WWE WrestleMania 20 Results – March 14, 2004 – HHH vs. Benoit vs. HBK

Thanks to Kevin Gregg & PWrestling for the following:

Opener:

The Fink welcomes the Harlem Boys Choir to sing “America The Beautiful” as WrestleMania XX gets underway (without a vignette), with various Patriotic images shown on screen.

Vince McMahon (in a vignette) welcomes us to WrestleMania XX as a vignette highlighting the event’s history roles. The video also features various WWE superstars commenting on WrestleMania, and tonight’s show.

The final image of the vignette shows Vince and Shane standing while holding Shane’s new baby.

U.S. Title
Big Show (c) vs. John Cena

John Cena comes to the ring first, sporting a Patrick Ewing jersey.

He starts off getting the crowd hot for the match by involving them in his promo. Before long, there’s a HUGE Cena chant.

The freestyle is rather terrible, to be perfectly honest. He closes by getting the crowd to start “Big Show sucks”, and Big Show makes his way to the ring.

Big Show starts by pushing John Cena into the ropes, but Cena turns it around with a few right hands. Big Show easily tosses Cena outside, however.

Cena climbs on the apron, and tries to get on by hitting Show with a shoulder to the chest, but Big Show quickly counters and runs him over to the post. He can’t get an attack on, and Cena climbs the top rope trying to crossbody Show. Show just catches Cena and powerslams him, getting a two-count.

Cena gets up and goes to work on Big Show, getting a huge fan reaction. However, Big Show just takes Cena right out with a clothesline, followed by a huge bodyslam.

Big Show continues tearing apart Cena, and hits a big headbutt.

Cena gets another ten-second bit of offense in, but Show keeps overpowering him. A few nearfalls for Show, and the crowd is chanting “Let’s Go Cena.” He’s really over right now.

Cena jumps on Show’s back and locks a sleeperhold, but Big Show backs Cena into the ropes. He then knocks Cena to the mat yet again.

Big Show then locks a gigantic sleeperhold in, but Cena tries desperately to punch his way out of it. Show just tosses Cena right down onto the mat.

Cena gets up, and Big Show misses a big swing. Cena works Big Show into a corner, and then counters an Irish whip. Show tries to ram Cena into the corner, but Cena gets out of the way. He then F-Us Big Show. Two-count.

Cena goes to get his chain, but the ref refuses to let him use it. He then pretends to put it down, but actually keeps it around his knuckles and nails Big Show with it. F-U for the win.

Winner: John Cena (New U.S. Champion)

Backstage Segment:

Jonathan Coachman heads to interview Eric Bischoff (who’s with John Hennigan). Bischoff says that Undertaker is reportedly in the building, and he’s been making all these weird noises. He then tells Coach that he MUST find The Undertaker.

Backstage Segment:

Randy Orton cuts a promo for Evolution to a very weird camera angle against Mick Foley. It focuses on recapping past segments where Evolution destroyed Mick Foley.

They then mention how they’ve taken out The Rock. They vow to make history tonight, and that tonight, their dominance will all begin again.

World Tag-Team Titles
Booker T & RVD (c) vs. Dudley Boyz vs. La Resistance vs. Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade

La Resistance comes down to the ring, followed by Cade & Jindrak, The Dudleys, and Booker & RVD.

Dupree and RVD start the match off with a lock-up. Dupree works RVD into a corner, but RVD quickly fires back with an Irish whip, a monkey flip, and some more offense. He tags Booker T in for a near-fall.

Match progresses a little, and Bubba Ray is tagged in to take on Booker T. Booker forces Bubba into a corner, but Bubba quickly counters and tries to punch Booker out. However, as Bubba’s showboating, he gets heel-kicked from Booker. D’Von comes in to attack Booker, but RVD evens the score.

Bubba tags in Mark Jindrak.

Rob Conway is tagged in and goes to work on Booker T’s back. Conway continues his offense on Booker T, and gets a nearfall.

Booker eventually gets back up and hits Conway with a spinebuster. Both men are down, and it looks like they’re setting up a hot tag.

Actually, it doesn’t appear Conway gets teh tag, but Booker does bring RVD in. RVD cleans house, taking out amost everyone else in the match. He then goes for a Five-Star on Dupree, but D’Von pushes him off the top rope. D’Von then grapples with Booker for a bit, before Jindrak and La Resistance get involved. It’s back to Booker and D’Von, and then Bubba comes in looing to set up a 3-D. Conway takes out Bubba, and then goes to work on D’Von, but Booker is able to knock him out. RVD hits a Five-Star Frog Splash, and the team of Booker T and Rob Van Dam score a pinfall.

Winners: Booker T & RVD (Retain World Tag-Titles)

Backstage Segment:

Coach goes to the room with tons of noise, expecting to find the Undertaker. However, he actually finds out that Gene Okerlund and Bobby Heenan (with lipstick on their faces) were in there….with Mae Young and Moolah.

Chris Jericho vs. Christian

Christian comes out first, followed by Jericho.

The two get in each other’s face to start off, and then get in an intense lock-up. Neither really gets the advantage early on.

Christian pushes Jericho into the corner, but then Jericho nails Christian with a right hand, and begins pummeling him with offense.

Christian starts to get some offense in, and whips Jericho, only to be faked out and nailed by Jericho.

Jericho forces Christian to the outside, and dominates Christian outside of the ring. When they come back in, Jericho tries to lock in “the walls”, but to no avail. Christian tosses Jericho over the top to the outside.

Christian continues his offense against Jericho, and even rips some hair out of his head.

Jericho cannot get the advantage back, and Christian gets cocky. He proceeds to slap Jericho. However, as he whips Jericho into the corner, Jericho bounces back off and they collide. Both men are down.

Jericho gets back in control and hits Christian with some big offensive shots.

[Other note: It seems Tim White is back from his second injury, as he’s reffing this one]

Jericho goes wild on Christian, but when he goes for the lionsault, Christian counters. He sets up the Unprettier, but Jericho breaks out of it. Christian then sets Jericho up on the ropes and hits a modified DDT.

Jericho eventually gets bakc in control and sets up a superplex, but Jericho throws him off the full distance to the mat. He hits Jericho with a crossbody, but Jericho counters and scores a personal two-count.

Christian sets up a Texas Cloverleaf, but he can’t get Jericho to tap. Jericho turns it into a Walls of Jericho, but Christian gets to the ropes. Jericho works him to the outside, and sets up the Walls on the floor. He eventually breaks the hold, and brings Christian back onto the ropes. He tries to get a superplex once, but fails, only to successfully try it again. Both men are down, but Jericho rolls over for a near fall.

Trish comes out to support Jericho from the outside, but Christian gets a hard DDT for a nearfall. Christian then pulls Trish into the ring by her hair, and knocks her down. Jericho clotheslines Christian and then goes to check on Trish. Without seeing who it is, she throws a punch, which causes Jericho to stumble, allowing Christian to get a roll-up for the win.

Winner: Christian

Aftermath:

Trish apologizes to Jericho, and tries to hold him back from hitting Christian, who comes back to the ring. She then slaps Jericho, allowing Christian to get the pin. This time, it wasn’t an accident, and she and Christian walk off together, before making out. This was definitely the heel turn.

Backstage Segment:

Foley is being interviewed by Lillian Garcia, but Rock takes over and cuts a fluff promo about how they’re going to win the upcoming match.

Handicap Match
Rock -N- Sock Connection vs. Evolution

Evolution comes down, followed by Foley, and then Rock.

Rock comes down and there’s a bit of a brawl, before it becomes one-on-one with Foley and Batista. Foley throws a terrible punch, before it becomes Rock vs. Flair to start the match off.

They lock-up, and Rock quickly takes down Flair. Flair backs Rock into his corner, however, and then hits him with a chop. It doesn’t last too long, as Rock turns things around and nails Flair with a backdrop.

Flair gets thrown to the outside, and as he’s brought back, Foley begs Rock for a turn in the ring against, now, Randy Orton. He works Orton into a corner, and then brings Rock in to do more damage.

The rest of Evolution gets involved, and as Rock goes for Batista, Batista lowers the ropes forcing Rock to head to the outside. Batista goes to work on Rock, before bringing him in and doing more damage. He tags in Ric Flair.

Ric Flair taunts Rock, and then hits him with a vicious chop in the corner. Flair gets cocky and struts, allowing Rock to regain composure and go for a clothesline. Flair quickly gets up, but as he goes up top, Rock tosses him right off onto the mat.

Flair tags Batista as Rock tags in Foley, and Foley takes Batista out before knocking both Orton and Flair off the apron. However, this waste of time allows Batista to work Foley into the corner.

Foley won’t give up, and starts fighting back with some punches. This ends up being to no avail, as Batista gets up and knocks Foley right to the mat.

The action spills outside, and Flair and Orton double-team Foley. Orton whips Foley into the stairs, and he’s down on the exterior mats.

Orton goes to work on Foley inside the ring, before bringing Flair in. Flair gets some quick offense in, before bringing the Legend Killer right back into the action. He gets a hold around Foley’s neck, but Foley tries to work out with his elbows. Orton slams Foley right onto the back of his head, and brings Batista in for more Evolution offense.

Foley fights back against Foley with a mandible claw, but Orton quickly breaks it up with a big boot. Some more damage to Foley, but he ends up hitting Orton with a clothesline. Unfortunately, as they both get up, Batista beats him to the next clothesline, and then welcomes Flair back in. Flair misses a big elbow opportunity, though, allowing Rock to bring Foley back. Rock cleans house, but eventually walks into a spinebuster from Batista.

Flair tells Batista he wants to finish Rock off, and goes for his version of the People’s Elbow. He stalls for too long, however, allowing The Rock to nip up and go to work on he, and Batista who comes back in. Rock gets a real People’s Elbow on Flair, but only for a two-count. Flair tags Orton in, but Rock gets a Rock Bottom, which Flair has to break-up by pulling Rock to the outside.

Rock takes care of Flair on the outside, but comes back in and gets torn apart by Batista, with a powerbomb. Orton can only roll over for a two-count.

Rock tags Foley in, who takes care of everyone, only to eventually get nailed with an RKO, seemingly out of nowhere. Evolution wins, as expected.

Winners: Evolution

Aftermath:

Mick Foley’s down on the mat looking devastated, but the fans are still chanting his name. Rock then leads the fans in a round of applause for Foley, definitely a good moment to cap off the match of the night so far.

Hall Of Fame Ceremony:

Gene Okerlund welcomes all the inductees into the Hall Of Fame. Everyone gets a monster pop, outside of Pete Rose, who is completely booed. Check the newsboard on the main page for a full list of inductees.

PLAYBOY Evening Gown
Sable & Torrie Wilson vs. Stacy Keibler & Miss Jackie

Sable comes out first, followed by Torrie, Jackie, and Stacy.

Sable starts off by cutting a promo.

“I know this is supposed to be an evening gown match, but quite frankly, I’m feeling a little uncomfortable and restricted. She says that she & Torrie have decided to start the match with their gowns off, as long as the fans give the okay.”

Sable lets the ref help her remove her robe. Tazz is marking out like a thirteen-year-old boy, and Jackie and Stacy decide to also de-gown.

Jackie decides not to take her gown off, but Torrie and Sable force her to.

The match begins.

Sable and Torrie start off taking it to Jackie, but Stacy quickly gets involved and gets involved in a bunch of nearfalls with Torrie, to reveal a certain part of the body.

Torrie eventually beats Jackie with a roll-up, and Stacy’s furious. Jackie storms out, leaving Stacy upset on the apron, as Sable and Torrie celebrate.

Winners: Sable & Torrie Wilson

Backstage Segment:

Guerrero heads into Benoit’s lockerroom to prep him for his match tonight. Eddie basically says that he’s proud of Benoit, and win or lose, he’s always going to be proud of him. He then throws in that no one really expects Chris Benoit to win tonight.

Benoit gets furious and says that he will win tonight. He’s proud of Eddie for winning the title, but now he has to do the same.

Eddie then says that this is the Chris Benoit he’s wanted to see. This angry Benoit is the one he knows and believes in. Eddie closes the interview with “I believe, Chris.”

Cruiserweight Open
Chavo Guerrero Jr. (c) vs. Nunzio vs. Jamie Noble vs. Funaki vs. Shannon Moore vs. Tajiri vs. Akio vs. Ultimo Dragon vs. Billy Kidman vs. Rey Mysterio

Here’s the order in which the wrestlers hit the ring:

Chavo
Nunzio
Noble
Funaki
Shannon Moore
Tajiri
Akio
Ultimo Dragon
Billy Kidman
Rey Mysterio

Shannon Moore starts off against Ultimo Dragon. Ultimo gets a nearfall on Moore, but Moore hits him with a big back suplex. Two-count. He whips Ultimo into the corner and gets another back suplex, before going over to the ropes, he misses an attack on Ultimo, who hits his finisher for the win.

Noble comes in and eliminates Ultimo. Funaki comes in quickly, only to be easily pinned for elimination.

Nunzio gets in and locks some nearfalls. Noble throws Nunzio to the outside, and jumps off the top rope to nail Nunzio. As Noble tries to get in the ring, Nunzio pulls him back off, but Noble breaks free. Nunzio is counted out, meaning he’s eliminated.

Billy Kidman comes in and gets Noble to the outside, before hitting a shooting star press to take out both Nunzio and Noble. “Holy shit” chants ensue.

Match comes back in the ring, and Kidman gets the pin on Noble, eliminating him.

Akio interferes against Mysterio, but it’s not enough to give Kidman the win. Kidman sets Mysterio up for a gutwrench from the top, but he can’t get it. Mysterio hits Kidman with a powerbomb off the top, eliminating Kidman.

Akio gets involved, but after an ill-advised incident, Mysterio eliminates Tajiri. Akio is also out due to the mist, so it’s down to Chavo and Mysterio.

Mysterio’s hitting Chavo with some quick offense, and then plunges to the outside to take out Chavo Sr.

Mysterio tries to hit a sunset flip on Chavo, but with help from Chavo Sr., Chavo locks a roll-up and gets the win.

Winner: Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Retains Cruiserweight Title)

Interpromotional Match
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
Special Ref: Steve Austin

Austin comes down to the ring first, to a huge pop. Lesnar’s booed, but Goldberg comes out to a big chant. However, they milked his entrance to the ring for too long, and the fan enthusiasm died down.

It seems like Lesnar’s getting a “You Sold Out” chant (god bless the Internet fans).

They then start singing “Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye”. Lawler then admits Lesnar’s leaving to pursue something in the NFL.

They fans are chanting for Austin.

Match starts off slow with some lock-ups, and the fans are booing. They’re behind Goldberg, but not overly thrilled with either man.

Neither man gets much offense in, as the match remains at a standstill.

They’re booking the match to show that the two guys are equal, and the fans are giving it a boring chant. Right now, they’re right. The fan reaction is more exciting than the match.

Goldberg gets the first piece of real offense in, turning a military press into a spear.

Goldberg goes for a spear, but Lesnar gets out of the way and Goldberg goes right into the post. He spills to the outside, and Lesnar’s in control.

The action comes back in, and Lesnar sets up a chinlock on Goldberg.

Goldberg gets to his feet and works his way out of the hold. Lesnar quickly gets back up, though, and knocks Goldberg right to his back. Lesnar puts Goldberg in another hold.

The “this match sucks” chants continue as Lesnar works Goldberg into a corner. Goldberg fights back and gets back in control. He lines up for another spear and locks it in on Lesnar. Lesnar kicks out.

Goldberg starts arguing with Austin over the count, allowing Lesnar to set up an F-5. He also gets a two-count and argues with Austin.

Lesnar then looks to get a spear in on Goldberg, but misses, allowing Goldberg to get a successful spear, jackhammer, and the win.

Winner: Goldberg

Aftermath:

Goldberg celebrates his victory, and then leaves. Lesnar gets in Austin’s face, and the crowd sings “Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye.” Lesnar gives the crowd the finger, before giving Austin the finger. Austin stuns Lesnar.

Goldberg comes in the ring, and they set up an ominous feel as if Goldberg’s going to attack Austin, although we all know that the opposite is going to happen. He grabs some beers, but gets booed like crazy. He and Austin then toast in the center, but Austin then stuns Goldberg.

WrestleMania 21 Announcement:

WWE announced that WrestleMania 21 will be live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Vince then comes down to make an announcement.

Vince McMahon Announcement:

Vince McMahon addresses the crowd from the ramp. He thanks them for making WrestleMania special, and thanks them for making tonight where it all begins again!

It was out of character, but a necessary gesture.

WWE Tag-Team Titles
Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty (c) vs. The APA vs. The World’s Greatest Tag-Team vs. The Basham Brothers

Shelton Benjamin starts off against Bradshaw, who quickly brings Doug Basham into the ring. Doug gets some offense in, and then brings Danny into the action. Danny also gets some quick offense in, but Haas interferes, helps Benjamin get in control, and then gets tagged in.

Haas goes to work on Danny, but Scotty gets tagged in. Haas tosses Scotty over the rope, but Scotty skins the cat. It doesn’t have any effect, however, as Shelton Benjamin helps Haas execute a double-team manuever on Scotty.

Haas locks up Scotty’s midsection and doesn’t let him get a tag. Danny Basham is brought in, who quickly gets Doug Basham into the action. Doug will not let Scotty tag Rikishi, but with a kick to the head, he almost takes Doug out. After some more offense, Scotty gets to Rikishi, who totally cleans house.

Rikishi gives Haas a stinkface and then continues his assault. He even hits a big Samoan drop on Bradshaw.

He pins one of the Bashams in another really short match.

Winners: Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi (Retain WWE Tag-Titles)

Edge Vignette:

A vignette reveals that Edge is returning soon.

Donald Trump Interview; Ventura For President?

Jesse Ventura interviews Donald Trump who says that he loves WrestleMania, and will support Ventura when he runs for president in 2008.

Women’s Title vs. Hair Match
Victoria (c) vs. Molly Holly

We see a barberstand at the top of the ramp, and then Molly comes out followed by Victoria.

Molly gets on the offensive to start of the match, and works Victoria into the corner.

She gets Victoria on her back, but Victoria nips up and gets a roll-up. Molly rolls to the outside.

The action progresses a little, and Molly gets in control. Victoria then gets up and attacks Molly with a few raging fists, before a big powerslam for a two-count.

Molly struggles to get a powerbomb off the top, but Victoria gets up after two. However, she looks knocked out, laying flat on the mat. Molly looked like she was going for the Widow’s Peak, but Victoria wiggles out of it, and Molly loses. There goes her hair.

Winner: Victoria

Aftermath:

Molly tries to escape, and actually gets Victoria in the chair. However, the razor is not turned on, and Victoria has enough time to get out and knock Molly out. She straps Molly into the chair, and then starts cutting her hair.

Molly’s trying to fight it, but Victoria persists.

WWE Title
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs. Kurt Angle

Angle comes out to the ring first, followed by Guerrero.

The two furiously lock-up into the corner, and break the hold.

Eddie then takes Angle down, but Angle quickly gets a hold on. Angle gets an aggressive hold on Eddie, but Eddie turns it around, only for Angle to reverse it into a headlock again.

Match progresses a little, and Eddie gets a nice fireman’s carry into an armbar. Angle works hard to get back in control, some good mat-based stuff to start this one off.

Angle gets a few nearfalls in, while keeping his hold on Eddie’s shoulders.

Angle then pulls Eddie up for a suplex, but Guerrero reverses it and then gets Angle in a hold on the mat.

Angle gets back in control, and tries to suplex Eddie over the ropes. Eddie lands on the apron. Angle then baseball slides under Eddie, and tries to German Suplex Eddie off the apron, but Guerrero knocks Angle off.

Eddie tries to hit Angle with a high-risk manuever to the outside, but he misses and hits the guardrail. Angle’s now back in control and hits Guerrero with some shoulders to the stomach, before setting Eddie in a mathold, putting pressure on Eddie’s midsection.

Angle continues to work on Guerrero’s stomach, and then hits a big belly-to-belly for a nearfall.

He gets up and continues to apply stress to Guerrero’s midsection. Eddie gets out of the hold by poking Angle’s eyes, but he quickly walks into another huge belly-to-belly.

Angle goes to set up some sort of superplex, but Eddie forces Angle off, twice, and then attempts a frogsplash, only to miss a dodging Angle.

Angle is mauling Guerrero with some hard right hands, and Guerrero begs for more. Eventually, Eddie blocks a punch and whips Angle into an elbow. He builds momentum with some offense, and then hits a back suplex.

Two-count.

Angle quickly gets in control when Eddie misses a suplex, but Eddie counters a German suplex with a roll-up. He only gets a two-count, and Angle explodes with a clothesline.

Angle goes for an Angle Slam, but Guerrero turns it into an arm drag, and gets some offensive suplexes in. Angle’s then able to get the ankle lock, but Eddie kicks out of it.

Angle gets some more nearfalls, then lowers his straps and and puts Eddie in an ankle lock. Again, Eddie kicks out and almost gets a roll-up pin. Angle gets back in charge with a German suplex, and begs Guerrero to get up. He goes for an Angle Slam, but Eddie counters into a huge DDT.

Eddie goes upstairs for a frog splash, and hits it. Two-count.

Angle gets another ankle lock in, and Eddie struggles to get the ropes. He can’t reach, but counters and tosses Angle out of the ring.

Eddie is selling extreme ankle pain, and Eddie tries to get out of the ring, but a fierce Angle puts him in another ankle lock.

Angle pulls Eddie’s shoe off, then goes for an attack but Eddie rolls him up for the win.

Winner: Eddie Guerrero (Retains WWE Title)

Interpromotional Match
Undertaker vs. Kane

Kane comes to the ring, followed by Paul Bearer, who’s holding an urn.

He kissses the earn, and out comes Undertaker to what could be the biggest pop of the night. It’s a great opening, and definitely proved worth all the hype it got.

The costume is pretty basic though, as he’s not wearing much make-up or anything, just wearing the hat and a leather trenchcoat. Taker also didn’t really grow back the hair. He did still do the thing with his eyes.

Kane is frightened.

Taker goes right to work on Kane, pummeling him with hard rights. He actually runs the ref out of the ring. Kane rolls out of the ring and starts hitting Taker with rights. The Deadman quickly counters and whips Kane into the apron.

Undertaker is dominating the match, but Kane eventually gets a quick minute of offense in, before Taker just destroys Kane on the mat.

Kane then gets a sidewalk slam on Taker, and goes up top. He connects with the flying clothesline.

Match goes back and forth for a bit, with a big thing being that Kane countered “Old School”. Eventually, Taker gets up and starts being invincible, andreally takes it to Kane. He hits Kane with a huge flying clothesline and then nails Kane with a chokeslam.

The crowd wants a Tombstone here, and Taker gives them what they want.

Undertaker wins, and it was more or less a domination.

Winner: The Undertaker

World Heavyweight Title
Triple H (c) vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels

HBK enters, followed by Benoit and HHH.

Benoit and HHH lock-up to start, but HBK then goes after HHH and tosses him out of the ring. Benoit attacks HBK, but HBK gets Benoit on the mat, only for Benoit to counter it. HBK gets to his feet, but Benoit gets HBK on the mat for a crossface, but can’t pull it together. Some good fast-paced stuff here, as you can probably tell from how back-and-forth this paragraph was.

HHH gets back in and slows the action down, tgoing after both guys.

Match goes to the outside, as HBK hits Benoit and HHH with a slide to knock them both down. HBK then moonsaults onto the two, taking them both to the floor.

As the match comes back in, HHH sets up a pedigree but Benoit breaks it up. Benoit is now going to work on Triple H.

HHH gets both men down, but then gets tied up with HBK. HBK tosses HHH into Benoit’s feet, and is now in control. He hits HHH with a big knock down and then nips up, only to be clotheslined to the outside by Benoit. Benoit then hits HHH with his series of suplexes.

Benoit goes upstairs, but HBK takes him down, and then gets thrown outside by HHH. Lots of back-and-forth stuff, and HHH then pins Benoit for a near fall.

Benoit gets a crossface on HHH and then takes it to HBK. He gets a pair of two-counts on Shawn.

HBK gets up and knocks Benoit to the outside, and it’s now HBK vs. HHH in the ring. HBK hits HHH with an atomic drop, followed by some clotheslines. He then scoop slams HHH and goes up-top.

HBK eventually superkicks HHH, but he can’t get a pinfall. Benoit then tries to get a sharpshooter on HBK, but HBK won’t give in. He catapults HBK into the corner, and HBK is busted open, stumbling throughout the ring. Benoit gets a crossface in on HBK, but HBK won’t tap. Just as HBK’s about to tap, HHH comes in and catches HBK’s hand.

Benoit and HHH fight on the outside, but HHH then whips Benoit into the steps. Benoit’s also busted open, and HHH then exposes the announcer’s table.

HHH sets Benoit up on the table, and then HBK comes out – he helps HHH suplex Benoit through the table. HHH and HBK then decide to solve their personal issue inside the ring. HBK gets the early advantage, but HHH quickly turns things around.

HBK takes HHH to the outside and throws him into the ring post. HHH finally does the blade job, and now all three men are busted open.

Benoit comes back in, to focus on HHH, who is now his sole in-ring opponent. Benoit locks in a sharpshooter, causing HHH to go wild in pain.

HHH fights for the ropes, and just as he gets them, Benoit pulls him away. HBK comes in and hits some Sweet Chin Music on Benoit, to prevent the submission.

HBK goes for another superkick on Benoit, but Benoit dodges it and flips HBK to the outside. HHH then tries to pedigree Benoit, but he puts HHH in the crossface. HHH is selling a potential passout, but HHH won’t give up. He rolls over, but Benoit won’t let go. HHH cannot break the hold.

He taps out, and Chris Benoit wins the title.

Winner: Chris Benoit (New World Heavyweight Champion)