World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 1/27/2003
From: Rosemont, IL
Opening Contest: Booker T vs. Jeff Hardy: Booker controls Hardy with a top wrist lock, but Hardy counters with a hammerlock. Booker gets a headlock, but is sent into the ropes. Hardy misses a clothesline, and Booker misses a leaping side kick. Booker knee lifts Hardy followed by a strike over the back and chops Hardy into the corner followed by right hands. Booker misses a clothesline and Hardy hits a leaping forearm smash for a two count. Booker knee lifts Hardy and continues with strikes against the ropes. Hardy kicks Booker and delivers a clothesline for a two count. Hardy keeps Booker on the mat with a chin lock. Booker nails Hardy with a heel kick. Booker continues with a leaping spin kick for a two count. Hardy kicks Booker away in the corner and hits a middle rope dropkick for a two count. Hardy strikes Booker several times against the ropes. Booker misses a spin kick and lands over the ropes. Hardy misses the Whisper In The Wind. Booker plants Hardy with a spinebuster for a two count. Booker knee lifts Hardy, but Hardy avoids the scissors kick and delivers a jawbreaker. Hardy connects with a leg drop. Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind and nearly pins Booker. Booker gets a rollup out of the corner and manages to pin Hardy for the win. After the match, Hardy attacks Booker and sends Booker to the floor. Hardy leaps off the top, but Booker avoids it and Hardy hits the barricade. Booker lays Hardy out with a clothesline. (*1/2. There’s not much to this one and Hardy feels as if he’s completely checked out. It sure feels as if WWE is attempting to completely devalue Hardy as much as they can.)
Backstage, Coach catches up with Scott Steiner. Steiner tells Coach he’s going to the ring to call out Triple H.
A vignette promoting Nathan Jones is shown.
Scott Steiner makes his way down to the ring and says everyone saw what happened last week. Steiner knows that Triple H was behind the whole thing. Steiner says that HHH doesn’t know what he’s capable of and suggests HHH come out and find out. Steiner is calling out HHH, who makes his way out. HHH asks how many times is it going to take to get it through Steiner’s thick head that he’s better than Steiner. HHH notes that he’s proven to Steiner that he’s bigger and smarter. HHH says he’ll prove it to Steiner one more time and fakes going to the ring. HHH says that every time Steiner calls him out, he doesn’t get just HHH. That brings out Batista, Randy Orton and Ric Flair. HHH doesn’t have a problem going to the ring and they make their way down. Steiner has a pipe and scares the heels from the ring to stand tall.
Backstage, Terri interviews D’Lo Brown and Teddy Long. Long cuts off Terri and asks why there aren’t any black superheroes, and notes that there is one named Black Lightning, but nobody has ever heard of him. Long considers Brown to be a black superhero for overcoming what has been put in his way by the man.
Second Contest: The Hurricane vs. D’Lo Brown: Hurricane gets waist control and arm drags Brown. Brown nails Hurricane with a heel kick and forearms to the back in the corner. Brown puts an abdominal stretch on Hurricane and uses the ropes for leverage. Brown presses his elbow into Hurricane’s ribs, but Hurricane breaks free with an arm drag. Brown hits a swinging side slam for a two count. Brown stomps Hurricane on the mat, but Hurricane fights back with right hands to the midsection. Hurricane hits a hurricanrana to stop Brown’s momentum. Brown strikes Hurricane in the corner and argues with the referee. Hurricane fights out of the corner with right hands. Brown comes off the ropes and is met with a couple of clotheslines. Hurricane hits a straight jacket neckbreaker. Hurricane head scissors Brown through the ropes to the floor. Hurricane hits a somersault dive over the ropes onto Brown. Hurricane slingshots into the ring with a rollup for a two count. Hurricane tries for a suplex, but Brown delivers a few strikes to the back to avoid it. Brown plants Hurricane with the Lo Down to win the match. (**. I feel like Hurricane’s in-ring ability is forgotten about because of the gimmick. Hurricane is solid and he did well when he had his spurts of offense. A clean win for Brown should be an indicator that D’Lo could be in line for a push with Teddy Long as his mouthpiece.)
Backstage, Chief Morley is watching the segment between Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon on Smackdown until Eric Bischoff enters the room. Morley thinks this is good news for Bischoff and thinks McMahon might reconsider the thirty day deadline. Bischoff tells Morley that McMahon thrives on anger and the last thing they need is a pissed off McMahon. Bischoff has two weeks to save his job. Bischoff has an idea.
Backstage, Terri is standing with Chris Jericho. Jericho will wrestle Scott Steiner next week in a number one contenders match. We see footage from last week where Jericho accidentally hit Stacy Keibler with a steel chair on the floor. Terri says Stacy is at home recovering with Test by her side. Terri suggests Jericho owes people an apology. Jericho doesn’t owe anyone anything and needs to be a man in facing the public, which he’s going to do right now.
Chris Jericho makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo. Jericho says that sometimes things happen in their life that they can’t control. Jericho says he feels terrible for what happened and he’s talking about wrestling Scott Steiner next week on RAW. Jericho isn’t shallow enough to forget about what happened to Stacy Keibler. Jericho apologizes for what happened to Stacy. Christian’s music hits and Christian seems annoyed by what’s going on. Christian says they all saw what happened and insists Jericho doesn’t need to apologize for anything. Christian says the fans can go to hell if they don’t understand that. Christian says that Stacy shouldn’t have been at ringside and sometimes when you play with fire you’re going to get burnt. Christian is blaming Stacy and not Jericho. Jericho disagrees and says Christian is wrong about it. Jericho says the fault lies on one man and that’s Test. Jericho says if Test was any sort of real man he wouldn’t have ducked the chair shot. Jericho is sorry that Stacy has such a coward for a boyfriend. Jericho is sorry for all the ass clowns feeling bad for Stacy. Jericho continues to declare that it’s not his fault. Jericho is pissed about Test eliminating him from the Royal Rumble while being distracted. Jericho doesn’t think Test has any testicles.
Shawn Michaels makes his way out to the aisle to cutoff Jericho. Michaels says that Jericho is out here saying what it takes to be a man. Michaels insults Jericho for talking while having those pants on. Michaels says a man takes accountability for their actions whether it’s good or bad. Michaels notes that a man doesn’t hide under the ring to attack from behind. Michaels says a man looks another man in the eye and says he’s coming to fight. Michaels runs towards the ring and decks Christian on the apron. Christian attacks Michaels to help Jericho. Michaels is double teamed in the corner. Michaels avoids Jericho in the corner and sends Christian over the top to the floor. Jericho avoids Sweet Chin Music and bails to the floor.
Backstage, WWE Women’s Champion Victoria is hitting a trash can with Trish Stratus’s face on it with a kendo stick as Stevie Richards yelled support. Trish is also seen walking towards the ring for the street fight.
Third Contest: WWE Women’s Champion Victoria vs. Trish Stratus in a street fight: Victoria attacks Stratus from behind with a kendo stick during Trish’s entrance. Victoria chokes Stratus on the floor, but Stratus monkey flips free and mounts Victoria with the kendo stick. Victoria sends Stratus into the ring steps back first. Victoria poses in the ring with the championship. Victoria tosses Stratus over the barricade into the crowd. Stratus responds with a kick to stagger Victoria on the floor and hits a leaping clothesline off the railing for a two count on the floor. Victoria drives Stratus into the apron back first a few times before rolling Stratus into the ring and hits a slingshot somersault leg drop for a two count. Victoria shoulder rams Stratus a few times in the corner. Victoria misses a shoulder ram and hits the post. Stratus whacks Victoria with a trash can lid. Stratus smashes Victoria with trash can lids before setting up a trash can in the corner. Victoria stops Stratus with a trash can lid shot and catapults Stratus face first into the trash can in the corner. Victoria nails Stratus with another trash can lid strike to the face. Victoria tries for a cover, but Stratus kicks out at two. Stratus sends Victoria into the corner, but is met with an elbow strike. Stratus hits Victoria with the trash can lid and hits a hurricanrana off the middle rope for a two count. Stratus kicks Victoria through the ropes to the floor. Stratus takes Victoria out with a Thez Press off the apron and pummels the champ with right hands. Back in the ring, Stratus gets a two count following a neckbreaker. Steven Richards tried to use a fire extinguisher, but accidentally uses it on Victoria. Stratus gets a two count following a Chick Kick. Stratus whacks Richards with the kendo stick several times. Victoria nails Stratus with a superkick for a two count. Victoria slaps Stratus to the mat a couple of times. Richards prevents a springboard bulldog attempt and Victoria sends Stratus to the floor. Victoria covers on the floor and pins Stratus for the win. (**1/4. The match got a pretty good crowd reaction and the ladies did well with the stipulation managing to use several hard hitting spots. I’m wondering if this is a feud ender, though. I doubt it since there’s not another major female babyface to challenge Victoria.) After the match, Jazz makes her way down to the ring marking her return from injury. Jazz walked past Victoria and attacks Stratus. Jazz tosses Stratus to the mat with a standing double chicken wing. Jazz plants Stratus with a DDT. Jazz spikes Stratus with a fisherman buster. Jazz delivers a second DDT. Jazz locks in an STF before leaving Stratus laid out.
Fourth Contest: RAW Tag Team Champions Lance Storm & William Regal vs. Dudley Boys in a tables match: Dudley Boys go on the attack before the bell. D-Von shoulder blocks Regal and delivers a shot over the back with a flag followed by a clothesline. Bubba rolls Storm into the ring and whacks Storm over the back with a flag. Bubba continues to work over Storm in the corner with chops. Bubba spears Storm and delivers right hands on the mat. Bubba tosses Storm over the top to the floor. D-Von rolls Regal into the ring and Regal begs off. Bubba rams Storm face first onto the ring steps. D-Von clotheslines Regal in the corner followed by a splash. D-Von leaps off the middle rope to clothesline Regal. Dudley’s hit a double team neckbreaker. Storm enters and is met with the 3D! Bubba slams Regal and D-Von leaps off the top to hit the What’s Up. D-Von goes under the ring looking for a table, but there’s no tables under the ring.
Chief Morley comes out and has a table with him asking if that’s what they are looking for. Morley wonders how they could be so stupid to think tables would be there for the match. Morley threatens to fire them if they put a hand on him. Rosey and Jamal attack the Dudley’s from behind with Rico barking orders. Jamal superkicks D-Von down the aisle. Rosey clotheslines Bubba to send Bubba rolling down the aisle. Jamal sends D-Von into the ring steps. Rosey splashes D-Von in the corner, but Bubba makes the save with strikes. Jamal plants Bubba with a Samoan Drop. Spike Dudley comes out and nails Jamal with the Dudley Dog. Spike tries for the Dudley Dog on Rosey, but Rosey blocks it. Rico spin kicks Spike off the top to the floor. Rosey powerbombs D-Von through the table and that’s good enough for the win. (*1/2. I understand the match has no rules, but I would have liked for the actual champions put D-Von through the table instead of 3MW. Chief Morley is doing a fine job as I really want to see him get his ass kicked. He’s annoying, but not turn the TV off annoying.)
Backstage, RAW World Champion Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton & Batista enter Eric Bischoff’s room. HHH asks what the hell is going on and notes that Scott Steiner is swinging a lead pipe. HHH isn’t happy about Steiner being put in a number one contenders match next week. HHH doesn’t think they are worried about the number one contenders match after looking at Batista.
Backstage, Matt Cappotelli and John Hennigan are talking about having their moment tonight. Al Snow walks up and tells them they don’t get a second chance. Christopher Nowinski is seen watching from a distance.
Backstage, Rob Van Dam and Kane chat. Kane reminds RVD that he warned him about the Royal Rumble and had to eliminate him. RVD says they are a team tonight and they are undefeated. RVD talks about Kane having the power and RVD has the agility. RVD lists all his moves while mentioning Kane has the chokeslam. Kane thinks that Batista and HHH have no chance tonight if they watch each others back. Kane does RVD’s arm taunt by saying “Big Red Machine.”
Fifth Contest: John Hennigan vs. Matt Cappotelli in an exhibition match: Hennigan gets a headlock, but Capptoelli counters quickly with a headlock on the mat. Hennigan counters with a head scissors on the mat. Cappotelli goes back to a headlock and shoulder blocks Hennigan. Cappotelli hip tosses Hennigan for a two count. Hennigan counters an arm drag with a hip toss and dropkicks Cappotelli. Christopher Nowinski comes out and attacks Al Snow on the floor. Nowinski demands the match be stopped because he’s seen enough. Nowinski says he’s not bitter about not winning Tough Enough, but he doesn’t need them to rub it in. Tommy Dreamer runs down with a kendo stick to scare Nowinski into the crowd. Dreamer gives them props for winning Tough Enough. Dreamer tells them they are lucky to be on RAW on their fourth day in the business. Dreamer welcomes them to the WWE. Dreamer proceeds to destroy both of them with kendo stick shots. (NR. That’s basically an initiation into the company, I guess.)
Backstage, RAW GM Eric Bischoff is heading to the ring with a folder in hand.
A vignette promoting Sean O’Haire is shown. O’Haire suggests drinking and smoking as a treat.
RAW GM Eric Bischoff makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo. Bischoff says that Steve Austin isn’t there tonight and doesn’t want to take any blame for it. Bischoff shows the explanation as to why Austin left WWE in June 2002. Vince McMahon says that Austin took his ball and went home. McMahon said that he was personally hurt and considered Austin a friend, but it was past tense. Jim Ross also vocalized his disappointment. Bischoff says there’s always two sides to every story and announces that Steve Austin has taken him up on his offer. Austin is going to tell his side of the story in RAW Magazine. Bischoff promotes the magazine for Austin’s first comments about the controversy and also his recent divorce to Debra. Bischoff is hopeful that Austin will return home to RAW. Bischoff knows that the fans in Chicago want to show Austin why he must consider his offer.
Main Event: RAW World Champion Triple H & Batista vs. Kane & Rob Van Dam: Batista and Kane kickoff the main event. Batista backs Kane into a corner and delivers several elbow strikes. Kane clotheslines Batista in the corner followed by stomps and elbow strikes followed by a throat thrust. Kane runs into an elbow in the corner and Batista responds with a clothesline. Batista chokes Kane over the middle rope followed by right hands. Kane ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes to hit a leaping clothesline. Kane plants Batista with a running powerslam and press slams RVD onto Batista for a two count. RVD kicks Batista several times followed by a leg sweep and a leg drop for a near fall. RVD shoulder rams Batista in the corner, but Batista responds with a spear for a two count. HHH tags into the match and prevents RVD from tagging out. HHH stomps RVD in the corner several times. HHH eye gouges RVD over the bottom rope. RVD nails HHH with a spinning heel kick followed by a step over heel kick. RVD continues with a kick to the head for a near fall. HHH nails RVD with a high knee for a near fall. Batista tags into the match and kicks RVD in the ribs followed by a strike to the chest. Batista decks RVD with a clothesline several times for a near fall.
HHH returns to the match and elbow strikes RVD to the mat. HHH avoids a heel kick, but RVD nails HHH with a spin kick. Kane and Batista tag in with Kane cleaning house. Kane big boots Batista and HHH. Kane side slams Batista before sending HHH over the top to the floor with a clothesline. Kane climbs to the top hitting a flying clothesline. RVD tags into the match and misses a rocket launcher splash. Batista sends Kane to the floor where Orton sends Kane into the ring post. Kane is pummeled by Orton and Flair. Batista removes Kane’s mask and Kane is forced to run up the ramp. RVD kicks HHH and hits the rolling thunder. RVD heads to the top rope, but is caught by Batista. Batista drives RVD down to the mat with a spinebuster. Batista hits the Batista Bomb to pickup the win. (**. For a brief moment, I could see Kane’s face and it’s obvious that he’s wearing paint under the mask. I’m sure in 2003 I didn’t pay that close attention, but it’s pretty obvious here. The match was fine, and it gives the faces an out as to why they lost here. RVD seems fairly level headed that he’ll brush this off and they’ll be fine. Batista picking up the clean win likely means he’s headed for some serious momentum.) After the match, Scott Steiner storms the ring with a lead pipe. HHH bails to the floor, but Chris Jericho attacks Steiner from behind. Steiner hits a belly to belly suplex. HHH attacks from behind and Steiner is beaten down by HHH, Batista, Orton and Flair. HHH pummels Steiner as he’s held by the heels. Steiner has been busted wide open. Batista nails Steiner with the Batista Bomb. Steiner’s pants have fallen down, which makes this unintentionally funny. Flair locks in the figure four as Orton stomps Steiner. HHH grabs Steiner and hits the Pedigree. Jericho gets in on it and continues to pummel Steiner and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Steiner is left laying in a pool of blood as Jericho kept the Walls of Jericho on to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
Man, they are really trying their best to make Steiner look like a chump, aren’t they? Steiner doesn’t have the cool factor at all. Steiner reached a level in WCW 2000 that you’d think he’d be a massive star whenever he jumped to WWE, but the booking continues to make him look less than Triple H. This weeks episode is at best average, but there wasn’t much in-ring wise that was all that entertaining. I am digging the foursome of HHH, Batista, Orton and Flair, though. Batista especially looks like a million bucks.
Thanks for reading.