Thoughts From The Top Rope 06.04.08: The Top 25 Wrestlers (1998-2008)

Posted by Daniel Wilcox on 06.04.2008

My look back at my ten years of wrestling fandom continues as I list the 25 greatest performers of the past ten years. Plus, my WWE vs. TNA war continues with a development you'll have to see read to believe.

Good morning all and welcome to another classic edition of Thoughts From The Top Rope. Last week saw the first of a 3-part series chronicling my wrestling fandom; the top ten pay-per-views feature got a lot of feedback and that will be address along with feedback of this and next week's column, in a special feedback column in a few weeks. But one thing that needs point out is that these lists are not "best ever" lists. It's the Top 10 Pay-per-view/Top 25 Wrestlers/Top 50 Matches of my time as a wrestling fan; June 1998- June 2008. So please, nobody ask me why Ricky Steamboat doesn't make this list.

Thoughts From The Top Rope: The 25 Greatest Wrestlers (1998-2008)

Note: Chris Benoit was not considered for this list due to the fact that I don't want anyone to be offended by the potential of me celebrating the career of a man who murdered his family and killed himself, regardless of the circumstances. If you're offended by the lack of Benoit in this list, sort your priorities out. However, Chris Benoit's matches will be considered for the Top 50 Matches (1998-2008) because not doing so would be a discredit to the people he worked with. I would also appreciate it if we didn't have another major debate about this in the comments section. Thank you for your understanding.

Unfortunately, I'm still in the middle of exams, so I had no time to blurb for all the list, just the top ten. But obviously if any of this is question, it will be addressed in thr forthcoming feedback column. Let's get to the countdown.

25. Ric Flair
24. The Big Show
23. Samoa Joe
22. Christian Cage
21. The Dudley Boyz/Team 3D
20. Lita
19. Jeff Hardy
18. AJ Styles
17. Batista
16. Rob Van Dam
15. Eddie Guerrero
14. Randy Orton
13. Trish Stratus
12. Rey Mysterio
11. Chris Jericho

10. Mick Foley

My wrestling fandom essentially began with the image of this man being thrown from the top of Hell In A Cell and ten year's later the guy remains one of my favourites. And although for the past eight years, he has not been a fully active competitor, he has provided dozens of memorable moments both inside and outside of the squared circle. Whether it was hilarious segments with The Rock in the late nineties, or backstage skits with Kurt Angle, Edge and Christian as commish, Mick always managed to make me laugh while watching wrestling, and few people can say they did that. But aside from Foley's character, he's also been a big part of making new stars. His matches in 2000 with Triple H solidified The Game as a main eventer and a star, and his brawls with Randy Orton, Edge and Ric Flair since have all been epic encounters filled with cringe-worthy moments involving barbed wire, thumbtacks and yes, fire. Foley's still a crazy son of a bitch, and one of the reasons wrestling is as enjoyable as it is.

9. Vince McMahon

Controversial? I don't think so at all. Mr. McMahon is arguably the greatest heel in the history of professional wrestling, and he and Stone Cold Steve Austin produced one of the best feuds of all time in the nineties. McMahon was the catalyst Austin needed to rise to the top and he never looked back. Vince obviously played his role to perfection, and it's an angle that is often imitated, but its quality has never been matched. That being said, Vince remains one of the most over heels in the company and always will do; he's a recognizable face and truly the driving force of WWE. His feuds with the likes of Lashley, DX, Ric Flair, Undertaker and more have produced memorable moments even if they are simply a rehash of something that's already been done. He has as much ability to make a star out of a performer as anyone else, because anyone who opposed him becomes a huge face. While we may not appreciate the on-screen character, it does have eternal usefulness and at one time in the last ten years, was the best heel in the history of wrestling.

8. Kurt Angle

Where do I start with this guy? Few pro wrestlers get so good so quickly, but Angle's rise was meteoric, and his numerous classic matches are epic in their viewing. This is a guy that always brought the good and always had the best match on the card, whether he was wrestling Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar, Chris Benoit or The Undertaker. Few men in this business can say they've had as many great matches as Kurt has, and many of his wars with Benoit, Shawn, Jericho, Austin and Shane McMahon remain some of my favourite matches ever. And even after numerous neck injuries, the guy continues to do the business and make half the guys in TNA look bush league. And while I can't give enough praise to his in-ring ability, his personality and charisma are also spot on most of the time, and whether he's been a heel or a face, Angle usually gets it right (except when he goes on screen saying he doesn't support the troops to get cheap heat). Kurt Angle's a legend and one of the best in-ring performers ever.

7. Undertaker

His reputation goes before him, but The Undertaker is one of the greatest characters in the history of wrestling. It was his demonic, sadistic nature that first drew me to wrestling and over the years he would find ways to entertain fans that no one would see coming, be it riding down at Judgment Day on a motorcycle, having a classic with Kurt Angle in 2006 or flying from a ladder through four tables in his final match ever (for now). The Deadman is a true legend in this business and a consummate professional. And while he hasn't always been a fantastic in-ring performer, his matches hold an element of drama that few wrestlers can bring to the table. While many would argue that he doesn't like to put people over, anyone who steps into the ring with Taker is automatically elevated simply by being in the ring with him, and they know they have to bring their A game to keep up with him because when he wants to be, he's the best.

6. Shawn Michaels

In 2002, Shawn Michaels returned to in-ring action. I don't think there are too many who would have thought that he'd be able to perform on the level he has done since, but as far as I'm concerned, he's level of awesomeness has far surpassed his performances of the mid-nineties. Every night, Michaels goes out with the one goal of having the best match on the card, and practically every time, he does just that. His feud with Triple H produced a plethora of classics in its own right, and will go down as one of the best in history, while he's also produced utter greatness against the likes of Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, John Cena, Chris Jericho and many, many more. For my money, there's never been anyone better inside the ring, and his natural charisma is similarly unparalleled. While Shawn may not have been a main event mainstay like Austin, Rock and Cena were/are, his desire to go out there is that of a champion.

5. Edge

Unlike most of other guys on this list, Edge actually debuted after I began watching wrestling, and in the last 10 years has gone on to become the company's biggest heels. Edge is one of few people who can claim that they were in the one of the greatest tag teams in recent history and is one of the greatest singles competitors in the same era, but the Rated R Superstar can do just that. While he made his name as part of Edge and Christian (guess which part), since he's broken out, he has proved that he more than able to carry a show on his back and do things that people have never seen before. As part of E&C, Edge produced many breathtaking moments in the form of TLC and ladder matches and captured countless tag titles. As a singles competitor, he's managed to refine his in-ring work to become one of the most consistent performers in WWE. His feuds with John Cena and Undertaker have been fantastic, and his matches with those two, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and others have been modern classics that won't be soon forgotten.

4. The Rock

When it comes to pure entertainment, no one matches the ability that The Rock has. No one. His ability to electrify a crowd and get 20,000 people rabid tops that of Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Steve Austin and all the rest. The man was born with such amazing natural charisma and he's taken full advantage of it, so much so that he only had to spend a couple of years in the wrestling business before moving on to making bad movies. But for the few years that The Rock was on top, he was also the most electrifying man inside the ring. His over-the-top selling and mannerisms were so good and got the crowd to believe in him. This was part of the reason that his 2003 heel turn produced another version of The Rock that was hugely successful. Heel Rock was awesome. A 9-time world champion, The Rock was never far from the top of the mountain, as the company had no choice but to keep him there because of his immense popularity. I have no doubt that The Rock is the most charismatic performer in wrestling history.

3. John Cena

John Cena over The Rock? Really? Yes, really. Cena's meteoric rise was a result of a connection with the fans, and nowadays that connection is so unique that he drives him to be the best. Never before has mainstream wrestling seen a character like Cena, someone who has wrestling fans absolutely split. The guy's like marmite and I love it. "Oh, but your top face isn't supposed to get booed!" Who gives a shit? When John Cena's in the ring, arena's stand up and they're into the show. And let's not forget that Cena's rapper gimmick was one of the best mid-card gimmicks the company has seen in the last ten years and actually served its purpose in getting Cena over enough to the point that they could put a world title on him. And even though he's only been a main eventer for just over three years now, his list of great matches is ridiculously long. His bouts with JBL, Chris Jericho, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Umaga, Triple H and Randy Orton are as good as you'll see and a true testament to the man's ability. It may not be to everyone's taste, but the man entertains like no one else in the business right now can. By the time his career is over, expect his name to be among the list of all-time greats.

2. Stone Cold Steve Austin

Steve Austin essentially was the reason to watch Monday night Raw for several years in the late nineties. There's only one man in the history of wrestling who could be argued for as being as big a name as Steve Austin, and we don't talk about him in this column. Austin's star rose because of a combination of brilliant booking and Austin being a brilliant character. Austin's antics in the McMahon feud years are a highlight reel of the best Raw moments ever and few people will ever reach the heights that Austin did again. Austin took a role and perfected it. And although he was never the best in the ring, he was always able to have a match that entertained any and all crowds. Steve Austin's had some amazing rivalries with the likes of McMahon, Rock and Triple H, and those will go down in history as some of the best ever. Austin may be a wife-beater and a piece of shit, but his contribution to modern wrestling is almost unmatched.

1. Triple H



I've got a funny feeling that I might get some stick for this one but hear me out. This list is looking at the twenty-five greatest wrestlers of the last ten years. Over those ten years who has been there the entire time? Triple H. And how many people have had as many title reigns as Triple H? No one. And how many people have had as many fantastic matches as Triple H? Maybe one or two. And who's had the same level of success as Triple H has as both a heel and a face? Again, no one. And no matter how much people say he's only where he's at because of his relationship to Stephanie McMahon, there's in no disputing that this is a man who has done a hell of a lot for the business and provided as much entertainment over the years as anyone else on this list.

The Rise of The Game: Towards the back-end of the 20th century, Triple H was looking to find himself after his running-buddy Shawn Michaels left the business with a back injury. Triple reformed D-Generation-X with good friend X-Pac, and Chyna, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn all joined the group, which would go on to become one of the most popular stables in wrestling history. A feud over the Intercontinental Championship in the summer of 1998 with The Rock and his stable, The Nation, allowed Triple H to establish himself as one of the top talents in WWF. The pair had a fantastic ladder match at Summerslam that year where Triple H was victorious. Soon enough, Triple H was in the main event as a heel and by the summer of 1999, he would be crowned WWF Champion for the first time and The Game was born. Soon after, Triple H aligned himself with Stephanie and Vince McMahon and the McMahon-Helmsley regime was in full effect. During this era, Triple H was in tremendous physical shape and putting on some of the best matches of his career. In the year 2000, The Game had memorable matches with Cactus Jack, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit and Steve Austin. Triple H wrestled Austin early in 2001 and they gave us one of the greatest matches of all time in a 3 Stages of Hell war.

The Injury and the Return: After a run as a tag champion with rival Steve Austin and a couple of cups of coffee as Intercontinental Champion, Triple H suffered in an injury during a tag team match that would sideline him for nine months. The Game underwent surgery on his quadriceps and missed the entire Invasion angle, but on January 7th 2002, he made a triumphant return in Madison Square Garden. On that night he announced that he would compete in the Royal Rumble. A couple of weeks later and The Game won the Rumble match. Going into Mania, Triple H and Stephanie were going through a divorce and McMahon aligned herself with Triple H's opponent, Chris Jericho. At WrestleMania X-8, the Game won the Undisputed Championship and hit the Pedigree on Stephanie to put the exclamation point on a successful return from injury.

From here, The Game would quickly lose the title to Hulk Hogan before going to Raw in the summer where he would engage in a war with old pal Shawn Michaels. The rivalry would last several years and is one of both men's greatest. In September 02, Triple H was crowned the first ever World Heavyweight Champion, a title he has held on four separate occasions. In the months that followed, The Game feuded with the likes of Kane, Rob Van Dam and Booker T and beat them all to retain the gold.

The Formation and Demise of Evolution: One of the things that Triple H will be remembered for was the creation of Evolution. During the course of a title match with Rob Van Dam, Ric Flair aligned himself with Triple H to help him retain the title. Soon enough, the group had added up-and-comer Randy Orton and powerhouse Batista, but injuries to Orton and Batista meant that Evolution would only consist of Flair and The Game for most of 2003. Orton returned in June and helped Ric Flair pick up a victory over Shawn Michaels. Batista came back towards the end of the year to take out Triple H's rival, Goldberg. At Armageddon 2003, Randy Orton won the IC title, Batista and Flair the tag titles and with a little help from the rest of the group, Triple H regained the World Championship.

The group was going strong. Orton's title reign would last a lengthy seven months while Flair and Batista would hold the tag straps on a couple of occasions. But The Game lost the World Championship at WrestleMania XX and would fail to regain several times over the summer of 2004. However, Randy Orton would win the World Championship at Summerslam, a moment that would lead to him being brutally kicked out of Evolution. The Game beat Orton for the title at Unforgiven and would beat Orton several times after that.

Over the next few months, Batista would start to rebel against The Game. In 2005, he won the Royal Rumble and in memorable fashion, he turned on The Game and announced he would beat him at WrestleMania 21. He did just that. Having put Batista over on 3 separate occasions, The Game removed himself from the limelight before returning on October 3rd. During an episode of Raw, he turned on his friend Ric Flair and battered him with a sledgehammer. The pair would have two fantastic matches at Taboo Tuesday and Survivor Series, winning one match each. From there, Triple H would go back to challenging for championship gold but he failed to beat John Cena at WrestleMania 22.

The DX Reunion and Further Injury: Both Triple H and Shawn Michaels had had several altercations with Vince McMahon over the course of 2006 so it was inevitable that the pair would reform DX and they did so in June of that year, much to the anger of McMahon. The duo ran riot over the next couple of months, pissing off McMahon at every opportunity and creating some light-hearted humor along the way. After beating the McMahons and Big Show in Hell in a Cell at Unforgiven, DX were faced with new adversaries in Rated RKO – Edge and Randy Orton. Rated RKO would beat DX at Cyber Sunday but their 5-man Survivor Series team would be wiped out. The two teams met in a tag team match at New Year's Revolution 07. The match was heading for classic territory until Triple suffered a second quad injury delivering a spine buster to Orton. The match fell apart and although The Game finished the match, it was clear that he would be out for a while.

Second Return and Regaining The Gold: Triple H returned to action 8 months later at Summerslam. He defeated Booker T with a Pedigree. Triple H then had a brief feud with Carlito and Umaga where he would come out on top on both occasions. When John Cena relinquished the WWE Championship prior to No Mercy 07, The Game saw an opportunity to insert himself back into the title hunt. He wrestled Randy Orton for the title at No Mercy and won the gold to become an 11-time world champion. He would have to defend the gold again that night, defeating Umaga. But old rival Vince McMahon informed the Game that he would have to defend the title again that night against the man he beat to win it – Randy Orton. The pair closed the show with a hellacious Last Man Standing match, which Orton would ultimately win, ending the Game's title reign.

Triple H would continue to chase the title, but lost to Jeff Hardy in a number one contender's match at Armageddon. He then failed to win the Royal Rumble when John Cena shocked the world with his return. But at No Way Out 2008, he won an Elimination Chamber match to earn a title shot at WrestleMania, but Randy Orton bested The Game and Cena in a triple threat match. One month later, The Game wrestled in a Fatal Four Way match for the gold, also involving Orton, Cena and JBL. JBL was eliminated first, soon to be followed by Cena. And after hitting Orton with a Pedigree, The Game dethroned the young champion for the third time. Orton has kept coming back at The Game, but Triple H has defeated Orton in a Steel Cage and Last Man Standing match in recent weeks.

Triple H's Greatest Matches

Originally I was going to list off The Game's 5 greatest matches, but there were just too many that didn't deserve to be left off of the list. So, ordered chronologically, here are some of Triple H's best matches.

• Ladder Match, vs. The Rock at Summerslam 1998
  
• Street Fight, vs. Cactus Jack at Royal Rumble 2000
  
• Hell in a Cell, vs. Cactus Jack at No Way Out 2000
  
• vs. The Rock at Backlash 2000
  
• Iron Man Match, vs. The Rock at Judgment Day 2000
  
• Last Man Standing, vs. Chris Jericho at Fully Loaded 2000
  
• vs. Chris Benoit at No Mercy 2000
  
• vs. Kurt Angle at Royal Rumble 2001
  
• 3 Stages of Hell, vs. Steve Austin at No Way Out 2001
  
• vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania X-Seven
  
• with Steve Austin, vs. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho on Raw, May 2001
  
• Street Fight, vs. Shawn Michaels at Summerslam 2002
  
• Elimination Chamber, vs. Shawn Michaels and others at Survivor Series 2002
  
• Hell in a Cell, vs. Kevin Nash at Bad Blood 2003
  
• vs. Shawn Michaels on Raw, December 2003
  
• Last Man Standing, vs. Shawn Michaels at Royal Rumble 2004
  
• vs. Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit at WrestleMania XX
  
• vs. Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit at Backlash 2004
  
• Hell in a Cell, vs. Shawn Michaels at Bad Blood 2004
  
• Hell in a Cell, vs. Batista at Vengeance 2005
  
• Cage Match, vs. Ric Flair at Taboo Tuesday 2005
  
• Last Man Standing, vs. Ric Flair at Survivor Series 2005
  
• vs. John Cena, WrestleMania 22
  
• vs. John Cena and Edge at Backlash 2006
  
• Last Man Standing, vs. Randy Orton at No Mercy 2007
  
• vs. Jeff Hardy at Armageddon 2007
  
• vs. Randy Orton, John Cena and JBL at Backlash 2008
  
• Last Man Standing, vs. Randy Orton at One Night Stand 2008

And I'm sure that there are others I've missed out.

Legacy?: I think it's safe to say that Triple H's legacy will always be underestimated due to his family relations. Having said that, by helping along future stars like Randy Orton, Batista, John Cena and Jeff Hardy, The Game will have had a lasting effect on the progression of the business. And while it's unlikely his name will ever be mentioned alongside the likes of Ric Flair, Lou Thesz and others, Triple H is undoubtedly one of the biggest names of modern times and for periods, he was they best worker in the business; much like Flair in the late-eighties and Michaels in the mid-nineties, Triple H was untouchable in the ring in the early part of the decade. And whether it's as a part of an influential stable (DX, Evolution) or on his own, The Game has always been one of the most valuable names in the company and regardless of who his other half is, one of the most entertaining performers of all time.

The War Continues…

If you've missed out on the fun of the first few weeks of my fantasy booking of a TNA vs. WWE, you should catch up…

Week 1: The War Begins

Week 2: The War Continues…

Week 3: The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn

Week 4: Summerslam and Beyond

"The best idea I've heard for a TNA/WWE storyline!" – Chevy

"This is good shit! - Torad

"A brilliant piece of work!" - Faisal

"This is awesome stuff!" – 411's Andy Clark

"Genius!" – Brent

"Excellently booked!" - Banz

WWE Presents Unforgiven 2008

We get a video package highlighting the TNA vs. WWE war, specifically Edge vs. Christian and Sting vs. Randy Orton.

We get major pyro and the show begins.

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Jeff Jarrett, Samoa and Kevin Nash vs. John Cena, Shawn Michaels and Matt Hardy

Hardy starts with Jarrett, but JJ tags out early and Big Kev is in. Nash tosses Hardy to the mat and traps him in the corner and hits a couple of stiff elbow. Hardy slugs away with rights, hops up to the second rope and attempts an elbow but Nash catches him by the throat and tosses him back to the corner. Hardy ducks a clothesline and Cena gets the tag! Rights by Cena, ducks a clothesline and hits a flying shoulder tackle that staggers Nash. He tries for another one but runs right into a big boot. JJ tags in now and puts the boots to Cena. They slug it out and JJ goes low with a knee to the cut. He hits a slam and tags in Joe who misses with a running senton. Tag to HBK! Chops to Joe, Irish whip reversed but Michaels comes back with a flying forearm! Kip-up! Hardy tagged in now. Hardy hits some rights, tries for a discus punch but gets caught with a snap powerslam. Joe covers and gets 2. Joe tosses Hardy into the corner now and delivers the facewash. Nash in and he chokes Hardy out with a boot. Press slam by Nash now and he tags in JJ. Jarrett works a chinlock, Hardy fights his way up to his feet, hits the ropes and Joe knees him the back, allowing JJ to hit a DDT for 2. Joe in now and he hits a senton this time. Joe kicks the crap out of Matt while he's down and tags JJ in again. Jarrett sets up for a Russian leg sweep and hits it. That only gets a 2 count, so he pulls him up and hits another one. Another 2. Jarrett wants the Stroke now and sets up for it. Hardy elbows out and hits the Side Effect! Both men crawl to their corners. Joe tags in and prevents Hardy from making the tag. An enzuigiri staggers Joe. He grabs Hardy though but gets caught with a jawbreaker. TWIST OF FATE! Both men are down! JJ in illegally and Hardy gets the tag to Cena! Clothesline for JJ, and another. Cena cheap shots Nash. Protobomb for Jarrett! "You Can't See Me!" Cena hits the ropes and gets pulled to the floor by Nash. They brawl and Shawn is up top… FLYING ELBOW DROP to Jarrett! Shawn tunes up the band, goes for the kick, stops, and redirects his kick at Joe, but Joe catches the leg, spins Shawn round and locks in the Choke! COQUINA CLUTCH! On the floor, Nash wants to Jack-knife Cena, but Cena back drops out of it! Cena in and breaks up the Clutch. Jarrett nails him from behind and hits the STROKE! He drapes an arm across but Hardy comes off the top with the LEG DROP to break up the pin! Joe kicks the crap out of Hardy now and hits the MUSCLE BUSTER! Joe turns around and eats SWEET CHIN MUSIC! STROKE ON HBK! Cena gets JJ up for the FU, but Nash boots him in the face! STROKE ON CENA! Jarrett gets the cover and it's over @ 13:46!

Winners: Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash

JJ on the mic and says "we're only just getting started!"

In the back, Triple H tells T-Grish that he will cripple Rob Van Dam, just like he crippled Jeff Hardy, and tonight, the King of Kings goes back on his throne.

10,000 Thumbtack Match: Undertaker vs. Abyss

Match can only end by pin fall or submission. Bags of thumbtacks are positioned in each corner of the ring. They slug it out early and Taker gets the better of the fistfight – best pure striker in the history of SmackDown, after all. Abyss gets a thumb to the eye and goes back on the offensive with rights and he has Taker covering up in the corner. Abyss heads straight for a bag of tacks but Taker hits a big boot. Taker has the tacks now and takes them to the floor. He empties a bag onto the floor and goes back in. He goes Old School on Abyss but gets yanked from the top rope and crashes and burns. Abyss pummels him with right hands and grabs another bag of tacks. Big boot by Taker and Abyss rolls to the floor. Taker follows and beats him over to where he's positioned the tacks. GOOZLE! Low blow! Abyss whips Taker into the steel steps. Abyss rolls back in. Taker pulls himself up onto the apron and Abyss nails him, Taker holds on but gets pummeled. Abyss takes a charge and nails Taker who falls back into the pile of tacks! "Holy shit!" chants from the crowd already. Abyss goes out and rolls Taker back in and gets a 2 count. Abyss with boots now and chokes Taker out. Taker rolls to the floor, as he doesn't want to be on his back right now. Abyss out and they brawl. Taker takes control with a kick to the gut and has a chair… KILLS Abyss with it! Taker works over Abyss with right hands and rolls him back into the ring. This time Old School connects! Taker wants a chokeslam but he gets DDT'ed. Abyss has a bag of tacks now but… GOOZLE! Chokeslam! One…two…thr-NO! Taker is stunned and ponders bringing out more tacks. He grabs a back and empties it onto the mat. He calls for the Last Ride and gets Abyss in position… low blow! Abyss has another bag of tacks and empties them onto the last pile. He beats on Taker in the corner but Taker fights out with right hands. Snake eyes! Running big boot! Taker wants the Last Ride, but Abyss BACK DROPS HIM ONTO THE TACKS! Taker screams in agony and quickly gets to his feet… BLACK HOLE SLAM ONTO THE TACKS! Lights out! Eerie druid music plays, and the druids wheel out a casket to ringside. Abyss is freaked and the lights go back on. Abyss to the floor and the druids leave. Abyss caresses the casket and eventually opens it, and it's full of tacks. Abyss up to the apron and gets caught with a big boot. He's hanging on by with on hand now and Taker has him by the throat. CHOKESLAM INTO THE CASKET! Abyss is in agony and escapes the casket by tipping it over and the tacks cover his body even more. He's out so Taker rolls him into the ring. He calls for the Tombstone and stalks Abyss. TOMBSTONE ONTO THE TACKS! One…two…thr-lights out! They stay out for a little while and when they come back on Taker gets drilled from behind with a chair by Christopher Daniels! Chair shot to the skull and Taker is down! Daniels stands tall and tosses the chair aside. Boot to Taker, ANGELS WINGS ONTO THE TACKS! Abyss gets an arm across and the referee counts the 3 @ 9:40!

Winner: Abyss

Daniels helps Abyss up and they start putting the boots to Taker until Kane comes out. Daniels and Abyss leave before Kane gets in the ring. Kane helps Taker up… GOOZLE! Kane chokeslams Taker onto the tacks! The fans are stunned. Abyss and Daniels hit the ring and Daniels shakes hands with both men. They stand tall over a fallen Undertaker.

In the back, Kurt Angle walks. Elsewhere, T-Grish is with Chris Jericho. Jericho says he and Angle are 1-1 and tonight, he will settle it by beating Angle two straight falls. T-Grish asks about Team Angle and Jericho says not to worry because he has a plan. We cut back to Angle and he's with Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin now. They talk but we can't hear what they're saying.

2 Out of 3 Falls: Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle w/ Team Angle

Lock up, go-behind by Jericho, waistlock takeover into a front face lock by Jericho. Angle brings it back up and fights out of it with forearms and hits Jericho with a European uppercut but runs into an arm drag by Jericho. Jericho gets another arm drag and then catches Kurt with a drop toehold. Jericho off the ropes and hits Angle with a low dropkick to the back of the head. Jericho goes for a cover and gets just 1. Angle picks the leg and takes Jericho down and shoves a forearm in his face. They fight to get on top and roll out of the ring where Angle drives Jericho into the guardrail. Angle slides in and Team Angle surround Jericho until the referee is out and forces them to back off. Jericho up on the apron now and comes over the top with a sunset flip, but Angle rolls through and goes for the ankle but Jericho is in the ropes. They stand off and lock up again, Angle with a go-behind this time, but Jericho blocks a German, misses a back elbow and gets caught with a Northern lights suplex with bridge for 2. Angle puts the boots to Jericho now and whips him into the corner hard. Angle sits Jericho up on the top rope and drills him with a right hand that sends him all the way to the floor. Angle distracts the referee allowing Team Angle to kick the crap out of Jericho on the floor and roll him back in. Angle pulls Jericho up and launches him with a belly-to-belly suplex. That gets him a 2 count. Body scissors applied now by Angle. He grabs a chinlock too and Jericho is worn down here. Jericho manages to get a foot on the bottom rope and Angle breaks the hold. Angle tries a German but Jericho lands on his feet and gets a roll-up for 2. Jericho ducks a clothesline and gets a crucifix roll up, which he turns into the Walls of Jericho! Angle is stretch for the rope and Shelton Benjamin pulls Angle to the ropes and the hold is broken. The referee sends Team Angle to the back! They protest but they are gone. Angle rolls to the apron and gets caught with a springboard dropkick that sends him to the floor. Jericho follows up with a springboard dive to the floor and takes out Angle. He rolls Kurt back in and goes to the top, but gets caught with a top-rope arm drag. Angle crawls across and gets 2. Angle stalks Jericho, but Y2J slips out of the Angle Slam and hits a bulldog. Lionsault misses but Jericho lands on his feet and hurts the ankle there. Angle Slam! Straps are down and the Ankle Lock is applied! Jericho counters into a roll-up and takes the first fall @ 10:08!

The second fall begins and Angle goes right for the ankle with kicks. He twists it around the ring rope and Jericho is hurting here. Angle goes to the floor and drills Jericho's leg against the steel ringpost. Back in and Angle drapes the leg across the rope and jumps down on it a couple of times. He goes for the ankle lock but Jericho kicks him away and crawls to the corner. Angle charges but eats an elbow. Jericho hops up to the second rope and hits a missile dropkick! He crawls across and makes a cover for 2. He goes for the Walls but Angle slugs him away and hits a German suplex! Hands are clasped and he hits a second, and a third! Still locked and there's a fourth! A fifth! Angle covers but Jericho kicks out at 2! Angle scoop slams Jericho now and goes up top for a moonsault. But Jericho recovers and goes up with him. Jericho tries a back suplex but Angle adjusts and lands on top of Jericho for 2! Angle up first and boots Jericho in the head. Angle goes back to the ankle now and he has the Ankle Lock locked in! Jericho fights but Angle pulls him back to the middle of the ring! Grapevine! Jericho taps and Angle levels it up @ 16:56!

The referee can't get Angle to break the hold here. Angle leaves it on for a long time before breaking and he gets in the referee's face. Angle goes back and locks the Ankle Lock in again, but Jericho rolls onto his back and kicks Angle into the referee and he's down. Low blow by Jericho! He goes up top and Team Angle are here. Charlie Haas has a chair and drills Jericho with it in the ankle! Jericho falls form the top and he's hurt. They put the boots to him now and it's 3 on 1. Some familiar music levels the playing field…



The APA are here! They hit the ring and Benjamin bails. Haas tries to attack and gets launched with a Fallaway Slam! Simmons gives chase to Benjamin around ringside and Benjamin gets wiped out with a Clothesline From Hell! Dayum! Haas nails Simmons from behind but the APA beat him all the way to the back and we're back to one-on-one but the damage is done to Jericho. Angle goes up top and nails the MOONSAULT! The referee recovers and counts, one…two...thr-NO! Jericho kicked out and Angle is pissed. Jericho up and they slug it out. They're exchanging right hands in the middle of the ring now but Jericho hits the CODEBREAKER out of nowhere! One…two…thr-NO! Now Jericho's stunned. Jericho tries and misses a Lionsault but lands on his feet and drills Angle with a step-up enzuigiri! LIONSAULT connects! It only gets 2 though! Walls of Jericho try, but Angle counters into a roll-up and has the ankle… ANKLE LOCK! Jericho fights but can't get to the ropes. Angle grapevines the leg and it must be over now, but Jericho won't tap. He manages to drag Angle closer to the rope but he can't get there. Jericho passes out and that gives Angle the 3rd fall @ 24:12!

Winner: Kurt Angle (2-1)

For those keeping score at home, TNA is now 3-0 up on the night. Angle celebrates like he just won another gold medal. Jericho gets help to be taken to the back.

In the back, Jeff Jarrett walks. Vince McMahon is here and JJ smiles, pointing out that TNA is 3-0 up. Vince says by the end of the night, they'll be even. Jarrett says they'll be anything but.

Sting with Ric Flair vs. Randy Orton

They lock up and go to the corner, break, and Orton cheap shots Sting. Sting comes back with jabs and Orton quickly bails to the floor. Sting pulls him back up onto the apron but Orton hangs him up on the top rope. Back in and Orton levels Sting with a European uppercut. Big knee drop now by Orton. Orton drives his forearm into the face of Sting and works him over. Orton wants the concussion kick early but Sting avoids it and hits Orton with a dropkick and clotheslines him to the floor. Sting follows him out and bounces his head off the ring steps. Orton blocks another try and drives Sting back-first into the ring apron. Sting comes back with rights and tosses Orton back in. Orton catches Sting coming back in and puts the boots to him. Orton whips Sting into the corner but Sting comes back out with a big clothesline. Sting goes for the Death Lock but Orton scurries to the ropes and to the floor. Sting gives chase but gets caught by a big right hand. Orton stomps away at Sting and pulls him up. Sting comes back and sends Orton into the steel steps now. They slug it out and Sting connects with a big right. RKO out of nowhere! Orton rolls back in and out again to break the count. He picks Sting up and tosses him back into the ring. Orton wants the kick now and Flair is on the apron. Orton misses the kick and Sting gets a low blow in! Both men down now and Flair is back off the apron. Vince McMahon is here and Flair backs him off. Sting has the Scorpion Death Lock locked in! Orton crawls and just gets the ropes. Orton rolls out and gets in Flair's face. Vince grabs Flair but Flair decks him! Sting out now and tosses Orton back. Orton tries a quick RKO but Sting shoves him away and hits the Death Drop! One…two…thr-NO! Vince pulled the referee out of the ring. Vince slugs the referee and Sting is out now and has Vince. Orton nails Sting from behind and tosses him back in. Sting comes back with rights and Flair slides the baseball bat into the ring. Orton gets sent to the corner and Sting nails the STINGER SPLASH! Sting bends down to grab the bat and the CONCUSSION KICK hits out of nowhere! Flair in now and he and Orton trade blows! Flair backs him into the corner with chops and Vince drills Flair with the bat! RKO on Flair! Vince waves out a new referee now. RKO on Sting! Orton covers and it's over @ 10:00!

Winner: Randy Orton

Vince instructs Orton to hit the kick on Flair now. Orton doesn't want to do it and backs off. Vince yells at him and Orton sets up to do it. Batista is here and Vince bails. Orton and Batista stare down and Orton backs off and leaves the ring. Batista helps Flair up.

Backstage, Miz and Morrison are with T-Grish. They say they will reinforce the statement that they made at Summerslam and be victorious here tonight. Elsewhere, the Motor City Machineguns are with Lauren. They think that they have the most to prove and they will do it here tonight. London and Kendrick are with Lena Yada. Tonight, they are in their element and not only will they pull back another victory for WWE, but they will show that they are the best tag team in the business. AMW are with Crystal. They are looking forward to tossing around some midgets tonight.

4-Way Ladder Match: The Miz and John Morrison vs. The Motor City Machineguns vs. America's Most Wanted vs. Paul London and Brian Kendrick

Suspended above the ring is a briefcase, if for no other reason than they're not actually fighting for titles, just pride. All 4 teams brawl to start. Kendrick gets tossed as does Harris. They both try to bring a ladder in but end up brawling on the floor. Miz and Morrison try bringing in the first ladder but MCMG baseball slide the ladder back into their faces. Stereo planchas now by the Guns! Sabin and Shelley hit a double thrust kick on Morrison that sends him all the way into the fans' laps. They toss a ladder in and throw Miz in after it. They have another ladder and they sandwich Miz between two ladders. Dropkicks to the ladders! Miz Flair-flops. Storm in and nails Sabin from behind and tosses him to the floor. Harris props up a ladder in the corner and AMW send Shelley crashing into it. London and Kendrick hit stereo missile dropkicks now and take out AMW! AMW roll out to the floor and Sabin takes them out with a dive from the top rope. London and Kendrick set up a ladder and climb, but Morrison is in and tips it, and LonDrick take out AMW and Sabin! Morrison goes up and Shelley scurries up to meet him. They slug it out and Miz nails Shelley from behind. Miz comes up behind Shelley, which forces him up the ladder electric chair style. He nails Morrison and sunset flips from Miz shoulders and takes out Morrison! Miz finds himself alone on the ladder and begins to climb. Miz has a hold of the briefcase, but London and Kendrick in now and they take the ladder out from underneath him! Kendrick sets a ladder up in the corner and climbs… SPINNING HEEL KICK FROM THE TOP ROPE takes out Miz in mid-air! Both men are dead. Sabin in now and he tosses London. Sabin goes up a ladder but Harris is in and goes up the other side. They brawl and Sabin tries to go up but Harris grabs him… CATATONIC FROM THE LADDER! Sabin is out. Storm goes up now and gets nailed from behind by Morrison with a tag title. Morrison drills him in the face with it again. Morrison climbs but Shelley stops him and pulls him down. Morrison hits Shelley with a neckbreaker. Morrison lays a ladder on the floor and slams Shelley onto it. SPLIT-LEGGED CORKSCREW MOONSAULT! Shelley moved and Morrison ate ladder! Shelley climbs and here's London to stop him. Harris has a ladder now and sets it up next to theirs and he climbs. Kendrick is alive and he goes up with Harris. Storm has a ladder now and he joins in the fray. Miz is up and he goes up with Storm. Chris Sabin is alive! He has a ladder and he climbs, and Morrison joins him! All eight men brawl now! Kendrick and Harris' ladder gets tipped and they land awkwardly on the top rope! Miz takes a shot from a swinging briefcase and he crashes and burns! Storm hits a super kick while on the ladder and takes out Sabin! Morrison and Shelley hit Storm with stereo kicks and he falls! Morrison and Shelley are on different ladders but on the same side now. Morrison boots Shelley in the mid-section and has him by the neck… MOONLIGHT DRIVE FROM THE LADDERS! London is alone on the ladder now and he climbs. Storm is up though and he has London by the leg. Miz goes up the other side and Sabin tries to stop him from the mat. Miz can't shake him off but Morrison pulls Sabin away from the floor, allowing Miz to climb. London shakes off Storm too late and Miz gets the briefcase @ 14:22!

Winners: The Miz and John Morrison

The fans applaud the effort of all eight men and TNA are now leading by just 3-2.

Backstage, Edge is getting taped up for his big match. Hawkins and Ryder ask what the plan is but Edge says there is none, because this one's personal. Vickie wishes him good luck. Edge walks out and bumps into Mr. McMahon in the corridor; "don't you dare lose one of my titles to TNA."

We get a video package highlighting Edge and Christian's time as a tag team, their initial split, their individual success, their reunion, and Edge turning on Cage at Summerslam and the events that followed.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Edge vs. Christian Cage

Lock up and to the corner they go. We get a clean break and they lock up again. Cage is the first to go for a cheap shot and they slug it out now. Cage ducks a clothesline but gets caught with a knee from Edge that turns Cage inside out. Cage comes back with elbows and right hands and sends Edge to corner where Cage misses a splash. Edge rolls Cage up and gets 2. Cage ducks a clothesline again and hits a neckbreaker and gets 2. Edge rolls to the floor and Cage goes up top and takes Edge out with a crossbody! Back in and Cage gets a 2 count. Cage tries an Unprettier but Edge shoves him away and goes to the floor. Cage follows and they brawl. Edge gets the better of the exchange and rolls Cage in. Edge up top now and connects with a missile dropkick. That gets a 2 count. Both men up and Edge catches Cage in an abdominal stretch now. Edge uses the ropes for leverage when the ref isn't looking, but he eventually gets caught and Cage counters with a hip toss. Cage tries for the Unprettier again but Edge counters into the Edge O'Matic. That gets 2. Edge puts the boots to Cage now. Edge sets Cage up for the Edgecution but Cage spins out and hits a clothesline. Both men up and they slug it out. Edge goes to the eyes and that allows him to hit the Edgecution for a long 2 count. Edge is frustrated now and goes to the top. Cage meets him up there but Edge fights him off. Edge comes off the top but Cage rolls through a crossbody and gets a near fall. Edge up first though and boots Cage in the head. Edge wants the Spear now and he sets up for it, but Cage avoids it and Edge hits the turnbuckle. Christian connects with the Cage Rage (Inverted DDT) now and covers for 2. Cage goes up top but now Edge meets him up there. SUPERPLEX! That gets another near fall for Edge and he's pissed. Edge stalks Cage and he tries for the Unprettier, but Cage reverses and nails the UNPRETTIER! One…two…three! Cage wins! Oh, but Edge got a foot on the bottom rope. Cage pleads his case and can't believe it. Edge is up and tries for the Spear, Cage leap frogs over it and SPEAR ON EDGE! One…two…thr-NO! Edge kicked out! Cage up top now and misses a Frog Splash! Cage up, SPEAR ON CAGE! One…two…thr-NO! Both men up and Edge sends Cage to the corner but charges into a reverse elbow. Cage has Edge… TORNADO DDT! Cage up top… FROG SPLASH! One...two…thr-NO! Edge kicked out! Cage doesn't know what to do now. Hawkins and Ryder are out now and they're on the apron. Edge low blows Cage and goes to the floor. He's got the World Championship but Edge drills Cage with a low blow in return. TITLE TO THE SKULL! Cage has Edge covered but Hawkins and Ryder have the ref. Cage nails Hawkins now and Ryder, but Ryder grabs hold of Cage. Cage fights them off and turns around… SPEAR! One…two…thr-NO! Edge is bemused. Hawkins and Ryder tell him to do it again. SPEAR ON CAGE! That finally ends it at 16:55!

Winner: Edge

Edge celebrates with Hawkins and Ryder.

In the back, Vince finds Jeff Jarrett. Vince smiles and says "I told you so." JJ smiles back.

We get a video package of Jeff Hardy's title win and Triple H putting him on the shelf, as well as both men's road to the final of this tournament.

WWE Championship Match: Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam

Van Dam slides in and ducks a clothesline and hits a heel kick! He goes up top and The Game rolls to the floor. SENTON FROM THE TOP ROPE! Front face lock now, and RVD dumps on Trips across the guardrail. Van Dam up to the apron now… thumbs… "R… V…D!" Spinning leg drop from the apron! Back in and Van Dam hits a standing moonsault for 2. Triple H reverses a whip and tries for the Pedigree, but Van Dam back drops The Game to the floor! Plancha misses and Van Dam lands awkwardly on his back. The Game drives him back first into the ring steps! Back in now and Trips covers for 2. The Game pulls him up and hits a perfectly executed backbreaker. And another one. That gets a further 2 count. He sends Van Dam hard into the corner now. And again. Sidewalk slam now by Triple H gets 2. He yells at the referee to count faster. Triple H slams Van Dam now and connects with some well-placed elbows. The Game sits Van Dam up on the top rope and goes up there to meet him. He wants a superplex but RVD beats him down. DIVING THRUST KICK by RVD! Van Dam tries for Rolling Thunder but the Game catches him mid-roll and hits a snap powerslam! That gets a 2 count and The Game again tells the referee to count faster. He gets right in his face. Van Dam catches The Game with a kick in the corner and nails the windmill kick. SPLIT-LEGGED MOONSAULT! That gets Van Dam a near fall. ROLLING THUNDER! 2 more for Van Dam. Van Dam heads up top but The Game shoves the referee into the ropes and Van Dam slips. The Game goes up top now… SUPERPLEX! Another near fall for Triple H. Triple H is pissed and goes out to get a chair. He tells RVD he will cripple him like he crippled Jeff Hardy. VAN DAMINATOR! One…two…thr-NO! Van Dam up top… Five Star Frog Splash misses! Pedigree try, but Van Dam counters and catapults The Game right into the referee! LOW BLOW TO VAN DAM! PEDIGREE! Triple H tries to revive the referee but Jeff Hardy is here! He KILLS The Game with a chair shot! And another! SWANTON BOMB! Hardy peels his shirt off and the crowd is going nuts. He throws RVD on top of Triple H and bails. The referee is slow to recover… one…two…thr-NO! The ref stopped counting! Oh, foot on the rope! RVD rolls off and uses the ropes to pull himself up. He pulls The Game to the middle of the ring and goes up top… FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! One…two…thr-NO! The referee was pulled from the ring by Jeff Jarrett! Jarrett nails the referee! JJ in and he has his guitar. Van Dam meets him with forearms but Robert Roode nails Van Dam from behind with the TNA World Championship! Roode holds RVD up… GUITAR SHOT! Van Dam is out of it. JJ and Roode help The Game up. JJ waves someone from the back and referee Charles Robinson is out. PEDIGREE ON RVD! Robinson counts and that's it @ 14:12!

Winner: And NEW WWE Champion, Triple H

JJ tears Robinson' referee shirt to reveal a TNA one! Robinson hands the WWE Championship to The Game and JJ and Roode raise the hands of the new champion! Vince McMahon is out at the top of the ramp now and they mock him. Jarrett holds up 4 fingers on one hand, and three on the other: 4-3! Triple H tells Vince to suck it as the show goes off the air.

And we're done! I know I promised No Surrender this week, but again, exams are kicking my ass right now.

So, next week, the war continues with TNA's No Surrender, and the fall out to Triple H's defection. Plus, I countdown the 50 Greatest Matches of my Fandom (1998-2008). That should be a fun (and long) effort.

Music fans, head over to the Music Zone and catch my Great Rock News Report.

Until then, if I don't see you before next week, see you next week!