[2001-01-15-WWF-Raw] The Rock & Kane vs The Undertaker & Rikishi

[soup23]

Rock gives a promo with Kevin Kelly. Rock isn’t excited about teaming with Taker. Rock says it is a special day of him and brings up Dr. Martin Luther King. He states that he has a dream of winning the Rumble and becoming the WWF Champion. Pretty awesome promo from Rock weaving in the holiday into the landscape of WWF at the time.

HHH calls Vince talking about Drew Carey wanting to be in the Rumble. Steph says Rock wasn’t happy to team with Taker. Vince switches the match to Rock/Kane vs Taker/Rikishi.

This is a good setup for the Rumble and shows how loaded the field is. It is unlikely that Taker or Kane will win but they did a good job building them up. Rikishi is the typical heavy that they put in at #30 to be a gatekeeper. Rock has huge support from the crowd and is shaky about his tag partner, Kane. Rock and Rikishi start off and have a good little showdown. Kane comes in and gets Samoan Dropped by Rikishi. Kane fights back and slams Rikishi and then heads to the top rope for a clothesline. Curiously, Kane and Taker aren’t interacting here. Taker punches Rikishi to tag in and him and Kane finally staredown but before they do, Rock tags in. Rock and Taker really go after it and that is a unique pairing that still feels electric together considering how much they had matched up in the past two years. Taker actually has some fans in the interactions when he gives Rock the big boot. Usually they don’t have this good of chemistry and a double clothesline resets the match. Rock gains the advantage and is looking for the Rock Bottom when Kane chokeslams them and then leaves. Taker has trouble getting Rock up for the Last Ride but eventually does to gain the win. Kane and Taker stare at each other and seem to be creating an alliance heading into the Rumble. Fun little match. **3/4