JANUARY 3RD — MIAMI, FL — AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
THE ROCK STARTS OFF RAW 2000
CONTEXT: The basis of the promo is that Rock is here for New Years Resolution and that’s to win the WWF World Championship. He’s also not happy about Mick Foley being fired last week, and calls out Triple H to join the segment. Triple H and Stephanie make their way out, and HHH informs Rock that he’d love to wrestle Rock tonight, but he’s already wrestling WWF World Champion Big Show in a title match because he’s New Years Resolution is to also win the WWF World Championship. However, there’s still time on the show for Rock to have a match, and he’ll have three opponents where if Rock loses then he’s fired. HHH ends up giving Rock a preview of the match as X-Pac and the WWF Tag Team Champions New Age Outlaws storm the ring to attack Rock. HHH joins the ring and taunts Rock warning him to not mess with them otherwise he’ll get beaten up and fired.
Bob’s Take: The Rock is an absolute superstar and it’s evident before he even says a word. Now, I’m going to add context for myself. As I’m also watching WCW 1999 it’s a drastic difference in crowd reaction and overall interest and it’s literally been three minutes into the show that I’m typing this. It’s long been said that Steve Austin was the number one and Rock was a close second. If this is the type of reaction that a close second is getting, I’m curious to see what happens when the number one comes to the ring down the line. Sure, it’s Rock’s hometown, but still. Anyway, the segment to start the show was enjoyable and it sets up two major matches for the show. 1 for 1
MATCH #1: TOO COOL VS. DUDLEY BOYZ
NOTE: Late in the match, Mean Street Posse attack Rikishi at ringside prompting the Acolytes to come out and run them off.
FINISH: Rikishi enters the ring and savant kicks Bubba causing a disqualification. Rikishi spikes D-Von with the Rikishi Driver.
Bob’s Take: Too Cool haven’t gotten over fully as babyfaces since they’ve just started to work as a face tag team due to Christopher’s injury in ’99. The action wasn’t too bad, but the lifeless crowd was a bit disappointing considering how hot they were for the first segment. I wouldn’t consider this a bad match, but it’s also just kinda there for no real purpose. 1 for 2
ACOLYTES ARE PISSED
CONTEXT: Bradshaw tells Michael Cole that they’re going to finish what the Posse have started. Faarooq promises they could kick their asses with one arm tied behind their backs.
Bob’s Take: I am terrified for the Posse when the Acolytes get their hands on them. That beating will be entertaining just for the ass kicking and not anything in-ring skill wise. 2 for 3
TRIPLE H & STEPHANIE HANGING OUT BACKSTAGE
CONTEXT: Stephanie and HHH are sitting on the couch watching the monitor. Stephanie wants to book a match where Acolytes have their arms tied behind their backs. HHH says the match will happen. Steve Blackman enters the room and is told to not interfere in Kurt Angle’s matches. HHH tells Blackman if he hits Kane with the kendo stick he’s fired. HHH reveals that Kurt Angle is wrestling Kane tonight. HHH has another New Years Resolution to end Kurt Angle’s undefeated streak. Stephanie appears annoyed by that revelation.
Bob’s Take: Interesting that HHH is bothered by the undefeated streak of Kurt Angle and wants it ended as soon as possible. I like the approach as it’s clear that HHH wouldn’t want anyone to be upstaging him and an undefeated streak could potentially do that. The tease that Stephanie doesn’t like that is something worth paying attention to. 3 for 4
KURT ANGLE PROMO
CONTET: Kurt Angle knows that people could think this is the end of his undefeated streak, but he’s got the advantage. Angle insults Kane for hiding behind a mask and doesn’t speak a word because he lacks intelligence and integrity. Kane has intensity, but that can only take Kane so far. Angle has all three I’s and thus he has the advantage. Angle asks the fans to cheer him on.
Bob’s Take: Kurt’s great on the microphone already and is a heat magnet. This is going to be fun to watch his run. 4 for 5
MATCH #2: KANE VS. KURT ANGLE
FINISH: Late in the match, Steve Blackman comes out and whacks Kurt Angle with the kendo stick to cause Angle to win the match by disqualification.
Bob’s Take: Well, Triple H did say to not hit Kane with the kendo stick. I’m not sure why Blackman is protecting Angle unless there’s some kind of agreement that the viewer doesn’t know about. Similar to the opening match, there wasn’t much going on here. 4 for 6
TRIPLE H & STEPHANIE CHATTING ON THE COUCH
CONTEXT: Stephanie notes that Angle probably has a headache, but he’s still undefeated. HHH asks if Stephanie had a conversation after Blackman left their room. Stephanie teases that she did something regarding the Intercontinental Championship and HHH will have to wait to find out what she’s done.
Bob’s Take: Is Stephanie protecting Kurt? What is she doing with the IC Title? This is how you produce compelling TV. Leave the fans asking questions. 5 for 7
STEPHANIE REVEALS HER PLANS FOR THE WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
CONTEXT: Stephanie has the two referees with her that counted the double pin on Smackdown, and they both believe that Chyna and Jericho both won the match. Stephanie calls out Chyna and Chris Jericho to join the segment. Stephanie has made a decision and she’s doing something that’s never been done before. Stephanie announces that Jericho and Chyna are co-WWF Intercontinental Champions. If either one of them loses a title match they both lose the title. Hardcore Holly comes out and doesn’t care who the champion is and demands a title match right now. Stephanie books the match against Chyna.
Bob’s Take: I don’t like the idea of co-champions. It’s a new idea, but it doesn’t interest me, at all. I’m probably much more traditional in the wrestling space and figure that Chyna and Jericho should just wrestle again to crown a true champion rather than this approach. 5 for 8
MATCH #3: WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION CHYNA VS. HARDCORE HOLLY
FINISH: Late in the match, Holly has a rollup on Chyna, but the referee is distracted and Jericho forearms Holly allowing Chyna to counter and win the match to retain the title. After the match, Hardcore attacks Crash.
Bob’s Take: The trend continues where there’s not much substance to the action. Jericho made some good points on commentary about how he should still be champion due to their match being a draw. This match didn’t get time to develop into anything meaningful. 5 for 9
TRIPLE H AND STEPHANIE TALKING WITH BIG BOSSMAN & PRINCE ALBERT
CONTEXT: HHH tells Big Bossman and Prince Albert that tonight they’re in a handicap match against Test and two of his partners. Bossman doesn’t care who they are fighting and they will do what they do best. Stephanie tells HHH to go win the WWF World Championship.
Bob’s Take: I don’t think a Bossman/Albert vs. Test handicap match would keep me interested on RAW. 5 for 10
WWF WORLD CHAMPION BIG SHOW DOESN’T WANT TO TALK
CONTEXT: Michael Cole tried to chat with Big Show, but Show scared Cole out of the scene and continued to walk towards the ring.
Bob’s Take: A pissed off Show makes him a bit more interesting. 6 for 10
MATCH #4: WWF WORLD CHAMPION BIG SHOW VS. TRIPLE H
NOTE: Triple H told DX to remain at the top of the ramp for the match
FINISH: Late in the match, X-Pac moved towards the ring and distracted the referee. HHH low blows Big Show to get out of the chokeslam and hits the Pedigree to win the title.
Bob’s Take: There were several good near falls where HHH waited for the last moment to kick out. The crowd seemed actually invested in Big Show’s comeback and desire to retain the title. It shouldn’t be a shock that HHH won the title here. HHH/Stephanie is their top angle and it’s getting an insane amount of TV time. HHH is going to be their top heel and now has all the power with the WWF World Championship. It makes all the sense in the world to put the title on HHH. 7 for 11
MATCH #5: PRINCE ALBERT & WWF HARDCORE CHAMPION BIG BOSSMAN VS. MAE YOUNG, FABULOUS MOOLAH & TEST — HANDICAP MATCH
FINISH: Bossman hits Test with a nightstick when Test went to the top rope. Albert nails Test with a bicycle kick to win the match. After the match, Albert and Bossman beatdown Mark Henry and Harvey Wippleman, but Test makes the save.
Bob’s Take: I feel bad for Test to be going from a potential main event push to working this kind of comedy match and involved in a midcard feud with two guys that don’t have much heat. 7 for 12
MCMAHON-HELMSLEY ERA CELEBRATE THEIR TITLE WIN
CONTEXT: Stephanie and DX are celebrating with HHH with drinks and overall party atmosphere. Big Show is shown walking out of the arena pissed off about the title loss.
Bob’s Take: I don’t envision Big Show getting a rematch on PPV as the obvious direction would be either Mankind or The Rock for Royal Rumble. 8 for 13
MATCH #6: THE MEAN STREET POSSE VS. THE ACOLYTES — HANDICAP MATCH — ACOLYTES HAVE ONE ARM TIED BEHIND THEIR BACK
FINISH: There’s not even a match as the Dudley Boyz run into the ring and smash The Acolytes with chair shots. After the match, the Posse whip the Acolytes with their belts.
Bob’s Take: It’s noted that the Acolytes are getting a tag title match with the New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble. If they were to win there, it sets up a match with the Dudley Boyz will more of a purpose. This felt like it didn’t need to happen and certainly not happen in front of the live crowd. 8 for 14
MCMAHON-HELMSLEY CELEBRATION CONTINUES
CONTEXT: Road Dogg suggests that the Dudley Boyz deserve a bonus for taking out the Acolytes and HHH seemingly agrees.
Bob’s Take: This is an example of over exposure. 8 for 15
HAVE A BAD DAY — PART 1
CONTEXT: Fink introduces a new short film, “Have A Bad Day.” HHH is playing a guy at the unemployment office and ‘Mankind” comes in looking for a job. “Mankind” describes his skill set and how he can be hit with a chair 37 times and not have any damage, and then proceeds to showoff the damages. HHH says that Mankind stinks and says the new era did everyone a favor. HHH says that Mankind isn’t hardcore anymore and makes stupid jokes with the sock on his hand. “Mankind” begs for a job and gets on his knees, but is kicked out of the office.
Bob’s Take: Yeah, so it’s going to be HHH/Mankind as the main focus, and I’m totally fine with that approach. It’s a funny segment and shows the humor that HHH can display. The impression by Mideon is quite good, too. 9 for 16
MATCH #7: AL SNOW VS. JEFF HARDY — STEEL CAGE MATCH
NOTE: Al Snow locked the cage door after rolling Terri into the ring to trap her inside with them.
FINISH: Hardy springboards off of Snow’s back to climb the cage and escapes over the top to win the match. However, that leaves Terri by herself until Matt Hardy gets in the ring and whacks Snow with a chair shot over the back to make the save.
Bob’s Take: We’re long past the era where a steel cage was used for feud ending grudge matches and instead being used in here in a forgettable short-lived feud for no rhyme or reason. It’s a decent match with some fun spots. Al Snow going psycho, but not in a comedy manner, is an interesting turn of events for his character. 10 for 17
HAVE A BAD DAY — PART 2
CONTEXT: Fink introduces part two of the series. “Mankind” arrives to a children’s hospital, but the doctor (played by HHH) says he’s a fat loser and can’t entertain the children unless he’s there with Triple H. “Mankind” insists he’s going to enter the hospital, but the doctor beats up “Mankind” with kung fu.
Bob’s Take: These are silly skits that are a bit funny. 11 for 18
‘MANKIND’ BOOK SIGNING
CONTEXT: The imposter Mankind is sitting waiting for people to get his new book signed. The book is titled “I’ve Been Fired”.
Bob’s Take: I wasn’t expecting such a heavy focus on insulting Mankind in the second hour, but it’s been effective. 12 for 19
PAT PATTERSON & GERALD BRISCO TALK WITH THE ROCK
CONTEXT: Patterson and Brisco are concerned about Rock getting fired tonight. They are going to miss The Rock. Rock takes exception to their concerns and promises that he’s not going anywhere.
Bob’s Take: I kind of wish they didn’t show Rock again until the main event, but this was fine. 13 for 20
MCMAHON-HELMSLEY TALKING — CONTINUED
CONTEXT: Triple H hypes up DX to kick The Rock’s ass and then they are going to fire him.
Bob’s Take: It sure feels like they don’t need to so many quick segments. 13 for 21
HAVE A BAD DAY — PART 3
CONTEXT: ‘Mankind’ doesn’t understand why his book isn’t selling well, and that’s when B. Dalton comes in and says that it is bombing because the book doesn’t have the the McMahon-Helmsley promotional machine behind it. Eventually, Dalton fires Mankind for being dumb and smelling bad. Dalton tosses ‘Mankind’ into the wall before leaving the scene. Obviously, Dalton is played by Triple H.
Bob’s Take: That wasn’t as funny as the other two segment. 13 for 22
THE ROCK ATTACKS DX BEFORE MAIN EVENT
CONTEXT: DX is still planning the match when The Rock storms into the locker room and attacks Billy Gunn with right hands and tosses Road Dogg into the wall. Rock quickly escapes before anyone can touch him.
Bob’s Take: Rock getting a little bit of momentum before the main event, I guess. 14 for 23
MAIN EVENT: THE ROCK VS. WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS NEW AGE OUTLAWS & X-PAC — HANDICAP MATCH — IF ROCK LOSES, HE’S FIRED
NOTE: Triple H reveals that the match is now a no disqualification match.
FINISH: Late in the match, Mick Foley arrived through the crowd and hit Dogg with a chair. Foley proceeded to hit all members of DX, including HHH, with a chair shot. Rock hit the Rock Bottom on Billy Gunn to win the match.
Bob’s Take: Obviously the stipulation is ridiculous and is never going to happen, but regardless of that this match is actually solid. I’ve always disliked handicap matches, but these guys did a good job of keeping interest in the match and having constant action throughout the bout. Foley’s appearance got a big pop and shows that the angle between HHH and Foley is certainly working. I enjoyed the main event action. 15 for 24
The new era of WWF programming has officially begun as Triple H is the new WWF World Champion and is going to be the top heel for the promotion moving forward. HHH and Stephanie have a lot of potential and many ways to go making the program feel fresh in that regard. Stephanie can replace the overdone and overexposed Vince McMahon type of character for a bit. HHH has two major feuds brewing with Mankind and The Rock. I think it’s important to not forget that HHH has already expressed jealously of Kurt Angle and his undefeated streak. I take that as a sign that HHH is aware of the threat there.
I was a bit surprised by how much focus they put on the Mankind impersonator videos in the second hour. They fit in quite a bit to add hype to that feud. Mankind’s brief return at the end of the episode got a huge reaction. HHH vs. Mankind is going to be a great feud as a placeholder for the eventual showdown between HHH and Rock.
RAW 1/3 TV Rating: 6.4
Thanks for reading.