THE ROCK VS. THE PRINCE IN A CROSS-SPORT COLLISION AT INSURREXTIONDATE: MAY 1, 2001

While the American locker room is still reeling from the events of Backlash, the WWF is heading across the Atlantic. The May schedule is dominated by WWF Insurrextion, a UK-exclusive event that has just added a main event so massive it threatens to overshadow the World Cup itself.

[[ THE MAY 2001 WWF CALENDAR ]]

[[ THE MAIN EVENT: BATTLE FOR THE THRONE ]]

THE ROCK (World HW Champion) vs. PRINCE NASEEM HAMED (2-1-0)

This isn’t just a match; it’s a collision of egos. The Rock is currently on the most dominant run in WWF history, undefeated in over a year with a trail of legends like Goldberg and Vader in his wake. Across the ring stands Prince Naseem Hamed, the man who knocked out Royce Gracie and pinned Giant Gonzalez, but was humiliated by Rickson Gracie’s submission game last August.

Naseem was supposed to have his trilogy with Rickson, but Hisoka’s “locker room magic” (the alleged assault that left Rickson mentally scarred and M.I.A.) has forced a change in plans. Vince McMahon has pivoted to the biggest money match possible for the London crowd: The People’s Champ vs. The Prince of Sheffield.

[[ TALE OF THE TAPE ]]

[[ THE SATELLITE INTERVIEW: LONDON VS. MANILA ]]

(Michael Cole sits in a London studio, with Naseem live in the gym and The Rock on a satellite feed from his film set in the Philippines.)

COLE: “Prince, you’ve been out of action since the Rickson Gracie debacle. People say your confidence was shaken. Now you’re stepping in against an undefeated 250lb World Champion. Are you biting off more than you can chew?”

PRINCE NASEEM: (Adjusting his leopard-print robe, dancing on the spot) “Look at me, Cole! I’m the Prince! I don’t care about Rickson, I don’t care about Hisoka, and I definitely don’t care about a ‘Champion’ who spends more time in makeup trailers than the ring! The Rock thinks he’s fast? He hasn’t seen speed until he feels the wind from a Sheffield left hook. I’m gonna somersault over those ropes in London, and I’m gonna put that Hollywood jaw on the floor! 1.. 2.. 3.. and the Prince takes the crown!”

THE ROCK: (Leans into the camera, removing his sunglasses slowly) “Prince… The Rock hears you. The Rock hears your little mouth flapping all the way from Manila. You’re talking about somersaults? You’re talking about left hooks? You’re talking to the man who just broke the ‘War Machine’ Goldberg in half! You think because you beat a Giant and a Gracie, you can step into the Great One’s kitchen?”

PRINCE NASEEM: “I don’t think, I know! You’re a script-reader, Rock! You’re fake!”

THE ROCK: “Fake? Prince, in London, there won’t be a referee to save you from a Rock Bottom. There won’t be a judge to score your ‘movement.’ There will only be 20,000 screaming fans watching The Rock lay the smackdown on your royal candy-ass! You want to be a King? You’re gonna be a King… of the hospital wing! If you smell… what the Rock… is cookin’!”

[[ ANALYTICS: THE HISOKA FACTOR ]]

The shadow of Hisoka looms over this entire month. While Vince McMahon has officially warned the Magician to stay away from the “Main Eventers,” the fact that he essentially ended Rickson Gracie’s career without a formal match has the locker room terrified.

JOE ROGAN: “If Hisoka shows up in London, all bets are off. He’s obsessed with ‘potential,’ and right now, the potential energy between Naseem and The Rock is off the charts. I’m staying in the hotel for this one.”