World Wrestling Federation presents Metal
Date: 3/17/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) Crash Holly defeated Scoot Andrews
2.) Taka Michinoku & Funaki defeated Frankie Kazarian & Keiji Sakoda
3.) Grandmaster Sexay defeated Essa Rios
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Andrews gains control with a waist lock, but switches to a headlock. Crash breaks free and takes Andrews down to the mat. Andrews counters with a hammerlock, but Crash switches to a headlock. Crash shoulder blocks Andrews and runs the ropes before tripping Andrews and keeps a headlock on Andrews. Andrews punches Crash against the ropes several times. Crash tries for a head scissors, but Andrews counters by dropping Crash to the mat face first and chokes Crash on the mat. Andrews tosses Crash with a fallaway slam and taunts Molly. Crash tries for a rollup, but Andrews kicks out and clotheslines Crash. Andrews continues with a leg drop. Andrews scoop slams Crash and heads to the top rope missing a leg drop attempt. Crash punches Andrews several times and delivers an elbow strike followed by a clothesline. Crash hits a leaping shoulder block. Andrews stops Crash with a drop toe hold into the corner. Crash plants Andrews with a bulldog out of the corner and wins the match. (*1/2. The closing sequence was entertaining, but the early portion of the match was rather bland and boring.)
2.) Prior to the next match, Taka and Funaki cut their usual “promo”. Taka says their opponents are trying to make a name against them, but their names are losers and they are evil. Funaki ends with indeed, as usual.
3.) Kazarian and Funaki kickoff the tag match with Funaki kicking Kazarian away. Kazarian hits a springboard back elbow. Funaki hammers away on Kazarian as Taka tags in and they collide. Kazarian dropkicks Funaki to the floor and slingshots Taka into the ring. Sakoda enters and kicks Taka a few times before delivering a throat thrust for a two count. Sakdoa decks Funaki off the apron, but Taka nails Sakoda with a throat thrust. Taka drop toe holds Sakoda and Funaki puts a chin lock on Sakoda allowing for Taka to hit a dropkick. Sakoda and Funaki collide on a double clothesline. Kazarian tags into the match and cleans house with clotheslines and an arm drag to Taka. Funaki stops Kazarian, and Taka nails Kazarian with a throat thrust before trying for the Michinoku Driver, but Sakoda made the save. Funaki dumps Sakoda to the floor and Taka plants Kazarian with the Michinoku Driver for the win. (*1/2. Kazarian and Sakoda looked solid in there for the brief time they got in there to shine. It seems as if the crowds don’t know if Taka and Funaki are heels or babyfaces on a week to week basis.)
4.) Rios steals Sexay’s glasses and breaks them before running away on the floor. Rios gains control with strikes over the back and a clothesline. Rios misses a clothesline and Sexay nails Rios with a kick to the head. Sexay catapults Rios over the top to the floor. Sexay rams Rios groin first into the post. Sexay misses a splash in the corner and crashes to the mat. Sexay kicks Rios and hits a powerbomb to counter a hurricanrana. Sexay drops Rios gut first to the mat. Sexay misses a spear and hits the post. Rios attempts a top rope moonsault, but misses. Sexay puts his goggles on and hits the Hip Hop Drop for the win. (*. I mean, it’s beyond frustrating how Rios is treated at this point by not being able to showcase himself whatsoever.)
Final Thoughts:
It was cool to see Kazarian and Sakoda early into their careers, but aside from that this is a skippable episode of Metal.
Thanks for reading.