Written by Adam King
WWF RAW IS WAR
Monday, January 24th, 2000
Live from the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA
List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (1/23/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: The New Age Outlaws (11/08/1999)
WWF European Champion: Val Venis (12/12/1999)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Test (1/17/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: The Kat (12/12/1999)
~ Raw comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Jim Ross welcoming us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
~ Things kick off with a heavily-bandaged Triple H coming to the ring along with Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie gets on the mic and says last night Triple H once again proved to the world he is The Game by beating Cactus Jack at his own game – in a barbaric street fight. Stephanie goes on about how the WWF Championship shouldn’t be defended in such a demeaning manner but nonetheless Triple H sunk to Cactus’ level and emerged still the champion. Triple H takes the mic and says he’s not out here to put over Cactus Jack by any stretch but does call Cactus Jack the most sadistic freak he’s ever faced in the ring. Triple H admits Cactus brought barbed wire, sharp objects, and every trick he had to Madison Square Garden and he himself left a piece of his leg and pints of blood, but he didn’t leave the WWF Championship. Triple H says as sadistic and bad as Cactus was, he was that much more sadistic and badder. Triple H says he went to a level he’s never been to last night and liked it, and stayed the man. Triple H claims he passed Cactus on the way out of the hospital so he knows he won’t be there tonight. Triple H then addresses his upcoming title match with The Rock April 2nd at Wrestlemania, telling Rock he has 10 weeks to get into the best possible shape he can be in. Triple H promises to be at the top of his game for their battle and will leave Anaheim the man.
At that point Triple H is interrupted when The Big Show makes his way out to the ring. Show stands nose-to-nose with Triple H then grabs the mic and points out he never received his title rematch then tells Triple H he doesn’t like him and says everyone know what happens to people he doesn’t like. Show says he’s out here because a crime was committed when he was robbed at the Royal Rumble. Show admits when he had The Rock on his shoulders they both went over the ropes at the end. However Show says all the fans watching the pay-per-view saw Rock’s feet touch the floor first, thus he feels he won the Rumble. Show says he even has proof he was robbed then asks Triple H for a favor. Show requests a match against The Rock with the winner going on to face Triple H at Wrestlemania and Triple H tells Show he’ll get his match if he can produce the proof he claims to have.
Not surprisingly The Rock comes out to the stage to join the discussion with his own mic. Rock starts with the “Finally” bit then says his Rumble win makes Triple H’s days as champion numbered. Rock addresses Show’s claims saying it doesn’t matter whose feet touched first (even though it actually does). Rock says they don’t do instant replays like the NFL, thus he won and he’s going to Wrestlemania. Triple H then suggests that tonight he and Show team up against The Rock and a partner of his choosing, that is, if Rock can find anyone to team with him after he called everyone ‘jabronies’. Triple H also says if Rock can’t get a partner, then he’ll face them in a 2-on-1 handicap match. Rock says he doesn’t want or need a partner but if there’s someone willing to team up with him, fine. Rock says regardless, both Triple H and The Big Show will smell what he’s cooking and walks off as Triple H and Show shake hands to seal the deal.
~ JR and Lawler then lay out more of tonight’s show, which includes Kane battling old foe X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws defending the tag team titles against The Hardy Boyz.
~ Backstage Crash and Hardcore Holly are standing outside the women’s locker-room with Crash raging on Hardcore about Chyna preventing him from winning the Intercontinental Title last night. Crash then suggests that Hardcore doesn’t have the guts to go into the locker-room and confront Chyna and Hardcore takes that dare and charges in there, resulting in female screams. Chyna emerges with Hardcore and accuses him of being desperate enough to go in there. Chyna yells at Hardcore about his lack of respect, saying he will respect her and the other women. Hardcore responds by calling himself the Big Shot and blames Chyna for not winning the title. Chyna scoffs then chuckles at Hardcore’s claims when Hardcore decks her with a right hand! Chris Jericho then flies in and starts pounding on Hardcore until some referees come to pull him off. Once Jericho is dragged away, Crash starts laughing at Hardcore so Hardcore beats him down.
~ Back from break we get a replay of the Chyna/Hardcore/Jericho confrontation earlier. JR announces Jericho has just challenged Hardcore to a match for his Intercontinental Title tonight.
~ Backstage Al Snow is talking to Steve Blackman saying they’re a perfect unit and need to take it to a new level. Snow tells Blackman he also needs a new gimmick and hands him a vampire cape, a wig and plastic fangs. Snow suggests they could be called ‘Head Count’ but Blackman angrily rejects the idea and tears the cape off. Snow then suggests Blackman carry a round of cheese to the ring while he has Head, making them ‘Head Cheese’. Blackman rejects that idea as well, despite Snow’s claims that they’d be over in Wisconsin. Blackman wants to just go by their names, to which Snow responds with mock snoring. Snow says he has one more idea and pulls out Hungry Hungry Hippos, suggesting ‘Head Games'”. Blackman rolls his eyes back and walks off, with Snow saying “That’s not a ‘no'”.
Al Snow (w/Head) & Steve Blackman vs. Edge & Christian
Before the match they show Edge’s recent issues with women after his engagement to Val Venis’ sister. Snow starts off with Edge and goes behind into a single-leg takedown but Edge kicks him away. Edge applies a hammerlock but Snow elbows out of it and comes off the ropes into a hip toss. Edge hits a dropkick followed by an arm drag but Snow counters with a hammerlock suplex. Snow hits a clothesline then tags in Blackman, who runs into an Atomic Drop as the crowd actually chants “Head Cheese!” pretty loudly. Christian tags in and applies an arm wringer when Blackman counters into a headlock but Christian shoves Blackman into the ropes and Blackman hits a shoulder block. Blackman misses an elbow drop and Christian leaps over a leg sweep and whips Blackman into a corner. Christian goes for a monkey flip and Blackman shoves him off but misses another elbow drop. Christian throws Blackman through the ropes then springboards over the ropes into a plancha. Christian rolls Blackman in the ring but Snow pounds on Christian from behind. Edge dukes it out with Snow while Blackman drops Christian from the apron onto the ring steps! Blackman rolls Christian in the ring and stomps away him before hitting a suplex. Blackman then notices the crowd chanting “Head Cheese!” and blames Snow for staring this as JR describes Blackman as not being “gimmick friendly”. Blackman slams Christian to the mat then goes for a splash but Christian blocks it with his knees. Edge tags in and comes in with a flying shoulder tackle then pops Snow off the apron. Edge does something on Blackman that the camera misses then whips him when Snow tags himself in. Blackman goes for a suplex but Edge flips out of it. Blackman comes back with a backbreaker but holds Edge on the knee while Snow comes off the top rope with a Veg-O-Matic! Christian comes in and locks up with Blackman but Edge is just laying there in the ring. Referee Teddy Long checks on Edge and figures he’s been seriously hurt so he calls off the match. (3:34) Fun match until the weird ending. Long waves for some help in the ring as Val Venis comes out to check on his future brother-in-law. Barbara Bush then comes out and examines Edge before deciding mouth-to-mouth is in order. B.B. proceeds to give Edge CPR and Edge comes to, sputtering as Christian and Val help him from the ring. The sad thing is this angle was immediately dropped without any resolution at all. **
~ Chris Jericho is shown walking to the ring for his match as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break the Hollys are walking to the ring but Crash seems reluctant to be in Hardcore’s corner. Crash tells Hardcore he doesn’t want to accompany him tonight and decides to go find a new tag team partner. Hardcore tells him to do what he has to do because he’s about to do the same.
WWF Intercontinental Title: Chris Jericho © vs. Hardcore Holly
Jericho rushes the ring without his mic time and goes right to work on Hardcore and the two exchange punches as the referee tries in vain to get control. Hardcore gets the advantage but Jericho takes control with a knee to the thigh. Hardcore whips Jericho into a corner and charges but eats a boot as Chyna comes out to ringside. Jericho hits a clothesline and hammers away on Hardcore then whips him but misses a clothesline. Both men hit chops and Hardcore goes for a whip but Jericho reverses it and hits a bulldog for a two count. Both men exchange shots and Jericho goes for a whip but Hardcore counters it into a power bomb for a two count. Hardcore comes off the ropes with an elbow drop and goes for the ropes again but Chyna trips him from the floor so Hardcore kicks her away. Hardcore goes out and boots Chyna in the head then grabs a chair and readies a swing at Chyna but Jericho goes out and stops him before he can connect. Jericho rams Hardcore into the steps before rolling him in the ring and bringing the chair in as well. Jericho goes for a whip but Hardcore reverses and dropkicks Jericho into the ropes and Jericho ends up tied up. Hardcore beats on Jericho when Chyna comes in and takes him out with the Pedigree. Chyna slides back out as the referee frees Jericho from the ropes and Jericho connects with the Lionsault on Hardcore for the win. (3:44) Short but energetic match. The referee tries to give Jericho the IC belt but Chyna takes it from him. Chyna then hands Jericho the belt and raises his hand in victory, apparently ending their feud (for now). **½
~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews the Hardy Boyz and Terri about their tag title shot tonight but first asks the Hardys about their condition following last night’s tag team tables match. Jeff says last night was brutal but they need to forget the pain and think about the titles. Matt says they Hardys are about defying the odds; they did it last night and they’ll do it again tonight. Suddenly the Dudley Boyz walk up with D’Von asking the Hardys if they know what they did last night. D’Von says the Hardys beat them at their own game by putting them through tables, which has never happened before. D’Von tells the Hardys they’ve taken the Dudleys to the extreme and Bubba Ray also gives props saying he and D’Von want to shake their hands and show them respect. The Hardys accept the gesture and shake hands with the Dudleys, showing them some uneasy respect as well. The Hardys then start to walk off but the Dudleys don’t release their handshakes just yet. Bubba tells the Hardys if they should beat the Outlaws tonight for the belts, they want the first title shot. The Hardys agree to their challenge and depart as Bubba says to call them if they need help.
Too Cool vs. Crash Holly & ??????
After Too Cool comes out, Crash brings out his partner… Viscera! Which is weird after Viscera squashed Crash on Smackdown. Crash attacks Grandmaster Sexay from behind to start but Sexay gets the advantage. Sexay goes for a whip, Crash reverses and leapfrogs over him but turns into a kick. Sexay whips Crash and drops him to the mat and Scotty 2 Hotty gets in a shot from the apron. Sexay hits a DDT then starts dancing, not seeing Crash tag in Viscera and once Sexay turns around Viscera lifts him up and drops him to the mat. Viscera whips Sexay who goes for a Sunset Flip but can’t get Viscera over. Viscera goes for a sit-down splash but Sexay avoids it and tags in Scotty. Scotty attempts a whip but Viscera reverses and Crash nails him from the apron. Viscera scoops Scotty onto his shoulders as Crash climbs to the top rope but slips and falls, botching the spot, so Viscera goes ahead and hits a Samoan Drop. Viscera then gives Crash a look as Crash takes over on Scotty and goes for a whip. Scotty reverses but Crash floats over Scotty and hits a huricanrana for a near fall. Viscera tags back in and whips Scotty into a corner then goes for an Avalanche but Scotty sidesteps him and kicks him repeatedly in the back. Scotty then climbs onto his shoulders when Viscera spins him around into a power bomb. Viscera goes for a big splash but misses and Scotty tags in Sexay. Sexay tees off on Viscera when Crash comes in but Sexay power bombs him. Viscera grabs Sexay but Scotty breaks it up with a dropkick and both Too Cool guys dropkick him. Both men then come off the ropes and bulldog Viscera to the mat and Scotty follows up with the Worm. Scotty puts Crash in position on his knee while Sexay climbs to the top rope and hits the Veg-O-Matic. Sexay covers Crash but Viscera breaks up the pin with a leg drop on Sexay and covers him for the pin. (3:22) Weird match, that’s all I have to say. *½
~ A video package is shown highlighting Kane and X-Pac’s history leading to tonight’s match. Kane and Tori are then shown walking to the ring and JR asks if this will be the final chapter in their feud as we go to commercial.
~ Back form break we get a look at WWF New York, and Jonathan Coachman reports from inside as a multitude of fans cheer around him.
Kane (w/Tori) vs. X-Pac
So even though we though this feud was settled at Armageddon they’re renewing it after X-Pac illegally eliminated Kane from the Rumble last night. Kane throws X-Pac into a corner to start but X-Pac ducks a right hand and kicks Kane down. Kane comes out with a clothesline then throws X-Pac into another corner and pummels him before tossing him across the ring. X-Pac tries begging off but Kane continues his punishment. Kane whips X-Pac into a corner but eats a boot and X-Pac comes out but runs into a power slam. Kane chokes X-Pac on the mat and whips him but X-Pac hits the spinning heel kick. X-Pac then turns toward Tori and taunts her with several gestures, not seeing Kane sit up. Kane throws X-Pac over the ropes right into the cameraman then goes out after him. Tori climbs in the ring and X-Pac starts to head in but Kane pulls him off the apron. Kane scoops X-Pac onto his shoulder but X-Pac slips off and shoves Kane into the steps. X-Pac then climbs in the ring and grabs Tori before kissing her and Tori freaks out. Kane comes in to check on Tori and tries to carry her out while X-Pac brings a chair in the ring and whacks Kane in the back of the head getting himself DQ’ed. (2:56) X-Pac then taunts Tori about the kiss before leaving Kane lying in the ring. So much for this being the final chapter. DUD
~ Back from break the Helmsleys are talking with Stephanie asking Triple H if he’s okay to compete tonight. Kane and Tori burst in demanding to know where X-Pac is but Triple H says X-Pac has already left the building.
WWF World Tag Team Titles: The New Age Outlaws © vs. The Hardy Boyz (w/Terri Runnels)
The Outlaws come out first and once again ignore their heelness by doing their usual intro. The Hardys then come out next when the Outlaws attack them from behind to start the match. Road Dogg throws Jeff through the ropes while Billy Gunn rips Matt’s shirt exposing his hurt ribs. Billy rams Matt into a turnbuckle as the Dudleys begin making their way out to ringside. Billy whips Matt into a corner and hits a splash and Road Dogg follows up with a knee drop. The Dudleys then decide to pull out a table from under the ring and set it up at ringside, getting an “ECW!” chant from the Philadelphia fans. Road Dogg sets Matt up for a move but then drops him and asks the Dudleys what’s the idea. Billy drills Matt with a jackhammer then has words with the Dudleys before tagging in Road Dogg. Road Dogg kicks Matt in the injured ribs then draws Jeff in, distracting the referee. Road Dogg kicks away at Matt’s ribs then tags in Billy who takes over on the bad ribs. Matt starts to fight back but Billy chokes him in a corner then tags Road Dogg back in. The Outlaws whip Matt into the opposite corner and Billy goes to the mat just like Matt does as Road Dogg tries to imitate the Poetry in Motion but Matt catches him with a dropkick in mid-air. Matt follows up with a tornado DDT on Billy then manages to make the hot tag to Jeff. Jeff goes for a whip on Road Dogg, Road Dogg reverses it but Jeff throws him back to the mat. Jeff backdrops Billy and pounds on Road Dogg while Matt knocks Billy out of the ring. Matt hits the Twist of Fate on Road Dogg and Jeff follows up with the Swanton Bomb from the top. Jeff covers Road Dogg and the referee counts 1..2.. but gets pulled out of the ring by the Dudleys who pull the swerve and the Hardys get screwed out of the titles yet again. (6:22) The Dudleys then go in and stomp away at Jeff before whipping him into a 3D. Matt comes back in but the Dudley take him out with a 3D as well. The Dudleys slide the table in the ring when Terri unwisely goes in to check on her charges. D’Von goes over and grabs Terri by the hair ready to smack her but Bubba stops him, suggesting they put her through the table instead. Bubba hops to the middle rope as D’Von passes Terri over to him and Bubba then super bombs Terri right through the table! And there you have it, the moment the Dudleys finally started getting over in the WWF. Actually Bubba took the brunt of the bump himself but still Terri folds up pretty good. Bubba just sits there with a faraway look in his eyes while Terri lies in the ring pretty much dead. A swarm of referees and EMTs arrive on the scene as the Dudleys finally leave the ring. **
~ Back from break we find Terri being loaded onto a stretcher as we get replays of her going through a table. The Hardys then accompany Terri as she gets wheeled out of the arena to the back.
~ At that point Kurt Angle comes out with a mic saying stuff like that should not happen then mentions that something really bad happened last night at the Royal Rumble. Angle says he experienced something he hasn’t before, but it wasn’t defeat; it has to do with honor. Angle claims he has documents saying the move Tazz used on him last night was an illegal chokehold. Angle says it wasn’t Tazz’s fault since he’s a street thug brought up the wrong way and lacks integrity. As Angle is talking, we cut to the back and get a shot of Terri being loaded into an ambulance. Angle says no apologizes are needed for and assures the crowd his undefeated streak is intact. Tazz comes out to a huge reaction from the crowd as Angle insists he used an illegal chokehold. Tazz rushes at Angle who grabs a waistlock but Tazz counters into the Tazzmission. Angle desperately tries to counter it but is put out as the “ECW!” chants begin again. A number of referees pull Tazz off Angle and Tazz leaves, having let his actions do the talking.
~ Back from break we get footage of Terri being taken out of the building in an ambulance.
~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Rock, asking if he’s found a partner for the main event. Rock says he hasn’t but isn’t concerned because he’s going to beat both his opponents by himself.
The Acolytes vs. The Godfather & D’Lo Brown (w/the ladies)
The question now is can the Acolytes recover from their poor showing last night. Interestingly enough there’s no mention of Faarooq’s past with Godfather or D’Lo. Bradshaw locks up with Godfather to start and forces him into a corner. Both men exchange punches and Bradshaw whips Godfather but Godfather hits a shoulder block. Bradshaw goes for a whip and Godfather reverses it but Bradshaw fakes him out and hits a boot. Bradshaw whips Godfather into a corner and clotheslines him then whips him into the other corner. Bradshaw charges but eats a boot and Godfather hits a clothesline followed by a leg drop. D’Lo tags in and goes for a whip but Bradshaw reverses and hits a boot. Faarooq tags in and whips D’Lo but D’Lo hits a heel kick followed by the shaky leg drop for a two count. D’Lo goes for a whip but Faarooq reverses and hits a spine buster. Faarooq rams D’Lo into Bradshaw’s boot and works him over before tagging Bradshaw back in. Both Acolytes whip D’Lo into a double shoulder block and Bradshaw drops an elbow. Faarooq tags in and goes for a whip but D’Lo reverses and hits a power bomb. D’Lo manages to tag in Godfather who comes in with a pair of clotheslines on Faarooq. Godfather pops Bradshaw off the apron and slams Faarooq to the mat. Godfather hits a crescent kick that sends Faarooq into a corner and hits the Ho Train. Bradshaw breaks up the pin from the floor and the Godfather tags in D’Lo who whips Faarooq but doesn’t see Bradshaw making a blind tag. Faarooq fakes D’Lo out while Bradshaw comes in and connects with the Clothesline from Hades on D’Lo for the pin. (3:45) This was pretty much damage control to give the Acolytes some heat back. The Acolytes then go out and check out the Godfather’s women. *½
~ Backstage we find the WWF women gathering together for the crowing of Miss Rumble as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get another report from WWF New York as Jonathan Coachman talks among the fans.
~ In the arena Jerry Lawler is in the ring about the crown the winner of the Miss Rumble 2000 competition. Lawler brings out the participants of the competition except for Terri who’s absent for obvious reasons. Lawler then announces that the winner of the competition is Mae Young, drawing boos from the crowd. Lawler presents Mae with flowers and a tiara while making a crack at her about her actions last night. Mae then says something to the other ladies and after they argue a massive fight breaks out. While a group of referees try to restore order Lawler gives Mae her trophy and Mae decides to give everyone another show despite the ENTIRE arena begging her not to. Fortunately Mark Henry is quickly out to prevent Mae from disrobing. Now that’s 10 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.
~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the First Union Center.
~ Backstage Triple H and The Big Show are talking, feeling no one will want to team with Rock tonight. Triple tells Show they’re going to finish their problem once and for all and they shake hands.
~ We get footage from earlier today of Darren Drozdov visiting the wrestlers backstage before the show.
Test © vs. The Big Bossman – Non-Title Match
Test is finally competing without having to wear the faceguard. Bossman pounds on Test to start and whips him into a boot. Bossman comes off the ropes with a right hand and Test rolls out to the floor. Suddenly someone dressed like Test (including the faceguard) runs into the ring. The look-alike works over the Bossman with the nightstick and just like that it’s a DQ. (0:24) We then see Test’s doppelganger is none other than Stevie Richards. Richards offers a hand and Test shakes it before laying him out with a pump-handle slam. Test then grabs the nightstick and hits the elbow drop from the top rope. And the point of this was … what exactly? NR
~ The Rock is shown walking to the ring for the main event as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get a replay of Terri getting power bombed through a table earlier tonight. We then get an update from Michael Cole who’s at the medical facility Terri was taken to after that. Cole says the doctors were checking for a possible concussion but otherwise there’s nothing to report yet.
Triple H & The Big Show (w/Stephanie) vs. The Rock & ??????
I should mention this match is starting at the top of the hour so I wouldn’t expect it to go very long. Triple H and Show come out but no one else has shown up so it looks like Rock is on his own. However just before the match starts Rikishi comes out and takes his spot in Rock’s corner. Show head butts Rock right at the start and kicks away at him in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and hits another head butt. Show elbows Rock in the back of the head and slams him to the mat but misses an elbow drop. Rock starts to fight back and goes for a whip but Show reverses it and hits a power slam. Triple H tags in and stomps Rock down then goes for a whip but Rock counters with a DDT. Show breaks up the pin and apparently the referee counts that as a tag as Show chops Rock in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner. Show goes for a splash but Rock avoids it and tags in Rikishi. Rikishi tees off on Show and whips him into a corner then hits the running butt charge. Rikishi connects with a super kick then goes for the ropes but Triple H nails him from the apron. Rikishi pops Triple H off the apron but walks into a sidewalk slam from Show. Show head butts Rikishi then tags in Triple H who pounds Rikishi down in his corner and chokes him. Rikishi starts to fight back but Triple H stops that with a knee to the chest then goes for a whip. Rikishi reverses but lowers the head and Triple H hits the face buster but Rikishi doesn’t go down. Triple H comes off the ropes but runs into a Samoan Drop and now both men are down. Triple H tags in Show but Rikishi tags in Rock who unloads on Show and hits the Smackdown. Show doesn’t go down so Rock hits a DDT, and Triple H comes in but runs into a spine buster. Rock sets Show up for a Rock Bottom but Triple H low blows Rock and Show hits a head butt. The Outlaws then come out and attack Rikishi on the floor, drawing a DQ. (4:16) The Outlaws continue to work over Rikishi while Show knee drops Rock below the belt. Stephanie passes a chair over to Triple H while the Outlaws hammer Rikishi with another chair. Referee Earl Hebner tries to stop this but Triple H decks him and readies the chair. Suddenly Cactus Jack is hobbling down to the ring with a 2×4 just as Rock begins to turn the tide. Rock hammers away at Triple H while Cactus works over both Show and Triple H with the 2×4. Rock and Cactus both clothesline Show over the ropes with the 2×4 and DX beats a retreat. Rock, Rikishi and Cactus stand tall in the ring as Triple H thinks about running back in. Triple H hops on the apron but Rock nails him with the chair as we fade to black. Short main event but at least we got a hot finish. **
Conclusion: Kind of an up-and-down follow-up to the pay-per-view. The matches weren’t very memorable but there were a few fun bouts. On the other hand the angles were okay and the last segment did a good job of getting the ball rolling toward No Way Out as well as making Rikishi a top player. So I’d have to call this Raw thumbs in the middle.