May 2000 Sanctioned Bouts & New Signings

As we enter the fifth month of the new millennium, the WWF has officially expanded its roster to include world-class strikers from the boxing circuit. These new signings, combined with the high-stakes USA Championship semi-finals, make May the most anticipated month in combat history to date.

The USA Belt Semi-Final: Round 2

Eric Bischoff vs. Ted DiBiase

After his shocking January upset over The Ultimate Warrior, Eric Bischoff returns to the cage. He faces the “90s Peak” technician Ted DiBiase. This is a clash of two of the highest fight-IQs in the game. DiBiase remains the favorite due to his superior grappling, but Bischoff has already proven that betting against him is a dangerous game.

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The Boxing Invasion: Heavyweight & Featherweight Extremes

The Fighting Commission has approved two “Cross-Discipline” bouts for May, pitting legendary boxers against the Federation’s largest athletes.

• Butterbean vs. Hongman Choi: The “King of the 4-Rounders,” Butterbean, brings his legendary knockout power to the WWF. He faces a terrifying physical challenge in the Korean Giant, Hongman Choi. Will Butterbean’s overhand right be enough to reach the chin of the 7’2″ giant?

• Prince Naseem Hamed vs. Giant Gonzalez: Carrying a perfect professional boxing record into the WWF, Prince Naseem has agreed to a “Regular Pro-Wrestling Rules” bout. His opponent is the monolithic Giant Gonzalez. This match tests whether Naseem’s world-class agility and speed can survive a match where his opponent can legally grapple and throw him.

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High-Stakes Featured Bouts

• The Undertaker vs. Mick Foley (Tune-Up): Following his dominant victory over Shawn Michaels in April, The Undertaker has requested a tune-up fight to stay sharp for the tournament finals. He faces the notoriously durable Mick Foley. Doctors have expressed concern for Foley’s safety, as The Undertaker’s “Tombstone” strike has been categorized as a Grade-A career-ending maneuver.

• Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (Cruiserweight Division): The search for the first Cruiserweight Champion begins here. Two of the fastest technical strikers in the world meet in a bout expected to set the standard for the 205-lb division.

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The Indie Grudge Matches

While not yet in the title picture, two of the hottest names from the independent circuit face massive personal hurdles this month:

• “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon: The friction between the Federation’s administrative office and the “Texas Rattlesnake” has boiled over. In a rare move, the Commission has sanctioned a fight between a top prospect and a member of the governing body.

• The Rock vs. The Hurricane: The charismatic “People’s Champion” looks to build his 0-0 record against the unorthodox and unpredictable Hurricane. For The Rock, this is a mandatory win if he hopes to enter the USA Title rankings by the end of the year.

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May 2000 Schedule at a Glance

Date	Matchup	Type
May 7	The Rock vs. The Hurricane	Regional Showcase
May 14	Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero	Cruiserweight Ranking and Intercontinental Contender Rights
May 21	Butterbean vs. Hongman Choi	Open-Weight Boxing vs. Giant
May 21	Prince Naseem vs. Giant Gonzalez	Cross-Discipline (Wrestling Rules)
May 28	Bischoff vs. DiBiase	USA #1 Contender Semi-Final
May 28	Undertaker vs. Mick Foley	Heavyweight Tune-up Fight
May 31	Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon	Sanctioned Grudge Match

Expert Predictions and Ringside Commentary

As the May 2000 card approaches, the “World of Fighting” isn’t just talking about the brackets—the world’s greatest combatants are weighing in. Here is what the elite had to say about this month’s most controversial matchups.

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On the “Boxing vs. Giants” Experiment

Mike “Iron” Tyson (Heavyweight Boxing Icon):

“I like Butterbean, he’s got bricks in his hands. But Hongman Choi isn’t a man, he’s a mountain. If Bean can’t reach that chin in the first two minutes, he’s going to get stepped on. And as for Naseem? He’s my friend, but he’s crazy. Giant Gonzalez is seven-and-a-half feet of muscle. You can’t ‘out-box’ a man who can pick you up and throw you out of the arena. Naseem better have a backup plan.”

Oscar De La Hoya (The “Golden Boy”):

“It’s a dangerous move for the sport of boxing. If Prince Naseem loses his undefeated record to a wrestler under ‘Pro-Wrestling Rules,’ it hurts our credibility. Naseem is fast, but in the WWF, these finishers are real. If Gonzalez lands one slam, the boxing world loses its biggest star. I’m rooting for the Prince, but I’m worried about the size gap.”

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On the USA #1 Contender Semi-Final: Bischoff vs. DiBiase

Bill “The Superfoot” Wallace (Martial Arts Legend/Analyst):

“Everyone is looking at Ted DiBiase because he’s at his 90s peak right now—he’s a master of the mat. But don’t sleep on Eric Bischoff. He’s a black belt who understands distance. He frustrated the Ultimate Warrior until the Warrior gassed out. DiBiase won’t gas out, though. This is a chess match, not a brawl. I’m taking DiBiase by submission in the 4th.”

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On the “Indie” Rise: Austin and The Rock

Jim Lampley (Veteran Combat Sports Broadcaster):

“The intrigue surrounding these ‘Indie’ prospects is reaching a fever pitch. We’ve seen the tapes of Steve Austin in the regional circuits; the man is a brawler with no regard for authority. Pitting him against the Chairman, Vince McMahon, is a sanctioned train wreck. Meanwhile, The Rock has the charisma of a movie star, but can he handle the unorthodox style of The Hurricane? May is the month where these ‘Rising Stars’ either become legends or become footnotes.”

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The Official “Fight Historian” Betting Odds

Matchup	Favorite	Underdog	Analyst Consensus
Bischoff vs. DiBiase	DiBiase (-200)	Bischoff (+150)	DiBiase via Technicality
Butterbean vs. Choi	Choi (-110)	Butterbean (-110)	Dead Even / KO finish
Naseem vs. Gonzalez	Gonzalez (-300)	Naseem (+250)	High Risk for Naseem
Undertaker vs. Foley	Undertaker (-500)	Foley (+400)	Total Dominance
The Rock vs. Hurricane	The Rock (-180)	Hurricane (+140)	The Rock’s Breakout

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Archive Note:

The tension between the boxing community and the WWF is at an all-time high. If Naseem and Butterbean fail, we may see a mass exodus of boxing fans. If they win, the WWF becomes the undisputed home of all combat.