WrestleMania X8

Legacy Review

WrestleMania X8

March 17, 2002 from the Skydome in Toronto, ON

 

Commentary: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

 

It's been roughly one year since WWF purchased WCW and the grand finale of the Attitude Era at the superb Wrestlemania 17 (or X-Seven if you prefer). The time since has most definitely been one of transition, as both WWF and the wrestling world in general have tried to figure out how to navigate the new reality of a WWF dominated landscape. The second half of 2001 WWF ran the very underwhelming Invasion angle, throwing the last few piles of dirt on the WCW name once and for all. The year ended with the formal merging of the WWF and WCW World titles into a single unified "Undisputed" champion. As the calendar turned to 2002, the first year of what will much later be known as the Ruthless Aggression era, we saw Triple H return from his quad injury and immediately win the Royal Rumble as part of a massive babyface "welcome back" push. Then in February came the WWF debut of the NWO as the "lethal dose of poison" Vince McMahon wanted to inject into the company as part of his battle with post-Invasion WWF co-owner Ric Flair. By far the main headline there was the return after nearly a decade away of Hulk Hogan, albeit in his Hollywood persona, to the company he led to national prominence in the '80s wrestling explosion. Overall the road to this year's WM was more a limp than a run as many of the storylines didn't seem to be hitting at all. However, a poor build doesn't automatically lead to a poor WM. It's still possible to save it on the night.

 

This is the second WM to take place in Toronto's famed Skydome, home of the Blue Jays and the first ever retractable roof stadium. The other was WM 6 in 1990, headlined by Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior's title vs title battle. The show opens with a live performance of this year's WM theme song by Saliva. After that we get into the regular intro video, another good one showcasing how WM has become THE event of the year in wrestling, made slightly more special by having Hogan back to be in it. I'm honestly not a fan of the stage for this year, it's basically just the Attitude Era style metal girder structure taken to a large stadium extreme. Nothing special about it.

 

WWF Intercontinental Championship: Rob Van Dam def William Regal (c) in 6:20- This is the second year in a row the IC title is opening the show, and the second straight year Regal is in it, though last year he was the challenger. RVD's got the updated WWF version of his music now. Not as good as his original ECW music. I like JR's line about RVD going from places the size of the ECW Arena to the Skydome. This is the period where Regal has been using the "POWER OF THE PUNCH" brass knuckles, which he used to win the title from Edge. There's a bit of gamesmanship as Regal makes his way in with RVD trying to jump but Regal avoiding him. RVD does manage to get the jump in the ring. Quick back kick on Regal. Standing moonsault into some ground and pound. Regal hits a back elbow and goes right into his tights to get the knucks out. RVD kicks them out of Regal's hand, then kicks Regal in the face to put him down. Regal begs off but RVD kicks him again. Flying back kick off the second rope from RVD. Regal's down in the zone and RVD springs up top. Regal dodges the Five Star Frog Splash! Running knee to the head from Regal for 2. European uppercut. RVD gets a crossbody for 2. Duck under and backslide from RVD for 2. Regal gets a drop toe hold and pounds RVD in the back of the head, then hits a suplex for 2. RVD reverses a corner whip and hits a backdrop. Regal cranks RVD's arm into a slam for 2. He straitjackets RVD's arms to ground him and we see Regal is bleeding a bit from the mouth. RVD escapes and hits a superkick. He goes for rolling thunder but Regal gets his knees up. Double underhook powerbomb from Regal for 2. He goes for the Regal Stretch but RVD counters into a small package for 2. Regal puts RVD back down with a forearm and gives us a wave. He goes for another double underhook but RVD backs him into the corner. They have a small miscommunication and RVD hits a dropkick in the corner. Monkey flip out of the corner from RVD. After a short counter sequence Regal PLANTS RVD with a half nelson suplex! RVD rolls out to the floor to recover. Possibly legitimately after watching the way he lands on the replay. Regal goes out, rolls RVD back in, then recovers the knucks on the floor. Ref Brian Hebner, AKA Hebner the Younger, sees the knucks and takes them away! Another back kick to the face from RVD! He springs up again. FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! Cover and RVD wins the IC title! His first non-Hardcore title in WWF as his rise continues. Very nice high energy opener, using the short time they got well. ***1/4

 

WWF European Championship: Diamond Dallas Page (c) def Christian in 6:10- This would be the final appearance for the European title at WM, it will be deactivated later in the year. This will also be DDP's only WM match, and his final WWF PPV match. DDP defeated Christian for the title on Smackdown soon after the Rumble, his only singles title in WWF. On top of that they've built up a feud based on motivational speaker DDP helping Christian get over his temper tantrum issues only to have Christian turn on him. In a funny little thread that will go through the show, all the heels that are from Canada are announced as being from US residences so they don't get cheered. WM jump start #2 as Christian does the jumping, then poses with the belt. JR mentions DDP being the driver for Rhythm and Blues in this stadium at WM 6, just before he started up with WCW. DDP slugs back and hits a gutwrench gutbuster, then Cactus clotheslines Christian to the floor. Back in DDP hits some mounted punches. Christian counters that with a low blow followed by a hot shot onto the top turnbuckle. He knocks DDP off the apron into the barricade. Some fairly listless back and forth in the ring follows. DDP tries to post crotch Christian but Christian pulls him into the post. Christian hooks on an abdominal stretch. DDP back elbows out. Christian ducks and hits a neckbreaker for 2. He tries going up top but DDP slams him off Flair style. Discus clothesline from DDP. He makes Christian duck by flashing a punch, then hits a powerbomb for 2. Both guys counter out of finisher attempts. DDP dodges in the corner and tries to hit a running Diamond Cutter. Christian holds onto the top rope to block it and uses his position to counter into a reverse DDT for 2. Small package from DDP for 2. Diamond Cutter! That's it. After the match DDP takes a mic to rub the loss in some more and Christian has his mandatory temper tantrum. DDP would suffer a neck injury on Smackdown about a month after this that would force him to retire. He would come back to work the odd indy match after, and of course through DDP Yoga has done an incalculable amount of good for many, many people physically or mentally hurt by their time in the wrestling industry. The match had some pieces of a good match in there but they didn't come together as well as they could have. **1/2

 

It's improv time with the Rock and Coach, Wrestlemania style. In accordance with Rock's opponent, Rock checks to see if Coach took his vitamins and said his prayers. Coach says no so Rock makes sure he takes care of it right now, then boots Coach off screen after not liking his prayer style ("What up, G" is honestly kinda funny). After that Rock channels every last bit of his considerable promo skills to hype up a match that was already on max excitement to yet another level. 

 

WWF Hardcore Championship: Maven (c) and Goldust no contest in 3:16- Like the European title, this is the WM finale for the Hardcore title. Maven is still riding the wave of his shock elimination of the Undertaker in the Rumble. Goldust gets a couple of gold trash cans out from under the ring during his entrance. WM jump start #3 as Goldust hits Maven as he's trying to get in the ring, knocking him to the floor. He flips Maven upside down into the barricade, then sets him on the barricade and fistdrops him off. Cookie sheet shot from Goldust. In the ring Goldust tries to slingshot Maven into one of the trash cans, but Maven manages to dodge it (looks like a bad botch at first but it was intentional), then tosses the can to Goldust and dropkicks it into him for 2. Goldust tries a suplex but Maven counters with a small package for 2. Neckbreaker from Goldust for 2. Front drop suplex and Goldust goes out to get.....a shovel. A GOLD shovel. I don't think that's Triple H's burying shovel, he wasn't quite at that point yet. He snaps the shovel into Maven's hand. Goldust wedges a trash can in the corner, pummels Maven in the opposite corner, then whips him into the can for 2. Both guys get can lids and connect with lid shots. Here's Spike Dudley! He covers Maven and pins him to win the Hardcore title! 24/7 rule. Crash Holly then runs in to try to get his eternal baby back and chases Spike out through the crowd. Goldust and Maven then follow them. *

 

Next up is our second live band performance of the night, this time Drowning Pool "narrating" a recap video of the Triple H/Chris Jericho main event feud. After that we cut to the back where Crash is all over Spike. Look at that stack of boxes. Such an obvious setup. And here comes crazy Al Snow in a golf cart, with his own ref! The other guys dodge and Snow crashes through the box stack! With pipes too because we get the mandatory falling pipes backstage sound. Crash then gets back on Spike like nothing happened. Spike manages to throw Crash into a rolling door and runs. Right into the Hurricane! Where'd he come from? It's like he flew in! Hurricane covers and wins the Hardcore title! Then flies away. Some final fun Hardcore title shenanigans are underway.

 

Kurt Angle def Kane in 10:46- This is a classic situation where both these guys got left out when the musical chairs music stopped for the top matches, so why not just throw them together. Angle is at this point right on the verge of becoming peak KURT FUCKING ANGLE. All that's left is to lose the hair. This is the lowest he'll be on the WM card for pretty much the rest of his WWF/E career. There's definitely a pop for Angle's music even though he's gone back heel since the Invasion. The "you suck" chant is also now in full force. Angle got the black gear memo. I think this is the only time I've ever seen him in primary black gear. Angle takes the mic and ribs the Canadian crowd for being at the receiving end of the latest Olympic figure skating judging controversy. JR details Angle having the greatest rookie year in WWF history back in 2000, which I mention now just because that's about to be destroyed starting very soon now. One hint: Bork Laser. As soon as Kane's corner pyro shuts off Angle attacks for WM jump start #4. Oh, Angle hit him with the bell! Well, you can't ring the bell without the bell so it's all legal. Angle's been attacking Kane's head during the entire build so he's focused, but it also means Lawler will be shouting "HEAD TRAUMA" the whole match. Kane tries to slug back. Angle ducks under and hits a German suplex! He stomps away on Kane in the corner. Kane responds with an uppercut and back elbow. He lifts Angle up with a double hand choke and drops him down. Goozle! Angle quickly grabs the ropes to block the chokeslam. After some more ducks Angle hits a belly to belly suplex, followed by a clothesline. There's a section of the crowd loudly chanting for Angle. Another clothesline. More stomps on Kane's head and he chokes Kane on the ropes. Angle cuts off another comeback attempt with a Bret bump into a back suplex for 2. He wraps Kane up in a front facelock to ground him. Kane fights back up and tosses Angle across the ring. Angle is back up slugging again. Kane grabs him into a side suplex. Angle slips out of a Kane suplex attempt into ROLLING GERMANS. All three hit. No extra one for WM. Cover for 2. Angle goes up top and hits a clothesline or tackle despite Kane attempting to counter. That didn't come off completely right I don't think. Angle goes up again and this time Kane clotheslines him out of the air. I think that was a spot repeat because it didn't go right the first time. Stand up slugfest exchange. Kane hits a big boot and clothesline. Backdrop from Kane. Corner clothesline. He spins Angle up into a powerslam for 2. Back elbow from Angle in the corner. He runs into a goozle! Chokeslam! Kane covers but Angle JUST gets a hand on the rope before 3! That impeccable Angle kickout timing. Kane calls for the end and scoops for the Tombstone. Angle slips free and tries to pull Kane's mask off from behind! Angle Slam! Kane just kicks out! THE STRAPS ARE DOWN! Ankle lock! Kane spins and pushes free. Angle gets right back on him and gets it on again. This time Kane crawls over and gets a rope break. Angle won't let go of the leg so Kane works over into an enzuguri. Nice delayed flop sell from Angle. Kane decides to go up top. Angle springs up to meet him and suplex him off! That will never not be awesome. He sets up behind Kane and goes for another Angle Slam. Kane counters and goes for a chokeslam. Angle uses that to roll Kane up, has a hard time getting his feet on the ropes for extra leverage, and gets the pin. Bit of a mess on the finish there. Another match where the whole was less than the sum of the parts. **3/4

 

In the back, new Hardcore champ Hurricane cautiously walks backstage. He ends up in the Godfather's hos locker room, hides behind a screen, and we get a cheap visual gag involving a broom. The women see him, scream, and Godfather chases him off, not taking advantage of the opportunity to win the title.

 

To lead into the next match- WWF co-owner Ric Flair and Taker started butting heads at No Way Out. Taker demanded Flair get in the ring with him at WM. Flair refused. So, Taker took it upon himself to change Flair's mind, assaulting his best friend (now WWF road agent) Arn Anderson as well as his oldest son, late era WCW legend David Flair. David should have kept his crowbar. That convinced Flair to say yes and it was on. Almost. One last obstacle: the WWF board. Vince used this opportunity to politic Flair out of power, at least temporarily. Subject to review after WM. Vince then decided to stick it to Flair a bit more by making the match no DQ. In a nice bit of symmetry, it was actually Taker that requested to work with Flair at WM in real life, partially because they never had before and Taker wanted to, but also because he wanted to do his part to help rebuild Flair's confidence post-WCW. 

 

No DQ: The Undertaker def "Nature Boy" Ric Flair in 18:47- During Taker's entrance JR mentions he's 9-0 at WM. Slowly becoming a thing. Flair takes his robe off in the aisle, charges in (swinging around Taker's bike) and it's WM jump start #5. Flair's wearing his all red gear, the exact same he wore for his only other WM match to date, defending the WWF Championship against Randy Savage at WM 8, one of my personal favorite matches of all time. It's advantage Flair early. Taker tumbles out of the ring but Flair won't give him any space. Flair tackles Taker over the English announce table and continues hammering down punches! "WOOOOOOO!". More back and forth slugfest on the floor. Taker tries to get space in the ring but still can't as Flair punches him out to the floor again. Flair tries diving off the apron. Tactical error. Taker catches him and runs his back into the post. We get the first "OH GOD!" from Flair as JR goes into the broken back story. After a light stair shot Taker rolls Flair back in, but then takes his time coming back in and Flair jumps him again. Taker grabs a choke, tosses Flair into the corner and starts laying in the rapid fire punches. Flair Flip! Well, he tried. Flair took off wrong and barely got off the ground. They go back to the original corner. Taker hits a few more shots and they try again. This time Flair successfully gets over onto the apron, but walks into a Taker big boot that sends down to the floor. Taker says "Now we go to school" and knocks Flair around the ringside area. After a series of punches in the timekeeper's area Flair is busted open. That didn't take long. Back in Taker continues the punishment on a bloodied Flair. Flair flops down out of the corner for about a .4 Flair Flop. He tries to come back with chops. Taker reverses a corner whip and murders Flair in the corner with a clothesline. Taker places Flair on the top rope. Superplex! Taker covers, then pulls Flair up at 2. Flair manages to hit another chop but then collapses back down. Apron elbow to the cut from Taker. Apron legdrop to Flair's back. Again Taker covers and pulls Flair up at 2. He's still not done. Taker continues to target the cut. Flair dodges an elbow drop! Signs of life. More chops. Taker jabs back and puts Flair back down. He cranks Flair's arm for old school, but takes way too long setting up and Flair slams him off the top rope! Big Flair chops, but he runs into a Taker side suplex for 2. Taker goes for a running big boot. Flair ducks and Taker crotches himself on the top rope! More chops and a punch put Taker down to the floor. Taker goes for his bike but Flair cuts him off. Flair gets the pipe from Taker's bike and nails Taker with it! More pipe shots. One catches Taker right in the back of the head. Taker runs Flair's back into the apron and the pipe rolls all the way out the other side of the ring. Taker's bleeding a bit from the pipe shots now. Flair gets one of the aisle keep off signs and nails Taker with it! Back in Flair jabs the cut and even struts a little, starting to feel it. Taker goozle! Flair kicks Taker right in the nads to get free. No DQ. Single leg takedown into the figure four! Flair gets a near fall, then Taker does a classic Taker situp. He goozles Flair to force him to break. Chokeslam! Flair kicks out! Taker hits some punches to Flair's cut and tries again. Another 2 count. Taker has some words for ref Lil' Naitch about the count. Taker picks Lil' Naitch up and runs him into the corner! He goes out and gets the pipe. Flair cuts him off. Arn Anderson slides in the ring! World's Greatest Spinebuster on Taker! Flair covers. Taker kicks out! A huge kickout that sends Flair out to the floor. Taker attacks Arn on the floor instead of staying on Flair. And now Arn's bleeding. Classic. Big boot from Taker on Arn. Taker hooks up Arn with a dragon sleeper. Flair comes in with a chair and nails Taker with it! Big boot from Taker on Flair. He hooks Flair up for the Last Ride, has a hard time hitting it, so Taker says the hell with it. He puts Flair down, scoops him, hits the Tombstone, and it's over. I'm not sure what happened at the end there, if that was planned or if Taker had to improv the Tombstone. As Taker's leaving he counts up 10 on his fingers. 10-0. At the time this match was pretty lambasted by everyone for its slower pace, but as time as gone on it's become appreciated for the good match that it is. I've always liked it. They were trying to work a bit more of an NWA no DQ brawl style match with some WWFness thrown in I think, and it mostly works. ***1/2

 

In the back, Michael Cole is with Booker and his brainy specs. See, WWF recently did a special episode of The Weakest Link and Booker was roundly trounced in it. Edge immediately started mocking him over it, so now Booker's trying to prove he's not a dimwit. Einstein's Theory of Relatives indeed. Red Dwarf did that gag better. That's not the only thing they're fighting over coming into this match either. More in a sec. 

 

Edge def Booker T in 6:34- "They are fighting over shampoo". That's a ringside sign saying that, summing up the rest of the feud perfectly. In addition to mocking Booker over his Weakest Link failure, Edge also (in story only) stole away a "lucrative" Japanese shampoo commercial deal away from Booker. Japanese, that way no one could verify if it was true or not, even with the earlyish internet. It's one of the most ridiculous reasons for a wrestling feud I've ever seen. It's so bad it's awesome. Nice hometown pop for Edge, who unlike Christian actually gets announced as from Toronto. JR goes into the true story that Edge was in the crowd as a kid the last time WM was in Skydome in 1990. Lockup! First non-jump start of the night. After a rough lockup they roll through a basic opening. Off a speed run Edge hits a dropkick and faceplant slams Booker for 2. Booker gets Edge up and hits a hot shot. Side kick for 2. He clotheslines Edge 360 out to the floor. Coming back in Booker hits a missile dropkick off the top rope for 2. Chops from Booker in the corner. Edge slugs back in the corner. Big Alabama slam from Booker that he falls down on too, then he covers for 2. Booker goes up top again but Edge hits the ropes to crotch him. Edge hurricanranas Booker of the top, but Booker takes off wrong and lands right on top of Edge. Leg lariat from Edge. Clotheslines as he builds momentum. Booker hits a ripcord knee and goes for the scissors kick. Edge dodges and reverse slams Booker for 2. Spinning heel kick off the top rope from Edge for 2. Booker floats over in the corner and tries a nifty roll up. Edge was ready for it and counters, slingshotting Booker into the opposite corner. He goes for the spear. Booker leaps over and Edge crashes in the corner. Back kick from Booker. He starts feeling it. Spinaroonie! The scissors kick hits for 2. Edge fights out of a Book End attempt. Spear! Booker kicks out! Edge decides to get silly and try his own Spinaroonie. It doesn't work. Both guys dodge kicks. Edge hits the Edgecution! That's it. Decentish, but honestly right in line with what both guys were doing at the time. Booker was still recovering from his Invasion burial, while Edge hadn't fully clicked as a singles wrestler just yet. **1/4

 

In the back, Hurricane is still trying to escape with the Hardcore title. Coach approaches him and tells him he just wants to talk. Molly Holly comes in and says to the Hurricycle....then hits Hurricane with a frying pan! Molly covers and wins the Hardcore title! It's always the one you least expect.

 

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin def Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash) in 9:53- The first of two WWF vs NWO matches tonight. The second one will be slightly bigger than this one. Over the years there's been a lot of complaints that Austin got stuck with Hall instead of wrestling Hogan as many expected. It turns out just recently (as I write this), Austin has confirmed that in fact he was offered the Hogan match first, but turned it down because he didn't think they could live up to expectations. Hopefully that'll clear that up from now on. Nash isn't wrestling tonight because he's dealing with injuries, but he does come out in his wrestling gear. You know Austin's jump starting. 6 for 7 on that tonight now. Hall didn't even get his vest off. Big chops in the corner from Austin. Hall slugs back. Austin Thesz press! Follow up elbow drop. Austin pounds Hall over and over on the top turnbuckle. Off a whip Hall grabs the top rope and bails. Austin runs around and hits Nash from behind, then gets back on Hall. Back in Hall counters a backdrop and hits a clothesline for 2. Response chops from Hall in the corner before Austin pounds back. While that's happening Nash takes a top turnbuckle pad off in another corner. Austin gets whipped into the exposed buckle. Hall pushes Austin out to the floor and Nash attacks. Corner clotheslines from Hall back in. Fallaway slam for 2. I'll say one thing for Hall, he's clearly putting more effort in than nearly any of his WCW matches. Both guys block hiptosses and Hall hits a clothesline for 2. He chokes Austin on the ropes and Nash gets another shot in. Spinebuster from Austin and both guys are down. Hall is back up first slugging away. The punches seem to be helping Austin though, he's getting his feet stable. Stunner outta nowhere! Nash runs halfway around the ring (instantly more effort than most of his WCW matches) and pulls ref Tim White out, then decks him. Nash gets in the ring and pummels Austin. He tells Hall to get a chair. Before Hall can use it Austin kicks Hall in the gut, back kicks Nash in the ghoolies, and Stunners both guys! Cover on Hall but the ref is still down and out. Jack Doan slides in to count. Nash elbow drops him! Austin clotheslines Nash out of the ring. Hall sets up for the Razor's Edge but Austin backdrops him to the floor. The whole thing grinds to a halt for some reason, like they're all waiting for something. Finally a ref gaggle comes out and orders Nash to the back. Austin attacks Hall on the floor and slides him back in. Hall counters a Stunner. Stunner from Hall! White is slow to get back in and count. When he does Austin just kicks out. Hall goes for another Stunner. Austin pushes him into the exposed buckle. Stunner! Hall stays up. Another Stunner! With the most ridiculous flop sell you can possibly imagine. Austin covers and gets the win. I'd say this was a massive disappointment, which it was, but really no one expected much better anyway. Hall just wasn't in shape for this anymore. It's also very clear the NWO wasn't going to get any traction in WWF, which will become even more clear later in the night. **

 

Annual Axxess highlights package. 

 

Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Billy & Chuck (c) def The APA, The Dudley Boyz (w/Stacy Keibler) and The Hardy Boyz in 13:52- The tag division is definitely in transition. Billy and Chuck recently won the titles on Smackdown for their first title win and will be the next dominant team, while the other three much longer standing former champion teams will soon be broken up during the upcoming first ever brand split draft. The Dudleyz get a live playdown from Saliva. Usual two men legal and anyone can tag anyone rules here. The APA jump B&C as soon as they get in the ring. Nick Patrick sighting as he's reffing this match. After B&C cut it off once Bradshaw fallaway slams Billy out of the ring and starts stiffing the crap out of Chuck again, just like at No Way Out. Saito suplex from Bradshaw. Chuck manages to clothesline Faarooq and gets him caught in the B&C corner. Billy calls for the Fameasser but runs into a powerslam. Bradshaw tags in and takes it to both B and C again. DDT on Billy for 2. Full on two team donnybrook as the Hardyz and Dudleyz just stand on the apron and watch. Very smart, let the other guys wear themselves out too. Billy decides to tag in D'Von and the APA quickly take it to both Dudleyz. Faarooq spinebuster on Bubba Ray. It soon devolves into APA vs B&C again. Bubba Ray has to quickly move out of the way as Bradshaw hits the ropes legit not giving a shit who's there to nail Billy with the Clothesline from Hell. But before he can cover, 3D on Bradshaw! D'Von covers and the APA are gone. The Hardyz quickly run in and attack the Dudleyz. One last time for these two forever rival teams. Double backdrop on Bubba Ray. More double teams on D'Von for 2. Hardyz double DDT on Chuck as the Dudleyz decide to set a table up on the floor. Matt baseball slides D'Von and Jeff planchas Bubba Ray. Jeff hits Whisper in the Wind on Bubba Ray back in. The shirt is off. Stacy gets on the apron and flashes the goods to Jeff. Jeff spanks her, kisses her, then shoves her off the apron. A story normally played out much more slowly. Jeff gets up on Bubba Ray's shoulders, but that lets Billy hit him with a clothesline off the top rope. Bubba Bomb on Billy! Chops from Bubba Ray on Jeff, keeping Jeff in peril as things settle back down a bit. Nice bit where D'Von whips Jeff from the apron into a Bubba Ray backdrop. Jeff fights out of a chinlock but D'Von comes in and murders him with a clothesline to stop the momentum. Suplex from D'Von for 2. Jeff flips upside down in the corner and gets stuck in the tree of woe. Bubba Ray climbs up and grinds his foot down on Jeff's crotch. Matt comes in to push Bubba Ray out to the floor. D'Von cuts the tag off and it's back to the status quo. Everyone's forgotten B&C are even there as this thing is dragging pretty badly now. This is far from the best Hardyz/Dudleyz stuff we've seen. D'Von hits the flying back elbow. Jeff twists D'Von around into a reverse DDT. Hot tag to Matt. DDT on Bubba Ray. Backdrop for D'Von and he gets tossed over the top to the floor. Matt takes shots at B&C, allowing Bubba to side suplex him. Matt dodges a senton off the second rope and hits the second rope legdrop for 2. Bubba Ray slams Matt and calls for the Whazzup Drop. Billy pushes D'Von off the top rope into the table! Matt Twist of Fate on Bubba Ray. Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb, and Matt pins Bubba Ray to eliminate the Dudleyz. Chuck runs right in with a clothesline for Jeff and superkick on Matt for 2. Jeff hits the crotch legdrop on Chuck. Billy tosses Jeff out to the floor. Matt counters Billy and ripcord slams him. Poetry in Motion hits on Billy. And Chuck. First time in a while that hit on both guys. Twist of Fate from Matt! Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb! But Patrick is wrapped up with trying to get Matt out. Billy Fameasser on Jeff! Matt Cactus clotheslines Billy out. Chuck crawls over, covers Jeff, and Jeff kicks out! Chuck is beside himself. Billy gets one of the belts and nails Jeff with it. Chuck covers again and gets the pin to retain. Pretty dull and messy match. Not exactly a fitting finale for the last era of the tag division. *1/4

 

In the back, Hall and Nash lick their wounds and want to take out their frustrations on the Rock. Hogan interrupts and asks to do this on his own. After Hogan leaves Nash and Hall agree they're coming in anyway.

 

Meanwhile, Molly is now trying to escape with the Hardcore title. Someone slams a door in her face! It's Christian! Cover and Christian wins the title! He quickly gets the hell out of town.

 

Here we go, one of the greatest cross generational battles of all time. Rock/Cena 10 years later tried so hard to be this and just...wasn't. The Raw where Hogan and Rock stood in the ring together for the first time was instantly electric on a scale rarely seen before. "How about headlining one more Wrestlemania WITH THE ROCK!". An excuse to print money.

 

The Rock def Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 16:24- Unfortunately Hogan's personal Jimi Hendrix music has been dubbed over with the regular NWO music on every version of this show since the original broadcast. One tremendous touch, someone in the crowd has the same large WM 6 Hogan sign that was in the crowd at that show. I'm pretty sure it's the same person but I can't remember for sure. The crowd is very pro-Hogan right from the start. All the NWO trappings didn't matter, WWF fans were thrilled to have Hogan back home and weren't afraid to show it. This is Hogan's first WM since WM 9 and the less said about that one the better. Both guys take a lot of time after entrances to soak the atmosphere in, standing in the middle of the ring and just enjoying the moment. The crowd is all for it. Both guys back off, the bell rings and we're on. Lockup. Long fight and Hogan powers Rock out to a HUGE pop. That moment alone made it crystal clear who the crowd's behind tonight. Hogan cranks a headlock. Shoulderblock and Hogan poses some more to another thunderous ovation. JR calls it a "mixed reaction". Nothing mixed about this. Another lockup and Hogan hits the first real shots of the match. Clothesline from Hogan. Rock ducks another and hits a flying forearm and tells Hogan to bring it to initially a high pitched pop, then HUGE boos. Booed out of the building boos. Both guys shove and Rock lays in some punches. Hogan tries to go over the top rope off a big punch but can't and settles for rolling out to the floor instead. Back in Rock counters a backdrop and hits a clothesline. Hogan fights out of an early Rock Bottom attempt. Running high elbow from Hogan and he hits a couple of elbow drops and boot rake. Corner clothesline. Off the ropes Rock tackles Hogan and lays in some punches. Hogan ducks a punch swing and hits a back suplex for 2. He hooks Rock in an abdominal stretch with added blows to the midsection. Rock tries to get out so Hogan counters the counter to roll him up for 2. The dreaded heel Hogan back rake! Even that gets a small pop. Hogan pounds Rock some more in the corner and then bites him. Rock turns it around and hits some chops in the corner, with a Hogan mocking cup to the ear in the middle. Hey, work with what the crowd is giving you. If they want you to be the heel, heel it up. Rock runs into a Hogan chokeslam! He chokes Rock on the mat, then takes off some of his wrist tape and chokes Rock with that. Rock punches back, but Hogan sidesteps and momentum tosses Rock out to the floor. Rock takes some of the usual ringside knockaround. Hogan clears off the English announce table. Rock slugs back and pounds Hogan on the table. Rock gets a chair but ref Mike Chioda takes it away. Hogan takes that opening to hit a clothesline. Back in Hogan sidesteps again and Rock wipes out Chioda. Rock spinebuster! Both guys stagger back up. Rock gets a double leg takedown. World's Shittiest Sharpshooter! The crowd's right to boo that one. Hogan crawls over and theoretically gets a rope break, but Chioda is still down. Rock drags Hogan back to the middle and Hogan taps out. Rock lets go and tries to revive Chioda. Low blow from Hogan! Hogan hits a Rock Bottom! Cover. Chioda crawls over. Rock kicks out! Hogan takes the weightlifting belt off and whips Rock with it! Government mule time. Rock ducks a punch and hits a DDT. Now Rock picks up the belt and gives Hogan some whip receipts. Rock Bottom! Hogan kicks out! HULK UP! The crowd goes NUTS. As nuts as I've ever heard a crowd in my entire life. Point! Three punches. Big boot. The legdrop hits! Rock, being Rock, manages to sell it more than most people. Cover. ROCK KICKS OUT! Hogan tries again. Three punches, big boot, Rock dodges the legdrop! Rock Bottom! Incidentally, that's the one that bruised or cracked one of Hogan's ribs, which is pretty obvious after you know it happened. Another Rock Bottom! A much gentler one this time. Rock kips up. Elbow pad off. People's Elbow! Rock gets the pin! What a match. So much better than it had any right to be considering what Hogan had been doing the last nearly 10 years. Rock carried and ring generaled to perfection while Hogan dug deep for all he had left. Add in the absolutely insane crowd and atmosphere, and you've got an all time classic regardless of the fact that it might not be a truly great pure wrestling match. ****

 

After Rock does his usual corner poses he goes face to face with a very contrite looking Hogan in the middle of the ring again. Hogan offers a hand! And Rock takes it! That's the final death knell that the NWO might ever matter in WWF. The real Hulk Hogan is about to return. Rock leaves and Hall and Nash get in the ring to confront Hogan. They attack Hogan! Rock comes back and makes the save! Hogan and Rock, after that epic battle, team up to take Hall and Nash out. Face turn complete. But, Rock's not done. When Hogan tries to leave Rock calls him back in. He's going to make sure Hogan gives the crowd what they want, a full on classic Hogan postmatch posedown. To his credit Rock lets Hogan have the full spotlight while only getting in to egg Hogan on even more. Another handshake and Rock holds the ropes open for Hogan to leave. Back at the stage Hogan raises Rock's hand and lets him have the final shot. Amazing moments on top of an amazing match.

 

Follow that, folks.

 

Couldn't get booked tonight Big Show is at WWF New York. His half hearted "WOOOOO Wrestlemania!" will be something that will come up again much later in his career and not in a good way. After that, Fink announces a new Skydome attendance record of 68,237, a record that still stands to this day. Again, I'm not Meltzer, I'm not arguing every little attendance count. That's what they say, that's what the records show, if you want to argue it feel free. 

 

Triple Threat Match for the WWF Women's Championship: Jazz (c) def Trish Stratus and Lita in 6:17- Cool down match time. It's a bit unfair as we're in the period where the women's division was getting much better in the ring. Not as good as modern times, but the best before then, and all three of these women had a lot to do with it. Trish comes out as the hottest Canadian flag of all time. While she's walking down the aisle Lita and Jazz say screw it and start fighting. When Trish gets in she and Lita double team on Jazz. After punching Lita down Jazz gets a single leg takedown on Trish into a half crab. She lets go fairly quickly to attack Lita again. She lifts Lita up into a double arm chicken wing and drops her back down. Big legdrop from Jazz on Lita for 2. Double underhook suplex on Lita and Jazz kicks Trish out to the floor. Lita roll counters Jazz into some ground and pound. Flying headscissors from Lita. She slams Jazz and stacks her up for 2. Jazz hot shots Lita and puts her up on the top rope. Trish comes back in and lifts Jazz up on her shoulders. Jazz eye rakes Trish to get free. Lita hits a punch and Trish rolls Jazz up for 2. Lita crossbody off the top on Trish! Trish rolls through it to a 2 count. That alliance is over. Trish kicks Lita in the head. Bulldog! Jazz breaks the pin up and hits a big splash on Lita for 2. Fisherman's suplex on Trish from Jazz for 2. Trish counters Jazz into a reverse DDT and now Lita breaks the pin up. Trish didn't like that and gets in Lita's face. They take a second to put Jazz down again then go at it! Lita backdrop on Trish. She tries for a Twist of Fate. Jazz interrupts, so she takes it instead. Lita slams Trish next to Jazz and the top is off. Moonsault! Trish gets her knees up! She rolls Lita up for 2. Chops from Trish on Lita. Trish comes out of the corner and they collide. Trish backslides Jazz for 2. Lita dumps Jazz over the top to the floor. Trish goes for the full Stratusfaction. Lita counters and Trish crashes hard in the corner! That got the tired crowd's attention, big gasp for that. Lita goes up top again. Trish is alive and goes up to fight her. Jazz pushes Trish back down to the floor and goes up with Lita. Fisherman's superplex! Jazz gets the pin to retain! Fine if sometimes sloppy match that did as well as could be expected with the emotionally exhausted crowd. **

 

In the back, Christian celebrates, thinking he's survived the night still Hardcore champ. As he's getting in his taxi he decides to celebrate some more. Maven comes up behind him, rolls him up, and pins him! He even takes Christian's cab and hangs out the window with the belt while leaving. So after all that, we end up right back where we started.

 

And now for one of the worst built up WM main events of all time. As I mentioned earlier, Triple H returned from his quad injury at the start of the year to a hero's welcome back, cementing that he would be a face for the first time in his career. However, during his time away Steph had remained full evil so they were not a compatible on screen couple anymore. The months since the Rumble have been an "epic" saga of a faked pregnancy, a vow renewal gone awry, a knock down drag out divorce fight, and if I remember right something about dog shit. I'm not joking. To put it bluntly, Trips vs Steph is the real feud here. But Steph can't wrestle Trips directly. That meant Jericho, the first ever undisputed champion that for better or worse has held that title since December, became nothing more than a proxy. To say nothing of how little sense it made to have Jericho and Steph on the same side after their verbal lambasting of each other during '01. This was in bad shape even before it got completely overwhelmed by the massive Hogan/Rock match that many people have argued before and sense should have been the main event (personally I'm adamant that your world title always main event your top shows no matter what). They don't even bother with a video package or any prematch promos before the main event, which tells you all you need to know.

 

Undisputed WWF Championship: Triple H def Chris Jericho (c) (w/Stephanie McMahon) in 18:43- HHH gets a live play in for the second straight WM, but this time it's Saliva doing their one off riff on his regular music. Still more accurate to the original lyrics than Lemmy was last year. His previously hurt quad is also taped up. HHH looks like he's spent the last week in Hogan's tanning booth. Lockup! Jericho goes right for HHH's bad leg. HHH fights out of the corner. Backdrop from HHH. Short clotheslines. Jericho chops back but runs into the Harley Race high knee. But, that hurt HHH's leg again and Jericho backdrops him over the top to the floor. Jericho goes up top to pose for the crowd. HHH grabs him and throws him into the barricade! Suplex on the floor from HHH. We're already clearing off the Spanish announce table. Jericho kicks the bad leg again. Back in Jericho chop blocks it and starts fully attacking it. Spear from HHH out of the corner! Now he starts working on Jericho's knee. He kicks Jericho's leg out of his leg while shaking off his own bad wheel. Kneebreaker from HHH. Figure four! I don't like how close HHH is to the ropes. Yup, Steph gets up and eye rakes HHH to force him to break. HHH grabs Steph and pulls her on the apron! Jericho tries to attack but HHH dodges and he takes Steph out! HHH then rolls Steph into the ring. See what I said about what the real feud was? HHH sets her up for a Pedigree. Jericho hits a missile dropkick to save her. He posts HHH's leg. Steph comes from behind and kicks HHH in the leg. Hebner goes all Randy Savage on Steph telling her exactly where to stand. Jericho continues the leg work in the ring. He even hooks on what would later be known as a stretch muffler, or El Deperado's Numero Dos. Steph takes another opening to get a slap in. Jericho hooks on the post wraparound figure four! Back in HHH tries slugging back. Jericho drop toe holds and snaps HHH's leg back. Spinning toe hold from Jericho. HHH pushes free and Jericho goes shoulder first into the post. Neckbreaker from HHH. Jericho tries going back to the leg but HHH hits a clothesline for 2. The facebuster hits but again that hurt HHH's leg as much as Jericho. Jericho charges but HHH flips him across his back into the corner. I don't think that came off how they were planning. Spinebuster from HHH for 2. Corner whip reversal do-si-do and HHH does the Trips Flip over the corner to the floor. Now Jericho re-cleans off the English announce table and sets HHH up on top of it. He tries to put HHH in the Walls on the table, which to me seems pointless. How will the table make that worse? HHH kicks free before it's on. Now he tries to set Jericho up for the Pedigree on the table. Jericho backdrops free and HHH crashes through the Spanish announce table! Back in Jericho hits the Lionsault. HHH kicks out! Jericho tries for the Walls again. HHH fights free again. He dodges a charge and Jericho runs into the corner. HHH tries for the Pedigree. Jericho forearms HHH's quad to get free and gets the Walls on! HHH tries to get to the ropes but Jericho pulls him back to the center. HHH looks like he's passed out. Hebner goes to arm drops. On the third HHH gets one last push and makes it to the ropes. Jericho's furious HHH didn't tap out. He goes out, tosses timekeeper Mark Yeaton aside, and gets a chair. HHH kicks the chair into Jericho's face! DDT into the chair! HHH covers for a long 2. Steph gets in the ring again and takes the chair. Hebner quickly takes the chair away and yells at her to get out. She shoves Heber way, then turns around to HHH right in her face! HHH Pedigree on Steph! But then turns around into a chairshot from Jericho! HHH just kicks out! Now Jericho tries for his own Pedigree. HHH counters out and tries to slingshot Jericho into the corner. Jericho hops up to the second rope instead! He tries coming off but it's right into a HHH kick. Pedigree! HHH gets the pin and wins the title back! A mercy killing of Jericho's awful first title reign. There will be better. It's far from the worst WM main event, but also nowhere near on the level you hope for out of one. The surrounding story was one of the worst for a WM main event. Everyone, especially commentary, tried their damndest to make this be epic. The crowd seemed like they wanted to engage but the combination of the bad angle and exhaustion from the Rock/Hogan match held them back. So overall, solidly good match if you take it for what it is, but not a WM main event to remember. ***

 

OVERALL SHOW THOUGHTS- I've been very vocal about how this run from WM 17-20 has my top three favorite WMs ever, with this one being the odd one out. Like the main event, it's not outright bad. In a lot of ways I actually think the show as a whole is a bit underrated. Creatively WWF was in a bit of a funk, but there's nothing here that's truly awful and it has several good matches sprinkled in, topped off with the Rock/Hogan epic that is must watch for everyone. On the whole, it's a middle of the road WM.

OVERALL SHOW GRADE: B-