Backlash 2003

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Backlash

April 27, 2003

Worcester Centrum

Worcester, Massachusetts

News & Notes: Bischoff and McMahon eliminated their enemies after WrestleMania. First, Bischoff accessed Austin’s medical file from his hospital stay. He discovered Austin was in no condition to compete, so he fired Austin for refusing to obey the doctor’s orders. Eric gloated about it and trolled the fans by using Austin’s music. Furthermore, Bischoff terminated JR for standing up for Austin and replaced him with Coach! If that wasn’t enough, Bischoff got rid of Lita because she refused to appear in Playboy or give him a private show. Meanwhile, Vince told Hogan to go home and sit out the rest of his contract so Hulkamania could rot. Hogan only acquiesced because his son Nick begged him to listen. On a completely unrelated note, WWE aired vignettes for a new superstar named Mr. America. He is coming soon.

In other news, Sable returned to WWE! She attempted to seduce Torrie, who seemed hesitant. By the time Torrie changed her mind, it was too late. Sable didn’t want Torrie anymore and let Nidia and Dawn attack her. Elsewhere, the FBI tried to bury the hatchet with Taker and Nathan Jones, but this didn’t succeed. So, they framed Nathan for stealing a laptop. Plus, they waited until Taker left to get elbow surgery and shattered Jones’ ankle! Next, we have Teddy Long and Rodney Mack. They started a five-minute White Boy Challenge where Mack fights white jobbers for fun. Also, Scott Steiner feuded and debated with Nowinski because Christopher spoke out against the Iraq War. Then there’s Crash Holly. He became the newest M-F’er, but he needs work. Finally, Sylvain Grenier formed a French anti-American team with Rene Dupree. They call themselves La Resistance.

The PPV: The Rock says he has done it all. He is the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, but Goldberg has done nothing! While he speaks, they show footage of the Rock doing a photo shoot and driving a sports car. Then, we see clips of Goldberg in WCW. They recap his winning streak and play soundbites from Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan. The video contrasts this with scenes of the Rock on a movie set. JR calls him a leading man in Hollywood and a seven-time WWE champion. And speaking of titles, we get a segment about Goldberg’s WCW championship victory. He was the only undefeated man to hold the belt. Goldberg says he destroyed every man they placed in front of him. However, the Rock beat Austin, Hogan, Triple H, and the Undertaker. The Rock repeats he has done it all, but Goldberg has done nothing!

Now, fireworks explode while “Remedy” by Cold plays. Coach welcomes everybody to Backlash. He and Lawler discuss the card, and Jerry can’t wait for the Rock vs. Goldberg. Lawler claims the Rock did everything before Goldberg did anything. (I’m pretty sure the Rock won his first WWF title after Goldberg captured the WCW belt.) Next, they send things down to Cole and Tazz, who talk about Cena vs. Lesnar. Tazz says it’s put up or shut up time.

The opening contest is Team Angle vs. Los Guerreros. Team Angle brings a portrait of Kurt Angle with them. They drape his gold medals over the corner and place the picture on an easel.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: Team Angle (c) vs. Los Guerreros

Storyline: Team Angle dedicated all their matches to Kurt after WrestleMania. Then they met Mysterio and Tajiri, and Rey pinned Charlie Haas to win. However, nothing became of it. Rey entered a feud with the Big Show while Stephanie named Los Guerreros as the #1 contenders. Once they booked the match, Team Angle tried to distract Eddie while Eddie wrestled Jamie Noble. Haas and Benjamin insulted Grandma Guerrero, but Eddie ignored the distraction and still won. Afterward, Los Guerreros brawled with Team Angle. Later, on Velocity, Team Angle fought a masked jobber team called Los Chihuahuas and humiliated them to send a message. Chavo vs. Benjamin followed, but Haas interfered to help Shelton succeed. Lastly, Eddie faced Haas on Velocity and beat him. (They must have changed their plans after two weeks. It’s pretty sad when half the build happened on Velocity.)

The Match: They do chain wrestling until Haas nails Chavo with a cheap shot. Not to be outdone at their own game, Eddie returns the favor to Shelton. Then Los Guerreros switch without tagging and choke Shelton with the tag rope behind the ref’s back. Eddie even brings Shelton to the floor and attacks him with a weapon. Next, Team Angle shows they can do the same thing. They perform illegal switches and double-team Eddie in their corner.

Haas and Benjamin wear him down with suplexes, chinlocks, a tandem back splash, and a backbreaker. They also cut off Eddie’s tags with tackles and leg grapevines. Eddie rallies with suplexes and a jawbreaker until he tags Chavo. Now, Chavo cleans house with dropkicks and a backdrop. He evades Haas’ corner splash, but Benjamin powerbombs Chavo. Sensing trouble, Eddie helps with the Three Amigos and a Frog Splash on Haas, but Shelton breaks the pin. Eddie takes Shelton outside, yet Benjamin fends him off. Finally, Benjamin trips Chavo during a back suplex and holds his leg down while Haas covers for three.

Thoughts: This was good fun. They told a simple yet effective story and got a nice reaction because of it. The shenanigans helped establish Los Guerreros’ gimmick of lying, cheating, and stealing. They lost, but it didn’t hurt them. Team Angle used their tactics against them.

Winners: Team Angle (15:03)

Team Angle hugs the picture of Angle and celebrates, so Eddie backdrops Chavo onto them! While Haas and Benjamin are down, Eddie and Chavo steal the tag belts and retreat. They head backstage to Eddie’s low rider and honk the horn, which plays “La Cucaracha.” Meanwhile, Team Angle checks on the photo of Angle before seeing what Los Guerreros are doing. Haas and Benjamin react with horror as Eddie and Chavo drive away.

Elsewhere, Test hits on a disgusted Torrie Wilson. She tells him to stop calling and leaving messages, but Test says she hasn’t heard his offer. Test calls Torrie baby, which angers her. She isn’t his baby. Plus, Stacy is her friend and Test’s girlfriend. Test doesn’t care. They don’t have to tell Stacy anything. Upon hearing him, Torrie calls him a jerk, so Test says she is a tease. He saw her pictures in Playboy. A picture says a thousand words, and her pictures are telling him she wants him. Once again, Torrie tells him to leave her alone and almost escapes, but Test grabs her and kisses her. When she attempts to slap him, he blocks it and says she likes the rough stuff. He lets her go and laughs. Then, Sable steps out of a nearby room. She smirks and follows Torrie down the hallway.

Next, it’s time for Sean O’Haire vs. Rikishi. Roddy Piper arrives first with a basket. He says he has a loverly bunch of coconuts. Afterward, Roddy introduces a new millennium wrestler with intelligence, Sean O’Haire. He says Sean will teach Rikishi that everyone pays the piper. However, Piper and Sean scatter when Rikishi joins them. Sean tries to attack, but Rikishi dodges him.

Sean O’Haire (w/ Roddy Piper) vs. Rikishi

Storyline: Vince brought back Piper’s Pit to reward Piper for helping him with Hogan. Piper still didn’t like Vince and insulted him, but they agreed on their mutual hatred for Hogan. Then Piper mentioned the infamous Jimmy Snuka coconut incident, which drew out Rikishi to get revenge for his kin. Rikishi had a coconut in his hand, so Sean O’Haire saved Piper. Sean broke a wooden chair over Rikishi. The following week, Piper called O’Haire a modern wrestler with intelligence and took him under his wing. Unfortunately for Roddy, Snuka showed up to attack him. When Piper and O’Haire jumped Snuka with a chair, Rikishi intervened and challenged Piper to a match. They fought, but O’Haire rescued Piper from a Stink Face. Sean caused a DQ before beating up Rikishi.

The Match: Rikishi rams Sean into the steps and announcer’s table before landing a Samoan Drop. Meanwhile, Piper distracts Rikishi twice until Sean nails a superkick and chokes Rikishi. Sean even occupies the ref while Piper attacks. Now, Sean kicks Rikishi in the back and locks him in head vices. Once Rikishi escapes, Sean can’t hit a Samoan Drop or a spin kick. The misses lead to a corner clothesline and corner splash by Rikishi. He tries the Stink Face, but Sean launches Rikishi away with his feet! Afterward, Piper appears to jump the gun and gets in the ring with a coconut too early. He does it again after Rikishi and O’Haire go down to simultaneous kicks. The referee catches Roddy, so he hands him the coconut. Rikishi takes it and whacks Piper! However, this allows Sean to end it with a reverse fireman’s carry slam.

Thoughts: This was bad. I’m unsure what happened. Sean either didn’t know what to do next, or Roddy missed his cues. It might have been a mixture of both. O’Haire had to repeat spots and kept looking at Piper. This became awkward.

Winner: Sean O’Haire (4:52)

Sable approaches Stacy in catering and introduces herself. She says she would like to meet Stacy under better circumstances but must tell Stacy about Torrie. Sable knows they are friends, but Torrie is going after Test. Stacy says Torrie wouldn’t do that. Sable knows it’s hard to believe, but how does she think Test received an advanced copy of Torrie’s Playboy? Plus, Torrie kept leaving messages for Test, and she saw Torrie kiss him! Stacy reacts with shock, so Sable apologizes and leaves. Once Sable is gone, Stacy throws her plate down in disgust.

Elsewhere, RVD warms up, but something is bothering him. Rob turns to Kane and says he is usually the voice of reason, but this situation isn’t cool. Chief Morley made himself their referee. RVD likes wearing the gold. He enjoys hearing the ring announcers call him one-half of the tag team champions. Rob isn’t willing to give this up, but he doesn’t believe Morley will let them keep the belts. It doesn’t matter how badly they kick the Dudleys’ asses. What are they going to do? Kane says there is only one thing to do. Morley and the Dudleys think they can take them down, so they will take their opponents with them.

Morley arrives first in a referee’s shirt. He applauds the Dudleys when they join him. Meanwhile, they dub Kane’s and RVD’s themes on the network. Also, they are still using the old championship graphic despite debuting a new design months ago.

World Tag Team Title Match: Kane & Rob Van Dam (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz

Storyline: Kane asked to go separate ways, but RVD got them a tag title shot. There was only one catch. They had to join Bischoff’s administration if they lost. Rob assured him they would win. Unfortunately, Morley added the Dudleys to the match to help him and Storm. During the contest, D-Von stopped Morley’s chair strike, allowing Kane and RVD to capture the gold! Afterward, Morley fought RVD and pinned him while Kane wrestled the Dudleys alone. The Dudleys used a chair on Kane. Later, Morley and Storm received a No DQ rematch, but Bubba mistakenly cost Storm and Morley the victory while arguing with D-Von. As a result, Bischoff made the Dudleys fight Spike and Trish. Bubba targeted Spike, but D-Von refused to put Trish through a table. D-Von had enough. He suggested they let Bischoff fire them and go to Smackdown, but Bubba appeared to side with Morley.

The Match: RVD evades the Dudleys’ attacks and floors them with kicks. Then Kane works on D-Von’s arm until D-Von uses an eye rake. Kane and D-Von exchange boots to the face. Plus, Kane trades clotheslines with the Dudleys. Kane even scores a bulldog and a spinebuster before RVD returns. Next, Rob lands a dropkick and a split-legged moonsault on Bubba. However, the Dudleys lure Kane in for a distraction and nail the Wassup Drop on RVD. Quick tags, double-teaming, a chinlock, and a head vice subdue RVD, but RVD nails a spin kick and tags Kane.

Now, Kane cleans house with clotheslines, a backdrop, and a big boot. RVD adds a flying kick and Rolling Thunder, but D-Von catches Rob with a neckbreaker out of the corner. Nevertheless, Kane surprises D-Von with a flying clothesline. Bubba answers with a flip, flop, and fly, so Kane grabs him by the throat. While this happens, Morley gives Kane a low blow, and Bubba clotheslines Kane. Sean seeks more when the moves only earn two, but he hits Bubba accidentally. D-Von snaps. The Dudleys jump Morley and fend off Storm’s rescue attempt. They plant Morley with a 3D, but the chaos allows Kane and RVD to attack. They end it with a chokeslam on D-Von and a Five Star on Bubba.

Thoughts: This was okay. The closing minutes saved it from being dull, but they didn’t make it great. Also, if Morley wanted to screw Kane and RVD, why not fast-count them? Instead, he toyed with them and gave them opportunities to succeed. On a side note, was this the night of the head vice? Why is everybody using that hold?

Winners: Kane & RVD (13:01)

Backstage, Stacy storms into the women’s locker room and confronts Torrie. Stacy says she heard something she didn’t want to believe. Torrie thinks Stacy knows the real story, so she reacts with relief. Her reaction angers Stacy. She asks Torrie if she really kissed Test. Torrie says Test kissed her, so Stacy calls her a bitch and attacks before Torrie can finish explaining. They fight while the other women try to separate them. Dawn Marie finds it hilarious.

Jazz vs. Trish is next. Theodore Long leads Jazz to the ring and grabs a mic. He says tonight is about one thing: vindication for Jazz. She will rise above the prejudice and bigotry. Do you feel him, playa? Jazz says she feels it. The bitch is back, and the bitch is black!

Women’s Title Match: Jazz (w/ Theodore Long) vs. Trish Stratus (c)

Storyline: Trish helped Jeff Hardy defeat Steven Richards and smiled at him. Then the Rock hit on Trish backstage, so Jeff challenged the Rock to a fight. Trish gave Jeff a kiss for luck. Meanwhile, Trish successfully defended her belt against Ivory, but Victoria attacked Trish. Ivory and Trish cleared the ring. Later, Trish faced Jazz and pinned her, but the official didn’t see that Jazz had her foot on the rope. Teddy Long approached Jazz and offered her a spot on his team to avenge this injustice. She accepted the offer. Afterward, Jazz made Trish tap to the STF during a tag encounter. Jazz also jumped Trish after Trish and Spike wrestled the Dudleys. She planted Trish on a table. The trainer told Trish she shouldn’t compete, but Bischoff threatened to fire the trainer if Trish backed out of this contest.

The Match: Trish scores a takedown, a magistral cradle, an arm drag, and a clothesline. So, Jazz answers with a backbreaker and the Bitch Slam (chickenwing slam). Then Jazz takes a gut-wrench suplex, but she responds with a seated senton and removes a turnbuckle pad. The ref tries to fix it, so he misses Trish’s backslide. Next, Jazz blocks the handstand headscissors and locks Trish in a Boston Crab. When Trish counters and turns it into an STF, Long helps Jazz secure a rope break. A Chick Kick follows. Plus, Trish fends off a jawbreaker and nails the Stratusfaction. However, Teddy throws his shoe at Trish to interrupt the pin. She tosses it back, but the distraction allows Jazz to roll Trish up for two. A blocked Stratusfaction leads to a sunset flip by Trish, but Jazz reverses it. Jazz grabs the ropes for leverage and gets the three.

Thoughts: This was good, but it’s a shame no one told the crowd. They didn’t react at all. This contained fine action, and Teddy Long amused me, but I have one gripe. They didn’t work Trish’s rib injury into the story. Did they forget about it?

Winner: Jazz (New Champion) (5:50)

Meanwhile, Booker T asks Shawn Michaels if he is ready. Shawn says this isn’t his first rodeo. He’s ready. Booker can see that, but what about Nash? Kevin asks what he is talking about. He tells Booker not to worry about him. He’s ready. Nash tells them to do what they want but leave Triple H to him.

The Big Show vs. Rey Mysterio

Storyline: Mysterio and Big Show competed in the #1 contender’s tournament but lost. Taker defeated Rey, while A-Train caused a DQ when Big Show wrestled Rhyno. Afterward, Big show took out his frustrations on Rhyno, but it wouldn’t be the last time someone frustrated Show. Mysterio and Tajiri faced Big Show and A-Train. Rey and Tajiri failed, but Tajiri gave A-Train the mist while Rey did a 619 around the post to Big Show. It knocked Big Show on his ass, so he felt humiliated. Then he caught Tajiri and Funaki laughing at the footage of Rey’s attack and destroyed the TV and VCR. Later, Big Show fought Tajiri. Rey distracted Big Show with his music and led a chase. Big Show pursued him, but Rey shoved him into the post and got him counted out.

The Match: Rey draws Big Show outside and into a trap. Mysterio jumps Show as he enters the ring, so Big Show kicks the steps out of frustration. Then Rey scores a springboard dropkick. When he seeks more, Show launches Rey into the corner and chops him. Rey tries to regroup, but Show palms him by the head and lifts him. Show also brushes off a hotshot and catches Rey on a springboard crossbody. He turns it into a backbreaker before standing on Rey.

Next, Rey lands on his feet when Show gorilla presses him. Rey attacks, but Big Show swats him to the floor! While there, Rey grabs a chair. Show shoves the ref aside, which allows Rey to clock Show with the weapon. Now, Rey hits three 619s. Mysterio performs them to the gut, the butt, and the head. The West Coast Pop follows, but Show snatches Rey out of the air and chokeslams him for the three.

Thoughts: This was fine, but it didn’t set the world on fire. They did a few amusing spots. The problem was that this feud made Mysterio look bad. They painted Rey as the babyface, but he acted like a jerk the entire time. Big Show showed justifiable anger.

Winner: The Big Show (3:47)

The referee realizes the chokeslam injured Rey and calls for the EMTs. They arrive and strap Rey to a body board, but the Big Show returns. He pushes the EMTs and grabs the board. Big Show swings it. He drives the board into the ring post, dropping Rey right on his face! Then Big Show leaves.

Backstage, Lilian interviews Triple H, Flair, and Jericho. She thinks Nash will come for Hunter because of what he did on RAW. Her warning doesn’t bother Triple H. He assembled an all-time great team. You have the champ, the Nature Boy, and the King of the World! Jericho agrees. He tells Vivian he stole the show at Mania and will make Michaels tap to the Walls tonight. The Highlight of the Night will take it out on the Heartbreak Kid. Next, Flair says the five-time WCW champion is dealing with a sixteen-time Nature Boy! Hunter nudges Lilian aside once Flair finishes but tells her to stay. Triple H claims Nash forced his hand. So, Kevin will find out what it means to be against the Game. With that said, they leave, but Jericho plays with Lilian’s hair.

Meanwhile, Stacy and Torrie are still fighting. Stacy shoves Torrie and questions their friendship. Torrie wants her to listen, but they tussle around some equipment cases. Stacy crashes into one, and a tub of supplies falls on her head. Scott Steiner rushes to her side when he sees this. Steiner helps Stacy to her feet and carries her until he runs into Test. Test asks Steiner what he’s doing with his girl, so Scott puts her down and walks away. Once Steiner is gone, Test asks Stacy what she’s doing with that loser.

The entrances for Cena vs. Lesnar follow the chaos. Cena has his “Basic Thuganomics” theme and carries a mic. He evokes the names of Sammartino, the Iron Sheik, Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Kurt Angle. Cena insults the fans, Lesnar, and even the state of Massachusetts. John wears a Yankees jersey to rile up the crowd, but he stops short of telling them to suck his dick. When Lesnar arrives, pyro explodes as he leaps to the apron. The blast startles Cena.

WWE Title Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. John Cena

Storyline: Cena called Brock out for weeks because Brock injured him. John even named his new finisher the FU to mock Brock’s F5. Then Cena entered the #1 contender’s tournament. He defeated Eddie Guerrero and pinned Taker with the FBI’s help. Cena interrupted Lesnar before facing Benoit in the finals. He told Brock to respect him because he was bigger than the title, which annoyed Benoit. Chris said no one was above the championship. An argument about respect ensued between Cena, Benoit, and Lesnar. The disagreement ended with Cena giving Brock a cheap shot. Later, Cena bested Benoit to become the #1 contender. Afterward, Cena tried to goad A-Train into getting revenge on Lesnar for a botched F5. Brock and Train fought, but Cena caused a DQ. He attacked Brock with a chain, gave him the FU, and bloodied him with the belt.

The Match: Brock shakes off Cena’s attack and hits backbreakers before turning them into a fallaway slam. He adds suplexes, a press slam, and a clothesline to the outside. Also, Brock rams Cena into the announcer’s table and taunts him with the gold. Undeterred, Cena reverses Brock into the steps and reopens his cut. John targets the wound while landing suplexes and a guillotine leg drop. He also runs Lesnar into the post, fends off a spinebuster, and subdues Brock with a DDT and chinlocks.

Brock has to run Cena into the corners to break the hold. Once Lesnar is free, he scores powerslams and drives Cena into the corner. Next, Brock almost strikes the official. He stops short, but Cena nails a low blow and the Throwback. (It’s a somersault neckbreaker. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s a jumping slap to the back of the head.) They only earn two, and Brock runs Cena into the corner again. So, Cena fetches his chain. The ref catches him, which allows Lesnar to finish Cena with the F5.

Thoughts: This wasn’t bad. Parts of it felt slow and clunky, but I thought it was decent overall. Cena has a long way to go, but he did well. The crowd chanted for him despite his rap, but Cena is from Massachusetts.

Winner: Brock Lesnar (15:14)

Now, it’s time for Triple H, Flair, and Jericho vs. Nash, Booker, and HBK. They dub Flair and Booker T’s themes for some odd reason.

Triple H, Ric Flair, & Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Nash, Booker T, & Shawn Michaels

Storyline: Booker still had issues with Triple H. Jericho continued antagonizing Michaels. Even the Hurricane feuded with Triple H. Then all these feuds came together when Jericho helped Triple H beat up Booker T. Michaels intervened, but Jericho and Hunter stood tall. Another beating occurred after Hunter and Jericho wrestled Booker and Shawn. This time, the returning Kevin Nash saved them. Nash grew tired of watching Shawn and Hunter fight. He wanted to play peacemaker, but Hunter told him to pick a side. Later, Booker and Hurricane fought Hunter and Flair. Booker’s team won, earning Booker a title shot, so Hunter grabbed his sledgehammer. Nash stopped him, but a miscommunication led to an argument between Nash, Michaels, and Booker. Finally, Booker received his championship match with Shawn as the ref. However, Michaels superkicked Hunter when Jericho interfered. Nash tried to keep the peace again, but Hunter ambushed him.

The Match: Hunter doesn’t want to face Nash, so Jericho and Michaels start. They do chain wrestling and pin attempts until Michaels counters the Walls. Then Nash clears the ring and demands Hunter, but Jericho returns. Kevin fends him off and lets Booker take over. Hunter gives Booker a facebreaker and a spinebuster before Flair and Michaels meet. HBK stands tall when everyone attacks and floors Flair with Sweet Chin Music. Sadly, Hunter drops Shawn with a Pedigree and runs from Nash. Now, Flair and Jericho ground Michaels and taunt him. Plus, Hunter targets Shawn’s leg to set up Flair’s Figure Four. When Flair seeks the hold, Shawn nails an enziguri and tags Nash.

Kevin takes out everybody with clotheslines, slams, Snake Eyes, and a side slam. (It’s the slowest house cleaning I’ve ever seen.) Flair breaks up the pin, but his chops don’t affect Nash. So, Booker scuffles with Flair. Meanwhile, Triple H tries to attack Nash while Kevin fights with Jericho. Nash blocks a Pedigree, but Jericho stops a Jackknife with a missile dropkick. Thankfully, Booker rallies with kicks and does the Spinaroonie. Booker’s actions cause a wild brawl. Flair and Jericho double-team Shawn. Ric puts Shawn in a Figure Four while Jericho lands a Lionsault. Outside, Nash wants to Jackknife Hunter on the announcer’s table, but he saves Shawn instead. The chaos knocks Nick Patrick to the floor as Nash plants Jericho with the Jackknife. Hunter uses the opening to clock Nash with the sledgehammer for the victory.

Thoughts: This started well, but lost its way toward the end. It devolved into a disjointed mess. I don’t know if someone missed their cue or if they planned it poorly. They should have ended it sooner than they did.

Winners: Triple H, Flair, & Jericho (17:51)

Cole and Tazz give an update on Mysterio’s condition after the match. Michael doesn’t have a full report, but they say Rey has good vital signs. They will give more details on Smackdown.

Then Terri interviews the Rock. She says he has done it all but hasn’t beaten Goldberg. An annoyed Rocky calls her lemon panties and giggle panties. The Rock says the only thing he hasn’t done is make a white baby. He grabs his crotch while saying this, but he refocuses on Goldberg. The Rock isn’t afraid of Goldberg. What is he going to do? Rocky mocks Goldberg’s grunts after asking, but he tells Terri to stop laughing. Rock says Goldberg speared him for no reason, and it hurt. But he asks Goldberg how his eight chair shots felt. Rock says it was like hitting Godzilla, based on Goldberg’s sounds. Plus, he threatens to wipe a cockatoo’s ass with what the fans think about Goldberg. He isn’t next. Goldberg is next. Rocky says he will whip that whisker biscuit, bald-headed bitch! Finally, Rock laughs nervously and walks away.

Goldberg vs. The Rock

Storyline: Bischoff held Rock Appreciation Night after WrestleMania, but they aired Goldberg vignettes all night. Then the Rock threatened to leave the celebration, but Goldberg arrived and speared him. Meanwhile, the Rock inspired Christian, so Christian helped the Rock deal with Goldberg. However, the Rock used Christian as fodder. The Rock threw a cheap shot before running away. Later, Goldust met Goldberg and gave him a wig as a gift. When Christian saw this, he called the Rock and told him he would beat up Goldust and call out Goldberg. Christian did it, but he ate another spear and Jackhammer. Finally, Rock did a rock concert to mock Goldberg. He even invited Gillberg, but Goldberg interrupted. Rocky tried to trick Goldberg into chasing him in a car so he could continue the performance. It didn’t work, but Christian distracted Goldberg, and Rock attacked him with a chair.

The Match: The Rock stalls and hesitates to enter the ring. When he does, Goldberg shoves him down twice, so Rock tells Goldberg he’s in trouble! Then Goldberg makes Rocky retreat after a shoulder block sends him to the floor. Next, Rock tries a hotshot, but Goldberg gives him the Rock Bottom and seeks a spear. Unfortunately for Goldberg, he misses and crashes into the post. Now, the Rock brings Goldberg inside and locks him in the Sharpshooter. Goldberg secures the rope break, but Rock waits to release him.

Arguing with Hebner ensues, so Rocky pushes Earl and nails Goldberg with a low blow. Goldberg shakes it off and scores a spear and a powerslam, but they hurt his shoulder. The injury allows Rock to spear Goldberg and land a Rock Bottom. Rock hits a spinebuster and the People’s Elbow when the Rock Bottom doesn’t work. This also gets two, which frustrates the Rock. So, Goldberg recovers and performs two spears before ending it with a Jackhammer.

Thoughts: This was good. They structured it well and got a great reaction. Plus, I loved the Rock’s antics and facial expressions. This ended the show nicely after some lackluster encounters.

Winner: Goldberg (14:03)

The Good:

• The main event

• Los Guerreros vs. Team Angle

• Jazz vs. Trish

The Bad:

• O’Haire vs. Rikishi

Observations & Extra Notes:

• What was with the odd music dubbing on this PPV? They covered up songs that they never removed.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to the Rock. His Hollywood Rock persona always entertained me, and this was no exception.

Final Thoughts:

This PPV disappointed me. The card looked good on paper, but many bouts fell flat. Also, they packed this show with a lot of filler segments. The event was a step down after the awesome WrestleMania.

Thank you for reading. My next review is Judgment Day 2003. Look for it next Sunday!