World Wrestling Federation presents Heat
Date: 4/8/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) Haku defeated Raven
2.) APA defeated Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko
3.) WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Test to retain the title
4.) Lita defeated Spike Dudley
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) William Regal is suppose to be the special guest, but it’s noted that he hasn’t arrived yet to WWF New York.
2.) Haku backs Raven into a corner and delivers several strikes to the body for the early advantage. Raven sends Haku chest first into the corner and hits a clothesline. Raven clotheslines Haku over the top to the floor. Raven sends Haku into the railing with a side Russian leg sweep. Haku fights back by ramming Raven into the post back first and apron. Haku hammers away on Raven around ringside and sends Raven into the ring steps. Haku returns to the ring and beats on Raven with strikes. Haku stomps on Raven’s lower midsection followed by a chop to the chest. Haku locks in a bearhug as we see William Regal arriving in a limo to WWF New York, well we are assuming it’s Regal. Haku continues to beat on Raven in the corner with strikes. Raven fights back with kicks in the corner and a clothesline. Raven hits a running bulldog and a knee lift. Raven drops Haku with a clothesline for a two count. Raven forearms Haku several times in the corner, but Haku gets the Tongan Death Grip on Raven to win the match. (*1/2. I actually like the finish as it shows that Haku can get the Death Grip locked in at any moment. The match wasn’t too bad and they did fairly well with impactful offense.)
3.) Moments ago, William Regal did in fact arrive to WWF New York and was escorted into the building.
4.) William Regal arrives to the stage at WWF New York to cut a promo. Regal would love to stand there and thank the fans for having him be the host on MTV, but he won’t do that. He thinks the fans should thank him for being there as the host. Regal would have been there earlier, but he blames the drivers of New York. Regal believes that order is needed in New York. He’s going to bring order to WWF New York. The fans begin to chant for Y2J. Regal puts over Vince McMahon for making him the commissioner of WWF. Regal says that McMahon promised shocking turn of events and delivered that promise with Steve Austin as the WWF World Champion, and someone they can all be proud of. Regal also puts over Triple H for winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship on Smackdown. Regal will be taking suggestions from the fans on how to better the WWF.
5.) Backstage, William Regal talks with security about celebrities being in New York and how they don’t have fans touching them. Regal is livid about being touched by the fans. Regal demands they do their job properly.
6.) Saturn sends Faarooq into the railing while Malenko avoids Bradshaw in the ring. Saturn is rolled into the ring and double teamed by the APA. Faarooq gets a cover on Saturn for a two count after a double shoulder block. Faarooq decks Malenko off the apron and tries for the Dominator, but Saturn breaks free and tosses Faarooq overhead with a belly to belly suplex. Malenko tags into the match and heel kicks Faarooq. Faarooq is double teamed in the corner for a few moments. Saturn misses a clothesline and is powerslammed by Faarooq. Bradshaw tags into the match and big boots Malenko. Bradshaw catches Malenko to hit a fallaway slam after nailing Saturn with a big boot. Saturn stops Bradshaw with a superkick. Malenko stomps on Bradshaw followed by a kick to the ribs. Malenko scoop slams Bradshaw and Saturn hits a messy splash off the top. Bradshaw hammers away on Saturn and connects with a shoulder block. Faarooq gets tagged in and cleans house on Saturn. Saturn hits a swinging neckbreaker on Faarooq for a two count. Bradshaw is sent to the floor and Faarooq is double teamed. Bradshaw pulls Malenko to the floor allowing Faarooq to hit Saturn with a spinebuster for the win. (*1/2. They did a get decent amount of time and I didn’t think it was a complete waste of time. Saturn and Malenko didn’t get a lot of shine, but I’m behind a push for APA in the tag division.)
7.) Backstage, William Regal is livid about the merchandise that is being sold at the shop and puts some more gear for HHH and Austin out instead of Rock and Jericho.
8.) William Regal joins the commentary table at WWF New York and makes fun of how they are both dressed. Michael Cole doesn’t know what is wrong and proceeds to plug his shoes.
9.) Test backs Guerrero into a corner, but Guerrero quickly counters and hammers away on Test. Guerrero elbows Test coming off the ropes. Test tries for a press slam, but Guerrero breaks free. Test plants Guerrero with a tilt a whirl slam for a near fall. Test press slams Guerrero to the mat chest first. Test plants Guerrero with a powerbomb for a two count. Guerrero sends Test face first into the corner and delivers a few stomps. Guerrero pummels Test with right hands in the corner for a few moments. Guerrero chokes Test and backs off. Test rams Guerrero into the corner face first several times. Guerrero staggers out of the corner and is decked by a right hand. Test goes for a cover, but only manages a two count. Test continues to pummel Guerrero in the corner with right hands and stomps. Test press slams Guerrero chest first over the top turnbuckle. Guerrero begs off and plays to the crowd. Test ducks a wild right hand and yanks Guerrero down by his hair. Test hits a tilt a whirl sit down powerbomb for a two count. Test tries for a pump handle, but Guerrero sends Test into the referee and delivers a low blow. Guerrero gets a rollup and wins the match. After the match, Test recovers and nails Guerrero with a big boot to leave the champ laying. Test picks up the championship and plays to the crowd. (*1/2. The match was mostly dominated by Test and he looked good in there thanks to Guerrero. Guerrero retaining is fine, but I wish Guerrero would have gotten more offense in and not look like a fluke win.)
10.) Spike backs Lita into a corner, but the referee backs him off. Lita elbow drops Spike on the lower back and gets a two count with a few rollup attempts. Lita gets another rollup for a two count. Spike goes to the floor to regroup with his brothers. They do a test of strength with Lita delivering a headbutt and stomps on Spike’s hands followed by a dropkick for a two count. Lita head scissors Spike and continues with forearms. Spike plants Lita with a swinging neckbreaker. Spike gets a rollup, but Lita kicks out at two. Spike decks Lita with a clothesline for a two count. Lita counters being sent into the corner and punches Spike a few times. Lita counters a slam attempt for a two count. Spike drops Lita throat first over the top rope and heads to the top rope. Jeff Hardy causes a distraction as Spike misses a top rope leg drop. Lita goes to the top, but is crotched by Bubba. Dudley Boys and Hardy Boys brawl at ringside. Spike is shoved off the ropes after a low blow. Lita hits a top rope moonsault to win the match. (**. They were limited because I’m sure MTV didn’t want a lot of male on woman violence. I thought they did a good job to hold interest and it’s a great win for Lita. This was Spike’s singles debut, so not a great start for his singles career.)
11.) Backstage, William Regal is yelling at the chefs.
12.) William Regal returns to the stage for a question and answer segment with the fans. Regal is here to listen to how to better the WWF. A fan thinks that they need WCW and WWF wrestlers in the ring facing off. Another fan thinks that Steve Austin should be suspended for how he treated Jim Ross. A female fan thinks that Mick Foley should be the commissioner and that upsets Regal. Regal takes some time to insult Foley. George is back and thinks that Regal should get an assistant. Regal rejects the offer. I thought we had seen the last of George. Another fan tells Regal that he needs to reinstate the Rock and starts a Rocky chant. Regal says that the Rock has disrespected Austin and McMahon and will not be reinstated ever as the show ends while Regal continues to talk.
Final Thoughts:
I thought it was a decent episode with the action being better than the past few weeks. Regal was a good special guest and he was able to promote the top feuds effectively. I wonder if they are actively limiting George now until he’s gone completely.
Thanks for reading.