WWF RAW 3/13/2000

written by Adam King

WWF RAW IS WAR
Monday, March 13th, 2000
Live from the Continential Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ

List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (1/03/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Kurt Angle (2/27/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (2/27/2000)
WWF European Champion: Kurt Angle (2/10/2000)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Crash Holly (2/24/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: Jacqueline (2/03/2000)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Essa Rios (2/13/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air with clips of The Rock’s latest struggles against the Helmsleys on Smackdown. After the intro Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler.

~ Things kick off with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon making their way to the ring for our usual opening promo. Stephanie gets on the mic first but as she starts to talk Shane McMahon and The Big Show join them in the ring. Shane takes the mic and mentions the four of them settling their differences at least until they reach Wrestlemania then mentions how last Thursday was historic for the systematic destruction of The Rock. Shane decides to show footage of Rock’s two handicap matches on the TitanTron and adds his comments on the suffering Rock endured. Shane also show Rock trying to come to Rikishi’s aid and claims Rock has become a desparate man after all that. Triple H takes the mic and says Rock could have done many other things after he lost his #1 contender’s match, like going after other titles such as the European Title. Triple H says instead Rock keeps getting in their business and because he won’t just go away quietly it’s his own fault he keeps getting beaten down lately. Triple H promises Rock will be embarassed each and every night until he finally knows his role in their plans. Stephanie takes the mic and announces Rock will compete at Wrestlemania, it just won’t be in the main event. Stephanie says Rock will instead be wrestling in a handicap match against a suitable tag team … The Twin Towers! On that note a pair of midgets make their way to the ring with Shane referring to them as “Boulder” and “Gilbraltar”. Everyone then debates on a stiuplation for Rock’s match with Shane suggesting they make it a “Tuxedo Match”, Show suggesting best-of-three falls while Triple H offers a “midget on a pole match” since everything is good on a pole.

At that point Rock comes out to the stage with a mic and is in serious mode since he doesn’t even do the catchphrases. Rock tells the group they can throw all the matches they want at him but he draws the line at being humiliated so he decides to offer them a chance to drive him out of the WWF the same way they drove Mick Foley out. Rock demands a match with The Big Show tonight, saying if he beats Show he gets to be in the WWF Championship match at Wrestlemania but if he loses he will retire from the WWF at age 27 and the fans will never see him again. The group huddles to discuss this and Shane is ready to accept the match but Rock says he’s not finished yet, also demanding no one be at ringside and that if anyone intereferes in the match he will automatically get the win. Triple H accepts the match and stipulations, not wanting to pass on this chance to rid himself of The Rock for good. Rock says he’s doing this because he doesn’t have Shane or Stephanie in his corner but he does have … the people. I wonder if everyone watching was thinking of someone else.

~ Back from break as The Hardys make their way to the ring we find Steve Blackman warming up backstage when Al Snow pitches his latest idea for them: a TV spin-off called “Mystery Time Travel Tavel Adventure Hour”. Snow even sings the theme song but Blackman shoots it down and tells Snow he needs a muzzle as he storms off. After Blackman departs Snow knocks on a door and tells an emerging Abraham Lincoln they’ll need a bit more time.

The Hardy Boyz vs. Al Snow (w/Head) & Steve Blackman

Blackman has singles wins over both Hardys so let’s see how Matt and Jeff do in tag action. Matt jumps Blackman to start and whips him and Blackman ducks a clothesline but misses a roundhouse kick and Matt trips him. Matt hits an elbowdrop then tags Jeff in and the Hardys whips Blackman into a corner. Matt drops to the mat and Jeff hits the Poetry in Motion then goes for a whip when Snow tags himself in. Blackman reverses it and trips Jeff into Snow’s knee and Snow whips Jeff into his corner and clotheslines him. Blackman tags back in and whips Jeff into a corner and Jeff flips up the ropes and ends up in the Tree of Woe. Blackman goes for a baseball slide but Jeff pulls himself up and Blackman slides under the ropes to the floor. Jeff then leaps off the top rope for a plancha but crashes into the barricade after Blackman sidesteps him. Blackman superkicks Jeff over the barricade when Matt leaps off the apron and hits an axehandle on Blackman. Snow goes out and hits a neckbreaker on Matt then stomps him as Jeff and Blackman make their way back. Snow throws Jeff back in the ring and Blackman goes back in and covers Jeff but only gets a two count. Snow tags in as Jeff starts to fight back but Snow rakes the face and whips him into a corner. Jeff lifts himself over Snow with the ropes and dropkicks him from behind and follows up with a Frankensteiner. Both men tag their partners and Matt knocks down Blackman then tosses Snow over the ropes to the floor. Matt hot shots Blackman on the top rope the hops to the middle rope and connects with the guillotine legdrop. Snow comes back in and Matt goes for the Twist of Fate but Snow shoves him into a corner and eats an elbow. Matt hops to the middle rope and hits a clothesline and Snow rolls out to the floor with Matt behind him. In the ring Jeff whips Blackman and goes for another Frankensteiner but Blackman catches him into a powerbomb. Matt tosses Snow over the barricade as Blackman climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying pump kick. Matt climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault on Blackman but ends up missing him completely. Oops! Blackman pulls Matt up but Matt counters with a rollup that gets the pin. (3:19) Fun match and a nice bit of improvisation after the finish was blown. **½

~ Backstage Kurt Angle talks to a disinterested security guy about his European Title being up for grabs tonight. Angle rambles on about how exciting the match is going to be but the security guy just stares straight ahead.

~ Back from break we find Mark Henry wheeling Mae Young (who’s in a wheelchair) in front of a monitor backstage. Henry says he’s facing the Dudleys tonight and he may get beaten but he’s at least taking one of them with him. Mae begs to be in Henry’s corner but Henry insists she stay put while The Fabulous Moolah offers to watch over her.

The Dudley Boyz vs. Mark Henry – Handicap Match

Henry charges in the ring but the Dudleys quickly double-team him to start and whip him into a corner only for Henry to come back with a clothesline on both men. Henry takes it to the Dudleys with clotheslines and right hands. We cut backstage with Mae and Moolah watching on the monitor when Moolah excuses herself from the room. Henry sets Bubba Ray in a corner and whips D’Von into a backdrop and Bubba runs into a backdrop as well. Henry whips D’Von into a corner and goes for a splash but Bubba cuts him off at the pass with a clothesline. Bubba then rolls out to the floor and tells D’Von to take care of Henry as he heads off to the back. I wonder where he’s going. D’von whips Henry and hits a jumping elbow then chokes him on the mat and works Henry over in a corner. We cut backstage to see Bubba has found Mae and wheels her out of the room as Mae screams for help. In the ring Henry starts fighting back against D’Von just as Bubba emerges on the stage with Mae in tow. Henry looks over and sees Bubba waving on the stage with Mae when D’Von forearms Henry form behind and hammers away on him. Bubba brings Mae down the ramp to ringside as D’Von goes for a whip but Henry reverses it and hits an elbow. Henry starts to head out to help Mae but D’Von stops him form leaving and Henry whips him but Bubba comes back in and the Dudleys hit the 3D. Henry is down but instead of covering him the Dudleys grab their belts deciding they’ve made thier point and that’s the match. (~4:00) However the Dudleys aren’t finished as they wheel Mae back up to the stage and Bubba looks down at the floor where two tables are set up as the crowd figures out where this is going! D’Von starts to run the wheelchair to the edge of the stage but Bubba stops him and asks what is he doing. Instead D’Von hands Mae over to Bubba and Bubba superbombs Mae off the stage through the table below!! Dang, for an 80-year-old woman to take a bump like that is just insane! Bubba sits in the wreckage with the weird look on his eyes while D’Von looks down administering the last rites. After the Dudleys depart Henry goes over to tend to Mae while the EMTs come out with a stretcher. The match was just used to set up the spot which didn’t disapoint. Thing is Henry never does get his revenge and would even disappear from the company for almost two years after this. NR

~ Back from break we get a replay of the Dudleys powerbombing Mae Young off the stage through the tables. We then see Mae being loaded in the ambulance but oddly enough the Fabulous Moolah just walks away from it.

~ Out in the arena Kurt Angle comes out for the next match but first decides to get on the mic and address the rumors that Chris Jericho had him beaten last week. Jericho claims he has footage to disprove that and shows clips on the TitanTron saying Bob Backlund interupted what would have been a win for him. Angle then shows his match against Tazz on Smackdown and again claims Blackund interupted another sure victory. Angle says everyone makes mistakes then says Backlund is a true American hero as well as a former WWF Champion. Angle claims New Jersey is in dire need of a hero other than Bon Jovi and elects himself to be that homestate hero. Chris Jericho comes out and gets on the mic suggesting “Kirk Angel” and Backlund may have a special connection, maybe even a “love” connection based on their actions together. Jericho says Angle found someone who shares his three I’s calling Backlund an imbicle, idiot and ignoramus. Tazz then makes his entrance when he takes his turn on the mic calling for the match to be no disqualificiation and off we go.

WWF European Title: Kurt Angle © vs. Chris Jericho vs. Tazz

Tazz takes it to Angle and Jericho to start but Jericho forces Tazz into a corner and Angle pounds on Jericho. Angle works over Tazz and goes for a whip but Tazz reverses him into Jericho who dumps him over the ropes. Jericho and and Tazz then exchange shots and Jericho whips Tazz but Tazz comes back with a clothesline. Angle grabs his IC belt and climbs to the top rope but Tazz cuts him off and climbs up looking for a superplex when Jericho pulls Tazz off Angle with his own superplex. Jericho covers Tazz but Angle is down to make the save then pounds on Jericho. Jericho goes for a whip and Angle counters that with a belly-to-belly suplex but Tazz breaks up the cover. Tazz whips Angle into a corner then eats a boot but comes back with a belly-to-belly Tazplex. Jericho breaks that pin up and powerbombs Tazz then holds on for another powerbomb but Angle interupts him. Angle whips Jericho looking for a dropkick but Jericho fakes him out and quickly follows up with the Lionsault. Tazz makes the save and plants Jericho with a T-bone Tazplex then slaps the Tazzmission on Angle. Before Angle can submit Bob Baclkund runs in so Tazz releases Angle and puts Backlund in the Tazzmission. Angle nails Tazz from behind and knocks him through the ropes when Jericho puts Angle in the Walls of Jericho but Backlund nails Jericho from behind to save Angle. Backlund looks to put Jericho in the Crossface Chickenwing when Chyna comes out and low blows Backlund then knocks him through the ropes. Jericho hits Tazz with the springboard dropkick but Angle clocks Jericho with the IC belt and grabs the pin to retain. (3:13) Angle celebrates his title defense and departs while Jericho is still down in the ring not moving. Fun little match but way too short and could have used less interference. **

~ Backstage Triple H is meeting with his DX brethern telling how tonight will be a good night for them. Triple H says first they take care of Rikishi and Too Cool and then Big Show will get rid of Rock for good.

~ Back from break Kevin Kelly interviews Ivory for her thoughts on The Rock’s must-win match against Big Show. Ivory says Rock should win saying he’s the people’s champion and knows how to represent the WWF as a champion. Ivory also says if the Rock loses then the real losers are the fans. Strange, I thought Ivory was a heel.

Triple H, Road Dogg & X-Pac (w/Stephanie & Tori) vs. Too Cool & Rikishi Phatu

X-Pac locks up with Grandmaster Sexay to start and applies a headlock, Sexay shoves him off into the ropes but X-Pac hits a shoudlerblock. X-Pac comes off the ropes when Sexay leapfrogs him and comes off the ropes himself. X-Pac goes for his own leapfrog but Sexay catches him into an Atomic Drop and tosses him across the ring. Road Dogg tags in but Sexay hiptosses him as well then tags in Scotty 2 Hotty. Both men whip Road Dogg but Road Dogg double clothesline and hits the juke ‘n jive punches on Sexay then does the same to Scotty. Road Dogg then goes for the big right on both men but Scotty and Sexay block it and throw him to the mat then hit their double elbowdrop. The Too Cool guys drag Road Dogg over to their corner and tag Rikishi in and Rikishi readies for the Stinkface but Road Dogg escapes for the corner and scurries over to tag X-Pac back in. Rikishi pops both DX’ers and knocks their heads together then busts a move before hitting a double heart punch. Rikishi mocks the DX chops prompting Triple H to come in but Rikishi drops him with a series of right hands. Rikishi whips Triple H but lowers the head and Triple H hits the facebuster and X-Pac follows up with a spinning heel kick. Triple H stomps Rikishi down in a corner and chokes him then shoves Earl Heber as he tries to force a break. Road Dogg tags in and goes for a whip but Rikishi reverses him into a corner and hits the running butt splash. Scotty tags in and bulldogs Road Dogg then goes for the Worm but stops to get in shots on Triple H and X-Pac drawing boos from the crowd. Don’t tell me that move wasn’t over. Scotty tags in Sexay and slams Road Dogg to the mat while Sexay climbs to the top and hits the Hip Hop Drop. Instead of covering Sexay dances to celebrate allowing X-Pac to come in and drill him with the X-Factor. Scotty comes in and knocks X-Pac through the ropes but Triple H comes in and nails Scotty with a neckbreaker. Scotty rolls out to the floor where X-Pac chops him while Rikishi plants Triple H with a belly-to-belly suplex then hits the running butt splash. Rikishi superkicks Triple H then climbs the ropes going for the Banzai Drop but Stephanie comes in to distract Hebner while X-Pac cracks Rikishi in the head with the ringbell. Rikishi falls back to the mat and Triple H is able to drape an arm over him for the cheap three. (5:03) Solid enough six-man tag which is usually the norm from the Too Cool trio. **½

~ The Big Bossman and Kane are both shown walking to the ring to do battle in next match. Kane passes by The Rock and stares him down berfore wishing him luck against The Big Show later.

Kane vs. The Big Bossman

Paul Bearer is nowhere to be found despite what the chyron says. Bossman starts off by geting in the first shot but Kane just shrugs it off and wails away on him with uppercuts. Kane whips Bossman but lowers the head and Bossman kicks the face but Kane no-sells it and clotheslines him. Kane whips Bossman looking for a boot but Bossman bails out to the floor and Kane goes out after him. Bossman hammers Kane and goes for a whips but Kane reverses him into the barricade and hits a clothesline. Kane rolls Bossman back in the ring but Bossman snaps his neck on the top rope then works him over in a corner. Kane throws Bossman into the corner and gets in his shots but Bossman wraps a chain around his fist and pops Kane for a two count. Kane continues his assault and goes for a whip, Bossman reverses him into a corner and splashes him then whips him into the other corner. Bossman goes for another splash but lands in Kane’s waiting hand for a choke which the referee orders broken. Kane whips Bossman and hits a boot then climbs to the top rope and connects with the flying clothesline. Kane scoops Bossman up for the Tombstone but Bossman slips out of it and shoves Kane into the corner then hits a back suplex. Bossman grabs his nightstick but Kane is able duck a swing and chokeslam him for the win. (3:11) Yawn. Next. DUD

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Godfather for his thoughts on the Rock/Big Show main event. Godfather confers with his women and they all say the smart money is on The Rock winning tonight.

~ Back from break we get a replay of Mae Young being superbombed off the stage through a table earlier tonight. Michael Cole then interviews The Fabulous Moolah backstage on how she feels about Mae getting taken out but surprisingly enough Moolah says she doesn’t even feels a thing and claims Mae got exactly what she deserved. Moolah says she brought Mae into the WWF only to see Mae disgrace herself with her various actions lately. Moolah reminds Cole she’s a Hall of Famer and finishes by saying she doesn’t care if Mae ever comes back. Cool moment and thankfully the WWF resisted the urge to book a match between these two at the pay-per-view, though what we got instead wasn’t any better.

WWF Light Heavyweight Title: Essa Rios © (w/Lita) vs. Dean Malenko (w/Eddie Guerrero)

Both men feel each other to start before locking knuckles and Malenko hits a legsweep but Rios kips back up. Malenko applies a headlock, Rios shoves him into the ropes but Malenko hits a shoulderblock. Malenko attempts a snapmare when Rios lands on his feet and comes off ropes but runs into a drop toehold. Malenko looks for a facelock but Rios slips out of it and rolls Malenko up in a La Magistral for a two count. Rios comes off the rope for the headscissors and Malenko counters with a tilt-o-whil but Rios again lands on his feet. Malenko connects with a dropkick and hits a short-arm clothesline then works over the arm with kneedrops. Malenko applies an armwringer then trips Rios by the leg and applies a headlock combined with an armscissors. Rios counters it with the headscissors but Malenko slips out of it and applies an armbar and a wristlock. Malenko kicks the arm and whips Rios into a corner then goes for a Gory Special but Rios falls backwards so Malenko goes into the Texas Cloverleaf. Rios is able to crawl over and grab the bottom rope then comes back with a powerslam. Rios whips Malenko into a corner then charges and Malenko backdrops him over the ropes but Rios lands on his feet on the apron. Rios hops up onto the top rope but Malenko bumps the ropes and Rios straddles the turnbuckles. Malenko climbs up looking for a superplex but Rios fights him off to the mat then goes for a moonsault and misses Malenko but lands on his feet. Rios gets a victory roll for a two count and goes for a whip, Malenko reverses it and goes for a vertical suplex but Rios counters that into a rollup. However Malenko kicks Rios off sending him into Eddie on the apron then plants Rios with a side suplex. Lita then goes for a huricanrana on Eddie but Eddie catches her and powerbombs her right onto the floor! In the ring Rios goes for a whip, Malenko reverses him into a corner and moves in but eats a boot. Rios goes for another victory roll but Malenko sits down on the shoulders and gets the 1..2..3 to win the title! (4:15) Malenko becomes the first of the four Radicals to win gold and the first man to have held the WWF’s and WCW’s lightweight titles. Very good match with some excellent sequences. I just wish it was a bit longer. ***

~ Backstage we find Terri in the Acolyte’s office speaking with Bradshaw and Faarooq who agree to do something for her. Once they finish talking Mideon suddenly comes in with a cooler of beer for them. On Heat the previous night Mideon lost a lot of money to the Acolytes who agreed to let him to work off his debt. Bradshaw and Faarooq complain the beer is hot so Mideon offers to go back off and get some cooler ice.

~ Back from break we get a shot at the New Jersey skyline and find Jayson Williams of the Nets in the crowd.

Edge & Christian vs. The Acolytes (w/Mideon)

Once again Terri Runnels makes her way out to ringside while E&C can’t figure out why she’s out there. The Acolytes go right to work on E&C and Faarooq hammers Edge while Bradshaw takes care of Christian. Bradshaw whips Christian but lowers the head and Christian kicks the face then dropkicks him through the ropes. Edge hits Faarooq with a Frankensteiner while Christian goes for the springboard plancha on Bradshaw but Bradshaw shoves Mideon in the way to take the hit instead. Bradshaw rams Christian into the ringsteps then heads back in the ring and helps Faarooq whip Edge and connect with a double shouderblock. Bradshaw whips Edge into a corner and charges at him but eats a boot and Edge hops to the middle rope and hits a flying shouldertackle. Christian tags in and goes for a whip but Bradshaw reverses it and Christian goes for a crossbody but Bradshaw catches him into a fallaway slam. Faarooq tags in and covers Christian for two then whips him into a powerslam for a near fall. Faarooq goes for the Domiator but Christian slips out of it and hits a Russian legsweep. Christian tries to reach his corner but Faarooq pulls him down by the hair and Bradshaw tags in and sets Christian on the top rope. Edge comes over on the apron and distracts Bradshaw allowing Christian to hit a tornado DDT and Christian manages to crawl over and make the tag to Edge. Edge climbs to the middle rope and hits a missle dropkick on Bradshaw then pops Faarooq on the apron. Edge goes for a whip, Bradshaw reverses it but lowers the head and Edge hits a swinging neckbreaker. Christian comes in and works over Faarooq then goes for a whip but Faarooq reverses him into a spinebuster. Edge drills Faarooq with a DDT when Mideon comes in but Edge manages to cut him off with a spear. However Bradshaw hits the Clothesline from Hades for the pin while Terri keeps Christian from making the save. (3:07) Boy the #1 contenders are sure losing a lot of matches lately. Mideon tries to celebrate with the Acolytes but they shove him into Edge and Christian who beat him down and whip him into a double backdrop. E&C clothesline Mideon over the ropes then start arguing among themselves. Other than E&C jobbing yet again, a good enough match. **½

~ We then get preview clips of Chyna’s guest appearence on 3rd Rock from the Sun tomorrow night on NBC.

~ We then find Big Show and Shane McMahon talking strategy while Michael Cole waits to interview them.

~ We next get footage of Crash Holly’s latest 24/7 Hardcore Title defense earlier today in the Newark airport. The Mean Street Posse have referee Tim White with them as they find Crash at the baggage claim and rush him. Albert gets involved in the melee and pounds on Joey Abs and Rodney while Pete Gas manages to pin Crash for the three to win the title! Pete celebrates when Crash bashes him from behind with his scale and pins him to regain his title. In that short span Crash becomes a two-time Hardcore Champion while Pete Gas held the belt for 16 seconds. Crash then grabs his belt and allegedly his luggage and takes off down the coveyor belt into the luggage chute. You know they never said the 24/7 rule was to apply to all future title holders beside Crash, but whatever.

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews Shane McMahon and The Big Show on facing a desparate Rock tonight. Shane says he, Show and the Helmsleys had a blast putting Rock through all those matches the past weeks but tonight is serious. Shane reminds Cole this was Rock’s idea so he shouldn’t be held responsible when Rock finds himself out of a job. Shane and Show say the only way we’ll hear the “Rocky” chant again is through videotape.

~ Back form break Cole interviews The HeadBangers about the main event with them picking Show all the way.

Chris Benoit & Perry Saturn vs. Val Venis & Test

Val is making is return to action after suffering a sprained neck some weeks ago. Benoit and Saturn go right to work on their opponents with Benoit knocking Test through the ropes. Both Radicals whip Val into a double clothesline and Benoit heads out leaving Saturn to duke it out. Saturn chops away on Val and goes for a whip but Val reverses it and hits a spinebuster for a near fall. Val hits a delayed vertical suplex then goes for the ropes but Benoit nails him from behind on the apron. Val pops Benoit when Saturn grabs a waistlock and Val fights out it but Saturn whips him into a corner and Benoit trips Val from the floor. Saturn follows up with an exploder suplex then sets Val on the ropes and Benoit tags in for a double-team. Benoit chops Val then whips him into a backdrop and hits a snap suplex for two. Eddie Guerrero comes out as Benoit tags Saturn and holds Val on his knee while Saturn climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying kneedrop. Saturn hits a back suplex then goes up to the top again and leaps off but Val catches Saturn into a powerslam. Val tries to make a tag but Benoit tags in and nails Test to prevent it. Benoit chops Val in a corner when Val fights back and comes off the ropes but runs right into a sleeperhold. Val counters it into a Blue Thunderbomb then tries for his corner again but Benoit pulls him away by the hair. Val takes Benoit down by the legs and catapults him into a corner then finally makes the hot tag to Test. Test takes it to both men and goes to whip Saturn, Saturn reverses it but Test hits a gutwrench powerbomb. Test plants Benoit with a spinning sidewalk slam then boots Saturn and Val clotheslines him over the ropes. Val then climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying shouldertackle on Saturn on the floor. Test sets Benoit up for the pump handle slam when Eddie hops on the apron so Test goes over pops him back to the floor. Test goes for the pump handle again but Benoit floats over and shoves him into Eddie who’s back on the apron and Eddie decks Test. Test staggers back into a brdge suplex that gets Benoit the three. (4:26) Nothing special but still a pretty good match. **½

~ The Big Show and The Rock are both shown heading to the ring for the main event as we go to commercial.

~ The Wrestlemania countdown shows we’re down to just three weeks away. Is everyone getting the fever yet?

The Rock vs. The Big Show – Title Shot vs. Career

So this is it, either The Rock wins this match and goes on to Wrestlemania for the title or he must retire. However before either man comes out Shane McMahon hits the ring and talks with Earl Hebner as the fans sense something’s up. Hebner then departs the ring while Shane removes his jacket to reveal, sure enough, a referee’s shirt underneath. Rock rushes the ring and goes right to work on Show, knocking him over the ropes with the Smackdown. Rock goes out to the floor and hammers away on Show up the ramp but Show coms back with a headbutt. Show scoops Rock onto his shoulder but Rock slips out and drives Show into the ramp with a Russian legsweep. Rock grabs Show’s legs and punches him below the belt and it looks like Shane is going to let everything go. Rock brings Show to ringside and rams him into the apron then throws him over the barricade and continues his assault in the crowd. Show comes back and rams Rock into the barricade then knocks him over with a right as we see the Helmsleys enjoying this match from their office. Show rams Rock into the ringsteps then grabs a chair and swings it at Rock but misses him and hits the ringpost. Rock manages to fight back then grabs the chair but Shane takes it away from him. Rock chases Shane away but allows Show to nail him from behind. Show goes for a whip but Rock reverses him into the steps then rams Show into the timekeeper’s table and clocks him with the ringbell. Rock tees off on Show with rights and spits water from a bottle in Show’s face then goes for a whip but Show reverses him into the barricade. Show press slams Rock onto the announce table then tosses him back in the ring and decks him with a right hand. Show follows up with an elbowdrop and a headbutt then pops Rock back through the ropes. Show goes out and rams Rock onto the announce table then slams him onto it then hits an elbow (that misses). Show throws Rock back in the ring and covers him and Shane tries to make a fast count but only gets two. Show whips Rock into a boot then hits a legdrop and Shane makes another fast count but Rock barely beats it. Rock starts fighting back again and goes for a whip but Show reverses and plants him with a sidewalk slam. Show then grabs Rock by the throat for the chokeslam but Rock counters that by kicking Show below the belt. Rock goes for a whip and Show counters with a clothesline but misses Rock and knocks Shane over the ropes. Rock hits the Spinebuster and follows up with the People’s Elbow but there’s no referee to make the count. Earl Hebner runs out and starts to count the pin but Shane pulls him out of the ring and pounds on him. Shane brings a chair in the ring and whacks Rock in the head with it but Rock and Show are both down.

We suddenly cut to the back and see a limo pulling up to the building and out comes … Vince McMahon!!! The crowd is going nuts while the Helmselys see this on their monitor and quickly head out to confront Vince before he reaches the arena. Triple H cut Vince off at the pass but Vince knocks him out of his way with a right hand and heads to the ring. Shane desparately tries to revive Show so he can pin Rock and end the match but Vince comes out to a massive pop! Shane tries to reason with Vince but Vince decks him as well then whacks him with the chair for good measure. Vince pulls the referee shirt off Shane and slips it on himself while Rock and Show both get back to their feet and Rock plants Show with the Rock Bottom on the chair. Rock covers Show as Vince counts 1..2..3 and The Rock finally gets his Wrestlemania title shot back! (9:16) Mostly brawling but still a pretty entertaining main event with some nice drama and a really hot finish. Rock celebrates then glances at Vince who leaves the ring without saying a word. After all these weeks The Rock is back in the Wrestlemania main event as Raw fades to black. ***

Conclusion: Pretty good show with a lot going on as opposed to being in neutral the past week. We saw Mae Young’s insane bump, Dean Malenko’s first title win, Crash losing and regaining his belt and of course Vince McMahon returning and helping Rock finally get his revenge. Plus most of the matches ranged from decent to good (with two exceptions) and we’re starting to get some real build toward Wrestlemania. Now you’d think we’d be getting The Rock vs. Triple H as the main event like everyone wanted from the beginning but not so fast.