ANAHEIM — It was a good night for Canadians at WWF WrestleMania 2000 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, but it was an even better night for Triple H.
Triple H came away with the WWF World Championship in a four-way match with The Rock, The Big Show and Mick Foley.
It was a see-saw battle, with a member of the McMahon clan in each corner. In the end, Vince McMahon turned on the Rock hitting him over the head with twice with a steel chair allowing Triple H to retain the title.
As for the Canadians, their contribution was significant, and now hold three of the Federation’s titles.
Toronto fitness model/SUNshine Girl Trish Stratus made her pay-per-view debut at the show, dressed in a cowboy hat, leather cape, and little else. Stratus led her team of T&A (Test, who is from Whitby, and Prince Albert) to victory over Head Cheese (Al Snow and Steve Blackman). After their loss, Head Cheese provided one of the night’s highlights by destroying their new mascot Chester LeCheezington, a man dressed up as a wedge of cheese.
Canada also had two referees on the show, but only one of which got lucky. Scarborough’s Jim Korderas did his job as normal, but it was Peterbourgh’s Val Venis who donned the ref’s jersey for the first time to officiate the Cat Fight between The Cat and Terri Runnells. Venis was accosted with kisses by both participants and their seconds — Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young — throughout the match.
In an innovative match, the WWF put 13 brawler to fight for the Hardcore title. In the end, the appropriately-named Hardcore Holly emerged with the title at the last second, pinning his cousin Crash. The belt changed hands 10 times.
Fans were probably most delighted with Too Cool and Chyna vanquishing the trio of Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero, and with Rikishi Phatu and Kane’s win over X-Pac and Road Dogg.
Opening the show was rapper Ice T singing ‘Pimping Ain’t Easy’ as he accompanied The Godfather, six “ho’s” and his tag team partner D’Lo Brown to the ring for their match. The 19,121 in attendance then joined in a sing-along. The ‘pimps’ lost to the team of Big Bossman & Bull Buchanan.
