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Tag Team Turmoil (Continued)
The Conquistadors were obviously pleased at the plight of their first opponents in Tag Team Turmoil. Expecting an easy advance, the two Spaniards played with their helpless opponents, ignoring the groggy Hardy and throwing more salt in the Heartbreak Kid’s eyes. Shawn flailed about in excruciating pain, eliminating himself by falling over the top rope to the outside where he continued to claw at his eyes. The Spaniards now set up the Surge, but missed a double clothesline. Hardy countered and knocked both men out, advancing to the next team! Shawn managed to clear his vision with some saline eyewash fluid before getting in the ring, but it was clear that the two men had expended a lot of energy and that it would be an uphill battle if they wanted to advance further.

One of only three teams left in Tag Team Turmoil, the corporate team of X-Pac and Shane McMahon entered the ring and went right to work on their exhausted opponents. Soon, X-Pac scored an X-Factor on Michaels and helped Shane try to get Hardy over the top. As the two struggled with the Surge, Michaels regrouped and snuck up from behind. Then, Michaels grabbed hold of all three men, knocking them all to the outside and eliminating the Corporation! Michaels helped Hardy back in the ring, and it was clear that the two were on the same wavelength, but could they possibly eliminate two more teams and win?

A determined Lo-Down next made their way down the aisle. Several minutes of heated combat showed that Michaels and Hardy were clearly fatigued. The Godfather set up to finish off Hardy with a Ho Train, but Hardy ducked at the last possible second and scored a dropkick on the ‘Fath. Taking advantage, Hardy used a slingshot to hurl Godfather out of the ring. Hardy and Michaels then went to work on D-Lo, beating him down and pulling his chest protector off. Wasting no time, the two high-fliers mounted opposite turnbuckles. After scoring an elbow drop and a body splash simultaneously, Hardy and Michaels kipped up to their feet and the same time, and the crowd went wild! Whipping D-Lo off the rope, Hardy and Michaels executed a double super-kick to send him flying from the ring. JR echoed the excitement of the crowd, but added, “These two are working on all cylinders, but how much gas is left in the tank?!”

With only the slumping New Age Outlaws left, Michaels and Hardy had a great opportunity to advance to Wrestlemania to fight the champions. However, Diesel and Jeff Jarrett interrupted the match and got on the mic. Diesel announced that the Outlaws would not be wrestling that night because of a financial agreement they had made with Ted Dibiase. Instead, Diesel and Jarrett would reenter Tag Team Turmoil! “No hard feelings Shawn,” added Big Daddy Cool. Once again the two teams squared off, both more determined than ever. Clearly, Matt and Shawn had formed a successful alliance, but they had already eliminated eight teams and were completely exhausted. Diesel and Jarrett, on the other hand, had seen very limited action so far and were well rested. They took quick advantage of Michaels and Hardy, and Diesel soon managed to Jack-knife Michaels in the middle of the ring. Left to fend for himself against two fresh men, Hardy was no match for the Wolfpack, who set him up for a big boot. Ducking at the last possible second, Hardy evaded a Diesel boot that instead sent Jarrett over the top rope! With his partner still down and out, Hardy attempted to mount some offense against Diesel, but is instead knocked out of the ring by a huge Diesel clothesline. That left a battered Michaels and a fresh Diesel in the ring to decide which team would advance to Wrestlemania. Diesel set Shawn up for another Jack-knife, but the Heartbreak Kid was able to counter, using his head as a weapon to deliver a low blow! Shawn attempted to mount some offense, but like his partner, was too fatigued to score any decisive hits on Diesel. Taking advantage, Diesel tried to deliver a big boot, but Michaels ducked and Diesel was hung up straddling the top rope! Michaels then delivered the Sweet Chin Music to a helpless Diesel and the match appeared to be over. However, Diesel’s foot was tied up in the ropes and Big Daddy Cool was hanging precariously off the side of the ring! As Michaels tried to dislodge the foot and send Diesel all the way to the outside, Diesel managed to eye-gouge him and crawl back inside! He then set Michaels up for the Jack-knife, and with one Herculean effort, threw Michaels to the outside, eliminating him. Jarrett and Diesel were the winners of Tag Team Turmoil! As the Wolfpack celebrated in the ring, Hardy helped Michaels to his feet and raised his arm for the crowd. Hardy then started walking away, but Michaels stopped him and raised his arm. Exhausted and disappointed, the unlikely duo walked to the back to the chorus of a rousing ovation that shook the Carrier Dome. However, it was Diesel and Jarrett who would meet the Mean Street Posse for the Tag Team Championship at Wrestlemania.