Wwf King Of The Ring 2001

[Guest Aero]

Live from East Rutherford, NJ (my homestate!), it's the 2001 King of the Ring!

 

Commentators: JR & Paul Heyman

 

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The show kicks off with DDP, who just last week revealed that he was stalking Undertaker's wife, Sara. The only reason he, as a WCW wrestler, is able to be here is because Undertaker told Vince McMahon to make sure no one stops him. Later in the show, Undertaker is scheduled to have his "unsanctioned confrontation" with DDP. Anyway, DDP cuts a promo in the ring, and says he'll be waiting for Taker in the front row. He's the guy holding up the sign that says, "Make Me Famous!"

 

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KOTR Semi-Final- Kurt Angle vs. Christian

 

The tournament this year is among four heels... four heels that were in the same stable until the last Smackdown, where they basically broke up, except Edge & Christian. Christian enters and is taken down quickly by Angle. Angle starts stomping away. Christian comes back by hitting a neckbreaker for two. Christian nails a belly-to-belly and they head outside. Christian goes up top and jumps, but he misses and meets the railing! Back inside, Angle has control hitting a gutwrench suplex for two. Knee lift for two. Angle starts to pick him up, but Christian gets a cradle for two. Angle maintains control by hitting a suplex for two. Christian starts to make a comeback with a leg lariat. Meanwhile, Shane McMahon makes his way down to the ring. He'll be facing Kurt Angle in a street fight later, no matter the outcome in the Tournament for Angle. Christian hits the reverse DDT into a neckbreaker for two. He goes for the Unprettier, but Angle reverses into the Ankle Lock, as Shane looks on. Christian manages to get the ropes by using the referee. Angle Slam is reversed into the Unprettier, and Christian makes the cover, but Shane pulls him off. JR & Paul Heyman are bewildered, as is Christian. Shane runs away as Christian jumps on the ring apron. Angle hits an Angle Slam into the ring, to get the win at 8:16. ** Obviously, Shane is trying to wear Angle out for later tonight, meaning he'll have to wrestle three matches. Decent opener.

 

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The Coach interviews Steve Austin about a rumor that if either Chris Jericho or Chris Benoit win the title tonight, then they'll defect to Shane's WCW. Austin is more worried that Vince McMahon hasn't showed up.

 

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Meanwhile, Tazz interviews Chris Jericho. Jericho says that he is going to.... shut the hell up.

 

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Video package for DDP & Undertaker. All you need to know is that DDP was stalking Sara, and Undertaker is pissed off. Ringside, Paul Heyman interviews DDP, when a video plays on the Titantron. It shows a tape of DDP eating at a diner. Someone is stalking HIM!

 

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KOTR Semi-Final- Edge vs. Rhyno

 

It was Edge & Christian who brought Rhyno into the WWF, and as it was mentioned before, there was tension among the ranks on Smackdown. They start off with a slugfest, and Edge hits a leg lariat. Rhyno is hit out to the ring apron, and Edge sends him to the floor with a dropkick! They brawl outside for a while, and Edge gets tossed into the railing. Back inside, Rhyno hits a shoulderblock followed by a bodyscissors. Powerslam, followed by a splash for two. Edge hits a clothesline, and he goes to the top. Rhyno tries to counter, but to no avail. Edge hits a sunset flip from the top for two! Rhyno quickly comes back with a spinebuster, and he goes for the Gore, but he runs into Edge who is going for the Spear! Double KO. Edge manages to roll him up for two. Finally, Rhyno goes for the Gore again, but he hits the ring post, and Edge hits the Implant DDT for the win, at 8:51. *1/4 match. Not too bad. We now have a Final Round of Edge vs. Kurt Angle.

 

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Footage of Heat is shown, as Spike Dudley challenges the Dudley Boyz to a Tag Team Title match.

 

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WWF Tag Team Championship- Dudley Boyz © vs. Spike Dudley & Kane

 

Spike started his rivalry with his brothers around this time due to his relationship with Molly Holly. Kane is his mystery partner here, and he's also the Intercontinental Champion. Kane takes out both Dudleys early on. Kane hits D-Von with a vicious clohesline for two, and D-Von is selling a knee injury. Spike is tagged in, but D-Von "recovers" and easily takes control. Buh-Buh Ray is tagged in, and he works Spike for a while. Chinlock. Spike manages to tag in Kane who cleans house and hits Buh-Buh with a sideslam. Buh-Buh & D-Von are outside, so Kane tosses Spike over the top rope and into both of them! Back inside, Kane nails Buh-Buh with his flying lariat from the top for two. Spike comes in and nails Buh-Buh with the Dudley Dog for two, as D-Von interferes. Dudleys take control once again, hitting the Wazzup on Kane. Spike attempts another Dudley Dog, but it's reversed into the 3D, for the win at 8:32. The Dudleys bring in the tables, but Kane ends up chokeslamming Buh-Buh through it to satisfy the crowd. **

 

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Backstage, Christian wishes Edge good luck in his match.

 

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KOTR Final Round- Kurt Angle vs. Edge

 

The placement on the card really hurts the importance of this match. Kurt Angle tries to get Edge to throw the match and lay down so he can stay fresh for the street fight. Edge attacks him and hits a flapjack for two. Angle comes back suplexing him to the floor. They fight outside for a minute before heading back in. Angle hits a back suplex for two. Chinlock, but Edge counters and rolls him up for two. Angle suplex gets two. Angle heads to the top, but Edge crotches him. Edge takes control with an enziguri, but Angle quickly takes control and gets the Ankle Lock! Edge counters with a roll-up for two. Meanwhile, Christian runs out to help Edge by distracting the ref. Edge is able to hit an Edge-o-Matic, but the ref is still being distracted. Christian leaves, and the ref is bumped. As Edge tends to the ref, Angle comes back with the Ankle Lock, and Edge is tapping out! No ref, so Shane McMahon runs in and spears Angle! The ref starts to come to his senses, and Edge hits the Implant DDT to become 2001 King of the Ring, at 10:20. Unfortunately, no coronation, as Edge simply leaves. Match was nowhere near as good as Kurt Angle & Edge's recent 2002 matches at Backlash & Judgment Day. *1/4

 

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Edge is interviewed in his locker room, as he declares that the Era of Awesomeness begins! Christian even makes up. We're informed that the coronation will be tommorrow night on Raw. Well, at least it's a coronation, although it ends up only being a trophy.

 

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Meanwhile, Kurt Angle is furious and starts to complain to some security guys backstage. Funny bit.

 

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WWF Light-Heavyweight Championship- Jeff Hardy © vs. X-Pac

 

X-Pac works the arm early on, but Jeff hits an arm drag and sends him outside. Jeff runs on the railing and hits X-Pac with a flying clothesline. Back inside, X-Pac locks in an abdominal stretch, while grabbing the ropes for extra leverage. Chinlock, and a leg lariat for two. X-Pac stomps and chokes him in the corner, but he misses a Bronco Buster! Jeff comes back hitting a clothesline and a leg drop to the groin. In the corner, they both collide for a Double KO. Jeff heads up top and nails a crossbody, but X-Pac rolls him over for two. He hits the X-Factor, but Jeff gets to the ropes. Jeff hits a jawbreaker and heads up top. He hits the Swanton Bomb for the win at 7:10. I expected it to be alot better, too... pretty disappointing. *1/2. X-Pac would win the title the next night by cheating, so I don't know what the point was of having him job on PPV.

 

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Back in Commissioner William Regal's office, Steve Austin calls Vince McMahon's house.

 

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Another video of DDP being stalked is shown. DDP has had enough and goes into the ring where he calls Undertaker out. The camera from the video turns toward the stalker... Sara! Undertaker then comes out for the big confrontation, and Sara follows with her video camera. Undertaker totally dominates as Sara tapes the entire thing. It's not worth recapping. It ends when DDP just runs away through the crowd.

 

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In the parking garage, Austin tells a security guy to tell Vince McMahon, if he arrives, that he's looking for him.

 

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Video package for Kurt Angle & Shane McMahon. When Kurt reclaimed his gold medals from Chris Benoit, he held an Olympic ceremony the next night, which Shane decided to interrupt. Angle gave Shane the Angle Slam right off the Olympic bandstand. Then, each week, WCW stars would start to debut.

 

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Street Fight- Shane McMahon vs. Kurt Angle

 

Angle takes him down to the mat and suplexes him a few times. Shane gets some shots in, and Angle pretends that he's worn out. Shane tries to further the beating, but Angle easily regains control, now just pounding away rather than wrestling him. Gutwrench into a belly-to-belly. Shane is able to take control for a second, and once again, Angle pretends to be worn out. This time, Shane just gets a kick to the ribs and comes off the ropes with an elbow! Angle attempts a suplex, but Shane counters and tosses him outside. Ringside, Shane grabs a kendo stick and beats the hell out of Kurt with shots to the ribs and back. He sends Kurt into the railing a few times before heading back inside. Shane goes for the cover, but Angle counters it for two. Shane grabs a road sign and beats Angle over the back with it. Shane then applies the Ankle Lock, but it looks terrible in comparison to Kurt's. Angle easily counters, but Shane hits a DDT, and then he goes for a Sharpshooter! Shane can't lock it in at first, as he collapses, but he gets it eventually. And I thought the Ankle Lock attempt was bad. Angle is able to get hold of the kendo stick, so he gets a few shots in. Shane regains control and he grabs a trash can. He places it on a fallen Angle and heads up top. He misses a shooting star press and nails the trash can! Ouch. Angle throws him outside, and they fight to the entrance. Angle tries to give Shane an over-head belly-to-belly suplex through one of the plate-glass windows on the set, but Shane just falls to the ground. Angle hits another over-head, but this time, he goes right through! Great spot the second time around. They head over to another window. Again, Kurt can't suplex Shane through. Shane falls to the ground, nearly breaking his neck in the process. Finally, Kurt decides to just throw him through, breaking yet another window. Both Angle and Shane are now busted open. Angle takes one of the equipment carts, loads Shane on, and wheels it to the ring. He pushes Shane into the ring and makes the cover, but only for two! Angle starts to pick him up, but Shane low blows him and works him with a trash can lid. Shane manages to hit an ugly-looking Angle Slam for two. Angle catapults Shane into the corner. Shane is up top, and Angle grabs a wooden board. He beats Shane with it and then sets it up on the top. He uses it as a platform, and Angle Slams Shane off of the top and onto the mat! Angle makes the cover, to get the win at 26: 01. Awesome match with a good story and some extremely sick bumps. ****1/4 This was the right ending with the Angle Slam off the top, which was basically how it started... the Angle Slam off the bandstand.

 

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In the garage, Austin is waiting for Vince, until the Brooklyn Brawler tells him that his match is next.

 

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Video package for Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, & Chris Benoit. The night after Judgment Day, Benoit & Jericho won the Tag Team titles from Austin & Triple H. Of course, it was in that match that Triple H tore his quadricep (sp?), which would take him out until January. Benoit got a title shot in both Edmonton & Montreal. In Edmonton, he lost via Survivor Series Screwjob, and Montreal, he lost. Finally, Linda McMahon signed this match. On Smackdown, Austin cost Benoit & Jericho the Tag Team titles to the Dudleys.

 

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WWF Championship- Stone Cold Steve Austin © vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit

 

Austin enters with his back turned to both Jericho & Benoit looking for Vince. The start to beat him into the crowd. Benoit and Austin fight into the ring, and Jericho comes in to double team Austin. Jericho hits a flying forearm for two, as Benoit stops the cover. Austin nails Jericho from behind, but Austin is once again double-teamed. Jericho misses a clothesline, hitting Benoit instead. Still, Jericho locks the Walls in on Austin, until Benoit saves Austin and suplexes Jericho outside. He now locks Austin in the Crippler Crossface, but Austin gets the ropes. Benoit hits an elbow for two, but gets some chops from Austin. Austin attempts a Stunner, but Benoit counters and hits his own! Only two though, and the ref is bumped. Jericho comes back hitting Benoit into the ringpost. Jericho again attempts the Walls, but Austin reverses into a spinebuster for two. Russian legsweep for two. Austin locks in a sleeper on Jericho, but Jericho gets out with a suplex. Jericho hits a forearm, as Benoit gets back on the apron. Jericho hits him back off with a springboard dropkick, and he nails Austin with a bulldog! He misses a Lionsault, and Austin hits a Lou Thesz Press. Meanwhile, Benoit grabs a chair. He apparently goes for Austin, but hits Jericho. Austin manages to hit a Stunner. Everyone is out, but Austin covers Jericho for two. Austin hits Jericho with a superplex, and Benoit comes from behind to hit Austin with five German suplexes! Austin hits a low blow on Benoit, and once again, everyone is out. Benoit and Jericho once again join forces, locking both the Crossface and Walls in at the same time! Austin is tapping out, but the ref says that only one man can win. Benoit takes control, and he locks Jericho in the Crossface! But Jericho reverses into the Walls! Benoit gets out and hits a snap suplex for two. Austin grabs the chair, but Jericho kicks it right back at him, sending him outside. Benoit and Jericho fight it out, as Austin struggles to get up outside. Suddenly, Booker T, the then-WCW Champion, makes his debut by hitting the Harlem Sidekick on Austin. He then follows up by driving Austin through the commentary table, before running away from security through the crowd. Back inside, Benoit hits a few German suplexes, but Jericho reverses into the Walls! Benoit makes it to the ropes, and posts him. Jericho makes a comeback, hitting a bulldog and Lionsault for two. Jericho decides to get a fallen Austin outside and bring him back in. He hits a moonsault for two, as Benoit makes the save. Benoit sends Jericho into the corner, and heads up top with him. He hits a back suplex off the top, and now all three guys are out! Jericho & Benoit are motionless. FINALLY, Austin slowly crawls over, and covers Benoit... 1... 2... and 3 (?), at 27:53. Yeah, a shocking ending, as no one saw Austin winning it like that. The crowd didn't see it, I didn't see it, and I'm sure no one else saw it coming. Still, a great match. ****. The show comes to an end as Austin celebrates heading into the back.

 

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Well, I have mixed feelings on the show. On one hand, the undercard isn't the greatest, along with a very forgettable KOTR Tournament. But the final two matches are great with Shane vs. Kurt Angle being the show stealer. That match is definitely worth a look if you haven't seen it before. Bottom line... mildly recommended.

 

You know, it's a shame I wasn't able to score tickets to this show. I attended Summerslam '97 in the same arena. Still, I would have liked to really go. At least I'm going to a Smackdown taping in Atlantic City on July 9.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Good rant.

 

Edge's coronation was on RAW.

[Guest BigTim2002]

Hey, on that RAW, didn't he rip X-Pac a new one after receiving his trophy with that semi-shoot?

[Guest bob_barron]

He ripped Billy Gunn a new one.

[Guest RetroRob215]

IIRC, the X-Pac thing came a few weeks later.

[Guest Drury37]

Is the WWE SmackDown taping in Atlantic City,New Jersey going to be at the same arena that was originally the Atlantic City Convention City,where WWF WrestleMania IV and WWF WrestleMania V was?

Thanks.

[Guest Aero]

No, it's not the same arena as the WM's. The WM's were Trump Plaza, but the Smackdown is just in the Boardwalk Hall

[Guest Drury37]

Oh ok,I was just wondering.

Thanks.