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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 8, 2021 8:57:35 GMT -5
1) WWE Tag Team Champion Charlie Haas (w/WWE Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin) def. D-Von Dudley (w/Bubba Ray Dudley) via pinfall with a roll up using the tights. (5:29) 2) Rhyno def. Kanyon (w/The F.B.I.) via pinfall following a Gore. (3:02) 3) Chris Benoit def. Orlando Jordan via submission with the Crippler Crossface. (4:56)
1) Goldust def. Lance Storm via pinfall after the Curtain Call. (4:01) 2) The Basham Brothers (w/Rico) def. Bobby Rude and Tyson Dux via pinfall after the legsweep/clothesline combination to Rude. (2:18) 3) Non-Title Match: Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton (w/Ric Flair) def. Val Venis via pinfall after an RKO. (5:15)
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Post by DTP. on Feb 10, 2021 14:30:21 GMT -5
After the Monday Night Raw opening video airs, the stage of the Conseco Fieldhouse from Indianapolis, Indiana is lit up by pyrotechnics as Jim Ross and Jerry 'The King' Lawler welcome everyone to the show from commentary. Tonight, Hulk Hogan and Booker T will team up against Randy Orton and Batista, the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship 'The Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels is in the building and, coming up right now, the World Tag Team Championship is on the line but will we have three full teams?
1) Triple Threat Match for the World Tag Team Championship: Chris Jericho and Christian def. Rob Van Dam(c) and The APA via pinfall (8:25) No Kane at his side, Van Dam shows no fear as he goes right up against all four men on his own out of the gate. The match goes through a break after RVD ends up throwing himself on top of all four of his opponents on the outside, being taken out during the time away. Jericho and Christian eventually return their focus to an easier option by fighting one man in RVD, The APA then coming to the aid of him by taking Jericho and Christian over the top rope with clotheslines before turning to Van Dam and planting him with a double powerbomb. "Simmons and Bradshaw aren't big fans of an easy target," J.R. says. "Unless it's to their own benefit it seems!" A cover by Bradshaw is broken up by Jericho diving back in to the ring, the match breaking down from there with Simmons ending up being thrown in to the ring steps on the outside shoulder first, Bradshaw with a missed Clothesline From Hell on Jericho and being instead caught by the legs and launched in to the ring post. Back inside of the ring, however, Christian is down and RVD has made his way to the top rope but Jericho manages to catch the World Tag Team Champion before he can leap and instead send him crashing down. Back in to the ring Jericho nails a lionsault, Christian then scurrying over to make the cover and get the pinfall as The APA are too late trying to get back in to break it up!
Jericho and Christian roll out of the ring before The APA can get their hands on them, jumping for joy in celebration. The referee then retrieves the sole World Tag Team Championship belt and presents it to them, the duo appearing somewhat confused at first. "Where's the second one?!" They question repeatedly as the official explains to take it up with the other champion. "That's right! Kane isn't here! He has the second belt!" Lawler says with a laugh. "But either way, Jericho and Christian are World Tag Team Champions!" Despite the situation, the two hold the single belt above their heads together - trash talking Van Dam, Bradshaw and Simmons on their way around the ring and up the ramp.
In the parking lot, a limousine is seen arriving. The driver then steps out and goes to the back door, opening it and revealing Evolution: Triple H, Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair. While Orton and Batista have their tag team match tonight, these four obviously run together!
Ross and Lawler are seen at commentary following the break talking about tonight's main event where Hulk Hogan steps in to the ring again, teaming with Booker T against Randy Orton and Batista. As they are getting in to it, however, Eric Bischoff's music hits. The Raw General Manager struts out to the stage with a microphone in hand, his eyes quickly darting toward the commentary desk. "Cut my music, cut my music," He says while taking a few steps in the direction of Ross and Lawler. "You know, I've faced my fair share of criticism over the years... some deserved, some not... and, some from credible people and some... some not. Like you, J.R." Ross asks what the hell is going on, to which Bischoff says that he may be a busy man and not always hear everything but he did hear what Ross had to say about him last week. He then gestures up to the titantron for a reminder where Ross on-air stated: "And you know who I hold responsible most of all, King? Eric Bischoff. He's the damn General Manager of Raw and he needs to have some order around here! I'm glad Shane McMahon is here because maybe he and the Board of Directors will fire that slimy son of a bitch if things don't change around here!" Back live, Bischoff grins and laughs a little bit, telling Ross that those were some harsh words to hear the first time and pretty harsh to hear again. "You know, J.R., some would say that saying something like that about your boss would be grounds for suspension... if not firing! But, I'm a nice guy. I'm a fair guy. I'm not going to do that... what I am going to do, however, is come on down there... and join commentary for the night." He then begins to make his way over, Lawler elated as he tells Ross that they should consider this an honor. "And J.R.," Bischoff adds as he picks up a headset. "I'll be keeping a close eye and ear on you tonight." He then places the headset on with a big smile, Ross unhappily welcoming him aboard. In the back, Evolution are seen putting their stuff away in their locker room when Triple H and Flair call Batista and Orton over. "I know you probably don't need me to tell you this," HHH says. "But tonight's match with Hogan and Booker is huge... you'll be sending a message to those two and everyone else and letting them know how dangerous the future of this business is... not to mess with Evolution!" Flair pats Orton's Intercontinental Championship and says that they've got this.Meanwhile in the hallways doing some stretching is Women's Champion Trish Stratus. She is then approached by Gail Kim, whom offers her congratulations to Stratus for her win in their match last week. "But, you know, Trish, other than our match last week... I've won all of my matches! So, I plan on finding another way to get a second shot at the Women's Championship..." Stratus nods and tells Kim she is sure Kim will get another chance - but that's all: A chance. Kim smiles back in response and heads off as she looks to get back on track in her match with Jazz - next.
Seen sitting in the back is Goldust when in to the room comes Scott Steiner and Christopher Nowinski, the latter presenting Goldust with some papers as he says that these are for him to appear in court next week. Goldust is confused and asks why, with Steiner not holding back in his response. "We know all you face painting, mask wearing weirdos hang out together! You're going to go to court and tell us all about The Hurricane and Gregory Helms being one in the same!" Goldust stands up and is a bit offended by the 'weirdo' comment, removing his wig and looking down at the paperwork. "How about you oil yourself up and get ready for me then, tough guy?" He asks Steiner, 'Big Poppa Pump' questioning what the hell that is supposed to mean. "I mean... we have a match? In the ring?" Goldust is confused by Steiner's reaction, Scott calming himself down as he looks at Nowinski and then back at Goldust - telling him he's on and that he'll see him later! "In the ring!" He adds for clarification before leaving the room.
2) Gail Kim def. Jazz (w/Theodore Long and Jacqueline) via pinfall (3:45) A back and forth battle combatting fast paced and high flying against power, Jazz catches Kim coming off the top rope and slams her in to the mat with a powerbomb for an incredibly close two count. After Kim starts to make a comeback, Long gives Jacqueline some orders and she gets up on the apron only to have Kim roll through a Bitch Clamp attempt and send Jazz flying in to her! After yelling at Jacqueline, Jazz turns to a Kim hurricanrana that is bridged for the pinfall.
Kim is announced as the winner as Long stomps in to the ring looking very unhappy. Kim leaves the ring once he enters, standing over Jazz and shaking his head. She then pulls herself back up, Jacqueline coming in to the ring as well - also shaking her head over Jazz as she asks Long what they're going to do about this! Long then places his hands on his hips, giving a nod to Jazz - whom then runs through Jacqueline with a clothesline! A kick to the stomach is then followed by the Bitch Clamp! Jazz stands over Jacqueline's body as Long steps forward to raise Jazz's arm up! "I think Theodore Long just picked a side!" Lawler says. He and Jazz then leave the ring together as Jacqueline is left laid out.
The new World Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Christian are seen in the back celebrating but quickly begin to bicker about who holds the one title belt in the mean time. "I mean, I'm the one who hit the lionsault on RVD..." Jericho says while Christian argues he is the one that got the pin. "This is stupid," Jericho says with a chuckle. "Why don't I get our belt on weekdays and you on the weekends?" Christian says it doesn't matter, they shouldn't be arguing over something silly anyway! He suggests that they go find a place in town to celebrate. "Although, we are in... Indianapolis..." Christian rubs his chin and Jericho shrugs his shoulders, saying they're going to have a tough time finding anywhere good around here. "We'll figure it out." They then leave the room together, leaving the belt behind. They both then come back and grab at it at the same time, locking eyes before leaving holding one side of it each.
Seen strutting through the halls is Paul Heyman, the manager of World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. He will be heading down to the ring - Lawler asking from commentary where Lesnar is though! Paul Heyman is standing in the ring following the break with a microphone in his hand, bringing up to the audience that last week, himself and Brock Lesnar tried to do Shawn Michaels a favor. "Not just Shawn Michaels, but Shawn Michaels' fans and Shawn Michaels' family a favor... a favor by giving him a chance to back out of his match with Brock Lesnar for the World Heavyweight Championship at Vengeance! We tried! We tried and we tried because we don't want to put an end to Shawn Michaels' career..." Heyman shrugs his shoulders and says that because of Michaels' attitude and decision making, it seems like Lesnar is going to have no choice but to put Michaels back on the shelf. "Shawn Michaels, you've made plenty of mistakes in your career and your life but this may be the biggest one yet."
The theme music of Shawn Michaels then hits as arriving from the back is 'The Heart Break Kid', eyes dead set on Heyman as he ends up coming down and in to the ring, standing directly in front of Heyman as he says that he wants to make this easy. "Where is he?" Michaels asks. Heyman tries to come up with an explanation but Michaels isn't having it. "I have every reason in the world to kick your teeth down your throat for what you've said about me, Heyman. But I'm not out here for that. I'm out here to fight Brock Lesnar because his actions speak a lot louder than your words." Heyman leans across the ropes and looks around the building, snickering a little bit as he then shrugs his shoulders and says that Lesnar isn't here. "I know it isn't the answer you want, but it is the reality," He further says. "I mean, it is kind of funny though, isn't it? You're a hunter! You should know that you're hunting the World Heavyweight Championship without thinking about the dangers you have to go through! The lengths you have to go to in order to re-claim that glory... it's unfortunate that you signed that contract, Shawn. Because there isn't any turning back now." Heyman continues on by telling Michaels that he made the worst decision of his life last week with a pen. "I would have predicted, oh, I don't know, a rolled up dollar bill but you... you really know how to step it up in the most elaborate of ways, don't you?" Michaels takes a step forward and grabs Heyman by the collar - pushing him up against the ropes as Heyman immediately begins to plead, saying that he is sorry over and over again. "Brock isn't here, huh?" Shawn asks, with Paul confirming the fact. "Fair enough... since Brock isn't here I want you to deliver him a message for me, then. Can you do that for me, Paul?" Heyman nods and says of course, Michaels releasing his grip on the collar and wiping away at Heyman's suit. "I just want you to tell him..." Michaels then drops his microphone and nails Heyman with Sweet Chin Music! The Indianapolis crowd is loud as Michaels stands over Heyman's motionless body, pointing down in his face. "You bring Brock here next week... and at Vengeance... I'm taking back the World Heavyweight Championship..."
As Michaels leaves the ring, the cameras pan up to commentary where J.R. expresses how much Heyman deserved that. "I've never been a big fan of Paul Heyman myself, J.R., but that seemed a little excessive to me!" Bischoff says, causing an uproar from Ross, saying that Bischoff sure is partial to certain members of the Raw roster. "Is that what you think, J.R.? You think I have favorites? You think I pick sides? I don't pick sides - I do what is right for Monday Night Raw, just like sitting here right now and telling you to watch your tongue because I have the power to pull the plug on you any minute!" As an awkward silence sits for a good ten seconds, Lawler begins to laugh nervously, bringing up that we still have a big tag team match to get to tonight! Bischoff says that is right and coming up after this break we'll be hearing from one of those teams - Hulk Hogan and Booker T!
Footage from during the break is shown where Shawn Michaels was approached by Terri, 'The Heart Break Kid' quick to express he doesn't have much left to say. "Brock Lesnar and myself go toe-to-toe at Vengeance in less than two weeks... all I ask is he shows his face one more time before then next week."
Back live, Jonathan Coachman is standing in the back as he says he is proud to welcome his guests at this time: Hulk Hogan and Booker T! "Well you know something, Mean-" Hogan stops himself as he looks Coach up and down. "Well you know something, Coach, Hulk Hogan came back because of what Evolution did the night after WrestleMania, brother. These four have been ganging up on everyone and anyone since they got together and I'm not gonna stand for it, brother!" Booker nods and says that after what Batista did to him a couple of weeks ago in the back and Randy Orton taking the Intercontinental Championship, he is ready to whoop some ass! He says that they'll get some in their tag match tonight and then at Vengeance, he's getting his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. "Orton and Batista are learning from two of the best - but also two of the worst..." Hogan adds. "Triple H and Ric Flair have all the accolades, brother, but you and I and everyone else knows they'll do whatever it takes and whatever they want to get what they want, dude. So tonight, Orton and Batista - whatcha gonna do brothers when Hulkamania and Bookermania run wild on you?!" Booker nods in agreement before delivering his signature line: "Now can you dig that, sucka?!" The two then head off as the main event is still to come later on!
Seen in the back after the break is Test and Stacy Keibler, arguing with one another as Test tells Keibler he doesn't need her to come to ringside with him tonight. "I've got someone who won't get in my way! Someone that will have my back!" He then looks off to the side as Stevie Richards approaches, Victoria in tow and not looking too impressed. Test says that he and Richards see eye-to-eye and Richards actually understands what it is like to be in the ring with some real competition. "What is that supposed to mean?" Victoria asks, Richards and Test ignoring her as Richards suggests they get out of here and get ready.
3) Goldust def. Scott Steiner (w/Christopher Nowinski) via pinfall (4:12) A competitive bout of the blocks, Steiner's overpowering leading him to gaining a small edge in the contest until he is freaked out by Goldust's antics, pushing back in to him when grabbed from behind and leading to a protest from Steiner to his lawyer on the outside, allowing Goldust to take him over the top rope with a clothesline. Continued back and forth between the two ends up leading to Steiner being hung up on the ropes, only for Nowinski to grab Goldust's ankle from the outside and allow a belly to belly suplex. As Steiner begins to perform push-ups to show off, The Hurricane comes racing down from the back and he quickly ascends to the top rope. As Steiner gets up and dares Hurricane to jump down on him, the super hero instead dives off on to Nowinski on the outside! Back in the ring, Goldust takes advantage of the situation and backslides Steiner for the one, two, three!
The crowd cheers for Goldust as he slides out of the ring, The Hurricane meeting up with him at the bottom of the ramp while Steiner stands up in shock and outrage - questioning the referee and even taking him by the shirt. He then walks to the ropes to look toward Hurricane and Goldust, whom hold each other's arms up. "How do you feel about your assistant after that one, Eric?" J.R. asks to Bischoff's disgust. Steiner berates Nowinski as well over the defeat while the other two continue celebrating.
Backstage, Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton and Batista are seen talking as Orton says that this is a big night for them, as they have a chance to shine together and show why they are the future of this business - why Triple H and Ric Flair picked them to be in Evolution. "I'd love nothing more than to break that old man in half." Batista says with a chuckle, Orton saying he thinks HHH and Flair would appreciate that, just like they appreciated it when he became Intercontinental Champion and they'll appreciate it when he beats him again at Vengeance. "And when the two of us beat them tonight." The two tap forearms and head off together, the main event still to come.
Triple H and Ric Flair are seen standing in the back after the break, HHH saying that he has faith in Orton and Batista but he doesn't think Hulk Hogan is going to go away easy. "You're right, Hunter," Flair replies. "Orton and Batista are the future of this business! We saw it and we know it!" HHH nods in agreement and says that Orton is the Intercontinental Champion after all and Batista is the only guy that can keep up with him in the gym. "Maybe we'll stay back for this one... and watch what they do." Flair nods in agreement, saying they've always got a back up plan if they need it.
4) Test (w/Stevie Richards and Victoria) def. Maven via pinfall (3:03) Looking for some revenge on Maven and to uproot his recent success, Test uses his size and strength to his advantage and gets perhaps some over-encouragement from Richards while Victoria is unimpressed with the support from her boyfriend to Test. Maven begins to mount a comeback, however, knocking Test down with two big dropkicks. He then races to the top rope and sets the stage for a crossbody but Richards hangs him up on the top rope! Test then runs forward with a big boot, Maven falling down and then being lifted and laid out with a Pump Handle Slam for the three count.
Richards leaps in the air and raises a fist in the air in celebration, rolling in to the ring and raising Test's arm up. A smile on Test's face, he and Richards give a double high five while Victoria continues to look unhappy on the outside at her boyfriend's excitement.
Meanwhile back over on commentary, the team discusses the main event about to go down with Hulk Hogan and Booker T versus Randy Orton and Batista when Bischoff begins to question Ross. "You probably think I'm going to root for Evolution, right, J.R.?! Because I pick favorites?! Because I'm such an awful General Manager?! Huh?! Huh, you Oklahoma hick?!" Ross has heard enough and removes his headset, Bischoff continuing to bash him, saying he thought the southern boys were supposed to be tough but clearly J.R. can't take the heat - he has no balls! Ross then proceeds to shove Bischoff right out of his chair! "J.R., that's the General Manager of Raw!" Lawler shouts with concern. Ross shakes his head over Bischoff and walks off the commentary set and heads toward the back!
As Bischoff angrily dusts himself off and gets back to commentary, the cameras pick up in the back to show Hulk Hogan and Booker T walking down a hallway, then Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton and Batista walking down another. The tag team main event is coming up next!
Seen walking out of the trainer's office after the break is Paul Heyman, an ice pack in hand as he is approached by Terri, asking him how he is feeling. "How am I feeling? How am I feeling?" He scoffs and asks Terri how she would feel if she got an unwarranted kick to the face. "But that'll be nothing... Shawn Michaels wants Brock Lesnar next week? Careful what you wish for, Shawn. Because Brock Lesnar will be here next week! And we tried to tell Shawn signing that contract and going to Vengeance was a bad idea... we tried to give him a chance to back out... well, once Brock Lesnar is done with him next week... it might not be a choice." Heyman then puts the ice pack on his face and walks away.
5) Hulk Hogan and Booker T def. Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton and Batista via pinfall (8:52) With Triple H and Ric Flair staying in the back, Booker has a hot run to start but after a knee to the spine from Batista on the apron, Orton turns the tides for his team. The match goes through a break, Batista in control afterward as he uses his strength to his advantage. A cut off clothesline continues to keep things in control but Booker starts to come back with some motivation via the Conseco Fieldhouse. Booker ends up fighting Batista off and after ducking another clothesline attempt, hits a leaping side kick before diving and making the tag to Hogan! Hulk comes in and Orton tries to get involved but is punched down, Batista then taking a flurry of strikes and eventually a powerful body slam! Hogan then cups his ears to the crowd as he is fired up - bouncing off the ropes and returning with a leg drop! Before he goes for the cover, however, Triple H and Ric Flair make their way down the ramp. "So much for staying out of this, huh, Eric?!" Lawler says. "I mean, maybe they're just showing support for their guys!" While Bischoff is in agreement, Batista ends up dropping Hogan from behind before going to the corner and making the tag to Orton. After a whip across the ring, Booker makes the tag from the apron and Hogan holds the ropes. A boot to Orton's face, he then ducks a charging Batista and dumps him over the top rope. Pointing in HHH and Flair's direction, Orton goes for the RKO but is pushed off to the ropes - Booker catching him on the return with a kick to the stomach and the Scissors Kick! Both legs are then hooked and Booker gets the one, two, three on the Intercontinental Champion!
HHH and Flair grab Hogan by the legs and trip him up, dragging him to the outside and beating him down together. Booker tries to help but Batista takes him from behind and begins a beat down in the corner with shoulder thrusts to the gut. Orton staggers back up and gets in the mix of things, HHH and Flair then coming to join in. As HHH sets up for the Pedigree, however, Hogan returns to the ring with a steel chair and nails HHH in the back! Hogan begins to swing wildly at the rest of Evolution but they get out of the way of the shots and dive out of the ring - Batista quick to grab HHH by the arm and help pull him out just as Hogan is about to hit him with the chair. Hogan drops the weapon down and assists Booker back to his feet as Evolution is backing down - 'The Hulkster' calling for a microphone from ringside. "It's time to stop running, Triple H!" He says while stepping to the ropes. "You're the head of the snake, dude! You're the head of this whole problem! So I'm challenging you to a match at Vengeance, jack!" HHH is furious and doesn't seem too keen on the suggestion. "Oh yeah, it's going to happen!" Bischoff says on commentary. "At Vengeance, it will be Hulk Hogan versus Triple H! Think I'm picking favorites now, J.R.?! As a matter of fact, next week here on Raw, we're going to put two legends against each other too - Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan in the middle of that ring! How about that?!" Hogan cups his hand to his ear around the ring before giving Booker the floor to perform a spinaroonie to the delight of the Indianapolis crowd and chagrin of Evolution as the show comes to an end!
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 11, 2021 9:05:39 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 20, 2021 13:27:51 GMT -5
Following the opening Smackdown video, the cameras come inside of the Nationwide Arena as the Columbus, Ohio crowd is excited for the show. After the opening pyros on the stage, Michael Cole and Tazz welcome everyone to the show from ringside as later on we have a huge tag team main event previewing the WWE Championship fatal four way match at Vengeance as teaming up will be The Undertaker and Goldberg against The Big Show and WWE Champion Kurt Angle! Plus, United States Champion Edge will be hand-picking the opponent of Chris Benoit tonight and much more!
The theme music of John Cena hits to a mixed response from the crowd, the young rapper stepping out to the stage and calling for his music to be cut rather quickly. "John Cena's the name, you already know, I'm whooping Rhyno's ass tonight in Columbus, Ohio!" He enters the ring, quickly telling the crowd to stop cheering just because he said the city name, dissing them by claiming there is nothing special about this place unlike himself. "I'm who everyone comes to see - the face of this brand, kind of like this state and Cleveland... yeah, yeah, get it out your boos and jeers, you can suck on my chain while I'm licking up your tears! Tonight, I've got a man beast to deal with, he can't see me - but I've got this thing on lock... and if y'all don't like that... you can suck on my..." He raises the microphone in the air and then tosses it to the outside, ready to get going.
1) John Cena def. Rhyno via pinfall (5:52) A competitive contest, Cena dips out of the ring as soon as Rhyno takes full control and turns the tides with a push in to the ring post. Back inside, Cena tries to wear Rhyno down with some slams and a few tight holds on the mat. The crowd begins to get behind Rhyno, however, as he fights back to his feet and drops Cena with a back suplex. A couple hard clotheslines and a slam in to the corner, Rhyno then avoids a punch and sends Cena across the ring with a belly-to-belly. Setting up against the turnbuckles for the Gore, Rhyno pumps his hand up and down awaiting Cena and then charges once up, only to be rocked with a punch to the face that causes him to slowly fall backwards to the mat. "Hey, wait a minute, Cena used that padlock!" Cole points out. "And the referee didn't see it!" Cena slides the padlock out of the ring and then makes his way back over to Rhyno, pulling him to his feet and nailing the F-U for the three count.
Cena gets to his feet with some choice words for Rhyno, having his arm raised as the winner. "Like how he did it or not, Cole, John Cena got the job done!" Tazz comments. Cena scoops his pendant chain up from the outside after exiting the ring and holds it up above his head with one hand while waving the other in front of his face to tell Rhyno 'you can't see me'.
Walking through the halls in the back having just arrived is The Big Show when he is approached by Smackdown General Manager Mick Foley, whom is cordial with Show asking how he is doing only to be questioned back as to what he wants. "Well, Show, as you know you've got a tag team match tonight as you're partnering up with Kurt Angle against The Undertaker and Goldberg. So, that being said, you're going to be sharing a locker room with Team Angle tonight." Show is outraged, saying he doesn't like Angle, it's bad enough he has to partner with him before their fatal four way at Vengeance. Foley shrugs his shoulders and puts his hands up, saying it has been agreed upon. "Have a nice day." He tells Show before walking off, the seven-footer angrily muttering under his breath as he continues on his way down the hall.
After the break, The Big Show is seen once again as he stops at a door and shakes his head before opening it - seeing WWE Champion Kurt Angle with his back turned talking to his title belt. "Daddy loves you, he wouldn't let anything bad ever happen to you... no dead man, no Neanderthal and no giant will ever take you from me!" Show then clears his throat and Angle turns around with his eyes widened, a nervous smile on his face as he welcomes Show to his locker room, mentioning he was just joking around. "Do you talk to your medals like that too?" Show asks to Angle's embarrassment. The WWE Champion tosses the subject aside and tells Show he hopes he is okay with this arrangement of sharing a locker room - it was his idea, as a matter of fact. Show chucks down his bags and says they may be partners tonight, but they're opponents for the biggest prize in the business at Vengeance. "You're right," Angle replies. "You're right but that's why this is perfect! We could spend our time fighting and kicking the crap out of each other... or we can beat the crap out of The Undertaker and Goldberg and make it a lot more even fight come Vengeance. So all we have to do is stick together and stay on the same page just for tonight." Show grunts and takes a seat, Angle with both hands on his hips and saying 'good talk'.
Back inside the arena, WWE Tag Team Champions Team Angle arrive. They make their way down and in to the ring with smiles on their faces, each with a microphone in hand. "Let's give a hand for such an incredible leader like Kurt Angle, huh?" Haas asks to boos from the audience. "But let's also give a hand to your WWE Tag Team Champions!" Benjamin adds to even more boos. Haas scowls and says he doesn't appreciate the disrespect of the fans, saying that they have proven in less than a year that they are the future of the tag team division and that they came in and won the gold in record fashion - not once, but twice! "Are you people just stupid?" Benjamin asks. "Do you not recognize greatness when you see it? Heck, Charlie, we're not just the future of the tag team division - we are the tag team division! You could even call us the world's greatest tag team!"
A big screech and pyro atop the stage spooks the WWE Tag Team Champions, however, as arriving from the back is D-Von and Bubba Ray, The Dudley Boyz. They stop themselves atop the stage though as Bubba pushes D-Von in the chest - telling him to get the tables! D-Von then steps through the curtains and returns back out with a table in hand, the two grinning as they then race to the ring! Throwing back and forth strikes with Haas and Benjamin, they eventually gain the upper hand and after knocking Haas to the outside, they set the table up and line Benjamin up for the 3-D! As soon as Shelton turns around, however, Charlie trips his own partner to the mat and yanks him under the bottom rope and out of harm's way. While the Columbus fans boo, The Dudley Boyz shake their heads. Bubba picks up one of the microphones and says to Team Angle that they can call themselves whatever they want, but himself and D-Von are the most decorated tag team in the WWE and they're not stopping now and they're not going anywhere. He mentioned they injured their little brother Spike by putting him through one of their tables two weeks ago and says he guesses they forgot the three mortal sins, thus he points to D-Von. "Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and thou shalt not mess with The Dudley Boyz!" The fans cheer as Bubba says there ain't no running from them, because they already talked to MIck Foley and they've got it approved - they're challenging for the WWE Tag Team Championship once again at Vengeance and it will be a Tables Match! "Oh my brother, testify!" D-Von exclaims afterward as the crowd loves the news - Team Angle absolutely outraged by it!
Seen walking together backstage are Los Guerreros, Eddie and Chavo joking around with one another. Eddie is in action with Rene Dupree of La Resistance - next!
Standing by in the back is Josh Mathews as he knocks on Goldberg's locker room door, cautiously entering the room as Goldberg stands up and asks what he wants. Nervously, Mathews just wanted to get Goldberg's thoughts on teaming up with The Undertaker tonight. "Do you watch the show you work for?" Goldberg asks as Mathews nods. "Then you saw how The Undertaker acted like I was nothing last week, right?" He stares at Mathews for a bit before laughing a little, saying that's all he needs to know. Mathews then leaves the room as Goldberg throws some shadow punches and kicks.2) Eddie Guerrero (w/Chavo Guerrero) def. Rene Dupree (w/Sylvain Grenier) via disqualification (4:45) The match begins with some back and forth exchanges with Eddie gaining the upper hand and forcing Dupree to regroup on the outside, only to interrupt a meeting with Grenier with a crossbody over the top rope. Dupree stays in the fight off a couple of near falls from Eddie, managing to come back after a thumb to the eye and a chop block to the knee. Following a chin lock with some trash talking to Chavo and the crowd, Eddie fights back to his feet and begins a red hot comeback. A shot to the lower back from Grenier while coming off the ropes, however, allows Dupree to nail a clothesline. Chavo comes running over and a fight begins on the outside, leading to the referee being distracted. Eddie, meanwhile, sneaks out of the ring and retrieves La Resistance's French flag - slamming it in to the mat once back in and causing Dupree to turn around. Eddie then throws the flag in to Dupree's hands and falls down! The referee returns his attention to the match and sees the situation, Dupree immediately dropping the flag to say he didn't do anything! The official isn't buying it though and calls for the bell and disqualification!
The audience cheers as Eddie sits up while the referee argues with Dupree, smirking and winking to the fans. He then feigns the injury some more as Chavo pulls him out of the ring. As Grenier returns at Dupree's side to also argue, Los Guerreros laugh at them on their way toward the back. "Eddie Guerrero lies, cheats and steals and it worked to perfection tonight!" Cole says. "It couldn't have happened to nicer people if you ask me, Tazz!" Dupree picks up his and Grenier's flag, the pole bent from the hit on the mat and is fuming over that just as much as the loss!
Backstage, Mick Foley is seen at his makeshift office desk opening up a lunchbox in order to pull out a small sandwich in a bag. He takes a bite out of it when United States Champion Edge walks by, Foley standing up and having crumbs drop out of his mouth as he asks Edge what the rush is. "Sorry. Mrs. Foley makes a hell of a sandwich." He says, offering Edge a bite but getting a 'no thanks'. Foley then asks about who Edge has chosen to face Chris Benoit tonight, saying he isn't supposed to take sides but after last week he is looking forward to seeing what comes of this. "Don't worry, Mick," Edge replies. "I've chosen a real good opponent for Chris Benoit. I'm not going to let you know right now, though, because I want to deliver the news to Chris' face in the middle of that ring. But, hey, Mick, have a nice day, huh?" Edge then continues on his way, Foley giving a thumbs up as that reveal and match is due up next. Seen talking in his locker room to The Big Show is WWE Champion Kurt Angle, saying that he really needs to think about it - them teaming up together through Vengeance will make things better for the both of them. In to the room then comes Team Angle, the WWE Tag Team Champions furious about the news of their Tables Match at Vengeance with The Dudley Boyz. They then turn their attention to The Big Show and question why he's still here. Kurt is quick to cool the situation as soon as Show stands up and say that he is on their side tonight. "Right, Show?" The seven-footer doesn't give a response, instead just sitting back down while eyeing Benjamin and Haas.
Back inside of the arena, Chris Benoit's music hits and he arrives to boos from the crowd. Once in the ring, he demands a microphone and turns his attention straight up the ramp. "I don't feel like talking tonight," He says. "So let's end this charade and mystery, Edge. Come on and tell me who the hell you picked as my opponent." Pacing back and forth, the United States Champion Edge indeed steps out to the stage. "You know, Chris, maybe I ought to make you wait a little bit longer!" He suggests to Benoit's disapproval. "But, the guy I picked for you has, like myself and all of these people, lost a lot of respect for you. As a matter of fact, he still has a beef with you from something that happened between the two of you... back at King of the Ring." Edge then steps to the side as Rey Mysterio leaps out to the stage, the King of the Ring winner and Cruiserweight Champion receiving a warm welcome from the fans. A high five to Edge and Mysterio makes his way down to the ring as Benoit looks geared up and ready for the match.
3) Non-Title Match: Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio def. Chris Benoit via pinfall (11:09) A fast paced start to the match, Mysterio flies all around the ring and escapes Benoit's constant grasp and attempts to ground things. After slipping free of a German suplex, Mysterio catches Benoit with a hurricanrana and hung up between the ropes. Mysterio sees the opportunity and goes for the 619 but Benoit moves out of the way and rolls out of the ring. Mysterio then proceeds to launch himself over the top rope with a corkscrew plauncha on to Benoit! The match goes through a break as Benoit finally manages to ground and stop Mysterio's momentum. After some crowd motivation, Rey gets back up but ends up being taken right back down with a hard German suplex. A couple more Germans and a few belly-to-bellys, Benoit gets a series of near falls and some frustration begins to boil over. Going to the top rope, he then goes for the diving headbutt but Mysterio moves out of the way! A dropkick between the ropes and another chance for the 619, Benoit ends up turning and pulling the referee in the way! As Mysterio tries to check on the official after hitting him in the ribs, Benoit pulls Mysterio's arm from behind in to the Crippler Crossface! Yanking back on the hold, Mysterio refuses to submit despite the referee still being down. Edge then comes running down to the ring, leading to Benoit standing up and taking a few steps forward only to be taken down with a Spear! Edge then rolls out of the ring and shakes the official, Mysterio having Benoit yet again in position for the 619 and this time nailing it! He then drops the dime with a splash while springboarding off the top rope for the pinfall victory!
The Columbus fans cheer for Mysterio as he stands back up, Edge entering the ring and presenting Mysterio with his Cruiserweight Championship. The two former tag team partners embrace as well and then raise each other's arms up with both the Cruiserweight and United States Championship belts raised while Benoit looks on from the outside, looking infuriated over what happened!
Standing in the back in a dim hallway is The Undertaker, seen stretching and throwing shadow punches when he is approached by Josh Mathews, excusing himself as he wants to get a word with 'The Dead Man' about teaming with Goldberg tonight against Kurt Angle and The Big Show, bringing up how Goldberg seemed to feel a bit disrespected after their encounter last week. "Big guy got his feelings hurt, huh?" Taker asks with a scoff. "Look, I'm teaming with Goldberg tonight whether either of us likes it or not... and we'll kick The Big Show's ass and we'll kick Kurt Angle's ass... but if he wants to get in my way? Maybe I'll end up kicking his ass. Who knows?" Taker smirks and returns to his preparation as Mathews walks away.
After the break, WWE Champion Kurt Angle is in the back lacing his boots up when The Big Show enters the room, Angle standing up straight and welcoming him back happily. "Kurt, we're partners for one night... is this necessary? It's not like we like each other." Angle laughs and tells Show he's a big, funny guy. "Look, Show, we're going to be an unstoppable force out there! We've got my brains and my athleticism and your... bulk." He even suggests that Show and him go one step further tonight and they just decimate The Undertaker and Goldberg, leaving it to themselves for Vengeance where the best man wins. Angle then extends his hand, Show shrugging and saying maybe he's been wrong about Kurt this whole time. "Maybe after this is all done," Show says while shaking Angle's hand. "I could become the fourth member of Team Angle! Hell, I could be clad in red, white and blue." Angle says that sounds tremendous, he'll have to see if he can find a wardrobe big enough for a fat guy like him. "See you out there, buddy!" Angle says while slapping Show on the arm, the giant leaving as Angle appears over the moon with Show's sudden receptiveness toward him!
4) Ultimo Dragon def. Chris Kanyon (w/The F.B.I.) via pinfall (3:37) Dragon dominates right out of the gate, knocking Kanyon down repeatedly. The F.B.I. members try to get involved rather quickly because of it but Dragon is able to outsmart them. After a baseball slide knocks Palumbo back in to DeMott on the outside and downs them both, an Asai moonsault is delivered to Nunzio! Once back in the ring, however, Kanyon catches Dragon with a boot to the stomach and hits the Flatliner! Hooking both legs, Kanyon can't believe it when Dragon kicks out at two. Frustration boils over as punches and stomps are rained down, Kanyon dragging Dragon up in to the corner but having his whip across the ring reversed with a big dropkick followed by the Asai DDT being nailed for the finish and the three count!
Dragon escapes from the ring fast as The F.B.I. try to come after him as they hit the ring. Dragon races his way up the ramp to celebrate, Nunzio with his hands over his head as he turns to Kanyon getting to a knee and apologizing. "Get him!" Nunzio then says to DeMott and Palumbo as the latter big boots Kanyon to the mat! DeMott then makes his way to the top rope as Nunzio and Palumbo put the boots to Kanyon, DeMott then launching himself off with a moonsault! "They just turned on one of their own guys, Cole!" Tazz says. "That's what you call a hit!" Nunzio has some choice words for Kanyon before leading DeMott, Palumbo and Dawn Marie out of the ring, having apparently dropped The F.B.I. down from five mmebers to four.
Warming up in the back is Jeff Hardy when he is walked up to by Shannon Moore, angrily yelling about what happened last week. "Eliminating me from the battle royal? Who the hell do you think you are?!" Matt Hardy then races up to the situation and holds the two apart, demanding this nonsense to stop - the past is the past! "Y'know what," Jeff replies. "I don't need this drama. I've got a Cruiserweight Championship match with Rey Mysterio at Vengeance and a match with Jamie Noble in a couple minutes." He walks away, Matt smacking Shannon upside the head and asking what is the matter with him!
General Manager Mick Foley is once again seen at his makeshift office as he is opening up his lunchbox, stopping himself as La Resistance comes storming down the hallway yelling in French. "The disrespect!" Dupree says, Foley nodding and saying he agrees - he should learn more French. "Not that!" Grenier shouts. "What those Guerreros did to our flag!" Foley puts his hands up and says he thinks that La Resistance and Los Guerreros need to settle this once and for all, so next week he is putting them in a match - a Flag Match! La Resistance is receptive to the idea, saying they will be honored to wave their French flag high after they win. As soon as they walk off and Foley goes to return to his lunchbox, Chris Benoit storms up and shuts it on him. "I suppose you would call that fair, huh, Foley?" He asks, the Smackdown General Manager letting out an annoyed sigh as Benoit keeps going. "Edge screwed me in that match. I had the future number one contender for the WWE Championship, the current Cruiserweight Champion ready to tap out in the middle of that ring until Edge showed up and Speared me!" Foley asks Benoit what he wants, 'The Rabid Wolverine' saying he already knows he'll win the United States Championship at Vengeance, but he wants to be able to choose Edge's opponent for next week now. Foley, at first, says he doesn't know why he would do that for Benoit. "But knowing Edge, he'll be more than up for the challenge... so lets do it." Benoit nods and tells Foley that is the first good decision he has made. He then walks away, Mick left wiping sweat off his brow and finally getting a chance to dive into his lunchbox and pull out a small bag of animal crackers.
5) Jeff Hardy def. Jamie Noble (w/Nidia) via pinfall (4:53) A bit of fast paced chain wrestling to kick things off, the two men have a stand off after four arm drags to one another. As they are staring, Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore make their way down from the back, coming over to commentary where Matt joins in. Noble takes advantage of Jeff being distracted by their presence and ends up taking him down with a neckbreaker. After things spill to the outside, Moore comes over to Jeff and looks to stop him from continuing the action - leading to a shoving match between the two. "Are you going to get these two under control or what, Matt?!" Cole asks. As Matt yells at Shannon to stop, Noble slams Jeff from behind in to the ring steps. Breaking up the count of the official, Noble then continues on the attack but ends up being kicked in the stomach and facebustered on to the floor. Jeff then climbs on to the barricade and runs across - looking for a dive on to Noble only for him to move and Moore to get hit by it! Noble then tosses Jeff back in to the ring but Jeff is right to his feet to hit a kick to the gut and the Twist of Fate! He then races to the top rope and nails the Swanton Bomb for the pinfall.
Jeff emerges to his feet and has his arm raised as the winner but Moore is quick to get in to the ring and shove him again! Matt races in to the ring to put a stop to things as he drags Shannon backwards by the hair - demanding he knock this off! Jeff pushes his brother out of the way, however, and nails Moore with the Twist of Fate! Matt begins to yell at Jeff for it immediately, questioning what he is doing. Jeff shrugs his shoulders in response with a smile and leaves the ring, Matt left kneeling down next to Moore and throwing his hands up in frustration.
The cameras then pick up backstage to show The Undertaker and Goldberg walking in seperate corridors - will they be able to co-exist tonight? The cameras then transition over to show WWE Champion Kurt Angle and The Big Show walking together, seeming to be on the same page - is this a new member of Team Angle? The main event tag team match is coming up next!
Once again seen at his makeshift office is Mick Foley, pulling out a soda from his lunchbox and cracking it open. A relieved sigh of his turns to a frustrated groan as Shannon Moore and Matt Hardy come walking up, the prior wanting a match with Jeff Hardy but Matt trying to reason with him. Jeff Hardy then approaches and is receptive to the idea, leading to him and Moore arguing back and forth. Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio then arrives in the midst of the argument - asking what is going on here. "Alright, that's enough!" Foley shouts as he stands up. "I am tired of being interrupted tonight. "All I want to do is finish this lovely meal my wife prepared for me tonight. All I'm asking for is a little peace." He says that he is going to settle this right now by making a tag team match for next week: Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore team up against Jeff Hardy and Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio! Matt is quick to protest that he has no interest in fighting his brother, but Foley says it is decided. "Now, if you will all please... leave my office vicinity. Thank you." They all then walk away, Foley picking up his soda can and chugging it down, eyebrows raised as he says that's just what the doctor ordered! He then turns to reveal a Dr. Pepper can to the camera. "Love to be here with a nice Dr. Pepper here... right here in Columbus, Ohio!" The crowd then cheers in the background as Foley gives a big thumbs up.
6) Goldberg and The Undertaker def. WWE Champion Kurt Angle and The Big Show via pinfall (7:01) Angle volunteers to start things over Show, assuring him he's got this. Goldberg and Taker have some tension but after Angle tries to jump Taker from behind, is pummeled with punches and a big boot. Goldberg is tagged in, tossing and slamming the WWE Champion around the ring a few times. Taker is brought back in but after escaping a Chokeslam attempt, Angle dives and tags in Show. The giant steps over the ropes and Taker charges with punches but is headbutted, Show beginning to turn the tides. Multiple offers to Angle to try and get involved are declined, the WWE Champion assuring Show that he's got this. "Hey, Kurt's got a lot of faith in The Big Show!" Tazz says. "Maybe he really is going to become a member of Team Angle!" Taker ends up hitting Show with Old School after fighting back, then tagging in Goldberg - whom runs in and goes off. Show manages to tag in Angle but Kurt doesn't seem interested in coming in. After a big Spear to Show, Goldberg grabs Angle by the neck and forces him over the ropes and inside. Cornering the WWE Champion, he then lifts him up and nails a military press. Show gets to his feet and after elbowing Taker from the apron, side-steps Goldberg and sends him to the outside as well. He then heads over to Angle and assists him to his feet. "I've got this, right?" Show asks to a nod from Angle, responding by taking him by the throat and delivering a Chokeslam! "So much for that!" Cole says. "Angle wanted to use The Big Show and he saw right through it!" Taker then returns to the ring and begins to tee off on Show, eventually clotheslining them both over the top rope and to the floor. Back inside of the ring, Goldberg measures up from the corner - a dazed Angle staggering up right in to a Spear! Goldberg hops right back and looks out to the cheering crowd, calling for the finish as he proceeds to pick Angle back up and drop with the Jackhammer, hooking the leg after for the one, two, three!
The fans are happy with the result as Goldberg stands back up in celebration, turning to see Taker standing behind him with his hands on his hips. The two then draw close and stare one another down, no words being exchanged. Taker then ends up breaking the locked eyes as he sees Angle getting on all fours, pulling him in and delivering a Last Ride Powerbomb! Show watches on from atop the stage as Taker and Goldberg once again stare down. Motioning for the WWE Championship around his waist, Taker then backs up to the ropes and pulls himself over them - keeping his eyes on a smiling Goldberg. Show remains watching intently while Angle is left motionless and laid out, Cole signing things off from commentary as the show concludes.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 21, 2021 15:00:54 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Feb 23, 2021 16:16:04 GMT -5
1) Matt Hardy (w/Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore) def. Orlando Jordan via pinfall following the Twist of Fate. (3:57) 2) Tajiri and Jimmy Yang (w/Funaki) def. Johnny Jeter and Matt Cappotelli via pinfall after a Buzzsaw Kick from Tajiri to Jeter. (2:10) 3) Sylvain Grenier (w/Rene Dupree) def. Chavo Guerrero (w/Eddie Guerrero) via pinfall with a roll up and both feet on the ropes. (5:04)
1) Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak def. The Basham Brothers (w/Rico) via pinfall after a surprising backslide to Danny from Cade. (3:49) 2) The Hurricane def. Rob Conway via pinfall after a shining wizard. (2:24) 3) Stevie Richards (w/Test and Victoria) def. Nick Dinsmore via pinfall following a Stevie Kick. (3:01) 4) Lance Storm def. Tommy Dreamer via submission with the Canadian Maple Leaf. (5:19)
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 27, 2021 7:26:17 GMT -5
The opening Monday Night Raw video airs with the cameras then coming inside the Staples Center of Los Angeles, California just six nights away from Vengeance on pay-per-view! Tonight, two of the biggest legends in the business - Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair - will face off! Plus, Chris Jericho and Christian, the new World Tag Team Champions, will face mystery opponents named by Eric Bischoff. Also, six days before their big rematch, World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Shawn Michaels will be face-to-face!
The theme music of Hulk Hogan hits to kick off the show, the Los Angeles fans to their feet for the arrival of 'The Hulkster'. After playing up the crowd atop the stage and in the ring, he requests a microphone and delivers his signature line: "Well let me tell you something, brother!" The crowd gives a big ovation as Hogan says that this Sunday at Vengeance, he has a chance at, fittingly, vengeance. "Because the night after WrestleMania this year when 'The Hulkster' and Stone Cold Steve Austin tore the house down in the main event, Triple H and Evolution decided to beat down yours truly!" Hogan says that before he gets his shot at 'The Game' on Sunday, however, he has to re-ignite an old flame with Ric Flair tonight. "Ric and myself have a long history! People consider us two of the very best to be in this ring and that may be true, but still to this day - Hulkamania runs wild, dude! I'm not too sure if space mountain is still open though, brother." He says that ever since he went to Atlanta and took over 'Flair Country', Flair has held a grudge and now he's hitching his wagon to Triple H hoping he can do what he could never do: Beat him.
That last line brings about the arrival of Evolution out to the stage, Flair looking fired up and HHH quick to pull him back - trying to tell him he's got this. "No, no, no!" Flair says with a wag of his finger, removing his jacket as he says he has a lot to get off his chest. "Hogan, you've got a lot of nerve! You've got a lot of nerve coming at - Woo! - 'The Nature Boy' like that! You don't think I've got what it takes, huh? You don't think that space mountain is still open for business, baby?! You don't think that I'm still the same old styling, profiling, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheeling dealing son of a gun I was before?! You're going to find out tonight, pal!" After some heavy breathing, Flair allows HHH to step forward and tell Hogan that he has always had the biggest voice in the room. "You think that is how it goes these days, old timer? No, because this is my show and this is my industry now. Evolution is about the past, present and future and you're damn sure looking at the present right now." He says that they tried to do Hogan a favor the night after WrestleMania and make the decision for him to move on and accept reality - but he didn't want to accept that. "Now, you're in big trouble, Hogan. Because tonight, Ric Flair may be the past but he's still the greatest to ever grace that ring and I don't care what anyone says about how great you are, Hogan... so after Ric Flair's done teaching you a lesson, you've got your match with me at Vengeance this Sunday and I'll be sure to kick your ass and leave you laying in a pool of your own blood once again..." The crowd boos as Hogan grins while leaning across the ropes, HHH saying that's not just him being confident - that's a fact. "And the longer and longer you stick around, Hogan, the more your ass is going to get kicked. Whether it's Ric Flair, whether it's me or whether it's the future of this business Randy Orton and Batista, you will continue to be put down! You've beaten a lot of things in your time, Hulk, but time and evolution... you cannot stop." The group then turns back around and heads through the curtains, Hogan left watching on still smiling as his match with Flair is still to come later on tonight!
The cameras then pick up backstage to Booker T walking through the halls when he is approached and excused by Terri, looking to get a word with him before his match tonight and his thoughts heading in to his Intercontinental Championship rematch with Randy Orton this Sunday. "I've got myself a bit of a warm up match coming up with Lance Storm and I hope Randy Orton's watching because what I'm going out there to do ain't nothing compared to what I'm gonna do to his punk ass this Sunday! Now can you dig that, sucka?!" He laughs and continues on his way - in action next!
In the back, Scott Steiner is seen pacing back and forth in the locker room area when Christopher Nowinski walks in, shuffling through paperwork as Steiner asks where he has been all day. "Scott, I've been preparing for our court case! It's tonight! In the middle of the ring!" Steiner says he knows that and he has been waiting a long time now to reveal The Hurricane. "You met the judge yet?" Steiner asks, Nowinski shaking his head and saying that everyone will find out later apparently. "Doesn't matter - we've got this!" Steiner says. "Right? Right?" Nowinski's eyes widen and he shrugs his shoulders, saying they'll do their best.
Amidst of making his entrance back inside of the arena, Booker T is interrupted by the arrival of his opponent Lance Storm. "Of course you people cheer Booker T," He says to disapproving boos. "You people cheer for the fakest of fakes here in Los Angeles... in Hollywood... so of course you cheer someone like Booker T who is all about the act and all about the show!" Stepping through the ropes, Storm says that this is a wrestling ring and this is serious business. "So we don't have time for your 'suckas' or your spinaroonies, Booker!" Storm then suddenly eats a big right hand to the face and the microphone goes flying out of his hand!1) Booker T def. Lance Storm via pinfall (4:25)A hot start from Booker off the pre-bell punch eventually leads to some back and forth between the two, Storm taking control on the mat after a drop toe hold as he puts Booker in multiple submission holds but Booker fights his way out repeatedly. After a leaping side kick cuts Storm off coming from the ropes, Booker performs the spinaroonie to the crowd's delight and Storm's anger. Ducking a punch, Booker then delivers the Book End! He doesn't stop there, however, as he lets Storm stagger back up before kicking him in the stomach and nailing the Scissors Kick, leading to the cover and the three count.The fans behind him, Booker gets to his feet prepared to begin his celebration but is suddenly caught from behind by Randy Orton with the RKO! "Oh, je-" J.R. says in shock. "That damn Randy Orton with an RKO out of nowhere!" A sly grin comes across his face as he stands up over Booker, raising the Intercontinental Championship above his head.In the back, Jonathan Coachman is standing by and welcomes Rob Van Dam as his guest at this time, mentioning to RVD how he is feeling after losing the World Tag Team Championship last week. "It definitely doesn't feel good, Coach, that's for sure." RVD shakes his head and says that obviously last week he was on his own, but he isn't making any excuses - he should have stepped up for himself and Kane. Up to him then comes General Manager Eric Bischoff, telling RVD that he put up a good effort last week, prompting Van Dam to question what he wants. "Well, you had to go it on your own last week, Rob! And I haven't heard from Kane and nobody in WWE management has heard from Kane and he has the other World Tag Team Championship belt in possession... and it seems like you're the only one that can get to him... so, I want you to deliver a message for me." He then informs RVD that if Kane doesn't return by next week here on Raw and return his World Tag Team Championship belt, he will be fired! Bischoff grins and walks off, leaving RVD looking none too pleased with the threat.
Talking together in the back are the new World Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Christian, talking about how they still only have one title belt when Christian brings up that they have to defend against this mystery team tonight. "Well, Christian, it's a team not to be messed with!" Christian grows a bit worried but Jericho assures them that they'll prove that they are the champs for a reason. Christian places his hands on his hips nervously and, with a sigh, tells Jericho he hopes he knows what he is doing!
In another part of the backstage area is Goldust when in walks The Hurricane, mentioning that he heard 'through the Hurriverse' that Goldust was going to be a key witness tonight. "That's right!" Goldust says proudly. "But Hurricane... people like Scott Steiner don't get people like us... and they just want to tear us down! I've got your back!" Hurricane says he appreciates that, but apparently their judge tonight is big time so they need to be prepared for the worst!
Back at the announce desk, J.R. and Lawler go to a replay of last week where Bischoff had joined commentary to keep an eye on Ross, eventually berating him and leading to J.R. pushing the General Manager out of his chair and walking off the set. Lawler then turns to Ross and asks what he was thinking. "Y'know, King, Eric... he pushed my buttons... and there's a hard truth about him..." The theme music of Eric Bischoff then interrupts things, the GM stepping out to the stage and staring over at commentary. He then heads down to the ring with a microphone in hand, saying he isn't going to let J.R. sit over on commentary and just bash him for the people at home to hear - he wants the people in this arena to hear it, too. He then demands J.R. come down and in to the ring. After a little bit of hesitation, Ross removes his headset and comes to the ring. "What do you have to say for yourself, J.R.?" Bischoff asks, only to cut J.R. off before he can respond. "No, no. You know what, J.R.? I think it's pretty damn clear! I think it's clear that you don't like me and I don't like you and you don't want to just let it go and do your job on commentary! You can't keep your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself!" J.R. turns his head away as he looks to bite his tongue, Bischoff saying he doesn't want to hear J.R.'s opinion tonight - he wants to hear him apologize. "Apologize?" Ross asks. "Hell no I'm not going to apologize!" The Staples Center cheers as Bischoff doesn't look impressed at all, telling J.R. he needs to think this through. "I'm going to give you one more chance, J.R... one more chance to apologize to me for what you have said or you're going to pay!" Ross puts his head down and seems to be mulling it over, looking up and around to the crowd - whom shout for him not to do it. "How about you shove it, Eric?" J.R. replies. "I'm not giving you an apology and I don't care what you're going to do about it because I think you're a no good, rotten son of a bitch and you don't deserve to be the General Manager of Raw!" Bischoff's eyes widen in disbelief, swinging his hand to try and slap J.R. but having his wrist caught! Ross then throws a right hand of his own - dropping Bischoff to the mat to a big ovation from the crowd! "J.R. what are you doing?!" Lawler shouts in shock from commentary. Ross then leaves the ring and begins to make his way up the ramp and toward the back when Bischoff sits up and shouts his name. "J.R... you had your chance... but now? You're fired, J.R.! You're fired!" The boos come down but Ross doesn't seem to care - walking right through the curtains and to the back! Footage during the break is shown, J.R. walking through the back when he was approached by security - saying they are here to escort him out of the building. "This is bulls***!" Ross would reply before being taken by the arm but refusing it - saying he can walk out of here on his own.
Back live, Lawler is at the announce desk by himself and saying he knows J.R. as well as anyone and he knows how tough J.R. is but he can't believe what he just saw! "Honestly, I'm a little lost without him!" Jonathan Coachman then arrives to the desk, taking a seat next to Lawler as he says that he knows he can't fill J.R.'s shoes but Eric Bischoff saw him in the back and told him to come out here. "And I'm excited to be here with you, 'King'!"
2) Test and Stevie Richards (w/Stacy Keibler and Victoria) def. Al Snow and Tommy Dreamer via pinfall (3:18) Teaming up for the first time, Test and Richards have to calm down Keibler and Victoria on the outside and it allows a quick start for Snow and Dreamer on Richards. After a tag in to Test, however, he runs through Snow with a clothesline. After turning the tides for his team, Richards is brought back in. As Keibler and Victoria begin to fight again on the outside. Dreamer begins a comeback off of the distraction but after Test makes a blind tag, Richards being placed in position for the DDT is saved by a running big boot to Dreamer. After dropping Snow with a Stevie Kick, Test is left to hit Dreamer with a Pump Handle Slam for the pinfall.
As Test and Richards are celebrating and hugging one another ecstatically in the ring, they look to the outside to Victoria and Stacy continuing to fight on the outside - even beginning to smack one another and pull each other's hair. After looking to each other, Test and Richards decide against getting involved and instead just leave the ring and head toward the back without their women at their side!
In the back stands Terri as she welcomes her guests at this time Triple H and Ric Flair, mentioning that HHH had some pretty harsh and threatening words for Hulk Hogan earlier. "It wasn't a threat, Terri. It was a guaran-damn-tee. Hulk Hogan keeps showing his face he's going to be dropped by Evolution..." Flair then intervenes and tells HHH that he appreciates him and knows how great he is. "But I want you to do me a favor and let me handle this tonight," He says while patting HHH on the chest. "You're 'The Game' and you'll destroy Hogan this Sunday at Vengeance... but for me this goes back decades as to who is the greatest and you and I, Hunter, we know the answer but Hulk Hogan can't get that through his thick skull! So you can have him at Vengeance but tonight it's about me and me alone... woo!" He then walks off with that match still to come!
Footage from the break is shown of the parking lot where as Jim Ross was leaving the building, another car pulled in with World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman stepping out. Coachman reminds everyone from commentary that after not being here last week and Heyman being hit with Sweet Chin Music, Heyman promised Lesnar would be here for a face-to-face with Shawn Michaels tonight.
Back inside of the arena, the ring is set up like a court room with two desks and one big stand in the middle. Jerry Lawler stands in the center and says that we are ready to finally settle things once and for all in the case of Scott Steiner versus the identity of The Hurricane. He then proceeds to welcome Scott Steiner and his legal defense Christopher Nowinski. The two make their way down from boos to the crowd but Steiner brushes it off with some trash talk back at the fans. Lawler then welcomes The Hurricane, whom is followed out by Goldust where Steiner immediately claims that Hurricane has been tampering with the witness! Nowinski works to calm Steiner down as Hurricane and Goldust come in to the ring and have some words with the other two, Lawler telling them to relax because they still have to bring the judge out. He then flips to the next card in his hand and the eyes of 'The King' grow wide. "Oh, wow! I... I didn't know about this! Ladies and gentlemen, your judge residing over this case is someone that knows the Staples Center as well as anyone... Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal!" The audience cheers for the arrival of their hometown hero, the seven foot center happily coming down to the ring and stepping right over the ropes, waving to the crowd and taking his spot at the judge's stand.
Shaq pounds his gavel repeatedly and calls for order as Steiner tries to talk over him. "You're not a real judge - are you kidding me?!" Shaq keeps pounding the gavel and warns Steiner that he'll be held in comtempt of 'Shaqourt' if he doesn't sit down and shut up. "Now, we are here to settle the case of Scott Steiner versus the identity of The Hurricane... opening statements, please. Mr. Hurricane, you go first." Hurricane stands up and places both fists on his side, looking out to the cheering audience as he says that his statement is a little long, which Shaq says he will allow. "Ever since I was a young boy, I always wanted to be a super hero. I always wanted to be there to help others in their times of need and crisis! I always wanted to live a little bit more than a normal life and while some people may call me weird, I respond by saying: Whatsupwiththat?! It's just me, Shaq. I am me and nobody else and for me to remove this mask would be unfair and unjust to my own personal being. Thank you." Shaq nods and says that was a great opening statement and then turns to Steiner, whom stands up and says that was real cute. "But let me tell you a story about 'The Big Bad Booty Daddy', you little twerp! When I was gro-" Shaq suddenly cuts Steiner off and tells him that they're low on time, he is going to have to stop him there. Steiner is outraged as Shaq asks they move on to the first witness. While Steiner continues to try and yell at Shaq, Nowinski works to calm him down - standing up himself and saying that they only require one witness tonight and that witness is Goldust. He then walks across the ring and leans over Goldust at the desk. "Goldust, you paint yourself up every night and you portray... this. You know that there is someone underneath and that we the people deserve to know because if everyone could just have a second identity the whole world would go crazy!" Shaq says that's enough. Nowinski then turns to Shaq and says that on the other hand, maybe a super hero like The Hurricane could've helped him beat the Spurs in the conference finals this year! Steiner laughs and says it must suck not being a former World Champion like himself. "I got three championships, dummy." Shaq replies. Hurricane then asks if he can cross examine the witness, which Shaq allows. Hurricane says he will make this one short and sweet - asking Goldust if he feels like his true self when he puts that paint on. "Yes, I do." Goldust replies proudly, leading to Shaq saying he understands. "When I call myself 'The Big Aristotle', I feel that in my soul. It's who I am. I'm the best big man in the NBA. And now I might just be calling myself 'The Honorable' from now on." Steiner stands up and says that he wants Hurricane unmasked right here and right now! Shaq turns to Steiner and says that he has heard enough of his mouth and he has made his decision - this case is no case. "The Hurricane will keep his identity. You lose. Good day, sir." The fans cheer for the response as Steiner can't believe it - flipping his table over and pointing right up in Shaq's face! Hurricane then slides over his table and dropkicks Steiner in to Nowinski - knocking both of them through the ropes and to the outside! The Los Angeles fans continue to cheer as Shaq proceeds to hold the arms up of both Hurricane and Goldust, declaring them 'the winners'! Meanwhile, Steiner yells at Nowinski on the outside and blames him for everything!
The cameras then pick up backstage to show Hulk Hogan walking through the halls as his big match with Ric Flair is coming up next!
3) Hulk Hogan def. Ric Flair via pinfall (8:04) A lot of hype up after the bell rings, the two spend plenty of time playing up to the crowd and taking their time to get in to things. After some quick Hogan power moves, Flair comes at him with a thumb to the eye and rapid chops to the chest. The back and forth is on until Hogan whips Flair in to the corner, 'The Nature Boy' rolling right up the turnbuckles, coming back to a huge powerslam. Flair staggers back to his feet and flops right back down, leading to Hogan looking ready to call for a finish only to have another thumb to the eye and a chop block to the back of the knee. Working the leg over, Flair eventually ends up applying the Figure Four Leglock. Hogan struggles in the hold but with some motivation from the L.A. crowd and self-endurance, he works his way to the ropes and forces a break - the referee reaching a four count before Flair actually lets go. Flair stays on the attack and brings Hogan to his feet in the corner, a big chop to the chest firing Hogan up. A few more keeps Hulk going, leading to a series of punches. Flair is in disbelief and looks to jab a third thumb to the eye but Hogan catches the wrist and decks him once again! The punches keep on coming followed by the big boot off of the ropes, Hogan then cupping his ear to the crowd before nailing the signature leg drop that leads to the pinfall victory!
The audience cheers the result of the battle of two legends, Hogan emerging to his feet proud of the win. As soon as Hogan goes to celebrate along with the fans, however, Triple H makes his way out with his eyes locked on the ring. "I don't think either of these guys care to wait until Sunday!" Says Coachman. Hogan continues to motion HHH to the ring, but as soon as 'The Game' steps through the ropes, Flair delivers a low blow to Hogan! HHH jumps right on the opportunity as he mounts over Hogan and drills him with punch after punch, even shoving the referee down when he tries to intervene. He then drags Hogan back up and plants him with a Pedigree in the center of the ring! The boos come down loud as HHH stands and poses over Hogan's body, Flair applauding from off to the side.
Backstage, Chris Jericho and Christian are walking together and playing a bit of tug of war with the one World Tag Team Championship belt. Regardless of one belt or two, they'll defend the titles against mystery opponents after the break.
Taking pictures in the back with crew members following the break is Shaquille O'Neal when he is approached by The Hurricane and Goldust, the two of them thanking Shaq for his ruling earlier, to which O'Neal says he was just doing what was right. "How would 'The Honorable' Judge Shaq feel about joining our alliance?" Hurricane asks with a big smile on his face and his hand held out. Shaq says he'd love to, but basketball comes first. "Well, we've got plenty of balls you can play with!" Goldust says, causing Shaq to take a step back. "Good meeting you fellas." He says as he walks off, Hurricane with his arms crossed as Goldust questions if it was something he said!
Having arrived inside the arena are the new World Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Christian, the two in the ring and hushing the crowd. "Let's get one thing straight," Jericho says. "Kane, you big dumb S.O.B., you better bring us our second World Tag Team Championship belt next week!" Christian stops Jericho there and says that is if they're still the champions. Jericho quickly questions what Christian is so afraid of. "Well, Chris, you won't tell me who our opponents are!" Christian says back, 'Y2J' nodding and saying that he'll be honest with Christian, their opponents are a veteran tag team. "Hell, they've been around for fifteen years, bud. They're former tag team champions! They're... they're... Los Conquistadors!" He then gestures up the ramp as two masked men representing the recurring team of Los Conquistadors make their way out, Jericho and Christian sharing a hearty laugh over the arrival of their challengers.
4) World Tag Team Championship: Chris Jericho and Christian(c) def. Los Conquistadors (2:57) The laughter and mockery allows Unos and Dos to surprise the champions with a double clothesline and dropkick, but from there Jericho and Christian take things over as they get a bit more serious. After an escape of the Walls of Jericho, however, Uno tags in Dos and he flies off the top rope with a double axe handle. Bouncing off the ropes though, Christian throws a knee in to the back and it leads to a Jericho bulldog. A tag out to Christian and in comes Uno only to be tossed in to the ring post shoulder first by Jericho, leaving Dos to fall to Christian's Unprettier and covered for the one, two, three.
The bell sounds and the referee retrieves the single World Tag Team Championship belt, Jericho and Christian raising it above their heads together before beginning another tug of war struggle over it. The little tiff is put to a stop though when The APA's music hits! Bradshaw and Ron Simmons come storming down from the back, Jericho charging right in to a spinebuster from Simmons! Christian then swings his belt at Bradshaw but it is ducked under and Bradshaw comes roaring back off of the ropes with a Clothesline From Hell! The champions roll to the outside off the attack as The APA then march around the ring, Simmons picking the sole tag title belt up from off of the mat and holding it above his head, then handing it over to Bradshaw for him to do the same before throwing it down at the bodies of Jericho and Christian.
Seen sitting in the back is Shawn Michaels, as he has demanded Brock Lesnar come face-to-face with him tonight. That stand off ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship match this Sunday is still to come.
Seen in the halls after the break is The APA after having laid out the World Tag Team Champions moments ago when they barge in to the office of Eric Bischoff, whose smile quickly fades when the two men back him up toward the wall. "You know, Bischoff, Ron and myself aren't too keen to what you pulled with Jim Ross," Bradshaw says. "We ought to kick your ass for it - free of charge for J.R." Simmons nods in agreement but Bradshaw suggests a better idea, telling Bischoff since himself and Simmons weren't the ones pinned last week, they should get a World Tag Team Championship match at Vengeance this Sunday. "What do you think, Eric? Plan A... or Plan B?" Simmons then asks. After a big gulp out of fear, Bischoff slowly raises his hands up and tells them they've got their match. "Huh," Bradshaw says with a hard pat on Bischoff's arm. "You're smarter than we thought." He and Simmons then leave the room, Bischoff taking a deep breath, waiting for the door to close before muttering under his breath that he could've taken the two of them.
In the arena, Jazz and Theodore Long arrive and come down to the ring together where Long has a microphone in his hand. "Let me holla at ya playa," He says in signature fashion. "Last week, Jazz made a decision! A decision that she didn't need no dead weight to be dragged around and you better believe that yours truly was going to back his number one girl. So Jacqueline, it was a good run, baby girl, but you just couldn't keep up and all you did was hold us down and believe me when I say we've done enough time being held down!" Before more can come out of Long's mouth, Jacqueline's music hits and she marches her way out and to the ring - getting right in Jazz's face as the referee for their match has to separate the two of them.
5) Jazz (w/Theodore Long) def. Jacqueline via pinfall (3:34) An angry Jacqueline dominates as soon as the bell rings, putting Jazz down repeatedly. After a big suplex, she has some words for Long and brings Jazz back up only to eat a jawbreaker. Jazz stays on the attack from there and after a brief back and forth showcasing power from each woman, Jazz trips Jacqueline face first in to the turnbuckles. She then lifts her former tag team partner off of the mat and hits the Bitch Clamp in the center of the ring and gets the pinfall.
Jazz rips her arm away from the official as she kneels over Jacqueline, having some words for her and throwing a few slaps. Long gets in to the ring to lead Jazz away, taking a look down at Jacqueline and shaking his head. He and Jazz then leave the ring together, Jacqueline left laid out and defeated on her own.
Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton is seen walking confidently in the back with a grin when he is suddenly jumped from behind by Booker T! He throws Orton off of the walls and throws a ton of punches, Ric Flair rushing on to the scene but eating a punch as well. After a big side kick to Orton's face, Booker tells him he's coming for his ass on Sunday. "And I'm taking back that Intercontinental Championship!" Booker then walks off as Flair shouts at him from the floor, saying he is sick of being disrespected and he'll learn the hard way just like Hogan! Meanwhile, commentary mentions that we will see the face off between Brock Lesnar and Shawn Michaels after the break!
Seen talking together backstage is Women's Champion Trish Stratus and Gail Kim when they are walked up on by Jazz and Theodore Long, the two bringing up what just happened moments ago. "Don't think I'm done with you yet!" Jazz says while poking a finger in to Stratus' Women's Championship. Kim then steps in front of Stratus and suggests that she face Trish one-on-one next week. Long smiles and tells them they're on and leads Jazz away, Stratus looking very confused as she questions Kim making that kind of decision for her. "You've beaten her before, you'll beat her again." Gail says confidently.
The theme music of Brock Lesnar hits back inside the Staples Center, the World Heavyweight Champion making his way out along with Paul Heyman. The duo head down and in to the ring together, Heyman quickly demanding a microphone. "Last week I stood in this ring and I warned Shawn Michaels that he had made the biggest mistake of his life by signing that contract for his match with Brock Lesnar at Vengeance. I was right then, but I cannot say the same thing right now... because when Shawn Michaels decided to kick me in the face... that was the worst decision of his life." Heyman expresses it's not because he himself is going to do anything about it, but because it made this more than just business, made this more than just putting Michaels away - it made things personal. "Brock Lesnar trusts only two people in this world - himself, 'The Executioner', and me - Paul Heyman... and Shawn you decided to kick me in the face and try to drive my teeth down my throat just to send a message to Brock Lesnar and tell him to come here tonight... because of what? You want a fight, Shawn? You want a fight with Brock Lesnar?! You want to risk your physical ability to make it to Vengeance? Well here's your chance, Shawn! Here's your chance because Brock Lesnar is standing right here, right now and he's ready to break you in half!"
After waiting a few moments, Shawn Michaels' music hits and 'The Heart Break Kid' makes his way out. Him and Lesnar stare one another down and Michaels heads right to the ring, a microphone of his own in his hand. "I think I've said enough over recent weeks... I didn't come here to talk... I came here to hunt." Michaels then tosses his microphone aside and gets right in to the face of Lesnar, Heyman taking Michaels by the arm and eating a punch to the face that drops him! Lesnar responds by wrapping his arms around Michaels and charging him chest first in to the corner before hitting a big German suplex across the ring! A belly-to-belly follows and he then tosses Michaels to the outside, throwing him hard in to the steel steps. "Punish him! Show him what kind of mistake he made!" Heyman yells. Lesnar then picks Michaels up on to his shoulders and walks toward the ring post, preparing for the F-5 in to it but Michaels manages to slide off and push Lesnar face first in to the post instead. Staggering backwards, Michaels makes it halfway up the ramp as Lesnar runs back at him and dives in to the mid-section, slamming Shawn down on the ramp back first! The attack continues up the ramp with Lesnar hurling Michaels repeatedly off the stage set and mini-tron. As Michaels begins to crawl away, Lesnar looks over to Heyman whom stands at the edge of the stage, pointing down below. The World Heavyweight Champion then pulls Michaels up by his hair, lifting him on to his shoulders and in position for another F-5, this time aiming for off the stage! "This would most certainly take Shawn Michaels out of Vengeance!" Coachman says. Michaels, however, takes Heyman by his jacket collar and Heyman has to stop Lesnar. Michaels then pushes himself back down behind Lesnar, waiting for 'The Executioner' to turn around before hitting him with Sweet Chin Music! Lesnar wobbles and leans back toward off the stage, but manages to hang on. Michaels then takes a couple steps back, positions himself right and nails another Sweet Chin Music - this one sending Lesnar falling backwards and in to the production equipment down below! Heyman's eyes widen in disbelief, the Los Angeles crowd cheering loud as Michaels staggers back to his feet, looking down at Lesnar's motionless body! 'The Heart Break Kid' then walks over to the World Heavyweight Championship sitting on the stage, picking it up slowly and hoisting it above his head as Heyman checks on Lesnar down below. "Will these be the types of lengths Shawn Michaels has to go to this Sunday at Vengeance?!" Lawler asks. With that final image, the cameras fade to black.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Feb 28, 2021 18:18:51 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Mar 16, 2021 10:17:07 GMT -5
The Smackdown opening video airs with the voices of Michael Cole and Tazz welcoming all to the show afterward from the Selland Arena in Fresno, California just three nights away from the Vengeance pay-per-view! Tonight, ahead of the event, WWE Champion Kurt Angle will take on one of his three opponents this Sunday when he goes toe-to-toe with The Big Show! Plus, Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy team up against Jeff's brother Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore. Also, Los Guerreros and La Resistance will settle their differences in a flag match - but right now, the United States Champion is in action!
The theme music of Edge hits as the United States Champion is ready for action before he defends his title at Vengeance. Once in the ring, his opponent for this weekend in Chris Benoit steps out to the stage, a microphone in hand as he mentions that last week, Edge chose his opponent with Rey Mysterio. "And I would have beaten that little punk if you hadn't gotten involved!" Benoit shakes his head and says that it doesn't matter, because he will come out the ultimate winner when he leaves as the United States Champion at Vengeance. "But as for tonight? I got to pick your opponent... and he doesn't care who stands in his way - he'll rip right through them!" Out from the back then comes Rhyno, 'The Man Beast' having a brief stare down with Benoit before they part in opposite directions following a nod. Benoit returns through the curtains as Rhyno hits the ring and locks eyes with Edge.
1) Non-Title Match: United States Champion Edge def. Rhyno via pinfall (10:13) A string of back and forth action to start things off leads to Rhyno targeting the shoulder of Edge, the United States Champion with a baseball slide after knocking Rhyno to the outside as the match goes through a break. Rhyno continues his aggressive attack, ramming Edge's shoulder in to the turnbuckles and then even on the outside in to the ring post. After a toss in to the steel steps, Rhyno takes things back in to the ring where, after a near fall, he goes for a belly-to-belly but is pushed away, Edge backing off the ropes and returning with a Spear! Immediately, however, Edge grabs his shoulder and is unable to go for a pin. Rhyno eventually works back to his feet and catches Edge with a spinebuster. Rhyno then positions himself in the corner, nailing Edge with the Gore once he stands up! "That's it! Rhyno's gonna beat the United States Champion, Cole!" Tazz shouts. Edge, however, gets his foot on the bottom rope just in time! Rhyno can't believe it, dragging Edge back up and positioning him for a piledriver but Edge ends up flipping Rhyno up and over! The U.S. Champion recovers off of the ropes and after a kick to the stomach nails the Edgecution for the pinfall.
In clear pain, Edge sits up holding his shoulder but is pronounced the winner and presented with his United States Championship. After getting to his feet, Edge is spun around by Rhyno, whom stares him down before offering a handshake. Edge accepts the gesture, but quickly grabs his shoulder afterward. Rhyno then leaves the ring as Edge looks a bit worried, yet still celebrates by holding his belt to the crowd.
Walking in the back is Los Guerreros, Eddie and Chavo waving a French flag in their hands. "Hey, man, I actually don't mind the French!" Eddie says. "Just not La Resistance!" Chavo says 'oui' and notes that they give the French a bad name, they're probably glad they came to America. "Just like us, Uncle Eddie." He says with a smile, Eddie adding that when they win tonight, they will be proud to wave the flag of Mexico as well as old glory.
Elsewhere in the back is The Big Show, the giant making his way toward the ring as he will be addressing his match with Kurt Angle tonight as well as the fatal four way this Sunday - next!
After the break, The Big Show indeed makes his way out and down to the ring, demanding a microphone after stepping over the ropes. "This Sunday, the WWE Championship is on the line. It's Goldberg, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle... and me." Show asks if anybody really thinks that anyone besides him will walk out of Vengeance the WWE Champion. "I am a giant... a giant that has put down The Undertaker... that has taken out Goldberg... that Chokeslammed Kurt Angle nearly through this mat last week... what did you think was going to happen last week, Kurt?" Show says that there was absolutely no chance in hell he'd ever join Team Angle - because he is Team Big Show all the way because that's all he needs. "It takes three of you to keep that WWE Championship around your waist, Kurt. It only takes one of me... so what are you going to do at Vengeance? What are you going to do tonight when I get my hands on you, Kurt?"
The theme music of Kurt Angle then hits, the WWE Champion arriving with Team Angle, the WWE Tag Team Champions. "Big Show, I am hurt," Kurt says. "Genuinely, I am hurt. Because last week I opened my arms to you! I gave you an exclusive offer to become a member of Team Angle! We could have been the best of friends! We could have been unstoppable!" He shakes his head and says that clearly, he put his trust in the wrong person, but all that does is make him hungrier. "And I'm not talking your kind of hungry, Show," He says to Show's anger. "I'm talking the kind of hungry in terms of proving that I am the very best that this place has to offer! I'm going to beat everybody that stands in my way and that includes The Undertaker, Goldberg and even you, Show!" Taking a step toward the ropes, Show says that their match has already been made for later tonight - but asks why wait until Vengeance to put the WWE Championship on the line. "You're so damn good, Kurt, then put the belt on the line tonight." Angle begins to laugh as he looks to Benjamin and Haas, telling Show that he is as at as he is greedy! "There is no way you're getting a free shot at the WWE Championship, Show. You've got your chance on Sunday already. But I assure you that tonight... betraying my trust last week will be the biggest mistake you've ever made!" Angle, Benjamin and Haas then return to the back as Show is left watching from the ring, shaking his head and clenching his fists.
The cameras then pick up in the back to show The Undertaker watching a monitor while leaning against his motorcycle. Josh Mathews then walks up to him and excuses himself, asking for Taker's thoughts on the tension between Angle and Show, as well as his interesting encounter with Goldberg last week. "Big Show and Kurt Angle having their eyes on each other makes my job a whole lot easier. Looking over me? That'd be the downfall of them both... as for Goldberg, he's got the reputation but he ain't paid his dues around here. He has to understand just like everyone else that when you're in that ring... you're in my yard." Taker says to line them all up at Vengeance this Sunday, because he's taking back the WWE Championship.
Following the break, footage is shown of Goldberg watching The Undertaker's interview a few minutes ago, pushing the television set off it's table and letting out a frustrated grunt before storming off.
2) Ultimo Dragon def. Bill DeMott (w/The F.B.I.) via pinfall (3:45) Having kicked Chris Kanyon out of the group last week, DeMott seems to have some pressure on him as he overcomes an early fast offense from Dragon by using his strength to his advantage, slamming Dragon in to the corner and pinning him to the mat. Interference attempts from Nunzio and Palumbo are thwarted by Dragon dropkicking them both off the apron, DeMott seeming to take advantage regardless though as he plows through Dragon with a clothesline. A top rope moonsault misses, however, and Dragon busts out a moonsault of his own - the Asai. After an Asai DDT to DeMott, he covers and hooks the leg for the three count.
Nunzio slides in to the ring furious, slapping his hands to the mat as Dragon slips out the other side. As Ultimo celebrates yet another win over an F.B.I. member, Nunzio calls Palumbo and Dawn Marie in to the ring with him. Marie removes Nunzio's jacket and places it over DeMott's face as he gets to a knee, leading to Nunzio throwing some blinded smacks to the face. Palumbo then delivers a big superkick to the back of the head and stands over DeMott's downed body. "Is this another member of The F.B.I. being kicked out?!" Cole asks. Nunzio pats Palumbo on the shoulder and then leaves the ring with him and Marie.
Seen being attended to in the trainer's room backstage is the United States Champion Edge, ice pack on his shoulder. As the trainer says he'll be right back, the door is busted open and Chris Benoit tackles Edge to the floor! After some hard shots to the head, he brings Edge back up just to throw him shoulder first in to the wall. The Crippler Crossface is then applied, the trainer returning to the room and yelling for some help! "You're done, Edge! You're done!" Benoit shouts as he finally releases the hold, throwing an extra stomp for good measure to the shoulder as Edge is left curled up on the floor - the question now to be asked is if he'll be anywhere near one hundred percent come Sunday! Talking in the back following the break is Jamie Noble and Nidia, the latter complaining that Noble is once again in a rut. "If you don't start winning, Jamie, how are we gonna pay our rent?!" Nidia asks. "They're... they're gonna tow our trailer away!" Noble waves his hands and tells her not to worry about it, he's got this. "Next week, baby, this ol' boy is getting back in the win column and I guarantee it! You trust me, right? Right?" Nidia sighs and gives a smile, Noble assuring her that it's a foolproof plan.
Back inside of the arena, Los Guerreros make their way out in one of Eddie's low riders, themed with a half Mexico flag and half American flag look. The tandem make their way in to the ring together, Eddie saying to the crowd that they've been putting up with La Resistance since they arrived on Smackdown. "But tonight, we're going to shut them up and wave our flags!" Chavo says confidently. "Because we'll retrieve the flag of Mexico - our heritage - and then we'll be proud to wave it along with the flag of the United States of America because this is our home now and we stand behind it!" The audience cheers and as soon as Eddie starts to take digs at Grenier and Dupree, La Resistance's music interrupts and they come out to the stage, angrily speaking in French. "You have disrespected our great home," Dupree says. "Just because it is better than Mexico and definitely better than the USA..." Grenier tacks on that after they win this match, they'll be proud to sing the French national anthem.
3) Tag Team Flag Match: Los Guerreros def. La Resistance (5:03) A Guerrero tradition, Eddie and Chavo manage to lie and convince Grenier and Dupree that it is traditional tag match rules and get them to discuss who is starting things, leaving them the opening to jump them as Dupree steps out to the apron. A brawl comes out of it with each side trying their hand at retrieving their flag but being stopped by the other. After Chavo ends up getting double flapjacked across the ropes, Dupree begins to head for his flag. Eddie enters the ring and takes Sylvain out with a dropkick, however, and races up behind Dupree - the two trading blows up there before Eddie ends up taking control of the battle and delivering a superplex from the top! Grenier tries to take advantage of both men being down but Chavo races up next to him and pushes him down in to the barricade. Dupree gets back to his feet and comes toward Chavo but takes a shoulder to the gut, Chavo then leaping over with a DDT. A Frog Splash from Eddie then follows, allowing Chavo to make his way to the flag of Mexico and bring it down for the win.
The crowd cheers the result as Chavo leaps down with the flag, waving it over his head proudly. Eddie stops him, however, and steps over to the ropes - calling for the flag of the United States of America from the timekeeper. After being handed it, he waves it next to Chavo proudly while La Resistance looks on from the outside furious. Grenier tries to reach up and grab the French flag but Chavo runs at him and forces him to back down, Los Guerreros continuing their celebration from there.
Seen talking in the back is Cruiserweight Champion and 2003 King of the Ring Rey Mysterio with his opponent for Sunday but tag team partner tonight, Jeff Hardy. Their playful banter is interrupted by a furious Shannon Moore, Matt Hardy not far behind in tow. "You're a turncoat, Jeff!" Moore accuses quickly, Matt fast to try and calm the situation and back Moore up - telling him his brother is not a turncoat. "As a matter of fact, he is above teaming with Rey Mysterio. Hell, everyone is above Rey Mysterio!" Matt lets out a chuckle as he mocks the height of Mysterio, the Cruiserweight Champion smiling in response as he reminds Matt of who he beat for the Cruiserweight Championship in the first place back at Judgment Day. "Jeff will give me a run for my money on Sunday, but tonight we have a match with the two of you... and if Jeff's the competitor I think he is... I'd watch yourself, Matt." Quickly getting defensive, Matt questions if he really thinks Jeff would strike his own brother, saying that this is almost like a three-on-one handicap match! Rey asks if that is so as he gets a bit closer to Matt, Jeff having to intervene and pull Mysterio back - saying they can settle this in the ring later! He then escorts Mysterio away, Moore continuing to try and tell Matt he doesn't like this.
After the break, The Dudley Boyz make their way out and look to mean business as D-Von has a table in his hands. They hit the ring and Bubba calls for a microphone. "This Sunday at Vengeance, we've got another crack at Team Angle... and that means we're going to be cracking some wood and putting splinters in their asses when we beat them in a good old Dudley Boyz special: A Tables Match!" He says that they are more than looking forward to becoming WWE Tag Team Champions yet again but tonight, they're looking for a fight. "And since we know Team Angle doesn't have the guts to step up before Vengeance, we're inviting anybody in the back willing to step up and take us on!" After a few moments of waiting, two unknown men walk through the curtains donning some Team Angle-esque red, white and blue gear. They make their way down and in to the ring, Bubba giving them the opportunity to introduce themselves. "I'm Sean Evans and this is Tony Kozima," Says one of them. "And we are huge fans of Team Angle! As a matter of fact, we want to be just like them!" Kozima then adds on that they'll be watching Vengeance this Sunday to watch Team Angle kick the asses of The Dudley Boyz! After laughing it off, Bubba Ray and D-Von both strike with big elbows to the head as the bell sounds!
4) The Dudley Boyz def. Sean Evans and Tony Kozima via pinfall (1:31) Taking their time to punish Evans and Kozima for what they had to say, each man is put through the ringer with Bubba and D-Von. After Evans is taken out with the 'Whassup?' headbutt from D-Von, Kozima is left to fall to the 3-D, Bubba covering afterward for the easy one, two, three.
Bubba stands back up next to D-Von and calls for his microphone back. "You want to be like Team Angle, huh? You're gonna be like Team Angle... D-Von... get the tables!" The Fresno crowd cheers the suggestion, D-Von going to the outside to retrieve the table he brought down, Bubba bringing Kozima up to the top rope with him. Team Angle, however, end up hitting the ring with D-Von being knocked down with a title shot to the back of the head by Haas! Bubba jumps down but Benjamin ends up dropkicking him through the ropes, D-Von left to be nailed with a double spinebuster right through the table! Bubba rolls back in to the ring, Haas and Benjamin quick to escape and race up the ramp! As they raise the WWE Tag Team Championship belts over their head, Bubba left kneeling angrily at his brother's side watching the two of them.
In the back, Goldberg is angrily stomping around in the back yelling for The Undertaker. He ends up bumping in to Orlando Jordan shoulder to shoulder when they each come around a same corner - Jordan putting his hands up quickly with Goldberg quick to push him against the nearby wall while grabbing the shirt collar. "Where's The Undertaker, kid?!" He questions, Jordan swearing he doesn't know. Goldberg then shoves him aside and tells him to watch where he's going next time. He then continues down the hall - still yelling for The Undertaker.
Seen in the locker room area preparing for his match is The Big Show when General Manager Mick Foley walks in, asking Show about wanting to see him. "That's right," Show replies. "Kurt Angle is a coward... I want our match tonight to be for the WWE Championship!" Foley nods and says that he understands where Show is coming from, but admittingly feels he has been a little unfair with Angle since taking over as General Manager, also adding that Show gets his chance on Sunday along with The Undertaker and Goldberg. "So, you have your match with Kurt tonight... but it will remain non-title. Have a nice day." He then leaves the room, Show muttering under his breath as he says to himself that Angle will pay.
5) Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy def. Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore via pinfall (6:56) Early chemistry from Mysterio and Jeff, the two opponents for this Sunday managing to team together very well against Moore. Matt ends up making a blind tag, however, and takes Mysterio down from behind in the process. The match goes through a break, Jeff not being tagged in at all as Matt refuses to allow it. Mysterio continues to be cut off while Moore keeps knocking Jeff off the apron. After a dropkick and a hurricanrana, however, Mysterio makes a diving tag to Jeff and in he comes to go off on Moore. Matt refuses to tag in and instead walks down the steps slowly, allowing Moore to be dominated by both Jeff and Mysterio. A 619 from the Cruiserweight Champion leads to Jeff nailing the Swanton Bomb, resulting in the pinfall victory.
As Matt watches on from the outside, he encourages his brother to follow along after having his arm raised along with Mysterio. While Rey encourages Jeff to stay behind, he extends his hand. Jeff, however, doesn't accept it and instead points at the Cruiserweight Championship - motioning for it around his waist before leaving the ring. Matt tries to follow his brother but Jeff seems to be on his own on his way up the ramp.
Seen walking in the back is WWE Champion Kurt Angle when he is caught up with by the WWE Tag Team Champions Team Angle, Kurt telling Haas and Benjamin that they did a great job earlier with The Dudley Boyz. "Now we're going to take it to The Big Show!" The confident smile of Angle quickly fades, however, when Mick Foley approaches them - excusing himself and saying he just wanted to get a quick word with them before the main event. Angle tries to say he has to go but Foley says he is the General Manager of Smackdown and he can wait a minute. "After what you did to The Dudley Boyz earlier tonight, Charlie and Shelton - you're banned from ringside for Kurt's match with The Big Show." All three men are livid but Foley says he wasn't done - they're also banned from ringside when it comes to the fatal four way WWE Championship match this Sunday at Vengeance! "Good luck, Kurt. And have a nice day!" Foley then heads off, Angle looking incredibly frustrated as his match with The Big Show is coming up next!
Following the break, Goldberg is seen in the back and in the parking lot - approaching the motorcycle of The Undertaker with 'Big Evil' nowhere to be found. Goldberg mutters under his breath and continues on his search.
6) WWE Champion Kurt Angle vs The Big Show goes to a No Contest (5:51) Clearly a bit intimidated, Angle spends a good amount of time trying to avoid Show and takes opportunities to go to the outside. Show finally catches him, however, on a dive to the leg attempt and takes control of things with his power - slapping the chest in the corner and tossing the WWE Champion around the ring. After a chop block of the lower leg, however, Angle starts to go for the ankle. After escaping a Chokeslam attempt from the big man, Kurt shows all of his strength as he manages to get Show off the mat just enough for an Angle Slam! Too exhausted to go for the pin in time, Angle gets back to his feet as Show is crawling toward the ropes - taking the chance to go for the Ankle Lock. Show manages to roll over on his back after a brief struggle, however, and he sends his other leg in to Angle's face and sends him flying backwards. As both men are down, stepping out through the curtains atop the stage is The Undertaker! He takes his time to walk to the ring, stepping over the ropes and catching a stumbling Show with a big boot! He then takes Angle by the throat and delivers a Chokeslam as the referee calls for the bell.
Taker stands over Angle and then turns back to Show charging at him and slamming him in to the corner. The two men exchange blows back and forth as Angle crawls away. In the midst of things, Goldberg makes his way out from the back and stomps his way down to the ring. Once in the ring, he knocks Angle down with a clothesline and then side-steps Show running at him and pushes him through the ropes. Goldberg then measures up in the corner for Angle, charging full speed with the WWE Champion stumbling out of the way - Taker being taken down to the mat with a Spear! Angle rolls out of the ring quickly and retrieves his title belt, thinking twice on his walk away from the ring as he goes all the way around to avoid an angry Show kneeling against the barricade. As Angle watches from atop the stage, Taker stands up behind Goldberg holding his ribs - spinning him around and coming nose-to-nose. Some words are exchanged with the two men pushing one another back and forth afterward! Multiple referees and backstage officials come running down to the ring to pull them apart as well as keep Show from re-entering the ring. "And Kurt Angle knows it will be one hell of a task to walk out of Vengeance this Sunday as WWE Champion!" Cole says as Angle watches the chaos. The show then comes to an end as Vengeance is next on the docket this Sunday!
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Post by ✖ AJ on Mar 25, 2021 9:59:39 GMT -5
1) John Cena def. Orlando Jordan via pinfall after the F-U. (6:09) 2) Billy Kidman def. Chris Kanyon via pinfall following a Shooting Star Press. (3:25) 3) Chris Benoit def. Tajiri via submission with the Crippler Crossface. (5:50)
Arriving in the parking lot to begin the Sunday Night Heat broadcast on his motorcycle is The Undertaker, one of the four competitors in the WWE Championship match tonight on Vengeance! After Taker gets off of his bike, a man standing nearby laughs and asks Taker how he feels after Goldberg Speared him on Thursday. Taker chuckles as he steps toward the man. "Yeah, that was pretty good, huh?" He questions while removing his sunglasses - then flinching at the man and making him fall over. "Yeah... that's what I thought." Taker then puts his sunglasses back on and continues on his way.
The cameras then pick up to show The Big Show stretching and pounding his fist in to his palm, looking very intent as he looks to become a three-time WWE Champion tonight. Elsewhere, a shot of Goldberg's locker room is shown as he looks to take his place atop the WWE mountain after years on top in WCW by becoming WWE Champion. Finally, the WWE Champion himself Kurt Angle is seen with his proteges and WWE Tag Team Champions Team Angle. With three massive contenders after his title, the deck is stacked against Angle here tonight while Haas and Benjamin have their own hands full in a Tables Match with The Dudley Boyz.
In the arena, Michael Cole and Tazz are at ringside representing Smackdown as they mention the big WWE Championship fatal four way tonight. Also up for them is the Tables Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship with Team Angle as they face The Dudley Boyz at their own game, Rey Mysterio - less than a month away from his WWE Championship opportunity at Summerslam for winning King of the Ring - will defend his Cruiserweight Championship against Jeff Hardy and, for the United States Championship, Chris Benoit challenges against Edge as they look to put an end to their long running rivalry.
Up next to the stage for Raw commentary is Jerry 'The King' Lawler and Jonathan Coachman, the latter mentioning he is filling in for Jim Ross after he was fired by General Manager Eric Bischoff this past Monday on Raw. Tonight on Vengeance they have four matches of their own including a huge battle between Hulk Hogan and Triple H, a World Tag Team Championship bout as Chris Jericho and Christian defend against The APA, Randy Orton puts his Intercontinental Championship on the line in a rematch with former champion Booker T and, with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, Brock Lesnar and Shawn Michaels face off one more time!
Sending things to the back, Terri is standing by with Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar's agent. She mentions how he has constantly gotten under Shawn Michaels' skin since returning at Lesnar's side and asks if he thinks that means trouble for his client. "Brock Lesnar? In trouble? Oh, how naive of you, Terri!" He shakes his head and wags his finger, telling Terri that Lesnar rarely in his career, let alone his entire life, has been in trouble. "Now, I'll be the first to admit that I had my doubts about Brock last year at Survivor Series and our relationship fell apart... but when we came back together? When we got back on the same page? Our partnership was stronger than ever and every time I look Brock in the eyes I see 'The Executioner'... the reigning and defending, undisputed World Heavyweight Champion and let me tell you something else, Terri... getting under Shawn Michaels' skin doesn't spell trouble for Brock Lesnar - it spells trouble for Shawn Michaels..." Heyman explains that Michaels is now boiled up with emotion - he wants to kick his teeth down his throat and then rip Lesnar's head off and that is not going to work. "Because Brock Lesnar is out there to do a job and that job is to crush anyone in his path and walk out still the reigning and defending, undisputed World Heavyweight Champion." Heyman smiles and heads off, very confident ahead of Lesnar's title defense later tonight.
Seen in his office is Eric Bischoff talking on his cell phone when he opens the door and stops himself immediately - telling the other line he'll call them back. The cameras then pan to show Mick Foley sitting at a makeshift office desk right outside, Bischoff asking what the hell he is doing. "Hey, Eric, good to see you!" Foley says while standing up and extending his hand, explaining he was just finishing setting up his office for the night. Bischoff is a bit baffled, but lets it pass and tells Foley he hopes he does a much better job with Smackdown than Stephanie McMahon ever did - saying he, as a matter of fact, has a lot of faith that he will. "Yeah, Eric, as you know I have a great history of making good decisions... kind of like when I left WCW and a couple of years later came here to the WWE..." Foley's joking laugh is not replicated by Bischoff, to which Foley tells Bischoff to take a joke - it has been almost ten years after all. "I mean, Raw isn't going to go under, too, no matter how good of a job I do!" Bischoff still doesn't find the remarks funny and then suggests that Foley take his office for the night for himself. "Because tonight, I've got another duty to attend to aside from just being the Raw General Manager." Foley asks Bischoff if he is sure he wants to give up such a luxurious office, because he is fine sitting out here. Bischoff insists and even opens the door for Foley, telling him it's all his! Bischoff then heads off, Foley looking in to the room and noting out loud to himself that this is the high life. "The rocky mountain high life... right here in Denver, Colorado!" He then gives a thumbs up to the camera, grabs his stuff and heads on in.
Cutting elsewhere in the back, Josh Mathews is standing by with Rey Mysterio, the King of the Ring and Cruiserweight Champion, mentioning that while Mysterio has a match with the WWE Champion next month at Summerslam, he has his hands full with Jeff Hardy tonight. "Hands full is right, Josh," Mysterio responds. "Sure, I've got a heck of an opportunity at Summerslam but Vengeance is tonight and I have to look at my opponent right in front of me... not weeks ahead." He brings up Jeff being a risk taker and a daredevil, willing to do whatever it takes. "Maybe even more important than that? His brother... and his brother's little sidekick... and, man, if Jeff allows that to happen? I don't think I'll be able to look at him the same... so I'm asking Jeff to face me like a man tonight. Don't call his brother, don't call Shannon Moore. Me and him, one-on-one, better man wins." Mysterio pats his Cruiserweight Championship and walks away, Mathews wishing him luck.
In their locker room is Evolution, Triple H leading the huddle of himself, Ric Flair, Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton and Batista. "Tonight is yet another big night for Evolution. We've worked week after week and proven to everyone that we are the pinnacle of this business... but we've got Booker T trying to take down Randy Orton as he just begins his reign as Intercontinental Champion... and we've got Hulk Hogan..." HHH scoffs as he quickly has to calm a fired up Flair down, saying that Hogan was meant to be put down the night after WrestleMania - because time is up for him. "But he can't accept that reality and tonight... he'll have no choice. I'll put the final nail in his coffin because Hulkamania is dead... and like I told him before... Ric kicked his ass in the past, I'll kick his ass today and if he decides to keep on coming back when he shouldn't... the future will be waiting to put him down again." He looks to Batista and Orton and gives a confident nod, saying that tonight, however, he wants to make sure that isn't necessary by putting Hogan's career in the ground once and for all.
Back in the arena, Lawler and Coachman discuss the match between Triple H and Hulk Hogan after having heard from Evolution when Eric Bischoff's theme music interrupts. He makes his way out to the stage, boos from the crowd coming for him as he wields a microphone in hand. "I'm going to have to nicely ask all of you to shut up!" He says to even more boos. "What's the matter? Are you still upset about 'Good Ol' J.R.' Jim Ross getting fired? Well, too bad! He asked for it and he got it! And I'm the General Manager of Raw so what I say goes!" He continues to talk over the disapproving audience by saying that he, as a matter of fact, is going to once again return to his post at commentary tonight and he hopes J.R. is watching tonight and sees what real commentary is! He then makes his way over to the desk, putting a headset on while being welcomed by Lawler and Coachman, the General Manager saying that as a matter of fact - right here and right now on Heat, his assistant and his lawyer are going to be competing in a tag team match and he'll be more than happy to be here to watch them win!
1) The Hurricane and Goldust def. Scott Steiner and Christopher Nowinski via pinfall following The Final Cut from Goldust to Nowinski (4:48)
After a WWE Shopzone advertisement and a few video packages for the upcoming Vengeance pay-per-view, the cameras return inside of the arena at ringside, Cole and Tazz talking about their excitement for the Smackdown side of the card, giving one last run down of it before sending things back up to Lawler, Coachman and BIschoff where they discuss the Raw portion of the show. "And the best commentary you'll ever hear!" Bischoff adds. "Boomer sooner! Boomer sooner!" Bischoff cackles to himself as Coachman encourages to order Vengeance on pay-per-view if it hasn't been done already as the Sunday Night Heat pre-show comes to an end.
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Post by DTP. on Mar 28, 2021 19:11:37 GMT -5
A video package airs behind the official Vengeance theme song "Price To Pay" by Staind, highlighting major matches set for tonight including the four way battle set for the WWE Championship between Kurt Angle, Goldberg, The Big Show and The Undertaker, as well as the World Heavyweight Championship bout between Brock Lesnar and Shawn Michaels and Triple H versus Hulk Hogan, with each match having their own personal issues with championships and legacies on the line as each man seeks vengeance on the others.
The cameras then enter the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, the stage lit up by pyrotechnics as Michael Cole and Tazz welcome everybody from ringside for Vengeance! They mention that all four Smackdown championships are on the line tonight, headlined by the fatal four way for the WWE Championship with Kurt Angle defending against The Big Show, The Undertaker and Goldberg! They then seen things up next to the stage for the Raw crew, Jerry 'The King' Lawler, Jonathan Coachman and Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff! As Coachman tries to give the introduction, Bischoff cuts him off and says that he himself has put together a hell of a card for the Raw side of things, superior to that of Smackdown! "Just as I am superior to Jim Ross on commentary, boys!" He brings up the Intercontinental, World Tag Team and World Heavyweight Championship belts being on the line as well as Triple H versus Hulk Hogan, but his excitement fades suddenly when Shane McMahon's music hits! While Bischoff is none too pleased, the fans in attendance are. McMahon stands atop the stage and says it is nice to be here, but he doesn't want this to be about him. "Unlike some people..." He adds while glaring over toward Bischoff at the announce desk. "Eric, for the past five weeks or so I've been publicly monitoring you and, yet, you seem to think that whatever you do will not come with consequences. You've been tyrannical and down right wrong in some, if not most, of your decisions... and this past Monday when you took J.R. to that ring and made things personal before firing him I had to book a flight here tonight to tell you that I'm putting my foot down." He then tells Bischoff that things are going to change for the Raw brand beginning tonight and if Bischoff wants to talk to him, they can do it in the back - leave Lawler and Coachman to do their job. Bischoff shakes his head and removes his headset, picking up a microphone. "You know something, Shane..." He is cut off quickly by McMahon, however, whom asks the Denver crowd if they are ready to get things started tonight with an Intercontinental Championship match! He then introduces the challenger, Booker T, to cheers. As Booker makes his way out, he shakes hands and bumps fists with McMahon, Bischoff looking on angered from the side as he proceeds to follow McMahon to the back.
The match begins with an exchange of holds between the two men, Orton growing early confidence and allowing Booker to escape and tee off on him with right hands. After a big knock down, Orton rolls to the outside to recoup. Booker follows to the outside where Orton throws a boot to the stomach but as he attempts to whip Booker in to the ring steps it is reversed and he instead slams back first in to them. Booker drags Orton back up and under the bottom rope, following and covering for a two count. Staying on the attack from there, he works Orton in to the corner with punches and chops, but as the referee intervenes Orton throws a poke to the eye. As Booker backs off looking to recover, Orton charges forward with a boot to the back of the knee. Orton maintains control on the mat after, even flexing to the crowd in the process. Booker works his way back in to things as he fights back to his feet, elbows to the gut freeing him completely. Coming off of the ropes, however, Orton catches him with a hard powerslam. After a cover for a two count, Orton applies a headlock and again looks to keep Booker grounded. With motivation from the Denver fans, Booker fights to his feet once more and begins to go off on Orton again. After a back body drop, he kicks the mid-section and goes off the ropes for the Scissors Kick but Orton avoids it, nailing a shinbreaker and then driving Booker to the mat with a clothesline. He slides under the bottom rope and takes the foot, wrapping Booker's leg against the ring post! Orton takes his time getting back in to the ring and begins to drop elbows and knees in to Booker's bad leg, keeping that attack going. After letting Booker get back up, Orton sends a huge kick to the back of the leg and slams him down in to the mat again. Orton gloats to the disapproving crowd and then moves to the corner, climbing to the second rope and taunting to the fans. Booker gets back to his feet though and comes up from behind with a forearm to the back. After a couple more, he takes a hold of Orton and pushes him backwards and down to the mat. Orton stumbles to his feet again and is met with another flurry of strikes, Booker missing on a side kick with his good leg but ducking a clothesline in response, meeting Orton with a huge spinning spinebuster for a close two count! Booker staggers to his feet with Orton in his grasp, a whip to the ropes being reversed with Booker hugging the ropes. A leaping side kick is nailed as Orton approaches, a Book End attempt following with a series of elbows to the head stopping it. Orton then hits an inverted backbreaker. The champion then heads out to the apron, heading to the top rope with some trash talk to the fans. "Randy Orton exudes confidence," Coachman says. "And that may be both is best and worst quality!" Orton then leaps off for a crossbody but Booker side-steps it! The challenger then himself heads out to the apron and to the top rope, wincing through the pain of his injured leg. An attempt at a dropkick from the top is caught by Orton nailing one of his own! Rolling over for the cover, both legs hooked but Booker throwing his shoulder up just in time! Orton can't believe it and begins to argue with the official, slapping his hands in to the mat. Looking around the building, he decides to roll to the outside and retrieve his championship belt from ringside. He returns to the ring and ignores the referee's orders, waiting for Booker to stand before charging and swinging the belt - Booker able to duck underneath it and nail a kick to the gut. He bounces off the ropes and returns for the Scissors Kick but his bad leg buckles, Orton taking advantage of it and nailing the RKO! The cover is made and once again both legs are hooked, this time Booker down for the three count. Randy Orton def. Booker T via pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship (8:52)
Orton stands back up and pumps his fist, ripping the Intercontinental Championship belt away from the official and having some choice words for him before raising it up above his head. He then leaves the ring and continues his celebration, mouthing off to the fans as he continues to hold the title up high while backing up the ramp, Booker left looking on frustrated in the ring while nursing his bad leg still.
Seen in their locker room backstage is the rest of Evolution, applauding the television as Ric Flair says that is exactly what the future of Evolution represents! Batista agrees and says that seeing Orton do what he's doing has inspired him to leave his mark as well. "And you will," Triple H says. "And Hulk Hogan will suffer the same fate as Booker T tonight..."
Elsewhere in the back stands Josh Mathews as he introduces the United States Champion, Edge, as his guest at this time. Mathews is quick to point out the taped up shoulder of Edge, asking how he is doing. "I was put in a tough match up with Rhyno on Smackdown, Josh," He replies. "And, well, obviously I suffered a little bit of a shoulder injury... but there is no way in hell I am going to let that stop me from going out there and beating Chris Benoit tonight." He explains that this has been going on for a long time and it is time to put it all to an end by walking out still United States Champion - injured or not. He pats the belt around his waist and heads off, that match still to come later on tonight. Haas and Benjamin stand on the outside looking at all of the tables laying around upon making their entrance, Bubba Ray and D-Von then racing their way down from the back and taking the fight straight to the champions on the outside as the referee calls for the bell and the match to begin. The brawl on the outside leads to The Dudley Boyz gaining the upper hand, a table being set up on the outside. Benjamin tries to get on to the apron and quickly has both legs grabbed - Bubba Ray and D-Von looking to throw Benjamin down through the table but Haas taking his partner by the hands and quick to pull him in between the ropes when the follow through of the challengers comes up empty. The Dudleys quickly dive back in to the ring, taking a few boots to the back but getting back up and fending off the champions. A brawl of the four leads to Haas going down to a double flapjack, leaving Benjamin to try and fight off the two on his own to no avail, leading to the 'Whassup?' headbutt from his adversaries. Bubba then calls for D-Von to get the tables and he retrieves one, but is only able to get it standing in the corner before being knocked to the outside by Haas with a shot from behind. Bubba comes at Haas but Benjamin jumps on him from behind, Team Angle taking control as they get Bubba on the mat and continuously knock D-Von off the apron. After ducking a clothesline, Benjamin throws a spinning kick to the head and Haas trips Bubba in between the ropes, the duo then nailing their signature leapfrog on to Bubba. After celebrating as if they had won the match already, the two take turns choking Bubba on the ropes. They then move over toward the table up in the corner, D-Von trying to come in but facing the double team now. They then set him up against the table and seem primed in position for another leapfrog spot but D-Von ends up pulling himself out of the way - Benjamin crashing himself through the table! The referee is quick to note that doesn't count as an elimination. Haas, still concerned nonetheless, then turns straight in to a 3-D from The Dudleys! Bubba stands back up and nods to the crowd - pointing all around before shoving D-Von and telling him to get the tables once more!
Heading to the outside and bringing back another table, D-Von sets it up near the corner. The two then bring Haas back to his feet and set the stage for a corner powerbomb. As Bubba gets Haas lifted on to his shoulders, however, Benjamin - from the mat - just in time tips the table out of the way so Haas doesn't go through it as Bubba nails the powerbomb. D-Von charges Benjamin but gets shoved back and nailed with a superkick, Benjamin then running forward but in to Bubba's grip - hooked for a full nelson before being hoisted up and thrown through the corner table! Shelton Benjamin is eliminated. The crowd cheers as Bubba stands over Benjamin, Haas running up from behind and throwing clubs to the back. Bubba isn't phased by the shots, however, and slowly turns around with his eyes widened. Haas tries to plead him off but turns right around to D-Von standing with his hands on his hips. Haas then turns right back around to a punch, the brothers taking turns with strikes as Haas spins back and forth. A big elbow to the head from Bubba drops him to the mat, The Dudleys then having a brief discussion before yanking Haas to his feet and pointing to the outside. "For Spike!" Bubba shouts before they lift Haas in position for a double powerbomb. They then start to charge toward the ropes but Benjamin dives in to pull Haas down off their shoulders just in the nick of time! "The Dudley Boyz were going to get - excuse the pun - vengeance for their brother, Spike!" Cole explains. "They wanted to put Haas through that table just like they did their little brother!" Benjamin then throws a low blow kick to Bubba, allowing Team Angle to once again get the numbers advantage on D-Von. "And Shelton Benjamin has been eliminated, Cole," Tazz says. "But there ain't no disqualifications in this type of match!" The boos of the Denver crowd then slowly turn to cheers as running down from the back is Spike Dudley! The little brother hits the ring and dives right at Benjamin and fires away at him with punches in the corner. Haas makes the save but Spike continues to fight the two of them off. After knocking Haas down with a dropkick, he hooks a hold of Benjamin's head and delivers the Dudley Dog - landing back on to Haas as he starts to get back to his feet! Spike then follows after Haas to the outside and pushes him on to the table set up out there, pummeling away at him while looking to his brothers back in the ring. As Benjamin stirs up on the apron, Bubba Ray and D-Von give a nod to one another, each bouncing off the ropes on the other side before returning with a double shove to Benjamin that sends him flying back on to Haas and through the table to end the match!The Dudley Boyz def. Team Angle to become the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions! (9:44)Bubba Ray and D-Von are ecstatic upon the bell sounding - embracing one another in the ring. Spike goes and takes the WWE Tag Team Championship belts from the timekeeper's area and brings them to his brothers - whom take them and bring Spike in to the hug. The three then raise each other's arms up, new WWE Tag Team Champions as the former ones remain laid out through the table on the outside.Seen talking in the back together is Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon, Bischoff expressing how he doesn't appreciate the way he was treated out there publicly. "Well, I'm sure a lot of people don't appreciate how you treat everyone else publicly, Eric." Shane replies quickly. Bischoff, visibly frustrated, asks what McMahon wants from him - prompting Shane to shrug his shoulders and tell him to listen more often, for starters. "As a matter of fact, I want you to listen real close to this one, Eric. Because as of tomorrow night? You're not going to be in full control of Monday Night Raw anymore." Shane smiles and says that twenty four hours from now, Eric also will no longer be called the General Manager of Raw! "Are you firing me?!" Bischoff quickly questions, McMahon fast to tell him not exactly. "Eric, as of tomorrow you will be known as the Co-General Manager of Raw... along with myself." The fans cheer from inside of the arena as Bischoff is in disbelief, McMahon saying that isn't all because when the Board of Directors asked him to take this position he asked for two specific things. "And first thing tomorrow night on Raw, you and everyone else will find out just what those two things are. Enjoy the rest of your night, Eric... although, it seems your office is a bit preoccupied... so, maybe you can take this one." He pats on the table of Mick Foley's makeshift office outside of the room and heads off, leaving Bischoff looking absolutely floored over all of this news! The APA storm the ring and a big brawl kicks things off, an early attempt at a Clothesline From Hell from Bradshaw to Christian being avoided and the champions forced to regroup on the outside. Simmons and Jericho then tangle things up as the individuals to kick things off, a brief tie up turning to Jericho's favor as he rakes the eyes on an atomic drop attempt. Tiring down Simmons quickly with kicks and punches targeting the knees and head, he drags him in to the corner and tags out to Christian. The champions take quick turns tagging in and out to one another and staying on the attack of the veteran. After catching Christian on a second rope crossbody, however, Simmons tosses him over his head with a fallaway slam. Both men stand back up afterward with Simmons hitting a big spinebuster before falling back down to the mat. The two then each crawl to their corner and make simultaneous tags to their partners, Jericho hesitant once in and looking at Bradshaw - leading to him stepping right in to a big boot. A powerslam for a near fall follows with Bradshaw staying on the attack from there. As he goes off the ropes, however, Christian throws a knee in to the back. Simmons charges back in to the ring but gets pulled over the ropes where Christian ends up throwing him over the Spanish announce table. Back inside of the ring, Jericho aims for a lionsault but Bradshaw puts both knees up. The big man then gets up and starts to crank his arm up for a Clothesline From Hell but Christian comes in from behind and hooks the arms and positions for the Unprettier. Bradshaw shoves him chest first in to the corner instead though and runs off of the ropes - returning with a brutal Clothesline From Hell that wipes Christian out! As he rolls out of the ring, Jericho runs up from behind with a bulldog on Bradshaw. He then nails the lionsault on a second attempt and hooks both legs up for the pinfall. Chris Jericho and Christian def. The APA via pinfall to retain the World Tag Team Championship (4:37)Jericho stands back up with his fists raised over his head, Bradshaw quick to pull himself to a knee via the ropes. Avoiding any more trouble, Jericho dives through the ropes and assists Christian back to his feet. While Bradshaw kicks the ropes in the ring out of frustration, the referee brings Jericho and Christian their sole World Tag Team Championship belt - which they raise up together despite Christian still being loopy and struggling to stand from Bradshaw's clothesline.
At the announce desk with Lawler and Coachman, the two discuss Jericho and Christian retaining the World Tag Team Championship briefly, mentioning that on Sunday Night Heat before the pay-per-view began, we saw another tag team match! They then go to footage of The Hurricane and Goldust defeating Scott Steiner and Christopher Nowinski, the cameras then heading backstage live afterward to show Hulk Hogan watching a monitor and smiling when The Hurricane walks up behind him and jumps at his side - scaring 'The Hulkster' a little to make him jump. "Hey! It's The Hurricane! Congratulations on the win, brother!" Hogan says as he pats his chest, asking him not to sneak up on him like that next time. "My apologies, Mr. Hogan! But... you know who I am?!" Hogan says of course he knows who he is, he has a fond appreciation of superheroes - some may even consider himself to be kind of like one. "I've never gotten in to the whole mask and cape thing, though." Hurricane says the bandana and the boa is close enough, mentioning that while Shaquille O'Neal wasn't interested in joining his new force this past Monday on Raw - perhaps Hogan would like to accept an invitation. Before Hogan can give a response, Goldust steps up behind him and spooks him as well. "Yes, yes! I can picture it now - the three of us... we can be called... 'Hogan's Heroes'!" Hurricane rubs his hands together and says he likes the sound of that, Hogan laughing and saying unfortunately they might have a copyright issue on that one. "Listen, dudes. I'll have to catch up with you later because I have to go get prepared for my match with the big, bad evil Triple H, brother!" He pats the two on the back each and heads off as that contest is still to come later on.
A video package airs highlighting the fast and daredevil styles of both Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy, showcasing some of their signature moments over their careers and willingness to take risks as tonight, the two of them collide one-on-one for the first time ever. Following that brief video, Jeff Hardy is seen in the back about to head for the ring when his brother Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore step up behind him. "No, no," Jeff says quickly as he puts both his hands up. "Guys, I want to go out there alone." Moore asks what he is saying, Matt quick to calm his follower down - saying that clearly Jeff doesn't mean that. Jeff says he does, however, prompting Matt to grow angry very quickly. "You've got to be kidding me!" He shouts. "Jeff, you can't go out there on your own! You haven't fully grasped Mattitude yet! You need me at your side!" Jeff stops Matt with a hand in his chest, telling him he appreciates his concern but he wants to go at this alone. He then turns around and walks off for the match.
The bell rings and after circling the ring a little, the two come to the center and lock up, a fast transition to back and forth arm drags followed by a wheelbarrow bulldog from Mysterio for a two count, Hardy responding with a dropkick and a hurricanrana for a two count of his own. Mysterio pops right back up and rolls over Hardy's head for a sunset flip that is pushed through also at two, Mysterio missing on a dropkick and getting back up in to position for the Twist of Fate only to shove out of it and fall back in to the corner - both men staring at each other from across the ring as the action pauses and the crowd applauds. Coming back to the center, another lock up leads to Hardy slipping behind Mysterio and hitting a dropkick that sends the champion to the outside, Jeff then launching himself over the top but landing on his feet when Rey avoids him - the Cruiserweight Champion back in to the ring quickly and launching himself over the top rope and landing on Hardy instead! Mysterio tosses Hardy back in to the ring and hits a seated dropkick, a cover for a two count followed by a headlock. Hardy fights Mysterio off fast, however, and ends up pushing him to the outside again and following that up with a baseball slide. Heading to the outside once again himself, Hardy pulls himself on to the barricade and tight rope walks along it before diving off on to Mysterio with a crossbody. Bringing things back in to the ring, Hardy gets a two count of his own. Both men get back up with Hardy hitting a headscissors for another near fall. Hardy keeps on the attack as he throws kicks to Mysterio up in to the corner, leaping on to the second rope and coming down with a series of punches only to have his legs swept out from underneath him and land chest fist on the top turnbuckle. After Hardy adjusts himself, Mysterio leaps up and nails a hurricanrana that sends him crashing across the ring. Mysterio then charges full speed but gets ducked in to and tossed in the air - the champion landing over the ropes and on to the apron where he nails a leaping kick to the head. On a springboard attempt, however, Hardy manages to catch him in mid-air with a sit-out jawbreaker! A roll over and a hook of the leg but Mysterio gets his shoulder up just in time.
Slapping the mat as he appears a bit frustrated, Hardy brings Mysterio back up and after a couple of shots, he pushes off of the ropes with Mysterio coming back sliding under the legs, up again with a kick that is caught - Hardy spinning him around and catching both legs only for Mysterio to reverse it in to a wheelbarrow DDT of his own. Hardy crawls over to the ropes and Mysterio runs at him with a dropkick, priming him in position for the 619 but Hardy pulls himself out to the floor before Mysterio comes close enough. Rey instead sees an opening from the apron and hits a springboard Asai moonsault! Fired up, Mysterio drags Hardy up by the hair and throws him back in to the ring, getting up and ascending to the top rope only to eat a dropkick and crotch him on the turnbuckles. Mysterio falls to the mat and Hardy hits a slingshot moonsault for a very close two count as Hardy's frustration continues to build. He forces Mysterio back up and hooks the neck - aiming for Twist of Fate only to get shoved away. Mysterio slides under the legs on a run but Hardy doesn't stop his motion as he runs up the turnbuckles and delivers Whisper in the Wind! Instead of going for the cover again though he kicks the stomach and targets Twist of Fate yet again, Mysterio able to pull himself free and dropkick Jeff between the ropes. He then goes for the 619 but Hardy moves out of the way, instead catching Mysterio as he turns around finally with the Twist of Fate! Both legs are hooked quickly but Mysterio kicks out at two once again! Hardy again slaps the mat out of anger and pulls himself back up, removing his shirt and tossing it aside. "Jeff Hardy is doing everything he can - he wants that Cruiserweight Championship!" Cole says. As he steps out to the apron and begins to head to the top rope though, his brother Matt Hardy comes running down from the back. Jeff quickly tries to get his brother away as he is on the apron but Matt shouts that he wants to help. Jeff tries to ignore it and goes for the Swanton Bomb but Mysterio rolls out of the way! Both men stagger back to their feet and Mysterio catches Jeff with a drop toe hold as he charges - driving him head first in to his brother and sending him down to the floor. Mysterio then bounces off the ropes and returns with the 619! Grabbing a hold of the top rope, he waits for Jeff to get to his feet before springboarding and nailing the West Coast Pop - holding a struggling Jeff's legs down to his shoulders in order to secure the three count! Rey Mysterio def. Jeff Hardy via pinfall to retain the Cruiserweight Championship (11:13)
The audience cheers the fantastic effort of both men as Mysterio stands up in the corner, the referee retrieving his Cruiserweight Championship belt and presenting it over to him. "Rey Mysterio still the Cruiserweight Champion, Cole," Tazz says. "And he'll look to become WWE Champion too at Summerslam next month!" Jeff gets to both feet from a knee with both hands on his hips, looking over to Mysterio with a disappointed look. He does, however, extend his right hand. Mysterio looks around the Pepsi Arena a bit before taking a step forward only for Matt to intervene and step in between the two - pushing his brother back as he refuses to allow the handshake. Jeff pushes right past Matt, however, and walks over to Mysterio and holds his arm up as the winner to cheers. Jeff then steps through the ropes and begins to make his way toward the back, Matt yelling for his brother to come back to no avail. Mysterio sees the opportunity with Matt's back turned and dropkicks him in between the ropes! He then hops right back up and nails a 619 - sending Matt rolling backwards across the ring and right out of it, allowing Mysterio to stand tall in the center of the ring and continue his celebration with the Cruiserweight Championship held above his head.
A promo video airs for the next WWE pay-per-view, taking place on August 24th from the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona!
Backstage live, WWE Champion Kurt Angle is seen in his locker room when Team Angle enters, Haas and Benjamin apologetic to Kurt about losing the WWE Tag Team Championship and vowing they won't disappoint him when they get them back for a third time. "Guys, it's all good," Kurt replies to his proteges. "I'm not worried about you. I know you'll get back on your feet and come back from this. Just follow my lead and watch as I go out there and beat three of the biggest and baddest guys Smackdown has to offer because no matter how much the deck is stacked against Kurt Angle... I overcome." Haas and Benjamin look to each other and then nod in assurance, Angle smiling as he holds and stares at his WWE Championship belt.
Shoulder all bandaged up, Benoit sees it like a bullseye and right off the bat tries to go after it with Edge on the defense, keeping his bad arm away and trying to use the other as well as his legs. As he hooks a hold of Benoit's head, he ends up getting shoved right in to the corner where, after a couple of chops to the chest, Benoit wraps the bad arm around the ropes and begins to pull. After a referee count of four, Benoit grabs the arm and slams it against the turnbuckle a bunch of times before nailing a German suplex. Edge is in clear pain and struggles to his feet, catching a laughing Benoit with a boot to the stomach. Throwing a couple of hard strikes across the back, Edge continues to avoid using the bad arm and gets Benoit backed in to the corner. After moving across the ring, Edge charges forward for a clothesline but Benoit avoids it - Edge stopping himself but being grabbed from behind and rammed at full speed and force in to the padding! Edge falls to the mat and Benoit puts the boots to the shoulder, forcing the referee to break up his count not once or twice but three times. The official kneels beside Edge and asks him if he wants to continue, getting a nod that prompts Benoit to force Edge up by his hair and toss him to the outside. Following, he throws a couple more stomps before aiming to toss Edge in to the ring steps only to get reversed and be slammed face first against them! He tosses Benoit back under the ropes, avoiding two dazed clotheslines as Benoit gets back up - bouncing off of the ropes and coming back with a Spear! The bad shoulder used, however, Edge kicks his legs and yells out in pain, struggling to move over and make the cover, hooking the far leg but only for a near fall. The champion stumbles up against the ropes holding his shoulder, once again affirming to the referee that he can continue. He then returns to Benoit but has his arm grabbed from the mat being brought down in to a cross armbreaker! Wrenching away at the hold, 'The Rabid Wolverine' yells for Edge to give up but he refuses to that easily. Stuck in the hold for an extended time, Edge eventually begins to work his way to the ropes, Benoit deciding to let go before he can grab the bottom and instead yank Edge back to a knee - eating a series of shots to the stomach. A couple of clotheslines with the good arm then follow, Edge then nailing a spinning wheel kick. Continuing to ignore the official, Edge goes over to the corner and positions himself for the Spear once again. Benoit stumbles back to his feet and Edge runs at full speed but is caught in the middle of the move and brought down to the mat and in to the Crippler Crossface! As soon as Benoit locks it in and pulls back, Edge taps instantly! Chris Benoit def. Edge via submission to become the NEW United States Champion! (4:25)
The bell rings but Benoit doesn't let go of the hold, continuing to yank back as Edge keeps on tapping out - forcing the referee to get involved and rip Benoit off. 'The Rabid Wolverine' pushes him away, however, just to apply the hold a second time! The referee once again gets in between things, this time Benoit getting to his feet with his fists raised over his head to the boos of the crowd. He then heads over to the orpes, demanding the United States Championship from ringside. He then takes a trip around the ring with it raised above his head, rubbing it in the face of the injured and downed Edge. The referee backs Benoit off as he smiles and leaves the ring, heading up the ramp proudly with the United States Championship belt draped over his shoulder.
After an advertisement for WWE Shopzone, Terri is seen standing in the back as she introduces her guest at this time to be the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, Shawn Michaels. Thanking Michaels for his time, she asks about his preparation for this second match with Lesnar after coming up short at King of the Ring last month. "At King of the Ring, Terri, it was more of a competition between Brock and myself... then Paul Heyman came back along and got in Brock's ear... and now? It's more than competition. It's more than the World Heavyweight Championship. It's personal. Brock wants to end my career that I just scratched and clawed to get back! They say you can't hunt what you can't kill and Brock damn sure ain't killing 'The Heart Break Kid'..." Michaels says that he is the one hunting tonight and he's going to kill the reign as World Heavyweight Champion for Lesnar. He then heads off with that match coming up next.
Lesnar holds the World Heavyweight Championship above his head before the bell rings, Michaels seeing a chance as he runs right at the champion and dives in to him with punches! The referee signals for the bell, things under way as Michaels takes the fight in to the corner with lefts, rights and kicks in between. A big chop to the chest from Michaels and Lesnar laughs it off, prompting a second one from Michaels with Lesnar responding with a knee lift to the gut. A couple more and he tosses Shawn against the turnbuckles and rattles him with some lefts and rights followed by a couple of shoulders to the ribs. As Michaels kneels down a bit, Lesnar holds his face up by his hand with a chuckle, HBK responding with a smack to the wrist, a shove and a sudden Sweet Chin Music! Lesnar tumbles backwards and rolls right out to the floor at a panicking Heyman's feet. "Oh my God! Oh my God!" He shouts as Michaels is fired up along with the crowd. "Shawn Michaels is not messing around!" Coachman says. "He wants that World Heavyweight Championship!" As Lesnar struggles back to his feet, Michaels comes flying from off the top rope with a crossbody! Right back up and throwing his hands around, Michaels locks eyes with Heyman and begins to draw near him. Heyman puts both hands up and pleads with HBK, getting chased around the ring with Lesnar back up in time to turn Michaels inside out with a clothesline out of nowhere! He then forces Michaels to his feet and in to the ring, following and nailing a belly-to-belly suplex. Pinning Michaels down on his chest afterward, Lesnar locks on a mat bear hug. Staying in that position for a bit, Michaels eventually slips to his feet but Lesnar stays with the grasp, forcing HBK to respond with some elbows and punches to work his way free. Another sudden Sweet Chin Music attempt and Lesnar ducks underneath it, hooking Michaels' waist only to be elbowed off. Michaels then side-steps a charge and sends Lesnar through the ropes, then hitting the champion with a baseball slide that slams him off the barricade. Michaels looks to keep things going as he goes out to the apron and heads to the top rope, looking over his shoulder before leaping off for a moonsault only for Lesnar to catch him in mid-air! After regaining his balance fully, Lesnar then charges Michaels toward the ring post and slams him head first off of it! Lesnar lets out a roar as he is fired up, getting some motivation from Heyman as he paces a bit. Meanwhile, Michaels staggers back up against the ring apron as he has been busted wide open - blood streaming down the center of his face! Stumbling a bit, he walks back over to Lesnar and is taken by the mid-section and rammed back in to the ring apron. A lift off of the ground and Brock runs Shawn back first in to the post! Taking things inside again, Lesnar stays on the attack and keeps knocking Michaels down as he attempts to get back up. After a couple of belly-to-belly suplexes, Lesnar nails one hard German and makes the cover but Michaels kicks out at two.
Lesnar snickers as he gets back to his feet, motioning Michaels back up but slapping his hands away. HBK then stands up straight and throws a big forearm to the face. A couple more follow with a series of chops to the chest before Michaels bounces off of the ropes only to come back to a huge clothesline! Lesnar once again motions Michaels to his feet, this time ducking a right hand and nailing another German suplex! As Michaels slouches out to the floor, Lesnar slowly exits with a smile on his face, Heyman giving some instruction as he draws closer to Michaels. "Brock Lesnar is just savoring the moment," Lawler says. "He wants to punish Shawn Michaels before beating him!" After a couple of knees to the mid-section against the barricade, Lesnar hoists Michaels on to his shoulders and walks over toward the ring post. Seized up for an F-5, Michaels manages to slide off just in time and instead push Brock face first in to the steel just as he had done to him before! Heyman's eyes widen as he looks very concerned, HBK using the ring apron to keep himself standing up, rolling in and out of the ring to break up the count of the official as Lesnar is busted open now as well! For good measure, Michaels rams Lesnar's head off of the post again and causes him to stumble and fall to the floor. Mountain over the champion, HBK unleashes with punches, targeting the open wound. Heyman tries to get involved so Michaels pulls off and backs him down. Returning to Lesnar, he brings the champion up and rolls him in to the ring - then getting on to the apron and ascending to the top rope. A big elbow drop is then delivered, a cover being made afterward for a near fall! Clenching his fists as he sits up, Michaels then mounts over Lesnar with more punches to the open wound, the referee getting to a four count before having to force the challenger off. Heyman gets on to the apron on a knee pleading with HBK, Shawn taking a step toward him and throwing a kick that Heyman avoids. Lesnar stirs back to his feet and Michaels turns right in to a spinebuster that has both men laying down. They each make their way up on opposite sides of the ring with Michaels bouncing off the ropes, returning with a crossbody that Lesnar catches - performing three hard backbreakers across his knee before a fallaway slam that crumples Michaels up in to the corner.
Lesnar stands back up and runs his hand over his face, acknowledging the blood and laughing over it. He then steps over to Michaels struggling to stand and pummels him with shoulders to the gut. Wiping away Michaels' blood from his face, he wipes it across his own chest. HBK tries to throw some shots back but Lesnar continues to overpower him, grabbing the legs and sitting him on to the top rope. Lesnar then makes his way to the second and seems to be preparing for a superplex, yet Michaels continues to try and block it. A few heavy hands to the ribs give Lesnar the upper hand again, however, and he proceeds to deliver a big superplex back to the center of the ring. Making the cover, Lesnar hooks both legs but Michaels finds a way to kick out just before the referee's hand can come down for three! Lesnar is in shock, as is Heyman on the outside, but the World Heavyweight Champion doesn't seem too bothered despite it. He stands back up and motions Michaels back to his feet, Shawn struggling to even get on all fours. A weak punch is thrown and Lesnar steps away from it, laughing at Michaels' struggle. Shawn then pulls himself up weakly via Brock's tights and after another missed swipe at the head, Lesnar pushes Michaels against the ropes just to clothesline him over and to the outside. "Shawn Michaels isn't going to go down without a fight," Coachman states. "But it seems like Brock is just toying with Shawn now instead of just putting him away!" Following to the outside, Lesnar smirks over to Heyman and follows after Michaels only to suddenly get his legs wrapped and tripped face and shoulder first in to the ring steps - knocking the top portion away. Michaels grabs the ring apron and yanks himself up still in a daze, looking around the building before stepping on to the bottom part of the steps over a dazed Lesnar, pulling him up slightly and grabbing a hold of the tights before pulling back and dropping Lesnar with a piledriver on to the steps! The Colorado crowd buzzes as both men are down, the referee's count growing. At eight, both men get on all fours and at nine it all but seems they're going to both get counted out only for each to roll under the ropes in a heap just before the ten count! Both men stumble back to their feet and begin to throw punches back and forth at each other, Michaels' legs looking like they're going to give out when he begins to gain the upper hand with punches and chops. He then flies off of the ropes and comes roaring back with the flying forearm. The audience continues to get worked up as Heyman panics on the outside, Michaels suddenly kipping up and throwing his arms around. Falling back in to the corner, Michaels then straightens himself up, beginning to stomp his foot in to the mat and tune up the band! The fans on their feet, Heyman gets on to the apron across the ring and yells for Lesnar to look out - Michaels instead skipping over that way and planting Heyman with Sweet Chin Music! The Pepsi Center roars as Michaels stares down at Heyman on the outside - spitting at his laid out body! HBK then returns to the nearby corner and continues to tune up the band, motioning Lesnar to his feet. 'The Executioner' gets on all fours and staggers back up, eyes struggling to stay open behind all the blood. Lesnar then turns around and Michaels comes forward for Sweet Chin Music but Lesnar ducks the boot, scoops Michaels up on to his shoulders and nails a huge F-5 right in the middle of the ring! Both legs are then hooked for the one, two, three! Brock Lesnar def. Shawn Michaels via pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (18:57)
Both men are laid out side-by-side as the bell rings and Lesnar's music hits, the excitement of the crowd having died down by the sudden finish and result. A few replays from the match are shown, coming back live to Lesnar seated next to Michaels with the World Heavyweight Championship in his lap. Struggling up to his feet, Brock pulls himself through the ropes using the ring to stay standing. He then assists a completely dazed Heyman to his feet, holding him up as they begin to back up the ramp together. Raising the championship above his head, Lesnar then continues to aid Heyman to the back. Back in the ring, Michaels slowly begins to sit up to cheers. After struggling to his feet, he stumbles to the ropes and uses them for support. With the audience giving him a standing ovation, he gives a smile and a wave around the arena, clapping his hands and pointing around before pulling himself to the outside and dropping down to a knee. The referee quickly hurries over and offers some assistance to Michaels, whom accepts by wrapping his arm over the official. The two then make their way to the back.
Standing by in the back is Josh Mathews, commenting that we just saw quite a war between Lesnar and Michaels when he is cut off by The Big Show, his guest at this time saying he is focusing on the wrong thing. "You think what you just saw out there was a war? You haven't seen nothing yet... because in that ring later I'm going to lay waste to Goldberg... to The Undertaker... and to Kurt Angle... I'm going to leave each and every single one of them laying in my path to becoming WWE Champion again..." Show says it will be total carnage and he will destroy all of them because of the giant he is. He then ensures that there will not be anyone left standing in that match at the end of the night except for him, pounding his fist in to his palm and snarling before walking away.
With Hulk Hogan versus Triple H coming up next, a video package airs highlighting Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin's meeting the night after WrestleMania with Hogan being left to fend for himself against Evolution, being left bloodied and beaten. The video then showcases Evolution's strength in numbers and control over the months before having a celebration of having no troubles interrupted by a returning Hogan last month, staking his claim that evolution had not past him by and that Hulkamania was not yet dead. Having to deal with Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair in his path, Hogan would eventually lock in a battle with the leader of the group in Triple H at Vengeance.
Staring down from opposing corners, the two come to the center of the ring with some trash talk as the bell rings. A couple of fingers to the chest from HHH prompts Hogan to throw a punch, the two going back and forth before Hogan gains the upper hand. After a big one rocks HHH to the mat, 'The Game' stumbles back up in the corner stunned by the outcome of their battle. Hunter then runs forward to more punches but responds with a rake of the eyes a boot to the knee. Clubbing the back and sending Hogan down on all fours, HHH has some choice words for the legend. "This is my ring, Hogan! Mine!" Hogan pulls himself back up and takes a couple of punches before catching HHH's arm, returning the favor with some strikes of his own and a back body drop that causes HHH to roll to the outside and pace back and forth. Hogan follows right out and slams HHH's face off the ring steps before pushing him back in to the ring, pointing at Ric Flair as he draws near on the outside. As Hogan goes to slide back in, HHH drops an elbow on the back of his head. Mounted punches on Hogan, HHH rips the bandana off of the legend and even wipe his nose with it! He then throws it down on Hogan's body and puts the boots to him, following up in to the corner but being met with a boot to the stomach and then one to the face when HHH runs back. A body slam follows with Hogan getting fired up, looking for a leg drop already but Flair grabs his foot while bouncing off the ropes - allowing HHH to recover and hit Hogan with a clothesline from behind as he is dealing with Flair. "Evolution has had the numbers game ever since they formed," Coachman notes. "Whether it's just two or all four of them!" Pushing Hogan to the outside with his foot, HHH follows and locks on a rear naked choke before pushing Hogan against the ring apron and pounding him with punches to the head again, then pushing him back first in to the barricade. As Hogan drops to a seated position, HHH puts his knee in to the throat and then a boot while using the barricade for leverage. As the referee comes out and pulls HHH off, the two begin to argue and it allows Flair to come over and chop Hogan in the chest a few times before backing off. Bringing Hogan back in to the ring once again, HHH throws a few punches and lands a couple of knee drops. He then brings Hulk back to his feet and whips him off the ropes, being caught with a clothesline on the return. Hogan starts to work some momentum up as he sends HHH down a few more times but after coming off the ropes, he runs right in to a facebuster via the knee, HHH standing back up and looking out with a smile to the booing crowd.
HHH pulls Hogan up in to the corner and methodically drives fists to the head again, the referee getting to a four count and backing him off. Flair then gets on to the apron and chokes Hogan from behind! He then leaps down as HHH comes back over, a few more punches before going for a whip across the ring, Hogan reversing it and catching him with a hip toss once he bounces out of the corner. A clothesline over the top rope follows, leading to Flair getting up on the apron on the opposing side. Hogan sees this and makes his way over - nailing 'The Nature Boy' with a right hand! Hogan has some words for Flair before heading back to the other side of the ring, leaning between the ropes and getting hung up on them by HHH! Hunter slides back in and charges with a chop block to the back of the knee. Lifting that leg up, HHH then drops a big elbow across it and then wrenches away for good measure. Fighting to get out of the grasp, Hogan reaches up and rakes the eyes to force a break, struggling to crawl away which allows HHH to come back and drop an elbow on the back and then lift the leg before slamming it in to the mat, lifting the leg once again and driving a boot to it before stepping through and applying the Figure Four! "You the man, Hunter! You the man!" Flair shouts from the outside. "Woo! Hulkamania is dead, Hogan! Hulkamania is dead! Evolution, baby! Evolution!" HHH continues to work the hold as Hogan is in a clear struggle, the Denver fan beginning a 'Hogan!' chant in support, perhaps breathing life in to Hulk as he sits up and looks around the building. He then begins to fight his way toward the ropes through the pain - reaching out for the bottom one only for Flair to pull them away! The referee catches it, however, and points right at Flair and warns him not to get involved again! Hogan again begins to fight and gets to the ropes, the official stuck over with HHH on the other side and allowing Flair to come up and start to bite Hogan's hand! Hulk yells out in pain and the referee turns to see Flair in the act - quickly standing up and leaning between the ropes to tell Flair he's out of here! "Flair got caught red handed - or mouthed!" Shouts Lawler. Flair is furious as he climbs on to the apron and starts to yell in anger. Removing his jacket and throwing it to the floor - HHH is up in the official's face as well. Flair eventually drops down and even almost trips over his jacket, fueling his anger as he gets on to the apron again and refuses to leave. The referee steps to the outside and begins to physically push Flair back some - demanding he go to the back. Randy Orton then comes jogging down from the back at Flair's side, having some words with the referee as well. Back in the ring, Hogan tees off on HHH and ends up knocking him down with a big boot to an ovation from the crowd. Clapping his hands together, he then bounces off the ropes and returns with the leg drop! The cover is made and the crowd counts to three, but the official is still caught up with Orton and Flair on the ramp. Booker T comes limping out from behind as he turns Orton around and hits him with a big punch! The two of them begin to battle with Flair getting involved as well, the referee trying to put a stop to that issue! Hogan stands up and looks around - furious as he sees what is going on. He then turns back around to Batista in the ring and running through him with a clothesline! The signature Batista Bomb is then delivered with Batista draping HHH's arm over Hogan's body! The fans boo loud as Orton and Flair rush toward the back with Booker following, Batista sliding to the outside and hopping back over the barricade to keep his distance. The referee finally looks back to the ring - running down and making the count with Hogan throwing his arm up just in time! The crowd cheers as HHH shakes his head, standing back up in a bit of a stagger as he questions the count. He then drags Hogan back up and hooks the arms - planting him with a Pedigree! Another cover is then made as this time it leads to the three count. Triple H def. Hulk Hogan via pinfall (11:58)
The boos are loud for HHH as he rises back to his feet, arms held out in signature form as he has some choice words for Hogan while standing over him. Booker T then comes hobbling back down the ramp, sliding in and taking a few shots from HHH but responding with some of his own. After getting the upper hand against the ropes - Batista reaches in to take HHH by the leg and drag him to the outside. Quickly backing down, a fired up Booker shouts for them to get back in there with him. "We know Booker T's issues with Evolution are far from resolved and I can assure you it's the same for Hogan!" Coachman says. As Booker leans across the ropes and Hogan remains down, Flair and Orton return to the stage at the sides of HHH and Batista as Evolution stands tall together looking back down at the two.
The cameras pick up backstage to show a stressed out Eric Bischoff sitting at the makeshift office he was placed at earlier, being yelled at by The Basham Brothers, Rico, Maven, Test and Stevie Richards with their respective and uninterested girlfriends Stacy Keibler and Victoria at their side. Bischoff finally stands up and says he has heard enough. "I can't handle all of this right now! Maybe you should go ahead and find the other General Manager of Raw because clearly Shane McMahon thinks he can handle things better!" A production member then comes racing by the crowd, saying he needs the General Manager. Bischoff throws his hands up but the crew member instead opens the office door next to them, urging Mick Foley out. Smackdown's General Manager asks what the problem is the, the crew member then saying Edge is hurt. The camera then follows Foley and the crew member down a couple of halls where Edge is seen laid out and unconscious. "What the hell happened?!" Foley asks repeatedly to a bunch of unsure answers. "Benoit..." He then mutters to himself. "It had to have been Benoit..."
Elsewhere in the back, The Undertaker is seen walking when he comes across the locker room for Goldberg. Instead of knocking, he opens it right up and quickly Goldberg turns around and asks what the hell he thinks he is doing. "Heard you had a hard time finding me on Smackdown this past week," Taker says while removing his sunglasses. "You sure didn't seem to have a hard time Spearing me in the middle of that ring, though." Goldberg scoffs and smirks, saying that wasn't intentional - but everything he does out there tonight will be. "Because I plan on leaving here WWE Champion." Taker laughs slightly, telling Goldberg he has the same plans as three other men - so they'll find out. "See you out there... and welcome to the big leagues, bitch." Taker then puts his sunglasses back on, turns around and leaves - Goldberg grunting under his breath.
A promo video airs, highlighting Kurt Angle calling himself a fighting champion and the best the business has to offer - then transitioning to Smackdown General Manager Mick Foley 'giving him a chance to prove it' by putting him in a fatal four way with The Big Show, Goldberg and The Undertaker. The video highlights the tension between all four men over the weeks and their tie ups together, including Goldberg superplexing Show and breaking the ring in Madison Square Garden, Taker and Angle's history dating back to WrestleMania as well as their battles over the weeks - culminating in a big battle this past Thursday on Smackdown with Angle looking worried atop the stage at his three daunting challengers.
The bell sounds as Taker and Goldberg walk up to each other and get nose to nose, having some words before Angle steps up and tries to get involved - prompting both men to nail him with a punch at the same time. The two then turn their attention to Show, firing away at him in the corner. Show stays on his feet and ends up pushing Goldberg back and swings Taker in to the corner, throwing an elbow to the head and then taking some body shots from Goldberg. A headbutt knocks him down and Show turns his attention toward Angle, crushing him in the opposing corner. Goldberg then comes charging back up and he clotheslines Show right over the top rope! The giant is furious as he lands on his feet, swiping out Goldberg's legs and dragging him to the outside as they begin to tee off on one another. Back in the ring, Angle ducks a punch from Taker and hooks his waist for a German suplex but the grip is ripped off by 'The Dead Man', whom then catches Angle with a big sidewalk slam. The first cover of the match is made but Show yanks Taker off and out of the ring at a short two count - a few punches from Taker being responded to with a knee to the stomach and a toss in to the barricade. Show then gets back on to the apron and sets his sites on Angle. After a brief stare down, Show lifts one leg over the top rope and Angle charges with punch after punch only to take a hand to the face and be pushed back hard. Show then fully enters the ring and nails Angle with a big boot which he follows up with a military press. Show lets out a powerful roar to the disapproving crowd and raises his hand up, catching Angle as he rises again and hoists him up for a Chokeslam only for Goldberg to club the back from behind. Rocking Show with big punches and kicks, he puts the big man up against the ropes and looks to whip him across the ring but is unable too as Show holds on. Instead, Goldberg gets yanked in and thrown between the ropes and out to the floor. Show follows after Goldberg and slams his face off the Smackdown announce table before clearing it off. "Hey, the Spanish desk is over there!" Cole says half-jokingly. Show then lifts Goldberg up for a Chokeslam but it is slipped free - Goldberg instead hooking Show from behind and ramming him ribs first in to the table. Show then stumbles away clutching his mid-section against the barricade, giving Goldberg an opportunity. Goldberg licks his lips and then runs full speed for a Spear - Show moving out of the way as Goldberg ends up taking himself out as he plows right through the barrier!
As Goldberg is down and out, Show and Taker begin to exchange blows against the ring. Angle then baseball slides both of them from in the ring before following out, dragging Taker back in and hitting him with a couple of forearms to the kidney before delivering a big German suplex. Back up and looking very confident, Angle lets out a fired up 'woo!' to the crowd and rolls back out after Show only to get grabbed by the neck and pinned up against the barricade where he takes a huge chop to the chest! Show then hurls the champion back in to the ring and looks to go after him only to be jumped on with an elbow to the head by Taker. Looking over to Angle, 'The Dead Man' gives a nod and the two long time rivals begin to team up on Show, eventually hooking a hold of the giant and using all of the strength they can muster to nail a huge double suplex! Both men stand up with Angle holding his back, a smile on his face as he offers Taker a high five. Taker looks around the arena and instead responds with a boot to the stomach! He then lifts Angle for a Last Ride Powerbomb but the Olympic gold medalist rolls down and sunset flips Taker for a two count - quickly transitioning in to the Ankle Lock! The hold doesn't last long, however, as Taker rolls through and sends Angle flying through the ropes and out to the floor. Taker then stands back up and runs at Show in the corner where he delivers a big leaping knee to the chin. Taker then grabs a hold of the arm and makes his way up the turnbuckles, tight walking along with the ropes as he looks for Old School. Show catches him on the jump down, however, and ends up delivering a big Chokeslam! A cover is made but at a count of two Angle has returned to the ring as he drags Show off in to an Ankle Lock! He pulls away at the hold but Show rolls out of it, Angle not giving him a chance to get back up as he applies it a second time on the other leg. Show doesn't struggle for long in it, however, as he ends up kicking Kurt off again. On a third attempt, he rolls through and the WWE Champion falls right in to Taker's grasp by the throat as he goes down with a Chokeslam! Taker then charges at Show against the ropes and nails a clothesline that takes them both up and over and to the floor. They begin to brawl on the outside as they fight along the barricade and then start taking it to each other up the ramp. Angle, meanwhile, crawls to the outside in a daze and leans against the ring - seeing Goldberg still face down from where he went through the barricade. Seeing an opportunity with Show and Taker away, he goes over to Goldberg and works to pull him back up and drag his body to the ring. A cover is made once back inside but Goldberg ends up kicking out at two. Angle scoots back in to the corner quickly with his eyes widened, gulping as Goldberg pushes himself on to all fours. Once to his feet, Goldberg stares Angle down - the champion pleading for mercy. Goldberg approaches but Angle quickly slips behind him and nails a German suplex! Right back up, Angle holds his arms out and spins in a circle as he celebrates to the crowd. "Kurt Angle's acting like he won already!" Cole shouts. Goldberg then stands right back up in the corner and shakes the cobwebs, snarling as Angle then turns around right in to a Spear! Goldberg then leaps back to his feet as the fans cheer loudly - the finish being called for! Goldberg then hooks a hold of Angle's neck as he drags him back up and proceeds to nail the Jackhammer right in the center of the ring! The leg is hooked but just before the referee's hand can hit the mat to count the three Show dives on top of Goldberg with both fists to break it up!
Clubbing blows from Show on the back of Goldberg, the latter begins to fight back as things work in to the corner. Show ends up nailing a huge chop to the chest against the turnbuckles and then a headbutt to send Goldberg down. With everyone on their backs, Show then steps out to the apron and starts to make his way to the top rope. "Oh no," Tazz says. "You remember what happened last time Big Show went to the top rope, Cole!" As Show gets to the top, Goldberg emerges back to his feet and heads to the second with a couple of shots to the head and back. Cole points out they have had to re-enforce the ring for tonight because of these two sharing a ring - Goldberg then hooking a hold of Show's neck and hoisting him in the air and back down with a superplex! The ring rattles but doesn't break as it had in Madison Square Garden, but the impact is still huge as both men are motionless. Taker then pulls himself back in to the ring as Goldberg begins to stir - the two men locking eyes with one another. As Goldberg fully pulls himself up a bit wobbly, Taker motions for him to bring it on. They then exchange some punches back and forth, Taker gaining the upper hand and whipping Goldberg off the ropes only to have a big boot ducked and be dropped with a hard side kick instead. Angle then comes running up from behind and delivers an Angle Slam to Goldberg! The cover is made and both legs are hooked but Goldberg kicks out at two on his own! Angle is in disbelief as he stands back up, throwing his hands out unsure what to do. He then turns right in to Show's grasp where he nails a Chokeslam! On the cover, Taker comes running in and drops a leg drop on Show to break it up. He then pulls Angle back to his feet and plants him with a Tombstone Piledriver! Taker doesn't go for the cover, however, as he instead stands back up and turns to see Goldberg charging at him for a Spear but catches him with a boot to the head instead. Taker stands over Goldberg and has some words for him before chucking him through the ropes to the outside, following and clearing off the Spanish announce desk. "Look out, Cole," Tazz says. "I think bad things are about to happen!" Taker then brings Goldberg up on to the Smackdown table and grabs him by the throat. "Time to go for a ride, boy!" He says before lifting, Goldberg managing to slip free to the side and go behind Taker - shoving him and causing a wobble. Taker then turns around and Goldberg dives in to him with a Spear through the Spanish announce table! The fans break out in to a chant of 'Holy sh*t!' for the action on the outside as back in the ring, Show stands up via the ropes and Angle comes in from behind with a steel chair in hand and ready to swing it. As Show turns, Angle charges but is caught by the throat instead. A big low blow kick forces a release and Angle picks the chair back up - throwing a couple hard shots to the legs before one big one to the head. He then makes the cover but Show ends up kicking out at two! Angle can't believe it as he picks the chair back up, swinging a few shots across the back before motioning Show to his feet again. As the giant staggers to a knee, Angle goes to swing the chair but has it slapped away! Angle scrambles to try and grab the chair again but Show is right behind him grabbing the singlet, taking Angle by the throat and hoisting him in the air - the WWE Champion able to swing the chair down desperately and hit Show across the head again and force a release. Angle then drops the chair to the side and positions himself in a certain position before hoisting Show up and landing a big Angle Slam on the chair! A cover is made and the far leg is pulled up - Goldberg crawling in to the ring and just to late to break things up as Angle scores the three count to retain! Kurt Angle def. The Big Show, Goldberg and The Undertaker via pinfall to retain the WWE Championship (21:33)
The Denver fans boo the outcome as Angle rolls off of Show and victoriously raises his fists up. Cole and Tazz then run through some replays from big moments in the match, all leading up to the finish with Angle using a chair to overcome Show in the end. Back live, Goldberg kneels in the ring looking disappointed and frustrated, Show down in the ring, Taker out cold through the table on the outside and Angle - still WWE Champion - sitting halfway up the ramp with a smile on his face. Team Angle then make their way out from behind to help their leader up, Angle then brought up on to the shoulders of Haas and Benjamin with his title raised above his head proudly as Vengeance comes to an end!
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Post by †hê Jå§ðñ Wïllïåm§ on Mar 28, 2021 20:31:17 GMT -5
The poor strain on Goldberg, having to work a 20+ minute match, when he's so used to working short matches.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Mar 29, 2021 14:11:48 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Mar 31, 2021 15:42:03 GMT -5
The opening video for Monday Night Raw airs, the cameras then coming inside of The World Arena from Colorado Springs, Colorado just twenty four hours removed from Vengeance! Jerry 'The King' Lawler and Jonathan Coachman welcome all from commentary, mentioning how we have a big night ahead of us. The new Co-General Manager of Raw Shane McMahon is here and has promised two major announcements as his first acts! Plus, The Highlight Reel with Rob Van Dam and the potential return of Kane and Booker T will be going one-on-one with Triple H!
In the ring stands Lilian Garcia, introducing to the crowd the new Co-General Manager of Raw, Shane McMahon! His music hits and the Colorado Springs fans come to their feet as McMahon shuffles across the stage and looks fired up. Once in the ring, he lets some 'Shane O Mac' chants ring out before thanking the audience and saying he is glad to be here. "You heard Lilian right and if you watched Vengeance just twenty-four hours ago, you are well aware of the fact that, yes, I am now Co-General Manager of Raw alongside Eric Bischoff..." Boos come down for Bischoff's name and McMahon puts his hand up, saying he understands that Bischoff isn't the most popular guy around but that is why he has been appointed to this position by the WWE Board of Directors to try and get a bit of a hold on things. Before he can go any further, however, Eric Bischoff's music hits and the other Co-General Manager comes stomping down to the ring, entering and apologizing for interrupting. "But Shane... this... this isn't necessary, okay? Look, I've got everything under control around here." The fans boo as McMahon doesn't seem to buying in to it either, but encourages Bischoff to go on anyway. "Look, have I maybe let my power go to my head a little bit from time to time? Sure. But you know who else has done that? Your own father! Maybe... just maybe I've been trying to channel my inner Vincent Kennedy McMahon! After all, we did years of battling one another and he still hired me for this job because he knew I could be just like - if not better - than he ever was and just because you or the WWE Board of Directors don't see it doesn't mean I'm not doing just fine!" He suggests that McMahon resign from this position before things turn ugly between the two of them and they let bygones be bygones.
McMahon rubs his hand underneath his chin and then takes a step forward. "Eric, as my father might say... there is no chance in hell that I am going to do that." As the crowd cheers that statement, McMahon continues on to say that he will do his best to respect Bischoff's opinions and is willing to work with him to make sure things go right for Monday Night Raw, but he does have two particular things he was allowed without Bischoff's blessing. "After these two things, Eric, you and myself are going to be fifty-fifty... and, hey, you don't have to like it. As a matter of fact, if you don't like it, you yourself could resign!" While the World Arena approves of that suggestion, Bischoff says that's not going to happen and encourages McMahon to just get on with it. "What could you have possibly done without consulting me, huh? Clearly it's something I wouldn't approve of!" McMahon shrugs his shoulders and says that, perhaps for once, Bischoff is completely right about something - he won't like these things. "So, let me end some of the suspense... my first action? We're going to fix something very wrong because, with all due respect to Jonathan Coachman up there... Monday Night Raw has a certain voice..." He then gestures up to the stage as the crowd cheers with some excitement, McMahon welcoming back to the Raw broadcast team 'Good Ol' J.R.' Jim Ross! While Bischoff rolls his eyes, Lawler is excited over on commentary. Ross waves his hat to the crowd and then makes his way down to commentary, Coachman sadly standing up. Ross offers him a handshake and Coachman accepts it, welcoming J.R. back before handing the headset over to him. Back in the ring, Bischoff says that he definitely doesn't agree with that decision. "But... fine... fine... I'll deal with it," He says while pacing back and forth. "So, what's the other thing? What other poor decision could you have possibly made? Because you're oh-for-one already, Shane!" McMahon grins and says that second thing will be revealed later on. "Because, Eric, I want you to round up the World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar... as well as Paul Heyman... bring them both down to the ring at the end of the night when I reveal the new number one contender and Brock's opponent for Summerslam." McMahon's music hits and he leaves the ring, Bischoff left throwing his hands up, left in the dark as he'll have to wait and find out with everyone else later tonight!
Seen talking together backstage is Women's Champion Trish Stratus and Gail Kim, the cameras then cutting to another part of the arena where Jazz is being hyped up by Theodore Long. Coming up after the break, this long time rivalry is met again as Trish and Jazz face off in a non-title match.
In the back following the break is Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton flirting with a woman when he has his shoulder tapped from behind - Orton turning around to see The Hurricane with his fists on his hips. Pretending to look over Hurricane to mock the height difference, Hurricane says that is very funny, but what wasn't funny to him was Hulk Hogan being screwed last night. "As a matter of fact, I'd like to fight in Mr. Hogan's honor." Orton snickers and tells Hurricane that he can go fight The Hamburglar for the rights to the costume, but Hurricane says he had another idea. "How about you put your Intercontinental Championship on the line against me right here tonight?" Orton at first laughs at the idea but then realizes Hurricane is serious. "You know what... you got it." Orton adjusts the belt over his shoulder and heads off, Hurricane looking very pleased with the acceptance of the challenge.1) Non-Title Match: Jazz (w/Theodore Long) def. Women's Champion Trish Stratus (w/Gail Kim) via pinfall (5:09)A very competitive contest as these two women have been having on and off with each other over the course of this year, Jazz uses her power to dominate the early portion of things with Stratus responding with fast offense of her own. After a hurricanrana with Jazz seated on the top rope, Stratus goes for a Chick Kick but it is avoided and Stratus is pushed to the outside. When she angrily gets up and tries to get back in to the ring, Long grabs her foot. Kim then comes in to the ring and tries to go after Long but the referee stops her - Stratus back to her feet and yelling at Kim to get out. Jazz then grabs Stratus form behind as Kim is leaving as the Bitch Clamp ends up being delivered! The cover is then made and Jazz gets the three count over the Women's Champion.The crowd boos as Long applauds from the outside happily, Jazz stepping out to be at his side and have her arm raised. Kim gets back in to the ring with her hands over her head, Stratus pushing away her assistance from a knee as she looks very frustrated.Seen arriving backstage is Booker T with a scowl on his face and a bit of a limp when Terri approaches him and brings up his match with Triple H tonight. "Yeah, that's right, Terri, I've got myself a crack at Triple H tonight..." Booker shakes his head. "I think it's about time somebody popped him a good one, shut his punk ass up and showed him the door and I'm planning on being that somebody... now can you dig that, sucka?!" He then continues on his way as that match is still to come later on!
Seen in their now shared office is Co-General Managers Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon, arguing about some changes McMahon wants to make to the office when their door is knocked on, Bischoff telling them to come in. Both men then stop their arguing as in walks Billy Gunn, a smile on his face as both GMs are surprised to see him and ask what he is doing here. "Well, I'm healed from my injury and my contract with Smackdown expired... I thought you guys might be willing to give me a shot." McMahon is quick to want to accept Gunn's offer, but Bischoff cuts him off and says that's not going to happen. "Shane, if I have to deal with the Board of Directors appointing you as my Co-General Manager, then you're going to have to deal with the Board of Directors telling me about the available room on my roster." He looks to Gunn and says that they do have a spot here on Raw - for two superstars. "But not two individuals, but a tag team. So, you want to be a part of Raw, Billy? Find yourself a partner and prove you deserve that spot tonight in a match with The Basham Brothers. Whom, by the way, have an old friend of yours in their corner by the name of Rico!" Gunn crosses his arms over his chest and looks between the two men, shrugging his shoulders and accepting the offer - he'll go and find someone.
2) Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak def. Stevie Richards and Test (w/Stacy Keibler and Victoria) via pinfall (3:54) Relative newcomers Cade and Jindrak are met with good teamwork from Richards and Test, whom are very cocky as they take turns beating down Cade in the corner. After slipping free of Test's shoulder, a hot tag is made to Jindrak and he comes in with a few knock downs until Test throws a knee in to the back, allowing Richards to nail a hard suplex. He then makes a tag back out to Test, the two of them looking very confident and laughing with one another. They then look to the outside to see Keibler and Victoria - unimpressed with their respective boyfriend's antics - walking away! Test tries to get Richards to chase after them and as soon as he steps to the outside, Jindrak rolls Test up from behind and gets the shocking pinfall!
Richards spins back around and returns to the ring - Jindrak and Cade quick to get out of dodge! As they escape with an upset of a victory, Test and Richards are circling the ring furious not just about the loss, but of the walking out of Keibler and Victoria as well!
Women's Champion Trish Stratus is seen sitting on a production crate looking upset in the back when she is approached by Gail Kim, whom is very apologetic. "Save it, Gail," Stratus says quickly. "Listen, I just got told that I have to defend my title against Jazz in a rematch next week... and I think it'd be best if you just stayed in the back then, alright? I want to go at this on my own." Kim tries to reason with Stratus but Trish says she has to go, walking away and leaving Kim looking visibly upset.
In their locker room elsewhere is Evolution, Triple H gathering the group together. "That little freak really wants a shot at the Intercontinental Championship?" He asks with a laugh to Orton. "Hey, I'm proud of you, kid. Even if it's just that stupid 'super hero', you didn't back down from a challenge." HHH then moves on to Booker T, asking if he is an idiot. "After what happened to Hulk Hogan last night he wants to mess with me? Mess with Evolution? Hell, he's lucky we didn't lay waste to him after I was finished with Hogan last night but tonight he has no way of avoiding it if he dares walk down to that ring." HHH vows a message to be sent one way or another to anyone that dares get in their way. Talking together in the back after the break is Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman, the latter with a wide smile on his face while Bischoff looks very concerned. "Look, Paul, I know you're not one for showing up all the time but I need you and Brock down in that ring later. As a matter of fact, how about you allow me to do the talking for once and let me talk to Brock?" Heyman says he's not so sure that is going to happen. "But you're used to being in a state of flux, right? Look, Eric, I'll talk to the champ. But he's a very, very busy man so I'll see what I can do." Heyman then heads in to the nearby locker room, Bischoff running his hand through his hair and then throwing his hands out before walking off.
Back inside of the World Arena, the ring is set up for The Highlight Reel as the music of Chris Jericho hits. He, along with Christian, arrives from the back as the World Tag Team Champions with only one belt make their way down and in to the ring together. Welcoming everyone to the show, Jericho orders the crowd to shut up right after. "Last night at Vengeance, Christian and myself defeated The APA to remain your World Tag Team Champions. It was just a few weeks ago, however, that we beat both The APA and Rob Van Dam to become the champions. The only problem being that RVD's partner Kane is supposedly out injured!" Christian then brings up the repeated complaints they filed about the return of the second World Tag Team Championship belt and Eric Bischoff did the right thing. "I don't know what is with all the disregard for Eric, but he decided that if Kane doesn't show his ugly mug here tonight and bring us what is rightfully ours he will be fired!" Jericho tells Christian as much as he doesn't like Kane, he doesn't necessarily want to see Kane lose his job - but if that's what it'll take then so be it! "But that brings me to our guest... and possible guests... for The Highlight Reel tonight... so let's bring on down the person we know is here: Rob Van Dam!"
RVD makes his way out to the approval of the crowd and after they chant his name, he enters the ring and stands across from Jericho and Christian, whom immediately begin to press him about the whereabouts of Kane and if he is going to show up. "Guys, guys, guys," RVD interrupts. "I am just like the two of you when it comes to Kane. I don't have a clue where he has been while he has been injured and I don't have a clue if he is even going to show up tonight! But I recommend that if he does show up that the two of you take it real easy..." Jericho questions why they would do that, asking RVD if he thinks they're afraid of Kane or something. Jericho then looks to Christian, whom in fact does look a bit scared, but he quickly shadows it by stuttering out that they're not afraid of 'that freak'. Just a couple of seconds later, a big firey pyro hits the stage as out from the back comes Kane! The World Tag Team Championship belt hangs from his hand at his side, 'The Big Red Machine' back for the first time in seven weeks! Once in the ring, he doesn't say a word while looking down at the belt. "Well, well, well," Christian says while patting Jericho on the back. "Look who decided to show up! You know what, good on you, Kane! Good on you!" He then puts his hand out for the belt but Kane doesn't give it up. "Obviously he wants to take some time to say goodbye, Christian, because he's never... ever going to have it in his hands again!" Jericho chuckles and Christian is in agreement - Kane then dropping the belt at their feet. Christian says that was a little rude and goes to reach down for it but Kane takes him by the throat! He then takes Jericho as well - lifting both men in the air and planting them with a double Chokeslam! RVD looks surprised from behind as Kane gives him a point up, Van Dam then heading to the corner and leaping to the top rope - looking around the arena before nailing a Five Star Frog Splash on Jericho! He then stands up next to Kane, the two nodding to one another before giving a double high five! "Rob Van Dam and Kane are back in business!" J.R. says. As they circle around the ring, Christian holds Jericho up on the outside as they hold both World Tag Team Championship belts at last - but appear to still have an issue with the former champions!
The cameras pick up backstage to a split screen, showing Triple H and Booker T walking down separate halls as they will be going up against each other - next!
3) Triple H (w/Ric Flair) def. Booker T via pinfall (9:30) A hot start from Booker puts HHH on the ropes, leading to Flair getting involved constantly. Booker ends up clotheslining HHH over the top rope and nails Flair with a leaping side kick as well. The match goes through a break as HHH keeps working to tire Booker on the mat, Flair continuing to get mixed up in things and frustrating Booker forward. After a Book End drops HHH out of nowhere, a spinaroonie is performed and the crowd is ecstatic. Flair gets up on the apron and Booker charges at him with a punch! Flair gets on to the apron again all fired up - taking his jacket off while arguing with the official and throwing it in his face! Blinded and in the midst of the arguing, the referee has no way of seeing when Batista slides in to the ring and plants Booker with a Batista Bomb! "Deja vu, J.R.!" King says. "This is just like Vengeance last night!" Batista, instead of leaving the ring, instead pulls Booker right back up and feeds him to HHH before exiting - 'The Game' with a Pedigree that puts Booker down for the count.
The crowd boos as Flair hops in to the ring with a laugh, Batista joining not that long after. After raising their arms together, HHH begins to pull Booker back to his feet while pointing in his face and yelling. "You messed with me, you messed with Evolution... now you pay!" As he sets up for another Pedigree, however, Hulk Hogan's music hits! Bursting through the curtains and pointing down at the ring, Hogan heads down the ramp and slides in to the ring only to be stomped on by Flair and Batista as soon as he gets past the ropes. Trying to fight back doesn't work out so well as HHH ends up dropping him with a spinebuster. Booker tries to get involved again but he falls to the Pedigree. After more of a beat down on Hogan by Flair and Batista, they hand him over to HHH to deliver a Pedigree to him as well. "And that's just three of four members of Evolution, King!" J.R. says in disgust. As the three of them leave together, Booker and Hogan are left motionless in the ring.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff is seen waiting outside of the locker room of Brock Lesnar when Paul Heyman steps out, giving a motion for Bischoff to come in. The Co-General Manager throws his hands up, relieved he is finally being let in.
Eric Bischoff is seen after the break sitting across a table from Paul Heyman and World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, whom doesn't say anything as he waits to hear from Bischoff. "Brock, I think I have been very fair to you since you came to Monday Night Raw. Now, my job is at risk..." Heyman goes to respond but Lesnar puts his hand up, telling Bischoff the way he sees it - he's in the driver's seat here. "I'm in the power position. I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. Maybe I'll just stay back here and let Shane McMahon reveal my opponent and just take care of business at Summerslam." Bischoff puts his hands together and begins to plead with Lesnar, saying he needs him to do this. He asks him to remind him who put a bug in his ear about getting the chance to jump to Raw after he won the Royal Rumble. Heyman and Lesnar then have a whispering conversation to each other before Lesnar looks back at Bischoff and nods. "Fine. I'll be there. But if you try to mess with me, Bischoff, your ass will belong to me." Eric says he doesn't know anything, but he promises he'll do whatever he can to make sure this goes smoothly.
4) Intercontinental Championship: Randy Orton(c) def. The Hurricane via pinfall (5:35) Taking Hurricane lightly at the start, Orton is surprised by a flurry of fast and high flying offense from the 'super hero'. Hurricane hits a top rope crossbody for a two count and Orton responds with a backbreaker that slows things down. A top rope superplex is blocked by Hurricane as he pushes Orton down, diving off with an elbow drop for another two count. Getting a bit more confident, Hurricane nails a Hurri-Chokeslam but Orton gets his foot on the ropes to break it up. After a little bit more back and forth, the Eye of The Hurricane is set up but Orton spins out of it and plants Hurricane with the RKO! Both legs are then hooked as Orton retains his Intercontinental Championship.
Orton stands back up over Hurricane and demands his title belt from the referee. Once receiving the belt, he hoists it high over his head. As he leaves the ring, Goldust comes running down and kneels beside his friend, calling for some help despite Hurricane coming back to on his own, trying to calm Goldust down. Orton, meanwhile, laughs at the two of them from atop the stage as he remains champion.
In the back, Hulk Hogan is seen sitting with Booker T fired up over him, saying he didn't need his help out there. "And I didn't need yours last night?!" Hogan questions as he stands up. "Evolution just kicked the crap out of us, brother. I don't know if you noticed and there was only three of them!" Booker puts his head down and shrugs his shoulders, telling Hogan he knows that. "You and I both know, Book, that this isn't going to work with just the two of us as much as we wish it would..." Booker asks what they should do about it, to which Hogan says that he has a friend they can call.
Walking together in the back are the World Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Christian, both complaining about what happened with Rob Van Dam and Kane. They then come across Eric Bischoff and ask him what he is going to do about what happened out there. "We're the World Tag Team Champions - we have both belts now! We deserve some respect!" Christian says. Bischoff tells them he doesn't have much time for this, plus he only controls 50% of Raw now. Jericho laughs it off and says that Bischoff has always had their back and this shouldn't be any different. Bischoff solemnly shrugs his shoulders and says they'll have to settle this with both him and McMahon next week. Bischoff then walks off, the World Tag Team Champions not seeming to like the way they'll have to adjust to things!
5) The Basham Brothers (w/Rico) def. Billy Gunn and Redd Dogg via disqualification (3:13) A pre-match introduction of 'Redd Dogg' prompts some confusion with the similarly former partner of Gunn, being pointed out repeatedly from commentary. Dogg ends up facing domination from The Basham Brothers, however, but ends up diving from his leg being grabbed to tag in Gunn - whom runs in like a house on fire. After a couple of clotheslines and a back body drop to Danny, he catches Doug charging in with a hip toss and a dropkick that sends him to the outside. He stands up to a Dogg clothesline, whom then enters the ring after Gunn nails a Fameasser on Danny, diving on to Danny and pummeling him with punches and a choke instead of allowing a cover. The referee tries to get Dogg off and so does Gunn, leading to a five count then results in a disqualification!
Gunn continues to try and break Dogg off but he doesn't seem to want to, Rico then coming in to the ring which prompts Dogg to finally let up on Danny and instead tackle Rico in the corner! Boots and punches to the face followed by a toss to the outside, Dogg then turns to Gunn trying to calm him down. Not wanting any part of that, Dogg shoves Gunn to the mat! He then leaves the ring and marches toward the back, Billy left confused and, apparently, without a partner or a position on the Raw roster!
Seen in the back is Test and Stevie Richards, not only angry about their loss earlier but the ditching of their girlfriends. "Hey... what the hell?" Test questions as he points down the hall to The APA at their poker table with Stacy Keibler and Victoria sitting next to them, playing cards and enjoying some beers. They storm on to the scene but before they can say anything, Bradshaw asks them to show some respect. "Use the door, man." Simmons says as he points over to the door without walls around it. Initial argument from Test is reasoned with by Richards pulling him away, the two knocking on the door and being told to come in. "What can we do you for?" Bradshaw asks, to which a furious Test demands to know what they think they're doing. "Stacy, let's go!" He grabs her by the wrist, Bradshaw and Simmons standing up with the latter saying that isn't how you treat a lady. Victoria stands up as well as Richards stays behind, asking Victoria nicely to come with him. "You girls do what you wanna do," Bradshaw says. "But you two boys better be careful." Test eases up on Keibler and asks her if they can go talk about things. A bit hesitant, her and Victoria then leave with Test giving a dirty look back in the direction of The APA as they walk away.
Co-General Manager Eric Bischoff is seen once again walking down the halls and heading toward the ring when he is approached by fellow Co-General Manager, Shane McMahon. "I take it things are all sorted?" He asks, to which Bischoff says he got Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman's word that they'll be out there. "Great," Shane replies. "I'm going to go find my guy and we'll see you out there." Bischoff gives a snarl as McMahon walks away, muttering under his breath - the World Heavyweight Championship match at Summerslam set to be revealed next!
In the back after the break is Redd Dogg, pacing back and forth when he is approached by Theodore Long and Jazz, Long telling him to relax - they're on his side. "See, Jazz here is on her way to becoming Women's Champion again. I recognize talent from my brothers and sisters and I like you, kid. What's your real name?" Dogg looks up to him and says it's Rodney Mack, which Long says he likes. "Redd Dogg is nice, but I feel like I can back 'The Mack', ya feel me?" Mack seems to appreciate that vote of confidence, Long telling him to walk and talk with him. The three then head off together.
Standing in the ring following the break is Eric Bischoff, a microphone in hand as he introduces everyone to the World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. The duo make their way out together and then head to the ring, the champion raising his title over his head as he stares Bischoff down. "Look, guys, I don't know anything..." Heyman takes the microphone out of Bischoff's hand and, with a cackle, says that's nothing new. "Mr. Bischoff, you and I know each other pretty well. So, I'll save the insults that you already know I could throw in your face and that I probably have a hundred times already and instead I'll turn my direction toward a certain silver-spooned individual whom, because of genetics, has been given this position as Co-General Manager of Raw: Shane McMahon." Heyman then turns away and faces the stage, saying he knows that McMahon is going to be out here any time to announce the new number one contender for Lesnar, but he wants to make a few things clear here. "What you are doing, Shane - and I will call you Shane because you are no Mr. McMahon - is volunteering someone for career suicide. Anybody that steps in to the ring with 'The Executioner' Brock Lesnar is signing up for the ass kicking of a life time! They will be dealing with the embarrassment of being able to look at the World Heavyweight Championship... but not even being able to sniff it... and risk having their career ended! Risk having to live the rest of their life in a wheelchair at the hands of one cold S.O.B. who doesn't give a damn who you are... Brock Lesnar is the World Heavyweight Champion and it will stay that way no matter what and Shane... you've been half in charge for a cup of coffee... I'd suggest you have a few more cups, think about this rationally and call an audible for the sake of your career... and whoever you think should be facing Brock Lesnar at Summerslam..."
After a few moments of waiting and even Bischoff appearing impressed with Heyman's strong words, out to the stage comes Shane McMahon, nodding and scratching his head. "Wow, Paul. Those... those were some harsh words..." He says that he wouldn't expect anything less than Heyman, though, but he thinks he needs to consider all possible circumstances. "Because Paul, while Brock Lesnar is one of the most daunting foes to step foot in that ring and that is saying a lot considering he has only been in the WWE for less than a year and a half... you need to understand that I didn't make this decision without thinking it through." He explains that he, as a matter of fact, didn't decide on this as a way to take the World Heavyweight Championship from Brock Lesnar but rather to put him up to the biggest, baddest challenge he could think of. "So, Paul... you suggest I should go have a couple more cups of coffee and, listen, I dig coffee... my choice of opponent for Brock, though? He's in to something a little different... he prefers to crack open a couple of cold ones, if you know what I mean." The audience begins to buzz some, seeming to grow more toward knowing where this is going. Bischoff begins to shake his head in the ring as McMahon says that this person has been waiting for an opportunity to step back between those ropes and he's going to get that chance at Summerslam. "So without further ado, allow me to introduce to you the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship..." McMahon then takes a step to the side and holds his hand out, a glass shatter bringing the Colorado Springs fans to their feet as Stone Cold Steve Austin steps through the curtains! "Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!" J.R. excitedly shouts on commentary. Austin gives a nod to McMahon and stomps his way down and in to the ring, raising middle fingers from the turnbuckles before stopping right in front of Lesnar as they lock eyes - no words being shared. "Wait a damn minute..." Bischoff says he steps out from the corner to boos and groans. "Austin - I made it very clear the night after WrestleMania that you were a liability to Monday Night Raw due to your health! So I don't know what you're trying to pull here... but I'm... I'm not having it!" Austin then slowly takes his eyes off of Lesnar to Bischoff, chuckling as he pats him on the shoulder. Two middle fingers are then thrown up as Austin plants him with a Stone Cold Stunner! Bischoff flies backwards and rolls under the bottom rope - Heyman looking stunned as Lesnar remains planted in the same spot. Austin gets right back in the face of Lesnar with a smile, the two continuing their stare down - the blockbuster Summerslam main event apparently set as Raw goes off the air!
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Post by ✖ AJ on Apr 1, 2021 14:33:41 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Apr 4, 2021 19:35:48 GMT -5
A video recap from Vengeance this past Sunday airs, highlighting the main event fatal four way for the WWE Championship where Kurt Angle would meagerly come out victorious against The Big Show, The Undertaker and Goldberg. The Smackdown opening video follows afterward with the cameras then entering The World Arena from Colorado Springs, Colorado with the stage lit up by pyros and the team of Michael Cole and Tazz from commentary! Tonight, we will hear from all four men that participated in Vengeance's WWE Championship match and much more!
The music of Kurt Angle hits, the WWE Champion arriving with a big smile on his face as he is followed out by his proteges and former WWE Tag Team Champions Team Angle. Once in the ring, Kurt pulls a microphone up and says that a lot of people might be surprised to see this sight. "I'm still standing here as the WWE Champion!" He holds his hands out and shows off the gold around his waist. "I beat Goldberg, I beat The Undertaker and I beat The Big Show in one match! The deck was stacked against me and because I am the best that this industry has to offer I overcame it!" He says that nothing will bring him down, not even Team Angle having the WWE Tag Team Championship taken from them because he knows they'll bounce back and regain those titles. "See, I have a lot of faith! I have a lot of faith in my three I's: Intensity integrity and intelligence! Something that I, and Team Angle, have. It has gotten me to where I am today and will continue that way going forward because I plan on being your WWE Champion for a very, very long time!" He smiles with Benjamin and Haas to boos from the crowd.
The happy speech from Angle is interrupted by the theme song of Rey Mysterio, the Cruiserweight Champion and 2003 King of the Ring hopping out to the stage. Pumping the crowd up, Mysterio makes his way down and in to the ring and stares Angle down, whom looks confused by his arrival. "What the hell are you doing out here?" Questions the WWE Champion before seeming to come to a realization. "Oh, right! Right! You got a match with me at Summerslam for the WWE Championship, don't you little guy?" Mysterio has a slight chuckle himself as Angle explains he has been so busy slaying giants that he forgot all about his small match at Summerslam. "Very funny, Kurt," Mysterio replies. "But you and I both know that in the battles that we've had over the past year - including at Summerslam last August - that I have pushed you to the limit. I've been working tirelessly over the past year to get to this point. I've accomplished getting to WrestleMania, I've accomplished becoming Cruiserweight Champion and I've accomplished winning King of the Ring. So at Summerslam, Kurt, I plan on accomplishing one more feat and that's winning the richest prize in this business: The WWE Championship!" Angle looks to Haas and Benjamin and says those are some real fighting words. "Well that's great, Rey. Because you'll have to fight your ass off to even be considered a challenge to me!" Mysterio responds by saying that unlike Angle, he hasn't had to take shortcuts to get where he is today. Before anything more can be said, however, out to the stage arrives Matt Hardy. He is followed out by Shannon Moore and his brother Jeff Hardy, apologizing for interrupting things. "But Rey, while Kurt Angle possesses something that you want - you possess something that I want. That's right, I want a shot at getting back my Cruiserweight Championship." He says that his brother Jeff wasn't properly prepared for his title match this past Sunday at Vengeance, but he is more than prepared to win back what is rightfully his. Mysterio shrugs his shoulders and says that he has no problem with that. "Because unlike Kurt Angle here, I'm not afraid of a 'little' challenge. You're on, Matt! I'll face you right here tonight for the Cruiserweight Championship!" While Matt is pleased with the news, he leads Moore and Jeff to the back again. Mysterio then turns back around in the ring to a clothesline from Angle! Along with Haas and Benjamin, the boots are put to Mysterio as they look to send a message. As soon as an Ankle Lock is applied to Mysterio, however, down from the back runs Los Guerreros! Eddie and Chavo dive in to the ring and begin to tee off on Haas and Benjamin, eventually dumping them over the ropes as Angle escapes unscathed. As the three of them back down, Eddie and Chavo assist Rey to his feet and have some choice words for the others on the outside.
1) Los Guerreros def. Team Angle via pinfall (10:32) A match made during the break, a revisiting of a rivalry from before WrestleMania, Los Guerreros and Team Angle have a back and forth battle to kick things off. The upper hand goes to Team Angle, however, when Haas trips Chavo and drags him to the outside - allowing Benjamin to slip out and throw him in to the steel steps, causing Eddie to check on his nephew going in to a mid-match commercial. Following that break, Chavo is cut off from his corner but with some willing of the crowd and Eddie, he ends up breaking out of Team Angle's grasp of him and makes the hot tag. Eddie comes in on fire and drops both men, hitting suplexes on each before the three amigos on Haas. Benjamin then intervenes and gets some shots in on Eddie, helping Team Angle get back in to things. As the referee tries to sort things out and get Benjamin back to the outside, Chavo comes in to the ring with a steel chair and slaps it in to the mat - tossing it to Haas as Eddie throws himself down. Team Angle quickly try to get out of the situation, trying to explain to the official that Haas didn't do anything. With the opening available, Chavo runs in and dropkicks Haas in to Benjamin - sending the latter off the apron. A spinning DDT is then nailed with Eddie going to the top rope and nailing a Frog Splash for the one, two, three!
The crowd cheers the result as Eddie and Chavo gather together on the outside, laughing as they celebrate the win. Benjamin is furious as he returns to the ring, pacing back and forth. "Los Guerreros are all about lie, cheat and steal after all!" Tazz says. A bad week for Haas and Benjamin contnues as Los Guerreros have defeated the former WWE Tag Team Champions
Seen walking in the back is the new United States Champion Chris Benoit when he is walked up to and brought nose to nose by Smackdown General Manager Mick Foley. "I know it was you, Chris!" Foley yells. "I know it was you who took Edge out after your match at Vengeance... now he's out for six to nine months because he just had to have massive surgery!" Benoit bucks his shoulders and tells Foley that's a real damn shame. "But I didn't have anything to do with that. I beat Edge for the United States Championship just like I said I would and that was it!" Foley says he doesn't believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Before more can be said, Rhyno arrives on to the scene and pulls Foley back a bit - getting in Benoit's face himself and asking what the hell that was about with Edge. The two begin to argue back and forth over Benoit's potential involvement, prompting Foley to shout that's enough! "This bad cop-bad cop routine isn't going to work, Rhyno! But you know what is going to work? Next week - right here on Smackdown - the United States Championship that you just won, Chris, will be on the line when you face Rhyno." Foley then walks away, 'The Man Beast' with a grin as he tells Benoit that he guesses he'll see him next week.
Elsewhere backstage, Josh Mathews is standing by looking to get a word with The Big Show about what went down at Vengeance. Mathews holds the microphone up but Show doesn't give a response, instead telling Mathews that he'll have something to say in the middle of that ring. He then walks off, the interview left without much information.
Following the break, Sean O'Haire is seen walking in the back holding his mid-section and wincing a bit in pain when he is approached by Torrie Wilson, whom seems concerned and asks if he needs to take a seat. "How gracious of you," O'Haire says as she helps him sit down at a nearby table. "After I sacrificed myself for the greater good of Smackdown by facing Goldberg a couple of weeks ago, I realized that I may have hurt myself in the process." Wilson says that he seems very complex, but she admires his courage. Billy Kidman then walks by on things and asks Wilson if O'Haire is bothering her, which she says she isn't. "I don't know," Kidman says while shaking his head. "I've never liked this guy." Wilson continues to try and explain things are fine, but O'Haire stands up and waves his hand, telling Kidman he understands - not many people get him. "However, if you have an issue with me - I suggest we settle things the old fashioned way: In the ring." Kidman says he likes the sounds of that, he'll see him later. He then walks off, O'Haire's smile turning to a quick wince as Wilson helps him sit down again.
Back inside of The World Arena, The Big Show arrives from the back and pauses near the ring as some sort of a tumbler is placed there. He stares at it briefly before stepping over the ropes, demanding a microphone. "Everybody wants to ask me about Vengeance," He begins. "I'll say one thing about Vengeance and that'll be the last of it: It took three guys to beat me other wise I'd be standing here right now as WWE Champion!" He says that no one man can beat him, he's a giant and he's not afraid to prove it. He then looks to the outside and steps back over the ropes, placing his giant palm on the tumbler. "Right here in this tumbler is the names of every Smackdown superstar that is available for a match tonight... whichever name I pick out is going to get the opportunity to face... me." He spins the tumbler a few times before opening it up and reaching in, retrieving a small ball from it. He then gets back in to the ring, ball in hand, and says it's time to find out who the lucky man is. Opening up the container, he begins to chuckle. "Hey, this is a young upstart... let's give a warm welcome to this kid getting the opportunity of a lifetime: Brian Kendrick!" After a little bit of waiting, Kendrick steps out nervously to the stage as he knows he is in for a daunting task ahead!
2) The Big Show def. Brian Kendrick via pinfall (1:29) The bell rings and Show holds his hands out to give Kendrick a free shot. When Kendrick doesn't respond, he instead turns his back and that brings Brian to jumping on to him from behind with a sleeper hold. After backing in to the corner, Show throws Kendrick over his shoulder and to the mat with ease. A couple of big knock downs, Kendrick tries to fight back with a couple flurries of punches and kicks but it doesn't phase Show much at all. After slipping free of a military press, Kendrick pulls himself quickly on to the top rope - leaping off but being caught in mid-air by the throat! Show then turns back to the center of the ring and nails a Chokeslam, putting Kendrick down for the three count.
A smug Show gets back to his feet as he is declared the winner. He places a foot on Kendrick's chest for good measure afterward, having some words for the crowd before he leaves the ring.
In the back, The F.B.I. are seen having a conversation when recently outed members Bill DeMott and Chris Kanyon walk up to them. "Hey, we aren't looking for a fight with you." Kanyon says as DeMott explains that they have bigger fish to fry. "That's right, we got ourselves a match with the new WWE Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz!" Nunzio flaps his jacket and pats Palumbo on the chest, asking which one of the two of them is going through a table first. DeMott and Kanyon ignore the comment and walk away, Dawn Marie saying she doesn't think the two of them stand a chance.
Looking beaten up and frustrated in the locker room area is Team Angle, WWE Champion Kurt Angle pacing back and forth in front of the two of them. "You know, I have a lot of faith in you guys! I've continued to say it! But maybe... maybe you need more tough love." Kurt suggests that after losing the WWE Tag Team Championship and losing to Los Guerreros earlier, they need to man up and do something about it. "I've got my eyes on Rey Mysterio and his match later... so I'm going to leave you two here by yourselves to think about what your next move will be." He then leaves the room, Haas and Benjamin lifting their heads and nodding to one another, seeming to have understood Angle loud and clear.
Seen in the parking lot on his motorcycle is The Undertaker. He starts up the bike and begins to drive as he will be speaking in the ring after the break! Josh Mathews is once again standing by in the back, this time welcoming his guest at this time as the Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio. Mathews brings up Mysterio not being afraid to defend his title tonight, but also mentions Kurt Angle and the WWE Championship opportunity he has on the horizon at Summerslam. "Y'know, Josh, I've always said not to think too far ahead," He replies. "But it's hard not to think about that big opportunity I've got at Summerslam, I won't lie. So, yeah, I plan on becoming WWE Champion then, but tonight I'm re-igniting the flame of my rivalry with Matt Hardy and I plan on staying Cruiserweight Champion, too. Imagine that, Josh. Rey Mysterio: WWE and Cruiserweight Champion." A voice in the distance is heard saying that sounds fantastic, that voice being Eddie Guerrero as up walks Los Guerreros, patting Mysterio on the back as Chavo says they had him earlier - they'll have him again if any funny business happens later on. Mysterio says he appreciates that, telling Mathews it's good to have friends you can rely on. "Definitely, but not in a weird way like those Team Angle guys, ese!" Eddie says with a laugh, him and Chavo then continuing on their way.
Back inside of the arena, The Undertaker's music hits and he rides his motorcycle out to the stage. Pounding his chest and raising his fist in the air, he then heads down to the ring, circling around it once before getting off the bike and entering the squared circle. After raising his fists to the crowd some, he calls for a microphone and stands dead center. After looking around the arena, he pulls the microphone up but isn't able to get a word out before Goldberg's music interrupts things! "Wait a minute!" Cole shouts in surprise. "Goldberg!" Taker looks caught off guard but smiles a bit as Goldberg makes his way out to the stage, walking through the smoke and throwing some strikes while pyros hit behind him - then stopping to stare down at the ring and 'The Dead Man'. Goldberg then steps in to the ring, him and Taker face-to-face as the crowd buzzes while no words are shared.
Finally, after an extended silence, Goldberg speaks up. "I didn't mean to interrupt... except I did." He shrugs his shoulders and says that it's very obvious to him that the two of them have been having a bit of a - perhaps friendly - competition between them over the past few weeks. "I'd say so," Taker replies. "But you did cost me the WWE Championship this past Sunday at Vengeance." Goldberg laughs and pats Taker on the shoulder, saying that it was all business and in the spirit of competition! "Look, we both wanted to become WWE Champion, 'Dead Man', but it's going to be real hard for either of us to get to that spot if we're too busy going after one another." Taker says Goldberg's not wrong, after all this is his yard. He brings up Goldberg being dominant down in Atlanta, but he's not so sure he's ready for the limelight in the big leagues. "But maybe we ought to find out..." The Colorado Springs crowd cheers for the suggestion, Goldberg giving a wink to Taker as he says he thinks he knows exactly what he is getting at. "So how about me and you squash this 'friendly' competition of ours... and make it one-on-one at Summerslam?" Taker asks, to which Goldberg nods very quickly. He puts his hand out and Taker accepts the gesture, the fans very pleased with the match being made. "It's gonna be a rocket buster at Summerslam, Cole!" Tazz says with excitement. "As I used to say very frequently though, Bill. Friendly or not friendly... at Summerslam, you will rest in pea-" Goldberg cuts him off there, however, saying that he knows where he is going with that - and he's not even going to let him finish because it's not how things are going to be. "Because at Summerslam, 'my friend'... you're next!" Goldberg then pulls Taker in a little closer with the handshake, the two keeping their eyes locked on one another while each grinning ever so slightly.
Seen preparing backstage is Matt Hardy with Shannon Moore trying to pump him up. Hardy is clearly annoyed and tells Moore to shut up when the door opens, in walking WWE Champion Kurt Angle. "Hey, I just wanted to wish you luck tonight, Matt," He says. "From one champion... to a future champion." They share a laugh and shake hands, Matt saying he appreciates that, he looks forward to being two champions that have both beaten Rey Mysterio after Summerslam!
Heading down the halls, meanwhile, for their upcoming match is the new WWE Tag Team Champions, The Dudley Boyz. They go up against Bill DeMott and Chris Kanyon in their first match as champions - next!
Pacing in the back is Jamie Noble when his girlfriend Nidia approaches him, asking if he is ready for his match tonight. "You said you had a plan to win so we can pay our rent!" She warns, to which Noble says he is more than prepared. He then points behind Nidia with a smile on his face, a tall and muscular African American woman stepping up with a whip in her hand - Noble introducing her as Shaniqua. Nidia asks what this is all about and, with a big smile on his face, Noble says she is the 'equalizer'! "It's all gonna work out just fine, baby. Trust me. She's my- I mean, our bodyguard of sorts and we're gonna keep our trailer with the help of Shaniqua here." Nidia seems a bit cautious about things, Shaniqua giving her a brief stare while Noble pulls Nidia long with his match still to come later on.
3) Non-Title Match: WWE Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz def. Bill DeMott and Chris Kanyon via pinfall (4:41) Initial dominance from The Dudley Boyz leads to a cheap shot from Kanyon from the apron, giving him and DeMott an opportunity as they tag in and out frequently while cutting off D-Von. After a hot tag to Bubba, however, he comes in and cleans house. The champions then fully take over, the cameras cutting to the back to show The F.B.I. watching a monitor and laughing as DeMott is hit with a double flapjack. Kanyon tries to come in and get involved but he is dumped to the outside, DeMott then staggering back up to his feet and turning straight in to the 3-D! The cover is then made as Bubba gets the pinfall.
Cheers from the fans, The Dudley Boyz don't spend too much time celebrating as Bubba demands a microphone. "Oh yeah," He shouts out. "The Dudley Boyz are back in business, baby! We are the new WWE Tag Team Champions right here on Smackdown!" He says that when they came over to the blue brand, they had this one goal in mind and they have accomplished it - but they aren't going to stop now. "Because we want to make it very clear that we are ready to take on everyone and anyone that wants a piece of us!" He says that next week, they're issuing a challenge to any other team that wants to give it a shot and they'll take their ass to Dudleyville, too. "Oh my brother, testify!" D-Von caps it off with before they leave the ring together - holding their championship belts up over their heads on their way to the back.
Seen in the back is General Manager Mick Foley trying to calm down an angry and pacing A-Train, asking him what the problem is. "You know, A-Train, you remind me of King Kong... but uglier." Foley says, to which A-Train responds by getting in his face and saying he has had enough of this! He then turns around and storms off, Foley left questioning where he thinks he is going.
Walking in the back after the break is Jeff Hardy when he enters a room where his brother Matt Hardy is still preparing for his Cruiserweight Championship match still to come. "Hey, bro," Jeff says while patting Matt on the back. "I just wanted to let you know I'm not worried about what happened at Vengeance and... I wanted to wish you luck tonight." Matt says he isn't worried either, but he wants Jeff to watch closely when he becomes Cruiserweight Champion once again tonight. "I'm going to do what you couldn't do and hopefully you will learn from it." Matt gives a smile and pats his brother on the cheek before leaving the room, Jeff left to think those words over.
Inside of The World Arena, A-Train's music hits as down to the ring marches the big man, clearly not in a good mood as seen a few minutes ago. "I'm sick and tired of being misused around here!" He says while pacing in the center of the ring. "I deserve to be in action each and every week on Smackdown and competing for championships!" The crowd boos the comments and Train yells for them to shut up, saying they know it's true! The theme song of John Cena then hits to the confusion of Train, the young rapping superstar stepping out to the stage and quickly calling for his music to be cut. "Yo, yo, yo... can we call the subway because we've got a runaway Train! Screen time ain't what you getting, boy, weight is the only thing you gain! You've got a hairy chest and pierced nipples, just one look at you is turning these people in to visual cripples!" Cena draws closer to the ring as Train is getting more and more angry by the word, Cena telling him to relax and calling him 'Prince Albert' in the process. "You belong in a circus sideshow because you're a freak! As a matter of fat, I've been around you in the locker room and boy, do you reek! I think it's time for you to leave, A-Train, time to take a walk... I see you getting angry, but don't mess with John Cena because you can suck on my..." He raises the microphone up for the crowd to finish, Train then throwing a punch that Cena ducks under. A clothesline and a big boot are avoided as well, Cena then sliding to the outside and waving his hand in front of his face with a laugh. "You can't see me!" He shouts as Train leans over the ropes with his eyes widened, seething at the mouth!
Seen walking in the back while gripping at his ribs is Sean O'Haire. After his confrontation with Billy Kidman earlier, the two are set to face off - next!
In the back getting on to his motorcycle prepared to leave is The Undertaker when Josh Mathews approaches him, asking about what went down in the ring with Goldberg earlier and their match at Summerslam. "Goldberg and I are buddies, Josh," He says with a slight grin. "But the one thing Goldberg doesn't understand is that at Summerslam... his ass is next. Not mine." Taker then revs his engine and drives on out of the parking lot.
4) Sean O'Haire def. Billy Kidman (w/Torrie Wilson) via pinfall (4:15) The bell rings and Kidman starts targeting the mid-section of O'Haire immediately. "Torrie Wilson and Billy Kidman," Tazz says. "You know they're a thing, right, Cole?!" Wilson looks concerned from the outside despite this, however, as O'Haire is clearly hurt. Kidman stays aggressive as O'Haire kicks out of multiple pin attempts, eventually mounting a comeback. A big back body drop and a leaping kick almost puts Kidman down for the count but only results in a count of two. Kidman then fights back and targets the ribs again, nailing a hurricanrana and then throwing a few stomps and knees to the injured area. He then decides to go to the top rope, presumably for the Shooting Star Press. Wilson gets on the apron though and begins to plead with Kidman to stop! He shoos her off the apron and then attempts the SSP only for O'Haire to roll out of the way! Sean then gets back to his feet and lifts Kidman up, planting him with the Widowmaker before covering for the count of three.
O'Haire stirs back to his feet and has his arm raised but falls back to the corner holding his mid-section again. Wilson then comes in to the ring and checks on O'Haire, whom nods that he's okay. She then heads over to Kidman but he doesn't seem interested in her care. He instead rolls to the outside and stays on the floor, Wilson looking concerned back at O'Haire before following after Kidman and continuing to try to tend to him.
In the back, Los Guerreros are seen walking with each other when they are suddenly knocked down from behind by Team Angle! Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin pummel Eddie and Chavo with punches and throw them in to the walls, Los Guerreros then fighting back and returning the favor! The brawl continues to go on as a commercial break interrupts things.
Following the break, Los Guerreros and Team Angle have been separated by referees and backstage officials but they continue to try and go at one another. Eddie actually manages to break free and get a few shots in on Haas and Benjamin through the crowd but is pulled back away before things can get any worse.
5) Jamie Noble (w/Nidia and Shaniqua) def. Funaki via pinfall (3:31) With his new apparent bodyguard Shaniqua at ringside along with Nidia, Noble looks to her plenty of times when he gets in trouble with Funaki, prompting to some interference via trips. After Funaki knocks Noble to the outside with a dropkick, he follows out after him in order to return things to the ring. Shaniqua, however, instead runs through Funaki with a clothesline! She then backs off quickly as Noble recovers to retrieve Funaki, taking him back in to the ring and nailing a double underhook powerbomb for the pinfall.
Appearing surprised by the victory, Noble gets up to celebrate but doesn't appear to be done as he puts the boots to Funaki against the ropes. Down from the back then runs Tajiri, sliding in and kicking Noble in the kidneys repeatedly. After knocking Noble off his feet, Tajiri goes for a handspring elbow only for Shaniqua to step in the way in the ring and drop him with a clothesline! Noble looks up from the corner with a big smile on his face, Shaniqua then pulling Tajiri back up - lifting him up above her head! She then charges to the ropes and launches Tajiri on top of Funaki on the outside! Noble continues to look very impressed from the corner, coming up behind Shaniqua and hugging her waist. She quickly pushes him aside, however, pointing his face. He acknowledges he might have gone too far, but nonetheless looks very impressed with her. Nidia, meanwhile, looks very confused on the outside as to how to react.
Seen heading down the halls is Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio, fired up with his match coming up soon. The cameras then pick up to Matt Hardy with Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore in tow when he turns to them and tells them he wants them to stay back. "I want to do this the right way! The honest, Mattitude way." Moore looks confused but Jeff holds him back, saying it's fine. Matt then keeps on going, the Cruiserweight Championship on the line in the main event - next!
6) Cruiserweight Championship: Matt Hardy def. Rey Mysterio(c) via pinfall (14:23) Kicking things off, Hardy uses a size advantage over Mysterio to slow things down but Rey comes back with some quick knock downs and high flying maneuvers. A hurricanrana to reverse a powerbomb to the outside is performed followed by a springboard crossbody that leads in to a commercial break. Following that break, the match continues with the same dynamic as before the time away. Multiple near falls for both men from side effects, hurricanranas and even a superplex from Hardy. After Hardy is set up for the 619, however, Shannon Moore comes running down from the back. Mysterio stops in his tracks, down behind Moore running Jeff Hardy to try and hold Moore back. The referee is then distracted by Matt as that is going on, Mysterio going for the 619 off the ropes only to end up being tripped to the mat by WWE Champion Kurt Angle! Angle then slides in to the ring and runs through Mysterio with a shot to the face via the title belt! Angle dives through the ropes quickly after with a smile on his face, Matt recovering and walking up to a struggling to stay up Mysterio - kicking him in the stomach and nailing the Twist of Fate! Both legs are then hooked as the referee returns to count the one, two, three!
The boos come down as Matt gets to his knees with his fists held up high, shouting proudly in celebration as he is presented with the Cruiserweight Championship! "Kurt Angle screwed Rey Mysterio, Tazz!" Cole says in disgust. "Rey Mysterio had this match won and Kurt Angle screwed him!" After replays of the finish are shown, Matt is celebrating atop the stage as Angle continues to smile toward a devastated Mysterio on his hands and knees in the ring, glaring at his Summerslam opponent. With a new Cruiserweight Champion and a rivalry escalated, Smackdown comes to an end.
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underjohngrohs
Main Eventer
"Do I Have Everybody's Attention Now?"
Joined on: May 19, 2012 17:48:25 GMT -5
Posts: 2,959
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Post by underjohngrohs on Apr 5, 2021 1:54:27 GMT -5
Wow what an interesting card Summerslam has. Not only do you have Angle vs Mysterio for the Title. But you got Undertaker vs Goldberg. This is a match that probably should've happened at WrestleMania 20 in real life. Please don't make it look like Super Showdown 2019. Austin vs Lesnar is going to happen too. Hell yeah!!!. This is the match that was going to happen. But due to Austin leaving in real life. That didn't. But Summerslam 2003 will be the ultimate. It's going to be a good match. You have put Lesnar up against Triple H. Shawn Michaels and Now Stone Cold. Lesnar no doubt is a terror on the RAW Brand. As for the Kane Unmasking. It's happening somewhere down the line I assume right and if it does let him be the Kane of Old like he was when he debuted. Interfering and destroying people. Do that for me A.J.? Damn it give us what we want?. We need the Hell Raising Kane. We need the Old Kane. And lastly. A Hogan vs Triple H rematch at Summerslam needs to happen with Hogan going over. And then Triple H ends the series at Unforgiven with Hogan probably leaving to have one final match at WrestleMania XX. So Reply2Reply bro for my diary like old times sake.
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Post by ✖ AJ on Apr 5, 2021 11:59:05 GMT -5
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Post by ✖ AJ on Apr 10, 2021 19:39:46 GMT -5
1) A-Train def. Jimmy Yang via pinfall after the Derailer. (3:35) 2) La Resistance def. Slater Shayne and Derek Stryker via pinfall following the Bonsoir. (4:11) 3) Ultimo Dragon def. Nunzio (w/Chuck Palumbo and Dawn Marie) via pinfall with an Asai DDT in to cover. (4:24)
1) Gail Kim def. Jacqueline via pinfall with a bridged hurricanrana. (4:55) 2) Lance Storm def. Keiji Sakoda via submission with a Canadian Maple Leaf. (2:31) 3) The APA def. Aaron Stevens and Sean Evans via pinfall after a Clothesline From Hell via Bradshaw to Evans. (3:22) 4) Maven def. Christopher Nowinski (w/Scott Steiner) via pinfall with a backslide. Post-match, Steiner leaps on Maven and places him in a Steiner Recliner before standing tall along with Nowinski. (5:09)
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Post by †hê Jå§ðñ Wïllïåm§ on Jul 20, 2021 1:03:58 GMT -5
I can't wait for Goldberg vs The Undertaker!
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