By Justin
With the summer coming to a close, I thought there was no better way to culminate it then with an edition of Summerslam. Actually, I thought a romantic rendezvous with Linda Hamilton would’ve been perfect, but she’s out of town. So, I settled into my chair and popped on the 13th annual Summerslam from 2000, emanating from Raleigh, North Carolina. Which is funny, since I was just in Charlotte a few weeks ago for a wrestling convention. They’re close enough.
The opening promo highlights the main feud between Kurt Angle & Triple H. A love triangle ensued between Kurt Angle, Triple H and his wife, Stephanie McMahon. Kurt said he was just friends, but clearly has feelings for her. On the final Smackdown before Summerslam, he took advantage of her and made out with her. But, did she like it? Will Triple H get revenge? Will anybody remember that WWF Champion The Rock is involved, defending his title against both men? Why is the opening promo of Freddie Blassie watching the video package whilst a street corner opera plays behind him so fucking strange? You’re about to find out! Well, except for the opera part. There’s no explanation for that.
The Right to Censor (Steven Richards, Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather) vs. Too Cool (Scotty Too Hotty, Grand Master Sexay & Rikishi)
Steven Richards gets on the mic and states how he’s surprised the folks in the Bible Belt are doing the Right to Censor. Too Cool’s music cuts them off and they come down dancing with Goodfather’s former hoes (one in which is played by Victoria/Tara). This angers the former pimp and his cohorts, so they immediately start brawling with the scenesters.
Scotty & Bull officially start the match. After a few irish whips, Hotty scales the top rope and lands a flying cross body. He tags in Sexay and they perform a double suplex. Scotty does a kipup, possibly in hopes that it’ll impress HBK and they’ll do blow after the show. Bull’s able to quickly tag in The Goodfather, but he misses a big kick and goes tumbling outside. The hoes get in his face,, so he shoves Victoria. This elicits a “Save the hoes!” chant from the crowd. Awesome!
Bull gets tagged back in and the two connect with a double big boot. Richards tags in and hits a powerbomb on Sexay for a near fall. Angry, he takes off his neck tie. Apparently he has more powers without it on. He goes up top (he now has flying abilities), but gets crotched. Should've kept the necktie on. Master connects with a superplex and goes for the tag. Steven stops him, but eats an enziguri for his troubles.
Sexay finally makes the tag to Rikishi, who comes in and gets on like a house on fire. Which means he spontaneously combusted. Oh wait, it just means he beat up all three members of Right to Censor. He piles them up in the corner and all three members of Too Cool do the patented thump, This leaves Richards down and prone for a stinkface. Goodfather intercepts, only to eat a Samoan Drop. Bull connects with a Scissors Kick as Rikishi is getting up, only to get bulldogged by Scotty. He goes for the Worm, but eats a Stevie Kick (it tasted like jobbing). Richards covers him for the victory, despite the fact that Rikishi was the legal man. I guess they censored that.
Final Score: 5/10
We get clips of Kurt Angle arriving to the arena from Heat, where Coach tries to interview him. He only cares to know where Stephanie's at. You see, this is bad, as she arrived at the arena, but Triple H hasn't yet (shouldn't they be riding together?). Kurt may take advantage of her again. Oh no! Who says wrestling isn't a soap opera?
Cut to an interview with Shane McMahon, who isn't asked about his Hardcore Title defense against Steve Blackman, but about Stephanie. Why not forget all of the other matches and have Hunter, Stephanie & Kurt reenact episodes of "Days of Our Lives" for three hours? Just as Shane's about to discuss the situation, Blackman hunts him down. I assumed this was going to lead into their match, but it didn't. Instead, we get...
DX Explodes: Road Dogg vs. X-Pac
This started out as a friendly rivalry, but the past week has seen X-Pac accidentally knock Road Dogg through a table (don't you hate it when that happens?) and RD betray his partner in a Handicap match against the Undertaker. The two still start off somewhat friendly, with X-Pac taking Dogg to the mat. He stays on top of him and slaps him around, insinuating he's his bitch. Gives new meaning to his catchphrase, "Doing it Doggy Style."
Road Dogg retaliates by kicking X-Pac in the ass...literally. This sends him tumbling to the outside. He brushes off the humiliation and gets back in the ring. He seemingly gets the advantage, converting a flip suplex into a front kick. But, he gets caught and eats a clothesline instead. He does eventually get some kicks in, leading up to the Bronco Buster. Dogg gets out of the way in time.
A fist fight ensues, with X-Pac sneaking in a modified sleeper. Road Dogg escapes, but shortly takes the brunt of a reverse heel kick. Pac finally connects with the Bronco Buster, thankfully not tearing his asshole. James wipes the ball sweat off his face and connects with some Shake, Rattle & Roll punches, followed by some Shake, Rattle & Roll knee drops. You guys remember when he was Jeff Jarrett's roadie, right? If not, it just looks like Kid Rock-lite is having a spasm attack.
Road Dogg sets up the Pumphandle Slam in hopes of finishing the match, but X-Pac slips away. He almost connected with the X-Factor, but that gets reversed into a modified powerbomb. A lot of modification in this match. Pimp my white homeboy? Anyway, Dogg goes for the Pumphandle Slam again, but Pac nails an undetected low blow and hits the X-Factor for the win. He gets on the stick afterward and tries to bury the hatchet (by saying he's the better man), but Dogg finally nails him with the Pumphandle Slam. Not before dry humping him, though. It surprises me that the entirety of DX didn't strip naked and have an orgy on Raw.
If you're wondering where Mr. Ass was in all of this, then you must be Billy Gunn.
Final Score: 4.75/10
After Jim Ross promotes local steakhouse Vinnie's (random plug), we cut to Eddie Guerrero & Chyna in the back. They team up to take on Intercontinental Champion Val Venis & Trish Stratus, with whomever getting the pin will win the title. Eddie says he loves Chyna and would be fine if she wins the title. As long as she's happy. She says no matter what, somebody's getting lucky tonight. The audience got lucky, as she didn't film it. Cut to Trish & Val watching that in their locker room, with Trish stating they need luck. She asks Val who would make a better centerfold, her or Chyna? That's like asking which you prefer on a sandwich, peanut butter or charcoal? He blows her off and tells her not to fuck up tonight. Which is weird, since he normally loves it when women fuck him.
Intercontinental Championship: Val Venis (c) & Trish Stratus vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chyna
As stated earlier, if either Eddie & Chyna get the pinfall or submission, they win the IC title. Trish can even lose it for Val. A dumb stipulation (which somewhat got recycled eight years later at another Summerslam), if I do say so myself. Eddie & Val start the match, trading blows until Guerrero trips up the former porn star. He connects with a reverse heelkick, then lands a floatover suplex for a two count. He goes for a hurricanrana, but Venis tosses him off, followed by an elbow to the face. A running kneedrop connects for a two count.
After Val connects with a backbreaker, Chyna sneaks in with a clothesline. The ref does nothing because...he's imagining her Playboy spread? He allows them to do a double flapjack before issuing her out of the ring. She comes right back in thanks to being tagged and fiercely whips Val into the corner. He starts to fight back, but is derailed by a clothesline. Trish gets a cheap shot (it's only fair), causing a distraction. Venis takes advantage of this and connects with a back suplex. He then hits a vertical suplex and goes for the cover, but Eddie breaks it up.
Venis uses a scoop slam to sedate Chyna and goes up top. He misses with a flying elbow. This gives them both ample time to tag out, but Val doesn't trust Stratus. So, he stops Chyna from getting the tag, then spits on Eddie's face. He goes ballistic, causing the ref to calm him down. This distraction backfires on Val, as Chyna low blows him. She goes for a powerbomb (I think), but gets backdropped instead. They both get up and she connects with a DDT.
Chyna finally gets the last tag and Eddie hops into the ring. He unloads on Val with clotheslines and a backdrop. He also scares Trish by...walking near her? Maybe she's racist. Eddie connects with that amazing Springboard Hurricanrana off the top for a two count. He charges at Venis, who drops him face first into the turnbuckle. He sneaks in a spin-out powerbomb, but is too delirious to make the cover. Both get up and go for a running cross body, colliding heads.
It's at this point Trish thinks it's wise to tag herself in, immediately pinning Eddie. He kicks out at two and now she's fucked. Not showing the same fear she had a few minutes ago, she starts stomping on Guerrero. He trips her and tags in Chyna. Now she's fucked! Possibly literally. Clotheslines galore, followed by a scoop slam. Val grabs Chyna by the hair, whipping her down onto the mat. Eddie makes the save, sending both men tumbling over the top rope.
Val gets back in the ring and he and Trish go for a double clothesline on Chyna. She ducks, so they try again. .Eddie pulls Val out, sending Trish into the 9th Wonder of the World by herself. The impact of this knocks her to the mat, as Chyna stands tall (striking an Xena pose). She hits the Canadian femme fatale with a press slam for the victory. Thanks to this, Chyna is the new Intercontinental Champion. Eddie stays true to his word and celebrates with her. Hunter & Steph, take note!
Final Score: 5/10
Backstage, Stephanie and a hairdresser backstage as they gossip about the kiss. Can you really gossip about yourself? Apparently you can! All you have to do is avoid answering questions. All Stephanie says is that Kurt's a good kisser. That's not what his wife says.
The Battle for Jim Ross' Honor: Tazz vs. Jerry Lawler
The story here is that Tazz didn't take kindly to Jim Ross badmouthing him on commentary. He mocks his Bells Palsy, which prompts Mr. Barbeque to slap him. Tazz begs him to do it again, only for Jerry to clock him. Over the next few weeks, Tazz antagonized both men, including locking JR in Jerry's rental car and bashing the window in with a bat. Glass got stuck in Jim's eye, which was thankfully removed in time for this show.
Tazz didn't get the memo, as he comes out wearing sunglasses and sporting a walking cane. He mocks JR for being blind, despite the fact that he is not. That's like pretending to fall around a guy who narrowly avoided falling off a cliff. The idea is there, but it falls short. Jerry has enough of this and sneak attacks the Submission Machine. A fist fight ensues, with the two brawling in and outside of the ring. This is the entirety of the match, save for a few scoop slams and a fist drop.
The ref eventually gets bumped, possibly intentionally by Tazz (you know, because he's mean). He locks Jerry in the Tazzmission, yelling slurs at JR in the process (he'd been doing that the entire match). Jim has enough of his shit, getting up and smashing his candy jar over Tazz's head. This wakes the referee up, who counts the three for Jerry. Apparently, smacking your hand into candy and glass wasn't a tip off that shenanigans just occurred.
Final Score: 3/10
Shane McMahon is interviewed again. Once again, it's about his sister, Stephanie, and not his match. Fed up with this, he starts to mouth off. Blackman hunts him down again, this time actually leading into their match.
Hardcore Championship: Shane McMahon (c) vs. Steve Blackman
Shane McMahon bolts towards the ring. He won the Hardcore Title on the previous Raw after his cohorts (Test, Albert, Edge & Christian) beat down the Lethal Weapon. He doesn't want to face Steve, but Commissioner Foley lifted the 24/7 rule, ensuring he'd have to face him. Steve makes his way to the ring and is kind enough to give him a kendo stick. Shane pretends like he doesn't want it (an actual game of hot potato ensues), only to try and sneak attack Blackman. Steve catches him, steals the kendo stick and beats the shit out of him with it.
Shane wiggles his way out of the ring and a hot foot chase ensues. Blackman catches up with him on the steps. He grabs a trash can and jumps off them, smashing it over Shane's head. Granted, the trash can looks like it's made out of cookie sheets, but I've got a soft spot for them. The Billion Dollar Son gets tossed back over the barricade, then eats a flying bicycle kick (!). Steve beats the shit out of him with a trash can lid, then throws more trash cans, kendo sticks and a leather strap into the ring.
Back inside, Steve puts a trash can on Shane, then beats him with the kendo sticks. I imagine the sound is similar to Jillian Hall's Christmas album. He side kicks him out of the trash can, then yells, "We're not done yet!" Thanks for the play-by-play. He connects with a back suplex, then grabs the leather strap.
He wrangles the strap around Shane's neck, then proceeds to toss him around the ring. One wonders if Shane only partakes in these matches when he pisses off daddy. Blackman applies a modified Half Boston Crab (does that make it a Cambridge Crab?), using the strap to choke Shane. Test & Albert finally hit the ring and double team the Lethal Weapon. Remind me again why suspending the 24/7 rule was supposed to force Shane to fight Blackman?
The trash can gets wedged into the corner, with Steve being whipped into it. Test & Albert clobber him with trash can lids, with Test hitting a flying elbow onto one conveniently placed on Steve's face. They drag Steve back to his feet and hold him in place for Shane. He goes to hit him with the lid, only to eat a boot instead. As he fights off T&A, Shane grabs a stop sign and smacks him with it.
Now Steve has the strap tied around his neck. They drag him to the entrance and try to drop a large speaker on him, but he barely avoids it. Albert goes to hit him with a kendo stick, but he ducks and Test gets whacked instead. Blackman grabs a trash can lid and goes hog wild, while Shane climbs the titantron to get away. Steve grabs a kendo stick and chases after him. They get to the top and Steve whacks him like a piñata, causing him to fall seventy feet (if you believe King). Steve, not wanting to be upstaged, goes down a few steps and dives off onto Shane. He gets the three count. A thrilling finish for a pretty entertaining Hardcore match by WWF's standards! I just want to know where Test & Albert went. To the back with Shawn Michaels & Scotty Too Hotty for a cocaine party?
Final Score: 6.75/10
Stephanie was watching the match backstage and is worried about her brother. Kurt walks in to console her, not giving a shit about Shane. He tells her he simply got the wind knocked out of him. I'll admit, I chuckled. He hugs her while Triple H is at a 7-Eleven sipping on a slurpee. Mick interrupts them to inform Steph that Shane is being attended to. He says he landed on his kisser. Lame joke is lame.
2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match: Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho
These two hate each other because...they're both named Chris? I think it had to do with Benoit losing to The Rock at Fully Loaded the previous month and wanting to get another WWF Title shot, with Jericho getting in the way. They feuded in the past over the Intercontinental & European Titles, so their animosity grew from that. The only way to settle this is to beat the tar out of each other...twice!
The two immediately start brawling, tumbling to the outside. This doesn't faze them, as they continue to throw punches. Benoit flapjacks Jericho shoulder first into the ring post. Y2J sells this, but doesn't stop throwing punches when they get back into the ring (he simply uses the other arm). The Crippler tries to quickly lock in the Crossface, but he can't cinch it in. He catapults Chris #2 into the turnbuckle and connects with a release german for two.
Benoit plants Jericho with a shoulderbreaker. Y2J sneaks in a bulldog and goes for the Lionsault, but Chris #1 gets his knees up. Now the Crossface is applied. Jericho tries to get to the ropes, but he's too far away. He has no choice but to tap and surrender the first fall. A wise move considering, but I can't help but feel this match got a little rushed. They have ten matches on the card, so they have to squeeze them in somehow.
Benoit allows for a quick rest period, then goes for the Crossface again. Jericho scrambles, but he gets locked in again. He's really bending him, which is kind of hard to watch. This time, he gets to the ropes for the break. Benoit puts him in the Tree of Woe, then does a modified stretch from the outside. I think Stu Hart did this to all of his students.
Back in the ring, Benoit whips Jericho into the corner with force. He works the arm some more, sneaking in some punches, kicks & chops. Y2J utilizes desperation clotheslines, clearly not getting a lot of impact. Benoit reverses one into a german suplex. He tries to go for another one, but Chris #2 reverses it into the Walls of Jericho. Chris #1 taps out, evening the score.
Jericho lets go, then forgoes the rest period (which is kind of nonexistent) and nails a backbreaker. He then goes for a powerbomb, but that's reversed into a floatover pin. The two attempt various pinning combinations until Benoit gives up and nails a Full Nelson Suplex for two. Jericho fights back, eventually hitting a Hurricanrana off the top rope for his own two count.
Back to their feet, Jericho hits a spinning heel kick. He goes for another Lionsault, this time connecting. He hurts his arm in the process. Benoit goes to target it, but Chris #2 rolls him up in a schoolboy. Chris #1 reverses it into his own awkward pinning position, grabbing the rope for leverage. This gets him the three and the victory.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Triple H finally arrives to the arena. He either got stuck in traffic or took in a movie before work. Believe it or not, he's the one that likes chick flicks, not Steph. He goes and searches for his wife (and presumably Kurt). Why is nobody concerned about The Rock? He's in the match too, you know.
Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the World Tag Team Titles: Edge & Christian (c) vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz
Since this match is hard to follow (in terms of taking notes), I'm only going to discuss the big spots. I assume everybody has seen this match. If not, do yourself a favor and go watch it. Right now. This review will still be here when you get back. *waits* Wasn't that awesome? If you didn't watch it, here are the best spots.
-Edge Russian Leg Sweeps Jeff Hardy & D-Von Dudley off of two ladders. -Bubba Ray Dudley hits his patented Bubba Bomb to Christian off of a ladder. -Jeff gets tossed off a ladder, sending him crashing into another one. This causes it to act like a seesaw, smacking his brother, Matt Hardy, in the face. He fared better than Joey Mercury did six years later. -The Wassup! Headbutt to the groin is done to Edge, this time with D-Von jumping off the top of a ladder. -Edge gets wedged in between a ladder. Matt then tosses Christian onto said ladder. -Jeff goes for a Swanton Bomb off a ladder, but Bubba moves, sending the Rainbow-Haired Warrior (damn you, JR) crashing through two tables. -A Twist of Fate by Matt to Christian off of a ladder. -Bubba gets pushed off the ladder and goes crashing through four tables on the outside. -Lita interferes and pushes Edge & Christian off a ladder as they tried to grab the belts. -D-Von pushes Matt off a ladder, sending him through two tables on the oustide. -Lita goes to check up on Matt, only for Edge to spear her. Not the same spear he would give her five years later. -Jeff & D-Von dangle on the title belts thanks to the ladder they were on falling over beneath them. Edge & Christian throw ladders at them to get them down. -Edge & Christian climb the ladder and retrieve their belts.
A chaotic match with little room for psychology, but damned if it wasn't fun!
Final Rating: 8/10
Triple H finds Stephanie and confronts her about the kiss. She says Kurt took advantage of her. He reluctantly believes her, but demands she avoids Kurt.
Thong Stinkface Match: The Kat w/Al Snow (Possibly Getting Head) vs. Terri Runnels w/Perry Saturn (Possibly Getting Herpes)
Remember when I said I wasn't going to review the TLC match normally? I'm doing the same with this match. Unlike the Tag Team match, this one's not because of a lot of big spots. It's because it's a quick (though it felt long) slog of mediocrity. The two slap each other, sneak in a few scoop slams, then Kat hits Terri with Head. She shoves her ass in her face (something to do with Rikishi a previous week). Match is over. Worst softcore pornography ever!
Final Rating: 0/10
We see the APA, Faarooq & Bradshaw, downing beers at WWF New York. Remember that place? I never got to go unfortunately, but my friend did. He went on a Tuesday afternoon, so nothing was happening. Just like nothing happened in this cutaway. Hooray for filler!
Brother vs. Brother: Kane vs. Undertaker
By the time of Summer in 2000, Kane & Undertaker had wrestled seemingly a million times. They finally decided to pair them up to make their relationship fresh, only to have Kane turn on Taker for no reason. The only one given is that he's a monster. This leads to a surprisingly quick match...er, brawl, that pales in comparison to their previous matches. Not all of them were classic, but some were fantastic. Their Wrestlemania XIV clash, specifically.
The two fight on the ramp before the match starts, despite the fact that the bell rang. They brawl all over the place before getting into the ring. JR made a note that no referee wanted to officiate the contest, so Jack Doan said he was just going to let them fight. This is why he allows a steel chair to be brought into the ring. It's also why he allows them to bash each other with the steel steps. He watched too many matches where they chokeslammed the referee. Can't say I blame him.
The running theme in this match is that Undertaker wants answers from Kane, so he tries to remove his mask to humiliate him. You know, because that'll make him talk. He's successful in ripping it up a bit, but Kane constantly fights him off. The two trade blows until the Deadman finally rips the mask off his brother's face. The Big Red Machine retreats to the back and Undertaker's music plays. No ten count was made, nor was Undertaker officially announced as the winner. What is this, an episode of Raw that you have to pay for?
Final Rating: 3.5/10
Triple H is in his final preparation stages for his match, with Steph watching him. Kurt calls her, so she pretends it's her mother on the phone. Hunter wants to talk to Linda, so he grabs the phone. Kurt hangs up on him, making Hunter think his mother-in-law hung up on him. Where's the laugh track? Furthermore, where's The Rock?
WWF Championship: The Rock (c) vs. Kurt Angle vs. Triple H
As I mentioned, the story here is the love triangle between Kurt, Hunter & Stephanie. The reason the two men are getting a title shot is because they both pinned Chris Jericho at the same time in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender. Outside of briefly teaming up to take out The Rock, the champion has been an afterthought in this feud. Maybe he was in meetings about playing The Scorpion King in "The Mummy Returns".
Kurt Angle comes out to the ring first and gets on the mic. He's sorry that he didn't kiss Stephanie sooner and doesn't regret his decision. An angry Triple H comes out next, who demanded Stephanie stay in the back. He and Angle go at it immediately, hammering home the fact that The Rock is an afterthought. This leads to the now famous spot where HHH went to Pedigree Kurt through the Spanish announce table, only for it to collapse under them. This was a convenient way to get Kurt out of the match briefly and further their feud. Again, something you'd do on Raw, but I digress.
The Rock finally arrives and starts laying the Smackdown on Triple H. Hunter had grabbed a sledgehammer beforehand, but Rock dodges the swipe. He connects with a Samoan Drop, then takes him outside and throws him face first into the English announce table. What's with table fetishes in professional wrestling?
Back in the ring, Triple H fights back with some elbows and stomps. He flapjacks The Rock onto the top rope, who proceeds to awkwardly tumble to the outside. Hunter forgets about The Brahma Bull and chases after Kurt, who's strapped to a stretcher. Seriously, focus on winning the damn title! Rock uses this distraction to his advantage and attacks the Cerebral Assassin from behind.
The two fight on the stage, with Rocky slamming Hunter's face into the steel support post. Got to get use out of those elaborate sets somehow. He even catapults The Game into it. Eat that, Hardcore match! He then fights dirty and punches HHH in the groin. This is what happens when you forget about The Rock.
It's at this point that Stephanie comes out to check on Kurt. Thankfully, Triple H doesn't notice this, as he continues to wrestle The Rock. He bounces the champion's head off the ring post, then tosses him chest first into the barricade. Now, Steph comes to ringside, angering Hunter. He brushes it off and worries about the match. It's about damn time!
Rock starts to fight back with some punches, but gets hit with a high knee. Trips demands his wife to get the title belt. She brings it in and goes to clock The Rock, but he ducks and she hits her husband instead. Oh no! Rock grabs Steph by the hair, but HHH sneaks up and hits a low blow. He then orders Stephanie to go to the back. She obliges. I'd be too worried about her going back to Kurt, but I don't want to add to Hunter's worries.
Rock launches back into the match with a flying clothesline. Hunter connects with a neckbreaker, then goes outside and retrieves his sledgehammer. The champion tries to fight him off, but he gets nailed in the gut with it. Triple H continues to work the abdomen for a little while, bringing more psychology into the match. See what you were preventing, Steph!
At one point, Triple H takes Rock to the outside, hoists him into a powerslam position, then slams him into the ring post. Rocky sells it like he got stabbed. Back inside, Rock starts to retaliate, connecting with a neckbreaker. Hunter quickly grounds him with another gut shot, then goes up top. Much like his mentor, Ric Flair, this backfires. Rock stops him dead in his tracks and connects with a superplex. This probably hurt him more, what with the damaged ribs, but he was running on instinct.
Cut to the back, we see Kurt Angle lying by the entrance way on his stretcher. For some reason, the EMTs decided it was wise to leave him there, as opposed to taking him to the hospital. Stephanie convinces him to return to the match and help Hunter, simply by sweet talking him. Even I wasn't this stupid when I was madly in love. He comes back out and trips The Rock. Triple H uses this to his advantage and nails the Pedigree. Angle pulls Hunter out of the ring and throws him into the steel steps. It's at this point that Stephanie is supposed to be shocked, but she honestly seems bored. Maybe she's fooling around with Test again and is fantasizing about that.
Angle gets into the ring and pins The Rock. He kicks out at two. The champion tries to fight back, but Kurt stops him with a belly to belly suplex. Rock fires back with a DDT, getting a two count. Triple H gets on the apron, but Angle is thrown into him, knocking him back down. The Olympic Gold Medalist turns around and gets rocked (no pun intended) with a Rock Bottom. He goes for the pin, but Hunter drags him outside. He throws him headfirst into the ring post again because they weren't worried about concussions at this point.
Hunter orders his wife to get him the sledgehammer. She slides it into the ring, only for Kurt to snag it. She runs in and tries to take it from him. Triple H goes to punch him, only for him to duck and Steph accidentally gets clocked. Angle smashes HHH in the face with Sledgey. He goes for the pin, but Rock breaks it up. He tosses Angle over the top rope, then connects with a People's Elbow on Triple H. He pins him for the victory.
After the match, The Rock celebrates by standing on the steel support at the entranceway. Many replays are shown until Kurt Angle is revived. He grabs the unconscious Stephanie and carries her backstage. You know, because this PPV can't end with the WWF Champion standing tall. Why did he even show up? As lousy as I find this storyline to be, I will admit they implemented it well into the Triple Threat Match. Once again, more fitting for a Raw (or a lesser PPV), but I digress.
Final Rating: 7/10
Overall, this was a decent show. Three of the four main matches delivered immensely, while one fell flat. The undercard was underwhelming, with match quality ranging from passable to downright horrible. Had they cut out two matches (say Tazz/Lawler & Kat/Terri), they may have flowed better. Some simply felt rushed. Still, it was a fine show.
Final Rating: 6.75/10
