WWF RAW 5/29/2000

written by Adam King

WWF RAW IS WAR
Monday, May 29nd, 2000

Live from the General Motor Place in Vancouver, BC

List of WWF Champions at the time:
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (5/21/2000)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Chris Benoit (5/08/2000)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (4/02/2000)
WWF European Champion: Eddie Guerrero (4/03/2000)
WWF Hardcore Champion: Gerald Brisco (5/18/2000)
WWF Women’s Champion: Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (3/30/2000)
WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)

~ Raw comes on the air with highlights of The Rock and Undertaker’s battles with the Regime the past week. After the intro Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Tonight the King of the Ring qualifying begins and we’ll have a special appearence by Kid Rock.

~ Things kick off with The Undertaker riding to the ring on his motorcycle to head up our opening promo segment. Taker grabs a mic but before he can say anything Triple H and the rest of the Regime make their way out to the stage. Triple H grabs his own mic and welcomes Taker back to the WWF before saying he already did him a huge favor. Triple H claims he was going to beat The Rock at Judgment Day but Taker ended up doing the work for him instead so he decides to publicly thank Taker for putting the WWF Championship back where it belongs as DX applauds. Taker finally gets to respond and tells Triple H he should be thanking him for not coming out there and beating him up. Taker says he’s going to take any chance to slap any of them around before claiming the WWF Title belongs to him. Triple H warns Taker that things have changed in his absence and anyone running their mouth will have it closed as the Regime starts surrounding the ring ready to pounce on Taker. At the point The Rock comes out to join the discussion but Vince cuts Rock off and accuses him and Taker of having some back-scratching deal after coming to each other’s aid the pat week. Rock responds as you might expect then says any chance he has to take a member of the Regime out is a good day. Rock promises to become WWF Champion again and Vince realizes Rock and Taker have common enemies as well as a common goal of winning the WWF Championship. Vince says since Rock and Taker have so much in common the two can go ahead and wrestle each other tonight.

~ Backstage we find Kid Rock chilling with Joe C. and his band and he even addresses the normally invisible camera. JR reminds us Kid Rock will have a special performance tonight as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Joe C. is walking somewhere backstage when he runs into the Acolytes who greet him. The three of them plug Kid Rock’s upcoming CD before Bradshaw asks Joe C. if he knows any country songs.

The Godfather, Dean Malenko & The Kat vs. D’Lo Brown, Perry Saturn & Terri Runnels

On Heat they did this thing where Malenko started hanging around with Godfather while Saturn and D’Lo also became buddies. Kat and Terri are still engaged in their never-ending feud so here we are. Kat comes out wearing a bright red wig while Godfather gets on the mic and gives the usual spiel. D’Lo works on Malenko to start but Malenko comes back and hammers him in a corner. Malenko goes for a whip, D’Lo reverses him into a corner and charges at him but eats a boot. Malenko comes out and hits a hiptoss then dropkicks D’Lo then tags Godfather. Malenko whips D’Lo into a corner and Godfather whips him into D’Lo but D’Lo sidesteps it and yells at Godfather. Malenko dropkicks D’Lo into a slam from Godfather and Godfather follows up with the running legdrop. Godather goes for an elbowdrop but misses and D’Lo tags Saturn in. Godfather hits a sidewalk slam and pair of forearms then slams Saturn to the mat and hits the elbowdrop on him. Godfather whips Saturn but doesn’t see D’Lo’s blind tag and Saturn kicks the face while D’Lo hits a heelkick. D’Lo whips Godfather into an elbow then tags Saturn and Saturn hits an exlpoder suplex. Saturn tags in Terri and holds Godfather for Terri to slap him repeatedly and Terri poses while Godfather manages to tag in Kat. Kat bulldogs Terri from behind but Terri tags Saturn back in and Saturn grabs Kat to keep her from tagging out. Malenko comes in to break it up with a clothesline then takes over on Saturn and whips him hitting an elbow. Malenko sets Saturn up for something but D’Lo nails Malenko from behind and all four men are now going at it, while the crowd is chanting for the females. D’Lo goes for a whip, Malenko reverses it but D’Lo comes back with an Atomic Drop before hitting the Ski Hi. Godfather knocks D’Lo through the ropes with a right then goes out and continues to pound on him on the floor. However Saturn climbs to the top rope and connects with the flying elbowdrop for the pin. (3:33) Couldn’t get into this match for some reason. *½

~ Backstage Edge and Christian are giving instructions to Kevin Kelly who’s holding a Polaroid when Joe C. walks past them. E&C ask for a picture with him and Joe C. is happy to oblige while the pose with him. However the two then refer to him as “Mini Me” and says he was great in Austin Powers, confusing him with Verne Troyer. Joe C. tries to set them straight but E&C don’t get the message so he just brushes them off.

~ Back form break Edge and Chrsitian are admiring their snapshot with (not) “Mini Me”, specifically their teeth, when Kurt Angle walks up. E&C brag about their photo and Angle says he likes posing with midgets as much as anyone but he has more important things on his mind, like winning the European Title. Angle walks off and E&C go back to admiring their photo, feeling this will get them on the cover of Tiger Beat.

WWF European Title: Eddie Guerrero © (w/Chyna) vs. Kurt Angle

Angle gets on the mic and says Canada is lacking in Olympic heroes while claiming Ben Johnson doesn’t count. Angle also says Canada can’t have Memorial Day barbeques since they’d get attacked by moose or caribous. Angle then says once he wins the European Title he’ll represent Europe while also being a North American hero. For some reason the crowd chants “U.S. sucks!” Angle starts off with a waistlock and takes Eddie down but Eddie reverses out of it and we have a standoff. Eddie takes Angle down by the leg but Angle rolls him up for a two count then hits a powerslam for another two. Angle goes for a suplex but Eddie flips out of it and forearms Angle in the back before hitting his back suplex. Eddie then heads out to the apron and slings himself over the ropes into the hilo. Eddie goes into a headlock when Angle powers out of it into his own headlock and Eddie shoves him off into the ropes. Eddie lowers the head and Angle goes for a Fireman’s carry when Eddie lands on his feet but runs into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Angle follows up with a bridge suplex for a near fall then wails on him in a corner but Eddie jabs him in the eyes. Eddie goes for a whip but Angle counters into a Northern Lights suplex then goes for the Fireman’s carry again but Eddie fights Angle off with knees to the face. Eddie hits a dropkick then charges but gets backdropped over the ropes. Chyna goes over to help Eddie up but Angle nails her with a baseball slide then tosses Eddie back in the ring. Chyna tries to come in the ring but the referee holds her back while Angle continues wailing away on Eddie. Eddie starts fighting back and takes a swing at Angle but misses and nails the referee from behind by mistake. Angle sets Eddie on the top rope then goes up looking for a superplex but Chyna stops that with a low blow. Eddie connects with a hurcanara and gets the pin even though Angle’s foot is under the rope. (3:27) Nice match but way too short for what these guys can do. **½

~ Backstage Joe C. is walking somewhere when he runs into Edge & Christian again. E&C claim they got clued in to who Joe C. is and that he and Christian want to make up for their goof by honoring him with one of their 5-second poses. Christian adds they want to be politically correct with their pose so they ask him if he’s a midget or a dwarf or a gnome. E&C conclude Joe C. must be an Ewok so Joe C. tells them to go (*bleep*) themselves after their match and departs.

~ Back from break Road Dogg is walking backstage when he hears some funny noises coming from behind a door. Road Dogg peers inside the room but gets pulled in and from behind the door it sounds like he’s getting beaten down. Eventually the door opens and Road Dogg flies out yet the cameraman doesn’t look in the room to find out who it was.

WWF World Tag Team Titles: Edge & Christian © vs. Too Cool

Christian gets on the mic first and talks about Britsh Columbia not being the brightest provience in Canada. Edge then announces their 5-second pose today honors overrated midget rappers everywhere, such as Joe C. Edge calls this “Kickin’ It Joe C. Style” before he and Christian pose while wearing hats and kneeling on shoes. Christian locks up with Grandmaster Sexay to start and get an armbar but Sexay reverses it into a hammerlock. Christian reverses that into his own hammerlock but Sexay fights his way out of it. Sexay whips Christian into a corner and Christian lifts himself up and over Sexay but Sexay comes back with a superkick. Sexay hops to the middle rope and busts a move before hitting a missle dropkick. Sexay tags Scotty 2 Hotty and the two guys make a wish then come off the ropes with a double clothesline. Scotty takes over and hits a vertical suplex then kips up and moonwalks before getting in a shot on Edge. Christian comes back with a spinning heel kick then tags Edge in and slams Scotty to the mat for a double headbutt that gets a two count. Edge goes for a powerbomb when Scotty tries to reverse in into a rollup but gets his leg caught on the shoulder and the corwd lets him know it. Scotty DDT’s Edge and both men head to the corners with Edge tagging Christian and Scotty tagging in Sexay. Sexay connects with a dropkick on Christian and does the same to Edge then nails Christian with a powerbomb. Sexay clotheslines Edge and himself over the ropes while Scotty bulldogs Christian then hits him with the Worm. Edge brings one of the tag belts in the ring but Scotty ducks the swing and drops Edge with a right hand. Edge and Scotty head out to the floor as we see Rikishi and Joe C. making their way out with a hockey stick. The referee heads out to argues with Rikishi on the floor while Christian grabs the tag title belt and readies a swing Sexay when Joe C. goes in the ring and nails Christan below the belt with the hockey stick. Sexay takes the belt and waffles Christian with it then gets the 1..2..3 and we have new champions! (3:22) Rikishi celebrates the victory with his pals before they invite Joe C to join them for the post-match dance. Decent match for what it was and it’s nice to see Too Cool get a run with the belts for being so over with the fans. **

~ Back from break we get a replay of Joe C. giving Too Cool an assist en route to their Tag Team Title win.

~ Backstage Vince McMahon is talking with Stephanie McMahon, calling their new tag team champions a big surprise. Stpehanie starts to talk when … the tape suddenly rewinds and starts over, replaying what she started to say. Whoops! Don’t see that often in the WWF. Anyway Stephanie calls the Rock/Undertaker match genius and Vince promises a bigger surprise for the two of them. Suddenly the lights go out and we hear Stephanie screaming as well as sounds of a scuffle taking place in the dark. Once the lights come back on Vince is down on the floor holding his head while reeling from the ambush.

~ We then see Rikishi and Shane McMahon both heading to the ring for the next match as we go to commercial.

~ Back form break we get a replay of the assault on Vince while JR says their satellite problems have been fixed. You know Ross could have just said the segment was taped during the commercial instead of using a lame excuse.

Shane McMahon vs. Rikishi – King of the Ring Qualifying Match

This is the first match in the King of the Ring tournament which will have 32 participants this year. Shane first decides to get on the mic saying he doesn’t blame Rikishi for being too scared to face the Giant Killer, since he beat The Big Show and survived The Undertaker. Shane then say his journey to the throne begins tonight. Shane tries to get in the first shots but Rikishi shoves him away then clotheslines him down and tees off on him, capping off with a wind-up punch. Rikishi stomps Shane in the chest and whips him into a backdrop. Rikishi then sees Triple H making his way out to ringisde and once Triple H hops on the apron Rikishi goes after him allowing Shane to hit a low blow. Shane follows up with a series of jabs then drops him with a right hook that even surprises himself. Rikishi starts fighting back and caps off with his own shot then whips Shane into a corner and hits a clothesline. Shane slumps into prime position for a stinkface and Rikishi moves in on Shane but Triple H comes in to makes the save. Rikishi fights Triple H off then whips him into a corner and hits the running butt plash, putting him down as well. Rikishi then looks to stinkface Triple H but Shane brings a chair in the ring and whacks Rikishi with it for a DQ. (2:35) Shane gets in another chairshot then sets the chair down on the mat and Triple H drives Rikishi into it with the Pedigree. Shane then covers Rikishi and counts his own pinfall even though Rikishi still advances in the tournament. DUD

~ Backstage Stephanie McMahon addresses Test, Albert, Val Venis and Trish Stratus about what happened on Heat when she enlisted Test and Albert to take Chris Jericho out in a handicap match only to have the Hardys help Jericho pervail. Stephanie mentions how they failed but admits they didn’t expect the Hardys to get involved. Stephanie decides that since Trish has had her eyes on Val for some time that Val is going to team with T&A tonight against The Hardys and Jericho. Stephanie warns them that this is their last chance at redemption then departs but Test, who’s been making funny faces this whole time, responds by shouting “b****” behind her back. Looks like they finally remembered how Stephanie stood Test up at the altar last November.

The Hardy Boyz & Chris Jericho vs. Val Venis, Test & Albert (w/Trish Stratus)

Jericho gets on the mic and does his intro then mentions Stpehanie focusing so much time and energy on him, saying she may have a shot with him if she buys some Clearasil and stops being a dirty bottom-feeder. Val and Jericho lockup to start and jockey for position in a corner then break when Val slaps Jericho in the face. Jericho slaps Val back then goes for a whip, Val reverses it but Jericho comes back with a spinning heel kick. Jericho comes off the ropes with the bulldog then works Val over with chops. Jericho goes for another whip, Val reverses it and Albert nails Jericho form behind. Jericho pops Albert but walks into a spinebuster from Val who gets in his shots then tags Albert in to take over when he see Stephanie watching the match backstage. Albert whips Jericho into a corner and press slams him the tags Test in and both men whip Jericho into a corner. Test whips Albert into an Avalanche on Jericho and Albert rams Jericho into a boot from Test in exchange. Test slams Jericho to the mat for a two count then whips him but Jericho comes back and hits a flying forearm. Jericho makes the tag to Matt Hardy and Matt throws Test to the mat then catches Albert with a tornado DDT while Jeff keeps Val out of the ring. Matt works Test over in a corner then drops down so Jeff can hit the Poetry in Motion. Matt covers Test but Val breaks it up then heads out to the apron when Jericho goes for the springboard dropkick on Val but doesn’t get all of it. Those two fight it out on the floor while Albert tosses Jeff through the ropes. Matt sets Test up for the Twist of Fate but Albert breaks it up with a vicious clothesline. Test scoops Matt up but Matt floats over him and hits the Twist of Fate while the referee repremands Albert. Jeff climbs to the top rope for the Swanton Bomb but Trish clubs Jeff with her boot and he straddles the turnbuckle as a result. Matt grabs Trish on the apron but Albert comes to her aid and nails Matt with the chokebomb for the three. (3:26) Trish celebrates with her charges in the aisle while Jericho and the Hardys glare at them from the ring. That match just seemed to blow on by. **

~ Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Rock, asking how he feels about Vince and Road Dogg getting attacked, but all Rock says is he hates when that happens. So Cole now asks Rock if he’s happy with getting a shot at Taker after Taker supposedly cost him the title at Judgment Day. Rock says that’s not the reason he wants this match; he wants to do whatever it takes to be WWF Champion again.

WWF Intercontinential Title: Chris Benoit © vs. Hardcore Holly

Hardcore’s been wanting his shot at Benoit for weeks and now he’s got it after winning the triple threat on Smackdown. Hardcore first gets on the mic and says Chris Benoit could have settled this the easy way by giving him a title shot but instead chose the hard way, giving shots to Kurt Angle, Val Venis and Chris Jericho. Hardcore claims Benoit is too scared to give him a shot but feels there’s no shame in being afraid of Hardcore Holly since he’s a typical Canadian coward. Hardcore and promises to beat Benoit up and take what rightfully belongs to him when Benoit comes out with a mic to offer a rebuttal. Benoit tells Hardcore after interfering in his matches with chiars and insulting his country he finally has his attention. Benoit says Hardcore may have his big break but all he’ll be able to brag about is making his biggest mistake and that makes Benoit the face in this matchup.

Both men go right to work on each other exchanging shots when Benoit gets the advantage as the crowd starts another “U.S. sucks!” chant. Benoit goes for a whip, Hardcore reverses it but lowers the head and Benoit kicks the face. Benoit chops Hardcore and whips him into an elbow then clotheslines Hardcore and himself over the ropes. Benoit hits forearm to the face when Hardcore fights back but Benoit stops that and tosses him into the ringpost. Benoit tosses Hardcore back in the ring and whips him into a corner then brings him down for the Crosface but Hardcore is able to grab the rope for the break. Benoit whips Hardcore but Hardcore comes back with a spear then unloads on Benoit with rights and follows up with a suplex for a two count. Hardcore climbs to the top rope but Benoit cuts him off then climbs up and hits a superplex for a two count. Benoit chops Hardcore in a corner but Hardocre jabs the eye to reverse positions and gets in his chops then clubs him down and chokes him. Hardcore whips Benoit into the other corner and eats a boot but Benoit runs into a powerslam for a near fall. Hardocre hits a powerbomb that gets another two count thet starts aruging with the referee about the count. Benoit goes for a snap suplex but Hardcore counters it and hits a back suplex yet still only gets a two count. Benoit attempts a backslide but Hardcore counters with a mule kick below the belt and the crowd is not happy. Hardcore then goes out and brings a chair in the ring but the referee grabs it trying to stop him from using it. Suddenly Chris Jericho comes in and nails Hardcore from behind then whacks him with the chair and that’s it. (4:18) Look, I know Jericho wants revenge for Hardcore taking his pin on Smackdown but come on, let Benoit have a clean title defense! Benoit gets in Jericho’s face, not appreciating him getting involved in his match while Hardcore swings the chair at both Chrises but misses them. Benoit takes the chair and brains Hardcore then chases him up the ramp to the back while Jericho goes after them with the chair in hand. **½

~ Backstage Kevin Kelly interviews The Undertaker for his thoughts on about Vince and Road Dogg getting ambushed but all Taker says is the McMahon-Hemlsley Regime p–d someone off. So Kevin asks about his match with The Rock and Taker says he has no beef with Rock but he wants the WWF Championship so a man has to do what a man has to do.

~ Back from break we get an exterior shot of the General Motors Place as JR buzzes about the main event.

~ Backstage the Regime has gathered to talk about this guy attacking Vince and Road Dogg earlier. Road Dogg says he didn’t see who it was while Vince chastises Gerald Brisco for not protecting him during his assault. Vince then decides it’s not enough to just see Rock and Undertaker beat each other up so they need something extra.

Bull Buchanan (w/The Big Bossman) vs. Steve Blackman (w/Al Snow) – King of the Ring Qualifying Match

Blackman charges at Buchanan to start but Buchanan sidesteps and works him over in a corner. Buchanan whips Blackman who slides under him and misses a roundhouse kick but ducks a clothesline and hits a thrust kick. Blackman hits a suplex then climbs to the top rope and connects with a missile dropkick that gets a two count. Buchanan comes back with a clothesline then whips Blackman and hits an elbow before slamming him to the mat and following up with an elbowdrop for a near fall. Buchanan grabs at Blackman’s face and whips him into a boot then tosses Blackman through the ropes and distracts the referee while Bossman gets in a kick on the floor. Buchanan brings Blackman back in the ring and Blackman starts fighitng back but Buchanan stops that rally and chokes him. Buchanan whips Blackman into a corner and charges at him but Blackman sidesteps him and gets in his shots. Blackman goes for a whip and Buchanan reverses it but Blackman hits a shouldertackle. Blackman then whips Buchanan but lowers the head and Buchanan kicks the face but Blackman comes back a DDT. Blackman hops to the middle rope but misses a diving headbutt and Buchanan connects with an axe kick for the pin. (3:22) Bad match with no heat whatsoever. Snow heads in the ring but Bossman cuts him off with the nightstick then he and Buchanan beat Blackman with it. Bossman then talks some trash when Blackman suddenly grabs the nightstick away and lays both guys out with the nightstick. Blackman sends Bossman rolling while Snow kicks Buchanan through the ropes for good measure. DUD

~ Backstage Pat Patterson is fetching coffee for the Regime when he gets pulled into a room by the mystery assailant and beaten down.

~ We then see Kid Rock and his crew making their way out for their performance as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Chris Jericho gets the honor of introducing Kid Rock who performs a song from his lastest CD.

~ We then see The Undertaker making his way to the ring for the main event as we go to commercial.

~ Back from break Edge & Christian have gotten their hands on Joe C., not happy he cost them the tag team titles. E&C put Joe C. in a trash can then (after an quick edit) Christian grabs a chair and begins smashing up the can with it. E&C then pick the can up and ram it into a wall before leaving it in a dumpster and giving Joe C. some parting words.

The Rock vs. The Undertaker

They’re really going to just do this big match on free TV without any significant build-up? I seriously doubt it. Sure enough once both men are in the ring Vince McMahon makes his way out to the stage with a mic in hand. Vince says before they beat each other up, he first wants to know one of them attacked him, Road Dogg and Pat Patterson backstage. Both Rock and Taker deny it so Vince decides to make this a lumberjack match and the rest of the Regime along with Test, Albert, Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan come out and circle the ring. The bell sounds and Rock and Taker exchange a look … before deciding to forego the match and head out to attack the lumberjacks. Rock goes after Triple H and gets in a shot below the belt then goes in and nails Buchanan with a Rock Bottom. Taker follows Bossman in the ring and chokeslams him and he and Taker continuing fighting off the other men. However Triple H low blows Rock while X-Pac brings Taker down and the numbers begin to overwhelm them. Vince and Shane come in the ring looking to get a piece while the crowd is begging for anyone to make the save.

Suddenly the pyro goes off and Kane is coming out, making his return from wherever he’s been the past month! Triple H’s army head out to attack Kane one at a time but Kane dispatches them as he makes his way in the ring. Kane chokeslams Test then turns and chokeslams X-Pac. Triple H swings his title belt at Kane but Kane ducks the shot and Triple H gets chokeslammed as well. Kane stands over the fallen Triple H hoisting the WWF Championship belt over his head while rhe rest of the Regime retreats. Looks like a new force has entered the fray as the show fades to black.

Conclusion: Middle-of-the-road episode. While the angles for King of the Ring are finally start to take shape the actual wrestling was above-average at best. In addition that tape goof-up was embarassing and JR tried to cover but the damage was done. Still the Canadian crowd was into most of the show and Kane’s return was nicely done, though the WWF still bait-and-swithched the main event. Plus we saw Too Cool win the tag titles though you could sense Edge and Christian would get the belts back soon enough.