[2000-09-28-WWF-Smackdown] The Rock & HHH vs Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit

[soup23]

Long Foley promo to start saying he is taking over the investigation for Stone Cold. Then we get Benoit and Angle out for promos. Again, good job by these two in holding their own and creating variety in this starting promo motif of WWF at the time. Both are feuding with each other but have to team up against the unlikely duo of Rock and HHH. Rock cuts a promo backstage stating that he doesn’t need HHH to be his friend just to be there for the tag. The match itself is really good and given 10 minutes. I loved the interaction and roles all four had throughout the match. HHH has been selling his ribs well and is a good face that has built up some sympathy. Rock clapping along with him on the apron helps get that message across. A fun moment after the hot tag on the outside where HHH and Rock get into a pissing contest on who can slam their opponent into the table the hardest. Finish worked for me too. Rock has a chair and goes to hit Angle when Steph grabs it from him. Angle then hits the Olympic Slam and gets the pin on the champion in his hometown of Pittsburgh. HHH and Rock look on pissed and behind them, Steph gives Kurt a tentative clap. ***1/4 (6.7)

[AstroBoy]

Good spring between these four as they sharpen their roles with each other going forward. This was worked at a really good pace and Triple H is solid at keeping the ribs at the forefront of his face in peril work. He is still not really a total babyface but he slots in pretty well here while Benoit and Angle are vicious but at each others' throats. Rock kind of takes a backseat in this one as this really went a long way to build up Benoit and Angle for these feuds. All the chaos at the end of the match comes off really well and it's a great finish even though surprising to see Stephanie still kind of going to bat for Kurt. Kurt now has a pin over the champ and that's a big step forward for him as they move into the fall.

 

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