WWF 2000 - The McMahon-Helmsley Era

[DakotaNorth]

WWF 2000 - The McMahon-Helmsley Era​

The Master Plan​

Armageddon 1999 altered the landscape of the World Wrestling Federation dramatically as we headed into the new millennium. The world bore witness to Hunter Hearst Helmsley’s rise from perennial contender to instrumental mastermind leading the company as the WWF Heavyweight Champion and its on-screen co-chief political power. The loss of main-stay top guys like Steve Austin, the Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels created a power vacuum that Triple H sought to usurp.

It all started to come together on the November 29th, 1999 edition of Raw is War when Triple H interrupted the marriage ceremony of Stephanie McMahon and Andrew ‘Test’ Martin, to reveal that only a few days ago, he himself had married an intoxicated Stephanie in a drive-through Las Vegas wedding. Stephanie was distraught, and both the groom, Test, and his best-man, Shane McMahon, went after HHH. They were quickly cut off by the reformation of D-X as the New Age Outlaws and X-Pac came to HHH’s aid. The result was a broken nose for Test, and a severe beating to Shane that left him in the hospital for several weeks. Vince McMahon was the only man left to defend his daughter’s honour, and he chose to do so in a No Holds Barred match at Armageddon, with the stipulation that if HHH loses, he must annul his marriage to Stephanie. HHH agreed.

As the end of the match drew near, Vince McMahon stood tall over a bloody and broken HHH with a sledgehammer in hand, ready to deal his form of justice to the man who had wronged him and his daughter. Stephanie then entered the ring and demanded that she be the one allowed to deliver the final blow. Vince agreed…only… she can't bring herself to do it. One moment is all he needs, and HHH saw the opportunity and he pounced. Grabbing the sledgehammer from Stephanie, he nails Vince McMahon with it, knocking him unconscious. HHH wins, but when you think it can’t get any worse for the chairman, it does.

Stephanie slowly breaks out into a smile and then embraces her husband, revealing that she had fallen in love with HHH against her own wants and wishes, but she couldn’t help herself. He’s everything she wants in a man. She says Vince is not half the man HHH is. He was always telling her what to do. He was always using the family to further his own ends. He had even sacrificed her to the Undertaker last year. She hated him, and at Armageddon he got what he deserved. Stephanie slaps her father and storms out of the ring. Vince is distraught and, along with Shane, leaves the arena. A press release several hours later reveals that Vince is taking an indefinite sabbatical and asks for privacy at this time, leaving HHH and Stephanie to run the show.

And so the McMahon-Helmsley Era began..

—-

At Survivor Series 1999, Stone Cold Steve Austin was due to face WWF Champion Triple H and the Rock in a triple threat match for the belt. However, early in the show DX and HHH confronted Austin backstage and led him towards the Parking Lot where an unknown assailant ran Austin over with a car. The Big Show took Austin’s place in the main event and won the title! His first WWF Heavyweight Title. Whilst fingers were pointed everywhere about who could have run down Austin, those answers wouldn’t be given until almost a year later, the night after Survivor Series 2000. As far as Big Show goes, he would feud briefly in an uncomfortable program involving Big Show’s deceased father, until HHH re-focussed on the heavyweight title after his war with Vince was over. On the first Raw is War of 2000, DX distracted the referee allowing HHH to hit a low blow and a Pedigree combo to pin the Big Show and become the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion for the third time in his career.

Having forged alliances with several other members of the locker room outside of just DX and his wife; with the Big Bossman, Prince Albert, the Dudleys, the Mean Street Posse, and even a manipulated Kane all serving their purpose to keep HHH’s enemies in line. With the removal of several potential obstacles, HHH then turned his attention to the last two potential problems. The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection. He forced the two men to face off in a pink slip on a pole match where the loser will be FIRED. A reluctant Rock wins the match and Mankind says his goodbyes.

HHH and Stephanie spend the next few weeks tormenting the entire locker room until the 10th January, 2000 episode of Raw is War where the Rock leads the roster out to the ring to stage a walkout if the McMahon-Helmsley couple don’t agree to their terms. He demands they reinstate Mick Foley. He demands that they stop with the ridiculous handicap and stipulation matches and with firing everyone that they just don’t like. HHH relents. Mankind returns, demands a match at the Rumble for the title against HHH, Rock enters the Rumble itself, and the power-hungry couple finally “eat a slice of the Rock’s homemade humble pie”.

Mick Foley (Mankind) returns on RAW! WWE Monday Night RAW. January 10, 2000

The road to the Royal Rumble was much rockier than HHH had expected for the McMahon-Helmsley Faction, with in-fighting involving DX and the introduction of a particular ‘cute’ Olympic Hero by the name of Kurt Angle. Stephanie had shown favour to Angle several times, even against her husband’s wishes, prompting HHH to try to end the undefeated streak of the only Olympic Gold Medallist in the history of the WWF. Kurt heads into his first Royal Rumble undefeated, looking to earn a spot in the main event of WrestleMania. Will Triple H be able to steady the McMahon-Helmsley ship, retain his title against the reborn Cactus Jack, and consolidate his power? The WWF Heavyweight Champion is always a marked man, but HHH has, more than anyone else - with perhaps the exception of his wife - painted a big red target on himself with the constant abuses of power that almost saw the whole locker room walk out.

The McMahon Helmsley Era may have begun, but will it persist?

​

Spoiler: PAST RESULTS

Chapter One: The McMahon-Helmsley Era
​

#001: 01/23/00 - ROYAL RUMBLE 2000
#002: 01/24/00 - RAW IS WAR (#348)
#003: 01/27/00 - SMACKDOWN (#24)
#004: 01/30/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#79)
#005: 01/31/00 - RAW IS WAR (#349)
#006: 02/03/00 - SMACKDOWN (#25)
#007: 02/06/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#80)
#008: 02/07/00 - RAW IS WAR (#350)
#009: 02/10/00 - SMACKDOWN (#26)
#010: 02/13/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#81)
#011: 02/14/00 - RAW IS WAR (#351)
#012: 02/17/00 - SMACKDOWN (#27)
#013: 02/20/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#82)
#014: 02/21/00 - RAW IS WAR (#352)
#015: 02/24/00 - SMACKDOWN (#28)
#016: 02/27/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#83)
#017: 02/27/00 - BACKLASH 2000
#018: 02/21/00 - RAW IS WAR (#353)
#019: 02/24/00 - SMACKDOWN (#29)
#020: 02/27/00 - SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT (#84)​

 

[DakotaNorth]

Royal Rumble 2000
January 23, 2000 // Madison Square Garden // New York City, NY​

>> A video package opens the show capturing the recent tensions caused by the power trip of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon since they took control of the company. Mankind was fired and only brought back when the entire roster threatened a walkout, with a title match at the Royal Rumble thrown in for good measure. Since then, Mankind became Cactus Jack once again, to tap into the more violent and sadistic side of his psyche. Their title match has since become a Street Fight, and Jack has promised all sorts of pain for ‘The Game’.

>> Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross welcome us to ringside, run down the card, and announce that the opening match has been changed to a Royal Rumble qualifier match, where the winner will earn a place in the 2000 Royal Rumble.

>> KURT ANGLE is out first with a microphone in hand, letting everyone know that he had the intelligence to request for this match to give him the opportunity to enter the rumble, which he had previously been denied entry to. The integrity to be a man of his word and face a mystery opponent. And the intensity to win this match and then go on to win the Rumble match too, and earn a shot at the WWF Heavyweight Title at Wrestlemania, all in one night. He tells New York he will be their Royal Rumble Olympic Champion, and be the true American Hero they all desperately need him to be. The lights turn orange and a pulsating symbol flashes on the screen as the ‘Human Suplex Machine’ TAZZ makes his entrance to a gigantic reaction from his hometown crowd.

>> Royal Rumble Qualifier: Tazz def. Kurt Angle via referee decision after Angle was rendered unconscious by the Katahajime. [03:16]

>> The Hardy Boyz are backstage watching a monitor showing a replay of their table bumps at the hands of the Dudleyz on the last episode of Smackdown. Elsewhere, Michael Cole catches up with Tazz who says that Angle was just the first in a long line of victims

>> Tag Team Elimination Tables Match: The Hardy Boyz def. The Dudley Boyz in a violent and brutal encounter that saw shattered tables, broken bodies, and high-flying high-octane action. Jeff Hardy’s daredevil nature was on full display as he hit a Swanton Bomb from the balcony to get the win. [10:17]

>> Kurt is backstage being attended to by an EMT. He asks what happened, did he win? He discovers he was choked out, so no, he did not win. He declares “that’s illegal” and therefore he’s still undefeated. The EMT shrugs and Kurt grabs his gear, storming past him, muttering something about how Stephanie will fix this. Lawler agrees with Kurt, whilst JR is having none of it.

>> Miss Rumble 2000 Swimsuit Contest: This featured your regulars; Ivory, the Kat, B.B, Terri, Jackie, Mae Young, and Luna was thrown in for good measure. Usual antics occurred and Mae Young was the winner because she showed off some prosthetic breasts. Ahem. Moving on.

>> CHRIS JERICHO and CHYNA have been joined at the hip since a controversial double-pin situation left the two as co-champions. If either of them lose it, they both lose it, so they have been interfering in one anothers matches to ensure the belt isn’t lost - even if that means hitting your co-champion so they win by disqualification, or kidnapping your co-champion, strapping them to a chair, and attacking their THUMB with a hammer! Anything for the gold, ey!? The Kat has been dragged along for the ride and before the match was getting frustrated with Jericho’s selfishness. Experiencing a brief moment with him alone, she told him to, for the first time in his life, do the right thing by Chyna and then walked off, leaving him puzzled.

>> Kurt catches Stephanie McMahon heading into her dressing room. She says she’s busy until she turns and notices who it is. She smiles. He says “you’re always doing right by me Steph, but that Tazz, he choked me out. He can’t do that! I’m undefeated!”. Steph says she agrees, and that’s why she is reversing the decision. Kurt Angle is the winner by disqualification, therefore he will enter the Royal Rumble, and she’ll make sure that Tazz is let go. Kurt is delighted and hugs her only for HHH to open the door at that very moment wondering where she’s got to. Kurt says “Hey Hunter, good luck in your match. I’ve no doubt you’ll be the champion I face at WrestleMania.” He offers HHH a handshake but is ignored. HHH pulls Stephanie into the locker room and shuts the door. Angle shrugs and resumes being utterly delighted at his re-entry into the Rumble Match.

>> WWF Intercontinental Title Triple Threat Match: Chris Jericho © def. Chyna © w/ The Kat and Bob Holly w/ Crash Holly to become the undisputed Intercontinental Champion. Jericho and Chyna worked as a team to handle Bob Holly before having to face off. Jericho locked off but seemed unsure of himself and Chyna was able to easily overcome his sloppy offence and even drop him with a powerbomb, but she didn’t pin him. The Kat shouted at her but Chyna just shook her head and went outside to throw Bob into the ring. Holly had been biding his time and used this opportunity to nail a trademark dropkick on the Ninth Wonder and set her up for the Alabama Slam. Jericho cut him off and they traded blows, with Jericho quickly driving him back into the corner. A bulldog sets Holly up for the Lionsault but Chyna is up and the co-champions face off. Jericho says he never lost the title, they should have just had a rematch. Chyna shrugs and suddenly charges at Jericho. He ducks. LARIATO~!. Chyna nails Holly who was trying to sneak attack Jericho. Chyna picks him up. Powerbomb. She then points at Jericho and tells him to hit the Lionsault. He hesitates but she insists and she slides out of the ring. Lionsault. 1…2…3. Jericho wins! Chyna grabs the title and slides in and hands it over to Jericho before raising his hand. Jericho looks more confused than anyone else. Chyna leaves with The Kat demanding answers from her, and getting nothing in return. [07:30]

>> THE ROCK is backstage with Michael Cole, he guaran-damn-tees a victory and nobody will stand in his way. Not The Big Slow, not the Big Red Iidot Kane, and not even Crash Holly or Headbanger Mosh, although he is concerned about the latter two. The Great One will prevail and head to WrestleMania. Rock asks Michael if he can smell it? Cole looks confused. You know the rest.

>> WWF Tag Team Titles Match: The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) © def. The Acolytes (Faarooq & Bradshaw) after the Mean Street Posse once again involve themselves in the Acolytes’ business, this time before the bell even rings.. The bruisers deal with the Posse but this allows Gunn to gain the upper hand with a Fame Asser on Bradshaw to get the three count and retain the titles. [02:35]

>> WWF Heavyweight Title Street Fight: Triple H © def. Cactus Jack after two Pedigree’s, the second onto thumbtacks, to retain the title after a brutal and violent match. Stephanie was conspicuous by her absence, with Lawler thankful she wasn't there, but JR questioned if she was caught up with Kurt. During the match HHH handcuffed Cactus and attempted to recreate last year’s Rumble moment where the Rock brutalised a helpless Foley with a chair, but this time the Rock came to Foley’s aid and nailed HHH with a chair and uncuffed Cactus. With both men going to their limits in Cactus’ speciality match, it was actually the champion, Triple H, who came out on top. After the match EMT’s looked to take HHH away on a stretcher but Cactus attacked HHH once again with the 2x4, and this one isn’t done yet. [26:55]

>> Linda McMahon is with Jonathan Coachman in NEW YORK and he asks her what she, as CEO, thinks of the way Stephanie and HHH have been running things. She says she is appalled and that once she has clearance from the board, she would be making some changes to the way things have been run this past month.

>> Kurt Angle approaches a road agent backstage and says he hasn’t got his Rumble number yet. Turns out there is only one number left to pick from the tombola set up in the canteen. Kurt takes the piece of paper out, unfolds it, and is completely dejected as we see that he has drawn entry number one. He storms off complaining about being set up as we head to the Fink, who explains the rules. Ninety second intervals, and the Shawn Michaels rule (over the top rope and both feet MUST TOUCH THE FLOOR - we call that foreshadowing).

>> 30 Man Royal Rumble Match: The Rock defeats 29 other men to earn himself a match in the main event of WrestleMania 2000 against the World Heavyweight Champion. [51:51]

Notable moments from the match include:​

• KURT ANGLE entered at #1 and was able to survive until the final four, mostly because TAZZ interrupted his entrance and beat him within an inch of his life, including putting him through a production table off top of the ramp with a powerbomb before security arrived and forced him to leave. JR remarked that Tazz was clearly unhappy at Stephanie reversing the result of their match, and with good reason! Lawler is appalled.
  ​
• TEST made quite a mark on the early portion of the Rumble eliminating THRASHER (#3) D’LO BROWN (#2), STEVE BLACKMAN (#8), and CHRISTIAN (#4) before he came up against the formidable PRINCE ALBERT who dropped Test with a scissors kick before tossing him out.
  ​
• TOO COOL, that is GRANDMASTER SEXAY (#5) and SCOTTY 2 HOTTY (#7), were fortunate to stay in the ring whilst all of this was going on around them, and even more fortunate that when Prince Albert turned his attentions to them, they were joined in the ring by RIKISHI (#10). He saved his partners and the three members of Too Cool disposed of Prince Albert before realising they had time to do a quick dance off. Rikishi then tossed both of his partners out, although they showed no hard feelings and Scotty and GM Sexay danced their way back up the ramp.
  ​
• The BIG BOSSMAN (#11) came out next and he and Rikishi had a big stare down before brawling all over the ring. The ring started filling around them but they paid the new entrants no mind as they continued to focus solely on one another. That was to their detriment as the combined efforts of EDGE (#12). The BRITISH BULLDOG (#13), GANGREL (#14), and CRASH HOLLY (#15) toppled both men over to the outside. They continued fighting as referees tried to escort them up the ramp and away from the action. As they did, Kurt Angle was finally making his way to the ring, stumbling as he went, only to take a SAVATE KICK from Rikishi for simply getting in his way.
  ​
• AL SNOW (#18) was this year's quickest elimination as he entered the ring, immediately charged at Crash Holly clotheslining him up and over, but also taking himself over the top in the process.
  ​
• The ring continued to fill up with no eliminations until THE ROCK (#24) showed up. He bumped into the struggling Kurt on his way down and helped him out, tossing him into the middle of the ring as he stalked the outside. ROAD DOGG (#17) and MR ASS (#23) attempted to get everyone united against the People’s Champion but it inevitably failed when the APA, FAAROOQ (#16) and BRADSHAW (#20) attacked the New Age Outlaws, and threw them both over the top rope.
  ​
• The MEAN STREET POSSE were removed from the Rumble by HHH and Stephanie McMahon as punishment for failing to deal with Kane and the Acolytes over the last month, but they showed up anyway to eliminate the APA. Ultimately, this was a flawed plan, as Rodney and Joey Abs took powerbombs onto the ringside steel steps, and Pete Gas was double powerbombed onto the ring apron.
  ​
• THE BIG SHOW (#26) was here to right the wrongs he had felt at the hands of the McMahon-Helmsley Era, but also at not being given a rematch, and for The Rock calling him a jabroni that he would just throw over the top rope with ease. So, of course, Show went straight for the Rock, but the two were either side of a sea of people brawling in the middle of the ring. They eliminated every last one of them until only The Rock, The Big Show, Kurt Angle and MARK HENRY (#25) remained in the ring with only four more entrants left to go. Henry took down The Rock and Kurt Angle right away, with a belly-to-belly slam leaving Kurt to slide outside the ring and hope to be forgotten. Henry then turned and faced the Big Show, charging at him, but The Big Show was quick to react and toppled the World’s Strongest Man over the top rope, leaving only him and The Rock in the ring.
  ​
• The Rock and Big Show stare one another down as the next entrant’s music hits. FUNAKI (#27) of KAI-EN-TAI is out, sprinting towards the ring. The Rock holds his hand out to the Big Show telling him to wait. He points at Funaki and as he slides into the ring he is put down immediately with a Rock Bottom. Big Show then grabs him off the canvas and hits a Chokeslam. The Rock applauds and then looks like he’s about to hit the People’s Elbow, but Big Show grabs Funaki from the canvas and throws him over the top rope. The two men face off again and the crowd is electric, but it is punctuated by a rather quick follow up entrant, as KAI-EN-TAI’s music hits once again, and this time it’s TAKA MICHINOKU (#28)! He sprints to the ring and the exact same thing happens. Rock Bottom. Chokeslam. People Elbo-nope, Big Show tosses TAKA out again and they face off. No music interrupts this time and the two brawl it out, with Big Show getting a grip of the Rock and taking control.
  ​
• KANE (#29) is out next accompanied by Tori, followed by X-Pac (#30). Kane lays everyone out and Kurt Angle finally looks ready to slide in of his own volition, before he notices Big Show stirring. The two behemoths come to blows but Kane is not backing down and he actually has the Big Show reeling before a low blow from X-Pac drops the Big Red Machine to one knee. X-Factor just pisses him off and Kane goes after Pac. He goozles him and looks ready to Chokeslam him when TORI SLIDES INTO THE RING! ANOTHER LOW BLOW ON KANE! Big Show eliminates Kane, and then Kurt Angle grabs X-Pac from behind and tosses him out to, leaving only three; Kurt Angle, The Big Show, and The Rock. Tori and X-Pac flee the scene as Kane is left distraught (or so Lawler assumes, since the mask isn’t emotive).
  ​
• Kurt Angle puts up a valiant effort fending off Big Show and The Rock, but is unable to overcome them, as when he almost has The Rock over the top, Big Show clubs him from behind and then launches him up and over. Rock scores a spinebuster and a People’s Elbow. He looks to throw Show out of the ring, but he can’t lift him up! Big Show fights back with punches to the gut AND THEN BIG SHOW HITS A CHOKESLAM! Big Show now looks to dispose of the Rock, lifting him up and running toward the ropes. Looking to eliminate him the same way he did Kurt Angle. HOWEVER, BOTH MEN TUMBLE OVER! At the last second the Rock hooks the ropes and saves himself and replays DO NOT show the Rock’s feet touching the floor because they didn’t, okay? Okay? Good! The Rock has a date with the WWF Champion in the main event of WrestleMania 2000. Will HHH still have the belt two months from now?​

​

FULL LIST OF ENTRANTS​

1. Kurt Angle​
2. D’Lo Brown​
3. Headbanger Thrasher​
4. Christian​
5. GrandMaster Sexay​
6. Test​
7. Scotty 2 Hotty​
8. Steve Blackman​
9. Prince Albert​
10. Rikishi​
11. Big Bossman​
12. Edge​
13. British Bulldog​
14. Gangrel​
15. Crash Holly​
16. Faarooq​
17. Road Dogg​
18. Al Snow​
19. Val Venis​
20. Bradshaw​
21. Headbanger Mosh​
22. Godfather​
23. Mr. Ass​
24. The Rock​
25. Mark Henry​
26. The Big Show​
27. Funaki​
28. TAKA​
29. Kane​
30. X-Pac​

​

ORDER OF ELIMINATION / (ELIMINATED BY) / [NUMBER OF ELIMINATIONS]​

1. Thrasher (eliminated by TEST) [0]​
2. D’Lo Brown (eliminated by TEST) [0]​
3. Steve Blackman (eliminated by TEST) [0]​
4. Christian (eliminated by TEST) [0]​
5. Test (eliminated by Prince Albert) [4]​
6. Prince Albert (eliminated by Too Cool) [0]​
7. Scotty 2 Hotty (eliminated by Rikishi) [1]​
8. GrandMaster Sexay (eliminated by Rikishi) [1]​
9. Big Bossman (eliminated by Edge, Crash, Bulldog, Gangrel) [1]​
10. Rikishi (eliminated by Edge, Crash, Bulldog, Gangrel) [3]​
11. Crash Holly (eliminated by Al Snow) [1]​
12. Al Snow (eliminated by Al Snow) [2]​
13. Road Dogg (eliminated by Bradshaw) [0]​
14. Mr. Ass (eliminated by Faarooq) [0]​
15. Faarooq (eliminated by the Mean Street Posse, non-entrants) [1]​
16. Bradshaw (eliminated by the Mean Street Posse, non-entrants) [1]​
17. British Bulldog (eliminated by The Big Show) [1]​
18. Mosh (eliminated by The Rock) [0]​
19. Val Venis (eliminated by The Big Show) [0]​
20. Gangrel (eliminated by The Rock) [1]​
21. Godfather (eliminated by The Rock) [0]​
22. Edge (eliminated by The Rock) [1]​
23. Mark Henry (eliminated by The Big Show) [0]​
24. Funaki (eliminated by The Big Show) [0]​
25. Taka Michinoku (eliminated by The Big Show) [0]​
26. Kane (eliminated by The Big Show) [0]​
27. X-Pac (eliminated by Kurt Angle) [0]​
28. Kurt Angle (eliminated by The Big Show) [1]​
29. The Big Show (eliminated by The Rock) [7]​

Winner: The Rock [5]

Most Eliminations: The Big Show [7]
Longest Time in Match: Kurt Angle [00:49:17]
Shortest Time in Match: Al Snow [00:00:04]
​

QUICK RESULTS​

Pre-Show: WWF Light Heavyweight Title: Essa Rios def. Gillberg ©​

1. Royal Rumble Qualifier: Tazz def. Kurt Angle via referee decision to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble match. This was later reversed by Stephanie McMahon, claiming it should have been a disqualification against Tazz.​
2. Tag Team Elimination Tables Match: The Hardy Boyz def. The Dudley Boyz.​
3. Mae Young won the Miss Rumble 2000 Swimsuit Contest​
4. Intercontinental Title Triple Threat Match: Chris Jericho © def. Chyna © w/ The Kat and Bob Holly w/ Crash Holly to become the undisputed Intercontinental Champion after Chyna helped put Holly down before sliding out and leaving Jericho to win the belt.​
5. Tag Team Titles: The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) © def. The Acolytes (Faarooq & Bradshaw).​
6. WWF Heavyweight Title Street Fight: HHH © def. Cactus Jack​
7. The Rock won the 2000 Royal Rumble Match to earn a title shot at WrestleMania.​

​

 

[DakotaNorth]

The Road to WrestleMania​

Triple H may have retained the title at Royal Rumble - proving that he could not only survive the violent and sadistic nature of Cactus Jack, but that he could match it too - but the toll it took on both men left them out of action for several weeks, during which Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley led the show on her own, causing several issues for Triple H upon his return. The first of which was Kurt Angle, the Olympic Hero that still maintained - despite his TKO loss to Tazz at the Rumble - that he was undefeated, cosying up to his new bride in his absence. HHH had laughed it off when Steph called Kurt ‘cute’, but HHH’s two weeks off after the Street Fight gave Kurt ample opportunity to spend time with her. In the continued absence of both Vince and Shane, Stephanie held all the power, and continued to use it to her advantage.

The Rock had outlasted twenty-nine other men in the Royal Rumble match, eliminating The Big Show last to guarantee himself a spot in the main event of WrestleMania against the World Wrestling Federation’s Heavyweight Champion. Or so we all thought. Stephanie’s interpretation of this was that not only had Kurt Angle been unfairly attacked, both by Tazz and by Rikishi, therefore calling into question the legitimacy of his elimination, but that The Rock would have to defend his right to the WrestleMania main event against both The Big Show and Kurt Angle at No Way Out if he was unable to defeat them both tonight…

​

---

RAW IS WAR #348
January 24th, 2000 // First Union Center // Philadelphia, PA
>> The first RAW after the Royal Rumble was not quite the night of celebration that The Rock had hoped for. Firstly, STEPHANIE MCMAHON-HELMSLEY announced that both her husband and Mick Foley were not here tonight after going to war last night in a Street Fight. She said it showed the kind of man HHH was that he never backs down from a fight and that he is the only man fit to wear the WWF Heavyweight Title because he is “THAT DAMN GOOD”. In a surprising turn of events, Stephanie said that as one half of the most powerful couple in wrestling, maybe she should be a world champion too, as she set her sights on the WWF Women’s Title, making a match against THE KAT for later in the show. She said the Rumble Match was marred with controversy, due to the attack by Tazz, who had since been fired for his actions, and then she sought to address THE ROCK. He beat her to the punch and showed up to dress her down, saying the only belt she needs is the one “your daddy should’ve used to straighten you out” before offering to do it himself. KURT ANGLE’s music then hit as he came out to tell The Rock to show some respect to a lady. That didn’t go too well so Stephanie said she had an idea and made the main event of tonight a High-Stakes No DQ Tag Team Match with The Rock facing Kurt Angle AND THE BIG SHOW. The stakes? If The Rock and his partner lose then The Rock will have to defend his Mania main-event spot against both Kurt Angle AND The Big Show at No Way Out. The Rock thinks on it, but finally he accepts.

>> Edge & Christian def. KAI-EN-TAI. Neither team were able to impress at the Rumble, but this was a high-flying affair that showed why everyone is so excited about the Canadian duo’s future as they beat KAI-EN-TAI in a very fast, athletic contest. Edge scored the pinfall over Funaki after the DOWNWARD SPIRAL. [04:37]

>> KANE is seen trashing the backstage area looking for Tori and X-Pac, seeking retribution on the duo after Tori turned on Kane last night during the Rumble match, nailing him with a low blow that brought about his elimination. Eventually, Kane confronted Stephanie backstage whilst she was talking with Kurt - Angle stood between the two but evidently wanted no part of Kane. Stephanie said she sympathised with Kane but she hadn’t seen either Tori nor X-Pac tonight. She pauses and says "but on Smackdown, it will be Kane against X-Pac". Kane stormed off whilst Angle looked relieved.

>> Test def. D’Lo Brown. Looking to distance himself from the embarrassment of Stephanie’s betrayal and the constant beatdowns at the hands of the McMahon-Helmsley Faction and its assorted cronies, TEST had a decent outing in the Rumble, and continued to rebuild here as he made short work of D’LO BROWN with a Big Boot and a Pumphandle Slam finishing this one in under four minutes. [03:53]

>> This time it was the NEW AGE OUTLAWS that Stephanie would book into a match against their will, making them defend the titles against the impressive Hardy Boyz - who she said had earned a title shot after the way they overcame The Dudleyz last night. Billy was less than impressed, but Kurt - still hanging around - said that Steph was doing them a favour since The Hardyz would be nowhere near 100%. Road Dogg nods and agrees, but Billy just says “Hunter wouldn’t be happy with this”.

>> Elsewhere, Michael Cole caught up with The Hardyz and Terri and informed them that they would be getting their tag title opportunity tonight against the New Age Outlaws. Matt says the road to get here, to this moment, has been relentless, but they have no plans on slowing down now.

>> Rikishi w/ Too Cool def. Prince Albert. There were no hard feelings between the three members of Too Cool after RIKISHI eliminated the other two, but PRINCE ALBERT felt differently about the three of them eliminating him. Sadly for Albert, this wasn’t the night to get his own back as Rikishi handled this one with ease, getting the pinfall after the Rikishi Driver. After the match the trio looked to get their groove on, but when the lights dimmed, THE BIG BOSSMAN ran into the ring and laid out Rikishi with the nightstick. He then turned his attention to Scotty and Grandmaster lariats and side slams galore before crushing their sunglasses for good measure. Albert looked at one moment that he might intervene and help his former ally but instead he made his way to the back. [03:28]

>> CHYNA was backstage being hounded by the WWF Women’s Champion, THE KAT, who was desperate to know where Chyna’s head was at. “Why did you basically hand the Intercontinental title to Jericho last night, huh?” Before Chyna can answer, CHRIS JERICHO arrives and asks if he can have a word…in private. Kat takes her leave, reminding Chyna that she has a title match to get ready for if Chyna can make the time. Chyna says she’ll be right there, but when she turns around to talk to Jericho they are attacked by Hardcore and Crash Holly. Officials quickly break things up, but Chyna took the brunt of that and looks worse for wear. JR reminds us that Jericho and Hardcore Holly will face off later tonight, for the Intercontinental title.

>> WWF Tag Team Titles Match: The Hardy Boyz def. The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) via disqualification when BUBBA RAY and D-VON DUDLEY ran in and attacked The Hardyz. Jeff and Matt had put on a good showing despite still feeling the effects of last nights tables match at the Rumble, but the tag team champions would retain their belts and laugh their way to the back. After the Dudleyz were finished with the Hardyz they turned their attention to Terri, who was checking on Jeff. With a wild look in his eye, Bubba Ray ordered his brother to get a table, and they proceeded to powerbomb her through it from the top turnbuckle. EMT’s and referee’s ran to the ring and Terri was stretchered out of the arena, with the Dudleyz disappearing through the crowd looking proud of themselves. [06:46]

>> JR and Lawler remind us of all the things Kane has been through, culminating in the betrayal by a woman that Kane had loved. Probably for the first time. It all began at WrestleMania XV, nearly a year ago, when Chyna and DX turned on Kane and unceremoniously ejected him from The Corporation. Then he thought he found a friend in X-Pac, teaming together and even winning the WWF Tag Team Titles, along with finding his voice and a girlfriend in Tori. That didn’t last very long as X-Pac turned on Kane to rejoin his former DX cronies. After that, he used Tori to manipulate Kane to do HHH’s bidding, before Tori finally revealed her true colours and hit Kane with a low blow, reuniting with X-Pac at the Royal Rumble.

>> WWF Women’s Title Match: Stephanie McMahon w/ Kurt Angle def. The Kat ©. Kurt accompanied Stephanie to ringside, although made it clear he wasn’t going to play any part in it. The Kat waited briefly for Chyna to show up, but she didn’t, having been attacked earlier in the show by the Holly’s. Stephanie used lots of cheap tactics and bent every rule in the book, but the Kat wasn’t about to just roll over and be pinned, as she fired back and even gained the upper hand over the billion dollar princess (it would be worth hiring Joey Styles just to hear him yelling 'catfiiiiiight' over and over). However, when X-Pac and Tori came running down the ramp, Kat thought she was about to get jumped, only for them to run straight passed the ring and over the barricade... with Kane hot on their heels! The distraction was enough for Stephanie to regain her bearings and jump Kat from behind with a hard elbow, before dropping her with a Pedigree. "And your NEW WWF Women’s World Champion". She and Kurt celebrate her title victory in the ring as JR wonders what HHH would think of this watching from home. Lawler defends Kurt and says “he’s a friend celebrating his friend’s success, what’s wrong with that JR?”. [04:35]

>> After a commercial break we see that during the break Kane chased X-Pac and Tori to the parking lot before they fled the scene in a sudan.

>> Intercontinental Title Match: Chris Jericho © w/ Chyna def. Hardcore Holly w/ Crash Holly. Bob Holly just can’t catch a break no matter who the IC champion is. JR channels his inner-the Kat to question why Chyna gave Jericho the victory at the Rumble and the title, AND why she’s out here with Jericho when she didn’t show for the women’s title match. Lawler clears it all up. Definitively. “Well, maybe Chyna realised he IS the better champion after all, and now she’s on Team Jericho. She’s a Jerichoholic, JR! Ha-ha!” Bob Holly gives as good as he can but Jericho is better in all departments and quickly asserts control in the match. Crash looks to attack Jericho when Bob has the referee distracted, but Chyna quickly intervenes and a forearm stops Crash dead in his tracks. Jericho reverses an Alabama Slam, and it’s not long before “Sparky” is tapping out to the Walls of Jericho. After the match, Hardcore attacks his cousin and lays him out with an Alabama Slam.[05:12]

>> THE ROCK is backstage with Michael Cole as the arena erupts around them. Cole asks The Rock about his match against The Big Show and Kurt Angle coming up next, asking the burning question: “Who is going to be your partner tonight?”. The Rock adjusts his sunglasses and looks down at Michael before announcing that he has thought about it long and hard - “don’t get excited Cole” - and he had a few ideas; King Kong Bundy, George Hackenshmidt, maybe even you Michael…” Cole looks up at him eagerly, “or maybe not. But whoever The Rock’s partner is it doesn’t matter because The Rock is going to walk down to the People’s aisle, climb on into the people’s ring, and then layeth the smacketh down on both of their candy asses, partner or no partner.”

>> No Disqualification Tag Team Match: The Big Show & Kurt Angle w/ Stephanie McMahon def. The Rock & Tazz. Stephanie accompanies Kurt to the ring with her brand new women’s title over her shoulder. She grabs a microphone and announces that this tag team match has now become a No-Disqualification match, and then she takes a seat at the commentary table. The Rock is out next, and he comes armed with a microphone saying he knew what Stephanie would do, but he’s always going to be one step ahead of her. The arena is plunged into orange and a pulsating light with several beeps that can only mean one thing. Kurt Angle’s face is a picture as TAZZ storms out from the back with Stephanie complaining that "he can’t be here, he’s not supposed to be here!" JR says it’s no disqualification so anything goes! Tazz hits the ring and Angle decides he isn’t sticking around, and Tazz gives chase through the stands. That leaves The Big Show and The Rock to face off in the ring, and they both just start laying into one another, Big Show looking dominant, but The Rock refusing to give up. The end of the match comes as Rock hits a Rock Bottom on the big man and then sets up for the People’s Elbow, only to get interrupted by Stephanie. He drags her into the ring and prepares to hit the Rock Bottom but Big Show is up and he quickly attacks the Rock from behind. A Showstopper puts the Rock down for the three count, and it looks like Rock will have to defend his WrestleMania main event spot against both Big Show and Kurt Angle at No Way Out. [11:08]

>> After the match Big Show goes to leave but Stephanie calls him back, telling him to take The Rock out of the picture. He hesitates and she tells him if he wants a title shot, he'll do as he's told. He deliberates, looking like he might lose his temper with Stephanie, but then decides to drag the Rock out of the ring. He clears the announce table, and then slams The Rock through it with a Show Stopper as the show goes off the air to JR’s cries of “oh the humanity” and Lawler wondering what happened to Kurt and whether he’s okay!
​

Spoiler: Quick Results

QUICK RESULTS

1. Edge & Christian def. KAI-EN-TAI​
2. Test def. D’Lo Brown​
3. Rikishi w/ Too Cool def. Prince Albert w/ The Big Bossman​
4. Tag Team Titles: The Hardy Boyz w/ Terri def. The New Age Outlaws © via DQ (no title change)​
5. Women’s Title: Stephanie McMahon def. The Kat ©​
6. Intercontinental Title: Chris Jericho w/ Chyna def. Hardcore Holly w/ Crash​
7. NO DQ: The Big Show & Kurt Angle w/ Stephanie McMahon def. The Rock & Tazz​

 

[DakotaNorth]

SMACKDOWN #24
Jan 27th, 2000 (Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland)

>> The show opens with a replay of the ending to the RAW Main Event where Big Show not only pinned The Rock, after a distraction from Stephanie McMahon, but then laid him out with another Chokeslam, this one through the announce table. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcome us to Smackdown and tell us that just like on RAW, HHH and Cactus Jack are still recovering after their hellacious battle at the Rumble, and The Rock won’t be here tonight either. Lawler asks who the hell IS here tonight? Cole runs through the confirmed matches for tonight; in the main event, Kane gets his shot at redemption versus X-Pac after Tori betrayed Kane and sided with DX. Also, Chris Jericho defends the Intercontinental Title against the British Bulldog, and with the Road Dogg absent due to a virus, ‘Bad Ass’ Billy Gunn faces the Godfather in singles action, next!

>> ‘No Chance…’ hits on the P.A, but it’s not the owner of the WWF, it’s his wife, the CEO, LINDA MCMAHON! She spoke at the Royal Rumble about introducing some “checks and balances” due to the way her daughter and son-in-law had been running the company in the continued absence of Vince McMahon. She immediately calls out STEPHANIE who obliges. “What are you even doing here, mom? You’re not usually the attentive type.” Stephanie gives her mother grief, but Linda reveals that she won’t be doing the overseeing, she will be appointing someone in her place to make sure that there isn’t another potential roster mutiny! The segment finishes with Linda telling her daughter to get her act together or there will be consequences. Stephanie looks shaken as her mother leaves her stunned in the ring.

>> The Godfather (w/ ‘The Ladies’ - this is the USA network, gotta be respectful!) def. Billy Gunn. Cole reminds us that a win here over BILLY GUNN, a champion, would give Godfather and his partner Val Venis a tag team title opportunity, so this is a big match for the GODFATHER, who puts on a show for his ladies. He goes through the usual gears before one of his ladies climbs onto the ring apron asking Billy for a kiss. Lawler offers to take Gunn’s place as Billy succumbs to the fiery vixen. As he goes in for the kiss., Godfather is ready. He whips Gunn around, hoists him up, and then drops him with a Death Valley Driver for the victory. He and Val Venis will get a tag team title shot when Road Dogg returns. [04:37]

>> KURT ANGLE is backstage with a moody Stephanie as he tries to calm her down and tell her everything is going to be fine. Her mood seems to improve slightly, but they are immediately interrupted by BIG SHOW. He wants to make sure that Stephanie is going to be able to keep her word with her mother getting involved. Stephanie reassures him her mother isn’t a problem and at NO WAY OUT, both Kurt and the Big Show would face the Rock in a triple threat match to determine who will face her husband at WrestleMania. “Or Cactus..” Show adds, winking and leaving Kurt to deal with a freshly angered Stephanie!

>> Edge & Christian def. Too Cool via disqualification. Almost a repeat of what happened to the Hardyz on RAW. Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley hit the ring and attacked Edge and Christian, with Bubba telling his brother to “get the tables’”. The Hardyz then hit the ring to prevent any table action, sending the Dudley Boyz packing. [03:31]

>> HARDCORE HOLLY is backstage with his cousin CRASH apologising for his temper getting the better of him on RAW when he attacked and laid his cousin out with an Alabama Slam. Crash is having none of it saying, “Cousin, I love you, but you’re the worst!!” He tells Bob he’s already got a new partner, prompting Hardcore to say “Oh yeah? Well so have I. And they’re much better than you ever were!!”

>> The MEAN STREET POSSE are the next to barge into Stephanie’s office uninvited, and this time she loses her rag with them. When asked what they want, they stutter and stumble and Stephanie has no time for them, booking them in a match against TEST and the ACOLYTES. The kicker? If they lose, they’re fired. They leave, totally dejected. Stephanie says she’s actually starting to cheer up, and she remembers that she got Kurt a gift other than making sure Tazz never steps foot in a WWF ring again. Kurt looks giddy, although slightly less so when she reveals that she has booked him in a title match against WWF European Champion Val Venis. Kurt says it’s not quite the prize he had in mind, but he figures he doesn’t mind collecting all of the titles on his way to the top. Kurt admires his medals and looks pretty damn content. Cole wonders what prize Kurt might have had in mind, but Lawler’s having none of his insinuations.

>> Test & The Acolytes (Bradshaw & Faarooq) def. The Mean Street Posse (Rodney, Joe Abs, and Pete Gas). This was as definitive as it gets with none of the Posse able to muster any real offence against the giant three men across the ring from them. Test murders Pete with a big boot, and then Bradshaw and Faarooq nail their respective finishers on Rodney and Joey Abs. This one is done within a minute, and the Mean Street Posse are gone! [00:48]

>> CHRIS JERICHO and CHYNA arrive backstage together after the commercial break and Lawler is gobsmacked. He still doesn’t understand why Chyna, after all that happened between the two when they were co-champions, would GIVE Jericho the Intercontinental Title, and then come out for his matches and arrive with him!

>> RIKISHI is backstage, telling Boss Man that he’s had enough of the cheap shots and that he may been used to being the biggest and baddest man, but that time has long passed, and Rikishi Fatu is the baddest man on the planet. Rikishi says if Boss Man is “actually man enough” to face him next week on RAW he better watch out, “because it’s time to squash this beef.”

>> Crash Holly & Viscera def. Hardcore Holly & Mark Henry. The Holly’s were mostly a non-factor during this match as their respective ACTUAL super heavyweight partners totally dominated the match. Viscera took Bob’s head off with a rolling kick, and the World’s Strongest Slam incapacitated Crash. Henry tried a splash off the second rope but missed, allowing Viscera to hit his running splash for the victory. Viscera grabs the barely conscious Crash and slings him over his shoulder, carrying him to the back. [03:52]

>> THE KAT confronts Chyna backstage, with things getting heated fairly quickly between the two. Kat says Chyna didn't support her last week and that's why she lost the title. Chyna reminds her she got attacked but Kat aint listening. She says “you’ve changed” and accuses Chyna of being brainwashed "or something". Chyna says she’s "never been more sure of what she wants". When Jericho showed up, Kat stormed off, leaving him to ask "what the hell was that all about?"

>> WWF European Title Match: Kurt Angle def. Val Venis © to capture his first ever gold in the WWF! Val is no match for the fired up Olympian who hits several suplex variations before finishing this one with the Olympic Slam. Kurt looked great in the ring, but so did Venis, with several near-falls teasing that Val might be the one to officially end Kurt Angle's streak, but it wasn't to be. After the match Kurt grabs a microphone and thanks his parents, his family, friends, and most importantly, Stephanie McMahon! He says she believed in him when nobody else did, and so on. [05:51]

>> AL SNOW is backstage apologising to someone off-camera. He wants them to know that he’s sorted his head out, and he regrets how he’s been since “you know, the book…”. The camera pans to reveal CACTUS JACK, who is here tonight after all. Jack says he appreciates Al’s words but that right now he had some business to take care of. Jack begins to walk away with Al asking where he’s going. “To the ring.”.

>> Stephanie and Kurt are in Steph’s office. Steph is mortified that Cactus is here whilst Kurt is preoccupied with admiring his new title and strategically placing his medals around the belt. “I can’t believe this. He’s not even cleared to be in the ring.” Kurt looks around as Stephanie begins to leave, asking if she needs his help. “Thanks, but I can handle old Mick Foley”, and she heads out as Kurt turns back to all his gold.

>> Cactus makes his way to the ring with a lead pipe in hand, saying he had three things to get off his chest and then he’d be on his way. He said his match at the Royal Rumble may have been the greatest match of his career, but he couldn’t win the gold. He said that he knew his days were numbered at the top and he wanted to go out with a bang. He said he had a new found respect for Triple H after both men went to hell and back, showing a sadistic side and a love for violence he didn’t think Hunter had in him, but he added that HHH was wrong about one thing. It wasn’t Jack’s blood that was flowing at the Rumble, and it wasn’t Jack who was still laid up at home recovering from the brutality. He wants to go out on top, and after having enjoyed himself at the Rumble despite losing, he asks the crowd if they think he and Triple H should go another round. As they roared their approval, Stephanie McMahon marched to the ring telling Jack to go home, and to make some other plans because Triple H had nothing left to prove after beating him at the Rumble at his own game. Cactus asks if she’s got HHH’s balls with her, since he’s still at home. Stephanie slaps him for that, but immediately cowers when she sees the look in his eye. Kurt hits the ring but misses a clothesline and gets clotheslined up and over to the outside. Cactus grabs the mic and tells HHH he’s ready to finish what the two of them started. Kurt tries to console Stephanie but she immediately heads to the back.

>> WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Chris Jericho © w/ Chyna def. The British Bulldog. This would be the Bulldog’s last match in the WWF for some time to work through a few things, and he put on a very good match with Jericho. Bulldog used his power to dominate as Jericho looked to keep his distance and stay on the move. Bulldog looked to have the surprise win when he caught Jericho from a crossbody attempt and hit the running powerslam, but Jericho was able to get his foot on the bottom rope to break the fall. Bulldog tried to hit a second one but Jericho slipped out, and forced Bulldog to submit to the Walls of Jericho. [10:36]

>> X-Pac w/ Tori vs. Kane ends in a NO CONTEST. Choosing to only arrive at the Parking Lot ahead of his match, a car containing X-PAC and TORI screeched to a halt and they hopped out the back and began to head to the ring, only to be cut off by an enraged KANE. Tori screamed and ran back to the car but X-Pac wasn’t quick enough and was grabbed and thrown straight through a car windshield. Kane wasn’t done there as he climbed up and then Chokeslammed X-Pac onto the broken windshield, before heading towards the car. Tori slammed the doors shut and screamed at the driver to GO. He sped out of there as Kane lumbered after them with X-Pac seriously hurt in the parking lot. The show came to a close with Lawler crying out for medics and the police to arrest Kane for what he’s done!! Cole is more understanding, saying X-Pac “played with fire and got burnt. For everything that DX has done to Kane over the past two years, he finally got some measure of revenge.”​

Spoiler: Quick Results

QUICK RESULTS​

1. The Godfather (w/ The Ladies) def. Billy Gunn.​
2. Edge & Christian def. Too Cool via DQ.​
3. Test & the Acolytes def. The Mean Street Posse​
4. Crash Holly & Viscera def. Hardcore Holly & Mark Henry​
5. European Title: Kurt Angle def. Val Venis ©​
6. Intercontinental Title: Chris Jericho © w/ Chyna def. The British Bulldog​
7. Kane vs. X-Pac w/ Tori ended in a NO CONTEST.​