World Wrestling Federation presents Heat
Date: 9/9/2001
From: Toronto, CA
MATCH #1: SPIKE DUDLEY VS. CHUCK PALUMBO
FINISH: Palumbo pins Spike following a superkick.
Bob’s Take: Palumbo uses his size advantage to send Spike to the floor early on kept control by dropping Spike over the barricade. Palumbo delivers his impressive overhead belly to belly suplex, as it’s becoming clear that he’s aware it’s his best move visually. Spike stops Palumbo with a middle rope double stomp, but Palumbo finished off Spike seconds later. This is a needed win for Palumbo, and he should have beaten Scotty 2 Hotty the previous Metal episode. I’m glad Palumbo won here and it was a decent short match.
Match Rating: **
Backstage, an assistant comes into Booker T’s room giving him some tea. Booker looks at the menu and he’s insulted by seeing something referencing The Rock. Booker asks for some food relating to his name, but those items don’t exist on their menu.
Backstage, Booker T is talking to himself in a mirror and is putting himself over as being better than the Rock.
MATCH #2: TOMMY DREAMER VS. TAJIRI
FINISH: Tajiri delivers a vicious kick to Dreamer’s face for the win.
Bob’s Take: There’s just something about Tommy Dreamer outside of ECW at this point that makes me feel like he doesn’t belong in the WWF. Dreamer is the kind of guy who got over by taking beatings in the hardcore atmosphere. Dreamer focuses his attack on Tajiri’s lower back with a slam and sending Tajiri into the corner. Dreamer almost won after a sit out spinebuster. Tajiri responded with a superkick and his trademark handspring back elbow. Tajiri puts the tarantula on Dreamer much to the crowds delight. Dreamer planted Tajiri with a DDT, but Tajiri rolled to the floor. Torrie provided a bit of a distraction leading to the finish. Tajiri is incredibly over and I’m almost certain I would push him to the moon.
Match Rating: **1/4
WrestleMania X8 will be taking place at the SkyDome in Toronto.
Booker T joins Michael Cole and Al Snow on the stage for an interview. Cole promotes the handicap match at Unforgiven where Booker is teaming with Shane McMahon to take on WCW World Champion The Rock. Booker is confident that he’s going to become the six-time champion. Snow asks why Booker needs Shane to wrestle Rock if he’s the best. Booker didn’t book the match and notes that Shane booked the bout. Booker gets annoyed and puts himself over. The fans at WWF New York are chanting for The Rock. Booker says the fans aren’t worthy of seeing his spinarooni. Booker walks off frustrated with the fans.
Backstage, Booker is packing his belongings and saying he’s going to Texas to kick Rock’s ass on RAW.
MAIN EVENT: WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION KANYON VS. SCOTTY 2 HOTTY
FINISH: Kanyon wins following the Flatliner to retain the title.
Bob’s Take: Hotty starts off with a head scissors and clothesline to send Kanyon to the floor. Kanyon fights back with a middle rope side Russian leg sweep. Hotty responds with a powerbomb out of the corner after countering Kanyon’s attempted middle rope Samoan Drop. Hotty nearly wins following a superkick. Hotty hit the WORM and the chop, but Kanyon finished off Hotty seconds later. For a short match, this was quite good. Kanyon is a lot of fun to watch, and Hotty has been on a streak of good matches on the lower level programs.
Match Rating: **1/2
Booker T is leaving WWF New York and ripped down Rock merch on the way to his limo.
Final Thoughts:
A good episode of Heat this week as the three matches provided some entertainment. An easy hour watch for Heat.
Thanks for reading.