[2001-01-18-WWF-SmackDown] The Rock & Steve Austin & The Undertaker vs Kurt Angle & Kane & Rikishi

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HHH & Steph arrive. HHH says its going to be a great night however they see a big dressing room for Trish with a gold star below it. That sends Steph into a rage but HHH tells her not to worry about it.

Trish arrives in a limo and Steph is enraged at that. Again, HHH has to calm her down and be the voice of reason.  After the next match, Trish invades the dressing room and Steph and her have a back and forth argument. Steph points out all the new nice things Trish has. Trish says she does like that but not being spanked on television. Steph then spills the ranch sauce she was eating onto Trish as Vince barges in. Vince tells Steph to act her age and why can’t we be one big happy family.

Undertaker interview with Lillian. She asks if him and Kane are on a reconciliation. Taker says that if that was the case, he wouldn’t be advertising it. Taker says if the 29 other men in the Rumble try him, they will make him famous.

Trish has taken off her shirt to clean off and Vince comes in with a towel. He offers his jacket. What a gentleman. Trish says she doesn’t want to come between himself and his family. Trish has appreciated everything that Vince has done from her and she has learned so much. Trish hugs Vince and then squeezes his ass as he talks about Trish’s bright future. Vince gets interrupted and gets mad. Steph was watching all of that and throws the tray of food into the tv and stomps out.

Vince goes to the mystery limo parked outside and says he only has a moment but he gets in asking if the mystery guest is ready for the Rumble.

Stephanie interview. She gives an analogy to garbage and calls Trish the biggest piece of trash she has ever laid her eyes on. Trish comes out and says she has this all wrong. Her and Vince are just friends. He is more like a mentor to Trish. Steph and Trish are the same. Trish loves this business as much as she does and she would bend over backwards for this company. Steph says that knowing her, she just bends over. HHH runs down and says the two of them aren’t getting into a catfight no matter how much these jerks want it. HHH says that Steph is above this and the crowd is showering a chant of asshole down onto HHH. Angle interrupts when HHH starts addressing Trish. Angle says that Trish has an ass and HHH is an ass. Angle says he has been invited to attend the inauguration of W. Angle asks HHH where his gold medals and inauguration invite at. He also wont have the WWF Championship after this Sunday. HHH attacks Angle and Stephanie attacks Trish. King is unbearable making audible cat sounds as Trish/Steph fight. HHH/Steph get the best of the encounter and Angle/Trish retreat.

Neither Angle or Trish can believe what happened back in the dressing room. Vince comes in and excuses Angle. Vince tells Trish that she is going to take the night off. He puts the fur coat on and says he is taking the night off with her.

Rikishi interview with Kevin Kelly. Kelly talks about him being #30 and the odds on favorite to win. Rikishi says he shocked the world when he ran over Austin and will do it again when he wins the Rumble. Short and sweet from Rikishi but I’m not holding my breath on his Rumble chances.

Coach is with Kane. Coach says Kane is one of the favorites in the match. Kane says it will be him vs. the world in the Rumble. Even quicker than Rikishi’s promo.

Austin is with Kevin Kelly. Austin says he wont do anything that he regrets. However, there is no stipulation that he can’t whip Kevin’s ass. Kevin understands and Austin walks away.

HHH interview in his ref shirt saying he is going to be the WWF champion in a few days time and he has no reason to provoke Austin. He does this with a big smirk on his face.

Finally a Rock interview as he is walking to ring. Rock says there is a time for questions, a time for answers and a time for whipping ass.

Match happens now and it is a star-studded affair. All entrances are conducted which takes around 10 minutes. Rock getting final billing was an interesting choice. HHH pats Austin down looking for foreign objects but mainly trying to provoke him. Austin and Angle pick right back up where they stopped on Monday and this is really turning into a delightful pairing. HHH slow counts Austin and he gives him a stern glare. Taker is in now and he bullies Angle doing the Old School walk. Chicago crowd is ramped up for this match overall. I continue to have problems with how dismissive Taker is with Angle as it takes help from Rikishi before the heels gain the advantage. Taker purposely tags Austin and then exchanges words with Rock. Austin tags Rock in and the crowd is electric. Good to see him and Angle mix it up and Angle is able to get heat on Rock by raking the eyes. Angle charges in and gets hit with a powerslam but then hits a beautiful belly to belly suplex to take over.  Kane gets tagged for the first time and hits a good sidewalk slam. Taker is tagged in but instead of Kane and Taker going after each other, Rikishi gets tagged in. They are doing a good job playing this up. Rikishi hits a belly to belly and this is the most heat I can recall him getting on Taker in any match. Angle gets a brief bit on offense but of course Taker is able to hit a neckbreaker and make the tag to Austin.  Austin stomps a mudhole in Kurt’s ass but HHH drags him away from the turnbuckle when he doesn’t break. Angle shoves HHH into Austin. HHH responds by delivering a pedigree to Angle. Austin then punches HHH because since HHH rammed into Austin, he is fair game. Rock gets the blind tag and it is him and Kane firing away. This is a real pro Rock crowd. Rock Bottom for Kane and Angle and Angle is pinned on both shows this week. Angle did get two finishers delivered to him so I am not that bothered by that at all. Afterwards, Austin hits a stunner as him and Rock stare down leading into the Rumble. Kane and Taker both give them stereo chokeslams and then acknowledgely look at each other with Kane setting off his fire. Great final build with huge star power on display. ***1/4 (6.4)