RHYNO VS. CHRIS JERICHO

 Before the match, Rhyno is backstage with Stephanie McMahon. Steph says it’s important to her for Jericho to be taken out tonight. She needs Rhyno to Gore Jericho through the ring. Rhyno is also undefeated against Chris Jericho. We go back to Chris Jericho’s issues with Stephanie McMahon and Rhyno. Rhyno has been Goring Jericho all over Smackdown and Stephanie not only makes the match but also decides to accompany Rhyno to ringside. It was here we got the “slimy beast” promo from Y2J, a classic. Rhyno and Stephanie enter first, with Stephanie McMahon channeling her inner Pitbull. The tag team, not the rapper. Chris Jericho makes his way out and Paul Heyman says he hates loudmouths like Jericho.

Jim Ross and Paul Heyman are on commentary for this match.

 

RHYNO VS. CHRIS JERICHO

WWF SummerSlam 2001 (19^th August 2001)

A Y2J chant starts before they lock up, working around the ring and ending with Jericho in the corner, referee Tim White breaks the hold and Chris Jericho moves him out of the way so he can exchange right hands with Rhyno.

  Rhyno safely wins the brawling portion and puts Jericho in a headlock, Jericho sends Rhyno off the ropes but is knocked down with a shoulder tackle, Chris Jericho leapfrogs Rhyno and ducks a clothesline before knocking Rhyno down with a jumping forearm. Jericho lays in punches on the mat and chops Rhyno against the ropes. Rhyno reverses an irish whip and sends Jericho over the top rope, but Chris Jericho lands on the apron. He climbs to the top turnbuckle, hitting an elbow to the top of Rhyno’s head and a spinning heel kick for a nearfall. Rhyno fights off a Walls of Jericho attempt and crawls to the bottom rope before kicking Jericho away. Rhyno charges across the ring but is sent over to the floor. Chris Jericho hits the triangle dropkick as Rhyno gets back to the apron and climbs to the top rope. Stephanie McMahon grabs Jericho by the ankle. He is able to kick her away but it gives Rhyno time to recover, he hits a Gore to Jericho in midair! The fans chant for Y2J again, but I’m not sure how much good it does him as Rhyno rolls him back into the ring. Rhyno covers but Jericho is able to kick out at 2.

  Rhyno drops Jericho’s midsection over the top rope and connects with stomps, beginning to work the ribs. Rhyno brings the referee to the other side of the ring so Stephanie McMahon can get a cheap slap on Jericho from ringside. Rhyno puts Jericho in a bodyscissors on the mat, rolling him into a cover for 2. Chris Jericho fights his way free with elbows but Rhyno is the first to his feet. Cris Jericho keeps trying to fight back with right hands, getting to his feet, but Rhyno catches him in the airplane spin into a TKO, 1, 2, no! Rhyno stomps at Jericho before stretching Jericho’s arms out and driving his back into Jericho’s spine before putting him in a chinlock. Chris Jericho gets to his feet and elbows Rhyno in the ribs. Chris Jericho connects with chops, but he’s sent into the ropes, he rolls Rhyno up and JR says that’s how he’ll have to win this, Rhyno kicks out at 2 and goes back on the offensive with a suplex. Heyman isn’t shy in mentioning that Rhyno is first to his feet as he goes to the top rope. Rhyno eats shit on the splash as Jericho moves out of the way, they collide with clotheslines for a double-down. They both get to their feet at 9, Rhyno strikes first with a chop but is caught in a backslide! He kicks out at 2 but his right hand is blocked.

  Chris Jericho connects with more right hands but Rhyno reverses the irish whip. Jericho knocks Rhyno down with a clothesline and a shoulder tackle. Rhyno ducks a clothesline but Jericho chops him, irish whip is reversed but Jericho hits a lionsault on a standing Rhyno for a nearfall. Jericho chops Rhyno but gets sent into the corner, he gets hit boots up as Rhyno runs at him then hits a missile dropkick. Chris Jericho crawls over to cover Rhyno but Stephanie McMahon is on the apron distracting the referee. Chris Jericho notices and goes over to kiss Stephanie, because why not? Jericho hits a bulldog on Rhyno. Rhyno rolls out of the way of the Lionsault but Jericho lands on his feet, Rhyno runs into a back elbow, Chris Jericho barely hits another Lionsault and Rhyno kicks out at 2. Paul Heyman calls Rhyno “The cure for Jerichoholism” which is brilliant. Jericho stays on the attack but an irish whip is countered into a spinebuster by Rhyno. He puts the Walls of Jericho on Y2J, who tries to crawl to the bottom rope, finally making it. Chris Jericho knocks Rhyno down with an enziguri but gets caught in a belly-to-belly suplex.

  Rhyno sets up for the Gore, but Jericho moves out of the way and Rhyno hits the turnbuckles. Chris Jericho rolls Rhyno up and the referee starts to count but he transitions into the Walls of Jericho, Rhyno fights it but he has to tap.

WINNER: CHRIS JERICHO

There were some clunky moments in this and the rivalry just seemed (well was) a small substory in The Invasion, it didn’t mean much and they put a minimal effort into the match. The work to Chris Jericho’s ribs was a highlight, with it affecting him through the rest of the match, but it was difficult to get excited for the match. [*¾] 2.5/10