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Post by DTP. on Mar 31, 2021 5:04:00 GMT -5
Jakked - March 31, 2001 Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio Broadcast on syndication Taped on March 26, 2001The 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 WrestleMania X-Seven! 1) Lance Storm and Justin Credible def. Mark Benarucci and Rudy Rude (3:22)X-Factor were a part of a historic moment in RAW is WAR history this past week, hoping to jump Triple H in retribution for a sledgehammer beating served by 'the Game' days before that on SmackDown. Instead, Lance Storm and Justin Credible alongside WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac wound up fought off by none other than the man Triple H would meet at WrestleMania X-Seven, his longtime friend Shawn Michaels. Storm and Credible were full of confidence against Mark Benarucci and Rudy Rude, with Credible obnoxiously choking Benarucci against the bottom rope and gloating in the face of a fired up Rude. Storm and Credible exchanged kneebars on Mark, when a dropkick enabled him to make the tag to Rudy. Rude came in with clotheslines and a spinebuster on Credible for a near fall, when Storm scored with the super kick. Credible was able to come back, dropping Rude with That's Incredible to pick up the three count. 2) Test def. Larry Destiny (2:59)The problems between Test and Albert were reaching a fever pitch in recent weeks, as T&A was no more. Instead, himself and 'the Freight Train' were sure to meet at some point in the near future. Larry Destiny from Cleveland, Ohio, looked to square off with the tall Canadian tonight on Jakked, and showed fire as he threw haymaker after haymaker at the six-foot-six WWF Superstar. Test was able to cut him off with a powerful clothesline, before aggressively raining down punches on him. A gutwrench powerbomb scored the big man a near fall, when Destiny struck low and delivered a series of chop blocks. Using the ring apron as a strength, Destiny looked to take the legs of Test out from under him. Unfortunately, Destiny missed a diving elbow drop across the leg, and Test came off the ropes with the Big Boot to pick up the win. 3) Essa Rios def. Ken Anderson (3:44)The former WWF Light Heavyweight Champion had been on a roll lately on WWF Jakked, scoring victories more often than not. For the youthful and charismatic Essa Rios, 'the Daredevil' got into the ring against the young man from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ken Anderson. Anderson used his size as an advantage early, but Essa's lucha libre consisting of armdrags and a spinning headscissors allowed him to take control. Essa scored with a somersault plancha over the ring post, but back inside the ring Anderson would cut the Mexican off with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Anderson was aggressive, but a fireman's carry would go reversed into a victory roll. Rios delivered a hurricanrana before knocking Anderson silly with a big super kick. A German suplex connected, when Essa climbed to the top rope and scored the win with the Moonsault. 4) Albert def. Steve Blackman (4:27)'The Freight Train' had a score to settle with his former partner from T&A, Test. Both had tried to rekindle some sort of flame with their former business strategist Trish Stratus, much to the disapproval of the WWF Diva. Albert had much to prove as a singles competitor in the World Wrestling Federation, but first had to take on 'the Lethal Weapon' Steve Blackman tonight. Blackman shot on Albert with some serious kicks early, only for Albert to pound Blackman to the canvas. Choking him in mid-air, a gorilla press slam gave Albert a near fall before he missed the big splash. Blackman looked for the guillotine choke just for Albert to launch him across the ring before splashing him in the corner. With a bicycle kick, Blackman was stunned but not finished yet. Albert took off for the legdrop off the ropes, only for Blackman to come back with a series of martial arts chops, culminating in a pump kick for a near fall. Blackman was incensed and once again looked for the guillotine choke, just for Albert to power him up for the Baldo Bomb, to score a decisive victory.
Sunday Night Heat - April 1, 2001 Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan Broadcast on syndication - Internationally exclusive Taped on March 27, 2001 The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena where Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to WWF Sunday Night Heat, hours away from WrestleMania X-Seven!
1) Scotty 2 Hotty def. Essa Rios (3:52)
Essa Rios had been rolling recently with a handful of victories on WWF Jakked, but tonight was up against some tough competition in Scotty 2 Hotty. Having his WWF Light Heavyweight Championship opportunity postponed after what Kurt Angle did to his Too Cool tag team partner Grandmaster Sexay last Monday night on RAW is WAR, Scotty was out for himself and presented an even match for Essa with a series of wristlock takedowns early on. Moonwalking to add insult to injury, it made Essa angry and he fired back with a hurricanrana followed by a tilt-a-whirl slam. Essa sprung off the top rope with a springboard arm drag, but Scotty came back with a floatover DDT for a near fall. Off the top rope, Scotty dove with the diving DDT just for Essa to grip the top rope, before climbing to the top rope for the 450 splash. Scotty got his knees up and cradled Essa for a two count, before ducking a clothesline and hitting the bulldog. The Worm followed, giving Scotty 2 Hotty the victory.
2) Lance Storm def. Test (4:11)
The Canadian had finally broke out of his T&A tag team with Albert, and was starting to gain popularity and momentum with the people wherever he went. Meanwhile, Lance Storm with Justin Credible and the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac in his corner, hoped to gain some momentum of their own after being fended off by Shawn Michaels on RAW is WAR, as X-Factor avenged a sledgehammer beating from Triple H the week prior. Lance Storm was a proud Canadian himself, and ducked low with some dropkicks for the legs of Test early. Caught with a sidewalk slam, it was the distraction from X-Pac that allowed Storm to chop block the leg and ground Test. Test fell out to the ringside floor, allowing Credible to strike with a brisk super kick. Back inside, Storm slid beneath Test's legs with the Maple Leaf Crab, but Test was able to make it to the bottom rope. Agitated, Storm missed the Super Kick just to receive the Big Boot, when Test was forced to fight off X-Pac and Credible from the apron. Albert bellowed down to ringside, climbing into the ring to the annoyance of his former partner. Storm and Credible teamed up with a double superkick for Test, giving X-Factor the win! 3) Perry Saturn and Terri def. Crash and Molly Holly (3:44)As Eddie Guerrero prepared to host his open challenge later tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, the Radicalz hoped to settle a score started last week on Sunday Night Heat. After the six-person intergender tag team match ended with the Radicalz stealing the victory, Crah and Molly looked to get even with Perry Saturn and his girlfriend Terri. The Radicalz had also opened communications with their former running buddy Chris Benoit, which could only end badly come Benoit's match with the Undertaker at 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. Molly dragged Terri by the hair to start this mixed tag team encounter, when Saturn stepped in only to be attacked by Crash. Holly scored with a monkey flip into a clothesline, a missile dropkick giving him a near fall. The perversion of Terri allowed Saturn to combat him with a German suplex, and a diving elbow drop gave Saturn a near fall. A cobra clutch kept Crash at bay, when he was able to fight back with a bulldog before tagging in Molly. Terri was reluctantly dragged in by Molly again, this time legally, and Molly delivered a handspring back elbow into the corner. She went up top for the Molly Go-Round when Saturn came in, crotching her off the top rope. Crash clotheslined Saturn out to the floor, but Terri rolled Molly up with the tights to steal a major upset! Cowering away from the ring after the match, Saturn was proud of his girlfriend, while Molly sat pouting in the ring, bested by the inexperienced 'She-Devil'.
4) Billy Gunn (w/Al Snow and K-Kwik) def. The Goodfather (w/Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry)The Right to Censor were all in action tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, as Ivory was set to defend the WWF Women's Championship against her arch nemesis Chyna. Meanwhile, the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry prepared to meet the joined forces of 'the One' Billy Gunn, Al Snow and K-Kwik. Each mad about recent attacks sustained by the RTC, they were united with Billy set to meet the Goodfather in this warm-up encounter. A distraction from Buchanan saw Goodfather get a head start on pounding Billy in the corner, when he was able to somehow power the former pimp over his head with the military press slam. The jackhammer gave him a near fall, when ten punches in the corner were executed. Mark Henry distracted the official, when Bull draped Billy throat first over the top rope. Goodfather delivered the corner splash before a Samoan drop gave him a near fall, when Al Snow got on the apron. K-Kwik swept in with the axe kick for Goodfather, causing 'the Secret Weapon' and Buchanan to wind up getting into a brawl at ringside with Snow! K-Dawg leapt from the ring with a suicide dive onto the RTC, while inside Goodfather's death valley driver went reversed into the One and Only, giving his team the momentum building into WrestleMania! Gunn, Snow and K-Kwik stood tall in the ring, staring down the furious RTC. Right to Censor had to win for supremacy come WrestleMania, but things were not looking good after this performance on Sunday Night Heat.
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Post by DTP. on Mar 31, 2021 14:45:13 GMT -5
WWF WrestleMania Axxess - March 31, 2001 March 31, 2001 - Reliant Hall in Houston, Texas:
- Jerry Lynn def. Essa Rios
- D-Lo Brown def. Steve Blackman
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Post by DTP. on Apr 1, 2021 10:11:17 GMT -5
Sunday Night Heat - April 1, 2001 Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas Live on MTV - Live from WWF New York
A video package aired, flashing through some of the most historic memories in WrestleMania's grand seventeen year history. From 1985 at Madison Square Garden, the Superbowl of Wrestling was established with the infancy of WrestleMania. Associated with celebrities the likes of Mr. T, Liberace and Cindi Lauper, it would go down in history as the first in a long lineage of tradition. 93,000 fans crammed into the Pontiac Silverdome at WrestleMania III to witness Hulk Hogan body slam Andre the Giant; much like 60,000 Toronto Skydome fans stood in awe at the Utimate Warrior beating Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI. There had been careers made, legacies created, as Shawn Michaels proved at WrestleMania X by defeating Razor Ramon in the first-ever Ladder match; as well as at WrestleMania XII, defeating Bret Hart in a sixty-minute Ironman match to become WWF Champion for the first time. Stone Cold Steve Austin's career was made at WrestleMania XIV, defeating 'the Heartbreak Kid', and cemented The Rock's legacy when he defeated him one year later. With the entire world watching, with depictions seen of people from different cultures and backgrounds watching television sets - tonight was WrestleMania X-Seven: 'the Showcase of the Immortals' living on another year.
We were live on the air on MTV, greeted by a beautiful exterior shot of the Reliant Astrodome, where the streets were flooded with fans lining up in anticipation for 'the Grandaddy of Them All' tonight - live on pay-per-view! Michael Cole and Tazz spoke about how the wait was finally over, and that tonight at WrestleMania, history would be made and dreams would be either made a reality, or tarnished forever - everything was riding on tonight in Houston, Texas. Dressed in tuxedos in a skybox overlooking the massive stadium, the two discussed that Sunday Night Heat was also on the air, cutting to WWF New York on a night where Kaientai would guest host the WrestleMania Pre-Game Party from the heart of Times Square! The announcers touted that Heat would witness two bonus matches, as Scotty 2 Hotty would receive his delayed shot at the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship against X-Pac; and in a massive six-man tag team match, Test would team up with the Fighting Holly Cousins to get even with Albert and X-Factor!
Michael Cole and Tazz could not believe the lengths taken to make it here tonight, starting by discussing the tension in the McMahon Family arriving to this stadium here today. Tazz agreed, the family had been torn beyond repair for months now - but tonight, it wasn't just about family against family, or father against son: tonight was WWF Owner opposite WCW Owner! Cole and Tazz discussed briefly the other matches we were scheduled to see, with WrestleMania featuring eleven heated matches that had been anticipated for weeks - headlined of course, by The Rock defending the WWF Championship against Stone Cold Steve Austin!
A video package aired, looking into the intense rivalry between Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon. With the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation's unprecedented absence last summer, Shane and his sister Stephanie McMahon took charge of the company, even going as far as to fire WWF Commissioner Mick Foley on Christmas night. Only, the WWF Owner was not impressed by Shane and Stephanie's antics. It struck Shane bitterly, and the feuding in the McMahon would soon lead to Shane's despising of his own father. With Linda McMahon, the matriarch of the McMahon Family hospitalized as a result of trauma brought on by Chris Benoit, Shane dared to double-cross his Dad and leave him bloodied in the backstage corridor. He rode his father's name through the mud on live television, speaking explicitly about his affairs of the past, and spreading rumors of Vince being shacked up with Trish Stratus. Stephanie had been caught in the middle of the two warring McMahons, between a rock and a hard place - but tonight at WrestleMania it would all come to ahead.
Last Monday night, as if things couldn't get worse, after the match had been made, Shane McMahon appeared live on WCW Monday Nitro from Panama City, Florida. Revealing he had outsmarted the Chairman and bought World Championship Wrestling from right out underneath Vince's nose, Vince McMahon was left devastated by the news. Realizing that he was not to be trusted as the heir to the throne in the eyes of the WWF Owner, Shane revealed that he did the next best thing and did something he knew would make Vince's blood boil on the inside. On SmackDown, Vince decided to get even as only a masterful businessman could: making their grudge match not only a Street Fight - but to be officiated by none other than Mick Foley. Tonight, it was more than personal for the two McMahons; the two Owners who refused to back down to the other. Vince wanted to punish Shane for everything he had done over the course of the past year, while Shane would get his wish - an opportunity to make his father suffer. Which McMahon would the better man be?
. We cut to WWF New York in the heart of Times Square, where inside Kaientai made their way out to the stage. The entertainment complex was jammed to the rafters in New York City, New York, as Taka Michinoku and Funaki bowed upon the stage. Funaki stood with a WrestleMania X-Seven flag hanging from his pole, as Taka handled the microphone. In the strong, deep Americanized dubbed accent, Taka hyped up the people of the complex, asking the fans if they were ready for the WrestleMania Pre-Game Party! They were met with roars, as Taka said nobody threw a party better than Kaientai, because they were EVIL. Funaki murmured INDEED alongside, as Taka exclaimed how he and Funaki were the MVPs of Sunday Night Heat, celebrated international celebrities back in their homeland of Japan, and tonight - they were ready to party down in the Big Apple! The fans gave Kaientai a huge ovation as Funaki waved the WrestleMania flag high - no matter how wet the streets of New York City were, inside was sure to be a hot one!
We returned to see the band Motörhead arriving to the Reliant Astrodome, as the band were accompanied by their entire tour bus of supporters. Tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, they would play their good friend Triple H to the ring, ahead of what was sure to be a climactic and passionate battle with longtime former friend Shawn Michaels. Motörhead were jacked up and ready to go, as Lemmy screeched out that it was time for WrestleMania!
. Down in the arena at the Reliant Astrodome, Jim Ross alongside Paul Heyman talked about how tonight was bigger than anything they had any recollection of. Despite all of the memories associated with 'the Grandest Stage of Them All', tonight looked to be perhaps the biggest of all-time. Paul was astonished to be here at WrestleMania X-Seven, and lauded some of the matches he was most looking forward to - namely the one featuring the final ECW World Champion Rhyno, as he looked to defend the WWF Hardcore Championship against the forces of the Big Show and Kane in a Triple Threat match! J.R. and Heyman were soon interrupted, by Too Cool! Grandmaster Sexay hobbled out on crutches, his foot in a cast, after the Ankle Lock received from Kurt Angle on RAW is WAR. By his side was none other than the sidelined Rikishi - his first appearance in over a month! They were here to provide support for Scotty 2 Hotty, who came dancing out full of life. After his title match with X-Pac was postponed six nights ago, Scotty now had the opportunity of a lifetime to win the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship in front of the thousands already in attendance in Houston, Texas! 1) X-Pac (c) def. Scotty 2 Hotty to retain the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (3:29) This match was originally scheduled to take place six nights ago on RAW is WAR. After scoring a pinfall victory in six-man tag team action ten days ago on SmackDown, Scotty 2 Hotty seemed to have the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac's number, leading into tonight. Lance Storm and Justin Credible were absent preparing for their six-man tag team match later tonight on Sunday Night Heat, whilst the debilitated Grandmaster Sexay and Rikishi had offered Scotty their support before returning to the backstage area. Before the bell, X-Pac looked around at the mostly-full crowd on hand in Reliant Astrodome, looking for their suport. Instead, Scotty was able to clap for the love of the people, getting them behind him against the universally despised champion. Able to force the challenger into the corner, X-Pac gloated before being taken by surprise by Scotty with a series of quick wristlock takedowns! Scotty delivered an armdrag and a monkey flip, before sending X-Pac off into the ropes. Dropping down and leapfrogging, Scotty hip tossed X-Pac for an early near fall, soon moonwalking as X-Pac leapt back to his feet in annoyance. In a test of strength, Scotty was forced to arch backwards into a bridge, when X-Pac scored a one count pinning combination. Scotty kicked him off, but would miss a clothesline as X-Pac hit the ropes with a flying clothesline! Arrogantly, X-Pac lit Scotty up with kicks in the corner, before stunning him with a roundhouse kick in mid-air!
Choking Scotty 2 Hotty in the corner, X-Pac looked for a WrestleMania edition of the Bronco Buster, but Scotty was able to move out of the way! With clotheslines, Scotty fired back, before being cut short by a matslam! X-Pac sauntered and went back to drive his knee into Scotty's face in the former, this time delivering the Bronco Buster successfully. The WWF Light Heavyweight Champion was full of confidence, when Scotty surprised him with a big dropkick! Scotty followed with a missile dropkick off the second rope, nipping up to his feet and allowing the Houston crowd to respond with loud cheers! Scotty had the Reliant Astrodome in the palms of his hands, hitting the bulldog off the ropes and setting up for the Worm! Scotty was living his WrestleMania dream, but before he could land the palm strike into the anatomy of X-Pac, the champ wisely rolled out to the floor! Scotty did not skip a beat and soared with a crossbody plancha over the top rope onto X-Pac. Tossing him back inside with hopes of taking the title tonight, Scotty climbed up to the top rope for the diving DDT, but X-Pac clung to the top rope! Scotty crashed in a heap, when the X-Factor struck allowing X-Pac to retain the title!
The WWF Light Heavyweight Championship would be staying around the waist of X-Pac, as he sat up and had his hand raised in victory. Confident and obnoxious, the Kid had picked up his first victory at a WrestleMania with this effort against a game Scotty 2 Hotty. Scotty was in disbelief at coming so close to knocking off X-Pac again tonight on Sunday Night Heat for the title, while X-Pac showboated perhaps too long. Into the ring came Rikishi once again, joined by Grandmaster Sexay on crutches down the rampway! As X-Pac rolled out in the nick of time, the Samoan helped Scotty to his feet before helping Grandmaster join them in the ring. Despite the loss, Rikishi and Grandmaster applauded Scotty, as the reunited trio of Too Cool stood tall in the ring to a humbling ovation!
. Lilian Garcia was backstage at the Reliant Astrodome, standing by with none other than the WWF Divas Ambassador Debra. Lilian wanted to understand the mood that her husband Stone Cold Steve Austin had to be in, just hours from perhaps the biggest match of his entire career tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven. Debra mentioned that her husband was not yet here but would be momentarily. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' had been through so much over the past two years, but tonight was like none other. She knew the man he was deep down, and could speak confidently that Austin was the most prepared he had ever been for a fight. She knew better than anybody that Steve was at the top of his game, neck surgeries and all, and would not be afraid or intimidated by their home state crowd of Texas cheering him on. Debra assured the people of victory tonight, as once again 'the Rattlesnake' would beat The Rock to become WWF Champion!
We returned live to WWF New York, where the party had gotten underway. The entertainment and restaurant complex were flooded with fans and tourists from across the United States and Canada, all in anticipation of WrestleMania X-Seven tonight! Kaientai, the guest hosts and MVPs of Sunday Night Heat, were seen sat at Michael Cole and Tazz's usual desk location, discussing how great it was to be here hosting MTV's Heat! Funaki responded INDEED as Taka spoke in his deep, dramatic voice. As the two gestured about the outcome of tonight's match between Kurt Angle and Hulk Hogan - the battle of proud Americans - they wrestled with some action figures courtesy of Jakks Pacific, when interrupted by Michael Cole and an appalled Tazz, who took over from them live on location in Houston, Texas.
A video package aired, highlighting the importance of tonight's battle pitting 'the Real American' against 'the American Hero'. Kurt Angle was once soaring high as the WWF Champion, defeating the likes of The Rock, Triple H and the Undertaker. Once that all came crashing to a halt at No Way Out, with Angle losing the WWF Championship to The Rock, 'the Megastar' grew incensed about losing out on the main event of WrestleMania. Furious and failing at the same time to recapture the title in rematch after rematch, the Olympic Gold Medalist was confronted by none other than Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster challenged the Olympian to a dream match at WrestleMania, though Angle took it too cockily. Believing he could humiliate Hulk on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All', Angle would face setback following setback, adding to his frustrations as WrestleMania grew closer. Kurt even dared to lash out at the Hulkster on SmackDown, as Hulk advised Kurt on what he had to do to get ready, and be the man that many wanted him to one day be. Angle refused to embrace it and got humiliated by the WWF Legend as a result, but after laying waste and even snapping the ankle of Grandmaster Sexya with the Ankle Lock on RAW is WAR six nights ago - it was clear that Angle was laser-focused on tonight. It was two patriots set to meet in a first-time encounter, with Hulk Hogan hopeful of the comeback of a lifetime on 'the Grandaddy of Them All'; while Kurt Angle wanted nothing more to ascend the ladder once again with a major win, at his second WrestleMania! Who would win 'the Battle of the American Heroes?'
Earlier today, cameras caught up to spot Hulk Hogan arriving at the Reliant Astrodome. Accompanied by his manager, legendary 'Mouth of the South' Jimmy Hart, the Hulkster was adorned in the red and yellow that symbolized Hulkamania. For the first time since WrestleMania IX eight years ago, 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan appeared prepared to meet Kurt Angle one-on-one. At WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001, there was no losing to be had for Hulkamania!
. Michael Cole and Tazz stood in the skybox overlooking the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas, where we were forty minutes away from 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. The two discussed the WWF Hardcore Championship situation, conceding that tonight's Triple Threat match had potential to be the most fearsome and chaotic use of the 24/7 rule ever seen thus far.
In video replay form, it all started several weeks ago on SmackDown, as the Big Show returned to lay waste to the Undertaker, Kane and Rhyno to recapture the WWF Hardcore Championship. 'The Giant' believed he was Hardcore, and defeated the likes of Al Snow and Test. Each time 'the Man-Beast' intercepted himself, but oddly decided not to take the title from him with use of the 24/7 rule. Finally, the two met this past week on RAW is WAR, where Rhyno finally decided to win back his title by defeating the 500-pounder, but it only made the big man even more angry. The angry giant went to William Regal to order a rematch for WrestleMania, but in winding up brawling through the backstage area on SmackDown three nights ago, the two stumbled across 'the Big Red Machine' in the trainer's office. Kane now wanted the title back himself, and tonight could see the Reliant Astrodome torn to pieces by these three freaks of nature!
. Michael Cole and Tazz speculated on which way it could go between the three gargantuans, when interrupted by the Radicalz! Eddie Guerrero led the way, adorned in WrestleMania X-Seven memorabilia and merchandise, standing alongside Dean Malenko, the scantily-clad 'She-Devil' Terri, and the pink fuzzy top hat-wearing Perry Saturn. 'Latino Heat' mockingly asked Cole and Tazz if they were ready for 'the Grandaddy of Them All' - now was his time to score himself a WrestleMania Moment worth remembering! Eddie reminded them of how last year went for him, being pinned and humiliated by his ex-fiancee Chyna. Not this year, ese! Eddie vowed to win big against whomever dared to answer the call of 'Latino Heat', in tonight's open challenge! Guerrero planned to pave his own legacy starting tonight, on behalf of the Radicalz, and reiterated that he wanted whoever had the cahones to step up and face the wrath of Eddie Guerrero.
. Test buckled the leather belt over his leather pants in the dressing room area, when the Fighting Holly Cousins showed up. His tag team partners for tonight, Hardcore and Crash Holly were accompanied by their cousin Molly Holly, as Crash took the time to hype Test up. It was his big opportunity to prove he wasn't just T&A, and that he could get payback on Albert after sticking his nose in his business! Test wasn't enthused, instead turning to tie his shoelaces using a chair to prop his foot on. Crash reminded Test of all of the pitfalls 'the Freight Train' had done, jumping him from behind, costing him the WWF Hardcore Championship - he knew what that felt like - even trying to overshadow him flirting with Trish Stratus! Hardcore finally cupped Crash's mouth and got in Test's face. He told the Canadian that was what his problem was - he wasn't tough enough, he was here sulking like a scolded dog. Hardcore asked Test when he was finally going to be a real man and fight, because tonight was WrestleMania. Not everybody could make 'the Showcase of the Immortals', and Test needed to start acting like he gave a damn! If anybody wanted to beat up Albert, or X-Factor for that matter, it was the Fighting Holly Cousins - but if Test wasn't with them, they were going to lose. Hardcore declared he wasn't teaming with a loser tonight. Calmly and deeply, Test thanked Hardcore for the pep talk. Assuring them they were all on the same page, Test had some regretful intentions when it came to Albert that he wanted badly to do tonight in the six-man tag team match.
. WWF Commissioner William Regal was getting ready for his WWF European Championship defence against Bradshaw tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, when there was a knock at the door. Into his office came Jonathan Coachman, who was thanked for knocking before entering. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' first let it be clear that when it came to what happened last Thursday night on SmackDown, Bradshaw was lucky to have not been excluded from participation. Spiking the Commissioner's tea was an immoral and unethical offence, but if anything it had riled the Englishman up to get even. Coach asked how Regal's hangover was on Friday morning, causing him to scowl back at the announcer. Regal ignored the question and insulted Texas, claiming that for all of their gun laws and blood-thirsty exploits in mind, he knew exactly how dastardly was. If anything, Bradshaw was only receiving this shot because he spoke out of term last Monday night on RAW is WAR. Regardless, Regal planned to beat the Texas bully in front of his own people tonight. This was not any normal match with a barbarian, it was to be contested for his WWF European Championship. He was excited in spite of everything to defend his title with pride and with honor, with the entirety of Europe watching. As WWF Commissioner, and as WWF European Champion, Regal planned to serve people of his kind well, by making an example of the barbaric brute, Bradshaw.
A video package aired, looking back on the recently uncovered relationship between the Undertaker and Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' was no longer shackled by the Coalition, a wrecking machine with a licence to hurt people. Not afraid to lock the WWF CEO Linda McMahon in the Crossface, nor her husband the Chairman Vince McMahon; it was clear 'the Wolverine' was a lone wolf through and through. The Undertaker tried to pull him aside and show him the error of his ways, warning him to respect 'the Deadman's yard made in the World Wrestling Federation after a decade of destruction. Instead, Benoit chose to soil all over it, continuing with his attacks and threatening a steel chair beating on Steve Blackman. The Undertaker declared the only way to teach Benoit a lesson in respect would be to meet at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', WrestleMania. Unfortunately, Benoit was listening to the challenge all along. Hidden behind a corner in the backstage corridor, Benoit laid a beating on 'the Deadman', and even involved himself in the Brothers of Destruction's conflict with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin last Monday night on RAW is WAR. Benoit was unstoppable, even using a steel chair in combat against Undertaker's half-brother Kane on SmackDown, when 'the Deadman' intercepted. Three nights ago, Undertaker answered Eddie Guerrero's call to an impromptu match, where it was revealed to be a set-up all along. As the Radicalz attacked after his victory, Chris Benoit would hit the ring to further assault 'the American Badass' with his former running buddies! Eddie handcuffed Undertaker to the top rope, and with nowhere to run, Benoit left a major exclamation mark busting open the veteran with a loud chair shot to the skull! It had all come down to this, with the Undertaker standing up against the hostility of 'the Rabid Wolverine. They had never met in the ring before, and tonight we would see who the bigger man truly was!
In the skybox overlooking the Reliant Astrodome, the tuxedoed Michael Cole and Tazz continued to discuss Chris Benoit and the Undertaker's background. 'The Rabid Wolverine' was a world-travelled technician that had grappled in Mexico, Japan, his homeland Canada and even the United Kingdom. While Benoit had actually been competing for twelve years, the Undertaker had remained loyal to the World Wrestling Federation through it all, for over ten years. Tazz brought up how tough Benoit was, but considered how to date, nobody had ever made 'the American Badass' tap out before! Cole countered, saying that the Undertaker may not have ever met anybody as fearless or as crazy as Chris Benoit.
. Backstage in Houston, Texas, Kevin Kelly was standing by with Tori. With the Astrodome Asylum match looming between Chris Jericho and Raven, Kevin wanted to understand through Tori how her man was preparing for what was sure to be an unpredictable meeting of the minds. Tori remained silent and sighed with disinterest, refusing to even look Kevin in the eye as he questioned what Raven's training consisted of. Abruptly, Raven showed up with Y2J's WWF Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder. Wrapping an arm around his squeeze, Raven called Kevin a parasite and that it was none of his business. Tonight, he would make Chris Jericho tremble in his house of fun.
. Returning to WWF New York, we went to the restaurant section of the complex, where Kaientai scuttled around. Bothering people as they tried to eat, Taka Michinoku stuck his head between a couple as they enjoyed a romantic meal and asked them if they were ready for WrestleMania! Funaki popped up beside him, asking them: INDEED. The couple were disturbed and left immediately, calling for the manager. The guest hosts of the WrestleMania Pre-Game Party were left confused, when up rocked Val Venis! 'The Big Valbowski' wrapped his arms around them and questioned what the hell they were doing - they were doing this terribly! Val, who had been sidelined with injury since January, approached another couple in one of the diner booths while Kaientai watched from a distance. Choosing to chat with a big breasted woman in front of her boyfriend, 'the Valbowski' scored a home run: taking the girl by the hand, Val walked away with the girl while the boyfriend was left furious! As Val took off with the girl, he simply told Kaientai in passing that that was how this was done.
. A video package aired, reviewing a long history between Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Once upon a time they rode the highways and byways of the world together, and were co-founders of the most innovative and radical factions in World Wrestling Federation history, D-Generation X. A menace to anybody within distance, they played strip poker in the ring, ridiculed opponents, and co-conspired the infamous Montreal Screwjob. However, it all changed at WrestleMania XIV in 1998, as 'the Heartbreak Kid' was forced to retire with a broken back. Triple H took over as the leader of DX, and rolled into the year 2000 with all the power on his side. The WWF Champion, and husband to Stephanie McMahon, with X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn behind him - he had it all. Unfortunately, it all came apart, bit by bit. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' would betray her husband to become Kurt Angle's girlfriend, and Kurt Angle would crush Triple H in defeat at No Mercy inside Hell in a Cell.
DX came dismantled at the Survivor Series, as X-Pac would betray 'the Game', drawing an end to DX. Despite all of it, 'the Game' was back on the right track heading into No Way Out. Within reach, Shawn Michaels returned, screwing his longtime friend out of the WWF Championship. 'The Game' called 'the Heartbreak Kid' out, with Shawn surprising Hunter with blind-sighted attacks, even leaving him bloody in the middle of the ring. 'The Showstopper' wanted to prove to the world that he still had what it took to be 'Mr. WrestleMania', and would make the challenge for WrestleMania. The same two men that nearly caused a riot in WWF New York last week on Sunday Night Heat would however be reconciled temporarily for one night, as the two co-founders of DX fended off the onslaught of X-Factor six nights ago on RAW is WAR. Despite everything, their friendship was now in the past. Triple H was on his own path to redemption, while Shawn Michaels was here to prove that he still had what it took. Who would win, in this friendship stricken by greed and personal pride - so many years in the making?
We were back live on MTV, as D-Lo Brown was seen arriving in his own private, separate skybox. Overlooking the Reliant Astrodome, 'the Real Deal' propped a cigar in his mouth and looked out at the sea of people in the mostly-filled stadium. Adorned in a black and gold robe, D-Lo opened the window to bask in the hatred and boos of the Houston, Texas crowd in attendance. Brown smirked to himself and shook his head, promptly closing the window and remarking how he loved to be rich. It appeared Brown had the best seat in the house once again tonight, for 'the Grandaddy of Them All'.
Michael Cole and Tazz discussed the transformation of D-Lo Brown in recent weeks, how he simply got lucky to get the fortune bestowed upon him. Since then, D-Lo had become an entirely different person. Tazz argued that Cole would do the same in a heartbeat, as would anybody! Money changed people, it was that simple. Cole segued to discuss the man D-Lo abandoned two weeks ago on Sunday Night Heat, K-Kwik. Reviewing how K-Dawg alongside two other victims of recent Right to Censor attacks, tonight himself, 'the One' Billy Gunn and Al Snow would have a chance to get a measure of retribution on the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry. Tazz argued that Snow was still a chump that lost his co-host job on Sunday Night Heat to him back in January, and since returning from a broken wrist was yet to score a single victory! Cole believed tonight was a big night for the RTC, as Steven Richards strongly advised that it must be a clean sweep statement delivered at WrestleMania.
Not only was the Right to Censor in six-man tag team competition against Billy Gunn, Al Snow and K-Kwik however, but Ivory was prepared to defend the WWF Women's Championship against a longtime adversary, Chyna. Tazz believed 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' was hiding her true condition coming into WrestleMania X-Seven. She had had health scares dating back to the neck injury that should have ended her career, from the night after the Royal Rumble in January. Cole believed the Playboy covergirl wanted absolutely nothing more than to shut Ivory's mouth and accomplish a girlhood dream tonight at 'the Showcase of the Immortals', and finally become WWF Women's Champion.
A video package aired, looking back at Chyna's burning rivalry with the Right to Censor. Ever since she was first named to be the covergirl of Playboy Magazine last fall, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World's hopes and dreams of inspiring the young women of the world today had been censored by Ivory and the movement. Led by Steven Richards and consisting of the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry, 'the Role Model' Ivory was the loud and proud advocate for fighting the good fight. The WWF Women's Champion was able to slither away as the champ in their meeting at the Royal Rumble, when the following night tragedy struck. In a heinous assault, the RTC delivered a spike piledriver on the equality fighting Diva, sidelining her with a broken neck. Miraculously, Chyna was able to make her big comeback one month ago, refusing doctor's orders as well as boyfriend Billy Gunn's suggestions to hang up her boots and retire. Instead, Chyna wanted nothing more than to get her hands on Ivory at WrestleMania.
For all of her life, Chyna had been ostracized by her looks, her love of bodybuilding getting in the way of natural beauty. Now a covergirl and growing celebrity and idol among young women everywhere, all 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' wanted was to be accepted. By becoming WWF Women's Champion, she would accomplish a lifelong goal. Even more bad luck set Chyna back several weeks ago, as she passed out in the ring allowing Ivory to score her second pinfall victory over the feared challenger. Ivory brashly considered herself the most dominant WWF Women's Champion in history, and 'the Tenth Wonder of the World' - but Chyna came back with a vengeance. In hard training for this match at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', Chyna got to get her hands on Ivory this past week on SmackDown, stripping her of her uniform and leaving her to run in her bra and panties. Tonight, Chyna had the perfect opportunity at ultimate revenge, while Ivory hoped to avenge her humiliation, and win - for the Right to Censor!
. Backstage at the Reliant Astrodome, Spike Dudley roamed the halls. Grabbing a paper cup, he encountered Lita at the water cooler. The Team Xtreme Diva remarked how Spike had to be stalking her at this point, to which Spike angrily declared that he wasn't interested in Lita! She asked if it was because he knew her boyfriend Matt Hardy would kick her ass, Spike said that he wouldn't look like he could after Tables, Ladders and Chairs tonight! Lita said with confidence that much like the first TLC match at SummerSlam, the Hardy Boyz would leave WrestleMania the WWF Tag Team Champions. Spike countered that the Dudley Boyz were hotter than ever after the parking lot stunt Edge and Christian had played - confidently proclaiming the Dudleys as the next champions to win tonight. Besides, if Edge and Christian won last year's Triangle Ladder match, and the Hardys won at SummerSlam - that made it the Dudley Boyz's turn! Lita argued that wasn't how it worked, to which Spike responded it was. The two got into a staredown of their own, when Lita reminded Spike that he wasn't interested in her - promptly waltzing off. Spike was left angry, kicking down a chair - and in the process - hurting his own foot.
. Elsewhere, the odd couple combination of Lance Storm and Justin Credible of X-Factor walked the halls. They looked at each other ahead of six-man tag team competition, when the camera panned to reveal them walking alongside a scowling Albert. Looking like a faction of their own, the trio were ready to meet Test and the Fighting Holly Cousins, Hardcore and Crash Holly - up next, live on Sunday Night Heat!
Stone Cold Steve Austin was here in person, as we returned from the commercial break. With a bag draped over his shoulder, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' headed to the dressing room in his home state of Houston, Texas - ahead of WrestleMania X-Seven! A lot had to be running through 'the Rattlesnake's mind, with the biggest match of his career perhaps depending on tonight's outcome - as the 2001 Royal Rumble winner prepared to meet the Rock in the main event, for the WWF Championship! Austin ignored his wife Debra whom he met outside the dressing room. Instead, Austin walked in with her and shut the door behind them.
. 2) Test and the Fighting Holly Cousins (w/Molly Holly) def. Albert and X-Factor (4:11)With WrestleMania X-Seven mere minutes away, live on pay-per-view, it was time for Test and Albert to explode in six-man tag team action. Test received a sharp pep talk by Hardcore Holly of the Fighting Holly Cousins earlier tonight, to which the Canadian assured the three Hollys that they were all on the same page. It had been weeks since Test finally left the antagonistic 'Freight Train' Albert behind, and since then Albert had been hell bent on making life difficult for his former partner. X-Factor had already had a good night, as earlier tonight on Sunday Night Heat, their leader X-Pac was victorious in defending the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship against Scotty 2 Hotty. Lance Storm and Justin Credible stared down Hardcore and Crash Holly, when Test and Albert came to blows starting a six-man melee in the middle of the ring! Molly Holly tried coming in and getting involved in the face-off with X-Factor, when Crash dropkicked to fire the first blow. The match boiled down to Crash and Albert, as the youngest Holly Cousins fired ten punches in the corner, before his monkey flip was comically countered by the beast. A spinebuster from Albert allowed him to exchange frequent tags to Storm and Credible, with Justin choking Crash over the ropes all the while showboating to a disapproving Reliant Astrodome crowd. Hardcore and Test tried getting the Houston crowd into it, as Storm scored a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall.
Justin Credible came in and slapped Crash around, a matter of time until Crash Holly made a comeback with some right hands! Crash reached to make a tag to his cousin Hardcore, only to be cut off by a knee strike to the gut followed by a powerslam. Justin went to the top rope but missed a missile dropkick, allowing Crash to score the Oklahoma roll for a near fall. Justin got a victory roll for a two count, reversed into one by Crash, but in Credible kicking out Crash was able to spring into Hardcore! With dropkicks flying, Hardcore caught Storm with a powerslam, when jumped by Albert! Hardcore fell into Test's hand for the tag, and immediately the former T&A members went at it! Neither man was going down, as Test and Albert traded strikes until the Canadian got the upper hand! Crash knelt behind 'the Freight Train' prompting Test to knock him down! An elbow drop connected for a near fall, when Storm and Credible made the save. Hardcore and Crash Holly sent them outside for a brawl, when Molly Holly went to the top rope and delivered the Molly Go-Round down on top of the Hollys and X-Factor! Back inside, Test's pumphandle slam went reversed into a Baldo Bomb attempt, just for Test to break free. The referee was distracted by the fight at ringside, and Albert scored with a low blow to his ex-partner! The bicycle kick from Albert went missed, when Test hit the ropes for the big boot - to pick up the three count!
Test had picked up the victory for himself and the Fighting Holly Cousins, minutes before WrestleMania X-Seven was scheduled to go live on the air! With their hands raised, Crash was overwhelmed with excitement and hugged his older cousin Hardcore, just for him to shove him away. Crash instead turned to the happy go-lucky Molly Holly, as Test continued to stare down Albert at ringside. X-Factor were unimpressed by 'the Freight Train'. Lance Storm and Justin Credible walked out on Albert much like Test had, causing him to pound his fists on the apron in rage! It wasn't over yet for the former members of T&A.
. Michael Cole and Tazz were up in the skybox overlooking the Reliant Astrodome, as the two tuxedo-clad co-hosts of Sunday Night Heat revealed that they were moments away from the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment going live on the air - WrestleMania X-Seven! The Rock would defend the WWF Championship against arch rival Stone Cold Steve Austin; WWF Owner Vince McMahon for the first time ever would fight his son, the new WCW Owner Shane McMahon; Triple H would face Shawn Michaels in a battle of former friends; Kurt Angle would face Hulk Hogan in 'the American Hero' against 'the Real American'; The Undertaker would fight for respect against Chris Benoit; Chris Jericho would take on Raven for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in an Astrodome Asylum match - with no disqualifications, no count-outs, pinfall and submission only in a Falls Count Anywhere environment; for a second year in a row, Edge and Christian would meet the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz for the WWF Tag Team Championships, in Tables, Ladders and Chairs II; Chyna would challenge Ivory for the WWF Women's Championship; Bradshaw would challenge William Regal for the WWF European Championship; Rhyno would defend the WWF Hardcore Championship against the Big Show and Kane in a Triple Threat match; and the Right to Censor's the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry would do battle with Billy Gunn, Al Snow and K-Kwik! All of this plus more, on what looked to be the most epic WrestleMania line-up in years - coming up next!
A video package aired, taking us back to WrestleMania XV. For years, these two men had been fierce rivals, each competing for the spot at the peak of the sports entertainment mountain. Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock to become the WWF Champion two years ago, but a lot had changed since then. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' was sidelined with a career-threatening neck injury seventeen months ago after being struck by a motor-vehicle revealed to be driven by none other than Shawn Michaels. Despite this, Austin made the rehabilitation, and he made the comeback of a lifetime, becoming the first ever three-time Royal Rumble winner back in January. Meanwhile, it was The Rock who would become a six-time WWF Champion overcoming Kurt Angle and Triple H back at No Way Out in February. Nobody had gained more in the absence of 'the Rattlesnake' than 'the Brahma Bull'. Breaking out into the mainstream media, including an upcoming role in a Hollywood motion picture, 'the People's Champ' let it be known to Stone Cold that he needed to beat Steve Austin, having dwelled on the outcome of their WrestleMania match two years prior. Austin meanwhile needed this victory, stating how he didn't like The Rock one bit and would do whatever it took to get the job done.
In recent weeks their relationship had been a fierce and rocky one as it was. Despite the mutual respect shared by these two titans of the World Wrestling Federation, both knew that there could be only one: and both wanted the other to be at their absolute peak in physical condition leading into the biggest match of their careers. Still, there was a mistrust, as the contract was signed on RAW is WAR two weeks ago, leading to a collision that saw both men unable to gain a clear advantage on the other. Ten days ago on SmackDown The Rock was caught red handed by Austin with a steel chair in hand, and was promptly blasted with a Stone Cold Stunner. Meanwhile, six nights ago on RAW is WAR after tag team battle, it was Austin with the steel chair although he hesitated from using it. Instead it left him open to a Rock Bottom from 'the Great One'. Limp Bizkit's "My Way" broke out, as it documented the physicality of both men; showing off the Stunner, and the Rock Bottom. Neither men would surely let up tonight, a match that both needed to win, and neither could afford to lose. Tonight, with the WWF Championship at stake, the two biggest WWF Superstars in this lifetime were set to do battle - but there could only be one winner. Who would walk out of the Reliant Astrodome with the WWF Championship: would it be Rock, or would it be Austin?
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Post by DTP. on Apr 1, 2021 15:17:19 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Apr 2, 2021 6:53:26 GMT -5
WrestleMania X-Seven - April 1, 2001 Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas Live on Pay-Per-View - Sponsored by Snickers Cruncher "My Way" by Limp Bizkit
We opened with a video package. People all around the world had enjoyed the largest spectacle in sports entertainment for sixteen years. Whether they lived in farmhouses and witnessed Muhammad Ali dancing with showgirls, along with Roddy Piper and Mr T going at at WrestleMania I; or lived in deserts and suburbs to experience 'the Irresistible Force' meeting 'the Immovable Object', between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, culminating in the body slam heard around the world - they lived WrestleMania. The words of 'Classy' Freddie Blassie overpowered the package, speaking about moments in history etched into the sands of time. Farmers had witnessed the Ultimate Warrior be handed the torch by Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI, and Japanese street food vendors had experienced Yokozuna being handed the WWF Championship at WrestleMania IX. People standing outside of electronics stores saw Shawn Michaels rappel from the rafters to beat Bret Hart in the sixty-minute Ironman match at WrestleMania XII, while barbers and salons everywhere witnessed Stone Cold Steve Austin be crowned WWF Champion against 'the Heartbreak Kid', with the help of Mike Tyson at WrestleMania XIV. It was called 'the Showcase of the Immortals' for a reason, as the WWF Superstars of today were documented accomplishing superhuman feats on television screens everywhere in the world. People of all different backgrounds and races had lived WrestleMania, and now 'the Grandaddy of Them All' was finally upon us. "Welcome to WrestleMania: a Celebration of Life."
With "My Way" by Limp Bizkit blasting, the opening graphic aired, as an almighty voice declared that Snickers Cruncher proudly presented 'the Grandaddy of Them All:' WrestleMania! We cut to inside of a massive and immaculate Reliant Astrodome, for the pyrotechnical display of a lifetime. The crowd inside were all on their feet full of life and evergy, as Jim Ross and Paul Heyman welcomed us to 'the Showcase of the Immortals!' Paul prayed to a God above at the announce table, as J.R. talked about how tonight was like none other - there was no night bigger than WrestleMania. It was a Celebration of Life tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, perhaps the most emotionally fuelled WrestleMania of all time! With six championships on the line and eleven matches signed, sixty-five thousand fans had travelled the world to come together for tonight!
. Backed by his running buddies in the Radicalz, WrestleMania X-Seven was kicking off in surprising fashion once Eddie Guerrero came walking out to the ring. Holding a white picket sign reading "Welcome 2 WrestleMania, Who Is Your Papi!?", 'Latino Heat' sauntered down the long rampway to a grand ovation of boos from the people in Houston, Texas tonight. Perry Saturn wore a pink and fluffy top hat, hand-in-hand with 'the She-Devil' Terri, clad in an incredibly risque skin-toned dress. Dean Malenko resembled a James Bond villain, as the group emerged in the ring with Eddie claiming the microphone. To loud boos, Eddie showcased the sign over his head and began to insult the Texan crowd. This was exactly the reason he had moved from his birthplace of El Paso, because the Texas crowd showed no loyalty to anybody! He was a Mexican born and raised on the wrong side of the border, so he decided one day to hop in the car and move the hell back. Eddie insulted the President of the United States, George W. Bush being from Texas, and said that he was a prime example of a delusional Texan! Despite everything, they were live at WrestleMania. He may have had to host his own open challenge to get a spot on this card, but tonight would change everything. Guerrero said WrestleMania was full of surprises, so where was his competition? He said that the Radicalz were all so tired of being overlooked without any competition. They were left out in the cold, without rivals, even opponents for 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. Eddie continued to hassle the people questioning who would come and be the big man to take him on.
Finally, he went interrupted by unfamiliar sounding music. A pyrotechnics blast overcame the stage inside the Reliant Astrodome, as the people in attendance suddenly came to their feet. The TitanTron read "R...V...D", meaning only one thing: Rob Van Dam had arrived in the World Wrestling Federation! The place came unglued definitely familiar with who this man was, as Paul Heyman applauded RVD for making the decision to make a statement, debuting at WrestleMania tonight! In an airbrushed singlet, RVD walked down the rampway to the shock of 'Latino Heat', while some even chanted "ECW" at the former extremist. Heyman remarked that RVD was known worldwide, a former ECW World Television Champion of 700 days spanning April 1998 to March 2000! As RVD pointed his fists to the heavens above and raised his thumbs over his head, 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' had officially arrived to answer Eddie's open challenge - and 'Latino Heat' could not believe it!1) Eddie Guerrero's Open Challenge Eddie Guerrero (w/The Radicalz) vs Rob Van Dam 'Latino Heat' had been livid for weeks with how overlooked the Radicalz had been of late. Despite them scoring a handicap victory against Bradshaw, ganging up on Chris Jericho, and scoring wins over the Fighting Holly Cousins, Eddie Guerrero could not believe that they did not have any plans to be involved with WrestleMania X-Seven. Starting from two weeks ago on SmackDown, 'Latino Heat' began protesting this claim by way of using picket signs to their advantage. Becoming more vocal and joining commentary on RAW is WAR, Eddie officially declared that he was calling for an open challenge tonight, simply so that he could get the WrestleMania moment he was looking for on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All'. Meanwhile it remained questionable what the Radicalz's relationship with former running buddy Chris Benoit was, with 'Latino Heat' having helped 'the Rabid Wolverine' bash a handcuffed Undertaker over the skull with a steel chair, just three nights ago. Rob Van Dam had answered the challenge, making his World Wrestling Federation debut after spending 2001 thus far in limbo. He had last appeared for Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2001, and was one of the hottest free agents in sports entertainment - but now his destination was made clear: it was right here in the World Wrestling Federation.
Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and 'the She-Devil' Terri watched on from ringside, as Rob Van Dam pointed at Eddie Guerrero acknowledging the similarities in their styles. 'Latino Heat' was not impressed one bit by the onset of a new, never-before-seen challenge made by the once-ECW Superstar. Immediately launching into a collar-and-elbow tie-up, Rob Van Dam got the go-behind and forearmed the back of Eddie's help early. A drop toe hold would take him down, allowing for Eddie to spin over the back of 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' to start things off. Eddie showboated to the mass disapproval of the Reliant Astrodome crowd. RVD came back up to his feet, then dropped down into the splits to avoid an inbound Eddie. Ducking Eddie off the ropes, RVD rotated his legs upwards, easily monkey flipping Guerrero from one side of the ring to the other! Van Dam fired with right hands on Eddie, before lighting him up with some choice kicks. The flexibility of Van Dam was something to behold, when Eddie ducked a roundhouse kick only to be swept by the same foot, from behind him!
Into the corner Guerrero retreated, to receive several shoulder thrusts, before Van Dam sprung backwards with a handspring, directly into a monkey flip once again sending Eddie across the canvas. Malenko climbed on the apron just to be caught by an airborne karate kick from the newcomer, who sprung off the middle rope to catch him! Instead, Perry Saturn climbed on the apron in a hurry allowing Guerrero to drop him with the back suplex! Guerrero delivered the brainbuster to follow up for a near fall, when the WWF Superstar confidently decided to climb to the top rope. The Frog Splash missed, and in recovery Van Dam was able to surprise Guerrero with a rolling enzuigiri upside the head! RVD hit the ropes and delivering a rolling somersault senton known as the "Rolling Thunder", when Saturn slipped into the ring - only to receive a roundhouse kick knocking the pink and furry hat off his head! Van Dam vaulted up to the top rope like a spring, and delivered the Frog Splash of his own - the Five-Star Frog Splash - to pick up a decisive win in impressive fashion!Winner: Rob Van Dam (3:34) Just like that, Rob Van Dam had not only made his World Wrestling Federation debut tonight at WrestleMania, but he had scored his very first victory in amazingly quick fashion! Overcoming Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko as well, RVD threw his hands in the air in a victorious celebration to the roar of the Reliant Astrodome. Nobody had expected 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' to show up tonight at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', but already a major surprise had been revealed, as Rob Van Dam had arrived! The Radicalz helped the fallen Eddie Guerrero from the ring, 'Latino Heat' in disbelief at what had just happened to him. Guerrero threw a temper tantrum on the floor to the laughs of the people, while Paul Heyman was ecstatic to see a fellow former ECW Superstar inside a WWF ring! Eddie's WrestleMania Moment had been accomplished, but RVD had just made himself known to be 'Latino Heat's Papi!Backstage at the Reliant Astrodome, a limousine was seen pulling up in the parking lot. The license plate read "WCW1", and the driver would get out to open the door. Sure enough, it was the newly announced WCW Owner Shane McMahon, who could hear the mixed reaction emanate from inside the colossal stadium. Suited to the nines, Shane O'Mac knew exactly how big tonight was, as he awaited for the Street Fight with father and WWF Owner, Vince McMahon. With Mick Foley revealed to be the special guest referee last Thursday night on SmackDown, Shane looked ready to hopefully resolve the McMahon Family War.
. Bradshaw sat alone in the reconstructed APA's Office, the Texan lonesomely toasting himself ahead of his shot at the WWF European Championship tonight against WWF Commissioner William Regal. There was a slam of the door, and Bradshaw looked up to yell for them to leave him alone, but it was his close accomplice Jacqueline. His frown turned to a smile, as Jackie told Bradshaw just how much tonight was riding for the APA to come on through. The WWF Diva languished in how good it felt to get 'the Goodwill Ambassador' drunk last week on SmackDown, and couldn't wait to watch him beat Regal's ass in front of his home state. Bradshaw chuckled, claiming he hadn't felt this great in years. He'd actually been too nervous to crack a beer - and that was his pre-match ritual! Everything was riding on tonight, even more than the Acolyte Protection Agency. This was about a young hometown boy named John, with dreams as big as his eyes, about to compete in his first WrestleMania; about to win the gold, in front of the people he grew up with! Jacqueline smiled as Bradshaw emotionally spoke about the importance of tonight, but questioned: who said anything about riding solo? Suddenly, longtime friend Faarooq walked into frame behind Bradshaw, nearly scaring the Texan to death! The two laughed and hugged it out, as he exclaimed how glad he was to see Ron. Sidelined with a knee brace on his leg, boldly, Faarooq warned Bradshaw not to go soft on him now: tonight was big. It was time to make that British sissy pay for the collateral he'd carried out. This wasn't the APA's night, but he knew Bradshaw would do him proud anyway. Bradshaw laughed and thanked Jackie and Faarooq for the support - tonight was the night, and he planned to go big, home in Texas!
The bell sounded inside the arena, as ring announcer Howard Finkel declared that it was now time for the Astrodome Asylum match. Announcing the rules, this match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship was to be contested under Falls Count Anywhere rules, with no disqualifications and no count-outs. The only ways to win were by pinfall, submission or knockout.
It was sure to be a barn burner, as the countdown played. Sounding out with a huge blast of pyrotechnics, the Reliant Astrodome came out of the darkness to witness the WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho posing at the top of the stage. With his championship belt in possession of his mortal enemy Raven, Y2J clutched a microphone as he spun around and greeted the Houston crowd. Screaming a loud welcome to WrestleMania is Jericho, the Canadian from Winnipeg hyped the crowd up as he walked down the long rampway. In a silver, sparkly ring jacket, Y2J spoke about how Raven had time and time again tried to get underneath his skin, but all of that would end tonight. This wasn't Raven's Rules, and this wasn't a Street Fight; this was the Astrodome Asylum, where Chris Jericho planned to end this business once and for all. Much like he explained last Thursday night on SmackDown, Y2J would show no restraint, hold no regrets, and show no mercy on Raven's ass. Jericho vowed that Raven would never, ever be the same again, and that he should quoth the Jericho, nevermore! Jericho strutted down to the ring, posing on the apron before entering. Despite the mind games Raven had played, trying to make Y2J embrace his inner-violence, Jericho refused to admit that he and his rival were anything alike.
The crowd turned to boos once Raven's music rang out. With arms wide open, the man with physical possession of Chris Jericho's WWF Intercontinental Championship wore the title around his waist. In a leather jacket, with tattered jean shorts and a flannel shirt wrapped around his waist, he was joined on the stage by his main squeeze, Tori. Dressed in all black, she appeared paler and more morose than ever. Together they came together, though Tori came with a shopping cart full of weapons. The two walked slowly down the rampway wheeling the cart in front of them, with the steel cart carrying items such as baseball bats, trash cans, kendo sticks, and even the proverbial kitchen sink! Reaching the ringside area, the two turned to stare at one another, when Tori disrobed Raven of the ill-deserved title around his waist. Suddenly, Chris Jericho came flying over the top rope with a diving crossbody plancha!
2) WWF Intercontinental Championship - Astrodome Asylum match Chris Jericho (c) vs Raven (w/Tori) Raven had arrived on the scene in the World Wrestling Federation with a mission statement self-set: to cause as much carnage and create as much uncomfortable discourse as possible, here in the WWF. It was only October where he made his spectacular debut, immediately targeting the Undertaker. Despite ultimately losing to 'the American Badass' on two separate occasions, he would come back in a big way by defeating Rikishi to become the WWF Intercontinental Champion back on the January 8, 2001 edition of RAW is WAR. Raven was a master manipulator, known for using cheap tactics and resorting to dangerous weapons to get his own way. However with Chris Jericho, who was able to defy Raven and defeat him back at No Way Out to become the champ, Raven appeared to have a new status quo. Although joined by a partner in crime in the ravenous appearing Tori, Raven used her to his advantage from the offset to stalk Chris Jericho for weeks. Suddenly, Raven struck, and subsequently stole back the WWF Intercontinental Championship belt from his possession. He was not the champion, but had maintained possession for weeks, and had done all that he could to bring the fun-loving, high-energy "class clown" fan favorite Canadian down to his level. Raven believed the two of them had more in common than Jericho was letting on, and it was ten days ago on SmackDown where Raven invited Jericho to beat him bloody on the rampway with the title. The problem was, Raven enjoyed it, much like he did to be locked in the Walls of Jericho in the backstage lobby where they both fought, six nights ago on RAW is WAR. It would take a lot to put Raven down, and in the unpredictable environment of the Astrodome Asylum: who knew what Raven had up his sleeve.
The action was already off to a rocky start, as Chris Jericho had vaulted over the top rope with a death-defying plancha to Raven on the outside! Raven had yet to enter the ring, and already the WWF Intercontinental Champion proceeded to pound the daylights out of the man that had stolen his title several weeks ago. Y2J had showed a meaner streak to him in recent weeks, and demonstrated this by sending his adversary into the barricade before continuing the beating with more right hands. The challenger was able to knee him in the abdomen, delivering some right hands of his own. Hoping to whip Jericho into the steel steps, Y2J was able to reverse it and rope Raven in for a hard big back body drop right on the ringside mats! The champ mounted for some further damage, when Tori took it upon herself to grab the Canadian by the hair! Incensed, Chris Jericho responded by glaring a hole through her. She proceeded to back down with fear, relinquishing her grip. All the same, it allowed Raven to strike from behind with a blind-sighted clothesline! Using the ring apron to maintain balance, the challenger began to put the boots to the WWF Intercontinental Champion, promptly choking Y2J with the sole of his shoe!
It was all legal in the Astrodome Asylum, as Raven hurled Jericho inside for a one-count before choking Jericho with his palms! Y2J was quick to kick away, but returned to his feet only to be dropped with the drop toe hold followed by two elbow drops across the back of the head. Covering for another one-count, the challenger decided to motion to his main squeeze at ringside, and Tori delivered the goods: tossing into the ring a trash can and a kendo stick! Raven was getting his mistress to do the heavy lifting, as Jericho rose to his knees to abruptly receive a trash can lid shot to the cranium! Jericho was able to kick out at two once again, causing the challenger to soon turn to something more offensive. Preparing the Evenflow DDT early, Jericho was able to surprise with a northern lights suplex for a near fall! Y2J caught Raven off-guard with a step-up enzuigiri, before drilling his opponent with the trash can shot to the head! With Raven against the ropes, Jericho propped the trash can over Raven's head blinding him. As he stumbled around in confusion, Y2J glanced over at the kendo stick and decided to use Raven as a pinata! Walloping him timelessly with the kendo stick off the side, Jericho was playing a drum solo in Houston tonight - soon finishing with a springboard dropkick! Jericho covered Raven, only for him to kick out once more.
Raven bailed out of the ring in a hurry, ridding himself of the trash can that once impaired his vision. Chris Jericho once again looked for a suicide dive, but Raven was able to blind him with the assist from a fire extinguisher! The foam impaired the WWF Intercontinental Champion's line of sight, and Raven proceeded to follow. Handed a stop sign from the shopping cart, Raven dripped Jericho across the back of the head with it before successfully delivering the Russian legsweep! The back of Jericho's head met the side of the Spanish announce table with a thud, covering for a near fall. Raven rammed Jericho's face into the cover of the table twice over, before screaming in his face to embrace his inner-self! Raven decked Jericho one more time before turning to Tori, who handed him a steel shovel - only he would turn around to receive a brutal headshot with a steel chair! Y2J knocked Raven silly with it, as he flailed overboard atop the Spanish announce table. Slowly stepping atop it, Jericho twisted and turned - the Walls of Jericho being applied right on top of the table! The referee checked on Raven to see if he would tap, with Falls Count Anywhere rules applied.
Chris Jericho was losing balance fast and stepped off, when Tori tried to jump on his back. Y2J managed to pull her from behind, dumping her onto the ringside floor. Teasing to the hot Astrodome crowd that she would attack her, Jericho instead elected to plant a liplock on when Raven suddenly struck with a shovel shot across the back of the head! Into the ring Raven sent his rival, immediately dropping him with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Jericho sat up in the corner to be met with more harsh right hands to the face from Raven. He began choking the Winnipeg native, before hitting the opposite corner for a running knee strike to the face! Raven could only get another near fall, and he pounded the mat in frustration. Instead, the challenger laughed sinisterly, stalking him as he rose in the corner. A running clothesline into the corner struck Jericho, directly into a bulldog for yet another two count! Raven would not let up on the WWF Intercontinental Champion, but Raven would kick and heel Jericho from the ring once again.
Raven tried ramming Chris Jericho head-first into the steel shopping cart placed at ringside by the aisle, only the Canadian was able to block it. Elbowing his way free, Raven was sent face-first into the bar of it himself. Groggily, Raven turned back only to be hit by a drop toe hold by the WWF Intercontinental Champion - Raven shot through the door grate of the trolley! Y2J retrieved a second kendo stick and began to throttle the cart with it while it entrapped Raven within! Stunned, Raven dragged himself back out from within, only to be met with a huge shot with the kitchen sink - courtesy of the Canadian! Raven fell unconscious on the edge of the apron, and Jericho capitalized by rolling his carcass back inside. Jericho saw his moment and took off for the Lionsault, when Tori rolled into the ring and shielded her man! The Lionsault connected but on Tori, though Jericho thought little of it. Electing instead to continue the beating on Raven as his girl rolled out of the ring in pain, Jericho grabbed a steel chair Tori had planted on the edge of the ring moments prior. Swinging it at Raven, he was able to deliver another drop toe hold - into an exposed metal turnbuckle! Tori had been busy as these two madmen duelled, and Raven capitalized with the Evenflow DDT directly on top of the chair, to win Astrodome Asylum!Winner, and new WWF Intercontinental Champion: Raven (8:18) Raven laughed as he rolled over to his back, leant against the abdomen of his fallen opponent. With a sadistic smirk on his face, Raven had his hand raised in victory by referee Tim White who presented him with the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Officially, weeks after stealing the title belt from Chris Jericho's possession, Raven had captured the title from Y2J in this physical Astrodome Asylum environment! A pained Tori joined Raven in hugging it out in the ring, stumbling across the ring all the while. The two smooched in a gross public display of affection, when Y2J shortly after came to.
Picking up the steel chair, Jericho was able to shoo Raven and Tori from the ring in frustration. Unable to comprehend the manner in which he lost, the Canadian began pulling at his hair in anger, when Tim White began trying to verbally calm him down. Y2J accepted the loss with reluctance, and patted the official on the back...before abruptly sweeping him up and locking in the Walls of Jericho! Y2J refused to relinquish the hold, as White tapped out for his life! Finally, Jericho let go, but smirked a sadistic smile back at Raven. Raven was crowned the new WWF Intercontinental Champion tonight in his house of fun at WrestleMania, but he may have finally caused Y2J to snap!
Chris Benoit was standing by in the interview area, with moments to wait until his confrontation with the Undertaker. Lilian Garcia was standing by and wanting to understand 'the Rabid Wolverine's mental state, with arguably his biggest challenge waiting tonight at 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. Benoit snapped at her, telling Lilian that this was far from the biggest challenge. He proved to the world that the Undertaker wasn't anything to concern himself with, nothing to worry about. When he nailed that 'American Badass' with a steel chair, he didn't see any badass. He saw a poor, old dog. Benoit reminded everybody that when 'the Deadman' came to him a few weeks ago and warned him not to p*ss in his yard, he was 'the Wolverine'. Of course he would p*ss in his yard, because he couldn't be stopped! Whether it was The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vince McMahon or even Linda McMahon - he didn't care who they were, or what they were about. The same went for 'the Deadman'. He might be 'the Big Dog' that ran the yard, but that made him prey as far as he was concerned. The Canadian said to hell with Undertaker's yard, that tonight people could talk like they always did. Benoit believed tonight would be the Undertaker's toughest battle to date, and his decade of destruction would face the beginning of end, when he faces the wrath of the Crossface - prove him wrong.
. Stephanie McMahon was sat on the couch in her dressing room, as boyfriend Kurt Angle raised the straps on his singlet. Ahead of action with Hulk Hogan tonight, 'the American Hero' was psyched to meet 'the Real American' and expose him for the phoney he was. For weeks he had been embarrassed, he hadn't been able to focus at the true task at hand. But tonight he would beat 'the Real American', and Hulk wouldn't know what hit him. In years to come all anybody would remember would be that 'the Megastar' put the Hulkster down on 'the Grandaddy of Them All!' Angle was clearly fired up, then quizzed his girlfriend on whether she was listening. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' sharply responded saying she had a lot on her mind as it was - the Street Fight between her father Vince McMahon, and her brother Shane McMahon. Kurt tried to tell Steph not to worry about it anymore - what happened with them was their business.
Steph tried to retort, when in walked Trish Stratus. She smiled, greeting Kurt and clearly drawing the ire of Stephanie. The WWF Diva wished Kurt luck tonight in the dream match with Hulk Hogan, but Angle maintained confidence and thanked her for the support. Leaving the girls to talk, Trish took a seat on the couch and commented on the big night ahead. As her friend, Trish wanted Stephanie to know that she was fully in her corner. Trish knew the Street Fight was on Stephanie's mind, and how she must feel torn two ways between her Dad and her brother. Confessing she was feeling torn, Stephanie believed she had every right to be worried about what might happen. Especially with Mick Foley as the special guest referee! Trish assured her that she deserved to, but in terms of who would come out on top in the showdown between the WWF Owner and WCW Owner - who was she rooting for to win? Stephanie sighed in heartbreak, pondering which member of the McMahon Family she loved more.
Inside the Reliant Astrodome, the crowd booed as the screeching of car alarms and sirens rang out over the stadium. Out pranced the Right to Censor, consisting of the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry. Adorned in black and white, the RTC were without the WWF Women's Champion Ivory and their leader Steven Richards. Surely preparing for 'the Role Model's title match with Chyna tonight, the RTC were told for weeks that they could not afford to show weakness coming into tonight, as they quickly climbed into the ring.
The Goodfather snatched the microphone away from Howard Finkel and demanded the people of Houston, Texas to shut their fat mouths, when prematurely K-Kwik cut him off! The rapper making his WrestleMania debut came out accompanied by 'the One' Billy Gunn and Al Snow, immediately pumping up the crowd with life! Performing "Get Rowdy", K-Dawg wore white cargo pants and had attitude. Choosing not to waste any time, K-Kwik asked Houston what was poppin', before immediately joining his comrades for the night in dartinf down the long aisle for the ring!
3) Six-Man Tag Team Match The Right to Censor (The Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry) vs K-Kwik, Billy Gunn and Al Snow Since they came on the scene last summer initially with Steven Richards as the sole member, the Right to Censor had quickly become public enemies of the World Wrestling Federation. Not just with the fans, but the boys in the back. The RTC would quickly grow to become an organization with Steven recruiting the likes of the six-foot-six agile brute Bull Buchanan, the rehabilitated former 'Sexual Chocolate' - now known as 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry, as well as the thought-to-be incorruptible fun-loving pimp - the Goodfather. With the WWF Women's Champion Ivory preparing for confrontation with 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna later tonight, in previous weeks the RTC had shown a much more dominating side. Wanting to show no weakness on behalf of 'the Role Model', they had been longtime enemies of Chyna's boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn. Billy had beaten each and every member of the RTC, but had also seen his fair share of beatdowns and attacks. It was three weeks ago on Sunday Night Heat where D-Lo Brown turned his back and left K-Kwik stranded in tag team competition against the Goodfather, and Bull Buchanan, and K-Dawg illustrated last Monday night on RAW is WAR how ready he was to get revenge. As for Al Snow, the RTC approached him last week on Sunday Night Heat, making note of how since returning from a broken wrist, Snow had been on a losing streak. Though instead of joining them, Snow would align himself with Billy and the rapper for six-man tag team action tonight at 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. The action started off hot, as the six men met at ringside by the aisleway to start what was sure to be a bowling shoe ugly affair. With Steven Richards and the WWF Women's Champion Ivory absent, the numbers game was nonexistent. Both sides were even, though the fan favorites quickly took the upper hand with Mark Henry sent into the steel steps head-first, and the Goodfather sent into the barricade. Bull Buchanan was sent rolling inside for the match to start officially, where 'the One' Billy Gunn delivered a military press slam to the agile big man, followed by an axe kick from K-Kwik! In the corner Al Snow had his way in the form of ten punches raining down on the temple of Buchanan, transitioning into a hurricanrana. 'The Secret Weapon' Mark Henry would reenter with a big double clothesline for Gunn and Snow, before catching K-Kwik and driving him across his knee with a rib breaker! Tossing the rapper carelessly across the canvas, Mark stood on the back of K-Kwik's neck and shoulders while using the ropes to maintain balance. The Houston crowd groaned as the Goodfather made the tag. He teased the gigantic crowd on hand by motioning for the Ho Train into the corner, only to immediately throw up his hands in disgust! The days of the Godfather and his Ho Train were long gone, but he did execute the corner splash, followed by the death valley driver for a near fall!
Tagging in Bull Buchanan, the Georgia native climbed to the top rope for the diving leg drop, just for K-Kwik to roll out of the way. K-Dawg began crawling towards the anxiously waiting hands of Al Snow and Billy Gunn, just for Bull to catch him by the foot! The rapper missed an enzuigiri reversal, allowing Bull to hit the ropes with a bicycle kick to the jaw! The RTC proceeded to gang up on K-Kwik, as Billy and Al got the Houston crowd behind their tag team partner. A double suplex from Goodfather and Buchanan got a near fall, when set up for the avalanche corner splash from 'the World's Strongest Man!' Mark Henry lined him up and Bull got the blind tag, but K-Dawg dodged it narrowly before rocking the big man with another axe kick! Dazed on his feet, K-Kwik retreated to the second rope, taking him to a knee with a missile dropkick! Crawling, he made the tag to Billy Gunn who came in hot. Jabbing Mark Henry with a fierce flurry of strikes, Buchanan came in just to receive a jackhammer, while a dropkick would catch Goodfather on the mark! Al Snow made the tag to lend an assistance, foolishly looking for the Snow Plow on the 400-pound Henry. The tables were turned quickly, as a powerslam took Snow down hard! In getting up K-Kwik struck with the scissors kick, when Goodfather flatlined him with a clothesline! Billy executed the One and Only on the ex-pimp, when Buchanan sent Billy tumbling to the floor. Aiming for the scissors kick on Snow, Al in-turn attempted the Snow Plow. Bull slipped out, but Snow caught him with a backslide - to pick up his first victory in months!Winners: Al Snow, K-Kwik and Billy Gunn (4:43) For the first time in over six months, since returning from a broken wrist, Al Snow had pulled off his first World Wrestling Federation victory! In disbelief himself, Snow threw his fists up in relief before quickly exiting the ring. Joining his tag team partners 'the One' Billy Gunn and K-Kwik at ringside, the three fan favorites celebrated on the aisleway much to the chagrin of the seething Right to Censor. Bull Buchanan shook his head in frustration, sharing the emotions felt by the disappointed Goodfather and the angered Mark Henry. The Houston crowd cheered at the expense of the RTC's shortcoming - but would it prove to be a bad omen for Ivory later tonight?
A video package aired, showing the festivities that have gone on this weekend in Houston, Texas. WrestleMania Axxess was a sight to behold, hosting many facilities including autograph signings, meet and greets with the top WWF Superstars including WWF Champion The Rock, Kurt Angle, Chyna and the Hardy Boyz; live matches and an exclusive look at some of the top historic memorabilia in the World Wrestling Federation's possession. Jerry Lynn made his debut in a brief clip, putting away Essa Rios with a tornado DDT, whereas D-Lo Brown was hostilely booed by the gathered crowd able to beat Steve Blackman with a Frog Splash. Fans were able to call the action on classic WWF pay-per-view matches alongside Michael Cole, and enjoy walking around and witnessing the sights. There was absolutely nothing like the WWF WrestleMania Axxess experience!
. We went to a live shot of downtown New York City, New York. In the heart of Times Square, the weather remained dreary up in the northeast. At WWF New York, we cut inside the entertainment complex to be greeted by the MVPs of Sunday Night Heat - Kaientai! Stood on the stage, the guest hosts of the WrestleMania Pre-Game Party graced the people in attendance with their loud, booming Americanized voices. Taka Michinoku asked if everybody was having the time of their lives, he spoke about how they might be from the faraway land of Japan - but that didn't mean they didn't know how to get down! Funaki echoed "INDEED" in response, as Taka demanded the people bow down at their hosts' feet, have fun and enjoy WrestleMania - because in this house, they were all "EVIL". Once again, Funaki muttered - "INDEED!"
Returning down south to the live Reliant Astrodome, out came a hometown hero from nearby Sweetwater, Texas - Bradshaw! To a warm, rousing ovation from the Houston crowd, the challenger did not come out to the ring along however - accompanied by his longtime best friend and tag team partner Faarooq. The two hugged it out on the rampway, the APA reunited, as Jacqueline accompanied the men down the long rampway. For the young boy growing up, little did he know that one day he would be competing on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' challenging for the championship. The united trio of APA members saluted the crowd from the corners inside the ring, awaiting the arrival of the champion.
William Regal did not exactly receive a similar ovation, coming out to the loud boos from the Houston crowd. The new WWF Commissioner walked timidly out to the stage, clearly no longer inebriated after his teapot went spiked by Bradshaw last Thursday night on SmackDown. The WWF European Champion wore the gold around his waist and looked around in appall, while waving in regards to the besmirching reception received. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' wiped his feet across the ring apron before climbing inside, pointing at Faarooq and Jacqueline, almost as if to warn them not to get involved in this title match tonight.4) WWF European Championship William Regal (c) vs Bradshaw (w/Faarooq and Jacqueline)For weeks, 'the Goodwill Ambassador' had been hopeful of changing the landscape of the World Wrestling Federation for the better. Believing in a better maintained, more disciplined and respectful WWF, the WWF European Champion petitioned to be granted power as the gentleman lawmaker of the company. Shane McMahon prior to his purchase of World Championship Wrestling last Monday would grant him this wish, naming him as the new WWF Commissioner. William Regal would take liberties from the start, dressing up his office in lavish British furniture - including a monument of a knight in armor behind his desk. One man would rub the Englishman the wrong way however, Bradshaw. Scolding Regal with tea several weeks ago would prove to be enough to put the Texan on his bad side, as Bradshaw had been forced to endure handicap match beatings at the hands of the Radicalz, X-Factor, and last Monday night on RAW is WAR, the Right to Censor. With Faarooq sidelined with a knee injury, and Jacqueline barred from ringside, Bradshaw went it alone but was able to defeat the RTC six nights ago to earn this opportunity. Much to the chagrin of the besmirched Commissioner, Regal was further embarrassed on SmackDown! last Thursday night - as Bradshaw would sneak into his office and empty a hip flask in Regal's teapot! William would wander drunkenly down to ringside, only to be pantsed by Jackie as a result. But tonight, at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', Bradshaw hoped to get even with 'the Goodwill Ambassador', and come away with his first singles title win of his career. Bradshaw bumped fists with both Faarooq and Jacqueline, the APA standing by at ringside while William Regal removed the WWF European Championship from around his waist. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' looked disgracefully at the people of the Reliant Astrodome, before taking time to glance at the reflection in the title belt. As referee Teddy Long called for the bell, Bradshaw immediately jumped the gun to the roar of his hometown crowd. Barraging the WWF Commissioner in the corner with heavy right hands, a stray elbow from the champ stunned Bradshaw. Only to be met with a big back body drop, the Englishman would be sent fleeing outside to the floor! Taking a powder, William regathered his bearings only to have the aggressive challenger roll out after him. The WWF Commissioner backed away from the Texan, his hands raised... only to back up into the sternly watchful Faarooq and Jacqueline! Surrounded by the APA, Regal had nowhere to turn and begged for mercy when Bradshaw lamped Regal with another haymaker! Sending him back inside, Bradshaw re-entered, only to be struck with a knee lift! Ramming Bradshaw's face into the middle turnbuckle pad, Regal began ramming his knee into the back of the head, sandwiching him between knee and turnbuckle.
'The Goodwill Ambassador' did honor the five count presented by the official, before waving politely at the crowd in brash arrogance. William Regal continued to have his way with Bradshaw, delivering some European uppercuts followed by a butterfly suplex for a near fall. With a cravate applied, Bradshaw tried to use his size to fight back up to his feet, only to be met with repeated knee strikes to the face! The WWF Commissioner hoped to ground Bradshaw and wear him down, only for Bradshaw to come back to life with a back suplex! Groggily getting back into the fight, Bradshaw shot off the ropes with two shoulder blocks, before catching him with a spinebuster - a longtime trademark of his partner Faarooq, who clapped from ringside! Regal stumbled up to the second rope for an axe handle only to get caught by the challenger, who delivered the fallaway slam across the ring! Bradshaw seized the moment before the Houston crowd, looking for the Powerbomb only for Regal to headbutt out. Collapsing through the ropes to the floor, the ringside floor appeared to be the safest place for the WWF Commissioner. Bradshaw advanced again, only to be halted in his tracks by Teddy Long. Meanwhile, Faarooq lined Regal up and dropped him with a heavy clothesline! The referee was able to spot this, and immediately ejected Faarooq and Jackie from ringside!
Bradshaw rolled out of the ring to confront the referee on the decision made to eject his APA allies from ringside, all the while William Regal could be seen grinning in relief. As Bradshaw continued to protest Teddy Long's decision, the WWF European Champion would come from behind with an axe handle sending him into the steel steps! Rolling Bradshaw inside, the WWF Commissioneer looked to apply the Regal Stretch, only for Bradshaw to block it with some reaching, clobbering hands. Slowly Bradshaw staggered back up, hitting the ropes for the Clothesline From Hell just for Regal to duck it. The Regal Cutter connected out of nowhere, but upon covering, Bradshaw was able to power out at two! 'The Goodwill Ambassador' could not believe it, and once again ordered the referee to count the pin. Another pin went, and again the Texan powered out! Regal screamed that this was immoral and proceeded to choke Bradshaw, planting his knee over the windpipe of the challenger! Regal warned the referee not to trifle with him, he was the WWF Commissioner. Teddy Long refused, bringing Regal to push him in annoyance. Teddy shoved him back, bewildering the lawmaker. All the while it bought Bradshaw time to recover, and he would clobber Regal with the Clothesline From Hell to pick up the three count!Winner, and new WWF European Champion: Bradshaw (5:40) Bradshaw had gotten the job done, as the inconsiderate sportsmanship antics of the WWF Commissioner had enabled the Texan to win his first singles championship in the World Wrestling Federation! With his fists raised high in the air with his hometown crowd to bare witness, referee Teddy Long would hand Bradshaw the WWF European Championship, causing him to holler in excitement! William Regal remained down and out in the ring, while the APA would once again be reunited in the ring. Faarooq and Jacqueline joined up with their champion colleague, raising Bradshaw's hand in victory - the title held high! Little John growing up in Sweetwater, Texas would be proud knowing that he would grow up to be crowned a champion, at the Superbowl of Sports Entertainment!
Usually a man of many words, the time for talking was over for The Rock. Sat on a steel chair in his dressing room, 'the People's Champ' sat with his head in his hands, mentally preparing for the challenge ahead. The WWF Championship was hung on the wall in front of him, in the wooden frame of the locker. 'The Great One' had to have a lot on his mind, knowing that tonight might well be the biggest match of his life - let alone his career. It was a can't lose situation against a career rival a step above career rivals, tonight, against Stone Cold Steve Austin. The crowd in the Reliant Astrodome could be heard echoing through the backstage area with a mixed ovation - tonight we were in Stone Cold Steve Austin's country, and Rock knew full well that he could not afford to lose tonight.
. In the halls of the Reliant Astrodome, Jonathan Coachman was tuxedoed up and standing by with the special guest referee for this historic McMahon vs McMahon Street Fight - Mick Foley. 'The Hardcore Legend' smiled, clad in a homemade flannel referee shirt, choosing to take the time to say how he genuinely thought that last year's WrestleMania would be his last to ever appear before a sellout crowd. But it felt humbling and he was grateful of the opportunity to stand here tonight - and call the action in Houston, Texas! The crowd in the arena buzzed at the cheap pop, while the Coach wanted to understand why Mick decided to accept the call, to officiate the Street Fight between WWF Owner and WCW Owner. Mick said that the clue was in the match, but to him while this was historic from a business perspective - there had never been a match pitting the Owners of the World Wrestling Federation and another company such as World Championship Wrestling Federation. But there had also never been a match pitting two members of a highly prestigious family, the magnitude of the McMahon Family. Mick knew it was deeply personal, having witnessed it transpire for months. Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon would do battle, whether as father and son, or business owner and business owner - it was as personal, as it was all legal tonight.
The former WWF Commissioner confessed that he did admittedly accept the offer by the Chairman to officiate tonight's Street Fight, out of sheer animosity and bitterness over what happened the last time he appeared in a World Wrestling Federation ring. But the reality was, he wasn't as mad as he was at Shane McMahon firing him - or even Stephanie McMahon's ploy to stand with him. When it came to being fired on Christmas Day from his post as WWF Commissioner, despite doing it out of the kindness of his heart - it was incredibly rude, but frankly it didn't really matter. In this business, you had to put personal animosities behind you. Shane McMahon might well be a grade-A horse's ass, and he may now represent WCW as its Owner. Vince McMahon may be an assh*le, but even he knows the lengths Mick was willing to go to, to declare there must be one winner in this McMahon Family War. The truth was, he had been burned by Vince before, lied to and betrayed by him in fact. Which is why he planned to call it right down the middle tonight, because he couldn't be burned again by either McMahon - and that would happen right here, in the Reliant Astrodome! Houston might have a problem after all, because tonight 'Mrs Foley's Baby Boy' would remain unbiased and impartial - and that was final!
Inside the Reliant Astrodome, sparks of white pyrotechnics flew across the massive stage coinciding with the arrival of the 500-pound monster, the Big Show! Stomping down the rampway with loud boos echoing throughout the stadium, 'the Giant' was on a quest to recapture the WWF Hardcore Championship tonight.
A replay aired, showing how Kane was factored into this equation between he and 'the Man-Beast' Rhyno. It was three nights ago on SmackDown! where Big Show and Rhyno battled into the trainer's room backstage, to find Kane receiving medical attention. 'The Big Red Machine' would spring to life coming after both men, a former champion himself with an axe to grind - his business with the 24/7-operated title far from finished! As Big Show towered over the ropes and raised his gargantuan hand to the disapproving crowd, the stage grew hotter than Hell itself. Exploding into fire, Houston, Texas came unglued once Kane came stomping down the rampway! 'The Big Red Machine' wasted no time in powering his way to the ring via the long aisleway, immediately stepping over the ropes into the waiting hands of the Big Show!
5) WWF Hardcore Championship - Triple Threat Match Rhyno (c) vs Big Show vs Kane The WWF Hardcore Championship had come a long way in a year, contested last year in the chaotic fifteen-man Hardcore Battle Royal. In such a time, the title had changed hands dozens of times, all made possible thanks to the 24/7 rule. Twenty-four hours a day, seven-days a week, the title was contested, but soon came to the waiting hands of the seven-foot-two, 500-pound 'Giant', the Big Show. Big Show had battled another bellowing giant in 'the Big Red Machine' Kane last month at No Way Out, and had had some help from mysterious new arrival Rhyno in the weeks leading up to it. Only when No Way Out rolled around, it was 'the Man-Beast' who revealed his true rogue self, taking the title for himself in dominating fashion. For weeks, Big Show and Kane alike chased the former ECW World Champion and hoped to reclaim the title from him, but it would be 'the Hardcore Giant' who emerged over two weeks ago on SmackDown!, ousting Rhyno, Kane and the Undertaker with steel chairs to once again become champion. Rhyno stalked 'the Giant' for weeks before finally defeating him to recapture title six nights ago on RAW is WAR, in a battle that saw both men try to knock the other ten feet from the stage, to the pit floor below. On SmackDown last Thursday night, Big Show threw out the challenge for WrestleMania but also challenged Rhyno to show his face, and the two would fight on numerous occasions through the halls of the building backstage. They stumbled across Kane receiving medical attention in the trainer's office, and Kane made a statement in once again wanting to become WWF Hardcore Champion. Tonight, three monsters had their own accord - for supremacy, and the title!
Kane and Big Show had a long-stemming rivalry dating back to 'the Giant's initial arrival in the World Wrestling Federation two years ago, and could not wait to get it on - not even waiting for the arrival of the WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno! Immediately blasting him with right hands, Big Show was met with some fierce throat thrusts courtesy of 'the Big Red Machine', neither man gaining an opening as Show would respond with a big headbutt. Show rammed Kane's head into the turnbuckle pad, only for Kane to answer with one of his own for Show! Hitting the ropes for a clothesline, Show remained unaffected. Show headbutted once again for control, when Kane grabbed him by the throat! 'The Big Red Machine' wanted to get this over with early, but Show would grip Kane's throat with two hands in return. Rhyno finally made his entrance to the match, the WWF Hardcore Champion sprinting down the rampway and aisle, immediately sizing both men up for the Gore! Instead, Show broke free of Kane's grip and relinquished his own, meeting the champ with a big boot to the face! Officially a Triple Threat match, the Big Show cornered the WWF Hardcore Champion with raw power, lifting his tree-trunk sized leg and choking Rhyno with a high-angle choke against the turnbuckle pad! The 500-pounder refused to let go, and the hold would only go broken as he acknowledged Kane climbing up to the top rope.
A flying clothesline took 'the Giant' off his feet, when Kane focused his attention on Rhyno in the corner. Lighting him up with body punches, Rhyno would battle back with some rocky punches of his own, only to walk directly into the seven-foot monster's sidewalk slam! He covered, but Big Show would break the fall up. Rhyno rolled out to the floor as Big Show impressed the masses in attendance in Houston, muscling the 320-pound Kane over his head with a mighty gorilla press slam! The Big Show rolled out after Rhyno who dragged him by the foot, 'the Man-Beast' pummelling the unsuspecting 'Giant' with rights and lefts only to be headbutted away. Show powered Rhyno up in the fireman's carry position at ringside, only for the champ to slip free and low blow the big man from behind! Rhyno picked up the steel steps with cruel intentions for 'the Giant', when Kane came under the ropes with a baseball slide! The steps ricocheted off Rhyno's face, and Kane immediately covered Show - for Rhyno to break it up! Rhyno sent Kane careening into the barricade, but 'the Big Red Machine' would back drop the WWF Hardcore Champion over it knocking him into the crowd! Big Show came back to clothesline Kane over the barricade himself, when 'the Giant' followed suit!
Three monsters of the WWF Hardcore Championship division brawled their way through the sea of people on the arena floor of the Reliant Astrodome, with the people going ballistic all around them! Rhyno led the chase, luring Kane near a staircase - where 'the Man-Beast' proceeded to dive from four steps up into the waiting hands of Kane! 'The Man-Beast' was caught in a precarious crossbody situation, when Big Show surprised Kane with a big boot to the chest knocking both men down! Rhyno fell on top of Kane for a near fall, broken by 'the Giant' who promptly covered Kane moments after. Rhyno broke it up, and continued fighting with Show as the two advanced up near the stage-way. Kane caught up to the two men, swatting Big Show relentlessly with uppercuts and allowing Rhyno to slither away to the backstage area. Kane rocked Show with more heavy hands against a tier wall in the Astrodome crowd, before following chase on Rhyno through the curtain. 'The Big Red Machine' scanned the backstage halls as cameras caught up to him, screaming for Rhyno to show himself. The WWF Hardcore Champion finally would, walloping Kane with a metal sign across the back of his head! Rhyno levelled Kane across the head with it twice more, before sending him face-first into a brick wall for a near fall.
Big Show emerged through to the backstage area to break up the count, able to body slam 'the Man-Beast' onto a wooden pallet on the floor! Show covered, but Rhyno was able to power out at two. The WWF Hardcore Champion hoped to get away from the equation once again, but Big Show followed in hot pursuit, jogging after him! Rhyno soon turned around and engaged with a kick to the gut of 'the Giant', but Show clubbed him and dumped the champ into a steel-fenced storage locker! Show followed him inside and wisely decided to lock the door behind him, immediately choking on Kane. Referee Jimmy Korderas was having a hard time keeping up, and watched as Kane began to shake the mesh fenced door for entry. Finally deciding to kick and punch his way through, Rhyno surprised both colossals by spraying a fire extinguisher! With Show and Kane blinded, Rhyno freed himself and took a 2x4 across the spine of Kane, before using a rubber hosepipe to strangle Big Show. Kane would manage to pull Rhyno from Show's back and punish him with some fierce right hands, the fight escalating across the hall. Rhyno tried to fight out, but Kane would have superiority - hurling the champ through a glass window! The champ was devastated, while Big Show attacked Kane from behind! The two gargantuans traded fists by the door to the room, where Show suddenly splashed Kane directly through the wooden door!
The room was in ruin, with Rhyno sprawled in the carnage of a glass window and Kane and Big Show laying in ruin of a wooden door that had been snapped in half! Big Show covered Kane for a near fall, before Show pulled Kane to his feet with a hand on his throat. Setting up for the Chokeslam, Kane responded by grabbing Show's throat in return. Both men battled against the wall, when they acknowledged the glass-cut, bloodied Rhyno limping to and commandeering a golf cart! 'The Man-Beast' tried driving away, when Big Show was able to jog up and hop onto the back of it, immediately pummelling Rhyno from the backseat! Meanwhile Kane was not to be left behind - acquiring a golf cart of his own, and allowing referee Jimmy Korderas to hop on the back! This unpredictable WWF Hardcore Championship Triple Threat match was now a car chase, when Big Show's offence caused Rhyno to crash his cart into a wall in the tunnel-way! Show dragged Rhyno out by the hair and body slammed him on the concrete floor, when Kane big booted Show before sending him into a wall! Kane dumped Rhyno across a table of equipment when Show used a trash can to clock 'the Big Red Machine'.
The action progressed with Big Show and Kane, the two massive men duking it out through the tunnel. 'The Giant' and 'the Big Red Machine' fought their way up a small stairwell, with Show headbutting Kane through the curtain! The two emerged before the Reliant Astrodome on the stage, as Big Show prepared to Chokeslam Kane to his doom - off the side of the stage! Kane kicked low to find freedom, before looking at delivering a Chokeslam to the Big Show! Show was able to break it up with a forearm shot, then proceeded to use a television cable to choke Kane! Weakening the monster, the rabid and blood-thirsty Houston crowd anticipated disaster as 'the Giant' powered Kane up for a gorilla press slam off the stage! Thankfully, Rhyno came from behind with a steel chair shot to the spine of 'the Giant!' Rhyno lined the big man up for the Gore - and it landed - at the expense of both men toppling off the side of the stage through part of the stage below! The flooring of the stage equipment was destroyed in the carnage, when Kane stood tall atop the stage on his own! Surveying the action and watchful of Jimmy Korderas progressing down to make the count by Rhyno, Kane joined them with a mighty leg drop off the stage, some five feet below! Kane covered Big Show, to become the WWF Hardcore Champion!Winner, and new WWF Hardcore Champion: Kane (11:12) It was a car crash waiting to happen, and it happened, with Kane emerging from this monstrous Triple Threat match as the WWF Hardcore Champion! 'The Big Red Machine' crawled from the depths of the destroyed staging equipment, stumbling over the fallen carcasses of Rhyno and the Big Show! Jimmy Korderas offered to raise his hand the victor, but Kane instead snatched the WWF Hardcore Championship belt away from him, behind standing tall to the beloved reaction of the Reliant Astrodome. They had witnessed carnage unfold, as the third of three titles on the line had changed hands thus far at WrestleMania!
We went to a skyline shot of Houston, Texas, as the camera panned to the magnificent Reliant Astrodome. We were in Houston for WrestleMania X-Seven, on a warm spring night with a stadium full of over sixty-thousand fans - all ready for The Rock to meet Stone Cold Steve Austin with the WWF Championship on the line, in the main event!
We had already seen his adversary mentally preparing for the biggest match of his career, but now we were inside the dressing room of 'the Texas Rattlesnake'. Getting prepared in silence, taping his wrists and similarly anticipating whatever was about to happen in tonight's box-office blockbuster main event, Stone Cold Steve Austin was in the zone ahead of the WWF Championship match with The Rock. His wife Debra watched on, the WWF Divas Ambassador having put her duties on hold for tonight, knowing exactly how big the stakes were set for Austin's first major opportunity, to recapture the richest prize in the business. It had been a long year of setbacks, major rehabilitation from a neck surgery, capped off by winning the 2001 Royal Rumble for Steve Austin - but tonight, in the biggest match in World Wrestling Federation history, it could come to an end with Austin standing tall, once again the WWF Champion. Neither he nor the Rock could afford to lose tonight.
A video package aired, looking back on the recently uncovered relationship between the Undertaker and Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' was no longer shackled by the Coalition, a wrecking machine with a licence to hurt people. Not afraid to lock the WWF CEO Linda McMahon in the Crossface, nor her husband the Chairman Vince McMahon; it was clear 'the Wolverine' was a lone wolf through and through. The Undertaker tried to pull him aside and show him the error of his ways, warning him to respect 'the Deadman's yard made in the World Wrestling Federation after a decade of destruction. Instead, Benoit chose to soil all over it, continuing with his attacks and threatening a steel chair beating on Steve Blackman. The Undertaker declared the only way to teach Benoit a lesson in respect would be to meet at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', WrestleMania. Unfortunately, Benoit was listening to the challenge all along.
Hidden behind a corner in the backstage corridor, Benoit laid a beating on 'the Deadman', and even involved himself in the Brothers of Destruction's conflict with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin last Monday night on RAW is WAR. Benoit was unstoppable, even using a steel chair in combat against Undertaker's half-brother Kane on SmackDown, when 'the Deadman' intercepted. Three nights ago, Undertaker answered Eddie Guerrero's call to an impromptu match, where it was revealed to be a set-up all along. As the Radicalz attacked after his victory, Chris Benoit would hit the ring to further assault 'the American Badass' with his former running buddies! Eddie handcuffed Undertaker to the top rope, and with nowhere to run, Benoit left a major exclamation mark busting open the veteran with a loud chair shot to the skull! It had all come down to this, with the Undertaker standing up against the hostility of 'the Rabid Wolverine. They had never met in the ring before, and tonight we would see who the bigger man truly was!
We returned inside the Reliant Astrodome where Chris Benoit came sauntering out to the stage, standing among the 60,000 fans in attendance. 'The Rabid Wolverine' was universally despised by the loyal Texan crowd, native of his opponent. Despite reuniting with the Radicalz in a plot to lay waste to the Undertaker three nights ago, Benoit walked down the stretch rampway with a smirk on his face. Almost poised with confidence, 'the Crippler' climbed the steel steps and stepped into the ring, looking around to see the disapproving faces of the mass crowd on hand. Without signal, the lights would go out in the gigantic stadium, and a gong was heard.
Footsteps echoed throughout the stadium, as Houston began buzzing for the arrival of 'the American Badass'. Finally, he was heard: "Dead Man Walking". As "Rollin'" by Limp Bizkit hit, the crowd roared upon the sight of the Undertaker! Riding down the rampway to the ring on a custom motorcycle, 'the Deadman' rolled down the rampway and aisle before stopping momentously to lay his eyes ahead on Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' remained unnerved and unmoved, as the sunshades and bandana wearing biker ominously bided his time, riding around the ringside area. Parking up in the aisleway, the Undertaker hopped off his bike and removed his glasses slowly - the look of intensity on his face, burning a hole through a newfound enemy! Benoit began to mouth off to 'the Deadman', who climbed into the ring to see Benoit being restrained to his corner by referee Mike Chioda. 6) Chris Benoit vs The Undertaker They arrived in the World Wrestling Federation nearly fourteen months to the day, but since their arrival the Radicalz had each made a mark on the company that was undeniable. In the course of the past year, 'the Rabid Wolverine' had been crowned a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and been in some hellacious and memorable battles with the likes of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. As a soldier in the Coalition, 'the Wolverine' was deceitful, wanting nothing more than to uncrown the leader of the group, then-WWF Champion Kurt Angle. However since the Coalition faded away and gone their separate ways over the last month, Benoit had truly shown his colors. Untamed and unstoppable, the Canadian had pursued the WWF Championship relentlessly. Believing himself to be the right man to headline WrestleMania X-Seven, Benoit had also made powerful enemies in the likes of the McMahon Family. He had threatened Stephanie McMahon, last month he forced Vince McMahon to tap to the vicious Crossface. Though perhaps more villainous than anything, he was responsible for the traumatized state of WWF CEO Linda McMahon, whom he also locked in the Crossface on RAW is WAR last month. The Undertaker had been a part of the WWF for over ten years, holding a decade of destruction under his belt. In that time he had seen some of the all-time greats in sports entertainment come and go, but grew watchful of 'the Wolverine' in recent weeks. Warning him to show respect to 'the Deadman's "yard", Benoit acted on his own accord without a care. It made the Undertaker officially plan to teach Benoit a lesson in respect tonight at WrestleMania. This past week on SmackDown however, Benoit split a handcuffed 'Deadman' wide open with a steel chair, having conspired with the very men he arrived in the WWF with fourteen months ago - the Radicalz. It was 'the Wolverine' against 'the Deadman', tonight at 'the Grandaddy of Them All!'
With Chris Benoit backed up to his corner, 'the American Badass' arrived in the center of the ring. Almost as if to provoke 'the Rabid Wolverine', referee Mike Chioda rang for the bell and Benoit stepped to the veteran! Undertaker wasted no time immediately lighting up the Canadian with some lefts and rights. Benoit held his own, throwing forearm shots and elbows in return. Undertaker would not back down either, continuing to throw some expertly-placed strikes into Benoit, when 'the Wolverine' responded with a series of knife-edged chops. Undertaker kicked Benoit in the gut, only for Benoit to immediately knee 'the American Badass' in the ribs and wrench his arm. Undertaker was quickly able to avert the skilled technician with some big right hands, causing the Canadian to hit the ropes only to be caught with a sidewalk slam for an early near fall! Benoit quickly rolled back up to his feet, only to be nailed with a series of pounding body blows in the corner. Clashing with some elbow strikes, 'the Deadman' was certainly teaching Benoit a lesson in the opening minutes of this clash of styles.
'The Deadman' layed in some stomps in the corner, when Chris Benoit fought back, striking with a low dropkick targeting the shin to take control. Benoit picked the leg for Undertaker to elbow once again, when Benoit was able to take the larger man down with a dragon screw leg whip. Immediately stomping at the hamstring from a standing position, Benoit drove his knee into the back of the hometown hero's leg repeatedly and began twisting at the ankle. Undertaker soon used his 328-pound frame to kick Benoit off, but Benoit would come back by lighting a fire on 'the American Badass's chests with some more brutal chests. A headbutt stunned 'the Deadman' on his knees, when a second dropkick took him down for a one-count. Benoit went back to the leg and continued manipulating the right leg of the defensive Houston native, who continued to kick with all of his might, only for Benoit to throw it down carelessly against the mat! Dropping two elbows across the kneepad, Benoit began wrenching it, hoping to hyperextend the limb as Undertaker tried reaching for a sleeper hold on Benoit. The Canadian was too versed and immediately got back up to his feet, dropping clenched fists across the shin and delivering a handstand knee drop across it before wrenching even more!
The Undertaker's groans were heard from ringside, as Houston booed the snarling 'Rabid Wolverine', who finally let up to the referee's suggestion. Mike Chioda warned Chris Benoit who got in his face, all the while he appeared pleased to the disapproving Reliant Astrodome. Benoit grabbed the feet and raised them, teasing for the Sharpshooter potentially, when Undertaker was able to kick him into the corner! Benoit came back only to walk into the palm of 'the Deadman'. The veteran looked to Chokeslam Benoit, who was able to elbow the reached arm of 'the American Badass'. The arm-wrenched DDT connected, with the Canadian wisely transitioning to a hammerlock from behind. Taunting the Undertaker, Benoit mouthed off at Undertaker from a mounted position, slapping the back of his head! He showed no respect to the man with a decade of destruction in his path. 'The Deadman' tried to fight with his good arm, hopeful of reaching behind his back to secure Benoit, who wisely again segued into a side headlock. Benoit continued to wrench on the Texan, while the Houston crowd geared behind him. The Undertaker slowly started to rise, hobbling up to his bad leg and able to shoot Benoit off the ropes. Undertaker swung for a clothesline, when Benoit dropped down. Undertaker kept running for Benoit to leapfrog over the big man, but as 'the Deadman' hit the ropes for a third time, he caught Benoit in the middle of the ring with a tilt-a-whirl slam! Undertaker covered, only to get a two-count out of it.
In the corner once again, Chris Benoit rolled, as 'the American Badass' threw toe kicks into the abdomen of the Canadian. Launching Benoit across the ring into the opposite corner, Benoit would surprise the veteran by coming back with a big chop block to the already damaged leg of 'the Deadman!' The Undertaker dropped to the canvas hard, when Benoit showed his technical prowess again by securing a Fujiwara armbar on the canvas! The Undertaker groaned in pain again, as Benoit played the ground-game of chess, targeting both an arm and a leg of 'the Deadman'. Undertaker tried to reach for the ropes when he rolled over in hopes of breaking it - only to instead be caught in the transitioning cross-armbreaker! Benoit continued to hyperextend the shoulder of 'the American Badass', though with relief he was able to get a foot on the bottom rope. The Canadian quickly shot back up to a vertical base, driving some stomps into the anatomy of 'the Deadman' before taking off for the top rope. Looking to conduct some aerial damage, Undertaker had other ideas as he once again grabbed Benoit by the throat on the top rope! Benoit tried fighting him off, for the veteran to slowly climb up to the second rope. Both men battled precariously on the second rope, with Benoit chopping the chest of Undertaker raw, and a headbutt connecting. Undertaker was rocked but clung onto the top rope for dear life, when he began to fire Benoit up with rights and lefts!
Bad arm and bad leg or not, the Undertaker was able to ascend the top rope - the superplex driving Chris Benoit down from the top rope to the canvas! Both men were down but the Undertaker sat up ominously! In an ode to 'the Deadman' of a time gone by, the Undertaker limped to his feet and met Chris Benoit with some more fierce right hands. Benoit went down and proceeded to walk into a series of clotheslines and a big boot, before Undertaker managed to wrench the arm of 'the Wolverine!' Stepping up to the top rope, Undertaker was prepared to go Old School to give Benoit a bit of his own medicine, but the unsteadied leg of 'the Deadman' slowly rocked on the rope. Benoit noticed this and shook his own wrenched arm, causing Undertaker to flip from the top rope hard into the middle of the ring! Benoit dropped on Undertaker for a near fall, before looking to transition into the Crossface! Undertaker feverishly elbowed his way free, and connected with a hard spinebuster for a near fall. Undertaker had also had enough of Benoit, propping his head between his legs and raising a fist into the air for all to see. The Last Ride was on the way, but as Benoit went up on his shoulders, Benoit was able to slip off and land on his feet. The German suplex drove Undertaker into the canvas, when Benoit turned 'the Deadman' over, locking in the STF!
'The American Badass' was facing a world of hurt like no other, as Chris Benoit knew exactly that the Undertaker had never given up, and never submitted to any WWF Superstar in over ten years! 'The Deadman' yelled as Benoit secured the necklock, with the bad leg wrenched backwards! Undertaker had nowhere to go, but would still not give into the pressure of the Canadian. Instead, Undertaker reached forward, and to the cheers of the massive Houston crowd, was able to make the bottom rope! Benoit refused to break the hold under Mike Chioda's orders, finally releasing the hold at the count of four. Instead, 'the Rabid Wolverine' got up to his feet and drove his fist across his throat. The cut-throat theatric was implicating of the end, as Undertaker slowly got back up only to be wrenched with a Crossface attempt. Instead, Undertaker grabbed him by the throat, and was still able to power Benoit up for a sudden Chokeslam! Slowly to cover and hurting in his shoulder and his leg, Undertaker pinned Benoit, only for Chris to get his foot on the bottom rope. Undertaker sighed in annoyance before hobbling back up to his feet. Cutting his own throat with the air, 'the Deadman' grabbed Benoit by the head just for 'the Wolverine' to drag Undertaker by his singlet, roping him head-first into an exposed turnbuckle! Coyly Benoit had removed the pad moments prior, and a small cut appeared on the temple of 'the Deadman'. Chris Benoit powered Undertaker up from behind before dropping him with three consecutive German suplexes!
'The Rabid Wolverine' wasted no time in once again navigating his way to the top rope, successfully delivering the Diving Headbutt to the heart of 'the American Badass!' Undertaker was down, and Benoit hooked the leg - but Undertaker found the energy to power out at two! The Reliant Astrodome cheered loudly, with Undertaker still in the fight. Benoit furiously elected to apply the Crossface again, but Undertaker slowly fought his way back up to his feet, powering him up with a back suplex! Benoit rolled backwards in landing, and Undertaker proceeded to apply the Crossface on Benoit himself! The focal point of Benoit's arsenal was now being used against him, as Undertaker wrenched at the face of Benoit with the knuckles interlinked - Benoit however, able to reach for the bottom rope. Now 'the Deadman' had the lead, refusing to break the hold until Mike Chioda forcefully pushed Undertaker off of him. 'The Deadman' glared down the referee for his moxy, before propping Benoit's head between his legs - the Last Ride on the way. Instead Benoit began to punch the head of the Undertaker, looking to slip off his shoulders again. Benoit hit the ropes again, walking right into the heavy big boot of 'the Deadman!' Undertaker grabbed Benoit and powered him up for the Last Ride, when Benoit applied a triangle choke with one of his arms! Undertaker gasped for air, with Benoit hanging off of him in mid-air. Undertaker was forced into a bent over predicament, but miraculously found the strength to drop Benoit with a one-handed Last Ride! Benoit was down, when Undertaker picked the Canadian up and drove him down hard with a rare Tombstone Piledriver. Covering Benoit's chest with his hands, Undertaker picked up the hard-fought victory!Winner: The Undertaker (14:48) 'The American Badass' had pulled it off, defeating Chris Benoit in a war of attrition! Teaching 'the Rabid Wolverine' to show respect in 'the Deadman's yard had been no easy feat, but as Undertaker sat on the canvas beside the fallen Canadian, he favored his shoulder with a smirk on his face. Still gasping for air after the desperation triangle choke applied by Benoit moments earlier, the small trickle of blood on 'the Deadman's forehead sat still. Using the ropes to get back to his feet, 'the Deadman' had his good shoulder raised by referee Mike Chioda, though he remained cautious as Benoit rolled out and slumped to the ringside floor. Saluting his hometown crowd with a fist raised high in the air over the ropes, the Undertaker counted with his fingers to the number 9: it was an important number. The Undertaker had still yet to be submitted in his ten-plus year World Wrestling Federation career, and was now 9-0 at WrestleMania!
As the Reliant Astrodome crowd were respectful of the Undertaker, up in the high-rise skyboxes above the capacity crowd saw D-Lo Brown sat on a couch inside. Enjoying WrestleMania X-Seven from his own purchased room, D-Lo was sipping cocktails with a pair of sunglasses on, nodding in acceptance at what was transpiring. Brown reached to his side for a cigar, 'the Real Deal' suddenly shocked as none other than Kamala the Ugandan Giant burst into the room! Kamala hollered wearing his war mask, slapping his round moon-shape fainted belly, and throwing his arms around - knocking over a table of snacks! Kamala rushed across the room causing D-Lo to jump up on the couch as though he had seen a ghost, screaming for security! In came Kamala's handler Kim Chee to force Kamala from the room, but D-Lo's eyes were in a permanent state of shock, perturbed by the intruder!
. Team Xtreme were in the dressing room, gearing up for what had potential to be another car wreck tonight at WrestleMania. Jeff and Matt Hardy were stretching ahead of the infamous TLC 2 match, while Lita approached them. She kissed her boyfriend Matt on the cheek and told them how important tonight was. For the first time since SummerSlam last August, in their home state of North Carolina, they would do battle in Tables, Ladders and Chairs. Matt commented on how she was right, and that they had done this once before. They left the first-ever TLC match with the Dudley Boyz, and Edge and Christian as the WWF Tag Team Champions. Tonight would go down the exact same, because they were the Hardy Boyz.
Jeff turned to Matt and told him that it might not go down exactly like before, because he was hyped that this was on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All!' A passionate Jeff spoke about how this would define the Hardy legacy - to win the big one on 'the Showcase of the Immortals!' Matt said they had met their career rivals two times in the past, and he hadn't forgotten the failure that came with losing out on the Triangle Ladder match one year ago to Edge and Christian. He hadn't forgotten the Tables match wars with the Dudleys, much like he hadn't forgotten the Canadians cheating to win at every turn. Tonight it wouldn't happen like that, because tonight they knew they would go through tables, they would fall off ladders, and they would be struck with chairs - all to get the job done because they Live For the Moment - and the Hardys would become WWF Tag Team Champions again tonight at WrestleMania. The three put their fists in the air, as Lita wished her boys luck.
A video package aired, looking into the intense rivalry between Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon. With the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation's unprecedented absence last summer, Shane and his sister Stephanie McMahon took charge of the company, even going as far as to fire WWF Commissioner Mick Foley on Christmas night. Only, the WWF Owner was not impressed by Shane and Stephanie's antics. It struck Shane bitterly, and the feuding in the McMahon would soon lead to Shane's despising of his own father. With Linda McMahon, the matriarch of the McMahon Family hospitalized as a result of trauma brought on by Chris Benoit, Shane dared to double-cross his Dad and leave him bloodied in the backstage corridor. He rode his father's name through the mud on live television, speaking explicitly about his affairs of the past, and spreading rumors of Vince being shacked up with Trish Stratus. Stephanie had been caught in the middle of the two warring McMahons, between a rock and a hard place - but tonight at WrestleMania it would all come to ahead.
Last Monday night, as if things couldn't get worse, after the match had been made, Shane McMahon appeared live on WCW Monday Nitro from Panama City, Florida. Revealing he had outsmarted the Chairman and bought World Championship Wrestling from right out underneath Vince's nose, Vince McMahon was left devastated by the news. Realizing that he was not to be trusted as the heir to the throne in the eyes of the WWF Owner, Shane revealed that he did the next best thing and did something he knew would make Vince's blood boil on the inside. On SmackDown, Vince decided to get even as only a masterful businessman could: making their grudge match not only a Street Fight - but to be officiated by none other than Mick Foley. Tonight, it was more than personal for the two McMahons; the two Owners who refused to back down to the other. Vince wanted to punish Shane for everything he had done over the course of the past year, while Shane would get his wish - an opportunity to make his father suffer. Which McMahon would the better man be?
The screeching wheels of a car crashing was heard, bringing out the special guest referee for what was to be a deeply personal Street Fight - pitting McMahon vs McMahon! Mick Foley stumbled out to the stage to a loud and honorable ovation, adorned in his home-made flannel referee shirt. With his arm raised to the capacity crowd, the people in Houston respected the former WWF Commissioner, as he made his way down the rampway. 'Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy' had made it back to WrestleMania, almost a year to the day of his last match. Foley came up just short of becoming WWF Champion in the main event of WrestleMania 2000 - but this year, as Foley emerged to the second rope in the ring to salute the fans, he would be calling things right down the middle in this McMahon Family War!
"Here Comes the Money" was heard, followed up by a brand new, thumping hip-hop rap beat that was sure to earmark the arrival of Shane McMahon. The WCW owner came skipping out to the stage, clad in the new colors of his recently massive acquisition. The World Championship Wrestling logo was branded on the back of Shane O'Mac's baseball jersey, and he strutted the stage in rapid fashion amidst a mixed reaction from the Reliant Astrodome. Some fans cheered, while others booed, as Shane waltzed down the rampway with a look of determination on his face rarely ever seen. It had been months in the making to most, but in Shane's mind - this had been coming for years.
In red track pants, Shane climbed into the ring and kept a considerable distance away from 'the Hardcore Legend', which whom he'd fired on Christmas Day three months ago! Wisely instead deciding to take the microphone, Shane began to hype up Houston, Texas to a warm ovation. He spoke about knowing how it had all come down to this: McMahon against McMahon, father against son, WWF Owner against WCW Owner. He knew how badly some people badly wanted to see his Dad beat his ass tonight, much like he knew just how badly Mick Foley wanted to kick his ass as well. The gigantic crowd roared, and Mick nodded his head and shrugged. Whatever the outcome tonight, Shane declared for the best man to win, and decided to give an honorable shout-out to his boys in WCW wherever they were: tonight was for each and every one of them - giving Vince McMahon a fight he'd never fought before!
Shane McMahon had turned a leaf since buying World Championship Wrestling, diplomatically accepting of his fate, and being sure to speak honorably of whatever the outcome of this personal Street Fight might be. Despite this, his father soon came stomping out to the stage. To another mixed ovation, the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation Vince McMahon looked around in awe at the Reliant Astrodome. The McMahon Family Empire was riding high with such a massive crowd in attendance for WrestleMania X-Seven, but it had been rotting internally for months. Vince strutted down the rampway with a scowl on his face, the Chairman having been in a foul mood since having WCW bought out from under him by his rival son. Vince had waited long enough for tonight, with the opportunity to kick the ever-loving hell out of his son Shane O'Mac! Vince climbed into the ring, immediately squaring up to his son.7) Street Fight Vince McMahon vs Shane McMahon Mick Foley is the special guest referee Six nights ago, Shane McMahon sent shockwaves throughout the entire sports entertainment and business industries when he announced publicly, live on WCW Monday Nitro that he had purchased World Championship Wrestling. Days prior, everybody believed that it was Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation who had bought the arch rival organization after a decades-long grudge. Instead, it was Shane's acquisition, buying the company right out from under his father's nose. It was merely the straw that broke the camel's back in Vincent Kennedy McMahon's mind, as Shane had wronged him time and time again in the past. Last summer, as Vince took a leave of absence to focus on his marriage to Linda McMahon and prepare the XFL for their premiere season, Shane O'Mac took it upon himself to take control alongside Stephanie McMahon. The McMahon children led the Coalition together, and dictated many decisions in their favor that drew the ire of the Chairman. Vince returned last December, and it had been a power play for each McMahon ever since. Shane O'Mac drove Mick Foley, the man his Dad appointed as the special guest referee for this Street Fight tonight, out of the WWF on Christmas Day - firing him from his position as WWF Commissioner. But it was even more personal than that. Shane O'Mac believed the WWF had been his for the taking, once his father retired, or even passed. Increasingly by the week, he became more aware that he would never truly be the heir to the throne he once believed himself to be.
Out of frustration, for both the years of neglect and his flaunting affairs with other women around the mainstream media and national television, Shane O'Mac jumped his Dad and left him a bloody pulp in the backstage hallway one month ago, having been falsely led to believe Vince was cheating on his traumatized wife Linda - Shane's own mother - with Stephanie's best friend, Trish Stratus. For 'the Billion Dollar Princess', Stephanie McMahon had been highly supportive of Shane McMahon in the months building up to 'the Grandaddy of Them All', only to grow tired of the in-fighting and manipulation from both her brother and her father Vince McMahon. She had had choice verbal exchanges with both in recent weeks, including this past Thursday night on SmackDown confiding in Shane McMahon that she still supported him no matter what the outcome of tonight might be. Despite cries of saying she would not get involved tonight, Steph was conflicted right down the middle on who to root for, as seen earlier tonight. Vince McMahon had been assaulted, insulted and had his name dragged through the mud, on top of being forced into submission at the hands of Chris Benoit. He had been accused of having an affair with his daughter's own best friend, of being a terrible father and being an awful and unfaithful husband. His entire business had been criticized by his own offspring, his own son. Tonight, with 'the Hardcore Legend' Mick Foley calling the match straight down the middle - it was time for Vincent Kennedy McMahon to do what he should have done a long time ago: and tear the new WCW Owner's ass a new one, on another brainchild of his: WrestleMania!
As father and son went head to head in the middle of the ring, the special guest referee for this Street Fight got between them. Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon mouthed off, literally butting foreheads when Mick Foley would intervene. Intervening and able to make the two participants back off to their respective corners, Vince agreed turning his back to Shane in the process. The WCW Owner could not help but resist talking trash to his old man behind his back, causing Vince to immediately turn around and sound off with a series of hard haymakers! Shane immediately ducked and threw his hands up in mercy, as Vince began cornering him with right hand after right hand, each smacking him across the back of his head! Vince stomped Shane once, when Mick questionably decided to force the break - yet this was a Street Fight! The questionable move had Vince exchange words with a conservative 'Hardcore Legend', but it only allowed Shane time to come back swinging with a series of fast-paced boxing punches! Shane stunned Vince with a body blow, when Vince swung for a clothesline only for Shane to throw another right hand. Vince ducked the punch, then tackled him down to the canvas! In a position of power, the father mounted Shane seething with rage, but the more agile son was able to hurl Vince overboard. Turning the tables, Shane now mounted Vince, and hammered two shots on his own Dad until Vince was able to skirmish his way from the ring!
The WCW Owner didn't wish to waste any time in pursuing Vince McMahon, when Mick Foley was able to grab him by the sleeve. In the ring, Shane McMahon and 'the Hardcore Legend' exchanged words, but Shane would ignore his warning. In a Street Fight there were no disqualifications, though perhaps the morality of Mick Foley was a factor to be considered. Despite this, Shane followed Vince McMahon out to the floor, bouncing his head off the American announce table desk. Shane continued to talk trash to his father, trying another smash across the desk - only this time Vince blocked it and bashed Shane's head against it instead! The WCW Owner was rocked, when Vince clotheslined him down hard! The Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation grabbed a steel chair and abruptly swung it at Shane's head, only for the steel to meet the ring post with a big crashing sound heard throughout the Reliant Astrodome! The chair was knocked out of Vince's hands in the process, when Shane shoved his Dad's head directly into the steel post instead! Rolling his carcass back into the ring, a severe gash appeared on the WWF Owner's forehead, as Shane secured a kendo stick from beneath the ring. Like an expert of the weapon, Shane swung it around as though he were Steve Blackman, then entered the ring with confidence.
Springing around the ring with the kendo stick in hand, Shane McMahon challenged Vince McMahon to bring it on. A bloody mess, Vince rolled onto his knees where the WCW Owner laid in two hard crackling shots with the weapon, when Stephanie McMahon was seen making her way down the rampway! 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was clearly concerned for her Dad's wellbeing, but Steph's emotional state was clearly of concern to Shane. Vince wisely utilized the distraction to his own advantage - low blowing Shane from nowhere! Picking up the kendo stick himself, the Chairman let a floored Shane O'Mac have it, whipping his own son across the spine and legs relentlessly! As 'Daddy's Little Girl' made her way to ringside, Vince wondered what Steph was doing here, as he stepped over Shane and grabbed him by the collar. With two big right hands to an agonized Shane, Stephanie finally stepped onto the apron and ordered her Dad to stop! Mick Foley did not know what to make of the McMahon Family War unfolding, as Vince stepped away from Shane's prone body to speak with her. Father and daughter spoke among themselves as the Houston crowd booed the mercy Shane was receiving. In the mean time, it enabled Shane to get even - son low blowing Dad from behind! Shane shoved Vince into a concerned Stephanie on the apron, knocking her down from the apron and down hard to the floor!
As Stephanie McMahon fell down to the ringside floor, the bloodied Vince McMahon rolled out to the floor in pain. The grapefruits of the Chairman pained him, when Shane McMahon pursued his old man. Taking a trash can from beneath the ring, Shane struck Vince over the head with it at ringside before prancing away with it. From around the corner, Shane sprung from the ringside floor to the top of the steel steps, the two colliding as Shane vaulted down at Vince - the trash can in hand! All three McMahons involved were down, as the special guest referee Mick Foley rolled out to check on each of them. Perhaps favoring attention toward the uninvolved 'Billion Dollar Princess', Vince and Shane continued to gut it out with more right hands traded behind him. Vince took a knee for control, before blocking Shane's fist and decking him twice for good measure! Hurling him inside, Vince tried to check on the condition of his daughter, though Foley remained insistent on caring for her as she cradled her ankle. Vince grabbed a steel chair from beneath the ring apron, only for Shane to instead strike with a baseball slide into the chair! The crimson masked Vince went down hard, and Shane smirked to draw the ire of the capacity crowd. Ramming Vince head-first into the steel steps, Shane again tossed him inside before checking on his sister Stephanie himself.
As Stephanie McMahon groaned in pain with Mick Foley checking on her ankle, Shane McMahon dared to push Mick back a step before trying to check on 'the Billion Dollar Princess' himself. The brotherly act was not met with a positive response by sister Steph, when her best friend Trish Stratus came strutting down the rampway! With sass, the cowboy-hat and robe clad WWF Diva power-walked down the rampway, clearly knowing that Shane was responsible for his own sister's injury! Shane tried helping Steph up to her feet, when Trish shoved Shane in the chest in frustration! Stratus exchanged words with Shane, having heard enough after hearing all about his manipulative methods! Trish helped Stephanie into her own arms, when a confused Shane decided to turn around and roll back inside. There, he walked right into a walloping steel chair blow to the skull, courtesy of the Chairman! Vince covered and yelled at Mick to make the count, but Shane miraculously breathed life at the count of two! Vince could not believe the luck of the WCW Owner either, immediately pulling him to his feet. The WWF Owner saw Shane in a permanent state of daze, when Vince dropped his son with a Stunner! Poetically in shades of his arch nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vince angrily ordered Mick Foley to count the three on Shane but Mick tried to instead reason with the Chairman! Vince appeared sinister as the blood dripped down his face, shoving Mick instead. Foley could not stand being touched by the boss that had scorned him in the past, and shoved Vince back!
As the WWF Owner got directly into the face of 'the Hardcore Legend', Shane McMahon was finding a second breath, and grasped the steel chair. Setting up for a cracking chair shot to his father, Vince somehow dodged the bullet causing the special guest referee Mick Foley to take the brunt of the blow, across the back of the head! With Foley down, a clearly concussed Shane O'Mac could not seem to care any less. Moments after, Shane swung against the steel, clashing Vince over the head with it! The WCW Owner collapsed on top of the Chairman, when he realized that Mick was incapacitated in the corner, with his head ringing. Shane instead took it upon himself to begin a death-defying climb to to the top rope. Despite the headache he must have been feeling, Shane stood on top of the world inside the anxious Reliant Astrodome...when Trish Stratus got on the apron, crotching Shane O'Mac on the top turnbuckle! Shane fell down hard to the canvas in the ring holding the family jewels, yet another low blow experienced in this anything-goes Street Fight encounter - but more importantly, Trish smiled seductively at the hostile Texan crowd! Climbing into the ring, Trish came to the aid of Vince McMahon, who smiled back at her through the blood plastering his face! What kind of Mother's Day had Linda McMahon had, as the rumors of an affair between the Chairman of the WWF Diva were clearly legitimate!
The WWF Owner was chuckling about the whole thing, as Trish Stratus directed him to the floor in hot pursuit of Shane McMahon. Vince McMahon was met with more boos than before, as he proceeded to stomp away at the anatomy of his very son by the announce table! Picking Shane to his feet by the hair, Vince shoved Shane across the announce table's surface, all the while Trish stood in the ring smiling! Suddenly, a hobbling Stephanie McMahon came from behind - brutally slapping her thought-to-be close friend across the face! Stratus went down, and Stephanie covered her with slaps on the canvas! The two women duked it out with attempted strikes, rolling around the mat inside the ring for supremacy, until Vince slipped inside the ring to pull 'the Billion Dollar Princess' off of Trish! Vince took Stephanie over to the corner to talk her down, when 'Daddy's Little Girl' suddenly slapped her own Daddy across the face! Vince did not know what to make of it, when Shane came back once again, dragging Vince by the ankle and carting him from the ring! With right hand after right hand, Shane unleashed furious fists into the face of his cheating father, right over the ring steps! Shane tossed Vince back into the ring, before once again grabbing the steel chair.
Shane O'Mac prepared to unleash hell on the WWF Owner, his own father and patriarch of the McMahon Family. Vince McMahon cowered as he anticipated the steel chair shot from Shane McMahon, who continued to digest the realization that his father had cheated on their traumatized and incapacitated mother Linda McMahon! Unfortunately time was not on his side, as Trish Stratus low blowed Vince's son from behind! Shane dropped the chair at his feet, and Vince would grab it. Laughing to himself through the bloodloss, Vince prepared to use the chair on Shane, when Stephanie came from behind grabbing the chair from him! Turning around, Vince scowled at his daughter and demanded she stand down, as the Houston crowd grew increasingly hostile towards 'the Genetic Jackhammer'. Vince demanded the chair and an overwhelmed Stephanie handed him it, unrelenting with another furious chair shot over Shane's skull! Shane was lifeless on the canvas, and Vince covered as Mick Foley rolled back into the ring to make the count - only for Shane to show his true colors, kicking out at two! Perhaps Vincent Kennedy McMahon was the devil after all, as the people got on their feet for Shane O'Mac in Houston!
The aggravated Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation was now public enemy number one in Houston, Texas, as he grabbed Mick Foley by his flannel referee shirt, and pointed at the WWF logo on its pocket! Vince McMahon demanded 'the Hardcore Legend' stand down and recognize who employed him, but Foley shoved Vince away again! Mick argued in defiance, before finally letting Vince have his moment...before decking him with a series of hard right hands! 'Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy' would not let anybody talk to him that way, as a third haymaker sent the WWF Owner down to the canvas! Even Stephanie was shocked by Mick, who pulled a certain sock from his cargo pants - Mr. Socko was in the Reliant Astrodome! Placing it on his hand, Mick Foley planted the Mandible Claw on Vince McMahon, taking him down in agony on the canvas! The former WWF Commissioner would not let up, as Vince continued to scream for help, forced into the corner! Stunned by the reeking imperfection of Mr. Socko, Mick relinquished the grip and gave way to a stumbling Shane, who wandered over and planted a steel chair in his father's chest cavities. The devil was struck, and Mick warned Trish at ringside with Mr. Socko as if to say "do not get involved!" Shane climbed up to the top rope parallel to the one his old man was laying in. Crossing his heart and hoping to die, Shane O'Mac took a Leap of Faith - from coast-to-coast - a diving dropkick caving in the face of the Devil, as trash can met his face! Mick made the count as Shane covered his prone, unconscious father - to pick up the three!Winner: Shane McMahon (13:32) It was like no other match in World Wrestling Federation, this deeply personal Street Fight had seen it all. Not only had the WWF Owner, Vince McMahon, fallen to his own son and WCW Owner Shane McMahon, but the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation had revealed himself to be 'the Devil' all along! Coming in as the mighty hero coming to unleash hell on his own villainous son, he had revealed a partnership with Trish Stratus - Stephanie McMahon's close friend, and the WWF Diva that had been accused of having an affair with the married boss!
Bloodied and battered, Vince McMahon laid prone on the canvas with the receipt trash can laid nearby. Trish Stratus immediately scurried to her fallen man's side, all the while one could only imagine what could possibly be going through the mind of the absent, sedated and medicated Linda McMahon! Shane McMahon slowly stirred back up to a vertical base, shockingly needing the assistance of a livid Mick Foley who raised his hand in victory! 'The Hardcore Legend' had to have hell to pay for helping Shane O'Mac seek revenge on his old man, while Trish held the unconscious Chairman in her arms. Stephanie McMahon limped up the aisleway without turning back, clearly left distraught by the news exposed. Trish was no close friend - she had been dating her married father the entire time!
Shane McMahon meanwhile shook hands and seemingly buried the hatchet with the former WWF Commissioner, Mick Foley and Shane O'Mac exchanging words in the ring. Shane pointed up to the people of a saluting Houston, Texas crowd, spelling out the words "WCW" in the air! Meanwhile Mick raised his fists to the respectful people of the Reliant Astrodome. Politically, the WCW Owner had just beaten the WWF Owner on the World Wrestling Federation's version of the Super Bowl - WrestleMania - but what would the state of the McMahon Family look like going on from here? Where did Stephanie McMahon fit into an equation, where Vince was having affair on her mother Linda, with her close friend Trish Stratus!
A familiar face stood backstage, in front of the WrestleMania X-Seven logo. A Legend in his own rights, he graced the World Wrestling Federation microphone for the very first time in over nine years. Mean Gene Okerlund proudly proclaimed that it felt great to be back where he should have been all along - at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', to catch up with an old friend. Gene talked about what a happening WrestleMania X-Seven had been thus far, with championships changing hands, and the McMahon Family War reaching a boiling point. Gene commented on how he had never in his life thought to see Vince McMahon inside a squared circle, but again he never thought he would be back here to provide broadcast journalism - especially not with his special guest.
Much like Gene, he had been absent from the past eight WrestleMania extravaganzas, but was coming back with a bang, in historic fashion. Joining him was the man arguably responsible for the popularity of 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' - the man behind Hulkamania, Hulk Hogan! The Hulkster popped into frame to a big ovation, telling his old buddy Mean Gene just how good it was to be back. Standing beside him, it was something he hadn't been able to do in years. Over the course of nearly a decade, Hulk Hogan was gone, absent and kaputt from the WWF - but tonight he was back where he belonged, at 'the Super Bowl of Sports Entertainment!' It had been a long time since he was last able to stand here beside Mean Gene, or drive a Big Boot and a Leg Drop into somebody at WrestleMania. He had seen the world, been in movies, and they'd even been on the other side of the fence together. Now, and only now were they back where they belonged. Eight years in the making, Hulkamania would live on once again in front of 65,000 screaming Hulkamaniacs tonight, in the Reliant Astrodome!
Psyched up for 'the Real American' against 'the American Hero', Hulk Hogan spoke nostalgically of WrestleMania being the place dreams were made of. It was the house that Hulk Hogan built with the blood of the very first WrestleMania in Madison Square Garden. Himself and Mr. T rocked the entire world, much like he did at WrestleMania VI in front of Toronto Skydome. WrestleMania was cemented by the sweat of WrestleMania IX - his last WrestleMania - defeating Yokozuna to become WWF Champion in nine seconds. WrestleMania was sculpted with the foundations left by the tears of WrestleMania III, where he body slammed Andre the Giant in front of 93,000 fans in Pontiac Silverdome. And now, who would ever believe that in the year 2001, Hulkamania was back, and he was about to go toe-to-toe with one of the finest Americans to grace the squared-circle in the 21st Century. Hulk was talking about Kurt Angle, and he himself regarded 'the Megastar' as being one of the best damn talents the World Wrestling Federation had to offer today. The only problem with that was, that Kurt Angle had never faced Hulk Hogan on the ultimate stage before.
Excitedly, Hulk exclaimed that tonight, in the battle of 'the True Americans', Kurt Angle - whether an Olympic Gold Medalist or not - would have to give everything he had to triumph over the screaming fans chanting the Hulkster's name. He hoped Kurt had eaten his vitamins and said all of his prayers, and got his head out of his butt, and into the game! Because tonight, each and every one of those Texan Hulkamaniacs would know that Hulk Still Rules, and Hulk Hogan planned to come crashing down on Anglemania, brother! The tie-dye clad Hulkster set off for the ring, as Mean Gene declared that for perhaps the last time ever tonight, Hulk Hogan was coming for Kurt Angle!
We returned to the ring in the Reliant Astrodome, where a host of tables, ladders and chairs were assorted alongside the aisleway section leading up to the stage. Ring announcer Howard Finkel stood in the middle of the ring, as he prepared to announce the following contest as Tables, Ladders and Chairs II! The WWF Tag Team Championships were hanging from high above the ring, as 'the Fink' explained formally that there would be no pinfalls, no submissions, and that the only way to win would be to climb a ladder and secure both championships. TLC 2 was coming up next!
As fireworks launched from the rafters in the nether-regions of the gigantic stadium, they collided with the stage in a rocket launched fashion. It brought out the Dudley Boyz, coming for the WWF Tag Team Championships that was stolen from them just over one month ago at No Way Out. Without the aid of their little brother Spike, D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley came stomping out to the battlefield with two things on their mind - to cause as much damage as possible, and to walk out with the titles taken from them by technicality, by Edge and Christian in a Steel-Cage match. The Dudleys favored tables and even set two up at ringside, as they awaited the arrival of their career rivals.
The Hardy Boyz came next, as they were accompanied by Matt Hardy's girlfriend Lita, who he kissed before turning to his brother Jeff Hardy. Team Xtreme had a passionate pep talk given to them earlier tonight by the tomboy, who returned to the backstage area. The extremists from Cameron, North Carolina were victorious in the first Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at SummerSlam last August, winning the WWF Tag Team Championships in their home state of North Carolina. As Jeff and Matt ran down the long aisleway to the ring, they posed on the second ropes of the corners of the ring, before engaging in a staredown and some trash talking with arch rivals, the Dudleys.
As the challenging families gathered in the ring to stare each other down, out came the third. The WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian flaunted their way down the rampway, both smiling despite the impending chaos that was sure to await them. The brothers of Toronto were without the WWF Tag Team Championships, as they were hung from above the middle of the ring. Despite this, they walked with purpose and poise, both masked with sunglasses as they emerged into the ring. Hesitantly, Edge observed the ladder standing in their way of the ring, all the while Christian exchanged words with the Hardys and the Dudleys - who both couldn't wait to get their hands on the champions after weeks of making it out alive, by any means necessary.
8) WWF Tag Team Championship - Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match Edge and Christian (c) vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz It was one year ago where the tag team rivalry between three pairs of brothers began. At WrestleMania 2000, 364 days ago, these six men went to war in the first ever Triangle Ladder match with the WWF Tag Team Championships on the line. The six young men put their lives, bodies and souls on the line, but in the end it would be Edge and Christian who would come out victorious. However, it was this same win that only sparked the highly intense tag team competition in the World Wrestling Federation, and it was this win that would give the Canadian combination all of the confidence in the world. Cocky with their own abilities, the two soon delivered egos as a result, proudly proclaiming themselves to be the greatest tag team in the still-infancy of the 21st century. At SummerSlam 2000, the three teams would meet again in the first-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. The TLC match saw somehow even more chaos unfold, as there would be blood, sweat and tears on the line, in addition to the title gold. It was on that night in their home state of North Carolina where the Hardy Boyz accomplished their lifelong dreams of becoming WWF Tag Team Champions, though they would do so in living for the moment, and taking all of the dangerous risks imaginable for two young men that grew up battling their friends in the back yard. It was back at Armageddon where the Dudley Boyz would achieve their grand pursuit of the WWF Tag Team Championships, victorious over then-champs T&A and capping off an eight month pursuit of the titles that had been lost back at WrestleMania that Spring.
Unfortunately, the fairytale ending and a dominant reign as WWF Tag Team Championships did not go in the table-loving Dudleyville natives' favor. Instead, five weeks ago at No Way Out, Edge and Christian would squeeze by and win via technicality, to once again be crowned champs following a brutal and hellacious Steel-Cage showdown. The match would see the debut of the Dudleys' little brother Spike Dudley, who would proceed to become a thorn in Edge and Christian's sides. They wouldn't be the only ones, as the title chase would continue. Returning to where things were one year ago, Edge and Christian were the champs slipping by, with the Dudley Boyz as well as the Hardy Boyz keenly on their tails. Spike would develop a feud with the girlfriend of Matt Hardy, Lita, and they would constantly intertwine their disputes in matches leading up to TLC 2. After weeks of Edge and Christian continuing to weasel their way out of title matches with the gold, it was the champions' decision to make this come full circle. They challenged their career rivals to TLC II - still vengeful and wanting to right the wrong caused, when they lost the gold back at SummerSlam. Yet they were still deceitful, tricking the Dudleys and the Hardys into battling it out in the parking lot three nights ago on SmackDown. The plan went off without a hitch, as E&C would leave their foes laying with brutal chair shots - but tonight, things looked to go either way. Whether it was the Hardys' affinity for ladders, the Dudleys' obsession with tables, or Edge and Christian's dedication to chairs - TLC II had potential to be wilder than the first!
The Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz squared up to Edge and Christian from the ring, daring the WWF Tag Team Champions to step into the ring. The Canadians wisely thought better of it, but on the count of three both slid under the ropes only to be met with the stomps from D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley! The Hardy Boyz would join in with some stomps as well, and soon enough the Canadians were once again sent packing to the floor. Jeff and Matt Hardy took to the air straight away, jumping the gun with stereo somersault senton planchas - both hitting Edge and Christian in unison on the floor! The Dudleys rolled out to join the fight at ringside, immediately evidencing it was every team for themselves. D-Von sent Matt Hardy into the barricade while Bubba clobbered both Jeff and Christian by the ring apron. Rolling Christian inside, the Dudley Boyz would execute a double flapjack on Christian off the ropes, when the Hardys would dart back inside and catch them with a double dropkick! Team Xtreme sent the Dudleys into one another in the corner, when Jeff took air from Matt's back - the Poetry in Motion connecting! That's where Edge and Christian arrived with the ladder from the aisle, using it as a battery ram to clock Jeff and Matt Hardy! The confident champions were at great odds opposite the challengers, yet hung Matt up to dry in the corner with a tree of woe - even climbing to the second rope and treading on the groin on the elder Hardy, to add insult to injury!
D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley came back, dragging Christian to the floor, whilst Edge took to setting up the ladder in the centre. Beginning to climb for the WWF Tag Team Championships hung from the rafters, Matt Hardy was able to prevent it. With clubbing blows to the back, Matt had grabbed a second ladder from ringside and set it up beside Edge! Matt now climbed halfway up it to battle Edge fist against fist. The two battled back and forth, when Edge kicked Matt in the abdomen, before diving with a clothesline to knock both men down to the canvas! One of the ladders had toppled over, and Jeff Hardy opportunistically struck with a baseball slide to send the ladder directly into Bubba Ray's face at ringside! The Hardy Boyz set up the two ladders in the corner, when Christian came in to be struck with a double suplex from the North Carolinians. Team Xtreme climbed their respective ladders, before motioning with their fingers for a stereo dive! At precisely the exact time, Matt launched off the top rope with a diving leg drop, and Jeff struck Christian with a diving splash from the ladders! Only minutes into TLC II, it was clear that all three teams were putting it all on the line! The Dudleys would regroup and return to the ring, immediately dumping Jeff and Matt Hardy out to the floor. Shoving one of the ladders over into the corner, Bubba instructed D-Von to set the second up in the corner, only for Edge to come charging for a spear. Instead, Bubba sidestepped him and Edge went face-first into the bridged ladder in the corner!
Stunned beyond belief, Edge walked into a body slam from Bubba Ray Dudley, who spread the WWF Tag Team Champion's legs. D-Von climbed up to the top rope and executed the diving headbutt - Wazzup! striking Edge. Bubba slapped the chest of his half-brother and instructed him to get the tables, much to the Reliant Astrodome's delight! Bubba Ray obtained a second table in the ring and prepared to set it up, when Jeff interrupted him with right hands and an enzuigiri. D-Von set up the second across the ring and hammered Edge on top of it, when Jeff looked for a hurricanrana on Bubba Ray. Instead, he latched on - and a double powerbomb sent Jeff through both Edge, as well as the table! It would take a tremendous amount for the bruisers from Dudleyville to overcome the odds of their smaller and speedier opponents, and they prepared by leaving the ring to set up four tables at ringside. Christian crawled back inside the ring from the other side and prepared a ladder in the center, but Matt Hardy emerged and began to climb up the other side. Edge would soon join his brother in the chase, climbing up his own ladder. Jeff Hardy would run up as well, only for the Dudley Boyz to enter the ring with a third ladder of their own! Soon enough all three teams were paired up, each standing and fighting ten feet in the air atop their own ladders. The WWF Tag Team Championships hung in wait, when Matt and Christian became the first casualties!
Sailing off the ladder, Matt Hardy landed on the floor outside the ring, while Christian landed hard through the table at ringside! It was inevitable to witness falling from heights in Tables, Ladders and Chairs, when Jeff Hardy and D-Von Dudley soon followed - both men caught straddled atop the ring ropes! All the while, Edge was able to secure a front facelock on Bubba, but as Bubba fought it, both men went tumbling off the ladder crashing hard on the canvas! Edge rolled out to the floor in the carnage, leaving Bubba a moment to catch his breath. D-Von would help Bubba back up to his feet, where the two Dudley Boyz once again set up the ladder. Miraculously, Matt returned from the great fall to the floor. With a steel chair in hand, Matt struck hard with shots to the spine of both D-Von and Bubba Ray, when Matt grabbed a ladder and hoped to hurry up it to victory. Instead, Bubba was able to drag him down to the the canvas. Matt fought Bubba off with further right hands, only to hit the ropes and immediately walk into the 3D! The Dudley Boyz materialized with the ladder and looked to both climb it, when Edge and Christian re-entered the battlefield both wielding steel chairs! With further shots to the spines and anatomies of the Dudleys, both fell down to the mat. On his knees, D-Von recovered - when the WWF Tag Team Champions guillotined D-Von with the Conchairto double chairshot to the skull!
With a sickening thud, D-Von Dudley collapsed to the canvas, and now was Edge and Christian's attempt at ascending the ladders. Just when the Dudley Boyz were thought to be out of the running for the gold, Spike Dudley came rushing down the aisleway! Hitting the ring, Spike shoved the ladder over catching Christian jaw-first on the top turnbuckle in the corner. Meanwhile, Edge battled Spike, only to be bested with a flying headscissors! Spike continued to hammer Christian in the corner, when Edge propped the ladder over his shoulders and proceeded to spin it. Aiming for Spike, the runt of the Dudley litter ducked the certain beheading attempt, successfully dropkicking Edge to the canvas - ladder wrapped around his neck and all! With Christian on the apron, Spike ascended the top rope and took himself and the younger Canadian for a ride - the Dudley Dog driving both men through a table on the floor! The Texas crowd in attendance chanted "ECW" in homage, as bodies were left laying everywhere. Jeff Hardy resurfaced in the ring, setting up the ladder in the middle of the ring. Instead, retribution from earlier soon came, as Bubba Ray slammed a steel chair off his spine! Jeff clung to the ladder as he was in mid-climb, when Bubba joined him on the second ladder beside him. Both men duked it out from halfway up their ladders, but Bubba was able to position himself behind Jeff - driving both men six feet from the ladder, to the canvas with the Bubba Bomb! It was so brutal that Bubba began convulsing rapidly from landing on his rear, and rolled out to the apron.
It was a war of attrition with no survivors, as Edge slowly began stirring back to his feet. Looking around and surveying that nobody was left standing, Edge smiled wide as he began to ascend the ladder in the center of the ring! The Canadian was on his way to retaining the WWF Tag Team Championships for himself and his brother Christian, when Lita came running down the aisle! The tomboy of Team Xtreme slid into the ring smoothly, immediately pulling and jerking Edge off the ladder! Edge tried with all he could to hang on, but Lita would pull him down and Edge's face would bounce off the bottom metal rung of the ladder. Lita went to check on her boyfriend Matt Hardy in the corner, but he remained too stunned to stand. Spike Dudley climbed into the ring to glare down his own enemy from across the ring, but in throwing a clothesline Lita was able to duck, before taking off to the ropes and delivering a spinning headscissors! Spike rolled out to the floor where D-Von Dudley and Christian continued to duke it out, but Lita was not finished yet. The WWF Diva ascended to the top rope, flying out with the Moonsault onto all three men on the floor! Bubba Ray Dudley climbed the ladder back inside the ring, but Matt Hardy was able to drag him down to the canvas and score with the Side Effect! Matt rolled Bubba out onto a table at ringside, where Jeff Hardy pulled a huge ladder from underneath the ring! Setting it up at ringside, Matt clobbered Bubba on top of the wood, while the younger Hardy climbed to the very top of the fifteen-foot ladder - to deliver a Swanton Bomb through the table!
Jeff Hardy was down and hurting, laid prone across the broken body of Bubba Ray Dudley in the ruins of the table! Christian nailed Matt over the head with a steel chair before confiscating the giant ladder, sliding it into the ring. Setting it up and beginning the climb, D-Von Dudley returned and tossed a steel chair in Edge's way to keep the defence of the champions' climb down. Ascending with Christian, the two battled on the top rope, where shockingly Matt Hardy arrived - to knock down the ladder! Both Christian and D-Von tried hanging to the title belts for dear life, hanging in mid air! Instead, they both fell a deathly twenty feet to the canvas. With three ladders set up inside the ring, Jeff Hardy would somehow find the life to re-emerge. With a fourth ladder in tow, Jeff climbed to the top turnbuckle before ascending the first of four. Each of the ladders were stepping stones to the gold, and Jeff decided to hop from one ladder-top to the next! It was highly dangerous from such a high feat, but Jeff was able to reach the largest ladder in the center! Jeff had his hands all over the titles, when now Edge hurled the ladder over to the canvas - yet the determined, rainbow-haired Hardy hung on, much like D-Von and Christian had moments before! Jeff Hardy was in a highly precarious position, twenty feet in the air, using only the WWF Tag Team Championships above to hang on with! Edge panicked as he reached for the tiptoes of Jeff before having an idea.
Pacing up the nearest ladder he could find, Edge stood atop it. The entire Reliant Astrodome watched in awe, as Edge seamlessly dove in mid-air from the top of the ladder, catching a hanging Jeff Hardy with a spear! Both men went down hard to the canvas, with both men left laying motionless in the ring. It was an artistic car wreck to be witnessed to be believed, with each body in this match giving it all they had, until they had absolutely nothing left to stand! D-Von Dudley clambered into the ring and saw the ladder in the middle. Climbing it from his knees on the mat, he used the rungs to drag himself up to his feet. Instead, he spotted Lita ascending the top rope from across the ring. Striking him with the diving headscissors, D-Von and Lita left the ring! It paved the way for Christian to crawl in now, but Bubba Ray Dudley would join him. Both men started to race up the ladders, only Matt Hardy would join them. As Christian and Matt climbed to the top on one side, Bubba would drop down and hit the ropes, shoulder tackling the giant set of ladders! Matt and Christian both exploded off the ladder and hit the canvas, with Christian landing spine-first on the ringside floor. Meanwhile, Bubba Ray ascended to the top of the ladder - to retrieve the WWF Tag Team Championships!Winners, and new WWF Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (18:15) It had been an up and down year for the half-brothers from Dudleyville, but tonight at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', in a hell-raising Tables, Ladders and Chairs rematch from SummerSlam, the Dudley Boyz had once again recaptured the WWF Tag Team Championships! Bubba Ray Dudley clung to the top of the ladder for dear life, as D-Von Dudley had to use the ropes to bring himself back to his feet. There were bodies everywhere, as Edge and Jeff Hardy remained heaped in the corners of the ring. Matt Hardy was being checked on by his girlfriend Lita at ringside, inches away from a motionless Christian. The Dudleys' little brother Spike Dudley climbed into the ring and helped the Dudleys come to - as the moment set. D-Von, Bubba Ray and Spike Dudley stood tall with Spike raising their hands as victors - now three-time WWF Tag Team Champions, here at WrestleMania! Everybody had given everything they had, losing blood, sweat and tears and sacrificing their bodies, their hearts and souls - but ultimately, it was the Dudleys that would survive TLC II!
An advertisement aired, flashing with images of years gone by. With each WrestleMania, from a historic location, memories had been created and legends had been made in the annuls of time. Since 1985, dating all the way to the present day - it had been the biggest day of the year across the entire sports entertainment industry. Some called it 'the Grandaddy of Them All', others called it 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. Some even referred to it as 'the Super Bowl of Wrestling', as it was after all 'the Grandest Stage of Them All'. It was WrestleMania. A graphic closed the video, flashing the logo on the screen. There was no location, no city, just the date: March 18, 2002.. Backstage at the Reliant Astrodome, D-Lo Brown hurriedly paced the halls after his frantic meeting with Kamala the Ugandan Giant and Kim Chee in his own private skybox earlier tonight. Still dressed in his black and golden robe, 'the Real Deal' clutched a cigar in hand as he spotted somebody with bright green hair down the hall. Calling after them demanding answers, the figure turned around revealing himself to be Doink the Clown! D-Lo's jaw dropped, as not only was another WWF Superstar of yesteryear present tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven, seemingly to taunt him, but Doink was dressed in the exact same robe as the rich man! Brown was furious, demanding answers as to how he stumbled across his custom wardrobe. Doink's robe even had D.B. on the chest, which confused the silent clown. Instead, from behind him appeared his little friend: Dink the Clown! He too wore the robe of D-Lo's, trailing on the floor behind him and all! D-Lo demanded an explanation, but Doink nor Dink said a word. Remaining mute like mimes, D-Lo instead decided to storm off demanding they dryclean them and send them back immediately. Silently, Doink and Dink laughed at the furious D-Lo Brown - Dink even taking off with D-Lo's cigar! The rich man had been copied and looted by the clowns!
A video package aired, looking back at Chyna's burning rivalry with the Right to Censor. Ever since she was first named to be the covergirl of Playboy Magazine last fall, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World's hopes and dreams of inspiring the young women of the world today had been censored by Ivory and the movement. Led by Steven Richards and consisting of the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry, 'the Role Model' Ivory was the loud and proud advocate for fighting the good fight. The WWF Women's Champion was able to slither away as the champ in their meeting at the Royal Rumble, when the following night tragedy struck. In a heinous assault, the RTC delivered a spike piledriver on the equality fighting Diva, sidelining her with a broken neck. Miraculously, Chyna was able to make her big comeback one month ago, refusing doctor's orders as well as boyfriend Billy Gunn's suggestions to hang up her boots and retire. Instead, Chyna wanted nothing more than to get her hands on Ivory at WrestleMania.
For all of her life, Chyna had been ostracized by her looks, her love of bodybuilding getting in the way of natural beauty. Now a covergirl and growing celebrity and idol among young women everywhere, all 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' wanted was to be accepted. By becoming WWF Women's Champion, she would accomplish a lifelong goal. Even more bad luck set Chyna back several weeks ago, as she passed out in the ring allowing Ivory to score her second pinfall victory over the feared challenger. Ivory brashly considered herself the most dominant WWF Women's Champion in history, and 'the Tenth Wonder of the World' - but Chyna came back with a vengeance. In hard training for this match at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', Chyna got to get her hands on Ivory this past week on SmackDown, stripping her of her uniform and leaving her to run in her bra and panties. Tonight, Chyna had the perfect opportunity at ultimate revenge, while Ivory hoped to avenge her humiliation, and win - for the Right to Censor!
For a second time this evening, the Reliant Astrodome covered their ears and groaned, as the screeching car alarms and sirens sounded out over the stadium. Steven Richards escorted the WWF Women's Champion Ivory down the stretch rampway, as the people of Houston booed profanely. Having already been subjected to a loss for the Right to Censor in six-man tag team competition earlier tonight, WrestleMania X-Seven had boiled down to expectations of 'the Role Model' being victorious tonight, against an arch rival in 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna. Ivory and Steven threw up their hands, revealing their palms to the people of Houston's disapproval. The RTC were hated in Texas, but the organization's members defiantly refused to break their codes of conduct - uniformed in white shirts, black ties and scarves, and trousers. After being humiliated and stripped to her bra and panties by the Playboy covergirl on SmackDown this past week, Ivory threw punches at the air in anticipation. The time for talking was over.
The lights went out, signalling the arrival of the challenger. Chyna soon stepped out to the stage, dressed to perfection in a tight, latex purple ensemble! 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' appeared to be in the condition of her life, stunning the Reliant Astrodome and armed with a large, metal bazooka! Throwing it over her shoulder, the crowd came to life as the Playboy covergirl shot pyrotechnics from the cannon into the air, on either side of the stage! Marching down the rampway and aisle, Chyna smiled at her longtime foes in the Right to Censor. They had twice tried to take her out of action indefinitely - something she loved like nothing else - and looked to defame her. To the RTC's dismay, Chyna was not only still standing - but as she climbed into the ring, she pointed at the WWF Women's Championship held by Steven Richards - this was her dream: everything she had ever wanted in her World Wrestling Federation career!9) WWF Women's Championship Ivory (w/Steven Richards) (c) vs Chyna The Right to Censor's iron claw had been all over the World Wrestling Federation product for the better part of a year, dating back to the recruitment of the Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry last summer. Their leader Steven Richards had done a masterful job of recruiting each of them, but it was Ivory who would break through and claim success by becoming WWF Women's Champion last October, at No Mercy. Since then, she had ran through the entire ranks of the WWF Divas division, overcoming the more scantily clad likes of now WWF Divas Ambassador Debra, the tomboyish and provocative Lita, and the sensationally beautiful and revealing Trish Stratus. Yet above all of them, Ivory picked a big fight when herself and the Right to Censor took exception to 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna. Appearing on the cover of Playboy Magazine was a major boost in popularity for the former WWF Intercontinental Champion, allowing her to create an entire generation of younger fans in media appearances following it. The popularity drew the ire of the RTC, namely Ivory. At the Royal Rumble in January, the two met in Chyna's first ever opportunity to capture the WWF Women's Championship - unfortunately, it was the constant interference of Mark Henry that would allow Ivory to once again sneak away with a huge upset victory.
Twenty-four hours later on RAW is WAR, tragedy struck. The Right to Censor would overwhelm Chyna as she looked for revenge with her boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn. With a spike piledriver, Chyna was dropped on her head damaging her vertebrae and threatening to end her career. She was lucky to return, but in her absence Ivory and Steven Richards grew only more confident about the prospect that they were the organization to end 'the Ninth Wonder of the World's career. Chyna would return last month, challenging Ivory to this match tonight at WrestleMania - but at a dangerous cost. Despite Chyna's impending comeback to the ring, she was warned about stepping back between the ropes too soon after injury, and it was another hectic price to pay. In mixed tag team competition several weeks ago, Chyna dominated Ivory and attempted the back-handspring elbow into the corner. She executed it, but the shock sent her into a paralyzed state that would last days. This enabled Ivory to begin considering herself 'the Tenth Wonder of the World'. In high doubt and cocky about the prospect of Chyna's retirement from the ring, and the cancellation of this WrestleMania WWF Women's Championship defense, the RTC would be rocked to its core once Billy Gunn revealed to the world on Sunday Night Heat from WWF New York: that Chyna would be back. Since making her return in pristine condition, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' was coming back from severe injuries to settle the score, and once and for all end the reign of Ivory to achieve a girlhood dream!
The WWF Women's Champion could not believe the resilience of 'the Ninth Wonder of the World'. It was her first match back since being debilitated, leaving her open for yet another pinfall upset victory by Ivory, several weeks prior. Chyna had faced a career threatening neck injury, she had suffered an intense and paralyzing stinger at hands of the Right to Censor and 'the Role Model'. Despite all of her shortcomings, Chyna stood proudly and defiantly across the ring from the champ and Steven Richards as Chad Patton rang for the bell. The Playboy covergirl prepared for action, as Ivory foolishly tried locking up with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Immediately shoved back towards the corner by the challenger's power, Chyna immediately let loose with a right hand and a series of stomps in the corner! Chyna grabbed Ivory by her hair-bun and launched her across the ring, following up with a big clothesline in the corner! Ivory was able to rake the eyes of the challenger to get back into the fight, following with a mat slam wrenching Chyna by the hair into the canvas. The back of her head hit the mat sickeningly, as Ivory began to put the boots to her.
'The Role Model' prematurely celebrated certain victory, then motioned for a piledriver. It was a spike piledriver that caused Chyna her initial neck injury, but the WWF Women's Champion's desperate attempt would go reversed into a back drop! Chyna hip tossed Ivory across the ring with ease, delivering a military press slam as though Ivory weighed little at all! Chyna held the back of her neck, then caught Ivory up in mid-air with a long second stalling military press slam! Ivory landed on her face this time, as Steven Richards jumped to the apron in an emergency. Chyna dragged him over the top rope by the tie the hard way, before spreading the leader of the Right to Censor's legs, and kicking him downstairs with a brutal low blow! Ivory strategically came from behind with a clothesline, before executing a bulldog for a near fall. Ivory began throttling 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' with lefts and rights as she got back up to her feet, when Ivory rushed the corner only to be met by the big boot of Chyna! In a crisis in the corner, Ivory groggily got back up to be met with a backward handspring elbow from Chyna! She emerged untouched, with no effects of her recent neck injuries - before hoisting Ivory up for a Powerbomb, to become WWF Women's Champion!Winner, and new WWF Women's Champion: Chyna (3:38) Rolling over onto her back, head resting on the abdomen of the fallen WWF Women's Champion, the Reliant Astrodome applauded the one-sided and dominant victory of 'the Ninth Wonder of the World'. It had been a long journey to make it to this point, one that involved roadblocks in severe and career-threatening neck-related injuries, but as Chyna rose to her feet and was handed the gold in her hands, she immediately broke down in emotion. The Playboy covergirl raised the championship high, the new champion, and with her rivalry against the Right to Censor now behind her! Despite all of the hell brought upon her and her boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn, as well as countless other WWF Superstars, Chyna had defeated the RTC affiliates in quick fashion. Chyna had achieved her lifelong dream to become the WWF Women's Champion, and was a heroine to an entire generation of young women as a result!
Jim Ross and Paul Heyman sat at the announce table, discussing the lengths of which it took Chyna to become the WWF Women's Champion, finally beating Ivory and proving the Right to Censor wrong at 'the Grandest Stage of Them All'. Paul negated the success of 'the Ninth Wonder of the World', when J.R. turned to make note of the fact that thus far tonight, every single championship title had changed hands. There were still two titles to be defended, but thus far we had crowned nothing but new champions! Heyman chose to discuss the traumatizing result of WCW Owner Shane McMahon defeating WWF Owner Vince McMahon, on the Chairman's own turf at WrestleMania. J.R. could not believe Vince had had an affair with Trish Stratus and wondered what had to be going through the minds of both WWF CEO Linda McMahon, as well as Stephanie McMahon. Regardless, Ross believed that Shane O'Mac had certainly earned the affection and respect of the Reliant Astrodome in the Street Fight tonight. Paul proceeded to turn J.R. a turncoat who should ask Shane for a job with WCW already!
The announcers showed replays of what went down on Sunday Night Heat earlier tonight. Jim Ross and Paul Heyman discussed what went down, as X-Pac was able to successfully defend the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship against Scotty 2 Hotty - who was reunited with his Too Cool buddies, the injured Grandmaster Sexay and Rikishi. Meanwhile, Test and the Fighting Holly Cousins combination of Hardcore and Crash Holly overcame Albert and the forces of Lance Storm and Justin Credible, with Test picking up the win over Albert to a positive response. Heyman further prodded J.R. about his anti-WWF remarks, and pleaded with production or Vince McMahon if he was listening, to make he himself - Paul E. Heyman - the new voice of the World Wrestling Federation.
A video package aired, highlighting the importance of tonight's battle pitting 'the Real American' against 'the American Hero'. Kurt Angle was once soaring high as the WWF Champion, defeating the likes of The Rock, Triple H and the Undertaker. Once that all came crashing to a halt at No Way Out, with Angle losing the WWF Championship to The Rock, 'the Megastar' grew incensed about losing out on the main event of WrestleMania. Furious and failing at the same time to recapture the title in rematch after rematch, the Olympic Gold Medalist was confronted by none other than Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster challenged the Olympian to a dream match at WrestleMania, though Angle took it too cockily.
Believing he could humiliate Hulk on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All', Angle would face setback following setback, adding to his frustrations as WrestleMania grew closer. Kurt even dared to lash out at the Hulkster on SmackDown, as Hulk advised Kurt on what he had to do to get ready, and be the man that many wanted him to one day be. Angle refused to embrace it and got humiliated by the WWF Legend as a result, but after laying waste and even snapping the ankle of Grandmaster Sexya with the Ankle Lock on RAW is WAR six nights ago - it was clear that Angle was laser-focused on tonight. It was two patriots set to meet in a first-time encounter, with Hulk Hogan hopeful of the comeback of a lifetime on 'the Grandaddy of Them All'; while Kurt Angle wanted nothing more to ascend the ladder once again with a major win, at his second WrestleMania! Who would win 'the Battle of the American Heroes?'
The crowd rained down with a mixed reaction for the arrival of the Olympic Gold Medalist. The time had arrived for the former WWF Champion of 182 days to make his way out to his second ever WrestleMania. Kurt Angle walked out to the stage, glancing around with a serious look of determination on his face. Clad in the red, white and blue of a proud American, the 1996 Olympian was every bit of a patriot as arguably 'the Immortal' Hulkster. Raising his index fingers to the skies above, the stars and stripes of the United States flag were represented as sparks of pyrotechnics shot up into the air behind him. Angle continued to pace down the rampway, appearing to have found the edge he needed - the motivation, and the willingness to beat one of the all-time greatest WWF Superstars at 'the Grandest Stage of Them All'. Angle could not afford to lose tonight against his opponent, as he sprung through the ropes into the ring, and continues to prance around. 'The American Hero' had arrived.
Houston, Texas was abuzz, as Kurt Angle warmed up in the ring. Squatting and stretching for flexibility, the Reliant Astrodome erupted as the guitars strummed, and "Voodoo Child" by Jimi Hendrix roared over the stadium! The spotlights flooded with shades of red and yellow, soon revealing 'the Real American' atop the stage! For the first time in eight long years, Hulkamania was back where he belonged, on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All!' Hulk looked around, clad in red and yellow tie-dyed tights, with a feather boa to match. The bandana on his head read "Hulk Still Rules", which is exactly what the former five-time WWF Champion wanted to prove to the entire world tonight! Hulk Hogan walked the aisle in rhythm to the legendary entrance music provided by the estate of one of rock's biggest icons. Much like Jimi Hendrix, Hulk Hogan was honored as one of the biggest icons in professional wrestling, as Kurt Angle watched with frustration building from the ring. Hogan slowly climbed into the ring as the Olympic Gold Medalist turned back to his corner, to bare witness to the Hulkster tearing off his red Hulkamania shirt, and cup his ears to the loud and apoplectic Astrodome, where sixty-five thousand fans stood on their feet! It was the first time since WrestleMania IX in which 'the Real American' stood at WrestleMania, and tonight - for potentially the last time in his historic, illustrious career - Hulk Hogan looked like a million bucks, standing tall at WrestleMania X-Seven!10) Hulk Hogan vs Kurt Angle It was time for 'the Real American' to finally meet 'the American Hero', one-on-one at 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. With all of the fanfare surrounding the in-ring return of Hulk Hogan, competing at his first WrestleMania in eight long years, and his second World Wrestling Federation match since leaving the company in memorable fashion back in 1993, Kurt Angle had a lot to live up to. Both men were proud American patriots, with Hulk Hogan historically a symbolic figure in United States pop culture in the 1980s. It was rare not to find a Hulkamaniac in the 1980s among citizens from the United States, and it went without saying that the Hulkster was the biggest star in sports entertainment's history. One man disagreed, and his name was another proud American, named Kurt Angle. 'The American Hero' made his mark in the 1996 Olympic Games, where he won gold medals in freestyle wrestling. Even more impressively, he did so with a broken neck. He gravitated to the World Wrestling Federation, making his professional debut in November 1999 - merely seventeen months ago. Kurt Angle had been a WWF European Champion, a WWF Intercontinental Champion. He was crowned the winner of the 2000 King of the Ring tournament, its biggest in history, overcoming thirty-one WWF Superstars. In seventeen months, the self-proclaimed 'Megastar' had cemented a legacy of his own, as a former two-time WWF Champion.
Kurt Angle had held the WWF Championship for 182 long days, all the while defeating some of the very top WWF Superstars including The Rock, Triple H, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, and The Undertaker. Yet he had never faced a man like the Hulkster before. After losing the WWF Championship in the Triple Threat match at No Way Out to The Rock, Angle felt he was losing ground. He grew increasingly desperate, seeking the big money main event match at 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. That would all come crashing down, but instead, Hulk Hogan made a massive return. In front of his home state in Los Angeles, California three weeks ago, the Hulkster threw out the challenge for tonight - 'the Real American vs the American Hero'. Hulk thought highly of the Olympian, but felt he was missing one thing to break out and become one of the greatest stars of the 21st century: the people. Angle shrugged off all advice and instead was so incensed and focused, that he underestimated the Hulkster. Claiming to break the WWF Legend's ankle with the Ankle Lock, Angle's lack of focus without the WWF Championship cost him big matches against Stone Cold Steve Austin and Chris Benoit. Finally, last Monday on RAW is WAR, Angle snapped - breaking the ankle of Grandmaster Sexay, and trying to do similar to Scotty 2 Hotty of Too Cool. With Kurt's big victory against Triple H three nights ago on SmackDown, 'the Megastar' did not want to lose tonight to the Hulkster. And with the entire media world buzzing, with comments made from 'the Real American' during WrestleMania Axxess that this could be his final match, Hogan did not want to go out flat on his back. He wanted to prove that Hulk Still Ruled!
And so it came down to 'the Real American' and 'the American Hero'. Kurt Angle appeared unphased by the epic arrival of the red-and-yellow adorned 'Icon', who basked in the chants and cheers for his own name. Hulk Hogan conducted the Houston crowd with his hands in the air, when Kurt finally confronted Hogan. The two exchanged words in the center of the ring, when 'the Megastar' made the first strike on Hulk. Coming at him with two hard-hitting right hands, a third went blocked, and Hogan hammered the head of Kurt into the ropes! Angle tried to fight back only to be shot off the ropes, and a big clothesline took the Olympic Gold Medalist off his feet! Kurt rolled over to the corner, as Hulk tapped the "Hulk Still Rules" logo on his bandana as if to say he had outsmarted his opponent. Angle couldn't hold back a smirk in absurdity, as Kurt Angle cautiously circled the wise veteran of over twenty-four years. Kurt Angle shot for a double-leg takedown, but the weight of the bodybuilder before him was able to club the back to break him off. The Olympian went reeling into the corner, where Hulk raked the eyes of Kurt and climbed to the second rope for ten loud punches that rained down on Kurt, and echoed throughout the Reliant Astrodome! Even hopping off the second rope with an axe handle on Angle, even daring to bite the skin of Kurt's forehead with his teeth!
It was as old school as it got where the Hulkster was concerned, when Kurt Angle was able to duck another extended right hand from the WWF Legend, and successfully take him down to the canvas. Hulk Hogan was never one for amateur wrestling, particularly not of an Olympic grade, and Kurt quickly scurried to a front facelock. What the former five-time WWF Champion did have going for him was his unmatched strength, and he was able to grow back to his feet. Angle immediately switched to the go-behind, and grounded Hulk again with a waistlock takedown. Transitioning into a body scissors, the youthful 'American Hero' squeezed tightly with his muscular quadriceps. The massive crowd of Hulkamaniacs in attendance chanted for the Hulkster to break out, and finally he was able to with a series of elbow strikes to Angle's legs! Kurt Angle was quick like a cat, and instinctively sprung to his feet for a German suplex, only for Hulk to match it - and a German suplex from Hulk Hogan sent Angle halfway across the ring! Again 'the American Hero' was embarrassed by 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan, who smilingly took a knee and wagged his finger in the direction of his opponent. Kurt was beginning to lose his patience and rushed the Hulkster once again, only to this time be sent sailing over the top rope to the floor below!
'The Megastar' was out of his element against the supernatural powers of Hulkamania, as Kurt Angle had seen one of the strongest moves in his arsenal go used against him! The former two-time WWF Champion recomposed at ringside, all the while Hulk Hogan showboated to the massive crowd on hand in the Reliant Astrodome. Taking his time, Kurt continued to calm himself down from developing a temper, long enough for Hulk to roll out after him. Unfortunately, Angle was too knowledgeable, and the ring general threw fists directed at the back of Hulk's head, as he exited the ring. Tripping him to the canvas inside, Angle dragged Hulk's heavy legs and wrapped them around the ring post. Stepping on the bottom rung of the steel steps, Kurt bent the Hulkster's leg around the ring post in an effort to weaken him up for an Ankle Lock later. Instead, Hulk once again overpowered Kurt, and dragged him shoulder-first into the ring post! Hogan was able to duplicate it with a second to free himself, but in standing back up, Angle simply tripped him down to the mat again - and swung Hogan's ankle into the ring post! Slipping back inside, the Olympic Gold Medalist pummelled on the head of 'the Real American', before sinking in with a leglock applied! The Hulkster's previously posted leg was grapevined securely, causing him to rive in pain. Reaching for the ropes, the crowd on hand roared in support of Hulk Hogan, as he found it within him to use the good foot to big boot Angle twice in the jaw!
The Reliant Astrodome were all in favor of Hulk Hogan, who lumbered back up to a vertical basis, only to have Kurt Angle resiliently strike with a German suplex from behind! Letting out a "wooo" that echoed throughout the Houston crowd, Angle lowered the straps of his red, white and blue embroidered singlet, and secured the Ankle Lock! Applied perfectly, Angle was on his way to doing exactly what he said he would do weeks ago - and beat 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All', by making him tap to the Ankle Lock! The Houston crowd gasped in uncertainty, as Hogan began to threaten tapping out due to the damage done, only for Hulk to shake his fingers, and shake his finger in denial! Angle continued to wrench, screaming for the "old son of a b*tch" to give up, but instead, Hogan defiantly reached for the bottom rope! Angle was furious and tossed down Hogan's ankle in disbelief, while referee Mike Sparks contested that there was no submission decision to be made! An irate 'American Hero' stalked Hogan and stomped the canvas in stalking the Angle Slam, only for Hogan to turn around with his eyes widened. Glaring a hole through 'the Megastar', the former five-time WWF Champion received a swift right hand from Kurt just to throw out the finger of warning!
The index finger directed at Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan dared 'the Megastar' to try it one more time, when a Hulking Up Hulkamaniac blocked another right and began to devastate Angle's offense with right hands! Sending him off the ropes, the Big Boot went sidestepped - and a belly-to-belly suplex sent Hulk bounding over Angle to the canvas! Angle covered immediately, just for Hulk to immediately power him off. Rocking to his knees, the Hulkster began Hulking Up again, and Angle sat in disbelief. Kurt pursued 'the Real American' around the ring, only to be hit with a series of right hands, and off the ropes Angle went - directly into the Big Boot successfully! With 'the Megastar' down on his back, Hulk Hogan pointed at the ropes and to Angle, all the while Houston was losing their minds! Taking off to the ropes, Hogan landed the Leg Drop, but Angle had managed to slip away! Grabbing Hulk by the foot, the Ankle Lock went applied again with Angle screaming at Hogan to just tap out already! Hogan immediately rolled over sending Angle bouncing off the turnbuckle pads in the corner, when Hogan applied a sleeper hold on 'the Megastar'. Angle was in harm's way himself momentarily, when Angle was able to slip free from the 24-inch pythons of the Hulkster - to deliver a merciful Angle Slam sending the WWF Legend into the canvas! Hooking the leg, Hogan tried powering out - only for the three count to be made first!Winner: Kurt Angle (10:25) Almost like a prophecy was told, Kurt Angle had won the biggest match of his seventeen-month old career tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven! Overcoming the overly powerful odds of the biggest icon in sports entertainment history, Hulk Hogan had been beaten. Yet the WWF Legend had given it all, at his first 'Showcase of the Immortals' in eight long years! 'The Megastar' remained on his knees, overwhelmed with emotion. Having won the battle of 'the Real American' and 'the American Hero', the former two-time WWF Champion had emerged supreme. It was weeks following his heartbreaking loss of the WWF Championship, and coming after weeks of struggle and inner-turmoil. Despite all of it, Angle limbered up to his feet and had his hands raised in victory, to the respect of the Reliant Astrodome crowd.
There were fans in Houston, Texas that were disappointed in witnessing the Hulkster lose, but as Hulk Hogan looked around at the people in defeat, 'the Real American' could not help but applaud his opponent on the shocking victory. Not many WWF Superstars in World Wrestling Federation history could say they had beaten the Hulkster by pinfall or submission - yet tonight, Angle had handed the Hulkster his second loss in WrestleMania's seventeen year history! The boos still rained down on Kurt, when he suddenly turned around to see the WWF Legend stammering across the ring from him. Angle's demeanor changed, as he wisely decided to roll from the ring and back up the rampway in victory. Perhaps selfish, perhaps mindful of the Hulkster's recent comeback on SmackDown ten days ago, Angle celebrated with a hearty "wooo" on the stage, leaving Hogan with the ring - alone.
The Houston crowd of Hulkamaniacs continued to pay homage and salute the Hulkster, who on this given night had given his all - but it was not enough to defeat the all-round skilled Olympic Gold Medalist. As Hulk Hogan saw his red bandana laying on the mat, he picked it up and pointed at the yellow "Hulk Still Rules" text scribed upon it. The Reliant Astrodome supported Hulk, as he began to hobble from the ring - but before climbing through the ropes on the exit, he turned back. The fans erupted, as "Real American" soon sounded out across the stadium. To the passion and electricity of every Hulkamaniac in Texas, Hogan began to Hulk Up and showboat to the mass audience on hand! Showing off his bulging pythons, and cupping his ear to the people, the nostalgic memory would surely go etched in the sands of time - the history of 'the Grandaddy of Them All' for generations to come! Hulk finally took his leave, to the affection of the people. On April 1, 2001, Hulk Hogan - for perhaps the last time on such a stage in his illustrious, legendary career - had proven, that Hulk Still Ruled! Borrowing a flag of the United States of America from a fan in the front row on the rampway, Hogan kissed the stars and stripes and raised it high in departing. As the late, great Gorilla Monsoon would have said in years gone by: "this had certainly been a happening!"
Michael Cole was standing by backstage, with an incredibly determined and jacked Triple H. Cole provided background for 'the Cerebral Assassin' - one year ago at WrestleMania 2000, he was standing tall and proud as the WWF Champion. Having won the four-man elimination match in the main event of 'the Grandaddy of Them All', he had the entire world in his hands - but that would not last. One year later, he looked to have arguably one of the toughest battles of his entire career ahead, in meeting his longtime best friend in the business: Shawn Michaels. Triple H agreed with Cole, that a lot can change in a year. This time last year, he walked in and walked out as WWF Champion. He had a loving wife, a supportive family, and all of the power he could ever need. He admitted to getting too hungry, and growing too desperate. But now, after the trials and tribulations, he was come full circle on his redemption. The divorces, betrayals and setbacks were major reality checks, that he had to go back to basics. They called him 'the Game', and he had played it. Now, one year on, this was not about the WWF Championship. He rebuilt from nothing, and nobody. Tonight's match wasn't about money, power or accolades - it was about two men that formed a common bond, to be the pillars of this industry.
With passion, Triple H commented that tonight was about two men who were like brothers, torn apart by greed and selfishness, and an overwhelming desire to be that damn good. Tonight, after all the weeks of waiting, he was ready to see whatever Shawn Michaels still had left in the tank. He knew full well that 'the Heartbreak Kid' had lived for tonight for a long, long time. His first WrestleMania in three long years, he knew that Shawn wanted to prove he was still 'Mr. WrestleMania' - but time could only tell. Shawn could prove himself to still be 'the Showstopper' all that he wanted to, but Triple H knew he had to win this match. To turn the page on a new chapter in his career, to ascend back to the mountain, he had to beat Shawn tonight, at 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. So tonight, for Shawn Michaels - it was time to play the game. Wishing his fellow D-Generation X cofounder the best of luck, he advised that Shawn would need it once WrestleMania was over with.
. Backstage, end times were nigh as a knock on the door from a backstage assistant prompted Shawn Michaels to leave his dressing room. Dressed and clad in the colors renowned from the flamboyant thirty-six year old, 'the Heartbreak Kid' bore an expression of determination. Tonight, all eyes were on him, awaiting his second match back following a three year retirement. Coming back from a major spinal injury, HBK's career was thought to be over with. Yet defying the odds, Shawn had much to prove tonight - that he could still go. His first WrestleMania since losing the WWF Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XIV three years ago, Shawn was prepared for battle against his longtime blood brother - Triple H. Shawn walked the halls with WWF Superstars nearby such as Steve Blackman and Essa Rios, it was do-or-die for 'the Showstopper'.
A video package aired, reviewing a long history between Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Once upon a time they rode the highways and byways of the world together, and were co-founders of the most innovative and radical factions in World Wrestling Federation history, D-Generation X. A menace to anybody within distance, they played strip poker in the ring, ridiculed opponents, and co-conspired the infamous Montreal Screwjob. However, it all changed at WrestleMania XIV in 1998, as 'the Heartbreak Kid' was forced to retire with a broken back. Triple H took over as the leader of DX, and rolled into the year 2000 with all the power on his side. The WWF Champion, and husband to Stephanie McMahon, with X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn behind him - he had it all. Unfortunately, it all came apart, bit by bit. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' would betray her husband to become Kurt Angle's girlfriend, and Kurt Angle would crush Triple H in defeat at No Mercy inside Hell in a Cell.
DX came dismantled at the Survivor Series, as X-Pac would betray 'the Game', drawing an end to DX. Despite all of it, 'the Game' was back on the right track heading into No Way Out. Within reach, Shawn Michaels returned, screwing his longtime friend out of the WWF Championship. 'The Game' called 'the Heartbreak Kid' out, with Shawn surprising Hunter with blind-sighted attacks, even leaving him bloody in the middle of the ring. 'The Showstopper' wanted to prove to the world that he still had what it took to be 'Mr. WrestleMania', and would make the challenge for WrestleMania. The same two men that nearly caused a riot in WWF New York last week on Sunday Night Heat would however be reconciled temporarily for one night, as the two co-founders of DX fended off the onslaught of X-Factor six nights ago on RAW is WAR. Despite everything, their friendship was now in the past. Triple H was on his own path to redemption, while Shawn Michaels was here to prove that he still had what it took. Who would win, in this friendship stricken by greed and personal pride - so many years in the making?
We returned to the Reliant Astrodome, with a massive crowd on hand in Houston, Texas buzzing for the long-awaited encounter between Triple H and Shawn Michaels. But first, Howard Finkel stood in the middle of the ring to declare that tonight there had been a new attendance record broken at 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. WrestleMania X-Seven had drawn in a gigantic crowd into the stadium, with 'the Fink' proudly announcing that in attendance tonight there were 67,925 fans - a new all-time record! The crowd cheered loudly, while Jim Ross and Paul Heyman spoke about how tonight's extravaganza was living up to the most historic of WrestleMania events in history.
The ovation of the people drew mired in a controversial reaction, once the entrance music of 'the Heartbreak Kid' rang over the Reliant Astrodome. Shawn Michaels came strutting out to the stage to the love and hatred of the Houston crowd in attendance. Dressed to the nines like 'the Showstopper' of years past, with braids in his hair and chaps adorning his red and black tights, the former three-time WWF Champion looked around with a certain seriousness on his face. HBK was fired up to go, but knew that he had much to live up to, especially having trifled with his longtime best friend in the business for weeks leading up to it. Despite their tense conversation on RAW is WAR this past week, Shawn continued to waltz down the aisleway to the ring realizing full well that tonight was his best shot at reestablishing himself as 'Mr. WrestleMania'. A match against 'the Game' - his blood brother and co-founder of D-Generation X - was years in the making, and meant so much to both men. As Shawn climbed the ropes and posed in the middle of the ring, pyrotechnics soared behind him. Who would have ever thought, after competing with a broken back at WrestleMania XIV three years ago, that we would live to witness Shawn Michaels riding high again at 'the Showcase of the Immortals!'
The legendary theme music would soon go muted, replaced by the harsh live riffs of the metal band Motörhead. Performing "The Game", the official new entrance music of Shawn Michaels' opponent, Lemmy growled into the microphone to the side of the stage. The Reliant Astrodome cheered the feature track from 'WWF The Music, Vol. 5', when Triple H emerged from the backstage area. Taking a cold hard stare of approval to his left, directed towards the band performing, 'the Game' was ready for war. Pointing his finger in support of Motörhead, with a water bottle in hand he doused himself in it before pacing down the rampway. One year ago he would win the main event of WrestleMania 2000, being only one of two men to both walk in and out of 'the Grandaddy of Them All' as WWF Champion. One year later, gone was Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley. Gone was the support of the united McMahon Family. Gone was the WWF Champion, and gone were his friends from D-Generation X. Now standing on his own, Triple H glared up towards the ring before navigating the ringside area and pouncing onto the apron. Spitting the water up in the air with his arms raised, 'the Game' was chiseled for tonight, and looked at Shawn upon entry to the ring. Both men remained silent, staring each other down, awaiting the bell. Triple H had rebuilt himself over the past several months, and was now banging at the door of absolute redemption with this match tonight against his blood brother. Motörhead would receive a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd, as they ceased playing 'the Game' to the ring.
11) Triple H vs Shawn Michaels For years they had spent hours, riding the highways and byways of the world together. A part of the infamous backstage group known as only 'the Kliq', Triple H and Shawn Michaels shared a passionate affinity of the sports entertainment industry that many lacked. Together they would revolutionize the entire industry, as in 1997 they would establish the radical faction that would live on for years - D-Generation X. With Shawn Michaels riding on top of the World Wrestling Federation as the WWF Champion, and disputably the greatest WWF Superstar of all-time at that time, Triple H would have his back at each and every turn. They were responsible for an entire new fanbase, helped establish a new movement as the WWF ushered in the Attitude Era, and were often out of control. They were juvenile, they were racy, they were vulgar and offensive to everybody they butted heads with. That was the DX way - but a lot had changed over the course of four years. On March 29, 1998, 'the Heartbreak Kid' was thought to have wrestled in his last match, losing the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin in the match that headlined WrestleMania XIV. Shawn did so with a broken back, and was untimely forced into retirement. With 'the Showstopper' out, it allowed Triple H to pave a path for himself. Not only did he claim leadership of DX, but he would ascend the World Wrestling Federation ladder to the top. Becoming a three-time WWF Champion much like his blood brother, Triple H dominated the turn of the millennium, with D-Generation X, with wife Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, and with the support and power of the McMahon Family.
Triple H would watch his world burn before his eyes, as the year 2000 rolled on. He would lose the WWF Championship at Backlash last April, to his arch rival The Rock, and subsequently come up short in rematches. As the McMahon-Helmsley Faction grew mired in tension and insubordination, along with it went his marriage with 'the Billion Dollar Princess'. Stephanie McMahon would leave him for Kurt Angle, who would shockingly defeat 'the Game' at both Unforgiven following the betrayal, as well as inside Hell in a Cell at No Mercy. 'The Game' would lose the faith and support of D-Generation X following a disappointing loss at the Survivor Series to the Coalition, and be forced to deal with another betrayal - that of a fellow longtime buddy from the Kliq days, X-Pac. Despite all of this, it was enough to make 'the Game' realize that it was time for redemption. Dealing with X-Pac, and turning back the clock in the Royal Rumble, Hunter realized he didn't need anybody's help to get the job done. Instead, finally, he realized that he was in fact that damn good - on his own. At No Way Out, Triple H was mere seconds away from becoming WWF Champion and completing his path of redemption, when thwarted by Shawn Michaels. In previous months, 'the Heartbreak Kid' shocked the entire world with the reveal that it was in fact he, who ran down Stone Cold Steve Austin. Shawn dared to dream and stepped back in the ring to meet 'the Texas Rattlesnake' in a No Holds Barred war at Armageddon in December, where he would be obliterated and left beaten and destroyed on the wintery tarmac of a parking lot.
Nobody had seen 'the Heartbreak Kid' since that cold night in Birmingham, Alabama - until he screwed Triple H out of the WWF Championship. Shawn Michaels would further shock his best friend who only wanted answers in weeks to come, once leaving him bloodied and beaten in the middle of the ring. Michaels held it over 'the Game's head for not checking in on him in retirement, and instead using the spotlight HBK had formed for his own, selfish greater good. Deceitful and bitter, 'the Heartbreak Kid' believed that 'the Game's star would never shine nearly as bright as his, and once Shawn realized that he still had what it took to get the job done, the challenge was made for 'the Grandest Stage of Them All'. Michaels had outsmarted and continued to play head games with Hunter for weeks, even disguising himself as a ringside photographer to blind-sight him with Sweet Chin Music several weeks ago on SmackDown. He would either show up unexpectedly and draw the ire of 'the Game', or not show up and make 'the Game' even angrier. Finally it culminated in a brawl at WWF New York, which would nearly cause a riot to take place in the entertainment complex. Yet twenty-four hours later on RAW is WAR, the two would address the ferocious elephant in the room. HBK had much to prove, believing he was still 'the Main Event', 'the Showstopper' and 'Mr. WrestleMania' - but Triple H had to overcome arguably his biggest hurdle to date, in defeating him tonight.
Having unexpectedly come to Triple H's aid after X-Factor blind-sighted him following his match with Chris Benoit six nights ago, it was clear that Shawn Michaels had done so less to excite people about the prospect of an original D-Generation X reunion, and more to instead ensure that his blood brother and rival was in tip-top condition tonight at WrestleMania. As both men took to their respective corners, referee Earl Hebner checked both men out for any foreign objects. Their eyes went locked on the other, when the official sounded for the bell. It was also Shawn Michaels who had cost 'the Game' his match against Kurt Angle last Thursday night on SmackDown by playing his entrance music, and Shawn smirked in knowing so. Slapping his gums, Shawn spat a wad across the ring at his blood brother causing Triple H to charge! Instead, Michaels opportunistically cowered out to the apron. Shawn ordered Hebner to restrain 'the Game', who forced him to back off. In slowly climbing back inside, Michaels would now antagonize him further with a crotch chop - this time bailing through the ropes and taking his time on the floor! Triple H was furious and demanded Shawn get in the ring to fight him like a man, while Michaels simply laughed. Further getting in the head of his longtime friend, 'the Heartbreak Kid' slowly sauntered back through the ropes.
Shawn Michaels smiled and applauded himself to the capacity crowd's detest at stalling this anticipated encounter, when surprised with Triple H crowding him with right hands in the corner! He refused to wait any longer, lighting him up with mudhole stomps, before swiftly bouncing Shawn's face off the turnbuckle pad! Michaels ricocheted from it and fell to the canvas, where Triple H would continue putting the boots to 'the Heartbreak Kid'. Whipping him across the ring into the corner, Shawn went upside down and landed backwards on the top rope, before rolling backwards to the canvas on his feet and encountering a clothesline from 'the Game!' Shawn bailed again under the ropes to the floor, but this time Triple H was in hot pursuit. Shawn was still bewildered at ringside, using the ring apron to stand back up only to once again be rocked with a right hand from 'the Cerebral Assassin' on the hunt! Mounting him with clenched fist strikes, referee Earl Hebner was able to interject himself and force Triple H to relinquish control. Fired up, 'the Game' received a loud band of ovation from the massive crowd on hand, as he told Shawn that he'd screwed himself this time. As his adversary used the official to get back up, 'the Game' would hurl him back inside the ring. Wisely, as Triple H momentously climbed in after him, Shawn was able to get in a right hand just to be chopped in return. Two more knife-edged chops followed, when Shawn lowly raked the eyes of 'the Game!'
It was a desperate attempt from Shawn Michaels, who came back with two chops of his own before laying in some hard fists to boot. Triple H kicked 'the Heartbreak Kid' in the gut before sending him off into the ropes, only to be come bounding back with a flying clothesline! The hang-time in mid-air was something to behold, when Shawn swiftly kipped back up to his feet with an arrogant look on his face! With further chops delivered in the corner, Shawn continued laying in the punches before stomping at Triple H just as he had done minutes before. Developing a rhythm, Shawn wound up for one last haymaker before crotch chopping his D-Generation X cofounder and insultingly slapping him across the face! It riled Triple H who swung back, only for Shawn to duck it and deliver an inverted atomic drop in retaliation. A subsequent clothesline rocked Hunter down to the canvas, allowing Shawn to jaw-jack away at his former friend. Choking him with his boot to the jaw of 'the Game', talked trash until Earl Hebner forced the break. In classic HBK behavior, 'the Showstopper' took the time to strut around and showboat to the boos of the Texas crowd. The San Antonio-native was being booed in his home state, as Shawn continued to sound off with a winding chop in the corner. Lining up for a second one, Triple H battled back with a chop of his own! With two more, Triple H sent Shawn into the corner for some right hands only to have Michaels nail him between the eyes.
'The Heartbreak Kid' sent Triple H into the ropes only for it to go reversed, but this time Shawn Michaels rebounded again with a flying forearm smash! Covering 'the Game' with confidence, he would only find a one-count. Applying a sleeper hold on Triple H, HBK tightened his grip in hoping of taming his rival. Triple H would instead find life within him to rise back to his feet, immediately backing Shawn up in the corner. Squashing Shawn against his back and the turnbuckles, Michaels would not release the sleeper - and instead Triple H would charge across the ring, sending Shawn flying into the opposite corner! HBK flew over 'the Game's shoulders, falling over the top rope and to the floor, over the ring post! Catching his breath, Triple H followed again to the floor, hammering on Shawn with some more right hands against the barricade. Being forced into a corner, referee Earl Hebner elected not to count the men out, and instead forcibly removed 'the Game' from another ground-and-pound attempt on the floor! Triple H got in Earl's face and demanded he back off, when Shawn came from behind with the opening, to send Hunter face-first into the steel steps! Michaels hobbled over and put the boots to Triple H by the ring apron, even shoving Hebner away from him in doing so. Shawn slammed Triple H's head into the steps twice over, but on the third attempt Hunter would block it and instead send Shawn bouncing off the steel! Rolling inside, Triple H took time to regroup in the ring while Shawn was left down on the outside, using Hebner to drag himself back up.
'The Game' grabbed Shawn Michaels by the hair as he roped him back inside the squared circle. Attempting a backbreaker on his longtime friend, 'the Heartbreak Kid' precariously backflipped out of it, landing on his feet. After being sidelined with spinal injuries for three long years, Shawn sensed danger in it and busted out with a DDT in return! With a busted lip and all, Shawn covered for a near fall, before immediately securing the braced leg of Triple H. Stomping on it as Triple H climbed back to his feet, Shawn immediately chop blocked it - pinpointing the long-term on-and-off weakness of 'the Game'. Triple H cried in pain as Shawn proceeded to drop several elbows across the knee, before continuing with a figure-four leglock attempt! 'The Heartbreak Kid' won the WWF European Championship in such a manner back in 1997 with the hold, but Triple H was able to kick Shawn up the rear to send him into the ropes! Michaels came back to encounter an inside cradle for a close fall, when both men came to their feet for Shawn to chop block Hunter a second time from behind! With a surly grin on his bloody-lipped face, Shawn successfully applied the figure-four securely, causing Triple H to rive in pain! Shawn gestured to Hunter with crotch chops as he leaned back across from him, mouthing off to him about Triple H soon knowing how it feels to be a crippled man! Continuing to lean pressure on the leg, Triple H shook his head in agony, laying flat on his back for the referee to count two on both occasions. Finally, Triple H squirmed and dragged he and Shawn - able to make the bottom rope!
Triple H groaned in agony as Shawn Michaels refused to break the figure-four leglock until the referee's count of four, then clambering back to his feet to further put the stomps to 'the Game's knee. Gyrating and thrusting his body in showboating to the crowd, the Reliant Astrodome booed, even grabbing Earl Hebner by the collar. The referee demanded Shawn give 'the Game' space to move, when Triple H was able to hobble to his feet! Shawn used the referee as a shield however, and in ducking Triple H would unsuspectingly clothesline the official down to the canvas! Shawn had dodged the clothesline that struck down the official, and followed with a low dropkick to the leg, causing 'the Game' to crumple out to the floor. The shoe was now on the other foot, as Michaels followed the defensive Triple H out to the floor. Even flipping off sieging fans in the front row, Michaels raised 'the Cerebral Assassin's legs and spread them - a blatant low blow stomp to the groin! It was all legal with no referee, and Michaels fully knew of the possibilities in front of him. Grabbing a steel chair from the timekeeper at ringside, Michaels treaded on the foot of 'the Game', before driving the steel chair edge-first into the knee! 'The Game' screamed as Michaels refused to let go, badmouthing him while using all of his force to maintain pressure on it. Jabbing him for good measure in the kneecap after, Michaels dragged 'the Game's carcass back inside the ring.
By the corner, Shawn Michaels grounded the wounded Triple H, even thinking to wrap the steel chair around 'the Game's leg. It was his blood brother turned betrayed adversary, and 'the Heartbreak Kid' was vengeful and spiteful of how he had spent three years in retirement while 'the Game' had thrived in the spotlight! Slowly climbing up to the second rope, Shawn was motioning dropping a big boot on the chair to cripple his best friend in the business, but in taking so much time it was 'the Game' who caught Shawn with a big boot to the jaw! Having used his healthy leg to do so, Shawn pantomimed in shock from the jawing blow around the ring. Meanwhile, 'the Game' kicked the steel chair from his leg, before catching him with two big clotheslines. Michaels swung one of his own only for Triple H to strike with a spinebuster! He clutched his eruptive knee with pressure before covering 'the Showstopper', only to catch glimpse of referee Earl Hebner down and out on the ringside floor! Instead rolling out slowly to revive the official, he remained unresponsive. Looking around to think of a remedy to the situation, 'the Game' went blind-sighted with a baseball slide from Michaels, propelling him into the barricade chest-first! Michaels capitalized, towering up to the top rope and soaring with an incredible moonsault to the floor - landing perfectly on top of 'the Cerebral Assassin!'
It was the Shawn Michaels of old, as spinal injuries and all 'the Heartbreak Kid' used the barricade to pull himself back to his feet! The moonsault had hit Triple H hard from out of nowhere, and Michaels proceeded to roll 'the Game' back inside before once again climbing to the top rope. With the Reliant Astrodome in awe, Michaels would soar again in delivering the diving elbow drop! Rolling back up to his feet in the corner, HBK was dead set on ending this, tuning up the band in anticipation for some Sweet Chin Music! The audience clapped along with HBK while Hunter stirred, only for Michaels to super kick the air and miss. Triple H managed to duck it, dropping him with a major DDT! Rising back up to his feet, 'the Game' battled back with a series of right hands, each knocking Michaels down. Shawn tried to throw a shot back, only to this time successfully walk into the backbreaker! 'The Game' covered, yet still the referee remained out cold on the floor. He stirred back to his feet, favoring his leg, when Michaels railed him with a third chop block to the leg! 'The Heartbreak Kid' rived in pain with his back, walking around the ring before stumbling across the steel chair introduced earlier. Picking it up and stalking his friend-turned-enemy, Triple H rose up to his knees. Looking back at Shawn who prepared to put 'the Game' down, Hunter locked eyes with him in refusal. He tried to test Shawn to do it, looking him dead in the eye and demanding the chair shot to follow.
Shawn Michaels hesitated with the steel chair hand, with Triple H on his knees welcoming the brunt force of a concussion-inducing blow to the skull - when Michaels shrugged, and went to swing only to be met with a low blow! It was retaliation for the low blow received earlier, and Triple H watched as Michaels fell to the canvas in slow-motion. 'The Cerebral Assassin' rolled out to the floor, this time searching beneath the ring and revealing the deadly sledgehammer! Slowly limping back into the ring, Triple H now had the power - with sledgehammer in hand, and Michaels squirming back on his rear in the ring, pleading for forgiveness! Shawn apologized to Hunter out of fear, when 'the Game' arched back for a lethal swing. Only before the hammer could be brought down, Shawn Michaels was able to tackle the legs - with a double-leg takedown forcing Triple H into the Sharpshooter! The executer of the infamous Montreal Screwjob applied it as Triple H aimed to struggle, the crowd fiercely booed! Triple H still had the sledgehammer in his hand, but was soon succumbing to the added agony of his knee! Michaels screamed for Hunter to tap out, when in timely manner, down to the ring ran referee Mike Chioda! The new referee was here just in time, as Shawn Michaels demanded he check on Triple H, who continued to scream in pain. Defiantly, Hunter was able to cancel it out momentarily - and in impressive fashion was able to make it to the bottom rope!
Shawn Michaels was growing frustrated with the sheer determination and resilience of his longtime friend, threatening referee Mike Chioda. For a second, 'the Heartbreak Kid' warmed up the Reliant Astrodome for some Sweet Chin Music, but Triple H was able to block it with a sudden kick to the abdomen! Hooking the arms for the Pedigree, Shawn was able to take 'the Game' down to the canvas and bridging into a jacknife cover - for a close near fall! Both men had adrenaline pumping and got back to their feet - where Shawn Michaels fired first with the Sweet Chin Music! Michaels fell in a heap atop Triple H, as the referee counted - but Triple H would kick out at the count of two! The stadium buzzed at the amazing defiance 'the Game' was showing to his former best friend, as Shawn Michaels reached over and picked up the sledgehammer. Shawn stumbled back to his feet, immediately met by Mike Chioda. The referee protested the use of the sledgehammer, but Shawn would win a tug-of-war over the deadly weapon by shoving down the referee with it! Michaels was ready to drill it into Hunter, who rose to his feet and managed to duck it. Another spinebuster connected, and now it was 'the Game' who clasped the sledgehammer, waiting for Michaels to get back up to his feet!
Shawn Michaels was hurting, in agony with the damage done to his well-documented back. Triple H was the executioner now, bracing for 'the Heartbreak Kid' to get back to his feet. Instead, Shawn Michaels looked up at him from his knees. Much like with the steel chair earlier, HBK looked Triple H dead in the eyes with the look of a scolded dog. Tearfully, Shawn apologized to Hunter again, leaving 'the Game' to fight with his inner conscience. With great will-power, Triple H slammed the sledgehammer down in anger, relieving Shawn. 'The Game' confronted Shawn again, this time to be roped into an inside cradle from 'the Showstopper', only for a near fall! Michaels and 'the Game' were quick to their feet again, with Shawn breaking out of a Pedigree attempt to deliver a body slam instead. Michaels for a second time, wandered to the corner to climb to the top rope. Michaels called Triple H a "gullible son of a b*tch", but he would move out of the way of a second diving elbow drop! Shawn crashed in a heap, and in slowly climbing to his feet, Triple H would again attempt the Pedigree. Shawn fought out of it and raked the eyes of 'the Game', before swinging his foot for a Sweet Chin Music - but Hunter ducked it again, and struck with a sudden-death Pedigree! Earl Hebner rolled back inside the ring, to make the three count! The bell sounded, as Triple H grasped his knee in pain. It was a long, hard-fought psychological battle between himself and his longtime best friend, 'the Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels. Michaels remained laying motionless face-down in the middle of the ring, while 'the Game' continued to cradle his knee with his hands. Referee Mike Chioda came to the aid of his fallen colleague Earl Hebner, before taking the time to help Triple H to his feet. Slowly and cautiously, 'the Game' hobbled to a vertical base before having his hand raised in certain victory. The Reliant Astrodome applauded 'the Cerebral Assassin' loudly, the fans of the World Wrestling Federation having come to support this once major antagonist, now as a hero one year on.
Shawn Michaels rolled over to his back in a heap, left in devastation while Triple H limped slowly toward him. Standing over 'the Heartbreak Kid', he knew that on this given night it was the man he once took under his wing, that was the better. Words were exchanged, as Shawn slowly took a seated position. 'The Heartbreak Kid' responded verbally, as Triple H offered to give him a hand to his feet. But the pill that 'Mr. WrestleMania' had been beaten on his comeback to 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' was too much to swallow, and Michaels instead elected to roll out of the ring and leave on his own devices.
Triple H was left accepting that he and Shawn might never be on the same page again after their rivalry, but despite HBK leaving in protest, he received applause from the 67,000 fans in attendance for his efforts. Triple H took to the second rope to continue his celebration, flexing all the while. Despite losing everything, 'the Game' had managed to overcome his losses and learn from each of them. Now without a wife, a family or power, 'the Game' walked alone. Triple H's path to redemption had reached another major milestone tonight in the Reliant Astrodome - but deep down he knew that path would only reach its end, with the WWF Championship around his waist!
A video package aired, taking us back to WrestleMania XV. For years, these two men had been fierce rivals, each competing for the spot at the peak of the sports entertainment mountain. Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock to become the WWF Champion two years ago, but a lot had changed since then. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' was sidelined with a career-threatening neck injury seventeen months ago after being struck by a motor-vehicle revealed to be driven by none other than Shawn Michaels. Despite this, Austin made the rehabilitation, and he made the comeback of a lifetime, becoming the first ever three-time Royal Rumble winner back in January. Meanwhile, it was The Rock who would become a six-time WWF Champion overcoming Kurt Angle and Triple H back at No Way Out in February. Nobody had gained more in the absence of 'the Rattlesnake' than 'the Brahma Bull'. Breaking out into the mainstream media, including an upcoming role in a Hollywood motion picture, 'the People's Champ' let it be known to Stone Cold that he needed to beat Steve Austin, having dwelled on the outcome of their WrestleMania match two years prior. Austin meanwhile needed this victory, stating how he didn't like The Rock one bit and would do whatever it took to get the job done.
In recent weeks their relationship had been a fierce and rocky one as it was. Despite the mutual respect shared by these two titans of the World Wrestling Federation, both knew that there could be only one: and both wanted the other to be at their absolute peak in physical condition leading into the biggest match of their careers. Still, there was a mistrust, as the contract was signed on RAW is WAR two weeks ago, leading to a collision that saw both men unable to gain a clear advantage on the other. Ten days ago on SmackDown The Rock was caught red handed by Austin with a steel chair in hand, and was promptly blasted with a Stone Cold Stunner. Meanwhile, six nights ago on RAW is WAR after tag team battle, it was Austin with the steel chair although he hesitated from using it. Instead it left him open to a Rock Bottom from 'the Great One'. Limp Bizkit's "My Way" broke out, as it documented the physicality of both men; showing off the Stunner, and the Rock Bottom. Neither men would surely let up tonight, a match that both needed to win, and neither could afford to lose. Tonight, with the WWF Championship at stake, the two biggest WWF Superstars in this lifetime were set to do battle - but there could only be one winner. Who would walk out of the Reliant Astrodome with the WWF Championship: would it be Rock, or would it be Austin?
We went inside the Reliant Astrodome, as Jim Ross and Paul Heyman narrated how it all come down to this. In what was perhaps the most important match in WrestleMania history was also arguably the biggest match in World Wrestling Federation history. J.R. and Heyman discussed the lengths both men would be willing to go to to become WWF Champion, and leave Houston, Texas tonight victorious. The richest prize in the industry was on the line between two of the absolute best the WWF had to offer, in the headlining match on 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. With moments to do, Howard Finkel stood in the middle of the ring and declared that it was now time for the main event of the evening. 'The Fink' curiously instructed however, that under direct orders of WWF Commissioner William Regal - this match would now be a No Disqualification match! The crowd roared regardless, whereas Jim Ross and Paul Heyman were left baffled at the decision made. The scores were raised even higher, in a match that neither man could truly afford to lose!
Disturbed's "Glass Shattered" rattled through the Reliant Astrodome, flooding the people of Houston with a rapid ovation. Coming on their feet for the challenger, out paced Stone Cold Steve Austin moments to wait until the biggest match of his World Wrestling Federation career. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' had not appeared at WrestleMania in over two years, last seen on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' defeating The Rock to become WWF Champion for the last time. That is, until tonight. For the first time since October 1999, 'the Rattlesnake' walked with a purpose knowing that he would finally receive his shot at becoming WWF Champion - the man in his way? Once again 'the Brahma Bull' himself. Austin stormed the aisle before taking off for the ring, immediately charging to the four corners to climb and salute the people of his home state. With fists raised above his head, that was how Austin hoped to end the night. Stone Cold was in the condition of his life, having gone through hell to make it here. Through a broken neck, surgery and rehabilitation - an eleven month absence from the ring - and then coming back to win the 2001 Royal Rumble match, Austin was destined to become WWF Champion. It was his biggest obsession, but tonight, firstly, he had to beat 'the Great One'.
Stone Cold Steve Austin chatted to referee Mike Chioda moments before the arrival of his opponent. The Reliant Astrodome buzzed, awaiting his presence. The entire stadium was filled with electricity, as The Rock came bounding out to the stage. Not stopping for a single soul, the WWF Champion walked with the title gold in hand, much like Austin, having waited for tonight. The Houston crowd responded divisively, the Texas crowd more loyal towards 'the Texas Rattlesnake' who was clearly something of an underdog tonight at WrestleMania X-Seven. For The Rock, it had been a long way to the mountain top, having to overcome the obstacles of Triple H and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction one year ago at WrestleMania 2000. He would wage war on the Coalition, and finally after three attempts defeat Kurt Angle to be crowned a six-time WWF Champion on February 25, 2001 at No Way Out. As The Rock stood and raised the gold high with one fist above his head, on top of the second rope, he may as well have been on top of the world. Whether cheers or boos from the Houston crowd, the Rock had been the one established flagbearer of the World Wrestling Federation all through Austin's absence. Yet now Austin was back, and Rock glared at him from the second rope in knowing so, both men were sure to be rivals for life. Austin had his eyes on the gold, whilst Rock stood across the ring from him. It was time to get it on!12) WWF Championship - No Disqualification Match The Rock (c) vs Stone Cold Steve Austin It had been two long years in the making, and just over two years to the day of their epic meeting in the main event of WrestleMania XV. A lot had changed in that time, as The Rock had firmly established himself as 'the Corporate Champion' whilst Stone Cold Steve Austin was paving his way, fighting each and every member of Vince McMahon's Corporation to be crowned the WWF Champion. It would be a turning point for both men, as each were recognized as two of the most popular WWF Superstars to grace the World Wrestling Federation in 1999. Flash forward a year, and The Rock would become WWF Champion last April at Backlash, defeating Triple H and fending off all interference from the McMahon-Helmsley Faction - all thanks to 'the Texas Rattlesnake'. In recent months, since 'the Texas Rattlesnake's comeback, both men were often forced to coexist with one another in tag team matches against a common enemy in the Coalition - but now, it had come down to this. Their WrestleMania match of the past changed The Rock, who was forced to admit defeat to 'the Rattlesnake'. It allowed him to break from the mold of the Corporation, and become renowned as the flagbearer of the World Wrestling Federation. He was without a doubt the biggest star the WWF had seen in years, if not decades, and Rock's newfound fame would only go established once a horrific incident nearly saw Stone Cold Steve Austin's career come to an untimely end.
It was the 1999 Survivor Series, a cold night in Detroit, Michigan. Stone Cold Steve Austin was prepared to meet The Rock and Triple H in a Triple Threat match for the WWF Championship, when he was knocked down a black Lincoln towncar. Suffering a broken neck that required surgery, it was a long road to recovery for 'the Texas Rattlesnake'. Out of the limelight, Austin was rarely heard from or seen, when finally he reemerged to the public at Unforgiven last September. Overcoming the major setback of career-threatening injury, Stone Cold not only had to find out the man responsible for taking him out of action for an entire year, but prove that he still had what it took to be the man he once was, in the World Wrestling Federation. He defeated the likes of Chris Benoit and Kane before Shawn Michaels would reveal himself as the perpetrator, and Austin would leave 'the Heartbreak Kid' motionless in the parking lot on a wet December night in Birmingham, Alabama, at Armageddon. All roads led to this point in time, where The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin - the two biggest WWF Superstars in modern history - were scheduled to compete in the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven. Despite the adversity of WWF Champion Kurt Angle and the Coalition, The Rock was able to overcome the odds of 'the Megastar' and Triple H to become WWF Champion for a sixth time last month at No Way Out. On the contrary, Stone Cold Steve Austin would outlast twenty-nine other men to win the 2001 Royal Rumble match.
Even still, they each had a way to go to make it to 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. The likes of Angle and Chris Benoit would constantly get in the way of Rock and Austin, both of those threats wanting to claim this prestigious spot - to say they had headlined 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. Yet the sheer determination of Rock and Austin made it so that they remained here - because there was no match more important to either man, that this. They had been tag team partners and come to one another's aid in the past, but it was crystal clear that they did not trust the other. It was The Rock who fired the first shot in this rivalry several weeks ago, planting Austin with a Rock Bottom after Austin considered nailing 'the People's Champ' with a steel chair. Three days ago on SmackDown, in an exclusive sit-down interview with Jim Ross, both men declared how valuable this match was to them, and how neither man wanted nor could afford to lose in this match. To Rock it was about righting the wrong of the WrestleMania loss to Austin from two years ago. To Austin it was about proving he was still the man to beat in the World Wrestling Federation. But it was also about the WWF Championship. This was to be the biggest match in WWF history. The volume was maxed out inside the Reliant Astrodome. Every championship defended tonight had resulted in a new champion being crowned, which surely did not bode well for The Rock's confidence. Despite this, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin shot daggers at one another from across the ring, waiting for the bell to sound. Jaw-jacking to one another, both men stepped toward the other to meet in the middle of the ring. The leather vest still worn by 'the Texas Rattlesnake', Rock struck first leading to both men duking it out and jumping the bell! Neither man refused to let up in this highly anticipated main event, with the No Disqualification match modification only revealed moments ago! Rock was able to corner Austin with his fierce punches, battering him in the corner with right hands. Austin would switch it around and begin stomping a mudhole in the Rock. But the WWF Champion refused to let Austin have his way, immediately elbowing out. The Rock tried whipping Stone Cold into the ropes only for Austin to turn it around on 'the Brahma Bull', catching him off the ropes with the Lou Thesz press! Austin had gained the first opening in this match, and immediately whipped off his vest, hurling it across the ring! The Rock quickly got back to his feet to be drilled with knee lifts into the abdomen of 'the People's Champ', when Rock started fighting back with right hands again. His fists were met with Austin's fists, who shot the WWF Champion off into the ropes again - with this time, Rock connecting with a flying clothesline!
The Rock stalked Stone Cold as if he were to attempt a Rock Bottom, but the challenger would roll backwards into the corner. From a seated position, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' smirked as he looked up to see the WWF Champion shoot him with his signature hand-gesture: daring Austin to "Just Bring It!" Annoyed, Austin got back to his feet as both men circled the ring opposite the other. 'The People's Champ' teased going for a Greco-Roman knucklelock, but Austin wisely averted with a wristlock applied. Rock was no rookie and was able to fight his way into one of his own before transitioning into a hammerlock. Austin tried to elbow the champ to break it, when instead connecting with a snapmare into a headlock. Austin had Rock where he wanted him with the clenched grip, but Rock would slowly toughen up and regain his footing, axe handling Austin's anatomy to break the hold. Just like that, 'the Brahma Bull' would take Austin down with an arm drag, maintaining an armbar applied - but the veteran challenger was able to plant his foot on the bottom rope! The wise ten-year vet smirked again, as Rock backed away accepting. Austin slowly used the ropes to get back up to his feet, this time flipping the bird in the direction of the champion! Now Rock was smiling, as the two combatants locked up once again in the center of the ring. The Texas crowd were divisive but favored Austin, as he and the Rock met with a collar-and-elbow tie-up in the corner. The lockup was dead even, as both WWF Superstars tried to overpower the other.
Finally Austin began forcing Rock back into the corner, before immediately snapping with a series of mudhole stomps directed towards the gut of 'the People's Champ'. The Rock tried to fight his way out with strikes, but Austin would continue stomping Rock down into the corner. The WWF Champion was able to catch one, and would return to his feet with a dragon screw in mind - when Austin was able to elbow free. Austin looked to whip Rock into the opposite corner, only for Rock to turn it around on Austin! Stone Cold got his foot on the second turnbuckle pad to block it, before turning around and walking right into the big back body drop from 'the Great One!' Met with an astounding chorus of boos, The Rock looked around in amazement at the pro-Austin crowd. Now was the WWF Champion's turn at getting even, stomping a mudhole on Austin until he was out on the apron. Rock picked Austin up from the ring apron's edge, but Austin was able to drape Rock's head over the top rope! Jawing him with the rope was enough to let Stone Cold back in, to chop away at the chest of 'the People's Champ'. Now draping Rock's head over the second rope, Austin took off for the ropes and looked to drop the leg across the back of the champion's head, only for Rock to sidestep it! Austin was crotched on the second rope, when Rock punched Austin out to the floor! Rock took a moment to regain his composure as the crowd continued to be split down the middle, when Austin dragged Rock out to the floor with him by the ankle!
Immediately Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock got into a fist-fight out on the floor, much like we had seen on RAW is WAR and SmackDown in recent weeks! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' bested Rock in exhausting him, hammering him up against the barricade. The challenger backed up and looked for a clothesline, but instead Rock was successfully able to back body drop him over into the front row of the Reliant Astrodome crowd! With a sea of people surrounding the two men, The Rock would follow, battling him in the crowd. Going blow for blow among the people, Rock looked for a suplex on the concrete floor. Much like at WrestleMania XV, Rock attempted it, but Austin hit the breaks with kicks to the leg! Instead, Austin turned the tables on Rock, delivering a suplex to the champ on the concrete floor! Houstonians were all around, all in support of 'the Rattlesnake', as he got back up to his feet. Rocking the Rock with more right hands, the two would soon brawl their way deeper into the abyss of fans. Austin provided Rock with a moment too many for breathing room, and 'the Great One' would retaliate with a kick to the gut, and a clothesline to send Austin down! Hurling the challenger over the barricade, Rock talked smack to Austin in climbing back over. Putting the boots to Austin by the Spanish announce table, the WWF Champion took the time to look out into the crowd of disapproving Texans, when answered with a shot from a small desk fan from the Spaniards' table! Rock went down from the metal-barred blow, allowing Austin time to breathe. With more knees driven to the gut, Stone Cold momentarily took control before being knocked down with a double-leg takedown! Holding Austin's legs in motion, a catapult would dramatically send 'the Texas Rattlesnake' face-first into the ring post!
The challenger may well have been knocked out from the ring post, while The Rock would approach the Spanish announce table and confiscate a water bottle. 'The Brahma Bull' had done it in the past, but as he unscrewed the lid and took a gulp thinking to spit it at his opponent, he took notice of the boos around the arena. Instead, Rock gulped the water before dousing himself in it for hydration! While the people were unimpressed by The Rock's turn of events, Stone Cold Steve Austin had made a recovery, and come up bloody! With right hands, the red-faced challenger refused to give an inch, but Rock would clobber him hard before rolling him back inside the ring. 'The People's Champ' returned to stomp a mudhole in Stone Cold in the corner, grounding him and daring to mimic the theatrics of his arch rival! Picking Stone Cold's bloodied carcass up, he was now a crimson mask. But as the WWF Champion's confidence grew, it allowed him to be caught off guard by an errant clothesline from the challenger! Slowly getting back up, Stone Cold ran on adrenaline with a second clothesline. As The Rock stirred, Austin had a third one in mind, when Rock ducked the clothesline and took off for the ropes. Instead, Austin was able to catch Rock off the ropes and hung him up to dry with a Stun-Gun! Draped over the top rope, Rock gasped for air and held his throat, while Austin would cover for a near fall! The first finishing manoeuvre of 'the Rattlesnake' had no effect on victory, and instead he would drop two elbows across the spine of 'the People's Champ'.
Stone Cold Steve Austin was a bloodied mess as he turned The Rock over to his back, before mounting him for another succession of hard right hands. Picking the WWF Champion up against the ropes for a series of knife-edged chops, Austin would send the Rock into the opposite side of the ring's ropes only to deliver a short knee to the gut! Stone Cold was following Rock in whipping him across the ring, and attempted it again just for The Rock to block it - and deliver a dragon screw leg whip instead! Coming to his feet triumphantly, The Rock stood over the prone body of Stone Cold, who tweaked at his knee down in the corner. The Rock looked to target the legs, only for 'the Texas Rattlesnake' to kick himself free. Rock walked straight into a spinebuster for a two count, before spreading 'the Brahma Bull's legs with his hands. With legs raised, Austin trash talked The Rock, before kicking him in the gut! The WWF Champion retreated out to the ringside floor, with Stone Cold not far behind him. Fired up, the challenger climbed the ropes out of the ring, when Rock was able to trip him! Down to the ringside mats went Austin, when Rock nailed him with a big haymaker! The champ was exhibiting a more desperate strategy than we had come to expect, as he choked Austin with the television cable by the ring steps! Austin fought for freedom, when Rock sent him face-first into the steel steps! Rock looked to whip Austin directly into the side of the steel, but Austin was able to turn it around - Rock crashing into the steps himself!
It was back and forth action between two men that had come to hold a grudge against the another, as Stone Cold Steve Austin dragged the WWF Champion back inside the ring. With the Million Dollar Dream applied, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' was feeling nostalgic in his home state of Texas. The Rock began fading in the grip, but he tried to battle back with the use of several axe handles. Instead, Austin continued to tighten his squeeze of a former mentor's hold. Ted Dibiase would be proud watching Austin apply the Dream on Rock, but 'the People's Champ' would soon use the second turnbuckle pad for leverage - able to kick back and flip over to cover Austin! Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin in the exact same way at the 1996 Survivor Series - the very night Rock made his World Wrestling Federation debut - but Austin was able to power out at two, on this given night! Stone Cold slowly rolled out to the ringside floor again, while Rock momentarily caught his breath inside. Crawling over to the ropes to retrieve 'the Texas Rattlesnake', he would go caught off-guard with a steel chair shot to the skull! The Houston fans were hungry for violence, as Austin immediately crawled back inside and hooked the leg - for a near fall! How badly did Austin want the WWF Championship? As The Rock tossed and turned in the ring to recover, blood elapsed from a gaping wound on his forehead, while Austin decided to put the boots to Rock some more by the ropes!
'The Brahma Bull' was as wounded as the crimson-masked 'Texas Rattlesnake', who dragged The Rock into the center of the ring for a second near fall. Stone Cold Steve Austin was spending The Rock's energy in defense, as he dragged the WWF Champion to his feet to launch into the ropes. Instead coming back with a neckbreaker, Rock rolled on the canvas leaving Austinto feign his surgically-repaired neck. Austin had to be feeling the burn, as Rock angrily trash talked back at Austin. Stomping away at Austin, Rock draped Steve's head over the second rope before hitting the ropes and returning with a knee strike to the back of the head! Stone Cold dizzily wandered the ring to his feet, where met with a short-arm DDT from 'the Brahma Bull', for only a near fall. The Rock dictated the pace by securing a sleeper hold, leaving Austin stunned. He was keeping the challenger in line, as Stone Cold initially hoped to fight it, only to sink into a stupor in the middle of the ring. Referee Mike Chioda checked on the well-fare of 'the Rattlesnake', who raised Austin's hand for it to go limp once. Chioda tried it a second time, again for the hand to fall a second time. With one last opportunity, the official raised Austin's hand, but this time he remained in the fight! Stumbling to his feet gradually, a rapid series of elbows into Rock allowed him to break out of it. Instead, Rock was able to rope him by the wrist for a big Samoan drop!
The Samoan Drop received a two-count from the referee, leaving The Rock visibly impressed by Stone Cold's inability to give in to 'the People's Champ's offense. The WWF Champion was not receiving a champion's ovation from the Texas crowd, as he teased stalking for a Rock Bottom, only to take Steve Austin down hard with a surprise clothesline. On the second attempt, Rocky again motioned for a Rock Bottom, only this time Stone Cold had seen it coming! With elbow strikes to the side of the champ's bloodied temple, Austin was able to club free, and arm drag Rock across the ring. Instead it only allowed Rock to blindsight Austin with a major clothesline, turning the 2001 Royal Rumble winner inside out! 'The Great One' was tactful in control of the pace, as he continued to lay the verbal SmackDown on Stone Cold. Preparing for the Rock Bottom again, he latched on just for Austin to grab a hold of the top rope! Remaining grounded, Rock released the hold and hit the ropes - but Austin lowered the top rope to send the WWF Champion tumbling out to the floor! Catching a second breath, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' rolled out after The Rock, immediately pummelling him with right hands. Rock was able to get lucky with a toe kick to the mid-section, when grabbing a steel chair from inside the ring: lamping Stone Cold upside the head with it!
The sound of the steel chair meeting Stone Cold's bloody flesh echoed throughout the Reliant Astrodome, as The Rock absorbed the boos of the Houston crowd before slipping the chair back inside. It was a harrowing reminder that Steve Austin was the first man to introduce the deadly chair, and Rock reminded him of exactly that by rolling his opponent inside the ring oncce more. Following up with a second chair shot across the spine, Austin was left riving in pain on the canvas, while Rock struck a third time with one for the torso of 'the Texas Rattlesnake!' Taking the grounded challenger by the legs, Rock was met by boos as he successfully applied the Sharpshooter! Dead center of the ring, it was another flashback to WrestleMania 13: where Bret Hart forced Stone Cold Steve Austin to pass out in this exact hold! Four years on, Rock maintained pressure on the bloodied and fading Austin, who screamed in agony. Stone Cold's neck had to be feeling damaged after this physical beating, though Austin remained resilient in pushing up with his arms! Hoping to power out with his leg strength, Rock instead dragged Austin forward several steps, causing the challenger immense pain in collapsing to the canvas once more. Chioda was closeby to keep an eye on 'the Rattlesnake', and Texas remained alive and hopeful for Austin to make a comeback! Finally, despite the odds of the athletic WWF Champion, Austin persevered his way to the bottom rope! Austin was willing to do whatever it took to leave the Astrodome with the WWF Championship, but it came to The Rock's frustration. Signalling for the Rock Bottom to put down Austin, the challenger took his time recovering.
Stone Cold Steve Austin groggily walked into the Rock Bottom, but The Rock was not expecting to receive a kick to the gut in retaliation! On the defensive, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' grabbed the steel chair from the canvas before plowing Rock right across the skull with it! It was becoming a bloodbath between two of the future WWF Hall of Famers, as 'the Rattlesnake' covered Rock for a near fall. Immediate to the attack, the challenger picked the WWF Champion up to his feet, before giving him the double-bird! A kick to the gut preceded the Stunner, but Rock was able to rope him in for the spinebuster. Standing tall over Stone Cold's fallen body, The Rock received a chorus of boos ahead of the People's Elbow to come - but Austin was able to scoop the leg, and apply the STF! Rock groaned in pain, blood streaming down his face, as Austin applied pressure on the etched-backward leg and cranked away at the neck. The champ was in trouble, but it would be short-term, once Rock made it to the bottom rope! Stone Cold rolled off of The Rock in exhaustion, setting up for the Stone Cold Stunner again - but Rock was able to take him by the foot and spin the challenger around...right into the Rock Bottom! It connected successfully, and Rock sat up over the motionless body of Austin taking in the negative response. The cover made, the crowd would only come to life once Austin powered out at the miraculous count of two!
The Rock was inches away from making it out of WrestleMania X-Seven with the WWF Championship, but Stone Cold Steve Austin refused to show any sign of quitting, just yet! With frustration and appall on the face of 'the Brahma Bull', the WWF Champion stalked Austin before again connecting with the spinebuster. Standing to attention, glaring at the massive crowd of 67,000 fans inside Reliant Astrodome, The Rock threw off his elbow pad and took off for the ropes. In one lap, he hit both sides of the ring's ropes, but Austin would roll out of the way of the People's Elbow! Clutching his elbow in pain, Austin shot to life again and delivered with another Lou Thesz press! Firing with right hands, Austin took off to the ropes for a subsequent elbow drop, before dragging along a steel chair and motioning for Rock to get up! 'The Great One' stirred, as Stone Cold prepared to swing - but from one knee, Rock was able to sweep Stone Cold up with another Samoan drop, for another two count! Dissatisfied with how this WWF Championship encounter was treating him, The Rock grabbed the steel chair yet again and prepared to level Stone Cold Steve Austin, who was able to duck it...and the Stone Cold Stunner was executed! Rock dove through the air in response, flipping so massively he fell out of the ring! Austin had tried to grab 'the People's Champ', but was left holding his head in shock - Rock had gotten away, lifelessly laying on the ringside floor!
With his body surely running empty, Stone Cold Steve Austin, bloodied and hurting with his neck, slowly rolled out to the floor to deadlift The Rock's carcass back inside the ring. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' had come so far, and come so close - all he had to do was roll 'the People's Champ' back inside and cover him! Austin hurled Rock inside carelessly, before slowly climbing back inside after him. Stone Cold hooked the leg in exhaustion, but still, Rock was able to power out at the count of two! Austin shook his head in frustration of his own, as he rose to his feet only to meet another Rock Bottom from the WWF Champion! It came out of nowhere, and Rock made the cover - but this time, Austin was able to prop his foot on the bottom rope. It might be No Disqualification, but it didn't mean rope breaks did not count! Slowly Rock returned to his feet and put some added boots to Austin, preparing him in the middle of the ring. Texas booed 'the People's Champ' with hostility, as he removed his second elbow pad before hurling it into the millions and millions of Austin's fans. Taking off to the ropes - this time, The Rock was successful with the People's Elbow! Rock covered, but yet again, by some grace of God - Austin kicked out! Furiously, Rock had used up everything in his arsenal to make it here, and stalked Austin one last time for the Rock Bottom. Setting up for it, he awaited Stone Cold to clamber to his feet - when Austin surprised Rock with a sudden Stunner! Rock flopped across the ring, his feet ricocheting off the top rope in doing so, before laying flat on his back in the middle of the ring! Austin raced to cover The Rock, and with Houston, Texas completely behind him - Stone Cold Steve Austin attained the three count!Winner, and new WWF Champion: Stone Cold Steve Austin (24:19) The Reliant Astrodome came unglued, as Stone Cold Steve Austin remained draped over The Rock's fallen body. The bell sounded, and the referee tried to help 'the Texas Rattlesnake' back to his feet. Leaning by The Rock's side, using his abdomen as an armrest, Stone Cold's other hand went raised by Mike Chioda! It had been an absolutely hellacious war between two of the absolute best in World Wrestling Federation history, and the victor received an astounding ovation from his home state crowd! Slowly able to use the ropes as leverage to pull himself back to his feet, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' held his head in pain and sure emotion as he was handed the WWF Championship. Immediately raising it over his shoulders, the long, fifteen month journey had all been made worth it by tonight!
Clambering to the second rope to celebrate his victory, with gold and fist raised high, 'the Rattlesnake' remissed in thought about overcoming everything to make it here over the past year and a half! Through the broken neck, the intense rehabilitation, finding out and taking care of the man who ran him down to begin it, and winning the 2001 Royal Rumble match had all paved the way to making it here. And tonight, in front of his home state of Texas, Stone Cold Steve Austin had made it: he had once again become the WWF Champion! For the fifth time in his illustrious career, 'the Rattlesnake' had gotten the job done, whilst The Rock remained in disrepair, flat on his back on the canvas.
The Rock had given Austin everything he had and more, at the expense of losing his cool. That simple move had cost 'the Great One' not only the match, but the WWF Championship! Austin remained standing loud and proud in the middle of the ring, catching two beers from the timekeeper and immediately stumbling over to the second rope. From the corners, Austin cracked some cold ones to the adulation of the people, toasting the fans of Reliant Astrodome with a beer bash! With the WWF Championship once again back on his shoulder after an agonizing journey - Stone Cold Steve Austin was once again on top of the mountain, and on top of the world!
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Post by DTP. on Apr 15, 2021 14:51:14 GMT -5
EPILOGUE:
Returning to the Mountain Top
At the Royal Rumble 2001, Stone Cold Steve Austin made history when he became the first ever three-time victor of the illustrious Royal Rumble match. Going into the fourteenth incarnation of the Rumble match, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' was in a club of two-time winners joined by none other than Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels, yet when the dust settled and the smoke cleared on that rainy night in New Orleans, Louisiana, Stone Cold had cemented himself above and beyond the likes of Hogan, Michaels, The Rock and Bret Hart, as well as other past winners. The win was integral to Austin reascension back to the promised land. It was back in November 1999, on a dreary night at the Survivor Series where his life went crashing down after being ran down - on a night he had hoped to recapture the WWF Championship.
While every single WWF Superstar and WWF Diva had trained and worked hard in the past year, nobody could compare to Stone Cold Steve Austin. He underwent neck surgery following the barbaric ambush in the parking lot, and would spend nine long months of rehabilitation to return to the squared-circle. Having faced similar fate before, even Stone Cold didn't know whether he would be the same 'Rattlesnake' he once was, and contemplated retirement. Instead, Austin worked harder than any other man or woman walking the World Wrestling Federation, returning from injury and re-earning his stripes as the hell-raiser that sports entertainment had been missing against the likes of Chris Benoit and Kane. Better yet, Stone Cold would find out exactly who ran him down one year prior, destroying Shawn Michaels in an equally barbaric Non-Sanctioned beatdown at Armageddon 2000.
'The Texas Rattlesnake's victory at the 2001 Royal Rumble paved the way for his pursuit of a fourteen month journey, one that he would embark on to meet the WWF Champion in, in the headlining match of WrestleMania X-Seven. The question was however, who would Stone Cold Steve Austin meet for the richest prize in the business, in front of his home state of Houston, Texas? Kurt Angle, for all intents and purposes, remained confident that he would be the reigning and defending WWF Champion headed into the Showcase of the Immortals. 'The Megastar' had beaten the very best in the business, from Triple H on two separate occasions, The Rock on three separate occasions, and the likes of Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, and even The Undertaker. Yet Angle had never stepped foot inside the squared-circle with 'the Texas Rattlesnake' before.
The Olympic Gold Medalist had it all, the WWF Championship on his shoulder and Stephanie McMahon on his arm. With the Coalition faction behind him, Kurt Angle had all the reason in the world to be confident - until he met his match at No Way Out. Angle's determination to a perceived destiny by headlining the Grandaddy of Them All would cause him to leave the Coalition behind, and neglect the developing bitter McMahon Family War to engage in a Triple Threat match against The Rock and Triple H. There was no love lost between 'the Great One' and 'the Game', stemming from their hard-fought battles at WrestleMania 2000, at Backlash and at Judgment Day. Both men believed themselves to be the number one contender, despite Angle's insistence that he should be on a direct route to the main event of the Superbowl of Professional Wrestling.
Ultimately, it would be The Rock who would be crowned a six-time WWF Champion at No Way Out. With interference and betrayal costing Triple H certain victory, at the hands of 'the Game's best friend Shawn Michaels, it allowed 'the Brahma Bull' to pave his own way to victory and become WWF Champion. And so, the main event was set. It would be a rematch of a classic rivalry between two of the biggest flagbearers that the World Wrestling Federation had ever had. Two men that were undoubtedly two of the biggest stars the sports entertainment industry had ever known, coming together to meet once again for the WWF Championship on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
The Rock posed multiple questions in the run-up to WrestleMania X-Seven, questioning whether Stone Cold Steve Austin still had what it took to win the big one. Austin had been without the WWF Championship since losing the title back at SummerSlam 1999, and wanted nothing more than to reclaim his spot at the top of the mountain. To put the cherry on top, Stone Cold had made such a climactic comeback that he could not afford to lose everything, surrounded by his adoring fans in the sure-to-be packed stadium in the Reliant Astrodome. Yet The Rock could not afford to lose either. He remembered all too well the crushing defeat once faced at WrestleMania XV. It was a fight two years in the making, and Rock in such a short reign as WWF Champion would surely not recover from a second major loss against 'the Texas Rattlesnake'. 'The Brahma Bull' was the man to take Austin's place in his year-long absence, carrying the World Wrestling Federation on his shoulders wherever he went. He appeared on NBC's Saturday Night Live, attended Microsoft's Xbox launch party, and was even starring as the Scorpion King in the upcoming adventure feature 'The Mummy Returns'.
Both men knew each other so well, and knew the importance of the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven, but they still had obstacles to go through to get there. Ever persistent after losing the WWF Championship at No Way Out, Kurt Angle tried and failed on two further occasions to recapture the WWF Championship from The Rock. So did Chris Benoit, who came remarkably close in a gripping Submission match for the title, only for Angle to get involved. As Benoit and Angle continued to pursue 'the People's Champ', Stone Cold would add himself to the equation, prompting a lot of friction to gather between the two headliners. There was a clear mistrust between the two, as evidenced by The Rock firing the first strike and driving Austin into the canvas with a Rock Bottom. As tag team partners against the likes of Benoit and Angle, and later the WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian, they worked well although both men deep-down knew they wanted the limelight all to themselves.
April 1, 2001 saw WrestleMania X-Seven take place. 67,925 fans packed out the Reliant Astrodome in the challenger's homestate of Houston, Texas for the biggest event in business history. It was bound to be explosive, with many proclaiming it to be the greatest match in WrestleMania history - before it even went ahead. The fans clearly favored Stone Cold Steve Austin as he walked to the ring, which perturbed The Rock noticeably. Both men battled furiously, with neither man letting up. Blood was shed by both men, as the WWF Champion resorted to whatever possible strategy he could to put down 'the Rattlesnake' for good. The hostile Houstonians would only continue to turn on 'the People's Champ' as the match progressed, when finally the desperation, the desire and the will to be the best ironically cost The Rock the most important match in World Wrestling Federation history.
When The Rock lost the people in the Reliant Astrodome, it opened the door for Stone Cold Steve Austin to seize the day and capture his fifth WWF Championship victory. It was full circle from seventeen months prior, where all 'the Texas Rattlesnake' wanted to do was recapture the richest prize in the business. Despite having it all taken away from him, including nearly his entire career - Austin persevered and rose back to the place he once was. He captured the WWF Championship, cementing his legacy as once again standing on top of the entire world.
The Devil Reveals Himself
When Vince McMahon made his unexpected return on the December 11, 2000 edition of RAW is WAR, nobody knew exactly how hostile the situation would develop between the Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation and his own son, Shane McMahon. It was a relationship that had had its problems before, when Shane O'Mac plotted to take over the entire company with the Ministry of Darkness in the spring of 1999. In Vince's near-six month hiatus from being around to handle business at television and on pay-per-view, Shane alongside Stephanie McMahon had picked up where their father had left off. With the power bestowed upon them however, came greed and supremacy. At the helms of a faction led by Stephanie's boyfriend, the WWF Champion Kurt Angle, Shane and his sister enjoyed overcoming the odds brought on by Commissioner Mick Foley - whom they personally fired on Christmas Night, 2000.
The return of Vince McMahon saw Stephanie McMahon grow conflicted, as she witnessed the discourse between father and son develop by the week. Vince and Shane, father and son, fought for power. They overturned one another's decisions, placed each other in matches, and shifted the odds in whatever favor they possibly could. At the Royal Rumble, the Undertaker challenged Kurt Angle for the WWF Championship. With Shane and Stephanie in the corner of 'the Megastar', 'the American Badass' found himself irate over having the Chairman in his, to even the odds. A melee saw the McMahon Family crumble even further, and from such an incident many wondered just how badly this could possibly develop... If only they knew.
The situation between Vince and Shane grew so ugly, with both men battling it out almost each and every week, that Stephanie resorted to the WWF CEO. Her own mother, who she slapped across the face and left heartbroken ten months ago on national television, Linda McMahon was devastated by the ongoing family feud and hoped to put it to an end. Optimistic with the idea that a tag team match at No Way Out would help put the beef to rest, she enlisted her husband and son to choose their tag team partners - on the condition No Way Out would end their dispute.
Shane McMahon made the decision to elect fellow Coalition member Chris Benoit as his tag team partner. It was a choice that made sense, although 'the Rabid Wolverine's ruthlessness and unpredictability raised some questions as to his loyalty to the faction. Vince McMahon would shock everybody however, when he nominated none other than the 2001 Royal Rumble winner Stone Cold Steve Austin. It would only compel 'the Wolverine' to defeat the man destined to headline WrestleMania X-Seven in the WWF Championship main event, providing himself the credibility of being the best wrestler in the world. Stone Cold's history with the Chairman was a rocky one at best, their rivalry spanning years infamous. It was that rivalry that brought the World Wrestling Federation back to the forefront of the industry, but the times appeared to have changed.
Stone Cold treated Vince McMahon to a Stunner for old time's sake in the days leading up to No Way Out. Chris Benoit meanwhile warned Shane McMahon that he was in this tag team match all for himself, becoming a loose cannon and proclaiming himself as his own man - not one to do the Coalition's bidding any longer. It would be the most dysfunctional tag team match in World Wrestling Federation history, one that saw Stephanie McMahon once again hesitate to decide which side of the family she would favor. She tried to wash her hands on the entire ordeal, and found a friendship with WWF Diva Trish Stratus.
While Trish Stratus provided Stephanie the emotional support, the battle was on as Benoit and Shane took on Stone Cold and Vince. It was one that saw the Chairman show that he had the gall to do whatever it took to prove to Shane that there was a reason he was the patriarch of the McMahon Family. He wanted to teach his righteous son a lesson, when Stephanie would storm down the rampway to intervene. Sick of the fighting, she would be shocked as Chris Benoit would recklessly shove her aside and force the WWF Owner into submission with the Crossface. He would not be the only one. Stone Cold Steve Austin shared the ring with a devastated Vince McMahon after the bell, and even shook hands and drank some Steveweisers with his arch rival. Austin was going to WrestleMania and would later avenge this loss by defeating Benoit weeks later - but the McMahon Family War was still just intensifying.
Linda McMahon once again showed up the night after No Way Out, demanding once again that Vince and Shane stop their rivalry. In the process, out interrupted none other than Chris Benoit. Pleased with cementing victory and having a tag team victory against the 2001 Royal Rumble winner, Benoit threatened the three McMahons for an opportunity of his own. 'The Wolverine' wanted the WWF Championship, and he wanted it in the main event of WrestleMania. In an absolutely diabolical move, Benoit would send the WWF CEO into a state of trauma - locking her in the Crossface dead-centre of the ring! It was unbelievable, and Linda would be stretchered out of the building, taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Benoit had truly proven he was beyond the Coalition, and for one night only - or so it seemed - Vince and Shane formed a trust.
Looking to avenge his traumatized wife, Vince McMahon again engaged in battle with Chris Benoit later that night on RAW is WAR. With vengeance on his mind, he was accompanied by his son. Despite their rivalry, what Benoit did was enough to unify he and Shane - but despite the best efforts of both McMahons, Benoit would again claim victory. After the match, an aggravated Vince hoped to leave the building with Shane, to be with Linda at the hospital. Shane was in tow, but shockingly ambushed the Chairman from behind. Leaving his own father a bloodied mess in the backstage hall, Shane took off, and Vince was unable to be with his own wife.
The Chairman would not be seen for three weeks. Allegedly by the side of his traumatized wife, Linda McMahon was put on heavy medication to treat the shockwaves felt - both from Benoit, as well as the collapse of the McMahon Family. Meanwhile, Shane O'Mac took it upon himself to air dirty laundry every week on live television. Shane tried to get to Vince, claiming he was a filthy man that had affairs with many different women over the course of his marriage to Linda. He even claimed that Vince was having an affair with Trish Stratus, which only fractured the relationship between Stephanie McMahon and Stratus temporarily. Trish denied the accusation, and Shane would drop his case. Once again claiming control of the company, Shane would also questionably appease the petitioning William Regal, naming him as the brand new WWF Commissioner.
As Shane McMahon returned from a week-long vacation, allowing 'the Goodwill Ambassador' to try out his newfound powers as WWF Commissioner, the boss's son would be shocked to be met with none other than Vince McMahon. With Linda receiving around-the-clock medical care at home at the McMahon Family mansion, her husband and son engaged in a brutal war of words, with the Chairman throwing out the challenge for Shane to fight him like a man - one-on-one, at WrestleMania. Shane responded to the news optimistically, though Stephanie would show remorse for both men. Hoping to reach out and prevent another war at WrestleMania, her cries would go ignored. Kurt Angle was too busy pursuing the WWF Championship, as well as hoping to regain momentum in the build-up to his own WrestleMania match with Hulk Hogan.
Vince and Shane McMahon were too stubborn to be saved, the bloody assault one month prior pushing the Chairman to a boiling point. Then, on March 26, 2001, Shane O'Mac shocked the world. All week long, Vince had reportedly purchased his own acquisition. It sent the sports and business industries into a frenzy, the idea that there would no longer be two separate entities in sports entertainment - for Vince had bought longtime competitor World Championship Wrestling. The industry was apparently a monopoly, so far as Vince McMahon was concerned. Yet on RAW is WAR, six days before WrestleMania - out came his own son Shane McMahon. Yet he wasn't at the arena in Cleveland, Ohio where his father was: he was in Panama Beach, Florida for the last edition of WCW Nitro.
Shane McMahon had gone out from under his father's nose to purchase WCW, forcing a reckoning with Vince McMahon like never before. Shane was provoking his father deeply, and now this rivalry between father and son at WrestleMania was no longer just about the McMahon Family feud reaching its apex - it would be WWF Owner against WCW Owner. Three days ahead of the Grandaddy of Them All, Vince would come out to the ring and reveal that he had rehired somebody Shane knew incredibly well: the man he himself had fired on Christmas Night, months prior. Mick Foley was back to do one job for the Chairman, and that was be the special guest referee in the McMahon Battle of Owners at WrestleMania - and it would also be a Street Fight.
'The Hardcore Legend' warned Vince McMahon that he would not be his whipping boy, and that he would call it right down the middle at the Showcase of the Immortals, and the Chairman understood. Stephanie McMahon continued to plead with both Vince and Shane, with both men hoping to reach out to her and join them on their side. WrestleMania rolled around, and Vince avenged all that Shane did to him over the past year. He beat him with kendo sticks and trash cans, although Shane O'Mac would fight back with everything he had. It was a chaotic match, one that saw problems between Shane and Mick spanning from the Christmas firing four months prior, yet Shane would continue to show heart, guts and resiliency against his towering father.
The WWF Owner needed to win on the biggest show of the World Wrestling Federation's year, and tower over the WCW Owner in a first-time meeting between the two authorities. Vince was thirsty for Shane's blood, while Shane was in survival mode, looking to do whatever it took. Inevitably Stephanie McMahon would involve herself, standing in a neutral corner to stop the fight. Instead, she would find herself immobilized after being shoved into by her Dad following Shane's low blow. Irritated by the McMahons' treatment of 'the Billion Dollar Princess', out stomped Trish Stratus to give the men a piece of her mind.
Yet it was not to be - Trish Stratus would soon enough show her true colors. Her friendship with Stephanie would go severed beyond repair, the two friends scrapping around the ring while Linda McMahon watched at home in a state of sedation. Trish would low blow Shane McMahon and encourage Vince McMahon, with the two even daring to kiss in the middle of the ring. The Devil had revealed himself to be the Chairman despite everything Shane had done, and it only infuriated the special guest referee. Mick Foley let Vince have it, allowing Shane McMahon to do only the unthinkable: and beat his father, with an incredible corner-to-corner top rope dropkick, directly into a trash can. The boss had been left beaten and destroyed, with his newly acknowledged mistress Trish Stratus tending at his side.
Stephanie remained distraught from the situation, not knowing who to trust or who to turn to. Vince had been having an affair the entire time, and not exactly endeared himself with the onset of violence brought on against his own flesh and blood, Shane. But Mick would raise Shane's hand in victory once the night was over. The WCW Owner had beaten the WWF Owner at WrestleMania - something nobody would have ever thought would happen. World Championship Wrestling was not dead, like Vince wanted it to be. Instead, it looked to hold prosperity, as Shane McMahon moved on from taking over the World Wrestling Federation. Instead, Shane was planning to build his own empire.
An Era Beyond Attitude
The Attitude Era was something christened in on December 15, 1997 by Vincent Kennedy McMahon. It was a sign of the times, coming weeks after the controversial Montreal Screwjob that saw Bret Hart depart the World Wrestling Federation for World Championship Wrestling. It came at a time where WWF programming was growing more violent, unhinged and cutting edge. There was more nudity, grittier personalities, and angrier individuals. To rival the offset of WCW beating the WWF in the ratings each and every Monday night, with Nitro dominating RAW is WAR, the Attitude Era would slowly take place led by men such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and the radical renegade faction D-Generation X. Four years later, and World Championship Wrestling had become merely a blip on the World Wrestling Federation's radar. WCW's lucky run of years prior would falter, and the WWF's dominance would take the mainstream media by fire.Long gone was Extreme Championship Wrestling, another outlaw organization. ECW was a cult sensation, provided an alternative to the richer, more dignified "major leagues" such as the WWF and WCW. They were violent, they were unhinged and they were chaotic - but they were also the innovators. The hardcore rules and the blood and guts that captivated fans like wildfire through the 1990s inspired Vince McMahon's Attitude Era, but the fiscal aspects of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian promotion soon ran out. The same company that first introduced the industry with the likes of Raven, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Rhyno, Chris Jericho, the Dudley Boyz, Lance Storm and a whole host of others, would unknowingly host their final major show on January 7, 2001. ECW Guilty As Charged went off the air that night with an advertisement promoting Living Dangerously - to be held on March 4, 2001.March 4 came, and it went. The ECW World Champion Rhyno would make his World Wrestling Federation debut merely two weeks following Guilty As Charged, participating in the 2001 Royal Rumble match. Immediately establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with, 'the Man-Beast' would go on to dominate the competition and become WWF Hardcore Champion. February saw the debut of Justin Credible, another extremist former ECW World Champion. Immediately joining forces with an old friend in Lance Storm, they would meet up with X-Pac to form the faction X-Factor. The Dudley Boyz's little brother Spike Dudley would also make his debut at No Way Out, hoping to aid Bubba Ray and D-Von in their Steel-Cage WWF Tag Team Championship defence against Edge and Christian.The killing blow would be cast one night after March 4, 2001. Twenty-four hours after Living Dangerously 2001 live on pay-per-view, merely did not happen, Paul Heyman made his own World Wrestling Federation debut on TNN. The same channel that months earlier had thrown ECW off the air, Paul Heyman was now WWF's property. An analyst and co-host of RAW is WAR alongside Jim Ross on commentary, his arrival was a surefire indication that ECW was on death's door. It was also another sign of the times, following the departures of longtime personality Jerry 'the King' Lawler and his wife The Kat. The two would leave the company under auspicious situations following a backstage dispute between The Kat and management, and Jerry Lawler would follow suit with his wife.Since the merger of AOL and Time Warner in January 2000, World Championship Wrestling had been in purgatory. It was a money-losing organization that business executives in AOL Time Warner believed had seen its better days. It would be placed on the market in the summer of 2000, with various potential buyers listed and named. Among them was Eric Bischoff, the former WCW President. Fusient Media hoped to acquire what was once his baby - however they would back out of the race in March 2001 despite bidding on the intellectual properties in January.It allowed a one-party race, and on March 23, 2001 - hell froze over. The World Wrestling Federation officially purchased their competition, ending a rivalry that spanned well over a decade. It granted the McMahon Family a monopoly of the entire sports entertainment industry, with no major competition in sight. For the first time since Vince McMahon set out on national, and later global expansion over the entire wrestling business, the World Wrestling Federation had achieved their goal. What ended the year 2000, with three major competitors, four months later had become only one.March 26, 2001 saw the final edition of WCW Monday Nitro, with nobody to know what the future fate of the Atlanta, Georgia-based company would be. Vince McMahon proclaimed all night long that he planned to sign on the bottom line on RAW is WAR, in a special simulcast broadcast on both TNN and TNT. The Chairman called for the fans' opinions on who they wanted to see acquired in the deal: Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Steiner and Booker T among them. Vince's plans for WCW included death, much like the death brought on WCW - when Shane McMahon shocked the world, and purchased WCW from under his father's nose.The year 2001 was already a world nobody knew what to make of. It was full of uncertain horizons, as former talents from World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling wondered where their careers stood. It was full of confusion, as WCW and ECW were no longer options to the casual pro wrestling fan. 2001 came at a time, where days later, perhaps the greatest event in World Wrestling Federation history would take place. WrestleMania X-Seven was always going to be a spectacular show. Held before a sell-out crowd of 67,925 fans in Houston, Texas's Reliant Astrodome, packed with WWF Superstars and Megastars like no other, the sports world had an incredibly busy week. With their work more than cut out for them, the media would follow suit from the WCW acquisition and immerse themselves in the Showcase of the Immortals. The Grandaddy of Them AllHeadlined by Stone Cold Steve Austin culminating a seventeen-month long journey to recapture the WWF Championship from The Rock, it was the biggest main event in WrestleMania history - marked by the two biggest Superstars colliding. In his home state, Stone Cold won over the fans with another intense performance, taking everything 'the People's Champ' had to offer en route to victory. Held under No-Disqualification rules, Rock would lose the will of the people, as his passion for being the absolute best that the World Wrestling Federation had to offer, would soon cost him. Both men left everything in the ring, but one wrong move allowed Austin to hit the Stunner and be crowned a five-time WWF Champion.This WrestleMania was one that would see rebirth, as former friends that helped usher in the Attitude Era four years prior collided, when the co-founders of D-Generation X met for their first-time major encounter. Much had changed since the days of DX, and nearly three years to the day of Shawn Michaels being forced to retire following the main event of WrestleMania XIV, 'the Heartbreak Kid' would ride one more time. Up against his former protege and blood brother, Triple H continued his redemption. After losing the WWF Championship, his wife Stephanie McMahon, his friends in DX, and now his former mentor and best friend Shawn Michaels over the course of a year, 'the Game' revelled in an instant classic encounter at the Grandaddy of Them All. In his second match back since career-ending spinal injury, Shawn Michaels would move spectacularly in a losing effort. After the match, as Triple H celebrated a legendary victory - he offered the hand of respect to bring Shawn back to his feet. Shawn would refuse, leaving WrestleMania instead with the rediscovered respect and adulation of the people.Another man receiving the adoration of the people was none other than the legendary Hulk Hogan. It had been eight years since Hulkamania last ran wild on the Grandest Stage, back at WrestleMania IX. In eight years, Hogan had remained a commodity in Hollywood and television, and continued to stand on top of the world in World Championship Wrestling. Now back in the WWF, in his second match since returning last summer, 'the Real American' put up the fight of a lifetime against 'the American Hero' Kurt Angle. All week long at WrestleMania Axxess, Hulk Hogan had been asked where the future stood following his match with the Olympic Gold Medalist. Hogan remained quizzical himself, putting it forward how he had been thinking about retirement. Yet when the Reliant Astrodome was filled, it was 1985 all over again. The Hulkster wowed the fans adorned in red and yellow, determined to show the world that Hulk Still Ruled. Despite a shocking loss to 'the Megastar', Angle would however leave Hulk Hogan the ring to flex his 24-inch pythons - potentially one last time.The battle of father and son would see the McMahon Family reach its lowest of lows, as in a Street Fight between Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon with Mick Foley as special guest referee, the Chairman would reveal his true self. Since Shane purchased WCW out from underneath his father's nose six days prior, Vince hoped to punish Shane and showed no hesitancy in doing so. Stephanie McMahon soon ran down to ringside with hopes of breaking up the commotion, and tempting both McMen to show remorse and have mercy. Instead, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' would be blasted from the ring, prompting Trish Stratus to come out on behalf of her good friend. Instead, she united herself on pay-per-view around the world, by revealing herself as having an affair with the WWF Owner, while Vince's wife Linda McMahon sat home in state of trauma and sedation. Shane would win the fans over against the exposed devil, showing resiliency and heart, in a chaotic match to allow WCW to prosper against the WWF.The warpath that Chris Benoit had been on, with hopes of forcing his way into the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven would be vanquished by none other than the immortal Undertaker. In his ninth victory on the Grandest Stage of Them All, 'the American Badass' finally hushed the relentless 'Rabid Wolverine' in a war of attrition. The Canadian fought vigorously to put down the veteran with a decade of destruction under his belt, using any submission he could under the sun to put 'the Deadman' away. Despite all, the Undertaker in his home state would turn Benoit's technical tyranny against him, and stand tall as the undeniable victor.History was made one more time in the ongoing saga between three of the finest tag teams of this generation. Three families met for a second time in Tables, Ladders and Chairs, with the WWF Tag Team Championships on the line. Edge and Christian walked in with the titles under their belt, but 364 days following the historic first encounter in the Triangle Ladder match at last year's WrestleMania, it was the Dudley Boyz who would earn their way to becoming three-time WWF Tag Team Champions. They may have had a little help from their brother Spike Dudley, combatted by the Hardy Boyz and Lita as well as the Canadians, but in a match described as a human car wreck, it was believed by most if not all, to be the best of the six men's trilogy of encounters.
In a match that was less artful, and more bowling shoe ugly, Chris Jericho would succumb to defeat at the hands of his recent prominent rival Raven in the unique Astrodome Asylum match. With no disqualifications, no count-outs and falls count anywhere rules enforced, Y2J brought the fight to the shopping cart-equipped challenger in a physical fight that once reached the crowd. When the dust settled, thanks to the constant distractions and interference of Raven's squeeze Tori, a new WWF Intercontinental Champion was crowned - much to the disappointment of the Houston crowd.
It wasn't just those three championships that changed hands at WrestleMania X-Seven, as other gold would also be put at stake. Kane triumphed in a hard-hitting melee against the forces of Rhyno and the Big Show in a Triple Threat match to win the WWF Hardcore Championship. A brawl that spanned the entirety of the Astrodome, including the backstage area, 'the Big Red Machine' soared through the air from the stage to claim victory. Bradshaw would cap off a six-year long journey in the World Wrestling Federation, capturing his first singles title by defeating WWF Commissioner William Regal to become WWF European Champion, in front of Bradshaw's hometown. On Sunday Night Heat, X-Pac would retain the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship against Scotty 2 Hotty by way of underhanded tactics only to face the wrath of the injured Rikishi.
Accomplishing a lifelong dream, Chyna would crown herself as WWF Women's Champion. Having overcome a career-threatening neck injury caused at the hands of Ivory and members of the Right to Censor, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' and Playboy covergirl defeated 'the Role Model' in timely fashion, in a dominant victory. She had been WWF Intercontinental Champion before, as well as the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble back - but for the first time ever, she was now leader of the pack of the other WWF Divas. Better yet, the Right to Censor's reign of terror over the women's division as well as elsewhere appeared to be over - as Chyna's boyfriend Billy Gunn captained the team of himself, K-Kwik and Al Snow to defeat the RTC's Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Mark Henry. Steven Richards had to be beside himself at the state of his organization, as the RTC lost out in a clean sweep.
The World Wrestling Federation was not the entity it was four years ago when the Attitude Era was christened. It was much larger. Public on the New York Stock Exchange, seen worldwide in hundreds of countries on television and on pay-per-view, now without any major competition. The world was in their hands - but what was the new era that was being ushered in before the world's very eyes?
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Post by DTP. on May 9, 2021 20:38:29 GMT -5
June 2021.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 3, 2021 9:02:17 GMT -5
Part II: The Invasion Project.
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Planet Charisma
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jun 22, 2012 16:17:02 GMT -5
Posts: 74
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Post by Planet Charisma on Jun 3, 2021 11:50:09 GMT -5
Glad to see you're still plugging away. I skimmed through Mania and see it was a combination of matches that happened in real life, and your own. I'm excited to see what you do with The Invasion by having actual Invasion guys to lead it, instead of WWE guys essentially competing against themselves.
Also, your detail will always still go unmatched.
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Post by kc on Jun 9, 2021 22:24:00 GMT -5
I've praised this diary in the past, and I cannot wait to read your take on the invasion! I'm hoping for a slow burn and possibly you can get some big wcw names out of their contacts early (flair, goldberg, sting, etc...). wrestlemania was a fantastic read. it will be interesting to see where you go assuming the rock takes a hiatus for hollywood along with keeping austin face (for the time being). keep up the great work and i'm so glad this diary didn't conclude after 'mania.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 11, 2021 7:50:48 GMT -5
RAW is WAR - April 2, 2001 Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas Live on TNN
We open to a series of stills showing the grand spectacular that last night's WrestleMania X-Seven proved to be. Emanating from the Reliant Astrodome in front of 67,925 fans, Limp Bizkit's "My Way" played us through a slideshow of 'the Grandaddy of Them All'.The opening video package aired, bringing us to the Fort Worth Convention Center for the fallout of WrestleMania X-Seven! Pyrotechnics plummeted the stage before a sellout crowd in Fort Worth, Texas, as Jim Ross and Paul Heyman welcomed us to the show. J.R. and Heyman discussed 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' briefly, before talking about tonight!
- TONIGHT - Jim Ross conducts an in-ring interview with new WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin.
- TONIGHT - Bradshaw (c) vs Christian for the WWF European Championship.
- TONIGHT - The Dudley Boyz (c) vs The Right to Censor for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
The crowd immediately booed, as Vince McMahon made his way out to the arena. The mood had changed since Shane McMahon purchased WCW seven nights ago, and since his son beat his ass last night at WrestleMania. Yet Vince was not alone, accompanied by his new mistress Trish Stratus. Scowling to the reaction, Vince told about how he was meant to be the hero in all this. It was his plotting, scheming, villainous son Shane who should have received the heat. Despite that, he quite frankly didn't give a damn about anything they had to say! With a bandaid on his forehead, Vince talked about how he didn't give a damn what the people thought, what the boys in the back thought, or what Shane or even Mick Foley thought. All he knew was this: last night, he went to war with his own son, and failed. He was man enough to admit that. But it was thanks to Shane getting lucky, and escaping such a beating from his old man, as well as the biased officiating of one Mick Foley.
Vince lamented the shortcuts Shane took, ignoring the chants of "bunghole" from Fort Worth. Vince argued Shane McMahon could never beat him in a one-on-one fight, because the Street Fight stipulation offered the new WCW Owner to cheat, by any means necessary! But the Chairman knew he was not all alone, he at least had one person on his side. That person nursed him back to the man he is today, rebuilt and ready to reconquer the World Wrestling Federation - that woman being Trish Stratus! He talked about Trish keeping him cool, calm and collected through this ugly family dispute. Lifting her chin with his finger, he looked her deep in the eye and confessed to the world that what they were doing was dirty, it was devilish, and - much like her - it was a thing of true, natural beauty! No longer did they have to hide their feelings for one another, and for the first time in a long time - the WWF Owner felt alive!
Trish Stratus took the microphone, speaking out about how brave Vince was for fighting his nasty, evil son. She didn't expect the people to know it, but Vince was a true warrior. Before people judged, the WWF Diva urged people to find out the real story. Her boyfriend was not once unfaithful to wife Linda McMahon - their marriage had been on the rocks for months! Trish revealed that Linda McMahon, in her fragile state, was receiving the best around-the-clock physicians and psychiatrists from her traumatic episode. She was well cared for, with only the best money a man could provide for his wife. The people were too cruel to Vince, a handsome and brilliant genius with a heart of gold. With a devious smile, Trish remarked that she knew something was to happen eventually, and when they locked eyes last December, she saw love at first sight. Trish looked Vince deeply in the eyes and told him she loved her, and the two embraced in a passionate albeit disgusting kiss - in the middle of the ring!
Cars screeching interrupted the newest couple in the World Wrestling Federation, bringing out the special guest referee from last night's Street Fight - Mick Foley! Shaking his head, 'the Hardcore Legend' wasted no time joining the Chairman and Trish in the ring before cursing the two of them for their actions last night. As great as it was to be here in Fort Worth tonight, he wished it was under better circumstance. He did not envision the outcome of last night, nor the public displays of affection between a married fifty-five year old horny billionaire, and a twenty-five year old blonde Canadian homewrecker! The former WWF Commissioner said what happened last night was disgusting, repulsive, and downright juvenile. He watched Vince and Shane tear each other apart with chairs and trash cans - it was a bloodbath. They maimed one another and even Stephanie McMahon didn't come away unscathed - but not a single part of the Street Fight last night was as diabolical as what the two of them were doing!
Mick Foley brought up how much he had seen through his career. He'd been set on fire, landed on explosives, nail boards, barbwire and thumbtacks. None of that compared to the moral agony that Linda McMahon was being subjected to. His good friend the WWF CEO had to witness in her fragile state her longtime husband kissing another woman. Vince McMahon tried to interrupt, only Foley ordered he shut the hell up. For thirty-five years, Vince and Linda had been inseparable. They had a family business together, laid groundwork for the McMahon Empire, and unquestionably gave everybody a chance to make it in "the big-time". Yet as grateful and as thankful as Mick was, he felt he had had enough! Linda was the one that granted him his final WrestleMania hurrah last year, elected him to become WWF Commissioner last summer. It never mattered what Vince thought about him, or what Mick thought about Vince - it was a done deal. Yet Linda always defended Vince despite all the wrongdoings and sins he would commit - and for this? Mick looked Vince dead in the face and told him he truly was a gigantic horse's ass!
The Chairman lambasted Mick Foley for failing to show gratitude. Who was it who made 'the Hardcore Legend' such a big WWF Superstar? Who was it that brought Mick back after his evil son Shane McMahon fired him on Christmas Night? Vince told Mick that he gave him one job - to be an unbiased official last night at WrestleMania, and he screwed even that up! Vince called an ingrate, questioning whatever happened to "right down the middle?" Vince demanded an answer from Mick, but he smiled and simply accepted the hand given. Mick said for five long years, he'd worn the World Wrestling Federation on his heart and his sleeve - only to be treated like this? After witnessing Vince and Trish spit in the face of the people, the boys and his own family - Mick didn't think he could be in the same ring as him and his pet anymore. Vince asked for an explanation, when Foley uttered that effective immediately - he quit! Foley stormed out of the ring to loud chants of his name, smiling and throwing his hand in the air in tribute. Meanwhile, Vince responded by wishing Mick good luck on his next book tour: because he couldn't quit - he was fired!- Backstage at the Convention Center in Fort Worth, the doors from the parking lot opened and through the hallway walked none other than the new WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin! Accompanied by his wife and WWF Divas Ambassador Debra, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' had to be on cloud nine after beating The Rock last night. Tonight, he was set to meet Jim Ross in the ring for his first interview as WWF Champion!
A replay took us back to moments ago, where Mick Foley gave Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus a piece of his mind, quitting the World Wrestling Federation on the spot! But not before the Chairman could have his say, firing 'the Hardcore Legend' instead.
In the parking lot, The Undertaker was seen rolling into the building. After defeating Chris Benoit in a scientific battle at WrestleMania last night, 'the American Badass' removed his sunglasses and hopped off his ride, when ambushed by Chris Benoit himself! 'The Rabid Wolverine' was livid about losing at 'the Grandaddy of Them All', stomping at 'the Deadman' who pummelled his way through the fight of the Canadian. Benoit responded by swinging a wrench into the kneecap of the Undertaker, before a chop block sent the big man down once more! Benoit put the boots to the Undertaker's knee, before going as far as to lock in the Crossface on 'the Deadman!' Undertaker screamed in pain, more so over his leg than anything, when Benoit added insult to injury: kicking the Undertaker's motorcycle over, it landing on his leg! Benoit left smiling, with no respect shown to 'the American Badass!'
- 1) The Dudley Boyz (w/Spike Dudley) (c) def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/Mark Henry) to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship (3:50)Following the Right to Censor's disappointing night of losses last night at WrestleMania, Steven Richards thanked Commissioner William Regal for this opportunity tonight as he joined commentary. Not twenty-four hours after the hardest fought match in the Dudley Boyz' careers in Tables, Ladders and Chairs II, D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley put the WWF Tag Team Championships on the line against the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan. The RTC were motivated in double-teaming Bubba, and a bicycle kick from Bull got a near fall. D-Von made the tag and ran wild, when Mark Henry tried getting onto the apron - only to be tripped down from none other than the 150-pound Spike! The Dudleys capitalized to retain the titles, with the 3D on the Goodfather.
The Dudley Boyz celebrated their victory against the Right to Censor, physically exhausted from both the WWF Tag Team Championship defence tonight, and last night's brutal Tables, Ladders and Chairs II altercation against Edge and Christian and the Hardy Boyz. Steven Richards threw down his headset in disappointment, as the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan had failed to bring another win to the RTC's camp. United with Spike, D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley were dominant following WrestleMania.
- Kurt Angle and Stephanie McMahon were settling into their private dressing room for the night, with 'the Megastar' bringing up eagerly what he did to Hulk Hogan last night. He let the Hulkster have his moment to shine while he still could, but the real winner last night was him - he beat 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All', 1-2-3 with the Angle Slam! Stephanie responded underwhelmingly, her mind clearly elsewhere. 'The American Hero' soon prodded 'the Billion Dollar Princess' for what was on her mind, and she ranted about the state of her family! Everybody hated each other, she hated everybody, and worst of all while her Mom Linda McMahon sat at home under professional care - her Daddy was off galavanting with her best friend Trish Stratus! Steph angrily exclaimed she was going to find out what this bullsh*t was all about, leaving the room before the Olympian could get a word in.
A replay showed The Undertaker arriving several minutes ago at the Fort Worth Convention Center, only to be blind-sighted and attacked by the man he beat at WrestleMania last night, Chris Benoit. 'The Rabid Wolverine' did a number on 'the Deadman's knee with a wrench, before disrespectfully kicking a motorcycle on top of his leg.
We returned live, where The Undertaker laid in agony with his leg still laid under the motorcycle. Backstage officials helped lift the motorcycle as a doctor hoped to approach the veteran. Undertaker warned everybody not to get a step closer. He didn't need medical attention, he wanted 'the Rabid Wolverine's ass on a silver platter! Undertaker shoved off a referee's help, but he used his own body weight to stand up, 'the American Badass' quickly crumpled back down to a seated position in pain! Clutching his knee, Undertaker called out for Chris Benoit, as officials came to Undertaker's aid.
- Vince McMahon took a seat on the couch besides Trish Stratus in his office. The Chairman wrapped his arm around her as the WWF Owner dwelled that maybe Foley wasn't any good after all, sarcastically wishing him luck again on his next book sales. Trish began flirting with Vince, talking about how naughty it was being told off by 'the Hardcore Legend'. Everybody hated their guts, and it was the sexiest thing in the world. Stroking the boss's chest, Vince got into it and pondered what to do with a dirty girl like Trish. She began kissing his neck, when Vince told her he would think about it while he's in the restroom.
Trish urged him to hurry back, but when Vince disappeared, in walked Stephanie McMahon! Shocked to see her friend, Stephanie saw red and immediately tackled Trish onto the couch! 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was furious, ramming Trish's head into the couch cushions, and soon the two tumbled onto the floor. Steph doubled Trish over the coffee table and spanked her beneath her leather skirt, when finally Vince returned to break it up! Vince pulled Trish off of Steph, as he demanded help! A crew came in immediately to separate seething Stephanie from Trish, as Vince was left to attend to his new girlfriend!
- We returned to the arena, where X-Factor were seen strutting down to the ring. WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac led the pack of Lance Storm and Justin Credible, as the arrogant extremist alumni prepared for singles competition tonight. The countdown began, and an eruption of sparks flew. Out came Chris Jericho, twenty-four hours removed from a hard-hitting Astrodome Asylum loss to Raven at WrestleMania. Y2J winced at the sight before him, welcoming everybody to RAW is Jericho! The former WWF Intercontinental Champion admitted that last night may not have gone his way exactly. Raven may have done all that he could to sway the odds in his favor, but the chase was not over yet!
Besides, it could be worse - Y2J could be a part of X-Factor! Jericho took great pleasure in incensing the trio, starting by encouraging Fort Worth, Texas to chant "X-Pac sucks" towards the leader. Y2J could be forced to team up with his old as-fun-as-dry-wall buddy Lance Storm - his oldest, most boring amgio; or he could be forced to team with instead of kick Justin Credible's ass tonight! Y2J mocked Credible's name, assuring the people that there was absolutely nothing Incredible about Justin Credible! Despite the loss last night, Y2J was ready to put X-Factor to shame, and they would never ever be the same again! 2) Chris Jericho def. Justin Credible (w/X-Factor) by disqualification (4:07)Y2J's night could have gone more soundly, suffering a major loss to Raven in the intense battleground that was Astrodome Asylum. Chris Jericho lost the WWF Intercontinental Championship thanks to the constant interruptions of Tori, but looked to avenge it against one-third of X-Factor Justin Credible. Credible exuded confidence early, but the Canadian was ferocious with his offence early until a distraction from WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac allowed Credible to gain control. Lance Storm got in a shot through the ropes for good measure, but as Credible attempted That's Incredible, Jericho managed to slip free. Hitting the ropes with a roll-up, Jericho transitioned into the Walls of Jericho - when Lance Storm jumped Jericho from behind!
The former WWF Intercontinental Champion was on his way to submission victory, but X-Factor were on the attack! The WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac played ring leader, as Lance Storm grounded Chris Jericho with right hand after right hand. Justin Credible struck with a super kick for Y2J, when suddenly Raven and Tori came wandering out! Pushing a shopping trolley full of niknaks to the ring, the new WWF Intercontinental Champion surlily surveyed the scene, as X-Factor prepared Jericho for certain doom. Raven grabbed a kendo stick and slipped into the ring.
With arms wide open, Raven prepared to clock Y2J for good after the Astrodome Asylum match - but instead, let loose on Credible and Storm! Raven let loose on Credible's spine with the stick as his girl watched, before dropping Storm with the Evenflow DDT! X-Pac attacked Raven from behind, when Jericho got revenge, sending X-Pac from the ring. Raven smiled across the ring at his rival up-until last night, as X-Factor left in anger. Raven tried talking to Y2J, who was as confused as anyone - when Jericho decided to leave Raven and Tori alone in the ring. No love lost for last night! What was Raven up to?
- Michael Cole was backstage in the APA's Office, where the WWF European Champion Bradshaw was throwing a party by downing a bottle of beer! Michael congratulated the Texan on his win over WWF Commissioner William Regal last night, but then questioned if he thought it was over between he and 'the Goodwill Ambassador'. A jovial Bradshaw responded that it would never be over between he and that pompous Englishman, but last night he had his number. Bradshaw said how great it was to win the title in front of his home state of Texas, and he might have a title defence against Christian tonight, but he was doing what any good champ would do - he's having a blast! The camera panned out to reveal beside him at the poker table - Jacqueline, as well as Kaientai adorned in APA shirts and cowboy hats! They spoke in Japanese and laughed so hard Funaki spilled his beer, causing Bradshaw to bang his fist on the table! Cole wished Bradshaw luck, but the Texan told him to stop cramping their style - they were celebrating!
WWF Commissioner William Regal watched his enemy Bradshaw in disdain on the monitor from his office. In walked Edge and Christian, who wanted to thank 'the Goodwill Ambassador' for the opportunity tonight - but they didn't exactly have the WWF European Championship in mind. William was flabbergasted, caught in a bad mood. Asking what they wanted, they wished for a rematch for the WWF Tag Team Championships! The Englishman gawked, acknowledging the sling Edge's arm was in. He reasoned maybe not tonight. Christian intended no disrespect and asked for tonight's match to be called off, and maybe they could face the Dudley Boyz on SmackDown instead, but Regal told them absolutely bloody not! Besides, the Dudleys had already beaten the Right to Censor tonight. Regal mused for a second, then surmised that if they did him the honor of taking care of Bradshaw tonight, maybe he could arrange to scratch their backs in return. At first Christian didn't understand, but Edge explained it perfectly. They vowed to not let the Commissioner down.
Trish Stratus sat on the couch nursing her wounds, as Vince McMahon walked back and forth in frustration. The Chairman was beside himself at what his own daughter Stephanie McMahon did to Trish moments ago, calling it completely out of line and completely unwarranted! The WWF Owner apologized to his girlfriend, when in walked Kurt Angle sheepishly. 'The Megastar' wanted to apologize to the boss on behalf of his girlfriend, and Vince initially lashed out about 'the Billion Dollar Princess' having no right assaulting Trish. 'The American Hero' apologized again, when Vince took a deep breath.
Recomposing himself, Vince congratulated Kurt on an amazing accomplishment last night - he beat Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania! Not many could stop Hulkamania, but the Olympic Gold Medalist did exactly that, and he was proud of him for that. Angle thanked him, when Vince spoke under his breath to Kurt. Out of sound from Trish, Vince talked about the awkward situation he was in. Vince had Angle pegged to be the next number one contender to Stone Cold Steve Austin's WWF Championship, and he could do that for him - if he could speak some sense into Stephanie. Angle's eyes lit up as opportunity arose, and he told Vince he got it. They shook hands, and Vince wished Kurt luck.
Video highlights aired, taking us back to last night's battle between 'the Real American' and 'the American Hero'. Hulk Hogan had mused all week long that this might be the last time for Hulkamania to run wild, and ultimately Kurt Angle picked up the victory. Yet fans in the Reliant Astrodome in Houston were delighted as Hulk Hogan treated them to a gun show after the match. Back live, Jim Ross called it the performance of a lifetime straight out of WrestleMania's past, but Paul Heyman was unreceptive. He argued this wasn't 1988, this was 2001 - and the man on top, as proven last night was none other than 'the Megastar' Kurt Angle!
- NEXT WEEK: Hulk Hogan returns to RAW is WAR with a special announcement.
- 'The One' Billy Gunn made his way out to the ring to a positive reaction from the Fort Worth crowd. Last night at WrestleMania, Billy Gunn alongside Al Snow and K-Kwik were victorious in six-man tag team action against the Right to Censor, but tonight he came to the ring in one of his girlfriend's shirts. Taking the microphone in the ring, Billy was excited and proud to announce what went down last night. 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' had accomplished her lifelong dream, beating Ivory to become WWF Women's Champion! It was a dominant win capping off a journey that included career-threatening injuries, but now Chyna was here to represent the WWF Divas the right way. She was the hottest newcomer to touch shoulders with Hollywood, a Playboy covergirl among covergirls, and a real role model to young women everywhere. Billy continued, claiming that Chyna as champ would be the most dominant ever in the history of the WWF Women's Championship, before finally introducing the woman of the hour!
The new WWF Women's Champion Chyna came out to the stage, holding back a big smile as the Fort Worth crowd applauded the hero that ended Ivory's near-six month reign as champ! 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' held back tears as the people screamed for her, including young girls in the crowd. Taking the microphone, Chyna spoke about how grateful she was to have some of the best fans in the world. She could not believe the response, and she would not let them down. Abruptly, the new champ would immediately go interrupted as sirens sounded throughout the Convention Center! Steven Richards came stomping down to the ring demanding they stop this incessant madness. With Mark Henry behind him, Steven plodded to the ring to confront Chyna, arguing that she is by far the most undeserving woman to hold that title. Thanks to Chyna, Ivory was in mental ruin over WrestleMania, and Chyna was responsible! Steven blamed Chyna for taking Ivory's livelihood away, and noted that thanks to her, she refused to show up to work today.
Chyna mused that was the Right to Censor's problem, not hers, when 'the Secret Weapon' Mark Henry grabbed the microphone. He spoke softly, asking Chyna what she was doing - this wasn't the girl he remembered. Billy grew defensive about their history and got in Mark's face, all the while Chyna told Mark that she was never anybody's girl. A low blow dropped Henry, when a dropkick from Billy sent him from the ring! Steven tried escaping, but the WWF Women's Champion grabbed him by the tie and dropped him with the Powerbomb! The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan ran out to ringside to join Mark in helping the leader of the RTC out of the arena, whilst Billy would raise Chyna's hand in victory. The new WWF Women's Champion was enjoying a Cinderella story come true!
- Backstage, the dressing room door slung open, and out stepped the new WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' brandished the richest prize in the business on his shoulder, twenty-four hours after defeating The Rock for it in the main event of WrestleMania. Stone Cold was heading to the ring for his first interview as champ with Jim Ross - coming up next!
Highlights aired, taking us back to last night's historic main event at 'the Grandaddy of Them All'. It was one of the most epic matches in World Wrestling Federation history, as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin waged war on one another in front of the Reliant Astrodome for the WWF Championship. The people actually turned on 'the People's Champ', being in Austin's home state of Texas, and 'the Texas Rattlesnake' would walk out once again on top of the mountain. We returned to Fort Worth, where in the ring Jim Ross stood in talking positively about his longtime friend. Welcoming out the new WWF Champion, the glass shattered and Texas erupted! Stone Cold Steve Austin paced to the ring with the WWF Championship gleaming in his hand behind him, as 'the Texas Rattlesnake' saluted the people. J.R. again congratulated Austin in the ring, reminding everybody of the seventeen-month hellacious journey it took him to make it here tonight. Stone Cold spoke out about how he had gone on record in the past as saying not a single bit of it mattered, but as he sat in his hotel room last night looking at the belt in his hands: all Austin could think about was whether it was worth it. Was it worth the broken neck, being struck by a car? Was it worth the agonizing rehabilitation to come back from an injury that should have ended his career? To put it bluntly, the champ answered an astounding "Hell Yeah!" J.R. noted that he and The Rock gave each other everything they had last night, but it was Stone Cold who came out on top.
When asked for comment on 'the People's Champ', Stone Cold regarded that some things will never change. In the main event of WrestleMania last night, both he and Rock spared no blood, no sweat or tears before that final count was made. The only difference was, it was Stone Cold Steve Austin standing in this ring right now - and The Rock was nowhere in sight. Ross made mention of the fact that The Rock was not in attendance tonight, igniting boos of disappointment from the people, and Austin said he expected as such. The Rock can run along and make movies, because what the title on 'the Rattlesnake' now meant was that he was the man running things around the World Wrestling Federation. He knew people wanted Rock to be 'the People's Champ', but Austin was not going to disappoint the people like Rock did by not turning up. As WWF Champion, Stone Cold assured the people that things would be business as usual. He was going to raise as much hell as possible, stomp a mudhole in any contender's asses, and take on allcomers.
Austin decided he wasn't going to waste the night away - issuing a challenge to any sorry son of a b*tch wanting the gold! Stone Cold was not about to wait - and wait, he did not get to do! Triple H came stomping down to the ring in jeans! 'The Game' climbed into the ring with his eyes locked on the WWF Champion, water bottle in hand. They had a lot of history, but he decided to congratulate Stone Cold on a job well done. He did the thing he'd wanted to do, and go full circle by beating The Rock's ass to recapture the WWF Championship. Speaking of journeys, Triple H had one of his own. He lost everything, but he was rebuilding badder, better, faster and stronger. Last night he had his own battle, but with Shawn Michaels. And with his old friend in his rearview mirror, that left only one piece of the puzzle missing from him. Stone Cold mimicked 'the Cerebral Assassin' and said he was stuck living in the past, demanding he make his point. Triple H made it clear that he wanted the WWF Championship. Austin told him 'the Game' was on - he'd see him in this ring, tonight! Austin left to get ready, as Triple H nodded in anticipation!
- TONIGHT: Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) vs Triple H for the WWF Championship.
- With his victory party behind him, Bradshaw was set for his first defence as WWF European Champion. Walking the halls with a smile on his face, he alongside Jacqueline and Kaientai suddenly found themselves halted by two officials, headed by WWF Commissioner William Regal! The Texan hastily confronted 'the Goodwill Ambassador' as the referees explained Jackie, Taka Michinoku and Funaki were barred from ringside tonight; but the Englishman simply smiled back at him. Regal grinningly told Bradshaw he had an unfair advantage, leading the new champ to question Christian having Edge with him tonight. Regal chuckled, wishing Bradshaw luck tonight! Bradshaw called after a departing William, saying it didn't matter. Bradshaw vowed to whip Edge and Christian's asses tonight!
Footage taken from before the commercial break aired, showing the explosive challenge thrown out for tonight. Stone Cold Steve Austin wanted to waste no time in whooping ass, and it went accepted by none other than Triple H. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' would defend his newly won WWF Championship against 'the Game' - tonight!
Chris Benoit sat in the dressing room, when approached by Jonathan Coachman. 'The Rabid Wolverine' rolled his eyes upon seeing the Coach, as he slouched in his chair. When asked about assaulting The Undertaker and looking to have injured his leg in the parking lot tonight, Benoit simply laughed about the whole thing. Benoit claimed that he made 'the American Badass' famous, in his own yard, with his own motorcycle! Benoit asked Coach if that wasn't comedy gold, he didn't know what was. The Canadian was sadistic, and Benoit walked away without any sign of remorse.
- 3) Bradshaw (c) def. Christian (w/Edge) to retain the WWF European Championship (2:46)He won his first singles championship in the World Wrestling Federation last night at WrestleMania before his home state of Texas, but Bradshaw was already thrown into title action tonight by his enemy, WWF Commissioner William Regal. Edge's arm was in a sling after the brutality of Tables, Ladders and Chairs last night, whilst the bandages told a story for Christian. With Jacqueline and Kaientai barred from ringside by 'the Goodwill Ambassador', Bradshaw tried making short work of Christian tossing him around the ring. A fallaway slam connected, nearly simultaneous to a big boot to Edge on the apron. Another distraction gave Christian the edge with an inverted DDT, but the former WWF Tag Team Champions' tactics would backfire as Christian missed an axe handle off the second rope, directly into the Clothesline From Hell, sealing the win for the champion!
Bradshaw had once again overcame the strength in numbers set in place by WWF Commissioner William Regal, but it would quickly go short-lived as Edge jumped Bradshaw in the ring! With one arm, the new WWF European Champion quickly hammered him when Christian jumped in. Bradshaw fought him off as well, when Edge swung with a lead pipe concealed in the sling! The devious former WWF Tag Team Champions put the boots to Bradshaw, when Christian left to grab two steel chairs! Bradshaw was in it alone, with Jacqueline and Kaientai barred from ringside - when the Conchairto struck, leaving the WWF European Champion laying in a heap in the ring! Meanwhile, WWF Commissioner William Regal was seen grinning from the comfort of his office backstage, pleased with the handiwork!
- Kurt Angle caught up with Stephanie McMahon in their dressing room, as 'the Billion Dollar Princess' blew her nose on the couch. 'The Megastar' hesitantly took a seat beside her, having been given orders by Vince McMahon to speak with her. Angle wanted to discuss what happened with Trish Stratus, and more importantly her health. Kurt said he noticed a change in his girlfriend of late, and wanted to talk to her about why that was - he didn't understand it. This instead rubbed her the wrong way, as Stephanie again brought up how much stress and pressure she was under. Coming to her feet, Steph angrily told Kurt that she was happy for him, he beat Hulk Hogan on a stage like WrestleMania - but her? She gets her family ripped apart, her Mom under constant medical supervision, and her Daddy running away with her best friend! She attacked Trish for a reason! Stephanie stormed out, leaving Kurt to call after her in shock, asking her if they could sit and talk like grown adults!
Deep in the heart of Times Square, inside of the hot-and-heavy WWF New York, the fans were being treated to the reunion of Too Cool and Rikishi! The trio danced together for the first time in months last night on Sunday Night Heat leading up to WrestleMania, and tonight in New York City, Scotty 2 Hotty was rejoined by his injured brethren, Grandmaster Sexay and Rikishi!4) Rob Van Dam def. Perry Saturn (w/The Radicalz) (4:24) Last night's WrestleMania saw a big surprise, as former ECW Superstar Rob Van Dam made his World Wrestling Federation debut accepting and embarrassing Eddie Guerrero's open challenge! 'Latino Heat' stood at ringside alongside Dean Malenko and Terri with a look of scorn, as RVD made his RAW is WAR debut against Perry Saturn. Fluffy pink top hat or not, the boyfriend of 'the She-Devil' was in no mood for games, grappling 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' with a series of roughhouse throws early on. The newcomer rebounded swiftly, his educated feet on display when a roundhouse kick caught Saturn on the jaw! Van Dam hit a martial arts kick from the second rope, when the Rolling Thunder was blocked by Malenko's distraction. Saturn scored a death valley driver, but a moonsault from the top rope went missed! RVD went to the top and nailed the Five-Star Frog Splash, to pick up the win!
Rob Van Dam had picked up his second win against the Radicalz in his first two consecutive nights in the World Wrestling Federation, when Eddie Guerrero jumped RVD from behind! 'Latino Heat' talked trash to the newcomer, who began to fight back with rights and lefts when thwarted by Dean Malenko! Malenko dropped Van Dam with the tiger bomb, transitioning seamlessly into the Texas Cloverleaf. RVD refused to give up, as Eddie climbed to the top rope. Scowling all the way, Eddie's Frog Splash went averted - as the new WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz hit the ring! Bubba Ray, D-Von and Spike Dudley's presence caused the Radicalz to bail immediately, as the Dudleys helped Van Dam to his feet. Van Dam had some good old friends in the Dudleys watching his back, and Eddie was beside himself!
- In the backstage corridor, Edge and Christian wielded the chairs they did the damage to WWF European Champion Bradshaw with, celebrating and hollering over the attack! Edge whipped off his sling and high-fived Christian as he spoke about how they held up their end of the bargain with the WWF Commissioner, and now was their time to recapture the WWF Tag Team Championships they were never truly beaten for! They laughed and joked, when William Regal arrived scolding each of them! 'The Goodwill Ambassador' was furious to see the Canadian brothers break the honor and integrity he was trying to upkeep as matchmaker and lawmaker of the WWF. Edge and Christian argued that they did what Regal wanted, which Regal compared to that of barbarians. What they did wasn't civil, it wasn't gentlemanly...but it was satisfying. Musing momentarily, the Englishman finally decided to hold up his end of the bargain - granting them a rematch with the Dudleys this Thursday night on SmackDown! Regal shook his head and left, leaving Edge and Christian to celebrate!- SMACKDOWN! ON THURSDAY: The Dudley Boyz (c) vs Edge and Christian for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
- Chris Jericho was pacing backstage when approached by Michael Cole. Y2J saw the broadcast journalist coming and immediately told "Junior" not to bother him right now. Cole ignored this and asked him about what he made of Raven, a man he swore vengeance on, coming to his aid against X-Factor. The quick-witted Canadian told "Mitchell" that he had no idea what the new WWF Intercontinental Champion was thinking. If there was anything to it, he'd prefer he and that stinky waste of flesh remain enemies. He liked it better that way. Jericho argued he didn't need help against X-Pac or his cronies in X-Factor. But he knew Raven was trying to get under his skin, trying to play mind games with him - but it wasn't going to work. One thing was for sure, and that was he would get back his WWF Intercontinental Championship from that rotten, dirty, diabolical jackass!
Still shots of last night's epic WrestleMania spectacular aired, showing highlights of Shane McMahon defeating Vince McMahon in the Street Fight; Chyna woman-handling Ivory to become WWF Women's Champion; Bradshaw beating William Regal to win the WWF European Champion; Raven coming out on top of the Astrodome Asylum match against Chris Jericho for the WWF Intercontinental Championship; and Triple H defeating Shawn Michaels in an all-time classic. Back live in the Fort Worth Convention Center, Jim Ross spoke dreadfully of Vince McMahon having an affair on his illness-struck wife of thirty-five years Linda McMahon, and going public on global pay-per-view with Trish Stratus. J.R. echoed Mick Foley's sentiments: Vince McMahon was the sickest, evilest piece of trash he'd ever known! Heyman argued for the new couple, suggesting it was ushering in a new era in World Wrestling Federation history!
Walked out on by his girlfriend, Kurt Angle sat on the couch in the dressing room alone. In walked Trish Stratus following a knock on the door, much to 'the Megastar's surprise. Trish, ripped blouse, bra revealed and all, asked where Stephanie McMahon was. She wanted to apologize to Kurt, but when the Olympic Gold Medalist informed her that 'the Billion Dollar Princess' wasn't happy, she turned the other cheek. Brushing Kurt's arm, she assured him Steph was just confused right now and needed time to process the new arrangement. The WWF Diva then asked if she could try to fix her blouse in the restroom, which Kurt directed her to.
Unfortunately, moments later Stephanie McMahon returned to apologize to her boyfriend. Steph reasoned she had not been the happiest lately, but in making a potential breakthrough in their relationship - the toilet in the restroom flushed! Confused, Steph went to investigate, and in seeing Trish she once again took her down to the ground! Stephanie and Trish rolled around on the floor, as Kurt aimed to separate the two - their second fight tonight! Referees barged into the room to once again divide the women, and once again Stephanie stormed out in rage!
- 5) Albert def. Crash (w/Molly Holly) (2:01)Last night on Sunday Night Heat, the Fighting Holly Cousins joined Test in six-man tag team competition defeating Albert and X-Factor members Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Albert was not one to take the loss lightly, but Crash immediately ducked the powerhouse's onslaught where he could. With a hit and run strategy, Crash got a crucifix pin on 'the Freight Train' for a near fall. Crash foolishly believed he could body slam the 350-pounder, allowing Albert to begin tossing and choking Crash in the corner. Molly Holly tried to help as Crash distracted the referee, only to go caught, when a low dropkick gave Crash momentary revenge. Unfortunately, he'd run straight into the bicycle kick, and the Baldo Bomb gave Albert a dominant victory!
'The Freight Train' was not to be messed with coming off of last night's disappointing loss on Sunday Night Heat, but as Albert tried to continue the beatdown on Crash - with Hardcore Holly out injured - Test's music played! It angered Albert to see his former T&A tag team partner, and he left the ring for the two to get into a fist fight on the rampway. It had been breaking down for weeks, as the two quickly disappeared into the backstage area. Meanwhile, Molly Holly would help Crash back to his feet in the ring - for the former WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno to strike, with a sudden Gore! Crash soared across the ring in the process, when Molly tried her hand with right hands for 'the Man-Beast'. Molly hit the ropes, and it led to a grave error: the Gore tearing through her too! Rhyno beat his chest and left, rebounding from last night's title loss to Kane as a man possessed.
- Chris Benoit walked the halls with his duffle bag in tow. Leaving the Fort Worth Convention Center proud of what he did to The Undertaker, 'the Rabid Wolverine' grinned the whole way, when in opening a door he was met by none other than the new WWF Hardcore Champion Kane! 'The Big Red Machine' wanted revenge for what Benoit did to his half-brother, throwing haymaker after haymaker at 'the Wolverine', who defensively tried to kick low. Suddenly, Essa Rios jumped on the back of the new champ! The 24/7 rule was alive and well, as Steve Blackman immediately entered with shots from his martial arts sticks across the spine of Essa! Blackman combatted Kane himself, as Benoit decided to get out of dodge - escaping the wrath of the seven-foot monster!
Kurt Angle was left walking the halls complaining to himself after a second catfight between girlfriend Stephanie McMahon, and Vince McMahon's new mistress Trish Stratus. Approached for interview by Jonathan Coachman, 'the Megastar' was asked about what he planned to do now. Angle looked at the Coach like he had seven heads, telling him he didn't have time for this. He should be in tonight's WWF Championship match, not putting up with this! He had an Olympic Gold Medal, and he beat Hulk Hogan last night - he should be celebrating! Suddenly, the Olympian's tone changed as Vince McMahon approached with a disapproving look on his face. The Chairman ushered Coach to leave, before asking Angle for a word in private. Gulping after what happened to Vince's new girlfriend, Angle nodded and they walked away. Angle had failed to hold up his end of the bargain.
- Rob Van Dam iced his neck after the beating received by the Radicalz moments ago, when in walked the WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz. Spike Dudley was excited to see RVD and hugged his old friend from ECW, whilst a pent-up D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley languished in the nerve Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko had, doing what they did. Did they not remember their roots? They were all cut from the same cloth, and what happened to Van Dam could not stand. RVD told them how he appreciated their help, noting how nice it was to see some familiar faces. The Dudleys argued they had his back through thick and thin, and that went back a long way. This went from Philly all the way to New York, and Bubba had 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' assured what happened with the Radicalz would not stand. D-Von welcomed Van Dam to the World Wrestling Federation, but now was time for action! The three Dudleys left, as Van Dam again thanked them and told them they were cool.
- Triple H applied wrist tape in his locker room, with the main event looming in waking minutes. Michael Cole joined 'the Game' to talk about the challenge thrown out earlier tonight. Denoting how there was a lot of history between the two, a visibly motivated Triple H admitted he was right. They went back years, always neck and neck. This wasn't their first time meeting for the WWF Championship, and the last time he held that title he held 'the Texas Rattlesnake' responsible for The Rock beating him for it, back at Backlash 2000. It had been a long year, but he had bided his time and waited patiently. Through betrayals, backstabbing and politicking: that all came for an end. He was coming full circle tonight, and he planned to capitalize on the opportunity - beating 'the Rattlesnake's ass and taking back what belonged to him. Why? Because he was that damn good! Triple H got up to leave, all geared up for war!
As was the new WWF Champion. Stone Cold Steve Austin left his wife Debra behind as he set off down the hall. Twenty-four hours removed from beating arguably his biggest rival in The Rock in the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven, 'the Texas Rattlesnake' had completed a journey. But it was only just beginning, as a readied 'Rattlesnake' prepared to meet another arch rival in Triple H - the main event, title on the line, coming up next!
6) Triple H def. Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) by disqualification; Stone Cold Steve Austin retains the WWF Championship (10:33)These two men had met numerous times before for the WWF Championship, and after the challenge was thrown out earlier tonight, Triple H was here to come full circle. His story of redemption was demonstrated by beating longtime friend-turned-rival Shawn Michaels last night at WrestleMania in an instant classic, and now coming for the new WWF Champion. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' did not care after beating The Rock in the main event last night, to cap off his own journey. The two battled ferociously back and forth from the bell sounding, the match going through commercial. Austin took control with a Lou Thesz press, but a spinebuster rocked the new champ hard. Focusing on the neck of 'the Rattlesnake', the Fort Worth crowd were split. Austin fired back, a flapjack and a spinebuster of his own regaining momentum. Stone Cold set up the Stunner, but Triple H blocked out of it - the Pedigree connecting...when Kurt Angle hit the ring, dropping 'the Game' with the Angle Slam!
'The Megastar' had had a busy night of controversy, but just cost Triple H his opportunity at leaving Fort Worth, Texas the new WWF Champion! Kurt Angle was not finished with 'the Game', as he continued to put the boots to him before leaving to grab the WWF Championship gold. Snatching it from the timekeeper's table, the Olympic Gold Medalist sized a stirring Stone Cold Steve Austin up, just for the new champion to duck the shot! Austin let loose on Angle, when the Olympian blocked the Stunner into the Angle Slam for 'the Texas Rattlesnake!'
Angle whipped off his shirt and locked in the Ankle Lock furiously on the WWF Champion, when Triple H came to and ran 'the American Hero' from the ring! Angle backed away from the ring poised and primed for the title, whilst Triple H furiously stared him down from afar. But, there was no love lost - as Austin limped back to his feet, and would drop 'the Game' with the Stunner! Austin stood tall with the WWF Championship, his eyes firmly set on Angle! Austin had a lot of competition coming his way; his reign had only just begun!
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Post by DTP. on Jun 15, 2021 17:00:48 GMT -5
SmackDown! - April 5, 2001 Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Broadcast on UPNTaped on April 3, 2001
The opening video package aired, cutting to the pyrotechnics above the ring inside the Myriad Convention Center! Four days following a spectacular WrestleMania X-Seven, the fans in Oklahoma City were on their feet as Michael Cole and Tazz welcomed us to SmackDown!
- TONIGHT: The Dudley Boyz (c) vs Edge and Christian for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
- TONIGHT: Chris Jericho vs Justin Credible
- TONIGHT: WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven vs WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac
Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus wasted no time in kicking off SmackDown, walking down to the ring with arms linked to the rabid boos from the Oklahoma crowd. As fans chanted "assh*le" his way, the Chairman recounted on what he touched on last Monday on RAW is WAR, stating he didn't care what his family had to say, what the boys in the back had to say, or what any single hillbilly from Oklahoma had to say! Vince talked about how he expected some hostilities from hooking up with Trish, but as he said on RAW; he has taken good care of Linda McMahon. She may still be unwell, but she is safely guarded by around-the-clock nursing staff and the best medicine money can buy - so quite frankly, Vince was a happy man. That is, excluding one thing in particular. Contrary to belief, it was not to do with what his daughter Stephanie McMahon did to his new girlfriend Trish backstage on two separate occasions. Instead, it was something brought to his attention by the WWF Diva.
Handing the microphone to Trish Stratus, Vince McMahon listened as she spoke out about some of the spiteful, hatred-fuelled looks she received when she walked the halls last Monday night. She felt naked, exposed to the world...but it felt so good, knowing that she was all Vince's, and Vince was all hers! Trish received derogatory chants from the fans like her boyfriend, as she singled out the negative response from the announcers! Trish pointed at Michael Cole and Tazz on commentary and warned them about their professionalism as broadcast journalists - they were to remain unbiased! This rubbed Vince the wrong way and he snatched the microphone, pointing the finger at Cole and Tazz and reminding them of what he did to Mick Foley on RAW is WAR - when he fired his ass back to writing books! Yet, Trish reassured Vince and patted his broad chest: Cole and Tazz weren't the problem at all.
Instead, Trish Stratus demanded Jim Ross make his way out to the ring! The hometown boy made his way down to the ring to the confusion of everybody, despite the sound of the Oklahoma Sooners bringing on a massive ovation. J.R. climbed into the ring hesitantly, when Vince McMahon snarled and ordered they cut the ridiculous music! Trish confronted J.R. and spoke about the despicable things he had to say, as the apparent "Voice of the World Wrestling Federation" last Monday night. Jim continued to not know what the issue was, when Trish reminded her by pulling up footage. Jim Ross and Paul Heyman sat on commentary on RAW is WAR discussing WrestleMania, when J.R. went on a verbal tirade about how Vince was the sickest, evilest piece of trash he had ever known. Back in the ring, Trish asked how true the words were that J.R. said. The people cheered, when Trish asked Jim what he thought. J.R. looked at Vince and Trish, before looking to the people in his hometown for their thoughts: and J.R. concluded that it was true he said those things, and he wouldn't change a damn thing!
Jim Ross told Trish Stratus that she had a lot of nerve calling him out here to intimidate him, to embarrass him and degrade him, all in front of his hometown. Doubling down, he resented the fact that Linda McMahon was forced to sit home and bare witness to his husband kissing a woman old enough to be his daughter on pay-per-view with the world watching! Finally, Vince McMahon had heard enough. The WWF Owner understood where Jim Ross was coming from, and for what it's worth: he thought J.R. was the dumbest, fattest, Southern hick he had ever seen. But he was good enough to be the Voice of the WWF; the lead announcer of RAW is WAR. Yet Vince reminded him of what happened to Mick Foley, and he didn't want that to happen to him too. Vince asked J.R. for an apology, and instead...Jim told the Chairman that wasn't going to happen! J.R. told Vince to go to hell, and the Myriad Convention Center erupted!
Trish Stratus was gobsmacked, but Vince McMahon reasoned that he wasn't going to fire J.R. He could, but he wouldn't. Instead, the Chairman had one better - since Jim Ross hated the idea of being humiliated, Vince believed a lesson was in order. Perhaps it should be a match, in front of J.R.'s adoring friends, family and "Boomer Sooner Buddies!" Vince asked the people who wanted to see J.R. wipe the floor with Vincent Kennedy McMahon tonight, to loud cheers - but Vince denied each of them that opportunity - as he welcomed out J.R.'s true opponent tonight: the Big Show! The former WWF Hardcore Champion plodded down to the ring with something to prove. At seven-foot-two, 500-pounds, 'the Hardcore Giant' had his eyes locked on the helpless announcer - when front behind came a good friend of good ol' J.R. - the new WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin! Austin rocked Show with right hands from behind, causing Show to roll into the ring.
'The Texas Rattlesnake' had had enough of this public humiliation, and brought the fight to Big Show as Vince McMahon, Trish Stratus and Jim Ross stepped towards the corners of the ring. Austin fought off 'the Giant's bear-like right hands, stomping a mudhole - when for a second time in one week, Kurt Angle hit the ring and dropped Stone Cold with a German suplex! Austin rolled out, as J.R. found himself cornered by the advancing Big Show and Kurt Angle. Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus smiled from the apron, when Stone Cold rolled back inside with a steel chair in hand! Running off 'the Megastar' and 'the Giant', Stone Cold stood side-by-side with his close friend Jim Ross. The fans erupted in Oklahoma, when Vince McMahon applauded from ringside. Over the microphone, Vince adjusted tonight's match: it wouldn't be Jim Ross taking on the Big Show; it would be the Big Show and Kurt Angle taking on Stone Cold Steve Austin...and good ol' J.R! Ross shook his head, as Austin talked trash to Show and Angle. How would this match work?
- TONIGHT: WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross vs Kurt Angle and Big Show
Replay footage aired, taking us back to the attempted public humiliation of Jim Ross, held by Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus. After brushing fate with the Big Show, WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin came to his aid against both 'the Giant' and Kurt Angle - and a certainly unique tag team match was made official for tonight! How would Austin cope?
- In the arena, Steven Richards climbed into the ring, joining his Right to Censor subordinates the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan. The crowd booed as the sirens and alarms wailed, Steven on the microphone disappointed by the recent string of losses. Ivory was no longer the WWF Women's Champion thanks to Chyna, and the RTC fell both at WrestleMania as well as the following night on RAW is WAR. But the great thing about fighting the good fight was the RTC's ability to bounce back - and tonight against the Hardy Boyz, that's exactly what they planned to do! Tonight, Steven vowed that they would take back what they fought for, and the world would be a much better place for it!1) The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/Steven Richards) (3:32)Team Xtreme were in action for the first time since the intense car-wreck that was Tables, Ladders and Chairs at WrestleMania. As the Right to Censor hoped to rebound from WrestleMania's clean sweep of losses, the Hardy Boyz fought through their mild injuries. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan targeted the bandaged ribs of Matt, but a missed corner splash allowed Jeff to make the tag and clean house of the RTC. Bull Buchanan cut him short with a sidewalk slam as Steven pulled on Jeff's foot as he came off the ropes, but when Steven distracted the referee on the apron, Lita soared with the flying headscissors off the top rope to Bull! Matt hit the Twist of Fate, and Jeff's Swanton Bomb gave the Hardy Boyz the win!
Steven Richards' jaw gaped open in shock, as the Right to Censor had lost yet again tonight against the Hardy Boyz! Jeff and Matt Hardy were sore and bruised from TLC II last Sunday at WrestleMania, but as they were joined in the ring by Lita, it was clear that Team Xtreme were not yet down and out! As the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan received a lecture from Steven at ringside, the Hardy Boyz celebrated inside; seasoned for the WWF Tag Team Championships.
- Vince McMahon laughed in the hallway, as he and Trish Stratus reminisced on the look on Jim Ross's face when he thought he was getting fired moments ago. The Chairman was in near hysterics, when up walked Kurt Angle. 'The Megastar' congratulated Vince on the move to get he and the Big Show in the ring with J.R. and Stone Cold Steve Austin, hoping it would put him in the good books for a WWF Championship shot. Angle reminded Vince he did what he asked, interfering in the title match with Austin and Triple H on RAW is WAR - maybe that would put him next in line. Vince assured the Olympic Gold Medalist that it may, but he still failed to deliver on what was promised. Vince asked where his daughter was, when Angle confessed that his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon didn't want to come to the building tonight, and stayed at the hotel. Vince nodded his head, but in removing his suit jacket from Trish's shoulders said he would talk to Steph himself, speculating 'the Billion Dollar Princess' needed her Dad more than ever. Vince left, leaving Kurt and Trish perplexed.
- It had been a turbulent week for Chris Jericho, as he walked the halls with a determined look on his face. After being beaten by Raven in the Astrodome Asylum match at WrestleMania, to then be saved from an X-Factor attack from his rival on RAW is WAR - up next, Y2J got his shot at redemption against Lance Storm!
Spike Dudley searched each and every room for his brothers the Dudley Boyz, knowing they had their WWF Tag Team Championship match tonight against Edge and Christian. Spike lurked the halls and checked each door, some locked and others not containing D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley. Finally, he came across a blanketed doorway. Peering through, he spotted that it was the shower room! With her back to the camera, inside was none other than Terri washing her hair! Spike's eyes popped out of his head in watch, when 'the She-Devil' turned around, spotting the runt of the Dudley litter! She screamed and guarded herself with a towel, demanding Spike leave immediately. Spike panicked and bailed, but Terri was fuming, calling him a pervert!
- The countdown began as darkness fell over the Myriad Convention Center. Ceasing with an eruption of pyrotechnics, Chris Jericho posed on his way out to the ring for action! With a microphone in hand, Y2J spoke about the wild trials and tribulations that had befallen him of late. Just when he thought losing the WWF Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, to a guy like Raven was the lowest he could stoop: now he's got to tangle with his boring old buddy, Lance Storm? Jericho said that he could smell Raven from miles away, knowing full well the rotting scent of garbage blended with spoiled eggs; but when it came to X-Factor, he knew they were coming by the smell of cheap cologne and toilet water! Y2J could not figure out who was greasier - X-Factor or Raven, but assured his adoring Jerichoholics that tonight would be another win for Y2J, and another fat L for Lance Storm! 2) Lance Storm def. Chris Jericho (4:50)They had been friends from Canada since the start of their careers, and eleven months after Lance Storm's debut interruption on RAW is WAR, the X-Factor member hoped to claim victory from Chris Jericho. Y2J had Justin Credible beat on RAW is WAR when X-Factor struck, and he wasted no time in besting Storm. Lance was by himself strangely tonight, as the two engaged in some fast-paced, ground-based action trading holds on the mat. Jericho gained an opening with a springboard dropkick sending Storm off the apron, but a missed plancha allowed the Canadian to take control. Arching Y2J's spine over his knee, the Jerichoholics willed him into it, and a bulldog connected, when Justin Credible ran out, pulling the second rope! Y2J's Lionsault went awry, and Storm capitalized with the Calgary Kick to pick up a tainted upset!
X-Factor had struck again, this time costing Chris Jericho an important match against Lance Storm! Justin Credible chomped on his gum at ringside, as Y2J remained down and out in the ring. Storm had his hand raised, as the two cronies of the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac left the ring in high spirits. X-Pac was scheduled to meet the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven later tonight, but how would Y2J recover from such a post-WrestleMania drought?
- On his way to visit Stephanie McMahon in her hotel room, Vince McMahon strutted out to the parking lot. His driver was waiting, but just as the Chairman opened the door to climb in he would come face to face with Stone Cold Steve Austin. The WWF Champion glared Vince in the eyes, asking him what happened. Through it all, the rivalry, all the Stunners, the screwjobs, the end of an era. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' was to believe Vince needed his help back at No Way Out. They shared a ring when Vince was feeling glum about his family hating his stinking guts: and of course, that proved to be for a reason. Vince shrugged and tried to leave, explaining that old habits died hard.
Austin turned the other cheek, holding the limousine door open and demanding he look at him in the eyes. Stone Cold said he wasn't surprised when it was revealed Vince had been fooling around with that buxom blonde piece of ass, Trish Stratus. He knew the WWF Owner was a jackass, and as far as he was concerned, let the good times roll. Austin warned Vince of the road he was on: telling Kurt Angle to get involved in his business, picking on good ol' Jim Ross - he couldn't wait to whoop the boss's ass all over again. Vince gulped, when Austin demanded he get the hell out of his sight. Stone Cold left, and the limousine took off for the hotel: a stern warning from an arch rival!
Steven Richards was backstage lecturing the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan on another disappointing loss to the Hardy Boyz tonight. Steven argued that they could not allow the Right to Censor to crumble. They'd already lost the WWF Women's Championship, like they'd lost Ivory to personal problems. Pointing his finger at the chests of the bowed-in-shame RTC members, Steven stated that this could not stand. Mark Henry watched with his arms folded behind them, as Steven implored them to go out and make a statement. It was their duty to fight the good fight, and the night was young: tonight, they were to seize the opportunity. Goodfather, Buchanan and Henry agreed.
- Michael Cole and Tazz sat at the announce table, discussing Hulk Hogan's important announcement planned to be made this Monday on RAW is WAR. Tazz explained that while stoked he was to see 'the Real American' rise again and let Hulkamania run wild on the Reliant Astrodome, at WrestleMania: he genuinely thought he was out of his element against Kurt Angle. Cole thought it was a legendary career among careers that the Hulkster had enjoyed, but pondered whether the rumors were true: was it time for Hulk Hogan to hang up the yellow boots?
- RAW is WAR ON MONDAY: Hulk Hogan returns to RAW is WAR with a special announcement.
- Strutting down the rampway in style, the expensive tracksuit-clad D-Lo Brown made a grandiose arrival. Since winning the lottery several weeks ago, 'the Real Deal' had been living a high roller lifestyle ever since, and he quickly took to the microphone in the ring to brag about his newfound wealth. Showing off his Rolex watch and the gold chain hanging around his neck, D-Lo exclaimed how great a time he had last weekend at WrestleMania X-Seven. While most of the peasants and the shmucks lined up all day long for pictures and autographs to meet their favorite WWF Superstars at WrestleMania Axxess, he was out on the club. He was fetching eighteen holes, brushing shoulders with some of the biggest stars to ever come out of Texas! And at WrestleMania, despite some unwanted interruptions from the likes of Kamala the Ugandan Giant and Doink the Clown; he had a hell of a time. Why? Because he didn't need to fight anymore. He watched from his skybox, and he enjoyed WrestleMania in peace - without needing to worry about any of the ugly people out there!
D-Lo exclaimed he didn't need to win gold or earn accomplishments. All of the accolades, it meant little to him because he was filthy rich. He had a 24 karat chain around his neck that said he was on top of the world. Abruptly, K-Kwik came pacing down to the ring! K-Dawg talked trash on his own mic about how full of himself D-Lo truly was. K-Kwik climbed into the ring causing D-Lo to throw up his hands in mercy, but K-Kwik was here to give D-Lo a piece of his mind, and the people's minds! He said D-Lo was no longer "Down with the Brown" - he was dressed like a white boy now! The Oklahoma crowd took delight in chanting "white boy" D-Lo's way. K-Kwik reminisced about being betrayed by D-Lo last month on Sunday Night Heat, and now was the time for D-Lo to get got. Immediately attacking the unsuspecting rich man, the rapper swept D-Lo from the ring with a corkscrew kick off the ropes! K-Kwik stared D-Lo down as he stormed out in rage, not knowing that Rhyno was right behind him. Striking K-Dawg with the Gore, 'the Man-Beast' beat his chest in a war cry - but why was Rhyno doing this?
- Edge and Christian plotted strategy for their WWF Tag Team Championship rematch backstage. Christian feigned concern for the shoulder of Edge as he wore the sling, only to whip it off with a sinister laugh. Lead pipe in hand, Edge remarked how many times they had beat the Dudley Boyz, and tonight would be no different. Tonight they would become three-time champs, and those kooky looking dorks would need new glasses once they were done kicking their butts. Christian said they never lost the titles like champions do - they lost Tables, Ladders and Chairs without being pinned - what kind of champs were the Dudleys? Edge laughed and said they should get going, when Christian asked if they should be worried about Bradshaw, after leaving him laying last Monday night. Edge shrugged it off - that dumb Texan doesn't have a head on his shoulders after the Conchairto they gave him!
Elsewhere, the Dudley Boyz were united as the WWF Tag Team Champions headed down the hall. Spike Dudley had found his brothers D-Von and Bubba Ray, and with game faces on, the new champs looked to continue their dispute with Edge and Christian - up next! The Chairman had arrived at the hotel down the street, as his limousine pulled up in the parking lot on a dry night in Oklahoma City. Vince McMahon stepped out of the limo and observed the exterior, before instructing his driver to wait for him - this wouldn't take long at all. Vince headed inside to speak with his daughter Stephanie McMahon, but would 'the Billion Dollar Princess' be pleased to see her father?
- 3) The Dudley Boyz (w/Spike Dudley) (c) def. Edge and Christian to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship (5:14)The WWF Tag Team Championships changed hands last Sunday at WrestleMania, in a car wreck that was Tables, Ladders and Chairs. The Dudley Boyz came out on top, but the scheming Edge and Christian called in a favor with Commissioner William Regal to score this rematch. D-Von and Bubba Ray were dominant from the start, Spike cheering his brothers on from ringside. Edge would turn the tables with the Edge-o-matic on Bubba, nursing a concussion from TLC II last Sunday. The former champs manipulated Bubba, as D-Von and Spike got the crowd behind their brother. Catching Christian with a sidewalk slam, the tag was made and D-Von came firing on all cylinders! The Dudleys set up for the 3D, when Christian shoved the referee and Edge low blowed D-Von. Christian used the title belt on both Dudleys! Edge and Christian had the titles won when Kaientai hit the apron in APA shirts! Edge and Christian chased them off, only for Edge to walk into Spike's Dudley Dog! The Dudleys hit Christian with the 3D - giving the champions the win!
The WWF Tag Team Championships were not changing hands so soon after TLC II, as the Dudley Boyz had their hand raised by Spike Dudley and the referee. Bubba Ray held his head as D-Von handed his half-brother the gold, whilst Kaientai laughed evilly from the rampway. Taka Michinoku and Funaki had gotten even with Edge and Christian for their part in WWF European Champion Bradshaw's beatdown from RAW is WAR and left quickly, leaving Edge and Christian baffled by what had befallen them! The Dudleys continued their celebration in the ring, when the Radicalz came down to the ring - Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko attacking all three Dudleys!
The Dudley Boyz were powerless after a hard-fought victory, but the presence of 'the She-Devil' Terri explained the motive clearly. Spike tried to put up a fight only to be dropped with a powerbomb from Saturn, who stood over the runt of the Dudley litter and pointed the finger! Terri had told Perry all about Spike's perverse voyeurism from earlier tonight, as 'Latino Heat' played ringleader grabbing a steel chair. But it wouldn't last long, as Rob Van Dam came running down to the ring with a roundhouse kick for Saturn! Ducking Eddie's chair shot, Van Dam nailed Eddie in the gut with it, before tossing the chair to Malenko and clashing him with the Van Terminator! The Radicalz ducked from the ring as RVD stood beside the recovering Dudleys. They had each other's backs, but the Radicalz were known for their resilience!
- Big Show was seen stretching ahead of the tag team main event in his locker room, when in walked Kurt Angle. 'The Megastar' played it casually with his former Coalition ally, asking the former WWF Hardcore Champion how it was going. 'The Giant' reacted coldly towards him, ignoring the Olympic Gold Medalist. Angle proposed they talk strategy ahead of the match with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross; the Olympian believing since Show had been assigned J.R. on humiliation duty, he should get the WWF Champion to himself. Show chuckled and told him that he'd heard it before, and they were doing things his way tonight. Kurt asked Show what he ever did to wrong him, when Show reminded him clearly of the fact he was the most loyal member of the Coalition.
When Kurt Angle was WWF Champion, Big Show had his back far more than Chris Benoit, Edge or Christian ever did. What did he get? He got the Coalition falling apart, because 'the Megastar'' grew too obsessed with the gold. The seven-foot beast told 'the American Hero' that for far too long he had stood by and waited, and watched as Kurt got everything handed to him on a silver platter. No more, because the Big Show was coming for the gold. It was his time to shine, and tonight: he was going to take great pleasure in kicking 'the Texas Rattlesnake's ass and beating him flat like the pathetic little reptile he was! Angle stared Show down, before telling him not if he beat Austin first. Tension was building among the former Coalition members - tasked with Austin and Jim Ross tonight!
Vince McMahon had arrived at the quiet hotel in Oklahoma City, walking the corridor before coming across the room of Kurt Angle's and Stephanie McMahon's. The Chairman knocked on the door twice, neither time receiving any reaction from his daughter inside. Calling 'the Billion Dollar Princess's name, Vince soon tried the door - it was unlocked. Inside sat Stephanie McMahon on the bed, her head facing out of the window. Vince took a seat on the bed behind her, confessing how much this was breaking him up. His two most favorite people in the world could not get along, and his favorite child wouldn't even speak to him. It never used to be like this. Vince reminded Steph of all of the good times they had shared together, looking back at her as being 'Daddy's Little Girl'. Vince brought up how she and Trish Stratus were friends, what had changed? He just couldn't understand the hostility involved. Stephanie McMahon remained silent, refusing to acknowledge her Dad's presence. Vince McMahon continued as the boss asked if it was because of the entire McMahon Family drama that had led us to this point.
Admittedly, Vince felt the need to apologize for hurting her feelings, but denoted how stressed he had been too. He had Shane McMahon to deal with, whatever he had planned with WCW to deal with, as well as her poor mother Linda McMahon's fragile state to deal with: and Trish had been there for him. Vince was sorry for keeping his relationship with Trish so quiet, but he had to. He was a billionaire now, they had the stock market and shareholders to deal with. Steph continued to be tight-lipped, and Vince grew angry. Vince was sorry that he had somebody that made him so happy, someone that truly cared about him. Did Stephanie not care about him anymore? Vince told Steph that he'd said his peace, and if she had anything to say to him, to say it now because he had SmackDown to take care of. Finally, Stephanie turned her head to Vince. With a scowl on her face, 'the Billion Dollar Princess' slapped her own Dad across the face hard, before leaving the crest-fallen Vince in shock!
- 4) WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven (w/Tori) def. WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac (w/X-Factor) (4:16)Raven rescuing his own rival Chris Jericho from an X-Factor beating had led us to Champion vs Champion action tonight. After Lance Storm had beaten Chris Jericho earlier in the night, he and Justin Credible joined X-Pac to the ring whilst Raven and Tori led a shopping cart of goods down to ringside. Raven fought valiantly to a surprising show of appreciation from the crowd, rolling out of the ring and giving Credible a right hand! A distraction from Storm which led to X-Pac claiming control off of a roundhouse kick. The Bronco Buster led to Storm and Credible strangling Raven in the corner, but Chris Jericho darted to ringside, battling with X-Factor at ringside in retaliation for being screwed tonight! As Y2J dove off the top rope with a crossbody to Storm and Credible, Tori passed Raven a kendo stick from the cart - clocking X-Pac with it and dropping him with the Evenflow DDT for the win!
In a match between the WWF Intercontinental Champion and the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, Raven had prevailed with the unexpected assist from Chris Jericho! Y2J had to be doing it more for the screwjob loss sustained to Lance Storm earlier, but nonetheless the distraction had enabled Tori to help her man out against X-Pac. Chris Jericho rolled into the ring having given Storm and Justin Credible a pounding, as Raven stood in victory with the kendo stick clasped high above his head. Raven looked to consider whacking Y2J from behind with it, but as Jericho turned, Raven instead dropped the weapon and threw his arms wide open! With a smile, the champ rolled out to the floor leaving his enemy alone in the ring, confused. The motives of Raven were growing stranger by the night!
- Commissioner William Regal sat in his office on the telephone, regressing that this could not go on and had to be taken care of. Whomever was on the other end of the line was given a stern lecture about something, when in walked the sieging Edge and Christian. Mad that the wool had been pulled over their eyes, they emphatically yelled about Kaientai screwing them out of recapturing the WWF Tag Team Championships! 'The Goodwill Ambassador' ended his phonecall in annoyance, telling them that they shot their luck and he didn't have time for this. The Canadians aggravatingly demanded a chance to get their hands on Taka Michinoku and Funaki, when Regal got up and left the room. If they wanted to take care of Kaientai, the Englishman implored that they simply go and bloody do something about it! Regal had clearly been caught at a bad time.
Tori sat on the stairs backstage in the Myriad Convention Center, attached to the arm of the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven. Moments following his win against X-Pac and unique encounter with Chris Jericho, Jonathan Coachman was quick to confront the two-time champ about his intentions with Y2J. Raven let out a chuckle, letting the Coach know that there was no story here. Just the other night at WrestleMania, he beat Chris Jericho in the Astrodome Asylum. He made Y2J feel how he felt, and it is by mere coincidence that Y2J is involved in his business with that punch of pee-ons, X-Factor. X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible are dudes he had known for years, but they crossed paths with the wrong guy - so he took care of them. Tossing the title over his shoulder, Raven stood up and remarked to Coach that maybe there is work to be done when it comes to Y2J. Cryptically until then, quoth the Raven, nevermore.
- Michael Cole and Tazz sat at the announce table discussing the cryptic comments made by the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven, before talking more about what went down last Sunday night at WrestleMania. Highlights from 'the Grandaddy of Them All' aired, taking us back to Stone Cold Steve Austin defeating The Rock to become WWF Champion; Triple H overcoming Shawn Michaels; Tables, Ladders and Chairs II seeing the Dudley Boyz triumph over longtime nemeses Edge and Christian and the Hardy Boyz; Rob Van Dam making a smashing debut trouncing Eddie Guerrero's open challenge; Bradshaw winning his first title in the WWF European Championship against William Regal; and The Undertaker beating Chris Benoit. Back at the announce table, Cole and Tazz kept the ball rolling by announcing that on Sunday Night Heat this weekend on MTV, they would be joined by special guest, the new WWF Women's Champion, Chyna! Abruptly, Cole received word through his headset that we were being joined by a special guest inside WWF New York right now...
- LIVE IN WWF NEW YORK ON SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT: Michael Cole and Tazz interview the new WWF Women's Champion Chyna.
Live from Times Square in WWF New York, the WCW Owner had arrived in the Big Apple! Shane McMahon was seen stepping out to the stage inside the entertainment complex in New York City, as Tazz stressed that Shane O'Mac had no right being there! Shane got on the microphone, declaring that he was alive and well, after beating Vince McMahon last Sunday night at WrestleMania! The fans cheered, as Shane admitted how long the last week had been for him. He had been in meeting after meeting with Ted Turner's people, handling the business handover of WCW. But once and for all, he was well and truly the official Owner of WCW now and going forward! Shane said it would all be worthwhile, after his father Vincent Kennedy McMahon plotted to buy the company for himself, and kill it once and for all. Shane declared that this would never happen, that WCW will live on and we would see WCW rise from the ashes this summer.
Michael Cole chimed in, wanting to ask Shane McMahon what he made of the revealed affair his father Vince was having on mother Linda McMahon, with Trish Stratus. Shane told Cole wholeheartedly that he was as shocked as everybody in the Reliant Astrodome, as shocked as everybody watching around the world. His dearest sympathies were with his poor Mom back home in Greenwich, whom he planned to visit real soon...but not yet sooner than he would his old man. Between positive meetings and discussions with television network executives across the United States of America, Shane O'Mac declared that he did indeed plan to be in Boston, Massachusetts this Monday for RAW is WAR - and Shane planned to confront his Dad right in the middle of the ring! Cole wished Shane the best of luck with business, and Shane planned to do only the very best thing he could right now - and buy the next round, for all of the good people in WWF New York! The people roared, as the WCW Owner effectively won the WWF fans over, in the WWF's own back yard!
- RAW is WAR, THIS MONDAY: WCW Owner Shane McMahon confronts his father, WWF Owner Vince McMahon.
- Days following assaulting the Undertaker in the parking lot on RAW is WAR, Chris Benoit walked the corridors of the backstage area with a big smirk on his face. 'The Rabid Wolverine' found himself stopped by Lilian Garcia, who needed to know what was going through Benoit's mind that pushed him to do what he did. Benoit chuckled to himself as he said everybody had been asking him the same thing all week long. Unfortunately for her, Lilian was just going to have to wait and find out like everybody else. Benoit remarked that this explanation deserved the luxury of being made in 'the Deadman's yard - in the ring! Benoit walked off, with apparent plans to address Oklahoma City!
'The Rabid Wolverine' did in fact plan on entering 'the Deadman's yard to give an explanation for Monday's parking lot assault. Chris Benoit walked to the ring with an arrogant grin on his toothless face, pleased with the replay footage of the number he did on the Undertaker's knee with a wrench. 'The American Badass' could barely stand to walk after the ambush, and Benoit took great pleasure in patting himself on the back, with a microphone in hand. Everybody feared the Undertaker, and it was so impressive to see a man like that dominate the World Wrestling Federation so callously, leaving behind a decade of destruction. Nobody had ever seen him truly suffer, to rive in pain and beg for mercy. While it's true that the Undertaker got lucky at WrestleMania, when he narrowly scraped defeat by his hands - nobody had ever seen 'the Deadman' so helpless against someone like he - the best technical wrestler in the world today! Nobody had ever seen Undertaker so down and out, until he came along last Monday night and took him out to pasture.
For over a decade, the Undertaker had been a walking zombie. He moved, he leapt and he scathed opponents far and wide. He overcame so many faces, but none quite like him. Benoit didn't jump the Undertaker out of spite last Monday night on RAW is WAR - he jumped him because he felt sorry for him. It was like putting an old horse down and out for the last time, and it was fitting in a way to watch a man called 'the Deadman' suddenly look so damn humane! Much like Undertaker used to say himself, and he said it loudly and proudly - may 'the Deadman' finally, mercifully rest in peace, because this was Chris Benoit's finest hour! Flames shot across the stage spontaneously, and out stomped the Undertaker's half-brother Kane - the WWF Hardcore Champion with an axe to grind with his Brother of Destruction's attacker! 5) Kane (c) vs Chris Benoit ended in a no contest; Kane retains the WWF Hardcore Championship (3:41)The damage done to the Undertaker incensed Kane, who attacked Chris Benoit backstage on RAW is WAR, after Benoit had done the same to 'the American Badass'. He got away on Monday, as the likes of Essa Rios and Steve Blackman wanted the WWF Hardcore Champion's title, but tonight in impromptu action, Benoit looked to put down the second Brother of Destruction. Benoit jumped 'the Big Red Machine' before he got in the ring, the action spreading across ringside. Kane used his size as an advantage, hurling Benoit into the front row and using a cookie sheet over his spine! Finally Benoit fired back, sending the seven-foot monster into the ring post and back inside the ring for an armbar. Kane soon powered up, able to transition into a major powerbomb! Kane lashed out with right hands and a sidewalk slam, when a flying clothesline impacted the Canadian! Kane prepared the Chokeslam, when the Right to Censor suddenly hit the ring!
Steven Richards watched from ringside as Mark Henry, the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan hammered Kane from behind, buying Chris Benoit enough time to avoid certain doom at the hands of the Chokeslam! The Right to Censor were missioned by Steven to seize the opportunity tonight, and after losing to the Hardy Boyz, Bull and Goodfather throttled Kane with a double suplex! Bull opportunistically covered, hoping to become WWF Hardcore Champion, when Goodfather dragged him off.
Suddenly, the RTC were squabbling over who claimed the 24/7-infested title. Richards barked at the RTC to act now from the apron, when Al Snow and Billy Gunn hit the ring! Bringing the fight to the men they beat at WrestleMania, the RTC were quickly ejected from the ringside area. Unfortunately for them, Kane would rise again - and drill both Billy and Snow with a double Chokeslam! Finally erupting the pyrotechnics in the ring alone, the new WWF Hardcore Champion Kane stood tall - against all odds!
- Commissioner William Regal waited frantically in the parking lot of the Myriad Convention Center whilst the limousine of the Chairman rolled past him. Vince McMahon stepped out of the limo looking dejected, after an unsuccessful conversation with his daughter Stephanie McMahon. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' had waited to inform Vince of what his son Shane McMahon had done - appearing live at WWF New York to discuss WCW's plan of action; including intending to show up live on RAW is WAR this Monday! Vince gasped and cursed his children, always trying to screw everything he did up! The Englishman apologized and placed blame on the staff in New York, but Vince turned and pointed the finger at Regal: this was all on him! If Regal wasn't so busy fooling around with his new job, this never would have happened. Vince tugged at Regal's collar and reminded him it was his son Shane who gave him control - not him. Vince advised he get his act together, or he'd be out on his ass! The WWF Owner had spoken, storming off leaving Regal as white as a sheet.
Kaientai were spotted hanging out in the APA's office, Taka Michinoku sat at the poker table as Funaki checked out the fridge to unveil it was full of bottles of beer! Kaientai were like kids in a candy store, as Funaki brought four beers to the table and popped the lids off with Taka - when out of nowhere came Edge and Christian! They were depraved the WWF Tag Team Championships by the Japanese earlier, but Edge and Christian were back for revenge! The two bounced Taka and Funaki's heads off the table, when Kaientai fought back - when out of nowhere flew a steel chair! It narrowly missed Edge's head, and in stormed the WWF European Champion Bradshaw, out for revenge of his own! With a bandage around his head, Bradshaw stomped after the Canadians, who fled the scene! He helped Kaientai back to their feet, before complaining about them going through all of their beer without his permission.
- The Radicalz were in the trainer's office, still livid over Rob Van Dam's involvement in their business with the Dudley Boyz. Dean Malenko was having his face checked on, his nose surely broken from the Van Terminator. Perry Saturn complained to Eddie Guerrero as he clutched girlfriend Terri's hand in rage. He had that sick little pervert Spike Dudley right where he wanted him, when that nobody RVD got involved! As Malenko whined in agony with his nose as the trainer checked on him, 'Latino Heat' told the guys that this would not stand - RVD and the Dudleys were going down! Eddie planned to go to William Regal for a resolve, to settle this beef. Eddie got up, then aggravatingly kicked over a human skeleton model - nobody steals Eddie Guerrero's moment from him and gets away with it!
- Jim Ross reluctantly stood in the locker room, adorned in an Oklahoma Sooners football jersey. The lead announcer of RAW is WAR and voice of the World Wrestling Federation was moments away from teaming with longtime friend and WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to battle Kurt Angle and the Big Show, when J.R. was joined by Jonathan Coachman. Understanding of his predicament, J.R. was asked if he was ready. Frankly, J.R. told the Coach that it would be unfair to say he was. He has never been a wrestler, never wanted fame and fortune winning gold and accolades - plain as day, he was an announcer. He never wanted to be a WWF Superstar, but tonight he was forced to be - by Vince McMahon and new girlfriend Trish Stratus. J.R. assured Coach the fact that whether trained or untrained, in shape or hell-bent out of it - Jim Ross was not about to take punishment laying down. This was Oklahoma, in the city he was born and raised in - and tonight, he was going to give them hell! J.R. walked off, in danger or not: he was going down swinging!
Meanwhile, Big Show plodded down the halls on his way to the ring. At seven-foot-two inches tall, and 500-pounds, the former WWF Hardcore Champion was looking for gold: the WWF Championship. 'The Giant' looked mean, nasty and invigorated, when joined by his tag team partner tonight Kurt Angle! 'The Megastar' barged into Big Show, who scowled back at him. Both men were vying for Stone Cold Steve Austin's title, while tasked to punish Jim Ross by Vince McMahon - this combustable tag team main event was up next!
We returned to SmackDown, where footage from during the break showed Matt Hardy left down and out in the dressing room of Team Xtreme! Coughing up blood all over his white shirt, standing over him was the sieging 'Man-Beast', Rhyno! The former WWF Hardcore Champion had been on a mean streak since WrestleMania, taking out Crash and Molly Holly on RAW is WAR; and tonight, K-Kwik and now Matt Hardy! Rhyno talked trash snarlingly at the defenceless Matt, when in rushed Jeff Hardy with Matt's girlfriend Lita! Rhyno made a getaway after some punches from Jeff, whilst Lita rushed to her boyfriend's side. What was going through Rhyno's mind?
- We returned to the Myriad Convention Center, where Vince McMahon walked arm-in-arm with his new girlfriend Trish Stratus. After being slapped across the face at the hotel by Stephanie McMahon, the Chairman looked devastated - perhaps equally devastated as he was in finding out Shane McMahon had appeared live from WWF New York. Trish ran her fingers up her man's arm as they navigated the ringside area, taking a position beside the announce table in wait for the main event. Trish comforted the WWF Owner, who was sure to be looking forward to witnessing Jim Ross's humiliation in Oklahoma! 6) WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross def. Big Show and Kurt Angle (6:38)Jim Ross was brutally honest about Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus's affair last Monday night on RAW is WAR, and it had potential to cost him his health. Though saved by his best friend Stone Cold Steve Austin earlier tonight, now the unlikely tag team had to fend off two WWF Championship-hungry competitors, in former Coalition cohoots Kurt Angle and the Big Show. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' fought both men by himself as J.R. received the hometown reaction from Oklahoma, but the tables were turned after a back suplex from 'the Megastar'. Suddenly, the Coalition were getting along, as the Chairman and his girlfriend watched from ringside. 'The Giant' put all of his weight on Austin's chest, whilst Angle grounded Austin with a belly-to-belly suplex. Stone Cold suddenly fought back with a diving axe handle and a Lou Thesz press to Angle, when a clothesline from Show persuaded J.R. to step in! He let loose on Kurt to the shock of everybody, when Show shoved him off! With the referee tied up with the Olympic Gold Medalist, Austin snuck in with a steel chair shot to the 500-pounder before he could harm the announcer, and a Stunner gave the WWF Champion victory!
Stone Cold Steve Austin saved the day, not only for the people of Oklahoma City, but for his best friend in the business Jim Ross as well! The WWF Champion raised J.R.'s hand in victory after the match, but once again Kurt Angle would jump 'the Texas Rattlesnake' from behind! The Angle Slam dropped Austin hard, as the Big Show slowly came to. Angle grabbed an escaping J.R. by the collar of his Oklahoma Sooners jersey and hurled him into the middle of the ring, at the feet of the Big Show. Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus were loving every second at ringside, as 'the Megastar' ordered 'the Giant' to punish J.R. Show however, took issue in his old leader from the Coalition giving him orders, arguing with Kurt to take care of it himself!
Kurt Angle got in Big Show's face forcing 'the Giant' to reach out for him - but suddenly, Triple H's music hit! Storming down the rampway and tossing off his leather jacket, 'the Game' hit the ring with a sledgehammer in hand! Immediately clashing it with the sternum of the Olympic Gold Medalist, it came as revenge for RAW is WAR where Angle cost him the WWF Championship! Triple H hammered the Big Show with punches until he fell through the ropes to make the escape, as 'the Cerebral Assassin' shared the ring with Stone Cold. Angle and Big Show shoved each other in rage, whilst Vince and Trish watched on in disapproval. Triple H and Stone Cold looked back at one another - everybody wanted the WWF Championship, and it looked to be a bumpy ride for 'the Rattlesnake' as the man on top!
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Post by DTP. on Jun 22, 2021 10:43:24 GMT -5
Jakked - April 7, 2001 Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas Broadcast in syndicationTaped on April 2, 2001
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena for WWF Jakked. Six days following WrestleMania X-Seven, Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to the show. 1) Kaientai def. Redd Dogg Begnaud and Big Daddy Moore (3:51)New friends of the new WWF European Champion Bradshaw were in action, days after costing Edge and Christian the WWF Tag Team Championships against the Dudley Boyz on SmackDown. Against a weight disadvantage in Begnaud and Moore, it was Taka Michinoku who missile dropkicked Begnaud directly into Funaki's sunset flip, giving the WrestleMania Party hosts the win. 2) D-Lo Brown def. Shawn Hernandez (4:28) [Broadcast on WWF Metal] Having enjoyed WrestleMania X-Seven from his luxurious suite overlooking the Reliant Astrodome, 'the Real Deal' found himself shown up by K-Kwik last Thursday night on SmackDown. Against Texas's own Shawn Hernandez, the powerhouse hurled D-Lo Brown around the ring, when a running sitout powerbomb gave D-Lo the capacity to pick up the win with Sky High. 3) K-Kwik def. Brandon Groom (4:22) [Broadcast on WWF Metal]K-Kwik gained a measure of retribution on the man that betrayed him over one month ago, D-Lo Brown on SmackDown, only to receive the Gore from Rhyno. Despite the unprovoked assault from 'the Man-Beast', K-Dawg was on fire against Brandon Groom, shucking and jiving around the ring. Dropping from the splits into a corkscrew kick, the scissors kick would give the rapper the 1-2-3. 4) Test def. Vinny Valentino (3:38) [Broadcast on WWF Metal]The grudge between the former teammates of T&A waged on last Monday night on RAW is WAR, after Albert finished laying waste to Crash. The Canadian had won over the admiration of the people in recent weeks, but showed little mercy against Italy's own Vinny Valentino. With a series of mudhole stomps, Test made short work of Valentino, drilling him with a pumphandle slam to rack up the win.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 20, 2021 11:29:58 GMT -5
Sunday Night Heat - April 8, 2001 Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Live on MTV - Live from WWF New YorkMatches taped on April 3, 2001
A video package aired, recapping last weekend's historic 'Grandaddy of Them All', which emanated live from Houston, Texas's Reliant Astrodome. 67,925 packed out the stadium for 'the Showcase of the Immortals', headlined by Stone Cold Steve Austin finally recapturing the WWF Championship against The Rock. The video package featured highlights from each match, set to the iconic sound of Limp Bizkit's "My Way".
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the Big Apple! Outside saw the hustle and bustle of Times Square in New York City, where inside WWF New York a rabid crowd of people gathered behind Michael Cole and Tazz at the desk. We were live on MTV for Sunday Night Heat, as Cole and Tazz ran down what many were calling one of the most explosive and legendary WrestleMania events in its seventeen-year history. Not only was Stone Cold Steve Austin once again WWF Champion after beating The Rock, but 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' also saw the return of Hulk Hogan in what appeared to be his swan-song in sports entertainment.
Tazz mocked the Hulkster for losing to Kurt Angle, and believed if 'the Real American' were smart - he ought to consider hanging up the red and yellow boots! Cole also remarked at the marvelling Shawn Michaels, who turned the clock back to 1996 in an instant classic defeat at the hands of Triple H. Tazz ran down Triple H for getting lucky, and believed that if anybody was in line for the first title shot against Stone Cold Steve Austin, it should be the former WWF Champion - Kurt Angle! Cole remarked that time doesn't slow down, running down what was expected tonight.
- TONIGHT: The new WWF Women's Champion Chyna joins Michael Cole and Tazz in WWF New York.
- TONIGHT: Rhyno vs Crash
- TONIGHT: D-Lo Brown vs Test
Familiar music soon started playing, and before anybody knew it - Too Cool and Rikishi had taken to the stage in WWF New York! Coming off of his return on Sunday Night Heat before WrestleMania last week, 'Big Kish' joined Scotty 2 Hotty and the crutch-wielding Grandmaster Sexay in getting down on a Sunday night, in front of the adoring crowd! With a fractured ankle as a result of Kurt Angle's doings two weeks ago on RAW is WAR, Grandmaster was aided by Scotty, who soon jumped off the stage inside the entertainment complex. With his hands swaying in the air, Scotty got the fans involved - a surprise exclusive to those in the Big Apple tonight!
- Crash angrily strutted the corridor backstage at the arena, with a chance to get even with Rhyno. Cursing 'the Man-Beast's name in comical fashion under his breath, he was joined by cousin Molly Holly, who implored Crash to get payback for not just him and herself - but the injured Hardcore Holly as well! Crash vowed to stop the uncaged Troll Doll - up next!
The Undertaker added another victim to his list of WrestleMania victories, defeating Chris Benoit in a physical war of attrition. 'The Rabid Wolverine' was relentless, but in the end 'the American Badass' stood tall. The next night on RAW is WAR, bitter at the loss, the Canadian ambushed 'the Deadman' in the parking lot, doing a number on the veteran's leg with a steel wrench! Benoit even knocked his motorcycle on the leg of the Undertaker - as it now appeared he would be out of action with a shattered kneecap! Benoit took great pride in discussing how the Undertaker fell, only to be attacked by his half-brother Kane backstage later that night. The two met for 'the Big Red Machine's newly won WWF Hardcore Championship on SmackDown, only for it to go interrupted as WWF Superstars hit the ring with the 24/7 rule active! Benoit got away lucky, but sooner than later somebody was going to cut Benoit down!- 1) Rhyno def. Crash (w/Molly Holly) (2:31)Since losing the WWF Hardcore Championship to Kane at WrestleMania, 'the Man-Beast' had been untamed. Going after WWF Superstars at random, he left Matt Hardy coughing up blood in the locker room on SmackDown. On RAW is WAR, Rhyno left both Crash and Molly Holly laying courtesy of the Gore. Crash demanded payback tonight, and worked quickly to evade the power of his animalistic opponent. A hurricanrana throwing him off, Crash took to the corner for ten punches only to receive a running spinebuster from Rhyno! Brutalizing and choking Crash in front of his cousin Molly, he snarled at the WWF Diva when Crash came back with the strikes. His big mistake took place when running ropes, where he was cut off with a gigantic Gore, giving Rhyno another decisive win.
'The Man-Beast' crouched over Crash's fallen body before taking off to beat his chest and intimidate the booing fans in attendance. With another quick victory, the former WWF Hardcore Champion teased delivering one more Gore to Crash's cousin Molly Holly, who attended to him in the middle of the ring. Rhyno stalked her, but when Molly turned her head and noticed, the former ECW Champion decided to instead roll out of the ring and leave. What was going on in the head of this animal?
- We returned to WWF New York where Too Cool and Rikishi were hanging out amongst the people inside the restaurant area of the entertainment complex. Joined by Michael Cole, he talked about the surprise the trio had in store for the Big Apple tonight before asking what was next for them. 'Big Kish' hollered that it had been too long since he had last backed his ferocious sized ass up, and it sure felt good to be back. He wasn't 100% after tearing his rotator cuff back in February, but the big man would be back - and he'd be badder than ever before! Scotty 2 Hotty had some choice words for WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac, who cheated his way to retaining the title last week on Sunday Night Heat - asking the people if they wanted to see the Worm beat the grotesque mopheaded champ in a rematch! On crutches, Grandmaster Sexay made his voice heard, claiming Kurt Angle couldn't keep him down for long, and he'd be back ASAP - before nearly falling over his crutches! Scotty and Rikishi helped him up, suggesting he take it easy for now.
- In footage taken from earlier today, the new WWF Women's Champion Chyna was on hand alongside her boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn. Sat behind a table inside WWF New York, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' was spending her personal time inspiring young women everywhere in an exclusive autograph signing! Since beating Ivory to win the title at WrestleMania, the Playboy covergirl had been living her life freely, in spite of the Right to Censor. Tonight, she would join Michael Cole and Tazz before the people in Times Square!
WrestleMania saw a major surprise as former ECW Superstar Rob Van Dam made his World Wrestling Federation debut, answering and defeating Eddie Guerrero in his open challenge! 'Mr. Pay-Per-View' was astonishing, and soared the next night on RAW is WAR against Perry Saturn, when a bitter Eddie Guerrero intervened and joined Saturn and Dean Malenko in a beatdown on the newcomer - when out ran the Dudley Boyz to his aid! RVD and the new WWF Tag Team Champions were old friends dating back to ECW, and the Dudleys made it clear they had his back all the way. On SmackDown, Spike Dudley looked for D-Von and Bubba Ray backstage, only to find Terri coming out of the shower. It would turn out bad once Edge and Christian challenged the Dudleys for the gold later that night, as the Radicalz looked to cost the Dudleys big - when Rob Van Dam hit the ring cleaning house with a steel chair! A spinkick into a steel chair broke the nose of Malenko, and now it looked to be even more personal between the ECW alumnus and the Radicalz!
In the locker room at the arena, Eddie Guerrero prepared for singles action without any sign of the Radicalz behind him. Jonathan Coachman joined 'Latino Heat' to ask about his animosity towards Rob Van Dam, causing him to lash out angrily. He had every right to feel hate for that karate jumping bean freak, RVD. He stole not only his WrestleMania moment from him last week in front of the entire globe, but he stole from the Radicalz! Because of RVD and the Dudley Boyz, Dean Malenko's handsome face was ruined by the Van Terminator on SmackDown. Eddie assured the Coach it would not end well for them, because tomorrow night on RAW is WAR he'd been given the all-clear from Commissioner William Regal - he and Perry Saturn would take the WWF Tag Team Championships from the Dudley Boyz.
- RAW IS WAR, TOMORROW NIGHT: The Dudley Boyz (c) vs Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
Returning to WWF New York, at their desk Michael Cole advised Eddie Guerrero to be focusing on 'the Lethal Weapon' Steve Blackman in their match tonight on Sunday Night Heat before tomorrow's WWF Tag Team Championship opportunity at the Dudley Boyz. Tazz spoke in-depth about how vicious Rob Van Dam could be, besides from his educated feet and agile flexibility. 'The Human Suplex Machine' was once in ECW alongside RVD, but despite the recklessness of 'the Whole Dam Show', Tazz believed Van Dam ought to be careful of the Radicalz - he was on Eddie Guerrero's side all the way. Tazz briefly added that Spike Dudley was a sick little pervert for peeking on Terri leaving the shower on SmackDown, and believed Perry Saturn would have something to say about him.
- TONIGHT: Eddie Guerrero vs Steve Blackman
- The sizable stud from Toronto, Test was seen warming up for singles competition tonight. Oiling himself up and stretching out in the locker room at the arena, the former WWF Tag Team Champion was interrupted by D-Lo Brown. With a briefcase in hand, D-Lo backed down from his opponent tonight, not wanting to cause a fuss. D-Lo knew they had a match tonight, but there was no reason for any feuding. He pointed out the gold chain around his neck, and the tracksuit he was wearing - this garb cost him big. That's what winning the lottery did to you, it presented new opportunities and new investment decisions to be made. Test smirked and heard D-Lo out as he suggested a way around their match tonight. All Test had to do was lay down and let him get the three count, and D-Lo would share his wealth with him. The cool stallion chuckled and told him he wasn't interested, when Brown suggested he take a minute to check the goods. Laying the briefcase out on a table and opening it to Test, his eyes enlarged - and he told D-Lo he'd consider it!
- Raven became a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion at WrestleMania in the Astrodome Asylum match against rival Chris Jericho. It appeared that Chris Jericho was down a losing trail after being upset by Justin Credible of X-Factor on RAW is WAR. Credible and Lance Storm took to beating on Y2J, when aided by none other than Raven himself! The new champ's motives remained unclear, as Jericho was highly wary of his previous rival. On SmackDown, Y2J and Storm collided in singles combat, with Jericho looking for retribution after his longtime former training buddy cost him on RAW. Instead, Credible screwed Jericho ahead of Raven's Champion vs Champion clash with WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac. X-Pac had Storm and Credible to help out, but in a bizarre twist it was Jericho who evened the odds against X-Factor, and allowed Raven to pick up the victory! In an interview, a cryptic Raven boasted about keeping friends close, but enemies closer - but one had to wonder what was going through Y2J's mind.
We returned backstage in the green room at WWF New York, where in the Big Apple, the new WWF Women's Champion Chyna was living a life of luxury as Billy Gunn poured her a glass of champagne. Both were sat on the couch and enjoying Sunday Night Heat ahead of their live appearance, joining Michael Cole and Tazz tonight.
- Test had the fans on their feet inside the arena, with the singles match against D-Lo Brown moments away. To a large applause, predominantly from the women in attendance, the young stallion coolly walked down to the ring and climbed over the ropes. He stretched ahead of competition, when out came the swaggering D-Lo Brown. Still with a briefcase in hand, 'the Real Deal' had proposed Test lay down for him tonight, in exchange for a cut of the lottery fund D-Lo won just over one month ago. D-Lo bobbed his head on the second rope before smiling back at Test, who smirked in return. Brown offered Test the briefcase, rubbing it up and down - yet after a moment of thought, Test decided to blast D-Lo with a big right hand!2) D-Lo Brown def. Test (3:17)D-Lo Brown was in a bad way after being attacked by K-Dawg on SmackDown, but Test was here to give D-Lo a better beating. 'The Real Deal' was a different man since winning the lottery, abandoning his tag team partner K-Kwik, and even trying to bribe Test moments ago. Money had no power on the former T&A member, as he clobbered D-Lo with stomps in the corner. D-Lo got in a low kick before trying to use the briefcase, only to be met with a sidewalk slam! Test took control when the referee was knocked, allowing for a low blow to the stallion! Brown grounded Test, but a powerslam saw Brown bounce to the floor. Looking for the briefcase again, the referee threatened a disqualification - and with his back turned, Albert hit the ring with a bicycle kick for Test! Brown landed with the Lo Down, to win underhandedly.
'The Freight Train' was back for revenge after Test fought with him on the stage six nights ago on RAW is WAR. T&A were beyond the point of no return now, as Albert admired his handiwork from the rampway. D-Lo Brown grinned from ear to ear inside the ring over Test's body, parading around as though he had won the Grammy's! 'The Real Deal' hugged his briefcase overjoyed, whilst Test sat up gritting his teeth towards his former tag team partner Albert.
- Michael Cole and Tazz stood at the desk in WWF New York, talking about the epic return of the Hulkster at WrestleMania. Hulk Hogan took to the squared-circle before sixty-seven thousand people and the whole world watching, at his first WrestleMania in eight long years last Sunday night. He fought valiantly like it was 1985 against 'the Megastar' Kurt Angle, but all weekend long in Houston there were rumors rampant that we might well be seeing 'the Real American' in the twilight of his career. Tazz mocked Hulk for not being good enough to get the job done against the Olympic Gold Medalist, and tomorrow night he hoped Hogan would announce his retirement! Abruptly, Tazz's rambling went interrupted - as Too Cool and Rikishi re-emerged to dance in front of the desk! Clad in their sunglasses, Grandmaster Sexay took it easy allowing Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi to give the adoring fans something to really enjoy! Tazz was miffed, going as far as to storm off the set.
- RAW IS WAR, TOMORROW NIGHT: Hulk Hogan returns to RAW is WAR with a special announcement.
An eighteen-month journey that saw 'the Texas Rattlesnake' survive a hit-and-run attack, defy career-threatening neck surgery and make the comeback of a lifetime was capped off at WrestleMania. Stone Cold Steve Austin beat The Rock to finally recapture the WWF Championship, with the Houston crowd surprisingly hostile towards an overconfident 'People's Champ'. Immediately, 'the Rattlesnake' made it clear he planned to start right where he left off. Opening up the challenge to any contender, Triple H was the man to answer it. They met in a tense main event on RAW is WAR, where Kurt Angle repeatedly interfered. 'The Game' actually had the title won, when 'the Megastar' blasted him from behind and sought Austin with the Ankle Lock. Austin and Triple H would clean house of the Olympic Gold Medalist, but it came at the cost of a Stunner from 'the Rattlesnake' to 'the Cerebral Assassin!'- 3) Eddie Guerrero def. Steve Blackman (4:00) 'Latino Heat' appeared to have his mind set on Rob Van Dam and the Dudley Boyz, with a WWF Tag Team Championship match set for tomorrow on RAW is WAR. But before teaming with Perry Saturn, he first had to combat 'the Lethal Weapon'. Eddie's cockiness cost him early, as Blackman stampeded with a lethal dose of kicks, and a guillotine choke saw Guerrero bail to the floor. Blackman's determination saw him chase Eddie around ringside, when a low dropkick allowed him to take advantage. A bow-and-arrow hold saw Blackman kept at bay, as Guerrero transitioned into the Mexican surfboard stretch. Yet Steve's quickness was not to be underestimated, and a pump kick would catch Guerrero off the second rope, in mid-air! Blackman closed in on victory as Eddie laid prone on the canvas, with the referee checking on him. Blackman closed in on Eddie, when the coy Latino caught him in a small package to steal the match!
Eddie Guerrero's playing possum had helped him out tonight against Steve Blackman, and he quickly sped out of the ring and up the rampway with a cocky smirk on his face. 'The Lethal Weapon' was furious at being cheated out of the win, but Eddie had bigger fish to fry. Against a similar foe in Rob Van Dam, 'Latino Heat' had unfinished business. Yet tomorrow night on RAW is WAR, Eddie and Perry Saturn would form the Radicalz to challenge the Dudley Boyz for the WWF Tag Team Championships!
- It was McMahon vs McMahon, WWF Owner vs WCW Owner at WrestleMania, with Mick Foley acting as the special guest referee. Vince McMahon showed his true colors, dishing out tremendous violence on Shane McMahon in a Street Fight that saw Stephanie McMahon get involved. Split down the middle, the Chairman and Shane O'Mac would accidentally knock 'the Billion Dollar Princess' from the ring causing her good friend Trish Stratus to come out and give them a piece of her mind...or so everybody thought! Abruptly, she struck Shane McMahon and proceeded to kiss the Chairman in the middle of the ring. It was a grotesque affair revealed after months of hiding, as revealed the next night - so grotesque that Mick Foley personally helped his former rival Shane to victory, and delivered Mr. Socko down the gullet of the WWF Owner! Foley went on a furious tirade on RAW, running down Vince and Trish for publicizing their relationship as Linda McMahon rested at home recovering from post-traumatic symptoms. Foley quit the World Wrestling Federation and walked out - yet Vince declared that Mick couldn't quit: he was fired!
- The new WWF Women's Champion Chyna along with her boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn walked the corridor backstage at WWF New York. In just a few moments, 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' planned to speak to the people of the entertainment complex, as she and Billy would join Michael Cole and Tazz on the stage - next!
Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus's relationship sent shockwaves through the World Wrestling Federation, with Stephanie McMahon fuming and getting into two separate backstage altercations with her father's new girlfriend. The former friends were no more, and on SmackDown things would only worsen. Vince and Trish arrived in Oklahoma City on Thursday to personally punish Jim Ross for his disparaging remarks from RAW is WAR. In front of his hometown, J.R. was threatened by the Big Show, when Stone Cold Steve Austin came to his aid. Kurt Angle would get involved, leading to a highly unorthodox tag team main event. Yet Angle informed Vince that Stephanie refused to show up, leading the Chairman to visit her in her hotel room. The two spoke, with Vince pleading for his daughter's acceptance - only to receive a slap from 'the Billion Dollar Princess'. Austin would save J.R. with a steel chair from the clutches of Big Show and Kurt Angle in the main event, when 'the Giant' struck with a Chokeslam to the WWF Champion. That's when Triple H resurfaced, clearing the ring of Show and Angle! All eyes were on the new champ - including 'the Game's!
- RAW IS WAR, TOMORROW NIGHT: WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H vs Kurt Angle and Big Show.
- RAW IS WAR, TOMORROW NIGHT: WCW Owner Shane McMahon returns to confront WWF Owner Vince McMahon.
- Michael Cole and Tazz sat on the stage inside WWF New York, as Cole personally welcomed out the new WWF Women's Champion! Chyna came out to the stage clad in a gorgeous designer dress, joined by her boyfriend 'the One' Billy Gunn, who appeared over the moon to be in the Big Apple. He jumped for joy and raised his girlfriend's hand and title high, before the couple took a seat on the couch. Cole applauded Chyna again on finally conquering Ivory at WrestleMania to become the new champ, asking her if she considered it a dream come true. The Playboy covergirl confirmed it was a girlhood dream come to life, that despite her power or size - she was living proof that no matter what you looked like or where you came from: you could accomplish anything in life. She remarked how it was her dream as a little girl to inspire women everywhere, and with this title on her waist - now she truly could. Tazz soon chimed in, asking her how proud she was of the fact that she ruined 'the Role Model's life with her crushing win last weekend.
Chyna tried answering Tazz, but the foul-tempered New Yorker kept prodding, asking 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' how inspiring it must be to dash the hopes and dreams of Ivory. Billy got the microphone and warned Tazz to chime his short-ass down, bringing Tazz to mock him for being in Chyna's back pocket. Cole apologized on Tazz's behalf, as the Playboy covergirl tried cooling Billy off - when through the crowd in the entertainment complex walked Steven Richards with Mark Henry as protection. Steven agreed with Tazz, Chyna crushed Ivory beyond repair. Thanks to the prima-donna nudist musclehead Chyna, Ivory was in a bad state. Steven surveyed if that was heroic or heartlessly selfish of Chyna to do. Billy tried answering back, but Steven told Chyna her days were numbered worse than ever before - the RTC would strike back with a vengeance. Chyna challenged Steven and Mark to come up and fight, but the RTC departed. Defiantly, Billy raised Chyna's hand once again on the stage, with the WWF Women's Championship in her hand!
- SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT, NEXT WEEK: X-Factor - WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible - and K-Kwik will be live from WWF New York.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 31, 2021 8:20:43 GMT -5
RAW is WAR - April 9, 2001 FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts Live on TNN
Last week saw the affair of Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus send shockwaves through the World Wrestling Federation in the days following WrestleMania. Mick Foley quit the company, while Stephanie McMahon found the truth too ugly to act responsibly. Her hostility towards her old friend Trish put Kurt Angle in an awkward predicament, one that fuelled his desire to become number one contender to the WWF Championship. After interrupting Stone Cold Steve Austin's title defense against Triple H, on SmackDown he and Big Show took pleasure in looking to punish Jim Ross in front of his hometown - only it would go thwarted by 'the Texas Rattlesnake'. As Austin and J.R. conquered the insurmountable odds of 'the Megastar' and 'the Giant', it was Triple H who saved the day with a sledgehammer fending off Angle and Show. 'The Game' still had redemption on his mind - and that redemption revolved around the WWF Championship for himself!
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the sold out FleetCenter for RAW is WAR! Pyrotechnics erupted across the stage, as a packed house in Boston, Massachusetts greeted us with energy. Jim Ross and Paul Heyman welcomed us to RAW, on a jam-packed night with plenty in store!
- TONIGHT: Hulk Hogan returns to RAW is WAR with a special announcement.
- TONIGHT: WCW Owner Shane McMahon will confront WWF Chairman Vince McMahon.
- TONIGHT: The Dudley Boyz (c) vs Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
- TONIGHT: WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H vs Kurt Angle and Big Show
- 1) Kane (c) def. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan (w/Mark Henry and Steven Richards) to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship (3:52)With his attention set on Chris Benoit after what he did to half-brother The Undertaker last week in the parking lot, the new WWF Hardcore Champion was learning the hardships of being on top. Against a hungry Right to Censor, Steven Richards watched intently as the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan came after 'the Big Red Machine'. Before he had a chance to erupt his pyrotechnics, the RTC struck with a double suplex. Mark Henry hurled in trash cans and kendo sticks for the team to use on Kane, who caught Bull off the ropes with a sidewalk slam! After clearing the ring of the RTC, he laid eyes on 'the Secret Weapon' to step into the ring. Mark stepped up to fight, when out ran Albert! 'The Freight Train' looked to capitalize, when Test hit the ring not far behind and brawled with him! T&A exploded into the crowd duelling it out, while inside Goodfather surprised with a death valley driver, when Bull selfishly tried pinning Kane! The RTC got into a shouting contest with each other, allowing Kane to triumph with a double Chokeslam to retain the title!
The Right to Censor were still struggling following WrestleMania's clean sweep of losses, while 'the Big Red Machine' stood tall over the carnage left inside the ring. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan were left down and out, while Steven Richards groaned in frustration at ringside. Mark Henry's eyes remained seriously fixated on Kane, who finally set off his pyrotechnics and left with the WWF Hardcore Championship in hand!
- Backstage, cameras caught up to the scene as a white limousine marked "WCW1" on its license plate pulled up to the FleetCenter. Stepping out himself without waiting for the driver to hold the door, Shane McMahon had arrived to RAW is WAR! The WCW Owner was here to confront Vince McMahon, heading straight for the ring.
The fans in Boston came to their feet as WCW Owner Shane McMahon came strutting down the rampway to a respectful ovation. A lot had changed since WrestleMania, and Shane O'Mac still wore the battle scars to prove them. Climbing into the ring, Shane took a moment to take in the people's cheers, before greeting them all respectfully. Shane acknowledged the beating his father gave him in the Street Fight, and admitted he probably had it all coming. But he was never going to back down from his old man, and that's why he kept getting back up - and he beat his Dad's ass even worse! All joking aside, Shane wasn't here to talk about that. He spoke about the shocking revelation that came public at 'the Grandaddy of Them All' - the fact that the rumors he made regarding Trish Stratus were absolutely, whole-heartedly true. He hated knowing this, but wanted the fans to know that his mother Linda McMahon was doing just fine. The WWF CEO was under constant supervision from the finest nursing staff Greenwich had to offer - but that wasn't to say he wasn't mortified on her behalf! The WCW Owner remarked that Dad had some mighty good explaining to do, and he wanted to hear Vince's story: right now!
Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus accepted the cue given by Shane, immediately barraged in derogatory chants from the hostile crowd. The Chairman was shocked Shane had the balls to show up. As far as WrestleMania went, Shane might have proved he was no p*ssy like the fans liked to call him - but Shane sure as hell didn't beat him at WrestleMania. If anything, between he, Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon - it was a handicap match! So while Shane was no p*ssy, he was a yellow-bellied coward and he didn't owe him a damn thing. The WWF Owner stood in the ring opposite his son and wondered why Shane cared, considering he didn't give a damn about the McMahon Family a few months ago. Abruptly, Trish grabbed the microphone from her new boyfriend and confronted Shane herself! She claimed he wasn't a changed man because he bought WCW - he was a despicable, putridly volatile parasite - and Vince was a creative genius and a loving father, with children that have no love or respect to show for him! Trish Stratus continued to run Shane down to his face, claiming he and Stephanie McMahon never loved Vince as much as she did.
All Shane and Steph wanted was control of the World Wrestling Federation, and it was pathetic. She began talking about Vince as a lover, when finally Stephanie McMahon came bounding out! 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was not in the mood for talking, instead immediately tackling Trish to the canvas and ramming her head into the mat! Shane and Vince intervened, but in the melee Vince decided to take a cheap shot to the back of his son's head! He headbutted his sister in the process, as Vince sent Shane down to the floor. As Trish got in several slaps against a dazed Stephanie inside, Shane fired up with right hands for his father at ringside! Trish put the boots to Stephanie inside, when Steph surprised the WWF Diva, tripping her and decking Trish from a mounted position! As Vince pulled Trish out to safety, Steph tore off her blouse leaving her chest exposed for the entire world. Shane stood at ringside ready to go, while Stephanie stood tall with a smirk in the ring. Vince shielded Trish's chest from the people, humiliated by the McMahon Children!
- At the monitor in the backstage area, Kurt Angle shook his head in disgust at what his girlfriend Stephanie McMahon was doing. Speaking aloud, he couldn't keep letting Steph do this to him - this could cost him his shot at the WWF Championship. Big Show soon walked up behind 'the Megastar', telling him his title shot was long gone. 'The Giant' let it be known that he would be next in line at Stone Cold Steve Austin's title, and if the Olympic Gold Medalist had any sense, he'd stay out of the 500-pounder's way tonight against Triple H and Stone Cold. Angle was baffled, reminding him of his loss to Austin on SmackDown. All he'd accomplished was scare Jim Ross. Show and Angle's bickering hit a fever pitch as Show soon clutched Kurt against the brick wall, demanding he not test him. He is still 'the Giant' around here, and right now was his time to shine. Big Show stomped away, leaving the Olympian dismayed at Show's threats - and own desire to be number one contender!
Following the McMahon Family brawl that took place in the ring moments ago, during the break Vince McMahon walked the halls with an exposed Trish Stratus shielding her chest from everybody walking the backstage area! Vince offered her his suit jacket to cover her torso, which she quickly brandished over her shoulders. Vince scowled, remarking that he would not allow Shane or Stephanie McMahon to keep doing this to him. Why can't his children let him be happy?
Jim Ross and Paul Heyman sat at the announce table discussing the McMahon Family rivalry continuing to grow and grow, while Paul took great humor in what happened to J.R. last week on SmackDown in front of his hometown in Oklahoma. Ross retorted he and Stone Cold Steve Austin still came out on top against Kurt Angle and Big Show, bringing Heyman to mimic his broadcast partner. J.R. segued to talk about Hulk Hogan's impending special announcement to Paul's disinterest, taking us to a video package from WrestleMania. Kurt Angle defeated the Hulkster in front of 67,925 fans in the Reliant Astrodome eight days ago, but after the match the WWF Legend showed his 24-inch pythons to an astounding ovation. Would it be his last?
- Kaientai made their way out to the stage, set for tag team competition against Edge and Christian. Although most recognizable in the blue and white colors, there were no Japanese flags tonight - instead, the two wore Edge and Christian's own merchandise, sunglasses and sported long blonde-haired wigs! With microphones in hand, Taka Michinoku and Funaki spoke in character as the Canadians crying about losing the WWF Tag Team Championships! In deep, dubbed Americanized accents, Taka told the amused Boston crowd they lost the titles thanks to a superior global phenomenon - known only as Kaientai! Funaki prepared to confer with an "INDEED", when from behind came Edge and Christian! Jumping Kaientai on the stage, Edge crashed a steel chair over the skull of Taka whilst Funaki was sent rolling down the rampway to ringside! A distraught E&C rolled a defenceless and isolated Funaki into the ring to set up the Conchairto, when in the nick of time came the new WWF European Champion Bradshaw! Cleaning house with right hands, the Texan had his own score to settle with Edge and Christian after suffering a Conchairto last week!
- X-Factor were in the backstage area, standing by with Jonathan Coachman. The Coach wanted to hear what X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible had to say about the new alliance between Chris Jericho and Raven, but the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion was sick of discussing it. X-Pac languished the lack of respect they had received from the World Wrestling Federation since their formation. They weren't D-Generation X, the year wasn't 1998, and he didn't give a damn about Y2J or that weirdo calling himself the WWF Intercontinental Champion. Justin Credible said that they are X-Factor because they had the X-Factor written all over them, and their fearless buddy X-Pac was smarter, more handsome than that goof Y2J could ever be. Lance Storm issued a serious moment, in awe at the fact Y2J spent all those years traveling the world to be seen with that deplorable waste of a human Raven. He'd known Y2J since he stepped foot in the business, and if anybody's star is shining right now, it's X-Factor's. X-Pac grunted, tonight Y2J could suck it.
Perry Saturn paced the locker room of the Radicalz, while a confused Terri sat unable to understand his problem. It wasn't her fault that little pervert Spike Dudley saw her naked on SmackDown. 'The She-Devil' was minding her own business taking a shower in private, when Perry questioned why she was even showering without her boyfriend! She apologized to Perry but he wouldn't listen, when in walked Eddie Guerrero to break up the pity party. 'Latino Heat' assured Perry that Spike would get his tonight, but this was also about the Radicalz taking back what was theirs - their pride, dignity and respect. Nobody cared about Shane McMahon or WCW - the Radicalz jumped ship to come here. Nobody cared about ECW either - the Dudley Boyz and Rob Van Dam were beneath them. Tonight they'd take the WWF Tag Team Championships from the Dudleys - for themselves, for Dean Malenko's broken nose, and for Terri's puppies! Guerrero left Saturn to smile, as he accepted Terri's apology.
- The FleetCenter came to its feet as 'the One' Billy Gunn led out his girlfriend - the new WWF Women's Champion Chyna! 'The Ninth Wonder of the World' smiled from ear to ear as she displayed the title over her shoulder, the couple walking down to the ring. The Playboy covergirl was dressed for action, as Billy graced the microphone and demanded Boston give Chyna the ovation she was looking for! The champ grinned as she spoke passionately about finally winning the WWF Women's Championship at WrestleMania, and how much it meant to her - but to her the hard work had only just begun. She wasn't going to be like Ivory was as champ, and hide behind Billy or resort to cheap tricks. Chyna planned to be a fighting champion, and implored the WWF Divas backstage to all show her what they were made of! Chyna issued a challenge to put the title on the line - and out came Molly Holly with Crash to answer the call! Chyna was surprised, but Molly looked at her from across the ring with a smile - determined to become WWF Women's Champion in this impromptu challenge!2) Chyna (w/Billy Gunn) (c) def. Molly Holly (w/Crash) to retain the WWF Women's Championship (2:29)'The Ninth Wonder of the World' issued an open invitation to the WWF Divas backstage, not wanting to be known as a cowardly WWF Women's Champion like Ivory. Molly Holly was game for the challenge, surprising Chyna early and matching the Playboy covergirl's power with speed and quickness. A backslide got a near fall, when Chyna came back with a harsh body slam! Chyna wrestled Molly with a side facelock applied, but a distraction from an excitable Crash saw Molly score an inside cradle for a near fall. Chyna took her down with a clothesline, but as she attempted a superplex Molly fought her off the second rope. A missile dropkick gave the challenger a near fall, when Crash disputed the decision with the referee. At ringside, 'the One' Billy Gunn' dragged Crash off the apron and clocked him one, while inside Molly's hurricanrana went blocked into a Powerbomb, giving Chyna the win!
Chyna was successful in her first defence as WWF Women's Champion, and 'the One' Billy Gunn was the first person to raise her hand in victory. Handing 'the Ninth Wonder of the World' her prize, the couple hugged inside the ring to a big response. Meanwhile, Crash helped a disappointed Molly Holly to her feet. Chyna acknowledged Molly and issued a handshake, but an irate Crash refused to allow it! Crash left with Molly, while Chyna continued celebrating.
- Commissioner William Regal sipped tea in his office, when a knock on the door permitted Michael Cole entry for an interview. Hoping to get 'the Goodwill Ambassador's thoughts on Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus's humiliation tonight, the Englishman was gobsmacked by the disrespect of the McMahon Family children. Before he could continue, in stepped Chris Benoit. Stone-faced, 'the Rabid Wolverine' was disappointed to hear more boring news about the McMahons. Instead, the Canadian was perturbed about the lack of a match tonight, especially after what he did to the Undertaker last week. Benoit saw his old Coalition teammates Kurt Angle and Big Show going after Stone Cold Steve Austin, but where was his title shot? Regal assured Chris that he was absolutely worthy of a title shot himself. After all, he was a Wolverine Machine! With a devilish grin, Regal granted Benoit a title shot tonight - against the new WWF European Champion Bradshaw. Benoit smirked and thanked Regal, who was still bitter about the loss to the Texan at WrestleMania.
Vince McMahon strutted the halls still sieging after the altercation mid-ring with Shane and Stephanie McMahon earlier tonight. Without his suit jacket, the Chairman was approached by Kurt Angle, who wished to apologize on his girlfriend Stephanie's behalf. The WWF Owner didn't want to hear it - his daughter was a grown woman and could apologize herself. Vince tried walking past the Olympic Gold Medalist, but Kurt wanted Vince to understand this does not represent him. 'The Megastar' still wanted to be considered as number one contender to the WWF Championship, but Vince turned back and wondered if he could be the man to face Stone Cold Steve Austin - if he could beat 'the Texas Rattlesnake' and Triple H tonight. But, the same could be said if Big Show does a better job. Angle's jaw dropped, when Vince delivered the message that if Steph meddled with him one more time, she could forget calling herself a "McMahon".
- X-Factor swaggered to the ring to the sounds of Uncle Kracker, to loud boos from the Boston crowd. The WWF Light Heavyweight Champion was not thought of fondly by the people, as they chanted "X-Pac sucks" in the leader's way. Lance Storm beckoned the people to listen to what X-Pac had to say. Spoken with respect, Justin Credible shattered it by obnoxiously screaming for the Massachussetts morons to shut the hell up! X-Pac was about to call out Chris Jericho ahead of their match, when Chris Jericho beat him to the punch! The Canadian stepped onto the stage and welcomed everybody to RAW is Jericho, mocking X-Pac and his greasy hair - asking him if he had ever thought about trying deodorant! Jericho laughed about X-Factor sucking so badly, they killed the crowd every single time they came to the ring. Jericho admitted that Storm and Credible got his number last week, but the people had nothing to fear: tonight, against X-Factor's duckadocious leader X-Pac: they would never, ever be the same again!3) Chris Jericho def. WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac (w/Lance Storm and Justin Credible) (4:34)Chris Jericho was cheated out of victory against both Justin Credible and Lance Storm last week, and had forged an unusual alliance with previous rival Raven. The WWF Intercontinental Champion came to Y2J's aid against X-Factor last week on RAW is WAR, and Jericho aided Raven in beating the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac on SmackDown. Pent up and frustrated, X-Pac came at Jericho with a high speed flurry of kicks. It turned into a fast-paced, back and forth battle with Storm and Credible's distractions allowing X-Pac to take control. The crossface chickenwing had Jericho restrained, but he would come back firing with a springboard dropkick sending Storm off the apron! Credible cracked a kendo stick across Y2J's spine as he hit the ropes, but was caught red-handed by the official! The referee ejected X-Factor from ringside, when Raven attacked with a stop sign! X-Pac rolled Y2J up with his feet on the ropes for two, when a missile dropkick went caught in mid-air into the Walls of Jericho, forcing X-Pac to tap out!
Chris Jericho was victorious against the leader of X-Factor tonight, but it all came with thanks to play to the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven! Dropping the stop sign, Raven stalked X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible away from ringside, as Y2J had his hand raised the victor. Jericho's relationship with Raven leading into WrestleMania was a bitter one, but now he had to share a ring with the unconventional Raven, who smirked back at him. Jericho talked trash to the man that beat him in the Astrodome Asylum match eight nights ago, but this time Raven extended his arms and was the first man to leave. This rivalry was growing more complex by the night.
- Moments to wait until the special announcement, the paparazzi were out in high volumes flashing photos backstage in the FleetCenter - as 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan had arrived to RAW is WAR! In his first appearance since losing to Kurt Angle at WrestleMania, and showing the world that Hulk Still Rules, the Hulkster walked with poise - adorned in red and yellow tie-dye - heading for the ring!
"Voodoo Child" by Jimi Hendrix bursted out across the FleetCenter, amping up the packed house in Boston, Massachusetts for the arrival of 'the Immortal' Hulk Hogan! From head-to-toe in red and yellow tie-dye, 'the Hulkster' returned to RAW is WAR for his special announcement playing air-guitar all his way down to the ring. In his first appearance since losing to Kurt Angle at WrestleMania, Hulk took to the microphone but basked in chants of his name. He let it be known how long it had been since he was last in Boston. It had been a long time since he had last ridden the highways and byways of Boston. After all was said and done, they had come full circle. Now, he stood in this ring today reminded of all the country miles he took over the course of twenty years. From New York City, to Philadelphia, to Boston - Hulkamania truly ran wild back in Massachusetts, back in the good old days! Reminiscing on being WWF Champion, on top of the World Wrestling Federation beating anybody close to him, he was lucky and proud enough, and blessed enough to say - that Hulk Still Ruled!
'The Hulkster' soaked in more chants from the people, before giving major props to Kurt Angle. If it wasn't for 'the Megastar', he wouldn't know if he still had what it took to do this. As Hulk Hogan stood on 'the Grandest Stage of Them All' for the first time in eight years, he was full of energy all week long...except for in the days leading up to it. 'The Real American' confessed to not knowing if he still had what it took, or what else he had left to give. In his second WWF match in eight years, Hulk was worried he didn't have what it took anymore. At WrestleMania Axxess, Hogan told of how he spoke to the media and he told them it might be his last ride. The Boston crowd booed, but Hulk went on to say how his anxieties were real, but they faded away. Replaced by adrenaline walking that aisle inside the Reliant Astrodome, Hulk sensed a guardian angel on his shoulder, telling him to enjoy this moment. It was an out-of-body experience, like a message from God above, telling him to kick Kurt Angle's Olympic ass at WrestleMania! Yet even with electricity coursing through his red and yellow veins, Hulk lost to 'the Megastar'.
The better man won, and he admitted to being at the same crossroads he started at, unsure where to turn. Hulk was about to confess that maybe this should be, for all intents and purposes - it for him - when a loud voice suddenly spoke out! Paul Heyman stood up at the announce table, clapping his hands and thanking Hulk Hogan for every single thing he had done for sports entertainment! The color commentator was booed, as he left his position and climbed the steel steps into the ring. Heyman told Hulk what a wonderful job he had done, through a career spanning nearly twenty-five years - he'd done it all. He'd travelled the globe more times than most, created a movement in Hulkamania, which took the world by storm. Hulkamania had caught on like wildfire, he was WWF Champion for three-plus years, a six-time champ postered on billboards, posters and pay-per-view boxoffice walls for decades! Going without saying, Hulk Hogan was an Icon - which begged the question, what was Hulk Hogan still doing here?
Boston turned on Heyman, as he commented how Hulk had a habit of showing up when things got hot, then jumping off before they fell. He did it when the World Wrestling Federation faltered under pressure from the government. Paul reminded Hulk of how he did it when WCW was falling down the tubes, and now he was back here hotdogging, and grandstanding - but for what? Was it Hulk Hogan's ego playing another lead role? Was it the mastermind politician Hulk Hogan striking again, stealing the spotlight when he knew damn well that he was living in the past? The former ECW Owner told Hulk Hogan that he was simply saying these things both as a fan, and an analyst, and that as great as it was to see 'the Real American' in the spotlight once again - he didn't need to be here anymore! Paul told Hulk to do what the best decision he'd made in years, and call it quits again here tonight - to hang up the red and yellow boots, and retire! Hulk instead laughed, telling him that if he actually thought that was what his big announcement was going to be - to think again!
Hulk Hogan believed he had a lot left in the tank, and WrestleMania proved to the world that Hulk Still Rules! The Hulkster said he was back for the people, back for good, and if Paul E. didn't like it - he'd better believe it! Paul's eyes widened as he soon saw the WWF Legend size him up. Beginning to beg and plead with 'the Real American', Heyman tried running away only to be grabbed by the back of his leather jacket! Hogan wagged his finger with a handful of Heyman's ponytail, immediately nailing him between the eyes! Soon setting him up, Hulk Hogan whipped the color commentator into the ropes for the Big Boot, and rallied the fans - everybody wanted to see Heyman eat the Leg Drop! Finally after showboating, Hogan hit the ropes ready to drop the leg, when out of nowhere came Rhyno - with the Gore to Hulk Hogan! Heyman scrambled out to the floor with his tail between his legs, as 'the Man-Beast' snarled and grunted in the ring, beating his chest over the motionless body of Hulk Hogan! This monster had claimed the Hulkster, adding him to Rhyno's personal list of victims - but why?
Moments ago, Hulk Hogan declared to Paul Heyman and the rest of the world that he was not about to hang up the red and yellow boots and that he was back for good, before giving the color commentator a deserved beating in the ring - when Rhyno drastically hit the ring and left the Hulkster laying with the Gore. During the break, Hulk Hogan was seen struggling to even stand from the Gore. As backstage officials and EMTs came to aid 'the Real American', he faltered to a knee with blood dripping from the mouth of the WWF Legend! Who could stop 'the Man-Beast?'
In the arena, the smoke rose over the stage as a pyrotechnical blast struck. Out paced Tazz in his trademark orange and black boiler suit, as 'the Human Suplex Machine' made his way down to ringside, joining Jim Ross on commentary. J.R. was displeased to see the co-host of Sunday Night Heat, as Tazz spoke about hating to admit it - but it was damn good to see Hulk Hogan get taken out by an old pal of his from ECW: Rhyno.
- 4) Bradshaw (c) def. Chris Benoit by disqualification to retain the WWF European Championship (3:46)Bradshaw scored his first singles title at WrestleMania, but the new WWF European Champion found himself at the brunt of Commissioner William Regal's matchmaking, receiving a minor concussion at the hands of Edge and Christian last week on RAW is WAR. Earlier tonight he came rescued Kaientai, but 'the Goodwill Ambassador' decided to reward Chris Benoit with a title shot. 'The Rabid Wolverine' struggled to keep up with the house on fire, Bradshaw hurling him across the ring with a powerslam! The man that took the Undertaker out last week targeted the knee of the Texan, chop blocks and stomps grounding him. Benoit attempted the STF but Bradshaw booted him off, a Powerbomb giving him a near fall! Bradshaw went to the top rope yet Benoit shoved the referee into the ropes to crotch the big man, and the Sharpshooter was applied! Bradshaw made the ropes, when Benoit went to the top rope and missed the Diving Headbutt. Bradshaw equalized with the Clothesline From Hell - when Edge and Christian hit the ring attacking the APA member!
With steel chairs, the former WWF Tag Team Champions once again jumped Bradshaw, who relentlessly tried to fight back with haymakers. Abruptly, another chop block from Chris Benoit saw the WWF European Champion collapse to the canvas, as the three Canadians from the former Coalition faction put the boots to Bradshaw! Edge and Christian teased another Conchairto to the minorly concussed Texan, when Benoit snatched a steel chair instead. Wrapping it around the foot of the champ, 'the Rabid Wolverine' had E&C hold Bradshaw down as he went to the top rope. Much like the Undertaker last week, Benoit was about to cripple Bradshaw - when the lights went out! Footsteps echoed throughout the FleetCenter, and the words "Dead Man Walking" were heard - when the lights came up. With no 'American Badass' in sight, Benoit's stunned expression turned to a cackle, as Benoit decided to instead leave the ring with Edge and Christian!
- Commissioner William Regal smiled joyously at his enemy Bradshaw beaten and defenceless in the ring, when Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus stormed into his office! The Chairman was in a foul mood and Trish adorned the suit jacket of the boss over her shoulders, as Vince reprimanded 'the Goodwill Ambassador' for using the World Wrestling Federation as his playground. Regal tried to apologize for what Shane and Stephanie McMahon did to them tonight, but Vince didn't have time to hear any sucking up. Vince said there were more important things to do than toy with Bradshaw - his grudge was getting in the way of his job. What did matter was the WCW Owner able to walk around infiltrating WWF property like it was nothing. Vince told William to start acting loyal, because WCW wasn't dead - as much as it should be. Repeating words from SmackDown, it was Shane McMahon who hired William - but if the Englishman didn't start taking his job seriously: Vince would be the one to fire him. The WWF Owner stomped out, leaving Trish to smile and wave goodbye to a mortified Regal.
The WWF Champion had arrived, Stone Cold Steve Austin making his way through the backstage halls with wife Debra carrying his bags behind him. Michael Cole approached 'the Texas Rattlesnake' to get his thoughts on tonight's tag team match, but Austin shut him up immediately. He knew before he even got the title that there would be a target on his back. Everybody wanted the WWF Championship, and had their eyes on Stone Cold - but he wasn't a jackass, nor was this his first rodeo - and that's the bottom line. Steve said that whether it was Kurt Angle, Big Show, Chris Benoit, hell even Triple H - he implored if they want it to come get it. Austin will fight any man in his way, and tonight if 'the Game' wants to try his hand at ol' Stone Cold: he wasn't afraid to whoop his sorry ass again in the ring tonight.
- Stephanie McMahon pouted in the dressing room on the couch as Kurt Angle stood before her. Lecturing his girlfriend on what she and Shane McMahon did to Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus tonight, 'the Megastar' couldn't understand why Steph wouldn't just let it go. Angle explained how this could cost him his shot at the WWF Championship, but this caused 'the Billion Dollar Princess' to come to her feet. Fed up of being spoken to like a child, she was her own woman, and she'll do what she wanted. The Olympic Gold Medalist asked why she was siding with Shane McMahon over her Dad, when Stephanie accused Kurt of having his own loyalty to Shane in the past! Angle justified it as Shane now being WCW Owner - he was now the enemy! He added what Vince said earlier tonight, that if Stephanie interfered with the boss's business again she could forget being a McMahon, when Stephanie warned Kurt that if tonight was a black eye for the McMahon Family, then what Vince did with Trish at WrestleMania was a gaping wound. If Kurt wanted to take Vince's side, she didn't care anymore - but this was her business, and Angle better accept that.
Speaking of the WCW Owner, Shane McMahon was shooting the breeze with his old buddy Test. The tall Canadian loved what Shane did to Vince McMahon earlier tonight and at WrestleMania, before asking him about this WCW thing. Shane was eager to talk about it, saying last week he'd been in meetings with television executives across the country discussing TV deals for WCW - and even began to inquire about Test's contractual obligations! Before the stallion could divulge, up walked Commissioner William Regal with two security guards. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' introduced them to Shane before explaining he wasn't welcome her, and wanted him personally escorted from the premises. The Englishman turned his nose to Test, questioning the gall of him to negotiate on World Wrestling Federation soil. Test sized up Regal, when Shane admitted he may not be welcome here. Mocking William's British accent, Shane walked with security, reminding him who got him the Commissioner gig. Shane told Regal he'd see him on Monday nights down the road. Regal frowned, as Shane was led by security out of the FleetCenter.
- The WWF Tag Team Champions walked with their little brother Spike Dudley behind him. The Dudley Boyz walked with purpose as they awaited their next title defence against the Radicalz, Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn. Guerrero and Saturn had a lot to gain from beating the new champs tonight, as Bubba's arm remained bandaged from the wars of Tables, Ladders and Chairs eight nights ago. After Dean Malenko's facial injury on SmackDown, the Radicalz hoped to take the gold from the Dudleys - up next!
Chris Jericho sat in the trainer's office having his shoulder checked up on by the physician, when in waltzed the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven. Flanked by Tori, Raven smiled as he was happy to see Y2J made it away from X-Factor in one piece. Jericho stood up tensely, not wishing to speak with his rival. He didn't know what was going through Raven's nutcase brain, but he remembered Astrodome Asylum like it was last week. Y2J wasn't sure what Raven was up to, but he wasn't finished with him yet - and that title would soon one day be coming back with him. Raven accepted the challenge, before congratulating Chris with a smile! Raven told Jericho there was no malice involved, he just wanted to make sure Y2J was A-OK. Raven smiled before departing with Tori. Raven had to be scheming something.
- 5) The Dudley Boyz (w/Spike Dudley) (c) def. Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn (w/Terri) to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship (4:43)The Dudley Boyz were still coming off of Tables, Ladders and Chairs at WrestleMania, as well as defending their newly won WWF Tag Team Championships against Edge and Christian on SmackDown. They'd sided with an old ally in Rob Van Dam against the Radicalz, a spin-kick into a steel chair had seen Dean Malenko's face shattered by RVD prompting the Radicalz to come for revenge. Perry Saturn had his eyes on Spike, after he was caught snooping on Terri in the shower last Thursday. Saturn targeted the bandaged elbow of Bubba Ray, with frequent tags made to 'Latino Heat'. Eddie Guerrero cheated with blind tags and choked Bubba in a sleeper with his feet on the ropes. 'The She-Devil' got in a slap for good measure, when a big back body drop saw Eddie flying! D-Von made the hot tag, and the Dudleyville Device connected! Eddie cowered from the 3D when Saturn ambushed Spike Dudley at ringside! Eddie used the distraction with a roll-up, but D-Von fought back and the double flapjack connected - giving the Dudley Boyz the victory!
The Dudley Boyz retained the WWF Tag Team Championships once again, but almost instantly came Dean Malenko wearing a face protector! Immediately putting the boots to D-Von Dudley, Bubba Ray Dudley hit the ring to attack when from behind came Perry Saturn with a full nelson slam! The Radicalz stood tall putting the boots to the Dudleys, with Spike down at ringside after Saturn's ambush. Suddenly Rob Van Dam came running down to the ring once again to fight the Radicalz! With right hands and a step-over wheel kick for Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko cut him off with a neckbreaker for 'the Whole Dam Show!' Saturn and Malenko held RVD down, as 'Latino Heat' cockily climbed to the top rope. Showboating over RVD's defenceless body, the Frog Splash connected on Van Dam, and the Radicalz left behind the Dudleys and RVD. This was the Radicalz' night, to regain dignity and respect, but at what price?
- Triple H gulped his bottle of water in the locker room, when in walked Jonathan Coachman looking for a response to what his tag team partner Stone Cold Steve Austin had to say earlier tonight. 'The Game' explained he expected nothing less. He had to hand it to 'the Texas Rattlesnake', accomplishing his own redemption of becoming WWF Champion one more time at WrestleMania, beating The Rock. It was a long time coming, but he wasn't the only one with redemption on his mind. For Triple H, it had been one year since he last held the title, and as he recalled he lost the WWF Championship thanks to Stone Cold's help at Backlash last year. He had lost everything in a year; his marriage and his friends. He never forgot what Kurt Angle put him through, nor Big Show. He understood perfectly everybody wanted the next title shot - but partner tonight or not, 'the Game' was coming for the WWF Championship, and he wasn't fooling around. The next title shot belonged to him, and it was Game Over to anybody in his way. Standing up to leave, 'the Cerebral Assassin' headed for the ring.
Meanwhile, down separate corridors walked a fiercely intimidating Big Show, as the main event closed near. 'The Giant' wanted the next WWF Championship shot himself, but so did Kurt Angle. 'The Megastar' had not had a good night, yelled at by both Vince and Stephanie McMahon. Meanwhile, the WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin walked with vengeance on his mind. All eyes were on 'the Texas Rattlesnake', as he prepared to team with Triple H against Angle and Show - up next!6) Big Show and Kurt Angle def. WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H (8:17)Everybody wanted the WWF Championship, whether it was the warring former Coalition members Kurt Angle and Big Show, or even 'the Texas Rattlesnake's own partner Triple H. There were face-offs between teams, colliding into a four-man brawl. Stone Cold and Triple H gained the upper hand leading into the final commercial break, returning to them beating up on Kurt Angle. Stone Cold tagged himself in to 'the Game's chagrin, stomping a mudhole in the Olympic Gold Medalist, but Triple H tagged himself in! He flipped Austin the bird with a smirk, though allowed Angle to strike with a belly-to-belly suplex. Big Show tagged himself in, hammering on 'the Game' and stepping on his chest! A legdrop saw 'the Giant' make the cover, but Angle forced him off! The two argued mid-ring, when struck with a spinebuster. The tag made to Austin, hitting the Lou Thesz press on Angle! Austin tried his hand at getting Big Show down, when Angle hit a German suplex! Triple H took care of him, and Austin and Hunter double teamed Show with punches. Show clotheslined both, teasing a double Chokeslam, when Angle came from behind - sending Triple H into Stone Cold! Angle and Triple H went at it at ringside, when Show dropped Austin with the Chokeslam - pinning the WWF Champion!
Unbelievably the Big Show had beaten the WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin, but it came with head-on-head collision from Triple H brought on by Kurt Angle! 'The Giant' towered over 'the Texas Rattlesnake', but he was not yet finished: grabbing the champ by the throat and getting ready for a second Chokeslam. 'The Megastar' soon re-emerged, furious at the big man for stealing his shine. Angle shoved Big Show in frustration, whose eyes widened and grabbed the Olympic Gold Medalist by the throat. Suddenly, Stone Cold struck with a steel chair shot to the spine of Big Show - once more over the head! Angle squirmed from the ring, and Show collapsed to the floor, busted wide open with a growl! Austin was prepared for anybody and everybody wielding a steel chair in the ring - when Triple H returned, dropping 'the Rattlesnake' with the Pedigree from behind! 'The Cerebral Assassin' argued with the Olympian from the ring - everybody wanted the WWF Championship!
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wolvenbear
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Aug 24, 2020 21:33:47 GMT -5
Posts: 448
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Post by wolvenbear on Jul 31, 2021 11:59:01 GMT -5
Didn't know people were doing feds on this board too. (Kinda wish they'd combine all federations on one board).
Quick responses before work:
Was never really a fan of Right to Censor. Except for Godfather, it was a lot of meh wrestlers combining in a really stupid gimmick to satisfy Vince's ego. As much as I like Godfather, I cannot imagine him putting on a decent hardcore match, let alone against Kane. Add in numerous other people, and it really undermines the idea of RTC being a threat. This one seriously lost me.
Booooo to Chyna beating Molly Holly. The better woman lost.
I love the idea of Kaientai mocking E and C with their own outfits. Gold star for that.
Big Show and Angle....could be an interesting team up. That's a great main event. Everyone turns on everyone.
4/5.
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jwrestlingt
Jobber
Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:37:34 GMT -5
Posts: 1
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Post by jwrestlingt on Aug 8, 2021 17:24:11 GMT -5
Loving this... can’t wait for more of this
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Post by DTP. on Aug 10, 2021 14:17:07 GMT -5
SmackDown! - April 12, 2001 First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Broadcast on UPNTaped on April 10, 2001
Everybody wanted a shot at the WWF Championship, and Stone Cold Steve Austin knew it. The tag team main event was set on RAW is WAR, as 'the Texas Rattlesnake' met with the man that played cavalry days prior on SmackDown, Triple H. Together they were up against another dysfunctional team, comprised of two former Coalition members - Kurt Angle and the Big Show. The two teams collided, but when it was all said and done, 'the Megastar' was responsible for Big Show getting a pinfall victory against 'the Rattlesnake', after knocking Triple H head-first into the cranium of Austin. There was bedlam after the match, with Angle furious at Big Show, and 'the Giant' furious with the Olympic Gold Medalist. Stone Cold returned with a steel chair, striking anything that moved - only to be shockingly dropped with the Pedigree from 'the Game'. The champ knew exactly what he was getting himself into, and he had to be ready!
The opening video package aired, and pyrotechnics erupted in the rafters overlooking a sold out First Union Center in Philadelphia! The crowd were on their feet, as Michael Cole and Tazz welcomed us to SmackDown! The two talked about how chaotic RAW is WAR was, between the situation revolving around the WWF Championship; to Hulk Hogan being Gored by none other than Rhyno; and Trish Stratus getting her shirt torn off by Stephanie McMahon in the middle of the ring!
- TONIGHT: WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz and Rob Van Dam vs The Radicalz
- TONIGHT: WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven and Chris Jericho vs X-Factor
- TONIGHT: Paul Heyman plans to deliver an explanation in response to Hulk Hogan
- Many were not anticipating 'the Giant' to head for the ring, but tonight saw the pryotechnics blast vertically over the stage - bringing down a sieging seven-foot-two, 500-pound monster. Big Show bore a scowl on his face as a bandaid over his eyebrow revealed what Stone Cold Steve Austin's steel chair shot left him with last Monday night on RAW is WAR. To loud boos, 'the Giant' growled that everybody saw what went down: in a tag team match without the title on the line, it was he who pinned Stone Cold Steve Austin. In dominant and indisputable fashion, he pinned the WWF Champion, and that made him the number one contender! Show was sickened by the likes of Triple H and Kurt Angle, believing they were in closer proximity to the title, yet they didn't have size on their side. They weren't as big as the Big Show, nor as tough or as strong as he was. He was 'the World's Largest Athlete', and one 'Big Nasty B*stard', through and through! Big Show said that it had been far too long since he'd last held the title, and that was about to change because he wanted Stone Cold's scrawny trailer park trash ass tonight - with the WWF Championship at stake!
The glass shattered and Philadelphia broke into eruption, as the WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin stampeded down the rampway looking for a fight! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' paced down to ringside, when he spontaneously rushed the ring, getting into a fist fight with the Big Show! 'The Giant' remained unmoved, as Stone Cold continued to battle with Show until he cornered the big man with a series of mudhole stomps. Show shoved the WWF Champion away temporarily, only for a Lou Thesz press to take the 500-pounder off of his feet! Big Show finally rolled out of the ring to safety, but Stone Cold wanted more of him. Pent up with rage and frustration, Stone Cold snatched the microphone from the canvas and mocked 'the Giant' for crying, moaning and b*tching about title shots - Stone Cold would have handed him one for free, because he came to Philly tonight to whoop somebody's ass and he didn't care whose! Austin told Show he could thank his lucky stars, because he was on: the WWF Championship on the line, Stone Cold opening a big, fat 500-pound can of whoopass - tonight! Show grinned cravingly and gestured the title would be his, as Austin dared Show to bring everything he had.
- TONIGHT: Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) vs Big Show for the WWF Championship.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz stood in the dressing room area lecturing their seated brother Spike Dudley on his recent voyeuristic efforts. Bubba Ray warned Spike even though he already knew, not to get involved with the Radicalz. Spike argued that he found Terri cute, but D-Von told him now was not the time for crushes. D-Von was determined to get revenge for the sins the Radicalz committed on RAW is WAR in tonight's six-man tag team affair, when into the room walked the cool, calm and collected Rob Van Dam. Smirkingly, RVD high-fived the three Dudley brothers, before saying that he's not as worried as they are about tonight. Everything was cool when you were Rob Van Dam, and tonight he would add a notch to the post - and beat Eddie Guerrero just like he did at WrestleMania. Before departing, 'the Whole Dam Show' declared it would be a blow-up - not to be confused with the state of Dean Malenko's exploded face!
Elsewhere, Edge and Christian walked with poise on their way to the ring. After leaving Kaientai broken and battered in the middle of the ring with steel chairs on Monday night, Edge was about to meet Funaki - one-on-one, up next!
Stephanie McMahon walked the hall backstage at the First Union Center, with no Kurt Angle in sight when approached by Jonathan Coachman. The Coach greeted 'the Billion Dollar Princess' with a microphone in hand, asking her if she had been informed of the news that her father Vince McMahon was not at SmackDown tonight after the melee that happened with Shane McMahon and Trish Stratus on RAW is WAR. Steph said she had received the memo, but noted that her gripe tonight was not with the Chairman, but she did know that his little floosie Trish was here - and that's where her business was to be conducted!
- 1) Funaki def. Edge (w/Christian) (3:38)The former WWF Tag Team Champions got some revenge on Kaientai for costing them their title rematch with the Dudley Boyz last Monday, by leaving the Japanese fan favorites laying recipients of the Conchairto. Taka Michinoku was nowhere to be seen as Funaki went it alone against Edge. Funaki struck fast and scored several roll-ups, when Christian pulled Funaki's feet from under the ropes allowing his older brother to capitalize. Edge was aggressive, pounding on Funaki much like Chris Benoit, he and Christian did to Bradshaw on Monday. Funaki was sent to the floor for an inverted DDT from his younger brother! Funaki beat the count-out narrowly, and then dodged the spear before connecting with a dropkick! A hurricanrana connected, when Christian jumped to the apron. Suddenly, Taka Michinoku ran out and took Christian out with right hands! Edge hit a spear inside but was distracted, when Funaki scored the crucifix pin to pick up a major upset!
Funaki had pulled off a major coup defeating one-half of the former WWF Tag Team Champions, and proceeded to run for the hills with his best friend Taka Michinoku! Kaientai escaped up the rampway in glee, devious smiles on their faces. They left an infuriated Edge and Christian in the dust, in the ring to contemplate their revenge!
- Commissioner William Regal was in his office giving instructions to three members of the security team, forbading WCW Owner Shane McMahon from entering the building tonight in Philadelphia. 'The Goodwill Ambassador' stressed that Shane O'Mac not be allowed access, saying although he was in charge tonight in the Chairman's absence - this order came from Vince McMahon. The security staff understood, when in walked Kurt Angle.
'The Megastar' demanded a word in private with the Englishman. Distressed, Kurt languished the fact that Big Show had cut the queue and was receiving a shot at the WWF Championship tonight despite the fact it was Kurt who did all the heavy lifting in the tag team match on RAW is WAR! Angle claimed Show never would have pinned Stone Cold Steve Austin had it not been for him. Regal admitted the title match tonight was official, causing the Olympic Gold Medalist to complain - requesting it be made a Triple Threat match! Regal empaphized with Angle's frustration, but said the deed was done. He suggested Kurt go speak to Big Show about it, when Kurt nodded in determination: that's what he was going to do.
The Right to Censor were lined up in their dressing room, when approached by Steven Richards. The leader of the RTC was not best pleased as he talked about times being hard for the group, ever since WrestleMania. In a health update on the former WWF Women's Champion Ivory, Steven said that she had been inconsolable since being wrongfully destroyed by that imposterous, sleazy exhibitionist Chyna - but they could not let that sabotage the groundwork they had done. Lecturing the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan for their squabbling on RAW is WAR, Steven implored it was not the RTC way. There could be no weakness shown, which is why tonight Mark Henry would do what they couldn't. Steven encouraged 'the Secret Weapon' to manhandle Kane tonight and bring the WWF Hardcore Championship to the RTC, believing it to restore power, balance and dignity to the group. Steven stressed to Mark to do whatever necessary, to end 'the Big Red Machine'. Mark frowned in agreement.
- TONIGHT: Kane (c) vs Mark Henry for the WWF Hardcore Championship.
- Paul Heyman beckoned out a massively mixed reaction from the hardcore fans in attendance in Philadelphia. As chants of "ECW" glazed over the First Union Center, to no music came the color commentator with an explanation to deliver to the world. Having interrupted Hulk Hogan and verbally berated the Hulkster's accomplishments, Paul smiled as he climbed into the ring knowing what he did was wrong. It could have been considered controversial, doing what not many could do and being indirectly responsible for the downfall of one of the pillars in sports entertainment industry. Paul was talking about Hulk Hogan, and how 'the Real American' suffered the grotesque fate of the Gore from a man named Rhyno. He knew what was on everybody's minds, how 'the Man-Beast' was on a path of destruction but might have loyalty to him. After all, Rhyno got his start in a little place he used to run: named ECW. Despite that, Paul stressed what happened on Monday was not his fault. The WWF Legend shouldn't have ever laid his hands on a WWF analyst, which is what he did.
The color commentator denounced Hulk Hogan's treatment of him, as a broadcast journalist, like it or not, he spoke nothing but what was on his mind. It was like freedom of the press taken from him - he was merely speaking what was on the people's minds, he was on their side! Heyman denounced any need for an explanation, but knew the next best thing. Since Rhyno was an untamed animal that held loyalty to him - Paul was about to land the first official excluive in-ring interview with the man that left Hulk Hogan coughing up blood three nights ago! Introducing the last ECW World Champion - out came Rhyno. 'The Man-Beast' plodded to the ring in gear, immediatley glaring at Heyman. Rhyno snarled and breathed heavily into the microphone, frightening Paul in the corner. Rhyno cooled off on him and growled that Hulk Hogan was in his way. Rhyno declared nobody to be as extreme as 'the Man-Beast!' Prematurely, Jeff Hardy hit the ring with a steel chair! Launching it at Rhyno's face, Jeff struck with two harsh chair shots to the skull, Lita holding open the ropes causing Rhyno to fall out! Heyman ran for cover with Team Xtreme occupying the ring, revenge for the injured Matt Hardy! Rhyno never left his feet and growled angrily on the ramp - but Jeff showed no ounce of quit in getting even with 'the Man-Beast!'
- Tori was brushing her hair with her fingertips in the mirror backstage, when up walked her man - the WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven. With a smile, he put his arm over her shoulders and talked about what a great night this would be. Finally Chris Jericho was seeing the light, and had agreed to team with him tonight against X-Factor. It was a new day dawning, seeing his enemy grow as a human being. Tori smiled as Raven smelled her unkept hair, reciting how it sucked to lose everything. He felt the sympathy Y2J was going through. He'd lost his title, he had no friends, he'd been losing his edge - that's all why he was getting involved with those morons X-Pac, Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Even Raven knew Jericho was better than them, and it was like the old expressioon: "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer". Raven knew they'd make an excellent team tonight, and even hoped Y2J may find more appreciation for him! This strange story was growing even more bizarre. How could they get along?
- Clutching the WWF Hardcore Championship in his gloved hand, Kane walked with a vengeance. Three nights after beating the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan on RAW is WAR, 'the Big Red Machine' was set to meet the Right to Censor's 'Secret Weapon' Mark Henry for the title - up next!
Outside the First Union Center saw the security team appointed by Commissioner William Regal. Waiting for the impending arrival of WCW Owner Shane McMahon, they were not to allow Shane O'Mac into the building tonight.
- 2) Kane (c) def. Mark Henry (w/Steven Richards) to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship (3:43)'The Big Red Machine' had already proven himself to be a fighting champion with thanks to the 24/7 rule. After the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan failed to capture the WWF Hardcore Championship on RAW is WAR, Steven Richards hoped 'the Secret Weapon' would get the job done. Mark Henry jumped Kane as he entered the ring, when at ringside Kane sent Henry into the steel steps! With a shovel and a mop bucket, Kane dropped it over the 400-pounder's head and levelled him with the mop! A distraction from cowardly Steven enabled Henry to use the mop on Kane, which he snapped over his knee! Steven passed Mark a stop sign, and a body slam onto it gave the challenger a near fall. The seven-foot monster came back with a flying clothesline, when Steven waved down the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan! The Right to Censor ganged up on Kane, receiving a corner splash from Henry, when his colleagues tried covering! The RTC argued over who to pin Kane, but Al Snow and Steve Blackman got involved! Kane caught a flying Essa Rios and gorilla pressed him onto the RTC on the floor, when a Chokeslam to Henry got the win!
The amazing power of the seven-foot monster allowed the WWF Hardcore Champion to retain his title, but Kane was not yet finished: an almighty Chokeslam to Al Snow allowing him to leave standing tall. Steven Richards fled the path of Kane as he erupted his pyrotechnics, though noticably Steven had to be infuriated by yet another failure in the Right to Censor!
- Big Show appeared fierce as he applied wrist tape in the locker room, when in walked Kurt Angle who complimented 'the Giant' on his intimidating size. 'The Megastar' told Show he knew he'd been waiting a long time for this moment, though 'the Giant' was not impressed. He thanked Kurt for wishing him luck, when Angle brought up how much help Show needed on RAW is WAR to even put away Stone Cold Steve Austin. If anything, the Olympic Gold Medalist deserved some props there. Show sarcastically thanked Kurt, but informed him when he becomes WWF Champion - Kurt's had too many opportunities, and wouldn't get another one from him.
This irked the Olympian, who reminded him of everything he did for Big Show in the Coalition - but the bold and disinterested challenger grabbed Kurt by the throat and backed him into the wall! Show growled, remembering it differently. He remembered how Kurt used him after humiliating him. He once mamed him like an animal and snapped his ankle. Big Show never forgot that, or how long he went ignored as a loyal member in the Coalition. Those days were long gone - he was seven-foot-two, 500-pounds. He was a freaking giant badass, and people were talking.after he beat Stone Cold. After tonight, the whole world would know he was the big freaking deal when he became WWF Champion! Show stomped away, leaving Angle to gasp for air. Big Show was waiting for his own moment.
The Radicalz were in the dressing room, Dean Malenko sat with his arms folded in disgust. Wearing a steel face protector, he confided in Perry Saturn and Terri about how ugly this get-up made him look. 'The She-Devil' argued it made him appear charming, but Malenko believed it killed his luck with the ladies. Dean held Rob Van Dam personally responsible and planned to get even with him tonight, when Eddie Guerrero hopped in telling Dean to chill out. 'Latino Heat' had his own beef with RVD and suggested Saturn and Malenko focus on the Dudley Boyz tonight - and Eddie might give Dean his leftovers. Saturn scowled about his problem with that little pervert Spike Dudley. Eddie told Perry that he'd get Spike tonight - but they needed to stick to the plan. Tonight they were in Philadelphia; ECW's own backyard! With arms on his partners, Eddie said they embarrassed RVD and the Dudleys on Monday - but tonight they'd humiliate them!
- 3) WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven and Chris Jericho (w/Tori) def. X-Factor (w/WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac) (4:12)The strange alliance had led Raven and Chris Jericho to teaming up, less than two weeks removed from their Astrodome Asylum match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Y2J didn't bother waiting for his partner's arrival, immediately double-teamed by Lance Storm and Justin Credible. Raven soon came with Tori on his arm, shopping cart wheeling down to ringside. Upon entry to the ring, Raven slugged it out with both; dropping Credible with a bulldog! A distraction from X-Pac gave Storm an opening with a neckbreaker, as Y2J waited eagerly on the apron. Antagonizing Jericho allowed X-Pac to come in with an illegal Bronco Buster, and a double atomic drop saw Raven crotched against the ring post! Finally a clothesline to both X-Factor members gave Y2J the tag, but a Walls of Jericho attempt on Storm was prevented by Credible. All four men got into it inside the ring, as X-Pac and Tori each got on the apron! With the referee distracted, Raven nailed Storm a trash can lid to the cranium: and the Walls of Jericho would give Y2J the victory!
Impressively in their first outing as a tag team, the two rivals had beaten X-Factor! Chris Jericho had his hand raised, but the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac came in with a roundhouse kick after the bell. Raven nailed Justin Credible with trash can lid at ringside, before hitting the ring and ducking a shot from X-Pac's title belt! The Evenflow DDT left X-Pac laying in the ring, when the WWF Intercontinental Champion helped Y2J to his feet. Rivals turned partners, Raven grinned seeing Jericho and extended his hand. Jericho contemplated all Raven had done to him, before accepting the handshake! Raven laughed, then Jericho laughed - with Raven even raising Y2J's hand! Was Hell freezing over, with these two former enemies?
- Stephanie McMahon walked the hall on her way to the ring, when approached by Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco. Two longtime Stooges of Vince McMahon, Patterson and Brisco tried to talk 'the Billion Dollar Princess' out of potentially making matters worse in the McMahon Family. Stephanie had two words for the Stooges: "get bent!" Steph powered on out to the arena to apparently address the Philadelphia crowd!
Meanwhile, Trish Stratus sat on the edge of Commissioner William Regal's desk in a fur coat. The WWF Diva shook her head upon seeing Stephanie McMahon on the television monitor. Trish talked trash about her former friend, asking William what made 'the Billion Dollar Princess' so special, so hot and so tough to be calling anybody out. Regal didn't know, but spoke fondly of Trish's strong will and determination to do and act as mightily as she wanted. Trish decided to do something better and beat Stephanie to the punch: planning to go out to the ring and call her out instead! Trish stood up from the desktop, but William grabbed her by the shoulder: was this what her boyfriend Vince McMahon would want after Monday night? Trish giggled flirtatiously, suggesting 'the Goodwill Ambassador' let go, or she'd tell his boss Vince all about this. William gasped but warned her to be careful. Trish smiled, advising he try tell Stephanie that! Who was calling who out?
We returned to SmackDown, where during the commercial break cameras caught up with Chris Benoit arriving at the First Union Center - when ambushed by the WWF European Champion Bradshaw! Dressed in jeans and in a mood for Always Pounding Ass, the APA member looked for revenge after 'the Rabid Wolverine' had plotted to destroy the ankle of the Texan on RAW is WAR - much like the Canadian had done to the Undertaker's knee! The two brawled through the parking lot, bringing attention to the security team - and as they tried to break up the intense scuffle, it allowed the WCW Owner Shane McMahon to casually and discreetly come waltzing past in the background - completely undetected by security!
- Inside the First Union Center, Trish Stratus had in fact beaten Stephanie McMahon to the punch, as she made her way out to the ring. As the fur coat-clad mistress of Vince McMahon stood in the ring, the Philadelphia crowd chanted derogatory statements her way. Disgusted by them all, the WWF Diva found it appalling how she had been treated by everybody. All of this because she fell in love with a brilliant human being that just so happened to be the billionaire Chairman of the World Wrestling Federation! Demanding decorum and respect, Trish defended the boss for buying her a brand new black fur coat after having her shirt stripped from her body by daughter Stephanie McMahon last Monday night! She didn't understand why the fans hated Vince, for he was a creative genius; and a passionate, caring, thoughtful lover! Not only that, but he called himself 'the Genetic Jackhammer' for a reason, which he was in the sack. The only thing Trish could think of was the fans hated them because they were jealous of the love they shared!
Trish Stratus continued defending her absent boyfriend from the people, blaming them for the reason Vince McMahon was so stressed lately. He had so much pressure, between caring with his poor, sick and traumatized soon-to-be ex-wife; his ungrateful and diabolical children Shane and Stephanie McMahon, who only loved Vince for his money and power; and having to cater to a bunch of blood-thirsty, lust-starved idiots in cities like Philadelphia! Finally, Stephanie McMahon arrived, wasting no time coming down to the ring to confront her former friend. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' had Trish intimidated after tearing off her shirt last Monday, but instead of striking the WWF Diva, she instead snatched the microphone from her. Speaking honestly, Stephanie talked about accepting the fact that her former friend and Dad were sleeping together. She could admit that her father soiled a thirty-three year marriage to hook up with a money-grabbing, gold-digging sl*t like Trish Stratus. The one thing Stephanie could not understand was how Trish didn't realize what she was in for.
Steph knew how this was going to go, and it would happen quicker than Trish could ever realize: Vince was going to get tired of playing with his new toy and kick her to the curb! Trish answered back, telling Steph that wasn't going to happen. Vince loved her for what she was - in all her beauty, all her glory. Stratus spoke of how quickly the fans turned on her, and that it was clear her friends had too. It was fine by her, because all she ever needed or wanted was Vincent Kennedy McMahon: 'the Genetic Jackhammer!' Trish winked at Stephanie to her face, as she went on to explain how the world now saw Stephanie: this ungrateful, self-absorbed spoiled brat with clearly obvious Daddy issues. Steph surprisingly broke out into laughter, telling Trish that if she wanted, she could very easily give the whole world a show by ripping off more than just her shirt right now. She could kick Trish's ass here and now if she wanted - but she wasn't. That could wait, because at Backlash she was making it happen: Stephanie McMahon against Trish Stratus, one-on-one! Stephanie had dropped a bombshell and immediately left Trish unscathed, much to the Chairman's girlfriend's shock and horror!
- BACKLASH, APRIL 29: Stephanie McMahon vs Trish Stratus
Following the challenge made, a replay aired recapping the bombshell. Stephanie McMahon had made it official herself, it would be 'the Billion Dollar Princess' going one-on-one against her former friend, and father's lover Trish Stratus!
Stephanie McMahon walked with a smile on her face, knowing that in less than three weeks at Backlash she could punish Trish Stratus as much as she liked. Unsurprisingly, she was faced by Commissioner William Regal, who demanded an explanation! 'The Goodwill Ambassador' could not in good conscience authorize the match to go ahead, and was quick to lecture 'the Billion Dollar Princess' on her latest decision. Stephanie promptly ordered the Englishman to shut up, telling William to mind his own business. Regal tried to attest the match being made, but Stephanie told Regal that whatever Vince wanted to say: she was still a McMahon. And that would always have much more stroke than what the WWF Commissioner had to say! Regal was floored by the announcement himself.
- 4) The Radicalz (w/Terri) def. WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz and Rob Van Dam (w/Spike Dudley) (5:12)Events stemming from Rob Van Dam's WrestleMania victory against Eddie Guerrero had led to this six-man tag team affair. Spike Dudley provoked Perry Saturn before the bell, but as he pursued 'the Runt of the Dudley Litter', the Dudley Boyz took control with a double flapjack! RVD came in with a top rope side kick, forcing Saturn to run to the face protector wearing Dean Malenko. Malenko was furious after the Van Daminator last week, using his technical prowess to take 'the Whole Dam Show' down, but walked into a roundhouse kick! D-Von Dudley was distracted by 'the She-Devil' at ringside enabling the Radicalz to isolate him. Eddie Guerrero's goading of Bubba Ray made for triple team attacks, when D-Von caught 'Latino Heat' and Saturn with a double clothesline! Bubba Ray made the tag, hot and heavy. The Wazzup connected on Eddie, but before wood could be introduced all men came bounding in! A distraction from Terri allowed Spike to sucker punch Saturn on the floor, as the match boiled down to RVD and Eddie. The Dudleys brawled with Saturn and Malenko on the floor, while inside Eddie got his knees up from the Five-Star Frog Splash! Guerrero had Malenko's steel face protector and clocked Van Dam, giving Guerrero a dirty three count!
Eddie Guerrero had avenged his humiliating WrestleMania loss by beating Rob Van Dam, though it came at the expense of using Dean Malenko's steel face protector! Philadelphia booed loudly as their homegrown favourites had fallen in defeat, and as the Dudley Boyz hit the ring the Radicalz were able to make a getaway to the rampway! 'The Whole Dam Show' was knocked out cold, and D-Von, Bubba Ray and Spike Dudley were furious. Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko celebrated with 'Latino Heat' and Terri on the rampway - another tainted victory for the Radicalz!
- Jonathan Coachman was stood in front of the APA's office door with the WWF European Champion Bradshaw, the Coach wanting to get the Texan's opinion on the backstage brawl between he and Chris Benoit tonight. Bradshaw admitted 'the Rabid Wolverine' being one hell of a fighter, but he sure as hell wasn't a Texan. Nobody fought like the APA, and Benoit was unlucky knowing he was feeling just fine after what the Canadian and his goofball buddies Edge and Christian tried to do to his ankle on RAW is WAR. Bradshaw challenged all three of them to a match this coming Monday night, bringing Coach to ask him who his partners would be. Bradshaw looked at Coach and chuckled, when the APA's office door opened to bring out Kaientai! With a six pack of beer in hand, Funaki celebrated with Taka Michinoku after upsetting Edge earlier tonight! Bradshaw wrapped his arms around both of them saying that tonight they were gonna party, and on Monday - Benoit, Edge and Christian would get their asses handed to them!
- RAW is WAR, THIS MONDAY: WWF European Champion Bradshaw and Kaientai vs Chris Benoit, Edge and Christian
The Right to Censor sat with their hands bowed in shame in the dressing room. Mark Henry had failed to beat Kane for the WWF Hardcore Championship, which he verbally bickered at the Goodfather and Bull Buchanan for screwing up. Into the room walked Steven Richards, talking about the shame the RTC members had brought. There was no "I" in "team", and they had let all of their supporters down. They were in this together. Steven looked down his nose at each of them - he had saved them all. The Goodfather was a sleazy pimp when Steven saved him. Bull Buchanan was a bounty hunter without a purpose, before Steven saved him. Mark Henry was an overweight sex addict, before Steven saved him. 'The Secret Weapon' frowned as Steven talked how big he was - yet so was Kane. What was Mark's excuse for being so out of shape, and so lacking in motivation. The Goodfather visibly rolled his eyes and Steven asked him if he had anything to say - which he did not. He asked if he was willing to throw everything away and go back to his old ways, which Goodfather confessed he did not. Richards surmised that training was to be done - they were better than this.- 5) Albert def. Test (3:31)T&A had been on the brink of exploding ever since Test delivered the big boot to Albert over one month ago. For the former WWF Tag Team Champions, something had to give and the battle of egos had led to weeks of costing the other man matches. Much like in the crowd on RAW is WAR, Albert and Test started by throwing haymakers, neither man backing down. Test sent 'the Freight Train' from the ring, only for Albert to send Test into the ring post! Back inside, the 350-pounder hammered on Test, grounding him with a headlock. Test fired back with right hands, only to walk into a big boot for a near fall! Albert connected with the corner splash and showed amazing strength with a gorilla press slam, but in sizing Test up for the bicycle kick, Test was able to duck it and come back with a sidewalk slam! The diving elbow drop was prevented by Albert battling with him on the second turnbuckle. A superplex was the motive, but Test knocked Albert back down to the canvas! About to dive, it was D-Lo Brown, nailing Test in the spine with his briefcase! Test crashed and burned, and a Baldo Bomb gave Albert the win!
Test turning down D-Lo Brown's bribe on Sunday Night Heat had cost him this important match against his former tag team partner Albert! 'The Real Deal' wore an expensive tracksuit and laughed from ringside, as 'the Freight Train' celebrated his win. That's when D-Lo hit the ring and put the boots to the Canadian for good measure! Albert watched idly by, then decided to join in. Holding Test up for another briefcase shot to the face, D-Lo laughed hysterically to the boos of the crowd. The stallion was down, when K-Kwik ran down to the ring! Not letting D-Lo forget the beating he gave him on SmackDown last week, K-Dawg fought from the heart - when derailed by a shoulder tackle courtesy of Albert! D-Lo raised Albert's hand in victory over Test and K-Kwik, a unique alliance apparently being formed.
- Having infiltrated the First Union Center tonight, WCW Owner Shane McMahon walked the halls greeting arena staff when catching up after his sister Stephanie McMahon. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' coldly responded, as Shane offered a high-five for giving Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus what they deserved on RAW is WAR. Steph wondered what Shane was even doing here, telling him that she hadn't forgotten everything he had done. Shane told Stephanie he had tried to apologize countlessly, but who was right when it all came down to it? Bragging about his track record, with Dad's affair and devilish nature being correct, Steph didn't want to hear it. Last time she'd checked, Shane had tried to manipulate her, and at WrestleMania knocked her out of the ring. Steph wished Shane the best of luck - but she was going to do this on her own. At Backlash, Stephanie vowed, to kick Trish Stratus's ass and hurt Dad where it hurt deep. She walked away, leaving Shane perplexed.
As Big Show fiercely prepared in his locker room, with his long awaited WWF Championship shot tonight, we saw the locker room door of the WWF Champion himself! It was announced that we would hear from 'the Texas Rattlesnake' Stone Cold Steve Austin - next!
Jim Ross was sat in the locker room of Stone Cold Steve Austin, as he prepared himself mentally for the WWF Championship challenge of Big Show tonight. Debra sat in the backstage as J.R. thanked him again for saving him from 'the Giant' and Kurt Angle's clutches last week in his hometown. The 'Voice of the World Wrestling Federation' asked his longtime friend about why he accepted this challenge from a 500-pound monster like Big Show. 'The Texas Rattlesnake' explained with all due respect, he told Jim and the entire world the night after WrestleMania - he was open for business. Stone Cold was going to take each and every challenge, whoop their sorry asses and open a can of whoopass on anybody looking his way. Big Show's a big son of a gun, but Stone Cold wasn't afraid of no 'Giant! and tonight, he was planning to stomp the world's largest mudhole in the world's largest piece of trash that had ever walked God's green earth! Why? Because Stone Cold said so. A pent-up WWF Champion got up and left, with Debra shrugging to J.R.
- Kurt Angle walked with a look of disbelief, bursting into his dressing room to find girlfriend Stephanie McMahon. 'The Megastar' was not pleased with her challenging Trish Stratus to a match at Backlash, demanding her to explain what this would accomplish. 'The Billion Dollar Princess' was in no mood, telling her boyfriend it was her business and she didn't have time for this. Angle reverted to what he scolded her for on Monday, how this would effect his own goals: not just out of being WWF Champion, but in being guilty by association! Kurt fretted he might get fired if she hurt Trish. She told Kurt that he wouldn't, because he had nothing to do with it. As she said on RAW is WAR, Stephanie was mad that Kurt was making this all about himself again! Too prideful for his own good, Angle reasoned he was, because he was an Olympic Gold Medalist. He was a natural athlete, born to compete. As a former champion, he needed to become WWF Champion. Stephanie's jaw dropped at Angle's stubbornness, telling him that he could do whatever the hell he wanted - she no longer cared. Leaving the room, Kurt yelled after demanding an explanation!
- WCW Owner Shane McMahon chatted with Scotty 2 Hotty in the corridor, when up walked Commissioner William Regal with three security guards in tow. The staff were let on to Shane O'Mac's infiltration earlier tonight, and a smug 'Goodwill Ambassador' congratulated him on his pesky nature. Grinning at a smirking Shane, Regal called him a slippery little bugger bringing Shane to smile back. The WCW Owner had expected nothing less from a mediocre Commissioner like himself. Shane knew the drill and Regal asked the security team to escort him from the premises, but before his departure - Regal wanted to press Shane on why he was so dead set on showing up on WWF programming. Shane explained: freedom. Much like Stephanie told him, he was a McMahon. He still belonged here, because he was a McMahon. Regal laughed and told him he didn't care who the bloody hell he was. Regal pointed at the door and ordered he get out. Shane responded comically, throwing his wrists in the air and jokingly asking security to cuff him. Shane began to be escorted, before cautioning him: he'd see him on a Monday night real soon.
- Walking with a scowl on his face, Big Show glared at everybody watching him walk the backstage area. In 'the Giant's mind, his time had arrived. He had been WWF Champion before, and tonight he planned to end the night a two-time champ - by beating Stone Cold Steve Austin! The seven-foot-two, 500-pounder was prepared to meet 'the Texas Rattlesnake - up next!6) Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) def. Big Show to retain the WWF Championship (6:40)'The Texas Rattlesnake' planned to take out anybody who challenged him for the WWF Championship. After pinning 'the Texas Rattlesnake' on RAW is WAR, Big Show felt this was his time. The WWF Champion struck first on Big Show as he entered the ring. Swatted away, Austin came back with more right hands, but failed to take the big man down. A sidewalk slam impacted him, and the towering challenger pounded on Austin, standing on his chest! The 500-pounder choked Stone Cold on the ropes, and a giant chop sent Austin out to the floor. Big Show hammered Austin, but Stone Cold evaded attack and gave 'the Giant' a clothesline over the barricade!
The two battled into the crowd when Show headbutted Austin over the barricade. In the ring, the cobra clutch had Austin fading, though the champ came back to life and countered a gorilla press into the Lou Thesz press! Show cut Austin off with the Chokeslam - but Austin kicked out! The challenger threatened the referee - and as Austin swung for Show, he took out the official. 'The 'Giant' soon grabbed a steel chair from ringside, when the Stunner connected! Suddenly, Kurt Angle ran down to hit the Angle Slam on Austin! 'The Megastar' grabbed the chair when Big Show snatched it from him. Big Show threatened Kurt, unaware that Triple H had arrived! 'The Game' went after Angle, sending him from the ring. As the two brawled at ringside, Big Show attempted the Final Cut on Austin, only for him to connect with the Stunner to retain the title!
Perhaps it was the interference from both Kurt Angle and Triple H, but nonetheless Stone Cold Steve Austin had put away the Big Show to retain the WWF Championship! Philadelphia came unglued as 'the Texas Rattlesnake' grew to his feet and snatched the title from the referee. Stone Cold caught two Steveweisers and planned to have a beer bash in the city of Brotherly Love - when from behind once again came Kurt Angle! 'The Megastar' was obsessed with becoming WWF Champion again, dropping him with a second Angle Slam. For good measure, Angle whipped off his shirt and struck Triple H with a steel chair as he entered the ring! Angle locked in the Ankle Lock to loud boos from the First Union Center, as there was no fooling around tonight for the scorned Olympic Gold Medalist!
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Post by DTP. on Aug 11, 2021 9:52:58 GMT -5
Backlash 2001 - April 29, 2001 AllState Arena in Chicago, Illinois Live on Pay-Per-View Presented by Castrol GTX - "Frenzy"
STEPHANIE MCMAHON vs TRISH STRATUS
The exposed love affair of Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus at WrestleMania enraged an emotional Stephanie McMahon. It ended a thirty-four year marriage to Linda McMahon, but caused irreconcilable and irreversible damage to the McMahon Family. Adamantly without her lover Kurt Angle, and her brother Shane McMahon, much to the chagrin of WWF Commissioner William Regal, this was 'the Billion Dollar Princess's shot at revenge on her treacherous snake of a former friend - one-on-one.
Matches to be announced. 17 DAYS AWAY!
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Post by DTP. on Aug 13, 2021 11:56:07 GMT -5
Jakked - April 14, 2001 FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts Broadcast in syndicationTaped on April 9, 2001
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the arena for WWF Jakked. Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Coachman welcomed us to the show, discussing events of the past week in the World Wrestling Federation. 1) K-Kwik def. Duke Dalton (4:22) [Broadcast on WWF Metal]The resilient rapper K-Kwik had not had a great week, with his problems with D-Lo Brown escalating now to involve Albert. K-Dawg had tried to save the day for Test, but the new alliance of 'the Real Deal' and 'the Freight Train' left Test and K-Kwik laying. Looking to take out his frustrations, K-Kwik struggled against hot prospect from California, Duke Dalton, but ultimately scored the win with the scissors kick. 2) X-Factor def. Low-Ki and Alex Arion (4:44) Lance Storm and Justin Credible were coming off of a major loss against bizarre enemies-turned-allies Chris Jericho and WWF Intercontinental Champion Raven on SmackDown, but tonight without their leader X-Pac, the two turned to battle international star Low-Ki and Alex Arion. Low-Ki laid in sharp kicks on Storm, but That's Incredible landed from Credible, allowing X-Factor to redeem themselves. 3) Billy Gunn def. Gary Swinger (3:29) [Broadcast on WWF Metal] There were not many men prouder than 'the One' Billy Gunn, as had been revealed thus far in his girlfriend Chyna's WWF Women's Championship reign. With gold of his own in mind, Billy impressed with a newfound intensity against heavyweight Gary Swinger. A high-angle dropkick however paved the way for the One and Only to seal the deal, giving Billy Gunn the win. 4) Scotty 2 Hotty def. Essa Rios (4:36) [Broadcast on WWF Metal]The loss on the WrestleMania edition of Sunday Night Heat to WWF Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac was not about to deter Scotty 2 Hotty, as one-third of Too Cool had declared his ambition to seek a rematch. Tonight against a former champion in Essa Rios, the dancing antics of Scotty prompted Essa to show off with some dancing of his own. Amidst the high flying, lucha-libre antics of Essa, 'the Daredevil' soon went surprised by a bulldog, making way for the Worm.
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