At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, Kurt Angle took home wrestling gold for his country overcoming the murder of his coach and mentor – Dave Schultz – and a pulled leg muscle. On podium he cried with joy and waved the American flag proudly. Last night at the New Mercy pay-per-view history repeated itself as the Pittsburgh native took advantage of Rikishi’s interference and won the WWF World Heavyweight Title from The Rock. Angle’s title win and the ferocious encounter between Triple H and Chris Benoit that preceded it were the only bright spots on a plodding card presented by the WWF.

With two more pay-per-views to close out 2000, No Mercy was unmistakably the worst WWF pay-per-view so far this year. The live crowd noise sounded as if it may have been canned or artificially boosted at times by the technicians. The producers filled up satellite time by playing two meaningless Raw Is War commercials (WWF fans are already aware of Raw switching from USA to TNN), a load of unnecessary replays and an entire Angle – Rock mock interview that was shown on Sunday Heat earlier in the evening. Besides a tag team title victory by The Conquistadors (Edge, Christian), the undercard offered no outstanding bouts or moments to speak of.

The biggest let-down had to be the much-hyped Stone Cold – Rikishi match-up which amounted to nothing more than a total massacre of Rikishi. The parking lot arrest of Austin as he was about to run over Rikishi was received by resounding boos from the live audience who voiced their displeasure over the match’s awkward and irksome finish.

Even Angle’s title win couldn’t save the show. Tired of Stephanie McMahon meddling in the match, The Rock gave her the Rock Bottom and was about to drive a People’ Elbow into her chest. Angle clotheslined The Rock from behind halting the move. Enraged that his “wife” had been injured while supporting Angle, Triple H flew into the ring pounding the Olympic champion into mulch. Triple H also Pedigreed Rocky to make him pay for the hurt he caused Stephanie. The damage done, Triple H carried Stephanie out of the ring and back to the locker room.

When the coast was clear it was Rikishi’s turn to disrupt the no disqualification match. With dried blood covering his face and a bandage wrapped around his head, Rikishi wanted to help his pal The Rock but his actions did more harm than good. Angle pulled The Rock in front of him as Rikishi went for a body splash and as the big man went for a side kick, Angle ducked out of the way and Rikishi planted one on The Rock’s jaw. Angle Olympic Slammed Rikishi then The Rock toAt the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, Kurt Angle took home wrestling gold for his country overcoming the murder of his coach and mentor – Dave Schultz – and a pulled leg muscle. On podium he cried with joy and waved the American flag proudly. Last night at the New Mercy pay-per-view history repeated itself as the Pittsburgh native took advantage of Rikishi’s interference and won the WWF World Heavyweight Title from The Rock. Angle’s title win and the ferocious encounter between Triple H and Chris Benoit that preceded it were the only bright spots on a plodding card presented by the WWF.

With two more pay-per-views to close out 2000, No Mercy was unmistakably the worst WWF pay-per-view so far this year. The live crowd noise sounded as if it may have been canned or artificially boosted at times by the technicians. The producers filled up satellite time by playing two meaningless Raw Is War commercials (WWF fans are already aware of Raw switching from USA to TNN), a load of unnecessary replays and an entire Angle – Rock mock interview that was shown on Sunday Heat earlier in the evening. Besides a tag team title victory by The Conquistadors (Edge, Christian), the undercard offered no outstanding bouts or moments to speak of.

The next WWF pay-per-view is Survivor Series on November 19th.

WWF No Mercy Results

Low Down Vs Too Cool Vs Raven – Tazz Vs The Dudley Boys Vs Right To Censor (Tag-Team Elimination Table Match)

  • Why would anyone enter such a painful ordeal without a reward such as a Number One contender’s spot up for grabs doesn’t make any sense. Too Cool disposes of Low Down at 3:50. Raven and Tazz double-suplex Too Cool through tables at 7:35 to give them the boot. The Dudleys put out Raven and Tazz at 10:29. Right To Censor enters next. Bull Buchanan is driven through a table but the ref is out of it. The other members of Right To Censor attacked. Buh Buh is laid out with a steel chair and is put in Buchanan’s place lying on top of a broken table. The official declares Right To Censor the winners. Another ref gives the official the low down and the match is restarted. The Dudleys triumph in short order.
  • Winners: The Dudley Boys at 14 minutes and 32 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.
  • The Acolytes are punked backstage by T and A so their match never begins. Lita rushes up the rampway to come to their aid. She is met by Albert and Test. Trish Status lays a beating on Lita as she backs away from Test and Albert. Lita is triple-teamed in the ring until The Hardys arrive on the scene and drive the baddies away.

    Chris Jericho Vs X-Pac (Steel Cage Match)

  • Lots of crotching on the top rope and top of the cage in this one. Great pacing by two accomplished and technically sound grapplers. Jericho’s Lion Tamer on the top of the cage was a cool photo-op. X-Pac climbs over the cage balancing himself on the top of the cage door for support. Jericho crotches X-Pac on it and leaves the victor.
  • Winner: Chris Jericho at 10 minutes and 39 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 6 / 10.
  • Rikishi complains to Foley that Austin hasn’t arrived yet and wants the Commissioner to declare him the winner by forfeit if the Rattlesnake doesn’t show up.

    Right To Censor Vs Mr. Ass, Chyna

  • Godfather and Bull Buchanan do a run-in at 6:54 to assist Richards and Venis. Eddie Guerrero hits Chyna across the back with a bouquet of roses. She is pinned. Gunn unties the flowers to reveal a lead pipe concealed inside them.
  • Winners: Right To Censor at 7 minutes and 27 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 2 / 10.
  • Stephanie gives Triple H a tape of Benoit putting on the Crippler Crossface to give her “hubby” an edge with his upcoming bout. She asks to accompany Triple H to the ring. He says no way and warns Stephanie that if she is hurt representing Angle, he will destroy him.

    Steve Austin Vs Rikishi

  • In the ring, Rikishi calls Foley out to award the match to him. Foley stalls and stalls. Finally he comes to the ring. Before he can utter a word, Austin’s music hits as he drives up the ring in his truck. It’s all Stone Cold. Rikishi offers little if no offence. Rikishi bleeds from his forehead after a number of chair, tail gate and car door shots. A final chair shot knocks Rikishi into the back of the truck. Austin drives Rikishi outside to the parking lot positioning him against a brick wall. Austin backs the truck up to get a run at Rikishi. Just as Stone Cold speeds ahead a cop car appears. Austin crashes into once by accident and once on purpose. Cop cars converge on the scene. Stone Cold is arrested as an injured cop is loaded onto an ambulance.
  • Winner: No contest at 9 minutes and 98 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.

    William Regal (champion) Vs Median (challenger) (WWF European Title Match)

  • Is it time for Jakked already? It’s a thrill to see Regal back but this bout is a disaster and a waste of time. Regal refrains from using the Regal Stretch (doesn’t want to touch an almost naked Median) and beats him with a modified neckbreaker instead.
  • Winner: and still WWF European Champion, William Regal at 6 minutes and 10 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 1 / 10.

    The Conquistadors (challengers) Vs The Hardy Boys (champions) (WWF World Tag Team Title Match)

  • Edge and Christian do a wicked job of mimicking the original Conquistadors. They even got their little shuffle step down pat. Them conferring with the Spanish announce team before the match was priceless. The Conquistadors angle is fresh, it’s cool. I like it. Matt Hardy attempts to pull off one of the Conquistadors masks. Darn. There is another one on underneath. The other Conquistador buries him with the Downward Spiral.
  • Winners: …and new WWF World Tag Team Champions…The Conquistadors at 10 minutes and 50 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 5 / 10.

    Triple H Vs Chris Benoit

  • Match Of The Year Candidate. I used to really hate Triple H. Over the last year, I have gained a whole new respect for him based on his remarkable work rate. Benoit and Triple H really go for broke beating and pounding on each other until they are bloody and bruised. Against Hunter’s wishes (again) Stephanie comes to ringside to cheer her “husband” on, slap and choke Benoit. Triple H withstands The Crippler Crossface two or three times. Benoit slips out of the Pedigree twice. The third time, Triple H crotch shots him first and then pulverizes the Crippler.
  • Winner: Triple H at 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 9 / 10.
  • Edge and Christian party-hardy with The Conquistadors in the locker room. They will face them tonight on Raw for the straps.

    The Rock (champion) Vs Kurt Angle (challenger) (WWF World Heavyweight Title Match)

  • Winner: …and new WWF World Heavyweight Champion…Kurt Angle at 21 minutes and 38 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 7 / 10.
  • Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
  • Overall Event Rating: 3 / 10.

The next WWF pay-per-view is Survivor Series on November 19th.

WWF No Mercy Results

Low Down Vs Too Cool Vs Raven – Tazz Vs The Dudley Boys Vs Right To Censor (Tag-Team Elimination Table Match)

  • Why would anyone enter such a painful ordeal without a reward such as a Number One contender’s spot up for grabs doesn’t make any sense. Too Cool disposes of Low Down at 3:50. Raven and Tazz double-suplex Too Cool through tables at 7:35 to give them the boot. The Dudleys put out Raven and Tazz at 10:29. Right To Censor enters next. Bull Buchanan is driven through a table but the ref is out of it. The other members of Right To Censor attacked. Buh Buh is laid out with a steel chair and is put in Buchanan’s place lying on top of a broken table. The official declares Right To Censor the winners. Another ref gives the official the low down and the match is restarted. The Dudleys triumph in short order.
  • Winners: The Dudley Boys at 14 minutes and 32 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.
  • The Acolytes are punked backstage by T and A so their match never begins. Lita rushes up the rampway to come to their aid. She is met by Albert and Test. Trish Status lays a beating on Lita as she backs away from Test and Albert. Lita is triple-teamed in the ring until The Hardys arrive on the scene and drive the baddies away.

    Chris Jericho Vs X-Pac (Steel Cage Match)

  • Lots of crotching on the top rope and top of the cage in this one. Great pacing by two accomplished and technically sound grapplers. Jericho’s Lion Tamer on the top of the cage was a cool photo-op. X-Pac climbs over the cage balancing himself on the top of the cage door for support. Jericho crotches X-Pac on it and leaves the victor.
  • Winner: Chris Jericho at 10 minutes and 39 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 6 / 10.
  • Rikishi complains to Foley that Austin hasn’t arrived yet and wants the Commissioner to declare him the winner by forfeit if the Rattlesnake doesn’t show up.

    Right To Censor Vs Mr. Ass, Chyna

  • Godfather and Bull Buchanan do a run-in at 6:54 to assist Richards and Venis. Eddie Guerrero hits Chyna across the back with a bouquet of roses. She is pinned. Gunn unties the flowers to reveal a lead pipe concealed inside them.
  • Winners: Right To Censor at 7 minutes and 27 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 2 / 10.
  • Stephanie gives Triple H a tape of Benoit putting on the Crippler Crossface to give her “hubby” an edge with his upcoming bout. She asks to accompany Triple H to the ring. He says no way and warns Stephanie that if she is hurt representing Angle, he will destroy him.

    Steve Austin Vs Rikishi

  • In the ring, Rikishi calls Foley out to award the match to him. Foley stalls and stalls. Finally he comes to the ring. Before he can utter a word, Austin’s music hits as he drives up the ring in his truck. It’s all Stone Cold. Rikishi offers little if no offence. Rikishi bleeds from his forehead after a number of chair, tail gate and car door shots. A final chair shot knocks Rikishi into the back of the truck. Austin drives Rikishi outside to the parking lot positioning him against a brick wall. Austin backs the truck up to get a run at Rikishi. Just as Stone Cold speeds ahead a cop car appears. Austin crashes into once by accident and once on purpose. Cop cars converge on the scene. Stone Cold is arrested as an injured cop is loaded onto an ambulance.
  • Winner: No contest at 9 minutes and 98 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.

    William Regal (champion) Vs Median (challenger) (WWF European Title Match)

  • Is it time for Jakked already? It’s a thrill to see Regal back but this bout is a disaster and a waste of time. Regal refrains from using the Regal Stretch (doesn’t want to touch an almost naked Median) and beats him with a modified neckbreaker instead.
  • Winner: and still WWF European Champion, William Regal at 6 minutes and 10 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 1 / 10.

    The Conquistadors (challengers) Vs The Hardy Boys (champions) (WWF World Tag Team Title Match)

  • Edge and Christian do a wicked job of mimicking the original Conquistadors. They even got their little shuffle step down pat. Them conferring with the Spanish announce team before the match was priceless. The Conquistadors angle is fresh, it’s cool. I like it. Matt Hardy attempts to pull off one of the Conquistadors masks. Darn. There is another one on underneath. The other Conquistador buries him with the Downward Spiral.
  • Winners: …and new WWF World Tag Team Champions…The Conquistadors at 10 minutes and 50 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 5 / 10.

    Triple H Vs Chris Benoit

  • Match Of The Year Candidate. I used to really hate Triple H. Over the last year, I have gained a whole new respect for him based on his remarkable work rate. Benoit and Triple H really go for broke beating and pounding on each other until they are bloody and bruised. Against Hunter’s wishes (again) Stephanie comes to ringside to cheer her “husband” on, slap and choke Benoit. Triple H withstands The Crippler Crossface two or three times. Benoit slips out of the Pedigree twice. The third time, Triple H crotch shots him first and then pulverizes the Crippler.
  • Winner: Triple H at 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 9 / 10.
  • Edge and Christian party-hardy with The Conquistadors in the locker room. They will face them tonight on Raw for the straps.

    The Rock (champion) Vs Kurt Angle (challenger) (WWF World Heavyweight Title Match)

  • Winner: …and new WWF World Heavyweight Champion…Kurt Angle at 21 minutes and 38 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 7 / 10.
  • Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
  • Overall Event Rating: 3 / 10.