Wwf royal rumble 2000

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

WWF Royal Rumble 2000

 

-This is the show that turned around the WWF after the awful Vince Russo era.  From this show, until Wrestlemania X-7 (and arguably Summerslam 2001), the WWF was in perhaps the best period in the company’s history, with fantastic matches on practically every show.

 

-Live from New York City, New York.  January 23, 2000.

 

-Your hosts are Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler.

 

-MATCH #1:  Kurt Angle vs. ???

Angle gets on the mic, and insults the Knicks.  Angle offers to be the audience’s champion for just one night.  Angle wishes his mystery opponent luck.  The mystery opponent is Tazz making his WWF debut.  Tazz pummels Angle, and backdrops him to the outside.  Tazz tries to suplex Angle on the floor, but Angle counters into a suplex of his own.  Angle tosses Tazz back inside, and beats on him in the corner.  Belly-to-belly suplex by Angle.  Angle gets crotched on the top by Tazz.  Gargoyle Superplex by Tazz gets two.  Small package by Angle gets two.  German suplex by Angle gets two.  Tazz counters the Angle Slam into a waistlock suplex.  Gargoyle Suplex by Tazz.  Tazzplex, followed by the Tazzmission for the submission.  This had the rushed feel of a RAW or Smackdown match.  It was just a bunch of stuff that happened for no reason. ½*

WINNER:  Tazz by Submission at 3:16

 

-Backstage with Michael Cole, The Hardys & Terri.  Awful interview segment.  I actually think the Hardys have gotten BETTER, believe it or not.  Terri is told to stay in the back by the Hardys, in order to protect her from the Dudleys.

 

-MATCH #2 (Table Match):  The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz

This match (and the angle surrounding it) essentially made the WWF career of the Dudleys.  The Dudleys pick up where Angle left off by insulting the crowd.  The Hardys get jumped in the aisle by the Dudleys, and tossed into the ring.  Bubbabomb on Jeff, puts him out long enough for Bubba to get a table.  They set it up in the ring.  Bubba tries to backdrop Jeff through the table, but Matt moves it out of the way.  Matt hits a DDT on Bubba.  Bubba bails, and Jeff goes flying after him.  Matt sets up a table in the ring.  Matt & D’Von unsuccessfully try to put each other through the table.  Jeff whacks Bubba with a chair.  Jeff takes a shot to the table.  Bubba gets back inside.  He places Matt on the table.  Bubba places himself on the second rope, but gets caught by Matt.  Jeff comes in, and the Hardys double suplex Bubba off the second rope.  D’Von moves the table out of the way in the nick of time.  Matt gets a ladder and brings it in the ring.  The Hardys use it to clothesline Bubba outside.  Matt hits Bubba with a chair.  Matt sets up a table outside, and gets in some more chairshots on Bubba.  Matt sets up the ladder.  Event Omega by the Hardys sends Bubba through the table, eliminating him.  Jeff sets up a another table up against the railing.  The Hardys send themselves flying through tables, but it wasn’t an offensive move by the Dudleys so it doesn’t count.  The Dudleys throw the steps into the ring.  They set up the table on the ring steps, and Bubba powerbombs Matt through it.  We’re down to Jeff Hardy vs. D’Von Dudley.  The action spills outside.  Bubba whacks Matt with a chair.  Bubba sets up a stack of tables below the exit of the arena.  He places Matt on top.  Bubba whacks Jeff and drags him up to the top of the exit area.  Bubba wants to powerbomb Jeff through the tables (and Matt).  Matt moves.  Lowblow by Jeff, and a chairshot sends Bubba through the tables.  Matt places D’Von on a table.  Swanton by Jeff off the balcony eliminates him.  This was the first, and remains the best, table match in the WWF.  ***

WINNERS:  The Hardy Boyz at 10:18

 

-Backstage:  The Medics check out Kurt Angle.  Angle says that since he was choked out, that he is still undefeated.  Angle is barely coherent.

 

-Backstage:  Jericho & Chyna argue over who should carry the IC Title to ring.  Hebner says he will take it himself.  This was an idiotic storyline, and a holdover from the Vinny Roo era.  It took awhile for the WWF to get this sort of thing out of their system.

 

-MATCH #3 (Intercontinental Championship):  Chris Jericho vs. Chyna vs. Hardcore Holly

What?  You mean there was something on before this?  Mae who?  

Anyways…Jericho & Chyna are co-champions following a double pin on RAW during a Jericho title defense, and an idiotic decision by Stephanie McMahon that made no sense to anyone.  As if this angle wasn’t confusing enough, Hardcore Holly was thrown in for no reason whatsoever.  I was pulling for Holly here, just so this angle would end.  Instead we had to put up with Chyna following Jericho around for two months.  They trade slaps to start.  Holly sends Chyna outside.  Shoulderblock, followed by a dropkick from Holly.  Flying forearm from Jericho gets two.  Hardcore goes for a rana, but is countered into the Walls of Jericho.  Chyna gets back in to break it up.  Clothesline by Chyna, allows Hardcore to sneak in a one count.  Chyna clotheslines Hardcore out  Holly grabs Jericho’s leg.  Chyna hits Holly with a baseball slide, as Jericho moves out of the way.  Flying Crossbody by Jericho takes out Hardcore.  Chyna tosses Jericho back in.  Handspring elbow by Chyna, followed by a DDT.  The pin is broken up by Holly.  Chyna gets tossed outside.  Holly whips Jericho against the ropes, who goes flying outside after Chyna pulls down the ropes from the apron.   Hardcore knocks Chyna off as well.  Hardcore gets a chair, but as he goes to hit Chyna, Jericho stops him.  Chyna dropkicks the chair into Holly.  Chyna & Jericho hit a double big splash on Holly for two.  Lowblow by Chyna on Jericho.  Pedigree on Holly for two.  Jericho with a cross body on Chyna, who was sitting on Holly’s shoulders.  Jericho gets a  two count.  Superkick by Holly on Jericho.  Jericho goes for a superplex on Holly, but Chyna crotches both on the top.  Superplex by Chyna on Holly, but Holly cradles her for two.  Chyna gets a chair, and nails Holly behind the ref’s back.  Chyna puts Holly in the Walls of Jericho.  Jericho with a faceplant on Chyna, and a Lionsault to become the undisputed Intercontinental Champion.  These three did not mesh well at all.  ¼*

WINNER:  Chris Jericho by Pinfall to WIN the WWF Intercontinental Title at 7:30

 

-Backstage with Michael Cole & The Rock.  Cole asks him about his Royal Rumble chances.  Rock says he is worried about Crash Holly & Headbanger Mosh, and if he can get by those two he has a shot at winning.  Cole brings up Big Show and gets chased off by Rock.  Rock has some words for Big Show.  

 

-Clips of the APA/NAO feud.

 

-MATCH #4 (Tag Team Championship):  The New Age Outlaws vs. The Acolytes

The Acolytes won a battle royal at Armageddon 1999 to gain this title shot.  This is their last PPV appearance before starting the APA.  The NAO despite being heels, do their face speech before the match.  The Acolytes stomp the NAO outside to start.  Bradshaw & Gunn get in the ring.  Bradshaw catches Gunn, give Road Dogg a big boot, and completes the Fallaway Slam on Gunn.  Tag to Faarooq.  Powerslam by Faarooq on Road Dogg.  Faarooq goes for the Dominator, but Gunn rescues his partner.  Double clothesline by Faarooq on the NAO.  Road Dogg does the Dancing Punches of Doom.  Road Dogg goes for the Crazy Legs Kneedrop, but Bradshaw yanks on his hair.  Bradshaw & Gunn come in without tags.  Clothesline from #### on Gunn.  Sidewalk Slam by Faarooq on Road Dogg for two.  Gunn pulls out the ref.  Double Powerbomb by the Acolytes on Gunn.  X-Pac runs out, and distracts the Acolytes long enough to allow Gunn to hit the Famasser on Bradshaw for the win.  The tank was long empty on the Outlaws by this point.  DUD

WINNERS:  The New Age Outlaws by Pinfall to RETAIN the WWF Tag Titles at 2:35

 

-Clips of the HHH/Mankind feud.  Mankind gets fired by the McMahon-Helmsley Regime, made fun of by ‘Mankind’, returns, and gets clobbered by HHH on RAW.  Mankind decides to hang it up for good, and give the WWF Title Shot to a suitable replacement, Cactus Jack!!  One of the great moments in WWF history.

 

-MATCH #5 (WWF Championship Street Fight):  Triple H vs. Cactus Jack

This is the match that made HHH.  Before this match he was an unover WWF Champion, that was destined to go down as one of the worst and least over champions ever.  HHH sends Steph to the lockeroom.  They trade blows to start.  Cactus Jack gets the early advantage.  HHH bails, but Cactus chases him.  Spinning Neckbreaker by Cactus.  Cactus slams HHH into the steps and the ringbell.  HHH grabs it, and whacks Cactus with it.  HHH gets a chair for protection, and taunts Cactus to come after him.  Cactus does, and gets whacked in the head.  A reminder of Royal Rumble 1999.  Cactus gets back up and beats the crap out of HHH.  Cactus legdrops the chair on Trip’s head for two.  Cactus backdrops HHH into the crowd.  They brawl through the crowd, and end up in the entrance way, which is dressed up like a New York alley with a taxi cab hanging over the entrance.  Cactus gets a trash can and hits HHH with hit.  Cactus slams HHH into the metal doorway.  HHH backdrops Cactus into a trash can.  Cactus brushes it off, and continues to punish HHH.  Cactus tosses HHH in the ring, and gets the famous 2x4 covered with barbwire.  Lowblow by HHH.  HHH gets the barbwire and repeatedly hits Cactus with hit.  Cactus fights back, and delivers a lowblow using the 2x4.  Two count for Cactus.  Cactus beats up the Spanish Announcers, and gets another barbwire 2x4.  HHH takes out the ref, and gets whacked by the barbwire.  Two count for Cactus.  HHH is busted open.  Cactus hits Hunter again.  Cactus continues to dish out the punishment.  Cactus tries to piledrive HHH through the announcer’s table, but is blocked by HHH.  Cactus with a  faceplant on HHH into the barbwire for two.  Cactus clotheslines HHH over the top.  HHH hiplocks Cactus into the steps.  HHH whips Cactus into the steps.  Chop block by HHH.  HHH uses the barbwire 2x4 to attack Jack’s leg.  HHH grabs a back from Finkel.  Handcuffs are inside the bag.  HHH uses the handcuffs on HHH, another reminder of Royal Rumble 1999.  HHH brings the steps into the ring.  Cactus gets a drop toehold, and HHH’s head crashes into the steps.  Cactus bites HHH’s ear, attempting to give HHH a matching ear to his own.  HHH gets a chair, and whacks Cactus.  They fight up the aisle way.  Cactus draws HHH in, allowing the Rock to interfere and attack HHH.  Some cop unlocks Cactus.  Cactus fights back.  He piledrives HHH on the Spanish Announce Table.  Cactus rolls HHH back in the ring, and gets a pillowcase out from under the ring.  He spills out the contents in the ring, thousands of thumb tacks.  Stephanie comes out from the back.  HHH backdrops Cactus into the tacks.  Pedigree gets two.  HHH can’t believe it.  HHH hits a Pedigree on the tacks for the win.  One of the best brawls of all time.  *****

WINNER:  Triple H by Pinfall to RETAIN the WWF Title at 26:51      

 

-HHH gets hauled out on a stretcher after the match.  Cactus attacks him, and brings him back to the ring.  Cactus whacks him with the barbwire 2x4 again.

 

-No Way Out promo.

 

-At WWF New York with the Coach.  He introduces Linda McMahon.  Linda says nothing of note.

 

-MATCH #6:  The Royal Rumble

First we get clips of the ending of Royal Rumble 1995, to hammer home the point that both feet need to touch the floor.  #1 is D’Lo Brown.  #2 is Grandmaster Sexay.  Lawler is not happy.  Sexay dances, and gets clobbered from behind by D’Lo.  Dropkick by Sexay.  D’Lo goes for a powerbomb, but is countered into a rana.  Scoop slam by Sexay.  Snapmare by Sexay.  Second rope dropkick by Sexay.  Sexay tosses D’Lo, but he lands on the apron.  D’Lo gets back in.  #3 is Mosh.  Mosh attacks Sexay from behind.  Kaientai run in for the first time, and get tossed in short order.  Mosh takes control in the ring.  D’Lo gets the Sky-High on Mosh.  Sexay gets a bulldog on D’Lo, landing right on Mosh’s ankle, injuring him legit.  Hanging vertical suplex by D’Lo on Sexay.  #4 is Christian.  Christian flips out of a powerbomb from Mosh, and hits a reverse DDT.  Christian works over Sexay in the corner.  Sexay catches Christian with a boot to the face.  Backdrop suplex by Sexay.  Mosh tries to eliminate D’Lo.  D’Lo escapes and is caught by Christian.  Christian almost eliminates him.  #5 is Rikishi to a huge pop.  Superkick on Mosh.  Mosh is eliminated by Rikishi.  Belly-to-belly suplex on Chrisitan.  Christian is eliminated by Rikishi.  Spinning neckbreaker by D’Lo on Rikishi.  Legdrop by D’Lo.  Rikishi doesn’t sell, and hits D’Lo with the Rikishi Driver.  D’Lo is eliminated by Rikishi.  That leaves Grandmaster Sexay & Rikishi.  #6 is Scotty 2 Hotty.  Scotty has Rikishi’s shades with him.  Too Cool & Rikishi dance in the ring.  Rikishi turns on Too Cool in the middle of the dance.  Too Cool is eliminated by Rikishi.  Rikishi dances some more.  #7 is Steve Blackman.  Dropkick by Blackman.  Pump Kick by Blackman.  Blackman’s advantage is short lived.  Rikishi Driver kills Blackman.  Blackman is eliminated by Rikishi.  Rikishi gets a rest period.  Even Kaientai is not dumb enough to run out now.  #8 is Viscera.  Belly-to-belly suplex by Viscera.  Legdrop by Viscera.  Avalanche by Viscera.  Viscera misses a second.  Rikishi hits three superkicks, the last of which knocks out some teeth.  Viscera is eliminated by Rikishi.  #9 is Big Bossman.  Bossman is reluctant to get in the ring.  Stalling, but understandable based upon Rikishi’s performance.  #10 is Test, who loses his nose guard on the way out.  Test attacks Bossman on the floor, and tosses him inside.  Test chokes out Rikishi with his boot, leaving him open for a lowblow from Bossman.  Poetic justice rears its ugly head as Rikishi lowblows Bossman.  Bossman beats on both guys.  #11 is British Bulldog.  Bulldog goes right after Test.  Bulldog headbutts Rikishi, which has no affect with Rikishi being Samoan and all.  Rikishi stomps away on Bulldog in the corner.  Test takes on Bossman in the other corner.  Big boot by Test on Bossman.  Test tries to toss Bossman., but he holds on.  Rikishi tries for the Banzai Drop on Bulldog, but gets caught with a lowblow.  Bossman tries to toss Test.  Bulldog can’t lift Rikishi over the top.  Test regains the advantage on Bossman.  #12 is Gangrel.  Gangrel does the blood spit, and gets dragged in by Test.  Kaientai comes back out, only to get tossed by Gangrel, injuring Taka in the process.  Bulldog works over Bossman.  Rikishi crushes Gangrel & Test in the corner.  Bulldog tries to eliminate Bossman.  Test & Gangrel double team Rikishi.  #13 is Edge.  Edge goes after Bossman.  Bulldog almost gets Edge out, but Edge goes to the eyes.  Gangrel now tries to knock Edge of the apron, but Edge slips back in.  Rikishi with a Banzai Drop on Bossman.  Edge works over Test in the corner as Gangrel & Bulldog double team Rikishi.  #14 is Bob Backlund, as our surprise entrant.  Everyone beats on Backlund.  Rikishi misses a BUTT splash on Backlund.  Everyone takes on Rikishi.  Rikishi is eliminated by everyone in the ring.  Bulldog & Bossman work over Backlund.  Edge almost eliminates Gangrel.  Test makes the save, and he & Gangrel almost toss Edge.  Edge gets back in.  #15 is Chris Jericho.  Jericho beats the crap out of Edge.  Dropkick by Jericho on Backlund.  Backlund is eliminated by Jericho.  Edge & Jericho continue to go at it.  Gangrel works over Bulldog.  Jericho almost eliminates Edge.  Backlund goes up into the crowd on a campaign for Congress.  #16 is Crash Holly.  Crash saves Jericho from Edge.  Edge doesn’t sell and Crash is almost tossed.  Edge spanks Crash before letting him back in.  Crash attacks Edge from behind.  Bulldog & Crash almost get Edge out.  Jericho chokes out Bossman.  Crash goes after Jericho.  Edge gets back in, and clobbers Crash.  #17 is Chyna.  Chyna goes right after Jericho.  Jericho backdrops Chyna to the apron.  Chyna grabs Jericho and suplexes him.  Jericho is eliminated by Chyna.  Chyna taunts Jericho from the apron, and is attacked by Bossman.  Chyna is eliminated by Bossman.  Bulldog almost eliminates Edge.  Bossman with a BUTT splash on Crash.  #18 is Faarooq.  The Mean Street Posse attack Faarooq.  Faarooq is eliminated by Bossman.  Faarooq at the Royal Rumble is like Tito Santana at Wrestlemania, you just know that they are getting squashed.  Double backdrop on Crash by Test & Edge.  Gangrel & Bulldog work over Crash.  Bossman chokes out Edge.  #19 is Road Dogg.  Road Dogg goes right after DX enemy Test.  Test lowblows him.  Road Dogg then tests out the strategy that he will use for the rest of the match.  Hanging onto the bottom rope and praying to God.  Works well too.  Test turns his back, allowing Road Dogg to get some cheapshots in.  Gangrel & Bulldog almost eliminate Edge.  Bossman tosses Crash to the apron, but he rolls back in.  Road Dogg almost eliminates Test.  #20 is Al Snow.  Snow goes after Crash, the only guy that Snow can beat.  Road Dogg comes up from his fetal position long enough to nail Bulldog.  Bulldog is eliminated by Road Dogg.  Slow period follows, one of the few in the match.  Bossman stomps away on Gangrel.  #21 is Val Venis.  Val goes right after Test.  Funaki runs in, and is tossed by Bossman right away.  The In-Laws, Val & Edge work over Test.  Lowblow by Snow on Bossman.  Edge & Val almost eliminate Snow.  #22 is Albert.  Edge & Val continue to double team Snow.  Face communication spot follows, as Snow ducks and sends Edge flying.  Edge is eliminated by Snow.  Albert fights with tag partner Bossman.  Baldo Bomb on Crash.  Albert goes after future tag partner Test.  Val almost eliminates Snow.  #23 is Hardcore Holly.  Hardcore kills Test in the corner.  Bossman & Gangrel decide to go after Road Dogg.  Hardcore almost eliminates Test.  Snow & Crash do a series of near eliminations.  Bossman chokes out Road Dogg.  #24 is The Rock.  Rock goes right after Bossman.  Bossman is eliminated by Rock.  Snow attacks his nemesis in the Rock.  Val & Test team up against Rock.  Rck almost eliminates Hardcore.  #25 is Billy Gunn.  Gunn goes right after Rock.  Rock DDTs Crash.  Crash is eliminated by Rock.  Rock is almost eliminated by Hardcore, but is saved by Albert.  Gangrel has Test on the ropes.  #26 is Big Show.  Test is eliminated by Big Show.  Gangrel is eliminated by Big Show.  Show kills Snow, and finally goes after Rock.  Show press slams Hardcore.  Show clobbers Albert.  #27 is Bradshaw.  The Posse attack, but Bradshaw fights them off.  Bradshaw is eliminated by the New Age Outlaws.  Big Show pounds on Gunn.  Albert has his tape off and chokes out Val Venis with it.  Snow almost eliminates Rock.  Albert almost eliminates Val.  #28 is Kane.  The fireworks misfire, but create a lot of smoke regardless.  Val is eliminated by Kane.  Kane clobbers Snow.  Rock goes after Kane.  Kane & Albert trade blows.  Clothesline by Rock on Hardcore.  Show press slams Gunn.  #29 is Godfather, complete with Hos.  Albert is eliminated by Kane.  Godfather is almost as bad at these things as Faarooq.  Funaki is back, and gets tossed by Snow quickly.  Snow dropkicks Kane.  Kane no sells and beats the crap out of Snow.  Godfather finally gets in, and gets killed by Show.  #30 is X-Pac, who won the right by beating Test on a Smackdown prior to the event.  X-Pac goes right after Rock.  Hardcore goes after Kane.  Hardcore is eliminated by Snow.  Big Boot by Show on Godfather.  Godfather is eliminated by Big Show.  Samoan Drop on Snow by Rock.  Snow is eliminated by Rock.  Road Dogg gets up to laugh at him.  Road Dogg is eliminated by Billy Gunn.  Gunn is eliminated by Kane.

Final Four:  X-Pac, Kane, Big Show, Rock

The New Age Outlaws pull Kane out underneath the bottom rope and fight to the entrance way.  Rock tosses X-Pac, but the refs don’t see it.  Rock lays the smackdown on Big Show, but X-Pac gets back in to break it up.  Kane finally gets away from the NAO and re-enters the match.  Kane tries to Chokeslam Big Show, but can’t.  Show can’t Chokeslam Kane either.  Enziguri by Kane on Show.  Kane slams the Show, but gets caught by a spinning heel kick from X-Pac.  Kane is eliminated by X-Pac.  X-Pac gets the Broncobuster on Big Show.  Show gets pissed, and press slams X-Pac.  X-Pac is eliminated by Big Show.  That leaves Rock & Show.  Spinebuster by the Rock.  People’s Elbow by Rock.  Rock tries to eliminate Show, but Show stops him and hits the Showstopper.  Big Show picks up Rock and goes to toss him.  Show goes over the top, while Rock holds on to win the Royal Rumble.  Later, footage would show that Rock’s feet hit the floor before Big Show did.  Regardless, Rock is the official winner, and I will go by that.  I rank this Rumble third on the list, behind 1990 & 1992.  Very few slow spots, and a good overall story throughout. ****1/4

WINNER:  The Rock at 51:49

 

-‘Finally the Rock is going to Wrestlemania!’  Big Show comes back to attack, but Rock escapes intact.  Big Show is pissed.

 

BOTTOM LINE:  There are some bad moments on this show (Tag Title Match, Swimsuit Contest), but the last two matches save this show in spades.  As I said earlier, this is the show that began the revival of the WWF creatively and athletically after a horrible 1999.  This is an easy thumbs up, and is probably the greatest Royal Rumble show of all time, with only 2001 being a real threat to its crown.  Thumbs up.

[Guest TJM004]

Good review. 2000 was probably my 2nd favoroute Rumble match, behind 1992, and my favoroute overall card.