Journey Through The Attitude Era Vol 27: WWF Wrestlemania 2000 Review

Hello dear friends, welcome back to the series which embarks on a journey through the much loved Attitude Era, a period in wrestling where it was seemingly at its peak. We loved, we laughed we groaned we moaned and even sometimes cried and I am here to take you on a nostalgia trip while also criticizing and analysing the era of wrestling that you love more than your first born child. Ok maybe not that much but you get the point! Here we are, the showcase of the immortals, Wrestlemania where it all begins again, yes all of everyone’s hard work the matches and the storylines culminate at this pay per view. Stone Cold Steve Austin was not around but business was booming, The Rock was killing it on Saturday Night Live, and it seemed Rock was to ascend to the top of the mountain of the WWF. There was a problem though, Shane Mcmahon prevented Rock from headlining WrestleMania, Big Show, Shane and Triple H frustrated The Rock until The Rock could take no more, Vince Mcmahon helped Rock gain his way back to the main event and then, Linda Mcmahon reinstated Mick Foley so the main event was a fatal four way elimination match with a Mcmahon in every corner. The match was all about the wrestlers right? Ha you naïve fool! It was all about The Mcmahons because you see anything that involves The Mcmahons overshadows everyone else and you will see that leads to a disappointing Mania ending. But all hope is not lost, there could be a strong card that could hide the main event flaws, wait nope, there is one singles match…. And it is between The Kat and Terri… Yeah this Wrestlemania 2000, I am your host and I wish I was somewhere else.

Opening Package

Lillian Garcia sings the national anthem and kills it as usual, promo fixating on the main event, a fatal four way elimination match, a mcmahon in every corner. I just want to say Vince’s return helping The Rock win the title was a great moment as was the tag match on Raw with Rock and Vince facing Shane and Big Show.

The Godfather & D’Lo Brown vs Big Bossman & Bull Buchanan

Godfather and D’Lo are accompanied by Ice T who raps over their entrance, I really could not care less, Hos looking good for Mania and it is sad to see D’Lo reduced to a joke due to the Droz incident. Bossman had lost Albert to Trish Stratus so Bossman found a new bald man to be his protégé, that being Bull Buchanan. D’Lo nails Bull with right hands and then a calf kick, Godfather cheap shots Bossman as Bossman tries to take out D’Lo. Tag to Godfather, scoop slam and a legdrop. Elbow by Godfather misses, Bossman is in, rights and uppercuts to Godfather. Godfather fires back, right hands and a clothesline. Kick by Godfather, tag to D’Lo. Bossman takes over with a thumb to the eye, Buchanan comes in but D’Lo ten punches Bull in the corner. Irish whip by D’Lo goes awry as Bull leaps to the top rope and clotheslines D’Lo.

 Blind tag to Bossman leads to D’Lo eating a double punch from both opponents. Big boot by Bossman and he tags in Bull. Scissor kick by Bull, two count for Bull. D’Lo is tossed to the outside, Bossman puts the boots to D’Lo. In the ring, Bull hard irish whips D’Lo. Tag, Bossman and Bull double elbow D’Lo. Bull Buchanan squeezes D’Lo with a bearhug, D’Lo fights and fights but eats another elbow from Bull. Bossman and Bull double axe handle to D’Lo. Bossman plants D’Lo with a ribbreaker. Tag, Bull is in double axe handle to D’Lo.

 Another rib breaker to D’Lo, Bull goes high but Godfather shakes the ropes, D’Lo recovers and scores with the frankensteiner. Hot tag to Godfather, back body drop to Bull, right hands to Bossman. Ho Train on Bossman, tag to D’Lo. D’Lo was thinking Lo Down but he is pushed off his feet by Bull. D’Lo lands on his feet but D’Lo tastes a Bossman Slam and it is over as Bull legdrops D’Lo into oblivion.

 That was a bit strange for an opener, you would think Godfather would win to get the fans into the show but the heels get the win. Also, I do believe that is D’Lo’s last pay per view appearance until appearing at No Mercy with Chaz as Lo Down. To put it simply, D’Lo’s relevance ended here at this pay per view and after watching his rise in the summer of 1999, that sucks!

Winners: Bull Buchanan & Bossman over Godfather & D'Lo!

(WWF Hardcore Title Match With A 15 Minute Time Limit) Viscera vs Tazz vs The Mean Street Posse vs Kaientai vs Hardcore Holly vs Crash Holly © vs The APA vs The Headbangers

The Houdini of Hardcore Crash Holly defends his championship in this shambles of a match. 15 minutes, the match ends after 15 minutes, whoever is holding the belt after this time is the champion. You have to pin the champion to win the championship which makes it a little more difficult to win the match. Tazz pins Crash in a matter of seconds before Viscera takes out Tazz. Poor Tazz who did he piss off? That ECW mentality must have carried over into WWF. Everybody starts cracking Viscera with weapons, it is like a mugging. Crash is a bloody mess, Viscera takes out both Acolytes.

 Bradshaw tees off on everyone before Tazz floors the big Texan. More weapon shots than anyone could handle, Viscera randomly climbs to the top and is slammed by The APA, 2x4 across the back by Faarooq, clothesline by Bradshaw. The APA toss Kaientai on top of Viscera, I presume they paid the APA for protection. Funaki is champion but Taka is upset so they all brawl to the back. In the back, Rodney, Pete Gas and Thrasher all hold the championship. Pete Gas becomes champion who is a bloody mess, Tazz grabs Pete Gas. Tazzplex on Pete and Tazz is champion. The Hollys isolate Tazz, Tazz tries fighting off both Hollys, it is to no avail. Crash and Hardcore try pinning Tazz but screw one another over multiple times. Hardcore and Tazz are in the ring, dropkick and a two count for Hardcore. Crash cracks Tazz in the head with a tray and Crash is champion.

 Tazzmission on Crash, Crash is holding on as Hardcore Holly waits for his cue. Poor Hardcore, the clock was off so it screwed up the finish. Hardcore cracked Tazz with a glass jar, the time was meant to expire with Crash retaining but Hardcore pinned Crash for the three one second before time expired. Crash would regain the title as planned the next night on Raw and Hardcore Holly would call Michael Cole a shithead live on air in an interview later in the night so that is a bonus.

Winner: Hardcore Holly over Everyone Else!

T&A W/ Trish Stratus vs Head Cheese(Al Snow & Steve Blackman)

Head Cheese, the greatest tag team name I have ever seen, this is undisputable. Ok I am having a little fun can you blame me? We see clips of the fans meeting the wrestlers which is always great to see, a lot of wrestlers first Wrestlemanias so that must have been cool for them. Steve Blackman was too serious so Snow needed to lighten him up, this led to some funny segments where Steve Blackman tried to show some personality. This led to the formation of this odd couple. This is the pinnacle as we have Chester McCheesieton introduced, the official mascot of The Head Cheese team. Trish Stratus leads her men to the ring and she looks stunning. Poor Test what happened to a face fighting against Stephanie for stabbing him in the heart?

 Test and Blackman kick us off, Blackman floors Test with a kick, Snow is in wishbone split on Test. Test and Albert double team Snow, big boot by Albert. Snow counters Albert with a clothesline, enzuigiri takes Albert off his feet. Test makes the save so Blackman is tagged in, shoulder block by Blackman, right hands by The Lethal Weapon. Albert counters Blackman but he cannot capitalise, Snow is tagged in and Test big boots Snow. The match breaks down quickly, Test is on the floor. Snow and Albert are now the legal men, suplex by Snow and cheap shot to Test. Double Elbow, diving headbutt by Blackman. Albert is isolated by Head Cheese, low headbutt by Blackman.

 Snow with the axe handle on Albert, double underhook suplex by Albert, Test comes in and cleans house, big boot and sidewalk slam. Albert tosses Blackman to the floor. Double powerbomb by T&A, Snow springboard moonsaults on Albert. Backbreaker and legdrop combo by Head Cheese, Albert breaks the pin. Albert plants Snow with The Baldo Bomb. Scoop slam and assisted splash by T&A. Snow breaks up the pin, Chester advances toward Trish, this distracts Blackman. Gorilla press slam by Albert and Test scores with the elbow. Not sure what to give this match, the crowd was almost silent, I don’t know if they didn’t care or were burnt out by the hardcore match. Snow and Blackman dismantle poor Chester as they are now a serious team.

Winners: T&A over Head Cheese by Elbow Drop!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Hardys Boyz vs The Dudley Boyz © vs Edge & Christian(Triangle Ladder Match)

For me, one of the more interesting element of this match was an interview Edge & Christian gave a week before Wrestlemania, they let Edge & Christian voice their opinion as the seemingly forgotten team in this match. Edge and Christian would argue that they are here and it is bullshit that they are being ignored. Besides that, this match put all three teams on the map as the future of the tag team division, the match may not be called the first TLC in name but I like many believe it is the true first TLC match. Edge and Christian jump The Hardys and all three teams brawl on the floor.

 Edge and D-Von end up in the ring, spinning heel kick by Edge, Bubba and Jeff trade chops, whisper in the wind by Jeff, moments later Jeff takes a back drop and a Bubba bomb. Christian sets up a ladder while D-Von brings in another ladder. Edge and Christian take out D-Von while Matt and Jeff beat up Bubba. Ladders to the face of The Dudleys from Edge and Matt. The Hardys are left standing, Matt slams D-Von on the ladder, elbow by Matt Hardy. Jeff misses a 450 splash on Bubba, landing directly on the ladder. Bubba drops on Jeff with a senton on the ladder(nasty move there). Edge uses a ladder to crush Matt with another ladder in another painful looking spot. Bubba Ray picks up a ladder and begins doing the helicopter before being floored with a dropkick courtesy of Edge and Christian. Double flapjack to D-Von into a ladder by Edge and Christian. Christian climbs a ladder and dives onto Matt and Bubba on the outside/ Jeff begins climbing the ladder but Edge spears Jeff off the ladder.

 Edge pays for it as Matt powerbombs Edge to the mat, it is Matt’s time to climb but D-Von pulls Matt down hard. D-Von is dropped by Christian and now Bubba and Christian are close to winning the gold. Bubba climbs behind Christian and nails him with a Bubba Cutter. The Hardys drag Bubba to the centre of the ring and score with the Omega splash, their legdrop and splash combo. Christian and D-Von climb a ladder in the corner, Edge joins the fray and D-Von is suplexed from the ladder by both Edge and Christian. Edge and Christian begin climbing the ladder with Jeff and Matt, all four men fall to the mat after neckbreakers and facebusters. All six men climb ladders, Jeff and Christian fall to the outside, Bubba is knocked off and throws Edge and Matt onto the ring ropes. Bubba and D-Von sandwich Christian with two ladders, 3D on Edge and The Dudley Boyz are standing tall. Table time!!!

 The Dudleys grab over 4 tables, they place a table on top of two ladders in the ring as everyone ponders what those damn Dudleys are planning. The Hardy Boyz are not happy with The Dudleys so they start fighting Bubba and D-Von. Bubba has Matt on the outside while D-Von has Jeff in the ring. D-Von lays Jeff on the table while climbing a ladder, Bubba has Matt on an announce table. D-Von dives and misses Jeff but Bubba puts Matt through a table on the outside. Jeff tries taking out Bubba but Bubba throws a ladder in his face, Bubba grabs a huge twenty foot ladder with evil intentions for Jeff Hardy. Bubba sets up a table by the huge ladder, dragging Jeff towards certain doom. Jeff is smacked onto the table before Christian makes the save with a ringbell. Bubba is now on the table, Jeff looks at the ladder and says hell yeah I am going to jump off that and thus, we have an iconic Mania moment, Jeff nails Bubba with a huge swanton bomb from the ladder. That was insane but that is Jeff Hardy for you, absolutely crazy. Matt lands a twist of fate on D-Von, Matt and Christian stand atop the table placed on the two ladders, Edge follows the two men up, Matt is shoved through a table by Edge,

 Edge and Christian win the tag team championships. Crazy match with not much wrestling just huge bumps but boy, they did deliver, this was the first match of this kind that the people saw and everyone earned their paycheques on this night. Scary knowing the matches would get even more insane!

Winners: Edge & Christian by retrieval of the belts!

Terri vs Kat(Special Guest Referee Val Venis)

This is called an actual catfight, to win you must throw your opponent to the outside. Terri and The Kat are looking amazing but this is the match that represents the women’s division at Wrestlemania? Not sure if this is worse than Sable the year prior. Mae Young is in the corner of The Kat while The Fabulous Moolah is in the corner of Terri. Did you know this feud continues for 6 months? Nope I am not kidding, on and off for 6 months this feud would take place. Both women try playing Val and this match is on, rugby tackle by Terri, Val breaks it up and Terri kisses Val, Kat kisses Val, the referee is seeing the most action. Terri drags Kat by the hair, Terri poses and eats a spear for her troubles.

 Mae is trying to strip, The Kat tosses Terri to the outside but Val is distracted. The Kat is nailed from behind, Mae attacks Terri, Mae kisses Val and The Kat won the match twice but Moolah drags Kat out and pushes Terri in the ring. Terri wins the match but The Kat strips Terri for being ac cheating bitch, Moolah takes a bronco buster from Mae. Kat strips Terri and the world rejoices seeing Terri’s ass. DUD just T&A it is fine but fuck that this is wrestlemania.

Winner: Terri over The Kat by throwing her out!

Chyna & Too Cool vs The Radicalz

Eddie was beginning to show off his personality with his Latino Heat gimmick, Chyna rejects Eddie’s advances as he is simply a slimeball. Funny story from Perry Saturn about Wrestlemania, Chyna threw out Saturn’s shoulder attempting a powerbomb on him so Saturn does fuck all in his only Wrestlemania appearance. Scotty and Eddie start it off, Eddie kicks Scotty to the gut, Scotty sends Eddie flying with a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Chyna is tagged in and Eddie runs for the hills, Chyna clotheslines Malenko before Grandmaster Sexay and Chyna nail a double suplex. Chyna and Sexay dance before Sexay scoop slams Malenko, Eddie tags in and eats a back suplex.

 Sexay goes high but Saturn pushes him to the mat with a distraction from Malenko. Saturn comes in briefly and hits a few stomps, Eddie is in, snap suplex by Latino Heat. Sexay tags Scotty but it does not go to plan. Stungun by Eddie, back suplex scores on Scotty. Springboard by Eddie, Guerrero shows Chyna some Latino Heat and smashes her head onto the turnbuckle. Sexay suplexes Guerrero to the floor, Sexay wipes out Malenko with a superkick and Scotty puts Saturn down with a facebuster. Double Worm by Scotty, right hand to Eddie, Eddie grabs the referee while Malenko and Saturn wipe out Scotty. Superkick by Saturn, elbow by Saturn before making a quick tag to Eddie, Scotty crotches Eddie, superplex plants Latino Heat.

 Scotty tags Chyna, Chyna wipes out Saturn and Malenko, scoop slams all over, handspring elbows and double low blow. Eddie nails Chyna from behing, could be a powerbomb, Chyna counters with a powerbomb of her own. Testicular claw by Chyna, gorilla press slam and a sleeper slam. It is over Chyna pins Eddie! Poor Chyna her pants have ripped and are falling apart, Too Cool and Chyna powder quickly out of the ring, must have gone long. Decent match from these two over acts!

Winners: Chyna & Too Cool over Radicalz via NeckDrop!

(European and Intercontinental Championship Match) Kurt Angle © vs Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho

Less than six months in the WWF and Kurt Angle was a double champion, it is crazy to detail his rise, it was remarkably fast but he was that damn good. Ok so this match works like this the first fall is for the intercontinental championship, the match will continue after the first fall as the second fall is for the European championship. Benoit starts quick out of the gate, Jericho takes over and dropkicks Angle. Benoit floors Jericho before taking a springboard dropkick from Y2J, Angle and Benoit are down. Baseball slide by Y2J, Angle slows down Jericho with a stungun into the steel steps. Belly to belly suplex by Angle, Benoit breaks it up, vicious clothesline by Benoit. Jericho and Benoit chop one another viciously in the corner, backbreaker by Jericho on Angle, Benoit pushes Jericho to the floor from the top turnbuckle.

 Snap suplex and back suplex by Benoit, chops and punches on Angle. Jericho gets caught with a boot from Jericho, Benoit takes down Jericho. Angle lands a snap suplex on Benoit, Angle and Jericho brawl before Jericho scores with a facebuster. Two count for Y2J, Jericho and Benoit continue to wage war on one another, Angle scores with a back suplex on Benoit but Jericho breaks it up. Jericho locks in a camel clutch on Benoit, Jericho smacks Angle down, suplex by Jericho and Benoit tries to steal the pin. Angle fires back on his feet, belly to belly by Kurt, Benoit starts hammering Angle, Angle is able to take down Benoit briefly. Jericho is floored by Angle with a crossface chickenwing, I forgot Angle was teaming up with Bob Backlund in a manager like role so Kurt began using the chickenwing before settling on the Angle Lock. Benoit tosses Angle out of the ring and Benoit scores with a diving headbutt on Jericho. Benoit is your new Intercontinental Champion.

European championship is on the line, Angle is irate at losing his title and not being pinned, Angle climbs to the top and is crotched by Jericho, Benoit crotches Jericho and all three men are up top, Benoit drops Jericho with a back suplex, Angle misses a moonsault on Benoit and eats the canvas. Angle misses a clothesline, Jericho has The Walls of Jericho on Kurt, Benoit makes the save, right hands by Angle on Benoit, Jericho floors Angle and Benoit, Benoit is on the floor. Jericho kicks Angle in the guts, double powerbomb by Y2J, Benoit breaks the pin, german suplex by Benoit make it three with a bridge but Angle saves the day. Dragon suplex on Angle by Benoit, referee is wiped out by Y2J, Benoit locks in the crossface and Jericho taps. Benoit had the match won so it makes him look strong as he did have the match. Jericho locks the walls on Benoit, Angle grabs a belt from ringside, belt to the face of Y2J.

 Benoit pulls out the referee so Angle cannot win, back suplex by Benoit, Benoit climbs high Benoit misses the headbutt and Jericho scores with the lionsault. Jericho is your European Champion. Angle lost without being pinned which gave him a lot of ammunition as a heel to bitch and moan which was good for his character, Jericho seemed simply weird as a European champion, the title in all honesty was below all these men, these were stars on the rise and the intercontinental title was fitting of these three. Jericho would lose the championship the next night to Eddie Guerrero so he would feud with Benoit for the IC Title. And of course, what a great moment for Benoit, first Wrestlemania and he has the Intercontinental Championship. The match was a great highlight on a largely boring show.

Winners: Chris Jericho & Benoit as Angle loses his titles!

DX W/ Tori vs Rikishi & Kane

Oh the Run DMC version of the DX Theme, sounds good to hear it and yes it is X-Pac and Road Dogg against Kane and Rikishi. Kane and X-Pac’s feud was on its last legs way before this but at least this would be the final chapter. Also, the final chapter of Pete Rose vs Kane would be written on this night, Kane had tombstoned Pete for two Wrestlemanias in a row. Road Dogg jumps Rikishi, bad idea and one stinkface later, the Road Dogg is pretty much dead, Tori is in the ring with Rikishi but X-Pac saves Tori from the dreaded stinkface. DX tries leaving, Kane uppercuts X-Pac while Rikishi grabs Road Dogg. Spinning heel kick by X-Pac bronco buster time and X-Pac makes the tag to Road Dogg, Road Dogg tries taking down Rikishi with right hands but he needs a flying forearm to floor the big man.

 Rikishi takes X-Pac’s kicks, samoan neckbreaker by the big man, Kane is in, Big boot to Road Dogg, back body drop to X-Pac, clothesline in the corner and Rikishi is thinking stinkface, Tori saves X-Pac but X-Pac cannot save Tori from RIkishi’s stinkface. Tori is officially the first woman to take the stinkface, a trend which the likes of Lita, Chyna, Stephanie and Trish would probably not be happy about. One tombstone later to X-Pac and it is all over. Too Cool sprint to ringside and it is dancing time, Kane looks at the San Diego chicken, the costume Pete Rose usually wears when attacking Kane. Kane inspects the chicken costume but it is not Pete Rose, Pete tries attacking Kane but takes a chokeslam and it is stinkface time for Pete Rose. Well that could be considered a DUD, all it came down to was Kane killing X-Pac in matter of seconds while Rikishi stuck his ass in everyone’s face.

Winners: Rikishi & Kane over DX via Tombstone!

(WWF Championship Match) The Rock W/ Vince Mcmahon vs Triple H © W/ Stephanie Mcmahon vs Mick Foley W/ Linda Mcmahon vs The Big Show W/ Shane Mcmahon (Fatal Four Way Elimination Match)

A Mcmahon in every corner, unfortunate that the focus was not on who would be the next WWF Champion but when you have an ego like Vince, it would never happen. So before I describe the match, let me fill you in on the backstory so you can understand the madness. Shane Mcmahon had left the WWF a face, he stood by Vince after what Stephanie did and left Raw, AT No Way Out, Shane returned to screw The Rock out of the this match at Wrestlemania. Shane’s reason for doing this? Unknown he was siply a heel now and with The Big Show, Triple H and Big Show screwed The Rock for a number of weeks until Rock laid his career on the line for a chance at wrestling for the championship.

 Triple H and Big Show the opponents at this time for the main event are all best pals with each other because their hatred for The Rock is greater than focusing on their title match. Shane tries screwing Rock but Vince returns to help Rock because if there is anyone that can take down Triple H for taking Stephanie away from him, it would be Triple H ‘s greatest rival The Rock. This I can make sense of, Vince hates Triple H and Stephanie and helping The Rock would stick it to them big time. However, things get illogical as after Rock is now officially the number one contender again, Shane announces it is a triple threat match. Just like that, Shane makes the whole series of events pointless from the Rumble as he just adds Big Show.

 Ok so the week before Mania we see our proposed main event happen on Raw, yes the title was defended on Raw a week before in a triple threat, Triple H walked away with the victory. So, Linda returns out of the blue and announces Mick Foley is back and in the match. To clarify, I am happy for Foley, he had his Wrestlemania main event but it destroys the image of his retirement a month prior, it was so emotional and now it means less as he is back for another match. Not to forget, adding Foley to the mix with his lifelong dream storyline of wanting to headline a Mania would be perfect if he had a chance of winning! But Foley has no chance as everyone and their mother knows this match has been building to The Rock reclaiming the championship. There was some stellar matches and moments leading up this match, Rock’s match where he put his career on the line and Vince returned to save the day still gives me chills to this day, Rock’s tag match with Vince against Shane and Show with the two referees was a great match for crowd noise while Foley’s return was also cheer awesomeness.

 What is strange is Foley is making his way to the ring and I haven’t seen the promo package for the main event? Perhaps this have removed it from the network? I cannot imagine why, just a little strange to see the entrances without the story. Stephanie is your women’s champion at the time, the title was essentially irrelevant until Lita wins it about 3 months from this match. Mick Foley pairs off with Triple H while Show squares off with The Rock. Show gets angry and wipes the floor with everyone, tosses for everybody, gorilla press slam for The Rock, one for The Rock, headbutt to Mick Foley. Mick Foley is squashed by Show, Show sidewalk slams Rock.

 Big Show was going to take out Triple H but Foley low blowed the big man. All three men punch out Show, it takes three clotheslines to knock Show off his feet. Foley floors Triple H, Rock and Show remain in the ring. Mick Foley drives a chair into the ribs of Triple H. Rock nails Big Show with a Rock Bottom after Mick Foley smacked Big Show with a chair. Disappointing participation for Big Show who was considered a disappointment by the company for a majority of his first three years with the company.

Down to three, Rock “N” Sock Connection are in there with Triple H, Triple H does not have good odds, Triple H tries convincing both men to side with him at different times. Triple H is double teamed by Foley and Rock, Triple H is bounced around by the former tag team. Double clothesline by Rock “N” Sock, Rock has a ringbell and accidently nails Mick Foley. Triple H sends The Rock into the steel steps, Tripe H drops Rock on the barricade. Mick Foley picks up a 2x4 wrapped in barbwire, Triple H looks as if he has seen death at his door, Triple H low blows Foley and smacks him with the 2x4. Rock saves Foley from more punishment, Triple H sends Rock crashing to the floor.

 Foley plants Tripe H with the double arm DDT. Foley pulls out Socko, Mandible Claw to The Game, Rock nails Triple H with the WWF championship. Rock was thinking People’s Elbow but Mick attacks Rock with The Mandible Claw. Triple H recovers with a double low blow. Rock fires up on Triple H, clothesline on Triple H but Mick clotheslines Rock. Right hands by Foley, Rock’s head meets the turnbuckle, double arm DDT by Foley, two count and The Rock was almost gone! Foley has a chair but it is kicked back into his face by Rock, DDT by The Rock. Clothesline by Triple H on Rock, Triple H and Mick discuss teaming up and to my surprise, it happens. Foley and Triple H double team Rock, pin by Foley, still a two count, Rock is hanging on in the match. Double suplex, kneedrop and Rock is still surviving, Rock reverses Mick sending him into the steel steps, Rock hammers away on Triple H.

 Mick Foley has the steel steps and wham, right across the head of The People’s Champion. Triple H places Rock on the announce table, Mick Foley climbs to the top, elbow onto Rock, Triple H decides Rock must go through the table and takes it upon himself to break the table. Foley missed by quite a distance and gets caught in the ring, pedigree by Triple H, Mick Foley kicks out of the pedigree, Triple H snaps. Chair shot by Triple H, pedigree on the chair and just like that, Triple H has put away Mick Foley. Another loophole in this match, why bring Foley back for one last shot if you have him lose and not only lose but being eliminated before we know the final two, just really stupid booking. He could have forfeited the championship the next night on Raw, you could have gave him the moment but no, you did something lacklustre.

Mick Foley grabs the barbwire and nails Triple H, one last shot to Triple H to help The Rock, Rock climbs into the ring and covers the champion. 1…2.. Kickout by Helmsley, damn you even that would have been fitting of Foley. The match continues, Triple H takes rights from Rock, Rock clotheslines Triple H to the floor. Rock and Triple H near the entrance way, suplex by The Rock on the concrete. Into the crowd, Rock takes down Triple H, Triple H tastes the timekeeper’s table. Triple H grabs a chair and beats The Rock who is laying under steel steps, Triple H decides enough is enough and piledrives Rock on the steel steps. Sick move there by Triple H, two count though, The Rock survives, Rock tries Rock Bottom, it is blocked, Triple H tries Pedigree but Rock blocks and elevates Triple H over the top rope. Back into the crowd, they come back to ringside, spinebuster by Rock on the floor.

 Rock suplexes Triple H through the announce table, drop toe hold by Helmsley onto the steel steps. Triple H puts his hands on Vince, bad idea Vince nails Triple H. Shane reappears and attacks Vince, right hands and a monitor to the face by Shane. More stupid focus on The Mcmahons instead of The Rock and Triple H. Vince no sells Shane’s attack and hammers Shane. Shane is down due to Vince’s attacks. Chair shot by Shane on Vince, crowd is not really into it and I cannot say I am either. Vince is helped to his feet by Patterson and Brisco, Shane is now at ringside. Rock drills Triple H with rights, DDT by Rock, tilt a whirl slam by Rock. Facebuster by Triple H, Triple H hits The Rock with the 2x4 in the face, Shane is in the ring, Rock catapults Triple H into Shane. Rock Bottom, Shane is up with the chair, Vince returns to ringside, Shane is knocked out of the ring. Vince has the chair and nails The Rock. Triple H makes the cover but Rock kicks out, Vince is in shock. Vince nails The Rock with the chair again and Triple H walks away with the win. Yeah well that is how you screw over your fans, Rock was screwed by Vince and Vince is reunited with Stephanie and Shane, his son who he just beat the hell out of for the last month.

 Rightly, the fans toss a bunch of shit in the ring because they knew this made no sense and Wrestlemania is where the good guys always win. Rock comes to his senses and decides to kill all three Mcmahons including poor Stephanie who receives a People’s Elbow. Still does not make up for a terrible main event which made no sense, why would Vince screw Rock, why would he fight Shane and Triple H to team with them? Why would Vince have Shane bust him open and knock him out with a chair if they are all on the same page? Why is Vince ok with Triple H fucking Stephanie now? Why did Wrestlemania end badly? Why was there only one singles match?

Winner: Triple H over Everyone Else due to Shenanigans!

Enough, you can see why it is considered terrible, from the matches to the storylines, it was simply bad. The Mcmahons overshadow everything they are involved in and it was Rock’s time to be champion, that main event was so disastrous in terms of booking. From Mick Foley being eliminated second in a match where they had the potential to make a great story but it is wasted on one of the most nonsensical heel turns in memory as Vince screwed The Rock. Only highlights are the triangle ladder match and the triple threat for the European and Intercontinental Championship Match. So maybe the fondness of the WWF allowed this a pass but I truly think this was one of the worst I have reviewed so far and Wrestlemania 2000 was greatly overshadowed by Backlash for the second year in a row. Backlash is up next so strap in for a good pay per view that delivers, I will see you there!

Journey Through The Attitude Era Vol 26: WWF No Way Out 2000 Review

Hello dear friends, welcome back to the series which embarks on a journey through the much loved Attitude Era, a period in wrestling where it was seemingly at its peak. We loved, we laughed we groaned we moaned and even sometimes cried and I am here to take you on a nostalgia trip while also criticizing and analysing the era of wrestling that you love more than your first born child. Ok maybe not that much but you get the point! With Battleground grabbing her attention, let me try to distract you with a review of 2000’s No Way Out. The main matches on the card include Triple H vs Cactus Jack in a Hell In A Cell with Foley’s career on the line and The Rock vs The Big Show for the right to face the WWF Champion at Wrestlemania. The stakes are high and there is no escape so let’s sink our teeth into WWF’S No Way Out!

Opening Promo

Cactus Jack promo intertwined with footage of Triple H and classic Mick Foley’s most hardcore matches. Tremendous promo with Foley, we all know how good he was and he owns it in that opening promo package.

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Chris Jericho © W/ Chyna vs Kurt Angle

Ah rookie Kurt Angle, I love it, Kurt is the European champion, he won the title from Val Venis on an episode of Smackdown. Angle could be a Eurocontinental champion, a prestigious honour held by only two other men before this night(If you are wondering, they are Jeff Jarrett and D’Lo Brown). Chyna is in the corner of Jericho as their friendship continues, both men cut promos, Jericho is hilarious as always. Loud Y2J chants as Kurt Angle does not approve, side headlock by Kurt and a shoulder block for good measure. Jericho hiptosses Angle so Angle slaps Y2J. Jericho clotheslines Angle, Angle counters Jericho with a drop toe hold. Jericho regains control with a back drop, Angle flies to the floor. Jericho keeps Angle grounded with a springboard dropkick. Angle is down and hurting but he recovers to slam Jericho into the steel steps. Jericho tastes the announce table and Jericho is sent into the ringpost, arm first.

 Angle tries whipping Jericho into the steel steps, it backfires as Jericho climbs the steps and nails a moonsault. Jericho is crotched by Angle, belly to belly suplex and a pin, two count for the challenger. Right hands in the corner by Angle, suplex by Angle, two count for the challenger one more and Angle locks in a sleeper. Jericho battles back, backbreaker by Y2J, two count for the champion. Jericho is caught by Angle, german suplex and a two count for Kurt Angle. Angle locks in the sleeper, Jericho fires up but Angle cuts him off with a single arm DDT. More right hands from Angle, spinning heel kick from Jericho. One handed bulldog by Y2J, chops and a flying forearm, two count for Y2J. Hurricanrana by Angle is blocked, powerbomb by Jericho, cover and a two count.

 Angle catches Jericho off guard, armbar by Angle, nice move but Jericho reaches the rope. Angle slam but Jericho kicks out at two, Kurt snaps and grabs a title from ringside, the referee tugs at Angle, the belt drops in the centre of the ring. Y2J locks in the walls of Jericho, Angle crawls and crawls, making it to the ropes. Jericho stomps Angle to the outside, chops on the outside. Angle rakes the eyes of Jericho and grabs a second belt. Angle swings for Chyna, Jericho bundles into Chyna and Angle, Chyna is hurt and the referee is taking care of Chyna. In the ring, Jericho suplexes Angle, Y2J attempts the lionsault but Angle uses the belt to smack Jericho in the face. Angle is your Eurocontinental Champion, good opener with Y2J being so over and Angle being so hated.

Winner: Kurt Angle over Chris Jericho thanks to belt shot!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Dudley Boyz vs The New Age Outlaws ©

The Dudleys were picking up serious momentum, the ECW attire was gone and they were putting women through tables to cheers instead of the intended boos. Now the backstory, Billy Gunn had injured his arm driving Bubba Ray through a table with the FameAsser. Bubba Ray was standing on the table while Billy was standing in the centre of the ring. In an impressive display of his ability, Billy leaped and reached Bubba’s head putting him through the table. Unfortunately, Billy came right down on his left arm, separating his shoulder so he was unable to compete. This would have major implications as The Dudleys would win their first titles on this night and Road Dogg would be teaming with X-Pac as his main partner for the rest of the DX run into the middle of the year. Billy is clearly hurt in this match, his shoulder is always hanging down in the match. Bubba and D-Von rip apart Road Dogg as per usual in Outlaw matches. Road Dogg tries a sunset flip on D-Von, D-Von clotheslines Road Dogg, D-Von chokes Road Dogg and makes the tag to Bubba.

 Bubba chops and chokes Road Dogg, cover and a two count for The Dudleys. D-Von nails a spinning reverse elbow, Bubba tags in but gets distracted by Billy. Superplex by Road Dogg, Billy gets the hot tag, one handed, FameAsser with one hand. Bubba pulls out Billy Gunn and nails him with a lead pipe. D-Von and Road Dogg are in the ring, Road Dogg misses a punch and eats a 3D. Bubba and D-Von are the champions! It may not have been planned and it may not have been the way they wanted but Bubba and D-Von after 5 months in WWF are tag team champions. Fair play to The Dudleys who get their heads down and their mouths shut, removing the taste that the Public Enemy have left in the WWF’s mouth. Cannot believe Billy tried to do more with his bad arm but the match was thankfully brief. Billy would be removed from DX later in the night as he was no longer good enough for DX with his bad wing.

Winners: Dudley Boyz over New Age Outlaws following a 3D!

Mark Henry vs Viscera

Viscera had squashed Mae Young on Raw, Young was pregnant with Henry’s baby. Yep…. Ok recovered? Alright so Henry is going to be the piss out of Viscera for crushing his pregnant woman. Henry starts throwing haymakers as Viscera takes the pain. Henry smashes Viscera with a shoulder block, more rights. Viscera scores with a spinning heel kick, kicks to the spine. Viscera knocks Henry to the floor, Viscera manhandles Henry into the steel steps.

 Samoan drop by Viscera, Mae Young is coming to ringside, belly to belly suplex by Viscera on Mark. Mae Young protects Henry, Viscera shoves Mae down, Henry saves Mae from a splash. Huge slam by Mark Henry and he saves Mae Young. What a stupid storyline but I like two guys hitting one another hard so I give it a pass. Poor Mark Henry though, he must have had some bad attitude to be put with such stupid storylines.

Winner: Mark Henry over Viscera via Slam!

The Hardy Boyz W/ Terri vs Edge & Christian

We cut to the back to see Kurt Angle celebrating all around the arena, Jericho has an interview with Lillian Garcia where Y2J says he will destroy Kurt if he keeps celebrating. Kurt would not heed Jericho’s warning and would later being attacked by Y2J and Chyna and placed in the back of Angle’s own car. We are also treated to Billy Gunn being attended to by EMTs. Terri Runnels has returned after being powerbombed through a table by The Dudleys Boyz. Terri has hired the APA for protection so good to see the start of that gimmick(who does not like the APA?). Edge and Christian are babyfaces as are The Hardys so it is an interesting mix. The APA come to ringside to look after Terri in case of a Dudley Boy attack. Edge jumps Jeff and the match begins, Jeff leapfrogs Edge and misses a whisper in the wind. Edge makes the tag, Christian eats a dropkick from Jeff, legdrop from both Hardys. 

Matt stunguns Christian and back suplexs him. Slaps in the corner from Matt, Christian slaps back, slap to Jeff and dropkick to both Hardys. Uppercut by Matt, Matt tosses Christian to the outside and Jeff cheap shots Christian. Hardys are coming off heelish, poetry in motion and clothesline by The Hardys. Scoop slam and springboard moonsault by Jeff on Christian, two count for Jeff. Double front suplex like move by The Hardys, two count for Matt. Matt attempts a powerbomb, Christian tries countering, Christian succeeds and drops Matt with a neckbreaker. Jeff gets the tag from Matt but eats a boot from Christian. Tag to Edge, double clothesline and backdrop by Edge. Christian nails Matt on the outside, roll up by Edge on Jeff, two count for Edge. Christian smacks Jeff with right hands, Jeff eats a wheelbarrow slam. Edge and Christian put the boots to Jeff, Christian drop toe holds Edge into Jeff’s private parts.

 Jeff battles back on Edge, Jeff and Edge exchange pins before Edge derails Jeff’s momentum with a vicious piledriver. Only two for Edge off the piledriver, sleeper hold by Edge. Jeff creates some space with a frankensteiner, Edge holds the boot of Jeff and drops him with a powerbomb. Christian is in, Christian rams Jeff into the turnbuckle, kick to the spine of Jeff, irish whip and a powerslam by Christian. Edge locks in another sleeper, Jeff fires up, Jeff and Edge grab one another’s hair and fall to the mat. Christian cheap shots Jeff while Matt drops an elbow on Edge. Jeff crawls and covers Edge but it is a long two for The Hardys. Jeff tries to tag Matt but eats a spinebuster, Edge climbs to the top rope, crossboy attempt is countered into a dropkick. Both teams make tags, Matt drops Christian and Edge, swinging neckbreakers and a sleeper slam on Christian. Jeff crossbodys Christian. Edge is thrown outside, Matt and Jeff nail their legdrop and splash combo on Christian. Edge saves the match for his team, The Hardys try for poetry in motion, Edge nails Jeff with a spear. Matt nails Edge with a twist of fate, Christian and Matt battle.

 Inverted Atomic drop on Christian by Matt, Jeff was thinking Swanton Bomb, Terri shoves Jeff to the floor! Terris slaps Matt Hardy, unprettier by Christian and Edge & Christian win! Terri celebrates with Edge and Christian as the winning team look at her like what the hell is this about? Terri taunts for too long but The APA protect Terri as they were supposed to do. Hardys are laid out by The APA, Jeff takes a brutal dominator from Faarooq. That was a long match, it was fine nothing bad and Terri’s turn was definitely unexpected but these two teams would have better matches.

Winners: Edge & Christian over The Hardy Boyz via Unprettier!

Big Bossman W/ Prince Albert vs Tazz

Quick interview from Edge and Christian, they are going to Wrestlemania to face the tag team champions, Lillian Garcia interviews Big Show who is moaning about actually winning The Royal Rumble, we see footage of Big Show being screwed out of winning The Royal Rumble, The Rock’s feet did hit the floor first. Royal Rumble winners barely ever get to Wrestlemania without fighting for their place which they earned at the rumble.

 To this match, Tazz oh Tazz, how far you fell in only one month after your debut, I have no idea why they are feuding, Tazz locks in a fujiwara armbar on the outside, we get in the ring where Bossman takes it to Tazz. Splash in the corner is countered by Tazz, huge clothesline, exploder suplex into the Tazzmission and moments later, Prince Albert interferes and we have a disqualification. Tazz fights and fights but it is too much as it is 2 on 1. DUD, it accomplished nothing and there would be no real retribution for The Human Suplex Machine who would find himself in the hardcore division.

Winner: Tazz over Bossman via DQ!

Kane W/ Paul Bearer vs X-Pac W/ Tori(No Holds Barred Match)

X-Pac had turned on Kane after months of teaming together, X-Pac had also stolen Kane’s girlfriend Tori which was kind of similar to what happened to Kane with Chyna. However, Chyna was not romantically linked with Kane, Kane was institutionalized but returned to one of the loudest pops in history which is a favourite of many Attitude fans. Kane was also a monster for his early years, Kane beat the WWF champion Triple H and Big Show for this shot at X-Pac. X-Pac also hit Kane with a flamethrower like the Chyna feud of early 1999. The WWF would try to make Kane relatable while also keeping him a monster and for the large part, they succeeded. Later it would not be smooth sailing so I love to enjoy Kane killing people. Kane had tombstoned Tori on Smackdown and Paul Bearer had returned, love me some Paul Bearer too.

 Kane sprints to ringside and knocks X-Pac around the arena. They battle to the stage, Kane tries to ram X-Pac into the entrance cage, big boot by Kane and X-Pac is down. By ringside, Kane drops X-Pac on the guard rail, Kane grabs the steel steps, Kane aims for X-Pac’s head, X-Pac dodges and nails Kane with a ringbell. Paul Bearer drops X-Pac as he tried to hit Kane with a chair. Tori slaps Paul Bearer, Bearer chases poor Tori. Kane is up before X-Pac after being hit with the chair. Kane goes up top, X-Pac dropkicks Kane, kicks in the corner and bronco buster. Kane sets up, clothesline, right hands and an uppercut, Kane misses a big boot, X-Pac goes low with a dropkick, X-Pac takes down Kane and zeroes in on the leg. Kane with one leg, pushes X-Pac to the floor, right hands on the outside, In the ring, Kane misses a clothesline and X-Pac nails a spinning heel kick.

 X-Pac attempts a crossbody, Kane caught him, low blow and an X-Factor by X-Pac. X-Pac knocks Bearer to the floor. Kane sets up immediately(awesome), clothesline from the top, chokeslam by Kane, Tori tries attacking Kane, tombstone on Tori, Kane grabs the steel steps. X-Pac dropkicks the steel steps into Kane’s face and covers the big red machine. Kane sets right up because he sells nothing because he is Kane! The finish was alright, it tied up the feud at 1:1. However, Kane should have killed X-Pac and ended it here and it seems they did the feud backwards.

 They started with a steel cage match, then a no holds barred match and finally, a tag match at Mania. Anyways, it is fine but X-Pac is such a chickenshit heel and considering it was their third match on ppv in a row, Kane should have killed Mr. Waltman.

Winner: X-Pac over Kane by Low Blow & X -Factor!

Too Cool & Rikishi vs The Radicalz

Vanilla Midgets who never drew a dime! I am kidding this is awesome because Benoit Guerrero Saturn and Malenko are in the WWF. They came in with Cactus Jack but they turned on Jack, signing contracts with Triple H and Stephanie. Things started badly for the Radicalz as Eddie dislocated his shoulder immediately in his first match off a botched frogsplash. Rikishi’s ankle is taped due to assaults from Eddie, Saturn and Sexay begin the match, dropkick from Sexay, enzuigiri but Saturn tags Benoit. Benoit eats a bulldog from Grandmaster Sexay, tag to Scotty, double elbow with theatrics, Scotty irish whips Benoit, Benoit reverses and drops Scotty on the top rope.

 Snap suplex by Scotty and a moonwalk, in comes Rikishi. Right hands to Saturn and Benoit, Benoit eats a clothesline and a stinkface. Malenko cowers on the outside, Benoit tries to recover from the stinkface. Rikishi attempts a Rikishi driver, Malenko kicks the leg, Malenko stomps the ankle of Rikishi. Saturn eats a side shuffle kick from Rikishi, Scotty is in, two handed facebuster and it is not Worm time, Malenko took out Scotty. Benoit is in and things just got intense, suplex and clothesline by The Rabid Wolverine. Snap Suplex, Malenko is in dropkick to the face by Malenko. Corner clothesline, double arm underhook suplex, Sexay saves Scotty from the pin. Backbreaker by Malenko, Perry Saturn drops his knees on Scotty from the top rope.

 Sleep by Saturn, Scotty tries fighting back, frankensteiner by Saturn. Malenko is in,  now Benoit is in, chops to Scotty. Scotty rolls up Benoit, two count and Saturn comes in. Front facelock by Saturn, Malenko tags in and scores with a calf kick and a knee into the face, crowd is huge into Too Cool, they do not stop with the chants as Scotty is beaten down. Benoit comes in and was attempting a shoulderbreaker but both men bang heads. Scotty tags Rikishi, right hands to all Radicalz, butt splash to both Saturn and Benoit. Rikishi driver on Saturn, Rikishi was thinking Banzai drop but no Scotty is in and it is Worm time. Malenko chop blocks Rikishi, Malenko and Sexay are on the outside, Rikishi drops Benoit with a belly to belly suplex. Grandmaster Sexay nails the hip hop drop on Saturn, Benoit nails a headbutt on Sexay.

 Benoit and Scotty brawl, Too Cool and Saturn and Benoit fall to the floor. Only the legal men remain, Malenko and Rikishi. Rikishi rams Malenko into the ringpost and there is the Rikishi Driver and to add emphasis. It is Banzai drop time brother, Malenko is no more and we have your winners! That was fun, Too Cool and Rikishi are crazy over for a team that was running for little over 2 months, The Radicalz are all hard workers so the match was really good. To top it all off, we have the dancing which makes everyone happy!

Winners: Too Cool & Rikishi over Radicalz following Banzai Drop!

Big Show vs The Rock(Winner goes to Wrestlemania Main Event)

The Rock had won the Royal Rumble, all was right with the world. However, Rock did not win the Rumble..huh? Well Big Show had Rock on his shoulders and tried dumping him to the floor, The Rock held onto the ropes and Big Show fell to the floor. Rock’s feet hit the ground first so Big Show was correct, Big Show proved that Rock’s feet hit the floor. They would now battle to see who will go to Wrestlemania to face the WWF Champion. Rock and Big Show continued interfering in one another’s matches leading up to this match. Highlights include Chris Benoit beating The Rock on Raw, Rock being tossed through a window and Rock nailing the Big Show with a 2x4 laying the big man out cold. Rock talks trash and slaps Big Show, right hands by The People’s Champion.

 Rock’s side Russian legsweep is blocked, Rock nails a floatover DDT. Two count, more right hands, irish whip is countered by Show, Rock is sent to the outside. Clubs across the back, headbutts by the 500 pound monster. Rock reverses Show into the steel steps, Big Show greets the barricade with his head. Show and Rock are in the crowd(so punching and no bumps etc, you know the drill). Show takes control with punches and slams, Show elbows The Rock. Rock fires back, but Show cuts The People’s Champion with a powerslam. Show steps on the throat of The Rock, Rock grabs some water and spits in the face of The Big Show.

 Show sends Rock into the ringpost and back into the ring. Rock retaliates with a side Russian legsweep, DDT by The Rock. Two count for The Rock, sidewalk slam by Show, Show is frustrated by Rock not staying down for the three count. Show grabs a chair from ringside, Rock dodges and battles back, Rock is Irish whipped into the referee, Show nails a big boot, Show scores with the chokeslam. New referee, 1..2  Earl Hebnar pulls out the referee, Shane Mcmahon comes out to sort things, last time we saw Shane it was as a face against Stephanie and Triple H. Rock scores with The Rock Bottom, People’s Elbow?

 No Shane Mcmahon smacks Rock with the chair, Big Show beats The Rock thanks to Shane Mcmahon. Shane and Big Show are an alliance? Well that was an ok match, nothing special and Shane coming back was nice but things quickly turned sour for Shane. Best thing to come from this was it gave you so many questions coming into Raw, why would Shane screw Rock and why are Big Show and Shane together?

Winner: Big Show over The Rock thanks to Shane Mcmahon!

(WWF Championship Match) Triple H W/ Stephanie Mcmahon vs Cactus Jack(Hell In A Cell Match)

Triple H had lit a fire in Mick Foley, he had pushed him too far so Cactus Jack came out, Triple H brawled with Cactus Jack and barely came out on top at Royal Rumble but now, it would be Hell In A Cell. No escape for Triple H against the man who nearly beat him to death and it is a match that Foley made famous. Cactus Jack’s career is on the line, lose and we will never see him again, win and Cactus will main event Wrestlemania. Cactus rolls to the outside in the beginning, looking confusingly at the cell door, it had be padlocked and then some to prevent Cactus Jack from leaving the cage.

 Triple H tries gaining the upper hand on the challenger but Cactus has Triple H right where he wants him. Triple H takes facebusters, clotheslines and the cage in the early going of the match. Triple H changes the pace with a low blow, right hands by the champion, Jack knocks down Triple H, facebuster by The Game. Cactus backdrops Helmsley to the floor, Jack grabs a chair, Triple H blocks and hurls Jack into the cage. Jun Akiyama like knee by The Game sends Jack to the floor, Triple H hurls the steel steps onto Cactus’ head. Cactus begs Triple H for a chair shot, Triple H takes the bait. Cactus low blows The Game, both men get to their feet, side Russian legsweep on a chair, two count for the challenger.

 Triple H and Jack trade right hands, Jack beats down the champion, Jack was attempting his signature knee, Triple H drop toe holds Foley into the chair. Clothesline to the floor by The Game, Jack’s head meets the Cell Wall. Triple H was looking for a pilediver but Cactus Jack catapults Triple H into the cell wall. Triple H is gushing blood everywhere, into the cage wall again and again, Jack is all over The Game. Headbutt by Jack, Jack grabs a chair and climbs to the second turnbuckle. Cactus Jack elbow on Triple H. Foley throws steel steps aiming for the champion, the steps miss and break the cell wall.

 Triple H is sent outside by the challenger. Triple H is tossed onto the announce table, piledriver on the announce table/ Cactus begins climbing the cage, Stephanie claws down Cactus, Triple H walks into a right hand from Cactus. Cactus grabs a barbwire 2x4 from ringside, Triple H climbs into the crowd, wham barbwire to the face from Cactus Jack. Triple H begins climbing to the top to escape Cactus, Cactus follows the champion. Cactus is blocked by Triple H, right hands and barbwire to the face of Jack, Cactus falls through the announce table as Triple H looks on in shock, shaking his head to say this is one crazy son of a bitch! Cactus stumbles to his feet and climbs the cell wall, Triple H is waiting for Jack, barbwire across the back for Jack.

 Barbwire to the ribs and back, this looks brutal by the way, Triple H poses instead of going for the win, it might cost him. Triple H walks into a low blow, right hands from Jack, the cage actually gives away in the corner and you can hear Triple H go oh shit, he could have fell far. Snap suplex by Jack on top of the cage, double arm DDT on top of the cell. Cactus picks up the barbwire and lights it on fire, that insane Cactus has a 2x4 barbwire bat on fire. Bam to the face of the champion and Cactus sets up for a piledriver. Triple H reverses Jack and Jack falls to the mat, the cage gives way and Jack lays motionless. Triple H, the heel champion, the evil champion looks on with shock and perhaps mercy as he cannot believe what he has done to Foley. Triple H drops down from the cage and kicks the hand of Foley.

 Foley begins stirring, Triple H is in shock, right hand by Triple H, another but Jack is still alive. Pedigree time! JR begs Jack to kick out but damn it is over, Triple H is still your champion. What a match to go out on for Mick Foley, crazy to believe that at 34, yes only 34 what should have been his prime had to retire due to the accumulation of so many injuries. Foley left it all in the ring on this night, crazy bumps and drama, a beaten up goof, a man who never should have been a main eventer but due to his personality and his relatability, he climbed to the top of the mountain and is still one of the most beloved superstars of all time. A fitting end for Foley but plans would change as they usually do in wrestling. Hats off to Foley for an amazing match and a career.

Winner: Triple H over Cactus Jack following a Pedigree!

Overall, an average show from the WWF I would say for No Way Out. Opener was entertaining as was Rock and Show and of course, The Hell In A Cell Match. It was not as good as Undertaker vs Foley but no match could ever top that so that is unfair to even compare it to that classic. Low points were the three squashes like matches with Tazz and Bossman going for 45 seconds, Henry beating Viscera in several minutes and the tag team title match being a tag match due to Billy Gunn’s injury. Too Cool vs The Radicalz lifted the crowd after the matches I had mentioned but it was not a show of good to great matches so I would give it an average rating. Join me next time for WrestleMania 2000, the only Wrestlemania to feature one singles match on the entire card.. yep you just know it is going to be bad! See You There!

Journey Through The Attitude Era Vol 25: WWF Royal Rumble 2000 Review

Hello dear friends, welcome back to the series which embarks on a journey through the much loved Attitude Era, a period in wrestling where it was seemingly at its peak. We loved, we laughed we groaned we moaned and even sometimes cried and I am here to take you on a nostalgia trip while also criticizing and analysing the era of wrestling that you love more than your first born child. Ok maybe not that much but you get the point! And of course, the draft has sucked in all our attention so let us travel to a bygone era where the WWF always had our attention. The Royal Rumble, a favourite of casual and hardcore fans, returns surprises and quality matches, The Royal Rumble has it all and tonight we are looking at the 2000 Rumble. The big matches include Triple H vs Cactus Jack for the WWF Championship and The Royal Rumble Match. Let’s do this !!

Opening Promo

Mankind and Triple H describe one another as both men are incredibly tough, Triple H is in Cactus Jack’s world as this is a street fight, a match that is right up Cactus Jack’s alley. JR and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the action.

Kurt Angle vs Tazz

Kurt Angle is our undefeated Olympic Hero but there is one pissed off man who does not agree, Angle’s unnamed special opponent. Angle lays down the challenge to his opponent asking him not to be nervous when you are in the ring with Kurt. The crowd knows who is coming but it does not mean everybody does. The music hits and it is former ECW champion Tazz!!! Right hand from Tazz, Kurt is elevated over the top rope, suplex attempt by Tazz goes wrong, Kurt counters Tazz. Forearm from Kurt to Tazz, Tazz meets the turnbuckle, choke in the corner by Angle. Belly to belly suplex, Kurt goes up top and crotched by Tazz.

 Head and arm Tazzplex from the top rope, two count for Tazz. Inside cradle from Kurt and a clothesline. German suplex by Angle, Olympic Slam is countered into a German suplex, second head and armplex. T-bone suplex and it is time for the tazzmission. Kurt passes out and Tazz wins in his debut. Impressive debut for Tazz, it would be downhill from here for The Human Suplex Machine but on this night, in Madison Square Garden near his hometown, Tazz was the man.

Winner: Tazz over Kurt Angle following Tazzmission!

(Tag Team Table Match) The Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz

Terri is left speechless by The Hardys as she is told to stay backstage for this match. It is important to mention as Terri would continue to have problems with her clients The Hardys which would lead to a confrontation at next month’s No Way Out(No Spoilers here). Dudleys rip on the local sports team(Heel 101 right there) before brawling on the ramp. Bubba and Jeff square off, Bubba Bomb by Bubba. D-Von brawls with Matt, Dudleys grab a table and set it up in the middle of the ring. Matt saves his brother Jeff from going through a table by flipping the table over. DDT by Matt on Bubba, Jeff nails a plancha on Bubba. D-Von attempts powerbombing Matt through a table, Matt blocks, Matt tries putting D-Von through. D-Von blocks and nails a suplex of his own. Jeff attempts eliminating Bubba but Bubba slams the table in Jeff’s face.

 Matt is laid out on the table, Bubba goes to the second rope, Matt battles back. The Hardys attempt to put Bubba through a table with a double superplex, D-Von moves the table. Matt grabs a ladder and The Dudleys are smacked around with the ladder. Matt caves Bubba’s skull with a chair and lays him on a table, Matt climbs a ladder on the outside looking to put Bubba through. Double splash from The Hardys put Bubba through the table. Matt and Jeff set up tables against the ring apron, hoping to eliminate D-Von. Matt misses a leg drop and Jeff misses a plancha. D-Von survives, Bubba staggers to his feet and now The Hardys must pay. Bubba grabs the steel steps and place a table onto the steps. Bubba has Matt on the middle turnbuckle and Matt goes through the table with a powerbomb. Bubba acquires a chair as all four men are in the crowd. Bubba begins stacking tables, four tables with two on the bottom, two placed on top. Jeff tries helping Matt but gets his skull crushed with a chair.

 Matt is on the tables and Bubba plans powerbombing Jeff through Matt who is laying on the table. Jeff low blows Bubba and whacks Bubba with a chair, make it two and Bubba falls through two tables. Matt puts D-Von on the table and Jeff puts D-Von through the table with a Swanton Bomb from ten feet. That was fun, a lot of high risk moves and table destruction which is fun to watch. Jeff is insane as usual and was the star for the match with his death defying stunts. Chair shots are nasty due to the fact they are all to the head, unprotected of course.

Winners: The Hardy Boyz over The Dudley Boyz via elimination!

Miss Rumble Swimsuit Competition

Well I have to cover everything so here goes nothing. We have a judging panel? Wow Sgt. Slaughter as usual but we also have Moolah and Classies Freddie Blassie? Awesome so yeah we are going to see some T&A. So Kat or Miss Kitty is still champion when we had the likes of Luna Ivory and Jacqueline on the active roster. Ivory is reluctant to strip down yet she looks absolutely amazing(I do believe I have a huge crush on the women). Terri and Jacqueline have no hesitation about any of this, Jacqueline goes wild as the cowgirl. Luna is reluctant and does not take part. Kat strips to a bubble wrap bikini as Jerry Lawler goes wild over his girlfriend at the time. 

Hold on one moment Mae Young is here(And Business is picking up by god!). Mae strips and it is cringeworthy but not the worst thing I have seen. Mae starts pulling off the bra and we are saved by Sexual Chocolate Mark Henry. Mark looks like he is having the time of his life. Jerry on the microphone is fantastic. As the judges are all old men who prefer a finer wine, Mae Young is the winner of the Miss Rumble 2000 Swimsuit competition.

Winner: Mae Young!

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Chris Jericho © vs Chyna © vs Hardcore Holly.

As you noticed, I named Chyna and Jericho as champions well they are co-champions. Yes both are champions because they pinned one another in a rematch for the title. Why is Hardcore Holly vying for the title? Because he gets a push every once in a while and this was his moment for 2000. It does not get higher than this trust me. Jericho had begun his turn from chickenshit heel to lovable face. Lot of Jerichoholics in Madison Square Garden. Holly being the ass that he is, shoves Chyna down and slaps Y2J. Chyna throws forearms at Holly before being sent to the floor. Y2J and Holly start out, beautiful dropkick by Holly on Jericho. Flying forearm by Jericho, two count.

 Holly and Y2J engage in a slap war before Holly attempts a hurricanrana. Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho, Chyna breaks it up. Elbow to the face of Y2J, Chyna floors Holly. Chyna takes down Holly with a baseball slide, she continues the assault, Jericho launches himself at Holly. Chyna takes advantage, handspring elbow and DDT. Holly breaks up Chyna’s pin, Chyna is tossed to the floor. Holly and Jericho fight it out before Chyna pulls down the rope, Jericho falls to the floor. Holly grabs a chair intent on smashing Chyna. Jericho saves Chyna and Chyna dropkicks the chair into Holly’s face. Jericho and Chyna dive onto Holly, double pin but Holly kicks out. Chyna low blows Y2J, pedigree on Hardcore Holly. Holly kicks out of the pedigree? Cannot believe that.

 Holly lifts Chyna onto his shoulders, Jericho nails a crossbody long two count for Y2J. Jericho and Holly are on the top rope, Chyna crotches both men. Superplex by Chyna, Holly grabs Chyna’s leg though and almost steals the win. Chyna lays out Holly with a chair shot, Chyna gets cocky and goes for a Walls of Jericho. Facebuster by Jericho on Chyna and nails the lionsault for the win. Fine match from these three, standard triple threat formula with one person remaining down for a long time.

Winner: Chris Jericho over Everyone Else via Lionsault!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Acolytes vs The New Age Outlaws ©

Acolytes are badass, no games no fancy holds just ass kickers and that does not bode well for The New Age Outlaws. Acolytes sprint to ringside and start whipping ass, Billy and Bradshaw are in the ring, dropkick by Billy does not do much, Billy eats a fallaway slam while Road Dogg eats a big boot. Faarooq is in the ring and he attempts a dominator on Road Dogg, Billy makes the save but tastes a clothesline. Road Dogg nails his punch but misses his kneedrop.

 Billy and Bradshaw brawl briefly, Billy misses his splash and gets turned inside out by a clothesline from hell. Road Dogg takes a spinebuster from Faarooq, Billy drags out the referee and the referee is taken down. X-Pac comes to ringside and whacks Bradshaw, Billy nails a FameAsser and just like that it is over in four minutes. DUD but hey not everything can be gold.

Winners: New Age Outlaws over Acolytes via FameAsser!

(WWF Championship Match) Triple H © W/ Stephanie vs Cactus Jack

With Vince out of the picture, Triple H was in control, he got his title match and defeated Big Show thanks to DX. They made Mankind retire after a match with The Rock which was a pinkslip on a pole match. They made fun of Foley in a bunch of promos. The Rock gathered every superstar on the WWF roster, they would walk out if Foley was not reinstated. Foley was back and got his match at The Royal Rumble. Triple H busted open Foley and put him through the announce table. Mankind was not ready for a street fight, Triple H was as smug as you could be but when Foley reveals Cactus Jack will be in the street fight, one of Foley’s alter egos, Triple H looked as if he saw death knocking on his door.

 They do a great job building up Cactus Jack as this maniac who can take ungodly amounts of abuse. This felt big and it needed to be big or Triple H would be in trouble. He was not solidified as a top guy, he needed credibility and Cactus Jack would help Triple H achieve it on this night. Cactus and Triple H stare one another down before Stephanie kisses Triple H and walks to the back, this will be a war and the anticipation is building. Referee Hebnar is pushing back Cactus, Cactus wants to go. Mind games have begun, Triple H looks nervous in the face of Cactus Jack. Right hands by Jack, Triple H counters Jack with right hands of his own, Cactus Jack explodes out of the corner with a clothesline, right hands from Jack, Triple H avoids the knee to the face by sliding out of the ring. Triple H eats a neckbreaker courtesy of Cactus Jack.

 Leg drop by Cactus, into the steel steps, Triple H is being beaten all over the ringside area. Triple H grabs a ringbell and lets Cactus have it right in the face. Triple H wields chair and invites Cactus to come into the ring, Cactus obliges and Triple H smashes Jack with the chair. Cactus pops up with a clothesline, Helmsley attempted exposing the turnbuckle but he could not finish the job. Cactus Jack places a chair across the champion’s face, leg drop on the chair, two count for Cactus Jack. Triple H walks right into another smack by Cactus Jack, both men roll to the outside, Triple H starts punching the challenger before being backdropped into the crowd. It is time for crowd brawling(every damn time). Suplex by Jack on the entrance way, trash can to the skull of the champion. Irish whip into the entrance way by Jack, Triple H’s head is bounced off the stage, Triple H collapses to the floor. Triple H catches Cactus Jack off guard with a back drop on a trash can. Triple H’s advantage does not last long as Cactus Jack punishes Triple H with right hands. Jack slams Triple H’s head against the steel steps using his knee. Cactus Jack unveils a barbwire 2x4 .

 Triple H low blows the challenger and makes him pay with the barbwire 2x4. Low blow by Cactus, both men are down. Cactus starts questioning the officials as they hid his 2x4, Cactus smashes Triple H with the 2x4 barbwire bat. Triple H is a bloody mess, Cactus rakes his eyes with the barbwire. Piledriver is countered on the announce table, Triple H has countered the challenger and is looking for some breathing space. Both men are in the ring, right hands by The Game. Could be pedigree time, nope Cactus catapults Triple H into the turnbuckle and a facebuster by Jack. Triple H kicks out at two. Cactus Jack clothesline, Triple H hiptosses and Irish whips Cactus Jack into the steel steps. Triple H targets the left knee of Cactus Jack. A second chop block by the champion, Triple H grabs the barbwire, wham right across Cactus’ leg. Triple H grabs handcuffs, stomp to the head of Cactus, Triple H tries putting on the handcuffs, the first attempt does not go right. In the end, Triple H succeeds and picks up the steel steps. Jack drop toeholds Triple H into the steel steps and uses his head to low blow Triple H. Triple H fires up with a clothesline. Chair to the ribs, Cactus falls to the floor outside of the ring, chair shot to the face of the challenger.

 Cactus Jack is defenceless, Cactus Jack is begging for more but The Rock saves Cactus Jack with a chair shot to Triple H. A policeman takes off the cuffs on Jack, Triple H is begging for mercy. No mercy here from Cactus, onto the announce table the two competitors climb. Piledriver on the announce table by Cactus Jack. Jack grabs a bag of thumbtacks, Stephanie is back at ringside to save her husband. Triple H backdrops Cactus Jack into the thumbtacks. Cactus Jack is right back up, pedigree by the champion. 1..2… Cactus Jack kicked out of the pedigree, Triple H is livid. Second pedigree on the tacks, Triple H retains the WWF Championship.

 What a match that was, in the same arena that Cactus made his debut in the WWF defeating Triple H, Triple H returns the favour by beating Cactus Jack for the WWF Championship. Cactus Jack did his best to make Triple H on this night and Cactus accomplished that goal perfectly. It had drama, it had excitement and it was brutal. Everything you could really want from Attitude Era WWF. Great Match!

Winner: Triple H over Cactus Jack via Pedigree onto Thumbtacks!

The Royal Rumble

30 men, an over the top battle royal to determine the number one contender to the WWF championship a Wrestlemania. To eliminate your opponent, you must throw them over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. Your best chances of winning are coming in towards the end of the match(27 being a lucky number). Participants enter every 90 seconds until all 30 men have entered. Favourites for the match are the former champion The Big Show, The People’s Champion The Rock and The Big Red Machine Kane. Howard Finkel explains the rules to the crowd in attendance and we also get a promo detailing the history of the event. I will split this into segments so it is easy to follow!

Entrants 1 to 5

D’Lo Brown is number one while Grandmaster Sexay is number twom both men trade blows, dropkick by Sexay. Snapmare, D’Lo counters Sexay and a calf kick takes down Sexay. D’Lo attemptshis running powerbomb but Sexay counters with a hurricanrana. Snapmare and dropkick by Sexay, D’Lo tossed onto the apron but he does not go down. Number three is Mosh, Mosh beats down Sexay. Kaientai who were originally in the rumble but were removed come down and start attacking the participants.

 Kaientai are thrown over quickly. Sexay nails D’Lo with a bulldog on Mosh, Mosh immediately clutches his ankle and looks to be hurt. Number 4 is Christian, Christian nails Mosh with his reverse DDT, Mosh and D’Lo go at it while Christian and Sexay brawl in the corner. Number 5 is Rikishi, Rikishi waits and eliminates Mosh and Christian and Rikishi drops D’Lo with a Rikishi driver and D’Lo is eliminated. Still in the ring: Grand Master Sexay and Rikishi!

Entrants 6 to 10

Number 6 is Scotty Too Hotty and all three members of Too Cool dance in Madison Square Garden. Rikishi clotheslines his boys and Sexay and Scotty are eliminated. Number 7 is the Lethal Weapon Steve Blackman, Blackman takes down Rikishi with kicks and right hands, Rikishi catches Blackman with the Rikishi Driver. Blackman is eliminated. Rikishi could be the dark horse of this match as we await number 8. Oh my, it is Viscera these two are going to go at it. The giants trade blows, belly to belly suplex by Viscera and a leg drop. Splash in the corner by Viscera, stomps on Rikishi. 

Viscera misses a second splash and Rikishi hits three superkicks on Viscera and clotheslines Viscera over the top rope. Number 9 is Big Bossman, Bossman waits on the outside of the ring, he is too cowardly to get in there with the 400 pound Rikishi. Number 10 is Test, Stephanie’s former boyfriend. Test and Bossman brawl on the outside before all three men are in the ring. Bossman low blows Test and Rikishi low blows Bossman. All three men are down, right hands from Rikishi on Test. Bossman starts throwing haymakers at both men. Still in the ring: Test Rikishi and Big Bossman!

Entrants 11 to 15

Bulldog is number 11, Bulldog goes right after Rikishi in the corner, Bulldog tries lifting Rikishi. Number 12 is Gangrel, sadly I think this is his last pay per view appearance. Taka and Funaki of Kaientai interefere once more but this is the last time it will happen as Bossman and Gangrel toss Taka so hard he smashes his skull off the floor being taken to the hospital in the process. Number 13 is Edge who comes smiling to ringside, the ring is starting to fill, a big star must be on their way. Rikishi squashes Bossman with a Banzai drop, Gangrel and Bossman begin lifting Rikishi in the corner but it is going to take more to take out the big man.

 Number 14 is Bob Backlund who briefly returned to the WWF to coach Kurt Angle(16 years later he is coaching Darren Young). Every man in the ring teams up to throw out Rikishi. Gangrel and Edge go out reigniting an old feud. Number 15 is Y2J, Jericho dropkicks Backlund over the top rope. Still in the ring: Bossman, Test, Gangrel, Bulldog, Jericho, Edge!

Entrants 16 to 20

Crash Holly enters at number 16, going right after Edge, Chyna is number 17, the only woman to enter a royal rumble twice. Chyna and Jericho start beating one another to death, Chyna is lifted onto the apron by Y2J, Chyna suplexes Jericho to the floor before Bossman eliminates Chyna. Chyna and Jericho start arguing as per usual.

 Faarooq is number 18, the Mean Street Posse interfere and it allows Bossman to eliminate Faarooq. 19 is the Road Dogg, loud crowd chants for The People’s Champion. Al Snow is number 20, Road Dogg eliminates British Bulldog. Number 21 is Val Venis, Funaki comes back to try and win the Rumble without Taka as Taka is in hospital. Still In the ring: Val Venis, Al Snow, Bossman, Gangrel, Edge, Crash Holly, Test and Road Dogg.

Entrants 21 to 25

Prince Albert is number 22, Edge is eliminated by Al Snow and Val Venis. Albert goes after Bossman while Test attacks Road Dogg. Val and Snow attack one another while Crash bounce around the ring getting knocked over. Number 23 is Hardcore Holly, dull point in the match, a lot of guys in there with nothing really happening. Number 24 is The Rock, thank God and business is picking up, Bossman is eliminated by The Rock, Val Venis goes after The Rock as does Hardcore Holly. Number 25 is Mr. Ass Billy Gunn.

 I was expecting Rock to run wild and throw body after body over the top, I am most surprised we still have a full ring. Rock DDTs Crash and Crash is eliminated by The Rock. Hardcore and Al Snow try to eliminate The Rock. Number 26 is The Big Show, Show and Rock avoid one another to begin with, Test and Gangrel are eliminated by Big Show. Show taunts The Rock and throws The People’s Champion over the top rope. Still In the ring: Albert, Al Snow, Billy Gunn, Big Show, Val Venis, Hardcore Holly, Road Dogg and The Rock.

Entrants 26 to 30

Bradshaw is number 27 and The Mean Street Posse try to take down Bradshaw. It fails but The New Age Outlaws eliminate Bradshaw. Number 28 is the monster Kane,Val meets Kane and it does not go well. Val is choked over the top by Kane. The Godfather is number 29, Prince Albert is eliminated by Kane. Funaki comes into the ring and is tossed to the floor. Finally, X-Pac is number 30, three members of D-X are in there so Rock chances are looking slim. Hardcore Holly and Godfather are eliminated by Big Show. Al Snow is eliminated by The Rock, Billy Gunn eliminates Road Dogg, Kane eliminates Billy Gunn but The New Age Outlaws drag Kane out of the ring, he has not been eliminated but he battles to the back briefly. X-Pac is tossed over by The Rock but the referees did not see it happen so X-Pac sneaks back in. Kane slams Big Show but X-Pac takes advantage and spinning heel kicks Kane over the top.

 Bronco buster on Show by X-Pac but Show is angry, gorilla press slam and Show has eliminated X-Pac. Rock and Show remain, two men, one will go to Wrestlemania. Rock nails the spinebuster and a People’s Elbow. Rock tries eliminating Big Show but Big Show counters and Show chokeslams The Rock. Big Show scoops up a prone Rock for a running powerslam to dump Rock over. Rock counters and holds on, The Rock has won the rumble. That was not a great rumble, it certainly was dull for a large part. Too Cool’s dance and the final moments were highlights and the pop for The Rock winning was great as it was clear The Rock was the number one star in the WWF.

 The Big Show attacks The Rock after The Royal Rumble, Show had a reason though as The Rock’s feet had touched the floor first and should have not won the match and Show would attempt to prove this and was able to granting him a rematch at No Way Out which will be our next stop.

Winner: The Rock by Survival!

Overall, a memorable show from the WWF, the only down point on the show was the brief Acolytes vs New Age Outlaws match, everything else grabbed my attention whether it was the insane table match or the Jericho and Chyna rivalry in the triple threat match. They could have had a blow off match instead of adding Holly. Cactus Jack vs Triple H delivered and then some, that was a brutal intense and physical match, I loved everything about the match. Rumble was hit and miss, largely boring but The Rock winning made up for it and the WWF started string in 2000 an we shall see if they can continue the momentum! See you next time!!!