Taped (3/20) from the Providence Civic Center in Providence, RI

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (3/19/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: Raven (3/19/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Crash Holly (3/18/2001)

~ Smackdown comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Michael Cole and Tazz welcoming us to the show. Cole announces that tonight Steve Austin and The Rock will both sit down for a special face-to-face interview. Plus The Undertaker and Kane team up to take on Triple H and The Big Show.

• WWF Hardcore Title: Raven © vs. Chris Jericho

This is a champion vs. champion match but Jericho’s Intercontinential Title is not on the line here. Also Cole says Commissioner William Regal “rewarded” Jericho with this title oppetunity after his antics on Raw. Raven makes his way out with his shopping cart of plunder and tosses some of it in the ring when Jericho gets in the first shot but Raven clocks him with a trash lid. Raven hits Jericho a second time and goes for a whip but Jericho reverses it and hip tosses him onto a trash can. Raven climbs out to the apron with a trash can in hand when Jericho nails him with the springboard dropkick and Raven lands in the shopping cart. Jericho rams the cart into the barricade, sending Raven flying into the crowd. Both men brawl through the crowd making their way to the back when Raven whips Jericho into a set of poles. Jerihco whips Raven into a door and slides him scross the catering table then rusb a mop into Raven’s face. The two brawl their way into Regal’s office when Raven takes a swing at Jericho with a pole but misses him. Jericho throws Raven over the desk then grabs a picture of the Queen Mum and breaks it over Raven’s head. Jericho rubs Raven into a tray of crumpets when Regal appears and throws a cup of coffee into Jericho’s face. Regal then hits Jericho in the face with a vase of flowers and Jericho is down. Regal tries to help Raven out but Raven, blinded by the crumpets, swings the tray and nails Regal with it then covers him and gets the pin. (2:27) Raven takes his belt and stumbles away, probabaly not aware it was Regal he took out instead of Jericho. *

~ Back from break we get a replay of the closing moments of the Hardcore Title match. Johnathan Coachman then interviews Regal asking about his condition and Regal tells him that he’ll be fine but Raven won’t and adds him to the Kane/Big Show Wrestlemania match for his Hardcore Title.

~ Out in the arena Cole and Tazz talk about the Vince McMahon/Shane McMahon street fight set for Wrestlemania. That’s followed by clips of Shane making the challenge to Vince on Raw and getting beaten down because of it.

~ Elsewhere we find the Helmsleys reacting to the highlights we saw with Triple H saying Shane deserved the beating. Stephanie then says Undertaker and Kane both deserve getting torn apart by her husband and Big Show tonight after Kane held her above his head and Taker wanting him to throw her off the balcony. Triple H realizes he has some business to take care of before the match and heads out as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Cole reminds us of the face-to-face interview and the big tag match coming up later. We then get a shot of Triple H and Big Show conversing in the back which can’t be good for the brothers.

• Grandmaster Sexay, Steve Blackman & K-Kwik vs. X-Pac, Justin Credible & Albert

Albert helped his pals beat Blackman and Sexay on Raw so here’s their shot at revenge. Don’t know why K-Kwik’s involved, I guess they needed a third man and he had nothing better to do. Blackman works Credible over to start and goes for a w hip, Credible reverses but Blackman hits a legsweep. Blackman goes for an elbowdrop but misses it and Credible comes off the ropes but he eats a roundhouse kick. Blackman follows it up with a belly-to-belly suplex then decks Albert and rams Credible into K-Kwik’s boot. K-Kwik tags in and goes for a whip, Credible reverses it but K-Kwik hits a headsicssors then does a split. X-Pac tags in while Sexay also gets his tag and busts some moves with K-Kwik before X-Pac pounds on him. X-Pac gets a headlock and Sexay shoves him away but X-Pac hits a shoulderblock then comes off the ropes. Sexay leapfrogs over X-Pac who blocks a hiptoss and does his moves until Sexay nails him with an enzuigiri. Sexay rams X-Pac’s head into Credible’s head but X-Pac tags in Albert who nails Sexay with a headbutt. Albert whips Sexay into a corner and goes for the Avalanche but Sexay sidesteps it then hops to the middle rope. Sexay busts a move when X-Pac gets his attention while Albert knocks Sexay off the ropes with a bicycle kick. Blackman and K-Kwik come in but distract the referee while X-Pac and Credible crotch Sexay on the ringpost. X-Pac tosses Sexay back in the ring and Albert hits an Atomic Drop (without using a knee) then tags Credible. Credible gets in his shots before tagging X-Pac and whipping Sexay but Sexay comes back with a double clothesline. K-Wik gets the tag and takes to his opponents then goes to whip Credible and hits a spinning flying forearm. Albert is in and presses K-Kwik up but Blackman trips him with a legsweep and K-Kwik falls on top of him. Blackman and K-Kwik clothesline Albert over the ropes but Albert turns and pulls Blackman out to the floor. X-Pac drills K-Kwik with the X-Factor and Credible covers but the referee is busy with the brawl on the floor. Sexay climbs to the top and nails Credible with the Hip Hop Drop then covers him but X-Pac makes the save. X-Pac backdrops Sexay over the ropes then whips K-Kwik into a corner but K-Kwik lifts himself over X-Pac. K-Kwik does a backflip but eats a double superkick from Credible and X-Pac and X-Pac grabs the pin. (4:13) Match wasn’t bad but the crowd didn’t care about either side. *

~ Backstage The Undertaker is making his way somewhere when Triple H jumps him and rams him into a fuse box. Triple H stomps Taker down and leaves him laying while saying how it’s good to see him as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Undertaker suffering a sneak attack from Triple H ahead of the tag match. We then find Triple H talking with someone when Taker comes up so Triple H taunts him while backing into a room. Taker goes in after him … only to find Stephanie and a squadron of cops ready to enforcing the 25′ restraining order. The cops cuff Taker who tells them that he waives all his rights while Triple H and Stephanie enjoy this from nearby. Taker tells Triple H he’ll violate more than the law and that the cops won’t be there to protect him at Wrestlemania. Stephanie then says she’s not sure she even wants to press charges and asks the cops to hold Taker until she decides.

~ Elsewhere Johnathan Coachman asks William Regal anout the tag match should Undertaker be unable to compete. Regal says if that’s the case then it’ll have to be a handicap match, Kane against both Triple H and The Big Show.

~ Again elsewhere Jim Ross asks Steve Austin if he can keep his composure during the interview with The Rock. Ausitn says he’ll be fine but wonders if Rock might possibly try to hit him with the title belt just like he did on Raw. JR assures Austin that this will be a civilized interview about Wrestlemania and Austin seems to believe him.

~ The Wrestlemania countdown shows we’re just 10 days away! Just 10 days, people, feel it!

~ Back from break The Rock meets with Jim Ross and asks what’s going to happen during the face-to-face interview. JR tells Rock that it’ll just be them and Austin talking about Wrestlemania and Rock responds with “talk, maybe”. That’s followed by the Austin/Rock hype video, once again updated with clips from their latest confrontations.

~ We now finally get that interview with Steve Austin on one side, Rock on the other and JR sitting in between them. JR starts by thanking both men for taking the time for this and for their professionalism despite the recent physicality. JR first reminds Rock that before he gets to Wrestlemania he has to take on both Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit tonight then starts to ask Austin if he’d maybe consider being Rock’s tag team partner tonight. However Rock takes exception to that, saying he doesn’t need nor want a partner and even if he did, Austin would be the last person he’d ever want. Austin asks if Rock is going to answer all his questions for him and JR admits he should have asked Rock first. JR then mentions their meeting being the most anticipated main event in Wrestlemania history, in WWF history. JR asks Rock what the WWF title means to him and Rock says being champion means you’re at the mountaintop. Rock says he grew up in the industry and worked his whole life to be the absolute best, which is the WWF Champion. JR next reminds Austin of their conversation about the match last week and asks if anything’s changed since then. Austin tells him that that nothing’s changed, that the match still means his journey is over and that Stone Cold is back. JR now brings up how the animosity between them has increased since Vince appointed Debra as Rock’s manager. Rock agress that it heightened a lot of things because he never asked for and never wanted Debra to be his manager. Rock adds he has no problem with Debra but feels that she’s not his responsiliby since she’s Austin’s wife, not his. Austin says he doesn’t like it either and calls it a conflict of interest that his wife is managing his opponent for the title. Austin says the whole scenario for their match is simple: he wants what Rock has, and that’s the WWF Championship. JR then goes back to the rising animosity and asks Austin what does he personally think about Rock as a human being. Austin says Rock may be a wonderful person in most people’s eyes but he himself could care less about him personally. JR asks Rock and Rock says that it’s no mysterty how they feel about each other but have earned each other’s respect. Rock also says he and Austin bring out the best of each other when they’re in the ring but personally he doesn’t like him.

Austin then calls JR out for not asking what the WWF Title means to him, feeling he’s acting a little one-sided here. Austin then echoes Rock’s sentiments, that being WWF Champion makes him the #1 guy in the industry, bottom line. JR now asks Austin about his gameplan for the match, knowing he has to beat Rock but Rock doesn’t have to beat him. Austin says once he gets in the ring with Rock in front of 65,000 fans at the Astrodome it’s going to be full speed ahead and he’s going to do whatever it takes to beat Rock 1-2-3, even if it means wrestling him for an entire hour. JR then asks Rock for his approach to this match and Rock reminds him about saying how Austin has to beat him. Rock says he may not have to beat Austin but as far as he’s concerned the belt is dangling and they’re both going for it. Rock says he’s not going to back off just because he’s champion, he’s going in with one goal: to beat Steve Austin. Austin responds by telling Rock that he’s glad he said he wants to beat him just as much as he needs to beat Rock and appreciates how Rock will be coming to beat him in the ring and won’t be on the defensive through the match. Rock tells Ausitn that he’s glad he appreciates his mentality but we’ll see how much he appreciates it on April 1st. Austin points out Rock’s shirt saying “Just Bring It” and Rock responds by talking about what Austin 3:16 means. JR then starts to wrap up the interview by asking Rock for any closing comments as the champion to his challenger. Rock says it doesn’t matter how many falls, how many minutes or how Debra is invovled, it’s the biggest match ever. Rock says once he and Austin step in the ring he’s going to give Ausitn every ounce of sweat, blood and energy he has and win, lose or draw, Austin will get the best of him at Wrestlemania and all questions will be answered. Austin responds by saying that every single time he’s been in the ring with Rock he’s brought out the best of him. Austin says personally he wants to beat him but professionaly he needs to beat Rock more than anything he can imagine. Austin says he’ll roll into the Astrodome knowing that he needs to beat Rock to become WWF Champion once again. Austin tells Rock there can only be one WWF Champion and once the dust settles it’ll be him, with all due respect. JR finishes up by thanking both men for their time and wishing them the best of luck at Wrestlemaina and that’s it. A little long but a good interview segment that showed what the main event build should have centered on: Austin looking to finally return to the top of to the mountain against the man who carried the company in his absence.

~ Back from break we get a shot of WWF New York as well as clips of Aerosmith paying a visit there last Friday.

• Triple H & The Big Show (w/Stephanie McMahon) vs. Kane – Handicap Match

We finally get our third match almost 30 minutes after the last one ended. Everyone files out as we see of Undertaker watching backstage while still handcuffed and flanked by the cops. Show meets Kane on the ramp and Kane gets in the first shots but Show hits a knee to take the advantage. Show goes for a whip but Kane reverses him into the ringpost then climbs in the ring and works over Triple H. Kane whips Triple H and hits a boot then whips him into a corner and grabs a double choke then drops him. Show climbs in but Kane catches him then goes for a whip, Show reverses him into a corner but misses a splash. Kane turns and presses Triple H up and tosses him onto Show then somehow manages to scoop Show up(!!). However Triple H kicks Kane’s knee causing Show to crash on top of Kane then helps Show double-team him. Show heads out to the corner leaving Triple H to take over but Kane sits right up so Triple H stomps him down. Show tags in and slams Kane but Kane sits up again so Show whips him and plants him with a sidewalk slam. Kane sits up yet again and Show suplexes him but that doesn’t keep him down and the heels are dumbfounded. Show pummels Kane then charges but tumbles over the ropes after Kane ducks and pulls down the top rope. Triple H comes in and Kane pounds away at him then whips him and scoops him up for a running powerslam. Kane climbs to the top rope and nails Triple H with the flying clothesline then readies himself for the chokeslam. Kane grabs Triple H by the throat when Show comes in but Kane grabs him by the throat with the other hand. However Triple H kicks Kane below the belt to escape then Show hits his chokeslam and that gets the pin. (4:18) Triple H and Show celebrate their victory while Taker is frustrated backstage at not being able to help Kane. Not as bad as you’d expect, even if the result was never in doubt. *½

However Triple H and Show decide they’re not done with Kane yet as Triple H hits a kneedrop below the belt. Show shoves the referee away while Triele H unloads on Kane with right hands then Show adds in an elbowdrop. Triple H brings a chair in the ring and whacks Kane in the back with it then nails him with a Pedigree onto the chair. We then see Taker has had enough of this as he overpowers the cops and heads out to the ring still in handcuffs. Back in the ring Triple H sits the chair on Kane’s neck and gets on the mic giving him a message to deliver to Taker. Triple H says he’ll see Taker’s dead @$$ at Wrestlemania before wishing Kane luck when he faces Show. Triple H then says how he’ll enjoy ruining Taker’s family when he sees Taker coming out while fighting off the cops. Despite being cuffed Taker climbs in the ring but Triple H and Show have no trouble double-teaming him in a corner. Triple H grabs a chair and gets in another whack on Kane then jabs Taker with it while the cops come out to ringisde. Triple H then mentions how Taker figured out these aren’t real cops, admitting that he sent the real cops home earlier. Fake cops who are really fake cops? Will wonders never cease. Triple H says the “cops” are friends of his and some of them hold Taker down while he has the others handcuff Kane. Triple H then brings his sledgehammer in the ring and brags about having friends before nailing Taker in the head! Kane tries to get to his feet but Show and the “cops” keep him on the mat while Taker is busted open and bleeding. Taker then gets in Taker’s face about his warning not to mess with him while a close-up of Taker is pixelated. Triple H promises that Deadman Inc. goes belly-up at Wrestlemania before he and his crew leave the brothers laying.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Triple H delivering his message to Taker with the help of some fake cops.

~ Cole and Tazz announce some new additions to the Wrestlemania card, including a Gimmick Battle Royal(?). Tazz mentions some of the participants including The Iron Sheik, Bushwackers, Kamala and Brother Love. Some were asuming this was an April Fool’s joke but it happened.

~ Cole and Tazz announce the other addition: the second-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the Tag Titles which will feature The Dudleys defending the tag team belts against the Hardys and Edge & Christian, just like at SummerSlam. We then get highlights of how all three teams held the titles on Raw which I guess set this up. Plus the two debuts.

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Edge & Christian for their thoughts about the TLC II match at Wrestlemania. Christian asks Kevin who was the first U.S. President (Washington) and what the pilgrims ate at Thanksgiving (turkey). Christian then asks Kevin who won the triangle ladder match last year as well as the first TLC match at Summerslam. Edge says he and Christian beat the Hardys on Raw to become the first six-time champs only for the Dudleys to ruin it, plus they only lost because they had to wrestle twice and the Dudleys brought in their half-brother Spike. Edge says the Dudleys can bring Spike and the Hardys can bring Lita before telling Christian to get the Rhino.

~ We then find Steve Austin operating a forklift backstage for whatever reason. Just in case you’re interested.

~ The Dudleys are shown heading the ring for a six-man tag and behind them is Spike Dudley as we go to commerical.

• The Dudley Boyz & Spike Dudley vs. Rhyno, Edge & Christian

ECW fans are probably still finding it weird how Spike is teaming with the Dudleys considering their history. Edge starts for his team against D’Von and gets in the first shots then whips him but D’Von hits a clothesline. Bubba tags in and gets in his shots then goes for a whip but Edge reverses and connects with a spinning heelkick. Christian tags in and helps Rhyno with a double-team then goes for a whip, Bubba reverses and hits a backdrop. Bubba applies an armwringer then tags Spike in and Spike climbs to the top rope and hits a sledge on the arm. Christian takes the advanatage and whips Spike but lowers the head and Spike rolls him up for a two count. Christian scoops Spike onto his shoulders but Bubba and D’Von push Spike over into a victory roll for a two. Spike leaps onto Christian’s shoulders again and peppers away at him but Edge hot shots him onto the top rope. Rhyno tags in and clotheslines Spike then stomps him in a corner as an “ECW” chant erupts from the crowd. Rhyno whips Spike into a corner and hits a shoulderblock then follows it up with a running boot to the head. Edge tags back in and hot shots Spike on the top rope then stomps him down when Spike tries to fight back. Edge quickly stops that rally then ties Spike up in the ropes and nails him with a crossbody then slams him. Edge hops to the middle rope and goes for a senton but misses and both men start crawling to the corners. Edge tags in Christian but Spike also makes the tag to D’Von and D’Von pounds on both Christian and Edge. D’Von drops Edge with a neckbreaker then poweslams Christian but Rhyno comes in and knocks him down. Bubba is in and pulls Rhyno down by the hair then both Dudleys whip Rhyno and plant him with a flapjack. Bubba slams Rhyno then sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. Bubba sends D’Von to fetch a table which he does and they set it up even though this is not a tables match. The Dudleys whip Edge looking to flapjack him through the table but Christian moves the table out of his way. Christian sets the table in a corner when the Dudleys whip him for a 3D but Christian bails out to the floor. D’Von goes after Christian but Edge brings a chair in and whacks Bubbba from behind, getting his team DQ’ed. (5:54) This was actually a decent match, too. **

Edge nails Bubba with the chair a second time then whacks D’Von with hit but Spike dropkicks him from behind. Spike then goes to hit Christian with the Acid Drop just like on Monday but this time Christian throws him off. Christian then grabs a second chair and he and Edge set up for the ConChairto but Spike is able to duck it. Spike fights E&C off but Rhyno comes back in and spears Spike right through the table in the corner!

~ Backstage we find Vince preparing some coffee when Steve Austin walks up behind him demanding his attention. Austin tells Vince that should anything happen to Debra tonight, he’ll hold him responsible as well as The Rock. Vince tries to respond but Austin demands to know if he made himself clear then walks off as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break The Right To Censor make their way out as Cole plugs the Ivory vs. Chyna match in 10 days. However Bull Buchanan and Goodfather head to the announce table and shove Cole aside then both sit beside Tazz. Ivory gets on the mic and mentions Chyna signed the release for their match excusing her from any responsiblity but righteousness should not be confused with mercy because she’ll have no mercy on Chyna’s neck. Val Venis takes over the mic and rants on how good is perceived as evil and evil is preceived as good in the WWF. Val then asks how the fans can sleep with the truth all around them and if their words won’t wake them, their actions will. Steven Richards takes the mic and talks about tonight being a night of redemption as he heads to the announce table and gets in Tazz’s face about his getting involved in their business. Richards promises that Tazz will be censored tonight but Tazz reaches over and slams Richards’ head into the table then climbs over it and slaps Richards in the Tazzmission. Buchanan and Goodfather pounce on Tazz and pound him with Val joining in but can’t get Tazz to release the hold. Suddenly the Acolytes run out for the save and send the RTC’ers running for the back while Tazz is down. I wonder if another Wrestlemania match just got set up there.

~ Backstage Kurt Angle meets with Chris Benoit and tells him about how they had a magical moment last Monday, that when he had Rock in the Anklelock and Beniot had the Crossface he could feel Rock almost snapping. Angle reminds Benoit it’s them against Rock and suggests that they break him in half and Benoit seems almost amused. 10 days away from Wrestlemania and these two still don’t have matches set up.

~ Rock is shown making his way to the ring which means main event time is just ahead as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we see Steve Austin in the lockerroom settling in with a beer to watch the match unfold.

~ Out in the arena Cole is by himself as he mentions how Tazz has been helped backstage following the assault. However that doesn’t last as Vince McMahon makes his way out and joins the announce table for some commentary, telling Cole that he’s not out here because of Austin’s warning, he’s just looking to add some color to the match.

• The Rock © (w/Debra) vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit – Non-Title Handicap Match

Rock starts things off against Angle when Benoit gets his attention allowing Angle to get in the first shots. Angle goes for a whip but Rock reverses and hits a clothesline then whips him and powerslams him for a two. Angle comes back with a knee to the chest then tags Benoit in and Benoit stomps away at Rock in a corner. Benoit then goes for a whip but Rock reverses him into the opposite corner and clotheslines him from behind. Rock follows it up with a suplex for a near fall then goes for a whip but Benoit counters it into a back suplex. Angle tags in and lays the boots to Rock then hits a snap suplex for a two count before tagging Benoit in. Benoit comes off the ropes but Rock tosses him over the ropes then goes out and rams him into the barricade. Rock goes for a whip when Benoit reverses him in Angle’s direction but Rock nails Angle with a clothesline. Rock turns and clotheslines Benoit then gives Vince a look before tossing Benoit over the table and into Vince.

Rock tosses Benoit back in the ring while Vince gets back to his feet and has a pretty scary look in his eyes. In the ring Rock goes for a whip but Benoit reverses it and Angle nails Rock from behind so Rock decks him. Benoit plants Rock with a German suplex then holds on for a second German suplex followed by a third German. Angle tags back in and lays the boots to Rock then works him over in a corner and chokes him with his boot. Rock fights back and goes for a whip but Angle reverses and hits an elbow then clotheslines him over the ropes. Earl Hebner keeps Angle from going out to the floor while Benoit grabs a chair and rams it into Rock’s face. Benoit tosses Rock back in and Angle climbs to the top rope and connects with a missile dropkick but gets two. Angle slams Rock then climbs to the top rope again and this time goes for the moonsault but ends up missing it. Benoit is in and slams Rock then he climbs to the top and goes for the diving headbutt but that misses as well. All three men are down but Angle is up first and stomps away at Rock before tagging Benoit in to take over. Rock rallies and hits Benoit with a belly-to-belly throw when Angle comes in but Rock nails him with a DDT. Rock plants Benoit with a spinebsuter and covers but Angle saves it allowing Benoit to slap on the Crossface! Benoit cinches it in and Rock tries not to submit when Angle … goes and puts Rock’s foot on the bottom rope? Hebner sees this and orders a break and Benoit demands to know what’s going on when Angle tags himself in but Rock pounds on him. Rock decks Benoit then plants Angle with the Rock Bottom and there’s your pin. (8:27) So for the second time in three weeks Rock is able to cleanly go over two guys by himself, two talented guys like Angle and Benoit. Not to mention who also gave up the pin as well. **

After the bell Rock doesn’t get a chance to celebrate as Benoit goes in and nails Rock with an elbowdrop. Benoit goes for a whip but Rock reverses it and plants him with a spinebuster then puts him in the Sharpshooter. Benoit is screaming in pain while Angle decides to leave the ring instead of trying to help his partner out. A number of referees come out but they can’t get Rock to break the hold while Angle watches with a smile. Finally Vince goes in and gets in Rock’s face demanding he break the hold then decks Hebner for no reason. Rock takes Vince out with a Rock Bottom but Angle runs back in and nails Rock then slaps on the Anklelock. Rock is in agony now and Debra tries to get Angle to let go of him while Austin watches this from the back. Suddenly Austin gets up from his seat and Cole feels Austin must be on his way out there to come to Rock’s aid. Meanwhile Angle is really cranking the Anklelock in as the referees try in vain to get him to release the hold. However we cut back and find Austin sitting back down because he only got up to get himself another beer. Angle still has Rock in the Anklelock and Austin is in no hurry to help his opponent as we fade to black.

Conclusion: Rather forgettable episode of Smackdown, and considering we’re 10 days away from Wrestlemania that’s not a good thing. The only interesting part of this show was the Rock/Austin interview which again showed where the focus should have been. Other than that we got just five matches, with only the last two slightly worth your time, as well as lots of backstage segments and sports-entertainment hype trying to build up the supercard. So check out the interview segment but nothing else is worth your time for the most part. Thumbs down.

Live from the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (3/05/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Crash Holly (3/18/2001)

~ Raw comes on the air with highlights of Thursday’s Steve Austin/Kurt Angle match and Rock getting Stunned again. We then find Rock pacing outside the building, anxiously awaiting Austin’s arrival to discuss the two Stunners over the last week. After the intro Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Paul Heyman as they hype the road to Wrestlemania. But tonight The Dudleys get their tag title rematch and Rock faces Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit in a handicap match.

• WWF Hardcore Title: The Big Show © vs. Raven

After Raven lost the title to Show at No Way Out he finally gets his rematch. Raven meets Show at ringside with a trash lid but Show no-sells it and boots him. Show press slams Raven over the ropes back in the ring but Raven’s foot ends up getting tangled in the ropes. Show frees Raven’s foot and headbutts him then climbs in but Raven nails him with a trash can. Raven goes for another shot but Show shoves him away then whips him hard into a corner and headbutts him. Show whips Raven but Raven dropkicks him in the knee then grabs a trash can and tries wokring over the knee. Show clubs Raven down and powerslams him then signals for the chokeslam … when Kane makes his way out. Show goes out and meets Kane on the ramp but Kane kicks Show below the belt then throws him into the steps. Kane tosses the steps in the ring before he and Show both climb back in then rams the steps into Show’s face. Kane readies his own chokeslam when Raven interupts so Kane decks him but eats a thrust kick from Show. Show clotheslines Kane over the ropes when Raven jumps on his back with a sleeper but Show shrugs him off. Show sets Raven up for the Final Cut but Kane climbs to the top rope and nails Show with the flying clothesline. Raven ends up falling on top of Show while the referee counts the three and Raven regains the title! (3:39) Just there to preview Wrestlemania, and not in the way folks expected at the time. DUD

Kane boots Show through the ropes for good measure when Raven whacks Kane in the back with a stop sign but Kane just shrugs it off so Raven just grabs his belt and flees from the ring with Kane pursuing him. Show is getting back up to his feet when we cut backstage and see Raven making his escape through a door.

~ Backstage we see Shane McMahon making his way somewhere with a clipboard in hand as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break The Rock is still pacing outside the buidling when Johnathan Coachman runs up and informs him that Steve Austin’s flight has been delayed. Rock feels that’s more than a little conveinent then orders Coach to to the airport and once Austin steps off the plane to tell him that Rock is waiting for him.

~ Out in the arena Shane makes his way to the ring because we just need our long promo segment in the first half hour. Shane gets on the mic and talks about growing up as Vince McMahon’s son and calls it an unbelieveable thrill ride because he saw Vince do whatever he wanted to whomever without worrying about the ramifications. Shane says men like Steve Austin, The Rock, Mick Foley and even Ted Turner tried to stop him but had little success. Shane also says how he was side by side with Vince every step of the way but he’s since realized things have to stop. Shane mentions a recent interview Vince did with Bob Costas where Vince said how he can play with the best of them. Shane asks Vince if he wants to play because he’s ready to play too and challenges him to a match at Wrestlemania! Shane even shows that he has a contract all ready to sign and dares Vince to face him in the biggest playground of all. However instead of Vince it’s Stephanie who makes her way out and she gets on the mic begging Shane to reconsider, that their family has enough problems already and that he needs to think about his inheritance.

Now Vince makes his way out to the stage with Trish Stratus and Stephanie tries to keep Shane from leaving the ring. Vince grabs a mic and feels the comatose Linda McMahon is watching in her wheelchair and can’t be proud of her son. Vince asks what kind of son would challenge his own father to a match and reminds Shane he challenged him before. Vince sends Trish down to fetch the contract and once he looks it over he asks Shane if this is what he really wants. Shane insists Vince accept his challenge so Vince pulls out a pen and signs the contract, making their match official. Vince tells Shane he has him at Wrestlemania but will get a piece of him now and starts making his way to the ring. Vince removes his jacket and starts stepping through the ropes … when Triple H runs in and jumps Shane from behind. Triple H beats down Shane until Vince stops him, only to demand he give his son a Pedigree which Triple H does. Triple H pulls back Shane up and Vince gets in his son’s face saying that he’ll never forgive Linda for giving birth to him. Vince also says that at Wrestlemania he’ll wheel Linda out to his corner so she can watch him beat her son down. There’s the setup for the payoff, folks.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Shane laying down the challenge to Vince and getting ambushed by Triple H. We then cut to the back to find Triple H still beating up Shane while Vince taunts him about challenging his own father. Triple H throws Shane through a door outside and tosses him into a closed garage door then rams him into his limo. Triple H then dumps Shane into the limo while Vince tells him that their match at Wrestlemania will be a street fight. Shane pokes his head through the door and Vince “whacks” him with a chair before sending the limo on his way. And by “whacked” I mean Vince actually hit the roof of the limo instead of connecting with Shane.

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boyz © (w/Lita) vs. The Dudley Boyz

The Hardys are out first ready to go … but instead of the Dudleys it’s Edge & Christian making their way out, with Edge returning from his back injury at No Way Out. Edge gets on the mic saying they know the Dudleys were supposed to face them but aren’t here so they blew it. Edge dares the Hardys to put the titles on the line against them and the Hardys accept so we now have…

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boyz © (w/Lita) vs. Edge & Christian

Weird that the Dudleys would just no-show a title shot, wouldn’t you say? Anyway the Hardys meet E&C on the ramp and Matt tosses Christian in the ring while Jeff and Edge fight on the floor. Christian whips Matt into a corner but eats a boot and Matt hops to the middle rope and hits the guilltoine. Matt goes for a whip but Christian reverses it and Edge grabs Matt by the hair so Matt decks him off the apron. Christian hits Matt with a Slop Drop onto his knee then tags Edge and Edge his his own backbreaker for two. Edge whips Matt hard into a corner and pounds him then goes for a neckbreaker but Matt counters into a DDT. Matt makes the tag to Jeff and Jeff connects with a dropkick on Edge then follows it up with a jawbreaker. Christian comes in but Jeff takes him down and hit the double legdrop then helps Matt whip Edge into a corner. Matt drops into position and Jeff goes for Poetry in Motion but Edge pulls the referee in the way of the hit. Jeff goes to whip Chrisitan but Christian reverses it and both men end up facejamming each other into the mat. Lita climbs to the top rope and takes Christian out with a huricanrana but Edge nails Lita with the Edge-o-matic. Matt whips Edge into a corner and hits the Twist of Fate while Jeff climbs to the top and hits the Swanton Bomb. Matt goes after Christain on the floor … when ECW Champion Rhino comes in from the crowd and spears Jeff!! Rhino departs and Edge covers Jeff as the referee revives to count 1..2..3 and we have new tag team champions! (3:09) And just like that E&C are the first six-time WWF tag team champs, surpassing the New Age Outlaws for most title reigns. Nothing like the matches these two had before as it was all about bringing Rhyno in the WWF. *

~ Backstage we see The Undertaker riding into the parking garage as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Rhino making his surprise WWF debut to help Edge and Christian win the belts. Backstage E&C celebrate becoming six-time champs with their pal Rhino before directing him to go back to the hotel. Rhino mumbles some one word sentences before departing, as Christian tells him not nto maim anyone along the way. I’m guessing the WWF was originally going to make Rhyno the next George “The Animal” Steele but thankfully that was dropped almost instantly.

~ Elsewhere Undertaker is sitting around when he’s met by Commissioner William Regal and a quartet of policemen who Regal says are witnesses as he serves Taker a restratining order. Taker assumes it’s for Triple H but Regal explains the order is actually for Stephanie, that Taker can’t come within 25 feet of her or he’ll be arrested. Taker accepts it but then tells Regal how he knows that he was the one who called the cops on him last Thursday. Taker feels that makes Regal an endangered species because in his world, snitches are a dying breed.

~ Johnathan Coachman pops in with an update from the airport, saying Steve Austin’s plane is due to arrive at 10pm. Huh, isn’t that around the time that Nitro finishes up on the other channel? How conveinent.

~ Back at the arena William Regal is relaxing in his office when Triple H comes in asking him for a match tonight, that this Shane McMahon thing has him in the mood to beat somebody up. Regal suggests Chris Jericho but Triple H instead offers to take care of Test for Regal after the way he bemisrched him and took his European Title. Regal jumps at that idea and gives Triple H his match and the two shake hands as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Triple H meets up with The Big Show and laughs at his loss earlier which doesn’t sit well with him. Triple H then says he knows how much he wants Kane and the best way to get back at Kane is to go after Undertaker. Show seems interested in that idea and Triple H invites him to take a walk with him and talk it over.

• Tazz vs. Steven Richards (w/Val Venis)

Tazz choked Richards out on Smackdown so here we are. Tazz goes right to work on Richards and goes for a whip, Richards reverses but Tazz hits a T-bone Tazplex. Tazz readies for the Tazzmission already when Val dumps the referee and comes in but Tazz fights him off. Tazz puts Val in the Tazzmission then lets go of him to put Richards in the Tazzmission but Val breaks it up. Val and Richards then double-team Tazz … when The Rock suddenly comes charging in the ring? The heck? Rock clotheslines Richards and Tazz tosses him through the ropes while Rock clotheslines Val over as well. Rock then turns and plants Tazz with a spinebuster and I guess that’s going to do it for this match. (1:08) Granted it wasn’t a match people were dying to see but that’s no excuse for Rock ruining it. NR

Rock gets on the mic and talks about how he had some stuff to say to Austin who isn’t here to meet him face-to-face so he’s going to say it anyway. Rock rants on receiving a Stunner last week and another Stunner on Smackdown and tonight was the night that Austin was to come face-to-face with him yet he’s having ‘plane troubles’. Rock tells Austin he has someting much bigger than plane troubles because he’s not waiting until Wrestlemania. Rock warms Austin to enjoy the rest of his flight but once he steps foot into the arena his rear end belongs to him. Rock finishes up with the usual and storms off but I heard quite a few boos from the crowd. Just saying.

~ Back from break we get another update from the airport as Coach says Austin’s plane is due in at any moment. Coach then notices the Dudley Boyz who have just arrived at the airport and tries to get a quick word with them. Bubba Ray says somebody cancelled their reservations but they have to dash to the arena for their tag team title shot. The Dudleys then take off before Coach can inform them that they already missed their title oppertunity.

• WWF European Title: Test © vs. Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon)

Triple H locks up with Test and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip but Test reverses and hits an elbow. Test gets in his offense and works Triple H over in a corner then caps off with the Full Nelson slam for a two. Test whips Triple H into a corner and charges but Triple H sidesteps then throws him shoulder-first into the post. Test tumbles out to the floor … when The Undertaker’s theme suddenly fires out as he comes out to the stage. So not only do we have yet antoher run-in but it’s the second straight match that gets interupted. (1:15) Looked like it was going to be a halfway decent match too. NR

Triple H glares at Taker on the stage while Stephanie stands in his way reminding him of the restraining order. Suddenly Big Show comes out with a chair in hand but Kane grabs the chair away and clobbers Show with it. Taker stands over the fallen Show before giving Kane some instructions and Kane starts heading down the ramp. Stephanie realizes Kane isn’t covered by the restraining order and flees into the crowd with Kane behind her. And Triple H also realizes that with Stephanie out of the way Taker is cleared to come after him without reprisal. Taker climbs in the ring and pounds away on Triple H who comes back with a facebuster but Taker no-sells it. Taker grabs Triple H by the throat looking for a chokeslam but sees Show has recovered and coming in the ring. Taker drops Triple H and decks Show off the apron but Triple H bails out to the floor and hides behind Show. Meanwhile Test is back in and takes exception to Taker’s intrusion so Taker chokeslams him in response. Taker turns back toward Triple H who’s being held back by Show and they both agree this isn’t over yet.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Kane chasing Stephanie into the crowd while Undertaker got some of Triple H. We then see Kane has caught up with Stephanie backstage and is pressing her above his head at the top of a stairwell while Taker watches all this from below. William Regal runs up and begs Kane to let Stephanie go. Taker tells Regal that Kane wants a match with The Big Show at Wrestlemania and Regal agrees to book it for him. Taker then demands a match for himself with Triple H at the pay-per-view but Regal claims that he can’t get it done. So Taker tells Kane to “send Stephanie down here” and Regal quickly changes his mind and gives Taker his match. Taker complements Regal on his good decision making and Kane sets Stephanie safely down without incident.

• X-Pac & Justin Credible (w/Albert) vs. Steve Blackman & Grandmaster Sexay

Last night on Heat X-Pac officially dubbed his crew “X-Factor” and they even have some new entrance music. Sexay locks up with Credible to start and gets a headlock, Credible shoves him away but eats a shoulderblock. Sexay comes off the ropes and hits Credible with a neckbreaker followed by a suplex then tags Blackman in. Sexay whips Credible and Blackman trips him with a legsweep then orders Sexay out once he starts dancing. Blackman hits a rolling elbowdrop but Credible rakes his face then tags X-Pac in but Blackman goes for a whip. X-Pac reverses and leapfrogs over Blackman but Blackman flapjacks him and hits a thrust kick to the face. Blackman taunts X-Pac but Credible is in and nails him from behind and X-Pac follows up with a spinkick. Sexay comes in and the referee forces him back while Credible and X-Pac crotch Blackman on the ringpost. Albert tosses Blackman back in the ring and X-Pac kicks him down in his corner then hits the Bronco Buster. Credible tags in and helps X-Pac whip Blackman comes back with a clothesline on both guys then tags in Sexay. Sexay knocks his opponents’ head together then goes to whip Credible who reverses but Sexay slides under him. Sexay hits Credible with an enzuigiri when X-Pac whips him into a corner and charges but runs into a powerslam. Sexay pounds away on Credible when X-Pac nails him from behind but Blackman cuts him off with a thrust kick. Blackman works over X-Pac while Sexay DDTs Credible then climbs to the top rope for the Hip Hop Drop but Albert crotches Sexay on the buckle. Albert hits the Baldobomb and Credible grabs the cheap pin. (3:26) Yawn, nobody cared so let’s move on. *

~ Backstage the Dudleys catch up to Regal explaining their flight was cancelled but they’re here for their title shot. However Regal informs them the match already happened and that Edge & Christian are the new tag team champions. Bubba reminds Regal they earned the shot for tonight while D’Von brings up his offer to be a fan-friendly commissioner. The Dudleys convince Regal to be fan-friendly and give them their tag title shot and Regal okays the match.

~ Elsewhere in Regal’s vacant office Chris Jericho walks up to the desk and takes Regal’s teapot behind a curtain and we then hear sounds of something being poured into something else. Jericho emerges and replaces the teapot and pretty much confirms that we’re literally resorting to toilet humor now.

~ Back from break William Regal is pouring himself a glass of tea, not knowing that Chris Jericho tainted it earlier. Harvey Whippleman runs in trying to warn him but Regal says he’s had a hard evening and wants to enjoy a cup of tea. Regal dismisses Whippleman then samples the brew and … you know what, lets just move it along.

~ Out in the arena Ivory heads to the ring with a cardboard cutout of Chyna because we need more promo time. Ivory get on the mic and uses the cutout to make fun of Chyna, calling her as phony as ever and dumb as a board. Ivory says Chyna’s never been the same after she broke her neck and now wants to challenger her at Wrestlemania. Ivory says she’d love to embarass Chyna in front of the world again but first wants her to sign a special release saying if Chyna gets hurt again at Wrestlemania, no one is responsible except herself. Ivory offers the contract to the cutout and feels Chyna doesn’t have the guts to sign it so the match won’t take place. Ivory decides the offer the fans a sample of what would have been at Wrestlemania then starts attacking the cutout. Ivory rips the cutout’s head off and piledrives it but doesn’t see the real Chyna coming out and climbing in the ring. Ivory turns around when Chyna drills her with a DDT then grabs the release form and signs it to confirm the match. The Goodfather and Val Venis run in the ring but Chyna bails to the floor and heads up the ramp to the back.

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews William Regal who has finally been informed about Jericho besmirching his tea. Regal says things have to change around here and books a match between himself and Jericho at Wrestlemania. Regal also adds hismelf and Jericho to the main event which was is now 3-on-2; Jericho will team with Rock and he’ll team with Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the arena while JR cries about the media ignoring the XFL again. Give it up, guys.

~ Back at the airport Coach announces Austin’s plane has finally arrived (after 3/4 of the show is already done). Austin and Debra come down some stairs when Coach tells him about The Rock calling him out earlier and that he’s waiting for him at the arena right now. Austin tells Coach that he just got Rock’s rear end whupped then orders him to grab his bags while he’s here.

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: Edge & Christian © vs. The Dudley Boyz

So for the second time tonight the tag titles are up for grabs. The Dudleys are out first while E&C aren’t happy with defending the titles after just winning them earlier. Bubba pulls Christian in the ring by the hair to start us off and the Dudleys whip him and hit a double flapjack. D’Von takes over on Christian and hits a shouldertackle then whips him and plants him with a powerslam. D’Von rams Christian repeatedly into the mat then goes and takes a swing at Edge but Christian rakes his face. Christian tosses D’Von over the ropes then distracrs the referee while Edge rams D’Von into the barricade. Chrsitian brings D’Von back in the ring and lays the boots to him then tags Edge in and Edge hits a snapmare. Edge follows up with a neckbreaker for a near fall then wails on D’Von before tagging Christian in to take over. Christian hits a knee and chokes D’Von then draws Bubba in to distract the referee while Edge gets in a choke. Edge tags in and hits a dropkick that gets a two count then Christian tags in but D’Von starts to fight back. Christian stops that with an elbow and goes for a whip, D’Von reverses him into a corner but eats a boot. Christian hops to the middle rope and leaps off but D’Von clotheslines him down then makes the tag to Bubba. Edge also gets the tag but Bubba hits some clotheslines then pops Christian and hot shots Edge on the ropes. Christian tries to bring a chair in the ring but Bubba cuts him off then whips him and hits him with a backdrop. Bubba plants Edge with a sidewalk slam and covers him but Christian saves it and all four men are going at it. Edge tosses D’Von through the ropes then tries to spear Bubba but misses him and ends up nailing Christian. Bubba tosses Edge over the ropes and slams Christian while D’Von climbs to the top and hits the “Wassup”. Bubba sends D’Von out for a table and D’Von grabs one but Edge knocks it into his face with a baseball slide. Christian nails Bubba with the Slop Drop … when suddenly in the ring comes Spike Dudley, another ECW guy!! Christian grabs the chair but Spike dropkicks it into his face then follows up with an Acid Drop onto the chair! Spike leaves and Edge is flabergasted at this intrusion then turns back when the Dudleys nail him with the 3D! D’Von covers Edge as the referee coutns 1..2..3 and we have new tag team champions! Again! (4:57) So in the span of two hours the Hardys, E&C and Dudleys were all tag team champions thanks to two title changes in one night, both of which involved an ECW guy making his WWF debut. The Dudleys grab the belts and celebrate with Spike on the ramp, which might be weird to longtime ECW fans. *½

~ Backstage Kurt Angle meets with Chris Benoit and reminds him how their job is to get to The Rock in the match. Angle even suggests that Benoit use “that move that kinda puts pressure on the nose” to help set up the Anklelock. Angle feesl Benoit understands and departs but Benoit doesn’t look too thrilled to be told to set up anything for Angle. And it’s sad how we’re under two weeks until Wrestlemania and these two still don’t have matches on the card.

~ We then cut over to WWF New York and find Eddie Guerrero enjoying some of the food there as JR lets us know earlier today Eddie challenged Test to a European Title match at Wrestlemania. But I could have sworn we already saw that match happen on Smackdown which ended with Eddie jobbing to Test. To think they had a nice Eddie vs. Benoit match just ready for the pay-per-view but decided to blow that off last week instead.

• Chris Jericho & The Rock vs. William Regal, Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit – 3-on-2 Handicap Match

We’re running out of airtime as the participants file out but Jericho still wants to take some time on the mic, asking Regal what his favorite letter of the English alphabet is and runing through them before ending up at ‘P’. Jericho starts against Regal and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip when Regal reverses him into a corner but Jericho comes back with a clothesline. Jericho goes for another whip, Regal reverses it but Jericho kicks the face and follows up with a bulldog for a two. Jericho goes for a whip but Regal counters with a knee to the chest. Benoit tags in but runs into a hiptoss, Rock tags in and gets in his shots then whips Benoit and hits an elbow. Rock goes for a whip but Benoit counters it with a knee to the chest then whips him and hits another knee. Angle tags in and whips Rock but Rock comes back with a forearm then htis a Samona Drop for a near fall. Jerihco tags in and hits some chops then goes for a whip when Angle reverses it but Jericho hits a flying forearm. Jericho stomps Angle down in a corner then grabs a waistlock but Angle counters with a kick below the belt. Angle plants Jericho with a bridge suplex for a near fall then Regal tags in and whips Jericho into a backdrop. Regal hammers away on Jericho and caps off with a double kneelift then follows up with a suplex for a near fall. Benoit tags in and works Jericho over with chops in his corner then hits a back suplex that gets a two count. Benoit hits a snap suplex for a two then tags Angle and Angle exchanges shots with Jericho who takes control. Jericho whips Angle but Angle comes back with a German suplex then Regal tags in when Jericho fights back. Regal whips Jericho when Jericho rolls him up for a near fall but Regal jabs his eyes and tags Angle back in. Angle cuts off Jericho’s tag and goes for a suplex but Jericho rolls through it into a Victory Roll for a two count.

Angle clotheslines Jericho down and tags Benoit and Benoit whips Jericho into a corner and stomps him down. Benoit brings Jericho over to his corner for a triple team while Earl Hebner keeps Rock from coming in to help. Regal tags in and takes over on Jericho then goes for a whip, Jericho reverses into a corner but eats an elbow. Jericho comes back with a spinning heekick then Regal tags in Benoit but Jericho makes the hot tag to Rock. Rock wails on Benoit then goes for a whip, Benoit counters but Rock hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Angle is in but Rock knocks him over the ropes with the Smackdown and decks Regal off the apron as well. Rock drills Benoit with a DDT and covers him but Angle pulls him out of the ring and decks him on the floor. Regal and Jericho are both in when Jericho puts Regal the Walls of Jericho but lets go to deal with Benoit. Jericho goes for a whip and Benoit reverses it but Jericho knocks him down and follows up with the Lionsault. Jericho knocks Regal through the ropes and they fight it out on the floor while Angle and Rock both roll back in. Rock hits a spinesbuter then readies for the People’s Elbow but Benoit decks him and puts him in the Crossface. Angle adds in an Anklelock but Jericho flies in with a dropkick to make the save then stomps away on Angle. However Regal brings Rock’s title belt in and waffles Jericho with it then covers him and gets the pin. (7:53) Hey, a heel team winning a handicap match when they have a one-man advantage? That usually doesn’t happen. **½

Angle and friends decide they’re not done yet and stomp Jericho out to the floor then triple-team Rock. The crowd starts chanting for Austin and sure enough the glass breaks and Austin charges out to a huge pop. Austin hammers away on Angle but then heads toward Rock looking to Stunner him when Angle breaks that up. Austin dispatches Angle with the Stunner while Rock nails Regal with his title belt but then turns and waffles Austin! Benoit knocks Rock down but Rock quickly fights back and knocks him over the ropes with the Smackdown. Austin is back up but Rock plants him with a Rock Bottom, finally getting some payback for the two Stunners. Rock then stands over his fallen Wrestlemania opponent as the show goes off the air.

Conclusion: Not a great show but certainlly an eventful one as we draw nearer toward Wrestlemania. We’ve had three title changes, two big debuts, some matches set for the supercard and Rock finally getting one back on Austin. Then again there’s plenty of negatives on the show such as medicore matches (except for the solid main event), the long McMahons segment and two matches getting stopped due to run-ins, one of which didn’t make sense. And the Wrestlemania build continued to underwhelm with some matches tossed on (i.e. Eddie/Test) while guys such as Angle and Benoit still don’t have any matches set with only two weeks left. You’d figure the bookers would have the main matches set for the card by now. But overall the good slightly outweighed the bad so we’ll go thumbs in the middle leaning up for this one.

Taped (3/13) from the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (3/05/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Smackdown comes on the air with highlights of the Rock/Kurt Angle match on Raw and Steve Austin’s invovlement. Michael Cole and Tazz welcome us to the show and announce Austin and Angle will duke it out one more time tonight. That’s right, another Austin/Angle match.

• WWF European Title: Test © vs. Eddie Guerrero (w/Perry Saturn & Terri Runnels)

This was set up earlier in the day when Eddie met with Commissioner William Regal hoping to get a rematch with Chris benoit. Instead Regal suggested Eddie let bygones be bygones and asked him to take care of Test, since he was a great European Champion once and was still mad about Test taking his title. Both men have a staredown when Test turns his back for some reason allowing Eddie to get the first shots. Eddie whips Test and hits an elbow and dropkicks his knee then slings himself over the ropes and hits a hilo. Eddie pops Test with an European uppercut and goes for a whip, Test reverses but Eddie rolls under a big boot. Test comes back with a clothesline then whips Eddie and hits a backdrop followed by a gutwrench powerbomb. Test whips Edide into a corner and charges but Eddie sidesteps it then rolls him up but only gets a two count. Eddie goes for a whip, Test reverses it and charges at him but tumbles over the ropes after Eddie ducks him. Eddie distracts the referee and Saturn clotheslines Test while we get a shot of Regal watching from his office. Saturn tosses Test back in the ring and Eddie hits another European uppercut then works him over with chops. Eddie goes for a whip but Test reverses it and plants him with a tilt-o-whirl slam that gets a two count. Test throws Eddie into a corner and kicks him down when Saturn hops on the apron with the European belt. Test brings Saturn in the hard way and works him over but that allows Eddie to grab the belt and ready a swing. However Chris Jericho runs out and snaps Eddie on the top rope and Test nails him with the big boot for the pin. (3:02) Test celebrates the win and Jericho walks off while Regal doesn’t look happy that his plans got thwarted. Okay match but Eddie is left with nothing for the pay-per-view since his feud with Benoit got blown off on Raw. *½

~ Cole and Tazz recap Triple H ambushing The Undertaker on Raw which would lead to The Big Show ambushing Kane. We then find Taker sitting on his motorcycle in the parking garage as if he’s waiting for a certain someone to arrive. Kane walks up to Taker and asks him if he’s waiting for Triple H then tells him that there are ways to handle this. Taker scoffs at Kane being the voice of reason and agrees that there are other ways but he’s handling this his way tonight. Kane sees Taker won’t budge so he offers to wait with him but Taker tells him he wants to take care of this himself and to head back inside. Kane leaves, but not before asking Taker to give Triple H one for him.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the Anaheim Pond as Cole and Tazz hype tonight’s main event.

~ We then get a sit-down interview Jim Ross had with Steve Austin earlier today about his road back to Wrestlemania. JR reminds Austin they’re three weeks away from the biggest Wrestlemania ever and asks Austin what it means to him. Austin says he did what he had to get there, winning the Royal Rumble for a shot at the champion which is The Rock. Austin says Rock is the best since he’s WWF Champion so he goes in and either defeats Rock or gets beaten himself. Austin says Wrestlemania is in Texas, his backyard, and being in the main event tells him his journey is over and he’s back. JR mentions how everyone though Austin was done after his spinal surgery and only he thought he could come back. JR also mentions his obsession with being WWF Champion again and Austin says that should be everyone’s goal here. JR next brings up how Austin won the Royal Rumble and Rock won the title at No Way Out to set the main event up and it was smooth sailing until Vince McMahon threw a curveball by appointing Debra as Rock’s manager. Austin says Vince did it because their feud lasted over a year and he beat him up so many times that he lost count. Austin feels Vince can’t handle him one-on-one so he made his wife Rock’s manager just to shove it right back at him. JR then says the fans don’t understand why he Stunned Rock on Raw and Austin asks what’s so hard to understand, he warned Rock not to put Debra in jeopary or else, yet he went out and put Debra in jeporary so there. JR next brings up Kurt Angle putting his hands on Debra and figures the match tonight won’t be about wrestling. Austin concurs that Angle has a whipping coming because nobody messes with him and nobody messes with his wife. Austin adds there will be a winner and loser as well as a lot of burtality with Angle on the receiving end of it. JR mentions Rock is also due to be in Anaheim tonight and Austin says how much he’s glad that Rock will be in town. Austin mentions how he and Rock aren’t buddies but he doesn’t hate him, that he respects what he accomplished. Austin says he’s going to roll into Wrestlemania and stomp Rock’s guts in to win the title but that’s later down the road. As for tonight Austin invites Rock to park himself in front of a monitor and watch him beat Angle up all over the ring. Austin finishes by saying Angle will be the victim tonight and that’s all he has to say so he gets up and leaves.

~ Backstage we find Undertaker still in the garage as he searches for something and finds a large lead pipe. Taker then sits back on his bike and continues waiting for Triple H as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break William Regal summons Kevin Kelly to his office and talks about Chris Jericho interfering earlier. Regal decides that since Jericho likes to be out there performing he can face the Dudleys in a tag team tables match. Kevin asks about Jericho’s partner but Regal says Jericho won’t have one, that it’ll be another handicap match for him. Kevin next brings up The Undertaker waiting for Triple H in the parking garage and asks Regal what he’ll do about it. Regal feels that Taker is a reasonable man and that he can talk with him like gentlemen to diffuse this situation.

• The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) & Billy Gunn vs. X-Pac, Justin Credible & Albert

Albert attacked the Hardys and joined up with X-Pac and Credible on Raw, plus Credible cost Billy a match with X-Pac on Heat so there’s your setup. Jeff locks up with Credible to start us off and applies an armwringer but Credible quickly fights out of it. Credible whips Jeff and leapfrogs over him but Jeff kicks him in the back of the knee then dropkicks his face. Matt gets the tag and goes for a whip, Credible reverses it but Matt comes back with the takedown clothesline. Credible rakes Matt’s face and tags X-Pac for a double-team when Matt fights back but Albert clotheslines him. X-Pac slams Matt and hits a running legdrop for a two count then whips him into a corner but eats a boot. Matt hops to the middle rope and connects with the guilltoine legdrop but hurts himself and both men are down. Both men head to the corners and X-Pac tags Credible but Jeff gets his tag and dropkicks Albert off the apron. Jeff hits Credible with a jawbreaker then takes him down and hits the double legdrop as Matt goes after X-Pac. Matt whips X-Pac into a corner then drops down into position while Jeff nails X-Pac with the Poetry in Motion. Billy then comes in and gets in his shots on Albert in a corner before telling Jeff to charge at him which he does. Billy tosses Jeff over his head looking for a Frankesteiner on Albert but Albert catches him into a powerbomb. Albert shoves Jeff down then tags X-Pac in and X-Pac kicks Jeff down in a corner and hits the Bronco Buster. Credible tags in and whips Jeff into a corner and charges at him but Jeff sidesteps it and Credible hits the buckles. Lita then trips Credible from the floor and pulls him by the legs into the ringpost while Jeff makes the tag to Billy. Billy takes it to Credible and X-Pac and decks Albert then whips Billy and plants him with a tilt-o-whirl slam. Billy then press slams X-Pac onto Albert who catches him but the Hardys dropkick the pile over the ropes. The Hardys head out to the floor while Billy whips Credble into a corner and Credible nearly flips over the ropes. Billy nails Credible with the cobra clutch slam and covers him but X-Pac makes the save and hits the X-Factor. Matt is back in and drills X-Pac with the Twist of Fate but Albert grabs him and plants him with the Albertbomb. Jeff then springs off the top rope and nails Albert with a corkscrew moonsault as the referee calls for the bell, decided this has gotten way too out of control and we have a double disqualification. (5:05) Albert is back up and press slams Jeff over the ropes and it’s he and his pals who stand tall in the ring. Blah match and I don’t get the DDQ since this didn’t lead to a feud or anything. *

~ Backstage William Regal tries to reason with The Undertaker who’s still sitting on his bike waiting with the lead pipe. Regal suggests that he and Taker go inside and have some tea while they talk about his grievances with Triple H but Taker just taps his pipe on the floor. So Regal wanrs Taker not to make him do something that he doesn’t want to do and Taker tells Regal to get out of his face before he does something that he does want to do. Regal backs away and Taker goes back to waiting for Triple H but is getting impatient as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find Rock pacing around backstage, perhaps pondering what Steve Austin said about him.

~ Cole and Tazz next talk about Shane McMahon making his surprise return on Raw as we get clips of that incident. We then find Shane sitting at the WWF Studios in Stanford about to speak with Johnathan Coachman later on. Yes, folks, we’re going to get two sitdown interviews on this show.

~ We then find a limo arriving in the parking lot and somehow we can hear the Helmsleys talking from inside it. Triple H notices Undertaker’s bike and pipe are unattended near them and decides to have some fun by tipping it over. Triple H climbs out but quickly climbs back in the limo when Taker comes in the picture daring him to take him out. Triple H locks the limo door but Taker takes the limo keys out and continutes taunting Triple H to finish this right now. Triple H still shows no interest in coming out to face him so Taker grabs his pipe and smashes the limo’s window in. Triple H climbs out the other side and Taker chases after him and Stephanie when some police cars suddenly drive up. Stephanie begs the cops to arrest Taker so Taker throws down the pipe then surrenders to them without resistance. Yes, they’ve even resorted to an arrest angle to build Wrestlemania up. Taker is cuffed but tells Triple H this isn’t over so Triple H gets in a free shot and the cops keep them separated. Taker and Triple H continue to exchange words while he’s loaded into one of the police cars and taken downtown. Stephanie then asks Triple H what will he do once Taker gets out and Triple H suddenly gets worried about that idea.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Undertaker getting arrested when he wanted Triple H to take him out. Wethen find the Helmsleys griping to William Regal who reveals that he called the police after Taker threatened him. Triple H tells Regal he intends to press full charges against Taker and Regal promises to take care of it for him. Regal then walks off and Triple H calls him a good guy while Stephanie feels he’ll be a pretty good commissioner. Of course, authority figures always have to support the heels. Like I said, it’s in the rulebook.

~ We now switch over to WWF Studios for Johnathan Coachman’s sit-down interview with Shane McMahon. Coach mentions Shane returning and attacking Vince on Raw and asks him where he’s been the past few months and Shane says he’s been focusing on the business that’s in his blood. Shane talks about trying to emulate his grandfather and that at times he’s like his father but isn’t proud of his deplorable actions and is ashamed to share his last name. Shane asks Coach how he’d feel his his father dragged his mother to the middle of the ring and demanded a divorce then put her in a sanitarium and kept her drugged up every day. Shane then brings up Vince having an affair with a woman Stephanie’s age and flaunting it right in front of Linda’s face. Shane says that he blames himself because of his long absence when he should have been there and put a stop to this. Shane says when he walked down the ramp on Monday and looked directly at Vince’s eyes he got angrier and angrier and once he stepped through the ropes he unleashed a flurry of violence on the very man that created him. Shane says that made him sick to his stomach, but at the same time he took great pleasure in beating up Vince. Shane says he doesn’t know what ramifications Vince has in store for him but his relationship with his father is now over.

~ The Dudleys are shown making their way to the ring with a table in hand as we go to commercial.

• Chris Jericho © vs. The Dudley Boyz – Non-Title Handicap Tables Match

Cole feels the Dudleys don’t really want to do this but they still have to follow the Commissioner’s orders. Bubba gets Jericho’s attention allowing D’Von to jump him and pound on him then whip him into a corner. Jericho comes out with a clothesline and hits a chop then goes for a whip, D’von reverses but lowers the head. Jericho kicks the face then comes off the ropes but D’Von hits a powerslam then tags Bubba to get in his shots. Bubba sends D’Von out for a table and slams Jericho as we see William Regal enjoying the action in his office. D’Von has a table in hand when Jericho knocks it into him with a baseball slide but Bubba clotheslines him. Bubba hops to the middle rope and goes for a senton but misses it and Jericho tries to fight back again. Jericho whips Bubba into a corner and hits a spinning heelkick then nails D’Von with the springboard dropkick. Jericho drills Bubba with then bulldog then goes for the Lionsault but misses it and Bubba slams him to the mat. Bubba then sets Jericho up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. D’Von brings the table in and sets it up then Bubba hops to the middle rope while D’Von starts to hand Jericho to him for the superbomb but Jericho flips out of it and shoves D’Von right into Bubba’s netherregion. Jericho clotheslines D’Von over the ropes then goes and sets Bubba up for a Frankensteiner through the table but D’Von moves the table out of the way. D’Von sets Jericho up for a Curtain Call through the table when Jericho counters then goes a suplex through the table and Bubba moves it but D’Von still catches some of the table. Some of the table legs did collapse but the table itself didn’t break so the referee orders the match to continue. Jericho takes Bubba down into the Walls of Jericho and Bubba taps but that doesn’t mean anything in this match. D’Von breaks it up then slides a second table in the ring and sets it up when Jericho nails him below the belt. Jericho comes off the ropes but the Dudleys catch him with a 3D through the table for the victory. (4:37) Decent for what it was, though the crowd couldn’t decide who the cheer for. **

~ Backstage William Regal is enjoying Jericho’s demise when Kane barges in demanding a match with Triple H tonight. Regal offers Kane some tea but Kane gets in his face and growls at him for calling the police on his brother earlier. Kane says the police aren’t around reight now and demands Regal make the match and Regal gives in to his request. Kane then storms off and Regal nervously sips his cup of tea as we go to commercial.

~ Back form break Cole and Tazz take their turn trying to get us to care about the XFL. Honestly, guys, you can’t save a sinking ship so just jump off it.

~ Backstage we find The Rock still pacing around. That’s about all he’s done tonight thus far.

~ Elsewhere Grandmaster Sexay loads the WWF Music 5 CD into a boombox and plays The Rock’s song “Pie”, asking someone off camera if they can feel the beat then plays the Too Cool theme and busts a few moves. Sexay tells the unseen person that with Scotty 2 Hotty out injured he needs someone to help keep Too Cool alive. Sexay says he needs a partner to face the Right To Censor tonight and how the person is the baddest man around. Sexay mumbles some jargon before asking if he’ll team up with him as the camera pans to reveal … Steve Blackman? Blackman shuts the boombox off and tells Sexay he’ll do whatever he wants if he’ll keep his mouth shut then walks off. Sexay then turns the music back on and starts dancing as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Kevin Kelly interviews Kurt Angle about what Steve Austin promised to do to him in the main event. Angle says Austin can talk all he wants but this is his interview time right now and he has an announcement to make. Angle says he’s talked with Commissioner Regal who has granted his request so their match is now no disqualification. Angle also says should Austin be unable to make it to Wrestlemania then he gets to take his place in the title match.

• Grandmaster Sexay & Steve Blackman vs. Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather (w/Steven Richards)

So Sexay and Blackman are the latest “odd couple” tag team. Not exactly the Rock ‘n Sock Connection we got here. After the RTC’ers are out first Sexay dances his way down the ramp while Blackman just rolls his eyes at him. Goodfather pounds Blackman to start and whips him but Blackman rolls under a clothesline and gets in his shots. Blackman goes for a whip, Goodfather reverses it but Blackman hits a flying shouldertackle then slams him. Blackman follows up with a series of elbowdrops then tags Sexay in and the two make a wish with the legs. Sexay goes for a whip, Goodfather reverses him into a corner and goes for a splash but runs into a superkick. Sexay hops to the midde rope when Goodfather charges but Sexay hops over him and drills him with a DDT. Sexay goes for a running bulldog but Goodfather shoves him away and Sexay crotchs himself on the ringpost. Goodfather tags Buchanan and holds Sexay while Buchanan climbs to the top rope and hits a flying axehandle. Buchanan hits a backbreaker and slams Sexay then runs up the buckles and hits the springboard clothesline. Buchanan whips Sexay and hits a boot then works him over in a corner and whips him into the opposite corner. Buchanan charges but Sexay sidesteps it and hits an enzuigiri then crawls over and makes the tag to Blackman. Blackman kicks Buchanan then whips him and hits an elbow when Goodfather comes in but eats a clothesline. Blackman plants Buchanan with a spinebuster and covers him but Goodfather saves it and stomps away at him. Buchanan holds Blackman for Goodfather but Sexay cuts Goodfather off with a dropkick and wails away at him. Richards sides a chair in the ring then starts in Tazz leaves the announce table and grabs him with the Tazzmission. Richards is choked out on the floor while Blackman suplexes Buchanan and rolls him up for the three. (3:54) Yawner match, and the fans only really cared about Tazz choking out Richards. DUD

After the bell Tazz punks Buchanan out of the ring for good measure before returning to the announce table. Meanwhile Sexay pulls out the Too Cool sunglasses and offers them to Blackman who refuses to do any dancing. Sexay then slips the shades on Blackman’s face and they must be enchanted because now Blackman is all for it. So the music fires out and Blackman tries to follow Sexay’s lead by busting out some unusual moves. Sadly this team never went anywhere despite the bookers’ efforts to get them over.

• Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon) vs. Kane

The Helmselys make their way to the ring first when Triple H greets Motorhead who’s sitting in the crowd. Kane comes out next and sets off his pyro then catches Triple H with a clothesline and gets in the first shots. Kane pummels Triple H in a corner when Triple H tries to get a whip but can’t budge Kane who grabs the ropes. Kane throws Triple H into the corner and Triple H flips over the ropes then Kane goes after him on the floor. Kane rams Triple H into the steps and fights him up the ramp to the stage then throws him into the entrance set. Kane presses Triple H up and looks to throw him over the stage but the referee stands in his way to stop him. Triple H slips out of there and gets in his shot then tries to knock Kane off the stage but Kane stops him. Both men make their way back down the ramp when Triple H clotheslines Kane then whips him into the steps. Triple H throws Kane back in the ring and goes for a whip but Kane reverses it and hits him with a press slam. Kane follows up with an elbowdrop for a two count then whips him but Triple H comes back with the facebuster. Triple H hits a neckbreaker and stomps Kane down then goes for a whip but Kane reverses it and hits a boot. Kane climbs to the top rope for the clothesline but looks out and sees The Big Show coming down the ramp. That allows Triple H to throw him off to the mat and unload on him with rights while Show continues to look on. Triple H rams Kane into the top turnbuckle but Kane no-sells it then start shurging off Triple H’s blows. Kane throws Triple H into a corner and pummels him then whips him the other way and hits a sidewalk slam. Kane follows it up with a powerslam then climbs to the top rope again and this time hits the flying clothesline. Kane whips Triple H but lowers the head and Triple H drills him with a DDT. Triple H then climbs to the top himself but Kane sits right up and grabs Triple H by the throat. However Show hops on the apton so Kane decks him then Triple H leaps off the top but Kane catches him by the neck and plants him with the chokeslam. Kane covers Triple H but Stephanie distracts the referee while Show pulls Kane out to the floor and nails him with the Final Cut. Show throws Kane back in and Triple H finishes him with the Pedigree and gets the three to beat Kane yet again. (8:00) Okay match but I’ve seen better from these guys, plus who wanted to see Kane lose to Triple H for the umpteenth time. **

Triple H stands over Kane and taunts him when Kane suddeny pops right up and grabs Triple H by the throat. However Show comes in and nails Kane from behind to save Triple H. Kane grabs Show in a choke but before he can hit the chokeslam Triple H kicks Kane below the belt and Show plants Kane with his chokeslam.

~ Kurt Angle and Steve Austin are both shown heading to the ring which means main event time is next. We also see The Rock still pacing around the back. Maybe he’ll do something else later as we go to commercial.

• Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle – No Disqualification Match

Austin didn’t like Angle putting his wife in the Anklelock and wants Angle to know it. Angle is out first followed by Austin who pulls Angle out of the ring then pounds on him and rams him into the steps. Austin continues his assault on Angle and clotheslines him over the barricade then brawls with him in the crowd. Austin tosses Angle back over the barrier and rams him into the announce table then finally they go in the ring. Austin ties Angle in a Tree of Woe and stomps away at him then goes out and brings the bell in the ring. Angle bails out to the floor and Austin chases after him on the ramp when Angle catches him with a clothesline. Angle finally gets some offense in as he stomps away on Austin then knocks him down the ramp back to ringside. Angle rams Austin into the apron and into the steps but Austin comes back with a Stun Gun onto the barricade! Austin throws Angle in the ring then brings a chair in but then whips Angle and plants him with a spinebuster. Austin grabs the chair and jabs Angle’s knees repeatedly then wedges his ankle in the chair a’la Brian Pillman. Austin hops to the middle rope but Earl Hebner is begging him not to do it allowing Angle to get the chair off. Angle rolls out to the floor with the bell in hand and Austin moves in but gets clocked in the face with the bell. Austin is out in the ring and Angle is down on the floor when The Rock decides to make his way down the ramp. Rock tosses Angle back in the ring and Angle manages to cover the fallen Austin … but only gets a two count!

Angle lays the boots to Austin while Rock makes his way over to the announce table and joins the commentary. Angle plants Austin with a back suplex then goes and drapes him over the apron and elbows him in the chest. Angle props Austin in a corner then grabs the chair and charges at him when Austin boots the chair in his face. Angle comes back with a belly-to-belly suplex and stomps Austin down in a corner when Austin fights back. Angle regains the advantage then comes off the ropes but Austin hits a Thesz Press and hammers him with rights. Austin tosses Angle through the ropes then notices Rock at the announce table before ramming Angle into it. Austin grabs a chair and readies a swing at Angle but Angle cuts him off then whips Austin right into Rock. Angle takes the chair himself and takes a swing at Austin when Austin ducks it but Rock gets nailed instead. Angle clocks Austin with the chair then rolls him back in the ring while Rock tries to recover on the floor. Angle slams Austin then climbs to the top rope and connects with the moonsault … but only gets a two count! Rock angrily climbs on the apron when Austin goes for the Stunner but Angle shoves him off right into Rock. Angle the slaps Austin in the Anklelock and Austin tries not to submit when Rock comes in and breaks it up. Rock works Angle over in a corner and hits the Smackdown then looks to hit Austin with the Rock Bottom. Rock grabs Austin but Angle breaks it up then pounds on Rock but Rock plants him with the Rock Bottom. However Austin thanks Rock for his help with the Stunner then covers Angle and gets the three for the win. (10:50) Fun match with an overbooked ending, but at least we finally get an actual decision in this series. **½

Austin celebrates his victory with a round of beers and leaves both Rock and Angle laying as we fade to black.

Conclusion: Another okay show, though not one I was really into for some reason. The Austin/Rock build was continued nicely and we’re starting to see other angles develop for Wrestlemania such as Triple H/Undertaker and Vince/Shane. But then again it seemed a lot of guys didn’t have anything set up for them for the pay-per-view such as Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, many of the other titleholders and Chris Benoit (who wasn’t even on this show for some reason) and were left spinning their wheels. Also did we need to have two sit-down interviews on one episode? Overall this isn’t a must-see edition of Smackdown but it’s still a decent way to kill two hours.

Live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (3/05/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air with a recap of the Steve Austin/Rock/Debra saga over the past week. After the intro Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Paul Heyman as we continue the road to Wrestlemania. Tonight The Undertaker challenges The Big Show for the Hardcore Title. But we also get a shot of Kurt Angle anxiously waiting for someone in the parking garage.

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boyz © (w/Lita) vs. X-Pac & Justin Credible

Heyman actually mentions Credible is a multi-time ECW Tag Team champion but doesn’t mention his partner. Mainly because he’s still working for the other guys (at least for two more weeks). X-Pac pounds away on Jeff Hardy to start and and whips him into a corner but Jeff lifts himself over X-Pac then dropkicks him from behind. Matt tags in and both Hardys whip X-Pac then hit a double elbow and follow up with their combo move for a two. Matt gets an armwringer but X-Pac rakes the face. Credible tags in but runs into an armdrag and Matt whips him into a corner and hits a gutwrench suplex for two. Matt goes for a whip, Credible reverses and X-Pac nails him from behind but Matt pops him off the apron. Credible pops Jeff off the apron then knocks Matt through the ropes and the referee tries to keep Jeff back while Credible goes out and helps X-Pac crotch Matt into the ringpost. X-Pac throws Matt back in the ring then tags in legally and helps Credible double-team Matt in their corner. X-Pac kicks Matt down in another corner and follows up with the Bronco Buster. Credible tags back in and goes for a baseball slide but Matt dodges it and Credible ends up crotching himself on the post. Jeff tags back in as X-Pac comes in but Jeff ducks a double clothesline and dropkick both men with each foot. Jeff goes for a whip, X-Pac reverses into a corner but Jeff runs up the ropes and hits the Whisper in the Wind. The Hardys whip Credible into a corner, Matt drops to the mat and Jeff connects with the Poetry in Motion. X-Pac comes up and nails Jeff from behind and whips him but lowers the head and Jeff kicks him in the face. Jeff comes off the ropes but X-Pac tosses him under the ropes and Jeff ends up colliding with Lita on the floor. Matt tosses X-Pac through the ropes then hits the Twist of Fate on Credible while Jeff climbs to the top rope. Jeff connects with the Swanton Bomb and covers Credible when … Albert pulls Jeff out of the ring? Huh?! Albert presses Jeff up and tosses him over the barricade to the floor as the referee calls for the bell. (3:19) Albert goes in the ring and Matt hammers away at him and X-Pac but Albert lays him out with the chokebomb then poses with his new pals. Match was decent but Albert joining these guys made no sense at all and resulted in one of the lamest stables ever. **

~ Backstage Kurt Angle greets an arriving limo and out comes the new WWF Commissioner, William Regal. Angle asks Regal where he was since the show already started but Regal tells him he has to go address the people. Angle then asks Regal to give him his WWF Championship rematch with The Rock tonight, feeling he deserves it. Regal tells Angle he’ll consider it then quickly heads out as Angle tells Regal to make a name for himself.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the Staples Center and find Dennis Hopper in the crowd tonight.

~ Backstage the three Radicalz are meeting together about what they should do about Chris Benoit tonight as Eddie Guerrero mentions the four of them came into the WWF together. Eddie calls Benoit a traitor for leaving them then suggests to Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn they take Benoit out and the two push their ideas on what to do. Eddie and Malenko walk off while Saturn is left behind and easy prey for Benoit to launch a sneak attack on him. Benoit drives Saturn through a sheetrock wall then slaps on the Crossface and Saturn starts tapping like mad. Benoit then leaves Saturn laying but not before he says “one down, two to go” and grins at him.

~ Back from break Commissioner Regal heads out to the ring and gets on the mic to make his first official address. Regal welcomes everyone to the first night of the Regal regime and makes a vow to work tirelessly for the fans. Regal also claims that he will not tolerate brown-nosers and suck-ups and wants to make decisions purely on his own. Regal announces that his first official act is to grant Kurt Angle his WWF Championship rematch with The Rock tonight. Regal decides to make an acronym with his name and starts by telling us ‘R’ is for ‘respect’ and ‘E’ is for ‘Education’ but just as he’s about to get to ‘G’ Chris Jericho comes out to the stage and gets on the mic telling Regal to shut up. Jericho says he wanted to congradulate Regal just as he congradulated him on his very first night in the WWF, calling up a clip on the TitanTron of him spoiling Regal’s in-ring lesson on etiquette last September. Regal yells at Jericho for him besmirching him like this prompting Jericho to point out the shiner Al Snow gave him. Jericho threatens to constantly embarass and humiliate Regal if he acts as Vince McMahon’s two-faced puppet and warns Regal to do an upstanding job with his new position. Jericho makes his own acronym with his Y2J initials then departs and Regal doesn’t seem pleased with this interuption as we go to commercial.

• Christian vs. D’Von Dudley

JR says the winner of this match will get a tag team title shot for his respective team next Monday on Raw. Plus Christian cost the Dudleys the tag titles twice last week so D’Von is hungry for revenge. Christian meets D’Von on the ramp but D’Von gets the advantage and tosses him in the ring to start us off. Christian attacks D’Von as he slides in and chokes away at him in a corner and the referee forces him to break it. D’Von starts fighting back and comes off the ropes with a clothesline then whips him and hits a powerslam. D’Von peppers Christian in a corner and Christian bails out to the floor then pulls D’Von out there as well. D’Von rams Christian into the apron then charges at him but Christian tosses him face-first into the ringpost. Christian tosses D’Von back in the ring then slams him and lays the boots to him when D’Von fights back again. D’Von goes for a kick but Christian spins him around then hits a Slop Drop right on his knee for a two count. Christian chokes D’Von on the mat then goes for a whip, D’Von reverses him into a corner but eats a boot. Christian climbs to the top rope but D’Von causes him to straddle the buckle then goes up and hits a superplex. D’Von goes for a whip, Christian reverses but D’Von hits a forearm then whips him and hits the jumping elbow. D’Von then sets up for his version of the Curtain Call but Christian fights out of it and rolls him up for a near fall. D’Von goes for a whip and sends Christian into the referee but Christian stops himself before running into him. D’Von then goes for a running clothesline but Christian ducks it and the referee ends up taking the hit instead. Christian nails D’Von with the Slop Drop then goes out and brings a chair in the ring while the referee is down. Christian readies a swing for D’Von when Bubba Ray Dudley runs in behind him and takes the chair away. Christian takes a shot at Bubba but he blocks it with the chair then helps D’Von take him out with the 3D. Bubba quickly flees the ring while D’Von covers Christian and the referee revive to count the pin. (5:03) Bubba tells Christian that was payback as the Dudleys will get their rematch with the Hardys next week. Okay though unspectacular match since D’Von isn’t known for his singles prowess and this means we’re going to get a third Hardys/Dudleys match. Or are we? **

~ Backstage we find a limo pulling into the garage with Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus climbing out of it. Vince tells Trish that since they’re in Hollywood, they should go and perform a live sex scene in the middle of the ring. Trish says she’s all for it and the two make their way in the building as we go to commercial.

~ Back form break Eddie Guerrero is griping to Dean Malenko about Chris Benoit beating them as their own game. Malenko (carrying a pipe) assures Eddie that they’re smarter than Benoit and will take him out before he gets them. Malenko passes through a door looking to use his pipe but it’s slammed shut by Benoit who’s been waiting for him. Benoit punks Malenko out from behind then grabs the pipe and beats him down with it while Eddie is locked outside. Benoit soon allows Eddie into the room and Eddie finds Malenko laid out while Benoit tells him that it’s time and leaves.

~ Backstage we find William Regal in his office which has a desk, and old rotary phone and a picture of the Queen. Johnathan Coachman comes in for an interview and Regal decides to book Chris Jericho in a non-title match tonight. Coach asks about Jericho’s opponent and Regal says Jericho will face all four members of The Right To Censor. Coach points out that it’s a handicap match but Regal feels it’s just the spirit of good competiton then dismisses him. Regal’s definintely following the WWF rulebook which says commissioners have to always stack the deck against the babyfaces.

~ Elsewhere Michael Cole interviews Kurt Angle about his WWF Championship rematch with The Rock tonight. Angle says he was WWF Champion for five months and for him not to get his rematch is a oversight and a crime. Angle says he’s going to take back what belongs to him tonight and as a bonus he’ll even break Rock’s ankle as well. Angle also calls Debra a nice looking lady but if she gets in his way he may have to take matters into his own hands.

• Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero

Yep, they decided to blow this feud off here instead of having the final battle at Wrestlemania. Eddie tries to get in a kick but Benoit hits a Dragon legwhip to start us off and follows up with a clothesline. Benoit stomps Eddie down in a corner but misses a chop and Eddie gets in his shots then goes for a whip. Benoit reverses it and hits a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker but misses another chop and Eddie takes control again. Benoit whips Eddie into a corner but eats an elbow and Eddie goes for a tornado DDT but Benoit flings him off. Eddie then grabs Benoit with a waistlock but Benoit switches behind him and plants him with a German suplex. Benoit holds on for a second German but Eddie holds on the ropes to prevent it then fights back with chops. Eddie goes for a whip but Benoit reverses it and presses Eddie up then drops him and whips him into a corner. Benoit presses Eddie up and Eddie counters with an armdrag but Benoit tosses him over his head onto the ropes. Benoit works Eddie over with chops then whips him and hits a knee to the chest followed by some more chops. Benoit whips Eddie but this time Eddie comes back with a Frankensteiner and unloads on him with right hands. Eddie goes for a suplex but Benoit floats over then suplexes him over the ropes and Eddie is down on the floor. Benoit then dives through the ropes for a plancha but Eddie sidesteps it then swats Benoit down to the floor. Eddie stomps away at Benoit before tossing him back in the ring and hitting a side suplex that gets a two count. Eddie whips Benoit and hits an elbow for another two then snapmares him and hits a rolling neck snap for a two. Eddie whips Benoit and slaps on a sleeperhold but Benoit slips out of it and suplxes Eddie onto the ropes. Both men exchange punches with Benoit getting the advantage then he whips Eddie and connects with an elbow. Benoit whips Eddie into a corner and hits him with a German suplex then holds on for a second German suplex. Benoit still holds on and hits a third German suplex then climbs to the top rope and hits the diving headbutt. However Benoit hurts himself and both men are down when Benoit drapes an arm over Eddie but only gets two. Benoit grabs Eddie for another German suplex but Eddie fights out of it and drills Benoit with the brainbuster. Eddie holds on and hits another brainbuster then climbs to the top rope and goes for the Frogsplash but misses it. Benoit pounds on Eddie who rolls him into a La Magistral but Benoit rolls out of it and slaps on the Crossface! Eddie tries to hold on but is eventually forced to tap out and Benoit gets the win. (8:24) Pretty sweet match there and both guys did a great job in the ring. Still they should have saved it for Wrestlemania, or have Eddie cheat to win so Benoit can demand a rematch at the pay-per-view. Instead Benoit gets his clean win to end this feud and that leaves nothing for these two for the supercard. Great match but a wasted oppertunity. ***½

~ Vince and Trish are shown heading to the ring to remind us this is the WWF as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Vince and Trish come out the ring since we can’t have a WWF show without Vince feeding his ego. Vince takes the mic first and compares Trish to all the Hollywood starlets out there who’d do anything for stardom then demonstrates his point by recaping the things he made Trish do on Raw while showing clips on the TitanTron. Vince reminds Trish how he didn’t force her to do any of that and Trish says she’d degrade herself for the right cause. Vince then says that Hollywood likes to hide behind a camera while the WWF does everything live in front of the fans. Vince mentions how he brought Linda out in a wheelchair on Smackdown and got intimate with Trish in front of her since Linda could see and here what was going on. Vince claims Linda is sitting in front a television right now then announces he and Trish are going to enact a Hollywood sex scene in the ring. Vince has Trish lie down on the mat then then lies beside her when Trish whipsers something in Vince’s ear and Vince tells her that’s a good idea. Vince says Trish has a wonderful idea but it’s too good for the public so they’re going to finish their scene backstage. Vince says he and Trish are going to go enjoy themselves backstage when the Corporation theme fires up again. Vince demands his music be cut since he’s not finished but then looks out to the stage and sees …Shane McMahon!! Shane makes his way out to the ring to a big crowd pop and doesn’t seem too pleased with his father’s recent actions. Vince tells Shane they haven’t talked much in some time then tries to calm him down and offers a fatherly handshake. Shane refuses it so Vince asks for a hug … and Shane punches him with a right hand and pounds away on him instead! William Regal runs in and pulls Shane off so Shane spears him while Vince and Trish make their escape to the back. Shane pounds on Regal then chases after Vince to the back with Regal gathering himself and follwing after him. We cut backstage and see Vince and Trish sprinting to their limo and climbing in then peeling out into the night. Another lenghty segment but it’s nice to finally see someone stand up to Vince, kicking this angle toward the payoff.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Shane McMahon making his WWF return and attacking Vince.

• Chris Jericho © vs. The Right To Censor (w/Ivory) – Non-Title 4-on-1 Handicap Match

The participants file out to the ring as we get a shot of William Regal watching the action from his office. Jericho starts against Bull Buchanan and gets the first shots then hammers him with kicks and chops in a corner. Jericho goes for a whip but Buchanan reverses him into a corner and hits a clothesline then gets in his offense. Buchanan whips Jericho and Jericho hitd a forearm then goes for a whip. Buchanan reverses him into a corner and charges but eats a boot and Jericho hops to the middle rope and connects with a missle dropkick. Jericho follows up with the bulldog then hits the Lionsault and covers but Goodfather comes in to make the save. Val Venis tags in but runs into a drop toehold then Jericho whips him and hits a butterfly backbreaker for a two. Jericho hits some chops and goes for a whip but Val reverses it and Richards gets in a shot from the apron. Jericho decks Richards but Goodfahter and Buchanan are in to double-team him while Val distracts the referee. Val whips Jericho and hits a knee to the chest then does it again and hits a Russian legsweep for a near fall. Goodfather tags in and hits a back suplex for two then tags Buchanan in and the two whip Jericho into a corner. Goodfather whips Buchanan for a splash but Jericho dodges him and clotheslines Goodfather then hits a heelkick. However Richards comes in and nails Jericho with a Stevenkick. Goodfather holds Jericho for his partner and Buchanan takes a swing but misses Jericho and nails Goodfather. Goodfather shoves Buchanan in response then starts to leave the ring with Buchanan going after him and Richards tries to keep them separated. In the ring Val hits Jericho with a neckbreaker but Jericho comes back and puts him in the Walls of Jericho. Before Val can submit Buchanan comes in but Jericho cuts him off then puts him in the Walls of Jericho as well. Goodfather is in but Jericho puts him in the Walls of Jericho then goes over and decks Richards off the apron. However Val comes back with a clothesline on Jericho then hits the Blue Thunderbomb and gets the pin. (4:40) The RTC celebrate but still show signs of dissention while we see Regal with a satisfied smile on his face. They tried to make it seem like Jericho had a chance but since he’s not The Rock or Austin evryone knew he wasn’t winning. *

~ Backstage Kurt Angle is preparing when Steve Ausitn barges in and accuses him of having a problem with his wife. Austin warns Angle nothing better happenen to Debra out there and Angle claims he doesn’t have any issues with her. Austin leaves but Angle tells him that after he wins the title tonight, he’ll see him at Wrestlemania as WWF Champion.

~ Back from break we see XFL announcer Dick Butkus in the crowd as we go to some hightlights of XFL action. JR then begs the fans to contact their local news media outlets and demand the XFL get the coverage it deserves. That was just so sad seeing how desparate the WWF was getting with the XFL, trying in vain to save a sinking ship.

• WWF Hardcore Title: The Big Show © vs. The Undertaker

Show hits the ring first as we cut backstage and find Taker looking to ride to the ring on his motorcycle. Taker starts his bike up when Triple H punks him out from behind and ends up knocking the cameraman over. We then see Taker’s leg is caught under his overturned bike and Triple H takes out the guys trying to help him. Triple H then sets a chair over Taker’s neck and taunts him on always talking about making people famous. Triple H says he’s already famous for crippling people and threatens to take Taker out if he messes with him. Triple H starts to leave with the chair in hand but Taker dares him to finish the job while he has the chance. Triple H decides to do just that and readies the chair but Kane runs into the scene and chases Triple H away. Kane then tries to get the bike of Taker’s leg but Show comes in and throws Kane into a closed garage door. Show beats on Kane then chokeslams him through a table and both Kane and Taker are left laying.

~ Back from break we get a replay of the segment we just saw in full just in case we missed anything.

~ We cut over to WWF New York and find the Acolytes and Jacqueline enjoying some drinks and food with the fans.

~ Backstage Steve Austin meets up with The Rock and mentions the conversation he had with Kurt Angle earlier. Austin warns Rock that if anything happens to Debra he’s not only beating Angle up but he’ll whip his rear end as well. Rock tells Austin he should be concerned since it’s his wife but doesn’t want to hear about his supposed responsiblities. Rock says his only concern is talking care of Angle while Austin’s main concern should be getting ready for their match.

~ Back from break JR talks about Chyna returning to in-ring action and wanting to challenge Ivory to a match. The previous night on Heat Ivory accepted Chyna’s challenge to a Women’s title rematch at Wrestlemania. JR announces the match has been made official but has some concerns about Chyna wrestling with a hurt neck. So just like that we have our second match made for the card.

• WWF European Title: Test © vs. Raven

Also the previous night on Heat Molly Holly finally unmasked Raven’s ninja woman as Tori. And then she was never seen or mentioned again outside of Tough Enough. I guess they wanted to sweep that angle under the rug by having the reveal on Heat instead of the main shows. Test pounds away on Raven to start and hits a powerslam then knocks him through the ropes with an elbow. Test goes out after him when Raven pulls him into the ringpost then hits a Russian legsweep into the barricade. Raven rolls Test back in the ring and gets in his offense then whips him into a corner and hits a clothesline. Raven hits a running bulldog for a two then applies a chinlock but Test rams him into a corner to break it. Raven takes Test down by the legs but Test kicks him into the buckles then hits a tilt-o-whirl slam for a two. Test whips Raven but lowers the head and Raven kicks the face but Test comes back with the Full Nelson slam. Test connects with a pair of clotheslines and sets him up for the pump-handle slam but Raven floats over him. Raven comes off the ropes but Test nails him with the big boot and this one is over. (2:46) Anyboy feel like adding some squash to your diet? *

~ Kurt Angle is shown heading to the ring along with The Rock and Debra which means main event time is next. We also get a shot of Steve Austin pacing in the back which might lead to something as we go to commercial.

~ Tonight’s classic Wrestlemania moment is The Undertaker defeating Diesel with the Tombstone at Wrestlemania XII. For some reason this reminds me of those “Where the Big Boys Play” videos WCW showed on Saturday Night in 1996.

• WWF World Heavyweight Title: The Rock © (w/Debra) vs. Kurt Angle

So here we are, Angle getting his rematch after losing the title to Rock at No Way Out. Both men have a staredown to start when Rock gets in the first shots then takes Angle down by the legs. Rock then puts Angle in the Sharpshooter already but Angle is able to grab the bottom rope for the break. Rock drills Angle with a DDT that gets a two count and Angle bails out to the floor to try and catch his breath. Rock chases Angle down on the ramp and hits a clothesline then grabs his leg and punches him below the belt. Rock goes for a whip when Angle reverses him into the barricade but Rock catches him with a clothesline. Angle fights back then grabs a chair and jabs him with it while Earl Hebner is busy with Debra for some reason. Angle stomps away on Rock when Rock tries to rally but Angle kicks his ribs then drops him on the barricade. Angle continues kicking away at Rock’s ribs then throws him in the ring but Rock again starts fighting back. Rock comes off the ropes but Angle nails him with a knee to the chest then hits a suplex that gets a two count. Angle kicks Rock down and chokes him with his boot when Hebner orders him back so Angle does it again. Rock again fights back and comes off the ropes but Angle catches him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Angle plants Rock with another belly-to-belly suplex then hits a third belly-to-belly but only gets a two count.

Angle pounds away on Rock and charges at him but Rock tosses him over the ropes then goes out after him. Angle drops Rock onto the announce table and clubs him in the chest before throwiong him back in the ring. Angle slams Rock then climbs to the top rope and goes for the moonsault but misses it and both men are down. Both men are up when Angle plants Rock with the Olympic Slam but can’t cover immediately and only gets two. Angle then grabs Rock in a bear hug and Rock tries to hold on but begins to fade and Hebner checks the arm. Rock’s arm drops once, it drops twice, but Rock manages to keep it up the third time and fight out of the hold. Rock hits Angle with the Rock Bottom but he’s too hurt to make the immediate cover and only gets a near fall. Both men struggle to their feet but Rock wails on Angle then knocks him over the ropes with the Smackdown. Rock goes out and rolls Angle back in the ring but Angle accidentally clips Hebner in the leg for our ref bump. Angle pounds Rock as he rolls in but Rock plants him with a spinebuster then delivers the People’s Elbow. Rock covers Angle but Hebner’s knee is bothering him as he moves into position to count it and only gets two. Rock isn’t happy with that and lets Hebner know it then turns back when Angle slaps him in the Anklelock! Rock tries not to submit as he inches toward the bottom rope and grabs it but Angle refuses to release the hold. Hebner demands Angle let go but Angle is so determined to break Rock’s ankle that he doesn’t listen to him. Rock even starts tapping with his left hand while still holding the rope with his right but Angle still won’t let go. Finally Hebner calls for the bell having DQ’ed Angle for not releasing the hold when ordered so Rock retains. (12:38) Bleh ending to what was another good match between these two guys. ***½

Debra climbs in the ring to talk some sense into Angle so Angle trips her then puts her in the Anklelock! Naturally Steve Austin runs in and pounds away on Angle then stomps him down and tosses him over the ropes. Rock tries to get to his feet but Austin doesn’t bother checking on Debra and takes Rock out with the Stunner! The crowd actually pops for that as Austin leaves the ring while Debra again stays behind and tends to Rock as we fade to black.

Conclusion: Pretty good episode of Raw this time around. Both hours were anchored by two great matches and the rest of the in-ring action was on the decent side, and we also got some nice angle advancement including Shane’s return. There are some issues that keep this show from being great, such as blowing off the Benoit/Eddie feud before the pay-per-view, the second hour which seemed like it was coasting, the ending to the main event and Debra still sticking out like a sore thumb in the Rock/Austin build. It also seemed like the bookers still couldn’t figure out the rest of the card, even with just three weeks before the big event. Not to mention the XFL stuff was emarassing. But overall a good editon of Raw to check out.

Taped (3/6) from the MCI Center in Washington, DC

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (3/05/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Smackdown comes on the air with clips of Debra being named The Rock’s manager on Raw. After the intro Michael Cole welcomes us to the show along with Tazz who’s taken over Jerry Lawler’s spot for the forseeable future. Cole announces tonight The Rock takes on Rikishi & Haku in a handicap match and Al Snow battles William Regal with the winner being named WWF Commissioner. Interesting.

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boyz © (w/Lita) vs. The Dudley Boyz

The Hardys stunned the Dudleys for the belts on Raw thanks to Christian’s interference so here’s the rematch. Both sides waste no time going at it to start before the Hardys and Dudleys spill out to the floor. Eventually Bubba throws Matt back in the ring and works him over in a corner when Jeff makes the save. The Hardys whip Bubba into a corner, Matt drops to the mat and Jeff connects with the Poetry in Motion. Matt follows up with a clotheslne for a two count then goes for the discus punch but Bubba suplexes him. D’Von tags in and nails Jeff coming in then whips Matt into a jumping elbow and throws Jeff out to the floor. D’Von plants Matt wiht a powerslam for a two count then goes for the ropes but Jeff trips him from the floor. Matt follows up with an elbowdrop then chokes D’Von on the middle rope and Jeff adds a guillotine legdrop. Jeff tags in and the Hardys whip D’Von and hit a double elbow followed by their combo move for a near fall. Jeff hops to the middle rope and leaps off but D’Von cuts him down with a clothesline. Matt tags back in and elbowdrops D’Von to cut off a tag then hits a gutwrench suplex followed by a fistdrop for a near fall. Matt goes for the Twist of Fate but D’Von counters with a suplex and both men tag their respective partners. Bubba hammers Jeff and tosses him over the ropes and Matt comes in but Bubba hot shots him on the ropes. Jeff comes off the ropes but Bubba backdrops him for a two count then plants Matt with a sidewalk slam. Bubba then sets Jeff on his shoulders while D’Von climbs to the top rope and hits the Dudleyville Device. Bubba covers Jeff but Matt climbs to the top and makes the save with a guillotine legdrop. Matt knocks D’von through the ropes and goes out after him while Jeff manages to drape an arm over Bubba but only gets a two count. Lita climbs to the top rope and hits Bubba with a huricanrana and Jeff follows up with a splash on him but that only gets two. D’Von comes back in and Jeff goes for a whip, D’Von reverses him into a corner and Jeff runs up the ropes going for the Whisper in the Wind but D’Von swats him away. The Dudleys plant him with the 3D. D’Von keeps Matt back as Bubba covers Jeff … but Christian appears and pulls the referee out of the ring. D’Von goes out and decks Christian but Matt comes in and lays Bubba out with a neckbreaker from behind. Matt then rolls Jeff on top of Bubba and the referee goes back in the count the pin. (4:57) Really, a neckbreaker was enough to keep Bubba down for a three? Another solid bout but these guys have fought so much their matches are beginning to blur together. **

Anyway The Hardys grab their belts and depart while Christian continues to work D’Von over on the floor. Bubba pulls Christian in the ring by the hair and slams him to the mat then sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. Bubba has D’Von fetch a table and set it up then hops to the middle rope and superbombs Christian through it.

~ Backstage Vince McMahon is on the phone talking to someone about humiliating Trish Stratus on Monday and tells that person he has a surprise tonight that will be better because this one is personal. Debra then comes into the room and confronts Vince about the way he treated Trish and Vince claims to understand. Vince claims to have to upmost respect for women but Trish is trash and not like other women such as Debra. Vince admits he did get carried away even though Trish could have said no at anytime and does offer an apology. Debra then talks about being tricked into managing The Rock knowing her husband is facing him at Wrestlemania. Vince tells Debra after she resigned he wanted to reward her loyalty by having her manage the WWF Champion but now sees the conflict of interest Debra sees. Vince says he’ll understand if Debra just wants to be a housewife but he always saw her a goal-oriented career woman willing to accept any and all challenges. Debra stops Vince’s rambling and says she’s willing to manage Rock but didn’t like the way Vince went about it. Vince gives Debra’s props for being a professional and accepting this challenge as we go to commercial.

• WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Val Venis (w/The Right To Censor)

Ivory joins the announcers for commentary and Cole mentions rumors of Chyna possibly making a comeback. Just in case your cared. Val gets in a kick to start but Jericho quickly comes back with chops and whips him hard into a corner then comes off the ropes with a spinning heel kick for a two count then chops him. Jericho goes for a whip, Val reverses it but lowers the head and Jericho kicks the face. Jericho goes for the ropes when Richards grabs his leg and Jericho glares at him but turns right into an elbow. Val follows up with an elbowdrop and a kneedrop then fires away on Jericho and hits a Blue Thunderbomb for a two count. Val hits a neckbreaker for a near fallthen whips Jericho into a corner and goes for a suplex but Jericho flips out of it and connects with a enzuigiri. Jericho starts fighting back goes for a whip, Val reverses it but Jericho comes back with a flying forearm. Jericho then goes for the ropes again but tumbles out to the floor after Bull Buchanan pulls down the top rope. Goodfather and Buchanan work Jericho over then toss him into the ringsteps and Goodfather clotheslines him. The RTC’ers throw Jericho back in the ring when the Acolytes make their way out and go at it with them. While the referee is distracted by the brawl outside Richards goes in and nails Jericho with the Stevenkick. Richards heads back out to the floor and Val covers Jericho as the referee turns around … but only gets two! Val goes for a whip but Jericho reverses him into a corner then comes off the ropes and hits the bulldog. Jericho pops Richards off the apron then nails Val with the Lionsault and gets the three to retain. (3:17) Jericho then looks out to the departing Acolytes and signals that he owes them a beer later. Match was just there. *½

~ Cole and Tazz talk about Kurt Angle’s mean streak as they show him breaking Scotty 2 Hotty’s ankle on Raw. Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Angle asking if he has any remose on putting Scotty on the shelf with the Anklelock. Angle says he’s upset over how long it took him to break the ankle when it would only take half the time back in ’96. We suddenly hear a disruption off screen and find Grandmaster Sexay being held back by a number of wrestlers. Sexay yells at Angle who dares the pile to let him go feeling he wouldn’t even last five minutes in the ring with him. Test then walks up to Angle telling him he has a big mouth before challenging him to a match, calling him “little man”. Test walks off as Angle says he’s not scared of him and accepts the challenge promising to break his ankle as well.

~ Backstage Vince McMahon is on the phone talking to Trish Stratus about bringing his wife Linda to the arena tonight. Yes, folks, another “dysfunctional McMahons” segment coming up.

~ Elsewhere we find Chris Benoit going into the Radicalz’ lockerroom where he finds his comrades conversing. Benoit asks them if he’s interputing something and tells Eddie Guerrero to go ahead and let his actions do the talking. Benoit asks Eddie if he wants a shot at him and dcides to give him one, turning his back and stretching out his arms. Eddie decides to lunge at Benoit but Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn keep holding him back as Benoit taunts him. The Radicals say they’ll pick their spot and Benoit instead suggests they can settle their issues one at a time in the ring. Benoit dares his pals to prove him wrong and departs with the others following after him.

~ Still elsewhere Steve Austin is talking with Debra who says she spoke with Vince about getting her career back. Austin tells Debra he’s all for her managing again but he knows from experience that Vince tricked her plain and simple. Austin asks Debra to understand the position he’s in, that she’s managing his opponent for the WWF Championship. Austin tells Debra he hopes everything works out for the best but just shakes his head afterwards.

~ The Rock is shown arriving at the building only a half-hour late this time as we go to commercial.

• Chris Benoit vs. The Radicalz – Gauntlet Match

Usual gauntlet rules with Benoit taking each of the Radicalz on in succession. Perry Saturn is up first and exchanges shots with Benoit then gets the advantage and pounds him down. Saturn whips him, Benoit slides under him and Saturn takes him down by the legs but Benoit slings him off. Benoit chops Saturn in a corner and stomps him down then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but Saturn blocks a clothesline. Saturn hits a belly-to-belly suplex followed by a clothesline and a suplex for a two count. Saturn hits a modifed Rocker Dropper for a near fall then headbutts Benoit and grabs at the face. Saturn sets Benoit on the top rope then goes up and hits a superplex. Saturn climbs to the top again and goes for the flying elbowdrop but misses it and Benoit fights back before hitting a Dragon legwhip. Benoit follows up with a snap suplex and a back suplex then climbs to the top and hits the diving beadbutt but that only gest a two count. Saturn goes for the Death Valley Driver but Benoit slips out of it and comes off the ropes with a clothesline. Benoit goes for the ropes a second time but Terri grabs his ankle so Benoit pulls her onto the apron. Saturn charges at him but Benoit sidesteps and Saturn knocks Terri off. Benoit then slaps on the Crossface and Saturn is forced to tap out to end the first stage. (3:48)

Dean Malenko comes in next and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip. Benoit reverses it but lowers the head and Malenko kicks the face then goes into a armwringer. Benoit counters it and goes for an enzuigiri but Malenko ducks it then elbowdrops him and stomps him down in a corner. Benoit reverses positions when Saturn distracts the referee allowing Malenko to kick him below the belt. Malenko goes for a whip but Benoit reverses him into a corner and plants him with a German suplex. Benoit holds on for a second German supelx but Malenko fights out of a third German. Malenko whips Benoit into a corner and clotheslines him then scoops him up but Benoit floats over him and hits an inverted suplex. Benoit whips Malenko but Malenko rolls him up into his own Crossface as Benoit lifts him up on his back. Malenko slips down into a Sunset Flip but Benoit sits on his shoulders and holds him down for the pin. (5:27)

That leaves Eddie Guerrero but he makes his way down the ramp slowly as Benoit dares him to fight. Before Eddie can climb in the ring Malenko and Saturn both come back in and attack Benoit from behind. Malenko holds Benoit across his knee as Saturn climbs to the top rope and hits a flying kneedrop on him. Eddie eventually asks Malenko and Saturn to clear out of the ring and heads in to finish off Benoit himself. Eddie stomps Benoit and hits a brainbuster then climbs to the top rope and hits the Frogsplash for the three. (6:35) Eddie celebrates with Malenko and Saturn and it looks like Benoit is now officially out of the Radicalz. Good solid action, though there was a bit of sloppiness in the second fall. You’d think this would lead to a big Benoit/Eddie blowoff at Wrestlemania but it didn’t quite happen that way. **½

~ Backstage Vince meets with Trish Stratus who has a present for him: the comatose Linda McMahon in a wheelchair. Vince happily asks Trish to wheel Linda out to the arena so the entire world can get a good, long look at his wife. Vince tells Linda that she’s going to be humilaited and they all head out as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Vince McMahon comes out to the stage for his big segment. Vince gets on the mic saying he has a treat of everyone because he’ll soon bring Linda out to the stage to meet everyone. Vince warns Linda is fragile and under medication because the last time she was in the ring was on Smackdown when he demanded a divorce from her. Vince says Linda couldn’t handle the emotional trauma and broke down so he stopped the divorce proceedings. Vince says he wouldn’t divorce his wife after her breakdown, plus she would get 50% of everything he owned. On that note Trish wheels Linda out to the stage and Linda just stares blanky ahead. Vince says he spared no expense for Linda’s comfort and gave her the best 24-hour nursing care money can buy. Vince also says he instructed the nurses to allow Linda to watch him run the WWF every Monday and Thursday. Vince then wonders what was going through Linda’s mind when she saw Trish deragding herself for him on Raw and feels Trish proved that she was loyal and would do anything for him, something Linda never seemed to do. Vince feels Linda needs to see more and asks her to hold his mic and his jacket by laying them across her lap. Vince and Linda then proceed to make out right in front of Linda who continues to sit there with no reaction at all. Vince then sarcastically waves at Linda before having Trish wheel her the back to finally end this segment. Even knowing the outcome of this angle doesn’t make these segments any less uncomfortable to watch.

~ Back from break we get a replay of the Vince/Linda/Trish segment. With a TV-PG box even. I’d point out the irony but let’s just move on.

• Kurt Angle vs. Test © – Non-Title Match

Both men exchange shots to start and Test gets the advantage then whips Angle into a corner and clotheslines him. Test kicks away at him and throws him over the ropes then goes out and rams Angle into the barricade. Test talks trash while continuing to assault Angle then whips him into the ringpost and charges but Angle ducks and Test runs himself right into the post. Angle throws Test back in and lays the boots to him then pounds him in a corner and caps it off with a suplex. Test gets back to his feet so Angle hits another suplex then suplexes him a third time and gets a two count. Angle forearms Test in the back then chokes Test on the middle rope and whips him into a corner. Angle charges at Test and eats an elbow and Test comes out of the corner but runs into a drop toehold. Angle goes for the Anklelock but Test kicks Angle away into a corner and rolls him up but only gets two. Test comes back and plants Angle with the Full Nelson slam for a two count then goes for the big boot. Angle ducks it and goes for the Olympic Slam but Test slips out of it and clotheslines him over the ropes. Test then goes out to the floor and chases down Angle near the announce table then continues his assault. The referee pulls Test off Angle but Angle grabs Test’s European Title belt and waffles Test in the head with it. Angle rolls Test back in the ring then climbs to the top rope and hits the moonsault …. but only gets two?! Test comes back and goes for the pump-handle slam but Angle floats over and shoves him into the referee. Angle then nails Test below the belt and follows it up with the Olympic Slam to put this one away. (5:38) That was actually a decent match. **

Grandmaster Sexay runs out looking to get a piece of Angle but Angle trips him and gets the Anklelock. However Test breaks it up then nails Angle with the big boot that sends him rolling under the ropes.

~ Backstage Al Snow is talking to Mick Foley on a pay phone about his chance to be commissioner tonight, admiting he’s still beat up from the hardcore match on Monday but feels he can still handle William Regal. Snow also says once he becomes commissioner they’ll finally get even with Vince McMahon before hanging up. Snow then looks over and sees his midgets on a short phone talking on an adult line and cuts off their call as well. The midgets complain but Snow tells them they have a job to do and to keep their hands out of their pockets.

~ They show that great Steve Austin/Rock Wrestlemania promo again as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find Steve Austin pacing around the back worked up about something.

• William Regal vs. Al Snow (w/midgets) – Match for the WWF Commissionership

And you though only WCW had matches for presidencies and commissionerships. Regal comes out first and gets on the mic saying he can’t tell a lie just like George Washington. Regal promises that once he becomes Commissioner he will listen to each and every one of the fans. Snow comes out bandaged up from Monday as Cole mentions he’s hosting Sunday Night Heat this week. Regal attacks Snow as he climbs in the ring and whips him into a backdrop then Regal kicks him around the ring and follows up with a suplex for a two count. Snow tries to fight back but Regal stops that with the kneelifts to the face. Regal sets Snow on the top rope then goes for a superplex but the midgets hold Snow down. Snow fights Regal off to the mat then leaps off the top for a flying crossbody but that only gets a two count. Snow hits a DDT for a two count then whips Regal into a corner but Regal stops himself and both men collide. One of the midgets hops onto the apron to fire up the crowd but Regal knees him off the apron to the floor. Snow goes to check on him but Regal nails him from behind and hits the inverted neckbreaker for the win. (3:08) And there’s your new WWF Commissioner. Not much of a match to get behind and a somewhat disappointing end to Snow’s last significant storyline. *

The other midget comes in the tend to Snow but Regal attacks him and suplexes him because beating up midgets is always funny.

~ Backstage Triple H and Stephanie are shown arriving at the building when Trish and Linda McMahon come up so the Helmsleys take a moment to make fun of Linda’s condition then head off somewhere as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Vince McMahon congraduates William Regal (sporting a shiner) at winning the Commissionership. Vince tells Regal every other Commissioner before him was appointed but says he went out there and earned it. Regal promises to Vince to be the WWF’s most dignified Commissioner ever and to always do what the fans what. Of course he’s going to follow the WWF rulebook which states every authority figure has to be a heel supporter.

~ Out in the arena The Helmselys make thier way to the ring so Triple H can get on the mic for some promo time. Triple H says in the seven years he’s been in the WWF he’s scratched and clawed over everyone else to the top. Triple H says he’s married a powerful woman and is also physically and mentally superior to every other wrestler. Triple H also says he’s climbed to the top of the moutain and has earned everyone’s respect and demands fear. Triple H adds he’s beaten both The Rock and Steve Austin yet those two are in the main event at Wrestlemania so he wants know why he’s not in the WWF Championship match when he’s beaten everyone else to beat. Suddenly The Undertaker interupts Triple H for some reason and rides his motorcycle down the ramp to the ring. Taker climbs in and grabs a mic then starts off by telling Triple H that he’s trespassing on private property, that he doesn’t want to be in his yard because bad things have been happening there for a decade. Taker says while Triple H was climbing the mountain he was burying people underneath to make the mountain bigger. Taker admits Triple H has come a long way in seven years and may someday run the yard but that day isn’t here. Taker mentions what Triple H said about beating everyone else in the WWF but points out he never defeated him. Well, Triple H did beat Taker on Smackdown the previous year but let’s not allow that fact get in the way. Taker tells Triple H he doesn’t like him, fear him or respect him but promises to break him and make him famous. Triple H backs away and tries to punk Taker out but Taker hammers him and tosses him over the ropes. Stephanie tries to hold the furious Triple H back as Taker stands tall in the ring and glares out at him. Looks like we got another big time feud that just started.

~ Kevin Kelly is shown standing outside The Rock’s door waiting to be humilaited by him once again.

~ Elsehwere Rikishi is talking with Haku asking if he knows what their orders are and Haku responds in Tongan. Rikishi mentions they’re going to take the Rock down and once that’s done with he’s going to give Debra a stinkface. Rikishi says Debra will definitely smell what he’s cooking and Haku agrees with him as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Rikishi and Haku’s plot against The Rock and Debra.

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Rock on Debra being appointed his manager, even though Debra isn’t around. Rock says the road to Wrestlemania was clear with himself and Steve Austin on a collision course with destiny but now it’s foggy and bumpy with a roadblock named Debra. Rock tells Debra he has no problem with her personally and respects her but doesn’t need her as a manager. Rock adds he’s never needed nor wanted a manager throughout his career but now has Austin’s wife in his corner. Rock tells Debra they may have no choice but to accept it since Vince McMahon appointed her to that position. However Rock asks Debra if she can accept him beating up her husband on April 1 and that she can’t stop him from doing so, “If ya smell” and the rest.

~ Austin is show still pacing around the back in deep thought as we go to commercial.

~ The Wrestlemania countdown shows we’re only 24 days away from the big event.

• The Rock © (w/Debra) vs. Rikishi & Haku – Non-Title Handicap Match

Rock and Haku start off but Rikishi gets Rock’s attention from the apron allowing Haku to get in the first shots. Haku hammers Rock in a corner and whips him but lowers the head and Rock rams him face-first into the mat. However Haku pops right up so Rock clotheslines him but Haku comes back with a right. Rikishi tags in and stomps Rock down in a corner and Rock starts fighting back but eats an elbow. Rikishi misses a legdrop and Rock goes for a whip but Rikishi reverses it and Haku nails Rock from behind while Rikishi follows up with a clothesline. Haku tags in and Rock again fights back until Haku hits a thrust chop. Haku goes for a whip but Rock reverses it and rams Haku into Rikishi knocking him off the apron. Rikishi brings a chair in but Rock cuts him off then grabs the chair himself and whacks Haku in the head with it but it has no effect, Rock is shocked as Haku headbutts him and follows up with a headbutt splash. Haku tags Rikishi in and whips Rock into a drop toehold then holds him down as Rikishi adds in the legdrop. Rock tries to rally back and and comes off the ropes but runs right into a Samoan Drop and Haku tags back in. Haku works Rock over in a corner and Rock again fights back and comes off the ropes but runs into a boot. Haku hits another headbutt splash before Rikishi tags in and stomps Rock down then whips him into a corner. Rikishi then goes for the running butt splash but Rock cuts him off with a clothelsine and both men are down. Haku tags back in but Rock fights back and goes for a whip, Haku reverses but Rock hits a flying forearm. Rikishi comes in and Rock tries to whip him, Rikishi goes to reverse it but Rock counters that into a DDT. Rock hammers Haku in a corner and goes for the Smackdown but Rikishi stops that and Haku stomps on him. Haku whips Rock in a corner then whips Rikishi into him but Rock dodges Rikishi and clotheslines Haku down. Rock plants Rikishi with a spinebuster then hits the Rock Bottom on Haku and that gets the three. (6:57) Because not even the super team like Rikishi and Haku is no match for Rock by himself. And you though John Cena was always overcoming the odds. **

Rock starts celebrating when Rikishi superkicks him down then climbs up the ropes and hits the Banzai Drop. Like it matters now. Rikishi then turns toward Debra and backs her into a corner where Haku holds her down and in position. Rikishi starts backing up slowly for the Stinkface but Steve Ausitn runs out to make the save and hammers away on Rikishi. Austin clotheslines Haku over the ropes then lays Rikishi out with the the Stunner. And that would be it for Rikishi and Haku’s run as a team since Rikishi would disappear for a few months while Haku would be relegated to the weekend shows, making you wonder why they even bothered bringing him in.

Anyway Austin heads out of the ring but Debra doesn’t depart with her husband and instead stays behind and tends to Rock. Austin heads up the ramp but sees the two of them on the OvalTron then looks back in disbelief at his wife helping his Wrestelmania opponent as we fade to black.

Conclusion: Okay show but it showed that even the greatest Wrestlemanias can have not-so-great builds behind them. The matches were again sub-par and again there was way too many non-wrestling segments. And other than the Triple H/Taker confrontation there wasn’t much advancement toward the big card, expecially with Angle who seemed in limbo after being in the title match at the last supercard. And Debra just seemed like an awkward addition to the Rock/Austin build, as if they were trying to recreate the Hulk Hogan/Elizabeth/Randy Savage triangle from 12 years prior, without much success. So it’s not a bad show but just not a great one. We’ll go thumbs in the middle leaning slightly down.

Live from the MCI Center in Washington, DC

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Jim Ross welcoming us to the show. However the camera then pans back to reveal JR’s broadcast partner is … ECW Owner Paul Heyman!! Heyman (sporting an ECW cap) explains the Kat was fired last Tuesday and Jerry Lawler walked out with her but where there’s chaos there’s oppertunity and with the King gone he’s come to Raw to get extreme.

~ Things kick off with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon coming to the ring a week after his big win at No Way Out. Triple H gets on the mic and says it’s hard to be humble when he’s so good and no one can appreciate that fact, but after destroying Austin last week it’s especially difficult not to shove it down everyone’s throats. Triple H says he’s out to right a wrong after taking some days off and watching Raw on his big screen TV specifically Rock saying his match with Austin will pit the WWF’s two best wrestlers against each other. Triple H takes offense to that remark, claiming he’s been beating Rock up since the day he arrived in the WWF plus he beat Austin at No Way Out not once but twice in back-to-back falls, proving he was the better man. Triple H wants to finish what he should have taken care of long ago and says Wrestlemania will be the meeting of the two best wrestlers but he himself will be one of them because he’s going to remove one of those competitors tonight. Triple H calls Austin out to face him in the ring and Austin does appear and charges in the ring going right to work on Triple H and even getting the advantage. Kurt Angle runs in behind him and Austin tries to fight both men but eventually gets overwhelmed by the numbers. The Rock then comes out to even the odds and works over Angle allowng Austin to come back against Triple H. Rock knocks Angle over the ropes with the Smackdown and Austin clotheslines Triple H over as well. Both men head out to the floor to continue the fight and leave their respective opponents laying.

~ Back from break Kurt Angle is still at ringside fuming at William Regal who tries to calm him down. Regal soon goes in the ring and gets on the mic telling Angle he has an announcement from Vince McMahon. Regal tells Angle he’ll get his shot at revenge tonight by teaming with Triple H against Austin and Rock. Angle doesn’t seem satisfied with that match and continues to storm around ringside.

~ The Too Cool guys then make their way out to the ring for our opening match against X-Pac and Justin Credible. However Angle still hasn’t left ringside when he suddenly goes in the ring and attacks Scotty 2 Hotty from behind. Angle turns and tosses Grandmaster Sexay out through the ropes then goes out and tosses him into the ringsteps. Angle heads back in the ring and Scotty tries to fight back but Angle beats him down and slaps on the Anklelock. Scotty starts tapping like mad to no avail and the referee pulls Angle off him but his foot is twisted at an odd angle. Angle then walks off while a number of EMT’s try to help Scotty out of the ring as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get footage of Scotty 2 Hotty being stretchered out of the arena during the break. Nobody knew at the time that was the end of Too Cool, since by the time Scotty came back his partner wouldn’t be there anymore.

~ JR and Heyman then mention a meeting Vince McMahon had with the Radicalz earlier today as we get footage of it. Bascially Vince told the group they could choose one of their members to get an Intercontinential Title match tonight. Dean Malenko is the first to volunteer but Perry Saturn protests reminding Malenko that he already has a title. Chris Benoit tries to calm things down saying the man to face Chris Jericho should be the man who’s truly earned it. Eddie Guerrero tells Benoit to take the shot since he’s their leader but Malenko and Saturn both feel differently. Benoit feels Eddie deserves the shot saying how he can get payback on Jericho for putting him out for two months. Benoit also reminds Eddie how he showed his true colors on Smackdown and feels he truly deserves the title shot. Eddie takes Benoit’s words to heart and accepts the title shot and the two touch fists in a show of support.

• WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Eddie Guerrero

So finally we our first match after nearly a quarter of the show was devoted to non-wrestling segments. Chris Benoit comes out to join the announcers for commentary but doesn’t really say anything to them. Both men lockup to start and Jericho grabs a waistlock but Eddie switches it but Jericho switches back. Eddie elbows Jericho away then comes off the ropes but Jericho leapfrogs over him and hits an armdrag. Jericho goes into an armbar then wrenches the arm and Eddie flips out of it but Jericho clotheslines him. Jericho hits a headlock takeover and Eddie counters with the headscissors but Jericho flips over into a pin. Eddie bridges up out of the pin then goes into a backslide for a two count and Jericho chops him in a corner. Jericho kicks Eddie down and the referee forces a break allowing Eddie to dropkick Jericho in the knee. Eddie puts Jericho in a Gory Special but Jericho flips out of it and puts Eddie in his own Gory Special. Eddie is able to free himself on Jericho’s shoulders but Jericho end up dropping him face-first onto the mat. Jericho comes off the ropes with a forearm then whips Eddie into a hiptoss and follows up with the bulldog. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but misses and Eddie rolls up up for a two count and chops him in a corner. Eddie goes for a whip, Jericho reverses him into the opposite corner and charges at him but eats an elbow. Eddie comes out of the corner and Jericho tosses him onto the turnbuckles but takes out the referee as well. Jericho sets Eddie on the top rope then goes up looking for a superplex but Eddie fights him off to the mat. Eddie then goes for the Frogsplash but misses it and both men are down as Benoit decides to get involved. Benoit climbs to the top rope and goes for the diving headbutt but nails Eddie with it instead of Jericho. Benoit then departs the ring as Jericho covers Eddie and gets the three to retain. (4:08) Decent match but I’ve seen better from these guys. Jericho is dumbfounded that his rival would help him out like that but nonetheless takes his belt. Malenko and Saturn come out and confront Benoit on the ramp before going in the ring to help Eddie. Looks like trouble brewing among the Radicalz. **

~ Backstage The Hardys are plotting their strategy for their upcoming tag title match when Lita walks up to them and wishes them luck. Lita starts to depart for her match but Matt insists he and Jeff accompany her. Jeff is a little hesitant but Matt tells him they can talk about strategy later and they head out as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get footage of Al Snow and his midgets earlier today campaigning for WWF Commissioner.

• WWF Women’s Title: Ivory © (w/Steve Richards & Val Venis) vs. Lita (w/The Hardys)

So Lita wins her #1 contender’s match last week yet is getting her title match now instead of at Wrestlemania. Both ladies lockup to start and Ivory forces her into a corner then throws her by the hair across the ring. Ivory whips Lita into a corner but Lita springs off the ropes over Ivory and rolls her up for a two count. Lita goes for a whip, Ivory reverses it but Lita clotheslines her down then fires away with a series of rights. Lita hits a Russian legsweep for a two count then goes for a Twist of Fate but Ivory drives her into a corner. Ivory hammers Lita with shoulderblocks then whips her and plants her with a sidewalk slam for a two count. Ivory chokes Lita on the middle rope then charges at her but Lita backdrops Ivory over the ropes. Lita then climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying crossbody as the RTC’ers and Hardys go at it. Matt dukes it out with Richards near the announce table while Jeff tosses Val into the ringsteps. Jeff runs along the barricade looking for a clothesline but Val ducks it and Jeff wipes Lita out instead. Val attacks Jeff while Ivory rolls Lita back in the ring and hits a neckbreaker for the pin. (3:01) The Hardys go in to help Lita up but Matt chews Jeff out for costing her the match. Not much of a match, plus with Lita losing that doesn’t leave anybody to challenge Ivory for the title. *

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Kurt Angle on why he attacked Scotty 2 Hotty earlier. Angle says when Scotty was in the Anklelock begging for mercy he heard a snap so he knows his ankle is broken and it felt great because that sent a message to everyone in the WWF that he’s done being the whipping boy. Angle says he’s tired of being embarrased and humiliated every week when he’s the best and deserves respect. Angle accuses Too Cool of coming out and mocking him with his dancing, saying they can celebrate at the hospital. Angle says to get the ambulance ready because Steve Austin, The Rock and even Triple H might be joining him. Angle finishes by saying he’s tired of this and isn’t going to take it anymore.

~ The Undertaker and Kane are shown heading to the ring for the next match as we go to commercial.

~ The Wrestlemania countdown shows there are only 27 days left. Let the excitement start building, people!

• The Undertaker & Kane vs. Rikishi & Haku

Taker and Kane meet their opponents on the ramp and Kane dukes it out with Rikishi on the stage while Taker brings Haku down to ringside. Haku whips Taker into the barricade and follows up with a headbutt while Kane tosses Rikishi into the steps. Haku throws Taker in the ring to officially start the match and works him over in a corner then hits another headbutt. Taker fights back but Haku whips him and hits a dropkick(!) and Rikishi gets in a headbutt. Taker again starts fighting back but Haku counters that with a back suplex then comes off the ropes with a headbutt for a two count. Haku clubs Taker in the back then Taker comes back and rams him into a turnbuckle but that has no effect. Taker whips Haku into the opposite corner and charges but eats an elbow and Haku hammers him with chops. Rikishi tags in and headbutts Taker then tags Haku in and both men whip Taker into a double clothesline. Rikishi follows up with the massive legdrop and Haku covers Taker but Kane comes in and breaks up the pin. Haku whips Taker but lowers the head and Taker hits a DDT but Rikishi breaks up the pin and pops Kane. Rikishi whips Taker into a corner and connects with the running butt splash but Kane clotheslines him down. Kane clotheslines Haku and hits a boot on Rikishi and Rikishi rolls out to the floor with Kane behind him. In the ring Haku turns toward Taker but Taker plants him with a chokeslam and puts this one away. (3:49) Pretty decisive win for the brothers, especially since Kane never legally tagged in, so that’s about it for this feud. DUD

~ Backstage a car is shown arriving at the parking garage and Trish Stratus steps out of it when Michael Cole comes up interviewing her about being humilated by the McMahons last week. Trish says she has a few things to say on that subject but decides to do it in the ring as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Trish Stratus makes her way out to the ring and gets on the mic to set the record straight. Trish says last week she experienced the most humilation experience of her life but refuses to hide from it and even shows footage of the incident on the TitanTron. Trish says she’s been thinking of what to say to Vince McMahon and calls him out to the ring to hear what she has to say to his face. Vince does make his way out in response and as he grabs the mic Trish right looks at him in the face and says that she has two words for him …. “I’m sorry!!” Trish suddenly breaks down in tears telling Vince she’s sorry and that she deserved everything he did to her last week. However Vince doubts her sincerity, asking if she’s sorry just because she’s not getting all the expensive gifts anymore. Vince asks Trish if she’s as sorry as his wife Linda and decides to make her prove just how sorry she really is. Vince tells Trish if she wants to win back his loyalty then she must get down on all fours and crawl like a dog and Trish actually complies. Vince then makes her bark “I’m sorry” like a dog and Trish goes along with that as well. Vince then tells Trish that’s not good enough and to prove she’s really sorry she must disrobe in front of everyone. One by one Trish removes her garments until Vince decides that’s enough for him and covers her up with his coat. Vince tells Trish he does believe she’s sorry and Trish says she’ll degrade herself to any lenghts to prove it to him. Vince then says everyone in D.C. works for the goverment and comes close to prostituting themselves like Trish. I honesty don’t have to words to describe the previous 12 non-wrestling minutes we just saw other than extremely uncomfortable. I mean yes, it does lead to a satisfying payoff but the trouble is getting there.

~ A cool promo is then shown hyping the Steve Austin/Rock match set to Limp Bizkit’s “My Way”. I think you’ve all seen it a few times but it’s still cool.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Vince humbling Trish in the ring just a few minutes ago.

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Dudley Boyz © vs. The Hardy Boyz

Can the Hardys get over their disagreement earlier and win the titles? Matt and Bubba start off and Matt turns to say something to Jeff allowing Bubba to nail him from behind. Matt goes for a whip, Bubba reverses him into a corner but Matt kicks him and gets a Sunset Flip for a two. Bubba comes back with a clothesline then goes to whip him but doesn’t see Jeff making a blind tag. Jeff climbs to the top rope when Matt goes for the ropes but accidentally causes Jeff to straddle the turnbuckle. Matt chews Jeff out for that mistake but Bubba clotheslines both of them then starts working over Jeff and whips him, hitting a backdrop. Bubba stomps Jeff then taunts Matt to tag him before throwing Jeff away from the corner. D’Von tags in and whips Jeff into the jumping elbow then lays the boots to him and hammers him in a corner. D’Von goes for a whip, Jeff reverses him into the opposite corner and charges at him but D’von sidesteps it. Jeff lands on his feet on the middle rope but D’Von cuts him off and hits a neckbreaker for a two count. D’Von tags Bubba back in and Bubba whips Jeff into a corner and Jeff lifts himself up with the ropes. Bubba catches Jeff on his shoulders but Jeff counters with the headscissors and Matt even gets in a shot. Bubba plants Jeff with the Bubbabomb for a two count then drops him with a right. Bubba hops to the middle rope but Matt distracts the referee while Jeff punches Bubba below the belt then goes up and hits a Frankensteiner for a two count. Bubba tags in D’Von while Jeff makes the hot tag to Matt and Matt unloads on D’Von and caps off with the discus punch. Matt comes off the ropes with a neckbreaker then works Bubba over and goes for a whip, Bubba reverses but Matt comes back with a flying clothesline. Matt follows up with a DDT after which both Hardys whip D’Von into a corner and Matt drops down to the mat while Jeff connects with the Poetry in Motion. Matt nails D’Von with the takedown clothesline and covers but Bubba makes the save. Bubba and Matt go at it and Bubba tosses him through the ropes to the floor while Jeff climbs to the top rope and goes for the Swanton Bomb on D’Von but misses. Bubba slams Jeff instead and sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. Bubba nails Matt with a forearm then sends D’Von out for a table and D’Von heads out to the floor when Christian comes out and whacks D’Von from behind with a chair. Christian throws D’Von back in the ring and Bubba goes out after him while Matt hits D’Von with the Twist of Fate and gets the three for the titles! (5:36) Thanks to Christian the Hardys finally win their fourth tag titles. Lita comes out and celebrates with the new champs on the stage while Bubba glares at them. Okay match but not on the level of their earlier meetings. **

~ Backstage Vince McMahon is meeting with William Regal who gives him props for the way he handled Trish when Al Snow barges in the room with his midgets and mentions the people wanting him as Commissioner. Vince tells Snow he’ll consider it … as long as he competes in a Hardcore Title match with The Big Show tonight.

~ This week’s classic Wrestlemania moment is the Ladder Match from Wrestlemania X in 1994.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the MCI Center as we get the graphic for the main event.

~ Backstage Trish Stratus is reeling from her humilty when Stephanie McMahon walks up with a smile on her face and praises her for finally realizing her place in the food chain. Stephanie puts in a request for a special coffee and Trish departs for a coffee house but not before Stephanie reminds her who the dominant female in the WWF is.

~ Out in the arena JR and Heyman buzz about the new tag champs as they show a replay of Christian’s interference. We then see Christian calling Edge collect backstage saying their plan to get the tag titles back is so underway.

~ Elsewhere Vince McMahon is talking to William Regal again when Debra comes into the room this time. Debra tells Vince she wants to resign as Lt. Commissioner and go back to managing, if it’s okay with him. Vince reminds Debra of her marriage to Steve Austin and wants to first makes sure her husband is cool with it. Debra feels Austin will be fine with her managing again and Vince asks her to check with him just to be sure.

~ The Big Show is shown heading to the ring for his title defense as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Steve Austin is preparing for his match when Debra comes in the lockerroom and mentions she talked to Vince McMahon earlier about going back to managing. This gets Austin upset and he says he has no problem with her managing but wants to talk about it more after his match.

• WWF Hardcore Title: The Big Show © vs. Al Snow

Snow comes out first but grabs a stick from under the ring and goes to lay in wait by the ramp. Show then comes out next (wearing the title belt around his bicep!) when Snow attacks him with the stick but Snow no-sells it and breaks the stick. Snow rakes Show’s face and tries unloading on him with right hands then tries to whip him into the steps but Show won’t budge and pulls Snow into a clothesline instead. Show throws Snow into the steps then follows up with a headbutt and rips his shirt before chopping him. Show tosses Snow into the barricade and Snow is able to grab a chair but Show punches it into his face, sending him over the barricade into the crowd. Show goes out and tosses Snow back over to ringside. Show grabs the chair and charges at Snow with it but Snow sidesteps and Show rams himself into the ringpost. Snow grabs a trash can lid and hammers Show with it then takes a camera and nails Show with it as well. Snow tosses a series of chairs in the ring when Show throws the steps in and starts climbing back in. Show grabs Snow by the face and tosses him across the ring then hoists the steps up but Snow grabs a chair and whacks the steps knocking them into Show’s face. Snow covers for the upset but only gets a two count. Snow sets up four pairs of chairs in a line for something but Show press slams him right onto the chairs! Show then follows up with the Final Cut and the pin is academic at this point. (4:55) Like Snow really had a chance. Not a totally bad match and it had some nice bumps. *

~ Backstage Vince asks Debra about Steve Austin feeling about her managing and Debra says he’s cool with it. Vince then tells Debra he has the perfect oppertunity for her if she’s interested and Debra says she’s in.

~ Back from break Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring for the main event followed by Triple H and Stephanie. However before their opponents make their entrances Vince McMahon comes out to the ring and gets on the mic. Vince brings Debra out to the ring mentioning she’s back in the managing field and has a golden oppertunity. Vince mentions he didn’t say who she gets to manage and announces Debra will now be managing … The Rock! Debra is shocked and the rest snicker at the news as we go to commercial.

~ Before we go on let me just mention that one of the commercials during the break was an XFL ad which announced that they’ll be going into the cheerleaders’ lockerroom at halftime fo this week’s game. The promo even admits this is a desparate attempt to increase their ratings. At least they were honest about it. Of course that segment would be much ado about nothing.

• Stone Cold Steve Austin & The Rock (w/Debra) vs. Kurt Angle & Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon)

Rock comes out first and has words with Vince before Austin comes out and angrily grabs Vince by the coat. However this allows Triple H to attack Austin from behind to start this off then Triple H stomps him down. Triple H whips Austin into a corner but Austin comes out with a clothesline as Vince departs to the back. Austin stomps Triple H down in a corner then hits the count along punches. Austin whips Triple H but lowers the head and Triple H kicks Austin’s face. Angle tags in but runs into a right hand and Austin pops Triple H off the apron then whips Angle and hits a spinebuster. Rock tags in and hammers away at Angle as Debra applauds him. Rock goes for a whip, Angle reverses it but Rock comes off the ropes with a flying forearm and gets in a shot. Rock whips Angle into a corner then charges at him and eats an elbow but comes back with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Angle rakes Rock’s face and knees him in the chest then tags Triple H in and Triple H stomps him down. Rock exchanges shots with Triple H then goes for a whip but Triple H reverses it and hits the high knee. Triple H turns and pops Austin off the apron but Rock comes back with a right hand and Austin demands a tag so Rock obliges. Austin whips Triple H and hits the Lou Thesz Press then hammers away on him with the rights and follows up with the elbowdrop. Austin goes out to the floor and wraps Triple H’s leg into the ringpost then goes back in and chopblocks Triple H in the knee. Austin goes for the Stunner but Triple H shoves him off and Austin bumps into Angle knocking him off the apron. Triple H low blows Austin and Rock tries to come in but Earl Hebner holds him back while Triple H and Angle double-team Austin.

Angle takes over on Austin without a tag and drapes him on the apron then elbows him in the chest. Angle beats on Austin in his corner and Austin starts to fight out of it but Angle hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Angle continues to work Austin over and Austin again fights back and goes for a suplex but Angle counters into his own suplex for a near fall. Triple H tags in and goes for a whip, Austin reverses Triple H into a corner but Triple H hits a neckbreaker for a two count. Triple H tees off on Austin and hits a kneedrop to the face for a near fall then whips him and slaps on a sleeperhold. Austin manages to counter with a back suplex but Triple H tags in Angle and Angle whips Austin into a corner. Angle charges but Austin drops him onto the tunbuckles then crawls to his corner and makes the hot tag to Rock. Rock hammers away on Angle and caps off with a DDT and Triple H comes in but Rock unloads on him as well. Rock knocks Triple H over the ropes with the Smackdown then turns and hits the Rock Bottom on Angle. Rock covers Angle but Triple H breaks up the pin prompting Austin to knock Triple H back through the ropes. Austin goes out after Triple H on the floor while in the ring Angle mamages to slap the Anklelock on Rock. Austin makes it back in and breaks it up with a boot while Debra hops on the apron and distracts Hebner. Austin lays out Angle with the Stunner and covers him but Hebner is too tied up with Debra to make the count. Austin goes to ask Debra what’s the deal when Rock covers Angle and Hebner sees this and counts the three. (8:36) Austin sees this and doesn’t seem happy with Rock grabbing the pin even though Rock was the legal man. Solid enough main event, though notice how Angle did the job and not Triple H. **½

Rock celebrates the win and Debra applauds him while Austin just watches this go down in disbelief. Austin and Debra then start aruging with each other as Raw goes off the air.

Conclusion: Slighty better show than the previous week but still a little lacking at times as the bookers were trying to figure how Wrestlemania will shake out. There wasn’t much actual wrestling action other than the main event but there were plenty of talking and sports entertainment segments, especially the uncomfortable Vince/Trish segment. Heyman did an okay job in his first night on commentary but would get better down the line. However the Rock/Austin build certainly took a twist with Debra’s addition, and while it does make some sense it also seems a little unnecessary. So while not a great episode its not a bad one either and was pretty eventful with a title change. Thumbs in the middle for this one.

Taped (2/27) from the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Smackdown comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Michael Cole welcoming us to the show. But instead of Jerry “The King” Lawler, we have Jim Ross taking the seat next to him since Lawler is long gone from the WWF.

~ Things kick off with Kurt Angle making his way to the ring and getting on the mic for our opening segment. Angle starts by mentioning the various titles he’s held, feeling there’s not a goal in his life he hasn’t accomplished. However Angle says he’s upset for not accomplishing one goal on Raw last Monday in breaking The Rock’s ankle and even plays a clip from Monday on the OvalTron to show just how close he was to crippling him. After the crowd responds Angle asks them if they prefer the Rock as champion and the fans cheer in response so he decides to show Rock in all his glory by showing the footage from Raw again, this time in slow motion. Angle claims a few seconds later and Rock’s ankle would have been shattered if not for Steve Austin’s interference. Angle tells Austin he may have thought he was saving The Rock, but he did something far worse; he made him angry. Angle also points out what Rock did after Austin came to his aid, showing him setting up to give Austin the Rock Bottom. Angle tells both Austin and Rock they can tear each other apart at Wrestlemania, but tonight he gets that job himself and challenges either man to face him while saying the first man to walk out will get carried out on a stretcher. It doesn’t take long for Steve Austin to be that first man as he comes out to the ring and gets on the mic. Austin tells Angle he was hearing him talking about his title and awards in the back but isn’t impressed one bit. Austin talks about what Angle said about beating either him or the Rock while saying he and Rock aren’t pals but he does have a vested interest in the WWF Champion’s health while he could care less about Angle’s health. Austin asks the fans if they want him to beat Angle up and they respond in the affirmitive.

However The Rock now decides to come out to join the discussion in the ring. Rock starts off by accusing Angle of trying to stir things up between he and Austin but that’s fine with him because they have something Angle doesn’t have: a date with destiny at Wrestlemania. Rock then turns to Austin and tells him that despite his vested interest in him, he doesn’t want nor need his help. Angle tries to interject with what he sees but Rock shuts him down before promising to be the one that whips him. Rock and Austin stare at each other just before Vince McMahon comes out to the ring along with William Regal. Vince takes the mic and says he’s impressed with Angle for having the gaul to challenge either Austin and Rock and decides to answer the question by booking Rock in a WWF Title defense against William Regal tonight. Vince says as a result Austin gets Angle but Austin decides not to wait and starts hammering away on Angle while Rock also starts working over Regal and clears him from the ring. Austin does the same to Angle and Angle and Regal retreat while Austin and Rock stand tall in the ring as we go to commercial. Once again we needed 15 minutes to set up the two main matches for tonight.

~ Back from break JR and Cole talk about Matt Hardy and Lita supposedly getting together two weeks ago and even shows a clip. After that Lillian Garcia interviews Jeff Hardy backstage about Matt and Lita’s developing relationship. Jeff says he’s always considered Lita the sister he and Matt never had but apparently Matt felt differently. Jeff says Matt’s emotions took over and that there was some romantic camoflague that Matt took off them. Jeff says he may not get to see them as much as he used to but if Matt’s happy then he’s happy.

• Matt Hardy & Lita vs. Crash Holly & Molly Holly – Intergender Match

Wow, it took us almost 25 minutes to finally get to the first match. Anyway this resulted from Matt and Crash coming to blows during Lita’s win over Molly on Raw. Matt and Crash lockup to start and Crash grabs a waistlock but Matt slams him to the mat for a two count. Matt slams Crash again but misses an elbowdrop and Crash goes for a dropkick but Matt swats it away. Matt applies an armwringer, Crash reverses it and goes into a hammerlock but Matt slips out and shoves him. Crash rams Matt into a turnbuckle but Matt fights back as we get a shot of Jeff watching from the back. Matt whips Crash not seeing Molly tag herself in and Crash floats over Matt before both Hollys trip him and follow up with a double suplex for a two count. Matt yells at Molly before tagging Lita in and both ladies lockup and Molly hits an armdrag into an armbar then wrenches the arm while hitting it on the mat. Molly goes for a suplex but Lita counters into a rollup for a two count. Lita goes for the Twist of Fate but Molly counters with a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Molly chops Lita and whips her but Lita comes back with the flying headscissors. Molly hits a back suplex and both lades tag in their partners. Matt hammers away at Crash capping off with a discus punch then hits a clothesline for a two count. Matt whips Crash into a corner then drops to the mat and Lita launches off him for a flying clothesline. Molly comes in and throws Lita across the ring by the hair and both ladies head out to the floor to fight. Crash whips Matt into a powerslam for a two count then goes for a whip but Matt reverses him into a corner. Matt charges at Crash and eats a boot but Lita trips Crash from teh floor and pulls him into the ringpost. Molly climbs to the top rope and hits a somersaultsenton on Matt but Lita dopkicks Molly for the save. Crash throws Lita through the ropes and Matt exchanges punches with him then goes for a backdrop. Crash flips out of it but Matt ducks while Lita climbs to the top rope and hits a huricanrana on Crash. Lita pops Molly off the arpon while Matt hits the Twist of Fate on Crash for the pin. (4:09) Solid enough match with some nice spots. Matt and Lita then celebrate their win with another display of affetcion. **

~ Backstage Kurt Angle is preparing for his match when Christian comes in saying he saw what happened and that Steve Austin’s attack on him reeked. Angle promises to take out “that cheapshot artist” while Chrstian mentions the Dudleys injuring Edge’s back at No Way Out promising to get revenge once he recovers. Angle reminds Chrisitan he lost the WWF Championship but instead of sitting around and crying he almost put Rock in a wheelchair. Angle urges Christian to take the initiatve without waiting for Edge and tells Chrsitian to make a statement just like he’s going to do tonight when he breaks Austin’s ankle. Christian thanks Angle for the advice and heads out as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the building and see the Arizona Diamondbacks in the crowd tonight.

~ Backstage Eddie Guerrero is meeting with Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn who ask if he spoke to Chris Benoit. Eddie isn’t sure what his comrades mean as clips of Benoit and Eddie’s miscue during their match on Raw cut in. Malenko and Saturn tell Eddie all four of them need to get on the same page when Benoit comes into the room. Eddie tells Benoit he may have thought he wasn’t there for him on Monday but promises to be in his corner tonight. Benoit responds by telling Eddie that he doesn’t trust him right now and demands he stay out of his business. Benoit warns Eddie not to come out to the ring or even watch on a monitor or the two of them will have it out. Eddie takes offense to Benoit’s tone reminding him he’s bled for him and been there for him every step of the way. Saturn and Malenko try to smooth things over telling them to get through tonight and sort this out tomorrow. Benoit then dares Eddie to prove him wrong with his Latino Heat and Eddie angrily storms off.

~ We then get footage of Bubba Ray Dudley getting attacked by Christian during the preceding segment. Bubba was talking to someone on a pay phone when Christian comes up and beats him down with a chair. Christian then says he’ll tell Edge “Wassup” and leaves Bubba laying on the floor as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find Ivory, The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan standing outside a door for some reason. Ivory mentions that Steven Richards is interrogating Val Venis and Goodfather asks if the rumors are true. Ivory says Richards will find out the true and Buchanan says he better for everything that’s right and just.

~ Out in the arena JR and Cole announce that Vince McMahon has just signed a six-man tag match for later tonight with D’Von Dudley teaming up with The Undertaker and Kane against Christian and his two partners Rikishi and Haku.

• Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac (w/Justin Credible)

X-Pac got that upset pin over Benoit on Raw so here’s his chance for revenge. After both men enter the ring Eddie Guerrero makes his way out and joins the announcers for commentary and Benoit is not happy with this. X-Pac tries to get in a sneak attack but Benoit catches him with a chop and stomps X-Pac down in a corner then hits a backbreaker for a two count. Saturn, Malenko and Terri then make their way out to ringside while Benoit kicks X-Pac down in a corner then goes out to the floor to confront Eddie but Malenko holds him back while Eddie claims to be on his side. Benoit climbs back in the ring when X-Pac hammers him with chops and kicks but Benoit starts to fight back. Benoit goes for a whip but X-Pac reverses and leaps on his back with a sleeperhold and Benoit begins to fade. Outside JR asks Eddie if he’s better than Benoit and Eddie quietly says they maybe should find out about it. Ooh. Back in the ring Benoit manages to fight out of the hold and comes off the ropes but runs right into a spinkick for a two count. X-Pac whips Benoit into another sleeper but Benoit counters into a back suplex then climbs to the top rope. Benoit connects with the diving headbutt but can’t make the immediate cover and both men are down. Benoit is to his feet first and hits a clothesline then whips X-Pac and connects with another clothesline. Benoit whips X-Pac into a corner and hits a German suplex then holds on and hits the second German suplex. Benoit looks for a third German when Credible gets his attention allowing X-Pac to kick him below the belt. Eddie runs in and knocks X-Pac right into a Crossface from Benoit and X-Pac taps out. (3:39) Well it took too much interference but hey, it’s still X-Pac doing a job. Okay match but the outside stuff distracted from it. **

Credible goes in the ring to help X-Pac out but Malenko and Saturn also go in and stomp Credible down. Malenko comes off the ropes with a forearm that knocks Credible into a Northern Lights Suplex from Saturn. However Benoit glares at Eddie for getting involved in his match despite his warning and Eddie just walks off.

~ The Rock and William Regal are both shown heading to the ring for their match as we go to commercial.

~ This week’s Wrestlemania moment is several clips from Wrestlemania III in 1987.

~ Back from break the Right To Censor is still waiting outside a door when Steven Richards comes out of the room tells his comrades that the worst may have happened and they should be patient and ready to take action. Richards heads back into the room and we can hear him screaming at Val Venis for some reason.

• WWF World Heavyweight Title: The Rock © vs. William Regal

Regal comes out and gets on the mic asking if people think he got this title shot from his association with Vince. Regal says he earned this title shot through his superior wrestling ability and once he becomes WWF Champion tonight he will move on to defend the title at Wrestlemania. Regal attacks Rock as he slides in the ring and lays the boots to him. Rock starts to fight back and goes for a whip when Regal reveses it but Rock hits a flying clothesline. Rock goes for a whip but Regal countes into a Russian legsweep for a two count then hits the kneelifts. Regal goes out to the floor and drapes Rock on the apron then clubs him in the chest before climbing back in. Rock again fights back and hits a DDT for a near fall as we see Steve Austin wating the action from the back. Regal hits a back suplex for his own two count then knocks Rock down and chokes him with his own forearms. Regal turns it into a chinlock and Rock manages to fight out of it and goes for a whip but Regal counters it. Regal goes for his own whip but Rock reverses into a belly-to-belly throw and fires away on him with rights. Rock goes for the Smackdown, Regal ducks it and goes for the inverted neckbreaker but Rock slips out of it. Rock hits the spinebuster. Rock puts Regal in the Sharpshooter when Kurt Angle tries to run in the ring but Rock goes over and decks him. However Angle makes it into the ring and attacks Rock resulting in a DQ. (3:16) Could have been a decent match but was crammed into three minutes and hada dumb finish as well. *½

Angle then tries to put Rock in the Anklelock again but Rock manages to roll out to the floor to avoid it. Rock then brings a chair back in the ring and Angle bails out to the floor but Regal gets nailed with it.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Rock narrowly avoding the Anklelock in his match with William Regal. We then find Regal speaking with Vince asking if he’s disappointed that he failed to beat Rock for the title. Vince tells Regal he’s a winner in his book and says that this is part of a much bigger plan he has.

~ Back in the arena JR and Cole try their hand at making us care about the XFL by talking about Jessie Ventura’s issues with New York Hitmen coach Rusty Tillman. Cole and JR then mention this Saturday on NBC the Hitmen are back in action against the Los Angeles Xtreme. Could there be another confrontation? More importantly, do we even still care?

~ Backstage The Right to Censor are still waiting when Steven Richards and Val Venis finally emerge from the room. Richards says Val has confessed his transgression and tells his comrades they know what to do as he stands aside. The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan then beat Val down while yelling at him for being weak and Ivory gets in a slap. Richards tells Val this is for his own good and instructs his men to drag him somewhere as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a look at WWF New York, this site for Sunday Night Heat live every week.

~ We then get a replay of Val Venis pay the price for something he did at the hands of his RTC comrades. Out in the arena the RTC drag Val to the ring and Richards gets on the mic to hopefully explain this to all of us. Richards starts by saying the temptations of the world can sometimes be too much for even the strongest to avoid. Richards says the RTC aren’t perfect but they understand the evils of the world and strive for morality and decency. Richards hands the mic over to Val who says once he could look at himself in the mirror but now he disgusts himself. Val says he fell of the straight and narrow path by giving into lust because he wasn’t strong enough to turn away. Val drops to his knee sobbing as he tells his comrades he’s sorry for letting them down and doesn’t deserve their pity. Val adds he can’t change the past but promises to cleanse himself of the immorality in his heart with their help. Richards then asks everyone to forgive Val just like the RTC has and helps Val up before all five of them embrace. Thankfully the Acolytes interupt this scene by making their way out to the ring and clearing the ring of the RTC’ers. Richards is left behind and Bradshaw hits the Clothesline from Hades and Faarooq follows it up with a powerbomb. I read that The Kat was supposed to cause Val’s transgression and stir up the RTC but her firing scrubbed those plans.

~ The Undertaker and Kane are shown heading to the ring for the six-man tag as we go to commercial.

• The Undertaker, Kane & D’Von Dudley vs. Christian, Rikishi & Haku

Christian took Bubba Ray Dudley out earlier plus Taker and Kane still have their issues with Rikishi and Haku so here we are. Taker and Rikishi start off by exchanging shots and Taker gets the advantage and hits a right hand. Taker whips Rikishi into a corner and clotheslines him them comes off the ropes but runs into a Samoan Drop. Rikishi follows up with a massive legdrop then whips him but Taker comes back with a flying clothesline. Taker grabs Rikishi’s arm then walks the top rope and clubs him in the back then gets on shots on his partners. Kane tags in and hammers Rikishi but Rikishi comes back with a chop then whips him but lowers the head. Kane kicks the face and follows up with a clothesline then climbs to the top rope and hits the flying clothesline. D’Von tags in and goes for a Sunset Flip but can’t get Rikishi over while Rikishi misses the sitdown splash. D’Von hits a neckbreaker then goes for a whip but Rikishi reverses him into a corner and splashes him. Rikishi clotheslines D’Von down then tags Christian in and Christian hits a backbreaker and tees off on him. Christian chokes D’Von on the mat for a two count then tags Haku in but D’Von rams him into a turnbuckle. However it doesn’t work and D’Von goes for a whip but Haku reverses him into a corner and headbutts him. Haku follows up with an elbowdrop and lays the boots to D’Von then goes for a headbutt splash but misses it. Both men start crawling to their corners and Haku tags in Christian while D’Von makes the tag to Kane. Christian ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes but runs into a boot and Kane press slams him to the mat. Haku comes in but eats a clothesline and Kane plants Christian with a tilt-o-whirl slam as Taker nails Rikishi. Kane grabs Haku and chokeslams him while D’Von climbs to the top rope and Kane looks on with curiousity then sets Haku up and gives D’Von his own “Wassup” as D’Von hits the headbutt to the groin. Taker just rolls his eyes at this as D’Von does his dance but Rikishi comes back with a superkick on D’Von. Taker tags in and hammers away on Christian while everyone else spills out to the floor and goes at it. In the ring Taker whips Chrisian but lowers the head and Christian kicks the face but Taker no-sells it and chokeslams him. Taker follows up with the Last Ride and this one’s over. (5:48) Taker then chukcles at Kane’s actions as they both head up the ramp with their salute. Okay match but a few of the participants brought it down. Plus why did Taker have the get the deciding pin when D’Von should have won the match for his team? *½

~ Back from break we get a sampling of the Rock’s single “Pie” from “WWF: The Music Volume 5″. We then get clips of the McMahon family saga including Vince turning on Trish Stratus last Monday, just to make sure Vince’s storyline gets touched on.

~ Kurt Angle and Steve Austin are both shown heading to the ring for the main event as we go to commercial.

• Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle

The past two matches between these two have ended inconcluseively so will one get a definite win over the other tonight? Before either man comes out The Rock makes his way out to join the announcers for some guest commentary. Angle goes to meet Austin on the ramp but Austin gets the early advantage and throws him back in the ring. Austin clotheslines Angle over the ropes then rams him into the announce table and has some words for Rock. Austin tosses Angle in the ring and lays the boots to him then applies a STF but Angle reaches the ropes. Austin continues stomping on Angle then applies an Abdominal Stretch and even uses the ropes for leverage. Earl Henber sees it and forces a break and Austin whips Angle but lowers the head and Angle kicks the face. Angle goes for a whip, Austin reverses it and Angle goes for a Sunset Flip but Austin just sits down on him. Austin fires away on Angle and whips him then tosses him over the ropes and goes after him on the floor. Austin rams Angle into the table before throwing him back in the ring and hitting a suplex for a two count. Austin get a pair of two counts then whips Angle looking for a Stunner but Angle blocks it into the Anklelock. Austin tries to hold on but manages to inch over and grab the rope then Angle stomps him out to the floor. Angle goes out and rams Austin into the apron but Austin fights back again but Angle rams him into the table. Angle throws Austin back in the ring and hits a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes but that only gets a two count. Angle covers Austin twice more but doesn’t get the three then lays the boots to him before applying a chinlock. Austin fights out of it and hits a back suplex but Angle comes back with a knee the chest and applies a facelock. Austin tries to inch over to the ropes for a break but that allows Angle to put his feet on the ropes for leverage. Austin manages to fight out of the hold and hits his own suplex then both men start exchnaging shots. Austin goes for a whip, Angle reverses it but Austin hits the Thesz Press and fires away at him with the rights. Austin hits the elbowdrop and drapes Angle over the middle rope then hits the straddle and stomps him down. Austin whips Angle looking for the Stunner but again Angle blocks it and hits another belly-to-belly suplex. William Regal suddenly makes his way out but Rock goes over to intercept him then tosses him in the ring. Austin starts stomping on Regal when Angle nails him and he and Regal double-team Austin for a DQ. (9:19) Another good match between Austin and Angle but not quite at the same level as their other meetings. The lame overbooked ending didn’t help, either. ***

Angle and Regal continue working over Austin while Rock sits back in no hurry to help Austin out. Austin comes back and knocks Angle and Regal’s heads together then takes Regal out with the Stunner. Austin turns toward Angle and hammers him when Rock slips into the ring and readies for a Rock Bottom. Austin eventually turns and flinches once he sees Rock and we see an interesting look on Austin’s face. Rock basically tells Austin that he could have done it and we have an uneasy staredown as we fade to black.

Conclusion: An okay episode of Smackdown but not a very memorable one as the bookers were still trying to decide how to approach Wrestlemania. There were too many talking and sports-entertainment segments with not much to show in the way of in-ring action. Also the build toward Austin/Rock was continued nicely but it would take an unusual (and polarizing) turn the following show. So I can’t call this a bad episode of Smackdown because it isn’t, there’s just not much to see here except for the main event which was good but there are much better Austin/Angle matches out there. So we’ll go thumbs in the middle here.

Live from the America West Arena in Phoenix, AZ

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: The Big Show (2/25/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air with stills of The Rock’s WWF Championship win over Kurt Angle from the pay-per-view. Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show and tonight we’ll have the fallout from No Way Out (as well as start the road to Wrestlemania). Also tonight William Regal teams with Stephanie McMahon to take on Vince McMahon and Trish Stratus.

~ And of course things kick off with the new WWF Champion making his way to the ring to celebrate his victory. Rock gets on the mic and does his “Finally..” bit then says how he’s finally standing in the People’s ring as champion. Rock then talks about his battle with Kurt Angle last night and how Angle showed him two sides of his personality. Rock says Angle showed a vicious side of himself, kicking out of the People’s Elbow and nearly snapping his ankle. Rock says Angle then showed the other side of his personality once it was over when he cried about losing the title. Rock also tells Angle that if he wants to whine and complain then why not come out to the ring and do it to his face. However instead of Angle it’s Steve Austin who comes out and the Wrestlemania opponents have a tense staredown. Austin gets on the mic and congradulates Rock, saying Angle can cry all he wants but in his view the better man won. Austin then tells that Rock if he’s going to Wrestlemania as the WWF Champion then he has some adivce: stay healty. Austin turns to leave the ring having said what he wanted to says but Rock stops him and they’re back to locking eyes. Rock tells Austin that he appreciates the advice but he has his own advice for him in the form of two words: get ready. The two continue their staredown before parting ways and the build to Wrestlemania has officially begun, folks.

~ Backstage William Regal is pacing in the parking garage when Stephanie McMahon runs up asking why he’s out there. Regal says he’s hoping to talk with Vince and sort out last night’s misunderstanding so their match can be called off. Stephanie rants on how much she fears her father who’s dead set on having this match then urges Regal to get dressed. Regal feels that he can still talk Vince out of this nonsense but Stephanie feels Regal is only wasting his time.

~ Back from break we find Regal still waiting in the parking lot for Vince so he can try and reason with him.

~ Backstage we find Chris Benoit and the other Radicalz watching a replay of last night’s Intercontinential title match. Perry Saturn asks Benoit if he’s spoken with Eddie Guerrero since the match and Benoit tells him that he hasn’t. Dean Malenko then asks if Eddie knows about their match tonight and Benoit doesn’t care whether or not Eddie does. Eddie finally comes in the room and Benoit gets in his face with Eddie threatening to finish what they started last night. Saturn tries to keep his two comrades separated while Eddie complains about Benoit letting a title come between them. Eddie then suggests they should find out right now if Benoit really is the best technical wrestler and Benoit is all for it. Malenko tries reasoning with both guys saying they fought for the same thing last night and it was every man for himself.
Benoit then informs Eddie of their match tonight and asks if they can take care of business or should they go at it now. Saturn and Malenko ask Eddie to be reasonable and Eddie touches fists with Benoit to show that he’s still on his side. The two then head out for the match but still share an uneasy glare, as if their issues aren’t quite resolved yet.

• Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero vs. X-Pac & Justin Credible

Odd choice for the first match, heels vs. heels. Eddie starts off against Credible and gets in the first shots but Credible soon fights back and gets the advantage. Credible stomps Eddie down in a corner then pulls him off the ropes with a London Bridge that gets a two count. Credible goes for a whip, Eddie reverses it but Credible comes back with a DDT then stomps him in the chest. Eddie rakes Credible’s face and hits a gutwrench suplex when Benoit asks for a tag and Eddie seems reluctant. Benoit still gets the tag and whips Credible but Credible comes back with a Northen Lights suplex for a two. Credible hits a sledge then tags X-Pac and the two double-team Benoit with Eddie not coming to Benoit’s aid. X-Pac takes over and hits some chops when Benoit starts to fight back then nails him with a shoulderblock. Benoit comes off the ropes and X-Pac goes through his moves when Benoit pulls him down into the Crossface. Credible breaks it up then the referee orders him out but Eddie comes in without a tag and pounds on X-Pac. Eddie hits a suplex that gets a two count then tags Benoit in and both guys whip X-Pac and hit a double elbow. Benoit hits a snap suplex then tags Eddie and slams X-Pac while Eddie slings himself into a hilo for a near fall. X-Pac starts to fight back and whips Eddie who rolls under his leapfrog but X-Pac nails him with the spinkick. X-Pac sets Eddie in a corner and goes for a Bronco Buster when Eddie dodges it but X-Pac lands on his feet. Eddie hits X-Pac with a tilt-o-whril backbreaker then whips him but lowers the head and X-Pac kicks the face. X-Pac decks Benoit when Eddie whips him but Credible comes in and helps X-Pac hit a double superkick. X-Pac covers Eddie but Benoit makes the save then drags Eddie over to his corner so he can make the hot tag. Benoit takes it to both guys and hits X-Pac with a shoulderblock then suplxes Credible right onto his partner. Benoit plants Credible with a German suplex then holds on for a second German followed by a third German. Benoit then climbs to the top rope and goes for the diving headbutt but X-Pac moves Credible out of the way. Benoit is reeling when X-Pac rolls him in a La Magistral and holds him down for the three count. (4:50) Decent enough match from these guys. X-Pac and Credible depart victorious while Benoit takes his frustration out on Eddie with a hateful stare. **

~ We next get highlights of last night’s Stephanie/Trish match with William Regal helping Stephanie get the win. We then see a black stretch limo pulling into the garage with Vince McMahon climbing out … along with Trish Stratus. William Regal walks up and asks to talk with Vince about their problems so they can settle their issues like gentlemen. Vince reminds Regal how he said he knew what to do last night so he (Vince) knows what he’s going to do tonight. Vince tells Regal the match is on then he and Trish depart arm-in-arm leaving Regal shaking his head in frustration.

~ Back from break we find the now-former WWF Champion Kurt Angle walking down the hallway somewhere. Johnathan Coachman comes up asking Angle about losing the title but Angle just walks by without saying a word.

• Lita (w/Matt Hardy) vs. Molly Holly (w/Crash Holly) – #1 Contender’s Match

Both ladies lockup to start and Molly gets a headlock, Lita shoves her into the ropes but eats a shoulderblock. Lita then applies her own a headlock when Molly fights out if it and wrenches the arm but Lita flips out of it. Lita goes for a whip, Molly reverses it but Lita comes back with a headscissors. Lita goes for another whip, Molly reverses her into a corner but Lita lifts herself over Molly with the ropes then rolls her up for a two count. Lita sets Molly up for a suplex but Molly blocks it then counters into a rollup but that only gets a near fall. Molly hits a monkey flip then distracts the referee but Matt makes sure Crash doesn’t think about interfering. Lita climbs onto Molly’s shoulders and gets a victory roll for a near fall then Molly hits a Japanese armdrag. Molly follows up with a vertical suplex then climbs to the top rope but Lita is up and throws her to the mat. Lita dropkicks Molly out through the ropes and Matt walks over to her on the floor but Crash shoves him aside. Crash helps Molly back in the ring but Matt doesn’t appreciate being shoved and the two argue with each other. In the ring Lita charges but Molly backdrops her over the ropes and she ends up taking Matt out on the floor. Crash rolls Lita in the ring but Matt punks Crash out for putting his hands on his woman and the two duke it out. The referee goes out to break it up while Raven’s ninja woman runs in the ring and nails Molly with a DDT. Lita is up and sees Molly down (but not the run-in) so she climbs to the top and hits the moonsault for the pin. (2:56) Another okayish match, though the ending was a little overbooked. **

~ Backstage we find Vince and Trish gameplaning their match with Vince mixing up a bucket of slop with a mop he says he’s going to use in the match. Kurt Angle barges in and demands a rematch with The Rock tonight, telling Vince that he doesn’t care whether the title is on the line or not, he just wants to get Rock in the ring again. Vince tells Angle he’ll take it under advisement but he has his own match to worry about and sends him on his way.

~ Back from break Vince is in his wrestling gear when Stephanie comes in wanting to talk with him about the match. Stephanie says she’s fine getting in the ring with Trish but wants to know what if it comes down to the two of them. Vince says William Regal should have thought about that before saying he knew what it was that he (Vince) wanted. Vince then tells Stephanie if it is the two of them in the ring then she knows that happens as he points to the bucket.

~ Elsewhere Regal knocks on Trish’s door and once she peeks out Regal asks her to put in a good word with Vince. Trish instead blows Regal off after what he did to her last night then slams the door in his face and Regal walks off.

~ We then cut over to WWF New York and find some of the New York/New Jersey Hitman as well as Al Snow who’s still campaigning to become the new WWF Commissioner even as Lawler tells him he has to be appointed. Snow responds by saying that Vince may be a jerk but he still listens to the fans so he’s been trying to get their support. Snow feels he’ll become commissioner with enough fan support and promises more midgets and fewer British people and that he won’t stop until Mick Foley is reinstated in the WWF.

~ The Dudleys are shown making their way to the ring for a big tag title defense as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break The Big Show barges in Vince’s office and demands a WWF Title match with The Rock tonight. Vince responds by telling Show that he deserves to be suspended after he interfered in the main event last night. Vince decides to punish Show by booking him against both Rock and Kurt Angle for his newly-won Hardcore Title. Seriously?

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Dudley Boyz © vs. Rikishi & Haku

So Rikishi and Haku interfere in the title match last night and they get a tag title shot themselves the next night as a result? Okay then. Once both teams are in the ring The Undertaker and Kane make a not-so-surprising appearence on the stage. All four men turn their attention to the stage but it looks like the brothers are just going to watch things, for now. Anyway D’Von locks up with Haku to start and Haku gets in the first shots but D’Von quickly fights back. D’Von comes off the ropes and connects with a flying shouldertackle but Haku pops right up and slams D’Von. Rikishi tags in and D’Von wails away on him then comes off the ropes and connects with a flying clothesline. Bubba Ray tags in and gets in his shots but Rikishi hits him with a thrust shot to the throat to get the advantage. Rikishi whips Bubba into a corner but eats a boot and Bubba hops to the middle rope and hits a clothesline. D’Von tags in and helps Bubba hit a double flapjack for a two count as Taker and Kane continue to look on. D’Von hammers Rikishi then goes for a whip but Rikishi reverses into a corner and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Haku tags in and wails away on D’Von in a corner then caps it off with a headbutt followed by a back suplex. Haku hits a backbreaker then tags Rikishi in and the two hit a double chop before Rikishi takes over on D’Von. Rikishi stomps D’Von down in a corner then tags Haku back in and this time the two hit a double headbutt. Haku hits an elbow to D’Von head and slams him then comes off the ropes but misses with an elbowdrop. Rikishi gets the tag but so does Bubba who comes in with a series of clotheslines followed by a hard right. Haku comes in but runs into a backdrop and Bubba clotheslines him over the ropes but Rikishi superkicks him. Rikishi goes for the sitdown splash but misses and Bubba sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and hits the “Wassup” headbutt. Haku tries to clothesline D’Von and misses him but takes out the referee. The Dudleys nail Haku with a double neckbreaker but Rikishi is in and superkicks Bubba through the ropes. D’Von covers Haku but Rikishi saves it with the massive legdrop then hits the running butt splash in a corner. Rikishi climbs up the ropes and hits D’Von with the Banzai Drop but the referee is still out and can’t count the pin. Taker and Kane take this chance for a run-in and Taker hammers Rikishi in the ring while Kane goes after Haku. Taker clotheslines Rikishi and sends him rolling out to the floor then catches Haku coming in with right hands. Kane comes in and chokeslams Haku then D’Von covers him and the referee revives to count the three. (6:37) The Dudleys barely gets a chance to celebrate when Taker and Kane go in and chokeslam them both at once. The Dudleys should have been able to get a quality win by themselves, but not only did they need help but got taken out by the guys who helped them as well, just so Taker and Kane would get all the heat from this match. *

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Rock about being booked in a three-way match for the Hardcore Title. Rock makes fun of Cole dressing like a 14-year-old girl then points out how his shirt says “It Doesn’t Matter”.

~ William Regal and a nervous-looking Stephanie McMahon are shown heading to the ring for the mixed tag match. We also see Vince and Trish making their way to the ring with the bucket of slop as we go to commercial.

• Vince McMahon & Trish Stratus vs. William Regal & Stephanie McMahon – Intergender Match

Once everyone is out Trish offers to start the match for their team and even gets a good luck kiss from Vince. Trish takes Stephanie down by the legs and wails away at her then throws her across the ring by the hair twice. Trish goes for a running bulldog but Stephanie shoves her into a corner then hits a suplex for a two count. Stephanie nails Trish with a DDT for another two then works Trish over in a corner with forearms and kicks. Stephanie whips Trish but Trish comes back with a clothesline then crawls over and makes the tag to Vince. Stephanie turns to see her father advancing on her and the crowd is getting the creeps at what could happen. Stephanie looks for a tag but Regal just hops off the apron refusing to go in so she tries begging Vince off. However Vince gets on the mic telling Stephanie how he gets what he wants as Regal brings the slop bucket in. Vince says what he wants is the same thing that Regal wants and Trish wants as Trish gets excited in the corner. Vince tells Trish if she wants it then come in and get it…before he yanks her in the ring the hard way? Huh? Vince then tells the referee that this match is over and threatens to fire him if he doesn’t leave the ring. (3:31) Trish doesn’t understand until Stephanie slaps her and Regal takes her out with the inverted neckbreaker! It’s a “shocking swerve”. Vince then tells Stephanie to grab the mop and Stephanie rubs a mop full of slop in Trish’s face. Vince then mocks Trish for thinking she was “Daddy’s little girl” when she was really “Daddy’s little plaything” and like all toys he soon got bored of playing with her. Vince declares that “Playtime’s over!” before he dumps the entire bucket of slop all over Trish’s head and she’s left retching in a puddle of filth. Don’t know what to say about this segment except it would begin Trish’s long run as a babyface. NR

~ Back from break we get a replay of Vince deciding he’s done playing with Trish and the resulting events. Michael Cole then tries to interview the humiliated Trish but she just blows him off and walks away while crying. Geez, Cole.

• WWF Light Heavyweight Title: Dean Malenko © vs. Taka Michinoku (w/Sho Funaki)

Wow, the Light Heavyweight title lives! Now that Malenko’s angle with Lita is finished it’s back to trying to get this division rolling again. Taka comes out with Funaki and some woman and gets on the mic telling Malenko he isn’t the only ladies man then brags about having a girlfriend of his own that’s hot and voluptuous but most importantly, she’s also evil. The woman then takes over the mic and gives a dubbed “Indeed!” before shoving Funaki aside and kissing Taka.

Both men lockup and Taka gets a headlock, Malenko shoves him into the ropes but Taka hits a shoulderblock. Taka comes off the ropes when Malenko goes for a waistlock but Taka manages to sling him through the ropes. Taka distracts the referee while Funaki goes for a whip but Malenko counters it into a short-arm clothesline. So Taka leaps onto the top rope then nails Malenko with a flying crossbody before climbing back in the ring. Funaki throws Malneko back in and Taka dropkicks him in the face then gets him in a backslide for a two count. Malenko stomps away at Taka then whips him into a corner and goes for a back suplex but Taka flips out of it. Malenko goes for another whip and Taka reverses him into a corner but Malenko stops himself then decks Taka. Malenko then goes for the Texas Cloverleaf when Taka counters into a rollup but that only gets a near fall. Malenko nails Taka with a clothesline then whips him into a corner and follows up with another clothesline. Malenko whips Taka into the other corner and goes for another clothesline but this time eats a double boot. Taka hops on Malenko’s shoulder but Malenko shrugs him off then sets him on the top rope and clubs his back. Malenko goes up and Taka manages to fight him off but Malenko turns and cuts Taka off before he can leap off. Malenko goes up again and this time hits a superplex but Taka manages to hook the legs and gets a two count. Taka hits a superkick then goes for the Michinoku Driver but Malenko fights out of it then goes for a suplex. Taka floats over Malenko and this time hits the Michinoku Driver but can’t cover immediately and only gets two. Taka hits a chop and goes for a whip, Malenko reverses him into a corner but Taka hops onto the middle rope. Taka then goes for a flying Thesz Press but Malenko rolls through it into the Texas Cloverleaf and Taka taps. (2:51) Okay match but too short to really get into. **

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews Kurt Angle for his thoughts on the three-way Hardcore Title match later. Angle says he loves the match because he doesn’t feel like playing by the rules and here he can do whatever he wants. Angle says he doesn’t care if he impressed The Rock because everyone knows he should still be WWF Champion. Angle also yells at Big show for meddling in his match and feels he should first master simple things like walking upright. Angle says he may not walk into Wrestlemania as champion but he’ll make sure Rock doesn’t walk anywhere, period.

~ Back from break they’re going to start showing classic Wrestlemania moments until the big card and tonight’s classic moment is Shawn Michaels’ zipline entrance before his Iron Man match at Wrestlemania XII.

~ We then see a white van pulling up in the garage and out climbs the Right To Censor along with new member The Kat, who’s dressed up like Ivory with a similar hairstyle and is crying as the entire group starts heading somewhere.

• WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Raven

Raven is out first and gets on the mic bragging about cementing himself as the greatest Hardcore champ ever then asks the fans to think about their favorite Raven hardcore moment. However Jericho’s intro cuts Raven off and Jericho gets on the mic suggesting his own favorite Raven moments then tells him to shut up because it’s go time. Jericho rushes the ring but Raven greets him with a dropkick on the apron then throws him in the ring himself. Raven lays the boots to Jerico then whips him but lowers the head and Jericho rolls him up for a two count. Jericho nails Raven with some chops then whips him and hits a hiptoss before kicking away at him in a corner. Jericho goes for a whip, Raven reverses him into a corner and clotheslines him then hits a running bulldog for two. Raven whips Jericho into a corner then comes off the ropes but misses a shot and Jericho hits a flying forearm. Jericho follows up with a bulldog for a near fall then whips Raven into a corner and charges but eats a boot. Jericho gets Raven in an O’Connor roll when Raven reverses it into a rollup and grabs the tights but gets two. Jericho takes Raven down and goes for the Walls of Jericho as we see the ninja woman is here again with a 2×4. The referee keeps the ninja from coming in the ring when Molly Holly comes out but the ninja kicks her away. Jericho then lets go of Raven then heads over to confront the woman himself but Raven is up and nails him. Raven sets up for a DDT when the ninja suddenly swings the 2×4 but she misses Jericho and nails Raven instead. Jericho knocks the ninja off the apron then hits Raven with the Lionsault and grabs the pin to retain. (3:00) Remeber that good match these two had at Halloween Havoc ’98? This was nothing like that. *½

The ninja comes in with the broken board in hand but Molly takes her down. Molly then tries to remove her mask again and manages to reveal some dark blonde hair but Raven pulls the ninja to safety before her face is uncovered.

~ Back from break JR announces that live auditions for Tough Enough will be held Wednesday at WWF New York. We then see the seat next to JR is vacant as he explains that Lawler is teaming with the Acolytes against RTC next.

~ Backstage Johanthan Coachman interviews Steven Richards, accusing him of abducting Kat against her will. Richards stops him saying that “Stacy” was aware of the situation and was also instrumental in fighting the good fight. Richards suggests that Stacy isn’t really being held against her will but maybe she is trying to change for the better. Kat protests this until Ivory cuts her off while Richards feels that Stacy is in a better place, with the Right To Censor. Coach asks about facing Lawler and the Acolytes but Richards feels with truth on their side, nothing can beat them.

~ Elsewhere we find Kurt Angle warming up for the main event by twisting his body into some unusual angles. We find Big Show also warming up, only he’s beating up a locker that has ‘ANGLE’ and ‘ROCKY’ written on it.

~ Back from break Tazz makes his way out looking to take Lawler’s place on commentary just like he did last night as we get highlights of Saturday’s XFL action. The game was a forgettable 13-0 win for the NY/NJ Hitmen over the Chicago Enforcers that’s mainly known for the feud that “erupted” between hitmen coach Rusty Tillman and Jessie Ventura, how they talked trash about each other during the game and their famed heated confrontation afterward. At this point you could tell the WWF was panicking at the falling XFL ratings and was resorting to angles to bring the viewers in, which didn’t work.

• Jerry “The King” Lawler & The Acolytes vs. The Goodfather, Val Venis & Bull Buchanan (w/Steve Richards, Ivory & Kat)

Everyone files out to the ring and and Lawler just shakes his head at the sight of Kat dressed like them. Bradshaw and Faarooq battle Goodfather and Buchanan on the floor while Lawler fights with Val in the ring. Lawler clotheslines Val over the ropes then goes after him on the floor while Richards joins the commentary. Everyone makes they way in the ring and the Acolytes double-team Buchanan with Lawler joining in as well. Faarooq soon takes over on Buchanan and whips him into a corner but Buchanan comes back with a clothesline. Goodfather tags in and helps Buchanan whip Faarooq into a shoulderblock then slams him and hits a elbowdrop. Bradshaw comes in but the referee orders him back out allowing Val and Goodfather to double-team Faarooq. Goodfather chokes Faarooq with his boot then whips him into a corner and charges at him but eats an elbow. Faarooq comes out with a shoulderblock then crawls over to his corner and makes the tag to Bradshaw. Buchanan also gets the tag but Bradshaw whips him and hits an elbow then whips him again and hits a boot. Buchanan regains control and tags Val then Val gets in his shots and comes off the ropes but eats a big boot. Bradshaw whips Val who comes back with a crossbody but Bradshaw catches him and hits the fallaway slam. Meanwhile Kat pounces on Ivory on the floor and chokes away at her until Richards heads over to pull her off. Meanwhile the match goes on as Faarooq and Bradshaw clothesine Goodfahter and Buchanan over the ropes.
Bradshaw nails Val with the Clothesline from Hades then both Acolytes whip Val and hit a double spinebuster. However while this is going on Richards, Buchanan and Goodfather are dragging Kat away from ringside. Lawler gets the tag then hops to the middle rope and nails Val with the fistdrop for the pin. (3:27) About what you’d expect. Lawler and the Acoltyes then watch Kat disappear from view, instead of maybe, you know, going after them. And that would be the last we’d ever see of The Kat as she was fired the following day while Lawler would then quit the WWF in a show of solidarity with her, making this his last appearence for eight months. DUD

~ The Rock is shown making his way to the ring which means main event time is here as we go to commercial.

• WWF Hardcore Title: The Big Show © vs. Kurt Angle vs. The Rock

So they’re starting the build to Wrestlemania with their world champion in a Hardcore Title match. Whatever. All three men file out and Rock and Angle have a startedown but Show clotheslines both men to get us started. Show hammers Rock with giant chops then whips him but Rock ducks a clothesline and starts to fight back. Rock has Show down to one knee when Angle comes up and suplexes Rock only to eat a headbutt from Show. Show hits Angle with a giant chop then whips him when Angle tries to rally but Show jus shrugs off his blows. Angle comes off the ropes with a clothesline but Show just absorbs it so Angle tries it again and again no effect. Angle comes off the ropes again when Rock cuts him off with a clothesline but Show clotheslines Rock as well. Rock rolls out to the floor for a breather but Show goes out and rams him into the announce table repeatedly. Show scoops Rock onto his shoulders but Rock slips out and shoves him into both the ringpost and the steps. Angle then goes out and nails Rock from behind before throwing him back in the ring and laying the boots to him. Rock fights back and comes off the ropes then hits a Dragon legwhip and puts Angle in the Sharpshooter. Before Angle can submit Show comes back in and nails Rock from behind to break it up then headbutts Angle. Rock comes off the ropes when Show grabs him looking for a chokeslam but Rock kicks him below the belt. Angle comes up and tries to suplex Show by himself but can’t get him up so he tries wearing him down first. Angle still can’t get Show up so Rock and hooks Show’s other arm and together they manage to suplex Show. Angle starts celebrating as if he did by himself but Rock pounds on him then clotheslines him over the ropes.

Suddenly Steve Blackman runs in with a kendo stick and nails Show then covers but only gets a two count. Rock goes after Angle on the floor while Hardcore Holly comes in and works Show over with some trash lids. Albert runs in and nails Show with a bicycle kick then covers him but Perry Saturn runs in to make the save. Saturn works Albert over in a corner while Billy Gunn runs in with a club that he breaks on Show’s chest. Billy knocks Show over the ropes then goes out after him while Albert squashes Saturn with the Avalanche. Billy rams Show into the barrier as they head near the ramp and Show grabs him but Hardcore breaks it up. The fight heads near the stage when Show throws Hardcore and Blackman into the gardrail then boots Billy. Essa Rios suddenly dives off the stage for a plancha but Show catches him then slams him onto the concrete. Crash Holly tries diving off the stage with the same result when Billy comes up and whacks Show with a chair. Show makes his way to the back with Blackman and Billy as Hardcore sprays everyone with a fire extinguisher. Meanwhile in the ring Albert and Saturn have stopped fighting and are now helping Angle triple-team Rock. We then cut to the back as Show tries to fight off all his challengers while Blackman and Crash duke it out. Billy puts Crash through a table while Show fights off Blakcman then throws Rios into a closed metal door. Show then holds Rios upright against a wall and Hebner decides it’s a cover and counts the pin. (7:58) Garbage match but an entertaining one. *½

Back in the ring Angle, Albert and Saturn are still triple-teaming Rock when Rock starts to fight back and DDTs Angle. Albert whips Rock into a corner then whips Saturn into a splash on him but Rock cuts Saturn down with a clothesline. Albert clotheslines Rock then whips him but Rock comes back with a flying forearm then hits Saturn with a spinebuster. Rock takes Albert out with the Smackdown but Angle trips him with a drop toehold then slaps on the Anklelock. Angle is looking to break Rock’s ankle when Steve Austin slides in for the save and drops Angle with the Stunner then hits Saturn with the Stunner. Rock gets back up behind Austin and readies for a Rock Bottom but before it happens Albert runs in but Rock catches him and he ends up taking the Rock Bottom instead. Austin leaves the ring but stops on the ramp and stares out at Rock who stares back at him as Raw fades to black.

Conclusion: I’d have to say this wasn’t the best way to start the build for the biggest show of the year. The opening match was nice and the main event was entertaining for what it was but the matches just came off as filler for the most part. As far as the angles go we saw the start of Austin/Rock as expected and the beginning of some other intriguing storylines, though how many of them would come to fruition at the pay-per-view is aother thing. And where was Triple H, since he wasn’t even mentioned once on this show? Overall a pretty disappointing follow-up to No Way Out and a weak first step toward the “best Wrestlemania ever”. Thumbs down.

Taped (2/20) from the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle (10/22/2000)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: Raven (2/18/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Smackdown comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcoming us and reminding us we’re just 72 hours away from No Way Out. However Cole feels that things could possibly explode tonight because The Rock teams with The Undertaker and Kane to take on Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian. Plus Jim Ross conducts a special in-ring interview with both Triple H and Steve Austin ahead of their big showdown.

~ Things kick off with Kurt Angle making his way to the ring to do the hard sell for his big WWF Title defense Sunday. Angle gets on the mic and says he’s taking a page from Edge & Christian and pose with his WWF Championship belt then asks the fans if they’re taking pictures thinking that’s the last time he’ll stand in the ring as WWF Champion. Angle says that picture won’t be a collector’s item and the fans will have to earn money mowing lawns and selling blood. Angle scoffs at The Rock’s so-called countdown, saying he’s beating the odds and keeping his title at the pay-per-view. Angle mentions the new WWF Music Vol. 5 CD which was released this week which has Rock’s mug on the cover and mentions how Rock has a song on the disc called “Pie”. Angle decides to play a snippet of it for the fans and we get clips of Rock’s recording session on the OvalTron with Angle asking what the “freaking heck” was that. Angle asks the fans if they enjoyed that song and if Rock is really the guy they want as the next WWF Champion. Once the fans respond Angle says that’s what he’d expect from a town that worships a cheater like George Brett. Angle calls the song a disgrace just like the man who recorded it and it’s not about baking pans and flour like we think. Angle then offers to play a real song, one he feels can be played as weddings and bar mitzvahs and is his greatest hit then proceeds to show some highlights of him beating Rock up set to his theme music. Angle feels that it’s good music and shows the video again before saying he’s done talking and now wants to let his actions speak for themselves. Angle says Rock can sing about pie all he wants but after tonight and after Sunday Rock will be signing a different tune. Angle even decides to borrow Rock’s “If ya smell..” bit as he finally wraps up the opening 10 minutes.

~ We then get a shot of Steve Austin arriving at the building. Maybe it’ll actually mean something as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find a limo pulling into some sort of building (not the arena) with some horses in the background.

~ Elsewhere Steve Austin is making coffee as clips are shown of him taking Stephanie out with the Stunner on Monday. We then cut to the Helmsleys’ dressing room and find Triple H and Stephanie both reacting to the replay we just saw. Triple H promises to make Austin pay for what he did but Stephanie pleads with him not to lay a hand on Austin now. Triple H tries to restrain himself as he tells her he doesn’t know what will happen during their face-to-face interview but if he does get himself suspended for six months then he’ll at least take Austin out for good.

• Jeff Hardy (w/Lita) vs. Rikishi

Both men lockup to start and Rikishi throws Jeff into a corner then Jeff fights back but gets shoved down. Rikishi hits a thrust shot to Jeff’s throat then whips him and Jeff attempts a Sunset Flip but can’t get him over. Rikishi goes for the sit-down splash but misses it and Jeff hits a dropkick followed by a somersault legdrop. Rikishi powers out of the pin so Jeff climbs to the top rope and leaps off but Rikishi catches him in a bear hug. Jeff tries to fight out of it but Rikishi hits him with a belly-to-belly suplex then stomps him down in a corner. Rikishi whips Jeff who tries to fight back but runs into a right hand and Rikishi follows it up with a headbutt. Rikishi trash-talks Jeff before hitting another headbutt then whips him into a corner and Jeff runs up the buckles then goes for this Whisper in the Wind but ends up missing it. Rikishi plants Jeff with a Samoan Drop and squashes him with the running butt splash in a corner then hits a superkick and the massive legdrop. Rikishi drags Jeff into a corner then climbs the ropes and hits the Banzai Drop and this one is emphatically over. (3:50) No, I don’t understand the reason behind this squash. DUD

Rikishi starts to leave but then stops and sees Lita coming in to check on Jeff Lita slides back out as Rikishi walks over to Jeff looking for another Banzai Drop. Lita climbs the buckles on the other side when Rikishi suddenly shakes the ropes causing Lita to tumble into a corner then gives her the stinkface. Matt Hardy finally runs out and manages to clear Rikishi from the ring but the damage has already been done. I think all that resulted from this was a match on the pay-per-view preshow that Rikishi won by DQ.

~ We then check in on the mystery limo as Cole informs us it’s in the building’s annex where a farm show is being held. Of course now the question is who’s in the limo? Maybe we’ll find out later in the show as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find William Regal complementing Trish Stratus’ outfit with Trish looking less than thrilled at him. Kurt Angle then walks up to them and tells Trish how it’s been great having her in his corner over the past few weeks but he doesn’t want to give Rock any excuse for losing on Sunday so he feels they should part ways. Regal feels that’s splendid since Trish can now accompany him permanently but Trish doesn’t seem as excited as him. Regal then asks Trish to be in his corner in his match with Test but Trish tells him that she has “other committments” and excuses herself from the scene. Angle tells Regal she really likes him with Regal agreeing.

~ Cole and Lawler wonder about those “other committments” as they hype Sunday’s three-way tag team title match by showing clips from Raw of Edge & Christian’s successful “Plan B” involving Undertaker, Kane and the Dudleys.

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews the Dudleys for their thoughs on their two opposing teams at the pay-per-view. Bubba Ray says Vince announced the three-way match last week and earlier tonight decided to make it a tables match before wondering how the other two tag teams made Vince mad enough to get put in a table match against the Dudleys. Bubba says E&C are five-time champions but this wouldn’t be the first time the “chair-swinging” freaks tasted tables. Bubba then says how Undertaker has often stood the ring and called it his yard but the Dudleys have just moved in. Bubba warns the other teams to bring all their chips to the table because they’re only playing one hand in Las Vegas and in the end it’ll be the Dudleys who take all. D’Von caps it off with “Testify”.

~ Elsewhere Johnathan Coachman interviews Jim Ross on being forced to moderate the Triple H/Steve Austin interview. JR points out that this was Vince’s idea and mentions how everybody is eager to see this issue settled in three days but fears that things could possibly explode in the ring once Austin and Triple H look each other in the eye. JR says if those two tear into each other with the zero tollerance rule in effect then Sunday’s main event is dead.

~ We then find Trish meeting with the mystery limo in the annex as she opens the door and talks to someone inside. Trish says she’s been waiting for this all night then climbs into the limo and closes the door as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we check in on the mystery limo and find the windows are now fogged over. Okay then.

• Hardcore Chaos #1 Contender’s Match

Cole explains the first man to score the pinfall will face Raven for the Hardcore Title at the pay-per-view. Raven comes out with his shopping cart of plunder and joins the announcers to provide some guest commenatry. Crash Holly is out first followed by Perry Saturn but Crash meets him on the ramp and nails him with his sign. Both men roll in the ring when Saturn whips Crash and hits a swinging fishermanbuster bridge for a two count. Steve Blackman comes out next and exchanges punches with Saturn then works him over with a trash can lid. K-Kwik comes in and goes after Crash and Blackmn is still attacking Saturn while Hardcore Holly joins the fray. Finally The Big Show joins the action since he’s had two incomplete matches with Raven over the past week. In the ring Hardcore nails Saturn with an electric chair while Balckman grabs a kendo sitck and nails Saturn. Crash climbs to the top rope and dives out onto Show but Show catches him and drops him onto the barricade. Show then turns toward the ring where Blackman nails him with a trash can and Hardcore adds in a tash lid shot. However Show just pulls both guys out to the floor and clotheslines them down then starts to climb in the ring. K-Kwik crotches Show on the ropes as he comes in then grabs a trash can but Show punches it into his face. Blackman hammers Show’s knee with nunchucks to bring him down while Hardcore wails on him with trash lids. Hardcore turns and cracks Blackman with a lid but that allows Show to come back and clothesline Hardcore. Show blocks a lid shot from Saturn and knocks him aside with a right then nails Blackman with a crescent kick. Show press slams Saturn over the ropes while K-Kwik tosses Blackman out then hammers Show with a lid. However that works as much as you’d expect and Show nails K-Kwik with the chokeslam and gets the three. (2:53) Pretty much what you’d expect. DUD

Raven immediately rushes the ring with a stop sign but Show kicks him down then lays him out with the Final Cut. Show then leaves Raven laying, even though he could have pinned him for the title right there with the 24/7 rule.

~ Jim Ross is shown making his way to the ring which must mean that big in-ring interview is coming up next. Elsewhere Triple H starts to head out when Stephanie again pleads with her husband not to lay a hand on Steve Austin. Stephanie reminds Triple H that the match is only a few days away and wants him to promise not to do anything stupid. Triple H responds by telling Stephanie that he can’t promise anything when it comes to Austin then heads out the door.

~ Back form break Jim Ross makes his way to the ring and gets on the mic saying how great its is to be in Kansas City and how everyone is looking forward to the epic battle on Sunday between two of the best in the business. JR reminds us of each fall as well as how Triple H wants to break Steve Austin’s spirit before breaking his bones and he has the unenviable task of interviewing both men. JR first wants to remind us of how this feud got here and we then get highlights of the Ausitn/Triple H issue from the hit-and-run at Survivor Series ’99 all the way to Raw. Once that’s done JR proceeds to being them out starting with Austin … but it’s Triple H making his way out instead. Triple H takes the mic from JR and agrees with what he said an epic match with filled more hatred than anything else and Austin will learn to fear him and respect him because he demands it. Triple H then says the fans may be expecting him to blow his shot by beating Austin down once he climbs in the ring but that’s not going to happen because he’s smarter than that and will wait until Sunday to get the job done. Triple H then points out how Austin felt the need to up the ante by putting his hands on Stephanie last Monday night and that did throw gas on the fire but it won’t make him lose his cool and get suspended for six months. Triple H says what it did was give him and answer …then he attacks Jim Ross and lays him out with the Pedigree! Austin runs out to the ring but Triple H just calmly walks away since Austin can’t touch him for three more days.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Triple H taking Jim Ross out in retaliation for Stephanie’s Stunner.

~ Cole and Lalwer then announce a four-way match for the Intercontinential Title has just been signed for Sunday which will see Chris Jericho defending the belt against Chris Benoit, X-Pac and Eddie Guerrero. Interesting.

• Chris Jericho & X-Pac vs. Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero

And apparently because of that match we get this one to hype it with two heels taking on a heel/face combo. Jericho and X-Pac enter separately aruge on who starts for them while Benoit and Eddie come out together. Eventualy it’s Jericho who’s starting against Benoit and the two lockup before Benoit gets in the first shots. Benoit goes for a whip but Jericho reverses it and hits an elbow then whips him into a corner and hits a chop. Benoit gets in his own chops then whips Jericho into a corner but Jericho drop toeholds him into the turnbuckle. Jericho slams Benoit then looks for a tag but X-Pac refuses it so Jericho brings his partner in the hard way. X-Pac shoves Jericho but Jericho decks him then heads out while Benoit stomps X-Pac down in a corner. X-Pac comes back with the spinkick then taunts Eddie to draw him in while working Benoit over with elbows. X-Pac whips Benoit into a corner and charges at him but Benoit sidesteps it and X-Pac straddles the buckle. Eddie tags in and connects with a dropkick then peppers X-Pac with shots before whipping him into a corner. Eddie charges but X-Pac tosses him over his head and onto the buckles then kicks him down in the corner. X-Pac readies for the Bronco Buster when Jericho tags himself in then whips Eddie and drops him to the mat. Jericho hits a double underhook into a backbreaker for a two count then hits some chops and goes for a whip. Eddie reverses it and Benoit trips Jericho from the floor allowing Eddie to connect with a dropkick to the head. Jericho rolls out to the floor but Benoit rams him into the barricade before tossing him back in the ring. Eddie gets a headlock and Jericho tries to inch toward his corner for a tag but X-Pac just hops off the apron. X-Pac then tries to come in and distracts the referee while Eddie and Benoit double-team Jericho in a corner. Eddie sets Jericho on the top rope then goes up for a huricanrana but slips off after Jericho grabs the ropes. Jericho nails Eddie with a missle dropkick but Edide is able to tag in Benoit who comes in with an elbwodrop. Benoit whips Jericho who hits a flying forearm and the two exchange shots before Benoit goes for a whip. Jericho comes back with a clothesline then gets in a shot on Eddie and hits Benoit with another clothesline. Jeircho decks X-Pac off the apron then whips Benoit and hits a hiptoss and follows it up with the bulldog. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but X-Pac kicks his face then Benoit slaps on the Crossface and Jericho taps. (5:05) At least we get one match with some decent action, even if it didn’t mean much in the long run. **

X-Pac and Eddie then start exchaning shots when Justin Credible comes in and nails Eddie below the belt. X-Pac finishes Eddie off with the X-Factor then he and Credible turn and nail Benoit with a double superkick. So out of all four participants in Sunday’s match it’s X-Pac who’s left standing. Anyone really surprised?

~ Ivory and The Kat are both shown heading to the ring for a Women’s title match as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find Kurt Angle watching Edge & Christian complaing about facing Undertaker and Kane again. Edge says he’s not taking the Last Ride again while Christian whines that Kane is already back up after a ConChairto. Christian then brings up them having to be in a table match at the pay-per-view when Angle finally decides to step in and ask E&C where are the cocky five-time champs he knows? Angle reminds his pals how they outsmated Taker and Kane and feels they’ll be fine tonight. Angle then tells E&C that after they win the belts on Sunday Team ECK will rule this company once again.

• WWF Women’s Title: Ivory © vs. The Kat

Is there anybody out there not expecting a run-in here? Kat takes Ivory down to start and rams her into the mat repeatedly then hits a suplex and kicks her in the ribs. Kat follows up with a moneky flip in a corner then goes for another one but Ivory grabs the ropes to prevent it. Ivory gets in her shots and throws Kat by the hair then scoops her up and spanks her before slamming her. Ivory has some words for Lawler then scoops Kat on her shoulders and hits something like a Falcon Arrow. Ivory then gets in another shouting match with Lawler but that allows Kat to sneak up and rip off Ivory’s shirt. However the RTC siren blares again and Kat looks out to see Bull Buchanan, Goodfather and Val Venis coming. Ivory chokes Kat with her shirt while Lawler senses that Kat is in trouble and decides to head out to save her. Lawler grabs a chair when he’s suddenly superkicked by a security guy that reveals himself as Steven Richards. Richards tosses Lawler in the ring and RTC commence with a 4-on-1 beatdown while Kat is forced to watch. The RTC whip Lawler into a corner and Goodfather hits the Ho Train then Buchanan nails him with an axe kick. Val climbs to the top rope and hits the Moneyshot on Lawler and Richards caps off with a DDT onto the chair. (~3:08) The RTC gives Lawler some parting words while Ivory makes sure Kat gets a good look at her fallen hero. And of course nobody knew at the time that would be Kat’s final WWF match. NR

~ Back from break we get a replay of the RTC interupting the Women’s title match and giving Lawler a beatdown. We also get footage of Lawler getting helped to the back by some officials during the break. I believe this is the time time both Raw announcers got taken out in one night.

~ Out in the arena Tazz makes his way out and is apparenlty going to replace Lawler at the commentary table. Folks, you might want to start getting used to seeing Cole and Tazz calling the action on Smackdown. Just sayin’.

• WWF European Title: Test © vs. William Regal

Funny how Regal dropped the title to Test last month because of an injury only for Test to disappear for reasons unknown. So here we have Regal’s rematch and we’re thinking he’s getting the belt back, right? Anyway Regal attacks Test from behind and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip but Test hits a clothesline and gets in his offense. Test whips Regal and hits a backdrop foillowed by a Blue Thunderbomb for a two count. Test stomps away at Regal and whips him into a corner but Regal rams him shoulder-first into the ringpost then peppers him with left hands. Hwoever we see Al Snow coming out to continue his campaign for Commissioner as well as try to wake up the crowd who seem bored by this title match. Snow tosses buttons into the crowd while we see Regal draping Test on the apron and clubbing him in the chest. Regal doesn’t seem thrilled to have Snow out during his match as he hits Test with a suplex that gets a two count. Regal then applies a chinlock but apparenlty the camera thinks we’rather see Snow handing out buttions instead. Back in the ring Regal whips Test and hits an elbow but Test starts fighting back and hits a pair of clotheslines. Test whips Regal into a corner and charges then eats an elbow but comes back with a sidewalk slam for a two. Test goes for a boot but Regal sidesteps and Test crotches himself on the top rope allowing Regal to fight back. Regal ties Test in the ropes and hammers away on him with forearms until the referee orders him to back off. The referee tries to free Test from the ropes while Regal has had enough of Snow and grabs him by the hair. However Snow pulls Head out and clocks Regal and Test follows up with a big boot for the pin to retain. (3:42) I imagine some were surprised Test was keeping the belt instead of jobbing it back to Regal. Snow’s antics took away from the match yet were also the only interesting part. DUD

~ Backstage we find Stephanie watching the mystery limo on a montior getting and digusted by what she’s seeing so she decides to show Trish who daddy’s little girl really is and heads out as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a shot of the Kansas City skyline as Cole and Tazz remind us of our big main event. However the Dudleys suddenly make their way out with a table in hand for some reason and set it next to the ring. Bubba then spraypaints the words ‘NO WAY OUT’ on the table as Tazz feels it’s a punk card to their opponents.

~ We then cut over to the annex where Stephanie walks up to the mystery limo and finds the doors locked. Stephanie calls Trish out to face her when Trish jumps Stephanie from behind and rams her into the limo’s hood. Stephanie is down on the concrete floor as Trish gloats about setting her up before throwing her into a pile of hay. Trish then rams Stephanie’s face into horse manure and purs a bucket of brown liquid over her for good measure. Trish finally gives Stephanie some parting words and heads off leaving Stephanie gagging and crying in the hay.

~ The various main event participants are heading to the ring which means that match is next as we go to commercial.

• The Rock, The Undertaker & Kane vs. Kurt Angle, Edge & Chrsitian – No-Disqualification Match

Team ECK are out first and E&C acknowledge the Dudley’s table still at rigside with their message to them. Edge is ready to start for his team but when he sees it’s against Taker he tags Christian and flees from the ring. Christian climbs in, then decides he doesn’t want any of Taker either so he tags Angle and bails out as well. Taker settles this by bringing Angle in the ring and pounding away at him. Taker whips Angle but lowers the head and Angle kicks the face but Taker no-sells it. So Angle comes off the ropes but runs into a sidewak slam for a two. Rock asks for a tag when Angle cuts it off but Taker just shrugs off his blows and continues his assault. Taker whips Angle into a corner and clotheslines him then scoops him up for a powerslam but Angle slips out. Christian comes in but Taker catches him with a boot then nails Angle with a boot but misses an elbowdrop. Edge tags in and climbs to the top rope then leaps off but Taker catches him and hits a double chokebomb. Taker grabs Edge’s arm then walks the top rope and clubs him in the back before tagging Kane to take over. Kane whips Edge and nails him with a boot then climbs to the top rope and connects with the flying clothesline. Kane decks Angle but Christian snaps Kane’s neck on the ropes then tags in and helps Edge with a double-team. E&C go for a double suplex but Kane counters it and suplexes both guys then hits Christian with a press slam. Rock finally gets the tags and wails away on Christian then whips him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Rock pops Edge then dares Angle to bring it and Angle is hesitant when Christian tries to blindside Rock. However Rock catches Christian and looks for a Rock Bottom but Angle saves him then hits Rock with a suplex.

Angle gets the legal tag (despite this being no-DQ) and stomps away at Rock then unloads on him with rights. Edge tags back in and hits Rock with a backbreaker that gets a two count when Rock starts to fight back again. Rock whips Edge but Edge comes back with a spinning heelkick for a near fall then tags Christian in to take over. Rock again rallies but Angle nails Rock from behind to stop that and Christian nails Rock with the Slop Drop. Christian covers Rock but Taker saves it so Edge tags in and dares Rock to fight back which he indeed does. Edge regains the advantage with a knee but Rock comes back with a Samoan Drop and both men are down. Edge makes the tag to Angle but Rock comes back and works him over in a corner then hits the Smackdown. Rock decks Christian then drills Angle with a DDT and covers but Christian recovers enough to make the save. Taker comes in and chokeslams Christian while Kane tosses Edge through the ropes then goes out after him. Rock and Angle are also duking it out on the floor while Kane and Taker take turns getting in shots on Edge. Meanwhile Christian is down in the ring when the Dudleys make their way back out and slide the table in as well. Bubba slams Christian and sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. The Dudleys set the table up then whip Christian looking for the 3D but Taker pulls Christian out to the floor. The Dudleys don’t like that interuption and head out to double-team Taker with Edge and Kane joining the fray. Rock and Angle both roll in the ring when Angle pounces on Rock and even mocks his “Just Bring It” motion. Angle goes for a whip but Rock counters and hits Angle with a spinebuster then puts him in the Sharpshooter. Angle is tapping out but Earl Hebner is occupied with the melee on the floor and doesn’t see the submission. Edge nails Rock form behind to break it up but Rock turns and knocks him over the ropes with the Smackdown. However Angle nails Rock with an Olympic Slam through the table and is able to grab the pin. Angle pins Rock! (9:20) Decent main event though the ‘no-DQ’ thing didn’t really come into play until the ending. Plus the finish pretty much tipped off the result of the pay-per-view. **

Angle pulls Rock from the wreckage then slaps on the Anklelock and Rock is screaming in pain and taps out. Of course we’re wondering if this means Angle will indeed retain on Sunday and go to Wrestlemania as the WWF Champion. But of coure we know what ususally happenes when a champion pins his challenger three days before the pay-per-view.

Conclusion: About what you’d expect from the go-home show for No Way Out: lots of talking and backstage segments as well as irrelevant matches all used to polish up the pay-per-view. As I said the matches were forgettable and seemed slopped together other than the decent main event and while Angle got to send his big message to Rock it also tipped off who was winning the title match. Overall you’re not missing much by skipping this episode and going straight to the pay-per-view so thumbs down.

Live from the Savvis Center in St. Louis, MO

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle (10/22/2000)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: Raven (2/18/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air with highlights of everyone getting involved in the Rock/Triple H match on Smackdown. Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler as they hype No Way Out in just six days. But tonight Steve Austin will team up with The Rock to take on the evil duo of Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. And in other tag action Triple H and Stephanie will do battle with Trish Strats and William Regal. Ho boy!

• The Undertaker vs. D’Von Dudley vs. Christian

Did I mention there’s a three-way tag title match at the pay-per-view? JR mentions Vince has ordered each guy’s respective partners barred from ringside but Edge comes out with Christian then joins the announcers claiming Lawler invited him to commentate. Taker pounds on D’Von to start off then whips him into a corner but eats an elbow. D’Von gets in his shots then comes off the ropes but runs into a boot. Taker snapmares D’Von and follows it up with a legdrop then covers him but Christian makes the save. Taker throws Christian into a corner and pummels away at him then whips him and scoops him up for a powerslam but D’Von attacks Taker to break it up. D’Von hits a shoulderbock but Taker absorbs it so D’Von tries it again and Taker tosses him over the ropes. Taker gets Christian down in an armbar but D’Von makes it back in to save it before Christian can submit. D’Von and Christian double-team Taker and hit a double suplex before clotheslining him over the ropes. D’Von then hits Christian with his version of the Curtain Call and covers but Taker pulls D’Von out to the floor. Taker rams D’Von into the announce table before tossing him back in the ring when Edge starts yaking at him. Taker then turns toward Edge who gets in his face but Taker responds by pie-facing him back into his seat. In the ring Christian plants D’Von with a Slop Drop and covers him but Taker comes in and pulls Christian off. Taker works Christian over in a corner when D’Von attacks Taker from behind while Edge hops on the apron. Edge distracts the referee while Taker grabs D’Von but Christian low blows Taker to prevent the chokeslam. Christiain whips D’Von who comes back with a forearm but Taker grabs D’Von and this time hits the chokeslam. Taker covers D’Von and Christian saves it while Edge is on the apron again until Taker uppercuts him off. Christian then goes for the Unprettier but Taker shoves him away then hits the Last Ride and scores the pin. (3:36) Edge comes in again and attacks Taker but Taker comes back with the chokeslam and leaves both E&C laying. I don’t get why Taker (and Kane for that matter) are getting all the wins in this feud. *½

~ Backstage we find the Helmsleys in the parking garage waiting for William Regal and Trish Stratus to arrive. Triple H just lounges on the back of a car while Stephanie is anxious to teach Trish who the dominant female is.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Undertaker pinning Christian then chokeslamming Edge because he can. We then find Edge & Christian conversing about how what they’ve been doing up to this point hasn’t worked out. Edge feels their advantage over the other four men is their brains and they need to come up with a ‘Plan B’ fast.

• Lita vs. Dean Malenko © – Non-Title Match

After months of Malenko lusting over her, Lita (and the rest of us) is hoping this is the final battle. Also I believe Malenko is still the Light Heavyweight Champion even though he doesn’t come out with the belt. Both sides lockup when Malenko shoves Lita down then moves in when the referee asks Malenko to back off. Lita tells the referee to stay out of her way but Malenko clubs her in the back then hits a short-arm clothesline. Malenko goes and brings a chair in but the referee pulls it away while Lita rolls Malenko up but only gets two. Malenko ties Lita in a tree of woe and stomps away at her then covers her…before putting her foot on the rope. Malenko acts surprised at that when Lita nails him below the belt then rolls him up but only gets a near fall. Malenko comes back with a suplex … then pulls Lita on top of him for a cover and kicks out before the three. Malenko whips Lita into a corner and swings her around but ends up koncking the referee out through the ropes. Malenko hits Lita with a knee to the chest followed by a suplex then goes out and brings the chair in again. Malenko readies a swing when Matt Hardy suddenly runs in and decks Malenko, causing him to drop the chair. Matt takes the chair and blasts Malenko with it then heads back out as Lita and the referee both start to revive. Lita crawls over and drapes an arm over Malenko as the referee counts 1..2..3, giving Lita the victory! (3:05) Lita finally gets her win over Malenko and finally puts this angle to rest. The match was what it was with some cool stuff from Malenko but the real memorable part is next. *½

Matt comes back in and helps Lita up and the two start celebrating when Matt gets swept up and kisses Lita! Lita is quite surprised and pulls away from Matt who immediately realizes what he just did and apolpgizes to her. Matt heads out to leave Lita alone in the ring and walks up the ramp while making “what a fool I am!” motions. However Lita chases Matt down tells him it’s alright then gives him a huge kiss back as the crowd goes wild!

~ We then check on the Helmsleys in the parking garage when a limo pulls up and Stephanie bangs on the door. Trish Stratus then pops up through the sunroof when Stephanie decides to go after her. Stephanie climbs up the hood then scrambes across the roof and manages to grab Trish before ramming her into the roof several times. Eventually Triple H pulls Stephanie away from Trish while William Regal helps her escape through a side door.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Stephanie not waiting for the mixed tag match to get her hands on Trish.

~ JR and Lawler hype Sunday’s main event by showing Kurt Angle putting The Rock in an anklelock on Smackdown. We then go to a pre-taped interview Kevin Kelly had with Kurt Angle earlier toay about the No Way Out title match. Kevin asks Angle about where his hatred for Rock comes from and Angle says he’s jealous of Rock for good reason. Angle says he trained for years just to earn the privelage of representing and honoring the U.S. in the Olympics and defyed the odds to bring home to gold medal yet he comes to the WWF and gets booed by the fans. Angle then claims Rock wouldn’t represent his country he if he wanted to yet gets standing ovations in every city. Angle says it hurts how he’s kind and courteous and is basically everything Rock is not, yet Rock is everyone’s hero and wants to know why. Kevin responds by saying that for whater reason Rock is the People’s Champion. Angle then asks Kevin how Rock treats him as a person, if he’s had to explain to his son with a “hermaphrodite” is and if his wife thought it was sexy how Rock made him interview him with a finger up his nose. Angle then asks Kevin who he’ll be rooting for in the match at No Way Out and all Kevin does is look down guiltily. Angle then brings up the lack of respect with everyone thinking the Wrestlemania main event is already set in stone, that Rock will beat him for the title then face Steve Austin in the “biggest Wrestlemania” ever. Angle says he’s made a lifetime of proving people wrong and will do it one more time by beating Rock this Sunday. Angle feels once he beats Rock in the center of the ring then he’ll finally get the respect from the fans that he deserves. Angle finishes by telling Rock that his days of being on top aren’t numbered, The Rock’s are, and that is true. Pretty good interview there.

~ Backstage The Kat barges into the Acolytes’ office and complains about Right To Censor breathing down her neck and how she can’t be the leader of the Right to Nudity movement if the RTC keeps stopping her attempts to get nude. Bradshaw mentions he was surfing the Internet and found a nearbly adult club where Kat can get naked like a jaybird. Kat gets excited so the Acolytes decide to take the there, after Faarooq gathers some dollar bills from the poker pot.

~ Elsewhere Michael Cole interviews Chris Jericho who’s been appointed referee for an Eddie Guerrero/X-Pac match. Jericho congradulates Vince McMahon for realizing it’s time to play it safe after 647 run-ins during his matches. Jericho says that since both guys hate him his pal Rod Smart of the XFL Las Vegas Outlwas has lent him his jersey. If you remeber Rod Smart was the guy who wore ‘HE HATE ME’ on his jersey, which Jericho will wear instead of the stripes. Real subtle plug, guys.

• Eddie Guerrero vs. X-Pac

Chris Jericho makes his way out first to serve as the special referee while wearing the ‘HE HATE ME’ jersey. Eddie comes out to the ring next and stares at Jericho then thinks about taking a swing at him but holds up. X-Pac then comes out and has his own words for Jericho but that allows Eddie to jump him and start us off. Eddie stomps away at X-Pac then goes for a whip, X-Pac reverses but Eddie comes back with a shoulderblock. X-Pac leapfrogs Eddie and hits a spinkick then covers him as Jericho makes a quick count but only gets two. Eddie yells at Jericho allowing X-Pac to nail him from behind. X-Pac whips Eddie into a corner and charges but Eddie sidesteps it and X-Pac straddles the turnbuckles. Eddie clotheslines X-Pac down to the mat and covers but Jericho slowly gets into position and X-Pac kicks out even before a count is made. Eddie argues with Jericho again when X-Pac rolls him up but Eddie grabs the bottom rope for the break. Eddie whips X-Pac then puts him in an Abdominal Stretch and grabs the hair even as Jericho warns him. Eventually Jericho grabs Eddie by the hair to break the hold and throws him to the mat so Eddie shoves Jericho who shoves him back threatening to disqualify him. Eddie decks X-Pac then whips him and hits an elbow. Eddie climbs to the top rope then yells at Jericho allowing X-Pac to dropkick him off the ropes to the apron. X-Pac superplexes Eddie back in the ring then flips Jericho off before hitting the Bronco Buster in a corner. Jericho pulls X-Pac off Eddie allowing Eddie to clothesline X-Pac down then whip him but X-Pac kicks the face. Eddie ducks a clothesline and gets a waistlock but X-Pac fights out of it then suplexes Eddie over the ropes. Jericho starts to count Eddie out while keeping X-Pac at bay so X-Pac smacks Jericho in the back of the head. Jericho doesn’t like that and starts pounding on X-Pac when Justin Credible comes in but he eats a right hand. X-Pac turns the tide and helps Credible double-team Jericho but Eddie comes back in and fights both guys. Jericho comes back and tosses X-Pac through the ropes while Eddie works Credible over and clears him out. Jericho and Eddie back into each other and Eddie attacks Jericho then whips him but Jericho hits a forearm. Jericho follows up with the bulldog and the Lionsault then leaves Eddie laying and that’s the match I guess. (4:36) Not much I can say about this so I won’t. NR

Jericho heads up the ramp and looks back at X-Pac and Credible in the ring while Eddie is out on the floor. Suddenly Chris Benoit jumps Jericho then DDTs him on the stage. Third straight week Jericho has gotten jumped by one of his enemies. Jericho has issues with three men and still doesn’t have a match booked for the pay-per-view. I wonder how they can solve this issue?

~ Back from break we check on The Acolytes and The Kat as they arrive at the adult club.

~ Backstage we find Edge & Christian asking some guy to give Undertaker a message before sending him on his way. E&C then start calling the Dudleys out to meet them in the garage as we see the Dudleys answeing that challenge. However we then see E&C’s flunky knocking on Undertaker’s door telling him the Dudleys are messing up his bike and Taker doesn’t take this news very well and heads out to see for himself, warning the guy he better not be playing him. Back in the garage the Dudleys arrive and find no sign of E&C but do find Taker’s motorcycle which is smashed up. Taker comes in and sees the Dudleys as well as his dismantled bike then makes an assumption and attacks D’Von. Bubba comes to D’Von’s aid so Taker tries to fight him then D’Von until Bubba rams him into a closed garage door. The Dudleys then overwhelm Taker and leave him laying before leaving to continue searching for Edge & Christian. Kane then walks in and finds Taker calling out to him when E&C suddenly jump him and nail him with a ConChairto! So E&C do get something over the brothers after all. Nice segment though a little contrived.

~ Elsewhere Stephanie gets antsy for her husband to get ready while Triple H assures her their match isn’t until later. Stephanie then says that she’s going to take a walk just to clear her head and heads out as we go to commercial. Yeah, I bet she is.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Edge & Chrsitian setting up Undertaker & Kane for a pair of ambushes.

~ Out in the arena Stephanie’s walk has apparently taken her to the ring because she just has to get in her promo time. Stephanie gets on the mic and says with Vince not in the building she’s in charge and therefore plans have changed. Stephanie says fans may not have expected to see her now but she didn’t expect to see something last Thrusday and shows footage of Vince and Trish visiting the comatose Linda at the saniatarium on Valentine’s Day. Stpehanie says she and Vince worked hard to put Linda in her place and ensure there’s only one dominant female but now she has another meddlesome female to deal with, one who should have stayed in the back seats. Stephanie tells Trish that she’s not afraid of her before showing a clip of her slapping Steve Austin last week on Raw, saying if she’d do that to Austin then she should just imagine what she has in store for her at No Way Out. Stephanie then Trish to forget about the mixed tag match later because she wants her one-on-one in the ring right now! However instead of Trish it’s Austin who comes out to the ring and Stephanie has that “deer in the headlights” look. Austin gets right in Stephanie’s face before taking the mic and thanking her for reminding him what she did to him then mentions he can’t touch her husband but does have a present for her … before laying her out with the Stunner! Austin gets a couple of beer cans tossed to him then heads out to the floor just before Triple H charges in the ring. Austin casually walks away while Triple H is flipping out because he can’t do anything about his wife getting Stunned.

~ Back form break we get a replay of Austin giving Stephanie the Stunner with Triple H unable to get even for it. We then find the trainer checking on the still-unconcious Stephanie backstage while Triple H tears the room apart. Elsewhere we find William Regal and Trish watching on a monitor with Trish figuring this means the mixed tag is off. Trish then tells Stephanie to remember this pain because it’ll be nothing compared to what awaits her on Sunday. Regal suggests that with Austin on the prowl perhaps they’d better leave but Trish wants to enjoy Stephanie’s pain. Regal insists they head back to the hotel then drags Trish off by the arm. So much for one of the advertised matches.

• The Hardy Boyz vs. Rikishi & Haku

The Hardys make their way out first then Matt climbs to the top rope and takes Haku out with a plancha while Jeff runs along the barricade and nails Rikishi with a clothesline. All four guys duke it out on the floor when Rikishi tosses Matt in the ring to start the match off proper leaving Jeff and Haku still fighting on the outside. Matt comes back with rights and goes for a whip and Rikishi reverses it but Matt hits the takedown clothesline. Matt gets Rikishi in a corner then drops to the mat as Jeff comes in and connects with the Poetry in Motion. Matt and Jeff nail Haku with a double elbow followed by their combo move then Matt rams Haku into a buckle. Matt drops down and Jeff goes for Poetry in Motion again but Haku catches Jeff and tosses him over the ropes. Matt tries to fight both guys but Haku superkicks him down and Rikishi follows up with the massive legdrop. Rikishi whips Matt and connects with a clothesline then tags Haku in and Haku stomps away at him in a corner. Haku wails away on Matt and caps off with a headbutt then hits a chop to the throat and throws him to the mat. Rikishi tags in and helps Haku hit a double thrust to the throat then works Matt over and hits his own headbutt. Matt starts to fight back but Rikishi stops that with a thrust shot to the throat then whips him into a corner. Rikishi goes for the butt splash but misses it and Jeff snaps Rikishi’s neck off the ropes while Matt hits a DDT. Jeff gets the tag when Haku comes in but Jeff runs up the buckle and connects with the Whipser in the Wind. Jeff catches Rikishi with a heelkick and dropkicks Haku through the ropes but Rikishi tosses him over the ropes. However Matt nails Riksihi with the Twist of Fate while Jeff climbs to the top rope and hits the Swanton Bomb. Jeff covers Rikishi but the referee is too busy to count the pin since Matt was too slow in leaving the ring. Haku comes back in and headbutts Jeff allowing Riksihi to cover Jeff and get the pin. (3:47) Not exactly a squash but still no reason to job the Hardys to these guys. *

Matt cuts the celebration short by going after Haku but Rikishi puts him down with a thrust to the throat. Jeff tries to get a piece of Rikishi while Matt helps Jeff whip him then the Hardys hit a double clothesline. However Haku is back up and grabs both Hardys in a double Tongan Death Grip, one Hardy with each hand! Both Hardys are quickly rendered unconcious and that’s how Rikishi and Haku leave them laying in the ring.

~ We then check back at the adult club as the Acolytes are urging The Kat to join a pole dander on the stage. Kat jumps on the stage and starts to disrobe when Steve Richards and Ivory appear and cover Kat up with a sack. Ivory then drags Kat away while Richards dares the Acolytes to come onto the stage and do something about it. Bradshaw and Faarooq are ready to fight but the rest of the RTC appear from nowhere and jump them from behind. Farrooq is taken out quickly by a cue stick while Bradshaw tries to fight on but is knocked off the stage through a table. Eventually the Acolytes are out of commission while the RTC’ers are taking Kat somewhere as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a replay of the Right To Censor once again frustrating Kat’s latest attempt at nudity. In the arena Lawler and JR comment when they’re greeted by Al Snow wearing a ‘COMMISSIONER SNOW’ shirt. Apparenlty Snow is campaigning to become the next WWF Commissioner and gives the annoucners some buttons. That reminds me, we haven’t seen Lt. Commissioner Debra in several weeks now. Whatever happened to her?

• WWF Hardcore Title: Raven © vs. Crash Holly

Raven brings his shopping cart of plunder with him but Crash has his own road sign ready and waffles Raven. Crash grabs a fire extinguisher from the cart and sprays CO2 at Raven, backing him up the ramp to the stage. Crash nails Raven with the sign again and covers for a two count then Raven goes down a ladder to the floor. Crash follows Raven to the back and rams him into the fusebox then backdrops him into an overflow basin. Crash clocks Ravenw with a trash can then climbs on a forklift and hits a crossbody on Raven in the water. Crash covers Raven in the water but only gets two so he covers him on the edge of the pool for another two. Raven tries to escape when Crash sets him onto a longcart then rams him into a convinent pile of metal poles. Crash puts Raven on the cart and rams him into a door which has another set of pipes behind it for some reason. Crash takes Raven into the loading dock and goes for a whip but Raven resverses him into a pile of trash cans. Raven starts to head out when Big Show appears, reminding him they never finished their match on Smackdown. Raven tries fleeing up a ladder but Show grabs him and Crash then throws both guys into a closed garage door. Suddely the nina woman appears and cracks Show’s knee with a 2×4 while Raven hits Show with a trash can. Raven tries to escape between two semis and Crash chases him down but Raven greets him with a road sign. Crash is down while the ninja tries to help Raven to the getaway car when she’s ambushed by Molly Holly. Raven stuffs the ninja in the car but Molly goes after her the backseat while Raven tries to reach the wheel. Crash also makes his way in the car as it starts to driver off but stops as both Holly counsins are unloaded. Show arrives on the scene but is a second too late as the car drives off leading to another incomplete match. (~4:11) Words fail me. DUD

~ Back from break Triple H helps Stephanie into their limo to go to the hotel while he takes care of some business. Stephanie begs Triple H not to touch Austin, that he just has six more days to wait until the No Way Out match. Stephanie tells Triple H it’s either six days or six months and Triple H agrees before sending the limo on its way.

~ In the arena Steven Richards and Ivory are dragging Kat to the ring to apparently make an example of her. Richards gets on the mic and yells at the fans for cheering Kat to disrobe instead of shielding themselves with dignity. Richards also chastises the fans for embracing Kat’s immoral ways when they should be helping fight the good fight. Richards says the Right To Censor is determinted to keep Kat from getting her way and will evem act as her judge and jury when the crowd won’t. Richards asks Kat where her protection is now when Lawler decides he’s seen enough of this and heads in the ring demading Richards get his hands off Kat. Richards asks Lawler if he’s Kat’s knight in shining armor and Lawler says he’d fight for the right to see Kat nude. Richards says that’s fine then tells Kat that since Lawler wants to come to her aid he can do so at No Way Out. Richards offers Lawler a match with any member of Right To Censor and if he wins they’ll allow Kat to get nude but if he loses then Kat belongs to them. Kat urges Lawler to accept the challenge and Richards then allows Lawler to pick any member of RTC to face and Lawler decides to choose Richards himself. Lawler even decides to give Richards a taste of what’s to come this Sunday and drops him with a right hand.

~ Back form break we head over to WWF New York and find Tazz signing copies of the new WWF Music Vol. 5.

~ The announcers hype Sunday’s WWF Championship match by showing clips of the earlier interview with Kurt Angle. We then find Michael Cole interviewing The Rock backstage for his thoughts on Angle’s comments from earlier. Rock tells Angle that he didn’t make himself the People’s Champion, it was the people who made him their champion. Rock says the people cheer for him because he isn’t wahining about what the people should do or who they cheer for. Rock says that he’s beating Angle for the WWF Title at the pay-per-view and moving on to main event Wrestlemania. Rock then tells Angle the countdown is on and we’re looking at the next champion in six days, if ya smell and etc.

~ The rest of the main event participants are shown making their way to the ring as we go to commercial.

• Stone Cold Steve Austin & The Rock vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit

Austin suffered a Crossface and Rock suffered an Anklelock on Smackdown so here’s theri shot at revenge. However when you look at the participants and who’s feuding with who, can you already guess who’s doing the job? Triple H comes out to join the commentary and quivers when they show a replay of Stephanie’s Stunner earlier. The particpants then file out with Austin giving Triple H a couple of beers to enjoy, making him even angrier. Rock starts off against Benoit and gets in the first shots then tags Austin in and Austin wrenches Benoit’s arm. Benoit tries to reverse it when Austin jabs the eyes to prevent it then whips him but Benoit kicks the face. Benoit hammers Austin with chops and goes for a whip but Austin reverses it and hits a knee to the chest. Austin stomps Benoit down in a corner then flips the double bird to Triple H who’s trying to restrain himself. Rock tags in and applies an armwringer when Benoit rakes the face but Rock comes back with a clothesline. Rock lays the boots to Benoit then rams him into Austin’s boot before tagging him in to take over on him. Benoit rakes Austin’s face and hits some more chops then tags Angle in but Angle runs right into a clothesline. Austin hits Angle with a vertical suplex followed by a second vertical suplex then tosses him through the ropes. Austin goes out and gets in Triple H’s face then rams Angle into the announce table and rolls him back in the ring. Rock tags in and hammers away on Angle then whips him and plants him with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Rock goes for a whip but Angle reverses and hits an elbow then gets in some stomps before tagging Benoit in. Rock counters a whip and tags Austin in and Austin hits some knees then puts Benoit in an Abdominal Stretch. Austin even grabs the ropes for leverage while laughing out at Triple H who seems on the verge of exploding. Earl Hebner sees Austin and orders a break but Benoit drives Austin into his corner where Angle tags himself in. Austin wails away on Angle and goes for a whip but Angle reverses and catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Benoit tags in and stomps away at Austin when Hebner pulls him away while Angle hits an elbow to the chest. Angle tags in and gets in his offense on Austin before tagging Benoit back in and Benoit hits a German suplex. Benoit holds on looking for a second German but Austin fights out of it and plants Benoit with a back suplex. Austin crawls toward his corner as Benoit tries to hold him back but Austin lunges and makes the tag to Rock. Rock wails away on Benoit then whips him and hits a belly-to-belly throw before getting in a shot on Angle. Rock hits Benoit with a spinebuster then goes into the Sharpshooter but Angle saves it before Benoit submits. Austin is in and tosses Angle through the ropes then goes out after him and continues antagonizing Triple H.

In the ring Benoit gets Rock in the Crossface and Rock looks ready to tap but Austin makes it in to save it. Benoit stomps Rock out to the floor where Angle clotheslines him and stomps him before rolling him back in. Benoit whips Rock and htis a knee to the chest then tags Angle in and Angle hits a back suplex for a near fall. Benoit tags back in and hits some chops in a corner but Rock reverses positions and wails away on Benoit. Benoit comes back with a German suplex then holds on for a second German suplex followed by a third German. Benoit climbs to the top rope and goes for the diving headbutt to end this but misses it and both men are down. Both men start crawling toward the corner and Benoit tags in Angle while Rock makes the hot tag to Austin. Austin takes it to both men and knocks their heads together then whips Angle and plants him with a spinebsuter. Austin covers Angle but Benoit saves it then goes for a whip but Ausitn reverses it and hits the Thesz Press. Austin unloads on Benoit then goes for a Stunner but Benoit shoves him away and Austin clotheslines Angle. Austin shoulderblocks Angle in a corner while Rock knocks Benoit over the ropes with the Smackdown. Rock goes after Benoit and dukes it out on the floor while Austin whips Angle and hits him with the Stunner. Austin covers Angle … but Triple H suddenly pulls Hebner out of the ring then flips Austin the double bird. Austin gets in Triple H’s face on the apron and it looks like both men are about to commit double career suicide. Benoit brings Angle’s title belt in and takes a swing at Austin but Austin ducks and Triple H takes the hit instead. Austin punches Benoit right into a Rock Bottom and Rock covers Benoit as Hebner comes in to count the three. (10:52) Pretty good main event though it was obvious Benoit would give up the pin since he was the odd man out in this setup. ***

Austin and Rock celebrate the win with Austin holding the title belt for a bit before tossing it over to Rock. Rock then poses with the belt to send a message to Angle who has his own words for Rock. Austin and Triple H stand face-to-face again but nothing comes of it and that’s how Raw goes off the air this week.

Conclusion: Pretty much your standard pay-per-view preview show to start the final build to No Way Out. The matches were pretty much “just there” and not very memorable other than the main event which was good, if not predictable. The rest of the show consisted of the usual segments used to push the angles toward the pay-per-view and some were good while others not so much. They did do a solid job keeping the two main feuds of the supercard going and we didn’t get Vince McMahon putting himself over for once which is a plus. Also notice how they hardly plugged the XFL in the two hours. Just though I’d bring that up. So I’d call this an okay show as long as you’re not expecting much.