-[dramatic theme music playing] -[indistinct chatter]
[music ends with echoing rumble]
[Ross] We are experiencing Armageddon.
No holds barred. Anything goes.
It's a son-in-law hammering his father-in-law.
This is a war zone. This is Armageddon.
For the love of his daughter, for his family name, for his own pride,
McMahon's not gonna quit.
My God, they must be 20 or 30 feet off the floor.
Somebody tell me that little girl hasn't turned her back on her father!
Why, Stephanie? Why?
Shane McMahon obviously awaiting Vince McMahon's arrival.
What will Vince McMahon's reaction be tonight?
Just listen to me. Just listen to me.
Would you chill out?
What are you gonna do? Go out there with Triple H, huh?
That's exactly what he wants to happen, huh?
You got all this? You're gonna bash his head in?
I don't think so.
[Ross] The look on Vince McMahon's face tells the story.
He is packing a sledgehammer. He's tryin' to…
[Lawler] Oh my God!
[Ross] Vince just beat down the door of the DX locker room.
-Just stop. Give me that. -I'm going to the ring.
You're going to the-- What do you think you're doing?
You remember one thing, she is still your daughter.
Triple H, come on out, you coward.
What have you done to my family?
What have you done to my daughter?
[Ross] That's not Triple H.
That's Mrs. Triple H.
Oh no.
That's Vince's little girl, Stephanie.
[Stephanie] What are you gonna do with that sledgehammer, Dad?
[dramatic music playing]
What are you gonna do with it? You want to bash Triple H's head in?
You want to bash my brains in?
Do it. That's the only way you're gonna get to Triple H.
Because like it or not, we're married.
[Ross] Oh my God.
You see, Dad, it's always been about what you like, what you want,
even at the expense of your own family
And you know what, Dad?
I'm not daddy's little girl anymore.
[Ross] This girl is breaking her daddy's heart.
[Stephanie] I used to get butterflies when Triple H would look at me.
I didn't want to, I didn't really mean to,
but just the way he would stand up to you, he was so strong and powerful.
And he outsmarted you by making business personal.
And that's something you know all about, Dad, isn't it?
Making business personal.
It's been almost a year since you had me abducted,
locked in a rat-infested basement.
You put me there!
Then you had someone rifle through
all of my personal and private things in my bedroom.
You made them do it. You did.
But then the icing on the cake,
you had me strapped to a symbol
and carried down to this ring
to be sacrificed to The Undertaker in a wedding.
You did it. What goes around, comes around.
You hurt me, and what's the best way that I could hurt you back?
By marrying the man that you hate the most.
My husband, Triple H, Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
And by the way, Triple H really turns me on.
[Lawler] That is the final stake through the heart of Vince McMahon.
Get in the car! Get me out of here! This place stinks!
I can't breathe the same air that son of a [bleep] is!
Get me out of here!
Who's gonna run the family business?
-I guess that leaves you and I. -I guess it does.
I guess we're gonna have to take things over.
[Ross] Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley are in charge of the company store.
I hate to inform you guys,
Mick, Rock, that this match is no DQ.
[Ross] WWE Women's title will be decided.
The new champion is Miss Kitty.
-[Lawler] And in the pudding. -[Ross] In chocolate pudding.
[Stephanie] The three of you are going to take on the Acolytes.
-[Stephanie] Good luck. -[man] Pull up a chair.
-There's gonna be a cage match coming up. -Cage match?
-[Stephanie] Yeah. That's right. -[overlapping chatter]
You're not done yet.
You've got a triple threat match right now.
[Ross] Triple H and Stephanie are making this stuff up as they go.
Another match that has been booked by Stephanie McMahon and her husband.
The Big Boss Man and Prince Albert will act as a tag team
against The Big Show.
-We haven't seen the tag titles defended. -What do you mean? We were just out there.
We should have a Tag Team Championship match.
[Triple H] Who's your opponents?
[Stephanie] Well, I'd kind of like to see you in the ring tonight.
And who's my partner?
[Stephanie] Well, someone you have something in common with, Test.
[Ross] What the hell?
Triple H stomping away at his partner. What the hell is this?
What is this?
Stephanie McMahon set this thing up.
For God's sakes, what has happened to this young woman?
The Outlaws are holding Test.
Is Stephanie slapping Test right on the face?
Jeez! Oh man!
Test has been set up and gotten cornered by DX.
-What has Stephanie McMahon become? -[Lawler] Look! Look!
[Ross] What in the hell could happen?
We'll find out Thursday night on SmackDown.
[chatter]
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?
[chatter continues]
Everyone, may I have your attention please?
[together] Hey, shut up!
[crowd quietens]
[Stephanie] Thanks, guys.
There's reason to be excited. Shut up.
All right, keep it down.
We're here to make an announcement about the way business is gonna be handled here
from now on at World Wrestling Entertainment.
Go ahead.
First thing I'd like to say is that Vince and Shane,
my brother and father, are not here tonight.
[crowd murmuring, chattering]
Hey. Hey, keep it down.
All right, I know everybody's got a little bit of concern
over the way things went Monday night.
But Monday night, we had to assert ourselves.
From now on, things are gonna be handled a little bit differently.
They're gonna be handled a little bit more fair.
There are those of you out here, I'm sure,
that feel like you've been held down in the past.
Well, starting tonight, you're gonna be given your chance to shine.
And there are a few of you out there, I'm sure you know who you are,
who've had everything handed to you on a silver platter.
Well, tonight, your platter gets taken away.
From now on, top to bottom,
everybody here is gonna be treated fairly.
For example,
Mick, I know you've been having a lot of problems with Al Snow lately.
You hate Al. You used to be best friends.
Well, now you get to take your hatred out on him
because tonight, you'll face Al one-on-one.
[crowd murmuring]
And Rock…
I know better than anybody what you want more out of life than anything else
is to get the World Wrestling Entertainment title.
Well, Rock, tonight you get your chance
because you and The Big Show are gonna go one-on-one
for the World Wrestling Entertainment title.
-[crowd chatter] -[scattered applause]
[Triple H] Ladies and gentlemen…
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight marks the dawning of a new era
in World Wrestling Entertainment.
The McMahon-Helmsley era.
-[man] Yeah! -[crowd chatter]
[dramatic rock music playing]
["Everybody on the Ground" playing]
[cacophonous popping explosions]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, as the dawning of a new era begins,
we welcome you to WWE SmackDown on UPN.
Tonight, we're at the campus of Florida State University,
home of the Seminoles,
and, King, who knows where this caravan,
captained by Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley, is gonna take us tonight.
[Lawler] Well, you heard it, Michael. The McMahon-Helmsley era has begun!
Ha-ha! This is gonna be great!
[dramatic entrance music playing]
[Cole] Well, folks, we're kicking off SmackDown
with the Hardcore Champion, the Big Boss Man,
accompanied to the ring by Prince Albert.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, making his way to the ring,
Prince Albert
and the World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Champion, the Big Boss Man.
[Cole] Well, King, we just heard that Vince McMahon and Shane
are not here tonight, according to Stephanie McMahon
and her husband, Triple H.
But what about what we just heard from those two then?
They're gonna start giving people some opportunities around here,
that they're gonna start to play fair.
Do you buy any of that?
[Lawler] Sure, I buy it.
I told you, Triple H is the game,
and now that this marriage made in heaven has come to fruition,
I think this is gonna be the greatest thing ever for the WWE.
Wait, wait, wait, you don't doubt Triple H?
You don't think he's lying or something like that, do you?
-[Cole] No, I never said that. -[Lawler] Okay, okay.
[Cole] But after what happened Monday night, I mean…
I guess, there is sort of a doubt in my mind
after what we saw on Monday night.
It seemed like Triple H and Stephanie were carrying out some personal vendettas.
[Lawler] Let me write this down, you doubt Triple H.
-No. -Michael Cole--
-I said there could be some doubts, King. -Oh, okay.
[crowd booing]
I want you people to shut up!
[crowd booing louder]
[Lawler] They're about as popular here as Virginia Tech.
If you think what I did to Al Snow was bad,
if you think what I did to Big Show's fake daddy was cruel,
wait till the Big Boss Man takes care of the rest of the morons
in World Wrestling Entertainment because I--
["Break Down the Walls" playing]
[Cole] Wait a minute, King, that's… that's Y2J music.
[Lawler] Oh yeah.
["Break the Walls Down" playing]
[Cole] Well, Chris Jericho is the Intercontinental Champion.
He defeated Chyna last Sunday at Armageddon.
But he's out here tonight on SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
What a ride it's gonna be here tonight, King.
The Rock and Big Show for the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship.
-[Lawler] Wow. -[Cole] Mankind, Al Snow, one-on-one.
All those matches set up by Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley.
[Lawler] And, you know, it may not be--
-Boss Man. -[Lawler] Uh-oh, wait a minute.
I'm sure that your mother once told you
if you can't say anything nice about anybody,
don't say anything at all.
Well, tonight, Y2J is telling you,
if you can't say something entertaining, then shut the hell up!
-[Lawler laughs] -[crowd cheering]
Because while you're out here boring all of the Jerichoholics,
I'm standing in the back begging to show off
my new and improved "Inter-Chrisinental" Championship belt.
[Lawler] "Chrisinental?" "Inter-Chrisinental?"
And since you're already in the ring
with your goofy-looking buddy, Prince Alan,
maybe I should just enter the ring and destroy you both, Ayatollah-style.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] So Y2J laying out a challenge here on SmackDown.
Chris Jericho just challenged both Boss Man and--
[Lawler] Look at this!
[Cole] Prince Albert takes him up on the challenge, and here we go.
And Prince Albert delivering those knife edge chops.
-Wait a minute, what is this? -[Chyna's "Who I Am" music playing]
[Lawler] We got a match going here.
[Cole] Yeah, you know whose music that is, King?
Oh my!
Jericho with the dropkick to Prince Albert.
And here comes the 9th Wonder of the World, Chyna.
Chris Jericho delivers the spinning heel kick to Prince Albert.
[Lawler] And look, she's got the Women's Champion with her, Miss-- No.
-[Lawler] The Kat. -[Cole] The Kat.
[Lawler] Chyna and The Kat.
[Cole] We saw Chyna on Monday night and that was--
-Oh my. -[crowd gasps]
Prince Albert with authority.
That was an odd situation,
Chyna showing up at ringside Monday night on Raw during the Jericho match.
[Lawler] Yeah, I still haven't figured that out.
[Cole] Chyna involving herself in the match
between Chris Jericho and X-Pac.
We still don't know why she came down
and we don't know why she's here tonight.
And there's a cover now by Prince Albert
and a kickout by Chris Jericho after two.
[Lawler] What about how we saw The Kat Monday night?
[Cole] Yeah, The Kat, the former Miss Kitty.
-[Lawler] In pudding. -[Cole] In pudding.
[Lawler] "I tought I taw a pudding Kat."
[Cole] Whipped into the corner now, Chris Jericho, Y2J.
Boot to the face of Prince Albert, the 370-pounder.
And what a bicycle kick.
That scissors kick to the chin of Chris Jericho.
-Here is a cover. -One, two--
[Cole] There's two and a kickout by Y2J.
[Lawler] What is the deal with Chyna and The Kat?
I mean, they're just…
They're just standing there watching this match for some reason?
[Cole] Well, we saw Chris J-- What is this?
-[Triple H] These grapes are kinda sour. -[Stephanie] They are.
[Cole] It's Triple H and Stephanie.
This match is pretty good, though.
This match is pretty good.
-You did a great job booking this. -What do you mean?
[Cole] Well, the Helmsleys watching this matchup and enjoying it there, King.
-I didn't. -Well… somebody did.
-You know, what the hell. -Let's toast.
Here's to a new era.
The McMahon-Helmsley era.
[Cole] And Jericho, nice flying tackle. There's two.
Hooked the leg but Prince Albert got the left shoulder up.
[Lawler] I think I heard Stephanie and Triple H say
neither one of them booked this match. How'd it happen?
[Cole] Well, nonetheless, Jericho's Intercontinental title
is on the line here.
And Jericho now, look at this, Prince Albert whipped into the corner.
The Intercontinental title's on the line.
Nice bulldog by Y2J Chris Jericho on Prince Albert,
as Chyna and Miss Kitty in caucus there, looking on.
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] We saw Chris Jericho at Armageddon. And wait a minute.
Trying to turn Big Boss Man, I should say Prince Albert
over into the Walls of Jericho,
and Boss Man up on the apron of the ring with a distraction…
Oh! Thumb to the eyes.
[Lawler] Look at this!
[Cole] Nightstick tossed by Boss Man to punch out--
-[Lawler] Chyna, oh! -Chyna from behind!
Chyna just delivered a low blow to Prince Albert.
King, what did she do that for?
[Lawler] I don't get it. Look out!
[Cole] From the second rope, hooking the leg by Jericho.
Jericho retains the title. But you've got to give an assist to Chyna.
[announcer] …and still World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Champion…
Chris Jericho!
[Lawler] Wait a minute! Help me figure this out, Michael.
I don't think Chris Jericho can figure it out either.
What's up with Chyna?
She helped Chris Jericho remain Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] And at Armageddon, after their matchup there, King,
when Chyna lost the title, she shoved Chris Jericho's hand.
-What do you think Chyna did that? -I don't know.
I could never figure out what Chyna was going to do.
Or any woman for that matter. [clears throat]
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Well, it's just an expression.
I didn't mean anything by it.
Is it a knock at women? You don't know what we're gonna do?
Why, do we surprise you? I might surprise you now.
What are you getting all bent out of shape for?
-Hold on a second. Where are you going? -Forget it.
Where are you going?
I'm going to ringside.
For what?
I want to check somebody out.
Hey, wait a minute. Check out who?
Kurt Angle.
-He's kinda cute. -The ostrich jerky salesman?
He's cute.
Come on. Who's he wrestling?
-Test. -Test?
Hey, wait a second.
-Hold on a second. You can't just… -[Lawler] She's coming out here.
You're not going anywhere, and that's final.
I'm going. You can't tell me what to do.
I can tell you what to do and you're not going anywhere.
Look, what we did to Test, I don't trust him for a second.
-I don't know what he's capable of doing. -Look, I know Test, okay?
Yeah, you know him too well.
What you're gonna do is you're gonna sit right here,
you're gonna drink some champagne, and we're gonna have a good time.
You know what? I'm going. Drink by yourself.
-[Cole] Whoa. -["Medal" entrance music playing]
Stephanie McMahon obviously on her way out here.
[Lawler] This is unbelievable.
I think Triple H may wear the pants in that family,
but I think Stephanie tells him what pair to wear.
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
weighing in at 237 pounds,
he is the only Olympic gold medalist
to grace a World Wrestling Entertainment ring
and the most celebrated real athlete in the WWE, Kurt Angle!
[Cole] The Olympic gold medalist set for action
and, King, this will be Kurt Angle's biggest test,
no pun intended, to date, when he takes on Test in this one.
Angle having his problems with Steve Blackman as of late
where it started last week and, of course, made their way to Armageddon
this past Sunday.
-["This is a Test" entrance music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent.
He weighs in at 282 pounds, Test!
[Lawler] I'm gonna tell you something about Test.
If I were a betting man, which I'm not,
but if I were a betting man, I'd have to put my money on Kurt Angle
because he practices the three Is:
intelligence, integrity, and most of all, intensity.
-Now, Test-- -[dramatic entrance music playing]
-Uh-oh. -Hey, wait a minute.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] Well…
And Test looks back.
[crowd cheering]
Here comes his former fiancée, Stephanie McMahon.
-[Lawler] Look at this. -Hey, wait a minute.
Kurt Angle takes advantage from behind as he goes to work on Test
as Stephanie McMahon makes her way down to ringside.
And, King, I'll tell you what,
what an emotional week it's been here for Test.
[Lawler] That's what I'm saying, That's why I put my money on Kurt Angle
because-- oh-- Test, he doesn't have that intensity.
He lost it over this love affair with Stephanie.
[Cole] A swinging neckbreaker by Test whips Kurt Angle into the ropes.
And here comes Angle now.
And Test with a spinning sidewalk slam on Kurt Angle.
[Lawler] More importantly, here comes Stephanie Helmsley.
[Cole] Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.
[Stephanie] Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, actually.
[Lawler] Okay.
[Cole] And Test, with a few words for Stephanie,
gets caught by Kurt Angle, rolls him over, and a kickout after two.
-[Stephanie] Now this thing fits right. -[Cole] Very nice, very nice.
[Stephanie] I've got to get some new equipment that works.
Stephanie, first off, we heard your husband, Triple H, saying--
Again, Test distracted by the fact that Stephanie is out here at ringside.
[crowd gasps]
-Aren't you worried being out here? -Would you shut up!
-Worried? Please. -Did you just blow somebody a kiss?
I blew Test a kiss.
-He seems to be in need of one. -He's still smitten with you, isn't he?
[Stephanie] And why would I be worried about someone I've made a fool of? Please.
Test doesn't scare me.
[Cole] We saw that happen on Raw Monday night
when you did embarrass, humiliate Test
in front of a nationwide television audience.
[Stephanie] Yes, I did.
[Cole] Here is a cover by Kurt Angle, hook to the leg.
It could be over. And Test gets the shoulder up.
[Lawler] Well, I just want to say this, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley,
that I am so excited about this new situation,
the McMahon-Helmsley era, because I mean, let's face it, you--
[Stephanie] Kurt is cute, isn't he?
[Lawler] He's a nice-looking guy.
You guys are young, you're vibrant, innovative.
You've got some new ideas that are gonna be happening.
I think it's gonna be great for the WWE.
[Stephanie] You know what, King, I find it kind of funny that
when I came out here before and I was together with Test,
you didn't seem to be so supportive.
[Lawler] I didn't think Test was the right guy for you.
Well, and now here you are
and you just seem to be buttering up to me a little.
I just want to make sure that that's not the case.
-[Lawler] Oh, certainly not. -[Stephanie] You know.
[Cole] Test and Kurt Angle come to their feet.
Stephanie, I'd like to ask you, we heard at the top of the program
that you are going to be basically fair, you're gonna give people opportunities,
people who haven't had opportunities in the past
Can we take you at your word for that?
[Stephanie] Absolutely, this is the dawning of a new era,
the Helmsley-McMahon era.
[Cole] Oh my! Test with a great reversal on Kurt Angle.
Hooks the leg. Here's the cover.
There's two, almost had three, and kickout by Kurt Angle.
Get your cute self out of that hold.
[Cole] Kurt Angle's undefeated streak almost dumping smoke on that one.
And Test in control but he telegraphed it, and Kurt Angle takes advantage now.
And look at Test setting him up. Oh, what a maneuver!
He does have some power, Test, I'll give that to him.
[Lawler] But he is not really as attractive,
I'm talking about to a female, as Kurt Angle, is that right?
-Well… -Tell me.
Which one of these guys would be more attractive?
-He's cheating. He's cheating. -[crowd counting]
Which of these guys would have the most--
Wait, Stephanie didn't like the fact that Test was using a closed fist.
-Ring that bell! Ring that bell! -[bell dings]
[Cole] She just called for the bell, King. What's going on?
-[crowd member] Stephanie, you suck! -Disqualified!
The winner of this match as a result of disqualification…
Had a closed fist!
[announcer] …Kurt Angle.
[Cole] Stephanie McMahon just had Test disqualified.
-[Lawler] She overruled the ref. -[crowd booing]
-He was breaking the rules, Michael. -That's illegal.
[Cole] But that's something we see every night, almost every match.
[Lawler] It's still against the rules. It's a closed fist.
[Cole] And look at Kurt Angle hopping around for joy
that he stayed undefeated here on SmackDown.
-Wait a minute. -Oh, look out.
[Lawler] Hold it there, Test.
Don't get testy.
This is a new era. It's… What's he gonna do, Michael?
[Cole] King, I tell you, Test has probably had enough of this entire situation.
He was humiliated, embarrassed
on national television Monday night
and he is gonna have a few words here for Miss McMahon-Helmsley.
[Lawler] Or maybe he's not.
[Cole] Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley had Test disqualified in this matchup.
Can you blame Test, everything he's been through the past few weeks,
this emotional roller coaster?
[Lawler] Well, I can't blame him for being upset
but he better show a little respect.
She is the new head honcho around here.
[Cole] Now Test is not too happy.
He's not pleased, to say the least.
[Lawler] Is he stalking the boss?
[Cole] Wait a minute, look at that. That's Billy Gunn!
Billy Gunn attacking Test from behind!
And DX, X-Pac, and Road Dogg.
King, was this a setup?
Stephanie was never in any danger out here.
[Lawler] What do you mean?
There is no telling what Test was capable of.
[Cole] Did Stephanie McMahon lead Test into this DX ambush?
[Lawler] Oh, wait, here comes Triple H.
[Cole] Yeah, her husband Triple H.
-Oh no. -[Test screams]
[Cole] Right to the nose. Triple H right into the face.
Keep in mind, Test has suffered a broken nose before
and Triple H just delivered that right hand to the face of Test.
[Lawler] He wants to spread his nose all over his face.
I gotta tell you, Test has got a broken nose again, look.
[Cole] He's holding the nose, Test is.
-Triple H with that right hand. -[Lawler laughs]
[announcer] And now, the WWE Slam of the Week,
presented by the WWE Slam Cam!
Put yourself in the action.
[Ross] Jeff on top.
-Jeff Hardy on top. No. No. No! -[Lawler] He's crazy!
[gasps] For God's sakes!
[Ross] Jeff Hardy tryin' to senton bomb from the top of the cage,
but nobody was there.
My God, that gives new meaning to high risk.
[Lawler] This is not high risk, this is insane!
-[Lawler] Oh! -That is suicidal.
[Lawler] What was he thinking?
[announcer] That was the WWE Slam of the Week,
presented by the WWE Slam Cam!
Put yourself in the action.
[Cole] And we're back on SmackDown, and King recorded during the break.
You see the EMTs along with Pat Patterson is there,
and Gerald Brisco tending to Test,
who was the victim of a vicious attack by D-Generation X.
Triple H delivering a blow to Test's nose
which had been broken by DX once before.
-Take it easy, okay? We'll be with you. -We need to get in there.
Pat, Gerry, what the hell are you guys doing?
[clamoring]
Don't interfere in our business, all right?
You don't interfere in our business.
Stephanie, please, we're trying to help him.
She told you to stay out of it!
You wanna be helpful? I'll tell you what.
You help yourself tonight to a match with The Outlaws.
We're not wrestling The Outlaws. You're crazy.
You're gonna wrestle The Outlaws.
I'm gonna do you a favor, and I'm gonna make it a title match.
-We're not going to do it. -If you don't do it, you're fired!
What do you mean we're fired?
-Come on, Steph. -We're not gonna do it.
-Let's get him to a hospital. -Calm down!
[Lawler] Did you hear that?
[Cole] Patterson and Brisco versus The Outlaws for the tag titles tonight.
And if they don't compete, they're fired.
Yeah, well, wouldn't hurt my feelings if they chickened out.
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
Making their way to the ring, being accompanied by Terri.
Introducing first, weighing in at 217 pounds, Jeff Hardy!
And his opponent, he weighs in at 213 pounds,
Matt Hardy!
[Lawler] Wow.
[Cole] Well, folks, Royal Rumble.
1-800-Collect presents the Royal Rumble.
1-800-Collect, the easy way to save.
[Lawler] Check this out now. We got Hardy Boy against Hardy Boy.
[Cole] And Terri Runnels does not look too pleased.
Due to an order, King, by the Helmsleys, it's brother versus brother here tonight.
[bell dings]
[Lawler] The McMahon-Helmsleys.
[Cole] Matt and Jeff did not want to participate in this matchup
but they're being forced to fight by Stephanie and Triple H.
[Lawler] Maybe they'll get fired too. [laughs] This is great.
And here we go now, lockup in the center of ring.
Nice takedown by Matt Hardy on Jeff.
What do you think the motivation could be for Stephanie and Triple H
to set up this type of matchup, brother versus brother?
[Lawler] What do you mean motivation? Athletic competition.
You, Jim Ross, all these guys are talking
about how great these young guys are, Matt and Jeff,
so let's see who's the greatest of the two.
[Cole] Well, I can tell you, they've grown up with each other,
they've trained with each other for probably 15 or 20 years.
[Lawler] Duh. They're brothers.
[Cole] They know each other extremely well, each other's moves.
-[Lawler laughs] -[Cole] What?
[Lawler] I just wish you were smarter, you'd know how stupid you sound.
"They know each other extremely well"? They're brothers!
[Cole] Oh my! Nice back body drop by Matt Hardy.
King, could it be that perhaps Triple H is helping out his DX brethren
by booking a match like this?
I mean, well, The Hardy Boyz are a team that threaten to take the tag titles
from the New Age Outlaws down the road.
Perhaps they're trying to destroy this team,
like the cage match that was set up Monday night
between the Hardys and Edge and Christian.
[Lawler] You think everything or everybody has an ulterior motive, Michael Cole.
[Cole] I'm just asking questions, King. That's all.
[Lawler] What is this? Another one of those theories of yours?
Conspiracy theory or something? Grassy Knoll and all that sort of stuff.
[Cole] And Jeff Hardy backed in the corner by his brother Matt.
[Lawler] These guys are two young, great athletes.
-Well, they're great athletes. -Here we go.
[Cole] And Jeff Hardy I think's had enough now.
-We're gonna get it on. -Tempers are going to flare.
-Oh, look at Terri. -And Terri into the ring.
-[Lawler] Whoa! -[Cole] Trying to break it up a little.
[Cole] Jeff Hardy wanted none of it, here we go.
Matt and Jeff hammering away on each other.
[Lawler] Terri don't wanna see anything happen to her meal ticket.
She got shoved to the side.
[Cole] And Terri Runnels trying to be a voice of reason in this matchup,
as Jeff Hardy is ripped off the ropes.
Matt misses with a right hand.
[Lawler] You know this match had to happen.
Both of these guys probably think they're the guy
that carries the weight on this team.
We'll see who really is the top dog.
Jeff Hardy slides underneath the bottom rope.
Look at this.
Matt keeps his balance and turns it into a DDT.
Tremendous maneuver by Matt Hardy.
[Lawler] You know what? This is a great matchup.
You got to admit that Triple H and Stephanie
are doing a great job of putting these matches.
What about The Rock going against The Big Show?
[Cole] Cover by Matt Hardy. Two, and Jeff gets his left shoulder up.
[Lawler] Rock against The Big Show for the WWE title later on tonight.
Everybody wants to see that.
Everybody wants to see The Rock against The Big Show.
-[Lawler] We got that tonight. -[Cole] Al Snow and Mankind.
-Oh, that's what I said. -No, you didn't.
You said Rock and Big Show twice.
Patterson and Brisco against the New Age Outlaws.
Tag team titles on the line. They have to compete or they're fired.
Keep it up, Cole, and it'll be me and you here tonight too.
[Cole] Man, nice takedown by Jeff Hardy. He rolls into the cover.
Reversal by Matt, there is two, and Jeff pops out.
[Lawler] Come on, right now.
[Cole] Cover again on Matt.
Look at this, tremendous action by the Hardy brothers.
[Lawler] Come on, which do you think is the baddest brother, Matt or Jeff?
[Cole] They're pretty equal to me, King.
Matt delivers the right hand.
Here is the cover, hooks the leg,
and a kickout after two by Jeff Hardy.
-And The Rock-- -So you're picking Jeff Hardy?
I'm not picking either one of them. It's been a great matchup so far.
Rock and Big Show to meet for the WWE Championship.
[Lawler] Oh my gosh, look at this.
[Cole] Triple H and Stephanie said that they were gonna give people opportunities.
And Jeff Hardy. Matt rolled out of the way and again, King,
we've seen Jeff Hardy do that a number of occasions.
Matt Hardy felt it coming, rolled out of the way.
And Jeff Hardy, Matt couldn't get out of the way of that one,
and Jeff flew over the top rope.
[Lawler] He felt that coming, he felt it get there too.
[Cole] And Jeff Hardy wipes out Matt outside the ring and tosses him back in.
-That's it. -Here is Jeff with a cover on Matt.
[Cole] Two, and Matt Hardy gets his shoulder up.
Again, The Hardy Boyz are one of those teams
much like, say, Edge and Christian…
[Lawler] I'm picking Jeff.
[Cole] …who are, you know, on the road to possibly down the road
taking the Tag Team titles from New Age Outlaws,
they are a threat to the five-time champions.
Can you tell me if Terri Runnels has a concerned look on her face?
Because I haven't looked at her face yet.
-Oh! -Jeff Hardy face-first.
Great counter by Matt, rolls into the cover.
There is one, there is two, Jeff gets the shoulder up again.
[Lawler] Let's face it, they are on UPN, national TV.
This is the big chance for one of these guys to become a huge star.
[Cole] Triple H and Stephanie McMahon forced this matchup,
forced these brothers to fight.
Jeff and Matt did not want to go on with this matchup.
-And now they have no choice. -[Lawler] Whoa!
Matt Hardy tossed off the second rope and look at Jeff climbing high now.
-Come on, Jeff. -Jeff Hardy.
[Cole] Senton bomb from the top rope, right into the sternum of Matt Hardy.
[Lawler] Oh, look. She is concerned.
[Cole] And look at Terri as Jeff rolls into the cover.
-Told you. -And Matt Hardy gets the shoulder up.
I thought that one was it.
You saw Jeff Hardy attempt that senton bomb, King,
from the top of that steel cage Monday night on Raw.
[Lawler] Come on, Jeff.
[Cole] Jeff setting him up, nice block by Matt Hardy.
-Counter by Jeff again. -That cage match was another great match
that was put together by Stephanie and Triple H.
[Cole] And look at Matt now, counter by Jeff, rolls into the leg sweep.
[Lawler] You know that match got a huge rating Monday?
-[Cole] It did? -[Lawler] Oh yeah.
And anyway, it's just that time of year,
time for out with the old and in with the new.
-Yeah, look at now, Jeff-- -Look! Oh man.
Just off the top rope, kept his balance.
It looks like he hurt his left leg there.
And Matt Hardy tries to take advantage, hooks the leg now…
-This one's over. -I told you, yeah!
[Cole] Jeff Hardy made a mistake, landed wrong on that leg.
[Lawler] My man Matt has won!
[Cole] And Matt Hardy takes advantage and picks up the win over his brother.
[Lawler] What a match.
[Cole] Let's take another look at exactly what happened.
Jeff Hardy attempting the high risk maneuver from the top rope,
you see him injure his leg there
and his brother Matt, the older brother, Matt Hardy takes advantage
and picks up the win over Jeff Hardy.
Again, they didn't want to fight each other.
They were forced into this by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
and her husband, Triple H.
[door slams]
Who the hell do you think you are?
Monday night was the epitome of humiliation.
Me in a pudding match. A pudding match!
[The Kat scoffs]
And I loved that spontaneous triple threat match
you put Kane in. Real, real nice.
You know, I just came in here to tell you once and for all,
for the record, no more humiliation, not with us ever again.
You know what, Tori, actually, I think you'll suffer a little more humiliation
when you face me tonight.
Whoa, hey, who the hell do you think you are?
-You're not a wrestler. -[scoffs]
I can take Tori. I can take care of myself.
Hey, you--
[knock on door]
Come in.
-Hey, guys. -Hi.
We just want to say, listen, we learned our lesson Monday night
from the Acolytes and, you know, if there's anything…
Steph, I just want to say, you know, good luck in your match with Tori.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, good luck.
And listen, if there's anything we can do, please let us know.
-Anything. -You know what?
I think there is something you guys could do.
-[dramatic entrance music playing] -[Cole] What?
What was that all about, King?
[Lawler] Well, I think I know what that was about.
That was the Mean Street Posse probably--
[announcer] …scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring, Tori!
[Cole] Now, Tori on her way to the ring, King,
and it's gonna be Tori and Stephanie McMahon one-on-one.
[Lawler] I can't believe it. Look. Look at Kane.
[Cole] That's Tori's boyfriend, Kane,
The Big Red Machine looking on and you know, Kane and Tori,
they're gonna enjoy this match, King.
I mean, Tori, of course, humiliated on Monday night,
forced into that pudding match when she wasn't ready.
Kane, of course, forced into this triple threat match
against the New Age Outlaws.
[Lawler] Michael, it doesn't get any bigger than this.
I can't really believe that this is gonna happen.
Stephanie McMahon is gonna enter a wrestling ring to compete.
-[Cole] In a leather skirt. -Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.
[Lawler] Oh baby! This is gonna be good.
[announcer] And her opponent, accompanied to the ring by Triple H,
Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley!
[Cole] Well, Tori's got to be licking her chops, King,
knowing she's gonna get the opportunity to go one-on-one with Stephanie McMahon.
And, you know, King, some say Stephanie may actually deserve what she gets.
[Lawler] What do you mean what she gets?
This is history in the making right here. You don't get any bigger than this.
[Cole] So the McMahon-Helmsley coalition, so to speak…
Hold on, hold on. Wait just a minute.
The reason why I made this match
is so that I could humiliate you
and put you…
-[Cole] Hey! -[Lawler] Look!
[Cole] Wait a minute.
The Posse, Rodney, Pete Gas, they ambushed Kane.
-Look at this! -The Posse, they're attacking Kane.
[Stephanie] That looks like it hurts.
[Cole] Look at Tori. And Tori can't believe it.
[Triple H] That's horrible.
Somebody should help him.
[Stephanie] God. Oh God. What are they doing to him?
[Lawler] There's nobody to help Kane.
-He's fallen down, he can't get up. -Oh man!
[Stephanie] Ouch!
[Cole] It's three on one. They ambushed Kane.
Was that what they were talking about when the Posse asked
if there was something they could do?
[Lawler] I don't know but Tori is…
[Stephanie] Hey, Tori, you might want to stop for a second,
Things have changed a little bit
and I'd like to introduce your real opponent.
-[Lawler] What? -[Cole] What?
-["Make Some Noise" playing] -Oh no.
No. They…
They can't be-- They can't be serious.
They can't be serious.
[Lawler] Tori is gonna have to face X-Pac.
What about this?
I mean, X-Pac formerly was partnered with Kane
and how many times has X-Pac delivered that spin kick to the face of Tori.
[Cole] And what about at Armageddon on Sunday, the X-Factor to Tori.
Too many times to remember
and X-Pac is gonna go one-on-one with Tori tonight.
[Lawler] And now Kane is in no condition to help her.
Wait a minute, Stephanie just tossed Tori back into the ring.
[Cole] So Triple H's buddy, X-Pac…
I mean, King, we saw, we heard at the top of the program--
-And Tori just spat at X-Pac. -In his face.
[Cole] And X-Pac shoving Tori into the corner, knocking her down.
Is this the fairness that Stephanie McMahon and Triple H
were talking about earlier on tonight?
-[Lawler] Here we go. -[Cole] Bronco buster, no.
-[crowd gasping] -[Cole] No, how humiliating for Tori.
[Lawler] I think Triple H actually
was holding the hair of Tori to keep her in place.
[Cole] Well, X-Pac knows that Tori's boyfriend Kane's been taken out
and he's relishing this moment. This is despicable.
-Oh my God. No! -The X-Factor.
-[Lawler] That didn't last long. -[Cole] Now the humiliation of the pin.
[bell dings]
[Cole] And look at Triple H and his wife, Stephanie.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Well, their plans are working to perfection.
[Cole] Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it, King,
but the McMahon-Helmsley coalition in full force tonight.
We're back on SmackDown and, King, during the break,
recovering somewhat after an ambush by the Mean Street Posse,
Kane came down to the ring to help his girlfriend, Tori,
who's humiliated, forced into a match against X-Pac.
[Lawler] That was a little more than humiliation.
She suffered some serious--
Well, we're live now.
I guess…
Looks like Kane is taking Tori right out of the building.
[Cole] I don't blame him, King.
I mean, how much more can anyone take.
-Did a great job, didn't we? -We kicked his ass!
-You guys did a good job. -No. Wait a minute.
-You guys did a horrible job. -What?
Kane just left here with Tori.
You guys did a horrible job and I'll tell you what…
it was a valiant effort
but just to reward you guys for that effort,
I'm gonna give you a little rematch with the Acolytes, how's that?
-The Acolytes? -That's a great idea.
-Have a good time, boys. -Congratulations, guys.
-Have a good time. -[Lawler] Uh-ho!
Oh, poor Posse.
Thanks for stopping by.
Don't' you worry, I'm gonna have that worthless suck-up, Mankind,
back here in just a few minutes.
You guys keep your end of the bargain, I'll keep mine.
Hey, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.
Thanks again.
[Cole] What is Al Snow up to?
-[Lawler] What'd it look like? -[Cole] He was talking to DX, obviously.
["Wreck" playing]
[Cole] And here comes that bestselling author,
Hardcore legend, Mankind,
set to go one-on-one with his former best buddy, Al Snow,
in a match set up by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
and her husband Triple H.
[Lawler] Right.
You can't argue that this is not a match everybody wants to see.
[announcer] Making his way, he weighs in at 287 pounds,
Mankind!
[Cole] Another match set up tonight by Triple H and Stephanie,
The Rock versus Big Show,
the WWE title on the line tonight here on SmackDown.
And SmackDown is brought to you by Arizona Jeans.
At least part of you is comfortable.
[Lawler] And by Western Union Money Transfer,
the fastest way to send money worldwide.
[Cole] And by WWE Slam Cam brought to you by WWE Slam Cam!
Put yourself in the action with the WWE Slam Cam.
-[Lawler laughs] -What does everybody want?
[announcer] And his opponent in this falls count anywhere match,
from Lima, Ohio, weighing in at 245 pounds,
Al Snow!
I think Mick Foley, Mankind, whatever you want to call him
just realized that falls count anywhere in this match.
They can wrestle all over Florida if they want to.
So it's Mankind against Al Snow.
Both of these guys used to be best buddies and Al Snow…
Oh my! …went after Mankind with that baseball bat.
Mankind counter, goes to work on the right hand.
[Lawler] I'm so sick of hearing that these guys used to be best buddies.
Look at 'em, Michael.
[Cole] It was a friendship that went sour
went south in a hurry, King, all based on the fact that Al Snow
is extremely jealous of Mankind's relationship
with the People's Champion, The Rock.
[Lawler] Wait a minute, I don't think that's it at all.
Mankind butchered Al Snow in that book of his.
How long have they been friends?
[Cole] Al Snow whipped off the ropes, elbow by Mankind.
We saw these two lock up on SmackDown last week.
Tremendous matchup.
And Al to the gut with that bat.
Al Snow, and another one to the side of the head
and Mankind knocked out of the ring.
[crowd booing]
He is proud of himself using that baseball bat, Al Snow is.
[Lawler] You got to admit, this is great match-making.
Oh, wait a minute.
-He's swinging for the face. -Don't do this. No!
[Cole] Al Snow shattering that bat against the post.
Mankind moving out of the way at the last minute.
And Mankind delivers a right hand as these two battle outside the ring.
And Al Snow kicked to the mid-section.
Oh man, what a kick by Mankind.
Mankind and Al Snow battle it out at ringside. Look out, King!
Al Snow right into the announce table chair.
-Oh no. -Hey, falls count anywhere.
-[Cole] Watch it, King. -[Lawler] Oh no!
[Lawler] Hey. Hey, get up, Al.
Falls count anywhere. Do something. Now a little offense.
-Oh! -[crowd gasping]
[Lawler exclaims]
Hey, Ref, how about helping us out here a little bit.
Got it! Got it!
-He's got-- That's my chair! -[Mankind muttering]
[man] Get him, Mick!
I know his shoulders were down, I know falls count anywhere,
but can you get them back to the ring, Teddy Long?
This is ridiculous.
Michael Cole, where are you?
We got Mankind dragging Al Snow around this entire arena.
[Cole] Can you hear me, King?
[Lawler] Come on, Al ain't gonna hurt you. Get back on headsets.
[Cole] And Mankind and Al Snow underneath the ring now.
Falls count anywhere-- Oh my!
That metal plate to the head of Mankind.
-Why'd you run, Michael? -Why'd I run?
Just stay behind me.
That chair came flying, I wasn't sitting here.
And Al Snow has taken control of this matchup,
falls count anywhere, against Mankind.
Looks like Al's got some toys out here.
[overlapping commentary]
[Cole] How did they get there, King?
How did all these toys, as you call 'em, get underneath the ring?
Oh man.
That lid to the head of Mankind. Another vicious shot by Al Snow.
[Lawler] Gosh.
[Cole] Al Snow has completely lost it.
Al Snow has gone over the deep end the past couple of weeks,
because of this situation with Mankind.
[Lawler] It's that book.
Mankind has got nobody to blame but himself.
[Cole] King, did Al Snow plant those weapons under the ring?
Did he put them out there? Did he sucker Mankind into this?
[Lawler] You have to get inside Al Snow's head,
and that's a scary place to be, to find out those answers.
-I'm doing this 'cause I care! -[Mankind grunting]
Doing this 'cause I love you!
[Cole] Al Snow screaming again at Mankind.
And Al Snow in control, this crowd comes to its feet
here at Florida State University.
-[Lawler] What's this? -[Cole] Street sign.
[Cole] Al Snow with that metal street sign.
Oh man, misses… Mankind.
-[Lawler] Oh no. -[Cole] Look out.
Double DDT face-first into that steel, that steel sign!
And Al Snow, his head bouncing off that steel in the middle of the ring.
And Mankind going for Socko.
-[Lawler] No, wait a minute. -[Cole] It's Socko time.
[Lawler] Not that stinkin', filthy sock.
I know falls count anywhere but that's gotta be illegal.
[Cole] It's Mr. Socko time in Florida State.
[Lawler] This is inhumane, Michael, that--
You know where that sock's been? It's been down in his filthy underwear.
Ah! Oh, there you go.
-[Cole] Al Snow ducks out of the ring. -[Lawler] Good move.
Right in time as Mr. Socko was heading for the gullet.
And look at Mankind now.
Falls count anywhere.
Al Snow setting him up on that steel ramp.
-Oh no. -Look at this!
[Cole] Oh man, suplex on that steel
and you can hear Mankind's back thunder off the steel.
[Lawler laughs] That could be it. Hit him right there. You got him.
[Cole] Oh! Face-first again by Al Snow.
[Lawler] Come on, Al, do the smart thing, pin him.
[Cole] This match was set up
by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and her husband Triple H.
Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon are not here tonight at SmackDown.
They left Raw in disgust on Monday.
[Lawler] I know you're upset about this match but don't forget,
they also set up another match for later on tonight.
The Rock versus The Big Show for the WWE title, that's great!
[Cole] And they also set up the New Age Outlaws
against Patterson and Brisco for the tag title.
[Lawler] That's great. Wait a minute, look at this.
[Cole] And Al Snow is putting on a… That isn't… King?
[Lawler] What is it?
He's getting…
It's a bowling shirt! No wonder!
[Cole] And a bowling ball.
[Lawler] Gonna go for that-- Oh!
[Cole] And Mankind with a low blow.
-[Lawler] Wait, no. -[Cole] Mr. Socko that is, Mr. Socko.
[Lawler] No, he's got some tongs.
He's got a set of tongs.
[Cole] Oh man, Mr. Socko and tongs hammering away on Al Snow.
It's the deadly tong hold.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Mankind's in control.
[Lawler] Oh no.
[Cole] And look out, Al Snow looks like he's in La La Land.
Oh no.
Wait a minute. We got street sign, tongs, and now bowling balls.
-Mankind is setting him up. -[Lawler] Thinks he's Dick Weber! Oh!
[crowd gasping]
Mankind with a strike to Al Snow.
[Lawler] I don't think so.
I think he's still left a seven and ten pin.
[Cole] And Al Snow gasping for air--
Mankind knocks him over the top rope.
Mankind looking forward to this matchup against Al Snow.
In the past, he hasn't wanted to fight his best friend,
his former best friend, Al,
but it's been about survival the past couple of weeks, King.
[Lawler] Poor Al and his bowling balls.
Well, the only good thing about that,
there probably won't be any more little Als running around.
Watch it.
Up there on that steel stage, falls count anywhere.
Mankind in pursuit of Al Snow
and where the hell they're going now?
What is-- Oh.
Al Snow with right hands to Mankind
as Mankind tries to make it down those steps.
-Look out. -Oh man!
Into that steel barricade.
Falls count anywhere in this building here at Florida State.
[Lawler] These guys are surrounded by steel and concrete.
Somebody is gonna get hurt bad here, Michael.
[Cole] Hardcore legend, Mankind,
against a former Hardcore Champion, Al Snow.
And they're all about Hardcore here in the back.
[Lawler] Look, people are getting out of the way.
When they see these two coming, you got to run.
-Well, I didn't, you did. -But you asked me why I did.
-And look at this. Oh man, face-first! -Come on, Al!
[Cole] That steel grating there which holds equipment in the back.
You know I can't!
[Cole] They're back in the locker room area.
Al Snow hammering away on Mankind, falls count anywhere.
-[grunting] -Only because I care so much!
[Lawler] Not only is he pounding his face
but he's badmouthing him at the same time.
Another right hand by Al Snow and Mankind battles back now.
Wait a minute, King. Look at this.
[Lawler] They're in front of that DX dressing room door.
With somethin'-- Oh no, look.
They just went inside.
[muffled grunting]
[bang]
[Cole] The cameraman was knocked down. And oh no. So, Al Snow--
-[Lawler] Now I get it. -[Cole] Yeah, you get it now.
[Cole laughs]
What a great set up by Al--
Wait a minute, that's Al Snow!
Al Snow has been tossed out of the locker room.
Wait a minute. What happened?
Mankind into the cover now.
One, two, three.
-What happened inside that locker room? -[bell dings]
[Lawler] Did DX do a number on Al Snow?
-[Cole] We saw Al Snow talking… -[announcer] He's your winner… Mankind!
[Cole] …to DX before this matchup.
Apparently, he tried to lure Mankind back to the DX locker room.
It was a setup that apparently has backfired on Al Snow, King.
[Lawler] Why would DX want to do in Al Snow?
[Cole] I have no idea.
[Cole] Hey, it's The Rock! It's the Rock!
[Lawler] What?
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] The plan backfired.
The Rock took out Al Snow.
It's The Rock's dressing room.
[Lawler laughs]
[rock music playing]
[Cole] The Rock stuck it to Al Snow and Mankind picks up the win.
[Lawler] I can't believe it.
The McMahons and the Helmsleys are going crazy.
This is a setup. We're gonna get hurt real bad, Gerry.
-Come on, Pat. -This is stupid.
-Come on, Pat-- -Don't "come on" me!
All you want, you want a belt around your waist?
Don't be so negative.
Five years ago, we coulda beat anybody in this business.
You know that. You were the first Intercontinental Champion, by golly.
-Come on. -Give me a break.
Twenty, 30 years ago, yes, but not now!
You want to be a champion with a belt around your waist on a stretcher?
Of course. Come on. I won't be on a stretcher.
Think of this as a great opportunity.
-Let's go get ready. -You're sick, Gerry. Sick.
[Lawler] They're nuts!
[Cole] We're back on SmackDown.
What a wild ride it's been this week in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Stephanie McMahon turning her back on her father,
joining forces with her husband, Triple H, to form the McMahon-Helmsley coalition.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?
First thing I'd like to say is that Vince and Shane,
my brother and father, are not here tonight.
[murmuring]
[Triple H] Hey, keep it down!
From now on, things are gonna be handled a little bit differently.
They're gonna be handled a little bit more fair.
From now on, top to bottom,
everybody here is gonna be treated fairly.
Tonight marks the dawning of a new era
in World Wrestling Entertainment.
The McMahon-Helmsley era.
-[man] Yeah! -[scattered applause]
[dramatic entrance music playing]
[Cole] Well, King, the McMahon-Helmsley era
in full force here on SmackDown.
Already we've seen Tori being forced to face X-Pac.
We just saw Al Snow and Mankind
which was assigned by Triple H and Stephanie.
And later on tonight,
we're gonna see The Rock and Big Show for the WWE title.
-Oh my… -[bell dings]
[announcer] This match is scheduled for one fall.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada,
weighing in at 240 pounds, Edge!
[Cole] Well, earlier on, we saw brother versus brother
in Matt versus Jeff Hardy.
We're gonna see it again here in this matchup on SmackDown.
[Lawler] I love this. Telling you. I love it.
You get to see which of the brothers is the toughest.
[Cole] What is that?
King, there's that-that…
[eerie music playing]
-This arena is… -[Lawler] Whole building turned orange.
We're basked in an orange glow.
[Cole] That is freaky.
Nonetheless, it's Edge and Christian here set to go one-on-one.
[announcer] And his opponent, Christian!
[heavy rock entrance music playing]
[knocking on door]
-Come in. -Hey.
Hey. Hey, what's going on, buddy?
You guys have always got the hookup. Some drinks.
You mind if I sit down?
-Help yourself. -Hey, you mind if we watch the match?
Champagne…
Hey, you guys shouldn't drink too much. You got the Stooges in the big match.
Maybe we actually should drink.
-[laughs] -[indistinct chatter]
You know what, Hunter? Let's go get a breath of fresh air.
All right.
I guess we'll just have some grapes and some cheese.
-Really? -Have a seat.
-I've got to go get some fresh air. -Fresh air.
[laughs] I don't mind. I don't mind eating his grapes.
-Me neither. -[bell dings]
[Cole] So, the New Age Outlaws, the Tag Team Champions
looking on with interest to this matchup between Edge and Christian
King, I got to ask the question I asked back before
in The Hardy Boyz match.
We know this match was set up by Stephanie and Triple H.
-Right? -[Lawler] Yeah.
[Cole] We know the New Age Outlaws are buddies of Triple H's.
[Lawler] Okay, Sherlock Holmes.
[Cole] We know Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz
are two teams who are hot on the trail
of winning the Tag Team titles from the Outlaws.
[Lawler] Right.
[Cole] Do you think perhaps these two matches were set up
to eliminate Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz?
[Lawler] What? Man oh man, Oliver Stone. What's the deal here?
[Cole] Just asking some questions
as Edge and Christian, brother versus brother, lock up
in what should be a highly entertaining matchup
here on SmackDown.
And speaking of entertaining, The Rock--
[Lawler] These guys have an opportunity to compete here
on national television.
I mean, you can't get any better than this to be in SmackDown.
Spinning heel kick by Edge and Christian rolls out of the ring.
Make no mistake, these two brothers don't want to fight each other
but they're being forced to by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
[Lawler] Know what's so funny?
I don't hear you complaining about the big match
between The Rock and The Big Show…
-[crowd gasping] -[Cole] Christian.
[Lawler] …WWE title match,
-Don't complain about that, are you? -Gonna be a great match.
[Cole] It doesn't get any bigger than that, folks, The Rock…
This is a great matchup too.
[Cole] …versus The Big Show with the WWE Championship on the line.
But I still have to question, after what we saw
during the Tori and X-Pac match earlier on, King,
whether or not this fairness creed
that Stephanie and Triple H laid out to us
at the beginning of the program is actually sincere.
[Lawler] Know what you might do?
[Cole] Wait, here is a cover by Christian on Edge
and a kickout after two.
[Lawler] You might question yourself right off the air.
-[Cole] Why? -[Lawler] Who do you work for?
[Cole] I work for World Wrestling Entertainment.
[Lawler] Yeah, and you work for the McMahons
and now apparently, the McMahon-Helmsley era,
you work for that.
-Know what I'm talking about? -I got you. Here is Edge now.
Tremendous bridge, here is a cover and a kickout after two by Christian.
[Lawler] So full of questions.
[Cole] What about these other matches set up by Stephanie and Triple H tonight?
[Lawler] They were great.
[Cole] The Acolytes and the Posse, perhaps three times a charm
for the Mean Street Posse.
[Lawler] Pat Patterson and Brisco with the opportunity of their life!
[Cole] Christian just planted Edge, hooks the leg, there is two.
And Edge again pops out.
Yeah, Patterson and Brisco
against the New Age Outlaws' Tag Team titles.
And they have to compete, or they're fired.
[Lawler] Right, and can you imagine
instead of having to show their AARP card for ID,
they can just hold up the WWE Tag Team title belt.
-[Lawler] They could win. -[Cole] They could win, I guess.
Edge with a boot to the face to Christian.
And look at this now, Christian, nice reversal, tremendous maneuver.
And Edge now into the cover on Christian. There is the two count.
Kickout by Christian again. It was close.
Edge thought he had the three.
[Lawler] The Stooges could really…
they could really win the WWE Tag Team titles tonight
or get hurt real bad.
-Oh my! Oh, like that! -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Great counter by Edge!
Oh, and Christian pops out after the two count.
Again, the New Age Outlaws,
we just saw them looking on, watching this matchup
against Edge and Christian.
Look out! Nice leg sweep.
Edge went for the Spear.
Christian countered with a leg sweep into the turnbuckle.
[Lawler] These guys are brothers, they know exactly
what each other are gonna do at all times.
They can anticipate every move.
[Cole] Really didn't have to do a scouting report in this one.
Edge up over the top, climbing the ropes now.
And Christian in trouble, but counters with a right hand and another one.
Watch out. Watch those closed fists.
You get yourself disqualified. We saw that earlier tonight.
[Cole] Two great young superstars.
Oh my!
I mean, that seemed a little fishy to me too, King,
Test getting disqualified
because he was delivering a couple of punches.
Cross body! Lateral press. Christian rolls into the cover.
And a pop out again by Edge after two.
[Lawler] It's been a wild ride, hasn't it?
I mean, we saw Test get disqualified and then get his nose broken.
[Cole] Edge knocked off by Christian. Look at this now.
Christian's got him, Edge counters.
-[bell dings] -Now wait a minute.
I can see Pat Patterson trying to use that move.
-Who won? -[announcer] Here's your winner, Edge.
[Cole] What's the decision here, King?
[Lawler] He said Edge won.
I couldn't tell who was pinned.
[Cole] Edge picks up the victory over Christian.
Apparently, Christian's shoulders were down
and he didn't like the fact the referee counted three.
[Lawler] I told you, these guys want to prove a point.
Christian raising the hand of his brother Edge
and we're gonna have to take another look at this one, King.
Check this out now.
Okay, Christian going up, he got hooked there by Edge and…
-Oh yeah. -[bell dings]
Wait a minute.
[Cole] I don't know if that ref made the right call there or not.
Well, Edge picks up the victory, nonetheless--
Wait a minute now.
Go, go, go.
[Cole] Where are they going?
The Posse are sneaking out of the building, King.
-[Lawler] I don't blame them. -Hey, hey, hey.
-Where are you going? -Where you going?
-Where are you going? -To put bags in the car.
-To put your bags in the car, huh? -Moving awfully fast.
Seemed like you're going to put yourselves in the car. Tell you what.
You guys get back in there now and get into the ring with the Acolytes.
Go.
-Go now… -Go.
…or your asses are fired. Go.
Go.
You big bucket head.
-[Lawler] I'd rather be fired. -Can you believe they were gonna leave?
[announcer] And now, the WWE Boot of the Week
brought to you by Lugz.
Tough boots build for the city, that's Lugz.
[Ross] Bradshaw with a chair.
King, he almost took Pete's head off.
-His head off? Look at that chair! -[Ross] What a chair shot!
[Lawler] You'll never be able to sit in that again.
[Ross] A shot right to the cranium!
The Acolytes have just destroyed the Posse.
[Lawler] Oh my God.
[announcer] That was the WWE Boot of the Week, brought to you by Lugz.
Boots and jeans with attitude.
Lugz. Decide and conquer.
-[Cole] King, I'll tell you what. -You'd rather be fired too, wouldn't you?
[Cole] Put on your hard hat…
-[Lawler] That won't do any good. -[Cole] …and batten down the hatches.
[Lawler] That won't do any good either.
Here comes Faarooq and Bradshaw.
[announcer speaking indistinctly]
Making their way to the ring at a combined weight of 578 pounds,
Bradshaw and Faarooq, the Acolytes.
[Cole] A tremendous reception for the Acolytes
including, of course, Faarooq, King.
All-American from right here at Florida State.
[Lawler] There you see it. Welcome back.
They retired his jersey here.
I think tonight they may retire the Posse.
[Cole] Will it be a three time a charm for the Posse?
[Lawler] Well, as JR would say,
"Somebody's going to the woodshed."
["Posse" entrance music playing]
[announcer] And their opponents, at a combined weight of 766 pounds,
Rodney, Pete Gas, and Joey Abs, the Mean Street Posse.
[Lawler] I'll go ahead and call 911 right now, or at least an ambulance.
[Cole] How is Pete Gas still walking after that chair shot we saw
on the Lugz Boot of the Week?
[Lawler] He's still a little wobbly. What's the closest hospital?
[Cole] Now the Posse's set to take on the Acolytes here
in another matchup set up by Stephanie and Triple H.
Here we go now, three-on-two, Acolytes against the Posse.
You know, King--
[Lawler] Posse coulda at least borrowed some Florida State football helmets.
[Cole] Look at Bradshaw double-teamed by the Posse.
You know, the Acolytes, King, sending some messages as of late.
They're gonna take on the Tag Team Champions next month
at the Royal Rumble.
-Look at this. -Look at this now.
-Total carnage. -Oh my!
Cover by Faarooq, hook to the leg.
-What? -And folks…
-[bell dings] -…this one is over.
[Lawler] Look at that idiot Pete Gas.
What is Pete Gas and Joey Abs-- what are they thinking about?
Hello. You lost the match, get out of town.
[Lawler] Death wish mean anything to you?
[Cole] Go back to the locker room. Oh man. Oh!
With a Seminole chop!
And another one.
[splutters] King, let me ask you a question.
You're the Posse, you lose the match--
[Lawler] I ain't the Posse, I'd be fired right now.
[Cole] Now look at Pete Gas into those steel steps.
And I don't like the looks of Faarooq out here.
[Lawler] What's he gonna do with those steps?
[crowd chanting]
Listen. You're gettin' the chant, the Florida State chant, the chop.
[Cole] Well, Faarooq's on his own-- Oh!
-Steps meet Joey Abs. -[Lawler] Oh…
[Cole] And I wonder what Triple H and Stephanie think about this carnage.
[Lawler] Oh, they're probably enjoying this.
-I'm sure they are. -Stephanie is, at least. Look out!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] A chair shot to Rodney,
Bent the chair. That steel chair was bent on the forehead of Rodney.
And Stephanie continues to get some revenge on the Mean Street Posse.
[Lawler] Now you guys can leave if you can still walk.
Oh no, they can't leave.
[Cole] They should have left when the match was over.
-[Cole] Pete Gas… -[Lawler gasps] Look-- Oh!
[Cole] …was just planted by the Acolytes.
[Lawler] I think a letter of resignation would have been a lot easier.
-Ah! -[Cole] Yeah!
I would have picked up the pink slip at the door.
The Acolytes victorious.
Faarooq loving being back home.
Lilian Garcia standing by with good old JR.
JR, thank you very much for spending this time with me.
-You bet. -I do want to ask you one quick question.
You know, you've been around the WWE for a very, very long time
and, in fact, you are the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment.
In that time, have you ever experienced anything
like what's happening right now with the McMahon-Helmsley era?
Oh, no, I haven't.
I think Stephanie and Triple H's actions are reprehensible,
I think it's sad. I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for our fans.
And I'm dang sure I'm embarrassed with the McMahon family
to whom I'm very close to.
Well, let's talk about the McMahon family.
Let's talk about Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.
JR, if you had one word to describe her actions, what would that be?
Well, I hate to say it but she is acting like a little…
She's a little…
Let me say this, Lilian,
it rhymes with "witch" and it starts with a B.
Okay. Thank you, JR.
Who the hell do you think you are, JR, huh?
The voice of World Wrestling Entertainment?
You think that means a damn to me?
I've done stuff to you before and I'll do it again, JR.
I swear to God, you better stay out of our way.
What'd you call me, JR? Come on, I want to hear it.
-I didn't call you anything. -Yes, you did. I want to hear you say it.
-Say it! -I'm not going to say it.
[Lawler] Oh! Wow!
-[Cole] Stephanie. -[Triple H] Go on, get out!
Get out.
Get out!
-[Lawler] Did you see that? -[Cole] Wow!
JR, he was just standing up. I mean--
[Lawler] Finally, JR got his.
[Cole] Man, Stephanie McMahon.
[Lawler] You don't know how long I've been waiting for that.
From Stephanie McMahon he gets it, of all people.
She slapped the taste out his mouth.
[Cole] JR was speaking his mind
and what he thought about this McMahon-Helmsley era
and, well, he paid for it all right.
[announcer] Six-man tag team match is scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring at a combined weight of 864 pounds,
Rikishi and Too Cool.
So Rikishi and Too Cool set
for a big six-man tag team matchup here on SmackDown.
I tell you what I'm set for, I'm set for Christmas,
and if you're looking for the greatest Christmas gift ever,
you got it right here at WWEwired.com, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
-Are you ready for this, Michael? -I can't wait.
-I want you to get me one of these. -Can we hear it?
So what you do is get online, you log on to WWEwired.com
with your secret password,
and then you can get "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
You can make him cut his own promo. You can make him cut your promos.
Just give a little listen to this.
[Stone Cold on toy] If you got a computer and you get me,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin, well, then you done something.
I don't listen to anybody. I don't talk…
-That is great. -It is great.
I'm telling you what, you decide what "Stone Cold" Steve Austin says
right through your own computer. Terrific.
It's available at electronics boutiques, KB Toys, Toys "R" Us, and Kmart.
[heavy rock entrance music playing]
[Lawler] Uh-oh.
[announcer] And their opponents,
first at a combined weight of well over 800 pounds,
Crash and Hardcore Holly
and their tag team partner Viscera.
[Cole] King, this matchup, this six-man matchup,
is a direct result of what happened at Armageddon
when Viscera and Rikishi took on the Hollys.
Well, the Hollys won after Viscera
inadvertently clobbered Rikishi, his own partner.
Well, at least we thought it was inadvertent.
And perhaps this could be payback tonight.
Rikishi and Too Cool against Viscera and the Hollys.
[Lawler] Well, that's another great match that's been put together
by the, well, the Helmsley-McMahon era. I love it.
[Cole] Well, speaking of paybacks,
it didn't take Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley too long
to get a little bit of payback on JR.
[Lawler] That was the slap heard 'round the world, wasn't it?
Man, I bet his-- I bet his little fat jaws are still ringing right now.
-[Lawler laughs] -I just want to ask--
-Can we show that again? -I just want to ask.
I mean, when SmackDown started tonight…
[Lawler] That'd be a great double feature.
[Cole] …Triple H and Stephanie did say there was going to be
a new fairness here in World Wrestling Entertainment,
that people were going to get opportunities
and shots that didn't get them in the past and, um…
[Lawler] You know, what's fair to me is the fairest thing you got going
is an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.
When somebody says something bad about somebody,
they got to pay the price, that's only fair.
And JR, I mean, you got to admit, he badmouthed Stephanie McMahon.
-He called her a… well… -King, he did not.
He was just speaking his mind, he was standing up for what--
[Lawler] He said it rhymed with "witch" and started with a B. Give me a break.
King, Stephanie nailed it right on the head
when she was sitting here at ringside earlier tonight
when she said all you've been doing
is sucking up to her the past couple of days.
[Lawler] You know what, she nailed JR right on the head, the side of the head.
-Yeah, and you just took-- -Watch this match, call the action.
Here we go now. Grandmaster Sexay going to work
on Crash Holly in this six-man matchup.
[Lawler] Uh-oh. Watch it, getting cool, put the goggles on.
[Cole] Oh my, from behind.
Well, this new era of fairness, the McMahon-Helmsley era, is underway,
and The Rock gets a huge opportunity later on tonight.
Rock and The Big Show, one-on-one
for the World Wrestling Entertainment title.
[Lawler] What's not fair about that? Huh?
Don't you think it's fair that The Rock, the People's Champion,
gets the shot to become the WWE Champion here?
I believe The Rock deserves a title shot.
And here comes Rikishi now, hammering away on Hardcore Holly.
[Lawler] And what's not fair about the, well, the old Hall of Famers,
Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco getting a chance to be famous again?
[Cole] They take on the Tag Team Champions, the New Age Outlaws.
That kick to the face of Hardcore echoed throughout this building.
[Lawler] Like that slap on JR's face from Stephanie.
[Cole] Enough of that as Scotty 2 Hotty comes into the ring.
-And what in the world is he wearing? -[Lawler] I don't know.
-Look out, he's about to take off. -You know what comes now?
[Lawler] Yes, the caterpillar.
[Cole] The centipede, King.
And check it out now, Scotty 2 Hotty delivers the chop to Hardcore.
[Lawler] Centipede, caterpillar, same thing.
[Cole] And Rock and Big Show, what a war that's gonna be
later on tonight right here on SmackDown.
The Rock with a golden opportunity
to become the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion.
[Lawler] Look at Scotty!
[Cole] Scotty underneath. Face-first Hardcore.
And look out now, Hardcore gonna feel that.
Hardcore into that steel post by Scotty 2 Hotty.
Grandmaster Sexay with a little high five for his partner, told him he was cool.
-He is cool. -And look at Scotty 2 Hotty now.
Top rope, Hardcore turns around, Scotty flies through the air.
He flew right into that one.
[Lawler] Waited a little too long, Scotty.
[Cole] And Hardcore Holly slamming Scotty 2 Hotty to the mat below,
You keep saying these guys are cool.
If you got to tell somebody they're cool, King, well, then they're not.
I got to tell you because you don't know what's cool.
Cool is a state of mind, it's a being. It's not telling people you are.
And look at the suplex by Hardcore on Scotty 2 Hotty.
How would you know anything about cool?
-Can you dance? -Yes, I can, a little bit.
-I can two-step. -I saw you Riverdance.
-And look at this now. -That's not really dancing.
The 500-pound Viscera slamming Scotty 2 Hotty to the mat.
And talk about your classic mismatch.
Scotty 2 Hotty with speed here but he walked into that one.
And a Samoan drop by Viscera, with authority.
Heavyweight!
-Uh-oh. -[crowd booing]
And Scotty 2 Hotty flattened like a pancake by the 500-pound Viscera.
Thought he was gonna get the cool squashed out of him. Uh-oh.
[Cole] And look at this, the strength of Viscera.
-Scotty 2 Hotty in the air by his neck. -One, two, three, four--
Slammed down to the mat.
And Hardcore now into the ring off the tag,
taking advantage of the job Viscera did on Scotty 2 Hotty.
[Lawler] What do you think Viscera's jacket is made out of?
Whatever it is, a whole herd of 'em were wiped out to make it.
-Oh! -Hardcore with a clothesline.
Now into the cover, hook to the leg now. This should be-- Uh-oh.
Scott Taylor got his shoulder up.
And look at Hardcore now, scooped up Scotty 2 Hotty.
[Lawler] I don't know why Scotty don't get over there and tag Rikishi in.
[Cole] Again, folks, Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon,
not here tonight.
They left Raw in disgust…
-Oh! -To the face of Hardcore.
…on Monday night.
[Lawler] Vince needed a break anyway, needed a little time off.
This… I think this may turn out to be best thing for everybody.
You know, we're fitting to go into a new millennium.
[Cole] Yeah, new millennium with McMahon-Helmsley…
-Here we go. -…leading the charge. And here's Rikishi.
And Rikishi, a ball of fire, going to work on the Hollys.
A right hand to Hardcore.
Everybody's in now.
Scotty 2 Hotty and Viscera, Grandmaster Sexay and Crash.
And Rikishi continues to work on Hardcore.
Oh! Into the steps goes Crash Holly.
[Lawler] Look at the backside of Rikishi, he's got buns of steel.
Scotty tossed out of the ring.
Viscera with a shot to Rikishi from behind.
And now Rikishi and Viscera squared off in the corner.
[Lawler] You could park a small car in those dimples in Rikishi's rear end.
[Cole] Over 900 pounds of beef.
Look out, Rikishi!
The backside to Viscera's good side and then he cleans Holly's clock.
And you know what's next, King. We've seen this before.
-Uh-oh. -And Viscera counted again.
Referee's lost control in here
as Viscera and Hardcore are double-teaming Rikishi.
Oh man.
Hardcore, kick to the midsection.
Here comes Viscera!
-Viscera ran into his own partner! -[Lawler gasps]
And then kicked Viscera through the ropes.
[Lawler] Rikishi is quick for a-- Oh no.
[Cole] Oh man, Viscera said he's had enough.
He's heading up the ramp.
Oh, Rikishi.
-Hardcore is in trouble -Bad time… bad time to be a Holly!
[Cole] Oh! Flattening Hardcore Holly.
-This one is over. -[bell dings]
Rikishi with the wherewithal to move out of the corner.
[announcer] …Too Cool and Rikishi.
[Cole] And Viscera flattened his own partner, Hardcore Holly,
and Rikishi took advantage.
[Lawler] What an ass, look at that!
-[Cole] What? Oh. -[Lawler] I was talkin' to you.
[Cole] King, put on your dancing shoes.
Rikishi and Too Cool have picked up the win.
[Lawler] Okay, here I go.
[Cole] Wait a minute, I don't think Rikishi wants to…
[Lawler] They have to talk him into dancing?
[Cole] Now Scotty 2 Hotty trying to get the crowd behind Rikishi.
-[crowd cheering] -[Lawler] There they go.
Put the goggles on and he'll dance.
[Cole] We don't have to clap along with them.
[Lawler] Why not?
Get with it, Michael. Try for once in your life to be cool.
[Cole] Too Cool and Rikishi victorious in this one.
[funky hip-hop music playing]
-Check it out, King. -I love this. This is so cool.
-Look. -[crowd roaring]
This is so happening.
[Cole] Rikishi getting jiggy with it on SmackDown.
[Lawler] Look! Oh baby.
[Lawler laughs] Look at that.
Oh man.
[Cole] Lordy, Lordy.
I can say I've never quite seen anything like this.
[Lawler] He could be the whole right side of the Florida state line.
[scoffs] We can't take this lightly.
They're old as dirt, yeah.
But Patterson, he was the Intercontinental champ.
Yeah, back in 1902.
Well, and still Brisco is a shooter,
so what we got to do is give them the beating of their old decrepit life.
Beat them within an inch of their life.
Yeah, but wait till they find out it's a no DQ match.
-[both laugh] -[Lawler] What?
-They may have a heart attack right then. -[Lawler] No DQ match?
-Right. -[laughs]
Santa, I don't understand why
I have to tell you again all the naughty things I did.
You should know, you see everything, remember?
-Please, just humor Santa Claus. -[scoffs]
Okay.
It was the day after Christmas,
me and a couple of my girlfriends, leftover champagne, you know.
We had a couple of glasses and, um…
limo pulls up, we get in, so…
[Cole] From a Terri Christmas to this.
And, King, just because Patterson and Brisco
showed a little bit of compassion earlier on,
helping out Test after that mugging by DX,
they've been forced into this no disqualification matchup
against the New Age Outlaws.
[Lawler] I tell you what, I thought we'd seen it all tonight.
We saw Jericho take on Prince Albert and Chyna come out to help for no reason.
[announcer] …for the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Championship.
Introducing the challengers,
Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson.
We saw Test get his nose re-broken by Triple H.
These guys come out to help.
And, I mean, we've seen… I thought we had seen it all,
but now we're going to see Patterson and Brisco
get a chance to become the WWE Tag Team Champions.
-["Oh, You Didn't Know?" playing] -♪ Oh, you didn't know ♪
♪ Your ass better call somebody ♪
[Cole] Well, this was another match set up by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
and her husband, Triple H.
The dawning of a new era upon us in World Wrestling Entertainment.
You see it's me. It's me.
It's the D-O-double-G.
Rolling once again with that B-A-double D.
[Cole] You know, King, if this was about 10, 15 years ago
or maybe longer than that, I'd give Brisco and Patterson a chance.
Great tag team wrestlers in their day.
Pat Patterson, a Hall of Famer,
but the bottom line is, the Outlaws in their prime
and the greatest tag team in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment.
[Lawler] Patterson and Brisco would have a chance about ten or 15 years ago…
-Cut the music. -[music stops]
…'cause the New Age Outlaws would only be about 15 years old. Ha!
[indistinct chatter]
Can you… can you believe this?
You know, I… You know what?
We might better get your families to sign a waiver… [giggles]
…so they can't sue us in case you guys have a heart attack right here.
[Lawler] Wait a minute.
[Cole] Brisco with powder to the eyes of BA Billy Gunn
and Patterson hammering away on Road Dogg.
[Lawler] They brought some sort of weapons.
[Cole] These old dogs have got some new tricks.
And Pat Patterson out of his trunks.
-What did he pull out his trunks? -Oh my!
To the midsection of the Road Dogg.
Keep in mind, folks, this is no disqualification
for the Tag Team titles, and Brisco and Patterson--
-They've got a chain! -They've got some fight in them.
[Lawler] There's no telling what he has got in those trunks, or those pants.
[Cole] Right hand with that chain to the forehead of the Road Dogg,
and Brisco and Patterson have surprised the Outlaws here.
Brisco with a suplex.
Patterson and Brisco, and look out.
-The Stooges are-- -The Boston crab.
Patterson has Road Dogg in a submission maneuver.
Look at Brisco, Brisco in the figure four on Billy Gunn.
Are we gonna have new Tag Team Champions?
[Cole] Will the Outlaws submit?
We could have new Tag Team Champions!
And Road Dogg breaks the hold.
And Brisco still has it locked into Billy Gunn
before Road Dogg makes the save.
[Lawler] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Patterson and Brisco, King, had no choice
but to compete in this match or they would have been fired.
[Lawler] Patterson, I think he got dropped right on his head.
[Cole] And now the New Age Outlaws looking to take advantage.
Patterson with the reversal into the corner, and nobody home.
-And Patterson into that steel post. -Oh.
And now the Outlaws going to work on Patterson and Brisco.
So an early flurry, not enough yet.
-Look at Road Dogg. -Oh, he's got some knucks.
Those brass knuckles, no disqualification, this is perfectly legal.
To the forehead of Pat Patterson.
Again, just because Patterson and Brisco
showed a little bit of sympathy to help out Test
who had his nose re-broken tonight at the hands of DX.
And look at this, great takedown, fireman's carry by Brisco.
[Lawler] You're gonna find one of these days that kindness is a weakness, Michael.
[Cole] Kindness tonight forced Patterson and Brisco into this matchup.
And now Road Dogg…
A Famouser by Billy Gunn!
That should be it.
The tag champs had some problems in the beginning.
-But they retain the titles. -[crowd] ♪ Oh, you didn't know? ♪
[announcer] Here are your winners
and still World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Champions,
the New Age Outlaws.
[Lawler] Pat Patterson said he knows all the warning signs of a heart attack.
I think he may be having one over there right now.
[Cole] The Outlaws win in a match that was set up
perhaps for one reason, King, to punish,
to send a message to Brisco and Patterson.
[Lawler] Hey. Be careful what you say or you might get slapped.
[Cole] There you see The Rock and The Big Show
coming up next on SmackDown.
These two forces collide, WWE title on the line, next.
[announcer] And now, the WWE Smack of the Night,
presented by Western Union Money Transfer.
The fastest way to send money worldwide.
JR, I swear to God, you better stay out of our way.
What'd you call me, JR? Come on, I want to hear it.
-I didn't call you anything. -You did, I want to hear you to say it.
-I'm not gonna say it. -Say it!
[Lawler] Oh! Wow!
-[Cole] Stephanie. -Go on, get out.
Get out!
♪ If you smell what The Rock is cooking ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ The Rock says ♪
[Cole] They've come unglued in Florida State.
The Rock with a chance to win
the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship.
[Lawler] I'm going to tell you something, Michael, listen to these people.
I think they got a feeling and I got a feeling
that this is going to be The Rock's night.
[Cole] This match was set up by Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.
[announcer] …for the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship!
In the ring, from Miami, Florida,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
The Rock!
[Cole] The Rock set to take on The Big Show
for the WWE Championship.
And, King, we just saw on the Smack of the Night,
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H
have been flexing their muscle all night long here on SmackDown.
[Lawler] And Stephanie laid the smack onto Jim Ross.
-♪ Well, it's the Big Show ♪ -[Lawler] I'm gonna tell you som-- Whoa!
-Wow! -♪ Yes, it's a big bad show tonight ♪
[announcer] Here he comes. He weighs in at 500 pounds,
he is the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion,
The Big Show.
[Lawler] I know, 500 pounds.
He is the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion, he is The Big Show,
but I just got a feeling that tonight,
The Rock is going to lay down some smack of his own.
[Cole] The Rock versus The Big Show,
WWE title is on the line here on SmackDown.
[heavy rock entrance music playing]
-Wait a minute, what the-- -What's that?
[Cole] What is going on now?
[Lawler] Oh boy.
[Cole] Well, King, check this out.
[Lawler] They made this match.
I guess, they want to get a good up-close and personal look at it.
This could be the biggest match ever in the history of the WWE, so…
[Cole] The new first couple, I guess you would say,
of World Wrestling Entertainment.
I don't recall if I informed you guys…
so I'll come out here and do it now.
This title match--
[crowd chanting] Asshole! Asshole!
[Cole] Wait a minute.
He'll come out there and have Stephanie slap every one of your faces
if you don't shut up.
[crowd chanting] Asshole! Asshole! Asshole!
This title match just happens to be a…
lumberjack match.
-[Lawler] What? Lumberjack match. -[bell dings]
[Cole] Big Show and Rock one-on-one for the title,
but it's gonna be a lumberjack match and who are they gonna be?
[Lawler] They're sittin' in a La-Z-Boy.
[Cole] Wait a minute.
Now we're starting to get our clue, and look who is leading the pack.
We got DX along with The Dudley Boyz heading down to the ring.
And, King, this doesn't smell too good.
[Lawler] These guys are all gonna be lumberjacks,
so in case either one of these participants
are thrown out of the ring
or fall out of the ring or get knocked out of the ring,
these lumberjacks are there to put them back in.
[Cole] So you got DX on one side,
the Posse, The Dudley Boyz, Prince Albert.
Look at Viscera heading down the ramp, King.
[Lawler] I don't know if this was…
Oh, look at this.
[Cole] And look at Triple H
and his, uh, new bride, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley,
enjoying this one.
And, King, I really have to question, will there be--
the objectivity of the lumberjacks
who are going to be surrounding this ring here.
I'm not worried about the lumberjacks.
I'm looking back there at Stephanie and Triple H,
-You know, power is an aphrodisiac. -It is, it's a drug.
There is no doubt.
-And they are… -They're out of control.
They're enjoying it.
Now, don't get any ideas, they are two consenting adults.
They're married.
[Cole] So it's Rock and Big Show now, WWE Championship on the line
and the 500-pounder going to work on the midsection of The Rock.
-Wow. -Big Show misses.
Rock will have the speed in this one.
Big Show of course with the strength
and The Rock now hammering away on The Big Show.
[Lawler] Smackdown, smack being laid down.
[Cole] Look now, look at the strength of The Big Show.
One hand tossing The Rock into the corner, and what a slap.
[Lawler] I'll tell you what, Rock's got an oversized king-sized bed
right in the Smackdown Hotel for the champion here tonight.
[Cole] And the lumberjacks surrounding the ring
as Stephanie and Triple H look on.
And, King, I don't know if I'm treading in murky water here.
-I'm gonna give this a shot. -You are.
[Cole] Everything that we've seen here tonight,
do you think perhaps that Triple H and Stephanie have an agenda
that perhaps that personal vendettas are being carried out
by the Helmsley-McMahon coalition?
[Lawler] I'm not gonna go there. You can go there if you want.
-I'm not gonna go there. -Look at The Rock now.
What a Russian leg sweep on The Big Show. Cover now.
Could be a new champion!
And a kick-out after two by the 500-pounder
and what a nip up by The Big Show.
And a dropkick, a dropkick by the 500-pounder.
And look at this. The Rock's outside the ring.
Wait, they're supposed to throw him in, not beat him up.
[Lawler] Does that answer your question about objectivity, Michael?
[Cole] That answers my question, all right.
The lumberjacks are supposed to toss him in the ring,
not beat the hell out of him.
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[Cole] The Big Show missed his right hand
and The Rock delivers two right hands of his own.
The World Wrestling Entertainment Championship is on the line.
-Look out. -Look at Big Show.
Over the top rope, and they're gonna give some to The Big Show as well.
[Lawler] They're all over The Big Show.
[Cole] They're supposed to be tossing him back in the ring.
[Lawler] Well, see this is fair. They're impartial.
[Cole] Keep in mind, King, it was The Big Show
who won the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship from Triple H
in the triple threat match at Survivor series.
-Yeah, when McMahon screwed Hunter. -The Rock was also involved in that match.
[Cole] And Vince screwed Hunter as well.
-Oh, look at that! -Look at The Rock, counter with a DDT.
Here's the cover now.
Hooks the leg. And what's X-Pac doing on the apron?
And Billy Gunn, and he got his too.
[Lawler] The lumberjacks aren't supposed to be up on the apron.
And look at this now. Rock can't do this.
-He can't. -Rock Bottom!
The Rock, Rock Bottom, Big Show, hooks the leg.
And Billy Gunn. We had a new champion and Billy Gunn interfered.
The Rock just Rock Bottomed The Big Show.
[Lawler] These guys got a funny way of maintaining order if you ask me.
[Cole] King, this isn't fair.
This is for the WWE title
and the lumberjacks are interfering in this matchup left and right.
[Lawler] Looks like we got a dang chokeslam coming.
And The Rock now, Big Show setting up The Rock,
the People's Champ going for the ride.
Chokeslam!
That should be it. Here's the cover.
[Lawler] Look at this!
[Cole] Look at DX again, pulling Big Show out of the ring
and clubbing away at him.
It took four guys to pull him out of the ring, but they did it.
[Cole] Yeah, look at Triple H and Stephanie, they're enjoying this.
[Lawler] Yeah, they are. I am too.
Hey, you can't ask for it to be more fair.
These lumberjacks are doing the exact same thing
to both of these guys, Big Show and The Rock.
[Cole] Again, King, as Rock comes off the rope,
tries for the clothesline and can't knock The Big Show down.
-Oh man. -[Lawler] Jeez.
And look at The Rock again. He got him that time.
Third time's the charm.
[Lawler] I think even Stephanie is impressed.
[Cole] And The Rock now, Big Show to his feet, The Rock again.
-[Lawler] No! -And both men outside the ring.
And look at this, the lumberjacks, like vultures,
going after The Rock and The Big Show.
Get 'em both.
This isn't fair.
-How many lumberjacks are there, eight? -King, this is a mugging.
Triple H and Stephanie set up The Rock and The Big Show.
[Lawler] Look at Viscera pounding The Big Show.
[overlapping excited chatter]
King, King, it's Mankind for the Rock 'n' Sock Connection.
[Lawler exclaims indistinctly]
[Cole] You know what he's doing, he's got some toys.
-[crowd cheering] -And Mankind is cleaning house!
-Mankind is cleaning house. -[Lawler] What?
[Lawler] Get him out of there, he's not a lumberjack. Oh!
[Cole] And The Rock and Mankind and now The Big Show.
There's carnage out here.
Look at The Big Show.
[Lawler] This isn't fair!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Triple H and Stephanie are not happy.
Things didn't quite go how Triple H and Stephanie had planned.
[Lawler] I'm gonna tell you, heads are gonna roll over this.
[Cole] Thanks to Mankind. Mankind has spoiled the Helmsleys' party.
[Lawler] Heads are being bashed in, I know that.
Mankind is gonna be in big trouble for this.
[Cole] The Big Show and The Rock were set up by Stephanie and Triple H
and Mankind spoiled their fun.
[Lawler] Look at Viscera, he's all over The Rock.
Viscera and The Rock left alone in the ring, and look at this.
-Look at this. Look at this! -No way.
Another Rock Bottom to another 500-pounder by The Rock.
Oh wait.
[Lawler] Just for good measure.
Just to shove it right in the face of Triple H and Stephanie.
I think we're gonna see it!
The most electrifying move in sports entertainment today.
Michael, the People's Elbow!
[Cole] Oh!
The Rock delivers it to Viscera and Triple H is upset.
[Lawler] He's not upset. He's irate.
[Cole] King, I hate to say it, heads are gonna roll.
Heads are gonna roll.
Mankind spoiled Triple H and Stephanie's plans.
-Mankind spoiled the party. -[Lawler] Ah!
[Cole] Who is gonna pay?
What a night on SmackDown.