Backlash 2000 - The Results

Debra shows up for the first time in months and is special guest ring announcer for the next match. (At this point, Debra is living together with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who also has not been seen in WWF in six months before last week's SmackDown; they were living together at the time and were not yet married.)

Edge and Christian retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against D-Generation X ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and X-Pac) after Christian hits X-Pac in the head with the ring bell as referee Jimmy Korderas is distracted with "Road Dogg" Jesse James and Tori on the outside.

The Rock is seen coming out of his limousine.

Dean Malenko retains the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship against Scotty 2 Hotty with a DDT from the top rope.

Backstage, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon asks Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco if they are back with the McMahons. They say they are, and Vince says that if they really are, then tonight is "all hands on deck."

The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan beat The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) after Boss Man hits Bradshaw in the face with a nightstick.

Backstage, Matt Hardy tells Jeff Hardy that they may have to face each other should push come to shove in the six-man match for the WWF Hardcore Championship, and come to agreement that neither of them will hold anything back. Meanwhile, Crash Holly tries to come to the same agreement with Hardcore Holly, but Hardcore slaps him in the back of the head for saying "may the best man win."

Crash Holly retains the WWF Hardcore Championship against Hardcore Holly, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Tazz and Perry Saturn.

Backstage, Jonathan Coachman interviews WWF co-owner Shane McMahon. Shane appreciates the opportunity that his father WWF Chairman Vince McMahon has given him to referee the WWF Championship match and that he trusts his refereeing ability, as he plants on being impartial. He feels that he is the man who can call this match right down the middle.

Before the next match, Kurt Angle finds it fitting to be in Washington, D.C., as he and the town have a lot in common. He says that like George Washington, he cannot tell a lie, and calls Big Show "a giant waste of talent." He says that he is honest almost to a fault like Abraham Lincoln, and says that if Big Show has his "3 I's," he would not be such a big disappointment. He then says that he is nothing like Marion Berry, and that he is disappointed in the city for re-electing him. He then says that everyone in America, including the President, is a liar and a cheater, which is where he comes in. He says that he is the only hero America has left. Big Show then comes out to Hulk Hogan's WWF entrance theme as "The Showster," even dressing like Hulk Hogan and even wearing a bald cap and fake blonde mustache. He then imitates Hulk Hogan's voice as he asks asks Angle what he is going to do when "The Showster" goes wild on him.

Big Show beats Kurt Angle.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Trish Stratus. Trish says Buh Buh Ray Dudley is a passionate man who is not afraid to express his true emotions, and he likes that. She says most men bottle up all that frustration and tension, and then go home one day and explode, but Buh Buh Ray is special. She says that he will find out how she feels. Meanwhile, D-Von Dudley catches Buh Buh Ray watching the interview on a monitor, and tells him to take bac their business from "That bleached blonde bimbo" Trish Stratus.

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins is seen in the front row.

T&A (Test and Albert) beats The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) after Trish Stratus distracts Buh Buh Ray Dudley on the apron. After the match, Albert falls victim to a Dudley Death Drop, then Buh Buh Ray Dudley grabs Trish Stratus by the hair and D-Von Dudley pulls a table out from underneath the ring. Trish kisses Buh Buh Ray once again, but this time, Buh Buh Ray does not fall into a trance and Trish gets powerbombed off the top rope into the table. Referees and EMTs check on Trish Stratus, who is fitted with a neck brace before being placed on a stretcher and into an ambulance. As this goes on, Edie Guerrero and Chyna - coming in late straight from their prom - find out that they are late for Eddie's match, and learn that if Eddie does not go out there right now, he will be forfeiting the WWF European Championship. Eddie and Chyna drive to the ring in the 1957 Chevrolet they showed up in.

Eddie Guerrero retains the WWF European Championship against Essa Rios. After the match, Essa Rios drop kicks Eddie into Chyna, and Lita rips Chyna's prom dress, much to the chagrin of Chyna and to the delight of Eddie. During the match, it is announced that Trish Stratus has been taken to a local medical facility.

Backstage, Johnathan Coachman interviews Triple H, who says that he is "The Game" because he is the WWF Champion and that damn good, and tonight, he will prove to the world once and for all and to The Rock that he is that good. He then interviews WWF Chairman Vince McMahon, who says that, according to his sources, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin may have suffered some transportation difficulties and may not make it here tonight.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Chris Benoit, who says that Chris Jericho has not problem telling the world how good he is. He says that Jericho likes comparing him to a robot, but he has emotions and he plans to enjoy expressing his emotions all over Jericho and the Jerichoholics in the arena tonight. He tells Jericho he is the happiest man on Earth right now, as he knows exactly what he is going to do to Chris Jericho and he is going to take a lot of pleasure in doing it.

Before the next match, Chris Jericho says that Chris Benoit seems awfully insulted that he refers to him as "Mr. Roboto," and tells him not to feel bad as Washington, DC is full of expressionless, emotionless, deprogrammed drones called "politicians," and that he plans to veto "President Roboto's" Intercontinental title reign and do something every Jerichoholic has dreamed of doing: beating the hell out of a politician.

Chris Benoit retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho by disqualification. During the match, Chris Jericho inadvertently knocks out referee Tim White with a cross body, and Benoit takes advantage by hitting Jericho with the Intercontinental Championship; Jericho kicks out at two. Benoit then goes for a snap vertical suplex on the Intercontinental Championship followed by a headbutt from the top rope, but Jericho rolls out of the way and Benoit falls head-first into the title belt. At this point, referee Tim White comes to, notices what is going on, stop s the match and gives Benoit the win by disqualification. Jericho then confronts Tim White before putting him in the Walls of Jericho, and other referees have to show up to get him to break the hold.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews The Rock, who says "Stone Cold" Steve Austin culd be anywhere, but everyone can count on him winning the WWF Championship tonight. Regardless of who he has to go through, he will go through them along with Triple H, as he is making history and he is making it now.

Before the next match, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon announces that on the programs everyone get, there is a message that says "Card subject to change." He announces that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will not be here tonight.

The Rock beats Triple H to win the WWF Championship! During a match that sees constant interference from the McMahon family, including WWF Chairman Vince McMahon hitting The Rock in the back with the WWF Championship and special guest referee Shane McMahon refusing to count a pinfall attempt for The Rock only to receive a Rock Bottom through the Spanish announce table alongside Triple H for his troubles. After the latter happens, Vince brings out Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco, who are wearing referee's shirts. When The Rock kicks out of a Pedigree, Briscoe and Patterson take the boots to The Rock before holding him up for Triple H. WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley hands Vince aasteel chair, and as Triple H holds The Rock, Vince swings it into The Rock's head. As Triple H gets THe Rock up for another Pedigree, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up with a steel chair and smacks Triple H, Patterson and Brisco when they rush at him. Shane is back in the ring, and he and Vince also receive steel chair shots to the head. Triple H returns with a chair of his own, but Austin kicks him in the gut, hits Triple H with the chair and leaves. As he leaves, WWF co-owner Linda McMahon shows up with Earl Hebner - who is in a referee's shirt, and shoves Stephanie when she confronts her. The Rock hits Triple H with a spinebuster, then hits The People's Elbow. Linda commands Hebner to get in the ring, and Hebner makes the three count that gives The Rock the WWF Championship for the fourth time. After the match, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin returns - this time in a Ford pick-up truck with "Stone Cold" decals on the front and sides that is towing the damaged DX Express behind it - and and hands The Rock a beer so that they can drink together. Both men give a toast to the WWF Championship and drink, then Austin leaves while The Rock celebrates in the ring to end the show.

Extreme Nation - ECW on TNN recap for April 28, 2000

It is announced that footage from "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer vs. Tazz for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship will be aired tonight.

Joey Styles and "The Quintessential Studmuffin" Joel Gertner welcomes everyone to tonight's show, which takes place during Cyberslam.

Before the next match, Cyrus calls Yoshihiro Tajiri a team player, then tells him he has had "a hell of a run" as ECW World Television Champion. He then demands that Tajiri hold up his end of the deal and relinquish the title to Rhino. Tajiri is reluctant, and Cyrus chews him, calling him a "slanty-eyed bastard" and telling he can pull his work visa and reduce him to a restaurant delivery boy. Tajiri is still reluctant, and Cyrus begins to yell at him. At this point, Tajiri fesues, and when Cyrus asks for his answer, Tajiri simply says "Fuck you." This leads to a match for the ECW World Television Championship between Tajiri and Rhino.

Rhino beats Yoshihiro Tajiri following a Gore and two piledrivers to become the ECW World Heavyweight Championship following the distraction by Steve Corino and Jack Victory. After the match, Cyrus calls Rhino "the network's hand-picked succesor to Rob Van Dam," and says that if there is one lesson can be learned from this, it is that nobody can stand up to The Network (Cyrus, Steve Corino, Rhino, Jack Victory) and that if there is anybody in the back who has the guts to do so, all they have to do is bring it on. That challenge is answered by Rob Van Dam himself, who runs in with Scotty Anton and brawls with The Network so that RVD and Rhino are alone in the ring. RVD quickly gets the upper hand as The Network flees. This does not stop RVD from hitting a swanton bomb on Rhino and Corino on the outside. Afterwards, Cyrus tells RVD he is looking at a different ECW and that The Network controls the ECW World Television Championship. He says that if RVD thought he could waltz back in after three months, he has another thing coming, and announces that The Sandman will be challenging Rhino for the title at Hardcore Heaven on May 14th. Meanwhile, Rob Van Dam will not be left out of the pay-per-view, and on that night, he will be facing Jerry Lynn, who has not been in months since breaking his ankle. Cyrus tells Jerry Lynn it is a pleasure to have him back wth the network, but Jerry Lynn tells him to get out of here and calls him a "network stooge" before knocking him to the mat. He then tells RVD that they suffered injuries at the same time, but as he sat at home, he heard nothing about himself while everyone was talking about RVD. Lynn brags that he took RVD to his limit, and at Hardcore Heaven, he has the privilege of "kicking [his] fucking ass." He then says that everyone while know that he is not only "the new fuckin' show," but "the whole fuckin' show." After Lynn flips RVD off when RVD offers to shake his hand, Scotty Anton confronts Lynn only to get hit with a forearm.

We hear from The Sinister Minister, who says that a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend informed him that World Championship Wrestling would love to procure his and Mikey Whipwreck's services, he says that even his soul would not sink that low, and that he would not be caught dead in "that third rate promotion" as Mikey Whipwreck places him in a casket. As Mikey laughs, The Sinister Minister opens the casket back up and tells him that this is no laughing matter, but Mikey Whipwreck says he knows and that he hates WCW, too. The Sinister Minister then tells Eric Bischoff that if he ever wants to come kick his ass, he is easy to find as they are both in the same neck of the woods: Hell. On his command, Mikey laughs and closes the casket, then rolls around laughing.

We see footage of Rhino grabbing The Sandman's wife Lori Fullinton and Goring her and The Sandman through a table from during the commercial break.

We hear from The Sinister Minister, who plays with an Ouija board before saying the spirit guides tell him that ECW is hotter than Hell. We then see the table - and the Ouija board that is on it - burning before Mikey Whipwreck puts himself through it. The Sinister Minster tells Mikey he has "a hell of a knack" for spoiling the moment, then he and Mikey laugh maniacally.

We see some highlights from Cyberslam 2000 of "The American Dream" vs. Steve Corino, the attack on The Sandman and Lori Fullington by The Network (Steve Corino, Jack Victory, Rhino) and Lance Storm vs. Nova. It is also announced that Lance Storm has been taken to a local hospital and that updates are forthcoming.

We see footage of Tazz and "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dramer is a show of respect to one another before Tazz says farewell to ECW. As Raven watches from the aisle, Dreamer says he has waited his whole life for this, and while he may not make it to WrestleMania or Starrcade, he made it in the ECW Arena. He tearfully thanks the fans for their support, then is congratulated by friends both personal and from the ECW locker room. After everyone leaves, Raven and Francine show up, then Raven extends his hand. They shake hands and hug, and as Raven raises Dreamer's ahdn, they are both attacked with a kendo stick shot to the head by Justin Credible, who says that all he has been hearing is Mike Awesome throwing ECW in the trash on Nitro and Tazz defending the ECW World Heavyweight Championship on Raw. He says that everyone wants to make an impact in ECW, and asks who better to do it that him. He then says the tag team titles are nothing, and says that every team who held the titles before him and Lance Storm can kiss his ass. He throws the belts down and spits on him, and makes it clear that he wants a match for the World title right now. When he demands an answer from Dreamer, Dreamer yells "Ring the bell!", starting an impromptu World title match between Justin and Dreamer.

Justin Credible beats "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer after Francine hits a low bow on Dreamer, who initially saves her, as part of "Plan B." After the match, Francine rips her clothes off to reveal a negligee underneath before celebrating with Justin Credible and Jason.

Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for April 27, 2000

Val Venis and Essa Rios beat Eddie Guerrero and Chyna after Lita distracts referee Jack Doan, keeping Chyna from tagging in. After the match, Lita hit Eddie Guerrero with a moonsault from the top rope before stomping on him along with Essa Rios. Chyna then chases Lita and Essa Rios out of the ring and checks on Eddie.

The DX Express arrives outside of the arena, and D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley walk out of it.

We look back on January 1999, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin arrives to the arena in a white limousine with monster truck wheels.

The Rock shows up. He says it is safe to say he has been through hell to get to where he is at, and looking back at everything that Triple H and the McMahons have done to him, he still stands in the ring and he is still heading to Backlash. However, he realizes it is not over yet and that they have one more night to do something to him, and asks what exactly they are going to do to him this time, bring up ideas such as a steel cage match or a "Stephanie [McMahon-Helmsley]'s dirty panties on a pole match." He then calls the McMahons and Triple H out, and tells them to bring out whatever idea for a match they have for him. D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley all show up, and Triple H says that The Rock had some pretty good ideas for matches, and that they have all been thinking that same question for the last few days. He then credits Stephanie with coming up with some ideas that are "absolutely brutal" before saying he has kicked The Rock's ass so many times that he is starting to get boring and redundant. He proposes waiting until Sunday so he can kick his ass for the WWF Championship one last time, then says that The Rock is seeming tense tonight and tells him to relax. He tells The Rock to take the night off, as everyone else in his party also have the night off and will be relaxing as they watch "Road Dogg" Jesse James as he destroys Christian tonight. Since Edge might get involved, and says that if he does, he and Christian will be stripped of the WWF Tag Team Championships as he and Stephanie will not put up with people interfering in other people's matches. Vince then takes the microphone and says he knows The Rock is excited about Backlash, and so is he. He also says that Shane is very excited about Backlash, as they will not have "an Earl Hebner situation" again with Shane as the special guest referee for the WWF Championship match at Backlash. He then says The Rock is "gutsy" for calling Triple H and the McMahons out, then brings up whether or not The Rock can trust "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at Backlash again before telling him not to trust anybody. The Rock then tells Vince that he has spoken with Austin, and says that Austin doesn't want to wait until Backlash and "guaran-damn-tees" Austin is going to make a special appearance tonight. Vince says The Rock is "a damn liar" and says Austin would never show up tonight because he doesn't have the temerity to do it. The Rock tells Vince to shut up, as he guarantees to walk out of Backlash a WWF Champion and guarantees that Austin is here tonight.

Outside of the arena, The Rock heads out of the parking lot in a limousine. Mewanwhile, two "Stone Cold" Steve Austin foam fingers are placed on the windshield wipers of the DX Express. D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley laugh it off a they wave goodbye to The Rock's limo.

Dean Malenko beats Scotty 2 Hotty after sitting down on a sunset flip powerbomb pinfall attempt and grabbing onto the middle rope for leverage in full view of the referee to win the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship for a second time. (Beofre the match, it is announced that the match was originally scheduled for Backlash, but was pushed forward to SmackDown due to the feud between both men being "too hot.")

Inside the DX Express, D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley are talking when the numebrs "316" show up on Triple H's pager. Vince says he does not think "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is here tonight, yet he ha a funny feeling about tonight.

Backstage, Crash Holly is sad about losing the WWF Hardcore Championship. Hardcore Holly reminds him that hthe two of them have a chance to win the title back at Backlash just like everybody else, and tells him that just because he lost the WWF Hardcore Championship, can't get a girlfriend and collects Beanie Babies does not make him any less of a man. Crash insists that his Beanie Babies collection was a gift, but Hardcore Holly is like "whatever.".

T&A (Test and Albert) beat The Hollys (Hardcore and Crash Holly) after Crahs insists on being tagged in only to miss big on a diving headbutt from the top rope, starting an argument between the Hollys. During the match, The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) are seen watching the match from backstage. After the match, The Dudleys attack T&A with steel chairs, then Buh Buh Ray grabs Trish Stratus and throws her into the ring as D-Von Dudley sets up a table from underneath the ring. Buh Buh Ray then takes Trish Stratus to the top rope and almost powerbombs her through a table when Trish Stratus kisses Buh Buh Ray, causing Buh Buh Ray to go into a trance as T&A run back into the ring and rescue Trish. Afterwards, Albert slams Buh Buh Ray through the table.

Backstage, D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley go looking for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at the behest of Vince, whom everyone thinks is just being paranoid. As everyone splits up, Vince thinks he and Shane have found Austin only to find out that they have found a cardboard cut-out of Austin.

WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley has a surprise run-in with Kurt Angle backstage. Angle talks about the new movie Gladiator, and says he may have to miss next week's Raw after Steven Speilberg has personally invited him to to attend the world premiere of the movie. Stephanie then asks Angle if he has seen "Stone Cold" Steve Austin anywhere, but he has not seen him, nor has he ever met him.

Chris Jericho and Tazz beat The Radicalz (Chris Benoit and Perry Saturn).

Backstage, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon and Triple H think they have found "Stone old" Stee Austin, but end up finding a broom closet with a floor covered completely in beer cans.

"Road Dogg" Jesse James beats Christian, then continues to attack him after the match until referees run in to break up the brawl. When Road Dogg shoves one of the referees, the referee of the match reverses the decision and declares Christian the winner of the match.

Backstage, Tori tells WWF Chairman Vince McMahon that she has found "Stone Cold Steve Austin. She, Vince, Triple H and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley approach a door where Austin's theme from WWF Aggression is playing at maximum volume on the other side. When they open the door, however, they find a mop sink with a JVC Kaboom! Box with WWF Aggression playing at full blast. Triple H throws the Kaboom! Box onto the floor out of anger.

Before the next match, Kurt Angle says he does not hate Big Show, much less anybody, and says that he feels sorry for him as he is a very large, talented man who lets all of his talent go to waste. He then comapres Big Show to the Charlotte Hornets, saying they are talented but are not going to accomplish anything. He then sayas that at Backlash, he will not only beat Big Show, he will also beat some sense into him.

Rikishi Phatu and Big Show beat Kurt Angle, The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan in a 3-on-2 handicap match. Big Show and Rikishi are about to dance after the match when they get attacked by Angle, Boss Man and Buchanan. The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) then run out and make the save for Big Show and Rikishi. Afterwards, Big Show and Rikishi then dance.

Triple H and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon find a man in the bathroom who looks like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin only to find out he does not look like Austin when they attack him.

In the locker room, Al Snow tries to reconcile with "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman and do things his way, but Blackman wants nothing to do it as Snow takes nothing seriously, talks to a mannequin head all the time and comes off as a lunatic. Snow agrees, but says he can be just as serious as Blackman. Nevertheless, Blackman says it is over between them.

Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy for the WWF Hardcore Championship ends with neither man winning the title. During the match, Perry Saturn shows up to get a closer look at the match, and Hardcore Holly and Tazz show up to watch shortly afterwards. When Jeff Hardy is knocked off the top of a ladder into Tazz and Saturn, everyone starts to brawl with each other as the Hardys keep their match in the ring. Crash Holly then shows up and attacks The Hardys, then goes for a cover on Matt Hardy to win back the WWF Hardcore Championship. Afterwards, Crash takes the title and runs all the way to the aback.

Backstage, D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley are arguing over "Stone Cold" Steve Austin when a delivery man shows up and tells Vince there is a special delivery for him. Triple H, Shane and Vince come up with a quick plan to ambush Austin, but they find out that the special delivery is cement meant for Vince's Corvette. Vince sees this as a bait and tells the driver to get out as everyone heads back inside the arena.

Backstage, Jim Ross is on his cellphone talking to somebody. He is confronted by WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and Triple H, who think he is talking to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, but Jim Ross ays he is talking to his cousin, who is coming to Backlash. Triple H hangs the phone up on Jim Ross, saying that if he was talking to Austin, he's not anymore.

The Godfather beats "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman by disqualification after he is attacked from behind with a pair of nunchaku by Al Snow. Before the match, it is announced that WWF Greatest Hits 2 is airing tomorrow night on UPN, and is being hosted by Jerry "The King" Lawler and The Kat.

Backstage, D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley hear what sounds like a rattlesnake in a bag in their private dressing room . Shane throws the bag off the couch only to find out that a real rattlesnake is behind Vince's bag.

A black limousine pulls up, and The Rock shows up in the parking lot again.

D-Generation X (Triple H and "Road Dogg" Jesse James), Tori, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley show up. Shane says he is sick and tired of all the games, and calls "Stone Cold" Steve Austin out, saying if he is here, they will all welcome him back to the World Wrestling Federation. Vince then says that if Austin is here, he will ask his family members to leave the ring so it just him and Austin. Triple H says Austin has already been back for a day and he is already sick of him, and he tells Austin to come out to the ring now. When Austin fails to show up, Triple H says Austin is either not here or "a chickenshit." He then says that while Austin may not be here, The Rock is, and says he has changed his mind about giving him the night off before telling him to get in the ring and face him like a man. When The Rock fails to show up, he also calls him "a chickenshit." After this, The Rock then arrives, and says he promised that Austin would be here tonight and that he always keeps his promises. He says that all night long, he has enjoyed everyone get confused and paranoid over Austin, and he regrets that the rattlesnake did not bite one of them. The Rock then says he does not dress, talk or even look like Austin, but the person on the TitanTron looks like Austin. Austin is on the TitanTron, and Austin says he has been in and out of the parking lot all night long. As for whose side he will be on at Backlash, he will always be on his own side like he has always been. He then has a demonstration for anyone who thinks they will get his hands on him. Austin goes to say that there are a lot of people who are good at construction and building things with their hands, but the only thing he has ever been good at "tearing shit up." He admits that he is best at deconstruction, then gets in a crane with the words "Austin Deconstruction" and uses it to drop a concrete barricade on the DX Express, blowing it up to make an example out of anyone who wants to go after him on Sunday.

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 24, 2000

The show begins with Sting and Vampiro brawling backstage, which ends with Vampiro hitting Sting with a pipe.

Terry Funk retains the WCW Hardcore Championship against Bam Bam Bigelow. During the match, "The Cat" Ernest Miller tries to get a few shots in on Bam Bam Bigelow for taking his spot in the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Tournament, but to no avail. Later in the match, The Cat cartwheels a steel chair into Bam Bam's head as Terry Funk has a trash can over his head, and after Bam Bam goes down, Terry Funk lands head-first right on his crotch to retain the Hardcore title. After the match, "The Cat" Ernest Miller demands that Funk's music be stopped and that his music be played so he can dance in the ring.

We see the footage from the end of last week's Nitro, where it is finally revealed that Bret "The Hit Man" Hart hit Hulk Hogan with the steel chair.

Kidman and Torrie Wilson show up. Kidman talks about how he dared Hulk Hogan to meet him in the parking lot so they could finish it man-to-man only for Hulk Hogan to realize that he is more of a man than he could ever handle. Because of that, he tried to run him over with a Hummer and nearly killed him. He is still here, and says that if Hulk Hogan thinks people still want to see the red and yellow, all he has to do is supply the yellow so that he can supply the red - Hulk Hogan's blood - as he will start it tonight and finish it at Slamboree.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett, Kimberly and Eric Bischoff notice that Kidman and Torrie Wilson are in the ring and question exactly what Kidman is trying to do. Meanwhile, Kimberly has some papers in her hand.

Backstage, Vince Russo is talking with "Screamin'" Norman Smiley. Russo says there is no way, but Smiley says he can beat Terry Funk. Russo tells Smiley to find a tag team partner for Slamboree for a two-on-one handicap match for the WCW Hardcore Championship against Terry Funk. Smiley says he knows exactly who he is going to pick.

Jeff Jarrett, Eric Bischoff and Kimberly show up. Ready To Rumble star David Arquette is seen in the front row. Jarrett says Diamond Dallas Page wants to be a movie star, and at Slamboree, he will give him a chance to star in his own movie - "The Chosen One Kicks DDP's Ass Up And Down A Three-Tiered Cage" - and beat his ass and neglect it like he did Kimberly. Bischoff announces that Kimberly is here tonight with what may be the very last give for him from her for the rest of his life, and tells DDP to come to the ring right now. DDP shows up, and asks Kimberly what she is thinking hanging with Bischoff and Jarrett. Kimberly says that for once, she is in the driver's seat. She says that she once thought they had something special, but Bischoff enlightened her about about a lot of things about her career, the fans, and DDP himself, and as far as he is concerned, she wants out of their marriage and she has divorce papers for him to sign. DDP tells Kimberly they can work this out, but Kimberly does not want to wor this out. DDP says he will not walk from this, but Kimberly tells him not to beg as he is embarrassing himself. She tells DDP to be positive, but DDP asks if he should be positive about her being out of her mind or her "being a super bitch." Bischoff asks for civility, and DDP says that if Kimberly wants the papers signed, he will do it as soon as he sticks them down Bischoff's throat and pulls them out of his ass. DDP grabs Bischoff by the shirt collar only to be nailed from behind with a guitar shot from Jeff Jarrett. All of a sudden, David Arquette jumps the guardrail and stomps Bischoff only to be cornered by Jeff Jarrett. He gets saved by Chris Kanyon, who attacks Jarrett and forces him to retreat along with Bischoff and Kimberly. Bischoff is enraged, embarrassed and humiliated by Arquette's actions, and challenges Arquette to get in the ring with him. Arquette accepts the challenge, saying "I'm gonna 1-800-Kick your butt!" He then proposes a wager: if he beats Bischoff, DDP gets a shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Jarrett in a steel cage later tonight. Bischoff accepts, saying he will tear Arquette's head off.

Backstage, Kronik (Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark) pins Vince Russo to the wall as they demand a tag team title shot tonight. Russo says they've got it, but first they have to do something for him.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett questions Eric Bischoff's challenging David Arquette to a match, but Bischoff says he will take care of it and that they have bigger problems to deal with tonight. He asks Jarrett to find Kidman.

Sting is seen backstage looking for Vampiro.

Before the next match, Tammy Lynn Sytch asks the crowd if they missed her, and says it is time that WCW brought out a real lady who knows how to titillate all the guys out there. She says that Paisley could learn a thing or two from her, as she has no idea what the men in the crowd want to see. She then says she is back.

"Hard Knox" Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch beat The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Iaukea and Paisley in a mixed tag match. Backstage, Sting is still looking for Vampiro. Suddenly, he shows up as Candido and Tammy are still in the ring, and Tammy gets away as Sting hits Chris Candido with the Scorpion Deaht Drop. Sting then takes the microphone and says it's showtime before saying he and Vampiro need to have another conversation, and dares him to get back in the ring with him for a First Blood Match tonight.

Backstage, Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Kanyon fire David Arquette up.

Kronik (Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark) beats Team Package (The Total Package and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair). At the beginning of the match, Miss Hancock shows up with her clipboard to scout the match, but "The Franchise" Shane Douglas and Buff Bagwell show up. Buff Bagwell distracts referee Charles Robinson who calls for an end to the match, then Douglas gets in the ring and hits Flair in the back with a baseball bat. Afterwards, Kronik hits the High Time - a double choke slam - on Flair to get the win despite the bell being called for. After the match, Bagwell and Douglas continue to attack Team Package with baseball bats, then allow Kronik the honor to do the same. Instead, Kronik beat up Bagwell and Douglas, sending them out of the ring.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Vampiro, who says Sting is weak, old and "whack," and says there is nothing he would like more than to stick his fingers in his eyes and watch him bleed like a stuffed pig, and screan like a little bitch. He tells Sting he is entering his world, and that he is sick, twisted, a little freaky and about to have a panic attack. He dares Sting to come into his web.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff tells Kidman he cannot go around making his own matches with Hogan and to let him and Vince Russo know ahead of time so they can get him where he wants to be.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Eric Bischoff, Torrie Wilson, Kidman, Mike Awesome and Kimberly. Bischoff says Hulk Hogan tried to kill Kidman last week, and that Mike Awesome is protection. Hulk will face Kidman, but he will have to find himself a tag team partner. He says that Hogan has burned so many bridges in the locker room that he will be unable to find someone to tag with him. He also announces that he is the special guest referee for Kidman vs. Hulk Hogan at Slamboree, and asks Hogan if he hears the sound of his career coming to an end.

Before the next match, it is announced that Team Package (The Total Package and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair) have been taken out of the arena to a hospital due to the attack from Buff Bagwell and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas.

Kidman and Mike Awesome beat Hulk Hogan - who is clad in all black for this match - after putting him through two tables and Kidman mocks Hogan by hitting a leg drop for the win. During the match, Kevin Nash sees what is going on in the ring on a monitor backstage, and after the match, Kevin Nash shows up and brawls with both Kidman and Awesome - despite not being cleared to wrestle - until Torrie Wilson hits Kevin Nash with a low blow from behind. Awesome then swings a steel chair into the recently injured ankle of Kevin Nash, smashing it against the ring post.

David Arquette beats Eric Bischoff. During the match, Jeff Jarrett pulls the referee out of the ring after Arquette hits Bischoff with an elbow drop. Diamond Dallas Page hits Jarrett with a clothesline, but Jarrett fires back by hitting DDP with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Arquette goes for another pinfall, but the referee is down, and Jarrett gets in the ring to hit Arquette with a guitar. Bischoff hits Arquette with a gut shot and holds Arquette down, but Arquette fucks and Bischoff takes a guitar shot to the head instead. Chris Kanyon then gets in the ring and sends Jarrett out of the ring, and Arquette goes for the pinfall as referee Mickey Jay runs into the ring to get the win. As per pre-match stipulation, Diamond Dallas Page will face Jeff Jarrett for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage later tonight. After the match, the lights go out, and Sting is seen in the rafters as Arquette, DDP and Kanyon celebrate.

Backstage, Chris Kanyon and David Arquette celebrate the latter's win with champagne as Diamond Dallas Page gets ready for his title match for later tonight.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund is about to interview Jeff Jarrett when Jarrett chews Bischoff out, hoping he has a back-up plan. Bischoff says his back-up plan is Jarrett getting into the ring and winning against Diamond Dallas Page to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

Scott Steiner shows up. He says that last night, he had a couple of his freaks call him from New York City wanting a chance to ride a legend and roll with him. Last night, at Club Caligula, he was "like a roller coaster going up and down hitting switches on bitches 'till they call me the daddy." When he "kicked them out the door at a quarter 'til 4, they believed there was nothing finer than Scott Steiner." He then says he went to New York for two reasons, and one of them was to find Booker T's "jive ass," as he cost him the World title last week. He says tonight is his payback, and he will do something special: stick his size 12 boot so far up Booker T's ass that he will be flossing with his shoelaces. Scott Steiner says he does not care if he is trying to get on the good side of Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, for in reality, he got on his bad side. He then calls Booker T, who shows up. He tells Scott Steiner this is not Detroit, Michigan; this is Rochester, New York, and as for last week, what he did was business, not personal. He says Jeff Jarrett was running around backstage crying as he was trying to get out of the match as well as Eric Bischoff telling him he had to do something and do something quick to get on his good time, and says Scott Steiner was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Booker T says he refuses to apologize for what he did, as he is his own man, and the way they do it in New York is "if we can't get along, then we can just get it on." He tells Scott Stener's women to stay out of this, because everyone knows that once you go Black, you never go back. Midajah slaps Booker, and Scott Steiner proceeds to brawl with Booker as the show goes to break.

We see footage from the commercial break where security break up the brawl between Booker T and Scott Steiner.

Chris Kanyon and David Arquette are in the locker room as Diamond Dallas Page laces up his boots.

Backstage, Buff Bagwell and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas are on their way out of the arena when they are met by Vince Russo, who asks them to get back in the ring as they have a match against Kronik (Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark) with the tag team titles on the line, much to the chagrin of Bagwell and Douglas.

Vince Russo guests on commentary for the next match.

Buff Bagwell and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships against Kronik (Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark). Before the match, it is announced that Scott Steiner will defend the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship against Booker T at Slamboree. During the match, Bagwell tosses referee Nick Patrick over the top rope only to take the High Time from Kronik. Vince Russo then gets in the ring and whacks Bryan Adams with a bat, and Bryan Clark grabs Russo. He is about to hit him with the Meltdown when Douglas hits him with Vince Russo's baseball bat. Bagwell then hits both members of Kronik with baseball bat. When Nick Patrick gets back in the ring to call the match off, Vince Russo hits him in the back with a baseball bat then counts the pinfall to give Bagwell and Douglas the win to retain the tag titles.

Tank Abbott is seen heading to the ring.

Tank Abbott shows up. He tells Goldberg that it has been three shows and that he has still not shown up, and that Goldberg might as well change his name to "Bill Ghostberg." He says that while Goldberg sits at home with his yellow screen and watches the television screen, he will see a real warrior. He then says he will kick someone's ass because of Goldberg, and says that this is all on Goldberg's shoulders as he has fun beating people up. Tank Abbott then leaves the ring and after looking for a victim, decides on Bob Ryder, whom he pulls out from behind a table and drags into the ring to beat up. Jeremy Borash from WCW.com gets on top of Abbott to try to make the save and get Abbott in a sleeper, but Abbott backs him into a corner and rams him into it. After wiping out Bill Banks, who also gets into the ring, Tank Abbott leaves after WCW security shows up.

Diamond Dallas Page beats Jeff Jarrett in a steel cage match to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion for a third time. During the match, Mike Awesome tries to get into the cage, and after DDP hits the Diamond Cutter, Mike Awesome rips the cage door open. Referee Charles Robinson makes the two-count, but before Mike Awesome can get his hands on Robinson, Chris Kanyon is able to get behind Mike Awesome and attack him, allowing Robinson to make the third count. After the match, DDP, Kanyon and David Arquette leave through the crowd.

Sting arrives from the top of the arena for the next match.

Vampiro vs. Sting in a First Blood Match ends in a no-contest. During the match, Vampiro stands on the commentary table and makes a throat slit motion before giving the thumbs down signal with both of his hands. Sting is standing in the center of the ring when he and the ring itself is drenched in what looks like blood that drops down from the top of the arena. Vampiro then slams Sting in the red liquid before Kidman, "Hard Knox" Chris Candido, Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas all attack Sting as Tammy Lynn Sytch and Torrie Wilson watch from ringside. They then hook Sting back onto his harness from his match entrance and let him hang there a few feet above the floor as the show ends.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 24, 2000

RAW

Before the next match, Kurt Angle shows up and says everyone wants to know why he is putting his quest for championship gold aside to focus on Big Show. He says that Big Show is "a big ass," and he does not like or appreciate big asses. He also announces that his opponent tonight is Rikishi, and says that if Rikishi's parents practice abstinence, everyone would not be exposed to the repulsive rectum that he carries today. Afterwards, it is announced on commentary that X-Pac will not be here tonight due to a loss in the family.

Rikishi Phatu beats Kurt Angle by disqualification after Angle shoves the referee into Rikishi. After the match, Big Show rusn in and hit Angle with a sidewalk slam, then Angle gets the Stinkface from Rikishi in the corner. Big Show then chases Kurt Angle to the back, then stares down with Rikishi before handing Rikishi his dancing glasses, giving him a high-five and heading to the back while Rikishi dances.

The DX Express is seen stopping outside in the parking lot, with Triple H and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley heading towards the arena.

Backstage, Trish Stratus has a message for Buh Buh Ray Dudley, saying there is just something about tables that drives her crazy. There are long ones, round ones, larger ones and smaller ones depending on what kind of company you have. However, the one thing they all have in common is that have to be hard.

Triple H and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley show up. Shane says that WWF Chairman Vince McMahon will be here shortly to grace all of the fans with his presence. In the meantime, he has something to say. He says that sometimes, he can be a bit of a hot-head, and he apologizes to Triple H for his actions from last week's Raw. Shane says that he now knows that Triple H loves the McMahon family as much as he does, and that he would never, ever Pedigree their mother - Triple H's mother-in-law - ever again. He says that Triple H is the best brother-in-law one could ever have and that he never had a big brother, then says "I love you, man!" and hugs Triple H, who hugs back. Stephanie says Triple H and Shane warm her heart, and says that she would like to apologize to all the fans if she has in any way hurt their feeling with her actions, because she can empathize and knows how it is like to have her feelings hurt. She says the fans only see one side of her and that she is a deeply caring soul, and she is extraordinarily sensitive. She says that when the fans call her a slut, she almost cries, and says it it extremely unfair for the fans to pass judgment without knowing the real her. After the three of them hug each other, Triple H says he could not agree with her more, and says the fans owe her a big apology as they know absolutely nothing about her. Triple H then apologizes to the fans, as it has been brought to his attention as of late that the fans have though he has been unfair in some of the business decisions that have been made in the WWF as of late, and asks if it was unfair of him to take Chris Jericho's big win and strike it from the record books so that it never took place. He also asks if it unfair for him to humiliate and fire ex-referee Earl Hebner on national television, as well as whether or not it was unfair to make The Rock compete in a Lumberjack Match so close to Backlash knowing that he will get his ass kicked before he gets his ass kicked again by him at Backlash. Triple H says he is not an unfair guy, and that if there is anything he is, it is fair. Before he can make a big announcement, however, Chris Jericho shows up. He says the only thing Triple H needs to apologize for is boring the Jerichoholics half to death, as week after week, he does these whiny, tedious interviews that nobody cares about, and pleads with Triple H to shut the hell up. As for being fair, he says that if Triple H wants to be fair, he should agree to give him a rematch for the WWF Championship tonight. Triple H doubts if he should reward Jericho for sticking his nose is business he does not belong in as well as for saying derogatory comments to his wife Stephaie, saying Stephanie is very sensitive and delicate. Jericho says Stephanie "lost her flower a long time ago," because there is no other way she could be a filthy, dirty disgusting, skanky, brutal, bottom-feeding trash bag ho in the first place. Shane says he is tired of him and The Rock disparaging Stephanie, and tonight, he and Triple H want to take him and The Rock on in a tag team match. Triple H says this is a good idea, and tells Jericho his request for a WWF Championship rematch tonight is denied, but he is in luck if he wants to get his ass kicked. As Triple H speaks, Stephanie is dangling the WWF Championship back and forth near the edge of the ring, and Jericho yanks it from her before heading to the back. This upsets Triple H, who goes after Jericho only to be smacked in the face by the title. Jericho drops the title and heads back up the ramp as Shane checks on Triple H while yelling at Jericho.

Backstage, Eddie Guerrero and Chyna try on outfits for a prom. Chyna is in a black dress, but Eddie is in a dark green jacket and a T-shirt with a tuxedo design printed on it, which Chyna says makes Eddie look like "a Gumby reject."

We see footage from during the commercial break where Chris Jericho is attacked by Chris Benoit from behind with the WWF Intercontinental Championship, telling him that the Intercontinental title is another championship that he is not going to get.

Edge and Christian guest on commentary for the next match.

Chris Benoit beats "Road Dogg" Jesse James. During the match, Tori shows up and briefly confronts Edge and Christian at the commentary table. Later on, Edge and Christian try to run in on the match, and while Tori stops Christian, distracting referee Jimmy Korderas in the process, Edge is able to get in the ring and hit Road Dogg with a Spear, almost getting caught in the process. Benoit then hits the top rope diving headbutt for the win. After the match, Edge and Christian double-team Road Dogg, and when Tori tries to grab Edge by the hair, Christian lays her out.

Backstage, Kurt Angle offers The Acolyte Protection Agency (Faarooq and Bradshaw) money to beat up Big Show, but Bradhsaw reminds him that they protect people for money, not beat each other money. Nevertheless, they are open to his offer. Angle says he has a lot of money in the locker room, and says he will be right back, but not before telling them to cut down on the swearing and the smoking as well as to add a nicer aesthetic to the office. This only raises the ire of the Acolytes, who throw beer cans at Angle and tell him to go away.

Backstage, Kurt Angle walks in on a conversation between The Big Boss Man, Bull Buchanan and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, and asks them for help with Big Show. This leads to Big Boss Man talking about how he gave Big Show a hard time when his father died last year and also gives Stephanie a good idea, and has Boss Man and Bull Buchanan in a two-on-one handicap match, which they accept.

The Hollys (Hardcore and Crash Holly) beat The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) after Crash Holly hits Jeff Hardy in the back in an Seanton Bomb attempt while the referee is telling Matt Hardy to get back in his corner. After the match, the Hardys attack Crash from behind and get him back in the ring, and while Crash is fighting back, Perry Saturn runs into the ring as this match becomes an imromptu match for the WWF Hardcore Championship. As Hardcore Holly slowly heads down the ramp not believing what he is seeing, Tazz hits him from behind and also gets involved. However, after a Swanton Bomb from Matt Hardy onto Crash, Matt Hardy wins the WWF Hardcore Championship. Matt Hardy runs away with the Hardcore Championship while Perry Saturn, Tazz and Hardcore Holly continue to fight one another at ringside.

Backstage, Eddie comes out in a red vest, tan boots and everything else in black. Meanwhile, Chyna is wearing a different black dress, and tells Eddie to try on the tuxedo she got him. Eddie tells Chyna that the dress she is currently wearing is the best, then Chyna decides to try on the red one.

Backstage, Trish Stratus - now wearing less than she was last time - tells Buh Buh Ray Dudley that upkeep is very important. She sprays wood polish on a table, as the look and feel of the table depends solely on the way one decides to rub it down after it has been used. The more you rub it, the better the wood starts to look.

Big Show beats The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan by disqualification after Kurt Angle runs in and hits Big Show with a low blow. After the match, Angle, Boss Man and Buchanan continue to attack Big Show, then The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) go after Boss Man and Buchana and chase them to the back. Big Show gets back up in the ring, and he is not in a good mood.

A black limousine pulls up, and WWF Chairman Vince McMahon comes out of it and heads towards the arena.

Backstage, Trish Stratus - who now appears to be wearing even less - tells Buh Buh Ray Dudley that the most important part of any table is its legs, and that table legs come in all different shapes and sizes. She then says the most important one is a center leg, for without it, you can't keep it up.

WAR ZONE

WWF Chairman Vince McMahon shows up. Vince says last week, while he is in Europe, his family's actions in the ring were deplorable and reprehensible, and shows irritation at "Stone Cold" Steve Austin being in The Rock's corner at Backlash. He says that this announcement enraged the rest of the family, who then proceeded to become physically violent with each other. He asks if he is the only sane member of the McMahon family of it is all just in his imagination. Vince says Triple H may have convinced the rest of the family that he was only trying to scare WWF co-owner Linda McMahon, but he is not entirely convinced and tells him not to touch his wife ever again. As far as Triple H's tag team match goes, Triple H will have to find another partner as WWF co-owner Shane McMahon has been assigned new duties. If he cannot, it will be a two-on-one handicap match. Vince then focuses on Backlash and Steve Austin, and says nobody knows Austin better than he does, and says that if The Rock things Austin will lead him to the promised land of the WWF Championship, he should think again, as about a year ago, something happened between The Rock and Austin. We see footage from April 1999 where Austin fdestroyed The Rock's new Lincoln Continental, and says The Rock was not happy that night, as The Rock vowed that he would never drive his personal car to an arena again and he would get even with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and he eventually would seven months later. Vince then mentions that The Rock's car hit "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, putting Austin out of action for months. While The Rock was not driving the vehicle, The Rock was the one person that would benefit most by putting Austin on the shelf. With Austin gone, The Rock got on the highway to success that Vince and Austin paved, and Vince tells The Rock that when he thinks about Austin, he should be thinking thinking of three initials: "DTA," or "don't trust anybody." Vince then asks The Rock if he can trust Austin, or if Austin will be strike The Rock and drive the venom into The Rock's flesh. He then says that when Austin turns on The Rock, then and only then will it dawn on The Rock that Backlash is an appropriate name for this Sunday's pay-per-view.

Backstage, Chyna - in a red dress - and Eddie Guerrero - in a tuxedo - are dressed up for the prom. They then realize that Eddie has a match in ten minute, then they fool around behind the changing area.

D'Lo Brown and "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman beat Al Snow and The Godfather, the former dressed like The Godfather, as is Head. After the match, Al Snow wants the hos to dance with him, but The Godfather beats him up and tosses him out of the ring.

We lock back at September 1998, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin rides a Coors Light zamboni to the ring and beats up WWF Chairman Vince McMahon only to get arrested by police.

Dusty Anderson, proprietor of Vinnie's Steakhouse in Raleigh, North Caorlina, is seen in the audience.

We hear from Trish Stratus yet again, as she lays seductively on top of a table as she says that lying on a table gets her excited. However, it is not the same without Buh Buh Ray Dudley, and if he plays his cards right at Backlash, there will be a table set for two from her to him.

Val Venis beats Eddie Guerrero. During the match, Essa Rios and Lita show up, and both of them brawl with Chyna on the outside while Val Venis goes for the Money Shot for the win. After the match, Essa Rios and Lita stomp away at Eddie until Chynag ets in the ring, and Lita narrowly escapes along with Essa Rios.

Edge and Christian beat The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley). During the match, T&A (Test and Albert) bring out Trish Stratus on a table, and when Buh Buh Ray sees Trish sitting seductively on the table, he is distracted, but not enough to cost The Dudley Boyz the match. Later on, however, Trish Stratus stands up and takes off her jacket, then starts dancing. Buh Buh Ray is mesmerized as D-Von Dudley is pinned for the three count. When he finds out that he and D-Von have lost, he is flabbergasted.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews The Rock, who says that he is looking forward for tonight's match and that the countdown is on for Backlash. He tells WWF Chairman Vince McMahon that he may be right about "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and that Austin should not fully trust him, either. However, Vince can count on him and Austin being unified when it comes to not trusting him, and that if Austin had a problem with him, he would say it to his face. He also says that Vince implied that he had it easy, then says that WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley is "easy" and that he has never had it easy since he lost the WWF Championship. Since then, he has kicked, scratched and clawed his way back to where he is now and call himself "The People's Champion." The Rock then makes it clear he will beat Triple H and walk out of Backlash as WWF Champion.

As Triple H and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley leave the DX Express outside of the arena, Triple H demands that somebody had better have his back if tonight's main event is a two-on-one handicap match.

Before the next match, Triple H introduces his new tag team partner for this match: Chris Benoit. He then announces that WWF co-owner Shane McMahon will be the special guest referee for this match, replacing the original referee for this match. Triple H also introduces WWF Chairman Vince McMahon as the man who will be in his corner right now in addition to at Backlash.

Triple H and Chris Benoit beat Chris Jericho and The Rock. During the match, WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon "distracts" special guest referee Shane McMahon, and The Rock attacks him. WWF Chairman Vince McMahon goes after him and chases him out of the ring, then continues on with the match. When he goes for The People's Elbow, however, Vince kicks him in the groin from behind, allowing Triple H to hit The Rock with a Pedigree to get the win.

Extreme Nation - ECW on TNN recap for April 21, 2000

We hear from The Sinister Minister, who says that in Dante's The Divine Comedy, the ninth circle of Hell is reserved for the lowest of the low, those who have betrayed their benefactors, and the treacherous. He says that this place is where one is supposed to go to find the former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mike Awesome. Mikey Whipwreck pops out of a garbage can and says he is a former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, but The Sinister Minister tells him to shut up and shoves his back, toppling even more garbage cans in the process, and tells him to go start a fire. Whipwreck starts repeating the word "fire" before running out of the room laughing. The Sinister Minister says that in last week's episode, a WCW-contracted wrestler lost the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to a WWF-contracted wrestler after interference by an ECW-contracted wrestler in an ECW ring. He says that this is extreme, then says that the wrestling pundits will want the viewers to believe that the events in the past week will pale in comparison to Cyberslam. In order for for that to happen, however, Cyberslam has to be to annual pay-per-view events what sexual homicide is to a good night kiss. He then says "I love you all...especially your souls," before laughing maniacally.

As Mikey Whipwreck lights cards on fire at a nearby table, Joey Styles and "The Quintessential Studmuffin" Joel Gertner are about to welcome everyone to tonight's show before they notice what Whipwreck is doing. They then get back to welcoming everyone before welcoming The Impact Players (Justin Credible and Lance Storm) and Dawn Marie into the ring. After The Impact Players are told that they are only tag team champs due to Dawn Marie's constant interference and that Jazz has said she will rip Dawn Marie's head off, Dawn Marie says she is not afraid of Jazz or any other woman in the company or any other company, and tells Joey Styles to watch his mouth. Suddenly, Franicine runs into the ring, and is confronted by Justin Credible and his Singapore cane. Raven gets in the ring and holds Francine back, but Justin Credible uses this as an opportunity to start a brawl with Raven. All of a sudden, Mikey Whipwreck joins in on the match as Raven's tag team partner before referee Jim Molineaux shows up to referee the match, get it started and fall victim to an arm drag by Whipwreck, who then hits a tope con hilo to the outside.

The Impact Players (Justin Credible and Lance Storm) beat Raven and Mikey Whipwreck following a catfight between Dawn Marie and Francine which ends with Justin Credible hitting Francine in the stomach with a Singapore cane.

Cyrus is in the ring. He tells C.W. Anderson that nobody came to see him wrestle, and asks if people would rather see The Network or Electra's breasts. Electra, who just so happens to also be in the ring, takes off her jacket, much to the delight of the crowd. Cyrus says this is why he makes the decisions and the fans do not, and tells Elektra she has the night off and find some sex in the streets for a little bit of food money. Elektra yells at Cyrus, but Lou E. Dangerously shows up and tries to calm her down. Cyrus tells Lou E. Dangerously to get her and C.W. Anderson out of the ring, which he does, as he is in the ring on Network business. He talks about the legal side of the match between Mike Awesome and Tazz for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, then says that he has reviewed the contractual of each and every ECW performer and has learned that there is one person who has been coming to the shows while not under contract. Due to recent events, he can no longer be on television if he is not under contract, and that person is Scotty Anton. He asks what Rob Van Dam has done for everybody, citing what has happened to Sabu as of late, and says that while the people love Rob Van Dam, Rob Van Dam is a selfish man who "bogarts" television time faster than he does a marijuana joint. Suddenly, Scotty Anton shows up, and Cyrus stops him, telling him he is not under contract and in defiance of The Network. Instead of setting the lawyers on him, he will kick his ass in the ring and let the cameras roll. Anton gets in the ring, then Cyrus asks Anton is ready, as he is going to bend over for The Network like he does when he kisses RVD's ass. Anton grabs Cyrus, but he is attacked from behind by Rhino, starting an impromptu match.

Scotty Anton vs. Rhino ends with Rhino Goring referee Mike Kehner through Scotty Anton and a table. After the match, Rob Van Dam shows up with Bill Alfonso and fights Rhino, and ECW security and locker room members have to break up the brawl.

We see footage from during the commercial break where Rhino has to be dragged to the back. It is also announced that Scotty Anton has been taken to the hospital following the previous match.

"The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer beats Steve Corino in a Texas Bull Rope match that turns into a violent six-man tag battle between Dreamer, The Sandman and New Jack vs. The Network (Corino, Jack Victory, Tajiri). During the match, Jack Victory attacks Tommy Dreamer, but The Sandman soon shows up with a ladder. Corino and Jack Victory then attack The Sandman as he makes his way into the ring, but The Sandman fights back with a Singapore cane and sends both Corino and Jack Victory into the ladder. The match becomes a tag team affair until Tajiri shows up and attacks The Sandman and Dreamer from Tajiri. The match then becomes a three-on-two beatdown until New Jack shows up with a garbage can full of weapons and goes to town on Corino, Jack Victory and Tajiri, at one point pulling out a staple gun and busting open Jack Victory with it. The action then takes place both in the ring and in the crowd, and it all ends in the ring with a top rope steel chair shot from New Jack, who gets the pinfall victory in an impromptu all-out war.After the match, Rhino runs in and beats up Dreamer, New Jack and The Sandman. Suddenly, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes shows up and hits bionic elbows on The Network as well as Rhino, who eventually gets smacked in the head with a Singapore cane by The Sandman. The Network is forced to retreat. The show ends with Dreamer, Dusty, New Jack and The Sandman celebrating in the ring.

Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for April 20, 2000

"Road Dogg" Jesse James beats Edge after reversing a roll-up by grabbing Edge's tights while going for a roll-up himself. Before the match begins, it is announced that Edge and Christian will defend the WWF Tag Team Championships against D-Generation X (Road Dogg and X-Pac) at Backlash.

Backstage, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon tells Triple H and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley that he will start "rounding everybody up" for something later.

We look back on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's Stone Cold Stunner to "Iron" Mike Tyson in January 1998.

Triple H and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley show up. Triple H says that over the last couple of days, he has heard people talk about how he had a bad day on Raw, which he says he does not have very many of, but the record books will show that he never lost the WWF Championship to Chris Jericho, that there never was a fast count from now ex-WWF referee Earl Hebner and that he, Stephanie and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon never fired Hebner for said fast count. He then says the one thing from Monday that could be considered bad was WWF co-owner Linda McMahon's announcement of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin coming back at Backlash in The Rock's corner. Triple H admits he would not feel comfortable leaving he and Stephanie's future kids with Linda, as Linda is "a psycho" for slapping Stephanie and needs help. He then says that he snapped and that he would never really hurt Linda, and that he is a "nice guy," but Shane punched him for putting her in the position for a Pedigree. He says Shane is a "mama's boy," but says there is nothing with loving your mom like Shane does before saying that a woman who would slap her daughter would the same woman would take a fair contest between two great athletes for the WWF Championship and stack the odds against him by putting "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in The Rock's corner. He then says that if The Rock wants someone in that corner, then he will give him an opportunity to get used to it by putting someone not only in his corner, but also in every corner and around the ring, as he will take on "The Ayatollah of Buttholah" in a Lumberjack Match. Triple H says that the lumberjacks for the match are being carefully selected by Shane McMahon, then says that the McMahon-Helmsley regime is in control, taking care of business and making sure there are no more bad days. Suddenly, Tazz shows up, and says it is good to see Triple H in a pleasant mood. However, the mood is about to change. He says Triple H walks around like he has everything under control and has all the bases controlled, but all he has to do is open his mouth a little wider and bite into something he just can't swallow. He then says Triple H doesn't have to put the WWF Champion; all he has to do is lace his boots up tight, get in the ring and find out why people call him "The Human Wrecking Machine." Triple H says that if he wants a piece of him tonight, he's got it. He tells him to bring the ECW World Heavyweight Champion with him and tells him that if he steps into the ring, he will find out this is the World Wrestling Federation and Triple H will prove to everyone that ECW "sucks." Tazz tells Triple H from one champion to another to get ready to get choked out, and that he doesn't play games.

Backstage, Chyna tells Lita that she should be lucky that Eddie Guerrero is in a good mood as he gives her and Essa Rios a chance to team up with them again against The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley), and that Eddie is only in a good mood because he passed his GED test. She also tells Lita not to screw up again.

Backstage, Kurt Angle is met by WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, who tells him that his most admirable quality is his credibility and that he is the only Olympic gold medalist in the World Wrestling Federation. She also wonders if he could bring credibility to tonight's Lumberjack Match and invites him to become a lumberjack. Angle accepts the invitation, saying it would be his honor, but Stephanie says the honor is all hers.

The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) beat Eddie Guerrero and Essa Rios after Lita inadvertently takes out Eddie Guerrero with a top rope cross body meant for Buh Buh Ray, who ducks. After the match, CHyna grabs Lita by the hair, then The Dudley Boyz pull out a table. When Chyna runs backwards into the table, she looks at the Dudleys briefly before tossing Lita to them and leaving the ring, allowing Buh Buh Ray to powerbomb Lita through the table.

Backstage, The Radicalz (Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn) make fun of Tazz "looking like Donkey Kong" as he throws out challenges before WWF co-owner Shane McMahon shows up and asks the three of them to take part in tonight's Lumberjack Match. All three of them accept.

Before the next match, Big Show says Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is his town and instead of calling him Big Show, they call him "Big Funky." He proposes that he and Rikishi have a dance-off to see who the better dancer is. Big Show goes first, followed by Rikishi, but when Rikishi turns his back on Big Show, Big Show immediately attacks Rikishi to get the next match started.

Big Show and Rikishi wrestle to a double count-out. After the match, Rikishi tells Big Show that he and the fans want him back in the ring so they can finish what they started. Both men have a stare-down, then Rikishi places his trademark sunglasses on Big Show. Big Show retuns the favor by pullng out a pair for Rikishi. Both men then dance. Backstage, Kurt Angle watches them dance, embarrased that he is even seeing such a spectacle. Suddenly, Rikishi superkicks Big Show before taking the sunglasses off of Big Show.

We see footage from the upcoming new movie Gladiator starring Russel Crowe. (This footage is not shown on WWE Network.)

Backstage, Kevin Kelly interviews Kurt Angle, who says that as a modern-day gladiator, Gladiator is a phenomenal movie and Dreamworks Pictures went all-out on it. He then says that he has been personally invited by Steven Spielberg to attend the world premiere, but he was upset that he will not be starring in the film. However, if they have a sequel, he might be in it, and his fans just might see their Olympic her on the big screen. He says that Rikishi does his dance and that he does not know any better, and that Big Show used to be the WWF Champion and used to mean something; now Big Show stands for nothing. Angle says he himself stands for intensity, integrity and intelligence, and when he wins the Intercontinental Championship tonight, everyone will see that the stock market will rise, the world will become a better place and he will see Kevin Kelly at the movies.

Triple H beats Tazz in a match that sees the WWF Champion against the ECW Champion in a non-title match. During the match, WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley distracts referee Mike Chioda so that Triple H can hit Tazz with a low blow to stop the Tazzmission. Afterwards, a man gets on the apron and distracts Chioda. Triple H knocks down Chioda and the man at the same time, and the man is none other than "The Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer gets back in the ring but inadvertently takes out Triple H, and Triple H hits Dreamer with the Pedigree for the win.

Backstage, Trish Stratus tells T&A (Test and Albert) to focus on their match with The Godfather, not on the cleavage. T&A's responses show that they are clearly transfixed on Trish's cleavage.

T&A (Test and Albert) beat The Godfather and D'Lo Brown after D'Lo inadvertently strikes The Godfather with a right hand meant for Albert, who ducks. During the match, Buh Buh Ray stares as Trish Stratus from the stage, and D-Von Dudley has to stop him as he walks down the ramp and take him to the back. After the match, The Godfather tries to forgive D'Lo Brown, but D'Lo Brown hits him with the Sky High and tells him "Screw you!"

X-Pac beats Christian. During the match, Tori distracts referee Jimmy Korederas while "Road Dogg" Jesse James gets in the ring. Edge follows him down there and yanks Road Dogg off the ring apron, but X-Pac hits a distracted Christian with the X Factor. After the match, Edge and Christian fight Road Dogg and X_Pac, and Edge and Christian come out on top.

Backstage, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon compliments The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) on the powerbomb to Lita through the table as it is the intensity he is looking for, and invites them to become lumberjacks in tonight's Lumberjack Match. They accept after D-Von isis told tables may be involved and Buh Buh Ray is assured that people can be hit with the Dudley Death Drop.

We look back on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's beer bath with the Coors Light beer truck on WWF Chairman Vince McMahon and WWF owner Shane McMahon from March 1999.

Chris Benoit retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Kurt Angle by disqualification after Big Show pushes Benoit off the top rope and chases Kurt Angle to the back.

Triple H invites The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan to be lumberjacks for tonight's Lumberjack Match. They accept the invitation.

Backstage, D-Generation X (Triple H, "Road Dogg" Jesse James, X-Pac), Tori, and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley brag about their in-ring success tonight before focusing on the Lumberjack Match, saying they have Chris Jericho and The Rock right where they want them.

We see footage from earlier today where Crash Holly comes back from the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey circus event to be met by a clown and a man in a trench coat with a glasses and fake nose disguise. It is pretty obvious that the man in the trenchcoat is referee Teddy Long, but it is not so obvious that the clown is one of the members of The Mean Street Posse (Rodney, Pete Gas, Joey Abs) until Crash beats him up only to be swarmed by two more clowns as he escapes. The two clowns then fight each other, allowing Crash to escape, and it becomes obvious who the clowns are when they argue over the WWF Hardcore Championship.

Backstage, Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock. He says he has no problem with Chris Jericho or having a match with him, but he has a problem with the match being a means for Triple H to delay the inevitable, as he is taking the WWF Championship from him at Backlash. He tells Triple H to live it up, have a picnic, fly a kite and "go down to the Philadelphia[, Pennsylvania] zoo and suck some monkey's nipple" with the WWF title until then. The Rock then says that if WWF Chairman Vince McMahon wants to get involved in the WWF Championship match at Backlash, then "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will be in his corner, ready to strike. He then says it does not matter what Triple H does or how many lumberjacks throws at him, as he is looking at the next WWF Champion.

Chris Jericho beats The Rock in a Lumberjack Match after constant interference by Triple H and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon, who also fight with The Rock during the match, which ends with Shane distracting the referee so that Triple H can hit The Rock with the WWF Champion and placed a downed Chris Jericho over The Rock to give Jericho the win.

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 17, 2000

WCW security is seen securing the arena to keep The Millionaire's Club out.

Pamphlets are seen falling from the sky. Police in riot gear head towards the ring before Vince Russo approaches the ring with Buff Bagwell, "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, "Hard Knox" Chris Candido, Tammy Lynn Sytch and Scott Steiner approach the ring. Red confetti and balloons then fall from the ceiling of the arena, and Vince Russo raises a baseball bat. Russo says the fans can boo all they want, as it does not change the fact that he is better than they are. He says that this is what you can call "a New York party," as The New Blood came into their own just like he said they would. Russo then brags about all of the new championship winners in The New Blood, then mentions that there was one title that got away from them, and that will all change tonight, as Terry Funk is neither part of The New Blood or The Millionaire's Club; instead, he is "too damn old." He then says that in the WWF, they was a crotchety old man who used to wear a cowboy hat (a reference to Jim Ross) who did everything he could to keep his next guest down. He tells Jim Ross to kiss his ass, then brings out the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett shows up, then tells the fans to never, ever doubt him again as he said it, he did it and the fans are all eating it. Jarrett says that aside from the day his child was born, this is the greatest day of his life, and Jim Ross can kiss his ass. That brings him to Diamond Dallas Page, who he has a proposition for: since The New Blood is about opportunity, he will give him one. Since he was not asked to be in Ready To Rumble, he wants to use the three-tier cage from the movie at Slamboree so he can slap his nuts from the bottom to the top, where the World title will be hanging. All Diamond Dallas Page has to do in their match for the World title is to climb up to the top of the three-tier cage and grab it. Russo then introduces another guest, whom he says may have grabbed the biggest title of all last night: Eric Bischoff. Bischoff shows up with Kimberly, DDP's wife, and says he had so much fun last night seeing Jarrett defeat DDP, as it was beyond all his expectation. He says he told DDP he made him and that he can break him, and he did it in a way that will last for a long time as torturing DDP is nothing but fun for him and that Kimberly is the whip cream on his cake. Kimberly tells DDP that words cannot describe how sorry she is for hitting him with a guitar, as it is a really heavy thing to blow off an 11-year relationship. From day one, however, that relationship has been subjugated to the needs, schedule and opportunities of "D-D-Me." She says she has stood behind DDP and in his shadow all those years, and he made sure that it happened because deep down, DDP really knew that she was the real star. She says she has had opportunity after opportunity in WCW, and she had to say no every single time because DDP said so. She says no more to this, and from last night on, she is going to pay attention to her own needs, schedule and opportunities, and right now, her opportunity is standing right next to her in the form of Eric Bischoff. Bischoff thanks Russo for throwing the party and for supplying security. Outside of the arena, Diamond Dallas Page is stopped by security, but DDP fights them off, gets in the arena and makes his way to the ring. The riot squad allows DDP to get in the ring, but then they attack The New Day blood when they get in. The riot squad is none other than The Total Package, "The Nature Boy" Rick Flair and Sting, who fight The New Blood along with DDP. The New Blood is forced to retreat.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff asks some members of The New Blood where they were when he, Vince Russo and the champions in The New Blood were being attacked. Booker T asks Bischoff what he needs them for, but Bischoff tells him he is getting tired of him, his attitude and his ego. He tells Booker T he has a very short period of time to get on his good side before dismissing everybody and telling them to get it right. Bischoff then tells Russo to get Mike Awesome to beat Diamond Dallas Page up right now. After Russo leaves, four members of security show up and confront Bischoff for telling them that tonight's gig would be easy and not telling them they would be beat up by a bunch of wrestlers. They then tell Bischoff to keep the money, saying they do not need it, and leave. Bischoff then picks up the phone and gets a call from Hulk Hogan, who is now out of jail, telling him he is coming to kick his ass in five minutes.

"The Perfect One" Shawn Stasiak - who comes out to a sound-alike of Curt Hennig's WWF theme - beats Curt Hennig. At the beginning of the match, Miss Hancock shows up to get a closer look at the match. Later in the match, Hennig inadvertently hits both Stasiak and referee Charles Robinson with a forearm, and Robinson is out and unable to count the pinfall attempt after the Hennigplex. Stasiak then finishes Hennig off with The Perfect Plant for the win. After the match, Stasiak beings to attack Hennig. Outside of the arena, a police motorcade is seen heading to the arena, and they stop Hulk Hogan from entering the arena. Hogan says he will getin one day or another, but they soon relent after a staredown and they let him in. Hogan makes his way to the ring as Stasiak continues to attack Hennig, and Hogan tosses Stasiak out of the ring before helping Hennig up.

After the commercial break, Hulk Hogan is in the ring alone. He says that over the lat year, he has listened to what the fans and the critics have to say about him. While he and the rest of the guys are getting older, he has only lost half a step, and he still has something to give to the wrestling business as he is here to lead by example. As far as his role as "lead dog" in the business goes, if there is anybody who wants to come out and take his spot, he is ready to kick their ass. He says that you can mess with the gimmick and make him slip on a banana peel for a three count, and you can make a fool out of him, but when Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo pulled what they did at Nitro last week and at Spring Stampede, they are messing with Terry Bollea, and when they decided to take money out of his pocket and food out of his kids' mouths, they went beyond the line, as he has more heart than anybody in the back. As far as he is concerned, if anyone wants his spot, they had better have it in their blood and they had better be a different kind of wrestler, because he is here until somebody kicks his ass and runs him off. Hogan then talks about Kidman, who he has heard whine and cry to Bischoff and Russo and the other promoters about how he wanted the big push and how he would not leave the hotel room until he knew what they would do with him. He says that Kidman makes him sick, and if Kidman wants his spot, all he has to do is come to the ring and try to take it. He says Kidman called him out last week, and this week, he is calling Kidman out. He also hopes that Bischoff and Russo is watching, then tells Kidman he will kick his out again. We then see Kidman on the TitanTron, saying he is ready for him and that he will not come running when he says "run." When the TitanTron is shown on-screen, Kidman is seen wearing a Hulk Hogan T-shirt with the sleeves cut out, a circle with an X in red spray paint over the "Hulkster" logo and "NB" spray painted underneath. He says that if Hogan wants him, he will have to look for him in the back. Hogan says he is on his way and makes his way to the back as Kidman says this will be a fight, not a wrestling match, and that he will kick his ass all over the place. As Kidman tries to egg Hogan on with Torrie Wilson by his side, Eric Bischoff is seen waiting behind them while leaning on a white Hummer.

Hulk Hogan is seen outside of the arena looking for Kidman.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jeff Jarrett, who demands that he be called "World Champion Jeff Jarrett" as he tells Okerlund to save his questions for somebody who cares. Jarrett says he is seeing The ENw Blood guys crying about opportunity, and says he is all about that. Tonight, he will be hanging up an open contract, and the first person to grab who is not a member of The Millionaire's Club will get a World title shot against him.

Terry Funk retains the WCW Hardcore Championship against The Wall after an unknown peron pushes two tables on top of both of them and Fuk stomps through a table to hit The Wall.

Backstage, Vince Russo is met by Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark, who want a tag team title match. Vince Russo says there is too much gong on tonight for a tag team title match, but Adams tells Russo that he doesn't give a crap about the show or Russo's problems and that they had a deal. They delivered, and demand Russo did the same. Russo admits to promising them a tag tam title shot, but that he did not say it would be tonight and that it will happen when he says so.

The open contract is seen on the dressing room door of Jeff Jarrett. Soemone is seen signing it with a red pen.

After the commercial break, Jeff Jarrett sees the open contract and rips it up, saying Vince Russo is the biggest idiot as he walks into his dressing room.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Diamond Dallas Page. DDP says he wasn't allowed to be in the building, but he has gotten in and now he has a match with Mike Awesome. After last night, he is just a little pissed off about what happened, and although Eric Bischoff may have gotten to Kimberly, it is not over yet, and he tells BIschoff that if he wants to screw with his personal life, he will leave Awesome leaving and tearing him a new ass. He only hopes that Hulk Hogan does not put Bischoff in the hospital before he does, because that is going to be his job.

Bruce McArthur - whose family has owned the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team for decades - and hockey player "Bad" Bob Probert are seen in the front row.

Backstage, Bryan Adams and Bryan Clarke are seen attacking The Harris Boys (Ron and Don Harris) backstage before the next match, which they insert themselves into. Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark - known by the team name of "Kronik" - then proceed to decimate The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny The Bull) in the ring. Adams tells Vine Russo that this is just a message to him, as they both worked for him before and that he knows he does not want them working against him. He then says all the "WCW badasses" in the locker room have been shaking like a bunch of "sissies at a weenie roast" since Kronik showed up, and if anyone has the horrible luck of having to face them in the ring, they will feel chronic pain, take a chronic beating and live a chronic nightmare. He then says that if Russo continues to drag his feet, he will see what he is talking about.

Vampiro shows up. He has come to send a message to his "brother in paint." He says that Sting knows nothing about pain, and even after what happened last night between them, in which only Sting knows what truly happened when he dragged him underneath the ring, he still knows nothing about pain. Vampiro says that he heard Sting's screams and drew and tasted his blood, and he smelled all of his fear, but that was last night. Tonight is just the beginning, and he has allowed himself just a little taste so he can save the rest. At Slamboree, he will devour Sting and show him what it is like to walk around with his humanity stripped from him just like he does. Suddenly, the lights go out as Vampiro threatens to drag him to Hell and welcome him to his nightmare. Suddenly, Sting rappels down from the top of the arena and attacks a stunned Vampiro with his baseball bat. He pins him to the corner, then says Vampiro looked like somebody just walked over his grave, and says that right now, he feels like "rompin', stompin' graveyard destruction." He then hits Vampiro with the baseball bat multiple times before telling him he learned about pain from the best and that Vampiro is going to grow up quickly. Sting then hits the Scorpion Death Drop on Vampiro, then says WCW runs through his veins and that it is his turf.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is still looking for Kidman. Meanwhile, Jeff Jarrett is irritated with Vince Russo for proposing the idea of the open contract, and Russo tells Jarrett that he will take care of his opponent.

Mike Awesome beats Diamond Dallas Page by disqualification after Chris Kanyon runs into the ring and brawls with Awesome. After the match, Mike Awesome pulls a table out from underneath the ring after coming out on top in the initial brawl, and almost puts Kanyon through the table before Kevin Nash's entrance hits. Instead of coming out through the back, he comes out through the crowd and over the guardrail, and he puts Mike Awesome through the table with a Jackknife Power Bomb.

Backstage, Vince Russo talks to Jeff Jarrett's open contract opponent.

Tank Abbott is backstage, much to the chagrin of Mark Madden.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Buff Bagwell and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. Buff says that he is tired of seeing The Millionaire's Club show them up, as they are The New Blood, it is a new day and they are world tag team champions. He tells The Total Package to watch out, because at Slamboree, he's going down in a singles match, too. Douglas says that for seven years, he has dreamed of getting his hands on "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and Flair has accepted his challenge for a match at Slamboree and he cannot wait. He says he should be the happiest man on the face of the planet right now, but he is not as he cannot get over what happened to him at Thunder last week involving The Total Package. He says that Flair is sticking his nose in the match and costing him, and he wants The Total Package tonight. Suddenly, The Total Package shows up with Miss Elizabeth and tells Douglas that if he wants him tonight, he's got him under the condition that if Vince Russo gets involved before the end of the match, the WCW World Tag Team Championships will be forfeited over to Team Package (The Total Package and Ric Flair).

Tank Abbott shows up. He tells Goldberg that this is not his first barbecue, and that he has fought his whole life and has seen this song and dance before. He shows up, someone wants a piece of him, and they get hurt. He then repeats that until Goldberg shows up and takes him on, he will continue to beat up "innocent idiots" who think Goldberg is a hero He then tells Goldberg he will get someone tonight, and it will be on him. After Abbott leaves the ring, he looks around ringside for someone to beat up in the front row. Suddenly, he stops infront of Bruce MacArthur, owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, and gets him in the ring. Bob Probert gets in the ring and saves MacArthur, and after security shows up, Abbott is escorted from the ring as MacArthur is checked on.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is still looking for Kidman when Terry Taylor tells him he has seen Kidman outside.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett is met by Vince Russo, who says that Jarrett's opponent still wants the match. Russo asks Jarrett to give him some time so he can get back to him on how he can get Jarrett out of the match.

"The Franchise" Shane Douglas beats The Total Package by disqualification. During the match, Buff Bagwell shows up and grabs The Total Package by the legs, allowing Shane Douglas to hit a low blow. Buff Bagwell then goes Miss Elizabeth while a man in a Sting mask and black wig sitting in the front row hits The Total Package with a baseball bat before doing the same to Shane Douglas. The man then climbs over the guardrail and into the ring before unmasking and revealing himself to be "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. After the match, Vince Russo shows up and gets Shane Douglas out of the ring. Buff Bagwell is then angry at Russo for not showing up sooner, even though that would have cost him and Shane Douglas the WCW World Tag Team Championships.

In the parking garage, Hulk Hogan finds the white Hummer.

Hulk Hogan finally gets his hands on Kidman. Torrie Wilson hits Hulk Hogan with a 2x4, and Kidman tries to take advantage of the distraction only to get laid out by Hulk Hogan again. Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff is seen watching from a distance before Hogan throws Kidman into a dumpster. Hogan then sees Bischoff, who then flees into the white Hummer, which refuses to start. Bischoff then runs up the ramp, and Hogan manages to get the white Hummer started. Hogan then runs the white Hummer into the dumpster a few times in an attempt to crush Kidman before driving up the ramp.

Backstage, Kidman - already placed on a board - is pulled out of the parking lot dumpster by EMTs.

It is revealed that the person who signed the open contract on Jeff Jarrett's locker room door and is taking Jarrett on for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship is WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner, who is accompanied to the ring by three women.

Jeff Jarrett retains the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Scott Steiner by disqualification after Booker T hits Scott Steiner with the Ax Kick as Steiner has Jarrett in the Steiner Recliner. After the match, Booker T grabs Jarrett by the head and says "You're welcome, punk!" before leaving.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is seen wielding a pipe as he is seen looking for Eric Bischoff.

Hulk Hogan finally find Eric Bischoff in the backstage production office and chases him to the ring. The show end with Hogan kicking Bischoff in the groin. Vince Russo shows up with a baseball bat, but Bret "The Hit Man" Hart shows up with a steel chair. Bret swings the chair, but the intended target is not made clear as the show fades to black.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 17, 2000

RAW

Before the next match, Triple H tells WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley that he remembers what Chris Jericho called him last week, and says that what X-Pac and "Road Dogg" Jesse James did to Jericho will be nothing compared to what he does to him. He tells her that he will show her how a real husband avenges the honor of his wife. Meanwhile, in the ring, Jericho says it seems that he is in hot water yet again, as he was punished last week for calling Stephanie a "bargain basement slut" and "the filthiest, dirtiest, most disgustingly skankiest, brutal bottom-feeding trash bag ho" he has ever seen in his life. He has now come to the ring to apologize to all the bargain basement sluts and the filthy, disgusting, dirty, skanky brutal bottom-feeding trash bag hos for even comparing them to "the slimeball pig" that is Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and for offending anybody with the exception of Stephanie. When Triple H shows up, he chases Jericho out of the ring. Jericho says it valiant and touching that Triple H has come down for Stephanie's honor, but tells him that if he thinks she is special and if he really wants to impress her, then he would put the WWF Championship on the line. Triple H accepts the challenge, and Jericho says that since this is officially a WWF Championship match, he hopes that Triple H doesn't mind if he invests in an insurance policy in the form of The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw), who show up.

Chris Jericho beats Triple H to become the WWF Champion! During the match, Jericho inadvertently catapults Triple H into referee Mike Chioda, but as he goes up top, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon trips Jericho off. The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) chase Shane to the back, then WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley tosses the WWF Championship into the ring. Triple H goes for it, but Jericho kicks Triple H in the face and grabs it first. Senior referee Earl Hebner runs into the ring to referee the rest of the match, and when Triple H notices him, he gets into an argument that quickly gets physical. Triple H shoves Hebner to the mat, then Jericho hits a spinning heel kick followed by an Asai moonsault. Jericho wins the WWF Championship after a fast count from Hebner, and Triple H tries to chase after Hebner after the match only to be stopped by The Acolytes, who tell Triple H that he just lost the title. Stephanie and Triple H are absolutely livid.

In the locker room, Triple H confronts senior referee Earl Hebner, saying he screwed him, and yanks him out of the locker room before bringing him back into the ring. WWF co-owner Shane McMahon also brings referee Mike Chioda into the ring while WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley follows. Triple H grabs the microphone and tells Hebner that he has screwed him and "jobbed him out." He then asks Mike Chioda to put the footage of Chris Jericho's victory on the TitanTron to see the fast count, then asks for his unbiased opinion. Chioda rules Hebner's pinfall count a fast count, and tells Hebner that he screwed Triple H. Triple H allows Chioda to leave, then confronts Hebner again. Shane holds Hebner back while Triple H demands that Hebner reverse the decision, therefore handing the WWF Championship back to him and striking the match between Triple H and Jericho from the record books. Hebner screams "No!" Triple H and Shane threaten to attack Hebner, but Hebner tells Triple H he will reverse the decision on one term: nobody touches him again as long as he is a WWF referee, especially Shane, Stephanie or Triple H. Triple H says he has a deal, and when Triple H asks him if he will reverse the decision, he says that he will Triple H then tells Hebner to go to the back and get the WWF Championship back from around the waist of "that sawed-off midget" Chris Jericho and hand it back to him in the middle of the ring right now. Triple H then tells the fans that they did not see a thing, and that everybody knows that Chris Jericho is not even in his league. CHris Jericho shows up with a microphone in his hand and tells Triple H to shut up, then says that if nobody can believe the match never happened, then nobody can believe that Stephanie has slept with half of the guys in the locker room. He then relinquishes the WWF Championship back to Hebner, who then hands the title back to Triple H. Triple H demands that Hebner put the title back around his waist where it belongs. Hebner places the WWF Championship around his waist, then Triple H tells Hebner that he is a man of his word and that he, Stephanie, Shane or even WWF Chairman Vince McMahon for as long as he is a WWF referee. He then tells Hebner he is fired, and strikes him in the face with the microphone before hitting him with the Pedigree. THe rest of the referees and a few officials then show up before things get worse.

Backstage, Eddie Guerrero is studying for his GED when Chyna shows up and tells him he has a match right now.

WWF co-owner Linda McMahon shows up and is welcomed by Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson.

The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) beat Essa Rios and Eddie Guerrero after Lita inadvertently flattens Eddie Guerrero with a top rope moonsault. After the match, Chyna hits Essa Rios with a powerbomb and Eddie takes the boots to him.

Backstage, WWF co-owner Linda McMahon is met by WWF co-owner Shane McMahon. Linda tells Shane that she is here tonight to make a very special announcement concerning The Rock, which she is keeping under wraps until she gets in the ring.

Backstage, Triple H refuses to calm down as he wants to know what the announcement concerning The Rock is as well as why WWF co-owner Linda McMahon is here. Triple H and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley demand that Shane find out more, considering that he has a way with Linda.

Crash Holly retains the WWF Hardcore Championship against Tazz (who is seen wearing the ECW World Heavyweight Championship on the way to the ring) and Perry Saturn despite Hardcore Holly showing up with his own referee to fight Crash Holly for the title at ringside. Crash ends up retaining when Crash breaks a Tazzmission with a basking sheet and Hardcore Holly hits Saturn with a Michinoku Driver before getting drop kicked by Crash.

WWF co-owner Shane McMahon asks WWF co-owner Linda McMahon to reveal more about the special announcement concerning The Rock. Linda says that it involves Backlash, and that she should head to the ring to make the announcement right now.

In footage from earlier today, Kurt Angle is seen at Penn State University encouraging students to seek the joys of celibacy and to join him in "Olympic Heroes For Abstinence," as the best sex is no sex.

WWF co-owner Linda McMahon is in the ring. She says she is here tonight to address a situation that she deems to be very unfair. She believed it before, and after seeing some footage from Backlash, she believes it even more now. She says that at Backlash, The Rock is scheduled to and will compete against Triple H for the WWF Championship. As she makes her announcement, Triple H and WWF co-owners Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley are watching from backstage on a television monitor. Linda says that from what she can see, the deck is already stacked against The Rock, as it has been announced that WWF Chairman Vince McMahon will be in Triple H"s corner, and that Stephanie will position herself somewhere at ringside to "aid and abet" Triple H like she has many times before. She says that The Rock is outnumbered, and while The Rock has not asked for her help or anyone else's, but after watching tonight and watching what happened at WrestleMania, he has decided to put someone in his corner to even the odds. She confirms that it is not Mick Foley, as he was a one time and one night only and is very happily retired at home. However, there will be a very special individual in The Rock's corner who will have The Rock's back in two weeks at Backlash, and that person is none other than "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Backstage, Triple H and Stephanie are livid. Linda and ring announcer Lillian Garcia are talking in the ring when Stephanie, Shane and Triple H show up. Stephanie tells Linda that "unfair: is Linda hopping on a plane thinking she can come into the ring and making decisions she knows nothing about. She says that the last time they were in the ring together, the McMahon-Helmsley had no problem slapping people around. She then says the McMahon-Helmsley regime is all about opportunity, and she gives Linda the opportunity to change her mind. Linda says "No." Stephanie then says she has no plans to change her mind about what she is about to do, and says this will hurt her more than it hurts Linda. Stephanie goes to slap Linda, but Linda deflects it and slaps her back. An enraged Stephanie then sics Triple H on a shocked Linda, but Shane clotheslines Triple H to stop her from hitting Linda with a Pedigree. Linda high-tails it out of the ring as Stephanie slaps both Triple H and Shane to keep them from going at each other's throats. Suddenly, The Rock shows up and says that before Triple H and Shane go at it like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and have to be refereed by "that prostitute-in-training" Stephanie, he says he was feeling great as he was facing Triple H for the WWF Championship at Backlash, and that it was a great situation. He then says that after Linda's announcement, a great situation just got better with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in his corner to even the odds. The Rock admits he and Austin have not always seen eye-to-eye, but they have always agreed that Triple H is "the biggest asshole walking God's green earth." He then says that at two weeks in Backlash, he will walk in, whip Triple H's monkey ass, and walk out WWF Champion, and there is no other way.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Triple H, who insists he did not lose the WWF Championship tonight and that nobody beats him. As far as Chris Jericho goes, he is not done with him, as he can bring The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) to the ring so he, X-Pac and "Road Dogg" Jesse James can take care of business D-Generation X style in a six-man tag team match.

WAR ZONE

Al Snow and "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman beat The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) after Trish Stratus distracts the referee, allowing Test to hit D-Von Dudley with a top rope elbow drop and put Al Snow on top of D-Von for the win while Albert holds Buh Buh Ray back ringside, even though he puts Snow on top of D-Von in full view of the referee (revealing that Trish Stratus and the referee botched on the distraction). After the match, Test and Albert brawl with The Dudleys, but D-Von back body drops Albert out of the ring and grabs Trish Stratus by the hair. He calls for D-Von to get a table, but Trish buys himself some time by kissing Buh Buh Ray on the lips. Buh Buh Ray goes into a trance, and Trish escapes.

In footage from Penn State University from earlier today, Kurt Angle walks in on two kissing university students, saying he knows where this is going and if they are going to suck on anything, they should suck on a lollipop, which Angle supplies.

Lavar Arrington, first-round draft pick for the Washington Redskins football team, is seen in the front row.

Scotty 2 Hotty beats Dean Malenko to become the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion after countering a superplex into an inside cradle.

In footage from earlier today at Penn State University, Kurt Angle tells a group of students about the joys of celibacy. All of a sudden, Big Show shows up passing out condoms, which gets everyone's attention. Kurt Angle asks a student what is wrong with America's youth, to which the student replies "It's true! It's true!"

Big Show beats Chris Benoit by disqualification after Benoit kicks him in the groin, and Chris Benoit retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship. After the match, Kurt Angle runs into the ring and attacks Big Show, attacking his groin in revenge for what he did at Penn State University.

Edge and Christian retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan after Boss Man shoves referee Teddy Long as he and Buchanan take the boots to Edge. After the match, Kane and Paul Bearer show up, and Kane quickly gets the upper hand against Boss Man and Buchanan.

In the locker room, Michael Cole interviews Chris Jericho and The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw). Bradshaw, upon hearing Michael Cole question whether The Acolytes were mentioned under the premise that Triple H could have sneaked them a few dollars, says that while they will take money from anybody, they are standing with Jericho tonight. Faarooq says that if Triple H did pay them off, they would be man enough to tell Cole that. Bradshaw tells Cole "You're about to get your ass whupped for free, you little bitch!" The Acolytes leave, then Jericho tells Cole "I guess you got your answer there, eh, Mitchell?"

Backstage, Edge and Christian run into X-Pac and "Road Dogg" Jesse James, who tell them to keep the WWF Tag Team Champ[ionships shined up for them. After Edge and Christian pass by following a short war of words, X-Pac and Road Dogg attack tehm from behind.

D-Generation X (Triple H, X-Pac, "Road Dogg" Jesse James) beat Chris Jericho and The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw). During the match, The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) brawl their way up the ramp with X-Pac and Road Dogg, who are attacked by Edge and Christian on the way to the back. The Acolytes then come back without X-Pac and Road Dogg, distracting Triple H, but The Acolytes are soon attacked by The Big Boss Man and Bull Buchanan. Triple H then hits the Pedigree for the win.