WWF returns to Halifax
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X-Pac puts a choke hold on Spike Dudley. -- All photos by Tim Krochak, Halifax Herald
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By DEREK CORKUM -- For SLAM! Wrestling
The lights went out at 2 p.m. in the Halifax Metro Centre. When they came back
on the stars of the World Wrestling Federation had returned for the first
time in almost two years to a nearly sold out crowd. While the playing of the
intro music the crowd rose in expectation of the first match.
The action started with X-Pac taking on Spike Dudley for the Light
Heavyweight Championship. On his way to the ring Xpac took time to tease the
crowd while getting booed. The match started slowly with several fakes at
tests of strength from X-Pac. Both men get in shots until X-Pac throws Spike
out of the ring hard, hitting the retaining wall. Spike enters ring only to
get the bronco buster and two Xfactors. The third Xfactor was too much with
the win going to X-Pac, leaving Spike to be assisted out out the ring by
Molly while the crowd cheered his effort.
Next up was Perry Saturn versus Raven with Terri, and the referee was the infamous
Nick Patrick. This one was full of antics from Saturn, he chased after Terri
outside the ring as the match began, giving Raven the brief upper hand as he
tried to re-enter the ring. Saturn quickly came back and between blows on
Raven he took time to do airplane spins around the ring. After a series of
reversals from both stars, Terri entered the ring and ran between Nick
Patrick's legs, and back out of the ring. This gave Raven the chance to DDT
Saturn for the three count. However Saturn gets his revenge as he gets hold
of Terri on the ring and puts her over his knee for a spanking.
Christian and Justin Credible hit the ring next, the two competing in a
popularity test for the crowd with Christian winning. Christian took the
microphone and informed Justin that he was in Canada now and that Justin
sucks. This one was full of reversals and pin attempts but ended when
Christian planted a reverse DDT on Justin.
The crowd cheered loudly as Matt Hardy and Lita entered to face Hurricane
Helms and Ivory. The match starts with Hardy and Helms but Ivory soon
interferes. Matt then tags in Lita to take care of Ivory. However Ivory
dominates Lita. Matt presses for the tag, Lita finally takes out Ivory and
makes the tag. Bringing in Hardy and Helms. After a hurracanranna from Lita
on Helms, Ivory makes the save allowing Helms to pin Hardy in a small
package.
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Albert, left, screams in apparent agony as Chuck
Palumbo twists his leg around the ropes in a
heated match.
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A focused Chuck Palumbo made his way to the ring next to face Albert.
Palumbo held his own for giving up so many pounds to the big man. The tempo
was slow in this one. Lots of strength manoeuvers in this on as Albert
raised Palumbo over his head for several seconds before slamming him to the
mat. It goes back and forth until a superkick from Palumbo. Albert kicked
out on a count of two. Shortly after Albert lands the Baldo Bomb in the
centre of the ring for the win.
Thunderous applause guided Kurt Angle to the ring next to face Rhyno. Lots
of action in this one and neither star held anything back. Highlights of
the one are an airplane spin on Angle, a double clothesline in the centre of
the ring, and three german suplexes from Angle. After a gore from Rhyno, Angle
kicked out and came back with an Olympic slam and the Angle lock for the
victory as Rhyno tapped out.
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Rhyno, left, reacts after being thrown into a
steel barrier by Olympic champ Kurt Angle,
during a WWF Live! match at Halifax Metro Centre
on Sunday afternoon.
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For the Intercontinental Title, Edge faced Lance Storm. Storm went into an
anti East Coast rant to irk the crowd. After the bell Storm takes control in
this one bringing things down to the matt with a headlock on edge. Back and
forth it went, reversal after reversal, until Storm brought in the belt but
missed Edge. Edge then lands a DDT on Storm for the win.
Next up was Kanyon and Jeff Hardy for the US Title. It started of with
Kanyon a little distracted with the crowd allowing Hardy to throw him to
the mat. Kanyon exits and Hardy chases him. Kanyon hurls him into the guard
rail and as Hardy enters the ring he grabs his back. Kanyon dominated after
this point. Though Hardy gets in a few high flying shots. A diamond cutter
wasn't enough to finish Hardy. Kanyon hits him for the win with the belt
which the ref misses as he's out of position.
The next match was highly anticipated as the crowd chanted Y2J and RVD.
Jericho went for the early win with the Walls of Jericho, but Rob Van Dam
made it to the ropes. Back and forth the match goes until Jericho puts The
Walls on RVD and again he made it to the ropes. Jericho nails the bulldog
and goes for the splash but RVD gets the legs up. Out from the back Raven
runs in to interfere allowing Jericho to get the win.
Finally the main event, a six-man tag with the Dudley Boyz and Test facing
the Acolytes and the Undertaker. This match took a while to start as Test
and Dudleys weren't sure how to get into the ring. Devon and Faarooq started
the match with the action going back and forth as all the stars got a shot
in the ring. After a 3D on Bradshaw the match breaks down as everyone gets
in the ring. Bubba Ray and D-von deliver the wassup on Bradshaw as the crowd
yells for tables. All hell breaks loose again as all enter the ring again.
Test and Devon are busy outside with the Acolytes as Taker gets hold of
Bubba Ray for the last ride and the win.
