Written by: Adam King
WWF RAW IS WAR
Monday, October 16th, 2000
Live from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
List of WWF Champions at the time:
● WWF World Heavyweight Champion: The Rock (6/25/2000)
● WWF Intercontinental Champion: Eddie Guerrero (9/04/2000)
● WWF World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz (9/24/2000)
● WWF European Champion: Al Snow (8/31/2000)
● WWF Hardcore Champion: Steve Blackman (9/24/2000)
● WWF Women’s Champion: Lita (8/21/2000)
● WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Dean Malenko (4/27/2000)
~ Raw comes on the air and goes right to the intro with Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcoming us to the show. Tonight The Rock teams with the Hardys against Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian while Triple H does battle with Kane.
~ Things kick off with Eddie Guerrero heading to the ring to some massive heat as we’re actually going to open with a match. But first Eddie grabs a mic and says all the chicks like him, from playmates to baby dolls. Eddie claims Chyna didn’t walk out of his life, he just got tired of her crying and whimpering, and when Chyna begs for forgiveness, all she’ll get is him kicking her rear. Eddie also promises the same thing to Billy Gunn if he keeps interfering in his business. Eddie then starts to address Commissioner Mick Foley putting Chris Jericho against him when Jericho comes out to the stage for his response on the mic. Jericho says this is the first Raw in a month to not open with a 20 minute interview and tells Eddie to shut up because it’s time to get things started.
- WWF Intercontinential Title: Eddie Guerrero © vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho starts with a series of chops but Eddie jabs the eye and hits his own chops. Eddie goes for a whip, Jericho reverses but Eddie hits a shoulderblock. Eddie comes off the ropes and Jericho leapfrogs over him then hits a monkeyflip but Eddie lands right on his head! Jericho sets Eddie up and tries to whip him but Eddie can’t seem to move, having suffered a legit hamstring injury. Eddie then slides out to the floor holding his leg but can’t seem to stand up. Jericho rolls Eddie back in the ring then goes for a whip but Eddie’s leg seems to collapse as he moves across the ring. Jericho drops him to the mat and the referee decides to call the match right there. (1:08) Looked like it was going to be a great match until the injury plus as I mentioned Eddie was getting some great heat there. NR
The referee then checks on Eddie as JR questions whether Eddie is really hurt or just faking to save his title. Suddenly X-Pac runs in and attacks Jericho from behind as JR mentions they will meet in a cage match at No Mercy. Billy Gunn then comes in to make the save and tosses X-Pac through the ropes. Billy then stares X-Pac down as a swarm of referees try to seperate them.
~ Backstage a limo pulls up and Kurt Angle comes up to open the door for Stephanie McMahon and even fetches her luggage.
~ Johnathan Coachman prepares to interview Rikishi next as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get an interview Johnathan Coachman had with Rikishi earlier today. Coach first asks Rikishi how his life has changed since he confessed to running down Steve Austin and Rikishi says he’s gotten tremendous feedback not from the fans but from his family who see him as a visionary. Coach mentions Mick Foley banned him from the Joe Louis Arena, the very place where he ran Austin down. Rikishi says he wanted to confront Austin face-to-face but feels Foley isn’t fooling anyone and banned him just to protect Austin. Rikishi says he’s happy at what he done, and if he had the chance, he’d do it again. Coach next brings up what The Rock said about him on Smackdown. Rikishi feels Rock is confused and believes deep down Rock is behind what he did since he’s pratically family. Coach also points out Rikishi has shown no remorse at running down another human being. Rikishi says his accusations against the WWF last week aren’t just stories he’s making up, they’re facts, and he’d do anything to make sure Rock doesn’t get treated the way “other Island boys” were treated. Coach then brings up his No Holds Barred match against Austin this Sunday and Rikishi says ever since Austin came back to the WWF everybody has ran away except for him. Rikishi says he doesn’t care about Austin and if Austin got in his face he’s slap him down like a dog. Rikishi tells Coach if he though running down Austin was something, he hasn’t seen anything yet because he’s going to take care of business at No Mercy.
~ Back in the arena JR and Lawler express their thoughts on this subject as they hype the match on Sunday.
- The Acolytes vs. T&A (w/Trish Stratus)
These two teams took park in a strip poker game last night on Heat, only for Test and Albert to jump the Acolytes, and thus we have this match. Both sides pair off to start and Faaroq takes out Test while Albert beats down Bradshaw. Albert whips Bradshaw but Bradshaw comes back with a shoulderblock. Bradshaw goes for a whip, Albert reverses but lowers the head and Bradshaw clubs him in the back. Bradshaw goes for another whip but Albert reverses and hits a clothesline followed by a bicycle kick. Albert tags in Test and both men whip Bradshaw into a corner then Test slings Albert into Bradshaw but Bradshaw sidesteps him and takes Test down. Faarooq knocks Albert through the ropes and both Acolytes whip Test into a double shoulderblock for a near fall. Faarooq whips Test and attempts a hiptoss but Test blocks it and counters with a neckbreaker. Test hammers Faarooq and comes off the ropes but runs into a powerslam for a two count. Faarooq goes for a whip, Test reverses him into a corner and charges but eats an elbow. Faarooq misses a right hand and Test plants him with a Full Nelson slam then unloads on him. Albert tags in and takes over on Faarooq then whips him into a corner and hits the Avalanche. Albert follows up with a butterfly suplex for a near fall then tags in Test and press slams him right onto Faarooq but Bradshaw makes the save. Faarooq rolls up Test but the referee is too busy getting Bradshaw out of the ring to count. Faarooq goes for the Dominator when Albert interupts him with a clothesline. Test goes for a Pump Handle Slam when Faarooq floats over and shoves him into the ropes but eats a big boot. Test scoops Faarooq up but Faarooq floats over him and hits a DDT. Test tags in Albert while Faarooq tags in Bradshaw who comes in with a boot to Albert’s face. Bradshaw whips Albert into an elbow then pops Test off the apron. Bradshaw climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying shoulderblock then covers but Test saves it. Faarooq knocks Test through the ropes then goes out and rams him into the steps. Trish hops onto the apron and gets Bradshaw’s attention by removing her coat but Bradshaw steals a big ol’ kiss. Bradshaw turns around and walks into the chokebomb from Albert but Faarooq makes the save. Albert stomps Bradshaw down while Test works over Faarooq but Faarooq backdrops Test over the ropes then plants Albert with a spinebuster. Bradshaw comes off the ropes with the Clothesline From Hades on Albert for the win. (5:16) Bleah. Wll the WWF stop pitting these two teams against each other? DUD
~ Backstage Triple H and Stephanie are arguing about her decision to be Kurt Angle’s business partner. Triple H tells Stephanie he can understand her wanting a career but though they had this settled but Stephanie claims she would have turned Angle down had Triple H let her be in his corner again. Stephanie tells Triple H that the WWF is her business and her life and since he won’t het her help him she’s going to accompany Angle for his matches. Triple H asks Stephanie what’ll happen if she gets hurt like she almost did with Kane on Smackdownbut Stephanie simply says that’s a chance they’ll both have to take.
~ Back from break Stephanie is now talking with Kurt Angle, promising he’s going to be WWF Champion and that WWF gold is more vailuable than Olympic Gold. Triple H suddenly bursts into the room and Stephanie tells him this is strictly a business meeting but Triple H orders Stephanie to leave so he can have his own private meeting with Angle. Stephanie departs and Triple H orders Angle to have a seat.
- WWF European Title: Al Snow © (w/Head) vs. William Regal
Regal made his WWF (re-)debut last night on Heat but Al Snow cost him a loss against Chris Jericho so here’s the result. Weird how Regal is getting a title shot in only his second match back. Anyway this week Snow is representing England and comes in dressed as an Englishman, doing his intro in a British accent and giving Lawler a picture of Prince Edward. Regal attacks Snow as he’s taking off his costume and hammers him with forearms when Snow starts fighting back but Regal stops that with a forearm. Regal goes for a whip, Snow reverses and attempts a hip toss and Regal blocks it but Snow counters with an arm drag. Snow goes for a whip but Regal counters into a modified neckbreaker for a two count. Regal tries another cover but only gets two, and tries a third cover but still can’t get three. Regal lands several European forearms followed by a double kneelift then applies a headlock, Snow fights out of it but Regal drags him down by the hair. Regal pops Snow with a European uppercut and hits several kneelifts then works him over in a corner and hits a suplex for another two count. Regal applies a headlock and Snow fights out of it then comes off the ropes, Snow slides under Regal but Regal connects with an European uppercut. Regal whips Snow but lowers the head and Snow kicks him in the face and hits a modifed jawbreaker. Snow comes off the ropes and slides under Regal again then dodges an uppercut and hammers him in a corner. Snow goes for a whip, Regal reverses him into the opposite corner but Snow slides to stop himself and hits a clothesline. Snow whips Regal into a corner and hits a backdrop then goes for a suplex but Regal counters with a kneelift. Snow blocks several shots and hits a knee to the chest followed by a bridge suplex but only gets two. Snow slams Regal to the mat then climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault but Regal gets the knees up to block it. Regal quickly applies the Regal Stretch and Snow taps out, giving Regal the win and his first European title! (3:40) And thus Regal becomes the second European titleholder actually from Europe. Solid match from these guys but I’m puzzled at having Snow drop the title right there. They should have built Regal up a little more then have him win the title at the pay-per-view. **½
~ Backstage Triple H and Kurt Angle resume their encounter with Triple H telling him to remember two things. Triple H tells Angle that Stephanie is his responsiblity and if she gets hurt out there it’s his rear, then warns him if he makes their relationship anything more than business, it’ll be the last thing he does. Triple H departs for his match and Angle flashes a smirk after he leaves. Huh.
~ Kane is also shown making his way to the ring for that match as we go to commercial.
- Triple H vs. Kane
I guess Triple H wanted this match after Kane tried to get his hands on Stephanie onSmackdown. Just as the match begins Chris Benoit comes out and joins the announcers for commentary, distracting Triple H long enough for Kane to attack from behind. Kane hammers away on Triple H then whips him into a corner and hits a clothesline. Kane follows up with a short-arm clothesline but misses an elbowdrop and Triple H comes back with a neckbreaker. Triple H unloads on Kane and clotheslines him ver the ropes but Kane lands on his feet and pulls Triple H out to the floor. Triple H rams Kane into the barricade then into the steps then walks by the announcers’ table, staring at Benoit along the way. Triple H leaps off the ring apron but Kane catches him and rams him into the ringpost. Kane rolls Triple H back in then climbs to the top rope and connects with a flying clothesline for a two count. We then cut to the back and find Stephanie and Angle watching the match with Stephanie worried that Benoit is going to interfere. Stephanie wants to go out to help but Angle won’t have it, explaining he’s responsible for her safety plus he feels Triple H can handle himself. Back in the ring Kane hits a backbreaker on Triple H and hammers him in a corner but Triple H escapes and gets in his own shots. Triple H goes for a whip, Kane reverses him into the opposite corner and hits a press slam for a two count. Kane kicks Triple H in the back and chokes him with his boot then whips him into a corner and charges but eats an elbow. Triple H comes out with the high knee but Kane pops right back up and Triple H unloads on him and goes for a whip. Kane reverses but lowers the head and Triple H hits the facebuster but Kane still stays on his feet so Triple H drills him with a DDT for a two count. Triple H comes off the ropes and Kane scoops him up for a Tombstone, Triple H slips out and sets Kane up for a Pedigree but Kane counters with a backdrop. Kane grabs Triple H by the throat and tosses him over the ropes then pulls him onto the apron by the hair but Triple H snaps his neck on the ropes. Triple H then turns and leaps over the announce table to pound on Benoit!! Triple H unloads on Benoit as the referee tries in vain to pull him off so Kane does it. Kane goes for a whip but Triple H reverses him into the ringpost then drills him with a Pedigree on the floor. Suddenly Benoit whacks Triple H with a chair and that gets a DQ call from the referee. (6:28) I guess that makes Triple H 10-3 against Kane. Not that this match was even relevant or anything. **
Benoit throws Triple H back in the ring and hits his series of German suplexes then slaps on the Crossface. Triple H is tapping out like mad when Benoit releases the hold and leaves the ring with a grin on his face.
~ Steve Austin is shown heading somewhere, perhaps to the ring as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break Michael Cole brings Steve Austin out to the ring for an interview. Cole starts off by asking Austin how he feels returning to the scene of the crime and Austin says he’s happy to be in Detroit but also PO’ed since this is where it all happened. Austin talks about being frustrated at being on the shelf for ten months but doesn’t want sympathy, he just wants to paint a picture of his beating of Rikishi. Austin calls Rikishi’s interview b.s. that didn’t mean anything to him then brings up how Rikishi was banned from the arena saying he doesn’t need any protection. Austin then scoffs at Rikishi claiming he’d slap him, asking if that’s the best he can come up with. Austin says he’s got pictures of Rikishi all over his house and he’s looking at a dead man at the pay-per-view. Cole then asks Austin about the match at No Mercy when Austin grabs the mic from him and says he’s not going to do armbars and lucha libre-type stuff, he’s going to stomp a mudhole in Rikishi. Austin says if there’s anyone who can do it to an @** as big as Rikishi’s it’s Stone Cold and whatever he does to Rikishi is all legal.
Suddenly Rikishi appears on the TitanTron, broadcasting from the garage. Rikishi tells Austin he’d love to be in the ring with him but he’s been banned from the arena, yet Mick Foley said nothing about Austin coming to him in the parking lot. Rikishi points out the very spot Austin was run over and dares him to come after him and Austin wastes no time storming out to the back. Austin eventually reaches the garage but finds no sign of Rikishi when a car suddenly comes screeching from behind a stack of boxes! Austin jumps out of the way onto the back of a truck as the car rolls by with Rikishi leaning out the car window and saying “Austin … this Sunday … No Mercy” before he peels out.
~ Back from break we get a replay of Rikishi nearly hitting Austin again and his parting words. Lawler feels Rikishi was just trying to send a message to Austin but JR disagrees.
~ In the arena X-Pac comes out to the ring even though he’s not scheduled for a match. X-Pac grabs a mic and claims Chris Jericho hasn’t had enough yet after beating him in their prior matches. X-Pac then says he now has to deal with Billy Gunn, another “stupid blonde” DX fired 10 months ago. X-Pac accuses Billy of getting involved in his feud with Jericho and calls him out. Billy comes out to the stage when Eddie Guerrero limps out and nails him from behind with his IC Title belt. X-Pac goes to work on Billy on the ramp and throws him in the ring as a referee comes in and a bell sounds so apparently we have a match.
- X-Pac vs. B. A. Billy Gunn
X-Pac whips Billy and hits a spinning heel kick then kicks him down in a corner. X-Pac readies himself for the Bronco Buster when Chris Jericho runs in and pounds on X-Pac as the referees come out to break it up. X-Pac tries to bring a chair in the ring and Jericho dropkicks it into his face then slings himself over the ropes into a plancha on him. Jericho keeps attacking X-Pac as the referees try to keep them apart and I’m not sure if this was even a real match.
~ Back from break we get a replay of the preceding events in case you missed it. Backstage Billy Gunn tracks down Commissioner Mick Foley in his office (in a storage room) and yells about everything Eddie Guerrero has done lately then demands a match with him. Foley books the match for No Mercy and Billy accepts.
- The Dudley Boyz vs. Los Conquistadors
As everyone files out JR insists the Conquistadores are really Edge & Christian under the hoods. Lawler responds by showing a clip of the gold men costing E&C a match against Too Cool last night on Heat. Only the Conquistadors were noticeably shorter in the clip than they are now. Bubba Ray Dudley locks up with with one of the Conquistadors (referred to as “Dos”) to start and Dos applies a headlock then goes into a hammerlock before going into another headlock. Dos does it a second time and dances around before Bubba drops him with a right hand. Bubba whips Dos and hits a hiptoss followed by an armdrag then slams him to the mat. The other Conquistador (“Uno”) comes in but Bubba backdrops him and tags in D’Von. Both Dudleys whip Uno into a corner then whip Dos into Uno then whip Bubba into a splash on both men. D’Van nails Dos in the head, then whips Uno and hits the jumping elbow. D’Von tags in Bubba and both Dudleys whip Uno and hit a double clothesline. Bubba chops Uno in a corner and tries to go for the mask but the referee breaks it up. Bubba whips Uno into the opposite corner and charges but Uno counters with the headscissors. Bubba pops Dos off the apron and hits a sidewalk slam on Uno and tags D’Von to take over. D’Von slams Uno to the mat then tries to remove the mask but Dos draws Bubba in then clotheslines D’Von behind the referee’s back. The Conquistadors pulls the switch and Dos takes over on D’Von before tagging Uno back in and Uno whips D’Von into a flying forearm for a two count. Dos tags back in and whips D’Von into a shoulderblock and D’Von starts to fight back but Dos stops that with a dropkick. Uno tags in and chokes D’Von before shoving him into his corner then dars Bubba in, distracting the referee and allowing them to double-team D’Von. Dos tags in and slams D’Von to the mat then hits a legdrop for a two count. Dos snapmares D’Von to the mat and dropkicks him in the back of the head. Uno tags in and slams D’Von then hits a standing senton for a two count. Dos tags in again and goes for a whip, D’Von reverses Dos into a corner and Dos lifts himself up but D’Von doesn’t go for it and hits the a Curtain Call. D’Von manages tag in Bubba and Bubba takes it to both men then backdrops Dos and drops Uno onto the ropes. Bubba slams Dos to the mat and sets him up while D’Von climbs to the top and hits the “Wassup” headbutt. Bubba sends D’Von out to fetch a table but Dos catches slings himself over the ropes into a plancha on D’Von. Bubba plants Uno with the Full Nelson bomb then tries to remove the mask but Dos rolls Bubba up from behind for the pin. (6:34)Solid though standard tag match. Then again the Conquistadors didn’t want to do anything fancy which might tip off their identities. **
~ We get a replay of Rikishi nearly running Austin down again earlier tonight. We then get a shot of The Rock watching the replay on a monitor as we go commercial.
~ Back from break we get a clip of Chyna appearing on the Tonight Show last Wednesday. Moving right along..
- Road Dogg vs. Val Venis (w/Steven Richards)
Road Dogg comes out first and does his usual thing on the mic before saying he has rights as an American and he’s going to exercise his right to beat Val down. Richards gets Road Dogg’s attention allowing Val to attack him from behind and Val and stomps him down in a corner and chokes him with his shoe. Val whips Road Dogg and hits an elbow then follows up with an elbowdrop and a kneedrop for a near fall. Val pummels Road Dogg in a corner then goes for a whip, Road Dogg reverses Val hard into the opposite corner and connects with a flying forearm. Road Dogg clotheslines Val over the ropes then goes out after him but Val greets Road Dogg with several punches and drops him onto the barricade. Val goes for a whip but Road Dogg reverses him into the ringsteps before tossing him back in. Val hits a neckbreaker then lays the boots to Road Dogg and hits a suplex. Val applies a submission hold on Road Dogg while Richards taunts him from the outside then Val snapmares Road Dogg and applies a chinlock. Road Dogg manages to fight out of it and comes off the ropes but Val catches him with a kick. Val scoops Road Dogg up but Road Dogg floats over into a rollup for a near fall. Val hits a clothesline for a two count then applies another chinlock and Road Dogg fights out then comes off the ropes but both men clothesline each other. Both men get to their feet and start exchanging shots but Val gets the advantage and goes for a whip. Road Dogg reverses and trips him with a drop toehold then whips him and hits a backdrop. Val whips Road Dogg but misses a clothesline and Road Dogg starts hitting the juke ‘n’ jive punches and hits the big right. Suddenly Mideon runs in the ring naked and pops Richards then takes off. While the referee checks on Richards, Val hits a low blow and rolls Road Dogg up for the three. (5:58)Okay match but not one the crowd was into. Plus why bother with the Mideon run-in when it didn’t help Road Dogg any? **
~ Backstage Stephanie finds Kurt Angle’s dressing room and knocks on his door until Angle comes out. Stephanie tells Angle he needs to keep his momentum going if he’s going to be WWF Champion this Sunday and the two head out as we go to commercial.
~ Back from break we get footage of Jerry Lawler at the XFL cheerleader tryouts in Los Angeles. Yea, make your own jokes people. We then cut to WWF New York and find Mandy and Victoria dancing there.
~ Back in the arena Stephanie comes out to the stage with a mic and brings out Kurt Angle, who she announces will be the guest host for Sunday Night Heat and will interview The Rock before the pay-per-view then beat him for the WWF Title. Angle takes the mic and talks about how he made his national TV debut in this very arena then mentions how Rock’s bag was convinently left open allowing Rikishi to take his keys and run down Steve Austin, suggesting Rock may know more about it than he’s letting on. Stephanie tells Angle she’s going to lead him to victory in the title match, just like she did for Triple H. Angle adds unlike Triple H he will have won the European, Intercontinental, King of the Ring and WWF titles in just his first year. Angle finishes by promising the Rock is going to embark on a losing streak starting tonight and the two head down to the ring as we go to commercial.
- The Rock & The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) vs. Edge & Christian and Kurt Angle (w/Stepahnie)
Once everyone is in the ring Rock immediately pulls Angle in the hard way and starts pounding on him. Edge makes the save and hammers Rock into a corner then hits a Russian legsweep for a two count. Edge whips Rock but lowers the head and Rock hits a neckbreaker. Rock covers Edge but Angle breaks up the pin and distracts Rock while Edge nails him from behind. Christian tags in and lays the boots to Rock then goes for a whip but Rock reverses and hits a Samoan Drop. Angle breaks up the pin again so Rock throws Christian over the ropes and tells Angle “Just Bring It!”. After some hesitation Angle climbs in but Edge nails Rock from behind and Christian comes back in and chokes Rock with his boot. Angle tags in as we get a shot of Triple H in the back, watching the match with an icepack on his shoulder. Angle lays the boots to Rock then whips him and hits an elbow as Stephanie applauds her charge. Angle hits a back suplex then stomps Rock down in a corner and chokes him with his boot. Edge tags in but Rock charges out of the corner with a clothesline then tags in Jeff Hardy, who flips in the ring and comes off the ropes with a clothesline on Edge. Jeff goes for a whip, Edge reverses him into a corner but Jeff lifts himself up and over Edge and dropkicks him in the back. Matt tags in and both Hardys whip Edge into a corner then Matt drops to the mat and Jeff connects with the Poetry in Motion for a two count. Matt goes for a whip, Edge reverses but Matt ducks a clothesline and drops him with a right hand. Matt ties Edge in the ropes and unloads on him before the referee pulls him away. Christian frees Edge but Matt pops Christian on the apron and trips Edge then catapults him into Christian, knocking him of the apron to the floor. Matt sets Edge up for the Twist of Fate but Edge shoves him into a right hand from Angle then hits a German suplex. Angle tags in and gets in his shots on Matt then hits a suplex for a two count followed by a clothesline for another two count. Angle rams Matt into a corner and unloads on him then tags in Christian who snapmares Matt and kicks him in the back. Christian applies a chinlock and Matt fights out of it and comes off the ropes but runs into a knee. Christian draws in Jeff, distracting the referee and allowing E&C to double-team Matt in their corner. Edge takes over without a tag and Matt tries to fight back but Christian nails him from behind and Edge hits a dropkick for a two count.
Angle tags in and drops Matt with a right hand then hits an elbowdrop for a near fall. Angle rams Matt into his corner and kicks away at him then distracts the referee for another double-team. Edge tags in and hammers Matt in a corner then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but eats a boot. Matt comes out but runs into a clothesline and both men crawl to their corners. Edge tags in Christian who runs over and nails Jeff to prevent a tag and Rock tries to come in but the referee stops him. Christian plants Matt with a Slop Drop but Lita climbs to the top rope and connects with a Hurancarana on Christian. Angle pulls Lita out of the ring and Stephanie nails her from behind and throws her into the ringpost. In the ring Christian and Matt are down and Christian tags in Angle but Matt manages to tag in Rock. Rock unloads on Angle then whips him and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Rock knocks Christian off the apron but Angle responds with a clothesline. Jeff climbs to the top rope and dives at Edge on the outside. Angle stomps away at Rock and goes for a whip but Rock reverses and hits the spinbuster. Rock then sets up for the People’s Elbow but Christian interupts him so Rock knocks Christian over the ropes with the Smackdown. Rock hits Angle with the Rock Bottom and covers him but the referee is too busy with Edge and Christian on the floor to make the count and Stephanie pulls Rock off him. Rock grabs Stephanie by the hair but E&C nail Rock from behind and clothesline him over the ropes. With Angle still down Jeff climbs to the top rope looking for the Swanton Bomb but Stephanie hits him in the leg with a tire iron! Jeff falls to the mat and Angle hits the Olympic Slam for the pin. (10:27) Good main even with some nice action but had too much involvement from Stephanie. Plus Angle has yet to get a pinfall without Stephanie’s involvement ever since Unforgiven. ***
Angle and Stephanie celebrate their victory as they head back up the ramp while Christian attacks Rock but Rock takes him out with a Rock Bottom. Edge tries coming off the top rope but Rock catches him with a Rock Bottom as well. Rock then turns and dares Angle to come back in the ring and face him but Angle and Stephanie just keep posing on the stage as the show ends.
Conclusion: Decent episode of Raw that was mostly focused on starting the final build toward the pay-per-view. The matches weren’t much other than the good main event as they’re trying to get us interested in the main angles for the supercard, espcially with Austin and Rikishi finally having their first (through brief) face-to-face confrontation. I’m just not entirely sure they succeeded. Then again it’s not like the WWF was really feeling the pressure to bring it on Monday nights with WCW so far out of the race by this time. So let’s just call this a good not great show and leave it at that.