| Date: February 27, 2000
| Venue: Hartford Civic Centre, | City: Hartford, Connecticut
| Attendence: 12, 551 | Buyrate: 480, 000

The Road To Wrestlemania Continues, Let The Game Begin. This is the final stop before the biggest show of the year and there are a lot of Wrestlemania implications at No Way Out tonight. In the main event, Triple H defends his WWF title against Cactus Jack in a match where the stakes couldn’t be higher because if Cactus loses then his career in the WWF is over. Cactus wanted his title shot at Helmsley would let him have any match that he wanted if he was willing to put his career on the line and he accepted. Also tonight, we’ll also find out who will be fighting the WWF Champion at Wrestlemania. Big Show managed to provide video evidence that The Rocks feet touched the floor during the Royal Rumble before The Big Shows did and because of that, Triple H granted Big Show a match with The Rock at No Way Out, with the winner going to Wrestlemania. This is the third time the Royal Rumble winner has had to fight at the February PPV in order to keep his Wrestlemania title shot, in 1996 Shawn Michaels beat Owen Hart and in 1999, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin defeated Vince McMahon.

The Intercontinental title will be on the line tonight as undisputed champion Chris Jericho defends against Kurt Angle. Angle recently defeated Val Venis for the European title but the Olympic Champion wants more gold. He challenged Jericho and the IC champ accepted. Since then, they’ve had their run-ins and Kurt has attacked Jericho’s friend Chyna. The tag team titles will also be on the line as The New Age Outlaws defend their belts against The Dudley Boys. The Dudley’s won their number one contendership when D-Von defeated Edge and Jeff Hardy in a triple threat match with the winners team getting the title shot at No Way Out. The Dudleyz have upset many recently by putting the likes of B.B. and Terri Runnels through tables. There will also be a number one contenders match for the tag team titles tonight as Edge and Christian take on The Hardy Boyz. These two teams have not seen eye to eye much recently, could this explode tonight?

There are going to be a lot of eyes on this show as it has the highest buyrate of any PPV out of the “big 4” up to now. A lot of people will be tuning in to see the next chapter of the X Pac/Kane feud. Kane has had the upper hand in this rivalry but now Tori has turned her back on Kane and sided with X Pac, everything could change. Kane returned recently with former manager Paul Bearer and has Tombstoned Tori. This match will be No Holds Barred. One of the biggest stories of the past month has been the debut of The Radicalz. Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn have made an impact since jumping from wCw, they turned their back on Mick Foley, attacking him and joining with DX. Guerrero got injured in his first match for the WWF but the other three Radicalz will be in action tonight as Benoit, Malenko and Saturn take on Rikishi and Too Cool, who they have had their problems with over the past few weeks. So let’s get to it.

A dramatic video package kicks us off narrated by Mick Foley. Pretty much repeating what he’s said over the past few weeks. 15 years chasing a dream with one last goal to main event Wrestlemania. It’s very bias towards him, we get nothing from Triple H. Jim Ross then welcomes us to the most “emotionally charged PPV in the history of the WWF”. He’s joined by his good friend Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kurt Angle – Intercontinental Title Match

Kurt Angle is out first and gets on the mic. He’s looking forward to being Euro-continental champion. This is a battle between two very charasmatic newcomers who both hold belts. Chyna gets her own entrance which is confusing as she isn’t in this match. Jericho also gets on the mic during his entrance, calling “Kirk Angel” various insults. This is a No Way Out debut for both men and the crowd are very much behind Chris Jericho. He hits a hip toss but Angle slaps him in the face which gets recipricated. It’s a back and forth start to the match which results in Jericho back body dropping Angle to the outside and then dropkicking him as he tries to get up onto the apron. It’s a fast start to the match as the two men brawl on the outside. Jericho throws Angle into the ringpost but misses with a clothesline and hits the post himself. Jericho then counters an Irish whip into the steps but springboarding off with a moonsault.

Back in the ring and Angle crotches Jericho on the top rope before hitting a belly to belly suplex from the top for the first near fall of the night. Angle hits a suplex for another near fall and then applies a chinlock. Jericho gets out of it and hits a backbreaker for his first near fall. Kurt hits a belly to back suplex for a near fall and then goes back to the chinlock. Jericho gets out of it and hits a big spinning heel kick and a bulldog. He then hits a flying forearm for a near fall. Angle has only lost one PPV match so far and that was to Tazz at the last PPV. Angle goes for a hurricanrana but Jericho blocks it and hits a powerbomb before pulling Kurt up again and hitting a second powerbomb. That earns him a two count. Angle quickly locks on an armbar from nowhere but Jericho gets to the ropes. Angle hits his Olympic Slam and it looks to be over but Jericho kicks out!

Angle can’t believe it and he grabs the Intercontinental title. The referee Tim White grabs the belt off him which is enough distraction for Jericho to take Angle down and tie in the Walls Of Jericho! Angle manages to crawl to the ropes and get out of the hold before rolling out of the ring. Jericho follws Angle out of the ring and the two men battle outside. Kurt grabs the European title and ims for Chyna but misses. Jericho then pushes Angle and both he and Chyna fall into the steel steps. The referee sees to Chyna as Jericho suplex’s Angle back into the ring. He then goes for his springboard moonsault but Angle grabs the Intercontinental title and smashes it into Jericho’s face! He covers Jericho and gets the three! Kurt Angle wins the match and the Intercontinental title! Another referee, Earl Hebner comes out and berates Tim White, telling him what happened but it’s too late, Kurt Angle has scarpered with both his Intercontinental and European titles! Great way to start the match.

Rating: 7.5/10

Michael Cole is backstage with The Dudley Boyz who have two words for The New Age Outlaws, 3…D.

The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn & The Road Dogg) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von) – Tag Team Title Match

This is a first time meeting between these two tag teams on PPV. The Outlaws are enjoying a 5th Tag Team title reign and have so far defeated the likes of Mankind & Al Snow, The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection and The Acolytes in big PPV matches. The Dudley Boyz are looking for their first PPV victory tonight. The tag team division is hot right now, the best it has been in a long time so it’s nice to see two proper teams going at it. Even though they are both heel teams. Road Dogg and Bubba Ray Dudley kick things off and Bubba Ray hits his trademark seated reverse powerbomb and the him and D-Von then hit then headbutt to the groin double team move. Bubba tags D-Von who gets the first near fall of the match. D-Von doesn’t do much before tagging Bubba Ray back in. Bubba Ray and D-Von make quick tags between them, dominating The Road Dogg so far. Road Dogg gets back into it with a sunset flip but then quickly gets hit with a clothesline.

D-Von chokes Road Dogg before tagging his half brother back in. We’re told that Terri Runnels has returned and has already asked the Acolytes Protection Agency for help. Bubba Ray hits a powerslam and goes to the second rope but Billy Gunn distracts him and Road Dogg hits Bubba with a low blow and a suplex from the second rope. Bubba Ray tags D-Von and Road Dogg tags Billy Gunn for the first time in this match! Gunn goes to town on both Dudleyz and hits the Fame-asser on D-Von! Bubba Ray pulls Gunn out of the ring to stop the count and hits him with a lead pipe! The referee doesn’t see it! The Dudleyz then hit Road Dogg with the 3D! The referee counts and The Dudley Boyz wins the match! We’ve got new tag team champions! Road Dogg isn’t happy with Billy Gunn after the match.

Rating: 5.75/10

Backstage Kurt Angle is celebrating his title win with some fans!

We then see a clip of Viscera squashing Mae Young with a splash. Mae’s boyfriend Mark Henry then attacked Viscera on Heat earlier today.

Mark Henry vs. Viscera

This is a first time meeting between these two men on PPV. They have had their super heavyweight matches before with Viscera taking on Yokozuna and Mark Henry taking on Vader but this is a first contest on a big show between these two. Henry goes right for Viscera as he gets in the ring. Mae Young is not at ringside for this one. Viscera takes Henry down with soulder block and Henry then returns the favour. How does Viscera wrestle in that big jacket? He hits a spinning heel kick on Henry and a clothesline. Viscera then clotheslines Mark Henry out of the ring before throwing “Sexual Chocolate” head first into the ring steps! Viscera then props the steps up and throws Henry into them with a comedy bump! A “boring” chant breaks out which is a shame. Back in the ring and Viscera gets a two count.

Big Vis then hits a big Samoan Drop and here comes Mae Young! Viscera hits a belly to belly suplex on Henry and Mae Young gets in the ring to protect her man! Viscera shoves the pregnant Mae Young to the mat and then goesfor a big splash but Mark hit him with a shoulder block and a big powerslam which is enough for the three! Mark Henry wins the match with a little help from his girlfriend Mae Young. Not the most technical match between these two big men but it was what it was.

Rating: 3.75/10

Lilian Garcia is backstage with Chris Jericho who says Kurt Angle is making him sick with his celebrations.

Billy Gunn is grimacing backstage after the shot from Buba Ray. I wonder whether he’s got an actual injury which is why he wasn’t in the match much.

The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff) vs. Edge & Christian – Number One Contenders Match for the Tag Team titles

Terri Runnels is back in the corner of her man and The APA are also at ringside as protection for Terri. The last two times The Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian have met on PPV, The Hardy Boyz have won. Edge and Christian don’t have a great PPV record as a tag team so they’ll be looking to change that tonight. Edge and Jeff Hardy start the match and Jeff goes for a corkscrew moonsault and misses. Edge tags Christian who gets hit with a dropkick. Jeff tags Matt and he and his brother both hit legdrops on Christian. Terri doesn’t fit this team but I think she’s there to do the talking. MAtt gets the first near fall of the match and he and Christian get into a chopping contest. Christian hits a dropkick on both Hardy Boyz but he gets thrown to the outside where Jeff throws him into the barricade. Jeff throws Christian back into the ring and gets tagged in where they hit a double team move.

Jeff gets a near fall on Christian and then hits him with a belly to belly suplex and a springboard moonsault which he doesn’t hit flush. The Hardy Boyz hit a double facebuster for a two count. Matt Hardy goes for a crucifix powerbomb but Christian slips down and hits a neckbreaker. Matt tags in Jeff who comes in off the top and gets caught with a boot to the face. Christian then tags Edge who hits clotheslines on both Hardy Biyz. All 4 men are in the ring now and Christian pulls Jeff onto the top rope allowing Edge to pin Jeff for a two. Edge tags Christian who hits a facebuster Christian then drop toe holds Edge into Jeff Hardy’s crotch which gets him a two count. Edge hits a backbreaker on Jeff and turns it into a dragon sleeper. Jeff gets out of it but Edge ends up hitting a big piledriver. Edge then hits a big powerbomb but both men need to make tags. Edge tags Christian who hits a big powerslam for a two count.

Christian tags Edge back in and Edge goes to the sleeper. Jeff gets out of it but Christian comes in to stomp on Jeff which distracts the referee long enough for Matt Hardy to come in off the top and hit an elbow drop on Edge! Jeff covers Edge and gets a two count. Edge goes to the top but Jeff Hardy sees him coming and hits a dropkick. Edge tags Christian and Jeff tags Matt! Matt is the fresh man and he hits both Edge and Christian with dropkicks, powerslams and neckbreakers. Matt gets Edge up on his shoulders but Edge hits a victory roll as Jeff comes off the top and hits Christian in a very cool spot. Edge gets dumped outside and The Hardy Boyz both come off the top at the same time on Christian but Edge breaks up the count. Edge hits Jeff Hardy with a spear in mid air and then Matt hits Edge with a Twist Of Fate. Matt hits an inverted atomic drop on Christian and Jeff then goes to the top but Terri Runnels shoves Jeff off the top rope! She then slaps Matt Hardy and Christian hits him with a DDT for the three count! Edge and Christian win the match and Terri celebrates with a very confused Edge and Christian!

Edge and Christian leave and Matt Hardy is fuming. He grabs Terri Runnels but The Acolytes get in the ring and bater The Hardy Boyz. Faarooq hits a horrible looking Dominator on Jeff Hardy, dropping him on his head. A controversial ending to this match!

Rating: 7.25/10

Edge and Christian are backstage with Michael Cole. Christian isn’t happy with the way they won the match but Edge doesn’t care how they won, it just matter that they are getting their title shot.

Lilian Garcia is backstage with a downbeat Big Show. He’s still unhappy that the fans dislike him and that he’s not going to Wrestlemania yet. Big show guarentees that he’ll win tonight.

The Big Boss Man vs. Tazz

As The Boss Man walks to the ring we see osme footage from Heat with The Big Boss Man and Prince Albert attacking Tazz as he arrives in the arena. Tazz is undefeated on PPV after winning his debut against Kurt Angle. Boss Man tries to attack Tazz as he walks to the ring but Tazz sees him coming. The two battle into the ring where Tazz hits The Boss Man with a clothesline. Tazz then hits a suplex and locks on the Tazzmission! Prince Albert gets into the ring and breaks it up with some big right hands. That’s a disqualification! Albert hits a powerbomb on Tazz and the two men then double team Tazz, hammering him with the nightstick. Tazz won’t quit though, he keeps fighting away at the two men but essentially gets double teamed. This match never got started. Boss Man breaks the nightstick over the head of Tazz. That looked stiff.

Rating: N/A

Kurt Angle is still celebrating with the fans, now up in the rafters in the cheap seats! The crowd are loving it.

Video package next for Kane and X Pac. We see their history from teaming up to X Pac turning his back on Kane and Kane’s girlfriend Tori turning his back on Kane and siding with X Pac. Paul Bearer has now returned and is managing Kane once more.

X Pac vs. Kane – No Holds Barred

This is the third PPV meeting between these two men and so far Kane has won the previous two. He now has Paul Bearer in his corner whilst X Pac has Tori. This time last year these two men were on opposite sides of the ring in tag team action as X pac and Triple H took on Kane and Chyna. Kane runs to the ring and hits a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to start the match. X Pac tries escaping but Kane chases him and the two fight out in the entrance way. This is X Pacs 16th PPV in a row, he was the only man to fight on every PPV in 1999. Kane is second behind X Pac with this being his 12th PPV consecutively. X Pac hits Kane with a trash can and then Kane takes the trash can and hits X Pac with it! Kane sends X Pac into the barricade and into the crowd. X Pac eliminated Kane in last months Royal Rumble despite already being eliminated. Kane drops X Pac on a ringside barricade and then picks up the steps and throws them into the ring.

X Pac nails Kane with the ring bell and then grabs a chair but Paul Bearer attacks X Pac and hammers away at him! Tori attacks Paul Bearer from behind and then Bearer chases Tori! Kane is up and he rams X Pac into the ring steps and then throws X Pac into the ring. Kane goes to the top but X Pac is up and he dropkicks Kane bringing him into the ring the hard way. X Pac hits Kane with the Bronco Buster! But Kane just sits up and he hits X Pac with a clothesline and a big right hand. A win for Kane here would make him the first man to have won at both No Way Out PPVs, he previously beat Vader in 1998. X Pac hits a spinning heel kick and then goes to the top but Kane gets up and catches X Pac but X Pac slips down and hits a low blow and an X Factor before knocking Paul Bearer off the apron. Kane gets back up and hits a big boot before going to the top and he nails his flying clothesline.

Tori gets up on the apron but Kane ignores her and instead hits a chokeslam on X Pac. He then signals for the Tombstone but Tori gets on his back! He pulls her onto his front and hits her with a Tombstone! Kane then picks up the ring steps but X Pac dropkicks them into his face. X Pac pins Kane with the ring steps lodged on Kanes face and he gets the three! X Pac beats Kane and scrapes back a win in this on-going feud! That’s a big win for X Pac. Another decent match between these two men who have a lot of chemistry.

Rating: 7/10

Michael Cole is backstage with The Radicalz. Dean Malenko, Perry saturn, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero are insulted by Cole’s question about them being nervous. Guerrero isn’t involved in the upcoming match but he has moral support in the form of a lead pipe.

Too Cool (Scotty Too Hotty & Grand Master Sexay) & Rikishi vs. The Radicalz (Chris Beniot, Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn)

This is a PPV debut for Benoit, Malenko and Saturn who look like awesome talents. They are joined by Guerrero who broke his arm in his first WWF match. All 6 men go straight at it and Guerrero tries to get involved with his lead pipe but Rikishi sees him coming and grabs the pipe and smashes Guerrero with it! Saturn starts the match with Grand Master Sexay. Saturn hits some chops and puts Sexay on the top rope before trying for a superplex but Grand Master blocks it and comes off the middle rope with a missile dropkick. Sexay then hits an enzeguri and Perry tagd Chris Benoit. Grand Master hits a bulldog on Benoit for a two count. Grand Master Sexay then tags Scotty Too Hotty and they hit some double elbows. Benoit drops Scotty on the top rope but Scotty comes back with a suplex. This match looks a bit uneven but Rikishi is in and he takes down all three Radicalz! He then drops Benoit in the corner and rubs his huge arse in his face!

Benoit has taken a beating in this one so far. Rikishi goes for the Rikishi Driver but Malenko dropkicks Rikishi to make sure it doesn’t happen. Benoit tags Malenko who quickly tags out to Perry Saturn. They all take shots at Rikishi’s taped up ankle. Rikishi manages a crescent kick on Saturn and tags in Scotty Too Hotty. Scotty hits a bulldog on Saturn and then sets up for the Worm but Malenko gets in the ring and makes sure it doesn’t happen. Benoit is tagged in and he hits a belly to back suplex on Scotty for a two. Benoit hits a snap suplex and gets another near fall before tagging in Dean Malenko who hits a dropkick. He then hits a suplex but the count is broken up by Grand Master Sexay. Malenko tags Saturn who drops a knee on Scotty’s face for a two count. Perry applies a chinlock now. Scotty gets out of it but Saturn hits a hurricanrana and tags out to Benoit. Benoit hits some stiff chops.

Scotty counters a suplex and rolls up Benoit for a two. Malenko breaks it up. Benoit tags out to Saturn who hits a senton splash for a two count and then goes back to the chinlock. Saturn tags Malenko who hits a nice dropkick. He then hits a knee drop and tags Benoit. Malenko is very quick to tag out when he comes in. Benoit and Scotty clash heads in he corner. Scotty tags out to Rikishi and we’ve got all 6 men in the ring! Rikishi crushes Benoit and Saturn in the corner whilst Grand Master Sexay hammers Malenko. Rikishi then hits the Rikishi Driver on Saturn! Grand Master Sexay wants the Worm though and in comes Scotty who hits his finisher on Saturn! Malenko and Benoit get back in the ring and dispose of Too Cool and Rikishi hits a belly to belly on Benoit! Malenko hits a chop block on Rikishi to take him down. Grand Master Sexay then hits the Hip Hop Drop on Saturn but the referee is distracted. Benoit comes off the top with a headbutt on Grand Master.

Malenko rolls Rikishi back into the ring and tries to drag the big man to the corner but can’t. Instead he works the ankle of Rikishi until Rikishi sends Malenko into the corner. Rikishi then hits the Rikishi Driver on Malenko! The former tag team champion drags Malenko to the corner and goes for the Banzai Drop and hits it! The referee counts and he gets the three! Wow, I’m surprised by this result. Rikishi and Too Cool win the match! Rikishi doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to dance but Grand Master Sexay and the live audience talk him into it! Decent 6 man.

Rating: 7/10

Kurt Angle is still celebrating with the crowd.

Next is a video package for The Rock and Big Show. The Rock won the Royal Rumble but The Big Show proved that The Rocks feet touched the floor first. So this match was made where the winner will be going to Wrestlemania 2000.

The Rock vs. The Big Show – The Winner gets a WWF title shot at Wrestlemania 2000

The stakes couldn’t be much higher for this one. It’s a firs time meeting between these two men on PPV and the winner is going to Wrestlemania. The Rock gets right in Big Show’s face and he gets the early upperhand with a DDT. Rocky then goes for an early Rock Bottom but Big Show elbows him in the head and sends him to the outside. The Rock throws Big Show into the ring steps and then into the ring bell. Big Show sends The Rock into the crowd and apparently it’s no count outs in this one. The two men go at it with right hands in the crowd and Big Show hits a clothesline. Big Show lifts The Rock high above his head and then drops him down on the barricade. Finally they get back into the ring where Big Show hits a headbutt and drops an elbow. This is the second year in a row that the winner and runner up in the Royal Rumble have gone one on one at the next PPV. Last year, Vince McMahon and Steve Austin went at it in a cage match ih which The Big Show debuted.

Rock and Big Show fight on the outside once more and The Rock spits water at the Big Show. Big Show throws Rocky into the barricade and then into the ring. The Rock hits a Russian leg sweep for a two count. So far The New Age Outlaws are the only men to have lost at both this No Way Out and the event in 1998 but The Rock will join them with a loss in this match. He was part of the Nation Of Domination then. It’s a year since The Big Shows debut and The Rock hits him with a DDT for a two count. Big Show hits a sidewalk slam for a two count. He then goes to the outside and grabs a chair but The Rock avoids the chair shot. Like JR said, using that would have been stupid. Big Show throws The Rock into the referee, knocking him out of the ring. Show then hits a big boot and motions for the chokeslam before hitting him with his finisher! Big Show pins The Rock but the referee is out! Another referee, Tim White comes out and goes to make the count but Earl Hebner drags him out! The two referees go at it on the outside! Shane McMahon’s music then hits and out walks Shane!

Inside the ring The Rock hits The Rock Bottom on The Big Show! The Rock then sets up for The People’s Elbow but Shane McMahon slides into the ring and clocks The Rock with a steel chair! Big Show pins The Rock and gets the 3! Big Show wins the match with a lot of help from Shane McMahon! A complete shock tonight as Shane McMahon costs The Rock the match! The story here is that Big Show is going to Wrestlemania to fight the champion! Could we be heading for Shane McMahon vs. The Rock?

Rating: 6/10

Video package now for Triple H, Cactus Jack and the Hell In A Cell.

Kurt Angle celebrates backstage as he walks to his car but from nowhere Chris Jericho and Chyna attack him!

Triple H (c) vs. Cactus Jack – Hell In A Cell Match for the WWF Title and Mick Foley’s retirement

These two men have had five PPV matches against one another previously. Triple H has won three of those, Foley has won one and the other was a draw. Cactus Jack has said that if he loses this match then he will retire. Triple H is accompanied by his wife Stephanie McMahon and interestingly he is the first man out. If Cactus Jack wins this not only does it mean he’s WWF Champion and doesnt have to retire, it also means that he is the only man to have won at both No Way Out PPV’s. Jim Ross has made a few “kiss Your sister” references today. The door to the cell has been padlocked up which annoys Cactus Jack because he’s promised to jump off the top of the cell tonight. Cactus Jack starts the match with big right hands to the champion. He hits a flying forearm and tries to get out of the cell but he can’t get out. Triple H jumps off the apron but Foley hits him with a right hand. Cactus keeps trying to smash Triple H into the cell but Helmsley keeps blocking it.

There haven’t been many wins for the babyfaces tonight. Too Cool and Rikishi and Mark Henry were the only true faces to win, with Tazz getting a DQ win and Edge and Christian winning under shady circumstances. Cactus grabs a steel chair but Triple H sees him coming and kicks it out of his hands. Triple H then sends Cactus into the cell and into the ring steps. The champion then hits Cactus Jack three times with a chair to get a near fall. When you see all of this punishment you wonder how Foley was losing to Val Venis at No Mercy last year. Cactus jabs the chair into Triple H’s crotch and then hits a double armed DDT on the chair. He’s slow to get the cover so only gets a 2 count. Cactus then hits a Russian leg sweep on the chair for another near fall. Big Show meets the winner of this match, he lost to Foley last year at Wrestlemania but he’s never fought Triple H in a one on one PPV match. Triple H hits Cactus with a drop toe hold on the chair for a near fall before clotheslining Jack out of the ring. Cactus slingshots Triple H into the cell which busts the champion open.

Interestinly you can see holes cut out of the cell. Climbing holes? I guess we’ll find out. Cactus goes up to the second turnbuckle with a chair on his hand. He then leaps off to the outside of the ring, hitting an elbow drop through the chair on Triple H! Cactus attempts to throw the steel steps at Helmsley but he gets out of the way and the steps rip open the cell! Cactus then runs through the cell, opening it wide open. He then throws Triple H through the cell! Cactus puts Triple H on the announce table and piledrives Triple H into the table! The table doesn’t give which would have made for a rough landing. Cactus then attempts to climb the cell but Stephanie pulls him down! Cactus then finds hid barb wire 2×4 hidden behind the ring bell table! He hits Triple H in the face with it in a painful looking shot. He could have had his eye out. Triple H then attempts to run away by climbing the cell. Cactus Jack follows, conveniently the barb wire 2×4 has a leather strap. Triple H uses the 2×4 on Cactus Jack before he can get to the top of the cell and Jack falls backwards through the Spanish announce table!

Cactus Jack gets up and picks up a steel chair and tries to throw it up on the cell. The first three throws are unsuccessful so he gives up and climbs the cell again where Triple H meets him with the barb wire 2×4, beating him with it repeatedly. Cactus gets up and hits some right hands. Triple H is teetering near the corner of the cell and Cactus hits him with a suplex on top of the cell. Cactus then hits Helmsley with a double armed DDT on the cell. The challenger then grabs the barb wire 2×4 and sets it on fire before hitting Triple H with it! The image of Foley with the burning 2×4 is immense. Cactus then goes for a piledriver but Triple H back drops him through the cell and down through the ring! Triple H climbs down into the ring and just looks around as the crowd chant for Foley. Cactus raises an arm and gets up to his feet! Triple H hits him with a right hand to knock him back down. Helmsley then hits a Pedigree and it’s over! Triple H wins and retains his WWF title. Cactus Jack is done. The crowd give him a standing ovation as he walks to the back.

Rating: 8.75/10 

Well, wasn’t that a brilliant show. From top to bottom, great matches throughout, much like the previous PPV, Royal Rumble. It was a night full of surprises and the first one was Kurt Angle winning the Intercontinental title from Chris Jericho. I thought Jericho was having a great reign but I have no problems with Angle winning the gold. This feud definitely has legs, they are the perfect guys to take the IC division forward. They had a great match, it was the perfect way to open the show. Two very talented wrestlers. We then had another surprising title change with the Dudley Boyz putting an end to The New Age Outlaws 5th title reign. I guess that’s how they see the division going forward. Maybe DX will feud with The Radicalz? This match was ok anyway, the crowd weren’t too into it because of two heel teams and nobody to cheer for. The tag division is thriving though and now the Dudley Boyz are on top.

Mark Henry and Viscera were up next in absolute filler. I think the purpose of this was to show that Mae Young is an absolute nutter, even when “pregnant”. It was a clash of two of the biggest men in the company which is always an interesting match. I don’t see this feud continuing. Edge and Christian then beat The Hardy Boyz after one of the most interesting finishes of the night. Terri Runnels turned her back on The Hardy Boyz and seems to have latched onto Edge and Christian. I can definitely see this leading to a heel turn for Edge and Christian. They now go on to fight The Dudley Boyz at Wrestlemania in the first PPV clash between those two teams. I have no problems with that whatsoever. It’ll be interesting to see what should be the slow turn of Edge and Christian. This was the second longest match of the night. This was followed by the shortest match of the night between The Big Boss Man and Tazz. I’m not sure what the point in this match was but it continued Tazz’s unbeaten streak and gave Boss Man something to do. I’m not sure where this relationship with Boss Man and Prince Albert is going either.

X Pac and Kane has been one of the most intense feuds in the company and the most consistant for the last 6 months. It was an interesting finish with the ring steps, I quite liked it, it was different. It also keeps this feud going to Wrestlemania where I’m sure the two will have a final blow off match. They need to up the stakes so maybe put them in an Inferno match or something. Hell In A Cell would be perfect but it’s too soon after the one on this show. Then we had Too Cool and Rikishi beat The Radicalz in a real head scratcher. It’s killed Benoit, Malenko and Saturns momentum on their first PPV in the WWF. It made no sense to job these guys out to two jobbers and a midcarder. It may suggest that there are bigger plans for Rikishi and Too Cool going forward though. It was a good 6 man tag between these men but the result went the wrong way if you ask me.

Then in the first of two main events, The Big Show defeated The Rock to become number one contender to the WWF title. This had a shocking ending with Shane McMahon randomly coming out and siding with The Big Show. Last time we saw him, he was a babyface teaming with Test. With Triple H winning the main event it means we also get McMahon vs. McMahon which I imagine will take centre stage in this feud. Triple H beat Cactus Jack in another insane match. This one had you on the edge of your seat, especially when both men were teetering on top of the cell. Cactus Jack had a flaming barb wire 2×4. They were ripping away at each others face with it. Jesus. It probably wasn’t quite as good as their Royal Rumble match but it was not far off. So was that the last time we will ever see Mick Foley? I’m inclined to say no as it never seems to be over in this business. Still, a great show with mostly great matches.

Overall Rating: 66/100 (ranked 4th out of 106) 

Match Of The Night: Triple H vs. Cactus Jack
Worst Match Of The Night: Mark Henry vs. Viscera
Surprise Of The Night: Shane McMahon returns, Terri turns, new IC and tag champs
Worst Booking Of The Night: The Radicalz lose to Too Cool & Rikishi
Superstar Of The Night: Triple H
No Way Out 2000 Will Be Remembered For: Cactus Jack losing a retirement match