REVIEW: Backlash 2000: Should Have Been Strive againstMania
Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling presentations for over ten years now and feature reviewed over 5,000 presentations. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new evaluation right here on Wrestlingrumors.web. It may well be the rest from fashionable WWE to oldschool to indies to the rest in between. Note that I price the use of letters as an alternative of stars and I don’t price suits underneath 3 mins as in reality, how just right or dangerous can one thing that brief be?
Backlash 2000
Date: April 30, 2000
Location: MCI Center, Washington, DC
Attendance: 17,867
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler
This display is almost certainly what Wrestlemania will have to were. The corporate was once on fireplace at this level and this may well be the most efficient display of the 12 months for the most efficient 12 months of the corporate. The primary tournament is Rock vs. HHH for the identify with Shane as visitor referee. There also are rumors of a Rattlesnake sighting. Let’s get to it.
We open with a video of Rock vs. HHH who has lots of the McMahons in his nook. The concept this is McMahons/HHH vs. Rock/Austin. Austin blew up a bus or one thing not too long ago.
Here’s a VERY under the influence of alcohol Debra to announce the primary event. This is her go back to the corporate after awhile.
Tag Titles: Edge/Christian vs. D-Generation X
This could be Road Dogg/X-Pac and the Canadians are the champions. I do pass over DX’s Kings of Rock theme. I additionally pass over Tori. Debra is GONE. Edge vs. X-Pac will get us going. Pac speeds issues up and armdrags Edge down. Edge takes him down as neatly and hits a spinwheel kick to transparent the hoop. Back in Pac spits at him and tags out to Roadie. The champs hit Poetry in Motion and it’s off to Christian vs. Dogg.
The Canadian will get guillotined at the best and Pac kicks Christian’s head off. He’s despatched to the ground because of a Tori distraction, leading to him being despatched into the stairs. Back in Road Dogg stops a tag and the Bronco Buster helps to keep Christian in hassle. Some arduous kicks to the again get two for Roadie. Christian comes again however will get stuck within the dancing punches to a large response. Shaky knee will get two.
I believe they’re each intended to take a look at a move frame however Christian gave the impression of he simply jumped into the only from Road Dogg. Pac breaks up the tag however whilst he’s being put out, Edge drops a swan dive on Road Dogg which will get two for Christian. Christian escapes a double one thing right into a double opposite DDT. Everyone however Edge is down and there’s the recent tag. Pac’s rana is countered right into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Unprettier is damaged up however Edge spears down Road Dogg. Tori will get up and Pac by accident drills her, getting a rollup for 2 by means of Edge. X-Factor takes Edge down however Christian hits him with the bell so Edge can pin him.
Rating: C+. This was once a sensible choice for an opener as each groups had been shifting neatly available in the market. That’s what you do for an opener: get the group fired up and lead them to cheer, even supposing the Canadians had been at the verge of turning heel anyway. Good forged opener right here and it was once fast moving sufficient to fan the flames of the enthusiasts.
Debra can slightly say WWF Tag Team Champions.
Rock is right here.
Light Heavyweight Title: Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Dean Malenko
Dean is champion and that is Scotty’s rematch I consider. Scotty dances with Lillian pre-match. Scotty begins off speedy with some close to falls. Belly to again places Dean down and Scotty nips up into the Moonwalk. He units for the bulldog to arrange the Worm however Dean clotheslines him down as an alternative. Dean, the heel, tries to get the buckle pad off however can’t relatively get it. He rams Scotty into the buckle anyway and we head outdoor.
A dropkick to the knee will get two and Dean works the leg over a bit of. After a handy guide a rough leg lock he wraps it across the submit a couple of instances. Back to the leg lock after which a leg lace. Dean hits a knee crusher however Scotty comes again with an enziguri. That will get him nowhere so it’s again to the knee by means of Dean. He tries a spinning toehold however Scotty kicks him into the nook and rolls him up for 2.
Malenko kicks on the knee once more however then fees at Scotty, sending either one of them out to the ground. Back in Dean hits a superplex to position each guys down. Dean is up first however walks right into a backslide for 2. Scotty bulldogs him down and it’s Worm time! That will get two so Malenko rolls him up with toes at the ropes for 2. Things are dashing method up. Tiger Bomb will get two for Dean and he’s pissed off.
Scotty comes again at him once more however walks right into a powerslam for 2. He tries to position Dean at the apron however will get guillotined down at the best rope. Malenko is going up best however Scotty pops him with a proper hand. Scotty is going up for a superplex however Dean counters in mid air right into a DDT. FREAKING OW MAN and Dean keeps. SICK counter.
Rating: B. Malenko is superior however sadly he by no means relatively did the rest of observe within the WWF. The Light Heavyweight Title was once virtually solely defended at the overdue evening weekend presentations which intended that the general public didn’t know the identify was once round or who held it. Dean would hang it till a couple of weeks prior to the following Wrestlemania. This was once a in reality just right event despite the fact that and that finishing is GREAT.
The McMahon-Helmsley Era (I believe that’s their identify at this level a minimum of) is within the again and Patterson and Brisco swear their loyalty. Vince says it’s all arms on deck this night.
Big Boss Man/Bull Buchanan vs. Acolytes
Brawl to begin and it’s Bradshaw vs. Buchanan to get us going. A DDT places Buchanan down and Bradshaw is going up best for a shoulder which will get two. A spear places Bull down as does a fallaway slam. Off to Boss Man vs. Farrooq with a Boss Man Sucks chant on the similar time. Farrooq suplexes him down for 2 and Boss Man is going to the ground. Bradshaw places him into the stairs to stay the Acolytes in keep an eye on. This is a VERY fast moving event.
Bradshaw sends him to the ground once more the place Farrooq will get in a couple of photographs. It’s principally been a squash up thus far. Simmons is available in legally and in any case will get taken down by means of Boss Man. Off to Buchanan who drops an elbow and kilos Farrooq into the nook. Farrooq performs Ricky Morton which some beautiful authentic casting.
Off to a chinlock which doesn’t ultimate lengthy because it’s off to Bradshaw. Everything breaks down and Bradshaw is going up. Boss Man slows him up in order that Buchanan can suplex him down for 2. Buchanan misses a price and the Clothesline will get two. A nightstick shot stops Bradshaw useless and an ax kick from the highest (cool!) will get the pin.
Rating: B-. What on this planet was once this??? Who would have ever concept those 4 would have had a event that was once virtually sooner paced than DX and Edge/Christian? The finishing was once nice too with Buchanan’s ax kick taking a look nice, even if it wound up being extra like a Fameasser. Still despite the fact that, just right event and a HUGE wonder.
The Hardys are within the again and say they’ll battle if they have got to over the Hardcore Title.
Hardcore Holly is taking a look ahead to beating up Crash for the Hardcore Title. Crash provides a handshake and will get slapped within the head.
We pass to the announce table for a fast communicate. That’s commonplace however for some explanation why a reputation graphic comes up that claims Tim Russert. I rewound it to look if that’s what it mentioned and it without a doubt did. How abnormal.
Hardcore Title: Crash Holly vs. Hardcore Holly vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Perry Saturn vs. Tazz
Matt was once protecting towards Jeff when Crash got here in and stole the identify. You can handiest win right here by means of pinning Crash or Crash can win by means of pinning somebody. That’s a singular twist on multi-man laws. Crash runs right into a cameraman right through Saturn’s front. Saturn straight away suplexes Crash for 2. Hardcore powerbombs him for a similar. The concept this is beautiful transparent: everybody goes after Crash separately after which they’ll battle every different. Northern lighting suplex will get two for Tazz. Remember there’s no level in somebody masking somebody however Crash.
Crash runs up the ramp and climbs the construction (it’s the cool one with the swinging hooks). He’s adopted by means of Matt and finally ends up getting hung the other way up by means of his knee. Everyone will get him down so Matt dives on they all. The enthusiasts are inspired. Saturn does one thing to Matt that we pass over and a work of the construction breaks off. Jeff dives off a part of it as neatly to take down Saturn. Matt and Crash head to the hoop and Jeff joins them for some double teaming.
This is a type of suits the place you’ll’t in reality stay alongside of what’s occurring. Saturn hooks a freaky arm bending hang on Crash however Matt breaks it up. Even the announcers can slightly stay alongside of what’s occurring right here. Tazz will get a clothesline and Matt covers for 2. The Hardys beat up Tazz and Hardcore at the flooring. Hardcore suplexes Crash available in the market for no quilt. There are some indicators getting used as guns now.
Back within the ring and Crash dropkicks Tazz down for 2. There’s an extension wire within the ring now and all six guys are in as neatly. Tazz pops the Hardys with an indication and will get two on Crash. C rash slightly has any offense at keen on essentially the most section right here. Saturn suplexes Hardcore and will get two on Crash. The Hardys each have cookie sheets and so they blank a couple of rooms. Jeff hits a Sabu taste moonsault on Crash so Saturn can get two. Hardcore superplexes Crash for 2. A Falcon Arrow onto a chair will get the similar.
Jeff brings in a ladder (JR: “The ladder gets a pop!”) and beats up everybody in sight no longer named Matt with it. This has already long past on method too lengthy. Hardcore will get thrown into the ladder whilst Saturn is outdoor at the announce desk. Jeff Swantons Crash from the highest of the ladder and Matt steals a two rely, resulting in a brotherly battle. Tazmission to Crash however Saturn clocks Tazz with a forestall signal. Jeff dives on Saturn and Crash steals the pin on Tazz to retain. The Hardys track performs for some explanation why.
Rating: D+. You can’t say Crash didn’t earn it after a beating like that. The event went on too lengthy despite the fact that, clocking in at over 12 mins. The downside was once they ran out of stuff to do about eight mins in, so from about that a long way in till they bring about within the ladder, this was once numerous laying round and doing not anything of observe. It would were higher with much less time.
Shane says he doesn’t have a warfare of pastime this night.
We recap Angle vs. Show. Show has “gone Hollywood” leading to some humorous imitations. HHH gave Angle and Show a tag identify shot however Angle didn’t like Show being a fats Scottish man so Angle jumped him. This went badly, putting in place the next event.
Kurt Angle vs. Big Show
Angle runs down Marian Berry, who’s mayor of Washington DC and a former drug addict. The loss of integrity is what’s flawed with America. That method we want a Real American…..and that’s what we get. Here’s Big Show doing the best possible Hulk Hogan imitation you’ll EVER see. He’s were given a Showster t-shirt with the rips within the again, yellow boots, a bald cranium cap with blonde hair down the perimeters, he does the hand to the ear, rips the blouse and throws it, and does the swinging palms warmup that Hulk did. And then, he talks.
Doing an excellent higher Hogan imitation, he talks about being to the highest of the mountain and says dude and brother extra instances than will have to be humanly allowed. Angle jumps him however Show HULKS UP virtually straight away. Right hand doesn’t paintings (JR: “The old no sell!”) so Show punches him thrice and hits the large boot. LEG DROP will get two and a larger response than anything up to now, which is announcing so much because the enthusiasts had been going nuts all of the time up to now.
Angle is going for the leg and the enthusiasts chant for Hogan. Show (who has his goatee dyed too) rips off the cap and hair and destroys Angle within the nook. Chokeslam ends this fast. It’s too brief to price however as a event it was once nugatory. From an leisure point of view, this is without doubt one of the perfect and funniest moments you’ll ever see. Check this out because it’s neatly price it for those who’re a Hogan fan.
We recap T&A vs. the Dudleys. The Dudleys are the recent new crew and Bubba likes to position girls thru tables. The just one he hasn’t been ready to do it to is Trish, so Trish has been making those attractive movies about tables. She helps to keep kissing him to stay from being put during the tables after which T&A would put him thru it as an alternative.
Trish, nonetheless the evil chick who wears pores and skin tight tiny outfits and has extra sexual innuendo than Lawler may just ever dream of, says Bubba will see how she feels in a minute.
Bubba is in some other of his trances.
T&A vs. Dudley Boys
Brawl to begin in fact and Bubba chases Trish round at the flooring. Albert and D-Von get us going with the longer term Japanese bore taking keep an eye on. D-Von takes him down for 2 and I do not know who the faces are and who the heels are right here. Off to Bubba who takes his head off with a clothesline. That and an elbow drop each get two. Off to D-Von and the Dudleys hit a double suplex and the but to be named What’s Up.
Albert comes again with a bicycle kick and it’s off to Test. Double splashes within the nook get two on D-Von. I may just concentrate to Bubba Dudley yell from an apron all day. I’d get beautiful bored however I without a doubt may just do it. The large evil (I believe?) ones double crew D-Von. Albert slams Test onto D-Von and shouts to TESTIFY TO THAT. Bubba: “SHUT UP!” The enthusiasts in fact need tables however D-Von will get a neckbreaker on Test as an alternative.
The referee misses the tag to Bubba and the thrashing continues. Albert hits his slingshot into the ground rope for 2. A sundown turn out of nowhere will get two for D-Von, however he’s briefly powerbombed for a similar. The enthusiasts need tables and Trish isn’t certain what to suppose. Albert is going up however Bubba distracts him, permitting D-Von to hit a superplex and make the recent tag.
Reverse three-D (known as the three-D by means of JR in fact) will get two. Baldo Bomb kills Bubba however D-Von pulls him clear of the large elbow. The Dudleys load up the REAL three-D (as in Bubba will get a working get started) however Trish provides a distraction by means of taking her jacket off and shaking her hips. Keep in thoughts that that is prior to Trish let herself pass in 2001/2002, and sure I mentioned that proper. That shall we Test kick Bubba’s head off for the pin.
Rating: D+. This was once virtually part about Trish in her outfit and that labored neatly sufficient. The event alternatively was once beautiful dangerous, however the entire level was once the submit event stuff. Also the Dudleys had been kind of grew to become face on this event because of the enthusiasts loving scorching girls being put thru tables for some explanation why.
Post event Bubba hits the Cutter (known as a neckbreaker by means of JR who is much off this night) on Test and grabs Trish. She French kisses him however will get powerbombed during the desk anyway. The orgasmic glance on Bubba’s face is at all times nice. Trish is taken out on a stretcher.
Chyna and Eddie arrive. Eddie is informed he has a event subsequent. They’re simply getting back from the promenade as Eddie has earned his GED if I be mindful as it should be.
As Eddie is converting within the aisle, we get a handy guide a rough recap of him hooking up with Chyna. Essa was once Eddie’s spouse one evening and Lita by accident moonsaulted Eddie. Chyna threatened her and Lita hit Eddie once more. This is prior to Lita intended the rest.
European Title: Eddie Guerrero vs. Essa Rios
Rios has Lita with him. Eddie straight away dropkicks him down however Rios speeds issues as much as take over. A Saito suplex stops that absolutely and Eddie works at the arm. Rios tries to run the nook out of a wristlock however slips off the ropes and has to drop it. Instead an armdrag sends Eddie to the ground however Rios’ dive misses. Slingshot hilo hits Essa and Eddie is in complete keep an eye on. Apparently Trish has been taken to the medical institution.
Rios is distributed to the ground the place Chyna drills him with a forearm. Rios comes again with a missile dropkick for 2. The enthusiasts don’t in reality appear to care right here. Things accelerate and Eddie will get introduced into the ropes by means of Rios’ toes. Eddie sends him to the ground conveniently and Chyna fires off some other large forearm. Eddie dives on him and you’ll listen the Spanish announce crew speaking.
Guerrero quite a bit up a powerbomb at the flooring so Lita is going up best for the save. Chyna shoves her off and Lita crashes into the desk. Rios runs in and hits a HUGE moonsault off the highest to ship Eddie into the desk. Back within the ring a missile dropkick places Eddie down and to the ground the place Essa hits a HUGE over the nook dive. Back in Eddie hits a superplex and a brainbuster, however Rios armdrags him off the highest. The large moonsault (stunning one too) hits Eddie’s knees and a Gory Bomb into an plane spin right into a neckbreaker will get the pin to retain.
Rating: B. This began sluggish however after they began busting out the lucha stuff, this were given superb very speedy. Rios is a man that by no means relatively clicked within the WWF however his chick without a doubt did. Lita would connect with the Hardys the following month and change into as well-known as she ever did in her occupation. Very amusing event right here.
Post event Lita rips off Chyna’s get dressed.
HHH continues to be in side road garments and says he has not anything to fret about. Vince is conceited about Austin no longer being right here but.
Benoit says Jericho would possibly say he’s nice however Benoit is the champion.
We get the second one schoolgirl video of the evening. It says Judgment Day is coming. That’s Undertaker.
Intercontinental Title: Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit
Does this want a backstory in any respect? Benoit is champion and I believe that’s all you wish to have to grasp. Jericho is a face right here…..I believe? The enthusiasts chant for him so we’ll say he’s. They jockey for place at the ropes and tumble out to the ground. Back into the hoop and so they hit a sequence of rollups I will’t stay alongside of. They industry pores and skin ripping chops prior to Jericho will get on best of him with proper arms. Benoit will get up and tries some Germans however Jericho grabs the highest rope.
Instead Benoit throws him excessive and out to the ground. Suicide dive misses and Benoit crashes ONTO HIS HEAD at the flooring. That’s a far scarier transfer understanding what we all know now. Benoit will get again up and sends Jericho into the stairs however he jumps over them to keep away from touch. Benoit is cool with that and dropkicks them into Jericho’s knees to take over. Back inside of Benoit will get two off a gutbuster.
The champ drapes Jericho excessive rope and hooks an stomach stretch. Jericho comes out of it and hits the Lionsault however he can’t quilt as a result of the ribs and a imaginable arm harm. Eventually it will get two and so they get again up. Benoit will get his boot up within the nook however Jericho kicks his head off with a spinwheel kick. Jericho cradles him for 2 after which drapes him excessive identical to Benoit did previous. The challenger tries his springboard dropkick however Benoit avoids the touch.
Benoit is going up however will get crotched together with his again to the hoop. Jericho tries a abdominal to again superplex however Benoit spins round within the air and lands on Jericho for a behind schedule two. Awesome event up to now. Jericho hits his double powerbomb for 2 however Benoit counters the duvet into the Crossface. That will get damaged up by means of a rope so Jericho tries the Walls however he can’t relatively hook it prior to Benoit makes the rope.
They head into the ropes and Jericho by accident forearms the referee. Benoit grabs the belt to blast Jericho within the face and tick off all of the enthusiasts. That handiest will get two and the kickout will get an eruption. Benoit snap suplexes him onto the belt and is going up best for the Swan Dive. Jericho strikes and Benoit hits the belt which was once underneath Jericho……AND THAT’S A DQ??? JR flat out says that call sucks.
Rating: A-. Seriously, WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? This was once getting AWESOME and was once almost certainly on tips on how to being the most efficient non-ladder event I will ever be mindful with those two, however then we didn’t get to look the finishing. At least the replay presentations that Jericho picked up the belt as it gave the impression of he simply strikes and Benoit hit it. That being mentioned, Benoit vs. Jericho with 15 mins is greater than price observing.
Jericho places the referee within the Walls submit event. Good.
We recap HHH vs. Rock. Vince grew to become on Rock to assist HHH retain at Wrestlemania and mentioned that Rock would by no means be champion once more. Rock beat Boss Man and Buchanan in a cage to get a rematch however was once overwhelmed down after the event ended. Vince stacked the deck so Linda mentioned Austin could be in Rock’s nook. He hadn’t been observed since November so this was once a large deal. Austin blew up DX’s bus to finish Smackdown.
Rock says if Austin isn’t right here, he’ll win the identify anyway.
WWF Title: The Rock vs. Triple H
HHH is champion, Vince is in his nook, Shane is visitor referee. Vince issues out the cardboard topic to modify line in this system, this means that that Austin isn’t right here. Slugout to begin and Rock knocks him down after a prolong into the spit punch. Rock stomps him down within the nook however Shane drags him off. Brahma Bull fees at HHH however will get despatched to the ground.
HHH sends him into the stairs after which the announce desk. Vince posts Rock and throws him again in as the percentages are stacked very prime already. That handiest will get two, as do the suplex and knee drop. HHH hooks on a protracted chinlock and places his toes at the best rope. Shane has been leaving his eyes in other places in fact. Rock in any case will get up and drops HHH onto the buckle to flee. He fires off proper arms and so they clothesline every different.
Rock knocks him into the nook however Vince pops up with a belt shot to position him down for an overly shut two. Rock will get up and throws HHH to the ground the place he can have harm his arm. Back within the ring Rock hits a spinning DDT however Shane gained’t rely. Rock is going after Shane and so they head to the ground the place HHH will get in a shot to take over. Pedigree during the desk is countered by means of a low blow however Shane doesn’t DQ him for some explanation why. Instead he will get up at the desk too and it’s a DOUBLE ROCK BOTTOM during the desk.
Both guys are part useless however Rock will get up first. There’s no referee, but it surely doesn’t in reality subject as Shane wouldn’t rely a pin anyway. Vince will get within the ring with the blokes and hits Rock within the again. That is going badly as you can be expecting as a result of HHH will get again up and hits a Pedigree. Here are Patterson and Brisco to rely however Rock kicks out. The Stooges pound on Rock and HHH will get in some photographs too. His arm is obviously harm.
Vince hits Rock within the head with a chair so arduous that he falls down too. CUE GLASS SHATTER! Austin, to a MASSIVE pop, comes out with a chair and murders everybody in sight. Everyone is down so Austin leaves as Linda and the not too long ago fired Earl Hebner pop out. Stephanie will get shoved down and it’s a spinebuster and the People’s Elbow to provide Rock the identify again.
Rating: B+. Why this didn’t occur at Wrestlemania I’m no longer certain. Either method, it took place right here and it was once GREAT. This was once the Attitude Era method of throw EVERYTHING available in the market however give the enthusiasts what they would like after all. That makes the wild brawling adequate and it offers Rock the identify again, which is the way it will have to be. Austin’s pop was once fantastic and fortunately for Rock’s time on best, Austin wouldn’t be again to motion for approximately six extra months.
Rock celebrates however right here’s Austin in his truck. He’s hauling the remnants of the DX Express in the back of him. Austin and Rock drink beer to finish the display.
Overall Rating: A. This was once an EXCELLENT display with the whole lot hitting on all cylinders. The worst event was once without a doubt wonderful and the primary tournament was once nice. You couple that with a hilarious second within the Showster and a really perfect primary tournament that had to occur and this may well be not anything however nice. Rock and HHH would industry the identify some extra over the summer season and it was once at all times superior. Great display and neatly price seeing.
Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has observed over 50,000 wrestling suits. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 complete presentations lined. You can in finding his paintings at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or take a look at his- Amazon author page with 30 wrestling books.
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