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 Feb 11, 2021 23:04:44 GMT -5
I'm sensing a setup with Stephanie McMahon coming back to Triple H. And this will eventually lead to a Kurt face turn, but I still see The Rock winning the WWF Title at No Way Out and still setting up Rock vs Austin. But do not I repeat do not turn Austin heel. Rock can win the title, but as far as Triple H and Kurt, The Game will most likely turn heel again and that will lead to Kurt being a face.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 14, 2021 8:46:01 GMT -5
Jakked - February 24, 2001
Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Broadcast on syndication
Taped on February 19, 2001 The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena, where Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to WWF Jakked, twenty-four hours away from WWF No Way Out, for another night of action and highlights from the past week!
1) WWF European Champion William Regal def. Funaki (w/Taka Michinoku) 4:31)'The Goodwill Ambassador' was coming off of a brief time away from the World Wrestling Federation, where he returned to his homeland of Blackpool, England. William Regal surprised many this past week on SmackDown, going toe-to-toe with the Rock. Although he was bested, the Englishman was able to hold his own until finally becoming overwhelmed. Tonight in non-title action he took on Funaki of Kaientai, and the two confusedly declared they would both become WWF European Champion tonight after declaring that Japan was the best country Europe had to offer. Funaki fought Regal's European style with agility, a missile dropkick giving him a near fall. Finally he was cut short with a blunt knee lift, and a series of European uppercuts soon followed. Taka waved the flag at ringside allowing the crowd to root Funaki on fighting a chinlock, and a tornado DDT gave him a close two count. Funaki looked for a bulldog, only for the Brit to cut him short with the Regal Cutter, giving the WWF European Champion the three count.
3) Tazz def. James Grizzle (2:34)'The One Man Crime Scene' had settled into a new role in the World Wrestling Federation of late, as the co-host of Sunday Night Heat on MTV alongside Michael Cole. Ever antagonistic, tonight Tazz stepped foot in the ring once again against James Grizzle of Kansas City. Grizzle was brash and confident as he squared off with Tazz, daring to look down on him. The thug responded with a big clothesline before taking Grizzle for a ride using a series of suplexes. A T-bone suplex saw him plant James on his head for a near fall, but Grizzle showed heart. Fighting back with a fiery series of strikes, Tazz was able to sidestep him and plant him head first with a Tazzplex before applying the Tazzmission that forced him into submission.
4) The Fighting Holly Cousins (w/Molly Holly) def. Matt Murphy and Steve Thunder (3:47)The upset victories of Crash Holly continued this past Thursday night on SmackDown, as the Fighting Holly Cousins scored a major victory against former WWF Tag Team Champions T&A. Hardcore and Crash Holly appeared to be rising the ranks and looking for their next opportunity to become champions, and were sure to have their eyes set on the victors of tomorrow night's Steel-Cage match between the Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian. Tonight they contested against the Harley Race-trained team of Matt Murphy and Steve Thunder, who impressed early against Crash. Thunder struck with a brainbuster, but Crash was soon able to cradle Thunder for a near fall before catching him off-guard with a bulldog out of the corner. Hardcore Holly came in fresh with dropkicks to both, clubbing on Matt Murphy. Soon all four men were in with Molly Holly cheering her cousins on. The action broke down to Hardcore and Murphy, who tried for a lifting DDT only for Hardcore to fight out, and the Alabama Slam gave the Fighting Holly Cousins the win.
 Sunday Night Heat - February 25, 2001
Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri
Broadcast on Various Networks - International Exclusive
Taped on February 20, 2001Michael Cole and Tazz welcomed us to Sunday Night Heat, hours away from WWF No Way Out going live on pay-per-view! They were here to call the action ahead of the next stop on the Road to WrestleMania, and discuss the highlights from this past week.
1) The Goodfather and Mark Henry def. Too Cool (3:53)With No Way Out sure to see the Right to Censor's Ivory's back against the wall having to defend the WWF Women's Championship against Lita, Trish Stratus and Molly Holly in a Fatal 4-Way match, tonight we were to see the powers of the Goodfather and Mark Henry team up for tag team action. Too Cool had caught the short end of the stick since their reign as WWF Tag Team Champions was abruptly ended back in November, and on SmackDown were unsuccessful in utilizing the 24/7 rule against the WWF Hardcore Champion the Big Show. Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay danced a lot as they were somehow able to hit and move fast from the larger Goodfather. Double team antics saw them strike with a double hiptoss and accompanying dropkick, but a tag to Mark Henry allowed the RTC to gain control. Clotheslining both simultaneously, 'the Secret Weapon' pounded on Sexay in the corner and catch him mid-air with a backbreaker. The Right to Censor continued until Goodfather missed a corner splash, and Scotty 2 Hotty got the tag. A floatover DDT and a headscissors stunned Goodfather, when the 400-pound Mark Henry cut him off with a big spinout slam. Goodfather followed up with the death valley driver, picking up a big win for the RTC.
4) Lance Storm def. Matt Hardy (w/Lita) (4:19)
It was made official on SmackDown this past week that Lita would be one of three WWF Divas to challenge Ivory for the WWF Women's Championship tonight at No Way Out in a Fatal 4-Way match, but for Matt Hardy it was about seeking revenge on Lance Storm and Justin Credible for stealing the win last Monday on RAW is WAR. While Jeff Hardy retained the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship on SmackDown against Justin Credible, the proud Canadian hoped to even the score. Trying to wrestle Matt to the mat early, Hardy was able to use his agility and quickness to take Storm down, until the Calgary-native fought dirty with a cheap shot. Storm focused his efforts on the leg of Matt, grounding him with a leglock applied. Matt was soon able to kick his way out and caught Storm off-guard with the Side Effect for a near fall. A diving leg drop scored another two count, when Lance caught Matt with a super kick out of nowhere - though Matt powered out at two. With Lance in disbelief, he argued with the referees when surprised by the diving headscissors from Lita off the top rope. Matt looked for the Twist of Fate only to be sent into the ropes, when a low dropkick to the leg allowed Storm to apply the Maple Leaf Crab that shockingly forced Matt to tap out. Team Xtreme's problems with Lance Storm and Justin Credible were sure to continue from this win, without a doubt. |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 14, 2021 12:12:40 GMT -5
Sunday Night Heat - February 25, 2001
Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
Live on MTV
Sin City was alive and well, as we opened to a live shot of the Las Vegas Strip. With one hour remaining until WWF No Way Out was scheduled to go live on pay-per-view, fans were seen lining up outside of the Thomas and Mack Center. The final major stop on the Road to WrestleMania was upon us, but first it was time for Sunday Night Heat!
A video package aired, previewing No Way Out. A day in the life of a casino was shown flashing before our eyes, as betting agents and oddsmakers were seen racing around their offices at miles per hour. Who could predict what was ahead, and who could bet on themselves to make it out of No Way Out? A tag team encounter like we had never seen before that could rock the foundations of the World Wrestling Federation for good, as well as blow the most dysfunctional family on the planet up for an eternity? Stone Cold Steve Austin would team up for the first and only time against Vince McMahon to battle Chris Benoit, and the Chairman's own son Shane McMahon. Three men would enter, but only one could walk out the WWF Champion. Kurt Angle believed it was the biggest gamble of his career, walking into tonight with a major score to settle with two arch rivals in their own right, The Rock and Triple H. The winner would go on to headline WrestleMania X-Seven, while the other two men would be left having lost everything. As the armed bandit machines were pulled, the roulette wheels were span, and the dices on the table were tossed: there was No Way Out tonight.
The opening video package aired, bringing us live on MTV to Sunday Night Heat! Michael Cole and Tazz were standing outside of the Thomas and Mack Center with only one hour remaining until WWF No Way Out! The thug was excited about the entire experience, being back in Las Vegas. The two co-hosts glossed over the matches we could expect to see tonight, but in a Sunday Night Heat exclusive tonight, we would see 'the One' Billy Gunn look for revenge against Bull Buchanan in a rematch from SmackDown! To add to that, Steven Richards had gone on record as saying that if Billy could beat Bull tonight, he would step into the ring and meet Billy one-on-one tomorrow night on RAW is WAR!
We went to a scene from earlier today, where the Right to Censor sat patiently as Steven Richards stood beside Bull Buchanan. Mark Henry and the Goodfather listened as Steven let it be known the importance of tonight. As Ivory was consumed in preparation for her unfair and unjust Fatal 4-Way WWF Women's Championship match against Lita, Trish Stratus and Molly Holly, Steven let it be known that he had the utmost faith in Bull Buchanan's abilities. Steven believed that Bull was mean like them, he had the power, but he also had youth on his side. Steven reminded Mark and Goodfather of how Bull dismantled 'the One' Billy Gunn on SmackDown, and declared that if by impossible odds Billy was able to defeat Buchanan tonight on Sunday Night Heat, that he would fight Billy Gunn like the unnerved leader of the RTC he was live, tomorrow night on RAW is WAR. The two left the room, leaving Goodfather and 'the Secret Weapon' to talk among themselves. Displeased by Steven's faith in Buchanan, the longtime friends hoped Bull would got knocked down a peg or two tonight.
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Michael Cole and Tazz sent us to WWF New York in the heart of Times Square, where X-Pac was standing among the crowd atop the stage. Met by loud boos from the entirety of New York City inside the entertainment complex, 'the Man' sarcastically thanked Michael and the producers of MTV for giving him the charity case tonight. While X-Pac would much rather be in Sin City tonight playing the slots, catching some shows and enjoying the night scene, thanks to them he was trapped in this dump in New York! 'The One Man Crime Scene' agreed that X-Pac deserved better and scolded Cole for making him do this. X-Pac reasoned that he knew he had been absent from competition over the past few weeks, but firmly stated that he had gotten into the best shape of his life, and is more prepared for anything than anybody knew or cared. Six weeks out from WrestleMania, he was ready to blow everybody away and make them fall in love with him all over again. For that, the crowd in the entertainment complex loudly chanted "X-Pac sucks", causing X-Pac to demand more opportunities, and to demand the respect of the morons in the Big Apple!
A video package aired, reviewing the history in which Chris Jericho and the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven shared. Having captured the title over one month ago, 'the Creator' had showed little respect for anybody he stepped foot in the ring with, as well as the title itself. Continuing to preach time and time again about how accolades and accomplishments meant nothing in the long haul, he was met by the confident brags of Y2J. Raven did not receive Jericho well, and time and time again attacked him from behind, and was even joined in his plights by a new companion in Tori. Together, the dishevelled couple were the thorn in Jericho's side, costing him matches and believing it to be poetic: that Chris Jericho could not win the big one. Y2J made Raven bleed and suffer with the Walls of Jericho atop the announce table, and jumped the two in the crowd, while Raven played mind games with the loudmouth Canadian, arguing he wanted to make Jericho see what he saw. Tonight, after a month of head games, Y2J wanted to prove he was not a choke artist. Would he walk out a four-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, or would 'the Devil's Advocate' continue to corrupt Chris Jericho?
We returned to see the WWF Intercontinental Champion sat on the floor in his locker room, with no Tori to be seen. Raven simply confessed that all he wanted to do was make Chris Jericho see the world how he saw and understood it to be. Musing what it would mean to him to defeat Y2J tonight, it wouldn't mean a thing. 'The Devil's Advocate' stated all he wanted was for Y2J to save himself, to acknowledge all of his shortcomings and to realize the hard truth that he and Raven were not unalike. Raising his title belt and showing it off, he said that titles meant nothing to him, and tossed it across the room out of sight. But as he had proven time and time again, Raven believed he could beat Chris Jericho because he was weak. Raven said Jericho would step inside of his own asylum against him and experience failure first hand, and there would be No Way Out. Much like he had suffered against Triple H inside of a Steel-Cage, like Eddie Guerrero had proven in recent weeks, and much like Kurt Angle had done in WWF Championship matches. Glancing up at the camera, Raven declared that all he wanted was for Chris Jericho to wake up and join him. Quoth the Raven, nevermore.
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We returned to live outside of the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada: the site of WWF No Way Out! Michael Cole and Tazz discussed the WWF Women's Championship match made by WWF Divas Ambassador Debra last Thursday night on SmackDown, and how that wasn't the only late addition to the show tonight, as we would also see the Hardy Boyz look for retribution against Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Despite Jeff's WWF Light Heavyweight Championship retention on SmackDown against Credible three nights ago, Team Xtreme wanted to not only leave tonight with Lita as the WWF Women's Champion, but with a tag team victory against Storm and Credible under their belt.
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'The One' Billy Gunn was on the phone in the backstage area to Chyna, commenting on how glad he was that 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' up and moving around at home. Still angry over what the Right to Censor had done, he couldn't wait to get his hands on Bull Buchanan, but was more excited at the idea of making Steven Richards pay tomorrow night on RAW is WAR. Kevin Kelly approached Billy for comment, and he told the Playboy covergirl he would call her later. When asked about the RTC, Billy said that there was nothing he wanted to do more than to shove Steven and Bull's little black ties down each of their throats. Chyna was making great headway in recovery, though she was overly eager to come back. He promised that the fans would see her again without a doubt, but tonight was about revenge. Billy had run through the entirety of the Right to Censor, barring two men. Tonight and tomorrow night, he will finish his beef with the RTC. It all started with the piledriver to his girlfriend that broke her neck one month ago, but beating the group wasn't enough. He wanted to take them all out.
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The WWF Champion Kurt Angle and his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon had arrived in Las Vegas for No Way Out. Hand in hand, the couple walked with serious looks on both of their faces. They both had their own share of problems tonight, with 'the Megastar' preparing for the Triple Threat match for his WWF Championship. For 'the Billion Dollar Princess' it was about having to watch as her father Vince McMahon teamed with his arch nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin opposite her brother Shane McMahon, and the man that intimidated her three nights ago on SmackDown, Chris Benoit. Would the Olympic Gold Medalist be able to overcome the odds of two of his biggest rivals? Whose side was Stephanie McMahon on, if any at all? We would find out tonight!
We returned to a live shot outside of Las Vegas, Nevada as Michael Cole and Tazz provided promotional consideration from the sponsors of tonight's edition of Sunday Night Heat.
Back inside the Thomas and Mack Center, the co-hosts now stood in the comfort of a skybox overlooking the arena. As the building had begun filling up with fans, Tazz made the bold assumption that Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon would fall apart tonight. The two had made each other's lives a misery for the past four years, with screwjobs, humiliation and Stunners galore. Against the unstoppable forces of the Coalition, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' and the Chairman were sure to crumble tonight. Cole disputed that, calling Tazz out on his past conspiracy theory that they were in cohoots for longer than they were letting on. The thug firmly stated that he proved right in his prediction then, just like he would tonight. Cole recited that it had potential to be the most dysfunctional tag team match in World Wrestling Federation history, but after tonight was all said and done, would life be different for the McMahon Family, and would it be for better or worse?
Live from WWF New York, X-Pac declared that the special guest "pundit" was in the house at the entertainment complex, surrounded by the loudly booing audience on hand in the Big Apple. X-Pac obnoxiously demanded predictions from the fans as to what they expected to happen tonight from the tag team battle of the McMahons. He listened to two fans as they hoped Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon would raise hell and kick ass side-by-side, before X-Pac ridiculed them for having the stupidest predictions he had ever heard! The entertainment complex erupted in further chants of "X-Pac sucks", as he said he deserved better than this. He was primed for gold, he wasn't even thirty yet, and he didn't understand why the people couldn't stand him! X-Pac believed himself to be great, better than Stone Cold Steve Austin, better than Vince McMahon, and undoubtedly better than Chris Benoit!
A video package aired, recapping the McMahon Family War. Having reached a boiling point between Vince and Shane McMahon after weeks of fighting in the family, it ultimately led to relationships being strained between the Chairman, his son, and daughter Stephanie McMahon. WWF CEO Linda McMahon finally stepped in, making a unique tag team match official for No Way Out. While Shane O'Mac would choose Chris Benoit to be his tag team partner despite the Coalition's dissension, alliances were tense already. Even more shockingly was the WWF Owner's announcement that Stone Cold Steve Austin would stand beside him! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' refused to let Vince play him for a fool, even dropping the boss with the Stunner on multiple occasions. Despite this, Austin and McMahon had saved one another from the cheap ambushes that 'the Rabid Wolverine' and Shane McMahon were capable of time and time again. Stephanie McMahon was trapped between the two teams, forced to watch on as the McMahon Family War continued. Linda McMahon hoped this match might resolve the ongoing dispute in the family, but it might have made it even more chaotic than before. Austin and Benoit were in for a crash course, as were Vince and Shane. Could either of them trust their own teammates, or would an all-out war of attrition break loose? The most dysfunctional tag team match in World Wrestling Federation history was coming up tonight.
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We returned to see Triple H arriving at the Thomas and Mack Center early this morning. The Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship was strongly on 'the Game's mind, with tonight hopefully allowing him to come full circle from the man he was at last year's No Way Out. Last year he forced Mick Foley into retirement in a gruelling Hell in a Cell match, but a lot had changed since then. Triple H had lost the WWF Championship, been betrayed by his ex-wife Stephanie McMahon, and had lost and been stabbed in the back by his friends. Tonight, finally, 'the Cerebral Assassin' hoped to finally achieve redemption.
Back on MTV's Heat, Michael Cole and Tazz talked about the emergence of 'the Man-Beast' Rhyno. Having made a huge splash in the 2001 Royal Rumble match where he shockingly made his World Wrestling Federation debut, the thug was thrilled to have a killer like Rhyno with them at long last. Tazz noted Rhyno being the ECW World Champion, having beaten and Gored every single chump put in front of him. Cole wondered where he fit into the equation, having assisted the Big Show on multiple occasions: including allowing 'the Giant' to recapture the WWF Hardcore Championship six nights ago. Tazz didn't know what might happen, but knew that the 500-pounder and 'the Big Red Machine' were in for a battle of the giants for the title tonight at No Way Out. Just as both had proven as the champ, 24/7 rule or not, Show and the seven-foot monster were ready for anything. He concluded with the belief that Show would retain tonight and continue as the dominant 'Hardcore Giant' - with Rhyno or without him. Cole noted that what started when Big Show gave the Undertaker a Chokeslam through an announce table three weeks ago would come to ahead tonight.
The WWF Divas Ambassador Debra smiled as she approached the co-hosts in the skybox. Greeting Michael Cole and Tazz cheerily, she asked how great it was to see her pretty face tonight. Tazz said he'd prefer seeing her in the kitchen. Sharply, she retorted by pitying "the short man" standing beside Cole, as Michael asked her what led to making the Fatal 4-Way match for the WWF Women's Championship tonight official. She justified it as seeing Ivory be 'the Role Model' that she had been in recent weeks. Not only had she made sure that nobody got to see 'the Ninth Wonder of the World', but the Right to Censor had played a strong role in cheating WWF Divas like Lita, Trish Stratus and Molly Holly out of their own opportunities in recent weeks. And since Ivory was a role model, shouldn't she be pleased with the competition? Tazz disputed it and insulted Debra's cooking, while Cole thanked Debra for joining them. She thanked Michael specifically, before saying that she would be watching with eyes on all of the WWF Superstars tonight, especially her favourite - Stone Cold Steve Austin.
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We went to footage taken from earlier today, as Edge and Christian were seen standing in the middle of an empty Thomas and Mack Center. Wearing the Dudley Boyz's WWF Tag Team Championships on their shoulders, the brothers prepared mentally for the Steel-Cage match to ensue tonight at No Way Out. Observing the steel structure surrounding them, Edge was taken aback by how many memories were coming back to him from Cage match history. Christian agreed, reminiscing of Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka's leap of faith from the top of the structure to Don Muraco eighteen years ago. Edge tried to remember, but concluded that wasn't their memory - they were still in diapers. Christian had to be thinking of Mick Foley's biggest memory growing up. Edge talked about the story of two other Canadian brothers: Bret 'Hitman' Hart battling his own flesh and blood Owen Hart at SummerSlam 1994, when Christian mocked Mick Foley's own foolish Superfly Splash against Triple H at SummerSlam 1997.
Despite all these memories, the past was so 20th Century. They laughed and joked about how many times they had bashed in the brains of the Dudley Boyz, and how much history from over the past year they had shared with D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley. Edge said it might have been premature, but they had the title belts already for a reason. Christian harped back on fond times as the WWF Tag Team Champions before, holding them for an amazing five months in 2000. Tonight they would recapture the gold, and they would do it to once again prove that they were the best tag team to come out of the 21st century, and that they were the one tag team that totally reeked of awesomeness! The two raised the stolen titles from the Dudleys' high, as clips aired of the Triangle Ladder match from WrestleMania; the Tables matches from the past year; and the first-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. Tonight the Dudleys, Edge and Christian would meet again inside the confounds of a solid fifteen-foot high steel cage. We would find out who the better team was - and who the more deserving WWF Tag Team Champions were!
An advertisement aired, showing people from across different countries, ethnic backgrounds and cultures preparing to watch the Grandest Stage of Them All. In slow-motion, their faces lit up with delight, intrigue and smiles as their monitors each showed moments that transcended sports entertainment forever. WrestleMania: 'A Celebration of Life', now only 35 days away.
Michael Cole and Tazz spoke about WrestleMania X-Seven being merely five weeks away, live from the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The co-hosts discussed 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' in the skybox overlooking the Thomas and Mack Center, and questioned who would walk in as the WWF Champion to face Stone Cold Steve Austin in his home state. Tazz boasted that he was looking forward to the biggest spectacular in sports entertainment, where sixty-thousand fans would pack into the stadium and enjoy 'the Grandaddy of Them All' in all its glory. It was Houston, it was WrestleMania: it was a 'Celebration of Life'!
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At ringside, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler joined us on commentary with time ticking away on WWF No Way Out going live on pay-per-view. J.R. and 'the King' discussed the matches we would see tonight, with a Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship pitting Kurt Angle against his two biggest rivals, the Rock and Triple H. The most dysfunctional tag team match in World Wrestling Federation history was sure to be mayhem, as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon would team up for the first and only time ever to take on Shane McMahon and Chris Benoit. The WWF Tag Team Championships would be contested inside of a fifteen-foot high Steel-Cage as the Dudley Boyz hoped to reclaim their stolen titles from Edge and Christian. Raven would put the WWF Intercontinental Championship he doesn't care about at stake against Chris Jericho. Ivory would defend the WWF Women's Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match against Lita, Trish Stratus and Molly Holly. Monsters would go at it, as Kane and the Big Show would battle for the WWF Hardcore Championship. And the Hardy Boyz looked for retribution against the impressive and obnoxious Lance Storm and Justin Credible. The last major stop on the Road to WrestleMania was sure to be unpredictable, chaotic and history, and it would all take place tonight!1) Billy Gunn def. Bull Buchanan (3:53)'The One' Billy Gunn's hunt of the Right to Censor came in the fallout of the RTC's spike piledriver delivered to Chyna five weeks ago on RAW is WAR. He had beaten the Goodfather and Mark Henry, but fell at Bull Buchanan's hands days ago on SmackDown with the help from Steven Richards. Tonight was Billy's chance at revenge. Steven had declared how much faith he had in Bull Buchanan. If Billy were to win tonight, Steven had declared he would step in the ring tomorrow night on RAW is WAR to fight 'the One' Billy Gunn'. Billy swung for Bull to begin, ducking rights and lefts and stunning the big man with a dropkick. A military press slam followed for a near fall, when Bull fired back with a clothesline! Bull tossed Billy from one side of the ring to the other, splashing the veteran in the corner and clobbering him with a big boot. A legdrop and a headlock followed, when Billy rose back up to his feet just to be cut off by a springboard clothesline. Choking Billy on the mat, Billy caught Bull off the ropes with a dropkick! The jackhammer gave him a near fall, and the Fame-Asser was attempted just for Bull to move. The scissors kick was attempted, but Billy moved out of the way! Billy aimed for the One and Only, when Bull threw him off and gave him another big boot! Bull climbed to the top rope looking for the Guillotine diving leg drop, only for Billy to catch him with another dropkick to the abdomen! The opportunity allowed the One and Only to connect, giving Billy the three count!
It was a hard-fought effort, but 'the One' Billy Gunn could officially add Bull Buchanan to his hit list, joining the Goodfather and Mark Henry from the Right to Censor! As the referee raised the pained Billy's hand in victory, one could be assured that 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna was watching with glee on her face. Backstage, Steven Richards similarly watched in fury while the Goodfather and Mark Henry celebrated quietly behind him. Steven now had to meet Billy Gunn one-on-one tomorrow night on RAW is WAR!
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Backstage, the challenger for the WWF Hardcore Championship tonight walked with a vengeance in mind. Kane stomped the halls of the backstage area, minutes from his title shot at the Big Show taking place live at No Way Out. 'The Big Red Machine' growled for Rhyno to show his face, clearly prepared for any potential contingencies we might see from 'the Man-Beast' tonight! Kane wanted 'the Giant' all by himself.
The Rock was finally arriving at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the Triple Threat match ahead and the WWF Championship on the line, 'the Brahma Bull' appeared in the zone ahead of what was sure to be make or break for him sealing his position in the main event of WrestleMania. 'The Great One' was great rivals of both Kurt Angle and Triple H, and had fallen to 'the Megastar' at Fully Loaded, SummerSlam and the Survivor Series. Tonight was his shot to avenge those losses, and finally become a six-time WWF Champion!
The Thomas and Mack Center was now looking full, as Michael Cole and Tazz stood in the skybox discussing what was still to come. They began to talk about the Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship and what it would mean for the richest prize in sports entertainment to change hands only five weeks away from 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' WrestleMania. Kurt Angle had proven he didn't need the Coalition, and why exactly he called himself 'the Megastar'. The question now remained whether Kurt could get the job done as he had before: and beat both the Rock and Triple H in the same match, and go on to headline WrestleMania against Stone Cold Steve Austin.
At WWF New York, X-Pac was standing atop the stage surrounded by an excited capacity crowd on hand inside the entertainment complex. Discussing the Triple Threat match, 'the Man' predicted that his former buddy Triple H would no doubt blow it again tonight, because it was all that he was good for. Maintaining that 'the Game' could not get the job done without the help of his friends or wife he no longer possessed, X-Pac was depressed at the thought of having to sit in a dinghy nightclub in New York City with the rest of the marks, and wasn't there to see it live and in person. Concluding that X-Pac Heat was good heat, despite the boos of the Big Apple crowd, he planned to remind the people just how good he was by returning to the ring tomorrow night on RAW is WAR. Michael Cole finally urged X-Pac to predict who would leave No Way Out as the WWF Champion, and X-Pac firmly believed that Kurt Angle would not only win tonight - but beat Stone Cold Steve Austin in his home state, in the main event of WrestleMania.
A video package aired, looking ahead to the Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship. Kurt Angle was undoubtedly the fastest rising WWF Superstar in World Wrestling Federation history. A former WWF Eurocontinental Champion and the 2000 King of the Ring, 'the Megastar' made a massive statement by defeating the Rock for his first WWF Championship at Fully Loaded last July. Since then, he had not only beaten Rock to become a two-time champ at SummerSlam - but he had gone on a reign of terror ever since. Becoming gradually egotistical with each win, he surrounded himself with Stephanie McMahon - who betrayed Triple H at Unforgiven - and friends in the McMahon Family. Having been through wars with Triple H inside of Hell in a Cell, and the Rock in further blowaway yet underhanded performances, tonight was Angle's worst nightmare. 'The Game' had everything to prove, hoping to come full circle and achieve the ultimate redemption for a hellish end to the year 2000: with no title, no family and no friends to be seen. For the Rock, it was about rebounding three major losses to 'the Megastar' and finally ending his rivalry with both Angle and 'the Game'. And for Kurt Angle, it was about proving that there was no greater athlete more deserving of walking into WrestleMania as the WWF Champion. Who would walk out with the gold? The big gamble was now!
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Michael Cole and Tazz discussed No Way Out broadly, stoked about it being mere minutes away live on pay-per-view! The last major stop on the Road to WrestleMania was upon us, five weeks away from the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment. What might happen? We'd have to find out - next! |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 14, 2021 12:14:38 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Feb 15, 2021 18:36:56 GMT -5
 No Way Out 2001 - February 25, 2001
Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
Live on Pay-Per-View
A video package aired. A day in the life of a casino was shown flashing before our eyes, as betting agents and oddsmakers were seen racing around their offices at miles per hour. Who could predict what was ahead, and who could bet on themselves to make it out of No Way Out? A tag team encounter like we had never seen before that could rock the foundations of the World Wrestling Federation for good, as well as blow the most dysfunctional family on the planet up for an eternity? Stone Cold Steve Austin would team up for the first and only time against Vince McMahon to battle Chris Benoit, and the Chairman's own son Shane McMahon. Three men would enter, but only one could walk out the WWF Champion. Kurt Angle believed it was the biggest gamble of his career, walking into tonight with a major score to settle with two arch rivals in their own right, The Rock and Triple H. The winner would go on to headline WrestleMania X-Seven, while the other two men would be left having lost everything. As the armed bandit machines were pulled, the roulette wheels were span, and the dices on the table were tossed: there was No Way Out tonight.
The opening video package aired, cutting to the sold-out Thomas & Mack Center where pyrotechnics erupted across the stage. Las Vegas was loud for the World Wrestling Federation's last major stop on the Road to WrestleMania once the smoke cleared, and Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were ringside and ready to welcome us to WWF No Way Out! Much like Kurt Angle said last Monday night, tonight was a huge gamble for WWF Superstars - as well as those in charge. Five championships would be contested, and for the first time ever Vince McMahon will step into the ring to team with his arch nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin - for the first ever McMahon against McMahon tag team encounter!
Lance Storm and Justin Credible came obnoxiously swaying down the rampway to kick things off, prepared for a last-minute addition to the show in a rematch from last Monday night on RAW is WAR. Lance beckoned the Las Vegas crowd by demanding a moment a seriousness, to a hostile reaction. The Calgarian was disgusted with the negative reception received, ushering Justin to yell at the fans for disrespecting the newest team on the block in the World Wrestling Federation! Justin bragged about being in the company for less than three weeks, and they had taken the WWF Tag Team Champions to the limit, and beaten two former champs in the amateur daredevils, the Hardy Boyz! Justin gloated about busting his ass and being kicked out the door once before, but now: he was back. Storm added that they were going to take the tag team division by storm, when the Hardy Boyz made their arrival to an electric response. Jeff and Matt Hardy wasted no time, storming the ring!
 1) Lance Storm and Justin Credible vs The Hardy Boyz The Hardy Boyz were reunited last month in the 2001 Royal Rumble match, coming after a winter sabbatical taken by Jeff to recuperate from spinal injuries. Team Xtreme quickly rebounded by eliminating Lance Storm, and twenty-four hours later Jeff Hardy was able to capture the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship from Essa Rios. Storm felt slighted and humiliated by being the first WWF Superstar eliminated in the prestigious Rumble, and headed to WWF New York for "business ventures". It was revealed to be the recruitment of an old friend and tag team partner in Justin Credible, who had once been a part of the World Wrestling Federation several years ago. Quickly, Storm and Credible not only jumped the Hardys, but had received an opportunity at the Dudley Boyz's WWF Tag Team Championships two weeks ago. After defeating the Hardys in tag team competition six nights ago on RAW is WAR, the Hardys were looking at revenge tonight.
With Matt Hardy's girlfriend Lita no doubt preparing for her shot at the WWF Women's Championship against Ivory, Trish Stratus and Molly Holly later tonight in a Fatal 4-Way match, the Hardy Boyz were doing it without her tonight. Storming the ring, the referee was quick to hold back the fan favorites from getting at the trash talking Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Credible flapped his gums and yelled at the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion he lost to three nights ago on SmackDown, before the newcomer dared spit his gum in the brothers' direction! It was enough for a free-for-all to break out, with the Hardys scoring with stereo dropkicks! Matt went in with ten punches for Lance Storm in the corner, when Credible jawjacked him over the top rope. Entering to put the boots to him, Jeff took him by surprise with a jawbreaker directly into the bulldog from Matt! Storm was the recipient of Poetry in Motion, and just like that the Hardys were in full control. The Canadian found himself alley-ooped through the air with a rolling leg-clutch back body drop, before Jeff tried to take him up for a top rope hurricanrana. Storm clung to the top turnbuckle, and Jeff was powerbombed down hard to the canvas! Making a relieving tag to Justin Credible, the crowd booed the obnoxious newcomer who slapped away at Jeff. Connecting with a backbreaker, he began rough-housing Jeff by slamming his head on the mat. The rainbow-haired champion fired back with a spinout enzuigiri, and Matt made the tag. Coming in with right hands, he soon found himself overwhelmed once Lance illegally came in with a leg lariat!
Becoming legal, Lance Storm focused his attack on the knee of Matt Hardy. Slamming it across the canvas repeatedly, he grapevined the leg on the ground with a submission, before tagging Justin in to come from the second rope with a double foot stomp. Credible continued to run his mouth to the older Hardy brother, showboating with brash cockiness to loud Vegas boos. Matt used it as an opening to come back swinging, only to be stopped short with a backbreaker for a near fall. Justin drove Matt across his knee again, when Storm made the tag and came off the top rope with a diving leg drop! Furthering the attack, the Canadian punished Matt's leg with a shinbreaker and a chopblock, when Storm teased applying the Maple Leaf Crab. Running his mouth to Jeff, he tried entering to the referee's admonishment. With the official restraining him, behind his back saw Storm and Credible come in to slam the legs of Matt apart on the canvas! Now Storm was getting cocky, when surprised with a swift Side Effect! Justin made the tag as Matt began crawling to the corner, but Hardy was able to dropkick him away. Jeff Hardy made the tag and came packing with a diving headscissors for Justin, and a low dropkick sending Storm off the apron! Rolling to the floor, Jeff vaulted the barricade with a crossbody press before Credible hit him with a baseball slide. Justin hammered on him, when Matt soared off the top rope with a splash onto Storm and Credible! It was everything Jeff needed to return inside, taking to the air himself using a somersault plancha!
The Hardy Boyz ripped their shirts off, as Jeff returned back inside with Lance Storm. Jeff wanted the Swanton Bomb when Lance was able to pull on the top rope, crotching the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion. A Super Kick nailed Jeff between the eyes, when Matt advanced and looked for the Twist of Fate. Storm was able to shove him, directly into a kendo stick shot from Credible between the ropes! The referee was out of position, and the Canadian used it to applying a sweeping Maple Leaf Crab on the illegal man. Jeff came from the top rope with the Whisper in the Wind, before executing a dropkick sending Justin to the floor. As Matt brawled with Justin at ringside, Jeff climbed to the top again just to have Lance return to the top only to be sent falling down to the canvas. The Swanton Bomb connected, and the Hardy Boyz picked up the win!Winners: The Hardy Boyz (13:23) In a decision perhaps boding well to the absentee third member of Team Xtreme, the Hardy Boyz had picked up the win against their rivals in Lance Storm and Justin Credible! As Lita was preparing for the Fatal 4-Way match for the WWF Women's Championship later tonight, her boyfriend and good friend Matt and Jeff Hardy had undoubtedly done her proud. Jeff hugged Matt while Justin helped Storm out to the floor, Credible furious at the result! The WWF Light Heavyweight Champion gestured to Matt that his time for a title shot would come soon enough, while Las Vegas applauded a hot start to the show.
We went outside of the Thomas & Mack Center, where Sin City was alive and well. On the Las Vegas Strip in downtown Nevada, people were everywhere. The camera soon transitioned to see Triple H lacing his boots ahead of his chance at ultimate redemption in tonight's Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship. Up against two enormous rivals in the WWF Champion Kurt Angle and the Rock, 'the Game' knew he could not afford to lose tonight.
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Vince McMahon appeared in high spirits strutting the halls of the backstage area. Visibly favoring his shoulder, the Chairman mused rolling his eyes once Michael Cole hoped to get an update on the boss's condition ahead of tonight's unusual tag team match. Admitting his shoulder had definitely felt better, last Thursday on SmackDown he got to feel every little bit of what made Chris Benoit 'the Rabid Wolverine'. Alas, he was a fighter, and bragged about once fighting the United States government! Not to mention he was currently balancing a burning personal life, as well as a thriving professional life. He was at war with his son Shane McMahon, his daughter Stephanie McMahon was an emotional mess, and his wife Linda McMahon - quite frankly - just wanted it over and done with. Vince referenced how being the WWF Owner was no easy job, but he was fighting a winning battle with the XFL against not only "the rival league", but the mainstream media as well! Cole questioned this, but Vince uttered that any publicity was good publicity. Vince remained confident about tonight, and the spectacle that would see him team with his biggest critic in history Stone Cold Steve Austin. But before continuing, the Chairman was interrupted by the arrival of Trish Stratus. Shyly, she wished the boss luck and told him she was sure he would do a great job tonight. Stratus smiled and walked away, leaving Vince to raise an eyebrow, wishing her luck too. 2) WWF Hardcore Championship
Big Show (c) vs Kane Since arriving in the World Wrestling Federation just over two years ago, nobody had been as dominant and impressive as the 500-pound 'Giant' the Big Show. A former WWF Champion and loyalist of the Coalition, the Big Show recently went out on his own to become the WWF Hardcore Champion. After coming up short in the 2001 Royal Rumble match after being eliminated by the Undertaker, RAW is WAR three weeks ago saw 'the Giant' drive 'the American Badass' through the announce table with an epic Chokeslam. It was so brutal that nobody had seen 'the Deadman' since, but it had drawn the ire of another monster in the WWF: 'the Big Red Machine' Kane. A former WWF Champion in his own right, the seven-foot monster wanted to get revenge on behalf of his half-brother, and was able to become WWF Hardcore Champion himself. In recent weeks their battles had grown more and more chaotic, with the 24/7 rule allowing various WWF Superstars to interfere and even quest to capture the title themselves. Show and Kane had fought against one another, as well as side by side. One of these attackers included the mysterious 'Man-Beast' Rhyno. Since debuting in the 2001 Royal Rumble match, the ECW World Champion had struck on multiple occasions, but had seemingly grown supportive of the 500-pound champ. Rhyno cost Kane the title and allowed Big Show to recapture it last Monday night. In a battle of the giants, contested with no disqualifications and no count-outs, could we expect to see Rhyno tonight, if any interfering WWF Superstars?
As soon as the Big Show climbed over the ropes to enter the ring, 'the Big Red Machine' came at him with heavy hands. Kane was fired up and willing to recapture the WWF Hardcore Championship taken from him six nights ago, but 'the Giant' was prepared for the fight. The two behemoths battled initially with Kane gaining the upper hand, only to be headbutted away. Kane struck with a throat thrust of his own, before climbing to the top rope! Kane flew, only to be met by the giant hand of the champion! Show clotheslined the seven-footer over the top rope and promptly followed thereafter, only to receive a hard trash can shot to the head by the challenger! Kane dumped garbage out of the can before clunking him again with it, soon laying into Show against the barricade. The monster looked for a running clothesline, only to encounter a big boot in retaliation! The champ grabbed a steel chair and slammed it over the skull of Kane for a near fall, before scouting underneath the ring for more weapons. Introducing a tool box, Kane was able to punch the box out of his hands. The tools scattered across ringside when Kane grabbed a screwdriver and mounted Show! Kane was looking to gouge Show's eyes with the screwdriver, but Show grabbed a fire extinguisher and slammed it into Kane's face. Back inside, Show placed another trash can on Kane's chest before repeatedly stomping away at it! Kane was a human can-crusher, but once Show attempted the Chokeslam Kane was able to fight him off. To the second rope went Kane, but Show caught him and powered him down with a spinebuster!
Big Show rolled out and dismantled the steel steps, bringing the upper half inside. 'The Giant' saw Kane on the top rope and stopped him with some deadly right hands. Looking for a Chokeslam, Kane was able to wrestle him to the second rope as well. What happened next was incredible: a combined 850-pound superplex sending both crashing down hard to the canvas! Neither man could recover, when Joe E. Legend smugly came darting down to ringside! Legend covered Kane, only to be launched off like a dart! Legend decided to cover Show, when Kane dragged him off by the seat of his pants! Kane delivered a Chokeslam to Joe E before picking up the steel steps: but Too Cool entered the fray! Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay fought the steps out of Kane's hands, when Show helped his opponent out: giving Too Cool a double Chokeslam single-handedly! Kane struck Show with the steel steps for a near fall, when the monster signalled for the Chokeslam! Kane grabbed the 500-pounder by the throat, when Show grabbed the 300-pounder by the throat. Neither man could gain an opening, when Rhyno hopped the barricade with a steel chair in hand! Slamming Kane in the spine with the chair, he collapsed. Show was relieved to see 'the Man-Beast', but Rhyno tossed him the chair before Goring the Big Show - the 24/7 rule allowing Rhyno to win the title!Winner, and new WWF Hardcore Champion: Rhyno (7:28) In an unexpected turn of events, 'the Man-Beast' had captured the WWF Hardcore Championship! His existence remaining a mystery, Rhyno snatched the title belt from the referee before taking off from the ring. Kane sat up enraged at being cheated out of this title shot, while Rhyno hopped the barricade and once again left through the crowd. Big Show had been betrayed by this loner, but as he groggily returned to his feet 'the Giant' would turn to be met by a massive Chokeslam: courtesy of 'the Big Red Machine!' Kane set off his pyrotechnics to a big ovation, leaving the ring and certain to be looking out for Rhyno.
Shane McMahon was in his dressing room all geared up for the tag team match coming up later tonight. WWF European Champion William Regal sat at a table behind him, sipping a cup of tea. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' appeared to be taking a personal interest in Shane O'Mac's preparation, asking him with determination how ready Shane was. The son of the Chairman yelled that he was ready, and commented on how long he had waited for the moment: to beat his Dad with his own two hands. Shane could not wait to see the look on his Dad's face knowing he not only got his ass kicked by his son, but he got beaten 1-2-3 as well! William wanted clarification that Shane did not want any reinforcements out there tonight, and Shane was determined: he had everything he needed. He was a fighter, and he was paired with a true brutalist, Chris Benoit. Shane said it didn't matter if he was up against Vince McMahon or Stone Cold Steve Austin, he had all the faith in the world that tonight would be his night to shine.
In walked Stephanie McMahon, who urged privacy from the Brit. A family affair, Regal politely complied. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' knew they hadn't seen eye to eye of late, but she saw how their father looked at Shane on SmackDown. He agreed with his sister who knew all the bad things Vince had done - but Shane had also done a lot of bad things. Shane tried to forbade her from marrying her first fiancee, opposing her "unnamed" ex-husband at every turn, and on top of all of that: Shane was as bad as a manipulator as Dad. Stephanie's brother Shane defended himself, claiming to have always had her best interests in mind. Test was not a good match for Stephanie, and as good friends as he was with the Canadian - it was true. Neither was Triple H, and 'the Game' trying to Pedigree her on Monday night proved how pathetic a man he truly was. Shane confessed his admiration for Stephanie, reminding her they always had each others' backs with Vince and Linda McMahon working away so much. The World Wrestling Federation needed them, and Shane urged Steph to reconsider her stance: they could rule the WWF for the better. As Shane left the room, once again 'the Billion Dollar Princess' found herself in deep thought.
A video package aired, reviewing the history in which Chris Jericho and the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven shared. Having captured the title over one month ago, 'the Creator' had showed little respect for anybody he stepped foot in the ring with, as well as the title itself. Continuing to preach time and time again about how accolades and accomplishments meant nothing in the long haul, he was met by the confident brags of Y2J. Raven did not receive Jericho well, and time and time again attacked him from behind, and was even joined in his plights by a new companion in Tori. Together, the dishevelled couple were the thorn in Jericho's side, costing him matches and believing it to be poetic: that Chris Jericho could not win the big one. Y2J made Raven bleed and suffer with the Walls of Jericho atop the announce table, and jumped the two in the crowd, while Raven played mind games with the loudmouth Canadian, arguing he wanted to make Jericho see what he saw. Tonight, after a month of head games, Y2J wanted to prove he was not a choke artist. Would he walk out a four-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, or would 'the Devil's Advocate' continue to corrupt Chris Jericho?
Live in the Thomas & Mack Center, the countdown had begun and went up in smoke, as pyrotechnics brought out Chris Jericho! Las Vegas was lit for Y2J's arrival, as he welcomed everybody to Sin City is Jericho! The Manitoban excitedly spoke of how weeks upon weeks of head games, unpopular opinions and ambushes would come to an end tonight: because finally be would punish the enigma known as Raven! Jericho spoke of Raven's deepest desires, wanting to make Y2J exactly like him - a boring, mindless slob that nobody liked! Jericho asked Vegas for their opinion, receiving loud Y2J chants in return. While Jericho knew that his bottom b*tch Tori would no doubt be there to sway the odds in his way, the challenger was determined to gladly take the WWF Intercontinental Championship off his hands. 'The Sexy Beast' believed the title would look so much better with gold around his trim waist, and declared that he would make Raven feel brutal, agonizing pain like he had never - ever - experienced before; and that he would never, ever be the same again!
 3) WWF Intercontinental Championship
Raven (w/Tori) (c) vs Chris Jericho 'The Creator' surprised many over one month ago when he captured the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Rikishi. Raven has been enigmatic since he debuted last October, laying waste to the Undertaker and playing psychological warfare with 'the American Badass'. However in recent weeks, the new champ has been on a new venture in trying to make Chris Jericho realize his shortcomings. Believing that he and Y2J are not as unalike as the Canadian would make seem, Raven has time and time again rambled on about Jericho's inability to win "the big one", that he has choked on opportunities time and time again. At the same time, he has shown little to no regard for the championship, believing that accolades mean little to 'the Devil's Advocate'. In a surprising move, it was three weeks ago on RAW is WAR where Raven was joined hand-in-hand by a new companion: former WWF Women's Champion Tori. Though despite Raven's best efforts to make Y2J realize his weaknesses and to quote - "join him" - the loudmouth fan favorite has continued to resist. Attacking Raven when spectating a match in the front row on SmackDown two weeks ago, and similarly making Raven cry hysterically in the Walls of Jericho atop the announce table several weeks ago. The former three-time WWF Intercontinental Champion was looking for his fourth, but first he had to combat the unpredictable enigma tonight at No Way Out. Could Y2J get the job done and put Raven in his place, or would the champion prove his point and make Jericho lose out on another big opportunity?
Unperturbed by the statement made by the challenger preluding, Raven walked to the ring dragging the WWF Intercontinental Championship behind him. Tori looked offended by Chris Jericho's pre-match comments, but her boyfriend remained calm when rolling into the corner of the ring. Going face to face, Y2J was eager while the champion preached more words to him. Jericho pie-faced Raven who coolly spread his arms wide open. Then, in a reckless stunt, Raven tossed the WWF Intercontinental Championship out to the floor! This was enough to make the challenger rush the champ, and a fist fight commenced. Jericho stomped Raven in the corner with vigor to the point the referee was forced to step in. This allowed Raven to catch him with a kitchen sink knee to the gut, stabilizing Jericho temporarily. Driving elbows into Jericho, the challenger was able to whip him into the ropes for a flying forearm - enough to make 'the Devil's Advocate' scram from the ring. Tori was there to assist her man, while Raven carelessly put his arm around her in reassurance. The WWF Diva was concerned, but her man was taken from her as Jericho connected with a baseball slide! Raven turned to receive a crossbody plancha over the top rope, and Y2J proceeded to square up to the livid main squeeze. Jericho sent Raven knees-first into the steel steps before beating on him by the announce table. All it took was a confident eye poke for Raven to take control again, a Russian legsweep seeing both collide with the steel steps! As Jericho crumpled on the floor, Raven sat against the steps laughing in hysterics.
The WWF Intercontinental Champion began scrapping at Chris Jericho, stomping away at him and draping him abdomen-first across the barricade. Climbing to the apron, 'the Creator' looked around at the hostile Las Vegas crowd with an incredulous smirk on his face. Eerily, Raven charged off the apron delivering an axe handle across Jericho spine! The champ was taking Y2J on a crash course, when Raven slid into the ring and sat comfortably in the corner. It appeared he was going for a count-out victory, but Jericho was able to get back in at eight. Putting the boots to Jericho, he yelled at the Canadian and told him they were one in the same! Daring to slap the challenger, Y2J would tackle Raven down with some hard right hands. Raven kicked him off, but the eager contender would send him into the ropes for a spinning wheel kick, getting a near fall. Y2J had gained an opening based on the champ's negligence, and eyed up a bulldog only for Raven to clobber him with a hard-hitting clothesline! Laughing at the people's boos, Tori applauded her boyfriend as Raven mounted Jericho for some heavy-handed punches. Even choking him, Raven risked getting disqualified. Arrogantly, 'the Devil's Advocate' cared little for the title and more for Y2J's suffering. Running his mouth some more, Raven set up for the Evenflow DDT, but Y2J was able to reverse into a northern lights suplex for a near fall! Y2J returned to his feet and climbed to the top rope for a missile dropkick and another two count - because Tori would place Raven's foot on the bottom rope! Sin City was livid, as was Jericho who left the ring to confront her.
The WWF Diva miserably cursed Jericho's name, when he dared to dip her and plant a liplock on Raven's girl! Now furious, the WWF Intercontinental Champion hit a baseball slide of his own, before aggressively pummelling Jericho and driving his face into the steel steps repeatedly! Raven had remained calm until 'the Sexy Beast' chose to smooch his main squeeze Tori, and again risked a disqualification. Dragging Y2J by the hair, Jericho had developed a cut on his forehead from the steps shots. By the rampway, Raven aimed to suplex Jericho on the steel grate, when Y2J reversed into one of his own on the hard matted floor! Both men faced a count-out loss, but both were able to crawl back in at the count of nine. Raven travelled to the top rope, but dove with a double axe handle to find himself caught in a Walls of Jericho attempt! Y2J struggled to turn Raven, when the champ wisely caught him with an inside cradle for a close count. Raven kicked Jericho low and aimed for the Evenflow DDT in response, just for Jericho to reverse with the Walls applied successfully! Y2J had Raven in agony, screaming for him to tap out, when Tori climbed on the apron to distract the official. Raven tapped behind his back, causing Jericho to release the hold. Y2J thought he had it won, but turned to see Tori on the apron. Y2J got back in his opponent's girl's face, when Raven struck from behind with a low blow! The champ barged Jericho into Tori, sending his own companion sailing from the apron into the barricade!
Perhaps wisely, Raven slid out to check on his girlfriend when Y2J grabbed him by the hair through the ropes. The WWF Intercontinental Champion was surprised by Chris Jericho jumping him at ringside, and another exchange of rights and lefts saw Raven gain the advantage with a drop toe hold that sent the bloodied Canadian face first into the timekeeper's steel chair! Tossing Jericho back inside, Raven tried to bring the chair inside with him only to argue with the official. The referee forced 'the Devil's Advocate' to dump the chair on the floor, but little did he know that Tori was back up and slid another chair inside! Raven set up for the Evenflow DDT on top of the chair, only for Y2J to break out: a powerbomb connecting. Y2J grabbed the chair and shoved aside the official, daring to be disqualified! Jericho arched his back to use it, when Raven knelt up and looked the Canadian in the eye. With arms wide open, Raven dared Jericho to hit him, practically begging for it. Perhaps crazier was Tori, who slid into the ring and stood in front of her man! Tori was willing to sacrifice herself for 'the Creator', enough so that Jericho tossed the chair down in frustration! An eye rake gave the champ another opening, and a series of mounted punches saw him lock in a sleeper hold on Jericho. Hoping to put Y2J to sleep, Jericho was soon able to get back into the match, butting Raven off into the corner. Y2J got hit by a clothesline into a bulldog out of the corner for a near fall, with the champ growing frustrated. Begging Jericho to succumb to defeat, he looked at Tori and asked to bring in another chair.
Raven's girlfriend was on it, struggling to smuggle a steel chair back inside the ring at the referee's discretion. Raven got angry and got into a shoving contest with the official, when Jericho struck with a springboard dropkick from behind! It stunned the champ, and a bulldog made way for the Lionsault - with Tori mounting her boyfriend! Tori sacrificed her wellfare for Raven, but Jericho still covered - only for the WWF Intercontinental Champion to kick out again! Undoubtedly Tori took the brunt of the move, when Jericho looked for an Evenflow DDT of his own. Raven struggled before backing Jericho off into the corner, then looked for a sudden Evenflow himself. Jericho clung to the top rope, and Raven dropped: directly into the Walls of Jericho! Raven screamed in pain and reached out for his girlfriend Tori's hand to save him. 'The Devil's Advocate' laughed through the pain, but it was not enough to save the title: Raven tapping out!Winner, and new WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (16:22) 'The Devil's Advocate' had been beaten, and Chris Jericho was the new WWF Intercontinental Champion! Y2J dropped to the canvas in pain, acknowledging full well that he had been taken to the limit tonight at No Way Out. As blood trickled down his forehead even still, Jericho was handed his prize in which he cherished. Now a four-time champ, he stumbled to his feet and raised the gold high above his head. Refusing to blow another big opportunity, Jericho had proven Raven wrong, and the sinister couple remained seated against the barricade in disbelief. Raven and Tori looked beaten up after a hard-fought battle, but on this night it was the cocky Canadian that had made 'the Creator' tap out to the Walls of Jericho!
An advertisement aired, showing people from across different countries, ethnic backgrounds and cultures preparing to watch the Grandest Stage of Them All. In slow-motion, their faces lit up with delight, intrigue and smiles as their monitors each showed moments that transcended sports entertainment forever. WrestleMania: 'A Celebration of Life', now only 35 days away.
Edge and Christian were in the locker room area shining the Dudley Boyz's stolen WWF Tag Team Championship belts. On their shoulders, they maintained a degree of seriousness when approached by Kevin Kelly. Questioning the two about tonight's Steel-Cage match with D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley, Christian was quick to ask how many times they had beaten the Dudley Boyz. They had beaten them enough times to know them inside out. Edge brought up the Triangle Ladder matches, the Tables matches, and even the Tables, Ladders and Chairs matches they had shared. Without a doubt, there was no tag team greater than they were, that had left as much of an impact on the 21st century thus far, other than them. Christian lamented that they weren't worried about the match ahead, that they had the Dudleys right where they wanted them. Besides, they had the gold already. Edge stated that they would go out there tonight and once again prove what made them the best tag team of the 21st century, while Christian concluded that they totally reeked of awesomeness.
Inside the heated Thomas & Mack Center, the WWF Divas Ambassador Debra was formally introduced to guest ring announce for the upcoming Fatal 4-Way WWF Women's Championship encounter. Receiving a humbling and respectful ovation, Debra hyped Las Vegas up asking who was ready to see the WWF Divas! Vegas grew more excited, as she first introduced Molly Holly of the Fighting Holly Cousins. Up next saw Lita make her way down to the ring, the Team Xtreme member receiving a loud ovation. And lastly, to a largely positive response, out came Trish Stratus. Debra began to announce the WWF Women's Champion Ivory's arrival, but the champ had other ideas!
With a microphone of her own in hand, 'the Role Model' walked with Mark Henry not far behind her. Protesting the very idea of having to compete in this Fatal 4-Way match tonight, the Right to Censor's female advocate disagreed that this was at all fair! Ivory believed this match should be cancelled, and spoke out against Debra for her biased matchmaking decisions. As 'the Secret Weapon' supported Ivory by clapping and nodding in agreement, Ivory believed that she was the best female WWF Superstar there had ever been, and that nobody could compare. For the past four months she had beaten each and every one of the hussies set before her, including Debra, and especially Chyna! Ivory demanded Debra go back to the watering hole management found her serving bar at, and declared her job pointless. This was the RTC's division now, and there was no room for models, tramps, broads or bimbos in her women's division! Finally and thankfully, the three challengers rushed the WWF Women's Champion.
4) WWF Women's Championship - Fatal 4-Way Match
Ivory (w/Mark Henry) (c) vs Trish Stratus vs Molly Holly vs Lita While Debra was promoted to being the official WWF Divas Ambassador last month in the heat of Ivory's reign as WWF Women's Champion, it was inevitable that the Right to Censor would show some degree of resistance towards the authority's decisions. Ivory had been the champ since No Mercy, and had managed to sneak away from all defences victorious. After defeating 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna at the Royal Rumble last month, the RTC had made some serious enemies when twenty-four hours later they temporarily paralyzed the Playboy covergirl with a brutal spike piledriver - including Debra. Making Ivory put the title on the line in recent weeks, 'the Role Model' had managed to retain the title against Molly Holly, Lita and Trish Stratus by any means necessary. While continuing to drag the incapacitated Chyna's name through the mud, Ivory was finally faced with her back against the wall. While Ivory had beaten all three challengers in singles competition, now she had to compete against them at the same time. How could the champion fare against three challengers in this Fatal 4-Way match?
Continuing to fail to endear herself to the other members of the women's division, the WWF Women's Champion Ivory found herself rushed off her feet by the incoming forces of Lita, Molly Holly and Trish Stratus. WWF Divas Ambassador Debra exited the ring wisely, as 'the Role Model' was cornered by the three challengers. Taking it in turns delivering chops, Molly decided to get on all fours allowing Lita to score with some Hardy Boyz-like Poetry in Motion! A clothesline connected, Lita went to cover the champ only for Trish Stratus to stomp away at her. No love lost between the two rivals that have met in both Street Fights and Bra and Panties matches in the past, Trish scored with a snapmare and a dropkick before being confronted by Molly Holly. A dropkick sent her down, followed by an arm drag. Trish was in trouble against a skilled competitor in the Fighting Holly Cousin, but a pinning snap suplex combination was met by Lita breaking it up. Delivering a spinning headscissors to Molly, the tomboy of Team Xtreme engaged with a monkey flip taking Trish halfway across the ring, when Molly interrupted the two with delivery of a diving crossbody! Molly scored with a northern lights suplex to Trish for a near fall, when Ivory dropped an elbow and put the boots to Holly! 'The Role Model' was livid by the situation, when Lita pulled the rope down and Ivory went flying into the waiting arms of 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry on the floor. Mark safely put his RTC colleague down, but Lita would soar off the top rope with a diving crossbody: to be caught again by the 400-pounder!
Mark had cruel intentions for the struggling Lita, when Molly struck with a baseball slide sending Mark down with Lita on top! Back inside Trish dragged Molly across the ring with a hair toss, before executing the bulldog for Lita to break it up. Lita tried for the Twist of Fate on Trish, when Molly interrupted with the Molly Go-Round! Molly covered Lita, but she managed to kick out at two. Molly hit another suplex on Trish, when Mark Henry climbed into the ring and mowed the poor girl down with a massive clothesline! 'The Secret Weapon' growled to loud boos with no disqualifications existing in Fatal 4-Way matches. Lita daringly soared off the top rope with a diving headscissors attempt, only for Mark to catch her with a heinous powerbomb! Mark helped Ivory back into the ring, when the Fighting Holly Cousins hit the ring and dragged the 400-pounder to the floor! Hardcore and Crash Holly were not happy with Mark's manhandling abilities, while Trish snuck in the back door with a cover for Molly and then Lita - neither giving in for the count! Trish planted Ivory with a facebuster, when Lita surprised with the Twist of Fate. Lita took her top off and ascended the top rope: delivering the Moonsault to Stratus! Ivory suddenly decked Lita however, and Ivory hooked the legs of Trish to backdoor to victory!Winner, and still WWF Women's Champion: Ivory (6:35) Escaping once again with the WWF Women's Championship intact, Ivory rolled out of the ring with a look of dishevelment on her face. A rough Fatal 4-Way encounter saw 'the Role Model' drop to the floor at ringside in exhaustion, where Mark Henry was present to hoist her into his arms. The Right to Censor was escaping No Way Out with a win, and Ivory raised her title high whilst being carried up the rampway by 'the Secret Weapon'. Back inside, Trish Stratus and Lita each appeared despondent by the loss, while the Fighting Holly Cousins swore revenge on the RTC for the beating Molly Holly had received at Mark's hands.
Jonathan Coachman was stood backstage, joined at this time by Stone Cold Steve Austin. The fans roared inside the Thomas & Mack Center, as the Coach reviewed the extensive history and burning rivalry in which 'the Texas Rattlesnake' and his tag team partner tonight had shared. Wondering how Stone Cold could coexist with the Chairman after all of their history, Stone Cold asked Coachman when the hell he was going to shut up. Of course he and the boss had history, he hated Vince McMahon's guts the same way Vince hated his guts. The bottom line was that as far as Stone Cold was concerned, they were five weeks away from WrestleMania. They were on the road to 'the Grandaddy of Them All', in his home state of Houston, Texas! Austin didn't doubt for a second that Vince picked him for a reason, that he had just whooped twenty-nine sorry sons of b*tches and tossed them over the top rope in the Royal Rumble match, and in five weeks would once again become WWF Champion! But as far as anything more than tag team partners for one night, and one night only, Austin maintained that there was no friendship. They never called one another on the phone, or hung out after shows. To Austin, tonight was strictly business.
'The Rattlesnake' didn't give two damns about the state of the McMahon Family, that whomever got in his way would be on the receiving end of an ass-whooping. Instead, he knew one thing for certain, and that's where they were tonight. Tonight in Las Vegas, Austin planned to open up a can of whoopass on Shane McMahon, to stomp a mudhole in Chris Benoit's sorry ass, and if Vince even thought to look at him funny: he was ready and waiting to raise some hell on the WWF Owner: for old time's sake! Austin reiterated how he and Vince would never be on good terms, and he was open to the possibility that this was all a setup to screw him over like the boss had in the past. Tonight, Austin planned to raise hell in Sin City, and after that he was going to hit the Vegas Strip before watching keenly on who would walk out as WWF Champion tonight! Austin stomped away, his sights set not just on the tag team match, but the Triple Threat main event as well.
Back inside of the Thomas & Mack Center, the lights flickered shadowing the arena in suspense. Eerie music saw the fifteen-foot high Steel-Cage descend from the rafters in anticipation for the WWF Tag Team Championship confrontation. For over a year, these two tag teams had met countless times. Tonight they looked to settle the score.
Backstage we saw the current WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz walking the halls in anticipation. Empty-handed with the title gold currently held hostage by Edge and Christian, the glasses-adorned Dudleyville natives walked with two tables in hand!
A video package aired, reviewing the classically brutal chapters of the Dudley Boyz's previous confrontations with Edge and Christian. Battling alongside the Hardy Boyz, the three teams had broken out in the year 2000 thanks to the various Ladder matches and Tables matches seen before. Arguably, it was the horrifically beautiful Triangle Ladder match at WrestleMania 2000 that saw six men's stars shine. Later, it was the inaugural Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at SummerSlam that saw the Hardys walk out with the WWF Tag Team Championships. In recent months, the Dudleys and Edge and Christian had once again come toe-to-toe, with the Canadians going as far as to blindsight D-Von and Bubba Ray with steel chairs. With Conchairtos to Bubba and D-Von, they went as far as to steal the WWF Tag Team Championship gold the Dudleys had earned after such a long pursuit. Inside of a steel cage, four men would enter - but only two could leave as the champs. Edge and Christian were cool and confident in scenes earlier today, standing inside of the steel cage and reminiscing of the daredevil stunts seen in such a barbaric match. Tonight, we would see who the best tag team the World Wrestling Federation had to offer was: but this time, it would be inside of a Steel-Cage!
 5) WWF Tag Team Championship - Steel-Cage Match
The Dudley Boyz (c) vs Edge and Christian The WWF Tag Team Championships had been a hotly contested title ever since becoming dominated by teams the likes of the Dudley Boyz, Edge and Christian, as well as the Hardy Boyz over the past year. Through Tables matches, Ladder matches, three-way tag team matches, and even the first-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match; there remained a highly competitive rivalry spawning over who had bragging rights. Who was the best tag team the World Wrestling Federation had to offer? Tonight, we were almost certain to find out. Having finally captured the title gold back at Armageddon in December, the Dudley Boyz were doing a marvellous job fighting all comers over the past two months. That is until two weeks ago on RAW is WAR, where Edge and Christian laid claim to the gold in a brutal attack. Plummeting both Dudley Boyz with steel chair shots, including delivering a Conchairto to Bubba Ray, the Canadians took off with the prized WWF Tag Team Championship belts. While the Dudleys' specialty was to put their adversaries through tables, it appeared that they held no regard to Edge and Christian's thieving antics: Bubba beating Edge six nights ago on RAW is WAR to gain power over what the stipulation would be tonight. The Steel-Cage was set, and for the first time ever the gold would be at stake inside the confounds of a fifteen-foot high structure. There would be no pinfalls or submissions, and the titles could only be won when both members of a team had escaped either over the walls of the structure, or via the door. The Dudleys and Edge and Christian's year-long contentious rivalry would surely go resolved tonight.
With Edge and Christian in possession of the gold, the WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz made their arrival first. Holding tables with both hands, the Dudleyville-natives uncharacteristically arrived to ringside first, where they prepared to set down the wood. Suddenly, the thieving challengers jumped them from behind, this match getting started before even having chance to enter the steel structure! Christian wrecked the back of D-Von's head with his own title belt, while Bubba fared better against Edge, sending him into the barricade. The referee struggled to gain control as he looked to restrain Bubba, when Christian surprised him with a steel chair shot to the gut! Edge sent Bubba sailing face-first into the wall of the cage while Christian passed his older brother a second steel chair. Setting a stunned D-Von up for the Conchairto, the Dudley was able to duck! The chairs collided with a clap, and the champions made a comeback and managed to send Christian into the ring through the door! Bubba Ray set up the two tables at ringside before joining the fray with all four men now inside the cage: the bell officially sounding. In a cowardly move, the challengers were already in the process of climbing the ropes to escape the cage, only to be brought back down to earth by the Dudleys! Hammering Edge and Christian in their respective the corners, the Dudleys whipped their foes into one another in the center, before a reverse 3D connected to Christian! Edge stumbled to his feet the victim of a double clothesline, before the champs connected with a double suplex.
D-Von began to scale the ropes and plotted an escape, when Christian rocked the top rope and crotched him instead. Bubba Ray came to get a piece of Christian for the interference, when Edge surprised with the Edge-o-matic from behind! Now the challengers had deemed control of this unorthodox tag team Steel-Cage encounter, with Edge and Christian putting the boots to D-Von Dudley in the corner. Bubba Ray tried to get back at them, only to receive a swift double clothesline that stunned him on his feet. With a double DDT, the Canadians took control again when Edge grabbed a steel chair. Looking to dish up some serious damage, Edge arched his back to wallop Bubba with a chair shot, only for D-Von to confiscate it! With right hands he fought Edge, but Christian came from behind with a spear! Having D-Von where they wanted him, they hurled him sideways through the ropes, directly crashing into the steel wall outside! Edge powered Bubba up in a sidewalk slam for Christian to follow with the inverted DDT, when Edge gorily forced D-Von's face into the cage wall, making his face into that of a cheese grater! Christian started climbing the ropes on the opposite side of the ring, when Bubba managed to drag him crashing back to the canvas by the back of his tights! Bubba reunited with D-Von for a double-team attack on Christian, when Edge caught D-Von off-guard with a spear from the top rope! Bubba caught Edge with the Bubba Cutter in the middle of the ring, when Christian aimed for the Unprettier - only to be sent hurled into the cage wall!
Christian uglily bounced back in a daze for a body slam from Bubba Ray, his legs spread as D-Von came to on the apron. Mounting to the top rope, the Wazzup was conducted! As Sin City watch in astonishment, Bubba signalled to D-Von to get the tables, and he complied while headed over to the door. D-Von opened the door and took a step outside, but the nearby laying Edge was able to grip the cage door and slammed it back in his face! Coming to to combat Bubba in a fist-flying exchange, Bubba ducked a right hand and scored with the Bubba Bomb! Catching an eye of Christian looking to escape the cage, Bubba got between his legs in the electric chair position. D-Von was a bloody mess and mounted the top rope, and the Dudleyville Device connected! The champions were back in control, and Bubba similarly spotted Edge looking to get out via the door. Shutting it before his eyes, Edge shrieked in terror as Bubba put the boots to him, before ramming his face into the cage wall! Meanwhile, D-Von had begun making his own escape and reached the top of the cage when Christian slowly followed after. Grabbing D-Von by the shirt through the mesh fence, D-Von battled for freedom, when Christian slammed a steel chair into his head causing the Dudley Boy to fall eight feet to the floor! D-Von Dudley escaped the cage in 10:37. Perhaps unknowingly, Bubba Ray Dudley was the sole remaining Dudley in the ring now. Halfway home to retaining the WWF Tag Team Championships, Bubba came for Christian as he hoped to get a leg over the cage.
A bleeding Edge came from behind with another low blow to halt Bubba Ray in his tracks. Inexplicably, Christian decided to return back inside the cage. The dastardly Toronto brothers hoped to dish up a long, hard punishment of Bubba, bringing him to his feet on the apron. With Edge and Christian stood inside the ring, they swung Dudley's arms, repeatedly sending his face into the steel wall! Bouncing him back and forth, Bubba came up bloody, all the while the free D-Von laid prone in a puddle of his own blood out on the floor. Methodically, Edge and Christian were booed as they each grabbed a steel chair from the canvas. Awaiting for Bubba to return to his feet, a Conchairto was in store for him. But suddenly, a third Dudley Boy arrived: it was Spike Dudley! Las Vegas made noise as the small, skinny straw-haired brother climbed the steel cage in a hurry! Edge and Christian caught attention of him and dropped their chairs, when Spike took a death-defying crossbody fifteen-foot high, landing on both brothers below! Hooking a stunned Edge's head and running up the turnbuckles in the corner, he bulldogged Edge when Christian disgustingly smacked Spike in the skull with a steel chair! With great ease, the challenger had had enough and tossed Spike through the door first, and Christian escaped the cage in 14:16. We were down to one man representing each team, and Bubba progressed to his knees to battle an equally bloody Edge. Aggressively, Edge big booted Bubba and gained speed to his blows. Hitting the ropes, Edge was surprised once Bubba popped him up for a big powerbomb!
With no time to kill, Bubba Ray crawled at a snail's pace to the door. Unfortunately, Christian was standing by and ensured the official did not unlock the padlock. In disbelief, Bubba could not believe it, but Spike Dudley would come to and give Christian what for in the form of a series of wild punches! He helped his older brother D-Von to his feet, the two encouraging Bubba to instead climb the cage to victory. Bubba complied slowly, beginning to ascend the ropes. Unfortunately for him, Edge would be waiting: delivering a vicious one-man Conchairto against the wall of the steel structure! Sickeningly, Bubba remained seated in a daze, straddling the bottom rope. Edge saw his opportunity and began climbing. Laughing to himself, Edge tried getting a foot over the top just for Bubba to latch onto his foot! Bubba sped up his pace despite the surefire concussion suffered, nailing Edge with the chair he himself had used moments earlier. Both men straddled the top rope, going blow for blow. As Spike, D-Von and Christian watched at ringside, Edge jumped to the top of the cage and got his feet over. Continuing to pound on Bubba who remained latched to the top rope, it was Bubba who would give Edge a sickening chair shot to the skull! Almost slowly, Edge descended from near the top of the cage and collapsed! Falling with grace from ten feet high, Edge went through the two tables on the floor!Winners, and new WWF Tag Team Champions: Edge and Christian (21:30) In the ruin of two tables, if only Edge knew what this sacrifice meant for himself and his younger brother. Christian rushed to his side, hoping to wake him up. Edge laid bloodied in the carnage, while the referee raised Christian's hand in victory. Handing he and the unconscious Edge the WWF Tag Team Championships, they had officially been crowned two-time champions tonight after a gory Steel-Cage battle! D-Von and Spike Dudley were despondent over the loss, and voiced their disdain to the referee. Urging him to unlock the door, they rushed to aid to a crest-fallen Bubba Ray inside. Christian hooked Edge's frail body over his shoulder and made a getaway up the rampway, while the three united Dudleys remained in bad shape inside of the steel structure. No Way Out had seen the debut of the Dudleys' younger brother Spike Dudley, but had simultaneously saw the end of their fighting championship reign! Concussions were sure to be had, and physical torment had taken its toll. But with this win, Edge and Christian may have proven themselves to be the greatest tag team the World Wrestling Federation had to offer - as much as they didn't look like it tonight!
Coming off of a bloodshed battle inside of the fifteen-foot high Steel-Cage, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the war we had just seen. J.R. and 'the King' soon went to deep in the heart of Times Square, where inside WWF New York the crowd rejoiced in boos for tonight's guest host: X-Pac. Clapping in support of Edge and Christian and the Dudley Boyz's performances, he mocked showing respect for any of them. Believing himself to be better than them all, he remained in disbelief that while all out war was breaking out in Las Vegas tonight for No Way Out: he was trapped there in a cruddy entertainment complex in New York City! The people booed, and 'the Man' demanded respect of his own, while Ross and Lawler hoped to get his prediction on who would leave No Way Out as WWF Champion tonight. X-Pac said it didn't matter who won tonight, all he cared about was himself. X-Pac explained how he'd bided his time waiting for the perfect opportunity to get the next big win. He had big plans, and was more focused than ever to make X-Pac Heat something nobody could resist. Jerry eagerly asked what his plans were, while the Big Apple crowd chanted "X-Pac Sucks" his way. Explaining how the people didn't understand, he was a twelve-year veteran and hadn't even hit 30 years of age yet. X-Pac was in the prime of his career, and he deserved better. Starting tomorrow night, X-Pac planned to get the respect he felt he deserved!
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The Rock sat in wait in his personal locker room. With the Triple Threat match coming up with the WWF Championship on the line, 'the People's Champ' had the opportunity to not only become a six-time WWF Champion, but go on to headline 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' for a third straight year in his illustrious career. Up against career rivals in Kurt Angle and Triple H, the stakes had never been higher.
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The former WWF Hardcore Champion walked the halls screaming for the traitor to show himself. The Big Show was furious to have been stabbed in the back by a Gore from 'the Man-Beast' earlier tonight. With Rhyno the new champ, 'the Giant' ordered him to show himself having trusted him! Michael Cole reluctantly approached the big man for comment, and the 500-pounder turned beet red. Show didn't want to talk, but simply expressed how nobody robbed him and got away with it. He was an angry, seven-foot-two monster and declared his intent to make the Rhyno extinct!
Elsewhere, Vince McMahon was all suited and booted for battle. With the tag team match looming near, the WWF Owner walked with confidence. Bandaged shoulder and all, he soon came across Stephanie McMahon who looked to speak with her father. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' greeted Dad with gritted teeth and nearly begrudgingly wished him luck in the match in just a few moments. Vince was warmed to the idea of Steph's words of confidence, surprised. Ushering her closer, the Chairman expressed his desire to put a stop to all of this ugliness that had encompassed the McMahon Family in recent weeks. Promising a lovely family vacation away someplace once this was all said and done with, Stephanie told him not to kid her. This was not going to be a quick fix, and Shane McMahon absolutely did not feel the same way. Nodding, he accepted this before preparing to walk to the ring. Before doing so, he looked back at his daughter and asked if she had faith in him, or whether her luck-wishing was a courtesy. Stephanie remained hesitant, playing her cards close to her chest. Stephanie said she didn't know. The boss returned to look her in the eyes, vowing to end this tonight.
A video package aired, recapping the McMahon Family War. Having reached a boiling point between Vince and Shane McMahon after weeks of fighting in the family, it ultimately led to relationships being strained between the Chairman, his son, and daughter Stephanie McMahon. WWF CEO Linda McMahon finally stepped in, making a unique tag team match official for No Way Out. While Shane O'Mac would choose Chris Benoit to be his tag team partner despite the Coalition's dissension, alliances were tense already. Even more shockingly was the WWF Owner's announcement that Stone Cold Steve Austin would stand beside him! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' refused to let Vince play him for a fool, even dropping the boss with the Stunner on multiple occasions. Despite this, Austin and McMahon had saved one another from the cheap ambushes that 'the Rabid Wolverine' and Shane McMahon were capable of time and time again. Stephanie McMahon was trapped between the two teams, forced to watch on as the McMahon Family War continued. Linda McMahon hoped this match might resolve the ongoing dispute in the family, but it might have made it even more chaotic than before. Austin and Benoit were in for a crash course, as were Vince and Shane. Could either of them trust their own teammates, or would an all-out war of attrition break loose? The most dysfunctional tag team match in World Wrestling Federation history was coming up tonight.
 6) Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon vs Chris Benoit and Shane McMahon The McMahon Family War had grown all the more convoluted with the apparent dismemberment of the Coalition faction. Led by WWF Champion Kurt Angle, his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon and her brother Shane McMahon, the Coalition intended to feature the men that would lead the World Wrestling Federation well into the 21st century for years to come. Once Vince McMahon made his return back in December, the Chairman proceeded to plant seeds drawing the group to turn on itself. This included his daughter Stephanie, who found herself wanting out of the besieging family dispute over complete power of the company. Shane believed he was heir to the throne. Ambushes between the father and his son grew too much for WWF CEO Linda McMahon. Ordering the problems be resolved at No Way Out, she made the match official - but left it to Vince and Shane to choose their partners. Shane elected Chris Benoit, much to the chagrin of the distanced Coalition member. 'The Rabid Wolverine' wanted one thing only, to focus on his own career and wreak as much havoc as possible being the best technical wrestler in the world. Even more shockingly, Vince McMahon would choose none other than the 2001 Royal Rumble winner, his arch nemesis going back four years: Stone Cold Steve Austin. All hell was expected to break loose in the first time ever in which Austin and Vincent Kennedy McMahon would team up - but the same could also be said for the first sanctioned confrontation between the WWF Owner and his son. With Stephanie caught down the middle of her father and brother, and neither team exactly being fond of one another, neither team could afford to lose tonight.
The McMahons had remained confident all night long, headed into their first sanctioned in-ring confrontation on opposing teams. Stone Cold Steve Austin was fired up and prepared to raise hell, not prepared to trust anybody and also prepared to see who he would meet in the outcome of tonight's Triple Threat main event for the WWF Championship come WrestleMania. Chris Benoit, the cold, calculated 'Crippler' from Edmonton walked coolly to the ring with a purpose. Three days after potentially separating the shoulder of the Chairman, Benoit smirked in his direction when Stone Cold got in his face. Talked down by the official, Shane began bouncing around in his corner of the ring, shadowboxing with laser-focus on his father. As the bell sounded, Vince dared to step to his son and the two would get into another verbal exchange. It was all about the family who ran the World Wrestling Federation, but suddenly Benoit stood in Vince's way of Shane. A coy smile on 'the Rabid Wolverine', it would be interrupted once Stone Cold let loose with right hands for Benoit! While Austin stomped a mudhole and lit Benoit up with rights in one corner, Vince tackled Shane to the canvas with brute force! Bad shoulder and all, Vince and Shane rolled out to the floor while inside Benoit fought Austin off with a series of knife-edged chops! Austin swung and missed, Benoit prepared to German suplex 'the Rattlesnake'. Elbowing his way out, Austin sent Benoit into the ropes for a spinebuster, before mounting Benoit and hammering away at the Canadian!
Returning to his feet, the 2001 Royal Rumble winner stomped a mudhole in Benoit some more, before passing the WWF Owner on the apron. Flipping him off for good measure, Austin shockingly patted Vince on the shoulder - the tag made! The Chairman was surprised himself, but instead marched into the ring to light Chris Benoit up in the corner with some heavy-handed body blows! Vince hadn't forgotten about the Crossface received Monday night on RAW is WAR, as well as this past Thursday night on SmackDown. Stomping a mudhole into 'the Wolverine', Vince was admonished by the referee! Having gotten excited, Vince flexed his guns to a clearly intimidated Shane McMahon! The boss appeared to be having a ball, but had taken his eyes off of the ball as Benoit blasted him with a fiery clothesline. Benoit got even with the Chairman and took liberties in stomping him into the corner. Tearing open his black shirt, Benoit would light Vince up with some fierce chops in the corner! Tagging in Shane for the first time in this match, he strutted about the ring much like his father - before slapping Dad across the face! Shane laughed to the chagrin of Stone Cold Steve Austin, who ran his mouth to him. Throwing shadow-boxes, he advances to Vince who came out of the corner swinging with rights and lefts thrown! Sending Shane down after a quick uppercut combination, McMahon scampered back to Benoit. Vince went in head-first, only for Benoit to knock him silly with a forearm smash to the face! 'The Rabid Wolverine' turned to Austin, connecting with a snap suplex on Vince for a near fall.
Vince McMahon was showing more of his black heart than anybody could imagine, when 'the Rabid Wolverine' coolly transitioned into an armbar on the bad shoulder! The legs grapevining the arm, the Chairman groaned in pain as Las Vegas chanted for Stone Cold Steve Austin. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' paced on the apron, when Shane demanded the tag. Reluctantly Chris complied, when Shane darted in to choke his old man across the bottom rope! Putting the boots to him for good measure, the boss's son kicked him out to the floor before goading Austin to get inside. Stone Cold teased entering to the referee's refusal, allowing Benoit to send the Chairman crashing into the steel steps at ringside! Back inside Shane gripped his Dad with a sleeper hold, the boss's chances of recovery dwindling. Benoit screamed for Vince to pass out, but instead he shook his head with rage. Refusing to give in, Vince powered back up to his feet and dragged his son overhead to the canvas! Vince nailed Shane with two clotheslines, before catching his body off the ropes and delivering a backbreaker! Triumphantly, in came Stone Cold Steve Austin! Shane slowly recovered and turned to see Steve standing behind him, causing him to cowardly scarper to Benoit for his life. 'The Wolverine' gritted his teeth and got ready to engage, but Austin once again stampede Benoit with right hands into the corner. Benoit fired back with rights of his own, before hitting the ropes to receive a Lou Thesz press!
Following up with the elbow drop, Stone Cold was rolling and tried the Stunner only for Benoit to spin him around for a German suplex! Austin's documented history with his neck not long behind him, the Canadian drilled him with three suplexes! Benoit did the cut-throat motion, when Vince came in from behind. Shane tackled his father out to the floor, while Benoit climbed up to the top. The Diving Headbutt was inbound, yet Austin was able to roll out of the way! At ringside Vince was getting hammered by Shane, when Stephanie McMahon made her way down the rampway. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was disillusioned by the sight of her father and brother fighting it out once again, and she was able to get between her family! Shane glared at his sister guarding their Dad, when Chris Benoit rolled out to the floor and shoved Steph aside - punching Vince! Austin joined the fray to get some more of Benoit, the referee unable to control this match. It was as dysfunctional as they came, as Shane distracted Austin allowing Benoit to suplex him on the ringside floor! Steph sat in terror on the floor, as Shane booted Vince by the ring apron before rolling him back into the ring. The prodigal son born with a silver-spoon in his mouth ascended to the top rope for an impressive diving elbow drop...only for the Chairman to get his knees up! As Shane rived in pain about his ribs, Vince locked in the Crossface on his son! He had it locked in tight, while Shane tried his best to resist submitting! Stephanie could not take anymore once again, climbing into the ring only to be restrained by the official. Vince got up to yell at Steph for potentially costing him the match, but it opened him up to get locked in the Crossface by Benoit!
Austin was the legal man, but the referee was caught up in the ensuing McMahon Family War! Remaining indecisive, Steph dove on Benoit to try and prevent him from separating the WWF Owner's shoulder. Benoit released the grip and grabbed 'the Billion Dollar Princess' by the hair, sick to death of her intrusions. The referee warned Benoit, but Chris callously dumped Stephanie out to the apron via the ropes! Benoit showed no regard for anybody but himself, when Stone Cold reemerged with the Stunner for Benoit! Austin covered, but Shane was able to break the count! Shane pummelled Austin on the canvas, when Stone Cold ducked a clothesline attempt and drilled Shane with the Stunner for good measure! Austin returned his focus to Benoit, dragging back up - when Benoit sinked in the Crossface on 'the Texas Rattlesnake!' Austin rived in pain with his surgically repaired spine and neck being bent - but Vince dove on Benoit to make the save! Once Vince made the tag from his enemy and climbed back inside he surveyed Stephanie hurting at ringside, the Chairman favored his shoulder and went straight for Shane! Throttling Shane, the youthful McMahon exited the ring. The elder followed quickly, continuing to beat on Shane by the announce table! Stephanie panicked and tried stepping in, but Vince inadvertently elbowed his daughter in the face! Sorrowful, Vince attended to his daughter when Shane nailed his Dad with a low blow! Shane dumped Vince back inside the ring, where Benoit leapt on the Chairman with the Crossface applied. Perhaps mercifully, Vince tapped out instantly - as Austin was inches from making the save!Winners: Chris Benoit and Shane McMahon (14:29) An unpredictable and dysfunctional match as one could expect going in, in the end it was Chris Benoit that made Vince McMahon tap out to the Crossface. 'The Rabid Wolverine' smirked sadistically as he climbed off of the Chairman to escape the emerging Stone Cold Steve Austin. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' stared him down, as Benoit left on his own, a smile on his face. Austin was in disbelief, while Stephanie McMahon remained in emotional distress out on the floor. Vince McMahon rolled over to her side of the ring, trying to speak with her - just to have 'Daddy's Little Girl' storm out up the rampway. Shane McMahon was overjoyed, taking a victory lap of the ringside area and acting like he'd just won the Superbowl! As Shane rubbed the win in his semi-conscious father's face, Stone Cold finally acted out: dropping Shane with a clothesline out on the floor! Stone Cold picked Shane up and drove him into the steel steps, before stomping a mudhole in the boss's son! 'The Rattlesnake' was going on to headline 'the Grandaddy of Them All' regardless, yet Austin tossed Shane O'Mac's carcass back inside the ring and then left him laying with a Stone Cold Stunner!
As Austin returned to his feet and cleared the ring of his son, he spotted Vince McMahon favoring his shoulder in the corner. There was no smile on the Chairman's face, having witnessed the McMahon Family War evolve rather than resolve tonight at No Way Out. Stone Cold Steve Austin gave Vince McMahon a hand to his feet! Las Vegas was in shock but cheered at the valiant effort displayed by the WWF Owner. Vince nodded and went to leave, but Austin wasn't finished yet. Calling for beers to be thrown, 'the Rattlesnake' tossed two to Vincent Kennedy McMahon. And then, in a once-in-a-lifetime toast, arch rivals clashed cans of beer and stood tall in the ring. They may have faced defeat, and Vince's personal life may have developed more tragically than it was coming in, but Austin patted the Chairman's back before rolling out to the floor and making a walk to the back alone. 'The Rattlesnake' was sure to be disappointed, but had to have an eye on the main event. Set to headline WrestleMania in five weeks time against the WWF Champion, Austin was on his way to 'the Showcase of the Immortals' - but who might he meet?
The main event was now. Kurt Angle left his dressing room with the WWF Championship proudly displayed around his waist. It was unknown whether 'the Megastar' had been paying any attention to what had happened to his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon, or his closest confidante Shane McMahon. But with no McMahons behind him, no Coalition to back him up, the Olympic Gold Medalist walked the halls all alone. By himself, the Olympian was moments away from destiny in the Triple Threat main event. Up against the fiercest competition ever faced, Angle wanted to not only prove he was on another level above Triple H and The Rock, but that he was everything he believed himself to be. Would 'the Megastar' go on to the main event of WrestleMania, or would he even walk out of tonight as WWF Champion at all? It was the biggest gamble of Kurt Angle's career, mere moments away.
A video package aired, looking ahead to the Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship. Kurt Angle was undoubtedly the fastest rising WWF Superstar in World Wrestling Federation history. A former WWF Eurocontinental Champion and the 2000 King of the Ring, 'the Megastar' made a massive statement by defeating the Rock for his first WWF Championship at Fully Loaded last July. Since then, he had not only beaten Rock to become a two-time champ at SummerSlam - but he had gone on a reign of terror ever since. Becoming gradually egotistical with each win, he surrounded himself with Stephanie McMahon - who betrayed Triple H at Unforgiven - and friends in the McMahon Family. Having been through wars with Triple H inside of Hell in a Cell, and the Rock in further blowaway yet underhanded performances, tonight was Angle's worst nightmare. 'The Game' had everything to prove, hoping to come full circle and achieve the ultimate redemption for a hellish end to the year 2000: with no title, no family and no friends to be seen. For the Rock, it was about rebounding three major losses to 'the Megastar' and finally ending his rivalry with both Angle and 'the Game'. And for Kurt Angle, it was about proving that there was no greater athlete more deserving of walking into WrestleMania as the WWF Champion. Who would walk out with the gold? The big gamble was now!
 7) WWF Championship - Triple Threat Match
Kurt Angle (c) vs The Rock vs Triple H This time one year ago, 'the Olympic Hero' was days away from becoming the WWF Eurocontinental Champion at No Way Out 2000. Who would have thought that 363 days later, 'the Megastar' would be walking into the main event of No Way Out 2001 in his 182nd day as reigning WWF Champion. Having won the 2000 King of the Ring and gone on to defeat The Rock on two separate occasions to become a two-time champ, it was easy to see how egotistical the power had made the Olympian. Having stolen Triple H's wife Stephanie McMahon in a moment 'the Game' would never forget, as well as forming a dominant faction in the Coalition, 'the Megastar' had beaten both of his challengers in the past. But never at the same time. In recent weeks we witnessed the burning rivalry of The Rock and Triple H once again reach a boiling point, all about who was the absolute best the World Wrestling Federation had to offer. 'The People's Champ' and 'the Cerebral Assassin' each wanted to be number one contender, but when Kurt Angle would sabotage their match to determine who would meet him tonight, Vince McMahon made the decision to order a Triple Threat match. With WrestleMania just over one month away, all three men wanted nothing more than to headline 'the Grandaddy of Them All' - but it would prove to be a tall mountain to climb. In recent weeks, not only was Angle not aided by Stephanie, Shane, or any of the Coalition's members, but he valiantly fought both Rock and Triple H on SmackDown and RAW is WAR with his WWF Championship on the line. 'The Megastar' wanted to prove he was as good as he said he was, and planned to do it all by himself. Three men would enter, but only one pinfall or submission would determine who would leave No Way Out tonight as the WWF Champion!
There were no frills and not much in the way of showboating as the three combatants made their way to the ring. It was all serious, the final hour coming over the Thomas & Mack Center. The WWF Champion didn't even grimace a smile or trash talk the challengers as he set off his entrance pyrotechnics. Kurt Angle knew full well of the stakes, as he cautiously climbed into the ring to witness the Rock and Triple H locking eyes with him from across the ring. The bell sounded, as soon as Kurt Angle potentially kissed his WWF Championship goodbye. The Rock and Triple H immediately started psyching one another up, a war of the words emerging. Las Vegas was split between the two contenders, when fists started flying! The two went blow for blow while Kurt wisely watched from his corner. Triple H sent Rock sailing into the ropes, only to receive a flying clothesline in return! Kurt Angle chose his spot wisely, jumping the Rock with stealth in mind. 'The Megastar' pummelled Rock into the corner, when the former five-time champ came battling out. With his fiery right hands in tow, Rock cornered Angle on the other side of the ring, before showboating for a finishing blow only to be clotheslined down by 'the Game!' Now, it was Triple H's time to forego his quest for ultimate redemption. 'The Game' had lost his family and wife because of Kurt Angle, and no longer had friends in D-Generation X on his side. Triple H refused to relent on the WWF Champion, when Rock came back nailing his career rival with a clothesline in retaliation!
Rock followed with a second clothesline, before taking Triple H up for a big back body drop. 'The Brahma Bull' had Sin City eating out of the palm of his hand, when Kurt Angle jumped the Rock once more with a clothesline of his own. 'The Olympic Hero' mounted Triple H with some aggressive strikes to the face, before setting up for a suplex. Triple H ascended the air but landed on his feet out of it, dropping him with a neckbreaker! A quick cover was thwarted as Rock immersed himself by clotheslining 'the Game' over the top rope to the floor. Rock began sizing Angle up potentially looking for an opportunistic Rock Bottom, when Triple H dragged him out to the floor! Triple H and 'the People's Champ' duelled it out at ringside now, when Angle climbed out to the apron and dove for 'the Game' - who caught him with a spinebuster on the ringside floor! Rock posted Triple H into the steel before rolling him back into the ring. Stomping away at 'the Cerebral Assassin', the Rock took to throttling him with right hands. Rock wanted to become a six-time WWF Champion and headline his third consecutive WrestleMania, but Triple H relented with a series of clotheslines! 'The Game' hammered Rock in return, before looking at a spinebuster when Rock was able to fly out with a floatover DDT! Rock hooked the leg, but Kurt Angle was able to break the count. The Olympian would put the boots to the Rock, but a belly-to-belly suplex would see Rock fire back with a Samoan drop! The cover was made, but this time Triple H was there to break it up.
'The Game' continued to fire away at the Rock's face with right hands on the canvas. There was so much history between Triple H and 'the Great One', having met in the Rock's first ever World Wrestling Federation match back at the 1996 Survivor Series. Through Ladder matches, WWF Championship matches and now here, both men would always be rivals. The WWF Champion innocuously joined Triple H in stomping away at Rock, causing the two to nod to one another. It appeared a temporary alliance was formed, as both laid into Rock in the corner. Angle choked him with his boot, and 'the People's Champ' collapsed out to ringside. Angle followed suit and lit Rock up with chops on the floor, as Triple H stood idly by. Rock reversed a whip and Angle went into the barricade, when Triple H blindsighted Rock with another clothesline! Angle ordered 'the Game' to remove the announce table cover, and Triple H surprisingly obeyed. Angle turned his back to Hunter to beat up on Rock further, when Triple H had a sudden change of heart and drilled Kurt! Up against the announce table, Triple H tried putting him on it when Kurt was able to rake the eyes! 'The Megastar' dumped Triple H back inside, immediately maintaining control of 'the Game's waist on the canvas. Tightly squeezing his adversary, 'the Game' tried to break out only to have the world-class athlete transition into a front facelock. Triple H resisted it and held his own to break free, but Angle was able to apply an armbar before transitioning to the Ankle Lock! 'The Game' was fresh and was quickly able to scrap his way to the ropes.
Getting back to his feet, Triple H absorbed the punishment as Kurt Angle laid into him with more right hands. Sending him into the ropes, 'the Game' tried for a high knee only for the WWF Champion to sidestep him: delivering a high angle back suplex! Now was 'the Megastar's time to grow confident, showboating to the boos of Las Vegas. Following more stomps, Kurt drilled 'the Game' with a belly-to-belly suplex before grapevining the abdomen of 'the Game' for a rare naked sleeper hold! Triple H had nowhere to go, but continued to try despite this. Angle sat on the back of the challenger and weighed him back down, but the challenger fought through it and sandwiched Kurt into the turnbuckles for air. Angle rushed out of the corner to miss his attack, and 'the Game' caught him with the high knee executed! Choosing to apply the figure-four leglock on 'the Megastar' for karma, Angle screamed in pain as his leg was manipulated in the middle of the ring! Dropping his shoulders for a one count, he shot back to life. But as Angle tried to turn the figure-four around, it was the Rock who returned to the ring to make the save! Wisely dumping the champ to the floor, Rock engaged with Triple H. Again lighting him up, the Rock hit the ropes and exploded with a flying clothesline for a near fall. Triple H fought back with clenched blows to the face before climbing the second rope. Aiming for an axe handle, Rock caught him in mid-air and promptly locked in the Sharpshooter! With a braced knee, Triple H appeared pained by the hold and on the verge of tapping - when Angle darted in to break it up!
Delivering a German suplex to the Rock, 'the Megastar' body slammed Triple H for added effect before taking to the air. Climbing to the top rope, Kurt Angle crashed and burned on a beautiful moonsault! As Kurt rolled out to the floor, the Rock stumbled back to his feet, only to receive a chop block from 'the Game'. Triple H raised and kicked away at the leg of 'the Great One', before dropping his leg across it. Applying the Indian deathlock, 'the Cerebral Assassin' now tried his hand at submissions, Rock in agony while Triple H continued applying pressure with a foot firmly planted on the Rock's kneecap! 'The Game' would soon lose his grip and Rock would find a way to kick free from the hold. As both stumbled back to their feet, Rock and Triple H went back to blows with the crowd split between them. Triple H attempted another neckbreaker, when Rock caught out of nowhere with a belly-to-belly suplex! In the corner the Rock hammered on 'the Game' before elevating him to the top rope. With a superplex in mind, the Rock prepared to send Triple H crashing to the mat when Kurt Angle surprised both: getting between the legs of the Rock, the Olympic Gold Medalist courageously powerbombed Rock whilst Triple H received the brunt of a superplex simultaneously! Angle quickly covered both men, but neither would allow for a three count! Lowering the straps, the WWF Champion stalked Triple H with an Angle Slam in mind, when Triple H landed out on his feet. A toe kick led to the Pedigree going attempted, when the Rock blasted him with a clothesline! The Rock Bottom was tried, but Angle was able to weasel himself out to the floor.
Having lost on three separate occasions in WWF Championship encounters in the past on pay-per-view, the Rock was not letting Kurt Angle escape lightly. Following him to the ringside floor, the Rock decked Kurt Angle against the steel steps, but Triple H rolled out to join the melee. Triple H beat on Kurt himself, but a clothesline saw Angle duck and Rock was taken down instead! The Angle Slam was attempted, but 'the Game' was able to elbow out to freedom, then rocked Angle on top of the announce table! Triple H began tossing down television monitors before mounting the table. The Pedigree through the table would surely do damage to both men, but just as 'the Game' had it prepared, the Rock clubbed at the back of Triple H's leg! Rock soon climbed on top of the table to fight with Triple H in a battle on the catwalk. Kurt came to and aided Rock in his efforts: and a double suplex saw Kurt and Rock send 'the Game' off one announce table to the next! The table exploded upon impact, Triple H left incapacitated from the equation! Champion and challenger alike remained footing on the floor, where Kurt obnoxiously gloated in Triple H's apparent demise. Suddenly, Rock grabbed Kurt by the tights and hurled him back inside the ring! Angle tried to fight Rock only to be the recipient of a dragon screw, when Rock looked for the Sharpshooter again! Threading his foot was a bad idea, as Angle took the bait and applied the Ankle Lock instead! Twisting Rock to the canvas, Angle emerged with the hold applied, the damage already done to the Rock's leg by 'the Game' earlier on!
Rock reached for the ropes, but Kurt was able to drag him back into the center. Screaming for Rock to tap, 'the Great One' somehow kicked himself to freedom! The WWF Champion breathed with desperation, looking to capitalize on the Rock's staggering stance. Instead, Kurt turned Rock around to be planted with the Rock Bottom! A momentary lapse saw Rock take a delayed cover, but Angle was able to get his foot on the bottom rope! In disbelief, Rock limped back up to a vertical base. Stalking Kurt Angle up for a second one, Rock had to be thinking of the losses suffered at Fully Loaded, SummerSlam and the Survivor Series of yesteryear. Determined, a second Rock Bottom went blocked with elbow strikes, but the Angle Slam went reversed in favor of the floatover DDT! Rock nipped up but stammered on his bad ankle, catching 'the Megastar' with the spinebuster! Rock executed the most electrifying move in sports entertainment, the People's Elbow connecting! With three seconds to go, Rock covered, but Triple H was back to life and dragged Rock out to the floor hard! 'The Game' let out a war cry as he returned to the ring and picked the champ up. Kurt was dazed, and Triple H planted him with the DDT for a cover - only to have Rock return and break it up at two. Rock clubbed at Triple H, before roping him in for a spinebuster only for a facebuster to connect - the Pedigree executed! Triple H made the cover, only for Kurt Angle to snatch the ankle of 'the Game!'
Triple H was once again trapped in the Ankle Lock, and Kurt Angle cursed at 'the Cerebral Assassin' with aggression to tap out! 'The Game' resisted facing the same failure he faced in the closing moments of Hell in a Cell last October at No Mercy before miraculously being able to roll through! Angle lost grip and went careening straight into the Rock Bottom from 'the Brahma Bull', but the cover was broken by a desperate Triple H! Las Vegas was on their feet for the efforts of all three men, the richest prize on the line as well as the opportunity to headline next month's WrestleMania. The three stumbled to their feet when Triple H grabbed Angle in a sleeper hold from behind. Behind him saw Rock grab a sleeper hold on 'the Game', a unique three-man sleeper chain commencing! Nobody wanted to let this match pass them by, and it showed as Angle low blowed both challengers. The Angle Slam was delivered to the Rock, but before Kurt could make the cover Triple H shuck off the pain and drove the Olympian into the canvas with the Pedigree! Triple H was about to achieve ultimate redemption when the referee was dragged out of the ring!
'The Game' looked at ringside to understand what just happened: and Shawn Michaels was standing there, red handed! 'The Heartbreak Kid' just screwed his best friend, and Triple H barely had the energy to react physically. Climbing into the ring, the smug HBK hit the ring and engaged with his so-called friend in battle, with Triple H able to rock Shawn with several mighty right hands. It would not be enough however, as Shawn hit the Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere, sending Triple H from the ring! Shawn Michaels was back in the World Wrestling Federation after last being seen bloodied and unconscious in a parking lot back at Armageddon, and he sneered at the hostile response of a rabid Las Vegas crowd while exiting up the rampway. Triple H was down and out, Kurt Angle was bloodied, and Rock was exhausted. 'The Megastar' had escaped to ringside to grab the WWF Championship belt, swinging for the Rock in shades of the Survivor Series. Instead, 'the People's Champ' had seen it coming and instead hooked Kurt's arm for the Rock Bottom! The Rock hooked the leg, and the referee came to: a new champ crowned!Winner, and new WWF Champion: The Rock (23:37) The 182-day reign of 'the Megastar' had finally been drawn to a close, as the people erupted in Sin City for a new WWF Champion being crowned! The Rock exhaustively leaned up against the bottom rope over the fallen body of a bloody Kurt Angle, his hand raised in victory. Finally, the Rock had come back to the WWF Championship, and he took the title proudly while Triple H remained unconscious on the ringside floor. Rock took to the second rope to celebrate his triumphant victory. In a battle that could have gone either of the three ways, it was 'the Brahma Bull' that had proven he was the absolute best, and was therefore on his way to the main event of WrestleMania! Kurt Angle was an emotional wreck laying on the canvas in defeat, as for Rock, he stood with the millions of his fans on the second rope, soaking it in. While it had been a disastrous night for the McMahon Family, the Rock was destined to meet Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main event of what might be known as the biggest match in WrestleMania history! |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 19, 2021 14:22:30 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Feb 21, 2021 15:58:42 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Feb 23, 2021 18:24:19 GMT -5
 RAW is WAR - February 26, 2001
America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona
Live on TNN
A video package aired, looking back at still highlights of last night's No Way Out pay-per-view extravaganza. The Road to WrestleMania pulled into the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada last night for the most dysfunctional tag team encounter in World Wrestling Federation history. The McMahon Family exploded, with Stephanie McMahon even finding herself laid out with an inadvertent elbow strike to the face from her own father. When it was all said and done, shockingly Chris Benoit forced Vince McMahon to tap to the Crossface. Even more shockingly, it was Stone Cold Steve Austin who would bring his major adversary to his feet, and crack a beer with a toast for the Chairman. Meanwhile, the WWF Champion Kurt Angle found himself taking part in his biggest gamble to date. One of the most intense Triple Threat matches saw all three men fight until they had nothing left, each wanting to walk into 'the Grandaddy of Them All' as WWF Champion. Triple H was on the verge of victory, when his long-time friend Shawn Michaels made a surprising return, screwing 'the Game' out of the title before making a grandiose exit. When it was all said and done, it was The Rock who would leave No Way Out as the new, six-time WWF Champion!
The opening video package aired, bringing us to a jam-packed house in Phoenix, Arizona! Pyrotechnics erupted across the stage, to the roar of the crowd inside of the America West Arena. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcomed us to RAW is WAR, hot off the heels of a game-changing No Way Out spectacular just twenty-four hours ago! J.R. and 'the King' touted new champions being crowned, and speculated that the main event for WrestleMania X-Seven was sealed with a new WWF Champion crowned!
Vince McMahon made a glum arrival to the America West Arena, to a largely mixed reaction. The WWF Owner appeared beaten, wearing his arm in a sling beneath his blazer. Coming off of receiving one of the most mentally-exhausting battles in his tenure as the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation, Vince took to the microphone in the ring to bask in the response of the Phoenix crowd. Admitting how he had come up short-handed twenty-four hours ago, it was definitely not the outcome he had wanted. The intention to last night at No Way Out was to teach his son Shane McMahon a lesson in respect, but despite how Chris Benoit damn-near tore his arm off in the Crossface, he had to give credit where credit was due. Last night he fought valiantly, alongside a man he considered an arch nemesis in Stone Cold Steve Austin. It absolutely was not 'the Texas Rattlesnake's fight, but he wanted to thank him regardlessly. But his major props came for Shane O'Mac, for not backing down from anybody. Now that the fight was out of the way, he wanted to extend the olive branch to Shane as well as his daughter Stephanie McMahon, whom he inadvertently struck in the face last night in the heat of the fight. Vince felt that the McMahon Family War had seen enough, and now was the time for they, per his wife Linda McMahon's demands, to reunite as the McMahon Family they were meant to be.
Shane McMahon answered his father's call, walking with a pompous strut reminiscent of his old man, out to the ring. The younger McMahon climbed into the ring and took the microphone from Vince, who offered a handshake. Shane neglected to extend his olive branch, and instead bragged about how great it felt to beat on his dear old dad last night at No Way Out. But as good as it felt, Shane didn't appreciate Dad's comments about "teaching respect". If anything, Shane hoped Vince was taught his own lesson, for being neglectful in his and Stephanie's upbringing. Shane admitted that this whole McMahon Family War was about more than who ran the World Wrestling Federation, instead it was about the Chairman's chickens coming home to roost. Shane brought up how Vince hurt his own daughter last night, and believed an apology was due. If Vince wouldn't apologize, it only proved how awful a father he could truly be. Surprisingly, as Vince admitted to the fault of striking the absentee 'Billion Dollar Princess', WWF CEO Linda McMahon made her way out to the ring! Vince and Shane both could not believe the shocking presence of the matriarch of the McMahon Family, as she vacantly entered the ring with her own microphone in hand. Linda expressed her discomfort in having to watch her own family - her own pride and joy - battle it out last night. As a mother and a wife, it was traumatizing to see her husband and children fight.
Linda McMahon said that for the better part of the last few months, her thoughts and feelings towards Shane, Stephanie, and even Vince had spiralled. Family life had been difficult, having to witness what no woman with a family should see tear each other apart verbally and physically. After all, Linda believed the McMahons should be one of prestige. They each helped revolutionize sports entertainment, and they were of great reputation. For too long now their family had plagued how fans and media outlets alike view them, and demanded Vince and Shane right now to make up and bury the hatchet. The boss absorbed his wife's words, while Shane sucked up to his Mom. Shane said that she was one-hundred percent correct and believed it was time for this to end. He and Vince had been through so much, and although he wasn't sure whether Vince was man enough: Shane O'Mac was not afraid to bury the hatchet for good tonight. Shane put the microphone down and extended his arm out to Vince...but Chris Benoit interrupted the festivities! 'The Rabid Wolverine' appeared smug coming off of last night's victory in the dysfunctional tag team match at No Way Out, and promptly picked up the microphone. Benoit remarked how he was victorious last night against both Vince McMahon, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Joking about how the winner of the 2001 Royal Rumble match blew it last night because he couldn't lace 'the Wolverine's boots, Benoit believed he should be the one going to WrestleMania to challenge The Rock for the WWF Championship! Shane and Vince each stood confused by Benoit's claims, as he declared himself not just the best technical wrestler in the business today, but the best wrestler: that this was the World Wrestling Federation. There was no entity bigger than the WWF, and yet RAW - the flagship show - had become the McMahon Family Happy Hour! Looking both a baffled Shane and a disgusted Vince in the eyes and calling them pathetic, Benoit stated he was done with the politics. Now, for the McMahons' own good, it was time for 'the Rabid Wolverine' to prove each of them wrong! Linda tried to ask what the meaning of this was, when Chris snapped the WWF CEO's arm from her and took her down with the Crossface! Linda was in a frozen state of shock, locked in the Crossface, bringing Vince and Shane down to try and ply him away! 'The Wolverine' rolled out of the ring wisely, a hungry grin on his face. As the sling-ridden Chairman and his son shared the same side against a common threat, Vince and Shane attended to a shock-riddled Linda McMahon as she laid prone on the canvas, face down. While the McMahons looked to be in repair, Benoit had done the most despicable thing one could do, to the CEO of the World Wrestling Federation! Shane was livid.
We returned to a replay of what went down before the break, where WWF CEO Linda McMahon looked to finally end the McMahon Family War and have Vince and Shane McMahon bury the hatchet - when interrupted by a hostile and sinister Chris Benoit. Locking Linda in the Crossface, the McMahons held common ground while aiding to Linda, who remained motionless, face-down on the canvas.
During the break, footage showed Linda McMahon being stretchered through the backstage area to the parking lot, where an ambulance awaited. The WWF CEO remained unconscious, perhaps from the shock caused by Chris Benoit. As a sea of WWF personnel and staff members crowded the scene, the doors of the ambulance were closed by the paramedics, as Vince and Shane McMahon both saw her off. Grave faces everywhere, the Chairman got in Shane's face and asked what his big scheme was! Shane was confused, getting back in his father's face and claiming innocence. Vince believed Shane brought 'the Rabid Wolverine' into this, and that it was his fault. Shane refused to take it, claiming that Benoit was his own man. The WWF Owner surmised that there was hell to pay for Benoit and tore off the sling on his arm. Vince stomped away, leaving Shane furious with his former accomplice's actions.
1) Billy Gunn (w/The Fighting Holly Cousins) def. Steven Richards (w/The Right to Censor) by disqualification (2:31)'The One' Billy Gunn had run through every male member of the Right to Censor in recent weeks, believing it to be his duty after the spike piledriver delivered to his girlfriend Chyna, five weeks ago. Billy defeated Bull Buchanan last night on Sunday Night Heat, and that had allowed him to get Steven Richards - the leader of the organization - all to himself. But as the RTC accompanied Steven, Billy struck back. With him came Hardcore, Crash and Molly of the Fighting Holly Cousins. Immediately going at it with the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan at ringside, Steven used the distraction to jump Billy from behind. Hammering on him in the corner, he would run into a military press slam, and a series of hip tosses! Billy delivered the jackhammer to put Richards away, but refused to make the cover. Continuing to beat on Steven, he even backed Mark Henry down from the apron. Billy looked for the One and Only when the WWF Women's Champion Ivory climbed onto the apron. Billy would drag Ivory in and threaten her, before snatching her up by the hair and threatening a piledriver on 'the Role Model!' Instead, 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry hit the ring, causing the disqualification!
Phoenix booed the decision, as the Right to Censor piled into the ring looking to finish 'the One' Billy Gunn. After her cousins Hardcore and Crash had been beaten down by the RTC members at ringside, Molly Holly climbed to the top rope. Aiming for redemption on Mark Henry for clotheslining her last night at No Way Out, Mark would catch Molly from a top rope crossface, and slam her down with authority! Steven Richards directed traffic, as the Goodfather got the outnumbered and defenceless Billy Gunn up for a piledriver and Bull Buchanan ascended to the second rope.
Certain doom was on its way, when Chyna came stomping down the rampway! Shedding her neck brace, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' was back, and joined the Fighting Holly Cousins in hitting the ring and combating the RTC! Wisely Ivory ran for the hills, with the shocked WWF Women's Champion furious to see her thought-to-be paralyzed rival Chyna back! Chyna looked incredible, as she stood alongside Billy and the Hollys with a look of intensity on her face.
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Backstage, Kurt Angle and Stephanie McMahon slumped down the hall hand-in-hand. Putting on brave faces, 'the Megastar' remained silent as 'the Billion Dollar Princess' favored her head after the collision with father Vince McMahon's elbow last night. Michael Cole approached the power couple for comment after what we had just witnessed, but Kurt refused to talk and walked ahead. Stephanie apologizes for Angle's demeanor, but Michael wasn't about to ask about No Way Out: he was here to ask about what happened to Linda McMahon moments ago. Steph's face dropped with concern, her eyes widening. Immediately, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' stormed off to investigate.
Back live, Billy Gunn and Chyna cuddled in the hall with 'the One' thanking his girlfriend for coming to his aid. That said, he was still concerned about the condition of her neck. 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' assured her boy that she learned a valuable lesson. Considering retirement, being faced with temporary paralysis, and having to relive the spike piledriver from the Right to Censor every passing day, Chyna refused to take the RTC lightly. Chyna concluded that she might not be able to fight the boys like she used to, and she might be a different woman now than she was one month ago, but when it came to Ivory: the WWF Women's Champion's ass belonged to her. The two kissed, with Billy warning her to be careful, as Chyna waltzed off down the hall.
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The former WWF Hardcore Champion Big Show was making his way to the ring as we returned to the America West Arena. Stomping with fury into the ring, 'the Giant' quickly took to the microphone to air his disgust at being double-crossed last night at No Way Out. Show claimed he was screwed out of the title, and that there was no giant greater than he was. Show was furious at the betrayal of the new champ, Rhyno, failing to understand what 'the Man-Beast's problem was. Show called the mysterious animal out to the ring, not caring who he was, or where he came from. Big Show had been duped for the last time! He boasted about being seven-foot-two, 500-pounds, and he spoke with confidence and grandeur that he could take anybody's ass on, and leave them broken and beaten. He didn't need anybody riding his coattails! Show paused and awaited the arrival of the new WWF Hardcore Champion, causing Show to ask if Rhyno even had a pair and to say that he was the one calling the shots.
Surprisingly, the Undertaker answered the call! For the first time in weeks, 'the American Badass' came stomping out to the rampway brandishing a steel chain in hand! Having been left laying in the ruins of the announce table from a Big Show Chokeslam just under one month ago, 'the Deadman' stomped down to the ring, meeting 'the Giant' at ringside for a fist fight! Show tried to use his size against the Undertaker, who fired back with a flurry of heavy-handed strikes! An uppercut rocked the 500-pounder, when the Undertaker struck Show with the chain for good measure! Into the ring he followed the Big Show, wrapping the chain around the big man's neck to wear him down. After dropping to a knee, the Undertaker followed with a massive and impressive Chokeslam leaving the Big Show flat on his back! The former WWF Hardcore Champion did not get revenge on Rhyno tonight, but the Undertaker stood tall and proud, back with a vengeance! A shocking night of dramatic events and returns, yet the night was still young!
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The Radicalz were seen hanging out in the locker room, while Terri sat idly by filing her nails. Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko spoke amongst themselves, when Eddie Guerrero strutted into the room. Singing about being back with the boys again, 'Latino Heat' expressed how much he had missed them and talked about it being one year since they made headlines, debuting together in the World Wrestling Federation! Hugging them tightly, Eddie said he had seen them do their thing on a nightly basis and it was good - but they needed to get back to where they once were. It was time to get serious! Terri tried to speak up, 'the She-Devil' asking what Eddie thought she had been trying to do. Eddie turned to his friends and muttered that it was time to stop fooling around with the WWF Divas, assuring them they wanted to make statements and be given the success they wanted. Eddie walked Saturn and Malenko from the room ahead of a six-man tag team match tonight against Bradshaw, the Radicalz joking that the Texan didn't have a friend in the world. Terri was left lonesome, unpleased with the addition of Eddie.
Vince McMahon was in his office, struggling to change into his tanktop when Stephanie McMahon slammed the door and stormed in. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' demanded answers, and wanted to know what the hell had happened to Linda McMahon. Vince tried to reassure Stephanie that her mother was doing okay, but Steph hostilely swatted her Dad's hands away. Still mad about being struck by the Chairman last night at No Way Out, she should know better than to believe Vince didn't have anything to do with it! The boss was angry and scolded her for sounding crazy: this was her own wife! If Stephanie had anybody to blame, it should be her brother Shane! Vince said it was Chris Benoit that attacked the WWF CEO, and the reason his wife and her mother was in the hospital right now! Vince said that he was going to get even with that son of a bitch tonight, one-on-one, bad arm and all. About to leave the room, Stephanie shouted at her father and hoped that he and Benoit both got what they deserved! Vince left ignoring his daughter's remarks, causing Stephanie to pick up a lamp and hurl it across the room in anger. The chaos in the McMahon Family continued.
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In the arena, one-half of the new WWF Tag Team Champions Christian stood with the cheesiest grin on his face, coming off of the hard-fought Steel-Cage war between the Dudley Boyz alongside Edge and Christian. A microphone in hand, Christian greeted the Arizonians in attendance, gloating about the battle he and his older brother Edge had fought at No Way Out twenty-four hours prior. Not only did he know that the Dudleys were incapacitated, Christian believed they were no doubt hiding in shame at the underhanded tactics they tried to apply. While his valiant, courageous and fearless brother Edge had sacrificed himself last night, by falling from the top of the cage through two tables, in order to allow them to become two-time WWF Tag Team Champions; it was the Dudleys that took all the shortcuts they could. Steel chairs were one thing, and the Canadians couldn't help but accept that anything was legal. But the interference of a straw-headed, Mini-Me weasel like a third Dudley was absurd beyond belief. Christian ran down the newcomer, calling Spike Dudley 150-pounds soaking wet, and that the little guy didn't belong in this company! Christian gave a quick shoutout to his injured brother Edge, who was home in Toronto resting up, before promising to beat the little nerd tonight like the triumphant and proud champion he was!2) Spike Dudley def. WWF Tag Team Champion Christian (3:43)Twenty-four hours ago saw tag team warfare take place in the confounds of a solid steel-cage. Edge and Christian walked out WWF Tag Team Champions, but the casualties were aplenty with the Dudley Boyz both left incapacitated as a result. Edge took a fall from grace, landing through two tables to secure the victory after a chair shot sent him sailing ten-feet from the top of the steel structure. It also saw the debut of D-Von and Bubba Ray's younger brother Spike Dudley, the plucky newcomer making a lasting impression in his first appearance. Christian laughed at Spike as he entered the ring, but was surprised once the 150-pounder tackled him to the canvas. Catching Christian off-guard with a series of armdrags and a diving hurricanrana off the top rope, Christian faceplanted Spike as he tried for a tornado DDT, unimpressed. Aggressive and showboating, Christian underestimated Spike in a chinlock. Spike showed fight as he punched out. Dudley surprised with a dropkick, before connecting with the tornado DDT for a close fall! Spike delivered the run-up bulldog from the top rope, but before the pin came, down the rampway saw Lance Storm and Justin Credible! Storm and Credible had a connection to Christian, but the Hardy Boyz ran out behind them! Jeff and Matt fought with Storm and Credible at ringside, while inside Christian looked for the Unprettier - only for Spike to catch him with the backslide for a huge upset!
The youngest brother of the Dudley Boyz had scored a huge upset in his first match inside of a World Wrestling Federation ring, and the WWF Tag Team Champion could not believe it! Christian was furious as Spike Dudley escaped from the ring and celebrated with fans in the front row, surely doing his absent brothers D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley proud tonight! Meanwhile, Christian was on the verge of a temper tantrum back inside the ring.
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The former WWF Champion Kurt Angle continued to bare a glum expression on his face, as the dismayed Olympic Gold Medalist' headed for the ring. Twenty-four hours after his heartbreaking loss of the WWF Championship, 'the Megastar' had to have a lot of words to say about his shortcoming last night at No Way Out!
Kurt Angle made his way out to the ring to a mixed reaction from the Phoenix crowd. Perhaps it was the fight in which 'the Megastar' gave in his fleeting moments as WWF Champion, last night at No Way Out, Angle lost the WWF Championship to the Rock. 'The Megastar' remained gobsmacked coming from the loss, as he remarked how for 169 days, he had reigned as their leader. Kurt Angle wasn't just the Coalition's leader, but he was the World Wrestling Federation's leader. WWF Champion opposed by nobody, he felt robbed after losing it in the unfair environment of a Triple Threat match last night. Kurt said that he was never one to feel second best, that's what made him an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1996 Olympics. Without the richest prize in the business around his waist, Angle believed that he might as well be standing here naked and renounced the unfair odds it took to finally dethrone him as WWF Champion last night! Angle felt screwed, and declared how he should be the one in the main event of WrestleMania. After all, Kurt was the man that had led the WWF with the intensity, integrity and intelligence desired of being WWF Champion, and if anybody should headline 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' as champ, it should be Kurt freaking Angle! The crowd's cheers turned to boos, as he lambasted how everything he was saying, was true.
Interrupted, it was the new reigning WWF Champion The Rock that made his presence felt to the eye-rolling of the former champ. America West Arena exploded in salutes for 'the People's Champ', who walked out to the stage and took the time to survey the millions and millions of fans in the building, and watching from home. As the ovation settled, the Rock declared that finally, the Rock had come back to Phoenix! Kurt Angle tried interrupting Rock about having the nerve to intrude, but Rock told Angle to shut his mouth when the champ is talking! After everything himself and Kurt Angle had been through: the shocking loss at Fully Loaded, followed by the even-more shocking title win the night after. From the SummerSlam screwjob, to the cowardly Survivor Series showdown. But finally, last night, after the brawl to end all brawls in the Triple Threat match...finally, the Rock had come back to the WWF Championship! Angle couldn't even muster up a comeback as Rock acknowledged the sure depression he was feeling, 169 days gone right down the toilet. He noted Kurt's dishevelled demeanor from the heartbreak: the sweat stains on his shirt, the knocked confidence and slurring of his words, and the most pathetic excuse of five o'clock shadow on his face - telling Kurt that he would no doubt come back stronger than ever. But he sure as hell would not be going to main event WrestleMania.
'The Megastar' finally asserted that he was a teetotal athlete, purer than the Rock could ever be. Kurt Angle said that if there was one man he was sick of, it was the Rock. Much like 'the Brahma Bull' had said, they had fought time and time again: but the fact remained that he had a rematch clause in his contract. After all of the battles, and after all of the harsh words, Angle demanded his rematch, and he wanted it here tonight! Kurt said it was time to settle this once and for all, and that he was destined to once again become WWF Champion. The Rock quizzed Kurt on whether that was all he wanted, to go one-on-one with 'the Great One' tonight on RAW is WAR - WWF Championship at stake. Angle tried to respond, but Rock told him it didn't matter what he wanted! Phoenix loved the antics of 'The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment', but Rock told the red, white and blue jabroni standing before him that if Angle truly thought he had a shot at beating the Rock tonight, much like Rock had done to Kurt last July - merely twenty-four hours after winning the WWF Championship - then Rock had no choice but to accept. Promising to layeth the SmackDown on Kurt Angle's candyass tonight, Rock told Kurt that it didn't matter what he wanted...because he'd got it. Rock dropped the mic and left the stage, leaving Angle with a convinced look of determination. Tonight, Rock would put his newly won WWF Championship on the line against the former champ, and the winner would surely go on to headline WrestleMania!
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Vince McMahon was fully dressed to compete, having decided to challenge Chris Benoit to a match tonight. After what 'the Rabid Wolverine' did to his own wife Linda McMahon earlier tonight, the Chairman strutted the hall and stretched his injured shoulder out. Having endured Benoit twice already, on SmackDown and last night at No Way Out, the WWF Owner remained unafraid. Suddenly, Shane McMahon confronted his father. Despite the amounted odds they remained at, Shane demanded to accompany Vince out to the ring. Nobody attacked Mom and got away with it, and in his eyes Benoit was a dead man. Vince accepted his son's invitation, but warned Shane that if he dared screw him, may God have mercy on his soul. The McMahons headed for the ring, unified once more: thanks to Chris Benoit?3) Chris Benoit def. Vince McMahon (w/Shane McMahon) (1:32)Coming off last night's health threatening loss at the hands of 'the Rabid Wolverine', the heavily bandaged Vince McMahon found himself strutting to the ring again, out for vengeance on Chris Benoit for daring to put his wife Linda McMahon in the Crossface earlier tonight. In a big twist, it was Vince's rival son Shane McMahon accompanying him. The Coalition was a thing of the past as far as Benoit was concerned, relentlessly demanding himself to be in the main event of WrestleMania. As Shane stood on the apron before the bell sounded, Benoit smirkingly got in his face and piefaced him which only allowed the WWF Owner to come from behind! Vince brought the punches to Benoit, cornering him with body blows from his good arm. The damage was done at No Way Out, but now Vince was electing to stomp a mudhole in Benoit down in the corner! Shane was actually rooting for his father, when Benoit kicked him away and surprised him with a snap suplex. The momentum had shifted dramatically as a result, and Benoit followed with a German suplex before choosing to torture Vince's bandaged arm in the cross-armbreaker! Stubbornly, the boss refused to submit. Benoit stripped the bandages from the Chairman's shoulder, when Shane decided to get in the ring and challenge Chris to a fight of his own! Benoit cackled at the idea, daring him to bring it, allowing Vince to low blow him from behind. A rollup gave Vince a close fall, but immediately Benoit slapped the Crossface on the Chairman - Vince instantly tapping out!
Chris Benoit was pursued from the Crossface by an emerging Shane McMahon, who returned to the ring and chased 'the Rabid Wolverine' out to the floor! Benoit laughed in the face of his former accomplice, Shane O'Mac furious at the continued defiance by the loose cannon 'Wolverine'. Vince McMahon laid prone, clutching his shoulder in agony. For the third time in a week, the Chairman had been faced with the Crossface, though this time he sat up with an expression of rage on his face. Benoit laughed as he left up the rampway, having denied the McMahons of revenge for the hospitalized Linda McMahon. Even more interesting was the fact that Vince and Shane shared the same ring, having stumbled across a common enemy!
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Stephanie McMahon sat with a troubled expression on her face, watching the television monitor and witnessing Chris Benoit's victory over Vince McMahon. Into the room walked Kurt Angle, already dressed for his WWF Championship rematch opportunity tonight. 'The Megastar's sadness had turned to anger, as he expressed how livid he was that they lived in a World Wrestling Federation where the Rock was the WWF Champion. Angle recounted how much work he had done as the champ, and now 'the People's Champ' was sure to tarnish it. Kurt claimed he was laser-focused on becoming a three-time WWF Champion. Stephanie was barely listening, eyes fixated on the screen. Angle stood in the way and asked whether 'the Billion Dollar Princess' believed in him, though Kurt wouldn't let her get a word in: angrily expressing how he was damn serious, that he was 'the Megastar', and to headline WrestleMania X-Seven in the Reliant Astrodome was his destiny! Angle stormed out in motivation, while his girlfriend meekly wished him luck tonight.
Outside of the APA's office backstage saw Bradshaw step out, warming up ahead of the six-man tag team match tonight against the Radicalz. After being ambushed by Eddie Guerrero alongside Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko last Thursday night on SmackDown, the Texan looked ready although his partners remained unknown! Suddenly, out stepped 'the Big Red Machine' Kane behind him. And right behind the seven-foot monster saw his newly returning half-brother. The Undertaker stepped out and closed the door behind them. Bradshaw had found friends in the Brothers of Destruction, and it spelled disaster for the Radicalz - next!
The tag was made to Kane, who came in with clotheslines for both Saturn and Guerrero. 'The Big Red Machine' was a literal house on fire, dishing up the sidewalk slam for Eddie before taking to the air with a diving clothesline on Malenko! Kane returned to his feet only for Guerrero to dropkick him from behind, but as he and Malenko went to town on grounding Kane, a dropkick from Saturn sent him sailing into his half-brother. The Undertaker was legal, causing Eddie to scurry from the ring in a panic. Bradshaw hit the ring with haymakers for Saturn before delivering a Clothesline From Hell to knock him from the ring! The Radicalz had been dismembered, but Dean Malenko found himself the recipient of the Old School - courtesy of 'the American Badass!' In decisive fashion, the Undertaker decided to follow up, taking Malenko for his Last Ride!
The Undertaker and Kane were back together as a unit in dominant fashion, having dismantled the Radicalz in what was a surprising six-man tag team contest! Bradshaw climbed back inside to raise the Brothers of Destruction's hands in victory, but 'the Big Red Machine' grew incensed spotting Eddie Guerrero goading him from ringside. Kane immediately took off and pursued 'Latino Heat', when he was suddenly struck with the Gore from a spontaneously appearing Rhyno! The new WWF Hardcore Champion had arrived, and the seven-foot monster was left down and out on the floor. 'The Man-Beast' was immediately faced by the Undertaker, who rolled out to ringside to confront the newcomer. Instead, Rhyno glared 'the Deadman' down as though he were fresh meat before taking off into the crowd once more. Rhyno was not interested in making any friends whatsoever, and wouldn't so long as he was the champ!
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Backstage after his confrontation with the Chairman Vince McMahon, Chris Benoit unfastened the tape on his wrists with a sadistic smile on his face. His smirk quickly changed to a snicker, once faced with none other than Stephanie McMahon. 'The Rabid Wolverine' claimed to wonder how long it would take, and 'the Billion Dollar Princess' appeared disappointed by his actions. Questioning what the hell Benoit's problem was, she said that harming any single member of her family would not get him to the main event of WrestleMania. Benoit interrupted Steph, telling her that it was all about what Vince deserved. Having heard what Stephanie told her Dad earlier tonight, Chris was surprised Stephanie wasn't relieved knowing her father barely had the use of his arm. Steph said there was hell to pay, that as dysfunctional as the McMahon Family were, they were together through and through. Chris got fed up and asked Stephanie if she was going to quit being a pansy. This wasn't family time with the McMahons - and this wasn't about the Coalition anymore. This was about being the best in the world, and everybody knew the best in the world was him: Chris Benoit. Benoit advised Steph to wake up and smell the coffee, or find herself in the Crossface like her mother. Stunned, Stephanie was left alone.
Meanwhile, Triple H was seen arriving at the America West Arena. Having missed out on the WWF Championship in the Triple Threat match last night at No Way Out, 'the Game' rustled his leather jacket and walked with purpose. His path to redemption had been sabotaged by longtime friend Shawn Michaels last night, and from the look on his face it appeared as though Triple H was heading straight for the ring!
Back live on RAW is WAR, the time for talking was now. Triple H was seen making his way down to the ring, twenty-four hours after coming so close to walking out of No Way Out as the WWF Champion once again, only to be screwed by the person he least suspected. 'The Game' absorbed the roars of the crowd, but was clearly not in a theatrical mood as he graced the microphone in the middle of the ring. Talking about what went down last night, Triple H reminisced how it was supposed to be his night. It was supposed to be about him achieving the ultimate redemption. For every single thing that he had overcome over the past year, from the WWF Championship loss, to the tragic fall from grace suffered in Hell in a Cell at No Mercy. Triple H had been stabbed in the heart by his ex-wife Stephanie McMahon, and been betrayed by friends like X-Pac. D-Generation X was no more, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction was dead, done and buried. Calling it the lowest he had ever stooped in his career, 'the Game' noted how he had spent the year so far turning back the clock. He realized he didn't need anyone, because he could do everything he could possibly do to be the absolute best. Despite everything, he was reminded how he was that damn good, and he could become the WWF Champion the people wanted - and most importantly - he, himself, wanted.
Triple H grimaced as he talked about the Triple Threat match last night at No Way Out, and being in the same ring as two arch rivals in Kurt Angle and the Rock. It wasn't just about the biggest prize in the business, the WWF Championship - nor who would surely walk into WrestleMania as the man on top. To Triple H it meant a lot more, to validate how far he had come, and how much further he knew he could go. Last night 'the Game' put it all on the line in Las Vegas, and was inches away from the gold when somebody else from the past stabbed him in the back. That man, was Shawn Michaels! 'The Game' spoke with anger, as he reminisced on how if he could have chosen a best friend in this business all of those years ago, he would pick 'the Heartbreak Kid' every damn time. They were like brothers, they helped form the most revolutionary faction in sports entertainment history - D-Generation X. They each helped RAW is WAR become the show it is today. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, they were inseparable and always had one another's back. Hell, when HBK walked through that curtain that night in Boston, at WrestleMania three years ago, and he knew he was done - it was Triple H who helped him and consoled him every step of the way! And when Stephanie left him for Kurt Angle, it was Shawn who picked up the pieces and motivated him to be who he is today.
Triple H palmed his face and walked back and forth in the ring, wondering whatever happened to their friendship, and their relationship. For a pair of brothers, Shawn grew awfully distant. All along, while he had Stone Cold Steve Austin's ass to deal with, accusing him of running him down with a rental car at each and every turn...it was Shawn Michaels who was behind it all along. Languishing how Shawn never once told him, he could have helped HBK avoid the near-fatal beating he endured at Armageddon at Austin's hands. He could have helped 'the Heartbreak Kid' seek rehabilitation for his issues, and he could have helped him like the brother he was. But if there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was a bullsh*tter! Uttering that he knew how rough times had been, all Triple H wanted was a simple explanation for why Shawn turned his back on him last night, and screwed him out of the WWF Championship. Though 'the Game' knew full well that Shawn wasn't here tonight, he still demanded an explanation, and he wanted Shawn to look him dead in the eyes and explain where it all went wrong for the two brothers that helped form DX. Vowing to be patient, Triple H addressed Shawn watching at home and told him to answer his call. Leaving the ring, 'the Game' had an axe to grind with the absent Shawn Michaels after being screwed last night at No Way Out - the question was, would 'the Heartbreak Kid' accept the invitation?
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Team Xtreme were walking the halls backstage, when stopped by Jonathan Coachman. The Coach wanted to catch words from the Hardy Boyz and Lita before their rematch from No Way Out tonight against Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Matt Hardy was first to speak on their opponents, claiming to be sick and tired of Storm and Credible sticking their noses where they didn't belong. Just because they beat them last night didn't mean that they were done with them by a long shot. With new WWF Tag Team Champions crowned in Edge and Christian, the Hardys believed they would always have unfinished business with the Canadians, and if Lance Storm and Justin Credible thought they would earn themselves a shot first of all, they had another thing coming for them. Matt took Lita by the hand and took off, while the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy posed for the camera and declared they were looking for double gold!
We returned to RAW is WAR ahead of tag team competition between the Hardy Boyz and Lance Storm and Justin Credible, though William Regal was in the process of making his way down to ringside. The WWF European Champion cheerily saluted the disapproving fans in Phoenix before taking a seat on commentary beside Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, who were both surprised by his presence. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' discussed how with the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the pristigious McMahon Family and that ghastly rabid dog Chris Benoit tonight, he felt that now was the time to rally the troops for change. J.R. called Regal out on having spoken about his disliking of Vince McMahon, but the Englishman believed that feelings can change on the drop of a penny. The World Wrestling Federation could be a better place with the McMahons all unified together once again, though he also believed that the WWF required more authority and principles. The WWF deserved more honor, class and dignity, and William believed that he was 'the Goodwill Ambassador' that could help them for times to come. Was the WWF European Champion rallying?
5) The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) def. Lance Storm and Justin Credible (4:41)The situation between the Hardy Boyz and the recently-reunited team of Lance Storm and Justin Credible was thought to be settled at No Way Out, where Jeff and Matt Hardy were victorious. Earlier tonight it appeared Storm and Credible plotted to leapfrog the Hardys, involving themselves in new WWF Tag Team Champion Christian's match against Spike Dudley. Instead, they were fended off by Team Xtreme. Business picked up as a four-man brawl started the match. Despite the Hardys' daredevil tactics, the Poetry in Motion went empty-handed, though Matt would thwart a double suplex attempt made on Jeff - dropping Storm and Credible with one of their own! Jeff vaulted off the barricade onto Justin at ringside, when Lita would follow suit with a flying headscissors from the steel steps! Back inside Matt hammered on the Canadian and dropped him with a gutwrench suplex before tagging Jeff in for a stereo-legdrop! Storm was in trouble, though Credible would jump the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion from behind off a blind tag. Justin was sleazy in his showboating, cranking the neck of Jeff until the rainbow-haired Hardy fired back using a spinout enzuigiri. Making the tag to Matt, he came in hot with the Side Effect on Storm for a near fall. At ringside Credible was sent to the floor, only to grab his trusty Singapore cane. Instead, Lita grabbed it and engaged in a tug-of-war with Credible! Back inside, Matt looked for the Twist of Fate on Lance only to be sent into the ropes...into a Singapore cane shot from X-Pac! The Super Kick connected, giving Storm the victory!
Lance Storm and Justin Credible had gotten even for the loss suffered last night at No Way Out, but it was all thanks to the interference of the Singapore cane wielding X-Pac! 'The Man' swatted the stick in mid-air as though he was Darth Vader, soon joining Lance Storm in the ring. High fiving Lance, X-Pac quickly took to putting the boots to Matt Hardy, while at ringside Lita was shoved down by Justin Credible! Justin took control of his own Singapore cane, as he also climbed into the ring and hugged it out with an old friend in X-Pac. The three gloated when Jeff Hardy rolled into the ring, looking to come to Matt's aid only to be blasted in the head by X-Pac's stick shot!
The trio laughed about it, stalking the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion and waiting for Jeff to groggily look up in a kneeling position. X-Pac mocked him with a Tiger Woods warmup shot, but Lita would dive in the way to shield Jeff! X-Pac relented from striking the tomboy of Team Xtreme, and instead he alongside Storm and Credible left the ring with arrogance! As Lita was left to attend to her boys, X-Pac mouthed that he was sick of being overlooked! William Regal was flabbergasted by the lack of honor on display.
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Vince McMahon was in the trainer's office, thanking him for the advice about his shoulder. Icing it with looks of agony on his face, the Chairman groaned at the numbing discomfort when in walked the Brooklyn Brawler. Panting heavily and out of breath, the WWF Owner asked Brawler if he could help him with anything. The backstage agent told the boss in a huff that he wished he could explain. In short terms, Brawler divulged the news that there were complications and that his wife Linda McMahon had gone into a state of shock at the hospital. Vince immediately bolted to his feet, his face dropping. Denouncing Chris Benoit as being a sickening son of a b*tch, Vince told Brawler to get on the phone and cancel all of his business meetings for the night. McMahon stormed down the hall, saying he had to alert his children Shane and Stephanie!
Meanwhile, the empty-handed Kurt Angle walked the halls with nothing but intensity on his face. One day removed from his 169-day reign as WWF Champion being ended in the Triple Threat match at No Way Out, tonight was his last shot at walking into WrestleMania as the WWF Champion! The Rock walked grasping the title on the other side of the split-screen. Twenty-four hours following No Way Out, the six-time and new WWF Champion was prepared to risk it all. The WWF Championship was on the line in this match between two fierce rivals - and it was coming up next!
Back live, Vince McMahon was stood speaking to Shane McMahon as he covered his shoulders with his blazer. The Chairman's arm was still feeling the effects of the Crossface endured moments ago, and Shane could not believe what had happened to Linda McMahon. Vince wanted his son to know that despite all of their problems and all of their issues, now was the time they had to band together as one: it was time for them to come together as a family and dedicate all of their love and support to Linda. Asking where his sister was, Shane remarked that he hadn't seen her. Vince told Shane to go and find her quickly, because they had to go right away. Vince said he was going to call for the limousine to pull around before taking off several steps down the hall. Shane took a moment to consider all that had transpired between them, before ultimately jumping his old man from behind!
Vince was sent face-first into the wall, while Shane inexplicably began to put the boots to his own father! With the WWF CEO in unpredictable condition in the hospital, Shane mounted Vince against the wall, raining down fists on him before standing over him! Vince was bloodied from the assault, while a stone-faced Shane stood tall over him, looking at the blood on his hands. Shane asked Vince if this is what made him a good family man, to lie to his loved ones at every turn. Shane declared that Linda deserved better than him, in fact himself and Stephanie deserved better than him! Shane bellowed that he had had enough of putting up with his cr*p, and declared that he and Steph would take real good care of Linda. But as for Vince? Shane didn't care whether he lived or died! Shane ran down the hall as backstage staff ran to attend to the bloodied WWF Owner. All the while, Vince remained vacant-faced. Blood trickling down his cheek, his back against the wall, Vince stared out with a dazed expression on his face. What else could possibly happen tonight!
. 6) The Rock (c) def. Kurt Angle (w/Stephanie McMahon) to retain the WWF Championship (8:18)Over the past thirteen months, The Rock and Kurt Angle had fought countless times. Where it all truly started however, came at last July's Fully Loaded event. In the biggest upset in recent memory, Kurt Angle captured his first WWF Championship from 'the People's Champ' - only to lose it back to the Rock twenty-four hours later on RAW is WAR. Flash-forward seven months, the same looked to be a realistic possibility. The Rock was victorious last night in the Triple Threat match at No Way Out, overcoming Kurt Angle and Triple H to become a six-time WWF Champion. Though this did not sit well with 'the Megastar'. Kurt's pride was hurting, and his ego was shattered by experiencing his 169-day reign as WWF Champion come to an end. With it went his chances of headlining WrestleMania X-Seven in Houston's Reliant Astrodome next month. Conclusively, Angle had to risk putting his contractually-enforced rematch clause on the line tonight. It was do-or-die for the Olympic Gold Medalist tonight. Having fought on countless occasions, the two were tied at 4-4 with one another, with tonight almost assuredly being the rubber match to this burning rivalry.
Stephanie McMahon walked with a blank expression on her face beside her boyfriend. Unknowing of what just occurred between Vince and Shane McMahon backstage, and perhaps the condition of Linda McMahon, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' stood silent as 'the Megastar' prepared for the Rock. There was a big fight feel in Phoenix, and as the bell sounded Kurt Angle darted across the ring to rush Rock in the corner. 'The People's Champ' battled back, catching Angle with the belly-to-belly suplex! Laying in heavy strikes, Angle raked the eyes and fired back, only to fall victim to the Sharpshooter, though the former champ was able to roll out to safety. Angle angrily re-entered only to encounter an arm drag, but a low kitchen sink knee was driven into the Rock. A leglock applied, the challenger wrenched away at the WWF Champion's leg with the gold on his mind. Rock was able to power out, kicking him away and into a Samoan drop! Angle bailed again, this time for Rock to send him into the announce table. Stephanie stood closeby, and it was enough for Angle to send Rock shoulder-first into the ring post! Angle executed a shinbreaker that landed Rock kneecap-first atop the steel steps, before taking him down in the ring with the crossface chickenwing applied. The Rock was fading, much like his twenty-four hour reign as WWF Champion. Kurt Angle refused to give in, as he transitioned into a sleeper with the body scissors. The capacity crowd cheered Rock on.
Finally able to power back up to his feet on one leg, Rock snapmared free before catching Angle with the dragon screw! Into the Sharpshooter Kurt went, with Angle screaming for mercy! Stephanie pleaded with Kurt to not give up, and Angle survived to the bottom rope. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was still her boyfriend's biggest supporter, climbing onto the apron and engaging in an argument with the Rock. The WWF Champion caught Steph's hand as she tried to slap him across the face, when Angle came from behind knocking Rock into the admonishing referee! Stammering into a German suplex, the former champion lowered his straps and ascended to the top rope. Missing a moonsault, the Rock nipped up in dramatic fashion! Sizing Kurt up, he executed the spinebuster before getting ready to deliver the People's Elbow! Connecting with perfection, Rock covered when Chris Benoit darted out to the ring! 'The Rabid Wolverine' on the apron, Rock hostilely brought him in the hard way and hammered him against the ropes! Benoit fell to the floor, while Angle came from behind with the Angle Slam! The referee crawled to count, though Rock powered out at two! Kurt Angle gritted his teeth and grabbed the ankle of the WWF Champion. The Ankle Lock was his aim, but the Rock was able to send him into the ropes - butting heads with the re-emerging 'Rabid Wolverine!' Chris Benoit went down hard, while 'the Megastar' would rebound right into the Rock Bottom to retain the title!
'The Megastar's hopes and dreams of becoming a three-time WWF Champion were not to be here tonight, in Phoenix, Arizona! The Rock slowly made his way back to his feet, bad foot and all, still the WWF Champion. With No Way Out and Kurt Angle's opposition in his rearview mirror, 'the People's Champ' was exhausted, while a disappointed and heartbroken Stephanie McMahon slid into the ring to attend to her fallen boyfriend. Rock took to the second rope to celebrate, raising the richest prize in the business high. But once 'the Great One' returned back down to the canvas, he was struck with reality in the form of a steel chair-wielding Chris Benoit! America West Arena booed loudly as 'the Rabid Wolverine' began to wrench on the neck of the Rock with the Crossface, causing Rock to tap out! Benoit was a man possessed, hunting his own desire of going on to the main event of WrestleMania. Benoit would finally release the WWF Champion, before eyeing up an intimidated and defenceless Stephanie McMahon. Having already locked Vince and Linda in the Crossface tonight, now he hoped to add Stephanie to his McMahon Family collection, as he laid eyes looking down on her.
That's until Stone Cold Steve Austin made his first appearance of the evening. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' took off for the ring, as Phoenix exploded with applause! 'The Rattlesnake' was not about to let last night's loss deter him, as the 2001 Royal Rumble winner tackled Benoit with the Lou Thesz press in the corner! Benoit was struck with mudhole stomps courtesy of Steve Austin, when Benoit was able to safely roll out to safety. As Stephanie had scrambled for the floor to join her boyfriend Kurt Angle, Austin stared down Benoit and talked trash to him...before Rock span him around and Austin came face-to-face with the WWF Champion! The crowd exploded, tension you could cut only with a blade. Rock and Austin stood face to face in the ring. Rock disapproved of Austin coming to his aid, but Stone Cold knew there was more than what met the eye. This was about WrestleMania X-Seven in five weeks time, in the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The main event for WrestleMania was officially set, and neither man could take their eyes off the other! |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 24, 2021 21:21:00 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Feb 25, 2021 20:35:05 GMT -5
 SmackDown! - March 1, 2001
Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona
Broadcast on UPN
Taped on February 26, 2001
A video package aired, taking us back to the chaotic events of Monday night. As WWF CEO Linda McMahon made a surprise appearance hoping to make Vince and Shane McMahon bury the hatchet and shake hands, it was not to be. Chris Benoit arrived, spouting his desires to headline WrestleMania himself for defeating the Chairman and Stone Cold Steve Austin at No Way Out. At the behest of the McMahons alike, 'the Rabid Wolverine' shockingly locked the Crossface in on Linda causing her to go into a state of shock. With Linda in the hospital, the McMahons appeared to be on better terms as Shane accompanied Vince to be defeated by Benoit once again. Later that night, Vince was getting checked out by the trainer when alerted that Linda's condition had worsened, believing it to be brought on from stress and shock brought on by Benoit. Vince told Shane to find Stephanie while he went to turn the limousine around. Instead, Shane jumped his father from behind! Breaking out in a savage attack, Shane left his Dad bloodied and blamed him for everything the McMahon Family had been through. Sick and tired of Vince, Shane believed Linda could do much better, before running off down the hall. With the Chairman left bloodied and leant against the brick wall of the hallway, Vince bared a vacant and dazed expression on his face.
The opening video package aired, cutting to the Tucson Convention Center where pyrotechnics erupted throughout the arena. A rabid crowd of people were on hand, as Michael Cole welcomed us to SmackDown only four days after a colossal No Way Out spectacular! He touted what was in store for us tonight, including the Brothers of Destruction teaming up to battle strange bedfellows in the Big Show and new WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno; plus, X-Pac would finally receive a huge opportunity in challenging Jeff Hardy for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship! Cutting back to Michael, he was seated alongside none other than his Sunday Night Heat co-host Tazz. To Cole's ire, 'the One Man Crime Scene' declared how huge this opportunity was, with Jerry Lawler apparently spitting his binkie out and going home! Michael expressed how much he missed 'the King'.
With new theme music, Shane McMahon came walking out to the stage amidst loud boos from the Tucson, Arizona crowd. The confident son of the Chairman had left his father bloodied and beaten as they tried making it to a family emergency last Monday night, though Shane continued to bare a serious demeanor. Picking up a microphone in the ring, Shane raised his hands and asked for the mercy and understanding of the people. He knew full well how on RAW is WAR, he did something so unforgivable, so animalistic that it made him appear the worst human being on the planet. As Linda McMahon, his mother, laid prone in a hospital bed at the hands of Chris Benoit's Crossface, Vince McMahon could not help to swallow his own pride. The Chairman had to fight 'the Rabid Wolverine', when he could have just fired him. It was because of that, just why he refused to respect his old man. Not only did Vincent Kennedy McMahon beat up his own children at No Way Out last Sunday, he allowed his wife to lay there and fall into a catatonic state while Vince "let the show go on". Shane defended his actions, despite how much they villainized him. The truth was that Vince didn't care about his son, nor his daughter, or even his wife. Vince was disloyal, neglectful, and if Shane believed anything, he probably didn't want he or Stephanie to begin with! Shane O'Mac discussed the stories he had heard about Vince McMahon's disloyalty, when Chris Benoit came out to the ring.
After locking not only Linda, but Vince McMahon in the Crossface on RAW, 'the Rabid Wolverine' had also involved himself in the Rock and Kurt Angle's WWF Championship match, on a mission to hijack the main event of WrestleMania. Benoit snickered as he looked Shane in the face and talked about how pathetic this whole charade was. Chris joked that this was the problem with the World Wrestling Federation: the McMahon Family were all over the show b*tching and moaning about their personal grievances. Chris felt that he should be the guy on top. Shane told Chris that he had some nerve showing his face tonight, but Benoit cut him off. 'The Wolverine' let it be known how he once respected him, but once he saw how pathetic the fragmented family he had fought for and defended for so long truly were, he lost all respect. As he wrenched, tugged and pulled at his mother's temple, and cranked Shane's Mom's neck last Monday night on RAW, Chris saw the disrespect in each his and Vince's eyes. To Chris, he didn't give a damn about family, all he cared about was what he felt he was owed. Shane called Benoit sick and twisted, but Chris said it was a debt he knew full well. 'The Rabid Wolverine' justified his power, having gone along with the Coalition for long enough. He did everything Shane McMahon asked of him, even getting involved in the little war with his father. If anybody was to blame, Shane was as bad as his old man.
McMahon went face to face with 'the Wolverine' to small fanfare, warning him never to touch or harm another member of his family again. This was his business, not Benoit's, and Shane said that he had half the mind to fire Benoit on the spot right now! No WrestleMania, no more technical wrestling, and no more Chris Benoit! Instead, 'the Wolverine' laughed it off. Telling Shane he didn't have the balls, he implored him to do whatever made him feel like a man in charge. But what a true man in charge would do, is make like his father: and meet him in the ring tonight! Arizona cheered, but Shane thought it through before declining. Benoit had seen it coming, deciding to shove Shane twice in the chest. Asking if he was too much of a p*ssy to fight him after all, Benoit told him he had no respect for Shane after all. Instead, Shane harshly slapped Benoit across the face! With eyes full of hate, Shane glared at Benoit and told him he knew what to do with him: and that was to make a match tonight. But it wouldn't be any old match, it would be a No-Disqualification match. Benoit smirked, but Shane corrected himself saying Chris wouldn't be fighting him - he would be fighting a man he knew well: Stone Cold Steve Austin! Benoit smiled and joked Shane was giving away the WrestleMania main event tonight on SmackDown. Benoit concluded that he was looking forward to locking up with Shane tonight, but there was always next time. Shane slapped Benoit again, who laughed before rolling out of the ring and leaving confidently. Shane O'Mac refused to lose his footing, standing his ground against 'the Wolverine' menace!
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Leaving the locker room backstage saw the Dudley Boyz file out. The former WWF Tag Team Champions had lost the gold four nights ago to Edge and Christian inside of the steel cage, but tonight D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley were joined by their younger brother Spike. Despite the bandages on Bubba's forehead and the bandages on D-Von's arms, the Dudleys hoped to get back in the hunt against previous rivals T&A - coming up next!
The Brothers of Destruction were backstage hanging out, when a fearful Kevin Kelly slowly approached them in the locker room. The Undertaker and Kane glared down at Kevin as he muttered about getting some words from 'the American Badass' after returning last Monday night on RAW is WAR, and aiding Bradshaw. Undertaker slowly removed his sunglasses before ducking down to take the microphone. With WrestleMania around the corner, 'the Deadman' knew better than to sit it out. No Chokeslam from the Big Show could stop him, and no little boys like the Radicalz could stop him either. For ten years of being in this business, no one man had taken him out, and the Undertaker was interested in finding out who the next hot shot had it in them to try. Kevin shyly turned to 'the Big Red Machine', who folded his arms in a dominant stance. Asked about the WWF Hardcore Championship, Kane merely growled that he was not finished with the Big Show, but now, it was time to add Rhyno to his list. 'The Man-Beast' had something he wanted, but now it was time to get it back.
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In the arena Michael Cole and Tazz discussed the announcement made by Shane McMahon regarding Chris Benoit meeting Stone Cold Steve Austin in tonight's main event, in a No-Disqualification match! They soon went interrupted by the arrival of new WWF Tag Team Champion Christian, who obnoxiously sat his title belt atop the desk before doing his hair in its reflection. Joining commentary for the Dudley Boyz's match with T&A, the Canadian explained that Edge was resting up like the brave warrior he was, but he would be back in no time to ensure the reekazoids all remembered who the most dominant tag team the World Wrestling Federation had to offer was. When asked about if he will get involved with the Dudley Boyz tonight after the upset loss to Spike Dudley last Monday night, Christian remained innocuous.
1) The Dudley Boyz (w/Spike Dudley) def. T&A (5:27)No Way Out saw the Dudley Boyz's reign as WWF Tag Team Champions come to an end. It was bittersweet, Bubba Ray Dudley swinging a steel chair at Edge, only to knock him ten feet from the steel cage through tables on the floor. Having missed RAW is WAR, the Dudleys were on the rebound tonight against two former rivals in T&A. Spike Dudley accompanied the brothers, and gloated in Christian's face on commentary. Albert wasted no time blasting D-Von from the bell, only for the smaller Dudley to battle back with kicks and chop blocks for 'the Freight Train'. A distraction from Test enabled Albert to powerslam him, and T&A took to stomping a mudhole in the corner. Test connected with a tilt-a-whirl slam before looking for the pumphandle slam to follow, only for D-Von to break free and falter when attempting a body slam. The control remained in T&A's favor, and a corner splash saw Albert get a near fall. A headlock nearly took D-Von out of the match, but he came to life with punches, and a flying clothesline saw Bubba Ray get the tag! Injured or not, Bubba swung wildly with strikes for both stallions, a Bubba Bomb getting a near fall - as Test dove and landed on Albert! The Wazzup was attempted on Test only for Albert to charge D-Von off the top rope to the floor. Spike Dudley decided to climb up and finish the job with the diving headbutt himself! Bubba looked for a powerbomb to follow, but Albert rushed in only to take Test out instead! The Dudleys sent him sailing, and the 3D connected for the win!
The Dudley Boyz picked up the win in their first match coming off of Sunday's gruelling steel-cage loss! D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley were absolutely not 100% just yet, but the new WWF Tag Team Champion Christian still appeared aggravated at the sight of he and Edge's adversaries being victorious tonight against T&A. Spike Dudley gloated in Christian's face at ringside, pulling faces at him obnoxiously. Christian threw down his headset in anger, then backed away as the Dudley clan smiled and waved at him to Christian's despisal. The former champs had to be coming back for their titles, and Christian had to hope Edge make a return sooner than later!
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Shane McMahon was in deep thought in the hallway, when out of a dressing room stepped an old friend in Big Show. The 500-pounder groaned at the sight of Shane, telling him that he couldn't believe this was how he was being repaid. He was more loyal than anybody in the Coalition, and he did all that the Coalition could ask for. Shane didn't understand what he meant, but Show asserted that he thought they were buddies. Now tonight he's been signed to team with that backstabber Rhyno against the Undertaker and Kane? Shane apologized for 'the Giant's inconvenience, but assured the big man that it was in his best interest. When asked how, Shane made note of how Big Show was 'the Hardcore Giant', and he wanted the WWF Hardcore Championship. So after he and 'the Man-Beast' defeat the Brothers of Destruction, perhaps Show could pursue Rhyno with the help of the 24/7 rule! Show licked his lips and chuckled, thanking Shane for the tip.
The Hardy Boyz and Lita walked the halls, with Matt Hardy walking with his girlfriend hand-in-hand. Together they were psyching up Jeff Hardy ahead of his WWF Light Heavyweight Championship defense against X-Pac in just a few moments. Coming after the loss to Lance Storm and Justin Credible on Monday, Team Xtreme hoped to right the wrong up next!
Michael Cole and Tazz discussed The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin's complex history, and how for the first time in two years at WrestleMania X-Seven it was confirmed: we would bare witness to 'the Brahma Bull' and 'the Texas Rattlesnake' going at it for the WWF Championship! The two segued to discuss the Triple Threat match from No Way Out, and just how close Triple H came to capturing the richest prize in the business himself - before being screwed by Shawn Michaels. A video package aired, taking us back to Monday night on RAW is WAR. Triple H, having been cost the title he came within inches of by his longtime best friend, demanded an explanation. It was to be his ultimate redemption, going full-circle to become the four-time WWF Champion. Instead, it was not to be. 'The Game' recounted how 'the Heartbreak Kid' and he went back years, how they were brothers and helped form the most revolutionary faction in World Wrestling Federation history - D-Generation X. Triple H wanted answers, and let it be known that he demanded to meet with HBK. After the video package came to a close, Cole and Tazz confirmed that this Monday night on RAW, live from the nation's capitol in Washington, D.C. we would have Shawn Michaels in the house: to hopefully deliver on some sort of reasoning behind his antics!
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2) X-Pac def. Jeff Hardy (w/Matt Hardy and Lita) (c) to win the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (5:03)The Hardy Boyz's problems with Lance Storm and Justin Credible had been well-established recently, as Jeff and Matt were victorious at No Way Out. On RAW is WAR, Storm and Credible stole the win after interference from an unlikely ally in X-Pac. 'The Man' had been furious for weeks at the lack of respect and opportunities, but was handed this shot at the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. X-Pac was full of poise going in, to be surprised by Jeff's fiery offence. An enzuigiri sent the challenger to the floor, X-Pac sidestepping a baseball slide. Missing one of his own, Jeff vaulted off the barricade to gain control. A dropkick knocked X-Pac off the top rope to the floor, and the champ dared for a somersault plancha to the floor - only to land spine-first on the floor! Back inside, X-Pac was cockier, lighting Jeff up with kicks and applying the surfboard stretch. Setting up for the Bronco Buster, he received Jeff's boot to the groin! The champ made a comeback, looking for the Twist of Fate, reversed into a backslide. Jeff rolled out, and a clothesline sent both down. Shedding his shirt, Jeff ascended for the Swanton Bomb, only for the challenger to get his knees up: the X-Factor connecting! Matt got on the apron for the distraction allowing Lita to hit the flying headscissors, when Aldo Montoya ran out to attack Matt Hardy! The distraction saw Jeff look for the Twist of Fate, reversed into an inside cradle: and X-Pac stole the title!
To the dismay of Tucson, Arizona, we had witnessed a new WWF Light Heavyweight Champion crowned! X-Pac had his hand raised in victory, Lita watching on in disbelief. As Matt Hardy laid prone on the floor after a victim from Aldo Montoya of all people, Lita went over to confront the World Wrestling Federation veteran, when Lance Storm grabbed her from behind! The Canadian tossed Lita into the ring, where Aldo unmasked to reveal himself as Justin Credible all along! X-Pac connected with the Bronco Buster on Lita, to loud boos from the people. Before X-Pac, Storm and Credible could do anymore insulting damage, Jeff was able to get back up and chase the trio off. Nonetheless, X-Pac was the new champ - all thanks to Storm and Credible!
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The exterior of the new WWF Champion's dressing room was shown. The locker room door read 'the Brahma Bull's name, and up next on SmackDown - we would hear from 'the People's Champ' The Rock regarding WrestleMania X-Seven!
We returned to the sight of Jonathan Coachman standing alongside the WWF Champion The Rock, coming four nights after coming out on top and leaving No Way Out as the WWF Champion. The Coach asked Rock how great it had to feel to become a six-time WWF Champion, but Rock instead raised his palm. Ridiculing Coachman's idiotic questions, of course it felt great. The adrenaline was coursing through his veins, the endorphins were buzzing, and the Rock felt the people's butterflies floating around in his stomach. It was like an after-sex cigarette, having not only overcome two of the very best the World Wrestling Federation had to offer last Sunday night, but to stand tall knowing that for the second time in one week, he whooped Kurt Angle's candyass! Rock noted how he beat the Olympic jabroni so badly, the Rock heard that 'the Megastar' didn't even bother showing up to his show tonight. Though no matter all of the bad things he had to say about the Olympic Gold Medalist, Rock had to give credit where credit was due: he was, without a doubt, one tough hombre. But the fact of the matter was that the Rock was so much better, and above all else, was going on to headline WrestleMania!
The Coach wanted to discuss the match that the whole world was buzzing about, and the choice confrontation that we saw as RAW is WAR went off the air. 'The People's Champ' again interrupted him, telling Rock that he knows all too well about it. If there were ever two men that lived and breathed this business, it was himself...and Stone Cold Steve Austin. To make no mistake about it, Rock and Austin would never send postcards to each other, or come over and celebrate and throw dinner parties. For the better part of the past four years, himself and 'the Texas Rattlesnake' had been at arms' length. Rock remembered Austin whooping his ass at 'the Grandaddy of Them All' two years ago, and Rock remembered dumping that Texas trailer park piece of cr*p off the bridge as well. The Rock felt proud knowing they had done this before, and that they would do it again. Though unlike at WrestleMania XV, Houston will most certaintly, guaran-damn-teed have a problem once 'the Great One' and 'the Rattlesnake' prepared to lock horns one more time. The millions and millions of fans crammed into the Reliant Astrodome would feel the electricity, would walk away with adrenaline pumping and butterflies tingling, because they would all know that on that night - April 1, 2001 - it was the Rock who walked out WWF Champion. If Ya Smell What the Rock is Cookin!'
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Shane McMahon continued to walk the halls restlessly, when turning to be confronted by his sister Stephanie McMahon. With a cold expression on her face, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' furiously asked what he had to say about what he did to Vince McMahon last Monday night. What happened to Linda McMahon was nothing to do with their silly, pathetic and petty dispute. Shane tried to defend his actions, but Steph continued that they were meant to band together for their Mom's sake, but while the WWF CEO laid prone in a hospital bed, and soon slipped into a coma, Shane was busy using Dad for his own gain! Shane finally lashed out, telling Stephanie to wake up and smell the coffee: their father was not the man they thought he was. Steph admitted Dad had his flaws, but he was the Chairman, and he loved them both very much. She called Shane reprehensible, but Shane argued that what Vince was doing to their mother was reprehensible. He had ruined her life! Steph asked her brother how he slept at night, saying that Kurt Angle told her not to come to SmackDown tonight...and maybe he was right. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' made a furious exit, leaving Shane agasp. What was Shane implying?
Backstage, the newly crowned WWF Intercontinental Champion navigated the halls. A confident grin on his face, Chris Jericho complimented the make-up girl in passing. Y2J was victorious against Raven this past Sunday night at No Way Out to become a four-time champ, and was on his way to the arena.
WWF European Champion William Regal made his way to the ring as we returned to SmackDown, 'the Goodwill Ambassador' helping himself to the microphone upon entering the ring. After greeting the fans of Tucson, the Englishman made his antics known that he was here to continue rallying his fellow men. The only difference of course, was that he was a highly intellectual gentleman from the finer parts of Blackpool, England, while the rest of them were juvenile delinquents from a state known best for being in the middle of a desert! William tried to divert the boos, instead telling the people not to blame him: he was merely a British man of higher stature. Regal discussed the dreadful antics of Chris Benoit from RAW is WAR, combined to the fact that the McMahon Family was in more disarray than met the eye. As much as he respected Shane McMahon, and considered him to be a good companion to have, William hoped to be the individual responsible for bringing more class, honor and dignity to the World Wrestling Federation. As 'the Goodwill Ambassador', he believed that he could make more of the WWF, and beckoned the crowd to stand up and have their own say. The WWF European Champion concluded that he was William Regal, and that he could do such great things for this great sport. Unfortunately for 'the Goodwill Ambassador', it was the WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho who would make his way out to the stage to interrupt.
The newly crowned champ walked whilst containing his laughter, trying to make better sense of what 'the Goodwill Ambassador' was asking. Y2J mocked the British dialect and told William that hiring him to a managerial position would be quite splendid indeed. Chris Jericho's problem was that he hadn't forgotten about stick in the mud 'Willy', and how he had beaten the Brit so hard, it made him into even more of a kissass than ever before! Jericho confessed, hating to spoil Regal's rally for change, but there were far more pressing matters to attend to: and that was the fact that he was the WWF Intercontinental Champion once again, baby! No matter how much Raven huffed and puffed, it was not enough to blow this handsome, young Canadian away, and when it was through, Y2J made sure that Raven would never, ever forget No Way Out again! William was dissatisfied with Y2J's rude interruption, asking him where his manners were. Regal believed Y2J was a bloody hooligan that only ever thought about himself. Jericho called Regal out on his claim, making fun of how much 'Willy' got his ass beaten by The Rock last week on SmackDown. But since Regal wanted to hand out the worst insults this side of the pond, he acknowledged the WWF European Championship, as well as his own: challenging him to a Champion vs Champion match tonight! Regal gritted his teeth in besmirch, telling Y2J that he was on for tonight, and that when tonight was over, Y2J would have to pick bits of his boot out of his teeth! Y2J smirked, returning to the back, while Regal unbuttoned his shirt spoiling for a fight!
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Stone Cold Steve Austin was spotted leaving his dressing room when suddenly confronted by Kevin Kelly, who breathlessly tried following 'the Texas Rattlesnake' down the hallway. Kevin wanted to hear Austin's rebuttal to the WWF Champion The Rock's comments earlier tonight, when Stone Cold stopped to tell him that he had a lot on his mind, but 'the People's Champ' wasn't. He had much to say about Chris Benoit, calling him a hell-bent and relentless jackass that he did not appreciate. Together they had been to hell and back, and yet 'the Rabid Wolverine' still didn't know how to quit. Austin declared that he would make him quit tonight, if it was the last thing he did. Kevin tried to ask again about Rock, only for Austin to add that Benoit should know better than to take him on in a No-Disqualification match tonight, but the bottom line was that Stone Cold was going to stomp a mudhole in Benoit that he would never forget! Austin took off, not having a single word to say about his opponent come WrestleMania; 'the Rattlesnake' clearly focused.
3) The Brothers of Destruction def. Big Show and WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno (4:09)The night after being cost the WWF Hardcore Championship by Rhyno, the Big Show looked to call out his thought-to-be accomplice on RAW is WAR only to be met by the Undertaker. Returning from a Chokeslam through the announcer's table under one month ago, the Brothers of Destruction reunited on RAW dismantling the Radicalz in dramatic fashion. Tonight they looked to take on the strange bedfellows, Kane with an axe to grind with both 'the Giant' and 'the Man-Beast'. Rhyno and Show argued before the bell, when rushed by the half-brothers. Kane sent Rhyno from the ring with a clothesline, but 'the Deadman' and 'the Big Red Machine' were dropped with a big boot and a sidewalk slam by the 500-pounder. Big Show tagged Rhyno to stomp away on Kane, when a top rope axe handle went caught by Kane's hand. Rhyno was able to fire out and spinebuster the seven-foot monster, and he and Show formed another temporary alliance with Show stepping all over Kane, and a giant chop connecting. A vice grip saw Kane get back into the fight, and a series of throat thrusts stunned Show allowing the Undertaker to make the tag! Cleaning house of Rhyno, Undertaker handed him a tilt-a-whirl slam, before a big boot sent him from the ring. All alone, Show clotheslined both brothers before looking at a Chokeslam on 'the Deadman', only for Kane to intercept. Rhyno refused to re-enter the ring and instead took his title and left through the crowd, as the Big Show received a double Chokeslam for the Brothers of Destruction to be victorious!
The Undertaker and Kane were victorious once again tonight on SmackDown, having defeated the Big Show together. 'The American Badass' had gotten even with 'the Giant' for the Chokeslam through the announce table delivered three weeks ago, while Kane had gotten a win over his opponent from No Way Out. The Brothers of Destruction saluted the applauding crowd in Tucson over the 500-pounder's carcass, while the WWF Hardcore Champion was nowhere to be seen. Rhyno had now abandoned the Big Show - their alliance clearly over following this!
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Stephanie McMahon was seen walking the halls, apparently leaving the Tucson Convention Center after arriving not even half an hour ago. After her blowup with Shane McMahon minutes earlier, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' was a concoction of emotions when faced by Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' blocked her way to the exit, instilling fear in Stephanie as Benoit laughed back at her. Steph bravely tried to slap 'the Wolverine', only for him to take her by the wrist. Telling Stephanie that wouldn't be wise, he told her that she was born into a screwed up family. Benoit found it pathetic that she walked around like she had control of her life, when she was her father's daughter and was in the pocket of ex-WWF Champion Kurt Angle. McMahon asked him if he was going to lock her in the Crossface, but Chris continued to talk about how the WWF Championship was his for the taking, and his path to the gold started tonight with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Benoit told Steph that he would be sending 'the Texas Rattlesnake' on a one-way trip back to the surgeon's table tonight, and with WrestleMania right around the corner it would be him going to challenge The Rock. Benoit told her if Kurt Angle had anything to say about it, then she wouldn't face the Crossface...she'd be facing what her mother Linda went through last Monday night. Benoit finally released her wrist, causing Stephanie to break down in the corridor!
Stephanie McMahon was overwhelmed with emotion, sat in the corridor after an intense confrontation with 'the Rabid Wolverine'. Still reeling over the comments made by Chris Benoit moments ago, she was discovered in tears by Trish Stratus. Despite the two women's past differences, the WWF Diva was quick to comfort her, even taking a seat beside her as Steph continued to weep about the state of her family. Her Dad was nowhere to be seen after being beaten by his own son last Monday night, and her mother was in an unresponsive state in the hospital. On top of all of that, she had to deal with her boyfriend Kurt Angle's foul mood after losing the WWF Championship. Trish told Stephanie that things would get better, bringing McMahon to hug Trish for support. Opposites certainly attracted.
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The Right to Censor made their way out to the ring, to thunderous boos from the capacity crowd in Tucson. Coming after the shocking return of the thought-to-be retired 'Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna, the WWF Women's Champion Ivory headed the group of Steven Richards, Mark Henry, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan as they swept the ring and took to the microphone. 'The Role Model' told the people that they should be ashamed of themselves, for glamorizing and festishizing a filthy, broadly woman like Chyna. They encouraged her to come back from the hole in which she was hiding from, to come back to the profession in which she had nearly lost her mobility from. Lecturing the people on finding their morals and how classless the Playboy covergirl was, Ivory told the people that they knew nothing about how hard the RTC were working to repair the World Wrestling Federation. Steven Richards took over while Goodfather, Buchanan and Henry nodded in agreement, wishing to tell the tale of 'the Ninth Wonder of the World'. Everybody was enamored by her, powerful and fearless. She fought women, and emasculated men, inspiring many and believing her to be this boundary-breaking goddess! She was WWF Intercontinental Champion, she was the first female competitor to enter a Royal Rumble match - but then one day, she was defeated at last.
Steven reminded of how Ivory defeated Chyna one-two-three back at the Royal Rumble, and in Chyna's stubborn mind: she had to get revenge! The only problem was that she didn't know who she was dealing with, because she was messing with a couple of stand-up gentlemen that only want the best for sports entertainment: and that included taking the Playboy covergirl out for good! The spike piledriver nearly paralyzed her, yet here she was back again to castrate the men and humiliate the women. To stumble into pornography and release a book, to further corrupt the youth of today with her slanderous and diabolical verbiage! Steven talked about how Chyna was no role model, but Ivory was. Steven applauded Ivory's tireless efforts to make the women's division respectable for the first time ever, and talked about how she conducted herself as a fighting champion day-in and day-out! To the RTC, it was Ivory who was 'the Role Model' archetype of what women should aspire to be. Finally, Chyna had heard enough. Stomping out to the rampway with boyfriend Billy Gunn by her side, the couple surveyed the grimacing Right to Censor organization from afar. 'The One' Billy Gunn remarked how nice a speech they delivered, but the truth was that there was no RTC member that could keep his girl down for long! Billy reminded the Right to Censor of how he had beaten each of their asses before, but there was one stray exception to that: and it was the WWF Women's Champion Ivory!
'The Ninth Wonder of the World' was handed the microphone, as she told 'the Role Model' that she cashed a lot of cheques she couldn't write. Condescending her frolicking and fooling around as the champ, she considered her rival a hypocrite. By making young women confused about who to believe, discouraging them from heeding Chyna's own words and forbidding their rights to freedom of expression: it was all a part of the RTC's lies! Chyna argued women should do as they please, and wear whatever they want, and that despite the RTC's best efforts to take everything away from her - including doing what she loves most, and competing - she was back. The spike piledriver received five weeks ago might have changed her life, and she may be a different human being now over who she was - but she was still here, and she wanted the WWF Women's Championship! Ivory bellowed that Chyna didn't deserve another shot, having beaten her back at the Royal Rumble. Ivory was sickened by 'the Ninth Wonder of the World's audacity to skip the long line and throw her name in the hat as a contender, but Debra soon made her way out to the stage! The WWF Divas Ambassador had been listening, and both had raised excellent points: but she knew that Chyna wanted revenge, which is why at WrestleMania - Chyna would get her title shot at Ivory! The RTC were furious, while Billy smooched Chyna who smiled at Ivory from the stage!
Following a replay of the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship victory earlier tonight, X-Pac was seen celebrating by polishing the title he now held so dearly. Surprised immediately by Lance Storm and Justin Credible, Justin laughed and joked with the Aldo Montoya mask around his face! Pouring X-Pac in champagne, he drank from the bottle whilst Storm drank from a sophisticated glass. Together the trio laughed and gloated in the Hardy Boyz coming up short once again tonight! The three laughed and joked about how good things did happen to good people. X-Pac brought the team in to consider the perspective of their career trajectories. He and Justin went back a long way, to the days of the 1-2-3 Kid and Aldo Montoya. Lance Storm had worked his way up from Calgary, Alberta, Canada - from bingo halls to sold-out coliseums! But now they were united, they were on a roll, and X-Pac had the gold! 'The Man' considered it a sign that things can turn around, and how this was their second chance. X-Pac concluded that D-Generation X might be long gone, dead and buried - but X-Factor would rise from the ashes. Throwing up the Kliq fingers, the three saluted before resuming their celebration.
. 4) WWF European Champion William Regal def. WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho (5:15)In a meeting of the champions, the new WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho had crossed William Regal earlier tonight, interrupting his rally for change. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' believed the World Wrestling Federation deserved better than the McMahon Family War that had broken out, but it came at the price of being ridiculed by Y2J. Having beaten Raven to win the title at No Way Out, Chris Jericho hit the ring and buried the Englishman in right hands. Regal fired back with elbows, but Jericho engaged with a flying forearm. Out to the apron, the Brit hit the floor following the springboard dropkick! As the Englishman went besmirched, Y2J welcomed him back inside. Surprising the Canadian with armdrags, Jericho responded with armdrags of his own. A hurricanrana was attempted, but Regal powerbombed him down with a thud! Regal grounded Y2J targeting his neck on the mat. Fans rooted for Y2J while the WWF European Champion changed stance and drove his knees into the temple. Y2J fired up once more, able to take William down. Jericho hit a backbreaker and followed with the bulldog when Regal got his knees up on the Lionsault! The Regal Cutter connected, but Jericho kicked out at two! William sized him up for the raised knee strike, but Y2J caught him in the Walls of Jericho! Raven's theme music hit - but Tori instead wandered out to the stage, as despondent as ever. Y2J looked with disgust, when Regal rolled him up with the tights to steal the win!
The main squeeze of Raven looked blankly at the ring, wearing an oversized hoodie and watching Chris Jericho with an absent look on her face. Tori was clearly here for mind games, but as Chris Jericho scrambled to seek revenge on the WWF European Champion for stealing the win, Y2J would look back at her in spite. William Regal grabbed his title and raised it high, proud and pleased with the performance put into tonight's victory. The WWF Intercontinental Champion's reign was still young, but the defeat had to sting, and somewhere Raven had to be watching and waiting for his revenge.
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Shane McMahon was in his office on the phone with a doctor, when suddenly Stone Cold Steve Austin came bursting into the room! Shane frantically stood up and told the doc he would call back, but 'the Texas Rattlesnake' abruptly snatched the telephone away and hurled it at the wall! Shane O'Mac was livid, he was getting an update on how Linda McMahon was doing. 'The Rattlesnake' told Shane that he was done, that with all due respect to his WWF CEO mother, he would forever be nothing but a snake in the grass jackass! Shane asked Austin what more he could do - he had Chris Benoit to himself tonight in a No-Disqualification match, what more could he want? Austin relented, saying that was his problem. He knew that each and every single McMahon wanted a piece of 'the Rabid Wolverine' for himself. Austin warned Shane that if he saw he or Stephanie McMahon even think about getting involved in his business with Benoit - Austin would not hesitate to whoop somebody's sorry ass tonight! Shane encouraged Steve to beat the holy hell out of 'the Wolverine' tonight, but Stone Cold didn't take permission from anyone. Pointing the finger, Austin told Shane that tonight wasn't about Linda, it wasn't even about the McMahons. This was about Stone Cold opening up a can of whoopass on Chris Benoit that he would never ever forget! Austin stomped out of the ring - the main event was up next!
We returned to the sight of 'the Big Red Machine' Kane and the new WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno duking it out in the backstage area! The seven-foot monster had tracked down 'the Man-Beast as he lurked the halls, and a referee was there to count the fall as Kane levelled the mysterious newcomer with a broom shot to the head! Kane looked to follow up, when Kaientai entered the fray only for Kane to swat them each away with throat thrusts! Kane pursued a crawling Rhyno down the hall, when Al Snow dared to jump Kane from behind! Essa Rios and Joe E. Legend tried to get involved too, while Too Cool began to double-team Rhyno with rights and lefts. Suddenly the Undertaker opened the door and joined the fray: fighting side-by-side with his half-brother Kane! As Rhyno was able to make a getaway, the Brothers of Destruction left a line of WWF Superstars laying right there in the hallway area! The WWF Hardcore Champion may have escaped, but Kane was not yet finished with 'the Man-Beast'. The half-brothers fist bumped, coolly leaving the scene.
. 5) Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Chris Benoit in a No-Disqualification match (10:19)
Since 'the Texas Rattlesnake' returned from career-threatening neck surgery last Fall, he had been at constant odds with Chris Benoit. Stone Cold Steve Austin and 'the Rabid Wolverine' had battled endlessly, from the Non-Sanctioned war at No Mercy, to the instant classic on RAW is WAR one month ago. After the win by Chris Benoit and Shane McMahon at No Way Out against Stone Cold and Vince McMahon, 'the Wolverine' had grown power hungry. Determined to headline WrestleMania himself and capture the WWF Championship, Benoit was a man possessed. Not only damaging the shoulder of the Chairman with the Crossface, but threatening Stephanie and Shane McMahon. But most despicably of all, Benoit was majorly responsible for the comatose state of WWF CEO Linda McMahon, after the Crossface on RAW is WAR. Benoit even tried to involve himself in The Rock and Kurt Angle's WWF Championship match last Monday night, only to be cleared from the ring by 'the Rattlesnake'. As Rock prepared to meet Stone Cold at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', Austin first had to overcome Chris Benoit one more time - in No-Disqualification!
The cunning and sadistic smirk of 'the Rabid Wolverine' would go shunned once Stone Cold Steve Austin made his arrival, and Chris Benoit immediately met him out on the floor for a fist fight. Overwhelmed, the battle returned to the ring where Austin would drop Benoit with the Lou Thesz press, only for Benoit to kick him away. A kitchen sink knee to the gut allowed Benoit time, and the fight returned back outside. Chopping Austin against the barricade, he sent him into the ring post head first before rapidly swinging his shoulder against it! Benoit had said he wanted to send Austin back to the operating table, as Benoit applied pressure with his boot against the ring post. Austin roped Benoit back into the post skull-first, and he would follow suit with a brutal series of chair shots to the spine! The battle reached the crowd, the brawl legally ongoing in the stands of the Tucson Convention Center. It was a fight to settle the score, as Benoit looked for a suplex on the concrete floor only to go reversed! The fight returned ringside, where Austin dropped Benoit over the announce table before coming off the barricade with a sharp elbow drop! The table didn't break, but Austin was more concerned with making sure Benoit never involved himself again. Unexpectedly, Benoit sent the Texan into a cameraman with a drop toe hold, and then used the highly-expensive television camera to blast Austin in the back of the head!
A wound was opened up on the temple of 'the Texas Rattlesnake', and Chris Benoit grossly began biting away at it, before sending him back inside. Three German suplexes left Stone Cold Steve Austin motionless in the ring, yet Chris again refused to make a cover. Instead cranking his forearm across his own throat, Benoit climbed to the top rope for the Diving Headbutt - but Austin was able to roll out of the way! 'The Rattlesnake' came back with right hands, before stomping a mudhole in Benoit in the corner. Cursing the Canadian's name, Benoit again tried kicking away, but his attempt at a Sharpshooter would go reversed as Austin applied once of his own! Benoit groaned in pain, but the best technical wrestler in the game was able to make the rope. A low blow allowed Benoit to connect with a shoulderbreaker, before laughing at the sheer sight of Austin down and hurting. Propping a steel chair over Austin's chest, Benoit went for the Diving Headbutt again - but Austin this time got the chair up in Benoit's face! A second steel chair shot sent Benoit through a loop, when Stone Cold sized his rival up for the Stunner - only for Benoit to catch the boot! Taking Austin down with the Crossface, Stone Cold had nowhere to go until he was able to reach for the steel chair, jabbing Benoit with it between the eyes! A brutal battle came to the close, as Benoit blindly walked into the Stunner, giving Austin the win!
Despite the ferociousness of 'the Rabid Wolverine', Stone Cold Steve Austin had walked away in victory against Chris Benoit in this No-Disqualification encounter! Benoit had been beaten, but rolled out to the floor in a daze while 'the Texas Rattlesnake' had his hand raised in victory. Backstage Shane McMahon watched keenly from his television monitor, a slight smirk on his face. After what Benoit did to his mother Linda McMahon on Monday night, it had to feel euphoric for the equally-troubled Shane O'Mac. In the ring, Stone Cold celebrated with some Steveweisers as a job well done - when the WWF Champion The Rock came stomping down to the ring!
'The People's Champ' stood across the ring from a fully aware 'Texas Rattlesnake', with WrestleMania one month to the day away. For the second time in one week, The Rock stood opposite Stone Cold Steve Austin, and 'the Rattlesnake' innocuously offered a beer to 'the Great One'. The WWF Champion raised an eyebrow, as the intensity increased. Tucson was in disarray, as Rock finally took the can and cracked it - before cracking a beer with Austin! It was a beer bash ahead of 'the Grandaddy of Them All' to come, as Rock and Austin tensely stared one another down - culminating in a toast that went received. WrestleMania X-Seven in the Reliant Astrodome was sure to be off the charts! |
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Post by DTP. on Feb 27, 2021 17:45:25 GMT -5
Jakked - March 3, 2001
America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast on syndication
Taped on February 26, 2001The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena where Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to WWF Jakked, just under a week removed from WWF No Way Out, for another night of action and highlights from the past week!
1) Joe E. Legend def. Al Snow (4:21)Al Snow and Joe E. Legend both found themselves recipients of a beating from the Brothers of Destruction last Thursday night on SmackDown, as they aimed to pursue the new WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno in the backstage area. Al Snow hoped to capture his first victory since returning from elbow surgery undergone in December, while Joe E. Legend hoped to desperately gain some momentum. Al cradled Legend off an opening handshake to start, before surprising him with a belly-to-belly suplex and a series of headbutt strikes. Joe E. cut him off with a clothesline before drilling him with a death valley driver for a near fall. Egotistical in his own right, Joe E. grew aggressive before applying a sleeper hold that Snow soon fought from. Making a comeback Snow delivered a missile dropkick before hitting the Snow Plow - only for Joe E. to get his foot on the bottom rope. Snow decided to revert to his Head Cheese days: targeting Legend with the dragon sleeper. Instead Joe E. was able to butt him off in the corner, when a sudden Hospital Job allowed Legend to pick up the win. Snow was despondent, facing yet another loss.
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Post by DTP. on Feb 28, 2021 11:04:24 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Mar 1, 2021 11:42:41 GMT -5
Sunday Night Heat - March 4, 2001
Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona
Broadcast on MTV - Live from WWF New York
Taped on February 27, 2001 The opening video package aired, cutting to outside of WWF New York, where the streets of the Big Apple looked cold and frosty on a wintery Sunday evening, but the action was hot inside of the entertainment complex! From New York City, New York, Michael Cole and Tazz welcomed us to Sunday Night Heat, with No Way Out now in the rear-view mirror. We were officially on the heels of WrestleMania X-Seven, live on pay-per-view in four weeks time!
The crowd inside of WWF New York crowded the co-hosts from their desk, as Michael Cole and Tazz talked about the official announcement that the two men headlining WrestleMania from the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas would be none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin, challenging for the WWF Championship against The Rock. 'The One Man Crime Scene' spoke eagerly about the entire locker room, and the rest of the world that would be watching the days count down to April 1, and how it would be off the chain. Michael began to talk about what was in store for Heat tonight, as in his first appearance since losing out on his WWF Championship rematch on RAW is WAR six nights ago, Kurt Angle would be live and in living color!
The theme of Kaientai interrupted Michael Cole and Tazz, bringing out the unscheduled-to-appear Taka Michinoku and Funaki! The Japanese natives laughed with microphones in hands, their dubbed voices giving New York City an unexpected treat! Taka cackled as he called Michael and Tazz foolish, how WWF Sunday Night Heat was not their house at all - it was Kaientai's! Michinoku spoke of invading the Big Apple tonight, and conquering the World Wrestling Federation's home base in one foul swoop: because they were EVIL! Funaki breathed the word "INDEED" when a small crew of security caused the WWF Superstars to bail from the set. Michael Cole was baffled, while Tazz was furious at the rude interruption from the Japanese!1) Lance Storm and Justin Credible def. Too Cool (3:44)SmackDown this past Thursday night saw a new WWF Light Heavyweight Champion crowned in X-Pac, after defeating Jeff Hardy of the Hardy Boyz with the unexpected assistance of Lance Storm and Justin Credible. The new trio on the scene, apparently known as 'X-Factor' came together after what they perceived to be years of disrespect from those throughout the sports entertainment industry, though Justin and Lance arrogantly walked the rampway with Credible donning his Aldo Montoya mask. The former WWF Tag Team Champions looked to score a big win on the well-travelled team, Too Cool starting hot with a double hiptoss to Credible. Scotty 2 Hotty danced with the Montoya mask on, when a battle emerged at ringside culminating with Storm sending Grandmaster Sexay into the steel steps! Lance grounded Sexay in the ring with a kneebar applied, when Credible came in to mockingly slap at the head of Sexay. Confiscating his goggles, Justin donned them insultingly before Sexay surprised him with a missile dropkick from the second rope! A downward spiral saw Sexay make the tag to Scotty, coming in hot with rights and lefts for both men. A diving DDT hit on Storm, when Credible broke it up. Sexay flew in with a clothesline sending both out to the floor! Meanwhile, a bulldog connected and the Worm was in motion - when Credible blasted him with a super kick! Sexay dragged Justin to the floor, but Storm followed with a super kick of his own for the win over Scotty!
Lance Storm and Justin Credible had picked up another victory tonight on Sunday Night Heat, two-thirds of X-Factor in celebratory moods after putting away the combination of Too Cool, two former WWF Tag Team Champions. Scotty 2 Hotty was checked on by Grandmaster Sexay, while the victors taunted them from the floor. X-Factor continued to impress, now aligned with the new WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac!
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After being rudely interrupted by Kaientai moments prior, Michael Cole and Tazz hoped to get the ball rolling on the scheduled Sunday Night Heat format once more. Talking up a big main event in store for one-half of the APA, Bradshaw, who hoped to get his hands on Eddie Guerrero in singles action, they also announced that the Fighting Holly Cousins would meet the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan of the Right to Censor, and that Al Snow would continue to seek his first win since returning from injury against K-Kwik!
Cameras cut backstage at WWF New York, showing the sight of the former WWF Champion Kurt Angle arriving at the entertainment complex. He lost the WWF Championship after a momentous 169-day reign at No Way Out to The Rock, but then failed to recapture the title twenty-four hours later. Having been absent from SmackDown this past week, 'the Megastar' looked to get a load off of his mind as he shook his head in disgust. Up next, we would hear from the Olympic Gold Medalist!
An advertisement aired, taking us back to 1985. The Grandaddy of Them All was in its infantile stages of development, as on March 31, 1985 the world laid eyes on the first ever WrestleMania. Live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Vince McMahon welcomed us to a historic event that saw the stars align. Muhammad Ali, Cyndi Lauper and Liberace were just some of the major celebrities of the time on hand to witness Hulk Hogan team with Mr. T to overcome Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the main event. Little did they know then, that WrestleMania would become a global phenomenon, celebrated still seventeen years on!
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Live on stage in WWF New York walked the disgruntled former WWF Champion. Kurt Angle snarled at the mixed ovation he received, 'the Megastar' here alone tonight. No Stephanie McMahon in sight, the once-leader of the Coalition now stood without his faction, and without the richest prize in the business - the WWF Championship. 'The Megastar' talked about the fans being comprised of a bunch of ingrates, how nobody appreciated him despite the fact he wore gold medals around his neck. They were the same gold medals that he won in the 1996 Olympics with a broken freaking neck! Angle poured his heart out about carrying the World Wrestling Federation on that same neck for 169 days, and that he had accomplished so much more in less than two years than a lot of the New Yorkers in attendance would ever! Angle called himself more celebrated an athlete than the entire team of the New York Yankees, and that he was already an all-time great! In fact, he was a future Hall of Famer for the past seven months alone. The entertainment complex booed profusely as Kurt bragged about how there wasn't one WWF Superstar walking this company better than him, and that nobody wore the gold like he did - much like no other man, woman or child wore the red, white and blue better than him!
Recounting the incidents that took place both at No Way Out one week ago, and the "travesty" that saw him deprived of the WWF Championship six nights ago on RAW is WAR, Kurt Angle called it a conspiracy to separate him from the richest prize in the business. Merely weeks away from WrestleMania, nobody deserved to headline the Grandaddy of Them All more than Kurt Angle! Demanding justice, the Olympic Gold Medalist demanded one more opportunity to get back to where he once was. Michael Cole took the opportunity to come onto the stage, simply wanting to get his thoughts on the ever-changing state of the McMahon Family. Given he was without his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon tonight, Michael hoped to understand their relationship better. Angle was more dismissive, saying as much as he cared and adored Steph - he was a grown man, and she was a grown woman. Believing Stephanie to understand the kind of competitive individual he was, she knew exactly how gifted and committed he was to his ultimate goal of headlining WrestleMania. While he heard that Linda McMahon was awake and resting in the hospital right now, Angle explained that his situation did not involve his mother-in-law. This wasn't about how Linda was doing, how Vince McMahon was doing, nor even Stephanie or Shane - whom he cared about deeply. This was about what Kurt Angle thought was right, it's true. Angle dropped the microphone to boos, showboating and motioning that he would get his title back yet, in time for WrestleMania.
On the topic of the McMahon Family, a video package aired recapping the most dysfunctional tag team battle perhaps of all-time from No Way Out one week ago. Chris Benoit and Shane McMahon were victorious against Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, though it was 'the Rabid Wolverine' who proceeded to alienate all McMahons by clamping the Crossface on WWF CEO Linda McMahon six nights ago on RAW is WAR. Linda remained in a coma and was hospitalized immediately, while Vince and Shane hoped to get even with 'the Crippler'. It was all a set-up, as Shane would leave his own father bloodied and laying in the backstage corridor before Shane took leadership of the World Wrestling Federation this past Thursday on SmackDown. While Benoit similarly tried to intimidate Shane and Stephanie, it was Stone Cold who would clean house of 'the Wolverine', much to Shane O'Mac's amusement. Nobody had heard anything about the Chairman since Shane blind-sighted him, but would he make an appearance tomorrow night on RAW?
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In the kitchen area of the restaurant complex in WWF New York, Kaientai were seen messing around with knives and forks to the frustration of the chefs. Finally the head chef spoke up in his thick New York accent, demanding Taka Michinoku and Funaki remove themselves from his kitchen! Taka mocked the head chef's meathead machismo, believing sushi should always be a permanent fixture on their menus! Taka mused they could name a special dish after the future WWF Tag Team Champions Kaientai, because they planned to chop up the competition better than they ever could dream! Funaki added: INDEED. Finally the restaurant manager came stomping in with a towel in hand, shooing Taka and Funaki out of the doors!
A video package aired, taking us back to last Sunday at No Way Out. In the heat of a Triple Threat war over the World Wrestling Federation Championship, Triple H was inches away from defeating Kurt Angle and The Rock to become a four-time WWF Champion. Planning the ultimate redemption after losing it all over the months prior, 'the Game' was seconds from victory when Shawn Michaels made a mind-blowing return, going on to blast his longtime friend with Sweet Chin Music. Costing his fellow founder of D-Generation X the WWF Championship saw 'the Cerebral Assassin' walk into RAW is WAR the following night full of fire. Incensed by what HBK did to him, having been lied to, almost framed for running down Stone Cold Steve Austin, and soon abandoning him just like X-Pac, Triple H simply demanded Shawn show up and face the music. Instead, crickets chirped and Shawn never showed his face. Tomorrow night on RAW is WAR, 'the Game' hopes to call out 'the Heartbreak Kid' one more time!
. 2) The Fighting Holly Cousins (w/Molly Holly) def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/Mark Henry) (4:11)'The Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna's return to the World Wrestling Federation this past Monday on RAW is WAR saw Ivory left a deer in headlights, awaiting the WWF Women's Championship defence against the Playboy covergirl come WrestleMania. The Fighting Holly Cousins had a score to settle with the Right to Censor, after 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry manhandled Molly Holly at No Way Out. Hardcore and Crash wanted revenge, and a four-man brawl with the RTC started things off with Crash reversing a sidewalk slam into a bulldog on Bull Buchanan. The younger Holly connected with ten punches in the corner, when a distraction from Mark Henry saw Buchanan drop him with a falling powerbomb! Goodfather and Buchanan stomped away at Crash, ganging up with a series of corner splashes. Mark mouthed off at Molly, who showed no fear. Molly feistily pointed the finger at Mark at ringside, until he crushed her finger with his hand! Hardcore hammered Henry ringside, while Crash reversed Goodfather with a headscissors, and hit Bull with a dropkick! Hardcore came in with a missile dropkick and a sidewalk slam to the RTC members, a diving legdrop for Buchanan! Hardcore challenged the 400-pounder to enter the ring, and Mark showed no sign of backing down. But it was a set-up, as Bull came from behind. Crash swept in with a tornado DDT, and Goodfather tried scooping Hardcore up for the death valley driver, only for it to go reversed into the Alabama Slam for three!
The Fighting Holly Cousins had pulled off a big win against the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan tonight on Sunday Night Heat, much to the chagrin of an agitated Mark Henry at ringside. While the Right to Censor absorbed the loss inside, Molly Holly again decided to confront 'the Secret Weapon' at ringside, desperate to get her hands on the chuckling 400-pounder. Hardcore and Crash argued about who to stick up for Molly before realizing, and acted quickly to restrain their female cousin from the fight. Mark backed away with the RTC, while Molly gritted her teeth with anger. She was not a woman to be toyed with!
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Back at their desk in WWF New York, Michael Cole and Tazz discussed a loss in the family at the World Wrestling Federation this week, as this past Thursday night on SmackDown saw Michael joined on commentary by none other than 'the One Man Crime Scene' Tazz. Jerry 'the King' Lawler had decided to give notice to the company, and the two co-hosts wished Jerry the best in his future endeavors. Tazz had different plans in mind, instead deciding to bask in Jerry's absence. The Tazz Show was back, and he believed that SmackDown would be off the chain each and every week now that 'the King' was gone. Michael couldn't believe the disrespect shown by Tazz.
Backstage at the arena, the Radicalz were gathered in their dressing room as led by Eddie Guerrero. 'Latino Heat' was advising Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko about getting "back to basics". For months they had been trailing, but he knew the Radicalz were better than that. He was the one that was a former WWF European Champion, a former WWF Intercontinental Champion. Wanting to get Saturn and Malenko back on track, Eddie didn't understand the deal with "that bimbo" Terri. Suddenly, Terri was seen entering the room with her jaw dropped at 'Latino Heat's comments! 'The She-Devil' was ready to pounce in anger, but Saturn was quick to restrain her and take her from the room. Eddie voiced his concerns with Bradshaw to Malenko, telling him that the big dumb Texan might have had back-up on Monday night in the Brothers of Destruction, though he wouldn't tonight. Why? Because there was only one of him, and three of the Radicalz. Dean smirked as Eddie left for the changing room, but how effective would the Radicalz be now they were getting back to basics?
Back live from WWF New York, Kaientai were seen bothering people in the green room with their loud and obnoxious laughter. Pouring themselves juice from the thermos, Funaki spat the orange from his mouth as though he was Triple H. Taka laughed and proclaimed the two of them "comedic geniuses". In Taka Michinoku's mind, they should be the co-hosts of Sunday Night Heat, meeting all of the WWF Superstars, all of the celebrities and the WWF Divas. Funaki's eyes were falling out of his head at the thought. Finally, the two were sent running from the room again as security showed up to send them packing!
. 3) K-Kwik def. Al Snow (4:00)Ever since being sidelined by a broken wrist last December, Al Snow had lost a step inside of the squared circle. Returning to action several weeks ago, the former multiple-time WWF Hardcore Champion was yet to score a win but was persistent enough to try once more tonight against K-Kwik. The rapper from North Carolina rapped at the issues Snow was having finding victory in the World Wrestling Federation, causing Al to clap and laugh along. Looking for a handshake, K-Dawg reluctantly accepted before being roped right in for a small package! Snow apologized for deceiving him, but K-Dawg immediately fired away at Snow before taking him down with an axe kick for a near fall. Snow bailed out to the floor, when K-Kwik aimed and missed the baseball slide. A clothesline on the floor allowed Al to take control, a backbreaker getting a near fall. Snow looked for a tilt-a-whirl only for K-Kwik to reverse into a hurricanrana, but the scissors' kick would go averted: a sit-out powerbomb giving Al another near fall. Snow missed the moonsault off the top rope, when K-Kwik looked for the Mic Check. Instead, Al hit the Snow Plow! The cover was made, but the rapper made his foot to the bottom rope! In disbelief, Snow defiantly looked for the dragon sleeper, only for K-Kwik to roll into a covering predicament - to take the win!
Al Snow rolled out moments after the three count was made, left appalled at being outsmarted once again here tonight by K-Kwik! Al's desperate trickery had no effect on the rapper tonight, leaving Snow winless still, since returning to the ring from wrist injury last month! K-Dawg celebrated and gyrated at ringside knowingly, the fans around him loving every second. What would it take for Al Snow to score a win?
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Tazz laughed at Al Snow's expense in WWF New York, 'the One Man Crime Scene' asking Michael Cole why he ever took a chance bringing that dork in to co-host Sunday Night Heat over him. Michael reluctantly claimed that he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Tazz in a match, causing the thug to go off on a tangent about beating Al to take his spot hosting Sunday Night Heat. Michael shifted gears to discuss the Brothers of Destruction's complex situation with the likes of two egos in the Big Show and new WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno, summarizing that tomorrow night on RAW is WAR would see the Undertaker battle the Big Show in a Falls Count Anywhere match, while Kane would challenge 'the Man-Beast' for the WWF Hardcore Championship.
Leaving the entertainment complex's halls was Kurt Angle, continuing to shake his head in disgust at the wretched ovation he received from WWF New York tonight. The former WWF Champion stopped in his tracks however, upon seeing Kaientai starstruck by the sheer sight of him. 'The Megastar' demanded to know what Taka Michinoku and Funaki's deal was, when Taka talked the Olympic Gold Medalist being a true 'American Hero', a flagbearer of the World Wrestling Federation, and one of the very best WWF Superstars around. Angle believed it was true, when Michinoku added that after last week, Kurt was now a loser! Kaientai laughed obnoxiously in the face of a furious Olympic, causing Kurt to scream he didn't need or deserve this shoddy treatment! Storming out of the fire exit, Angle was heckled by a small crowd of people outside of WWF New York, causing Kurt more frustration and anger! Losing the WWF Championship was the Olympian's worst nightmare.
A video package aired, taking us back to the 2001 Royal Rumble where Stone Cold Steve Austin went full-circle and became a three-time winner of the 30-man race. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' was cemented to meet the WWF Champion in the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven in his home state of Houston, Texas - but it was only last Sunday where his opponent was confirmed. The Rock captured his sixth WWF Championship at No Way Out defeating Triple H and Kurt Angle, and the following night on RAW is WAR saw him retain the richest prize in the business against 'the Megastar'. Only then, Stone Cold came stomping out to the ring. A fierce staredown shook the building to its very core as Austin and Rock went head to head, and similar would take place on SmackDown this past Thursday. Stone Cold put away Chris Benoit in a tense No-Disqualification encounter, when The Rock made his way out to the ring. Another confrontation took place, the heat able to be cut with a knife, as Austin and Rock stunningly engaged in a beer bash. The calm before the storm had happened, but what would happen in the main event of the Showcase of the Immortals?
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Having invaded WWF New York and ran havoc all night long, Kaientai took to the stage of the entertainment complex to the amused reactions of the jam-packed crowd. Taka Michinoku cackled at how evil they truly were, having infiltrated the World Wrestling Federation's resources, and taken over like nobody had ever taken over before! Funaki echoed this sentiment with a simple INDEED, while Taka elaborated that they could not wait to return to their homeland as the adorned heroes they were. World domination was on Kaientai's minds, and once they reached the top of the tag team division, the world would know that they were absolutely EVIL! Taka gloated about how handsome he and Funaki were, to which Funaki grinningly nodded. Moments later, the two were swept off of the stage by the same crew of security that had been hunting them down all night long! Taka demanded a time-out, how he needed to catch his breath. A tense few seconds went by, as security circled the duo onstage. Opportunistically, Taka leapt off the stage into the crowd! Funaki strategically outstepped the security team, allowing Kaientai to escape from WWF New York following an apparently successful invasion of Sunday Night Heat!
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Michael Cole and Tazz surmised that Kaientai were not the scientific geniuses Taka Michinoku and Funaki liked themselves to be. Mocking the security team in force here at WWF New York, 'the One Man Crime Scene' was in disbelief at their incompetence, and claimed to know more intelligent squads of guys back home in the Red-Hook section of Brooklyn, New York. Tazz advised giving the World Wrestling Federation his gangs' numbers, while Cole mused WrestleMania being merely four weeks away. Taking the time to thank Limp Bizkit for lending their theme song "My Way", the music video was aired in its entirety.
In the lonely APA Office, Bradshaw was sat backwards on a steel chair taping his wrists for battle. Having been jumped by the Radicalz and outsmarted by Eddie Guerrero several times over the past week, last Monday night on RAW is WAR saw the Texan claim revenge with the assistance of the Brothers of Destruction. Now, he was prepared to fight 'Latino Heat' tonight, knowing Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko would be in Eddie's corner. Faarooq out injured, Bradshaw glanced up from his wrists to see Jacqueline knock and enter the room. The WWF Diva brashly told Bradshaw he could count on her having his back, claiming she couldn't stand the Radicalz. The beer drinker told her he was sick and tired of people thinking they can push this tough, Texan bastard around. Faarooq might be out hurt, but tonight he would be watching on proud, as Bradshaw taught that Mexican punk a lesson. The APA didn't just stand for the Acolyte Protection Agency - it also stood for Always Pounding Ass!
We returned to the restaurant area, where Kaientai intruded peoples' meals by rushing the scene in an attempt to escape security! Funaki used a wooden chair taken from clientele to tame two security guards, when Taka shot past them causing security to run into each other. Funaki and Taka made for the back exit of WWF New York, the two showboating having invaded WWF Sunday Night Heat: and survived to tell the tale! It could not have been a more successful heist in the Japanese duo's minds.
. 4) Eddie Guerrero (w/The Radicalz) def. Bradshaw (w/Jacqueline) (3:28)'Latino Heat' was back in business with his old running buddies the Radicalz, but together they had made an imposing enemy out of one-half of the APA, Bradshaw. Hoping to get Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko back on track after an underwhelming few months, to the chagrin of Terri they accompanied Guerrero to the ring tonight, while Bradshaw was joined by longtime accomplice Jacqueline. Faarooq was out with a knee injury, but was sure to be watching as Bradshaw stormed Eddie early and caused him to bail from the ring quick! The Texan hoped to get his hands on Eddie immediately, just for Saturn and Malenko to allow Eddie to jump him from behind on the floor off the distraction. Guerrero looked for a crossbody off the top rope, only to be caught with a fallaway slam giving Bradshaw a near fall! Continuing to hammer him, the Texan wanted to avenge the backstage assault suffered last week, when Saturn allowed Eddie to chopblock him from behind. Eddie grabbed a heel hook to ground the powerhouse, soon stomping and beating on his foot some more. Bradshaw was able to punch out, a powerslam scoring a two count. A diving shoulder block connected, setting him up for a powerbomb when Terri got on the apron to distract the Texan! Bradshaw's eyes were on his former love interest, when Jackie dragged 'the She-Devil' down to the floor for a fight! With the referee's eyes adrift, Saturn and Malenko slid in to hit the total elimination on Bradshaw, allowing Eddie to go up top and score the Frog Splash for the three count!
The Radicalz had stolen another win against Bradshaw, Eddie Guerrero joined by Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko in raising his hands high. 'Latino Heat' had said he was looking to bring the Radicalz back on track, and the numbers game advantage had allowed it to come to pass. Bradshaw tried to recover after the bell, only for Guerrero, Saturn and Malenko to put the boots to him despite the referee's admonishing words. Suddenly Jacqueline climbed into the ring, prepared to fight the Radicalz all at once, hoping to stick up for her drinking buddy Bradshaw! The chauvinistic Malenko backed an imposing Saturn off, hoping to charm the former WWF Women's Champion, only to receive a right hook from the WWF Diva!
Jacqueline swung for Perry Saturn only for Eddie Guerrero to grab her from behind with a waistlock. Jackie squirmed in the amused 'Latino Heat's grip, when Terri suddenly tackled Jackie! Ramming her head into the canvas, 'the She-Devil' continued to slap away at the face of the veteran WWF Diva! Finally Saturn looked to pull Terri off, while Eddie was amazed at Terri's ferociousness! Terri lifted Jackie's shirt and removed her belt, whipping her across the back aggressively until Bradshaw stumbled to make the save. The Radicalz bailed from the ring, while Eddie hugged Terri and raised her hand! Terri was one of the boys in the Radicalz having won Guerrero's trust, while Bradshaw and a seething Jackie were left in the ring plotting revenge for another day!
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We returned to the desk in WWF New York, where Michael Cole and Tazz discussed what just happened, with 'the One Man Crime Scene' believing that Jacqueline got what was coming to her! Michael discussed RAW is WAR live tomorrow night from the Nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. We were on the Road to WrestleMania, and the stakes could not be higher for The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin! Next week Cole touted they would be joined by the Hardy Boyz and Lita for a sitdown interview, plus D-Lo Brown would be in the house! What could happen tomorrow night on RAW? |
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Post by DTP. on Mar 3, 2021 7:35:32 GMT -5
 WWF Live! - March 3-4, 2001March 3, 2001 - Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, Massachusetts:
- Too Cool def. T&A
- Billy Gunn def. Mark Henry
- Ivory (c) def. Lita & Molly Holly to retain the WWF Women's Championship.
- William Regal (c) def. Al Snow to retain the WWF European Championship.
- The Undertaker def. Big Show in a Street Fight.
- The Fighting Holly Cousins def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan
- Bradshaw def. Eddie Guerrero
- Rhyno (c) def. Kane to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship.
- Edge and Christian (c) def. The Hardy Boyz, The Dudley Boyz & The Radicalz in an elimination match to retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.
- Chris Jericho (c) def. Chris Benoit to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
- Too Cool def. T&A
- X-Pac (c) def. Essa Rios to retain the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.
- The Fighting Holly Cousins def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan by disqualification.
- Rhyno (c) def. Kane to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship.
- The Hardy Boyz def. Lance Storm and Justin Credible
- Mark Henry def. K-Kwik
- Ivory (c) def. Molly Holly to retain the WWF Women's Championship.
- Triple H def. Chris Benoit
March 4, 2001 - First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania:
- The Haas Brothers def. Steve Bradley and Scott Vick
- Jacqueline def. Trish Stratus
- William Regal (c) def. Billy Gunn to retain the WWF European Championship.
- Chris Jericho (c) def. Raven to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
- The Radicalz def. Bradshaw, Al Snow and Steve Blackman
- D-Lo Brown def. Joe E. Legend
- Edge and Christian (c) def. The Dudley Boyz in a Tables match to retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.
- The Undertaker def. Big Show
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Post by DTP. on Mar 4, 2021 12:34:52 GMT -5
RAW is WAR - March 5, 2001
MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
Live on TNN
A video package aired, taking us back to last week. With No Way Out in the rearview mirror, we were now on the Road to WrestleMania. The Grandaddy of Them All awaiting just weeks away, the main event was established: Stone Cold Steve Austin challenging The Rock for the WWF Championship in 'the Texas Rattlesnake's home state of Houston, Texas. The two met face to face twice last week, following The Rock's successful title retention against the former champ Kurt Angle on RAW is WAR, and again following Austin's hard-fought win against Chris Benoit in a No-Disqualification match on SmackDown. Meanwhile, the McMahon Family situation continued to shift beyond repair once 'the Rabid Wolverine' had the audacity to lock WWF CEO Linda McMahon in the Crossface seven nights ago. Sent into a coma from the traumatic incident, an even bigger black eye revealed itself once Shane McMahon - who showed signs of standing with his father Vince McMahon against a common threat all night long - would leave the Chairman bloodied and beaten in a backstage corridor. What would happen tonight, with WrestleMania one month away?
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the sold-out MCI Center for RAW is WAR! Pyrotechnics erupted, revealing the large crowd of fans on-hand in the Nation's Capitol of Washington, D.C. Jim Ross welcomed us to RAW, one month away from WrestleMania X-Seven, before discussing the two monstrous matches we would witness tonight: as the Undertaker would fight the Big Show in Falls Count Anywhere; and 'the Man Beast' Rhyno would meet his toughest test to date in 'the Big Red Machine' Kane for the WWF Hardcore Championship!
Promptly interrupted by the man sitting beside him at the announce table, Paul Heyman grinned with a baseball cap donned over his eyes. Talking about how Jerry 'the King' Lawler and his wife The Kat took his balls and went home, Paul name-dropped bringing the Extreme to the World Wrestling Federation, discussed how malicious and dangerous Rhyno was, and noted that where there was chaos, J.R., there was opportunity!
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Shawn Michaels came bounding out to the stage to a loud, mixed reaction. Eight days following his unexpected appearance at No Way Out, and shocking betrayal of longtime friend Triple H, 'the Heartbreak Kid' had much to explain tonight after being called out by 'the Game' last week on RAW is WAR. HBK stood with a cocky smirk on his face in the middle of the ring, baring witness to the boos of the D.C. audience. Confident in his demeanor, he expressed that he had some explaining to do. Talking about the brotherhood, the friendship and chivalry between himself and Triple H, they had been through it all together. From the dark nights on the road, travelling the world with his Kliq to the Curtain Call at Madison Square Garden. From the formation of what would grow to be the most revolutionary faction to ever hit the World Wrestling Federation - and sports entertainment for that match - to the tragedy that was his injury at WrestleMania XIV three years ago, himself and Hunter Hearst Helmsley had been through one hell of a lot! HBK opened up about their kinship, how innocent Triple H once was, and how he and the rest of the boys took this student of the game under his wing. Much like 'the Game' himself said one week ago, they were inseparable - which is why it was so heartbreaking to know his best buddy in the business didn't visit while he spent Christmas in the hospital!
Shawn recounted Stone Cold Steve Austin beating him like the hound he was, and perhaps he deserved every little bit of what 'the Texas Rattlesnake' had coming to him last December at Armageddon. As he was left broken, bruised and a physical wreck from the brutal war, he waited and hoped that Triple H would come on in to hang out, or at least seek revenge on an old common threat like the bald-headed bastard. That never happened, but as he laid in that hospital bed over the Holiday period, Shawn vowed never to lace up a pair of boots ever again. The crowd booed HBK's apparent re-retirement, but then he continued to get thinking about Hunter's betrayal, how he knew in that instance he needed to be taught a lesson for turning his back on everything that made him the man he was today. Michaels concluded that Triple H might not need D-Generation X, or Stephanie McMahon anymore. But when it came between himself and 'the Heartbreak Kid', Triple H should know better than to ever forget the man that brought him into the WWF in the first place! Triple H finally came stomping down the rampway to a loud ovation, vengefully frustrated with Shawn costing him the WWF Championship eight nights ago. Microphone in hand, 'the Cerebral Assassin' climbed into the ring and growled for Shawn to hold on a second and hear out his side of the story.
'The Game' wanted to relive December too, because the very night after suffering betrayal when a fellow longtime friend stabbed him in the back - X-Pac - he suffered the shock of his life upon finding out that it was Shawn Michaels that ran Stone Cold Steve Austin down over a year ago! Wanting to discuss loyalty with Shawn, he wanted to know why it was he who was the forerunner to running 'the Rattlesnake' down. Everybody pointed fingers at him, and Triple H confided in Shawn time and time again about how he didn't do it. All the while...Shawn stayed silent. For twelve months, everybody thought it was 'the Game' that ran Austin down, and when it turned out to be HBK, he decided to let Austin deal with HBK himself. But Shawn's revenge was to not only cost him the WWF Championship at No Way Out, but to kick him in the face and call it quits on their friendship? Hunter mused what had gone wrong in Michaels' head! Appearing upset now, HBK let it be known how wrong he had gotten everything. This whole thing had gotten well out of hand, and that all Shawn wanted was his friends. Shawn thought Hunter was selfish for turning his back on what made him the man before, and was so obsessed with redemption that it was the best way to get through to him. Despite No Way Out, he had always had Hunter's back - he was there when Stephanie left him. He was there when Kurt Angle was tearing his life apart. Shawn solemnly wanted Triple H to hear him out, because he was sorry.
'The Game' wasn't buying the story, when Shawn expressed regret for everything. While Hunter had redemption set on his mind, Shawn had a monkey on his back. He was obsessed with getting Austin back, and maybe he deserved everything that had happened. HBK teased walking away from the ring forever for the sickening human being he had become - but first wanted to let Hunter know how near and dear he held their friendship. They were more than DX, they were more friends: they were brothers. The last thing Shawn wanted before stepping away was a handshake. The crowd applauded the concept, as Triple H thought it over. Looking vengeful, Shawn sensed the anger resonating from his longtime friend as he extended his hand. Aggressively, 'the Game' slapped the hand away with his, before the co-founders of D-Generation X came together for a big hug! Washington, D.C. erupted in cheers as Triple H would raise Shawn's hand triumphantly. Despite their problems, they would be friends longer than time itself...until Shawn broke away and planted 'the Game' with Sweet Chin Music to the jaw! Left motionless and heartbroken, Triple H had been played for a fool by his big brother - Shawn mounting Triple H and gritting his teeth with rage! One hand pulling his hair, the other came down with furious clenched fists, promptly opening up his blood brother! As the blood trickled down 'the Cerebral Assassin's forehead, he groggily roped himself back up for Shawn to tune up the band...a second Sweet Chin Music knocking his ex-buddy down and out again! Michaels left the ring without turning back, to a hostile reception. Remorseless for his actions, HBK was a man possessed - what had gotten into 'the Heartbreak Kid?'
Following a replay recapping the betrayal of Shawn Michaels on his longtime friend Triple H, we returned backstage to see Shane McMahon passing the halls of the MCI Center before stumbling across Kurt Angle's dressing room door. Hesitantly knocking, Shane was greeted by Kurt Angle himself. The former WWF Champion had suffered loss of his own lately and was elated to see Shane, who was hoping to have a chat with Stephanie McMahon after their awkward night on SmackDown. Kurt said she wasn't here, but he wanted to chat to him. 'The Megastar' expressed him knowing the Coalition was long gone now, but it didn't feel right what happened to him last week. He got screwed out of the WWF Championship by The Rock at No Way Out, ending his 169-day reign as flagbearer of the company! Angle also knew that Rock beat him last week on RAW is WAR, as he tried to invoke his rematch clause. Shane chuckled as he knew where Kurt was going with this, but Angle proposed one more shot at 'the Brahma Bull' tonight! Shane loved Angle's moxy, but the main event of WrestleMania was now set...suddenly a lightbulb went off in the boss's son's head. Angle was confused, as Shane walked away muttering that he had another idea. Befuddled, Angle called after him for an explanation!
. 1) Rhyno (c) def. Kane to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship (4:13)'The Man-Beast' had not made any friends since arriving in the World Wrestling Federation, and destroyed a valuable alliance with the 500-pound gorilla the Big Show at No Way Out. Becoming WWF Hardcore Champion himself, Rhyno now had not only Big Show to worry about, but the former champion Kane. 'The Big Red Machine' was blindsighted as he stomped towards the ring by the champ, Rhyno hammering on him only for a suplex to backfire: planting the champ on the rampway spine-first! Kane brought the fight to ringside, when Rhyno sent Kane into the barricade to set up a Gore - only to go blocked with a big boot from the seven-foot monster. Inside, the challenger scored a sidewalk slam for a near fall, before a flying clothesline followed. Rhyno bailed out to the floor, clocking Kane through the ropes with a trash can shot. Pummelling Kane on the floor, the champ defiantly sent the 300-pounder sailing into the steel steps.
Into the crowd the two went, brawling through the crowd without a care. Rhyno tried to knock the big man down, diving from several steps up only to get body slammed on the concrete for a near fall! The two found themselves brawling to the backstage area, where Kane would break a mop over Rhyno's spine before dumping bucket water all over the ECW Superstar! Kane had Rhyno beat, when T&A showed up to double-team Kane! Throttling him with rights and lefts, Albert proceeded to Baldo Bomb Rhyno through stacks of cardboard! 'The Freight Train' covered him using the 24/7 rule, but Test would drag him off! T&A proceeded to argue about their losing ways, when Kane clocked both with steel chair shots! The two goliaths down, Kane lost track of Rhyno's whereabouts. Stampeding the halls, Kane angrily called out for him, when Rhyno broke into frame with a Gore knocking Kane through a wooden door for the win!
Rhyno stumbled away after the victory, 'the Man-Beast' refusing to stop and rest. Snatching the WWF Hardcore Championship away, the champ left the scene of the crime when Kane dramatically sat up from the carnage of the broken door, seething with rage!
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Elsewhere, Edge and Christian hugged it out in their locker room. The new WWF Tag Team Champions were reunited for the first time since No Way Out, though Edge would cower in pain. Still injured from No Way Out, Edge requested softer bro-hugs, before bragging about once again becoming leaders of the entire tag team division eight nights ago! Christian couldn't help but laugh with glee, remembering watching the Dudley Boyz crash and burn inside of the Steel-Cage - Edge pressed him for the poor use of words. Regardless, Edge felt good to be back where they belonged, being two-time champs, and totally prepared to get even with little runt boy Spike Dudley. Christian was disgruntled over the big upset loss suffered last week, but Edge assured him that they are the champs and if pipsqueak wanted to play tonight, they would have no choice but to play the Conchairto again in Dudleyville! A secret handshake saw the goofy Canadians leave the room, what did they have in store?
Shane McMahon continued to walk the halls, a smile on his face after apparently coming up with a great idea for tonight. Turning a corner, his jaw dropped as Chris Benoit bumped right into him! Shane was clearly intimidated, while 'the Rabid Wolverine' chuckled sinisterly. Wanting to know what the big idea was, Benoit explained he'd seen Shane talk to Kurt Angle, who doesn't deserve another shot at the WWF Championship. What Benoit wanted to know was what was in it for him? If anybody deserved a chance to become WWF Champion in time for WrestleMania, it was him! Shane didn't believe he owed Chris anything, when Benoit asked how many McMahons it would take for Benoit to get his hands on the Rock. Implying Shane or even his sister Stephanie were next, Shane started to panic. Concluding that he had a solution for all of this, Benoit demanded to know what his idea was right there. Instinctively thinking on the fly, Shane announced a tag team match for tonight, pitting Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle up against the WWF Champion The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin! Benoit appeared unimpressed, when Shane added that if he or Angle were to get the fall on Rock, then the winner would get the WWF Championship match they wanted. Stone-faced, Benoit told Shane to wish Kurt luck, then adding to say hello to Stephanie for him. Benoit walked away cackling.
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The Right to Censor were on their way to the ring in the MCI Center, the WWF Women's Champion Ivory leading Mark Henry, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan for six-man tag team action. Incensed with the challenge made by Chyna for WrestleMania, 'the Role Model' took to the microphone to denounce Debra's decision to give 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' another shot at her title. Ivory challenged the audacity of Chyna, angry with how she was left beaten at Royal Rumble, and had done nothing but sit on her couch since being spike piledriven by the RTC shy of two months ago! Not only that, but Ivory questioned the morality of putting someone with a broken neck in the ring so soon, because they were not an organization of dangerous savages: they were an organization built on a safe-working environment! Ivory also detested the fact that Chyna wasn't here tonight, how the WWF Divas Ambassador had booked the Playboy covergirl to model in skimpy bikinis on a beach someplace today, trying to become a big shot celebrity. Questioning if that's what the people wanted from the WWF Women's Champion, Ivory declared she was the true role model because she was here every week defending her title, and representing the tranquility and purity of the RTC proudly! Ivory concluded that come WrestleMania, Chyna wouldn't know what hit her.
Billy Gunn interrupted 'the Role Model', the boyfriend of Chyna strolling out to the stage with a microphone of his own in hand. 'The One' Billy Gunn spoke on behalf of the entirety of Washington, D.C. when he asked for Ivory to shut her mouth! Insisting that his girlfriend wasn't shooting photos at the beach, he declared that Chyna was in heavy training for her return to the ring, and if anybody wouldn't know what hit them come WrestleMania - it was Ivory! The Right to Censor were angered by Gunn's defiance, when Billy added that tonight wasn't about any of that, this was about the big, fat hippo in the ring did to a woman himself last week at No Way Out. Calling Mark Henry out for laying his hands on Molly Holly, Billy had found out he couldn't bring down the RTC alone: introducing the Fighting Holly Cousins with Molly leading Hardcore and Crash!
2) Mark Henry, The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/WWF Women's Champion Ivory) def. Billy Gunn and The Fighting Holly Cousins (w/Molly Holly) (2:28)Ivory had to have Chyna on her mind all hours of the day and night coming off of SmackDown's announcement that WrestleMania would see the two women meet again for the WWF Women's Championship. Meanwhile Molly Holly was furious about Mark Henry putting his hands on her at No Way Out in the Fatal 4-Way match, and the Fighting Holly Cousins led the way with Billy Gunn for a six-man brawl to start. Breaking down to 'the One' Billy Gunn' and Bull Buchanan, a gorilla press went reversed into a military press slam from Billy! Ten punches landed in the corner, when Hardcore Holly came in for a backbreaker and a diving legdrop. In came Crash with a monkey flip, but Bull landed on his feet, a big boot giving the Right to Censor control! Bull and the Goodfather traded tags putting the boots to Crash, Mark Henry coming in with a big splash for a near fall! Goodfather powerslammed Crash, but Hardcore made the save one more time. Ivory hopped to the apron to distract the official for Bull and Goodfather to hold Crash down for 'the Secret Weapon's big splash, but Molly would drag the WWF Women's Champion down for a fight on the floor! The tag made to Hardcore, he ran wild with dropkicks before lifting Mark only to falter. Billy tagged in and the two double suplexed the 400-pounder, when Gunn lined up a Fame Asser just for Ivory to grab his foot! Billy kicked free, but Bull big booted him upside the jaw, right into a powerslam from Henry for the three count!
The Right to Censor stole another win with help from the WWF Women's Champion Ivory, but the chaos would continue once Bull Buchanan and the Goodfather gathered to further put their boots to 'the One' Billy Gunn! Ivory directed traffic initially, but 'the Role Model' would be overwhelmed once the Fighting Holly Cousins hit the ring to engage in battle with the RTC! Able to clean house of the three, 'the Secret Weapon' was furious on the floor. Mark Henry encouraged Bull and Goodfather to do better, whilst Molly Holly feistily ordered Hardcore Holly and Billy to hoist her up on their shoulders! Complying in surprise, Molly dove from their shoulders with an amazing dive over the top rope, knocking the 400-pounder down with Bull and the Goodfather! Ivory was livid, the RTC humiliated by the tougher-than-nails Alabaman girl!
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Triple H was in the trainer's office being restrained by referees, as the doctor found it hard to stitch up the bloodied 'Cerebral Assassin!' He growled and demanded freedom, the blood running down his face as he demanded to know where Shawn Michaels was! 'The Game' did not receive answers as he demanded he go find 'the Heartbreak Kid', only for the trainer to refuse him access. Brooklyn Brawler stood close by alerting him to the fact that HBK had left the MCI Center, causing Triple H to punch out referee Jack Doan and grab the WWF Legend by the collar! Forcing him against the wall, Hunter demanded he go find him and bring his ass back here, or he'll just have to find somebody else's ass to kick. Freeing the agent, Brooklyn Brawler scurried away for his life.
We returned to the scene of Kurt Angle's dressing room, where Stephanie McMahon had arrived at the MCI Center. Furious about Shane McMahon's announcement tonight for the tag team main event, she couldn't believe her boyfriend was being forced to team up with that raging psychopath Chris Benoit. Stephanie talked about what 'the Rabid Wolverine' had said to her on SmackDown, how he threatened her after what he'd done to her mother Linda McMahon days prior. Stephanie asked the preparing 'Megastar' how he could even think to go along with it. Kurt raised his singlet straps and looked her in the eyes. Maintaining that he wasn't Benoit's friend, and how he never would be, Angle believed tonight wasn't anything to do with Chris. What it was about was him wanting the WWF Championship back. If teaming with 'the Wolverine' was what he had to do to get it, then so be it.
Stephanie called her boyfriend self-absorbed to let Benoit talk to his girlfriend like that, Angle argued that he didn't like it either. Firmly stating that if this was his only way at getting to the Rock, beating him and headlining WrestleMania, that was a compromise he would have to make. The camera panned as eyes left the screen, revealing an innocuous WWF European Champion William Regal awkwardly watching them fight. With flyers in hand, 'the Goodwill Ambassador' hoped for their advocacy in opting for change under the Regal Regime. Stephanie was spiteful, insulting the Englishman and storming from the room smacking the flyers high across the room! Left saddened, Regal looked to pick the flyers up, while Angle casually blamed it on her hormones.
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The rocket launched into the stage, causing a calamity of pyrotechnics. The former WWF Tag Team Champions were joined by their little brother Spike Dudley, as The Dudley Boyz greeted the capacity crowd on hand in Washington, D.C. Set for action, Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley took to the ring to air their grievances, reunited with the fans after being absent last week. Taking to the microphone, Bubba expressed how No Way Out was a rush, it was physical, it was exhausting, it damn near decapitated him, but despite losing the WWF Tag Team Championships out of sheer luck, there was a silver lining: now, they were together as a family, joined by their little brother Spike! Bubba held Spike in a playful headlock and rubbed the microphone off his strawy hair, while D-Von took over. Wanting to make it clear their story with Edge and Christian was not done by a long shot, they also knew the new champs were paying the price themselves, acknowledging Edge taking the ride of his life through wood to get the job done! D-Von said they had delivered a taste for it before, and now, they wanted the gold again!
Spike Dudley riled up the crowd on the second rope as the Dudley Boyz opted for their rematch, when X-Factor came rocking out to the stage. Led by the new WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible arrogantly acknowledged the proud American crowd as 'the Man' laughed at the Dudleyville boys. Asking the trio to calm themselves down, they weren't about to get their WWF Tag Team Championship shot tonight because Edge was still all banged up and unable to compete. Besides, if anybody deserved a shot at the gold, it sure as hell should be Storm and Credible of X-Factor fame! X-Pac gloated about all of their recent success, beating the Hardy Boyz's asses and taking Jeff's title, and claimed that the Dudleys were washed up, beaten up, and should be right at the back of the line! Over his speech, Spike rallied the crowd to chant "X-Pac Sucks", igniting anger in X-Pac. Unable to see how he sucked, Bubba Ray mercifully told the fans they weren't wrong, and although X-Factor weren't the tails they were after, they would beat their asses all the same right now! Huddling on the rampway for a moment, X-Pac led his boys to the ring!
3) X-Factor (w/WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac) def. The Dudley Boyz (w/Spike Dudley) (3:45) The WWF Light Heavyweight Championship changed hands last Thursday on SmackDown when X-Pac defeated Jeff Hardy with assistance from Justin Credible alongside Lance Storm. Renowning themselves as X-Factor, the leader watched on as Storm and Credible hoped to put away the banged up former WWF Tag Team Champions. Bubba Ray struck hard with the flip flop and fly for Justin when a distraction from X-Pac allowed Credible to strike from behind. He encountered the Bubba Bomb for his efforts, when D-Von came in with the Dudleyville Device! D-Von hit the ropes with a flying elbow, confronted by Lance forcing himself into the ring: Credible super kicking D-Von hard! X-Factor restrained D-Von in a camel clutch with frequent tags while X-Pac showboated, as Spike continued to rally chants in the new champ's way. Storm moved to apply the Sharpshooter on D-Von, who refused to tap and made the rope! Storm looked for a missile dropkick only for D-Von to avoid and dove to tag in Bubba! Running wild on both men, he struck with the cutter on Justin before looking for the Wazzup on Storm! D-Von was out of position as X-Pac held him away, but Spike dove off the top with the headbutt himself! X-Pac jumped Spike on the floor, when Bubba fought off a gang effort at a double Impaler DDT. Suddenly Edge and Christian ran down to the apron, distracting Bubba for a double superkick to grant X-Factor a huge victory!
The WWF Tag Team Champions had cost the Dudley Boyz this important match with X-Factor, and the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion could not help but find it hysterical! Hugging a celebratory Lance Storm and Justin Credible at ringside, the trio had just beaten another pair of former champions, bettering their chances of a title shot in their future! Spike Dudley rolled in to check on Bubba Ray alongside D-Von Dudley, whose eyes were dead set on Edge and Christian who goaded and mocked from the rampway! No Way Out was thought to be the last stand of their rivalry, but this was not over, and the Dudleys were out for whatever the cocky Canadians had left!
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The Undertaker was in the hall stretching up before his match with the Big Show. Prepared for battle against the 500-pounder, 'the American Badass' went to step on his motorcycle before turning back to speak with his furious half-brother. Kane growled through the mask as 'the Big Red Machine' was still seething over Rhyno, but 'the Deadman' explained that before they dealt with 'the Man-Beast', first it was time to deal with the biggest piece of cr*p walking. Kane stepped back as Undertaker hopped on his motorcycle - the Falls Count Anywhere match up next!
4) The Undertaker def. Big Show in a Falls Count Anywhere match (5:15)
The story between these two towering figures had been recurrent over two years, once WWF Tag Team Champions together, though in what felt like a different era. Their paths crossed once more last month, when the Big Show drove the Undertaker through the announce table with a Chokeslam and wiped him off the face of the World Wrestling Federation for several weeks. That is, until last week. The Undertaker was here for revenge, but as he stepped off his motorcycle was met with the giant fists of 'the Giant'. Hammering him in the corner with a hip bump, a headbutt and several giant chops, Show laughed as he continued to lay into Undertaker with a big choke applied. 'The American Badass' fired back with rights and lefts, the pure striker resolving with a clothesline that refused to budge the big man. Instead, a clothesline would bring Undertaker down. At ringside, Show continued to choke on the veteran when a suplex scored him a near fall.
Ramming him spine-first into the barricade, Undertaker hoped to fight back only to be sent into the steel steps. Show laughed evilly as he choked with his boot across the throat. Back inside 'the Deadman' hoped to battle back, stunning Show with a clothesline off the second rope! A running DDT finally sent the 500-pounder down, and soon an Old School was attempted only for Show to shove him over the top rope to the floor! Show rolled out but the fight continued on the rampway when Rhyno dashed out to jump Undertaker from behind! The WWF Hardcore Champion had beaten Kane earlier tonight, but neglected to remember the Big Show who headbutted him to the rampway! Show tossed Rhyno down the rampway wanting his title back, when Kane came through the crowd pursuing Show himself with right hands! Kane tossed Rhyno over the barricade, before coming face to face with his half-brother. The Brothers of Destruction nodded to one another, as a dazed Big Show challenged them to bring it on. United, a thunderous double Chokeslam left Big Show laying, for the win!
The chaotic circumstances between the Brothers of Destruction, and their intricately mapped hatred of the Big Show and WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno had come to a head tonight. The Undertaker was dominant over 'the Giant' that threatened his career one month ago, although he had his half-brother Kane to thank. 'The Big Red Machine' stood tall with 'the American Badass' beside him, no Rhyno to be seen in sight. Standing tall, the harrowing brothers watched over the motionless Big Show, when Kane erupted his pyrotechnics. 'The Man-Beast' would have his day, now the Big Show was out of the way.
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Stephanie McMahon and Trish Stratus were seen talking in the hall, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' letting out all of her frustration over tonight's tag team match as Trish listened. She had her mother Linda McMahon in the hospital in a coma, she had Chris Benoit threatening her and her family every single night, and on top of that Shane McMahon was walking around like he was the boss pitting tag team matches where her boyfriend Kurt Angle had to team up with 'the Rabid Wolverine!' Trish was concerned, while Steph was prepared to vent about 'the Megastar's obsession with getting another shot at the Rock's WWF Championship. Shane McMahon walked up, wishing to speak to his sister in private. Steph refused, but Shane insisted Trish give them room to talk it out. Stratus complied to Stephanie's chagrin, when Shane asked her what she was doing!
Steph was livid, telling Shane that he had no right wanting to talk and make up tonight. Shane hadn't spoken to her since SmackDown last week, where she left in tears when he was nowhere to be seen! He tried apologizing, but Stephanie told him it wasn't good enough. Lecturing Shane on what he did to their father Vince McMahon, Shane finally fired back that this wasn't about that - it was about making friends with trailer trash like Trish. Stephanie was gobsmacked and demanded an explanation, when Shane revealed that Trish is only buddy-buddy with her now, because Vince was having an affair with Trish behind their sick mother's back! Steph couldn't believe it, but Shane would walk away in disgust not revealing more!
Michael Cole was standing by backstage, with the number one contender to the WWF Champion - Stone Cold Steve Austin! The fans could be heard throughout the arena, as Michael set the stage for WrestleMania X-Seven in four weeks, the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas ready for Austin to battle The Rock! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' applied emphasis on how it could be Austin against Rock, but it might just be Kurt Angle, or could it be Chris Benoit? The whole thing changes by the day, but the one thing for damn sure was that Stone Cold was going to walk into WrestleMania, haul ass and walk out WWF Champion one more time! Michael tried asking about the interesting tag team main event pitting him as teammates with Rock, but again Austin cut him off. He had a whole lot to say about 'the People's Champ', and being forced to team up with the arrogant son of a b*tch he'd fought time and time again. He and Rock had been through it before, and at WrestleMania they sure as hell would go through it again. Stone Cold expressed not trusting the Rock, and claimed not to like the Rock one bit. He certainly didn't need Rock's help tonight, yet despite all of this he had to consider Angle and Benoit each wanted the title too. Instead, what they'll get is an ass-whooping they'll never forget! Tonight is the night he teams with the Rock, and he hoped Rock was as ready as he was, because come WrestleMania, Stone Cold wanted 'the Brahma Bull' all to himself!
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Shane McMahon made his way out to the ring to boos from the capacity crowd in the Nation's Capitol. Having dropped a ticking timebomb on his agitated sister Stephanie McMahon moments ago, Shane appeared emotionless as he climbed into the ring to take to the microphone. Firstly, he wanted to apologize for everybody having to find out the way they did about the man Vincent Kennedy McMahon was. Shane was awfully sorry that they had to learn that the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation truly was as awful as he might seem. Expressing that being the reason he took out his own father last week, he did it for the greater good of everybody in the World Wrestling Federation. Shane attacked his Dad for the people, the fans of the WWF that have no idea he while he tries to pride himself on loving his family and being a proud husband and father - that he is no such thing! But most of all, he told Stephanie and the rest of the world watching moments ago: because although she was in a restful state, Linda McMahon deserved better. The boss's son was slandering the WWF Owner's name and reputation, saying how Trish Stratus was not even the first, and most assuredly the last.
For his entire life, he had heard and seen snippets of his Dad's promiscuous ways, and for his entire life his Dad tried to convince him "she's just a friend", and that "this was a negotiation!" Apologizing once again for revealing Vince's affairs, Shane lambasted Vince for being the sickening, pathetic man underneath - and it was about damn time the whole world knew all about it! Shane was about to deliver the finishing blow, whom he'd implicated moments before - when Stephanie McMahon came storming to the ring! 'The Billion Dollar Princess' climbed into the ring and furiously snatched the microphone away. Unable to comprehend the type of sociopath her brother was becoming by the week, she had heard enough about Shane trying to ruin each and every McMahon's lives! The crowd applauded her as she screamed enough was enough, begging Shane to end this mind-numbing vendetta against their Dad! Shane took the microphone back and told Steph how much it stings to tell her - he knows this is true, guarandamnteed. Shane revealed that the woman Vince was cheating on Mom with was her new good friend...Trish Stratus! Stephanie's jaw dropped, and Shane asked how she could bare to be friends with someone banging their married, loving father while their mother lays in a coma! Stephanie grew emotional, quickly leaving the ring and heading up the rampway on the brink of tears! Shane had alienated his entire family, and every fan watching!
We returned to footage taken from during the commercial break, as Trish Stratus was seen reading WWF Magazine in the Divas locker room when in stormed an emotionally irate Stephanie McMahon! Restrained before entry by a host of officials and backstage personnel, 'the Billion Dollar Princess's kicking and screaming brought Trish to her feet in defense! Steph couldn't believe the bombshell Shane McMahon had just dropped, implicating Trish to be having an affair with her married father Vince McMahon! Trish tried to explain herself, but Steph wasn't interested in being spoken to like a joke. She was family of the founders of this company, and all she wanted to do was rip Trish apart! Lunging towards her, Trish stepped back towards the wall while the crew of officials were able to escort Stephanie from the room! Stratus was saddened, in shock from the whole event!
. 5) Bradshaw and Jacqueline def. Perry Saturn and Terri (w/Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko (2:34)The Radicalz were on the verge of rebuilding under the guidance of Eddie Guerrero. 'Latino Heat' wanted to bring Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko's careers to new heights, but what happened last night on Sunday Night Heat was enough to win Eddie's approval where Terri was concerned. After cheating to beat Bradshaw with his boys' help, 'the She-Devil' would humiliate Jacqueline with a brutal lashing with her leather belt. Jackie was incensed and dashed for Terri, met by the imposing Perry Saturn. Jackie was unafraid and swung at him, when Bradshaw came in to take over. Perry tried to fight, only for a crossbody to go caught with a fallaway slam. A big boot followed, when Jacqueline tagged herself in and snuck over to rope in Terri the hard way! Ripping the belt from Terri, she snapmared the girlfriend of Saturn before trying to whip the WWF Diva with it. Dean and Eddie got on the apron, and the distraction allowed Saturn to drop her with a belly-to-belly suplex! Terri took control of Jackie, pulling her pair and slamming her head to the canvas. Mounted slaps were further insulting, when Jackie dropkicked Terri and made the tag to Bradshaw. The men now legal, Bradshaw swung and knocked Eddie off the apron, then caught Malenko with a powerslam caught off the top rope! Saturn struck with a thrust kick, but a fisherman suplex went blocked into the powerbomb for the three.
Eddie Guerrero leapt on Bradshaw immediately after the bell, 'Latino Heat' not done one bit with the tough Texan. Eddie showboated at an improper time, and Bradshaw immediately chased him from the ring! The Radicalz cowered on the floor, when Jacqueline grabbed a hold of Terri as Dean Malenko tried pulling 'the She-Devil' from the ring. Instead, Jackie stripped the shirt off of Terri! Exposing her bra, she panicked while Jacqueline brandished her own leather belt in the ring. Looking for payback for the whipping received on Sunday Night Heat, Jackie was edging on Terri.
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The Rock jumped up and down in prepation for tonight's main event, the WWF Champion fully ready for the tag team challenge ahead. Kevin Kelly rushed up to 'the People's Champ' hoping to catch a word with him, only for Rock to immediately cut him off. Rock knew all too well about the promised land being mere weeks away. In just shy of four weeks, it would be the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Two of the biggest WWF Superstars to walk the surface of the planet. Two of the most fierce rivals the World Wrestling Federation had ever known, going at it for a second time on the Grandaddy of Them All. Two men that refused to back down from a challenge, and refused to take cr*p from anybody. On April 1, sixty-seven thousand fans would be in their seats to witness 'the Texas Rattlesnake' go one-on-one with 'the Great One' at the Showcase of the Immortals. But tonight, they would team up. First come the road blocks, and the path that will bring them there. Rock admitted confusion over the McMahon Family, who was cheating on whom, who wanted to beat up whom, and whom in the blue hell wanted to hop into bed with a wrinkled old jabroni like Vince McMahon!
The Rock had a score to settle with Chris Benoit, 'the Rabid Wolverine' more resilient than a cockroach on steroids. The Rock had a score to settle with Kurt Angle, knowing how many damp nights 'the Megastar' had had sobbing into his pillow, having wet dreams about once again beating 'the Brahma Bull' to recapture the WWF Championship. But neither of those things would come to fruition, because it was his destiny to walk into WrestleMania, and sure as hell walk out on top of the mountain. Tonight he and 'the Texas Rattlesnake' must coexist for their right to battle come WrestleMania, and there was without a shadow of a doubt little chance of anyone getting between them. Whether Benoit, Angle, Stephanie, Shane, the illegitimate McMahon-Angle baby Taluala, or the McMahon Family doctor, nobody would get in the Rock's way of going to WrestleMania, and as far as Austin was concerned: the Rock doesn't need his help either. If ya smell what the Rock is cookin!'
Shane McMahon was speaking with security in the backstage area, as he wanted to make it clear not to let Stephanie McMahon back into the building tonight. They complied professionally, but wanted to know why. Shane admitted that it would hurt her as much as it hurt him, but this was the only way she would finally come to her senses that the world wasn't out to get her, and that he was telling the absolute truth. The security team left the scene, when WWF European Champion William Regal arrived applauding the acting authority of the World Wrestling Federation. Finally, business was shaping up and he was getting the house in order - but he couldn't help but feel like he needs a little help. Shane told 'the Goodwill Ambassador' respectfully that the time for talking wasn't now, but Regal argued that this is what he was talking about.
Shane might be a figure he admired and respected a lot, but all of the McMahon Family drama had to be effecting his thinking and decision-making. Vince, Stephanie, even Linda were inferior to how Shane handled and took care of business, but Regal knew that Shane was struggling. Shane tried to leave, but the Englishman insisted on hoping to be the lifeboat Shane needed to bring justice, honor and pride back to the World Wrestling Federation, and it would only commence with Regal in power. William mused the Regal Regime being Shane's support, his number two. Shane glumly told Regal that he was a conniving artist, but one heck of a salesman. Shane told William he needed time to think, but would get back to him on SmackDown this Thursday.
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In the arena, Kaientai were stood in the ring to the amused reactions of the Washington, D.C. people. Taka Michinoku laughed in dubbed English as he reminisced on successfully invading WWF New York last night. They were once just WWF Superstars, but now they were VIPs of Sunday Night Heat! Taka laid claim to invading Washington, D.C, the American Capitol tonight, and how from here they would claim world domination because they were EVIL. Funaki concluded they were INDEED, when the countdown started. An explosion took place on the stage, introducing the WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho! Y2J received a rabid applause, demanding Kaientai to please shut the hell up! Mocking the Japanese duo on stereotypes, Jericho said the only domination they would be receiving tonight would be 'the Sexy Beast' dominating them in the Nation's Capitol! In bright blue-and-white, they stuck out more than a thumb ever could, but the question was who would Y2J be granting a shot at the gold tonight? Taka and Funaki squabbled among themselves momentarily, when Taka declared that it would be he seeking Intercontinental domination tonight, and that he would beat Y2J's primadonna, rockstar jackass into the ground faster than he could say "how much wood could a woodchuck chuck". Y2J told Taka it was his lucky day, because he would send him and his buddy Funaki back to their homeland never, ever to be the same again!
6) Chris Jericho (c) def. Taka Michinoku (w/Funaki) to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship (2:08)Y2J was on top of the world having dethroned Raven as WWF Intercontinental Champion back at No Way Out, but now Chris Jericho was here picking challengers and fighting allcomers in a quest to become renowned as a fighting champion. Kaientai successfully invaded Sunday Night Heat at WWF New York last night, but tonight was Taka Michinoku's biggest test to date. The first-ever WWF Light Heavyweight Champion hoped to overcome Y2J, only to be trounced by Jericho off the bat with a flying forearm. A spinning wheel kick scored a near fall, while Funaki cheered on his Kaientai brethren from ringside. Outwrestling the challenger with armdrags and a dropkick, Taka caught him off guard with a dropkick causing the gifted Japanese Superstar to showboat. It went on too long, and a clothesline followed. A baseball slide saw Taka sidestep it, only to receive another clothesline, when Jericho confronted and slapped a posturing Funaki for good measure! It allowed Michinoku time to execute a springboard moonsault before sending him back inside, but Y2J was able to roll over a springboard crossbody into a backbreaker, before connecting with the bulldog and Lionsault! Y2J covered, when Raven's music hit. Prepping for 'the Creator's arrival, instead Y2J was met with Tori watching discontently from the top of the rampway! Taka scored a backslide for a close two count, but Jericho reversed into the Walls of Jericho to force Michinoku into submission!
Tori watched with a hungover look of dissatisfaction from the stage, with no sign of Raven to be seen. Chris Jericho relinquished grip of the Walls of Jericho on Taka Michinoku from the ring, the WWF Intercontinental Champion's eyes fixated on her with caution. Funaki comedically tried jumping Y2J from behind, and was able to get in several rights and lefts before looking to use the Japanese flag as a weapon. Instead, Y2J ducked the shot and hooked the Walls in on he as well! Funaki tapped instantaneously, Y2J unable to be stopped! Jericho was ready for anything, glaring at Tori from the ring after having made both Kaientai members tap to the Walls of Jericho!
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Kurt Angle was amped up for the tag team match to come, holding out for one last shot at the WWF Championship. 'The Megastar' exited his dressing room, only to come face to face with a smarmy-looking Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' smirked in the face of a defiant Angle, Benoit knowing exactly what the score was tonight. He knew how much was riding on this, but it would be such a shame for Kurt seeing Benoit beat Rock and earn himself a title shot instead. 'The Wolverine' expressed how he wanted it bad, even worse than the Olympic Gold Medalist. A miffed Angle responded how he never liked or trusted Chris, that the Coalition was dead and buried, and that the WWF Championship deserved to be around one waist: his, coming after tonight. Benoit wished him luck and extended his hand to Kurt, though Angle refused to shake it. Benoit hoped that Kurt would end the night in a better mindset than his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon, before departing the scene. Angle was furious, and demanded to know what that was supposed to mean! The mega-main event was up next!
7) Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit def. WWF Champion The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin (8:59)Although the main event of WrestleMania was thought to be set once The Rock was victorious over Kurt Angle seven nights ago on RAW is WAR, one more roadblock stood between 'the Great One', 'the Texas Rattlesnake', and the Grandest Stage of Them All. Incensed over losing the WWF Championship at No Way Out, Kurt Angle wanted one last opportunity despite failing in his rematch clause-invoked match last week. Though it would come at a cost, with Chris Benoit also feeling he deserved to be in the main event of the Showcase of the Immortals. Shane McMahon made this blockbuster main event, with the stipulation being if Angle and Benoit won, the WWF Superstar to score the deciding fall would earn themselves a shot at the gold this Thursday night on SmackDown. Tensions were building before the match, as Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit mouthed off to one-another before the bell, two former Coalition members that never could stand each other. Washington, D.C. exploded for the WWF Champion and his number one contender tag team partner's arrivals, when The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin stared one another down before the bell. Austin willingly allowed 'the Brahma Bull' to start, and Rock hit hard coming for both Angle and Benoit! A hot start for the champ led to Benoit catching him with a German suplex from behind, bringing 'the Rattlesnake' to his rescue!
Stomping a mudhole in Angle, Austin would fight off Benoit and in turn stomp a mudhole in the other corner on Benoit! That's when Rock grabbed Austin, and the two engaged in one more staredown! You could cut the tension with a blade, while at ringside Angle shoved Benoit in anger! Returning from the commercial break, Angle hoped to engage Rock with his Olympic-style of wrestling only to be fought off with a belly-to-belly suplex! Rock warned Benoit to Just Bring It, when Angle swept him from behind with a waistlock takedown. A belly-to-belly suplex of his own allowed Angle to showboat, before stomping and choking Rock in frustration over his previous title loss. Austin waited for the tag, while Rock hoped to fight out of the corner only for Benoit to strangle the new champ from behind! Benoit tagged himself in to Angle's fury, cutting him off with a hard elbow strike off the ropes. Angle then tagged himself in to Benoit's dismay, the former champ applying a bodysleeper on Rock, transitioning into the crossface chickenwing. The Nation's Capitol was ready to explode for 'the Brahma Bull' to come to life, and he did slamming a mounted Angle against the turnbuckles before wailing on him with strikes! Rock caught Benoit with a Samoan drop, before dropping Angle with the big back body drop! With some hesitance, Rock tagged in Austin who let loose on Benoit with a Lou Thesz press!
Stone Cold attempted a flapjack to Benoit, but 'the Wolverine' wisely reversed into a trio of German suplexes! Benoit slashed his own throat foreshadowing the Diving Headbutt, when Rock made a blind tag and hit Benoit with a sequence of right hands! It stunned the Canadian, and a Rock Bottom was coming up when Angle came from behind looking for the Angle Slam. Instead, Rock span out of it and dropped him with a big DDT! Nipping up, Rock had a selection of two as Angle and Benoit rose to their feet. The spinebuster connected on Angle, when Rock prepared for the People's Elbow! 'The People's Champ' hit the ropes, but Benoit cut him off unexpectedly with the Crossface! Rock reached out of desperation, but Austin was there to break it up! Helping his WrestleMania opponent to his feet, Stone Cold looked to help Rock up, when Kurt Angle came from behind causing Austin to headbutt the Rock! 'The Megastar' sent Austin out to the floor and continued the fight, while Benoit went to the top rope and executed the Diving Headbutt! Austin raised hell on Angle, sending him over the announce table, but he was too late - as Benoit pinned the WWF Champion, with Austin merely inches away from the save!
'The Rabid Wolverine' quickly rolled out of the ring after scoring his finest victory to date. The WWF Champion was beaten, the Rock left laying by Chris Benoit after inadvertently colliding head-on-head with Stone Cold Steve Austin! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' laid close by in disbelief, while Benoit celebrated with his hand raised at ringside. Austin wasn't the only one, as Kurt Angle remained seated on the floor by the barricade on the brink of tears! 'The Megastar' had been deprived, and 'the Texas Rattlesnake' might have been deprived of this WrestleMania dream match with the Rock - as Benoit now prepared to combat the WWF Champion this Thursday night on SmackDown! |
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Post by DTP. on Mar 6, 2021 13:53:15 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Mar 7, 2021 13:33:58 GMT -5
SmackDown! - March 8, 2001
MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
Broadcast on UPN
Taped on March 6, 2001
A video package aired, taking us back to last Monday night on RAW is WAR, where Shane McMahon shocked the world and dropped a bombshell heard across the mainstream media, exposing Vince McMahon as having an affair with Trish Stratus. Stephanie McMahon was beside herself at the revelation, as much as she was for Kurt Angle's decision to team up with Chris Benoit later that night. Going for Trish before being ejected from the building by her own brother's appointed team of security, Shane believed it was for the betterment of sports entertainment to reveal such juicy and destructive gossip. The main event saw two WrestleMania adversaries team up, as the WWF Champion The Rock teamed with Stone Cold Steve Austin to battle Angle and Benoit. The stipulation intended for the challenger to score the fall to earn themselves a shot at the WWF Championship, and when Austin and Rock inadvertently clashed heads thanks to 'the Megastar', 'the Rabid Wolverine' reaped the benefits and scored a pinfall victory over 'the People's Champ'. Benoit was getting his title shot, and it could change the entire trajectory of WrestleMania X-Seven forever!
The opening video package aired, cutting to the Nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. for a second night of action! SmackDown was on the air, and a capacity crowd on hand erupted with glee as the pyrotechnics exploded above the ring and across the stage. Michael Cole alongside Tazz welcomed us to the show, on a night where Chris Benoit would receive his intensely-desired shot at the Rock's WWF Championship! Would it change the main event of WrestleMania?
1) The Dudley Boyz def. X-Factor (4:22)Coming off of the WWF Tag Team Championship loss in the Steel-Cage match at No Way Out, the Dudley Boyz were gunning for their rematch against Edge and Christian. X-Factor might have stood in their way and stolen a big victory last Monday night on RAW is WAR, but tonight in six-man tag team action, the Dudleys were coming for payback. WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac led Lance Storm and Justin Credible with confidence to juxtapose Bubba Ray, D-Von and Spike Dudley, when Edge and Christian made their way out to ringside before the bell sounded! It gave X-Factor the momentum to begin, as the Dudleys tried to fight back only for an errant distraction from the new champs to allow control over Spike Dudley. The newcomer held his own kicking Storm and Credible away, as a series of armdrags and dropkicks gave Spike the opening. The Dudleys hit the ring and dropped X-Pac with a double flapjack, though Spike would be cut off with a spinning wheel kick from Justin! Brutalizing with arrogance, X-Pac slapped Spike around and Credible held him for the Bronco Buster. Lance decided to try the Maple Leaf Crab, only for Spike to reverse and plant him with a tornado DDT! Hitting the ring with aggression, D-Von cleaned house and was set up by Bubba for the Wazzup to X-Pac! Spike followed through with the Dudley Dog on Justin, when Storm slipped beneath the youngest sibling with the Maple Leaf Crab again only for the Bubba Bomb to connect! Credible leapt and missed Bubba from behind, and the 3D would put X-Factor down for the count!
The WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian watched with disgust as the three united Dudley Boyz stood tall getting their hands raised in the middle of the ring! Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley gestured to the Canadians that they wanted their titles back, whilst Spike Dudley mocked a furious WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac on the other side of the ring. Despite Edge and Christian doing their homework, the rematch from No Way Out was signed - and it would take place this Monday night on RAW is WAR!
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Trish Stratus strutted the halls of the MCI Center, the backstage area buzzing after the bombshell was dropped by Shane McMahon last Monday on RAW is WAR. Passing various WWF Superstars backstage, Too Cool refused to even look at her. Moving along, figures such as Pat Patterson and Tony Garea similarly could hardly muster a comment as the WWF Diva passed through the halls. Whether she was having an affair with the Chairman Vince McMahon or not, Trish scowled and marched meaning business. Thinking better of it, she walked straight into Shane McMahon's office!
Ahead of his shot at the Rock's WWF Championship in tonight's main event, Chris Benoit came confidently walking out to the ring full of himself after the impressive victory last Monday night on RAW is WAR. Having teamed with Kurt Angle, and used 'the Megastar' to his advantage, Benoit was able to earn this opportunity by defeating 'the People's Champ', after he had butted heads with Stone Cold Steve Austin! Laughing to himself, 'the Rabid Wolverine' believed he had every reason to congratulate himself on a job well done. Nobody believed he had it in him, but he proved them all wrong! Benoit stated he was always WWF Championship materials, and he proved exactly that when he outsmarted not just the Olympic Gold Medalist, but the two men that were intended to headline WrestleMania - The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin! Letting it be known, Benoit pondered how long it had taken for him to achieve tonight's shot. Where was his title shot last year, when he was just as physically dominant, dangerous and committed to the task as he was, as he is right now. Nobody could compare to 'the Wolverine', but apparently all it took was for him to not just lock Vincent Kennedy McMahon in the Crossface - but to lock his poor, poor wife Linda McMahon in the Crossface as well! Chris was proud of his accomplishment, believing it to have allowed the whole world to wake up and smell the coffee: that he was a force to be reckoned with, and a downright wrestling machine!
Repeating how he was the best technical wrestler in the game today, Benoit declared that tonight the Rock would have to count his lucky stars if he makes it out in one piece - when Kurt Angle made his way out to the stage! 'The Megastar' was still reeling over the loss of the WWF Championship back at No Way Out, and was in disbelief at what he was hearing. Chris Benoit wasn't worthy of the gold - he wasn't even a top five calibre contender! Angle thought Benoit had no right challenging for the richest prize in the business, and considered himself hoodwinked last Monday night. If anybody did the heavy lifting on RAW is WAR, it was him! Chris shot back that he might have done the heavy lifting, but Benoit handled that during the Coalition days. Angle didn't pin the Rock, and for an Olympic athlete such as Kurt Angle - he thought that was pathetic! The Olympian had heard enough and said he wasn't about to wait - title shot or no title shot, Angle planned to kick Benoit's ass right there in the ring! Stomping to the apron, Benoit goaded his former leader - when The Rock himself showed up on the stage! Weighing up the situation, the Nation's Capitol chanted the WWF Champion's name as he wiped his sunglasses with his shirt. Surmising what this was all about, he knew Kurt Angle wanted a title shot, just like Chris Benoit had a title shot. WrestleMania was right around the corner, but from what Rock could tell, the jabronies were running the asylum on his show!
The fact of the matter was, Rock could tell Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit to kiss, make-up, reform the Coalition and then stick their title shots straight up their candyasses on his own path to WrestleMania. Or the Rock could fight Chris Benoit, whoop his hound-dog monkeyass and then fight Kurt Angle, and stomp a mudhole in 'the Megastar's ass then walk it dry one more time. 'The Brahma Bull' received a rousing ovation as he explained that in less than a month he might be on his way to meeting Stone Cold Steve Austin at the Grandaddy of Them All, WrestleMania. It might be the single biggest match in World Wrestling Federation history, in the main event of the Showcase of the Immortals, with the title on the line. But if there was one thing that the Rock wanted to do tonight: it was to whoop both their candyasses, and send them each straight to the back of the line! Rock might be sick of looking at the Olympic Gold Medalist, almost as much as Angle was sick of looking at 'the Great One'. Chris Benoit might be sleepy from time after time of trying to make the Rock scream and beg for mercy in the Crossface. But to their crowded threats, the Rock had one thing to say: tonight he was willing to risk it all in a Triple Threat match with his WWF Championship at stake! Rock delivered his electrifying catchphrase before raising an eyebrow from the rampway, when Kurt Angle jumped a distracted Chris Benoit from behind! 'The Megastar' shot for the Ankle Lock, but 'the Rabid Wolverine' was able to reverse it into the Crossface! Angle was on the verge of tapping, when he managed to roll out to safety! It would be every man for himself tonight, with the big one on the line!
The WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian walked the halls in frustration, in disbelief that the Dudley Boyz had usurped them once again. Edge was concerned for his own wellbeing, feigning rib injury everlasting from the Steel-Cage fall at No Way Out. Christian was worried their rematch for the gold this Monday on RAW is WAR wouldn't be able to take place and complained with the belief that they thought Shane McMahon was their boy! The Canadians' musings went interrupted, as the Hardy Boyz showed up with Lita by their side. Jeff had his eyes firmly set on the gold around the Canadians' waists, bringing up how it had been a while since they last held those titles. Matt agreed, and feigned concern of his own about Edge's apparent career-threatening injury. But the word was out that Edge was cleared for competition tonight, and the Hardys wanted their match with them! Christian contested the titles wouldn't be on the line, when Lita stepped up and informed them that after Team Xtreme won tonight, they might want to consider opening the field up on Monday's match with the Dudleys! Lita slapped Edge in the gut as the trio left, leaving Christian overprotective of his older brother's wellfare.
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In the arena, Al Snow took to the microphone in disappointment as his poor win streak remained without victory. The former color commentator on Sunday Night Heat admitted undergoing a dry spell since returning from injury. Since coming back from the sidelines and getting his cast removed, he had racked up an unfortunate string of losses. Bringing up his branded T-shirt advertising the auditioning process of Tough Enough, perhaps he sensed the hunger of some of the aspiring WWF Superstars - or perhaps he pitied them too much - the fact was he hadn't been as tough enough as he hoped to be. Al wanted to set a good example as a head trainer, one that won matches and beat people up. This was why he was calling out his opponent tonight, to look deep into his heart and do him a favor! Steve Blackman made his way out to the ring, baffled by his once-tag team partner's cry for help. Snow smiled, telling 'the Lethal Weapon' how great it was to see him. He looked well. Al discussed their time together as Head Cheese, how Steve once took out an entire nursing home with his god-awful comedy. What about WrestleMania, where he and Blackman took out their frustrations on Chester McCheeserton? Al stared Steve in the eye, asking him politely to lay down for him. Instead, Steve looked Al square in the face, then nailed him with a thrust kick to the chest!
2) Steve Blackman def. Al Snow (2:18)Head Cheese may have at one time been a tag team in the jam-packed WWF Tag Team Championship picture, but that was a long time ago, and they did not leave an impeccable mark. Al Snow was searching for his first victory since returning from injury, but 'the Lethal Weapon' was not to give him a free pass. Blackman covered Snow frequently to kick off, before lighting him up with more fierce kicks in the corner. Snow was able to poke the eye and roll Steve Blackman up, only for Blackman to kick out. A sit-out powerbomb gave Snow another two count, following up with a series of trapping headbutts and a belly-to-belly suplex! Al was showing off a more desperate side tonight, climbing to the top rope only to miss the moonsault! Blackman connected with a big pump kick before covering, only for Al to get his foot on the bottom rope before crumpling out to the floor. Blackman was on the attack, but as Snow re-entered the ring, he clearly had a hold of his favorite companion: Head! Snow swung risking disqualification, but Blackman kicked Head like a football out to the floor! Al turned his back looking for his back-up plan, and Blackman took him down to sleep with the dragon sleeper!
Despite Al Snow's desperation, Steve Blackman racked up another win tonight on SmackDown. Snow slowly came to on the floor, believing himself to have won the match despite being knocked out momentarily with the martial artist's dragon sleeper! In a daze he hugged the referee, while 'the Lethal Weapon' stood tall. Snow would continue to hunt for his first victory of 2001.
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Outside of Shane McMahon's office, the door opened to reveal the son of the Chairman and Trish Stratus conversing. It appeared amicable as the WWF Diva understood how confusing everything must be. It was merely a misunderstanding, which Shane O'Mac agreed completely. Apologizing for the mix-up, he believed Trish cleared up a lot of things and made a lot of sense. Sorry for accusing her of sleeping with the married Vince McMahon, Shane told Trish to have a good evening. Returning inside, Shane left Trish to smile with delight, when turning to be confronted by Stephanie McMahon! 'The Billion Dollar Princess' folded her arms and approached Trish in anger, accusing her of trying to get in her brother's pants now! Trish wanted in every McMahon's trousers, it was clear enough. Trish was defensive, claiming not to have slept with anybody. Steph didn't care, and promptly slapped Trish across the face! Trish tackled Stephanie down to the floor, as officials rushed to get between the two fighting women - this accusation carrying toxic consequences! Shane rushed from inside his office to join the commotion, pulling Trish away from a besieging Stephanie!
We returned to a replay of what went down before the commercial break, as cooler heads prevailed between Trish Stratus and Shane McMahon, who is thought to have been fed incorrect information about the WWF Diva and his father Vince McMahon. The same couldn't be said for Stephanie McMahon, who promptly got in a hair-pulling fight on the floor outside of Shane's office!
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A video package aired, showing that Chyna was in training, preparing for the Grandest Stage of Them All: WrestleMania. 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' prepared for the WWF Women's Championship shot at Ivory, and had no better help on her side than boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn. As the two trained together in the ring, the Playboy covergirl spoke of the disappointing loss at the Royal Rumble, and how everybody in the World Wrestling Federation was sick, tired and fed up of the Right to Censor's cr*p. Billy expressed his fears, reminded of the horrendous neck injury suffered at the hands of the RTC. They woman-handled her, but they also threatened to take her life away - let alone her passions and livelihood! Chyna declared that she proved the hospital wrong, doctors wrong. Next, she wanted to prove the RTC and all of her critics wrong. Chyna said her big goal come WrestleMania was to prove that she too can come back from a career-ending neck injury and become WWF Women's Champion. Come WrestleMania X-Seven, she was going to kick Ivory's ass like it had never been kicked before, and be the real role model that this generation deserved!
In the Right to Censor's dressing room, the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry watched idly by whilst WWF Women's Champion Ivory appeared nervous in front of the television monitor. Having just seen her rival Chyna in training, 'the Role Model' maintained that WrestleMania would mark 3-0 for the RTC against that pathetic Playboy garbage. Into the room walked Steven Richards, who complained about missing RAW is WAR due to his flight being delayed. He knew that the RTC were suffering right now, and it was undoubtedly thanks to Chyna, Billy Gunn, and those scumbag inbreds the Fighting Holly Cousins. Steven said he made it tonight on sheer will, and how it spoke volumes for how much he believed in the RTC's fight against the good fight to drive all the way to Washington, D.C. by himself tonight! Steven was appalled by the Nation's Capitol, in firm belief it was supposed to be their safe haven from corruption - yet congress was full of it too! It had Steven thinking: the RTC shouldn't just be cleansing the World Wrestling Federation - they should be cleansing the United States of America, one state at a time!
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Triple H made an unannounced appearance, sure to be raging after the blind-sighted assault received by Shawn Michaels three nights ago on RAW is WAR. Brandishing a bandage on his forehead, 'the Game' walked with a sledgehammer in hand undoubtedly hunting his now-former best friend in the business, Shawn Michaels! 'The Game' climbed into the ring' and said how he was going to keep it short, plain and simple. He had cried crocodile tears about once having everything, and having it all taken away from him bit by bit. It had grown tiresome, it had become pointless. He had spent too much time pouring his heart out, bawling his eyes out about losing everything that made him that damn good, and what he had to do to achieve ultimate redemption. While 'the Cerebral Assassin' still had the WWF Championship high on his hit-list, one man changed everything when he not just played him and the rest of the World Wrestling Federation for fools last year, and drove a stake through his heart on RAW is WAR: Shawn Michaels! Begging the question where it all went wrong for their friendship, 'the Game' recounted how inseparable they were, how they changed the face of the business together. Did it all go wrong when Hunter took over D-Generation X in 'the Heartbreak Kid's absence? Was it when HBK revealed himself as the man responsible for running Stone Cold Steve Austin down?
Might Shawn Michaels have done what he did because he didn't visit him in the hospital last December, or because 'the Heartbreak Kid' couldn't stand the fact that his best buddy was busy chasing becoming a four-time WWF Champion despite everything. Triple H mused that it might even go even beyond that for all he cared. He knew Shawn felt he was always riding his coattails, and he couldn't handle 'the Cerebral Assassin' reaching all of these accolades HBK couldn't do anymore. Shawn Michaels was a 'Showstopper', he was 'the Main Event'. But now? He was done! The sledgehammer resting on his shoulder, Triple H had his eyes on the cameraman's lens as he spoke about Shawn having a good laugh and getting one over on him last Monday night on RAW, but if he wanted to truly laugh and joke with 'the Game' about old-times: maybe he could do the right thing and show up at WrestleMania. The crowd exploded, Triple H reminiscing about people calling Shawn 'Mr. WrestleMania', but he didn't see that Shawn anymore. All he saw was a phony, yellow-bellied coward in a cowboy hat! Triple H further pushed the envelope, daring Michaels to take the black hat off and face him, to fight him man to man, brother to brother - then maybe they could settle this once and for all! Leaving the ring in a hurry, 'the Game' was in no time to showboat. All he wanted was his ex-best friend, and he wanted him at WrestleMania!
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Backstage, trouble was brewing in the camp of the former WWF Tag Team Champions T&A. Test and Albert were unsuccessful in claiming the WWF Hardcore Championship on RAW is WAR, and even found themselves laid waste by their opponents tonight. The two studs argued as they walked the hall, when the cameras cut to the sight of the Brothers of Destruction walking the halls in imposing fashion. Having disposed of the Big Show three nights ago on RAW is WAR, a tag team barnburner was coming up next!
Stephanie McMahon sat scowling on the leather couch in her dressing room, when into frame stepped a disgruntled boyfriend Kurt Angle. In awe at her girlfriend's antics, fighting with Trish Stratus moments ago, 'the Megastar' could not believe she had the audacity of embarrassing him on the same night he becomes a three-time WWF Champion. Angle asked if this was what 'the Billion Dollar Princess' wanted, to cost them their shot at headlining WrestleMania as the man on top of the mountain. Steph heard enough and was in disbelief, calling the Olympic Gold Medalist out on being so self-centred, high and mighty. Angle believed he had every reason to be concentrating on tonight, because they were in Washington, D.C. - the Nation's Capitol. He was a patriot, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and the rightful flagbearer of the World Wrestling Federation. Nobody wore the red, white and blue better, and he deserved to beat The Rock and Chris Benoit tonight to headline WrestleMania against Stone Cold Steve Austin!
The door slammed, and in paced Shane McMahon. In disbelief himself, Stephanie McMahon's brother begged the question what 'the Billion Dollar Princess's problem was. He wanted to understood why his sister was losing her mind attacking innocent women in the backstage area! Steph wasn't a wrestler, she was a McMahon - she should know better. Kurt actually agreed with him, when Stephanie accused Shane of hypocrisy, for laying out Vince McMahon last week in cold blood! She was furious at all of them - Vince, Kurt, Shane, even her resting mother Linda McMahon back home. But most of all, she wanted Trish Stratus's ass tonight! Shane gawked and claimed her to have lost complete focus of the situation. Finally revealing the news, Shane relayed Trish's information that it was all a misunderstanding: Vince McMahon didn't have an affair with Stratus after all. Steph's jaw dropped and she left the room without another word. Angle confessed how creepy it was to think of the Chairman with anybody, let alone Trish Stratus.
. 3) The Brothers of Destruction def. T&A (4:06)SummerSlam last August saw a massive upset take place, as Test and Albert of T&A were able to defeat the Brothers of Destruction in shocking fashion. A lot had changed since then, as the since-WWF Tag Team Champions now struggled to achieve any gold. The Undertaker and Kane both involved themselves in the WWF Hardcore Championship hunt with Rhyno last Monday on RAW is WAR, and left T&A laying backstage for even thinking about participating in the 24/7 rule. T&A squabbled before the bell, when 'the American Badass' and 'the Big Red Machine' rushed them with fists! A clothesline from Albert rocked Kane, only for the monster to strike with a big throat thrust! A clothesline in the corner was followed with a sidewalk slam, when Undertaker got the tag to lay in some elbow strikes on Test in the corner. The Old School as 'the Freight Train' frowned from the corner, the half-brothers devastating Test with a double suplex connecting. Finally Test was able to blast 'the Deadman' with a clothesline before following with a gutwrench powerbomb for a near fall. Considering tagging Albert in, he elected to ignore him. Unfortunately, Kane made the tag! A flying clothesline took Test down, and a powerbomb was attempted only for the Canadian to backdrop out of it. The diving elbow drop went missing as Kane sat up, and a double Chokeslam from the Brothers of Destruction gave them the three count! Albert stood on the apron, not caring to make the save!
Albert watched tutting away from the apron, watching his supposed tag team partner Test laying in the middle of the ring, having been decimated by the Brothers of Destruction! The Undertaker and Kane had their hands raised after a decisive win, when 'the Freight Train' chose his time wisely and rushed 'the Big Red Machine' from behind! Hammering down on the Undertaker's back, Albert made the mistake on putting the boots to his T&A tag team partner to loud boos! The 350-pounder had had enough of Test, but the Undertaker and Kane returned with hard rights and lefts for Albert - dropping he too with a double Chokeslam in the center of the ring! Undertaker rolled out of the ring as Kane erupted his pyrotechnics, but the seven-foot monster's delay allowed the WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno to strike at ringside: delivering the Gore to the Undertaker! Kane followed in hot pursuit after the bell, but 'the Man-Beast' was able to escape into the crowd with Kane in hot pursuit!
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Stone Cold Steve Austin had arrived at the building, the challenger for WrestleMania X-Seven's main event appearing in a foul mood unknowing of whom he might meet for the WWF Championship in under-a-month's time! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' meant business after butting heads with the Rock last Monday night on RAW is WAR, but what might Austin do with the Triple Threat match still to come?
Shane McMahon took a lounge in his chair behind the desk, coming down after another distressful evening. Saddened by his misjudgment, Shane decided to breathe heavily when WWF European Champion William Regal appeared, slipping a cup of tea under the boss's son's nose. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' believed it to be the time to talk, then assured Shane that it would help relieve any stress. Shane attempted to postpone the arranged discussion, but the Englishman pitched change for the World Wrestling Federation once again. He could restore what was once a prideful, liberating and almighty industry to work for, one that had been riddled with dilemma, chaos, violence and anarchy for long enough. Regal promised to bring it back to what it once was as the WWF Commissioner, and all he needed was one week. Shane chuckled, telling William he couldn't let that happen. Remaining persistent, Regal suggested Shane take a week's holiday to recompose himself, and get a hold on the McMahon Family situation. All that William was asking for one week where he was the man in charge of the company. Regal told of his portfolio, having experience with matchmaking from across the pond in Britain. He knew how to rally the troops, and once he saw the incredible job done, Shane would need William as WWF Commissioner. Regal popped his business card in Shane's shirt pocket, then left imploring him to think about it. Shane was intrigued.
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The WWF Women's Champion Ivory was in the midst of her entrance to the ring. Sticking her nose up to the people of Washington, D.C., she was accompanied by Mark Henry and Steven Richards. 'The Role Model' took to the microphone and began delivering a speech about the Nation's Capitol, being desecrated ground - but ground that should fear no longer: their WWF Women's Champion was here. Ivory touted the Right to Censor's hard work accomplished, how they had fought the good fight for months and would continue doing just that. She was 'the Role Model' for all of those in the White House, in Congress, and that the people of the city clearly failed to realize what the RTC were all about. Maintaining they believed in preserving tranquility, reserving peace and allowing order and civility of the United States of America to be restored, Ivory contrasted figures like them to people like Chyna. 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' where the RTC were concerned, represented everything wrong with the USA, but now was the time for a homecoming. Ivory firmly believed WrestleMania would be the Playboy covergirl's last stand, because come the Grandest Stage of Them All, Chyna wouldn't be able to stand ever again! Smirkingly, the Right to Censor members applauded Ivory, when the Fighting Holly Cousins came walking out to the ring led by Molly Holly!
4) WWF Women's Champion Ivory (w/Steven Richards and Mark Henry) def. Molly Holly (w/The Fighting Holly Cousins) (3:22)The WWF Women's Championship would be on the line at WrestleMania in a Royal Rumble rematch, Ivory defending against an old returning rival in Chyna. But tonight was unfinished business as far as Molly Holly was concerned. Having been manhandled by Mark Henry in No Way Out's Fatal 4-Way match, Molly came out hot taking the champ down with a series of clotheslines, and a springboard armdrag from the top rope! A missile dropkick followed for a near fall, when the Right to Censor's female advocate was able to slip from the ring. Molly wanted to earn herself another shot at the gold, but at ringside Hardcore and Crash Holly squared up to Steven Richards and 'the Secret Weapon' as they guarded Ivory. Molly struck with a baseball slide behind the RTC members, before taking her inside with a northern lights suplex! Angrily, Molly went for the arm all the while gritting her teeth at the 400-pounder. Steven provided the distraction for Ivory to pull Molly by the hair to the canvas, and she began to choke her against the bottom rope before dumping the plucky Alabama Diva to the floor. Mark Henry took a step forward, when Crash dove off the steel steps at him to go caught - but Hardcore followed with rights and lefts! Molly returned inside and Ivory looked at a DDT, when Molly reversed into a rolling clutch cradle for a near fall: only for Ivory to reverse into one of her own to steal yet another win!
The WWF Women's Champion rolled out to safety, escaping the angry mob duo of the Fighting Holly Cousins. Molly Holly scowled in the way of a joyous Mark Henry, who raised Ivory's hand in victory. Hardcore and Crash Holly would mouth off towards the Right to Censor, particularly Steven Richards. Meanwhile, 'the Role Model' continued to cheat her way to victory. As Chyna intensely trained in anticipation for WrestleMania's title match, how would these underhanded victories help Ivory in the slightest?
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Albert was seen walking the hallway with poise. 'The Freight Train' was visibly angry, having betrayed Test in T&A's match with the Brothers of Destruction earlier tonight. Storming right into the trainer's office, Test sat up on the bed to the reluctance of the doctor. Going face to face, T&A looked to be imploding as Test shoved Albert and Albert shoved Test! The Canadian demanded to know what the hell had gotten into him, he felt 'the Freight Train' stomp away at him. Albert believed Test was full of himself, his ego got the better of him again, and he refused to make the tag! Albert was sick of Test's egotism, whilst the Canadian was sick of 'the Freight Train's stupidity. Albert sighed, telling him they were better than this. Greater tag teams have come back from this, they were former WWF Tag Team Champions after all. Test muttered he might be right, when Albert mused Test being dead weight. The two suddenly came to blows, right there in the trainer's office!
The Brothers of Destruction were in recovery in their locker room, after the Undertaker had been Gored down by the WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno earlier tonight. In walked a hesitant Jonathan Coachman for comment, the Coach wanting to get a feel for what was on their minds. 'The American Badass' chastised Coach for the idiotic journalism, telling him that this was about more than who had the bigger balls: this was about somebody trespassing in his yard. 'The Deadman' recounted overcoming the Big Show, and proving exactly that last Monday on RAW is WAR. But now he realized he had a bullseye on his chest, targeted by 'the Man-Beast'. The problem was, Rhyno had a giant bullseye on his chest too. Passionately, Undertaker declared that Rhyno was the guy to beat, because in the World Wrestling Federation there was a pecking order: and he wanted Kane to let him have the boy to himself. Title or no title, 'the Deadman' wanted Rhyno one-on-one on RAW this Monday. Undertaker left the room, while Coach was left to ask 'the Big Red Machine' his thoughts. Kane left without another word.
. 5) WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian def. The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) (5:14)
It had been a roller-coaster ride to get back to their WWF Tag Team Championship heights, but Edge and Christian did it with a price to pay back at No Way Out. Edge had been out injured after suffering a fifteen-foot high fall from the top of a steel-cage through two tables to win the gold, but was back in action tonight to prepare for Monday night's title rematch against the Dudley Boyz. The Dudley Boyz stepped out to the stage before the bell, as the hungry Hardy Boyz rushed the champs with rights and lefts. Immediately double teaming Christian, it left a weakened Edge to receive the Poetry in Motion before dual-legdrops to the head and groin landed courtesy of the Hardys. Matt Hardy missed the diving legdrop however, while at ringside Jeff vaulted from the barricade into Christian! Bubba Ray, D-Von and Spike Dudley surveyed from afar, as Edge shot Matt down with the spear allowing the new champs to isolate the North Carolinians. Christian was the aggressor, stomping away at the elbow of Matt and restraining him in an armbar, but as he reached for his older brother Edge's hand for an assist in leverage through the ropes, Lita came from behind to break it up! Matt caught Edge with the bulldog and a Side Effect for Christian, when Jeff made the tag! Running wild, a spinning headscissors and a jawbreaker stunned Christian as Matt sent himself and Edge to the floor with a clothesline. It set him up for Lita's diving hurricanrana from the steel steps, while inside Christian looked at the Unprettier to go reversed into a Twist of Fate! Jeff stripped his shirt and went up top for the Swanton Bomb, where Edge latched onto his boot. Christian took advantage, knocking Jeff off the top rope to the canvas! Edge clutched the boot under the ropes, allowing the champs to take the victory!
The WWF Tag Team Champions were victorious in non-title competition against the hungry Hardy Boyz, but as Edge and Christian avoided the frenzy of Matt Hardy and Lita! Team Xtreme aided to Jeff in the ring, who looked annoyed by the loss, but the Canadians were surprised by none other than the awaiting Dudley Boyz behind them on the rampway! D-Von and Bubba Ray laid into their fierce rivals, sending the new champs packing as Spike Dudley played cheerleader for his older brothers! The Dudleys wanted their titles back and would receive their rematch on RAW is WAR, but the Hardy Boyz and Lita in the ring did not look the slightest bit happy about it.
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Trish Stratus was seen in the locker room area, the WWF Diva alone with not a friend in the world. In walked Stephanie McMahon, causing Trish to groan and turn her back to 'the Billion Dollar Princess'. Steph wasn't there to cause another fight or argument, knowing full well how dysfunctional their relationship had been. She didn't know what side of the fence Trish was on, but if what Shane had told her was true, she had every right to apologize. Stratus was gobsmacked at how easy an apology would be to accept - everybody in the World Wrestling Federation thought she was a sl*t! Trish didn't sleep with Vince McMahon, and never would. Steph understood and told Trish her side of the tale: the immense pressure she was under to do whatever "the right thing" might be. To watch as her own family tore itself limb from limb, all while her boyfriend Kurt Angle was busy chasing his own dreams and ignoring her needs completely. Trish was sorry for Steph, who told Trish in return she hoped none of the rumors were true. Stratus hesitantly forgave McMahon, admitting to being touchy herself. The two hugged, and Trish told Stephanie to come see her whenever she needed advice. Steph was glad to hear it, leaving the room. Trish watched her leave, an insincere smile on her face.
Up next, it was main event time. A four-way splitscreen showed the participants gearing up and mentally preparing for the Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship moments away. The Rock hopped up and down on the spot, while Chris Benoit marched the halls full of himself. Kurt Angle strapped up ready to go, psyching himself up. In the fourth window saw Stone Cold Steve Austin sat on a bench in the locker room cracking a Steveweiser! Who would walk out WWF Champion? Who would 'the Texas Rattlesnake' meet at WrestleMania? We would find out in moments!
It was main event time, perhaps the final hour of the Rock's brief reign as WWF Champion. The main event of WrestleMania depended on it in this Triple Threat match against Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, but scarily the glass shattered: Stone Cold Steve Austin making his way out to the ring! With a beer cooler in one hand, and a Steveweiser in the other, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' stomped out to ringside to join Michael Cole and Tazz on commentary. When quizzed about why he was here, Austin declared he was keeping a close eye on his investment! Austin didn't care whether it was WrestleMania season or not, whether he needed to get into top shape or not, he hadn't just waited two months for this moment, he had waited fifteen! Only one could meet Austin at WrestleMania, and he would be the first man to congratulate the son of a b*tch.
6) The Rock (c) def. Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match to retain the WWF Championship (7:26)The WWF Championship had never known such a crazier couple of weeks, with WrestleMania only looming closer and closer. Stone Cold Steve Austin was guaranteed to be entering the Showcase of the Immortals to challenge for the richest prize in the business, the question was against which man? Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle had constantly been at odds dating back to their time in the Coalition, but were put at odds against the Rock and Austin last Monday night on RAW is WAR. After 'the Megastar' caused Austin and Rock's heads to clash, it was 'the Rabid Wolverine' who delivered and captured pinfall victory over the WWF Champion earning him his shot. Yet earlier tonight, Kurt Angle once again threw his name into the hat, and lucky for him: the Rock was game to take on anyone in his way. Angle and Benoit faced off before the bell after their exchange earlier in the night, before dramatically coming to strikes. Following a technical sparring session on the mat, Benoit looked for the Crossface over for the Olympian to reverse into an Ankle Lock attempt! Benoit made the ropes, when Angle looked for the Angle Slam only for Benoit to sunset flip his way free, right into the Sharpshooter! Previously absent, The Rock leapt to the ring not about to lose the WWF Championship while not on his watch. Two weeks prior he and Angle had been at odds in another Triple Threat match at No Way Out, but immediately he and Angle teamed up to lay into Benoit with rights hands! A Samoan drop sent Benoit packing, when 'the People's Champ' turned to lay into Angle with clotheslines! Angle tried to outwit him, only to receive a floatover DDT for his trouble. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' on commentary refused to comment his thoughts about the Rock as the two faced off from afar, as Benoit dragged Angle from the ring and slipped inside to deliver a triad of German suplexes!
Benoit motioned for the Diving Headbutt just like Monday night, when Angle dragged Benoit out and sent him over the barricade! Angle hit the ring and scored a back suplex, a moonsault from the top rope giving the former champ a close near fall! Angle proceeded to hammer away at the ankle of 'the Great One', a heel hook applied when Benoit came off the top rope with the Diving Headbutt for Rock! Benoit butterflied over into the Crossface attempt, but Angle again wrestled free. Benoit tried to German Angle, only for the Angle Slam to connect instead! Angle trash talked instead of covering, when Rock clotheslined Angle down before following Benoit out to ringside. By the announce table Rock laid into Benoit as Austin sat closeby, when 'the Rabid Wolverine' raked the WWF Champion's eyes. Benoit turned around, taking the beer cooler and tossing it at Austin! It prompted a fight, and Stone Cold immediately let loose on Benoit while Kurt Angle grabbed a steel chair out of sheer desperation. 'The Megastar' swung for Benoit, but he ducked and Austin was left laying from the steel chair shot! Angle cursed his own name, when Rock tossed him back inside. Setting up for the Rock Bottom, Benoit snuck in only to receive a spinebuster. Angle was sent out to the floor, and the People's Elbow connected on Benoit: Rock retaining the WWF Championship!
Finally, the Rock had come back to the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven, and Washington, D.C. applauded 'the Great One' on a job well done! The WWF Champion had retained his prize despite the odds of two formidable foes in Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle, yet when the dust settled: the Reliant Astrodome in Houston would remain headlined by 'the People's Champ' going to meet Stone Cold Steve Austin! Angle was on the brink of sobbing into the apron at ringside, as Benoit crumpled out to the floor a beaten man. The Rock posed on the second rope for the MCI Center to erupt, but what he was not expecting was 'the Texas Rattlesnake' to come from behind: a Stone Cold Stunner leaving the Rock laying! Perhaps it was congratulations, perhaps it was karma for the headbutt received on RAW is WAR. Regardless, Austin left the ring and headed up the rampway cracking two beers in hand. Austin was ready for WrestleMania! |
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Post by DTP. on Mar 10, 2021 10:33:00 GMT -5
Jakked - March 10, 2001
MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
Broadcast on syndication
Taped on March 5, 2001The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena where Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to WWF Jakked, three weeks away from WrestleMania X-Seven!
1) The Radicalz (w/Terri) def. Too Cool (4:25)Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko might have appeared to be on their rise back up the ranks of the tag team division, but Terri had also made waves this past week, whipping veteran WWF Diva Jacqueline with her leather belt. Perhaps biting off more than she could chew, tonight the Radicalz prepared for battle against Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay. Too Cool were in a dancing mood early, and bested Saturn and Malenko with double hiptosses and a missile dropkick, when the crazy dance moves of Grandmaster inadvertently set him up for a belly-to-belly suplex from Perry. Malenko grounded him with an STF applied, while Saturn applied a bodysleeper for good measure. 'The She-Devil' cheered her team on as they effectively worked over Sexay, but a double DDT reversal from a suplex attempt enabled Scotty to make the tag. Coming in hot, Scotty's offense culminated with the diving DDT from the top rope - but Saturn clung to the top rope. Scotty crashed hard, and a fisherman suplex set Malenko up for the Texas Cloverleaf to allow for a submission victory.
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Post by DTP. on Mar 11, 2021 21:14:18 GMT -5
Sunday Night Heat - March 11, 2001
MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
Broadcast on MTV - Live from WWF New York
Taped on March 6, 2001 A video package aired, taking us back to Monday night on RAW is WAR. In the heat of a tag team battle with WWF Championship opportunities, the WrestleMania opponents Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock teamed up to battle Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle. Rock and Austin struggled to coexist, much like Benoit and Angle, when a staredown went interrupted by 'the Megastar' causing Austin and Rock to butt heads. The incident allowed 'the Rabid Wolverine' to earn himself a title shot on SmackDown, but the former champ the Olympic Gold Medalist had a lot to say about it. 'The People's Champ' decided to take both men on in a Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship, all the while 'the Texas Rattlesnake' watched from the announce table. After getting into the heat of battle, a desperate Angle swung a steel chair at Austin, when Rock was ultimately able to come out victorious. With the title retained, Rock celebrated his victory on the Road to WrestleMania after all: when Stone Cold fired the first shot with a Stunner that 'the Great One' would never forget!
The opening video package aired, bringing us to WWF New York for Sunday Night Heat! A crowd was on hand gathering around the desk of Michael Cole and Tazz as the co-hosts welcomed us to the show in Times Square live, just three weeks away from the Grandest Stage of Them All: WrestleMania! They discussed what was in store tonight, as WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho would be in the house; plus Bradshaw teams with Too Cool to battle the three members of the Radicalz!
William Regal made his way out onto the stage in the entertainment complex. With a scroll in hand, the Englishman introduced himself to the negative response of the New York City people. He was William Regal, and not only was he Blackpool's finest gentleman, nor the WWF European Champion - but he was the WWF's new Commissioner! Relaying what Shane O'Mac told him given the unfortunate transpiring of the McMahon Family, Shane was giving him a week's trial to truly show what he could do with a WWF under the Regal Regime! Regal ignored the cries of the people, speaking about demanding respect, and that Shane made an admirable handful of mistakes - but which McMahon didn't? Stephanie McMahon couldn't decide which man she wanted, so she waited until after marriage with Triple H that she wanted Kurt Angle! Vince McMahon couldn't quite comprehend what the audience wanted - like they mattered - and he paid the price too! Shane made the dear mistake of delivering incorrect information, and could not rest easily knowing that the WWF was in good hands with its new Commissioner, the WWF European Champion himself, William Regal! Reading from the scroll, Regal declared that a new dawn was coming, and that he would not stop until the civility, the prestige, class and honor of the company would be restored. Regal thanked the people, before telling them each that he would see them tomorrow night on RAW is Regal!
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In the restaurant area of WWF New York, D-Lo Brown was seen having a blast at a dinner table. With a plate full of chicken in front of him, and a beer to his side, the former WWF European Champion was in high spirits. Up came a waiter to ask that everything was good for him, D-Lo claimed that he was in the best mood he'd been in a long time. D-Lo believed himself to be in for some luck tonight. The waiter inquired why that was, when Brown revealed that he was betting on himself tonight, and he had a good feeling everything would go exactly his way! The waiter walked away having wished him luck, while D-Lo laughed and rubbed his palms together.
A video package aired, recapping the wild ride it took for the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin to prepare to headline WrestleMania against one another, in just three weeks time. 'The People's Champ' was forced to coexist with 'the Texas Rattlesnake' six nights ago on RAW is WAR, against two hungry hopeful challengers in former Coalition allies, Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. If either of them were to score a victory against the main eventers, they would earn themselves a title shot on SmackDown. Rock and Austin were off to a rocky start but fell into a groove, before stumbling across one another in an intense staredown. Words were exchanged, when 'the Megastar' came from behind blasting Rock into Austin! Benoit capitalized and scored the pinfall victory over 'the People's Champ', granting him the right to challenge Rock on SmackDown. Instead, Angle interjected himself, still bitter about losing the WWF Championship at No Way Out. Rock complied with a battling Angle and Benoit, agreeing on making it a Triple Threat match. Stone Cold came out to spectate from the announce position, before inevitably winding up in a fist fight with Benoit! A desperate Angle used a steel chair and accidentally laid out Austin, when Rock capitalized and scored the pinfall victory to retain his title. But in payback for RAW, Austin would leave the champ laying with a Stone Cold Stunner. You had to imagine Rock had been waiting to return the favor, would he get it tomorrow on RAW is WAR?
Michael Cole and Tazz were at the desk inside WWF New York, talking about how amped up the entire sports entertainment industry was for WrestleMania: to witness two of the most ground-breaking WWF Superstars of all-time go at it, when Stone Cold Steve Austin meets The Rock for the WWF Championship. They diverged discussion to comment on the other matches announced, including Ivory defending the WWF Women's Championship against Chyna; but also the potential of Triple H challenging his treacherous ex-best friend Shawn Michaels! Cole and Tazz spoke of 'the Heartbreak Kid's betrayal of 'the Game' on RAW is WAR, and noted how livid Triple H was to challenge HBK to a showdown at the Reliant Astrodome. Yet nobody had heard anything from 'the Showstopper'. How would Shawn respond, and would he even be at RAW is WAR tomorrow night?
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K-Kwik made an electric entrance to the ring for his opportunity to recapture the WWF Hardcore Championship. A former champ in his own right, K-Dawg rapped to 'Get Rowdy' as he slid into the ring before addressing the capacity crowd in attendance. The rapper rhymed and shuffled about being 24/7, 24/7, and not being afraid of Rhyno. Acknowledging the number of challengers on the loose Rhyno's tail, he didn't care about the Undertaker, Kane, or Big Show. He was stepping up, and was challenging Rhyno to come get got by K-Dawg here on Sunday Night Heat! The WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno would accept the challenge, stomping to the ring wasting no time.
1) Rhyno (c) def. K-Kwik to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship (3:15)The WWF Hardcore Championship has found a comfortable waist to sit on in the brutal, animalistic 'Man-Beast' Rhyno. Having defended the title this past week on RAW is WAR against Kane, whilst escaping the wrath of 'the Big Red Machine's half-brother the Undertaker, Rhyno was a man to be stopped and K-Kwik wanted to be the man to stop him tonight. K-Kwik brought the fight early, hammering on Rhyno and rolling away from a sudden Gore. An axe kick gave him control, as the fight found its way out to ringside. K-Dawg rammed Rhyno's head into the ring bell at the timekeeper's table, when the former ECW brawler drilled him and turned the table on the challenger's head! Introducing a trash can, Rhyno discovered a potted plant underneath the ring and went to use it only for K-Kwik to kick it right back in the champion's face! K-Dawg used the trash can to effective use, but Rhyno would catch the metal can and toss it at K-Kwik before tackling him down with the Gore through the garbage! K-Dawg gasped for breath, as Rhyno racked up another victory.
The WWF Hardcore Championship was retained once again as Rhyno claimed another victim tonight on Sunday Night Heat. There was no celebration for 'the Man-Beast' tonight on Sunday Night Heat, instead leaving the ring and dragging the title belt behind him. It was announced that the champ would meet his toughest challenge to date tomorrow night on RAW is WAR, as Rhyno would defend the WWF Hardcore Championship against the Undertaker!
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In the lonely APA's Office, Bradshaw was seen sat alone drinking beer in anticipation for the six-man tag team main event ahead. The tough Texan was thinking about the Radicalz carefully, when into the room came the hyperactive duo of Too Cool! Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay addressed the Acolyte, asking him how pumped up he was to be teaming with the former WWF Tag Team Champions tonight! Grandmaster cracked a joke about how good it would feel to be on the same side as Bradshaw for a change, making sure to note they would be saving his keister another beating tonight. Purposely dropping his glass bottle to shatter on the floor, Bradshaw threatened the fan favorites that they'd better win tonight, or once again Too Cool would be in his bad books. He couldn't afford another loss tonight against the three dumbasses in the Radicalz! Too Cool sheepishly left under Bradshaw's orders, when Jacqueline came up behind him and whipped a leather strap on the poker table. Fired up, Jackie was looking for revenge tonight on that horny little tramp Terri! The WWF Diva recited how she was humiliated by 'the She-Devil', but tonight: she would get her revenge. Jackie left the room, this time leaving Bradshaw intimidated. Muttering to himself, Bradshaw grabbed another beer and confessed to himself that he was aroused.
A video package aired, looking back on the sorry state of the former Coalition leaders. After the distress Stephanie McMahon had underwent by a choice encounter with Chris Benoit the week before on SmackDown, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' was furious when her boyfriend Kurt Angle elected to team with 'the Rabid Wolverine' for a shot at the WWF Championship against The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on RAW is WAR. All the while, Stephanie found herself between a rock and a hardplace once Shane O'Mac dropped the bomb that his sister's friend Trish Stratus had been having an affair with Vince McMahon in the dawning of wife Linda McMahon's fragile condition! It was all revealed to be a ruse and a misunderstanding by Trish, but the bad blood remained as Stephanie threatened to kick Trish's ass and tried, only to be separated by officials and ejected by security under Shane's orders! As Trish pled her innocence and Stephanie apologized for coming after the WWF Diva, Stratus would accept her apology. A certain friendship during these tumultuous times, Trish smiled and watched her leave happy.
Michael Cole and Tazz talked about the new WWF Commissioner on trial taking charge of the World Wrestling Federation this coming week, as William Regal had successfully campaigned to Shane McMahon and persuaded him to take a week off from the stress of an anarchy-riddled company. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' was hoping to restore dignity, respect and honor to the WWF, though time would tell how the WWF European Champion might fare. They turned to give an update on WWF CEO Linda McMahon's condition, assuring us that after the post-trauma induced coma the wife of the Chairman had suffered, Linda was home resting and on heavy medication. Whether it was thanks to Chris Benoit, or the drama in the McMahon Family War - that remained a big question. Who knew where Vince McMahon was, though one had to figure the WWF Owner was home caring for his debilitated wife.
William Regal made his way over to the desk, the WWF European Champion grinning after what he thought was a fantastic state of address of the WWF New York fans. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' ignored the boos of the gathered people around he, Michael and Tazz, as he vowed to not let anybody down. Tazz questioned what it was the new WWF Commissioner had in mind for the people to expect, when Regal divulged several matches he had made official for RAW tomorrow night. Not only would the Undertaker challenge Rhyno for the WWF Hardcore Championship, but Edge and Christian would defend their WWF Tag Team Championships against the former champs the Dudley Boyz. But that wasn't it - it would be a night of gold and titles on the line. Regal recounted a recent memory that left him feeling uneasy. It was a problem that needed solving, and he had ordered it for tomorrow: WWF European Champion against WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho. But both titles would be on the line, and the winner walk assuredly walk out a double champion! Tazz cackled in delight, loving the idea. Cole accused Regal of abusing his power already, though the Commissioner renounced him and declared decorum: the Englishman in charge had spoken!
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Kaientai were in the ring as we returned to the arena, Taka Michinoku with a microphone in hand as Funaki waved the Japanese flag. Taka cackled about invading Sunday Night Heat last week, and it being a huge success. They didn't need gold like Chris Jericho's though, nor the dignity of taking over MTV completely. They were already renowned heroes, and would return home to the Land of the Rising Sun as VIPs of Heat! Funaki led out a deep-pitched INDEED, when the Right to Censor would interrupt them. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan were led out by Steven Richards, who cringed upon hearing the mockery of Japanese culture in which Kaientai were showing right now. Clearly they were prideful of being from Japan, but they weren't in Japan right now: they were in the United States of America! Richards believed you had to speak English to fully be able to compete in the World Wrestling Federation, and much like Ivory would do to Chyna at WrestleMania with the WWF Women's Championship on the line: the RTC would enlighten the dim-witted VIPs tonight in short order!
2) Kaientai def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/Steven Richards) (2:32)Kaientai had garnered a cult following in recent weeks, and it had to do with their invasion of Sunday Night Heat at WWF New York last week. Taka Michinoku and Funaki were both unsuccessful at taking down WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho on RAW is WAR last Monday, but tonight had two fierce threats to concern themselves with in the Right to Censor. Steven Richards watched auspiciously at ringside as Taka and Funaki flew around the ring trying to knock down either the Goodfather or Bull Buchanan, when a spinning headscissors went turned into a backbreaker from Goodfather on Funaki. A double big back body drop and a big boot from Buchanan allowed RTC dominance, as they choked Funaki across the bottom rope. He would fight back when position on the second rope, but a missile dropkick went blocked by the big henchman of the RTC. Finally, a double suplex would be reversed by Funaki, and a double DDT allowed for Taka to make the tag! Flying in with a springboard crossbody, a follow-up moonsault off the second would take Buchanan off his feet! A flying headscissors from Funaki took Bull out as Taka comically set up a Michinoku Driver only to be planted with a Samoan drop! Steven was full of it, when Billy Gunn crept up down the rampway to confront him on the floor! Goodfather was distracted, when Funaki blind tagged and scored a massive upset off the crucifix pin!
'The One' Billy Gunn' smiled at Steven Richards, who was furious at the fact Kaientai of all tag teams had beaten the Right to Censor! Physically imposing, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan were furious at the upset and immediately put the boots to Funaki in the middle of the ring! Steven directed traffic as Taka Michinoku hoped to make the save, only to receive a bicycle kick from Buchanan. The RTC stood tall over the Japanese duo, when Billy turned heel and hit the ring to fight off the RTC! With Kaientai's aid, the three swept the ring of the Right to Censor as Billy whipped his shirt off! Billy had an axe to grind with Steven Richards, while things had not gone the RTC's way ever since Chyna returned!
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In the green room of WWF New York, the Hardy Boyz and Lita were on hand drinking water and taking advantage of catering. Team Xtreme were guests tonight on Sunday Night Heat, but up next they would be present for an interview addressing the entertainment complex in downtown New York City!
A video package aired, revolved around Chris Benoit. One of the most technically-gifted WWF Superstars of all-time, 'the Rabid Wolverine' had christened in a new era built entirely around himself. Having made some of the very best the World Wrestling Federation have to offer tap to the Crossface, Benoit had recently made additions to his list. Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and even threats to Stephanie McMahon. The Canadian was a man on a mission, with a burning desire to become WWF Champion and take hostage of the main event of WrestleMania. Although unsuccessful in SmackDown's Triple Threat match, 'the Crippler' still had his eyes firmly set on both the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. In Benoit's mind there was only one thing he wanted to do: prove everybody wrong.
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Michael Cole stood on the stage of WWF New York, rallying the entertainment complex in anticipation for Team Xtreme's arrival! Joined by his girlfriend Lita and brother Jeff, Matt Hardy led them out to the stage to a rabid ovation from the New York City crowd. Cole had asked the Hardys how it felt to have undergone such a rollercoaster few weeks. For Jeff Hardy it went from winning his first singles title in the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, to being screwed out of it by X-Pac. Jeff said that it was such a disappointment to have lost the title he'd earned all by himself, for the very first time. He had big plans to defend the title, and allow the people to watch him grow, all the while his dream was for Matt to also win gold. Matt assured Jeff that it wasn't his fault X-Factor were a bunch of losing cheats, and that without a doubt that day would come. But in the mean time coming off of their altercation with Edge and Christian on SmackDown, they clearly weren't finished yet with the WWF Tag Team Championships! The crowd erupted, as Lita held Matt's hand and confessed that she knew Team Xtreme would rebound, and one day all three of them would hold singles gold in the World Wrestling Federation. As far as Lita believed, the Hardy Boyz were destined to go down in greatness as the hottest, fastest rising tag team in sports entertainment. Cole believed that to be a tall hill to climb, when Jeff said that they would once again live for the moment and reach the top, because they would be watching Edge and Christian's title match with the Dudley Boyz tomorrow night on RAW is WAR: and they would be the first to challenge the winners!
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We cut to the arena where the countdown started, culminating in an explosion of pyrotechnics. The WWF Intercontinental Champion had arrived, Chris Jericho strutting out to the rampway to address 'MTV is Jericho!' Y2J was beloved by the people, as he talked of MTV being a pretty badass place and how next week he would once again grace everybody in TV-Land by appearing at WWF New York. But this wasn't about tuning in to watch his favorite band in the world, Fozzy rock the house down, nor was it about all of his beloved Jerichoholics watching. Jericho was here to talk about being the WWF Intercontinental Champion, and just how exhilerating it was for a 'Sexy Beast' like him to be knocking it dead each and every night, as a four-time champion. But something drew his ire earlier tonight, and that was the news that William Regal would be trying out as the new WWF Commissioner. Not only that, but he heard the greedy English swine also wanted his title. Jericho recited how he had kicked the tea and crumpets out of little Willy Regal's gob time and time again in the past, but tomorrow night on RAW is WAR, with both the WWF Intercontinental and WWF European Championship at stake - he was going to walk out with two sexy championships around his chiseled, sexy waist!
Chris Jericho similarly addressed how he knew Raven was watching, knowing full well 'the Creator' wanted nothing more than to kick the cr*p out of Y2J for the beating received at No Way Out. He knew Raven was sore, having not been the same since No Way Out. He had seen his finger puppet Tori lingering around behind the scenes too, and he sensed there would come a time where that sicko Raven would strike when the moment was right. He knew Raven was watching, and he was spoiling for a fight. Whether it was in the ring, in the dressing room, the parking lot, the boiler room, or even in the women's locker room, Y2J let it be known that he was ready for him, because he would be able to sniff him out from miles away! Jericho was begging Raven to come out from the shadows once more, because he had a job to finish, and was self-assured that when they next meet eye-to-eye, Jericho would make sure Raven was never, ever the same again! Y2J had the crowd hanging onto his every word as he returned to the back, all the while an unimpressed Tori was seen watching a backstage monitor blankly. Y2J might have to keep an eye out for the lurking Raven, but tomorrow night had to meet WWF European Champion William Regal in a title-for-title, winner takes all match on RAW!
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In the locker room, the Radicalz were gathered speaking with a highly confident Terri. Perry Saturn was smitten by 'the She-Devil' for the humiliation of Jacqueline dished out on RAW this past week. Dean Malenko tried speaking to the WWF Diva with affection as well, when Eddie Guerrero entered the room clapping in applause. 'Latino Heat' admitted to being sceptical of what Terri could bring to the Radicalz, but Eddie knew she was tough enough to cut it with the boys! Eddie hugged her, gloating at Terri proving she was a team player. Terri couldn't take all the credit, she knew she had to wake up and smell the coffee, and if Jackie wanted to go again tonight: she would be right there ready for fight. Brandishing her leather strap, Perry put an arm around her as Terri said she planned on spanking her sweet, little hiney all over again tonight. Eddie laughed, joking with the Radicalz that it was time again to beat that broken down Texan Bradshaw's ass one more time! The main event was up next.
D-Lo Brown was sat on a stool at the bar in WWF New York, watching eagerly with tickets in hand. Excited over the lottery, Brown erupted in excitement as the numbers were called out. Finally jumping to his feet in joy, he tossed a handful of tickets up in the air! D-Lo had won the lottery! Brown wooed to the awkward silence of the patrons around him, as he rudely called over the bartender and ordered a round of drinks all for himself! The bartender asked what the hollering was all about, when D-Lo delivered the news. D-Lo picked up a champagne bottle handed to him and poured it into his own glass, having snatched it from the bartender. Raising his glass in a toast to the surrounding entertainment complex, D-Lo gave cheers to WWF New York - because now he didn't need to wear these clothes, or win titles. He was filthy rich, and no longer needed to associate himself with a hellhole dive bar in New York! It was all coming up D-Lo, as he gulped the glass of champagne whole, before picking up the winning lottery ticket and leaving.
. 3) Bradshaw and Too Cool (w/Jacqueline) def. The Radicalz (w/Terri) (5:22)
Bradshaw had been at odds with the Radicalz for week, continuing to find issues with adapting with Faarooq sidelined by injury. With the oddball combination of Too Cool on his side, tonight Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay hoped to pick up a much-needed win against Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko, all the while Jacqueline hoped for revenge on Terri for a humiliating leather strap-beating on RAW is WAR. A six-man brawl kicked things off, with Too Cool cleaning house of Saturn and Malenko as Bradshaw chased Eddie out to ringside. An angry Terri caused the distraction, allowing Saturn and Malenko to all combat the Texan at ringside. With Bradshaw in peril, Too Cool amped the crowd up while the Radicalz took turns in dissecting the co-founder of the APA. Grounding him, Eddie showboated while applying a chinlock on Bradshaw, only for him to come rebounding out of it.
Eddie poked the eyes and hit a spinning headscissors for a near fall, before being caught by a powerslam off the ropes! Scotty made the tag and ran hot on Saturn, before reversing a double team attempt into a tornado DDT and hurricanrana combination on Saturn and Malenko! Guerrero dropped him with a brainbuster, but Sexay made the tag! Sexay caught Guerrero off-guard with a downward spiral, when placing the goggles on his face for connecting with the Hip Hop Drop! Malenko put Eddie's foot on the bottom rope then struck Sexay, while at ringside Jackie grabbed Terri by the hair! Jacqueline lifted Terri's skirt for a spanking with the leather strap, when Saturn intercepted, pulling Jackie off! Back inside Bradshaw made a blind-tag for the groggy Guerrero, and 'Latino Heat' turned to receive a walloping Clothesline From Hell, giving Bradshaw retribution!
Despite weeks of escapes and numbers games played, Bradshaw finally picked up the win over Eddie Guerrero. The Radicalz lumbered back up the rampway after retrieving the embarrassed and dishevelled Terri, and the dazed 'Latino Heat'. The tough Texan stood tall staring the group down, when Too Cool entered the ring overjoyed, having finally picked up a much-needed victory. Jacqueline joined them in the ring, but stared a hole through the clearly frightened 'She-Devil' Terri. With a leather strap in hand, Jackie wanted Terri's ass for humiliating her last week on RAW is WAR!
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At the desk in WWF New York, Michael Cole and Tazz revealed confirmation that Shawn Michaels would be live and in-person tomorrow night on RAW is WAR. But also, we would witness the first in-ring confrontation between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock - it was sure to be electrifying, with less than three weeks remaining until the Grandaddy of Them All: WrestleMania. Alongside four titles being up for grabs tomorrow night, the Showcase of the Immortals was rapidly approaching. Next week they announced being joined by Too Cool, WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho, and 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna! |
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Post by DTP. on Mar 12, 2021 9:50:20 GMT -5
WWF Live! - March 10-11, 2001
March 10, 2001 - Centennial Coliseum in Reno, Nevada:
- K-Kwik def. D-Lo Brown
- Jerry Lynn def. Joe E. Legend
- Spike Dudley def. Albert
- Test def. William Regal (c) by disqualification; William Regal retains the WWF European Championship.
- The Radicalz def. Too Cool
- Rhyno (c) def. Kane to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship.
- Edge and Christian (c) def. The Dudley Boyz in a Tables match to retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.
- Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Chris Benoit
- Billy Gunn and the Fighting Holly Cousins def. Mark Henry, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan
- Steve Blackman def. Al Snow
- X-Pac (c) def. Taka Michinoku & Funaki to retain the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.
- The Undertaker def. Big Show in a Street Fight.
- Eddie Guerrero def. Bradshaw
- The Hardy Boyz def. X-Factor
- Ivory (c) def. Lita, Jacqueline & Molly Holly to retain the WWF Women's Championship.
- Chris Jericho (c) def. Kurt Angle to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
March 11, 2001 - San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California:
- The Radicalz def. Too Cool
- K-Kwik def. D-Lo Brown
- Jerry Lynn def. Joe E. Legend
- Edge and Christian (c) def. The Dudley Boyz in a Tables match to retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.
- William Regal (c) def. Test to retain the WWF European Championship.
- Rhyno (c) def. Kane to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship.
- Albert def. Spike Dudley
- Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Chris Benoit
March 11, 2001 - Centennial Garden in Bakersfield, California:- X-Pac (c) def. Taka Michinoku & Funaki to retain the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.
- Billy Gunn and the Fighting Holly Cousins def. Mark Henry, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan
- Steve Blackman def. Al Snow
- The Undertaker def. Big Show in a Street Fight.
- Ivory (c) def. Molly Holly, Lita & Jacqueline to retain the WWF Women's Championship.
- Bradshaw def. Eddie Guerrero
- The Hardy Boyz def. X-Factor
- Chris Jericho (c) def. Kurt Angle to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
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