World Wrestling Federation presents Metal
Date: 9/1/2001
From: Grand Rapids, MI
MATCH #1: MIKE AWESOME VS. BILLY GUNN
FINISH: Gunn finishes Awesome off with the Fame-Asser.
Bob’s Take: Gunn takes Awesome over with a big hip toss that saw both men get good air on the move. Gunn continued his offense with a neckbreaker out of the corner as Awesome hasn’t gotten any sort of momentum. As soon as I say that, Awesome takes Gunn out with an incredible springboard clothesline to the floor! Awesome also hit a top rope flying clothesline, but still can’t put Gunn away. Awesome missed a top rope splash allowing Gunn to comeback with strikes, but missed a splash in the corner. The finish is fine with Gunn going over cleanly. I’m baffled by seeing Awesome not getting a decent push in the WWF at this point. Awesome displayed his amazing agility for his size and the fact he didn’t get a better slot is Heyman being bitter about Awesome departing ECW in the manner that he did. A decent match between these two, though.
Match Rating: **
MATCH #2: TOMMY DREAMER VS. SCOTTY 2 HOTTY
NOTE: This is Dreamer’s singles debut in the WWF.
FINISH: Hotty pins Dreamer after hitting a springboard DDT.
Bob’s Take: Hotty has the early advantage kicking Dreamer to the floor, but Dreamer is in his element on the floor and clotheslines Hotty to gain control. Hotty responded by crotching Dreamer over the barricade. Dreamer battled back with a neckbreaker. Dreamer hit a Sky High and tried to lock in an STF, but Hotty avoided it. Dreamer actually avoids the bulldog and hit a nice DDT before taunting the WORM and tried for his own, but Hotty recovered to hit the WORM and a springboard DDT. The crowd was entertained by this and Dreamer actually was good in here. I liked his antics in taunting Hotty, and the crowd popped for Hotty’s offense. The springboard DDT by Hotty is a great finish.
Match Rating: **1/2
MATCH #3: WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION KANYON VS. ESSA RIOS
FINISH: Kanyon hits the ‘I’m Better Than You’ (Flatliner) for the win.
Bob’s Take: Kanyon uses his size advantage early on to work over Rios in the corner, but Rios battles back with a head scissors out of the corner. Rios hits a nice slingshot hurricanrana onto the floor, but can’t put Kanyon away. Kanyon plants Rios with an electric chair slam, but dropped Rios forward. Kanyon’s offense is so much fun and different than most wrestlers. Kanyon tried for a middle rope Samoan Drop, but Rios countered with a powerbomb out of the corner. Rios continues his flurry of offense with a backdrop and a springboard snap powerslam for a close fall. Kanyon prevails just moments later with the Flatliner. I thought this was a good, quick match with both men showcasing some fun offense in the sprint.
Match Rating: ***
MAIN EVENT: DUDLEY BOYS VS. KAIENTAI
FINISH: Taka is pinned after the 3D.
Bob’s Take: D-Von and Taka kicked off the match with Taka actually arm dragging D-Von followed by a dropkick to gain the advantage, but Funaki can’t keep it going and D-Von delivered a powerslam. Funaki delivered a head scissors, but Bubba drops Funaki over the top rope to gain the advantage. Funaki punches Bubba in the groin after Bubba taunted Taka on hte middle rope. Taka cleans house with a superkick and spinning heel kick on the Dudley’s. Funaki puts a chin lock on D-Von as Taka delivered a baseball slide dropkick. Bubba misses a middle rope back splash leading to the What’s Up by Kaientai onto Bubba! Taka almost pins D-Von with the Michinoku Driver. Funaki missed a dive to the floor and that left Taka alone for the 3D. That was a fun match with the Dudley’s giving quite a bit to Kaientai. I thought for a split second that Taka was going to pin D-Von after the Michinoku Driver.
Match Rating: ***
Final Thoughts:
Probably the best episode of Metal I’ve seen to this point in 2001. I thought the action was very good for the time limit restrictions and normal quality that Metal is given. An excellent hour of programming for the undercard workers.
Thanks for reading.