WrestleMania X8

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

WrestleMania X8

March 17, 2002

SkyDome

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

News & Notes: I have little to discuss before we begin. There are only two extra storylines, which is a good thing. This will be a long review. Since Booker T was busy after No Way Out, Test paired with Mr. Perfect to feud with Rikishi. This rivalry led to Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty reuniting. Meanwhile, the Cruiserweight title still exists, believe it or not. Tajiri successfully defended it against Scotty and the Hurricane over the past few months. Now let’s get into the show!

The PPV: The event opens with a live performance by the band Saliva. They sing the song “Superstar”, but Josey Scott seems a little off. Then again, I’ve never seen them live. He might always sound this way. Josey tells the fans to get their asses up off of their shoulders. What the hell does that mean?

The opening video follows this. The Undertaker, Jericho, Flair, Triple H, Austin, Hogan, and Hall compare WrestleMania to the World Series and the Super Bowl. They talk about the awe, the pageantry, the pressure, and the spotlight. This culminates Triple H’s road to recovery and Hogan’s big comeback. Meanwhile, Jericho wants to add his name to the list of the greats, and the Rock sees this as a passing-the-torch moment. Can Hogan prove he is the Babe Ruth of wrestling? Is there a feeling like the adrenaline of performing on this stage? This is WrestleMania X8. (They placed the X8 off-center on the logo. It is driving me crazy!)

Next, JR welcomes everyone to the global phenomenon and the greatest spectacle of all time. He says he has never experienced this type of feeling. JR wishes the people in WWF New York could be there with them. While JR and King discuss the card, RVD arrives for the first contest. The size of the crowd enthralls him so much he forgets to do his thumb taunt.

Intercontinental Title Match: Rob Van Dam vs. William Regal (c)

Storyline: RVD teamed with Edge against Regal and Goldust, and Edge made Regal tap to his new submission, the Edge-ucator. Then RVD won a Triple Threat against Lance Storm and the Big Show to earn a shot at Regal’s Intercontinental championship. The problem was, this only pissed off Storm. RVD had already beaten Lance during a tag match, so Storm wanted to fight. He slapped RVD to provoke him. RVD tweaked his knee during their ensuing contest, but he still defeated Storm. Meanwhile, Regal used the knucks to gain revenge on Rikishi for the Stink Face. He also gave Big Show the power of the punch. However, an unconscious Big Show fell on top of Regal for a pinfall. Finally, Regal cost RVD victories over Goldust and Angle, but RVD pinned Regal during a team encounter.

The Match: RVD lands a moonsault and knocks the knucks off of Regal’s hand. With his weapon gone, Regal begs off, but RVD keeps coming. He nails a springboard kick, but he misses the Five Star. Now Regal takes over with multiple pin attempts. He even fends off a comeback and hits the Regal Cutter. Plus, William raises his knees during the Rolling Thunder and locks Van Dam in a straitjacket chinlock. Once RVD escapes, he avoids the Regal Stretch and a Tiger Bomb. Nevertheless, Regal folds RVD up with a half nelson suplex! Afterward, the ref catches Regal trying to employ the knucks, but he has a second pair. Before he can use them, RVD floors him with a spin kick and ends this with the Five Star.

Thoughts: It wasn’t as clean and crisp as you would expect from these two, but I enjoyed this. They kept this at the right length for an opening bout and never let it drag. Better yet, I liked the story they told with Regal’s brass knuckles. It’s nice to see RVD win a singles title that isn’t the Hardcore belt.

Winner: RVD (New Champion) (6:22)

Lilian Garcia interviews Christian while he mocks DDP’s big goofy smile. She says we saw the Intercontinental title change hands. Will lightning strike twice in Christian’s hometown of Toronto? Then she shows a clip of Christian turning on DDP. This makes Christian laugh, so Lilian asks why he did this. Christian claims he won on his own. He used DDP, but now he doesn’t need him anymore. It’s much like how he no longer needed Toronto once became an international star. That’s why he moved to Florida. Christian also says he’s over the tantrums and ready to reclaim his title as the champion of Europe. For DDP, that isn’t a good thing. It’s a bad thing. Christian does the silly grin again before leaving.

This leads to the entrances. Christian tells the Fink to announce he lives in Tampa, Florida instead of Toronto. Next, DDP arrives. His pyro hits him right in the face, but it doesn’t seem to faze him. While this happens, JR mentions how DDP drove the Honky Tonk Man to the ring at WrestleMania VI.

European Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page (c) vs. Christian

Storyline: More losses caused Christian to throw tantrums until he threatened to quit the company, so DDP stepped in to help. Page taught Christian to smile and pushed him to release his negativity. He had Christian interact with children, but Christian called them ugly losers. Then DDP tried to teach him inspirational phrases, yet Christian was too busy trying to pull the plug on his grandma to collect his inheritance. Dallas even invited Christian to celebrate in the crowd with him. Christian said he didn’t want to mingle with the fans. Finally, Page’s mentorship brought Christian a victory. As they celebrated, Christian attacked Page and gave him the Unprettier. He said he used Dallas because he knew the truth. Page only took him under his wing to make Christian forget Dallas stole his Euro title, but Christian never forgot. DDP told him he should have asked for a rematch.

The Match: Christian jumps him and holds up the belt, but DDP answers with a gutbuster and a Cactus Clothesline. Then he rams Christian into the barricade before they head inside. There, Christian takes over with a low blow and a hotshot, which leads to more brawling outside. Christian also avoids taking the post to his crotch and ducks a discus lariat. This allows him to use an ab stretch and a backbreaker. When these only get two, Christian complains, so DDP capitalizes. He slams Christian off the top rope and nails a discus lariat and a sit-out bomb. Next, they evade each other’s finishers until Christian throws a small tantrum. DDP rolls up the petulant Christian and moves out of the way of his counterattacks. This opens the door for a Diamond Cutter and the three.

Thoughts: This was a fun little match. They did everything they needed to do and kept it short. Plus, I liked the finish. Unfortunately, this is one of those contests you’ll forget by the end of the night. The rest of the card overshadows it.

Winner: Diamond Dallas Page (6:10)

After the bell, DDP asks for a mic. He says he is proud of Christian. Christian didn’t lose his temper tonight, despite the loss. That impressed DDP. He kept himself in check in front of 67,000 fans in the SkyDome and the millions of fans at home. That’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing! When DDP says this, Christian throws a tantrum while DDP exits through the crowd. JR says someone should get Christian a diaper and powder his bottom.

Coach interviews the Rock about his encounter with Hogan. They call it the biggest match-up of all time. The Rock wants Hulkamania to run wild on him in all its glory. Then Rock asks Coach if he took his vitamins and said his prayers this morning. When Coach says he skipped his prayers, the Rock tells him to get on his knees and do them right now. Coach obliges, but he offends the Rock when he says, “What up, G?” The Rock kicks Coach out of the frame and continues his promo. Now the Rock asks Hogan if he has butterflies in his Hulka-stomach and feels it in his Hulka-strudel. When the Rock runs wild on Hogan, Hulk will feel the electricity and the People’s Elbow in front of 70,000 people. If you smell what the Rock is cooking. (He tears his shirt as he says this.)

Hardcore Title Match: Maven (c) vs. Goldust

Storyline: Goldust nearly beat Maven for the Hardcore title, but Maven set Goldust’s golden fire extinguisher off in Goldust’s face. Then the Undertaker attacked Maven afterward. This gave Goldust the opening he wanted. He jumped Maven in the trainer’s room and took the gold! An overconfident Goldust thought no one would use the 24/7 rule against him. Tazz tested this theory, but Goldust won. Meanwhile, Maven and Al Snow had a handicap fight with Taker, which they lost. However, Snow defeated Goldust to capture the Hardcore championship. A defense against the Big Show followed, but Maven sneaked in and covered his mentor to regain the belt. This win should have made Maven happy, yet he couldn’t stop looking over his shoulder for people coming after him.

The Match: Goldust attacks when Maven arrives. He drapes him on the barricade and nails a diving axehandle. Then Goldust grabs his golden weapons. He uses a cookie sheet, a trash can, and a shovel. Maven scores a dropkick and pin attempts, but Goldust stomps the shovel into Maven’s midsection. He also wedges a can in the corner and whips Maven into it. After this, Goldust and Maven knock each other out with trash can lids, so Spike Dudley interrupts the contest. He brings his own ref and pins Maven to steal the belt!

Thoughts: It’s hard to rate this because I know it isn’t over. This becomes an almost show-long angle, which amuses me greatly. So I’ll give my opinion here. I love what this turns into as the program unfolds. They found a fun way to incorporate it into the PPV.

Winner: Spike Dudley (New Champion) (3:17)

Crash Holly comes after Spike, so Spike escapes into the crowd. Once Maven and Goldust recover, they follow them. So the chase begins!

Afterward, Drowning Pool tells the story of Jericho vs. Triple H through the song “Tear Away”. Somebody should have turned up Dave Williams’ mic. You can barely hear him during the chorus. Also, he has to censor some lyrics. As he sings, they play a video about the feud. It becomes apparent that Jericho is a third wheel in the storyline. This is all about Triple H and Stephanie. When the performance ends, Dave says he can’t hear the fans. It’s probably because they weren’t singing.

Meanwhile, the hardcore fight continues backstage. While Crash and Spike scuffle, Al Snow almost hits them with a golf cart. He crashes into some empty boxes when they move. The distraction allows the Hurricane to swing in on a rope and kick Spike. He covers him for the title and speeds away with a mighty whoosh! Snow emerges from the boxes once Hurricane is gone and he curses to himself.

Now it’s time for Kurt Angle vs. Kane. Angle grabs a microphone when he arrives and addresses the crowd. Kurt says he didn’t win his gold medals the way the Canadian figure skaters did. He didn’t whine and complain until someone handed it to him. Kurt won it the old-fashioned way. He earned it! After all, he is the big red, white, and blue machine, so he hopes Kane is listening. Before Angle can say anything more, Kane interrupts him.

Kurt Angle vs. Kane

Storyline: Angle lost his #1 contender status back to Triple H after No Way Out. However, Kurt had Austin arrested when Steve attacked Kurt’s police protection, so Vince rewarded him with another opportunity. Kurt failed. This frustrated Angle. He issued an open challenge, which Kane answered, but Kurt beat him with a chair, suplexed him on the announce table, and put him in the anklelock. Next, Vince gave Angle an Undisputed championship match, which Kane ruined. Kane also caused Kurt to take a pinfall loss from Triple H in a tag encounter. As a result, Angle brawled backstage with Kane and slammed a garage door on him! With Kane pinned down, Angle smashed him with a chair. While Kane was out of action, Angle made Big Show tap out and fought RVD, but Kane returned. He chokeslammed Angle on the floor.

The Match: Angle ambushes Kane with the bell before scoring knockdowns and suplexes. Kane answers with a side slam, but Angle grabs a front facelock. Now Angle fends off another comeback and does rolling Germans. With Kane dazed, Kurt hits a flying clothesline. The problem is, he doesn’t cover. Kurt tries a second one and Kane swats him out of the air! This opens the door for a big boot, a backdrop, and a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. He even scores a chokeslam, but Angle gets a rope break. A Tombstone attempt follows, so Kurt pulls on Kane’s mask to stop it and puts him in two anklelocks. Once Kane escapes, he goes to the top, but Kurt throws him off. Afterward, they do a series of counters until Angle rolls Kane up. He awkwardly puts his feet on the ropes for the three, but Kane’s shoulder is off the mat.

Thoughts: This was a strong and hard-hitting match until that awkward finish. It didn’t ruin this, but I had to take my rating down a notch. It’s a shame because they did great with everything else.

Winner: Kurt Angle (10:45)

Backstage, the Hurricane looks for a place to hide. He hears a noise, so he picks up a broom and runs behind a back-lit changing divider. We soon discover he’s in the locker room of the Godfather’s escorts. They take off their shirts and start comparing breasts, but they notice the suggestive silhouette of the Hurricane holding the broom. This makes them scream and run away. When Godfather comes to see the cause of the commotion, he grabs Hurricane’s broom and chases him into the hallway.

Now it’s time for the Undertaker vs. Ric Flair. During Taker’s entrance, JR says he is 9-0 at WrestleMania. This is the first time they draw real attention to the streak.

No DQ Match: The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair

Storyline: The Undertaker challenged Flair after No Way Out, but Flair told him he was an owner, not a wrestler. Since Flair refused, Taker called him gutless and vowed to make him change his mind. First, Taker bloodied Arn Anderson. Flair retaliated with a pipe attack, but he still said he wouldn’t fight Taker. Afterward, Taker went to the WWF’s training facility and brutalized David Flair. He said the blood was on Ric’s hands, and Reid and Ashley would be next if Ric didn’t face him. Ric relented, but Taker wanted him to beg for the match on his knees. They brawled instead, and Ric accidentally punched a fan. This led to an emergency board meeting where they temporarily suspended Flair’s co-ownership. However, they would review the decision after Mania. Meanwhile, Vince sent Flair home and booked David vs. Taker, but Ric saved him.

The Match: They brawl in and out of the ring and around the announce tables until Taker gains the advantage. He whips Ric into a Flair Flip after two tries and makes him flop. Soon Ric is bleeding, but Taker keeps pulling him up for more. He even scores a superplex, but Flair pulls Taker off the ropes during an Old School attempt. Taker recovers to land a side slam, but Flair takes over when he gets the pipe from Taker’s bike.

He delivers multiple pipe shots to Taker, which busts him open. Flair follows this with a Figure Four, so Taker grabs him by the throat to break it. This draws Arn Anderson out to interfere. He gives Taker a spinebuster and earns a beating for his troubles. While Taker puts Arn in the dragon sleeper, Flair attacks Taker with a chair. Unfazed, Taker nails a big boot and goes for the Last Ride. He can’t lift him, so he shifts to a Tombstone for the three.

Thoughts: This had great intensity and storytelling. Yeah, it felt like they called an audible on the finish, but I think it worked within the context of their story. In fact, I would say it made it better. The ending showed how fatigued they were.

Winner: The Undertaker (18:47)

Charles Robinson lifts Taker’s arm, but Taker clotheslines him once he’s done. This amuses Lawler, but JR doesn’t like it. With Robinson down, Taker raises ten fingers to signify ten victories. Then he rides away on his motorcycle.

Cole interviews Booker T about his encounter with Edge. Michael says Edge took Booker’s Japanese endorsement deal and questioned his intelligence. This offends Booker. He says he is a highly intelligent man. After all, he has glasses! Booker claims he ranked #1 in his class and he aced his SAT. He even wrote his high school thesis on Einstein’s theory of relatives! When Cole corrects him, Booker says Einstein had more than one theory. Booker says Edge isn’t smarter, better, or as good-looking as he is. After tonight, Edge will be the spokesperson for Booker’s new book. He calls it I Just Got My Ass Kicked at WrestleMania by the Five-Time WCW Champion.

Now we get the entrances for that contest. Edge gets a nice reaction in his hometown. Before I talk about the match, I have to point out one fan’s sign. It says, “They are fighting over shampoo!” This made me laugh.

Edge vs. Booker T

Storyline: Booker T wanted a Japanese shampoo commercial, so he went to Tajiri for advice. The problem was, he insulted the Japanese people. Booker even caught Tajiri warning the producer not to hire him, so Booker took the phone and told the man to pay attention to his contest. However, the producer chose Edge instead. This infuriated Booker. He challenged Tajiri and beat him, but Booker continued the attack. Edge saved Tajiri. Later, Booker complained about not having a championship shot, so Edge interrupted him. Edge mocked him by showing embarrassing footage of Booker on The Weakest Link. Afterward, Edge offered Booker an encounter at Mania. This led to Booker & Angle vs. Edge & Big Show and Booker & Test vs. Edge & Tajiri. Booker pinned Edge during the latter, and they attacked Edge after the victory. Test held Edge and forced him to watch a Spinaroonie!

The Match: They trade takedowns and knockdowns after tussling into the corners. Then Booker scores a hotshot, a missile dropkick, and a spinebuster. When he climbs the turnbuckles again, Edge lands an awkward and scary Frankensteiner. After a double down, Edge nails a wheel kick. He also avoids the axe kick and does the Edge-O-Matic and a flying wheel kick. Now Booker answers with a sunset flip out of the corner, but Edge rolls through it for two. He continues with a catapult only for Booker to leapfrog the ensuing spear. Edge’s crash in the corner allows Booker to do a heel kick, the Spinaroonie, and the axe kick. He looks for the Book End next, so Edge counters with a snapmare and a spear. With Booker down, Edge does the Edge-A-Roonie! Finally, Edge evades two heel kicks and ends it with the Edgecution.

Thoughts: This was solid and fun, but it didn’t make up for the lame storyline. These two deserved a better build. The feud felt like a demotion for Edge. It was fine for Booker because this was his first Mania, but Edge was spinning his wheels after his Intercontinental title run.

Winner: Edge (6:32)

The Hurricane continues to sneak around, but Coach finds him. He asks Hurricane about what happened with the Godfather’s escorts. Those actions aren’t becoming a superhero! When Hurricane hears this, he says, “Holy insinuations, Citizen Coach! Are you questioning the integrity of the Hurricane? Whatsupwiththat!?” Hurricane says he isn’t a Hurri-Perv. He’s the Hurri-Hardcore champion! While he says this, Mighty Molly appears with a poorly hidden frying pan behind her back. She tells Hurricane to get to the Hurri-Cycle, but she clocks him with the pan. Molly pins him to become the new champ!

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Scott Hall (w/ Kevin Nash)

Storyline: Austin called out the nWo after No Way Out and refused to leave the ring until they fought. Unfortunately, Angle had him arrested, but Austin returned on Smackdown. He terrorized the nWo with a tire iron and his truck until he got Scott Hall. Steve locked him in a freezer while taunting him with beer. He even spray-painted 3:16 on him. However, Hall retaliated by smashing a cinder block on Austin’s knee! Plus, they bloodied Austin with a wrench and stole his beer. All the while, Hall bullied crew members backstage. These antics didn’t stop Austin from fighting back. He thwarted Hall and Nash with a net and a security guard decoy. Later, Austin saved the Rock from the nWo, so Vince booked Austin and Rock against them in a handicap fight. The nWo won when Hogan pinned the Rock.

The Match: Austin beats Hall down until Hall regroups. While outside, Austin decks Nash and brawls with Hall, so Nash removes a turnbuckle pad. The exposed buckle allows Hall to seize control. He nails a fallaway slam and distracts the ref for multiple attacks by Nash. Austin scores a desperation spinebuster, but Hall keeps going until Austin hits a Stunner! Nash pulls the referee out and clocks him to prevent the three. With the official down, Nash tries to use a chair, but Austin fends off Hall and Nash and gives them Stunners. Now Jack Doan arrives, but Nash takes him out! Austin fights out of a Razor’s Edge attempt, as more officials appear and tell Nash to go to the back. Meanwhile, Hall does the Stunner to Austin, which only earns two. Austin recovers and ends it with two Stunners. The second one makes Hall bounce into the air.

Thoughts: This was a fun if not a slightly overbooked contest. I know Austin hated this program because he wanted something bigger, but I understand their plan. You could tell they wanted Austin to run through the nWo before getting back to the main event scene. Of course, it wouldn’t have resulted in Austin vs. Hogan. They pitched the idea, but Austin thought the quality would be bad and turned it down. That was what landed him in this filler feud.

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin (9:51)

Next, we see footage from WWF Fan Axxcess. RVD wants to walk around, but he doesn’t have the time. Tazz says a fan is a better commentator than Michael Cole. Then Triple H spits water on the audience. Meanwhile, Booker T learns he isn’t in the newest WWF video game, which angers him. He still beats a kid while playing as Benoit. Finally, they show a creepy statue of Stacy Keibler’s butt and legs. The attendees can touch it. This clearly makes her uncomfortable, but she tries to sound enthusiastic about it.

Now it’s time for a Four Corners contest for the tag titles. Saliva does a live version of the Dudleys’ theme while dancing with Stacy. (Did they get to touch the statue?) I’m unsure if this encounter warrants a live performance.

Four Corners Elimination Match for the Tag Team Titles: Billy & Chuck (c) vs. The APA vs. The Dudley Boyz (w/ Stacy Keibler) vs. The Hardy Boyz

Storyline: Billy and Chuck beat Tazz and Spike to capture the tag titles on the Smackdown after No Way Out. As they celebrated, the APA said they would see Billy and Chuck at Mania. Later, Billy and Chuck successfully defended against the Hardys. Meanwhile, the APA headed to the Friendly Tap, but they discovered it was a trap. Billy and Chuck lured them there on Men’s Night. They jumped the APA while some drag queens distracted them. As a result, the APA demanded their title opportunity early, but Billy and Chuck cheated. However, Bradshaw defeated Chuck one-on-one. Then they announced this Four-Way. This led to a Four Corners contest between Billy, Jeff Hardy, Bubba, and Bradshaw, which Billy won. A wild brawl erupted afterward, but Billy and Chuck ran.

The Match: The APA takes down Billy and Chuck until B&C does double-teaming and illegal switching to take control. Next, the Dudleys tag, but the APA continues to go after Billy and Chuck. They succeed, but the Dudleys capitalize and eliminate the APA with a 3D. Now the Hardys scuffle with the Dudleys until Bubba and D-Von set up tables. Stacy distracts Jeff, so Bubba tells Jeff it’s time to die. Despite this, the Hardys thwart the table antics and Billy shoves D-Von onto a table. Then the Hardys get rid of the Dudleys with a Twist of Fate and the Swanton. This leaves two teams. Chuck nails a Jungle Kick, but the Hardys answer with Poetry in Motion. They even nail the Twist and the Swanton. Unfortunately, Billy and Chuck use a ref distraction to do a Fameasser and a belt shot to win.

Thoughts: This wasn’t bad. It went a little longer than it should have, but they did some nice spots. The table bump from D-Von was great. Plus, this helps establish Billy and Chuck as a good team. I have no problem with this, but it didn’t set the world on fire.

Winners: Billy & Chuck (13:50)

Hall and Nash talk backstage. Scott says Austin got lucky. He knows he is better than him! Since they couldn’t get Austin, they’ll take out their frustrations on the Rock. While they say this, Hogan enters the scene. He says he needs a favor. Hogan knows they are angry, but he wants to fight the Rock alone. He has to prove he is still the man. Then he will be nWo for life! Hogan also doesn’t want the Rock to have any excuses. He will beat him like he beat that jabroni, Rocky Balboa! (Does Hogan think that was real?) After Hogan leaves, Hall and Nash say they can’t believe what Hogan said. They plan to interfere anyway.

Meanwhile, Mighty Molly runs down a hallway to hide, but someone closes a door in her face. The attacker bends down to reveal Christian! He pins Molly to steal the Hardcore belt. Christian celebrates and runs away while Chioda checks on Molly.

The Rock vs. Hollywood Hogan

Storyline: Hogan cut a promo insulting the fans, so the Rock confronted him and challenged Hogan to fight him at Mania. After some goading, Hogan accepted, but the nWo attacked the Rock. They all hit their finishers, yet it didn’t end there. They loaded Rock into an ambulance only for the nWo to ram it with a semi truck. Afterward, the nWo got off with community service and a phony apology, thanks to Vince. While the Rock recuperated, Hogan tore up a cardboard cut-out of the Rock. Plus, he produced vignettes that proved how great he was. The Rock returned looking for a fight, but Hogan made him face Hall instead. Later, Hogan pinned Rock during the handicap fight. He showed footage of the victory multiple times, including in slow-motion, so the Rock interrupted this. He called Hulkamania a fantasy in Hogan’s mind and told Hogan to say his prayers.

The Match: They go face-to-face while the people go crazy. Then both men shove each other while flexing. Hogan avoids a Rock Bottom and scores knockdowns. He even busts out an Axe Bomber! After fending off the Rock, Hogan uses an ab stretch, a roll-up, and back rakes. Things almost fall apart when they brawl outside, but the ref restores order. Unfortunately, the ref goes down before Rock does a spinebuster and the Sharpshooter. Hogan taps, but the ref misses it. As Rocky tries to revive the ref, Hogan throws a low blow and lands the Rock Bottom! This isn’t enough, so they use the weight belt on each other. A Rock Bottom follows, but Hogan hulks up! He nails the big boot and leg drop, which only gets two! Hogan attempts it again, but Rock evades him and ends it with two Rock Bottoms and a People’s Elbow.

Thoughts: This was amazing. They structured it perfectly and took the audience for a ride. It wasn’t a technical marvel, but it didn’t need to be. This was easily Hogan’s best match in a long time. That’s for sure. Also, the crowd was louder than ever for this.

Winner: The Rock (16:24)

The Rock celebrates while Hogan drags himself to his feet. When the Rock sees him, he hesitates, but Hogan extends his hand. After looking into Hogan’s eyes, Rocky realizes he is sincere and shakes it. However, the nWo confronts Hogan. Hall wants to know why he’s showing the Rock respect. Before Hogan can answer, Hall and Nash attack him! They beat Hogan down until the Rock returns to save him. Hogan and Rock clear the ring, and the Rock stops Hogan from leaving. He tells him to pose for the crowd, which Hogan does. (They should have played “Real American”. This was a missed opportunity.)

Meanwhile, the Big Show is at WWF New York. No one asks him anything. He picks up a child and yells, “It’s WrestleMania! Woo!” Then the Fink announces the attendance record. A Canadian company called Pizza Pizza sponsors the announcement. Fink says there are 67,237 fans in the SkyDome tonight!

Triple Threat Match for the Women’s Title: Jazz (c) vs. Lita vs. Trish Stratus

Storyline: Jazz’s first title defense was against Mighty Molly, and she ripped up Molly’s cape! Then Jazz took Stacy’s spot as the Dudleys’ partner against the Hardys and Lita. Jazz pinned Lita during the encounter. Next, Jazz faced Trish in a rematch, but it ended in a DQ because Trish refused to release a submission. She did this as payback for when Jazz did the same thing. Later, Lita declared she wanted a title shot, so Jazz jumped her and gave Lita a DDT. This led to Trish & Lita vs. Jazz & Stacy. Jazz’s team won after Trish hit Lita by mistake. When Trish tried to apologize, she scuffled with Lita.

The Match: Trish and Lita try to double-team Jazz, but she fends them off. Jazz uses a half crab, a chickenwing slam, a leg drop, and a butterfly suplex. Then she shoves Trish outside and focuses on Lita, but Lita scores a hurricanrana and a blue thunder bomb. Once Trish returns, she prevents a superplex. Now Jazz lands a fisherman’s suplex on Trish, but Trish answers with a reverse DDT. Lita even nails Jazz with a Twist of Fate. However, everyone breaks up the pin attempts. Since this didn’t work, Lita does a moonsault, which Trish blocks with her knees. After a collision and a double down, everybody fights on the top rope. This ends when Jazz performs a super fisherman’s suplex on Lita for the three!

Thoughts: This wasn’t bad. Once again, they put the women in the cooldown spot, so they had little time or heat. The rushed nature caused some sloppiness, but it was still fine. Plus, I liked that finish.

Winner: Jazz (6:16)

Christian tries to escape in a taxi, but he pauses to kiss the Hardcore title. He spits after realizing how dirty the thing is. The hesitation allows Maven to sneak in and roll Christian up for a three. He reclaims his belt and steals Christian’s cab to get away. Christian throws a temper tantrum once Maven leaves.

Now it’s time for the main event. Drowning Pool performs their version of Triple H’s theme during his entrance. He thankfully doesn’t use this one beyond this show.

Undisputed Title Match: Triple H vs. Chris Jericho (c) (w/ Stephanie McMahon)

Storyline: Flair gave Triple H a chance to regain his #1 contender slot, and Hunter succeeded. Sensing trouble, Jericho did the unthinkable. He allied with Stephanie! Jericho said he only insulted her to please the fans, but he didn’t care about them anymore. Then Steph promised to teach Jericho Hunter’s secrets, but she made Jericho do errands instead. He had to buy her hand lotion and walk Triple H’s dog, Lucy. Meanwhile, Hunter literally wanted half of Stephanie’s stuff in the divorce, so he cut her Corvette in two! Steph retaliated by trying to convince the court to let her have Lucy. Unfortunately, Jericho left the dog tied to a limo, which ran over and broke Lucy’s leg! When Hunter came after them, Jericho used the sledgehammer and a title belt on Hunter’s knee. Hunter claimed he was fine, but Steph learned he was lying and ignoring the doctor’s orders.

The Match: Jericho keeps attacking the leg to cut off Hunter’s momentum. Hunter tries to take the fight to the announce tables, but Jericho chop blocks him. However, Jericho argues with the ref, so Hunter returns the favor on Jericho’s legs. This allows Hunter to do a Figure Four, which Stephanie breaks up, so Hunter goes after her. After saving Stephanie, Jericho uses a ring post Figure Four, a spinning toe hold, and a deathlock. Now more interference by Stephanie leads to brawling outside. This ends with Hunter taking a backdrop on the Spanish announce table!

Back inside, Jericho lands the Lionsault, which earns two. He also evades a Pedigree and puts Hunter in the Walls of Jericho. Triple H almost passes out, but he secures a rope break. Jericho thinks he won until Hebner corrects him. Afterward, Jericho gets a chair out of frustration. It backfires on him, so Stephanie intervenes again. This time, Hunter gives her the Pedigree! While Hunter focuses on her, Jericho attacks and attempts to do the Pedigree. Triple H turns it into a catapult only for Jericho to land on the turnbuckles. Jericho dives, but Hunter kicks him and finishes him with a Pedigree.

Thoughts: This was fine. It was technically sound, but they put Jericho and Triple H in an unfortunate position. Nothing was going to follow Rock vs. Hogan. They did well within the situation, so I can’t fault them. The crowd reacted to the finish, so they didn’t totally lose them.

Winner: Triple H (New Champion) (18:41)

The Good:

• Rock vs. Hogan

• Undertaker vs. Flair

• RVD vs. Regal

• DDP vs. Christian

• The Hardcore title stuff

The Bad:

• All of the musical performances

Observations & Extra Notes:

• Why would the board of directors give Vince full power again after the whole lethal dose of poison stuff? Linda was right there! Just give her control. Other than that logic hole, I loved the Flair/Taker feud.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Hogan. This was the most motivated and generous I have seen him in years. The reaction genuinely moved him.

Final Thoughts:

This was an excellent Mania. It wasn’t as good as 17, but this was still solid. It contained nothing bad, and it had some memorable moments. Sure, there were some questionable storyline decisions, but I liked the overall presentation.

Thank you for reading. My next review is Backlash 2002. Look for it next Sunday, and have a happy Thanksgiving!