Written by: Adam King
WWF RAW IS WAR
Monday, June 19th, 2000
Live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, TN
List of WWF Champions at the time:
● WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (5/21/2000)
● WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit (5/08/2000)
● WWF World Tag Team Champions: Too Cool (5/29/2000)
● WWF European Champion: Eddie Guerrero (4/03/2000)
● WWF Hardcore Champion: Crash Holly (6/12/2000)
● WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
● WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)
~ Raw comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Jim Ross welcoming us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler. JR reminds us King of the Ring is just six days away before annoucing that tonight we have six (that’s right, six) matches in the second round of the tournament.
Kurt Angle vs. Bubba Ray Dudley – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
The winners tonight move on to the pay-per-view brackets and Val Venis and Bull Buchanan have already punched their tickets on Heat. Angle comes out with a mic and says he’s been around the world but Nashville has the most genuine rednecks in the world, such as his opponent. Angle then mentions Buba puttng his opponents through tables before talking about how rednecks use tables for different things like stacking welfare checks. Bubba makes his way out but is still reeling from the dumpster ride on Smackdown. Both men lockup to start when Angle takes Bubba down with a waistlock and goes into a facelock then rolsl him into a cradle for a two count Bubba slaps Angle and beats on him in a corner with punches and chops then caps off with a suplex. Bubba goes for a whip, Angle reverses it but Bubba hits a shoulderblock. Bubba comes off the ropes and Angle leapfrogs over Bubba but eats a clothesline as we get a quick shot of D’Von watching the match from the back. Bubba goes for a whip and Angle reverses it but lowers the head and Bubba hits a powerbomb for a near fall. Bubba pops Angle with a right hand then hops to the middle rope but Angle cuts him off then goes up and hits a belly-to-belly superplex. Angle throws Bubba over the ropes then goes out and whips Bubba into the barricade before suplexing him onto the ramp. Both men head back in the ring when Angle slams Bubba to the mat then climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault but misses. Bubba comes back with a clothesline followed by a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Bubba whips Angle and hits the full nelson bomb for another near fall then whips him into a corner. Bubba charges but Angle sidesteps him and hits a bridge suplex for a near fall. Angle kicks Bubba in the ribs then climbs to the top rope but Bubba bumps the ropes causing Angle to straddle the turnbuckle. Bubba goes up and says “It’s True! It’s True!” before hitting a superplex for a two count. Bubba goes for a whip, Angle reevrses it and Bubba goes for his Diamond Cutter but Angle shoves him into the rope and hits the Olympic Slam for the win. (4:42) Surprisingly good match there. **½
~ Backstage we find the Fac-gime watching the match in the back and celebrating Bubba’s loss. Vince McMahon starts to lead Triple H, Stephanie and Shane out to take care of thier business but does take a moment to wish X-Pac luck in his tournament match with Chris Benoit. X-Pac says he doesn’t need luck, that he has Benoit’s number as Vince heads out with the others. However Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson run into Vince and hand him a piece of paper they say is a fax from Linda. Vince is none too pleased with his wife meddling again as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break Triple H leads the Fac-gime to the ring with Vince trailing behind as he studies the fax. Triple H gets on the mic first and talks about being surrounded by family and friends he thought he could count on then chews out Brisco and Patterson for botching the photo of Kane last week. Triple H then tells them it’s okay because everything worked out for the Regime on Smackdown just like it will at King of the Ring. Triple H says Linda’s team is not truly unified since The Rock, Kane and The Undertaker all want to be #1 contender and can’t rely on the others. Triple H promises once the match is over, Rock, Taker and Kane will all be disappointed as he defends the WWF Championship against the King of the Ring winner at Fully Loaded. Triple H puts over his team, saying the Regime is united and that darn good and everyone seconds that with hugs. Shane takes the mic and reiterates what Triple H said about blood being thicker than water then proceeds to show the Rock and Kane’s beatdown from Smackdown on the TitanTron. Shane then turns the mic over to Vince who seems concerned about the fax and Vince says he loves his wife, Linda, yet the fax shows “Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes” is meddling in their affairs again. Vince says Linda is questioning the size of his courage, among other things, and that she wants the WWF Championship to be put on the line in the six-man tag at King of the Ring. Vince decides to show Linda his courage by announcing if his team wins the six-man tag Triple H will defend at Fully Loaded as previously stated, but if Rock, Undertaker or Kane score the pin on any of them, that person wins the WWF Championship!! Triple H is furious and tries to rush at Vince while Shane holds him back. Vince tries to calm Triple H down by saying Rock, Taker and Kane will have the first earn the right to that stipulation tonight. Vince decides to book Kane in a handicap match against the Hardys, Taker in another handicap match against the Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan, and Rock in yet another handicap match, against T&A. Vince says all three of them must win their respective matches for the title to be on the line but also decrees there be no interference from the Regime in any of the matches. Vince feels he’s shown Linda his courage but Triple H continues to yell at him as the Fac-gime heads to the back.
~ Back from break Triple H is still complaining to Vince at having to put his title on the line at the pay-per-vew but Vince doesn’t appreciate Triple H’s tone as Shane tries to play peacemaker.
Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac (w/Tori) – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
Both men lockup to start and X-Pac applies a headlock when Benoit tries to counter into a wristlock but X-Pac goes into a hammerlock. X-Pac goes back to the headlock and forces Benoit into a corner then hits a chop but Benoit chops him back. Benoit applies a headlock, X-Pac shoves him into the ropes but Benoit hits a shoulderblock. Benoit comes off the ropes but X-Pac leapfrogs over him and connects with a spinkick. X-Pac pounds on Beniot and whips him but Benoit ducks a clothesline and chops him down. Benoit whips X-Pac into a backdrop but X-Pac comes back and tosses Benoit over the ropes. Benoit climbs onto the apron when X-Pac knocks him back down with a thrust kick through the ropes. X-Pac goes out and whips Benoit into the ringsteps. X-Pac attacks Benoit as he rolls back in the ring and caps off with an elbow then applies another headlock. Benoit fights out of it and comes off the ropes but runs into a heelkick for a two count. X-Pac kicks Benoit down in a corner and goes for a Bronco Buster but Benoit avoids it and X-Pac straddles the turnbuckle. Benoit goes for a whip, X-Pac reverses it but Benoit hits an elbow followed by a snap suplex. Tori hops on the apron to get Benoit’s attention while X-Pac tries a forearm from behind but Benoit sidesteps it and X-Pac ends up knocking Tori off the apron. Benoit plants X-Pac with a bridge suplex but only gets a two count. Benoit goes for a whip, X-Pac reverses him into a corner and charges but Benoit sidesteps it and X-Pac runs his shoulder into the ringpost. Benoit slaps on the Crippler Crossface but X-Pac puts his foot on the bottom rope. Benoit hits a shoulderbreaker then climbs to the top and goes for the diving headbutt but misses it! The Dudleys suddenly run out to the ring and X-Pac knocks D’Von off the apron while Bubba Ray starts chasing Tori around the ring. X-Pac goes for the X-Factor but Benoit counters by dropping X-Pac to the mat then slaps on the Crossface again and this time X-Pac taps! (4:53) Okay match but I would have liked to see Benoit dismantle X-Pac without the run-in. **
Benoit departs while the Dudleys come in and start beating down X-Pac but here’s Road Dogg in to make the save. Road Dogg plans D’Von with the pump handle slam while X-Pac hits the X-Factor on Bubba and Road Dogg holds him for Tori to get in a few kicks. Sigh, seems like DX is always getting the better the Dudleys.
~ Backstage we find Eddie Guerrero and Chyna walking to the ring, about to face each other in the next tournament match. Chyna tells Eddie to take this match seriously and to not think of her as his “Mamacita” but as his opponent, yet Eddie doesn’t seem fully into that idea.
~ Back form break we find Road Dogg and X-Pac talking to Vince about what just happened before demanding a match with the Dudleys at King of the Ring. Vince agrees to book the match but decides to add Tori to make it 3-on-2 and even decides to make it a “tables/dumpster” match. The DX’ers seem apprehensive about it while Triple H sarcastically applauds Vince for his decision.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chyna – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
So how will these two handle facing each other? Eddie comes out with a bouquet of flowers and Chyna accepts them with some hesitiation. Eddie then gives Chyna a hug but Chyna shoves him away, feeling he’s not taking the match seriously. Chyna offers a hand but Eddie kisses it so Chyna yells at him before she slaps the face. Eddie blocks another slap and looks to throw a punch but stops himself and applies a headlock instead. Chyna shoves Eddie into the ropes but Eddie hits a shoulderblock. Eddie comes off the ropes but Chyna hits an armdrag followed by a clothesline. Chyna plants Eddie with a powerbomb and covers but Eddie gets his foot on the bottom rope. Chyna hammers Eddie in a corner and Eddie reverses positions but Chyna asks him not to hit her. Eddie starts getting riled up asking Chyna is she wants him to fight or not Chyna then offers a kiss and Eddie moves in but Chyna throws him into the corner and hammers him with forearms. Chyna whips Eddie into the opposite corner and conencts with the handpsring elbow then hits a press slams. Chyna applies a sleeperhold when Eddie shoves her into the ropes and leapfrogs over her. Chyna looks to hit a shot below the belt but hesitates and Eddie begs for forgives…before pulling Chyna into a rollup that gets the three! (2:25) Eddie advances while Chyna doesn’t even reach the pay-per-view brackets this year. Chyna storms out of the ring pouting about the loss with Eddie following behind her. The match was what it was, but it also wouldn’t be the last time one of them manipulated the other. *
~ Backstage we find Edge talking with Christian and getting excited about tonight. Edge is confident he’s going to advance to the next round of the tournament and also feels eliminating Chris Jericho will put them back into the good graces of the Fac-gime. Edge asks Christian if he’s accompanying him but Christian says he has other plans, that he’s meeting a guy who knows a guy who is the cousin of the editor of “Tiger Beat” magazine. Edge tells him to do what he has to do, feeling the cover is so theirs.
~ Back from break Chyna is shown moping in front of a mirror with Eddie trying to apologize to her by offering flowers and chocolate. Chyna refuses them and cries that she wanted to be Queen of the Ring just like last year only for Eddie to ruin it. Eddie then presents Chyna with a puppy and that seems to get Chyna’s forgiveness. Of course Chyna would never get another chance to realize her dream but that’s for another time.
Chris Jericho vs. Edge – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
Before the match Jericho gets on the mic and does his intro then calls Edge a Hanson-haired, cheesily grinning jerk while making fun of his desire to be on the “Tiger Beat” cover. Jericho ducks a right hand to start and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip and both men exchange chops with Jericho getting the advantage. Jericho whips Edge into a corner and hits a backdrop then follows up with a clothesline for a two count. Jericho goes for a whip and Edge reverses it but Jericho connects with a spinning heel kick. Edge rolls out to the apron then Jericho knocks him off with the springboard dropkick. Jericho hits a baseball slide then goes out and hits more chops before whipping Edge toward the steps but Edge manages to jump over them and stop himself. Jericho charges over the steps but Edge catches him with a Spear and both men are down. Edge and Jericho make it back in before the 10 count and Edge stomps Jericho down in a corner then ties him in the Tree of Woe and hits a dropkick. Edge whips Jericho into a knee to the chest and follows up with a knee to the back for a near fall. Jericho starts fighting back and chops Edge in a corner then goes for a whip but Edge reverses him hard into the opposite corner. Edge then places Jericho onto his shoulders and hits a face-first slam. Edge whips Jericho and goes for a knee but Jericho counters it into a rollup for a two count. Jericho whips Edge into a corner and charges but eats a boot and Edge hops to the top rope and leaps off but Jericho catches him in mid-air with a dropkick. Jericho goes for a whip, Edge reverses it but Jericho connects with a flying forearm. Jericho comes off the ropes with the bulldog for a two count. Jericho whips Edge and hits an elbow then goes for the Lionsault but Edge gets the knees up to block it. Edge rolls Jericho for a near fall then goes for a whip but Jericho counters it into a powerbomb. Jericho holds on for a second powerbomb when Edge floats over him into a Sunset Flip for a near fall. Jericho takes Edge down and slaps on the Walls of Jericho and Edge quickly submits. (5:29) The ending was a little sudden but still good work from both guys. ***
~ Backstage Triple H is talking with The Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan about thier match emphasizing that he’s counting on them to take out the Undertaker tonight. Bossman tries to assure Triple H he can count on them but Triple H warns him to get the job done or suffer the consequences.
~ The Undertaker is shown getting his motorcycle ready for that match as we go to commercial.
The Undertaker vs. The Big Bossman & Bull Buchanan – Handicap Match
If you remeber Buchanan stole Taker’s motorcycle on Raw last week then had Taker arrested on Smackdown for stealing a car to chase him. However Bossman and Buchanan still have issues between them as they argue about who starts. Bossman shoves Buchanan who shoves him back, right into some punches from Taker. Taker works Bossman over in a corner with punches and elbows as we get a quick shot of Kane watching the match from the back. Taker whips Bossman into the opposite corner and charges at him but eats an elbow. Bossman then looks for a tag from Buchanan but Buchanan just turns his back to him. So Bossman nails him in the back and slides out to the floor and the referee calls that a legal tag. Buchanan yells at Bossman allowing Taker to club him from behind and Taker goes out to the floor and takes it to both men as we see The Rock also watching this go down. Taker throws Buchanan back in the ring and pops him with a right hand before pummeling him in a corner. Taker goes for a whip but lowers the head and Buchanan rolls over Taker then throws him through the ropes to the floor. Buchanan distracts the referee while Bossman rams Taker into the ringsteps before tossing him back in the ring. Buchanan pummels Taker in a corner when Taker starts fighting back and whips Buchanan into a big boot then gets in a shot on Bossman. Buchanan whips Taker when Taker scoops Buchanan up into a Tombstone postion but lets him go when he spots Bossman coming in with his nightstick. Taker dares Bossman to hit him but Bossman backs away then decides he wants no further part of this and walks away from the ring, abandoning his partner. Bossman then just watches from the rampas Taker nails Buchanan with the chokeslam and gets the three for the win. (3:09) One down, two to go, and Taker even gets his revenge as well. DUD
~ Backstage we find the Fac-gime disappointed that Taker won his match and Triple H and Shane both gripe about this plan. Vince tries to calm them down and essentially tells Shane to wait and watch the other two matches end in failure first.
~ Elsewhere Rikishi is walking when Scotty 2 Hotty comes up to him asking him to not take it personally when he drops the Worm on him and Rikishi asks the same about backing his rear end up and the two touch fists. Rikishi then gets in a slight bump on Scotty as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the building before clips are shown from a house show last Saturday in Minneapolis which had Minnesota Governor Jessie Ventura in the audience. They asked Ventura who would be his running mate if he ran for President and Ventura says he’s not going to run for President but if he did, Chyna would be his pick. Ventura then gives a sly warning to Vince that there are people in the world more powerful than him.
Rikishi vs. Scotty 2 Hotty – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
Scotty and Rikishi exchange words to start, with Rikishi daring Scotty to try and knock him down. Scotty decides to try it and comes off the ropes but just bounces off Rikishi. Rikishi shoves Scotty down and Scotty gets in some shots but they don’t faze Rikishi. Scotty then comes off the ropes and Rikishi attempts a hiptoss but Scotty blocks it and goes through several moves before connects with a superkick. Scotty covers but Rikishi powers out of the pin as get a quick shot of Grandmaster Sexay watching form the back. Scotty comes off the ropes and goes for a Sunset Flip but can’t get Rikishi over and Rikishi goes for the sitdown splash but misses. Scotty hits a dropkick for a two count then lands several shots and comes off the ropes but runs into a powerslam. Rikishi follows up with a legdorp for a two count then whips Scotty back and forth between the corners before he hits a clothesline. Rikishi goes for the running butt charge in a corner but Scotty avoids it and hits the bulldog then follows up with the Worm. However Rikishi powers out of the pin, sending Scotty flying through the ropes to the floor. Scotty climbs onto the apron and rolls over Rikishi back in the ring then comes off the ropes but runs into a Samoan Drop. Scotty tries to get to his feet but Rikishi hits the butt charge in a corner then climbs up the ropes and hits the Banzai Drop for the pin. (2:53) After the match Rikishi tries to help Scotty up when Val Venis comes in and attacks from behind. Val beats Rikishi down in a corner and chokes him with his boot when Grandmaster Sexay comes in the for the save but Val cuts him off with a clothesline. Val then beats a retreat while Sexay tends to his partners. *½
~ Backstage Kane is pacing around when The Undertaker walks up to him and tells him he has to get it done. Taker tells Kane to show the Hardys no mercy in the match and even suggests that he pretend it’s him he’s beating up out there.
Kane vs. The Hardy Boyz – Handicap Match
You know, Kane did cheat the Hardys out of winning the tag team titles several weeks back so it would be nice to see the Hardys get their revenge here. Eh, who are we kidding, right? As The Rock watches from the back, Jeff Hardy starts off with some quick shots but Kane just shrugs them off and throws Jeff in a corner then pummels him and tosses him across the ring. Kane whips Jeff and misses a big boot then scoops Jeff up but Jeff slips out of it and gets in more offense. Jeff comes off the ropes but Kane press slams him as we see Undertaker also watching the match from the back. Kane whips Jeff but lowers the head and Jeff leapfrogs over him and tags in Matt Hardy. Kane grabs Jeff by the hair but Matt dropkicks Kane in the knee and kicks away at it. Kane rakes Matt’s face and uppercuts him and Matt tries to fight back but Kane stops that with a knee. Kane clubs Matt in the back and goes for a suplex when Matt flips out of it and Jeff makes a blind tag. Kane whips Matt into a corner and charges but Matt sidesteps him then then drops to the mat and Jeff lauches off him into the Poetry in Motion. The Hardys double-team Kane in a corner and Jeff goes for a whip but Kane reverses it and hits a boot. Kane plants Jeff with a sidewalk slam then climbs to the top and connects with the flying clothesline. Matt breaks up the pin but Kane pops him off the apron when Jeff hits a crossbody that takes both himself and Kane over the ropes as well. Matt charges at Kane who tosses him over his head but Matt does a handstand on the apron and bounces off the ropes, DDT’ing Kane into the floor. Matt goes for a whip but Kane reverses him into the apron and scoops him up when Matt slips out. Jeff runs along the barricade and leaps at Kane but jumps right in his waiting hand. Matt leaps off the ropes and hits an axehandle that knocks Kane down but Kane pops right up and clotheslines Matt. Jeff climbs back in the ring and leaps over the ropes into a somersault plancha on Kane. The Hardys rolls Kane back in the ring and Matt sets up for a Twist of Fate but Kane blocks it and sets Matt on the top rope. Jeff tries to help Matt when Kane catches him with an uppercut then goes up but Matt fights him off while Jeff attacks Kane from behind. Jeff throws Kane down to the mat and the Hardys hit their combo legdrops and Matt covers for the upset but Kane powers out, sending Matt flying through the ropes. Jeff comes off the ropes and dropkicks Kane in the face then climbs to the top rope and goes for the Swanton Bomb but misses when Kane sits up. Matt comes in and goes for a whip but Kane reverses into a tilt-o-whirl powerslam. Jeff makes the save and the Hardys double-team Kane in a corner then whip him into the other corner. Matt drops down and Jeff goes for another heelkick but Kane sidesteps it with Jeff landiung on his feet on the ropes. Kane grabs Matt when Jeff climbs to the top and goes for a moonsault but slips off the rope and falls onto the mat. I’m guessing Jeff was supposed to hit Matt with the moonsault but botched it while Matt tries to salvage the spot by falling over anyway, faking a collission. Jeff is out of it while Kane grabs Matt and hits the chokeslam for the win. (6:20) That was almost a squash there, and a sloppy one at that. anyway Kane gets the second of the three wins, leaving it up to The Rock to complete the sweep. *
~ Backstage we find the Fac-gime again disappointed at what happened and Triple H rubs the two lossses in Vince’s face. Triple H then threatens Vince should Rock win but Vince doesn’t take kindly to that, reminding him the WWF Championship is their’s and not his. Vince and Triple H look ready to go at it until Shane and Stephanie separate them.
~ Back from break Triple H complains to Stephanie about Vince’s decision-making saying he’s ruining everything for them.
Crash Holly vs. Hardcore Holly – King of the Ring 2nd Round Match
So here we have the last match to fill out the pay-per-view brackets. Also Hardcore debuts his remixed theme he would use for the remainder of his WWF run. The Holly cousins exchange punches to start when Crash gets the advantage and whips Hardcore into a powerslam for a two count. Crash stomps away at Hardcore in a corner then goes for a whip, Hardcore reverses him into the opposite corner and charges but eats a boot. Crash climbs to the top rope and connects with a crossbody for a near fall. Crash goes for a whip, Hardcore reverses it but Crash counters a hiptoss into a rollup for a two count. Crash goes for a huricanrana but Hardcore counters that into a powerbomb for a near fall. Hardcore drapes Crash over the top rope and kicks him in the chest then whips him but lowers the head. Crash kicks the face then comes off the ropes but runs into a clothesline for a two count. Hardcore chops Crash in a corner then whips him and hits an elbow. Hardcore throws Crash through the ropes then goes out and clubs him in the back. Hardcore tosses Crash back in the ring and hits a backbreaker for a two count. Hardcore snapmares Crash to the mat and kicks him in the back then stomps him down in a corner and chokes him against the ropes. Crash starts to fight back but Hardcore rakes the face to stop that and hits a suplex for a near fall. At that point Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson come out to ringside…with referee Mike Chioda and I sense an impromptu Hardcore Title match coming up real soon. Hardocre whips Crash and hits the dropkick when Patterson hops on the apron and gets hits attention, daring Hardcore to come after him. Hardcore follows Patterson to the floor while Brisco goes in and waffles Crash with a 2×4. The referee sees this and calls for the bell, giving Crash the DQ decision so Crash advances to the pay-per-view. (4:17) Hardcore is not happy that he got cheated out of the match and heads back in the ring daring Brisco to face him. Patterson tries to come up from behind and Hardcore dispatches him while Brisco comes in and hits Crash with the 2×4 again. Brisco then covers Crash when Chioda comes in and counts 1..2..3 and thanks the the 24/7 rule Brisco has regained the Hardcore title. (0:23) So Hardcore loses the match and Crash loses his title. Brisco celebrates with the war dance before he and Patterson take off with the belt. This whole segment totally killed the crowd. DUD
~ Back from break we get a replay of the Stooges screwing both Hollys over and reganing the Hardcore Title. We then find Brisco and Patterson celebrating with Mike Chioda in the back and pop the champagne as they order Chioda to lock the door. The Stooges invite Chioda in on their toast when Patterson pours the champagne over Brisco’s head, burning his eyes. Brisco is screaming as Patterson breaks another champagne bottle over Brisco’s head then covers him and as Chioda counts 1..2..3 and we have another Hardcore title change after just six minutes. Patterson then takes the belt and runs off with Chioda while Brisco is left laying on the floor. I’ll admit, folks, this thing does get worse from here.
~ Backstage Triple H and Stephanie are meeting with Test and Albert and stressing the importance of their match. Triple H wants them to take out the Rock and Stephanie adds her two cents, saying this is her chance to prove themselves. Test doesn’t seem thrilled to be working with Sephanie again and just brushes off her comments until Triple H shoves his hand in Test’s face. Albert has to hold Test back from doing something stupid while Triple H orders them to get the job done.
~ Elsewhere Michael Cole interviews The Rock about the upcoming match, mentioning the Undertaker and Kane winning their matches and now it’s up to him. Rock starts off with the usual and says he’s aware of what’s at take in this match. Rock says he’s not going to win for Taker or Kane, he’s going to win because he’s the People’s champion. Rock mentions his opponents and says he’s not as big as them but he’s ready, if you smell, etc.
The Rock vs. T & A (w/Trish Stratus) – Handicap Match
Wow, Test and Albert in the main event, who would have guessed. Anyway Rock must win this final match for the WWF Championship to be put on the line in the six-man tag at the pay-per-view. Not surprisingly we get a shot of Undertaker watching the match in the back. Rock starts off with Albert and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip but Albert reverses it and Test nails him from behind. Rock pops Test when Albert charges at him but get toseed over the ropes. Test comes in but Rock backdrops him over the other side to the floor as well. Rock goes out after Albert and rams him into the annoucne table and into the steps when Test charges at him but Rock catches him with a series of rights. Rock goes for a whip, Test reverses it and Rock nails Albert with a forearm but eats a clothesline from Test. Test throws him back in the ring as we get a shot of Kane also watching the match, like we’ve been doing all night. Test climbs back in when Rock greets him with a clothesline but Albert clotheslines him in return. Albert throws Rock into a big boot from Test and Test unloads on Rock then beats him down in a corner and chokes him with his boot. Albert tags in when Rock fights back and comes off the ropes but runs into a sidewalk slam. Albert has words with Rock while laying the boots to him then decks him and whips him into an elbow. Test tags in and chokes Rock on the middle rope then distracts Earl Hebner while Trish chokes Rock on the rope. Rock starts to fight back and comes off the ropes but Test clotheslines him down. Test whips Rock and Trish grabs his leg from the floor so Rock grabs Trish by the hair. Test comes up but Rock dodges him then goes for a whip. Test reverses it but lowers the head and Rock hits a swining neckbreaker. Rock follows up with a DDT and covers Test but Trish distracts Hebner from making the count while Albert brings the ring bell in and clocks Rock in the head with it. Test covers Rock looking for the upset but only gets a two count! Test goes for a whip but Rock counters into a Rock Bottom! Albert comes in and Rock goes for a whip but Albert reverses it and both men clothesline each other. Rock is back up and takes it to both men then hits the Smackdown on Test and Albert in succession. Rock clotheslines Albert over the ropes then plants Test with the spinebuster. Rock caps off with the People’s Elbow and grabs the pin to complete the sweep. (6:06) Okay but not great match and the result was never in doubt. *½
Anyway the six-man tag at King of the Ring is now officially a WWF Championship match. Backstage Triple H is furious that his title is now on the line and starts tearing appart the office while Shane stands between him and Vince. Vince tells Triple H to wait until Smackdown while Rock celebrates his win and poses for the crowd as Raw goes off the air.
Conclusion: This show was a tale of two halves. The first hour had some good in-ring action and focused mostly on the tournament which was nice, but things changed once we hit the second hour. We then had Rock, Undertaker and Kane all overcoming the odds against three tag teams to get the title on the line in the six-man tag, which was done to build more interest in the pay-per-view I suppose. Not to mention the whole Crash/Stooges segment which was bad and would only get worse. While it’s nice this show didn’t have any wasted segments with a bunch of babyface wins, it also doesn’t leave much left to do to finish the build to the supercard on Smackdown. So I’d call this an okay show as we head down the final stretch to King of the Ring.