WWF Week 7 - Fallout from Judgement Day
Raw
Raw comes to use from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. J.R. welcomes us to the show as the show starts with Vince makes his way out, who looks to be in a great mood. He starts by saying that Judgement Day is supposed to be a day where the world, as we know it, comes to an end, and that was the case for many superstars on Sunday. He says it's supposed to be a day where we as human beings are judged by the way we live our lives, and rewarded or punished accordingly. We get an asshole chant starting up, and he says that based on the results of the PPV, it's clear to see that those in the McMahon-Helmsley Faction must be living their lives correctly because they were justly rewarded, so much so that they rewarded themselves in one of the most lavish parties he's personally ever thrown, which is why he doesn't look his normally emaculate, GQ cover, quality self tonight, and neither will any of his family when they get there, and promises that though they're late, they will be there tonight.
He says that DX set the table so to speak for the Dudleyz, and beat them at their own game. He says his son Shane, who came from his loins, singlehandedly defeated the strongest, largest athlete in the world today, pinned his shoulders down 1-2-3. He says doesn't believe he's ever been more proud of a family member than he was of HHH, who singlehandedly, one-on-one proved why he's The Game, defeating the Rock, even though he obviously attempted to employ the services of the Undertaker, cheated and must have needed help from the Undertaker, against those odds HHH became the WWF Champion. He says as far as Taker's concerned, it's been nice without him, he says he walked out on his contract some time ago, and if he shows his face, he's not legally under contract, so Vince has marshals waiting to arrest him.
Now as far as Rock is concerned, he isn't sure if he'll show up tonight, bruised ego and all, if he's big enough of a man to swallow his pride and show up a defeated man, but should he show up, he says tonight would be a good night to go one-on-one with Vince, but that isn't what's going to happen. Instead, he'll be facing Road Dogg, X-Pac, Shane and HHH, 4-on-1 tonight. He says at Judgement Day they took the WWF Title from Rock, and tonight they will simply take what's left. Vince's music hits and he leaves the ring to the back.
Commentary talk about what happened last night and we see the still of Taker about to chokeslam HHH, with Shawn just getting up at ringside, and there's still debate to whether it happened before time ran out.
We cut to Vince walking backstage and unbeknownst to him, Rock is right behind him, and proceeds to beat the crap out of Vince, throwing him into a steel shutter, slamming his head repeatedly into it, cookie sheet to the head. Rock grabs a trash can lid and is about to hit Vince but he gets on his knees and begs him off, so Rock tosses it aside and hits him with the can instead. Vince is thrown onto the trunk of his waiting limo face first, then thrown head first into the back seat, Rock telling the driver to get the asshole out of there. Vince rolls down the window and sticks his head out, calls him a son of a bitch, then Rock picks up the lid again and smacks Vince in the head, before the limo drives off into commercial. Opening segment didn't go too long, it was a good promo, and then we got a fun beat down. Hard to complain.
We get a replay of what happened to Vince before the break, then we see Rock waiting in the parking lot for the rest of the faction, before our first match of the night.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Hardy Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Trish has a mic as she and T&A come out, and she says it's come to her attention that all the little girls just love the Hardyz, with their crazy rainbow hair and their high-flying moves, but she doesn't. She says that tonight those Boyz will face her men, and when she's through with them, we'll see just how "Hard" they really are.
Hardyz right away try to get the jump, beating down Test in the corner, then Albert sent off the ropes into a double elbow, then an elbow/somersault combo, only for Test to hit Jeff with a boot. Matt and Albert return to their corners as Test whips Hardy into the corner, only to go face first into the bottom turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Matt tags in, goes up top, he delivers a leg drop while Jeff delivers one between the legs, Matt covers for a two count. Test reverses a whip off the ropes and Test grabs his foot from under the ropes, so Albert can take him down with a clothesline from the apron. Albert tags in, Matt send off the ropes into a flip slam, now Matt sent off the ropes into a shoulder block by Albert. Albert goes for a powerbomb but Matt flips to his feet, then goes for the Twist of Fate but gets shoved into the corner instead. He tries to get his boots up as Albert charges but he catches his legs, pulls him back to the middle for a big swing. He stumbles to his corner to tag in Test who hits a clothesline, then Albert back in, Matt sent off the ropes, they go for their flip slam again but Matt lands on his feet, then ducks a clothesline, caught and lifted up, only to counter with a double DDT.
Jeff gets the hot tag, leaps up to the top rope for Whisper in the Wind on both Test and Albert, then comes off the ropes with a dropkick sending Albert out of the ring. Test reverses a whip off the ropes but it allows eff to hit Albert with a baseball slide, then a slingshot crossbody to the outside, while Matt back drops Test to the floor. Matt nearly botches a slingshot of his own, looks like his feet caught the top rope as he was going over but he manages to pull it off. Trish tries to attack Matt but gets shoved down, only to shove Matt into the steps. Back in the ring, Albert goes face first into the corner and Jeff goes up top and hits the Swanton Bomb, but Trish is immediately on the apron. Jeff covers, and Test comes off the top with an elbow to the back, Jeff rolls off, Albert rolls over and gets the win in 3:56. A fine match.
T&A celebrate up the ramp as we go to replays. We see Rock still waiting in the parking lot as we go to commercial.
European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs D'Lo Brown
Quick back and forth to start things off, D'Lo getting the advantage with a heel kick. Eddie sent off the ropes into a sidewalk slam, then a scoop slam by D'Lo, who goes out to the apron, leaps to the middle rope for a moonsault but Eddie rolls out of the way. Eddie now with rights and an uppercut, D'Lo reverses a whip off the ropes, pops up Eddie but he delivers a dropkick. D'Lo up in the corner, whipped across the ring, but sends Eddie up and over into the turnbuckle, before delivering the Lo Down.
Oh I guess this feud is still going...? Godfather and his hos start coming down to the ring, D'Lo's distracted, which allows Eddie to hit a hurricanrana, roll him up and retain the title in 2:26.
Godfather rushes in and sends D'Lo into the corner for a Ho Train and a Death Valley Driver, then his music hits and he leaves with hos celebrating.
We cut to the parking garage where a limo is arriving. Brisco is there to open the door for them and out steps Road Dogg, X-Pac and Tori. Brisco gets them up to speed on what happened to Vince earlier as they start walking away from camera, and Rock walks into view right behind them. He hits Roadie in the back and X-Pac in the head with a pipe as Tori and Brisco run off. Pac and Roadie get thrown into the back of an 18-wheeler, slammed into the walls and Rock closes the door on them as he leaves into commercial.
Back from break we see what happened to DX moments ago, then to the arena for a PPV rematch.
Edge & Christian (WWF Tag Team Champions) & Kurt Angle vs Too Cool & Rikishi
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt has the mic and says he only has one thing to say tonight, that the New York Knicks are going down, which gets him a cheap pop... after they defeat the Indiana Pacers. Christian takes the mic now and says Indiana is known for two things: its rich, storied basketball history, and choking, whether it's Bob Knight choking his players, or as the past has proven, the Pacers choking in the playoffs. Edge takes the mic and says they've decided to embrace Indiana tradition, and for the benefit of those with flash photography, they have a brand new pose just for the Indiana fans, for 5 seconds only of course, called The Big Choke.
They don't waste anytime fighting on the ramp and at ringside as the bell is rung, Kish and Christian officially starting off in the ring. Christian sent off the ropes into an atomic drop. Then Kurt is rolled in, Kish with rights until Kurt rakes the eyes and tries to pick Kish up, only to be slammed down himself. Kurt sent into the corner and slams his ass into Kurt. Now Edge is slid in by Too Cool who deliver a double atomic drop, then a double DDT. Edge retreats to the corner, now Too Cool each slam their ass into Edge and Edge drops to the mat, setting him up for a Stinkface.
Too Cool clothesline Edge to the outside as Kish goes after Kurt, a double flapjack on Christian now by Too Cool. Kish is whipped into the steps, Scotty with a suplex on Christian, Sexay goes up top with the Hip Hop Drop, cover but Kurt breaks it up. Kurt goes for a suplex but Scotty comes from behind with a bulldog to set up for the Worm, but as the ref is trying to get Sexay back to the apron, Edge nails Scotty with one of the tag titles. Kurt rolls him up with an inside cradle to get the win for him and the champs in 2:51.
They make their escape to the back, then we cut to Rock backstage looking around into commercial.
Commentary plug WWF being featured in Business Week, with Linda and Kane together on the cover, before we see a limo arriving at the arena, this time it's Shane who steps out all excited as Brisco's there to greet him and tries to tell him what's happened, but Shane is in such a good mood he rushes right past him.
So now out comes Shane, who starts by saying he's not afraid of Big Show. He says Judgement Day was a wonderful day, and put together a pictorial for us, showing off the good and the bad for him in the match, most importantly the finish, plus Show being loaded into the "Waaaaaaa-mbulance" as the crowd calls him a pussy. Now he wants to be called the Giant Killer, and if Show were to miraculously walk down that ramp and get in the ring, history would repeat itself. Shane's music and he's ready to leave but Rock's music cuts it off and out he comes. Rock tries to say it has nothing to do with him but Rock drops him with a right hand and they fight their way out into the crowd and to the back into commercial.
We see what just happened with Rock and Shane, but we don't see where they ended up. We have another title match to get to.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit (c) vs Val Venis
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Benoit still has his knee braced following the attack on Smackdown and the PPV.
Lock up to start until Benoit pushes Val into the ropes, a knee to the midsection and some chops, then Val with some of his own, Benoit sent off the ropes, rolls under a clothesline but runs into an elbow, cover by Val and a kick out. Benoit face first in the corner, then whipped across the ring chest first, stumbling backward into a back suplex, another cover and a kick out. Benoit sent off the ropes but he hangs on and leaves the ring. Val comes from behind, ducks a clothesline and nails one of his own. Back in the ring, rights by Val and boots in the corner, choking Benoit with his boot. Benoit reverses and whips Val hard across the ring, then a snap suplex, cover and a near fall.
Back suplex by Benoit, cover and another kick out, only to be sent to the outside. Val now chopping Benoit before dropping him chest first on the barricade, but then whipped back first into the steps. Val sent back first into the barricade before going back in the ring. Rights on Val, then Val with kicks to the bad leg, until Benoit sends him into the middle turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Val sent off the ropes, catches Benoit with a kick then sends him into the corner, but Benoit gets a boot up, only to be caught in a powerslam.
Standing 10 count now, both up by 5 and they start trading shots until Val gets the upper hand. Val off the ropes with a back elbow, elbow and knee drop, another cover and a kick out. Benoit face first into the corner, then thrown across the ring, a clothesline by Val in the corner. Then Val hits a spinning sitout powerbomb for a cover and a near fall. Val with a double underhook but Benoit fights out and delivers a clothesline. Benoit off the ropes into a spinebuster. Val starts to go up top but Benoit trips up the ref and he stumbles into the ropes, crotching Val, allowing Benoit to deliver a superplex. Hardcore Holly comes out now with a chair and nails Benoit right in the head with it for the DQ in 6:46. This was a fairly good match too until the finish.
Hardcore nails Val in the head too for good measure and there's a huge dent in the chair. Jericho's music hits and the pyro goes off and the whole thing, but Jericho comes behind with his own chair and nails Hardcore in the head with it as he turns around. Jericho's music hits as he stands tall in all the chaos. We get a replay of the finish, then Jericho's chair shot.
We see Brisco pacing in the parking garage as we go to break.
The Dudley Boyz vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
Bull and Bubba start this one with some back and forth, Bubba delivers a side suplex. Bull sent off the ropes into a back drop, then Boss Man comes in and gets clotheslined. Ref deals with him so Bubba can scoop slam Bull to set D-Von up for his headbutt between the legs from the top. D-Von with rights now, Bull reverses a whip off the ropes and Boss Man tags himself in to nail D-Von with a boot. D-Von face first into the corner and Boss Man with rights and lefts. D-Von fighting back with rights, Boss Man reverses a whip across the ring and hits a corner splash, followed by an uppercut. D-Von with more rights, then tries to come off the ropes but Bull pulls them down, sending D-Von to the outside. Bubba comes in and ends up distracting the ref, so Bull and Boss Man do a double uppercut on D-Von, Bull covers back in the ring for a kick out.
D-Von sent off the ropes, Bull kicks the midsection, then a scissors kick. Scoop slam on D-Von and choking him on the mat, now raking the eyes. More eye raking against the ropes and Boss Man tags in, they send D-Von off the ropes into a double shoulder block. Shots to the kidneys and throat by Boss Man and D-Von tries to make a tag but gets cut off. Knee to the face by Boss Man, D-Von sent off the ropes into a spinebuster, cover by Boss Man but Bubba breaks it up, only to be tossed to the outside by Bull. D-Von sent off the ropes into a big boot. Bull gets sent face first into the ring post as D-Von reverses a whip off the ropes, Bubba slides back in for the 3D and the win in 5:08.
Dudleyz celebrate up the ramp as we get a replay of the finish.
We see Brisco still waiting in the parking garage, then we see Crash storming his way to APA's office this week. He's pissed at them for what happened last week and claims he didn't get an hour's worth of protection, while Bradshaw looks at him flabbergasted with a cigar hanging from his mouth. He says he was on the phone with his mommy and daddy (his words) and they said this was a breach of contract and wants his money back. They just chuckle and offer him a sucker instead, but he tosses it away, and says if they won't give him back his money, he's going to take it out on both their rear ends instead, then proceeds to pour a beer out on Bradshaw's head before leaving, and he follows into commercial.
Back from break and back to Brisco who calls HHH and tries to tell him what's happened but I guess there's bad reception or he just hangs up on him before he can get anything out, so Brisco smashes his phone on the ground.
Hardcore Match: Crash Holly vs Bradshaw
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Crash comes out with a shopping cart full of weapons, bringing a trash can, lid and 2x4 into the ring with him.
Crash tries to get a jump on him when Bradshaw slides into the ring, even breaks the 2x4 over his back. Bradshaw sent off the ropes but clubs Crash over the back, then again with the broken 2x4. Then the trash can to Crash's head, then to his ribs once he drops to the mat. Trash can lid to Crash's head, then a chop across the chest. Now to ringside, Crash face first into the ring bell, then a chair to the head. Back in the ring, Bradshaw with right hands and an elbow drop. Powerbomb by Bradshaw, goes for a second one but Crash flips onto his feet, only to be nailed by a Clothesline from Hell, cover and Bradshaw wins in 2:01.
Bradshaw leaves as we go to the replay and Crash rolls out.
Then we see a limo arriving and out steps HHH and Steph with Brisco right there, bringing them up to speed on what Rock's done tonight as they head into the arena into commercial.
Back to HHH, Steph and Brisco as they walk into a dark lit room, and Brisco gives them the run down. HHH goes off to find Rock and Brisco and Steph follow, but funny enough Rock was hiding off in the back and out he steps into view.
We get some stills of the last two minutes of the Iron Man Match as commentary give us some context and Shawn clearly sees Taker deliver the chokeslam before the clock ran out. Turns out Cole caught up with Shawn after the show for an interview, and we get that now. Shawn says he went out there and did his job to the best of his ability, called it down the middle. He says he saw Vince, Shane come down and get on the apron, Rock cleaned their clock and all of a sudden he's knocked off the apron, and next thing he saw was Taker interfering on behalf of Rock, which is a disqualification, and if we don't like it, he doesn't know what to tell us. He's sick and tired of people like Cole always coming down on him every time he's asked to do a job, he's been there longer than anybody, and we don't like it, tough. That.... didn't answer any of the lingering questions.
We go to the locker room where Essa Rios is with Godfather and his hos, looks like they're tagging next. Essa walks out with Godfather, two hos on his arms and Lita walks down the hallway just as he does. I can't understand what the hell Lita says but they head to the ring together into commercial.
The Godfather & Essa Rios (w/ Lita) vs Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So once Malenko and Saturn come out, Godfather gets on the mic and turns to Malenko. He brings up how they call him "The Man of 1,000 Holds," but his hos know 1,000 positions, and suggests he have a choice of any of his hos rather than fight. Malenko wants two and leaves the ring, so...
The Godfather & Essa Rios (w/ Lita) vs Perry Saturn
Perry attacks Essa from behind and sends him face first into the corner, followed by right hands. Pumphandle side suplex by Perry, then his whip is reversed off the ropes, only to catch Essa with a kick and a clothesline. Essa sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick. Godfather tags in, Saturn sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then sent off the ropes again for a clothesline, then a leg drop. Saturn retreats to the corner and Godfather hits the Ho Train, then Essa goes up top only for Lita to pull him down face first into the top turnbuckle. Saturn hits the brainbuster as Godfather is distracted by Lita and Saturn wins in 1:33.
Lita and Saturn make their separate way to the back, then we see HHH, Steph and Brisco walking in the back into commercial.
Well out comes Rock now and has a mic, and starts off saying that he's always said to "just bring it," and at the PPV HH brought it all, he brought Vince, Shane, Road Dogg, X-Pac, and the $2 slut he calls a wife. He says regardless of what he brought though, it didn't matter because after all they've been through, one hour, although HHH walked out with the title, HHH never beat him. He tells HHH to enjoy the title, because in due time he guaran-damn-tees he will be champion once again.
Speaking of WWF Champions, he says we witnessed the return of Taker, and although he did the right thing, he says Taker did it at the wrong time, on Rock's time. As for tonight, he talks to Vince about how he thought he could just finish him off with the 4-on-1 match, but he's on his way down "Just Got Your Ass Kicked Boulevard." Then to Roadie and X-Pac, he says considering what he did to them earlier, they're probably in the back sucking it to each other. As for Shane, he says the entire building watched him simply leave the building. Now to HHH, he says he could have whooped his ass back in the dressing room but decided to wait, for this very special moment, because what started as 4-on-1 is now 1-on-1, and figured he'd kick his ass all over Indianapolis.
After several moments of waiting, HHH's music finally hits and out he comes with Steph. He's got a mic and holds up the title and says before he walks down the ramp and kicks Rock's ass, he has something to say. He says they went through hell, and then a slut chant starts up, and he says he's in no mood for their crap and tells them to shut it. He continues and repeats himself, and agrees that they both gave it all they had, and they did make history because the two greatest athletes in the WWF got in the ring and did what no one else could and lit the world on fire, but it was Rock's Judgement Day and was punished, while HHH was rewarded. He says at the end of the 60 minutes he felt it all slide out of Rock, because Rock was "The Great One," but as great as he was, when it came down to it, Rock couldn't hang with him, and there's no shame in it because HHH is the best there is. He says Rock can say all he wants that he never beat him, but fact is out of the two of them, one is in the ring a loser, the other on the ramp a winner, and when it was all said and done and the smoke had cleared, HHH was the undisputed WWF Champion, because he's the Game, and he's that damn good.
Rock simply says "Just Bring It" after a dramatic pause, so HHH drops his mic and heads down to the ring with Steph right behind him, and takes his time as Rock tells him to bring it again. They start trading shots with Rock getting the upper hand in the corner. HHH sent across the ring into a clothesline. Now DX rush down and Rock lays in with rights, now Shane and Vince is back with Brisco helping him down. Rock tries to catch Vince for a Rock Bottom but something goes wrong and they just fall over. He succeeds on the second try but then Roadie knocks him over and the numbers game catch up to him. HHH with right hands and Shane and Roadie slide in the ring steps.
Taker's music hits... well, his "You're Gonna Pay" theme hits and out he comes on his bike and it is so out of place. Vince and co. are waiting for him as HHH keeps beating down Rock, and Taker lays them all out with rights and boots. He moves Vince and goes back to his bike, seemingly intent on running over Vince but Roadie pulls him out of the way and Taker rides around ringside as Vince and co. run to the back, with Taker chasing them. Meanwhile, HHH is goes to Pedigree Rock on the steps but he fights out and back drops him to the mat, then clotheslines him to the outside. HHH face first into the ring bell and Rock clears the announce table, giving HHH time to nail him in the head with the ring bell. HHH goes for a Pedigree on the table but Rock gets him with a low blow and delivers the Rock Bottom through the table. Rock's music hits as he climbs the apron to pose on the top rope, Steph and Tori going over to check on HHH. We get a few replays of the Rock Bottom, as Rock talks some more trash and poses some more as the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well for the most part we got some good action, though most of it wasn't given enough time. Had a chaotic end, although everything Rock did seemed pretty meaningless in the end, I think Vince was the only one selling anything. That said though, King of the Ring is the next PPV and there's been no mention of the titular tournament, though I also don't know how long it is between this show and that PPV, so maybe there's still plenty of time. That said, with a run time of 1:32:01, there was only a total of 24:41 of wrestling on this show.
Smackdown
We start with a video package recapping what Rock did on Raw the past Monday before getting to the opening video and pyro, coming to us from the Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Indiana. Cole and Lawler welcome us to the show as we see inside the ring is surrounded by cops, before we cut backstage where a car is arriving, and out steps Brisco, Shane and Vince. Vince says this isn't going to be a repeat of Monday, just as we hear an engine revving nearby, and they're forced to dive onto the car to avoid Taker as he drives by on his bike, he chases them and Vince tries to retreat up a set up ladder but he ends up unbalancing it and he falls backward to the floor. Brisco and Shane pull him out of the way ot Taker just in time, but he's still after them until they retreat up a staircase.
Back to the arena and the McMahons' music hits, and eventually Vince makes his way out, looking back several times in paranoia. I guess he managed to lose Taker. He gets a mic and immediately there's an asshole chant. He calls the cops stupid bastards for not being there when Taker was trying to run him over, saying he hired them to do a job tonight and they damn well better do it. Vince asks if one of them has bullets in their gun and they nod, and asks the others the same with the same response, and Vince calls Taker out.
Taker makes his way out without the bike, and that dub over will never be natural. Taker gets in the ring face to face with Vince and Vince asks the cops to hold off, before asking Taker who the hell he thinks he is, saying he could've been injured back there, asking if he's playing some kind of game and having fun, a badass who thinks he's above the law and lives by his own rules. He says there's a price to pay for that, but before he has Taker arrested and carted away in shackles, he has to get something off his chest. He says he was the happiest person ever at Judgement Day, then we get an asshole chant, because when Taker decided to come down and interfere he singlehandedly cost Rock the title, Vince rather enjoyed that but says HHH would have beat Rock anyway. He asks Taker how it feels to walk around and have on his head that he's the reason Rock isn't champion anymore. He says Taker shouldn't be turning his back on Rock anytime soon, and we get a loud bullshit chant. He says as far as Raw is concerned, he could have had him arrested for trespassing, but it was too sudden, and Vince wasn't prepared for him like he is tonight, and reminds Taker that he isn't under contract anymore, that nobody walks out on Vince.
Vince directs the cops to arrest Taker, but he takes the mic before anything happens. Taker asks Vince if he ever talks to Linda, because if he did, he'd know that she signed him to a fat contract before the PPV, lots of years, lots of zeros, which means Vince gets to pay him lots of money to kick his stank ass, before shoving the mic back into Vince's chest. Now Vince wants him arrested for attempted vehicular homicide, pointing his finger into an officer's chest as he tells them to arrest him. The officer steps up to talk into the mic, he says he'd be happy to, but if he does he'll have to arrest Vince too for assaulting a police officer, and pointing his finger into Vince's chest right back, and suggests they work their problems out on their own. He and the officers leave the ring.
Vince yells that he hired them to do a job and then realizes he's all alone with Taker, and Taker grabs him by the throat. Shane comes in from behind and hits Taker in the back with it, which he no sells and Shane leaves the ring immediately as does Vince, and Brisco is right there to help Vince to the back. Taker's music hits and he poses in the ring. We also get a replay of what Taker trying to run over Vince as Taker now heads to the back. Up next, the tag titles are on the line.
We get a replay of what happened before the break with Vince just narrowly escaping Taker, before we get to a title match.
Cole tells us that the champs issued an open challenge earlier in the day but no word on who's accepted yet. Edge has a mic and says that they wanted to inform all their great fans that they issued an open challenge to any team they haven't beaten, but they've already beaten everyone. Christian says that as usual, Edge is seldom wrong and right again, that they're so lacking competition. Edge suggests the Headbangers or Kaientai, then Christian wonders where the Moondogs have been, then Edge wonders how many Doinks are left, and Christian asks if that includes Dinks.
But before they can joke any more, their challengers are made known loud and clear.
WWF Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs Eddie Guerrero (WWF European Champion) & Chyna
Edge and Eddie start this out with some quick back and forth until Eddie snapmares and rakes Edge's face with his boot, before tagging in Chyna, bringing down Edge with a double suplex. They send Edge off the ropes and she delivers a clothesline. Chyna with a scoop slam, then tags in Eddie before she holds Edge down, Eddie with a slingshot senton from the apron. Christian turns his attention to the crowd so Eddie dropkicks him off the apron from behind. Back suplex on Edge, cover and a kick out.
Edge reverses a whip off the ropes just as Christian is getting up, who pulls down the top rope and sends Eddie to the outside. Christian stomps away then drops Eddie chest first on the barricade before being rolled back in the ring. Trading shots until Edge rakes the eyes, then delivers a dropkick. Christian tags in and delivers a back breaker, then chokes Eddie. Christian goes for a powerbomb but Eddie rolls through with a sunset flip, then a neckbreaker.
Chyna and Edge get the tag, Chyna with forearms, then a powerbomb on Christian. Edge sends her off the ropes, goes for a hurricanrana but Chyna catches him with a sitout powerbomb for a pin attempt, but Christian breaks it up. Eddie comes in and ends up distracting the referee inadvertently, which works to Chyna's faavor as she delivers a low blow to the champions, then a handspring elbow to both Christian in the corner. She goes to get Edge in the opposite corner but he hits her with a spear instead. Christian tosses Eddie out of the ring, then the champs get Chyna with a sidewalk slam/inverted DDT combo, before they start a double team beat down. Referee can't get them off of her, so he calls for the bell. Chyna and Eddie win by DQ, but the champs retain as a result in 3:23.
Christian leaves the ring as Eddie comes in and gets on Edge. Christian comes back in and tries to hit Chyna with one of the titles but she ducks, then Eddie picks her up from behind as she sends boots into the chests of the champs, sending them out of the ring. Eddie's music hits as the champs leave with their gold.
We go backstage where Crash is in the APA's office, though they're not there and he's still mad, throwing his arms around while holding a beer can, but they come in a moment later wondering what he's doing. He turns around hiding the beer behind his back and tells them it's none of their business, and Bradshaw threatens to beat his ass until Farooq tells him to take it easy on the kid, as Crash slowly backs up around the table. He says he and Bradshaw have mutual respect, and Farooq asks him to sit on his lap, he has a story for him. He starts to tell his story and Crash opens the beer in his face, telling him he'll see him in the ring before running off. Farooq follows into commercial.
We go to Shane and Brisco who are trying to calm down Vince, but Vince refuses to. He tells Brisco to go to the back of the building and keep his eyes open for Rock, and the moment he arrives Vince wants to know about it. Shane tells him to also keep his eyes out for Taker, then Brisco leaves.
Hardcore Match: Crash Holly vs Farooq (w/ Bradshaw)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Crash comes down with a trash can, lid and 2x4, though tosses away the former two before he gets to the ring, while Bradshaw joins commentary, and we see what Crash did before the break with the beer.
Farooq meets him before he gets to the ring and gets the 2x4 to the gut, then the it gets broken over his back. Crash runs around the ring, though takes a detour as he slides in to avoid Bradshaw, launches himself off the steps but gets powerslammed onto the floor. Farooq tosses the can and lid into the ring before rolling Crash in. Crash tries to hit him with the lid but Farooq ducks and takes him down with a spinebuster, then tosses him out near the announce table. Farooq tries for a Dominator onto the table, while Bradshaw tells him he'll spill his beer and Crash slips free of his grasp, only to be hit with a clothesline anyway. Back in the ring, Farooq moves the can into position, then delivers the Dominator onto it for the win in 1:13.
Bradshaw leaves with Farooq as we get a couple replays of the finish.
Then we see Brisco in the parking garage looking around as it goes to commercial.
The Slam of the Week are the chair shots from Hardcore and Jericho from Raw. Then back to Brisco as a limo arrives, and out steps HHH and Steph. He brings them up to speed on what's happened with Taker and he takes them to Vince.
Chris Jericho vs Hardcore Holly vs Val Venis
Winner becomes #1 Contender for the IC Title.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Jericho's out first with mic in hand who tells us this is a #1 contender's match for the IC title, but he contends that in the eyes of every Jerichoholic he is still the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla, but before he can say more he's interrupted by the music of Hardcore Holly.
Jericho and Holly start fighting before Val even gets to the ring, then he and Jericho trades boots on Holly, then kick him together. Chops on Holly in the corner, then they whip him across the ring, he rebounds into a double back drop, Val covers but Jericho breaks it up, then Jericho covers and Val breaks it up. They shove each other, then trade shots until Holly nails Val from behind and knocks Jericho out of the ring. Holly now with boots in the corner on Val, then an atomic drop and a clothesline, before booting Jericho off the apron. Holly with a powerbomb, cover but Jericho breaks it up.
Jericho with chops in the corner on Holly, whips him across the ring but Holly gets the boots up, only to walk into a drop toe hold and Jericho mounts for some right hands. Val boots him in the head and throws him out of the ring, Holly gets sent of the ropes, caught with a fisherman suplex with the bridge, but Jericho pulls Val's legs out from under him from under the ropes, pulling Val out of the ring. Val gets sent into the barricade, chops by Jericho, then turns around into a baseball slide by Holly which sends him into Val. Holly and Val trade shots, but Holly gets sent into the ring post, then Jericho gets Val with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Jericho goes up top with a missile dropkick, cover and a near fall.
Holly back in as Jericho chops Val into the corner, boots in the corner until Holly clubs him from behind, now trading shots until Holly rakes the eyes. Jericho in the corner for chops, then Val with a back suplex on Holly, cover but Holly kicks out. Jericho with a suplex on Val, then Holly, cover but Val breaks it up. Jericho face first in the corner, double teamed with boots to the midsection and Holly chokes him, until Val throws him across the ring. Val whips Jericho toward him in the corner, who ducks a clothesline by Holly, then gets a crossbody from the middle rope, then Val tries to drop an elbow on him but gets Holly instead. Val dropped throat first on the top rope, then Holly sends Jericho off the ropes who gets him with a flying forearm. Bulldog on Val, then an elbow to Holly. Val rolls out to the apron and Jericho knocks him off with his springboard dropkick, then Holly gets him with a dropkick.
Jericho sent of the ropes and Hardcore goes for a hurricanrana but gets caught, then Jericho hangs him over the apron for a Walls in the ropes. Jericho hangs backward which leaves him open to a leg drop from Val. Jericho whipped into the corner and Val gets a clothesline, then a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Jericho kicks out. Jericho sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, then hangs on as Val goes for a dropkick. Jericho with the Lionsault as Holly goes up top, Jericho covers but Holly delivers the leg drop to the back of Jericho's neck, covers Val and wins in 6:44. A good match.
Cole tells us he'll get his title shot on Raw, but also that Kurt has a shot at the title tonight as Holly celebrates.
Back to the McMahons and Vince assures them he'll be alright, but they'll get even with Taker. He complains of a sinus headache, and Brisco comes in saying he was told Rock is on his way, and HHH gets up but Vince says he's got this, and he doesn't want to anger Rock. Despite protests from family, Vince leaves into commercial.
The Smack of the Night is Rock beating the hell out of Vince on Raw, which is still great no matter how many times I see it. Then we go to Vince and Brisco who are having the shutter to the parking garage opened, because Rock's car is apparently right outside. There is a car there waiting and they hold it off, and out steps Rock as predicted. Vince tells him he's not looking for trouble tonight, that he's had enough trouble for one night, and tries to get Rock to go after Taker, reminding him he cost him the title, and to show there's no hard feelings wants to give Rock the night off. Rock actually obliges and gets back in the limo, but before he goes, Rock rolls down the window and calls Vince back over, slapping him right in the face. Vince and Brisco go back inside while he calls Rock a son of a bitch, and we see Taker just right inside the shutter before it goes to commercial.
We get a replay of Rock slapping Vince and Taker lurking before we go to the arena for a match.
Matt Hardy (w/ Jeff Hardy) vs Essa Rios (w/ Lita)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So for some reason despite what happened on Raw, which we get the replays for, Lita joins Essa for this match.
Lock up to start until they shove each other into the corner, Essa gets whipped across the ring, up and over to the apron into a hurricanrana and a spinning heel kick, then Essa launches himself over the corner and ring post onto Matt on the outside. Back in the ring, Essa with the cover but Matt kicks out. Matt sent into the corner, Essa leaps at him only for Matt to sidestep, Essa on the middle rope now and Matt with a sitout powerbomb. Matt goes with rights, then clotheslines Essa to the outside.
Essa pulls Lita in front of him as Matt goes to take a shot, then Essa gets in one of his own, then throws Lita into the mat and she ends up getting clocked, before Matt whips him into the steps. Back in the ring, Essa sent into the corner but caught with a forearm, then goes up top and hits a moonsault on an upright Matt, covers but Matt kicks out. Essa off the ropes, sent up and over just as Lita climbs onto the apron and knocks her off, then Matt hits the Twist of Fate for the win in 2:53.
Hardyz head to the back as Lita is out on the floor. Essa rolls out and picks Lita up by the hair and rolls her in the ring, shoving the ref down, then hits Lita with a powerbomb and a moonsault from the top. Hardyz run back down for the save and back drop Essa over the ropes to the floor, before delivering something akin to a Hart Attack. Matt and Jeff help Lita out of the ring and carry her to the back.
Back to the McMahons now, and Vince is just glad Rock is gone, but now they need a plan for Taker and get rid of him tonight. HHH wonders if they could find someone who can look Taker right in the eye and know he could take a man of that size down, someone not afraid of the stature of Taker, tough enough to get the job done, and finally gets to the point suggesting a giant killer. Shane clearly wants no part of it by the look on his face but everyone's saying he can do it since Taker and Show are relatively close in size. Shane seemingly gets into the idea as it goes to commercial.
Too Cool & The Dudley Boyz vs T&A, X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori & Trish Stratus)
Scotty and Test start this one out, Scotty thrown into the corner for some rights, then sent across the ring, tries to go up and over but Test catches him on his shoulder. Scott slips free and delivers some rights, Test reverses a whip off the ropes but walks into a dropkick. Sexay tags in, they come off the ropes and slam Test down, then a double elbow. Test with a knee and a right, then Sexay face first into Test's corner to tag in Rodie, who comes in with boots to the midsection. Sexay whipped into the corner but gets a boot up, goes to the middle rope for a missile dropkick, cover for a two count.
Atomic drop by Sexay, who tries to come off the ropes but Tori grabs his leg under the ropes, followed by a clothesline from the apron by Albert. More boots in the corner by Roadie and Albert tags in, press slamming Sexay to the mat. X-Pac tags in now with some rights, boots in the corner and a spin kick, setting up for a Bronco Buster but Sexay moves out of the way.
Bubba gets the hot tag, rights all around for his opponents and a Bubba Bomb on X-Pac. D-Von tags in, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline and the Dudleyz are tripped up by T&A from the outside under the ropes and pulled out to the floor. Meanwhile Scotty hits a bulldog on Roadie in the ring to set up for the Worm and he connects. Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop, only to be back dropped over the ropes by X-Pac. Sexay makes the cover while the ref turns his attention to the fight at ringside and X-Pac breaks it up. Bubba scoop slams X-Pac and sets him up for D-Von's diving headbutt between the legs. T&A and Dudleyz go at it now and Albert gets whipped into the ref in the corner inadvertently.
Roadie with the pumphandle slam on Scotty while Bubba is knocked to the outside and out comes Rikishi. Side kick to Roadie, then X-Pac thrown into the corner, Kish slams his ass into him which sends X-Pac into a 3D, both make the cover as the ref comes to and gets the win in 5:31. Fun chaotic match.
DX and T&A take their leave, then Dudleyz and Too Cool dance together, Bubba even pulling out the Macarena.
We go to Shane who's getting ready, with HHH and Steph hyping him up into commercial.
We see a replay of Kurt rolling up Scotty in the tag match from Raw before our second title match of the night.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt comes out with mic in hand and says that our Olympic Hero came to a realization on Monday, that preaching abstinence and posing with friends is all well and good, but he's an Olympic gold medalist, the best in the whole world. He says no one in that arena can understand the goals and high standard he's set for himself, and it's been way too long since our Olympic hero has had championship gold around his waist. He realizes that tonight the people there don't have much to live for, but the good news is they will remember this night forever because they will witness the crowning of a new IC Champion.
Angle gets the early advantage with some take downs until Benoit is shoved into the corner, then the ref breaks them up and shove each other. Benoit with boots to the ribs, then sent off the ropes into a snap belly to belly overhead, sending Benoit rolling to the outside. Back in the ring, Benoit with chops and rights, Kurt pulls back on an Irish whip into a back drop and a clothesline, then a cover and a kick out.
Benoit face first in the corner, sent across the ring but gets an elbow up. Now a boot to the head of Angle, then a snap suplex, cover and a kick out at two. Angle whipped into the corner, then harsh chops and boots and rights. Angle with a spinebuster, but Benoit rolls up and delivers chops only to be taken down again, Angle covers for two. Hip toss by Angle, cover and a kick out. Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes and nails Angle with an elbow, cover and a kick out. Angle sent off the ropes into a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Benoit tries to pull Angle into a clothesline, but Angle ducks and gets a waist lock from behind, then Benoit reverses and gets a German with a bridge for another two count. Benoit goes up top but Angle leaps up to the second rope with an overhead throw.
Now Holly walks down with a chair in hand, cracks Angle over the head with it for the DQ. Angle wins, Benoit retains in 4:26. God damn these have all been unprotected chair shots and knowing Holly those had to hurt like fuck.
He tries to get Benoit but he kicks him in the gut and nails Holly in the head with it. Benoit leaves the ring with his title as we get a replay of the chair shots into commercial.
Another plug of Business Week before another match.
Al Snow (w/ Steve Blackman) vs Bull Buchanan (w/ The Big Boss Man)
Quick back and forth, Al tries for a crossbody but he's caught and slammed down. Bull with rights, Al sent off the ropes and tries for a big boot but Al catches it, then delivers rights of his own then dropkicks the knees. More kicks to the back of the knee before Al goes up top with a crossbody, cover and a kick out. Bull reverses a whip into the corner but Al gets a boot up, then sidesteps Bull who launches off the ropes into a clothesline. Al face first into the corner and choked by Bull, then bitten down in the corner. Al tries to fight back but Bull sends him off the ropes into a press slam attempt, but Al slips free and gets Bull in an inside cradle, as Boss Man gets on the apron. Boss Man drops down and the ref only makes a count of one before Bull kicks out.
Al is sent over the ropes to the outside. then Bull tries to pull him in but Al hangs him up on the top rope, flips over and off the opposite ropes but caught with a popup spinebuster. Bull off the ropes with a leg drop, then raking the eyes. Bull with a right, then one by Boss Man as the ref is distracted and more choking by Bull sends Al to the outside, then thrown into the ring post as the ref is distracted again. Bull with an ax handle off the apron before going back in the ring.
Shots to the gut by Bull, then Al whipped into the corner, goes for a running boot but gets hung up on the top rope, before turning around to a kick by Al. Rights in the corner by Al, then Boss Man is on the apron. Blackman gets on the apron ready to go after Boss Man but he drops down, then the ref turns to Blackman. Al comes off the ropes and Boss Man hits him with the nightstick, setting him up for a scissors kick from Bull to get the win in 4:37.
Blackman comes in but gets hit with the nightstick by Boss Man, who leaves with Bull.
Back to the McMahons and Shane is all pumped up. He says after what Taker did to Vince, chasing him all over Taker is going down. He doesn't want any interference, says he's doing it on his own and leaves. Vince says he's got a set of grapefruits, and Brisco says just like Vince before it goes to commercial.
We see another replay of Taker trying to run over Vince at the start of the show, then it's onto our main event.
Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Shane takes the mic and we get a "Shane's a pussy" chant right away. Shane asks if they're been watching the same matches, saying he's been dominating. He says tonight will be Taker's Judgement Day, just as it was Big Show's on Sunday. He says obviously everyone's forgotten what the Giant Killer has done to Show, so he shows us the footage of crushing Show's leg over and over, and says he did it all on his own. He said he wasn't done after that, one more thing to do, beat him for the 1-2-3, so he shows the footage of smashing the cinder block over Show's head and the resulting pin fall. He suggests Taker stay in the back, because he obviously wants none of Shane O'Mac. But of course, out Taker comes on his bike as expected.
Taker just stands there as Shane dances around, until Taker drops him with a right hand. Shane thrown in the corner by the neck and rapid fire rights and lefts, then another drops Shane again. Shane sent off the ropes, caught by the throat and chokeslammed. DX and HHH rush down to the ring but Taker takes them down with rights. Chokeslam attempt on HHH but X-Pac gets him from behind, then Roadie joins in for a double team, then HHH in for a triple teaam in the corner. Vince comes in now to egg them on.
Rock's music hits and out he comes with right hands on everyone, then Taker joins in. Rock Bottom on Roadie, X-Pac thrown over the ropes, right hands on HHH. Tombstone on Shane. He's pulled out of the ring and the Faction retreat. Taker gets on his bike and chases them all to the back as Rock's music hits and he poses in the corner. The bell is never rung to end the match, so though it should be a DQ in favor of Taker, I think it's a no contest.
Show fades out with Rock standing tall in the ring.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well it had better action I think than Raw, although I wish for the love of God that they'd stop with the brutal chair shots to the head. We do have an IC Title match set for Raw, and the main event for King of the Ring is slowly taking shape, but speaking of that event, there's still no mention of the titular tournament. Suppose we'll see what happens the next week. That said, with a run time of 1:27:41, there was a total of... well, adding what little official action the main event had, we'll round up to a half hour of total wrestling.
Raw comes to use from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. J.R. welcomes us to the show as the show starts with Vince makes his way out, who looks to be in a great mood. He starts by saying that Judgement Day is supposed to be a day where the world, as we know it, comes to an end, and that was the case for many superstars on Sunday. He says it's supposed to be a day where we as human beings are judged by the way we live our lives, and rewarded or punished accordingly. We get an asshole chant starting up, and he says that based on the results of the PPV, it's clear to see that those in the McMahon-Helmsley Faction must be living their lives correctly because they were justly rewarded, so much so that they rewarded themselves in one of the most lavish parties he's personally ever thrown, which is why he doesn't look his normally emaculate, GQ cover, quality self tonight, and neither will any of his family when they get there, and promises that though they're late, they will be there tonight.
He says that DX set the table so to speak for the Dudleyz, and beat them at their own game. He says his son Shane, who came from his loins, singlehandedly defeated the strongest, largest athlete in the world today, pinned his shoulders down 1-2-3. He says doesn't believe he's ever been more proud of a family member than he was of HHH, who singlehandedly, one-on-one proved why he's The Game, defeating the Rock, even though he obviously attempted to employ the services of the Undertaker, cheated and must have needed help from the Undertaker, against those odds HHH became the WWF Champion. He says as far as Taker's concerned, it's been nice without him, he says he walked out on his contract some time ago, and if he shows his face, he's not legally under contract, so Vince has marshals waiting to arrest him.
Now as far as Rock is concerned, he isn't sure if he'll show up tonight, bruised ego and all, if he's big enough of a man to swallow his pride and show up a defeated man, but should he show up, he says tonight would be a good night to go one-on-one with Vince, but that isn't what's going to happen. Instead, he'll be facing Road Dogg, X-Pac, Shane and HHH, 4-on-1 tonight. He says at Judgement Day they took the WWF Title from Rock, and tonight they will simply take what's left. Vince's music hits and he leaves the ring to the back.
Commentary talk about what happened last night and we see the still of Taker about to chokeslam HHH, with Shawn just getting up at ringside, and there's still debate to whether it happened before time ran out.
We cut to Vince walking backstage and unbeknownst to him, Rock is right behind him, and proceeds to beat the crap out of Vince, throwing him into a steel shutter, slamming his head repeatedly into it, cookie sheet to the head. Rock grabs a trash can lid and is about to hit Vince but he gets on his knees and begs him off, so Rock tosses it aside and hits him with the can instead. Vince is thrown onto the trunk of his waiting limo face first, then thrown head first into the back seat, Rock telling the driver to get the asshole out of there. Vince rolls down the window and sticks his head out, calls him a son of a bitch, then Rock picks up the lid again and smacks Vince in the head, before the limo drives off into commercial. Opening segment didn't go too long, it was a good promo, and then we got a fun beat down. Hard to complain.
We get a replay of what happened to Vince before the break, then we see Rock waiting in the parking lot for the rest of the faction, before our first match of the night.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Hardy Boyz
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Trish has a mic as she and T&A come out, and she says it's come to her attention that all the little girls just love the Hardyz, with their crazy rainbow hair and their high-flying moves, but she doesn't. She says that tonight those Boyz will face her men, and when she's through with them, we'll see just how "Hard" they really are.
Hardyz right away try to get the jump, beating down Test in the corner, then Albert sent off the ropes into a double elbow, then an elbow/somersault combo, only for Test to hit Jeff with a boot. Matt and Albert return to their corners as Test whips Hardy into the corner, only to go face first into the bottom turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Matt tags in, goes up top, he delivers a leg drop while Jeff delivers one between the legs, Matt covers for a two count. Test reverses a whip off the ropes and Test grabs his foot from under the ropes, so Albert can take him down with a clothesline from the apron. Albert tags in, Matt send off the ropes into a flip slam, now Matt sent off the ropes into a shoulder block by Albert. Albert goes for a powerbomb but Matt flips to his feet, then goes for the Twist of Fate but gets shoved into the corner instead. He tries to get his boots up as Albert charges but he catches his legs, pulls him back to the middle for a big swing. He stumbles to his corner to tag in Test who hits a clothesline, then Albert back in, Matt sent off the ropes, they go for their flip slam again but Matt lands on his feet, then ducks a clothesline, caught and lifted up, only to counter with a double DDT.
Jeff gets the hot tag, leaps up to the top rope for Whisper in the Wind on both Test and Albert, then comes off the ropes with a dropkick sending Albert out of the ring. Test reverses a whip off the ropes but it allows eff to hit Albert with a baseball slide, then a slingshot crossbody to the outside, while Matt back drops Test to the floor. Matt nearly botches a slingshot of his own, looks like his feet caught the top rope as he was going over but he manages to pull it off. Trish tries to attack Matt but gets shoved down, only to shove Matt into the steps. Back in the ring, Albert goes face first into the corner and Jeff goes up top and hits the Swanton Bomb, but Trish is immediately on the apron. Jeff covers, and Test comes off the top with an elbow to the back, Jeff rolls off, Albert rolls over and gets the win in 3:56. A fine match.
T&A celebrate up the ramp as we go to replays. We see Rock still waiting in the parking lot as we go to commercial.
European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs D'Lo Brown
Quick back and forth to start things off, D'Lo getting the advantage with a heel kick. Eddie sent off the ropes into a sidewalk slam, then a scoop slam by D'Lo, who goes out to the apron, leaps to the middle rope for a moonsault but Eddie rolls out of the way. Eddie now with rights and an uppercut, D'Lo reverses a whip off the ropes, pops up Eddie but he delivers a dropkick. D'Lo up in the corner, whipped across the ring, but sends Eddie up and over into the turnbuckle, before delivering the Lo Down.
Oh I guess this feud is still going...? Godfather and his hos start coming down to the ring, D'Lo's distracted, which allows Eddie to hit a hurricanrana, roll him up and retain the title in 2:26.
Godfather rushes in and sends D'Lo into the corner for a Ho Train and a Death Valley Driver, then his music hits and he leaves with hos celebrating.
We cut to the parking garage where a limo is arriving. Brisco is there to open the door for them and out steps Road Dogg, X-Pac and Tori. Brisco gets them up to speed on what happened to Vince earlier as they start walking away from camera, and Rock walks into view right behind them. He hits Roadie in the back and X-Pac in the head with a pipe as Tori and Brisco run off. Pac and Roadie get thrown into the back of an 18-wheeler, slammed into the walls and Rock closes the door on them as he leaves into commercial.
Back from break we see what happened to DX moments ago, then to the arena for a PPV rematch.
Edge & Christian (WWF Tag Team Champions) & Kurt Angle vs Too Cool & Rikishi
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt has the mic and says he only has one thing to say tonight, that the New York Knicks are going down, which gets him a cheap pop... after they defeat the Indiana Pacers. Christian takes the mic now and says Indiana is known for two things: its rich, storied basketball history, and choking, whether it's Bob Knight choking his players, or as the past has proven, the Pacers choking in the playoffs. Edge takes the mic and says they've decided to embrace Indiana tradition, and for the benefit of those with flash photography, they have a brand new pose just for the Indiana fans, for 5 seconds only of course, called The Big Choke.
Too Cool clothesline Edge to the outside as Kish goes after Kurt, a double flapjack on Christian now by Too Cool. Kish is whipped into the steps, Scotty with a suplex on Christian, Sexay goes up top with the Hip Hop Drop, cover but Kurt breaks it up. Kurt goes for a suplex but Scotty comes from behind with a bulldog to set up for the Worm, but as the ref is trying to get Sexay back to the apron, Edge nails Scotty with one of the tag titles. Kurt rolls him up with an inside cradle to get the win for him and the champs in 2:51.
They make their escape to the back, then we cut to Rock backstage looking around into commercial.
Commentary plug WWF being featured in Business Week, with Linda and Kane together on the cover, before we see a limo arriving at the arena, this time it's Shane who steps out all excited as Brisco's there to greet him and tries to tell him what's happened, but Shane is in such a good mood he rushes right past him.
So now out comes Shane, who starts by saying he's not afraid of Big Show. He says Judgement Day was a wonderful day, and put together a pictorial for us, showing off the good and the bad for him in the match, most importantly the finish, plus Show being loaded into the "Waaaaaaa-mbulance" as the crowd calls him a pussy. Now he wants to be called the Giant Killer, and if Show were to miraculously walk down that ramp and get in the ring, history would repeat itself. Shane's music and he's ready to leave but Rock's music cuts it off and out he comes. Rock tries to say it has nothing to do with him but Rock drops him with a right hand and they fight their way out into the crowd and to the back into commercial.
We see what just happened with Rock and Shane, but we don't see where they ended up. We have another title match to get to.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit (c) vs Val Venis
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Benoit still has his knee braced following the attack on Smackdown and the PPV.
Lock up to start until Benoit pushes Val into the ropes, a knee to the midsection and some chops, then Val with some of his own, Benoit sent off the ropes, rolls under a clothesline but runs into an elbow, cover by Val and a kick out. Benoit face first in the corner, then whipped across the ring chest first, stumbling backward into a back suplex, another cover and a kick out. Benoit sent off the ropes but he hangs on and leaves the ring. Val comes from behind, ducks a clothesline and nails one of his own. Back in the ring, rights by Val and boots in the corner, choking Benoit with his boot. Benoit reverses and whips Val hard across the ring, then a snap suplex, cover and a near fall.
Back suplex by Benoit, cover and another kick out, only to be sent to the outside. Val now chopping Benoit before dropping him chest first on the barricade, but then whipped back first into the steps. Val sent back first into the barricade before going back in the ring. Rights on Val, then Val with kicks to the bad leg, until Benoit sends him into the middle turnbuckle with a drop toe hold. Val sent off the ropes, catches Benoit with a kick then sends him into the corner, but Benoit gets a boot up, only to be caught in a powerslam.
Standing 10 count now, both up by 5 and they start trading shots until Val gets the upper hand. Val off the ropes with a back elbow, elbow and knee drop, another cover and a kick out. Benoit face first into the corner, then thrown across the ring, a clothesline by Val in the corner. Then Val hits a spinning sitout powerbomb for a cover and a near fall. Val with a double underhook but Benoit fights out and delivers a clothesline. Benoit off the ropes into a spinebuster. Val starts to go up top but Benoit trips up the ref and he stumbles into the ropes, crotching Val, allowing Benoit to deliver a superplex. Hardcore Holly comes out now with a chair and nails Benoit right in the head with it for the DQ in 6:46. This was a fairly good match too until the finish.
Hardcore nails Val in the head too for good measure and there's a huge dent in the chair. Jericho's music hits and the pyro goes off and the whole thing, but Jericho comes behind with his own chair and nails Hardcore in the head with it as he turns around. Jericho's music hits as he stands tall in all the chaos. We get a replay of the finish, then Jericho's chair shot.
We see Brisco pacing in the parking garage as we go to break.
The Dudley Boyz vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
Bull and Bubba start this one with some back and forth, Bubba delivers a side suplex. Bull sent off the ropes into a back drop, then Boss Man comes in and gets clotheslined. Ref deals with him so Bubba can scoop slam Bull to set D-Von up for his headbutt between the legs from the top. D-Von with rights now, Bull reverses a whip off the ropes and Boss Man tags himself in to nail D-Von with a boot. D-Von face first into the corner and Boss Man with rights and lefts. D-Von fighting back with rights, Boss Man reverses a whip across the ring and hits a corner splash, followed by an uppercut. D-Von with more rights, then tries to come off the ropes but Bull pulls them down, sending D-Von to the outside. Bubba comes in and ends up distracting the ref, so Bull and Boss Man do a double uppercut on D-Von, Bull covers back in the ring for a kick out.
D-Von sent off the ropes, Bull kicks the midsection, then a scissors kick. Scoop slam on D-Von and choking him on the mat, now raking the eyes. More eye raking against the ropes and Boss Man tags in, they send D-Von off the ropes into a double shoulder block. Shots to the kidneys and throat by Boss Man and D-Von tries to make a tag but gets cut off. Knee to the face by Boss Man, D-Von sent off the ropes into a spinebuster, cover by Boss Man but Bubba breaks it up, only to be tossed to the outside by Bull. D-Von sent off the ropes into a big boot. Bull gets sent face first into the ring post as D-Von reverses a whip off the ropes, Bubba slides back in for the 3D and the win in 5:08.
Dudleyz celebrate up the ramp as we get a replay of the finish.
We see Brisco still waiting in the parking garage, then we see Crash storming his way to APA's office this week. He's pissed at them for what happened last week and claims he didn't get an hour's worth of protection, while Bradshaw looks at him flabbergasted with a cigar hanging from his mouth. He says he was on the phone with his mommy and daddy (his words) and they said this was a breach of contract and wants his money back. They just chuckle and offer him a sucker instead, but he tosses it away, and says if they won't give him back his money, he's going to take it out on both their rear ends instead, then proceeds to pour a beer out on Bradshaw's head before leaving, and he follows into commercial.
Back from break and back to Brisco who calls HHH and tries to tell him what's happened but I guess there's bad reception or he just hangs up on him before he can get anything out, so Brisco smashes his phone on the ground.
Hardcore Match: Crash Holly vs Bradshaw
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Crash comes out with a shopping cart full of weapons, bringing a trash can, lid and 2x4 into the ring with him.
Crash tries to get a jump on him when Bradshaw slides into the ring, even breaks the 2x4 over his back. Bradshaw sent off the ropes but clubs Crash over the back, then again with the broken 2x4. Then the trash can to Crash's head, then to his ribs once he drops to the mat. Trash can lid to Crash's head, then a chop across the chest. Now to ringside, Crash face first into the ring bell, then a chair to the head. Back in the ring, Bradshaw with right hands and an elbow drop. Powerbomb by Bradshaw, goes for a second one but Crash flips onto his feet, only to be nailed by a Clothesline from Hell, cover and Bradshaw wins in 2:01.
Bradshaw leaves as we go to the replay and Crash rolls out.
Then we see a limo arriving and out steps HHH and Steph with Brisco right there, bringing them up to speed on what Rock's done tonight as they head into the arena into commercial.
Back to HHH, Steph and Brisco as they walk into a dark lit room, and Brisco gives them the run down. HHH goes off to find Rock and Brisco and Steph follow, but funny enough Rock was hiding off in the back and out he steps into view.
We get some stills of the last two minutes of the Iron Man Match as commentary give us some context and Shawn clearly sees Taker deliver the chokeslam before the clock ran out. Turns out Cole caught up with Shawn after the show for an interview, and we get that now. Shawn says he went out there and did his job to the best of his ability, called it down the middle. He says he saw Vince, Shane come down and get on the apron, Rock cleaned their clock and all of a sudden he's knocked off the apron, and next thing he saw was Taker interfering on behalf of Rock, which is a disqualification, and if we don't like it, he doesn't know what to tell us. He's sick and tired of people like Cole always coming down on him every time he's asked to do a job, he's been there longer than anybody, and we don't like it, tough. That.... didn't answer any of the lingering questions.
We go to the locker room where Essa Rios is with Godfather and his hos, looks like they're tagging next. Essa walks out with Godfather, two hos on his arms and Lita walks down the hallway just as he does. I can't understand what the hell Lita says but they head to the ring together into commercial.
The Godfather & Essa Rios (w/ Lita) vs Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So once Malenko and Saturn come out, Godfather gets on the mic and turns to Malenko. He brings up how they call him "The Man of 1,000 Holds," but his hos know 1,000 positions, and suggests he have a choice of any of his hos rather than fight. Malenko wants two and leaves the ring, so...
The Godfather & Essa Rios (w/ Lita) vs Perry Saturn
Perry attacks Essa from behind and sends him face first into the corner, followed by right hands. Pumphandle side suplex by Perry, then his whip is reversed off the ropes, only to catch Essa with a kick and a clothesline. Essa sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick. Godfather tags in, Saturn sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then sent off the ropes again for a clothesline, then a leg drop. Saturn retreats to the corner and Godfather hits the Ho Train, then Essa goes up top only for Lita to pull him down face first into the top turnbuckle. Saturn hits the brainbuster as Godfather is distracted by Lita and Saturn wins in 1:33.
Lita and Saturn make their separate way to the back, then we see HHH, Steph and Brisco walking in the back into commercial.
Well out comes Rock now and has a mic, and starts off saying that he's always said to "just bring it," and at the PPV HH brought it all, he brought Vince, Shane, Road Dogg, X-Pac, and the $2 slut he calls a wife. He says regardless of what he brought though, it didn't matter because after all they've been through, one hour, although HHH walked out with the title, HHH never beat him. He tells HHH to enjoy the title, because in due time he guaran-damn-tees he will be champion once again.
Speaking of WWF Champions, he says we witnessed the return of Taker, and although he did the right thing, he says Taker did it at the wrong time, on Rock's time. As for tonight, he talks to Vince about how he thought he could just finish him off with the 4-on-1 match, but he's on his way down "Just Got Your Ass Kicked Boulevard." Then to Roadie and X-Pac, he says considering what he did to them earlier, they're probably in the back sucking it to each other. As for Shane, he says the entire building watched him simply leave the building. Now to HHH, he says he could have whooped his ass back in the dressing room but decided to wait, for this very special moment, because what started as 4-on-1 is now 1-on-1, and figured he'd kick his ass all over Indianapolis.
After several moments of waiting, HHH's music finally hits and out he comes with Steph. He's got a mic and holds up the title and says before he walks down the ramp and kicks Rock's ass, he has something to say. He says they went through hell, and then a slut chant starts up, and he says he's in no mood for their crap and tells them to shut it. He continues and repeats himself, and agrees that they both gave it all they had, and they did make history because the two greatest athletes in the WWF got in the ring and did what no one else could and lit the world on fire, but it was Rock's Judgement Day and was punished, while HHH was rewarded. He says at the end of the 60 minutes he felt it all slide out of Rock, because Rock was "The Great One," but as great as he was, when it came down to it, Rock couldn't hang with him, and there's no shame in it because HHH is the best there is. He says Rock can say all he wants that he never beat him, but fact is out of the two of them, one is in the ring a loser, the other on the ramp a winner, and when it was all said and done and the smoke had cleared, HHH was the undisputed WWF Champion, because he's the Game, and he's that damn good.
Rock simply says "Just Bring It" after a dramatic pause, so HHH drops his mic and heads down to the ring with Steph right behind him, and takes his time as Rock tells him to bring it again. They start trading shots with Rock getting the upper hand in the corner. HHH sent across the ring into a clothesline. Now DX rush down and Rock lays in with rights, now Shane and Vince is back with Brisco helping him down. Rock tries to catch Vince for a Rock Bottom but something goes wrong and they just fall over. He succeeds on the second try but then Roadie knocks him over and the numbers game catch up to him. HHH with right hands and Shane and Roadie slide in the ring steps.
Taker's music hits... well, his "You're Gonna Pay" theme hits and out he comes on his bike and it is so out of place. Vince and co. are waiting for him as HHH keeps beating down Rock, and Taker lays them all out with rights and boots. He moves Vince and goes back to his bike, seemingly intent on running over Vince but Roadie pulls him out of the way and Taker rides around ringside as Vince and co. run to the back, with Taker chasing them. Meanwhile, HHH is goes to Pedigree Rock on the steps but he fights out and back drops him to the mat, then clotheslines him to the outside. HHH face first into the ring bell and Rock clears the announce table, giving HHH time to nail him in the head with the ring bell. HHH goes for a Pedigree on the table but Rock gets him with a low blow and delivers the Rock Bottom through the table. Rock's music hits as he climbs the apron to pose on the top rope, Steph and Tori going over to check on HHH. We get a few replays of the Rock Bottom, as Rock talks some more trash and poses some more as the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well for the most part we got some good action, though most of it wasn't given enough time. Had a chaotic end, although everything Rock did seemed pretty meaningless in the end, I think Vince was the only one selling anything. That said though, King of the Ring is the next PPV and there's been no mention of the titular tournament, though I also don't know how long it is between this show and that PPV, so maybe there's still plenty of time. That said, with a run time of 1:32:01, there was only a total of 24:41 of wrestling on this show.
Smackdown
We start with a video package recapping what Rock did on Raw the past Monday before getting to the opening video and pyro, coming to us from the Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Indiana. Cole and Lawler welcome us to the show as we see inside the ring is surrounded by cops, before we cut backstage where a car is arriving, and out steps Brisco, Shane and Vince. Vince says this isn't going to be a repeat of Monday, just as we hear an engine revving nearby, and they're forced to dive onto the car to avoid Taker as he drives by on his bike, he chases them and Vince tries to retreat up a set up ladder but he ends up unbalancing it and he falls backward to the floor. Brisco and Shane pull him out of the way ot Taker just in time, but he's still after them until they retreat up a staircase.
Back to the arena and the McMahons' music hits, and eventually Vince makes his way out, looking back several times in paranoia. I guess he managed to lose Taker. He gets a mic and immediately there's an asshole chant. He calls the cops stupid bastards for not being there when Taker was trying to run him over, saying he hired them to do a job tonight and they damn well better do it. Vince asks if one of them has bullets in their gun and they nod, and asks the others the same with the same response, and Vince calls Taker out.
Taker makes his way out without the bike, and that dub over will never be natural. Taker gets in the ring face to face with Vince and Vince asks the cops to hold off, before asking Taker who the hell he thinks he is, saying he could've been injured back there, asking if he's playing some kind of game and having fun, a badass who thinks he's above the law and lives by his own rules. He says there's a price to pay for that, but before he has Taker arrested and carted away in shackles, he has to get something off his chest. He says he was the happiest person ever at Judgement Day, then we get an asshole chant, because when Taker decided to come down and interfere he singlehandedly cost Rock the title, Vince rather enjoyed that but says HHH would have beat Rock anyway. He asks Taker how it feels to walk around and have on his head that he's the reason Rock isn't champion anymore. He says Taker shouldn't be turning his back on Rock anytime soon, and we get a loud bullshit chant. He says as far as Raw is concerned, he could have had him arrested for trespassing, but it was too sudden, and Vince wasn't prepared for him like he is tonight, and reminds Taker that he isn't under contract anymore, that nobody walks out on Vince.
Vince directs the cops to arrest Taker, but he takes the mic before anything happens. Taker asks Vince if he ever talks to Linda, because if he did, he'd know that she signed him to a fat contract before the PPV, lots of years, lots of zeros, which means Vince gets to pay him lots of money to kick his stank ass, before shoving the mic back into Vince's chest. Now Vince wants him arrested for attempted vehicular homicide, pointing his finger into an officer's chest as he tells them to arrest him. The officer steps up to talk into the mic, he says he'd be happy to, but if he does he'll have to arrest Vince too for assaulting a police officer, and pointing his finger into Vince's chest right back, and suggests they work their problems out on their own. He and the officers leave the ring.
Vince yells that he hired them to do a job and then realizes he's all alone with Taker, and Taker grabs him by the throat. Shane comes in from behind and hits Taker in the back with it, which he no sells and Shane leaves the ring immediately as does Vince, and Brisco is right there to help Vince to the back. Taker's music hits and he poses in the ring. We also get a replay of what Taker trying to run over Vince as Taker now heads to the back. Up next, the tag titles are on the line.
We get a replay of what happened before the break with Vince just narrowly escaping Taker, before we get to a title match.
Cole tells us that the champs issued an open challenge earlier in the day but no word on who's accepted yet. Edge has a mic and says that they wanted to inform all their great fans that they issued an open challenge to any team they haven't beaten, but they've already beaten everyone. Christian says that as usual, Edge is seldom wrong and right again, that they're so lacking competition. Edge suggests the Headbangers or Kaientai, then Christian wonders where the Moondogs have been, then Edge wonders how many Doinks are left, and Christian asks if that includes Dinks.
But before they can joke any more, their challengers are made known loud and clear.
WWF Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs Eddie Guerrero (WWF European Champion) & Chyna
Edge and Eddie start this out with some quick back and forth until Eddie snapmares and rakes Edge's face with his boot, before tagging in Chyna, bringing down Edge with a double suplex. They send Edge off the ropes and she delivers a clothesline. Chyna with a scoop slam, then tags in Eddie before she holds Edge down, Eddie with a slingshot senton from the apron. Christian turns his attention to the crowd so Eddie dropkicks him off the apron from behind. Back suplex on Edge, cover and a kick out.
Edge reverses a whip off the ropes just as Christian is getting up, who pulls down the top rope and sends Eddie to the outside. Christian stomps away then drops Eddie chest first on the barricade before being rolled back in the ring. Trading shots until Edge rakes the eyes, then delivers a dropkick. Christian tags in and delivers a back breaker, then chokes Eddie. Christian goes for a powerbomb but Eddie rolls through with a sunset flip, then a neckbreaker.
Chyna and Edge get the tag, Chyna with forearms, then a powerbomb on Christian. Edge sends her off the ropes, goes for a hurricanrana but Chyna catches him with a sitout powerbomb for a pin attempt, but Christian breaks it up. Eddie comes in and ends up distracting the referee inadvertently, which works to Chyna's faavor as she delivers a low blow to the champions, then a handspring elbow to both Christian in the corner. She goes to get Edge in the opposite corner but he hits her with a spear instead. Christian tosses Eddie out of the ring, then the champs get Chyna with a sidewalk slam/inverted DDT combo, before they start a double team beat down. Referee can't get them off of her, so he calls for the bell. Chyna and Eddie win by DQ, but the champs retain as a result in 3:23.
Christian leaves the ring as Eddie comes in and gets on Edge. Christian comes back in and tries to hit Chyna with one of the titles but she ducks, then Eddie picks her up from behind as she sends boots into the chests of the champs, sending them out of the ring. Eddie's music hits as the champs leave with their gold.
We go backstage where Crash is in the APA's office, though they're not there and he's still mad, throwing his arms around while holding a beer can, but they come in a moment later wondering what he's doing. He turns around hiding the beer behind his back and tells them it's none of their business, and Bradshaw threatens to beat his ass until Farooq tells him to take it easy on the kid, as Crash slowly backs up around the table. He says he and Bradshaw have mutual respect, and Farooq asks him to sit on his lap, he has a story for him. He starts to tell his story and Crash opens the beer in his face, telling him he'll see him in the ring before running off. Farooq follows into commercial.
We go to Shane and Brisco who are trying to calm down Vince, but Vince refuses to. He tells Brisco to go to the back of the building and keep his eyes open for Rock, and the moment he arrives Vince wants to know about it. Shane tells him to also keep his eyes out for Taker, then Brisco leaves.
Hardcore Match: Crash Holly vs Farooq (w/ Bradshaw)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Crash comes down with a trash can, lid and 2x4, though tosses away the former two before he gets to the ring, while Bradshaw joins commentary, and we see what Crash did before the break with the beer.
Farooq meets him before he gets to the ring and gets the 2x4 to the gut, then the it gets broken over his back. Crash runs around the ring, though takes a detour as he slides in to avoid Bradshaw, launches himself off the steps but gets powerslammed onto the floor. Farooq tosses the can and lid into the ring before rolling Crash in. Crash tries to hit him with the lid but Farooq ducks and takes him down with a spinebuster, then tosses him out near the announce table. Farooq tries for a Dominator onto the table, while Bradshaw tells him he'll spill his beer and Crash slips free of his grasp, only to be hit with a clothesline anyway. Back in the ring, Farooq moves the can into position, then delivers the Dominator onto it for the win in 1:13.
Bradshaw leaves with Farooq as we get a couple replays of the finish.
Then we see Brisco in the parking garage looking around as it goes to commercial.
The Slam of the Week are the chair shots from Hardcore and Jericho from Raw. Then back to Brisco as a limo arrives, and out steps HHH and Steph. He brings them up to speed on what's happened with Taker and he takes them to Vince.
Chris Jericho vs Hardcore Holly vs Val Venis
Winner becomes #1 Contender for the IC Title.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Jericho's out first with mic in hand who tells us this is a #1 contender's match for the IC title, but he contends that in the eyes of every Jerichoholic he is still the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla, but before he can say more he's interrupted by the music of Hardcore Holly.
Jericho and Holly start fighting before Val even gets to the ring, then he and Jericho trades boots on Holly, then kick him together. Chops on Holly in the corner, then they whip him across the ring, he rebounds into a double back drop, Val covers but Jericho breaks it up, then Jericho covers and Val breaks it up. They shove each other, then trade shots until Holly nails Val from behind and knocks Jericho out of the ring. Holly now with boots in the corner on Val, then an atomic drop and a clothesline, before booting Jericho off the apron. Holly with a powerbomb, cover but Jericho breaks it up.
Jericho with chops in the corner on Holly, whips him across the ring but Holly gets the boots up, only to walk into a drop toe hold and Jericho mounts for some right hands. Val boots him in the head and throws him out of the ring, Holly gets sent of the ropes, caught with a fisherman suplex with the bridge, but Jericho pulls Val's legs out from under him from under the ropes, pulling Val out of the ring. Val gets sent into the barricade, chops by Jericho, then turns around into a baseball slide by Holly which sends him into Val. Holly and Val trade shots, but Holly gets sent into the ring post, then Jericho gets Val with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Jericho goes up top with a missile dropkick, cover and a near fall.
Holly back in as Jericho chops Val into the corner, boots in the corner until Holly clubs him from behind, now trading shots until Holly rakes the eyes. Jericho in the corner for chops, then Val with a back suplex on Holly, cover but Holly kicks out. Jericho with a suplex on Val, then Holly, cover but Val breaks it up. Jericho face first in the corner, double teamed with boots to the midsection and Holly chokes him, until Val throws him across the ring. Val whips Jericho toward him in the corner, who ducks a clothesline by Holly, then gets a crossbody from the middle rope, then Val tries to drop an elbow on him but gets Holly instead. Val dropped throat first on the top rope, then Holly sends Jericho off the ropes who gets him with a flying forearm. Bulldog on Val, then an elbow to Holly. Val rolls out to the apron and Jericho knocks him off with his springboard dropkick, then Holly gets him with a dropkick.
Jericho sent of the ropes and Hardcore goes for a hurricanrana but gets caught, then Jericho hangs him over the apron for a Walls in the ropes. Jericho hangs backward which leaves him open to a leg drop from Val. Jericho whipped into the corner and Val gets a clothesline, then a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Jericho kicks out. Jericho sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, then hangs on as Val goes for a dropkick. Jericho with the Lionsault as Holly goes up top, Jericho covers but Holly delivers the leg drop to the back of Jericho's neck, covers Val and wins in 6:44. A good match.
Cole tells us he'll get his title shot on Raw, but also that Kurt has a shot at the title tonight as Holly celebrates.
Back to the McMahons and Vince assures them he'll be alright, but they'll get even with Taker. He complains of a sinus headache, and Brisco comes in saying he was told Rock is on his way, and HHH gets up but Vince says he's got this, and he doesn't want to anger Rock. Despite protests from family, Vince leaves into commercial.
The Smack of the Night is Rock beating the hell out of Vince on Raw, which is still great no matter how many times I see it. Then we go to Vince and Brisco who are having the shutter to the parking garage opened, because Rock's car is apparently right outside. There is a car there waiting and they hold it off, and out steps Rock as predicted. Vince tells him he's not looking for trouble tonight, that he's had enough trouble for one night, and tries to get Rock to go after Taker, reminding him he cost him the title, and to show there's no hard feelings wants to give Rock the night off. Rock actually obliges and gets back in the limo, but before he goes, Rock rolls down the window and calls Vince back over, slapping him right in the face. Vince and Brisco go back inside while he calls Rock a son of a bitch, and we see Taker just right inside the shutter before it goes to commercial.
We get a replay of Rock slapping Vince and Taker lurking before we go to the arena for a match.
Matt Hardy (w/ Jeff Hardy) vs Essa Rios (w/ Lita)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So for some reason despite what happened on Raw, which we get the replays for, Lita joins Essa for this match.
Lock up to start until they shove each other into the corner, Essa gets whipped across the ring, up and over to the apron into a hurricanrana and a spinning heel kick, then Essa launches himself over the corner and ring post onto Matt on the outside. Back in the ring, Essa with the cover but Matt kicks out. Matt sent into the corner, Essa leaps at him only for Matt to sidestep, Essa on the middle rope now and Matt with a sitout powerbomb. Matt goes with rights, then clotheslines Essa to the outside.
Essa pulls Lita in front of him as Matt goes to take a shot, then Essa gets in one of his own, then throws Lita into the mat and she ends up getting clocked, before Matt whips him into the steps. Back in the ring, Essa sent into the corner but caught with a forearm, then goes up top and hits a moonsault on an upright Matt, covers but Matt kicks out. Essa off the ropes, sent up and over just as Lita climbs onto the apron and knocks her off, then Matt hits the Twist of Fate for the win in 2:53.
Hardyz head to the back as Lita is out on the floor. Essa rolls out and picks Lita up by the hair and rolls her in the ring, shoving the ref down, then hits Lita with a powerbomb and a moonsault from the top. Hardyz run back down for the save and back drop Essa over the ropes to the floor, before delivering something akin to a Hart Attack. Matt and Jeff help Lita out of the ring and carry her to the back.
Back to the McMahons now, and Vince is just glad Rock is gone, but now they need a plan for Taker and get rid of him tonight. HHH wonders if they could find someone who can look Taker right in the eye and know he could take a man of that size down, someone not afraid of the stature of Taker, tough enough to get the job done, and finally gets to the point suggesting a giant killer. Shane clearly wants no part of it by the look on his face but everyone's saying he can do it since Taker and Show are relatively close in size. Shane seemingly gets into the idea as it goes to commercial.
Too Cool & The Dudley Boyz vs T&A, X-Pac & Road Dogg (w/ Tori & Trish Stratus)
Scotty and Test start this one out, Scotty thrown into the corner for some rights, then sent across the ring, tries to go up and over but Test catches him on his shoulder. Scott slips free and delivers some rights, Test reverses a whip off the ropes but walks into a dropkick. Sexay tags in, they come off the ropes and slam Test down, then a double elbow. Test with a knee and a right, then Sexay face first into Test's corner to tag in Rodie, who comes in with boots to the midsection. Sexay whipped into the corner but gets a boot up, goes to the middle rope for a missile dropkick, cover for a two count.
Atomic drop by Sexay, who tries to come off the ropes but Tori grabs his leg under the ropes, followed by a clothesline from the apron by Albert. More boots in the corner by Roadie and Albert tags in, press slamming Sexay to the mat. X-Pac tags in now with some rights, boots in the corner and a spin kick, setting up for a Bronco Buster but Sexay moves out of the way.
Bubba gets the hot tag, rights all around for his opponents and a Bubba Bomb on X-Pac. D-Von tags in, Roadie sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline and the Dudleyz are tripped up by T&A from the outside under the ropes and pulled out to the floor. Meanwhile Scotty hits a bulldog on Roadie in the ring to set up for the Worm and he connects. Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop, only to be back dropped over the ropes by X-Pac. Sexay makes the cover while the ref turns his attention to the fight at ringside and X-Pac breaks it up. Bubba scoop slams X-Pac and sets him up for D-Von's diving headbutt between the legs. T&A and Dudleyz go at it now and Albert gets whipped into the ref in the corner inadvertently.
Roadie with the pumphandle slam on Scotty while Bubba is knocked to the outside and out comes Rikishi. Side kick to Roadie, then X-Pac thrown into the corner, Kish slams his ass into him which sends X-Pac into a 3D, both make the cover as the ref comes to and gets the win in 5:31. Fun chaotic match.
DX and T&A take their leave, then Dudleyz and Too Cool dance together, Bubba even pulling out the Macarena.
We go to Shane who's getting ready, with HHH and Steph hyping him up into commercial.
We see a replay of Kurt rolling up Scotty in the tag match from Raw before our second title match of the night.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Kurt comes out with mic in hand and says that our Olympic Hero came to a realization on Monday, that preaching abstinence and posing with friends is all well and good, but he's an Olympic gold medalist, the best in the whole world. He says no one in that arena can understand the goals and high standard he's set for himself, and it's been way too long since our Olympic hero has had championship gold around his waist. He realizes that tonight the people there don't have much to live for, but the good news is they will remember this night forever because they will witness the crowning of a new IC Champion.
Angle gets the early advantage with some take downs until Benoit is shoved into the corner, then the ref breaks them up and shove each other. Benoit with boots to the ribs, then sent off the ropes into a snap belly to belly overhead, sending Benoit rolling to the outside. Back in the ring, Benoit with chops and rights, Kurt pulls back on an Irish whip into a back drop and a clothesline, then a cover and a kick out.
Benoit face first in the corner, sent across the ring but gets an elbow up. Now a boot to the head of Angle, then a snap suplex, cover and a kick out at two. Angle whipped into the corner, then harsh chops and boots and rights. Angle with a spinebuster, but Benoit rolls up and delivers chops only to be taken down again, Angle covers for two. Hip toss by Angle, cover and a kick out. Benoit reverses a whip off the ropes and nails Angle with an elbow, cover and a kick out. Angle sent off the ropes into a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Benoit tries to pull Angle into a clothesline, but Angle ducks and gets a waist lock from behind, then Benoit reverses and gets a German with a bridge for another two count. Benoit goes up top but Angle leaps up to the second rope with an overhead throw.
Now Holly walks down with a chair in hand, cracks Angle over the head with it for the DQ. Angle wins, Benoit retains in 4:26. God damn these have all been unprotected chair shots and knowing Holly those had to hurt like fuck.
He tries to get Benoit but he kicks him in the gut and nails Holly in the head with it. Benoit leaves the ring with his title as we get a replay of the chair shots into commercial.
Another plug of Business Week before another match.
Al Snow (w/ Steve Blackman) vs Bull Buchanan (w/ The Big Boss Man)
Quick back and forth, Al tries for a crossbody but he's caught and slammed down. Bull with rights, Al sent off the ropes and tries for a big boot but Al catches it, then delivers rights of his own then dropkicks the knees. More kicks to the back of the knee before Al goes up top with a crossbody, cover and a kick out. Bull reverses a whip into the corner but Al gets a boot up, then sidesteps Bull who launches off the ropes into a clothesline. Al face first into the corner and choked by Bull, then bitten down in the corner. Al tries to fight back but Bull sends him off the ropes into a press slam attempt, but Al slips free and gets Bull in an inside cradle, as Boss Man gets on the apron. Boss Man drops down and the ref only makes a count of one before Bull kicks out.
Al is sent over the ropes to the outside. then Bull tries to pull him in but Al hangs him up on the top rope, flips over and off the opposite ropes but caught with a popup spinebuster. Bull off the ropes with a leg drop, then raking the eyes. Bull with a right, then one by Boss Man as the ref is distracted and more choking by Bull sends Al to the outside, then thrown into the ring post as the ref is distracted again. Bull with an ax handle off the apron before going back in the ring.
Shots to the gut by Bull, then Al whipped into the corner, goes for a running boot but gets hung up on the top rope, before turning around to a kick by Al. Rights in the corner by Al, then Boss Man is on the apron. Blackman gets on the apron ready to go after Boss Man but he drops down, then the ref turns to Blackman. Al comes off the ropes and Boss Man hits him with the nightstick, setting him up for a scissors kick from Bull to get the win in 4:37.
Blackman comes in but gets hit with the nightstick by Boss Man, who leaves with Bull.
Back to the McMahons and Shane is all pumped up. He says after what Taker did to Vince, chasing him all over Taker is going down. He doesn't want any interference, says he's doing it on his own and leaves. Vince says he's got a set of grapefruits, and Brisco says just like Vince before it goes to commercial.
We see another replay of Taker trying to run over Vince at the start of the show, then it's onto our main event.
Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Shane takes the mic and we get a "Shane's a pussy" chant right away. Shane asks if they're been watching the same matches, saying he's been dominating. He says tonight will be Taker's Judgement Day, just as it was Big Show's on Sunday. He says obviously everyone's forgotten what the Giant Killer has done to Show, so he shows us the footage of crushing Show's leg over and over, and says he did it all on his own. He said he wasn't done after that, one more thing to do, beat him for the 1-2-3, so he shows the footage of smashing the cinder block over Show's head and the resulting pin fall. He suggests Taker stay in the back, because he obviously wants none of Shane O'Mac. But of course, out Taker comes on his bike as expected.
Taker just stands there as Shane dances around, until Taker drops him with a right hand. Shane thrown in the corner by the neck and rapid fire rights and lefts, then another drops Shane again. Shane sent off the ropes, caught by the throat and chokeslammed. DX and HHH rush down to the ring but Taker takes them down with rights. Chokeslam attempt on HHH but X-Pac gets him from behind, then Roadie joins in for a double team, then HHH in for a triple teaam in the corner. Vince comes in now to egg them on.
Rock's music hits and out he comes with right hands on everyone, then Taker joins in. Rock Bottom on Roadie, X-Pac thrown over the ropes, right hands on HHH. Tombstone on Shane. He's pulled out of the ring and the Faction retreat. Taker gets on his bike and chases them all to the back as Rock's music hits and he poses in the corner. The bell is never rung to end the match, so though it should be a DQ in favor of Taker, I think it's a no contest.
Show fades out with Rock standing tall in the ring.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well it had better action I think than Raw, although I wish for the love of God that they'd stop with the brutal chair shots to the head. We do have an IC Title match set for Raw, and the main event for King of the Ring is slowly taking shape, but speaking of that event, there's still no mention of the titular tournament. Suppose we'll see what happens the next week. That said, with a run time of 1:27:41, there was a total of... well, adding what little official action the main event had, we'll round up to a half hour of total wrestling.
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