IVORY (C) VS. CHYNA

 Before the match Billy Gunn is backstage with Chyna, he asks if she’s OK, saying he’s worried but Chyna shrugs him off saying that she’s fine. Michael Cole gets a quick promo with the new Intercontinental Champion, Chris Jericho. He calls Chris Benoit a tough bastard but says he proved Benoit wrong. King and JR take us to the video package showing Right to Censor hitting a Spike Piledriver on Chyna, injuring her neck (in storyline). an emotional (but terribly acted) sit down interview with Chyna about needing surgery so she isn’t forced to retire. Ivory and RTC mocked the interview and Ivory challenged Chyna to this match.

Ivory is out first with Steven Richards and I hate this theme tune, although that was the point. The Fink is our ring announcer but even he can’t save this, it makes commentary close to inaudible. Chyna has a flare gun to let off before making her way to the ring as JR claims Ivory is sexually frustrated.

Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match.

IVORY © VS. CHYNA

(WWF Women’s Championship)

WWF Royal Rumble 2001 (21^st January 2001)

  Chyna knocks Ivory down with a clothesline, then another. Ivory is whipped around by her hair before being shoved into the corner.

  Chyna sends Ivory across the ring and back again as Ivory hits the turnbuckles. Chyna sits Ivory on the top rope and brings her down to the mat and connects with forearms and boots in the corner before sitting Ivory up top again. A stiff right hand sends Ivory down to the floor and she tries to run through the crowd but Chyna follows her with right hands. Chyna lifts Ivory overhead and carries her to the security wall, throwing her back to ringside. Chyna hits a powerslam back in the ring and brings Steven Richards in the hard way. Richards is knocked down with a clothesline and sent back over to the floor.

  Ivory is forced into the corner and Chyna goes for the handspring but grabs her head and neck. There’s an awkward pause as Ivory covers for the win.

WINNER: IVORY (STILL WWF Women’s Champion)

This was a complete squash for Chyna before the injury angle at the end. It was difficult to watch with how often it can legitimately happen and it was only done to give Ivory an out. It wasn’t bad before the end and it was too short to be much anyway. [*] 1.25/10