World Wrestling Federation presents Metal
Date: 4/28/2001
From: Denver, CO
Matches:
1.) Billy Gunn defeated Jeff Michaels
2.) Essa Rios defeated Derek Stone
3.) Haku defeated Derek Selsvold
4.) Hardcore Holly defeated Race Steele
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Gunn shoulder blocks Michaels and hits a hip toss followed by stomps. Gunn misses an elbow drop. Michaels delivers a few strikes against the ropes and dropkicks Gunn leading to a one count. Gunn kicks Michaels in the corner and hits a running neckbreaker after sending Michaels into the corner chest first. Gunn hits a tilt a whirl slam and signals for the One and Only. Gunn plants Michaels and picks up the win. (*. A simple and effective showcase for Gunn.)
2.) Rios kicks Stone a few times against the ropes and arm drags Stone a couple of times. Stone knee lifts Rios and misses a dropkick. Rios dropkicks Stone from behind to send Stone to the floor. Rios hits a somersault dive over the ring post to the floor! Rios tries for a cover, but Stone kicks out at two. Stone knee lifts Rios followed by an elbow strike and scoop slam. Stone tries for a suplex, but Rios counters with a rollup for a two count. Stone plants Rios with a back suplex. Stone forearms Rios, but Rios goes to the apron and tries for a top rope move, but is crotched by Stone. Stone tries for a middle rope back suplex, but Rios knocks Stone to the mat. Rios hits a top rope moonsault to win the match. (*. Rios bringing out the somersault dive over the ring post got a pop from the crowd, but there wasn’t much to this one. Stone didn’t look to be all that seasoned.)
3.) Haku elbows Selsvold and hits a back suplex to keep control of the match. Selsvold tries to deliver a few strikes, but Haku isn’t bothered by them. Haku avoids a sunset flip with a strike and chops Selsvold in the corner. Haku works over Selsvold in the corner and hits a big splash in the corner. Haku continues with a flurry of strikes and taunts the crowd. Haku headbutts Selsvold to the mat. Haku delivers a back elbow strike and kicks Selsvold in the midsection. Haku misses a clothesline and Selsvold hits a leaping shoulder block. However, Haku gets up and locks in the Tongan Death Grip for the win. (1/2*. People love the Tongan Death Grip, and I’m one of them, but I’m not sure why.)
4.) Holly controls Steele with a headlock and comes off the ropes with a shoulder block. Steele hip tosses Holly, but Holly comes back with a few arm drags and keeps arm control on the mat. Steele takes Holly down to the mat with a fireman’s carry. Holly backs Steele into a corner and delivers a strike to the midsection. Steele runs the ropes, but is met with a powerslam by Holly for a near fall. Holly rams Steele into the corner and delivers a stomp. Holly sends Steele into the corner and delivers a clothesline. Steele counters a clothesline with a neckbreaker. Steele tries for a cover, but Holly kicks out at two. Steele rams Holly into the corner and delivers a few chops. Holly overhand chops Steele several times. Steele boots Holly in the corner and hits a middle rope neckbreaker for a two count. Steele scoop slams Holly and taunts the crowd. Steele heads to the top rope missing a frog splash. Holly clotheslines Steele a few times followed by a backdrop. Holly dropkicks Steele and plays to the crowd before getting a two count. Holly kicks Steele in the lower midsection over the top rope. Steele knee lifts Holly, but Holly counters with a rollup for a two count. Holly counters Steele and hits the Alabama Slam for the win. (*. Holly seemed to get frustrated with Steele being a bit sloppy and mistiming a few spots.)
Final Thoughts:
Some bigger star power for Metal standards made this a bit for refreshing, but nothing overly memorable or shockingly good.
Thanks for reading.