WWF Smackdown 2/1/2001

Written by: Adam King

WWF SMACKDOWN ‘XTREME’
Thrusday, February 1, 2001

Taped (1/30) from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

List of WWF Champions at the time:
●  WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle (10/22/2000)
●  WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/21/2001)
●  WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (1/21/2001)
●  WWF European Champion: Test (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Hardcore Champion: Raven (1/22/2001)
●  WWF Women’s Champion: Ivory (11/02/2000)
●  WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ This special ‘Xtreme’ Smackdown comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcoming us to the show. Tonight The Undertaker & Kane do battle with Rikishi & Haku in a first blood match while The Rock gets another shot at Kurt Angle and the WWF Championship. And did we mention that tonight is ‘Xtreme’?

• WWF World Tag Team Titles: The Dudley Boyz © vs. The Hardy Boyz – Tables Match

The Hardys won this shot on Raw but I don’t know when this was made into a tables match. Guess they figured it’d fit tonight’s ‘xtremess’ better. Both sides stand face to face before pairing off to start with Bubba pounding Jeff and Matt tossing D’Von through the ropes. Matt helps Jeff whip Bubba into a corner then drops to the mat as Jeff connects with Poetry in Motion. Matt follows up with a running clothesline but D’Von is back in and knocks both Hardys over in succession. The Dudleys whip Jeff but lower their heads when Jeff kicks Bubba then whips D’Von but D’Von fakes him out and Bubba helps D’Von hit Jeff with a double neckbreaker. Matt goes to whip Bubba but Bubba slams him then sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top rope and connects with the “Wassup” headbutt. The Dudleys head out and slide a table in looking to end this one early when Matt attacks D’Von on the floor. Bubba sets the table up and knocks Jeff onto it then hops on the middle rope setting up to hit a senton. However Matt grabs Bubba’s leg to stop him while Jeff rolls off the table and punches him below the belt. Jeff goes up and goes for a huricanrana but D’Von moves the table out of the way and nails Jeff from behind. Matt is in when the Dudleys whip him looking to flapjack him through the table but Jeff moves it just in time. Jeff dropkicks Bubba out through the ropes when D’Von whips him but Jeff comes back with a sleeper slam. Jeff rolls D’Von onto the table then climbs to the top for the Swanton Bomb but Bubba crotches him on the buckle. Bubba shoves D’Von off the table then goes up himself and sets Jeff up for a suplerplex through the table when Matt climbs to the top rope as well and intentionally legdrops himself through the table, breaking it. Bubba superplexes Jeff through the broken table but it doesn’t count since that wasn’t what broke the table.

Matt goes and pulls a ladder from under the ring then nails both Dudleys with it before whipping D’Von into it. Matt and Jeff set a pair of tables up in the aisle then Matt rolls D’Von on it ands sets the ladder up next to them. Matt climbs to the top of the ladder but Bubba cuts him off while D’Von climbs up the ladder on the other side. Matt and D’Von duke it out when Bubba tosses Jeff into the ladder, knocking both men off and both men barely catch the edge of the table and splat on the floor. Matt and D’Von are both out on the floor but since it wasn’t an offensive move I guess the match continues. Bubba whips Jeff and hits a backdrop then both men roll out to the floor where Bubba throws Jeff into the post. Bubba and Jeff fight their way up the aisle near the stage where Bubba sees a pair of tables already set up. Bubba gets that trance but Jeff clocks him with a cable roller and the two fight up the ramp near the entrance. Bubba suddenly tries to throw Jeff off the stage but Jeff stops himself then punches Bubba toward the edge. Bubba grabs Jeff and takes both Jeff and himself off the stage and through the tables with the Bubbabomb! Both men went through the tables but since Bubba was the aggressor I guess that means the Dudleys retain. (7:26) Not quite the tables match at Royal Rumble 2000 but still a good opener with some nice bumps. Bubba and Jeff are still down in the table wreckage and I imagine Matt and D’Von are also still out of it.**½

~ Backstage we find Steve Austin watching a monitor while drinking a beer as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we get a replay of the Dudleys beating the Hardys but paying the price for it. We then get a shot of all four men getting tended to by the EMTs backstage as Lita comes up to check on her pals while telling them how crazy they were back there. Matt tells Lita to orry about the Women’s title instead.

~ Elsewhere we get another shot of Steve Austin watching a monitor and drinking a beer, like we just saw earlier. That’s followed by highlights of the Steve Austin/Triple H contract signing on Raw and Triple H getting his licks in. You know, the type of stuff that’s usually shown at the beginning of the show. We then cut back to real time just as Austin throws a beer can into a wall and heads into a nearby restroom.

• WWF Women’s Title: Ivory © vs. Lita vs. Jacqueline

Ivory was supposed to challenge the winner of the Raw match but since they both jumped her we get this instead. Lita and Jackie are out first then they both chase Ivory in the ring and double-team her to start us off then plant her with a double suplex. Lita and Jackie follow up with a combo move before Jackie decks Lita. Jackie works over Ivory and slams her then covers but Lita pulls Jackie off Ivory and gets in her shots. Lita stomps Jackie down a corner when Ivory comes up and whips her but Lita comes back with a headscissors. Lita covers when Jackie pulls her off then whips her but Lita hits a forearm then hits Ivory with a Twist of Fate. Ivory rolls out to the floor while Jackie stomps Lita then whips her and hits a sidewalk slam for a two count. Jackie whips Lita into a corner but Lita springboards over Jackie and hits her with a Russian legsweep. Lita climbs to the top rope and connects with a moonsault. Lita covers Jackie but Ivory makes it in to save it and tosses Lita through the ropes then covers Jackie herself and steals the three to retain. (2:13) Eh, not the worst women’s match I’ve seen. *

~ Backstage we find Triple H and Stephanie arriving in their dressing room only to find it littered with beer cans. We then hear a flush as Steve Austin steps out of the restroom, showing he was in the Helmsleys’ office all along. Austin greets Triple H saying he’s not out to antagonize him because he can’t touch him, like he has a force field on, and Triple H tells him that he’s not getting suspended. Austin mentions he used the restroom much to Stephanie’s shock and that he wiped the rim for his protection but the toilet’s stopped up and leaking so he’ll send for a plumber later. Austin then heads out the door while Triple H angrily throws something across the room as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Edge & Christian make their way to the ring as we’re told someome challenged them to a match. Christian gets on the mic and talks about him and Edge being put in one of the toughest matches of their careers. Christian complains about it being Smackdown Xtreme an all while Edge tries to tells his pal they need to be strong. Edge then thanks the fans for what could be their last rousing ovation before saying he and Christian are ready to face their biggest test as they’ve accepted the challenge of … Kaientai!

• Edge & Christian vs. Kaientai

Well it’s not like we didn’t see this coming after what happened on Raw. Taka and Funaki come out to the stage when Taka gets on the mic threatening to make E&C feel their wrath for their interference in Monday’s match. However Taka claims Funaki has a rash which will keep him out of action and Funaki agrees with an “Indeed”. Taka tells E&C that they have new opponents for them because they’re evil then tells them to prepare to die as out comes ….

• Edge & Christian vs. The Acolytes

All four men go at it to start when Faarooq clears Edge from the ring then heads after him on the floor. Bradshaw whips Christian and hits a clothesline as Taka and Funaki laugh at what they’re seeing from the ramp. Bradshaw clubs Christian in the back and hits a back suplex that gets a two count then gets in a shot on Edge. Christian comes back with a dropkick then tags Edge in and Edge goes for a whip but Bradshaw reverses it. Edge kicks the face but Bradshaw no-sells it so Edge comes off the ropes again but runs into a big boot. Bradshaw hits an elbowdrop and covers but Christian breaks it up while the referee keeps Faarooq back. E&C whip Bradshaw into a corner then Edge drops to the mat and Christian launches off him for a crossbody. However Bradshaw catches him and hits the fallaway slam while Faarooq dispatches Edge with a right hand. Bradshaw sets Christian up for a powerbomb but Edge climbs to the top and connects with a missle dropkick. Edge hammers away on Bradshaw and dropkicks him in the face then tags in Christian who gets in his shots. Bradshaw tries to fight back but Christian rakes his face to stop that then tags Edge in to take over on him. Bradshaw comes back with a boot and a shouldertackle then crawls to his corner as Kaientai urg him on. Christian gets his tag but Bradshaw makes the tag to Faarooq and Faarooq takes it to both men with rights then whips Christian and hits a powerslam. Faarooq covers but Edge saves it prompting Bradshaw to come in and clothesline Edge over the ropes. Bradshaw goes after Edge as the referee tries to get them in the ring while Faarooq sets Christian up for the Dominator but Christian slips out and hits a low blow followed by a DDT. Edge brings a pair of chairs in the ring and hands one to Christian while the referee keeps Taka from coming in. E&C ready for a ConChairto but Funaki comes in and shoves Faarooq out of the way then takes the hit himself. Edge then goes after Taka on the floor but Taka leads him right into Bradshaw and the Clothesline from Hades. In the ring Christian swings a chair but Faarooq ducks it then hits a spinebuster and grabs the pin. (3:39) Decent match for what it was. **

~ Backstage we find Vince yelling to some road agents about all the pressures he’s been feeling lately with Smackdown tonight and the XFL debut on Saturday so he doesn’t want to hear their issues. William Regal walks up and tells Vince he has a telephone call but Vince won’t take it unless it’s Dick Ebersol. Regal tells Vince that it’s of a more personal nature and whipsers in his ear which causes Vince’s mood to change. Vince tells the the agents that he’ll be back shortly and walks off with a smile as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break we find Vince talking on the phone and telling the mystery caller how important he/she is to him then mentions a surprise the person has for him and gets excited once he hears he/she is in Columbus tonight.

~ Out in the arena Cole and Lawler mention Chyna making a lot of personal apperances to promte her book as we get clips of Chyna’s appearence on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, just in case anyone cared.

~ Backstage Johnathan Coachman interviews Billy Gunn who talks about the hectic schedule Chyna is trying to keep when The Big Show walks up saying nobody really cares about Chyna. Billy takes exception to his intrusion but Show just tosses Billy into a nearby door then grabs Coach with his hand nearly enveloping Coach’s entire head. Show rants that he made his return at the Rumble after a six-month absence yet Coach isn’t asking him questions. Show says that he’s back in town which is bad news for everyone else then shoves Coach down and walks off.

~ We then cut somewhere else and find Trish Stratus in a bubble bath (!) surrounded by candles and talking on the phone saying how she just slipped into something uncomfortable and how wet it is. Trish then invites the person she’s calling to come right now and join her in the tub because there’s plenty of room. You’d think she’d be bothered by the prescence of the cameraman filming her, unless the WWF cameramen really are invisible.

~ Back from break we find Triple H getting antsy, feeling he can’t make it through the night with Austin here. Stephanie tells Triple H not to worry about Austin and to instead focus on how he should be WWF Champion. Stephanie offers to go speak with Vince and heads off but not before she tells Triple H to stay and focus.

~ Out in the arena Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring and gets on the mic about how tonight is Xtreme which he knows first hand after being in cage matches, last man standing matches and violent ladder matches. Jericho decides to issue an open challenge to an Intercontinential Title match tonight and wonders who might accept, whether it be Albert and his extremely large cranium or Chris Benoit and his extreme large gap in his teeth. Jericho then starts to talk about Triple H and his extremely large nose when Tazz makes his way out to the stage. Tazz gets on the mic and calls Jericho an extremely funny guy who knows nothing about being extreme unlike himself. Tazz accepts Jericho’s challege and promises to take his title and make him just another victim in the process.

• WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Tazz

Both men lockup to start and jockey before position then end up in a corner and the referee orders a break. Both men lockup again and Jericho gets a headlock, Tazz shoves him into the ropes but eats a shoulderblock. Jericho comes off the ropes and slides under Tazz then chops him down and slaps on an armbar. Tazz counters it and goes into a headlock but Jericho counters out of that and applies his own headlock. Tazz goes for a suplex when Jericho flips out of it and goes for a whip but Tazz hits a belly-to-belly Tazplex. Tazz clotheslines Jericho over the ropes then goes out and goes for a whip but Jericho sends him into the barrier. Tazz flapjacks Jericho onto the barricade then rams him into the annoucne table while having words with Cole. Jericho fights back but Tazz stops that then tosses him back in the ring and plants him with a T-bone Tazplex. Tazz snapmares Jericho to the mat and slaps on a chinlock and Jericho fights out then gets in some chops. Jericho goes for a whip, Tazz reverses it when Jericho rolls him up for a two count but Tazz hits a clothesline. Tazz whips Jericho into a corner but Jericho comes back with an enzuigiri then whips him and hits a hiptoss. Jericho comes off the ropes with a flying forearm for a two count. Jericho goes for a whip, Tazz reverses it but Tazz lowers the head and Jericho kicks the face. Jericho comes off the ropes when Tazz slaps on the Tazzmission but Jericho escapes with a low blow. Jericho then hits the bulldog followed by the Lionsault for the pin. (4:26) Good, solid match, though it didn’t do much to get Tazz another push. **½

~ Backstage we find Vince trying to load his luggage in his limo while yelling about his driver being missing when Stephanie comes up asking where he’s going. Vince tells her someting important has come up and he has to leave while Stephanie mentions how Vince has never left in the middle of a show before. Vince promises to be back later when Stephanie asks Vince to change the WWF Championship match into a triple threat by putting Triple H in there. Vince asks if Steve Austin will get involved and once Stephanie assures him that he won’t, Vince goes ahead with it. Vince then quickly climbs in the limo and peels off into the night leaving Stephanie wondering what the deal is.

~ Back from break The Kat makes her way to the stage and gets on mic to offer her thoughts on tonight’s Xtreme show, saying there are other exciting, hardcore ways to get extreme other than table matches and first blood matches. Kat says she knows what turns men on and plants to take Xtreme to a whole new level with some full frontal nudity. Lawler gets excited as Kat starts to disrobe but to no one’s surprise the Right To Censor runs out to cover her up. Steven Richards orders his men to take her to the back then gets on the mic and asks the fans what’s wrong with them. Richards says he blamed the WWF for all the depraviry but will no longer let the fans hide behind thier own ignorance. Richards says he now blames the fans and promises to show them the RTC’s version of extreme for their own good.

~ We then get some Tough Enough hype as well as the latest round of bad videos from applicants.

~ Back from break Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock about Triple H just getting added to the WWF Title match. Rock starts with the usual intro then congradulates Triple H on getting an unearend shot at the title thanks to his wife. Rock says he’s main evented the past twoWrestlemanias and to do it again he needs to win the WWF Championship. Rock says he’ll take care of Triple H as always then tells Angle to go and get some picture taken of him with the title and tie them around his his waist like a belt to hold his pants up once (Rock) takes his title. Rock finishes by telling both Triple H and Angle to just bring it and “If ya smell…” and the rest.

~ Back from break we find Austin drinking a beer before he heads out while shaking up another pair of cans.

• The Big Show vs. “The One” Billy Gunn

Billy slides in the ring through Show’s legs and gets in the first shots then goes for a whip but can’t move him while Show whips Billy into a corner. Show eats a boot then Billy comes off the ropes but runs into a mule kick. Show hits an elbowdrop then pulls Billy up with one claw and whips him but Billy comes back with a dropkick. Billy peppers Show with jabs then comes off the ropes but Show plants him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Show pulls Billy up with one hand again and hits a butt bump in a corner then works him over with elbows. Show kicks Billy in the ribs repeatedly then pulls him up by the chest and drops him down before doing it again. Show stans on Billy’s chest and elbows him in the head then headbutts him and follows up with a kneedrop. Show nails Billy with several rights then hits another headutt before slamming him and hitting another right. Show scoops Billy up as Billy rakes his face to escape then comes off the ropes but Show hits a sidewalk slam. Show misses an elbwodrop and Billy quickly hits a bulldog then covers him but Show powers out of the pin. Billy goes for the Rocker Dropper but Show grabs him then hits the chokeslam and it’s emphatically over.(5:04) I’d say Billy’s push was pretty much over by now. DUD

~ Backstage we find Triple H and stephanie getting prepared for the main event when there’s a knock on their door and it turns out to he Steve Austin bearing a couple of beer cans. Austin apologizes to them for clogging up their toilet earlier then offers Triple H one of his beers which he refuses. So Austin opens it up and ends up spraying beer all over him. Triple H looks ready to explode as Austin excuses himself from the room as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Lillian Garcia interviews Kurt Angle for his thoughts on having two challengers instead of one. Angle says he wasn’t suprised by it and asks why not add Chris Jericho, the Big Show and the state of Nebraska. Angle also asks why not have the match in a shark tank and you have to stuff someone in a shark and pin it to win. I don’t know about you but I’d pay to see that. Angle says nothing surpises him because the WWF and its fans will stop at nothing to see him lose the WWF Title but Rock and Triple H will leave the arena disaappointed losers just like everyone who came to see them.

~ Out in the arena Lawler and Cole talk about Kane’s performance in the Royal Rumble as we get some clips.

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Undertaker and Kane on getting their first blood match with Rikishi and Haku. Taker says people saw a side of him they hadn’t seen in a while on Raw, and it’s side they don’t want to see again. Taker says tasting his own blood reminded him who he used to be plus Kane told him to go back to what he does best. Taker tells his opponents that pinfalls, holds and strategy won’t mean a thing in their match because it’s all about blood and Rikishi and Haku will be in a puddle of their own blood looking up and seeing they do run the yard. Kevin then asks Kane about why he’s been siding with Taker and Kane just says that blood is thicker than water. Kane walks off while Taker suggests to Kevin that he may not want to (*bleep*) Kane off if he was him.

~ Rikishi and Haku are heading to the ring signaling the first blood match is next as we go to commercial.

• The Undertaker & Kane vs. Rikishi & Haku – First Blood Match

The first team to bust open one member of the opposite team wins. Taker and Kane are out first then meet Rikishi and Haku on the ramp and all four guys duke it out to start. Kane rams Rikishi into the announce table while Taker throws Haku into the steps then helps Kane with Rikishi. Kane holds Rikishi while Taker grabs a chair but Haku comes up and nails Kane from behind to make the save. Haku and Rikishi deck Kane and Taker respectively then Rikishi rams Taker into the announce table repeatedly. Rikishi throws Taker in the ring and works him over while Kane and Haku continue to fight it out on the floor. Taker starts to fight back when Rikishi hits a shot to the throat then whips him but Taker hits a flying clothesline. Kane rams Haku into the apron while Taker grabs Rikishi’s arm then walks to the top rope and clubs the back. Taker clotheslines Rikishi and both men roll out to the floor while Kane and Haku roll in the ring themsleves. Taker rams Rikishi into the steps but can’t get him to bleed so he grabs the chair but Rikishi cuts him off. In the ring Kane clotheslines Haku and hits with a legdrop then whips him into a corner but eats an elbow. Rikishi nails Taker with a superkick then grabs the chair himself and whacks Taker in the back with it. Rikishi readies another chair shot but Kane leaps off the apron with an axehandle to cut Rikishi off. Kane grabs the chair and takes a swing at Rikishi but misses and hits the ringpsot instead before Haku nails him with a sueprkick. Rikishi grabs the chair and jabs both brothers with it then Rikishi cracks Taker in the head with the chair. Haku tosses Kane in the ring and works him over then whips him into a corner and Rikishi goes in and hits the running butt splash. Haku goes after Taker on the floor but Taker fights back then grabs the chair and whacks Haku in the head. In the ring Rikishi moves in for a stinkface on Kane but Kane stops him with a low blow then chokeslams him. Taker tosses the steps in the ring and Kane rams them into Rikishi’s head as we see Haku is busted open. Taker rolls the bleeing Haku in the ring and the referee finally sees it and awards the match to the brothers. (6:09) That was actually a half-decent brawl. **

Taker and Kane decide they’re not done and continue assaulting Haku and Rikishi who’s also busted open. The referees come out to break this up and Taker scares them away. That allows Haku to hit a headbutt but Taker just shrugs it off and tosses Haku through the ropes while Kane rams Rikishi into the steps. Haku and Rikishi finally retreat leaing Taker and Kane to stand tall in the ring.

~ The main event participants are showing heading to the ring for the big title match as we go to commercial.

• WWF World Heavyweight Title: Kurt Angle © vs. The Rock vs. Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon)

Funny how Rock wins a fourway match on Raw to earn this title shot yet Triple H gets added after doing nothing. Seems too much like a bait-and-switch just to get out of hotshotting a potential pay-per-view main event. Anyway Rock and Triple H are out first and decide not to wait for Angle as they start throwing punches right away. Angle finally appears and charges in the ring but Rock tosses him back out then DDTs Triple H for a two count. Angle climbs in the ring again but Rock wails on him then knocks him back over the ropes with the Smackdown. Triple H drills Rock with the Pedigree and covers but Angle pulls Rock out to the floor to prevent the pinfall. Angle decks Rock on the floor then climbs in the ring but Triple H clotheslines him back out over the ropes. Suddenly the glass breaks as Steve Austin makes his way down the ramp to ringisde carrying a cooler of beer. Triple H glares out at Austin but allows Angle to come up from behind and plant him with the Olympic Slam! Angle covers Triple H but Rock makes it back in to save it while Austin takes a seat near the announce table. In the ring Rock is up and goes to whip Angle but Angle couters into a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Rock starts to fight back when Angle regains control but then chagres but runs into an belly-to-belly throw. Rock covers but Triple H breaks it up as we see Austin watching the match on the floor while enjoying his beer. Triple H stomps Rock down and hits a suplex then climbs up to the top rope when Austin gets his attention, allowing Rock to cut him off and throw him to the mat. Rock whips Triple H and Triple H flies over the ropes. Angle suplexes Rock while Austin goes over and stands over Triple H then places a beer in front of his face. Austin heads back over to his seat and watches as Triple H regains his senses and swats the beer can away.

In the ring Rock hammers away Angle when Angle rakes his face but Rock comes back with a Dragon legwhip. Rock then puts Angle in the Sharpshooter but Triple H is in and nails Rock with a DDT before Angle can submit. All three men are down when Triple H covers Rock but only gets two then struggles to get back to his feet. Rock is up as well and gets in hits then goes for a whip but Triple H reverses and connects with the high knee. Rock grabs Triple H for a Rock Bottom but Triple H fights out of it and hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Angle wails away on Triple H who hits a knee to the chest then goes for a whip and kicks Angle in the face. Angle catches Triple H with a belly-to-belly suplex but Rock is now up and plants Angle with the Rock Bottom! Rock covers Angle when Stephanie tries to come in and that distracts Earl Hebner from counting the pinfall. Stephanie taunts Rock before he grabs her by the hair but Triple H nails him from behind then goes for a whip. Rock hits him with a spinebsuter then readies the People’s Elbow when Angle hits Rock with the Olympic Slam. Angle covers Rock but again Stephanie distracts Hebner before he turns back to count the pin and only gets two. Angle yells at Hebner for not counting the pin when Triple H nails him from behind and gets in a pair of rights. Triple H goes for a whip and Angle reverses him into a corner then goes for a gutwrench but can’t get him up. Triple H takes Angle down by the legs but Angle kicks him away and right into Hebner, giving us out ref bump. Angle whips Triple H bit lowers the head and Triple H hits the feabuster. Triple H sets Angle up for the Pedigree but first takes a moment to tanut Austin, allowng Angle to nail him below the belt. Angle rolls Triple H up while Austin goes over and slaps Hebner’s hand to the mat three times. I guess that counts as the three count so Angle retains. (9:06) Silly ending to what was a fun main event, while Angle continued to look third rate compared to his two opponents. **½

Austin heads up the ramp while Stephanie is furious at her husband being cheated out of the title again. Austin got the better of Triple H this time but how long will zero tolerance last as the show fades to black.

Conclusion: With the second edition of Survivor premiering and Friends expanding to 40 minutes the WWF felt they had to do something to respond, and while I’d hardly call this episode a ‘Xtreme’ card, it was still a good, solid show. Most of the in-ring action as on the good side and there was little in the way of in-ring promos. There was still a few silly backstage segments plus the Austin/Triple H pay-per-view match still received the most focus, and other than Rock wanting the title so he can main event Wrestlemania little else was even being hinted for No Way Out. Plus there were some guys noteably absent from this show such as Chris Benoit and Raven. Maybe they would have helped with the ‘Xtreme’ theme. Still it was an improvement from the previous weeks and there’s some nice action here so we’ll go thumbs up.