Rey Mysterio defeated Jamie Noble in 3:42. Noble was accompanied by Nidia. Back and forth match, with Noble hitting a slingshot powerbomb for a two count at one point. Nidia ran in near the end, and Mysterio dropkicked Noble into her, then hit a double 619 on them. Mysterio then finished off Noble with the West Coast Pop (springboard rana).
Rock appeared on the screens, via satellite from Hollywood. Rock took a few shots at Philly Cheesesteaks (since the show was in Philly). Rock acknowledged the fact that there were boos for him (actually, some fans were chanting for Hogan). Rock then pointed out that Philadelphia boos all great athletes, but that they never boo Hulk Hogan. Rock made fun of Hogan's absence, and his television commercials. Rock said that Hulkamania will not die at No Way Out, but that Rock would beat Hogan at the PPV. For the first time that I can remember, a Rock interview ended without the "If you smell ..." catchphrase.
Rikishi defeated Nunzio in 1:34 with a Banzai Drop. After the match, Rikishi started to dance, and Nunzio took the mic. Nunzio said he was disrespected, and that the "people he's with" wouldn't like that, and that Rikishi wouldn't like the people he is with. Rikishi ran off Nunzio, then went back to dancing.
Paul Heyman came out on the stage, and said that the large gift box was a present from The Big Show to the Undertaker. Heyman had the crane place the box in the ring. After the commercial, Heyman and the box were in the ring. Heyman said the gift was Big Show's way of making things right with the Undertaker. Undertaker rode his motorcycle to the ring, as Heyman exited. Undertaker opened the box, and out came ... Brother Love. Brother Love, who brought the Undertaker to WWE initially, told him that he needs to forgive the Big Show. Undertaker chokeslammed Brother Love, and finished him off with a tombstone piledriver.
Hulk Hogan was shown walking in the back, stopping to say hello to two workers (one of which I think was Julio Dinero). Brock Lesnar came out of a door, and got face to face with Hogan. Brock smiled, and said "Welcome Back", then stepped aside as Hogan passed. (For those that don't remember, Hogan's last appearance before his sabbatical was when a heel Brock laid him out).
Billy Kidman defeated Matt Hardy in 3:00. Shannon Moore accompanied Matt to the ring. Michael Cole actually said Matt Hardy was too big to be a cruiserweight, so this was a non-title match. Kidman came off the rope at the end, and Matt caught him to set up a Twist of Fate, but Kidman grabbed a double leg takedown and rolled over him for the pin. After the match, Matt said he was 230lbs., so he was going to drop ten pounds so he could be a cruiserweight and beat Kidman for the title.
Kurt Angle gave Team Angle a pep talk, telling them to fly like eagles (not like the Philly Eagles), and go win the tag titles.
Team Angle (Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin) defeated Eddie & Chavo Guerrero to win the WWE Tag Team Championship in 15:34 (including a commercial). Paul Heyman accompanied Team Angle to ringside. Towards the end, Chavo hit Haas with a frog splash and Eddie covered, but Benjamin broke it up. Chavo tossed Benjamin to the floor, and gave Haas a Tornado DDT, but Benjamin shoved Eddie from the top rope to the floor, stopping his frog splash. Chavo backdropped Benjamin from the ring, and hit a top rope bodypress to the floor on him. Eddie got back in the ring with Haas and hit a lariat, but Haas hit a flapjack and an overhead belly to belly for a two count. Chavo came in, but the referee forced him out. Team Angle hit the old Midnight Express straddle drop with the opponent stretched out on the ropes move, and Haas hit a German suplex, but Chavo broke up the cover. Benjamin tossed Chavo to the floor. Team Angle set for a double superplex, but Chavo grabbed Haas in an electric chair, and Eddie hit a sunset flip style powerbomb off the ropes. Eddie went for a frog splash, and Paul Heyman grabbed his leg. Eddie kicked him off, and Chavo hit Heyman with a pescado. Eddie hit the frog splash on Benjamin, but the referee did not count the pin because he was not the legal man. As Eddie looked at the referee, Haas jumped on Guerrero with a cradle and got the pin to with the title. Fantastic match.
Hulk Hogan came to the ring. Before he could talk, Rock appeared on the screen. Rock told Hogan he looked good, and that he can't wait to face him. Rock said he wanted to hear what Hogan had to say, expecting Hogan to put him over. Hogan said he wanted to hear Vince McMahon's answer to his challenge, and didn't expect to hear from the Rock. Rock interrupted, and basically said he wanted Hogan to get to the point. Rock interrupted him again, because his tofu was ready. Rock left the set, and mocked Hogan's catchphrases and posing. Rock delivered the "If you smell ..." line before leaving. Hogan pointed out that the fans were ready to boo the Rock out of the building. Hogan talked about Vince McMahon's interview from last week, saying Hulkamania is dead. Hogan said that "Vince McMahon is full of s***". Hogan said Vince McMahon was scared to the ring with him, and that is why he brought the Rock back. Hogan said he was excited to get his hands on "Rockajabroni" at No Way Out. Hogan said the millions of Hulkamaniacs would be booing Rock out of the building, and that Hulkamania would run wild on him.
A group of wrestlers were watching Hogan on the monitor in the back. Sean O'Haire started talking to Brian Kendrick (wearing a Zero-One T-shirt). O'Haire said Kendrick had guts for taking the beating he did from Undertaker last week. Sean O'Haire said he should imitate the guy in the Nike commercial (since he was wearing Nike Shocks) and streak in the building while wearing a scarf. Kendrick, since he will do anything to make it in wrestling, agreed.
Before the next match could begin, Brian Kendrick, clad only in a scarf and sneakers, ran though the building, with a referee chasing him through the crowd.
A-Train defeated Shannon Moore in 54 seconds with the Train Wreck (drop down over the shoulder backbreaker).
Kendrick streaked back through again, and avoided an A-Train clothesline. The referees cornered him near the ring, and he snuck under it. They cornered him again, but he went under the legs of a security card and ran back up the ramp.
Stephanie McMahon was in her office, while Kendrick was still avoiding the officials and guards. Kendrick ended up in the office, and introduced himself to Stephanie. He said he was happy to see her. The officials came in and dragged him off. Stephanie commented that she could see he was happy.
John Cena came to the ring, and ripped on Brock Lesnar in a rap. He then challenged Brock to a match next week.
Chris Benoit had a sit-down interview about the Royal Rumble title match with Kurt Angle, and the standing ovation he got afterwards. Benoit felt that he let his family down by not winning the title. Benoit said his family told him that they were proud of him and his effort. He started to say that he will never stop in his quest for the title, when Kurt Angle entered the picture. Angle said the WWE title was his wife, and his Olympic medals were his children. Angle said getting in the ring with him was messing with his family and his life. Angle asked him if he was ready for that. Benoit said he was looking forward to wrestling Angle tonight, and that someday he would take his "family" away from him. Incredible segment.
A Nathan Jones vignette aired.
Kurt Angle defeated Chris Benoit in to retain the WWE Championship in 10:29. Benoit got busted open while German suplexing Angle, and blood flowed down from near his eye shortly after the eight minute mark. Benoit hit a German suplex, but missed a top rope headbutt. The two went into a series of reversals, until Angle hit the Angle slam for the clean pin. Angle offered a handshake to Benoit after the match, and the two did shake hands, with Angle raising the arm of Benoit. Team Angle hit the ring, and they started stomping Benoit, with Kurt Angle joining in on the beating. Edge ran in for the save, spearing Angle, but was beaten down by Team Angle. Brock Lesnar hit the ring, and hit the F5 on Haas and Benjamin. The show ended with Brock Lesnar glaring at Angle from the ring, as Angle retreated up the ramp with Paul Heyman and the WWE title.
Credit: 1Wrestling.com
