4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the King of PPVs, July 23, 2005
This review is from: WWF: King of the Ring 2000 (DVD)
This PPV exemplifies an event that's not bad, but not good --- it's stuck in a joyless void. There is some fun to be had, but the talent in this PPV should've brought more of it.
NOTE - Because this PPV happened 5 years ago, I will reveal match outcomes.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
King of the Ring Quarter-Finals
Rikishi vs. Chris Benoit
---This was actually getting really good before Benoit decided he was too good for the Tournament and got DQ'd. Sure, the royalty aspect was silly, but now Rikishi is an underdog. Only one underdog has won the KOTR (Bret Hart in 1993). Savio Vega lost in '95, Jake Roberts in '96, and Rikishi probably will lose here. Let's see later if I'm right.
"5.0 out of 10" (a good 4 minutes while it lasted)
Eddie Guerrero vs. Val Venis
---I'm surprised how much I liked this one. Guerrero and Venis had great in-ring chemistry here. The match was well-paced, and features some nice suplexes and reversals. Interference from Chyna and Trish Stratus was good fun too. My favorite match of the PPV.
"8.0 out of 10"
Crash Holly vs. Bull Buchanan
---This match didn't do it for me. I never bought Crash Holly as a performer, and I probably never will. He's gutsy and resilient, but that's not enough for me. Buchanan was much better than he ever got credit for, but he didn't get to do much here. Mediocre at best.
"4.0 out of 10"
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho
---Everyone was anticipating this one, since these two had great matches at NO WAY OUT and WRESTLEMANIA. I thought this was a downgraded version of what we'd seen before, but it's still a very solid technical showdown.
"7.5 out of 10"
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Elimination Match for the Tag Team Championships
Edge & Christian vs. T&A vs.
The Hardy Boyz vs. Too Cool (champions)
---After E/C delivered another hilarious 5-second pose, we got to see one of the night's best matches. T&A were good as the powerhouses they were, while The Hardyz and E/C were resilient and risk-takers as usual. Too Cool, a team I rarely liked, actually weren't too bad here. My only problem is that hey didn't do anything until it was down to 2 teams. Still, a very solid fast-paced Elimination Match.
"7.5 out of 10"
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
King of the Ring Semi-Finals
Rikishi vs. Val Venis
---Easily the better of the two Semi-Final matches. Venis and Rikishi always fought very stiff, just like their FULLY LOADED Steel Cage Match the next month. Too bad Venis ruined the ending like Benoit did by ambushes Rikishi after their good match. Well, let's see if underdog Rikishi still has a shot.
"7.0 out of 10"
Crash Holly vs. Kurt Angle
---Angle was in good form here, as he always is, and Crash was a little better here. His wily tactics weren't enough for the Gold Medalist, but at least Angle was refined enough to give us as good a show as possible.
"5.0 out of 10"
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Evening Gown Match for the Hardcore Championship
Gerald Brisco vs. Pat Patterson (champion)
---This is one of the most bizarre matches in WWF/WWE history, especially for a Hardcore Title match. I'm not sure who's idea it was, but I actually found this one to be very funny. It's not a good match, but one had to admire the balls (or stupidity) of veterans Brisco and Patterson. Crash Holly kind of ruined the ending for me, but his 24/7 advantage was a nice twist.
"6.0 out of 10" (most will rate it lower)
3-On-2 Handicap Table/Dumpster Match
D-Generation X vs. The Dudley Boyz
---DX had to win a Dumpster Match, while The Dudleyz were wrestling a Table Match. Whoever could get the job done first would be the victors. This a good match with some nice moves, plus nothing feels fake here, except for maybe Tori's finish. What's missing was a classic spot or two. The overall match was very good, but it could've used an "Oh My God" moment.
"7.0 out of 10"
King of the Ring Finals Match
Kurt Angle vs. Rikishi
---Well, did Rikishi pull it off? No, unfortunately he maintains that underdogs rarely win Tournaments. However, he did put up one hell of a fight! I actually thought he won with his sit-down pin, but Angle kicked out of nowhere. Surprise moments like false finish made this a very good KOTR Finals Match. I wish the coronation ceremony would've occurred tonight, instead of the following RAW. After all, we did sit through an 8-Man Tournament. Regardless, Rikishi and Angle did themselves proud tonight.
"7.5 out of 10"
WWF Championship
Shane and Vince McMahon & Triple H (champion)
vs. Kane, The Undertaker, & The Rock
---Now this is a huge disappointment! What a slow Tag Team match! Not to mention that The Rock and Triple H were competing for the WWF Title for the 4th PPV in a row! And the title switched for the 3rd month in a row...without Triple H actually being pinned. Vince McMahon was pinned...how hard was that? Kane was not in good form here, and could've been better. The Undertaker was fine but didn't have much to work with except his new image (which only goes so far). The Rock was up to his usual antics, which rarely entertained me back in 1999-2000. Shane McMahon and Vince cheated a lot, but big surprise there! Yes, I get the joke that they're not great wrestlers, but it's only so funny for so long. Now the final minutes of the match are chaotic and very good, but the 20-minute buildup brought so many yawn-inducing situations that I just stopped caring. What a dull main event!
"3.0 out of 10"
The DVD Extras include the same "match backgrounds" that you see in the PPV. However, it also gives a good background on when the King of the Ring Tournament started with 16 wrestlers. But seeing how the end turned out, I gotta say that I narrowed the winner to 3 of them advanced to the Semi-Finals.
I felt this PPV kept toying with me and saying "It's gonna get better, we're giving you a little taste for now..." Well, there was some good stuff, but it ultimately made no difference in WWF/WWE history. I'm giving this 3 stars because there's no 2.5, and what's here is good enough...just not for a purchase.
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