SNME Coverage
TRIPLE H & JOHN CENA vs. KURT ANGLE & REY MYSTERIO & RANDY ORTON
In the tradition of SNME's over the years, they kicked off with the biggest match of the night. For SNMEs in the Saturday Night Live 11:30 p.m. timeslot, it was because their biggest audience would be in the first half hour because it was getting late. In this case, it's so they're sure to keep viewers from the beginning. It also means Shane McMahon gets to headline on NBC, so he'll get credit for a big rating. Of course, Shawn Michaels get the blame for not being a strong enough top babyface if the rating is disappointing. It keeps Hunter out of any position to be seen as a disappointment. Cena then came out followed by Angle, Rey, and then Orton. The pyro left a smoky haze in and around the ring. It's not a great look for network TV. Rapid-fire action early with some frequent early tags. Angle hit a series of three Angle slams against Triple H. Rey tagged in and got some early offense against Triple H. It's moments like this for someone like Rey that are impossible dreams come true. A wrestler under 5-5 who began wrestling in his early teens in Mexico dreaming of some day wrestling in the U.S. on a major broadcast network live in a main event with or against several of the biggest stars of the era. A loud Cena sucks chant rang out early as Rey worked over Cena. Hunter nailed Rey with a clothesline. Ross said, "Triple H just saved Cena! Can they coexist. We'll find out when we come back!"
[Commercial Break]
Hunter got in sustained offense against Rey for a couple minutes after the break including a spinebuster and a sleeper. Rey came back with a flip dive onto Hunter. Cena and Orton both hot-tagged in. The crowd booed Cena's offense against Orton. Cena took control and signalled You Can't See Me. He then did a fistdrop. Ross said like him or not, you gotta love his fighting spirit. He then gave Orton an FU. Hunter yanked Cena off of Orton and gave him a Pedigree. He then rolled out of the ring. He thought for a second, then returned and put Orton onto Cena for a near fall. Rey yanked Orton off at two. Hunter surprised Rey with a Pedigree at 11:00. Angle clotheslined Hunter over the top rope. Orton gave Angle an RKO. Ross said it's chaos as teammates attacked teammates. A "Cena" chant rang out. As Orton went for an RKO, Cena reversed it into a schoolboy in a nice move for the pin. Hunter looked on, disappointed that Cena won without him. The focus of the match was much more on Hunter and Cena than the Smackdown threesome.
WINNERS: Cena & Hunter at 11:42.
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