World Wrestling Federation – Insurrextion 2000 – 6th May 2000
I wasn’t actually planning on reviewing these UK-only ppvs, but I’ve got some spare time and the guy I picked these up from included it so why the hell not. I actually watched this show live and remember finding it a real chore to sit through, but we’ll see how it pans out. The main event sees new WWF Champion The Rock with his back against the wall as he is booked into a triple threat title defence against both HHH and Shane McMahon. Can he find a way to outwit two representatives of the McMahon-Helmsley Faction at the same time? Interestingly, the undercard also features Chris Benoit against Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho against Eddie Guerrero and the Hardyz against Edge & Christian. That seems like a pretty strong line-up on paper! Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are in London, England.
Too Cool vs Dean Malenko/Perry Saturn
Not a lot of back story to this one, but it should be interesting if only for the fact that Too Cool are immensely popular in the UK – and this is one of Grand Masta Sexay’s first matches back from a knee injury. Scotty will want to get a win back on Malenko after losing to him at Backlash.
The Radicalz jump Too Cool to start, instantly rendering them massive assholes with the crowd. It doesn’t work too well as Perry is soon stuck in the ring by himself eating a couple of combo moves from Scotty and Grand Masta. Malenko brings the wrestling and drops Scotty with a Russian legsweep. They isolate S2H from his partner, despite the dissension between the two Radicalz boiling over and Saturn shoving Dean on his ass. Scotty and Malenko scale the ropes, with Dean going for the top rope DDT from Backlash only to see it countered with a superplex. Hot tag to Grand Masta, who beats their opponents down and into position for The Worm! He hits it with such force that Saturn falls out of the ring and stumbles into the camera man. Hip Hop Drop on Saturn, giving Too Cool the win in 06:59
Rating - ** - For a short, forgettable opener to a glorified house show this was pretty decent. Too Cool are somewhat limited workers, but they had such an amazing connection with live crowds that it made their matches a real spectacle. The Radicalz, particularly Dean, didn’t really need to break a sweat to move this pace along as the antagonists of the piece.
Malenko and Saturn get into a fight after the match, trading punches until referees eventually separate them.
Mae Young and The Kat are in the back getting ready for Kat’s match. She has an Arm Wrestling bout against Terri to come later in the evening.
Vince McMahon is here too, stepping out onto the stage to tell London that The Rock has no chance in hell of returning to the US as WWF Champion. He doesn’t actually say whether the plan is for Shane or Triple H to dethrone him though…
Bull Buchanan vs Kane
Well this should be a pretty match. At this stage Bull did seem to have a world of potential though – as a huge but surprisingly agile worker. Putting him in the ring with an established, credible, big guy like Kane will certainly aid his development. This is something of a grudge match after Bull broke the Big Red Machine’s hand on RAW a few weeks prior.
Buchanan becomes the second heel of the night to try a pre-match assault on the babyface only to end up taking a beating. Bull hits a DDT but it is completely no sold by an unrelenting Kane. Rebound shoulder tackle nailed, followed by the axe kick…and it’s barely a 1-count. To the top rope he goes, only to hop blindly into a chokeslam. Kane wins at 02:32
Rating - * - Thankfully brief, and surprisingly entertaining. Luckily this was a house show, so the fact that Kane totally no sold all of Buchanan’s offence to beat him with one move isn’t of any major significance.
Triple H and Stephanie ponder whether Vince wants HHH to win the title tonight, or if he wants his own son to go home with the belt.
Road Dogg vs Bradshaw
D-X and the Acolytes aren’t massive fans of each other. As far back as the Royal Rumble we saw the New Age Outlaws fending off Faarooq and Bradshaw’s pursuit of their Tag Titles. Now it continues with Dogg and Bradshaw in singles action. Faarooq and Tori are at ringside.
Bradshaw batters Road Dogg easily, then turns his attention to Tori. At ringside the APA decide to start beating up Dogg together…and the ref ejects Faarooq from ringside. I bet he was glad he left his family to fly to England for that. It doesn’t stop Bradshaw’s momentum and he continues to pummel the helpless Road Dogg. Swinging neckbreaker scores for 2. It takes three and a half minutes for Dogg to mount any offence, eventually managing to drag Bradshaw into an incredibly ugly DDT. An equally unpleasant dropkick knocks Bradshaw out of the ring…but the Acolyte simply gets back into the ring and mows him down with a spear. Clothesline From Hell countered with dancing jabs and the shaky leg knee drop for 2. The Clothesline From Hell is nailed second time of asking and it’s only the appearance of Tori on the apron that saves the match. Dogg wins with the Pumphandle Slam at 05:53
Rating - DUD - I don’t know if it was weird to book the APA as heels here, or actually surprisingly astute since the creative guys realised that without X-Pac, Road Dogg would more than likely get more babyface reactions. The match was predictably ugly, with lots of pointless interventions. I don’t think Ron Simmons will have done less on a show and got paid in his life.
Terri and Fabulous Moolah discuss their training for the Arm Wrestling Match with Michael Cole
Right on cue Jerry Lawler steps into the ring to act as MC for the Arm Wrestling Contest. Terri stalls for as long as she can, with such delaying tactics as ‘needing a drink’, ‘needing to stretch’ and stripping down to a ridiculously skimpy swimsuit so as to avoid getting physical with her rival The Kat. She spits water in Kat’s face during the actual arm wrestling…but then loses after Mae Young dumps a whole bottle of water in her face. Kat wins…then has her tits exposed in front of the whole arena. Not that she cares too much.
Crash Holly is outside somewhere, despite not being booked – oh, and The Rock arrives too, presumably to be called straight into a HR meeting to discuss his slack work attitude and poor time-keeping, as the show started 45-minutes ago.
Dudley Boyz vs Rikishi/Big Show
This was during the Big Show having fun era, so he teams with Rikishi tonight as ‘Show-kishi’. The Dudleyz are still on a high after putting Trish through a table at Backlash. Since Channel 4 actually edited that out of the live broadcast JR sarcastically calls footage of that incident ‘exclusive footage’. I think even by this point WWF weren’t happy with their new UK broadcaster…
D-Von attacks Big Show before the match starts, although it has little impact and ‘Show-kishi’ is soon kicking his ass all over the ring. Rikishi adds to it with a Samoan drop on Bubba Ray. The Dudleyz actually show some impressive wrestling skill and team up for some double team assaults on Rikishi. Bubba makes the age-old error of underestimating how hard a Samoan’s head is though – as he celebrates hitting a DDT only for Rikishi to no sell it and floor him with a superkick. Wassup Headbutt puts the former Tag Champions back in control though. Hot tag to Show, and everything goes wrong for the Dudz as they have to endure a DOUBLE Stinkface from their massive opponents. Bubba retrieves a table…but Edge & Christian run in before they can use it. Edge hits the Spear on Bubba, who is out of it and staggers into the Chokeslam from Big Show – who wins it at 07:10
Rating - * - Some funny commentary and a lively crowd helped, but again this was pretty average house show filler. Considering how short some of the matches have been tonight, this one also seemed to really drag as well – without a lot of substance beyond the single joke of Big Show’s Rikishi impersonation. At least E&C got more over out of it.
Too Cool are delighted that Rikishi wound up victorious, and sprint to the ring to celebrate with a massive dance. Even the Dudleyz join in (swapping shades/nerd glasses with Too Cool in the process).
Up next is the highlight of the show so far, as they run a video package of Kurt Angle strolling around various London tourist attractions (dressed in full ‘USA Wrestling’ tracksuit) introducing himself to tourists and locals as ‘Kurt Angle – Olympic Hero’. How awesome was dorky Kurt?
As a direct contrast to the comedy, we then cut to Chris Benoit – who’s face is a complete mess after his war with Chris Jericho at Backlash. He’s also in a foul mood after losing his IC Title to Y2J on Smackdown the previous week.
Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit
These two would go on to share some all-time classic matches, so it will be interesting to see this early preview of their great rivalry. Angle will, of course, remember losing the Intercontinental Title to Benoit at Wrestlemania, despite not being pinned, and will want revenge on the Crippler for that. On the other hand, Benoit is just here to vent some frustration on the cheerful Olympian.
Before they can start Crash Holly comes out and decides to join the commentary team. He is looking for Englishmen to fight apparently. In the ring Benoit lays into Kurt with a succession of violent chops and forearms. Angle retorts by hanging him over the top rope then RAKING THE EYES! Given that one of Benoit’s eyes is so bruised it’s swollen shut already that is a brutal strategy. Kurt is all over it, punching the Canadian in the face then smashing his face into the apron. The Wolverine is fighting almost blind and is totally defenceless as Angle hurls him across the ring with a belly to belly suplex. He is bashed face-first into the turnbuckles…only to explode out and fight on instinct with the ROLLING GERMANS for 2! CRIPPLER CROSSFACE! Angle escapes by grabbing the ref’s hand and using it to poke Benoit in the eyes! That is awesome! FLYING WOLVERINE MISSES! More damage to Benoit’s face and Kurt hits the Angle Slam for the win at 06:04
Rating - *** - Benoit’s injuries meant they had to keep this brief (supposedly he was fighting with a fractured cheekbone and a broken nose), but this still absolutely oozed quality. Angle was still discovering what kind of professional wrestler he wanted to be at this stage, but working with a worker of Benoit’s quality obviously helped and he delivered a stunning and aggressive performance. Before the match we saw his goofy comedy side, but his wrestling was so good it was completely believable watching him me as intense as the Crippler in the squared circle. MOTN so far.
Shane McMahon tells Michael Cole that Vince wants him to leave London as WWF Champion – not Triple H!
As Crash tries to leave commentary, an Englishman does appear wanting to fight him for the Hardcore Title. It’s the British Bulldog!
Crash Holly vs British Bulldog – WWF Hardcore Title Match
I believe this ended up being Davey Boy’s last ever pay-per-view appearances. His death is incredibly sad (being British, of course I loved him growing up), but it is cool seeing him one more time in front of his native fans. I believe this was his return to the company after months out in rehab for a painkiller addiction. Can he cement it with a title win under the 24/7 rules?
Crash flees through the crowd…but is dragged back and beaten all the way up the aisle. Bulldog hits his signature vertical suplex on the ramp to devastating effect. Crash lands a few kendo stick shots but gets Raven’d into an open chair in the middle of the ring. Davey Boy then snaps the kendo stick over Holly’s spine. RUNNING POWERSLAM! Bulldog is the new Hardcore Champion at 03:29
Rating - N/A - As this wound up being one of Davey Boy’s last televised appearances I don’t feel too comfortable rating this one. It was a real feel good moment on the show (although of course he’d go on to lose the Hardcore Title back to Crash the following week on television) but tragically, Davey passed away less than two weeks after this.
Edge & Christian vs Hardy Boyz – WWF Tag Title Match
Bringing this great rivalry to the UK is one of the big selling points of this show. E&C have ruled the tag division since Wrestlemania, but have grown increasingly conceited in doing so – with some of their poses, run-ins and antics becoming rather notorious. Can their long-time adversaries the Hardyz take the belts from the arrogant champions for a second title change of the evening?
Christian is hesitant to lock up with a determined Matt Hardy and manages to kill nearly two minutes stalling. Matt does finally get his hands on him and drags him right into the Hardy corner for a beatdown. Edge comes to his brother’s aid with a swinging neckbreaker on Jeff. Neither team is really able to establish themselves and the momentum goes back and forth. The Hardyz hit the double leg drop combo, then the Poetry In Motion to both opponents, but immediately Christian mounts a fightback as he drags Jeff out of the ring and flings him into the guardrails. That slows the high-flying younger Hardy brother down and it’s a strategy E&C look to continue as they repeatedly ground him. WILD nearfall sequence between Edge and Jeff, which ends as Edge clatters into Hardy with a lariat for 2. Matt is growing increasingly frustrated and as his emotions spill over it means his team fall victim to some classic heel chicanery from the champions as they continue to beat Jeff up. They collide mid-ring…and the chase to their corners is made more interesting as Christian hits some illegal stomps on Jeff, so Matt scales the ropes for a flying elbow drop on Edge. Tags all round with Matt taking it to both champs until they flatten him with a TOWER OF DOOM SUPERPLEX! The Hardyz retaliate with a double faceplant on Christian. RUNNING SWANTON TO THE FLOOR BY JEFF! TWIST OF FATE! SWANTON BOMB! The Hardyz have the belts won until Edge runs in and knocks Jeff out with the bell. That’s a disqualification, meaning the champs retain at 12:41
Rating - *** - It took a while to get going, but in the end it turns out that even a house show version of this rivalry is still pretty decent. Every time these four are in the ring together it just looks so natural and easy, so all they had to do here to suck the crowd in was their ‘usual routine’. Jeff played a super face in peril, E&C look extremely comfortable as the heels and everyone played their part in a thrilling exchange of spots in the last couple of minutes.
Edge & Christian don’t manage to escape unharmed though. The Dudley Boyz return the favour from earlier to hit the 3-D on Christian. Edge is powerbombed through a table to complete the revenge mission.
Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Jericho – WWF European Title Match
This is a grudge match, with Y2J looking for revenge after Chyna turned on him to cost him his European Title and join forces with Eddie Guerrero the night after Wrestlemania. Of course, Jericho comes in hot having just dethroned Eddie’s fellow Radical Benoit on Smackdown to become the new IC Champion…but since Chyna is here you have to fancy Latino Heat’s chances tonight. Guerrero loses a pre-match coin toss which means it is his championship at stake in this match.
They start at a wild pace, with Jericho dropping Eddie on his neck with a monkey flip then sending him packing back to the floor for a teamtalk with Chyna. Guerrero wants to leave and has to be forcibly restrained from doing so by the 9th Wonder Of The World. Y2J is dominant, and Eddie tries whatever he can to get away including trying to get a quick victory with a small package. He starts running again – this time with a purpose. He lures Jericho around the ring to be blind-sided with a clothesline from Chyna. Guerrero nails a super rana for 2 then locks in a Gory special. Standard abdominal stretch next, and it’s clear Eddie is trying to soften up that midsection in preparation for his Frog Splash. Chris pancakes Eddie into the mat but collapses himself clutching at his own midsection. He also can’t hit his rolling powerbomb combo, allowing Eddie to counter with a victory roll for 2. They take it in turns applying inverted Gory Special’s which once again ends with both competitors on the deck. Y2J scores with the bulldog but such is the pain in his ribs he doesn’t immediately go for the Lionsault as he normally would. He tries the powerbomb again…COUNTERED WITH A RANA TO THE FLOOR! As the referee checks on Guerrero, Chyna sneaks into the ring to blast Jericho with a DDT. Despite that the challenger manages, at last, to land the rolling powerbombs into the LIONSAULT! Chyna is distracting the referee…so she EATS the springboard dropkick! Eddie is always capable of snatching an opportunity like this though! He hammers Jericho with his title belt to steal the win at 11:57
Rating - *** - Even with the heavy dosage of Chyna interference, I really liked this. It was physical, it told a great story, it had some incredibly athletic stuff in there and made both guys look absolutely terrific. As it’s a house show I’m not sure why they didn’t put the IC Title on the line and give Jericho the popular win but this was still as fun as any match on the show so far.
In the McMahon-Helmsley locker room Shane and HHH bicker about who Vince wants to win the title tonight, in front of a hapless Stephanie.
The Rock vs Shane McMahon vs Triple H – WWF Title Match
Despite the in-fighting between HHH and Shane, it’s clear that Vince’s intentions here are to stack the deck against the Great One. He became WWF Champion just six days ago at Backlash, and has already been put through the ringer. On Raw he had to defend the title against Shane in a Steel Cage Match, and has to deal with former champion Helmsley’s insistence that the game ‘is not over – it’s just beginning’. Will The Rock succumb to superior numbers as he did at Wrestlemania 2000, or will he find a way to overcome the odds and leave victorious as was the case last weekend at Backlash?
At HHH’s insistence, Shane sits out the opening punch-out but soon makes his presence felt as The Rock has to fight off both challengers simultaneously. To the floor they go, with Rocky punching Jerry Lawler’s crown off of McMahon’s head, much to the King’s dismay. He can’t defy the odds forever though and eventually Shane and HHH manage to pin him against the guardrails for a 2-on-1 assault. Shane also helps out by distracting the referee, allowing Helmsley to choke the champion in the corner for as long as he wants. Boxing jabs from McMahon – which impresses HHH so much he tries it for himself. The Rock returns fire with some punches of his own, but the electric crowd are soon silenced again as the challengers hit a facebuster/flying elbow combo. Suplex/diving elbow combo comes next, with the ‘McMahon family members’ so far keep it on the same page. Even Vince gets in on the act by choking Rocky on the bottom rope. Triple H slows the pace with a sleeper hold as Shane prowls the ring roaring his approval. SLEEPER ON SHANE whilst Rock is still in the sleeper himself! Former champ HHH cuts Rock’s momentum off with a jumping knee strike…but finds his attempt at pinning Rocky halted by Shane – who wants to win for himself! They start fighting amongst themselves! Shane MISSES a moonsault and lands on his feet onto to be DDT’d by The Rock. Stephanie hops onto the apron to stop the referee counting the fall though. Shane gets some laughs as he tries to Pedigree Rocky, only to end up getting catapulted into the ref! Steph hands her husband her Women’s Title belt and he NAILS Rock with it, but there’s still no referee to count the fall. Gerald Brisco runs in with a ref’s shirt on – and can only get to 2 before Rocky kicks out. McMahon winds up a chair shot…BUT MISSES AND NAILS HHH! Vince has seen enough and grabs a chair for himself! He doesn’t get to hit Rock with it but does distract him for long enough to allow Helmsley to hit the PEDIGREE! ROCK KICKS OUT! The pop for that was crazy! HHH floors Brisco such is his annoyance at that! PEDIGREE AGAIN! Vince dons a referee’s shirt for himself…only to be dragged out of the ring by Earl Hebner! Vince tries to punch him out AND PUNCHES THE RINGPOST! In the melee Shane inadvertently crotches his own brother-in-law on the top rope. ROCK BOTTOM ON VINCE! PEOPLE’S ELBOW ON SHANE! Rock retains the title at 14:46
Rating - **** - Perhaps I’m over-rating this one, but I thought this was a tremendously exciting ‘sports-entertainment’ style main event. Of course the wrestling wasn’t necessarily first rate, but they had the live audience on the edge of their seats from the first minute. Would The Rock be able to defy the odds? Would the McMahon-Helmsley Faction have a plan? Would HHH and Shane be able to work as a team or not? We had Stephanie and Vince involved cleverly, we had some hilarious moments (Vince punching the ringpost, Vince’s Road Runner style chase with Hebner, Shane’s Pedigree attempt etc), some real intensity from Rock and HHH as their epic rivalry continues – and it all built to the rewarding and popular finale with Rocky hitting his finishers on the McMahons. Don’t sleep on this one.
Tape Rating - ** - This was essentially a ppv-broadcast house show, so don’t expect miracles. The first half of the show was particularly ordinary and, being honest, most workers were just going through the motions. BUT, there was some genuine quality in the second half of the show. Benoit vs Angle (despite it being injured Benoit against green Angle) was still really good. Edge, Christian and the Hardyz working a house show version of their standard match is still very good. The main event may well have been a rehash of Wrestlemania and Backlash, but holy crap did the London fans ever lap it up. Plus the emotional last ppv appearance of British Bulldog adds some real sentimental significance to the show too. I enjoyed this substantially more than I had anticipated
Top 3 Matches
3) Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit (***)
2) Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Jericho (***)
1) The Rock vs Shane McMahon vs Triple H (****)