Following his defeat at No Way Out vs. Chris Jericho thanks to the nWo, Stone Cold Steve Austin came out really ticked off. He called out the nWo after bringing in his two cases of beer and a steel chair to sit in until they came out. Eventually, the telecast appeared to fuzz out, but it really was just the preview before the guitar strumming nWo theme introduced its 3 main members: Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Hollywood Hogan. They convened before heading to the ring, and walked towards it. Then, they turned around and left. Stone Cold was drinking beer and demanding that the nWo to come back down when Kurt Angle came out, flanked by 5 off duty police officers. The merciless crowd booed the Olympic Hero and #1 Contender for Wrestlemania (after defeating HHH at No Way Out) as Kurt told Austin to come out of the ring. Austin responded by throwing beers at him. Angle insulted Austin and got in the ring, and Austin took him out. The security guards came in, and Austin hit one, and was handcuffed and sent to jail for striking a police officer. As he was hauled away, Kurt ridiculed him and repeatedly said that Stone Cold was going to jail but he (Kurt) was going to Wrestlemania.
Lita accompanied the reunited Hardy Boyz in a tag match against Christian and Lance Storm. Both of these teams were in Tag Team Turmoil at No Way Out, and Jeff Hardy wasn't at 100% after getting the 3D outside the ring. Christian took advantage and hit a Diving Reverse DDT on Matt Hardy, but had a temper tantrum when it only got a two count. Lance tried to calm him down, but Christian walked into a Twist of Fate and then a Swanton Bomb and was pinned 1-2-3.
Stephanie McMahon looked overjoyed when Kurt Angle came in because he had gotten Austin arrested, and also had defeated her soon to be ex-husband HHH at No Way Out. Ric Flair came in and said he realized how brilliant Vince's move to have HHH and Kurt face each other at No Way Out for the #1 Contendership was, and decided, since he couldn't come up with anything better, to have a rematch tonight on Raw with the same stipulations, except that if Stephy got involved, HHH went to Wrestlemania automatically.
The Undertaker came into Ric Flair's office and challenged him to a match at Wrestlemania. When Flair declined, Undertaker said that he would have to find a way to change his mind.
The nWo planned to leave, but Hollywood Hogan said he would catch up with them.
Mr. Perfect came out and said that Brian Urlacher and the Bears were imperfect. Kane came out and, though Perfect was in control for a little bit, Chokeslammed Perfect to end it.
Hollywood Hogan came to the ring and talked about how great it was to be back in a WWF Ring. He said that he could reminisce, but the main thing he remembered was the WWF fans taking Hulk Hogan for granted, and that he had one thing to say to them: You can kiss my a**! Hogan said he was the reason that wrestling was as big as it was, and that he was the biggest star there ever would be. Then, the Brahma Bull came out and said he agreed with Hogan on somethings, but asked Hogan if he really believed that the fans had driven him out of the WWF. Hogan's response was interrupted by a "It doesn't matter!" The Rock then made an earthshattering announcement by challenging Hulk Hogan to a match at Wrestlemania to determine who would go down as the best ever in wrestling. Hulk tried to delay the answer, but eventually said yes. When they shook hands, Hogan said "Good luck. You'll need it." to which the Rock responded, "Not as much as you, brother" and hit a Rock Bottom. As the Rock walked up the ramp, he was assaulted by Hall and Nash who brought him back in the ring. Hogan whipped him with the weighted belt, Hall hit the Razor's Edge, Nash gave him a Jacknife Powerbomb, Hogan hit him with a hammer, and then gave him the Hogan Leg Drop. The Rock was carried away on a stretcher as the nWo left in contentment, or so it seemed. As the Rock was put in the ambulance, the nWo blocked it with a trailer and their other car. Nash, Hall, and Hogan got crowbars and started destroying the ambulance. After the medics fled, Hogan got in the trailer and said he was going to lay the smack down nWo style. He backed up and rammed the trailer several times into the ambulance that contained a helpless Rock. Even the nWo were a little shocked at what they had done and quickly departed.
The Godfather was promptly defeated by Booker T with a Scissors Kick.
A second ambulance finally arrived and took the Rock (whom the firemen only got out by prying apart the doors of the damaged vehicle) to the hospital.
Goldust and William Regal (still IC Champ) teamed up to face Rob Van Dam and Edge, their respective opponents at No Way Out. Edge speared Regal and put him in a different leg lock submission and Regal tapped out.
Kurt Angle looked saddened and said it was the worst possible thing that could have happened; it being that he had to face HHH again tonight with Steph barred from ringside. Kurt said that he was going to beat HHH again.
Chris Jericho (The LIVING LEGEND) graced the TV viewers with his guest announcing for this match. Kurt Angle and HHH went at it for the second time in two days, with Kurt focusing on HHH's slightly weakened chest. HHH hit a Spinebuster and then tried a Pedigree, but Angle countered him. Angle couldn't hit a moonsault, but gave HHH a German Suplex to the outside. Angle got in a verbal argument with Jericho, and (with the ref distracted trying to restrain Jericho) took the ring bell and hit HHH in the head. Angle could have had about a ten count, but Jericho continued to distract the ref, and Kurt only got a two. Angle locked HHH in the middle of the ring with the Ankle Lock, but HHH lunged for and grabbed the ropes. Kurt was really frustrated and was arguing with the ref, HHH got the advantage, and hit the Pedigree for the 1-2-3. HHH and Jericho stared each other down in anticipation of their Undisputed Title Match at Wrestlemania X8 on March 17! |
