Live Feed Mania – WWF Smackdown 04.10.01

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA – First Union Center – April 10, 2001 (14,626)

We are still feeling the effects of Wrestlemania X7 so let’s see how WWF is surviving.

Dark Matches

Chris Chetti & Nova vs. Charlie & Russ Haas

Chris Chetti finally making it to WWF after those constant rumours! This would be his last match for the fed.

The Haas Brothers have matching singlets and look like a real team, whereas Nova is changing his look more and more to prove he’s not with Chetti anymore and sure enough, this would be their last match teaming up.

They don’t get much of a reaction considering they’re in Philly and Hat Guy is visible on the hard cam, but Chetti is booed in the opening seconds as he exchanges quick holds with Russ. Never change, Philly. Nova comes in for double teams very quickly and crowd pops as Chetti lands an axe kick. Nova and his leather pants get caught on an up-and-over and bonked on the top rope in a nifty moment. Russ sends his brother over the ropes with a vault a la Jim & Bret but with a tope instead of a shoulder tackle. Double team camel clutch/Boston crab annoys the crowd into chanting for Nova. It inspires him to attempt an O’Connor Roll but end up taking an elbow and lariat from The Brothers Haas. Charlie misses a top rope elbow with the crowd begrudgingly get behind a Chetti hot tag. His kicks (his best feature) connect before taking a monkey flip from Nova into clothesline to The Haases. Crowd ooo’d that. Nova and Chetti hit the Tidal Wave for maybe the last time ever but Charlie breaks it up. Russ prevents a Chetti DDT by clotheslining him hard before they finish the nepo baby with a springboard moonsault/legdrop combo at 4:44.

They stuck to fitting as many cool moves and double teams as they could for the time given which ended up working very well for an indieriffic dark match. I am speechless that the crowd didn’t chant E-C-DUB one time though.

Prototype vs. Devon Storm

Cena vs. Crowbar!

Storm had been making insignificant appearances on WWF TV over the years prior to WCW and then continued to do the same after it folded as I guess they weren’t interested. Crowd are very happy to see him though, popping louder for him than for Chetti & Nova. Philly crowd making more noise for a WCW guy than the ECW guys says something but I don’t know what.

Cena sneak attacks Crowbar as he’s doing his do-a-bunch-of-flat-back-bump entrance, the bastard. Crowbar comes back with a rough dropkick before escaping a Cena wristlock with a Northern Lights suplex. Cena heads outside so Crowbar baseball slides him to set up a running splash off the apron. Crowbar working hard! Crowbar scowls when it only gets two. This enables the audience to focus on his face and ignore Cena calling spots. Cena takes over and crowd do not like him or his hideous blond mohawk. Philly boo the shite out of his kick stomp scoop slam offence. Cena’s delayed sidewalk slam with his other arm flexing stops the boos because the crowd respect the audacity of that. Crowbar regains control but crowd aren’t raving over his comeback and want the match over already, even after a summersault leg drop over the ropes. Cena takes a front-suplex-into-a-facebuster, popping up just so he can fall forward punching the air and crowd suddenly LOVE that.

Crowbar misses a swanton, causing him to get rolled up with a dirty pin for the Cena win at 6:38.

The term “philly dark match” must strike fear into the hearts of wrestlers everywhere in the same way “random piss test” and “we know who you’re following on instagram” does.

Coachman and Michael Hayes head out for commentary duty. Coach hears the jeers and says “their lives are miserable.” Ha!

Sunday Night Heat (aired 04/15/01)

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Crash Holly (c) vs. Grandmaster Sexay

The battle of two dudes who somehow did not make it onto Wrestlemania X7’s main card. Crash lands on his feet and an attempted backdrop so gives Sexay mocking applause which amuses Hayes. Crash is too short to push Sexay into the corner as planned but Sexay realises, stomps away at him and then takes a whip into the other corner nearly into the front row. Great save. Sexay catches Crash on an up-and-over but he wriggles out and Sexay simply punts him in the face to stop all that running around. Crowd loved that. Despite Sexay challenging for (and never winning) the light heavyweight belt, he is massive compared to Crash. Sexay tries his sunset flip powerbomb to the outside but Crash holds on to either counter or fuck it up. Either way, Sexay resumes being in control when they re-enter the ring. Sexay The Ring General gets sent into the corner again (yelling loudly as always) to set up Crash’s comeback. I think so, crowd aren’t biting on it. Oh then Sexay superplexes Crash and sets up The Hip Hop Drop which misses and Crash retains via roll-up.

I love Crash but he was mis-cast as a workrate guy, especially with Sexay running circles around him.

During the break between matches, Coachman and Hayes mock Tony Chimel shilling the WWF merch. “Now with uh pictures of uh Trish Stratus uh elbow pad of uh THE ROCK.”

Perry Saturn (w/ Terri and Dean Malenko) vs. Billy Gunn

Perry did make it to Wrestlemania! He tried to salvage Test falling off the apron and Eddie missing it. Dean was also there. Billy is by himself so his surname is NoMates.

Perry’s offence is shrugged off by Billy quickly, so luckily Dean is there to attempt to shove Billy into the apron. It looked like a cat trying to open a door. Billy doesn’t mind taking man-sized bumps to the outside though, landing splat like he’s 1995 HBK. Perry lands a flying clothesline with Billy also flying off the sell. Even if the matches were nothing, Billy was at least trying hard in 2001. Perry’s phoning it in so much I’m surprised David Arquette hasn’t appeared out of his arse to remind him to use 1-800-call-collect. Billy sets up the Fameasser but Terri distracts so Perry can land the DVD. For two! Perry then nearly superkicks Dean but doesn’t, so Billy gets his face dunked on the top rope and Perry wins the Three Handled blah blah blah.

Still sad seeing Perry give absolutely nothing but I can’t blame him when his biggest push this year would involve a mop. Billy attacks everyone post-match to prove Perry’s point.

Only note-worthy thing here was Hayes seeing the finish and communicating via the head-set that X-Pac and D-Von were going to use the exact same ending so they need to change it. That’s cool, I’m glad someone is paying attention to that type of thing. Get Hayes to AEW, stat.

Chimel starts plugging the latest merch while the commentators laugh as the crowd boos him. Chimel describes the WWF Divas Magazine Special as a “tabloid” for more mocking. “They are pouring out of their seats, look at the people go- yeah right, people who need to go to the toilet ain’t getting up after that! I don’t know how we keep shit on the shelves, swear to God.” I do love how much people love shitting on Chimel.

X-Pac (w/ Justin Credible) vs. D-Von Dudley (w/ Bubba Ray Dudley)

YO YA DEALING WITH THE X-FACTOR.

Sign in the crowd says “Where’s Corino?” Hope you’re not holding your breath mate. Crowd really want tables to start before the crowd remember that “X-PAC SUCKS” is way more fun to chant, especially as he lands Crappy Big Kick Number 1. X-Pac relishes in the fan’s hate by choking D-Von and grinning like a goon. Bronco Buster is charged up but misses, leading to D-Von land a few flying standing elbows. Justin pulls D-Von out which causes Bubba to annoy everyone (no change there) which distracts the ref so Justin lands a superkick onto D-Von. “False finish” yells Hayes as D-Von kicks out. X-Pac is so upset he bumps into Justin before turning around into the 3D while the ref is checking on Justin.

Nice, simple hot match here with a good finish. Thanks Hayes, you do sometimes know what you’re talking about.

Ring gear gets changed so Michael Cole heads out to My Way by Limp Bizkit which never fails to put a smile on my face. Tazz heads out to The Theme From Tazz so Cole can sing along to it. Cole also sings some of Lilian’s anthem so he’s in really good spirits tonight.

Cole: “You know the best sign I ever saw? I’ll never forget it, it said MICHAEL COLE SUCKS DOG’S BALLS.”

Tazz: “Mine was “TAZZ CAN’T DUNK”.”

Cole: “Yeah but that’s funny. Mine was just cruel!”

SmackDown! (aired 04/12/2001)

On Monday, Vince McMahon truthfully apologised to Linda (his then wife) for all the bad things he’s done to her over the months. Linda doesn’t want an apology, she wants a divorce. Uh oh! Lita thanks Linda for inspiring her before Linda drives off in her hearse. Vince spots Lita and books his frustration out on her by booking a Team Extreme vs Two Man Power Trip and Steph main event. Lita manages a twist of fate and moonsault onto Steph and…gets the victory!? Bloody hell, a week after Wrestlemania too! That was a big shock at the time.

Austin then gives Jeff and Matt CTE (or I should say “more CTE”) until Lita drapes herself across them to stop the onslaught…however Austin simply smashes her with the chair to show he’s a son-of-a-bitch. It’s a hell of a violent display that did not go down particularly well (it was cut to hell in the UK) so the replay (even on the live feed) is shown via images with no contact shown with J.R.’s “NO DAMMIT NOOO” commentary still making you think you’re seeing it.

We’re in Philly tonight, and the commentators are disgusted at Austin’s actions as his partner Triple Denim heads to the ring. Austin heads out separately, still getting something resembling a pop because it’s Philly. And it’s not like attacking women did anything for Austin’s popularity.

HHH starts his soliloquy with “a month ago this place was pretty rosy…Rock as champ, Foley as Commish, Jericho as IC champ…boy how things change.” Yeah, you know what else is going to be changing? The ratings!

Triple H says the attack on Team Xtreme wasn’t too much, WE’LL tell you when it’s too much. Mate, you didn’t think Katie Vick was “too much”. HHH says Austin is that damn cold and he is that damn good. Oh that’s awful. Never do that again.

Austin pushes the cameraman out the way as he passively aggressively tells the crowd to give the new champ a “HELL YEAH”. They do. Fuckin’ Philly. Austin attacked The Rock because he wanted to and he knew no-one could stop him. Austin had no issues beating up J.R. cos he’s made a living sitting on his fat ass yelling “STONE COLD STONE COLD STONE COLD…WHAM!” Austin did it cos he could, and it felt good watching the red run out of him like that red river out of Texas.

As for The Hardys, Vince knows “you don’t put some dumbass broad in Austin’s way”. Yup. Austin talks in great detail about how great it was to beat up Lita, drawing comparisons to Jake Roberts talking about pushing Elizabeth. “That’s the single best feeling I’ve had running through my system!”

Austin turns his attention to the crowd and points out it could have been anyone, including this “buck toothed S.O.B. right here” or it could have been this fat guy here or it could have been….Jeff Hardy who runs in while Austin is distracted with the crowd and twats Austin and HHH with a chair before landing a Twist of Fate onto Steph!! Bloody hell I forgot about that. Jeff runs away while Two Man Power Trip has a shared conniption. Promo was OK, I miss HHH when he was a prick who didn’t take half an hour to get to his point. Mega heel Austin wasn’t working at this point but they did put their whole ass into it. Also now that I give it two second’s thought, I understand why they’d have Steph take that bump after the very real backlash WWF received to show it’s fine, it’s fine, see the evil woman got hurt too.

New from WWF Home Video: Foley’s Hard Knocks and Cheap Pops. I liked that one. No-one’s reviewed it on here so go bother Scott, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.

HHH barges into Regal’s bloody office and wants Jeff, even saying he’ll put the IC Belt on the line if he has to. Cole says HHH is mad at his wife getting hit, but he had no issues hitting Lita on Raw. Nothing gets past him. He’d have found Shergar in a week.

WHACK OF THE NIGHT sponsored by Tabaccy is Wacky is Spike Dudley taking a press slam to the outside by Albert, which sets up:

Spike Dudley (w/ Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley) vs. Albert (w/ X-Pac & Justin Credible)

Even whacker than the concept of smoking is this is apparently the debut of X-Factor’s theme (which we saw earlier on Sunday Night Heat but you know what I mean) but they’re still not called X-Factor. Albert will be hosting Sunday Night Heat this week, which is the best advert for not smoking I’ve ever seen.

Spike vs Albert seems unfair, Albert’s head probably weighs the same as Spike. The one man DK Mode tosses Spike around until LSD spears Albert in the mid-section. Spike double stomps Albert off the top and then lands the Dudley Dog, but Albert kicks out after not-X-Factor distracts and then LSD runs into a running boot as X-Pac continue to win every single match on TV at 2:36.

Dudley Boyz don’t appreciate that and blow the roof off by dropping the wasssuppp headbutt and setting up the tables. X-Pac cuts off D-Von however with a brutal looking X-factor on the outside and a double superkick sends Bubba down. So then poor Spike takes a harsh Baldo Bomb off the apron through the table to establish this new hot team who will change the business.

Man, X-Pac was *really* enjoying having pull during this period.

Hey look it’s Debra and she’s walking backstage. She’s looking for J.R.

Don’t Try This At Home commercial airs afterwards. Don’t try what, talking to Debra?

Taz & Cole hype UPN’s Chains Of Love, a show where you’re tied to people. Lasted six episodes, was reviewed poorly so you know it’s a UPN show.

Jeff Hardy sees Regal who reacts by yelling “Ahhh, Jeffrey!”
Regal gives him his IC Title match tonight but warns him not to besmirch Steph ever again or he’ll never get a title shot ever again! Jeff is like “well if I win the title I won’t need to worry about that” which is funny and true.

Then The Big Show charges in and he wants revenge on Kane and Undertaker tonight! But he needs a tag partner! Regal goes uhhh how about you get a tag team and make it a handicap match tonight. “There you go, get out, mind your head, bugger off.”

Crash Holly gets an interview backstage which is so rare in 2001 you know something bad is about to happen to him. He’s happy that Cousin Hardcore Holly is back so he isn’t worried about Rhyno…who then immediately takes a Gore into the metal door he’s stood in front of. “You scared of me now, Crash??” Rhyno rules.

Backstage, Debs tells J.R. that she wasn’t involved with Austin’s actions last week. Austin then appears, sees the two of them talking and assumes the worst. Scary Austin demands Debs pack her bags and sends J.R. away.

WWF Women’s Champion Chyna vs. Ivory (w/ Steven Richards)

Chyna still has her bazooka and her Chyna9 clothing gear. Crazy she was able to shill her own clothing line on WWF TV. I can’t unhear the name of it without thinking of the WCW Steiners theme song.

Out comes Ivory of RTC because this feud will not die due to there being any more challengers for Chyna right now. Cole points out tonight is different because Right To Censor were banned at ringside at Wrestlemania but tonight Steven is allowed at ringside. It’s completely different.

Chyna destroys Ivory until she dodges the handspring into the corner and and sells it like it’s the Rumble and she’s near death, up until Chyna kicks out and moves around because she is not dead. Chyna escapes a chinlock only to get dragged outside by Steven to take a meaty clothesline from the fat Steven. This allows Ivory the chance to slam her around and make it look competitive until Chyna stops selling and makes a comeback out of nowhere to finish with a press slam and a look of complete indifference at 3:53.

Steven tries to interfere post-match but takes an Evenflow DDT from Chyna for some reason. I don’t recall that being her finish but in fairness, her last year in the company is a big blur.

Backstage, The Big Show goes to see The APA to team up with him tonight. They laugh at him for being fat. Show wants to know if they’re scared of The Brothers Of Destruction or they just don’t want to team with him? Bradshaw says “eh pick one of them” and tell him to make sure he shuts the door when he leaves. APA were good for quick comedy segments like this.

Stacker 2: Burn Of The Week presents: Regal getting stretched by Jericho and Benoit! While disco music plays!

Jericho and Benoit talk, knowing they’ve annoyed Regal so there’s going to be something bad in store for them tonight. Benoit smiles and says “eh let’s go with it” to let us know they deserve whatever happens to them tonight.

WWF Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian, Kurt Angle, & William Regal vs. Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho

TEAM ECK are presented by Stacker 2, Lugz and Chef Boyardee Overstuffed! How are you advertising fat burners and shitty pasta in the same segment? Fuck it, save your money and just eat Lugz!

Regal also joins the team to make this an overstuffed ravioli of a handicap match. Jericho and Benoit clear the ring to start, Jericho lands the Lionsault on Edge as Benoit decks Regal. Benoit then lands Air Canada (other airliners available) on Edge and nearly wins! Christian shows up to remind us it’s 4 on 1. After getting pounded for a bit, Benoit gets the Crossface locked on Regal for a scary loud pop but Angle is able to deliver the Olympic Slam on Jericho to win at 3:28.

Jericho sticks regal in the Walls Of Jericho while Benoit makes Angle tap with the Crossface to prove they’re better because they’re not wrestling X-Pac. Served it’s storyline purpose and was rammed with action while it lasted so I’ve no issues with this.

Fanatic Series Presents: Kurt Angle It’s True It’s True. Another release that’s un-reviewed on here.

Lugz Boot Of The Week Presents: Rhyno goring everyone!

Test wishes Jeff Hardy best of luck against HHH. Oh that’ll help.

We get a recap of Linda wanting a divorce but we opened the show with this so let’s skip ahead. Linda was at her best when she was dead.

Rhyno vs. Hardcore Holly

Hardcore gets no pop because he’s facing Rhyno who has spent the last few weeks goring his cousin a dozen times.

Both egg drinking hard bastards trade stiff shots before Hardcore gets the draped-across-the-ropes-and-kicked-in-the-Jacobs move that Tazz really enjoys. My review of the televised show says “piped in audio really obvious” and yeah, this live feed reveals no one cares about Hardcore during this period. Hardcore keeps battering Rhyno in the corner and the ref keeps stopping it until Rhyno gores both Hardcore and the ref. Molly shows up with a bin so Hardcore can bonk Rhyno a few times to get him to leave the ring to get a measure of rubbish revenge for the no contest at 3:17.

Crowd did not buy a second of this and they were right to do so.

Test is backstage checking out the Lita spread in the latest WWF razz mag as Right To Censor ask him to join their cause. Why would you want Test in your stable? Test laughs in their faces and tells them to leave before someone sees them talking to them. RTC threaten him and he snort laughs and buggers off. OK RTC need to enter witness protection after that.

Big Show is so desperate for a tag team that he spots Kei En Tai chilling backstage with some unidentified female who translate for him. “Oh my God, you guys haven’t learned how speak English yet??” Big Show asks them to join him tonight but he doesn’t want to tell them who the opponent is so they agree because his face reminds them of Godzilla. Big Show takes it well and asks them for Spring Rolls and Wonton Soup. Oh of course the fat bastard wanted food.

King Of The Ring 2001 sold out in under four hours. That ended up being a weird show.

The Undertaker & WWF Hardcore Champion Kane vs. The Big Show & Kai En Tai

The Big show and Kai En Tai! Together again after Survivor Series 1999. Where’s The Blue Meanie when you need him?

On Raw, Kane was going to win the Hardcore Title from Kane while was currently wrestling Kurt Angle, which resulted in The Undertaker helping Kane double chokeslam the chubby racist.

Kane’s music plays and Kai En Tai are not happy when they realise who their opponents are. Taka runs away from Undi’s push bike.

Big Show refuses to tag in to face Undi so Taka has to go on Undi’s back for a sleeper….Undi just walks across the ring so Kane can flick him off like a bug. Kane then presses Taka for a few reps. Big Show tries to attack Kane but Kane shrugs it off so Show throws Funaki into the ring and sods off.

Kane then uses Funaki to try and do The Last Ride but he fudges it cos he’s not used to someone so light. Undi then delivers a biiiiig one to Taka to demonstrate, so Kane tries again on Funaki and is successful to end a big dumb squash at 2:54.

So, funny thing about the Last Ride shenanigans: This was a rib on themselves for legitimately fucking up the Last Ride (and chokeslam) on a dark match for Sunday Night Heat.

Here’s the police loving nugget talking about it.

“For the XFL athlete, the media has not been kind.” Oh wow, you absolutely have my attention Mr. Video Package. “Critics consider them journeymen and not ready for primetime but if you watch, you will realise they are giving it their all.” But people did watch! And people realised they were journeymen not ready for primetime! “If you watch, you will see in them, is us.” I am dying harder than the XFL was at this.

Cole and Tazz talk about how hard those blue collar guys put in and you too can have fun watching the San Fran Demons vs Orlando Rage! Also some other teams, and then the winning team gets one million dollars! Mate they couldn’t pay viewers a million quid to watch this.

Test vs. Val Venis (w/ Steven Richards, Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather)

Ooof this is here to die. No offence Test.

Test dominates to start until RTC interfere after ten seconds. Val’s offence became 200% duller once he joined RTC after being mildly interesting during his heel IC run last year. Test manages a beautiful tilt a whirl for two so Test is dunked outside to take a sweet scissors kick from Bull. Test somehow kicks out and immediately delivers the Pump Handle Slam because these guys have no time to get all this in properly. Goodfather distracts but so Steven can…deliver a Stevenkick to Bull cos test ducked. Lot of that happening tonight. Then Raven runs in to Evenflow DDT Steven for the second time this episode so Test can flatten Val with The Big Boot at 4:08.

Goodfather and bull nearly come to blows afterwards but when Steven stops them from fighting, they hit him before attacking one another! Oh was that the end of the group? Because the time for them splitting up and moving on was MONTHS ago.

Ah a quick check reveals they officially died on May 24th. Mark your calendars.

WWF presents HEDONISM. Yay soft porn.

Woah put your willies away, it’s time for your main event.

WWF IC Championship

Triple H (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

Denim H powers right into the match and wastes no time fulfilling the desires of many people by pounding Jeff. C’mon it can’t just be me. HHH makes sure to remind everyone he’s much bigger than the goth twink by launching him outside.

Steph is shown watching and is happy her ear-rings are being avenged. HHH attempts the pedigree early but Jeff blocks it and turns into the double leg-drop thing. Jeff tries a 10 punch in the corner but HHH shoves him away at 9, however hardy lands the whisper in the wind for a close two instead. Jeff is sent outside again so Hardy tries running the wall and charging onto HHH, but he kinda catches and slams him. They repeat the spot with Jeff doing it off the apron instead. God bless Jeff for doing these kinds of things every week.

HHH drags poor Jeff in for a flying knee and an extended beatdown. Crowd hasn’t started cheering for Jeff the whole match. Sleeper hold in synched in as Tazz moans at HHH not needing to do that. Jeff sits out for a chinbreaker and then a Russian legsweep. Jeff goes up top but hhh pushes the ref into the ropes so Jeff crotches himself as all the crowd boo. Tim White complains but HHH is like fuck off, you’re dead in canon and shoves him down to the mat, which allows Matt Hardy to return and chairshot HHH, so Jeff lands a swanton bomb to win the IC title at 8:06 as a furious HHH rages dramatically in the ring as Tazz ends it dramatically with “JEFF MAY HAVE WON THE TITLE BUT HIS CAREER…IS OVER.”

WWF loved this match so much they included it on Action!, Twist of Fate: The Matt & Jeff Hardy Story, History of the Intercontinental Championship, and The Best of Smackdown: 10th Anniversary. Crazy moment that made you think WWF were actually going to push these guys to the top (at this time).

Overall: Decent episode during a fascinating time for wrestling.

I’ve been Maffew.