WILLIAM REGAL VS. BOOKER T

 Before the match, William Regal is backstage with Jonathan Coachman. He says he is more suited for Royalty than Booker T, who hears this and says he’ll be the king. Regal asks if Booker can spell “King” which brings in a George Washington reference, Booker T says he was too busy kicking the British King’s ass in the war. Regal starts talking history as Booker T walks off, but comes back to interrupt and call Regal a sucker.

  Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match, they hype tonight’s main event between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Ric Flair, before commercials. As they return they’re plugging the WWF Cookbook and reminding us of the  Tough Enough Season 2 champions, Linda (who would go on to become Shaniqua, manager of the Basham Brothers)won the first spot, as announced by Coach and Stacy Keibler. She thanks last years winners, Maven and Nidia for forming the path for them. Stacy announces Jackie as the second Tough Enough winner. We finally get to Booker T’s entrance but King’s more bothered about Jackie Gayda’s WWE career. JR mentions WWE Confidential had a special look at the decisions of the 2 winners and I really wish they had every episode available for viewing. William Regal enters and I forgot to mention that he’s the current WWE European Champion.

 

WILLIAM REGAL VS. BOOKER T

(King of the Ring qualifier)

WWE Raw (3^rd June 2002)

The bell rings, they circle and lock up, Booker T backs Regal into the corner and breaks clean. William Regal puts Booker T in an arm wringer, it’s countered and Booker T wrenches it, but Regal rolls through and brings Booker T to the mat with a drop toehold.

  William Regal transitions to a headlock, Booker T gets to his feet and sends Regal off the ropes, but Regal knocks him down with a shoulder tackle. Commentary are talking about Austin possibly becoming Ric Flair’s assistant as Regal tries to pin Booker T, getting some 1 counts and making Booker T use energy. Booker T reverses an irish whip and kicks Regal in the jaw, Regal is backed into the ropes with right hands and chops before he’s sent off the ropes. He ducks the kick but not the forearm shot, so he goes for a walk at ringside. He drags Booker T to the floor and drives him into the side of the ring, then lifts him into the ropes from the outside. That was cool, Regal brings it back in the ring and blocks a shot from Booker T. William Regal hits a knee to the midsection and a running knee strike to the head, he covers but only gets a nearfall.

  Booker T is knocked down with European uppercuts, Regal puts Booker T in a clench and uses his knees again but Booker T starts fighting back, he blocks a right hand and connects with his own. Regal is sent off the ropes into a spinning crescent kick. He hits Regal with forearms and a chop, William Regal reverses the irish whip but Booker T ducks the punch, a kick to Regal’s gut sets up the Scissors Kick, Booker T covers but only gets 2. William Regal ducks a kick, hanging Booker T’s leg over the top rope which looks less than comfortable. William Regal gets his title belt and a chair from ringside, Nick Patrick grabs the belt as Regal throws it in the ring, but then goes to stop him using the chair. Booker T picks up the title belt and hits William Regal with it for the win.

WINNER: BOOKER T (Qualified for 2002 King of the Ring tournament)  

This was a good match, the chain wrestling at the beginning was done well, followed by Regal’s great heel work, although looking I don’t think the scissors kick should have been kicked out of, although it may not have been as established at this point. [**] 4.25/10

After the match, Booker T gets a microphone and says he knows people are here for a Spinaroonie, so he’s sending them home after seeing one, getting a good reaction.