What's happening at the No Way Out
The countdown is over, and No Way Out is finally here. WWE.com is on the scene everywhere in the vicinity of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, observing the madness just hours before the SmackDown Superstars take the stage live on pay-per-view.
6:11 p.m.
In the locker room, a despondent Gregory Helms still could not believe that he lost the Cruiserweight Championship. Helms was inconsolable, but at least his next trip through the Staples Center’s metal detectors will be a little less eventful.
4:28 p.m.
Some of the folks in the WWE production office felt a “nasty” sensation. Seconds later, former WWE Superstar Brian Knobbs made his way into the office. Knobbs, still sporting his trademark mullet/Mohawk hybrid, is in Los Angeles on business and stopped by to say hello to some old friends. He was immediately greeted by Sgt. Slaughter, and the two spent a few minutes chatting. Rumor has it that several other celebrities are in the building, including rock legends ZZ Top.
4:07 p.m.
Deuce, Domino & Cherry’s ride is getting a last minute wax job in the backstage parking area. It’s a sweet baby blue ride, but when WWE.com photographers stopped to take a few pictures of it, Deuce & Domino threatened to “crack us in da mouth” if we didn’t immediately step away from the vehicle.
3:35 p.m.
The doors to the Staples Center will be opening in just a few minutes. Soon, more than 14,000 WWE fans will be packed into the arena to enjoy No Way Out. As they patiently wait in line to enter the building, the fans are dueling with chants for all four participants in tonight’s main event.
2:50 p.m.
Jimmy Wang Yang has made his way over to Fan Axxess to sign some autographs for the WWE fans. It’s another 80 degree day in southern California, but that won’t faze this redneck from Georgia. Yee-haw!
1 :06 p.m.
Today’s Fan Axxess Tour activities have just gotten underway across the street from the building. Thousands of WWE fans have swarmed into one of the Staples Center’s parking lots to get their taste of the Tour. The fans are enjoying all kinds of cool WWE activities and memorabilia, and Kristal and Sylvan are scheduled to be signing autographs in just a few moments. One fan that was seen yesterday at Universal Studios was overheard saying that “it was so cool yesterday, I had to come again today.”
12:17 p.m.
For over 40 years, the legendary Chick Hearn was the play-by-play voice of the Los Angeles Lakers. Funaki is SmackDown’s No. 1 Announcer, so when he passed by the press room named in Hearn’s honor, he had to stop and check it out. One can only wonder how Hearn would call tonight’s Cruiserweight Championship match from “high above the western sideline,” location of his perch in the old Great Western Forum…he’d probably bet you an ice cream that it will be a doozy.
11:09 a.m.
Construction is underway on the set for tonight’s show. WrestleMania 23 is still six weeks away, but believe it or not, preparation for that set has already begun as well. “We’re testing out some new lighting and new video elements tonight,” WWE set designer Jason Robinson revealed to WWE.com. “We’re taking a look at things to see if we want to go forward and use them at WrestleMania 23.”
10:25 a.m.
Despite being the longest-reigning Cruiserweight Champion in history, Helms still isn’t exempt from the security checkpoint at the talent entrance. “Don’t you know who I am?” the champion cockily asked the guard, whose only reply was “I still need to check your bag, sir.” Helms drew even more attention to himself when the security guard’s metal detector passed over the Cruiserweight Championship, causing a loud beep that made everyone within earshot turn around and look at the champ.
10:23 a.m.
Just hours before he must defend his gold against seven hungry cruiserweights, Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms is surprisingly relaxed as he walks into the Staples Center. “I beat eight guys last year at No Way Out, I’ll do it again this year,” he smiled.
9:40 a.m.
Superstars are beginning to arrive at the Staples Center, home of tonight’s No Way Out. Fans are lined up outside the back entrance waiting to get a glimpse of their favorites. As MNM strolled down Chick Hearn Court outside the arena, the throng of dissenters couldn’t dampen the smiles on their faces. “It’s good to be home,” Johnny Nitro quipped before sneering at one particularly jeering fan.