WWE PPV Flashbacks: Insurrextion - May 6, 2000

Insurrextion
May 6, 2000
Earls Court, London, England

About a week after Backlash, the WWF hosted its first of the biannual UK PPVs for the year 2000. After a few name changes over the past few years, the event was named Insurrextion, a title it would continue to bear for the rest of its existence over the next few years. If you've been reading my reviews of past UK shows, you know the deal by now. Its really a bunch of matches you would expect to find on a house show at the time. Tonights main event is a triple threat match for the WWF Championship, as the new title holder the Rock defends against both Triple H and Shane McMahon. With that said, lets get into it. Please leave all comments and feedback on Twitter at @Mpmcc91.

We kick off with a fairly basic opening video focusing on the three men in our triple threat main event. After the pyro we head to our announce team of Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler, and we are all set to roll.

Too Cool vs Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn
A good choice to open the show here, as Too Cool always were able to pop the crowd, whilst the Radicalz always had their working boots on. These guys have pretty much been feuding ever since the Radicalz arrived on the scene, so their history has been well documented to this point. Dean and Scotty are of course also coming off their forgotten feud over Malenko's Light Heavyweight Championship, having competed in an awesome match a week prior at Backlash. Unfortunately we don't get another classic here though. Anyway, the Radicalz jump Too Cool before the match gets started but the faces come back. Meanwhile JR and King mention on commentary that all four members of the Radicalz are currently champions, with the exception of Perry Saturn. He always was forgotten one. Anyway after a brief come back from Too Cool, Scotty takes a beating as Malenko and Saturn beat him down. We actually get a bit of dissension teased between the heels as Saturn and Dean shove one another before getting back on the same page, but this altercation allows Scotty to come back and get the hot tag to Grandmaster Sexay. Too Cool get back into things with Scotty hitting the ever popular Worm and then send the heels crashing into one another. Grandmaster follows up with the Hip Hop Drop to put Saturn away at 7:00, picking up the win for his team to the delight of the fans. A decent enough opener, but really nothing to go out of the way for. It got the show started and served its purpose there. After the match we see more signs of tension between the Radicalz as Malenko and Saturn argue with one another and come to blows. We'll see where this is leading as time goes on.
Grade: **1/2

Backstage we see Mae Young talking to the Kat, getting her ready for her arm wrestling contest later in the show.

Before our next match, No Chance hits and Mr McMahon makes his way out to the stage. He complains about Backlash, stating Stone Cold had no business intervening in the WWF title match, and that the Rock should thus not be champion. Regardless, he vows one of his relatives will emerge tonight as the WWF Champion, but will that be his son or son in law?

Kane w/Paul Bearer vs Bull Buchanan
A battle of the powerhouses, with the build stemming from Bossman & Buchanan breaking Kane's hand leading to the Big Red Machine being out for revenge tonight. Paul Bearer's brief return by Kane's side is coming to an end shortly after this, whilst Bull Buchanan os the sacrificial lamb here, as he really would be until getting repackaged a little in a few months time. This is really just a glorified squash, as Kane starts out dominating Bull, and whilst Buchanan gets some offence in, the Big Red Machine sits right back up following a big boot. Buchanan continues to pound on Kane from here, but makes a mistake when he goes up to the turnbuckle, getting caught into a chokeslam on the way down. Kane covers and gets the three at a quick 3:31. Simply here to give Kane a win in front of the UK fans in attendance.
Grade: 1/2*

We now go to Triple H and Stephanie in the back. Triple H seems glad to have Vince's support tonight, but Stephanie isn't entirely sure where her father's loyalties lie.

Bradshaw w/Faarooq vs Road Dogg w/Tori
Strange choice here. I would have thought they would have done the Acolytes vs X-Pac & Road Dogg here. X-Pac is actually conspicuous by his absence tonight, which makes me think he wasn't on this tour. Anyway, the Acolytes are obviously the faces here, but this is really just a match to fill out the card. There's history though as the Acolytes had a brief feud with the New Age Outlaws earlier in the year. Anyway, Faarooq gets on commentary, whilst Bradshaw goes after Tori. The action gets going on the floor as both Acolytes start putting a beating on Road Dogg outside the ring, which leads to Faarooq being ejected from ringside in the early going. Despite losing his partner's presence, Bradshaw continues to dominate his opponent back in the ring. After suffering a torture rack and Clothesline from Hell from the Texan, Road Dogg comes back following a Tori distraction, rolling up Bradshaw out of nowhere, but he only gets two. With Tori continuing to be a presence at ringside, Road Dogg utilises this to his advantage and hits a Pump Handle Slam on Bradshaw to score the win at 5:58. A bit of an upset here actually, but nonetheless, a pretty basic match.
Grade: *

The arm wrestling contest is up next and we see Terri getting ready to head to the ring.

Arm Wrestling Contest:
The Kat w/Mae Young vs Terri w/Fabulous Moolah

This is obviously stemming from the dreadful cat fight these two had in the only one on one match on the card back at Wrestlemania. Mae and Moolah are still having their issues so they accompany the opponents to ringside as well. If you've seen one arm wrestling contest in the WWF, you've seen them all, and this is no exception. Terri starts out stalling since she is the heel. Once they finally lock arms, Terri attempts to cheat by spitting water at the Kat, but Mae responds by spilling the contents of the water bottle over the proclaimed she-devil, allowing Kat to win by slamming her hand to the mat. Terri is enraged and rips Kat's top off after the decision is announced. Kat embraces the attention, although we don't see anything unlike at Armageddon. Pretty much the kind of filler that you would expect from this.
Grade: N/A

Ready for our next match, we see Rikishi heading to the curtain. Meanwhile Crash is hiding from everyone as he is still the Hardcore Champion, and thus has to deal with the 24/7 rule. We also see the Rock arriving in the building.

Big Show & Rikishi vs Dudley Boyz
Both teams are faces here, as the Dudley Boyz are coming off their brief feud with T&A, whilst Big Show is continuing his impersonation gimmick that we have seen over the past few weeks since being ditched by Shane. Tonight, the big man teams with the always popular Rikishi, and is going by the moniker of Showkishi, dressing up in Rikishi's outfit, thong and all. There's no storyline heading in here as this is just thrown together to get these guys on the show. The Dudley Boyz play the de facto heels for the match as D-Von attempts to jump Big Show from behind as we get started, but Show easily fights him off. Despite the early advantage to the big men, the Dudley Boyz take control of the match as they work over Rikishi. They continue to assert their heel status for the match as Bubba jaw jacks with Show whilst doing so. Anyway, after much double teaming, Rikishi comes back with a double clothesline to both Dudleys and gets the hot tag to Show. He cleans house and along with Rikishi takes the fight to the Dudley Boyz, leading to a double stinkface to a big pop from the crowd. Meanwhile, Edge & Christian, the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions run in, as they had been doing in various tag matches over the course of their heel turn since winning the belts, and in doing so, Edge takes out Bubba with a spear before high tailing it. Show follows up with a chokeslam to the downed Dudley, which allows the dancing big men to pick up the victory at 7:10. After the match, the ill will is put aside between the competitors as Too Cool head out to the ring. They convince the Dudley Boyz to dance with the others, and they do just that, Bubba especially busting a move to the approval of the fans in attendance. This was really the definition of a fun house show match just filling out the card and giving the crowd something to cheer for in the post-match. The run-in by Edge & Christian seems a little random as they wouldn't feud with the Dudley Boyz again for quite some time, but its what they were doing all over the place at the time. Fun stuff here for what it was meant to be.
Grade: **

We now get a video package highlighting Kurt Angle's time in London. Typical goofy comedy that you expect from Angle in this stretch. Lots of fun. We then go backstage to Chris Benoit who looks to take his frustration out on the Olympic Gold Medallist after losing his I.C title since Backlash. For some reason Crash Holly joins the commentary team for our next match, which is really random. But so is this whole show right?

Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit
Don't get excited, this isn't one of their many classics down the line. Much like the last match was a battle between faces, both men are heels here. As I mentioned a few moments ago, Chris Benoit lost his Intercontinental Championship to Chris Jericho on Smackdown a few days before this show in a rematch from Backlash. That feud is still raging on, whilst Angle is floating around a little at the moment, but there are big things in his future. Angle actually gets a pretty big pop from the crowd here but he quickly changes that by ripping on the UK on his way to the ring. Benoit comes out sporting a swollen eye from a belt shot by Jericho in the aforementioned title match. Anyway, the match gets under way, but the focus really seems to be on Crash at the announce table, as he says he is looking for an Englishman to take on tonight but nobody is willing to take him on. As far as the match goes, Benoit starts out on a chopping frenzy, but Angle gets his chance to shine when he ducks and goes after Benoit's injured eye. The Olympic Hero gets distracted following a belly to belly though, and decides to taunt the crowd, which gives Benoit the opportunity to kick out of a subsequent cover and go crazy with German suplexes. After a pinning combination, Benoit locks in the Crippler, but Angle shows his smarts when he counters by grabbing the refs hand and using it to poke the Wolverine's eye. Benoit attempts to fire back with the Diving Headbutt, but he misses. From there, Angle puts his opponent away following the Olympic Slam, which gets the three at a very short 6:04. Extremely underwhelming considering the guys involved in this one, but what can you expect with time like that? Angle continues his winning ways on the way to a major push in a few months time.
Grade: **1/4

We now cut to Shane McMahon in the back. He feels confident that he has his father's support in the main event. Back at ringside, Crash continues to talk trash when all the sudden hometown boy, the British Bulldog, rushes to the ring with a referee in tow. We have an impromptu title match!

WWF Hardcore Championship:
Crash Holly (c) vs British Bulldog

Bulldog was pretty much done with the company back in January and this is just a one off type thing to pop the crowd being in England and all. Bulldog gets a huge response from the fans which is really good to see considering this was effectively his last hurrah. Crash gets some brief offence here by sending the Bulldog into the ring steps and following up with some kendo stick shots. Bulldog comes back though, snapping the stick across Crash's back, sending him into a steel chair, and finally putting the champ away with the running powerslam at 3:37. The British Bulldog is the new WWF Hardcore Champion and the fans love it. Crash would win the belt back the following week on Smackdown in what I believe was the last WWF match in the career of the late great British Bulldog who would sadly pass away a few years later. Another gone too soon. Obviously this was a nothing squash, but its about the moment and Bulldog's last moment in the lime light.
Grade: *

We now go to footage showing Edge & Christian's adventures in London. They are charging fans for photos and autographs. They block off one so that he is not visible with them and charge double. Those damn heels!

WWF Tag Team Championship:
Edge & Christian (c) vs Hardy Boyz

These teams have quite a bit of history at this point, so I don't really need to talk about the issues between these guys here. Edge & Christian have made the transition into cocky heel champions since winning the titles at Wrestlemania, no longer entering from the crowd, whilst the Hardy Boyz are the always popular fan favourites. Thats really all there is that can be said about this title match. JR gets the line of the night as Lawler talks about the champions, suggesting shampoo commercials are in their future. For one of them down the track anyway JR. Anyway, the champs start this one out dictating the pace as they work over Jeff in the early going. Jeff gets a few spots in to launch a brief come back such as countering an Edge powerbomb attempt into a sunset flip, but the champs always manage to cut his comeback off and remain isolating the young Hardy from his partner. Eventually both Jeff and Edge go down following a double crossbody, and this allows Jeff to recover and get the hot tag to His brother. Matt comes in and takes the fight to Christian, but Edge breaks up a cover. What follows sees the match break down into chaos as Jeff takes Edge to the outside before coming back into the ring as Matt gets the Twist of Fate on Christian. Jeff follows up with the Swanton, but just as the challengers look set to win the gold, Edge comes in and wallops Jeff with the ring bell, triggering the DQ to save their titles at 12:53. The Hardy Boyz win the match, but Edge & Christian are still the champs. Anyway, basic enough match here that was really just about putting over Edge & Christian's new attitudes as cheating heels that would do anything to hold onto their titles.
Grade: **3/4

In the post-match chaos, the Dudley Boyz make their second appearance of the night, hitting the ring and brawling with the champs. They hit the 3D on Christian and then powerbomb Edge through a table. That was obviously payback from earlier in the night. We then throw to a video package highlighting the issues between Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero, particularly Chyna's change in allegiance.

WWF European Championship:
Eddie Guerrero (c) w/Chyna vs Chris Jericho

This is champion vs champion since Chris Jericho beat Benoit to win the I.C title a few days ago on Smackdown as I mentioned earlier. These guys have a bit of history dating back to the night after Wrestlemania on Raw, when Eddie won the European title from Jericho with the assistance of Chyna. Jericho has really moved on to deal with his Benoit rivalry by now, but at least we have some backstory. Anyway, we have a coin toss to decide which title will be on the line, and since we are in the UK it goes without saying that Eddie's European title is up for grabs. Jericho starts this one out on fire, keen to add another title to his collection, which leads to Eddie heading outside and attempting to walk out. Chyna convinces Eddie to return to the ring though (she wasn't really a heel despite siding with Latino Heat). Eddie does indeed return, and gets a series of chops from Y2J as he does so, and whilst Guerrero does sneak a roll up at one point, its basically all the challenger, so Guerrero decides to flee once more. Jericho gives chase but is taken out by a Chyna clothesline, which allows Eddie to take over. We get a little back and forth with Guerrero working over the challenger whilst Jericho attempts to fight back, and they both end up back on the outside following a hurricana by Latino Heat. Eddie gets back in and distracts the ref by faking a back injury. which allows Chyna to do a number on Y2J with a DDT. Jericho kicks out of the following pin, and fires back with the Lionsault to Guerrero, but before he can close in on the gold, Chyna gets involved again, this time distracting the official from making the count. Jericho responds by knocking her off the apron, by he turns right into a shot with the title belt from the champion, which the ref misses. That allows Eddie to score the pinfall at 12:56 to retain his title. A really solid match here between two great wrestlers. The Chyna interference made sense and the crowd were really behind Jericho. Best match of the night so far.
Grade: ***

Backstage, Triple H and Shane McMahon are arguing over who will leave the triple threat main event with the WWF Championship. Stephanie tries to calm them down saying that it doesn't matter so long as one of them takes the title from the Rock. We then throw to a video package highlighting the upcoming match, followed by a standard pre-match promo from the Great One himself.

WWF Championship:
The Rock (c) vs Triple H w/Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley vs Shane McMahon w/Mr McMahon

This is a week after the Rock beat Triple H to win the WWF Championship at Backlash, so there really hasn't been many developments in the feud since then. Its really just more stacking the odds against the popular champion, as Mr McMahon has him defend the title against two men working together in Shane and the former champ. Rock and Triple H trade blows to start this one out, but Shane jumps the Rock from behind, leading to the heels teaming up against the champion, complete with a funny spot with Triple H doing Shane's foot shuffle. Rock briefly comes back, but Triple H quickly catches him in a sleeper hold, whilst Shane looks on and taunts the champ. Rock gets his hands on him in another sleeper, but Shane utilises a jawbreaker to counter out. Triple H attempts to make a cover, but we get more signs of dissension when Shane breaks it up to save the match. They seem to sort out their differences, but the moment the Game turns his back, Shane nails him from behind and goes up top. He attempts a moonsault and actually lands on his feet when Trips moves out of the way which was pretty cool. Anyway, the ref goes down moments later when Rock backdrops Shane out of a Pedigree attempt, so Gerald Brisco of the Stooges heads down to take his place. A Pedigree from Triple H to the Rock gets a two count, but Triple H is upset with that, so he takes Brisco out in frustration. The Game follows up with a second Pedigree and Vince puts on Brisco's ref shirt to make the count. Before he can count three, Earl Hebner runs down and pulls him out, having been fired by the McMahon Regime only to be reinstated by Linda McMahon since. Vince chases Earl outside whilst Shane accidentally crotches Trips on the ropes back in the ring. Vince ends up following Earl into the ring, right into a Rock Bottom from the champion. Rock follows up by getting rid of the Game, then hits the Spinebuster and People's Elbow to put Shane away for the count by Hebner at 15:37 to retain the title. Really good match here actually. There was a lot of overbooking towards the end, but once again it all made sense in the Regime storyline. Rock and Triple H had great chemistry at this point, and whilst Shane detracted from that a little here, his involvement was still lots of fun. Rock celebrates a successful title defence to end the show as this rivalry rages on.
Grade: ***3/4

FINAL THOUGHTS:
As is usually the case with these UK events, the show didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Having said that, this was a lot of fun, and probably one of the better UK exclusive PPVs. The main event and European title matches were both lots of fun, and looking at the rest of the card, there was really nothing outright bad. Sure there were some basic matches with random pairings, but there was nothing terrible. We actually got a title change in the Hardcore Championship as well, and whilst Crash won the belt back shortly after, I enjoyed seeing Bulldog's final WWF moment. Anyway, a good show to kill some time with.

Three Stars of the Night:
1. The Rock - star of the show and most popular guy in the company.
2. Triple H - incredibly chemistry with Rock that would only reach a higher level at our next show. 2000 was one of the best years in the career of the Game.
3. Chris Jericho - showed great fire in his match despite coming up short.

Honourable mentions go out to Shane McMahon and Eddie Guerrero.

FINAL GRADE: 6 out of 10

ALL TIME PERFORMANCE TALLY:
What I do here is add the three stars of the night with each review so as to keep track of who we can say overall is the greatest PPV performer to any given time. First place scores 3 points, second 2 and third 1. The Rock and The Game continue to rise, both edging out Foley at the top of the pack.

Steve Austin = 84
Bret Hart = 83
Shawn Michaels = 67
The Rock = 40
Triple H = 39
Mick Foley = 38
Randy Savage = 28
Undertaker = 25
Owen Hart = 21
Hulk Hogan = 18
X-Pac = 18
Diesel = 15
Ultimate Warrior = 13
Vader = 13
British Bulldog = 12
Ted DiBiase = 10
Razor Ramon = 10
Vince McMahon = 10
Ric Flair = 8
Matt Hardy = 8
Jeff Hardy = 8
Jim Neidhart = 7
Jerry Lawler = 6
Christian = 6
Chris Jericho = 6
Dynamite Kid = 5
Arn Anderson = 5
Roddy Piper = 5
Mr Perfect = 5
Marty Jannetty = 5
Bob Backlund = 5
Edge = 5
Ricky Steamboat = 4
Ax = 4
Smash = 4
Bobby Heenan = 4
D’Lo Brown = 4
Bubba Ray Dudley = 4
D-Von Dudley = 4
Greg Valentine = 3
Tully Blanchard = 3
Tanaka = 3
Bam Bam Bigelow = 3
Sato = 3
Jake Roberts = 3
Hakushi = 3
Yokozuna = 3
Savio Vega = 3
Ken Shamrock = 3
Shane McMahon = 3
Chyna = 3
Brutus Beefcake = 2
Paul Orndorff = 2
Andre the Giant = 2
Rick Rude = 2
Sgt Slaughter = 2
Jeff Jarrett = 2
Jesse Ventura = 1
Texas Tornado = 1
Tito Santana = 1
Virgil = 1
Scott Steiner = 1
Rick Steiner = 1
Lex Luger = 1
The Roadie = 1
Billy Gunn = 1
Bart Gunn = 1
Marc Mero = 1
Flash Funk = 1
Animal = 1
Hawk = 1
Taka Michinoku = 1
Test = 1
Big Show = 1
Kurt Angle = 1
Dean Malenko = 1
Scotty 2 Hotty = 1

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