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Detroit, MI Announcer: Lillian Garcia Referee: Charles Robinson Commentators: Bobby Heenan, Vince McMahon, and Chad Matthews 1 Shawn Michaels vs. 5 Big Show Shawn Michaels was approaching the ring and showing signs of nervousness about the sheer size of the Big Show. You could tell that the constant questioning of how he intended to beat a man nearly 3 times his size was beginning to wear on the psyche of one Heartbreak Kid. That was, until, HBK waved his arm toward the back, ushering someone to come forward…it was “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel. Apparently, the former WWE and WCW World Champion was determined to make his presence felt past the first round (where he got upset by Christian). Remember, he’d already tried to get involved with the second round match-up between Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall. When he and Hall’s plan to reform the NWO and win the tournament didn’t work out as planned, he apparently turned his attention back to the Kliq. Big Show seemed unfazed by everything on the outside of the ring, fully intent on taking care of business inside it. Diesel got in the ring before the introductions were officially complete and went nose to nose with the World’s Largest Athlete, wowing the folks from the front rows to the rafters. Kevin Nash exited the ring and the match got underway soon after. HBK went right for Show’s knees, continually chopping away at them like a lumberjack with an ax. Shawn tried an aggressive approach toward Show as the big man teetered near the ropes, but got back dropped over the top rope and – luckily- onto Diesel instead of the floor. Charles Robinson nearly counted HBK out, but Diesel tossed him back in the ring and earned a few scolding words from the referee in the process. Show backed Michaels into the corner and told the crowd to “SSHHHHH” as he loudly slapped him across the chest with his frying pan like hand. He did it again and allowed HBK to scramble out of the corner and to the ropes on the opposite side of the ring. Shawn’s chest was beet red. Show Irish whipped him into the ropes and caught him coming off with the kind of body slam that only a 7-feet, 500-pound man can deliver. Diesel got up on the apron, which distracted the referee. Show came over to challenge him, but HBK snuck up behind him and gave him a low blow. Although Robinson did not see what happened, he admonished Michaels and Diesel and warned Nash that further interference would cost him his ringside spot. Nevertheless, Show still had just gotten a forearm slammed into his privates and was left vulnerable. HBK tried to take advantage, using a series of kicks to get Show down to his knees. He went to the top rope and blasted Show right between the eyes with a double axe handle. It did not take Show down to the mat, but it left him woozy. Shawn motioned with his hands that the end was near. He went to the corner and stomped his foot down once…and then twice…and then a third time. The crowd was going bananas at that point. Michaels went for the super kick, but Show caught his foot. The big man scored with a reverse powerbomb and dragged HBK over to the corner soon after. He went to the second rope and bounced on the ropes as if he were going for the Vader Bomb. Instead, he tried to drop his elbow, but Diesel pulled Michaels leg and dragged him out of the way. Show landed with a hard and very loud thud on the mat. Robinson quickly reminded Nash of his previous warning and ordered him to return to the dressing room. Diesel vehemently argued, but it mattered not. He slowly made his way to the back, as Michaels got on the apron and climbed to the top rope. HBK leaped forward and dropkicked Show right in the left knee, the impact of which took the big man back to the mat, clutching his injured appendage. Michaels stomped away at the knee and tried to lock on the Figure Four leg lock. The crowd laughed as he struggled to maneuver Show’s legs into position. HBK was forced to regroup when he finally realized that Show was just too big to attempt such a move. HBK was unrelenting, changing his focus from the left knee to the left ankle, for while he was unable to put the Figure Four on Show’s massive legs, he was able to put him in the ankle lock. Show, however, rolled forward after only a few short moments in the submission, causing Michaels to go speeding toward the corner, and then flipping up and over the turnbuckle. When he landed on his feet and stumbled backwards, he was met with a now standing Big Show. The World’s Largest Athlete used a submission of his own, catching Shawn in the Cobra Clutch. Michaels struggled mightily to get some sort of blow thrown the way of Show’s left leg, but Show lifted him into the air and slammed him across his knee, maintaining the Clutch all the while. HBK passed out. Robinson proceeded to lift his arm and let it fall twice, before HBK somewhat surprisingly regained his bearings and poked Show in the eyes. The desperation moved worked well for Michaels, as it not only broke the submission hold, but it also allowed him the time he needed to shake off the cobwebs. By the time Show was fully able to see, Michaels had recovered enough to super kick him right in the left knee. Show fell to his right knee, screaming in pain and clutching his left leg. Michaels followed with another super kick right to the jaw. Show crumpled to the mat and Michaels pinned him for the 1, 2, 3. HBK defeated Show at 13:59. ---------------------------------------------- Match of the Week: 2 Undertaker vs. 3 Andre the Giant Vince McMahon: Welcome to the Road to Rustle-Mania! This unprecedented match-up features two of the all-time greats in the World Rustling Federation slash Entertainment. In one corner is the legendary ANDRE the GIANT and in the other is the PHEE-NOM…the Undertaker. Joining me to call the ACTION is Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Dr. Chad Matthews… Bobby Heenan: I gotta be honest with ya…I’m nervous. I never thought I’d say that for the Giant, but he’s wrestling a man that is literally not alive… CMV1: He’s not actually dead. Heenan: Who’s this guy? Vince: That’s Chad Matthews. He’s running this show… Heenan: What!? You’re not running this show? Vince: No, I’m not… Heenan: Well, Ha! You’re an idiot, McMahon! I hate your stinkin’ guts! (Turns his attention toward CMV1). Hey, how are ya? Bobby Heenan… CMV1: I’m doing well. How are you? Heenan: I’m good…ya know, they call me the Brain, Doctor. That’s no gimmick. CMV1: Neither is mine. Heenan: Well, alright then… Vince: If we could return our attention to this match-up, the Undertaker is in the ring and Andre the Giant is on his way down the aisle. This should be a very interesting match-up. Andre is big. He’s a giant. He’s Andre the Giant. Heenan: Hey, Doc, you wondering why they don’t call him the Brain? CMV1: I’m pretty sure I know why… Vince: And the bell is rung and look at these two men go chest to chest. CMV1: This is one of the rare times in the Taker’s career where he’s had to look up at an opponent. The Deadman has been towered over before, but never by someone that weighs that much more than he does. Not only does Andre have several inches on him, but a couple hundred pounds. Heenan: C’mon Andre! He’s not dead. This should be easy! Vince: And the Undertaker strikes first. The best pure striker in the history of the WWE is blasting the Giant with hard right after hard right, but it doesn’t even seem to be fazing Andre. CMV1: Yet it only takes one shot across the center of the skull to drop the Taker to the mat. OUCH! Andre just walked right across Taker’s chest. Heenan: It’s over! It’s over! Andre just won! Vince: No, he didn’t win anything, actually. I would suggest that the Brain is frozen right now, for the Undertaker just sat right up and scowled at Andre. That’s an evil look. That look is evil. CMV1: That’ll scare your kids, McMahon. I’m not sure why you ever thought a Deadman was a good idea on a kid friendly show. That might give the wrong impression. Just a thought. Taker, meanwhile, has returned to wailing away on Andre with those hard right handed shots. He’s trying to stagger him, but it’s just flat out not working. Heenan: Of course it’s not working. Compared to the Giant, the Undertaker is like an ant trying to topple a house. Andre uses his weight advantage at dinner. Hey, you know where Death Valley is? CMV1: California and Clemson, South Carolina? Heenan: No! It’s south of Tucson… Vince: Wait, now, Andre is stumbling backward! The Undertaker continues to punch away and Andre continues to stagger backward toward the ropes. It looks like he may topple over, but no! Andre just gave the Undertaker a headbutt and now it’s the Undertaker that is staggering. Andre with a big boot right to the Undertaker’s chest! Heenan: McMahon…say Undertaker three times fast… CMV1: Taker sits up again. I’ll bet Andre wasn’t expecting that. The Deadman hits the ropes and tries to shoulder tackle the Giant off of his feet, but that’s not going to work either. The Giant isn’t even budging, but Taker tries it again. Vince: Perhaps the third time will be the charm?! No! Andre with a knife edge chop, but it only seems to anger the Undertaker, who fires back with a big boot to the chest! Heenan: Andre is so tall that Taker’s boot can’t even reach up that high! CMV1: I think Andre is shaken, though. He might be injured. That boot didn’t catch him in the face, but it did catch him right in the middle of the chest. That’s the weakest part of your chest because your sternum isn’t as well protected by muscle as the pectoral regions on either side. Yep, look at Andre. He’s got the breath knocked out of him. Take advantage, Taker. Heenan: No! No! Vince: Undertaker looks surprised that such a basic move has taken such an effective toll on Andre, but he’s not wasting any time making the most of this opportunity. This could be the turning point in the match-up. Undertaker is now kicking and punching that chest area, knocking him back toward the ropes. Andre just fell! CMV1: He’s tied up in the ropes! Classic Andre right there, but in this case not in a good way. He’s a sitting duck, now. Taker is ignoring the ref’s count. He should only have five to step back but he’s just taken fifteen. Rules are made to be broken, I guess. Heenan: What kind of a man ignores the rules. I know rules are made to be broken, but this is out of control! Vince: Again and again! Shot after shot! The Undertaker is really going after Andre’s chest… CMV1: Someone call the 911 because the Undertaker is on FIRE! Vince: Andre is free of the ropes now, finally. Undertaker charges at him, but Andre scoops him up and slams him! Heenan: Yes! Yes! C’mon Giant! Vince: Undertaker sat right up! Oh! But Andre puts him in a bear hug! The pendulum swings again… Heenan (singing): As pendulums do… CMV1: Is that a song? Heenan: Why do you hear singing? CMV1: Well, you just did… Heenan: No, I wasn’t… CMV1: I don’t get headaches, Brain, but if I did you’d be a potential cause. Vince: Andre’s got that bear hug and the Undertaker looks to be fading away! Wait! The Undertaker just grabbed Andre by the head and dropped all of his weight straight down, driving the top of his own head into Andre’s chin! CMV1: That’s probably not a good thing…Andre’s jaw is about as strong as Taker’s head. Vince: Well, it definitely has taken its toll on the Undertaker, but at least he’s free of that devastating bear hug. Undertaker is back to his feet now and Andre is somewhat dazed and confused. There’s a running big boot from the Undertaker, but it only staggers the Giant, who’s still on his feet. Undertaker grabs him by the arm… CMV1: Old School, ladies and gentlemen…everything about this match is just that. He connects! Andre is finally off his feet, but only to his knees! Vince: Undertaker follows it up with another running big boot that catches the Giant right in the jaw! CMV1: Andre is down! Andre is down on his back! The Deadman drops the leg! This is like Wrestlemania III with Andre vs. Hogan right here in this same building…it could be over! Heenan: Not like this again! Vince: One…Two…He GOT EEM…No he didn’t! He did not get eem! CMV1: Taker’s going to have to do something to keep him on the ground. Andre is already stirring and I’m not sure that the Deadman’s usual offensive repertoire is going to be able to keep down a guy Andre’s size or even if he’ll be able to execute it in the first place. And see there…Andre is back to his feet! Vince: The Undertaker signals for the chokeslam and he’s got the big man goozled! Andre goozles him right back, though. It’s a goozle party here in Pontiac, Michigan! CMV1: Wow…you can’t see me, but I’m shaking my head… Heenan: Andre’s too big…he’s too strong! He’s overpowering the Dead guy… CMV1: Double underhook suplex from the Giant! That’s one of his classic match ending moves…it could be over! Vince: One…Two…and he GOT EEM! No…No he didn’t… CMV1: Andre is upset…he picks up Taker and slams him right back to the mat. A match like this is what makes this sport great! Heenan: I’m the kind of thing that makes this sport great! Vince: This is sports entertainment, gentlemen… CMV1: This is my tournament, McMahon… Heenan: It’s gonna be over! Andre is gonna go for the kill! Goodnight, Dark Prince! Vince: SIT DOWN SPLASH! That could do it…One…Two…and HE GOT EEM!!! NO! NO! NO HE DID NOT GET EEM! CMV1 (laughing): That is why you’re here, Vince… Heenan: How did HE do that!? He just barely got that shoulder up, but I want to know how HE did that!! CMV1: Arguing with the referee isn’t going to help him, Brain. You should run down there and give him some managerial advice… Heenan: I should! You’re right! Hey! Andre! Vince: Undertaker is stirring…he sees an opportunity! HELL’S GATE!! He just locked on HELL’S GATE! CMV1: Andre is struggling mightily right now! Heenan: He’s gonna get out! Vince: Andre is looks stunned right now! I have NEVER seen him look so helpless in all my time in this business! He’s losing consciousness… CMV1: He’s passing out, but look at him! He’s falling forward and pinning Taker’s shoulders down! Count ref! Why isn’t he counting!? HEY, ROBINSON! What are you DOING!? COUNT! Vince: And referee Charles Robinson is calling for the bell… Heenan: What happened? Did he count the three? Vince: I’m not sure, but the match is over! Let’s go to Lillian for the official decision… CMV1: Son of a bitch…Excuse me, I have to go handle this… Vince: Dr. Chad Matthews is heading over the Lillian Garcia. Andre is out cold in the middle of the ring and Undertaker is looking around trying to see what the ruling is… Heenan: Andre won! He won! The Giant is moving on! Vince: No, that’s not the case! We don’t have an official decision…Matthews is talking with Lillian and the referee right now! Lillian Garcia: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has just informed me that Andre the Giant passed out in the Hell’s Gate submission and only then did he fall forward and pin Undertaker’s shoulders to the mat. Therefore, because Andre did not consciously make a cover, the winner of this match is….THE UNDERTAKER!! -------------------------------------------- Sunday, February 20, 2011: West Regional Sports Entertainment 16 Los Angeles, CA Announcer: Bob Uecker Referee: Joey Marella Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura 1 Hulk Hogan vs. 4 Randy Orton vs. 5 Ric Flair Hogan, Orton, and Flair joined together for a triple lock-up to start the match. Orton broke free and grabbed a headlock on Flair, but Hulk simultaneously synched in a headlock on Orton. The Nature Boy ran forward, Hogan let go of his headlock, and Flair sent Orton tumbling out of the ring. The Viper quickly got back in the ring and joined Flair in whipping Hogan into the ropes. They caught the Hulkster coming off with a double shoulder knockdown. Both men ran over the top of Hogan and hit the ropes themselves, but Hogan quickly got back to his feet and gave his opponents a double clothesline. He tried to follow up with a double suplex, but Orton and Flair countered and gave him a double suplex. Randy Orton then backed up and dropped his knee across Hogan’s face. Flair proceeded to do the same. The two former Evolution members looked at each other and smiled, but Orton turned on Flair in due time and whipped him as hard as he could toward the corner turnbuckle. Flair flipped up and over the top, landing on his feet on the apron. He ran to the next turnbuckle and climbed up quickly before leaping off the top rope into a diving cross body. Orton moved out of the way to avoid the impact, but Hogan stepped in and caught Flair. Hulk tossed him like a dart head first into Orton. The Hulkster placed the both of them in the corner and gave them a splash. He tried it again, but Orton moved out of the way. Hogan nailed Flair, but then turned right around into an Orton dropkick. Randy went back over to Flair and placed him on the top turnbuckle. Hogan got back up and headed Orton’s way. They brawled back and forth in the middle of the ring, with Flair dazed and confused. Orton kicked Hogan in the gut and headed back over to Flair. The Viper threw him off the top rope. Flair landed both on his back and in a lot of pain before rolling out of the ring. Hogan and Orton turned their attention back toward their mid-ring brawl. Hulk swung and missed with a clothesline attempt, allowing Orton to connect with snap powerslam. Hogan rolled to the apron, where Orton quickly caught up to him and pulled him back into the ring by his head and neck, stopping when Hulk’s feet were dangling from the second rope. Orton planted him with a spike DDT and went for the cover, but Hulk aggressively kicked out and battled back fast. Hogan gave him a series of clotheslines and then signaled to the crowd that the end was near. He whipped Orton into the ropes and tried for the big boot, but the Viper slid underneath his boot and caught him going away with his patented backbreaker. Orton was about to go for the cover when Flair came back into the ring and hoisted him up for a back drop. He gave him a double under hook suplex and then a knee breaker. WOOOO!!!! Flair tripped Orton to the mat and went for the Figure Four leg lock. He locked it on! The Viper writhed in pain and tried to roll over onto his stomach to reverse the pressure, but Flair so expertly had it synched in that there seemed to be no counter. Hogan, though, broke up the submission. Flair gave Hogan a low blow and headed back over to Orton, who proceeded to give him an Angle Slam out of nowhere! The Viper set up for the RKO instead of going for the pin attempt. Orton went for his finisher on the Naitch, but Hogan stepped in the way and it was the Hulkster that received the RKO! Randy crawled over for the cover. 1…2…No! Flair broke up the pinning predicament, got Orton back to his feet, and gave him a low blow. Flair crawled over and covered the still seemingly unconscious Hogan. 1…2…No! Hogan kicked out with authority and HULKED UP! He ignored Flair’s offensive attempts. YOU! Hogan punched Flair back toward the ropes and gave him an Irish whip. When Flair came back toward the center of the ring, he was met by Hogan’s large boot. Hulk followed with the leg drop! 1…2…No! Orton broke up the pin attempt! Hogan punched away at Orton and gave him an Irish whip. BOOT! Hogan went to follow with the leg drop, but in mid air, Orton leaped to his feet and dropped the Hulkster with another RKO! “RKO! RKO!” the announcers shouted in rapid succession. Orton made the cover for the one…two…but not the three! Hogan kicked out again! Randy couldn’t believe it! He got back to his feet and backed his way into the corner, measuring Hogan for the Punt. Flair came flying in out of nowhere, though, and gave him a chop block to his already somewhat injured knee! The Nature Boy locked on the Figure Four leg lock yet again, putting Orton back into the last position he’d ever wanted to be in during the climax of the match. It looked as if Orton was about to tap out when Hogan came in out of nowhere and dropped his sizeable leg on Flair as he was leaning onto his back for added momentum to his hold. Hogan made the cover on Flair for the one…two…NO! Naitch kicked out! Hulk made it back to his feet, but Orton recovered and hobbled on one leg to the point that he was able to clothesline Hogan over the top rope and to the outside. Orton quickly moved over and connected with the RKO on Flair. He did not go for the cover, though. Instead, he rolled to the outside and placed Hogan on the announce table. He followed him up and eyed him with a “Stone Cold” glare. The announcers and fans alike went wild when the Viper destroyed Hulkamania’s hope for winning the tournament when he gave him the RKO through the table. Orton slowly made his back into the ring, where Flair lay vulnerable and struggling back to his hands and knees. The Viper dropped him back to the mat for good with a vicious Punt for the 1, 2, and 3. Orton defeated Hogan and Flair to move to the Elite Eight at 21:09. Match of the Week: 2 Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. 3 Kurt Angle Bob Uecker: This next contest is the main-event of the evening. It features two men that should give no one credit but themselves for where they are today. They have had parades held in their names back in their hometowns because they are two of the greatest of all-time. I know I’m not usually one to be overly serious, but this is serious business. Sporting goods companies have paid me to endorse their products, but nobody had to pay me to be here. I came here for the potential of this match. What these guys do is amazing...introducing first from Calgary…Alberta…Canada…Bret “HITMAN” HAART! (Bret Hart makes his way to the ring with his attire from Wrestlemania 13) Uecker: And from Pittsburg…Pennsyl-vania…the Olympic Gold Medalist…KURT…ANNNNGLE! (Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring with is attire from Wrestlemania 21) Monsoon: Welcome, everyone, to quite possibly the most anticipated match of this entire tournament. Two Excellencies of execution transcending eras with their technical wrestling abilities. It really can’t get any better than this, Jess… Ventura: I think this has the most potential of any match I’ve ever seen to give you a heart attack, Mon-soon. Don’t worry, the Body has got ya covered. Monsoon: Well, we’re about to get underway here in this match up. You can cut the tension with a knife, here…these two men both look ready. And there’s our first lock-up! Angle takes a headlock and wrestles the Hitman to the mat. Hitman quickly gets back to his feet and takes a hammerlock on Angle. He steps on the back of his knee and gets him off his base. Angle comes back with a fireman’s carry that puts Bret on his back. Now the Olympic Champion changes to a front facelock, but Bret Hart uses a fireman’s carry this time to put Angle on his back. The Hitman gets up and tries for a quick leg drop, but Angle moves out of the way. Bret’s on his back now and Angle tries to drop the elbow but Hitman moves. They each escape to opposite corners and, boy, do I need a break! Ventura: What did I tell ya, Mon-soon…these guys might make you pass out from having to keep up with them. This is an impressive showing by Bret Hart. He’s out wrestling an Olympic Gold Medalist, for crying out loud. I’ll help ya out Gorilla…take a breather…Hart gets Angle in a headlock again, but Kurt shoots him into the ropes. Hart uses a shoulder tackle to knock down Angle, but Angle quickly comes back with a back elbow. Angle – with that move – just expertly took control of this match. Sometimes it’s about wrestling, but what makes Angle special is that he can adapt in the middle of the match to do what’s necessary. Monsoon: Thanks, Jess. Hart seems to be favoring the area above his eye lid. That’s up in the sinus area…there’s any number of things that could hold him up a bit after a shot like that. Ventura: Is Hart bleeding, Mon-soon? I think Hart is bleeding above that eye… Monsoon: Yes, it appears that you may be right, Jess. Hart is cut above that left eye. Bret Hart is in trouble here. That much we know… Ventura: Look at the ice cold glare of Kurt Angle. He’s not going to let up, here. He’s like a Tyrannosaurus hearing some little tiny dinosaur run in his path. Hart is a sitting duck. Monsoon: Angle going to work on the area around that cut, now. A shot right to the kisser puts the Excellence of Execution on his knees. I would’ve thought Angle would’ve wanted to earn that title for himself using his wrestling acumen, but it seems he’s got other ideas. Angle with a boot to the temple. It’s a big mess in here thanks to Bret Hart’s wound. But now Bret fights back with a hard right hand! Ventura: That’s a short lived comeback from Bret Hart, though, since Angle throws him halfway across the ring with that belly-to-belly suplex. I’m not sure how much Bret Hart is going to have left after this, Gorilla…and there’s another belly-to-belly suplex. The human body was not made to absorb much more punishment than this, Monsoon… Monsoon: He’s gonna go for another one, Jess. Another suplex…but look at the Hitman showing some life! He’s striking back! Ventura: Another short-lived comeback, though, Mon-soon…Angle has an abdominal stretch locked on. The solar plexus is the Olympic Gold Medalist’s target now and there’s few better in the business at attacking a body part than that man. Monsoon: Hart gets to the ropes, but that’s not stopping Angle…he’s continuing to work on that mid-section and the lower back with short forearm shots. And now he’s taunting the crowd… Ventura: No…I don’t like that, Gorilla. You’ve got a chance to finish a man off and you pander to the FANS. Monsoon: Well it appears you were right, Jess…Angle went for a side suplex, but Hart countered into a back drop. I’m not sure it took much out of the Olympian, though. Angle is back to his feet and pushing Bret back into the corner. There’s a shoulder thrust…and another! Ventura: That’s it, Kurt…get back on the attack and take the man down to size. Hart is a former 5-time champion. You can’t let up on a man of his caliber. Monsoon: Angle backs away…he gets a running start and launches himself toward Hart’s mid-abdominal region…HE MOVED! Ventura: Unnecessary risk! No! Monsoon: Hart moved out of the way and sent Angle flying shoulder-first into the ring post. That’s the kind of momentum shift that the Hitman has been waiting for. Has the tide turned enough, though? Ventura: I gotta admire the resiliency of the Hitman. It takes a tough cookie to come back from that beating. He’s a man cut from the mold of the Body, Mon-soon… Monsoon: Is that right? Ventura: Absolutely that’s right… Monsoon: Well, the Hitman seems to have shaken off the cob webs. He’s now on the outside and he’s got a hold of Angle’s left ankle. Ouch! He just threw Angle’s left leg against that ring post! Ventura: This is a signature move for Bret Hart. Wear down the limb and set up for the Sharpshooter. Monsoon: It looks like he’s got even more evil intentions on his mind right now, Jess. He’s got Angle’s legs wrapped around that ring post. What’s he doing here? It’s a Figure Four! Around the ring post…a Figure Four!? That’s got to be an illegal maneuver! It is…the referee is counting for five… Ventura: He has to break the hold to avoid getting disqualified, but what a smart move by Bret Hart. He did something illegal, but the rules allow him to do so for a long five seconds. Monsoon: Hart is back in the ring now and he’s going right back after that left leg. He’s stomping and kicking that leg! He’s wrenching and torquing and twisting and pulling at that leg! I think he’s about to go for the Sharpshooter… Ventura: Yes he is, Gorilla. It’s gonna be over… Monsoon: Wait…Angle grabbed the Hitman’s foot…Yes! He’s countered the Sharpshooter and has taken hold of Hart’s right ankle. Ventura: It’s the ANKLE LOCK! We thought it was over and that the Hitman was going to win, but it’s actually going to be Angle who picks up the victory! Monsoon: That may be a bit premature, Jess…Angle didn’t have too good a hold of that ankle and Hart powers out of the hold with an impressive show of leg strength. Luckily for the Hitman, he wasn’t in that lock for too long. He runs at Angle and clotheslines him over the top rope! Angle hits the floor with a thud…and here comes Bret Hart! He dives through the ropes and catches Angle right in the face with his shoulder! Angle tumbles back hard into the ringside barricade! Ventura: Hart knows that he has to kick it up a notch, Gorilla. Angle can outwrestle him and he knows that. He has to resort to taking risks. That was a dangerous move, but it paid off. There’s a reason they call that move a suicide dive…more often than not, it’s detrimental to the wrestler that uses it…but it worked for Bret Hart. Monsoon: Hart is back to his feet and he tosses Angle back into the ring. He goes for the cover…and he gets a two count! I think that’s the closest we’ve been to a pinfall tonight, Jess… Ventura: It was probably just to toy with Angle. Hart knows he’s got the leg right where he wants it. Look at him re-focus back on that left leg. The Excellence of Execution, Mon-soon…you called it… Monsoon: Excellence of Execution, indeed…Hart has hold of that injured leg and he just hyperextended it! Angle is screaming in pain after that move and he’s clutching his hamstring. Hyperextending the leg puts a lot of strain on the hamstring…that’s a delicate muscle. And now he’s once again going for the Sharpshooter…and there’s no counter this time, Jess. I believe it’s academic from here. Ventura: Look at the determination on Angle’s face, though, Mon-soon. This is a man who won a gold medal for his country with a broken neck. He trained with a broken neck…he wrestled an Olympic freestyle tournament with a broken neck…and he won the gold with a broken neck. Look how he’s scratching and clawing toward the ropes. I seriously wonder if this man even knows the meaning of “QUIT” Monsoon: Hart is sitting back with all his weight on Angle’s lower lumbar spine, but Angle makes it to the ropes. I am amazed at what we’re seeing here. Angle showed amazing resilience in reaching the ropes to break the hold. Ventura: Yeah, but equally as impressive is the Hitman Hart dragging him back to the center of the ring to re-apply the hold… Monsoon: Angle grabs him by the hair! He throws him backward! Hart comes right back toward him, but Angle catches him with another belly-to-belly suplex! He threw him over the top rope! Kurt Angle has bought himself some much needed time, as he collapses to the mat in exhaustion and in pain… Ventura: This is a great match, Mon-soon. I knew it would be good…but I didn’t know it would be this good. These are two of the best of all-time… Monsoon: Hart is back in the ring…and he’s going right back to the injured leg. He backs up and goes for a hard clothesline, but Angle countered! There’s a German suplex, but Angle is not letting go. He connects with another….and now a third…unbelievable, Jess. He’s not stopping! There’s a fourth German suplex! Angle still has his hands clasped tightly around the Hitman’s waist. There’s number five! I can’t believe he has enough left in him to keep going…but he delivers a SIXTH German suplex and finally let’s go! Ventura: Can you believe this, Gorilla? I’ve never seen anything like this before. Those German suplexes take a lot out of the man who performs them, so Angle just put his own body on the line six times. That’s what this tournament is all about… Monsoon: Angle is stirring somehow, but Hart is out of it. The Hitman is completely exhausted. Angle is now lying in wait. He’s stalking Bret with an intensity and focus that very few men on this Earth possess… Ventura: It’s been 30-seconds and Bret Hart is not up to his feet, yet. I wonder why Angle doesn’t just go for the ankle lock and end this thing right here and now… Monsoon: Perhaps he wants to add insult to injury; he wants Hart to know that he’s the very best. This is one of Angle’s own personal dream matches…he’s always wanted to wrestle the Hitman and now he wants to prove that he’s better! Finally, the Hitman is nearing his feet. Angle is closing in…he goes for the Olympic Slam! Ventura: SUNSET FLIP! He countered! (Marella counts one…two…) Monsoon: WHOA! That was close! Angle kicked out, but just barely! Ventura: Unbelievable, Mon-soon… Monsoon: Angle is fuming! He’s back to his feet…he pulls the straps of his singlet down to his waist and screams at Hart to get back to his feet again. Hart is back up. Angle closes in again and he’s going for the Olympic Slam once more…Hart countered again! The Hitman with an inverted atomic drop followed by a hard clothesline! Reminiscent of the Hitman’s old Hart Foundation finishing move, the Hart Attack – only performed by one man. Ventura: Bret Hart seems to be regaining his wits, Gorilla. That move gave him the momentum he’s going to need to turn the tide in his favor and win this match. Monsoon: And there’s a Side Russian Leg Sweet from the Hitman. He covers him for a two count. Hart lifts Angle into the air and collapses him with a backbreaker! Bret is going up to the second rope. He comes off and lands a elbow drop… (Marella counts one…two…) Monsoon: Wow! I thought it was over! Angle kicked out! Now the Hitman has Angle by the head. A bulldog is coming…No! Angle stops his forward progress dead in its tracks! ANGLE SLAM! The Angle Slam connects! Ventura: It’s gonna be over… (Marella counts one…………..two………….) Monsoon: Another kick out! UN-BE-LIEVABLE action that you will only see here in the World Wrestling Federation… Ventura: This Kurt Angle is a special wrestler, Mon-soon. He’s right back to his feet despite all that he’s been through. We’ve reached the 30-minute mark already, yet this guy is still going like we’re in the first fifteen minutes. His training regimen must be out of this world. Monsoon: He’s got the straps back up on his shoulders now, but he quickly takes them right back down. Angle is pure intensity. He goes for another Angle Slam! The Hitman counters AGAIN! Victory Roll! Ventura: Wait! No! Angle grabs hold of Bret’s ankle again. He countered the counter! He’s got him in the ankle lock! How much does Hitman Hart have left?! Monsoon: Hart is in the middle of the ring and he’s in the ankle lock…he’s a long way from the ropes, but he’s inching toward them! Something has to give between these two durable superstars. Angle is like a piece of iron and Hart is like a piece of stone. Hart is close to the ropes…all he has to do is reach! He’s got ‘em! He reached the ropes! But Angle is not letting go. Hart crawls up using the top rope to reach one leg; Angle still has hold of the other! Ventura: Angle lets go of the ankle and goes for a belly-to-back grasp. He goes for a seventh German suplex… Monsoon: Hart countered into a German suplex of his own! He bridges him up into a pinning predicament! (Marella counts ONE…………….TWO……………………….) Ventura: Another kick out! I haven’t seen this many kick outs since Steamboat and Savage at Wrestlemania 3, Gorilla… Monsoon: The Hitman is going back up to the second rope. Is he getting desperate, Jess? Ventura: I believe he is, Gorilla…this is an odd time to go for a high risk…or even a medium risk. Monsoon: Look at Angle! He runs up the ropes and catches Hart! There’s a short scuffle up on the turnbuckle… Ventura: Angle gets thrown back to the mat, though! An impressive physical feat by Angle gets thwarted by an even more impressive show of intestinal fortitude from Hart. Monsoon: He’s going for that elbow drop again I think…he leaps off the second rope…OH! MY! GOODNESS! Angle got his right foot up in the air and Bret Hart just ate his boot! Ventura: Notice how he used his good leg, Gorilla. Hart has been attacking that left leg all night, so Angle used the right leg to catch Hart by surprise. But now where’s Angle going…don’t make the same mistake! Monsoon: Angle is climbing up to the top rope. Is he going for a moonsault?! Ventura: I’ll give credit where it’s due, Mon-soon…nobody does a better moonsault in this business…BUT this is not the right time or the right place. Monsoon: Well, there’s that BEAUTIFUL moonsault! Hart got his knees up! Angle went for the ultimate high risk, but it didn’t pay off. The Hitman got his knees up and that may have very well broken Angle’s ribs! Ventura: Look at Hart, though, Gorilla…Angle may be down for the count, but Hart may have broken his legs…or at least re-injured the leg that Angle recently placed in that ankle lock. Monsoon: They’ve both been on the mat for a long time now, Jess. Hart is clutching that leg. Angle seems to have just noticed! Look at his face! Look at the expression on his face! He looks enraged! He dives for that injured leg and locks on the ANKLE LOCK AGAIN! Hart is barely holding on! BARELY…HOLDING…ON! Can he escape?! Ventura: He’s already gotten out of this hold twice! Monsoon: Angle has that leg grapevined now! Hart is trying to inch toward the ropes, but he’s only gaining centimeters….and he taps out! Hart taps out! (Angle’s music hits) Monsoon: Well, my hat is off to these two men, but it will be Kurt Angle that moves forward… Ventura: I’ve never seen a match like this in my life. This was one of the greatest athletic contests I’ve ever seen. Not the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB have anything on Kurt Angle vs. Bret Hart. Hitman Hart gave it everything he had… Monsoon: We’ll see you in a few weeks for Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton right here in Los Angeles!
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