Rock wins WCW title
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM!
Wrestling
The Rock returned to pay-per-view last night and won the WCW World Heavyweight Title from Booker T.
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It only took four months but the WWF finally has a pay-per-view they can be
truly proud of in last night's SummerSlam broadcast. After putting together
one of the best all-around WrestleManias ever, the WWF has laid back,
enjoyed its monopoly on the televised wrestling business and coasted along
in a haze of mediocrity. In doing so, they have bungled the WCW-ECW
invasion angle so badly that it will go down as the greatest screw ups in
the federation's illustrious history. The critical error has cost the WWF
in a big way across the board but the planning of and the execution of
SummerSlam 2001 might just pull the angle out of the fire and encourage the
occasional fan to give it and the WWF another look.
Even though the finishes of the main events left a lot to be desired,
SummerSlam was a fine example of the caliber of entertainment the WWF is
really capable of if everyone involved puts some pride and creativity into
their work instead of "dogging it" because they currently have no
competition to speak of. SummerSlam was a rare happening. It is not often
that a pay-per-view is of such high quality that there are no wasted
matches on the card. Even the very worst match -- The Dudley Boys and Test
against The APA and Spike Dudley -- wasn't a total write-off. With the
wide-ranging talent base the WWF has to draw from now there is no excuse
for them not to put on a Raw, Smackdown! or pay-per-view that features the
very best they have to offer. The fans and the WWF should expect nothing
less.
A battered and bleeding Kurt Angle lays stunned in his match against WWF Champ Steve Austin.
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Returning the salvo that was launched when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
defected to the WCW-ECW Alliance and took the WWF World Heavyweight Title
along with him, The Rock captured the WCW World Heavyweight Title at
SummerSlam defeating champion Booker T, a move that is bound to fuel talks
of a World Title unification down the road possibly at the next
WrestleMania.
WCW President, Shane McMahon interfered often on Booker's behalf hitting
The Rock with the WCW World Heavyweight Title when the official wasn't
looking. Shane shenanigans were put on hold as The APA arrived on the
scene. Running away from Faarooq, Shane walked straight into a vicious
Clothesline From Hell delivered by Bradshaw. Shane was up again though
pulling the official out of the ring just as The Rock drove a People's
Elbow into Booker's chest. An enraged Rock gave Shane a Rock Bottom on the
arena floor to finally put an end to his constant interruptions.
The Rock stepped back into the ring and Booker T. nailed him with an Axe
Kick. Showboating, Booker T. did a Spinaroonie as The Rock popped back up
springing to his feet. A shocked Booker T. was hoisted into a Rock Bottom
and dropped for the three count.
Kurt Angle makes Steve Austin wail.
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While Booker T. lost his World Title, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin retained
his but not without the help from Alliance referee, Nick Patrick.
Challenger Kurt Angle let loose right from the get-go attacking Austin even
before the bell had rung to start the match. The two men brawled on the
floor back to the ring at which time the bout officially began. Angle
kicked out of two Stone Cold Stunners surprising Austin. "Stone Cold" took
the battle to the floor once again ramming Angle's head into a steel ring
post five or six times. His head busted open and blood flowing down his
face, Angle kept up the fight belly-to-belly suplexing Austin on the floor
and wrapping him into his Ankle Lock submission hold.
Realizing he couldn't beat Austin out on the floor, Angle dragged him back
to the ring. Angle's moonsault scored him a two count. Austin reached into
his bag of tricks and put Angle in his Million Dollar Dream - Cobra Clutch
hold. Angle raised his hand into the air as it was about to be dropped for
a third time. Angle kicked out of another Stone Cold Stunner and Austin did
the same after an Angle Slam.
The match itself was a grand piece of ring work and storytelling until
Austin started taking out the officials. He went through about three or
four WWF refs then Alliance official Nick Patrick showed up. Angle had
Slammed Austin once again and clearly had him beat. Patrick called for the
bell and disqualified "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for abusing the officials.
Angle was declared the winner but because Austin was disqualified he
retained the WWF World Heavyweight Title. Angle got his revenge by punching out Patrick and putting him in the Ankle Lock.
The next WWF pay-per-view is
Unforgiven on September 23rd.
WWF SummerSlam 2001 Results
Lance Storm (champion) Vs Edge (challenger) (WWF Intercontinental
Title Match)
Canada's Edge defeated his fellow countryman Lance Storm to becomes the new WWF Intercontinental Champion at SummerSlam 2001.
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What a great opener! Fluid, crisp back and forth action from Edge
and Storm really got the crowd all jazzed up for the remainder of the card.
As Edge was announced a contingent of WWF wrestlers was shown in the back
preparing to watch the match. Christian shouted to the others....That's my
bro! Christian interferes at 10:35 spearing Edge by mistake as Storm steps
out of the way. As Storm worries about Christian and the ref, Edge gets the
pinfall.
Winner: ...and new WWF Intercontinental Champion...Edge at 11
minutes and 16 seconds.
Match Rating: 8.5 / 10.
Test and The Dudley Boys cut a promo. Test says the WWF turned his back
on him.
Chris Jericho chats about his match against Rhyno later tonight. He
says Stephanie has the home field advantage because they are in Silicon
Valley. Too funny that!
The APA, Spike Dudley Versus The Dudley Boys, Test
Rock 'em - sock 'em encounter that was better then you thought it might
be. Poor Spike is thrown over the top rope and through a table. Shane
McMahon dives into the ring and brains Bradshaw with a steel chair. Test
pins Bradshaw.
Winners: The Dudley Boys, Test at 7 minutes and 23 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Edge is congratulated by WWF stars for his win. Christian is more happy
about his match against Matt Hardy on Raw tomorrow. Christian receives a
call on his cell phone. It is Grandma wanting to chat with Edge. Edge
thanks Grandma for her kind words. When he hands the phone back to
Christian, he tries to share his news about Raw but she has already hung
up.
Shawn Stasiak talks with Debra asking where Steve Austin is. He thinks
that he has put forth a poor effort so far because of his wrestling trunks
and wants Austin's opinion. Debra berates Stasiak. She says with the title
defence coming up, Austin has more important things on his mind. She sends
Stasiak off to kick some butt. So begins an amusing running gag
throughout SummerSlam.
Tajiri (WWF Light Heavyweight Champion) Versus X-Pac (WCW
Cruiserweight Champion) (Title For Title Match)
It is announced by Jim Ross that Direct TV won't be carrying WWF
pay-per-views following tonight's SummerSlam broadcast. That's got to be a
big blow to the federation. He doesn't give any explanation as to why.
More rip-roaring action. Great spot has X-Pac miss his Bronco Buster,
Tajiri hanging him on the Tree Of Woe and doing his sliding buzz saw kick
deal. Tremendous! Albert comes down to the ring and climbs onto the ring
apron. Tajiri spits some red mist into his eyes. When Tajiri turns around
he falls victim to the X-Factor.
Winner: ...and new WWF Light-Heavyweight Champion...X-Pac at 7
minutes and 31 seconds.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Next stop...the WWF New York interview which isn't good news for anyone
who has been picked to do it. This time around it is the unfortunate task
of Saturn. He blithers on about his missing mop. Whatever.
Steph gives Rhyno a pep talk. Rhyno says he will finish Jericho
off.
Chris Jericho Versus Rhyno
Chris Jericho forced Rhyno to tap out to the Walls Of Jericho in their hard-fought contest.
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Not a good night for Y2J. He messes up two big moves as he slips off
the ropes twice. Jericho leaps off the top rope to the floor where Rhyno is
waiting Goring him in mid-air. Steph distracts the ref. Jericho pushes the
ref out of the way and kisses Steph. Rhyno kicks out of Jericho's
Lionsault. Jericho is put in the Walls Of Jericho by Rhyno.
Jericho reaches the ropes to break the hold. Rhyno misses another Gore and
Jericho rolls him into the Walls. Rhyno taps out. Steph has a hissy fit and
leave Rhyno behind as she heads to the back in a huff.
Winner: Chris Jericho at 12 minutes and 33 seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Regal confers with The Rock on his status to wrestle tonight.
Stasiak comes charging in. The Rock and Regal side-step him. Stasiak
crashes into a wall. In his promo with Regal, The Rock refers to himself 13
times.
Rob Van Dam (challenger) Versus Jeff Hardy (champion) (WWF Hardcore
Title Match)
Not as good as it looked on paper but still quite entertaining. Lots of
tricks with the ladder but not many big suicidal bumps by either man. RVD
and Hardy fight at the top of the ladder, RVD grabs the belt and basically
falls off the ladder with it to claim the Hardcore Title.
Winner: ...and new WWF Hardcore Champion...Rob Van Dam at 16
minutes and 41 seconds.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Shane presents Booker with two bookends he had made from parts of the
table Booker slammed The Rock into. Booker is touched. He dedicates the
title match to Shane. Shane is touched.
DDP, Kanyon (WWF Tag Team Champions) Versus The Undertaker, Kane (WCW
Tag Team Champions) (Steel Cage Match)
Like the previous match, not too bad but not great either. Kanyon is
about to escape the cage. Kane is stopping him as he climbs. Taker tells
Kane to let him leave. Kane does. Kanyon flees. DDP is taken apart by Kane
and Undertaker. Taker dedicates a Last Ride on DDP to his wife. Taker pins
DDP winning the WWF Tag Team belts for him and Kane.
Winners: ...and new WWF World Tag Team Champions...Kane and The
Undertaker at 10 minutes and 9 seconds .
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
The Rock is visiting with a federation doctor. He tells the doc he is
fine to wrestle. Stasiak comes charging in again. He misses again and goes
splat against a wall. The WWF announces that their new show Excess begins
this Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. on TNN. HHH will
be a special guest host.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin (champion) Versus Kurt Angle (challenger)
(WWF World Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...via disqualifaction at 22 minutes and 33 seconds, Kurt
Angle.
Match Rating: 9 / 10.
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What did you think of SummerSlam?
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Total Votes for this Question: 1591
27% voted for It was great!
27% voted for Pretty good
14% voted for Just okay
10% voted for It sucked
23% voted for Didn't see it
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The Rock (challenger) Versus Booker T. (WCW World Heavyweight
Champion)
Winner: ... and new WCW World Heavyweight Champion...The Rock at 15
minutes and 20 seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 10 / 10.
