WWF Week of June 19, 2000 - Go-Home to King of the Ring
RAW
Right to the opening video package and pyro as we're welcomed to the show by J.R., live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Right away we get to what J.R. calls a "Sweet 16" King of the Ring Match, the first of six on tonight's show.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Kurt Angle vs Bubba Ray Dudley
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Seeing as this tournaments going to have a minimum of 16 matches, it makes sense to have some of the matches on Raw and probably Smackdown, you can't fit all that AND the World Title on a 3 hour show. Angle's out first with a mic and calls himself an all-around great guy, says he's been all around the world spreading great cheer, then tries to get a cheap pop mentioning Nashville but just gets boos. He says he's been all around the world and he's seen rednecks all around the world, and that the people there are the most genuine rednecks, it's true. He calls for them to give themselves a hand but just gets more boos of course. Speaking of rednecks though, he says his opponent could perhaps be the biggest redneck of all time. He says that we know Bubba loves to put opponents through tables, and the people of Nashville like to use their tables for different purposes, maybe to stack their welfare checks on them, or to inbreed on them, but his point is that he an a table of his own, a special table, one on which he'll proudly display his King of the Ring crown when he wins the tournament, it's true, or as the people of Nasville would say "it's true, yeehaw!" We also see what happened to the Dudleyz on Smackdown, Bubba selling his injuries from the fall.
Angle immediately with a take down and a roll up for a one count. Bubba slaps him and takes him in the corner for rights and chops to the chest. Bubba ducks a clothesline and hits a back suplex, but gets sent off the ropes to hit a shoulder block, and after some ducks and leapfrogs Bubba hits another clothesline as Kurt turns around. D-Von watching on backstage as Buba is sent off the ropes but catches Kurt with a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. Bubba to the middle rope but he's cut off by Kurt who delivers a belly to belly overhead suplex before tossing Bubba to the outside.
Bubba whipped into the barricade as Angle goes after the hurt ribs, then whips him into the barricade again, then a suplex onto the steel ramp before he returns to the ring. Bubba eventually rejoins him as Kurt gets his shots in followed by a scoop slam. Angle goes up top but misses a suplex. Bubba with a clothesline and a Samoan drop into a pin for two. Angle sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but caught with the Bubba Bomb into a cover and a near fall. Angle whipped into the corner but side steps a splash and hits a bridging German for two. Angle back up top but he's crotched by Bubba, joining him up top for a superplex, into a cover and another near fall. Angle reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline, Bubba goes for a cutter but he's pushed off into the ropes and into an Angle Slam for the win in 5:38. Decent enough match that was given enough time. Bubba was slower than usual, though he may have just been selling the dumpster dive from the previous week.
Angle rolls out and celebrates as the Faction is seen looking on backstage, pleased with the result. Shane, HHH and Steph leave to take care of business as Vince says, then he wishes X-Pac good luck against Benoit later on, but he says he doesn't need it and has Benoit's number. Vince leaves next, but up come the Stooges who have some kind of fax for him from Linda. Vince yanks it from Patterson's hands angrily before walking away into commercial.
Out come the McMahons and HHH, along with the Stooges, Vince looking through the fax as they make their way to the ring. HHH has the mic first and wants to say what a pleasure it is to come out every week, stand in the middle of the ring as WWF Champion, knowing that he's surrounded by family, friends, and people he can count on... or, at least people he thought he could count on, as he turns his attention to the Stooges. He tells them that they were asked to do simple tasks, like get coffee, as we get loud Rocky chants. Then he brings up how they failed to take one photo of Kane maskless, they screwed up, but he says they're in luck because they'll deal with it later. He says today is a good day, because everything worked as planned on Smackdown, just like it will at the PPV, because as unified as Linda's team seems to be, he feels like there won't be a lot of love that day, since they all want the WWF Title bad. He doesn't think any of them can rely on the others, as we get a slut chant, and says when the PPV is over, Taker, Kane and Rock will be very disappointed, claiming none of them will be #1 contender and he will defend the title against the tournament winner next month.
Vince meanwhile is preoccupied with the fax as Shane takes the mic and the fans call him a pussy, and he calls himself the giant killer again. He agrees with HHH, and says that Rock Taker and Kane will all be laid out with himself, Vinny Mac and HHH victorious, because they are family, blood is thicker than water and they are unified. He turns it to footage from Smackdown of the Faction laying out Rock and Kane to end the show and standing tall, and Shane calls for celebration.
Vince however wants the mic as they have a group hug, and states for the record that he truly loves his wife, though won't deny they've had their personal problems as of late, or that "Ms. Goody Two-Shoes" has been meddling in his business, or that she sent the fax in his hand. In the fax, she reminds him that she's the CEO, questions the size of the Faction's testicles, complains that they always interfere in matches, constantly take advantage of others, and that they're just not fair. She also proposes that in the 6-man tag at the PPV, that instead of #1 contendership being on the line, should be competing for the title instead, and questions if Vince's grapefruits have shrunk to the size of raisins. So Vince lays down the rules: If the three of them come out on top, then HHH will defend the title against the King of the Ring next month as previously promised, but if Rock, Kane, or Taker get the pin on any one of their opponents, then they become the WWF Champion. HHH tries to charge at Vince but Shane gets between them. Vince however continues, saying Rock, Taker and Kane have to earn that opportunity, saying they have to win their respective matches tonight. He announces the Hardyz vs Kane, Bull and Bradshaw vs Taker... oh he corrects himself, Bull and Bossman... wait, didn't those two split up? He finally announces that T&A will face Rock. He also says there won't be any interference from the Faction or the locker room in any of the matches, which only pisses off HHH more, Benoit and X-Pac are next.
Before that though, back to the Faction where HHH is still pissed off at Vince and it just creates more tension as they split up.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: X-Pac (w/ Tori) vs Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Crotch chops by X-Pac, then a lock up to start the match with some chain wrestling until Benoit is shoved into the corner. X-Pac with a chop to the chest, then Benoit delivers a harder one sending X-Pac into the adjacent corner. Some more back and forth and Benoit turns around into a heel kick from and more shots by X-Pac. Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers another chop. X-Pac off the ropes into a back drop before tossing Benoit to the outside, then booted off the apron. Benoit whipped spine first into the steps, then X-Pac returns to the ring to try for a countout but Benoit's back in at three. X-Pac stomping away before locking in a headlock, Benoit fights out, off the ropes into a spinning heel kick and a cover for two.
Benoit face first into the corner and boots by X-Pac drop him into position for a Bronco Buster but Benoit moves out of the way. X-Pac reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline and taken down by Benoit, followed by a snap suplex. Tori gets on the apron for a distraction, X-Pac tries to take advantage but nails Tori as Benoit side steps, Benoit with a bridging German but only gets two. Benoit sent into the corner, but side steps and X-Pac goes shoulder first into the post. Benoit gets the Crossface but X-Pac gets his foot on the ropes to force a break.
Benoit with a shoulder breaker before going up top, but misses the diving headbutt. Dudleyz rush down and D-Von gets knocked off the apron and they go after Tori, as X-Pac goes for the X-Factor only to be dropped down on the mat. Benoit locks in the Crossface in the middle and X-Pac taps immediately in 5:54. Another decent enough match.
Dudleyz rush in for a beat down on X-Pac as Benoit leaves, then Roadie rushes down to make the save with a pumphandle slam on D-Von, then X-Pac with the X-Factor on Bubba. Tori gets kicks in to Bubba's injured ribs and Roadie stomps away at D-Von before referees rush down to clear them away. DX leave as their music hits and we get replays.
Chyna and Eddie are seen on their way to the ring and Eddie's playfully pushing her, but she's trying to be all serious and tries to get him to be serious. He says he is serious. She tells him not to think of her as "mamacita" but as his opponent and not to underestimate her. That match next.
Roadie and X-Pac are complaining to Vince and want the Dudleyz at the PPV. Vince agrees, and in the interest of fairness, he adds Tori to make it a Handicap Table Dumpster Match... Huh? Vince walks off and HHH is all sarcastic about his idea of fairness.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Chyna vs Eddie Guerrero (WWF European Champion)
Eddie starts with a hug but she shoves him away. She offers to shake his hand but he kisses it and she pulls it away. Then she slaps him and he gets mad, she throws a punch, he blocks, and nearly throws one of his own but goes for a headlock instead, some quick back and forth and Eddie's caught with an arm drag and a clothesline. Chyna with a powerbomb but Eddie gets his foot on the rope. Chyna with forearms in the corner, then Eddie switches it around and almost throws another punch but he stops himself. Eddie's frustrated because of how she wanted to get serious and now she's pulling this, and now she wants a kiss, but she lures him for more forearms. Eddie whipped across the ring and Chyna hits the handspring elbow. Gorilla press slam by Chyna, them tries for a sleeper slam but Eddie slips free, sends her off the ropes, Eddie leap frogs and she almost low blows him but Eddie begs her off. Eddie is on his knees and takes her hand as though to kiss it, but instead pulls her into an inside cradle to advance in 2:25.
Chyna looks on in disbelief and sadness, sliding out and heading to the back as Eddie gets frustrated, following her close behind.
Edge is with Christian, the latter seemingly has a match and he says tonight is totally going to reek of awesomeness, that he'll advance to the next round of the tournament as well as get in the good graces of the Facgime by beating Jericho. He asks if Christian's going to be out there with him, and he'd like to, but he says he knows this guy who's the friend of a friend of a guy that knows the cousin of the editor of Tiger Beat, and has a meeting with him tonight. Edge almost seems upset, but is actually happy and tells him to do what he's gotta do, wishing each other luck into commercial.
Chyna is in the bathroom and Eddie gets on hiss knees behind her, begging her to talk to him and forgive him, but she can't right now. He tries to give her two bouquets of flowers but she shoves them away. Then he offers her chocolate for her sweetness, but she tosses them away and says she's on a diet. Now he relates his confusion over wanting him to be serious and her anger over his actions. She says she wanted to be Queen of the Ring real bad the year before and thought she'd be Queen this year, and then she got in the ring with him... Well she's cut off before he brings out a puppy with a bow around it's neck, and she instantly forgives him.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Edge vs Chris Jericho
Pre-Match Notes: Jericho is out second with a mic as he welcomes us to Raw is Jericho, and he wants all the Jerichoholics to do is take out their cameras, because standing in the ring, for the benefit of those with flash photography, is a Hanson-haired, cheesily grinning, bonafide jackass. He calls him Edgeward and knows he wants to be on the cover of Tiger Beat magazine, and as far as Jericho's concerned Edge is a shoe-in, because who knows more about beating, adding the hand gesture, than Edge.
Edge misses a clothesline, then Jericho misses one and they trade chops across the chest as Edge is backed into the corner, whipped across the ring into a back drop and another clothesline, Jericho covers for two. Edge reverses a whip off the ropes but caught with a spinning heel kick, sending Edge rolling to the apron, Jericho following with his springboard dropkick out of the corner taking him to the floor, then a baseball slide. Edge is whipped toward the steps but he leaps over them, then as Jericho tries to leap off them, Edge catches him with a spear to the floor. Edge makes it in at 7 and Jericho right before the 10.
Edge with boots in the corner to the ribs, then sets him up in the tree of woe for more boots, then a running dropkick to the ribs. Jericho sent off the ropes into a knee back to the ribs, then Edge covers for two. Jericho fights back with rights, but gets whipped chest into the corner, up into an electric chair position and a facebuster by Edge. Jericho sent off the ropes, Edge goes for another knee but Jericho slips around for a roll up and a near fall. Edge whipped into the corner and gets a boot up right into Jericho's face before going to the middle rope, but Jericho hits him midair with a dropkick.
Edge reverses a whip off the ropes and Jericho hits a flying forearm, then the bulldog into a cover for two. Edge sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but walks into a back elbow. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but Edge gets the knees up, then rolls him up for two. Jericho reverses a whip off the ropes to hit a powerbomb, then goes for a second but Edge reverses into a sunset flip but Jericho kicks out. Jericho trips him up and gets the Walls locked in for the win in 5:31. More good action.
Jericho celebrates with a few fans at ringside, then we go to the back where HHH is giving Bull and Boss Man a pep talk. He tells them they've been doing a great job but they need to take Taker out. Boss Man assures him he can count on them and tries to get him to calm down, but HHH refuses to, says his whole life is on the line as he points to the WWF Title over his shoulder, and if they don't get the job done they'll suffer the consequences. Then he leaves. Then they leave. We see Taker in the parking lot and gets on his bike, that match next.
The Undertaker vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
One of three must win matches for a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Pre-Match: We see Bull drive off with Taker's bike, plus Taker carjacking and getting arrested for it the week prior
Well we already have arguing between Bull and Boss Man, as Bull shoves Boss Man into Taker, lays in with rights in the corner. Elbows, boots and rights in the corner, Boss Man whipped across the ring but catches Taker with an elbow. He tries to tag out but Bull tells him to handle things, and as he turns his back, Boss Man tags himself out. Taker clubs Bull from behind knocking him off the apron into Boss Man. Taker lays in with rights on both, then takes Bull back in the ring. Bull face first in the corner for more boots and elbows, then sent off the ropes, flips over Taker before tossing him to the floor. Taker face first off the steps by Boss Man before tossing him back in.
Bull on the attack with shots in the corner, then Taker with some of his own, Bull sent off the ropes into a big boot and Boss Man knocked off the apron. Taker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline scoops up Bull. Boss Man comes in ready to use the nightstick but Taker catches him, dropping Bull in the process. Boss Man leaves as Bull tries to attack from behind, but he's caught with a chokeslam for the win in 3:09, as Boss Man is seen heading to the back.
Rikishi is seen making his way to the ring and he's met by Too Cool. Scotty tells him not to take it personally when he drops the Worm on Kish, and Kish tells him not to take it personally when he has to back that ass up. Fist bumps and Kish hip bumps them out of view into commercial, their match next.
We see footage from a live event in Minneapolis, where Gov. Ventura was seen posing with HHH, plus some backstage footage on Ventura possibly running for president and naming Chyna as his running mate before the next match.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Scotty 2 Hotty (WWF Tag Team Champion) vs Rikishi
Pre-Match: We see some clips of the ongoing problems between Val and Kish, involving the vicious shots from Val on Smackdown.
Scotty comes off the ropes only to be taken down with a shoulder block, then something akin to a spinaroonie before popping back up. Scotty gets some shots in, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and takes Rikishi down with a superkick into a cover for two. Scotty off the ropes goes for a sunset flip, Kish tries to drop onto Scotty's chest but he rolls out of the way, off the ropes with a dropkick and a cover for two. Scotty with rights, off the ropes and caught with a powerslam, then Kish off the ropes with a leg drop and a pin for two. Scotty sent ino the corner, then the opposite one into a clothesline. Scotty retreats to the corner and Kish goes for his ass slam but Scotty side steps, off the ropes with his bulldog and the Worm into a pin, but Kish throws him off out of the ring. Scotty flips over the ropes and Kish, off the ropes into a Samoan drop. Ass slam in the corner and Scotty falls flat on his back as Kish goes to the middle rope for the Banzai Drop for the win in 2:53. Fine little match.
Kish goes to help Scotty up but Val comes out of nowhere for the attack in the corner, dropping Kish down with rapid boots. Out comes Sexay but he's taken out with a clothesline and heads to the back as Too Cool regroup with Kish.
We see Kane and Taker's there too in the locker room, and Taker tells him not to show the Hardyz any mercy and not to screw this up. They stare down a bit and Kane leaves, as Taker suggests he pretend he's in the ring with him and he won't have any problems. That match next.
The Hardy Boyz vs Kane
Second of three must win matches for a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Pre-Match: We see a replay of Taker beating Bull and Boss Man earlier as Kane makes his way out.
Jeff starts it out with shots to the body that barely faze Kane. Kane grabs him by the throat and throws him into the corner, followed by elbows and rights. Jeff hip tossed from one corner to the other as Jeff tries to tag but he's caught. Jeff sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and a big boot, nearly up in a powerslam position but he slips free. Jeff off the ropes again but he's caught in a gorilla press slam. Jeff sent off the ropes, leap frogs and tags in Matt, who dropkicks the back of Kane's knee and goes after it with kicks and rights. Kane though easily fights him off and sends Matt face first into the corner, followed by knees and rights and clubs to the back. Back suplex is countered by Matt and Jeff tags in, Matt sent into the corner but sidesteps as Kane charges and Jeff leaps off his back for Poetry in Motion. Double team in the corner, Jeff sent off the ropes into a big boot and a sidewalk slam. Kane goes up top for the flying clothesline, then covers but Matt breaks it up.
Matt is knocked off the apron but then Jeff takes them both out to the floor with a crossbody, Matt with his handspring DDT off the apron to the floor. Kane though sends Matt ribs first into the apron, and tries to set Kane up for Jeff who runs along the barricade, but he's caught by the throat, only for Matt to fly off the apron with a clothesline. Kane immediately back and clotheslines Matt as Jeff retreats to the ring with a front flip over the ropes onto Kane. Kane is rolled back as Matt goes for the Twist of Fate but he's set on the top rope. Jeff caught with right as Kane goes up top but he's tosses off, Matt on the middle rope with double leg drops, Matt covers and is shoved off at one, while Kane sits up and Jeff nails him with a dropkick. Jeff up top for the Swanton but Kane sits up. Matt sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline into a tilt-a-whirl and Kane nearly drops Matt on his head as he tries to get him in position for a tombstone, sends him down with a powerslam and a cover but Jeff breaks it up. Jeff ducks a clothesline as Hardyz get Kane in the corner, whip him across the ring, Poetry in Motion attempt again but Kane moves out of the way and Jeff catches himself on the middle rope. Jeff tries for Whisper in the Wind but he fucks it up somehow and lands on the back of his head. Chokeslam on Matt and Jeff is clearly hurt as he just collapses back to the mat, Kane covers Matt for the win in 6:20. Yeah that match was a bit of a mess even before Jeff got hurt.
Kane makes his exit as we catch back up with the Faction, HHH visibly pissed right now, and makes a threat to Vince if Rock manages to win tonight into commercial.
HHH still pissed as he vents to Steph and Steph is silent.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Crash Holly (WWF Hardcore Champion) vs Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match: We get a replay of the Shaft plug from last week's Smackdown.
They waste no time trading shots, Crash ducks one, Hardcore sent off the ropes into a powerslam and a cover for two. Crash with boots in the corner but gets sent across the ring, gets his boots up before going up top with a crossbody and a cover for two. Hardcore reverses a whip off the ropes but Crash gets him with a victory roll for two. Crash wastes time with the referee for a bit and he's caught with a popup falling powerbomb, then Hardcore covers for two. Crash set over the top rope and Hardcore kicks him in the ribs, Crash sent off the ropes, catches Hardcore with a kick, off the ropes into a clothesline and a cover for a kick out. Crash chopped in the corner, then Crash sent off the ropes into a back elbow before being tossed out to the floor. Crash face first off the barricade and another chop by Hardcore before returning to the ring. Hardcore with a backbreaker and a cover for two. Snap mare by Hardcore and a boot to the back, then more boots in the corner on Crash before getting choked. Crash gets some boots in as he fights back to his feet, forearms until his eyes are raked. Hardcore with a suplex and a cover for two.
Out come the Stooges with Chioda, Patterson carrying some kind of weapon as Crash is sent off the ropes into a dropkick. Patterson gets on the apron and distracts Hardcore, who goes out after him. Brisco comes in and nails Crash across the back with a 2x4. Crash advances via DQ in 4:16.
Hardcore realizes what's happened and he's nailed from behind by Patterson, as Brisco nails Crash in the ribs with the 2x4, makes the cover and regains the Hardcore Championship. Real American plays as the Stooges celebrate to the back with Chioda in tow. Hardcore starts arguing with the original referee and nails Crash for good measure before heading to the back.
We catch back up with the Stooges and Chioda, where Patterson is taking credit for the plan to get Brisco his belt back. They have Chioda lock the door behind them and now it's time to celebrate with some champagne. Patterson pours some glasses for the three of them and cheers the new champion. Then Patterson pours the champagne over Brisco's head and it burns his eyes, allowing Pat to smash the bottle over his head, cover and become the new Hardcore Champion. Patterson with a crotch chop and he and Chioda escape.
Back to commentary who are in disbelief and plug some live events and some XFL stuff in Memphis, then a pep talk by HHH for T&A. He's pulled aside by Steph though who gives a pep talk of her own, saying it's their chance to prove themselves to the Faction. Test gives her the "whatever" treatment and HHH pie faces him which of course sets him off, given their history together. Albert gets between them before anything happens.
Over to Cole who's with Rock and he recaps the events and stakes of the night and his match. Rock says he's well aware of what's at stake, and knows that Kane and Taker have already won their matches, but he's not going to go and win for Kane or Taker, that the weight of the world is on his own shoulders once again and he's not even going out there because he hates the Faction, he's going to go out and do what he does best, because he's the People's Champion. He realizes that T&A stand in his way in order to go to King of the Ring for the title, and unlike Test he's not 6'7" 280lbs with long blond hair, unlike Albert he's not 6'8" 330lbs with a pierced anus, but he is 6'4" 270lbs, a bonafide grade-A bring your candy asses. That match next.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Rock
Rock must win to earn himself, Taker and Kane a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Albert starts the match and Rock with away with shots, only to be sent off the ropes and kneed in the back by Test. Test gets a right hand and Rock tosses Albert to the floor as Test rolls in, only to be sent out as well. Albert face first off the announce table, then the steps, then rights for Test as he comes around. Test reverses an Irish whip but it allows Rock to clothesline Albert, only to turn around into a clothesline from Test. Back in the ring, Rock retreats to the corner and catches Test with a clothesline, but he's taken out with one by Albert as he comes in from behind, then Test with a big boot. Test mounts for vicious rights before sending Rock face first into the corner, then boots and choking Rock down. Albert tags in, but Rock gets some shots in, off the ropes into a sidewalk slam. Albert stomping away followed by more rights, Rock sent off the ropes into a back elbow and Test is back in. Rock choked over the middle rope, then Trish chokes some as Test distracts the ref. Rock gets some shots in again but runs right into a forearm. Rock sent off the ropes and gets tripped up by Trish, he reaches over the ropes and grabs her by the hair, and Test misses a clothesline, Rock sent off the ropes and connects with a spinning neckbreaker. Trish on the apron with a distraction and Rock with a DDT and a cover while Albert grabs the ring bell, nailing Rock in the head with it. Test makes the cover but Rock kicks out at two.
Rock revers an Irish whip and hits the Rock Bottom, then gets sent off the ropes by Albert, ducks a clothesline and take each other out with double clotheslines. Rock gets some shots in on both Albert clotheslined to the outside and a spinebuster on Test, setting up for the People's Elbow for the win in 6:06.
Well we go back to the Faction and HHH flips the table over and gets more pissed at Vince, asking if the title means anything to him, as Shane tries to calm him down and get between them. Vince tells him to wait until Smackdown but it does nothing to ease the tension, Back to Rock for some corner posing and crowd popping to close the show.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well there was very little to complain about this show. Nothing particularly bad, some meh, some pretty good. King of the Ring tournament is moving along nicely, and the main event for the PPV is fully set now. With a run time of 1:31:53, this show had a total 42:12 of wrestling.
Smackdown
Right to the opening video and pyro before Cole welcomes us to the show, broadcasting from The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Out to start the show of course are the McMahons. HHH has the mic first and says that as much as he disagrees with Vince's decision to put his title on the line at the PPV, he'll reluctantly agree to it even though the thought of either of his opponents becoming champion by pinning Vince or Shane sickens him, especially Rock. He says the fact is though that the chance of either of them becoming champion is remote at best, because all three want to be champion, and their egos won't allow one to win at the expense of the other two. If Rock were able to get one of them in a compromising position and get a cover, for example, Taker would pull him off before the ref even counted two. He says that even though his title is on the line at the PPV, he has all the confidence in the world in the three of them, because he has trust in Shane and in Vince, they have trust in him, something their opponents are lacking. He says when King of the Ring is over the one thing you can trust in is he will still be the Game and WWF Champion, because the title is the most important thing in his life.
He hands the mic off to Vince and suggests that the most important thing in one's life shouldn't necessarily be the WWF Title, or money, or even health and happiness, but instead that it's family. He says that if you have family chances are you have an abundance of those other qualities, and that for years he's instilled upon his offspring a sense of rigid, wholesome, family values. He admits it hasn't been easy and has caused him a great deal of hardship and sacrifice to instill those values, but did what he had to do nonetheless, and as the patriarch of the McMahon family he'd have to rule with an iron will, sometimes a gentle hand, but always with the capacity of generosity and sensitivity that few could fathom. Not withstanding that however, he says the most important value is one of love, that when one stands in his shoes, one must love a meddlesome, shrew-like wife enough to forgive her, a non-respectful son-in-law enough to forgive him, one's own doubting son and daughter enough to forgive them, and in that same capacity he must put forth challenges for his family, ones they would never attempt to reach, mountains they would never attempt to climb, rivers they'd never attempt to cross, yet always with supreme confidence in his heart that they'll succeed. In light of that, he announces that a challenge that will prove their superiority, on the eve of King of the Ring, pitting himself, Shane and HHH against their PPV opponents tonight. This of course pisses off HHH and Shane just up and leaves. Vince warns Shane about having to make him taking the three on by himself, and HHH and Steph soon leave with him as Vince's music hits. Well color me intrigued.
We see T&A and Trish on their way to the ring for a match next.
First though we see Shane head out to a waiting limo, but HHH comes up before he can get away, but Shane wants no part of it tonight. He also suggest that HHH and Vince can handle it on their own but he gets pulled back into the arena eventually.
The Hardy Boyz & Lita vs T&A & Trish Stratus
Pre-Match: We see a replay of what happened last week when Lita landed ass first on Trish's face when she went for a leg drop, and Cole also reminds us this is Trish's first match. We also learn there will be an elimination 4 way for the tag titles involving these two teams, E&C and Too Cool.
Staredown between all six to start until Lita shoves Trish and they go to the outside, Lita chasing Trish around the ring until Albert gets in her away. Test grabs Lita by the hair over the ropes and pulls her to the apron, before she slaps him and the Hardyz are on him with a double team suplex. Albert comes in and misses a double clothesline, send him into the corner for Poetry in Motio, then try it on Test but he boots Jeff midair in the ribs, then Albert with a big boot on Matt. Test and Jeff start this properly with Jeff fighting back, only to be sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Trish tags in and slaps Jeff and Lita tries to help but she's sent out by the ref, before being shoved off the apron by Trish. Albert tags back in, Jeff sent off the ropes, launched up and down by the two. Albert with boots to the ribs and a hard right before whipping him into the corner, but Jeff avoids a corner splash.
Test and Matt get tagged in, Matt getting rights in, sent into the corner but gets his boots up, to the middle rope with a flying clothesline and a neckbreaker. Jeff in and tries for Sliced Bread on Albert but he's pushed off, ducks a clothesline as Matt goes up top with a tornado DDT. Jeff over the ropes and right on top of Albert. Matt goes for Twist of Fate on Test but Trish grabs him by the hair, then Lita comes and grabs her by the hair, slamming her to the mat. Matt with a Twist of Fate to Test, then Lita with one to Trish as Jeff goes up top, Trish is laid on top of Test as Jeff gets them both with the Swanton. Albert though is back in as Matt makes the cover and breaks it up at two. Lita and Trish are left in the ring as Lita goes up top and hits the moonsault but the ref is busy dealing with Matt and Test on the outside. Albert comes in to hit Lita with the Baldo Bomb, pulls Trish on top and they get the win in 4:33. Not a bad match.
We go to replays as T&A help Trish out of the ring and carry her to the back as the Hardyz check on Lita. Then we get to a recap package of the Hardcore Title shenanigans from Raw.
Now we cut to Brisco backstage looking for Patterson, and he bumps into Hebner along the way. He says he's going to scalp that no good Frenchman and they part ways into commercial.
Jerry Lee Lewis is sitting front row for the show tonight as we see the updated King of the Ring brackets, and I was completely unaware until now that there were tournament matches on Heat, with Bull beating Perry Saturn and Val beating Jeff to advance. We also learn that Kish and Benoit are facing for the IC Title ahead of their tournament match on Sunday.
Out come E&C dressed as fat Elvises, which Lewis seems to be having a blast with. Christian has a mic and greets their Memphis fans, then says that there are two types of Elvises, fat Elvis and really fat Elvis, but the sad thing is no one will get the chance to find out how fat he really would have been because he ended up just like Memphis, dead. Edge has good news though, for the benefit of those with flash photography, offering a brand new pose for 5 seconds only of course, called A Hunka Hunka Edge and Christian.
Grandmaster Sexayy (w/ Scotty 2 Hotty) (WWF Tag Team Champions) vs Christian (w/ Edge)
Quick back and forth, which Sexay gets the better of with a running bulldog out of the corner, then to the middle rope with a missile dropkick. Christian rolls out of the ring but Sexay hits a baseball slide. Christian gets back on the apron and Sexay tries for a sunset flip to the floor, but the ref is dealing with a hyper Scotty which allows Edge to deliver a boot to the midsection, then a tornado DDT by Christian to the floor before returning to the ring. Ref is dealing with Scotty again as he tries to help Sexay, which allows Edge to whip Sexay into Christian, who launches him face first into the steps. Back in the ring, Christian stomping away and sends Sexay face first into the mat repeatedly before delivering a scoop slam, transitioning to a rear chinlock. Sexay fights out, sends Christian into the corner but gets caught with a Russian leg sweep, into a cover for two.
Sexay with shots but Christian ducks an hits an inverted falling DDT. Sexay sent off the ropes but catches Christian with a kick and gets in some more shots, Christian sent off the ropes into an enziguri. Clothesline by Sexay and Christian retreats to the corner, avoiding a corner splash. Sexay set on the top rope, but Christian gets shoved off. Sexay with the Hip Hop Drop. Edge tries to slide in with the ring bell but he's yanked out by Scotty. Scotty tries to hit Edge with the bell but the ref intervenes, which allows Edge to slide in the ring and hit a spear. Now the ref is getting Edge out of the ring which allows Scotty to come in and nail Christian in the back with the bell and pull Sexay on top for the win in 4:58. Bit of a mess but an alright match.
Edge comes in confused as he helps Christian out and Too Cool celebrate.
To the locker room where Malenko is getting a massage and in walks Terri, who has a proposition for him, she wants him to be the lady killer that he's come to be known as. Because this storyline is still continuing for some reason, she says she's going to challenge Kat to a mixed tag later and wants him to be her partner. He points out that he's a little busy at the moment, and she says if he doesn't want to watch her back he'll miss out, then walks out. Dean realizes what an idiot he is and goes off in chase of her into commercial.
The WWF Rewind is Eddie fooling Chyna on Raw and making it up with a puppy. Then we go back to Brisco taking a cargo elevator in search of Patterson, looking inside an ice box even.
Then back to HHH, Shane and Steph, the first trying to figure out how their match makes any sense to Vince, Shane has no idea and is in the same boat as HHH, but figures Vince must have some kind of plan, HHH sarcastically saying his plans have worked so well as of late.
WWF European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Big Boss Man
Eddie is attacked from behind as he gets distracted with Chyna, knocking her down in the process and Boss Man with shots in the corner, Eddie whipped across the ring hard and caught by the throat before slamming Eddie down on his back. Right hands and aggressive shots by Boss Man before choking him over the middle rope, then out of the ring with a right hand. Boss Man eyes Chyna which allows Eddie to knock Boss Man off the apron and hit a slingshot crossbody. Boss Man I think tries to gorilla press Eddie through the ropes but he fucks it up and Eddie gets caught in them, hitting the apron knee first. Back in the ring, Eddie sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then off the ropes again, popped up but Eddie hits a dropkick, then goes up top, launches off and caught with a Uranagi. Chyna on the apron distracts Boss Man, then trips him up as the ref deals with Eddie. Chyna with a forearm and now the ref turns his attention to them, Boss Man clocking her with a right hand. Val runs down now and grabs the nightstick to nail Eddie with it, Boss Man covers but Chyna nails him in the back of the head with the title. Boss Man wins by DQ, Eddie retains in 3:26. Another mess of a match.
Chyna and Eddie slip out of the ring and Chyna helps him to the back, Eddie woozy from the stick shot as Boss Man's arm is raised.
To the back, Coach is with Kane who gets his thoughts on his match at the PPV. Kane says that brother or no brother, Rock or no Rock, he wants the WWF Title, and it's what he'll get. Then Kane walks off.
To the Kat who's with Patterson in drag, and in walks Terri, informing her she booked them a mixed tag, wishing her luck in finding a partner, calling her trash as she leaves into commercial.
Kurt is walking backstage reading WWF Magazine as he bumps into Steph, plugging how he's on the cover of it. She compliments how handsome he looks in the picture and says it's an incredible likeness. She says since this is his first King of the Ring tournament, she wishes him luck, and says he can't wait to win it and beat her husband for the title. That sours her a bit as he walks off.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rikishi vs Chris Benoit (c)
Benoit doesn't waste any time as he delivers boots to the midsection and drives Kish into the corner for chops, before being shoved down. Benoit back on the attack then shoved down again, and Kish with shots, Benoit sent off the ropes into a clothesline.Scoop slam by Kish, off the ropes but misses a leg drop. Benoit off the ropes with a dropkick to the side of the head, then a baseball slide to the outside. Benoit and Kish trade shot before Kish gets the upperhand and tosses Benoit back in, though he's leg dropped across the back of the neck as he tries to slide in. Kish sent shoulder first into the steps topples over the top half, and Benoit pulls Kish shoulder first into the post before returning to the ring. Benoit working on the injured shoulder now with an arm lock, though Kish fights out and hits a side kick into a cover for two.
Benoit back on the attack, then Kish shoulder first into the corner. Benoit with chops that barely faze Kish, then Benoit off the ropes into a DDT and a back suplex on Kish. Benoit already calls for the end as he goes up top but misses the diving headbutt, running into a Samoan drop and another side kick by Kish. Corner ass slam into Benoit drops him down to set up for a Stinkface, but gets up in time, only to get a belly to belly slam. Kish to the middle rope for the Banzai Drop to win the title in 4:20. Well that came kind of out of nowhere.
Out come Too Cool to join in on the celebration and of course we get some proper dancing, though Benoit ruins the fun as he nails all three in the head with a chair, then the back of Kish. Benoit gets Kish in the Crossface as the ref tries to pull him off but he refuses to let go and more refs come out to pull him off and eventually manage to pull him off. Benoit scares off the officials as his music hits and he leaves into commercial.
We get a replay of Jericho laying out Hardcore and HHH in a match on Heat, then a replay of Benoit's post-match attack before our next match.
Hardcore is out first and gets a mic, he says usually the big shot (that being himself) doesn't give a damn about anything, and he doesn't have to, but when Jericho stuck his nose in Holly's business on Heat that's when he started to care. He tells Jericho that he's going to beat him, kick him and tell him it's fair, and it's gonna hurt real bad.
Hardcore Holly vs Chris Jericho
Jericho rushes the ring and they trade shots right away, Holly driven into the corner, then they trade shots as they roll on the mat. More shots back on their feet, Holly whipped into the corner and Jericho with a bulldog off the ropes, then more rights. Holly reverses a whip off the ropes to hang Jericho up on the top rope, before a kick to the ribs. More shots by Jericho fighting back only to be sent off the ropes and caught with a dropkick. Holly with a chinlock which Jericho eventually fights out of with chops, until Holly ducks one and delivers a powerbomb into a roll up for two.
Holly with chops to the chest in the corner then more rights and choking with his boots, before being whipped across the ring. Holly gets the boots up but Jericho catches him with a spinning heel kick. Holly sent off the ropes into a back elbow and more chops in the corner, Holly whipped across the ring, Jericho off the ropes for his bulldog but runs into a clothesline instead, Holly covers for two. Jericho sent off the ropes and hits a flying forearm, sending Holly to the apron. Jericho tries for his springboard dropkick out of the corner but he's shoved off by Holly and bounces off the barricade.
Holly with clubs to the back and Jericho face first off the apron, followed by more rights and chops before whipping Jericho into the steps shoulder first. Steph makes her way out as Jericho is tossed into the ring and Holly distracts the ref, Steph nails Jericho in the back of the head with the Women's Title belt. Holly rolls him up but Jericho kicks out. Jericho sent off the ropes and Holly goes for the dropkick but Jericho hangs on, Holly on his back in position for the Lionsault and the win in 5:38. Alright back to some good action on this show.
Steph looks on in disbelief and distress as she heads to the back and Jericho recovers at ringside.
We see Kat talking with Taka in a stairwell, who's apparently her last resort into commercial.
The Kat & Taka Michinoku vs Terri & Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion)
Pre-Match: Dean attacks Taka before the bell even rings, tossing him out to the floor and delivering a snap suplex onto the ramp.
Kat's alone now and she drives Terri into the corner with shoulders into the ribs. Taka's been helped to the back off camera as Kat gets a monkey flip. Terri reverses a whip off the ropes and Dean knees Kat in the back before getting tagged in. Kat tries to beg him off and King convenient has his ring gear on as he leaves commentary. King with rights, Dean sent off the ropes into a back drop. Dean sent into the corner but catches King with an elbow, then boots in the corner by Dean. This crowd is hot for King right now, King sent off the ropes into a heel kick. King sent into the corner but gets a boot up and hits a clothesline. King pulls down the strap and delivers some rights followed by a suplex. Dean tags in Terri in desperation and King pulls her in, Kat rolls her up and gets the win in 2:30. It was short, and was clearly just there for a hometown pop, so whatever it was fine.
Dean is back and attacks King in the corner before pinning Kat to the cornrer, as Terri gives King a Bronco Buster. Kat low blows Dean and pulls Terri off King before tossing her out. King of course is as happy as can be as Kat's music hits and helps him to his feet
Kevin Kelly is backstage with Taker and gets his thoughts on his match at the PPV. Taker says everyone's talking but not much is actually being said, asking when the last time there was a badass WWF Champion before walking off.
Brisco is still looking for Patterson and up walks Fink with good news. Patterson is in the women's locker room dressed like a lady. Brisco asks how he's supposed to get to him in there but Fink has an idea, whispering into his ear. Brisco looks at him in disbelief then leaves.
Road Dogg (w/ X-Pac & Tori) vs D-Von Dudley (w/ Bubba Ray Dudley)
Pre-Match: We get a replay from last week's dumpster dive, and there's a dumpster set up in front of the Ovaltron as DX make their way out. Roadie has a mic and says it appears the damn Dudleyz are backed into a corner, reminding them how they got the ride of their life last week, calling themselves the Kings of Dumpsters. He also reminds them they put their fat asses through tables the month before, which also makes them the Kings of Table Match in their eyes. He says that on Sunday they're in triple trouble and the three of them will leave them in the ring in a pile of rubble. X-Pac takes the mic and gives the Dudleyz some credit, saying they're pretty damn tough, at least if your definition of tough as putting a helpless woman through a table every week on live TV. He emphasizes calling them boys and says they will not put his woman through a table and take it to the bank and cash it like their momma does with a welfare check.
Roadie on the jump before sending D-Von off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a right. Roadie sent off the ropes into a flyign clothesline. D-Von calls for Bubba to set up a table which allows Roadie to hit him from behind, and the ref gets distracted by this so X-Pac can choke D-Von over the middle rope, Roadie dropping himself over D-Von's back. D-Von reverses a whip into the corner, off the ropes with a spinning elbow and a cover for two. D-Von with Shake, Rattle and Roll though D-Von ducks the last shot, then Roadie and attempt the pumphandle slam but D-Von counters with an inverted DDT slam. Bubba gets his hands on Tori which distracts the ref and allows X-Pac to come in with the X-Factor, Roadie covers for the win in 1:38.
DX stomping away as Bubba shoves Tori away, then DX sent him off the ropes but he hits a double clothesline. Bubba calls for D-Von to get a table and in he slides with it, Tori comes in and tries to slap Bubba but he catches her, gets her up for the powerbomb as X-Pac lays out D-Von and Roadie breaks a 2x4 across Bubba's ribs making him drop Tori. DX escape and as Chimmel goes to announce the winner the audio on his mic becomes all distorted, then he tries to make the announcement again and it becomes distorted again. It works the third time as Bubba comes over and lays out Chimmel. Bubba tosses Chimmel in the ring and put him through the table with a 3D. Dudleyz music hits and Bubba is clutching at his ribs as a ref comes out to check on Chimmel.
Cut to Chioda laughing his ass off at something backstage, and the camera pans to Brisco in drag which upsets Brisco, and Brisco hates having to dress like this, bringing Chioda along with him into commercial.
So they head into the women's locker room and him and Brisco start fighting it out as ladies are screaming. Patterson throws powder into Brisco's eyes and I guess this is an official match based on the graphic that comes on screen.
Brisco throws stuff at Patterson and this eventually goes out in the hallway, Patterson thrown into a door. Up walks Vince from around the corner wondering what the hell is going on. Based on what he sees, he announces the first-ever Hardcore Evening Gown Match for the PPV. Fucking hell. Vince leaves.
Kevin Kelly is with Rock for his thoughts on his PPV match. Rock sends him away as he takes the mic, and says that just as sure as Jerry Lee Lewis himself is there tonight, is as sure as Rock himself has got great balls of fire. Rock talks about Vince and his master plan, and tonight's match much like their match at the PPV, and doesn't know anything about Vince's plan, but he does know a result, that being the McMahons will get their asses kicked not once but twice. He says a change will happen on Sunday, that Kane and Taker's alliance with Rock will be over, the silly games will be over, the never ending pain in the ass Faction over, because when it's all said and done, all the dust has settled, all the smoke has cleared, the Rock's era begins. That match next.
Another look at the tournament brackets and commentary hypes it up before the McMahons come out for the main event, followed by Rock and co. Vince gets a mic as the bell is rung and announces a special No DQ Handicap Match, and brings out their first series of opponents.
Rock, The Undertaker & Kane in a special No Disqualification Handicap Match
So out come DX and Bull but they're easily dispatched. Next out come Edge, Christian and Angle, then DX and Bull rejoin the fray and the challengers are easily overpowered. Taker is whipped into the corner, then Christian is whipped toward him but runs into a big boot, then Taker with a double clothesline on DX. Rock lays into Angle and delivers a Rock Bottom. Kane with a chokeslam on Edge. Now out come T&A and Val, Val into a Rock Bottom and the other six rejoin the fight now and overpower the challengers again, the fight spilling to the outside. HHH with a clothesline on Rock back in the ring, and X-Pac with chair to Taker's head on the outside. HHH with mounted rights as Vince is in the ring now, T&A double team suplex Kane through the announce table. The McMahons all get their shots in on Rock, but Rock tries to fight back, only to get a Pedigree. Shane goes up top now with a nice elbow drop. HHH pulls Rock into position for Vince to mock and deliver a McMahon Elbow, covers and wins the match in 4:58. Well that happened.
There's about 30 seconds left in the show as the McMahons celebrate and hoist Vince on their shoulders in victory, all mocking Rock's face as the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Much like Raw it had its good and its bad. For the most part it some good action, a few surprises, a few messes. I'm not looking forward to that Hardcore Title match at the PPV, but other than that it looks like it'll be a hell of a show. With a run time of 1:30:04, this show had a total 32:01 of wrestling.
KING OF THE RING 2000 MATCH CARD
- King of the Ring Tournament continues:
- Hardcore Evening Gown Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship: Pat Patterson (c) vs Gerald Brisco
- Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Too Cool (c) vs Edge & Christian vs The Hardy Boyz vs T&A
- Handicap Dumpster Tables Match: Road Dogg, Tori & X-Pac vs The Dudley Boyz Dudleyz have to put all three opponents through tables to win the match. DX have to put both Dudleyz in a dumpster and close the lid to win the match.
- WWF Championship: Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon & HHH (c) vs The Rock, Kane & The Undertaker Rock, Kane or Taker win the championship if they gain a pin fall on any of their opponents. HHH will retain the championship if any member of his team get the win, and will defend the championship against the King of the Ring the following month.
Right to the opening video package and pyro as we're welcomed to the show by J.R., live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Right away we get to what J.R. calls a "Sweet 16" King of the Ring Match, the first of six on tonight's show.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Kurt Angle vs Bubba Ray Dudley
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Seeing as this tournaments going to have a minimum of 16 matches, it makes sense to have some of the matches on Raw and probably Smackdown, you can't fit all that AND the World Title on a 3 hour show. Angle's out first with a mic and calls himself an all-around great guy, says he's been all around the world spreading great cheer, then tries to get a cheap pop mentioning Nashville but just gets boos. He says he's been all around the world and he's seen rednecks all around the world, and that the people there are the most genuine rednecks, it's true. He calls for them to give themselves a hand but just gets more boos of course. Speaking of rednecks though, he says his opponent could perhaps be the biggest redneck of all time. He says that we know Bubba loves to put opponents through tables, and the people of Nashville like to use their tables for different purposes, maybe to stack their welfare checks on them, or to inbreed on them, but his point is that he an a table of his own, a special table, one on which he'll proudly display his King of the Ring crown when he wins the tournament, it's true, or as the people of Nasville would say "it's true, yeehaw!" We also see what happened to the Dudleyz on Smackdown, Bubba selling his injuries from the fall.
Angle immediately with a take down and a roll up for a one count. Bubba slaps him and takes him in the corner for rights and chops to the chest. Bubba ducks a clothesline and hits a back suplex, but gets sent off the ropes to hit a shoulder block, and after some ducks and leapfrogs Bubba hits another clothesline as Kurt turns around. D-Von watching on backstage as Buba is sent off the ropes but catches Kurt with a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. Bubba to the middle rope but he's cut off by Kurt who delivers a belly to belly overhead suplex before tossing Bubba to the outside.
Bubba whipped into the barricade as Angle goes after the hurt ribs, then whips him into the barricade again, then a suplex onto the steel ramp before he returns to the ring. Bubba eventually rejoins him as Kurt gets his shots in followed by a scoop slam. Angle goes up top but misses a suplex. Bubba with a clothesline and a Samoan drop into a pin for two. Angle sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but caught with the Bubba Bomb into a cover and a near fall. Angle whipped into the corner but side steps a splash and hits a bridging German for two. Angle back up top but he's crotched by Bubba, joining him up top for a superplex, into a cover and another near fall. Angle reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline, Bubba goes for a cutter but he's pushed off into the ropes and into an Angle Slam for the win in 5:38. Decent enough match that was given enough time. Bubba was slower than usual, though he may have just been selling the dumpster dive from the previous week.
Angle rolls out and celebrates as the Faction is seen looking on backstage, pleased with the result. Shane, HHH and Steph leave to take care of business as Vince says, then he wishes X-Pac good luck against Benoit later on, but he says he doesn't need it and has Benoit's number. Vince leaves next, but up come the Stooges who have some kind of fax for him from Linda. Vince yanks it from Patterson's hands angrily before walking away into commercial.
Out come the McMahons and HHH, along with the Stooges, Vince looking through the fax as they make their way to the ring. HHH has the mic first and wants to say what a pleasure it is to come out every week, stand in the middle of the ring as WWF Champion, knowing that he's surrounded by family, friends, and people he can count on... or, at least people he thought he could count on, as he turns his attention to the Stooges. He tells them that they were asked to do simple tasks, like get coffee, as we get loud Rocky chants. Then he brings up how they failed to take one photo of Kane maskless, they screwed up, but he says they're in luck because they'll deal with it later. He says today is a good day, because everything worked as planned on Smackdown, just like it will at the PPV, because as unified as Linda's team seems to be, he feels like there won't be a lot of love that day, since they all want the WWF Title bad. He doesn't think any of them can rely on the others, as we get a slut chant, and says when the PPV is over, Taker, Kane and Rock will be very disappointed, claiming none of them will be #1 contender and he will defend the title against the tournament winner next month.
Vince meanwhile is preoccupied with the fax as Shane takes the mic and the fans call him a pussy, and he calls himself the giant killer again. He agrees with HHH, and says that Rock Taker and Kane will all be laid out with himself, Vinny Mac and HHH victorious, because they are family, blood is thicker than water and they are unified. He turns it to footage from Smackdown of the Faction laying out Rock and Kane to end the show and standing tall, and Shane calls for celebration.
Vince however wants the mic as they have a group hug, and states for the record that he truly loves his wife, though won't deny they've had their personal problems as of late, or that "Ms. Goody Two-Shoes" has been meddling in his business, or that she sent the fax in his hand. In the fax, she reminds him that she's the CEO, questions the size of the Faction's testicles, complains that they always interfere in matches, constantly take advantage of others, and that they're just not fair. She also proposes that in the 6-man tag at the PPV, that instead of #1 contendership being on the line, should be competing for the title instead, and questions if Vince's grapefruits have shrunk to the size of raisins. So Vince lays down the rules: If the three of them come out on top, then HHH will defend the title against the King of the Ring next month as previously promised, but if Rock, Kane, or Taker get the pin on any one of their opponents, then they become the WWF Champion. HHH tries to charge at Vince but Shane gets between them. Vince however continues, saying Rock, Taker and Kane have to earn that opportunity, saying they have to win their respective matches tonight. He announces the Hardyz vs Kane, Bull and Bradshaw vs Taker... oh he corrects himself, Bull and Bossman... wait, didn't those two split up? He finally announces that T&A will face Rock. He also says there won't be any interference from the Faction or the locker room in any of the matches, which only pisses off HHH more, Benoit and X-Pac are next.
Before that though, back to the Faction where HHH is still pissed off at Vince and it just creates more tension as they split up.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: X-Pac (w/ Tori) vs Chris Benoit (WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Crotch chops by X-Pac, then a lock up to start the match with some chain wrestling until Benoit is shoved into the corner. X-Pac with a chop to the chest, then Benoit delivers a harder one sending X-Pac into the adjacent corner. Some more back and forth and Benoit turns around into a heel kick from and more shots by X-Pac. Benoit sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers another chop. X-Pac off the ropes into a back drop before tossing Benoit to the outside, then booted off the apron. Benoit whipped spine first into the steps, then X-Pac returns to the ring to try for a countout but Benoit's back in at three. X-Pac stomping away before locking in a headlock, Benoit fights out, off the ropes into a spinning heel kick and a cover for two.
Benoit face first into the corner and boots by X-Pac drop him into position for a Bronco Buster but Benoit moves out of the way. X-Pac reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline and taken down by Benoit, followed by a snap suplex. Tori gets on the apron for a distraction, X-Pac tries to take advantage but nails Tori as Benoit side steps, Benoit with a bridging German but only gets two. Benoit sent into the corner, but side steps and X-Pac goes shoulder first into the post. Benoit gets the Crossface but X-Pac gets his foot on the ropes to force a break.
Benoit with a shoulder breaker before going up top, but misses the diving headbutt. Dudleyz rush down and D-Von gets knocked off the apron and they go after Tori, as X-Pac goes for the X-Factor only to be dropped down on the mat. Benoit locks in the Crossface in the middle and X-Pac taps immediately in 5:54. Another decent enough match.
Dudleyz rush in for a beat down on X-Pac as Benoit leaves, then Roadie rushes down to make the save with a pumphandle slam on D-Von, then X-Pac with the X-Factor on Bubba. Tori gets kicks in to Bubba's injured ribs and Roadie stomps away at D-Von before referees rush down to clear them away. DX leave as their music hits and we get replays.
Chyna and Eddie are seen on their way to the ring and Eddie's playfully pushing her, but she's trying to be all serious and tries to get him to be serious. He says he is serious. She tells him not to think of her as "mamacita" but as his opponent and not to underestimate her. That match next.
Roadie and X-Pac are complaining to Vince and want the Dudleyz at the PPV. Vince agrees, and in the interest of fairness, he adds Tori to make it a Handicap Table Dumpster Match... Huh? Vince walks off and HHH is all sarcastic about his idea of fairness.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Chyna vs Eddie Guerrero (WWF European Champion)
Eddie starts with a hug but she shoves him away. She offers to shake his hand but he kisses it and she pulls it away. Then she slaps him and he gets mad, she throws a punch, he blocks, and nearly throws one of his own but goes for a headlock instead, some quick back and forth and Eddie's caught with an arm drag and a clothesline. Chyna with a powerbomb but Eddie gets his foot on the rope. Chyna with forearms in the corner, then Eddie switches it around and almost throws another punch but he stops himself. Eddie's frustrated because of how she wanted to get serious and now she's pulling this, and now she wants a kiss, but she lures him for more forearms. Eddie whipped across the ring and Chyna hits the handspring elbow. Gorilla press slam by Chyna, them tries for a sleeper slam but Eddie slips free, sends her off the ropes, Eddie leap frogs and she almost low blows him but Eddie begs her off. Eddie is on his knees and takes her hand as though to kiss it, but instead pulls her into an inside cradle to advance in 2:25.
Chyna looks on in disbelief and sadness, sliding out and heading to the back as Eddie gets frustrated, following her close behind.
Edge is with Christian, the latter seemingly has a match and he says tonight is totally going to reek of awesomeness, that he'll advance to the next round of the tournament as well as get in the good graces of the Facgime by beating Jericho. He asks if Christian's going to be out there with him, and he'd like to, but he says he knows this guy who's the friend of a friend of a guy that knows the cousin of the editor of Tiger Beat, and has a meeting with him tonight. Edge almost seems upset, but is actually happy and tells him to do what he's gotta do, wishing each other luck into commercial.
Chyna is in the bathroom and Eddie gets on hiss knees behind her, begging her to talk to him and forgive him, but she can't right now. He tries to give her two bouquets of flowers but she shoves them away. Then he offers her chocolate for her sweetness, but she tosses them away and says she's on a diet. Now he relates his confusion over wanting him to be serious and her anger over his actions. She says she wanted to be Queen of the Ring real bad the year before and thought she'd be Queen this year, and then she got in the ring with him... Well she's cut off before he brings out a puppy with a bow around it's neck, and she instantly forgives him.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Edge vs Chris Jericho
Pre-Match Notes: Jericho is out second with a mic as he welcomes us to Raw is Jericho, and he wants all the Jerichoholics to do is take out their cameras, because standing in the ring, for the benefit of those with flash photography, is a Hanson-haired, cheesily grinning, bonafide jackass. He calls him Edgeward and knows he wants to be on the cover of Tiger Beat magazine, and as far as Jericho's concerned Edge is a shoe-in, because who knows more about beating, adding the hand gesture, than Edge.
Edge misses a clothesline, then Jericho misses one and they trade chops across the chest as Edge is backed into the corner, whipped across the ring into a back drop and another clothesline, Jericho covers for two. Edge reverses a whip off the ropes but caught with a spinning heel kick, sending Edge rolling to the apron, Jericho following with his springboard dropkick out of the corner taking him to the floor, then a baseball slide. Edge is whipped toward the steps but he leaps over them, then as Jericho tries to leap off them, Edge catches him with a spear to the floor. Edge makes it in at 7 and Jericho right before the 10.
Edge with boots in the corner to the ribs, then sets him up in the tree of woe for more boots, then a running dropkick to the ribs. Jericho sent off the ropes into a knee back to the ribs, then Edge covers for two. Jericho fights back with rights, but gets whipped chest into the corner, up into an electric chair position and a facebuster by Edge. Jericho sent off the ropes, Edge goes for another knee but Jericho slips around for a roll up and a near fall. Edge whipped into the corner and gets a boot up right into Jericho's face before going to the middle rope, but Jericho hits him midair with a dropkick.
Edge reverses a whip off the ropes and Jericho hits a flying forearm, then the bulldog into a cover for two. Edge sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but walks into a back elbow. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but Edge gets the knees up, then rolls him up for two. Jericho reverses a whip off the ropes to hit a powerbomb, then goes for a second but Edge reverses into a sunset flip but Jericho kicks out. Jericho trips him up and gets the Walls locked in for the win in 5:31. More good action.
Jericho celebrates with a few fans at ringside, then we go to the back where HHH is giving Bull and Boss Man a pep talk. He tells them they've been doing a great job but they need to take Taker out. Boss Man assures him he can count on them and tries to get him to calm down, but HHH refuses to, says his whole life is on the line as he points to the WWF Title over his shoulder, and if they don't get the job done they'll suffer the consequences. Then he leaves. Then they leave. We see Taker in the parking lot and gets on his bike, that match next.
The Undertaker vs Bull Buchanan & The Big Boss Man
One of three must win matches for a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Pre-Match: We see Bull drive off with Taker's bike, plus Taker carjacking and getting arrested for it the week prior
Well we already have arguing between Bull and Boss Man, as Bull shoves Boss Man into Taker, lays in with rights in the corner. Elbows, boots and rights in the corner, Boss Man whipped across the ring but catches Taker with an elbow. He tries to tag out but Bull tells him to handle things, and as he turns his back, Boss Man tags himself out. Taker clubs Bull from behind knocking him off the apron into Boss Man. Taker lays in with rights on both, then takes Bull back in the ring. Bull face first in the corner for more boots and elbows, then sent off the ropes, flips over Taker before tossing him to the floor. Taker face first off the steps by Boss Man before tossing him back in.
Bull on the attack with shots in the corner, then Taker with some of his own, Bull sent off the ropes into a big boot and Boss Man knocked off the apron. Taker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline scoops up Bull. Boss Man comes in ready to use the nightstick but Taker catches him, dropping Bull in the process. Boss Man leaves as Bull tries to attack from behind, but he's caught with a chokeslam for the win in 3:09, as Boss Man is seen heading to the back.
Rikishi is seen making his way to the ring and he's met by Too Cool. Scotty tells him not to take it personally when he drops the Worm on Kish, and Kish tells him not to take it personally when he has to back that ass up. Fist bumps and Kish hip bumps them out of view into commercial, their match next.
We see footage from a live event in Minneapolis, where Gov. Ventura was seen posing with HHH, plus some backstage footage on Ventura possibly running for president and naming Chyna as his running mate before the next match.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Scotty 2 Hotty (WWF Tag Team Champion) vs Rikishi
Pre-Match: We see some clips of the ongoing problems between Val and Kish, involving the vicious shots from Val on Smackdown.
Scotty comes off the ropes only to be taken down with a shoulder block, then something akin to a spinaroonie before popping back up. Scotty gets some shots in, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and takes Rikishi down with a superkick into a cover for two. Scotty off the ropes goes for a sunset flip, Kish tries to drop onto Scotty's chest but he rolls out of the way, off the ropes with a dropkick and a cover for two. Scotty with rights, off the ropes and caught with a powerslam, then Kish off the ropes with a leg drop and a pin for two. Scotty sent ino the corner, then the opposite one into a clothesline. Scotty retreats to the corner and Kish goes for his ass slam but Scotty side steps, off the ropes with his bulldog and the Worm into a pin, but Kish throws him off out of the ring. Scotty flips over the ropes and Kish, off the ropes into a Samoan drop. Ass slam in the corner and Scotty falls flat on his back as Kish goes to the middle rope for the Banzai Drop for the win in 2:53. Fine little match.
Kish goes to help Scotty up but Val comes out of nowhere for the attack in the corner, dropping Kish down with rapid boots. Out comes Sexay but he's taken out with a clothesline and heads to the back as Too Cool regroup with Kish.
We see Kane and Taker's there too in the locker room, and Taker tells him not to show the Hardyz any mercy and not to screw this up. They stare down a bit and Kane leaves, as Taker suggests he pretend he's in the ring with him and he won't have any problems. That match next.
The Hardy Boyz vs Kane
Second of three must win matches for a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Pre-Match: We see a replay of Taker beating Bull and Boss Man earlier as Kane makes his way out.
Jeff starts it out with shots to the body that barely faze Kane. Kane grabs him by the throat and throws him into the corner, followed by elbows and rights. Jeff hip tossed from one corner to the other as Jeff tries to tag but he's caught. Jeff sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and a big boot, nearly up in a powerslam position but he slips free. Jeff off the ropes again but he's caught in a gorilla press slam. Jeff sent off the ropes, leap frogs and tags in Matt, who dropkicks the back of Kane's knee and goes after it with kicks and rights. Kane though easily fights him off and sends Matt face first into the corner, followed by knees and rights and clubs to the back. Back suplex is countered by Matt and Jeff tags in, Matt sent into the corner but sidesteps as Kane charges and Jeff leaps off his back for Poetry in Motion. Double team in the corner, Jeff sent off the ropes into a big boot and a sidewalk slam. Kane goes up top for the flying clothesline, then covers but Matt breaks it up.
Matt is knocked off the apron but then Jeff takes them both out to the floor with a crossbody, Matt with his handspring DDT off the apron to the floor. Kane though sends Matt ribs first into the apron, and tries to set Kane up for Jeff who runs along the barricade, but he's caught by the throat, only for Matt to fly off the apron with a clothesline. Kane immediately back and clotheslines Matt as Jeff retreats to the ring with a front flip over the ropes onto Kane. Kane is rolled back as Matt goes for the Twist of Fate but he's set on the top rope. Jeff caught with right as Kane goes up top but he's tosses off, Matt on the middle rope with double leg drops, Matt covers and is shoved off at one, while Kane sits up and Jeff nails him with a dropkick. Jeff up top for the Swanton but Kane sits up. Matt sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline into a tilt-a-whirl and Kane nearly drops Matt on his head as he tries to get him in position for a tombstone, sends him down with a powerslam and a cover but Jeff breaks it up. Jeff ducks a clothesline as Hardyz get Kane in the corner, whip him across the ring, Poetry in Motion attempt again but Kane moves out of the way and Jeff catches himself on the middle rope. Jeff tries for Whisper in the Wind but he fucks it up somehow and lands on the back of his head. Chokeslam on Matt and Jeff is clearly hurt as he just collapses back to the mat, Kane covers Matt for the win in 6:20. Yeah that match was a bit of a mess even before Jeff got hurt.
Kane makes his exit as we catch back up with the Faction, HHH visibly pissed right now, and makes a threat to Vince if Rock manages to win tonight into commercial.
HHH still pissed as he vents to Steph and Steph is silent.
King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match: Crash Holly (WWF Hardcore Champion) vs Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match: We get a replay of the Shaft plug from last week's Smackdown.
They waste no time trading shots, Crash ducks one, Hardcore sent off the ropes into a powerslam and a cover for two. Crash with boots in the corner but gets sent across the ring, gets his boots up before going up top with a crossbody and a cover for two. Hardcore reverses a whip off the ropes but Crash gets him with a victory roll for two. Crash wastes time with the referee for a bit and he's caught with a popup falling powerbomb, then Hardcore covers for two. Crash set over the top rope and Hardcore kicks him in the ribs, Crash sent off the ropes, catches Hardcore with a kick, off the ropes into a clothesline and a cover for a kick out. Crash chopped in the corner, then Crash sent off the ropes into a back elbow before being tossed out to the floor. Crash face first off the barricade and another chop by Hardcore before returning to the ring. Hardcore with a backbreaker and a cover for two. Snap mare by Hardcore and a boot to the back, then more boots in the corner on Crash before getting choked. Crash gets some boots in as he fights back to his feet, forearms until his eyes are raked. Hardcore with a suplex and a cover for two.
Out come the Stooges with Chioda, Patterson carrying some kind of weapon as Crash is sent off the ropes into a dropkick. Patterson gets on the apron and distracts Hardcore, who goes out after him. Brisco comes in and nails Crash across the back with a 2x4. Crash advances via DQ in 4:16.
Hardcore realizes what's happened and he's nailed from behind by Patterson, as Brisco nails Crash in the ribs with the 2x4, makes the cover and regains the Hardcore Championship. Real American plays as the Stooges celebrate to the back with Chioda in tow. Hardcore starts arguing with the original referee and nails Crash for good measure before heading to the back.
We catch back up with the Stooges and Chioda, where Patterson is taking credit for the plan to get Brisco his belt back. They have Chioda lock the door behind them and now it's time to celebrate with some champagne. Patterson pours some glasses for the three of them and cheers the new champion. Then Patterson pours the champagne over Brisco's head and it burns his eyes, allowing Pat to smash the bottle over his head, cover and become the new Hardcore Champion. Patterson with a crotch chop and he and Chioda escape.
Back to commentary who are in disbelief and plug some live events and some XFL stuff in Memphis, then a pep talk by HHH for T&A. He's pulled aside by Steph though who gives a pep talk of her own, saying it's their chance to prove themselves to the Faction. Test gives her the "whatever" treatment and HHH pie faces him which of course sets him off, given their history together. Albert gets between them before anything happens.
Over to Cole who's with Rock and he recaps the events and stakes of the night and his match. Rock says he's well aware of what's at stake, and knows that Kane and Taker have already won their matches, but he's not going to go and win for Kane or Taker, that the weight of the world is on his own shoulders once again and he's not even going out there because he hates the Faction, he's going to go out and do what he does best, because he's the People's Champion. He realizes that T&A stand in his way in order to go to King of the Ring for the title, and unlike Test he's not 6'7" 280lbs with long blond hair, unlike Albert he's not 6'8" 330lbs with a pierced anus, but he is 6'4" 270lbs, a bonafide grade-A bring your candy asses. That match next.
T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Rock
Rock must win to earn himself, Taker and Kane a WWF Title shot at King of the Ring.
Albert starts the match and Rock with away with shots, only to be sent off the ropes and kneed in the back by Test. Test gets a right hand and Rock tosses Albert to the floor as Test rolls in, only to be sent out as well. Albert face first off the announce table, then the steps, then rights for Test as he comes around. Test reverses an Irish whip but it allows Rock to clothesline Albert, only to turn around into a clothesline from Test. Back in the ring, Rock retreats to the corner and catches Test with a clothesline, but he's taken out with one by Albert as he comes in from behind, then Test with a big boot. Test mounts for vicious rights before sending Rock face first into the corner, then boots and choking Rock down. Albert tags in, but Rock gets some shots in, off the ropes into a sidewalk slam. Albert stomping away followed by more rights, Rock sent off the ropes into a back elbow and Test is back in. Rock choked over the middle rope, then Trish chokes some as Test distracts the ref. Rock gets some shots in again but runs right into a forearm. Rock sent off the ropes and gets tripped up by Trish, he reaches over the ropes and grabs her by the hair, and Test misses a clothesline, Rock sent off the ropes and connects with a spinning neckbreaker. Trish on the apron with a distraction and Rock with a DDT and a cover while Albert grabs the ring bell, nailing Rock in the head with it. Test makes the cover but Rock kicks out at two.
Rock revers an Irish whip and hits the Rock Bottom, then gets sent off the ropes by Albert, ducks a clothesline and take each other out with double clotheslines. Rock gets some shots in on both Albert clotheslined to the outside and a spinebuster on Test, setting up for the People's Elbow for the win in 6:06.
Well we go back to the Faction and HHH flips the table over and gets more pissed at Vince, asking if the title means anything to him, as Shane tries to calm him down and get between them. Vince tells him to wait until Smackdown but it does nothing to ease the tension, Back to Rock for some corner posing and crowd popping to close the show.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well there was very little to complain about this show. Nothing particularly bad, some meh, some pretty good. King of the Ring tournament is moving along nicely, and the main event for the PPV is fully set now. With a run time of 1:31:53, this show had a total 42:12 of wrestling.
Smackdown
Right to the opening video and pyro before Cole welcomes us to the show, broadcasting from The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Out to start the show of course are the McMahons. HHH has the mic first and says that as much as he disagrees with Vince's decision to put his title on the line at the PPV, he'll reluctantly agree to it even though the thought of either of his opponents becoming champion by pinning Vince or Shane sickens him, especially Rock. He says the fact is though that the chance of either of them becoming champion is remote at best, because all three want to be champion, and their egos won't allow one to win at the expense of the other two. If Rock were able to get one of them in a compromising position and get a cover, for example, Taker would pull him off before the ref even counted two. He says that even though his title is on the line at the PPV, he has all the confidence in the world in the three of them, because he has trust in Shane and in Vince, they have trust in him, something their opponents are lacking. He says when King of the Ring is over the one thing you can trust in is he will still be the Game and WWF Champion, because the title is the most important thing in his life.
He hands the mic off to Vince and suggests that the most important thing in one's life shouldn't necessarily be the WWF Title, or money, or even health and happiness, but instead that it's family. He says that if you have family chances are you have an abundance of those other qualities, and that for years he's instilled upon his offspring a sense of rigid, wholesome, family values. He admits it hasn't been easy and has caused him a great deal of hardship and sacrifice to instill those values, but did what he had to do nonetheless, and as the patriarch of the McMahon family he'd have to rule with an iron will, sometimes a gentle hand, but always with the capacity of generosity and sensitivity that few could fathom. Not withstanding that however, he says the most important value is one of love, that when one stands in his shoes, one must love a meddlesome, shrew-like wife enough to forgive her, a non-respectful son-in-law enough to forgive him, one's own doubting son and daughter enough to forgive them, and in that same capacity he must put forth challenges for his family, ones they would never attempt to reach, mountains they would never attempt to climb, rivers they'd never attempt to cross, yet always with supreme confidence in his heart that they'll succeed. In light of that, he announces that a challenge that will prove their superiority, on the eve of King of the Ring, pitting himself, Shane and HHH against their PPV opponents tonight. This of course pisses off HHH and Shane just up and leaves. Vince warns Shane about having to make him taking the three on by himself, and HHH and Steph soon leave with him as Vince's music hits. Well color me intrigued.
We see T&A and Trish on their way to the ring for a match next.
First though we see Shane head out to a waiting limo, but HHH comes up before he can get away, but Shane wants no part of it tonight. He also suggest that HHH and Vince can handle it on their own but he gets pulled back into the arena eventually.
The Hardy Boyz & Lita vs T&A & Trish Stratus
Pre-Match: We see a replay of what happened last week when Lita landed ass first on Trish's face when she went for a leg drop, and Cole also reminds us this is Trish's first match. We also learn there will be an elimination 4 way for the tag titles involving these two teams, E&C and Too Cool.
Staredown between all six to start until Lita shoves Trish and they go to the outside, Lita chasing Trish around the ring until Albert gets in her away. Test grabs Lita by the hair over the ropes and pulls her to the apron, before she slaps him and the Hardyz are on him with a double team suplex. Albert comes in and misses a double clothesline, send him into the corner for Poetry in Motio, then try it on Test but he boots Jeff midair in the ribs, then Albert with a big boot on Matt. Test and Jeff start this properly with Jeff fighting back, only to be sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Trish tags in and slaps Jeff and Lita tries to help but she's sent out by the ref, before being shoved off the apron by Trish. Albert tags back in, Jeff sent off the ropes, launched up and down by the two. Albert with boots to the ribs and a hard right before whipping him into the corner, but Jeff avoids a corner splash.
Test and Matt get tagged in, Matt getting rights in, sent into the corner but gets his boots up, to the middle rope with a flying clothesline and a neckbreaker. Jeff in and tries for Sliced Bread on Albert but he's pushed off, ducks a clothesline as Matt goes up top with a tornado DDT. Jeff over the ropes and right on top of Albert. Matt goes for Twist of Fate on Test but Trish grabs him by the hair, then Lita comes and grabs her by the hair, slamming her to the mat. Matt with a Twist of Fate to Test, then Lita with one to Trish as Jeff goes up top, Trish is laid on top of Test as Jeff gets them both with the Swanton. Albert though is back in as Matt makes the cover and breaks it up at two. Lita and Trish are left in the ring as Lita goes up top and hits the moonsault but the ref is busy dealing with Matt and Test on the outside. Albert comes in to hit Lita with the Baldo Bomb, pulls Trish on top and they get the win in 4:33. Not a bad match.
We go to replays as T&A help Trish out of the ring and carry her to the back as the Hardyz check on Lita. Then we get to a recap package of the Hardcore Title shenanigans from Raw.
Now we cut to Brisco backstage looking for Patterson, and he bumps into Hebner along the way. He says he's going to scalp that no good Frenchman and they part ways into commercial.
Jerry Lee Lewis is sitting front row for the show tonight as we see the updated King of the Ring brackets, and I was completely unaware until now that there were tournament matches on Heat, with Bull beating Perry Saturn and Val beating Jeff to advance. We also learn that Kish and Benoit are facing for the IC Title ahead of their tournament match on Sunday.
Quick back and forth, which Sexay gets the better of with a running bulldog out of the corner, then to the middle rope with a missile dropkick. Christian rolls out of the ring but Sexay hits a baseball slide. Christian gets back on the apron and Sexay tries for a sunset flip to the floor, but the ref is dealing with a hyper Scotty which allows Edge to deliver a boot to the midsection, then a tornado DDT by Christian to the floor before returning to the ring. Ref is dealing with Scotty again as he tries to help Sexay, which allows Edge to whip Sexay into Christian, who launches him face first into the steps. Back in the ring, Christian stomping away and sends Sexay face first into the mat repeatedly before delivering a scoop slam, transitioning to a rear chinlock. Sexay fights out, sends Christian into the corner but gets caught with a Russian leg sweep, into a cover for two.
Sexay with shots but Christian ducks an hits an inverted falling DDT. Sexay sent off the ropes but catches Christian with a kick and gets in some more shots, Christian sent off the ropes into an enziguri. Clothesline by Sexay and Christian retreats to the corner, avoiding a corner splash. Sexay set on the top rope, but Christian gets shoved off. Sexay with the Hip Hop Drop. Edge tries to slide in with the ring bell but he's yanked out by Scotty. Scotty tries to hit Edge with the bell but the ref intervenes, which allows Edge to slide in the ring and hit a spear. Now the ref is getting Edge out of the ring which allows Scotty to come in and nail Christian in the back with the bell and pull Sexay on top for the win in 4:58. Bit of a mess but an alright match.
Edge comes in confused as he helps Christian out and Too Cool celebrate.
To the locker room where Malenko is getting a massage and in walks Terri, who has a proposition for him, she wants him to be the lady killer that he's come to be known as. Because this storyline is still continuing for some reason, she says she's going to challenge Kat to a mixed tag later and wants him to be her partner. He points out that he's a little busy at the moment, and she says if he doesn't want to watch her back he'll miss out, then walks out. Dean realizes what an idiot he is and goes off in chase of her into commercial.
The WWF Rewind is Eddie fooling Chyna on Raw and making it up with a puppy. Then we go back to Brisco taking a cargo elevator in search of Patterson, looking inside an ice box even.
Then back to HHH, Shane and Steph, the first trying to figure out how their match makes any sense to Vince, Shane has no idea and is in the same boat as HHH, but figures Vince must have some kind of plan, HHH sarcastically saying his plans have worked so well as of late.
WWF European Championship: Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) vs Big Boss Man
Eddie is attacked from behind as he gets distracted with Chyna, knocking her down in the process and Boss Man with shots in the corner, Eddie whipped across the ring hard and caught by the throat before slamming Eddie down on his back. Right hands and aggressive shots by Boss Man before choking him over the middle rope, then out of the ring with a right hand. Boss Man eyes Chyna which allows Eddie to knock Boss Man off the apron and hit a slingshot crossbody. Boss Man I think tries to gorilla press Eddie through the ropes but he fucks it up and Eddie gets caught in them, hitting the apron knee first. Back in the ring, Eddie sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then off the ropes again, popped up but Eddie hits a dropkick, then goes up top, launches off and caught with a Uranagi. Chyna on the apron distracts Boss Man, then trips him up as the ref deals with Eddie. Chyna with a forearm and now the ref turns his attention to them, Boss Man clocking her with a right hand. Val runs down now and grabs the nightstick to nail Eddie with it, Boss Man covers but Chyna nails him in the back of the head with the title. Boss Man wins by DQ, Eddie retains in 3:26. Another mess of a match.
Chyna and Eddie slip out of the ring and Chyna helps him to the back, Eddie woozy from the stick shot as Boss Man's arm is raised.
To the back, Coach is with Kane who gets his thoughts on his match at the PPV. Kane says that brother or no brother, Rock or no Rock, he wants the WWF Title, and it's what he'll get. Then Kane walks off.
To the Kat who's with Patterson in drag, and in walks Terri, informing her she booked them a mixed tag, wishing her luck in finding a partner, calling her trash as she leaves into commercial.
Kurt is walking backstage reading WWF Magazine as he bumps into Steph, plugging how he's on the cover of it. She compliments how handsome he looks in the picture and says it's an incredible likeness. She says since this is his first King of the Ring tournament, she wishes him luck, and says he can't wait to win it and beat her husband for the title. That sours her a bit as he walks off.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rikishi vs Chris Benoit (c)
Benoit doesn't waste any time as he delivers boots to the midsection and drives Kish into the corner for chops, before being shoved down. Benoit back on the attack then shoved down again, and Kish with shots, Benoit sent off the ropes into a clothesline.Scoop slam by Kish, off the ropes but misses a leg drop. Benoit off the ropes with a dropkick to the side of the head, then a baseball slide to the outside. Benoit and Kish trade shot before Kish gets the upperhand and tosses Benoit back in, though he's leg dropped across the back of the neck as he tries to slide in. Kish sent shoulder first into the steps topples over the top half, and Benoit pulls Kish shoulder first into the post before returning to the ring. Benoit working on the injured shoulder now with an arm lock, though Kish fights out and hits a side kick into a cover for two.
Benoit back on the attack, then Kish shoulder first into the corner. Benoit with chops that barely faze Kish, then Benoit off the ropes into a DDT and a back suplex on Kish. Benoit already calls for the end as he goes up top but misses the diving headbutt, running into a Samoan drop and another side kick by Kish. Corner ass slam into Benoit drops him down to set up for a Stinkface, but gets up in time, only to get a belly to belly slam. Kish to the middle rope for the Banzai Drop to win the title in 4:20. Well that came kind of out of nowhere.
Out come Too Cool to join in on the celebration and of course we get some proper dancing, though Benoit ruins the fun as he nails all three in the head with a chair, then the back of Kish. Benoit gets Kish in the Crossface as the ref tries to pull him off but he refuses to let go and more refs come out to pull him off and eventually manage to pull him off. Benoit scares off the officials as his music hits and he leaves into commercial.
We get a replay of Jericho laying out Hardcore and HHH in a match on Heat, then a replay of Benoit's post-match attack before our next match.
Hardcore is out first and gets a mic, he says usually the big shot (that being himself) doesn't give a damn about anything, and he doesn't have to, but when Jericho stuck his nose in Holly's business on Heat that's when he started to care. He tells Jericho that he's going to beat him, kick him and tell him it's fair, and it's gonna hurt real bad.
Hardcore Holly vs Chris Jericho
Jericho rushes the ring and they trade shots right away, Holly driven into the corner, then they trade shots as they roll on the mat. More shots back on their feet, Holly whipped into the corner and Jericho with a bulldog off the ropes, then more rights. Holly reverses a whip off the ropes to hang Jericho up on the top rope, before a kick to the ribs. More shots by Jericho fighting back only to be sent off the ropes and caught with a dropkick. Holly with a chinlock which Jericho eventually fights out of with chops, until Holly ducks one and delivers a powerbomb into a roll up for two.
Holly with chops to the chest in the corner then more rights and choking with his boots, before being whipped across the ring. Holly gets the boots up but Jericho catches him with a spinning heel kick. Holly sent off the ropes into a back elbow and more chops in the corner, Holly whipped across the ring, Jericho off the ropes for his bulldog but runs into a clothesline instead, Holly covers for two. Jericho sent off the ropes and hits a flying forearm, sending Holly to the apron. Jericho tries for his springboard dropkick out of the corner but he's shoved off by Holly and bounces off the barricade.
Holly with clubs to the back and Jericho face first off the apron, followed by more rights and chops before whipping Jericho into the steps shoulder first. Steph makes her way out as Jericho is tossed into the ring and Holly distracts the ref, Steph nails Jericho in the back of the head with the Women's Title belt. Holly rolls him up but Jericho kicks out. Jericho sent off the ropes and Holly goes for the dropkick but Jericho hangs on, Holly on his back in position for the Lionsault and the win in 5:38. Alright back to some good action on this show.
Steph looks on in disbelief and distress as she heads to the back and Jericho recovers at ringside.
We see Kat talking with Taka in a stairwell, who's apparently her last resort into commercial.
The Kat & Taka Michinoku vs Terri & Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion)
Pre-Match: Dean attacks Taka before the bell even rings, tossing him out to the floor and delivering a snap suplex onto the ramp.
Kat's alone now and she drives Terri into the corner with shoulders into the ribs. Taka's been helped to the back off camera as Kat gets a monkey flip. Terri reverses a whip off the ropes and Dean knees Kat in the back before getting tagged in. Kat tries to beg him off and King convenient has his ring gear on as he leaves commentary. King with rights, Dean sent off the ropes into a back drop. Dean sent into the corner but catches King with an elbow, then boots in the corner by Dean. This crowd is hot for King right now, King sent off the ropes into a heel kick. King sent into the corner but gets a boot up and hits a clothesline. King pulls down the strap and delivers some rights followed by a suplex. Dean tags in Terri in desperation and King pulls her in, Kat rolls her up and gets the win in 2:30. It was short, and was clearly just there for a hometown pop, so whatever it was fine.
Dean is back and attacks King in the corner before pinning Kat to the cornrer, as Terri gives King a Bronco Buster. Kat low blows Dean and pulls Terri off King before tossing her out. King of course is as happy as can be as Kat's music hits and helps him to his feet
Kevin Kelly is backstage with Taker and gets his thoughts on his match at the PPV. Taker says everyone's talking but not much is actually being said, asking when the last time there was a badass WWF Champion before walking off.
Brisco is still looking for Patterson and up walks Fink with good news. Patterson is in the women's locker room dressed like a lady. Brisco asks how he's supposed to get to him in there but Fink has an idea, whispering into his ear. Brisco looks at him in disbelief then leaves.
Road Dogg (w/ X-Pac & Tori) vs D-Von Dudley (w/ Bubba Ray Dudley)
Pre-Match: We get a replay from last week's dumpster dive, and there's a dumpster set up in front of the Ovaltron as DX make their way out. Roadie has a mic and says it appears the damn Dudleyz are backed into a corner, reminding them how they got the ride of their life last week, calling themselves the Kings of Dumpsters. He also reminds them they put their fat asses through tables the month before, which also makes them the Kings of Table Match in their eyes. He says that on Sunday they're in triple trouble and the three of them will leave them in the ring in a pile of rubble. X-Pac takes the mic and gives the Dudleyz some credit, saying they're pretty damn tough, at least if your definition of tough as putting a helpless woman through a table every week on live TV. He emphasizes calling them boys and says they will not put his woman through a table and take it to the bank and cash it like their momma does with a welfare check.
Roadie on the jump before sending D-Von off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a right. Roadie sent off the ropes into a flyign clothesline. D-Von calls for Bubba to set up a table which allows Roadie to hit him from behind, and the ref gets distracted by this so X-Pac can choke D-Von over the middle rope, Roadie dropping himself over D-Von's back. D-Von reverses a whip into the corner, off the ropes with a spinning elbow and a cover for two. D-Von with Shake, Rattle and Roll though D-Von ducks the last shot, then Roadie and attempt the pumphandle slam but D-Von counters with an inverted DDT slam. Bubba gets his hands on Tori which distracts the ref and allows X-Pac to come in with the X-Factor, Roadie covers for the win in 1:38.
DX stomping away as Bubba shoves Tori away, then DX sent him off the ropes but he hits a double clothesline. Bubba calls for D-Von to get a table and in he slides with it, Tori comes in and tries to slap Bubba but he catches her, gets her up for the powerbomb as X-Pac lays out D-Von and Roadie breaks a 2x4 across Bubba's ribs making him drop Tori. DX escape and as Chimmel goes to announce the winner the audio on his mic becomes all distorted, then he tries to make the announcement again and it becomes distorted again. It works the third time as Bubba comes over and lays out Chimmel. Bubba tosses Chimmel in the ring and put him through the table with a 3D. Dudleyz music hits and Bubba is clutching at his ribs as a ref comes out to check on Chimmel.
Cut to Chioda laughing his ass off at something backstage, and the camera pans to Brisco in drag which upsets Brisco, and Brisco hates having to dress like this, bringing Chioda along with him into commercial.
So they head into the women's locker room and him and Brisco start fighting it out as ladies are screaming. Patterson throws powder into Brisco's eyes and I guess this is an official match based on the graphic that comes on screen.
Brisco throws stuff at Patterson and this eventually goes out in the hallway, Patterson thrown into a door. Up walks Vince from around the corner wondering what the hell is going on. Based on what he sees, he announces the first-ever Hardcore Evening Gown Match for the PPV. Fucking hell. Vince leaves.
Kevin Kelly is with Rock for his thoughts on his PPV match. Rock sends him away as he takes the mic, and says that just as sure as Jerry Lee Lewis himself is there tonight, is as sure as Rock himself has got great balls of fire. Rock talks about Vince and his master plan, and tonight's match much like their match at the PPV, and doesn't know anything about Vince's plan, but he does know a result, that being the McMahons will get their asses kicked not once but twice. He says a change will happen on Sunday, that Kane and Taker's alliance with Rock will be over, the silly games will be over, the never ending pain in the ass Faction over, because when it's all said and done, all the dust has settled, all the smoke has cleared, the Rock's era begins. That match next.
Another look at the tournament brackets and commentary hypes it up before the McMahons come out for the main event, followed by Rock and co. Vince gets a mic as the bell is rung and announces a special No DQ Handicap Match, and brings out their first series of opponents.
Rock, The Undertaker & Kane in a special No Disqualification Handicap Match
So out come DX and Bull but they're easily dispatched. Next out come Edge, Christian and Angle, then DX and Bull rejoin the fray and the challengers are easily overpowered. Taker is whipped into the corner, then Christian is whipped toward him but runs into a big boot, then Taker with a double clothesline on DX. Rock lays into Angle and delivers a Rock Bottom. Kane with a chokeslam on Edge. Now out come T&A and Val, Val into a Rock Bottom and the other six rejoin the fight now and overpower the challengers again, the fight spilling to the outside. HHH with a clothesline on Rock back in the ring, and X-Pac with chair to Taker's head on the outside. HHH with mounted rights as Vince is in the ring now, T&A double team suplex Kane through the announce table. The McMahons all get their shots in on Rock, but Rock tries to fight back, only to get a Pedigree. Shane goes up top now with a nice elbow drop. HHH pulls Rock into position for Vince to mock and deliver a McMahon Elbow, covers and wins the match in 4:58. Well that happened.
There's about 30 seconds left in the show as the McMahons celebrate and hoist Vince on their shoulders in victory, all mocking Rock's face as the show fades out.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Much like Raw it had its good and its bad. For the most part it some good action, a few surprises, a few messes. I'm not looking forward to that Hardcore Title match at the PPV, but other than that it looks like it'll be a hell of a show. With a run time of 1:30:04, this show had a total 32:01 of wrestling.
KING OF THE RING 2000 MATCH CARD
- King of the Ring Tournament continues:
- Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Too Cool (c) vs Edge & Christian vs The Hardy Boyz vs T&A
- Handicap Dumpster Tables Match: Road Dogg, Tori & X-Pac vs The Dudley Boyz Dudleyz have to put all three opponents through tables to win the match. DX have to put both Dudleyz in a dumpster and close the lid to win the match.
- WWF Championship: Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon & HHH (c) vs The Rock, Kane & The Undertaker Rock, Kane or Taker win the championship if they gain a pin fall on any of their opponents. HHH will retain the championship if any member of his team get the win, and will defend the championship against the King of the Ring the following month.
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