World Wrestling Federation presents Heat
Date: 6/24/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) WWF European Champion Matt Hardy defeated Justin Credible to retain the title
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) It’s the same day as the 2001 King of the Ring pay per view, which means the show will be heavy on last minute promotion for the PPV.
2.) Backstage, Lilian Garcia talked with Spike Dudley and Molly Holly. Garcia mentions how the Dudley Boys are the new tag champs and hit a 3D on Spike recently on Smackdown. Spike issues a challenge to the Dudley Boys for tonight and decides to go find a partner for the match on PPV.
3.) Backstage, Shane McMahon arrived to the arena and meets up with Test. Test asks if Shane is ready and Shane insists that he’s ready and tells Test that tonight is going to be very interesting.
4.) Backstage, Lilian Garcia is with the new WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boys. D-Von says that Spike has become brave lately when he challenged Steve Austin for the WWF World Champion. D-Von thinks it’s funny that Spike doesn’t even have a partner. Bubba says that Spike had only hung out with them because they are brothers. Bubba tells Garcia that Spike will learn to respect his big brothers tonight.
5.) Tazz shares some comments regarding WWF World Champion Steve Austin attacking Michael Cole on Smackdown. Tazz is visibly not thrilled and says “Austin, I’m real proud of you.”
6.) Backstage, Edge and Christian are talking about the tournament tonight. Christian tells Edge he had to beat Kane and Big Show to get to the semifinals. Edge and Christian get a little heated until Christian walks off.
7.) Credible backs Hardy into a corner, but cleanly backs off and taunts Hardy. Hardy charges, but Credible backs off into the ropes. Credible kicks Hardy followed by a few strikes. Hardy drop toe holds Credible and walks his back followed by a few slaps to the back of the head. Hardy sends Credible into the corner and delivers a forearm strike. Hardy sends Credible upside down into the corner and decks Credible off the apron with a forearm strike. Credible pulls Hardy to the floor and rams Hardy face first onto the apron. Credible beats on Hardy in the corner with strikes and stomps. Credible powerbombs Hardy out of the corner for a near fall. Credible jabs Hardy several times and drops Hardy to the mat for a near fall. Credible knee lifts Hardy and continues with chops in the corner. Hardy responds with chops of his own. Hardy misses a splash in the corner. Credible keeps Hardy on the mat with a sleeper. Hardy elbows free, but is yanked down to the mat by Credible. Credible kicks Hardy in the midsection and connects with a back elbow strike for a near fall. Credible keeps a sleeper on Hardy and keeps the advantage on the mat. Hardy elbows free and gets a two count after a sunset flip. Credible stops Hardy with a twisting DDT for a near fall. Credible waits in the corner and misses a baseball slide in the corner and hits the ring post groin first. Hardy forearms Credible to the mat a few times. Hardy catapults Credible into the corner and rams Credible into the turnbuckle several times. Hardy slams Credible and leaps off the middle rope hitting a leg drop for a two count. Credible rams Hardy into the corner, and ducks a clothesline. Credible superkicks Hardy and almost wins the match. Credible wedges Hardy in the ropes and pummels the champ with strikes. Credible scares Lita off the apron. Lita climbs to the top and hits a head scissors behind the referees back. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate and pins Credible to retain the title. (**. They got plenty of time to put together a match and it ended up being a solid encounter to hype up the crowd before the PPV starts. Hardy’s popularity in a singles role is largely dependent on Lita.)
Final Thoughts:
A lengthy feature bout for Heat standards was a nice surprise and there’s a special match announced for the PPV on the show, too. There wasn’t a major interview or anything, and the PPV is just a tournament show so there wasn’t likely anything to heavily promote aside for the triple threat WWF World Championship match but their not going to over expose those guys.
Thanks for reading.