WWE Summerslam 2000
WWE Summerslam 2000
With the TLC PPV taking place tomorrow night, I figured I'd go back and watch Summerslam 2000, which featured the very first TLC match in WWE. I don't think I've ever seen this PPV in it's entirety either, so I'm going into this pretty much blind.
We get an opening video package of Freddie Blassie watching some footage to the build up of this PPV with a black and white filter, classical music playing in the background. It's a strange video to be sure, but it sets the tone for the show.
We're live from the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. As always, J.R. and the King are on commentary for the 13th annual Summerslam, sold out with more than a $1.1 million gate as J.R. mentions. Ten matches, 4 for titles. Let's get the action started.
Right to Censor (The Goodfather, Bull Buchanan & Steven Richards) vs Too Cool
Stevie's got a mic and says he would think that the people of the Bible Belt would applaud the RTC for their actions, that the people would support them, but instead they boo the RTC. He offers them a lesson in morality, and goes on to say something about Rikishi, probably his ass, but he gets cut off by Too Cool's music, Rikishi accompanied by a couple of the Godfather's former hos, one of them the future Victoria, who dance along with Too Cool ahead of their match. RTC slide in and attack to get things started.
Nice quick action from Scotty and Bull to start things out. Grandmaster is in next for a double team suplex and a kip up by Scotty along with a moonwalk. Goodfather is in next and gets launched to the outside as Sexay gets tagged in The former hos try to get a shot in but Goodfather pie faces them down to some heat.
Back in the ring Goodfather takes down Sexay back in comes Bull for a near fall. He tags in Stevie after some offense, a powerbomb and a near fall.
Sexay hits a superplex and tries to tag out, crowd rallies and Rikishi is in now, throwing Stevie around a bit before the other two come in, Rikishi quickly taking them out.Stevie tries to leave but he's thrown back in by Victoria. Rikishi throws all three into the corner, while all three charge into them, setting Stevie up for a stinkface. but Bull cuts him off. Scott takes him down to set up for The Worm, but is quickly cut off by Stevie with a Superkick and the win in 5:14. Good way to start the PPV.
We get a replay of the finish as RTC head up the aisle to the back, followed by Too Cool. We see footage from Heat of Kurt Angle entering the arena, approached by Coach. He asks Kurt about "taking advantage" of Steph, but he calls Coach a 4-string announcer before leaving. Steph arrives some time later and is also approached, she asks where HHH is, Coach lets her know where Kurt is but she heads in the opposite direction. Kurt enters Steph's locker room some time after that. Then we get a replay from Smackdown where Kurt kisses Steph, with Steph showing no resistance of any kind.
Cut to Michael Cole interviewing Hardcore Champion Shane McMahon. He talks about how he supports his sister and her decisions, but Blackman comes lurking around the corner and Shane runs off.
Time for our next match.
Road Dogg vs X-Pac
This started out as a friendly rivalry but quickly turned volatile, X-Pac inadvertently sending Road Dogg through a table on Raw.
Road Dogg does his usual schtick following his entrance, We see footage from Smackdown of Road Dogg deserting X-Pac to be taken out by Taker.
Nice back and forth match, reversing and avoiding each other's offense having known each other long enough. Roadie goes or the pumphandle, then Pac for the X-Factor but Roadie escapes. Pac hits a low blow out of the view of the referee, then an X-Factor for the win in 4:43. Decent enough match to keep things rolling, keeps the tension going between these two for the future.
Pac gets a mic and tries to get on the same page, but Roadie delivers a Pumphandle Slam for his troubles. He leaves as his music hits and we go to replays. Someone in the production truck botches as they play the wrong footage first.
J.R. promotes Vinnie's Steakhouse and Tavern before we go to Chyna and Eddie in the back ahead of their IC Title match, and he tells her that even if she wins, he's not the jealous type. Cut to Val and Trish, and claims she's better centerfold material than Chyna. Val cares more about the IC Title and tells Trish she better do her part.
It's time for our first of four title matches.
Intergender Tag Team Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Eddie Guerrero & Chyna vs Val Venis (c) & Trish Stratus
Commentary explain that if either Trish or Val get pinned, the IC Title will go to whoever gets the pin in this match, so will be interesting to see how this plays out. We see footage from Smackdown two weeks ago of Chyna powerbombing Val on the floor, and Trish smashing some glass over Chyna's head.
Eddie and Val start things off, quick back and forth to start things off, Eddie getting the advantage early on.
Chyna in with Val and has the advantage for most of the exchange until Trish runs distraction, allowing Val to take advantage. He misses an elbow from the top, Chyna tries to tag but Val stops her. Eddie distracts to allow Chyna to hit a low blow, then a DDT and Eddie is tagged in with a hot tag. Plenty of offense but Eddie gets dropped face first into the turnbuckle. Take each other down as they go off the ropes, Trish tagged in and attempts a tag on Eddie.
She gets a few kicks in until Eddie sweeps the leg, Chyna in now and dominates the match until Val takes her down by the hair. Eddie until briefly until Val dumps her out. Trish in with Chyna as Eddie takes out Val, Chyna hits a press slam on Trish and gets the pin to win the Intercontinental Championship in 7:14. Nice little tag match, Trish didn't do much seeing as she isn't really much of a wrestler at this point, and Chyna gets the title while protecting Val.
Val is obviously pissed at Trish while Chyna and Eddie celebrate in the ring. Eddie puts the title around Chyna's waist as she tauts Val and we go to replays.
We see footage from last night's Radio WWF from WWF New York.
Cut to Stephanie talking to a staff member, talking about the kiss. She calls Kurt a good kisser, basically the gist of this match.
Commentary talk about a jar of candy they have at commentary before we go to a promo package for our next match. Taz has a problem with J.R.'s commentary, picking a fight before Lawler steps in. Taz busts Lawler with a metal water pitcher, messes up his rental car with J.R. inside and smashes a car window in his face.
Now onto the match.
Tazz vs Jerry "the King" Lawler
Tazz comes out in a cowboy hate and one of those canes the blind use obviously mocking J.R. following the glass attack. Lawler's had enough and nails him in the face as the match begins.
There isn't much to this match. Tazz gets Lawler in a Tazzmission while the ref is out, J.R. smashes his candy jar over Tazz's head to a big pop, allowing Lawler to get the win in 4:25. This really shouldn't even be a feud or a match on this show, but it didn't go overly long so whatever.
Tazz is busted open, and the censor seems to be awfully finicky tonight, bleeping out one bitch and not another. Tazz complains about getting glass in his eye as Lawler rejoins J.R. at commentary and we go to replays. J.R.'s hand is cut a little but nothing too major.
Cut to backstage of Lilian approaching Shane backstage, asking him about the kiss, but Blackman interrupts before he can say anything.
Onto the second title match of the night.
Hardcore Championship: Shane McMahon (c) vs Steve Blackman
We see footage from last Monday when Shane won the title from Blackman with help from Test, Albert, Edge and Christian. Shane is visibly scared shitless. Blackman out with a kendo stick and a trash can.
They toss the kendo stick back and forth as Shane tries to avoid entering the ring, then Blackman drops it, suckering Shane in as he knocks Shane back out of the ring. Shane exiting through the crowd and Blackman follows suit. Seems he grabbed his trash can on the way and nails Shane in the head as they brawl on the stairs. Shane with some kicks in, tries to nail him with the can but he gets the advantage again. Back over the barricade to ringside.
Blackman off the barricade with a kick to the chest. Blackman tosses some trash lids into the ring, launching Shane off the ropes and nails him in the knees with a lid, then the back of the head. Spinning back fist of sorts with the lid to the back of the head. Blackman tossing another trash can, a leather strap and some kind of martial arts sticks. Trash can over Shane's head as Blackman picks up the sticks and nails Shane with quick shots all over, then a side kick. Back suplex with the aid of a stick before Blackman grabs the strap. Strap around the neck as he pulls Shane to the corner, whipped into the opposite corner, Shane lifted to the top rope and yanked off by the strap.
Blackman with a single leg crab while choking him with the strap, but Test and Albert are out now. Albert with a two handed chokeslam. Albert with stomps as Test wedges a can in the corner, whipping Blackman into it and a splash by Albert, Blackman eats lid to the face. Albert lays a lid on Blackman for Test to nail an elbow from the top, and Shane lays in some punches as Test and Albert hold him up. Shane tries to use a lid but Blackman kicks it back in his face.
Shane with a metal sign to the head off the ropes. Blackman out of the ring as the beatdown continues, Shane pulling him by the strap now near the entrance way. Shane tries to drop an amp on Blackman's leg but he moves out of the way. Albert accidentally cracks Test with a kendo stick, Blackman cracks them both before Shane nails from behind before running off.
Onto the finish. Shane starts to climb the side of the entrance set, Blackman follows up with the kendo stick strapped to his wrist. Blackman starts to crack the stick across Shane's legs and back and Shane falls a ridiculous height below, J.R. says at least 50 ft. Blackman comes down a few feet before flying off, nailing an elbow drop and the pin, regaining the Hardcore Championship in 10:09. Got a little ridiculous with the interference, but it was a fun match, Shane taking a high risk drop, and this is only a few months before his infamous dive at Backlash. One of the better Hardcore Title matches in its history.
Blackman is helped out of the rubble as medical staff come out with a stretcher. Blackman celebrates as he goes to the back and we get replays of the finish. Shane is stretchered to the back. Commentary debate the height of the fall while we get more replays. They compare it to Foley's fall from the cell, which was only about half the height.
Cut backstage as Steph worries for her brother, Kurt comes in and she asks about Shane. They hug and the Comish runs in. They head out to go check on Shane.
We get a promo package for our next match. This rivalry is built on an intense hatred for each other, violently attacking each other from behind backstage and in the ring. Jericho with a Dr. Seuss type promo on the number of ways he will beat Benoit. Classic Jericho. Shane was originally supposed to accompany Benoit but, well that sure as hell isn't happening anymore.
2 out of 3 Falls Match: Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho
We get yet more replays of Shane's fall. They waste no time was they trade punches on the mat into the ropes. They tumble out of the ring and take Chioda out with them, trying to pull them apart as Jericho keeps on Benoit, gets launched into the ring post shoulder first by Benoit as he argues with the ref.
Nice trades with submission attempts before Benoit is catapulted into the corner, followed by a German suplex for a near fall. Jericho with a bulldog and goes for a moonsault but eats the knees. J.R. mentions this is the first 2 out of 3 Falls match on PPV since HHH/Rock at Fully Loaded as Benoit locks in the crossface. Jericho is forced to tap and Benoit gets the first fall in 3:13.
Benoit tries to lock it in again but Jericho manages to avoid it, but Benoit fights it hard, getting it locked in successfully. Jericho reaches desperately for the ropes and manages to force the break. Benoit already back on the attack, as he works the neck and back. Jericho shoulder first into the post on the outside. Back in the ring, into the ringpost again shoulder first into a pin attempt, but a near fall.
Into the post once more, and again. Jericho finally knocks Benoit down with some shots and a clothesline. Some right hands but Benoit goes for his German suplexes, Jericho fights out of the second, rolls through and applies the Walls. Benoit reaches for the ropes but Jericho drags him back to the middle, knee in Benoit's back forcing him to tap, giving Jericho the second fall in 8:39.
Jericho back on the offense now and nails a back breaker into a near fall.Chops across the chest into the corner, Benoit whipped into the opposite nailed with an elbow, Jericho with a reverse elbow off the top for a near fall. Benoit off the ropes but nails Jericho in the back. Jericho goes for a power bomb but reversed into a northern lights pin. Pulled up into a full nelson suplex with a bridge and another near fall.
Leg drop across the back of Jericho's neck. Benoit to the top but Jericho crotches him, climbs up with him and nails a hurricanrana, but clutches his shoulder as he lays on the mat. Jericho rolls and crawls over to Benoit for another near fall. Jericho off the ropes for a forearm into Benoit, then some clothesline. Spinning heel kick by Jericho, pin attempt but Benoit gets his foot on the ropes. Jericho nails a lionsault but he can't capitalize because of his shoulder. Knees to the gut as Benoit gets up. Jericho gets Benoit with a roll up, but he reverses with one of his own, holding onto the bottom rope to steal the third fall and the win in 13:20. Damn good match between these two, protecting Jericho in the end.
Benoit collapses on the outside as he rolls out and we go to replays. Benoit laughs as he looks back at Jericho.
Cut to backstage as HHH finally arrives, clearly pissed off.. We get another replay of the kiss, then we go back to see Kurt and Steph and Mick from earlier.
We get a promo package for our TLC Match up next, highlighting the history between our three teams and their specialty weapons Mick makes this match following a sit-down strike by E&C on Raw. We get some replays from their previous matches together.
First-Ever Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz
Hardys and Dudleyz waste no time brawling to start the match. E&C in with chairs but they're intercepted. Chair thrown right in the face of Bubba, but Jeff eats a chair of his own. Christian off a chair into the corner into D-Von, eating a chair with a drop toe hold. Edge bringing a ladder in and leans it into the ropes, but gets the ladder thrown back into him. Christian eats a DDT from Bubba who sets the ladder up in the middle, but obviously way too small to reach the titles.
Jeff and D-Von climbing side by side ladders now, Edge up behind them with a double Russian leg sweep back to the mat. Christian up now and Bubba follows, nailing a Bubba Bomb to the mat. Matt back up the ladder but Edge sends him off,, landing on a ldder and catapulting it into the back of Matt's head. E& C go for a Concerto but Jeff ducks, dropping Edge with a ladder and a chair thrown into Jeff's face. D-Von sets up a ladder in the corner, nailing a What's Up on Edge. Time for some tables!
D-Von grabs a table from the aisle and slides it into the ring, Jeff barried under some ladders as the table gets set in the middle. D-Von nail Christian with a 3-D through the table. Dudleyz leave the ring and grab more tables, setting them on top of two already set up tables next to the ring, stacking them up. Oh that's not gonna end well. Bubba goes to powerbomb Jeff out onto the tables but Edge nails the Dudleys with a chair. Matt with a twist of fate on Edge, then a leg drop off the ladder, Jeff springing off the top rope over the ladder with a leg drop of his own.
Matt sandwiching Edge in one of the ladders as Christian climbs the top rope, Matt launching Christian onto the ladder and Edge. Bubba set up on a table outside while Jeff sets up a ladder in front of it. Jeff climbs up and goes for a Swanton but Bubba moves, sending him crashing through two tables. God damn.
Matt goes out and tosses the ladder Jeff just used into the ring, setting it up in the middle. Edge in with a chair and nails Bubba over the head. Christian, D-Von and Edge follow suit. Matt nails Christian with a reverse DDT while D-Von and Edge launch each other off onto the top rope. Bubba back up on his feet and gets into the ring, positioning the ladder, noticeably looking at the stacked tables on the outside before makes the climb. Of course, Edge and Christian push the ladder over and sends Bubba crashing through three of the four tables. Holy shit indeed.
E&C setting the ladder back up now as the make the slow climb, but Lita runs out, pushing the ladder over and crotching both of them on the top rope. Matt stumbles back in and sets the ladder back up, but D-Von is slowly back on his feet as well. D-Von tilts th ladder and sends Matt backwards through two more tables at ringside, Edge even nailing Lita with a spear as she goes to check on Matt. We get a Wile E Coyote cam replay of Matt's fall, damn I miss that view. D-Von up the ladder and somehow Jeff is back up and joins him on the climb. They fight up top but the ladder gets knocked over, hanging from the belts, D-Von taking a nasty fall to the mat. E&C use a ladder to knock Jeff down, another nasty fall damn near breaking his legs.
They quickly set the ladder back up and make the climb and take down the belts to retain the Tag Team Titles in 14:49. God damn these guys went through hell and put on a great match.
Seems like Jeff may have seriously hurt his leg, or maybe he's just selling. E&C barely rolling out of the ring with their titles, helped to the back by referees. We go to replays as commentary give the teams their due despite what they may think of E&C. Not much celebrating as everyone slowly makes their way to the back to a standing ovation. And this show isn't even over yet.
Cut to HHH and Steph in the back, questioning her over the kiss. She tries to pain Kurt of taking advantage of her and blaming her head injury for what happened and tells her to stay away from Kurt, saying he'll never be in their lives again after tonight.
Time for... Well, I'll let the name explain itself.
Thong Stinkface Match: The Kat (w/ Al Snow) vs Terri (w/ Perry Saturn)
Win by giving your opponent a stinkface. Kat wins. End of story.
We see the APA at WWF New York playing bartenders. We've got one more match before our main event.
We get a promo package for this match that started two weeks prior, Kane seemingly helping Taker only to Chokeslam him twice, the second going through the ring. Kane explains that he did it because he's a monster, even busting Taker open with a chair.
The Undertaker vs Kane
Taker comes out with his Kid Rock music dubbed over. Apparently the referee had told J.R. earlier in the day that he was basically just gonna let them go at it and be there to make the pin count. Taker wastes no time going after Kane during his entrance.
Taker spends most of the match trying to unmask Kane. Kane takes a ring from ringside but Taker nails him with shots to the midsection. Taker cracks Kane over the back with the chair. More right hands by Taker before trying to rip the mask off again, and rips off part of the mask. Kane lures Taker out and bounces him of f the steel steps. Kane picks up the steps and goes to ram them into Taker's head, but hits the post and they bounce back into his face. Taker picks up some steps and throws them into Kane's face. Taker audibly says that he's gonna rip the fucking mask off before he sends more right hands.
Back in the ring and Kane has been busted open by the steps. Low blow on Taker as he gets in some right hands now, but Taker lands a spear and more right hands on the mat, ripping the mask mostly off but it still hangs on. More rights by Taker, but Kane catches him for a chokeslam, only to get a low blow. Taker successffully takes the mask off as Kane covers off and..... Taker's music hits? So it's a no contest? What the hell just happened?
Kane retreats to the back as Taker holds his mask off, or at least what's left of it. Commentary keep saying the bell never rung but there was definitely a bell rung.
Cut to Kurt in his locker room with a phone in hand, debating whether or not to make the call. Cut to HHH and Steph, andthe phone rings. Steph pretends its her mother but its her mother but it''s clearly Kurt.
Onto our main event for the WWF Champonship. We get a promo package. Kurt and HHH both pin Jericho at the same time to earn this title shot. We see footage of HHH and Trish in.... interesting situations, then Kurt and Steph getting... chummy, and HHH jealous. I feel like Rock is a third wheel in this whole thing but he's the champion so.
Triple Threat Match for the WWF Championship: Kurt Angle vs HHH vs The Rock (c)
Kurt gets a mic and says even though people are expecting an apology, he says he'd like to for not doing it sooner. He's a gold medalist, he didn't get the medals for backing down or second-guessing himself. He says he's proud of it. He tells HHH he gave his wife the passion HHH could never give her before HHH comes out. Commentary mentions that HHH told Steph to stay in the ring. HHH and Kurt already start fighting before Rock even comes out. Hebner tries to break it up but gets shoved down by HHH. Both go tumbling over the ropes and Rock sure is taking his time, match still hasn't started.
Plenty of brawling around ringside as Kurt gets sent into the steps over to commentary. HHH clears the Spanish announce table and gets on top with Kurt. He goes for a Pedigree but the table collapses under them. We know from interviews after the fact that Kurt's head hit the concrete floor and got a concussion from this. Yikes. HHH grabs a sledgehammer from under the ring as Hebner checks on Angle but out comes Rock. Bell finally rings to start this match.
Kurt seems to be conscious now as doctors check on him. They brought a stretcher out, so looks like this will be a one on one match from here out. They start to cart Kurt off but HHH pulls him back in so I guess I spoke to soon. Rock cuts him off as they fight by the entrance set now. HHH goes for a piledriver but gets catapulted into the set, into a clothesline by Rock. Steph is out to check on Kurt now while they continue to cart to the back, Steph following her.
Steph comes back out shortly after as Rock gets the advantage back momentarily before eating a high knee for a near fall. HHH tells Steph to get the belt, even slapping the time keeper.. Steph comes in and goes to hit Rock but ends up nailing HHH for a near fall. Rock tries to pull Steph back in the ring by the hair but gets a low blow as Sgt. Slaughter escorts her to the back.
HHH gets the sledgehammer again and nails Rock in the ribs and now HHH starts to work the ribs now.
Near the end we cut to Steph talking Kurt into going back to the ring, so I guess Kurt is OK enough to get through the finish of the match. Rock crawls over with an arm over the chest for a near fall. Rock with a nice belly to belly for another near fall. Kurt comes out still dazed as Steph leads him by the hand. Kurt trips the Rock and HHH nails a Pedigree, Kurt pulls him out and sends him into the steps and goes for the pin for a near fall.
Kurt trying to finish Rock up fast and take advantage, but Rock nails a Rock Bottom on Angle. HHH pulls Rock out before he can get the pin, throwing him face first into the post. HHH calls for Steph to give him the hammer again, but Kurt goes for it. HHH inadvertently hits Steph and eats a sledgehammer to the head. Kurt with the cover but Rock breaks it up. Rock knocks Kurt out to the floor, nails HHH with a People's Elbow and retains the championship in 20:08. If it weren't for the fact that it felt like Rock and the title were shoehorned into this feud I'd say it's a great match, but it hinders things when Rock is so out of place. Not to mention Kurt's concussion kind of screwing things up. Not terrible by any means, but still.
Rock heads up the aisle as HHH and Steph lay out cold on the mat, Kurt helping an unconscious Streph out of the ring as Rock celebrates by the entrance. Kurt carries Steph to the back as his music hits, HHH still out cold as the show fades to black.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Aside from a couple matches and a mess of a main event, this was a pretty solid show. TLC Match set a high bar for those that would come later, great undercard matches, and main event still had some good action to make it a decent show.
Rock would hold the title a couple more months, losing the championship to Kurt Angle at No Mercy. HHH and Kurt would feud into Unforgiven the next month, which I think HHH goes over and him and Steph make up, kinda making all of this pointless. Plus we'd see the return of Stone Cold next month to shake things up, so things will pick up to say the least.
Chyna in with Val and has the advantage for most of the exchange until Trish runs distraction, allowing Val to take advantage. He misses an elbow from the top, Chyna tries to tag but Val stops her. Eddie distracts to allow Chyna to hit a low blow, then a DDT and Eddie is tagged in with a hot tag. Plenty of offense but Eddie gets dropped face first into the turnbuckle. Take each other down as they go off the ropes, Trish tagged in and attempts a tag on Eddie.
She gets a few kicks in until Eddie sweeps the leg, Chyna in now and dominates the match until Val takes her down by the hair. Eddie until briefly until Val dumps her out. Trish in with Chyna as Eddie takes out Val, Chyna hits a press slam on Trish and gets the pin to win the Intercontinental Championship in 7:14. Nice little tag match, Trish didn't do much seeing as she isn't really much of a wrestler at this point, and Chyna gets the title while protecting Val.
Val is obviously pissed at Trish while Chyna and Eddie celebrate in the ring. Eddie puts the title around Chyna's waist as she tauts Val and we go to replays.
We see footage from last night's Radio WWF from WWF New York.
Cut to Stephanie talking to a staff member, talking about the kiss. She calls Kurt a good kisser, basically the gist of this match.
Commentary talk about a jar of candy they have at commentary before we go to a promo package for our next match. Taz has a problem with J.R.'s commentary, picking a fight before Lawler steps in. Taz busts Lawler with a metal water pitcher, messes up his rental car with J.R. inside and smashes a car window in his face.
Now onto the match.
Tazz vs Jerry "the King" Lawler
Tazz comes out in a cowboy hate and one of those canes the blind use obviously mocking J.R. following the glass attack. Lawler's had enough and nails him in the face as the match begins.
There isn't much to this match. Tazz gets Lawler in a Tazzmission while the ref is out, J.R. smashes his candy jar over Tazz's head to a big pop, allowing Lawler to get the win in 4:25. This really shouldn't even be a feud or a match on this show, but it didn't go overly long so whatever.
Tazz is busted open, and the censor seems to be awfully finicky tonight, bleeping out one bitch and not another. Tazz complains about getting glass in his eye as Lawler rejoins J.R. at commentary and we go to replays. J.R.'s hand is cut a little but nothing too major.
Cut to backstage of Lilian approaching Shane backstage, asking him about the kiss, but Blackman interrupts before he can say anything.
Onto the second title match of the night.
Hardcore Championship: Shane McMahon (c) vs Steve Blackman
We see footage from last Monday when Shane won the title from Blackman with help from Test, Albert, Edge and Christian. Shane is visibly scared shitless. Blackman out with a kendo stick and a trash can.
They toss the kendo stick back and forth as Shane tries to avoid entering the ring, then Blackman drops it, suckering Shane in as he knocks Shane back out of the ring. Shane exiting through the crowd and Blackman follows suit. Seems he grabbed his trash can on the way and nails Shane in the head as they brawl on the stairs. Shane with some kicks in, tries to nail him with the can but he gets the advantage again. Back over the barricade to ringside.
Blackman off the barricade with a kick to the chest. Blackman tosses some trash lids into the ring, launching Shane off the ropes and nails him in the knees with a lid, then the back of the head. Spinning back fist of sorts with the lid to the back of the head. Blackman tossing another trash can, a leather strap and some kind of martial arts sticks. Trash can over Shane's head as Blackman picks up the sticks and nails Shane with quick shots all over, then a side kick. Back suplex with the aid of a stick before Blackman grabs the strap. Strap around the neck as he pulls Shane to the corner, whipped into the opposite corner, Shane lifted to the top rope and yanked off by the strap.
Blackman with a single leg crab while choking him with the strap, but Test and Albert are out now. Albert with a two handed chokeslam. Albert with stomps as Test wedges a can in the corner, whipping Blackman into it and a splash by Albert, Blackman eats lid to the face. Albert lays a lid on Blackman for Test to nail an elbow from the top, and Shane lays in some punches as Test and Albert hold him up. Shane tries to use a lid but Blackman kicks it back in his face.
Shane with a metal sign to the head off the ropes. Blackman out of the ring as the beatdown continues, Shane pulling him by the strap now near the entrance way. Shane tries to drop an amp on Blackman's leg but he moves out of the way. Albert accidentally cracks Test with a kendo stick, Blackman cracks them both before Shane nails from behind before running off.
Onto the finish. Shane starts to climb the side of the entrance set, Blackman follows up with the kendo stick strapped to his wrist. Blackman starts to crack the stick across Shane's legs and back and Shane falls a ridiculous height below, J.R. says at least 50 ft. Blackman comes down a few feet before flying off, nailing an elbow drop and the pin, regaining the Hardcore Championship in 10:09. Got a little ridiculous with the interference, but it was a fun match, Shane taking a high risk drop, and this is only a few months before his infamous dive at Backlash. One of the better Hardcore Title matches in its history.
Blackman is helped out of the rubble as medical staff come out with a stretcher. Blackman celebrates as he goes to the back and we get replays of the finish. Shane is stretchered to the back. Commentary debate the height of the fall while we get more replays. They compare it to Foley's fall from the cell, which was only about half the height.
Cut backstage as Steph worries for her brother, Kurt comes in and she asks about Shane. They hug and the Comish runs in. They head out to go check on Shane.
We get a promo package for our next match. This rivalry is built on an intense hatred for each other, violently attacking each other from behind backstage and in the ring. Jericho with a Dr. Seuss type promo on the number of ways he will beat Benoit. Classic Jericho. Shane was originally supposed to accompany Benoit but, well that sure as hell isn't happening anymore.
2 out of 3 Falls Match: Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho
We get yet more replays of Shane's fall. They waste no time was they trade punches on the mat into the ropes. They tumble out of the ring and take Chioda out with them, trying to pull them apart as Jericho keeps on Benoit, gets launched into the ring post shoulder first by Benoit as he argues with the ref.
Nice trades with submission attempts before Benoit is catapulted into the corner, followed by a German suplex for a near fall. Jericho with a bulldog and goes for a moonsault but eats the knees. J.R. mentions this is the first 2 out of 3 Falls match on PPV since HHH/Rock at Fully Loaded as Benoit locks in the crossface. Jericho is forced to tap and Benoit gets the first fall in 3:13.
Benoit tries to lock it in again but Jericho manages to avoid it, but Benoit fights it hard, getting it locked in successfully. Jericho reaches desperately for the ropes and manages to force the break. Benoit already back on the attack, as he works the neck and back. Jericho shoulder first into the post on the outside. Back in the ring, into the ringpost again shoulder first into a pin attempt, but a near fall.
Into the post once more, and again. Jericho finally knocks Benoit down with some shots and a clothesline. Some right hands but Benoit goes for his German suplexes, Jericho fights out of the second, rolls through and applies the Walls. Benoit reaches for the ropes but Jericho drags him back to the middle, knee in Benoit's back forcing him to tap, giving Jericho the second fall in 8:39.
Jericho back on the offense now and nails a back breaker into a near fall.Chops across the chest into the corner, Benoit whipped into the opposite nailed with an elbow, Jericho with a reverse elbow off the top for a near fall. Benoit off the ropes but nails Jericho in the back. Jericho goes for a power bomb but reversed into a northern lights pin. Pulled up into a full nelson suplex with a bridge and another near fall.
Leg drop across the back of Jericho's neck. Benoit to the top but Jericho crotches him, climbs up with him and nails a hurricanrana, but clutches his shoulder as he lays on the mat. Jericho rolls and crawls over to Benoit for another near fall. Jericho off the ropes for a forearm into Benoit, then some clothesline. Spinning heel kick by Jericho, pin attempt but Benoit gets his foot on the ropes. Jericho nails a lionsault but he can't capitalize because of his shoulder. Knees to the gut as Benoit gets up. Jericho gets Benoit with a roll up, but he reverses with one of his own, holding onto the bottom rope to steal the third fall and the win in 13:20. Damn good match between these two, protecting Jericho in the end.
Benoit collapses on the outside as he rolls out and we go to replays. Benoit laughs as he looks back at Jericho.
Cut to backstage as HHH finally arrives, clearly pissed off.. We get another replay of the kiss, then we go back to see Kurt and Steph and Mick from earlier.
We get a promo package for our TLC Match up next, highlighting the history between our three teams and their specialty weapons Mick makes this match following a sit-down strike by E&C on Raw. We get some replays from their previous matches together.
First-Ever Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Edge & Christian (c) vs The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz
Hardys and Dudleyz waste no time brawling to start the match. E&C in with chairs but they're intercepted. Chair thrown right in the face of Bubba, but Jeff eats a chair of his own. Christian off a chair into the corner into D-Von, eating a chair with a drop toe hold. Edge bringing a ladder in and leans it into the ropes, but gets the ladder thrown back into him. Christian eats a DDT from Bubba who sets the ladder up in the middle, but obviously way too small to reach the titles.
Jeff and D-Von climbing side by side ladders now, Edge up behind them with a double Russian leg sweep back to the mat. Christian up now and Bubba follows, nailing a Bubba Bomb to the mat. Matt back up the ladder but Edge sends him off,, landing on a ldder and catapulting it into the back of Matt's head. E& C go for a Concerto but Jeff ducks, dropping Edge with a ladder and a chair thrown into Jeff's face. D-Von sets up a ladder in the corner, nailing a What's Up on Edge. Time for some tables!
D-Von grabs a table from the aisle and slides it into the ring, Jeff barried under some ladders as the table gets set in the middle. D-Von nail Christian with a 3-D through the table. Dudleyz leave the ring and grab more tables, setting them on top of two already set up tables next to the ring, stacking them up. Oh that's not gonna end well. Bubba goes to powerbomb Jeff out onto the tables but Edge nails the Dudleys with a chair. Matt with a twist of fate on Edge, then a leg drop off the ladder, Jeff springing off the top rope over the ladder with a leg drop of his own.
Matt sandwiching Edge in one of the ladders as Christian climbs the top rope, Matt launching Christian onto the ladder and Edge. Bubba set up on a table outside while Jeff sets up a ladder in front of it. Jeff climbs up and goes for a Swanton but Bubba moves, sending him crashing through two tables. God damn.
Matt goes out and tosses the ladder Jeff just used into the ring, setting it up in the middle. Edge in with a chair and nails Bubba over the head. Christian, D-Von and Edge follow suit. Matt nails Christian with a reverse DDT while D-Von and Edge launch each other off onto the top rope. Bubba back up on his feet and gets into the ring, positioning the ladder, noticeably looking at the stacked tables on the outside before makes the climb. Of course, Edge and Christian push the ladder over and sends Bubba crashing through three of the four tables. Holy shit indeed.
E&C setting the ladder back up now as the make the slow climb, but Lita runs out, pushing the ladder over and crotching both of them on the top rope. Matt stumbles back in and sets the ladder back up, but D-Von is slowly back on his feet as well. D-Von tilts th ladder and sends Matt backwards through two more tables at ringside, Edge even nailing Lita with a spear as she goes to check on Matt. We get a Wile E Coyote cam replay of Matt's fall, damn I miss that view. D-Von up the ladder and somehow Jeff is back up and joins him on the climb. They fight up top but the ladder gets knocked over, hanging from the belts, D-Von taking a nasty fall to the mat. E&C use a ladder to knock Jeff down, another nasty fall damn near breaking his legs.
They quickly set the ladder back up and make the climb and take down the belts to retain the Tag Team Titles in 14:49. God damn these guys went through hell and put on a great match.
Seems like Jeff may have seriously hurt his leg, or maybe he's just selling. E&C barely rolling out of the ring with their titles, helped to the back by referees. We go to replays as commentary give the teams their due despite what they may think of E&C. Not much celebrating as everyone slowly makes their way to the back to a standing ovation. And this show isn't even over yet.
Cut to HHH and Steph in the back, questioning her over the kiss. She tries to pain Kurt of taking advantage of her and blaming her head injury for what happened and tells her to stay away from Kurt, saying he'll never be in their lives again after tonight.
Time for... Well, I'll let the name explain itself.
Thong Stinkface Match: The Kat (w/ Al Snow) vs Terri (w/ Perry Saturn)
Win by giving your opponent a stinkface. Kat wins. End of story.
We see the APA at WWF New York playing bartenders. We've got one more match before our main event.
We get a promo package for this match that started two weeks prior, Kane seemingly helping Taker only to Chokeslam him twice, the second going through the ring. Kane explains that he did it because he's a monster, even busting Taker open with a chair.
The Undertaker vs Kane
Taker comes out with his Kid Rock music dubbed over. Apparently the referee had told J.R. earlier in the day that he was basically just gonna let them go at it and be there to make the pin count. Taker wastes no time going after Kane during his entrance.
Taker spends most of the match trying to unmask Kane. Kane takes a ring from ringside but Taker nails him with shots to the midsection. Taker cracks Kane over the back with the chair. More right hands by Taker before trying to rip the mask off again, and rips off part of the mask. Kane lures Taker out and bounces him of f the steel steps. Kane picks up the steps and goes to ram them into Taker's head, but hits the post and they bounce back into his face. Taker picks up some steps and throws them into Kane's face. Taker audibly says that he's gonna rip the fucking mask off before he sends more right hands.
Back in the ring and Kane has been busted open by the steps. Low blow on Taker as he gets in some right hands now, but Taker lands a spear and more right hands on the mat, ripping the mask mostly off but it still hangs on. More rights by Taker, but Kane catches him for a chokeslam, only to get a low blow. Taker successffully takes the mask off as Kane covers off and..... Taker's music hits? So it's a no contest? What the hell just happened?
Kane retreats to the back as Taker holds his mask off, or at least what's left of it. Commentary keep saying the bell never rung but there was definitely a bell rung.
Cut to Kurt in his locker room with a phone in hand, debating whether or not to make the call. Cut to HHH and Steph, andthe phone rings. Steph pretends its her mother but its her mother but it''s clearly Kurt.
Onto our main event for the WWF Champonship. We get a promo package. Kurt and HHH both pin Jericho at the same time to earn this title shot. We see footage of HHH and Trish in.... interesting situations, then Kurt and Steph getting... chummy, and HHH jealous. I feel like Rock is a third wheel in this whole thing but he's the champion so.
Triple Threat Match for the WWF Championship: Kurt Angle vs HHH vs The Rock (c)
Kurt gets a mic and says even though people are expecting an apology, he says he'd like to for not doing it sooner. He's a gold medalist, he didn't get the medals for backing down or second-guessing himself. He says he's proud of it. He tells HHH he gave his wife the passion HHH could never give her before HHH comes out. Commentary mentions that HHH told Steph to stay in the ring. HHH and Kurt already start fighting before Rock even comes out. Hebner tries to break it up but gets shoved down by HHH. Both go tumbling over the ropes and Rock sure is taking his time, match still hasn't started.
Plenty of brawling around ringside as Kurt gets sent into the steps over to commentary. HHH clears the Spanish announce table and gets on top with Kurt. He goes for a Pedigree but the table collapses under them. We know from interviews after the fact that Kurt's head hit the concrete floor and got a concussion from this. Yikes. HHH grabs a sledgehammer from under the ring as Hebner checks on Angle but out comes Rock. Bell finally rings to start this match.
Kurt seems to be conscious now as doctors check on him. They brought a stretcher out, so looks like this will be a one on one match from here out. They start to cart Kurt off but HHH pulls him back in so I guess I spoke to soon. Rock cuts him off as they fight by the entrance set now. HHH goes for a piledriver but gets catapulted into the set, into a clothesline by Rock. Steph is out to check on Kurt now while they continue to cart to the back, Steph following her.
Steph comes back out shortly after as Rock gets the advantage back momentarily before eating a high knee for a near fall. HHH tells Steph to get the belt, even slapping the time keeper.. Steph comes in and goes to hit Rock but ends up nailing HHH for a near fall. Rock tries to pull Steph back in the ring by the hair but gets a low blow as Sgt. Slaughter escorts her to the back.
HHH gets the sledgehammer again and nails Rock in the ribs and now HHH starts to work the ribs now.
Near the end we cut to Steph talking Kurt into going back to the ring, so I guess Kurt is OK enough to get through the finish of the match. Rock crawls over with an arm over the chest for a near fall. Rock with a nice belly to belly for another near fall. Kurt comes out still dazed as Steph leads him by the hand. Kurt trips the Rock and HHH nails a Pedigree, Kurt pulls him out and sends him into the steps and goes for the pin for a near fall.
Kurt trying to finish Rock up fast and take advantage, but Rock nails a Rock Bottom on Angle. HHH pulls Rock out before he can get the pin, throwing him face first into the post. HHH calls for Steph to give him the hammer again, but Kurt goes for it. HHH inadvertently hits Steph and eats a sledgehammer to the head. Kurt with the cover but Rock breaks it up. Rock knocks Kurt out to the floor, nails HHH with a People's Elbow and retains the championship in 20:08. If it weren't for the fact that it felt like Rock and the title were shoehorned into this feud I'd say it's a great match, but it hinders things when Rock is so out of place. Not to mention Kurt's concussion kind of screwing things up. Not terrible by any means, but still.
Rock heads up the aisle as HHH and Steph lay out cold on the mat, Kurt helping an unconscious Streph out of the ring as Rock celebrates by the entrance. Kurt carries Steph to the back as his music hits, HHH still out cold as the show fades to black.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Aside from a couple matches and a mess of a main event, this was a pretty solid show. TLC Match set a high bar for those that would come later, great undercard matches, and main event still had some good action to make it a decent show.
Rock would hold the title a couple more months, losing the championship to Kurt Angle at No Mercy. HHH and Kurt would feud into Unforgiven the next month, which I think HHH goes over and him and Steph make up, kinda making all of this pointless. Plus we'd see the return of Stone Cold next month to shake things up, so things will pick up to say the least.
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