Hi, Scott. I've been a reader of your blog going all the way back to the Rantsylvania days. I wanted to drop you an email and see if you'd pimp out my YouTube channel. There's only two shorts on it so far -- a pilot for a comedy webseries called Project Hollywood (kind of like Entourage, but with lots and lots of failure instead of success for the characters) and a film noir short we shot for the 48 Hour Film Project -- but we've gotten some funding and will be shooting more webseries shows and some more shorts this fall. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CouchSurferProd?feature=mhum
Any kind of plug would be appreciated as we're trying to drive more traffic to the YouTube channel. Keep up the good work!

Good luck!

I just read this morning on some site that the Women's Title unification match at Night of Champions is going to be starting the process of Merging all the titles again.  The plan seems to be to keep the WWE Title, IC, Tag (been merged) and Womens.  What is your take on this?  If this is true how will the juggle the champions?  Will the WWE title be the Raw title and IC be the Smackdown one or is the Brand Extension finally coming to an end.

I think they’re finally getting smart and trimming the fat from the title scene, because they realize there’s just too damn many belts. Unless Smackdown does really poorly on Syfy, they’re still gonna need two strong touring companies, so I wouldn’t say this is the end of the brand extension by any means.  But given that I don’t even know who the IC and US champions are right now, that’s a pretty good sign that they don’t need two midcard belts.  Maybe back in the day they could draw a house show off a US title defense, but this is no longer “the day” and it just doesn’t mean anything.  My only hope is that we finally get to ditch the stupid fucking spinner belt once they get merged. 

Live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit (4/02/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (4/02/2000)
WWF European Champion: Chris Jericho (4/02/2000)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Hardcore Holly (4/02/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (3/13/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air and goes right to the intro without any clips or stills from last night's pay-per-view. After that Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcoming us to the show.

~ Things kick off with Shane McMahon making his way to the ring and grabbing the mic to start the opening promo. Shane starts off by apologizing to Vince McMahon, saying he's proud of him for his great accomplishment last night. Shane says after what Vince did he was so proud to carry the McMahon name and loves his father very much. Shane says he wants to continue what Vince started by challenging The Rock to a one-on-one match tonight! At that point the Helmsleys make their way out to the ring with Triple H still possessing the WWF Championship and Stephanie still hurting from Rock's attack last night. Stephanie gets on the mic and says she's still in pain after sustaining the Rock Bottom and the People's Elbow and admits she slapped Rock feeling he deserved it but she didn't deserve the assault because she's a woman. Triple H takes the mic and reminds Shane that Rock put his hands on his wife so he wants some payback by facing him in a match tonight. However Triple H says it won't be for the WWF Championship because he already proved The Rock is not in his league. Triple H tells Shane this a personal issue and dares Rock to accept his challenge, promising to hurt Rock tonight the same way Rock hurt Stephanie.

Vince McMahon makes his way out to the ring instead and hugs Stephanie .... then turns and shake Triple H's hand (!) before walking over and hugging Shane as well(!!). Yep, Vince is reconciling with the very children who tried to force him out of business over the past weeks. We're hitting the reset button, everyone. Anyway Vince gets on the mic and says they have a problem becasue the match he had in mind was himself taking on The Rock. Vince says everyone is wanting an explaination of why he turned against Rock at Wrestelmania but feels he doesn't answer to the fans so he's not inclined to offer one. (Translation: "we don't have an explanation to give because we haven't quite worked one out yet".) Vince then calls Rock egocentric and narcissistic just like all the Los Angeles fans for having various cosmetic operations. Vince then talks about all the bottom feeders out there wanting some Hollywood agent to make them a star in entertainment. Vince says he shattered Rock's dream at Wrestlemania and thus everyone's dreams of stardrom is doomed as well. Vince promises whoever faces Rock tonight will drive him out of the WWF into a more suitable job of waiting tables. Not exactly what we were hoping for after last night's heel turn.

~ JR and Lawler then run down some of tonight's matches which include The Big Show taking on Rikishi. Plus Hardcore Holly will defend his newly-won Hardcore title against his own cousin Crash Holly, Chris Jericho will defend his newly-won European Title against Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit will defend his newly-won Intercontinential Title against Tazz.

~ Backstage a limo pulls and The Rock climbs out, probably unaware of the McMahons challenging him tonight.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the Staples Center as JR buzzes about which of the McMahons Rock will face in the main event.

Before the match Eddie gets on the mic and claims Chyna is craving his Latino Heat after last night then promises to make all his ancestors in Spain proud of him by winning the European Title. Both men exchange shots to start and Eddie gets the advanatge and pounds away on Jericho in a corner. Eddie whips Jericho into the other corner and charges but Jericho tosses him over his head onto the turnbuckle and connects with a clothesline. Jericho chops Eddie into the ropes then whips him and drops him to the mat. Jericho goes for a powerbomb when Eddie floats over him into a Sunset Flip but Jericho rolls out of it. Eddie hits a clothesline and dropkicks Jericho in the head then poses for Chyna before hitting a snapmare and rubbing his boot into Jericho's face. Eddie whips Jericho into a heel kick then whips him again into a sleeperhold. Jericho fights out and comes off the ropes but runs into an Abdominal strech and Eddie goes back to the sleeper but Jericho counters it with a back suplex. Eddie jabs Jericho's eyes to stop the rally and tosses him through the ropes then goes out to the floor and rams Jericho into the ringsteps as ... we accidentally cut to the back? Oops! Back to the match both men exchange chops and Jericho starts chasing after Eddie but Eddie jabs him in the eye again and snampares him to the floor. Eddie hits a kneedrop to the face before throwing Jericho back in the ring and hitting a vertical suplex then winks at Chyna. Eddie climbs to the top rope looking for the Frogsplash and leaps off when Jericho rolls out of the way. Eddie rolls out of it only to run right into a powerslam. Jericho goes for a whip, Eddie reverses but Jericho comes back with the bulldog off the ropes for a two count. Jericho whips Eddie but lowers the head and Eddie kicks the face but Jericho trips him right into the referee, knocking him through the ropes. Jericho powerbombs Eddie then holds on for the second powerbomb and follows up with the Lionsault. Jericho covers Eddie but the referee is still out and can't make the count and Chyna unsuccessfully tries to revive the referee so she goes into the ring and makes a fast three count for Jericho. Chyna the raises Jericho's hand as if he's won the match .. only to turn and drill him with a DDT?! Chyna then rolls Eddie onto Jericho and rolls the referee back in to count the 1..2..3! Eddie wins!! (5:39) Eddie wins his first WWF belt ending Jericho's European Title reign after just one day. Chyna then presents Eddie with the title and Eddie is confused by this at first but then the two embrace. So Chyna pinned Eddie at the pay-per-view yet turns on Jericho to align with that same person? Other than the confusing heel turn, still a pretty good match. ***

~ Back from break Stephanie is showing off her new Women's Title to Vince McMahon who says he's proud of her. Stephanie then tries to convince Vince to let Triple H face The Rock tonight, letting him get revenge for last night and telling Vince that protecting her isn't his job anymore. Vince says he'll think about it.

No, I don't know who the heels are in this match. Once the DX'ers hit the ring Road Dogg does his rhyming on the mic insulting Trish's posterior. Albert and X-Pac start off and Albert gives X-Pac some words only for X-Pac to spray water in his face and get in the first shots. X-Pac goes for a whip but Albert reverses it and hits a press slam. Albert clubs X-Pac in the back and goes for a whip but X-Pac reverses it and Road Dogg gets in some shots from the apron. X-Pac follows up with the spinkick but Albert powers out of the cover. Road Dogg tags in to take over and goes for a whip, Albert reverses it and Road Dogg hits the juke 'n jive shots but misses the big right and Albert connects with a bicycle kick. Test tags in and helps Albert whip Road Dogg into a corner then whips Albert into an Avalanche on Road Dogg and Albert throws Road Dogg right into a big boot from Test but X-Pac breaks up the pin. Test whips Road Dogg but lowers the head and Road Dogg kicks the face but Test comes back with the full nelson slam. Test and goes for the big boot but misses Road Dogg and straddles himself on the ropes. X-Pac spinkicks Test back in the ring then tags in and chops him in a corner but Test starts fighting back. X-Pac goes for a whip, Test reverses him into the opposite corner and charges but X-Pac sidesteps him. X-Pac goes for another spinkick but Test catches him into a slam. Test goes for the pump-handle slam but X-Pac floats over him and hits a suplex then tags Road Dogg in and Road Dogg straddles Test into the ropes. Road Dogg pops Albert off the apron and hits the shake, rattle 'n kneedrop on Test but Albert breaks up the pin. X-Pac comes in and works over Albert while Test whips Road Dogg into a boot. Test goes for a powerbomb but Road Dogg backdrops Test over the ropes. Albert grabs X-Pac but Road Dogg low blows him and X-Pac quickly follows up with the X-Factor on Albert allowing Road Dogg to grab the pin. (3:35) This may sound weird but I actually thought this was a decent match. **½

~ Backstage Kurt Angle is complaining to Howard Finkel about losing both his titles last night without being pinned, calling it a conspiracy against him. Finkel explains the rules stated the champion did not have to be pinned to lose the title so because of that Angle is no longer a champion. Angle seems to accept the explanation and walks off but quickly comes back and slaps Finkel in the crossface chickenwing while screaming he's a champion.

~ Back from break Shane barges into Vince McMahon's office accusing Stephanie of manipulating him like always. Shane tells Vince that he wants to be the one to take on The Rock and Vince promises to work it out somehow.

Isn't it cool how the Radicals have been in the WWF for just two months yet three of the four members are already holding gold? Both men lockup to start and Benoit forces Tazz into a corner but Tazz punches his way out of it when Benoit rakes the face. Benoit goes for a whip, Tazz reverses it but Benoit comes back with a shoulderblock. Benoit comes off the ropes and slides under Tazz but Tazz hits a belly-to-belly Tazplex right on Benoit's head. Tazz hammers Benoit and whips him but Benoit hits another shoulderblock followed by a snap suplex for a two count. Benoit tosses Tazz through the ropes then goes out and whips Tazz into the barricade and exchanges chops with him. Benoit rolls Tazz back in the ring and slams him to the mat and hits an elbowdrop and Tazz starts ro fight back. Benoit takes him down by the legs and puts him in the Sharpshooter but lets go of it for whatever reason. Benoit whips Tazz into a corner but eats a boot and Tazz comes out but runs into a drop toehold. Benoit wails on Tazz's neck and whips him into a corner then goes for a German suplex but Tazz slips out and slaps on the Tazzmission! Benoit starts to fade and looks ready to submit just as Perry Saturn runs out and climbs to the top rope. Before Saturn can do anything Tazz throws Benoit into the ropes causing Saturn to straddle the turnbuckle. Tazz climbs up and hits a belly-to-belly superplex then clotheslines Saturn over the ropes to the floor. Tazz turns back to Benoit but Benoit plants him with a bridge suplex for the three to retain. (3:21) Good match but really needed a few more minutes. Benoit and Saturn start heading for the lockeroom but Tazz catches Saturn on the ramp with the Tazzmission. Benoit goes back and beats Tazz off Saturn but Tazz is back up and continues attacking Saturn to the back. **½

~ Backstage we find Rikishi talking with Too Cool but we get a low-angle shot for some reason as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Shane McMahon praises The Big Show's efforts at the pay-per-view despite being the first man eliminated. Show tells Shane he's still there for him but he's decided to have fun and explore what Hollywood has to offer him before he heads off. Shane seems confused by this but still wishes Show luck.

~ Out in the arena Michael Cole brings Edge & Christian out to the ring for their first interview as tag team champions but Edge decides to take the mic from Cole and dismiss him. Edge puts over he and Christian winning a fantastic match and the two of them repeatedly say they were great last night before admiting they needed great opponents. E&C ask the Hardys to come out and once Matt and Jeff Hardy appear on the stage Edge tells them to cheer up since they did a great job last night while Christian says there's no shame in coming in second or third. The Hardys start heading down the ramp but before they climb into the ring the Dudleys also come out. The Hardys turn and stare back at the Dudleys when E&C waffle both Hardys from behind with the title bets. The Dudleys pass them and go right after the champs before tossing E&C back in the ring. Bubba clotheslines Christiaon over the ropes then he and D'Von hit Edge with the 3D. The Hardys climb into the ring and duke it out with the Dudleys while Edge and Christina grab their belts and depart. A swarm of referees try to break up the brawl in the ring as we go to commercial. This would begin Edge and Christian's transformation into the heels we all know and love, though it would take a while to get there.

~ Back from break we get a replay of the Hardys/Dudleys/Edge & Christian brawl.

~ We then find Eddie Guerrero and Chyna talking Spanish as they climb into a low rider and drive off.

Rikishi gets in the first shots and whips Show into a corner then charges at him but eats a boot. Show comes out with a clothelsine then moonwalks for some reason before doing his verson of the Worm. Show tries to finish it with an elbowdrop but Rikishi has more than enough time to move out of the way. Rikishi comes back with a Samoan Drop then hits the running butt splash in a corner and gives Rikishi the stinkface. Rikishi superkicks Show near the ropes when Sexay snaps Snow's neck into them causing a DQ, even through Rikishi was in control. (1:17) Rikishi superkicks Show back down and Scotty decides to come in and show how to properly do the Worm. The three of them to commence with the post-match dance as Show watches from the stage with interest. NR

~ We then get a shot of The Rock's door signaling an interview with him is near as we go to commercial.

~ Back form break Vince is with Shane and the Helmsleys suggesting they draw straws to see who faces The Rock. Triple H picks first and Shane allows Vince to go second but Shane ends up with the short straw and gets the match. Shane gets excited and walks off but after he departs Vince and Triple H admit they really didn't want to face Rock.

~ Out in the arena The Big Show is back in the ring and gets on the mic talking about being known as a great athlete and an unstoppable monster. However Show says there's more to him than chokeslams and such then brings up his appearence on Saturday Night Live, claiming everyone knows he's a funny, entertaining guy. Show says sometimes he feels like fighting but other times he feels like dancing and decides to show it tonight. Show asks the production truck to cue up some music and starts busting some moves as the crowd gets into it. I guess this qualifies as a face turn.

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Rock about facing Shane McMahon tonight and Vince's actions last night. Rock brings up Vince's great decisions such as expanding the WWF, creating Wrestlemania and getting an implant. Rock then says Vince made the worst decision of his life when he hit him with the chair twice when he was down. Rock guarantees he's going to beat Shane up then promises to somehow become WWF Champion again before finishing with the usual.

~ Back from break the Too Cool guys talk about Big Show's dancing. Grandmaster Sexay saying he stunk while Scotty 2 Hotty tells him that Show wasn't that bad. Sexay is unconvinced and continues to make fun of Show's actions.

As Crash comes out JR mentions the title changed hands 10 times in the battle royal last night. Crash attacks Hardcore as he climbs in the ring then grabs the title belt and waffles him with it. Crash heads to the floor looking for weapons then brings in a cookie sheet and whacks Hardcore in the face for a two count. Crash goes for a whip but Hardcore reverses it and drops Crash onto the sheet. Hardcore goes out for his own plunder and brings in a push broom then breaks the handle on Crash's back and works him over with the broken handle. Hardcore goes back out to the floor and grabs a fire extinguisher as Crash goes for a baseball slide but misses Hardcore and Hardcore sprays him with the extinguisher for a near fall on the floor. Hardcore tosses Crash back in the ring then brings in a chair and readies it but Crash cuts him off. Crash gets in his shots and sets the chair up when Hardcore comes back with goes for a suplex onto the chair. However Crash floats over Hardcore and manages to hit a front suplex onto the chair but only gets a two count. Crash clotheslines Hardcore over the ropes to the floor then grabs the ringbell and readies it but Hardcore cuts him off by smashing a glass candy jar in his face. Suddenly The Acolytes make their way out for some reason and Bradshaw nails Hardcore with his Clothesline from Hades. Bradshaw throws Hardcore in the ring then he and Faarooq whip Hardcore into a double spinebuster. Crash covers Hardcore and gets the three to regain the belt! (3:02) Yep, this proves last night's finish was botched. The now four-time champion takes the belt and thanks the Acolytes as JR suspects Crash paid for their help. Crash starts heading up the ramp but the Mean Street Posse ambush him on the stage and try to pin him there. However the Posse quickly fight among themsleves again while Crash is able to make his escape. Didn't Crash call off the 24/7 rule on Smackdown or was that a temporary thing? *½

~ Backstage Shane McMahon is suiting up for his match against The Rock when Triple H comes in offering advice. Triple H tries to come up with something Shane can use to his advantage but realizes nothing will really help him. So all Triple H does is tell Shane to be careful out there and walks off as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Grandmaster Sexay is packing up his gear when The Big Show appears asking if his dancing was that bad and Sexay says it wasn't bad but it wasn't good. So Show drops Sexay with a right hand and splashes him through a table! Show then grabs Sexay's hat and shades and heads out to meet his agent leaving Sexay writhing in pain. So much for honest criticism.

Val gets on the mic to greet the ladies but gets interupted by Angle's music as he comes out with a mic. Angle calls last night the WWF's darkest day becasue he lost both his titles and wasn't even pinned once then claims as a result he's gotten calls from parents who said kids were too depressed to go to school today. Angle then says he's gone from holding two belts to wrestling a porn star and doesn't want to taint his body so he pulls out a pair of saniatry gloves. Angle tries to slip them on but before he can finish Val jumps him from behind to start the match. Val pulls off Angle's medals and stomps him down in a corner then chokes him with his boot and goes for a whip. Angle reverses it but lowers the head and Val kicks the face then whips Angle into an elbow. Val follows up with an elbowdrop and a kneedrop off the ropes for a two cunt then hits a chop. Angle ducks a short-arm clothesline and goes for an O'Connor roll but Val grabs the ropes to prevent it. Angle comes back with a clothesline but Val pops right up and hits his own clothesline then chops Angle and clotheslines him over the ropes to the floor. Val leaps off the apron but Angle belts him in the chest and whips him into the ringsteps. Angle heads back in the ring and pulls Val onto the apron but Val hits a neckbreaker into the ropes then rolls back in the ring. Angle hits a DDT that gets a two count then elbows Val in the back twice and whips him hard into a corner. Angle follows up with a snap suplex then whips Val but misses a clothesline and Val hits a neckbreaker. Angle tries to splash Val in a corner but eats a boot and Val whips Angle into a corner and hits a clothesline. Val does the same thing in the opposite corner then hits a butterfly suplex but that only gets a two count. Val goes for the Fisherman's suplex but hurts his back and Angle takes advantage and sets him on the top rope. Angle goes up for a superplex but Val fights Angle off to the mat. Val then goes for the Moneyshot but misses it and Angle quickly slaps on the crossface chickenwing forcing Val to give it up. (4:15) Another good match tonight. **½

~ Backstage Shane is stretching for the match when Vince McMahon comes in and assures his son he has his back. Shane thanks Vince and hugs him while complaining about Triple H's "advice" as we go to commercial.

Bossman gets Kane's attention allowing Buchanan to attack him from behind and get in the first shots. Buchanan whips Kane into a corner but Kane comes back with a clothesline and whips him into a boot. Kane whips Buchanan into a corner and Buchanan runs up the ropes ... but slips and falls back to the mat. Kane pops Buchanan and whips him into a corner then charges but eats an elbow. Buchanan hits a forearm and climbs to the top rope but Kane sits up and grabs him by the neck. Bossman hops on the apron and Kane knocks knocks him back off and Buchanan leaps off but Kane catches him in a chokeslam for the three. (1:15) Even for a minute match it was still sloppy. Bossman comes in and works Kane over with his nightstick then knocks him out to the floor and the two handcuff Kane to one of the ringposts. Bearer tries hitting Buchanan with a chair but it has no effect and Buchanan nails Bearer with a right hand. Buchanan then takes the chair and smashes Kane's hand with it. DUD

~ The Rock is shown pacing in the back in anticipation for the main event as we go to commercial.

Shortly after Shane comes out to the ring Vince makes his way out and has a word with Earl Hebner. The Rock then charges down the ramp into the ring while Vince and Shane quickly bail out to the floor. Vince distracts Rock so Shane can jump him but Rock catches Shane and chases him back out to the floor and up the ramp. Rock catches Shane on the stage but Triple H comes out and ambushes Rock, ramming him into the entrance set. Triple H hammers Rock down the ramp before whipping him into the steps and tossing him in the ring to officially start the match. Shane greets Rock with a clohtesline then hops to the middle rope and hits an elbowdrop but only gets a two count. Rock starts fighting back and goes for a whip but Shane reverses it and Rock tumbles out after Triple H pulls down the top rope. Hebner keeps Triple H from interefering but doesn't see Vince clotheslining Rock over the announce table. Vince tosses Rock back into the ring and Shane wails away on him then whips him and hits an elbow. Shane drapes Rock on the middle rope adn distracts Hebner while Triple H gets in some shots from the floor and snaps Rock's neck on the top rope. Shane starts skipping around while getting in some jabs then comes off the ropes but runs right into a spinebuster. Rock readies himself to hit the People's Elbow when Vince hops on the apron so Rock knocks Vince off but accidentally takes out Earl Hebner as well. Triple H comes in and lays Rock out with the Pedigree then rolls Shane onto Rock and tries to revive Hebner. Eventually Hebner recovers his senses and crawls over to make the count for Shane but only gets a two count. Triple H gets Hebner's attention while Vince brings the title belt into the ring as Shane holds Rock for him but Rock fights his way free before he can connect. Rock sends both McMahons scattering and has words with them but Triple H comes in and nails Rock from behind and stomps him down in a corner. Hebner tries to get Triple H off Rock but Triple H shoves him down then goes back to Rock and chokes him. Triple H goes for a whip but Rock counters with a Rock Bottom then covers him as Hebner counts the three? (5:20) Rock then poses with the title belt as if he won the WWF Championship even though 1) it wasn't a title match and 2) Triple H wasn't even the scheduled opponent. Anyway Vince and his children look on with exasperation at Rock foiling their plans as we fade to black. **

Conclusion: As the WWF moves on from Wrestlemania they start April with a very eventful episode of Raw. There were some good matches on this card and some surprise title changes as well as some fun segments. The main event, however, didn't really get on track and the ending was really confusing. I guess Rock was sending a message or something. Also we didn't get the explanation for Vince's odd heel turns, or Chyna's for that matter. Still a solid episode or Raw to get us started on the road to Backlash, which will prove to be the exact opposite of March.

Date: August 31, 2010

Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York

Commentators: Michael Cole, Josh Matthews

This is the season finale for the second season and probably the introduction for the third batch of rookies, which I’d bet on Tyler Black being in.  The final three are Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley and Kaval.  Let’s get to it.

We open with the eliminations throughout this season, followed by quick packages on all three finalists.

The pros are brought out and Miz gets his own entrance music and mic.  Ah never mind as all of the remaining pros have their own music in.  The other rookies are in the front row.  All standard stuff so far but Michelle keeps waving and smiling at the Miz.  Triple threat match next.  Kaval shoves Miz down and they start before we go to the break.

With the guys in the ring, we’re told we’re going to have all Divas for the third season.  Kelly Kelly has Naomi Night, who is a big deal in FCW I think.  She likes purple and pink a lot too.

Michael McGillicutty vs. Kaval vs. Alex Riley

The break happens just before the bell rings which is a bit different than usual actually.  I like the fact that these shows have been live at least some of the time as it forces them to showcase themselves live like they would have to do on Raw potentially.  Everyone stays in the ring here which is a rarity in WWE matches like these.

Matthews and Cole announcing continues to be one of the most exciting things about these matches and shows.  If they want this to be interesting they need to have Kaval not win as he’s by far the favorite coming into the finals.  Riley clears the ring and we take our second break in about 5 minutes.

Back from a break and Miz tells Riley what to do.  He gives Cole a high five and it’s a good thing Cole is under a table so the stain doesn’t show on his pants.  Kaval does a bunch of flips and spins to take out Riley.  If it makes Laycool dance and cheer I’m happy.

Forearm smash to the back of the head of Kaval gets two for Michael.  Kaval gets that modified Dragon Sleeper on Michael but ropes are grabbed.  McGillicutty busts out the Fisherman’s (screw that it’s a Perfectplex) suplex for two but Riley makes the save.

Kaval blocks the McGillicutter with a Liger Kick.  Riley steals the pin as that was a DEVASTATING Liger kick I guess as Michael was down for about 15 seconds before the cover.

Rating: B-. Different kind of triple threat here but it worked pretty well.  Giving Riley the win is smart here as it takes away the obviousness of Kaval winning.  He likely will, but they take away the

Alicia Fox is a pro and she looks rather different here.  Her pro is Maxine and she apparently has champagne tastes and a champagne budget.  Just make the shirt already I guess.  She’s a rich girl or something like that and it didn’t work at all for me.

If they’re going to do 8 rookies then they need to hurry up as it’s 10:30 and they’ve only introduced two so far.

Goldust is a pro with the rookie named Aksana.  She’s Lithuanian, which makes me think she’s related to Nikolai Volkoff (a 300lb Lithuanian according to Bobby Heenan if that joke makes no sense).  She’s an attractive blonde.

Titus says Riley should win.  Cottonwood agrees because he’s the most likeable.  Cannon says it doesn’t matter because the show hasn’t been good since he was eliminated.  Percy says McGillicutty due to the ability and hard work.  Harris says Michael also because he’s a second generation guy and born better.

Time for our first elimination, and Riley is gone.  That surprises me a bit but at the same time it doesn’t if that makes sense.  He’s probably the weakest of the three, but after winning the triple threat that’s kind of surprising.  Riley bets on himself to be the future of the company.

The Bellas have a pro named Jamie, who is the announcer on NXT.  Could be worse I guess.  Her abs could rival Morrison’s.

Same China video from last night on Raw.

Primo is a pro, which shows you the level of talent they have here.  AJ is his pro, who is apparently a geek.  She’s another big deal in FCW and less than a year older than me.  That never stops sounding weird to me.

The two finalists get to talk to each other once last time.  McGillicutty makes fun of Kaval and does a REALLY bad job of it.  No reaction at all, but we do get to learn that Kaval means flute.  Kaval isn’t great but he’s FAR better than McGillicutty.  He mentions Eddy Guerrero and walks away from Striker when Striker tries to take the mic which is amusing.

Vickie Guerrero is a pro and her girl is named Aloisia, who is 6’9.  She’s about to fall out of her top on the video.  Looks like there are only going to be six girls unless they do two more really fast.

With very limited introduction, the winner is Kaval.  He deserved it so I can’t really complain.  Michael can barely talk but looks at Kaval and says “him?”  Total dick promo from him here as he talks about how great he is.  He talks about the Genesis of McGillicutty, making him sound stupider than he usually does.

Kaval tries to celebrate but the season 2 rookies jump him, led by Lucky freaking Cannon.  The Pros run in and get beaten down…kind of.  Just at first I guess as the Pros fight back and almost clear the ring.  Riley and McGillicutty come out and beat up Watson of all people.

The rookies beat up Kaval, including Watson who is apparently fine with Riley about 40 seconds after Riley beat him up.  Titus hits a very fast version of a Sky High (D’Lo Brown’s powerbomb move) to end it.  We finish up with a montage of the challenges and eliminations.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a hard one to grade.  The first half was rather good with a solid triple threat and then Riley stealing the win.  After that though it was clear they had nothing to fill in the time with as the last thirty minutes just dragged on.  I did not like the ending at all as it was just sloppy beyond belief.  Why would Riley beat up Watson and then 20 seconds later work with him?

I’d assume this is the group for Smackdown now, which really isn’t all that interesting.  It’s ok I guess, but it really isn’t good.  Overall it’s an ok show, but not by much and definitely not above that.  The right guy won though, which is a good sign.  As for the third season, thankfully there are only six girls instead of the far too many 8 of them.  I’m not looking forward to it, but at least it should be short.

August 30, 2010

Boston, Massachusetts - TD GARDEN ARENA

- Show begins with a video showing the history and highlights of Raw from the past 17 years.

-  Your hosts are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

-  We start with Bret Hart.  He thought when it all started 17 years ago, that RAW wouldn't last.  But it looks to be doing pretty damn well.  Back then it was only he and one other man on the current roter around:  The Undertaker.  Cue, KANE!  Kane says that Hart and Taker are similar.  Both feeble, beaten, and broken down.  Kane says he should end Hart like he has done Taker.  He goes to chokeslam Bret and here come the Hart Dynasty.  Big boots and chokeslams around.  Bret hammers away with rights on Kane.  Bell tolls and out comes the Undertaker.  He stands eye to eye with Kane.  Kane looks at Taker and bails.  ***GENERAL MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENT***  Since this is a historic night, we should add to the historic match; Bret Hart versus the Undertaker.  Dear god!

-  We take a look at Raw, Episode #1 highlights as we go to the break.

-  Back on Raw and we see Raw, Episode #279.  Steve Austin + Zamboni=  Austin goes to jail.

1.  Michael McGillicutty & Kofi Kingston vs.  Daniel Bryan & Kaval vs.  Alex Riley & The Miz

-  Michael Cole already marking out to Miz and burying Bryan and Kaval.  Riley attacks Bryan at the bell and hammers away.  Kofi in and dropkicks Riley.  Bryan with an uppercut on Kofi and slaps Miz.  Byryan hammers away on Riley and kicks him in the corner.  Crowd popping for Bryan.  Kofi with a roll through on Bryan for a 2.  Riley up and takes Kofi down.  He covers and punches Kofi some more.  Knee to the midsection on Riley,  Kofi with the BOOM drop on Riley.  Bryan interrupts the cover.  Double cross body on Bryan and Kofi.  In comes Kaval and McGillicutty.  Kaval  rolls around and hooks in a Dragon Sleeper.  Riley cuts him off.  Miz tags in and Kaval kicks him off the apron.  McGillicutty rolls up Kaval for 2.  Kaval up and kicks him down.  WARRIOR'S WAY!  Miz back in and hits the SKULL CRUSHING FINALE for the win @ 3:20.  (Great faced paced match to start the show.  A little confusing to watch with 3 men in the ring at all times.  Still a C+.)

-  Miz decks Bryan with the breifcase and the crowd pops for that, too.  That MITB case is all dented up thanks to Bryan's dome.

-  Tonight:  Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker.  Plus, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Edge, Randy Orton, and John Cena face Nexus in a 5 on 5 elimination, tag match.

-  Mafia II Slam of the Week:  Melina beating Jillian Hall from last week.  The Beautiful PeopleLayCool have an offer for Melina tonight.

2.  LayCool vs.  Eve Torres & Melina

-  Michelle McCool starts with Melina and Melina forearms her in the face.  Takedown by McCool gets 2.  Layla in and slams her face first to the mat.  Hair Veil by Layla.  Layla thrown into McCool and Melina rolls her up for the win @ 0:51.  (That was a waste.  DUD.  I guess they were setting up for...)

-  McCool says that win was a waste of time.  Layla makes fun of Melina crying.  I'm laughing.  They challenge her to Divas and Womens Championship Unification match at Night of Champions.  Fine by me.  Melina proposes a Lumberjack Match.  They accept.  Aren't they LumberJILLS?  Out walk a bunch of Divas and a stare-down ensues.

-  We take a look back at Raw, Episode #889.  Nexus is formed.

-  Now backstage, Nexus are arguing.  Tarver says that people are saying they are weak.  They mentions Skip Sheffield's broken ankle.  Otunga says something unimportant and Wade Barrett stops them.  He says that in 3 weeks he will be WWE Champion.  Tonight, he has a plan to do something that will have people talking for a long time.

-We take a look back at Raw, Episode #850.  Bob Barker vs. Chris Jericho.  Still one of my favorite Guest GM's ever.

-  Backstage, Chris Jericho is standing by.  He says he is the best at what he does, because it is true.  He had an epiphany.  If he doesn't win the WWE Championship at Night of Champions, it will be the last time you see Chris Jericho in the WWE.  He says watch what he does to Nexus.  Crowd takes a shit on Jericho's last match.

# 1 CONTENDERS TO WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

3.  John Morrison & R-Truth vs.  "DASHING" Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre

-  Potential to be a great match right here.  Truth starts with Rhodes.  Rhodes runs into a hiptoss.  Rhodes gets pissed and decks Morrison.  All four men battle in the ring now.  Referee has lost control and throws it out @ 0:51.  (WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE TONIGHT?!?!?)  All four men continue to battle it out and take out the GM's desk.

-  Up next, Bret Hart vs.  The Undertaker!

-  We look back at Raw, Episode #867.  Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart make amends.

4.  Bret Hart vs.  The Undertaker

-  I have heard, literally, 30 shows already tonight that have been outlived by WWE Monday Night Raw.  OK, WE GET IT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!

Bret going with a Bubba the Love Sponge, sleeveless black shirt tonight.  And now, here comes Wade Barrett.  What is this, TNA?!?!?  Barrett says he is going to de-louse the WWE of Bret Hart.  He attacks the Undertaker, and Taker takes out Barrett.  Lights go out and Kane is in the ring and Bret Hart is gone.  Kane and Taker exchange blows Taker goozles Kane.  Lights go out and Kane is gone.  Now the rest of Nexus come out.  They attack Taker and he clears the ring.  He goozles Barrett again and the lights go out AGAIN!  Now Barrett and has Taker on his shoulders and Fireman's Carry Slams the Undertaker to the mat.  Now they drag Taker to the corner and Justin Gabriel is headed up top.  450 Splash on the Undertaker.  Nexus surround the Undertaker while Kane looks on at the top of the ramp.  WHERE IS BRET HART?!?!?  Taker goes to sit up and falls to the side.  Kane laughs at him.  We go to break.

-  Back on Raw and we see what happened to the Undertaker before the break.

-  Out comes Jack Swagger.  When he left Raw he was an All American, American, American.  Now he is a fromer World Champion.  He understands why Johnny Damon wouldn't want to come back to Boston.  Oooooooh.  Take that Beantown!

5.  Jack Swagger vs.  Evan Bourne

-  Swagger kicks Bourne down to start.  He throws him into the corner, twice.  Bourne up and kicks Swagger in the legs until............IT'S ALBERTO DEL RIO!  Back to the ring, Swagger chokes Bourne in the ring.  Nice effect, with a split screen as he make his way to the ring.  Swagger loses Bourne with a Running Powerslma.  Bourne heads up top and Air Bourne misses.  Swagger clips the knee and hooks on the ANKLE LOCK SUBMISSION!  Bourne taps out @ 2:18.  (Another DUD.  This main event better be something special.)

-  Thanks to del Rio, you won't see that little chihuahua, Rey Mysterio.  If you didn't see what happened, he will re-create it right now with Evan Bourne.  He runs in the ring and hooks on the cross armbar on Bourne.  He grabs a chair and puts Bourne's arm in the chair.  Out come Mark Henry and he runs through del Rio.  He stands at the top of the ramp smirking at Mark Henry.

-  We see highlights of WWE's tour to China.

-  We take a look back at Raw, Episode #331.  Rock, this is your life.

-  Now back on Raw, and here comes CM Punk, Joseph Mercury, and Luke Gallows.  Where is Serena?  OK, bad joke.  Punk says he is better than the Rock.  He doesn't drink, smoke, or make crappy movies like The Tooth Fairy.  He says for 900 episodes, Raw has shown poor choices in family values.  He has two words for you:  Katie Vick.  He has 4 things supporting his theory.  Exhibit A:  Property Damage; episode #824:  Triple H visits Randy Orton at home.  Exhibit B:  Reckless behavior; episode #691:  John Cena throws Edge in the Long Island River.  Exhibit C:  Trespassing; episode #257:  DX invades WCW.  Exhibit D:  Excessive use of alcohol via fire hose; episode #754:  Steve Austin gives Vince McMahon a second beer bath.  CM Punk says he does not want Steve Austin coming out spraying him with a firehose full of beer.  GLASS BREAKS, but no Steve Austin.  CM Punk laughs at Boston.  He is disappointed in every person he sees.  He is not sorry he disappointed everyone.  He has one last clip.  It is from Smackdown, Episode #199:  Brock Lesnar suplexes Big Show through the ring.  Punk says he can watch that over and over again.  He makes fun of Big Show being "criminally obese".  He makes fun of Lesnar and out comes the Big Show.  Punk calls him Captain Insane-o.  Haha.  Show makes a few dumb jokes about being poisoned by Eddie Guerrero and sumo wrestling Akebono.  He says making fat jokes doesn't hurt his feelings.  He channels Hulk Hogan and talks smack about the SES.  CM Punk says that wasn't funny and nobody likes the Big Show.  Show chops Punk.  Show chops the bejesus out of Luke Gallows and clotheslines him over the top rope.

-  Back on Raw and we re-live Raw, Episode 450.  The Game returns and beats up Kurt Angle.

-  Now we see Josh Matthews at the top of the ramp as he brings out Sheamus.  Sheamus says it is a shame that everyone is there to celebrate Raw tonight, except Triple H.  Sheamus thinks it is not fair that he has to defend his title against 5 other opponents at Night of Champions.  And then to make things worse, he has to tag with 4 of his opponents tonight.  Including Randy Orton.  Out comes Edge.  He makes fun of Sheamus.  Edge says since making his debut on Episode #265, he has gone through a lot.  He has given a lot back to the WWE also.  He goes down a laundry list of accolades.  He makes a Beaker reference at Sheamus.  Edge heads to the ring.  The main event is next.

MAIN EVENT

5 on 5 ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH

6.  Sheamus, Edge, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, & John Cena vs.  Nexus (Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Michael Tarver, & David Otunga)

-  Two commercial breaks between introductions?  Are you kidding me?  Main event officially started at 10:59.  Jericho starts with Tarver.  Jericho plays up to crowd chants and walks out of the ring.  Jericho is counted out @ 1:17.  Edge heads in and shoves Charles Robinson down and is DQ'd @ 1:53.  Cena in the ring now.  He hammers away on Tarver and hits a running bulldog.  He tags in Sheamus.  Sheamus kicks Tarver low and hits a short arm clothesline.  Cover gets 2.  In comes Slater.  Sheamus decks him to the mat.  He suplexes Slater over.  Cover gets 2.  He decks Slater down again and throws him in the corner.  He knees him low.  He kicks Slater and he goes through the ropes.  Sheamus elbows Slater in the neck over the apron.  Back inside and cover gets 2.  In comes Otunga.  Otunga starts with a head lock.  Shoulderblock is a stalemate.  Otunga poses and gets decked.  Sheamus puts his head down and gets kicked.  Sheamus up and drops Otunga.  Sheamus whipped hard into the corner, sternum first.  Slater back in and kicks away at Sheamus.  In comes Gabriel.  Gabriel pops Sheamus in the mouth.  Wade Barrett tags in.  He kicks away at Sheamus.  Slater back in and applies the surfboard.  Sheamus up and turns it to a backslide.  He kicks Slater and goes for the HIGH CROSS.  Slater slips out and knocks Sheamus back into the corner.  Sheamus takes out all of Nexus.  Sheamus turns around and gets taken out and eliminated by Slater @ 7:11.  John Cena in and shoulder blocks Slater down.  5 Knuckle Shuffle on Slater.  Attitude Adjustment and Slater is eliminated @ 7:54.  Wade Barrett back in and tosses Cena out of the ring.  Nexus pile on top of Cena on the outside.  Barrett slams Cena's head into the table on the outside.  Back in and cover gets 2.  Gabriel back in and hit s a turning kick on Cena.  Referee distracted and Barrett decks Cena.  Gabriel covers and gets 2.  Otunga in and gets suplexed by Cena.  Otunga goes to pick him up and STF makes Otunga tap out @ 10:39.  450 Splash on Cena eliminates him @ 10:49.  RKO on Gabriel and he is eliminated @ 10:54.  RKO on Tarver and he is eliminated @ 11:04.  Fireman's Carry Slam on Randy Orton and he is eliminated @ 11:16, giving Nexus the win.  (A rushed main event and not nearly as much fun to watch than Summer Slam.  C-.)

FINAL THOUGHTS...

-  No hype but a week for the 900th episode of Raw.  No real surprises.  Nothing.  That is what WWE gave you tonight.  Nothing.  The opening match was fun and had me warmed up for the rest of the night.  AND THEN...4 matches that spanned a total of about 5 minutes?  One of which wasn't even a match.  I love Bret Hart as much as the next guy, but if he can't bump in the ring, why bother.  At this point, isn't he just tarnishing his legacy?  Was I the only one nodding in agreement of Kane's comments about Bret at the start of the show?  The tag match with Rhodes & McIntyre/Morrison & Truth would have made me happy.  And with the recent showings and botches of John Morrison, that is saying something.  Instead, a pointless double DQ?  Seriously?  Is Kevin Nash booking Raw tonight?  Jack Swagger.  Former World Champion.  Now, mid carder and outshined by an Alberto del Rios (is it Rio or Rios, because Michael Cole said both) entrance?  The Big Show and SES...why would this be on Raw?  Could they not have saved this for Friday night?  Hell, I don't even get Smackdown in my area anymore, nor would I have missed this!  The main event.  OK, it did set up Night of Champions.  It did set up Wade Barrett as a legitimate contender.  Then they make Sheamus look weak by jobbing him cleanly to Heath Slater?  I must say, this may have been one of the worst 5 Raw's I may have ever seen.  And I sat through 1995 patiently.  See you Thursday.

Hey Scott, long time reader, first time emailer...
A couple of quick questions if you have the time:
1) What do make of WWE's current 'transition' period (now that a significant proportion of the last decade's stars are either part-time or retired)? How do you feel their efforts to build up new talent is going, and who do you feel - booking whims excepted - will be the breakout stars of the next few years?
2) Discounting the five-star rating system and revised opinion, what is the most enjoyable match you've seen live?

1.  I think it goes fine when they actually pull the trigger on someone (ie, Sheamus) and get behind them.  It’s the half-assed stop-and-start pushes (Kofi and Morrison, Drew McIntyre) that make it hard for fans to really get behind anyone solidly.  If you, as a fan, don’t know that Sheamus is backed by HHH, you’d have no real reason to think that he’d have any better chance than anyone else.  It’s too hard to play the “breakout star” game because the sport is so completely random with who becomes a big name sometimes.  Really, just bet on Cena and Orton and Edge and HHH dominating until injury or the zombie apocalypse forces them to push someone new.

2.  I saw RVD win the I-C title from Eddy in a ladder match at a RAW taping in Edmonton in 2002 and that was pretty awesome, and the Benoit/HHH/Michaels rematch at Backlash 2004 was great, too, so I’d vote for one of those on sheer quality.  Probably the most fun I’ve had was a house show in 2000 at the height of D-X’s powers, with a double main event of Rikishi & 2 Cool v. HHH & NAO in a super-hot fan-friendly romp, plus Jericho v. Benoit for the I-C title in a crazy good match to end the night.  Plus I’m pretty sure Rock did a match in there and tore the house down as well.  It was a great night. 

HELLO,
  I AM MR.JIM ROSS. AND I AM SENDING THIS E-MAIL TO MAKE SOME ENQUIRIES ABOUT SOME ( TRIPLE DOOR TRAILER PIT )THAT I WILL LIKE TO PURCHASE FROM YOUR COMPANY AND I WANT  YOU TO E-MAIL ME WITH THE MODELS THAT YOU HAVE INSTOCK AND THEIR PRICES AND I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF YOU DO ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT .THANK YOU AND I HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU SOON
BEST REGARDS,
    MR.JIM.

Unfortunately I don’t deliver to Oklahoma. 

1. Best main character:
2. Best supporting character:
3. Best "season"
4. Lois: hot or not?
5. Best "Road to" episode
6. Best song
7. Best chicken fight
8. Is it better before cancellation or now?
9. Better combo: brian/stewie or Peter/Brian?

1.  Used to be Brian, but his transformation into Seth’s preachy avatar totally soured me on him.  So now I vote Stewie. 

2.  Cleveland, because his spinoff makes you realize how much he’s missed on the main show.

3.  The third one (volume 2 of the DVD).  They knew they were doomed and produced some great stuff.

4.  Hot.

5.  Road to Rhode Island is still the best.

6.  Well, Shipoopi is my ringtone, so that’s your winner.

7.  I’m fond of the one where Peter gets interrupted in a conversation with Bonnie and then picks it up again afterwards.

8.  It was best just after cancellation when they still cared.

9.  The “Stewie and Brian” borefest episode really killed that relationship for me, but GIMME MY MONEY and the past episodes leave it the champion. 

Hey Scott.  I'm finishing up my Over the Limit 2010 Way Too Long Review and I'm adding the tangents and gags and stuff to the structure of the review.  I'm doing a bit on Serena being released and how stupid it is that they chose a girl who is not straight edge to play a straight edge character, then fired her for not keeping kayfabe.  And it got me thinking: is Serena truly the first person since Jim Duggan and the Iron Sheik way back in 1987 to be fired by the WWE for breach of kayfabe? 
I've really racked my brain trying to think of anyone else.  I think she really is the first in twenty-three years.

There’s gotta be some other stupid reason besides breaking kayfabe.  I just don’t buy it.  But other than that, no, I can’t personally think of anyone getting canned for similar reasons since 87. 

Live from the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA

List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Kurt Angle (2/27/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (2/27/2000)
WWF European Champion: Kurt Angle (2/10/2000)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Crash Holly (3/13/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (3/13/2000)

~ Wrestlemania comes on the air with Lillian Garcia singing an excellent rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Next an intro video is shown hyping the four-man main event for the title as well as the four McMahons involved. After that Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Before the match Ice T raps Godfather and D’Lo down to the ring singing Godfather’s “Agression” theme afterwhich Godfather gets on the mic and does his usual spiel. D’Lo tees off on Buchanan to start and goes for a whip but Buchanan reverses it. D’Lo slides under him and goes for an O’Connor roll and Buchanan grabs the ropes to prevent it. D’Lo connects with a heel kick and Bossman comes in but Godfather cuts him off with a clothesline. D’Lo whips Buchanan and hits an elbow and Godfather tags in and helps D’Lo whip Buchanan into a slam from Godfather. D’Lo follows up with a splash and Godfather adds in a legdrop then whips Buchanan into an elbow. Godfather goes for an elbowdrop but misses it and Bossman tags in and works Godfather over then goes for a whip but Godfather reverses it and hits a pair of clotheslines. Godfather then grabs Bossman’s arm and hits a crescent kick that gets him a two count. D’Lo tags in but Bossman jabs the eye and rams him into Buchanan’s boot before tagging him in to take over. Buchanan brings D’Lo over to the turnbuckles but D’Lo rams him then goes up and hits the count-along punches. D’Lo whips Buchanan into a corner but Buchanan springs off the top rope and conects with a flying clothesline. Buchanan slams D’Lo to the mat and D’Lo fights back against him but doesn’t see Bossman making a blind tag. Buchanan trips D’Lo into the ropes and Bossman and Buchanan both slide out to the floor and hit the uppercut and Bossman covers D’Lo but Godfather breaks up the pin. Bossman hits a headbutt and whips D’Lo into a boot then tags in Buchanan and sets D’Lo up while Buchanan hits an axe kick for a two count. Buchanan throws D’Lo through the ropes and distracts the referee while Bossman drops him on the barricade. Godfather comes in and pounds away on Buchanan in his corner but Buchanan rakes the face to ward him off.

Bossman throws D’Lo back in the ring and Buchanan works him over then whips him hard into a corner and rams D’Lo into Bossman’s boot. Bossman tags in and both men whip D’Lo into a double elbow for a two count. Buchanan takes over without a tag and grabs D’Lo in a bear hug and D’Lo begins to fade as the referee checks the arm. It drops once, twice, but D’Lo keeps it up the third time and fights out of the hold. D’Lo come off the ropes but runs into an elbow and Bossman tags back in and both men whip D’Lo into a double boot then hit a double sledge. D’Lo starts to rally back and comes off the ropes but Bossman catches him into a backbreaker for a two count. Bossman tags Buchanan and holds D’Lo while Buchanan climbs to the top rope and connects with an axehandle. Buchanan pops D’Lo and hits his own backbreaker then climbs to the top rope but Godfather shakes the ropes causing Buchanan to straddle the turnbuckle. D’Lo climbs up after him and hit a huricanrana then makes the sorta-hot tag to Godfather. Godfather whips Buchanan into a backdrop then catches Bossman with a clothesline and whips him into his partner. Godfather goes for another whip and Bossman reverses Godfather into a corner and charges but Godfather sidesteps him and hits the Ho Train. D’Lo tags in and climbs to the top rope looking to hit the Lo Down when Buchanan shoves him off to the mat but D’Lo lands on his feet and pops Buchanan off the apron. Godfather goes out to fight with Buchana on the floor while D’Lo whips Bossman into a dropkick. D’Lo then comes off the ropes but runs right into the Bossman Slam. Buchanan then climbs to the top rope and connects with a guillotine legdrop that gets the pin. (9:06) Long and boring, not the way to start off the year’s biggest sueprcard. After the match the Bossman and Buchanan chase the Godfather’s women to the back. *

~ Backstage we find Triple H admiring his WWF Title belt and Stephanie admiring her newly-won Women’s Title. Triple H brings up how sweet it is he and Stephanie are both champions going into the biggest Wrestlemania ever and Stephanie says nothing could be better as they share a nice laugh. Out in the arena JR and Lawler notice the Helmsleys seem pretty relaxed, what with Triple H’s big match looming and Lawler figures maybe Triple H has a plan like he always does.

This match will go for 15 minutes during which the title can change hands any number of times. Once all the pariticpans file out the action begins with evenryone spilling out to the floor. Tazz and Crash are left in the ring and Tazz catches Crash and hits a T-bone Tazplex that gets the three and we already have our first title change. (0:26) Tazz goes out to the floor and starts going at it with Viscera but Viscera responds by clubbing him in the back. Viscera rams Tazz into the ringpost then slams him to the floor and pins him for the next title change. (1:00) Hardcore whacks Crash with a box fan busting him open while Bradshaw clobbers Rodney with a trash can lid. Viscera grabs one of Kaientai’s flags and starts hitting people with it then grabs a cookie sheet and nails Mosh. The Posse gang up on Viscera but Faarooq breaks it up with a pipe while Bradshaw waffles Viscera with a sign. The Acolytes work over Viscera but Viscera nails both with the cookie sheet then waffles Joey Abs with the fan. Viscera grabs Crash and hits a chokebomb then rams Faarooq into the ringsteps and hits him with a trash can. Bradshaw goes on a cookie sheet rampage hitting everyone in sight but Tazz clobbers him with his own sheet. Hardcore nails Viscera with a lid but for two and Mosh waffles Viscera with a weapon but her only gets two. Viscera takes out Hardcore but Mosh nails him from behind with a stick and Funaki whacks him with a trash lid. Thrasher pounds Viscera with a cookie sheet but can’t get him down while Joey Abs hammers Tazz with a pan. Some of the wrestlers head back in the ring but Viscera also goes in and takes everyone else out with a pan. Mosh tries to lock in a sleeperhold on Viscera but Viscera easily beats him off his back with his baking pan. Faarooq comes in and clears out the ring then helps Bradshaw take out Taka and Funaki with powerbombs. Viscera climbs to the top rope but the Acolytes cut him off and throw Viscera to the mat. Faarooq breaks a 2×4 on Viscera’s back while Bradshaw comes off the top rope and hits a shouldertackle. The Acolytes toss Taka and Funaki onto Viscera while Mosh joins the cover and the referee counts the pin then awards the fall to Funaki. (7:51) Taka has words with his partner before decking him with a right hand and Funaki takes off for the back with the others behind him. In the back Rodney and Joey come across Funaki first and double-team him then throw him into a guardrail. Rodney then jabs Joey in the chest then covers Funaki to get the pin for himself. (8:11) Rodney celebrates until Joey clotheslines him down and hits a gutwrench suplex onto the floor for the three. (8:41) Thrasher rams a cart right into Joey then throws him into a garage door and clotheslines him for the next pin. (8:46) Thrasher tries to make his way back to the arnea but gets hit with several weapons along the way. Pete Gas sprays Thrasher with a fire extinguisher on the stage then clocks him with it and gets the three. (9:29) Tazz brings Pete back to ringside and throws him into the ringpost then hits a T-bone Tazplex to regain the title. (10:17)

Hardcore throws Tazz into the ringsteps and covers him for a two count and the two of them exchange shots but Hardcore gets the advantage and chokes Tazz with his boot. Mosh appears and nails Hardcore from behind then covers Tazz when Tazz reverses it into his own cover, even though he doesn’t need to get a decision. Mosh nails Tazz with a baking pan but still doesn’t get the three and Hardcore throws Tazz back in the ring. Crash goes in the ring and helps Hardcore double-team Tazz when Tazz takes Crash down and unloads on him. Hardcore stomps Tazz in the head when Crash hammers Hardcore in a corner and hits him with a trash can lid. Tazz grabs the lid and blasts Crash in the head with it then covers him for another two count he doesn’t need. Hardcore elbowdrops Tazz and whacks him with a 2×4 then boots him but both Hollys move in for the cover. Hardcore pouinds on Crash and chokes on the bottom rope but Tazz breaks that up with two minutes left. Tazz plants Crash with a belly-to-belly suplex but Hardcore comes along and whips Tazz into a powerslam. Crash breaks up Hardcore’s pin then goes for his own cover on Tazz but only gets a two count with 1:30 to go. Crash goes for the cover again and Tazz reverses it into his own unnecessary cover for a two count. Hardcore throws Crash through the ropes then whips Tazz into a dropkick for a two count with one minute left. Tazz plants Hardcore with a Northen Lights Tazplex but Crash comes in and whacks Tazz with a cookie sheet then covers him and gets the three to regain the title. (14:20) Crash starts celebrating with 40 seconds left when Tazz comes up for behind and locks in the Tazzmission and Crash tries to hold on as the remaining seconds tick away. Hardcore smashes something on Tazz’s head then covers Crash and Tim White counts 1..2.. but doesn’t count three even though Crash didn’t kick out! Time expires and Hardcore thinks he’s won the title while Crash starts leaving with the belt thinking he retained but eventually the winner is announced as … Hardcore Holly, giving him his third Hardcore title. (15:00) Hardcore seems just as shockes as anyone, especially Crash, but nonetheless White hands the belt to Hardcore and he celebrates his victory. This match might have seemed like a good idea at the time and it was harmless but seemed disjointed at times. Plus you could tell the ending was botched; Crash either was supposed to kick out or time was supposed to expire before the three. *½

~ Highlights are next shown from the WWF Fan Axxess convention which was held the past weekend. Interesting to note that Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker were seen in the clips but don’t appear on this card.

~ Backstage Al Snow is talking to someone in a bathroom stall about tonight when Steve Blackman comes in demanding to know what goofy stuff Snow has planned now. Snow feigns igonrance about such ideas but Blackman tells Snow not to do any of his stupid stuff tonight, not at Wrestlemania. Snow agrees with him about it when Blackman hears someone flushing in the stall and again orders Snow to be serious tonight as he departs.

After Snow and Blackman come out Snow gets on the mic and talks about his latest idea for their tag team then brings out Chester McCheeserton, a midget in a cheese wedge costume, and Blackman his not happy with this. Test pounds on Blackman to start and goes for a whip, Blackman slides under him but Test ducks an enzuigiri. At this point JR’s headset goes out, leaving Lawler to do commentary by himself. Blackman ducks a clothesline and comes back with a superkick then tags Snow in and both men make a wish. Snow goes for a whip but Test reverses it and Albert nails Snow from behind before Test hits a clothesline. Test tags Albert in and the two whip Snow into a corner then Test whips Albert into an Avalanche on Snow. Albert rams Snow into a boot from Test then covers him but Blackman saves it. Snow starts to fight back and goes for a whip and Albert reverses it but Snow slides to stop himself and connects with a clothesline. Albert pops right up so Snow follows up with an enzuigiri but Test breaks up the pin. Blackman tags in and goes for a whip and Albert reverses it but Blackman hits a shoulderblock. Blackman goes for another whip but Albert reverses it and hits his own shoulderblock. Albert comes off the ropes but Blackman trips with a legsweep then holds him down while Snow slings himself over the rope and hits a guillotine legdrop. Test nails Snow with a running boot and Blackman kicks away at him with Albert nails Blackman from behind. Albert works over Blackman while Test charges at Snow but Snow backdrops him over the ropes to the floor. Albert presses Snow up but Blackman chopblocks the knee and Snow falls on top of Albert for a near fall. Snow dropkicks Test off the apron then he and Blackman hit a double-clothesline on Albert for a two count. Snow suplexes Albert and hits a kneedrop then lays the boots to him and gets in a shot on Test on the apron. Snow and Blackman hit a double elbow and Blackman hops to the middle rope and hits a diving headbutt for two. Albert starts crawling toward his corner but Blackman cuts off the tag and headbutts Albert in the chest. Blackman tags Snow back in and holds Albert while Snow climbs to the top rope and hits an axehandle on him. Albert fights back against Snow and hits a butterfly suplex then makes the tag to Test while Snow tags Blackman.

Test hits clotheslines on both men and plants Snow with a sidewalk slam but Blackman breaks up the cover. Albert throws Blackman through the ropes and helps Test powerbomb Snow but Blackman makes the save. Blackman dropkicks Albert sending him rolling out to the floor where Snow nails him with an Asai moonsault. Blackman then sets Test on his knee while Snow climbs to the top rope and connects with the Veg-O-Matic bnut Albert makes the save. Albert hits Snow with a chokebomb then clotheslines him over the ropes. Albert slams Blackman to the mat then press slams Test onto Blackman but Snow pulls Test out to the floor. Albert goes for the ropes but Snow trips him from the floor allowing Blackman to naim him with a superkick. Blackman then has words with Chester on the floor but that allows Albert to recover and hit a press slam. Test then climbs to the top rope and hits the flying elbowdrop on Blackman for the pin. (7:05) Started like it was going to be decent but then fell apart and even JR admitted this match sucked. Trish and her men walk off with their hands raisder while Snow and Blackman argue about the loss in the ring. Snow gets on the mic and admits to Blackman that Chester was a bad idea. Snow he helps Chester in the ring but decides to dump him and nails Chester with the mic. Snow holds him for a running kick from Blackman then finish him with the Veg-o-matic. ½

~ The Kat and Mae Young are then shown in the back getting ready for the cat fight later. Use your own imaginaton.

~ We then get a shot at the Tag Team Titles hainging from the ceiling, signaling the ladder match is next.

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews the Dudley Boyz about the triangle ladder match for their tag team titles. D’Von Dudley accuses the WWF of always trying to putting the Dudleys down, with this match as an exampe, then says he doesn’t like ladders and doesn’t like heights. D’Von says regardless of that the Dudleys will retain the belts. Bubba Ray adds in his two cents, promising he and D’Von will take the ladder match to a whole new level of violence. Bubba says when the dust settles, The Hardys and Edge & Christian will learn not to mess with the Dudleys.

This is the first ladder match to have more than two participants. E&C make their way to the ring first followed by the Hardys, with Jeff running under the ladders in the aisle and the Dudleys come out last and pose on one of the ladders. E&C get things started by jumping the Hardys, getting even for Matt and Jeff attacking them earlier on Heat. E&C then go out to meet the Dudleys with the Hardys right behind them and we have all six men going at it. Matt throws Chrstian in the ring and goes for a whip but Christian reverses and comes back with a dropkick. Matt and Christian head out to the floor to duke it out while D’Von throws Edge in the ring to take their turn. D’Von whips Edge but Edge hits a spinning heel kick and he and D’Von roll out while Bubba rolls Jeff in the ring and chops him. Bubba whips Jeff into a corner but Jeff runs up the turnbuckles and connects with the Whisper in the Wind. Jeff goes for a whip but Bubba reverses into a backdrop then hits the Full Nelson bomb before heading out to the floor. Christian slides a ladder in the ring and sets it up then starts climbing for the belts but Matt pulls him off. Matt starts climbing the ladder himself but Christian pulls him off as D’Von slides another ladder in the ring. The Dudleys come in but Edge and Christian work D’Von over in a corner while Matt takes care of Bubba. Matt takes a ladder and throws it onto Bubba in a corner while Edge does the same to D’Von on the other side. Matt then drops to the mat and Jeff launches off him for the Poetry in Motion, smashing Bubba with the ladder. Edge drops to the mat while Christian goes for the crossboy on D’Von but D’Von blocks him with the ladder. Matt slams D’Von onto a ladder and Jeff holds him while Matt hops to the middle rope and hits an elbowdrop. Jeff turns toward Bubba and dodges a shot then drills Bubba with a DDT and places him on another ladder. Jeff climbs to the top rope and goes for a 450 splash but Bubba avoids it while Jeff crashes on the ladder. Bubba slams Jeff and covers him with the ladder then climbs to the middle rope and hits a senton on it! Christian lays out Matt with the Slop Drop then covers him with a ladder while Edge climbs to the top rope. Christian hands Edge another ladder and Edge rides it down onto the ladder covering Matt! D’Von slams Edge and covers him with a ladder then climbs up to the top rope and hits a legdrop smashing Edge underneath the ladder! Bubba places a ladder on his shoulder and swings it around taking out the Hardys, Edge and Christian with it. Bubba holds up the ladder when E&C dropkick it onto him but D’Von comes back in and stomps Christian down. Edge props a ladder in a corner then E&C whip D’Von and flapjack him onto the ladder! Matt and Bubba are fighting on the floor when E&C set a ladder up nearby and Christian climbs up and leaps off with a pescado on both Matt and Bubba. Jeff tries his luck climbing up the ladder but Edge climbs to the top rope and spears Jeff off the ladder!! Edge sets up another ladder and starts climbing but Matt pulls him off into a Splash Mountain! Matt starts climbing up but D’Von throws him off to the mat. D’Von takes his turn but Christian knocks him off with another ladder. Christian climbs the ladder while Bubba sets up two more ladders on either side and climbs up one of the and pulls Christian off with a Diamond Cutter. The Hardys move two of the ladders into corners then throw Christian through the ropes then climb a ladder in either corner and connects with the Event Omega on Bubba!

Christian comes in and throws Jeff through the ropes to the floor then climbs a ladder in a corner with D’Von coming up the other side. Edge sets up another ladder right beside them and climbs that and E&C then suplex D’Von from the ladder to the mat! Matt throws Bubba into the steps then goes in and he and Jeff set up a pair of ladders under the belts. The Hardys each climb a ladder but E&C also climb up on the other side and they start going at it. Christian pulls Jeff off the ladder with a facebuster while Edge takes Matt off with a Russian legsweep. Everyone is back going at it and soon all six men pair off and tries climbing a ladder and battling. During the fracas sne of the ladders gets tipped over sending Jeff and Christian crashing to the floor. Bubba hops down and shoves Matt and Edge’s ladder over, sending them onto the top rope!! The Dudleys fold up two of the ladders and sandwich Christian in-between them and Edge goes for a whip but D’Von reverses it and the Dudleys hit the 3D. The Dudleys then go out and start pulling a bunch of tables from under the ring. D’Von slides a pair of tables into the ring as Bubba sets up a pair of ladders near the belts. D’von brings in a third table and the Dudleys place it on top of the ladders, forming a makeshift platform. The Dudleys start climbing up when the Hardys come in and pull them off the ladders. Each Dudley sets up one of the other two tables under the platform. Bubba takes Matt out of the ring and throws him into the steps then sets up yet another table next to the announcers. Bubba throws Matt onto the Spanish announce table then powerbombs him through the table at ringside!! In the ring D’von sets up a third ladder and places Jeff onto one of the two tables then climbs up the ladder and goes for a splash but Jeff rolls off and D’Von crashes through the table! Bubba pulls the ladder out of the ring and holds it for something as Jeff runs across the barricade but Bubba throws the ladder into him in mid-air!! Bubba then brings out a tall ladder and sets it up in the aisle then pulls out a fifth table and sets it up next to the tall ladder. Bubba places Jeff on the table but Chrstian comes over and clocks Bubba with the ringbell. Jeff throws Christian into the guardrail then climbs up the tall ladder and leaps off the top hitting a Swanton Bomb on Bubba through the table!!! Both men are down as D’Von takes out Christian with a suplex in the ring. D’Von starts climbing up to the platform when Matt pulls him off and takes him out with the Twist of Fate. Matt climbs up to the platform on one end while Christian climbs up the other end and the two of them exchange shots. Matt reaches for the belts and touches them but Edge comes up from behind and shoves Matt off the platform through the table below!! Edge and Christian pull down the belts for the win and their first tag team championship!! (22:29) E&C celebrate with the belts on the platform then leave the ring through the crowd. And thus the legend is born. Very good first effort from these three teams with some great action and lots of insane spots. However the constant settig up of spots does slow the flow down plus these six men would have better ladder matches just five months later and at next year’s event but still a good showing from the cornerstones of the tag division in 2000. ****

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Mick Foley and Linda McMahon about their thoughts on the main event. Linda tells Foley she’s happy he finally gets to fulfill his dream of participating in the Wrestlemania main event. Foley brings up the ladder match saying no one is holding anything back on the biggest show of the biggest year in the WWF. Foley then says thanks to Linda he gets a second chance to make a last impression in the biggest match of his career. Foley tells Triple H, Rock and Big Show that fairy tales can come true and tonight will be his night in his final match.

Good thing we have this match to spell the crowd after the previous bout. To win one woman must throw the other out of the ring. Val Venis is the special referee for this match and comes out wearing a striped towel as he gets on the mic saying he and Wrestlemania are both the largest extravaganza but this show only comes once a year unlike himself. Both Kat and Terri try to charm Val before they start exchanging words and shoves when Terri takes Kat down and rams her repeatedly into the mat. Val pulls Terri off Kat so Terri responds to that by kissing Val. Kat gets unnerved so she kisses Val as well and Terri throws Kat around the ring but Kat spears her down. Mae Young hops on the apron getting Val’s attention and Kat throws Terri out of the ring but Val doesn’t see it. Kat tries to get Val to turn around just as Moolah helps Terri back into the ring and Terri nails Kat from behind. Mae and Moolah come in the ring and Mae tries to pull Terri off Kat when Val stops her so Mae kisses him! Kat throws Terri out to the floor again but again Val doesn’t see her victory and Moolah pulls Kat out of the ring. Moolah helps Terri back in when Val pulls himself away from Mae, sees Kat on the floor and gives Terri the win. (2:25) Moolah and Terri celebrate but Mae knocks both of them down then hits a Bronco Buster on Moolah. To think this was the only one-on-one match on the card. DUD

~ Backstage we find the Radicalz plotting their strategy for their match later. Dean Malenko tells his partners it’s time they break Too Cool’s legs when Eddie Guerrero starts talking about Chyna. Malenko and Perry Saturn ask Eddie to focus and Eddie says Chyna can’t take his Latino heat and promises to lay all his heat on her.

~ Elsewhere Chyna and Too Cool are watching the Radicalz on a monitor, with Chyna getting disgusted with Eddie. Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay assure her they’ll win and say it’s time to kick it.

After everyone comes out, Eddie stretches against the ropes and constantly flirts with Chyna then throws his shirt at Chyna who seems disgusted by his heat. Eddie starts off with Scotty and applies a headlock, Scotty shoves him into the ropes but Eddie hits a shoulderblock. Eddie comes off the ropes but Scotty leapfrogs him and hits a moneky flip followed by a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker. Scotty moonwalks to his corner and tags in Chyna but Eddie scurries to his corner and tags in Malenko then rolls out to the floor. Malenko blocks a kick and spins Chyna around but Chyna hits a clothesline. Chyna goes for a whip, Malenko reverses it and sets Chyna up for a powerbomb but Scotty clotheslines Malenko from the apron. Chyna tags in Grandmaster Sexay and they both whip Malenko into a double suplex then bust a move. Sexay slams Malenko to the mat. Eddie tags back in but Sexay blocks a kick and hits a suplex. Sexay climbs to the top rope for the Hip Hop Drop but Saturn shoves him off to the mat and Eddie dropkicks him. Saturn tags in and drops Sexay with a right hand then takes his doo rag and stomps away at him. Malenko tags in and both men whip Sexay into a double clothesline. Eddie tags in and hits a suplex then goes for a whip but lowers the head and Sexay kicks the face. Scotty tags in and avoids a drop toe hold but Eddie drops him on the ropes with a Stun Gun. Eddie then looks over at Chyna before hitting a back suplex on Scotty then goes out and slings himself over the ropes into a hilo. Eddie gyrates at Chyna before drawing Scotty in to distract the referee while he grabs Chyna and rams her into a turnbuckle.

Scotty hammers Eddie into the ropes and Sexay suplexes him over the ropes to the floor. Malenko and Saturn come in and whip Scotty but Scotty kicks Malenko’s face and hammers Saturn. Sexay superkicks Malenko while Scotty comes off the ropes with the bulldog on Saturn. Scotty then does the Worm and hits a double chop on both men! Eddie comes back in but Scotty ducks a clothesline and pops him with a right hand. Eddie hides behind the referee while Saturn and Malenko pull Scotty out of the ring and work him over. Chyna tries to come in and get at Eddie but the referee holds her back. Chyna shoves the referee aside but he again forces her out of the ring. Saturn throws Scotty back into the ring and Eddie pops him with an uppercut. Eddie tags in Saturn and they whip Scotty into a superkick from Saturn. Saturn climbs to the top rope and connects with the flying elbowdrop then tags in Eddie. Eddie climbs to the top but Scotty bumps the ropes, causing him to straddle the turnbuckle, then goes up and hits a superplex. Scotty manages to tag in Chyna and Eddie retreats toward his corner as Malenko and Saturn come in but Chyna clotheslines both of them. Eddie bails out to the floor while Chyna takes it to both Saturn and Malenko with slams. Chyna hits the handspring elbow on Saturn in a corner then does the same to Malenko in the other corner and hits both men woth low blows. Eddie nails Chyna from behind and goes for a powerbomb but Chyna flips out of it and hits her own powerbomb. Chyna whips Eddie and hits a claw below the belt before before press slamming Eddie and hitting a sleeper slam that gets the pin. (9:38) And the Radicals lose to Too Cool again. The match was disjointed and sloppy at times but the effort was there and the crowd was into it. **½

~ Backstage we find Shane McMahon getting The Big Show pumped up about the title match. Shane says Vince’s reign over the WWF is done and the McMahon-Helmsley regime is passe. Shane tells Show he’s confident that he’s going to be the next WWF Champion and it’s time for their era to begin. Show responds by saying he’s going to “unplug the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” then says Mick Foley will be retired for good and it will be ‘Game Over’ for Triple H.

~ We then get a clip of Kurt Angle choking out Bob Backlund earlier on Heat with the Crossface Chickenwing after Backlund admited it was his idea to put both his titles on the line tonight. We then find Angle talking to a disinterested security guy about defending his titles at his first Wrestelmania and asks him to have some extra security ready for his celebration after he retains both titles.

This match has two falls and the IC Title is up for grabs in this first fall. Jericho comes out first and gets on the mic, talking about waiting his whole life to be on Wrestlemania. Jericho says he can’t guarantee to walk out with either or both titles but does guarantee that “Kirk Angel” and “Mr. Roboto” will get the beating of a lifetime. The other two men come out and Benoit attacks Angle on the floor as he tries to remove his two belts and throws him into the ring. Jericho goes for a whip and Angle reverses it but Jericho hits clotheslines on both Angle and Benoit. Jericho chops Angle and whips him into a clothesline then kicks Benoit in a corner. Angle nails Jericho from behind and goes for a whip but Jericho reverses and hits an elbow. Benoit chops Jericho in a corner then whips him into a corner. Benoit goes for a suplex but Jericho flips out of it and dropkicks him into the ringpost. Angle goes for a whip but Jericho reverses and hits a dropkick and sends him out to the apron. Jericho goes for the springboard dropkick but Benoit trips him from the floor then goes in and elbowdrops him. Benoit then goes out after Angle on the apron and works him over when Jerihco hits the springboard dropkick on both men! Jericho hits a baseball slide on Benoit and goes out but Angle flapjacks him into the ringsteps! Angle throws Jericho back into the ring and hits a belly-to-belly suplex but Benoit breaks up the pin. Benoit whips Angle and hits a clothesline but Jericho breaks up his cover. Jericho chops Benoit in a corner and Benoit fires back but Jericho knees him in the chest. Jericho turns and hits a butterfly backbreaker on Angle then climbs to the top rope but Benoit shoves him off right into the announce table! Benoit hits a snap suplex for a two count then hits another suplex for another two count. Benoit chops Angle but Jericho catches him with a dropkick. Jericho goes for a whip, Angle reverses him into a corner and charges but eats a boot and Jericho hops to the middle rope and connects with a missile dropkick but Benoit breaks up the pin. Benoit hits a backbreaker but Angle makes the save and clubs Benoit in the back then hits a snap suplex but only gets a two count. Jericho whips Angle then comes off the ropes with the bulldog for a near fall. Benoit and Jericho exchange shots and Benoit gets the advanatge with chops. Angle suplexes Benoit but Jericho makes the save with an axehandle off the ropes and Angle rolls to the floor. Jericho puts Benoit in a modified Camel Clutch but sees Angle coming and lets go of Benoit to greet Angle with a right hand. Jericho hits Angle with a vertical suplex and Benoit tries to steal the pin but Jericho breaks it up. Jericho lays the boots to Benoit but Angle works him over and whips him into a corner but eats a boot. Jericho goes for a suplex but Angle counters it into a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Benoit hammers Angle and goes for a whip but Angle reverses him right into Jericho. Jericho lifts himself over Benoit into a Sunset Flip but Benoit counters into a rollup and Angle breaks it up with a dropkick and Benoit rolls out to the floor while Angle whips Jericho and Jericho reverses it and goes for a backbreaker but Angle counters into the Crossface Chickenwing! Jericho looks ready to submit and the referee checks the arm but Benoit makes the save with a dropkick! Benoit throws Angle through the ropes then goes out and throws him into the crowd. Benoit climbs up to the top rope and hits the diving headbutt on Jericho and gets the three to take the IC title. (7:54) Benoit gets his first WWF gold and we now move right into…

Benoit immediately covers Jericho while he’s down but Angle breaks up the pin. Angle hammers Benoit then hits a suplex but only gets a two count. Angle slams Benoit to the mat then climbs to the top but Jericho causes him to straddle the turnbuckle. Jericho climbs up for a superplex but Benoit causes him to straddle the rope. Benoit goes up and hits a back superplex on Jericho and both men are down. Angle is still on the top rope and goes for a moonsault but misses and hits the mat! Angle manages to drape an arm over Benoit but only gets two and Jericho tries covering Angle but he only gets two as well. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho on Angle but Benoit interuptes him with a clothesline. Benoit whips Angle into a knee then stomps him down in a corner. Angle nails Benoit from behind and slams him to the mat then works over Jericho. Angle whips Jericho into a corner, Benoit charges but Jericho sidesteps him and clotheslines Angle then hits a spinning heel kick on Benoit. Jericho whips Angle and hits a powerbomb but holds on and hits a second powerbomb! Jericho starts to go for the cover but sees Benoit coming and charges at him but runs into a German suplex. Benoit holds on for a second German suplex then still holds on and hits a bridge suplex but Angle barely breaks it up. Benoit hits a Dragon suplex on Angle and gets a two count, even though Angle’s shoulders weren’t down. Jericho chops Benoit and goes for a whip but Benoit reverses it and Jericho goes for a forearm. However Benoit ducks and Jericho takes out the referee when Benoit slaps the Crossface on Jericho. Jericho taps but the referee is out and doesn’t see it. Benoit goes to revive the referee when Jericho puts him in the Walls of Jericho. Angle comes in with the European belt and clocks Jericho in the head with it then covers him but Benoit pulls Jericho out of the ring. Benoit goes in and exchanges punches with Angle then suplexes him and climbs to the top rope. Benoit goes for the headbutt again but Angle rolls out of the way. Jericho quickly comes in and hits the Lionsault on Benoit then covers him and gets the 1..2..3 for the second fall and the European Title. (5:41) Angle loses both his titles without being pinned in either fall and complains to the referee about this while Benoit celebrates with the Intercontinential belt and Jericho takes the European belt. Very good work from all three men with some nice innovative moves and technical stuff, though it seemed the second fall flowed a bit better than the first. ***½

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews Vince McMahon about being in The Rock’s corner in the main event, asking if he will be a factor. Vince says he’s a factor everywhere he goes and that Rock is confident he will be WWF Champion, whether he’s in his corner or not. Cole then asks Vince about his wife and children being in the other corners. Vince address the talk about his family being dysfunctional and said he’s promised to make it right. Maybe that should have been a warning sign right there.

~ Elsewhere Triple H talks with Stephanie about Vince’s comments, having seen them on a monitor, I guess. Triple H tells Stephanie tonight is not about what’s right or worng, it’s about who’s the best and says he will show everyone he is the best and will not be beaten tonight.

Lawler mentions he spoke with Pete Rose earlier on Heat. Maybe we’ll see him in this match. Anyway the DX’ers come out to their Run DMC theme and Road Dogg does his rhyming on the mic. After Kane and Rikishi come out, Bearer argues with Tori who slaps him but Bearer no-sells it. Road Dogg and X-Pac double-team Rikishi to start the match while Kane and Bearer go out after Tori on the floor. Kane grabs Tori by the neck but X-Pac goes out and nails Kane to save her. Rikishi hits the butt charge on Road Dogg in the ring then gives him the Stinkface already! Tori climbs into the ring and backs away form Kane, right into Rikishi who puts her in position for the stinkface. However X-Pac pulls Tori out of the ring before Rikishi can move in and the DX’ers decide they’ve had enough and start walking out. However Kane and Rikishi cut off their escape and bring the DX’ers back to the ring but X-Pac catches Rikishi with a spinkick. X-Pac kicks Rikishi down in a corner and follows up with the Bronco Buster. Road Dogg tags in and hits the juke ‘n jive punches on Rikishi followed by the big right but they have no effect. Road Dogg comes off the ropes with a forearm that does gets Rikishi off his feet and follows up with the shake, rattle ‘n kneedrop bit Rikishi powers out of the pin. X-Pac tags in and kicks Rikishi repeatedly but they don’t even phase Rikishi. X-Pac comes off the ropes but runs into a modified Diamond Cutter. Kane tags in and takes it to both his opponents then whips Road Dogg into a boot. X-Pac goes for a whip but Kane reverses and hits a backdrop. Kane clotheslines Road Dogg out of the ring then clotheslines X-Pac in a corner. Kane wants Rikishi to give X-Pac the Stinkface but Tori pulls him out to safety. Rikishi knocks down Road Dogg while Paul Bearer tosses Tori into the ring and Kane throws her down in a corner and Rikishi gives her the Stinkface! Kane kills X-Pac with the Tombstone and gets the three to finally end this feud. (4:16) Nothing really much here and pretty short but at least Kane finally got the last word against X-Pac. **

Kane and Rikishi celebrate the win when Too Cool comes out to join them, followed by the San Diego chicken. Naturally everyone thinks it’s Pete Rose based on what happened last year, especially Kane. Too Cool and Rikishi do their post-match dance and the chicken joins in. Eventually Kane stares down the chicken and grabs him by the throat but it turns out the chicken’s a decoy because here comes Pete Rose with a baseball bat. Pete gets ready to take a swing but Rikishi takes the bat away form him and Kane chokeslams him. Too Cool then drag Pete to a corner and Rikishi gives him the Stinkface.

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Rock on the main event and Rock starts off by saying 12 months of interviews, run-ins, backstabbing, wins and losses have led to this night. Rock says tonight is not about the McMahon family saga or Foley’s retirement, it’s about the WWF Championship. Rock promises to lay the smackdown on his opponents for the millions of fans before finishing with the usual.

~ We then get a look at some of the celebrities in the crowd tonight as get a shot of Michael Clark Duncan in the front row. We also see Martin Short, French Stuart, and Dustin “Screech” Diamond among others.

There are no disqualifications or countouts, and a man can only be eliminated by pinfall. Also this is one of the rare times Mick Foley has competed as himself and not one of his three personas. Once everyone is out we have a four-way staredown to start before they go at it and pair off, Rock with Show and Triple H with Foley. Show hammers Rock and chokes him while Foley beats Triple H down in a corner and hits the running knee. Show clotheslines Triple H and Foley then headbutts Triple H, clotheslines Rock and slams Foley to the mat. Show throws Triple H across the ring and whips Rock into a press slam then does the same to Triple H. Show headbutts Foley and chokes Rock with his knee in a corner. Foley jumps on Show’s back but Show gets to his feet and throws imself back, squashing Foley. Rock starts fighting back and goes for a whip but Show reverses it and plants him with a sidewalk slam. Triple H leaps off middle rope and Show catches him for a chokeslam but Foley breaks it up with a low blow. Foley, Triple H and Rock triple-team Show and Triple H and Foley each come off the ropes with a clothesline but can’t get Show down but Rock comes off with a flying forearm and that does get Show off his feet. Rock, Triple H and Foley then stomp away at Show until Triple H starts attacking Foley but Foley fights back and clotheslines himself and Triple H over the ropes. Rock works over Show in a corner then goes for a whip but Show reverses him into a corner and hits a boot. Rock tees off on Show and comes off the ropes but Shane trips him from the floor so Rock pops Shane off the apron. Out on the floor Foley grabs a chair and jabs Triple H with it then whacks Show in the back with the chair. Rock then plants Show with the Rock Bottom and gets the pin for the first elimination. (4:41) Well that was quick, and that would be the end of Show’s main event push for two years. Show angrily leaves the ring but he and Shane have words with Vince on the way out.

Anyway we now have Rock, Foley and Triple H left and Triple H tries to convince Foley to team up against Rock but Foley isn’t having it. Triple H then tries to convince Rock to join up against Foley. Rock seems to agree but then sucker-punches Triple H as they move in. Rock and Foley then renew their partnership as they double-team Triple H and take turns getting in their shots with Rock capping off with a right hand. Rock and Foley whip Triple H into a double clothesline and Foley throws him throgh the ropes to the floor. Rock goes out and Triple H starts to fight back but Foley nails him from behind. Triple H tries to whip Foley but Foley reverses him right into a clothesline from Rock. Foley tosses Rock the ring bell then holds Triple H for him and Rock takes a swing but Triple H ducks and Rock nails Foley by accident. Triple H throws Rock into the steps while we get a shot of Vince and Stephanie exchaning words. Triple H drops Rock on the barricade but looks over and sees Foley has found his barbed wire 2×4 and tries to escape into the ring. Foley backs Triple H into a corner and takes a swing but misses and Triple H hits a low blow. Triple H grabs the 2×4 and nails Foley in the chest with it then readies for another swing but Rock cuts him off with a forearm from behind. Rock goes for a whip but Triple H reverses and throws him over the ropes back outside. Foley drills Triple H with the double-arm DDT then pulls out Mr. Socko and locks in the Mandible Claw on Triple H. Rock brings in the title belt and clocks Triple H then sets up for the People’s Elbow when Foley puts the Mandible Claw on Rock! Foley has Rock down when Triple H hits a low blow on both men and everyone’s down. Triple H hammers Rock in a corner but Rock comes back while Vince slides a chair into the ring. Rock goes for a whip, Triple H reverses him into a corner but Rock comes out with a clothesline when Foley hits his own clothesline on Rock that gets a two count. Foley tees off on Rock and goes for a whip but Rock reverses him into a corner. Foley comes out but ducks a clothesline and hits Rock with the double-arm DDT for a two count. Foely grabs the chair and charges at Rock but Rock boots it into his face. Rock hammers Foley and hits a DDT but Triple H breaks it up for some reason and clotheslines Rock. JR speculates Triple H wants to be the one who ends Foley’s career. Foley then convinces Triple H to team up and eliminate Rock and they stomp away at him drawing boos from the crowd. Triple H whips Rock and sets him up for a kneelift from Foley for a two count. Both men hit a suplex on Rock and Triple H follows up with a kneedrop. Foley knocks Rock through the ropes to the floor then goes out after him with Triple H right behind. Triple H and Foley double-team Rock then goes for a whip but Rock reverses him into the steps. Rock rams Triple H into the barricade and chokes him with a television cable but Foley grabs the steps and nails Rock with them. Triple H rams Rock onto the Spanish announce table and places Rock onto it as Foley climbs to the top rope then leaps off for his flying elbow. Only Foley doesn’t leap far enough and bounces off the edge of the table! Triple H tries to cover for it by hitting his own elbowdrops until he drives Rock through the table. Triple H rolls Foley into the ring and hits the Pedigree…but only gets two!! Triple H grabs the chair and whacks Foley in the head then hits a second Pedigree right onto the chair and this time gets the 1..2..3 to eliminate Foley. (19:41) And Mick Foley’s career is over, again. Foley walks off with Linda and his arms raised as the crowd gives him a standing ovation.

So we’re down to Rock vs. Triple H, finally giving us the match they should have done in the first place! However Foley comes back in and whacks Triple H with the 2×4 before leaving the ring for good(?). Rock manages to cover Triple H but only gets a two count then hammers away at him as we see Triple H busted open from the barbed wire shot. Rock clotheslines Triple H over the ropes to the floor then brings Triple H over to the the entrance and rams him into a guardrail. Triple H comes back and tries for a suplex but Rock counters with his own suplex on the floor. Rock throws Triple H into the entrance set and follows up with a clothesline. Rock and Triple H fight through the crowd and Rock backdrops Triple H over the barricade to ringside. Rock then brings Triple H over and rams him into the timekeeper’s table. Rock grabs the steps but Triple H whacks them with a chair and they fall on top of Rock. Triple H smashes the steps into Rock with the chair then piledrives Rock into the other steps. Triple H rolls Rock back into the ring and covers him but only gets a two count! Both men exchange shots and Rock goes for a whip but Triple H reverses it and Rock goes for a Rock Bottom. Triple H fights out of it and sets up for the Pedigree but Rock backdrops him over the ropes to the floor. Rock pops Triple H over the barricade and they fight through the crowd again but Triple H gets the advantage and knocks Rock back to ringside. Triple H goes for a whip but Rock reverses him into the barricade then hits a spinebuster on the floor and both men are down. Triple H tries to crawl away but Rock suplexes him through the other announce table!! Rock moves in on Triple H but gets tripped into the steps! Triple H rolls Rock in the ring when Vince gets in his own shots on Triple H and throws him into the ringpost. Vince rolls Triple H back in the ring when Shane McMahon comes back out and nails Vince from behind then cracks him with a TV monitor. Vince is back up and unloads on Shane, pounding on him around the ring, but Shane hits a low blow then whacks him in the head with the chair! Michael Clarke Duncan has words with Shane while Rock and Triple H are still down in the ring. We then see Vince is busted open as Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson help him to the back. In the ring Triple H and Rock are up Rock hammers Triple H with the Smackdown in a corner. Rock goes for a whip, Triple H reverses it but Rock ducks a clothesline and hits a DDT for a near fall. Rock whips Triple into a gutwrench slam but still only gets a two count. Rock whips Triple H but lowers the head and Triple H hits the facebuster then grabs the 2×4 and nails Rock with it. Shane comes into the ring with a chair while Triple H goes for a Pedigree but Rock counters and catapults Triple H into Shane! Rock hits the Rock Bottom but is too hurt to cover Triple H! Shane readies the chair when Vince comes back out and takes out Shane, knocking him out of the ring. Vince then grabs the chair and .. turns and hits The Rock!! Everyone is shocked at Vince’s sudden heel turn as Triple H covers the fallen Rock but only gets a two count!! Vince hits Rock with the chair again and Triple H gets the 1..2..3!! Triple H retains! (36:28) After all that build Wrestlemania ends with the heel standing tall for the first time ever and this time there’s no Hulk Hogan to save the day. The match was going fine but everything was pointing to The Rock dethroning Triple H until Vince turned heel and denied everyone the happy ending they’re used to getting at Wrestlemania. ***½

Oh but it gets better. Vince kicks Rock out of the ring while Stephanie comes in and helps Triple H out then Vince turns and embraces Stephanie, the same daughter who betrayed him at Armageddon. The fans are rightully angry at all this and start throwing trash into the ring. Shane comes in to have words with Vince but Rock runs back in and lays out Shane with a Rock Bottom. Rock then tees off on Vince and takes him out with a Rock Bottom as well. Rock glares at Stephanie who has words with him and slaps him in the face but Rock responds by taking her out a Rock Bottom!!! Rock then stands over Stephanie and pops Triple H before hitting the People’s Elbow on Stephanie. Rock then departs the ring while Triple H and the McMahons are left laying, but it’s too little too late. Triple H is still the champion as the show goes off the air.

Conclusion: This Wrestlemania isn’t as bad as people say but it isn’t a very good one either. Much of the card was subpar matches and some real silliness but there are some worthwhile contests like the traingle laddr match and the Benoit/Angle/Jericho triple threat. Also the main event was good enough but also serves as how not to end Wrestlemania. Fans were looking forward to seeing Triple H finally get taken down by The Rock at this show but instead the McMahons took over things with a heel turn from Vince that didn’t even make sense at the time. Granted they would make it up the next pay-per-view but you still don’t send the fans home unhappy on the biggest show of the year. So I’m going thumbs in the middle leaning down for this card.