WWF BACKLASH 2001

We are Live from the All-State Arena in Chicago, Illinois

Your hosts are Jim Ross and Paul Heyman

The Opening Match up is scheduled for 1 fall and it is for the World Wrestling Federation European Championship.

Perry Saturn vs. Test (c)

During introductions we are given a quick recap of what led up to this match. Perry Saturn helped cost Test the title at WrestleMania. Even after Test won the belt back, Perry Saturn has pinned him twice in tag team matches in the past couple of weeks.

Test works Saturn into the corner and hits him with a couple of quick elbows. Irish whip into the other corner and Test follows with a clothesline. Tries it again and Saturn avoids the charge and takes Test down with a drop toehold. Saturn works into a front facelock, but Test quickly powers up and tosses Saturn off. Clothesline by Test gets two. Side suplex by Test gets another two count. Test picks Saturn up and puts him on the buckle and sets up for the superplex. Saturn pushes him off and hits a clothesline from the second rope. Saturn gets a falcon arrow suplex for 2. Saturn picks Test up and gets a couple of forearm shots to Test.Into the corner with more forearm shots. Saturn chokes him to a four count a couple of times. Test fights back with knees and sets up a pump handle slam. Saturn slides behind on the attempt, spins Test and gets a belly-to-belly suplex for 2. Saturn works Test on the ground with legdrops and knees. Irish whip, but Saturn puts his head down and Test gets the gut-wrench powerbomb. Both men work their way up and Test wins a block punch contest. Big Boot misses, a Saturn clothesline does not. Saturn puts on a stump-puller but can’t get the submission. Corner whip by Saturn but the charge hits elbow. Corner whip by Test. Saturn tries a float-over but Test catches him with Snake Eyes. The Big Boot finishes it.

Time of Match- 6:37

Winner and STILL WWF European Champion: Test

William Regal is in his office and bemoaning the fact that Test is a European Champion. Kurt Angle comes in to wish Regal luck in his title shot tonight. Regal returns the luck to Angle, who is sure he won’t need it.

Raven vs. Chris Benoit

Raven does some jaw-jacking early and Benoit chops him HARD and knocks him out of the ring. Benoit follows with more hard chops. Raven counters with a right hand and some boots. Raven charges at him, but Benoit gets a knee to the mid-section. Snap suplex on the floor and Benoit gets back in the ring. Raven slowly gets up and Benoit catches him with a suicide dive. Benoit throws Raven in and follows, but Raven catches him with a shot coming in. Raven with a couple more shots to the back and a knee in the back. Raven takes him head first to the buckle and follows with a couple more knees. Benoit reverses and chops him down. Raven grabs tights and takes him face first into the second buckle. Forearm shots by Raven. Raven brings him out and sets up the DDT, but Benoit comes out with an arm twist and a short arm clothesline. Benoit up top and hits the swan dive headbutt. Could have had 3 but pulls him up. Benoit hits an Evenflow DDT. Picks him up again and throws him shoulder first into the post. Crippler Crossface ends it. Benoit holds onto the move for several moments after the match. Raven smiles while being checked afterwards.

Time of match- 5:40

Winner- Chris Benoit

In the back, the WCW 1 limousine arrives.

Elsewhere, Vince McMahon is with William Regal, Kurt Angle, The Big Show and Steve Austin rallying his troops.

6 Man Tables Match- X-Factor vs. The Dudley Boys

Can’t do play by play on this one so I’ll give you the eliminations

X-Pac is put through a table with a 3-D

Justin Credible is put through a table when Spike hits him with a super frankensteiner

Spike is put through a table when he tries the same move on Albert who ends up powerbombing him off the second turnbuckle.

Albert is put through a table with a 3-D

Time of Match-8:44

Winners: The Dudley Boys

Lillian Garcia interviews The Big Show.

In the back, Raven speaks to a camera about Chris Benoit finally finding his inner wolverine, now maybe he can finally realize his destiny.

The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the World Wrestling Federation Hardcore Championship.

WWF Hardcore Title: The Big Show vs. Rhyno (c)

Rhyno gets into Show’s chest to start and Show shoves him back by the face. Rhyno comes back with a knee and right hands. Clothesline from Rhyno but he can’t take him off his feet. Another try but Show catches him and slams him. Show with a couple of hard chops. Into the corner. Ram into the corner. Show beals him out. Show with a front-facelock and forearm shots across the back. Show sets for the chokeslam but Rhyno slaps the arm away and fires off some more right hands. Show dazed and Rhyno clotheslines him over the top. Rhyno gets a chair and takes it across Show’s back. Rhyno chokes him with camera cord. Another chair shot, this time across the right shoulder. Rhyno with right hands. Rhyno gets the chair again, but this time Show kicks it into his face. Clothesline from Show. Big right hands. Now show with a chair shot across the back. Show throws him over the barrier. Rams him back first into the barrier. Throws him back to the ringside area. Choking Rhyno with a knee. Slams him onto the ramp. Steps on Rhyno’s chest. Show picks him up and gets a vertical suplex. Wrenches the neck. Show pulls him back to the ringside area and misses an attempted splash off the apron. Rhyno with rights to the back of the head. Chair shot to the head. Rhyno gets a ladder out from under the ring. Show grabs him from behind as he tries to set it up and tosses him into the ring. Show follows with a chair and measures Rhyno. Show lifts the chair over his head. GORE! 1,2,NO. Rhyno goes over to the corner and gets the tag rope. He wraps it around Show’s neck and gets a bodyscissors and choke. Ref drops the Show’s arm once and then calls for the bell. Rhyno holds the Hardcore Belt high. Show is coughing in the ring.

Time of Match- 10:25

Winner and STILL WWF Hardcore Champion: Rhyno

Michael Cole catches up with Shane McMahon in the back. How can Shane possibly hope to beat an olympic gold medalist and former WWF Champion? Shane’s a fighter and won’t ever quit. Plus…he might just have a couple of tricks up his sleeve.

Video recap of the Jericho-Regal feud.

The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Championship.

Intercontinental Title- William Regal vs. Chris Jericho (c)

The trade go behinds to start and Jericho ends up with the upper hand. Regal goes behind again and gets a takedown. Regal gets an armbar. Jericho works his way up and gets an armdrag to get out of it. Jericho gets an armbar of his own. Regal uses forearms to get out of it. To the corner. Regal with a stiff european uppercut. And another. Jericho reverses and gets chops. Armdrag into an armbar. Regal rises to a knee and gets a single leg takedown. He then drops his leg across Jericho’s. He then slides outside and slaps the knee down across the ring apron. Back in and Regal stretches the hamstring and drops an elbow across the knee five times. Jericho starts fighting back to his feet with rights and lefts but Regal slams his own knee into Jericho’s and that sends him back down. Irish whip, Jericho catches Regal with his head down and hits a bulldog. Lionsault attempt but the knee gives out. Regal gets a back suplex for 2. Stretches the hamstring again. HARD european uppercuts from Regal. Out of nowhere, Jericho gets an enziguri. He goes for another after feeding Regal his foot, but Regal ducks and Jericho hurts his knee worse. Regal uses unorthodox offense by simply punching the knee repeatedly. Corner whip and a bent charge. Jericho counters with the sunset flip for 2. Both up and Regal misses a forearm shot which allows Jericho to hit a clothesline. Double leg takedown for Jericho and he attempts to lock in the Walls of Jericho. Regal keeps fighting so Jericho simply slingshots him into the buckle. Rollup gets 2 for Jericho. Jericho up top, but Regal kicks the ropes and Jericho is crotched. Regal attempting a suplex off, Jericho punches him down and tries a flying crossbody. Regal rolls through for a 2 count. Rollup reversal sequence gathers several two counts for each man. Regal with a drop toe-hold and cinches in the Regal Stretch. Jericho nearly taps but he is close enough to make the ropes. Regal goes for it again but Jericho rolls him up for 2. Backslide gets another two for Jericho. Regal sends him to the corner. Elbows behind the ear for Regal. Canadian Backbreaker for Regal. Jericho flips out of it and gets a DDT. Lionsault attempt by Jericho. Regal rolls out of the way and onto all fours. Jericho lands on his feet and gets the Oklahoma Side Roll for 3. Regal is besmirched. Jericho celebrates with his belt.

Time of Match- 13:50

Winner- and STLL WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho

In the back, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin and Vince McMahon show concern over the fact that the WWF Loyalists are 0 for 2 tonight. Kurt Angle says there’s nothing to worry about because in just a couple of minutes he is going to make Shane McMahon tap out.

Career Retrospective of The Undertaker

Street Fight- Kurt Angle vs. Shane McMahon

Face off to start. Lock up and Angle arm drags him down. Angle celebrates like he just won another medal and laughs at Shane. Shane back up and slaps Angle in the mouth. Angle is less amused now. Double leg takedown for Angle and punches to the face. Angle picks Shane up and tosses him outside. Angle follows and hits Shane with some hard forearms. Hard right hands. McMahon comes back with jabs. McMahon tries an irish whip but Angle reverses him and sends him into the barrier. More hard right hands. Angle gloats to the crowd and Shane explodes with a clothesline. Back in, Shane gets a spinning elbow off an irish whip. Kicks to Angle. Shane picks him up but Angle grabs him and hits a release belly-to-belly. Angle grabs him again and this time hits an over head belly-to-belly. Angle picks him up, slaps him a couple of times and locks in a choke hold. Shane makes the ropes and they both roll out. Shane tries a charge and eats another release suplex, this time onto the ramp. Kicks from Angle. More stiff punches to the head. Another belly-to-belly from Angle and McMahon is limp on the ground. Angle sends him head first into a barrier. And again. Now back first. Angle takes him back into the ring. Body slam. Angle sets up for a moonsault and it misses. Shane pulls himself up and gets a knee lift. Legdrop gets 2. Shane picks Angle up and Kurt grabs him again and suplexes him right out of the ring. Angle out and sends Shane head first into the stairs. Angle rolls him back in. Gutwrench suplex and Angle has a big smile on his face. Angle out and grabs a chair. Angle back in but he misses with a swing. Shane comes back with right hands. Off the ropes with a leaping clothesline. Shane throws Angle over the top rope. Angle up and Shane comes flying over the ropes on top of him. Both men slow to get up. Angle grabs him and puts him back first into the apron. Another suplex onto the ramp. Another try, but Shane head butts out of it. Spear by McMahon. They fight up to the TitanTron area. JR reminds us that this is a street fight and not a hardcore match so they will eventually have to end it in the ring. Angle tries an Angleslam but McMahon slides behind and spins Angle around and hits him with a pair of right hands. He pushes Angle back into the TitanTron. He charges but Angle hot shots him into the metal pillars. Overhead belly-to-belly into the screen. Sparks fly. Trainers come out to check on Shane. As they help him up he pushes them away and tells Angle to keep coming. Angle hits him with a hard right to knock him back down. He throws Shane down the ramp way and hits him with a clothesline once back at the ringside area. Angle holds Shane’s head and yells at him to stop being stupid and just quit. Shane kicks him in the groin. Now Shane with a reverse choke on Angle. Shane rolls him back in. Kick to the head. Shane still staggering and bleeding from the head. He starts punching Angle in the back of the head. Irish whip Shane tries a leap frog but Angle hits the breaks and when Shane lands Angle hits the Angle Slam. Both men down. Angle with right hands and a front face lock choke. Angle lets go of the choke and starts slapping Shane around. He then kicks Shane low. Angle pulls him mid-ring and locks on the Ankle Lock. Shane fights for the ropes. Angle pulls him back mid ring and locks in the scissored ankle lock. Shane fights valiantly but is forced to tap. Angle refuses to release the hold. Referees can’t get him off. The Hardys hit the ring out of the crowd. They put the boots to Angle. Twist of Fate from Matt. Jeff hits the Swanton. Big Show and Regal are coming down the ramp. The Hardys retreat through the crowd. The officials keep them away from Shane with threats of fines.

Time of Match: 19:30

Winner: Kurt Angle

Interview with Kane

Triple H is in his dressing room discussing the main event with wife Stephanie.

Career Retrospective of Triple H.

Eddie Guerrero w/Dean Malenko vs. Kane

Eddie attacks Kane as he gets in the ring. Kane fires back with an uppercut. Corner clothesline by Kane and a big boot. Elbow drop by Kane gets 2. Both up, Kane with another uppercut and Eddie retreats to lower ground. Malenko on the apron to distract Kane and Eddie back in with a knee to the back. Forearms to the back of the head by Eddie. Irish whip by Eddie and Kane gets a clothesline on the rebound. Double handed lift choke by Kane. Eddie rakes the eyes. Spinning uppercut by Eddie. Dropkick to the knee. Eddie rakes the eyes again. Off the ropes Eddie runs into a boot from Kane. Clothesline from Kane. Eddie pushes the ref into Kane and then dropkicks the knee again. Right hands by Eddie. Eddie throws him out of the ring. Eddie distracts the ref while Malenko puts the feet to Kane. Kane comes back with an uppercut to Malenko. While getting in the ring though, Eddie clips him. Elbows to the head by Eddie. Snap mare. Eddie with a chinlock to attempt and wear Kane down. Kane powers up and snaps Eddie over his shoulder to the mat. Kane takes Eddie to the corner and tries a boot in the corner but Eddie moves and Kane kicks the buckle. Eddie hits a suplex. Corner whip by Eddie and he hits a stinger splash. Forearm shots by Eddie. Ten Punch Count Along. Kane reaches up and grabs Eddie by the throat. Carries him out center ring by the throat. Eddie pokes the eye and then clotheslines him over the top, Macho Man style. Eddie back in, sits Kane up and drives a knee into his back several times. Pulls the arms back and stretches the pectorals of Kane. Kane powers up and Eddie knees the back again and hits the brainbuster for 2. Heyman notes that Eddie appears to be trying to take Kane apart systematically. Eddie gets a sleeper hold. Kane whips him off and Eddie ducks a clothesline. They double clothesline each other. Back up and Eddie charges into a tilt a whirl powerslam by Kane. Kane up top and hits the flying clothesline for 2. Kane with a military press slam and a couple of hard shots. Eddie tries to bail, but Kane grabs him by the ankles and pulls him back in. Kane grabs the throat for the chokeslam. He hits it. 1,2, Malenko pulls Kane out of the ring. Kane blocks a punch from Malenko and knocks him down. Back inside Eddie has pulled a foreign object out of his tights (no not that foreign object) and nails Kane with it. Up top and the frog splash gets 1,2,3. Eddie makes haste.

Time of Match- 13:05

Winner: Eddie Guerrero

Vince McMahon visits Shane in the Trainer’s office. Shane is in severe pain. Vince says he hopes the entire WWE will take this lesson to heart. Disloyalty does not pay. His own son will go to the hospital tonight for turning his back on the McMahon Legacy. The Hardys will never wrestle in that ring again for their disloyalty. The Undertaker and Triple H will learn what happens when you’re disloyal tonight as well. For over 10 years he’s put food on the table of the Undertaker family and he repays him with constant disrespect. Triple H would have nothing if it weren’t for Vince McMahon. Including his wife. Tonight he starts to take away all that he has given him.

Edge and Christian are in the ring. Christian notes that it totally sucks that they didn’t get to wrestle tonight in Chicago. Edge says it doesn’t really suck for them, but it sure does for the city of Chicago. After all with Jordan gone when will they get a chance to see a championship team in Chicago again? Christian says they really would love to defend the belts tonight if there were just any qualified teams. The Hardys are gone. The Dudleys already wrestled tonight in a grueling tables match and are in no condition to go for the gold. Edge says as a matter of fact if there is a team in the back who would like your fifteen minutes of fame tonight. They’ll put the belts on the line. Too Cool? Kaientai? There is no response. Christian says oh well can’t say we didn’t try. We’ll still put on a show though. Edge: For the benefit of those with flash photography and in honor of our seven tag title reigns; a seven second pose.

Music interrupts and Chris Benoit makes his way to the ramp way. Edge and Christian reminded him a couple of weeks ago that he hasn’t held a belt in a long time. It’s time to change that. Christian reminds him that the WWF Tag Team Titles are not a single title. He needs a partner to go for this belt and nobody likes him. “Break the Walls Down” Jericho limps out, Benoit looks at him wearily but they silently agree to walk towards the ring. Edge and Christian get out the other side and balk at the idea. Mick Foley comes up on the TitanTron. As Linda McMahon’s personal representative it is in his power to hold up verbal contracts. So the tag titles will be on the line right now.

WWF Tag Team Titles- Edge & Christian vs. Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho

They brawl to start and the Chrises clear the ring of their fellow Canadians. Benoit and Christian will officially start. Benoit works him into the corner. Hard chops. Edge tries to attack from behind but Benoit misses and Edge hits Christian. Benoit throws Edge out of the ring. Crossface attempt on Christian. Edge pulls Christian to the ropes. Christian and Edge bail again. Christian back in but he immediately tags Edge. Edge eats a hard chop. A right hand puts him down for 2. Benoit off the ropes but Christian grabs his hair from behind. Benoit hits Christian but turns around into a spin kick from Edge. Edge rubs Benoit’s face into the mat. Edge up top, but he misses the flying splash. Tag to Jericho who comes in with a clothesline for Edge. Crucifix by Jericho gets 2. Both men up and Edge kicks Jericho in the knee. Dropkick to the knee now by Edge. Tag to Christian. Christian with kicks. Drops an elbow across the knee. Christian gets Jericho up in a Death Valley Driver position but Jericho elbows down and gets a bulldog. Both up and Jericho gets a clothesline. He goes for the Lionsault but Edge grabs the ankle. Jericho falls flat on his back. Christian hits a reverse fall down DDT for 2. Tag to Edge. Edge gets a single leg crab on Jericho. Benoit comes in and clotheslines Edge off. Tag to Christian. Christian goes for Unprettier, but Jericho pushes off and rolls over to tag Benoit. Benoit in and right away gets a crossface on Christian. Edge in to break it up. Jericho in and going after Edge. Edge backdrops Jericho over the top. Charges Benoit but The Crippler throws him head first into Christian. Benoit gets an inside cradle on Edge. 1,2,3. Edge and Christian immediately argue with the ref. Jericho grabs all 3 belts (including his). Jericho and Benoit hug.

Time of Match- 8:08

Winners and NEW WWF Tag Team Champions- Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho

Career Retrospective of Stone Cold Steve Austin

Benoit and Jericho celebrate in the back. Benoit thanks Jericho for showing up. Jericho thanks Benoit for carrying the load.

Ladies and Gentlemen it is now time for the main event of the evening. It is a triple-threat match and it is for the World Wrestling Federation Championship

WWF Title- Triple H vs. The Undertaker vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (c)

There will be tags for this triple threat. Triple H and Taker will start. Austin does not have to be pinned to lose his title. Hunter and Taker go at each other right away exchanging punches. Austin stands on the apron smiling. Taker gets a big uppercut to knock Hunter down. He then gets a shot on Austin. Hunter up and hits a clothesline on Taker. Drops a knee across his head. Hunter picks him up and connects with a right hand. Irish whip, Hunter puts his head down and eats an Undertaker boot. Knee to the midsection and an elbow to the back of the head. Corner clothesline by Undertaker. Body slam and an elbow drop gets a 2 count. Taker tosses Hunter into the corner where Austin is standing. He points at Austin and Hunter reaches up and tags a reluctant Austin. Austin gets in and eats a Taker uppercut. Shoulderblock by Taker. He works Austin into a corner and connects with 3 big right hands. Side suplex by Taker gets a 1 count. Austin holds the ref’s shirt and goes low on Taker. A couple of rights by Austin. He takes Taker to the corner and tags HHH back in. Hunter comes in and he and Austin double team stomp Taker in the corner. Hunter then clotheslines Austin out of the ring. Hunter moves back to Taker but the Dead Man scoops him up and hits Snake Eyes. Elbows in the corner. Austin back on the apron. He blind tags Taker and comes back in and stomps Hunter down. Irish whip by Austin, spine on the pine gets 2. Austin with boots. Another irish whip but Hunter counters with the face-breaker. Back suplex gets 2. Hunter with punches in bunches in the corner. Scoop slam and Hunter locks in an indian deathlock. After a few moments, Undertaker comes in and breaks it up. Austin and Hunter back up and Austin misses a clothesline but Hunter does not. Suplex by HHH. Tag to Undertaker. Taker with multiple uppercuts. Corner whip and Austin comes out with a clothesline. Austin gloats. Cheap shot on HHH. Austin takes Taker to the corner. Rakes his eyes across the top rope. Austin sets him up for the Boss Man straddle on the middle rope. Taker moves, Austin is crotched. Taker clotheslines him over the top and follows him out. Big boot by Taker. Hunter comes from behind with a shot at Taker. Hunter kicks both in the head and then rolls Taker back in the ring. He rolls Austin back in at his corner and immediately tags himself in. Hunter covers for just a 1 count. Hunter is frustrated. He goes to the top, but Taker is up and tosses him off. Taker is tired and leans on the ropes. Austin hits him with a clothesline from the apron. Taker and Hunter both up, HHH sets up for the Pedigree but Taker backdrops out of it. Undertaker going for the Tombstone, Hunter gets behind and low blows Taker. Hunter stumbles back into the corner and Austin tags himself in. Austin with a clothesline. Spine on the Pine gets 2 again. Austin takes him headfirst into the buckle. Taker fights back and now sends Austin headfirst. Taker signals for a corner clothesline but Hunter sneaks in and cuts him off with a spinebuster. He drags Taker over and tags in. Another facebuster for Austin. Clothesline gets two for Triple H. Irish whip, reversed by Austin, they hit heads. Slowly both men get up and exchange punches. Hunter slips behind and gets a neckbreaker. Both men up again. Pedigree from Triple H. 1…2…Taker in to break it up. Last Ride on Hunter. Elbow drop for Austin. He slowly pulls Austin’s limp body to the corner. Taker tags in. Rolls Austin out. Taker covers. 1…2…Triple H kicks out. Undertaker gives the sign for the Tombstone. He hoists Hunter up, Hunter once again slips behind, kick to the gut, Pedigree! Hunter crawls over for the cover. 1…2…Austin pulls the ref out of the ring. Triple H rolls out and they start exchanging punches outside. They fight over to the announce table. Austin hits Hunter with the WWF Title. Austin leans him on the announce table and lays in punches. Out of nowhere, Taker comes flying into the screen and takes out all three participants. All three men eventually get to their knees and start exchanging punches from that position. Taker gets the better of both men. He throws Austin back in the ring. Undertaker picks him up and connects with the Tombstone. 1…2…Hunter breaks it up. Triple H gets a DDT on Undertaker. Vince McMahon makes his way down the aisle. Hunter sets up Austin for the Pedigree but Taker is up and clotheslines him. Double chokeslam on both Austin and HHH. Undertaker covers Austin 1…2…Vince pulls Taker out. Vince calls Taker an ungrateful son of a bitch and slaps him in the face. Undertaker goozles Vince and hits the Chokeslam on the floor. Triple H up on the inside. Undertaker back in goozles Hunter. Triple H slaps the arm away and hits the Pedigree. Austin is up behind him however, spins Hunter around. Stone Cold Stunner. 1…2…3.

Austin grabs his belt and goes to check on Vince. Taker and Hunter are both slowly getting up and realizing they got screwed again. Austin helps Vince up the ramp and holds the belt high.

Time of Match- 25:39

Winner and STILL World Wrestling Federation Champion: Stone Cold Steve Austin

JR: My God, what lengths will Triple H or The Undertaker go to to avenge this misjustice.

Fade to Black…