Hey All! I am back after my one week hiatus...I took off from writing last week because I was preparing to go out of town to try my luck at getting tickets for Unforgiven!! Yes, me and Heather decided to, like the insane wrestling fanatics that we are, make the drive, meet up with Sharon and attempt to witness the Hardy Boyz win the titles live and in person...and unbelievably we got great tickets and got in! So once again I had an awesome time with my girlfriends!!! (excluding Jen...we missed you) got to meet some more wrestlers...and we also went to see a hell of a house show at MSG...So I am going to attempt to do an on site Unforgiven report and give my opinions on the events that went down. I will also give my opinions on RAW's premiere on TNN....

Onto the Rants:

Let me go in order of the events. So first up was the house show at Madison Square Garden. I grew up in New York and I have gone to see many concerts at MSG, and I have always loved it. I always wanted to see a wrestling event there because every wrestler talks about how great the atmosphere is there, and how great the crowds are. I tried to get tickets to the Royal Rumble in January, but to no avail, so when I found out that they were going to be there the day before Unforgiven, I was like, well since I am going to be up there anyway....a few days before we left, ticketmaster.com released some excellent seats, so we had absolutely kick ass seats, right near where the wrestlers come out, elevated seats right behind the floor seats, row b...simply awesome. This was far and away the best house show I have ever been too...all the big names were there, even Shane McMahon. Ivory and Jackie actually got to wrestle, Tazz cut an awesome heel promo, Christian and Edge did a five second pose of "15 years of Patrick Ewing on the Knicks", which being an ex-Knick fan I found hilarious. The best match of the night was Edge and Christian vs. the Dudleys...it was excellent, and Christian ended up getting 3D'd through the table...Also hilarious was Steven William Regal attempting to tell us the 367 rules of etiquette, only to be interrupted by Naked Man Mideon, who once again had to run directly in front of us (why does he always do this?). This was classic and the look of sheer horror on Regal's face had me laughing my ass off. The other major high light for me was watching X-puke take a stinkface from Rikishi...I was so damn ecstatic about it. Also it was a tag match and it was Rikishi and Jericho vs. Xpuke and Eddy, so I got to see Eddy and Jericho go at it in the ring too...very cool... It was Matt Hardy's birthday and we attempted to wish him a happy birthday when he walked past us, but he was to busy making sure the crowd cheered for Lita to notice us...I was sorely disappointed...The crowd was red hot, and the wrestling was great. All in all it was a great experience. And the fun was just beginning...

At this point I was already starting to lose my voice from screaming so much at the house show...We got up super early and drove to Philly in hopes to get tickets when the box office opened. We met some really great people out there, and had a blast. Most people looked at us like we were crazy to drive so far without tickets, but we already knew we were crazy...all I knew was I really wanted to see the Hardys win the belts. I also really wanted to be in the building when Stone Cold made his return...I don't know why as I don't even really like Austin anymore, but I just wanted to feel that excitement and that rush...and I certainly wasn't disappointed. The box office finally opens, and they don't have any good tickets, so we decide to bide our time and try again later. We met these really cool guys, who told us they thought some of the wrestlers were staying at the Holiday Inn so we all hopped in our cars and went over there. We get there and are informed that we just missed Matt and Lita. I was disappointed but what are you going to do. A little while later, Kurt Angle walks down. I have to tell everyone that Kurt Angle is a class act...the man is super sweet and signed autographs for every single person in the lobby and took pictures with everyone. He is really cute too...I told him that his storyline was the best thing going on TV today and that I hoped he beat HHH and got Stephanie...I got one of his super cool smirks from him as a reply....it was totally awesome. Buh Buh Ray came down but was very standoffish so we did not approach him at this time. We also got to meet Esse Rios and Jackie, and they were both really nice too. At this point we decided this was probably a pretty good hotel to stay at, so I got us a room. After we were pretty sure everyone had left we went to get something to eat. On the way back I dropped Heather off at the box office and we went to the hotel to check in...

Needless to say, with the wrestling gods once again shining down on us, we got tickets to a very sold out event a couple of hours before show time. I have to say I was very worried, and convinced that we would be watching the PPV at some sports bar. But no lady luck was once again on our side.

Now I have read some lukewarm reviews of the PPV, and I just can't agree with that. Now I know it is different to be at an event live, so maybe that is why I was so psyched about it. But I thought it was very solid from top to bottom, with some excellent wrestling thrown in the mix. I have also read that the Philly crowds was very quiet and not into the event, nothing could be further from the truth. I honestly don't think it translated on TV, because the crowd was jacked and red hot for every match except the Tazz match (which was very surprising to me) and the Eddy/Rikishi match...and I will go further into this later. So take my word for it. The Philly crowd was the hottest crowd I have ever been in, and it was great to feel so much great energy in the arena.

Before the event started, we were talking to these two Steven Richards fans sitting behind us...they had the coolest RTC sign, and they were dressed like RTC. Anyway, one of the guys mentioned that Raven might show up, after all it was Philly...and the truth is I didn't even think about that being a possibility...but he planted the idea in my head, and I was really pumped up to see if it would happen...I LOVE RAVEN...and I was really hoping he would come out at Summerslam, which he did not, so I wasn't holding my breath for this PPV either.

Ok, onto the PPV:

RTC vs. Acolytes and the Dudleys

This opener was HOT...the crowd was rabid for this match, and I thought it came off superb. Table chants started before the match even started. And the crowd really wanted to see RTC get their asses kicked. We get a really solid back and forth match, the Duds hit the Wassup spot, and then of course its Time for tables...you couldn't even hear what Buh Buh was saying because the crowd was going so crazy...Steven escapes, and eventually hits the surprise Steven kick for the clean victory over Buh Buh...I nearly passed out...that was there second PPV win in a row...but of course Steven had to go through a table, and go through it he did, much to the delight of the crowd. I was ecstatic because Stevie got the win, but we still got to see the Dudleyz and the Acolytes unleast destruction. A really great opener to get the crowd going...

Tazz vs. King Lawler (strap match)
Tazz comes out and the crowd goes dead silent. I was literally shocked. I couldn't understand why no one cared about this match, esp. in Philly. You would think that at the very least Tazz would have gotten some boos, but nothing...I thought the WWF has been doing a very good job of getting this rivalry over with the crowd, but I guess I was wrong because no one cared either way about this match...well I did and so did Sharon, and this guy in front of us who was wearing a Tazmission shirt, but I think that was about it...so I am screaming my lungs out, hoping Tazz would just kick the crap out of Lawler, my already hoarse voice breaking...but still no one is getting excited. Then Lawler starts hitting piledrivers and Tazz starts no selling...I have always been a fan of the no sell, so I just thought this was really cool. This was one time that the crowd actually sort of got into this match...even behind Tazz sort of...then Lawler hits the third piledriver and Tazz goes down like a ton of bricks. Suddenly there's Raven in the ring, looking very much trimmed down, but still his bad ass self...he stands behind Lawler emanating that Raven coolness and then Evenflow DDT!!! Evenflow DDT!!! I have to say I can't remember ever marking out so hard in my life. I was screaming and jumping up and down, doing my Raven pose...he does the Raven pose and walks out of the ring, and through the crowd. When I hopped in my car and drove the 9 hours up North to see the PPV, it didn't even occur to me that I might be there live for Raven's WWF debut, and there he was live and in the flesh...I tried to calm down but it was hard...and then I think Tazz choked out Lawler and the match was over, but I don't really know for sure, because I was still in hysterics...Sharon was laughing at me, as was Heather, but I couldn't help it...I was excited. Upon further reflection, and after watching RAW last night, I don't have any idea where the hell they are going with this angle...why are all old ECW people feuding with Lawler...since when does he actively wrestle so much. I still think it would have been a whole lot cooler to see him come out with Kane. They could have made him the man who is "tutoring" Kane on how to talk...but no, I guess they have other plans for him...Did anyone but me laugh when they saw Buh Buh, Tazz and Raven all in the ring at once...I was like all the ECW guys together again...

Hardcore Invitational (aka Hardcore Clusterfuck)
This match was weird...the first part of it was really solid. It was really hard to follow the action from my seats as most of it took place on the opposite side of the arena, and the camera work sucked. For a ten minute match with a lot of high spots, the middle sort of dragged a bit, but the beginning and the end were very solid. Perry Saturn was in full suicidal mode, doing some crazy ass shit throughout the match. I was like damn Perry, trying to get over or something. The fake breast contingent was out in full blast, as both Terri and Trish took some pretty decent bumps off the apron. But the match really belonged to Blackman, much to CRZ's delight I am sure. The end of the match, he just took control and beat everyone's ass. It was cool for what it was, and Perry's suicidal stuff was crazy to see. Al Snow coming out supporting Italy, with his picture of Tony Danza was great too. I love Al!

Chris Jericho vs. X-Puke-

As much as it pains me to say this, I thought this was one of the best matches of the night, and it was because of both men. Now you know how much I hate X-puke, but I have to give credit where credit is due. No laziness, no half ass attempts...he came out there ready to wrestle, and he was pulling out moves he hasn't done in years...when he did flip outside the ring, I said when did X-Puke leave and 123 kid appear. This match was fast paced, and super exciting and both men gave it there all. Jericho looked great, and I must say I am starting to really like this rivalry. Ughh...did I just say that...believe me I still hate X-Pac and that will never change, but Jericho brings to this rivalry that same intensity he brings to the ring against HHH and Benoit, and X-Pac is rising to the challenge. Plus I loved seeing Jericho get bloody and go insane on RAW...any time Jericho loses it...it's a good thing.

The Hardys vs. Christian and Edge (Steel Cage Tag Team Title Match)

The steel cage lowers, and my stomach starts churning...I am excited as hell, but also nervous as hell. I don't want any of these guys getting hurt, and I know they are going to try some of there usual crazy stunts. As usual these four guys came out and gave everything they had. They were being thrown into the cage, they were falling off the cage, they were doing corkscrew moonsaults off the cage. Lita came out and gave my boy Christian a Hurricarana off a ladder onto the floor. Utter craziness, as we are used to from these men. One thing was evident early on, Jeff was nursing a messed up leg. I think that is why he was out of the ring for a some time while Matt was getting double teamed. All I know is that everytime they went up to the top of the cage, my stomach would drop...I swear I don't think I was breathing the entire match...and then at last...Matt and Jeff and Edge on top of the cage...they throw Edge off, and I know they are going to finally win their deserved gold. The make there way down the cage together...which I thought was an awesome touch, to be congratulated by Lita. They embrace, and I swear, I think I had a tear in my eye...god I am such a sap...but I was so happy. I had come to see them win, and they finally did, and luckily they were all able to walk out of the match, including Edge and Christian, and no one seemed to get seriously injured. All in all a great match...which is what we have come to expect from these two teams...was it as good as the TLC match...no but I am not comparing here. I want to look at each of their matches separately, and judge them on their own merits, and I thought it was a hell of a match...

I just want to quickly get two things off my chest...first off, when the four guys first came to the cage, a "Bring out Lita" chant started up...I have to say this pissed me off to no end. Its not that I don't like Lita, but what about the 4 guys in the ring, who give us their all everytime they come out there, esp. on PPV's. How about give them their due, instead of showing them no respect by chanting someone else's name at the beginning of the match. Second of all, its not that I didn't think their ladder match on RAW was amazing, but was it really necessary to put these 4 guys through a match like that while they were obviously all hurting and still very much beat up from the night before. Although the match was incredible as usual, it was very obvious that they were exhausted and not 100%. I thought this was really crappy of Vince to have them go out there and take more insane bumps not even 24 hours after their cage match...it was not fun to watch Christian fall out of the ring, and Matt be busted open, Edge and Jeff hobbling around. The amazing thing is these guys, beat up and all still gave us a PPV quality match for free on RAW...they truly are extraordinary, and deserve mad props from everyone...and that spear that Edge gave to Jeff while he was hanging from the belts was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen.

Eddy Guerrero vs. Rikishi

Ok, after that steel cage match, I nearly collapsed on my chair. I was totally drained. When Eddy and Rikishi came out I had no energy left, and I don't think I was the only one. Add to that the fact that the match pretty much sucked, and its no wonder that the crowd wasn't into it. This was by far the worst match of the night in my opinion, and I can't stress enough how much I hate what they are doing with Chyna and Eddy now. I really hope she comes to her senses and dumps his ass...hell it looks like Hunter will be single soon...

HHH vs. Kurt Angle

I have to admit, I was a little surprised that HHH didn't come into this match with more intensity...still I thought it was very solid, esp. toward the end, when Kurt Angle started getting really vicious. That belly to belly suplex from one announce table to the other was a beautiful spot, and it was really cool to see Mick get physically involved if only for a second. I thought for sure Stephanie was going to turn on HHH but she did not. Still she did not look to happy to kick her "ex-friend Kurt" in the balls either...and despite the fact that me, Heather and Sharon were all drooling from the kiss that HHH gave her, she didn't look to happy to be receiving it. I have read that people were disappointed that more didn't happen in this match, but you know something, I'm not, because I love this story line and just when I think they are going to do something, they change it and do something else. And now add Trish and her weird breasts where inanimate objects mysteriously disappear to the mix and somehow I think Ms. Stephanie is not going to be able to contain her jealousy. Hell, I hope they stretch this storyline out for a long while because I love it! Back at the hotel we saw Kurt again and we told him how great his match was, and I told him I loved when he got vicious against HHH. We also told him we were at Summerslam and we were really worried about him. He basically said he doesn't remember any part of that night after his bump through the table...now that is scary...by the way, once again he was a class act and he signed autographs and took pictures with everyone in the lobby...Kurt rules!

Wow, this column is already really long, so I will try to wrap it up...

Next up Stone Cold came out and blew the roof off of the First Union Center. Throughout the night they were showing him backstage talking to different people. I jumped up when he beat the crap out of Kevin Kelley because quite frankly Kevin Kelley sucks...his exchanges with Just Joe and with the Rock were great. Shane comes out and tells us the Blackman was the driver of the car...and of course this has nothing to do with the fact that Blackman threw him off the titantron at Summrslam. So Blackman comes out and suddenly the glass breaks...and damn...the crowd goes crazy...Blackman takes the stunner, then Shane gets three. Austin doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have too...the crowd is eating it up...and I can only imagine that JR is screaming himself hoarse about the Rattlesnake has returned.

Main Event
Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane vs. Chris Benoit

I didn't realize till the match started that I was really really rooting for Chris Benoit. I would have been happy if Kane or Taker won too, only because I am just sick of Rock as champ, but I was really hoping it would be Benoit. What can I say about this match...it was amazing, and the reason it was so incredible was Chris Benoit...he worked his ass off in this match, and looked incredible...his flying headbutt was 3 /4 the way across the ring...he did the triple suplex, he was just on fire. And I'll tell you he got royally screwed. I never thought I would say this, but when Foley came out to take away his title, I HATED Mick Foley. Benoit won, and I couldn't believe it...I thought in the back of my head this match wasn't very long, but I still started to celebrate...(I didn't see the foot on the ropes thing at all) then Mick comes out and I am like noooooooooooooo. This match drove me crazy...Benoit kicks total ass, gets the Rock in the crossface for like 10 minutes, but no he doesn't tap...even though me and Heather are screaming at the top of our lungs...TAP!! TAP!! And then Rock hits one stupid Rockbottom and he gets the win, and all of the fans (including Sharon...sorry girl) are just going crazy...meanwhile I wanted to kill someone...later on at the hotel we saw Mick Foley...he wasn't in a very friendly mood, although he did sign some autographs and take some pictures...while he was posing we said, Mick...Benoit? Benoit? You were killing us!!!! He was like..."I was killing you huh?" I think he got a big kick out of us being female Benoit fans as I don't suppose there are too many of us...anyway, later on I got into this argument with this guy in the lobby, who said the Benoit has no charisma and doesn't deserve to be champ...of course this guy was a huge Rock mark...I argued and said, hello the main event tonight was incredible and why was that...one word...Benoit...Benoit better get a title shot against the Rock at No Mercy and it should be one on one...hell he deserves it and he deserves to win...it was just wrong that he was screwed at the PPV and then at RAW...

So I am not going to talk about RAW, because I have talked long enough...I just want to say that the Dudelys were hanging out at the bar in the hotel all night and Heather hung out with D-Von for most of the night. I went in there for short time and got pictures with both him and Buh Buh...D-Von is a really cool guy, and very approachable and friendly...

So I am so happy I took a chance and went to Philly...Unforgiven exceeded my expectations, and I was happy I was in attendance when the Hardys won the belts, Raven made his debut and Stone Cold made his return. All in all a very good weekend, and even though I am tired as hell and can barely talk, I wouldn't have it any other way...