[2001-01-04-WWF-Smackdown] The Undertaker vs Kane vs Steve Austin

[soup23]

Regal shows up in the arena and gets attacked backstage by Stone Cold.  Austin slams him onto the hood and then reverses throughout the garage area.  He then hits the case and Regal goes flying into trash and debris backstage.  Not content, Austin continues to beat up Regal and slams a metal pipe against Regal. Regal ends up as a bloody mess.

Back from break, we see an ambulance pull up and they stretcher Regal out.

Debra catches up with Austin and tells him that he has to calm down. She says he could lose his job and probably go to jail.

Another limo pulls up and here is Austin trying to get in but the door is locked.  Steph emerges from the other door and the chase is on.  Austin stalks her to gorilla position and they come out to the entranceway. Austin grabs Steph and sends her into the ring.  Even without the real life surrounding baggage that Austin has a year later, this is pretty uncomfortable to watch.  The stuff on Monday was demoralizing and humiliating but it isn’t like Austin stripped Stephanie on purpose really.  This can’t be anything but abuse.  Austin says tonight she will learn to listen to SCSA.  Vince makes his entrance and he is pissed.  Vince calls him obsessed and Michael Cole agrees with him.  Cole is good here being the voice of reason.  Vince gives him what he wants and puts him in the triple threat with one condition that he needs to leave Steph alone.  Austin accepts but notices Vince didn’t say anything about himself so he gives him a stunner.

Backstage, Vince is fuming and decides he needs to be the special guest referee.

 

Kane gives a quick promo saying he just wants a chance.

 

Vince sends Steph away to cut his shirt and then we see Trish giving him a nice massage. Steph barges in on that and gets pretty pissed off kicking Trish out.

 

Finally, Taker gives a confident promo saying that the path to being the champion goes through his yard.

 

McMahon comes out as the referee and touching his neck.  Taker and Kane start off before Austin even gets into the ring.  Basic 3 way spots and then climax comes when Austin knocks out Hebner. Stunner for kane but Vince refuses to count and even stops Tim White from counting.  Vince then gets into the ring after 30 seconds and Kane is able to kick out.  Taker beats up Austin but has a word for Vince too.  Chokeslam for Austin  and Kane and Taker looks to have the match at hand.  Last Ride is attempted but Rikishi comes out and attacks Taker.  Chokeslam for Rikishi and he continues to be jobbed. Stunner for Taker and Vince decides to count the three to Michael Cole’s shock.  Interested to see how this plays out given what happens at Mania.  **1/4