By Kim
The show starts off with Stephanie McMahon meeting with JR backstage. She's upset that her name is not synonymous with greatness, as is the case with her father, Vince, and her husband, Triple H. She tells JR that it's his responsibility to spread the word about her, and that tonight she's going to show everyone exactly how great she is. To that end, she declares that tonight Chris Jericho will take on Edge and Christian in a handicap match. Also, Kurt Angle will defend his title against Buh Buh Ray Dudley, and The Rock and Undertaker will take on Rikishi in another handicap match. Huh? Shouldn't she be helping Rikishi, since he's aligned with her husband? I'm so confused.
After the opening pyro, Jericho comes out and declares that it's his New Year's Resolution to stop calling Stephanie names. However, it's not the New Year yet, so he takes the opportunity to call Stephanie some names. You know how it goes. Edge and Christian run out, and the match begins. It doesn't seem like much of a handicap match when Edge and Christian have to tag in and out. Jericho starts to get the Walls of Jericho on Edge, so Stephanie runs out and distracts both him and the referee. Christian takes the opportunity to get an Impaler on Jericho, and Edge pins Jericho for the win. After the match, Edge and Christian continue to beat on Jericho, and Stephanie smacks Jericho across the face. Twice. Jericho puts on his "ouch, I'm in pain" face, but really it just looks like he's constipated. Well, it does.
Backstage, Stephanie shares the thrill of victory with Edge and Christian. She thanks them for their help. They tell her it was an honor.
Chris Benoit strolls down the ramp, wearing his Intercontinental Title belt. We flashback to RAW, when Benoit got the Crippler Crossface on Lita. Matt Hardy attacked Benoit in the back in retaliation, setting up his challenge tonight. Matt Hardy comes out alone, since Lita is "in the hospital." With all apologies to Ben Folds Five, this is like the Battle of Who Could Care Less. Matt is the boring Hardy and Benoit is the boring...guy. I fall asleep, and then wake up to see some actually slightly exciting wrestling. Whuh? Benoit ends up getting the Crippler Crossface on Matt Hardy for the win, retaining his title. But in between, there were a few exciting moves. Color me surprised.
The Undertaker is walking in when Jonathan Coachman stops him and tells him about his handicap match tonight. The Undertaker pauses and says, "Payback's a bitch." Well, actually, he said, "Payback's a..." and I filled in the rest on my own.