WWE Judgement Day 2002 (5/19/02)

This was the first ppv officially licensed under the name WWE so this is where the "modern era" begins. The main event for this ppv would be the rubber match between The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship. Taker won at Survivor Series 91 but Hogan took the rematch a week later on Tuesday in Texas (the first attempt of what would later be Taboo Tuesday/Cyber Sunday) so 11 years later they finally settle the score. Other matches include Steve Austin vs Ric Flair and Big Show, which had been brewing for a month and HHH vs Chris Jericho in a Hell in the Cell. Also included are a hair vs hair match between Kurt Angle and Edge and the rubber match between Eddie Guerrero and Rob Van Dam. The undercard looked great at least on paper while the main event should be at least watchable.

MAY 19, 2002

GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

NASHVILLE, TN

Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Match 1

Rob Van Dam vs Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

 This was the 3rd match between the 2 in a month, Guerrero took the title from Van Dam at Backlash and Van Dam won by DQ at Insurrextion. Hope this match is as good as the other two. Guerrero swings and misses and Van Dam hits a shoulder tackle. Rob goes for 3 quick covers before Guerrero goes outside and throws a temper tantrum. Back inside Eddie gains the advantage with some heel tactics but a charge in the corner eats boot. Van Dam fakes Eddie out and hits a split legged moonsault and a high backbody drop. Eddie runs into a tilt a whirl but the cover gets a deuce. Rob stomps away as Eddie says "nonononono" Rob locks in a butterfly lock and damn near pinned him with it. That must have hurt like hell......Rob hits a standing moonsault and then Eddie backs into the corner and calls timeout. King says "No Mas, No Mas" before Eddie fires back and stomps a mud-hole in Van Dam. Eddie gives Rob an indian sunburn on the ring apron before taunting the crowd. JR shills the Guerrero family as Eddie sticks a thumb to the eye, then JR mentions we're in Lawler country. Rob hits a split/monkey flip spot before a slugfest ensues, which Guerrero wins. Van Dam then hits another monkey flip before hot-shotting him throat first on the top rope. A rolling thunder gets 2 as a sign in the crowd says "R.I.P. Davey Boy". The king of Coliseum Video wins, British Bulldog sadly died shortly before this ppv. Guerrero counters a suplex into a prawn for a 2 but Van Dam fires back with a step-over heel kick. Rob goes upstairs but Eddie crotches him then powerbombs him almost through the mat. Eddie goes upstairs and says "I feel froggy" but missed the splash. They trade blows before Rob Van Dam turns into Jean Claude Van Dam and hits a roundhouse kick to make the crowd go "woah". Rob goes upstairs but missed the 5-star attempt. King "How do you say RVD in Spanish?" JR "I don't have a damn clue" They just stand there looking at each other before going into a leapfrogging session which ends with a flying bodypress by Van Dam for a long two count. Rob counters a european uppercut into a backslide for another long deuce before Eddie counters a roundhouse kick into a backslide, then puts his feet on the ropes for 1...2....3., nice. JR cries foul but Eddie retains the title in a decent opener. The roundhouse Rob hit earlier was one of the sickest spots I've seen in a while. I thought it was going to be good and it was. Show's off to a good start.

Time of match:  11:08

Winner: Eddie Guerrero by pinfall (still IC champion)

   The next segment is Reverand D'Von, Stacy Keibler, Deacon Bautista and Vince McMahon all bowing in a prayer......now before I try to explain what the hell I'm watching, here's some backstory. Someone had the bright idea (sarcasm) to split the Dudley Boys and while Bubba Ray was basically the same as he always was on Raw, they turned D'Von into a preaching minister. DVon was also given a bodyguard, a 6'6 300 lb monster named Leviathan (great Peter Weller movie btw) in Ohio Valley Wrestling became Deacon Bautista on Smackdown. Stacy, Deacon and D'Von close their eyes while Vince takes that opportunity to check out Stacy as D'Von preaches that Stacy will take out Trish in their match and if Bubba Ray interferes he'll be taken out as well. Oh and if you couldn't guess, donation box carrying Deacon Bautista is now known as "The Animal" Dave Batista, a legend that needs no introduction. Then we cut to a "Get the F Out" commercial......its bad enough we had to see these horrible attempt to look hip commercials on weekly television, but on a ppv? The backstory to those that don't know was the World Wildlife Foundation successfully sued World Wrestling Federation for the rights to the initials WWF so Vince renamed his company World Wrestling Entertainment and tried to look cool by having commercials say "Get the F out". It wasn't cool...it was openly admitting he lost. Should have just slipped the Wildlifers a few bucks to go away.

Match 2

Stacy Keibler (with D'Von Dudley and Deacon Bautista) vs Trish Stratus (with Bubba Ray Dudley) for the WWE Women's Championship

 An inter-promotional diva-fest that could actually be interesting. The re-union of the Dudleys combined with the looks of Stacy and the debut of Bautista could be noteworthy here. Stacy held a swimsuit contest on Smackdown and Tajiri pulled Torrie Wilson out of the competition leaving Trish to enter and win, then giving Stacy a beat-down. Trish enters alone wearing a purple leotard (what?) and then Stacy enters with Deacon and D'Von in tow. Bubba is announced last which is interesting since he's neither the champion nor the challenger or even in the match period. Trish starts out with forearms before catching a roundhouse kick from Stacy. That one may have trumped Van Dam's from earlier but the cover gets 2. Stacy hits a sloppy looking back-drop before making another cover. Trish hits some clothesline and puts Stacy in a boston crab. Stacy counters into a sunset flip (impressive by her standards) but Trish hits a neckbreaker for another 2 count. Trish hits the Chick Kick that knocks Stacy out of the ring into Bubba Ray territory. Bubba leans over her and then laughs in her face, causing Stacy to slap him across the face. Hahahhahahaha! Bubba backs Stacy into the corner of the ring as the ref tells Bubba to get lost....but then Deacon Bautista gets in the ring and slams Trish. Stacy slides in but the cover only gets 2. Stacy locks in a chin lock before pulling her hair, then Trish hits a jump kick before hitting a baseball slide on Bautista. Deacon is unfazed so he hops up on the apron but is nailed by a Stacy Keibler clothesline that was aimed for Trish. Again Deacon is unfazed as Trish hits a one handed bulldog and covers for 3 to win the match. D'Von gets in the ring and chases Trish away but then Bubba gets in and the crowd pops loudly. D'Von then tries to offer a handshake and Bubba accepts, then takes out an on-rushing Bautista, then D'Von hits a running clothesline. D'Von then repents and shakes his head as Deacon gets in and stomps a mudhole in Bubba. D'Von then restrains Deacon before giving the old sign of the cross...and resumes the beatdown. D'Von tells Bautista to get the tables as D'Von begins preaching to Bubba that he needs to be taught a lesson. Wonder what Spike Dudley was doing at this time. Deacon then goes for what's now known as the Batista Bomb through a table but Bubba counters and attacks D'Von in the corner. Batista...errr Bautista hits Bubba with the donation box and they flapjack Bubba through a table. In what has to be the gayest (and I don't mean homosexual gay) moment of Bautista's career, before the Eddie Guerrero hug, he then holds his hands together and looks up to pray. Stacy wakes up and they all celebrate in the ring. Damn did Stacy suck in that match....you'd think with three years in the business she'd have learned a thing or two by now. Hell she started in 1999 and Trish in 2000 and still looks years behind Trish in terms of ability. Ah well, least she didn't have a miscarriage in this promotion. Also she was much more comfortable as a manager, and a damn good one, so why didn't they have Bubba vs D-Von with Trish and Stacy outside?

Time of Match:  2:55

Winner: Trish Stratus by pinfall (Still Women's champion)

  The next segment is Ric Flair and Arn Anderson getting confronted by Vince himself and they shake hands because Flair is sick of Austin as well. Flair says unlike Vince he'll take Steve down. Vince and Flair hug as McMahon looks angered by that comment.

Match 3

The Hardy Boyz vs Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman

 No Shawn Stasiak this time...Heyman will do it himself. The storyline going into this one is Brock has been a one man wrecking crew and is on the verge of breaking out as a superstar once he's done with Matt and Jeff Hardy. He's been feuding with them for a solid month now. Speaking of Jeff....he flies out of the ring as Lesnar makes his entrance and Brock catches him. Matt quickly baseball slides into Jeff to knock Brock flat on his back. The Hardys double team Brock outside the ring then chase Heyman inside. Heyman begs for mercy before Lesnar clobbers The Hardys with a double clothesline as the bell rings, Lesnar gets rid of Matt then feasts in Jeff in the corner with shoulder blocks. Jeff tries to counter but Lesnar's power is too much. Matt tags in and goes on the offensive but Lesnar takes control and hits more shoulderblocks in the corner as the crowd starts up a GOLDBERGGGG chant. Wait two years, people. Matt blocks a overhead press but is caught in a powerslam. Everything Lesnar has done so far is high impact power moves, and keep in mind he was a mat based wrestler in high school and college. Lesnar continues to hit shoulderblocks in the corner before Matt counters with a tornado ddt. Jeff tags in and hits whisper in the wind and then a jawbreaker. Jeff trips up Brock as Matt goes upstairs and they hit their 2Xtreme legdrop combo....ok I made the name up but you can visualize it can't you? Brock is barely fazed but is hit by the Leap of Faith by Jeff and clotheslined out of the ring by Matt. The Hardys chase Heyman around the ring again and finally Matt grabs ahold inside the ring. Paul's hat falls off exposing his bald head as King squeals "LOOK AT HIS HEADD...HAHAA LOOK AT HIS HEAD" Matt unloads on Paul in the corner and Jeff hits a Leap of Faith. Brock comes over and pulls Matt out under the ring as Jeff goes upstairs. Brock gets in and catches Jeff in mid-air....then falls backwards for a two count. Who blew that spot? Jeff charges and Brock leapfrogs him over his head and crashing into Matt on the apron, knocking him off. Brock hits the F-5 and tags in Heyman, who trips getting in the ring as JR scoffs. A cover gets the 1--2--3 to win the match and, oh yes, Paul Heyman has pinned Jeff Hardy.  After the match Heyman takes his jacket off as King prays he doesn't continue to strip. Brock did all the work of course and looming on the horizon....King of the Ring. Lesnar had proven his point by taking out both Hardys, now it was on to better things.

Time of match: 4:47

Winners: Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman by pinfall

  The next segment is some dorkus malorkus interviewing Booker T about his recent joining of the nWo on Raw. Before I continue I should point out after Scott Hall was fired, they replaced him with Booker T. The move wasn't so bad in terms of a talent standpoint since Scott really couldn't work anymore and Booker was amongst the best, it was that to ANYONE that followed WCW knew that Booker was anti-nWo since the beginning. Anyway Booker says that he's the man before spotting a Halle Berry lookalike contest winner and proceeds to hit on her until she tells him she wants him to sign her an autograph in a very special place and proceeds to give him the key to her hotel. Booker then goes crazy as we head for our next match but not before King says "I think Booker just got a magic johnson!"

Match 4

Steve Austin vs Ric Flair and Big Show

   This one has been brewing for months. It started at Backlash when Flair unknowingly screwed Austin out of the WWE title and then began to make one mistake after another before Austin stunned him at Insurrexion (as well as several other times on Raw). Big Show highlights are shown including a promo he cut saying how when Austin was out from 99-00, Show was one of the main stars but when Austin came back he (meaning Show) was turned into a joke. Yes, a rare logical storyline since Big Show was pretty much an afterthought to this point in May 2002. This was pretty much a pseudo-heel turn by Flair who hated Austin but after this was over, would go back to being his jolly old self. Big Show comes out to his new nWo theme as Flair comes out to his old school WWF theme.....until the theme ends and you can hear his 2001 Space Odyssey tune finishing out and they actually overlap at the end. Which means they were overdubbing the old school all along, guess they didn't want to pay royalties or something. Austin enters and begins slugging away at the both of them. Austin backdrops Flair and kicks away at Big Show, he then goes for a stunner attempt but is thrown into Flair. Austin slugs away at Big Show and fires away at Flair before hitting a low blow on Show. Austin applies a figure four and in a dumb spot, hits Flair while lying on his back and Flair sells it like he was hit by a truck. Austin flips off Flair and applies a figure four on flair then rolls out of the way of an oncoming Big Show elbow drop. Austin rolls outside and grabs a chair and gets inside which provokes referee and Flair lackey Charles Robinson to give him an earful. Finally Austin gives up the chair....then rolls out and gets another one. He then props the chair and sits in it, then flips off Charles Robinson. I'm gonna miss Austin that's for sure....I'll explain what I mean at the end of this match. Flair climbs to the second rope and stands behind Show. The crowd gets a "What" chant going as Austin locks up with Flair.....and I just realize this is the first time they've wrestled in any sort of meaningful match since 1993 back when Austin was chumming with the late Brian Pillman. What a shame how this could have been a money-making main event back in 1998 but is a midcard match on a 2002 ppv. Austin slugs Big Show and says "what?" but hits Flair with a shoulderblock. Flair rolls outside and regroups with Big Show as Austin rolls outside and grabs a brewsky Its a little early for the post-match celebration. Austin teases cracking it open before discarding it and eats a Flair shoulderblock. Flair begs off and then catches Steve with a thumb to the eye. Flair chops the rattlesnake in the corner as the crowd chants WOOOOOO. Austin then counters and begins chops of his own as the crowd loudly chants "What?" Flair does a flop and again begs for mercy. Austin hits a series of punches then no sells an inverted atomic drop before clotheslining Flair down. Flair tags out to Show as King says "Now the fun begins". Show taunts Austin before Austin does push-ups to piss Show off, which Show answers with open handed chops to the chest. Austin regains his composure and once again is sent down from a big chop. Austin then counters with punches but eats a big boot to kill the momentum. Flair tags in and hits a lowblow on Steve as JR scoffs. Flair struts as Big Show laughs as Ric chops Austin in the corner, then they trade blows. Flair gets another thumb to the eye and goes upstairs, but Austin throws him off the top rope. Steve stomps a mudhole in Flair and then attacks an interfering Big Show, but Show counters with a powerslam. A cover gets 2 and Flair continues to stomp away on Steve before taunting the crowd. Flair chops and punches Austin in the corner again and begins attacking the left leg of Austin. Show tags in and begins wearing down the leg Flair was working on. Flair tags back in and Austin surprises him with an inside cradle for a 2 count. Flair then hits the figure four leg lock....and the crowd doesn't even pop or cheer. After a minute Austin reverses the hold but Show comes in and drops an elbow. Austin sneaks a backslide for a 2 count but Flair hits more chops and a right hand. Austin rallies with chops as the crowd chants "Woo" and "What". Austin then hits a spinebuster and another figure four before Show comes in and leg drops Steve. Flair tags in Big Show who eats boot twice before Austin hits a Lou Thez press from the second rope. Flair comes in and is met with a conventional Thez press. Austin hits a low blow and a spine buster, but Show stops the counter attempt. Austin counters a chokeslam attempt into a Stunner but nWo member X-Pac interferes. Austin ducks under a savate kick and Pac nails Show with it instead and is stunned for his effort by Steve. Austin stuns Flair and covers for the 1-2--3 to win the match even though Big Show was the legal man. Austin then does his double drink salute on the ramp. Not the best match but the crowd was really into it with all the chants.

I should point out following this ppv, Austin grew increasingly bitter against Stephanie McMahon and the other writers so on June 2, 2002...he walked out. That's right, the man who helped launch the WWF into the stratusphere in 1998 got so angry he took his ball and went home. One of the reasons was that they wanted him to job cleanly to Brock Lesnar in a King of the Ring qualifying match on an upcoming Raw. Austin said he had no problem jobbing to Lesnar, but would rather do it in a more important match such as a ppv main event or something (Think of Austin, the 1996 KOTR passing the torch to Lesnar in the 2002 final). On one hand Austin was definitely playing an ego card by refusing to job to Lesnar and getting angry that they were putting others in the spotlight ahead of him, but when you saw what they were doing to the careers of Chris Jericho, The Hardys and Austin himself you could feel for him. Stephanie was the head writer and HHH was her fiancee....who do you think's getting the spotlight? So as it was, this would be the last ppv Austin would wrestle at for 8 months...least he went out with a win.

Time of match: 15:36

Winner: Steve Austin by pinfall

 The next segment is hosted by Michael Cole and Tazz which highlights the upcoming hair vs hair match. They show a preview of what both would look like bald, and Edge with the shades looked like Ron Pearlman from Blade 2. I should point out that one of the oldest rules in promoting is give the fans a match they want to see, but do it in a manner where the outcome of the match can't be given away, therefor making fans pay to see what happens. A perfect example of how to do it and how not to do it happened at Wrestlemania 18, two months earlier. The Rock faced Hulk Hogan in a match fans paid to see but the buildup and the combined ego's of the two men involved gave no indication of who would win, therefor fans were interested enough to pay to see the outcome. The opposite of this would be HHH vs Jericho, HHH was being booked as an unstoppable face after returning from quad surgery and Jericho was being booked so horribly that everyone knew HHH was going to win, also because HHH is an ego-maniac and Jericho has never been known to have a backstage ego (which is ironic given his on-screen character). Edge has long blond hair that the female fans love and Kurt has a noticeable receding hairline so it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out who wins this one. I just hope the match itself is worth the inevitable conclusion.

Match 5

Edge vs Kurt Angle  (Hair vs Hair)

 Remember in my Backlash review how I said even through the storylines for this feud were silly but the matches delivered, this would be the epitome. A hair vs hair match usually stinks the joint out but if its booked properly, can be a noteworthy event (Wrestlemania 23). This could have been the opposite, fans were hot to see Edge and Angle get it on but certainly not in a manner like this. They lock up and Angle hooks in a cement mixer that Edge quickly backs into the corner to avoid the pinfall attempt. Kurt locks in a front facelock and they chain sequence until Edge hits a running roll-up for a 2 count. Angle goes on offense as JR shills Kurt's career at this point. Edge throws Kurt over and out then hits a baseball slide, then goes on offense outside. Kurt gets the upper hand back inside with punches and kicks before eating a back body drop. Edge ties Kurt into the top rope Andre the Giant style and then hits a spear. A second attempt is turned into a belly-to-belly suplex from the ring to the floor by Angle onto Edge. Kurt stomps away in the corner but turns his attention to the ref long enough to start an "Angle sucks" chant. Edge chops Kurt but eats a spinebuster for his troubles. Angle chokes Edge with his knee on the second rope as King tries to make fun of Edge by saying he has a dinosaur shaped head and then says JR has a bowling ball shaped head. Edge hits a back elbow smash but Kurt counters with a ddt/pinfall attempt for a 2 count. Kurt locks in a resthold as JR puts over the importance of this match, King says the loser of this match should seek help from Howard Finkel. As Edge does the fade-then-revive routine, King accidentally says "WWF" and JR scolds him on it, this was literally the first month of the name change and after saying the letters WWF for over 20 years, kind of hard to adjust in a matter of weeks. Edge powers out and Kurt takes him down by the hair then hits a floatover suplex for a 2 count. Kurt goes for a double armbar facelock as JR says if Edge loses his hair all the ladies will weep, then King says "I was hoping you wouldn't say if Edge loses all the kids will shave their heads" Nevermind the fact the kids shave their heads anyway due to a Mister Stone Cold Steve Austin. Edge hits a BtB suplex of his own and they stay down for a few seconds. Edge rallies with clotheslines and a spinning back kick, then an Edge-o-matic for 2. Kurt hits another BtB suplex as King hypes up the next match (Hell in a Cell). Edge backdrops Kurt onto the apron but kicks his legs out from under him. Edge hits a plancha from the ring to the floor onto Angle...but doesn't clear the ropes completely like he did at Summerslam 98. Edge goes upstairs and shoves an onrushing Angle off the turnbuckle then hits a missle dropkick. A cover gets a LONG 2 count and Angle quickly recovers to hit a german suplex. King and JR are non-stop with hair jokes as Edge turns another german into a victory roll for a 2 count. Edge hits the Edgecution and then goes upstairs again but this time Angle gets the overhead suplex from the top. Kurt covers for the 1..2...noooooo Edge kicks out at 2. Edge hits a superkick and hits a ddt from the second rope but the near-fall is a 2. Edge goes for the spear but Angle moves and referee Brian Hebner goes flying. Kurt does another german and Edge actually does a 360, landing on his face as the crowd all goes silent at once. Kurt covers but Hebner's out, so he goes out and grabs a chair. Edge counters a swing with a spear but the ref is still down. Edge calls for another spear but Angle kicks him in the face. Kurt goes for the angle-slam but Edge hits another spear but Hebner takes too long and Angle kicks out at 2. Edge blocks an angle-slam but Angle hits a spear of his own and finally hits an angle-slam. The cover gets 1...2...NOOOOO Edge kicks out as Angle is heated. Angle unstraps his singlet and locks in an ankle-lock, but Edge counters with an enziguiri. Angle hits a single-leg takedown and hits another anklelock but Edge kicks angle off the ropes and catches Kurt with an inside cradle for 1...2..3 AND ITS OVER. Angle attacks Edge after the bell but Edge counters with the Edgecution. Edge drags Kurt to the barber area set up where Kurt manages to escape.....lame. Decent match but Angle managed to escape for now with his hair

Time of match: 15:30

Winner: Edge by pinfall (Kurt is to be shaved bald)

 The next camera shot is the Marriott Hotel across the street and King says "Uhhhhh...what would be the reason to show that?" Then we see Booker T in bed calling for his new "friend" to get in bed. Then she says to turn off the light and he complies, then she says to kiss her but the camera light unfortunately shows someone leaving the bed and someone else getting in. Booker then says "what do u want me to do now" and Goldust's voice says "I want you to leave the nWo!" Booker turns on the light and screams then runs out with his ass showing as Goldust turns to the woman and says "...I wore this dress for nothing!" On to the next match before I throw up.

Match 6

HHH vs Chris Jericho (Hell in a Cell)

 This would be the end of one of the dumbest and frustrating storylines I've ever been forced to witness. Chris Jericho after years of service with both WCW and WWE finally got his due when he pinned both The Rock and Steve Austin in the same night at Vengeance 2001 to become WWE Champion. Now as the champion, he then took a back-seat to the returning HHH and began serving as Stephanie McMahon's lackey. After HHH beat Jericho for the title at Wrestlemania, Jericho wasn't even booked to wrestle at Backlash while HHH jobbed to Hulk Hogan. In the storylines, Vince McMahon was mad at HHH for the pedigree on both Vince and Stephanie so he employed Jericho to take him out in a Hell in a Cell. Yes, so not only was Jericho never given his rematch for the title, he was now forced to be the McMahon's hired gun against HHH. They do a stare down to start the match then trade blows. Hunter hits a high knee and a backdrop then goes on offense in the corner. HHH throws out Jericho and both counter each others attempt to ram heads into steel. Back inside Jericho flys and hits HHH but a slugfest ensues. Chris says "Come on you sonovabitch" but misses a shoulderblock and hits the ringpost. HHH finally rams Jericho head first into the cell outside and then body first on the other side. Back inside HHH continues the assault with short armed clotheslines and a suplex. Jericho whips HHH over the corner to the floor and finally Chris gets some offense in. HHH reverses a whip and Jericho goes into the steel steps as his arm cuts open. HHH goes for a piledriver on the steps but Jericho counters and catapaults HHH into the cell. Jericho goes and gets...a ladder from under the ring. Jericho rams the ladder into HHH who blades, then Jericho grates Hunter's head into the cell. Back inside Jericho javelins the ladder into HHH's head again, before proping the ladder in the corner. Jericho whips HHH into the ladder who bounces off, over the top rope and face first onto the steel steps. King says "Looks like he's in a pinball machine" and Jericho throws the ladder out onto HHH. Jericho whips HHH into the cell and puts the ladder and a chair in the ring. Jericho goes for the ladder but HHH counters with a chair shot on the ladder. HHH hits Chris in the back with the chair but Y2J hits the one-arm facebuster on the ladder. Chris gets the steel steps as referee Tim White says "Get in the god damn ring Jericho, I've had enough." Jericho picks up the steps but HHH drop-toes him into it. HHH hits a neckbreaker and a facebuster then heaves the steps right into the bad shoulder of Jericho. Outside HHH javelins Jericho into the cell and heaves him into the other set of steel steps. Tim White heads out onto the apron to fix something as both HHH and Jericho head back inside. Jericho charges but HHH throws him into Tim White who ricochets right into the cell. Jericho hits HHH with a chairshots as JR speculates that Tim had the key to the door. Jericho covers but White's nowhere to be found, so Y2J goes outside and tosses White into the other side of the cell because he's such a role model. White is busted open and Jericho pummels him for absolutely no reason. Jericho runs inside right into a spinebuster by The Game. By this point referees Mike Chioda and Jim Korderas get a pair of clippers and cuts the lock off the cell. The officials check on White as HHH kicks the chair into Jericho's face. HHH goes outside and gets his equalizer the sledgehammer. HHH nails Jericho with it but with the referee's busy, there's no one to count the fall. Jericho slips outside and crawls out of the now open door, then shuts it in Triple H's face. HHH finally crawls out and is met with boots by Y2J. They battle all around the outside of the cell and onto King and JR's announce table. Jericho dismantles the Spanish announce table and goes for a pedrigree but HHH blocks it and ddt's Chris through the table. Jericho makes his way up to the top of the cell as HHH unveils a 2 X 4 wrapped in barbed wire. I remember a friend of mine saying "I can understand ladders, tables, chairs and sledgehammers under the ring, but what the hell does THAT have to do with ring maintenence? The 2 X 4 has a wrap on it so HHH straps it on his wrist and climbs to the top as well. Both are now on top of the cell but Jericho uses the 2 X 4 first to the back of HHH. JR reflects on past cell matches as Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho but Chioda just then starts climbing to the top. Once Chioda gets up there, HHH crawls and kicks Chris off. Y2J gets the 2 X 4 but HHH hits a low blow, but Jericho back-drops HHH into the cell, which doesn't give away. If the thing did give way he would have landed on the top rope in the ring, now that would have been cool. HHH picks up the 2 X 4 and waffles Chris with it, and it catches in his hair. Hunter covers but Jericho kicks out, now Jericho is clearly busted open in the face. HHH hits the pedigree and covers for the 1...2...3 to end this massacre. HHH poses on the top of the cell as JR shills both of them. This would be Tim White's last match ever as an official and this would later lead to a horrific angle which I'll get to in due process, but for now The Game has won.

Time of Match: 24:31

Winner: HHH by pinfall

  We then cut to Kurt Angle running away from Edge, who disguises himself in the makeup chair as Edge runs by. Angle thinks he's fooled him but Edge quickly runs the other way after him. We then cut to another Get the F out commericial with SEXUAL CHOCOLATE as the theme song. After this we head on over to The World in Times Square where Maven is on a date with Torrie Wilson. Torrie says how wearing the geisha outfit was cool, but she'd rather wear nothing at all which causes Maven to do a spittake. Back at ringside JR and King go back to work and put over the previous match before the next match begins.

Match 7

Rikishi and Rico vs Billy and Chuck for the WWE Tag Team Championships

 Before the match is started, it is learned that Rikishi will challenge Billy and Chuck with a Mr. McMahon appointed partner. Howard Finkel then says by order of Vince McMahon..RICO is named the partner. Yes, the manager of the tag team champions, and JR scoffs. Rico is making his ppv in ring debut here and I should note he wasn't a bad worker in his OVW days but the gimmick is really dumb. Billy starts out with Rikishi and unloads with fists but Kish rallies. Billy hits a ddt that doesn't faze him at all so Kishi hits a superkick, Chuck interferes and Rikishi flattens him as well. Rikishi charges but Gunn and Palumbo move out of the way then hit a flapjack on Rikishi. Rikishi avoids and Billy dropkick and goes for the tag but Rico turns away. Billy tags in Chuck and hits football shoulderblocks in the corner and unloads with rights. Chuck hits a powerful overhead suplex and covers but kicks out at 2.  Billy tags in and hits the fame-asser and covers for 1---2---noooo, he kicks out. Chuck tags in and nails a Razor Ramon style right hand as referee Teddy Long scoffs. Rikishi counters a backdrop with a kick and hits a BtB suplex on Chuck. Rikishi tries to fight back and hits backdrop on Chuck and a samoan drop on an interfering Billy. Chuck goes for a sunset flip but Rikishi sits on him for 1....2...nooo Billy tackles him at the last second. Rikishi goes for a press-slam diamond cutter but botches it. Chuck hits a dropkick and orders Rico to kick him, but Rikishi ducks and Rico nails Chuck instead. Rikishi superkicks his own partner and covers Chuck for the 1...2...3?? Yes...Rikishi and Rico are the new tag team champions and no one pops, the crowd is dead silent. Rico wins his first gold inadvertently. Rikishi then does a victory dance complete with dance number at the entrance-way. Really really bad match but it did the job as the crowd is now relaxed enough for the main event

Time of Match: 3:50

Winners: Rikishi and Rico by pinfall (new WWE Tag Team Champions)

  Edge is still running after Angle and this time Kurt catches him with a trash can lid to the face. They brawl back to the ring and Kurt grabs the mic and proclaims he's gonna cut Edge's hair. They brawl near Floyd the barber and Edge locks in a sleeper hold. After a while Kurt is out and Edge finally gets to shave Angle bald. JR "Look at that, look at this"  King "I can't see anything" JR (pointing to the monitor) "Look over here" The crowd starts chanting NA NA NA NA, Goodbye as Edge finishes the job. Edge puts shaving cream on his hand and wakes Kurt up to show him the mirror. Edge grabs the mic and says "They're not gonna chant You suck anymore, but now they're gonna say You're Bald" Kurt's music starts up and the crowd does indeed chant You're Bald.  Kurt runs to the back and to this day he has never wrestled with hair again. On to the main event. 

Match 8

The Undertaker vs Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship

The Hogan nostalgia run had catapulted Hogan to the WWE Championship but standing in his way is one of the only men to ever beat him clean, The Undertaker. The storyline was logical as Taker had beaten Austin at Backlash to become number 1 contender and then proceeds to beat up Hogan with a belt, to which Hogan counters by driving an 18 wheeler over Taker's bike. Taker enters to his You're Gonna Pay theme without the actual lyrics as Hogan comes out to Voodoo Child. JR brings up Taker's win over Hogan at Survivor Series 91 and Hogan's rematch victory at Tuesday in Texas, then Taker attacks Hogan with his own belt. Taker whips Hogan but Hogan comes back with right hands. Still wearing his entrance gear and belt, Hogan picks up the belt Taker brought and waffles Taker with it a bunch of times. The bell finally rings as Hogan rakes the eyes and punches Taker in the corner and hits a slow clothesline as JR basically admits this will not be your standard wrestling match. Hogan still has all his gear on and backdrops Taker and clotheslines him to the floor. Hogan tears the shirt off as the crowd cheers for some reason. Hogan and Taker battles outside before Hogan whips Taker into the steel steps. Hogan whips Taker into the foam guardrail before going back inside. Taker fires back with elbows and shoulder breakers as the crowd chants Hogan again. Taker goes for old school but Hogan blocks it and crotches Undertaker on the top turnbuckle. Hogan then does a superplex and covers for a near fall. Taker ducks under a clothesline and chop-blocks Hogan down and works over the left leg. Taker rams Hogan's leg into the side of the ring and then the ringpost, then adds a right cross for good measure. JR then says since Hogan is not a mat wrestler, taking out one of his legs makes him virtually defenseless....how come no one did that in the 80's? Taker does a leg-lock spot before Hogan counters by stomping his right leg about 9 times. They trade blows in the middle of the ring before Hogan hits a double axe-handle smash. Hogan then hits the big boot but Taker catches the right leg on the legdrop of doom attempt and turns into a half boston crab. JR says Hogan has never submitted before in his career.....which is blatently false because Starcade 97 was one of the biggest ppv's in wrestling history and Sting made him submit to the scorpion death lock. Hogan makes it to the rope and pulls himself up, but Taker slugs away in the corner. Taker goes for a big boot but Hogan pulls the top rope down and Taker crotches himself. Hogan pseudo Hulks Up and Taker hits one of the worst chokeslams I've ever seen, not even a foot off the ground. Taker covers and Hogan Hulks Up for real this time. Hogan hits the fists and big boot then the leg drop and covers for the 1..2...NOOOOOO. Hogan goes for another big boot and Taker counters with a ddt. Taker goes outside and gets a chair as Vince McMahon hits ring side. Hogan kicks the chair in Taker's face and hits the leg drop, but Vince gets on the apron and distracts referee Earl Hebner. Hogan brings Vince in the ring and drops the big leg on him. Earl rolls Vince out as Taker catches Hogan with a chair shot and a chokeslam. Taker covers for 1...2....3 to win the match and the title. Vince grins and the crowd goes silent. The Undertaker is your new WWE Champion.....the third new champion in 3 months which isn't a good thing. JR asks if Hulkamania is dead as Taker goes outside and gets a steel chair and drives Hogan throat first into it. Taker continues to attack Hogan with the chair as JR signs off and thus ends the ppv. Bad match but the belt has come off Hogan and onto The Undertaker for the 4th time in his career.

Time of Match:  11:17

Winner: The Undertaker by pinfall (new WWE Champion)

   This ppv was half and half. The opener was good, the hell in the cell was ok and the hair vs hair match was good, the rest were nowhere close to good. The biggest mistake was playing hot potato with the WWE Title since there's been a new champion crowned every month since Wrestlemania. Devaluing the world title is what helped kill WCW so doing this to their own was one of the reasons ratings began to decline. Although this was indeed a landmark event, Kurt Angle hasn't had hair nor has Hogan won a World title since, plus the whole Tim White saga and Rico's first title win. 2 1/2 stars out of 5...mainly due to the opening contest. The next ppv would be King of the Ring

WWF Insurrextion 2002 (5/4/02)

Insurrextion 2002 would take place deep in the heart of England. I should point out this would be the very last ppv under the name WWF as they changed to WWE 2 days later. The event was pretty much a rehash of the Backlash storylines while hyping up the upcoming Judgement Day ppv. I should point out that real life events were more important than what went on in the ring. On the plane back to the US, Scott Hall, Goldust and Ric Flair apparently sexually harrassed a flight attendant while Mr. Perfect and Brock Lesnar got into a fight. Hall and Perfect were both fired while Flair and Goldust continued to be jobbed out on television. Lesnar received no punishment for it was perceived that Perfect instigated it and continued his push. The main event was to feature the match that wasn't, The Undertaker vs HHH. Taker tried to cost HHH the WWF championship at Backlash so he wants his revenge. This is an exclusive Raw ppv so Jericho, Hogan and other Smackdown stars will not be attendance.

INSURREXTION

MAY 4, 2002

WEMBLEY ARENA

LONDON, ENGLAND

Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Match 1

Rob Van Dam vs Eddie Guerrero for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

 The rematch from Backlash is shown here in England as Van Dam wants the title that Guerrero basically stole from him. I didn't think it was such a great idea to play hot potato with the IC title since Edge was the champion three months earlier before losing it to Regal, who lost it to Van Dam at Wrestlemania, who lost it to Guerrero at Backlash.  As the match starts....I hear the sound of doom. That damn horn that haunted me during the World Tour tapes from way back is loud and clear....I HATED that and now I have to deal with it again. JR and King is on commentary so I can't mute it either, guess I'll just have to deal with it. They exchange holds before Van Dam botches a sweep attempt but they still get an ovation after. They yell at each other before Guerrero starts taking over but Van Dam counters with a spinning wheel kick. Guerrero rolls to the outside and Van Dam catches him with a baseball slide. Van Dam hits a second rope asai moonsault. RVD throws Eddie back inside and hits a springboard leg drop, followed by a split-legged moonsault. A few near falls later, Guerrero counters a charge into a sunset flip. After a sequence Van Dam does a split and monkey flips Eddie across the ring. Eddie ducks a charge and Van Dam flies through the ropes to the outside. Eddie goes to work outside and then back inside as Ross mentions this event sold out 6 months earlier in a matter of hours. Guerrero takes over on offense and stomps a mudhole in Rob. Later on Guerrero hits a float over suplex that merits a 2 count. They exchange blows in the ring until Eddie hits a back suplex. Eddie goes to the apron and hits a beautiful sommersault on Van Dam but the cover gets a deuce. Eddie locks in a rest hold as the crowd chants RVD. Van Dam makes it to the ropes but Guerrero grabs his feet and slingshots him throat first onto the bottom rope. Guerrero stomps away and chokes Rob with his boot. After the crowd chants "Eddie sucks" Van Dam hits shoulderblocks from the apron and goes for a sunset flip but Eddie holds onto the ropes. The ref kicks the ropes and Eddie falls backward but kicks out at 2. Eddie shouts at the referee "what are ya doing?" in regards to kicking his hands off so Van Dam sneaks up and schoolboys Guerrero for a 2. Guerrero quickly gets to his feet and quells the momentum with a clothesline. Eddie puts the boots to him and locks in a version of the anklelock as JR brings up how Flair accidentally cost Austin at Backlash. Rob makes it to the ropes so Eddie clubs away with forearms in the corner. They exchange martial arts kicks before Eddie dropkicks Rob's leg out. Eddie does a move that neither JR nor myself can figure out but its some sort of leg lock. After screaming a bit, Rob uses his other leg to kick Eddie away. Eddie continues to work over the left leg and does an elbow drop/leg lock combo. Van Dam makes it to his feet as Lawler points out there is no king of England yet. Eddie back flips over Van Dam but Rob superkicks him for his troubles. Van Dam rallies back and hits a monkey flip in the corner followed by a float-over suplex for a 2 count. Rob hits rolling thunder but gets a loooong 2 count. Eddie goes for a victory roll but is countered by Rob into a rolling slam. Rob its a second rope moonsault for a near fall. After executing a step-over heel kick, Van Dam goes upstairs but misses the 5 star frog splash. Eddie goes outside and gets the IC title but when the ref goes to take it away, Guerrero throws him down causing a disqualification. The ref goes outside and Eddie chases him around the ring as Van Dam gets up. Once the ref and Eddie get in the ring RVD hits a spinning heel kick on Guerrero followed by a back body drop kick. Rob grabs the belt and wallops Eddie with it as King cries foul. Van Dam goes upstairs and hits the 5 star as the crowd chants with him. Decent opener with the right ending in my opinion, don't want to spoil the feud on a ppv not many people will see.

Time of Match: 11:23

Winner: Rob Van Dam by disqualification (Guerrero retains)

The next segment is Terri interviewing Molly Holly and Jazz about their upcoming match with Trish and Jackie. Molly complains that England is full of trash and the divas are too because of the video that came out at the time. She says that all the divas are garbage because they take off their clothes....and this was 2002 when the women's division was still damn good. It wouldn't be for another three years before it spiraled out of control. Molly then holds up a newspaper with naked models on it and says England sucks because they allow stuff like this to be seen in public. Terri then says that she's better than Molly and Jazz because she has *drumroll* PUPPIES and then she unbuttons her shirt. King goes crazy as Molly and Jazz walk away disgusted. 

Match 2

Trish Stratus and Jacqueline vs Molly Holly and Jazz

  Molly beat up Trish before Trish's title match with Jazz at Backlash, so Trish teams with Jackie to take on the dastardly duo. The heels attack the faces as the bell rings and Jazz heaves Trish outside. Molly and Jazz hit a double suplex on Jackie. Jazz leaves and Jackie counters with an atomic drop as JR of all people hints that Molly has a big ass....so that's where it started huh? I'll get to that horrific angle in due time but for now Jackie proceeds to hammer away at Molly. They then log roll over referee Jack Doane. Molly gets up and yells at the ref so Jackie schoolboys her for 2 as Jazz breaks up the count. Molly baits Trish to get in the ring and she and Jazz double team Jackie while the ref's back is turned. They hit a double clothesline and Molly exits as Jazz covers. Jackie ducks under a clothesline and tries a crossbody but Jazz catches her in mid air. After a powerslam, Jazz hits a running leg drop and then poses for the crowd. Jackie whips Jazz in the corner but a charge eats boot. Jazz goes for another legdrop but misses, so Jackie rolls over and tags in Trish. Trish gets in a few clotheslines but Jazz counters with a jawbreaker, but Trish fires back and even brings Molly in for good measure. Trish goes to work on Molly in the corner but turns around into a spinning back kick by Jazz. Jazz locks in a double-arm chickenwing and then throws her down as King says "oh no, the puppies!". A cover gets two but angers Jazz enough to shout "COUNT A LITTLE FASTER SPOT"Jazz makes the tag to Molly who proceeds to beat her from pillar to post and hits a nice hand-spring elbow. Molly makes a cocky cover but Jackie interferes and kicks Molly in the head. JR mentions he doesnt give a damn that Molly is a virgin or not as she tags in Jazz, they do a double hair pull slam...if that's the name for it that is. Jazz then does her Mike Tyson impression by jabbing Trish in the face a few times and then does a Peter McNeely impression as Trish rallies with forearms of her own. Trish nails Molly off the apron and hits Jazz with a backslide but Jackie distracts the ref for satan knows what reason. Trish shouts invectives at the ref but Jazz rolls her up for a 2 count. Jazz misses a clothesline so Trish hits a neckbreaker. After a near fall, Trish tags in Jackie who goes to work on Jazz and hotshots her on the top rope. They trade rolling prawns before Jackie hits a ddt, as Molly breaks up the cover. Jackie nails Molly before Jazz floors her and locks in a boston crab. King starts cheering for Jackie who nearly makes it to the rope before Jazz drags her to the middle of the ring and turns it into an STF. Out of nowhere Trish hits a dropkick so all 4 get in the ring, then the faces begin to dominate. Jazz and Molly whip Jackie and Trish into each other, but they spin around and Trish hits the stratusfaction on Jazz as Jackie hits the spinning tornado ddt from the second rope on Molly. They both cover and the ref counts 1...2....3 and its over. Decent match as JR says that match was quite smashing.

Time of Match: 7:40

Winners: Jacqueline and Trish Stratus by pinfall

 The next segment is X-Pac and Scott Hall in the locker room going over how Bradshaw had pinned X-Pac on Raw the previous Monday. X-Pac says he's going to take him out the same way he took out Kane and if he doesn't, he'll never come back to England again. He tells Scott to stay put because he wants to do it on his own, so Scott says "I dunno why you wanna come back to this lousy country after you beat him anyway."

Match 3

Bradshaw vs X-Pac

  This match stems from Backlash when X-Pac cost Bradshaw his match with Scott Hall. Speaking of Hall, this would be his last show in the big time for years as he was fired within the week for the before mentioned Plane Ride From Hell. JR mentions how the nWo took out Bradshaw during the infamous tag match where Big Show rejoined the nWo to salvage the situation. X-Pac enters wearing Kane's mask and JR scoffs. They circle around as a sign pops up saying "Hall fears beer". Bradshaw heaves X-Pac around with power moves as the crowd chants "X-Pac sucks" I should point out Sean Waltman aka X-Pac was one of the biggest risk takers in the early 90's, he would do things in indy feds and early on his WWF career that Jeff Hardy would cringe at. Those same high risk moves caught up with him and he missed a total of 2 years because of a broken neck, while still a relatively speedy wrestler, he was never the same high flyer and his backstage antics didn't help either. Being arrested for stalking Chyna certainly didn't help. Meanwhile back in the ring, Bradshaw continues to pummel X-Pac with boots, forearms and a back body drop. Bradshaw hits a running clothesline in the corner as King says X-Pac called timeout. JR says there ain't no time out as Bradshaw misses a clothesline. X-Pac does his 3 kicks in the corner spot. X-Pac ducks under a clothesline and attempts a spinning wheel kick, but the future JBL catches him and slams Pac down. JR hypes the double main events as Bradshaw continues to club away at X-Pac. Bradshaw goes for another clothesline but Pac counters with a dropkick to the leg. X-Pac attacks the leg and unhooks the second turnbuckle. X-Pac rams Bradshaw's head into it a bunch of times and Bradshaw does a blade job. X-Pac stomps away at Bradshaw in the corner before pounding away on the open wound. X-Pac hits a spinning back kick and covers for a 2 count. Pac continues to punch away in mount position and then chokes Bradshaw with his boot using the rope for leverage. X-Pac continues to chop and fire away before hitting a boot to the head (yeah, yeah). X-Pac locks in a rest hold as the crowd cheers for Bradshaw. X-Pac lets him go as JR mentions that if X-Pac loses it won't cause many sleepless nights for the people of England. X-Pac starts chopping Bradshaw in the corner until Bradshaw rallies. X-Pac gets the upper hand and then climbs to the second rope. He tries the 10 punch spot but Bradshaw counters with a powerbomb. They get to their feet and Bradshaw goes on the offensive with elbows, fists and another clothesline in the corner. A Bradshaw charge in the corner eats boot but X-Pac runs into a powerslam. A cover gets a long two count and Bradshaw hits a reverse neckbreaker, then goes upstairs. He hits a flying shoulderblock and a cover gets 2 when X-Pac puts his foot on the rope. King brings up Backlash when Flair didn't see Austin's foot on the rope. X-Pac ducks under a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick but the cover gets 2. X-Pac goes upstairs as that god damn horn blows again. Bradshaw catches him in midair and hits a fallaway slam as Scott Hall runs down to ringside. JR scoffs as Hall gets on the apron and is knocked off by Bradshaw. Bradshaw turns around and stops a running X-Pac with a big boot. Bradshaw goes to attack Hall, but Scott picks up X-Pac's nunchucks and wallops Bradshaw with them. X-Pac covers for the 1...2...NOOOO Bradshaw kicks out at 2 much to Hall's surprise. Bradshaw crawls into the corner and then gets out of the way of a bronco buster attempt. Bradshaw goes for the clothesline from hell, but X-Pac ducks and Bradshaw nails Scott Hall off the apron. Bradshaw turns around into a low blow by X-Pac, who follows it up with an X-Factor. The cover gets 1...2..3 to win the match for the nWo. Bad match but for historical purposes this was the last time Scott Hall would ever appear as an active roster member. He'd come back for the Hall of Fame and reunion shows but this was it.

Time of match: 8:47

Winner: X-Pac by pinfall

 The next segment shows Jonathan Coachman interviewing The Undertaker about his upcoming match with HHH later on. Undertaker says he beat the crap out of Hulk Hogan so he will do the same to HHH. Undertaker gives respect to HHH for coming back from the quad injury but says he's still going to pummel Trips. On to the next match...

Match 4

Booker T vs Steven Richards for the WWF Hardcore Championship

 Booker T was never known for being hardcore while Steven Richards is an ECW alumni. I should point out the 24/7 rule was still in effect and the title itself wasn't going to be around much longer after this. Buh Buh Ray Dudley was the champion going into the previous Raw and was in the middle of defense against Jazz....yes Jazz, when Richards interfered and won the title. JR mentions that Buh Buh Ray is at home with his sick mother so apparently Booker T was his replacement. Richards arm drags Booker and celebrates as JR brings up the rules....which there are none. They lock up and Booker goes on the offensive in the corner and totally beats the piss out of him. Booker T goes outside and starts throwing weapons into the ring. Steven clears the ring and starts laughing as Booker T picks up a tray, gets inside and waffles him hard in the back of the head with it. Booker goes back on the offensive and hits a back kick that the crowd pops for. He throws Richards over the top rope and shouts "get outta here!" Booker goes outside and rams Steven's head into the steel steps and then drops him stomach first into the guardrail. Booker T then pulls out a broom and whacks Richards with it. Booker T rolls Richards in who proceeds to beg for mercy before a thumb to the eye. Steven goes on the offensive with chops before Booker nails him with another spinning back kick. After a near fall, Booker scores with a suplex, goes outside and gets a trash can, then dents it over Steven's head upon returning. Steven staggers to his feet then Booker tosses him the trash can, only to superkick it into Steven's face. A near fall gets 2 and Steven rallies, only to be flapjacked by Booker. Booker continues to work over Richards before a low blow stops that. Steven picks up the serving tray and waffles Booker with it, getting a 2 count on the cover attempt. Booker T rallies with a back bodydrop but is backdropped over the top rope by Richards. Steven heaves a trash can onto Booker and makes the cover outside that gets a 2. JR throws in a European Vacation reference as Steven throws Booker T back in the ring, Steven drops an elbow and mocks Booker's taunt. They trade blows but he misses a shuffle kick and crotches himself on the top rope. Richards locks in a rest hold while the crowd chants for Booker T. JR compares Booker T to Lennox Lewis which King points out that Booker has won the WCW title more times than Lennox won the Boxing crown. Booker powers out of it and bodyslams Steven and picks up the busted up trash can but Big Stevie Cool comes back with a dropkick. Steven positions the trash can in between the top and middle turnbuckle but Booker whips him into it. They trade blows before Booker goes on the offensive with a huge spinebuster. After a near fall Booker hits another spin-kick and goes outside to get a new trash can. After putting it on Steven's head he goes upstairs and hits a missle dropkick. A cover gets 1...2...NOOO Steven kicks out and the crowd can't believe it. Booker goes for the axe kick but Steven counters with a superkick, the cover gets a lonnnnng 2 and Steven goes for a clothesline. Booker T counters the clothesline with the book end and covers for the 1...2....3 to win the match and the title. All of a sudden Crash Holly runs to the ring with referee Jimmy Korderas and rolls up Booker for the 1...2...3 to win the match and title. The 24/7 rule in effect as usual and its not over yet as Booker T nails Crash with an axe-kick 30 seconds later and covers for the 1...2...3 to win the title back. Booker celebrates but then Tommy Dreamer and Justin Credible hit the ring and attack Booker T. The ECW alumnists work over Booker before Dreamer hits a ddt. Credible pounds away on Booker as Dreamer rolls outside and gets a table, ECW style. Justin sets it up but Booker rallies and floors the both of them. The old Harlem Heat theme plays and Booker tries the spinaroonie but can't do it. All of a sudden Jazz hits the ring and low blows Booker, allowing Richards to sneak up and flapjack Booker head first on the table. The table doesn't budge so Richards does it again until finally the table crumbles and covers for the 1...2...3 to win/retain the title. After all that with Crash, the extremists and everything else Richards walks out the hardcore champion. Credible was basically a Sunday Night Heat jobber at this point until he was released in January 2003.

Time of Match: 10:42 from the final bell, not counting the run-in's

Winner: Booker T, Crash Holly, Booker T again and finally Steven Richards (New, New, New, New Hardcore champ)

The next segment is Brock Lesnar, Shawn Stasiak and Paul Heyman to hype the upcoming tag match against The Hardy Boys  Lesnar was the hot new rookie who had demolished both Hardys in single competition so they want to team up to take Brock down. Heyman tells Shawn to calm down but Shawn says him and Lesnar would be an unstoppable tag team and he tells Paul to listen to the voices talking. Heyman's look is priceless and he says "No Shawn, I'M talking" He then tells Shawn to stand the apron and do nothing, take an easy paycheck. After Shawn laughs it off, Heyman says in a harsher tone that he didn't want Stasiak but he figured he at least would be smart enough to know his role. Lesnar gets in his face and says if things don't go according to plan he'll beat up Shawn worse than he did before on Raw.

Match 5

The Hardy Boys (Matt and Jeff) vs Shawn Stasiak and Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman

 Shawn Stasiak is another one of those second generation guys that couldn't come close to filling his father's shoes. His father was former WWWF Champion Stan "The Man" Stasiak and even though Shawn had a much better physique, his dad had enough charisma to be a draw in New York. At least Planet Stasiak is a better gimmick than Meat...and lets not go there. Meanwhile JR and King bring to light the recent neck injury Lita had suffered. Sad how she broke her neck in a tv show rather than in the ring. Lesnar makes his entrance first but Shawn sprints out and attacks The Hardy's at the opening bell. Jeff shoulder tackles Shawn but he counters later on with a spine buster. Stasiak works over Jeff and hits a sidewalk slam but the cover gets 2. Shawn locks in a rest hold as Heyman screams "SHAWN! SHAWN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING??" Jeff powers out of it and hits a sit-down jaw breaker, then tags out to Matt. Matt hits a side effect and sets himself up for the Hardy Special but Brock pulls Shawn out of the way and tags himself in. Lesnar hits shoulderblocks in the corner as Heyman shouts at Shawn. Lesnar glares at Stasiak so Matt takes advantage and pounds at Brock. Hardy goes upstairs but Brock catches him in mid-air and hits a back breaker before a whiplash slam. Lesnar begins to brutalize Matt as Heyman calls him the next big thing. Lesnar hits a huge powerslam and nails Jeff off the apron, then continues to serve Matt a beating. Brock hits two driving shoulderblocks into the corner as Stasiak taunts Matt. Brock charges but Matt moves and Lesnar goes shoulder post into the ringpost, then Shawn tags himself in. Shawn charges into a different corner but misses and Matt makes the tag to Jeff. Jeff goes to work on Shawn with clotheslines and leg-drop combo along with whisper in the wind. Jeff covers but gets 2 and then both Hardys knock Brock off the apron. Its academic from here, Matt hits the twist of fate and Jeff hits the swanton then covers for the 1..2...3 to win the match. After the match, Brock lays out both Hardys and then Stasiak for defying Heyman. Lesnar's push had just begun and this would be Stasiak's final ppv match for the company for he became a jobber until he was released from his contract in early 2003.

Time of Match: 6:47

Winner: The Hardy Boys by pinfall

   The next segment is showcasing the charity dinner from the night before. They had a jolly old auction to serve the make a wish foundation. After this, we go to Coach who interviews William Regal about his upcoming European title match against Spike Dudley. He basically runs down England and says he's the only thing to cheer for in London. After the heel promo, we go to the next match.

Match 6

Williams Regal vs Spike Dudley for the WWF European Championship

I don't understand why this match wasn't between the double main events instead of before them since nobody gave a damn about the European Championship. JR and King document how a month before on Raw, Spike won the title from Regal by using William's brass knucks. Regal starts out on offense and JR and King go over the British phrase titchy. One minute into the match Spike begins to rally with clotheslines and dropkicks. Regal begs for mercy and Spike continues to hit moves including a headbutt to the mid-section. Spike goes for the acid drop but Regal counters it and Spike lands awkwardly on his ankle. After rolling around, the trainers hustle down to ringside and take his boot off. They prepare to help Spike to the back and Regal goes out and attacks him. Regal then works over the right leg and slams him into the ropes as the crowd cheers. Regal hits a double under-arm powerbomb and covers for the 1...2...NOOO he pulls Spike up as JR scoffs. Regal goes for a suplex but Spike counters with a small package for a 1...2...3 to win the match. This match went less than 5 minutes, why wasn't it after the Austin/Show showdown?  After the match, Regal pulls out the brass knocks and waffles Spike with it as the crowd cheers again. King says Regal's arrogance led to his downfall.

Time of match:  4:54

Winner: Spike Dudley by pinfall (still European Champion)

   The next segment is a highlight package showcasing the upcoming battle between Austin and Big Show. At Backlash, Ric Flair as the guest ref accidentally cost Austin the number 1 contender slot for Judgement Day. Austin then came out on Raw and berated Flair for it, then Flair says he's gonna make it up to him by making a tag match between Austin and Bradshaw against Scott Hall and X-Pac. Later on in the night the nWo attacked Bradshaw so Flair named Big Show as his replacement. Big Show proceeded to turn on Austin and join the nWo, causing even more animosity between Austin and Flair. The addition of Big Show was pretty much the last attempt to salvage the original nWo since Hall was on his way out and Nash was out with an injured shoulder. Before the match starts, Flair runs out in a referee's shirt and then names himself guest outside referee for this upcoming double main event.

Match 7

Steve Austin vs Big Show  (Ric Flair is the special guest ref outside of the ring)

  Austin was nursing 2 bad wheels and a bad neck while Big Show was nowhere near as mobile as he used to be due to his own laziness (he admitted it years later), this could be one boring match. Nick Patrick never actually rings the bell so I'll start timing from the time Austin takes his vest off. Big Show says he's gonna break Austin in half, prompting Steve to give him the one finger salute. They circle around and lock up, and Big Show proceeds to power him around the ring. Austin does push-ups as the crowd chants "What?". They stall before locking up again, then Austin fires away with fists before Big Show stops the momentum with an elbow to the head. Austin regroups outside as the damn horn starts blowing again. 4 minutes into this thing I haven't seen one wrestling hold other than a series of collar and elbow tie ups, and Austin continues the trend with kicks to the knees before Big Show hits a clothesline. They stall for another 30 seconds before Big Show hits a series of open handed chops to the chest in the corner. Austin goes back to kicking at Big Show's knees and then floors him with a clothesline. He grabs both Big Show's legs and boots him in the berries, that's one way to take down a giant. Austin hits a series of elbows to the left leg which I guess is the first wrestling hold in the match nearly SIX MINUTES into it. Austin continues to work over Big Show's left leg and rams it into the ringpost. The fans start chanting something and King says it sounds like "You Fat Bastard", heh. Austin continues to dominate on offense before Big Show hits a headbutt out of desperation. Austin does an Undertaker style elbow drop/leglock. Show powers out of it but Austin hits a chop-block and continues to kick away at the leg. Austin ducks under a clothesline and elbow but Show powerslams him. Show pulls his singlet strap down and chops Austin in the corner before heaving him across the ring twice. Big Show stands in him then goes to work on the lower back and kidney area, finishing with a suplex. Big Show sells Austin's leg attacks from earlier and slowly chops away on Austin from the outside. Back inside Austin rallies against the lef leg but Show hits a back body drop. Big Show hits another back bodydrop while they show the prevous one at the same time. Big Show wears down Austin in the corner and goes for another but gets a boot instead. Show clothesline and tries to pin him but only gets near falls. Austin rallies with fists but Big Show goes back to work in the corner and catches him in a bear-hug. Austin bites his way out but Show hits another headbutt and covers for a near fall. Show locks in another bear-hug as the once rabid crowd begins to die down. Austin does the "fade then revive" routine and rallies out of it with headbutts to the nose. A charge in the corner eats boot and Austin goes to the second rope and hits a Lou Thez press. Austin opens up a can of whoop ass but Big Show hits a big boot to stop the momentum. Austin ducks under a clothesline and Show nails referee Nick Patrick instead. Show turns around into a stunner by Austin but there's no one to count the fall. All of a sudden Scott Hall and X-Pac run out to ringside and prevent Flair from counting out Show. Flair beats them both up and chases them to the back as Austin is pissed Flair deserted him. Show gets up and goes for a Chokeslam but Austin counters it, so Show big boots him instead. Big Show hits another headbutt as Kevin Nash appears from the crowd and gets in the ring with X-Pac's nunchucks. Austin boots Nash and then low blows Show, then stuns them both. Patrick wakes up and Austin covers for the 1...2...3 to win the match. Flair runs back to ringside and chases Nash away with a chair. Austin does his beer bash celebration and after a while Flair picks up the mic and starts butt-kissing Austin. Austin then grabs the mic and goes off on how bygones should be bygones and as they start downing the suds, Austin stuns him as the crowd cheers. Saw that coming a mile away.

Time of Match: The bell never rang so an unofficial 17:30

Winner: Steve Austin by pinfall

 The next segment is a highlight package of how Undertaker cost HHH the title at Backlash and how they're gonna get it on one more time tonight. Only problem was hardcore fans had already seen this match a year earlier at Wrestlemania so it was nothing new. After HHH had came to Raw and beat up Undertaker, Taker got his revenge by costing HHH and number 1 contender's match against Chris Jericho. Which means Jericho had to job to Hogan on Smackdown at one point or another.  Lets send it to our second main event....

Match 8

Triple H vs The Undertaker

HHH is supposedly on Smackdown but is allowed to appear on this Raw ppv. The crowd cheers very loud for The Undertaker despite him being a heel, or maybe its piped in chants. Howard Finkel announces that HHH is 272 lbs...keep in mind he was about 240-245 in his early WWF days. HHH charges and they slug it out to start. HHH hits a flying knee and a back bodydrop then clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Outside, Taker works over HHH but Trips shoves him into the ringpost. HHH goes back on offense and throws him back inside, where Taker counters with a clothesline. After a near fall, Taker goes to work in the corner with fists and hits another clothesline. Taker goes for an arm wrench as King marvels at Triple H's physique, then Taker goes upstairs but HHH blocks the Old School attempt. JR says "HHH jerking The Undertaker off the top rope!" Take away "the top rope"  out of it and there's a soundbyte that people would pay for. HHH unloads with fists and hits a snap suplex then hits an elbow drop. A near fall gets 2 and Taker begs for mercy...then throws trips through the ropes to the outside. HHH rams Taker into the US announce table then clotheslines him. Taker climbs onto the apron and HHH slugs him a few times before motioning that he's gonna throw Earl Hebner over the top rope. Taker hits a stun gun and clotheslines HHH in the corner. Taker places HHH's head outside the ring and hits the chest area with a forearm. Taker turns him over and hits a leg drop on the back of HHH. Taker charges in the corner but eats elbow and HHH rallies with punches. Taker ducks under a clothesline and hits a chop block, then goes to work on the left leg. King brings up the quad injury as Taker hits the elbow to the leg/leglock combo. HHH uses his right leg to counter and rallies again and whips Taker into the ropes....which collapse on impact. The ring crew has some splainin' to do after the show's over, good thing this happened in the main event and not earlier. Earl Hebner checks on the broken rope as Taker lowblows HHH, BRILLIANT! Taker drops an elbow and covers for 2, then locks in a rest hold. 45 seconds later HHH powers out of it and hits a back suplex, then they do a double clothesline spot. The damn horn blows as they slowly rise to their feet, Taker goes for a big boot but HHH moves out of the way. Taker lands sack first on the broken rope and HHH slugs away at him. HHH hits a swinging neckbreaker but Taker doesn't sell it, so HHH does it again. HHH hits an Arn Anderson style spinebuster but only gets a long 2 count. Taker blocks a pedigree attempt and hits a big boot then calls for the chokeslam. HHH counters the chokeslam with a sloppy looking ddt but only gets 2 on the cover. Taker whips HHH into the corner where the steel part that holds the turnbuckle in place flies off and clangs against the steps. This ring is all messed up now so they better finish up before someone gets hurt. HHH hits the knee lift, but Taker counters the pedigree with a chokeslam. Taker takes too long to cover so HHH kicks out at 2, then Undertaker rolls outside and gets a steel chair. Hebner tries to pull the chair away so when Taker gets control, HHH hits a running high knee into the chair. HHH covers but Taker kicks out at 2, then hits a ddt upon standing but gets a near fall of his own. Taker signals for the dragon sleeper but HHH counters with a clothesline. Taker whips HHH into another corner and breaks that part off too. Taker hits snake eyes on HHH in the broken turnbuckle but HHH counters with another high knee. HHH hits the pedigree and covers for the 1...2...3 to win the match. Wow....Taker was going to wrestle for the WWF title in less than 3 weeks and they put HHH over, go figure. JR shills the match as something special even though it was the same style as the one at Wrestlemania 17 a year earlier in front of a hell of a lot more people. Still, a good match is a good match whether its in front of no one or everyone.

Time of Match: 14:29

Winner: HHH by pinfall

  

I know this was supposed to be a British skybox only ppv, but the match quality was UGGGGGGLYYY. The opener was good, the women's match was ok and Booker T was good....it was all downhill from there. I loved the Heyman and Stasiak part but the match itself wasn't that great.  I will say no matter what was going on or who was involved, the fans were always annoyingly loud, but that's a good thing since it means they're actually interested in the product. The next British ppv would be Rebellion in late October which would feature only Smackdown stars. Insurrextion was completely meaningless in terms of Judgement Day hype but it was at least something to present to the UK. Up next is Judgement Day 02.

WWF Backlash 2002 (4/21/02)

This was the official last American ppv under the name WWF. As it turned out, it was released under the WWE name so technically this is the first WWE ppv in which to work with. This is partially why the ratings dropped like a bomb because the casual fans were confused. Let me give you an insight of what was going on at the time before we continue. In mid April 2002 Vince McMahon was battling a lawsuit over the copyright to the name WWF by the World Wildlife Foundation. Now rather than settle out of court and pay them on advertising and what not, Vince decided to let the Wildlifers win the battle and he changed the name of World Wrestling Federation to World Wrestling Entertainment. Now in Vince's mind, it was no big deal....after all he changed the name from World Wide Wrestling Federation to World Wrestling Federation in the early 80's so it wasn't like changing names was never done before. What Vince failed to realize was that changing the name in today's age was a huge deal. The NYSE, the internet and just about everything else had to change and part of the suit was they could no longer say the letters WWF in that specific order. Now Vince had to change the logos, the stock info, the website, everything. It became a huge mess and casual fans were confused.

   The second biggest change was after Wrestlemania, Vince decided to have two brands so to speak which meant wrestlers would only work on either Raw or Smackdown. Hardcore fans thought this was a good idea because seeing the same guys on two shows every week really sped up the decline of their buyrates, TV ratings and merch sales. WCW stars that were hot in 1995 were old in 1998 for the very same reason, being on tv too much gets people bored faster. Unfortunately the problem with this was Smackdown was on network television while Raw was on cable, meaning people without cable could no longer see guys like Kane or Steve Austin or anyone else on Raw. The second problem was the WWE champion can appear on both shows but that would over-expose him as well, not to mention having to fly to arenas for Raw and then fly to arenas for Smackdown. While it was a good idea in some aspects to split into brands, the drawbacks would further confuse fans and led to a rapid downfall of ratings. Now then, lets move on to the review.

    Backlash 02 was the site of one of the most infamous matches of all time. The previous month at Wrestlemania, HHH had beaten Chris Jericho to win the WWF undisputed title and on the same show, Hulk Hogan lost to The Rock and revived Hulkamania in the process. Somehow even though The Rock won the match, Hogan became number 1 contender to HHH and they would wrestle for the belt at Backlash. The two biggest ego-maniacs in wrestling will go at it and someone has to do the job, question is who is the unlucky one?

APRIL 21, 2002

KEMPER ARENA

KANSAS CITY, MO

Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Match 1

Billy Kidman vs Tajiri (with Torrie Wilson) for the WWF Cruiserweight championship

  This was right in the middle of Tajiri's heel turn so he's got Torrie unwillingly dressing in kimonos. Kidman enters to his cool old school WCW music and we're set to go. I will no longer be reviewing matches blow for blow but I'll try to get most of the action that I can. Ross starts off by mentioning Tajiri had beaten Kidman for the title last October in the same arena. Tajiri is shoved down but nips back up and they do a sequence of flips and takedowns before Tajiri chops Kidman in the corner. Kidman returns the favor and goes for a hurracarrana but Tajiri catches him and slingshots him into the turnbuckle. Kidman lands on the second rope and delivers a flying dropkick and goes for the cover. After a 2 count,  Kidman goes on the offensive as the crowd chants for Torrie. Tajiri slides to the outside and grabs Kidman's legs and proceeds to pull him out and drop him face first on the guard-rail. Tajiri throws Kidman inside and goes on the offensive as JR talks about Tajiri's heel turn and Lawler makes a racist comment on how Tajiri will take his money and open a "Tall Man" shop in Tokyo. Tajiri drops Kidman on the first rope then slides out of the ring and hits a kick on Kidman's head. He taunts the crowd gets back in and applies a rest hold as JR brings up the feud started when Tajiri knocked Kidman out cold with one of his kicks on Smackdown. Kidman powers out of it, bounces off the ropes and hits a hurracarrana before Tajiri catches him on the second attempt with an around the world backbreaker. Tajiri ties Kidman up in the tree of woe and tells the crowd "Shutaaapppppp" before hitting his trademark dropkick in the corner. Tajiri rolls out and does a bow and arrow using the ring post for leverage and kicks him for good measure. Tajiri rolls back in and goes on offense while King screams for Torrie's puppies. Tajiri tries a backbreaker submission but Kidman rolls through and gets a 2 count. Tajiri goes back on the offensive with elbows and kicks and JR says Tajiri has a degree in economics which shocks Lawler. Kidman rallies and charges in the corner but Tajiri avoids it and tries a tarantula. Kidman blocks it and Tajiri kicks him from the apron, then leaps over the rope and somehow gets the tarantula locked on. Nice spot and Tajiri signals for his buzzkick but misses it and Kidman rallies again. Kidman whips Tajiri and he tries his cartwheel back elbow but Kidman counters with a dropkick to the back. A cover gets 2, Tajiri then rolls through a backdrop and spin kicks him Savio Vega style in the back of the head. Tajiri and Kidman hit a series of reversals before Tajiri hits a German suplex for a 2 count, and then turns into a rolling prawn hold for another 2 count. The crowd cheers the spots as Tajiri goes back on the offensive and hits a savate kick but the cover gets 2. Kidman turns a powerbomb into a facebuster but the cover gets a long 2 count. Kidman goes for the seven year itch but Tajiri moves out of the way and hits his buzzkick. Tajiri's cover gets a 2 count as Lawler wonders how Kidman kicked out. They end up on the top turnbuckle where Kidman hits a spinebuster but the cover only nets a 2. Kidman goes for a powerbomb but Tajiri sprays the red mist in his eyes, rolls through and gets a 1...2....3 to win the match and the title. Ross scoffs as Torrie applauds and Michael Cole hits ringside to interview him. Tajiri answers in Japenese to confuse everyone and Ross says Tajiri is the champion by hook or crook. Decent opener with some nice spots.

Time of match:  9:08

Winner: Tajiri by pinfall (new Cruiserweight champion)

  The next segment has the APA re-uniting for the first time since Bradshaw was drafted to Raw and Faarooq went to Smackdown. They chat for a bit before the nWo's music plays so Bradshaw heads off as we head to the next match. I initially thought that breaking up the APA was a bad idea but when Bradshaw became JBL two years later it turned into a good idea.

Match 2

Scott Hall (with X-Pac) vs Bradshaw

  After Hulk Hogan left the re-formulated nWo it was basically all down-hill from there. Kevin Nash got injured (in the storyline Flair "suspended" him) which left Scott Hall the only original member left. Vince tried to salvage the situation by bringing Big Show and X-Pac into the group. X-Pac enters besides Hall wearing Kane's mask and JR talks about how the nWo put Kane on the shelf (he'd come back later in the year with a new look). I was a huge Scott Hall fan growing up so when I saw him come back at No Way Out, I was thrilled. It didn't take long for me to find out he was still an alcoholic and his matches were no longer what they once were and I hoped this one would be different. Hall actually gets a loud face pop from the crowd though he's a heel and Bradshaw gets almost as big as one. X-Pac and Hall circle around Bradshaw before the APA music hits and out comes Faarooq to be in Bradshaw's corner. Hall throws his toothpick at Bradshaw and laughs before Bradshaw slugs him down. Bradshaw goes on the offensive and beats Hall around the ring before hitting a ddt.  A cover gets a 2 as Hall bails to the outside and backs into Faarooq. Hall slowly turns around and eats a right hand before Faarooq turns around and nails X-Pac for his troubles. Faarooq throws Scott in and Bradshaw goes back on the offensive and gets a 2 count after an elbow drop. Bradshaw resumes clubbing and chopping Hall and then hits a float over suplex for another 2 count. Bradshaw resumes slugging Hall and Scott staggers around as if he was drunk...then again I wouldn't doubt that he may have actually been so. Bradshaw gets another 2 count before Hall rallies and hits his around the world punch. Hall chokes Bradshaw on the second rope before X-Pac gets some cheap shots in. They trade blows and Hall goes on the offensive and hits a clothesline in the corner. Hall continues to go to work with boots in the corner before Bradshaw hits a shoulder tackle. When both men get up Bradshaw goes on the offensive and hits clubs and elbows before hitting a big boot. Bradshaw hits a running corner clothesline spot Hall had hit earlier. Hall reverses a whip but turns around into a clothesline from hell. Bradshaw covers but X-Pac puts Hall's foot on the rope to break the count. Faarooq chases X-Pac onto the apron where Bradshaw slugs him off and Faarooq catches him then rams him back first into the ringpost. Hall sneaks up behind Bradshaw and hits a low blow then cradles him up for the 1-2-3 to end the match. Hall and X-Pac and JR explain how Hall won the match. Bad match and it would turn out to be Hall's last ppv match as a wrestler for he would be fired for sexually harassing a flight attendant after INSURREXTION 2002, least he went out with a win.

Time of Match:  5:43

Winner: Scott Hall by pinfall

  The next segment is Vince McMahon barging into Ric Flair's office and sticks it to him for his recent misfortune of pissing off people on Raw. Flair says he'll never be Vince McMahon as Arn Anderson smirks and refuses a handshake. Guess the point of this was to hype the Austin/Taker showdown later on in the night.

Match 3

Trish Stratus vs Jazz for the WWF Women's Championship

   Jazz had recently won the title from the rapidly improving Trish so maybe this time Trish will get the upperhand? Up until the fall of 2001 Trish was a horrible wrestler if you can believe it, and through dedication and endless training she turned herself into the great wrestler she is today. Jazz is the opposite of Trish, she's not that attractive but she can kick some serious ass. Trish enters to a huge pop and Molly makes her entrance instead of Jazz. Molly cuts a heel promo and then attacks Trish, after giving her a beat-down Jazz makes her way to ring side and throws Trish in the ring like Molly wasn't even there and the match begins. Jazz goes on the offensive hitting a series of moves culminating in a sidewalk slam. Trish rallies and hits a clothesline but is thrown down seconds later. Jazz hits Tyson like left jabs before Trish counters with her own. Trish misses a right legged chick kick but lands one with her left and gets a 2 count. Trish goes on the offensive in the corner and hits a Stratusphere but Jazz pops up. Trish hits a series of clotheslines and then a neck-breaker which nets a 2 count. Jazz counters with a boot to the head (yeah yeah) and hits a sit-down powerbomb but the cover only gets 2. Jazz strangles Trish on the first rope. Jazz whips her into the corner but misses a stinger splash attempt but Trish's roll attempt gets 2. Trish goes for the Stratusfaction but Jazz counters with a back suplex. A cover gets a 2 count and Charles Robinson the referee goes "woah woah". Jazz whips her in the corner and counters a boot with a single leg takedown. Jazz locks in a Boston crab and Trish inches her way to the rope before Jazz turns into an STF where Trish submits. Action packed for 4 minutes with little rest holds, decent showing. JR says Molly Holly's interference cost Trish the match and Jazz should take her out to dinner. Some doofus I don't even know tries to interview Jazz after the match and she just walks off.

Time of match: 4:25

Winner: Jazz by submission (still Women's champion)

 The next segment is a replay of the previous Raw where Paul Heyman invades Lita's locker-room and begins playing with her panties (like he's never done this before?) before Lita walks in. Heyman says that Lesnar is gonna destroy Matt Hardy at the ppv unless Lita plays nice nice with Heyman (again, like she's never done that?) Later on in the show Heyman comes out to the ramp with Lita's bag and plays with her thongs and whatnot before Matt charges right into Brock Lesnar. Lesnar proceeds to F-5 Hardy into the steel ramp and puts him out of the ppv. Jeff Hardy takes his place instead and back to live action which shows Heyman telling Lesnar tonight's his night to shine, yeah no kidding. The start of a two year run begins.....now

Match 4

Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs Jeff Hardy (with Lita)

   Brock Lesnar was an NCAA wrestling heavyweight champion from the U of Minnesota and he's being booked as a monster heel so this should be a one sided squash. Lesnar comes out to cool music that's not his most famous theme, wonder whatever happened to that song. Hardy attacks at the opening bell but Lesnar quickly takes over with knees to the abdomen. Lesnar heaves Hardy underneath the rope as JR tells the crowd about Lesnar's amateur wrestling success. Hardy slides in the ring and when Lesnar jumps on the apron he's promptly dropkicked off. Jeff springboards onto Lesnar, who catches him but Hardy reverses a snake eyes and rams Lesnar into the steel post. Hardy hops on the top rope and hits a crossbody for a 2 count. Lesnar gets up and spears Hardy into the corner and rams him with shoulders. Lesnar throws him around and nails a series of greco-roman suplexes. Lesnar hits 3 back-breakers in a row as Heyman says that's for Lita. Lesnar stalks Hardy and Jeff tries to rally but Lesnar whips him hard off the corner. JR says that barely anyone in the WWF can match power with Brock and when he gets more experience he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the future, good call on that one. Lesnar whips Jeff into the corner where Hardy hits a whisper in the wind out of nowhere. Jeff hits a sitdown jawbreaker and then his inbetween the legs leg-drop. Jeff goes upstairs and hits the swanton bomb, but Lesnar powers out at 2. Jeff goes outside and gets a steel chair but Lesnar picks him up and nails te F-5. Heyman tells Lesnar not to pin up but hurt him so Lesnar hits a huge powerbomb, picks him up and does it again. Lesnar hits another powerbomb and referee Teddy Long stops the match. I think that's the first stoppage I've seen since 1999 but in terms of storyline and on-screen impact it was a good call. Impressive showing by Lesnar who hit power moves like Hardy was 100 lbs instead of 200. This was just the beginning for Brock now known as The Next Big Thing and the next step was conquering more than The Hardy Boyz.

Time of Match: 5:31

Winner: Brock Lesnar by stoppage

  The next segment is a highlight package for the upcoming Edge vs Kurt Angle showdown. The highlight was when Edge humiliated Angle by posting "I suck" under pictures, you'd have to see it to appreciate it.

Match 5

Edge vs Kurt Angle

  Good friends, better enemies. These two haven't feuded since the previous King of the Ring before the whole Invasion angle so its taken them a while to pick up where they left off. They lock up and Angle hits a headlock as Lawler asks Ross if he thought it was funny what Edge did as JR brings up both Edge and Angle won matches at Wrestlemania 18. They do a wrestling sequence before Edge throws Angle outside, Angle then pulls Edge out. Angle and Edge go at it in the ring and trade suplexes as Lawler asks if Edge even knows what the Olympics are. Kind of dumb seeing as the Canadians had won the gold medal in hockey a month or 2 earlier over the US. Edge and Angle exchange chops as Lawler says that JR kissed Vince McMahon's ass on tv and JR says that he did it under duress and Angle does it willingly. A charge by Angle in the corner eats boot but as Edge charges, Angle hits a nice overhead suplex. A cover gets 2 and Ross says that Angle might just be the greatest WWF superstar in history someday, I'm sure Hogan and HHH have something to say on that subject. Angle continues to work over Edge and hits a standard suplex for a 2 count. Angle locks in a rest hold and Edge does the fade then revive routine and as Edge rallies, Kurt catches him with a german suplex. A second attempt is blocked and Edge hits an overhead suplex of his own. Angle and Edge trade blows before Edge nails Angle with clotheslines and a back bodydrop. Edge whips Angle off the corner and catches him with the Edgecution but a cover gets 2. Edge rolls through a back suplex and hits a one arm ddt and gets another 2 count. Edge goes upstairs and Angle pops up and hits a belly to belly suplex off the top rope. Angle takes too long to cover and only gets 2 as the crowd cheers then Edge blocks an ankelock attempt and initially counters a german suplex but Angle finally hits his 3 suplex sequence but the bridge only gets a long 2. Angle taunts Edge and blocks an Angle-slam and follows up with a german suplex of his own. During downtime, JR brings up how Angle won the gold medal in wrestling with a broken neck. Angle charges Edge and Edge backdrops him out of the ring before going upstairs. Edge dives off and hits a crossbody and they're both down again. Angle rolls into the ring as Edge once again goes up top and hits a flying dropkick but the cover gets 2. Edge taunts Kurt to get up but Angle blocks another Edgecution attempt and rolls Edge into an Angle-slam. Kurt covers by only gets 2 as the crowd goes "ohhh" simultaneously. Angle is enraged and puts Edge in the ankle-lock and holds them there until Edge turns it into a victory roll for a 2 count. Angle gets up and clotheslines Edge and is clearly frustrated so he goes outside and gets a chair. He gets back in and goes to hit Edge with the chair but Edge moves and the chair bounces off the ropes and hits Angle in the head. Edge nails the Edge-o-matic and the crowd cheers but Angle kicks out at 2. The crowd goes nuts with cheers and boo's as Angle rakes the eyes and goes to pick up the chair. Edge boots him in the head as the ref gets the chair out of the way as Angle counters the spear attempt with a boot of his own. Angle hits an angle-slam and covers for the 1---2--3 to win the match. Angle won this match fair and square even though he brought a chair in the ring and it was an awesome match. I'll say this right now, the set up for this match was sophmorically stupid with the pictures but the match itself was damn good. The difference between WWE and WCW was WCW's ppv's sucked just as bad as their television shows by the end, and normally WWE ppv's had some great matches out of bad storylines.

Time of match: 13:24

Winner: Kurt Angle by pinfall

  The next segment is Tazz in WWF New York interviewing fans about the Hogan/HHH main event. After this nonsense we get back to ringside where none other than Chris Jericho makes his entrance. He gets on the mic and proceeds to bitch that he was in the main event of Wrestlemania 18 the month before and wasn't even booked to wrestle at Backlash. Yeah really....it reminded me of WCW Road Wild 97 where Hogan beat Lex Luger for the title and Luger wasn't even mentioned on television for a whole 2 weeks. He goes off calling fans jackasses and says Billy Kidman, Maven and Trish Stratus have matches and he doesn't. He then says he's a better wrestler than the "has-been" Hulk Hogan and even asks the crowd if Hogan deserves the title shot more than he does? The crowd cheers Hogan but the statement is so true on many accounts. Jericho main evented Wrestlemania and instead of HHH facing Jericho in a re-match or The Rock, somehow Hogan is the number 1 contender? In reality, The Rock had left the WWF to go film the movie The Rundown and he wouldn't be back till June. Jericho claims Hogan's not worthy of being champion and that Jericho is before leaving. JR tries to save face but even he has no counter to Jericho's statement because its 100% true.

    The next segment is Ric Flair an Arn Anderson getting ready for the number 1 contender's match later on. A door is kicked open and Arn Anderson says "here we go" as The Undertaker enters. Undertaker doesn't even say a word, he just sneers and points the finger at Flair as if to say "don't doublecross me". After this we go to the next match

Match 6

Eddie Guerrero vs Rob Van Dam for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

  After getting fired the previous year, coming out of rehab clean and doing indy feds to get back in ring shape (one of which I was there for), Eddie Guerrero is welcomed back to the WWF and has a title shot against Van Dam. This is pretty much a battle of the frog-splashes and King asks JR who was the first person to do the frog splash. JR correctly answers D-Lo Brown as King says.. "ok, the SECOND man to do it". Van Dam and Guerrero trade blows before Eddie rolls through a backdrop attempt into a spinning back kick. Van Dam does a rolling monkey flip and a heel kick before getting a 2 count. They trade blows and Guerrero hits a single leg takedown and beats in the corner. Van Dam does 2 shoulder tackles but Guerrero blocks a german suplex attempt and works him over in the corner. Van Dam nails Eddie with kicks and drops him with a spin kick. A standing moonsault gets a near-fall and goes back on offense as JR praises Van Dam. Van Dam hits a floatover suplex for a 2 count and goes upstairs. Eddie knocks Van Dam onto the top rope and Eddie goes for a superplex but Van Dam counters by driving Eddie into the top rope while simultaneously jumping to the floor. Cool spot that gets a huge "ohhhh" the crowd. Van Dam goes back up top and hits a flying dropkick and then a cartwheel moonsault for a 2 count. Guerrero hits an inside cradle for a 2 and rolls though a slam into a prawn hold for a 2 as well. Eddie slides out of the ring and Van Dam hits a base ball slide and then a moonsault from the second rope to the floor. Van Dam drops Guerrero on the guard roll and hits a spin leg drop on Guerrero. Van Dam rolls Guerrero back in and scores a near-fall but Eddie counters the rolling thunder attempt. Guerrero goes on the offensive and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker followed by a back suplex. A cover gets a 2 and goes back on the offensive before applying a bending surf-board facelock. Van Dam powers out of it but Guerrero goes right back to work on the lower back and hits a standing stretch, Van Dam eventually rolls through into a sunset flip for a 2 count. Guerrero goes back on the offensive and hits a back kick and hits a springboard moonsault from the apron to the ring. A cover gets a near-fall and Guerrero goes back to work on the lower back before climbing up to the top rope and hitting a hurracarrana, but the cover gets only 2. Guerrero hits 2 suplexes but a lateral press gets 2 so Guerrero goes upstairs but Van Dam kicks him off the top rope. Van Dam goes for a superplex but Guerrero counters it into a sick looking rolling powerbomb. I thought Van Dam broke his neck with that impact but a quick kick-out meant he was ok. Guerrero goes on the offensive again but Van Dam counters a powerbomb with a step-over kick that sends Eddie through the ropes to the outside. Guerrero grabs the IC title belt and gets in the ring, he swings and misses as Van Dam accidentally knocks out the ref by pulling it away. Eddie then hits a rude awakening neckbreaker on the belt, goes upstairs and hits a frogsplash half-way across the ring. The cover gets 1---2---3 and we have a new champion. Vince McMahon can be a dick sometimes, but he's been known to give people second chances and Guerrero being IC Champion proves this. A great match by both guys with minimal rest-holds.

Time of match:  11:43

Winner: Eddie Guerrero (New Intercontinental champion)

   The next segment is JR and King shilling The Scorpion King before a highlight package of The Undertaker vs Steve Austin showdown is shown. Basically The Undertaker has been giving Flair grief ever since Wrestlemania (where Taker beat Flair) and Flair figures the only way to shut him up is to put him in a number 1 contender round robin with Rob Van Dam, Scott Hall and Steve Austin. Both Austin and Taker won their matches so the stage was set, both men had beaten up Flair before so Ric has no alliances or favorites here.

Match 7

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs The Undertaker (Ric Flair is the special guest referee)

 Austin and Undertaker wrestled each other on pay-per-view every single year from 1997-02. To say the feud was old by now was a huge understatement. Least having Flair as the ref saves a little bit of drama because fans had grown tired of this match. Flair enters to his old school WWF theme and gets a nice pop. Taker and Austin circle around engaging in a stare-down. They back up, circle around and finally lock up one minute in. Undertaker applies a headlock and takes a shoulderblock before rolling outside. Austin takes his time getting back in the ring and applies a headlock of his own upon entering and they eventually do a "force meeting object" routine. They tease locking up before doing push-ups to rev the crowd up before finally locking up again. Austin and Taker exchange headlocks before Austin clotheslines him down and gives the one finger salute. Austin teases a game of mercy before flipping him off again, Taker then hists a shoulder block before Austin counters with arm drags and a drop toe hold. Austin applies an arm-lock as King says "Hey Austin can wrestle" People forget he was a mat-based wrestler in WCW and he could match hold for hold with anyone. Austin hits a series of knees to the shoulder before hitting a bar arm pin for a 2 count. Taker rises and King claims that whoever is pinned might attack Flair after the match. Taker backs Austin in the corner and turns around to wallop him in the head, Austin goes on offense but a charge in the corner eats boot and is followed by a clothesline. Taker gets a 2 count and he begins working the left arm of Austin. Taker goes upstairs with the arm and hits the old school for a 2 count as well. Taker stalks Flair for a few seconds before Austin catches him with a Lou Thez press and an elbow drop. A cover gets a near-fall and Austin clotheslines Taker over the top rope to the floor. Taker pulls out Austin and they slug it out on the floor before Taker throws Austin back in....only to have Austin clothesline him out again. Austin rams Taker's head into the Spanish announce table a few times and throws him back in. Austin takes his time getting on the apron and pays for it as Taker big boots him off. Taker pounds on Austin outside the ring before Austin rallies and knocks Undertaker into the crowd. Austin beats down Taker in the crowd before heaving him over the time-keeper's table. They continue to brawl outside and Austin goes for a piledriver but gets backdropped. Undertaker pounds on Austin as JR asks King why he's so anti-Flair. I should note Flair has let everything go so far with no signs of favortism. All of a sudden Scott Hall and X-Pac show up and slowly make their way to ringside as Taker stares them down. Austin rams Taker's head into his Harley before Taker whips Austin into the retaining barrier. The crowd starts chanting X-Pac sucks as Flair checks on Austin. Taker continues to work over Austin outside the ring before finally getting the action back inside. Taker legdrops Austin while Austin is on the apron as Pac and Hall confer with each other. Taker begins to go to work on Austin's left leg and applies a leg lock as JR calls Austin "Bionic Redneck" Taker applies a leg grapevine until Austin makes it to the ropes. Austin tries to fight back without selling the leg work at all before Undertaker hits a sloppy clothesline with a near fall. Taker applies a resthold as the crowd either boo's the ring or boo's the nWo. Taker continues to apply the neck vice until Austin sticks a thumb to the eye. Austin whips Taker off the ropes and catches him in a sleeper but Taker counters with a back suplex. A cover gets 2 as King says "that may have been the slowest count in the history of the WWF" JR points out that Flair has counted that way the entire match no matter who was down for the fall, I must admit the count was slightly slower than Nick Patrick's "fast-count" at WCW Starrcade 97. Taker goes back to the neck vice before Austin powers out of it and goes for a stone cold stunner attempt, Taker blocks it and catches Austin with a clothesline. A cover gets 2 and Taker begins Indian rubbing Austin with his forearm. Hall and Pac are still there watching as JR says Kane's mask makes Pac look a little better than normal. Austin rallies with fists before Undertaker his his flying clothesline but the cover gets a near-fall. Taker goes and removes the top turnbuckle but Austin whips him into it. They do a double clothesline spot and both men take forever to get up but they go at it upon the action resuming. Austin stomps a mudhole in Taker as the crowd chants "What" in between stomps. A charge in the corner eats elbow as Taker goes for a tombstone but Austin avoids it and whips Taker into Flair. Flair goes down and Austin hits the stunner on Taker and goes for the cover but Flair's down. Austin picks up Flair as Taker hits a low blow and hits a chokeslam but Austin kicks out at 2. Taker goes outside and gets a chair. Back inside, Flair grabs the chair and Austin returns the favor by low blowing The Undertaker. Undertaker ducks under a clothesline and hits a big boot but the cover gets a long 2. Austin hits a spinebuster but also only gets 2. Austin says "get up you sonovabitch" but Taker blocks the stunner by shoving him into Flair who goes down again. Taker grabs the steel chair and hits Austin in the head with it. Taker covers but Austin kicks out and Taker signals for the last ride. Austin counters with a clothesline and then a dragon sleeper before Taker takes over. Taker gets the chair and swings and misses before Austin rallies and stomps another mudhole into him. Austin goes and gets the chair and when Flair tries to grab it away, Austin flips him off. Taker big boots the chair into Austin's face. Taker covers and Austin puts his foot on the rope but Flair doesn't see it and counts 1...2...3 and the match is over. Scott Hall and X-Pac leave as the crowd boos. Taker says "I'm number one" as Flair walks away and JR cries foul. Austin gets up and says "what the fuck" before Taker taunts him. Austin fires back with rights and stuns him out of the ring and says he's number 1.  Not the best Austin/Undertaker match but not the worst either, I'm guessing Hall and X-Pac was scouting the winner for a future storyline but with Hall getting the heave-ho, nothing came of it. The Undertaker will now meet the winner of Hogan/HHH at Judgement Day which means Hogan, HHH and The Undertaker will be main eventing ppv's until at least June.

Time of match: 26:58

Winner: The Undertaker by pinfall

    Jonathan Coachman catches up with Flair and shows Ric how he counted the fall with Austin's foot on the rope. Flair's response is simply "aww shit". Yeah, no kidding...on to the next match

Match 8

Al Snow and Maven vs Billy and Chuck (with Rico) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

   Like Jericho said earlier in the night, how Maven had a match and not Y2J I'll never know. In any event, this was basically the crew from Tough Enough against the champs and the results will probably be as expected.  Billy and Chuck nail them off the bat but the faces take over and clear the ring. Chuck pulls Maven out of the ring and he and Billy work him over outside. Billy Gunn whips him into the rail and then throws him inside. The heels take turns beating on Maven inside until Billy knocks Al Snow off the apron, then turns around into a ddt by Maven. Billy tags in Chuck Palumbo as Al Snow runs in and beats on the heels and after he leaves, Chuck works over Maven in the corner. Chuck whips Maven off the rope and catches the foot, which Maven does a sloppy looking enziguri. Al Snow tags in and beats down Billy and Chuck before backdropping Chuck. Snow does a 10 punch in the corner spot on Billy and Rico distracts the ref long enough for Chuck to clothesline Al from the apron. Billy does a swinging neckbreaker on Snow and the cover gets a near-fall. Chuck tags in and works over Snow as the crowd chants "Rico's gay" Chuck puts Snow in a surfboard but Snow powers out of it before Chuck hits an overhead suplex. A cover gets a deuce and Billy tags in to do damage to Al. Al Snow ducks a charge and Billy goes face first into the ringpost. Billy goes down and Chuck charges but is drop toe'd into Billy. Maven tags in and goes to work on the champs before Billy clocks him. Maven sends Billy off the ropes but stupidly puts his head down and Gunn hits the fame-asser. Al Snow pulls Maven out of the ring and gets on the apron to slug it out with Gunn. Snow flips over Gunn and runs into a superkick by Palumbo. Billy distracts the ref and Chuck holds Maven but Rico spinkicks Chuck when Maven ducks out of the way. Rico gets out of the ring as Billy works over Maven in the corner. Maven reverses a whip and Al Snow hits a baldo bomb on Billy. Maven goes upstairs and hits a high cross-body on Billy for a long 2 count. Maven goes "get up! get up!" and Rico gets in the ring, but Al Snow gets in and chases him away. As the ref yells at Snow and Rico, Chuck gets in the ring and hits a superkick on Maven. Billy covers for the 1-2-3 to win the match, then Snow clears the ring. Wasn't that bad all things considering, got the crowd calm enough before the main event.

Time of Match: 5:58

Winners: Billy and Chuck by pinfall (still champions)

  Next up is a highlight package of the Hogan vs HHH showdown. The fans simply refused to boo Hogan when he came back no matter what he did with the nWo and Vince was more than happy to re-ignite Hulkamania. Standing in the Hulk's way of redemption was HHH who completed his own redemption story of coming back from quad surgery to win the WWF title from Jericho at Wrestlemania 18.

Match 9

Hulk Hogan vs HHH for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

   This is the match of the ages, the two biggest ego-maniacs in wrestling history other than Vince McMahon. Hogan and Triple H.....someone's gotta job, just who will it be? On one side you got Hogan who basically killed WCW by refusing to put over anyone young other than his friends until the young stars left for WWF. Then you have HHH who would go on to damn near do the same thing to WWF/E until Batista and John Cena came along. They circle around to start out and HHH heaves Hogan into the corner twice to show his strength. Hogan does the same and poses for the crowd and somehow the fans cheer. HHH teases a game of mercy before actually going through with it. Hogan gets the upper hand early before HHH takes it to Hogan. The match is 3 minutes underway and we've seen 2 tests of strengths and a game of mercy, quite a contrary to the Tajiri/Kidman match earlier. Hogan finally begins to power out of it so HHH elbows him and applies and overhand wrist lock. The match is now 4 minutes old and Hulk still has his bandana on, Hogan reverses the hold into a side headlock. HHH whips Hogan off and runs into a shoulderblock as Hulk poses for the crowd again. HHH drives Hogan into the corner and when the ref says to break the hold, HHH slaps Hogan across the face. Hogan looks shocked and charges only to be met with a knee and a series of fists that knocks the bandana off 5 minutes into the match. HHH works over Hogan in the corner before Hogan whips HHH off the turnbuckle into a backdrop. Hogan hits a series of clotheslines and works over HHH in the corner and does a 10 punch in the corner spot. Hogan whips HHH off the ropes and Trips counters with a forearm to the back of the head. HHH charges and Hogan backdrops him out of the ring. Hogan attacks HHH on the outside and whips him into the guard-rail before HHH counters with a thumb to the eye. Hogan hits a suplex on HHH on the outside as referee Earl Hebner says "get back in the ring!" HHH rallies and rams Hogan's head into the steel steps before they both get back in. HHH works over Hogan in the corner and whips him hard off the other corner. HHH whips Hogan and goes for the pedigree but Hogan counters by slingshotting him into the post. A roll up by Hogan gets a 2 count and Hogan fires away at HHH with clothesline into the turnbuckle. Hogan hits a diamond cutter (WTF?) on HHH for a 2 count. Hogan hulka punches HHH before Trips does a sloppy looking chop-block. Hogan gets up and HHH does it again. The crowd boos but JR points out that its a legal maneuver. HHH works over the left leg on the ring post and hammers away on Hulk. HHH hits another chop block and jumps on it using the first rope. Hogan grabs the hair of HHH so Trips pounds on him. HHH does an Undertaker style leg lock on the left leg as JR notices the crowd's silent. Almost to the moment of that statement, a small Hogan chant starts. After Hogan powers out of it, HHH hits yet another chop-block, say what you will but its effective. HHH hits a series of elbow drops on Hogan's leg as Lawler asks why there are so many Hogan fans in the crowd, yeah me too. After HHH applies a step over leg lock, Hogan counters by booting him into the turnbuckle. HHH goes for a figure four and cinches it in and HHH uses the ropes for leverage after a minute as Lawler mentions Hogan would have done the same thing if roles were reversed. Hogan finally counters the figure four and HHH crawls free, HHH then applies a sleeper hold as the crowd groans. Hogan does the fade then revive routine and hits a back suplex at the end of it. The last 2 maneuvers took a combined six minutes and the crowd's asleep. Hogan counter punches HHH and hits a polish hammer Ivan Putski style. Hogan hulka punches HHH and hits the big boot followed by the leg drop of doom when all of a sudden Chris Jericho sprints to the ring with a chair. Jericho pulls out Earl Hebner and slugs him, Hogan goes to attack Chris so Jericho waffles him with the chair. HHH goes to cover Hogan so Jericho shoves Hebner back in the ring. HHH then attacks Jericho and hits his big knee facebuster before clotheslining Y2J out of the ring. HHH goes back to Hogan who proceeds to Hulk Up and you know the rest, he punches, he big boots and he....NOOOO, HHH rolls out of the way of the leg drop and then hits the pedigree on Hogan. He covers but all of a sudden The Undertaker runs down to ringside and belts the referee to stop the count. Taker grabs the chair and clocks HHH with it, causing a Trips blade job. Taker drags Hogan on top of HHH but he Hulks Up on The Undertaker instead. Both guys trying to out-face the other by refusing outside interference. Hogan clotheslines Taker out of the ring and hits the leg drop for the 1----2---3 to win the match and the title. Hogan rode the wave of nostalgia all the way to become WWF Champion for the first time in nine years. Hogan celebrates in the ring and HHH offers a handshake and they do it. Both saved face in the match and as expected, there was no clean pinfall job as it involved drastic cheating by Chris Jericho and The Undertaker.

Time of match: 22:05

Winner: Hulk Hogan by pinfall (new WWF Champion)

   Not the best ppv I've ever seen but certainly not the worst. The undercard was good for the most part but the high profile matches were under-whelming. Austin and Taker had gone at it so many times that the crowd really wasn't into it, and HHH and Hogan went 20 minutes.....10 minutes too long in my opinion and neither Hogan or HHH did a clean job as I expected. HHH's reign of terror as champion was over for the time being but his backstage presence on Raw began to drive away fans. Jobbing out Chris Jericho after finally getting main event pushes was just the first misfortune. The next ppv would be their British ppv Insurexxtion so that'll be my next ppv review. I must say the main event did establish Judgement Day's storylines with Jericho vs HHH and Undertaker vs Hogan. Although watching Undertaker and Hogan go at it 10 years after the last time makes me cringe just thinking about it.

2 1/2 stars out of 5