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Submitted by Robert Fallon on Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 6:39 AM EST
Thanks to Jeff Wilen for sending this in: Thanks to The Cerebral Assassin from the LOP message forums for sending this in: I just got back from the house show in Gainesville, FL, and had a blast. It was my first house show. I had my little bro along, and it was his first time at a WWF event ever, and he was wowed. I'm working off of memory alone here, so I might have the order of things a little messed up, but otherwise, things should be fairly accurate. The crowd was a good-size, several thousand people, but by no means a sellout (not surprising, considering it was a house show) Got there an hour early, but they didn't start letting people in until a half- hour before the show started. There was a big sign up outside that said that Stone Cold Steve Austin would not be there, leading me to wonder what they would do about the main event (it had been set to be Austin vs. Undertaker). We found out shortly, though. The announcer (I have no idea who it was), got into the ring and made the announcement that Austin would not be there, which of course was met with resounding boos. Then the Undertaker came out, and started talking some smack on Gainesville, dissing the Gators, etc., and then he said that Austin was too scared to fight him and that's why he wasn't there. He then issued an open challenge to anyone to come out and fight him and sat down and said he wouldn't move until someone did. At that, Ric Flair came out (wearing Gator colors, I might add), made several pro-Gainesville comments, and then told Taker that he worked for Flair now, and he was gonna go grab the first WWF Superstar he found to fight Taker. Taker responded by suggesting that they finish what they started at Mania, challenging Flair to a No Disqualification Match. Flair accepted, and both left the ring to get ready. Triple Threat Match for the WWF Cruiserweight Title: Billy Kidman vs. Scotty Too Hotty vs. Tajiri w/Torrie Wilson Decent match here. Kidman wound up taking the brunt of the abuse and looking like an idiot when he missed a crossbody over the top rope to the floor that was intended for both Scotty and Tajiri. Scotty would hit the WORM on Kidman, but Tajiri would break up the pin. The match ended when Tajiri nailed Kidman with a stiff kick to the face for the pin to retain his belt. After the match, Scotty did his little dance thing, and then invited Tajiri to join him. Tajiri did some acrobatic shit, including a weird version of the WORM . Anyhow, it looked cool. Then Torrie Wilson got in the ring, took off her top to reveal some EXTREMELY revealing clothes, and danced for a while, before all three retred to the back. Damn, is she gorgeous. The TV doesn't do her justice. Trish Stratus vs. Ivory Terri Runnels, a Gainesville native, came out to do guest ring announcing for this. Ivory talked some smack on the house mic to Terry, then she and Trish went at it. Borefest of a match that ended with Trish getting the pin with the Stratusfaction. After the match, Ivory and Terri got into a catfight, and had to be separated by referees. Mr. Perfect & Shawn Stasiak vs. Hugh Morrus and Perry Saturn Looks like the WWF is trying to put together some new tag teams, apparently playing off of Stasiak's "Perfection" gimmick in WCW. Rather dull match, with Perfect and Stasiak looking like morons most of the time. It was way too drawn- out, though seeing Stasiak hit the Perfect-Plex was interesting. In the end, Saturn and Morrus got the win with a double-team move similar to Demolition's old finisher, except that Morrus held Stasiak while Saturn came off the top with a knee to the head. Lance Storm vs. Randy Orton This was the first time I'd seen Orton in action, and he looked good. He will be ready to be called up to the WWF soon. He's got amazing strength and incredible agility for a man his size. All in all, a good match between him and Storm, lots of back-and-forth action, with some interesting move reversal spots. The finish sucked, though, as Orton came off the top with a high crossbody, and Storm rolled through, hooked the leg, and got the pin. I was really impressed by Orton, though, and the fans seemed to take a liking to him easily as well. Albert vs. Goldust This match flat-out sucked, from beginning to end. It lasted about twice as long as it should have. For some reason, Albert kept doing weird stuff. One of the moves involved him grabbing Goldust's family jewels. He also slapped him on the ass several times, and made some other odd sexual references during the match-stuff that Goldust usually does. I'm beginning to think Albert is a Hip- Hop Homo. Goldust left the ring on two occasions to take a nine-count, and it was way drawn-out, with not enough in-ring action to compensate for it. The finish blew as well, as Goldust won with some weak-looking neckbreaker. I should have taken a piss break then. No Disqualification, No Holds Barred Match-Undertaker vs. Ric Flair Flair looked good for his age during this one, as he seems to gradually be getting himself in better shape. This one was very entertaining, a real nice twenty-minute slugfest. Flair got busted open badly, but in the end, he got the win by hitting Taker (who was preoccupied with tryin to chokeslam Hebner) with a chair, and then using the ropes for leverage to get the pin. Taker sold the chairshot like he'd been seriously injured (why can't he sell like that at PPVs?), and when he finally got up, he gave the finger to the crowd and walked to the back. This match was followed by a fifteen minute intermission, which was good because I had to piss. The Big Valbowski vs. Test This match was mediocre at best. Test interrupted Val's usual pre-match ritual, and the match was fairly slow-moving. Test really is a Kevin Nash clone. Val missed his top-rope splash, then tried it again and hit it, but Test kicked out. Test got the win with the boot, in a very forgettable match. Chris Jericho vs. Edge This was an extremely entertaining match, not just for the in-ring action, but for the crowd interaction. Jericho immediately drew major heat fromthe Gainesville fans, who were chanting "Jericho Sucks" and "Stephanie's Bitch". He then made matters worse by yelling at us on the house mic. Then Edge got on the house mic and said that yes, Jericho sucked, and that it wasn't Y2J, it was Y2Gay. The crowd immediately picked up on it, and started chanting it throughout the match. It was a good fast-paced match, back and forth, very entertaining. There was a big referee bump, with Jericho getting catapulted into Tim White. Edge hit the spear and also put Jericho in the Walls of Jericho, but the ref was out. While Edge was distracted by the ref, Jericho managed to hit the Breakdown and used his feet on the ropes for the win. After the match, Edge looked like he had pulled a groin or thigh muscle or something,because he was walking very gingerly and had to slide under the bottom rope on his way out rather than step between them. I hope it wasn't serious. He may have been selling, but I doubt it. Kurt Angle vs. Kane This was my favorite mtch of the night, because it provided the most entertainment during and post-match. Crowd was chanting "You suck", of course, and Angle was drawing major boos from the getgo. He got on the house mic and said "I do NOT suck!", in a whiny voice. Decent match overall, as Angle seems to be the one who carries Kane to his best efforts. There was one scary spot, though. I'm not sure if it was intentional or a blown spot, but I think it was the latter. Kane was up top, and Kurt Angle jumped to meet him there and give him that overhead suplex, but somehow he must have slipped, and the two of them came crashing down in a heap, with Kane lading on Angle. I really thought one of them might be injured, but apparently not, and they continued the match like nothing had happened. Decent psych, with Angle setting up for the ankle lock by working on Kane's leg. At one point, Kane put Angle in the ankle lock as well, but Angle rolled out of it. The finish again involved Hebner. Angle pushed Hebner after a long two-count, and Hebner pushed him back. Angle pushed him again, and this time, Hebner shoved Angle right on his ass. Angle got up, turned around, and walked into a chokeslam and got pinned cleanly. That was the last match of the evening, but the fun didn't stop there. After Angle recovered, as people were heading out, he got on the mic and said not to worry, but he was OK. The crowd started chanting "WHAT?!", and Angle went up to a little kid and asked him what his name was and then went "WHAT?". He did it again to another kid, asking if he was a big fan of Angle's, and the kid went "WHAT?", to which Angle replied "Don't get smart with me!" He then asked another kid (who had to be no older than ten) if he was a big fan of his, and the little kid said into the mic "Asshole, you suck, motherfucker!" The audience started cracking up, and the look on Angle's face was priceless. He tried to say something back to the kid, but he couldn't. Finally, they just played his music and he went to the back. Overall, it was a very entertaining show, with a lot of stuff being done that you can't do on TV. I had a great time, and I hope the WWF doesn't wait another 11 years to come back to Gainesville. Biggest Cheers: 1. Edge 2. Ric Flair 3. Torrie Wilson dancing 4. Kane 5. tie-Val Venis and Randy Orton-this kid is gonna be a star Most Heat: 1. Chris Jericho-they were all over him 2. Kurt Angle 3. The Undertaker 4. The guy who announced that SCSA wouldn't be there 5. The refs, for breaking up the Terri-Ivory catfight Thanks to Kyle Niblett for sending this in: WWF at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL 3/27/02 Attendance 5,000-6000 (Halfway full), most of 2nd and 3rd levels were empty, I can see why they stayed away from here for 11 years Show started with Tony Chimmel welcoming everyone and doing the National anthem as small pyro goes off. Undertaker's music hits and he comes to the ring. He says Steve Austin isn't here tonight because he's scared. He takes a chair from ringside and says he's not leaving the ring till a worker from the back comes out here. Ric Flair's music hits and he comes out. He says Undertaker doesn't work for Vince he works for Flair. He says he'll walk to the back and find someone. Halfway down the aisle, Undertaker says "Why don't we end what we started at Wrestlemania in a No Holds Barred match." Flair says he'll give 'Taker a "Gator Ass Whipping." (Gainesville is home of University of Florida Gators, Flair's wife is an alumni.) Crowd is going nuts. Triple Threat Cruiserweight Title Match Tajiri w/ Torrie Wilson vs. Billy Kidman vs. Scotty 2 Hotty Scotty comes out first, followed by Kidman. Less than a minute in Tajiri and a HOT Torri Wilson come down and it's a 3 way dance for the title. Spills to the outside as Kidman misses a plauncha. Back inside Tajiri puts Kidman in the tarantula, and Scotty hits the worm on Kidman. Scotty covers, only to be kicked in the head by Tajiri as Tajiri picks up the victory. After the match Scotty gets Tajiri to dance (Funniest part of night). Then Torri strips down into a bikini and dances with them as Scotty does the worm again. Mr. Perfect & Shawn Stasiak vs. Hugh Morrus & Perry Saturn Not much of a match here. Lots of Mr. Perfect chants even though Hugh and Saturn were the faces. Stasiak hits a perfect plex which is broken up by Hugh. Henning gets tossed to the outside as Hugh holds Stasiak and Saturn drops a knee from the top for the win. After the match Stasiak and Henning tease breaking up. Trish Stratus vs Ivory Hometown girl Terri Runnels in the guest ring announcer. She gets a huge pop. Ivory comes down to heat, and Trish comes out to a pop. Ivory tells Trish the crowd wants to see her puppies, so show them to the fans. She doesn't of course. Back and forth match, spills to the outside, where Ivory slaps Runnels. Back in the ring, Runnels slaps Ivory, Trish uses a springboard bulldog and picks up the W. After the match Terri and Ivory get in a cat fight and the refs break it up. Albert vs Goldust Lots of nut shots here. Goldust gets a good reaction from being near here. Not much to report on, Goldust does a lot of homosexual teasing rubbing up on Albert. Goldust gets win with foot on the rope. Lance Storm vs Randy Orton Orton has a great look. Lot better showing than his November match in Daytona Beach. Lance hits his rolling single leg crab. Orton hits a beautiful spinning schoolboy from the second rope that gets a pop. Lance tries the super kick, but Randy blocks it. Orton goes up top, hits a cross body, but Lance rolls over, grabs the tights, and wins. Lots of USA chants. Great match! No Holds Barred-Undertaker vs Ric Flair This match goes all over ringside. Flair is more of a crimson mask than at Wrestlemania. 'Taker hits Flair repeatedly in the head with a microphone while the speakers are turned on. Flair fights back with several chops. He more over than anyone at this show. Undertaker superplexes Flair from the second rope but only gets a two count much to the chagrin of 'Taker. Taker tries a chokeslam, but Flair low blows him and puts him in the figure four. Right before 'Taker takes the three count, he sits up, grabs Flair by the throat, and chokeslams him. Once again he only gets a two count. He goes after Earl Hebner, gets him up in the air for a chokeslam, only to be hit in the back with a chair by Flair. Taker turns around, gets hit in the head again with the chair, falls down and Flair pins him as the crowd goes crazy. Takes 'Taker 10 minutes to exit the ring as intermission begins. INTERMISSION Big Valbowski vs Test Venis doesn't let a chick get in the ring. He was about to but Test comes out to a tiny pop. Match is okay, as Test misses pumphandle slam, Val misses money shot, Test hits a pumphandle slam, but only gets a two count. Test goes for big boot but gets his nuts caught up in the rope. Val slams him and hits the money shot for only a two count. Val runs at Test only to get the big boot which gives Test the victory. Good match. Edge vs Chris Jericho Takes a long ass time to get started, as "Jericho Sucks" chants break out. Jericho says Gainesville suck. Then Edge gets on the mic and says "Not only do they say you suck, but they're also saying Y2-Gay." That starts a Y2-Gay chant as they finally lock up. Match goes back and forth, Jericho misses Lionsault when Edge puts his knees up. Edge goes for Edgecutioner, but Jericho low blows him and goes for Walls of Jericho. Edge reaches ropes, comes back and slingshots Jericho into the corner into the ref. Jericho goes and gets a chair tries to hit Edge but Edge spears him. Edge puts him in the Walls of Jericho but no ref. Jericho tries to get the ref, but Jericho uses his front Russian leg sweep for the win. Main Event-One fall to a finish-Kurt Angle vs Kane No mic work for this. Kurt gets the most heat of the night. Missed spot of the night goes to both men. It wasn't really missed, it's just Kane was on the second rope and Angle went up to belly to belly him, but slipped and Kane fell right on Kurt's right shoulder, apparently shortening the length of the match. Kane goes for chokeslam, Angle escapes, tries an Angle slam, and Kane escapes and hits the chokeslam for the win. After the match Kane's fire goes off as the crowd goes home happy. Lot better house show than the "B" one from Daytona back in November which featured Edge vs Christian as a main event. The "A" show in Tampa March 1st was a lot better, as well as Wrestlemania live. Still a great show, tons of entertainment which is why everyone should see WWF live. Great Show! Thanks to Sean Ullman for sending this in: I waited out side the arena to watch wrestlers arrive. The first person was Earl Hepner who was really nice. Second was Dean Malenko who didn't even acknowledge the crowd. Later Tajiri, who was on a cell phone. When Curt Henning arrived I yelled out "West Texas Rednecks" he looked up and yelled "Rap is Still Crap". He stopped and watched me spit and slap my gum, As I never practice I missed, he said it was because I "wasn't athletic" I just got back from the Gainesville house show. The announcer got on the mic and said that the original card was made before the brand extension. So today there will be wrestlers from both the raw and smack down brands, this will be the last time this will happen. Also Stone Cold Steve Austin will not be at the event. The arena was at most three quarters full. Undertaker's music hit, interrupting him, he said the reason Austin was not coming was because he was scared to fight UT. UT said that he was going to stay in the ring until somebody came out to challenge him to a match. Ric Flair came out wearing an orange gator shirt. He said that he is on Flairs roster and has to listen to Flair. Flair was going to go to the back and find someone for UT to wrestle. UT made fun of his "gay orange shirt" to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Flair decided he would fight UT tonight. UT said he would make Flair bleed. Flair made the match no DQ. Cruiser Weight Title Match Tajiri (c) with Torrie vs. Billy Kidman vs. Scottie 2 Hotty Very good match, Torrie is so hot. The match went back and forth, until finally Tajiri got the kick on Billy Kidman Winner and still Cruiser Weight Champion: Tajiri Ivory vs. Trish Guest Ring Announcer: Terri Decent women's match, Ivory got on the mic and told Trish to keep her clothes on. Trish won with the Stratusfaction. Winner: Trish Randy Orton (Sp?) vs. Lance Storm Randy has a future in the WWF, he has a great look (as my girlfriend told me) and really good in ring ability. The match was a technical wrestling fest. Randy with a cross body off the top, reversed into a cradle. Winner: Lance Storm Mr. Perfect & Shawn Stasiak vs. Hugh Morris & Perry Saturn The crowd was really behind Hugh and Saturn. Shawn's underwear was sticking out of his shorts for most the match. I yelled to tell him that, he looked at me and gave me a weird semi seductive look, he tucked in the wrong side, so I had to tell him it was the other side. Classic Perfect match. Hugh and Saturn did a tag team finisher, where Saturn held Stasiak parallel to the ground, and Hugh did a knee drop off the top rope for the win. Winner: Hugh Morris and Perry Saturn Goldust vs. Albert Goldust was gay. Rubbing and feeling on Albert. Long count out section of the match got Goldust a lot of heat. Albert did the helicopter move, and the ball grab. Goldust with the neck breaker for the win Winner: Goldust No DQ Match Undertaker vs. Flair Crowd was really behind Flair, whose age is very apparent when your in the second row,. They fought to the outside, the ring was in my way so I couldn't see what was going on, when they walked away, Flair was covered in his blood. Back in the ring UT did a superplex off the top rope. Flair put on the figure four, but UT fought out. Flair hit him with a steal chair two times, and used the ropes to get the pin. Winner: Ric Flair Intermission The Big Valboski vs. Test Val did his Hello Ladies thing. Then my camera died and I went looking for a replacement, which I could not find. Winner: Test Chris Jericho vs. Edge A few Stephanie's Bitch chants, and a lot of Jericho sucks chants. Edge said he should be called Y2Gay, and the crowd started to chant Y2Gay. Very entertaining match, as I am a Jericho mark. The ref got knocked out, Edge put Jericho in the Liontamer, and he tapped out. Edge tried to wake up the ref Jericho eventually used the ropes for the pin. Winner: Jericho Kurt Angle vs. Edge The usual You Suck chants for Kurt. Big pop for Kane. Typical match, Angle got on the mic and said "Oh Yeah (sarcastically) You Suck". Earl Hepner pushed Angle down and Kane came off the top of the rope and pinned Angle. Winner: Kane After the match Kurt got on the mic and said that Gainesville sucks what is there to do besides waste precious time. The asked some young boy how old he was he said 10, he made a comment about how, everyone else in Gainesville needs to stop mooching off their parents and get a job. He asked the boy if he could write his name, the boy said "what" , Angle said not to get smart with him. After the kid saying what a few times, The Coach had to hold Angle back. He asked another kid what his name was his name was Sean, the kid (about 12) said, "what's up mother fucker" over the mic. Angle was shocked, he asked how he could disrespect an Olympic gold metalist. Funny, although inappropriate ending. I have been to a few house shows, Raws and Smackdowns, and this was the most entertaining event. 2600+ Members: WWF Raw Heat Club
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