Results
Dean Malenko made Kensuke Sasaki submit to the Texas Cloverleaf in 0:04:34.
Rating: *** 1/2
Brian Christopher pinned Jushin Liger with the Tennessee Jam in 0:03:42.
Rating: ****
Two-out-of-three-Falls Falls-Count-Anywhere Match
Masato Tanaka beat Kendo Ka Shin 2 falls to 1:
x Ka Shin beat M. Tanaka via a guillotine choke in 0:13:02
x M. Tanaka beat Ka Shin via the Running Forearm Smash in 0:18:07
x M. Tanaka beat Ka Shin via the Rolling Elbow Smash in 0:24:21
Rating: *****
They're brawling behind the guardrail.
Kendo Ka Shin hits him with the ring bell.
Kendo Ka Shin locks Masato Tanaka in the STF.
Kendo Ka Shin lets go after 24 seconds.
Kendo Ka Shin hits him with the ring bell.
Kendo Ka Shin catches Masato Tanaka in a guillotine choke.
Masato Tanaka is valiantly trying to break the hold.
Masato Tanaka is valiantly trying to break the hold.
Masato Tanaka tries to fight the pain.
Masato Tanaka submits after 8 seconds.
All of a sudden, the boos are turning into almost unanimous cheers.
The winner is Kendo Ka Shin. Time of match: 0:13:02
[ portion of match removed ]
They're brawling behind the guardrail.
Kendo Ka Shin throws Masato Tanaka over the guardrail.
Kendo Ka Shin is handed a baseball bat.
Kendo Ka Shin hits him with the baseball bat.
The crowd is wildly cheering Kendo Ka Shin with only a few scattered boos
audible.
They're brawling inside the ring area.
They're brawling inside the ring area.
They're brawling inside the ring area.
Masato Tanaka throws Kendo Ka Shin over the guardrail.
They're brawling behind the guardrail.
Masato Tanaka whips Kendo Ka Shin into the guardrail.
Masato Tanaka executes the Running Forearm Smash on Kendo Ka Shin.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
The crowd erupts.
The winner is Masato Tanaka. Time of match: 0:18:07
[ portion of match removed ]
Kendo Ka Shin nails Masato Tanaka with a clothesline.
Kendo Ka Shin takes Masato Tanaka down with a side suplex.
Kendo Ka Shin nails Masato Tanaka with a kick to the midsection.
Kendo Ka Shin hits Masato Tanaka with a side suplex.
Kendo Ka Shin goes for a back heel kick, but Masato Tanaka ducks out of the way.
Masato Tanaka executes the Rolling Elbow Smash on Kendo Ka Shin.
Masato Tanaka goes for the pin.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
The crowd erupts.
The winner is Masato Tanaka. Time of match: 0:24:21
Cactus Jack was supposed to introduce his replacement here.
The lights go out and Cactus Jack's music starts playing over the PA. The
18,000+ in attendance go crazy but the heat quickly dies down when Cactus Jack's
music morphs over to a new, unknown theme.
A spot is turned on, and it illuminates the place on the rampway where the
wrestlers step onto the ramp.
The person coming down to the ring is hard to describe... about 6'2" tall...
white shirt and raggedy tie... long dark hair and a beard... a leather mask...
and a WHITE SOCK over his right hand... what the heck is Cactus Jack doing in
this completely ridiculous outfit ?!?
He grabs the mike and addresses the puzzled fans.
CJ: I've been a great wrestler as Cactus Jack and my tag team with Sabu was
the greatest tag team ever but we have decided to move on. And just like
Cactus Jack symbolized me in the past, this new outfit and character called
Mankind will signify my way back to the top as a singles wrestler... Rock...
Hogan... Benoit... whomever ends up holding the WWF title... this man is
kind enough to come after you, if you smell what the sock is cookin' !
Rating: DUD
Four Corners Match
The Acolytes defeated D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry, Bret Hart and Val Venis and Steve Williams and Rick Steiner:
x Bradshaw beat B. Hart via a power bomb in 0:00:20
x Faarooq beat M. Henry via the Spinebuster in 0:08:53
x Bradshaw beat R. Steiner via the Clothesline From Hell in 0:09:52
Rating: *
They lock up.
Bradshaw uses a pumphandle slam on Bret Hart.
A wave of boos is going through the crowd.
Bradshaw nails Bret Hart with a flying clothesline.
A wave of boos is going through the crowd.
Bret Hart begs off.
Bradshaw executes a power bomb on Bret Hart.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
Bret Hart has been eliminated.
The crowd is booing Bradshaw.
The winners are The Acolytes. Time of match: 0:00:20
[ portion of match removed ]
Faarooq locks Mark Henry in a boot choke.
James Beard warns Faarooq to let go.
James Beard counts: One, two, three, four.
Faarooq nails Mark Henry with a punch.
Faarooq whips Mark Henry into the turnbuckle.
Faarooq charges into the corner.
Faarooq hits Mark Henry with a flying shoulderblock.
Faarooq has the crowd going wild.
Faarooq executes the Spinebuster on Mark Henry.
James Beard counts: One, two, three.
Mark Henry has been eliminated.
The crowd is going crazy.
The winners are The Acolytes. Time of match: 0:08:53
[ portion of match removed ]
Bradshaw executes the Clothesline From Hell on Rick Steiner.
Bradshaw further incites the crowd.
Bradshaw goes for the pin.
James Beard counts: One, two, Steve Williams doesn't make it in time... three.
Rick Steiner has been eliminated.
Bradshaw further incites the crowd.
The winners are The Acolytes. Time of match: 0:09:52
Rating: **** 3/4
Sabu goes for a ropeflip moonsault, but Hayabusa rolls out of the way.
Hayabusa gives the sign for the Firebird Splash.
Hayabusa goes for the Firebird Splash, but Paul E. Dangerously shoves him off
the turnbuckle.
Sabu executes a bodyslam on Hayabusa.
Sabu hits a ropeflip moonsault on Hayabusa.
There is no referee to count.
Earl Hebner is back on the job.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Sabu.
The winner is Sabu. Time of match: 0:19:50
Dave Finlay defeated The Godfather via first-round knockout at the 03:32 mark.
(Dave Finlay retained the WWF Brawl For All Title.)
(Dave Finlay suffered a back injury. He will be out for approximately 4 cards.)
Final Scorecard
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Points
ÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Dave Finlay - KO - 90
The Godfather - ÄÄ - 0
Knockdowns
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Dave Finlay - 6 - 6
The Godfather - 0 - 0
Dave Finlay defeated The Godfather via first-round knockout at the 03:32 mark.
Dave Finlay suffered a back injury. He will be out for approximately 4 cards.
Rating: **** 1/4
Ken Shamrock goes for a forearm smash, but Chris Benoit blocks it.
Chris Benoit runs into the ropes.
Chris Benoit misses with an elbow.
Ken Shamrock goes for a punch, but Chris Benoit counters it with
a roundhouse right.
In turn, Ken Shamrock counters it with a punch.
Ken Shamrock goes for a Frankensteiner, but Chris Benoit counters it with
a tiger driver.
Earl Hebner counts: One, two, thr... kickout.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Chris Benoit.
Chris Benoit executes a belly-to-back suplex on Ken Shamrock.
Chris Benoit goes for a flying headbutt, but Ken Shamrock rolls out of the way.
Ken Shamrock gets a guillotine choke on Chris Benoit.
Chris Benoit tries to fight the pain.
Chris Benoit submits after 11 seconds.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Ken Shamrock.
The winner is Ken Shamrock. Time of match: 0:15:06
Ken Shamrock announced his new tag team partner.
KS: You know, I've been thinking for a long time. Who could possibly measure
up ? My tag team partner has to be the best of the best. He has to be a
great wrestler. He has to be able to brawl with the best of them. He has
to complement my own style. There have been many wrestlers I've met in my
life who'd fall into one category or the other. Some even fall into two of
them. Yet, there is only one wrestler in the world who falls into them all.
Chris Benoit... if you want to be my partner as World Wrestling Federation
Tag Team Champions, come back in here and shake my hand ! You've given me
the toughest fight of my life tonight.
[ Chris Benoit comes back into the ring with a very cautious look on his face. ]
KS: What is it, Chris ? Shake my hand ! We are the best team ever to set foot
in a wrestling ring !
[ Chris Benoit extends his right hand and shakes Ken Shamrock's hand while
slapping him with his left hand. Ken Shamrock glares at him, apparently
surprised by Benoit's actions, and slaps him back. After a few moments of
staring at one another which seemed to last an eternity, they embraced, held
up their tag team titles and left the ring to a thunderous ovation from the
18,000+ in attendance. ]
Edge defeated Shawn Michaels in 0:30:23.
(Edge won the WWF Intercontinental Title.)
Rating: *** 1/2
Shawn Michaels is in grabbing distance.
Shawn Michaels dives for the Intercontinental Title, but he misses.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.
Edge hits a flying dropkick on Shawn Michaels.
Edge tries to climb the ladder.
Edge is on his way up.
Edge is half-way up.
Edge is almost on top of the ladder.
Edge is in grabbing distance.
Edge has retrieved the Intercontinental Title.
The crowd is on its feet cheering for Edge.
The winner is Edge. Time of match: 0:30:19
(Rocky Maivia retained the WWF World Title.)
Rating: ** 1/4
Hollywood Hogan nails Rocky Maivia with a facerake.
Hollywood Hogan hits Rocky Maivia.
The arena is exploding in a chorus of boos.
Hollywood Hogan punches Rocky Maivia.
Hollywood Hogan chops Rocky Maivia.
The decibel level in the building is unbelievable.
Hollywood Hogan nails Rocky Maivia with a bodyslam.
Hollywood Hogan goes for the Big Leg Drop, but Rocky Maivia rolls out of the
way.
Rocky Maivia gives the sign for the Rock Bottom.
Rocky Maivia executes the Rock Bottom on Hollywood Hogan.
Rocky Maivia goes for the pin.
Danny Davis counts: One, two, three.
The crowd is going into a frenzy.
The winner is Rocky Maivia. Time of match: 0:18:40
Match Observations:
WrestleMania... a name that has long stood for greatness - and this one was no
different.
Tonight was no different. A storyline which originated at last year's King of
the Ring and developed over the last nine months, finally came to its
conclusion.
The Rock defeated Hollywood Hogan tonight to retain his WWF World Title, was
fully reinstated with a new three-year contract, and forced Hollywood Hogan to
retire for good.
And the best thing about it is that he did it fair and square, in the middle
of the ring. No outside interference. No cheap shots. Just wrestling at its
best.
In a considerably more spectacular match, Edge once again became the WWF
Intercontinental Champion by defeating the legendary "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn
Michaels in his own speciality match, the ladder match.
Ken Shamrock defeated Chris Benoit tonight in a very close match to win the
right to pick a new tag team partner with whom to hold the WWF World Tag Team
Titles. Much to the surprise of everybody looking on, the man he picked was
Chris Benoit. So the two are going to have another go at it... let's just hope
it doesn't disintegrate as quickly as last time around.
The Godfather agreed to face Dave Finlay in a Brawl For All match - literally
at the last minute because the man who originally was supposed to face Finlay,
Al Snow, had to pull out due to a running injury he suffered earlier today. The
lack of preparation and not being familiar with the rules and regulations cost
Godfather a match he should have won. Dave Finlay proved once again, though,
that no matter how big or strong you are - you're no tougher than the Irishman
himself.
Sabu continued his ascension to the top tonight with a spectacular victory over
old rival Hayabusa. The two wrestled each other many, many times in Japan's FMW
promotion in the days when Hayabusa still was called by his real name, Eiji
Eizaki. However, the victory wasn't a clean one. Paul E. had to save his man's
behind and was directly involved in giving Sabu the victory.
There are quite a few things you can say about the Acolytes which aren't
flattering. They aren't good wrestlers. They certainly don't ooze charisma. They
look like two men taken straight out of a back alley and put in the ring. Yet,
when they're in the ring, they kick some serious butt, as the three teams they
faced tonight will be quick to point out. No more than ten minutes after the
first bell rung, it was over... Bradshaw and Faarooq - your winners.
Cactus Jack is no more. Apparently influenced by Sabu's decision to go solo,
Mick Foley thought it was about time to do something about his own character
as well. Good bye Cactus... welcome Mankind and Mr. Socko ! Let's just say that
this is one highly strange character... but, the fans seem to be buying it and
if it works, don't fix it !
The true show stealer, however, was the battle between former Intercontinental
Champion Kendo Ka Shin and his countryman Masato Tanaka. These two battled all
across the arena in a great two-out-of-three falls match, and in the end, it
was Masato Tanaka who got his hand raised. Close it was, indeed.
What will the coming months hold in store for us ? We'll get the first
indication tomorrow evening on RAW. See you then !
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