WrestleMania X8 was the eighteenth edition of WWE's annual WrestleMania pay-per-view. It took place at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario.
Card and Results
William Regal (C) vs. Rob Van Dam
Regal tried to use the brass knucks early, but Van Dam kicked them out of his hand. Van Dam tried for the Five-Star Frog Splash but missed and the match continued. Later Regal picked up the knucks again after knocking RVD out of the ring, but RVD kicked them away again and got the Five-Star for the pin.
Result: RVD by pinfall, new WWF Intercontinental Champion
Diamond Dallas Page (C) vs. Christian
An emotional return to the SkyDome for DDP, who attended WrestleMania VI twelve years earlier, driving the tag team of Rhythm & Blues (Greg Valentine and The Honky Tonk Man to the ring in his pink Cadillac. Prior to this match, he said that it was his dream to wrestle at WrestleMania, despite wrestling at all of the major WCW pay-per-view events and being WCW World Champion. DDP gets the win with the Diamond Cutter.
Result: DDP by pinfall, still WWF European Champion
Maven (C) vs. Goldust
Goldust had the upper hand, pulling a golden shovel from underneath the ring and throttling Maven with it. While Goldust was on the outside, however, Spike Dudley ran to the ring and covered the prone Maven for the pin under 24/7 rules. He didn't have time to celebrate, though, as Hardcore Holly ran down to the ring and chased Spike out through the crowd.
Result: Spike Dudley over Maven by pinfall, new WWF Hardcore Champion
After the scheduled match, the battle for the Hardcore belt continued backstage between Spike and Hardcore Holly. At one point, Al Snow (with referee Teddy Long) drove a golf cart into the fray, missing Holly and Spike and plowing into some cardboard boxes. Then, from out of nowhere, The Hurricane "flew" in and covered Spike for the title!
New Hardcore Champion: The Hurricane
Angle clocked Kane with the ring bell before the match started, getting things going early. Kane hit the Chokeslam but Angle was too close to the ropes. Angle hit the Angle Slam shortly thereafter for a two-count, then locked Kane in the Ankle Lock. Kane would not submit, kicking out of the move several times. Finally, frustrated that his signature moves and a subsequent belly-to-belly suplex off the top rope could not defeat Kane, rolled him up using the ropes for leverage for the pin.
Result: Angle by pinfall
Hardcore Interlude
The Hurricane, fleeing from possible challengers for the Hardcore title, ends up in the ladies' locker room, and uses the opportunity to spy on some of the Godfather's Hos. He is soon discovered, however, and the Godfather chases Hurricane away.
The Nature Boy went after Taker early, however Taker soon got the upper hand by smashing Flair into the ring post on the outside. Taker savagely beat Flair for several minutes thereafter, culminating in a top-rope superplex. Taker went for the pin and would probably have gotten it, but pulled Flair off the mat after a two count. The match continued and Flair was eventually able to snare Taker in the figure-four leglock. Taker, however, countered it by pulling Flair off the mat by the throat and hitting a chokeslam. After only getting a two-count, Taker knocked out the referee in frustration, and Arn Anderson used the opportunity to hit the ring and nail Taker with a spinebuster. Taker recovered, putting Anderson in the Dragon Sleeper, than fending off Flair with a big boot when he tried to make the save. Taker then got the pin with the Tombstone. Taker's WrestleMania record improves to 10-0.
Result: Undertaker by pinfall
The backstory to this match involved a Japanese endorsement deal and Booker wearing glasses to look smart. Edge gets the win.
Result: Edge by pinfall
Hardcore Interlude #2
Backstage, Coach is asking The Hurricane some questions about the Hardcore Title when Mighty Molly(!) sneaks up from behind and clobbers her Hurri-sensei with a frying pan. Referee in tow, Molly gets the pin.
New Hardcore Champion: Mighty Molly
Much interference by Kevin Nash; the match is virtually a handicap match, with Nash knocking out two referees, until Nash is finally ejected. Hall hits Austin with the Stunner for a two-count, but Stone Cold retaliates with two quick Stunners of his own for the win.
Result: Austin by pinfall
Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo (C) vs. The APA (Faarooq and Bradshaw) vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz
The APA was eliminated first when D-Von Dudley pinned Bradshaw. Matt Hardy pinned Bubba Ray a few minutes later. Billy and Chuck got the win when Chuck pinned Jeff Hardy after Billy Gunn hit him with one of the title belts.
Result: Palumbo over Jeff Hardy by pinfall, Billy and Chuck still WWF Tag Team Champions
Hardcore Interlude #3
Mighty Molly slinked around backstage looking out for possible challengers, when a door she was about to walk past suddenly slammed and hit her in the face. Christian peeked out from behind the door with a referee, then made the pin.
New Hardcore Champion: Christian
A match that pitted two of the most popular wrestlers of all-time against one another. Hogan was supposed to be the heel in this match, having run down an ambulance containing The Rock with a semi truck a few weeks previous. Amazingly, the fans turned on Rock and cheered for Hogan to win. Every time Hogan touched The Rock, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers; likewise, any offense by Rocky was met by a chorus of boos. Alas, The Rock put a hurting on the Hulkster, getting the pin with the Rock Bottom followed by the People's Elbow. After the match, Hogan offered his hand to the victorious Rock, and the Rock took it to the cheers of the fans. As Rocky was leaving, Nash and Hall chided Hogan for his conciliatory attitude and started to attack him, but Rocky made the save and then as a sign of respect, The Rock stopped Hulk from leaving the ring and asked him to pose for the crowd. This is believed to be the best match of 2002 by many.
Result: The Rock by pinfall
Jazz (C) vs. Trish Stratus vs. Lita
The hometown girl, Trish, was very much favored in the match, and came down to the ring in skintight maple leaf tights. The end of the match saw Jazz throwing Trish out of the ring, then hit a vicious superplex on Lita to retain her title.
Result: Jazz over Lita by pinfall, still WWF Women's Champion
Hardcore Interlude #4
Christian, celebrating his win, was about to get into a cab and leave SkyDome when Maven cradled him from behind, winning the title back. Maven then escaped in Christian's cab.
New Hardcore Champion: Maven
Undisputed WWF Championship Match
Chris Jericho (C) with Stephanie McMahon vs. Triple H
Triple H had returned from a serious quadricep injury in January to win the Royal Rumble, but was still working the injury angle, coming to the ring with the leg bandaged. Jericho and Stephanie exploited H's injury, hitting him there numerous times, until Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho. H reached the ropes, and then gave Stephanie the Pedigree after she tried to interfere. Y2J hit H with a chair, but H would not be denied, hitting Jericho with the Pedigree to recapture the Title and complete his comeback.
Result: Triple H by pinfall, new WWF Undisputed Champion
External links
Last updated: 10-25-2005 10:43:37
