World Wrestling Federation presents Metal
Date: 3/10/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) Raven defeated Crash Holly
2.) Essa Rios defeated Gregory Martin
3.) Billy Gunn defeated JR Ryder
4.) X-Factor (X-Pac & Justin Credible) defeated Taka Michinoku & Funaki
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Raven shoulder blocks Crash at the start of the match as Crash got out of a headlock. Raven shoulder blocks Crash a second time and keeps control with a headlock. Crash drop toe holds Raven a couple of times and manages a two count with a rollup. Crash gets an inside cradle for a two count. Crash manages a two count with a sunset flip. Crash gets another two count with a rollup. Raven counters a bulldog by crotching Crash over the ropes and forearms Crash off the ropes to the floor. Raven sends Crash into the railing with a side Russian leg sweep. Raven sends Crash into the corner chest first and delivers a clothesline for a two count. Raven keeps a chin lock on crash, but Crash low blows Raven by getting his knees up to block a splash. Crash delivers a flurry of strikes and stomps on Raven’s feet. Crash head scissors Raven to the mat and continues with strikes. Raven plants Crash with the DDT to counter being sent into the ropes and wins the match. (*. It was a bit sloppy, and the fact that they didn’t compete in a hardcore match didn’t help matters since they are both attached to that division and style in the WWF.)
2.) Rios sends Martin into the corner and delivers a running clothesline followed by strikes. Martin kicks Rios and heads to the top rope missing a crossbody as Rios hit a dropkick in midair. Rios tries for a head scissors, but Martin slams Rios to the mat. Martin continues with strikes and dropkicks Rios into the corner. Rios drop toe holds Martin into the corner and continues with strikes. Martin sunset flips Rios for a two count. Rios runs the ropes and springboard arm drags Martin and hits a spinning heel kick. Rios connects with a leg drop for a two count. Rios chops Martin against the ropes a few times. Rios clotheslines Martin coming off the ropes, but Martin responds with strikes. Martin sidesteps Rios and Rios hits the ropes. Martin tries for a cover, but Rios kicks out at two. Martin strikes Rios against the ropes, but Martin dropkicks Rios for a two count. Martin tries for a suplex, but Rios lands on his feet. Martin sends Rios into the corner, but is met with a kick to the face. Rios slams Martin and heads to the top rope hitting a moonsault for the win. (*. Sloppy in a few spots, but it could have been a lot worse.)
3.) Gunn backs Ryder into a corner, but cleanly backs off. Ryder strikes Gunn in the corner several times to gain the advantage. Ryder overhand chops Gunn a few times, but Gunn responds with strikes in the corner. Gunn avoids Ryder in the corner and tosses Ryder across the ring followed by a clothesline. Gunn press slams Ryder and hits the Fame-Asser. Gunn covers, but Ryder actually kicks out at two. Ryder rolls to the floor to regroup. Ryder runs away and gains control in the ring with stomps and chop in the corner. Gunn kicks Ryder and tries for a hip toss, but Ryder counters hitting a neckbreaker. Ryder taunts the crowd in the corner. Gunn kicks Ryder and continues with strikes. Gunn plants Ryder with a tilt a whirl slam. Gunn hits the One and Only to win the match. (*1/2. Okay, they must have completely killed off the Fame-Asser as a finisher if an enhancement guy kicks out at two. I’m digging this version of Gunn.)
4.) Prior to the main event, Taka Michinoku grabs the microphone and the voiceover voice says he doesn’t know how X-Pac and Justin Credible got their names. Taka makes a few puns regarding their names and says they expect to win because they are evil. Funaki finishes off with indeed.
5.) Pac and Taka start off in the ring where Pac delivers a spinning heel kick. Credible beats on Funaki until Taka knocks Pac off the apron onto Credible. Take hits a springboard moonsault to the floor. Taka nails Credible with a spinning heel kick and tags in Funaki. Funaki controls Credible with strikes until Pac kicks Funaki allowing Credible to hit a DDT. Credible and Pac double team Funaki in the corner as Taka distracted the referee. Pac hits the bronco buster and taunts the crowd before delivering a stomp. Funaki hits a double clothesline to gain the advantage. Taka tags into the match and hits a missile dropkick to both men. Taka drop toe holds Pac and Funaki puts Pac in a chin lock allowing Taka to deliver a dropkick. Credible decks Funaki from behind and forearms Taka a few times. Taka signals for the Michinoku Driver on Pac, but Pac breaks free and X-Factor hit a double superkick to pin Taka for the win. (**1/2. A solid match for the short amount of time they got. I enjoyed the fast pace and the high flying nature of the bout.)
Final Thoughts:
The main event was a solid match, but aside from that there wasn’t much entertainment this week on Metal.
Thanks for reading.