This Day in History - 19th May, 2013

May 19th

On this day in history in ....


1905 - Tom Jenkins defeats Frank Gotch to retain the American Heavyweight Championship in Madison Square Garden in New York City in a bout with a total match time of two hours, fifteen minutes and thirty four seconds. The first fall was taken by Jenkins in 1:27:57. Gotch scored the second in 36:27, and Jenkins won the match in 11:10 of the third fall.

1946 - Andre Rene Rousimoff was born in Grenoble, France. He would go on to become, arguably, the most popular wrestler of all time, Andre The Giant.

1963 - The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeats the legendary Rikidozan in Osaka, Japan, making him an instant star in that country. It marks the last time that Rikidozan would ever lose a singles match.

1964 - WWWF ran Bridgeport, CT at the City Arena for a TV Taping with the following results:
-Killer Kowalski fought Bill Watts to a double countout.
-Killer Kowalski defeated Roger Dupree.
-Bill Watts defeated Pedro Rodriguez.
-Jerry & Luke Graham fought Pedro Morales & Jerry Miller to a draw.
-Don McClarity defeated Klondike Bill via disqualification.
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Umberto Mercado.
-Smasher Sloan defeated Carlos Milano.
-Bobo Brazil defeated Sonny Love.
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Matt Gilmore.
1970 - WWWF ran Scranton, PA at the Catholic Youth Center with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Joe Turco.
-Mario Milano defeated Frank Hickey.
-Gorilla Monsoon fought Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw.
-The Mongols defeated Dominic DeNucci & John L. Sullivan.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Karl Kovacs.
1971 - WWWF ran Washington DC at the National Arena with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland (substituting for Al Nelson) defeated Louis Torres in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match
-Bill White pinned Mike Pappas
-Miguel Feliciano defeated Phil Rita
-Jose Rivera (substituting for Beautiful Bobby) defeated Arnold Skaaland
-Tomas Marin defeated Al Coco
-Jose Rivera fought Ernie Lassiter to a draw.
1972 - WWWF ran North Attleboro, MA at Witschi's Sports Arena, featuring the following results:
-Tony Constilles pinned Dean Ross.
-Sonny King fought the Black Demon to a time-limit draw.
-Chief Jay Strongbow pinned Curtis Iaukea; after the match, Strongbow refused the victory because Curtis sustained a bloody cut to his forehead.
-Joey Russell & the Haiti Kid defeated Pee Wee Adams & Frenchy Lamont in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1.
-Chuck Richards defeated Henry Depaulo via disqualification.

1972 - WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA at Zembo Temple with the following results:
-Al Nelson (substituting for Arnold Skaaland) fought Juan Caruso to a draw
-Rene Goulet pinned Nikita Mulkovitch (sub. for the Black Demon) at 13:57
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Manuel Soto at 18:20
-WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification at 7:07 after the challenger threw salt into the referee's eyes
-Victor Rivera defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via count-out at 18:10.
1973 - WWWF ran Philadelphia, PA at the Arena with the following results:
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Juan Caruso & Vincenti Pommetti in a handicap match.
-El Olympico defeated Ben Ortiz.
-Joe Turco defeated the Cisco Kid.
-Mike McCord defeated Miguel Feliciano.
-WWWF Tag Team Champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Garea & Manuel Soto in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #3: Tanaka defeated Soto at 6:09.
-WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Freddie Blassie in a steel cage match at 5:42.

1975 - WWWF ran New York City, NY at Madison Square Garden with the following results:
-SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Haystacks Calhoun defeated Jack Evans & Hans Schroeder in a handicap match.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Bill White.
-The Wolfman defeated Maike Paidousis.
-Bobby Duncum defeated Dean Ho.
-Domenic DeNucci defeated Johnny Valiant.
-Victor Rivera defeated Greg Valentine.
-Ivan Putski defeated Butcher Vachon.
-Chief Jay Strongbow fought Jimmy Valiant to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
-Spiros Arion defeated Tony Garea.
-Waldo Von Erich defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino when the match was stopped due to blood.

1976 - WWWF ran Bangor, ME with the following results:
-Jose Gonzalez defeated Tony Altimore
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Rocky Tamayo
-The Executioners defeated Tony Parisi & Louis Cerdan in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match
-Stan Hanesen & Skandor Akbar defeated Pat Barrett & Ivan Putski in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match.

1977 - Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in the main event of a WWWF event in Worcester, MA.
1979 - WWF ran Binghamton, NY with the following results:
-Jose Estrada defeated Steve King.
-Tiny Thumb defeated Little Tokyo.
-Tito Santana defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Steve Travis fought Bulldog Brower to a draw.
-Hussein Arab defeated Frank Williams.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Greg Valentine to a draw.

1979 - WWF ran Landover, MD at the Capital Centre with the following results:
-Ivan Koloff defeated Johnny Rodz at 9:14.
-SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 8:22.
-Allen Coage defeated Johnny Rivera at 12:11.
-Cowboy Lang defeated Butch Cassidy at 7:28.
-Jerry Valiant defeated Dominic DeNucci at 9:14.
-Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Valiant at 6:40.
-Bruno Sammartino defeated Ernie Ladd at 22:14.

1980 -WWF ran Madison Square Harden in New York City with a card televised on the MSG Network, featuring the following results:
-Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada at 10:38.
-Larry Zbyszko won a 16-man $15,000 battle royal at 11:25 by last eliminating Dominic DeNucci and Bobby Duncum at the same time when, as DeNucci had Duncum in an airplane spin, Zbyzsko dropkicked them both to the floor. Zbyszko earned a world title shot for the next show at MSG.
-Larry Sharpe defeated Frankie Williams at 8:24
-Larry Zbyszko pinned Dominic DeNucci at 7:08 following a kick to the face as DeNucci charged the corner
-Tor Kamata pinned Johnny Rodz at 7:58 after a double karate chop to the throat
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned WWF IC Champion Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match at 22:56 with a crossbody off the top.
-Gorilla Monsoon pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 3:11 with a chop and splash
-Bobby Duncum defeated Rene Goulet at 5:42
-Tony Atlas, Ivan Putski, & Pat Patterson defeated Peter Maivia & WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 16:25; fall #1: Patterson pinned Maivia with a roll up at 8:26; fall #2: Maivia pinned Patterson after a double team from the Samoans at 4:31; fall #3: Atlas pinned Samoan #1 with a splash after the Samoans accidentally headbutted each other at 3:28.

1981 - It was officially announced by the American Wrestling Association that, due to Verne Gagne retiring and vacating the AWA World Heavyweight Title, Nick Bockwinkel, the former champion and current number one contender, was being awarded the belt.

1984 -WWF ran Landover, MD at the Capital Centre in a card that was televised on the USA Network, featuring:
-WWF Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah defeated Wendi Richter. This bout was not televised.
-B. Brian Blair defeated Rene Goulet via referee's decision after the 15-minute time limit had expired.
-George Steele (w/ Mr. Fuji) defeated Akira Maeda via submission with the flying hammerlock at 3:13.
-Jesse Ventura (sub. for Israel Matia) pinned Chief Jay Strongbow at 4:51 with an elbow drop.
-Greg Valentine pinned Tony Garea at 4:50 when the momentum of a crossbody by Garea put Valentine on top.
-Tiger Chung Lee pinned Jose Luis Rivera (sub. for Jimmy Snuka) at 5:04 with a backbreaker.
-Sgt. Slaughter fought the Iron Sheik to a double disqualification at 10:24 after both men shoved the referee down; after the bout, Slaughter had to be pulled off the Sheik by Akira Maeda, Jose Luis Rivera, and Rene Goulet.
-Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, & David Schultz defeated Rocky Johnson, SD Jones, & Bobo Brazil (sub. for Tony Atlas) at 9:32 when Piper pinned Jones after hitting him in the back of the head with a foreign object; after the bout, Monsoon interviewed Brazil at ringside. The match marked Brazil's return to the WWF after a 6-year absence,
Bob Backlund defeated Mr. Fuji via submission with the Crossface Chicken Wing at 5:51.

1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Greensboro, SC with the following results:
-Doug Vines defeated Keith Larson.
-Kurt Von Hess defeated Gary Royal.
-Paul Kelly defeated Sam Houston.
-Dick Slater defeated Barry Hart.
-Angelo Mosca Sr. defeated Assassin #1.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Adrian Street.
-Tully Blanchard defeated Wahoo McDaniel.
-Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle defeated Mark Youngblood & Pez Whatley.

1985 -WWF ran Birmingham, AL with the following results:
-Rick McGraw fought Les Thornton to a draw.
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Tony Garea.
-Tony Atlas fought the Iron Sheik to a draw.
-Randy Barber defeated Paul Garner.
-Mr. Wrestling II & the Junkyard Dog fought WWF Intercontinental champion Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake to a draw.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran three events:

Asheville, NC at the Civic Center:
-Sam Houston defeated Black Bart.
-Krusher Kruschev defeated Ricky Reeves.
-Ivan Koloff defeated Rocky Kernodle.
-Buzz Tyler defeated Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Ron Bass via disqualification.
-The Barbarian defeated Sam Houston.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a streetfight.

Columbia, SC at the Township Auditorium :
-Buddy Landell defeated Stoney Burke.
-Black Bart defeated Ricky Reeves.
-Buzz Tyler defeated Ron Bass.
-Dick Slater defeated Ivan Koloff.
-NWA World TV Champion Tully Blanchard defeated NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA.
-Dusty Rhodes defeated Nikita Koloff.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a streetfight.

Roanoke, VA at the Civic Center:
-Gene Ligon defeated Mark Fleming.
-The Golden Terror defeated Gene Ligon.
-Buddy Landell defeated Stoney Burke.
-Denny Brown fought Pat Tanaka to a draw.
-Dick Slater defeated Nikita Koloff via disqualification.
-NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA fought NWA World TV Champion Tully Blanchard to a no contest.

1986 - WWF ran New York City, NY in Madison Square Garden with a card broadcast on the MSG Network, featuring:
-Lanny Poffo pinned Tiger Chung Lee at 11:15 with a hurricanrana.
-Hercules Hernandez pinned Sivi Afi at 13:07 when the momentum of a crossbody by Afi put Hercules on top for the win.
-Bret Hart pinned SD Jones with a backbreaker.
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Cpl. Kirchner at 11:30.
-King Kong Bundy pinned Tony Atlas at 8:04 with an elbow drop after blocking an attempted splash.
-Jake Roberts defeated Ricky Steamboat via disqualification at 7:03 when Steamboat shoved the referee.
-Dan Spivey defeated Paul Christy at 4:41.
-Jim Neidhart fought Jim Brunzell to a 20-minute draw.
-Tito Santana fought WWF IC Champion Randy Savage to a no contest at 9:59 when Adrian Adonis interfered and attacked guest referee Bruno Sammartino and then Santana, Sammartino attacked Adonis until Savage and Adonis double teamed Sammartino, Santana made the save with a steel chair.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake at 8:0
1986 - Jim Crockett Promoptions ran Fayetteville, NC, headlined by NWA World Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey defeating Dusty Rhodes & NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA

1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Greenville, SC at Memorial Auditorium with the following results:
-Hector Guerrero defeated Leo Burke.
-Denny Brown fought Steve Regal to a draw.
-Ivan Koloff defeated Sam Houston.
-Nikita Koloff defeated Ron Garvin.
-The Rock N' Roll Express,Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson & NWA National Heavyweight --Champion Tully Blanchard in a Texas Tornado match.
-Jimmy Garvin defeated Wahoo McDaniel in a lumberjack match.
1987 - WWF ran their first-ever show in Eugene, OR at the Lane County Convention Center, drawing 300 fans, headlined by WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation defeating The British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid in a steel cage match.

1987 - During a taping of WCW Worldwide in Raleigh, NC, Dark Journey is introduced as Tully Blanchard's "secretary."

1989 - The Patrick Swayze film "Roadhouse", which featured Terry Funk, was released theatrically. In its seven week theatrical run, the film made $30,050,028. While not well received critically, the film would go on to become extremely popular via cable television and is considered a cult classic, even spawning a musical theater version.
1989 - WWF ran three live events on the same night:

Altoona, PA -at Jaffa Mosque, before 2,764 fans:
-Barry Horowitz pinned Jeff Bronsky at 16:18.
-Dino Bravo pinned Hercules at 11:36.
-WWF Women's Champion Rockin' Robin pinned Judy Martin at 9:42.
-Big John Studd defeated Andre the Giant via disqualification at 6:24.
-King Jim Duggan pinned Haku at 9:17.
-Tom Magee pinned Tim Horner at 11:18.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard at 10:16 when Butch pinned Blanchard.

Chicago, IL at theRosemont Horizon before 16,000 fans:
-Paul Roma pinned Boris Zhukov
-The Warlord pinned Koko B. Ware
-Bret Hart fought Mr. Perfect to a double disqualification
-Brutus Beefcake pinned Greg Valentine
-The Rockers, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated Jacques & Raymond Rougeau
-Jimmy Snuka (substituting for Jake Roberts) pinned Ted Dibiase
-Randy Savage defeated WWF Champion Hulk Hogan (with Miss Elizabeth) via countout

New Haven, CT at the Coliseum before 6,500 fans:
-Lanny Poffo defeated Jim Powers.
-The Honkytonk Man pinned Hillbilly Jim.
-The Barbarian pinned Jim Neidhart.
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Rick Rude via count-out.
-Bad News Brown pinned the Blue Blazer.
-Rick Martel pinned Tito Santana.
-The Red Rooster defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition defeated the Big Bossman & Akeem via disqualification.

1990 -WWF ran Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Arena before 1,500 fans with the following results:
-Hillbilly Jim defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
-Jim Powers pinned Pez Whatley.
-The Barbarian pinned Jimmy Snuka.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Greg Valentine & the Honkytonk Man via disqualification.
-Sensational Sherri defeated Sapphire.
-Dusty Rhodes defeated Randy Savage.

1990 - The NWA held their "Capital Combat" Pay-per-view in Washington, DC at the DC Armory. Here are the results:
- The Road Warriors & Norman The Lunatic defeated Kevin Sullivan, Bam Bam Bigelow & Cactus Jack.
- Mark Callous (later to become the Undertaker) defeated Johnny Ace.
- The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samoan Savage) defeated Mike Rotundo & Tommy Rich.
- Paul Ellering defeated Teddy Long in a hair vs. hair match in under two minutes.
- The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk to win the U.S. Tag Team Title.
- The Rock N' Roll Express defeated The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) in a Corporal Punishment (strap) match.
- Doom (Ron Simmons & Butch Reed) defeated Rick & Scott Steiner to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.
- Lex Luger defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification in a steel cage match. The Four Horsemen interfered, and put Sting, who was at ringside, in a smaller cage used earlier in the night to prevent Jim Cornette from interfering in the Midnight Express match. Robocop (yes, you read that right, the one from the movies) came down and "bent" the bars of the cage to free Sting.

1991 - WCW holds the very first Superbrawl Pay-per-view at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Bayfront Center. Here are the results:
- The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) defeated Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong to win the vacant United States Tag Team Title.
- Danny Spivey defeated Ricky Morton.
- Nikita Koloff defeated Tommy Rich.
- Dustin Rhodes defeated Terrance Taylor.
- Big Josh defeated Black Bart.
- Oz (Kevin Nash doing a horrible gimmick based off the Wizard Of Oz) defeated Tim Parker in under thirty seconds.
- Barry Windham defeated Brian Pillman in a taped fist match.
- El Gigante defeated Sid Vicious in a Stretcher match in under three minutes without actually using the Stretcher. Gigante pinned Sid with a claw, and Sid just walked away while the One Man Gang and Kevin Sullivan attacked Gigante. This was the final match of this run in WCW for Sid, who had already agreed to go to the WWF.
- Ron Simmons defeated Butch Reed in a steel cage match.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Sting & Lex Luger when Scott pinned Sting after Nikita Koloff interfered and hit Sting (he was aiming for Luger) with a chain.
- Bobby Eaton defeated Arn Anderson to win the WCW Television Title.
- WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated Tatsumi Fujinami. As far as the NWA records go (this is during the muddy period where Flair had one title belt, but the NWA was separate from WCW), Flair regained the NWA World Title from Fujinami.

1991 - WWF ran Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena with the following results:
-IRS pinned Jimmy Snuka.
-Jim Duggan pinned Col. Mustafa
-Ricky Steamboat pinned the Brooklyn Brawler.
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Undertaker via disqualification after the Undertaker used the urn as a weapon.
-The Legion of Doom defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys via countout.
-Bret Hart pinned the Barbarian.
-Earthquake defeated Jake Roberts via disqualification when Roberts attempted to throw his snake, Lucifer, onto Earthquake.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect fought Davey Boy Smith to a draw.

1991 - WWF ran Milwaukee, WI at the Bradley Center with the following results:
-Ted Dibiase defeated Roddy Piper.
-Greg Valentine pinned Demolition Smash.
-The Berzerker defeated Tugboat.
-The Rockers, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated the Orient Express.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Power and Glory, Paul Roma & Hercules when Luke pinned Roma.
-Kerry Von Erich fought the Warlord to a double countout.
-The Big Bossman pinned the Mountie.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan pinned Sgt. Slaughter.

1992 - Nailz made his WWF in-ring debut during a WWF Superstars taping in Lexington, Kentucky.

1992 - Eastern Championship Wrestling ran the Original Sports Bar in Philadelphia with the following results:
-Don Rock pinned the Anchor.
-Larry Winters pinned Max Thrasher.
-Tony Stetson defeated the Metal Maniac via disqualification.
-ECW Champion Johnny Hot Body pinned Mr. Sandman.
-JT Smith fought Jimmy Jannetty to a double count-out.
-Chris Michaels pinned Vladimir Markoff.
-The Super Destroyers defeated the Pitbulls via disqualification.
-Salvatore Bellomo defeated Jim Neidhart via disqualification.

1993 -WCW ran Anderson, SC at the Civic Center featuring:
-Big Sky & Vinnie Vegas defeated Keith & Kent Cole.
-Keith & Kent Cole defeated Big Sky & Vinnie Vegas.
-Dustin Rhodes defeated NWA World Champion Barry Windham via disqualification.
-Arn Anderson defeated Bobby Eaton.

1994 -WWF ran Uniondale, NY on Long Island at the Nassau Coliseum, featuring the following results:
-Thurmann Sparky Plugg (Bob Holly) defeated Kwang.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Headshrinkers defeated the Smoking Gunns.
-Mabel defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
-WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze defeated Luna Vachon.
-Doink the Clown defeated Jeff Jarrett.
-Harvey Wippleman defeated Howard Finkel in a tuxedo match.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Diesel fought Razor Ramon to a double countout.
-Lex Luger defeated Crush.
-WWF World Champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart.
1994 - WCW ran Salisbury, MD drawing 350 with the following results:
-Johnny B. Badd defeated Terra Ryzing (the future Triple H).
-Cactus Jack & Kevin Sullivan defeated WCW Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys in a non-title match.
-Paul Orndorff defeated Erik Watts.
-Dustin Rhodes & Brian Pillman defeated WCW U.S. Champion Steve Austin & Bunkhouse Buck.
-Vader defeated the Guardian Angel (Ray Traylor).
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Lord Steven Regal.

1994 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Morgantown, NC with the following results at the Rec Center before 150 fans:
The Thrillseekers, Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Well Dunn
Bruiser Bedlam defeated Tracy Smothers
The Dirty White Boy defeated Kendo the Samurai
Ricky Morton defeated SMW Tag Team Champion Chris Candido

1995 - Razor Ramon defeats Jeff Jarrett in Montreal, Quebec to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder match, marking Ramon's third title reign. The rest of the results from the Forum, before 8.500 fans, saw:
-Techno Team 2000 defeated Tom Prichard & Barry Horowitz.
-Tatanka pinned Bob Holly.
-Jean Pierre Lafitte pinned Jerry Lawler; Lawler originally won the match with his feet on the ropes but another referee disputed the call.
-Man Mountain Rock defeated Mantaur.
-Jacob & Eli Blu defeated the New Headshrinkers after Uncle Zebakiah interfered.
-WWF World Champion Diesel pinned Psycho Sid.
-Bret Hart defeated Hakushi via submission with the Sharpshooter.
-Razor Ramon defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett to win the title in a ladder match.

1995 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Hazelton, PA at St. Joe High School before 225 fans for day one of the "Malenko-Guerrero Classic" weekend, where the competitors would face off in The Best of Three Matches over two days for the ECW World Television championship. In the first bout, reigning champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko. The other results of the card saw:
-Mikey Whipwreck pinned Stevie Richards.
-The Tazmaniac pinned Hack Meyers.
-Shane Douglas defeated Tommy Dreamer.
-Ron Simmons defeated 2 Cold Scorpio.
-Marty Jannetty pinned Raven.
-ECW World Champion the Sandman defeated Cactus Jack.
-ECW World Tag Team Champions The Public Enemy defeated the Pitbull.

1996 - One of the most infamous moments in the history of wrestling at Madison Square Garden (and at the time, a really controversial one) took place as The Kliq, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Diesel and Hunter Hearst Helmsley broke kayfabe following the main event of WWF's card in the Garden, which was also Kevin "Diesel" Nash and Scott "Razor Ramon" Hall's final contracted night before leaving for WCW. Dave Scherer reported the following at the time in the Wrestling Lariat Newsletter:

"In a shocking moment, one that I never thought I would see from either of the big two promotions, four wrestlers willfully broke kayfabe in one of the most touching moments in wrestling history on Sunday May 19th at Madison Square Garden, in what was the farewell appearances of both Razor Ramon and Diesel.

After an awesome cage match in which Shawn Michaels beat Diesel to retain the WWF title, Michaels went back into the cage and stood and danced over the prone Diesel. He then bent over and kissed him. Razor Ramon came out and hugged Michaels. Then out came Hunter Hearst Helmsley, making the clique sign. He hugged both guys. Diesel then “awakened” and stood up. Four of the five members of the clique then went to the corners of the top of the cage and extended the clique sign to the fans, most of whom ate it up completely.

We were told that the guys did this on their own and that Vince McMahon did not endorse it. In fact, we were told he was dead set against them doing it. But obviously, he did not stop it, and I think was the right move. Throughout the night, the fans in the building knew that both men were leaving as they heard alternating chants of “Please don’t go” and “You sold out,” with Diesel hearing much more of the latter (Lord only knows why).

A precursor to what was to come came earlier in the night. After Ramon’s match, most of the crowd was chanting, “You sold out” to him so he rubbed his fingers together in a money gesture. He took the mic and said, All I have to say is say goodbye to the Bad Guy.” Midway through, the company cut the mic off. They could not stop what happened at the end of the show, as the friendship of four men was more important, to them, than breaking kayfabe.

Given the professionalism that both men showed on their way out of the promotion, and also the classy way that the company did not bury them upon leaving, it was one of those times in this business that it makes all of us proud to be wrestling fans. In addition, I think all sides handled the situation the right way. No bridges were burned on either side, and if WCW handles the departing wrestlers the way they did the last time they had them, they could come back to Titan.

There are some who will be aghast by the breaking of kayfabe, but personally, I have no problem with it. Very few, if any, people “believe” that the business is anything but a work, and those who got to see this event will never, ever, forget it.

The other big moment of the card, which drew a sellout of more than 20,000 people we were told, was when the Godwins beat the Bodydonnas for the WWF Tag Team Titles. There is a lot of talk that the straps were taken off of the Bodydonnas because Sunny seems to be too outspoken for her own good, grating on the nerves of many in company. As the story goes, she has gotten too cocky for her own good and the taking of the titles was meant to take her down a peg. WWE had cameras present for the title change, but not the farewell."

With Michaels firmly in place as the WWF champion, and the future Outsiders off to WCW, the lion's share of the punishment went to Helmsley, who had his planned King of the Ring win the next month nullified and spent several months in purgatory, losing every match. That decision set the stage for Steve Austin to instead win the tournament, allowing him to cut his Austin 3:16 promo, sparking his career and legend. While WWF did not film the farewell themselves, a fan with a camcorder in the upper deck did. That footage was eventually shown on WWF television years later during the early vignettes for the DX group.
The complete results of the MSG card saw:
-The Bushwhackers defeated Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy
-Savio Vega pinned Bob Backlund
-Ahmed Johnson defeated Davey Boy Smith via disqualification when Owen Hart interfered
-In his return to MSG for the first time in five years, The Ultimate Warrior pinned Owen Hart with two hands on his chest after landing three clotheslines and a flying shoulderblock (Warrior's return to MSG after a 5 year absence)
-Steve Austin pinned Jake Roberts
-Vader pinned Yokozuna with the Vader Bomb
-Henry & Phinneas Godwinn defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Skip & Zip to win the titles when Phinneas pinned Skip with a kick to the midsection and the Slop Drop after kissing Sunny on the ring apron; after the bout, the champions, Hillbilly Jim, Howard Finkel, and a young fan danced in the ring
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned Razor Ramon with the Pedigree moments after referee Tim White was knocked down as Ramon lifted Helmsley up for the Razor's Edge; after the bout, Ramon attempted to say goodbye to the fans but his mic was cut off
-WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Diesel in a steel cage match.

1996 - WCW's Slamboree PPV was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Riverside Centroplex. The show was built around the "Lord Of The Ring" concept in which tag teams were randomly formed, and had to win two matches in order to gain entrance in a battle royal. Paul Herzog filed the following PPV report for The Wrestling Lariat Newsletter, which is archived in the PWInsider Elite section:

Too Long at best, or worst

Dave Scherer asked me to do this. I didn’t want to, not particularly. I haven’t been watching too much of the WCW stuff recently. And I’ve never liked the “BattleBowl” concept. In a truly random drawing, you would not have two current teams being kept intact, and three other teams on opposite sides of the ring from each other. But if you have a random drawing, there’s no angles, and no heat. So WCW did the right thing in announcing the first-round match-ups.

The first thing I saw on the Main Event pre-show was an interview with Jim Duggan and V. K. Wallstreet-Rotundo (the hyphenation being my own). Duggan doesn’t trust Wallstreet, and to show how much he doesn’t trust him, Jim shouts a lot.
There a video of the Giant chokeslamming everyone, including the nice bump Luger took through a table on the 5/13 Nitro. Sting and Luger do an interview, Lex telling Sting he’s got nothing to worry about from Jimmy Hart, and Sting sounding ready to go. The Giant, with Jimmy Hart, interrupts the interview from the video wall. The Giant says that Sting doesn’t sound fired up, asks Luger how his back is, and then warns that the same will happen to Sting, that he’ll end up on a stretcher.

We then go *LIVE* to the Riverfront Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The place looks sold-out (I’ll be interested in hearing ticket sales when that information is available), and the crowd is primed. On the mic is Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes, and Bobby Heenan. So far, so good. A WCW show without my two least-favorite people: Hogan and Bischoff. Throughout the night, they do an OK job of focusing on the matches. Heenan gets off some good one-liners. Dusty Rhodes is a cabbage.

Road Warrior Animal/Booker T & Road Warrior Hawk/Lex Luger go to a double count-out in 5:55. There’s early heat between Hawk & Booker T, Luger and Animal. The match itself is one big tease to see if the Road Warriors will face each other. Oh yeah, and a bunch of no-sells and blown spots. Booker T in particular looks terrible with some kicks that don’t come within a foot of their target. When the Warriors are finally both in, they brawl, Animal against Luger, Hawk against Booker T, all the way back to the locker room. A most inauspicious beginning.

Public Enemy beat “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan/Chris Benoit in 4:43. Benoit gets a nice pop. He’s over, due to the Four Horsemen thing. Chris and Rocco Rock do some nice spots to begin with. Rocco lands a flying head scissors, then a Frankensteiner. A second Frankensteiner is countered with a powerbomb, Benoit tags Sullivan, and the brawl is on. Kevin is throws chairs everywhere, and Johnny Grunge tries to catch them with his forehead. Sullivan is laid out on a ringside table, but Benoit clotheslines Rocco as he runs to flip outside of the ring. Benoit gets suplexed to the outside. Kevin Sullivan is draped on top of Benoit, who is on the table. Sullivan moves at the last second as Grunge & Rock both crash through Benoit in an awesome-looking spot. Sullivan gets helped back to the locker room by Jimmy Hart as Benoit is dragged into the ring and pinned. ECW-style match, short as it was. Tony Schiavone questions the reaction of the Horsemen to Kevin Sullivan’s actions, so it looks like the Horsemen vs. DoD feud will continue for awhile.

Rick Steiner/Booty Man beat Scott Steiner/Craig Pittman in 7:57. “Booty Babe” Kimberly looks unbelievable. Booty Man looks even worse than he normally does compared to the background of the Steiners and Pittman. When held next to these three potatoes, he looks like an Easter Egg. The Booty’s spots are all offensive, both in nature and in execution. Pittman gets a German suplex on Rick, then takes a crotch-lift suplex in return. At 3:45 of the match, the teasing is over, and it’s Rick against Scott. Rick with a textbook hip throw, then some mat work. Scott comes back with a Saito-style suplex. Rick with the Steiner Line. Scott puts Rick in a full nelson, Rick reverses, lands a dragon suplex. Rick goes to the top rope so that he can get belly-to-bellied off it. Booty Man tags in, instantly misses a shoulder block on Scott. Pittman tags in, works over the arm, gets the Code Red. The Code Red, for you purists, has been changed from the Fujiwara-style arm bar that Maxx Payne used, to the straight arm bar called a jujigatame in judo. Booty fights it off, tags Rick, who lands a German suplex with a bridge on Pittman for the pin. In my opinion, best match of the first round.

Jim Duggan/V.K. Wallstreet-Rotundo beat Steve Regal'David Taylor in 3:13. Duggan gets a really strong crowd reaction from a fan base that used to idolize him in Mid-South. Heenan says Duggan recovered really quickly, with the punchline being that he just served as a brain donor. There’s lot of heat between Duggan & Wallstreet-Rotundo. As V.K. is outside with Regal, Duggan tapes his fist and decks Taylor for the pin. Whatever.

Dick Slater/Bobby Eaton beat Alex Wright/Disco Inferno in 2:57. Inferno’s gimmick just kills me every time. As the first collar-and-elbow leads him into a corner, Inferno complains loudly that Slater is messing up his hair. Wright and Disco get some offense going, but as Inferno starts to dance in celebration, Slater nails him in the back of the head with his cowboy boot.

“Diamond” Dallas Page/Barbarian beat Hugh Morrus/Meng in 5:21. The commentary during the match was all about Page’s fall from the top, due to the Booty Man, then how he was rescued from the gutter by some anonymous benefactor. How long do you think this “who is helping DDP?” angle will run? I’ll guess that the unveiling occurs at Fall Brawl, maybe even later. Anyway, Hugh Morrus goes for a plancha over the top early, but Page moves and Morrus lands with a sickening “thud.” Morrus sells his butt off for the Barbarian for awhile, then tags Meng. The two tag-team partners chop the sh** out of each other, Meng getting the upper hand. Morrus hits an elbow drop from the top rope, goes up again, but is caught by the Barbarian with a belly-to-belly from the top rope, Meng making the save on the pin attempt. Morrus hits a great moonsault, DDP makes the save. Finally, Meng covers Page, Barbarian covers Morrus. Page has his foot out of the ring, so the ref just counts the fall for Dallas & the Barbarian, as he should. This match was a highlight for Hugh Morrus. Man, I hope they use him more. He’s got the “psycho” gimmick down cold, works his butt off, and has some tremendous looking spots. That’s why the DoD tends to opt for Ze Gangsta types, I guess.

Scott Norton/Ice Train beat Big Bubba/Stevie Ray in 3:50. Lots of beef in there. No wrestling to speak of. But this raises a question: if Bubba changes his gimmick, but there’s no one there to hear it, and he doesn’t get a push, does anyone care? Not me. Bubba gets jobbed out to a double-clothesline, the standard Fire & Ice finisher.

Ric Flair/Randy Savage beat Arn Anderson/Eddy Guerrero. Flair doesn’t come out the first time his music plays, so Savage comes down first. He gets beat on by Arn, then Flair comes out and joins in. Eventually, Eddy Guerrero saves Savage and we start a real match. Flair and Guerrero work superbly together. Savage struggles to his feet after about two minutes, so Flair elbows him in the head, tags him, and then forces Guerrero to tag Arn. Randy rallies after a minute, but gets caught in a spinebuster for a 2-count. Guerrero comes back, hits a swinging DDT on Flair (my favorite spot in wrestling). Eventually, Flair and Arn double-team Savage outside the ring after Arn laid Eddy out with a DDT and let Flair pin him. Miss Elizabeth slaps Savage while the Horsemen hold him, then they leave him laying on the outside, helpless. Whooooo, or something.
Mean Gene then draws a couple of teams for the next round of Battlebowl and hits on some Baton Rouge Hooters' talent.

Dean Malenko beat Brad Armstrong in 8:28 to retain the WCW Cruiserweight title. I was very impressed at how much the announcers talked about this match, and how it was the first Cruiserweight title defense on PPV. My non-wrestling friends thought this was the second-best match of the night, but the Baton Rouge crowd was more interested in trying to see themselves on the video wall. They didn’t care at all about what was a pretty solid match. Armstrong dominates early, Malenko owns the middle five minutes. Brad comes back, hits the Texas Cloverleaf, but Dean gets to the ropes. Eventually, Dean gets Brad on the top rope, delivers a gutbuster from the top for the pin. Great-looking move, but the setup was clumsy and it took forever.

The PPV has an ad stating “Our World is About to Change,” “Blood Runs Cold,” then shows a Japanese hubcap and states “Coming to WCW.” What? Huh? We have been told that, in spite of the rumors, Brian “Adam Bomb” Clark has not signed with WCW.

Mean Gene is lecherous as hell while having the Hooters girls draw the rest of the Battlebowl teams. That poor poor man.

Dick Slater/Bobby Eaton beat Jim Duggan/V. K. Wallstreet-Rotundo in 4:09. Duggan and Wallstreet-Rotundo brawl each other before the bell, then Slater and Eaton attack both of them. Duggan and V. K. fight their opponents off, then turn to each other. At four minutes of the match, V. K. swings wildly at Eaton in the corner, hitting Duggan. Duggan decks him back, and knocks Wallstreet-Rotundo right into a rollup by Eaton for the pin.

Public Enemy beat Ric Flair/Randy Savage by default. Savage doesn’t come out for his music, so Flair comes down first with Elizabeth and Woman. Randy runs Ric down in the entrance aisle, creating a brawl that took two cops and a bunch of security hacks to break up. No match, so P.E. dance again. Did I mention that I think Johnny Grunge’s new haircut makes him look like a Breck Girl??

Dallas Page/Barbarian beat Booty Man/Rick Steiner in 4:33. Dallas talks to Kimberly as the match begins, then gets knocked out of the ring by Booty Man in a great bump. Page ends up tangled in electrical cables, and choked with them. Rick Steiner sells (!) for a couple of minutes, since Booty can’t spend too much time in the ring. Rick makes the hot tag, Booty with the jumping knee for a pin, Page makes the save. Page makes another save with an elbow drop to the back of Booty’s head, Barbarian makes the cover, 1-2-3.

Konnan beat Jushin Liger in 9:28 to retain the U.S. heavyweight title. Konnan is knocked out of the ring early, then attacked with some nice-looking kicks by Sonny Onno. As he chases Onno around the ring, Liger dives out with an over-the-top plancha. Not only does Konnan deflect Liger, so that Jushin has to take all of the bump, but then he sells it anyway, so that he can lay down for awhile and rest after 30 seconds. Konnan has a great physique, but no work ethic whatsoever. He can go, which pisses me off when he doesn’t. Liger hits a belly-to-belly from the top rope, then a splash for a 2 1/2-count. Konnan goes out for a breather, Liger goes for a plancha from the top turnbuckle, Konnan counters with a boot to the gut. Liger comes back in the ring with a Fishermanbuster suplex for a 2 3/4-count. Konnan turns a head scissors into a powerbomb, 1-2 3/4. Konnan goes for his Splash Mountain-style power drop, Liger rolls into a cradle, 1-2. Inside cradle, 1-2. Liger hits a powerbomb, 1-2 3/4. Liger goes to the top rope, dives, Konnan gets his feet up. Hits the Splash Mountain drop for the pin. The last three minutes were fine, but Konnan needs to realize he has to work from the opening bell to the close. You can’t generate rest opportunities that aren’t there.

Ric Flair/Arn Anderson interview, bagging on the Macho Man and then turning their attention to Steve McMichael. Mongo comes down, says that his partner for any match they want to sign in the future will be Kevin Greene. Greene comes out, there’s a staredown that’s broken up by Doug Dillinger’s crack team.

Dallas Page won Battlebowl in 9:35. Page is knocked out of the ring early, but catches himself and slides back in. One foot touched the floor, but Schiavone made a big deal out of pointing out that the referee didn’t see it. Why do I get the feeling that Page will get “screwed again?” Rocco Rock is tossed out at 3:43. Bobby Eaton is next at 4:03. As Eaton hits the floor, Col. Robert Parker comes over and smacks Bobby with his hat. Eaton retaliates with a right, and Dick Slater comes out of the ring at 4:14 to join in the fray. Page hits the Diamond Cutter on the Barbarian, Ice Train, and Johnny Grunge, in quick succession. He covers Grunge for a pin at 5:38, Ice Train for a pin at 5:44, then covers Barbarian, who kicks out at 2 1/2. Barbarian hits a good-looking tombstone piledriver at 7:34, Page kicks out. Dallas is put in a sleeper hold, uses a strategically-placed mule kick to get out of it. But he’s groggy, and the Barbarian powerbombs the sh** out of him. Still can’t finish Dallas off as Page rolls out of the way of the Barbarian’s head butt from the top rope. DDP hits the Diamond Cutter, getting the pin. He wins the Battlebowl ring, the “Lord of the Ring” title, and a shot at the WCW champ. Nice night for Page, and in my opinion, well-deserving of the push he’s getting.

The Giant beat Sting in 10:39 to retain the WCW heavyweight title. Sting gets the biggest pop of the night. Luger and Jimmy Hart are handcuffed to each other. They do a lot of little-man-trying-to-get-big-man-and-failing spots early, with the Giant missing a drop kick. This is the best big-man athlete I’ve seen since Ernie Ladd. Sting sells his butt off, getting dragged out of the ring at 6:30 to get chokeslammed through a table. Luger holds Jimmy Hart down on the table, so the Giant can’t do it. Sting makes his comeback a minute later, lands a Stinger Splash on the Giant, who is draped over the top turnbuckle. Jimmy Hart gets up on the corner apron, pulling Luger (?) up with him. The Giant grabs Luger by the throat, and it takes several splashes and kicks to the leg by Sting to save his partner. There’s a ref bump, and the Giant is down. Luger drapes Jimmy Hart on the turnbuckle, but when Sting goes for the splash, Luger falls down and drags Jimmy Hart off the turnbuckle. There’s a question of Luger’s intent, and I’d say believably so. Sting hits a Snuka-style dive from the top rope as the ref comes around, covers, 1-2 1/2. When the Giant kicks out, Sting lands on referee Randy Anderson and the poor guy is out again. Sting hits another dive. Luger and Hart are up in the corner again, this time fighting over the megaphone. Sting puts the Giant in the Scorpion Death Lock, but too near the corner, and Luger and Hart swing the megaphone around in their struggle, decking Sting with it. The Giant chokeslams Sting, the ref comes around, 1-2-3. Again, more question of intent. My friends thought this was the best match of the night, and I thought it was pretty good for what it was supposed to do. I'm looking forward to seeing Sting vs. the Giant on June 1st in Los Angeles, which I wasn’t before.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad show. There were too many matches, and this is compounded by the fact that most matches in the Battlebowl format are meaningless and make guys look bad. After all, these are supposed to be four of your best, and yet they get beat consistently in five minutes or less. No, sir, I don’t like it.

This show, for me, took a lot of the heat off of Kevin Sullivan as a booker. It was relatively fresh, there were no screwjob finishes (minor screw in the main event, but Sting still ended up lying down clean), and the Page push worked out fine. No coffee, no shoes, no handcuffs. No Hogan.
1997 -WCW ran Asheville, NC for a Monday Nitro taping at the Civic Center featuring the following results:

-WCW US Champion Dean Malenko defeated Rey Mysterio Jr.
Wrath defeated Johnny Swinger.
-Hugh Morrus defeated Yuji Yasuraoka.
-Public Enemy defeated Konnan & Psychosis.
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Mortis.

Monday Nitro:
-WCW World TV Champion Lord Steven Regal defeated Prince Iaukea.
-Masahiro Chono defeated Dave Taylor.
-Scotty Riggs defeated Michael Wallstreet.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Jeff Jarrett & Steve McMichael.
-Ric Flair defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx via disqualification when the nWo interfered.

1999 - The second annual Brian Pillman Memorial Show was promoted by Les Thatcher's Heartland Wrestling Association in Cincinnati, OH at the Cincinnati Gardens featuring with the following results:
-Shark Boy pinned Matt Stryker.
-Terik the Great pinned Jeremy Jeff.
-Chip Fairway defeated Chad Collyer via submission.
-Tim Horner & Rob Conway defeated Flash Flannagan & Bull Pain when Horner pinned Flannagan.
-Shark Boy pinned Terik the Great.
-Terry Taylor defeated Tom Pritchard.
-Shark Boy pinned Chip Fairway.
-Al Snow defeated Road Dogg.
-Mankind pinned D-Lo Brown.
-Konnan & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko when Mysterio pinned Malenko.

2000 - WCW ran Tupelo, MS before 1,566 fans with the following results:
-Three Count's Shane Helms & Shannon Moore defeated The Jung Dragon's Yang & Kaz Hayashi.
-Mona defeated Dee Dee Venturi via disqualification.
-Tank Abbott defeated Meng.
-Prince Iaukea defeated Chris Candido via disqualification.
-Kronik defeated Big T & Stevie Ray, Ron & Don Harris, and Big Vito & Johnny the Bull.
-Billy Kidman defeated Horace.
-Sting defeated Konnan.
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Jeff Jarrett.
-Kevin Nash defeated Mike Awesome in a powerbomb match.

2002 - WWE Judgment Day, the first Pay-per-view since the name change from WWF to WWE, was held. Here is Tim Whitehead's report on the show:

The first PPV of the WWE era aired live from the Gaylord Center in Nashville. I thought it was overall a good and enjoyable PPV, with enough good to override the bad. It may have left some bad feelings at the end, as the final two matches weren't good and included a lame WWF surprise which got over about as well as Booker T joining the NWO. In that sense, it will encourage more WCW analogies, with the show having an undercard better than the upper card, though we should remember that the WWE has had a horrendous record delivering on surprises ever since the Gobbledy Gooker's debut.
The crowd was hot for most of the matches. They did cool somewhat for the Hell in the Cell, but that came off more like they were paying attention to the match rather than being bored. The opening match was good, as was the Kurt Angle vs. Edge match. The handicap match with Steve Austin came off well for the most part. The main problem there was the booking, as Flair shouldn't be an NWO heel, and they should probably phase the NWO out completely since it's finished as a concept. They should have had a cruiserweight match on the show. Not only would it have been good, but if they plan to push that division as they claim, they need to make it important enough to appear on all PPV's as a regular matter.

Commentary from Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler was solid. They had Smackdown announcers Michael Cole & Tazz host the segments where they would review the feuds prior to the big matches.

EDDIE GUERRERO defeated ROB VAN DAM in 10:57 to retain the IC Title. Someone in the crowd had a "Mullet Heat" sign but JR & Lawler pleaded ignorance as to what it could possibly mean. They did a series of hot fast spots early, with RVD going for a bunch of pin attempts. RVD went to the top and started to go for a moonsault. Guerrero saw it coming and dropped to the mat. But RVD never went through with it and instead split-leg moonsaulted Guerrero on the mat. That was a neat spot and the crowd loved it. RVD kept getting near falls to the point that it seemed almost apparent that Guerrero was going to go over in the end. They did a surfboard spot, with RVD getting a pop for flipping Guerrero up high afterward. Guerrero finally got in some offense with fists and stomps, but when he went to the top, RVD flipped him three-fourths of the way across the ring and then dropped him throat-first across the ropes. RVD did the rolling thunder. RVD got crotched and Guerrero bodyslammed him. Guerrero went for the frog splash but stopped to pose and the end result was that RVD recovered and rolled clear. Commenting on his delay, JR said Guerrero nearly took a siesta up there. RVD then went for a frog splash on Guerrero but missed his splash as well. They did a fast criss-cross spot where RVD got another near fall after a crossbody. RVD got a two count with a backslide, but afterward Guerrero blocked an RVD kick, and did his own backslide using the ropes for leverage and scored the pin to retain. Good opener, and Guerrero has looked awesome since returning. They really should have given this match more mic time on the build-up on RAW these past few weeks.

Reverend D-Von said a prayer for Stacy Keibler's safety and victory over that no-good jezebel Trish Stratus in her upcoming match. Vince McMahon was there and worried about Bubba Ray Dudley being in Trish's corner. D-Von said Bubba knows better than to show up and, if he does, there will be hell to pay. Stacy asked Vince if he'd be watching and he said he would, but would have to miss the victory party afterward because he would be meeting with someone.

TRISH STRATUS defeated STACY KEIBLER in 2:54 to retain the WWE Women's Title. This ended the recent streak of Trish Stratus bouts that have shown consistent improvement. Stacy really isn't a wrestler. On the other hand, she's a five star babe. Lawler said, "Lead me not into temptation, I can find my way there myself". D-Von & Deacon Batista came out with Stacy. Bubba defied D-Von's threats and came out with Trish. Trish bumped for a kick from Stacy that missed by about the distance between Nashville and Knoxville. Stacy bumped out. Bubba laughed at her and she slapped him. He started getting that "I want to put a girl through a table" look but Stacy escaped. Batista sneaked in and bodyslammed Trish. Trish recovered and pinned Stacy with a bulldog after Stacy accidentally collided with Batista. After the match, D-Von and Bubba had a staredown. They ended up shaking hands, but Batista attacked Bubba on D-Von's orders. Bubba threw Batista from the ring but D-Von then laid him out. D-Von told Batista to get a table. Bubba fought back but was flattened with the money box and put through the table to start a Dudley vs. Dudley feud. This won't make much sense unless they work some form of trade to allow them to both be in the same division.

Vince visited Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Vince shook both their hands and had an "I told you so" smirk on his face. Flair admitted that Vince had been right all along about Austin being an S.O.B. and said Austin was trying to destroy the RAW brand. However, Flair added that, unlike Vince, he'll take Austin down and put him under control. Vince and Flair hugged, but Vince had an angry look on his face about Flair's inference that he could beat Austin down while Vince couldn't.

BROCK LESNAR & PAUL HEYMAN beat THE HARDYS in 4:46. Heyman had the good sense not to wear tights. He was fully clothed, including a baseball cap. Jeff hit a plancha on Lesnar before the bell, followed by a baseball slide from Matt. They chased Heyman but Lesnar made the save. Pretty much the usual stuff for the next few minutes with the Hardys trying to take the monster down but he just shook them off. There was another "Goldberg" chant. Lesnar finally did bump out and the Hardys got to splash Heyman in the corner and his cap came off, revealing why he wears it. Lesnar returned and laid Jeff out with the Brockbuster (I can't believe the WWE still hasn't named that move). Heyman demanded that Lesnar tag out to him so that he could score the pin, which he did. Lawler said Heyman has the body of a god, and identified Buddha as the god in question. They probably should end this feud now since the Hardys are getting killed. Having Heyman score the pin was almost like a wooden stake.

Marc Lloyd interviewed Booker T about joining the NWO. Booker said business is business and Flair's the boss. He said Flair thinks he can get the job done, and he's down with that. Yeah, he got the job done against Austin on RAW all right. Booker then spotted a hot girl standing nearby. He came on to her and she encouraged his advances. She ended up giving Booker her hotel room key. He was elated. Lawler said Booker got a Magic Johnson. Booker should have asked his new boss Flair how these hotel room deals usually end.

STEVE AUSTIN beat RIC FLAIR & BIG SHOW in a handicap match in 15:35. JR said Big Show has the strength and intelligence of a government mule. In other words, he's strong as an ox, and almost as smart. The ref here was Charles Robinson, and JR mentioned Flair's influence over him in the past (Robinson was "Little Nature Boy" in WCW), but nothing came of it and Robinson called it right down the middle. Austin sent Flair up for a high backdrop. Flair took a lot of backdrops in this match. Show came in and Austin hit him with fists until he finally went down. Austin put the figure four on Show but Flair made the save. Austin then put the figure four on Flair but it got broken up as well. Austin got two separate chairs but both times the ref took it from him. Austin sat in the second chair and flipped the ref off. Austin got a beer but the ref took it as well. The crowd was into all this and it was entertaining throughout and good when Austin and Flair were working. They traded chops. The crowd shouted "whoooo" when Flair chopped and "what" when Austin chopped. Flair did his face-first bump. He begged and then raked Austin's eyes. Show managed to overpower Austin and Flair put the boots to him. Austin reversed a Flair figure four. He also did Thesz presses on both Flair and Show. Austin gave Show a stunner and was about to do a second one when X-Pac ran in. X-Pac accidentally thrust kicked Show. Austin then gave stunners to both X-Pac and Flair, pinning Flair afterward. Some might think this match ran a little too long, but remember that it took time away from the main event, so count your blessings.

EDGE beat KURT ANGLE in a hair match in 15:30. Edge dominated early with fast spots which sent Angle out. Edge pounded Angle on the floor. Angle got tied up in the ropes and Edge speared him there. Angle belly-to-bellied Edge over the top rope for a big bump. They traded chops. Lawler kept telling bald jokes on commentary and acted as if he'd never lost a hair match before. Check your Memphis tapes on that one. They went to a period of rest holds which killed the crowd heat for a few minutes. Edge started dominating Angle again and Angle sold and bumped like crazy for him. It's probably no coincidence that they've been able to elevate Edge by giving him an unselfish opponent like Angle. Edge hit a crossbody over the top and a missile kick for a near fall. Angle came back with suplexes, including one nearly across the ring for a two count. The heat went way up as they went to the great near falls. Angle dodged a spear and the ref took it. Angle hit a killer suplex and got a chair, but Edge speared him. The ref was still out. Edge hit another spear and this time the ref revived but Angle kicked out at two. Angle hit a spear and Olympic slam but also got only a two. These near falls were great. Angle hooked the ankle lock but Edge made the ropes. Edge hit an enzuigiri. Angle went for the ankle again but Edge kicked him off into the ropes and rolled him up on the rebound for the pin. Another great match between these two. For pure wrestling, this is the best feud in the WWE. Angle attacked Edge afterward but Edge gave him the Edgecutioner and dragged him over to the area where there was a barber waiting to deliver the haircut. However, Angle recovered and fled, with Edge in pursuit.

Booker arrived at the Marriott and was soon under the covers. The hot babe came out in a negligee and crawled in bed with him. She said she likes to do it in the dark, so Booker turned off the light. I guess the cameraman being there didn't bother her. I know....I know....I'm supposed to ignore that aspect of these angles. Booker asked her to talk dirty, but instead he heard Goldust's voice saying, "I want you to leave the NWO and come back to....hisssssssss....Goldust". On came the lights and Booker was furious to find Goldust in bed with them. Booker stormed out in anger, with his naked ass in full view. Goldust whined that he bought the nightgown he was wearing for nothing.

TRIPLE H defeated CHRIS JERICHO in 24:29 in the Hell in the Cell. The first couple of minutes were regular action in the ring but they soon headed out to the floor. The crowd heat wasn't all that great. To me, it came across like they were interested and were watching, rather than being bored, but I guess there are alternative interpretations. One negative of the Hell in the Cell is that the famous Mick Foley vs. Undertaker match set such dangerous standards that nothing can equal it. Now that they've bought WCW out, maybe they should try the first ever War Games in the WWE. But please, don't let the NWO be one of the teams. Anyway, both HHH and Jericho took shots into the cage. Jericho juiced from the shoulder. Jericho got a ladder and juiced HHH with it. Jericho hit HHH with the ladder a second time and then threw the ladder out of the ring onto him. HHH blocked another ladder shot attempt with a chair and then used the chair on Jericho. Jericho bulldogged HHH on the ladder. They took more shots into the cage. Referee Tim White took a major bump into the cage and juiced big. Jericho laid HHH out with a chair but there was no ref to count the pin. Other refs tried to come in but the door was chained shut and the key was in White's pocket. The refs had to use a bolt cutter to cut the chain and get inside.

HHH revived and kicked a chair into Jericho's face. He then bloodied Jericho with a sledgehammer shot, but the refs were too busy helping White to count the fall. Jericho recovered and started out of the cage, with HHH getting the door slammed on his head when he followed. They brawled outside. Jericho tried to give HHH a pedigree on the Spanish table but ended up getting DDT'd through the desk by HHH. HHH retrieved a barbed wire 2x4 he had planted out there. Jericho climbed the cage, with HHH following, and ref Mike Ciotta going up as well. Jericho got the 2x4 and used it. They started doing the bumps up on top. Those always look scary with the cage sagging beneath them. I think they now have one large piece of fencing up there rather than individual panels, which makes it unlikely that they will break through but it still looks very dangerous. HHH took a backdrop and they used the 2x4 some more before HHH got the pin on the cage top with a pedigree. The ending was expected. Still, it was a very good match and both guys worked very hard.

Backstage, Edge was still chasing Angle. Angle put on a shower cap and hid in the make-up lady's area, but Edge eventually recognized him and the chase was on again.

Torrie Wilson flirted with Maven at The World (formerly WWF New York).

RIKISHI & RICO beat BILLY & CHUCK to capture the WWE World Tag Titles in 3:50. The story here was that Mr. McMahon planned to give Rikishi a weak partner to get even with him for the angle last year where his face got shoved up Rikishi's ass. I guess that should have told us the mystery man wouldn't be Goldberg or Scott Steiner. The partner ended up being Rico, with the idea he would help B & C retain the belts. They all seemed to work hard but the match didn't click and the crowd died when Rico was announced. Rico tried to kick Rikishi but accidentally kicked Chuck and Rikishi pinned him. Afterward, Rikishi took his half of the belts and left alone, stopping to dance at the ramp top. Rico made up with B & C, but as they were leaving, he quietly picked up his tag belt as if happy that he had won it, but not wanting B & C to know that.

JR announced that Gene Okerlund will return to the WWE with a new interview show t called Confidential. The first show will feature an interview with Shawn Michaels about the (what else?) Montreal screwjob. I have this great fear that a few decades from now, hardly any fans will remember Flair, Austin, Rock, or Angle, but they'll all know of the Montreal screwjob because that's the only history the WWE seems interested in keeping alive. JR said Okerlund's show will be like mixing 60 Minutes with Behind the Music, but credibility-wise it sounds more like mixing Miss Cleo and Geraldo Rivera.

Angle blindsided Edge backstage. He beat him up and dragged him out to the barber's chair, where he planned to personally cut Edge's hair. Of course, Edge revived, put Angle out with a sleeper, and shaved him bald. Angle came to and was about to cry when he saw himself in the mirror. Edge said the fans from now on will chant "you're bald" when they hear Angle's music, and they did just that. Entertaining!

UNDERTAKER defeated HULK HOGAN to capture the WWE Undisputed World Title in 11:18. Undertaker still had Hogan's weight belt. He used it on Hulk before the bell. Hulk then got the belt and used it on UT until referee Earl Hebner got it and threw it from the ring. UT took a backdrop. Hogan tore off his shirt to a big pop. There was good crowd heat, which was the otherwise weak match's only saving grace. UT took a bump into the stairs. He also got crotched. UT slowly worked on Hulk's leg to supposedly prevent him from doing the legdrop. Hogan still hit the boot to the face and went for a legdrop but UT rolled clear. UT got a busted lip. UT hooked a half crab but Hulk made the ropes. UT went for a chokeslam but Hulk didn't go up for it and it looked very bad. Hogan then did the no-sell Hulkamania comeback. He hit the boot and legdrop but UT kicked out at two. Hulk booted a chair into UT's face and hit another legdrop. This time, Vince arrived and distracted the ref. Hogan walloped Vince and gave him a legdrop. But UT clocked Hulk with a chair and hit a chokeslam, which Hulk went up for this time, and got the three count. Vince smiled. Afterward, UT vowed to make Hogan pay for destroying his motorcycle and jammed Hulk's throat into a chair, doing an apparent injury angle. A bad WWE main event but at least the live crowd got into it.

This would be the last WWE title, to date, Hulk Hogan has held.

2002 - Prior to the PPV, WWE broadcast a live episode of Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:

Live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Your hosts are Jonathan Coachman and Raven.

Your Judgment Day pre-game show.

Show opens with video hyping tonight’s PPV Main Event: The Undertaker challenging Hulk Hogan for the Undisputed Championship.

Coach and Raven say howdy as the crowd files in. They talk up the above and 2 of our other matches: Chris Jericho vs. HHH in Hell in a Cell, and Stone Cold Steve Austin taking on The Big Show and Raw owner Ric Flair in a handicap match. Video rolls documenting the bad blood between Austin and Show/Flair. Coach informs us that Stone Cold suffered internal injuries during a beatdown on last weeks Raw, and isn’t expected to be at 100% tonight. As we see Ric Flair and his crony Arn Anderson entering the arena, Coach informs us we’ll be having a match right here on Heat later on: D’lo Brown challenges William Regal for the European Title. Break.

(Commentary: D’lo/Regal! Got my wish!)

Back, we get our Tough Enough 2 recap. Male contestant Hawk dropped out due to unspecified personal problems, and female contestant Jackie appeared to suffer a leg injury in the ring. The season finale will air after Smackdown week after next. Break.

WWE Rewind: The Hardyz get a DQ victory over Brock Lesnar last week on Raw.

Coach and Raven return to go over some of the other matches on tonight's card. The Hardyz take on Brock Lesnar and his ‘agent’ Paul Heyman, also Billy and Chuck (presumably with Rico) against Rikishi and a mystery opponent to be chosen by Smackdown boss Mr. McMahon-Billy and Chuck’s Tag titles will be on the line for that one. Focus is on Edge vs. Kurt Angle in a ‘hair vs. hair’ match-the loser gets his head shaved. After video of their recent in and out of ring exploits rolls, we see the barber chair and haircutting utensils backstage. More hype for the Euro title match precedes a break.

Snap of the Night: Trish Stratus defeats Jazz last week on Raw to re-gain the Women’s Championship.

Back, we see Vince and his personal assistant Stacy Keibler arriving at the arena. They’re accosted by Billy, Chuck and Rico, who want to know who Rikishi’s partner will be. Vince knows, but he won’t spill. He and Stacy then take their leave-the lovely Miss Keibler has a match to prepare for.

Coach and Raven talk up the above-mentioned match-tonight, Stacy gets her shot at Trish’s Women's title. This one features a Dudley Boyz reunion of sorts-Vince has assigned the Reverend D-Von to be in Stacy’s corner, and Bubba Ray is expected to accompany Trish. We also have another title match tonight-Rob Van Dam challenges Eddy Guerrero for the Intercontinental strap.

Cut to Terri interviewing Eddy backstage-he does his standard lascivious promo, wonders if RVD is ‘feeling froggy’.

Back to our announcers, who have what I feel is a pretty big announcement. Next Saturday at 11 p.m. on TNN, the WWE will debut ‘Confidential’, hosted by (drumroll please…) Mean Gene Okerlund! The show will feature personality profiles, and Shawn Michaels will be the guest for the debut episode. Break.

Coach and Raven return to hype tonight's main events, focusing on the HHH/Chris Jericho ‘Hell in a Cell’ match. Video documents their recent feud. We see the roofed enclosure, unused for nearly 2 years, hanging over the ring. Break.

(Slanted Commentary: Go Y2J, break down the walls-clean!)

Our hosts return to send us down to Jim Ross and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler at ringside…

Heat match: For the European Championship: D’lo Brown vs. champ William Regal.

Crowd despises William (who looks like he needs to start watching his weight), likes D’lo fine. Lockup, D’lo forces William to corner, ref calls for break. William retreats for a bit, exchange of wristlocks follows, William then slaps on a side headlock. D’lo makes it to ropes, breaks hold, shoots William off opposite ropes, William scores with a shoulder, D’lo down, William gets a trio of 2-counts. Up, William scores an uppercut, forces D’lo to corner, lays in elbows to face, ref calls for break. William tries for whip, reversed, William to corner, takes back body drop as he bounces back in. Up, D’lo scores with a clothesline/dropkick pair of knockdowns, William rolls out of ring for a breather. William attempts to ascend apron, D’lo gives him an assist, suplexing William in for a 2-count. William crawls to corner, begs off, D’lo scores boot to gut, William up, D’lo lays in punches and forearms. D’lo attempts whip, reversed, D’lo off ropes, William tries for hiptoss, D’lo blocks, scores with a backslide, only good for 2. Up, D’lo gets in boot to gut, punch, bodyslam, William down, D’lo drops the elbow, covers for 2. D’lo up, scores his famous legdrop, still just gets 2. Up, D’lo gets in a forearm to face, whips William off ropes, sets for back body drop, not this time, William scouts it, scores boot to face. D’lo doubled over, William off ropes, gets in another boot to face, D’lo down. William slowly covers, just gets 2, he brings D’lo up, tosses him neck first into second rope, D’lo down again. Regal wave is followed by choke on ropes, ref calls for break. William scores boot to gut, then another neck first toss into ropes. D’lo down, William drops the knee, gets a 2-count. William slaps on a reverse chinlock, ref checks D’lo’s consciousness, arm drops once, twice, stays up at 3. D’lo gets to feet, elbows out of hold, goes off ropes, William scores with a knee, D’lo down. William lays in boots, gets warned by ref, brings D’lo up, scores pair of knees, headbutt, D’lo down yet again. D’lo to ropes, William whips him off opposite, D’lo ducks a clothesline, tries for powerslam, William counters with modified facebuster, both men down for a 7-count. Up, the 2 exchange punches and forearms, D’lo whips William off ropes, scores a kneelift/clothesline/sidekick series of knockdowns, covers, just gets 2. William groggily to feet, D’lo scores punch, D’lo attempts whip, reversed, D’lo off ropes, ducks a clothesline, off ropes again, attempts crossbody block, William catches him, D’lo gets crotched on top rope. He falls to mat, William scores a schoolboy rollup with the requisite tug on the tights, gets the 1-2-3.

Winner and Still European Champion: William Regal.

J.R. and the King go over the nights main events. Video package for Hogan/Undertaker ends the show.

Yep, standard PPV preview show. Match was pretty good, maybe William has finally found someone he can work with that won’t send the crowd to the concession stands-hope this is the start of a feud. Enjoy the PPV, and don’t forget to set your VCRs for ‘Confidential’.

2003 - The WWE Raw roster paid tribute to Ric Flair in Greenville, SC at the Bi-Lo Center after Raw went off the air. The main event of the taping saw World Heavyweight Champion Triple H pin Ric Flair with the Pedigree at 7:24 after blocking the challenger's attempt at a Pedigree with a backdrop. After the show went off the air, many of the Raw roster filled into the ring as a surprised Flair was hoisted onto their shoulders in a showing of respect and tribute. The tribute, an idea Tommy Dreamer suggested, would later be released on WWE's Ultimate Ric Flair Collection DVD release.

Tim Whitehead filed the following Raw TV report:

The 5/19 edition of RAW IS IN FLAIR COUNTRY aired live from Greenville, SC. I liked most of the show, especially the Flair angle. I thought the car assault stuff was stupid, though, and I still think Austin is upstaging the active wrestlers too much.

Steve Austin came out to the ring as Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler noted that Austin got Eric Bischoff drunk at Judgment Day. Austin put over the PPV to the usual "whats", but said the one negative was having to share his skybox with a jackass like Bischoff. Austin had the footage shown of Bischoff throwing up after drinking too much. It aired a ridiculous number of times, including in slow motion. He predicted Bischoff wouldn't be very active tonight due to a hangover. Austin called himself the hardest working redneck in show business, and said June's PPV will be called "Stone Cold Steve Austin Presents Bad Blood". He said with his name on it, it will be guaranteed to be good. He looked into the camera and said "trust in me and I will never let you down". Austin next turned his attention to the car attack on Goldberg. He claimed to have been investigating the incident all week, and vowed to reveal the assailant's identity later. He promised to give Goldberg a match against the assailant, whomever he may be. Next, Austin turned his attention to the RAW World Title, bringing Triple H out as still the champ. Ric Flair came out with HHH. Austin cut HHH's entrance routine short, saying he didn't have time to watch him spray that stupid-ass water all over the crowd. HHH didn't appreciate the interference. Austin said he was trying very hard to maintain composure and asked HHH to take his sunglasses off so he could look him in the eye. HHH removed them and got right in Austin's face. Austin told HHH that he got his ass whipped last night by Kevin Nash, and retained the belt only by virtue of the DQ rule. He asked HHH if he felt proud over the fact that he used a sledgehammer on referee Earl Hebner to get himself DQ'ed. Austin said he would make HHH wrestle on RAW. HHH said most people think Austin's a drunk, but that he's really drunk with power. HHH noted that the bottom line is he's still the champ. He claimed to have enough stroke not to have to wrestle on RAW if he doesn't want to. Austin repeated that HHH would have to wrestle, but said he'd give him the choice of fighting any former world champion, which meant he could choose from Kane, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, or Nash. Apparently they were limiting this to WWE champs, because Goldberg and Booker T weren't included. HHH shrewdly reminded Austin that Flair was a former world champion, and said he'd wrestle him. HHH said "that's the bottom line, because HHH said so". Austin looked a little upset that HHH appeared to have outsmarted him, but since Flair was indeed a former WWE world champ, Austin had no choice but to agree to HHH's selection.

JR & Lawler announced a poll on WWE.com where fans could vote on who they thought tried to run over Goldberg.

The Dudleys defeated Rosey & Jamal in 6:09. D-Von got doubled on until hot tagging Bubba. The Dudleys delivered the wazzup. They went for a table but it got kicked into D-Von's face. Jamal hit Bubba with a Samoan drop but he wasn't the legal man so the ref wouldn't count his pin attempt. Rico slid the table in and Jamal tried to put D-Von through it, but D-Von rolled clear and Jamal went through. Bubba then pinned Rosey after a 3D. Afterward, Rico threw a tantrum and said he was sick of Rosey & Jamal losing. He arrogantly announced that he was leaving them (like a wife walking out on her husband or something) and stormed off.

Austin visited Bischoff, who was sick as dog from last night's drinking and food binge. Austin offered him another beer but Bischoff said he just couldn't take Austin's redneck lifestyle. Austin said that lifestyle has served him very well and held a beer can under Bischoff's nose. Bischoff got sicker and threw up all over his big photo on the wall. Clearly someone on the writing staff is still hooked on the Beavis & Butthead humor stuff.

Austin encountered Nash after leaving Bischoff's office. Austin told Nash that he kicked HHH's ass all over the arena last night until the DQ. He said that makes Nash the number one contender, and that he'll get a title shot against whoever wins the HHH vs. Flair match later. Nash was pleased.

Flair told HHH he was honored that he chose him as his opponent. Flair was talking like he planned to make it a serious match, as if HHH had selected him because he wanted the best competition or something. HHH told Flair that he was sore and bruised up from last night's match against Nash and did the old "wink-wink, nod-nod" routine of explaining to Flair that his job was to go out there, maybe talk a little trash, but in the end to just lay down and let himself be pinned. Yeah, that gimmick really did wonders for WCW and their title. Flair didn't seem to like HHH's attitude, especially since they were in Flair country.

Chris Jericho came out for his Highlight Reel segment. He put over his segment as the hottest on TV, and proudly displayed his new plasma TV monitor. He called it the Jeritron 5000 and said it cost more than the fans' homes did. Jericho aired footage from Judgment Day of Christian eliminating him in the IC Battle Royal, and accused him of betraying him. He thus called out Christian to be his guest. Christian came out, sporting a new haircut and clothes. Jericho at first went off on him for eliminating him, but then admitted that he would have eliminated Christian if he had had an opening, and they hugged. He congratulated Christian on his success. Christian said he couldn't have done it without the support of all the fans, saying "My heart beeps for my peeps". He said to forget about Clay and Rubin, since he's the real American Idol. Jericho said he achieved that without even being American. He then noted that there are people who say Christian won by cheating, and aired the closing moments of the battle royal where Booker T eliminated Christian, but the ref didn't see it since he was unconscious. Christian went illegally back in and eliminated Booker, which the revived ref saw. After this aired, Christian said the fact is that Booker just isn't championship material and he doesn't have wicked-ass clothes or a cool-ass haircut. Jericho said Booker's hair looks like a pineapple. Christian tried to inaugurate "Christian rules" as a new catch phrase. This brought Rob Van Dam out. RVD said he had a better catch phrase: "You've got the belt, you're making big bucks, but everyone still knows, Christian sucks." RVD challenged Christian to defend the title against him. Christian refused and said he didn't appreciate RVD intruding on his victory celebration. He then sucker punched RVD. Jericho joined in and they doubled on RVD until Kane made the save. As Christian & Jericho were retreating, Austin appeared on the Titantron. He said Christian will have to defend the IC belt soon, but for now he was scheduling an RVD & Kane tag title defense against Jericho & Christian. That didn't make a whole lot of sense coming from a supposedly babyface general manager. But in any event they went to a commercial break so Jericho's Highlight Reel props could be removed from the ring.

Hour two began with RVD & Kane beating Jericho & Christian by DQ in 10:26 to retain the tag titles. Kane threw both foes from the ring and RVD hit them with a somersault plancha. RVD did the rolling thunder on Jericho. The heels got heat on RVD, tying him up in their corner. JR & Lawler got off on a tangent talking about who the car assailant was who tried to run down Goldberg. Lawler mentioned Kane as a poor driver and I was scared to death he was going to mention Katie Vick, but he didn't. Kane hot tagged in and had both Jericho and Christian reeling. He chokeslammed Christian and RVD went up for the frog splash, but Jericho shoved him off to the floor. Christian revived enough to give Kane a low blow. Jericho hit Kane with the lionsault but only scored a two. Jericho and Christian each got a chair and they were about to do the "concerto" on Kane. They didn't complete it, but the ref still DQ'ed them for ignoring his warning to drop the chairs. Before they could hit Kane, Booker T ran in for the save to a big pop. Booker cleaned house and pounded Christian into the mat. Jericho & Christian fled as Booker did the spinaroonie. Pretty good match!

Shawn Michaels approached Flair backstage. He told him it would be wrong for him to lay down for HHH. He said that fifteen years ago he saw Flair doing a promo as world champion where he called himself the greatest and said he was the measuring stick for all wrestlers to aspire to. Michaels said that promo motivated him to go out and become the best he could be, and that he likes to think he reached that level. He told Flair that a wrestler is only as good as his last match, and that he knows Flair still has it in him to beat HHH. Flair actually cried, acting legitimately touched by what Michaels had to say.

Rodney Mack beat Spike Dudley in 4:59. Theodore Long & Mack came out. Mack complained that the crowd was too white. Long said that over the past few weeks, Mack has defeated a lot of white boys, but admitted they weren't exactly top competition. So he issued a challenge for any established white boy superstar to come out and last five minutes with Rodney. Spike Dudley came out. Long did color commentary as always. He accused JR of having once employed a black nanny. The match continued, with Long starting to get a little worried as Spike had Mack confused with his aerial tactics. But in the end, Mack hooked on a cobra clutch-type submission hold which Long called the Blackout. Spike tapped with only one second to go in the white boy challenge.

Footage aired of Trish Stratus getting a busted lip during the women's title match at Judgment Day. JR reported that she had the night off as a result. JR also reported that Flair seemed to be having second thoughts about laying down for HHH.

Austin barged into Bischoff's office shouting over a megaphone, which did wonders for Bischoff's hangover. Austin also banged on a garbage can lid and set off a siren. He told Bischoff that the way to overcome a hangover is to have a couple of women. Bischoff said he was too sick for that, but Austin said he had a couple of "girls" for him. The girls turned out to be Fabulous Moolah & Mae Young. Hey, Bischoff said he likes mature women! Bischoff was enraged and threw them both out.

Flair stood in front of a mirror in his sequined robe. He started getting self-motivated, strutted, and shouted "whoooo!"

La Resistance defeated Scott Steiner & Test in 2:05. Steiner took a bump out almost immediately and got rammed into the stairs. Stacy Keibler went over to help him. This left Test to fight both Frenchmen on his own. Steiner recovered and got on the apron, where Test collided with him. Test staggered back and was cradled for the pin by Sylvan Grenier. Steiner and Test argued afterward. Test tried to leave with Stacy but Steiner grabbed Stacy and tried to leave with her himself. After some more shoving and arguing, Stacy walked out on both of them, leaving them in the ring as she stormed off up the ramp.

Austin entered a room with a sign on the door reading "Interrogation Room". Meanwhile, it was revealed that the top 10 assailant suspects voted for by fans on WWE.com were: 1) Rock 29% of the vote, 2) Christian 18%, 3) HHH 14%, 4) Austin 13%, 5) Jericho 10%, 6) Eric Bischoff, Rodney Mack, and Lance Storm tied at 4%, 9) Theodore Long 3%, 10) Flair 1%.

After a break, Austin interrogated Lance Storm in the darkened room. Austin was acting like some out-of-control police detective while Storm was acting scared to death. Austin revealed that it was Storm's rental car that struck Goldberg's limo door. Storm stayed quiet at first but then admitted he was the driver. He claimed it was an accident, that the accelerator got stuck, and that he wasn't used to driving in America, claiming they drive on the other side of the road in Canada. Austin said Storm was insulting his intelligence, noting that Canadians don't drive on the other side. Storm then claimed it wasn't his idea to try to run Goldberg down. Austin sent Storm out to take his punishment by wrestling Goldberg, not even trying to follow up on the lead of who it was who put Storm up to the attack. Sorry, but this was silly.

HHH had his ribs taped up by the doctor. Flair walked in and HHH tried to engage him in small talk by mentioning some funny stories from Fred Blassie's book, but Flair wanted to be serious. He did an awesome promo, saying that six months ago HHH took him on as a manager because he wanted the best there is to be in his corner. He said HHH inspired him to rise to the occasion. Flair agreed that HHH was banged up from last night's match but said he went into the ring thousands of times banged up after a brutal match the night before. He said HHH is The Game and he can rise to the occasion and they can have a great match. Flair left triumphantly, having stood up for himself in Greenville. HHH looked worried.

Goldberg squashed Storm in 1:10 with the spear and jackhammer. Afterward, he choked Storm until he agreed to tell who put him up to try to run him down. Storm said it was Chris Jericho. Goldberg smiled, seemingly happy to find out it was Jericho.

HHH beat Flair in 7:27 to retain the RAW World Title. Flair came out to a great pop. Footage aired of the ugly bump HHH took at the PPV when Nash sent him through the announcer's desk. HHH tried to talk Flair into laying down for him. HHH strutted and refused. Flair hit some chops. HHH came back with an elbow. Flair punched HHH in his sore ribs and sent him over the top to the floor. They traded more chops and Flair did his bump over the turnbuckles. This time he did it successfully, and came off the top to nail HHH. Flair hit a chop block and hooked the figure four. HHH made the ropes. The traded a ton of chops. The ref got bumped and HHH went out to get the title belt. He swung it at Flair but missed. Flair raked the eyes, hit a low blow, and flattened HHH with the belt. The ref revived and counted, with HHH kicking out at two. HHH then caught Flair with a pedigree out of nowhere for the three count. Good match with great heat. Clearly the live crowd was disappointed that Flair didn't win his seventeenth world title, but I guess that just can't be in the cards at this stage. I still enjoyed seeing Flair be Flair. After the match, Nash came out and HHH beat a hasty retreat, though he collapsed when he reached the ramp top. Austin came out to end the show by informing HHH that he'll face Nash to defend the title in the Hell in the Cell at Bad Blood. HHH looked very worried. Nash was delighted.

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:

How great is the Nature Boy?

Since when is the punishment for attempted murder a singles match against the proposed victim?

Why does anyone act shocked when Rosey & Jamal lose?

Why didn't someone the caliber or Goldberg or Steiner come out when Long made his white boy challenge?

How silly was this entire car attack scenario?

And what was in it for Lance Storm to try to run down Goldberg for Chris Jericho?