WWE Wrestlemania X8
The show starts with a performance by Saliva with their song "Superstar" while a hype package of the night's matches play behind them. Then we get to our opening package of the night, running through the memories of Mania through the years, putting it over as their Super Bowl with various wrestlers talking over it, as well as making their own history tonight.
We're live from the SkyDome in Toronto, Canada, as J.R. and the King welcome us to the show before we get to the first match of the night.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs William Regal (c)
Van Dam sent off the ropes after delivering some shots, ducks a clothesline and hits a spin kick, clothesline and standing monnsault, before mounting with some right hands. Regal sent into the corner but gets Van Dam with an elbow, before going for the brass knucks already from his trunks, though Van Dam kicks them away before he can use them followed by another spin kick. Regal tries to beg him off, but gets dropkicked in the chest, then whipped into the corer, but ducks a roundhouse, RVD to the middle rope for a diving back kick. Van Dam up top but misses the 5 Star, Regal off the ropes with a knee to the head, cover and a kick out, then tries twice more and two more kick outs.
Regal with an uppercut, then Rob sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody into a cover for two, then blocks a shot into a backslide for two. Regal maneuvers around and trips up Van Dam, delivering blows to the back of the head before hitting a suplex, then a cover for two. Van Dam reverses a whip into the corner and follows with a back drop, then a kick and rights. Regal pulls back on an Irish whip attempt into a straight jacket neckbreaker, folding Van Dam up on impact into a cover and a kick out. Van Dam fights out of a rest hold as Regal is sporting a bust lip, who's tossed to the mat into a side kick, but Regal gets the knees up for Rolling Thunder. Regal with a tiger bomb into a roll up for two. Regal goes for a leg but Van Dam turns it into a small package for two, before being clocked with a right from Regal.
Regal with another tiger bomb attempt, but he's backed into the corner, whipped across the ring and hit with a dropkick. Regal sent across the ring again and Van Dam follows with a monkey flip. Regal driven into the corner, but misses a clothesline and a boot is caught. Van Dam goes for a spinning heel kick but he's caught with a half-nelson suplex, folding him up again and rolling out of the ring. Regal goes and grabs his knucks after tossing Van Dam back in, the ref catches him, and he goes to get rid of them Regal goes for another pair stashed in his trunks, only to be hit with a spinning heel kick. Van Dam up top with the 5 Star to win the title in 6:20. Pretty good opener to start the show.
Van Dam celebrates with the title as we go to replays, and Van Dam heads to the back.
Christian is backstage with Lillian, and wonders if lightning will strike and another title change hands when he goes for European gold in his hometown. Meanwhile Christian has the goofiest of smiles on his face. She sends it too footage from Raw to show how this came about, where DDP provided an assist to Christian during a match with Billy Gunn, and Christian would lay him out following the win. Lillian of course asks what prompted him to do that, but he says he won that match on his own, and that once he used DDP to get back to his winning ways he didn't need him any more, like how he didn't need the second-rate city of Toronto after becoming a megastar and moved to Florida. He says he's over the temper tantrums, he's in touch with his emotions now, and is ready to retake his title as the champion of Europe, because he's a winner. He says that for Page it's not a good thing, it's a bad thing. Another goofy smile before he walks off.
WWF European Championship: Christian vs Diamond Dallas Page (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: A nice touch as Christian is introduced as being from Tampa rather than Toronto. J.R. also alludes to DDP's last appearance at Wrestlemania 6, also in the SkyDome driving Honky and Valentine to the ring.
Christian stomps away at DDP as he slides into the ring, prematurely posing with the title before sending Page off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers some rights of his own. Gutwrench into a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster before a Cactus clothesline to the outside. Christian face first off the barricade, then a second time, then the apron before returning to the ring. DDP with mounted rights in the corner, though gets a low blow while the ref is out of view, before dropping Page face first into the turnbuckle. Front suplex onto the top rope by Christian, then knocks Page off the apron and face first off the barricade. Back in the ring, Christian stomping and choking down in the corner, then some rights, and some taunting to the crowd gets him sent into the corner for rights from Page. Christian sent across the ring, gets the boots up, but Page slides under and trips him up, though he gets yanked into the ring post as he tries to crotch Christian. Back in the ring, Page with some rights to try and fight back but Christian gets him with an abdominal stretch. Page elbows free and tries for a discus forearm, but its ducked and countered with a neckbreaker over the knee, Christian covers for two.
Christian chokes in the corner, then Page reverses a whip across the ring but caught with an elbow. Christian up top gets cut off and tosses to the mat by Page. Page with a discus clothesline, then reversed off the ropes, then feigns a punch to lure Christian into a sitout powerbomb for two. Christian pulls back on an Irish whip, then misses a right, slips out of a back suplex, goes for the Unprettier, Page tries to counter with the Diamond Cutter but he's shoved into the corner. He sidesteps and Christian goes chest first into the corner, then tries for the Cutter again, Christian holds onto the top rope before hitting an inverted DDT, covers for a near fall. Christian nearly has a hissy fit, though calms himself down, allows Page to catch him with a small package for two. Kick by Christian caught, right ducked then a Diamond Cutter to retain in 6:10. Eh, this one kinda fell flat with me, wasn't bad, just felt kinda heatless.
Page poses with his title before taking a mic, says he's proud of Christian, that not only did he lose tonight, he didn't lose his temper, and says it's pretty impressive, even though he lost in front of 67,000 fans in the SkyDome, and the bazillions of fans watching at home. He says it's not a bad thing, it's a good thing before leaving, and of course Christian throws his tantrum. Page goes out to the crowd for some celebrating.
Coach is in the back with Rock, calling it the biggest match in Rock's career, the biggest match in the history of the business, but Rock cuts him off at biggest event. Rock gets in his catchphrase before turning his attention to Hogan, saying the stage is set, Wrestlemania, the biggest matchup of all time, a match that will determine who will go down as the greatest ever. He says that Hogan stood in the ring last week, asked him "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?" He says what Hogan is failing to realize is he wants him to remember that Rock wants Hulkamania to run wild on him tonight, Hulkamania in all of his glory.
Then he turns to Coach and asks if he took his vitamins this morning, and Rock mocks him when he says he did, then asks if he said his prayers, but Coach says he got busy, and Rock says he gives thanks every day, everyone does, and chastises Coach for being busy and bullies Coach into saying his prayers, says that he and the fans believe in him. He gets Coach to get his hands together, look to the sky, on his knees and... starts to have a casual conversation with God, giving him a shout out, and Rock understandably asks what in the blue hell is wrong with Coach, calls him a sick freak before kicking him out of view.
Rock turns his attention back to Hogan and repeats that he wants Hulkamania in all of his glory, and asks Hogan what he's gonna do when he faces Rock tonight, when he's got butterflies in his Hulkastomach, and he reaches down to feel if he's still got a Hulkastrudel, when the Rock runs wild on him. He then tells Hogan exactly what he's going to do, he's going to feel the electricity like he's never felt before, electricity that has never happened before, he's going to hear 70,000 strong chanting both their names, he will see the People's Elbow come crashing down on his chest, and above all else, he will smell what the Rock is cooking.
WWF Hardcore Championship: Goldust vs Maven (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Goldust proceeds to pull out some gold-painted trash cans from under the ring.
Goldust immediately knees Maven off the apron as he tries to enter the ring, throws him into the barricade back first. Maven laid on top of the barricade and Goldust with an elbow off the apron. Goldust grabs a cookie sheet and whacks it over his back before returning to the ring. Goldust lays out a gold trash can before catapulting Maven, who manages to avoid it, before dropkicking it back into Goldust, then covers for two. Goldust with body shots, then a suplex attempt is countered into a small package for two. Goldust ducks a clothesline and hits a neckbreaker, then covers for two. Goldust with a front suplex before sliding out and grabbing a golden shovel, laying it on the apron and stepping on it to nail Maven in the ribs. Goldust wedges a gold can in the corner before whipping Maven hard into it, then covers for a near fall. Goldust back out and grabs another gold lid, but Maven grabs one of his own and they nail each other, sending Goldust to the floor. Spike Dudley runs out with his own referee, covers Maven and wins the title in 3:18. I mean there wasn't much to this match, but I know there's more to come with this, so I'm fine with this.
Spike celebrates briefly but out comes Crash to give chase with another referee in tow and out they go through the crowd, Goldust not far behind.
Now we get another performance, this time Drowning Pool with "Tear Away," and we have a hype package to the main event playing behind them.
Impromptu WWF Hardcore Championship Defense
We cut to the back following the performance where Crash has gotten his hands on Spike, throws him into a colum, covers but Spike kicks out. They're fighting in front of a bunch of boxes as Al Snow drives in with ref Teddy Long, riding on a cart, crashing through the boxes as Crash and Spike avoid the collision. Crash sends Spike face first into the tire of a crane, only to be sent himself into a steel garage door. Spike tries to escape with his title, but Hurricane flies in out of nowhere swinging on a rope, takes down Spike, and wins the title. Hurricane escapes, and Al is too late as he tumbles his way through the boxes with Teddy behind him.
Over to commentary who talk about the chaos and show us a replay of Hurricane's title win, before our next match.
Kurt Angle vs Kane
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: You know I always thought the "You suck" chants started during Angle's feud with Edge, not long following this PPV, but there is a faint one started up here as he makes his way out. Interesting. Apparently Angle has blamed Kane for not being in the main event of this show, and has caused Kane some head trauma a few weeks prior. Angle takes the mic from Fink and says if he had won his gold medal the way Canada's figure skaters won theirs, he'd want to shoot himself in the freakin' head, because unlike our so-called Olympic gold medalists, he didn't win his by whining and complaining until someone gave it to him. He says he won it the old fashioned way, he earned it, because he's the big red, white and blue machine. He hopes Kane is listening because after tonight, he's going to wish he never... Well he's cut off by Kane's pyro before he can finish that thought. Angle sneaks out to grab and nail Kane with the ring bell after he sets off his ring pyro to start this match.
Angle with rights, then Kane fights back with some of his own, until Angle ducks and hits a German suplex. Angle stomping the head, then the chest and more to the head, but Kane fights back with some more of his own, Angle sent off the ropes into a back elbow. More boots and rights in the corner, Angle whipped across the ring and caught with a two-handed choke before getting tossed down. Kane goes for the chokeslam early but Angle scrambles to the ropes to force a break, then a clothesline from Kane. Angle whipped into the corner, sidesteps, but caught with an elbow, only to catch Kane with a belly to belly over head followed by a clothesline, and another. More stomps to the head by Angle, then chokes him over the middle rope. Kane with some rights until he's sent chest first into the corner, then caught with a back suplex, Angle covers for two.
Front facelock by Angle, Kane fights back up and slams Angle down on his ribs, but Angle is back up first and delivers rights, off the ropes right into a sidewalk slam. Kane goes for a suplex but Angle slips out and delivers three back-to-back Germans, then covers for two. Angle goes up top with a flying clothesline, then decides to go back up but he's caught with a clothesline on the way down. Trading rights as they get back to their feet, until Angle gets a knee in to the gut, but reversed off the ropes into a big boot. Angle sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then a clothesline in the corner. Angle sent across the ring into a tilt-a-whirl powerslam into a cover and a near fall. Angle whipped into the corner, but catches Kane with an elbow, only to be caught with a chokeslam, Kane covers but Angle gets an arm on the bottom rope.
Kane calls for the end and gets Angle up for a tombstone, but Angle tries removing the mask for a distraction, allowing him to slip free for an Angle Slam, covers but Kane kicks out. Angle with the straps down gets Kane with the Ankle Lock, but kicks Angle off, only for him to lock it in again. Kane manages to get to the bottom rope and pull himself up, nailing an enziguri to get free. Kane goes up top now but Angle leaps up and catches him with an overhead throw to the mat. Angle is up first and goes for the Angle Slam, but Kane counters and goes for the chokeslam, which Angle counters into a roll up, feet on the ropes gets him the win 10:44. Started out kinda slow but it turned into a pretty good match.
Angle quickly makes his way to the back celebrating as Kane looks on in frustration.
We catch back up with Hurricane looking over his shoulder in the back, and he reaches a locker room, grabbing a nearby broom as he hears voices and hides behind a folding screen. There are some ladies thee and undressing, Hurricane sneaking a peak over the screen, and there's penis innuendo as he holds the broom and we see his shadow, which causes a high-pitched scream as the ladies notice him. In rushes Godfather and scares off Hurricane as he checks on his hos.
Up next, it's Taker vs Flair. We get our video package, where this all started the previous month at No Way Out, where Taker was up against Rock and ready to use a lead pipe on him, until co-owner Flair intervened, nailing him in the head with the pipe instead and allowing Rock to get the victory. Taker would challenge Ric to a match at Mania, but Flair would refuse. So Taker assaults Arn Anderson and his son David with brutal, bloody attacks to goad Ric into taking the match, and Ric would eventually accept the challenge. In the midst of a fight on Smackdown though, Flair would inadvertently nail a "fan" and a hearing with the Board of Directors would take place, and with Flair insisting on going through with the match, they gave a vote of confidence to Vince and gave him full authority, but reserved the right to review the decision after Mania. Vince made the decision to make this match No DQ.
No Disqualification Match: The Undertaker vs Ric Flair
Ric already tries for a take down as he slides into the ring, but they start trading shots, Ric getting the edge and knocking Taker out of the ring and tackling him over the announce table. Flair with more right hands, then Taker gets one in and a back elbow before retreating to the ring. Flair with more rights and lefts though knocks Taker back out of the ring, then Flair leaps off the apron but he's caught and slammed spine first into the ring post. Flair face first into the ring steps before being tossed back in the ring. Flair back on the attack in the corner with rights and lefts, then Take throws him in the corner with vicious shots of his own, then whips Flair across the ring and tries to do his upside down spot but he hits the turnbuckle awkwardly and just falls down to his knees. Back in the corner for more shots, then Flair whipped across the ring to redo and successfully do the upside down and over the ropes to the apron, followed by a big boot from Taker sends him to the floor.
Taker sits Flair in the timekeeper's chair for more vicious rights and lefts and Taker's been bused open from those shots. Taker lays in with more shots, Flair tries to fight back but Taker just lays in some more shots. Back in the ring, Taker with a boot to Flair's head, more shots in the corner and Flair flops to the mat a bloody mess. Flair gets some chops in and drives Taker into the corner, but gets whipped across the ring and hit with a clothesline by Taker. More rights by Taker, then whips Flair across the ring for another corner clothesline before setting Flair on the top rope and delivering a superplex, then makes the cover but he pulls Flair up before three.
Taker raking his forearm and elbow across Flair's face, more shots to the head before pulling Flair to the apron, elbows and a leg drop to the back of the neck and back. Taker covers again just to pull Flair off the mat again before the three. More vicious rights to the head, but Taker takes too much time and misses an elbow coming off the ropes. Lawler makes a good point asking what the hell a Booger Red is, but JR offers no explanation as Flair delivers some chops, only to be dropped by more rights and lefts from Taker, and he goes for Old School, but wastes time talking trash to the fans and allows Flair to toss him to the mat. More chops by Flair, off the ropes but caught with a sidewalk slam, cover and Flair kicks out this time. Taker goes for a big boot but gets hung up on the top rope, and Flair drops him to the floor with chops and a right.
Flair raking the rakes the eyes as the stumble over to Taker's bike, and he takes the lead pipe Taker had hidden and nails him right in the head with it. Taker's busted open now and Flair with shots to the ribs and the back of the head, only to drive Flair back first into the apron. Fighting into the aisle as Flair is driven into the barricade, taking one of the "KEEP OFF" signs from it to nail Taker in the head, then the back, and again to the back returning to the ring. Flair with the vicious rights now to Taker's open cut, then off the ropes but he's caught by the throat. Flair with a blatant low blow, then sweeps the leg into the figure 4. Taker goes down for a pin but he gets up at two before grabbing Flair by the throat for a chokeslam, his leg giving out as he makes the cover but Flair kicks out. Taker with more rights, another cover and another kick out.
Taker gets upset with the ref and slams him into the corner before grabbing the pipe, but Flair fights back before he can use it with chops, Taker sent off the ropes as Arn slides in out of nowhere, Taker ducks a chop from Flair but runs right into a spinebuster. Flair covers, but Taker powers out of it. Taker clocks Arn, then a second time before tossing him back in the ring and Arn's busted open now, Taker with a big boot. Taker gets him in a dragon sleeper and Flair comes in with a chair to the back, then the arm, ribs and back again, but Taker gets him with a big boot as he's sent off the ropes. Taker struggles to get Flair up for a Last Ride for some reason, so he decides to deliver the Tombstone instead for the win in 18:47. Good, bloody, brutal brawl, another classic Mania match for Taker.
The ref goes to raise Taker's arm but he gets clotheslined for his trouble instead as he gestures 10-0 and we get the replays, Taker riding off to the back.
Cole is standing by with Booker, who's got his first Mania match tonight... Oh this is the feud over a shampoo commercial, and Edge has also questioned Booker's intelligence as of late, I guess that's why Booker's wearing glasses during this interview. This was right around the time they had that WWF special episode of Weakest Link where Booker kinda made a fool of himself. Booker says he's a highly intelligent man, pointing out the glasses, and says he was ranked #1 in his class, he aced the SAT, and even won an award for his high school thesis, "Einstein's Theory on Relatives." Cole corrects him but Booker calls him a sucka and tells him to shut up and says Einstein had two theories, saying Cole's just like Edge, but Edge isn't smarter than him or better than him, and damn sure ain't good looking as he is. He says that after tonight Edge will be the spokesman for a new product, the new book called "I Just Got My Ass Kicked at Wrestlemania By the 5x WCW Champion." Then he walks off.
Booker T vs Edge
Lock up to start with Edge and Booker shoving against the ropes before we get some quick back and forth, Edge hitting a dropkick and a facebuster for a cover and kickout at one. Booker reverses a whip off the ropes and drops Edge throat first on the top rope, then a heel kick for a cover and two. Edge clotheslined to the outside, then Booker with a shot to the back off the apron. Back in the ring, Booker goes up top with a missile dropkick, covers for two. Booker drives Edge into the corner with some chops, rights and boots to the midsection, stomping him down to the mat. Edge sends him into the corner with rights and chops of his own, Booker reverses a whip off the ropes and catches him with a spinebuster, covers for two.
Booker back up top but Edge crotches him, some shots as he joins him up top for a botched hurricanrana, don't know what happened but they seem to have bonked heads on the way down. Booker sends Edge off the ropes, who ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick, then some more clotheslines. Booker pulls back on an Irish whip and hits a knee to the midsection, goes for the Scissor Kick but Edge ducks out of the way, followed by a neckbreaker into a cover for two. Edge up top now with a spinning heel kick, covers again for two. Booker sent into the corner, but goes up and over and tries for a sunset flip but Edge rolls through and catapults Booker into the opposite corner. Edge goes for the spear but Booker leapfrogs and he goes face first into the middle turnbuckle, Booker follows with the Harlem Side Kick and the Spinaroonie and a Scissors Kick. Booker makes the cover but Edge kicks out.
Booker goes for the Book End but Edge takes him down, then follows with the spear and a cover but Booker kicks out. Edge now with the Spinaroonie, duck another Harlem Side Kick, goes for the Edgecution, Booker slips out and goes for the side kick again but it's ducked and Edge nails the Edgecution for the win in 6:33. Aside from that one botch, this was a good match.
After Edge does some celebrating we catch back up with Hurricane who's escaped out to the parking garage and Coach catches up to him. He asks what happened with Godfather's escorts, and if that was really becoming of a superhero. "Holy insinuations, Citizen Coach," Hurricane takes exception to having his integrity questioned, and says he's not a Hurri-perv, but he is the Hurri-Hardcore Champion. Mighty Molly appears out of nowhere with a frying pan behind her back and calls for the Hurri-Cycle, and she blindsides Hurricane with a shot to the back of his head, and wins the Hardcore Title. Molly runs off with the title.
Up next, it's Austin vs Hall. This started of course when Vince decided to inject his company with a lethal poison, the NWO, and after a not-so-friendly encounter earlier in the night, they cost Austin the WWF Title the previous month at No Way Out. So Austin kidnapped Hall and embarrassed and beat the crap out of him, spraying 3:16 on his back. Austin would have a cinderblock broken over his bad leg, a wrench taken to his head and a Stunner from Hall before Hall laid down the challenge for Mania.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Scott Hall (w/ Kevin Nash)
Austin not wasting any time with rapid shots in the corner, stomping away, Hall sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Chops in the corner until Hall thumbs the eye, but Austin reverses a whip off the ropes, Hall ducks another elbow but runs into a Thesz Press, then an elbow off the ropes. Hall face first repeatedly in the corner to the tune of "What?" chants, Hall sent off the ropes but he slips out of the ring. Austin nails Nash from behind as he goes to see Hall, sending him face first into the ring post, then Hall face first off the announce table and the stairs. Back in the ring, Hall sent off the ropes but catches Austin with a clothesline into a cover for two.
Hall with boots to the back and ribs then some chops in the corner, while Nash exposes the turnbuckle in the other corner and Austin is sent back first into the exposed metal, Hall kicking Austin out of the ring. Nash with some rights as Hall distracts the ref, then Hall with some before returning to the ring. Austin whipped into the corner and Hall immediately with a clothesline, then whipped across the ring for another, then a fallaway slam into a cover for two. Austin sent off the ropes, blocks a hip toss but Hall nails a clothesline into another cover and a kick out. Austin choked over the middle rope, then Nash with a cheap shot as the ref's distracted again. Hall with more boots and another shot from Nash. Austin reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Hall with a spinebuster.
Hall with more rights, then comes off the ropes right into a Stunner. Austin makes the cover but Nash pulls the ref out of the ring, then clotheslines for Austin. Hall leaves the ring and grabs a chair as Nash holds up Austin, but Austin gets Nash with a low blow and another Stunner for Hall, and one for Nash. Austin makes the cover, and finally another ref comes out but Nash drops an elbow across his back before the three. Austin clotheslines Nash out of the ring, and Hall goes for the Razor's Edge but Austin back drops him to the outside. Referees come out to get Nash to the back as Austin nails Hall with rights then returns to the ring.
Austin goes for a Stunner but he's sent into the exposed buckle, then Hall hits a Stunner of his own, makes the cover, the first ref comes to but Austin kicks out. Hall goes for the Stunner again but he's sent into the exposed buckle, turns around into a Stunner, bounces upright and Austin hits a fourth Stunner to get the win in 9:54. Well... wasn't a terrible match, a bit too much bullshit for my liking, but I suppose with Hall and Nash what can you expect. The crowd were audibly not into most of this match until the last 4 minutes or so.
Austin enjoying some beers before getting a highlight package from WWF Axxess that weekend before the next match.
Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: The Hardy Boyz vs The APA vs Billy & Chuck (c) vs The Dudley Boyz (w/ Stacy Keibler)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saliva are out again to play the Dudleyz out to the ring.
APA immediately attack the champions as they enter the ring, but Bradshaw and Chuck start the match out properly as Chuck is sent off the ropes into a back elbow. It appears we'll be going by the rules of having only two in the ring at once, and can tag in anyone, which I suppose actually works better for an elimination style match. Chuck sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and goes for a crossbody but he's caught, only for Billy to come in with a neckbreaker on Bradshaw, Chuck covers as they fall for one. Chuck off the ropes into a big boot, then Billy is caught for a fallaway slam. Back suplex on Chuck and Farooq gets the tag, with shots to the ribs and a right to the face, then Chuck whipped into the corner but catches Farooq with a clothesline, then a discus forearm. Billy tags in and they stomp away at Farooq, then choking him, then a right into a cover for two. Billy off the ropes and caught with a powerslam, Bradshaw tags in with a clothesline, Billy sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then a boot for Chuck as he comes in. DDT on Billy, Farooq intercepts Chuck as Bradshaw makes the cover but Billy kicks out.
Billy makes a desperate tag to D-Von who runs into a double shoulder block from APA, D-Von reverses a whip off the ropes presumably for a 3D as Bubba had made his way in, but Farooq hits him with a spinebuster and Bradshaw with a boot to D-Von. Billy sends Bradshaw face first in the corner, and Farooq hits Chuck with a spinebuster on the floor. Bradshaw whipped across the ring, but he sidesteps and turns into a Clothesline from Hell. Billy isn't the legal man though as Bradshaw turns around into a 3D, D-Von covers and APA is out.
Hardyz jump in, Bubba sent off the ropes into a double back drop, then D-Von off the ropes into a double back elbow,, then an elbow and somersault combo, Jeff covers for two. Chuck sent of the ropes into a double DDT, and the Dudleyz set up a table at ringside, though their taken out with a baseball slide and a crossbody by the Hardyz. Bubba and Jeff return to the ring as D-Von is sent into the barricade, Jeff whipped across the ring but hits Whisper in the Wind on Bubba. Stacy's on the apron to shake her ass and Jeff spanks her before locking lips and shoving her off. Jeff leaps onto Bubba's shoulders, though he doesn't really go anything, as Billy goes up top for a clothesline on Jeff. Bubba with a Bubba Bomb on Billy, then uses Jeff's shirt to choke him.
Jeff shoved into the corner for some chops, then whipped into another corner, Bubba with clubs to the back. Jeff whipped into the corner again but gets boots up, but D-Von clubs him from the apron, whips Jeff off the ropes so Bubba can catch him with a back drop. Bubba covers for two. Jeff tries to get to Matt for a tag but Bubba slaps on a rear chinlock, Jeff fights out, sends Bubba off the ropes, D-Von tags himself in and drops Jeff with a clothesline, then covers for two. D-Von with more rights in the corner, dropping Jeff, then a suplex into a cover and a kick out. Bubba tags back in, Jeff sent into the corner and turned upside down into a tree of woe, Bubba climbing up to step on Jeff's ball until Matt comes in to knock him to the outside. D-Von knocks Matt off the apron before Jeff can make the tag as Bubba comes back in to tag in D-Von, choking Jeff while the ref is distracted by Matt. Jeff sent off the ropes into a spinning back elbow. Jeff reverses an Irish whip and is nearly caught with an inverted DDT but counters with one of his own.
Bubba and Matt get tagged in, Matt with clotheslines and a DDT, then a back drop to D-Von and sends him out. Billy and Chuck knocked off the apron, Bubba with a back suplex on Matt, then to the middle rope and misses a senton, Matt to the middle rope with a leg drop, covers and a near fall. Bubba reverses an Irish whip into a scoop slam, holds up Matt's legs as D-Von goes up top, but Billy shoves D-Von off and he goes through the table they set up earlier. Bubba knocks Billy off the apron, Matt ducks a clothesline and hits the Twist of Fate, Jeff with the Swanton, Matt covers and Dudleyz are gone.
Chuck with a clothesline on Jeff and a side kick on Matt, covers for two. Jeff with a leg drop between the legs, but Billy throws him out. Billy goes for a cobra clutch but Matt counters with a Side Effect. Jeff tags back in, Billy whipped into the corner, Matt in front for Poetry in Motion. Matt sends Chuck into the corner for another Poetry in Motion. Matt with a Twist of Fate on Chuck and Jeff with the Swanton. Billy with the Fame Asser and Matt with the Cactus clothesline to the outside, Chuck makes the cover but Jeff kicks out. Billy nails Jeff with one of the titles while Chuck distracts the ref, and that's enough to get the win and retain in 13:52. A bit clunky at times but it was a damn good match.
The champs head to the back, while Stacy is sill checking on D-Von.
Cut to the back where Hall is telling Nash that he's better than Austin, saying he got lucky. Nash says it won't happen twice, and suggest they take it out on Rock tonight. Hogan walks up, and though he knows they're hot and have a reason to be, he wants to out on his own, says he needs to do this by himself, and he needs to prove that he's the man, and when he does he wants to make sure that jabroni, just like he did Rocky Balboa, doesn't have any excuses when he busts him up real bad. Hogan walks off.
We catch back up with Molly who's running down a hallway looking around for any possible attackers, seemingly finds an open doorway at the other end but it gets closed right in her face, revealing Christian did the deed, covering to win the Hardcore Title. Christian runs off as the ref checks on Molly.
Up next, it's time for the match of the night. We already know about NWO's return at last month's No Way Out, and Hogan would come out on Raw to talk about how the fans turned on him, and how he put wrestling on the map, you get the idea, and claimed that no one was a bigger icon in the business then he was. Of course this brought out Rock to lay down the challenge for Mania, calling Hogan the best ever, an icon, and after a bit of goading Hogan would accept. This is also the same night NWO would lay out Rock and crash a semi-truck into his ambulance. Past and future head to head. Doesn't get any simpler than this.
"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan vs The Rock
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: This crowd really is pro-Hogan and a rather partisan reaction for Rock. I haven't watched this show since I was a kid, I don't think I ever really noticed how mixed the crowd was for this match. Long stare down before the bell is run.
Lock up to start and we get a shoving match until Rock is shoved away, Hogan showing off and tells Rock to bring it. Another lock up, Hogan with the side headlock, but Rock fights out, Hogan sent off the ropes with a shoulder tackle and more showing off, telling Rock to bring it again. Another lock up, Hogan with a knee to the ribs and shots to the back, right hands against the ropes, Rock sent off the ropes into a clothesline. More rights by Hogan, Rock sent off the ropes again, ducks a clothesline with a flying one of his own and loud boos from the crowd as he tells Hogan to bring it. Hogan shoves him, Rock shoves him back, then Rock with some right hands knocks Hogan down to the outside. Rock with a shot from behind before returning to the ring, more rights by Rock, Hogan reverses a whip off the ropes but Rock catches him with a kick and a clothesline. Rock already goes for the Rock Bottom but Hogan elbows free and knocks Rock down. Rock sent off the ropes into an elbow, then a series of elbow drop, plus rakes his boot over Rock's face. Rock whipped into the corner for a clothesline, then whipped across the ring for more shots. Rock sent off the ropes takes down Hogan with some more right hands, only to turn around into a back suplex, Hogan with a cover and a kick out.
Hogan with ab stretch, then a roll up for two. Hogan raking the back in the corner, then more rights and chops, then mounted rights and some biting. Rock turns things around for some chops of his own, but gets whipped across the ring, managing to catch Hogan with an elbow but caught with something like a chokeslam and choking against the mat. Hogan grabs some kind of rope to choke Rock before Rock lays in some rights, off the ropes and tossed to the outside over the ropes. Rock face first off the steps, then dropped chest first on the barricade. Hogan starts to take apart the announce table but Rock intercepts with right hands and sends him face first off it repeatedly. Rock tries to use a chair but the ref takes it away and turns around for a clothesline from Hogan. Back in the ring, Rock back up with rights, Hogan reverses a whip off the ropes and sends Rock right into the referee as he sidesteps. Hogan sent off the ropes into a spinebuster, several seconds down but Hogan's up first, only to be tripped up and Rock gets him in the sharpshooter. Hogan makes it to the ropes but there's no referee to force a break, and Rock pulls him back to the middle, Hogan is tapping. Rock releases the hold and tries to wake up the ref but Hogan is back up to deliver a low blow, then a Rock Bottom of his own. Hogan with the cover, ref comes to but Rock kicks out.
Hogan takes off his weight belt to whip Rock across the back, before wrapping it around his fist, sends Rock off the ropes, ducks the shot and Rock with the DDT. Rock grabs the belt now and starts whipping Hogan over the back, then lies in wait to deliver the Rock Bottom, covers but Hogan kicks out and starts to hulk up, Hogan with the rights, Rock sent off the ropes for the big boot and the leg drop, cover but Rock kicks out Hogan with more rights, Rock sent off the ropes into another big boot, but misses with the leg drop. Rock with another Rock Bottom, then several seconds of recovery before a third Rock Bottom, a kip up and the People's Elbow for the win in 16:24. I'd say this match still holds up 19 years later, even setting aside what I think of Hogan in present day him and Rock put on a hell of a match.
Fans on their feet as Rock poses and celebrates in the corers, Hogan stumbles back to his feet to offer his hand and they shake. More posing in the corner from Rock before leaving the ring. Hogan giving him some props, though now come out Hall and Nash, Hall throwing his tooth pick in Hogan's face and Nash with the cheap shot. Rock comes back down to make the save and him and Hogan clear the ring. Referee is there to keep the four separate as they trade words, Hall and Nash heading to the back as Hogan and Rock look on. Hogan tries to leave but Rock brings him back in to play to the crowd like classic Hogan would do and Rock with the biggest smile on his face as his music hits again and they head to the back.
We see Big Show at WWF New York among the fans, then we hear the SkyDome attendance record of 68,237 before the next match.
WWF Women's Championship: Jazz (c) vs Trish Stratus vs Lita
Jazz and Lita don't wait for Trish to finish her entrance before they start going at it, then Trish pulls Jazz off and they start double teaming. Chops and shots to Jazz before sending her off the ropes and go for a double back drop, but she catches Trish with a kick and Lita with a right. Trish on the attack before being tripped up and Jazz with a half-crab on Trish, though she releases once Lita makes her way back up. Double arm chickenwing on Lita before tossing her down, then a leaping leg drop and a cover from Jazz and a near fall. Double arm suplex on Lita and a spin kick sends Trish, and Lita on Jazz with rights. Jazz reverses a whip off the ropes and caught with a headscissor. Jazz sent chest first into the corner and Lita with a spinning back suplex, rolls Jazz up for two.
Jazz rakes the eyes before dropping Lita throat first on the top rope, setting Lita on the top rope and goes for a superplex, but Trish comes in, tries to get Jazz on her shoulders but she slips free. Jazz gets a kick to the face from Lita and Trish rolls her up for two, the Lita with a crossbody on Trish that she rolls through for a cover and a kick out. Jazz clocks Trish, Lita with a jawbreaker and clothesline on Jazz and Trish with a roundhouse on Lita, then a running bulldog into a cover that Jazz breaks up. Splash by Jazz on Lita into a cover and two. Jazz with a fisherman suplex on Trish, cover and Lita breaks it up. Kick to the ribs of Lita, Jazz goes for a powerslam on Trish but she counters with an inverted DDT, covers and Lita breaks it up.
Lita and Trish in each other's face, then knock Jazz down before trading shots on each other. Trish sent off the ropes into a back drop, then Lita goes for the Twist of Fate, but turns her attention to Jazz as she gets up and hits the Twist of Fate on her instead. Scoop slam on Trish right beside Jazz and Lita goes up top with the moonsault, but Trish gets the knees up, rolls up Lita for two. Chops by Trish in the corner, Lita reverses a whip across the ring and Trish stops herself short, only to bonk heads with Lita. Jazz goes after her and Trish gets her with the backslide for two, then gets clotheslined by Jazz. Lita back drops Jazz to the outside, then a back suplex attempt on Trish, who tries to turn it into Stratusfaction but she's thrown into the corner, her leg getting caught on the middle rope. Jazz back in and Lita up top, but Trish pulls her down. Jazz knocks Trish off the apron and gets Lita with a fisherman suplex from the top to retain in 6:17. This one was a bit of a mess, and they were in a pretty rough spot from that last match, but it was alright.
Trish looks on in disbelief from the floor as Jazz leaves with her title.
We catch back up with Christian who's escaped out to the parking lot, where a car is waiting for him. He celebrates and tosses his bag in the trunk, then opens the door, admiring the belt and brags to the driver, just as Maven is coming out with a referee. Maven with a roll up and the three to win the title, and he climbs into the car and drives off.
Now it's time for the main event. We don't get a video package, but we know Jericho became the Undisputed Champion back in December, when he famously beat Rock and Austin in the same night. HHH meanwhile returned in January from his quad injury, and won the Royal Rumble to earn this title shot. This whole match is built around HHH and Stephanie's marriage though from what I remember, between Steph faking a pregnancy to keep their marriage together, to her aligning with Jericho, then I think Jericho claimed credit for putting HHH on the shelf. Jericho also attacked HHH with a sledgehammer on Raw, and JR tells us HHH quad is hanging on by a thread, as we see it's heavily taped.
Undisputed WWF Championship: Triple H vs Chris Jericho (c) (w/ Stephanie McMahon)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saliva out one more time for their version of HHH's theme. They've had good performances the rest of the night, but I'm not loving this cover all too much.
Jericho tries to go for the leg right away but he's sidestepped, then a lock up to begin gets Jericho into the corner, then HHH, who tries for the leg again and HHH slips away. Tries for the leg again but HHH with some rights, Jericho sent off the ropes into a back drop. Arm wringer into a clothesline, then another. Jericho fights back with chops, but is sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and runs into a high knee but drops on the bad leg, then sent up and over the ropes to the floor. Jericho up top but HHH launches him off onto the barricade and into the front row. HHH suplexes him back to ringside, then rolls in to bring the 10 count. Now taking apart the announce table but Jericho with some kicks to the back of the thigh regains the advantage, a chop block back in the ring.
Jericho after the knee in the corner against the bottom rope, but turns around into a spear and mounted rights. HHH after the left leg now with a series of elbows, then kicks it out from under him, and a second time. Jericho with a rake to the eyes, but misses a clothesline into a shin breaker and a figure 4 from HHH. Steph though gets on the apron to rake the eyes as Hebner checks on Jericho. HHH gets a handful of her hair and sidesteps as Jericho tries to ram into HHH. Now she's tossed into the ring and HHH goes for the Pedigree, but gets caught with a missile dropkick from HHH. Now he's pulled over to the ring post and his leg is swung repeatedly into it, and Steph gets a kick in. Back in the ring, Jericho with rights and elbows to the bad leg, twisting it around his knee into a stretch muffler though only brief, then slams his knee into the mat, then a second time, then into the ring post once again. Steph slaps him when she has the chance before Jericho applies a figure 4 around the post until Hebner forces a break. HHH fights back with some shots to the ribs, then to the face, but he's caught with a drop toe hold and wrenches the leg backward. Jericho with a spinning toe hold, but he's shoved off and goes shoulder first into the ring post as he goes to spin a second time, and runs into a neckbreaker. Jericho with more kicks to the legs, off the ropes into a clothesline, HHH with a cover for two.
HHH with more shots, but is sent off the ropes and catches Jericho with a facebuster off the knee, but lands on the bad leg again, Jericho charges for... something, maybe a DDT but he's just kind of shoved off, it looked a bit awkward. Jericho sent off the ropes and into a spinebuster and a cover for two. More rights by HHH in the corner, but gets whipped across the ring, over the ropes to the floor. Jericho takes apart the other announce table now before delivering some boots to the head. Jericho tries to put on the Walls on top of the table but he's booted in the chest. HHH tries for the Pedigree but he's back dropped through the Spanish table. Back in the ring, Jericho with the Lionsault, covers but HHH kicks out, then covers again for two again.
Jericho goes for the Walls again but HHH fights him off, then Jericho goes for a bulldog but he's sent into the corner chest first, then HHH goes for a Pedigree but Jericho nails the leg so he can lock in the Walls. HHH nearly gets to the ropes but he's pulled back to the center. HHH has seemingly passed out and Hebner starts raising his arm once, twice, but comes back to on the third timem, HHH making it to the ropes the second try, even though Jericho thinks he's won. Steph provides a distraction as Jericho grabs a chair but it's booted back in his face. then a DDT onto it, HHH covers for two.
Steph is in now and she grabs the chair but Hebner takes it away. He yells at her and she shoves him, but turns into a waiting HHH, who delivers the Pedigree on the second try. He gets in her face and as Hebner rolls her out Jericho nails HHH with the chair, then makes the cover but HHH kicks out. Jericho tries for a Pedigree now but he's catapulted into the corner, but catches himself on the middle rope, leaps off only to be caught with the Pedigree for the win in 18:42. Well this was a bit clunky at times, and again this felt like it was more about HHH and Steph, but it was an alright match. Though I'd definitely agree that Rock/Hogan should have closed the show. Hell the crowd was barely into this until the last 5 minutes or so.
HHH hobbles to his feet, barely able to stand as Jericho rolls out, posing and celebrating with his new title as we go to replays. The show closes with a highlight package of the night's matches set to "Superstar".
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well aside from a few bumps in the road, not quite as good as I had remembered as a kid, but was still a solid show. Some fun shenanigans with the Hardcore Title, Rock/Hogan was great, main event was alright, very little to complain about here. With a run time of 3:43:00, there was a total 1:58:18 of wrestling.
We're live from the SkyDome in Toronto, Canada, as J.R. and the King welcome us to the show before we get to the first match of the night.
WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam vs William Regal (c)
Van Dam sent off the ropes after delivering some shots, ducks a clothesline and hits a spin kick, clothesline and standing monnsault, before mounting with some right hands. Regal sent into the corner but gets Van Dam with an elbow, before going for the brass knucks already from his trunks, though Van Dam kicks them away before he can use them followed by another spin kick. Regal tries to beg him off, but gets dropkicked in the chest, then whipped into the corer, but ducks a roundhouse, RVD to the middle rope for a diving back kick. Van Dam up top but misses the 5 Star, Regal off the ropes with a knee to the head, cover and a kick out, then tries twice more and two more kick outs.
Regal with an uppercut, then Rob sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody into a cover for two, then blocks a shot into a backslide for two. Regal maneuvers around and trips up Van Dam, delivering blows to the back of the head before hitting a suplex, then a cover for two. Van Dam reverses a whip into the corner and follows with a back drop, then a kick and rights. Regal pulls back on an Irish whip attempt into a straight jacket neckbreaker, folding Van Dam up on impact into a cover and a kick out. Van Dam fights out of a rest hold as Regal is sporting a bust lip, who's tossed to the mat into a side kick, but Regal gets the knees up for Rolling Thunder. Regal with a tiger bomb into a roll up for two. Regal goes for a leg but Van Dam turns it into a small package for two, before being clocked with a right from Regal.
Regal with another tiger bomb attempt, but he's backed into the corner, whipped across the ring and hit with a dropkick. Regal sent across the ring again and Van Dam follows with a monkey flip. Regal driven into the corner, but misses a clothesline and a boot is caught. Van Dam goes for a spinning heel kick but he's caught with a half-nelson suplex, folding him up again and rolling out of the ring. Regal goes and grabs his knucks after tossing Van Dam back in, the ref catches him, and he goes to get rid of them Regal goes for another pair stashed in his trunks, only to be hit with a spinning heel kick. Van Dam up top with the 5 Star to win the title in 6:20. Pretty good opener to start the show.
Van Dam celebrates with the title as we go to replays, and Van Dam heads to the back.
Christian is backstage with Lillian, and wonders if lightning will strike and another title change hands when he goes for European gold in his hometown. Meanwhile Christian has the goofiest of smiles on his face. She sends it too footage from Raw to show how this came about, where DDP provided an assist to Christian during a match with Billy Gunn, and Christian would lay him out following the win. Lillian of course asks what prompted him to do that, but he says he won that match on his own, and that once he used DDP to get back to his winning ways he didn't need him any more, like how he didn't need the second-rate city of Toronto after becoming a megastar and moved to Florida. He says he's over the temper tantrums, he's in touch with his emotions now, and is ready to retake his title as the champion of Europe, because he's a winner. He says that for Page it's not a good thing, it's a bad thing. Another goofy smile before he walks off.
WWF European Championship: Christian vs Diamond Dallas Page (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: A nice touch as Christian is introduced as being from Tampa rather than Toronto. J.R. also alludes to DDP's last appearance at Wrestlemania 6, also in the SkyDome driving Honky and Valentine to the ring.
Christian stomps away at DDP as he slides into the ring, prematurely posing with the title before sending Page off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers some rights of his own. Gutwrench into a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster before a Cactus clothesline to the outside. Christian face first off the barricade, then a second time, then the apron before returning to the ring. DDP with mounted rights in the corner, though gets a low blow while the ref is out of view, before dropping Page face first into the turnbuckle. Front suplex onto the top rope by Christian, then knocks Page off the apron and face first off the barricade. Back in the ring, Christian stomping and choking down in the corner, then some rights, and some taunting to the crowd gets him sent into the corner for rights from Page. Christian sent across the ring, gets the boots up, but Page slides under and trips him up, though he gets yanked into the ring post as he tries to crotch Christian. Back in the ring, Page with some rights to try and fight back but Christian gets him with an abdominal stretch. Page elbows free and tries for a discus forearm, but its ducked and countered with a neckbreaker over the knee, Christian covers for two.
Christian chokes in the corner, then Page reverses a whip across the ring but caught with an elbow. Christian up top gets cut off and tosses to the mat by Page. Page with a discus clothesline, then reversed off the ropes, then feigns a punch to lure Christian into a sitout powerbomb for two. Christian pulls back on an Irish whip, then misses a right, slips out of a back suplex, goes for the Unprettier, Page tries to counter with the Diamond Cutter but he's shoved into the corner. He sidesteps and Christian goes chest first into the corner, then tries for the Cutter again, Christian holds onto the top rope before hitting an inverted DDT, covers for a near fall. Christian nearly has a hissy fit, though calms himself down, allows Page to catch him with a small package for two. Kick by Christian caught, right ducked then a Diamond Cutter to retain in 6:10. Eh, this one kinda fell flat with me, wasn't bad, just felt kinda heatless.
Page poses with his title before taking a mic, says he's proud of Christian, that not only did he lose tonight, he didn't lose his temper, and says it's pretty impressive, even though he lost in front of 67,000 fans in the SkyDome, and the bazillions of fans watching at home. He says it's not a bad thing, it's a good thing before leaving, and of course Christian throws his tantrum. Page goes out to the crowd for some celebrating.
Coach is in the back with Rock, calling it the biggest match in Rock's career, the biggest match in the history of the business, but Rock cuts him off at biggest event. Rock gets in his catchphrase before turning his attention to Hogan, saying the stage is set, Wrestlemania, the biggest matchup of all time, a match that will determine who will go down as the greatest ever. He says that Hogan stood in the ring last week, asked him "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?" He says what Hogan is failing to realize is he wants him to remember that Rock wants Hulkamania to run wild on him tonight, Hulkamania in all of his glory.
Then he turns to Coach and asks if he took his vitamins this morning, and Rock mocks him when he says he did, then asks if he said his prayers, but Coach says he got busy, and Rock says he gives thanks every day, everyone does, and chastises Coach for being busy and bullies Coach into saying his prayers, says that he and the fans believe in him. He gets Coach to get his hands together, look to the sky, on his knees and... starts to have a casual conversation with God, giving him a shout out, and Rock understandably asks what in the blue hell is wrong with Coach, calls him a sick freak before kicking him out of view.
Rock turns his attention back to Hogan and repeats that he wants Hulkamania in all of his glory, and asks Hogan what he's gonna do when he faces Rock tonight, when he's got butterflies in his Hulkastomach, and he reaches down to feel if he's still got a Hulkastrudel, when the Rock runs wild on him. He then tells Hogan exactly what he's going to do, he's going to feel the electricity like he's never felt before, electricity that has never happened before, he's going to hear 70,000 strong chanting both their names, he will see the People's Elbow come crashing down on his chest, and above all else, he will smell what the Rock is cooking.
WWF Hardcore Championship: Goldust vs Maven (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Goldust proceeds to pull out some gold-painted trash cans from under the ring.
Goldust immediately knees Maven off the apron as he tries to enter the ring, throws him into the barricade back first. Maven laid on top of the barricade and Goldust with an elbow off the apron. Goldust grabs a cookie sheet and whacks it over his back before returning to the ring. Goldust lays out a gold trash can before catapulting Maven, who manages to avoid it, before dropkicking it back into Goldust, then covers for two. Goldust with body shots, then a suplex attempt is countered into a small package for two. Goldust ducks a clothesline and hits a neckbreaker, then covers for two. Goldust with a front suplex before sliding out and grabbing a golden shovel, laying it on the apron and stepping on it to nail Maven in the ribs. Goldust wedges a gold can in the corner before whipping Maven hard into it, then covers for a near fall. Goldust back out and grabs another gold lid, but Maven grabs one of his own and they nail each other, sending Goldust to the floor. Spike Dudley runs out with his own referee, covers Maven and wins the title in 3:18. I mean there wasn't much to this match, but I know there's more to come with this, so I'm fine with this.
Spike celebrates briefly but out comes Crash to give chase with another referee in tow and out they go through the crowd, Goldust not far behind.
Now we get another performance, this time Drowning Pool with "Tear Away," and we have a hype package to the main event playing behind them.
Impromptu WWF Hardcore Championship Defense
We cut to the back following the performance where Crash has gotten his hands on Spike, throws him into a colum, covers but Spike kicks out. They're fighting in front of a bunch of boxes as Al Snow drives in with ref Teddy Long, riding on a cart, crashing through the boxes as Crash and Spike avoid the collision. Crash sends Spike face first into the tire of a crane, only to be sent himself into a steel garage door. Spike tries to escape with his title, but Hurricane flies in out of nowhere swinging on a rope, takes down Spike, and wins the title. Hurricane escapes, and Al is too late as he tumbles his way through the boxes with Teddy behind him.
Over to commentary who talk about the chaos and show us a replay of Hurricane's title win, before our next match.
Kurt Angle vs Kane
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: You know I always thought the "You suck" chants started during Angle's feud with Edge, not long following this PPV, but there is a faint one started up here as he makes his way out. Interesting. Apparently Angle has blamed Kane for not being in the main event of this show, and has caused Kane some head trauma a few weeks prior. Angle takes the mic from Fink and says if he had won his gold medal the way Canada's figure skaters won theirs, he'd want to shoot himself in the freakin' head, because unlike our so-called Olympic gold medalists, he didn't win his by whining and complaining until someone gave it to him. He says he won it the old fashioned way, he earned it, because he's the big red, white and blue machine. He hopes Kane is listening because after tonight, he's going to wish he never... Well he's cut off by Kane's pyro before he can finish that thought. Angle sneaks out to grab and nail Kane with the ring bell after he sets off his ring pyro to start this match.
Angle with rights, then Kane fights back with some of his own, until Angle ducks and hits a German suplex. Angle stomping the head, then the chest and more to the head, but Kane fights back with some more of his own, Angle sent off the ropes into a back elbow. More boots and rights in the corner, Angle whipped across the ring and caught with a two-handed choke before getting tossed down. Kane goes for the chokeslam early but Angle scrambles to the ropes to force a break, then a clothesline from Kane. Angle whipped into the corner, sidesteps, but caught with an elbow, only to catch Kane with a belly to belly over head followed by a clothesline, and another. More stomps to the head by Angle, then chokes him over the middle rope. Kane with some rights until he's sent chest first into the corner, then caught with a back suplex, Angle covers for two.
Front facelock by Angle, Kane fights back up and slams Angle down on his ribs, but Angle is back up first and delivers rights, off the ropes right into a sidewalk slam. Kane goes for a suplex but Angle slips out and delivers three back-to-back Germans, then covers for two. Angle goes up top with a flying clothesline, then decides to go back up but he's caught with a clothesline on the way down. Trading rights as they get back to their feet, until Angle gets a knee in to the gut, but reversed off the ropes into a big boot. Angle sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then a clothesline in the corner. Angle sent across the ring into a tilt-a-whirl powerslam into a cover and a near fall. Angle whipped into the corner, but catches Kane with an elbow, only to be caught with a chokeslam, Kane covers but Angle gets an arm on the bottom rope.
Kane calls for the end and gets Angle up for a tombstone, but Angle tries removing the mask for a distraction, allowing him to slip free for an Angle Slam, covers but Kane kicks out. Angle with the straps down gets Kane with the Ankle Lock, but kicks Angle off, only for him to lock it in again. Kane manages to get to the bottom rope and pull himself up, nailing an enziguri to get free. Kane goes up top now but Angle leaps up and catches him with an overhead throw to the mat. Angle is up first and goes for the Angle Slam, but Kane counters and goes for the chokeslam, which Angle counters into a roll up, feet on the ropes gets him the win 10:44. Started out kinda slow but it turned into a pretty good match.
Angle quickly makes his way to the back celebrating as Kane looks on in frustration.
We catch back up with Hurricane looking over his shoulder in the back, and he reaches a locker room, grabbing a nearby broom as he hears voices and hides behind a folding screen. There are some ladies thee and undressing, Hurricane sneaking a peak over the screen, and there's penis innuendo as he holds the broom and we see his shadow, which causes a high-pitched scream as the ladies notice him. In rushes Godfather and scares off Hurricane as he checks on his hos.
Up next, it's Taker vs Flair. We get our video package, where this all started the previous month at No Way Out, where Taker was up against Rock and ready to use a lead pipe on him, until co-owner Flair intervened, nailing him in the head with the pipe instead and allowing Rock to get the victory. Taker would challenge Ric to a match at Mania, but Flair would refuse. So Taker assaults Arn Anderson and his son David with brutal, bloody attacks to goad Ric into taking the match, and Ric would eventually accept the challenge. In the midst of a fight on Smackdown though, Flair would inadvertently nail a "fan" and a hearing with the Board of Directors would take place, and with Flair insisting on going through with the match, they gave a vote of confidence to Vince and gave him full authority, but reserved the right to review the decision after Mania. Vince made the decision to make this match No DQ.
No Disqualification Match: The Undertaker vs Ric Flair
Ric already tries for a take down as he slides into the ring, but they start trading shots, Ric getting the edge and knocking Taker out of the ring and tackling him over the announce table. Flair with more right hands, then Taker gets one in and a back elbow before retreating to the ring. Flair with more rights and lefts though knocks Taker back out of the ring, then Flair leaps off the apron but he's caught and slammed spine first into the ring post. Flair face first into the ring steps before being tossed back in the ring. Flair back on the attack in the corner with rights and lefts, then Take throws him in the corner with vicious shots of his own, then whips Flair across the ring and tries to do his upside down spot but he hits the turnbuckle awkwardly and just falls down to his knees. Back in the corner for more shots, then Flair whipped across the ring to redo and successfully do the upside down and over the ropes to the apron, followed by a big boot from Taker sends him to the floor.
Taker sits Flair in the timekeeper's chair for more vicious rights and lefts and Taker's been bused open from those shots. Taker lays in with more shots, Flair tries to fight back but Taker just lays in some more shots. Back in the ring, Taker with a boot to Flair's head, more shots in the corner and Flair flops to the mat a bloody mess. Flair gets some chops in and drives Taker into the corner, but gets whipped across the ring and hit with a clothesline by Taker. More rights by Taker, then whips Flair across the ring for another corner clothesline before setting Flair on the top rope and delivering a superplex, then makes the cover but he pulls Flair up before three.
Taker raking his forearm and elbow across Flair's face, more shots to the head before pulling Flair to the apron, elbows and a leg drop to the back of the neck and back. Taker covers again just to pull Flair off the mat again before the three. More vicious rights to the head, but Taker takes too much time and misses an elbow coming off the ropes. Lawler makes a good point asking what the hell a Booger Red is, but JR offers no explanation as Flair delivers some chops, only to be dropped by more rights and lefts from Taker, and he goes for Old School, but wastes time talking trash to the fans and allows Flair to toss him to the mat. More chops by Flair, off the ropes but caught with a sidewalk slam, cover and Flair kicks out this time. Taker goes for a big boot but gets hung up on the top rope, and Flair drops him to the floor with chops and a right.
Flair raking the rakes the eyes as the stumble over to Taker's bike, and he takes the lead pipe Taker had hidden and nails him right in the head with it. Taker's busted open now and Flair with shots to the ribs and the back of the head, only to drive Flair back first into the apron. Fighting into the aisle as Flair is driven into the barricade, taking one of the "KEEP OFF" signs from it to nail Taker in the head, then the back, and again to the back returning to the ring. Flair with the vicious rights now to Taker's open cut, then off the ropes but he's caught by the throat. Flair with a blatant low blow, then sweeps the leg into the figure 4. Taker goes down for a pin but he gets up at two before grabbing Flair by the throat for a chokeslam, his leg giving out as he makes the cover but Flair kicks out. Taker with more rights, another cover and another kick out.
Taker gets upset with the ref and slams him into the corner before grabbing the pipe, but Flair fights back before he can use it with chops, Taker sent off the ropes as Arn slides in out of nowhere, Taker ducks a chop from Flair but runs right into a spinebuster. Flair covers, but Taker powers out of it. Taker clocks Arn, then a second time before tossing him back in the ring and Arn's busted open now, Taker with a big boot. Taker gets him in a dragon sleeper and Flair comes in with a chair to the back, then the arm, ribs and back again, but Taker gets him with a big boot as he's sent off the ropes. Taker struggles to get Flair up for a Last Ride for some reason, so he decides to deliver the Tombstone instead for the win in 18:47. Good, bloody, brutal brawl, another classic Mania match for Taker.
The ref goes to raise Taker's arm but he gets clotheslined for his trouble instead as he gestures 10-0 and we get the replays, Taker riding off to the back.
Cole is standing by with Booker, who's got his first Mania match tonight... Oh this is the feud over a shampoo commercial, and Edge has also questioned Booker's intelligence as of late, I guess that's why Booker's wearing glasses during this interview. This was right around the time they had that WWF special episode of Weakest Link where Booker kinda made a fool of himself. Booker says he's a highly intelligent man, pointing out the glasses, and says he was ranked #1 in his class, he aced the SAT, and even won an award for his high school thesis, "Einstein's Theory on Relatives." Cole corrects him but Booker calls him a sucka and tells him to shut up and says Einstein had two theories, saying Cole's just like Edge, but Edge isn't smarter than him or better than him, and damn sure ain't good looking as he is. He says that after tonight Edge will be the spokesman for a new product, the new book called "I Just Got My Ass Kicked at Wrestlemania By the 5x WCW Champion." Then he walks off.
Booker T vs Edge
Lock up to start with Edge and Booker shoving against the ropes before we get some quick back and forth, Edge hitting a dropkick and a facebuster for a cover and kickout at one. Booker reverses a whip off the ropes and drops Edge throat first on the top rope, then a heel kick for a cover and two. Edge clotheslined to the outside, then Booker with a shot to the back off the apron. Back in the ring, Booker goes up top with a missile dropkick, covers for two. Booker drives Edge into the corner with some chops, rights and boots to the midsection, stomping him down to the mat. Edge sends him into the corner with rights and chops of his own, Booker reverses a whip off the ropes and catches him with a spinebuster, covers for two.
Booker back up top but Edge crotches him, some shots as he joins him up top for a botched hurricanrana, don't know what happened but they seem to have bonked heads on the way down. Booker sends Edge off the ropes, who ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick, then some more clotheslines. Booker pulls back on an Irish whip and hits a knee to the midsection, goes for the Scissor Kick but Edge ducks out of the way, followed by a neckbreaker into a cover for two. Edge up top now with a spinning heel kick, covers again for two. Booker sent into the corner, but goes up and over and tries for a sunset flip but Edge rolls through and catapults Booker into the opposite corner. Edge goes for the spear but Booker leapfrogs and he goes face first into the middle turnbuckle, Booker follows with the Harlem Side Kick and the Spinaroonie and a Scissors Kick. Booker makes the cover but Edge kicks out.
Booker goes for the Book End but Edge takes him down, then follows with the spear and a cover but Booker kicks out. Edge now with the Spinaroonie, duck another Harlem Side Kick, goes for the Edgecution, Booker slips out and goes for the side kick again but it's ducked and Edge nails the Edgecution for the win in 6:33. Aside from that one botch, this was a good match.
After Edge does some celebrating we catch back up with Hurricane who's escaped out to the parking garage and Coach catches up to him. He asks what happened with Godfather's escorts, and if that was really becoming of a superhero. "Holy insinuations, Citizen Coach," Hurricane takes exception to having his integrity questioned, and says he's not a Hurri-perv, but he is the Hurri-Hardcore Champion. Mighty Molly appears out of nowhere with a frying pan behind her back and calls for the Hurri-Cycle, and she blindsides Hurricane with a shot to the back of his head, and wins the Hardcore Title. Molly runs off with the title.
Up next, it's Austin vs Hall. This started of course when Vince decided to inject his company with a lethal poison, the NWO, and after a not-so-friendly encounter earlier in the night, they cost Austin the WWF Title the previous month at No Way Out. So Austin kidnapped Hall and embarrassed and beat the crap out of him, spraying 3:16 on his back. Austin would have a cinderblock broken over his bad leg, a wrench taken to his head and a Stunner from Hall before Hall laid down the challenge for Mania.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Scott Hall (w/ Kevin Nash)
Austin not wasting any time with rapid shots in the corner, stomping away, Hall sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Chops in the corner until Hall thumbs the eye, but Austin reverses a whip off the ropes, Hall ducks another elbow but runs into a Thesz Press, then an elbow off the ropes. Hall face first repeatedly in the corner to the tune of "What?" chants, Hall sent off the ropes but he slips out of the ring. Austin nails Nash from behind as he goes to see Hall, sending him face first into the ring post, then Hall face first off the announce table and the stairs. Back in the ring, Hall sent off the ropes but catches Austin with a clothesline into a cover for two.
Hall with boots to the back and ribs then some chops in the corner, while Nash exposes the turnbuckle in the other corner and Austin is sent back first into the exposed metal, Hall kicking Austin out of the ring. Nash with some rights as Hall distracts the ref, then Hall with some before returning to the ring. Austin whipped into the corner and Hall immediately with a clothesline, then whipped across the ring for another, then a fallaway slam into a cover for two. Austin sent off the ropes, blocks a hip toss but Hall nails a clothesline into another cover and a kick out. Austin choked over the middle rope, then Nash with a cheap shot as the ref's distracted again. Hall with more boots and another shot from Nash. Austin reverses a whip off the ropes and catches Hall with a spinebuster.
Hall with more rights, then comes off the ropes right into a Stunner. Austin makes the cover but Nash pulls the ref out of the ring, then clotheslines for Austin. Hall leaves the ring and grabs a chair as Nash holds up Austin, but Austin gets Nash with a low blow and another Stunner for Hall, and one for Nash. Austin makes the cover, and finally another ref comes out but Nash drops an elbow across his back before the three. Austin clotheslines Nash out of the ring, and Hall goes for the Razor's Edge but Austin back drops him to the outside. Referees come out to get Nash to the back as Austin nails Hall with rights then returns to the ring.
Austin goes for a Stunner but he's sent into the exposed buckle, then Hall hits a Stunner of his own, makes the cover, the first ref comes to but Austin kicks out. Hall goes for the Stunner again but he's sent into the exposed buckle, turns around into a Stunner, bounces upright and Austin hits a fourth Stunner to get the win in 9:54. Well... wasn't a terrible match, a bit too much bullshit for my liking, but I suppose with Hall and Nash what can you expect. The crowd were audibly not into most of this match until the last 4 minutes or so.
Austin enjoying some beers before getting a highlight package from WWF Axxess that weekend before the next match.
Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: The Hardy Boyz vs The APA vs Billy & Chuck (c) vs The Dudley Boyz (w/ Stacy Keibler)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saliva are out again to play the Dudleyz out to the ring.
APA immediately attack the champions as they enter the ring, but Bradshaw and Chuck start the match out properly as Chuck is sent off the ropes into a back elbow. It appears we'll be going by the rules of having only two in the ring at once, and can tag in anyone, which I suppose actually works better for an elimination style match. Chuck sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and goes for a crossbody but he's caught, only for Billy to come in with a neckbreaker on Bradshaw, Chuck covers as they fall for one. Chuck off the ropes into a big boot, then Billy is caught for a fallaway slam. Back suplex on Chuck and Farooq gets the tag, with shots to the ribs and a right to the face, then Chuck whipped into the corner but catches Farooq with a clothesline, then a discus forearm. Billy tags in and they stomp away at Farooq, then choking him, then a right into a cover for two. Billy off the ropes and caught with a powerslam, Bradshaw tags in with a clothesline, Billy sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then a boot for Chuck as he comes in. DDT on Billy, Farooq intercepts Chuck as Bradshaw makes the cover but Billy kicks out.
Billy makes a desperate tag to D-Von who runs into a double shoulder block from APA, D-Von reverses a whip off the ropes presumably for a 3D as Bubba had made his way in, but Farooq hits him with a spinebuster and Bradshaw with a boot to D-Von. Billy sends Bradshaw face first in the corner, and Farooq hits Chuck with a spinebuster on the floor. Bradshaw whipped across the ring, but he sidesteps and turns into a Clothesline from Hell. Billy isn't the legal man though as Bradshaw turns around into a 3D, D-Von covers and APA is out.
Hardyz jump in, Bubba sent off the ropes into a double back drop, then D-Von off the ropes into a double back elbow,, then an elbow and somersault combo, Jeff covers for two. Chuck sent of the ropes into a double DDT, and the Dudleyz set up a table at ringside, though their taken out with a baseball slide and a crossbody by the Hardyz. Bubba and Jeff return to the ring as D-Von is sent into the barricade, Jeff whipped across the ring but hits Whisper in the Wind on Bubba. Stacy's on the apron to shake her ass and Jeff spanks her before locking lips and shoving her off. Jeff leaps onto Bubba's shoulders, though he doesn't really go anything, as Billy goes up top for a clothesline on Jeff. Bubba with a Bubba Bomb on Billy, then uses Jeff's shirt to choke him.
Jeff shoved into the corner for some chops, then whipped into another corner, Bubba with clubs to the back. Jeff whipped into the corner again but gets boots up, but D-Von clubs him from the apron, whips Jeff off the ropes so Bubba can catch him with a back drop. Bubba covers for two. Jeff tries to get to Matt for a tag but Bubba slaps on a rear chinlock, Jeff fights out, sends Bubba off the ropes, D-Von tags himself in and drops Jeff with a clothesline, then covers for two. D-Von with more rights in the corner, dropping Jeff, then a suplex into a cover and a kick out. Bubba tags back in, Jeff sent into the corner and turned upside down into a tree of woe, Bubba climbing up to step on Jeff's ball until Matt comes in to knock him to the outside. D-Von knocks Matt off the apron before Jeff can make the tag as Bubba comes back in to tag in D-Von, choking Jeff while the ref is distracted by Matt. Jeff sent off the ropes into a spinning back elbow. Jeff reverses an Irish whip and is nearly caught with an inverted DDT but counters with one of his own.
Bubba and Matt get tagged in, Matt with clotheslines and a DDT, then a back drop to D-Von and sends him out. Billy and Chuck knocked off the apron, Bubba with a back suplex on Matt, then to the middle rope and misses a senton, Matt to the middle rope with a leg drop, covers and a near fall. Bubba reverses an Irish whip into a scoop slam, holds up Matt's legs as D-Von goes up top, but Billy shoves D-Von off and he goes through the table they set up earlier. Bubba knocks Billy off the apron, Matt ducks a clothesline and hits the Twist of Fate, Jeff with the Swanton, Matt covers and Dudleyz are gone.
Chuck with a clothesline on Jeff and a side kick on Matt, covers for two. Jeff with a leg drop between the legs, but Billy throws him out. Billy goes for a cobra clutch but Matt counters with a Side Effect. Jeff tags back in, Billy whipped into the corner, Matt in front for Poetry in Motion. Matt sends Chuck into the corner for another Poetry in Motion. Matt with a Twist of Fate on Chuck and Jeff with the Swanton. Billy with the Fame Asser and Matt with the Cactus clothesline to the outside, Chuck makes the cover but Jeff kicks out. Billy nails Jeff with one of the titles while Chuck distracts the ref, and that's enough to get the win and retain in 13:52. A bit clunky at times but it was a damn good match.
The champs head to the back, while Stacy is sill checking on D-Von.
Cut to the back where Hall is telling Nash that he's better than Austin, saying he got lucky. Nash says it won't happen twice, and suggest they take it out on Rock tonight. Hogan walks up, and though he knows they're hot and have a reason to be, he wants to out on his own, says he needs to do this by himself, and he needs to prove that he's the man, and when he does he wants to make sure that jabroni, just like he did Rocky Balboa, doesn't have any excuses when he busts him up real bad. Hogan walks off.
We catch back up with Molly who's running down a hallway looking around for any possible attackers, seemingly finds an open doorway at the other end but it gets closed right in her face, revealing Christian did the deed, covering to win the Hardcore Title. Christian runs off as the ref checks on Molly.
Up next, it's time for the match of the night. We already know about NWO's return at last month's No Way Out, and Hogan would come out on Raw to talk about how the fans turned on him, and how he put wrestling on the map, you get the idea, and claimed that no one was a bigger icon in the business then he was. Of course this brought out Rock to lay down the challenge for Mania, calling Hogan the best ever, an icon, and after a bit of goading Hogan would accept. This is also the same night NWO would lay out Rock and crash a semi-truck into his ambulance. Past and future head to head. Doesn't get any simpler than this.
"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan vs The Rock
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: This crowd really is pro-Hogan and a rather partisan reaction for Rock. I haven't watched this show since I was a kid, I don't think I ever really noticed how mixed the crowd was for this match. Long stare down before the bell is run.
Lock up to start and we get a shoving match until Rock is shoved away, Hogan showing off and tells Rock to bring it. Another lock up, Hogan with the side headlock, but Rock fights out, Hogan sent off the ropes with a shoulder tackle and more showing off, telling Rock to bring it again. Another lock up, Hogan with a knee to the ribs and shots to the back, right hands against the ropes, Rock sent off the ropes into a clothesline. More rights by Hogan, Rock sent off the ropes again, ducks a clothesline with a flying one of his own and loud boos from the crowd as he tells Hogan to bring it. Hogan shoves him, Rock shoves him back, then Rock with some right hands knocks Hogan down to the outside. Rock with a shot from behind before returning to the ring, more rights by Rock, Hogan reverses a whip off the ropes but Rock catches him with a kick and a clothesline. Rock already goes for the Rock Bottom but Hogan elbows free and knocks Rock down. Rock sent off the ropes into an elbow, then a series of elbow drop, plus rakes his boot over Rock's face. Rock whipped into the corner for a clothesline, then whipped across the ring for more shots. Rock sent off the ropes takes down Hogan with some more right hands, only to turn around into a back suplex, Hogan with a cover and a kick out.
Hogan with ab stretch, then a roll up for two. Hogan raking the back in the corner, then more rights and chops, then mounted rights and some biting. Rock turns things around for some chops of his own, but gets whipped across the ring, managing to catch Hogan with an elbow but caught with something like a chokeslam and choking against the mat. Hogan grabs some kind of rope to choke Rock before Rock lays in some rights, off the ropes and tossed to the outside over the ropes. Rock face first off the steps, then dropped chest first on the barricade. Hogan starts to take apart the announce table but Rock intercepts with right hands and sends him face first off it repeatedly. Rock tries to use a chair but the ref takes it away and turns around for a clothesline from Hogan. Back in the ring, Rock back up with rights, Hogan reverses a whip off the ropes and sends Rock right into the referee as he sidesteps. Hogan sent off the ropes into a spinebuster, several seconds down but Hogan's up first, only to be tripped up and Rock gets him in the sharpshooter. Hogan makes it to the ropes but there's no referee to force a break, and Rock pulls him back to the middle, Hogan is tapping. Rock releases the hold and tries to wake up the ref but Hogan is back up to deliver a low blow, then a Rock Bottom of his own. Hogan with the cover, ref comes to but Rock kicks out.
Hogan takes off his weight belt to whip Rock across the back, before wrapping it around his fist, sends Rock off the ropes, ducks the shot and Rock with the DDT. Rock grabs the belt now and starts whipping Hogan over the back, then lies in wait to deliver the Rock Bottom, covers but Hogan kicks out and starts to hulk up, Hogan with the rights, Rock sent off the ropes for the big boot and the leg drop, cover but Rock kicks out Hogan with more rights, Rock sent off the ropes into another big boot, but misses with the leg drop. Rock with another Rock Bottom, then several seconds of recovery before a third Rock Bottom, a kip up and the People's Elbow for the win in 16:24. I'd say this match still holds up 19 years later, even setting aside what I think of Hogan in present day him and Rock put on a hell of a match.
Fans on their feet as Rock poses and celebrates in the corers, Hogan stumbles back to his feet to offer his hand and they shake. More posing in the corner from Rock before leaving the ring. Hogan giving him some props, though now come out Hall and Nash, Hall throwing his tooth pick in Hogan's face and Nash with the cheap shot. Rock comes back down to make the save and him and Hogan clear the ring. Referee is there to keep the four separate as they trade words, Hall and Nash heading to the back as Hogan and Rock look on. Hogan tries to leave but Rock brings him back in to play to the crowd like classic Hogan would do and Rock with the biggest smile on his face as his music hits again and they head to the back.
We see Big Show at WWF New York among the fans, then we hear the SkyDome attendance record of 68,237 before the next match.
WWF Women's Championship: Jazz (c) vs Trish Stratus vs Lita
Jazz and Lita don't wait for Trish to finish her entrance before they start going at it, then Trish pulls Jazz off and they start double teaming. Chops and shots to Jazz before sending her off the ropes and go for a double back drop, but she catches Trish with a kick and Lita with a right. Trish on the attack before being tripped up and Jazz with a half-crab on Trish, though she releases once Lita makes her way back up. Double arm chickenwing on Lita before tossing her down, then a leaping leg drop and a cover from Jazz and a near fall. Double arm suplex on Lita and a spin kick sends Trish, and Lita on Jazz with rights. Jazz reverses a whip off the ropes and caught with a headscissor. Jazz sent chest first into the corner and Lita with a spinning back suplex, rolls Jazz up for two.
Jazz rakes the eyes before dropping Lita throat first on the top rope, setting Lita on the top rope and goes for a superplex, but Trish comes in, tries to get Jazz on her shoulders but she slips free. Jazz gets a kick to the face from Lita and Trish rolls her up for two, the Lita with a crossbody on Trish that she rolls through for a cover and a kick out. Jazz clocks Trish, Lita with a jawbreaker and clothesline on Jazz and Trish with a roundhouse on Lita, then a running bulldog into a cover that Jazz breaks up. Splash by Jazz on Lita into a cover and two. Jazz with a fisherman suplex on Trish, cover and Lita breaks it up. Kick to the ribs of Lita, Jazz goes for a powerslam on Trish but she counters with an inverted DDT, covers and Lita breaks it up.
Lita and Trish in each other's face, then knock Jazz down before trading shots on each other. Trish sent off the ropes into a back drop, then Lita goes for the Twist of Fate, but turns her attention to Jazz as she gets up and hits the Twist of Fate on her instead. Scoop slam on Trish right beside Jazz and Lita goes up top with the moonsault, but Trish gets the knees up, rolls up Lita for two. Chops by Trish in the corner, Lita reverses a whip across the ring and Trish stops herself short, only to bonk heads with Lita. Jazz goes after her and Trish gets her with the backslide for two, then gets clotheslined by Jazz. Lita back drops Jazz to the outside, then a back suplex attempt on Trish, who tries to turn it into Stratusfaction but she's thrown into the corner, her leg getting caught on the middle rope. Jazz back in and Lita up top, but Trish pulls her down. Jazz knocks Trish off the apron and gets Lita with a fisherman suplex from the top to retain in 6:17. This one was a bit of a mess, and they were in a pretty rough spot from that last match, but it was alright.
Trish looks on in disbelief from the floor as Jazz leaves with her title.
We catch back up with Christian who's escaped out to the parking lot, where a car is waiting for him. He celebrates and tosses his bag in the trunk, then opens the door, admiring the belt and brags to the driver, just as Maven is coming out with a referee. Maven with a roll up and the three to win the title, and he climbs into the car and drives off.
Now it's time for the main event. We don't get a video package, but we know Jericho became the Undisputed Champion back in December, when he famously beat Rock and Austin in the same night. HHH meanwhile returned in January from his quad injury, and won the Royal Rumble to earn this title shot. This whole match is built around HHH and Stephanie's marriage though from what I remember, between Steph faking a pregnancy to keep their marriage together, to her aligning with Jericho, then I think Jericho claimed credit for putting HHH on the shelf. Jericho also attacked HHH with a sledgehammer on Raw, and JR tells us HHH quad is hanging on by a thread, as we see it's heavily taped.
Undisputed WWF Championship: Triple H vs Chris Jericho (c) (w/ Stephanie McMahon)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saliva out one more time for their version of HHH's theme. They've had good performances the rest of the night, but I'm not loving this cover all too much.
Jericho tries to go for the leg right away but he's sidestepped, then a lock up to begin gets Jericho into the corner, then HHH, who tries for the leg again and HHH slips away. Tries for the leg again but HHH with some rights, Jericho sent off the ropes into a back drop. Arm wringer into a clothesline, then another. Jericho fights back with chops, but is sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and runs into a high knee but drops on the bad leg, then sent up and over the ropes to the floor. Jericho up top but HHH launches him off onto the barricade and into the front row. HHH suplexes him back to ringside, then rolls in to bring the 10 count. Now taking apart the announce table but Jericho with some kicks to the back of the thigh regains the advantage, a chop block back in the ring.
Jericho after the knee in the corner against the bottom rope, but turns around into a spear and mounted rights. HHH after the left leg now with a series of elbows, then kicks it out from under him, and a second time. Jericho with a rake to the eyes, but misses a clothesline into a shin breaker and a figure 4 from HHH. Steph though gets on the apron to rake the eyes as Hebner checks on Jericho. HHH gets a handful of her hair and sidesteps as Jericho tries to ram into HHH. Now she's tossed into the ring and HHH goes for the Pedigree, but gets caught with a missile dropkick from HHH. Now he's pulled over to the ring post and his leg is swung repeatedly into it, and Steph gets a kick in. Back in the ring, Jericho with rights and elbows to the bad leg, twisting it around his knee into a stretch muffler though only brief, then slams his knee into the mat, then a second time, then into the ring post once again. Steph slaps him when she has the chance before Jericho applies a figure 4 around the post until Hebner forces a break. HHH fights back with some shots to the ribs, then to the face, but he's caught with a drop toe hold and wrenches the leg backward. Jericho with a spinning toe hold, but he's shoved off and goes shoulder first into the ring post as he goes to spin a second time, and runs into a neckbreaker. Jericho with more kicks to the legs, off the ropes into a clothesline, HHH with a cover for two.
HHH with more shots, but is sent off the ropes and catches Jericho with a facebuster off the knee, but lands on the bad leg again, Jericho charges for... something, maybe a DDT but he's just kind of shoved off, it looked a bit awkward. Jericho sent off the ropes and into a spinebuster and a cover for two. More rights by HHH in the corner, but gets whipped across the ring, over the ropes to the floor. Jericho takes apart the other announce table now before delivering some boots to the head. Jericho tries to put on the Walls on top of the table but he's booted in the chest. HHH tries for the Pedigree but he's back dropped through the Spanish table. Back in the ring, Jericho with the Lionsault, covers but HHH kicks out, then covers again for two again.
Jericho goes for the Walls again but HHH fights him off, then Jericho goes for a bulldog but he's sent into the corner chest first, then HHH goes for a Pedigree but Jericho nails the leg so he can lock in the Walls. HHH nearly gets to the ropes but he's pulled back to the center. HHH has seemingly passed out and Hebner starts raising his arm once, twice, but comes back to on the third timem, HHH making it to the ropes the second try, even though Jericho thinks he's won. Steph provides a distraction as Jericho grabs a chair but it's booted back in his face. then a DDT onto it, HHH covers for two.
Steph is in now and she grabs the chair but Hebner takes it away. He yells at her and she shoves him, but turns into a waiting HHH, who delivers the Pedigree on the second try. He gets in her face and as Hebner rolls her out Jericho nails HHH with the chair, then makes the cover but HHH kicks out. Jericho tries for a Pedigree now but he's catapulted into the corner, but catches himself on the middle rope, leaps off only to be caught with the Pedigree for the win in 18:42. Well this was a bit clunky at times, and again this felt like it was more about HHH and Steph, but it was an alright match. Though I'd definitely agree that Rock/Hogan should have closed the show. Hell the crowd was barely into this until the last 5 minutes or so.
HHH hobbles to his feet, barely able to stand as Jericho rolls out, posing and celebrating with his new title as we go to replays. The show closes with a highlight package of the night's matches set to "Superstar".
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well aside from a few bumps in the road, not quite as good as I had remembered as a kid, but was still a solid show. Some fun shenanigans with the Hardcore Title, Rock/Hogan was great, main event was alright, very little to complain about here. With a run time of 3:43:00, there was a total 1:58:18 of wrestling.
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