World Wrestling Federation presents Metal
Date: 3/24/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) Billy Gunn defeated Gary Stenstrom
2.) Haku defeated Jeff Starr
3.) Essa Rios defeated Low Ki
4.) APA defeated Dave Danger & JP Black
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Gunn shoulder blocks Stenstrom and hits a side Russian leg sweep. Stenstrom goes to the ropes to break the hold. Gunn stomps Stenstrom in the corner, but Stenstrom delivers a strike only to be met with a clothesline. Stenstrom strikes Gunn in the corner and delivers a scoop slam. Gunn misses an elbow drop and Stenstrom delivers a few strikes in the corner. Stenstrom strikes Gunn in the corner, but Gunn fights back with a press slam and a forearm strike. Gunn hits a tilt a whirl slam and signals for the end. Gunn hits the One and Only to win the match. (*. It was fine for what it was. I like this version of Billy Gunn.)
2.) Haku sends Starr into the corner, but Starr rights back with strikes. Starr jumps onto Haku’s back, but is slammed to the mat. Haku catches Starr on a crossbody and delivers a slam. Haku chops Starr in the corner to maintain control of the match. Haku nails Starr with a headbutt and delivers a strike against the ropes. Haku misses a clothesline and Starr kicks Haku. Haku elbow strikes Starr to the mat. Haku lifts Starr up and drops Starr to the mat chest first. Haku locks in the Tongan Death Grip and wins the match. (1/2*. Haku does not fit with the WWF in 2001 and the crowd is dead silent for the match. It’s kind of interesting since Haku would usually get a decent pop from the WCW crowd no matter what.)
3.) Rios and Ki lockup, but they break apart with neither man getting the advantage. Rios shoulder blocks Ki and Ki kicks out of a snapmare followed by a dropkick to the knee. Ki kicks Rios a few times on the chest. Ki nails Rios with a stiff kick to the head for a near fall. Ki sends Rios into the corner and nails Rios with a handspring kick to knock Rios to the floor! Rios strikes Ki from the apron and drops Ki across the top rope. Ki drop toe holds Rios and keeps control. Ki clotheslines Rios to maintain the advantage. Ki chokes Rios on the mat and yells at the referee. Ki continues with a strike to stagger Rios against the ropes. Rios backdrops Ki coming off the ropes. Rios misses a splash in the corner. Rios strikes Ki over the back and hits a springboard powerslam for a two count. Ki sends Rios into the corner, but Rios hits a spinning heel kick. Rios hits a sit down powerbomb. Rios heads to the top rope hitting a moonsault for the win. (***. Ki popped the crowd and for an enhancement match this was nicely done and very entertaining.)
4.) Faarooq and Black kickoff the tag match with Faarooq delivering several strikes. Black ducks a clothesline and gets a two count with a sunset flip. Faarooq plants Black with a spinebuster. Danger tags into the match and is met with a drop toe hold. Bradshaw tags into the match and tackles Danger to the mat to put an arm bar on. Bradshaw pummels Danger with strikes in the corner followed by a clothesline. Bradshaw hits a side suplex. Black tags into the match and is kicked by Bradshaw. Bradshaw catches Black coming off the ropes and hits a fallaway slam. Bradshaw crotches Black on the top turnbuckle. Bradshaw hooks Black and hits a back suplex. Danger tags into the match and is tossed through the ropes to the floor. Faarooq nails Danger with the ring steps. Bradshaw kicks Danger over the back. Bradshaw comes off the ropes and delivers the Clothesline From Hell. Faarooq cuts off Black and hits the Dominator onto Danger! Bradshaw covers both men for the win. (*1/2. APA kicking ass is always a good time.)
Final Thoughts:
A good episode of Metal with a fun Rios/Ki match and getting to see the APA destroy guys for a few minutes is always fun. It was a breeze to get through this week.
Thanks for reading.