[theme music playing]
[narrator] My mind is spent.
You know who I am. My name is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[screams]
[narrator] My body broken.
[Kurt] First, I repeat as King of the Ring champion…
[narrator] …to my throne.
[Kurt] …and then I beat Shane McMahon, all in one night.
[narrator] My mind is spent.
[DDP] Nobody deserves to be more famous than DDP.
[Stone Cold] I am a man's man. I am a champion of champions.
I am "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jericho] Would you please shut the hell up?
[Jim] Benoit and Jericho are kicking ass.
[Vince] In conspiracy… two-on-one.
-[Jim] Austin is a desperate man. -[Stone Cold] And I do not like it.
[Jim] Austin's days as champion may be numbered.
[narrator] My muscles.
[DDP] There will be hell to pay here. Taker, I'm begging ya. Make me famous!
[narrator] My body is broken.
[Kurt] I, Kurt Angle, challenge you, Shane McMahon,
the King of the Ring, to a street fight.
[narrator] My mind is broken and…
[DDP] I got two guys in one minute.
[Stone Cold] You know who I am.
[narrator] …lead me to my throne.
It's good to be the king.
[narrator] And now, WWE King of the Ring.
[explosions]
[heavy metal music playing]
[audience cheering]
[heavy metal music continues]
[Jim] The Continental Airlines Arena sold out in four hours
for tonight's extravaganza!
We welcome you live to the ninth King of the Ring.
Hello again, everybody. I'm Jim Ross alongside Paul Heyman here at ringside.
It has been an eventful day already here in the WWE.
We're sold out here.
We're sold out in Times Square, WWE New York as well.
Thank you, folks, for being with us around the world.
[DDP] Bang! Yo, it's me. It's me. It's DDP.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Jim] Well, ladies and gentlemen, DDP was revealed last Monday night on RAW
as The Undertaker's wife Sara's stalker.
The perverse voyeuristic videos that we saw, and there he is,
the man that said he was going to be here at the King of the Ring, Paul,
even if he had to buy a ticket.
[Paul] Oh, I'm uncomfortable with this situation.
Diamond Dallas Page is a WCW contracted performer.
He does not belong in a WWE ring
and I think The Undertaker is allowing him here tonight
to make DDP famous.
[Jim] The Undertaker said that he was gonna be here tonight.
The Undertaker said, "Do not cross my family."
Yeah.
No need for security.
I just came out here to let The Undertaker know
that Diamond Dallas Page has arrived.
[audience cheering]
You know, Taker, I saw you on Smackdown last Thursday,
and, man, you looked pissed off…
and I don't get it.
I mean, you should be thanking Diamond Dallas Page.
I mean, the footage that I showed of your wife Sara,
that was the stuff rated PG.
[audience shouting]
I mean, the stuff I have of your wife Sara,
my… personal collection…
[Jim] Oh, God.
…well, let me just say that that stuff right there
gets more than just a thumbs up.
[Jim] How dare this human being?
[audience cheering]
And as far as The Undertaker sticking me,
DDP,
at the top of your list for being the guy
for getting the worst ass whooping ever…
well, Take, I don't quite see it like that.
The way I see it, me, DDP, comes into your house
and kicks the big dog's ass all over his yard…
[audience cheering]
…and then tomorrow on RAW,
Diamond Dallas Page becomes the first WCW superstar
to ever step his foot in Madison Square Garden.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] That's only if he survives tonight.
So, Take, here is my ticket.
I will not be hard to find,
because I will be sitting right here in the very front row.
[audience yelling and applause]
Like I said, I won't be hard to find.
I'll be the guy with the sign.
-[Jim] Sign? -[Paul] The sign. What's happening?
This sign.
[audience cheering]
I'm begging you, Taker. Make me famous!
[Jim] This guy is asking for it, and the only reason he's here
is that The Undertaker's threatened everybody, including Mr. McMahon,
to make sure that Page got entrance to this event.
-All access if you will, Paul. -[Paul] I don't like it.
I don't like any part of it,
and to be honest with you, I'm not a fan of Diamond Dallas Page.
I'm not a fan of WCW, and not only is he asking for it,
but I'll tell you this, without being pals with The Undertaker,
I can tell you The Undertaker is gonna make Page famous.
[Jim] The Undertaker who sat here earlier today.
I have no idea where he is at this very moment,
but in any event, we know where DDP is.
Sitting on the front row, and he's got his ticket.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, also tonight,
very quickly, let's tell you the tag team titles will be decided.
Spike Dudley will challenge his brothers.
We just don't know who Spike's partner is gonna be, Paul,
but you gotta reiterate this audience
the rumor that we both heard earlier today.
It's a very disturbing rumor, and not one that I like repeating.
The fact of the matter is that the big rumor going around
is that Chris Benoit or Chris Jericho have been secretly negotiating with WCW.
The ramifications of this are huge,
because if Benoit or Jericho defeats "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
in the WWE Championship tonight,
the defection, from what I hear, and from what you hear,
may take place tomorrow night in Madison Square Garden.
And that would've ripped the very fabric of the WWE from where I sit,
and I wonder what Mr. McMahon's thinking in Greenwich right now hearing this news.
And we are ready for our first semifinal matchup in the King of the Ring.
[upbeat music playing]
[explosions]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is the semifinal tournament match to determine the King of the Ring.
Approaching the ring, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
weighing 237 pounds, Olympic gold medal winner, Kurt Angle.
[Jim] Indeed, this is our first semifinal matchup
in the King of the Ring tournament
on our way to crowning a new King of the Ring,
and certainly Kurt Angle, Paul,
wants to make this the most memorable night
in his entire WWE career by repeating as a King of the Ring winner
and by destroying the owner of WCW, Shane McMahon,
later tonight in a street fight.
[announcer] From Toronto, Canada, weighing 225 pounds, Christian.
[Paul] Well, not Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Not Ken Shamrock. Not Triple H.
Not even "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
None of these great athletes have ever been able to repeat
as King of the Ring,
but tonight, my Olympic hero Kurt Angle tries the impossible
to repeat two times in a row as King of the Ring.
[Jim] Christian getting the early advantage here with a right hand
on the Olympian Kurt Angle.
Kurt Angle could theoretically compete in three matches tonight
if he is successful in the semifinals, the finals,
and then certainly his matchup is gonna go on no matter what the outcome.
-[Paul] Oh, man. -[Jim] Hey!
What a slam there by Angle, taking down Christian.
Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon, the owner of WCW,
tonight in the street fight.
[Paul] And Angle is just hell-bent on finishing this match quickly,
and he needs to.
He needs as much rest in between his matches as possible.
[Jim] Kurt Angle and Christian
have certainly had a friendly relationship.
They got a little edgy last week, as we all saw,
but these guys have certainly been on the same page until last week.
Neckbreaker by Christian. Looking for a cover here.
Reaches back and angled at the right, shoulder up.
Angle a battle-tested tournament competitor
all through his amateur days,
competing on several matches during one day.
But that ain't the WWE, and that's what we've got here tonight.
[Paul] No, it's not, and the spirit of competition is alive and well
here at the King of the Ring 2001. Think about it.
Edge, Christian, Angle, Rhyno have all been friends,
have all been friends for a long, long time,
but it all comes together tonight because the winner of this match…
[Jim] Look out.
[Paul] …will face the winner of Edge versus Rhyno.
[Jim] Angle looking for that ankle lock,
and, uh, Christian certainly feeling that pressure,
able to counter somewhat, and comes back with the right hands,
which is been the bulk of Christian's offense, quite frankly.
[Paul] Uh-oh. Here we go.
[Jim] Christian did not wanna go for the ride.
Elected to stay on the ground, but not for long!
Belly-to-belly overhead suplex,
and Angle certainly as proficient as anyone I've ever seen
executing a variety of suplexes.
[audience chanting] Let's go, Angle. Let's go, Angle.
[Jim] Angle knocking Christian off the apron here.
Two great Canadians, Bret Hart and Owen Hart,
have won the King of the Ring, Christian, from Toronto,
would like to follow in their footsteps, but let's not forget Edge,
who will take on Rhyno a little bit later here tonight.
[Paul] But it's a great American, a true Olympic hero, Kurt Angle,
that is the favorite tonight to repeat as King of the Ring.
[audience shouting]
[Jim] Kurt Angle taking Christian on the outside,
and again, DDP sitting here at ringside, and look out here now.
Christian's head just… It bounced.
I mean, his head bounced right off our table,
and the table didn't give an inch,
and now Angle getting a taste of the ring steps.
[Paul] We may actually see Edge versus Christian in the finals tonight.
We may see Angle versus Rhyno in the finals tonight.
The possibilities just astound me right now
because there are so many intriguing things
that can happen in these two semifinal matches.
[Jim] As you mentioned, Paul, this is in Angle's advantage… Oh.
Christian is shoved off the top turnbuckle face first into the security wall.
It's in Angle's advantage to end this as quickly as he possibly can.
[Paul] Right, because he has a street fight tonight
with Shane McMahon, and the street fight rules, unfortunately…
[Jim] Here we go. A cover! And Angle…
[Paul] The street fight rules unfortunately favor Shane McMahon.
Watch this angle. Wham!
Now, that type of viciousness, you think, would help him in a street fight,
but Shane McMahon has been the master of these situations lately.
[Jim] Nice gutwrench into the slam by Kurt Angle,
who won the 1996 Olympic gold medal win…
Gold medal in Atlanta in the Summer Olympic Games
in freestyle wrestling,
the first American ever to do so at his weight,
and there's another suplex by Kurt Angle, the Pittsburgh native.
Looking for the cover now. Has the leg hooked and got a near fall.
[Paul] If you'll run down his credentials,
let's not forget he was just inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
[Jim] Absolutely. Angle had a great year in 2000, winning the King of the Ring,
European title, Intercontinental title, and WWE Championship.
He had more success than any WWE superstar in history
in such a short length of time.
[Paul] Not bad for his first full year of competition with WWE, huh?
[Jim] Yeah, Paul, and not that it's gotten to his head or anything.
[Paul] It hasn't at all. That man is modest, he's low-key.
[Jim] Right. Three I's, superhero…
Suplex, and the leg hook, and got another near fall.
[Paul] Wait a minute. He's a superhero, and I think quite frankly, JR,
if you had accomplished as an athlete what this man accomplished
in a span of 12 months, I'd say that it would have to go to your head.
I think it's the fact that his ego drives him
that makes him such a great athlete, that makes him a superhero.
[Jim] Right now, Angle's ego taking a beating a little bit
because he can't put Christian away. Inside cradle!
Inside cradle and another near fall, and Angle trying to pick Christian up.
He does so. Front chancery overpowers Christian right into the suplex…
and Angle now looking for the cover again.
Angle wasting no time and got another near fall.
[Paul] How could Angle adapt and use it, his amateur background,
into the WWE, is just downright frightening.
[Jim] Angle getting frustrated, Paul, it would seem, at this juncture.
His suplexes have not found a combination yet
with a three-count on Christian.
There must be a winner in this matchup.
King of the Ring semifinal match number one,
Edge versus Rhyno in our second semifinal match
coming up a bit later here in the broadcast tonight
as we are live here in the shadow of New York City
in the sold-out Continental Airlines Arena.
Angle raking the eyes. Didn't learn that in the Olympics.
[Paul] He didn't need to.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Nice heel kick by Christian knocking down Kurt Angle--
[Paul] Olympic wrestlers can't compete with WWE superstars except one of them,
and that's the Olympic hero Kurt Angle.
[Jim] All right. Now, wait a minute.
Uh, Shane McMahon, the owner of WCW,
who will meet Kurt Angle later tonight in a street fight,
and Shane McMahon getting a very close look at this contest,
and now Kurt Angle has laid his eyes on Shane McMahon.
It's inevitable that that's gonna take Kurt's mind,
at least momentarily, Paul, away from this match.
[Paul] I think Shane McMahon is playing mind games with Kurt Angle,
and quite frankly, I think Shane McMahon is out of line.
[Jim] And Kurt Angle high-risk and messed up.
Christian with a half nelson. And the cover! Angle's down!
No, he's… And Angle kicked out.
I mean, barely, as the hand was coming down,
Angle's shoulder just came up and now Christian in control
as Shane McMahon, and you're right, Paul, playing some mind games here.
[audience cheering]
-Backbreaker there. This could be all. -One, two…
And another near fall.
[Paul] I think this is a dramatically unfair advantage for Christian,
to have Shane McMahon out here distracting Kurt Angle.
[Jim] And Angle raking the eyes again. Looking for the suplex.
The waist lock countered by Christian. Christian going for the… Oh, look out!
The ankle lock! Kurt Angle's got the ankle lock!
Angle with the ankle lock and Christian trying to desperately get to the ropes,
and he does so,
and the referee is gonna call for the break.
[Paul] I'll give him credit. Christian is trying to…
[Jim] Angle looking for the Angle Slam.
Oh! Unprettier! That's gonna be all!
-Angle's off his game here, and-- -[Paul] What the hell?
Shane McMahon just pulled Christian off of Kurt Angle.
Christian is… No doubt that Christian had the match won.
[Paul] Now, what the hell did he do that for?
[Jim] What is Shane McMahon's agenda here? I don't think even Christian knows.
Christian looking back at Shane like, "What the heck is going on?"
Look out! Angle lock, Angle Slam from the outside back in.
-Leg hook! -[bell ringing]
[Jim] And Shane McMahon now with a…
[announcer] Here is your winner, Kurt Angle!
[Jim] Shane McMahon with an approving smile
that Kurt Angle won this match.
[Paul] Kurt Angle advanced to the finals in the King of the Ring,
but a big asterisk by that statement
because he advances with an assist from Shane McMahon.
[Jim] You can tell Kurt Angle got off his game the moment he saw Shane McMahon
at ringside
and it looked as if that was gonna be enough,
but now Kurt Angle has moved into the finals.
He's one step closer to realizing his goal, his dream.
[Paul] I don't get it.
I mean, now Angle has to face the winner of Rhyno and Edge,
but why would Shane McMahon save Kurt Angle?
Kurt Angle now in position to repeat, the first time ever in history,
to repeat as King of the Ring. I don't get it.
[Jim] Paul, you asked a good question.
As we see Kurt Angle put the finishing touches on Christian
with the Angle Slam, that allowed Angle to advance now to the finals.
Why did Shane McMahon get involved? And a lotta questions come to mind.
Was Shane playing those mind games with Kurt Angle?
Is he sending a WCW message,
or could it be that Shane wants Kurt to extend himself
by competing in another match before the street fight? I don't know.
I hope your questions are rhetorical,
because quite frankly, I don't have the answer.
I think the only person who can give us that answer is Shane McMahon,
and he ain't talking right now.
That's a problem, don't you think? He's not talking about this.
He's not talking about Benoit and Jericho.
Maybe this guy should just lay his cards on the table.
Also, folks, those huge rumors, will the new WWE champion,
if it's Jericho and Benoit, if they win it,
are they going to defect, tomorrow night at the garden,
to WCW with WWE gold?
[indistinct chatter]
[knocking on door]
-Yeah. -[James] Excuse me, Steve. Hi, Deborah.
I was wondering if maybe I could get your thoughts
on your Triple Threat Match later on tonight.
James. It's a mad idea. I'm expecting him, and he should be here any minute,
they're out there prowling in the halls. Maybe you saw him.
I didn't see him, but remember on Thursday on Smackdown,
-he told you he wasn't coming. -[laughs] He can be such a kidder.
He's got a great sense of humor. Tempers flared.
I'm sure he still loves me as much as I love him and I expect him to be here.
Steve, I haven't seen him,
but I was wondering if you could comment on the rumor that's been going around…
What rumor?
The rumor that if Chris Benoit or Jericho beats you tonight
and take your WWE title, they'll take that championship and go to WCW.
They're going where?
Yeah. If Benoit or Jericho defeats you tonight,
they're taking the WWE title and going to the WCW.
[Jim] Much like us, I don't think Austin can believe
what he heard about that rumor.
We're in the shadow of the Big Apple, New York City,
and here in the Continental Airlines Arena,
Austin's somewhat shocked, quite frankly, about that rumor.
More pressure on Austin,
but he really thought Mr. McMahon was gonna be here tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, we know that still to come,
this impending confrontation. DDP is sitting at ringside.
The Undertaker is here somewhere. I saw him earlier today.
Let's show you how this whole perverse voyeuristic saga unfolded.
[The Undertaker] Somebody's got a death wish
and their wish is about to come true.
[DDP] This is The Undertaker's wife, Sara, combing her beautiful blond hair.
[The Undertaker] Whoever is stalking my wife, don't mess with my family.
[DDP] I bet you feel safe, but you're not.
[The Undertaker] Don't mess with my family.
[DDP] Undertaker, I don't like you keeping Sara away from me.
Sara, I know where you are.
[The Undertaker] There will be hell to pay.
When I find this son of a bitch, he'll die a thousand deaths.
[DDP] I'm tired of your gamesmanship, Undertaker.
It's time for my dreams to come true.
I'm here tonight. I'm right here in Tampa.
Tonight, there will be no more disguising my voice.
No more hiding my face.
Tonight, the games are over, Undertaker.
The world will find out who I am and why I'm here.
[Jim] Dallas Page! DDP is the stalker! What the hell?
[DDP] Undertaker, like the diamond cutter,
you never saw it coming.
If you want to make an impact, you go after the biggest,
the baddest dog in the yard.
So, Taker, trust me, I'm using you to get to the top of this business.
I will see you at King of the Ring.
Taker, I'm begging you. Make me famous!
[The Undertaker] Who in the hell is Diamond Dallas Page?
You trespass on my ranch, you hide in the woods,
and you peep in the windows at my wife like some kind of pervert,
and you did this because you want to be famous.
I'm gonna make him famous for giving him the worst ass kicking
I have ever given anybody.
DDP, King of the Ring. Please show up. I'm begging ya.
Diamond Dallas Page, you are sitting in a WWE arena.
Sir, you have a locker room of WWE sports entertainers.
You are here in front of WWE fans. You are calling out The Undertaker.
With all due respect, sir, I find your actions to be,
for lack of better phraseology, a bit brazen, wouldn't you say?
First of all, Pauly, it would be balls. That's what it is.
To go after the Taker, it takes just that.
Coming into his yard right here in Jersey.
[audience yelling]
[DDP] You do this? You do this? You think this is funny?
[Paul] I don't think any part of this is funny.
If you wanna know, I don't find any part of this funny at all.
I don't find it amusing at all.
Anybody taking after my personal life, what's mine is mine.
You got a problem with me, Taker?
Right here. The guy with the sign.
I'm begging you. Make me famous!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] DDP taking exception to being on camera unwillingly.
Having his privacy invaded is a little different ball game for DDP.
[metal music playing]
And this is getting more strange by the moment.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall is a semifinal act
in the tournament to determine King of the Ring.
Approaching the ring, from Toronto, Canada, weighing 240 pounds, Edge!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Our second and final semifinal matchup
here at the King of the Ring tournament,
Edge against Rhyno one-on-one, the winner to meet Kurt Angle
in the finals here tonight at the King of the Ring.
[audience cheering]
[announcer] From Detroit, Michigan, weighing 285 pounds, Rhyno!
[Jim] I'll tell you what, DDP certainly does not like his privacy being invaded…
does he?
[Paul] I don't find any of this situation to be funny or humorous.
I find it to be dangerous and volatile,
and quite frankly, I'm uncomfortable with the whole damn thing.
I don't find stalking funny.
I don't find what Page is doing to be something to goad The Undertaker.
Let's talk about Rhyno and Edge instead.
Semifinals, King of the Ring.
The winner of this match faces the Olympic hero Kurt Angle,
and the winner of that match will be the 2001 King of the Ring.
[Jim] Oh, man. I think Rhyno just either spat his gum or whatever else
right in the face of Edge.
Now, these two guys were also on the same page
until the pressure started getting to them last week,
and certainly their relationship out of the ring
has been, I would say, severely challenged by this environment.
[Paul] That shows you
that friendship goes out the window when it comes to competition.
-[Jim] And money. -[Paul] Of course.
The King of the Ring is set to make a lot of money this year.
They're professionals, after all. They're not in the Olympics.
This is the pro ranks and this is where you make the big bread.
[Jim] Irish whip there, but Edge got met with a reverse elbow by Rhyno.
Edge known for his spear. Rhyno known for his Gore times three.
And there's a knife edge chop knocking down Edge to his knees.
This Rhyno's a real powerhouse.
Irish whip far side, and Rhyno, a little overzealous,
is showing great balance, landing on his feet on the apron.
Not a lot of room there, but he navigated it well.
And Edge able to score the dropkick, and Rhyno holding his leg there.
Holding that knee.
He may have twisted it on the landing.
[Paul] Edge now coming out of the ring chasing the Rhyno,
kind of like a dog that chases a car.
What do you do when you catch it?
Rhyno is 275 pounds from the big, bad streets of Detroit, Michigan.
[audience shouting]
[Jim] Edge's head bouncing off the security wall.
This Rhyno, he can beat you in a variety of ways,
but the common denominator is usually all power.
-Power and brute force. -[Paul] No doubt.
-[Jim] Oh. -[Paul] He is an intelligent rhino.
Don't sell him short. He's a thinking man.
[Jim] Rhyno teetering on that wall, and then got nailed by Edge
who roped back in the ring
to make sure the referee didn't exercise his 10-count.
-[Paul] What a hypocrite DDP is. -[audience screaming]
[Paul] He stalks The Undertaker's wife, shoots her on video for several weeks,
and when he's caught on video, he doesn't like it.
Ask me if I find it funny.
[Jim] I can't, Paul, there's nothing funny about this.
There's nothing funny about a perverse human being
trespassing on another man's property and… Oh!
Edge taken for a ride there with an abrupt ending to the excursion.
[audience chattering]
And what Page said earlier about his private collection
of videos of Sara, I mean, you know, come on.
That's way, way over the line, as if Page wasn't already there.
[Paul] Then again, I don't find it funny enough to tell a joke about it.
-I don't find it funny. -[Jim] Look out, D,
that turnbuckle has been exposed. Nothing but steel there.
[Paul] In the meantime though, Edge landed ribs first,
and that sets him up for the Gore.
Come on.
-[Jim] And Edge… Oh, my God! -[Paul] Sternum first!
[Jim] Right into that exposed second turnbuckle,
the padding removed by Rhyno.
And then Edge's sternum just got implanted right into that exposed steel!
[Paul] Sometimes you should listen to me more. I told you!
Rhyno is a thinking man! Rhyno knows what he's doing.
What a smart, smart game plan by Rhyno! He is dropping Edge on his ribs.
He's nailing him in the sternum. He's setting Edge up for the gore!
-[Jim] You're a brilliant man! -[Paul] Thank you very much!
You and my parents agree with each other.
[Jim] Irish whip in and a shoulder buried into the midsection.
And Rhyno now has established his pace.
-[Paul] Rhyno coming full force into Edge! -[Jim] Lot of high-impact stuff.
A lot of brute force, as we described earlier.
And Edge, now, in a very, very vulnerable position.
And that could be all.
Should be all… And Edge, reaching down with everything he had left, to kick out.
[Paul] Edge's hurting. Look at him. He's holding his ribs.
He's trying to catch his breath. Rhyno dominating Edge.
Rhyno looking to advance to the finals against Kurt Angle
in the 2001 King of the Ring.
[Paul] And Edge, again, being punished in that rib area.
And Rhyno now with the, uh, body scissors.
Good grief! How long's it been since you saw a full body scissors?
-Been a while in my book! -[Jim] Rhyno's not just a man, he's Rhyno…
Wow! Rhyno is not just an animal. Rhyno is a thinking man.
Rhyno is a smart, smart athlete, putting all the pressure on Edge.
He's sucking the oxygen out of Edge, and he's wearing down the ribs.
[Jim] And certainly Rhyno with those powerful legs wrapped around Edge.
Edge not able to exhale, not able to get a full breath.
And you gotta have oxygen to run that motor.
And there's another situation, a pinning situation.
And Rhyno, pulling one of the oldest moves in the business, the body scissors.
Quite frankly, he's got the legs to execute it.
Very well especially after hurting, uh, Edge's ribs
in the early going from the exposed turnbuckle.
[Paul] Edge doing everything he can to get away from Rhyno. But Rhyno… Wham!
Knee buried right into the ribs again!
[Jim] Well, Christian was not successful earlier tonight against Kurt Angle,
even though Shane McMahon was involved,
Shane McMahon wasn't here, obviously, to hurt Kurt Angle, in my view.
I'm sure you would agree with that, Paul.
[Paul] I don't know what to think about Shane McMahon.
-[Jim] Rhyno taking a chance! -[Paul] Oh, man!
[Jim] Big splash! Right off the top rope! Right into those ribs!
-[Jim] And this has gotta be… -[Paul] And over it!
[Jim] Edge able to get a shoulder up, somehow, some way.
But, you gotta believe that Edge… the end is near for this young man.
[Paul] What a valiant effort by Edge. But think about it.
Rhyno scored a victory over Taz! Rhyno scored a victory over Tajiri.
And tonight now, Rhyno just has to get by Edge
to fight Kurt Angle for the King of the Ring!
[Jim] Rhyno's got also some impressive victories over Chris Jericho.
Not too many can say that!
And… Oh! Rhyno… His own, uh, force used against him there,
as he was elevated by Edge, who looks to have very little left.
But Edge bought himself a little bit of time.
[Paul] Edge's so desperate not to get eliminated.
Edge, so sadly, wants to be the King of the Ring.
[Jim] Knockdown by Edge. Reaching down for whatever he has left.
He's bringing it to Rhyno. And there's the neckbreaker!
Edge with the neckbreaker, but not able to capitalize on it right away.
And Edge, apparently, seeming he's gotta hit the knockout blow,
or that home run here in the bottom of the ninth, if you will.
[Paul] Edge going up to the top, but this could be a mistake, and it is!
[Jim] Edge with those bad ribs, not able to navigate to the top quickly,
got caught in no man's land.
And Edge hammering on Rhyno, right into the temple.
Edge on the top turnbuckle. Sunset flip from the top!
Sunset flip from the top, and… and Rhyno powered out.
[Paul] How do you think Christian's feeling right now,
watching Edge fighting Rhyno for the right to fight Kurt Angle?
[Jim] Unless there's a monitor on the floor,
I don't know that Christian's seeing this. Spinebuster!
Dropping the air out of Christian, or Edge.
I gotta feeling Christian's got his head down right now.
[Paul] He's going for the Gore! Here we go!
This is gonna be it for Edge! There's no way he can survive!
-Oh! -[Jim] Oh! Good grief!
Edge had the same idea!
Edge with his spear and Rhyno with his Gore.
The collision in mid ring. And now both men are down!
[Paul] Now, someone, in my opinion, is walking out of here
with a separated shoulder!
And someone is walking out of here
going into the finals of the King of the Ring.
Five!
[Jim] Referee Jim Korderas with a very deliberate count.
[Paul] Rhyno with a crawl! Here he goes!
[Jim] Rhyno with the arm across!
And that's… No! It's not enough!
Edge barely able to get a shoulder off the canvas before the fatal three.
And now Edge behind, and rolls up.
Rhyno in the cradle. Rhyno's legs, too strong.
[Paul] Here it comes!
[Jim] Rhyno gored that exposed turnbuckle that he exposed to get Taylor!
-What a DDT! -[audience] One! Two! Three!
-[bell ringing] -[Jim] It is! Edge has upset Rhyno!
[audience cheering]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Edge!
[metal music playing]
[Jim] Edge gutted it out, capitalized on the one major mistake that Rhyno made.
[Paul] The exposed turnbuckle did Rhyno in!
Rhyno went for the Gore, he nailed the exposed turnbuckle,
and Edge took him down! Oh, man, what an upset!
We're going to the finals! We're gonna see Edge against Angle,
and the winner of that match will be the 2001 King of the Ring!
[Jim] Let's take you back and show you how this one went down.
Here's the big Gore that did not connect to human anatomy,
but to steel! And then, boom! The impaler!
Well, ladies and gentlemen, earlier today on MTV's Heat,
uh, Spike and Molly being interviewed about the Dudleys winning the tag titles.
Here's what Spike had of that, and then, a revelation!
I guess congratulations are in order for Bubba and D-Von,
on winning the tag titles but, you know, instead of talking about that,
I'd like to address their version of tough love.
You know, the way they 3D'd me on Smackdown?
If those guys wanna get involved in my match,
maybe they want to get involved tonight.
I wanna challenge them, tonight, for the tag titles, at King of the Ring.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta go find a partner. C'mon.
[Jim] That was earlier today on Heat. Now, standing by live, Spike and Molly.
And, Spike, I'm just wondering if you have found a tag team partner yet?
Yes, sir, I have found a partner!
[Jim] Would you mind telling us who that might be?
No. Actually, I think you should have to wait. This is a big surprise.
So…
Surprise?
Well, I guess if it's a big surprise, it can't be your little girlfriend Molly.
Because she definitely has turned into a big disappointment!
[laughs] You know something, Bubba?
Maybe that's why they fit so well together!
You know something, Spike?
You've been a disappointment in this family since day one.
And once again, you have put your foot in your mouth.
Man, when you gonna learn?
When are you gonna get some sense into that head?
C'mon, D-Von. Let's get out of here.
-Obviously we're in a whole lotta trouble. -[laughs] Yeah!
Chris… I know this is moments from your big match,
but the buzz in the locker room, the buzz in the arena,
the buzz everywhere is that if you or Benoit win the WWE title tonight,
that you're gonna take it over to WCW? What's the deal with that?
First, I appreciate you coming in here and interrupting me
while I'm preparing for the biggest match of my career just moments away.
But, I will say this about WCW. Now that they actually have a true boss,
someone in charge, like Shane McMahon, maybe the WCW won't be so bad after all.
And you want to know whether I'm gonna go to WCW after tonight?
Well, to answer your question, I would have to say, "Yes!"
I was aware that there was rumors about me going to WCW.
But in all seriousness, I have to say, the answer is, absolutely not!
I was not aware that you knew about these rumors.
But if you really, seriously want to know the answer to the WCW mystery,
well, let me just say this,
"I…
am going to shut the hell up
as far as this one is concerned. "
[whistle sound]
[explosions]
[Jim] I don't think we got our answer!
Some of that rumor is running rampant right now.
And here we go, preparing for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest, schedule for one fall,
is for the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 556 pounds,
the new World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Champions,
D-Von, Bubba Ray, the Dudley Boyz!
[Jim] Paul, you and I have got a close-up look at how the Dudleys
became the tag team champions last Thursday night on Smackdown.
D-Von going through a table. Jericho goes down, and then, watch this!
[Paul] Benoit with the crossface! Bubba Ray Dudley tapped. "Stone Cold"!
"Stone Cold"!
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin cost Benoit and Jericho the tag team titles!
[Jim] Austin a sick human being, putting the screws to Jericho and Benoit…
as we await the arrival of Spike Dudley,
and whomever he has convinced to be his tag team partner here tonight.
[Paul] Well, whoever he convinced is in for a rough, tough night.
'Cause that man has to face…
[Jim] Who is it?
[Paul] How do I know? It's someone who's gonna get…
-[explosion] -[Jim] Oh, my God!
You've gotta be kidding me!
Spike said it was a big surprise.
How about just a shade under 7-feet tall big surprise?
[announcer] The challengers, the team of Spike Dudley
and the Intercontinental Champion, Kane!
[Jim] And Spike Dudley not wasting any time…
[bell ringing]
He wants some retribution from his older half-brothers
Bubba Ray and D-Von. And here comes Kane!
What an equalizer for the runt of the Dudley litter,
the 150-pound Spike,
who's doing a number on his brother, Bubba Ray, in the corner.
Oh, my, [inaudible]. Beautiful move!
[Paul] And no pun intended,
but if there's anyone who has been house of fire in the WWE as of late,
-it's the Intercontinental Champion Kane! -[referee] Come on.
[Jim] You've gotta hand it also to Bubba Ray and D-Von.
They won the tag team titles, as we saw, with a huge, huge assist
from the Texas Rattlesnake, Thursday night on UPN's Smackdown.
But they did step up to the plate and accept Spike's challenge,
not knowing who Spike's partner was going to be.
What is this, a game of catch?
[Paul] What in the world? Oh!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Spike! There goes Bubba! And a near fall.
And Kane, that size 20 boot to the face, and another near fall.
And would it be a little bit hard for Bubba Ray and D-Von to handle,
to lose the Tag Titles about three days after winning them,
and losing them to their little brother, Spike, to boot?
[Paul] It's not just to their brother Spike, but lemme ask you this,
"Shouldn't Kane know to leave other people's family problems alone?"
I mean, of all people, The Undertaker's brother!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Tell ya what. The Dudleys verged on tough love a little bit,
as it leaves a little to be desired, in my estimation,
as far as tough love is concerned.
And Kane, what elevation for the 325-pound… Leg is hooked here.
The lateral press found him too in this matchup for the tag team titles.
Spike Dudley has gone out,
and got a hellacious tag team partner for this matchup.
In fact, Spike just tagged himself in,
and the Intercontinental Champion Kane will step out.
[Paul] Here ya go! The smaller half of the [inaudible] of the WWE.
Strike him, and D-Von's hurt. D-Von's hurt!
[referee] Stand back!
[Jim] D-Von Dudley may need an assist here,
but he's back on his feet. But maybe he's not that hurt!
19,112 here in attendance tonight, as this event,
here in the Continental Airlines Arena,
selling out in just a few hours several months ago.
And the tag team title's on the line in an impromptu matchup,
that the challenge went down earlier tonight on Heat,
except about Bubba Ray and D-Von.
And we all just found out moments ago that it was Kane,
a surprise partner, for little Spike Dudley.
[Paul] Look at Bubba Ray, the loving older brother,
beating some tough love into his little brother Spike.
[Jim] And certainly, Spike not trusting his older half-brothers,
making sure Molly is not here at ringside in this very, very volatile environment.
Let's not forget that DDP is still sitting here at ringside.
I know The Undertaker is here!
And that explosion could happen at any moment!
Nice legdrop by D-Von.
Now look at what a cover, and Kane making sure the three did not go down.
[Paul] Now all this trouble's starting amongst the Dudleys…
-[Jim] How? -[Paul] …is the same way
all the trouble started between DDP and The Undertaker. Women!
It's always women that cause the trouble! Look at Mr. and Mrs. McMahon! Women!
[Jim] Oh, my! Back body drop!
[Paul] Spike took that beating because of Molly.
It's… Why when there's trouble, will you always find women behind you?
-[Jim] Don't you like women? -[Paul] Yeah!
But I also acknowledge the fact that they're nothing but trouble!
[Jim] Spike Dudley downstairs, trying to climb over Bubba Ray,
he's gotta go 325.
And Bubba Ray looking to give it all to Spike, give him none,
and Spike catapulted over Bubba Ray, almost out of the ring.
[Paul] But even more dangerous, Spike's legs then hit the bottom open.
That propelled him back down into the canvas. Look at this!
Look at the height! Up, man, and way down!
[Jim] I'll tell ya, I don't know how, Paul, you can even remotely blame Sara.
[Paul] I didn't blame Sara! Correction, sir! I didn't blame Sara.
I just said that at the root of the problem was a female!
[Jim] Because she has been a victim here. Molly has been a victim here!
[Paul] I don't know about Molly. I agree with you about Sara,
if for nothing else, because The Undertaker scares me to death.
[Jim] As he should all of us! And does!
And spike downstairs! Oh! My God! What a powerbomb!
Spike Dudley got drilled, and but little spike Dudley just will…
He refuses to stay down, refuses to lose!
[Paul] Just like DDP refuses to be intimidated by The Undertaker.
Not that I'm condoning his actions, because I'm not!
But, sir, you must admit that DDP is being pretty brazen tonight,
sitting in the front row with a big sign
challenging The Undertaker to meet the fans!
[Jim] Well, there's no doubt about that. DDP is being extremely brazen.
And that's one politically correct way of putting what he is displaying here.
But I don't know how much good sense he is sewing,
because it is inevitable to me that The Undertaker and DDP
are gonna get it on in some state, form, or fashion here tonight.
It's just inevitable!
[Paul] Do you think The Undertaker is hesitant in coming out here?
-[Jim sarcastically] No way. -[Paul] Wait! Time out!
[Paul] Then why isn't he here?
[Jim] That I don't know. I don't know that.
[audience cheering]
I don't know that, but I know The Undertaker is here,
and there's the tag! Kane is here as well!
Bubba Ray and Kane, the two legal men here now,
in this matchup for the WWE Tag Team titles.
And all 325 pounds of Bubba Ray elevated by Kane.
This Kane is a "Big Red Machine", never more aptly named.
He is a machine. And there's a neckbreaker!
What… Proving his authority… Should be all here. One, two, oh!
And Bubba Ray showing his tenacity, his grit, getting his shoulder up!
[Paul] Single-handedly Kane is dismantling the Dudley Boyz!
[Jim] Now the cover!
And Bubba Ray, again, with a shoulder off the canvas.
Kane getting rid of D-Von Dudley on the outside.
And look at this power here! Good grief! What a powerslam!
-That's gotta be all! -[Paul] One! Two!
[Jim] Oh, Bubba got his shoulder… Barely got his shoulder up.
D-Von trying to get in there and interrupt the count.
Didn't need to that time.
And the fans not too pleased with D-Von's, uh, evil attempt
to get involved in that pinning predicament.
[Paul] Now Kane one-on-one against D-Von. Now Kane just clears the ring!
This guy's so bad, you can't even name his opponents, he beats 'em up fast!
[Jim] Kane cleared the ring of the Tag Team Champions,
and tagged in little Spike Dudley.
Spike… Wait a minute. What's Kane doing with Spike?
Incoming!
Spike Dudley, the human javelin,
with a nice distance by Kane, and Spike Dudley now.
Kane giving Spike the opportunity to win the tag title.
-Kane off the top! That should be all! -[Paul] Come on!
[Jim] That should be it! And…
Not enough body weight for Spike, 150 pounds, as Bubba able to kick out.
Spike downstairs.
-[Paul] Spike's going up! -[Jim] Spike… Oh!
The Dudley Dog on Bubba Ray! And again, Spike looking for the cover!
But this time D-Von, with a right hand, interrupted the count.
[Paul] And you gotta give Spike credit. If D-Von wasn't there just in time,
Spike and Kane would've won the tag team title!
[Jim] Kane gonna take D-Von for a ride. At least that was his intent.
And now the Tag Team Champions double-teaming Kane
in the vertical suplex.
[audience cheering]
[Paul] Hey, JR! I love this part, watch this!
Here they go! What?
[Jim] The Whassup by the Dudleys. You can get it in if you want.
-[Paul] But it's not that much… -[Jim] Double dropkick!
Spike Dudley, the legal man here, got the double dropkick!
And spike looking for the Dudley Dog, but D-Von held onto the ropes.
Interesting counter! And the DDT! Or the…
-[Paul] 3D! -[Jim] …the 3D!
[Paul] One! Two! Three!
-[bell ringing] -[Paul] The Dudleys with a 3D!
[announcer] The winners of this bout, and still tag team champions,
the Dudley Boyz!
[Jim] And now to add injury to injury, or injury to insult, if you will…
D-Von's got the table!
And it looks like Spike is gonna taste some Dudley wood!
[Paul] Now, this is what you call "tough love!"
-I can… -[Jim] Oh, look out! There's Kane!
Kane with a powerbomb on D-Von Dudley! Uh-oh!
[Paul] Kane has Bubba by the throat! Right by the table!
[Jim] And Bubba Ray [inaudible], landed right through the table!
-[explosion] -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Bubba Ray and D-Von fortunate to retain their newly won tag team titles,
but Kane leaves our Tag Champions with something to remember.
[metal music playing]
Let's take a look at how Spike Dudley,
looking for that Dudley Dog… just moments ago.
Kane carries his tag team partner outta here.
[Paul] D-Von held onto the rope, which saved him from the Dudley Dog.
Spike coming for the clothesline… 3D outta nowhere! 3D!
And the Dudleys retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.
[Jim] Kane carrying out his little partner Spike Dudley.
Great effort by these two.
-Hey. -Hey.
Look… [clicks tongue] I know what I said before about you having it easy, but…
But what? You were robbed? Shane cost you your match? What?
[sighs] I just wanted to say "good luck." I really hope you win this thing.
[Jim] There you see Diamond Dallas Page.
The stalker The Undertaker's wife Sara, who bought a ticket,
is here at ringside here in the Continental Airlines Arena,
and he's awaiting the arrival… What's this?
[DDP] Uh-oh! Uh-oh! At this again?
Checking out my private life? This is… Taker? [sighs]
I'm really getting irritated by this now, Taker!
I'm really getting irritated by this! You wanna watch my personal life?
I'm right here! I'm right here!
At the Continental Airlines Arena. I'm right here in the front row!
You looking for me?
I'm right here! Get the hell out here!
-Getting into my personal life. -[Jim] DDP obviously heard those comments.
-I'm right here, Taker! -[Jim] He's getting a little rattled,
-to say the very least! -Make me famous!
-[Jim] I think Page is… -Get out!
[Jim] Could The Undertaker be playing some mind games with DDP?
-[audience chanting] -[Paul] I don't know. There it is!
My hometown of New York City!
[Jim] Of course, the home of WWE New York, in the heart of Times Square.
Another sell-out there tonight, watching the King of the Ring.
We thank our fans for being there.
Also, ladies and gentlemen, the man that knows all about the King of the Ring,
a former King of the Ring winner, is the one Billy Gunn.
Billy, could we please get your feelings on this year's King of the Ring,
the tournament and your prediction?
How do you think I feel? I was a 1999 King of the Ring.
I'm stuck here in New York. I'm not even at the arena.
Damn! I wasn't even in the tournament!
So let me tell you, do you think I give a crap about who wins tonight?
There's only one person I care about, and that's me!
So how do I feel? That's pathetic!
[audience cheering]
[Paul] Well, so much for your interviewing skills, huh?
I agree with his assessment of you, sir!
[Jim] Ladies and gentlemen, the King of the Ring finals is here.
It is now! Kurt Angle against Edge, one-on-one!
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is the final match in the tournament to determine the King of the Ring!
Introducing first, Kurt Angle!
[Jim] Kurt Angle won the King of the Ring last year.
[explosions]
And he is looking to make history in the WWE,
because none of the greats that have won the King of the Ring have ever repeated.
Not just the following year, but any year!
[Paul] Right. He wants to be a back-to-back King of the Ring winner.
No man's ever won it twice, let alone twice in a row.
[Jim] King of the Ring started in '93, when Bret "The Hitman" Hart
defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in the finals.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Jim] Who will sit in the throne?
Who will sit in the King of the Ring chair?
Could it be this young man?
And you gotta wonder the condition of Edge's ribs, or his sternum,
wherever the injury may be.
Certainly has not had time to really recuperate.
I wonder how heartfelt Christian's…
Hold on a second! I just want to say one thing.
[audience yelling]
First of all, I'm sorry for getting mad at you last week.
I don't want anything to get in the way of our friendship.
[audience cheering]
Thank you.
[audience chanting obscenities]
Edge, don't listen to 'em. Listen, with that being said,
Edge, you know I have a street fight with Shane McMahon.
And realistically, Edge, there's no way you're beating me here tonight.
[audience jeering]
Hold on a second.
So what I was thinking is,
since I do have this street fight with Shane,
it's only right that you allow me to be fresh in my match.
And that way, I can spare the embarrassment of you,
of me handing your butt to you tonight.
You understand?
So what I'm saying, Edge… is if you forfeit here now,
it's the right thing, it's the right thing to do, and you're being my friend.
[audience yelling and screaming]
What do you say, Edge? C'mon! I think I know you!
[Jim] Oh! I think there's the answer!
-[bell ringing] -[Jim] Straight right hand by Edge,
answering loudly and clearly to Kurt Angle,
a venal forfeit here tonight,
in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament.
Oh!
What a flapjack there by Edge, driving Angle face first into the canvas.
Can't help but take my eyes off DDP sitting here at ringside.
Somebody here earlier today has been obviously videotaping DDP's every move.
-[Paul] He doesn't like it, does he? -[Jim] No, he doesn't!
[Paul] Got a taste of his own medicine, and none too happy for it, I might add!
[Jim] We saw earlier DDP,
and apparently now he's having breakfast or lunch, or whatever it was,
and they're walking in a parking lot, which looked near the hotels in the area.
So now, Page [inaudible].
And The Undertaker, to me, it's no doubt he's playing some mind games.
It's not a matter of "if" The Undertaker's gonna attack,
it's a matter of "when" he's going to attack.
And a right hand exchange by the two men
vying to be the 2001 King of the Ring winner.
It has been, for many men, a career maker.
And for some others, it has not been…
Almost like the Sports Illustrated cover curse!
[Paul] I have a theory about why Shane McMahon interfered
-in Kurt Angle's match before. -[Jim] What's that?
[Paul] Kurt Angle now advances to the finals.
If Kurt Angle beats Edge,
and Shane McMahon fights Kurt Angle… Oh, man!
-Oh, man! -[Jim] Wow! A suplex!
Belly-to-belly suplex from the inside of the ring
over the top to the floor!
[Paul] If Shane McMahon beats Kurt Angle after Angle wins the King of the Ring,
it's the WCW owner beating the WWE King of the Ring!
It's another slap in the face
to the World Wrestling Entertainment by WCW!
[Jim] Let's take another look at this. Unbelievable maneuver!
Belly-to-belly!
A belly-to-belly throw inside the ring, all the way over to the floor,
on those bad ribs.
And now the injured ribs of Edge being even more exposed,
becoming even more punished by Kurt Angle,
who may just end this one a whole hell of a lot sooner than later.
-[Paul] Can you dispute my theory? -[Jim] No, quite frankly, I can't!
It would certainly be a slap in Mr. McMahon's face.
Certainly a slap in many of WWE superstar's face, quite frankly.
[Paul] Right? Then again, maybe Shane McMahon just wanted to make sure
that Kurt Angle had a fight with Edge, had to wrestle another match,
which wears him down even more before the street fight.
[Jim] It's hard to say what's in Shane o'Mac's mind.
Though we know his mind is preparing for a battle tonight,
no matter the outcome of this matchup.
There's the cover,
Kurt Angle forcing another near fall on Edge in this King of the Ring final.
[Paul] I got more conspiracy theories than Ken Starr.
[Jim] And he had a bunch.
Kurt Angle certainly a…
You've gotta think, he'll not take too many chances.
I think we'll see a ground attack by Angle. There's the suplex.
Quickly hooks the leg and gets a near fall.
[Paul] We're seeing a very efficient attack by Kurt Angle.
You're seeing Kurt Angle dissect Edge piece by piece, wearing him down.
But Kurt Angle has a problem here.
He needs to put Edge away as quickly as possible,
because Kurt Angle still has one more match tonight,
a street fight with Shane McMahon.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Reverse chinlock applied by Angle. Again, Edge, those bad ribs,
so for those of you that have ever had a broken a rib
or a bruised rib, cracked rib,
it's just so difficult to breathe and take those long breaths.
And as we've said over the years,
the oxygen that these athletes put in their body, it's like their fuel.
-Kurt, you suck! -[Jim] You rob them of their fuel,
you beat them.
[Paul] Kurt Angle wants to beat Edge
to become the first man ever to repeat as King of the Ring.
Kurt Angle now being nailed in the gut by Edge.
Edge desperately trying to hold on to his chances
of elevating his superstardom in the WWE.
[Jim] Indeed, Angle attempting to make history here tonight
by repeating in the King of the Ring.
And now, Edge in a real tough position here. Back to the ring.
And Edge rolling off somewhat unorthodox. There's a cradle.
The roll-up. Angle on his shoulders.
And Angle quickly got off his shoulders, just after the two-count went down.
[Paul] No way you're going to rob Kurt Angle of history.
No way you're gonna stop Kurt Angle from making history.
-Think of all the history he's made… -[Jim] There's a cover, a suplex.
Angle got the cover and got a near fall.
[Paul] And this will be another feather in the cap
of the Olympic hero Kurt Angle,
the first man ever to repeat as King of the Ring.
[Jim] Again, Angle wrenching in on the reverse chinlock.
And Edge, again, that body cramped, where the ribs, again, being punished,
even though it's a reverse chinlock,
in the position Edge's body was in moments ago, punished again.
And now, Angle again controlling the head,
you control the body, as the old cliche goes.
[Paul] As I told you before, Kurt Angle, I had never seen a human being
adapt from the Olympics into the WWE quite like Kurt Angle.
Here he is, using his Olympic training, using his amateur background.
It's all about leverage.
And Kurt Angle has all the leverage in the world with Edge.
[Jim] Over the last 25 years or so, I've seen a lot of amateurs
attempt to make their mark in sports entertainment.
Most fail. But not Kurt Angle.
He's the best at making the transition that I think I have ever seen.
And he's only gonna get better and better, quite frankly, as young as he is.
But Edge works his way back up.
Edge is gonna fight with everything he's got here.
And both these men have not endeared themselves
to this capacity crowd of 19,112.
[audience shouting]
He has a busted lip, but that'll not slow him down,
-to say the least. -[Paul] No way.
Nothing's gonna slow down Kurt Angle. This man wants to make history.
All the accomplishments that Kurt Angle brings to the table.
Then controlling all the championships,
including the WWE title that he held last year.
[Edge groaning]
[Jim] A front waist lock, and Edge got dropped ribs first over the security wall.
And now, Kurt Angle having a verbal confrontation with the official.
[audience cheering]
Kurt Angle in the driver's seat here,
and maybe just moments away from making history
as the repeat King of the Ring winner. Angle now going up top.
High-risk situation.
And Edge with a dropkick, dropkicking Angle's leg from under him.
And Angle's straddling the top turnbuckle.
And we've gotta believe that can't feel good.
[Paul] No, it can't feel good. And Edge needs to capitalize.
This is Edge's chance.
This is where he has a moment to take out Kurt Angle.
[Jim] And Edge with a hurricanrana, taking more air of Kurt Angle,
and something out of Edge himself. Edge looking for the cover.
There's the arm over. Oh, you see how close that was.
That was about a half a count away.
[Paul] So Kurt Angle continues on in this match.
But as every second goes on in this match, it's to the advantage of Shane McMahon.
I'll say it for you.
[mimics Jim] "That's a hell of a point, Paul." Thanks, JR.
[Jim] Shane McMahon and Kurt Angle later tonight,
again, no matter the outcome of this match, in a street fight,
one-on-one, right here at the King of the Ring.
And a little street fight technique going on here
with the right hands by both men.
And the knockdown by Edge. And Angle walked right into that one.
And one more time, Edge, with those bad ribs, elevating Angle,
again, using Angle's own momentum to get Angle up and over.
[Paul] But Edge needs to follow through.
Edge desperately needs to put away Kurt Angle as quickly as possible now.
[Jim] Angle missed the dropkick.
And Edge now has gotta capitalize on one of these mistakes,
because Angle will not and doesn't make many.
There's the cradle, the roll-up.
And again, Angle got his shoulders up as the referee's hand was coming down
for the three-count in this match in the King of the Ring finals.
Angle with the Angle Slam.
Counter. Angle reverses… Oh, there's the ankle lock.
It's gonna be over here.
And wait. Edge, the roll-up, the roll-up! And a near fall.
-[Paul] How close can you be? -[Jim] Will deliver with a clothesline.
[Paul] And the [inaudible].
[Jim] Wait. There's Christian. Christian on the apron. Edge's partner.
They once held the tag titles together here.
And Christian got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
And there's a roll-up. It may have backfired. Here we go again!
[audience screaming]
Angle rolled up Edge, who had his eyes on Christian, quite frankly.
Irish… Irish whip there. Angle caught in the mouth.
And so did the referee.
Referee got a shot there, Paul, inadvertently by Edge.
Now there's no referee. And Angle breaking out.
-[Paul] Ankle lock! -[Jim] And that may break his ankle.
[Edge tapping the floor]
[Paul] Edge is tapping to the ankle lock! Edge is tapping to the ankle lock!
[Jim] But the referee is down, face-first.
[Paul] Hey, wait a minute. There's Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon came through the crowd.
And Shane McMahon just speared Kurt Angle.
Shane McMahon speared Angle.
[Paul] What in the hell is going on?
[Jim] Shane McMahon, the owner of WCW,
came undetected by the referee through the crowd.
And Shane almost broke Angle in half.
-The impaler. -[audience cheering]
The DDT! Here comes the referee!
[audience] One, two, three!
-[bell ringing] -[Jim] Yes! Shane o'Mac celebrating.
[announcer] The winner of this bout and new King of the Ring,
Edge!
[Jim] Edge prevailed with a huge assist
I'm sure that he did not request from Shane McMahon.
But Edge is the 2001 King of the Ring.
[heavy metal music playing]
Edge sucked it up with those battered ribs and all, Paul.
But you can't discount the assist that Shane McMahon gave Edge.
Shane McMahon almost broke Kurt Angle in half with that spear.
[Paul] Make no mistake about it.
Shane McMahon just handed the King of the Ring to Edge.
Shane McMahon screwed Kurt Angle.
[Jim] But why, Paul? Why did Shane McMahon do it?
Is it another message?
Is it to get in Kurt Angle's head before their street fight?
Right here. Oh, what a shot. Shane McMahon got it all there.
Shane McMahon, the second time tonight he's been in Kurt Angle's business.
But it won't be the last, because the street fight is still to come.
Edge taking advantage.
[Paul] You know, the first time Shane McMahon helped Kurt Angle win.
Now, Shane McMahon cost Kurt Angle the King of the Ring.
I don't get it. I don't wanna get it. To hell with it all.
Chris, we've just seen Edge win the King of the Ring.
And I gotta ask you.
Is there any truth to the rumor that if you win the WWE title tonight,
you're taking the championship to WCW?
Is there any truth to the rumor?
What kind of a question is that, Taz? What the hell kind of question is that?
You know, actually, it's a pretty good one.
[Jim] And there you see DDP, the man that has been…
he's been videotaped all day by somebody.
And he is growing very, very impatient, Paul.
-Very impatient. -[Paul] I don't blame him.
He's waiting for an ass kicking. Or he's waiting for The Undertaker.
Either DDP has laid a trap for The Undertaker,
or he knows in his heart,
sooner than later, The Undertaker is coming for him.
[Jim] I bet The Undertaker's playing big-time mind games with DDP,
because The Undertaker is here somewhere. I saw him earlier today.
It's not a matter of if, DDP, it's a matter of when.
Edge, congratulations. You are the 2001 King of the Ring.
-How does that sound? -[Edge chuckle]
2001 King of the Ring. I really like the sound of that.
That reeks of royalty. [laughs]
Dude, congratulations.
When I came out there earlier, I was just trying to help.
That's all I was doing
-What else would you be coming out for? -Nothing. Just to help you.
Hey, I'm going to go get some balloons to celebrate.
So begins the era of awesomeness. Yeah.
[audience cheering]
Shane has no idea. He's gonna pay. Now it all makes sense.
Now I know why he had me… why he had me beat Christian
so I'd have an extra match. Oh, real smart. Real smart, Shane.
Well, he's gonna pay. And I'll tell you something else.
In this match tonight, if any WCW wrestler comes into the ring,
anywhere near the ring, hey, I have influence with Mr. McMahon.
I'll have their butts kicked out of the entertainment.
They'll have no more work. Their families will go on welfare.
These people will starve to death.
I should be the King of the Ring Champion, two-time King of the Ring Champion.
This is not fair.
[upbeat music playing]
-[audience cheering] -[Jim] Kurt Angle visibly upset.
He's got more duty to do tonight in that street fight with Shane McMahon.
But now, we have another title on the line.
[announcer] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the World Wrestling Entertainment Light Heavyweight Championship.
Introducing first, from Cameron, North Carolina, weighing 218 pounds,
the World Wrestling Entertainment Light Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy is certainly tough enough
to be the Light Heavyweight champion with the gold on the line.
Folks, the official premiere of Tough Enough is this Thursday night
right after Smackdown.
Of course, Tough Enough airs on MTV, an hour-long special.
Great ratings, great response, great feedback,
tremendous effort by a lotta folks.
And that journey is just getting underway.
[Paul] And all that positive response without even me on the show.
[Jim] It's amazing.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Jim] Jeff Hardy has a challenge awaiting him.
I've just got a feeling about this guy. And tonight…
[announcer] The challenger, representing the X-Factor,
weighing 220 pounds, X-Pac.
[Jim] Well, none of… The Hardyz will not be here at ringside, nor Lita.
And certainly, none of X-Factor.
It's been mutually agreed and ordered, a strictly one-on-one matchup.
Ladies and gentlemen, the next time that we have the privilege
of coming into your home on pay-per-view will be next month.
It's called Fully Loaded.
It emanates from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, July 22nd.
And for our fans throughout Ohio and the Midwest,
you still have the opportunity to be with us live in the Gund Arena
for this huge event, Fully Loaded.
Nothing like seeing it live too, I can guarantee it.
[Jim] X-Pac has said it loudly and longly, Paul,
that the only that he and his cohorts are gonna get recognized
is to win the championship here in the WWE.
The opportunity is here and now. Nice arm drag takedown by X-Pac.
[Paul] I'm really intrigued by this match.
Because in my opinion, X-Pac helped change the perception
of the light heavyweight in the United States.
For a long time, in Japan, the light heavyweights were so respected.
But X-Pac helped elevate that perception here in the States.
[Jim] Nice takedown by X-Pac, almost taunting Jeff Hardy.
X-Pac the more experienced of the two,
even though X-Pac is yet to see his 30th birthday.
He started competing when he was about 15 or 16 years old for cash.
Collar-and-elbow tie-up and a side headlock.
[Paul] Best reason to compete is for cash.
[Jim] I agree. That's the only reason. This has been my estimation.
Nice takedown, or knockdown, by X-Pac.
DDP still here at ringside. Oh, arm drag.
Deep arm drag takedown, reminiscent of another North Carolinian,
Rick "The Dragon" steamboat, a young man that Jeff Hardy idolized growing up.
DDP sitting here at ringside,
now know what it feels like to have his privacy invaded,
because somebody has been videotaping DDP since, obviously, early this morning.
[Paul] Jeff Hardy up, and flies at X-Pac.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy walking the tightrope, hammering X-Pac with a clothesline
in this matchup for the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship.
And again, we mentioned that, still to come,
Shane McMahon in that street fight with Kurt Angle.
I don't know, Paul, this definitely seems… Oh, my.
DDP a big WCW star.
[Paul] He said he's going to appear in Madison Square Garden,
a WCW athlete in Madison Square Garden.
No way. Won't happen.
You're going to have to climb over Mr. McMahon's dead body
for something like that to happen.
[Jim] Well, Mr. McMahon's live body is at home tonight in Greenwich,
where he said he was gonna be.
And certainly, Austin with a must-win situation here.
Without Mr. McMahon to help Austin,
Austin's gotta face Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho tonight
in the triple threat match for the WWE title.
As X-Pac getting an unfair advantage here
in this Wilbur Snyder oriented abdominal stretch.
[Paul] Wilbur Snyder? Where are you pulling this one out?
[Jim] My hat.
And X-Pac… Oh, hip lock, taking Jeff Hardy over the top.
X-Pac using great leverage there, and balance.
And now, X-Pac springboard crossbody inside to the out.
And X-Pac on top of his game here tonight.
[Paul] No doubt this is a tremendous opportunity for X-Pac.
All the way from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Think of all the roads this man has traveled.
And not even at his 30th birthday yet,
and X-Pac has a chance to get back on top with the light heavyweight title.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy with the shoulder block.
And now, makes his way back in, lands on his feet like a cat.
Oh, knocked down. What a shot from the educated feet of X-Pac.
Now, looking for the cover,
looking for the title, and got the near fall.
[Paul] Now, X-Pac wears down Jeff Hardy.
X-Pac, who came into the WWE as a kid, as a follower, now a man, a leader,
and quite possibly will leave New Jersey tonight
and head into Madison Square Garden tomorrow night
as the Light Heavyweight Champion.
[Jim] X-Pac's older friends used to call him the trailer,
because he was always following them around.
But now, he is the leader of X-Factor
and can certainly gain great favor around the world
by winning the WWE Light Heavyweight title.
And Jeff Hardy and X-Pac exchanging the right hands, is reversed by X-Pac.
X-Pac again scored with a heel kick.
And again, Jeff Hardy reaching down quickly to kick out.
But you've gotta wonder how much more punishment, Paul,
-Jeff Hardy will be able to endure here. -[Paul] I admire Jeff Hardy.
I'll tell you what, 23 years old, and already he's a champion. Wham.
Great kick in the corner. Jeff Hardy rolls off of his back.
He wants to stay outta a pinning predicament.
And here it is. [inaudible].
-Oh! -[audience cheering]
[Jim] X-Pac looking for the bronco buster.
And he didn't get to saddle up on that exchange.
Misses the clothesline.
And Jeff Hardy, that rather unorthodox dropkick of his.
And the takedown of X-Pac.
Jeff Hardy defending his Light Heavyweight title.
Nothing there for X-Pac.
Lower abdomen.
And X-Pac, the air driven outta his carcass.
What a shot. I think X-Pac was trying a Thesz press or something. And…
[Paul] Both men caught the worst of that one.
I wouldn't wanna be in either guy's boots.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy again. -[audience cheer]
A corkscrew maneuver by Jeff Hardy, trying to get a cover here.
Couldn't get a real solid pinning situation there.
Couldn't hook the leg from the position that he was in.
But he got a near fall.
[Paul] And Hardy, always willing to take the risk, goes back up top.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy… But rolled through by X…
X-Pac's got it. He thought he had him.
X-Pac the veteran, as far as these two are concerned,
rolling right through that situation.
Now X-Pac would like a timeout.
-[Paul] But he ain't gonna get one, is he? -[Jim] No.
-[audience cheering] -[Jim] And Jeff Hardy…
getting a reaction from some of our fans here.
-[Paul] It's over. He got him! -[Jim] There you go. It's gonna be over.
[Paul] Three! Three! He got it!
[Jim] All right. The referee just saw the foot on the bottom rope.
[Paul] What the hell was that! He counted three. Ring the bell.
Ring the damn bell.
[Jim] The referee did count to three, but he made a mistake.
[Paul] Will somebody please ring the bell?
[Jim] Bell can't ring until the referee signals for it.
And this match is continuing here.
X-Pac had the light heavyweight title in his grasp.
But Jeff Hardy's foot rightfully so on the bottom rope.
X-Pac looking for the X-Factor again. This time, it was countered.
[Paul] It's countered. And this is unfair, in my opinion.
Now, Jeff Hardy again taking a risk, going up.
-Jeff Hardy going up to the top rope. -[Jim] Jeff Hardy, a risk-taker.
And X-Pac will settle the Light Heavyweight Championship
right back down.
Or maybe I should say, he will take him right back down.
[X-Pac falling down]
But Jeff pushes X-Pac off.
Right on his back.
-Swanton! -[audience cheering]
-Jeff Hardy with a Swanton! -[referee] One, two, three!
-And got the three! -[bell ringing]
-[audience cheering] -[heavy metal music playing]
[announcer] The winner of this bout and still Light Heavyweight Champion,
Jeff Hardy.
[Jim] In all due respect to the Light Heavyweight Champion,
X-Pac dominated this matchup until the last 30 seconds.
[Paul] Dominated? X-Pac was robbed.
X-Pac should be, right now, the Light Heavyweight Champion.
And here for all the little girlies in the audience
is the replay of Jeff Hardy doing a Swanton bomb,
instead of somebody playing a replay of X-Pac pinning Jeff Hardy,
which he did, and you know it.
-[heavy metal music continues] -[audience cheering]
Can you believe it? What an incredible King of the Ring tournament.
We have a new king.
-[speaking foreign language] -Yes, I know you liked it.
Bu I can't wait to see that miserable specimen Shane McMahon
-get his comeuppance. -[door banging]
-Hello. -Can't get a signal anywhere.
Please, help yourself. Help yourself.
Vince? Yeah. It's Steve.
Steve Austin.
Vince, it's "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion.
I'm doing fine. How are you? Listen. Listen. Someone's starting a rumor.
They said if Chris Benoit or Chris Jericho wins the title from me tonight,
that they're going to defect to WCW.
They're going to defect to WCW. You listening to me?
I'm not lying.
Hold it. Tell him [inaudible].
Mr. McMahon. Steve Austin, he's telling the truth.
If you can't trust him, who can you trust? They're going to defect to WC…
I need you. Where are you?
What are you… Tell your driver to get in the car and haul your ass over here.
I need you. Greenwich ain't that far. You can still make it.
Listen.
All right. I'm looking forward to seeing you.
All right.
All right. Thank you, Vince. Please hurry. Bye.
[smacking down the phone]
I don't believe it.
[door slams]
[Jim] DDP looks like he's about to snap himself, waiting the arrival…
He knows The Undertaker's gonna confront him.
But DDP just doesn't know when, Paul.
-[Paul] How do you know that… -[Jim] Aw, man.
[DDP] Taker, you think you're going to get in my mind?
Look at this, son of a…
[DDP] I tell ya, you're not getting to me. You are not getting to me.
[man 17] DDP.
I'm in full control here, Taker. I'm right here. I'm not out there.
Aw, man.
[Jim] DDP's watching himself,
as he arrived earlier today here at the arena.
[DDP] You think you can turn this around? You think you can play mind games with me?
Think again.
Son of a… [breathes heavily]
[audience chattering]
[DDP] I'm telling you, I'm right out here, Taker!
[audience chattering]
I'm right out here.
I'm… That's enough of this crap.
[Jim] Wait, wait, what? Here comes DDP.
Over the rail now and back in the ring, just as we started this night.
Taker!
[audience cheering]
You think you're getting to me?
Well, you're not!
I'm right here!
I called you out.
You accepted. Now get the hell out here!
[audience cheering]
Let's see who gets their ass kicked!
[Paul] Why would anyone provoke The Undertaker more?
-Why? What sense does this make? -[Jim] He wants to be famous as Page.
Come on, Taker.
-[Paul] He's gonna be dead. -I'm waiting.
Taker! I'm calling you out!
[Jim] What's this?
[DDP] I ain't back there, you moron. I'm out here.
[Jim] This is as DDP arrived here at the arena.
[DDP] Get out here, you rat bastard.
[Jim] That's in the… Oh, man. That's in the locker room area.
That's right.
It's me, Sara.
And now, DDP,
it's time for you to become famous.
[audience cheering]
-["Rest In Peace" music plays] -[Paul] Oh, no. No, no, no.
[Jim] Well, you might wanna put the women and children to bed on this one.
[The Undertaker] ♪ Deadman walking ♪
[Jim] And there he is!
[audience cheering]
The American Badass.
DDP wanted to be famous.
And by God, I'm going to believe, Paul,
that DDP's about to become more famous than he ever dreamed.
[heavy metal music playing]
-[Jim] And The Undertaker taking his time. -[Paul] He is enjoying the anticipation.
The Undertaker is enjoying the anticipation of kicking DDP's ass.
[Jim] DDP is holding his ground.
Here's the WWE's… WCW star.
And The Undertaker again making DDP think about…
This is gonna get ugly. It's gonna get ugly in a hurry,
but only when The Undertaker says he's ready.
[metal music continues]
[Paul] Oh, man. The Undertaker is making Page think about this.
It's not just a mind game. This is going to be a very bad situation.
[Jim] The Undertaker apparently doesn't wanna break his hands on DDP's face,
because he's gloving up.
[Paul] There's not a person sitting in their seat right now.
Every single person is on their feet.
Can you feel the tension in the air tonight?
[Jim] DDP's gotta be shaking all the way down to his socks
in anticipation of a slobberknocker that he'll never forget.
[Paul] Hey, with all credit to Page, I don't know if he's that afraid.
Look at the chutzpah on this man.
He is standing there, waiting for The Undertaker.
We've got a fight on our hands.
[Jim] DDP is not running. And here we go.
Diamond Dallas Page and The Undertaker. They said it was gonna go down.
And they're delivering right here, this confrontation.
Page knocked down. And The Undertaker. This could be ugly and…
And The Undertaker, those huge rights and lefts
right into the face of Diamond Dallas Page.
[Paul] How can anyone condone this? It's not even a match.
It's just a fight in the middle of a pay-per-view.
[Jim] These guys are fighting for free tonight,
just for the… Taker wants retribution.
Page wants to be famous.
[audience cheering]
And Page getting the hell stomped out of him.
And The Undertaker wants Page to get up.
[Paul] And as much as I'd love to sell this to you
as a WWE versus WCW confrontation,
to me, it's between Undertaker and DDP.
[Jim] A low blow by Page.
He got himself a reprieve, at least for a moment.
And Page, fighting back up.
And now, Page opening up on The Undertaker,
those straight right hands.
The Undertaker's suffering from that low blow.
Look at me, Deadman! What you got?
[Jim] And Page trying to talk some trash.
[Jim] And The Undertaker with body shots, the uppercut, and a right hand.
And Page knocked right through the ropes.
[Paul] This is unfathomable that DDP… And here comes more trouble.
Oh, man.
[Jim] There's The Undertaker's wife Sara bringing that camcorder,
apparently, that was used earlier today on DDP.
And, now, Sara getting more for the… I guess, the home video.
[audience screaming]
But nothing like the footage, apparently, that Page has of Sara
that he talked about earlier tonight. That was extremely hideous.
And now Page, his head rammed into the ring steps.
The Undertaker and Page here on the outside.
And another right hand from the American Badass,
and down goes Page.
[audience shouting]
[Paul] The Taker just taking Page apart,
just beating him senseless all over the Meadowlands tonight.
Undertaker turning the Page with those right hands,
and DDP almost on Green Street as 19,000 plus look on.
Page crawling, crawling right back into the mouths of hell,
with the 330-pound Undertaker.
[Jim] You think right now DDP is sorry he ever even heard of a video camera?
[DDP yelling]
[Jim] Oh, Page run into the time keeper, run into the table.
Page is… Sara shooting all this for posterity.
-[Paul] Oh, man! Oh, what a shot! -[Jim] Another shot.
[The Undertaker groaning]
[Jim] And a shot again by DDP.
And a… Oh. Good God!
[audience yelling]
[indistinct shouting]
[grunting]
[audience cheering]
[Paul] What the hell is going on here, JR?
Jeez!
The Undertaker is beating the high holy crap
outta Diamond Dallas Page.
And will somebody please restore some semblance of order here tonight?
[Jim] We need a SWAT Team out here.
[Paul] No, what we need is Mr. McMahon to get here from Greenwich
and restore some order just when you need him most.
[Jim] The Undertaker manhandling DDP, but DDP also giving The Undertaker
more than, perhaps, The Undertaker anticipated.
And more body shots by The Undertaker, and down goes Page again.
[Paul] I've taken one slap in the face from The Undertaker.
I can't believe the beating that DDP is taking.
All these punches, all these kicks, and one slap is enough.
DDP is taking a wild beating tonight on film.
[Jim] Sara, look out. Don't get too close to this sicko.
Don't get too close to Page.
This is your big chance to be famous, bitch. I hope you like it.
[Jim] Undertaker talking the trash to DDP,
and Page, with another right hand, knocked back into the ring.
And now, Page is having second thoughts over his voyeuristic perversion
and stalking of The Undertaker's wife.
[Paul] What happened to Page's bravado?
Hey, anonymity never looked so good to DDP, huh?
[Jim] Oh, Page kicked right in the face! Oh, gosh.
The Undertaker's got a… Oh, look at Page now.
[Paul] He's hightailing it out of here.
DDP is leaving!
-[Jim] And Sara's filming it. -[audience] DDP!
[Jim] DDP getting the hell outta the Continental Airlines Arena.
I think DDP is as famous as his body will stand.
[audience cheering]
I don't think DDP wants anymore of the American Badass.
[Paul] DDP's not even turning around to look. He's just leaving.
[Jim] You can bet your bottom dollar that as long as DDP's career is alive
and this man is breathing, this is not over.
We're just getting started,
as DDP found out what it was like to be in the big dog's yard.
[heavy metal music playing]
[Paul] I don't think he liked it, either.
[Jim] And Sara with that camcorder in hand.
Here's another look at just a moment ago.
[Paul] Maybe DDP doesn't want to be famous all that bad.
A kick right to the face.
A real knockout blow, and DDP hightailed it outta here.
The Undertaker has defended his yard.
[Jim] DDP will have to regroup.
[metal music continues playing]
And you gotta wonder, will DDP show up in the Garden tomorrow night?
[Paul] No way. No way.
[Jim] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, you gotta believe,
awaiting the arrival of Mr. McMahon, who's got a…
-How is it going? -All right.
How long does it take to get from Greenwich to here?
-I don't know, sir. -Greenwich, Connecticut to here?
-What time? How long? -About an hour and a half, sir.
I'm expecting Vince McMahon. I mean, I expect him any minute.
Okay, sir.
As soon as he gets here, come back to my dressing room and tell me.
I'm in the last dressing room, the last one on the left. Number 4.
-Will do, Mr. Austin. -Do you understand it's emergency?
I'll let him know, sir.
As soon as he gets here, I'll tell him you're looking for him.
[Jim] "Stone Cold" better get his mind on his business here.
And, folks, we're a heartbeat away
from the street fight involving the owner of WCW and Kurt Angle,
and this whole issue started
during Kurt Angle's Olympic gold medal ceremony reenactment.
[Kurt] I'm an American hero. I'm an Olympic champion.
The fact that I stand for truth, justice, and the American way,
pretty much classifies me as a damn superhero.
Tonight, I'll recreate my Olympic winning victory ceremony.
[tense music playing]
[Jim] That's Shane McMahon. He's the owner of the WCW.
[Shane] Kurt, sorry for the interruption. So, lemme get down to it.
Kurt, you have your three I's, but, Kurt, I also have three letters,
and those letters are WCW.
[Kurt] So what? The WCW's sorry suit? Nobody cares.
What people care about is my award ceremony.
-So do you mind? -Before I was so rudely interrupted,
I wanna make sure that you understand, again, what WCW means.
The W also stands for, I don't know…
wussy.
[Jim] Oh, my God. The Angle Slam from atop the medal stand.
Kurt Angle irate that Shane McMahon has interrupted this bogus Olympic show.
[Kurt] When Lex Luthor rained on Superman's parade, he got hurt.
And, Shane, you're gonna get hurt too.
[Kurt] I want Shane McMahon to come into this building, into this arena.
I want him to come into my ring. I dare Shane McMahon to come into my ring.
Shane, for once in your life, don't be a coward.
[Jim] Wait. There's Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon. Oh!
He just delivered the Angle Slam to Kurt Angle!
Kurt Angle will never forget the name of Shane McMahon.
What a message for Kurt Angle from Shane McMahon.
[Kurt] Shane McMahon, since you happen to be from the mean streets of Greenwich…
I, Kurt Angle, challenge you, Shane McMahon,
at King of the Ring, to a street fight.
[commentator] Now the fight between WWE and WCW is on.
[Jim] Shane McMahon, kendo stick in hand, to the head of Kurt Angle.
And that kendo stick will be legal Sunday at King of the Ring in the street fight.
[Paul] Shane McMahon is out of his mind.
Kurt Angle's gonna whip the carcass
of the WCW owner, Shane McMahon, in a street fight.
[Kurt] Shane McMahon, you may think you can fly,
but you're nothing but a mere mortal.
I'm a superhero.
You may be the owner of WCW,
but at King of the Ring, I will own you, Shane McMahon.
♪ Here comes the money! ♪
[Shane] Here we go. Money talks.
♪ Here comes the money! ♪
♪ Money, money, money, money, money Money, money, money ♪
♪ Dollar-dollar ♪
[Jim] There he is, ladies and gentlemen, the owner of WCW, Shane o'Mac,
Shane McMahon, about to take on Kurt Angle in a street fight.
♪ So stop it ♪
♪ Here comes the new kid on the block ♪
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a street fight.
In the ring, from Greenwich, Connecticut, weighing 234 pounds,
the owner of WCW, Shane McMahon!
[Paul] Super Mac. Oh, come on.
I don't like Shane McMahon's mocking of Kurt's kryptonite.
What does Shane know about a street fight coming from Greenwich?
[Jim] I doubt Kurt Angle could even spell kryptonite.
-[Paul] Kurt Angle is a superhero. -[Jim] Right. He's not?
["Medal" music playing]
[announcer] From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kurt Angle!
[Jim] Kurt Angle's a great athlete.
[Paul] And should've been the King of the Ring.
[Jim] Well, maybe so, but he's not. Edge is. But superhero? I don't know.
[explosions]
[Paul] Lemme say it for the record.
You're witnessing the 1996 gold medal winner in the Olympics.
You're witnessing a former Entertainment Champion.
You're witnessing a former King of the Ring,
and a man that should've been the King of the Ring tonight.
[Jim] What a takedown by Kurt Angle,
and you know how badly Angle wants Shane McMahon.
Angle threw his own gold medals to the floor as he entered the ring.
This is not about amateur wrestling, unless Shane McMahon's gonna be stretched
in all sorts of weird connotations by Kurt Angle.
Who can't do it, by the way.
And look at Kurt Angle, pluming blows to Shane McMahon.
And a suplex.
[Paul] As if Angle needed the motivation, he's gone postal here tonight
because he was robbed
from being a two-time King of the Ring by Shane McMahon.
[Jim] Shane McMahon being pulled back up by Kurt Angle.
This street fight has no disqualifications…
and Shane McMahon, who will lead WCW into the future.
And what could the future hold for Shane McMahon
and Kurt Angle here tonight?
[Paul] I think the future, right now, for Shane McMahon looks pretty bleak.
Kurt Angle is gonna take Shane McMahon apart. Look at this.
Kurt Angle, wham, taking down Shane McMahon.
Kurt Angle wants revenge.
Shane McMahon cost him the King of the Ring.
[Jim] Yeah, but, Paul, Kurt…
Shane McMahon helped Kurt Angle win the semifinals. You gotta admit that.
[Paul] I think that was only to make Kurt wrestle three matches.
[Jim] Legless takedown by Shane McMahon, and a modified arm drag,
and Shane McMahon… Oh, nice.
Heel trip taking down Kurt Angle, and Shane McMahon showing Kurt Angle
that Shane McMahon knows a couple of wrestling maneuvers as well.
And Angle doesn't like that at all.
[Paul] That's only because of all the high-priced trainers
that Mr. McMahon paid for during Shane's formulative years.
He deserves no credit from anybody. From Greenwich.
[Jim] And Kurt Angle challenging Shane McMahon to come into the ring.
You wanna go amateur, let's go amateur.
-Get your ass in here! -[Jim] And Angle's got a cut above his eye
from one of those right hands by Shane McMahon,
and Angle in the down position, in the referee's position, Paul.
If I were Shane, I have no idea what I would do. It's a street fight.
In any event, Shane McMahon…
[Paul] If I were Shane, I'd beg for forgiveness.
[Jim] Shane will take the challenge here, and that may have been a mistake,
because Kurt Angle rolling right out of the pressure, hammering Shane McMahon
on the back with those forearms, and those fists.
[Paul] Ain't no may have about it. It was a mistake.
It was definitely a mistake. It's true. It's true.
Gutwrench by Angle into the slam, and Angle has been busted open
at the hands of Shane McMahon and one of those right hands.
Shane McMahon, we've seen him do some amazing things
on those extravaganzas,
and that was a belly-to-belly overhead throw to the owner of WCW.
[Shane McMahon groaning]
[Paul] Shane McMahon has done these amazing, extraordinary things
just to survive,
but he's in the ring tonight with Kurt Angle,
a real peed off Kurt Angle.
[Jim] Oh!
As Shane McMahon's going to suplex school,
and Kurt Angle's got a doctor's degree in that area…
and… Oh, those forearm shots.
Now, that is… You talk about bile and aggression.
That is a stiff, stiff maneuver.
[Paul] You can't blame Kurt Angle. Shane McMahon asked him for this.
[Jim] Angle with a roll-up, and, again, Angle riding Shane McMahon,
Angle showing his superiority.
[Paul] Now, you see, that's the way that Kurt Angle knows how to do it.
That's what led him to the 1996 gold medal,
and you can't blame Kurt for being angry.
-Shane McMahon drew first blood. -[Paul] No way!
-Look at Kurt's face. -[referee] Come on, Kurt. Get him out.
[Jim] Kurt Angle is really giving Shane McMahon an earful there.
-Let's go! -[Jim] Angle wants to go.
Now, he's gonna try to say, "Let's do it again."
Angle back down in that referee's position. I'll tell you what.
Shane McMahon, he has been taken places in this match already,
that he's never experienced.
[Paul] There's a lot of things that Shane McMahon has never experienced.
Do you think Shane is used to being suplexed by a guy like Kurt Angle?
You think Shane McMahon's body is used to having to recover
from a beating like Kurt Angle is giving him?
And you think Shane's gonna fall for this again? What's wrong with him?
[Jim] Shane McMahon gonna try to… Oh, he's done.
Shane McMahon, what a crushing kick to the ribs,
and we've seen Shane McMahon beat the Big Show in a Last Man Standing.
We saw him beat his own father at WrestleMania.
[audience cheering]
He has beaten Test. He's beat a lot of guys.
Don't count Shane McMahon out.
He's got that McMahon fighting spirit, but Kurt Angle going behind.
Waist lock takedown.
[grunting]
Shane McMahon shocking the world back in March
when he bought WCW right out from under his own father,
and Shane using his ring awareness to take Kurt Angle right on the outside.
[Paul] No, Kurt… Shane McMahon has been playing games all night long.
First, he interferes in Kurt Angle's match,
so that Kurt has to wrestle another match before he fights Shane.
Shane looking for the advantage.
And Shane cost Kurt the King of the Ring, causing Kurt to go postal.
[Jim] You think that's smart?
[Paul] No. I think it's antagonizing the wrong guy.
I think Angle's gonna take it out on Shane.
[Jim] Shane's gonna set Kurt up with something, and there he delivered.
-Shane McMahon… -[Paul] Where are you going?
-[Jim] Shane McMahon here behind us. -[inaudible].
-I don't know what to do here. -[Paul] Take him over there!
-Hey, hey! -[Jim] Hey, wait a minute. Come on.
-[Paul] Shane. You guys are… -[Jim] Good God.
Shane leaping right over us, right into Kurt Angle's face.
Get back in the ring.
[Jim] Is there not a chance that Shane McMahon will not take?
[Paul] He better take every chance in the book.
He's fighting Kurt Angle, a very angry Kurt Angle. Look at this.
Shane McMahon diving on the Kurt Angle, over the announcing desk.
This is just, to me, typical Shane… Oh, no.
[Jim] Shane's got a kendo stick, and this a street fight,
and that's as legal as a headlock. Let me tell you.
No disqualifications in a street fight.
[Paul] I told ya Shane was gonna win this. Another upset by Shane McMahon.
And boom!
[Jim] Unlike the Mets, Shane McMahon found his mark with that kendo stick.
-[Paul] Easy with the New York references. -[Jim] Shane has busted…
Oh, the kendo stick on Kurt Angle, who put his shoulder to Shane McMahon,
and broke Shane McMahon to the apron,
and now Shane taking Kurt to the post, now to the concrete on the outside.
[referee] Get up. Kurt, let's go. C'mon.
[Jim] This is a street fight, meaning that whatever you see is what you get.
There's no disqualifications. Anything goes here.
[audience chattering]
[Paul] But there's only one difference,
the pinfall or the submission has to occur in the ring.
[Jim] I think that's a good rule, as Shane McMahon mirroring Kurt Angle
from the outside back in,
and now driving Angle, kidneys first, into the ring apron.
[Paul] It's not falls count anywhere. It's falls count in the ring.
If Shane wants to capitalize, he needs to get the superhero back into the ring.
[Jim] And let's don't forget, this is Kurt Angle's third match of the night,
and largely because of Shane McMahon's involvement.
[Paul] Only because of Shane McMahon's involvement,
just like Kurt Angle would be the King of the Ring tonight
only Shane McMahon interfered.
[Jim] That was very wise
and extending Kurt Angle into this three-match situation.
This is Shane's first match tonight, Angle's third,
and I don't think that Christian would've beaten Kurt Angle
as it went down if Shane McMahon had not been involved.
Shane McMahon with that shoulder tackle,
driving Kurt Angle right into the steel steps.
[Paul] Shane McMahon pulling out all stops.
Shane McMahon's been a very busy guy in the past few days,
I understand, negotiating with Benoit allegedly,
negotiating with Jericho allegedly,
and now costing Kurt Angle the King of the Ring,
and now fighting Kurt Angle in a street fight. Busy guy.
[Jim] WCW was always known to do some under-handing negotiations
from what I hear,
and Shane McMahon, if it's true, could have a huge coup later tonight,
but business is business here.
Shane McMahon, there's a cover, the lateral press. Look at Angle's bridge.
That is huge, tremendous strength in that neck.
And Angle again bridging up, and Shane McMahon taking Angle back down,
and Angle with a third bridge in this exchange.
[Paul] Have you ever seen an athlete quite like Kurt Angle?
Have you ever seen a man come into the WWE with the impact that Kurt Angle has made?
[Jim] Absolutely not.
[Paul] Have you ever seen a man with the ability
to continue to do neck bridges
after two other matches quite like Kurt Angle?
[Jim] Business is picking up here,
because this no disqualification street fight…
as Shane McMahon bringing some toys into the ring,
if you will, some legal weapons.
And, again, Kurt Angle is… Shane McMahon has opened angle up again.
I tell you what, Angle, win or lose,
Angle has had the hell beat out of him here tonight by Shane McMahon.
-[groaning] -Gee, Christmas.
Shane is a competitor, a smart one at that, Paul, in and out of the ring.
That shot to Kurt Angle.
-[Paul] Shane's going for a cover. -[Jim] And there it is.
The cover made and…
Oh, Angle able to kick out and comes right back to his knees.
[Paul] Not just a kick out, but a reversal, a reversal by Kurt Angle,
a reversal by the superhero.
[Jim] Glad you picked that out, because I'm sure I would've missed it.
-[Paul] I think you did. -[Jim] Oh, Kurt Angle, look out here.
Shane McMahon's got Angle's ankle lock on the Olympian…
Oh, look at that counter.
An aggressive kick right to the face of Shane McMahon.
[Paul] And Shane McMahon goes back to the weapons.
[Jim] Were you surprised? I'll tell you what.
Shane McMahon, this is a street fight, you can do anything you want in it.
Shane McMahon's been in plenty of street fights.
With a DDT.
Shane McMahon scores with a DDT,
and I guarantee ya, for somebody that doesn't have formal training,
Shane McMahon is doing one hell of a job in staying step-for-step with Kurt Angle,
a former WWE champ.
[Paul] Oh, no doubt. Look at this now. Shane, Shane going for a sharpshooter.
[Jim] Shane McMahon, the fatigue's gotta be setting in here.
Shane trying to lock in the sharpshooter, and he does it!
Shane's got his back.
My God, can you believe the humiliation for Angle if he taps out?
Shane with a sharpshooter.
Angle doesn't… He can't have much left.
[Paul] Oh, but he does, because he is Kurt Angle.
He's one of a kind, and he's reached the rope,
but I tell you what… Oh, man.
[Jim] Angle almost got to the bottom rope.
Shane setting down now on the sharpshooter.
Shane with a sharpshooter applied.
[Paul] He did get to the bottom rope, and now Kurt Angle got to a weapon.
[Jim] Angle using that kendo stick that Shane utilized earlier on Angle.
Angle using that kendo stick to free himself from the predicament.
[Paul] It's the three I's of Kurt Angle, integrity, intelligence, intensity.
And Kurt Angle needs to use all three. I think it's humiliating for Kurt Angle
that Shane McMahon hasn't hightailed it outta here yet,
and I think it's bothering Kurt Angle right now.
[Jim] Let's not forget that Shane McMahon has his three letters as well, WCW.
-Four! -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Angle got that kendo stick in one hand,
and now bleeding from the mouth.
My God, what a beating he has taken.
Shane showing the quickness.
Now the jabs and the rights.
Shane McMahon has got Kurt Angle in a bad, bad way here.
[Paul] It's like watching Ali and Frazier in Madison Square Garden.
Straight right hand. Will that be enough?
The right hand. There's two.
And Angle's right shoulder just came off the canvass enough
for the referee to stop the count.
[Paul] You really think Shane McMahon's employee, Diamond Dallas Page,
is gonna have the temerity to even show up at the Garden tomorrow?
[Jim] After what has happened here tonight, I shudder to guess.
But it wouldn't surprise me. I wouldn't wanna bet against it, frankly, but…
DDP was very embarrassed here in his debut to be made famous.
You gotta think he's gonna have to have some sorta retaliation,
or if he's got the guts and quite frankly, I think he's got the guts.
Shane McMahon put up a dent in that trash can
and an Olympic head right in the trash can.
-[groans] -And now to the abdomen.
[groaning]
Shane McMahon beating Kurt Angle with anything that's not nailed down
in this no disqualification street fight.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Shane's got something on his mind, what's he doing?
[Paul] Every time he has something on his mind, somebody gets hurt.
[Jim] Remember WrestleMania, Shane went from corner to corner,
over 20 feet, and drove a trash can into daddy's face.
And now, Shane, as wobbly as he is, on the top rope here.
[Paul] This looks bad for Kurt Angle.
[Jim] Oh, my God. Shane McMahon with the Shooting Star.
[Paul] Now, where'd he pull that one out of?
[Jim] But he got the trash can.
Shane McMahon is… Referee Dan, checking with both guys.
Shane, he's gotta have some broken or cracked ribs here, Paul.
[Paul] And this is Kurt Angle's chance, Kurt Angle's chance to pull a recovery.
Shane McMahon on the top rope.
Shooting Star Press, and nails the corner of the garbage can.
[Jim] There's a cover by Kurt Angle, and he…
Oh, Shane McMahon refusing to stay down.
The owner of WCW, and I'm, quite frankly, surprised
that we've seen Shane McMahon with a variety of WCW stars
in the last several weeks.
[Paul] Oh, we certainly have, and we've also seen Shane McMahon
talking to Chris Jericho in the past couple of weeks.
[Jim] Fireman carry takedown by Kurt Angle.
Can Shane McMahon recover from this?
Right into that trash can, and Kurt Angle with Shane,
and Shane grabbing the ropes, and to no avail.
Angle dumping Shane over the top rope all the way to the floor.
[Paul] Can you imagine the ramifications on this industry
if Benoit and Jericho win the WWE title
and defect in Madison Square Garden tomorrow night?
[Jim] Oh, that'd be bigger than huge.
That would be headlines all over the world,
and not to mention a huge headline with the owner of WCW,
not an accurate wrestler beats Kurt Angle,
a man that's one of the [inaudible] in the WWE.
[Paul] And outside of the WWE.
A man of great accomplishment, a true Olympic hero,
a true superhero in Kurt Angle.
[Jim] Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon fighting in the outside.
Remember, no disqualifications, no count-outs here in this street fight,
and Shane has broken that suplex and countered with one of his own,
and they did not land on a protective mat.
That's a thin layer of carpeting right across the concrete floor,
and look at the expression on Angle's face.
Right on his kidneys. That took so much out of Kurt Angle.
[Paul] Oh, I think both matches earlier tonight
took so much out of Kurt Angle,
and I think now it's obvious, in my opinion,
that Shane McMahon's game plan in the first match
was to force Angle to wrestle a second match before the street fight.
[audience] Let's go, Shane! Let's go, Shane!
[Jim] Did you graduate valedictorian of detention school? That's brilliant.
[Paul] Thank you. It's a pleasure to carry you through these broadcasts.
[Jim] And Angle making his way back up,
and Shane McMahon unable to do so at this time,
and Angle scores with that right hand.
And Shane McMahon fights right back. Shane McMahon is not gonna die here.
He's not gonna fold his tent and go home,
but Kurt Angle continues to hammer Shane McMahon, who now is back up.
Oh, man. That was Shane McMahon's head…
on that… whatever the hell it is there that…
[Paul] That thing.
[Jim] …that thing holding up the King of the Ring staging area.
[Paul] That thing just got dented by Shane McMahon's head,
which was driven into that thing by the Olympic hero Kurt Angle.
[Jim] These men in a very dangerous, precarious situation and position here,
being on the exposed concrete floor in front of the King of the Ring set.
[audience shouting]
[Jim] Oh, good God Almighty.
Shane McMahon thrown with a suplex upside down,
and I think Shane's head just bounced right off that concrete floor.
Shane McMahon is down, and, again, this match cannot be won but in the ring.
[referee] Come on.
[Jim] You gotta believe if it's falls count anywhere,
Angle might be able to take it right here.
[Paul] Aw, I think Kurt Angle now just needs to bring Shane
back to the ring and beat him.
-[Jim] Oh, not again. -[Paul] Oh, my God!
Right through the glass!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Shane McMahon, belly-to-belly suplex,
the overhead version through the glass, in the concrete.
And Angle now from that shattered glass is bleeding from the shoulder.
[Paul] The first suplex didn't break the glass,
but the second one sure did. Kurt Angle has busted up.
[Jim] Shane McMahon is bleeding.
Shane McMahon bleeding, Paul, from the face, because of this.
[Paul] No doubt. Watch this. Wow!
Crashes, crashes Shane McMahon right through the glass.
[Jim] My God.
These men are literally beating the hell, the blood and the pulp out of each other.
-[man 23] Come on. -[Paul] Oh, no.
-[Jim] Good grief. -[referee] Come on.
[Jim] Angle again trying to drive Shane through that partition there.
[Paul] These are set designs. Do you know how much money this stuff is worth?
You know how thick that glass is?
[Jim] I'm not worried about the money or the budget.
Here, I'm worried about two human beings, especially Shane McMahon,
who's getting the hell beat outta him.
These two men are battered and bloody. My God, he's tried it again.
Angle is hell-bent
on driving Shane McMahon's broken body through that partition.
[Paul] I'm not talking about the money or the budget,
I'm talking about the thickness of the glass.
I'm talking about this is big time set design.
[glass shattering]
[Paul] Oh, my God.
[Jim] Shane McMahon heading face first right through that glass.
What are the… My God.
[audience chanting]
-[Jim] This is… This is sick. -[Paul] Oh, here it goes.
Kurt Angle, look at this. This is just disgusting.
Kurt Angle has him driven,
here's another camera angle, right through the glass.
[Jim] You can only win in a ring. You cannot win this matchup…
It's not falls count anywhere.
Kurt Angle wishes it was.
And this is… You talk about a aggression.
This is ungodly. Both men are a bloody, beaten pulp.
Angle's so weak, he can't even pull Shane McMahon
back toward the ring and Shane McMahon is down.
[Paul] And that's to Shane's advantage how far he is from the ring
because Angle's gonna need to drag Shane McMahon
through all that broken glass up the aisle and back into the ring for the victory.
[Jim] Kurt Angle's got one of those anvil cases.
I don't know how heavy those things are or what Kurt's gonna do with it, but…
Oh, don't tell me he's gonna run over Shane with this thing, Paul.
I mean, enough is enough.
I know it's a street fight, and you get a hell of the meeting,
but the referee could…
You may get fired for stopping the match like this.
But how much can these human beings take? I mean…
[Paul] It's the three I's. Forget about the intensity.
-Forget about the integrity. -[Jim] Stop.
-[Paul] No. It's the intelligence. -[Jim] Oh, yeah. That's ridiculous.
[Paul] Why is it ridiculous? He's wheeling Shane McMahon back to the ring.
-Tell me that that's ridiculous. -[Jim] This match should be stopped.
[Paul] It's the fourth I. It's ingenious.
Kurt Angle is wheeling Shane McMahon's prone body.
[Jim] The blood is pouring on the back of Shane McMahon's head.
I mean, come on. The blood is pouring from Kurt Angle
and Shane McMahon's helpless, defenseless body
is over this anvil case as they're near the ring.
I mean, has the point been proven here?
[Paul] The point will be proven
when Kurt Angle, as I predicted, wins the match.
[Jim] I mean, even Mr. McMahon,
as cold-hearted as he has been in his life,
could not be happy watching his own flesh and blood being beaten to a bloody pulp.
[Paul] You might be right about that, maybe.
-Cover. -[Jim] Angle's got the leg.
My God, please. Oh, come on.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] My God, Shane McMahon refuses to lose.
Well, come on Shane. Enough is enough.
You gotta… You're gonna wanna fight another day somewhere.
[Paul] What does it take to put Shane McMahon away?
[Jim] Look at the look on Kurt Angle's face here
when Shane McMahon kicks out.
Kurt Angle… The look tells it all. I can't believe that he didn't stay down.
I mean, Shane McMahon's… This McMahon fighting spirit
could damn sure be a curse here tonight.
-[audience shouting] -[Paul] Low blow.
[Jim] Shane got the low blow here in the street fight.
Shane McMahon's getting right back in this thing.
[Jim] Kurt Angle, his eyes glazed over.
Shane McMahon with everything he's got left, whatever it is.
Shane McMahon with Kurt Angle's own finishing maneuver,
the Angle Slam.
But Shane has lost so much blood,
he's having the hell beat out of him so badly he can't capitalize here.
[Paul] Cover, one.
[Jim] The arm is over.
[audience shouting]
Man, how close was that? How close was that?
[Paul] It was as close as it gets
and now it's my opinion that the first man to his feet
will emerge victorious in the street fight.
[Jim] How much left can these two men have?
They've given it all to us here. Angle's third match.
Angle looking to go for the ankle lock.
[grunting]
[Jim] Shane trying to counter, but to no avail,
and Angle catapulting Shane McMahon all the way to the ring post.
[Paul] There's blood everywhere. There's glass all over the mat
and Shane McMahon is upside down hanging towards the outside of the ring
as the Olympic hero Kurt Angle moves in hopefully for the kill.
[Jim] Angle hard, hard blows right to Shane's spine
and the owner of WCW
perhaps competing for the last time ever at a WWE event.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jim] [inaudible].
And Kurt Angle with that board hitting Shane with that lumber.
You can hear that lumber, wood on flesh here…
and now what's Angle doing?
Kurt Angle using that wood as a floor or something here.
All the way to the top rope.
[Paul] Kurt Angle is using that wood as a platform
from which to suplex Shane McMahon.
[Jim] Oh, no, it's the Angle Slam from the top.
Kurt Angle score with the Angle Slam off the top.
[audience cheering]
My God.
I can't believe that one.
[audience cheering]
Angle on his stomach,
but more importantly, Shane McMahon is on his back.
That's how they landed,
Angle crawling his bloody body on top of Shane.
-[Paul] Two, three. -[Jim] And it is over, mercifully.
My God, it's finally over.
[announcer] Here is your winner Kurt Angle.
[triumphant music playing]
[Jim] My God, I'll tell you what,
I've seen a lotta street fights in 25 plus years,
but this one was amazing.
For an athlete like Kurt Angle competing in his third match,
but for a non-wrestler, a non-formally trained competitor,
as Shane McMahon is, this was absolutely off the page.
[Paul] If you're not used to that blood coming down your face,
it is such an intimidation.
Shane McMahon took the fight to Kurt Angle,
but Kurt Angle, WWE, Kurt Angle emerged victorious.
The man that should have been the back-to-back winner
of King of the Ring, the superhero, Kurt Angle.
[Jim] Let's take another look. This is amazing. Look at this.
Suplex right into the glass…
and then one more time from the inside back out.
-[glass shattering] -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Man, I'll tell you, and then this was off the page.
[Paul] Look at this. I've never seen anything quite like this ever.
I told you, it's the fourth I, ingenious.
Kurt Angle laying that board out as a platform
from which he delivers the Angle Slam to Shane McMahon
and that puts Shane McMahon away.
[Jim] This ring full of glass and blood
and Kurt Angle, I'm not sure if he's even aware of who he is
or where he is or what he has done.
This ring has got blood stains everywhere, glass everywhere,
a busted and broken kendo stick, trash cans,
I mean…
And the fans here with a great ovation for the owner of WCW,
who my instincts tell me has just competed in his last WWE event.
[Paul] No doubt.
In my opinion, Shane McMahon, last match in the WWE, was a great one,
and the reason why he lost
is because he was in the ring with a great athlete.
["Here Comes the Money" music playing]
[Jim] Shane McMahon refusing help here. He wants to leave on his own.
That's the kinda young man that he is.
[Jim] There is Chris Jericho on his way out here.
What an opportunity for that young man? But if he wins the title, will he defect,
or will it be Chris Benoit, the Rabid Wolverine,
looking to win WWE gold and perhaps, as rumor would have it, tickets to WCW.
[intense music playing]
-Is he here yet? -I haven't seen him yet, Mr. Austin.
-[Jim] Austin waiting for Mr. McMahon. -You're up, your match.
-Not now. -Now, right now.
Right now.
As soon as he gets here, tell him to find me.
I gotta go to the ring. Tell him to come to the ring.
I'll let him know you're at the ring.
[Jim] Man, Austin is thinking more about the Mr. McMahon's whereabouts
than defending a WWE title, and that's where we are.
We're at our main event,
the triple threat match to determine the richest prize in the game.
Austin was born at the King of the Ring in '96,
but will his career die here tonight?
Triple H has got the damn sledgehammer.
Not this again. No. Triple H hit Austin inadvertently.
-Jericho's going… -[Jerry] No.
[Jim] Benoit and Jericho have beat Austin and Triple H for the Tag Team Title.
[Stone Cold] The reason we lost is because Triple H is extremely selfish,
so Triple H, I really don't give a rats ass about you.
When it all comes down to it, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
can beat Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho in this ring at the same time
because that's what kinda champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is.
[Linda McMahon] Then I think in the interest of fairness
that the main event at King of the Ring should be "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
defending his title against both Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho
in a triple threat match.
It's a conspiracy two on one and I hold you responsible.
I'm going to give you an ultimatum, Vince.
You can pick "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or you can pick Linda McMahon.
You can't have us both.
[Jim] Something's going wrong in Austin's head. Psychotic.
[Stone Cold] My name is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. I am a man's man.
[Jerry] Oh, Austin just stunned Molly.
[Stone Cold] I'm a champion of champions.
[Jim] "Stone Cold" just robbed Benoit and Jericho of the title.
[Vince] Mentally do you feel focused?
[Jim] He's cracking. On television, on television.
Our beloved WWE champion has lost it. "Stone Cold" is delusional.
This is a vicious attack. This is perverse.
[Stone Cold] I am "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and I am a man's man.
[Jim] He's not the "Stone Cold" we used to know.
[Vince] You gave me an ultimatum, now I'll give you one.
You either leave King of the Ring as the WWE champion,
or you and me, we're through.
[Jim] It'll be Benoit and Jericho
against a sick Texas Rattlesnake at the King of the Ring.
[Stone Cold] I don't deserve that. It's a conspiracy.
[Jim] Oh, steel. Hit in the back by Jericho.
[Stone Cold] I do not deserve to be treated like trash.
[Jericho] Would you please shut the hell up?
[Jim] The Rattlesnake has been backed into the corner
and the Rattlesnake has struck.
[Stone Cold] I am "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
I'm the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion and I can't be stopped.
[Jerry] A double submission. Austin's tapping out. Austin's tapping.
Austin says ring the bell.
Two on one. I don't deserve that.
It's a conspiracy.
[Jim] Austin's a desperate man. He's unbalanced.
On your own you either leave King of the Ring as the WWE champion,
or you and me, we're done. We're through.
[Jim] Austin's a desperate man.
Vince?
[heavy metal music playing]
[audience cheering]
[Jim] And we're ready for our main event. Look at the King of the Ring set.
Literally destroyed by Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon's bodies
just a few moments ago and here comes one of the two challengers.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is the triple threat match for the WWE Championship.
Entering the ring from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
weighing 229 pounds, Chris Benoit.
[Jim] Benoit has waited his entire life to become WWE champion.
He had an opportunity in his home town of Edmonton a few weeks ago,
but it wasn't to be,
even after delivering 10 German suplexes to the Rattlesnake.
[metal music continues playing]
[announcer] From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,
weighing 227 pounds, Chris Jericho.
[Jim] Both Jericho and Benoit hold victories
in tag team competition over "Stone Cold", Paul,
as both you and I vividly remember in the last 30 days.
[Paul] And more importantly Jericho and Benoit
both applied their submission maneuvers, the walls of Jericho and The Crossface,
to Austin on Monday
and Austin, for the first time in his career, tapped out.
If that happens tonight, my question is who will be the champion?
[Jim] It's a great question and I still do not have the answer.
I don't know if anybody has the answer.
[Paul] Triple threat match is a one fall contest,
not a two fall contest.
One fall, one man emerges victorious.
[Jim] It's every man for himself, let's not forget that.
-[heavy metal music playing] -[audience cheering]
[announcer] From Victoria, Texas, weighing 252 pounds,
the World Wrestling entertainment champ,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jim] "Stone Cold" looking over his shoulder,
no doubt awaiting for Mr. McMahon's arrival.
Mr. McMahon told us on Smackdown Thursday he wasn't going to be here,
that Austin had to do it on his own and if Austin didn't get the job done
and retain the WWE title,
then Mr. McMahon and the [inaudible] redneck were through.
[Paul] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin sold his soul
for the WWE title and rightfully so.
What will happen to this man's psyche if, I can't believe, I'm saying if,
or when he loses the WWE Championship, perhaps even tonight.
[Jim] Austin's stalling here, talking trash to Benoit and Jericho
and they're not gonna listen to it any more.
Benoit and Jericho, former WWE tag team champions
until this past Thursday night
when they were shafted outta the titles by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
and the bell has sounded as "Stone Cold" here on the outside.
"Stone Cold", if I didn't know better, was running like a scolded dog
away from his challengers for the WWE title.
[Paul] Excuse me, but there's two people chasing "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
This is not every man for himself.
This is a damn championship match.
[Jim] But everybody knows, that's followed Austin's career,
that the old "Stone Cold" Steve Austin wouldn't have ran from the 82nd Airborne.
He doesn't run from anybody. But that's the old "Stone Cold".
This "Stone Cold" is unraveling right before our very eyes.
He spent more time tonight worrying about where Mr. McMahon is
than well preparing for this match.
[Paul] I think "Stone Cold" is just stalling for time,
giving Mr. McMahon's driver a chance to get here to the meadowlands
because "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is in a very bad predicament right now.
He's stalling for time.
[Jim] Austin being moved back to the ring, now Steve Austin elevating Jericho.
Even though Jericho and Benoit were double teaming Austin,
let's not forget one thing. This is every man for himself.
Jericho and Benoit each wanna be the WWE champion
and when it comes down to the nut cutting, that's exactly what they want.
[Paul] Right, I think they're ganging up on "Stone Cold".
I think they're willing to double team the man.
I think "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, more so than Muhammad Ali,
more so than Mike Tyson,
is the most persecuted champion in the history of sports.
[Jim] I don't know how many folks will get to agree with that
rather a bold statement,
but in any event Austin, Jericho, and Benoit.
Remember, three men.
The first man to score pin fall or a submission wins the match
and becomes WWE champion.
[Paul] Double team. Double team. Double team.
[Jim] Austin being knife edged to death here.
[Paul] Come on, it's not meant to be a handicap match.
It's meant to be a triple threat.
Why isn't Benoit fighting Jericho and Jericho fighting Benoit? Why?
Because they're double teaming Austin because it's a plot by WCW, in my opinion.
[Jim] I certainly it'd assume it's because of the thread
of a Texas Rattlesnake
and his reputation certainly proceeds him as the WWE champion.
There's a cover, first cover of the matchup,
and there you see Benoit pulling Jericho off of "Stone Cold"
because both these Chris's, they want the WWE title as badly as the other.
[Paul] And now it's getting interesting.
Now we're going to see some action between Benoit and Jericho.
The egos have come home to roost.
[Jim] I don't know if egos or career goals,
because there's nothing more important in these men's professional lives
than the WWE title.
There's nothing more important in Austin's life than the WWE title,
which I think he has proven without a shadow of a doubt.
Austin picking up Jericho. Landed on his feet.
Looked like a suplex there and then Austin being balling
between Jericho and Benoit
and Jericho, the last right hand knocking down the WWE champion.
[Paul] Now we're back to it being unfair.
A double team in the corner, a handicap situation. Where's Mr. McMahon?
[Jim] Austin's starting to burst into the turnbuckle.
Austin avoided the heel kick, but Benoit got it.
[Paul] Good. That's what I like to see. All three men fighting it out
for the most prestigious crown in sports today, the WWE title.
[Jim] Jericho checking on Benoit who he knocked down.
I think he was aiming obviously for Austin.
-[Paul] Yeah. -[Jim] Now Jericho hammering Benoit.
Remember, it's every man for himself. A WWE title is on the line here.
"Stone Cold" being left unattended taking the top turnbuckle off,
the cover off the turnbuckle…
and now look at Jericho and Austin trying to eliminate Benoit
and now Austin teeing off on Jericho with the right hand
and another right hand.
Austin's WWE title at stake here in our main event at the King of the Ring.
Austin looking for the bench press, but is countered.
Could be the walls of Jericho.
It could be a submission attempt, and that's exactly what we have,
and Benoit quickly back in
and I think Jericho's head just bounced off that exposed turnbuckle
and then dropped outside was Jericho.
[Paul] Oh, not just dropped, but suplexed outside
and Jericho's head bounced off the canvas on the way down.
[Jim] Benoit now measuring Austin.
Every man for himself here.
[Paul] Here it is watch this, watch Jericho, wham,
and his head hits the canvas.
Benoit scares me, I'll tell you why, he's a former WCW champion
who never lost that title.
An undefeated former WCW champion who's rumored to have negotiated a deal
that if he wins the WWE title,
he will defect tomorrow night in Madison Square Gardens.
[Jim] That's all, to clarify, it's a rumor.
[Paul] It's alleged, I said so.
[Jim] And a crippler crossface.
Crippler crossface and Austin frantically getting to the bottom rope.
[Paul] A champion's presence of mind by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Always knows where he is in the ring at all times.
[Jim] Front face lock by Benoit into the snap suplex.
Benoit and Austin, certainly are no strangers to the suplexes,
especially the German version
that Benoit delivered 10 times about a month ago
in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton to the Rattlesnake, obviously.
Man, and Benoit knocking down Austin, looking for the cover, the lateral press
and Austin had his legs free, able to kick out.
One more time and again Austin kicking out before the three.
[Paul] The leverage belongs to Benoit, now Benoit realizes
Austin's not ready to be put away,
so Benoit picks up the Rattlesnake and continues to deliver the beating.
[Jim] There's a reversal by Austin and oh. Benoit with a full head of steam.
Austin sidestepped the Wolverine, took him right over the top…
[audience cheering]
…and Austin has taken a-- of a pounding here in the early
going from both Jericho, who's on the other side of the ring,
and he's hurting for certain
and now Austin having his way with Chris Benoit.
See that? It'll never be yours.
[Jim] Austin just telling Benoit that the WWE title belt will never be his.
A very taunting bionic redneck way.
[audience chattering]
[Jim] Benoit thrown back in the ring.
It has come down here now to a one-on-one matchup.
Austin and Benoit for the WWE title.
[groaning]
[Jim] Benoit still hurting on the outside.
Benoit's head, as Paul mentioned earlier,
nailed the ring apron on his way down from a suplex.
[Paul] Benoit trying to fight his way up, Chris Jericho down on the outside.
Austin needs to put Benoit away. There's nobody now to save Chris Benoit.
Not Jericho, Jericho's on the outside.
[groaning]
[Jim] Doesn't need saving. He doesn't need saving at all.
I mean, we've seen Benoit in some hellacious predicaments, quite frankly,
and Austin burying that knee right into the sternum,
right into the heart, perhaps, of Chris Benoit
and now Austin looking for the cover and Benoit says not today.
[Paul] And Benoit is here for revenge because Benoit got beaten by Austin
in Benoit's own hometown of Edmonton
and Benoit tonight here, at the King of the Ring,
wants to emerge victorious against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jim] But unlike Edmonton, there's a cover.
Mr. McMahon was in Edmonton. Mr. McMahon is not here tonight,
even though he's allegedly on his way from Connecticut over here to Jersey.
[Paul] Oh, he'll be here. Mr. McMahon has to be here.
How could he not make it in time to save the WWE
from a potential situation like this?
[Jim] And Austin saw Jericho getting up out of the corner of Austin's eye,
ran the two Chris's right together.
[Paul] You gotta admit, that was smart on behalf of the Rattlesnake.
You have to admit the Rattlesnake is thinking right now.
[Jim] Nobody ever said that Austin wasn't cagey.
Come on. The man is down, dammit.
[Jim] Austin poking away at Benoit
and now dropping all his weight right across Benoit.
I don't know how much more punishment Benoit can take.
Austin certainly in the driver seat here
and it looks as if "Stone Cold" is well on his way to retaining the WWE title.
[Paul] Oh, I hope so. Look at this, Benoit, wham, right into Jericho.
Jericho crashes outside the ring.
Austin definitely trying to put Chris Benoit away.
Here we go. We're going for it.
[Jim] Austin looking for the stunner and Benoit has shoved Austin.
-He got the stunner on Austin. -[Paul] What?
[Jim] Benoit just stunned "Stone Cold", but the referee's down.
You got one, two, three, four.
[Paul] One, two. We got it-- Oh!
[Jim] Got a six count for Jericho. The referee down.
Got an official two count.
[Paul] Benoit with a two count on "Stone Cold".
I don't care if Austin was down for 100.
-It only counts what the referee counts. -[Jim] Referee is still down.
Benoit has Austin's WWE Championship belt and just dimmed his lights.
That'll do it right there. Turn around, ref. Turn around, Earl.
Count him out, Earl. It's gonna be-- Oh!
Every man for himself.
Jericho saw the three coming down.
Austin's ass was beat there
and now Jericho and Benoit in the spirit of competition with every man for himself.
[grunts]
Oh, Benoit's head.
He tried to block it, and Benoit, but his head went up to the ring post.
[audience chattering]
Pick up the bones here.
-[Paul] Jericho on cover. -[Jim] There's a cover. He's got it.
Oh, kicked out.
[Paul] How close can Jericho be?
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Jericho now opening up on "Stone Cold".
Quite frankly, "Stone Cold" has taken a hell of a beating
in this matchup thus far tonight.
And now Austin, oh, Austin trying to try the walls of Jericho on Jericho.
[Paul] But Jericho's blocking it.
Jericho knows how to counter his own submission move.
[Jim] Jericho used his leg strength to raze "Stone Cold"
and counter the walls of Jericho, now Jericho holding both legs of Austin,
taking down the WWE champion.
It's Chris Jericho, trying with everything he's got to turn Austin,
who desperately again makes his way to the bottom rope.
[Paul] Where is Mr. McMahon?
Why isn't he here yet.
[Jim] A base lock by Jericho suplexing "Stone Cold"
and there's the cover.
He's got the cover. He's got a long, long two count here.
Right hand by Jericho. Austin's really taking a pounding here.
[grunts]
[audience cheering]
[Paul] Tremendous move by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jim] You've gotta wonder where Mr. McMahon is.
Will Mr. McMahon may get here tonight
after the pleas of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on the phone to the boss earlier?
There's the cover.
Here we go and the referee's got a good look and Jericho says no,
I'm not gonna stay down.
I wanna be WWE champion and Chris Benoit hurting on the outside.
[Paul] In my opinion, "Stone Cold" is fighting
for the sanctity of the WWE, for the WWE title.
You know, this happened once before with WCW trying to raid the WWE champion.
Remember Montreal?
[Jim] Right to the-- yeah, I was there. Right to the face with those leg braces.
Some talk about it. Some of us lived it.
And a knee right to the abdomen again is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Looking for the side Russian leg sweep and found it there taking down Jericho,
who sat right back up, but not for long.
There's a cover and Jericho got a kick out with what he's got left.
He used it to kick out on that pinning predicament.
[Paul] If you lived it, learn from it, because those who don't learn from history
-are doomed to repeat it. -[Jim] Sleeper hold applied.
"Stone Cold" applying the sleeper on Y2J. Thanks for the advice.
And Jericho gotta figure something out here.
Austin with a maneuver we rarely see him use, but this is a desperate time.
Austin, a neck cramp.
Jericho is seemingly beginning to fade away…
with a WWE title at stake.
[audience chanting]
[Paul] The pressure on Jericho.
Austin using all of his weight down on Chris Jericho
and Jericho trying to fight his way out.
[grunts]
[Jim] And Jericho counters with what he could muster there.
That suplex at least caused him some separation,
and down goes the Rattlesnake.
[Paul] Austin's alone in the ring with Jericho.
This is an opportunity to put Jericho away with Benoit on the outside.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Jericho with chops. Austin right-hands.
Jericho comes back with a right as well. These two men battling for the WWE title.
The third man, Chris Benoit, still hurting on the outside of the ring.
[grunts]
Both men back up.
It could end at any moment. Austin can barely keep his feet under him.
The fatigue got to be setting in.
Plowed right there.
Austin knocked down again. What a clothesline.
[Paul] Jericho's catching a second wind, and, oh!
[Jim] Jericho here took care of Benoit. Saw Benoit outta the corner of his eye.
Smart move by Jericho in this every-man-for-himself environment.
Bulldog. Modified version.
This could be all here. Cover him, Jericho.
Oh. Jericho… Jericho…
Jericho going for the Lionsault, but Austin, he saw it or felt it coming.
[Paul] At first, Jericho's punches didn't have Jericho's weight behind 'em,
but then Jericho was picking up steam and momentum and Steve Austin cut him off.
[Jim] Austin looking for the "Stone Cold" stunner.
The Lou Thesz press.
Austin didn't get a lot elevation on the Thesz press, now… wait a minute.
[Paul] Benoit's grabbing a chair over here,
and this is… Oh, this is not a no-disqualification match.
Oh! Golly, what a shot.
[Jim] Benoit got a little ballistic here, too.
[Paul] Stunner!
[Jim] Austin got the stunner on Benoit. That took Benoit all the way back outside.
But, man, Benoit almost beheaded Chris Jericho with a hellacious chair shot
-right to the head, this should be all. -[Paul] One…
-[Jim] It's gotta be over! -[Paul] …two.
[Jim] Oh, no! It's not over.
Chris Jericho… I don't know if Austin can believe it or even feel
what has transpired in that kick out, but Jericho not staying down.
[Paul] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, a triple threat match
for the WWE Championship tonight, Sunday, June 24th.
Could this be the end of "Stone Cold"?
[Jim] It all started at the King of the Ring in '96
with the Texas Rattlesnake.
He knows what it's like to lose a WWE title of the King of the Ring.
It happened to him in '98 with Kane, in Austin.
My God, Austin. This is a superplex. It's gotta be.
Oh! God, Almighty. Both men.
I mean, they exploded to the canvas with that superplex,
and look at the pain on Jericho's face, but Austin took it out of himself as well.
Look at this impact.
[audience cheering]
Good, man. I mean, that was a shot, Paul.
Jericho got to have, he gotta have a concussion here,
and Austin superplexed him off the top turnbuckle.
[Paul] How Jericho kicked out of that, to me, is just indescribable.
I don't understand how he did it.
I don't understand where he got it from, but now, Austin again going up top.
[Jim] Austin… Sure to God, he's not gonna try it again.
I've never seen two superplexes in one match.
And Jericho just… His body's gotta be wracked with pain.
Austin's as well. Austin got the cover. Austin… God, no! He didn't get three.
[Paul] This is how much the WWE title means.
To everybody in the back, this is what the WWE Championship is all about.
You fight 'til you can't fight anymore.
Jericho doesn't know what he's doing. He's doing it on instinct.
-He's doing it on guts. -[Jim] There's Benoit back in!
Benoit back in! A German suplex!
[grunts]
[Jim] Benoit with another German suplex as Jericho falls lifelessly into the ring.
-That's three suplexes, Paul. -[Paul] And Benoit's going for four,
and this is how badly Benoit wants to be the WWE champion.
[Jim] Benoit pugnacious. Holding onto that waistline.
Five German suplexes!
[Paul] And Austin's holding on for dear life for the title,
and to Austin, they're one and the same!
[Jim] And that was after Austin delivered two superplexes.
Took even more out of his body, but also got a low blow there.
His heel right up into the groin of Chris Jericho, of Benoit,
and look at this carnage.
[Paul] What a battle we have witnessed. What beatings all three men have taken,
all in the name of the WWE title.
Here it is. Chris Benoit dumping the "Stone Cold" on his neck,
and then "Stone Cold" with a low kick.
[Jim] The resourcefulness of the Rattlesnake coming through here,
and referee Earl Hebner, our senior official, utilizing his count.
If he gets to 10, this match will be over and Austin would retain the WWE title
is the only way I could make it out unless
I'm looking at it incorrectly, but that is a moot point.
[audience cheering]
[Paul] Jericho fighting, fighting for that…
[Jim] The walls of Jericho fighting for the title.
Jericho's got him in the middle of the ring!
Jericho's got Austin in the middle of the ring.
Austin can't get to the bottom rope here. It's gonna be over, wait a minute!
[Paul] Crossface, double submission!
[Jim] And Austin tapping! "Stone Cold" is tapping out!
It's a double submission, and Austin is tapping.
[Paul] So here we go. We find out the decision.
-[Jim] Who's won the match? -[Paul] Who's won the title?
-[Earl] No. -[Benoit] You gave him a [inaudible].
-[Jim] Who won? -[Benoit] [inaudible].
[Earl] No.
[audience booing]
[Jim] Referee just said there can only be one champion…
so even though Austin tapped out,
this match has no other recourse but for it to continue.
[Paul] I told you a triple threat match was a one-fall encounter.
This is a controversial move by referee Earl.
Oh! Now crossface! Crossface!
[Jim] Benoit… Is Benoit the champ here? Benoit's the new WWE champion.
If Jericho taps, it's over. Jericho fighting for everything he's got.
[grunts]
Jericho rolling through the pressure. Jericho looking for the walls of Jericho.
Austin has been battered and hammered.
Austin rolling to the outside into Chris's den,
and the WWE title match is between now Jericho and Benoit.
[Paul] Snap suplex by Benoit.
[Jim] These guys have put their bodies through hell here tonight,
and there's a cover by Benoit, and Jericho will not stay down.
He kicks out.
[Paul] Benoit-- Uh-oh.
Here we go. The Rattlesnake's alive and well and kicking with a chair!
[Jim] Austin got the steel chair, and Chris Benoit just baseball slid
right through the chair, hitting Austin right in the face!
[Jim] Rough face trap by Benoit.
That countered, as Jericho tosses Benoit to the outside.
Jericho, the only man left in the ring.
The WWE champion, "Stone Cold", got that chair shot right to his face.
[Paul] Wait a minute! What the hell?
[Jim] That's Booker T! He's the WCW champion!
[audience cheering]
[Paul] The WCW champion has just attacked the WWE champion!
[Jim] Oh, my God. The sidewalk slam.
Booker T just threw "Stone Cold" right through the announce table.
WCW, son of a bitch.
[Booker T shouting]
[Jim] What the hell?
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Booker, here comes the security.
Booker T came through the crowd.
He's leaving through the crowd, but he has done his damage.
Booker T has decimated the WWE champion.
[Paul] Now, are you gonna tell me that WCW is not in contact with Benoit and Jericho?
[Jim] I can't tell you that. I know that Benoit,
now, delivering the German suplexes, but Jericho, he countered!
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Jericho looking for the walls of Jericho.
Benoit…
[Benoit groaning]
[Jim] Jericho is a heartbeat away from becoming the WWE champion.
[Benoit groaning]
Benoit's body wracked and writhing in pain.
He finally got to the bottom rope and the referee's gonna break the hold.
And "Stone Cold" has been-- has been decimated by Booker T.
I can't believe it.
[Paul] Booker T, the WCW champion, attacking "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
the WWE champion. "Stone Cold" is down. "Stone Cold" is out.
Benoit and Jericho are fighting for the WWE Championship.
[Jim] And Benoit looking for crippler Crossface
eventually, just ran Jericho shoulder first into the ring post,
[grunts]
but Jericho-- My God, Jericho's a cat. Landed right on his feet.
Benoit from behind. Go for the waist lock.
He'll German you right out of your boots.
Benoit, with ease, scoop slam.
Now Chris Benoit…
[audience cheering]
looking to put this match away and become WWE champion,
but Jericho is up.
Jericho… Oh, my God.
Catching Benoit, slamming him from the top turnbuckle,
and down goes Benoit.
This match is Jericho's to win here.
Jericho barely able to stand.
[audience cheering]
Trying to get the Lionsault. I don't know how much he got,
but I think there was some low contact there by Benoit,
but Jericho looking for the cover. He's got the leg.
-[Paul] One, two! -[Jim] Here we go! No, it's not.
[Paul] One second away from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
losing the WWE title while he's unconscious
outside of the ring after interference by WCW's Booker T.
[Jim] The rules of a triple threat match, folks, are simple,
The first man to score pin fall or submission wins.
It's that simple.
The champion doesn't have to be involved in the equation,
as we are seeing here now.
[Paul] And that's why it was unfair.
[Jim] Benoit and Jericho putting their bodies on the line.
Both going over the top rope.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin lying here at the feet of our Spanish announce team,
and Benoit down.
Jericho may be a little less worse for wear,
and I'm going out on a limb on that one.
Oh, look at, Jericho using that lumber
to drive right down to Austin's kidneys.
Austin has almost been motionless since being assaulted and decimated
by the WCW champion Booker T.
[Paul] Brilliant move by Jericho. He's bringing Austin back into the ring.
If Jericho gets a cover, we'll have a new champion.
[Jim] Austin is holding his lower back. Austin is defenseless here.
This one has gotta be over.
Jericho's just gotta make the cover, one would assume.
What's Jericho thinking here?
Austin, I don't think Austin can kick out of anything right now, and oh, Jericho.
[Paul] Jericho's gotta make sure.
Jericho's going up top! All the way up top!
-[Jim] Jericho! -[audience cheering]
[Jim] The moonsault. Doubling down. Sure it's over! One… Wait!
And Benoit back in. Benoit pulling Jericho right off Austin.
Austin was no more able to kick out than we would've been.
[Paul] Benoit going up! Benoit all the way up top!
[Jim] Benoit scores with that missile.
Benoit could be the new champion right here.
Benoit just get the three and it's-- And Jericho pulls the referee out!
Oh, this triple threat match.
Every man for himself for the richest prize in the business.
And now Benoit hammering Jericho right in the lower back, in those kidneys.
You can see it. You can hear it, and Jericho can damn sure feel it.
-[Paul] Oh, man! -[Jim] Suplex.
Benoit with a back suplex right off the top.
Benoit down, Jericho down, the WWE champion down.
[Paul] The WCW champion has been the catalyst in this entire controversy.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin down
and the richest prize in sports entertainment on the line tonight.
The first man to his feet may emerge as the WWE champion.
[Jim] Benoit motionless. Jericho's body wracked in pain as well.
Austin slowly crawling toward Chris Benoit.
-Don't tell me it'll end this way. -[Paul] One!
-[Jim] Austin got the leg hooked! -[Paul] Two! Three!
-[bell rings] -[Paul] Austin retains the title!
[Jim] I don't believe it.
[Paul] Stone Cold retains the championship!
[announcer] The winner of this bout and still WWE champion,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin!
[Jim] Well, if stone cold Steve Austin is not the luckiest man
in the State of New Jersey.
He sure as hell oughta go out and buy a lottery ticket.
[rock song playing]
[Jim] Benoit and Jericho dismantled each other
and Austin picked the bones of Chris Benoit.
It could've just as easily have been Chris Jericho.
[Paul] Sunday night, June 24th, 2001,
the winner at King of the Ring and still WWE Champion,
The Rattlesnake, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jim] Austin assaulted by the WCW champion Booker T.
It looked like Austin had been eliminated from the triple threat equation.
Austin is a battered, bruised mess…
and he is the luckiest human being
on the face of our planet from where I stand.
[Paul] Stone cold is a vulnerable WWE champion, no doubt.
[rock song playing]
[Paul] But give him credit, JR.
Even you, in all your bias, have to admit "Stone Cold" did it on his own.
He turned back Benoit. He turned back Jericho.
He survived the invasion of Booker T and WCW and he did it without Mr. McMahon.
[Jim] Well, that he did.
He had the luck of the Irish, even though the Irish wasn't here tonight,
and here's how it went down.
There you see Booker T, the WCW Champion, right in front of you and I, Paul,
and I'm just thinking to myself, I was shocked.
-[heavy metal music playing] -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Booker T.
Kick wasn't enough.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Austin, the luckiest man in the world,
but you gotta wonder, when will the WWE champion's luck run out?
When will it run out?
Subtitle translation by: Venkata Ramana champion's luck run out?