TJR Retro: WWF Smackdown 08/10/00 Review
The WWF was on the road to SummerSlam and there was quite a bit of anticipation for this Smackdown because of what happened on Raw. As you may have seen in the Raw review from the same week, Kurt Angle and Triple H pinned Chris Jericho at the same time in a main event triple threat. Who would go on to face The Rock for the WWF Title at SummerSlam 2000? Obviously we know the answer now, but let’s see how the WWF followed up on that controversial finish.
Here’s the synopsis for this episode from WWE Network.
“After giving both Kurt Angle and Triple H a chance at The Rock’s WWE Championship at SummerSlam, Commissioner Foley orders both men to team up against The Undertaker and The Great One in the main event. The rivalry between Jerry Lawler and Tazz reaches its breaking point in a face-to-face confrontation. Plus, Steve Blackman and more. / 14+ (D,L,V)”
Check out our WWF TV in 2000 archives in case you missed anything (Raw, Smackdown and PPV reviews) from earlier in the year. Also, make sure to visit TJRWrestling.net daily for my reviews of the current WWE shows, plus historical columns and all the relevant current news in the wrestling business. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport and tweet me to talk about this show or anything else. Let’s get to it.
WWF Smackdown #51
August 10, 2000 (Taped August 8)
From Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey
The show began with a replay of the end of Raw with the tie pin by Angle and Triple H, plus The Rock cleaned house after the match including a Rock Bottom on Stephanie McMahon. The Smackdown introduction video aired after that.
The pyro went off at the Continental Airlines Arena, the crowd was loud, there were signs everywhere and it was sold out with Michael Cole calling the action along with Jerry “The King” Lawler as usual.
Let’s Hear from Commissioner Mick Foley
The babyface Commissioner Mick Foley entered to a big pop from the crowd. Foley brought up his book being available in paperback soon while noting that a lot of people were talking about the end of Raw. Will it be Kurt Angle or Triple H to go on to face The Rock for the WWF Championship at SummerSlam. Foley was about to explain his ruling, but here comes your (and my) Olympic Hero Kurt Angle joined by Shane McMahon.
Angle said on Raw, he suplexed Jericho off the ropes and covered him for the 1, 2, 3 so he’ll face The Rock for the WWF Championship. Angle said he was also upset that his friend Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley was given the Rock Bottom by The Rock. The fans cheered that. Angle said that he will not be the “New Jersey of champions” because he’ll have class and pride. It’s true.
Angle said when he becomes the WWF Champion he’ll bring a standard of excellence that hasn’t been seen since the days of Bruno Sammartino. Foley was about to talk again, but here comes Triple H joined by Stephanie McMahon, who was limping a bit since Rock gave her a Rock Bottom. That meant there were five people in the ring as fans chanted “slut” at Stephanie.
Hunter said that Mick’s not the smartest Commissioner, but he shouldn’t listen to this little jerk and then Hunter comically said that Angle is a jerk…it’s true. Hunter said that he pinned Jericho on Raw, so he did what he needed to do and he should be celebrating that he is a few weeks away from SummerSlam and getting back his WWF Championship from The Rock. Stephanie received handshakes from Shane and Angle, which Hunter did not see. The fans chanted “Rocky” at that point. Hunter took exception to Angle’s comments and Hunter told Angle to stay away from his wife. Angle had a smirk on his face.
Shane said that they all shared that same sentiment for Stephanie. Shane said that the pain that Stephanie is in is the direct result of the Rock Bottom. Shane said that they can all agree to get payback on The Rock and they will take The Rock out.
Stephanie thanks Shane, Hunter, Kurt and all of you (the fans booing her) that shared her pain. Stephanie said that even the Rock Bottom won’t prevent her, the WWF Women’s Champion, from defending her title as soon as she is physically able. Stephanie thanked the fans for their sympathy.
Foley said that he was concerned when The Rock laid Stephanie flat on her back with a Rock Bottom. Here’s a group shot including a Canada flag in New Jersey and a “Steph is a Ho” sign too. That’s classy.
Foley said as WWF Commissioner and a representative of the people, he wants to ask how her back is feeling. Stephanie was about to speak so Foley said “it doesn’t matter how your back is feeling!” as if he was The Rock. That drew a big pop and cheers from the crowd. Foley said what does matter is who is the number one contender for the WWF Title. Foley decided that at SummerSlam it will be Kurt Angle vs. Triple H vs. The Rock in a triple threat match for the WWF Title.
Foley said that’s the good news, but the bad news is that they had to get together in this ring in New Jersey (cheap pop). Foley said that the team of Angle and Triple H will be in action against The Undertaker and…wait for it…you know who…it’s The Rock. That’s a huge tag team match in the main event. Foley left to cheers.
Analysis: The show opening promo is a common thing we have seen for decades now. It made sense based on the end of Raw while also setting up the huge tag team match later in the show. I loved Foley’s line towards Stephanie. That was really well done.
Val Venis, who is the Intercontinental Champion, was walking with manager Trish Stratus as they walked by Chyna with the makeup lady. Trish wondered if Chyna had taken up too much time with the makeup lady and Chyna had a lame line about how they didn’t have a sandblaster to take care of Trish’s wrinkles. Anyway, Eddie Guerrero showed up to get in a brawl with Val Venis until it was broken up.
Analysis: Trish was 25 years old at the time. Wrinkles? They could have had better dialogue than that.
(Commercial)
Edge and Christian were talking backstage talking about how Edge filmed the Highlander: Endgame movie. That led to some actors from the film showing up (two guys and a woman) showing up to talk to Edge. One of the guys asked when they can meet The Rock. Edge and Christian wanted to tell them stories, but the actors didn’t seem to care so they left.
Analysis: I never saw Highlander: Endgame. Sorry Edge, but you are one of my all time favorite wrestlers and a local guy to me.
Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero (w/Chyna) vs. Val Venis and Chris Benoit (w/Trish Stratus and Shane McMahon)
Pre-match notes: The team of Jericho and Guerrero were faces while Venis and Benoit were heels. Jericho cost Benoit the WWF Title on Raw. Guerrero and Chyna each got pinfall wins over Venis in recent weeks.
It started out as a brawl with Jericho and Benoit exchanging punches in the ring while Venis sent Guerrero into the barricade. Jericho with an elbow to Benoit, but then Shane hit a cheap shot punch to Jericho while the referee missed it. The heels took over with Benoit hitting Jericho with an elbow along with a suplex. Venis with a clothesline followed by a spinning slam. Jericho with an enziguri kick on Benoit and Guerrero got the tag. Jericho and Benoit went brawling out of the ring. Guerrero did a sweet counter with a hurricanrana. Eddie went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Venis, but referee Jimmy Korderas told Eddie that Val wasn’t legal. Benoit went up top and hit a headbutt off the top and Benoit pinned Eddie to win at 3:37.
Winners by pinfall: Val Venis and Chris Benoit
Analysis: **1/4 This was very fast paced for a short match. I wish they got more time because it would have been awesome, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. The heels each had some losses coming into this, so it made sense that they would win. It didn’t hurt Guerrero to have Benoit beat him like that. I like that they pay attention to things like who the legal man is and they use it in the finish sometimes.
Post match, Jericho put the Walls of Jericho on Benoit as payback for Benoit injuring Jericho a few weeks earlier. Venis went up top and Chyna slammed him off. Shane went into the ring and hit Jericho with a clothesline. Jericho punched Shane and gave him the Walls of Jericho submission. Albert showed up, he caught Guerrero trying to attack and sent Guerrero into the ring post. Benoit saved Shane and slapped on a Crippler Crossface submission on Jericho. Referees showed up to break it up. Benoit put the Crossface on Jericho again until he finally let go.
Analysis: I liked the intensity shown by everybody involved there. It’s better than just having a match and going away. If you want people to care about future matches, we need to believe there’s heat. The SummerSlam matches were Benoit vs. Jericho and Venis/Trish vs. Guerrero/Chyna, so it made sense to have a post match segment to build more interest towards those matches.
(Commercial)
X-Pac vs. Rikishi
Pre-match notes: X-Pac was the heel while Rikishi was the face. The story was that X-Pac didn’t want Road Dogg’s help since they were doing a friendly rivalry thing. On Raw, Rikishi beat X-Pac by DQ because Road Dogg hit a low blow on Rikishi. That’s why they were doing this rematch.
Rikishi sent X-Pac into the steel steps, then around the other side in the ring where Rikishi sent X-Pac into the announce table and steel steps. They went back into the ring with X-Pac hitting a spin kick for two. X-Pac wore Rikishi down a bit with a sleeper hold. When Rikishi broke free, X-Pac with a running clothesline and a spin kick into the turnbuckle. Rikishi avoided a Bronco Buster by hitting a clothesline, then whips into two turnbuckles and Rikishi hit a running back splash against the turnbuckle. The fans popped huge as X-Pac sat against the turnbuckle and Rikishi went for a Stinkface, but X-Pac did a low blow punch that blind referee Teddy Long didn’t see. X-Pac went up top with a cross body block for a two count. Rikishi blocked a sunset flip attempt and he signaled for the Banzai Drop and then Rikishi hit the Banzai Drop for the pinfall win at 3:50.
Winner by pinfall: Rikishi
Analysis: ** This was just average with Rikishi getting the decisive win after the DQ finish on Raw. Since there was no Road Dogg there to help, the story was that X-Pac wasn’t going to be able to cheat to win.
The Rock was shown arriving to the arena as the fans popped big at the sight of the WWE and People’s Champion.
Edge and Christian were backstage telling stories to the Highlander: Endgame actors who didn’t have any interest in the stories. Gangrel showed up to talk to them, the actors seemed interested in him and Gangrel said he would sign a book for them. Edge and Christian were shocked by that.
(Commercial)
The Burn of the Week (sponsored by Stacker 2) showed The Undertaker sending Big Show off the stage and through a table on Raw.
Al Snow and The Kat vs. Perry Saturn and Terri
Pre-match notes: Snow and Kat were the faces while Saturn and Terri were the heels. The feud between Kat and Terri ended at WrestleMania, but I guess the WWF felt the need to go back to it again. Saturn was the European Champion.
Kat chased after Terri outside the ring, then Terri got away and Saturn worked over Snow with a forearm to the back along with a sweep kick. Snow with a clothesline and you could tell the fake crowd noise was used to react to that. Snow with a back body drop across the ring. Saturn with a kick to the chest followed by a standing side kick and belly to back suplex. Saturn went up top, so Snow slammed him off and hit a superkick. Snow with an overhead suplex for a two count. Saturn and Snow ran the ropes leading to a double cross body block spot. Kat tossed the mannequin Head into the ring, Saturn caught it and Snow hit a shoulder breaker. Kat into the ring, Terri grabbed Head and hit Snow in the head with it. Saturn hit a Northern Lights Suplex on Snow for the pinfall win at 2:47.
Winners by pinfall: Perry Saturn and Terri
Analysis: *1/4 There wasn’t much to this other than having the heels cheat to win thanks to Terri hitting Snow in the head with…Head. Saturn and Snow worked the whole match, which was a wise decision. The crowd didn’t care that much.
Post match, Kat tackled Terri and the crowd reacted to that. Saturn pulled Kat off of Terri, then Snow made the save with a clothesline on Saturn as the heels left.
Analysis: This would lead to Terri and Kat taking part in an awful match at SummerSlam.
The Undertaker was shown arriving to the arena on his motorcycle. We also saw backstage walking scenes with Edge & Christian in one part of the arena while the Dudley Boyz were in another hallway. The WWF loved filming the “backstage walking” scenes.
(Commercial)
Edge and Christian made their entrance with the three Highlander actors in the crowd. They showed some highlights of Edge and Christian doing vicious attacks of late with a double chairshot to Jeff Hardy on Raw two weeks earlier.
Christian did a promo ripping on the fans for being unable to count to five, but since they’re non-heinous they will give us a special five second pose. Edge said since his movie Highlander Endgame comes out next month, it will make him a huge star of “huge magnitutions.” He makes up words sometimes. This is the Oscars 2001. Christian said in the “Category of an Actor Reeking of the Most Awesomeness.” The Oscar goes to…Edge! The fans booed while Highlander actors cheered. Here’s the pose.
I think they could have had a fake trophy there. Anyway, the Dudleys entered as the challengers in this title match. Big pop for the Dudleys.
WWF Tag Team Championships: Edge and Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
Pre-match notes: Edge and Christian were the heel champions while the Dudleys were the faces.
The fans chanted for tables immediately, then a corner splash and Bubba Bomb by Bubba on Christian. D-Von tagged in for a double team slam on Christian. Edge tagged in, D-Von greeted him with a shoulder tackle. D-Von went to the ropes, Christian pulled the rope down and D-Von bumped to the floor. Christian whipped D-Von into the steel steps. Christian with a body slam on D-Von and then E&C hit double headbutts on D-Von. Edge set up D-Von on the turnbuckle, D-Von knocked him down and hit a shoulder tackle off the middle ropes. Bubba got the tag against Christian with Bubba sending Edge into the top rope with a stun gun and a powerslam. Bubba had Christian on his shoulders as D-Von hit a clothesline leading to a two count. The referee checked on Christian, Bubba slammed Edge and D-Von went up top and hit the Whassup Drop headbutt to the groin. This was one of the first times they did that on TV. Bubba told D-Von to get the tables. Edge was handed a steel chair by Christian, so Edge hit Bubba in the back with the steel chair for the DQ because the referee was right there. The match went 4:29.
Winners by disqualification: The Dudley Boyz (Edge and Christian retain the titles)
Analysis: **1/4 It was good stuff until the cheap finish, which continued the story of Edge and Christian finding ways to get out of matches by intentionally getting disqualified. It was frustrating to fans rooting for faces like the Dudleys, but it did lead to the TLC match at SummerSlam. That’s why they kept doing these cheap finishes.
Post match, Edge and Christian left with their titles, but the Hardys showed up to go after them. The Dudleys hit a double team neckbreaker on Christian while Matt hit a Twist of Fate on Edge. The Hardys and Dudleys each left the ring with the Dudleys getting tables while the Hardy Boyz got ladders. The Hardys smashed a ladder against Edge. The Hardys each climbed a ladder and jumped off with a splash/leg drop on Edge although when I slowed it down, Matt missed Edge completely. Meanwhile, Bubba gave Christian a Powerbomb through the table. The fans loved all of this.
Analysis: The story was working very well because E&C were the cheap heel champions and they finally got their asses kicked after weeks of getting out of their matches by intentionally getting disqualified or cheating to win. This was the payback that the fans wanted to see. It was smart in terms of building up the first ever TLC match at SummerSlam, but it wasn’t official yet.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Edge and Christian beaten up by the Hardy Boyz and Dudley Boyz before the break.
Tazz made his entrance as we got a highlight of Tazz ripping Jim Ross on Raw and Jerry Lawler punched Tazz to knock him on his ass.
Tazz walked over to Lawler by the announce table. Tazz told Lawler he knows nothing about it. They should have had a microphone on Tazz as he did this promo. Tazz told Lawler he’ll pay a heavy price. Tazz grabbed a water pitcher and hit Lawler in the head with it. Lawler was bleeding after that. Referees checked on Lawler. Crash made his entrance.
Analysis: Lawler doing a blade job after a water pitcher to the head is strange. However, Lawler bled a lot in his career, so it’s not like it was new for him. It was a way to put over how serious this rivalry was becoming.
Tazz was looking at Crash, but then a bloody Lawler went into the ring to brawl with Tazz. Lawler and Tazz exchanged punches until referees broke them up. Lawler punched Tazz out of the ring, so Crash sent Tazz back in the ring. The referees and other WWE officials managed to pull Lawler and Tazz apart. Lawler went after Tazz again with a punch that sent Tazz over the barricade, so Tazz was taken to the back.
Analysis: This was a pretty good angle. I remember the feud, but didn’t remember this part in particular. The execution of it was believable, which shouldn’t be a surprise since Lawler is such an experienced wrestler that was great at segments like this.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Jerry Lawler and Tazz getting into a fight.
Right to Censor (The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan) w/Steven Richards vs. Too Cool (Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay)
Pre-match notes: Too Cool were the faces while Right to Censor were heels.
Steven Richards joined Cole on commentary since Lawler was getting looked at after getting attacked. Sexay hit Bull with a dropkick off the middle ropes. Scotty tagged in and they hit a double elbow drop. Goodfather tagged in with a shoulder tackle on Scotty. Richards claimed that they were our friends while Cole said it’s his responsibility what his children watch. Too Cool hit a double dropkick on Goodfather and Bull used his legs to send Sexay out of the ring. Goodfather sent Sexay into the barricade. Bull and Goodfather hit a double boot to the face of Sexay. There was action in the ring, but they focused on Steven on commentary. Sexay tackled Bull over the top to the floor. Goodfather missed a corner attack, so Scotty hit a bulldog leading to the Worm attempt and Scotty hit the dreaded chop to the head. Richards: “Disgusting.” Goodfather kicked Scotty in the chest and Bull jumped off the top with a scissors kick to the back of Scotty for the pinfall win at 4:02.
Winners by pinfall: Right to Censor (The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan)
Analysis: ** This was a decent match with Too Cool bumping around for the bigger guys while Right to Censor continued their winning ways. Since RTC was still in its early stages, they needed wins to build up their credibility. Simple booking that works. Bull’s scissors kick off the top looked cool.
Post match, Richards said that the Worm that Scotty does is pornographic and he wants to censor it too.
Kurt Angle was in the locker room where Just Joe showed up to talk to him. Joe said that the “boys” were talking again. Joe said that the boys are saying when Kurt lets his guard down, Triple H will take Kurt apart and Kurt thanked him.
(Commercial)
Jerry Lawler was back on commentary with some tape on his head to cover the bloody head he had. Lawler had some blood on the side of his face and some blood stains on his chest/neck area as well.
Hardcore Championship: Steve Blackman vs. Albert (w/Trish Stratus)
Pre-match notes: Blackman was the babyface Hardcore Champion while Albert was a heel. Albert’s tag team partner Test was out with an ankle injury.
Blackman charged in with Albert hitting a sidewalk slam followed by a pump kick. Albert brought some weapons into the ring and hit Blackman in the head with a trash can lid to the head. Blackman hit Albert in the face with a trash can. Albert hit a DDT on Blackman on a chair for a two count. Blackman grabbed his sticks out of a bag while Albert had a kendo stick. Albert said they should both put the weapons down, but then Blackman avoided an attack and hit Albert with both of his sticks. Albert with two trash can lid shots to the head. Blackman kicked the fire extinguisher that Albert had and Blackman sprayed it into Albert’s face. Blackman jumped off the apron and hit Albert in the head with a kendo stick. Blackman covered Albert on the floor for the win at 3:18
Winner by pinfall: Steve Blackman
Analysis: *1/2 This was okay with Blackman earning a hard fought win against a bigger opponent like Albert. The finish was good since it was a jumping kendo stick shot to the floor instead of just a regular kendo stick. At least it looked more impressive.
Post match, Val Venis went into the ring and attacked Blackman from behind with a kendo stick shot to the back. Venis worked over Blackman with punches and Albert hit a double chokeslam known as the Albert Bomb (at this point) that put down Blackman. The heels were happy about it.
Triple H was in the dressing room with Just Joe, who was there to give him some news. Joy told Hunter that the “boys” were saying something and Hunter said you’re going to tell me to be worried about Kurt. Joe said this is about Shane with the boys saying that Shane is a problem because he wanted to control the WWF Championship. Hunter looked concerned.
Chris Jericho went to Mick Foley’s WWF Commissioner office that was in the back of a truck. Jericho said he wanted to face Benoit tonight. Foley said that he had to save that type of match for SummerSlam and Jericho said okay, then he’ll try not to snap until SummerSlam.
Analysis: They did a nice job of building to that Jericho vs. Benoit match.
(Commercial)
There was a clip of RTC putting the “ho” Victoria through a table on Raw.
An “earlier today” scene was shown of Victoria at a “local medical facility” (they did not say the word hospital in WWE) with Jonathon Coachman there to talk with her while the other “ho” Mandy was by her side. The doctor said that there was severe back trauma and she would be released tomorrow. Victoria said how they dress is how they express their individuality. Victoria said that what Steven Richards was doing was wrong and will be punished. Victoria said she would sue. Mandy said Steven Richards wasn’t going to get away with this.
Triple H and Stephanie were in their room with Kurt Angle and Shane walking into the room. They argued about not getting along. Shane said he’s not going out there and suggested that Stephanie does the same, so Stephanie left because she wanted Hunter and Kurt to work this out.
The Rock was interviewed backstage by Kevin Kelly about having to face Triple H and Kurt Angle at SummerSlam. Rock started with his “finally” line to a big pop. Rock asked Kevin if he had two sets of equally working genitals. Rock referred to Kevin as a hermaphrodite while Kevin said he had one set of functioning genitalia and Rock famously called him “Hermie” there. Rock said he didn’t care about the marital problems. What you can trust is that Rock is that he and The Undertaker will lay the smacketh down on all their candy asses. Loud “Rocky” chants for that. Rock’s “if you smell” line ended it.
Analysis: This was memorable for the Hermie line. It’s not something you could do in a promo today.
(Commercial)
Kurt Angle was shown talking to Shane McMahon backstage with Kurt saying he understood Shane’s decision as Shane left the building.
It was main event time with Kurt Angle entering first for his team followed by Triple H and as we learned earlier, no McMahons joined them at ringside. The Undertaker was next as he walked down to the ring (instead of riding his motorcycle) followed by The Rock as the WWF Champion. Huge reaction for The Rock as usual.
The Rock and The Undertaker vs. Triple H and Kurt Angle
Pre-match notes: Rock and Undertaker were the faces with Rock also holding the WWF Championship. Hunter and Angle were the heels that did not get along. The SummerSlam main event was Rock vs. Hunter vs. Angle for the WWF Championship.
Rock punched Hunter out of the ring while Taker decked Angle with a punch. Taker with a running clothesline, then a boot to the face and an elbow drop. Taker with another clothesline followed by a sidewalk slam on Angle for two as Hunter broke up the pin attempt. Rock tagged in against Hunter as Rock and Taker double teamed Hunter with punches and then they punched Angle as well. Rock hit a belly to belly overhead suplex on Hunter followed by a DDT for two. Hunter with a facebuster into the knee, then a clothesline and Angle tagged in against Rock as he bickered with Hunter. Rock with a clothesline for Angle, but then Angle hit a belly to back suplex. Hunter tagged in as Stephanie walked down to the ring while grabbing at her sore back since Rock gave her a Rock Bottom on Raw. Hunter sent Rock into the ropes, Stephanie grabbed the foot (the referee didn’t see that), Rock grabbed Stephanie and Hunter saved his wife with a jumping knee to the face of Rock. Angle with a suplex on Rock. Angle elbowed out of a Rock Bottom attempt and Angle hit a snap belly to belly suplex. That was great. Hunter tagged in with a neckbreaker on Rock. After Rock was sent into the ropes, he hit a swinging neckbreaker for two and Angle went into the ring for an elbow drop, Rock moved and Angle hit Hunter by accident. Hunter was pissed off, so he shoved Angle on his ass. Hunter left the match with Stephanie wanting him to come back. Taker got the hot tag with a clothesline on Angle and a back body drop. Hunter refused to go back to the ring as Taker knocked Angle over the top to the floor. Stephanie went to the ring to check on Angle, but Rock blocked her from getting involved. Angle was back in the ring as Undertaker hit him with a Last Ride Powerbomb for the pinfall win at 7:32.
Winners by pinfall: The Rock and The Undertaker
Analysis: *** This was fun with a lot of star power and it continued the story of Angle/Hunter that led to Angle getting beat easily due to his partner leaving him in the ring. The loss didn’t hurt Angle since he was left in a 1 on 2 situation, so it makes sense that he would be the one to lose here. Undertaker and Rock were on the same page, so they got the win. The booking makes sense.
Post match, Stephanie went into the ring to check on Angle. Undertaker grabbed Stephanie by the hair. Rock got his hands on Stephanie, but then Hunter hit Rock. When Hunter turned around, Taker gave Hunter a Chokeslam while Stephanie was up the ramp. The Rock hit the People’s Elbow on Hunter as well. The camera focused on the guys in the ring while Stephanie was sad on the ramp.
Analysis: It ended the show on a happy note with the faces winning the tag team match and getting in the post match attack as well.
This episode of Smackdown had a run time of 1:32:24 on WWE Network.
Three Stars of the Show
- The Rock
- Kurt Angle
- Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian
The Scoreboard
This episode gets a 6.75 out of 10.
It was a pretty good show as they continued to advance the major storylines heading into SummerSlam. There weren’t as many Triple H backstage segments this week compared to other weeks, so that was pleasant. Nothing against him, but there was too much Triple H on the other shows. I thought the main event was booked very well as a huge tag team match while also advancing the Hunter/Angle story. The other stories like the Tag Team Title situation was advanced really well because Edge & Christian got their asses kicked after weeks of doing cheap shots, so they got what they deserved. I liked the progression in the Jericho/Benoit story too. Even the Tazz/Lawler segment was great. I just think there wasn’t anything that special in this episode and that hurt it overall.
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Check out our WWF in 2000 archives for my reviews of all the other shows (Raw, Smackdown, PPVs) from earlier in the year. Thanks for reading.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport