The Acolytes won a tag team battle royal at Armageddon to earn this title shot (here) the New Age Outlaws won the titles from Mankind and Al Snow on the 8th November 1999 episode of Raw. Before the match, The Rock is backstage with Michael Cole. He soaks in the crowd's reaction before saying he's finally back. He's concerned about Crash Holly and Headbanger Mosh in the upcoming Royal Rumble match. Cole asks about Big Show, The Rock sends him away before cutting a promo on Big Show. Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match. We then go to a video package, which is in fast-motion for some reason showing The Acolytes' dominance over the champions. The outside of Madison Square Garden is shown before the New Age Outlaws make their way to the ring. Road Dogg has a microphone as is tradition. He asks for the music to be cut before going to the usual prematch bit. The Acolytes hit the ring without a song and dance, making their way through and towards the champions at ringside. Farooq pairs off with Road Dogg as Bradshaw brings Billy into the ring.
NEW AGE OUTLAWS © VS. THE ACOLYTES
(WWF Tag Team Championships)
WWF Royal Rumble 2000 (23rd January 2000)
Billy Gunn and Bradshaw start the match by default, Billy Gunn gets some kicks in, but he's sent off the mat. He leapfrogs over Bradshaw and hits him with a dropkick. Bradshaw staggers, but catches a crossbody from Gunn, he knocks Road Dogg down with a boot and sends Gunn across the ring. Road Dogg ends up in the wrong corner as Farooq gets the tag, Bradshaw holds Road Dogg for a free shot. Road Dogg is sent from one neutral corner to another but gets his boot up. He runs into a powerslam, Farooq mocks Road Dogg's dance and attempts a Dominator, but Billy Gunn saves his partner. Farooq knocks them down with a double clothesline, Road Dogg fights back with a kick to the gut and his jabs, dancing power up to the right hand which knocks Farooq down. Road Dogg hits the ropes but Bradshaw brings him down by his hair from the apron, then enters the ring. He stomps at Road Dogg, bringing Billy Gunn into the ring. Bradshaw is sent across the ring but avoids a Stinger Splash, sending Gunn into the turnbuckles. Billy Gunn with a flip bump on the Clothesline from Hell! Farooq hits a standing Spinebuster on Road Dogg and covers him, but Billy Gunn pulls the referee out of the ring. Bradshaw charges at Billy Gunn, knocking both Gunn and the referee down. We see a replay of the Clothesline from Hell as the Acolytes hit a double powerbomb on Road Dogg. X-Pac runs down to the ring, ducking a clothesline and knocking Bradshaw down with a spinning heel kick. He runs into a standing Spinebuster by Farooq, but Billy Gunn hits the Fame Asser on Bradshaw and pins him to win.
WINNERS: NEW AGE OUTLAWS (STILL WWF Tag Team Champions)
This was a chaotic sub-3-minute match, there was constantly something going on, it was more overbooked than it needed to be. It wasted the Acolytes' opportunity but made sense, with New Age Outlaws just wanting to survive the match and get out..– As a match it's * but personally, I'd rate it 2.25/10
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