[intense music playing]
[Howard] Ladies and gentlemen, would you all please rise
as two-time Grammy award winner and Broadway star,
Ms. Jennifer Holliday,
sings "America The Beautiful".
[crowd cheering]
♪ God bless America ♪
♪ America ♪
["America The Beautiful" playing]
♪ Oh, beautiful for spacious skies ♪
♪ For amber waves ♪
♪ Of grain ♪
♪ For purple mountain's ♪
♪ Majesty ♪
♪ Above the fruited ♪
♪ Plain ♪
♪ America ♪
♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪
♪ And crown thy good ♪
♪ With brotherhood ♪
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
♪ Oh, beautiful ♪
♪ For patriot's dream ♪
♪ That seen beyond ♪
♪ The years ♪
♪ Thine alabaster ♪
♪ Cities gleam ♪
♪ Undimmed by human tears ♪
♪ Come on and sing it with me ♪
♪ America ♪
♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪
♪ Come on, wave your hands ♪
♪ And crown thy good ♪
♪ With brotherhood ♪
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
♪ Come on, let America hear you ♪
♪ Raise your voice high ♪
♪ America ♪
♪ God shed His grace on thee ♪
♪ And crown thy good ♪
♪ With brotherhood ♪
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
♪ Oh I love America ♪
♪ I love America ♪
♪ Shining sea ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ America ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Jennifer] America!
USA.
[crowd chanting] USA!
[Ross] Stone Cold can be as dangerous and psychotic
as any human being that ever laced his boots.
[Kurt] At Unforgiven, Austin,
I'm gonna show you how stone cold I can be.
[Shane] At Unforgiven, it will be The Rock
defending the WCW Championship
against Booker T and Shane-O-Mac.
[Heyman] No way can The Rock keep the WCW title.
[Ross] Angle Slam.
Kurt Angle just beat Austin with the Angle Slam.
[Heyman] Steve Austin will never forgive Kurt Angle for this night.
[Ross] The battle-- The battle of this night belongs to The Rock.
[Stone Cold] I've been humiliated and embarrassed
for the last time by Kurt Angle.
-Whoo! -[Michael] What are you doing, Austin?
Don't do it. What are you doing?
No. No. Oh, my God. No.
[Stone Cold] I'm proud of myself for what I did.
[Heyman] Shane-O-Mac soars through the air.
[Ross] And Shane dropped his heart right into the heart of The Brahma Bull.
[Rock] At Unforgiven, it's gonna be you two who have to forgive The Rock
for taking his right boot and his left boot
turn 'em sideways and stick 'em straight up
both of your candy asses.
[Ross] Stone Cold cannot beat Angle.
-And Austin knows it. -[Rock] Whoo!
I will never, ever, forgive this. I will have no forgiveness for you.
[tense music playing]
[narrator] And now, WWE Unforgiven.
[explosions]
[crowd cheering]
[upbeat music playing]
[Ross] We are live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,
in the sold-out Mellon Arena.
And ladies and gentlemen, this is WWE Unforgiven
live on pay-per-view,
where tonight, seven championships will be decided.
Hello again, everybody, I'm Jim Ross alongside Paul Heyman.
We are at ringside in what will, no doubt, be
one of the most emotional nights we have ever experienced.
Our fans in WWE New York know all about emotion, Paul,
and they are ready as well.
[Heyman] Oh, they better be because tonight,
-it kicks off with the Hardy Boyz. -["Loaded" playing]
[Heyman] One of four teams in this big title matchup.
-[bell rings] -[Howard] The following contest
is the four-team elimination match
for the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 441 pounds,
Matt, Jeff, the Hardy Boyz.
[Ross] Matt and Jeff Hardy, former four-time WWE Tag Team Champions,
along with three other teams to kick off the first of seven title defenses
here tonight at Unforgiven.
Four teams start, three teams to be eliminated via pinfall or submission.
The surviving team will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.
[Heyman] Stand back, J.R.
-There's a hurricane coming through. -["Eye of The Hurricane" playing]
[Howard] At a combined weight of 447 pounds,
from The Alliance, Lance Storm,
and the World Wrestling Entertainment European Champion, The Hurricane.
[Heyman] Able to leap five tall cruiserweights in a single bound,
more powerful than a local luchador.
Look, J.R., up in the ring, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's The Hurricane.
[Ross] Hurricane Helms, the superhero
along with the Canadian hero, Lance Storm,
two of the four teams that will compete here.
-["Crank It Up" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[explosions]
[Howard] At a combined weight of 650 pounds,
Spike Dudley and the Big Show.
[Ross] Well, you can certainly refer to this duo as a mutton chop,
David and Goliath,
as the Big Show, 500 pounds,
Spike Dudley, a hundred-- a buck and a half soaking wet.
[Heyman] Known as the superhero, The Hurricane is not intimidated.
Not of the Big Show
and not of the bully of Dudleyville, Spike Dudley.
[Ross] Spike Dudley returning about a month or so ago
from a broken leg delivered by his own brothers,
-Bubba Ray and D-Von. -["We're Coming Down" playing]
-[explosions] -[Ross] And here they come.
[Howard] Representing the Alliance at a combined weight of 556 pounds,
the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Champions,
D-Von, Bubba Ray, the Dudley Boyz.
[Ross] Bubba Ray and D-Von, an awesome combination.
Five-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
But the championship advantage, Paul,
in the structure of this match is non-existent
-and here we go. -[bell ringing]
[Heyman] Championship advantage out the window
because the Dudleys have to survive.
They don't have to eliminate three other teams
but they have to survive the other teams.
Biased commissioner, William Regal, put the Dudleys in a bad, bad situation.
[Ross] And it's gonna be Matt Hardy and D-Von Dudley starting it out here.
Tags can be made at any time.
Again, there must be three decisions rendered
as D-Von tags in the superhero Hurricane Helms
and reigning European Champion.
Three teams to be eliminated by pinfall or submission here.
The surviving team--
and that's a superpose, I would assume.
It's been a long time since I've read it in comic books.
[Heyman] You don't need to read a comic book.
Here's the real thing, a superhero live and in person.
[Ross] That's arm break takedown by Matt Hardy,
who's having a little fun at Hurricane's expense.
Take down by Matt Hardy, and again, a super Hardy pose.
[Heyman] Don't mock the superhero.
[Ross] There's a tag, Matt tagging in his younger brother Jeff.
The Hardys, the risk takers, the daredevils.
They have taken high-risk offense to yet another level in recent weeks.
There's a cover. And again, as one team is eliminated,
they must leave and return to the locker room area.
[Heyman] And notice, it took two WWE Superstars
to take on one Alliance superhero.
[Ross] And Bubba Ray Dudley,
making a cheap shot in on Jeff Hardy, and Bubba paid for that.
Feel the discretion
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] And a dropkick by Jeff Hardy.
And a roll up, here we go.
And referee Teddy Long got a two-count out of that pinning predicament
and Spike Dudley really wants to tag here.
Remember, it was Hurricane Helms
who last week made Molly, Spike's girlfriend,
an offer to be his-- Hurricane's sidekick.
[Heyman] Right. Sweet Molly Purebred.
I don't blame The Hurricane, he shows fine taste in women.
[Ross] The backbreaker by the Canadian hero, Lance Storm,
lives in Calgary, trained in Calgary,
and makes the tag again to the European champion,
Hurricane Helms, who's in there now with a somewhat weakened Spike Dudley.
[Heyman] Well, the-- You know, Spike wanted to fight The Hurricane
and here is Spike's chance.
[Ross] Two Alliance teams in this matchup, two WWE teams
as the battle for sports entertainment superiority
continues here tonight at Unforgiven.
A knockdown by Spike.
Spike again, soaking wet
after a big meal of ribs goes about a buck and a half.
[Heyman] Spike is still a bully, but the blind tag and wham,
the Alliance takes down Spike Dudley.
[Ross] Nice tandem move by Storm and Hurricane.
And Lance Storm showing his aggression
and rubbing Spike's face in that canvas.
So Spike rolls up, two, and got a near-fall.
-Come on, Spike. -One, two.
[Ross] We got to have three decisions rendered
before we can determine the winner here
and as Paul Heyman pointed out--
Beautiful dropkick-- the Dudleys have to survive all of those decisions
to retain their WWE tag team titles
that KroniK helped the Dudleys win last Monday night on Raw.
[Heyman] What an unfair predicament
the commissioner has put the Dudley Boyz in.
[Ross] But it was all right when the Dudleys
were the challengers in this environment.
I find your criticism somewhat selective.
[Heyman] Thank you very much.
[Ross] Oh, look at-- Oh.
What elevation did the Dudleys put their half-brother, Spike, in.
[Heyman] He deserves it.
He is the bully of the family.
You know how-- Uh-oh. Here we go.
The Cape is coming out. The Hurricane--
-[Ross] Not the Cape, for goodness’ sake. -[Heyman] Oh yeah, the Cape.
[Ross] It's so early in the evening for the Cape.
[Heyman] Here it is, second only to the Spinaroonie
as the most devastating move in sports entertainment.
[imitates air hiss]
[Ross] Cross body, Cape and all by Hurricane Helms.
[Heyman] Did you see how The Hurricane just flew through the air, J.R.?
[Ross] I saw it.
[Heyman] You're a big fan of The Hurricane, aren't you?
[Ross] Well, I'm-- He's kind of growing on me, quite frankly.
He'd be a good WWE competitor, I could tell you that.
[Heyman] Wait a minute. He works for the Alliance.
[Ross] Nice gut buster, half nelson, and a near-fall again.
[Heyman] What do you mean he'd be great in the WWE,
-what does that mean? -[Ross] I think he has a lot of character,
I think he is a wonderful young athlete.
The kind that the WWE has attracted over the years.
[Heyman] The WWE didn't appreciate "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
But now, the WWE would appreciate The Hurricane?
[Ross] I don't agree with that analogy, whatsoever.
But certainly, you have a right to your opinion.
The Dudleys, last Monday night, challenging The Undertaker and Kane
for the WWE tag team titles and thanks to KroniK,
the Dudleys won that match, and the Dudley Dog by Spike.
[Heyman] But can Spike capitalize? That's the big question.
Can Spike capitalize on the advantage?
[Ross] I'll tell you what, Spike can, if he tags in that 500-pounder,
The Big Show, who's wanting the tag as bad as he wants a double cheeseburger.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] And here comes the big man right off the top rope.
Seven feet-two, 500 pounds,
the biggest man in the history of sports entertainment.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] And look at the Dudleys, ganging up on The Big Show,
that might be a good strategy,
and this one has broken down in Pittsburgh.
And the Hardys and The Big Show.
Oh my.
The Hardys, those daredevils,
taking every chance in the book and keep your eye on Spike.
[Heyman] Look at this unfair advantage?
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] How high up is Spike?
-Big Show, seven two-- -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Good grief.
You talk about raising the bar…
and The Big Show getting caught up in this moment
as the only man standing in the ring.
[Heyman] Oh, no.
[Ross] The others went down like dominoes and--
[Heyman] Oh, no!
[Ross] Oh, what do-- You don't think…
[Heyman] Oh, no. There's no way.
-[Ross] I don't-- -[Heyman] He's seven two.
He's 500 pounds.
[Ross] Big Show is not meant for the air.
Don't do it.
And-- Oh, Bubba Ray Dudley from behind,
The Big Show I think was gonna come off the top on the whole pile.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Double clothesline knockdown.
And make it one more time.
[Heyman] Here we go. Chokeslam.
-Chokeslam. -[Ross] I don't think so,
not unless the Hurricane's got wings in his tights.
-[Heyman] Oh, man. -[Ross] Oh, no.
[Heyman] Oh, man.
[Ross] That is impact. That is impact.
-It definitely is over. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Storm and Hurricane have been eliminated.
And again, the Dudleys trying to double team The Big Show.
There's a double suplex that folded the big man
into the-- an accordion-like pile.
[Heyman] That's why the Dudley Boyz are the WWE Tag Team Champions.
They take advantage of every situation.
Get The Big Show out of the game.
[Ross] Blind tag made by Matt Hardy on D-Von Dudley.
And a knock down for good measure by Matt.
But Matt Hardy is the legal man here.
Spike unaware, Spike almost got pinned.
Spike Dudley-- Oh, nice victory roll.
Spike could have done it, but got a near-fall.
And Matt Hardy, looking for the Twist of Fate,
with a counter into the neckbreaker.
And the leg is hooked, could be a big upset here.
[Heyman] Damn, this Spike Dudley can wrestle.
Besides being a bully, he's a fantastic athlete.
[Ross] Spike landing on his feet.
And there-- Oh, man.
And there's the Twist of Fate emphatically.
One, two, three.
[Ross] And now it's down to the Hardys and the Dudleys.
[Heyman] And what a storied rivalry
between the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz.
The Dudleys have seen two tag teams eliminated.
They need to eliminate the Hardys to survive.
[Ross] On the history of the TLC matches.
The Ladder Matches between these two teams.
And now, the-- Oh, Bubba taking down Jeff from the outside.
WWE tag team title is on the line.
The next team to gain the decision will leave with the WWE tag team title.
Down to the Dudleys and the Hardys.
[Heyman] Notice how the Dudleys have combatted this unfair situation.
How the Dudleys have survived not one, but two tag teams.
One tag team to go but it's perhaps the favored in this match,
-the Hardy Boyz. -[crowd chanting]
[Ross] Paul, when you're talking about unfair, you got to
talk about how the Dudleys won the WWE tag team titles,
the blatant outside interference of KroniK,
in my books, that was unfair.
[Heyman] Oh, I wholeheartedly disagree with you.
I think what KroniK did was a hundred percent fair.
KroniK paid its dues.
They got their way into the Alliance.
[Ross] You're disagreeing with me?
-[Heyman] Yes. -[Ross] How unusual.
And a knock down by Jeff Hardy to D-Von Dudley.
And Bubba Ray now perhaps trying to isolate Jeff Hardy
from his tag team partner in front of Matt.
And again, the sudden death here as far as these two teams are concerned.
And-- Oh ,my.
Look at that elevation of Jeff Hardy,
and a cheap shot on Matt by Bubba Ray Dudley,
and the 300-pounder knocked Matt Hardy right off the apron.
And Matt trying to get back in the fray..
And look out here.
D-Von Dudley executing the WHASSUP.
And Jeff Hardy,
the worse for wear from that high impact move
gone undetected by the referee who was trying to restrain Matt Hardy.
And now Jeff has been grounded.
Certainly not bad strategy for the Dudleys here.
[Heyman] Not at all. Well, thank you giving the devil his due.
-Not bad strategy. -[crowd clapping]
[Heyman] I say, brilliant strategy by the Dudley Boyz.
This is why the Dudley Boyz are multi-time ECW Tag Team Champions.
This is why the Dudley Boyz are multi-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
And now D-Von wearing Jeff Hardy out.
[Ross] And Dudley certainly at one time,
I believe we can say, the greatest tag team in ECW history.
They may be one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history
before their careers concluded here and-- Oh, hard powerslam by D-Von.
The leg is hooked and referee filed a two-count in that predicament.
[Heyman] In my opinion, the Dudley Boyz were the greatest tag team in ECW history.
In my opinion, the Dudley Boyz are the greatest tag team in WWE history.
[Ross] Certainly an arguable point.
And now, the-- Bubba Ray now,
Jeff Hardy on the outside,
throwing Jeff Hardy's body into the steel steps
with a tremendous degree of velocity.
And Jeff Hardy indeed has been isolated.
Let's take one look at that high impact.
[Heyman] Look at this.
Bubba rammed Jeff Hardy right into the ring steps.
Jeff Hardy has been broken down piece by piece.
The Dudleys are dissecting the opposition.
[Ross] And there's that lateral press by D-Von,
and Jeff Hardy somehow some way…
These Hardys never cease to surprise me with their tenacity and their resiliency
and the Dudleys making a very timely tag
with Jeff Hardy neatly deposited
-in the Dudleys' corner of the ring. -Eat this, you pretty boy.
Three hundred pound, Bubba Ray, hammering down.
Leg is hooked. And again, Jeff Hardy reaching down
with perhaps what he has left to kick out.
[Heyman] But notice Bubba Ray right back up to his feet
right back on the attack.
Bubba Ray, wham, is relentless.
[Ross] Irish Whip.
Bar side. And Jeff Hardy
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] In a-- What a desperation move that was.
Jeff Hardy with that corkscrew maneuver that put Bubba Ray down.
[Heyman] Enormous. Look at this. Wham! Jeff Hardy takes down Bubba Ray
While the Hardys act out of desperation,
the Dudleys act out of calculation.
[Ross] Tag is made. Here comes Matt.
Here comes D-Von Dudley.
Matt Hardy and D-Von Dudley with the WWE tag team title at stake here.
Something's got to give. Down goes Bubba Ray Dudley.
And the Dudley's, gonna take it to the DDT,
lateral press, and a near-fall.
The Hardys using their quickness,
their resiliency, their speed against the Dudleys.
It's gonna take all the Hardys can muster to defeat the Dudleys.
The Dudleys are that good here tonight.
-[Heyman] Matt Hardy way up. -[Ross] And caught.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] That was unbelievable.
Matt Hardy leaping from the top turnbuckle
with a moonsault all the way to the floor.
That's an all-or-nothing maneuver.
[Heyman] Matt Hardy needs to pull out all stuff
against Bubba Ray and D-Von
if the Hardys wanna leave with the WWE tag team title.
[Ross] And with a leg drop. That could be all.
This could be, it should be and-- Oh, don't--
Bubba Dudley pulling Matt Hardy off, Bubba's brother D-Von
before the three went down.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Matt looking for the Twist of Fate.
-[crowd] 3D. -[Heyman] 3D.
[Ross] And the 3D.
The Dudleys got the 3D.
D-Von trying to make the cover.
And Jeff Hardy, my God with a Swanton,
halfway across the ring to interrupt the count.
[Heyman] But Jeff Hardy took himself out,
not just D-Von, three men down.
[Ross] Jeff Hardy crashing and burning from that save for his brother.
And the Bubba Bomb scores and Bubba's not the legal man.
-Referee did not see that interruption. -[Heyman] Cover.
-Cover. -[Ross] D-Von…
-[Heyman] One, two, three. -[Ross] …an underdog and it shouldn't end.
-[bell ringing] -["We're coming down" playing]
[Howard] The winners of this bout and still World Wrestling Entertainment
Tag Team Champions, the Dudley Boyz.
[Ross] The Dudley Boyz came in the WWF Tag Team Champions.
They're gonna leave the same way, a very resourceful victory
for the Dudleys doing whatever it takes to survive here.
And what a chance for Matt Hardy-- or Jeff Hardy though.
[Heyman] Check this out. Jeff Hardy wiping himself
out to save his brother.
Takes out D-Von, takes out himself
but here's Bubba Ray Dudley,
the Nightmare of Dudleyville, saves the day, takes down Matt Hardy,
the WWF Tag Team Champions,
Bubba Ray and D-Von, the Dudley Boyz.
[Ross] The Dudleys have won it but they don't look like it.
Hey, Rob.
Hey, Steph.
How is it going?
Not too bad.
-Yeah. -Not too bad.
Well, listen, I wanted to wish you luck
in your match against Jericho tonight.
Luck, huh? Thanks.
Well-- and I wanted to offer my services.
Yeah?
Because if I can help in any way,
I mean, any way-- If I could be in your corner
or just anything I can do to help you defeat Jericho tonight, you just name it.
To help me defeat Jericho.
I appreciate it but RVD is a one-man team.
I'm the whole damn show, you know.
-I got it covered. -Okay.
-Have it your way. -Appreciate it. Appreciate it. Oh…
Maybe you could help me out with one thing.
I can't seem to find a dressing room big enough
to contain my superstar status, you know what I mean?
[laughs] Is there such a thing?
Is there-- I don't-- maybe not.
I don't know. But, you know what, you are RVD.
You can help yourself to any dressing room that we have here.
-Yeah? -Absolutely.
-Just take the biggest one? -Just go.
-All right. -All right.
-You did help me. -See?
-Thanks a lot. -I can be useful.
Well, I'll go take care of Jericho for you.
-How's that? -All right.
Thanks, Steph.
No, thank you, Rob.
Here in Pittsburgh, Kurt Angle's hometown and the entire family
is lining up here in the front row.
We have Kurt Angle's mom here and I know you guys are proud
of your son's accomplishments,
but what would winning the WWE title mean to Kurt Angle
and your family if he does it here tonight in his hometown of Pittsburgh?
We'd be ecstatic.
I think he's gonna win it because, um,
he puts his whole heart and soul in everything,
and especially in front of the Pittsburgh people.
And he'll go after that WWE belt
like he went after the Olympic Gold Medal in '96.
Also, here with the entire Angle family is Kurt's brother, Dave,
and, you know, Kurt has been through adversity before
with neck problems and of course, this past Thursday night on SmackDown,
he re-injured his neck at the hands of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Now, Kurt has not been medically cleared to compete here tonight
but according to commissioner Regal, he will allow Kurt Angle
to go on with this matchup.
Did your brother make the right decision, do you think?
Well, he won the Olympic gold medal with a broken neck,
I think he'll be all right tonight.
We know he's gonna go for it.
And I'll tell you, here in his hometown of Pittsburgh with all this crowd
behind him and the Angle family here as well,
it's gonna be an exciting evening.
I didn't hear you.
It's gonna be an exciting evening for the Angle family.
It will be. We're all gonna for it.
Well, hopefully, the Angle dream will come true here.
Back to you, J.R. and Paul.
[Ross] Well, I'll tell you what, Michael, our next matchup is somewhat unusual,
not an Olympic matchup, Perry Saturn taking on Raven
and this whole situation is over Saturn's missing mascot, Moppy,
who was abducted when Perry made a very revealing statement.
[Heyman] Moppy.
Perry, guess what?
You've been looking for Moppy and we found her for you.
[Moppy] Hey, don't throw me in the woodchipper.
[Moppy screaming]
[Ross] Paul, this is, you gotta admit, somewhat hideous.
I know Saturn is a little unbalanced but that was his mascot.
[Heyman] He's a goof.
[Ross] Well, this was on SmackDown last week when…
Saturn assaulted Raven and wanted to tear Raven apart.
And if Terri had not been there, I got to believe that Perry Saturn
would have gotten it done.
[Heyman] Right. But Terri was there and wham,
Raven saves Terri, DDT and down goes Perry Saturn.
[Ross] This match confirmed last night live on WWE Excess on TNN.
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the Alliance
and accompanied by Terri, weighing 235 pounds,
Raven.
[Ross] I wonder what professional role Terri plays in Raven's career, Paul.
You're on the inside. What's going on there?
[Heyman] Well, you know, Terri is there for mental stimulation.
-[Ross] What? -[Heyman] Mental stimulation.
Relaxation.
You know, she kind of-- who gives a damn, look at her.
[Ross] You're a lonely man, aren't you?
[Heyman] I mean come-- I'd like to be if Terri was around.
I mean, my God.
["Saturnal" playing]
[Heyman] I mean if that's not motivation having Terri in your corner, what is?
[Howard] From Boston, Massachusetts, weighing 241 pounds,
Perry Saturn.
[Ross] These two men have a history going back to ECW and WCW.
-[bell ringing] -[Ross] They were the tag team champions
there in 1999, these two,
but they're certainly on opposing sides now.
Saturn representing himself and the WWE and certainly Raven,
a full-fledged proud member of the Alliance.
[Heyman] And check this out. In my opinion, Perry Saturn is a goof.
The man is fighting over the memory of a mop.
A mop for crying out loud.
[Ross] He's been hanging around the Home Depot a lot
maybe just to reminisce on Moppy's remains
from the woodchipper and Raven looking to take a walk here.
Raven in some very unorthodox wrestling attire I might add.
[Heyman] I mean I could understand fighting over Terri
but fighting over a mop?
[Ross] Well, Terri made Perry make a decision.
It was her or the mop, and we know the results.
The mop won.
[Heyman] And now Raven starts to take down Perry Saturn.
Notice how Raven picks his spot.
Raven dictates the pace.
[Ross] Raven had a group in WCW years ago.
Backdrop toehold.
Saturn's head bouncing off the steel steps, called "The Flock."
And Raven and Saturn involved in that organization,
that group if you will.
[Heyman] And you know who screwed up "The Flock"
and who screwed up the whole concept?
-[Ross] No. -[Heyman] Perry Saturn.
I know you never watch Nitro.
You can't comment on that.
[Ross] I was busy on Mondays.
As Raven taking down Saturn, this matchup,
as crazy as it sounds-- a nice Bulldog by Raven.
And Raven looking to end this thing quickly and get out of here
and Saturn getting that shoulder up before the three count.
Referee Charles Robinson of the WCW assigned in this contest,
-and… -[Heyman] That's The Cobra Clutch.
[Ross] A shade of Sgt. Slaughter
as Raven in that submission maneuver,
The Cobra Clutch applied on Perry Saturn.
[Heyman] Sgt. Slaughter must be rolling over in his grave.
He's not even dead yet. Don't steal my lines.
Two.
[Ross] He's alive and well.
And he's much better right now than I would say Saturn is.
Saturn looked to be fading away.
But Saturn, with his unorthodox approach to the game,
in style able to counter but certainly did not have the advantage long.
[Heyman] And a knee lift knocks Perry Saturn out of the ring.
[Ross] It takes all kinds of folks to make the world go round
and that includes folks like Perry Saturn who's--
he needs a-- He needs an order of fries
to complete that Happy Meal.
There's no doubt about that, and Terri likes what she's seeing.
[Heyman] I like what I'm seeing every time the camera is on Terri.
[Ross] Raven up on that bottom rope.
Gained some leverage, but that didn't work as Saturn hanging in there.
Saturn, a former Army Ranger.
He's tough. He's disciplined in some areas.
In some areas, he's goofy as a pet coon.
-[Heyman] Cover. One, two-- -[Ross] Wait, Raven's got the ropes.
And Saturn, I mean, barely able to kick out.
Well, that would have been a Raven victory.
[Ross] Saturn sauntering across the ring,
I think playing possum there.
That could do it there. Nice
Straight kick by Perry Saturn taking down Raven.
[Heyman] But Raven maintains the advantage.
[Ross] Saturn going to-- What he may be best at,
that's those right hands. And what a throw.
A Greco-Roman throw, the waist lock, into the throw by Saturn,
a modified suplex
and another beautiful belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Saturn.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Saturn building some momentum.
Springboard
with the impact, and Raven flat on his back.
Will this be enough here?
And not this time.
[Heyman] It's amazing the motivation a mop will give a man.
[Ross] That is strange, isn't it?
[Heyman] Very.
[Ross] Saturn's eye is busted here,
makes that right hand by Raven.
The roll up.
And I think this is gonna be a very physically intense night
from our next match forward,
every match, a championship will be decided here tonight live
in Pittsburgh at the sold-out Mellon Arena.
And this could be bad for Raven, but it was a nice counter by Raven.
And Raven taking down Saturn.
High impact stuff here.
The cover, and Saturn rolling off his back.
Reversal by Saturn.
-And Raven with a sunset flip. -One, two
[Ross] And another near-fall.
Raven's shoulders on the canvas.
Raven in a pinning predicament here.
[Heyman] Yeah but Raven needs to be very careful
because Raven can get counted out and not even realize it.
[Ross] Catapulted into the top turnbuckle by Saturn.
-And that twisting fisherman suplex. -One, two, three.
-[Ross] And Saturn beats Raven. -[bell ringing]
["Saturnal" playing]
[Howard] Here is your winner, Perry Saturn.
[Heyman] Well, the Alliance wishes to congratulate Perry Saturn
on a victory, except for one thing.
-[Ross] The mop? -[Heyman] He'll never get Moppy back.
[laughs]
[Ross] Moppy is never coming back by the way.
-[Heyman laughing] -[Ross] You know that to be true.
-It is true. -[Heyman] Yes, I know.
[Ross] The Mellon Arena sold-out here tonight,
and will this be Kurt Angle's night
to bring the WWE title back to the World Wrestling Entertainment?
I say yes, Paul.
[Heyman] I say no, J.R.
[Ross] Well, I'd put my money where my mouth is.
I believe it's gonna happen.
It's gotta happen here tonight.
[Heyman] No way.
Christian, tonight, you're not only facing the Intercontinental Champion,
but you're facing your flesh and blood in your brother, Edge.
Now, yes, you have a shot at the title.
But after seeing the relationship between the two of you
disintegrate the way it has, the question is, was it worth it?
You know, Lilián, I was thinking.
I was thinking that there's so many people in this world that come so close
to fulfilling their hopes and dreams only to fail miserably.
You take a step out there tonight and you'll see an arena full of people
that fit that description to a T.
But, you know, tonight, I have a chance to fulfill my dreams,
to prove something to the world that I've known my entire life.
And that's that I am superior to my brother, Edge.
But, you know, tonight, everyone is making such a big deal about
"Will Kurt Angle win the WWE title?"
Well, I say, who cares, because when Unforgiven
is written into the history books,
it's gonna remember that it was the night
that Christian walked away with the Intercontinental title.
So, you're asking me the question,
was it worth ending my relationship with my brother?
You're damn right it was.
[Ross] Well, we are just moments away
from the Intercontinental Championship matchup.
It should be awesome.
There'll be no brotherly love in this Intercontinental contest
that has deep roots in jealousy.
[Christian] My brother, Edge, has been jealous…
[Ross] Edge is the 2001 King of the Ring.
-[Christian] …bitter… -[Ross] Christian seems more obsessed
with The King of the Ring trophy than his brother, Edge, who won it.
[Christian] …and resentful of me.
[Ross] And there you see the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
[Christian] My whole life,
it's always been Edge and Christian.
-[Heyman] Hey. -[Ross] Oh, my, my God.
-["At Last" playing] -[singer] ♪ Christian! ♪
[Ross] Christian just cracked the skull of his own brother.
[singer] ♪ Christian! ♪
[Ross] Of his own flesh and blood.
[singer] ♪ At last you're on your own ♪
[Christian] Well, I don't need you, Edge.
You have nothing that I need,
but you do have something that I want.
I'm gonna take your Intercontinental title
the same way you always took the spotlight from me.
[Ross] Hey wait, there's Edge.
Christian's brother, Edge.
Edge just beating the hell out of his brother, that jealous Christian.
[Heyman] What kind of brotherly love is that showing for Christian?
[Ross] The same kind of brotherly love that Christian
showed his brother when he tried to crack his skull.
Brother versus brother.
And Edge's Intercontinental Championship will be at stake.
-["At Last" playing] -[singer] ♪ Christian! ♪
♪ Christian! ♪
♪ At last you're on your own ♪
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
It's for the World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Championship.
Introducing the challenger, weighing 225 pounds,
Christian.
[Heyman] You know, J.R., I hear Plácido Domingo
wants to do this song for Christian.
-[Ross] Oh, does he now? -[Heyman] Yes, sir.
He's a big Christian fan.
[Ross] Well, I'll tell you what, Christian has the opportunity here
to walk away with the Intercontinental title, but this match is about
a whole heck of a lot more, folks, than just an Intercontinental title.
As coveted as it is, this is personal between brothers.
-["Metalingus" playing] -[singer] ♪ You think you know me ♪
♪ You will never know me ♪
-["Never Gonna Stop" playing] -[singer] ♪ Yeah, I'm on Durango ♪
♪ Number 95 ♪
[Howard] From Toronto, Canada, weighing 245 pounds,
the World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Champion, Edge.
[Heyman] Time out. I got a question for you.
-[Ross] All right. -[Heyman] I was pulling for Rob Zombie.
I know this song.
"This Sinister Surge" comes out November 13, right?
-[Ross] Yes. -[Heyman] How did Edge
get this as his entrance music two months in advance?
[Ross] I think that Rob Zombie is a big fan of Edge.
-[Heyman] And that can't be. -[Ross] What do you mean?
[Heyman] The Alliance has been courting Rob Zombie for months now.
Why would Rob Zombie wanna hang out with Edge when he can hang out
with a guy like me?
[Ross] I think you can answer your questions later by looking in the mirror,
but that's another issue.
And this issue here, again,
is about more than the coveted Intercontinental title.
-This is brother versus brother. -[bell ringing]
[Ross] This whole thing's steeped in jealousy
and look at the intensity here.
[referee] Come on.
[Ross] Christian trying to distance himself from Edge in this matchup.
These two young men certainly came unraveled on September 3rd
in Toronto, their hometown, in front of their family
when Christian turned his back on his brother, Edge.
And you got to wonder, Paul, when this whole jealous thing began,
was it when Edge became the 2001 King of the Ring
or was it when Edge became the Intercontinental Champion?
[Heyman] Like a lawyer, you've asked me 40 questions
and expect an answer.
[Ross] Hard chop by Edge, taking down Christian
who is trying to separate himself from his brother.
[Heyman] Here's what I can tell you.
Edge has been jealous and envious of Christian ever since they were kids.
-[Ross] You know that to be a fact? -[Heyman] Oh, yes, sir, I do.
-[Ross] Who told you that? -[Heyman] One of their cousins.
[Ross] And there's a knockdown by Edge.
[Heyman] Just an illegitimate cousin, but…
[Ross] That's an illegitimate answer if you ask me
because I don't think Edge-- I mean, what a shot that was.
Did you hear the thud of Christian's head off that staging?
-[Heyman] Yes, sir, I did. -[Ross] That metal staging?
[Heyman] Yes, sir, I did. And I'll tell you something else.
I think it's very poor officiating. I think Edge
should be counted out or disqualified.
Look at this. Look at the brutality by Edge
on his own brother in front of his mom
and dad who are watching on TV in Canada.
[Ross] But, Paul, it was Christian who was trying to escape.
Edge is just bringing his brother back into the ring
so they can settle this match.
[Heyman] I think Christian just bailed out of bounds
so that cooler heads could prevail.
So, this could be a great athletic contest between two brothers
for the Intercontinental title.
[Ross] Well, it will be a great athletic contest
and we're seeing great intensity by both these young men
who were seven-time, I think, WWE Tag Team Champions.
And what a-- what a run they had as partners in the tag team division
here in the WWE.
Those days are in the past
and may never ever be regenerated again.
[Heyman] Oh, no way. I mean these two brothers
are without question as the title says, unforgiven.
[Ross] Now Christian begging his brother and that may have just been
a little bit of a trap to lure Edge closer to that ring post.
[Heyman] These kids grew up together and Edge didn't know that
that would be one of his brother's tricks?
[Ross] Hard shot into the security wall by Christian
taking Edge upside down in this matchup
for the World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Championship
here live tonight from Pittsburgh, PA, in the USA.
Another shot to the lower back, again, in those steel steps.
And talk about unforgiving, those steps are unforgiving.
[Heyman] Who do you think Grandma Edna is rooting for tonight?
[Ross] Well, by the sound of things in the past,
I wound tend to think maybe Edge.
[Heyman] Right. See? That's the problem.
"It was always about Edge.
Oh, we love Edge.
Oh, Edge is the King of the Ring.
Oh, Edge is the Intercontinental Champion."
Look at what that family has driven Christian to do
just to get a little bit of attention that he so rightfully deserved.
[Ross] I just think that Christian's got an ego problem.
And right now he's-- hard shots there…
What a backbreaker.
And there's a cover. Could be all here.
-[referee] Two. That's a two. -Come on.
[Ross] Edge kicking those legs, trying to get some hook
down that lower body so he can kick out and he did,
and what a shot to the kidneys by Christian on his own brother,
his own flesh and blood, Edge.
Intercontinental Championship at stake.
Again, every match from this point forward
will be a championship contest.
[Heyman] You know, Christian did not want it to come to this, J.R.
You have to-- I mean, here you are, the big WWE announcer,
you should tell the truth.
Edge is the one that drove Christian to this.
Christian did not want this to happen between the brothers.
[Ross] Paul, I'd like to agree with you, but I don't feel that way.
I think this whole thing was a result of Christian's jealousy
and his-- and his bruised ego.
Nice powerslam by Christian. Hook and-- Three.
-Come on, ref. -[referee] Two!
[Ross] And the referee counting two on it.
And a hard shot to the face by Christian.
[Heyman] I mean, I think you admitted it yourself, J.R.
Grandma Edna herself is sitting at home rooting on Edge.
Mom and Dad are rooting on Edge.
All the cousins and the uncles and the aunts are rooting on Edge.
Doesn't anybody care about Christian?
Doesn't anybody love this man?
[Ross] Of course they do. They're family.
And I'm sure the whole family is concerned and upset that--
that is-- this is happening,
but-- I mean, Christian can be a real pain in the keister.
[Heyman] But that's what families are for.
You forgive, you forget.
You turn the other cheek.
[Ross] It's kind of hard to turn the other cheek when, one,
Christian tried to take his own brother's head off with a chair.
As Edge fights back.
Knife edge chops and Christian reeling there momentarily.
I mean, Christian-- Oh, a side Russian leg sweep.
Both men are down.
I think Christian took it way too far in Toronto,
September the 3rd with that one-man con-chair-to
that gave his brother a minor concussion.
[Heyman] Can you believe it, after all these years,
we are witnessing Edge versus Christian?
[Ross] Quite frankly, I can't.
I mean, these guys were as good as any tag team combination
I've ever seen in my tenure here in the WWE.
[Heyman] And Edge drove his own brother to these lengths.
[Ross] I understand your passion for your point.
But I don't think a lot of folks are gonna buy into that, Paul.
I just don't believe it's true and I think a lot of folks would agree.
And Christian now catching his brother in a very compromising position
on the top turnbuckle.
And this is one of those high-risk moves that could change the entire complexion
of this Intercontinental title match, but it's not gonna be a superplex.
Edge having a hard time capitalizing here
in the predicament that he's in and the look on his face tells that story.
High risk here for Edge, the Intercontinental Champion.
Well, at least, he landed on his feet.
[Heyman] Oh, man.
[Ross] German suplex and that's three-- No, it's not.
[Heyman] How close can you get?
I mean, man, that was so close
and that looks to me like Edge is busted open.
[Ross] Edge has got a cut under his eye.
From that-- one of those right hands.
And now Edge right into the top-- that middle turnbuckle,
the dropkick by Christian.
Christian capitalizing. Christian with a cover.
The leg is hooked and the shoulder up before the three,
Christian pressing the advantage here.
[Doan] Two.
[Ross] And now, a right hand right in that-- in that inflicted area.
I'm not sure if it's a scratch or a-- there's a dent from that knuckle,
-but -[Heyman] I can tell exactly what it is.
-[Ross] What is it? -[Heyman] It's an advantage for Christian.
[Ross] That's a stupor.
-[Heyman] Thank you very much, sir. -[Ross] On top of your game tonight.
[Heyman] You know I am.
[Ross] And Edge got to fight his way back up here
and sometimes the sight of your own blood will do strange things to you.
Christian did a little showboating.
I don't think now is the time to have a parade.
Hard right hand by Edge.
Edge fighting for his Intercontinental title.
Fighting to put his brother in a more harmonious place.
And maybe these two guys can get this out in their system
in this match tonight and maybe they would get back together.
[Heyman] Never gonna happen.
Christian will never forgive Edge.
Look at this.
Both men thinking the same thing at the same time.
They're brothers, for crying out loud.
They know how the other one thinks.
[Ross] Edge's left eye,
there's a cut under that left eye.
[Doan] Seven.
[Ross] That may be swelled shut before this one is all said and done
by that right hand earlier by Christian.
A very physically intense night,
we see-- coming on the air here tonight,
that the emotion in the locker room area was at a fever pitch.
We have said that before, but I don't think I've ever felt it
or seen it as we have seen already
like we're seeing it here tonight.
[Heyman] Two straight right hands by Christian on his own brother, Edge,
but Edge is having a hard time capitalizing.
[Ross] Hard knockdown by Edge, these two guys leaving it out here now
as Edge trying to build some offensive momentum.
High back body drop by Edge
and Christian finds himself in more trouble
and Edge with a double handful of hair,
an illegal maneuver taking down the challenger
for the Intercontinental title.
[Heyman] Edge is being driven down to these lengths
because he's so jealous, so envious of his brother, Christian.
[Ross] Christian again, trying to score
the high-impact offense that's countered by Edge.
Christian again.
[Heyman] These guys counter each other's moves. Unbelievable.
[Ross] Edge got both legs and--
and the referee got a long time two-count on that exchange.
[Heyman] Edge and Christian know each other so well.
They can predict the other man's moves.
That's what made them such a great tag team,
what make them such great opponents.
[Ross] Edge over the top rope, but he landed on his feet there.
-And Edge -[Heyman] Where's he going?
[Ross] What's he looking for?
Edge is under the ring.
And Christian down on the knee there,
getting a little opportunity to-- wait a minute.
[Heyman] How can you trick your own brother this way?
[Ross] How can you beat your own brother with a chair?
That's what Christian did and Edge crossbody from the top.
Edge is back, hooks the leg.
And got three? No.
And that was really, really close,
maybe a half count away.
[Heyman] And Christian knows it.
Christian knows it better than anyone else here tonight.
[Ross] Edge sensing Christian coming in.
Hard kick to the face.
And the spear right out of Edge's playbook.
The cover, it should be over to--
and that left shoulder came off the canvas
and Christian showing the frustration
of being a second or less away
from winning the Intercontinental Championship.
[Heyman] Christian needs to keep his focus.
If he loses his temper during this contest,
Edge will pick Christian apart.
The tea-- Oh, here we go.
[Ross] Wait a minute. Christian with two chairs.
If he really wants to win the Intercontinental title,
he won't get disqualified
because he can't win by disqualification.
I mean, Christian, I know he's seemingly a little bit unbalanced
in his jealous rage.
Oh, come on. We have seen this.
We saw this in Toronto earlier this month.
This is hideous.
[Heyman] One-man con-chair-to coming up.
[Ross] And Christian is gonna get-- and a takedown by Edge.
I'll tell you what, they're just gonna prolong this match
because you got to believe the referee would certainly disqualify Christian
if he had connected with that-- with that one-man con-chair-to.
[Heyman] Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.
You don't think Edge would do this to his own brother.
[Ross] Edge cannot lose the championship on a disqualification, so yes, he might.
[Heyman] Don't do it, Edge. It's your own brother.
[Ross] And paybacks are hell sometimes.
[Heyman] That's your mother's son.
[Ross] Here is-- here it goes.
And the referee disarming-- Oh, the low blow.
The referee didn't see it.
That's a low blow. He can't-- no.
[Heyman] He got it.
-I can't believe it. -[bell ringing]
["At Last" playing]
[Howard] The winner of this match
and new World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Champion,
Christian.
[Heyman] Hey, hey, J.R., talk all you want.
[Ross] Christian brings two chairs in the ring
and uses one of them with a low blow.
And you got to admit, Paul,
that's exactly how Christian just beat his brother, Edge,
to win the Intercontinental title.
[Heyman] No sir I don't have to admit that.
Here's what I have to admit,
two brothers fought for the Intercontinental Championship.
One brother left as the champion
and that brother, the better brother,
the more talented brother was Christian.
Congratulations to the new WWE Intercontinental Champion, Christian.
Sure as hell a sad way to win the Intercontinental title.
-Hope he's proud of himself. -I'm proud of him.
We are proud of the fact that we are in over 15 countries
watching this tonight worldwide
throughout the UK, Australia, Germany, Northern Ireland.
And every single person from those countries
that are watching this pay-per-view
just saw Christian beat his own brother, Edge,
for the WWE Intercontinental title.
Come on.
[Ross] Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
the WCW tag team title will be decided.
The Undertaker and Kane
got screwed out of the WWE tag titles earlier in the week by KroniK.
Tonight, there is retribution on the mind of The Brothers of Destruction.
Let's take you back when Steven Richards had this to say.
Why? I have one thing to say to The Undertaker,
I hate you.
It was your fault that the Right to Censor disbanded.
So, Undertaker, come out here
and get some.
[Tazz] That boy, Steven Richards, man, he's got a death wish.
[Michael] Steven Richards just tossed the chair down.
What was he thinking about?
[Tazz] Is that Brian Adams? He's from KroniK.
[Michael] He just knocked The Undertaker's motorcycle over.
-[Tazz] What the hell was that? -Let's break law.
[Michael] They're double teaming, manhandling The Undertaker.
Steven Richards directed traffic.
I haven't seen anyone manhandle The Undertaker like this.
[Tazz] Ravaged in the house.
[Heyman] What a great time to double team The Undertaker with Kane in the hospital.
What a time to take out the Taker.
-[Vince] Don't do it. Don't do it. -[Heyman] Oh, my God.
[Vince] Damn it. Damn it to hell.
His back may be broken.
[Ross] And Kane and The Undertaker set to defend
their WWE tag team titles against the Dudleys.
This should be a good one.
[Heyman] It's KroniK.
[Ross] Oh, no. Come on.
[Heyman] Double chokeslam through the table.
[Ross] Undertaker hung up there.
And the 3D for the Dudleys.
-Oh, no. -[Heyman] One…
-[Ross] No, no. Hey, wait. No, no. -[Heyman] …two, three.
The Dudleys have done it.
[Ross] Well, the Dudleys didn't do a damn thing.
It was KroniK and Steven Richards.
There will be hell to pay.
Well, guys, for the past three weeks, Steven Richards…
-Come on, Coach. -…had been hell-bent
on making your lives a living hell, destroying the both of you.
And tonight, Steven Richards and KroniK
have a chance to pull off the ultimate revenge
costing you those WCW tag team title.
You see what, you know, that's fine.
Revenge, that's great.
You see, I'm hot and I'm not hot because we've got jumped
and got beat up for the last three weeks.
Hey, I can deal with that. We'll settle that score tonight.
What I'm hot about is that Steven Richards
seems like he is obsessed
with reminding everybody that I got rid of the RTC.
The people don't wanna be reminded about that.
They're trying to forget the RTC.
But, okay, that's fine.
So, he brings in Adams and Clark, KroniK.
Hell-bent on revenge,
so, he's got these two muscled-up statues.
We've seen what they can do when they jumped us from behind,
now, let's see what happens
when they got to look in the eye of the dragon.
All those muscles are fine,
but we'll take a muscle-bound man and drop his face in the sand
and that you can count on, Coach.
Let's roll brother.
[singer] ♪ I'm running, running ♪
["Love Dump" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
It's for the WCW Tag Team Championship.
Representing the Alliance and accompanied by Steven Richards,
the challengers at a combined weight
of 573 pounds,
KroniK.
[Ross] Well, KroniK, former two-time WCW Tag Team Champions,
as we have documented last week on Raw.
KroniK trying to cost The Undertaker and Kane
the WWE Tag Team titles
in favor for the Dudleys.
But now, there's payback time.
[Heyman] KroniK is intimidating, aren't they?
[Ross] Well, they're big, impressive athletes.
-No doubt about it. -[fireworks explode]
["Rollin'" playing]
[Ross] But this is the epitome and intimidation and destruction.
[Howard] At a combined weight of 656 pounds,
the WCW Tag Team Champions,
The Undertaker and Kane.
[Ross] KroniK and The Undertaker in Kane's yard.
And undeniable, Steven Richards
is as bad and unbalanced anybody has ever seen on the outside.
-And KroniK… -[bell ringing]
[Ross] …to their credit, rolling to the outside
to confront The Undertaker and Kane.
[Heyman] When was the last time you ever saw anyone, came to fight
with The Undertaker and Kane?
[Ross] Yeah. It's been a while, I'll tell you that.
[indistinct chatter]
[Ross] Adams and Clark, two big, powerful men.
They're hungry and wanna make an impact in sports entertainment.
They wanna regain the WCW Tag Team titles.
They're the newest members of the Alliance
and there's no doubt you wanna put a smile on Shane-O-Mac's face
to bring home WCW Tag Team gold.
Undertaker and Adams-- Brian Adams.
There's the cover by The Undertaker and Adams is too strong,
too early, able to kick out.
[Heyman] I cannot believe that someone is actually taking the fight
to the Brothers of Destruction.
I'm so used to everyone running away from The Undertaker and Kane.
KroniK stands tall and fights.
[Ross] Adams and Clark both six-six, maybe six-seven,
both close to the 300-pound mark.
Nice drop toehold by The Undertaker, taking down Adams.
And The Undertaker dropping that 300-pound elbow
right in the spine of Adams.
Looking for the cover as The Undertaker
and Adams, again, able to kick out.
And there's a tag to The Big Red Machine.
His left elbow, as you can see, clearly is taped.
He says it's close to a hundred a percent
as Kane injured at SummerSlam about a month ago.
[Heyman] He says it's close to a hundred percent?
And you believe the man?
[Ross] Absolutely, I believe it.
[Heyman] He wears a mask for crying out loud.
How can you trust him?
-[Ross] You wear a cap. -[Heyman] So?
You wear a cowboy hat. What the hell does that mean?
[Ross] Good slam. Nothing.
It's a good slam by Kane, taking down Adams.
As Kane, again-- well, Adams has been pressured here
and another near-fall.
The third one in the matchup.
Steven Richards is literally attired in black.
And Brian Adams on a-- the backbreaker on Kane.
He's probably about 15 or 20 pounds over the 300-pound mark I would suspect.
[Heyman] And now Adams brings Kane to the corner
and wham, KroniK now taking advantage of the situation.
Get him out of the corner.
[Ross] And Clark with those martial arts kick
that bust up Kane in the inside.
Those shots to the ribs and to the sternum,
hard knife-edged chop by Bryan Clark.
Undertaker and Kane's WCW Tag Team Championship at stake here.
And kick back into the corner, not knockback,
but a kick back to the corner,
and great flexibility by this huge man, Bryan Clark.
And Clark taking down Kane,
a kick to the solar plexus, and the cover.
-[Mike] Two. -[Ross] Got a two-count.
[Heyman] I notice how Bryan Clark sticks his elbow
right into the jaw line of Kane.
Everything these guys do is malicious.
I love that.
[Ross] I have heard that.
Neckbreaker by Kane, taking down Clark.
And Clark makes his way back up.
I'm not sure if Clark knows where he is,
but he's back up in the fight, a kick to the far side
but Kane a little overzealous there.
Ate some shoe there, but look at the power of Kane.
Kane, that shoulder breaker.
And now Clark in trouble and in a real rough part of town.
[Heyman] Well, here comes the big dog in the yard
and he's trying to protect his own turf.
[Ross] He may pretend The Undertaker, that Adams and Clark are fire hydrants.
That could be ugly here in the figurative sense.
Undertaker using that power, that mass,
to focus on that shoulder of Bryan Clark.
[Heyman] You're not implying that The Undertaker needs a diaper, are you?
[Ross] No, sir.
A little old school.
Well, The Undertaker, walking that top rope,
and hammering Clark
aggressively down into the canvas.
And now hooking that arm,
a cross armbreaker by The Undertaker,
looking for the submission.
And Brian Adams knew that move very well, able to interrupt,
and pace more, and down goes The Undertaker.
[Heyman] KroniK now once again staying on top
of the Brothers of Destruction,
two big, bad, malicious individuals are KroniK.
[Ross] Undertaker has been grounded in the KroniK corner.
Tag made, Clark will leave, eventually.
Adams in legally.
And wait a minute.
A little double-team here by these two big men.
[Heyman] Clark has till five.
Until the referee hits five, there is no reason to get out of the ring.
[Ross] But if the referee reaches five, we will have a disqualification.
[Heyman] Yeah, but KroniK is too smart for that,
plus, even if they're not, which they are,
they have Steven Richards in the corner.
[Ross] God knows he's a valedictorian.
There's a cover and a near-fall.
[Heyman] He's certainly pushing all the buttons
when it comes to the Brothers of Destruction.
[Ross] I'm sure you must be very proud to have Steven Richards
in your Alliance family.
[Heyman] I'm really proud of all the decisions
that Shane and Stephanie made.
[Ross] Right hand by The Undertaker
found his mark on Brian Adams.
Another straight right hand by the Taker.
And Adams taking it, didn't even go down
on that straight right hand, he was rocked.
And Adams comes back.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] Adams got to-- well, there's a clothesline,
and The Undertaker landed right on his feet.
Cat-like agility by The Undertaker.
Oh man, what a shot that was by Bryan Clark
coming from the apron.
The Undertaker took down Adams into the ring post.
Here comes Kane around, Adams is back up,
now Adams and Clark double-teaming Kane.
[Heyman] Well, of course, Adams and Clark are double-teaming Kane.
They have the advantage.
The Undertaker has been knocked down
and now KroniK does what KroniK does best.
They take advantage of a situation.
[Ross] Undertaker forced back into the ring
as KroniK looking to take the WCW Tag Team titles
back to the Alliance here tonight at Unforgiven.
The double-team.
Undertaker being manhandled in tandem offense.
The cover, and Mike Chioda got a two-count.
And now Adams with those huge arms,
forcing his own weight down on The Undertaker,
collapsing those lungs,
of course makes it very difficult to take a long deep breath
when you need one by The Undertaker.
[Heyman] Over 300 pounds leaning down on top of The Undertaker,
forcing The Undertaker, the Phenom himself,
to try to fight his way back up,
to exert the energy, to exert the oxygen,
The Undertaker is in a bad, bad way.
[Ross] And notice that Bryan Clark has his body
between The Undertaker and Kane,
making it even more difficult for The Undertaker to get to that corner
and make a tag which The Undertaker needs to do.
[Heyman] Well, the tradition of the Andersons and the Briscoes
and all the tag teams in WCW history,
KroniK is cutting off the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Undertaker trying to fight back up.
Yes, and The Undertaker is in hellacious predicaments.
It was in this arena where The Undertaker caught Mick Foley
in the Hell in a Cell.
And The Undertaker, hard shots to the body.
And-- oh, look at-- look at the strength of Brian Adams.
He slammed The Undertaker as easily as anybody I've ever seen.
And now Bryan Clark in.
And these-- Clark and Adams interchangeable parts,
but The Undertaker got the DDT.
Clark, blow to his head, there's the tag,
and here comes The Big Red Machine.
And he is a hoss.
[Heyman] Hoss my ass, he's not a man, he's a monster.
Kane is six-ten, 326, and he's fighting KroniK all by himself.
[Ross] There's a knockdown by Kane.
Kane building the momentum here.
Kicking out his back into the-- into the corner,
but it's Clark and Kane, the legal men,
sidewalk slam by Kane,
simply muscling Bryan Clark up and down and here we go.
Wouldn't be a nice-- oh, my.
[Heyman] Two? He's gonna chokeslam two men?
[Ross] KroniK fighting out of that situation.
Kane set for the ride,
avoids contact, but not that time.
All three men, fell-- oh my, and Kane sitting up
and makes the tag to The Undertaker.
The man who has orchestrated a decade of destruction
with his right hands and now Kane back in.
Undertaker and Kane along with KroniK,
all four men now in the ring
in this WCW Tag Team title matchup.
[Heyman] Double-team by the Brothers of Destruction.
[Ross] Nice teamwork by The Undertaker and Kane.
Oh, the shot and down goes Clark.
[Heyman] I mean it's bad enough to get kicked in the face
by The Undertaker,
but to be whipped into that foot-- turn around.
[Ross] Uh-oh, here we go.
And-- oh, there's Steven Richards,
just got knocked right out of the ring by The Undertaker.
Richards tried to interrupt this matchup to no avail.
Look at Kane, left part of your screen, going up stairs.
Undertaker fighting both members of KroniK here,
and Kane-- Oh, no.
Kane almost beheading Adams,
The Undertaker loading up Clark…
-[Heyman] Chokeslam. -[Ross]… and chokeslam.
-Undertaker with the chokeslam. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
["Rollin'" playing]
[Howard] The winner of this bout and still WCW Tag Team Champions,
The Undertaker and Kane.
[Ross] And what is Steven Richards thinking? He is unarmed.
[Heyman] Oh, no.
-Leave him alone. -[Ross] Steel chair or not.
Leave him alone.
-[Heyman] Leave him alone. -[Ross] He's sensitive.
He wouldn't hurt a-- harm a hair on your head.
[Heyman] Forgive him, will you?
[Ross] His mouth is so big, he has three lips,
black hair or not.
Don't look there, Steven.
Oh, no. No, please. No.
-[Ross] Steven Richards is begging. -[Heyman] Come on, show compassion.
Show some mercy, please.
[Ross] Kane almost chokeslamming Steven Richards out of his own britches.
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks exploding]
[Ross] And The Undertaker and Kane retain the WCW Tag Team Championship.
["Rollin'" playing]
[singer] ♪ Keep rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪
[Ross] It maybe time for KroniK and the Alliance,
as far as this matter is concerned, to reassess the situation.
Maybe it's time to regroup.
[singer] ♪ Keep rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪
♪ Keep rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪
[Ross] Great ovation for The Undertaker and Kane.
[Heyman] Well, sure, they kicked out poor, defenseless, innocent Steven Richards.
People would be standing up applauding you too
if you beat up poor Steven Richards.
What did Steven Richards ever do to The Undertaker and Kane
to deserve that treatment?
[Ross] I don't have a ton to tell you.
All I know is The Undertaker and Kane have won this fight.
If KroniK wants to do it again somewhere down the road,
I'm sure The Undertaker and Kane will accommodate them.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, more than ever,
I'd like to remind all of you to--
that the American Red Cross needs your assistance.
Red Cross needs cash donation to provide shelter
and medical supplies and counseling for injured,
for the family, to the victims in New York City.
And for the people have been-- who have been displaced from their homes.
To make a donation, you can call 1-800-HELPNOW
or go to the web address you saw in your screen.
1-800-HELPNOW.
Steven Richards needs some help now.
["Rollin'" playing]
That's it.
That's it, you know how important tonight is?
Tonight, we bring back the WCW Championship where it belongs.
We're bringing it back to the Alliance.
-Back home. -Back home.
-You dig that? -Oh, I can dig it.
Excuse me, guys, I hate to interrupt, you know.
We're all Alliance members and we know the Alliance.
Tonight is a huge night for us, and you guys can bring it home.
That WCW title, man, it belongs back in the Alliance,
back around Booker T's waist.
-It's coming home. -Maybe even Shane-O-Mac's waist.
-Oh, right, yeah. -As a matter of fact,
I talked to Stephanie a little while ago, she put up a good point.
You know, she beat The Rock.
I mean, it'd pretty sad if you guys couldn't do it, you know what I mean?
I mean, you know, but, you know, I mean I'm sure you got--
You didn't say that?
Tell me he did not just say that.
-I just wanted to wish you luck. -Just get out.
-I'll leave. I'll leave. -Get out. Get out.
Oh, he will be beaten.
The Rock is going down.
Feeling me?
-Hey, coach. -What's up, Steph?
Have you seen Rob Van Dam anywhere?
I just saw him.
He was just down the hallway,
dressing room number five.
-Five. -I think it was five.
-All right. Thanks. -Okay.
Five.
Rob?
Rob, it's Steph.
Listen, I know you told me
that you didn't want me to get involved in your match tonight,
but I have to let you in on a little secret.
See, tomorrow is my birthday
and it would just be the best birthday present ever
if you would not only humiliate but destroy Chris Jericho tonight.
See, I see something special in you, Rob.
You've got a lot of talent.
The Alliance knows it.
I think even Stone Cold knows it.
And if you were to defeat Chris Jericho tonight,
I guarantee that your experience in the Alliance
would be a very pleasurable one.
So how about it, Rob?
Are you gonna make it a happy birthday for me?
Your birthday, huh?
How old are you gonna be 37, 38 years old?
No, I'm gonna be 25.
No, no, I asked you how old you were,
not how many men you've been with in the last week.
But you know, I've got a great idea.
Why don't we have a birthday party tomorrow for you?
Yeah, it's great. I'll bring the cake,
I'll bring the party favors, I'll bring the balloons.
Well, actually, it looks like
you've got the balloons covered, don't you?
I just wanna wish you the breast of luck, sweet cheeks.
[Ross laughs]
"The breast of luck," you get it?
[Heyman] It wasn't funny.
-[Ross laughs] "The breast of luck." -[Heyman] It wasn't funny.
-["Dam-Nation" playing] -[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Championship.
Representing the Alliance, weighing 230 pounds,
the World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Champion,
Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] This guy is the real deal, no doubt about it.
And a pleasurable birthday.
[Heyman] A pleasurable birthday.
-[Ross] Pleasure, what does she mean? -She is a married woman, you know.
-[Heyman] Yes, I know. -[Ross] Pleasurable.
[Heyman] I know that for a fact, as a matter of fact.
A pleasurable birthday.
[Ross] Kind of a risqué analogy would you think?
[Heyman] And this will be a pleasurable experience
because we are going to be graced by the Hardcore Champion, Rob Van Dam.
Pleasurable, it's in the dictionary.
[fireworks exploding]
["Break the Walls Down" playing]
[singer] ♪ One, break the walls down ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Howard] From Winnipeg, Manitoba,
weighing 227 pounds, the challenger, Chris Jericho.
[Ross] A lot of similarities between these two men.
Both have big victories over Stone Cold and Kurt Angle,
not many people can say that.
Both won their first WWE pay-per-view matches
and both have held the Hardcore Championship.
And in this environment, Paul,
you know so well the impressario of Hardcore.
And that this is a one fall match, there must be a winner.
There can be no disqualifications.
There can be no count-outs.
Pinfalls or submissions count anywhere.
[Heyman] And to me, the advantage goes to Rob Van Dam.
Here is the man that headlined ECW,
which really featured rules like this all the time.
[Ross] Twenty-three months, he was the television-- Did you know that?
[Heyman] Yes, sir, I do.
[Ross] He was the last TV-- Did you know that?
[Heyman] He wasn't the last TV champion
but he was an undefeated TV champion for 23 months.
No one could beat Rob Van Dam for that championship.
RVD versus Y2J live tonight at Unforgiven.
[Ross] The laid back, little cocky,
confident RVD against the brash, outrageous,
somewhat of a vigilante Y2J.
And that is-- and there is a--
he just doesn't like Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
and she likes him less.
Nice move by Van Dam escaping-- nice armdrag take down.
And counter armdrag by RVD.
Anything goes in this matchup.
The referee is here only to count the pinfall
or to signal the bell on a submission.
And both men thinking the same thing,
both men getting up at the same time,
and getting a round of applause for their efforts.
[Heyman] Well, I don't know if they're thinking the same thing.
Van Dam is thinking about defending his title
and Jericho has Stephanie on the brain.
[Ross] Well, did he wish her the breast of-- I don't know.
I love that. That was-- that was pretty entertaining.
She gets what she deserves, do you believe sometimes?
[Heyman] No, sir, I do not. She's the billion dollar-princess.
And a generous boss at that I might add.
[Ross] Get some good bonuses these days?
[Heyman] No comment, sir.
[Ross] And I heard she's very generous as a matter of fact.
And look at the strength of RVD bridging out.
And Van Dam both arms up, looking for the pin here,
certainly not a cover but a pinning predicament
in the back slide.
Hard knife-edge chops and another one by Jericho.
[Heyman] Man, those things hurt. It's not just an excuse
for the fans to go, "Whoo."
They take the breath away from you.
[Ross] Oh, look at Van Dam, almost anticipating the attempted hiplock,
landed on his feet, but is quickly countered by Jericho.
And-- well, Jericho looking to--
Uh oh, I don't know what Jericho is looking for there.
He almost-- another counter.
[crowd chanting] RVD! RVD!
[Ross] Jericho kicking out of that one. Said, "I got to get out of this."
"This is not working for me."
And this huge crowd here in Pittsburgh chanting for RVD.
[crowd chanting] RVD! RVD!
[Heyman] Of course, they are chanting for RVD.
Well, you know, if you didn't have those headsets on, J.R.,
you'd be sitting in the front row
pointing the thumbs at yourself, chanting RVD as well.
[Ross] Do you reckon? I don't think so, Paul.
-I respect the hell out of this guy. -[crowd chanting]
[Ross] I know that makes Jer-- Oh, Jericho.
I think Jericho may be a little bit offended
that this WWE audience is so supportive of RVD.
But that's just the way that it is,
as Jericho raked the eyes
which is totally legal. High-impact forearm,
and Jericho mounting RVD,
hard right hands by Y2J.
[Heyman] But that's the beautiful thing about a Hardcore match,
everything is legal.
You go until there's a pinfall or a submission anywhere in the building.
[Ross] No time limits, no disqualifications, no count-outs.
Pinfall or submissions count anywhere.
The enzuigiri scores for Y2J.
And J looking back, hooks the leg and got a near-fall.
This slap, watch…
boom, the sweat fly off the face of RVD.
That was a nice, snug, "How do you do?"
[Heyman] Oh, no doubt about it.
And now, Y2J runs right into the foot.
RVD on the move.
[Ross] Van Dam leaping on that second rope,
spring-boarding off of it to score that straight thrust kick.
And Van Dam, so educated with his feet.
Leg scissors takedown and another pinning predicament.
This Van Dam is about as unorthodox,
and unusual, hard to figure out, as anybody I've ever seen.
Flapjack maneuver by Jericho as we take another look at the enzuigiri.
[Heyman] Here it is. Check this out. Wham.
Jericho nailing Rob Van Dam,
tremendous kick by Y2J.
A tremendous presence of mind by RVD
and now the advantage belongs to Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] Jericho took a chance,
was not productive.
The crossbody and here it goes,
and counts out here or anywhere
and a near-fall created by RVD
on Jericho on the outside.
[Heyman] What velocity by Rob Van Dam
and now Van Dam takes the fight to Jericho
on the outside of the ring.
[Ross] Van Dam may have dinged that shoulder of Jericho's
taking it into the ring post.
And now Jericho kinda hung up there,
-even while Van Dam is on the apron. -[crowd] R-V-D!
[Ross] Great Spring in his legs,
but this time Jericho had that well scouted.
And Van Dam got nothing but wall.
[Heyman] But it looks to me like Van Dam came off the wall
and landed right on his left shoulder.
[Ross] Van Dam trying to get the feeling back in that shoulder.
A rare miss for the Hardcore Champion RVD.
Oh, wait a minute. Jericho bringing out a ladder.
It is a Hardcore Matchup, anything goes
including ladders.
Oh, Jericho using the ladder.
That bulls eye on RVD's head,
the ladder clocking Van Dam in the temple.
[Heyman] And Van Dam is hurting, there's no denying it.
RVD is smarting from that miss,
a rare miss by Rob Van Dam
and it may be costly for RVD.
[Ross] Well, of course, it may be costly, Paul.
[Heyman] Are you mimicking me?
[Ross] That shot will wake you up.
That will get your blood flowing again.
And Van Dam following Jericho in the corner
-with those shoulder blocks. -[crowd] RVD!
-RVD! -[Ross] And RVD--
Oh, he got a hit.
He got a little momentum going
and you see the results.
And the look on RVD's face tells that story.
[Heyman] It's the second bad blow to that left shoulder.
Rob Van Dam in a bad way right now.
Oh, man. Three shots.
Three shots to the left shoulder,
Y2J capitalizing on the advantage.
[Ross] A trifecta on the left shoulder of RVD
and now, Jericho looking to try to negotiate that ladder.
It's all legal here.
Again, referee Tim White.
[Heyman] It's all legal and it's all Hardcore.
[Ross] Tim White to count the falls and to ring the bell on the submission.
That's it. That's his job.
Oh, my God. What a suplex.
That lower back of Van Dam got suplexed,
kidneys first, right on that ladder.
Unforgiving as that aluminum ladder is,
Van Dam may be down, here we go, it could--
Very, very close near-fall
as Jericho has Van Dam's left shoulder hurting,
his lower back hurting.
[Heyman] Wham! Oh man, look at that,
Jericho just driving RVD
down into that ladder.
And they-- Van Dam trying to break that fall to no avail.
And how do you break your fall
when your-- the first thing that hits in your anatomy
is your lower back on a ladder.
And someone who's thinking, "Well, they know how to fall."
How do you learn how to fall kidney first on a ladder?
I don't have the answer.
-[crowd] RVD! RVD! -Four!
[Ross] And look at the impact of this, Paul.
This is scary.
[Heyman] Wham! Down goes Jericho.
Driven down onto that ladder by Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] So, the fans here in Pittsburgh are big RVD fans.
I think they're probably big fans of Jericho as well,
as Jericho fights back, but RVD getting the accolades tonight
from this capacity crowd. Nobody there.
And Jericho looking, perhaps, for his Walls of Jericho.
If Jericho hit this, we can't send it on--
Oh, Van Dam's leg strength.
His left shoulder hurting, but his legs are healthy.
[Heyman] Wham! Oh, man, are those legs healthy!
Van Dam on the move.
[Ross] Frog wide splash, could be all.
And Jericho reaching down and kicking out.
A very competitive matchup.
[Heyman] No one comes off, wham, with hardcore offense
like Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] Oh. Split-legged moonsault well scouted by Jericho.
Van Dam pulling out one of his
more patented maneuvers.
Certainly, if you follow the-- his career in ECW,
he made a living on that move.
[Heyman] No doubt and now Jericho,
a bulldog by Jericho
and this is the first clear advantage
where I think Van Dam may be in a bad predicament.
[Ross] Well, there's no doubt about that
and I'm surprised Jericho is not going back to work on that shoulder.
Jericho looking for the lionsault,
landed on his feet and then, Jericho walked into--
right into a spinning heel kick
that caught Jericho right in the eye.
-[Heyman] Oh, man. -[Ross] And now Jericho's eye
is busted open from that shot.
[Heyman] Van Dam on top and no one,
but no one comes off the top
like Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] Van Dam missing the Five-Star Frog Splash.
Jericho's eye already swelled shut.
The cover, it's over. No, it's not over.
How close was that?
[Heyman] Great championship instincts by Rob Van Dam
and man, is Jericho busted open.
[Ross] I thought Jericho's eye was swelled shut.
I was wrong on that, but it's certainly been lacerated
with one of those shots by RVD.
[Heyman] It's gonna be swelled up by tomorrow,
I guarantee you that.
Jericho is hurting, Van Dam is hurting.
This match is a pick of J.R.
[Ross] This has been a very unforgiving night here.
And again… Oh, Jericho,
with the ladder in hand,
got drop toehold face first into the ladder.
[Heyman] And I'm picking RVD right now.
[Ross] RVD now has the ladder
at his disposal
as referee Tim White checking Jericho.
Certainly, the referee does have the prerogative
to stop a match if a competitor cannot continue.
One will have to assume… And RVD getting that steel chair,
but again, that's all legal.
[crowd cheering]
[Heyman] Wow, well managed, Van Dam taking it to Jericho.
Why would a referee stop a Hardcore Match?
You get inside a Hardcore Match
you fight to the finish.
[Ross] Yeah, but you don't want careers ended.
That's not what it's all about, Paul.
-[Heyman] Rob Van Dam-- -[Ross] While you're saying that,
how many have you been in by the way?
[Heyman] I promoted a bunch of them.
[Ross] Really? How many of you participated in?
-[Heyman] Well, I have to-- -[Ross] That's my point.
Would you like to have your career ended? Of course not.
And now, Rob Van Dam,
you talk about stretching.
Oh, man, this is something else here.
I don't-- Van Dam…
The impact of that shot echoing throughout the middle of the arena here.
And Van Dam in never-never land,
sitting on top of that ladder.
-What in the-- -[Heyman] What is Jericho doing
with Van Dam?
[Ross] Jericho…
my God, it's almost a Tarantula, Paul,
on the top of the ladder.
[Heyman] Jericho is stretching Rob Van Dam's body
completely out on that ladder.
[Ross] Van Dam reaching down the ropes,
that's not-- won't give him any cigars.
There's no disqualification. You can't be counted out.
And Van Dam hung up off the top rope.
His body bounces right to the floor.
What a great match up this has been.
You talk about a career-shortener,
this will do it for you.
And now, Jericho stepping off the ladder
to the top rope, took a huge chance
that was very fruitless.
[Heyman] Jericho missed.
Phenomenal presence of mind
by Rob Van Dam,
The King of Extreme,
the Lord of the Hardcore, Jericho,
offering everything he has.
Van Dam moves at the very last second and Jericho goes down.
[Ross] I'm not sure if Van Dam may be bleeding from the mouth
from one of those shots.
I can't tell exactly. It looked like it might be, but maybe not.
But certainly, Jericho's eye really busted open
at the hands of RVD.
[Heyman] It's been one of those nights, J.R., it's been a real Hardcore match.
Wham! Again, Van Dam, just kicking the crap out of Jericho.
[Ross] Hard shot Van Dam beats you with his fist,
beats you with his feet, he beats you with his brain
and his resourcefulness.
And Van Dam get a head of steam--
Oh, my.
Van Dam looking to hit the Plancha,
the headfirst suicide dive
between the second and third rope,
but Jericho used the steel chair to protect himself.
The chair is dented with RVD's head print.
[Heyman] And Jericho is crawling over.
If Jericho makes a cover,
Van Dam could be in a lot of trouble here.
-The title is in jeopardy. -[Ross] Pinfall count anywhere,
this could be over. Oh.
Tim White's hand was coming down
as RVD's shoulders were coming up.
[Heyman] Great championship instincts by Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] Van Dam again that left shoulder,
good strategy by Jericho. He worked on the shoulder earlier.
He's continuing to focus there now.
And Jericho with a very aggressive
stiff kick right to that injured shoulder of Rob Van Dam.
What a physically intense match we are seeing here
at Unforgiven for the WWE Hardcore title.
Jericho missing the clothesline.
Spin kick by Van Dam, changing direction,
changing feet and scoring with a knockdown,
will this be enough here? Here is the cover
-and-- Oh, Jericho. -[Heyman] Fugiwara armbar.
[Ross] Jericho, while hug resting that elbow
in the Fugiwara armbar if he can,
he's got it bridged in.
Van Dam may be seconds, a heartbeat away
from tapping out here.
And Van Dam in the ropes.
Van Dam trying to crawl out of the ring because Jericho
in these Hardcore matches doesn't have to break the hold.
[Heyman] Both men with extensive backgrounds in Japan,
but Jericho coming with the Fujiwara armbar
in the Hardcore Match.
[Ross] RVD again, this time it's his right shoulder,
the impact of this kick.
[Heyman] Steps through it. Wham!
He connected that heel
right in the eye of Jericho.
[Ross] RVD as good as I have ever seen
-utilizing his feet. -[crowd] Y2J!
Y2J! Y2J!
[Ross] And now there's a Y2J chant going on.
[crowd member] Come on, Jericho. Get up.
[Ross] And Y2J with that steel chair
and right into that arm, that shoulder.
[Heyman] This audience in Pittsburgh is so fickle.
RVD on the offensive, they chant RVD,
Y2J on the offensive, they chant Y2J.
Oh, man.
And…
[Ross] Wait a minute.
[Heyman] It's the Billion Dollar Princess.
[Ross] Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
who hates Chris Jericho.
Why is she even out here?
She's got no business out here.
She's not in this match.
Oh, my God.
-Jericho looking to-- -[Heyman] Van Daminator.
[Ross] Van Daminator. Jericho was gonna behead Stephanie
or it would seem and the-- but then comes the Van Daminator by RVD.
[Heyman] Van Dam, Van Dam needs to go up.
Van Dam needs to take advantage now.
[Ross] RVD climbing to the top.
[Heyman] Here he comes.
[Ross] The Five-Star Frog Splash,
my God, what impact.
Unbelievable impact, will this be enough?
-Lifting Jericho down. -[Heyman] One, two, three.
-[bell ringing] -[Ross] What a match.
-A hell of a match. -[Howard] The winner of this bout
and still World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Champion,
Rob Van Dam.
[Ross] A Five-Star Frog Splash,
a five-star match from where I come from,
what a physically intense matchup,
but I've got to believe that Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
spelled the end, the downfall for Chris Jericho.
[Heyman] Oh, I disagree,
I think Chris Jericho met his match
in the Hardcore Champion, Rob Van Dam
and Jericho should be happy
that Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
came down to ringside to witness it.
[Ross] Oh, I think that's a stretch because Jericho was about to behead RVD.
It would have been over.
But Stephanie getting involved…
The Princess almost paid a hell of a price here.
[Heyman] Look at this, how dare Jericho swing that chair.
Van Daminator.
And then, when it comes to coming off the top rope,
no one gets as high as Rob Van Dam,
Five-Star Frog Splash.
[Ross] An absolute unbelievable contest,
RVD may never be the same and neither--
The same could be said for Chris Jericho.
But tonight, RVD, the better man,
-retains the Hardcore title. -Rob Van Dam.
[crowd cheering]
Six-time. Six-time.
Six-time WCW Champion, I can feel it.
-What's up, Shane? -You need to stay focused.
-I'm focused. -The most important goal
is to bring the WCW Championship back to the Alliance.
-Back. -It doesn't matter if it's me or you
who defeats The Rock tonight as long as we bring the title
-back to the Alliance. -I got your back.
-You got my back? -You got mine.
See you out there. Be right out.
Yeah.
Shane-O-Mac,
the WCW Champion.
Oh, yeah, first time.
First time.
[Ross] Well, Paul, it's gonna be all on the line here.
[Heyman] It most certainly is The Rock defending the WCW Championship
against not just Booker T, but Shane McMahon,
it's a Handicap Match.
[Ross] That all started at SummerSlam.
[Ross] Booker T has never been in an environment like SummerSlam.
He has never defended the WCW title
against an opponent in my view,
the caliber of The Rock.
[Ross] The Rock has done it.
Rock Bottom, Rock Bottom, The Rock!
The Rock is the WCW Champion.
Shane McMahon tried.
Booker T fought a hell of a fight.
But this night belongs to The Rock.
[Booker] At SummerSlam,
the WCW title was stolen from me.
Ever since I came to WWE,
I've got nothing but disrespected.
[Rock] Booker T, The Rock knows
that you're probably feeling two feet tall.
[Booker] That don't even deserve a comment
when suckers do that.
Somebody gotsta to get hurt.
[Heyman] Booker T is an angry man.
[Ross] The roll, right on the head.
Booker T has become an animal here.
[Heyman] Why doesn't someone ridicule Booker T now?
[Booker] The Booker man wants his respect
[Heyman] Hey, Rock, are you getting the message yet?
You have got under the skin
of the most electrifying man in sports entertainment today,
The Book?
At Unforgiven, it will be The Rock
defending WCW Championship
against Booker T
and Shane-O-Mac
in a special Handicap Match.
[Rock] At Unforgiven, it's gonna be you two
who have to forgive The Rock
for taking his right boot and his left boot,
turn 'em sideways
and stick 'em straight up of both your candy assess.
[Michael] The Rock will meet two men,
Shane McMahon and Booker T
with that title on the line,
it's two on one.
[Heyman] The Rock is in such a predicament.
The Rock will lose the WCW Championship.
The only question, will he lose the title to Shane McMahon
or will he lose the title to Booker T?
[Rock] There is no way,
and The Rock means no way
that the WCW title will leave The Rock's waist.
[Ross] This is the way it's gonna be for the WCW title, two on one.
Can The Rock successfully retain
the WCW title?
[Rock] Just bring it.
[Heyman] No way can The Rock keep the WCW title.
[singers] ♪ Here comes the money ♪
[singer] ♪ Here we go, money talk ♪
[singers] ♪ Here comes the money ♪
♪ Money, money, money, money, money, Money, money, money, money ♪
[singer] ♪ Dollar, dollar, dollar, dollar ♪
♪ Ching ching, bling, bling, Cut the chatter ♪
♪ You ain't talking money, Then your talking don't matter ♪
[Howard] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
It's for the WCW Championship,
it is a Handicap Match.
In the ring, one of the challengers,
the owner of WCW, Shane McMahon.
[Ross] Well, Paul, tonight has been a night here in Pittsburgh.
By the way, folks, tomorrow night we're gonna be live in Columbus, Ohio,
the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus.
[Booker T] ♪ Can you dig it, sucka? ♪
[Heyman] And can you dig that, sucker?
[Ross] Yeah.
[Howard] From Houston, Texas,
weighing 251 pounds,
Booker T.
[Ross] Booker T a very proud man,
a magnificent athlete.
[Heyman] A five-time WCW Champion.
[Ross] He thinks he's a greater champion than was Ric Flair.
And I know Ric Flair, Paul,
I don't buy it. He's a great champion,
but if he beats The Rock tonight
he will-- he will arrive
on very lofty, a lofty plateau.
[Heyman] Well, I happen to know that Ric Flair idolizes Booker T.
-[Ross] I didn't know that. -[Heyman] Arn Anderson told me.
[Ross] This is a Two-On-One Handicap Match.
Shane-O-Mac, the owner of WCW
and Booker T will be tag team partners
against The Rock.
And The Rock all alone
to defend his WCW title.
[Heyman] The Rock will lose the WCW title tonight.
The question is, will he lose the title to Booker T
or will he lose the title to Shane-O-Mac?
You didn't answer my question.
[Rock] ♪ If you smell what The Rock is cooking? ♪
[Ross] I think these fans just answered your question, Paul.
[Howard] From Miami, Florida,
weighing 275 pounds,
the WCW Champion,
The Rock.
[Ross] The Rock is a proud athlete.
The Brahma Bull has the heart of a champion.
He's WWE all the way,
but he is the WCW Champion.
[Heyman] But The Rock is in the ring
with the most electrifying man in sports entertainment.
Booker T and Shane-O-Mac
who pulls on incredible feats
at pay-per-view like no one else.
Think about it, J.R.,
Shane shocked everyone
when he defeated X-Pac at WrestleMania 15.
Shane went off the top rope
to the Spanish announce table
at SummerSlam '99 against Tazz.
Shane climbed what? Forty, Fifty feet
and leapt on top of The Big Show,
to become-- to win the Last Man Standing Match.
Shane flew from one side of the ring to the other
and nailed his own father with a garbage can at WrestleMania.
Shane went through a plate glass window
and still took Kurt Angle on
for 29 minutes at The King of the Ring.
Shane-O-Mac is a pay-per-view legend
and Booker T is a five-time
-former WCW Champion. -[bell ringing]
[Ross] I understand your point.
The Rock has perhaps his greatest challenge to date
in his career.
And the 28-year-old Rock,
he's used to being number one.
His college team, the Miami Hurricane, they're number one right now
Of course, they're no Oklahoma Sooners,
but that's another issue as The Rock and Booker T.
This is something I've been waiting for
since SummerSlam.
And The Rock and Booker T hooking it up here.
And The Rock setting himself
and paying for it, but then, knocking down Booker T.
The Rock has got to beat, either Booker T or Shane McMahon to retain his WCW title.
If Booker T wins, Booker T is the man.
If Shane-O-Mac wins,
Shane-O-Mac is his own champion in WCW.
There's a neckbreaker. There's a hook to the leg.
Shane-O-Mac making sure
that three did not go down.
[Heyman] And this is what The Rock has to fight all night long.
The Rock has to fight two men.
The Rock has to keep two eyes on two men.
No way, no way can The Rock survive.
Hey, I'll give The Rock credit.
He's been a great WCW Champion,
but he ain't surviving this test, no way.
[Ross] Booker T get suplexed by The Rock and The Rock looking for a cover.
He's gotta end this thing early. The Rock going for those covers
and again Shane-O-Mac not only just interrupting the count
but hammering The Rock for good measure.
And now, Booker T looking to make the tag.
-Oh, what a tag. -[crowd cheering]
-[Heyman] Wasn't that cool? -[Ross] Well, that was really cool.
-[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen, one-- -[Ross] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
The Rock back up,
I don't think Shane had that in mind
and The Rock up-- oh my.
And Shane-O-Mac running like a scolded dog
around the ring here and…
-[Heyman] Oh, man. -[Ross] And The Rock
met him-- caught him off at the pass.
Knockdown by The Rock, taking down Shane McMahon,
the owner of WCW
with the WCW title on the line.
I just cannot imagine
what some of the greats that have helped the WCW title would think
if Shane McMahon were the WCW Champion.
As great an athlete as he is,
that would be, I think, for some of those traditionalists,
a little bit hard for them to swallow.
[Heyman] They would think there goes the richest WCW Champion in history.
[Ross] And that would be true.
That's what I'm talking about.
[Ross] Shane McMahon hammering The Rock,
nothing fancy about that assault
as Booker T gets the tag
with The Rock in a very vulnerable situation
and Booker T with the point of his boot
right into The Rock's solar plexus there.
And now, picking up The Rock delivering the sidewalk slam,
there's a hook to the leg
and WCW referee Nick Patrick
down a two count.
[Heyman] So, by asking that question
you will say that in your opinion
Shane McMahon is the next WCW Champion?
[Ross] I think he's got a hell of a chance to be the WCW Champion.
I even think Booker T as bad as he wants to be WCW Champion
would sacrifice himself for The Boss to wear the gold.
And Shane McMahon hard rights and lefts
to the torso of The Rock.
And The Rock he's fighting right back.
-Oh, my God. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] What a overhead throw by The Rock
and a shot on Booker T, with Shane McMahon,
as resilient as anyone we've ever been around,
able to get right back up and deliver the clothesline.
[Heyman] Shane-O-Mac wants to be the WCW Champion.
Here we go. Here it is. The Shane-O-Mac shuffle.
Shane McMahon with those stinging left hands,
looking for the right.
A little-- a little dancing here.
And-- Oh. Shane was gonna run a smackdown The Rock
and The Rock may be, he is, yes, the Sharpshooter,
The Rock with a Sharpshooter
and Booker T saving his boss's hide
in the WCW title at least for the moment
for the Alliance.
And oh, look at Shane McMahon,
pulling down that top rope,
the old low bridge trick
and Rock landed right on his head and shoulders.
[Heyman] And then let me just show you what an unbiased commentator I am.
I admit it, Shane McMahon accidentally pulled down the top rope.
[Ross] Was accidental with this, too, right,
-behind the referee's back? -[Heyman] Oh, no this--
-[Ross] He's still in. -[Heyman] Oh, no, this is intentional.
[Ross] And the referee is accidentally not seeing it.
This referee is in a coma.
This is ridiculous.
And Shane-O-Mac on that-- on that security wall,
almost beheading The Rock.
And I have so much respect for The Rock but how much can he take?
How much can any human anatomy take with this kind of pounding?
[Heyman] Not much more, I guarantee you that.
And now, look at this,
Shane-O-Mac coming all the way down, taking down The Rock.
And now, The Book, the next WCW Champion,
a future six-time WCW Champion,
-The Book takes apart The Rock. -[Ross] Oh, wait a minute, hey ref
Wow, wait-- This is ridiculous.
[Heyman] That's grabbing the bull by the horns, wouldn't you say?
[laughs]
-Get it? The bull, The Brahma Bull? -[Ross] I got-- yeah, I got it.
It was-- it was hilarious, I'll laugh tomorrow.
[Heyman] By the horns.
-It was funny. -[Ross] So, it's still a handicap tag,
this might as well be all three guys in the ring,
might as well be a Triple Threat Match.
There's no tagging going on, to speak of.
[Heyman] Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna be a Triple Threat Match
because Shane-O-Mac and Booker T are on the same page.
[Ross] Here's a cover and The Rock kicking out.
Before Booker T could hook that leg up and really root that cover in,
The Rock quickly kicks out.
That's great instincts by this third generation
superstar of the World Wrestling Entertainment.
And Booker T, The Rock sidesteps Booker T,
a five-timer, went over the ropes one more time,
and Shane McMahon illegally in again
knocking The Rock out of the ring to the floor.
[Ross] And the referee, as if he's really gonna chastise
-the guy that signs his checks. -[Heyman] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
-Time out. Wait a minute. -Get out of the way.
[Ross] Now, wait a second.
Hey, wait. What is this about?
-[Heyman] Oh, it's a chair. -[Ross] I know what it is.
-[Heyman] Thank you. -[Ross] And look out.
Booker T aiming for The Rock's head and face.
Dodge it. And Shane McMahon again from behind.
[Heyman] What are you saying, that The Rock doesn't expect this?
It's a Handicap Match.
[Ross] But he's supposed to tag.
I've seen Handicap Matches,
maybe as many as you have, by the way,
and there's supposed to be a tag or two, at least go through the motions.
[Heyman] Tag shmag, you do what's legal.
[Ross] Oh, catapulted, headfirst into the ring post.
And if the end wasn't near before,
it damn sure is now.
[Heyman] Would you like to make a prediction, J.R.?
Who's the next WCW Champion,
Shane McMahon or The Book?
[Ross] I'm not giving up on The Rock now
but things do not look good for The Brahma Bull.
-I want my damn partner. -[Ross] Damn near three-on-one
if you consider that incompetent referee Nick Patrick.
Snapmare takeover on The Rock again on his back,
his body's gotta be wracked in pain.
[Ross] And this hushed audience knows what's coming,
The Book is-- wow, look at The Book,
look at the form. Here it comes. Here it comes, J.R.
The most electrifying move in sports entertainment.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Spin-A-Roonie.
[Ross] I said it once, I'll say it again, Spin-A-Roonie my ass.
And there's the roll up, there's the roll up.
Oh, and The Rock got a near-fall.
I don't know how quick that count was or how slow it was.
And The Rock, his eyes, a little glazed over as he looked in this direction.
I don't know if he saw anything but he was looking this way
and The Rock does not look in very good condition
to continue this matchup.
[crowd cheering]
[Heyman] Did you hear what the Spanish guys just said?
-[Ross] No. -[Heyman] Oh, Dios mio!
[Ross] I don't know what that means but-- hey, ref, this guy is--
-[Heyman] Hey, ref? -[Ross] Well, look at the ref--
-well, the ref's back is turned. -[Heyman] So you just stooging things off
to the referee? What?
[Ross] What does that mean stooging things off?
[Heyman] Come on, don't be so biased.
[Ross] And The Rock here laid up on this table.
Oh, my God. Shane McMahon is--
Shane McMahon is gonna come off that table
right on Booker T or on The Rock.
And-- oh, my God, The Rock kicking Shane with a big time,
caught him on his right hand, and a super kick by Booker T
turning Rock on the Spanish announce table.
[indistinct chatter]
[Ross] The Rock taking a seat there.
Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich
scattering and protecting themselves.
And The Rock getting hammered.
Shane McMahon down right in front of us.
[Heyman] All those poor people in Ecuador hearing that commentary.
I feel sorry for them.
[Ross] And Patrick back in
as if he cares about what's going on.
-[Heyman] Nick Patrick cares. -[Ross] I think Patrick has his orders,
whatever happens, don't let The Rock leave with the WCW title.
[Ross] The Rock powering Booker T to the corner
and then catching him with a Samoan drop.
[Heyman] I think Nick Patrick has been a tremendous referee in this contest.
I would like to nominate Nick Patrick
for referee of the year.
[Ross] All right. Now, Shane McMahon has got that big WCW title belt
and that is one big piece of hardware, let me tell you.
Both Booker T and The Rock are down.
[Heyman] It's a prelude of things to come, J.R.
[Ross] Does the referee not see Shane with that belt in his hand?
-[Heyman] No, he doesn't. -[Ross] Why?
[Heyman] Oh, okay. Hey, Nick Patrick,
look at Shane with the title. Oh.
[Ross] Shane just-- he looked for The Rock but he found Booker T.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Shane McMahon made a big, big mistake there
that may come back to haunt him.
And The Rock, right in front of the referee. Now, what is that?
Is this a no disqualification match, Paul?
[Heyman] Well, what's good for The Book is good for the gander.
[Ross] Yeah, right. This is not-- That should be a disqualification.
This match should be over. So, I see what's all unfolding here.
Patrick's got his marching order.
You wanna keep your job,
you make sure Rock loses.
[Heyman] Oh, please. Do you think Nick Patrick is that corrupt?
-[Ross] Yes. -[crowd chanting] Let's go, Booker.
[Ross] Look at this, Shane, ref--
the referee doesn't see that,
everybody else here did.
[Heyman] Here it comes. Here's the cover.
[Ross] Booker T, this is not-- come on. Damn it.
-And The Rock kicked out. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The Rock able to kick out and Shane-O-Mac can't believe it,
-Booker T can't believe it. -[Heyman] I can't believe it.
[Ross] And the referee can't believe it.
Oh, now, he's gotta make sure the tag is legal.
Now is the time to start doing your job.
The Rock lying prone and helpless
in the center of the ring.
Shane-O-Mac maybe a move away
from winning the WCW title.
Oh, my God. What elevation and nobody home.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Shane McMahon drove his elbow right into the canvas.
[Heyman] And the first man to his feet here
will have a clear advantage.
[Ross] Shane-O-Mac may have knocked the breath out of himself
in that maneuver. If he didn't, I'd be surprised.
The Rock's got nobody to tag,
Shane McMahon can tag Booker T.
The Rock all alone here.
[Heyman] There's the tag, here comes The Book.
[Ross] Booker T
and got beat to the punch.
The Rock may be running on empty but he's going on instinct,
you gotta believe, Shane McMahon in.
The Rock trying to fight off both men that want his WCW title.
Booker T with a knee to the mid-section, there's the double team.
And The Rock double clothesline taking both men down.
A hard right to Shane-O Mac who's been rocked back into the corner.
The Rock laying the smack down on Shane McMahon
and then Booker T shoved right into Shane's face.
DDT, that may be all.
That could be it.
The Rock hooks the leg, it is-- oh, no, it's not.
It is not over.
And Shane McMahon made sure it's not over.
And where the hell is the tag?
[Heyman] Look at this.
Shane-O Mac on the attack.
[Ross] Shane McMahon nipping up, à la The Rock.
-Oh, come on. -[Heyman] And here he comes.
[Ross] Booker T stole all The Rock's material
-and now Shane is. -[Heyman] The Shane-O-Elbow.
[Ross] The Shane-O-Elbow.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Uh-oh. The Rock nipping right up,
full of fire and full of fight, how does he do it?
Oh, Rock Bottom.
The Rock Bottom.
Shane McMahon almost broken in half, the spinebuster from The Great One,
The Brahma Bull.
-Wait a minute, what the hell is this? -[Heyman] It's Test.
[Ross] Test beheading The Rock right in front of the damn referee.
Ring the bell.
How is that not a disqualification?
[Heyman] Oh, man. Test, wait.
[Ross] Good God, Test, almost dug his foot right through The Rock's face.
And wait a minute, here comes Bradshaw with a weapon
and Test now running like a scalded dog.
Bradshaw chasing Test out of the middle of the arena.
[Heyman] Why doesn't Bradshaw mind his own business?
[Ross] Oh, why doesn't Test mind his own business?
[Heyman] Because he's a member of The Alliance.
[Ross] Because Bradshaw is a member of the WWE.
[Heyman] But The Rock is the WCW Champion.
[Ross] Yeah, he's a WWE man.
And what the hell now?
Oh, yeah, The Rock is out on his feet,
you could've had a count-out and the match is over.
We shoulda had a disqualification,
and the referee is putting a competitor back in the ring.
That is ridiculous.
[Heyman] Here we go. Booker T making the move.
A six-time champion coming up.
[Ross] Mike Chioda, a WWE referee taking obvious exception
to Nick Patrick's absolute… just partiality.
And what a hideous job, giving all referees a bad name.
[Heyman] I agree, Mike Chioda is a horrible referee.
-The man should be fired immediately. -[Ross] This is over.
This match is over, I cannot believe--
[Heyman] What in the hell is that?
[Ross] Mike Chioda, a referee, pulling Shane-O Mac out of the ring.
[Heyman] What the hell was that?
I'm telling you, damn it!
[Ross] It may not have been fair but it was the right thing to do.
[overlapping chatter]
[Ross] Nick Patrick trying to make excuses.
Now, Booker T has got the cover. Patrick back in the ring.
The Rock cannot kick out.
He-- Oh, but he does.
Good grief, The Rock somehow, someway able to kick out.
-And Chioda -[Heyman] Now, wait a minute.
[Ross] Chioda taking out Patrick.
And Booker T taking out referee Chioda.
[crowd jeering]
[Ross] Good gosh almighty, the carnage here
and Booker T setting up The Rock.
[Heyman] For the Book End.
[Ross] The Book End.
[Ross] The Book End. Here it is.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The Rock fighting out of the Book End.
And there's a real one, a Rock Bottom, a Rock Bottom,
but there's no referee to count.
Wait a minute. There is a referee.
-[Heyman] No. No! -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[bell ringing] -["If You Smell" playing]
[singer] ♪ If you smell What the rock is cooking? ♪
[Howard] The winner of this duel and still WCW Champion,
The Rock.
[Ross] Earl Hebner doing the right thing,
counting down Booker T
after The Rock delivered a hellacious Rock Bottom.
["If You Smell" continues]
[Ross] Man, what a matchup that was?
We have referees down, Shane-O Mac down.
The Rock is hurting for certain, and Booker T rolling out of the ring,
still a five-time former WCW Champion.
[Heyman] Can you tell me what in the hell Hebner is doing,
even trying to officiate a WCW title match?
[Ross] Both referees are down and Booker T tried the-- the Book End.
The Rock got out of it.
And then take a look at Booker's face.
Booker knew the fate that awaited him, the Rock Bottom.
And the senior referee of the WWE, Earl Hebner,
made the count and now raises The Rock's hand.
The Rock is still the reigning WCW Champion
as he has fought through hell and high water in Pittsburgh.
[Heyman] How many controversial title matches
does Hebner wanna get involved in?
[Ross] Well, we ain't over.
We got championships still to be decided, but what an end for The Rock.
He was beat down, seemingly, three-on-one, more often than not,
including Nick Patrick, the referee, but The Rock never gave up.
The fight that lies in the heart of The Brahma Bull
is stronger than ever.
[Heyman] I hate The Rock.
Bloody Austin gave you a right hiding last week on SmackDown.
Are you sure you want to compete against Rhyno tonight?
[speaking Japanese]
No, whatever you think…
Hi, you're almost done, ready?
Uh, excuse me, young lady.
Now, you have to hold on a minute here.
Well, this is a very important match for young Tajiri here
and I've been toying with the idea of banning
all outside parties from ringside.
I don't want to take any chances.
Commissioner, come on, please. I promise I won't get involved.
I just wanna be there for Tajiri.
-Please, please. -Oh, please. Come on.
Please.
Torrie… [speaking Japanese]
-[speaking Japanese] -[speaking Japanese]
So, you like each other, do you?
-Go on then, run along. -[speaking Japanese]
[Ross] Well, ladies and gentlemen, you're looking live
at downtown New York City, the heart of Times Square.
WWE New York, we're inside with the beautiful Stacy Keibler, Paul.
You know how much I love a clean shave, that smooth skin?
But, you know, you're not the only one who's had a clean shave today.
[singer] ♪ Dirty thoughts, dirty mind ♪
[Heyman] Oh, my God.
Is she shaving her legs?
[Ross] How long does that take?
[singer] ♪ You want my body You want my touch ♪
[Heyman] And I thought she was French, J.R.
[Ross] What?
[Heyman] I wouldn't care if she had hairy legs.
I'd marry Stacy Keibler right now.
[Ross] With no prenup?
-[Heyman] Yeah, if she was Jewish. -[singer] ♪ …what to do with me ♪
So, what do you think about that, New York?
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ There's not a man out there That's big enough for me ♪
♪ I know you want me ♪
[Ross] Pretty clean shaven to me, Paul.
Not that I'm-- I'm a happily married man, you do-- you do know that, right?
-["Tusk" playing] -[Heyman] No.
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WCW US Championship.
About to enter the ring from The Alliance, the challenger,
weighing 275 pounds, Rhyno.
[Heyman] I'm j-- I love your wife, Phyllis, Barbara, Mary.
What is her name?
[Ross] Stop it.
[Heyman] How many wives have you had?
[Ross] Rhyno-- I'll tell you what, Rhyno made an impression on Tajiri
who left the ring last Monday night, a hammered man.
And this is uncalled for.
Just the gore, gore, gore on the floor, floor, floor,
and Tajiri's ribs busted up,
not to mention what happened to Tajiri at the hands of Stone Cold on SmackDown.
[Heyman] And Tajiri can take no more, more, more.
["Imperial City" playing]
[Howard] Accompanied by Torrie Wilson, from Japan,
weighing 206 pounds,
the WCW US Champion, Tajiri.
[Heyman] I mean, what kind of a man goes into a fight
with Rhyno with taped ribs?
[Ross] A brave man, a man set to defend his United States title.
I still don't understand this interfractional relationship
-that Tajiri… -[bell ringing]
[Ross] …a WWE guy and, uh, the beautiful, young Torrie Wilson,
an Alliance member, have.
[Heyman] I don't understand it either because I've asked Torrie Wilson
on behalf of other people if she likes him many times,
and she likes Tajiri.
[Ross] Well, it's a-- you know, they say there's someone for everybody, Paul,
so don't you give up hope.
Nice springboard moonsault by Tajiri.
And Tajiri again with those battered ribs has gotta be very careful
not only avoiding the contact of Rhyno but what Tajiri does offensively.
[Heyman] Yeah, but Rhyno is 275 pounds from the bad streets of Detroit, Michigan.
And here's the championship, the US title right now,
that Rhyno has never held.
[Ross] We're talking about Rob Van Dam's, uh, proficiency with his feet.
Tajiri is also in that-- in that stratosphere, that same category,
very dangerous, but Tajiri,
I'm not so sure he was clear to compete here tonight.
We know Kurt Angle later tonight here in his hometown
challenged Stone Cold for the WWE title,
was not cleared to compete tonight.
But commissioner William Regal, I think, made a very brave decision
and a very popular decision as far as the WWE-- Oh, man, that's gotta be all.
This cannot be-- Oh, Tajiri kicking out.
Regal taking full responsibility
for Kurt Angle's, uh, well-being here tonight.
[Heyman] How foolish of the commissioner?
[Ross] Maybe, I don't know. I hope not.
[Heyman] And how foolish of the commissioner to allow Tajiri
[Ross] Tajiri with the roll up and Rhyno powers out.
[Heyman] To allow Tajiri to step into the ring with Rhyno?
-Here's a cover. -[Ross] Belly-to-belly.
[Heyman] Two.
[Ross] As it took-- with every move,
more pain etched on the face of Tajiri here
with those bad ribs.
And, folks, it may be just a matter of time here.
I don't wanna sell Tajiri short.
Would never do that.
He's a marvelous, young athlete but, you know,
how much can-- Rhyno is extraordinary.
[Heyman] Of course, Rhyno is extraordinary.
And he's smart too because Rhyno here has to make Tajiri breathe
because those ribs have been pressing against the lungs.
How can Tajiri breathe against Rhyno?
[Ross] Well, if Tajiri stops breathing, we got problems.
There's a spinning heel kick and down goes Rhyno
as Tajiri turned up that leg.
The size of Rhyno's legs, those thighs are huge and powerful.
I don't know what-- This guy has very few weaknesses, does Rhyno.
Nice move by Tajiri, a reverse elbow.
But look at Tajiri holding those ribs,
the pain gotta be racking through his body, Paul.
He couldn't-- he couldn't reach back. He couldn't hook the leg.
And now, Tajiri with everything he's got
and I just wonder how much that is.
[Heyman] Oh, my God.
[Ross] That is a spinebuster from the bad streets of Detroit.
The leg is hooked and that's got-- that's all.
[Heyman] Yeah, I'll give Tajiri an A for effort but an F for intelligence.
No man in his right mind would be willing to fight Rhyno with injured ribs.
[Ross] Watch this.
Boom, that's impact.
That's contact. This ain't ballet.
And again, Rhyno driving those-- and Torrie getting--
she is very concerned about Tajiri's, uh, well-being.
And I-- at one time, I was wondering if this young woman can be trusted.
And now, you've got Alliance versus Alliance here,
Torrie bouncing into the ring.
-Oh. -[Heyman] Uh-oh.
[Ross] The heel is not made for jogging.
[crowd jeering]
-[Ross] And Torrie just twisted her ankle. -[Heyman] Here it comes, J.R.
-[Ross] Oh, you don't think? -[Heyman] Oh, I do think…
-[Ross] No, he won't do it. -[Heyman] Gore her.
-[Ross] Don't do it. -[Heyman] Gore her.
[Ross] Rhyno is going for Torrie. He got the kick.
It's over. Oh, it's not over.
Two.
[Ross] Oh, I thought that was a shot.
[Heyman] Oh, man. That would have been great.
[Ross] Torrie's twisted that ankle.
Tajiri pumped the kick.
I'll tell you what, if Tajiri does it-- Oh, Tajiri looking for that DDT,
too much power by Rhyno.
-[crowd chatter] -[Ross] And now, Tajiri…
[Heyman] In an octopus.
[Ross] Which is a modified version of the old abdominal strength.
[Heyman] Oh, no. It's the Tarantula.
Come on.
[Ross] Tajiri cannot hold him,
I don't think long enough for the full effect
because those ribs are hurting him so badly.
[Ross] Tajiri measuring Rhyno, looking for that knockout kick.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] And Rhyno reaching in deeply and slamming Tajiri.
[Heyman] Here it comes, J.R.
Enjoy the anticipation.
[Ross] Tajiri virtually defenseless, United States Champion
with his gold on the line.
[Heyman] Gore, Gore, Gore.
-One, two, three. -[Ross] Rhyno hooks the leg.
-[bell ringing] -[Ross] And it is mercifully over.
[Howard] The winner of this bout and new WCW US Champion,
Rhyno.
[Heyman] Well, that's the title that Rhyno never held
because it's a title that Rhyno never challenged for.
The new United States Champion, ladies and gentlemen,
a proud member of The Alliance, Rhyno.
[Ross] Unbelievable impact from two men making their Unforgiven debut.
-[bell ringing] -[Ross] A rounding success for Rhyno.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, as Torrie attends to Tajiri,
the time has come,
the main event here tonight for the WWE Championship.
This has been a war.
We saw what these two men did at SummerSlam to each other
but it didn't stop there.
["Tusk" continues]
[dramatic music playing]
[Kurt] Austin, at SummerSlam, I was nice enough
to kick out of three Stone Cold Stunners.
[Ross] My God, Angle kicked out and Austin cannot believe it.
[Kurt] Only to see yourself get disqualified.
[Ross] That's three referees Austin has taken out.
[Kurt] Because you realized you couldn't beat your Olympic hero.
[Ross] Kurt Angle just got stripped, by God, out of the WWE title.
[Kurt] Then the following night, you had your little
Austin appreciation night
and again, I was nice enough to drive all the way in…
[Ross] Kurt Angle is driving a milk truck…
[Kurt] …and supply you with some good wholesome milk.
[Ross] Milk-o-mania is running wild and Austin and The Alliance
getting humiliated by Kurt Angle!
Stone Cold will not forget this night.
[Heyman] Kurt Angle has been bitten by the Rattlesnake.
[Ross] Oh, come on.
Austin is putting Kurt Angle's gold medals around his neck.
Those medals symbolize everything that Kurt Angle is about.
He said I've never had none of these.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin's got two of them, they belong to you.
I said they belong to you Kurt. What will you do, Kurt,
to get these gold medals back?
Are you too proud to beg for them, Kurt?
Get on your hands and knees and cry for me, Kurt.
Go and cry, cry for me Kurt.
This is what means everything to me,
these mean nothing to me.
If you won't beg for me, if you won't cry for me,
they don't mean nothing to you.
[dramatic music playing]
I'm the king of the world!
[Ross] Kurt Angle with a weapon, just hit Austin on the back of the head
and the Rattlesnake is down.
[Heyman] Where is Kurt Angle going with Stone Cold?
I'm gonna do the same thing to you that you did to my gold medals.
All right, Kurt, back it-- [screams]
-[Kurt] Huh? Huh? -You crazy son of a--
-Cry for me Austin. -[laughs]
What?
[cries] I'm sorry, I admitted that--
-You're pathetic, you're a joke! -I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Come on, Austin, cry!
-I'm so sorry. -Come on, come on. Cry, Austin.
There's one thing I want more than anything.
I want a return match for the WWE title.
-You got it. -[Kurt] When?
-Unforgiven. -What?
[Stone Cold] I've been humiliated and embarrassed
for the last time by Kurt Angle, I'm gonna whip somebody's ass tonight
because I cannot wait for Unforgiven.
[Ross] Wait. Oh, my God.
Austin just threw Kurt Angle right off the stage.
[Heyman] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has made a powerful statement.
[Stone Cold] You will not embarrass "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Kurt] You're a desperate man, Austin, because when you look at me
you know that I am the one man that, in your mind, can beat you.
[Michael] Days could be numbered for the WWE Champion, Stone Cold.
[Stone Cold] Kurt, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
is gonna make an example out of you, what?
[Michael] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is out of control.
[Ross] That is a sick human being.
[Michael] No! My God, no! No!
[Ross] Austin makes me sick.
[Stone Cold] This belt is mine, it's all mine.
[Kurt] Austin, at Unforgiven, I will walk out of my hometown
the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion.
Oh, it's true, it's been true.
[Ross] And you've just gotta imagine how physically intense this confrontation
for the richest prize in our business will be.
[dramatic music playing]
["Medal" playing]
[crowd cheering]
["Medal" continues]
[Ross] Will you listen to this?
Will you listen to this ovation? A standing ovation.
Kurt Angle is home.
[explosions]
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship.
About to enter the ring, the challenger, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
weighing 237 pounds,
Kurt Angle.
["Medal" continues]
[Ross] Kurt Angle has over 15 members of his family here tonight live,
here in the Mellon Arena, including his mother, Jackie.
There they are at ringside, there's his mom Jackie.
Kurt lost his father when he was 16 years old,
and Jackie raising four sons and a daughter.
What a family, they are made of good stuff, I'll tell you that.
["Medal" continues]
It's not gonna do Angle any good because to become the WWE Champion,
Kurt Angle has to beat "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Howard] From Victoria, Texas--
[Ross] And look at Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle going to meet the Rattlesnake.
This match, one fall, to a finish, for the WWE title.
And Kurt Angle with so much venom,
it was Austin who tried to end Angle's career
just a few days ago, it was a miracle.
And Austin-- Oh, my God.
And Austin didn't put Angle out of business forever
with a piledriver on the concrete.
[Heyman] This match should not be happening.
Kurt Angle does not have medical clearance to wrestle tonight.
[Ross] But the WWE Commissioner William Regal
is taking full responsibility for Kurt Angle's welfare here.
Do you think Angle wasn't running for this, Paul?
Look at this, Angle assaulting The Texas Rattlesnake,
the nastiest, most evil and sinister human being
walking the face of the earth from where I sit.
[Heyman] Mark this date down, Sunday, September 23rd, 2001,
the day Stone Cold finally shuts up J.R.,
with your stupid, bold prediction that Kurt Angle will beat the--
[Ross] Look at Austin.
Austin, Austin, he's reluctant, he's tentative
about delivering that Stunner. And he who hesitates
could be beaten.
Or that-- Oh, Angle with a Lou Thesz Press,
Angle taking down Austin with a violent Lou Thesz Press,
one of Austin's signature maneuvers.
[Heyman] I've never seen Austin hesitate to hit the Stunner before.
[Ross] That means that Kurt Angle is inside
the paranoid head of the Rattlesnake.
Many have predicted that Austin is on the brink of-- the brink of insanity.
And look at Angle, chopping away.
[Heyman] Most great leaders are on the brink of insanity.
And willing to jump off if necessary.
[Ross] Stone Cold hesitant because he knows in his heart, Paul,
he can't beat Kurt Angle in a-- in a straight-up fair one-on-one matchup.
Austin couldn't get it done at SummerSlam
and Austin found himself pinned by Kurt Angle
just last week in a tag team matchup.
Austin knows he can't beat Kurt Angle.
[Heyman] Oh, I disagree with you.
I think Stone Cold tonight will shut up his critics, most mainly you.
Kurt Angle should not be here tonight,
Kurt Angle should have relinquished his title shot.
[Ross] Austin so sadistic and then Kurt Angle hammering Austin.
Austin has had his share of neck problems as well.
Austin-- That's what makes him so sick and sadistic
because, Austin, he knew just exactly what he wanted to do to Kurt Angle,
Austin's career almost ended.
He had spinal surgery. It looked like he would never come back,
but he did and he wanted to put Kurt Angle through that same torment,
with that same heartbreak, and the uncertainty, himself.
[Heyman] I think Kurt Angle tonight has shown that he is just as sick
and just as sadistic as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Ross] And you've got to fight that fire with the same fire,
and Kurt Angle came here tonight to win the WWE title.
It's not that he just wants to do it, he has to do it
for the World Wrestling Entertainment and our fans, for all of us.
[Heyman] Who's us?
[Ross] Oh, suplex by Angle.
Oh, Angle jarring that neck, Angle reaching back for that neck
and that may have been ill-advised offensive maneuver by Kurt Angle.
Angle now, looking for the cover,
will this be enough here in the early going
and Austin took a long two count before being able to kick out.
But Kurt Angle has gotta be very, very careful in the type of offense
that he-- that he executes here tonight
because he knows if Austin gets a chance, Paul,
Austin's gonna try to exploit that injured neck of Angle.
[Heyman] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will rip into Kurt Angle
like a shark that smells blood, and that blood will be on the hands
of the commissioner, William Regal.
[Ross] I'll tell you one thing, Austin,
we saw at the beginning of the matchup, very hesitant--
there's a sleeper by Austin, to deliver the Stunner
because Angle has countered that Stunner on more than one occasion
right into the Ankle lock.
And I don't give a damn who you are, Rattlesnake or not,
Ragin' Redneck or not, that Ankle lock will put anybody down,
you'll be tapping when Angle gets that move on you.
Austin cannot afford for that to happen.
[Heyman] Look how Austin pulls back on the neck,
stretches out the trapezius muscle,
look how Austin is wearing down Kurt Angle
in Angle's own hometown.
[Ross] Kurt Angle, who three months before the Olympic trials,
broke his neck in the US Open competition.
He was inactive obviously for several weeks,
had eight days to train for the Olympic trials.
He won it, and of course, the rest is history.
In '96, Kurt Angle the first American in history to win a gold medal
in freestyle wrestling in the 220-pound category.
[Heyman] But there's never been an Olympic competitor
as brutal as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Ross] You might be right about that
because whether I like the sound of-- whether I like the--
whether I like him or not, he's a--
perhaps the greatest WWE Champion of all time.
And now, wait a minute. Wait a minute, this match is not over.
I may take that back.
Great champions-- great champions aren't cowards.
Great champions don't take a walk, but that's what Austin is doing,
he's walking away from a fight.
[Ross] And Kurt Angle giving chase to the Rattlesnake
and nailing Austin, down goes the WWE gold,
Austin was trying to leave here.
[Heyman] No, sir, Steve Austin was just gaining his breath.
Steve Austin was just trying to--
[Ross] He need a belt to regain his breath?
[Heyman] Well, he's not gonna leave the title behind.
The man sold his soul twice for that title.
[Ross] And that is a stretch. He's gaining his breath, folks.
He was taking a walk because it got-- it got little hot in the kitchen
for the Rattlesnake and Kurt Angle in his hometown,
where we are absolutely sold out here in the Mellon Arena,
has one thing on his mind and that is to leave with the WWE title.
-[Heyman] Wait a minute! -[Ross] Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Kurt Angle just threw Stone Cold to the concrete floor
right off that ramp way,
shades of what Austin did to Angle a couple of weeks ago.
[Heyman] Now, I supposed you're gonna tell me
that Kurt Angle would not have thrown Steve Austin off the bridge?
[Ross] Of course not, he had a kiddie pool there.
Where were you when that aired?
[Heyman] Please, sitting right next to you unfortunately.
Kurt Angle right now is as violent and brutal as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Ross] Yeah, you're right.
You're right about that, it is and it's gonna get worse.
I got a feeling because Kurt Angle's justified in what he just did.
Austin threw Angle off the stage on Raw a couple of weeks ago.
And a taste of Austin's sign language, and Kurt Angle wearing Stone Cold out.
Look at Austin's chest.
Getting beaten, the blood rushing to the surface.
And Angle hammering, chops to the face, kicks to the gut.
Austin had the audacity to throw Kurt Angle's gold medals
off a bridge outside Detroit.
[Heyman] How could this man display that behavior in front of his own mother?
[Ross] Because he came to win, Paul, because Austin has provoked Kurt Angle.
What is Kurt Angle doing here?
Kurt Angle is gonna make sure that Austin doesn't take another hike.
Kurt Angle is--
[Heyman] This is not right, this is not fair.
[Ross] Kurt Angle carrying Stone Cold back to the ring,
that's where you conduct your business.
It's got to be finalized inside that squared circle, not on the floor.
This is not a Hardcore match even though it has resembled one.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] Oh, oh, man.
Did you hear the splat of Austin's skull in that ring post?
[Heyman] I sure did and Kurt Angle should be disqual-- Oh.
Why, he won't be disqualified?
Why?
'Cause look who the referee is,
The WWE's favorite son, Earl dammit Hebner.
[Ross] And Earl Hebner, taking a page on Nick Patrick's playbook,
just let them play, just let them go.
[Earl] Get in the ring.
[Ross] That's funny. What's Kurt thinking here?
[crowd chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
[Heyman] What are you doing?
[Ross] Kurt. Kurt, don't-- don't-- don't stoop.
-[Heyman] What are you doing? -[Ross] Don't stoop to that level, Kurt.
You got too much character to do that.
[Heyman] J.R., this isn't even sane.
No! Don't do this.
-Don't! Don't! -[Ross] Angle exposing this…
[Heyman] J.R., stop this man.
[Ross] And Austin-- Oh! Austin with a knee to the spine of Kurt Angle.
Kurt Angle exposing those mats and you'd--
you've got to believe, Angle had one thing on his mind
and that was to drop Austin right on his-- right on his head.
[Heyman] Look at this, Kurt Angle did all the work, and now Steve Austin--
Steve Austin taking advantage of Kurt Angle ripping up the mats.
[Ross] Angle's neck being shot back in that whiplash effect from this table,
it was Austin-- Oh, my God-- who last Thursday night
piledrove Kurt Angle right into the exposed concrete floor
in this very same position just exactly like-- Oh, come on, don't do it.
-[Heyman] Here he comes. -[Ross] Oh, for God's sake.
[Heyman] It's a piledriver, J.R. -[Ross] Don't do it. Don't do it.
You'll cripple the man.
And now Angle counters into the back body drop.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Kurt Angle countering into the back body drop,
and now Angle, working with that neck of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Heyman] Why doesn't Hebner stop this already?
[Ross] Austin is busted open here, right above his eye.
And Angle, a hard chop, a hard chop on the WWE Champion,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
He's getting the hell beat out of him here by the challenger.
J.R., even you can't be enjoying this.
-[Ross] This match is… -[Heyman] Oh, no, no, no!
[Ross] Oh, my God. Kurt, Kurt, don't do it.
-[Heyman] Somebody stop him! -[Ross] Don't do this, Kurt.
You'll regret it for the rest of your life.
Don't do it! Oh, God.
Good God almighty.
Kurt Angle spine-first just like Austin just a few moments ago
right on the exposed floor.
[Heyman] Everything about this match is so unfair.
Hebner as the official, that's unfair.
-The fact that this title match is-- -[Ross] Kurt might have hurt his neck.
Watch Angle's body.
Watch Angle's body bounce right on the concrete in a--
The pressure went right onto his neck, like, uh, being in a car accident.
We do not know the extent exactly of Kurt Angle's injury.
I know that may sound crazy, but he would not--
he's not telling, he's not talking.
Mr. Regal knows but…
-[Heyman] Oh, no. -[Ross] Oh.
Angle looking for that suplex, Austin trying to block it.
Oh, my God.
Austin suplexing Angle abdomen-first right on the--
on the Spanish announce table.
The table has been--
Piece of that wood shattered on Kurt Angle's body,
just rammed it.
And there's a hell of a counter by the Rattlesnake.
Let me tell you, you give the devil his due…
And, oh, my God, one more time.
[crowd clamoring]
[Ross] Austin has Kurt Angle now
perhaps where the WWE Champion wants him.
And this had turned ugly, uglier, and it may get uglier
before it gets all said and done.
[Heyman] Well, the tempo was dictated by Angle
and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has risen to the occasion.
[Ross] Angle has had to compete on numerous occasions
through serious injury
notwithstanding what we've already talked about the Olympics
and a broken neck but this is taking us someplace else.
And Angle fighting back and Austin desperately raking the eyes
out of desperation, and my God, a third time.
Angle hung out to dry.
His thighs, his abdomen and everything in between
on that announce table and Austin just threw the camera man down.
No one is safe around this psychotic maniac.
[Heyman] Good, I never liked that cameraman anyway.
[Ross] Austin busted open
and Angle with that pointy elbow right into the neck of Kurt Angle.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen, you have the privilege of watching
the greatest WWE Champion of all time,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Ross] And Austin now…
[Heyman] In the camp of The Alliance, I might add.
[Ross] …finally putting Kurt Angle back in the ring.
Austin may be in The Alliance.
He sold his soul twice to be the WWE Champion
and then Kurt Angle fighting back with everything he can muster.
But will it be enough on this night in his hometown
as Austin with those black knee braces?
He buried one of them right into the lower abdomen of Kurt Angle
after three shots on the announce table.
And now Angle-- Oh, my. Kurt holding that neck.
And you've got to be very careful if you're a referee.
Oh, my God.
-Did you see that? -[Heyman] Yes, I did.
[Ross] Imagine that pain, that is sickening.
[Heyman] I not only saw it, I condone it and I applaud it.
[Ross] Right in the neck.
It is the neck, the story is the neck,
and Kurt Angle's neck is being punished by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
And Austin now looking at Kurt Angle's mother and his family
sitting at ringside with an evil glare at Kurt Angle's mom.
Now what sorry son of a bitch would do that?
[Heyman] That's the WWE Champion,
your former hero, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Ross] Austin hammering at Kurt Angle who's lying helplessly
draped on that bottom rope and now Austin standing on the neck.
And referee Earl Hebner, he's got to live with this matchup.
He's got to live with this decision, does the referee.
And somewhere along the way, you've got to realize that Kurt Angle
may not compete again if this one continues at this pace.
And now look at Angle.
Austin just gave Kurt Angle's family the finger.
Now how classy is that?
[Heyman] Steve Austin's not here to be a class act.
Stone Cold is here to be the WWE Champion,
the greatest WWE Champion of all time.
And Stone Cold-- I'll predict it, J.R.,
will successfully defend the title here tonight at Unforgiven.
[Ross] And Kurt Angle avoided that chop, right hands to Stone Cold.
Austin whipped to the far side,
but Kurt Angle eats some shoe leather coming in,
sticking with Kurt Angle.
He's-- He just-- Not only does he want it, he's got to win it.
Kurt Angle has got to win it here tonight but that neck--
that may be the downfall of Kurt Angle.
[Heyman] Cover!
[Ross] And Austin looking for the cover and Kurt Angle kicking out.
Maybe ill-advised, maybe Kurt Angle should have stayed down
but that's not Kurt Angle, he's not a quitter.
[Heyman] Well, I can see the intensity and I can see the integrity,
but I sure as hell don't see the intelligence of Kurt Angle
trying to fight "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Austin is a merciless individual and Austin will break Angle's neck
if he gets the chance.
[Ross] Austin twisted that snapmare taking Angle over
and now reaching that reverse chinlock.
It may be looking like an elementary maneuver,
and perhaps the execution of it is,
but Austin is making Kurt Angle carry Austin's weight as well.
Austin's got the neck cramp
and you could only imagine, ladies and gentlemen,
you could only imagine the pain
that must be shooting through Kurt Angle's body as we speak.
[Heyman] Well, this title match should never have happened in the first place.
[Ross] Why do you say that?
[Heyman] Well, because Kurt Angle was gonna throw Steve Austin off a bridge.
[Ross] He was not.
[Heyman] This agreement was made under duress.
Now, my father is a lawyer, and I can tell you that is illegal.
That contract should be null and void.
I applaud…
[Ross] Your father is a lawyer? Your daddy is a lawyer, imagine that.
[Heyman] That's right.
I could tell you, as a lawyer's son,
that Stone Cold should have backed out of this match
but the hero, the great American that Stone Cold is,
Stone Cold agreed to fight Kurt Angle, in Angle's own hometown.
[Ross] Austin is no great American, let me tell you.
I don't care what the ambulance chasers of the world say or they don't
as Austin-- Oh, Angle, he's got him rolled up.
He's got Austin rolled up, and Austin-- oh, boy, that barely kicked out.
[Heyman] Cover, one, two.
[Ross] And referee Earl Hebner even though he's on the outside of the ring,
tried to do the right thing and get the count
because Angle's shoulders were down.
And now Austin again, Angle's head, shooting back.
And that neck, and Austin focused around that neck.
He is a cold-hearted sadistic human being.
[Heyman] Well, they don't call him nice guy Steve Austin.
They called him Stone Cold.
-[Ross] No? Really? -[Heyman] Yeah, man.
[Ross] Man, you're amazing, aren't you?
[Heyman] He is an ambitious, sadistic, animalistic individual.
[Ross] He is a heinous human being and Kurt Angle trying to follow--
oh, wait a minute, wait, wait, wait! Oh, a-- a German Suplex
and then he hit that just right and there's--
I don't care who's neck you have.
I don't care if it was Austin or Angle.
Kurt-- Austin, his neck is being tested here.
Kurt Angle has got to be very careful in the execution
of these offensive maneuvers.
And another German Suplex with-- Uh-oh, that one got Kurt.
Angle, a victim of his own suplex there.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] He's got a 20-inch neck.
It may need to be a 40-inch neck to survive this onslaught by Stone Cold
but at least Austin now knows how it feels to have that pain shooting up his neck.
[Heyman] Oh, Austin knows all about pain
and Austin is gonna teach Kurt Angle about pain.
Angle should not be in this match.
He's not medically cleared to wrestle.
[Ross] But he's here. He's fighting.
His heart doesn't know he's hurt
and Kurt Angle now taking a chance and will pay for it there.
Kurt Angle deviating from that ground attack,
from those suplexes to take a chance and he may pay the supreme price here.
Angle almost out on that top turnbuckle
or at least it would seem… and Angle-- Oh.
And Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle countered Austin,
a crossbody and a near-fall.
[Heyman] One second away, Kurt Angle was one second away
from realizing his dream and that's as close as he's gonna get
because this story does not have a happy ending.
[Ross] Well, this is-- this story is yet to be concluded.
This story is untold.
It has-- It's not over.
There's chapters to be written in this Kurt Angle saga--
and that was a low blow.
[Heyman] I can't tell if you are pro-Kurt Angle or just anti-Steve Austin.
[Ross] I think Kurt Angle just took a low blow, that's what I think.
I think Austin just tried to get himself disqualified
and he's being admonished by referee Earl Hebner.
Austin would love to end this match, get a disqualification,
and get the hell out of Pittsburgh.
[Heyman] Well, I'd like to get the hell out of Pittsburgh.
And Stone Cold's would like to get the hell out of Pittsburgh
as the WWE Champion
and he will.
[Ross] Austin now, arm chop to Kurt Angle.
And right in front of Kurt Angle's family,
sitting here at ringside, as Austin throws Angle back into the ring.
Kurt Angle has overcome so many obstacles in his life personally,
professionally, as an amateur, as a pro, but how much more can he take? Can he--
Can Kurt Angle overcome this rabid onslaught of the toughest SOB
perhaps ever in the WWE.
And Austin again, manhandling the referee, would love to be disqualified.
[Heyman] Low blow! Low blow by Kurt Angle.
And you saw it, J.R.
[Ross] What do you want me to do about it?
[Heyman] I want you to tell Hebner.
Two.
[Ross] Hebner now counting and I don't like this either.
Austin retains by disqualification, Austin retains by count-out.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Heyman] All the obstacles Kurt Angle has fought in his life
but Kurt Angle never had an obstacle…
-[Ross] Oh. -[Heyman] …like Stone Cold.
[Ross] The DDT and that's right on the neck, the head,
dropping that neck back of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Kurt Angle holding his neck, holding his head,
and now the referee…
Austin may just lay here and get counted out.
[Heyman] Good, smart game plan.
Leave Pittsburgh with the title.
It doesn't matter how.
This is what you should do.
[Ross] You just have the feeling that Austin at any moment
is about mentally ready to unravel and getting counted out
to save Austin the WWE title
but Austin is up and to the Rattlesnake's credit,
I don't know if he knows what he's doing,
but he just broke the referee's count, right or wrong for The Alliance.
[Heyman] Austin knows what he's doing at all times,
he's the leader of The Alliance.
-[Ross] Kurt-- Oh, my God! -[Heyman cheering]
[Ross] Kurt Angle with a Stone Cold Stunner.
Angle got the Stunner, oh, my God.
-What a way to win this! -[Heyman] No.
[Ross] What a way-- Oh.
How close.
What a way to win the WWE title using Austin's own finishing maneuver.
[Heyman] How insulting of Kurt Angle.
I am ashamed of your Olympic hero.
[Ross] How clever, how resourceful.
And now Angle pulling down the straps, says, "Look in my eyes."
Mucus running out of Angle's nose.
He is-- He's blowing a snot
and looking for the Angle Slam but Austin counters.
[Heyman] Angle Slam.
[Ross] And Austin with an Angle Slam of his own.
Austin's gonna beat Angle in Angle's own home.
[Heyman] One, two, three.
[Ross] And Angle got a shoulder up, right shoulder up, right shoulder up.
And the paranoid Rattlesnake
with his ever-increasing fragile psyche
was-- would have loved to have heard a three count.
[crowd chanting]
[Ross] Austin looking-- Austin, don't you do it.
Austin looking for piledriver, hammering at Kurt's back, his kidneys.
Angle, barely able-- well, he's not able to stand.
Austin picking Angle up. Austin wants Angle.
He's wants to piledrive Kurt Angle right there in the ring.
It was on the concrete on Thursday night in Memphis, Tennessee,
when Kurt Angle dodged the biggest bullet of his career.
[Heyman] No way can Kurt Angle withstand this.
No way-- If Austin hits this piledriver, it's the end of Kurt Angle.
[Ross] Austin, on the brink of exhaustion, planting away with those rights and lefts
but whatever effect they may or may not have,
Angle tried to hold on to that leg just moments ago
but now Angle is-- Oh, my God, don't do it.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Kurt Angle piledriven, and that is sick.
[Heyman] Hey, I applaud Kurt Angle for a great challenge but it's over.
One, two, good night.
[Ross] No. No, it's not!
No, by God, it's not over.
This fight is gonna continue.
[Heyman] What the hell does it take to put Kurt Angle away?
[Ross] I bet Austin's asking himself that same question.
And now Austin hammering at the back, trying to weaken those back muscles
right up to the neck of Kurt Angle.
Get up, you son of a bitch. Get up.
[Ross] And Austin, screaming at Angle to get up
and now maybe Austin--
Hey, now, maybe he's gonna use the Stone Cold Stunner,
I've seen this position on so many occasions.
[Heyman] Here it comes. Here it comes.
The Stone Cold Stunner, there's no hesitation here.
Hit him with it, Steve.
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] Angle, he's got him, he's got him.
We'll have a new champion.
Angle has got the Ankle lock.
-[Heyman] He's going for the ropes. -[Ross] There's nowhere for Austin to go.
[Heyman] Austin's going for the ropes.
[Ross] Austin-- Austin tapping out.
-[Heyman] No! -[Ross] He's tapping out.
[bell ringing]
[Ross] Angle, Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle.
-["Medal" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Howard] The winner of this bout
and new World Wrestling Entertainment Champion,
Kurt Angle.
[Ross] Austin went with a Stone Cold Stunner
but Kurt Angle countered and by God, Kurt Angle--
His mother Jackie at ringside and seeing her boy
win another championship, but none bigger than the WWE title.
["Medal" continues]
[Ross] And here comes the Angle family.
It's a celebration for Pittsburgh,
it's a celebration for the Angle family.
The brothers and sisters, the nieces and nephews,
and they can only wish and you only know
that Kurt's father is looking down tonight
and saying, "My God, my boy did it again."
What a night in the life of Kurt Angle.
What a night in the life of the Angle family
and what a night in the lives of the World Wrestling Entertainment.
Finally, the WWE title is back in the WWE.
[Heyman] It can't end this way, not here, not in stinking Pittsburgh.
[Ross] Kurt Angle being congratulated
not only by his family but the Superstars of the WWE.
The most coveted prize in sports entertainment
has found its way back home
and around the waist of the American Kurt Angle.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Oh, what a celebration
there will be tonight, here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Take your bow, Kurt, you deserve it.
Kurt Angle climbed the mountain.
Kurt Angle, the new WWE Champion.
My God, what a week! What a night! .