World Wrestling Federation presents Heat
Date: 7/8/2001
From:
Matches:
1.) Tajiri defeated Jerry Lynn
2.) Rhyno defeated K-Kwik
3.) WCW Tag Team Champions Chuck Palumbo & Sean O’Haire defeated Shawn Stasiak & Kanyon to retain the titles
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) WWF Lightweight Champion X-Pac, WWF Intercontinental Champion Albert and Justin Credible are shown arriving to WWF New York. They are the special guests on the show.
2.) Lynn and Tajiri trade a few mat wrestling holds until Tajiri shoulder blocks Lynn and delivers a dropkick to prevent a leapfrog attempt by Lynn. Tajiri ducks a clothesline and nails Lynn with a kick. Tajiri rams Lynn into the corner and tries for the tarantula, but Lynn dumps Tajiri to the floor. Lynn drops Tajiri over the top rope on the apron. Lynn does a Gory Special, but Tajiri fights back with a few kicks. Lynn hits a German suplex for a near fall. Lynn taunts Tajiri before delivering a few stomps. Lynn hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Lynn snapmares Tajiri and keeps control with a sleeper on the mat. Tajiri elbows Lynn, but misses a strike. Tajiri avoids a suplex and hits a hurricanrana followed by a spinning heel kick. Tajiri hits a handspring back elbow and covers Lynn for a two count. Lynn stops Tajiri with a clothesline and leaps off the middle rope, but is met with a kick to the chest. Tajiri delivers another kick to the head and pins Lynn. (**1/4. Tajiri is over with the WWF crowd already. They worked a sprint of a match and it was solid for what it was.)
3.) Backstage, X-Factor are chatting about being the WWF Lightweight and WWF Intercontinental Champions. Justin Credible, who is not a champion, enters the scene and the champs say they’re not talking about anything and turn their backs.
4.) Kwik hammers away on Rhyno, but Rhyno responds with strikes. Kwik hits a heel kick and connects with a hurricanrana. Kwik comes off the ropes to hit a crossbody for a two count and dropkicks Rhyno to the floor. Rhyno rams Kwik back first into the apron. Rhyno kicks Kwik in the ribs and rolls Kwik into the ring. Rhyno kicks Kwik again in the ribs leading to a near fall. Rhyno stomps Kwik on the back to maintain control. Rhyno hits a snap suplex for a two count. Rhyno knee drops Kwik on the back and continues to deliver stomps on the mat. Rhyno misses a diving headbutt attempt. Kwik ducks a clothesline and superkicks Rhyno. Rhyno chops Kwik, but Kwik responds with strikes as they trade blows in the middle of the ring. Kwik decks Rhyno with a right hand and a head scissors. Kwik plants Rhyno with a flatliner for a two count. Kwik continues with strikes in the corner. Kwik does a cartwheel and is met with the GORE giving Rhyno the win. (*1/2. I’m a big fan of Rhyno and I think he could be a big time player in the WWF if given the opportunity.)
5.) Backstage, X-Pac and Albert continue to talk about being champions. Pac thinks it is fair for Justin Credible to have gold as well and gives Credible a bracelet that is a toy championship. Credible fake laughs and appears displeased with the gesture.
6.) Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson are on commentary for the WCW Tag Team Championship match instead of Tazz and Michael Cole.
7.) Palumbo and Kanyon kickoff the match with Kanyon delivering several right hands against the ropes. Palumbo comes back with a dropkick and punches Stasiak to the floor. Palumbo nails Kanyon with a discus right hand. Kanyon ducks a clothesline and Palumbo hits a powerslam for a two count. O’Haire tags into the match and Kanyon is double teamed in the corner. The champs drive Kanyon down to the mat face first after twisting Kanyon’s arms. Kanyon plants O’Haire with a swinging neckbreaker and tags in Stasiak. Stasiak hits a leaping elbow strike on O’Haire and continues with strikes. O’Haire comes back with an elbow and a knee lift. Palumbo tags back into the match and leaps over O’Haire to splash Stasiak. Palumbo punches Stasiak in the corner a few times. Palumbo drives Stasiak down with a flatliner and continues with right hands. Kanyon hits a middle rope side Russian leg sweep on Palumbo. Stasiak eye rakes Palumbo and continues to deliver strikes in the corner. Stasiak clotheslines Palumbo in the corner and hits a gut wrench powerbomb for a two count as O’Haire makes the save. Kanyon tags back into the match and pummels Palumbo with strikes. Palumbo tries to fight back, but Kanyon hits a jumping flatliner for a near fall. Stasiak tags back into the match and strikes Palumbo leading to a side Russian leg sweep by Kanyon and an elbow drop by Stasiak for a two count. Stasiak catches Palumbo in the corner and delivers a reverse DDT for another two count. Kanyon tags into the match and puts a sleeper on Palumbo, but is quickly driven down to the mat with a back suplex. O’Haire tags into the match and cleans house with strikes. O’Haire hits standing spin kicks to the challengers. Palumbo clotheslines Stasiak to the floor. O’Haire holds Kanyon for Palumbo to dropkick Kanyon into the corner. O’Haire plants Kanyon with an F-5 for the win. (**. Honestly, these guys were put in a tough spot because the WWF crowd is not going to respond in a positive way to a WCW crowd. I mean, since this is an invasion all four guys are heels. However, O’Haire stood out of the four and the crowd seemed to respond well to his offense especially an F-5.)
8.) Backstage, X-Factor are still talking about being champs. Albert promotes being in Atlanta tomorrow. X-Pac recalls being arrested the last time he was there for invading a WCW show. Justin Credible tries to chime in, but Albert cuts him off and says it’s time for their interview as they walk off.
9.) X-Factor make their way out to the stage at WWF New York to be interviewed by Michael Cole and Tazz. Tazz asks them about the music. Credible says that Uncle Kracker did the music for them and it’s from his most recent album Double Wide. Cole says that X-Pac has become cocky since winning the WWF Lightweight Championship. Pac says he’s been at the top of the industry for a long time and it’s not bragging when it’s a fact. Tazz asks Albert how it feels to be a champion and Albert says it’s great to show what he’s capable of. Albert defeating Kane believes makes him stronger and doesn’t think there’s anyone that can beat him pound for pound in the WWF. Albert says that WCW has put one foot in the grave for stepping foot in their locker room. Albert believes they will seal their fate at Invasion pay per view. X-Pac dismisses WCW starting with a clean slate. Justin Credible tries to talk, but is cutoff. Pac talks about Billy Kidman, who is the WCW Cruiserweight Champion. Pac believes he’s the greatest lightweight or cruiserweight in the sport. Pac issues a challenge to Billy Kidman for a match at Invasion. Credible doesn’t have a chance to speak and he’s clearly frustrated by it.
Final Thoughts:
They sure made Justin Credible look like a punk here and he’s obviously going to join with the Invasion guys at this point. The WCW tag match wasn’t bad, it was just a tough spot for them to win over the crowd. It was a solid episode of Heat overall.
Thanks for reading.