WWF No Mercy 1999
Taking a break from the usual posts to do another classic PPV rundown. This time, No Mercy from 1999, with a variety of matches, most notably Chyna's first IC Title win, along with a No Holds Barred WWF Title match, so let's get this started.
Our opening video package shows war footage intercut with HHH attacking several people. most importantly Stone Cold.
We're live from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Good ol' J.R. and the King are on commentary as would be expected. They hype up the WWF Title match, mentioning it's Austin's first time in the ring in 3 months, before we get to our first match.
The Godfather vs Mideon (w/ Viscera)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Apparently this match was set up on Heat, stemming from an altercation between he, Viscera and Mideon on Smackdown. Godfather with a mic and says says he doesn't have farm animals and since they don't want hos, he's just gonna kick his ass.
Godfather has the advantage for the first bit of this match until Viscera causes a distraction. Mideon tries to lift Godfather u and drop him onto the barricade but it's botched horribly. We get a "We want puppies" chant, and J.R. accidentally calls Mideon Viscera. This match isn't the most exciting, not to say it's all that bad.
Mideon goes to the second rope and goes for an elbow but GF moves out of the way and gets the advantage again, Scoop slam and GF is on the middle rope now, but Mideon gets the knees up. GF into the ringpost, set up for Viscera but ends up eating the post instead. Mideon in the corner and GF hits the Ho Train, then a roll up for the win in 7:32.
Godfather gets a shot in on Viscera as he tries to get in the ring, before the hos join him to celebrate. Even Tim White gets in on the celebrating.
We get footage from Smackdown this past week, where HHH was pretending to have been bitten by Austin's snake, only to get some cheap shots in and lay him out. HHH on Heat and says his performance on Smackdown was Oscar winning. HHH says he ripped the head off the snake just like he's gonna do tonight. He calls Vince and Austin idiots, and claims he saw regret in Austin's eyes. HHH says he humiliated Austin and has made him the most pissed he's ever been, but he says he's gonna come out with the title in the end. Looks like the footage was cut short.
Cut to Michael Cole who's with Women's Champion Ivory, who makes a few old people jokes and says Moolah and Mae will never forget this night.
WWF Women's Championship: The Fabulous Moolah (w/ Mae Young) vs Ivory (c)
This thing doesn't last very long at all. Not to mention it's awkward as hell. Mae takes a few shots from Ivory. She tries to use the belt but Mae stops her from using it on Moolah, only to get nailed in the head with it herself. Moolah rolls Ivory up to win the championship in 2:56. Why, I have no idea.
Ivory looks on distraught as Moolah celebrates, and Fink announces her as the winner twice for some reason.
We see footage of Vince and HHH talking in his office on Heat, where Vince tells him it's gonna be No Holds Barred, pissing off HHH.
The New Age Outlaws vs Crash & Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We go to Smackdown where the Hollys interrupted a tag title match between Outlaws and Rock & Sock, who won the tag titles thanks to their interference, much to Rock's chagrin. They waste no time fighting on the outside before the match even begins, Gunn and Hardcore keep it going on the outside as Chioda tries to break it up, while Road Dogg and Crash go at it in the ring.
Commentary, well Lawler anyways, spend most of this match talking about the "400 lb Hollys", which is just so absurd and funny. The Hollys spend a long time beating up Road Dogg until he crotches Crash and nails a superplex, finally getting the hot tag. Billy nails a Jackhammer on Crash, but Chioda's distracted with Road Dogg. Hardcore slides a chair in the ring for Crash, but Billy takes advantage an nails a Fame Asser on Crash into the chair, but the ref catches and calls for the bell. The Holly cousins win by DQ in 10:13. Another decent match.
Billy thinks he's won the match at first for whatever reason. Holly comes in attempts a sneak attack but eats a Punmphandle Slam onto the chair by Road Dogg. Outlaws leave the ring.
Up next, the Intercontinental Title match. The previous month, Chyna "beat" Jarrett for the title with help from Moolah, Mae and Debra, who nailed Jeff with a guitar while the ref was down. The decision was reversed by Tom Pritchard, acting as ref during the whole ref strike, so Jeff retained. Chyna earned her title match in a tag match on Raw, and in the following weeks, Jeff would insist that Chyna belongs in the kitchen like every woman should, and he'd attack Jacqueline, Luna, and various other women in the lead up, not to mention attacking Chyna with various household items. Chyna would get her shots in too, including on pushing Jeff into a mud pool. There's also a point where tosses her in a laundry hamper before rolling her off a ledge in the parking lot, leaving her a bloody mess. And that's our buildup for this bizarre match.
And of course, there's the story of Jeff demanding money from Vince just to do the job to Chyna, since his contract had expired before this PPV.
Good Housekeeping Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) (w/ Miss Kitty) vs Chyna
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Rules of this match are simple. Only household items can be used as weapons. No countouts, no disqualifications, falls count anywhere. The ring and ringside are littered with various household items and appliances, including the kitchen sink brought out by Jeff. Chyna comes out with a trash can and a broom. Chyna wastes no time pulling Jeff out of the ring and she nails some forearms to get things started.
Things start out pretty normally before she nails Jeff in the head with the trash can a couple times before taking it to the outside. She takes a stick of salami or sausage from ringside off Jeff's back, then a clothesline with a broom, and frying pan shots to the back. Toilet lid off of Jeff's head, then another trash can shot. Then a banana in the mouth and some whipped cream in the hair, before pushing him into the ringpost. Trash can lid to the head of Jarrett, then a broom jabbed into the gut. Chyna clears one of the tables set up, laying Jarrett on top and climbs the apron, but crashes through the table with an elbow drop, then a near fall by Jarrett.
Jarrett with a trash can off the head of Chyna now then... a fish fillet off the back? Then another trash can shot to the head. Back in the ring, Chyna face first off an ironing board before being whipped into the corner over the ropes to the floor. Back outside, Jarrett crack a few eggs and some milk, Jarrett with a handful of flower only to get it thrown back in his face. Chyna goes after Ms. Kitty and pours the egg/milk mix over her head. Jarrett with a chop block off the distraction and gets Chyna in a figure 4, but she manages a rope break.
Jarrett gets tongs from Kitty and goes to the second rope, but Chyna gets him with a low blow, then takes the tongs and clamps them on his nuts, before more trash can shots. A pot to the head of Jarrett, then a couple of pies to the face. Everything including the kitchen sink, but Jarrett kicks out from a pin attempt. Chyna attempts a Pedrigree on a cake but Jarrett takes her down, catapulting her into Teddy Long, who's reffing this match, despite the fact he was standing in that corner forever. Jarrett calls for the IC Title from Kitty and he nails Chyna with it, and retains the championship in...
Well, if you paid attention to the rules of this, then I'm sure you realized the IC Title is not a household item. I guess Teddy was confused after the ref bump, but after realizing his mistake he has the match restarted, much to Jeff's chagrin. Pissed off, he goes to put Teddy in the figure 4, only for Chyna to smash his guitar over his head, and wins the IC Title in 9:55.
Chyna gets a nice pop and she celebrates, before we go to replays, nd Miss Kitty leaves with Chyna for... some reason.
We get a video packge of our next match. Bulldog says he only cares about the WWF Title. Bulldog costs Rock in a Brahma Bullrope Match against HHH, and even nails him with a chair a few times. He costs Rock a title match on Raw, Rock costs him a match with HHH on Smackdown, and nails him with that sliding People's Elbow. Then there's infamous moment where Rock nails a Rock Bottom in bulldog crap on Raw.
The British Bulldog vs WWF Tag Team Champion The Rock
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I think Bulldog flips off a fan as he's heading to the ring. Apparently he also hit Steph with a trash can at some point, so there's that. Rock comes out sans tag belt, I guess to show how much he hates reforming Rock & Sock.
First bit of this match is spent brawling at ringside, with no count from Hebner. Also no DQ call when Bulldog tosses a chair at Rock, oddly enough. Crowd is pretty dead for this match, even though it isn't that bad, although Rock does botch a Samoan Drop but it looks enough like a back body drop that it isn't so bad.
Bulldog hits a running powerslam and a pin attempt but Rock gets his foot on the rope. Bulldog goes for it again but Rock escapes, nails a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow and gets the win in 6:22. Match felt too short, but for the live audience, probably for the best.
We see Lawler interviewing Terri about tonight's ladder match, and he gets her to climb a ladder he can look up her skirt.
Terri Invitational Tournament Ladder Match: Edge & Christian vs The Brood (Matt and Jeff Hardy) (w/ Gangrel)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So they call it a tournament, but this is the 5th in a Best of 5 Series. Hanging over the ring is $100,000 of Terri's money inside a small bag, going to the winner of the match along with her managerial services. This is also the first tag team ladder match in WWE history. It's weird seeing the Hardyz come out to Hardy music, with Gangrel and the Brood entrance. Also, Lawler has to point out that it's a TIT Ladder Match, because old man horn dog and ha ha it's funny I guess.
Match starts out pretty standardly, although it looks like Matt gets caught up in the ropes as Edge pushes them into it. E&C take control for a bit before the Hardyz cut them off as they go for ladders.They make Gangrel grab a ladder, but Tim White at ringside sends him to the back. Edge dropkicks a ladder into Jeff off the apron before Matt leaps off with a clothesline, then Christian off the top onto Matt.
More fast paced action until Jeff attempts to climb the ladder but Christian nails a Reverse DDT as he climbs up along side. He's up the ladder but Matt climbs up for a back body drop to the mat. Now he's up the ladder but Edge nails a powerbomb back to the mat.Edge up the ladder now but with a missile dropkick off the top rope to knock him off. Matt sets Edge on a ladder near the corner and Jeff nails a Swanton, sending Edge out of the ring. Ladder set up in the corner and the whip Edge into it, then Poetry in Motion, before clotheslining Christian with the ladder.
Matt sets the ladder back up near the corner and Jeff leapfrogs over with a leg drop. Ladder set down on top of Christian while Matt climns up and nails a moonsault into the ladder. Edge back in with another ladder into the ribs of Matt. Jeff tries to climb up but gets a ladder in the back. Ladder into Matt as he's dazed in the corner, Edge catapulting Jeff into the ladder, sandwiching Matt.
Edge starts the climb but Matt throws the ladder into his back. They try another ladder clothesline on Edge but he ducks, Christian flying off the top. Matt sat in the corner and gets the ladder rammed into his nuts, then double dropkicked into them. Jeff sandwiched in a ladder, then Edge with like a wheelbarrow slam, using Christian to slam down on Jeff still in the ladder. Matt flapjacked into a ladder set up in the corner.
Both ladders set up in the middle, Jeff with a Twist of Fate on Christian, before he and Edge start the climb. Edge hits a Downward Spiral on Jeff sending them both to the mat. Edge starts the climb but Matt is back in to cut him off, nailing a neck breaker off the ladder. Christian and Jeff just barely back to their feet as they start to climb, Christian nailing a hip toss sending them both down. Edge ramming a ladder in Matt's face and sends him over the ropes to the outside. E&C go to set Jeff up for... what looks like a Doomsday Device Suplex on a ladder? Anyways, Jeff does that spot that shattered Joey Mercury's nose, nailing Matt and Christian when Matt comes in to halt the previously mentioned move.
Jeff back up with a ladder over his head but Edge hits a spear. Ladders set back up with all four slowly making the climb, both ladders get pushed over, Jeff and Christian crotched and Edge and Matt dropped throat first on the top rope. Ladders set up again, all four make the climb, trading blows back and forth but Matt gets pushed off, knocking the other ladder over, Jeff leaps onto Edge's ladder and knocks him down, allowing him take the money down (despite some trouble) to win the match in 16:29. Pretty damn good match, a small preview of what's to come a few months down the line.
Matt pretty much carries Jeff to the back with help from Tim White while E&C recover in the ring, before we go to replays. E&C get a standing ovation before we cut to the back, The Brood celebrating with Terri with some champagne.
We see footage of Mankind looking for Rock on Heat with no luck. He runs into the Holly cousins and asks them, he plugs his autobiography before heading into the bathrooms thinking Rock is there. He talks about the smell and about unity, offers whoevers in there a book before leaving. As he goes into the hallway, Rock walks by on the phone, obviously to Mankind's confusion. Mankind talks about the book, and Rock basically tells him to shove it, but Mankind cuts him off. He heads back in the bathroom to be attacked by Val Venis, who actually takes the book as he leaves.
That's supposed to be our next match, but Rock is out first to commentary's confusion, heading to the ring, Fink handing him a mic. He makes a challenge to whoever wins the WWF Title tonight, not caring if it's HHH or Austin, and says he'll be WWF Champ no matter who it is in usual Rock fashion. Short and simple. As he heads toward the entrance and to the back, HHH is out with a sledgehammer, nailing him across the back and ribs with vicious overhead swings before officials come out to send him back. EMT's come out with a stretcher and load him off before we get replays of the attack.
Val Venis vs WWF Tag Team Champion Mankind
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Val comes out carrying Mick's book. I guess this all started when Val took Mr. Rocko, Mankind's gift to Rock and stuffed it down his pants, after Rock (I think) threw it in the trash, from what I found online. Mankind is shown in the back with the Rock and doctors Mick says he's gonna win the match for Rock before he finally heads out for his match. Val attempts a baseball slide the match officially begins and they brawl on the outside for a couple minutes, heading back in the ring as Mick keeps the advantage and the match starts. Mick manages to yank Mr. Rocko out of Val's trunks but it allows Val to get the advantage. Mick takes a chair and sets it up, sending Val face first into it, only to be back dropped into it, squashing the chair under his weight. I guess this is No DQ? He gets a couple Mandible Claws in on Val but get the back of his head bounced off the ring post insteadVal with another chair but the ref takes it out of his hands, allowing Val to nail a Russian leg sweep onto it, then a near fall. Val works Mick's head a bit before another near fall.
Val sets up seemingly for the Money Shot but Mick cuts him off, not for long though, Val nails the back of the head with an elbow off the top. Foley is seemingly out, but avoids a Money Shot, before nailing a Double Arm DDT, a pin attempt but Val gets the shoulder up. Mick is up first, and they both pull out a Mr. Socko. Mick applies the Mandible Claw, while Val applies a Testicular Claw, eventually both passing out and fall to the mat. Val lands on top and gets the pin in 9:30. This one was weird to say the least, but it was fun and had decent action.
As they both come to, Mick with some right hands and goes for another Claw with Mr. Rocko, but Val rolls out just in time. Mick takes his book back as Val heads to the back.
We see Rock is still being checked on and tended to by doctors before we look at our next match. We go to Smackdown where the Acolytes beat Kane in a handicap match, but X-Pac comes down with a chair to help fend them off. Now you'd think this would be a tag team match but...
Four Corners Elimination Match: Bradshaw vs Farooq vs Kane vs X-Pac
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the way this works is that two will start in the ring, the other two on the apron, with anyone able to be tagged in, every man for himself. I don't really understand the reasoning for this but alright.
Bradshaw takes out X-Pac on the outside allowing him and Farooq to double team Kane to start things out. Bradshaw starts out with him a little bit before tagging in Farooq, but Kane nails a nice enziguri. X-Pac with a blind tag on Farooq for whatever reason now, so him and Kane will go at it, to the reluctance of Kane. X-Pac tries provokes him enough and gets some kicks in, but Kane takes him down with a clothesline. Chokeslam attempt but Bradshaw clubs Kane, getting a blind tag. X-Pac tags in Bradshaw and he and Farooq go at it no problem. Farooq tags in X-Pac only to push him into Bradshaw and gets caught with a Clothesline from Hell. Pin attempt by Bradshaw, but the ref is busy dealing with Farooq, Kane breaking up the pin before the ref even starts the count.
Bradshaw tagging Farooq back in who eats a slightly botched X-Factor. Farooq tagging Bradshaw back in who lays into X-Pac, whipped hard into the corner. Farooq slams him face first into the steps as he gets tossed to the outside, Bradshaw with a pin attempt as he's rolled back in but X-Pac kicks out. X-Pac attempting a cross body but Bradshaw catches him, only for Kane to knock him down with a boot, but he kicks out of a pin attempt.
Farooq tagged back in with a back breaker and a pin but another kick out. A powerslam by Farooq and another near fall. Bradshaw back in and catches X-Pac off the ropes with a bearhug. He fights out but catches a big boot off the ropes for another near fall. In the corner, body shots before being whipped in the opposite corner, Pac trying a spinning heel kick but gets caught, hoisted on the top rope, but nails a tornado DDT.
Kane tag himself in and nails a clothesline off the top. Farooq in and eats a big boot, before being sent of the ropes. Bradshaw with a boot, but Kane sits up and nails a chokeslam, eliminating him. X-Pa up top and nails a spinning heel kick, eliminating Kane. Farooq in from behind with a club to the back, tossing him out. Farooq nails Pac with the ringbell, then attempts a Dominator on the table, but gets a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, X-Pac attempts a Bronco Buster but gets a spinebuster instead. Farooq in the corner with Pac on his shoulders but he fights out. Farooq launches off the second rope right into an X-Factor, allowing X-Pac to get the win in 10:17. A pretty good lead in to our main event.
Cut to the Rock again who's refused to go to the hospital. Docs are finishing taping him up, before get ready for our main event. We get our video package, starting at Summerslam where HHH took out Austin with chair shots to the knee. We see footage of their rivalry set to a song suitably titled "Oh Hell Yeah". We see HHH winning back his title in the 6-Pack Challenge at Unforgiven, which was enforced by Austin, this coming after Vince won the title. Then Austin locks HHH in a room with a rattlesnake. HHH comes out, make up and all, seemingly forfeiting the title but, as we saw earlier, he nails Austin with the belt instead and lays him out.
No Holds Barred Match for the WWF Championship: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Triple H (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: HHH coming out with sledgehammer in hand, but Vince comes out to take it away. HHH knocks him down with a right hand and Austin comes running up, nailing HHH to get things started.
Austin lays in some right hands as they go to some equipment tables. HHH face first into a camera before they trade right hands. Austin knocks him down before throwing him into a trash bin on the other side. Austin with a clothesline off the railing before some more right hands, and a trash can off the head. HHH whipped into a metal railing, Austin picking it up to ram it into HHH's face and chest. More right hands as they head through the crowd, Austin even takes a crutch from a fan and uses it on HHH.
Back near the entrance, Austin takes control of the boom and nails HHH in the head, although he clearly falls way too early. HHH seemingly gets the advantage again, but Austin suplexes him in the aisle way. Finally at ringside, Austin crotches him on the barricade before knocking him over and they start brawling in the crowd. J.R. points out that pinfalls count anywhere in this match. Austin goes for a piledriver on the hardwood floor but gets back dropped for his troubles. HHH goes for a pedigree, but Austin catapults him right into Chioda and over the barricade.
Austin face first into the steel steps, then off the announce table now in the ring for the first time this match. HHH with some boots to the chest and some choking. Austin nails a Stunner already, but Chioda's out and he can't make the pin. Austn rolls out and gets Chioda back up, HHH is up, they start fighting. Austin goes for the Stunner again, but Austin gets pushed into Chioda as he's climbing in, knocking him onto the barricade. HHH nails a Pedigree, and Hebner runs down to make the count but Austin kicks out. HHH and Hebner start shoving each other, allowing Austin to get in some right hands and a Lou Thesz Press and an elbow, for a near fall.
HHH send back out of the ring over the ropes as Chioda is helped to the back, face first off the steps and sent over the announce table. HHH is busted open as Austin slams his face against the table. More right hands before he starts to choke HHH with J.R.'s headset.
Back in the ring with more right hands from Austin and a pin attempt, but HHH kicks out. Tossed back out, face first off the steps, then whipped shoulder first into them. Austin grabbing a cale off the floor to choke HHH now, but he nails Austin with the ring bell, then again as he gets back up. Austin off the Spanish table now, before getting suplexed onto it from the floor.
Back in the ring once more, HHH with some stomps to the chest in the corner, some right hands but Austin fights back with some of his own, but catches an elbow as he comes off the ropes. HHH with a knee drop but Austin avoids it, only to take a chop block t the bd knee. HHH starts slamming Austin's knee into the ring post, then gets to work on the knee some more. He attempts a figure 4 but pushes HHH into the corner. Doesn't long until HHH is back on the knee.
Austin back up with right hands but gets a facebuster for his trouble, then some near falls from a desperate HHH. More right hands before he leaves the ring and grabs a chair from ringside, but Austin catches him with a mule kick. Austin with the chair now, but gets kicked in the bad knee, follows by a clothesline. HHH up top now but Austin crotches him, more right hands and chops before nailing a suplex for another near fall.
They start fighting for the fair, then Austin nails him in the face, then repeatedly over the knee, shades of Summerslam. Austin gets too cocky though and HHH nails a low blow. All of a sudden, Rock is seen coming down the aisle way with sledgehammer in hand. He swings at HHH's ribs but gets Austin instead, HHH nails a Pedigree on Rock, and makes the pin on Austin to retain the title in 40:20.
I think someone in the crowd threw something in the ring and nearly nailed HHH in the head. He makes a quick exit, barely able to walk as we go to replays. Austin is barely able to move and Rock is still out. Austin gets up and goes right after HHH to the back, tossing him around the backstage area to the parking lot. Chyna was waiting with a limo and they make a speedy exit from the arena as the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This show is a mixed bag to say the least. It's got it's high points, the Ladder Match and the main event were fantastic, the 4 corners match was pretty good. The undercard was alright. However, it falls flat in two places: Moolah winning the Women's Title, and that mess of an IC Title match. That being said though, the show was worth the match.
This is only a month before Survivor Series, where Austin would be out from almost a year onward, and Big Show of all people would win the WWF Title in his place. He'd get one title defense in at Armageddon before losing it to HHH on Raw. Rock would be involved at Survivor Series as a Triple Threat, but I have no idea what goes on at Armageddon.
From here, HHH would lose his title as previously mentioned the next month, and go on to start the McMahon-Helmsley Era, marrying Stephanie and taking out Vince, leading to HHH booking himself a title shot against Big Show, again, as previously mentioned.
As for Chyna, she'd enter a feud over the IC Title with Jericho. She'd beat him at Survivor Series, but Chris would win it at Armageddon, which would lead into the co-champions thing and the match at the Rumble. And Jarrett, well he was on his way out, and would find his way back to WCW, where he'd eventually become their World Champion, and even join the NWO.
Our opening video package shows war footage intercut with HHH attacking several people. most importantly Stone Cold.
We're live from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Good ol' J.R. and the King are on commentary as would be expected. They hype up the WWF Title match, mentioning it's Austin's first time in the ring in 3 months, before we get to our first match.
The Godfather vs Mideon (w/ Viscera)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Apparently this match was set up on Heat, stemming from an altercation between he, Viscera and Mideon on Smackdown. Godfather with a mic and says says he doesn't have farm animals and since they don't want hos, he's just gonna kick his ass.
Godfather has the advantage for the first bit of this match until Viscera causes a distraction. Mideon tries to lift Godfather u and drop him onto the barricade but it's botched horribly. We get a "We want puppies" chant, and J.R. accidentally calls Mideon Viscera. This match isn't the most exciting, not to say it's all that bad.
Mideon goes to the second rope and goes for an elbow but GF moves out of the way and gets the advantage again, Scoop slam and GF is on the middle rope now, but Mideon gets the knees up. GF into the ringpost, set up for Viscera but ends up eating the post instead. Mideon in the corner and GF hits the Ho Train, then a roll up for the win in 7:32.
Godfather gets a shot in on Viscera as he tries to get in the ring, before the hos join him to celebrate. Even Tim White gets in on the celebrating.
We get footage from Smackdown this past week, where HHH was pretending to have been bitten by Austin's snake, only to get some cheap shots in and lay him out. HHH on Heat and says his performance on Smackdown was Oscar winning. HHH says he ripped the head off the snake just like he's gonna do tonight. He calls Vince and Austin idiots, and claims he saw regret in Austin's eyes. HHH says he humiliated Austin and has made him the most pissed he's ever been, but he says he's gonna come out with the title in the end. Looks like the footage was cut short.
Cut to Michael Cole who's with Women's Champion Ivory, who makes a few old people jokes and says Moolah and Mae will never forget this night.
WWF Women's Championship: The Fabulous Moolah (w/ Mae Young) vs Ivory (c)
This thing doesn't last very long at all. Not to mention it's awkward as hell. Mae takes a few shots from Ivory. She tries to use the belt but Mae stops her from using it on Moolah, only to get nailed in the head with it herself. Moolah rolls Ivory up to win the championship in 2:56. Why, I have no idea.
Ivory looks on distraught as Moolah celebrates, and Fink announces her as the winner twice for some reason.
We see footage of Vince and HHH talking in his office on Heat, where Vince tells him it's gonna be No Holds Barred, pissing off HHH.
The New Age Outlaws vs Crash & Hardcore Holly
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We go to Smackdown where the Hollys interrupted a tag title match between Outlaws and Rock & Sock, who won the tag titles thanks to their interference, much to Rock's chagrin. They waste no time fighting on the outside before the match even begins, Gunn and Hardcore keep it going on the outside as Chioda tries to break it up, while Road Dogg and Crash go at it in the ring.
Commentary, well Lawler anyways, spend most of this match talking about the "400 lb Hollys", which is just so absurd and funny. The Hollys spend a long time beating up Road Dogg until he crotches Crash and nails a superplex, finally getting the hot tag. Billy nails a Jackhammer on Crash, but Chioda's distracted with Road Dogg. Hardcore slides a chair in the ring for Crash, but Billy takes advantage an nails a Fame Asser on Crash into the chair, but the ref catches and calls for the bell. The Holly cousins win by DQ in 10:13. Another decent match.
Billy thinks he's won the match at first for whatever reason. Holly comes in attempts a sneak attack but eats a Punmphandle Slam onto the chair by Road Dogg. Outlaws leave the ring.
Up next, the Intercontinental Title match. The previous month, Chyna "beat" Jarrett for the title with help from Moolah, Mae and Debra, who nailed Jeff with a guitar while the ref was down. The decision was reversed by Tom Pritchard, acting as ref during the whole ref strike, so Jeff retained. Chyna earned her title match in a tag match on Raw, and in the following weeks, Jeff would insist that Chyna belongs in the kitchen like every woman should, and he'd attack Jacqueline, Luna, and various other women in the lead up, not to mention attacking Chyna with various household items. Chyna would get her shots in too, including on pushing Jeff into a mud pool. There's also a point where tosses her in a laundry hamper before rolling her off a ledge in the parking lot, leaving her a bloody mess. And that's our buildup for this bizarre match.
And of course, there's the story of Jeff demanding money from Vince just to do the job to Chyna, since his contract had expired before this PPV.
Good Housekeeping Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) (w/ Miss Kitty) vs Chyna
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Rules of this match are simple. Only household items can be used as weapons. No countouts, no disqualifications, falls count anywhere. The ring and ringside are littered with various household items and appliances, including the kitchen sink brought out by Jeff. Chyna comes out with a trash can and a broom. Chyna wastes no time pulling Jeff out of the ring and she nails some forearms to get things started.
Things start out pretty normally before she nails Jeff in the head with the trash can a couple times before taking it to the outside. She takes a stick of salami or sausage from ringside off Jeff's back, then a clothesline with a broom, and frying pan shots to the back. Toilet lid off of Jeff's head, then another trash can shot. Then a banana in the mouth and some whipped cream in the hair, before pushing him into the ringpost. Trash can lid to the head of Jarrett, then a broom jabbed into the gut. Chyna clears one of the tables set up, laying Jarrett on top and climbs the apron, but crashes through the table with an elbow drop, then a near fall by Jarrett.
Jarrett with a trash can off the head of Chyna now then... a fish fillet off the back? Then another trash can shot to the head. Back in the ring, Chyna face first off an ironing board before being whipped into the corner over the ropes to the floor. Back outside, Jarrett crack a few eggs and some milk, Jarrett with a handful of flower only to get it thrown back in his face. Chyna goes after Ms. Kitty and pours the egg/milk mix over her head. Jarrett with a chop block off the distraction and gets Chyna in a figure 4, but she manages a rope break.
Jarrett gets tongs from Kitty and goes to the second rope, but Chyna gets him with a low blow, then takes the tongs and clamps them on his nuts, before more trash can shots. A pot to the head of Jarrett, then a couple of pies to the face. Everything including the kitchen sink, but Jarrett kicks out from a pin attempt. Chyna attempts a Pedrigree on a cake but Jarrett takes her down, catapulting her into Teddy Long, who's reffing this match, despite the fact he was standing in that corner forever. Jarrett calls for the IC Title from Kitty and he nails Chyna with it, and retains the championship in...
Well, if you paid attention to the rules of this, then I'm sure you realized the IC Title is not a household item. I guess Teddy was confused after the ref bump, but after realizing his mistake he has the match restarted, much to Jeff's chagrin. Pissed off, he goes to put Teddy in the figure 4, only for Chyna to smash his guitar over his head, and wins the IC Title in 9:55.
Chyna gets a nice pop and she celebrates, before we go to replays, nd Miss Kitty leaves with Chyna for... some reason.
We get a video packge of our next match. Bulldog says he only cares about the WWF Title. Bulldog costs Rock in a Brahma Bullrope Match against HHH, and even nails him with a chair a few times. He costs Rock a title match on Raw, Rock costs him a match with HHH on Smackdown, and nails him with that sliding People's Elbow. Then there's infamous moment where Rock nails a Rock Bottom in bulldog crap on Raw.
The British Bulldog vs WWF Tag Team Champion The Rock
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I think Bulldog flips off a fan as he's heading to the ring. Apparently he also hit Steph with a trash can at some point, so there's that. Rock comes out sans tag belt, I guess to show how much he hates reforming Rock & Sock.
First bit of this match is spent brawling at ringside, with no count from Hebner. Also no DQ call when Bulldog tosses a chair at Rock, oddly enough. Crowd is pretty dead for this match, even though it isn't that bad, although Rock does botch a Samoan Drop but it looks enough like a back body drop that it isn't so bad.
Bulldog hits a running powerslam and a pin attempt but Rock gets his foot on the rope. Bulldog goes for it again but Rock escapes, nails a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow and gets the win in 6:22. Match felt too short, but for the live audience, probably for the best.
We see Lawler interviewing Terri about tonight's ladder match, and he gets her to climb a ladder he can look up her skirt.
Terri Invitational Tournament Ladder Match: Edge & Christian vs The Brood (Matt and Jeff Hardy) (w/ Gangrel)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So they call it a tournament, but this is the 5th in a Best of 5 Series. Hanging over the ring is $100,000 of Terri's money inside a small bag, going to the winner of the match along with her managerial services. This is also the first tag team ladder match in WWE history. It's weird seeing the Hardyz come out to Hardy music, with Gangrel and the Brood entrance. Also, Lawler has to point out that it's a TIT Ladder Match, because old man horn dog and ha ha it's funny I guess.
Match starts out pretty standardly, although it looks like Matt gets caught up in the ropes as Edge pushes them into it. E&C take control for a bit before the Hardyz cut them off as they go for ladders.They make Gangrel grab a ladder, but Tim White at ringside sends him to the back. Edge dropkicks a ladder into Jeff off the apron before Matt leaps off with a clothesline, then Christian off the top onto Matt.
More fast paced action until Jeff attempts to climb the ladder but Christian nails a Reverse DDT as he climbs up along side. He's up the ladder but Matt climbs up for a back body drop to the mat. Now he's up the ladder but Edge nails a powerbomb back to the mat.Edge up the ladder now but with a missile dropkick off the top rope to knock him off. Matt sets Edge on a ladder near the corner and Jeff nails a Swanton, sending Edge out of the ring. Ladder set up in the corner and the whip Edge into it, then Poetry in Motion, before clotheslining Christian with the ladder.
Matt sets the ladder back up near the corner and Jeff leapfrogs over with a leg drop. Ladder set down on top of Christian while Matt climns up and nails a moonsault into the ladder. Edge back in with another ladder into the ribs of Matt. Jeff tries to climb up but gets a ladder in the back. Ladder into Matt as he's dazed in the corner, Edge catapulting Jeff into the ladder, sandwiching Matt.
Edge starts the climb but Matt throws the ladder into his back. They try another ladder clothesline on Edge but he ducks, Christian flying off the top. Matt sat in the corner and gets the ladder rammed into his nuts, then double dropkicked into them. Jeff sandwiched in a ladder, then Edge with like a wheelbarrow slam, using Christian to slam down on Jeff still in the ladder. Matt flapjacked into a ladder set up in the corner.
Both ladders set up in the middle, Jeff with a Twist of Fate on Christian, before he and Edge start the climb. Edge hits a Downward Spiral on Jeff sending them both to the mat. Edge starts the climb but Matt is back in to cut him off, nailing a neck breaker off the ladder. Christian and Jeff just barely back to their feet as they start to climb, Christian nailing a hip toss sending them both down. Edge ramming a ladder in Matt's face and sends him over the ropes to the outside. E&C go to set Jeff up for... what looks like a Doomsday Device Suplex on a ladder? Anyways, Jeff does that spot that shattered Joey Mercury's nose, nailing Matt and Christian when Matt comes in to halt the previously mentioned move.
Jeff back up with a ladder over his head but Edge hits a spear. Ladders set back up with all four slowly making the climb, both ladders get pushed over, Jeff and Christian crotched and Edge and Matt dropped throat first on the top rope. Ladders set up again, all four make the climb, trading blows back and forth but Matt gets pushed off, knocking the other ladder over, Jeff leaps onto Edge's ladder and knocks him down, allowing him take the money down (despite some trouble) to win the match in 16:29. Pretty damn good match, a small preview of what's to come a few months down the line.
Matt pretty much carries Jeff to the back with help from Tim White while E&C recover in the ring, before we go to replays. E&C get a standing ovation before we cut to the back, The Brood celebrating with Terri with some champagne.
We see footage of Mankind looking for Rock on Heat with no luck. He runs into the Holly cousins and asks them, he plugs his autobiography before heading into the bathrooms thinking Rock is there. He talks about the smell and about unity, offers whoevers in there a book before leaving. As he goes into the hallway, Rock walks by on the phone, obviously to Mankind's confusion. Mankind talks about the book, and Rock basically tells him to shove it, but Mankind cuts him off. He heads back in the bathroom to be attacked by Val Venis, who actually takes the book as he leaves.
That's supposed to be our next match, but Rock is out first to commentary's confusion, heading to the ring, Fink handing him a mic. He makes a challenge to whoever wins the WWF Title tonight, not caring if it's HHH or Austin, and says he'll be WWF Champ no matter who it is in usual Rock fashion. Short and simple. As he heads toward the entrance and to the back, HHH is out with a sledgehammer, nailing him across the back and ribs with vicious overhead swings before officials come out to send him back. EMT's come out with a stretcher and load him off before we get replays of the attack.
Val Venis vs WWF Tag Team Champion Mankind
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Val comes out carrying Mick's book. I guess this all started when Val took Mr. Rocko, Mankind's gift to Rock and stuffed it down his pants, after Rock (I think) threw it in the trash, from what I found online. Mankind is shown in the back with the Rock and doctors Mick says he's gonna win the match for Rock before he finally heads out for his match. Val attempts a baseball slide the match officially begins and they brawl on the outside for a couple minutes, heading back in the ring as Mick keeps the advantage and the match starts. Mick manages to yank Mr. Rocko out of Val's trunks but it allows Val to get the advantage. Mick takes a chair and sets it up, sending Val face first into it, only to be back dropped into it, squashing the chair under his weight. I guess this is No DQ? He gets a couple Mandible Claws in on Val but get the back of his head bounced off the ring post insteadVal with another chair but the ref takes it out of his hands, allowing Val to nail a Russian leg sweep onto it, then a near fall. Val works Mick's head a bit before another near fall.
Val sets up seemingly for the Money Shot but Mick cuts him off, not for long though, Val nails the back of the head with an elbow off the top. Foley is seemingly out, but avoids a Money Shot, before nailing a Double Arm DDT, a pin attempt but Val gets the shoulder up. Mick is up first, and they both pull out a Mr. Socko. Mick applies the Mandible Claw, while Val applies a Testicular Claw, eventually both passing out and fall to the mat. Val lands on top and gets the pin in 9:30. This one was weird to say the least, but it was fun and had decent action.
As they both come to, Mick with some right hands and goes for another Claw with Mr. Rocko, but Val rolls out just in time. Mick takes his book back as Val heads to the back.
We see Rock is still being checked on and tended to by doctors before we look at our next match. We go to Smackdown where the Acolytes beat Kane in a handicap match, but X-Pac comes down with a chair to help fend them off. Now you'd think this would be a tag team match but...
Four Corners Elimination Match: Bradshaw vs Farooq vs Kane vs X-Pac
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the way this works is that two will start in the ring, the other two on the apron, with anyone able to be tagged in, every man for himself. I don't really understand the reasoning for this but alright.
Bradshaw takes out X-Pac on the outside allowing him and Farooq to double team Kane to start things out. Bradshaw starts out with him a little bit before tagging in Farooq, but Kane nails a nice enziguri. X-Pac with a blind tag on Farooq for whatever reason now, so him and Kane will go at it, to the reluctance of Kane. X-Pac tries provokes him enough and gets some kicks in, but Kane takes him down with a clothesline. Chokeslam attempt but Bradshaw clubs Kane, getting a blind tag. X-Pac tags in Bradshaw and he and Farooq go at it no problem. Farooq tags in X-Pac only to push him into Bradshaw and gets caught with a Clothesline from Hell. Pin attempt by Bradshaw, but the ref is busy dealing with Farooq, Kane breaking up the pin before the ref even starts the count.
Bradshaw tagging Farooq back in who eats a slightly botched X-Factor. Farooq tagging Bradshaw back in who lays into X-Pac, whipped hard into the corner. Farooq slams him face first into the steps as he gets tossed to the outside, Bradshaw with a pin attempt as he's rolled back in but X-Pac kicks out. X-Pac attempting a cross body but Bradshaw catches him, only for Kane to knock him down with a boot, but he kicks out of a pin attempt.
Farooq tagged back in with a back breaker and a pin but another kick out. A powerslam by Farooq and another near fall. Bradshaw back in and catches X-Pac off the ropes with a bearhug. He fights out but catches a big boot off the ropes for another near fall. In the corner, body shots before being whipped in the opposite corner, Pac trying a spinning heel kick but gets caught, hoisted on the top rope, but nails a tornado DDT.
Kane tag himself in and nails a clothesline off the top. Farooq in and eats a big boot, before being sent of the ropes. Bradshaw with a boot, but Kane sits up and nails a chokeslam, eliminating him. X-Pa up top and nails a spinning heel kick, eliminating Kane. Farooq in from behind with a club to the back, tossing him out. Farooq nails Pac with the ringbell, then attempts a Dominator on the table, but gets a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, X-Pac attempts a Bronco Buster but gets a spinebuster instead. Farooq in the corner with Pac on his shoulders but he fights out. Farooq launches off the second rope right into an X-Factor, allowing X-Pac to get the win in 10:17. A pretty good lead in to our main event.
Cut to the Rock again who's refused to go to the hospital. Docs are finishing taping him up, before get ready for our main event. We get our video package, starting at Summerslam where HHH took out Austin with chair shots to the knee. We see footage of their rivalry set to a song suitably titled "Oh Hell Yeah". We see HHH winning back his title in the 6-Pack Challenge at Unforgiven, which was enforced by Austin, this coming after Vince won the title. Then Austin locks HHH in a room with a rattlesnake. HHH comes out, make up and all, seemingly forfeiting the title but, as we saw earlier, he nails Austin with the belt instead and lays him out.
No Holds Barred Match for the WWF Championship: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Triple H (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: HHH coming out with sledgehammer in hand, but Vince comes out to take it away. HHH knocks him down with a right hand and Austin comes running up, nailing HHH to get things started.
Austin lays in some right hands as they go to some equipment tables. HHH face first into a camera before they trade right hands. Austin knocks him down before throwing him into a trash bin on the other side. Austin with a clothesline off the railing before some more right hands, and a trash can off the head. HHH whipped into a metal railing, Austin picking it up to ram it into HHH's face and chest. More right hands as they head through the crowd, Austin even takes a crutch from a fan and uses it on HHH.
Back near the entrance, Austin takes control of the boom and nails HHH in the head, although he clearly falls way too early. HHH seemingly gets the advantage again, but Austin suplexes him in the aisle way. Finally at ringside, Austin crotches him on the barricade before knocking him over and they start brawling in the crowd. J.R. points out that pinfalls count anywhere in this match. Austin goes for a piledriver on the hardwood floor but gets back dropped for his troubles. HHH goes for a pedigree, but Austin catapults him right into Chioda and over the barricade.
Austin face first into the steel steps, then off the announce table now in the ring for the first time this match. HHH with some boots to the chest and some choking. Austin nails a Stunner already, but Chioda's out and he can't make the pin. Austn rolls out and gets Chioda back up, HHH is up, they start fighting. Austin goes for the Stunner again, but Austin gets pushed into Chioda as he's climbing in, knocking him onto the barricade. HHH nails a Pedigree, and Hebner runs down to make the count but Austin kicks out. HHH and Hebner start shoving each other, allowing Austin to get in some right hands and a Lou Thesz Press and an elbow, for a near fall.
HHH send back out of the ring over the ropes as Chioda is helped to the back, face first off the steps and sent over the announce table. HHH is busted open as Austin slams his face against the table. More right hands before he starts to choke HHH with J.R.'s headset.
Back in the ring with more right hands from Austin and a pin attempt, but HHH kicks out. Tossed back out, face first off the steps, then whipped shoulder first into them. Austin grabbing a cale off the floor to choke HHH now, but he nails Austin with the ring bell, then again as he gets back up. Austin off the Spanish table now, before getting suplexed onto it from the floor.
Back in the ring once more, HHH with some stomps to the chest in the corner, some right hands but Austin fights back with some of his own, but catches an elbow as he comes off the ropes. HHH with a knee drop but Austin avoids it, only to take a chop block t the bd knee. HHH starts slamming Austin's knee into the ring post, then gets to work on the knee some more. He attempts a figure 4 but pushes HHH into the corner. Doesn't long until HHH is back on the knee.
Austin back up with right hands but gets a facebuster for his trouble, then some near falls from a desperate HHH. More right hands before he leaves the ring and grabs a chair from ringside, but Austin catches him with a mule kick. Austin with the chair now, but gets kicked in the bad knee, follows by a clothesline. HHH up top now but Austin crotches him, more right hands and chops before nailing a suplex for another near fall.
They start fighting for the fair, then Austin nails him in the face, then repeatedly over the knee, shades of Summerslam. Austin gets too cocky though and HHH nails a low blow. All of a sudden, Rock is seen coming down the aisle way with sledgehammer in hand. He swings at HHH's ribs but gets Austin instead, HHH nails a Pedigree on Rock, and makes the pin on Austin to retain the title in 40:20.
I think someone in the crowd threw something in the ring and nearly nailed HHH in the head. He makes a quick exit, barely able to walk as we go to replays. Austin is barely able to move and Rock is still out. Austin gets up and goes right after HHH to the back, tossing him around the backstage area to the parking lot. Chyna was waiting with a limo and they make a speedy exit from the arena as the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This show is a mixed bag to say the least. It's got it's high points, the Ladder Match and the main event were fantastic, the 4 corners match was pretty good. The undercard was alright. However, it falls flat in two places: Moolah winning the Women's Title, and that mess of an IC Title match. That being said though, the show was worth the match.
This is only a month before Survivor Series, where Austin would be out from almost a year onward, and Big Show of all people would win the WWF Title in his place. He'd get one title defense in at Armageddon before losing it to HHH on Raw. Rock would be involved at Survivor Series as a Triple Threat, but I have no idea what goes on at Armageddon.
From here, HHH would lose his title as previously mentioned the next month, and go on to start the McMahon-Helmsley Era, marrying Stephanie and taking out Vince, leading to HHH booking himself a title shot against Big Show, again, as previously mentioned.
As for Chyna, she'd enter a feud over the IC Title with Jericho. She'd beat him at Survivor Series, but Chris would win it at Armageddon, which would lead into the co-champions thing and the match at the Rumble. And Jarrett, well he was on his way out, and would find his way back to WCW, where he'd eventually become their World Champion, and even join the NWO.
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