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Francine cuts a promo to big heat while Gertner makes sex jokes on commentary. We might as well get a drum cymbal between Joey and Joel. Francine announces that thanks to her network friends, Victory is barred from ringside. Corino informs us that he saw this coming and has Dawn Marie to help manage him. The match itself is an adequate ECW style match with brawling and big moves. The finish plays off of that with run ins, a catfight and Corino seemingly having the match in his grasp before Credible knocks off the That’s Incredible to gain the win. **3/4

We are still in Hammerstein. This is the last semifinal match we haven’t seen. They go straight into the meat of the match which makes sense given its placement. Tajiri has some really good sequences with EZ Money where Money insults him and then Tajiri plays chicken and kicks his face off. Good interference from Hamrick that allows Money to counter the Tarantula to Money in the Bank. Fun finish as Hamrick goes for a dive, gets misted and then takes a flip bump from the apron right to the concrete. Kick to the face of EZ Money with a chair assist and Tajiri/Mikey do their double team brainbuster for the win. Fun. Fun. Fun. *** (6)

Damn, if I still am not all in on these Crush Gals tag matches. Much like the May match, I am consistently amazed at how they are without a doubt a nostalgic act that drew the big house but they don't rest on their laurels and still produce a pretty awesome match. Kansai and Kong are presented as these two monsters that have dominated joshi over the past 10 years. Kansai gives her best performance of the year and Aja held nothing back in her completely boss white gear. Crush Gals getting the pin was a result that was never in doubt but one that did work for me in execution in them having to work together and capitalize on the tiny opening they were afforded. **** (7.8)

Even though I am still probably missing some context, this still was a pretty great coming of age story featuring Satomura. She takes control right away, avoids the weapon shots and usual traps of Devil and then has a big finishing run securing the win. Devil has certainly lost a step from her athletic peak but her character work was really strong here as someone that has realized that her shit that has worked time and time again is suddenly not going to work going up against someone like Meiko. Devil's time has come and gone. ***3/4 (7.5)

A constant paced match that may not always makes sense but does get points from me in just the ferocity of it. The moves were executed well enough and the playing off of Ozaki and Chikayo was impressive. Chikayo does a good job not backing down and Ozaki’s character work always sings to me more than most of her peers. As a third from the top match, it was really effective. ***1/4 (6.5)

A good match but below the Kobashi and Akiyama affair and there is much more heat on that feud right now as the #1 main thing in NOAH. Misawa and Taue felt pretty motivated here and Ogawa added some nice touches but Inoue is a slog and not compelling underneath so that hurt the offense that Misawa/Ogawa threw his way. He also projected much less credibility than even Rikio in the previous six man. Finishing run doesn’t have much drama and Ogawa puts Inoue away. A ho hum tag match much like the January 2nd pair of matches from All Japan that we saw. This confirms that Misawa can still go in the big moments but for 2000 only, Kobashi and Akiyama have passed him on a night to night basis. **3/4

Kikuchi starts this off cheapshotting everyone and gaining the early advantage with others giving a WTF reaction. That gets the crowd lit and was an awesome moment. Rikio also has some pep in his step going toe to toe with Takayama and holding his own. Akiyama gets the tag and throws Rikio to the corner begging for Kobashi to tag in. What a prick. Kobashi gets the tag in and him and Jun tee off on each other. Big chop on the outside sends Akiyama over the rail. Back inside, Takayama tries to bully Kikuchi and he again has none of that. Kenta and Taka now fire up and Kenta gets the best of a chop exchange. I love seeing the face team not backing down an inch here. Really impressive long vertical suplex by Kobashi onto Takayama. Match settles in a bit now but it isn’t awful work between Kanemaru and Kikuchi/Rikio, just less than the fever pitch the match was at before. Kikuchi becomes the FIP and they work him over with some vicious and prickish work. Kobashi gets the tag and is a complete house of fire. In a great bit of resourcefulness, Akiyama is able to go after the leg of Kobashi and they regain the advantage with Takayama kicking away. Rikio helps out by stomping away and having a fun offensive flurry at the 20 minute mark. Finishing run happens now and it looks like Kikuchi is in deep shit against both Taka and Jun but he ducks and Taka hits Jun. Kikuchi takes out Taka and then hits two Germans and a powerbomb on Kanemaru to gain the win to a huge pop. Great match. **** (8.1)

Honma is essentially a miracle worker. Not a great match but between the unique Cactus stipulation and the way Honma paces the spots on the deathmatch, he is able to give the vibe of a main event match that happens to have death weapons of destruction. Zandig for his part turned in one of his more restrained performances of the year and wasn’t completely reckless except for the finish. Overall, really enjoyable. ***1/2 (7)

I was excited to see this based on Acid’s potential and the pre Mens Club preview in BJW. A good solid match that didn’t really excel or go beyond but remained satisfactory. Some matwork led way to a good sequence on the outside with Acid taking some good bumps through the chairs. Acids work on top was rudimentary but effective and Teioh had some good hope spots and tranistions like the armdrag being turned into an abdominal stretch. The finishing run again didn’t do too much and the match ended in a logical way. ***1/4 (6.4)

We only get selected clips from this match but it looked like a solid death match affair for BJW. Shadown and Abdullah are probably some of the best at the genre and I will throw Yamakawa in there as well even though he is someone that doesn't work up to the level of his push as weve seen. The light tube board spots were executed well and the match pace didn't let up. Kamikaze is someone that will have some decent high profile stuff later in the decade in Zero One so this was a nice early glimpse at him. NR

Another in a long line of enjoyable but pretty forgettable mini match. I don't know of a comparison to this era of stuff that we have seen in 2000. Maybe late 80's WWF tag team wrestling in that the matches were generally really solid but not great a ton of the times. I do think the late 80's WWF stuff had a higher ceiling than what we have seen from the minis here. In this match, i was glad to see Sagrada opposite Piratita as they are probably my two favorite mini workers of the year. Piratita is not flashy by any means but his clunky offense works and he projects himself as a rudo. Still looking for that blowaway match but these matches have been consistently good. *** (6.1)

Rock backstage promo with Lillian where he confirms that she likes pie. Another bit that plays well in 2000 with this crowd but doesn’t resonate at all in current day rewatching. The tag match itself is intriguing with the Dudley’s kind of just inserted into the match. I liked the physicality here. I don’t know if Bubba or D Von will rank on my top 100 workers of 2000 but they have been really solid both in tv and gimmick matches and them getting over with the crowd is a testament to their determination after a rocky first few months within WWF. Rock and Taker don’t really work together. Some nice teases of the table with Bubba saving D Von from going through one. D Von then saves Bubba as Rock hits a Rock Bottom. Bubba sends Rock into Taker as he went for a chokeslam and Taker is pissed. With them staring off at each other, the Dudleys hit Taker with the 3D through the table for the win. Nice to let the established team get the win. Taker is pissed after the match and chokeslams Rock through the table to end the show. I wish this was on Raw to hear the genuine crowd reaction because between the dubbed Network entrance music and the crowd sweetening, it is tough to gauge. **1/2

Edge and Christian do the generic thing of bringing out their opponents dressed as old men this time. That is getting pretty played out in WWF by this point but this was ok enough I suppose. The six man is made by Foley for later and the Hardys and E&C brawl. The match itself is only four minutes long but I think they have done a good job at building up X Pac’s credibility. He gains the victory here again and looks like he belongs in the match vs Jericho. ¾*

I was excited for this match seeing it was 2/3 falls and the time of the video. Charles pulled a fast one as most of the first portion is a long promo involving Nash, Steiner, Jarrett and Cat that was no interest of me. Cat points to Sting in the audience and we get the match proper. But first, we have to have another promo between Sting and Jarrett. When they finally lock up, it’s a pretty good match although in the garbage style that Jarrett has devolved into. The pace is good and the finish with the Stroke was clever for the first fall. The second fall finish was less successful as we get a ref bump and then Sting doing a Stinger splash to Slick Johnson. Sting is tapping out Jarrett’s hand in the Scorpion when he is DQ’d. **1/4

I guess the title is on the line here because why not. Nash as the champion around this time just has no heat and doesn’t even have the comedic value of Arquette holding the title or Jarrett being a four time champion in two months. Not a lot of exciting action here and the crowd is chanting for Goldberg to help out. Steiner locks on the Recliner and Nash has to pull Booker out to save his title. RoboBerg comes out in a Harley and leather jacket. He spears Steiner and Jackhammers him to a great reaction. Goldberg has had around 10 different gimmick beats this year but damn if he still isn’t over. ½*

The Time is Now! Cena was around a year in and working a mechanic vs Anderson should give us a cool look at where he is at development wise. Commentating for UPW is an interesting mix of good tidbits and an offbeat delivery. It feels indie in a way but isn’t awful. Anderson hones in on the shoulder and arm of Prototype and that is the focal point of the match using armbars, punches to the arm and driving the shoulder into a chair in the corner. At least the commentators are wondering why the referee is just blatantly letting a chair hang out in the ring. Cena is able to give CW an atomic drop to the chair. Side slam with Cena flexing in the middle of it is an impressive strength feat. Cena is able to kick out of the spinebuster which surprised me. Right after that, Cena hits the Protobomb which he should still use to gain the win. Good first look at Cena. **

This is an interesting match with Daniels vs a big WWF name in Angle. Angle is treated like the face as Daniels does a promo saying that its True according to the gospel of Christopher Daniels. This show has live commentary over the PA System which is one of the more offensive acts in wrestling presentation IMO. The match carries a quick pace and again here we are in September and Angle hasn’t really had that 15 minute long match yet. The work is good though with Daniels targeting the leg and going back to it in a multitude of ways. Daniels gets a close nearfall off of the Best Moonsault Ever. Some more reversals and Angle is able to hit the Angle Slam for the pin and he continues to limp around which is a solid sell job. This was cool to watch. *** (6)

Not near as epic as their BOSJ 97 finale but a great 10 minute match. This is why I ranked Samurai on my GWE as he has a few of these matches seemingly every year where he gets a chance to showcase himself in a singles encounter and he never disappoints. Kanemoto is really neck and neck with Otani on my year end rankings and I am interested if some of his naysayers like PeteF see his development like me when they get to this point. Overall, this was a standard basic match that was elevated by the stiffness and attention to detail. Samurai is able to remain credible and gunning for an upset with the way he presents himself. ***1/4 (6.6)

This may not be in the tip top NJPW junior stuff as far as work and stiffness goes but it isn't far off and it carries a great story featuring Makabe. I've said it before but it is shocking how much I am enjoying him and his strikes in 2000 compared to the go away heat he carries with me in present day stuff. Tanaka and Kanemoto are a really great ass kicking tag team with Minoru feeling like the younger brother of Koji but only by a year or two so they are pretty equal. He still wants to prove himself to his big brother but he can hang. Liger is Liger in this match and that isn't a bad thing. His palm strike to take over on offense was super and he really put over the leg work that played into the final moments of the match. Overall when it boiled down to Tanaka and Makabe they crafted an exciting finish that had many teases and transitions. Some of Tanaka's kicks here were on point and brutal. The arm bar finish comes out of nowhere but does help to get that over in the changing landscape of NJPW. **** (7.8)

Foley starts the show off saying that he is fledging an investigation as to who ran over Austin last November. He says that he would appreciate it if the guilty party just admitted it and came out there. Rock’s music fires up and Lawler gloats that he knew it all along. Rock says oh hell no to the notion that he ran over Austin but he wants a piece of Kane tonight. This brings out the #1 contender brigade including Benoit, Kane and Taker. They have a big brawl and Foley gets bumped by Kane in the middle of it. Foley says backstage he will name a #1 contender by the end of the night. He sets up the tag team main event for later. The Kane and Benoit backstage segment felt off. They humanize Kane somewhat but he is actually projecting himself as a decent monster in this role with the turn not making any sense. Rock and Taker also have tension and agree they are never going to be friends but will try to stay together. We cut backstage to Jericho busted wide open from a nun chucks shot by X Pac. The build to Unforgiven has been strong even with these unconventional big matches. Foley is out for commentary. Match is brief but continues the hot streak of WWF matches in providing a satisfying appetizer for the action that can sustain and hook the viewer into the big PPV. A fan jumps the rail off camera and gets taken out by security. A neat spot for the finish as Taker has Benoit in Last Ride position and Kane clotheslines Taker allowing Benoit to float over and pin him. JR blows the call by saying Jericho had pinned Taker. Foley says the only thing he can think of is to make the Unforgiven match a fatal four way. **

Good Angle promo weaving in the Olympics, dedicating the match to Stephanie and getting a potshot in at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The match setup here is fun as Angle wants to prove he can do what HHH did last week better. HHH is looking on backstage and laughing at the early shit kicking Angle takes from T&A. When Angle gets dumped on the outside, Trish puts the boots to him. This brings out Stephanie to take out Trish. Stephanie is then encountered by T&A and HHH has to run out and make the save. Angle checks on Stephanie and HHH explodes to big face pops. Stephanie gets in the middle of them and gets shoved away. Referees get punched away. HHH goes for a pedigree but Steph grabs a waistlock. HHH no knowing it was her back elbows her. Angle then blasts HHH right into Stephanie as well. Steph recovers on the apron but Angle gets sent into her on the apron and she takes a bad looking bump. HHH takes her to the back but Kurt cheapshots him. Backstage, Foley makes the match for Unforgiven with himself as the special referee. This angle is still building and great. I don’t think it has lost steam at all since SummerSlam. ½*

HHH and Steph are backstage and HHH is frustrated at this mystery opponent nonsense. HHH doesn’t trust Foley and tells Steph to stay backstage as a precaution. As HHH makes his way to ringside we go backstage to Eddy/Chyna. Chyna informs Eddy she is going to be in playboy and Eddy flips out. Jericho gives a good promo getting under HHH’s skin and the match is on. I really appreciate how the matches worked between these two feels personal. Stephanie makes her way out but Jericho is still in control. HHH is able to get his knees up on a lionsault to save the match. Here comes Angle and he drags Stephanie to the back. HHH follows and him and Kurt get into a shouting match on the entranceway. X-Pac comes into the ring and hits a spinning kick and X Factor. HHH is pissed at the DQ and he punches X Pac. HHH is continuing to show some signs of a being a face without high fiving and being buddies with his enemies. Say what you will about HHH but his feud with Rock was really good and the 4th best feud he has had in 2000. **1/2

Big time recap of the Eddy/Chyna drama. I have thought the chemistry between those two have increased even if I think overall 2000 is a pretty light year for Eddy in ring and a result of that is mostly being saddled with Chyna in intergender matches. One of those weird things where Eddy certainly made it work and its tough to know the unknown but it is a run praised by many and I see it as a hindrance against Eddy’s case over both in GWE and in the WWE GWE. Story of the match was Chyna not getting the tag in from Eddy throughout the duration. Once the finishing run happens, Chyna stops the Worm by pulling Scotty to the outside but that leaves Eddy vulnerable from Sexay’s leg drop and the pin. Afterwards, Eddy is a bit heated but cooler heads prevail and everyone dances. Eddy has second thoughts and grabs the IC Belt smashing it against Too Cool. Rikishi comes to help out Too Cool and he beats down Eddy. Rikishi goes for the stinkface when Chyna uses the IC Belt to smash Rikishi. This is actually some of the better acting by Chyna showing how conflicted she was doing that. *1/2

Winner of this match faces E&C at the PPV and E&C are out on commentary. Action is pretty brief before we get a patented CRI (Christian Run In). Edge smashes Matt Hardy with the tag belt and him and DVon fall to the canvas but Matt is able to have a pinfall of D Von winning them the match to E&C’s dismay. Dudleys ask for tables post match. Edge gets the 3D through the table. ¾*

I can see the light at the end of the Russo tunnel. Is anything lamer than 2000 Kevin Nash? They tease a finger point of doom, have a couple of minutes of action and then demolish Booker and Goldberg while Cat just shakes his head on commentary saying they are going to pay. Well then get in the ring and fucking do something about it. Goldberg and Nash arbitrarily come back and they stand on top before the Patridge Family Bus (yes you read that right) leads the Thrillers and Jarrett out ot attack them again as the go home image for the PPV. A pretty pitiful Nitro from the two segments we saw tonight. 1/4*