The Power of The Punch WRESTLEMANIA X8 Recently, William Regal had introduced a new, devastating knockout blow he called “The Power of the Punch.” While he wanted Toronto SkyDome — Toronto, Ontario, Canada the world to think it was his strength that levelled opponents, fans knew it was the brass knuckles that Regal secretly wore. Former ECW Superstar Rob Van Dam would have to contend March 17 Announcers Special Field Correspondents Jerry “The King” Lawler Jonathan Coachman with Regal’s rule breaking when he challenged Jim Ross Lillian Garcia Regal for the Intercontinental Championship in 2002 Michael Cole Spanish Announcers the opening match of WrestleMania X8. Carlos Cabrera Special Musical Guests Regal wasted no time trying to use his secret Attendance Hugo Savinovich Drowning Pool Saliva weapon to quickly end the match, but Van Ring Announcer Howard Finkel Dam managed to kick the knuckles out of 68,237 Regal’s hands and out of the ring. The two traded moves and countermoves, but RVD’s unique brand of offense slowly gave him Event Card the advantage. Regal rolled out of the ring DDP vs Christian Undisputed Championship Match No Disqualification Match to retrieve his brass knuckles. The referee Christian had been on a bit of a losing streak since starting his singles career. Rather than take his defeats in n Triple H def. Chris Jericho (Champion) w/ Stephanie McMahon to become n Undertaker def. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair spotted the object and seized it. Not to be stride, he’d been throwing temper tantrums. Eternal optimist Diamond Dallas Page helped Christian get back on new Champion deterred, Regal had a second pair hidden in the winning path. Rather than thank Page, Christian attacked DDP, claiming he didn’t need anyone’s help. The two Hardcore Championship Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match n Maven (Champion) fought Goldust to a no contest* his trunks. But as Regal attempted to slip them decided to settle things in a match for Page’s WWE European Championship. n Jazz (Champion) def. Lita and Trish Stratus to retain the Championship *Spike Dudley, Hurricane, Mighty Molly, Christian, and lastly Maven all scored on, Van Dam kicked him, followed it up with a Making his in-ring WrestleMania debut, Page unleashed a flurry of offense, countering Christian’s moves into pinfalls to become Hardcore Champion during the event 5-Star Frog Splash, and pinned his opponent to Icon vs. Icon Match Page’s Diamond Cutter for the win. n The Rock def. Hollywood Hulk Hogan European Championship Match become the new Intercontinental Champion. n Diamond Dallas Page (Champion) def. Christian to retain the Championship Fatal Four Way Elimination Match for the World Tag Team Championship Intercontinental Championship n Billy & Chuck (Champions) def. The Hardy Boyz (Jeff & Matt), the APA n Rob Van Dam def. William Regal (Champion) to become new Champion The WWE Hardcore (Bradhsaw & Farooq) and the Dudley Boyz (Bubba & D-Von) to retain the Championship Other Matches Championship n Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Scott Hall w/ Kevin Nash n Edge def. Booker T. A former school teacher, Maven made n Kurt Angle def. Kane his mark in WWE by winning the Tough Enough competition and shockingly eliminating Undertaker from the Royal “To have a match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania was Rumble. Then he won the Hardcore very special. It was one of the most incredible nights of Championship to defend against my career.” Goldust at WrestleMania X8. Like past Hardcore Matches, a variety —The Rock Only One Left Standing of weapons were used throughout the Regal’s brass knuckles are seized by the referee bout. Goldust brought a new twist by The year following WrestleMania X-Seven was tumultuous. Mr. McMahon’s son, Shane, only using gold-painted items. The had purchased WCW and, in a shocking twist, a number of former ECW Superstars Superstars were wearing each other formed an Alliance with the WCW invaders. This new group, led by Shane McMahon, down with relentless attacks when Stephanie McMahon, and Paul Heyman, made life miserable for WWE until Survivor the 24/7 rule brought a bizarre ending Series, when a “Winner Take All” Match left WWE the sole surviving company. However, to the match—with both men down, the disappearance of the Alliance did not end Mr. McMahon’s troubles. To bankroll the Crash Holly ran to the ring and pinned Alliance, his two children had each sold their shares of WWE to Ric Flair, who now Maven to win the title. controlled half of WWE, making him an equal partner with Mr. McMahon. It was not the last time fans would see The in-ring action was greater than it had ever been. For the first time ever, the WCW the Hardcore Championship defended and WWE Champions met to crown an Undisputed WWE Champion, with Chris Jericho that night, as through the rest of the being the first to ever hold that title. None of that mattered to Mr. McMahon, who only evening, backstage updates would cared about ridding his company of Ric Flair, and went so far as to bring the nWo in to see The Hurricane, Mighty Molly, and accomplish the job. The WWE debut of the New World Order would lead to one of the Christian each win the title, before biggest clashes in WrestleMania history, one that would see a Legend battle an Icon. Maven pinned Christian to reclaim the title and hopped into a cab to leave RVD wins the Intercontinental Championship the arena.

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