WWE Confidential
June 21, 2003
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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