Outside of the chance to see Hogan on WWF TV again, there was little else compelling me to buy No Way Out. The card simply wasn't that impressive: Booker T and Test versus Tazz and Spike didn't have enough heat behind it; Regal and Edge had been done before, and the introduction of the brass knucks on a pole stipulation was minimally refreshing; Rob Van Dam versus Goldust had only enough push behind it to warrant a half-way main event on Raw or Smackdown; Stone Cold versus Jericho for the Undisputed Championship part three was hyped well, but lacked any sort of suspense considering that EVERYONE wants to see Y2J take on Triple H at Wrestlemania; and Rock against Undertaker, though a rare match-up, didn't have much behind it (a title on the line would have made it a stellar build).
That being said, the pay-per-view rocked all! It by far ranked above the Royal Rumble is terms of execution overall entertainment value. Here's how things panned out in my eyes.
Tazz and Spike versus Booker T and Test did need more heat considering the Tag Team titles were on the line, but it was a solid match. Booker T and Test have a good chemistry together and good make promising heel tag champs. What they need is more time together and more experience taking on face champs, former or otherwise.
RVD versus Goldust was great. Yes, I do reluctantly agree that there is an ongoing conspiracy to bring down RVD's fan base and cool his jets. However, this match proves that the plan will only work so far. Despite the crowd being dead for apparently most of the match (as well as most of the PPV), the performance was solid on both men's perhaps (unlike the Tag Team Turmoil match, which was chock-full of mistakes and blown spots and just all-around sucked).
I, among others, am infuriated that Triple H lost the No. 1 Contendership for the Undisputed Championship at Wrestlemania mostly because it made the match that followed utterly useless and basically unwatchable if not for the understanding that the nWo would and did interfere, thus beginning their feud with Austin and The Rock, but partly because the decision will have to be reversed soon in order to avoid mass riot and a ratings drop that will negate any boost the nWo may have.
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