blackman while Snow lays into D'Lo with rights. Godfather and Blackman go to the outside as Snow tries to send D'Lo across the ring, only to be pulled back and nailed with the Lo Down for the win 2:31.
D'lo leaves the ring with Blackman as Godfather goes to check on Snow, who tries dance with the hos only to be knocked on his ass by Godfather and tossed out of the ring. Snow looks on pissed from ringside as Godfather dances with the hos, then we go to break.
We come back to another classic Austin moment, when Austin drove the Zamboni to the ring an attacked Vince. Then they promote a local restaurant and we see the owner front row for tonight's show. Then another Trish promo before we get to our next match.
Eddie Guerrero (European Champion) (w/ Chyna) vs Val Venis
Eddie gets a shot in right away as Val eyes Chyna, sends Val off the ropes into a dropkick, then a scoop slam and a slingshot senton from the apron, cover and a near fall. Val blocks a suplex and lands a stalling one for himself, then stomps away. He goes for another suplex but Eddie slips out into a roll up for a near fall, then follows with a clothesline. Elbow drop, cover and a 2 count. Val face first into the corner, whipped across the ring but gets the boot up as Eddie follows, dropping him with a clothesline.
Eddie sent off the ropes into a back elbow, elbow drop then a knee drop, cover and a 2 count. Eddie sent off the ropes again, through the legs, Val catches a kick, hits a fisherman suplex with a bridge for another near fall. Eddie sent of the ropes again and Val launches him up, only for Eddie to counter with a hurricanrana, hooks the leg on the way down for another 2 count.
Val reverses a whip off the ropes, Eddie ducks a clothesline, they maneuver around each other until Val is tossed out. Chyna drops Val with a right hand before rolling him back in. Essa and Lita run down only to be thrown to the floor. Essa runs at Lita only to be launched up and over face first into the ring apron. Lita goes up top as Chyna goes to DDT Essa and nails a crossbody. Meanwhile in the ring, Eddie gets sent off the ropes into a spinebuster. Val up top nails the Money Shot for the win in 3:43. I wish that had gone on longer.
Val makes his exit while Essa and Lita immediately attack Eddie. Chyna finally comes to and knocks Lita out of the ring and they make their exit, before we go to replays. Up next, the Dudleyz take on E&C.
Back from break, the Castrol Slam of the Week is Lita being driven through the table on last week's Smackdown, then to the match.
The Dudley Boyz vs Edge & Christian (Tag Team Champions)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a replay from last week when Trish lip locked Bubba as the Dudleyz hit the ring.
D-Von and Edge start things out with some quick back and forth, D-Von coming out with the advantage as he whips Edge into the corner, comes off the ropes and nails a forearm off the rebound. Edge makes an immediate tag and Christian gets caught with a drop toe hold, then Bubba's tagged in. Rights by Bubba, sends Christian off the ropes into a high back body drop, then a clothesline. Scoop slam by Bubba, then a right on Edge, which of course makes him mad and distracts the referee. Bubba holds Christian in position as D-Von goes up top for the diving headbutt between the legs. Christian sent off the ropes into a reverse elbow and Bubba tags in.
Christian gets backed into the corner for a loud chop, and another. T&A comes out with a table, Trish laid out on top as Christian regains the advantage with a headscissor out of the corner. Bubba hits the Bubba Bomb and realizes Trish is there, mesmerized and in a trance, allowing Christian to take advantage with the inverted DDT for a 2 count. Edge tags in, Bubba whipped into the corner, Edge launching off Christian's back with a splash into Bubba. Bubba sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Rights in the corner before Christian tags in. They send Bubba off the ropes and double over, but Bubba kicks Christian away and hits Edge with the Bubba Cutter.
D-Von tags in now with rights and a back body drop, then slams Christian down for a cover and a near fall. Edge whips Bubba into the corner and Christian gets into position, Bubba goes to the middle rope as Edge launches up and... I don't know if he spears Edge or headbutts him but Edge drops to the mat flat on his back and Bubba goes for the cover but Christian breaks it up. Reverse 3D on Christian, then they go for the 3D on Edge but Bubba gets distracted again by Trish, leaving D-Von hanging. Edge hits the spear on D-Von as Bubba heads up the ramp, giving the champs the win in 4:36.
Bubba comes out of his trance hearing E&C's music as he realizes what's happened, and T&A make their exit. Up next, we hear from Rock.
Back from break, Cole is with Rock for his comments on Vince's words earlier. Rock of course cuts him off and does his thing, then addresses the McMahons, saying they go out and run their mouths, about how he's in a tag match with Jericho, and says he's looking forward to it. He says the countdown is on, Backlash, 6 days, he recaps Vince's segment from earlier, and concedes that maybe he shouldn't fully trust Austin and vice versa, but there are two things Vince can count on, bet his bottom, clear as crystal, dark as night, that the Rock and Austin are unified, knowing the fact they can't trust Vince's candy ass. The second thing is that though Vince thinks Austin will just be in his corner to screw him, just like Vince did at Mania, but says Austin is more of a man, that if Austin had something to say, he'd say it to his face. Then he brings up how Vince claimed his road to success was paved by Austin and Vince, implying Rock's had it easy, then clarifies the word easy, using Steph as his example. He says he's never had it easy, ever since he lost the title, he's kicked, scratched, clawed, with every Rock Bottom, People's Elbow, drop of blood, he's earned the right to call himself the People's Champion. He then brings up DTA, and says he has an expression of his own, which is six days from now, at Backlash, he's going to layeth the smacketh down on HHH's candy ass, walk out of Backlash the champion, People's Champion, WWF Champion, if you smell what the Rock is cooking.
We cut to outside where HHH and Steph leave the Express, and it seems he doesn't have a partner, with that match up next.
Back from break we go right to entrances as Jericho and Rock make their way out, followed by HHH and Steph. He gets a mic from her as they stop on the ramp, saying they were hoping it was going to be a handicap match, then introduces his partner in Benoit, while J.R. tells us Jericho will be fighting for the IC Title at Backlash. Then HHH tells us to ensure there's no screwy finish a la Hebner, he introduces the special referee for this match. Then he decides to introduce Vince who will be in their corner tonight and in his at Backlash.
The Rock & Chris Jericho vs Triple H (WWF Champion) & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion) (w/ Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and Vince McMahon), Special Guest Referee: Shane McMahon
Benoit and Jericho start this out, Benoit right away with a boot and right sending Jericho off the ropes, who ducks a back elbow and nails one of his own before stomping away. Benoit reverses a whip sending Jericho chest first into the corner hard, catching him off the rebound for a back suplex but Jericho slips out. They trade chops a bit before Benoit rakes the eyes, only to be whipped into the corner and hit with the running bulldog off the ropes, a cover and... Shane makes a fair count? Well, alright, Benoit kicks out.
Rock tagged in with rights, Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers some chops, off the ropes only to be sent over the ropes to the floor. Rock wants HHH but Benoit attacks from behind off the distraction. HHH tagged in now, Rock cornered with rights, now Rock with some, HHH sends him off the ropes into a high knee, cover and a 2 count. More rights by HHH and stomps in the corner, choking with his boot, then Benoit in, nailed with a clothesline.
Jericho tags in, chops, Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes and HHH nails Jericho in the back of the head, knocked off the apron for his troubles, Benoit taking advantage dropping Jericho throat first on the top rope as he turns around. Snap suplex by Benoit before HHH tags in, Jericho face first in the corner, Benoit with vicious chops as Shane deals with Rock then more stomps in the corner by HHH, then a suplex and a knee drop, cover and a near fall. Benoit back in, another chop, then trading rights until HHH holds him up for another chop. Jericho sent off the ropes into a clothesline, cover and another near fall. HHH tagged in again, Jericho blocks being sent face first in the corner and fights back with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but catches him with a facebuster, cover and a 2 count. Jericho sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and nails a flying forearm.
Jericho makes the hot tag and Benoit in now, Rock with rights, then pulls HHH back in for some rights in the corner and a DDT. Rock goes to nail Benoit on the apron but gets nailed himself, then Jericho takes Benoit out with his springboard dropkick out of the corner. Rock hits the Rock Bottom and makes the pin and Steph gets on the apron to distract Shane. Rock drops Shane with a right while Vince slides in the ring from behind. Rock goes to hit him and Rock grabs hold but Benoit makes the save, only to be hit with a spinebuster. Rock sets up for the People's Elbow but Vince nails him with a low blow, and HHH hits the Pedigree, makes the cover and gets the win in 7:24.
The McMahons and Benoit stand tall and quickly make their exit, Rock looking on and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well setting aside the long ass opening segment the show was pretty solid and despite the short matches still had better action than Nitro. Several matches already announced for the PPV, although the Hardcore Title match will have to be changed with Matt's win, but I'm sure we'll find out on Smackdown. That said, with a runtime of 1:33:42, there was a total 26:51 of wrestling.
WWF Smackdown
We go right to the opening package and pyro as we go to the arena, live from the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Coole and Lawler welcome us to the show before we get right to our first match of the night.
Eddie Guerrero (European Champion) & Chyna vs Val Venis & Essa Rios (w/ Lita)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from Monday when Val beat Eddie after interference from Lita and Essa, leading to this match.
Eddie right away with a shot on Val and Essa goes after Eddie, while Chyna immediately tries for Lita, only for Essa to come from behind. Val and Eddie properly start the match with trading rights until Val sends Eddie face first into the corner, then reversed off the ropes, sliding through Eddie's legs into a shoulder block, followed by a gorilla press. Val goes to send him off the ropes again but Eddie hangs on with more rights followed by an enziguri. Eddie tries to pull Val to the corner for a tag but gets hit with a spinning sit-out powerbomb for Chyna to break up.
Val comes off the ropes for a clothesline but Eddie ducks and catches him in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before making the tag to Chyna, who runs right into a drop toe hold. Essa tags in now and runs into a drop toe hold. Forearms before sending him off the ropes into a back elbow. Eddie tags in and Chyna nails the scoop slam, setting Eddie up for a slingshot senton from the apron. They whip Essa into the corner for a splash from Eddie, then a handspring elbow from Chyna. Eddie follows with a side suplex for a cover and a near fall.
Essa reverses Eddie off the ropes who slips behind for a back suplex, but Essa flips out, Eddie tries for the tilt-a-whirl but again Essa flips free. Essa now with rights, nearly botches a springboard hurricanrana but manages to save himself. Val in now, they send Eddie off the ropes, Val launches Eddie over with a flapjack right into Essa's boots, then the cover by Val for a 2 count. Eddie with rights and an uppercut but Val takes him back with a clothesline. Eddie sent off the ropes and launched upwards, but turns it into a hurricanrana.
Eddie makes the hot tag, but the ref misses it while he's dealing with Lita on the apron, Chyna getting in a couple clotheslines on Val and Essa before she's sent back to the apron. Eddie turns around into a spinebuster from Val, then Essa nails the top rope moonsault. Val holds Chyna back as Essa makes the pin for the win in 5:20. Good way to start the show.
Val and Chyna start fighting on the outside while Lita nails Eddie with the top rope moonsault. Chyna sends Val into the steps before she chases off Essa and Lita to check on Eddie. To the outside, the DX Express has arrived and out steps DX and the McMahons. Apparently Vince didn't enjoy the ride. Then we see Rock walking backstage before going to break.
Back from commercial, the Lugz Boot of the Week is Rock getting low blowed by Vince and being nailed by the Pedigree on Raw the past Monday. Then we get another classic Austin moment, with Austin driving a limosine monster truck over several cars on route to Vince. I don't even remember this, although it looks like it happened on an episode of Heat, so that could be why.
Back to the arena, Rock makes his way out to the ring. He of course does his usual intro shtick, then says he's been through hell to get where he's at, and looking back at what the McMahons have done to him, every Pedigree, every chair shot, he still stands and is still going to Backlash. He says though that he realizes it's not over yet, that they still have one more night to do what they can to him, and asks what kind of matches they'll put him in tonight, maybe a Steel Cage, or a Lumberjack Match, or a Stephanie's Dirty Panties on a Pole Match, then calls out the McMahons, tells them to bring out the cage, lumberjacks and dirty panties, and says to just bring it.
On cue out they come along with DX minus X-Pac of course. Trips is up first and says Rock had some good ideas, and a very loud asshole chant starts up. He says they've been thinking the last few days, trying to figure out a way to beat the hell out of him again, and Shane in particular has been very creative. He goes to give Steph credit for some of her ideas and a loud slut chant starts up, as he says her ideas were brutal, but he says he's kicked Rock's ass so many times he's getting bored with it, then suggests they just wait until Sunday instead. Trips says he can see how stressed Rock is and maybe he needs to switch to decaf, so Trips gives Rock the night off, while they sit back and watch Road Dogg destroy Christian tonight, and adds a stip that if Edge gets involved they'll be stripped of the tag titles, because if there's one thing they won't put up with it's people interfering in matches.
Vince decides to speak now, and knows Rock is excited about Backlash, while another loud asshole chant starts up. He says he's excited to be in Trips corner, and Rock is excited to have Austin in his, but Rock should know that Shane is very excited, because in order to avoid another Hebner situation, Shane will be the guest referee. He says Rock is gutsy for coming and calling them out, but to him it just means Rock listened to what Vince said on Monday, wondering about Austin, wondering if he can trust him, if Austin will strike him down, and to remember DTA: Don't Trust Anybody.
Rock gets a loud Rocky chant as he goes to speak up, then says speaking of DTA, he spoke to Austin and he didn't want to wait until Backlash, that he was going to make a special appearance tonight. Vince calls him a liar, then says Austin would never show up tonight because he doesn't have the temerity, the grapefruits to show up. Rock tells Vince, for once in his pathetic life, to shut his mouth, because just like he's guaranteed to walk out of Backlash with the title, he also guaran-damn-tees Austin is there tonight, much to the chagrin of a bug-eyed Vince, if you smell what the Rock is cooking.
Back from break, Rock gets into a limosine outside and he drives off. The McMahons go out to the DX Express where some Austin foam fingers have been taped to the windshield, just as Rock is leaving, then go into the bus.
Light Heavyweight Championship: Scotty 2 Hotty (c) vs Dean Malenko
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage from Heat where Scotty beat Taka and... someone in a title defense, while Dean clocked him with the belt post match and put him in the Cloverleaf, leading to this rematch. Cole says this was originally supposed to happen at Backlash but it's happening now instead. Dean wastes no time attacking Scotty as he makes his entrance to get the match started.
Dean stomping away before sending Scotty into the corner, more kicks and stomps to the midsection and rapid fire rights tot he face. Scotty sent off the ropes into a back elbow, followed by more rights. Scotty off the ropes again into a knee to the ribs. Scotty sent off the ropes for another knee to the ribs, but he slips around for a roll up and a 2 count, Dean following with a clothesline and a back suplex. More rights by Dean standing over Scotty before whipping him into the corner followed immediately by a splash. Scotty lifted up top and Dean goes for a superplex but Scotty holds on, knocking Dean down with rights and nails a missile dropkick.
Rights by Scotty now, Dean whipped into the corner and Scotty follows, but Dean gets him with a boot, goes for a clothesline but Scotty ducks, arms around the waist and Dean elbows him away, goes for a suplex but Scotty turns it into an inside cradle for a near fall. More rights sending Dean off the ropes into a back body drop, then goes to whip Dean into the corner only to be pulled back and kicked in the midsection, then sent to the corner himself. Dean follows for a clothesline but Scotty moves out of the way, comes off the ropes to set up for the Worm, but gets tossed to the outside following. Scotty back on the apron goes over with a sunset flip attempt, but Dean drops down, holds onto the ropes for leverage and regains the championship in 3:51. Another good one that should have gone longer though.
Dean makes a quick exit with the title as Scotty looks on in surprise and we get a replay. Then we go inside the DX Express where Shane wonders what's next, and Vince says he's looking forward to Dogg's match as someone's pager goes off, apparently it says 3:16 . Vince says he doesn't think Austin's there, but he does have a funny feeling. Shane thinks he's letting Rock get in his head but he denies it, then we go to break.
Back from commercial, we go to Crash backstage who's upset about losing his title, as Hardcore walks up. He says Crash is going to have the chance to get the title back on Sunday just like himself and everyone else, and that even though he lost the title, doesn't have a girlfriend, and still collects Beanie Babies, it doesn't make him any less of a man, before he walks off for their match.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs Crash & Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get a highlight package of Trish's table porno... erm, promos set to some... suggestive music this time as she and T&A come out. Cole tells us it will now be a 6-man match at Backlash, with the Hardyz added to the previously announced 4-way.
Hardcore and Test start things out with a lock up, while Lawler tells us the Hardyz will face each other later tonight, Test shoves Hardcore away. He fights back with rights, only to be sent off the ropes and caught in a full nelson slam. Rights in the corner and kicks to the chest by Test, whipping Hardcore across the ring and follows, eating a boot to the face before being sent into the corner himself. Hardcore with boots and sends Test across the ring, following with a splash and a clothesline, cover and a near fall.
Crash tags in with a right off the top, Test face first in the corner, Crash with kicks before he tries to send Test across the ring, only to be reversed, but Test runs chest first into the turnbuckles. Crash goes to the second rope and hits a tornado DDT for a cover and a near fall. Crash off the ropes and goes for a hurricanrana but gets nailed with a sitout powerbomb for another 2 count. We see the Dudleyz watching backstage as Albert tags in and tosses Crash across the ring, then comes off the ropes for a splash but Crash rolls out of the way before tagging in Hardcore.
Hardcore with some rights before sending Albert off the ropes into a dropkick, cover and a two count, then a suplex. Hardcore tries to go to the top rope but Crash stops him, wanting to be tagged in instead to do it, and gets the wish, goes up top and misses the splash. Hardcore comes in now and argues with Crash, allowing Test to nail him with the big boot. Albert tags in Test before hitting Crash with the gorilla press. Meanwhile Test goes up top and nails the flying elbow for the win in 3:18. More decent action on this show.
Hardcore and Crash argue some more as they head to the back and T&A follow close behind. hen the Dudleyz come out with chairs an drop them both. Bubba gets his hands on Trish and tosses her in the ring while D-Von fetches a table, setting it up near the corner. Bubba goes up top and D-Von lifts her up and Bubba. Trish though once again distracts Bubba, which allows T&A to come in, Test dropping D-Von with a boot. They take Trish away as Bubba sits there in a trance, before Albert sends him through the table with a Baldo Bomb, then they make their exit to the back.
We go to the McMahons and DX trying to calm Vince down, but Vince wants to make absolutely sure Austin isn't there and organizes a search party, and they agree so it makes Vince happy. Vince thinks there's someone ready to attack from behind a curtain and puts on a ruse with Shane, making it seem they're oblivious to it. Vince pulls back the curtain to reveal Austin...'s cardboard cutout, which Shane proceeds to beat the crap out of. Shane walks off pissed off and tired of the games before we go to break.
Back from commercial, Steph bumps into Kurt backstage, who plugs the Gladiator movie, about how it'll be a big hit and a blockbuster, and says Spielberg has personally invited him to attend the World Premiere and will have to miss next week's Raw as a result, if it's fine with her. Meanwhile, paranoid Steph is just trying to get out of there, and she gives him the go-ahead, before asking if he's seen Austin anywhere. He says he hasn't, then walks off excited, scaring the crap out of her as he celebrates.
Chris Jericho & Tazz vs Perry Saturn & Chris Benoit (Intercontinental Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Jericho and Benoit of course set to meet for the IC Title, while Tazz and Saturn are going after the Hardcore Title on Sunday. They waste no time going at it as the match gets started, respective PPV opponents going at each other.
Jericho sends Benoit out before he delivers chops to Jericho to start out, Saturn reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Jericho into a flapjack. Jericho sent off the ropes, slides under the legs and gets Saturn in the Walls. Tazz drops Benoit with a right as he goes to break it up, leading to the referee to deal with him in the corner. Benoit grabs his title and nails Jericho in the back of the head before knocking Tazz off the apron. Saturn makes the cover but Tazz breaks it up just in time.
Jericho sent off the ropes now, ducks a clothesline and turns Saturn inside out with a forearm. Tazz tags in with rights, sends Saturn off the ropes and goes for a Tazzplex but Saturn fights out, goes to send Tazz off the ropes but gets pulled back into a bridging Northern Lights, but Benoit kicks Tazz's legs out to break it up. Side suplex by Saturn before he tags in Benoit. Tazz sent off the ropes into a back elbow, cover and a near fall. Snap suplex, another cover and a 2 count for Benoit. Tazz face first in the corner and Saturn tags in. He goes up top as Benoit nails a backbreaker, Saturn with a knee drop from the top for a cover and another near fall.
Benoit tags in, Tazz sent into the corner and Saturn whipped into him. Saturn knocks Jericho from the apron as Benoit locks in the Crossface, but Jericho breaks it up. Tazz whipped chest first into the corner and Benoit goes for the German off the rebound, but Tazz fights out with elbows to the side of the head, following up with a clothesline before he tags in Jericho.
Jericho lays in with rights and chops, Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but eats a back elbow. Jericho knocks Saturn off the apron then nails Benoit with the bulldog, covers but Saturn breaks it up. Tazz in now and goes to put Saturn in the Tazzmission, but he sends them both through the ropes to the outside. Benoit sent off the ropes into Saturn as he's climbing the apron, sending him into the announce table. Tazz is seen locking in the Tazzmission as Jericho hits the Lionsault for the win in 4:17. Keep this action coming.
Benoit rolls out and heads to the back with Saturn as Jericho looks on. Then to the back, Shane and HHH a follow a trail of beer cans into a room, and they find... a ton of empty beer cans, much to their chagrin and we go to break.
Road Dogg vs Christian (Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Roadie doesn't even get his pre-match shtick in and he and Christian immediately start fighting at ringside, midway through Christian's entrance.
Christian sends Roadie ribs first on the barricade with a front suplex, then slips into the ring. Christian with a baseball slide to the legs as Roadie climbs the apron, sending him into it face first, then Christian up top with a right. Back in the ring, Christian with the cover for a 2 count. Christian sent face first in the corner for some rights, then Christian turns it around for some of his own, whips Roadie across the ring and follows after him. Roadie gets the boots up but Christian slides under and out of the ring, tripping Roadie to the mat. Christian back up top but Roadie drops him with a clothesline mid-air, cover and a near fall.
Christian lifted to the top rope, Roadie tries for a suplex but Christian fights out, then spins around for an inverted DDT from the second rope. Christian with some rights now, until Roadie boots him, sends him off the ropes and Christian nails a shoulder block. More rights and a kick and Christian with the front suplex, cover and a kick out. Roadie whipped into the corner but gets the boot up as Christian follows, Christian lifts him up only for Roadie to slip behind him and nail the pumphandle slam for the win in 2:54. Rather anti-climactic, and you could feel the crowd die down after that. Not a bad match though for how short it was.
Roadie throws Christian under the ropes ribs first into the ring post and pushes the referee way, then lays in with rights before whipping him into the steps. Roadie grabs a chair as officials try to separate them and he lays in with more rights before he walks off up the ramp. As a result though, Chioda has the decision reversed, making Christian the winner of the match. Roadie walks off pissed as Christian is helped to the back.
To the back, now Shane, Steph and Trips are on Edge and in walks Tori... I guess she's found Austin? I can't tell what the hell she's saying, but she leads them over to a nearby door where we can hear ... some kind of rap remix of Austin's theme. They open the door ready to attack and it's just a boombox in a janitor's closet, which Trips proceeds to smash against the floor and wall, then we go to commercial.
Kurt Angle, Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man vs Rikisbi Phatu & The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt is out first with mic in hand to clear up a misunderstanding, that many think he hates Big Show, but he doesn't hate anybody, instead he feels sorry for Big Show. He calls him talented, 7 foot tall, 500 lbs, and lets all his talent go to waste. He decides to put it in terms the Charlotte crowd can understand, comparing it to the Charlotte Hornets: a very, very talented bunch, but they're not going anywhere, not going to accomplish anything. Of course the crowd boo him and says he's just as upset as they are about it. He says he's not only going to beat him on Sunday, he's going to beat some sense into him, it's true, it's true.
Bull and Boss Man decide to whip Kurt toward Show, who catches him and nails him with a headbutt, Bull and Boss Man now on the attack. Bull knocks Kish off the apron and hits him with the steel steps, while Boss Man lays in with rights on Show against the ropes, now all three attacking Show. Boss Man sends Show off the ropes and kicks him in the midsection, while Bull comes off the ropes with an ax kick. Kurt now lays in with rights, Bull and Boss Man send Show off the ropes and tries for a double clothesline, but Show takes them down with one of his own, then boots Kurt out of the ring. Boss Man sent off the ropes into a boot to the face, then Kish hits Bull with the steps before rolling him into the ring into a boot from Show, sending Bull into the corner to set up for a Stinkface. Show nails the chokeslam for the win in 1:55. Eh, it was what it was.
Kish hands Show a pair of shades and they get ready to dance, but Boss Man comes in from behind, nailing them both with the nightstick. He and Bull lay into Kish while Kurt goes after Show, but the APA make their way out and lay into Bull and Boss Man as Kurt runs off, now APA chasing after Bull and Boss Man. Kish still has the shades on and stops Show as he goes to leave, putting the shades back on Show and off they go.
To the back, we see someone who resembles Austin from the back in the bathroom and of course Shane and Trips attack, but it's... just some guy who works there, and Shane fires him before kicking him out, then we go to break.
The Castrol Slam of the Week is the Hardcore Title chaos from Monday, then we go to Blackman in the locker room and in comes Al Snow, who's here to reconcile, admitting he was wrong and Blackman was right and wants to get back together, do things his way. Blackman wants no part of it, bringing up Snow dressed like a pimp, something about someone in a bunny outfit, he can't stand it anymore and calls Al a lunatic. Snow agrees but says he can be serious, just as serious Blackman and thinks they could be a serious threat together. Blackman asks how he expects him or anyone to take Al seriously when he walks around talking to a mannequin head, calls him pathetic and says it's over before walking out.
Hardcore Championship: Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Matt comes out prepared with a trash can in hand, with a handle of some sort, trash can lid and a cookie sheet stuck inside.
Matt hands Jeff the cookie sheet and takes the lid for himself. Jeff tosses it away and Matt wastes no time with shots to the head with the lid, cover and a 2 count. Another shot to the head before Matt wedges the sheet between the ropes in the corner, only to be whipped head first into it by Jeff, who nails Matt in the head with the lid now, followed by a cover and another 2 count. Suplex by Jeff, who goes up top and takes the broom from the trash can, using it to add to a leg drop, cover and another near fall.
Saturn makes his way down as Jeff takes out a fire extinguisher, but Matt with more lid shots to the back. Jeff whipped into the corner and flipped upside down, then Matt puts his head into the trash can, following with a running dropkick into the can. Matt keeps Jeff in the can as he pulls him from the corner, goes up top and crushes Jeff with a moonsault. Hardcore comes down as Matt makes the cover for a near fall. Matt off the ropes only to be sent through the ropes, and Jeff goes out the other side. They each pull out a ladder and slide into the ring, only for Jeff to drop his and dropkick Matt's back into him.
Tazz down now as Jeff sets a ladder up near the corner, then slams Matt down. Matt goes up top and leap frogs over the ladder for a leg drop, cover and a near fall. Matt throws the extinguisher down into Matt's ribs before he starts to climb the ladder, and Matt joins him on the other side. Jeff shoves him down though and calls for a Swanton but Matt sprays hims with the extinguisher, before tossing the trash can at him, sending him off the ladder onto Saturn and Tazz on the outside. Hardcore joins in as Matt goes up top and... completely misses Saturn and Jeff, but Saturn goes down anyways, while Jeff goes after Tazz and Hardcore.
Matt and Jeff slide back into the ring, Matt goes for the cover as Crash appears out of nowhere with a trash can lid onto the apron, and breaks up the pin just barely in time. Crash hits Matt in the back with the trash can, makes the cover and regains his championship in 4:32. Alright that was a fun one to watch.
Houdini makes his quick escape to the back with his title among the chaos, as the Hardyz recover in the ring. Then to the back, the McMahons are arguing over this whole Austin thing as a delivery guy walks up, something for Vince. He tells the ladies to stay there as he takes Shane and Trips to get the deliver. They go outside calling out Austin, and it turns out the delivery is a cement truck, he was told to pour it into a Corvette. Vince yells at him to leave and think they were baited, that Austin is now inside the arena, and we go to commercial.
Back from break, J.R. is backstage on the phone presumably with Austin, saying it'll be great to see him Sunday, how everyone is talking about it, and Sunday is going to be a tremendous day. Vince and Trips walk up behind him, who of course think he's talking to Austin, and somewhere Godfather's music is playing for... reasons. J.R. says he was talking to his cousin, who's coming to Backlash. HHH takes the phone and hangs it up before knocking J.R.'s hat off, who calls them paranoid, and Vince and Trips leave.
Oh that's why Godfather's music was playing, he's out in the ring for a match.
The Godfather vs Steve Blackman
Blackman wastes no time going after Godfather before the bell with rights in the corner, kicks and stomps to the midsection. Godafather reverses a whip off the ropes, Blackman ducks a clothesline, Godfather blocks a kicks and nails the clothesline the second time around. Scoop slam by Godfather, off the ropes into his spinning leg drop. Blackman back up by the ropes as Godfather charges, Blackman backs him off with a side kick before whipping him chest first into the corner and follows with a dropkick to the back of the head. Godfather sent off the ropes, Blackman goes for the backdrop but Godfather cuts him off, sends him off the ropes into a boot, followed by clotheslines and a scoop slam. Godfather stands him up in the corner and sets up for the Ho Train, but Snow slides in from behind with a pair of nunchucks to the back of the head, giving Godfather the DQ win in 1:35. Not much else to say here.
Snow leaves the ring while Blackman nails the bicycle kick. Godfather's music hits as Blackman leaves the ring. To the back, the McMahons and co come back to their office to... something making noise on the couch. Shane goes for the bag and they all freak out and leave, the camera panning to reveal a live snake on the couch.a
Then we cut to outside where the limo is returning to the arena, and out steps Rock as we go to commercial.
Back from break, the Smack of the Night is Rock guaranteeing Austin's appearance for tonight. Then the McMahons and company head out to the ring, wasting no time with the usual theatrics. Shane gets on the mic and says he's sick and tired of all the games and calls out Austin, and that McMahon 3:16 says if Austin is here to come down to the ring so they can welcome him back right now. Vince now promises he'll ask all of his family to leave the ring, leaving Vince and Austin alone. Vince fired up trying to goad him out. HHH now gets the mic and says Austin's been back one day and he's already sick to death of him, talking to Austin man to man, and tells him to get his ass out there now. They wait a few moments before HHH says Austin's either not there or he's a chicken shit. HHH says Austin's not going to spoil the party, and knows someone who is there, and even though he told Rock to take the night off and was tired of him, he's changed his mind. He says it won't matter how many go up against Rock, and tells him to walk down the ramp and face him like a man. They start a Rocky chant and Trips calls him a chicken shit too.
Rock's music hits and out he comes with mic in hand, with Vince and co goading him to come down, Trips saying they don't have to wait until Sunday. Rock says he promised Austin would be there tonight, and says he's a man and a half of his word, and keeps his promises. He says all night long he's thoroughly enjoyed watching their candy asses get confused, paranoid, the beer, the rattlesnake, and that the only regret is that the snake didn't bite one of them in their candy asses. He mentions Shane beating up the cutout, Trips beating up the lookalike in the bathroom, and points out he doesn't dress, talk or look like Stone Cold, then points to the Tron and says he looks like Stone Cold.
Right on cue, Austin pops up on the screen, saying he's in the parking lot. He says there's concern over which side he's going to be on on Sunday, whether he'll favor Rock or Trips, and says he's going to be on the side he's always been on which is his own. Meanwhile the camera zooms out to show Austin standing on a crane. He says right now he has a little demonstration, for the grubby bastards who think they're going to get their hands on him. He says there are a lot of people out there good at destruction, building things with their hands, but the only thing he's ever been good at is tearing shit up, simply put he's good at deconstruction. He tears off a covering to reveal "AUSTIN DECONSTRUCTION" printed on the side of the crane, and says he's got an example in case anyone gets their grubby meat hooks on him This is of course the moment where he blows up the DX Express, before Austin says his catchphrase and is music hits. We get a replay of the explosion as the camera pans around the engulfed bus and the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I think this was a step up from Raw to be honest. Some decent comedy strewn throughout the show, good action for the most part, and another memorable moment in wrestling history to close out the show, not to mention we have a stacked card going into the PPV. That said, with a runtime of 1:29:32, there was a total 27:42 of wrestling.
BACKLASH MATCH CARD
- WWF Championship: The Rock (w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin) vas Triple H (c) (w/ Vince McMahon), Special Guest Referee: Shane McMahon
- Intercontinental Championship: Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (c)
- European Championship: Eddie Guerrero vs Essa Rios
- Hardcore Championship: Crash Holly (c) vs Hardcore Holly vs Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy vs Tazz vs Perry Saturn
- Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs Road Dogg & X-Pac
- Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan vs The APA
- The Big Show vs Kurt Angle
- T&A vs The Dudley Boyz
and though not announced...
- Light Heavyweight Championship: Dean Malenko (c) vs Scotty 2 Hotty
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