TV-14-DLV - CC - One World Leader Attitude - WWF!

LAST THURSDAY: Austin screwed Jericho! Call your mom!

JMShaPYRO - off and away from the Van Andel (who?) Arena in Grand Rapids, MI - WE ARE LIVE 27.8.1 on TNN (and maybe TSN) with the WWF, where you just *may* have heard through the grapevine that RAW IS WAR! Don't look now, but....I think Eric O'Brien's in the house

Not only is this show Transmitido en espanol SAP, but there are people in WWF New York!

TONIGHT: Rock puts it on the line against Rhyno!

TONIGHT: Kurt Angle & Chris Jericho team up against Steve Austin & the mysterious THREE QUESTION MARK MAN

But first...here come de money, and here come SHANE CAN'T DANCE. Sign in crowd: "If Stephanie sings, I want my money back" Shane: "About five months ago, I purchased a company with my hard-earned money. ... I purchased a company, again, with my hard-earned money, called WCW. I didn't buy that company just for my amusement. I didn't buy that company just because I felt bored one day, no, I bought that company to buy the most dominant brand in sports entertainment period. And continue to put the World Wrestling Federation and my father out of business. SHADDUP! One of the greatest assets that came with WCW happened to be its champion - its five-time WCW Champion. And I'm sure that all of you agree with me - he is the most electrifying man in sports entertainment today - that's right, I'm talking about Booker T! See that's a champion you can get behind, that's a champion you can say 'I'm proud of the WCW Champion Booker T.' Unlike the current WCW champion. You see, that champion stands for everything that I DESPISE in this business - and I - I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit around and watch my hard-earned money...with the WCW title around the waist of the Rock. See, Rock, I like to say it's ...not about the money, but I'd be lying; it's all about the money. And Rock, you see, you being WCW Champion, you don't, you don't give a damn, so therefore it's not a good return on my investment, because you need a champion who does care. Rock, you don't care about the history of WCW NOR it's future. And that's why tonight, oh man, are you all in for a treat tonight, because tonight In This Very Ring we will have a NEW WCW Champion crowned...because the Rock is goin' down at the hands of Rhyno! Yeah, Rhyno will bring back the WCW championship where it belongs...in the Alliance. I'm just sad to say that, I'm really happy for Rhyno tonight, but MAN, if Rhyno did not beat me to it, I would be more than happy to lay the smack down on the Rock myself and become the WCW Champion!" That's the cue for THE ROCK...and I'm not sure I like where I think this is going. Rock pauses for a chant. "Finally, the Rock HAS COME BACK to Grand Rapids! Now Shane McMahon, just so the Rock understands this, the Rock supposedly doesn't care about the history of the WCW? The Rock doesn't care about the history of the WCW title? Well the Rock knows damn well the history of the WCW title - the Rock knows that the title traces back to Frank Gotch, Lou Thesz, Ricky Steamboat, and WOOOO Ric Flaiuh!" Then the Rock struts. Yikes! "Rock E!" "And the Rock also knows damn well what in recent years the WCditle - title has come to...Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, the guy from Scream 2, the dog from Married with Children, the maid from the Jeffersons, Shane McMahon, this WCW title is just like your sister - everybody gets...a turn. ... You see Shane McMahon, NOW the WCtoubleyou title has purpose - NOW the WCW title has meaning - NOW, Shane McMahon, the WCW title has...the Rock." WOW Rock has trouble saying "WCW title." "And Shane McMahon, regarding your future, congratulations on purchasing the WCW. Because, quite frankly speaking, the Rock has earned the right to stand before you tonight and say that without a shadow, the Rock will be the most electrifying WCW Champion the world has ever seen!" Rock lowers his mic, anticipating yet another chant. "Now Shane McMahon, the Rock knows he's got his championship match against Rhyno later on tonight. But how about the Rock throw a little proposition at you? You wanna talk about you takin' the WCW title from the Rock? Well how about the Rock walk down this ramp....get INSIDE the People's Ring....and how about you try and take the WCW title from the Rock." Shane puts his mic down, steps to the ropes...and makes the international "Just Bring It" sign. So Rock drops HIS mic, and bounds to the ring - and Shane leaves. HA! Shane back to the steps - up one step - up two steps - to the top step... - RHYNO THE MAN BEAST is in the ring and behind Rock - but Rock lands "Iblockyourpunchyoudon'tblockmine," stom, stomp, stomp, Shane from behind - Rock falls to his knees but is more annoyed that hurt - pops back up, "Iblockyourpunchyoudon'tblockmine," right, right, right, NOW KISS THAT RIGHT...but when he turns back, Rhyno hits him with the GORE!GORE!GORE! Play his music! Rhyno helps Shane back to his feet...and they leave Rock clutching his ribs in the middle of the ring. Here's another angle of Rock's mighty spit punch...and Rhyno's spear. Wow, Rock is STILL down...

So if Rock didn't mention Jeff Jarrett as a bad champion, is that a good sign for him coming back? Not at all? Oh.

Props to the people who write this crap for not booking a title shot for Shane then and there, which is what I was scared was gonna happen.

To the Room of Fun we go, where Austin is clad in a sling...and Debra is trying to fuss over it, without luck. "OWCH! That damn Jericho messed up my arm, I don't need you pullin' on the damn thing." "I know!" "It's killin' me!" "I'm trying to be careful." "Well be careful!" "Well don't act absurd" "My damn arm hurts! I'm WWF Champion!" "Well I know!" "Shut up! Come in. My arm's killin' me. How 'bout some sympathy?" "I *am* givin' it to ya." "How's it goin' there guys." It's Rob van Dam and Raven. "Hey Steve." "How's the shoulder goin'?" "It's killin' me! That damn Jericho last Thursday night." "Yeah, but you beat his ass, though." "I beat his ass! but he got a little, he got a little something there--" "Speaking about beating ass, Steve, me and RVD got this little thing here, and, you know, we're gonna have a little hardcore title match, but we kinda need your approval, your blessing before we do it." "Yeah, Raven thinks he can beat me." "I know I can." "You think you can beat him." "Absolutely." "You think you can beat him." "*snickers* c'mon, yeah." "Heh heh, ahhh - how selfish can you guys be? On a night like tonight, look! My arm's killin' me! I've been challenged by Jericho and Kurt Angle to find a tag team partner, to face them tonight, I'm in pain and you wanna talk about fighting each other for the hardcore title? Guys - I thought we were supposed to be together, I thought we were supposed to be the Alliance. What are you thinkin'?" "Maybe you shouldn't...I mean.." "M-maybe - why don't we team up? Instead against Kurt Angle and Jericho, so you--" "No, no, no, I'm gonna go out there and what I'm gonna do, singlehandedly--" "Steve, Steve. (points to himself)" "No no no - no, listen. I'm gonna take both those guys on, by myself, in a handicap match, THAT'S what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna take 'em..." but Austin has to stop and grimace, and hold his wounded arm. Raven: "Steve, you know, I admire your courage and all, but why don't you let RVD - no, RVD, let me do it, and RVD can help me." "That sounds crazy but it just might work." "I'm your man right here...and Raven, too." "You guys can handle it? All right, you guys, you got it, I appreciate it, but I'm gonna be right there with you, I'm gonna be in your corner tonight. That's what I call leadership! See?"

NEXT: Undertaker and Albert mix it up - smarks will faint dead away NEXT!

WOW! Labor Day Trekathon! To think I scheduled a vacation when I could have stayed home and watched STAR TREK ALL DAY

Nothing beats the experience of the WWF Live - tomorrow in Detroit, Saturday in Worcester, Sunday in Halifax, next week RAW is Toronto, next Tuesday they *stay* in Toronto! Feel it!

TAKER (on his beautiful Something Python Bike) v. AALIYAAAAAAAAAAHLBERT (with X-Pactor) - Kane has been "hospitalized with an infected elbow," says Ross, and won't be around tonight. This is a DREAM match - those of us "in the know" of "backstage happenings" know that Taker has made known his "respect" for "Albert," which adds some "subtext" to this "match." In other words, an awful lot of "smarks" think Taker should "job," and "pass the torch," which says a lot about them right there BY THE WAY, and what more perfect opportunity to lay down for three seconds than right here? Me, I hope Taker FLATTENS this behemoth, 'cause the American Badass is UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME. Okay, soapbox away, it's time to put that play-by-play cap back on and demonstrate once again why I'm the best in the business...at dragging out paragraphs to ungodly, unreadable lengths, hiding the jokes so you can't POSSIBLY find 'em. Lockup, Albert shoves Taker to the corner, Taker shoves back. Taker ducks a punch and catches Albert in the corner - soupbone, left, soupbone, into the opposite corner is reversed, avalanche in the corner - Ross almost called him "Yalbert," I swear! Albert with the badmouth - NO respect at all, I tell ya - Taker into the opposite corner...but Albert walks into a drop toehold. Elbowdrop by the Taker, elbowdrop, arm wringer brings him back up, yankin' and crankin' - Albert with a right, right, right, right, tries a whip but Taker is holding fast on that arm and won't let go. "X-Pac sux!" Taker turns the arm over again - Albert right, right, right, right, Taker ducks the clothesline but Albert smoothly executes the reverse clothesline the back of the head to take him off his feet. Big right hand by Albert - Taker fires back with a soupbone. Right, soupbone, soupbone, soupbone, into the ropes is reversed, Taker ducks the clothesline and unleashes a flying clothesline of his own! Arm wringer once again - time to take a trip to the OLD SCHOOL - arm in the back off the top rope. Taker steps over into the cross armbreaker! Referee "Blind" Tim White drops down to check on Albert...allowing X-Pac to slide into the ring, pop Taker in the noodle, and slip back out. Taker decides to let himself out of the ring and give X-Pac what for - got him in the choke, but White is out to try to prevent it - and now ALBERT is out, delivering a forearm to the back of Taker's head that shoves all three men to the floor. Taker back up - soupbone, soupbone, soupbone - X-Pac has his cruiserweight title belt - belt to the back - Taker calmly turns around and KO's 'Pac with a soupbone (Ha! Right now, swarms of smarks are STAMPEDING to the message boards in an effort to get the bonus points for being FIRST to say "Man, Taker even no sold a BELT shot! WAAAAAH WAAAH WAAAAAAAAAH") but Taker turns around and gets the full force of a scissors kick from Albert. Everybody back in the ring - White pretty slow about it, though - Albert's had that leg hooked for quite a spell - 1, 2, NO!! Taker just gets that shoulder up. Albert dares Taker to get up and take some more punishment. Will Taker get the Baldobomb (or as Ross calls it, the "Albertbomb")? Taker finally to his feet...but surprises Albert with an uppercut - off the ropes with a big boot, international sign of the chokeslam - CHOKESLAM!! 1, 2, 3! (3:27) Man, the Undertaker is impressive - and this was a MATCH OF THE WEEK. There's a REASON Taker's got two belts! Don't worry, though - if this isn't your cup of tea, coming up later is Rock and Rhyno...and Booker T and Big Show!

Earlier Today, MICHAEL KING COLE caught up with Hurricane Helms - he'll be taking on Matt Hardy later tonight, but Cole is more interested in talking about Helms' "seemingly unhealthy obsession you seem to have with the Green Lantern. I mean, this is the guy you call the greatest superhero of all time!" "Correction: now he's the second greatest! Next to Stone Cold Steve Austin." "Right, well anyhow you seem to be a normal, healthy young man on the outside, but - do you really, truly believe in superheroes?" "Typical question from a...sanctimonious nonbeliever such as yourself. But the fact is that superheroes don't only exist in cinema and graphical literature as you'd LIKE to believe - no no no - they're real. You see, tonight, just like when I take on Matt Hardy for the European title, he's gonna have that evil sidekick Lita. You know what that reminds me of?" Helms goes off on a tangent about Green Lantern, Lady Quark, the Mirror Master, and some other things that make Cole (and me) grimace that lasts for about fifteen minutes. "But anyway, they overcame - just like I will tonight. Mark my words, citizen - you will see the birth of a real life superhero." Helms jumps up on the table behind him and strikes the pose. "Stand back! There's a Hurricane...comin' through!" In the interests of full disclosure, I have to reveal that I'm probably not in that fine demographic of "people who are as obsessed about comix as they are about wrestling," and thus the fact that I'm not terribly impressed with this angle should come as no surprise. (You got a better idea for Helms?) Well, they could always have brought back 3 Count... (Great. I'll be over here, puking my guts out. No WONDER you like the Undertaker so much.)

Tough Enough ad

Kane may have an injured elbow, but he can still open them cans of Chef Boyardee Big Beefaroni, yo

It's time now for the WWF Boot of the Week, brought to you by Lugz! From SmackDown!, Hurricane Helms lowers the bridge on Lita, helping Ivory get the duke. I guess this sets up the match we're about to see...

WWF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: MATT HARDY (with Lita) v. HURACAN HELMS - Heyman dubs Lita "Hopalong," which I may steal later. Helms' music now begins "Stand back! There's a Hurricane coming through!" which is as good a catchphrase as any, I suppose. YIKES! Helms dons the cape and paints a mask on his face - Heyman sings the "Captain Chaos" riff, which may not exactly be a sign of approval - if one were to read into such things, which I may or may not be. Anybody with a cape is all right by me, though - Tinieblas Jr. springing immediately to mind - so consider this an official WAFFLE on the Helms project. Besides, I give Helms about a 100% chance of taking the title tonight, given that there's no reason for Hardy to keep it one second longer. Hardy, by the way, is the guy with the incredibly bemused look given the state and demeanor of his opponent - who is standing afore him with hand outstretched in a gesture of sportsmanship. Hardy greets this Hand of Friendship with an arm wringer - none too sporting! - followed by a short clothesline. Right, right, into the opposite corner, Helms up and over, Hardy puts him back - right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Into the ropes, Helms up and over - Gregory Smack (which I guess we'll have to redub the "super(hero)kick") - Helms quickly outside and climbing to the top. BIG crossbody block - 1, 2, no! Helms spins in place and strikes another superhero pose....I guess. Into the ropes, gutshot, going for the powerbomb but Hardy counters into a side Russian legsweep. Hardy catches the kick, spins him around into a discus right, Helms into the ropes, biiig back body drop, scoop...and a slam. Ahhhhhhhhhh drop - 1, 2, Helms gets the shoulders up. Hardy ducks the swing and puts Hardy on top - forearm to the back of the head - climbing up - going for the super death suplex but Helms shifts his weight into a crossbody...but both men are down. We look outside to see IVORY GILLOOLY with a crowbar to Lita Kerrigan!! Hardy grabs Ivory by the hair - only to take a direct shot to the gut from the crowbar - not too bright. Helms quickly over - Nightmare on Helms Street (or whatever we're gonna call it) - 1, 2, 3! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new European champion. (2:20)

Michael King Cole tries to catch up with Kurt Angle, who appears in hot pursuit. "Kurt, I just want to know your feelings on your tag team opponents here tonight!" "Well, you're about to find out. Raven! AHHHHHHH" and he jumps him - OH NO RIGHT INTO THE KLANGY POLES - they simply *must* be more careful about leaving klangy poles about in the backstage area! It's all Angle, culminating in the dreaded Anglelock on the concrete floor. "Come on, Raven! WOOOOOO! Come on! Come on, Raven, tap! Wooooo! Yeah! Ahhh! I want you to give Austin a little message! Now you tell him if he wants to kick my ass so badly, not to worry about being so SELFISH! To be as SELFISH as he wants to be! You tell him to SPOIL himself! Splurge, go nuts! Because it looks like RVD needs a new tag team partner. Oh! It's true. And the truth HURTS, doesn't it Raven!?" Raven: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh owwwwwwwwwwww ahhhhhhhhhhh (&c.)"

Moments Ago, last paragraph - oh good, they replayed the ENTIRE sequence. KLANG KLANG KLANG

We check on Lita and Matt, who are both clutching injured body parts - Chris the Trainer Dude is trying to check on Lita's knee but she's making it difficult, what with all the moaning and all. He leaves her with an ice pack on the knee as Raven limps in and complains about his ankle. Steve Austin is close behind. "Raven! I came as fast as I could, what's going on?" "Kurt Angle, that flag wavin' FREAK tried to break my ankle!" "Why'd he attack you?" "'Cause, probably 'cause of the tag - to get the message to you 'cause of the tag match." "I don't care about no stupid message, why would he attack a member of the Alliance - what's he thinking? Is he okay? Can he wrestle tonight?" "No, he cannot." "What?" "He cannot wrestle tonight." "You said what?" "He cannot wrestle tonight." "You can't wrestle tonight?" Hey, here comes Sean Stasiak. "Mr. Austin, Mr. Austin! I just saw what happened - RVD needs a partner - pick me, let me take his place, let me do it, come on!" "How can you be so selfish, Stasiak? Look at this man! He's in pain! Angle attacked him, and all you wanna do is think about yourself!" "Well listen, I just wanna impress you, I think with what I have in store for Kurt Angle, I think you're gonna be really impressed and then I wanna tag up with RVD, 'cause we're the Alliance, we gotta stick together." "It took you 43 takes last week to say a good thing about Stone Cold Steve Austin, now you say 'I wanna team with RVD, I wanna impress you!' Can you impress me, Stasiak?" "Absolutely!" "What?" "Yes!" "Then go out there and do it! God...I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Are ya happy?" "No!" "Are you happy?" "No!" "With your broke leg...what good are you know? What good are you now to the Alliance? I got a busted arm, man - and you come in with this Mickey Mouse foot injury? Do you know what this SHUT UP - do you know what this means? It means that now, Stone Cold Steve Austin has gotta go out there in place of YOU, because you couldn't get nothin' done right - your stupid little leg. That just shows you what this system is, doesn't it - you go down, BAM, outta the picture, you lost your spot. Thank you. (pause) You really think it's broke?" "I don't know man..." And Austin puts his fist RIGHT on the bone. Whoa! Raven cries out in pain.

Meanwhile, Edge catches up with a can of Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi - eww, what a WUSS! "Sweet soda Magee... ugh." No, he wasn't grunting at the soda...rather, the sudden presence of one Hugh Morrus. "I shoulda known I could find you next to a can of soda pop...EDGE. Shouldn't you be off somewhere waiting for Grammy Edna to call? EDGE? Hey let me ask you a question, one little question. What kinda fake name is Edge, and where do I get one of those?" and he taps Edge's EDGE necklace. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second there, HUGH MORRUS. You know what, I think I have a better handle for you like...HUGH SUCK, or HUGH TOTALLYREEK. Better yet, Hugh Shouldtrysomedeodorantonceinawhile. Pfff, I even have your theme music... (sung to The Who) HUUUUUUGH are you - Hugh Hugh - Hugh Hugh!" Christian enters the picture. "Hold on a second! Are you picking on my brother, huh? Let me tell you seomthing. People have been picking on my brother for his ridiculous name our whole lives, and I've been there to stand up for him, but you know what? He's all grown up now, and he doesn't need me to stand up for him anymore. Come to think of it...*I* have the perfect name for you. Hugh MustbecrazyifyouthinkyoucanbeatEdgefortheintercontinentalchampionshiptonight." "So what you...(turns to Edge) so what you're saying is...I got a shot at this title tonight?" "Yeah! Hugh Gotit!" "Yeah!" "Hehe - well I guess I got what I came for. Enjoy the soda pop...EDGE." "That's what you get for pickin' on my brother!" "What the hell are you talkin' about?" "That's why we're the champ."

Your hosts are LARRY KING & IT'S ALL ABOUT PAUL. Somehow we segue into...

Here's a Special Video Look at Test...from turning on the WWF, to saying some things, to doing some things at SummerSlam

Shane McMahon and Test are WALKING!

Meanwhile, Bradshaw and Faarooq are WALKING! Test and Bradshaw go one on one...NEXT!

The WWF Slam of the Week is brought to you by M&M's! From SummerSlam, Shane tried to interfere in the WCW title match....but ended up suffering a clothesline from Hell at the hands - err, ARM - of Bradshaw

TEST TEST THIS IS A TEST (with Shane O. Mac) v. APA BRADSHAW (with APA Faarooq) - Test tries to jump him, but Bradshaw strikes first...gutshot, elbow, elbow, into the ropes, reversed, head down, forearm to the back by Bradshaw, chop, right, chop, right, DDT. Swinging neckbreaker. Elbow. Going for the powerbomb - Shane is up on the apron, which distracts Bradshaw just long enough for Test to reverse into a back body drop. Test blocks a punch and hits Uncle Slam. Test stands over him - right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Right, right, right. Clearasil replay. Kick, into the opposite corner, running at him but Bradshaw gets up the big boot. Off the ropes, Bradshaw ducks a clothesline, but falls into a sidewalk slam. Test is going up - could be the Savage elbow...but he MISSES! Both men up slowly - Bradshaw with a headbutt. Into the ropes, back elbow. Into the corner, follow lariat. Into the ropes again, big powerslam gets 2. Test comes back - chop, right, into the corner, running for a splash but Bradshaw simply catches him - and there's the fallaway slam. Shane back up on the apron, drawing over referee "Blind" Charles Robinson first...then Bradshaw shortly after. Shouldn't keep his back to his opponent - here comes Test, but Bradshaw steps aside and Test collides with Shane! Schoolboy by Bradshaw - 1, 2, NO! Into the corner is reversed, Bradshaw out of the way - off the ropes, but Shane pulls on the top rope and Bradshaw sails outside the ring. Shane with a field goal kick on Bradshaw - here comes Faarooq and the chase is on...Test was crouched and laying in wait, though, and explodes with a clothesline on Faarooq. Shane back over to Bradshaw and starting to lightfoot it as we take another Clearasil replay...but Bradshaw is back to his feet - Shane thinks better of this and runs into the ring...Bradshaw follows - and eats the Wotsitolla Boot from Test. That'll do ya - 1, 2, 3. (3:39) Heyman starts in with "The Alliance wishes to congratulate our newest member Test" and that makes me wonder why he'd dis Ivory like that. Maybe he doesn't like women?

Back to the Room of Fun for another husband/wife discussion. "I can't believe that Kurt Angle attacked Raven. Why would a man like - why would a man like that stoop so low? He's got gold medals. That's BS." "The nerve of some people." It's RVD at the door. "That was a beautiful job you did on Raven back there, man, I'm serious. Everybody knew he had it coming to him. But it did leave me without a partner...I'm figuring this was your plan all along, right? So that you can team with Rob van Dam? Well come on, that's brilliant - you and me, together? I know you're hurt but I'm gonna take care of it - I'll cover for you, I'll take care of Kurt and Jericho, RVD, whaddaya say? I mean, look - the hardcore champion. It doesn't get any more hard--" "Easy." "Oh I'm sorry. What I say - extreme is in, it doesn't get any more extreme than RVD. They call me the King of Hardcore..." "OKAY OKAY okay, what you're saying is RVD and Stone Cold versus Jericho and Kurt Angle." "We got it covered! I'll do all the work!" Debra: "I think it's a great idea! I like it!" "It's a stupid idea!" "No, it's a great one!" "It's a stupid idea!" "It's a great one!" "It's a stupid idea!" "It's a great one!" "SHUT UP!" "Oh YOU shut up!" "You shut up!" "Quit tellin' me to shut up." "Can I get back to you on this?" "Sure!" "RVD, King of Hardcore - you know I was hardcore way before the term 'hardcore' was ever invented! And you're suggesting that you're gonna carry Stone Cold Steve Austin in a match?" "Yeah, I got the whole thing covered." "Oh do ya." "RVD." "Eh eh eh eh. I'll think about it. My damn arm is killin' me, RVD. I can't even pick my arm up like that. Now get outta here! I'll think about it." "You know where I'll be?" "Where." "I'll be out there." "What?" "I'll see ya later." "That is a great idea!" "This guy...is killin' me....and you're killin' me." "You're killin' me!" "I got a bad arm, women - you understand me?" "*You* are killin' *me*." "What?"

NEXT: Rock vs. Rhyno - WCW Championship - did I say next? Next!

WWF Excess ad - Tazz is Saturday's specil guest!

Backstage, Kurt Angle seeks milk - and doesn't find much...we pull back to see Stasiak spying on him. There's a tap on his shoulder - it's Stacy Keibler. She wants to know what he's doing - Stasiak says he has the perfect plan to humiliate Kurt Angle...and impress Steve Austin.

WCW CHAMPIONSHIP: RHYNO THE MAN BEAST (with Earlier Tonight) v. THE ROCK (with RAW Credits) - you know, I didn't mention it earlier but that WAS a fairly impressive foldup job Rock did selling that gore. Rhyno meets Rock in the aisle and let the fists fly...it's all Rock - head to the STEEL steps, right, into the barricade is reversed - and Rhyno gets ANOTHER spear on the Rock out on the floor. Stomp. Rhyno puts Rock in the ring...and the bell sounds to start the match. Rhyno covers as the CC box ominously floats in the upper right corner of the screen - 1, 2, Rock kicks out. Rock pounds the back of the neck as the Clearasil Replay shows the gore on the floor. Powerslam by Rhyno is rated TV-14-DLV - 1, 2, nope. Rhyno brings Rock back to his feet - Rock breaks up the clench...right, right, gutshot by Rhyno, off the ropes but Rock steps aside and helps him over the top rope to the floor! Referee "Blind" Nick Patrick considers the DQ but remembers that that rule isn't in effect anymore. Rock attempts to get some wind back...Rhyno back in the ring, Rock with a clothesline out of the corner. Right. Rhyno counters a whip attempt by pulling him into a bearhug. Rock is feeling it. Crowd chants "Rock E" - a testament to Rock's ability to sell a bearhug? Rock with a right but Rhyno holds on - another right, right, and Rhyno unclasps his hands. Right, right, Rhyno ducks the next swing and goes right back to the bearhug. Rock is like Will to Power....fading away. Everybody to their knees - Rock is just about out - it's a cover - 1, 2, Rock shoots up the right shoulder. Rhyno back to the bearhug and both men back to their knees - now both men back to their feet - Rhyno doubling his efforts on Rock's ribs - Patrick steps in - arm falls once - arm falls twice - arm...no! Rock shakes his head - right, right, right - Rhyno with a knee to the midsection. Rhyno off the ropes - Rock manages a Samoan Drop! Both men up at 2 - Rock is first with the right - into the corner, however, is reversed - Rhyno with ANOTHER shoulder in the abdomen. Rhyno hooks the leg...but Rock's other leg is underneath the bottom rope and Patrick (surprisingly) won't make the count. Rhyno with a stomp. Overhand punch to the back. Rhyno chokes Rock on the bottom rope. Second rope springboard stomp - and there's a springboard knee. Leg is hooked - 1, 2, Rock kicks out. Rock blocks the punch - might be coming back. Right, right, right, Rhyno fires back with a knee in the ribs - Rhyno with a suplex. Leg is hooked - 1, 2, Rock gets the shoulder up. Right hand from Rhyno, right, right, right, into the ropes, reversed, Rock catches Rhyno with a belly-to-belly "throw." Both men are down again - Patrick is up to 4.... 5..... 6... 7.... Rock is stirring... 8... 9.... Rhyno up, Rock up right after him - Rock with "Iblockyourpunchyoudon'tblockmine," right, right, right, right, right, right, right, right, right, into the ropes is reversed, but Rock hits the flying clothesline. Duck, gutshot, DDT, 1, 2, Rhyno kicks out! Rock pulling Rhyno, but Rhyno reverses into a short clothesline. Rock nips up! Spinebuster for Rhyno! SHANE O. MAC is out and in the ring, but out just as quickly as Rock looks his way. Rock is distracted - Rhyno with the uppernut. But here come the APA - the chase is on, over the barricade and out through the crowd. We're back to one on one in the ring and again both men are down. Patrick gets to 8 before both men are up - Rhyno wants the gore but Rock steps aside and Rhyno runs into the turnbuckle - then turns back into ROCK BOTTOM! 1, 2, 3! (7:42) Word on the street is that they managed to elevate both men in this match - and when you couple that with their attempts to elevate the WCW Championship in the opening segment, it's been a pretty good night as far as Rock-related happenings have gone. I guess it ain't such a bad biz after all.

Back to Shawn and Stacy as we learn Stasiak's diabolical plan - since Kurt Angle has made a pre-match tradition of having eight ounces of milk before every match, and since he hasn't found that milk yet, he's here in the catering area with the ol' "bucket on the door" trick prepared. Stasiak says the bucket is filled with sour, rancid milk "with extra chunks." All that's missing is the comical blueprint and box with the ACME label. After Angle is blinded, he'll knock him out - then Austin will be so impressed with him, he'll let him team with Rob van Dam. They hide behind a conveniently placed screen as Angle approaches - oops, it wasn't Angle - it was Debra. Yuks ensue as Stacy and Shawn escape undetected - and Debra screams.

Moments Ago, See Previous Paragraph

During the Break, Shawn and Stacy ran away

Coming back, we're back in the Room of Fun, where Debra screams a lot to her husband. "I cannot BELIEVE what happened to me! Look at me, Steve! I can't believe somebody dumped all that - whatever that goulash was on me. You'll have to GET them." "What is that smell?" "What do you think? Try having this crap put on your head!" "Did anybody SEE you? You look ridiculous." "Well - well, yeah, I feel ridiculous, and *you* bein' my husband should've taken up for me, can you believe that happened to me?" "You bein' my wife, I'd expect you to not to be - dress up a little better than that." "Well you need to take up for me!" "I'm the World Champ!" "Well I'm Debra!" "Why don't you go..." "And your wife!" "...go take a shower!" "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" "You're blasting the hell outta me. No, shut up." "I can't stand the way I smell." "This is all Kurt Angle's fault!" "You're right." "I can't stand the way you smell either." "This is Kurt Angle's fault." "Well it's his fault!" "Well you damn right, if he's gonna mess with my prized possession (grabs title belt) if he's gonna mess with my prized possession, and my wife, then I'm gonna hit that sumbitch where it hurts the most. I'll get even for this." "Well you do that--" "AHHHHHHHH - I'm goin' to!" Austin leaves Debra to scream a bit more.

WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP: KING EDGE (with Christian - and the trophy) v. HUGH MORRUS - champ enters first, because....ummmm, I dunno. Maybe so Christian can join the commentators? Morrus with a shove and the fists get flying on both sides - Morrus with an open-handed slap, another, and a third. Edge firest back - trading blows once again - Morrus puts Edge in the opposite corner, and hits an avalanche. Stomp, stomp, overhand to the small of the back. Edge put in the corner, Edge up and over, drop toehold, Oklahoma Roll (!), 2. Into the ropes is reversed, Edge slides under - double leg takedown, rolls over for 2. Off the ropes, Edge falls into a powerslam and Morrus gets 2. "Say my name!" Headbutt. "Say it!" Off the ropes, Morrus with an elbowdrop for 2. Edge with a surprise inside cradle for 2. Morrus with a clothesline. Again, Morrus makes Destiny's Child to Edge. Edge pops back up, right, right, right, right, Morrus right, right, right, setting up for the vertical suplex - and there it is. LISTEN TO THIS CROWD! "Say it!" Scoop...and a slam. Morrus going up top - going for the Never Lands Much Anymore Savage elbow - which misses, of course. Both men are down - referee "Blind" Teddy Long puts on the count. Both men up at 4. Morrus right, Edge right, Morrus, into the ropes is reversed into a side Russian legsweep. Edge with a clothesline - Edge with a Viscera kick. Right hand, right, Morrus blocks the next one, but Edge ducks Morrus' swing and hits Edge-o-matic...for 2. At least with Christian there, you know it'll be called correctly! Morrus manages a pancake, and starts a climb up top. Suddenly, Christian says "What? What's goin' on? Why's he badmouthing me? I'm just sitting here minding my own business and he starts jawing at me - he's jawing at me!" Neither commentator heard anything, but Christian has his headset down and climbs the apron...just as Edge has recovered enough to get underneath Morrus, but before he can hit the electric chair, Christian pulls Morrus into a hot shot from Edge's shoulders. Edge hits a gutshot and Buzzkill while Long chats with Edge - finally Long turns back around to see Edge making the cover...but declines to count, ringing the bell instead and calling for a disqualification. (DQ 4:23) Edge is a little unhappy at this turn of events, even with Christian announcing to the crowd that "still the intercontinental champion...my brother Edge!" Edge pulls the belt from his hand and makes the annoyed face.

At the oilcans 'n' cyclone fence set, Booker T is pacing about while Michael Cole...checks out his goodies? EEK!

Tazz shills Stacker 2

The Dudley Boyz eat Chef Boyardee Big Beefaroni

WOW! It's the outside of the Van Andel Arena! Would you look at that!

Michael King Cole stands with Booker T, who interrupts after hearing Cole say he "lost" the title eight days ago. "What? The hell are you talking about, sucka? Lost the title? If anybody saw that, the Rock STOLE something from me, and that's the damn deal, sucka!" Cole calls up footage from last week's RAW of Rock with Booker Wee. "That ain't right, man, that ain't right. There wasn't nothin' right about that....and you know it." Cole says T might not like this clip either - an interview conducted earlier tonight with the Big Show. "What the hell you talkin' about?"

Earlier Tonight, JONATHAN COACHMAN caught up with Big Show - attired in black glove and nappy 'do and affecting an...odd accent. "Wait a minute, SUCKA. You didn't just say that. Tell me you didn't just say that. Huh? Do you know who I am - SUCKA? I'm not a former WCW Champion...I'm a five TIME WCW Champion! I'm the Bookerman, and you gots to know, sucka! That I'm gonna raise the roof on this hizzouse, sucka! Now can U dig it, sucka! You gonna see - the spinaroonie, sucka! The spinaroonie's comin', sucka! The spinaroonie's comin'!"

Back to Cole and T - "Your thoughts?" "They're having a great laugh at the expense o' Booker T. That don't even deserve a comment! Dissin' the five-time WCW Champion like that. When suckas do that...somebody...GOTS ta...get hurt." T fumes...and moves away.

Meanwhile, Jericho tapes up - and gets an unscheduled visit from Newman - I mean, Stephanie. "Hello, Jericho." "Hello Thtefphneee" "I've been looking all over for you." "Really?" "I just couldn't wait because I've got some very important news to tell you." "Really, what's that." "Yes. Well, you see, whether or not Austin accepts your and Kurt's little challenge for tonight..." "Little challenge?" "Mmm hmm." "Yeah." "It's irrelevant." "Mmmm hmm, why's that?" "Because Y2J is so yesterday's news. Y2J is like - five minutes ago. Y2J is O-U-T." "Oh, that's - that's a good one, Steph, I get it. Out." "Yeah." "Yeah, clever." "Clever." "So are you - believe me." "Well there are three initials now that are ALL the rage." "I suppose you're gonna tell me what they are." "RVD." "Well, I'm glad you feel so strongly about that, I'm glad you're so impressed, Stephanie, I mean after all you guys make a tremendous duo...RVD and H-O-E. H...O...E!" Off he walks. "That's not even how you SPELL it." These guys are starting to remind me of Howie Long and Teri Hatcher for some reason.

Or maybe Verne Troyer and Michael Jordan - both of these guys could completely disappear and I wouldn't miss 'em AT ALL - well, okay, maybe I'm being too harsh on Troyer.

RAW Magazine ad

NAPPY T. (with RAW is WAR is brought to you by Castrol Motor Oily, the JVC Giga-Tube, and Hot Bites) v. WELL IT'S THE NAPPY SHOW - Judging by his absence from T's side, Shane McMahone must be still fleeing the APA. Boy, it sure looks to ME like Show's dropped a pile o' weight. Show wants T to hold on - he wants to perform a spinaroonie first - T decides to pounce on him in mid spin - pounding away while Show's on his back - off goes the wig - Show back to his feet but T continuing the attack - into the ropes - nope, Show doesn't budge - T ducks a clothesline - T tries a Harlem sidekick, but Show catches the leg and slams him down. Well it's a big clothesline. Head to the buckle - knee - knee - headbutt - into the opposite corner... T escapes the splash. Flying forearm smash by T. Harlem sidekick connects, and takes Show off his feet! T in the mount - right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Going for a DDT - but Show just shoves T into the corner. Open-handed slap. Another. Show pulling T out - going for the powerbomb...but T rakes the face and slips out of the attempt! Heyman starts rattling off a bunch of names ("Did Terry Funk ever hold the WCW title five times? No! Did Jack Brisco hold the WCW title five times? No! Did Dusty Rhodes hold the WCW title five times? No!") and AGAIN, Jeff Jarrett is RIGHT THERE but nobody's gonna say his name. I sure do miss that ol' blinking hat. Gutshot by T - off the ropes, axe kick finds the mark. T looks at his hand, drops to one knee, starts shaking his head...and breakdances back up! Show is up shortly thereafter - HE'S got him in the choke! T grabs the shirt of referee "Blind" Jimmy Korderas and spins him around - and while his back is turned, kicks Show right in .... the Big Show (which is in his pants). T wants the whip - but Show grabs him in the CHOKE again - T grabs the middle rope - Show shoves him outside with a kick. Show out after him - running knee...only finds the STEEL steps. T grabs timekeeper MARK YEATON's chair - WHACK to the knee! Say, you can't get away with that around here. (Non-relaxed DQ 2:28) WHACK to the head! Point of the chair in the kidneys! Head to the steps! Again! And one more time! T pounds away on the back of Show's head. He's got the chair again...WHACK! T still looks pretty unhappy. Replay of some of the better chairshots.

Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho are WALKING!

Rob van Dam is ... WALKING!

A look at WWF New York

Inside are AL SNOW, CHRIS, NIDIA, TAYLOR, JOSH & MAVEN - what, nobody else is getting cut until the final episode? What, nobody even gets to SPEAK? Hmmm.

CHRIS MONDAY JERICHO (with Clearasil presents Unforgiven!) and KURT ANGLE v. ROB VAN DAM (with Let Us Take You Back to SmackDown!) and AD BREAK - it was strange seeing all that ECW footage in van Dam's entrace video during Excess, wasn't it? I guess they bought some Pioneer DVDs or something. Before we find out whether or not Austin will be competing tonight...we take an ad break.

CHRIS MONDAY JERICHO & KURT ANGLE v. ROB VAN DAM & ? - When we come back, the sound of breaking glass heralds the arrival of STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN - but he's still got the sling on, not dressed to wrestle...and there's a mic in his back pocket. "Allow me to introduce RVD's tag team partner for the night...I give you TAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ." It's a Pier Four Brawl - Angle paired with van Dam on the inside, Jericho and Tazz on the outside, and Austin overseeing all of it. Tazz and Jericho look to be done on the outside now - let's look inside, where Angle is repeatedly landing on van Dam without retaliation - whip into the opposite corner, reversal, but Angle pops out with a clothesline. Tazz in, HE gets a right. Angle turns back to eat a kick from van Dam - van Dam poses, then tags out. Angle breaks it up, right, right, right, into the ropes, reversed, Angle ducks, Angle with a crossbody for 1. Front face, tag to Jericho, open shot. Jericho with a chop, chop, chop, into the ropes, back elbow. Snap suplex...holding on for a second...still holding the facelock and that's three - 1, 2, Tazz out. Tazz rakes the face - tag to van Dam - open kick. Right, kick to the head, stomp, stomp, right, kick, elbow, into the ropes, but Jericho hits a shoulderblock. van Dam nips up, leapfrog over Jericho as he runs the ropes, van Dam goes back to back up and over, to the ropes but Jericho shrugs him off - Jericho ducks a clothesline and hits a flying jalapeno. Jericho with - wow, the Stroke! Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett! Tazz breaks up the pinfall attempt. Jericho chases off Tazz (or eats a knee, I'm not sure) - back to van Dam - chop, chop, into the ropes, Viscera kick, leg is hooked, van Dam kicks out at 2. Jericho puts van Dam on the top turnbuckle - right, right, climbing after him - van Dam tries to punch out - but Jericho hits the SUPERPLEX! Jericho covers - 1, 2, Tazz in with a stomp just to make sure it doesn't happen. Jericho slaps the back of van Dam's head - heh - into the ropes, reversed, head down and Jericho kicks away. Jericho off the ropes but van Dam dumps him onto the apron - Jericho ducks, puts a shoulder through the ropes into van Dam, gives Tazz an elbow - van Dam ankles him underneath the ropes, and then hits the slingshot guillotine to the floor. Austin applauds. van Dam with a running elbow. Back in - stomp, stomp, tag to Tazz. Open kick. Jericho put in the corner - kick, kick, into the opposite corner, boot up by Jericho. Jericho runs at Tazz - but gets caught in a head-and-arm Tazzplex. Tazz has him by the hair - then shoves his face into the mat. Tazz stands over him and pulls up his head - "this is for you, Stone Cold!" - forearm across the head - "for you, baby!" - again. Tag to van Dam - superkick - backflip splash - 1, 2, Jericho kicks out. van Dam hits the chinlock and puts a knee in the back. Sign in crowd: "WHERE IS GOLDBERG" Angle is chomping at the bit for a tag - Jericho finally fights back to his feet - elbow breaks up the hold, forearm, chop, whip is reversed, but Jericho catches the knee and rolls up van Dam for 2. Forearm - into the ropes, dropkick...but nobody's home as van Dam hooks the rope. van Dam off the ropes, forward roll into the somersault senton. 1, 2, Jericho kicks out! Why isn't Angle ever saving him? van Dam with a stomp. Forearm, forearm, head to the buckle, tag out. Tazz chokes Jericho on the second rope, asking him to look at Stone Cold, while Austin shows Jericho his WWF Championship belt. Referee "Blind" Earl Hebner pulls Tazz off of Jericho - Tazz pulls him out for a T-bone Tazzplex - 1, 2, no. Jericho put into the ropes - head down - Jericho with a DDT! Both men are down - can Jericho *finally* make that tag? The crowd's volume level rises as Jericho getes closer - tag to van Dam...who pulls Jericho away from his corner! Full rotation on the legdrop (which I guess makes it hurt more - I guess) - 1, 2, nope. Back to the chinlock as we take a Clearasil replay (because that move looked SO devastating - I mean, a FULL twist!) Jericho back to his vertical base - van Dam with a gutshot - right hand - shoulder in the gut - superfluous backflip - running in but Jericho jumps over him, then manages the body scissors rollup - 1, 2, kickout! van Dam comes back with a massive heel kick - split-legged moonsault, but Jericho gets the knees up! Man, it's been like eight and a half minutes for Jericho - EVERYBODY'S ready for Angle to get that tag. Clearasil Replay while we wait for van Dam and Jericho to crawl...tag to Tazz...HOT TAG TO ANGLE!! Clothesline! Clothesline! Off the ropes, clothesline! van Dam shoved off the apron! Belly-to-belly overhead suplex for Tazz! 1, 2, van Dam dropkicks Angle's head. Jericho over to van Dam with a forearm - Hebner working to put Jericho away now...behind his back, van Dam hits the Fivestar frog splash on Angle - Jericho over to clothesline van Dam AND himself out of the ring! Tazz finally staggers over to Angle and hooks the leg - 1, 2, Angle kicks out!! van Dam and Jericho trading blows on the outside - van Dam tried a moonsault off the barricade - but MISSED! Jericho grabs the legs - Walls of Jericho on the floor! But Austin runs over and BARRELS over Jericho with a (good arm) clothesline to the back of the head - then (both arms) runs him headfirst into the post. Back in the ring, Tazz has Angle in the waistlock - but Angle drops down with a leg lace, then applies the anklelock! Austin up to the apron with his title belt - Angle pops him off! TAZZMISSION!! But Angle gets under Tazz - OLYMPIC SLAM! Leg is hooked - 1, 2, 3!! (11:38) Angle's celebration is cut short, however, as Austin sails in and decks Angle in the back of the head with the WWF title belt! WHACK! WHACK! Austin's out of the sling, now - and out of the ring...unfortunately, the cameraman trips so we don't see whatever it is Austin picks up at ringside. Back in the ring...ah, Austin has Angle's gold medals. HE PUTS THEM ON! Austin picks Angle back up - a FOURTH shot to the head with the WWF title belt. Austin takes the medals AND his title and walks off as his music plays....then stops at the top of the ramp to look back at Angle. That's our final shot - War Zone credits, WWF logo, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture is NEXT!

I head out to Minneapolis on Thursday...a strictly offline vacation, so don't look for SmackDown! and next week's RAW until sometime next Wednesday or so. Thanks!