The WWF was on cruise control as it came to Raleigh, NC for the biggest party of the summer. The matches are mostly solid, but the highs are not quite as high, until one match gets injected with a little TLC.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

While it would still be over a decade until #givedivasachance, this main event from RAW from 2000 marked a change in the expectations and excitement surrounding women wrestlers.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The bags of money thrown at Vince McMahon and the end of the WWE Network as we know it, means a change in how we do deep dives. Luckily, we peacock comedy here at Hell in a Cellphone, so instead we’re going to relive sketch comedy of the early aughts and dunk on the somehow worse interface that we have with Peacock.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

For FIFTY pay per views, the Hell in a Cellphone guys have led you through the Attitude Era of the WWF, and it’s all led to…one of the worst WrestleManias ever. Come for the matches that would have gotten a boring chant on Sunday Night Heat. Stay for the questionable booking throughout. Ask yourself, “Did EVERY McMahon need to be involved in this?” It’s the Showcase of the Immortals, 2000 style!

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The Attitude Era is here, and it has no room for award shows. We review the changing landscape of the WWF and hand out the awards they didn’t for the year since WrestleMania XV. Come back next week for our WrestleMania 2000 episode!

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The WWF continued their pay per view hot-streak in 2000 with this show from Hartford, CT with a Hell in a Cell match that truly understands how you book the stipulation between Cactus Jack and Mankind and a stacked undercard. Surly, they can keep up this momentum for WrestleMania 2000.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We exhaustively look into the sexual addiction of Sexual Chocolate and the love of an old woman that pulls him out of it. It’s a modern Harold and Maude and we should all get a hand for enduring it. Did we make sense of this story from the Attitude Era of WWE? Not likely

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999 and 2000: September 30, October 7, October 11, October 14, October 18, October 21, October 25, October 28, November 18, November 22, December 13, December 20, December 23, December 27, December 30, January 3, January 17, January 24, January 27, January 31, February 3, February 7, February 14, February 17, February 21, February 28, and July 23, 2012.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

30 men entered the 2000 Royal Rumble from Madison Square Garden, and most of them were either allied with the McMahon/Helmsley Era or directly opposed. Add to the fun a particularly brutal street fight between Triple H and Cactus Jack and you have one of the most complete pay per views of the Attitude Era.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We continue our deep dive as Triple H takes the WWF Championship and the story shifts to a redemptive one for the recently fired Mankind with the Royal Rumble and the road to WrestleMania looming overhead.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 2000: January 3, January 6, January 10, January 13, January 17 and January 20.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

In the wake of the surprise finish of Armageddon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H spend their honeymoon taking control of the day to day operations at the WWF, and nearly every storyline on RAW and SmackDown goes through them.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and Smackdown from 1999 and 2000: December 13, December 16, December 20, December 23, December 27, December 30, and January 3.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Before you watch NXT: Vengeance Day look back at this other Valentine’s Day branded event from the build to WrestleMania XV. New episodes return next week with the first part of our deep dive on the McMahon/Helmsley Era.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Nobody would call this show from Sunrise, Florida a masterpiece, but there is definitely a lot of interesting things going on as the WWF ended the millennium and entered into one of the biggest years in the company’s history.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Before we look at the evolution of the art form at SummerSlam 2000, we look back at the first televised ladder match and one of the best wrestling matches of all time in this contest between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Wedding bells are in the air! Vince McMahon is feuding with D-Generation X. Certainly that will have no bearing on his daughter’s nuptials with Test.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: November 15, November 18, November 22, November 25, November 29, December 2, and December 6.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We go all the way back to the Summer of 1999 to track every inch of the Test and Stephanie wedding story, from the proposal, to the second proposal, to the amnesia, to the third proposal. We even look at what’s going on with Triple H, even though there’s no way that could have anything to do with the happy couple’s nuptials.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from Rebellion and the following episodes or RAW and SmackDown from 1999: August 23, August 26, August 30, September 6, September 9, September 13, September 16, September 27, September 30, October 4, October 7, October 11, October 14, October 18, October 21, October 25, October 28, November 1, November 4, November 8, and November 11.

Yeah, it was a lot. And that’s only Part 1!

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Survivor Series is filled with iconic moments: The Montreal Screwjob, the Deadly Game Tournament, and now the Middling Follow-Up from Detroit, Michigan. Aside from the traditional survivor series matches, we have the premiere of WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Chyna’s first Intercontinental Title defense, and the first Championship win for future Hall of Famer the Big Show.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Known doggie murderer the Big Bossman sets his sights on the Big Show and his dying father for super vague reasons, but before its all done we’ll have broken watches, attempted murder and dragging coffins.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: October 7, October 11, October 14, October 18, October 21, October 25, October 28, November 1, November 4, November 8 and November 11.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Happy Holidays to you! Ever wish you could watch wrestling with us? We tried to do just that and it mostly worked! If you sync up your WWE Network with a countdown in podcast Wizard of Oz/Pink Floyd style, you can hear our witty commentary live along with the final match of the Terri Invitational Tournament, Edge & Christian vs. the Hardy Boyz from No Mercy 1999. If you don’t, be prepared for a lot of blank space. See you in 2021!

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Art by Alexis Yavne

So many of our deep dives come to a head at this redundantly named pay per view from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock thankfully finishes his business with the British Bulldog. Mankind goes to war with Val Venis over a sock. The Terri Invitational Tournament has its stunning finale. Chyna finally gets sweet revenge on Jeff Jarrett. And Steve Austin puts on his most solid outing in months in the championship match against Triple H.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

A paper thin story with weird stakes leads to a sea change in tag team wrestling. Matt & Jeff Hardy, Gangrel’s New Brood, take on Edge & Christian, the former holders of that title, in a best of five tournament culminating in the first ever tag team ladder match at No Mercy for $100,000 and the managerial services of Terri Runnels.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from SummerSlam, Unforgiven, No Mercy and the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: September 9, September 27, September 30, October 4, October 7, October 11, and October 14.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

In our first of two deep dives leading up to No Mercy 1999, we explore the continuing rise of Chyna as a top superstar, the depths of Jeff Jarrett’s kayfabe misogyny, and the insane booking decisions the WWE had for every other woman on the roster, making a guest appearance, or just hanging around backstage

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from Unforgiven, Rebellion and the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: August 23, August 26, August 30, September 2, September 6, September 9, September 13, September 16, September 20, September 23, September 27, September 30, October 4, October 7, October 11, and October 14.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

It’s off to Birmingham, England for another for another glorified house show at Rebellion 1999. While it does feature a major moment in the Stephanie McMahon storyline and a pretty good steel cage match between the Rock and Triple H, it also has a lot of British Bulldog.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

More Rock! More Sock! Unlikely partners Mankind and the Rock found themselves teaming up in 1999. Eric, Bobby and Aaron find themselves teaming up in 2020 to talk about it. But can they coexist?

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: September 27, September 30, October 4, October 7, October 11, October 14 and October 18.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The WWF continued its parade of stellar pay per views in the year 2000 with this entry from Dallas, TX. A future hall of famer continuing her ascent, a big man jumping from on high, and three main event worthy matchups round out this phenomenal show.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Unlikely partners Mankind and the Rock found themselves teaming up in 1999. Eric, Bobby and Aaron find themselves teaming up in 2020 to talk about it. But can they coexist?

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: August 30, September 2, September 6, September 9, September 20, September 23.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Don’t let the poster fool you. There is absolutely no Undertaker in this show from Charlotte, NORTH Carolina. What we do have is a 6 pack challenge featuring 5 of the greatest superstars of the era and the British Bulldog, the completely satisfying “Kennel from Hell” match that was definitely not a complete embarrassment, and all the drama of the referee strike.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Just gonna say it: Al Snow gets a little chihuahua friend, and the Big Bossman decides to feed it to him. And then the story keeps going!

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from SummerSlam 1999 and the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: July 26, August 2, August 9, August 16, August 23, August 26 August 30, Sepetember 2, September 6, September 9, September 13, September 16, September 20, and September 23.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

It’s SummerSlam from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and everyone’s here, even former Governor Jesse Ventura! Wait, he was the CURRENT governor? We also get a great match from Shane McMahon and some incredible tag team action from Edge & Christian. Not to mention . . . I’m sorry, I’m still stuck on the governor thing.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

To celebrate the arrival of the Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla Y2J on the August 9, 1999 episode of RAW, we look back at some of Chris Jericho’s best matches before he joined WWE. Here’s what made the list:

July 7, 1995 - WAR 95 vs. Ultimo Dragon

December 13, 1995 War Super J Cup 1995 vs. Wild Pegasus

March 9, 1996 - ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash vs. Cactus Jack

September 15, 1996 - Fall Brawl 96 vs. Chris Benoit

July 13, 1997 - Bash at the Beach vs. Ultimo Dragon

September 14, 1997 - Fall Brawl 97 vs. Eddie Guerrero

February 22, 1998 - Superbrawl VIII vs. Juventud Guerrera

March 15, 1998 - Uncensored 1998 vs. Dean Malenko

May 7, 1998 - Slamboree 1998 vs. Dean Malenko

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We’re back with a new one! The road to SummerSlam takes us through Buffalo, New York. It’s so big it takes us from the arena to a service road by the arena to a parking structure adjacent to the arena. It’s all leading to a first blood match between Austin and the Undertaker, and if Austin wins, we will never see Vince McMahon ever again on television.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Only one more week until we’re back to new episodes! In the mean time, take a trip back to the debut of Kane and the time we got wrecked off of our Bloody Mary competition on the hottest day of the year.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Aaron’s Recipe:

Fill a highball glass with ice. Shake in celery salt. Add a two dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Add several dashes of Tobasco, to personal taste. One shot or more of GIN, and fill the rest with Clamato. Squeeze in a lime wedge and stir. Let sit for a few minutes to chill.

Eric’s Recipe:

Rim a mason jar with Tajín seasoning. In a shaker mix a shot, maybe a shot and a half, of vodka (just pour for like 5 seconds), tomato juice, celery salt, celery bitters, Worcestershire sauce, Chipotle Tabasco, white horseradish, and Peter Luger’s steak sauce and ice. Shake well and pour. On a skewer, place bacon, a cornichon and a pickled quail egg, and garnish.

New episodes coming very soon, but in the meantime, go back 22 years to this show from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada following Summerslam 1998. We apologize for reminding you the Disciples of Apocalypse, Southern Justice, and Marc Mero existed. We don’t like it either. But at least you got Austin vs. both Brothers of Destruction and a steel cage match with the Rock, Mankind and Ken Shamrock.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We’re a little behind on recording, so let’s all go back 23 years to a glorified house show from Birmingham, England. Revel in nostalgia for teams like Los Boriquas and wrestlers like the patriot, while we remember a time where we could crush spiked seltzers while recording in the same apartment.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The stage is set in Greensboro, North Carolina for the ascension of . . . Mr. Ass? At the same time, the Undertaker and the Rock clash for the WWF Championship, two of the greatest tag teams in history meet for the first time on pay per view, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin battles Vince and Shane McMahon for control of 170% of the company.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Before we explore the sea change in women’s wrestling in the WWF from 2000, we look back for the first time at two women superstars that were doing it half a decade before with this classic from SummerSlam 1994.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Vince McMahon is revealed to be the Greater Power. Or is it the Higher Power? Either way we have a lot of questions. Also, Stone Cold is the CEO? Look, a bunch of people have a percentage of the company. What will this do to their IPO?

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW from 1999: May 31, June 7, June 14, June 21.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Is there anything that can be gained from watching this pay per view? We watch Over the Edge, the pay per view that cost Owen Hart his life, for probably the last time.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

After so many episodes falling in love with his heel work with Camp Cornette, the Hart Foundation, and the Nation, it was inevitable that we got here. We ponder the questions surrounding the gimmick change and stunt that got Owen Hart killed while marveling at the deep love shown by his fellow performers.

This episode deals with content from the November 15, 1998 episode of Sunday Night Heat, The April 27, 1999 episode of Smackdown, the May 17, 1999 and May 24, 1999 episodes of RAW, The May 24, 1999, July 5, 1999, and the October 4, 1999 episodes of Nitro, and Dark Side of the Ring Season 2 Episode 10.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

In the midst of some of one of the biggest storylines in the history of the WWE and just before arguably the greatest tragedy in wrestling history, the WWF headed to Manchester, England for an inconsequential house show. Do you love the Rock? We do too! But instead you get Droz, Steve Blackman and Tiger Ali Singh.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Still here? Great! We have an evil wedding and an evil melding of organizational charts with more nondescript evil in between. Plus, you know we love a Union here at Hell in a Cell Phone. Plenty to talk about, and we talk about it! For over 2 hours!

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW from 1999: April 26, April 29 (SmackDown), May 3, May 10, May 17.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Following WrestleMania XV, the WWF heads to Providence, Rhode Island for a pay per view that eclipses the show of shows. The Rock and Steve Austin give us a first person view of the action. Friends turn to rivals as D-Generation X stalwarts Triple H and X-Pac go head to head. Mankind takes the Big Show to the Boiler Room. The Godfather and Goldust overperform in a comedy match. Al Snow gets ahead of Hardcore Holly.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

We pick up right where we left off last week, as the build to WrestleMania ends with yet another home invasion angle, with questionable imagery to boot! Then we look post ‘Mania as Stephanie McMahon becomes yet another character in this story.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from WrestleMania XV and the following episodes of RAW from 1999: March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Welcome to season 2! The Undertaker makes some questionable staffing choices but he’s focused on his H.A.R.D. goal: total domination and maybe ownership of the World Wrestling Federation! Also he’s working for someone? It’s one of the biggest storylines of the Attitude Era, and it’s A LOT! Come back for part 2 next week.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from from the 1999 Royal Rumble, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre: In Your House, and the following episodes of RAW from 1998 and 1999: December 28, January 4, January 11, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 13, February 15 and February 22.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

There’s nothing in the rule book that says we’re only allowed to cover the Attitude Era, but maybe there should be. We watch this movie about a wrestling dog and a talking monkey that makes us rethink whether we like animals, wrestling and movies in general. You have to listen; it’s a stipulation in our will.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Because somebody probably wanted it, we go back to USA’s bike cop action drama Pacific Blue. This time, the gang heads to Hawaii, and it wastes no time being gross. This time, it’s Shawn Michaels lending his acting talent to this decidedly no Christian product. It’s season episodes 3 & 4: “Blue Hawaii” Parts 1 & 2.

Want to get caught up? Both episodes are streaming on [evil corporation] Prime.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

From Boston, Massachusetts, it’s the finals for the biggest field in King of the Ring tournament history, and sensible booking gives way to a nonsensical main event with a whole bunch of superstars acting against their interests.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

If you watched RAW in the late 90’s, you definitely saw commercials for the USA Network’s super problematic bike cop action drama Pacific Blue. And wouldn’t you know, in an act of corporate synergy, a bunch of WWF stars showed up on the beach. We look at two of these episodes: Season 4, Episode 3, “Seduced” guest starring Triple H and Season 4, Episode 8 “Heat in the Hole” guest starring Sable.

Want to get caught up? Both episodes are streaming on [evil corporation] Prime.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

Tag team Mark Henry and D’Lo Brown star in a number of crisscrossing stories featuring Chyna, the women of Pretty Mean Sisters, that check off pretty much every square in the Attitude Era bingo card: lawsuits, misogyny, ball gags, date night, transphobia, “bitches be lyin’,” hound dogs, and so much more.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW from 1998 and 1999: November 30, December 14, December 21, December 28, January 4, January 11, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 13.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The Legion of Doom is one of the most venerable tag teams of all time, but some of their last moments in the WWF dipped a little too heavily into Hawk’s real life struggles and required the acceptance that Droz was capable of machinations.

Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from Judgment Day: In Your House and the following episodes of RAW from 1998: July 27, August 3, August 10, October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2, November 16 and December 21.

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Art by Alexis Yavne

The Ragin’ Climax comes to Philadelphia, PA, and results are middling. The Rock and Stone Cold bring it, the second best match features…Shane McMahon(?), and somebody is hung, but enough about Val Venis. Plus bonus coverage of the beer bath from RAW on March 22, 1999 and the WrestleMania Rage party the night before.

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Art by Alexis Yavne