We open with clips from the battle royal and subsequent ECW title match at Wrestlemania. Next thing you know, we're in Miami, and the new champion, Kane, comes out for a rare promo. Feeling more talkative than he has in the last 4 or 5 years, the Big Red Machine name checks Snitsky, Mark Henry, & Great Khali in winning the battle royal, then, in his words, decimating Chavo Guerrero in just 8 seconds to win the title.CM Punk is out next, briefcase in hand, no worse for wear after losing to Chris Jericho last night on Raw. Punk teases using the title contract, but is interrupted by Chavo, who claims Kane's win was a fluke, and that he was caught from behind, a bald faced lie as the replay showed moments earlier. Punk cracks that Chavo made history as one of the fastest losers in Wrestlemania history. Chavo is doubling as a spokesman for GM Armando Estrada, who has paired up Punk & Kane to face Chavo and Shelton Benjamin later. Benjamin also dismisses Punk's win because of the simple fact that Benjamin was taken out of play, pushed off the ladder some 20 feet, presumably by Punk & Jericho. This should be good. It's come to my attention that the reason Big Daddy V was scratched from Mania, and ultimately replaced by Stevie Richards, is that the big guy has been sidelined with pneumonia. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Match 1: Stevie Richards vs. Mike Knox Richards has won 2 previous singles meetings, but Knox gained a small measure of payback last week in a mixed tag match. Momentum, then, is on the side of the Phoenix native, as he dominates this match as well. Richards got some kicks in, but spent almost the entire match in a defensive posture. Knox came out of the corner countering one kick into a spinebuster on the knee. Knox then hit the Whippet (inverted neckbreaker) to end it. Winner: Mike Knox. Highlights are shown from the Hall of Fame on Saturday, including footage not shown previously with the Briscos and Mae Young. Gene Okerlund, limited to voiceover duty on the broadcast, hosted the non-televised portion.
Now, here's a familiar sight. Tazz, in the ring, interviewing Colin Delaney. Colin wasn't on the card at Wrestlemania, but he's hoping to be in Houston next year. Armando Estrada comes out, and teases that he's actually impressed with Colin. April Fool! Colin's about to get killed again.....
Match 2: Big Show vs. Colin Delaney The former ECW & WWE champion is actually taking pity on poor, hapless Colin. Delaney wants nothing to do with the colossus, and why not? He knows it's a mismatch, and Show knows it, too. He blocks Delaney's path out of the ring, but when Colin turns to head out another path, Show locks on a Cobra Clutch. Enough said. Winner: Big Show. Post-match, Show released his grip by tossing Colin to the mat, then shook his head. He didn't want this any more than Delaney or the fans did. Based on what we saw last night, he wants Great Khali, not another cruiserweight.
Highlights up now from the Flair-HBK match on Sunday, and last night's Flair farewell party.
Match 3: CM Punk & Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero & Shelton Benjamin Punk & Kane have been a successful tag team in recent months. Chavo & Benjamin? Not so much. Looks to me like Chavo's been investing in Rogaine of late, since it looks like he has a full head of hair. Punk & Benjamin start, but it isn't long before the champion is tagged in, and tags Benjamin with a low dropkick with Benjamin seated on the canvas. Ouch! Chavo fares not that much better. Back to Benjamin, who is quickly dumped over the top. A sneak attack by Guerrero backfires, and he goes over, landing on the apron, but a side kick from Punk sends the former champion to the floor at the break. Back from commercial, and Kane resumes the assault on Benjamin. Punk is tagged back in. Chavo comes in, and they tease the finish with Punk setting up Chavo for Go To Sleep, but Chavo grabs the top rope, which keeps Punk in place for Benjamin to blast him with a boot to the face. Punk, then, is face in peril for several minutes. He hits the knee-lift/bulldog combo out of the corner on Chavo, then tags in Kane. Benjamin is also back. The two trade boots to the face. Kane goes up top, but Guerrero races in to intercept, crotching the champion on the top turnbuckle. Kane falls, and Punk tags himself back in. Misses the springboard clothesline, but the next thing you know, Benjamin is trapped and Punk hits the GTS. Good night, sweet prince! Winners: CM Punk & Kane.
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