WWF Week of June 12, 2000 - Linda Strikes Again
RAW
Our opening video package for the night starts with recapping the problems among Taker, Kane and Rock since Judgement Day, before we get right to the opening pyro and intro.
We're live from the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. J.R. welcomes us to the show and Rock is out to start it off. We learn from J.R. that the last two King of the Ring qualifiers, as well as an IC and Tag Title match are already scheduled for later. God damn the crowd is deafening. Rock says he's heard all weekend long that come Monday he's in store for a fight, that Kane and Taker are going to get back at him for hitting them with chairs, that the entire Faction, Vince, Shane, DX, HHH, even that $2... no, 50 cent slut Stephanie, getting back at him for making their lives a living hell, and now here he is. Rock tells Taker to take his American Badass, Kane to take his 7-foot body, and HHH to take his 3-foot nose, and as God as his witness tells their candy asses to just bring it. Well Kane is the first to oblige with mic in hand, and since Rock says to bring it, he says to consider it brought. Taker rolls out next though before they can get into it who's ready to get right into it.
Then... well it's the Raw theme song, but out comes Linda, who tries to talk over the music for some reason, and it's either too loud or her mic isn't working as she makes her way down to the ring. She wonders what the three are trying to do, what they're thinking, looking like they're going to tear each other apart limb from limb, and brings up the fact that the Faction is probably in the back laughing at them, and asks if they're really going to let themselves be sucked in by the old divide and conquer strategy. She says they need to be united, at least for the next two weeks until King of the Ring and need to join forces.
Now Vince, Shane, HHH and Steph make their way out before she can say any more and does the usual "Who the hell do you think you are?" routine, and wonders if maybe she wants to be Mother Theresa, the peacekeeper, wanting to do good for everybody, or perhaps she fancies herself a modern-day Joan of Arc, or even an attractive Janet Reno. He doesn't know who Linda thinks she is, but he says that who she truly is is a meddlesome, goody-two-shoes, castrating, shrew of a wife. For some reason the crowd thought this would be a perfect time to chant "slut." He says it amused them that she was talking about the three joining forces, but wants a bit of clarification on what she was talking about.
Before she was so rudely interrupted, she was about to say that the three in the ring will join forces as half of a 6-man tag team match at King of the Ring, to face HHH, Shane and Vince. Vince accepts as he gets fired up, much to the chagrin of HHH and Shane, he refuses to be embarrassed by Linda, he doesn't give a damn what match she makes at King of the Ring, or tonight, tomorrow night or any other night. Of course Linda takes advantage of that last outburst, and announces that HHH will defend his title against an opponent of her choosing. Vince once again accepts which pisses off HHH, even though he doesn't know who his opponent is and says she knows damn well that it's not fair. Linda says he's probably not going to like her next match if he thinks that wasn't fair, that another title needs to be defended, Steph's to be specific, and she announces that she'll defend against Lita tonight, and if any member of the Faction interferes, Lita will be awarded the title. Vince accepts that too which makes HHH throw his hands up, and asks if she'll go play little miss CEO somewhere else now, but she's not done yet. clarifying that she doesn't play CEO, she is CEO. She says that both Shane and Vince will see action tonight, teaming up against the Dudley Boyz in a Tables Match. The Raw theme hits as it goes to commercial.
Linda is seen about to get in her limo, with Steph trying to protest and HHH walks up to try and talk to her. He tries to butter her up but she just wants him to get to the point, and just wants to know who's he's facing and how it isn't fair but she's having none of it, telling him that he can't sweet talk her like he does her daughter, then suggest Steph get changed because she's up next. Linda gets in the limo as Steph and HHH head back inside.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: X-Pac (w/ Road Dogg & Tori) vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) (w/ two of Godfather's hos)
Dean gets distracted by Roadie and X-Pac takes advantage with an attack from behind, boots and clubs to the back, Dean sent off the ropes, but hangs on as X-Pac attempts a dropkick, Dean goes for a jackknife cover but X-Pac rolls through for some mounted rights, then Dean rolls back and gets X-Pac in the Cloverleaf but he immediately gets to the ropes. Dean stomping away, X-Pac sent off the ropes, but pulls back into a back elbow and a spinning heel kick. Dean face first in the corner, X-Pac with boots to the midsection leaves Dean in position for a Bronco Buster, but he rolls out of the way just in time. X-Pac sent off the ropes into a single leg drop kick and a cover for two.
X-Pac reverses a whip into the corner, but gets caught with a snap powerslam, cover but Roadie pulls him off from under the ropes. Double underhook powerbomb by Dean, who then tries to lock in the Cloverleaf, then tries to clock Tori off the apron but she ducks, and as the ref is dealing with her Dean gets clocked by Roadie. X-Pac nails the X-Factor for the win in 2 minutes flat.
DX head to the back celebrating as we get the replays, then we see Lita in the back stretching and getting ready. Then cut to Steph and HHH as she's getting ready and she says she's can't believe this and asks who Linda thinks she is, and is upset wondering how she's supposed to prepare in 10 minutes, and she asks HHH what she's gonna do. He doesn't know, and she's upset that he's got nothing. That match next.
Back from break Steph makes her way out alone and gets the mic, she says for the record that this isn't fair, that for 74 glorious days she's been our Women's Champion, and has carried it with dignity, honor and pride. She says she knows that despite that filthy name the fans call her, that deep down she really has their support, that deep down they want her to defeat Lita and remain the Women's Champion.
WWF Women's Championship: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (c) vs Lita
If anyone from the Faction interferes, Lita becomes the new champion.
Steph tries to retreat right away but Lita grabs hold of her before she can go anywhere, thrown into the corner and thrown to the mat by the hair. Lita with a dropkick and Steph rolls to the apron only to be knocked down. Steph clutches at her knee and the ref goes out to check on her. Kurt Angle runs down and delivers the Angle Slam on Lita and makes a quick escape, and the ref helps Steph to her feet, slides in for the cover and wins in 1:15.
HHH is pleased as Steph and Kurt celebrate and HHH seemingly gets upset with how they're acting together. Shane comes in with a bat and needs him for something, so they leave. Then Kurt and Steph make their way to the back as we get the replay.
Cut to HHH and Shane who are with Vince, Roadie, X-Pac and the Stooges who are planning to attack someone it seems and they run into what turns out to be Kane's locker room, who hands out right hands to everyone and HHH nails him right in the face with the bat after a low blow. Eventually they rip off his mask and Patterson takes a picture and make a quick escape into commercial.
We get a replay of what happened to Kane, then back to the Faction and it seems the Stooges are taking care of getting the photos developed. Vince says that when the world sees Kane, his ugly looking, scarred, pus face, he claims Kane is on their side tonight because if he's not they'll expose Kane to the world. He announces Kane vs Rock in a No Holds Barred Match for tonight.
WWF Tag Team Championship: Too Cool (c) vs T&A (w/ Trish Stratus)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see what happened on Smackdown between Val and Kish, and Val being stretchered out as a result.
Albert and Sexay start, Sexay with rights in the corner, then goes to mount only to be lifted by the jaw with two hands, but fights free as they leave the corner, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and takes Albert down with a forearm. Sexay off the ropes but he gets nailed from behind by Test on the apron, turning around into a gorilla press slam, then a clothesline by Albert. Sexay whipped hard into the corner, then Albert charges from across the ring only to get a boot to the face.
Albert tries to prevent a tag but gets hit with an enziguri, allowing Scotty to get the hot tag. Rights on Albert and Test, dropkicks on both, Sexay takes Albert over the ropes to the outside, but then Scotty turns around into a gutwrench powerbomb by Test. As he makes the cover, Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop. Sexay dives through the ropes to dropkick Albert and the ref gets distracted by this, now Trish climbs the apron to try and use her boot but Scotty takes it away, tossing it to the mat. Test picks it up and nails Scotty in the head, covers but Scotty kicks out. Test tries to knock Sexay off the apron but gets hung up on the top rope, Scotty hits his bulldog to set up for the Worm, but Val rushes down and nails him from behind for the DQ. Champs retain in 2:33.
Val leaves the ring and grabs the ring bell, clocking Scotty with it, then Sexay. Scotty is tossed into the ring for a Baldo Bomb, then a pumphandle powerslam by Test on Sexay. Rikishi runs down now with sidekicks on T&A, ass slams in the corners and grabs holds of Val. Trish comes up behind slapping at Kish for the save and gets shoved down into the corner. Val causes a brief distraction allowing Trish to escape before Kish can give her the Stinkface. Too Cool's music hits as they regroup and T&A all head to the back.
Dudleyz are on their way to the ring with a table for their match, then we see Vince and Shane and Vince is still all fired up, and can't believe Linda thinks he's afraid of tables and vows to show her, but Shane tries to get him back on focus. Then commercial.
Tables Match: Vince & Shane McMahon vs The Dudley Boyz
Dudleyz turn their back to the McMahons as they set the table up at ringside, allowing Vince and Shane to attack from behind to start this match. Shane and Bubba go at it, Vince on D-Von, but Shane gets clotheslined and Vince headbutted. Bubba with rights on Shane, then both McMahons repeatedly face first off the announce table. Water bottle to Shane's face, then Vince whipped into the steps. Shane is tossed into the ring as D-Von lays into Vince, Bubba drops Shane with a right, then another, then a chop and rights in the corner by Bubba. Shane whipped across the ring for a corner splash and Vince scoop slammed on the floor by D-Von. Shane lifted to the top rope and Bubba delivers a superplex as D-Von goes up top for a leg drop. Vince is in and takes a right from Bubba, then a scoop slam as D-Von goes up top for the diving headbutt to the grapefruits.
3D on Shane as Vince writhes on the mat and Bubba calls for wood, grabbing a table from under the ring, then D-Von grabs the one they set up earlier, one leaned up in the corner, the other set up near the adjacent corner. Shane is laid out on the table as Bubba goes to the corner and Shane is lifted to his shoulders, but out come DX. Bubba is clocked and him and Vince take a nasty fall right to the floor to an audible gasp from the crowd. X-Factor on D-Von. Road Dogg powerbombs D-Von through a table, then Bubba slides back in for an X-Factor. Bubba is laid out on the other table and Tori goes up top to... well try and splash Bubba through the table but they just end up tumbling over and the table doesn't break. Bubba leaps up and starts fighting back and... the ref calls for the bell? Bubba is eventually put back on the table and Vince rejoins them like nothing happened, Tori goes back up top and delivers the splash through the table successfully. DX's music hit and Vince's arm is raised, so I guess the McMahons win in. From the opening bell to the splash from Tori, this went 6:01. It was a fun little match.
Vince looks on as he and Shane and DX leave the ring to the back as we go to replays. I'll give it to Vince for getting up after that fall, that looked rough.
Back from commercial, another replay and a better angle of Vince's fall, plus Tori's splash. Then to HHH with the Stooges and Bull, and he wants reassurance that Kane's pictures will be there. Brisco says he has it all taken care of. Now Bull wants HHH to run a plan by him for Taker, and HHH explains that Bull was supposed to have a match with Taker tonight, but Taker pitched a fit, saying that Bull wasn't in his league and didn't belong in the ring with Taker. Patterson adds that he said he could beat Bull in 2 minutes. Brisco adds that he said it would be insulting to get in the ring with Bull. They just happen to be standing beside Taker's bike and suggests Bull steal it since the key happens to be already in the ignition. So Bull gets on it and revs it up but Taker is appears in the background, Bull driving off as HHH and the Stooges disappear. Taker steals a car and gives chase.
HHH and the Stooges come back out of hiding pleased with their work, and HHH leaves them to go get ready for his match. Meanwhile Crash is sneaking around behind and clubs them from behind. Patterson is sent face first into a steel shutter, Crash stomping away, Brisco runs away and Crash gives chase.
Commentary recap what just happened and out comes Brisco with Crash close behind. The Hardcore Championship graphic comes up so I guess this is official.
24/7 WWF Hardcore Championship Defense: Crash Holly vs Gerald Brisco (c)
Crash and Brisco duck shots until Brisco nails a chop and sends Crash back out of the ring. A ref makes his way out as Crash hangs Brisco up on the top rope. Crash tosses in a trash can, lid, chair and broom, but it allows Brisco to grab the broom and jab it into Crash's ribs, then break it over his back. Broken handle to the back of Crash, then tosses him to the outside. Crash blocks being sent into the apron and fights back with some right hands, then Brisco face first off the announce table. Crash goes to grab something from under the ring, which allows Brisco to deliver some rights and sends Crash ribs first into the steps.
Brisco starts celebrating in the ring and grabs the chair, wedging it into the corner. Trash can lid to the head of Crash as Pat makes his way out now holding his shoulder. Crash reverses a whip sending Brisco back first into the wedged chair, then drops Pat with a forearm. Crash tries to charge at Brisco with the lid but gets a boot to the face instead. Patterson tries to nail Crash with the trash can but Crash ducks and he nails Brisco instead. Crash drops Patterson, covers Brisco and wins back the title in about 2:28. Alright that wasn't too bad, Brisco can still work a pretty good match.
Crash hurriedly takes the belt from Brisco's waist and rushes to the back as we get a replay of Patterson's can shot, who then checks on Brisco, but he shoves Patterson away. He tries to apologize but shoves him again. Brisco tries to walk away but Patterson pulls him back, but they make up, shake hands and hug. Patterson though gives some crotch chops as Brisco turns his back, and "Real American" hits as they leave the ring.
Back in the parking garage, Crash is celebrating and calling himself the man and he gets in the car, though he left the belt on the roof for some reason. He realizes that though and takes it down before leaving.
HHH and Steph are seen walking down a hallway and he says this is wrong, that he needs time to prepare for these things, that there's a reason he's The Game, he studies these guys, calling it ridiculous and says Linda's out of control. His title defense next.
WWF Championship: Triple H (c) (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs Chris Jericho
Jericho ducks a right hand as he enters the ring and delivers some of his own, HHH sent off the ropes into a back elbow. More rights drive HHH into the corner for chops, whipped across the ring into a back body drop, then a clothesline, Jericho covers for 2. HHH chopped against the ropes, then reverses a whip and sends Jericho over the ropes, catching himself on the apron, goes up top with a missile dropkick, cover for a two count. More rights by Jericho, but HHH pulls back on an Irish whip attempt to send Jericho throat first on the top rope. Jericho back on the offense until he's sent off the ropes into a high knee, then sent face first into the corner. HHH with shoulders to the midsection repeatedly until the ref pulls him off, Jericho sent off the ropes and a knee to Jericho's ribs, cover for two.
More rights by HHH, then a suplex, followed by a knee drop out of the corner, cover and a kick out. Jericho fights back with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but hits a DDT, covers for another kick out. Jericho sent off the ropes and caught with a sleeper, Jericho fading as he drops to his knees, but manages to get back to his feet, elbows free and whips HHH into the corner, only to run into a boot to the face. HHH to the middle rope, but wastes time blowing a kiss to Steph, allowing HHH to hit a dropkick, followed by a hurricanrana from the top, but he can't capitalize and pin. Standing 10 count and are back up at 7, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and Jericho with a forearm, then a bulldog, cover and a two count.
HHH sent off the ropes and hits a facebuster off the knee, then goes for a Pedigree, but Jericho trips him up, goes for the Walls but HHH manages to fight out and drive Jericho into the corner, who then inadvertently low blows him as he falls down. Steph gets on the apron and tosses the belt to HHH as the ref is distracted by her, but Jericho hits the spinning heel kick, then the Lionsault, covers but the ref is still occupied with Steph. HHH tries to nail Jericho from behind as he argues with the ref but he moves and the ref gets decked and sent out of the ring. Jericho gets him in the Walls and Steph comes in to try and slap him, then Jericho tries to put her in the Walls but gets nailed with the title belt by HHH. Steph slides out, HHH delivers the Pedigree, she slides the ref back in to count the three in 7:58. Pretty good title match and Jericho gets protected with that finish.
Steph slides back in to help her husband back to his feet as they raise their titles in celebration. Still to come, Kane vs Rock.
Kane is seeing throwing a fit in his locker room, trashing it and then leaves, as we get a replay of what happened earlier.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit (c) vs Matt Hardy
Shoving each other into the corner off a lock up, then Benoit with boots into some quick back and forth, then a clothesline by Matt. Benoit sends Matt into the corner who catches him with an elbow, then goes up top for a moonsault, cover and a kick out. Matt goes back up top but he's cut off by Benoit, who tries to join him but gets shoved back down, and Matt with a leg drop from the middle rope, cover and a shoulder up. Boots by Matt, but gets caught, Benoit tries to toss him up and over but Matt counters with a sunset flip, only for Benoit to roll through and deliver a clothesline. Matt sent off the ropes into another clothesline, Benoit covers for two. Benoit with more rights and a snap suplex, cover and another kick out.
Matt sent off the ropes into a boot, then tries for a powerbomb but Matt counters with a side Russian leg sweep. Benoit though back on the offensive and goes for a back suplex, but Matt turns and counters into a pin as he falls on top for two. Chops by Benoit in the corner, then a shoulder breaker, then goes up top but misses the diving headbutt. Matt with shots, then slams him down, only to be sent throat first on the top rope. Benoit goes for a suplex to the outside from inside, but Matt lands on the apron and delivers a suplex of his own to the floor. That got an audible "holy shit" chant.
Benoit sent side first into the apron, then Matt charges, sent up and over, but springs off the ropes to deliver a DDT to the floor. Benoit tossed back in the ring and Matt goes up top and goes for a moonsault, but Benoit moves and he lands on his feet. Matt goes for a backslide, Benoit tries to counter into the Crossface but Matt won't let him and gets driven into the corner. Matt whipped in the corner and lifted to the top rope, Benoit delivers a superplex. Trading shots until Benoit ducks one and starts his German suplexes, getting two but Matt fights off a third. Benoit tries for a regular suplex instead, then Matt tries to counter with the Twist of Fate, but Benoit counters into the Crossface to retain in 6:07. Another good title match.
Benoit refuses to let go of the hold though and Jeff runs down. Benoit lets go and takes his title, and nails Jeff with it as he checks on Matt. Benoit just laughs at his handiwork as he leaves the ring.
Edge and Christian are watching this on a monitor backstage, and Edge says that Jeff is not looking good tonight. Edge asks if Christian wants him down there with him, but Christian says he's got this in the bag and he's totally qualified, and for Edge to go down would be unfair, unnecessary and totally unethical. Edge asks again and Christian says that he does want him to come down with him and they leave into commercial.
Back from break we see a replay of what happened after the match with Benoit and Matt. Jeff is still coming to in the ring as the ref and Matt check on him as we get to this next match. Jeff can barely stand.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Jeff Hardy (w/ Matt Hardy) vs Christian (w/ Edge)
Christian already with a gutbuster and stomping away on Jeff, then rights. Christian with two back to back suplexes, then goes for a third but Jeff counters with an inside cradle for two. Front suplex by Christian, cover and a kick out. Jeff face first in the corner, whipped across the ring but hops over onto the apron, leaps up for a moonsault but he lands on his feet as Christian moves out of the way, who then runs into a back body drop. Jeff with a dropkick to the back sends Christian shoulder first into the ring post, then Jeff is sent across the ring and flips upside down into a tree of woe. Christian tries to join him but is elbowed off, then Jeff turns around. Edge gets on the apron but is kicked off, then he and Matt start fighting. Christian crotches Jeff before delivering a superplex, but then Jeff floats over to catch him with an inside cradle to win in 1:58.
Jeff rolls out as E&C look on in disbelief. We see Rock backstage for his match up soon.
We get some footage from Heat the night before of the qualifying matches, where Bull cost Boss Man his match with Bubba, and Road Dogg cost D-Von his match with Saturn.
Now out come the Faction and Vince and Shane are still dressed in their ring wear. Vince takes a mic and tallies up the score so to speak, since he imagines Linda is: all the fans and the CEO zip, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction 3. He says it's not good for the fans, and that it won't be good at King of the Ring either, because Taker, who's on an excursion as he speaks, along with Kane and Rock, after the smoke clears, they're looking at The Game, the King of Sting (Shane) and himself, saying they will be victorious at the PPV. He says that all that's left for tonight is for the Faction to come out, and just as the fans have been enjoying, they're going to have a ringside seat to watch Kane and Rock beat the hell out of each other. He reiterates that if Kane doesn't destroy Rock, then we'll see the ugliest, most hideous looking creature in the history of mankind. DX's music hits again.
Kane storms and breaks down the door of his locker room and... sudden Chef Boyardee commercial. Back to the ring where the Faction are still waiting around until Kane's pyro hits for this match.
No Holds Barred Match: Kane vs The Rock
Rock turns right around into a right hand after he poses in the corner and is driven into the corner with more rights and boots and elbows. Rock sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and sends Kane to the floor with one of his own, but he lands on his feet and pulls Rock out with him. Rock face first into the steps, Kane tries to send him into the announce table but Rock blocks and does it repeatedly, then nails Kane with the ring bell. Kane reverses a whip into the barricade, then Rock tries to follow up with a clothesline but Kane ducks and hits one of his own. Back in the ring, Rock manages to fight back with rights, but sent into the corner and gets a boot up. Kane gets him by the throat but Rock delivers a low blow, off the ropes into a Tombstone attempt but Rock counters with a Russian leg sweep. Rock with rights in the corner but Kane pushes back with his hands at Rock's throat and throws him into the corner. Rock ducks a right and delivers one of his own, then sends Kane off the ropes into a spinebuster. Rock goes for the People's Elbow, Kane sits up, kicked back down and Rock connects with the elbow. Rock goes for the cover, and despite the fact this is No Holds Barred, the ref is stopping HHH from getting in the ring as he climbs the apron. Rock drops him with a right but turns around into a big boot. Kane goes up top with the flying clothesline.
OK I wasn't expecting this to pop back up. Kane calls for the chokeslam, but GTV appears on the Titantron, and we see Patterson and Brisco in the back. Brisco is depressed after losing the title and Patterson says they'll get Crash wherever he goes, they'll chase him and find him. He says the most important thing they have to do is deal with the pictures, and he hands Brisco an envelope I assume with the pictures, and he takes them out. But for some reason there's no picture and Brisco blames it on Patterson's stupid Canadian film. Brisco says Kane is so mad though he'll go to the ring anyway, but Patterson points out that Kane would have never gone out if he knew there was no picture, and that Brisco is in deep trouble with Vince. Brisco suggest they just don't say anything to Vince and that what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Brisco goes to the bathroom and Patterson leaves to have a cigarette.
Well Rock and Kane are watching this go down in the ring, and the Faction are panicking as they realize the trouble they're in. They try to leave but Taker's music hits and out he comes on his bike. They all start fighting and the Dudleyz make their way out with a table now, setting it up in the ring near the corner. Vince is tossed into the ring and gets a Rock Bottom, but then Roadie nails Rock. HHH in now too and Taker. Rock sends Shane out and now HHH is surrounded by his three challengers, all getting their shots in. Kane and Taker put HHH through the table with a double chokeslam. Taker's music hits as Rock looks on at the Faction and Vince is irate, and the show fades out. Well this obviously ended in a No Contest and this all went 7:31, and it was another fun chaotic main event.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Honestly a pretty solid show. My only real issues were how short the Jeff/Christian match was, and the continued bullshittery with the Women's Title. We now have the main event set for the PPV, most of the King of the Ring tournament is filled, it's shaping up to be a great show... with the exception of one match yet to be announced... and there's still a week and a half worth of shows to cover first. That said, with a run time of 1:36:26, this show had a total 37:53 of wrestling.
Smackdown
We get a recap of what happened on Raw with the WWF Title situation, Linda's involvement and the various happenings with the Faction throughout the night before we get to our opening pyro, broadcasting from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Cole welcomes us to the show and we get right to a match.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Grandmaster Sexay (w/ Scotty 2 Hotty) (WWF Tag Team Champions) vs Edge (w/ Christian)
Quick back and forth between the two until Sexay ducks a crossbody, then sends Edge face first into the corner, to the middle rope for a missile dropkick, cover for two. Arm wringer by Sexay until Edge rakes the eyes, sends him off the ropes but caught with a kick by Sexay who follows with a clothesline, then sends Edge to the outside. Christian helps him back up only for the two of them to be hit with a baseball slide. Sexay wastes time dancing with Scotty and gets sent face first into the steps, then a second time before returning to the ring.
Sexay face first in the corner, then boots by Edge, whipping Sexay across the ring. Scoop slam on Sexay followed by an elbow for a cover and a kick out. Edge goes for a suplex but Sexay counters and crotches him on the top rope. Sexay with the comeback and an enziguri on Edge, then a scoop slam of his own before going up top, only to be cut off, but he fights back and delivers a sunset flip, covers for two. Sexay tries to come off the ropes but Christian grabs his leg from under the ropes. Sexay pulls him onto the apron by the hair, then Edge inadvertently knocks him off it, Sexay takes advantage with a roll up but Edge kicks out.
Sexay off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers a neckbreaker, then goes back up top but Christian's there again. Scotty yanks him down and they go at it, Sexay delivering the Hip Hop Drop. The ref gets preoccupied dealing with the fight at ringside, which allows Shane to run in with a chair and crack Sexay over the head with it. Edge makes the cover to qualify in 5:10. Good match to start the show.
Scotty checks on Sexay as E&C head to the back. The Faction are seen looking on backstage pleased with Shane's handiwork, with Vince saying that Phase 1 is complete, then they leave to "have themselves some fun" into commercial.
We see a replay from the finish to that last match, followed by the arrival of the Faction. Vince has the mic, but Shane takes it and says that for whatever reason E&C have challenged the very tag team that his father defeated on Raw, announcing that E&C will face the Dudleyz. He also informs the fans that E&C are gracious enough to give them a special photo opportunity and suggest they get their cameras ready.
Vince takes the mic back and recaps what his "charming, darling, CEO, meddlesome wife" did on Raw, and the results of the various matches she made, and how the fans all cheered when the matches were made, but weren't when the Faction overcame it all. Then he moves onto the main event for King of the Ring, and says that some think it could win Match of the Year honors, and he agrees, because the vast majority of the fans are thinking on balance, that's there's no telling who's gonna win, how both teams have equal abilities. He says some might think that Rock's team probably has the edge, and an even smaller number of fans who think that their own team doesn't stand a chance.
HHH takes the mic and says he's never been more confident in a team to be successful than he is their team, with Vince, the Giant Killer, and The Game on one team he says they're virtually unstoppable, and he's so sure of it he says almost not even fair. He says that as great as the match Linda made is, they're going to make it even better, since there's some confusion to who the #1 contender is to his title. He says they're going to solve all that at the PPV, that they're going to put the #1 contendership on the line, and announces in the event that Linda's team can beat them, whoever gets the victory will be deemed the #1 contender, and he'll defend his title against them in July. He suggests that Taker won't be able to trust Kane or Rock, that they'll stab him in the back for that, that nobody can trust anyone at that team. He adds that in the likely event that his team is victorious, then none of the three gets a shot at his title, and will give the title shot to the King of the Ring instead.
Vince takes the mic back and moves onto tonight, and says Shane has a surprise for the Dudleyz, and announces that Jericho will have a surprise too. He says Taker will be greeted with a very special surprise. He announces that Kane will face someone tonight, but wants it to be a surprise. Finally, Rock will face... well HHH cuts him off and says that info is on a need to know basis, and the piece of crap fans don't need to know. Vince says that they hope the fans enjoy the surprises as much as they do, then his music hits. while the Faction leave.
We see Patterson and Brisco in a taxi and Brisco's upset that Patterson's drug him all over the city, and it seems they're in Times Square, I guess Crash is somewhere there. Oh what timing, Crash arrives in another taxi right behind them and he runs off needing protection. Patterson and Brisco leave their taxi alongside Chioda and they argue about being lost and not knowing where they are, having missed Crash and Patterson has Chioda pay for the cab. Brisco wants a hot dog into commercial.
The WWF Rewind is Buchanan stealing Taker's bike on Raw and Taker giving chase. I'm not sure why that segues into this next match, but alright.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Hardy Boyz
Starts with some back and forth that sees Jeff use his speed to avoid several moves, but fails to deliver a suplex and tags in Matt instead for a double team suplex. Matt with rights, then one for Albert, only to be pulled into a full nelson slam by Test followed by mounted rights. Albert tags in, Matt sent off the ropes into a flip slam, cover and Jeff breaks it up. Albert with boots and rights in the corner, then tosses Matt across the ring. Matt whipped into the corner again but nails Albert with an elbow, then a boot to the middle rope for a tornado DDT.
Jeff and Albert get the tags, Jeff with boots and a dropkick drives Test into the corner, who gets nailed with a splash by Albert as Jeff sidesteps. Jeff drives Albert across the ring and delivers a popup dropkick. Test tripped and Matt tags in, goes to the middle rope, double leg drop from the Hardyz. Poetry in Motion on Albert, then a double clothesline sends him out of the ring. Matt with a Twist of Fate on Test, but as Jeff goes to the apron, Trish yanks him down while the ref is distracted with Matt and Albert. As Matt looks out at Jeff, Albert hits him with a splash in the corner, who then sends him into Test with a big boot for the win in 3:29. Not a bad match.
Jeff brought back in for Trish to slap as Albert and Test continue the assault, and now out comes Lita to take down Trish. Test yanks her off and the Hardyz toss them out of the ring. Lita's back up and sidewalk drops Trish before going to the middle rope for... well it's supposed to be a leg drop but she lands ass first on Trish's face. T&A pull her out and head to the back as Lita and the Hardyz look on.
We see Taker arriving on his bike and their are officers waiting for him, so I guess this is the surprise Vince alluded to. Vince walks into view with Bull and welcomes Taker to Chicago, and informs him that the man who's car he stole on Raw had a warrant put on Taker for his arrest for felony assault and carjacking. Taker is promptly arrested as Vince gets all cocky and calls Taker pathetic, and Taker and Bull get in each other's face. Taker spits in his face and as he and the officers start to walk away Bull gets him with a cheap shot. Officers have to pull them apart and Taker is lead away as Vince wishes him a good away and laughs, saying he loves being him into commercial.
We get a replay of what happened with Taker and Bull before the break. Then back to Vince who's ready to leave and Shane assures him he's got everything under control and Vince jokingly tells him not to have too much fun. Vince gets in his limo and he drives off.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: D'Lo Brown vs Scotty 2 Hotty (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Hometown boy D'Lo gets a rather lukewarm reaction from the crowd, as we get to the final qualifying match for King of the Ring.
D'Lo nails Scotty with a spinning heel kick as he finishes posing in the corner to start this match, then some right hands, Scotty sent off the ropes but gets D'Lo with a kick, off the ropes and sent over the ropes, but catches himself on the apron, flips over D'Lo off the opposite ropes, slips through the legs, off the ropes, caught for a tilt-a-whirl but lands on his feet, ducks a clothesline and nails a side kick, cover for two. D'Lo sent off the ropes into a dropkic, then a spinaroonie of all things followed by an elbow and a kip up and a moonwalk. Scotty ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes only to be launched up and dropping to the mat. D'Lo with rights now, followed by a leg drop and a cover for two.
More rights in the corner by D'Lo, Scotty sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, launched up and delivers a dropkick. Rights by Scotty, D'Lo sent off the ropes for a spinning back elbow. D'Lo sent off the ropes into a back drop, then reverses a whip into the corner, misses an elbow and Scotty with the bulldog to set up for the Worm. Scotty up to the middle rope but gets caught with a flapjack, and D'Lo goes up top for the Lo Down, but Scotty rolls out of the way. Scotty back to the middle rope for a DDT and the win in 3:39. Another fine match.
We catch up with the Stooges who are at a stand or a store, but Pat is more concerned with getting the Hardcore Title back. Brisco wants a souvenir though from NYC, while Chioda just shakes his head. Meanwhile there's a very brief glimpse of Crash walking by behind Chioda, which he notices and informs the Stooges, but Patterson tells him to shut up and that his job is just to count the three, so they walk off.
We see Kane in the back and his match is next.
Kane vs Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Kane right away throws Benoit into the corner, but then Benoit gets Kane in the corner with boots to the midsection and chops to the chest. Kane though backs out and throws Benoit back into the corner for rapid right hands. Benoit hip tossed across the ring, then a running clothesline by Kane. Benolit slips off of Kane's shoulder and comes off the ropes, only to run into a right hand from Kane. Benoit sent off the ropes, Benoit slips through the legs but turns into a big boot, but Kane misses an elbow coming off the ropes. Benoit sent off the ropes off a reversal but ducks another shot and takes down Kane with a drop toe hold, then follows with a dropkick to the side of the head, covering for two.
Kane sent chest first into the corner and Benoit with the waist lock, but Kane blocks, then tries for a back elbow and Benoit ducks for another waist lock from the front but Kane fights out and delivers a front suplex. Sidewalk slam by Kane. Benoit sent off the ropes, rolls under a big boot and tries for the Crossface, but Kane counters and tries the chokeslam, but Benoit gets free and tries for the Crossface again but can't bring Kane down. Kane reverses a whip off the ropes and delivers a clothesline, Benoit rolling out. He grabs the IC Title but he's cut off by Kane with a right before he can use it, but he's tossed back into the ring still holding onto the belt. Kane goes for his diving clothesline but he's nailed in the face with the belt and the ref calls for the DQ in 3:33. Finish makes sense here and it was another good match on this show.
Kane sits up and gets back to a knee only to be nailed with the belt a second time. Kane back up a second time and Benoit just leaves in disbelief. Kane's music hits as Benoit heads to the back holding up his title.
Cut to Christian in the back with a hockey stick and Edge tells him he just talked to his... their?... Are they brothers still at this point? Anyways she's happy that he qualified for King of the Ring, but Christian says she didn't call after his match, so I guess they are brothers, and Edge says she told him that, but he says what matters is that if they beat the Dudleyz they're totally in the good graces of the Faction, which gets Christian excited as he points out they might get a title shot for it. Christian points out a continuity or writing flaw as he thought they were called the Regime, and they go back and forth claiming that they're called either name, but Edge suggest they compromise and call them the Facgime. I think I'm gonna start using that. They walk off into commercial.
We see footage of Vince doing his XFL press conference earlier in the week in Chicago, then we see the GM for the Chicago XFL team sitting front row before our next match. The aforementioned brothers make their way out first and Christian has the mic. He says that before they beat up the Dudleyz, he gives greetings to all their fans in the Windy City. He figured they call it the Windy City because it blows... which they bleeped for some reason, and like so many other cities in the nation, Chicago has a serious case of the uglies. Edge takes the mic and brings up all the ugly things the city's known for: Roger Ebert, Oprah, and the Cubs' record. Which is why, for the benefit of those with flash photography, they graciously offer an extra two seconds for posing. It was just their standard posing. As the Dudleyz make their way out we see what happened with the McMahons, DX and the Dudleyz on Raw.
Edge & Christian vs The Dudley Boyz
D-Von and Christian start this match, Christian tries to get the advantage in a quick back and forth but is taken down by a clothesline. Bubba tags in, Christian sent off the ropes, caught with a tilt-a-whirl slam from Bubba followed by a splash from D-Von, then a cover for two. Bubba with rights in the corner, then sends Christian across the ring but gets his boots up and tags in Edge, who rushes into a Samoan drop. Bubba with chops in the corner, Edge whipped across the ring, then knocks Christian down as he tries to attack from behind, allowing Edge to go to the middle rope for a missile dropkick. D-Von tries to intervene which allows E&C to double team in their corner as the ref sends D-Von out.
Edge gets the tag, Bubba whipped into the corner, Christian launches himself off Edge's back for a splash into Bubba. Loud "We want tables" chants as Christian tags back in, Bubba sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline, goes for one of his own but Edge ducks, only to be hit with a DDT, then a clothesline for Christian. D-Von tags in and cleans house, Christian sent off the ropes for a clothesline, then an inverted DDT on Edge, covers but Christian breaks it up. Bubba tosses Christian out and all 4 take the fight to the outside, up the ramp and eventually it's ruled a double countout in 3:17. Another decent match as short as it was.
Bubba with a suplex onto Edge on the stage. Bubba looks over the stage and there are two tables set up side by side below and Bubba of course is ecstatic. Bubba gets Christian up for the powerbomb with help from D-Von but DX rush out before anything can happen, with chairs in hand. Roadie with a chair to Bubba's head and then they roll out a dumpster. E&C join back in on the attack as the Dudleyz get tossed into the dumpster. Dudleyz try to fight out but the lid are slammed into the backs of their heads, and they tie down the lids, and the dumpster is shoved off through the tables. Referees are down immediately to check on the Dudleyz and open it up while DX and E&C are pleased with their work into commercial.
We see replays of what just happened before the break, and the aftermath as the Dudleyz are stretchered out. Now out comes Stephanie to join commentary for our next match. Oh goodie. Jericho's out for his match with mic in hand and says that week after week the Jerichoholics refer to Stephanie as a slut (bleeped out of course) but he says she's not, but she is a filthy, dirty, disgusting, brutal, skanky, bottom-feeding... Well he's cut off by his opponent before he can finish.
Chris Jericho vs Bull Buchanan
Jericho shoved down before being sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers chops, then sent off the ropes again but catches Bull with a kick, then off the ropes with a bulldog, covers for one. I assume Jericho was whipped into the corner but the camera cuts to Steph, then back to see Jericho get a boot up in the corner, to the middle rope for a missile dropkick and Bull rolls out to the apron. Jericho with the springboard dropkick sending Bull to the floor.
Jericho with a baseball slide is sidestep and he's knocked down with a right hand, but ducks a clothesline and sends Bull face first into the steps with a drop toe hold. Jericho walks over to commentary and takes a water bottle to spit water in Steph's face, which makes her scream, but it allows Bull to nail Jericho with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Jericho sent off the ropes but gets a back elbow and nails a clothesline. Steph has grabbed what's told to us is Lawler's water pitcher as Jericho goes for the Lionsault, and she throws the water into his face, which allows Bull to hit the scissor kick for the win in 1:52.
HHH rushes down to stomp away on Jericho and he shoves the ref down to continue with vicious rights, and the rest of the refs rush down to break it up only to be scared and shoved off. HHH caps it off with a Pedigree as HHH stands tall and we go to replays of how this match ended. Man Jericho can never get one over on these people. Steph and HHH head to the back.
Back to the Hardcore Title hunt somewhere on the streets of New York as Pat tells Brisco to concentrate and to get his head out of his ass, and Chioda points out they would have had Crash if they listened to him, but Patterson just tells him to shut up again and to do his job. Brisco wants to go to some club Pat told him about later on, and he says that once they win the title they'll go and celebrate. We cut to Crash looking for someone and he goes into some building into commercial.
Commentary play us into a recap video of what happened between Rikishi, Val and Trish last week, then back to the arena where Val is waiting with mic in hand. He says he left Rikishi battered, beaten and bloody in the middle of the ring the week before on Smackdown, screaming for mercy, but then he decided he was going to kick Val 10 ft off the stage all the way to the concrete floor, take his 400 and some odd pounds worth of cottage cheese, leap in the air, and literally squash him like a pancake, trying to end his career. He says when he came to a few hours later, only payback was on his mind, and calls out Rikishi's fat, cellulite infested, stinking carcass down to the ring so he can beat him literally within an inch of his life.
Well of course Rikishi makes his way out and Val meets him on the ramp but gets some right hands before being sent into the steps. A ref is there to try and stop them as Kish throws Val and the steps into the ring, then drops him with a clothesline. Val rolls out and Kish follows as another ref is there to try and stop them and Val gets more right hands before being sent into the other steps. Kish starts clearing the announce table and Val gets back dropped onto it. Val face first off the table, then gets scoop slammed through it. Kish picks up one of the monitors but the ref manages to take it, and Kish is back on the attack with right hands. Side kick takes down Val. Val manages to nail him with the monitor, then again takes Kish down and the officials are down to break them up, but Val manages to nail Kish again with the monitor,. Val grabs a chair now and nails Kish in the head with it and the refs finally separate him into commercial. God damn that was wild.
We get replays of the chaos before the break, and though it wasn't visible in all that chaos at some point Kish was busted open, as we see some of it splattered on what's left of the announce table as commentary talk about the chaos.
Back to Crash who's found... Shaft? Wait really? So Shaft recognizes Crash, who tells Shaft that he thinks someone's after him right now and asks for his help. Shaft asks if he tried the APA but Crash says he has heat with them and wants Shaft's protection. The woman at his arm gives a nod of approval and he says its his duty to protect Crash's booty. Honestly I can't stop laughing at the absurdity of all this, and neither can Cole as we go back to the arena, who then plug the movie that premieres the next night.
Then we cut to Kevin Kelly who's standing by with Rock backstage, but before that commentary recap the King of the Ring qualifying matches along with footage that took place this week, plus we get the brackets for the tournament.
Our opening video package for the night starts with recapping the problems among Taker, Kane and Rock since Judgement Day, before we get right to the opening pyro and intro.
We're live from the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. J.R. welcomes us to the show and Rock is out to start it off. We learn from J.R. that the last two King of the Ring qualifiers, as well as an IC and Tag Title match are already scheduled for later. God damn the crowd is deafening. Rock says he's heard all weekend long that come Monday he's in store for a fight, that Kane and Taker are going to get back at him for hitting them with chairs, that the entire Faction, Vince, Shane, DX, HHH, even that $2... no, 50 cent slut Stephanie, getting back at him for making their lives a living hell, and now here he is. Rock tells Taker to take his American Badass, Kane to take his 7-foot body, and HHH to take his 3-foot nose, and as God as his witness tells their candy asses to just bring it. Well Kane is the first to oblige with mic in hand, and since Rock says to bring it, he says to consider it brought. Taker rolls out next though before they can get into it who's ready to get right into it.
Then... well it's the Raw theme song, but out comes Linda, who tries to talk over the music for some reason, and it's either too loud or her mic isn't working as she makes her way down to the ring. She wonders what the three are trying to do, what they're thinking, looking like they're going to tear each other apart limb from limb, and brings up the fact that the Faction is probably in the back laughing at them, and asks if they're really going to let themselves be sucked in by the old divide and conquer strategy. She says they need to be united, at least for the next two weeks until King of the Ring and need to join forces.
Now Vince, Shane, HHH and Steph make their way out before she can say any more and does the usual "Who the hell do you think you are?" routine, and wonders if maybe she wants to be Mother Theresa, the peacekeeper, wanting to do good for everybody, or perhaps she fancies herself a modern-day Joan of Arc, or even an attractive Janet Reno. He doesn't know who Linda thinks she is, but he says that who she truly is is a meddlesome, goody-two-shoes, castrating, shrew of a wife. For some reason the crowd thought this would be a perfect time to chant "slut." He says it amused them that she was talking about the three joining forces, but wants a bit of clarification on what she was talking about.
Before she was so rudely interrupted, she was about to say that the three in the ring will join forces as half of a 6-man tag team match at King of the Ring, to face HHH, Shane and Vince. Vince accepts as he gets fired up, much to the chagrin of HHH and Shane, he refuses to be embarrassed by Linda, he doesn't give a damn what match she makes at King of the Ring, or tonight, tomorrow night or any other night. Of course Linda takes advantage of that last outburst, and announces that HHH will defend his title against an opponent of her choosing. Vince once again accepts which pisses off HHH, even though he doesn't know who his opponent is and says she knows damn well that it's not fair. Linda says he's probably not going to like her next match if he thinks that wasn't fair, that another title needs to be defended, Steph's to be specific, and she announces that she'll defend against Lita tonight, and if any member of the Faction interferes, Lita will be awarded the title. Vince accepts that too which makes HHH throw his hands up, and asks if she'll go play little miss CEO somewhere else now, but she's not done yet. clarifying that she doesn't play CEO, she is CEO. She says that both Shane and Vince will see action tonight, teaming up against the Dudley Boyz in a Tables Match. The Raw theme hits as it goes to commercial.
Linda is seen about to get in her limo, with Steph trying to protest and HHH walks up to try and talk to her. He tries to butter her up but she just wants him to get to the point, and just wants to know who's he's facing and how it isn't fair but she's having none of it, telling him that he can't sweet talk her like he does her daughter, then suggest Steph get changed because she's up next. Linda gets in the limo as Steph and HHH head back inside.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: X-Pac (w/ Road Dogg & Tori) vs Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) (w/ two of Godfather's hos)
Dean gets distracted by Roadie and X-Pac takes advantage with an attack from behind, boots and clubs to the back, Dean sent off the ropes, but hangs on as X-Pac attempts a dropkick, Dean goes for a jackknife cover but X-Pac rolls through for some mounted rights, then Dean rolls back and gets X-Pac in the Cloverleaf but he immediately gets to the ropes. Dean stomping away, X-Pac sent off the ropes, but pulls back into a back elbow and a spinning heel kick. Dean face first in the corner, X-Pac with boots to the midsection leaves Dean in position for a Bronco Buster, but he rolls out of the way just in time. X-Pac sent off the ropes into a single leg drop kick and a cover for two.
X-Pac reverses a whip into the corner, but gets caught with a snap powerslam, cover but Roadie pulls him off from under the ropes. Double underhook powerbomb by Dean, who then tries to lock in the Cloverleaf, then tries to clock Tori off the apron but she ducks, and as the ref is dealing with her Dean gets clocked by Roadie. X-Pac nails the X-Factor for the win in 2 minutes flat.
DX head to the back celebrating as we get the replays, then we see Lita in the back stretching and getting ready. Then cut to Steph and HHH as she's getting ready and she says she's can't believe this and asks who Linda thinks she is, and is upset wondering how she's supposed to prepare in 10 minutes, and she asks HHH what she's gonna do. He doesn't know, and she's upset that he's got nothing. That match next.
Back from break Steph makes her way out alone and gets the mic, she says for the record that this isn't fair, that for 74 glorious days she's been our Women's Champion, and has carried it with dignity, honor and pride. She says she knows that despite that filthy name the fans call her, that deep down she really has their support, that deep down they want her to defeat Lita and remain the Women's Champion.
WWF Women's Championship: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (c) vs Lita
If anyone from the Faction interferes, Lita becomes the new champion.
Steph tries to retreat right away but Lita grabs hold of her before she can go anywhere, thrown into the corner and thrown to the mat by the hair. Lita with a dropkick and Steph rolls to the apron only to be knocked down. Steph clutches at her knee and the ref goes out to check on her. Kurt Angle runs down and delivers the Angle Slam on Lita and makes a quick escape, and the ref helps Steph to her feet, slides in for the cover and wins in 1:15.
HHH is pleased as Steph and Kurt celebrate and HHH seemingly gets upset with how they're acting together. Shane comes in with a bat and needs him for something, so they leave. Then Kurt and Steph make their way to the back as we get the replay.
Cut to HHH and Shane who are with Vince, Roadie, X-Pac and the Stooges who are planning to attack someone it seems and they run into what turns out to be Kane's locker room, who hands out right hands to everyone and HHH nails him right in the face with the bat after a low blow. Eventually they rip off his mask and Patterson takes a picture and make a quick escape into commercial.
We get a replay of what happened to Kane, then back to the Faction and it seems the Stooges are taking care of getting the photos developed. Vince says that when the world sees Kane, his ugly looking, scarred, pus face, he claims Kane is on their side tonight because if he's not they'll expose Kane to the world. He announces Kane vs Rock in a No Holds Barred Match for tonight.
WWF Tag Team Championship: Too Cool (c) vs T&A (w/ Trish Stratus)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see what happened on Smackdown between Val and Kish, and Val being stretchered out as a result.
Albert and Sexay start, Sexay with rights in the corner, then goes to mount only to be lifted by the jaw with two hands, but fights free as they leave the corner, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and takes Albert down with a forearm. Sexay off the ropes but he gets nailed from behind by Test on the apron, turning around into a gorilla press slam, then a clothesline by Albert. Sexay whipped hard into the corner, then Albert charges from across the ring only to get a boot to the face.
Albert tries to prevent a tag but gets hit with an enziguri, allowing Scotty to get the hot tag. Rights on Albert and Test, dropkicks on both, Sexay takes Albert over the ropes to the outside, but then Scotty turns around into a gutwrench powerbomb by Test. As he makes the cover, Sexay goes up top and hits the Hip Hop Drop. Sexay dives through the ropes to dropkick Albert and the ref gets distracted by this, now Trish climbs the apron to try and use her boot but Scotty takes it away, tossing it to the mat. Test picks it up and nails Scotty in the head, covers but Scotty kicks out. Test tries to knock Sexay off the apron but gets hung up on the top rope, Scotty hits his bulldog to set up for the Worm, but Val rushes down and nails him from behind for the DQ. Champs retain in 2:33.
Val leaves the ring and grabs the ring bell, clocking Scotty with it, then Sexay. Scotty is tossed into the ring for a Baldo Bomb, then a pumphandle powerslam by Test on Sexay. Rikishi runs down now with sidekicks on T&A, ass slams in the corners and grabs holds of Val. Trish comes up behind slapping at Kish for the save and gets shoved down into the corner. Val causes a brief distraction allowing Trish to escape before Kish can give her the Stinkface. Too Cool's music hits as they regroup and T&A all head to the back.
Dudleyz are on their way to the ring with a table for their match, then we see Vince and Shane and Vince is still all fired up, and can't believe Linda thinks he's afraid of tables and vows to show her, but Shane tries to get him back on focus. Then commercial.
Tables Match: Vince & Shane McMahon vs The Dudley Boyz
Dudleyz turn their back to the McMahons as they set the table up at ringside, allowing Vince and Shane to attack from behind to start this match. Shane and Bubba go at it, Vince on D-Von, but Shane gets clotheslined and Vince headbutted. Bubba with rights on Shane, then both McMahons repeatedly face first off the announce table. Water bottle to Shane's face, then Vince whipped into the steps. Shane is tossed into the ring as D-Von lays into Vince, Bubba drops Shane with a right, then another, then a chop and rights in the corner by Bubba. Shane whipped across the ring for a corner splash and Vince scoop slammed on the floor by D-Von. Shane lifted to the top rope and Bubba delivers a superplex as D-Von goes up top for a leg drop. Vince is in and takes a right from Bubba, then a scoop slam as D-Von goes up top for the diving headbutt to the grapefruits.
3D on Shane as Vince writhes on the mat and Bubba calls for wood, grabbing a table from under the ring, then D-Von grabs the one they set up earlier, one leaned up in the corner, the other set up near the adjacent corner. Shane is laid out on the table as Bubba goes to the corner and Shane is lifted to his shoulders, but out come DX. Bubba is clocked and him and Vince take a nasty fall right to the floor to an audible gasp from the crowd. X-Factor on D-Von. Road Dogg powerbombs D-Von through a table, then Bubba slides back in for an X-Factor. Bubba is laid out on the other table and Tori goes up top to... well try and splash Bubba through the table but they just end up tumbling over and the table doesn't break. Bubba leaps up and starts fighting back and... the ref calls for the bell? Bubba is eventually put back on the table and Vince rejoins them like nothing happened, Tori goes back up top and delivers the splash through the table successfully. DX's music hit and Vince's arm is raised, so I guess the McMahons win in. From the opening bell to the splash from Tori, this went 6:01. It was a fun little match.
Vince looks on as he and Shane and DX leave the ring to the back as we go to replays. I'll give it to Vince for getting up after that fall, that looked rough.
Back from commercial, another replay and a better angle of Vince's fall, plus Tori's splash. Then to HHH with the Stooges and Bull, and he wants reassurance that Kane's pictures will be there. Brisco says he has it all taken care of. Now Bull wants HHH to run a plan by him for Taker, and HHH explains that Bull was supposed to have a match with Taker tonight, but Taker pitched a fit, saying that Bull wasn't in his league and didn't belong in the ring with Taker. Patterson adds that he said he could beat Bull in 2 minutes. Brisco adds that he said it would be insulting to get in the ring with Bull. They just happen to be standing beside Taker's bike and suggests Bull steal it since the key happens to be already in the ignition. So Bull gets on it and revs it up but Taker is appears in the background, Bull driving off as HHH and the Stooges disappear. Taker steals a car and gives chase.
HHH and the Stooges come back out of hiding pleased with their work, and HHH leaves them to go get ready for his match. Meanwhile Crash is sneaking around behind and clubs them from behind. Patterson is sent face first into a steel shutter, Crash stomping away, Brisco runs away and Crash gives chase.
Commentary recap what just happened and out comes Brisco with Crash close behind. The Hardcore Championship graphic comes up so I guess this is official.
24/7 WWF Hardcore Championship Defense: Crash Holly vs Gerald Brisco (c)
Crash and Brisco duck shots until Brisco nails a chop and sends Crash back out of the ring. A ref makes his way out as Crash hangs Brisco up on the top rope. Crash tosses in a trash can, lid, chair and broom, but it allows Brisco to grab the broom and jab it into Crash's ribs, then break it over his back. Broken handle to the back of Crash, then tosses him to the outside. Crash blocks being sent into the apron and fights back with some right hands, then Brisco face first off the announce table. Crash goes to grab something from under the ring, which allows Brisco to deliver some rights and sends Crash ribs first into the steps.
Brisco starts celebrating in the ring and grabs the chair, wedging it into the corner. Trash can lid to the head of Crash as Pat makes his way out now holding his shoulder. Crash reverses a whip sending Brisco back first into the wedged chair, then drops Pat with a forearm. Crash tries to charge at Brisco with the lid but gets a boot to the face instead. Patterson tries to nail Crash with the trash can but Crash ducks and he nails Brisco instead. Crash drops Patterson, covers Brisco and wins back the title in about 2:28. Alright that wasn't too bad, Brisco can still work a pretty good match.
Crash hurriedly takes the belt from Brisco's waist and rushes to the back as we get a replay of Patterson's can shot, who then checks on Brisco, but he shoves Patterson away. He tries to apologize but shoves him again. Brisco tries to walk away but Patterson pulls him back, but they make up, shake hands and hug. Patterson though gives some crotch chops as Brisco turns his back, and "Real American" hits as they leave the ring.
Back in the parking garage, Crash is celebrating and calling himself the man and he gets in the car, though he left the belt on the roof for some reason. He realizes that though and takes it down before leaving.
HHH and Steph are seen walking down a hallway and he says this is wrong, that he needs time to prepare for these things, that there's a reason he's The Game, he studies these guys, calling it ridiculous and says Linda's out of control. His title defense next.
WWF Championship: Triple H (c) (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs Chris Jericho
Jericho ducks a right hand as he enters the ring and delivers some of his own, HHH sent off the ropes into a back elbow. More rights drive HHH into the corner for chops, whipped across the ring into a back body drop, then a clothesline, Jericho covers for 2. HHH chopped against the ropes, then reverses a whip and sends Jericho over the ropes, catching himself on the apron, goes up top with a missile dropkick, cover for a two count. More rights by Jericho, but HHH pulls back on an Irish whip attempt to send Jericho throat first on the top rope. Jericho back on the offense until he's sent off the ropes into a high knee, then sent face first into the corner. HHH with shoulders to the midsection repeatedly until the ref pulls him off, Jericho sent off the ropes and a knee to Jericho's ribs, cover for two.
More rights by HHH, then a suplex, followed by a knee drop out of the corner, cover and a kick out. Jericho fights back with rights, HHH sent off the ropes but hits a DDT, covers for another kick out. Jericho sent off the ropes and caught with a sleeper, Jericho fading as he drops to his knees, but manages to get back to his feet, elbows free and whips HHH into the corner, only to run into a boot to the face. HHH to the middle rope, but wastes time blowing a kiss to Steph, allowing HHH to hit a dropkick, followed by a hurricanrana from the top, but he can't capitalize and pin. Standing 10 count and are back up at 7, HHH reverses a whip off the ropes and Jericho with a forearm, then a bulldog, cover and a two count.
HHH sent off the ropes and hits a facebuster off the knee, then goes for a Pedigree, but Jericho trips him up, goes for the Walls but HHH manages to fight out and drive Jericho into the corner, who then inadvertently low blows him as he falls down. Steph gets on the apron and tosses the belt to HHH as the ref is distracted by her, but Jericho hits the spinning heel kick, then the Lionsault, covers but the ref is still occupied with Steph. HHH tries to nail Jericho from behind as he argues with the ref but he moves and the ref gets decked and sent out of the ring. Jericho gets him in the Walls and Steph comes in to try and slap him, then Jericho tries to put her in the Walls but gets nailed with the title belt by HHH. Steph slides out, HHH delivers the Pedigree, she slides the ref back in to count the three in 7:58. Pretty good title match and Jericho gets protected with that finish.
Steph slides back in to help her husband back to his feet as they raise their titles in celebration. Still to come, Kane vs Rock.
Kane is seeing throwing a fit in his locker room, trashing it and then leaves, as we get a replay of what happened earlier.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit (c) vs Matt Hardy
Shoving each other into the corner off a lock up, then Benoit with boots into some quick back and forth, then a clothesline by Matt. Benoit sends Matt into the corner who catches him with an elbow, then goes up top for a moonsault, cover and a kick out. Matt goes back up top but he's cut off by Benoit, who tries to join him but gets shoved back down, and Matt with a leg drop from the middle rope, cover and a shoulder up. Boots by Matt, but gets caught, Benoit tries to toss him up and over but Matt counters with a sunset flip, only for Benoit to roll through and deliver a clothesline. Matt sent off the ropes into another clothesline, Benoit covers for two. Benoit with more rights and a snap suplex, cover and another kick out.
Matt sent off the ropes into a boot, then tries for a powerbomb but Matt counters with a side Russian leg sweep. Benoit though back on the offensive and goes for a back suplex, but Matt turns and counters into a pin as he falls on top for two. Chops by Benoit in the corner, then a shoulder breaker, then goes up top but misses the diving headbutt. Matt with shots, then slams him down, only to be sent throat first on the top rope. Benoit goes for a suplex to the outside from inside, but Matt lands on the apron and delivers a suplex of his own to the floor. That got an audible "holy shit" chant.
Benoit sent side first into the apron, then Matt charges, sent up and over, but springs off the ropes to deliver a DDT to the floor. Benoit tossed back in the ring and Matt goes up top and goes for a moonsault, but Benoit moves and he lands on his feet. Matt goes for a backslide, Benoit tries to counter into the Crossface but Matt won't let him and gets driven into the corner. Matt whipped in the corner and lifted to the top rope, Benoit delivers a superplex. Trading shots until Benoit ducks one and starts his German suplexes, getting two but Matt fights off a third. Benoit tries for a regular suplex instead, then Matt tries to counter with the Twist of Fate, but Benoit counters into the Crossface to retain in 6:07. Another good title match.
Benoit refuses to let go of the hold though and Jeff runs down. Benoit lets go and takes his title, and nails Jeff with it as he checks on Matt. Benoit just laughs at his handiwork as he leaves the ring.
Edge and Christian are watching this on a monitor backstage, and Edge says that Jeff is not looking good tonight. Edge asks if Christian wants him down there with him, but Christian says he's got this in the bag and he's totally qualified, and for Edge to go down would be unfair, unnecessary and totally unethical. Edge asks again and Christian says that he does want him to come down with him and they leave into commercial.
Back from break we see a replay of what happened after the match with Benoit and Matt. Jeff is still coming to in the ring as the ref and Matt check on him as we get to this next match. Jeff can barely stand.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Jeff Hardy (w/ Matt Hardy) vs Christian (w/ Edge)
Christian already with a gutbuster and stomping away on Jeff, then rights. Christian with two back to back suplexes, then goes for a third but Jeff counters with an inside cradle for two. Front suplex by Christian, cover and a kick out. Jeff face first in the corner, whipped across the ring but hops over onto the apron, leaps up for a moonsault but he lands on his feet as Christian moves out of the way, who then runs into a back body drop. Jeff with a dropkick to the back sends Christian shoulder first into the ring post, then Jeff is sent across the ring and flips upside down into a tree of woe. Christian tries to join him but is elbowed off, then Jeff turns around. Edge gets on the apron but is kicked off, then he and Matt start fighting. Christian crotches Jeff before delivering a superplex, but then Jeff floats over to catch him with an inside cradle to win in 1:58.
Jeff rolls out as E&C look on in disbelief. We see Rock backstage for his match up soon.
We get some footage from Heat the night before of the qualifying matches, where Bull cost Boss Man his match with Bubba, and Road Dogg cost D-Von his match with Saturn.
Now out come the Faction and Vince and Shane are still dressed in their ring wear. Vince takes a mic and tallies up the score so to speak, since he imagines Linda is: all the fans and the CEO zip, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction 3. He says it's not good for the fans, and that it won't be good at King of the Ring either, because Taker, who's on an excursion as he speaks, along with Kane and Rock, after the smoke clears, they're looking at The Game, the King of Sting (Shane) and himself, saying they will be victorious at the PPV. He says that all that's left for tonight is for the Faction to come out, and just as the fans have been enjoying, they're going to have a ringside seat to watch Kane and Rock beat the hell out of each other. He reiterates that if Kane doesn't destroy Rock, then we'll see the ugliest, most hideous looking creature in the history of mankind. DX's music hits again.
Kane storms and breaks down the door of his locker room and... sudden Chef Boyardee commercial. Back to the ring where the Faction are still waiting around until Kane's pyro hits for this match.
No Holds Barred Match: Kane vs The Rock
Rock turns right around into a right hand after he poses in the corner and is driven into the corner with more rights and boots and elbows. Rock sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and sends Kane to the floor with one of his own, but he lands on his feet and pulls Rock out with him. Rock face first into the steps, Kane tries to send him into the announce table but Rock blocks and does it repeatedly, then nails Kane with the ring bell. Kane reverses a whip into the barricade, then Rock tries to follow up with a clothesline but Kane ducks and hits one of his own. Back in the ring, Rock manages to fight back with rights, but sent into the corner and gets a boot up. Kane gets him by the throat but Rock delivers a low blow, off the ropes into a Tombstone attempt but Rock counters with a Russian leg sweep. Rock with rights in the corner but Kane pushes back with his hands at Rock's throat and throws him into the corner. Rock ducks a right and delivers one of his own, then sends Kane off the ropes into a spinebuster. Rock goes for the People's Elbow, Kane sits up, kicked back down and Rock connects with the elbow. Rock goes for the cover, and despite the fact this is No Holds Barred, the ref is stopping HHH from getting in the ring as he climbs the apron. Rock drops him with a right but turns around into a big boot. Kane goes up top with the flying clothesline.
OK I wasn't expecting this to pop back up. Kane calls for the chokeslam, but GTV appears on the Titantron, and we see Patterson and Brisco in the back. Brisco is depressed after losing the title and Patterson says they'll get Crash wherever he goes, they'll chase him and find him. He says the most important thing they have to do is deal with the pictures, and he hands Brisco an envelope I assume with the pictures, and he takes them out. But for some reason there's no picture and Brisco blames it on Patterson's stupid Canadian film. Brisco says Kane is so mad though he'll go to the ring anyway, but Patterson points out that Kane would have never gone out if he knew there was no picture, and that Brisco is in deep trouble with Vince. Brisco suggest they just don't say anything to Vince and that what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Brisco goes to the bathroom and Patterson leaves to have a cigarette.
Well Rock and Kane are watching this go down in the ring, and the Faction are panicking as they realize the trouble they're in. They try to leave but Taker's music hits and out he comes on his bike. They all start fighting and the Dudleyz make their way out with a table now, setting it up in the ring near the corner. Vince is tossed into the ring and gets a Rock Bottom, but then Roadie nails Rock. HHH in now too and Taker. Rock sends Shane out and now HHH is surrounded by his three challengers, all getting their shots in. Kane and Taker put HHH through the table with a double chokeslam. Taker's music hits as Rock looks on at the Faction and Vince is irate, and the show fades out. Well this obviously ended in a No Contest and this all went 7:31, and it was another fun chaotic main event.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Honestly a pretty solid show. My only real issues were how short the Jeff/Christian match was, and the continued bullshittery with the Women's Title. We now have the main event set for the PPV, most of the King of the Ring tournament is filled, it's shaping up to be a great show... with the exception of one match yet to be announced... and there's still a week and a half worth of shows to cover first. That said, with a run time of 1:36:26, this show had a total 37:53 of wrestling.
Smackdown
We get a recap of what happened on Raw with the WWF Title situation, Linda's involvement and the various happenings with the Faction throughout the night before we get to our opening pyro, broadcasting from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Cole welcomes us to the show and we get right to a match.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Grandmaster Sexay (w/ Scotty 2 Hotty) (WWF Tag Team Champions) vs Edge (w/ Christian)
Quick back and forth between the two until Sexay ducks a crossbody, then sends Edge face first into the corner, to the middle rope for a missile dropkick, cover for two. Arm wringer by Sexay until Edge rakes the eyes, sends him off the ropes but caught with a kick by Sexay who follows with a clothesline, then sends Edge to the outside. Christian helps him back up only for the two of them to be hit with a baseball slide. Sexay wastes time dancing with Scotty and gets sent face first into the steps, then a second time before returning to the ring.
Sexay face first in the corner, then boots by Edge, whipping Sexay across the ring. Scoop slam on Sexay followed by an elbow for a cover and a kick out. Edge goes for a suplex but Sexay counters and crotches him on the top rope. Sexay with the comeback and an enziguri on Edge, then a scoop slam of his own before going up top, only to be cut off, but he fights back and delivers a sunset flip, covers for two. Sexay tries to come off the ropes but Christian grabs his leg from under the ropes. Sexay pulls him onto the apron by the hair, then Edge inadvertently knocks him off it, Sexay takes advantage with a roll up but Edge kicks out.
Sexay off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers a neckbreaker, then goes back up top but Christian's there again. Scotty yanks him down and they go at it, Sexay delivering the Hip Hop Drop. The ref gets preoccupied dealing with the fight at ringside, which allows Shane to run in with a chair and crack Sexay over the head with it. Edge makes the cover to qualify in 5:10. Good match to start the show.
Scotty checks on Sexay as E&C head to the back. The Faction are seen looking on backstage pleased with Shane's handiwork, with Vince saying that Phase 1 is complete, then they leave to "have themselves some fun" into commercial.
We see a replay from the finish to that last match, followed by the arrival of the Faction. Vince has the mic, but Shane takes it and says that for whatever reason E&C have challenged the very tag team that his father defeated on Raw, announcing that E&C will face the Dudleyz. He also informs the fans that E&C are gracious enough to give them a special photo opportunity and suggest they get their cameras ready.
Vince takes the mic back and recaps what his "charming, darling, CEO, meddlesome wife" did on Raw, and the results of the various matches she made, and how the fans all cheered when the matches were made, but weren't when the Faction overcame it all. Then he moves onto the main event for King of the Ring, and says that some think it could win Match of the Year honors, and he agrees, because the vast majority of the fans are thinking on balance, that's there's no telling who's gonna win, how both teams have equal abilities. He says some might think that Rock's team probably has the edge, and an even smaller number of fans who think that their own team doesn't stand a chance.
HHH takes the mic and says he's never been more confident in a team to be successful than he is their team, with Vince, the Giant Killer, and The Game on one team he says they're virtually unstoppable, and he's so sure of it he says almost not even fair. He says that as great as the match Linda made is, they're going to make it even better, since there's some confusion to who the #1 contender is to his title. He says they're going to solve all that at the PPV, that they're going to put the #1 contendership on the line, and announces in the event that Linda's team can beat them, whoever gets the victory will be deemed the #1 contender, and he'll defend his title against them in July. He suggests that Taker won't be able to trust Kane or Rock, that they'll stab him in the back for that, that nobody can trust anyone at that team. He adds that in the likely event that his team is victorious, then none of the three gets a shot at his title, and will give the title shot to the King of the Ring instead.
Vince takes the mic back and moves onto tonight, and says Shane has a surprise for the Dudleyz, and announces that Jericho will have a surprise too. He says Taker will be greeted with a very special surprise. He announces that Kane will face someone tonight, but wants it to be a surprise. Finally, Rock will face... well HHH cuts him off and says that info is on a need to know basis, and the piece of crap fans don't need to know. Vince says that they hope the fans enjoy the surprises as much as they do, then his music hits. while the Faction leave.
We see Patterson and Brisco in a taxi and Brisco's upset that Patterson's drug him all over the city, and it seems they're in Times Square, I guess Crash is somewhere there. Oh what timing, Crash arrives in another taxi right behind them and he runs off needing protection. Patterson and Brisco leave their taxi alongside Chioda and they argue about being lost and not knowing where they are, having missed Crash and Patterson has Chioda pay for the cab. Brisco wants a hot dog into commercial.
The WWF Rewind is Buchanan stealing Taker's bike on Raw and Taker giving chase. I'm not sure why that segues into this next match, but alright.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Hardy Boyz
Starts with some back and forth that sees Jeff use his speed to avoid several moves, but fails to deliver a suplex and tags in Matt instead for a double team suplex. Matt with rights, then one for Albert, only to be pulled into a full nelson slam by Test followed by mounted rights. Albert tags in, Matt sent off the ropes into a flip slam, cover and Jeff breaks it up. Albert with boots and rights in the corner, then tosses Matt across the ring. Matt whipped into the corner again but nails Albert with an elbow, then a boot to the middle rope for a tornado DDT.
Jeff and Albert get the tags, Jeff with boots and a dropkick drives Test into the corner, who gets nailed with a splash by Albert as Jeff sidesteps. Jeff drives Albert across the ring and delivers a popup dropkick. Test tripped and Matt tags in, goes to the middle rope, double leg drop from the Hardyz. Poetry in Motion on Albert, then a double clothesline sends him out of the ring. Matt with a Twist of Fate on Test, but as Jeff goes to the apron, Trish yanks him down while the ref is distracted with Matt and Albert. As Matt looks out at Jeff, Albert hits him with a splash in the corner, who then sends him into Test with a big boot for the win in 3:29. Not a bad match.
Jeff brought back in for Trish to slap as Albert and Test continue the assault, and now out comes Lita to take down Trish. Test yanks her off and the Hardyz toss them out of the ring. Lita's back up and sidewalk drops Trish before going to the middle rope for... well it's supposed to be a leg drop but she lands ass first on Trish's face. T&A pull her out and head to the back as Lita and the Hardyz look on.
We see Taker arriving on his bike and their are officers waiting for him, so I guess this is the surprise Vince alluded to. Vince walks into view with Bull and welcomes Taker to Chicago, and informs him that the man who's car he stole on Raw had a warrant put on Taker for his arrest for felony assault and carjacking. Taker is promptly arrested as Vince gets all cocky and calls Taker pathetic, and Taker and Bull get in each other's face. Taker spits in his face and as he and the officers start to walk away Bull gets him with a cheap shot. Officers have to pull them apart and Taker is lead away as Vince wishes him a good away and laughs, saying he loves being him into commercial.
We get a replay of what happened with Taker and Bull before the break. Then back to Vince who's ready to leave and Shane assures him he's got everything under control and Vince jokingly tells him not to have too much fun. Vince gets in his limo and he drives off.
King of the Ring Qualifying Match: D'Lo Brown vs Scotty 2 Hotty (WWF Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Hometown boy D'Lo gets a rather lukewarm reaction from the crowd, as we get to the final qualifying match for King of the Ring.
D'Lo nails Scotty with a spinning heel kick as he finishes posing in the corner to start this match, then some right hands, Scotty sent off the ropes but gets D'Lo with a kick, off the ropes and sent over the ropes, but catches himself on the apron, flips over D'Lo off the opposite ropes, slips through the legs, off the ropes, caught for a tilt-a-whirl but lands on his feet, ducks a clothesline and nails a side kick, cover for two. D'Lo sent off the ropes into a dropkic, then a spinaroonie of all things followed by an elbow and a kip up and a moonwalk. Scotty ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes only to be launched up and dropping to the mat. D'Lo with rights now, followed by a leg drop and a cover for two.
More rights in the corner by D'Lo, Scotty sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, launched up and delivers a dropkick. Rights by Scotty, D'Lo sent off the ropes for a spinning back elbow. D'Lo sent off the ropes into a back drop, then reverses a whip into the corner, misses an elbow and Scotty with the bulldog to set up for the Worm. Scotty up to the middle rope but gets caught with a flapjack, and D'Lo goes up top for the Lo Down, but Scotty rolls out of the way. Scotty back to the middle rope for a DDT and the win in 3:39. Another fine match.
We catch up with the Stooges who are at a stand or a store, but Pat is more concerned with getting the Hardcore Title back. Brisco wants a souvenir though from NYC, while Chioda just shakes his head. Meanwhile there's a very brief glimpse of Crash walking by behind Chioda, which he notices and informs the Stooges, but Patterson tells him to shut up and that his job is just to count the three, so they walk off.
We see Kane in the back and his match is next.
Kane vs Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Kane right away throws Benoit into the corner, but then Benoit gets Kane in the corner with boots to the midsection and chops to the chest. Kane though backs out and throws Benoit back into the corner for rapid right hands. Benoit hip tossed across the ring, then a running clothesline by Kane. Benolit slips off of Kane's shoulder and comes off the ropes, only to run into a right hand from Kane. Benoit sent off the ropes, Benoit slips through the legs but turns into a big boot, but Kane misses an elbow coming off the ropes. Benoit sent off the ropes off a reversal but ducks another shot and takes down Kane with a drop toe hold, then follows with a dropkick to the side of the head, covering for two.
Kane sent chest first into the corner and Benoit with the waist lock, but Kane blocks, then tries for a back elbow and Benoit ducks for another waist lock from the front but Kane fights out and delivers a front suplex. Sidewalk slam by Kane. Benoit sent off the ropes, rolls under a big boot and tries for the Crossface, but Kane counters and tries the chokeslam, but Benoit gets free and tries for the Crossface again but can't bring Kane down. Kane reverses a whip off the ropes and delivers a clothesline, Benoit rolling out. He grabs the IC Title but he's cut off by Kane with a right before he can use it, but he's tossed back into the ring still holding onto the belt. Kane goes for his diving clothesline but he's nailed in the face with the belt and the ref calls for the DQ in 3:33. Finish makes sense here and it was another good match on this show.
Kane sits up and gets back to a knee only to be nailed with the belt a second time. Kane back up a second time and Benoit just leaves in disbelief. Kane's music hits as Benoit heads to the back holding up his title.
Cut to Christian in the back with a hockey stick and Edge tells him he just talked to his... their?... Are they brothers still at this point? Anyways she's happy that he qualified for King of the Ring, but Christian says she didn't call after his match, so I guess they are brothers, and Edge says she told him that, but he says what matters is that if they beat the Dudleyz they're totally in the good graces of the Faction, which gets Christian excited as he points out they might get a title shot for it. Christian points out a continuity or writing flaw as he thought they were called the Regime, and they go back and forth claiming that they're called either name, but Edge suggest they compromise and call them the Facgime. I think I'm gonna start using that. They walk off into commercial.
We see footage of Vince doing his XFL press conference earlier in the week in Chicago, then we see the GM for the Chicago XFL team sitting front row before our next match. The aforementioned brothers make their way out first and Christian has the mic. He says that before they beat up the Dudleyz, he gives greetings to all their fans in the Windy City. He figured they call it the Windy City because it blows... which they bleeped for some reason, and like so many other cities in the nation, Chicago has a serious case of the uglies. Edge takes the mic and brings up all the ugly things the city's known for: Roger Ebert, Oprah, and the Cubs' record. Which is why, for the benefit of those with flash photography, they graciously offer an extra two seconds for posing. It was just their standard posing. As the Dudleyz make their way out we see what happened with the McMahons, DX and the Dudleyz on Raw.
Edge & Christian vs The Dudley Boyz
D-Von and Christian start this match, Christian tries to get the advantage in a quick back and forth but is taken down by a clothesline. Bubba tags in, Christian sent off the ropes, caught with a tilt-a-whirl slam from Bubba followed by a splash from D-Von, then a cover for two. Bubba with rights in the corner, then sends Christian across the ring but gets his boots up and tags in Edge, who rushes into a Samoan drop. Bubba with chops in the corner, Edge whipped across the ring, then knocks Christian down as he tries to attack from behind, allowing Edge to go to the middle rope for a missile dropkick. D-Von tries to intervene which allows E&C to double team in their corner as the ref sends D-Von out.
Edge gets the tag, Bubba whipped into the corner, Christian launches himself off Edge's back for a splash into Bubba. Loud "We want tables" chants as Christian tags back in, Bubba sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline, goes for one of his own but Edge ducks, only to be hit with a DDT, then a clothesline for Christian. D-Von tags in and cleans house, Christian sent off the ropes for a clothesline, then an inverted DDT on Edge, covers but Christian breaks it up. Bubba tosses Christian out and all 4 take the fight to the outside, up the ramp and eventually it's ruled a double countout in 3:17. Another decent match as short as it was.
Bubba with a suplex onto Edge on the stage. Bubba looks over the stage and there are two tables set up side by side below and Bubba of course is ecstatic. Bubba gets Christian up for the powerbomb with help from D-Von but DX rush out before anything can happen, with chairs in hand. Roadie with a chair to Bubba's head and then they roll out a dumpster. E&C join back in on the attack as the Dudleyz get tossed into the dumpster. Dudleyz try to fight out but the lid are slammed into the backs of their heads, and they tie down the lids, and the dumpster is shoved off through the tables. Referees are down immediately to check on the Dudleyz and open it up while DX and E&C are pleased with their work into commercial.
We see replays of what just happened before the break, and the aftermath as the Dudleyz are stretchered out. Now out comes Stephanie to join commentary for our next match. Oh goodie. Jericho's out for his match with mic in hand and says that week after week the Jerichoholics refer to Stephanie as a slut (bleeped out of course) but he says she's not, but she is a filthy, dirty, disgusting, brutal, skanky, bottom-feeding... Well he's cut off by his opponent before he can finish.
Chris Jericho vs Bull Buchanan
Jericho shoved down before being sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers chops, then sent off the ropes again but catches Bull with a kick, then off the ropes with a bulldog, covers for one. I assume Jericho was whipped into the corner but the camera cuts to Steph, then back to see Jericho get a boot up in the corner, to the middle rope for a missile dropkick and Bull rolls out to the apron. Jericho with the springboard dropkick sending Bull to the floor.
Jericho with a baseball slide is sidestep and he's knocked down with a right hand, but ducks a clothesline and sends Bull face first into the steps with a drop toe hold. Jericho walks over to commentary and takes a water bottle to spit water in Steph's face, which makes her scream, but it allows Bull to nail Jericho with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Jericho sent off the ropes but gets a back elbow and nails a clothesline. Steph has grabbed what's told to us is Lawler's water pitcher as Jericho goes for the Lionsault, and she throws the water into his face, which allows Bull to hit the scissor kick for the win in 1:52.
HHH rushes down to stomp away on Jericho and he shoves the ref down to continue with vicious rights, and the rest of the refs rush down to break it up only to be scared and shoved off. HHH caps it off with a Pedigree as HHH stands tall and we go to replays of how this match ended. Man Jericho can never get one over on these people. Steph and HHH head to the back.
Back to the Hardcore Title hunt somewhere on the streets of New York as Pat tells Brisco to concentrate and to get his head out of his ass, and Chioda points out they would have had Crash if they listened to him, but Patterson just tells him to shut up again and to do his job. Brisco wants to go to some club Pat told him about later on, and he says that once they win the title they'll go and celebrate. We cut to Crash looking for someone and he goes into some building into commercial.
Commentary play us into a recap video of what happened between Rikishi, Val and Trish last week, then back to the arena where Val is waiting with mic in hand. He says he left Rikishi battered, beaten and bloody in the middle of the ring the week before on Smackdown, screaming for mercy, but then he decided he was going to kick Val 10 ft off the stage all the way to the concrete floor, take his 400 and some odd pounds worth of cottage cheese, leap in the air, and literally squash him like a pancake, trying to end his career. He says when he came to a few hours later, only payback was on his mind, and calls out Rikishi's fat, cellulite infested, stinking carcass down to the ring so he can beat him literally within an inch of his life.
Well of course Rikishi makes his way out and Val meets him on the ramp but gets some right hands before being sent into the steps. A ref is there to try and stop them as Kish throws Val and the steps into the ring, then drops him with a clothesline. Val rolls out and Kish follows as another ref is there to try and stop them and Val gets more right hands before being sent into the other steps. Kish starts clearing the announce table and Val gets back dropped onto it. Val face first off the table, then gets scoop slammed through it. Kish picks up one of the monitors but the ref manages to take it, and Kish is back on the attack with right hands. Side kick takes down Val. Val manages to nail him with the monitor, then again takes Kish down and the officials are down to break them up, but Val manages to nail Kish again with the monitor,. Val grabs a chair now and nails Kish in the head with it and the refs finally separate him into commercial. God damn that was wild.
We get replays of the chaos before the break, and though it wasn't visible in all that chaos at some point Kish was busted open, as we see some of it splattered on what's left of the announce table as commentary talk about the chaos.
Back to Crash who's found... Shaft? Wait really? So Shaft recognizes Crash, who tells Shaft that he thinks someone's after him right now and asks for his help. Shaft asks if he tried the APA but Crash says he has heat with them and wants Shaft's protection. The woman at his arm gives a nod of approval and he says its his duty to protect Crash's booty. Honestly I can't stop laughing at the absurdity of all this, and neither can Cole as we go back to the arena, who then plug the movie that premieres the next night.
Then we cut to Kevin Kelly who's standing by with Rock backstage, but before that commentary recap the King of the Ring qualifying matches along with footage that took place this week, plus we get the brackets for the tournament.
Now to the interview with Rock who asks about his match tonight against an unknown opponent. Loud Rocky chants, and Rock does his usual catchphrase about being back in Chicago, then talks about how all night long they've been talking about his opponent, one of the Faction's choosing, a surprise opponent, a mystery opponent, and for all he knows it could be anyone, even Kevin Kelly. Kevin assures him that it's not him, but for his own benefit, his own piece of mind, he asks Kevin if he's his mystery opponent, but Rock cuts him off and says it doesn't matter if he's his mystery opponent. He continues and says it doesn't matter who's thrown at him, mystery this, mystery that, he says to call Sherlock Holmes, Magnum PI, Scooby-Doo himself, or even reach into the cupboard, grab a big box of Scooby Snacks, turn them sideways and stick em straight up their candy asses. He calls them jabronis and tells them to bring it before capping off with his signature catchphrase.
Before that though, more Hardcore Title shenanigans as the Stooges and Chioda find Shaft who asks who the hell they are, introducing themselves before asking if he's seen a little short guy walk around. He asks if this person looks like Elroy Jetson, with a big ugly belt and they say that's the one, Brisco saying that that's his belt. Shaft shoves his table aside and gets up, making fun of the fact that Brisco let a little guy like that take his belt, then clocks Patterson into commercial.
Now it's onto the main event, with HHH and Steph looking on backstage as Rock makes his way out, and out comes Angle as his opponent with mic in hand. He takes pride in the fact he was handpicked to be Rock's mystery opponent by the Faction, claiming to be the true People's Champion, it's true it's true. He tells Rock that unlike him, he himself doesn't raise an eyebrow, he raises a standard of excellence that Rock and the people of Chicago can only dream of achieving. It reminds him of a story of the Olympic Games but Rock just motions for him to bring it as he gets a less than warm reception from the fans. Kurt says he can bring it, that he's been bringing it since 1982, so he rushes into the ring.
The Rock vs Kurt Angle
He runs right into some right hands, then sent off the ropes into a back elbow. We get a little picture-in-picture with Steph and HHH and Steph wants to go out and help Kurt, but HHH says to hell with him, Steph pleading, saying it's the least they could do since he did help her when HHH was nowhere around. Steph decides to go out there by herself. While all this goes down, Rock with boots to the head and ribs as Kurt goes face first into the corner, then sent off the ropes into a knee to the midsection by Kurt. Kurt with some rights of his own now and Rock face first in the corner for some more rights. Rock reverses a whip across the ring only to be nailed with an elbow, but catches Kurt with a powerslam for a cover and a kick out a two.
Oh I guess HHH decided to come out too with Steph which catches Rock's attention, allowing Kurt to deliver some rights. Rock reverses a whip off the ropes but gets caught with a clothesline. Rock sent off the ropes and Steph catches him by the leg, Rock trying to take a swipe at her over the ropes and turns around into a belly to belly suplex, then a cover for two by Angle. Kurt choking Rock over the middle rope and he's pulled off by the ref, allowing HHH to get some shots in. Rock with some rights now on Kurt, but he ducks one and delivers a back suplex for another cover and a two count. Kurt with elbows and rights send Rock into the corner for stomps and choking with his boot. Rock fights back with rights, then Kurt with some, off the ropes and tossed over the ropes to the floor.
Steph distracts the ref and HHH tries to get in another cheap shot but he's knocked down by a shot of Rock's own, but it allows Steph to nail Rock in the back with her title as the ref deals with HHH. Rock is back up and is fixated on Steph but it allows Kurt to nail him from behind and send him face first into the ring post. Rock is tossed into the ring but he manages to catch Kurt by surprise with a Rock Bottom, but can't capitalize. Back to their feet, Rock with rapid rights take down Kurt. Powerslam by Rock, cover and a kick out at two. HHH gets up on the apron and Kurt gets sent into him, knocking him off onto the barricade. Rock with a DDT. Now Shane and Bull out and knocked off the apron, then a spinebuster on Kurt and a People's Elbow. Rock makes the cover but it's broken up by HHH for the DQ in 6:05. I could have done without all the interference but Rock and Kurt put on a good match. A preview of what's to come later in the year.
HHH and Bull stomping away and now Kurt joins in until Kane's pyro goes off and out he comes. Down goes Kurt, Shane and Bull with rights. Benoit out now from behind and takes Kane down buying the Faction some time until he gets chokeslammed. Rock is back in it now until DX make their way out with clubs and take Rock and Kane out. Shane joins in on the attack now. We get a loud Taker chant starting up as HHH hits Rock with the Pedigree, then one for Kane. HHH's music hits as the Faction stand tall to close out the show.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Another solid show. The King of the Ring tournament's been filled out, we got the DX/Dudleyz rivalry being furthered, though they could have done something a little more original, something they haven't already done. Kish and Val's rivalry is getting intense. Hell even the Hardcore Title stuff was kind of entertaining, though that was mostly due to Samuel L. Jackson. So this show gets a thumbs up. With a run time of 1:32:56, this show had a total 27:05 of wrestling.
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