WWE Confidential
June 21, 2003


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WWE Confidential Report
June 21, 2003

This week's show features a look back at the history of the most infamous structure in WWE history, Hell in a Cell.

* Confidential retraced WWE's Madison Square Garden ties. WWE sold out the Garden on 21 consecutive occasions at one point in time and MSG will play host to Raw and SmackDown! this week before serving as the origin of WrestleMania XX next March. Stephanie talked about the legacy that her family has left on the Garden, including the fact that Vince McMahon, Sr. has been inducted into the MSG Hall of Fame, and she said that to her and Vince, it always felt like her grandfather's spirit was there for every show. Jerry Lawler talked about the importance of Madison Square Garden to Vince, thus making it more important to everyone else and Bob Orton, Sr., "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Tony Garia and the Fabulous Moolah recollected early WWE cards and WWE's distinction of having the biggest crowd in MSG history and Tommy Dreamer, Bruce Pritchard, Tully Blanchard, Sgt. Slaughter and Spike Dudley shared their favorite MSG moments. Tazz recollected his WWE debut, his 2000 Royal Rumble contest against our Olympic Hero, Kurt Angle and Jim Ross shared his most enduring Garden image as he said the reception Triple H got on the night of his return at the World's Most Famous Arena was unlike anything he'd ever heard at MSG. Later in the show, Vince, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka and Gerald Brisco talked about the impact of WrestleMania I, remembering the night and the impact it has had on the course of WrestleMania. Brisco remembered walking into an arena in Miami and seeing 15,000 people sitting in the building waiting to watch wrestling on TV then thinking to himself that something special was happening and Bobby Heenan talked about the celebrity appeal that WrestleMania had, which became apparent on that first magical evening, and the pair toasted to WrestleMania 2.... and to WrestleMania 102! Piper and Jimmy Snuka talked about the intensity of the crowd and the significance of being with the elite in the industry on that night and Kurt Angle talked about how special the night was and said that WrestleMania XX would be just as special.

* Brock Lesnar talked about the origins of the F-5, saying that originally the move was something that he was messing around with in training once, a spinning DDT out of the Fireman's carry and it looked so devastating that Brock decided that it would become his finishing move of choice.... aside from that, he just really liked using it! Brock discussed the mechanics of the hold before explaining that when he applied the F-5, he felt that he and the fans alike knew that the end was near. Brock talked about his crowning F-5s, saying that he was most proud of the first F-5 that he hit The Big Show wih, seeing as Show was 500 pounds, but he was also proud of the F-5's that he executed on Rikishi and Mark Henry, both men tipping the scales at well over 350 pounds!

OUTSIDE THE ROPES
Special Guest - KURT ANGLE:
Speaking of Kurt, Josh sat down to ask the former 3-time WWE Champion a couple of quick questions. Among other topics, the pair talked about Kurt's contributions to the popularity of velour, Kurt's status as a Pittsburgh sports icon and the person who screamed the loudest when put in the AngleLock (incidentally, Kurt gave that distinction to Chris Benoit, saying that he screamed like a baby!) Finally, Josh hit a raw spot when he asked why Mary Lou Retton has been on the cover of a box of Wheaties and Kurt has yet to appear on one, prompting Kurt to ponder if the timing was off and if he should get a hold of the Wheaties people right now! Josh didn't exactly help things as he noted that lots of people have been on the cover of a Wheaties box, leading Kurt to go off on Josh, thanking him for bringing up such a painful subject by reminding Josh that he didn't even win Tough Enough when he was a participant on the series!

TERMINATOR 3 WWE REWIND: The historic WWE Intercontinental Title Ladder Match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X was revisited.

* The Nature Boy took in a little AFL practice while on a tour of Australia. Albeit wearing a pair of loafers and an Armani suit, Flair was impressive kicking the ball around and after taking a moment to demonstrate the figure-four on an unfortunate soul, Natch and some of the players showed mutual respect for one another and their trades before he plugged the Raw roster's tour of Australia coming up at the end of July!

FROM THE VAULT
Hosted by NUNZIO
WWE TITLE MATCH
THE IRON SHEIK (w/"Classy" FREDDIE BLASSIE) def. WWE Champion BOB BACKLUND to become the new WWE Champion:
December 26, 1983:
The Sheik attacked Backlund from behind at the onset of the match and then the Sheik focused his assault on Backlund's arm, an onslaught that would hinder Backlund's attempt at a comeback later in the match. Backlund tried for a side-Russian legsweep but as he connected with the move, he injured the back of his neck, allowing the Sheik to cinch in a modified half-Nelson which he turned into a surfboard. Backlund again fired back, delivering a headbutt to the midsection but as Backlund tried for a slam, he collapsed and Sheik went right back to the surfboard, ramming his knee into the champion's back. Backlund nearly stole the win with a backslide attempt but his arm again gave way and Sheik went right back on the attack but after a missed elbow drop, Backlund scored a nearfall with a rollup. Sheik rolled through, and after a moment of indecision, he locked in the Camel Clutch, leading Arnold Skaaland to throw in the towel and making the Sheik the new WWE Champion, much to the delight of Freddie Blassie!

Mean Gene brought the show to a close by announcing that both Raw and SmackDown! will emanate from Madison Square Garden this week!


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