WWF Week of July 10, 2000

RAW

We're live from the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California for this episode of Raw, as J.R. welcomes us to the show like always. Apparently Foley is not there tonight which promises to be a chaotic night, as Benoit and Shane make heir way out to the ring. J.R. announce Jericho vs Road Dogg, and Val defends the IC Title against Rikishi and Kane, plus the Tag Titles also on the line as Acolytes get the shot they earned last week in the Battle Royal. Apparently we're also getting the first women's Street Fight, which is actually a bra and panties match in street clothes apparently, and not your traditional Street Fight. I was wondering why Lawler was getting all giddy.

Heavy boos as Shane gets the mic and shrugs it off. He's here to explain the relationship between himself, the man who will lead WWF into the next millennia, and Benoit, the next WWF Champion, since so many are wondering. They're just friends, he says he's always respected Benoit, and as of late have grown to admire everything he stands for. He calls Benoit a man who's goal oriented, with deadly focus, cold-hearted, absolutely ruthless, an equal opportunity offender. Shane sends our attention to the Titantron to show footage of Benoit attacking Chyna on Raw, then his attack on Rock later that same night. Shane doesn't blame Rock for ducking Benoit, as he sends us to footage from Smackdown, using the footage of Rock chasing Shane of proof as such. They shake hands and Shane says he's proud to call Benoit his friend.

Benoit takes the mic and says he's proud of that too, but Rock is certainly no friend of his, he has no friends who are cowards, who hide behind women's skirts, and certainly those who can't admit that he's the world's greatest technical wrestler in WWF history. Benoit wants Rock to prove him wrong tonight, not wanting a title shot, but if he does beat Rock, he wants Rock at the PPV for the title, where he will become WWF Champion, and that's the way it is. He mentions how Foley's not here to make the match, on a PR tour of southeast Asia apparently, and hopes Mick comes down with a case of dysentery so he'll talk out of both ends at the same time like Rock.

Speaking of Rock, out he comes now. He says he has no problem proving Benoit wrong, because if he thinks he's better than Rock he's wrong, and if he thinks that Shane is anything more than a silver spoon, puppy cheap, punk ass son of a bitch he's wrong, and if he thinks that after hearing Benoit's challenge that he's not going to walk down the ramp, get in the ring and whip Benoit's candy ass all over San Jose he's wrong. He tells them to just bring it before his music hits and he heads to the back, so I suppose the match is official. Out come Eddie and Chyna with chairs, Chyna nails Shane in the back but Benoit escapes along with him before they can get any more shots in. Eddie's music hits as Benoit and Shane head to the back.

We take a look at Foley's travel plan, heading to Kuala Lampur, Jakarta, Singapore and Hong Kong before the first match.

Elimination Tag Team Match: Too Cool vs T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) vs The Hardy Boyz (w/ Lita)

Hardyz go right after T&A and Lita chases after Trish at ringside, Too Cool get into the action, Test is clotheslined to the floor, then a double DDT on Albert by Too Cool, Scotty covers for two. Scotty sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, slips out of a gorilla press only to be clotheslined in the back of the head. Albert misses a splash coming off the ropes and Scotty with a spinaroonie and an elbow before tagging in Sexay. Sexay with some clotheslines only to walk into a big boot as he can't get Albert off his feet and Test gets the tag. Clubs to the back, Sexay sent into the corner and gets a boot up, then an elbow and gets Test with a tornado DDT. Matt on the apron gets some shots in on Test as he trades with Sexay, but Test finds an opening to tag himself out and Matt in.

Sexay takes advantage to hit a back suplex, then Matt sent into the corner and Sexay misses a splash, Matt up top with a leg drop and a cover for two. Jeff with the tag, Sexay into the corner for Poetry in Motion, Jeff covers for two. Some quick back and forth until Jeff... there's some weird miscommunication before Jeff comes off the ropes and Sexay starts to dance a bit as Jeff goes for a forearm, and they have a weird collision, no idea what the hell happened there. 

Jeff tossed to the floor and Test tags himself in off Sexay, Jeff off the barricade before getting tossed back in. Albert tags in, Jeff sent into the corner and Albert whipped into him for a splash, and a big boot by Test, Albert covers for a near fall. Test back in, Jeff face first into the corner for vicious rights and boots, then a scoop slam. Test to the middle rope gets boot to the face as he leaps off. Jeff tags in Matt who gets shots in, Matt sent into the corner, to the middle rope with a clothesline and covers for two. Test goes for the pumplhandle slam, but he's shoved into Too Cool's corner, knocking Scotty to the floor and Matt hits the Twist of Fate Jeff tags in while the ref is dealing with Too Cool and hits the Swanton to the back of Test. Albert comes in and hits the Baldo Bomb, pulls Test on top and the Hardyz are eliminated in 6:01.

Lita gets her hands on Trish before they leave but she's pulled off by Albert and clotheslined by Trish, then Matt off the apron and Jeff dives onto both of them with a suicide dive. Sexay sent to the floor by Test and Scotty with the bulldog to set up for the Worm, but in comes Tazz with the Tazzmission. Test goes up top with the elbow drop to win in 7:13. Was a really good match until this random ass Tazz thing popped in again.

Tazz heads to the back as Sexay checks on Scotty, and we go to replays as the other two teams head to the back

HHH is in the back with DX and Steph, trying to get him to chill out, because despite the fact that Foley is 10'000 miles away he's still screwing them over, bringing Roadie's match with Jericho and how he's not getting Jericho instead. Foley's also made provisions that DX can't attack Jericho in the back or interfere in his match tonight or HHH loses his match at the PPV. HHH tells Roadie to not just beat Jericho, but take him apart, and if he doesn't get the job done, he's not gonna wanna come back to that room. Roadie leaves, that match next.

Replay of what happened at the end of that last match, and finally we cut to Tazz walking backstage, Kevin Kelly comes up to him wanting answers. Tazz gets in his face, but now that Kevin actually wants to talk to him, Tazz won't talk. Then he leaves.

Road Dogg vs Chris Jericho

No one can interfere, otherwise HHH's match with Jericho at the PPV is called off.

Pre-Match: Roadie barely lets Jericho come through the curtain as he attacks him on the stage. Jericho takes advantage of Roadie's mocking and he sends him down the ramp with rights before taking it to the ring to start this match.

Jericho sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own after some chops, then kicks Roadie to the apron. Jericho with his springboard dropkick sends Roadie to the floor before delivering more rights. Irish whipped reversed and Jericho is sent face first into the steps before Roadie connects with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Roadie with boots in the corner and choking Jericho with his boot, Jericho sent off the ropes into a knee to the ribs, then covers for two.

Roadie with a headlock, Jericho fights back to his feet, off the ropes, counters a nee with a roll up for two, then another clothesline by Roadie. Jericho choked over the middle rope, then a scoop slam and a pair of elbows. More rights by Roadie, then Jericho sent off the ropes and hits a flying forearm. Bulldog and a cover by Jericho for a near fall. Roadie is caught and Jericho tries for the Walls but Roadie fights out and sends him into the corner, then Jericho gets the boots up. Roadie ducks a clothesline and goes for some Shake Rattle and Roll knocks Jericho to his back. Roadie goes up top and misses a moonsault and Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Roadie is slightly out of position, Jericho damn near nailing him in the face with his knees, and pins him for the win in 5:16. Another alright match.

HHH throws a fit and leaves the room as Jericho celebrates, and the ref checks on Roadie.

Taker drives through a crowd of crew members backstage into commercial.

Replay of the botched Lionsault, and we go to Roadie who didn't heed HHH's warning earlier, back talking with X-Pac in their dressing room. HHH walks in  pissed of course and X-Pac has to get between them before HHH leaves again.

Taker makes his way out now and gets a mic. He jumbles something up about too much talking, then says that there'll be hell to pay when someone pisses him off, and there's nothing he can't stand more than a punk ass afraid of a fight, that being Angle in this case. He calls his "American Hero" title a load of crap, and lists off the things Angle's done to wrong him, like costing him and Kane the tag titles with his bogus interference, then  he poured milk and food on his new motorcycle, and didn't even have the common courtesy to clean it off. He says he's not a hard guy to find if someone's got a beef with him, at 6'10", 330 lbs, and usually kicking the hell out of someone, and he'll be damned if he lets Angle hide behind a bogus apology that he doesn't accept. He thinks it's time Angle finds out why he's the American Badass, and that he feels an asskicking old school style. 

Well Angle surprisingly comes out with a mic and wants to apologize for ruining his title match and soiling his bike with milk, or as they say on the streets, "my bad". He realizes that Taker wants a match tonight, and he has no problem with that, but a match of this magnitude can't be wasted in San Jose, and would have to be at the PPV. Angle doesn't think anyone wants to see them have a match, and despite the loud cheer, he says they're booing with anger at the thought of this match. He wonders if Taker really is that bad, and calls it unAmerican, wondering if people even want to see an American Badass at all. He suggest that maybe Taker clean up his image a bit and even has the perfect idea, and has something for Taker to make amends, heading to the back.

Angle wants Taker to forget about his big ol' roadhog, gas guzzling, rocket monster he's got, and wants him to look at his brand new, sleek scooter. Angle tries to rev it up and it's quiet of course, and Angle rides it down to the ring and around ringside. Angle wants him to ride what a real American rides.

Taker says he's going to kick Angle's teeth so far down his throat he'll be able to chew his own ass out for pissing him off. Angle ride up the ramp an escape, but it stalls at the top of the ramp, and Taker rides up on his bike, Angle escaping to the back. Taker decides to hop off though and throw the scooter off the stage to the floor instead of chasing Angle, his music hits and he heads to the back, as we get a couple of replays of the scooter going off the stage. The IC Title is up next

Another replay of what just happened before we get to the next match.

WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rikishi vs Kane vs Val Venis (c)

Pre-Match: Val has shaved off most of his scraggly hair as Rikishi meets him on the ramp to start this match.

Val into the ring steps before getting tossed in the ring. Val sent off the ropes into a big boot by Kane, then a clothesline in the corner, then Kish slams his ass into Val. Kish with a side kick to Kane and Val drops down in the corner, calling for a Stinkface, but Kane sits back up. Rights traded between Kish and Kane off the ropes into a Samoan drop, and Val rolls out to the apron. Kish with a leg drop on Kane, then Kane sent off the ropes, but Kish slammed face first into the mat, then turned inside out with a clothesline.

Val clips the knee of Kane from behind as Kish rolls out to the floor. Kish sent shoulder first into the steps, then a clothesline from Kane as Val rolls back into the ring. Val with rights in the corner, then sent across the ring hard. Kane sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then ducks a big boot and dropkicks the knee. Kicks to the leg of Kane, Val off the ropes into a gorilla press and dropped face first off the top turnbuckle. Kane up top with a clothesline and Kish is back in, Kane covers and Kish with a leg drop to the back of the head. Val sent off the ropes catches Kish with DDT, but he pops right back up and nails Val with a superkick, then a clothesline for Kane.

Kish goes shoulder first into the corner and Val with the Russian leg sweep, then goes up top but Kane is right the, crotching him with a right hand and Val is knocked to the floor. Kish slams his ass into Kane then a clothesline. Kish goes for the Banzai Drop but Val cuts him off, then knocked off the apron by Kane. Rights to Kish, Kane sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and goes for a chokeslam but he's headbutted and sent to the outside. Kish hung up on the top rope and Val DDT''s Kane onto the floor. Val grabs his title, Kish ducks the shot and goes to use it, but the ref takes it away. Belly to belly by Kish and Val is up in the corner, another ass slam by Kish. Val takes a Stinkface, then scurries out of his corner to grab the belt, nailing Kish in the head for the DQ. So... Kish wins? There's normally no DQ in a triple threat. Either way, Val retains in 5:42. Another good match despite the wonky finish.

Kane comes back in to deliver the chokeslam to Val and his music hits.

Steph finds HHH sulking in the bathroom and Steph promises they'll make things right. Oh he's not sulking, turns out he has an idea, apparently foolproof, and they leave the room into commercial.

We go to earlier in the day at WWF New York, and Kat arrives in a limo to shake hands with fans.

Out comes Steph now and she has some kind of proposition for Jericho, calling him out to the ring to make up, and promises to make it worth his while. She knows that Jericho's said some horrible things about her but knows he didn't mean them, and admits she's said and done things she's not proud of, but she has a secret. She says when Jericho kissed her at King of the Ring she kind of liked it, and thinks Jericho did too, and wants to put the past behind them before things blow up between the three of them

Jericho appears on the Titantron and he's ecstatic about this, says he's been thinking of that kiss for two weeks and has thrown his life upside down. He says he's been pining for the day when he gets to taste the wine of her rose-colored lips again, and wants to take her shapely, curvaceous female form and hold it next to his and squeeze for everything he's got, and now his dreams are coming true again. He says his heart is racing, blood pumping and is coming out, providing he doesn't embarrass himself, he's going to give Steph the biggest smooch she has ever (EVER) had in her entire life. He calls her sugarmuffin and tells her to wait right there.

Well Jericho's music hits and DX are there ready to attack, but Jericho's nowhere to be seen. HHH comes out too with a mic, and Jericho's back on the Tron to call that the most pathetic attempt at an ambush he's ever seen in his entire life, orchestrated by HHH, the biggest jackass I've ever seen in his entire life. He says the plan was as painfully obvious as Steph is nothing more than a filthy yada yada yada, and a rancid, reeking, foul-smelling, stinking piece of roadkill. He says HHH is so miserable because he has to live with the fact that he himself got more action from a 10 second kiss with his wife, than he has in the 10 months they've been together. He says while HHH is still the Game, he's now the hunter, and he'll get all the action he wants at the PPV.

HHH says that tonight might not be the night, but at the PPV, Jericho's ass is his. He leaves with DX and Steph soon follows. 

Kevin Kelly is backstage with the tag champions. Edge says that once again "brave Commissioner Foley" throws them to the wolves and says this totally reeks of heinosity. Christian says he'd like to defend the titles tonight, but he's come down with an acute case of the sniffles, and he doesn't want to deprive their fans of anything less than 100%,  and suggest that Edge face one of the Acolytes on his own instead. Edge likes the idea and they leave into commercial.

HHH is still pissed off as DX tries to calm him down, though X-Pac points out how stupid that whole plan was. Roadie has to step between them now but HHH wants him tonight now.

Edge (w/ Christian) (WWF Tag Team Champions) vs Bradshaw (w/ Farooq)

Edge tries to get the jump as he sends Bradshaw off the ropes but get caught with a clothesline instead,, then Edge sent off the ropes into a big boot, then clotheslined to the floor. Edge tries to just leave but Farooq stops him, then pulled to the apron and back suplexed from the apron back into the ring. Edge into the corner for chops and clubs from Bradsaw, Edge sent across the ring and goes for a powerbomb, Edge tries to counter with a sunset flip but he's pulled back to his feet by the neck into a two-handed chokeslam. Elbow by Bradshaw into a cover for two. 

Edge sent into the corner and gets a boot up, ducks a clothesline and hits a DDT. Edge with a missile dropkick and a cover for two. Trading shots, Edge off the ropes and caught with a fallaway slam. Edge sent into the corner for a clothesline, then set on the top rope. Ref is distracted by something which allows Christian to cut off Bradshaw, and he's shoved down by Edge. Farooq yanks Christian off the apron, Edge comes off the top with a powerslam. Ref is busy dealing with Farooq, Christian tries to use the ring bell on Bradshaw but eats a Clothesline from Hell instead. Edge uses the ring bell instead to get the win in 3 minutes flat.

Edge rolls out as Farooq realizes what happened and the champions head to the back with titles in tow, and we get the replay,

Hardyz and Lita are walking backstage and Lita continues on her way on her own. Then to T7A and Val. Albert knocks on Trish's door to tell her she's up and she heads out to the ring, as they tell her they've been banned from ringside apparently. Then commercial.

Roadie and X-Pac are talking backstage and I guess he's trying to talk X-Pac out of that match with HHH, and Roadie leaves.

Street Fight: Trish Stratus vs Lita

Trish tries to escape but Lita gets her by the hair before she gets too far, thrown across the ring, then a second time. Lita with forearms, then Lita with a suplex, then Lita goes up top and hits the moonsault. Lita removes Trish's top, then goes for the shorts but out comes Steven Richards to cover Trish up, leading her to the back. It looked as though the ref was counting Trish out, but the bell hasn't rung for the match to be over, so I have no idea what's going on.

Richards comes back out with a mic and realizes that the people think they know what they want to see, but as he's stated before they don't know what's good for them, and he does. Loud asshole chants, as he continues, saying he took the responsibility to censor this totally unacceptable display, and officially declare this match over. So... no contest then? This only went about 1:33, from opening bell to referee calling the match off.

Roadie tries to calm HHH down again and says he'll regret this is he really goes at it with X-Pac, but he tells Roadie to never question him again and X-Pac is getting his ass kicked. Roadie leaves, apparently this match is next.

During the break, Roadie left the building for this next match.

Triple H (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs X-Pac

Pre-Match: They're not even out in regular gear, track pants and merch shirts. We have some words between the two, then HHH shoves him, then a right from Pac gets this match started.

HHH driven into the corner with rights, then Pac sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. More words by Pac, then a right from HHH who stomps away and tosses Pac to the floor. Pac with rights and HHH face first off the announce table before returning to the ring. Pac reverses a whip off the ropes and caught with a facebuster off the knee. X-Pac face first in the corner for boots and rights from HHH, then Pac fights back, sent off the ropes into a high knee. More rights by Trips, sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline into a spinning heel kick. X-Pac with boots and a spin kick in the corner to set up for a Bronco Buster but HHH moves out of the way. HHH is sent over the ropes to the floor and out comes Jericho to attack HHH, But X-Pac points to Roadie with a sledgehammer as he comes down and a three-on-one beatdown ensues. I assume this match is now thrown out in about 3:29.

Jericho is rolled back into the ring, X-Pac with an X-Factor, then HHH with the Pedigree. Trips grabs the sledgehammer as Jericho is held up by DX, nailing Jericho in the ribs like a baseball bat. Roadie with boots to the back of the head and Steph gets a slap in, another boot by HHH, and Jericho is bleeding from the mouth. Jericho is held up again for a shot to the side of the head with the sledgehammer, now busted wide open and HHH opens him up with rights. Referees are down to try and end this but he just hammers away and finally they leave the ring, as officials come in to tend to Jericho and we get the replays into commercial.

More replays, and Jericho is loaded into the ambulance with DX looking on. 

Back to WWF New York where Kat is dancing among the fans.

Benoit and Shane are walking backstage, as is Rock, the main event up next.

Chris Benoit (w/ Shane McMahon) vs The Rock (WWF Champion0
Benoit gets a WWF Title shot at Fully Loaded if he wins.

Shane offers a brief distraction and Benoit tries to get the jump but he's caught, sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Benoit sent off the ropes again into a powerslam and a cover for two. Benoit sent into the corner and catches Rock with a back elbow, followed by a back suplex. Boots in the corner by Benoit, then a bridging Northern Lights for two. Rock sent into the corner for some chops and boots and rights, then a snap suplex and a cover for two. Benoit back on the attack in the corner with chops, then some rights by Rock as he turns things around. Benoit pulls back on an Irish whip and sends Rock chest first into the corner, then a a pair of Germans. Benoit goes for a third until Rock fights out of it and hits a belly to belly. Rock takes forever to roll over and drape an arm over for a near fall.

Rock with rights, then sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a DDT into a cover for another near fall. Benoit with more rights and chops, off the ropes into a spinebuster, and Shane immediately pulls the ref out of the ring and manhandles him, then rips off his shirt to reveal a ref shirt of his own. Rock chases Shane around then back in and Benoit with a clothesline and the Crossface. Rock reaches for the ropes, barely touches the bottom one and his hand hits the mat, so Shane calls for the bell for a "submission." Benoit wins in 4:55. 

Shane gets the mic to announce Benoit as the winner and future WWF Champion, as Benoit continues the hold. Benoit eventually lets go and his music hits as Shane raises his arm in victory, and we get the replay. Shane and Benoit head to the back as Rock writhes in pain and... the fans are actually throwing some trash. Lilian gets on the mic and announces that, per Hebner the original referee, due to outside interference, Rock wins by DQ. Shane and Benoit make their way back down to the ring, make their way toward Hebner to bully him.Rock makes the save though and the other referees rush down, Rock with a Rock Bottom on Chioda. Shane and Benoit retreat as Rock's music hits and he writhes on the mat as the show fades out.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

They sure do love their screwjob finishes don't they? I mean main event was still good, as were most of the matches on this show, but some of the finishes were questionable. I do miss an old fashioned bloody beatdown like they did with Jericho though, and things are building nicely toward Fully Loaded for the most part. With a run time of 1:35:39, there was a total 31:08 of wrestling.

Smackdown

Broadcasting from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California for this episode of Smackdown, as Cole welcomes us to the show, and waste no time getting to the first match of the show. We learn Foley's made some matches for tonight while away on his tour, including a No DQ Match between Trips and Taker, plus Kane vs Angle, and Benoit gets Eddie and Chyna in a Handicap Match. We also learn Angle vs Taker is now official for the PPV as per Foley.

,

Rikishi & Too Cool vs T&A & Val Venis (WWF Intercontinental Champion) (w/ Trish Stratus)

Fighting among all six, Val is sent out of the ring by Kish, and as T&A go four a pair of powerbombs, Kish takes them out with a double clothesline. Double dropkick by Too Cool to Test, and a double clothesline sends Albert to the floor. Val finds the opportunity to send Sexay face first into the corner, then Test tags in. Rights to Sexay, sent into the corner and gets a boot up, then Test misses a splash, Sexay with a missile dropkick from the middle rope. Scotty tags in, Test slammed to the mat and his legs are split apart, then Scotty sent into the corner, tries to go up and over, caught on the shoulder but slips free. Scotty with rights now, then sent off the ropes, through the ropes and a dropkick, then ducks a clothesline and hits a flying forearm for a cover and two.

Test with a full nelson slam and mounted rights are reversing an Irish whip, then Albert with the tag, Scotty sent into the corner, Albert whipped into him for a splash, and Scotty whipped into Test for a big boot. Albert covers and Sexay breaks it up. Albert with boots and rights in the corner, then misses one and Scotty gets some in. Albert sends him across the ring and gets him up with the gorilla press. Triple teaming as Albert goads Kish and Sexay and Val tags in, stomping away. Scotty off the ropes into a back elbow, elbow drop and a knee drop into a cover for two. Albert back in, Scotty sent off the ropes into double elbows, then a club to the back. Kicks to the ribs, then a leg drop to the back of the head. Test back in with a right, then Albert back in, Scotty sent into the corner, Albert misses a splash but hits a clothesline, then misses a leg drop from the middle rope.

Val gets the tag and so does Kish, rights to Val and clotheslines to T&A. Side kick to Val, Albert tries a sunset flip but gets sat on, then Test gets a Samoan drop. Val gets Kish with a clothesline, which allows Scotty to get him with the bulldog from behind, setting up for the Worm. Val retreats to the corner to get slammed into by Kish. Trish gets on the apron and Lita yanks her down to the floor, and the Hardyz are there too for some reason. Test and Albert take Trish to the back leaving Val by himself for a Banzai Drop for the win in 6:57. Fun match to open the show.

Replays of the finish then some dancing, also including the Hardyz and Lita.

HHH is walking backstage with Steph, sledgehammer in hand, on their way to the ring next.

Plug for the WWF Auctions website before HHH and Steph make their way out. He says it's no secret that Foley and himself have never gotten along, so it's no surprise that even thousands of miles away he's still trying to screw Trips, his latest putting him in a No DQ Match with Taker. He says he's always been a step ahead of Foley his whole career, whether it be as Mankind, Dude Love or Cactus Jack, he always came out on top... well almost always, and now after he's beaten Foley up and retired him, he's still trying to screw him over. He says Foley knows what he's liked when he's pissed off and understands why he'd want to protect Jericho at all costs, and proceeds to detail his plans from Raw, all the ruses, and even plays some footage of his and X-Pac's acting, all leading to the eventual payoff. He says if Jericho can make it to the PPV, he's going to finish what he started on Raw.As for tonight and Taker, Trips plays the footage of Jericho getting loaded into the ambulance, warning Taker saying he's not playing anymore. He and Steph leave.

Lita and Road Dogg are talking backstage, and we don't hear a thing of it, but he says something to piss her off and he gets slapped. Roadie tries to get his hands on her but the Hardyz come out of a nearby room, and X-Pac holds him off, and officials attempt to split them apart. They have a match next

Road Dogg & X-Pac vs The Hardy Boyz (w/ Lita)

Roadie and Matt start and Roadie attacks from behind before stomping in the corner, then a right and a cover for one. Matt with shots now then goes for the Twist but he's driven into the corner for more shots, sent across the ring and gets a boot up, a moonsault off the top into a cover for two. Jeff with the tag, Roadie off the ropes into elbows and a cover for two for Jeff. Jeff sent into the corner, goes up and over and dropkicks Roadie in the back, then goes up top and misses Whisper in the Wind.

Pac in now with boots and rights, then Jef sent into the corner, misses another top rope move and gets Pac with the headscissor, then a right to Roadie before tagging Matt back in. Double leg drops to X-Pac, then Matt sent off the ropes, kicked in the back by Roadie and a spinning heel kick by Pac. Roadie back in to choke Matt, then a front face lock out of the corner. Matt fights out, off the ropes ducks a clothesline and gets some Shake Rattle and Roll, followed by a knee and a cover for two. Pac back in with boots in the corner dropping Matt in position for the Bronco Buster, then Roadie back in. Matt sent to the corner and X-Pac misses a splash, then a clothesline for Roadie.

Jeff gets the tag and hits DX with a dropkick, then X-Pac into the corner for Poetry in Motion, then for Roadie. Matt with the Twist of Fate on X-Pac, Jeff up top with the Swanton, covers but he's yanked out by Roadie before the three, who connects with a right hand. Matt from behind and now out come T&A and Val. Trish choking Lita while Jeff is pushed off the top rope into an X-Factor for the win in 6:03. It was a fine match.

Trish is dragging Lita to the back as DX celebrates as we get to the replay. Then commercial.

Oakland Raiders are front row, then a recap package of Rock and Benoit's issues before the next match..

Dean Malenko (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) vs Al Snow

Pre-Match: Malenko comes out with two ladies, and Al comes out with two blow up dolls because... comedy I guess.

Quick back and forth to start, then Snow sent into the corner for a dropkick. Snow with some rights and a side headlock and more back and forth, blocks a hip toss and Al hits a Russian leg sweep. Malenko sent off the ropes into a clothesline, and Al covers for two. Scoop slam on Malenko, Al with a running elbow drop. Al with boots in the corner, Dean sent across the ring hard. Al kisses one o his dolls, then goes for a powerbomb, back dropped into a sunset flip, but Dean rolls through for the Cloverleaf but Al gets the bottom rope immediately.

Dean with boots to the leg, but Al delivers the powerbomb, then goes for a Cloverleaf of his own but Malenko fights out. More kicks to the legs, then Malenko sent off the ropes and hits a clothesline. Now out comes Richards to get rid of the blow up dolls and Malenko's ladies, as Al gets Malenko with a roll up for two. Al gets distracted which allows Dean to hit a bridging Northern Lights for two. Dean sent into the corner, goes up and over and dropkicks the back of Snow. Al nailed with a forearm as an Irish whip is reversed. Malenko goes up top but he's cut off and delivers a superplex. Malenko catches Al's legs on the landing and hooks for a small package and the win in 4:57. This match was OK, but it kinda became a jumbled mess after Richards came out.

Malenko takes his title but Richards is back out to cut off the music. He says that indecent women, inflatable or not, are still indecent women, and that is totally unacceptable. Whether the fans like it or not, he says he will continue to censor material that's inappropriate because it's for their own good. Then he heads to the back as his "music" hits.

Eddie and Chyna are walking backstage, as is Benoit, their match next. Rock is watching on a monitor elsewhere.

Chris Benoit vs Chyna & Eddie Guerrero (WWF European Champion)

Eddie's attacked from behind to start this match, Eddie sent off the ropes into a back elbow, followed by a back suplex. Rights by Benoit, then Eddie sent off the ropes and gets Benoit with a headscissor, followed by a European uppercut. Back suplex and a slingshot senton by Eddie before tossing Benoit out to the floor. Chyna and Benoit stare down and she sends him into the steps with a drop toe hold, then a second time, plus a forearm and a kidney kick. Benoit is tossed back in, Eddie covers for two.

Eddie with another uppercut, then sent off the ropes, popped up and dropped down, then a powerbomb by Benoit. Snap suplex and a cover by Benoit for two. Eddie sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then some more rights and kicks to the ribs. Eddie into the corner for some chops, then face first into the adjacent corner for more chops. Eddie sent across the ring and gets Benoit with an elbow, followed by a tornado DDT. Chops by Eddie and gets sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Benoit up top but he's cut off by Eddie and he delivers a suplerplex.

Out comes Shane now and distracts the ref, Chyna tags in with some shots but of course the ref didn't see the tag and she's forced back to the apron. Shane lurks around ringside, sweeping Chyna's legs and she hits the apron. Eddie dropkicks him through the ropes and sends him into the announce table. Eddie back to Benoit and caught with the Crossface but Eddie gets to the bottom rope. Benoit refuses to break the hold and the ref calls for the bell, Eddie and Chyna with the DQ win in 5:45. I'm not even sure why this was a handicap match, Chyna barely did anything.

Benoit still hasn't let go and Chyna tries to save, but Shane nails her in the back with the European Title. Benoit puts Hebner in the Crossface now and Benoit's eye as been busted open from something. Finally out comes Rock for the save with rights on Shane, then Benoit and sends them out. Edge is in and caught with a spinebuster, then Christian gets a Rock Bottom and one for Edge too for good measure. Rock's music hits as Shane and Benoit escape to the back, then Rock leaves.

Kevin Kelly is with Rock backstage after the break but Rock shoves him away and takes the mic for himself. He says that after running from him, attacking him from behind like a coward, Rock's concluded that Benoit is not the most technical wrestler in WWF, or the Rabid Wolverine, but the biggest chickenshit he's ever seen. He says that despite the fact Benoit didn't get the job done on Raw, he's giving Benoit his shot at the title at the PPV, not because he's earned it or deserves it, but because he's made it personal. He says that's why he's going to personally give Benoit the beating of a lifetime, and as a special added bonus he's going to take his boots, turn them sideways and stick them straight up his candy ass.

He goes to end it with his usual catchphrase but he's attacked by Benoit from behind, with Shane right behind him, Benoit putting on the Crossface again as Shane calls for him to scream, then calls Benoit the next champion before officials finally rush in to break it up. Then commercial.

Replay of what just happened, then we see Benoit and Shane leave the building during the break.

APA come out, set to get their promised tag title match, but the champs come out, with Edge holding his back and Christian with a mic. Being the fightingest tag champions in WWF history, he says they were so ready to defend tonight. Edge says that unfortunately, due to the "disprofessionality" of Rock, he's totally suffered a back injury thanks to a spinebuster and Rock Bottom. He says he's in Golden State Warriors bad shape. Christian says there won't be a title match tonight, or 5 second pose, but he will defend their honor in a good, clean, 100% non-title singles match.

Christian (w/ Edge) (WWF Tag Team Champions) vs Farooq (w/ Bradshaw)

Christian ducks a clothesline, counters a slam with a roll up for two. Christian sent off the ropes and catches Farooq with a crucifix pin for two, followed by a dropkick. Christian sent into the corner and gets a boot up, goes to the middle rope and caught with a clothesline midair. Christian is tossed to the floor, then sent into the ring steps. Farooq grabs them and slams them into Christian ribs twice while Bradshaw distracts the ref, then returns to the ring. Farooq covers for two.

Christian sent into the corner into a backbreaker and a cover for two. Christian fights back with rights into the corner, then sent across the ring, Farooq with a powerslam and a cover for two. Bearhug on Christian now who fights out, off the ropes, Farooq sets up for the Dominator but he's briefly distracted by Edge. Then goes for it again but Christian slips out and hits the DDT. Christian distracts the ref as Edge slides in with the ring bell, but he's tripped up by Bradshaw and pulled out to the floor. Christian tries to use the bell but misses and eats a spinebuster for the win in 2:36.

Bradshaw face first off the steps and Edge is in to attack, Christian nails Farooq with the bell and they double team before leaving.

Kane is seen backstage, his match with Angle next, who's also seen walking backstage.

Kane vs Kurt Angle (King of the Ring)

Pre-Match: Angle is seen freaking out backstage as he waits on Steph to come out of her room and he complains about what Foley's doing to him and they agree on how unfair Foley is, and he hugs her. HHH comes out of the room and he immediately lets her go, and leaves for his match. Steph claims Kurt forced himself on her and HHH goes off in search of Angle, Steph right behind. Angle keeps looking over his shoulder as he heads to the ring, scared by his own pyro.

Angle manages to duck a clothesline but walks into a right hand as he turns back around, then another. Angle face first in the corner followed by knees from Kane and an elbow. Angle's sent across the ring, catches Kane with an elbow, then a boot, then runs right into a clothesline. Kane with a stalling suplex, than a series of elbows into a cover for two.

Angle tries to beg him off in the corner but he gets some more rights instead, Angle sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and tries a German suplex but can't get Kane up. Kane with the military press before going up top with the flying clothesline. Kane goes for the chokeslam but Angle gets free, ducks a clothesline and clips the leg, but Kane stays up. Angle tries to take him down by the bad leg but Kane won't go down, and hits another clothesline. Kane chokes Angle, then goes for something but Angle slips free and gets Kane with a drop toe hold into the bottom rope, followed by a dropkick to the bad knee. Angle after the knee now with boots, some to the back too, pulling Kane toward the ring post to wrap the knee around it.

Kane shoves Angle off as HHH makes his way out, sending Angle into the steps as the ref is dealing with Kane. Kane with the chokeslam for the win in 4:45. Another fairly good match.

Kane leaves before long into commercial.

Website plug, then a replay of what just happened before the next match.

WWF Hardcore Championship: Crash Holly vs Steve Blackman (c)

Crash pulls a leather strap out from under the ring and starts whipping Blackman until he's taken down. Crash choked with the strap, then whipped back and forth, corner to corner and yanked back by the neck. Blackman gets a trash can lid, Crash sent of the ropes, lid to the ribs, then back of the head, Blackman covers for two. Crash still has the strap around his neck as he hangs Blackman up on the top rope, Crash gets some kind of handle from under the ring, and Blackman gets a kendo stick. Blackman with a strike to the leg, then again, then the ribs and back, sending Crash to the floor in retreat. Crash goes under the ring disappearing from sight and gets Blackman with a fire extinguisher. Then whips Blackman back and forth into the barricades using the strap. Crash with a lid to the head, and again. Blackman face first into the steps, then Crash tries a crossbody off the steps but gets caught with a powerslam to the floor. Crash is picked up in a gutwrench position and his head gets swung into the side of the steps. Blackman goes under the ring and slides a chair into the ring. DDT by Blackman on the chair, who then goes back under to grab his back of tools, getting out the nunchucks. Crash swings with the chair but he misses and Blackman takes him down with a few shots of the nunchucks. Blackman sets the chair up in the ring and brings in a trash can, sitting Crash in the chair, a pump kick to Crash who's sent backwards onto the can, Blackman covers to retain in 4:45.

Blackman takes his title and leaves.

A replay of Benoit attacking Benoit earlier, then to Kevin Kelly with an update on Rock. He says as he saw Rock leave the building he saw a fire in his eyes he's never seen before, and the next time they cross paths hell will break loose.

Trips and Steph are walking backstage, sledgehammer in hand, and Taker revs his bike, their match next in the main event.

No Disqualification Match: Triple H (w/ WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs The Undertaker

Trips tries to attack from behind but Taker gets him with some right hands, then Trips face first into the corner, whipped across the ring into a clothesline. Taker off the ropes with another clothesline and an elbow into a cover for two. More rights in the corner, then whipped across the ring and catches Taker with an elbow, only to walk into a sidewalk slam and a cover for two. More rights by Taker, Trips sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a neckbreaker. Now Trips with rights and boots in the corner, then sent off the ropes into a big boot. Taker goes for the Last Ride but Trips escape and tries to leave.

Taker doesn't let him get too far with a clothesline from behind on the ramp and a right sends him back down to ringside. HHH face first off the steps, and another right by Taker. HHH face first off the announce table and another right by Taker, choking him. Steph grabs a handful of hair and pulls him off, but still gets Trips with a right. Taker follows Steph but HHH gets him with a chair to the ribs, then the back as he turns around. Taker face first off the steps now, then the ring bell and more rights by HHH. Back in the ring, HHH with more boots and rights in the corner, then some more back in the middle and off the ropes with a clothesline. Taker with body shots and an uppercut, Taker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline into a high knee, Trips covers for a near fall.

Taker driven into the corner with more rights and boots, then Taker with rights, trading back and forth, Taker with the advantage with rapid shots in the corner to the body. Trips sent off the ropes into a powerslam and a cover for a near fall. Trips sent off the ropes and Taker caught with the facebuster, then goes for the Pedigree but out comes Angle, and Taker counters with a back drop. Taker goes for the chokselam and Angle grabs the sledgehammer, aiming for HHH but he moves out of the way and Angle nails Taker instead. Angle runs off scared as HHH covers for the win in 7:29. Fairly good main event with a logical finish.

Angle heads to the back as HHH rolls out and Taker comes to, while we go to replays, HHH and Steph pleased as the show fades out.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well much like Raw, most of the action was pretty good, and had another good main event, with things progressing between Trips, Angle and Steph. WWF Title match is set for the PPV, as is most of the card, and with next week being the go-home week won't be long til we get the rest. With a run time of 1:33:52, there was a total 43:17 of wrestling on this show.