WWF Judgement Day 2000
Our opening video package starts by giving us various stats of what can happen in an hour, with accompanying appropriate footage, then into the buildup for tonight's Iron Man Match, where we go live at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. J.R. and the King welcome us to the show before we cut backstage to the regime enjoying some food, and Vince gives a pep talk. He says tonight is judgement night, it's also a night for celebration, then Brisco shows up late having had to run errands, while Patterson apparently missed his plane and he just barely made it.Vince sends him to get everyone coffee. Vince runs down their matches tonight, while nonchalantly announcing Shane's match is now Falls Count Anywhere.
Then Vince hears some noise outside the door and we go out to the hallway where, of all people, the Headbangers are attacking Brisco. They throw Brisco around into a hallway until we see Shawn walking backstage in his ref outfit, then onto our first match.
As always, Kurt is out with mic in hand, and says that ever since he teamed up with E&C, he's noticed he's been getting lots of extra attention lately... from teenage girls. In fact, he says word on the street is he's considered to be "all that." He has a word of warning for these girls, in the form of a nursery rhyme: Don't be like the people here, shacking up with different guys. Be clean, be pure, be abstinent, and follow his three Is. Then he introduces his partners, who also happen to be "all that."
E&C come out with sacks for... some reason, one of them noticeably has the neck of a guitar sticking out the top of it. Christian takes the mic and says it's great to be back in the Bluegrass State, especially in front of their great fans. He says before they administer a wicked beating, they have a very special treat tonight. Edge says that for the benefit of those with flash photography, they will now unveil a brand new pose, which should be very near and dear to all their hearts. He says they feel it's the greatest cultural achievement to come out of Kentucky, and they call this The Jug Band. Oh it was a banjo, not a guitar, and... Well:
Too Cool & Rikishi vs Edge & Christian (WWF Tag Team Champions) & Kurt Angle
EC&K get the jump on Kish and Too Cool, Kurt, then Edge, then Christian though get tossed into the corner, then Scotty slams his ass into Christian, then Sexay's into Edge, then Kish tries to do the same to Kurt but E&C pull him out of the ring in time. Edge and Sexay start the match officially, some quick back and forth until Sexay gets the enziguri. Edge face first into the corner, then a missile dropkick off the middle rope. Scotty tags in, Too Cool off the ropes slams Edge back to the mat and follows with elbows.
Edge gets a thumb in to the eye and brings Scotty over to tag Christian, some quick back and forth now, Scotty getting the upperhand with a suplex and a kip up, followed by a moonwalk. Christian gets him from behind though and delivers chops in the corner, Scotty whipped toward the corner but Sexay lays himself across the top rope, saving Scotty who comes at Christian with right hands. Scotty goes to whip Christian across the ring, who then reverses and Edge goes to do what Sexay did earlier, but Scotty pulls back and sends Christian back into the corner. Sexay with kicks to Edge while Scotty stomps away, Christian whipped into Edge, Too Cool with a double clothesline to Christian. Sexay catches Edge with a drop toe hold, sending him head first between the legs of a prone Christian. Sexay starts to dance in the ring while EC&K recover outside and his pants start to fall down, which was just random as all hell.
Once he gets his pants fastened and celebrates, Christian attacks him from behind, stomping away, then turns to the crowd which allows Kish to tag himself in and nail some rights, then on Christian. He tags in Kurt and Kish lays in rights, Kurt sent off the ropes and tries for a sunset flip but Kish stays up, then tries to drop on Kurt but he rolls out of the way. Kurt now with right hands in the corner, then some by E&C while the ref deals with Too Cool. Christian tags in, Kish with rights on Edge, then Kurt and Christian before Scotty tags in, Christian whipped into the corner by Kish and Scotty with the bulldog. He calls for the Worm but Kurt takes him out with a clothesline before he can do it. Christian now on the attack with rights, then Edge stomps away sending Scotty into the corner. Kurt in now, choking Scotty over the middle rope, then face first into the corner for more rights and chokes. Scotty now with rights until Kurt rakes the eyes. Scotty whipped hard across the ring, then Kurt delivers a suplex, float over for a cover and a near fall.
Christian back in, Scotty whipped into the corner but gets the boots up, Christian tries to powerbomb but Scotty flips through on his feet for an alleyoop into the top rope. Kish gets the hot tag and Edge comes in, Kish delivering right hands and clotheslines to all three. Kurt whipped into the corner, Edge whipped into him followed by Christian before Kish slams his ass into them. Clotheslines for Christian and Edge, while Kurt drops into position for a Stinkface. Kish picks up Edge for the Rikishi Driver but Christian cuts him off, then Kurt helps him deliver a DDT, and Rikishi just bounces back up to his feet, delivering a double clothesline, only for Edge to him with the spear. He starts to mock the worm but then Scotty gets him with the bulldog and does The Worm properly.
Kurt comes in for a sneak attack but Sexay takes him out with a side kick, then Scotty with a chop to the throat. The ref goes to get Scotty back on the apron though, and as Kish goes for the Driver again, Christian comes in and nails him with the ring bell, making Edge fall on top. Scotty goes after Christian and while the ref goes to pull them apart, Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop on Edge. Kish rolls over and gets the arm on Edge, and although Kurt tries to break it up, he's a millisecond too late, giving Kish and Too Cool the win in 9:46. Good opening match.
We go to replays as EC&K head to the back, and Kish is about to leave but of course he's called back in to dance.
Once they're done, we go to the back where Cole is standing by with HBK, calling him one of the most controversial people in WWF, and Shawn reminds him he's the greatest WWF Champion ever. Cole asks if he'll be impartial or biased, bringing how Shawn met up with both Rock and Steph on Heat before the show. Shawn says he was just talking to people, he hasn't been around a while, that Linda hired him to do a job and he's going to do that job. Cole suggests he might favor his old friend HHH, and while Shawn says he is his boy, you can only assess his job after the match. Cole says there have been rumors swirling on the internet that Shawn is jealous of Rock, of the fame he's achieved, and as it still applies 19 years later, Shawn jokingly says if it's on the internet, it's got to be true, then says it's enough of the asinine questions before walking off.
We see footage earlier tonight from Heat when Eddie and Chyna arrived at the arena in a sweet looking car, and up comes Dean, telling Chyna she needs to keep her nose out of their business, that this is between he, Eddie and Perry and not her. She jokingly says she'll stay out of it while giving Eddie an exaggerated wink, and Dean retorts about having the last laugh. They all go to leave until Perry comes in to confront Dean, and tells him if he's going to kiss ass, to kiss the ass of the one who's going to win tonight, which is him, then walks off.
Back to the present for the first of three title matches.
Triple Threat Match for the WWF European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) vs Perry Saturn
Double teaming on Eddie right away, Dean with a backbreaker and Perry with a top rope knee drop. Eddie whipped into the corner, then Perry whipped into him, then he clotheslines Dean for a cover and a kick out. Dean now with rights, Saturn sent off the ropes into a heel kick. Saturn reverses a whip off the ropes into a flapjack, then a press slam on Eddie. He goes for a suplex on Eddie, but Dean is standing behind him and tries for a waist lock, but Eddie low blows them both, then delivers rights, Saturn sent off the ropes into a heel kick, then a hurrcanrana on Dean, then sent off the ropes to catch Saturn with one. Dean pulls himself up in the corner and Eddie shoves Saturn into him, then Saturn whips him into Dean who sends him up and over into a side slam, cover but Saturn breaks it up.
Cheap shot by Saturn on Dean, then Eddie sent into the corner, but gets an elbow up before delivering a tornado DDT, cover but Dean breaks it up, followed by rapid rights. Eddie reverses a whip off the ropes but Dean knees him in the head, then a sitout tigerbomb and a near fall. Dean knocks Saturn into the corner, then goes for a powerbomb, but Eddie tries to turn it into a sunset flip, only for Dean to roll through. He tries to apply the Cloverleaf but Eddie blocks his attempt, then Dean takes out Saturn. Eddie reverses a whip into the corner before setting him on the top rope,but Saturn comes back in, Eddie up on his shoulder, and as Dean's about to leap off, Saturn sends Eddie throat first into the top rope, crotching Dean, then a belly to belly by Saturn on Eddie. Saturn now on top tries a superplex but drops Saturn on his chest. Eddie joins him up top now and tries for a hurricanrana but Dean catches him and... well he tries for a gutbuster or a backbreaker off the top rope but they come down kind of awkwardly. Saturn knocks Dean out of the ring before going up top for a frog splash, cover but Dean breaks it up.
Saturn now gets Dean briefly in the Cloverleaf, but Eddie pulls him off and plants him with the brainbuster, cover but Dean pulls him off. Now Dean puts Perry in the Rings of Saturn until Eddie breaks it up with a low dropkick to the face. Now Eddie tries for the Cloverleaf on Malenko until Perry shoves him, turning it into an inside cradle for Malenko until Saturn breaks it up. Saturn now with rights on Eddie until he's sent to the outside, then Dean with a back suplex on Eddie. Dean up top with some semblance of a splash but it's done terribly, covers but Saturn is back in, so Dean goes after him, then Eddie comes in, leading to back suplexes in unison on Eddie by Dean, and on Dean by Saturn. Saturn rolls out of the ring dazed and Chyna hits him in the head with the roses. Eddie rolls to the apron and tries for a sunset flip but Dean holds onto the top rope, then Chyna tries to hit him with the roses but he catches them, but Chyna trips him and he falls face first on the flowers, which allows Eddie to roll him up and retain in 7:58. Not a great match, it was sloppy most of the time, and something just felt off watching it.
Eddie reveals the pipe hidden in the roses as he and Chyna head up the aisle to the back, then we get some replays.
Then we see Brisco winning the Hardcore Title on Smackdown, before catching up with him, hiding in the men's bathroom, he gets scared by his own reflection even punching the mirror.
Up next, it's the Falls Count Anywhere Match between Show and Shane. We get our recap package, and this all started of course when Show got eliminated first in the main event of Wrestlemania, disappointing Shane. He also didn't do himself favors when he came out dressing like other people week after week. It all fell apart when Shane made some remarks when he figured the cameras weren't rolling, but Shane would quickly take advantage to screw with Show the coming weeks. Of course on the go home show, Shane would deliver a "chokeslam" to Show to lead into this match.
No Disqualification, No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Shane McMahon vs The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I'm only calling this match exactly as it was announced, as redundant as it sounds. Shane comes out wearing Show's "Big Nasty Bastard" shirt, but it's got Shane's "Which way did he go?" mockery on the back this time. Shane tries to get the jump on Show by diving over the ropes clearing them like nothing, but Show catches him and rams his spine into the ring post to start this match.
Show does it a second time before dropping him to the floor, then throws him into the ring steps. Show tosses the top half off before scoop slamming Shane on the bottom half of the steps. He pins Shane's hand with his foot, crushing it before clotheslining him over the barricade into the crowd. Show gets him with a press slam and tosses him in the ring. Show starts literally kicking his ass, then a clothesline, then sent off the ropes into a boot. He calls for a chokeslam but down runs Boss Man with the nightstick to the back of the knee repeatedly, comes off the ropes but gets caught with a headbutt, then another, then a powerbomb.
Now comes down Test and Albert with chairs, Show ducks a shot from Test then punches Albert's back into his face, then the same for Test. Trish comes in now with a low blow but he no sells and grabs hold of her, throwing her out onto T&A on the outside. Double clothesline on T&A now and Show goes after Shane who's crawling up the aisle trying to escape. Show throws him into the entrance set, then rips one of the steel girders off the entrance set, but Shane grabs the top of the set, swings from it and kicks Show in the face, taking him down. T&A are back on the attack and Test slams the girder down on Show's back. Test with right hands and Albert clubs to the back, Shane directs them over to the side. He gets inventive and sets the steel girder on one of the rolling equipment cases and rams them into Show as T&A hold him up. Shane with a cover but Show kicks out.
Show back up with rights and headbutts and elbows. Test tried to get him with a cinderblock but he gets kicked, then he and Albert thrown into the set. Shane tries to climb the set but Show catches him, until Bull comes out and nails him repeatedly with a nightstick, knocking Show down in front of a series of speakers. Bull chokes him with the nightstick, while Shane pushes over the speaker, landing on Show's leg as sparks start flying. Shane gets a cinderblock from the back and smashes it over Show's head, covers and wins in 7:14. Well... I mean this was a match I guess.
Officials and doctors rush out to tend to Show, freeing his leg from under the speaker, and Show is moving as we go to replays and Show is helped to the back and into a waiting ambulance, then another replay.
We catch back up with Brisco who finds his way to the referees room, closing the blinds before he walks in, asking the two inside if he can come in and just relax a while and they give him a seat no problem. He tries to take a rest and immediately they start to make a move, but he quickly wakes up, he gets all pissed and start arguing before leaving.
Then we cut to Shawn HHH sat down together basically catching up, then asks if Shawn's really going to wear the shorts he has on I guess is supposed to be funny.
Up next, the IC Title is on the line, and we get our video package recapping their feud. Benoit offered this match to him after the Screwjob finish on Raw a couple weeks back and we get several clips of their respective submission holds, on others and each other. We also get shown the attack from Holly on Smackdown once the package is over.
Submission Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (c)
Benoit's got his knee braced following the mentioned attack, we get a few lock ups until Benoit delivers boots and knees and right hands, Jericho face first in the corner. Jericho sent off the ropes, through the legs, off the ropes with a bulldog. Chops in the corner by Jericho, knees to the ribs, Benoit sent across the ring and Jericho catches him with an armbar off the rebound, but Benoit rolls himself free. We get back and forth, what seem to be tombstone attempts but eventually Benoit gets Jericho with a shoulder breaker instead. Benoit goes up top and delivers a diving headbutt, then applies a seated ab stretch, but Jericho fights back to his feet, Benoit tripped up and Jericho tries for the Walls but Benoit throws him off, then Jericho with a forearm. Benoit rolls to the apron but Jericho knocks him off with a springboard dropkick out of the corner.
We see Val watching on backstage before Jericho is sent shoulder first into the ring steps. Benoit set the rings steps up on its side, but Jericho picks him up and drops him knee first onto the steps. Benoit face first into the steps before being sent back in the ring. Jericho with a double underhook backbreaker, then Jericho goes for the cover for reasons. Now trading chops in the corner, then Jericho whips him across the ring, but goes shoulder first into the ring post. Benoit removes the top turnbuckle cover and he's having tons of trouble, but he starts ramming Jericho shoulder into the exposed buckle now, now working the shoulder but Jericho fights free with an arm drag. Trading chops again, but Benoit gets him with a snap suplex. Scoop slam by Benoit, then a knee drop to the chest. Clothesline by Benoit then an armbar and Jericho tries to fight the pressure, eventually getting to the ropes.
We see Holly watching the match on a monitor in the dressing room as Benoit delivers kicks, but goes knee first into the exposed buckle then the canvas. Jericho slams his knee into the mat, but Benoit fights back, only to be caught with a dragon screw take down. Jericho with mounted rights and Jericho is trying to take the knee brace off and Benoit is trying to fight him off but Jericho gets it off. Jericho uses the brace like a whip on the knee of Benoit, Jericho off the ropes with the brace to the face. Jericho tries for the figure 4 but Benoit boots himself free, but Jericho delivers a dropkick to the knee followed by the Lionsault. Jericho applies the Walls in the ropes now, but Benoit manages to pull himself up and fight out. Jericho ducks an enziguri but gets caught with a German suplex, then another, but Jericho blocks the third. Benoit tries for the Crossface, then Jericho goes for the Walls but Benoit gets him in the face with the knee brace, then caught in the Crossface. He almost gets to the ropes but Benoit pulls him back to the middle, Jericho gets free, but Benoit hammers away and locks it back in. Jericho passes out in the hold and the ref is forced to call for the bell, so Benoit retains in 13:29. It was a good match, these two always did work well together.
Benoit refuses to break the hold until two referees have to pull Benoit off him, holding the title up before he leaves the ring, as Jericho comes to. Jericho's music hits as he recovers and we get an ad for the next PPV, King of the Ring.
We see footage we didn't see earlier, when Brisco was attacked by the Headbangers earlier tonight while getting coffee. We had a pin attempt but Brisco kicked out, he was thrown into a metal shutter... Oh that's it. Now we go to Cole who's standing by with Brisco, asking how the title's changed his life. Brisco says it's changed his life so much, and right away thinks Cole might have funny ideas. Then he talks about how his kids at home were trying to beat him for it, just as two concession workers come behind and set their stuff down, Brisco says his neighbors have tried to beat him, the people at Brisco Bros. Body Shop are trying to beat him, people at the airport pointing fingers, he's looking for striped shirts everywhere, in restaurants, while the workers flag down a referee, and Brisco says he's starting to be a nervous wreck. Brisco knocks the vendors on their asses and walks off.
Now to Rock who's talking to Shawn, he tells him he better call the match down the middle tonight, and if not, it's gonna be between him and Shawn, and it won't take 60 minutes. Rock walks off.
Before that though, we still have this.
Tag Team Tables Match: X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori) vs The Dudley Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Commentary tell us that both members of a team have to go through tables for this match to end, while we get a replay of Tori putting Bubba through a table, then Bubba's trance in the aftermath backstage. Roadie welcomes Louisville to the Dogg House before doing his usual shtick, followed by the Dudleyz who come out with table in hand. They set it up in the aisle, then rush the ring but DX quickly escape the ring. Several tables have been placed around ringside.
We're doing this with tag in/tag out rules apparently as Roadie and D-Von start this match, Roadie sends D-Von off the ropes, ducks an elbow and hits a shoulder block, Roadie into the corner into a spinning back elbow. Roadie now sends D-Von to the corner and tags in X-Pac, D-Von sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and a shoulder block. Bubba in now with right hands, X-Pac sent off the ropes but gets him with a spinning heel kick. X-Pac goes to get a table but Bubba is right behind with a club to the back. Back in the ring, X-Pac whipped into the corner, Bubba misses a splash, gets a boot up, and a flying clothesline from the middle rope before knocking Roadie off the apron. That distracts the ref as Roadie tries to come in, which allows Bubba to scoop slam X-Pac to set up D-Von for his flying headbutt between the legs... Wait, this is no DQ, that shouldn't have even been necessary. Now a scoop slam on Roadie and another diving headbutt while Tori accidentally distracts the ref.
DX try to leave but Dudleyz get them from behind, fighting their way back to the ring with right hands. Bubba sets his eyes on Tori while D-Von fends for himself against DX. Roadie stomping away before tagging in X-Pac, boots and a spinning heel kick in the corner, dropping D-Von down for a Bronco Buster. Roadie tagged back in, now choking D-Von. Roadie with a front headlock now, D-Von tries to push to the corner but the ref gets distracted by X-Pac as the tag gets made. D-Von sent off the ropes into a spinning heel kick before tagging in Roadie, they send D-Von off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline then nails one before Bubba tags in, X-Pac sent off the ropes into a sidewalk slam, then a Bubba Bomb on Roadie and a Samoan Drop on X-Pac. Dudleyz call for tables and they slide three into the ring, two set up in the corners. D-Von gets whipped into the steps by Roadie, then he sets up a table, gets on the bottom half of the steps and puts D-Von through the table with the pumphandle slam.
Bubba now goes after Roadie with right hands, while X-Pac boots away at D-Von. Bubba chokes Roadie on the apron while X-Pac takes D-Von back in the ring, sets him up against the table in the corner almost like he's going for a Bronco Buster but Bubba takes him down. Bubba sets up another table but X-Pac gets him from behind, sends him off the ropes, tries for a hurricanrana but gets caught midair and sent through the table with a powerbomb. Roadie with Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Bubba blocks and go at each other. The ref tries to get between them, so they send him through the table in the corner with a double hip toss. Bubba drops Roadie with a DDT.
Brisco comes out now while Bubba sets up another table, then put Roadie through the table with a 3D, but the ref is out. Brisco pulls Roadie from the broken table and Tori slides in, tries to slap Bubba but he blocks it, grabs her by the hair while D-Von brings in another table, setting it up near the corner. D-Von puts her on Bubba's shoulders ready for a powerbomb but Brisco comes in to stop it, while X-Pac knocks D-Von out of the ring. X-Pac puts Bubba through the table with a middle rope X-Factor just as the ref comes to and DX wins the match in 10:56.
DX make their escape barely able to walk on their own as Tori help them to the back. Brisco slides back into the ring for some crotch chops, but D-Von gets him from behind. Bubba with right hands and now D-Von slides another table into the ring. He sets it up before they put him through the table with a 3D. Dudleyz' music hits while a couple officials come out to check on Brisco, then we get a replay of the finish.
We cut to a return vignette for the Undertaker, then another replay of Brisco going through the table. Now it's time for the main event, and we get our video package. Rock of course regained the title back at Backlash thanks to overbooking, so HHH decided he wanted a rematch, with an Iron Man Match, which Rock would accept the challenge. HBK would insert himself as special guest ref on the go home episode of Raw, and he has history with both Rock and HHH, having cost Rock the title last time he was involved in Rock's title match, and his history with HHH is long documented.
60-Minute Iron Man Match for the WWF Championship: The Rock (c) vs Triple H
Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: HHH comes out with the family at first, but gets the mic once he's out and says as much as he appreciates having his family out there, he wants to do this by himself, and asks them to go to the back. Vince is a bit confused but they oblige and head to the back.
Stare down and trash talk to start this off, then lock up, shoving back and forth, then break it off, then another until HHH is shoved into the corner, then switched around, then again, and again until Shawn forces a break. They shove each other, another lock up, Rock gets the side headlock and works HHH down to a knee, HHH fights out with a knee to the gut, now with a wrist lock forces Rock down until he bridges back up and gets another side headlock until HHH sends him off the ropes, Rock with a shoulder block and a near fall. Off the ropes again, another shoulder block, cover and a two count. Off the ropes once again, HHH tries to get him with a knee to the ribs but Rock slips around for a roll up and another kick out, forcing HHH to retreat for a breather.
HHH takes full advantage of Shawn's 10 count before HHH re-enters the ring, now with a side headlock of his own, now some quick back and forth until Rock drops him with a right hand and out of the ring again. HHH comes back in at 7, then talks some trash to the crowd, now Rock with another headlock, Rock sent off the ropes, stops himself from a leapfrog and nails a right. HHH face first into the corner, sent across the ring but gets Rock with an elbow and a clothesline. HHH with an arm wringer, shots to the back, wrenching on the arm, working it in the corner, before a right drops Rock following with an arm lock. Rock fights his way back up and delivers rights, HHH sent off the ropes but delivers an armbar takedown, hooks the leg for a near fall. Another armlock with about 50 minutes left, Rock back to his feet , HHH pushed into the corner and HBK forces a break, Rock now with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but gets Rock with a kick, only to walk into a Rock Bottom, cover and Rock picks up the first fall of the match.
49:10, Rock 1, HHH 0
HHH rolls out of the ring and Rock tries to get feeling back in his arm before Rock goes out, HHH goes face first into the barricade, then a second time. Rock pulls HHH up the aisle until HHH fights back, before being whipped ribs first into the steel barricade. Back to ringside, HHH drops Rock face first onto the barricade and HHH enters the ring to break the count. Rock now face first into the barricade and HHH with right hands, but goes knee first into the barricade as he charges at Rock. Back in the ring, Rock drops HHH on the apron with a right hand before suplexing him back in the ring, cover and a two count.
Rock with boot now, HHH tripped up in the corner and pulled into the ring post, Rock slamming his knee twice into the ring post before he tumbles out to the floor. HHH rolls into the ring only to have his leg slammed into the apron, then a shin breaker onto the steel steps. Back in the ring properly now, HHH yanked up and down out of the corner until Rock starts working the knee. HHH reverses a whip off the corner but Rock drops him with a clothesline, then puts HHH into the figure 4. He tries to fight through the pain, goes to mat with his shoulders down once but pops back up before 3, then he tries smacking his way out, back to the mat for another 2 count. He tries to reverse the pressure but only falls back to the mat for another 2, but finally rolls over the second try, then another to force a break in the ropes.
They roll to the outside, HHH goes face first into the announce table, then the apron, only to whip Rock into the barricade and get him with a clothesline off the rebound. Rock gets tossed over the barricade into the crowd, HHh joining him and they start fighting through the crowd. Rock gets back dropped back to ringside though. Back in the ring, about 40 minutes left now, HHH with a suplex, then an elbow coming out of the corner, then another, cover and a near fall. HHH tries again, but Rock gets the shoulder up, then again and shoulder up again, then again and another shoulder up, and again and again and again. Rock face first in the corner, HHH with more rights until Rock kicks the bad knee, off the ropes but gets tossed to over the ropes into the announce table. HHH gets sent knee first into the ring steps as he tries to capitalize though before going back to the ring.
Rock tries to whip HHH across the ring but he blocks, so Rock perches HHH's knee on the middle rope, leaping up and drops right down on it. Now Rock driving elbows into the knee, now a leg grapevine, HHH tries to fight out with crossface forearms but Rock keeps it on, until HHH rakes the eyes and slams his leg across Rock's face. HHH now with rights, but Rock gets him with another shin breaker, tries for another figure 4 but HHH shoves him off, sending him face first into the turnbuckle, followed by the Pedigree and he gets the second fall of the match.
34:24, Rock 1, HHH 1
HHH readjusts his elbow pad, then starts to choke Rock until pulled off by Shawn. More rights by HHH, Rock reverses a whip off the ropes, HHH catches him with an inside cradle and gets another fall.
33:26, Rock 1, HHH 2
HHH back up first, now trading right hands, Rock gets the upperhand and drops HHH, only to be tossed through the ropes to the outside. Rock face first into the barricade, then HHH with a right sends Rock stumbling up the aisle, then a shot to the back of the head by HHH, only to be sent into the entrance set followed by a forearm by Rock. Rock tries a suplex but HHH counters with one of his own onto the thin carpet. Shawn starts a 10 count for some reason right there on the floor, and we're at the halfway point now. Back to their feet, stumbling back to ringside but Rock catches HHH with a back suplex, but Rock just barely lifts him off his feet. Back to ringside, HHH gets whipped into the ring apron, then back dropped off the rebound. Shawn tells commentary that we won't have any BS countouts so... I guess that explains these two not getting counted out.
Back in the ring now, Rock stomping away, then a hard right hand drops HHH. Rock reverses a whip off the ropes and caught with a facebuster, then delivers a piledriver, cover and a third fall for HHH.
27:30, Rock 1, HHH 3
Barely moving as they get back to their feet, HHH knocks Rock into the corner with a right, now boots to the gut until Shawn pulls him off. Rock comes out with a clothesline, then more rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and gets him with an elbow, cover and a two count. HHH goes up top for some reason, only to be thrown to the mat on his back. Now we have a standing 10 count, but Rock gets to his feet first at 9, who delivers right hands to HHH into the corner. HHH reverses a whip across the ring, walks into a reverse elbow, but Rock gets him with a roll up for a two count, then a high knee from HHH, cover and a near fall.
Back to their feet, more rights by HHH now, then Rock with some, back and forth. HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Rock in a sleeper hold from the side, wearing Rock down to the mat. Shawn raises the arm but Rock fights out, until HHH uses the ropes, but Shawn catches it a bit too late. Shawn holds up Rock's arm once, but gets it back on the second. HHH tries to use the ropes again but Shawn catches it and kicks his legs out, forcing the break. About 20 minutes left as HHH gets in Shawn's face, then Rock with right hands, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, catches Rock for a sleeper again, but he turns it into a belly to belly suplex. Another standing 10 count, Rock rolls over and gets the arm draped, but HHH kicks out. Rock with more rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, but Rock gets him with the floatover DDT for his second fall.
19:18, Rock 2, HHH 3
Rock pulls HHH to the outside as he rolls out, HHH face first into the steps, then the timekeeper's table, then Rock goes face first into it. HHH picks up a chair and tries to use it but Shawn takes it away, so Rock with more rights before sending HHH into the steps shoulder first. HHH reverses a whip, sending Rock into the barricade but Rock gets him with a swinging neckbreaker on the rebound. Back in the ring, HHH gets Rock away in the corner, picks up the chair Shawn had left by the apron and nails Rock in the head, getting DQ'd and tying things up, then rolls up Rock with his feet on the ropes to get the fall advantage once again.
15:42, Rock 3, HHH 4
Rock's been busted open from the chair shot, and he's bladed better than the last time he was busted open. HHH stomping away as Rock leans against the ropes, Rock sent off the ropes into another sleeper hold and Rock can't even defend himself and passes out pretty much immediately. Shawn raises the arm once, twice, but Rock comes back on the third, fights back up, shots to the ribs and face, off the ropes right back into a sleeper from HHH. Rock back down, arm raised once, twice, and a third time, giving HHH a two fall lead once again.
12:25, Rock 3, HHH 5
HHH won't break the hold, and Shawn is forced to pull him off. They shove each other and HHH gets pissed at him. HHH shoves him again, Shawn shoves back. Rock fights back with right hands into the corner, HHH whipped into the corner, over the ropes and to the floor right into a cameraman. Back in the ring, rights by Rock in the corner, knee to the ribs, HHH gets him with a DDT, hooks the leg for a near fall. 10 minutes left on the clock, HHH goes up top, but Rock falls into the ropes crotching HHH up top. Rock now with vicious rights, joins him up top but HHH knocks him back down with rights and a headbutts. Rock back up though with a right and goes up top for a superplex.
Standing 10 count now, Rock rolls over and drapes the arm but HHH gets the shoulder up. 8 minutes left on the clock as they get back to their feet, HHH sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Rock with more rights, then HHH clotheslined to the outside. HHH face first into the steps, knees to the ribs, then catapulted into the ring post face first. HHH whips Rock into the steps with 6 minutes left on the clock now. HHH now takes apart the announce table, more rights on Rock and they climb on top of the table. HHH goes for a Rock Bottom but Rock fights out, delivering a Pedigree instead, but the table doesn't break and they just bounce. Rock does the smart thing and gets back in the ring, Shawn counts out HHH and Rock picks up the next fall, while HHH has been busted open.
3:45, Rock 4, HHH 5
Well now out come the McMahons as HHH comes to, getting back in just barely before another 10 count, Rock with rapid rights in the corner, HHH reverses a whip across the ring and Rock nails a clothesline. HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, Rock gets him with a DDT, then knocks Shane and Vince off the apron before delivering a spinebuster, People's Elbow and ties it up.
1:53, 5 falls a piece
Shane yanks Shawn out of the ring, gets in his face and Shawn knocks him on his ass, then Vince. Rock with rights as an engine revs, and X-Pac gets in the ring. Rock gets sent into the ropes as Shawn gets on the apron. Rock gets HHH with the Rock Bottom, and Taker's vignette starts to play, as Shane comes in with a chair and gets Rock in the head.
Out comes The American Badass on his bike and into the ring he comes as HHH delivers the Pedigree. Taker delivers boots, tosses HHH out, chokeslam for Shane with 30 seconds left on the clock. Right hand for Vince, chokeslam for X-Pac, right hand on Roadie. He gets Steph by the throat but HHH comes back in, caught with the chokeslam just as Shawn is back up. Shawn gets back in the ring, Taker gets HHH up for the tombstone, the buzzer sounds and Taker delivers, as Shawn calls for the final bell in 60:00.
There's plenty of confusion, because the tombstone happened after the buzzer, but Taker did deliver the chokeslam in Shawn's full view, even though that doesn't seem to be the story they're going with here. So, Shawn gives the final fall, via disqualification due to outside interference to HHH, therefore we have a new WWF Champion. Taker looks on confused and gets pissed at Shawn for his call, Shawn retreats as the McMahon's and DX help HHH out of the ring with title in hand. Looks like some trash has been thrown into the ring and even King is questioning Shawn's decision. Fans start showering the Faction with drinks as Vince gets excited, HHH barely aware of what's going on as the PPV fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
You know setting aside the European Title and the Show/Shane matches I enjoyed this PPV. Had good action, main event ended in chaos and it ensures a reason to tune into the next episode of Raw. I think this was the first time I've actually seen a full Iron Man Match like this too. Solid PPV. That said, with a run time of 2:46:28, there was a total 1:49:23 of wrestling on this show.
Then Vince hears some noise outside the door and we go out to the hallway where, of all people, the Headbangers are attacking Brisco. They throw Brisco around into a hallway until we see Shawn walking backstage in his ref outfit, then onto our first match.
As always, Kurt is out with mic in hand, and says that ever since he teamed up with E&C, he's noticed he's been getting lots of extra attention lately... from teenage girls. In fact, he says word on the street is he's considered to be "all that." He has a word of warning for these girls, in the form of a nursery rhyme: Don't be like the people here, shacking up with different guys. Be clean, be pure, be abstinent, and follow his three Is. Then he introduces his partners, who also happen to be "all that."
E&C come out with sacks for... some reason, one of them noticeably has the neck of a guitar sticking out the top of it. Christian takes the mic and says it's great to be back in the Bluegrass State, especially in front of their great fans. He says before they administer a wicked beating, they have a very special treat tonight. Edge says that for the benefit of those with flash photography, they will now unveil a brand new pose, which should be very near and dear to all their hearts. He says they feel it's the greatest cultural achievement to come out of Kentucky, and they call this The Jug Band. Oh it was a banjo, not a guitar, and... Well:
Too Cool & Rikishi vs Edge & Christian (WWF Tag Team Champions) & Kurt Angle
EC&K get the jump on Kish and Too Cool, Kurt, then Edge, then Christian though get tossed into the corner, then Scotty slams his ass into Christian, then Sexay's into Edge, then Kish tries to do the same to Kurt but E&C pull him out of the ring in time. Edge and Sexay start the match officially, some quick back and forth until Sexay gets the enziguri. Edge face first into the corner, then a missile dropkick off the middle rope. Scotty tags in, Too Cool off the ropes slams Edge back to the mat and follows with elbows.
Edge gets a thumb in to the eye and brings Scotty over to tag Christian, some quick back and forth now, Scotty getting the upperhand with a suplex and a kip up, followed by a moonwalk. Christian gets him from behind though and delivers chops in the corner, Scotty whipped toward the corner but Sexay lays himself across the top rope, saving Scotty who comes at Christian with right hands. Scotty goes to whip Christian across the ring, who then reverses and Edge goes to do what Sexay did earlier, but Scotty pulls back and sends Christian back into the corner. Sexay with kicks to Edge while Scotty stomps away, Christian whipped into Edge, Too Cool with a double clothesline to Christian. Sexay catches Edge with a drop toe hold, sending him head first between the legs of a prone Christian. Sexay starts to dance in the ring while EC&K recover outside and his pants start to fall down, which was just random as all hell.
Once he gets his pants fastened and celebrates, Christian attacks him from behind, stomping away, then turns to the crowd which allows Kish to tag himself in and nail some rights, then on Christian. He tags in Kurt and Kish lays in rights, Kurt sent off the ropes and tries for a sunset flip but Kish stays up, then tries to drop on Kurt but he rolls out of the way. Kurt now with right hands in the corner, then some by E&C while the ref deals with Too Cool. Christian tags in, Kish with rights on Edge, then Kurt and Christian before Scotty tags in, Christian whipped into the corner by Kish and Scotty with the bulldog. He calls for the Worm but Kurt takes him out with a clothesline before he can do it. Christian now on the attack with rights, then Edge stomps away sending Scotty into the corner. Kurt in now, choking Scotty over the middle rope, then face first into the corner for more rights and chokes. Scotty now with rights until Kurt rakes the eyes. Scotty whipped hard across the ring, then Kurt delivers a suplex, float over for a cover and a near fall.
Christian back in, Scotty whipped into the corner but gets the boots up, Christian tries to powerbomb but Scotty flips through on his feet for an alleyoop into the top rope. Kish gets the hot tag and Edge comes in, Kish delivering right hands and clotheslines to all three. Kurt whipped into the corner, Edge whipped into him followed by Christian before Kish slams his ass into them. Clotheslines for Christian and Edge, while Kurt drops into position for a Stinkface. Kish picks up Edge for the Rikishi Driver but Christian cuts him off, then Kurt helps him deliver a DDT, and Rikishi just bounces back up to his feet, delivering a double clothesline, only for Edge to him with the spear. He starts to mock the worm but then Scotty gets him with the bulldog and does The Worm properly.
Kurt comes in for a sneak attack but Sexay takes him out with a side kick, then Scotty with a chop to the throat. The ref goes to get Scotty back on the apron though, and as Kish goes for the Driver again, Christian comes in and nails him with the ring bell, making Edge fall on top. Scotty goes after Christian and while the ref goes to pull them apart, Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop on Edge. Kish rolls over and gets the arm on Edge, and although Kurt tries to break it up, he's a millisecond too late, giving Kish and Too Cool the win in 9:46. Good opening match.
We go to replays as EC&K head to the back, and Kish is about to leave but of course he's called back in to dance.
Once they're done, we go to the back where Cole is standing by with HBK, calling him one of the most controversial people in WWF, and Shawn reminds him he's the greatest WWF Champion ever. Cole asks if he'll be impartial or biased, bringing how Shawn met up with both Rock and Steph on Heat before the show. Shawn says he was just talking to people, he hasn't been around a while, that Linda hired him to do a job and he's going to do that job. Cole suggests he might favor his old friend HHH, and while Shawn says he is his boy, you can only assess his job after the match. Cole says there have been rumors swirling on the internet that Shawn is jealous of Rock, of the fame he's achieved, and as it still applies 19 years later, Shawn jokingly says if it's on the internet, it's got to be true, then says it's enough of the asinine questions before walking off.
We see footage earlier tonight from Heat when Eddie and Chyna arrived at the arena in a sweet looking car, and up comes Dean, telling Chyna she needs to keep her nose out of their business, that this is between he, Eddie and Perry and not her. She jokingly says she'll stay out of it while giving Eddie an exaggerated wink, and Dean retorts about having the last laugh. They all go to leave until Perry comes in to confront Dean, and tells him if he's going to kiss ass, to kiss the ass of the one who's going to win tonight, which is him, then walks off.
Back to the present for the first of three title matches.
Triple Threat Match for the WWF European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) vs Perry Saturn
Double teaming on Eddie right away, Dean with a backbreaker and Perry with a top rope knee drop. Eddie whipped into the corner, then Perry whipped into him, then he clotheslines Dean for a cover and a kick out. Dean now with rights, Saturn sent off the ropes into a heel kick. Saturn reverses a whip off the ropes into a flapjack, then a press slam on Eddie. He goes for a suplex on Eddie, but Dean is standing behind him and tries for a waist lock, but Eddie low blows them both, then delivers rights, Saturn sent off the ropes into a heel kick, then a hurrcanrana on Dean, then sent off the ropes to catch Saturn with one. Dean pulls himself up in the corner and Eddie shoves Saturn into him, then Saturn whips him into Dean who sends him up and over into a side slam, cover but Saturn breaks it up.
Cheap shot by Saturn on Dean, then Eddie sent into the corner, but gets an elbow up before delivering a tornado DDT, cover but Dean breaks it up, followed by rapid rights. Eddie reverses a whip off the ropes but Dean knees him in the head, then a sitout tigerbomb and a near fall. Dean knocks Saturn into the corner, then goes for a powerbomb, but Eddie tries to turn it into a sunset flip, only for Dean to roll through. He tries to apply the Cloverleaf but Eddie blocks his attempt, then Dean takes out Saturn. Eddie reverses a whip into the corner before setting him on the top rope,but Saturn comes back in, Eddie up on his shoulder, and as Dean's about to leap off, Saturn sends Eddie throat first into the top rope, crotching Dean, then a belly to belly by Saturn on Eddie. Saturn now on top tries a superplex but drops Saturn on his chest. Eddie joins him up top now and tries for a hurricanrana but Dean catches him and... well he tries for a gutbuster or a backbreaker off the top rope but they come down kind of awkwardly. Saturn knocks Dean out of the ring before going up top for a frog splash, cover but Dean breaks it up.
Saturn now gets Dean briefly in the Cloverleaf, but Eddie pulls him off and plants him with the brainbuster, cover but Dean pulls him off. Now Dean puts Perry in the Rings of Saturn until Eddie breaks it up with a low dropkick to the face. Now Eddie tries for the Cloverleaf on Malenko until Perry shoves him, turning it into an inside cradle for Malenko until Saturn breaks it up. Saturn now with rights on Eddie until he's sent to the outside, then Dean with a back suplex on Eddie. Dean up top with some semblance of a splash but it's done terribly, covers but Saturn is back in, so Dean goes after him, then Eddie comes in, leading to back suplexes in unison on Eddie by Dean, and on Dean by Saturn. Saturn rolls out of the ring dazed and Chyna hits him in the head with the roses. Eddie rolls to the apron and tries for a sunset flip but Dean holds onto the top rope, then Chyna tries to hit him with the roses but he catches them, but Chyna trips him and he falls face first on the flowers, which allows Eddie to roll him up and retain in 7:58. Not a great match, it was sloppy most of the time, and something just felt off watching it.
Eddie reveals the pipe hidden in the roses as he and Chyna head up the aisle to the back, then we get some replays.
Then we see Brisco winning the Hardcore Title on Smackdown, before catching up with him, hiding in the men's bathroom, he gets scared by his own reflection even punching the mirror.
Up next, it's the Falls Count Anywhere Match between Show and Shane. We get our recap package, and this all started of course when Show got eliminated first in the main event of Wrestlemania, disappointing Shane. He also didn't do himself favors when he came out dressing like other people week after week. It all fell apart when Shane made some remarks when he figured the cameras weren't rolling, but Shane would quickly take advantage to screw with Show the coming weeks. Of course on the go home show, Shane would deliver a "chokeslam" to Show to lead into this match.
No Disqualification, No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere Match: Shane McMahon vs The Big Show
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I'm only calling this match exactly as it was announced, as redundant as it sounds. Shane comes out wearing Show's "Big Nasty Bastard" shirt, but it's got Shane's "Which way did he go?" mockery on the back this time. Shane tries to get the jump on Show by diving over the ropes clearing them like nothing, but Show catches him and rams his spine into the ring post to start this match.
Show does it a second time before dropping him to the floor, then throws him into the ring steps. Show tosses the top half off before scoop slamming Shane on the bottom half of the steps. He pins Shane's hand with his foot, crushing it before clotheslining him over the barricade into the crowd. Show gets him with a press slam and tosses him in the ring. Show starts literally kicking his ass, then a clothesline, then sent off the ropes into a boot. He calls for a chokeslam but down runs Boss Man with the nightstick to the back of the knee repeatedly, comes off the ropes but gets caught with a headbutt, then another, then a powerbomb.
Now comes down Test and Albert with chairs, Show ducks a shot from Test then punches Albert's back into his face, then the same for Test. Trish comes in now with a low blow but he no sells and grabs hold of her, throwing her out onto T&A on the outside. Double clothesline on T&A now and Show goes after Shane who's crawling up the aisle trying to escape. Show throws him into the entrance set, then rips one of the steel girders off the entrance set, but Shane grabs the top of the set, swings from it and kicks Show in the face, taking him down. T&A are back on the attack and Test slams the girder down on Show's back. Test with right hands and Albert clubs to the back, Shane directs them over to the side. He gets inventive and sets the steel girder on one of the rolling equipment cases and rams them into Show as T&A hold him up. Shane with a cover but Show kicks out.
Show back up with rights and headbutts and elbows. Test tried to get him with a cinderblock but he gets kicked, then he and Albert thrown into the set. Shane tries to climb the set but Show catches him, until Bull comes out and nails him repeatedly with a nightstick, knocking Show down in front of a series of speakers. Bull chokes him with the nightstick, while Shane pushes over the speaker, landing on Show's leg as sparks start flying. Shane gets a cinderblock from the back and smashes it over Show's head, covers and wins in 7:14. Well... I mean this was a match I guess.
Officials and doctors rush out to tend to Show, freeing his leg from under the speaker, and Show is moving as we go to replays and Show is helped to the back and into a waiting ambulance, then another replay.
We catch back up with Brisco who finds his way to the referees room, closing the blinds before he walks in, asking the two inside if he can come in and just relax a while and they give him a seat no problem. He tries to take a rest and immediately they start to make a move, but he quickly wakes up, he gets all pissed and start arguing before leaving.
Then we cut to Shawn HHH sat down together basically catching up, then asks if Shawn's really going to wear the shorts he has on I guess is supposed to be funny.
Up next, the IC Title is on the line, and we get our video package recapping their feud. Benoit offered this match to him after the Screwjob finish on Raw a couple weeks back and we get several clips of their respective submission holds, on others and each other. We also get shown the attack from Holly on Smackdown once the package is over.
Submission Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (c)
Benoit's got his knee braced following the mentioned attack, we get a few lock ups until Benoit delivers boots and knees and right hands, Jericho face first in the corner. Jericho sent off the ropes, through the legs, off the ropes with a bulldog. Chops in the corner by Jericho, knees to the ribs, Benoit sent across the ring and Jericho catches him with an armbar off the rebound, but Benoit rolls himself free. We get back and forth, what seem to be tombstone attempts but eventually Benoit gets Jericho with a shoulder breaker instead. Benoit goes up top and delivers a diving headbutt, then applies a seated ab stretch, but Jericho fights back to his feet, Benoit tripped up and Jericho tries for the Walls but Benoit throws him off, then Jericho with a forearm. Benoit rolls to the apron but Jericho knocks him off with a springboard dropkick out of the corner.
We see Val watching on backstage before Jericho is sent shoulder first into the ring steps. Benoit set the rings steps up on its side, but Jericho picks him up and drops him knee first onto the steps. Benoit face first into the steps before being sent back in the ring. Jericho with a double underhook backbreaker, then Jericho goes for the cover for reasons. Now trading chops in the corner, then Jericho whips him across the ring, but goes shoulder first into the ring post. Benoit removes the top turnbuckle cover and he's having tons of trouble, but he starts ramming Jericho shoulder into the exposed buckle now, now working the shoulder but Jericho fights free with an arm drag. Trading chops again, but Benoit gets him with a snap suplex. Scoop slam by Benoit, then a knee drop to the chest. Clothesline by Benoit then an armbar and Jericho tries to fight the pressure, eventually getting to the ropes.
We see Holly watching the match on a monitor in the dressing room as Benoit delivers kicks, but goes knee first into the exposed buckle then the canvas. Jericho slams his knee into the mat, but Benoit fights back, only to be caught with a dragon screw take down. Jericho with mounted rights and Jericho is trying to take the knee brace off and Benoit is trying to fight him off but Jericho gets it off. Jericho uses the brace like a whip on the knee of Benoit, Jericho off the ropes with the brace to the face. Jericho tries for the figure 4 but Benoit boots himself free, but Jericho delivers a dropkick to the knee followed by the Lionsault. Jericho applies the Walls in the ropes now, but Benoit manages to pull himself up and fight out. Jericho ducks an enziguri but gets caught with a German suplex, then another, but Jericho blocks the third. Benoit tries for the Crossface, then Jericho goes for the Walls but Benoit gets him in the face with the knee brace, then caught in the Crossface. He almost gets to the ropes but Benoit pulls him back to the middle, Jericho gets free, but Benoit hammers away and locks it back in. Jericho passes out in the hold and the ref is forced to call for the bell, so Benoit retains in 13:29. It was a good match, these two always did work well together.
Benoit refuses to break the hold until two referees have to pull Benoit off him, holding the title up before he leaves the ring, as Jericho comes to. Jericho's music hits as he recovers and we get an ad for the next PPV, King of the Ring.
We see footage we didn't see earlier, when Brisco was attacked by the Headbangers earlier tonight while getting coffee. We had a pin attempt but Brisco kicked out, he was thrown into a metal shutter... Oh that's it. Now we go to Cole who's standing by with Brisco, asking how the title's changed his life. Brisco says it's changed his life so much, and right away thinks Cole might have funny ideas. Then he talks about how his kids at home were trying to beat him for it, just as two concession workers come behind and set their stuff down, Brisco says his neighbors have tried to beat him, the people at Brisco Bros. Body Shop are trying to beat him, people at the airport pointing fingers, he's looking for striped shirts everywhere, in restaurants, while the workers flag down a referee, and Brisco says he's starting to be a nervous wreck. Brisco knocks the vendors on their asses and walks off.
Now to Rock who's talking to Shawn, he tells him he better call the match down the middle tonight, and if not, it's gonna be between him and Shawn, and it won't take 60 minutes. Rock walks off.
Before that though, we still have this.
Tag Team Tables Match: X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori) vs The Dudley Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Commentary tell us that both members of a team have to go through tables for this match to end, while we get a replay of Tori putting Bubba through a table, then Bubba's trance in the aftermath backstage. Roadie welcomes Louisville to the Dogg House before doing his usual shtick, followed by the Dudleyz who come out with table in hand. They set it up in the aisle, then rush the ring but DX quickly escape the ring. Several tables have been placed around ringside.
We're doing this with tag in/tag out rules apparently as Roadie and D-Von start this match, Roadie sends D-Von off the ropes, ducks an elbow and hits a shoulder block, Roadie into the corner into a spinning back elbow. Roadie now sends D-Von to the corner and tags in X-Pac, D-Von sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and a shoulder block. Bubba in now with right hands, X-Pac sent off the ropes but gets him with a spinning heel kick. X-Pac goes to get a table but Bubba is right behind with a club to the back. Back in the ring, X-Pac whipped into the corner, Bubba misses a splash, gets a boot up, and a flying clothesline from the middle rope before knocking Roadie off the apron. That distracts the ref as Roadie tries to come in, which allows Bubba to scoop slam X-Pac to set up D-Von for his flying headbutt between the legs... Wait, this is no DQ, that shouldn't have even been necessary. Now a scoop slam on Roadie and another diving headbutt while Tori accidentally distracts the ref.
DX try to leave but Dudleyz get them from behind, fighting their way back to the ring with right hands. Bubba sets his eyes on Tori while D-Von fends for himself against DX. Roadie stomping away before tagging in X-Pac, boots and a spinning heel kick in the corner, dropping D-Von down for a Bronco Buster. Roadie tagged back in, now choking D-Von. Roadie with a front headlock now, D-Von tries to push to the corner but the ref gets distracted by X-Pac as the tag gets made. D-Von sent off the ropes into a spinning heel kick before tagging in Roadie, they send D-Von off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline then nails one before Bubba tags in, X-Pac sent off the ropes into a sidewalk slam, then a Bubba Bomb on Roadie and a Samoan Drop on X-Pac. Dudleyz call for tables and they slide three into the ring, two set up in the corners. D-Von gets whipped into the steps by Roadie, then he sets up a table, gets on the bottom half of the steps and puts D-Von through the table with the pumphandle slam.
Bubba now goes after Roadie with right hands, while X-Pac boots away at D-Von. Bubba chokes Roadie on the apron while X-Pac takes D-Von back in the ring, sets him up against the table in the corner almost like he's going for a Bronco Buster but Bubba takes him down. Bubba sets up another table but X-Pac gets him from behind, sends him off the ropes, tries for a hurricanrana but gets caught midair and sent through the table with a powerbomb. Roadie with Shake, Rattle and Roll, but Bubba blocks and go at each other. The ref tries to get between them, so they send him through the table in the corner with a double hip toss. Bubba drops Roadie with a DDT.
Brisco comes out now while Bubba sets up another table, then put Roadie through the table with a 3D, but the ref is out. Brisco pulls Roadie from the broken table and Tori slides in, tries to slap Bubba but he blocks it, grabs her by the hair while D-Von brings in another table, setting it up near the corner. D-Von puts her on Bubba's shoulders ready for a powerbomb but Brisco comes in to stop it, while X-Pac knocks D-Von out of the ring. X-Pac puts Bubba through the table with a middle rope X-Factor just as the ref comes to and DX wins the match in 10:56.
DX make their escape barely able to walk on their own as Tori help them to the back. Brisco slides back into the ring for some crotch chops, but D-Von gets him from behind. Bubba with right hands and now D-Von slides another table into the ring. He sets it up before they put him through the table with a 3D. Dudleyz' music hits while a couple officials come out to check on Brisco, then we get a replay of the finish.
We cut to a return vignette for the Undertaker, then another replay of Brisco going through the table. Now it's time for the main event, and we get our video package. Rock of course regained the title back at Backlash thanks to overbooking, so HHH decided he wanted a rematch, with an Iron Man Match, which Rock would accept the challenge. HBK would insert himself as special guest ref on the go home episode of Raw, and he has history with both Rock and HHH, having cost Rock the title last time he was involved in Rock's title match, and his history with HHH is long documented.
60-Minute Iron Man Match for the WWF Championship: The Rock (c) vs Triple H
Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: HHH comes out with the family at first, but gets the mic once he's out and says as much as he appreciates having his family out there, he wants to do this by himself, and asks them to go to the back. Vince is a bit confused but they oblige and head to the back.
Stare down and trash talk to start this off, then lock up, shoving back and forth, then break it off, then another until HHH is shoved into the corner, then switched around, then again, and again until Shawn forces a break. They shove each other, another lock up, Rock gets the side headlock and works HHH down to a knee, HHH fights out with a knee to the gut, now with a wrist lock forces Rock down until he bridges back up and gets another side headlock until HHH sends him off the ropes, Rock with a shoulder block and a near fall. Off the ropes again, another shoulder block, cover and a two count. Off the ropes once again, HHH tries to get him with a knee to the ribs but Rock slips around for a roll up and another kick out, forcing HHH to retreat for a breather.
HHH takes full advantage of Shawn's 10 count before HHH re-enters the ring, now with a side headlock of his own, now some quick back and forth until Rock drops him with a right hand and out of the ring again. HHH comes back in at 7, then talks some trash to the crowd, now Rock with another headlock, Rock sent off the ropes, stops himself from a leapfrog and nails a right. HHH face first into the corner, sent across the ring but gets Rock with an elbow and a clothesline. HHH with an arm wringer, shots to the back, wrenching on the arm, working it in the corner, before a right drops Rock following with an arm lock. Rock fights his way back up and delivers rights, HHH sent off the ropes but delivers an armbar takedown, hooks the leg for a near fall. Another armlock with about 50 minutes left, Rock back to his feet , HHH pushed into the corner and HBK forces a break, Rock now with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but gets Rock with a kick, only to walk into a Rock Bottom, cover and Rock picks up the first fall of the match.
49:10, Rock 1, HHH 0
HHH rolls out of the ring and Rock tries to get feeling back in his arm before Rock goes out, HHH goes face first into the barricade, then a second time. Rock pulls HHH up the aisle until HHH fights back, before being whipped ribs first into the steel barricade. Back to ringside, HHH drops Rock face first onto the barricade and HHH enters the ring to break the count. Rock now face first into the barricade and HHH with right hands, but goes knee first into the barricade as he charges at Rock. Back in the ring, Rock drops HHH on the apron with a right hand before suplexing him back in the ring, cover and a two count.
Rock with boot now, HHH tripped up in the corner and pulled into the ring post, Rock slamming his knee twice into the ring post before he tumbles out to the floor. HHH rolls into the ring only to have his leg slammed into the apron, then a shin breaker onto the steel steps. Back in the ring properly now, HHH yanked up and down out of the corner until Rock starts working the knee. HHH reverses a whip off the corner but Rock drops him with a clothesline, then puts HHH into the figure 4. He tries to fight through the pain, goes to mat with his shoulders down once but pops back up before 3, then he tries smacking his way out, back to the mat for another 2 count. He tries to reverse the pressure but only falls back to the mat for another 2, but finally rolls over the second try, then another to force a break in the ropes.
They roll to the outside, HHH goes face first into the announce table, then the apron, only to whip Rock into the barricade and get him with a clothesline off the rebound. Rock gets tossed over the barricade into the crowd, HHh joining him and they start fighting through the crowd. Rock gets back dropped back to ringside though. Back in the ring, about 40 minutes left now, HHH with a suplex, then an elbow coming out of the corner, then another, cover and a near fall. HHH tries again, but Rock gets the shoulder up, then again and shoulder up again, then again and another shoulder up, and again and again and again. Rock face first in the corner, HHH with more rights until Rock kicks the bad knee, off the ropes but gets tossed to over the ropes into the announce table. HHH gets sent knee first into the ring steps as he tries to capitalize though before going back to the ring.
Rock tries to whip HHH across the ring but he blocks, so Rock perches HHH's knee on the middle rope, leaping up and drops right down on it. Now Rock driving elbows into the knee, now a leg grapevine, HHH tries to fight out with crossface forearms but Rock keeps it on, until HHH rakes the eyes and slams his leg across Rock's face. HHH now with rights, but Rock gets him with another shin breaker, tries for another figure 4 but HHH shoves him off, sending him face first into the turnbuckle, followed by the Pedigree and he gets the second fall of the match.
34:24, Rock 1, HHH 1
HHH readjusts his elbow pad, then starts to choke Rock until pulled off by Shawn. More rights by HHH, Rock reverses a whip off the ropes, HHH catches him with an inside cradle and gets another fall.
33:26, Rock 1, HHH 2
HHH back up first, now trading right hands, Rock gets the upperhand and drops HHH, only to be tossed through the ropes to the outside. Rock face first into the barricade, then HHH with a right sends Rock stumbling up the aisle, then a shot to the back of the head by HHH, only to be sent into the entrance set followed by a forearm by Rock. Rock tries a suplex but HHH counters with one of his own onto the thin carpet. Shawn starts a 10 count for some reason right there on the floor, and we're at the halfway point now. Back to their feet, stumbling back to ringside but Rock catches HHH with a back suplex, but Rock just barely lifts him off his feet. Back to ringside, HHH gets whipped into the ring apron, then back dropped off the rebound. Shawn tells commentary that we won't have any BS countouts so... I guess that explains these two not getting counted out.
Back in the ring now, Rock stomping away, then a hard right hand drops HHH. Rock reverses a whip off the ropes and caught with a facebuster, then delivers a piledriver, cover and a third fall for HHH.
27:30, Rock 1, HHH 3
Barely moving as they get back to their feet, HHH knocks Rock into the corner with a right, now boots to the gut until Shawn pulls him off. Rock comes out with a clothesline, then more rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and gets him with an elbow, cover and a two count. HHH goes up top for some reason, only to be thrown to the mat on his back. Now we have a standing 10 count, but Rock gets to his feet first at 9, who delivers right hands to HHH into the corner. HHH reverses a whip across the ring, walks into a reverse elbow, but Rock gets him with a roll up for a two count, then a high knee from HHH, cover and a near fall.
Back to their feet, more rights by HHH now, then Rock with some, back and forth. HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Rock in a sleeper hold from the side, wearing Rock down to the mat. Shawn raises the arm but Rock fights out, until HHH uses the ropes, but Shawn catches it a bit too late. Shawn holds up Rock's arm once, but gets it back on the second. HHH tries to use the ropes again but Shawn catches it and kicks his legs out, forcing the break. About 20 minutes left as HHH gets in Shawn's face, then Rock with right hands, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, catches Rock for a sleeper again, but he turns it into a belly to belly suplex. Another standing 10 count, Rock rolls over and gets the arm draped, but HHH kicks out. Rock with more rights, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, but Rock gets him with the floatover DDT for his second fall.
19:18, Rock 2, HHH 3
Rock pulls HHH to the outside as he rolls out, HHH face first into the steps, then the timekeeper's table, then Rock goes face first into it. HHH picks up a chair and tries to use it but Shawn takes it away, so Rock with more rights before sending HHH into the steps shoulder first. HHH reverses a whip, sending Rock into the barricade but Rock gets him with a swinging neckbreaker on the rebound. Back in the ring, HHH gets Rock away in the corner, picks up the chair Shawn had left by the apron and nails Rock in the head, getting DQ'd and tying things up, then rolls up Rock with his feet on the ropes to get the fall advantage once again.
15:42, Rock 3, HHH 4
Rock's been busted open from the chair shot, and he's bladed better than the last time he was busted open. HHH stomping away as Rock leans against the ropes, Rock sent off the ropes into another sleeper hold and Rock can't even defend himself and passes out pretty much immediately. Shawn raises the arm once, twice, but Rock comes back on the third, fights back up, shots to the ribs and face, off the ropes right back into a sleeper from HHH. Rock back down, arm raised once, twice, and a third time, giving HHH a two fall lead once again.
12:25, Rock 3, HHH 5
HHH won't break the hold, and Shawn is forced to pull him off. They shove each other and HHH gets pissed at him. HHH shoves him again, Shawn shoves back. Rock fights back with right hands into the corner, HHH whipped into the corner, over the ropes and to the floor right into a cameraman. Back in the ring, rights by Rock in the corner, knee to the ribs, HHH gets him with a DDT, hooks the leg for a near fall. 10 minutes left on the clock, HHH goes up top, but Rock falls into the ropes crotching HHH up top. Rock now with vicious rights, joins him up top but HHH knocks him back down with rights and a headbutts. Rock back up though with a right and goes up top for a superplex.
Standing 10 count now, Rock rolls over and drapes the arm but HHH gets the shoulder up. 8 minutes left on the clock as they get back to their feet, HHH sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Rock with more rights, then HHH clotheslined to the outside. HHH face first into the steps, knees to the ribs, then catapulted into the ring post face first. HHH whips Rock into the steps with 6 minutes left on the clock now. HHH now takes apart the announce table, more rights on Rock and they climb on top of the table. HHH goes for a Rock Bottom but Rock fights out, delivering a Pedigree instead, but the table doesn't break and they just bounce. Rock does the smart thing and gets back in the ring, Shawn counts out HHH and Rock picks up the next fall, while HHH has been busted open.
3:45, Rock 4, HHH 5
Well now out come the McMahons as HHH comes to, getting back in just barely before another 10 count, Rock with rapid rights in the corner, HHH reverses a whip across the ring and Rock nails a clothesline. HHH reverses a whip off the ropes, Rock gets him with a DDT, then knocks Shane and Vince off the apron before delivering a spinebuster, People's Elbow and ties it up.
1:53, 5 falls a piece
Shane yanks Shawn out of the ring, gets in his face and Shawn knocks him on his ass, then Vince. Rock with rights as an engine revs, and X-Pac gets in the ring. Rock gets sent into the ropes as Shawn gets on the apron. Rock gets HHH with the Rock Bottom, and Taker's vignette starts to play, as Shane comes in with a chair and gets Rock in the head.
Out comes The American Badass on his bike and into the ring he comes as HHH delivers the Pedigree. Taker delivers boots, tosses HHH out, chokeslam for Shane with 30 seconds left on the clock. Right hand for Vince, chokeslam for X-Pac, right hand on Roadie. He gets Steph by the throat but HHH comes back in, caught with the chokeslam just as Shawn is back up. Shawn gets back in the ring, Taker gets HHH up for the tombstone, the buzzer sounds and Taker delivers, as Shawn calls for the final bell in 60:00.
There's plenty of confusion, because the tombstone happened after the buzzer, but Taker did deliver the chokeslam in Shawn's full view, even though that doesn't seem to be the story they're going with here. So, Shawn gives the final fall, via disqualification due to outside interference to HHH, therefore we have a new WWF Champion. Taker looks on confused and gets pissed at Shawn for his call, Shawn retreats as the McMahon's and DX help HHH out of the ring with title in hand. Looks like some trash has been thrown into the ring and even King is questioning Shawn's decision. Fans start showering the Faction with drinks as Vince gets excited, HHH barely aware of what's going on as the PPV fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
You know setting aside the European Title and the Show/Shane matches I enjoyed this PPV. Had good action, main event ended in chaos and it ensures a reason to tune into the next episode of Raw. I think this was the first time I've actually seen a full Iron Man Match like this too. Solid PPV. That said, with a run time of 2:46:28, there was a total 1:49:23 of wrestling on this show.
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