World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 2/10/2003
From: Los Angeles, CA
In memory of Curt Hennig ‘Mr. Perfect” 1958-2003. Hennig passed away earlier in the day at the age of 44. Hennig had returned to the WWE at the 2002 Royal Rumble, but was fired a few months later. Prior to his death, Hennig worked for NWA-TNA.
A video package highlighting Eric Bischoff’s quest to sign Stone Cold Steve Austin before this weeks RAW is aired.
Eric Bischoff makes his way out to the ramp to begin the show and cut a promo. Bischoff says he has not heard from Steve Austin and doesn’t know if Austin is going to accept his invite to return at No Way Out. Bischoff notes that Vince McMahon is on his way to the arena and he may be fired tonight. Bischoff tells the fans that he’s tried everything in his power to sign Austin. Bischoff complains that he was surrounded by toothless rednecks and he’s happier to be in California. Bischoff knows the fans appreciate his hard work and asks the fans to show McMahon the truth by showing that they support Bischoff. Bischoff isn’t asking for the support, but rather telling the fans they will support him. Bischoff gets annoyed by the fans and says he has all the power to do whatever he wants until McMahon arrives. Bischoff heads over to the announcers table and confronts Jim Ross. Bischoff tells Ross to standup and take this like a man. Bischoff says that Ross has been encouraging Austin to accept his invite. Ross admits he’s been hopeful for Austin to return to RAW. Bischoff suggests that Ross could have done a bit more to make sure this worked out. Bischoff believes Ross is the reason that Austin hasn’t signed with RAW. Ross suggests that Austin hates Bischoff’s guts. Bischoff doesn’t know why Austin would. Ross reminds Bischoff that he fired Austin in WCW and stated that Austin wouldn’t amount to anything. Bischoff admits he fired Austin because he deserved it and thinks Ross deserves to be fired, too. Bischoff tells Ross that he’s fired until Austin is signed to RAW.
Outside, a limo has arrived to the arena and Bischoff runs backstage to find out whose in the limo. During the break, Bischoff greeted the limo and it’s Evolution. RAW World Champion Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista have arrived. HHH asks if Bischoff was expecting someone else and they walk off.
Opening Contest: Test vs. Christian: Christian hammers away on Test and gets wrist control until Test delivers a clothesline and rams Christian’s head on the mat. Test continues with elbow strikes and stomps in the corner. Test sends Christian into the corner and backdrops Christian. Test keeps control by choking Christian in the corner. Test eye rakes Test and yanks down on Test from the apron over the top rope. Christian delivers a neckbreaker for a near fall. Christian comes off the ropes, but is met with a clothesline several times. Test hits a tilt a whirl slam for a near fall. Coach has joined the commentary team to replace JR, by the way. Christian counters a slam with a reverse DDT. Test shoves Christian into the corner, but is met with a boot. Christian hits a crossbody, but Test rolls through and press slams Christian. Test signals for the big boot. Christian ducks the big boot, but Test tries for the swinging neckbreaker, but settles for a full nelson slam for the win. After the match, Christian low blows Test and delivers the Un-Prettier. Christian confronts Keibler and she falls down into the corner. Jeff Hardy runs down to the ring and yanks Christian to the floor. Hardy runs the railing and clotheslines Christian before tossing Christian over the railing into the crowd. (*1/2. I can get behind a push for Test, but his popularity is dependent on Keibler there’s no doubt about that. Jeff Hardy has been acting as a heel as of late, so I’m not sure what this is about. They could be pivoting away from a heel turn.)
Backstage, Jim Ross is on the phone trying to get in contact with Steve Austin. Ross says it is an emergency that Austin get in contact with him.
Prior to the next match, Booker T gets on the microphone and dedicates his match for his friend Goldust, but gets cutoff by D’Lo Brown. Teddy Long gets on the microphone and tells Booker T to stop worrying about Goldust. Long thinks Goldust getting electrocuted was the best thing to happen to Booker because Goldust is another white man holding the black man down. Long suggests Booker should be tagging with Brown.
Second Contest: Booker T vs. D’Lo Brown: Booker responds with a flurry of strikes and chops in the corner. Booker comes off the ropes to strike Brown followed by a heel kick for a two count. Booker knee lifts Brown and misses a scissors kick. Brown heel kicks Booker and continues with strikes against the ropes. Brown strikes Booker against the ropes several times. Booker ducks a strike and heel kicks Brown followed by a scissors kick. Booker covers and wins the match. (1/2*. That was way too quick. Brown had been getting a new focus with Long and then does a complete jobber loss here to Booker. There’s no denying that Booker is on the rise, but this can’t be a good sign for D’Lo.)
Backstage, Chris Jericho enters Bischoff’s office with Morley talking with Bischoff. Jericho is upset about having a match with Test at No Way Out. Bischoff tells Jericho that he’s got more things to worry about than Jericho’s matches. Morley books a singles match between Jericho and Jeff Hardy tonight. Jericho says that Morley won’t regret this decision and tells Bischoff to give McMahon his regards before leaving the room.
Third Contest: Jazz vs. Molly Holly: Jazz controls Holly with a drop toe hold and puts a front face lock on Holly leading to a two count. Jazz keeps control with a wrist lock, but Holly cartwheels free and arm drags Jazz a couple of times. Jazz dropkicks Holly coming out of the corner for a near fall. Jazz clubs Holly over the back to maintain the advantage. Jazz drop toe holds Holly again and locks in an Indian death lock, but hooks Holly’s arms for a near fall. Jazz hits a double under hook suplex and hits an overhead suplex several times. Jazz tries for a cover, but Holly kicks out at two. Jazz chops Holly several times, but misses a splash in the corner. Holly gets a rollup for a two count and strikes Jazz several times. Holly clotheslines Jazz several times. Jazz kicks Holly and leg sweeps Holly out of the corner and locks in a half Boston Crab. Holly tries to reach the ropes, but Jazz switches to an STF and forces a submission. (*. These two ladies are heels and thus the fans didn’t care for either one of them. Holly doesn’t have much going for her for fans to give her sympathy considering her attitude. This shows that the RAW brand is weak for female wrestlers who can play a face role outside of Trish Stratus.) After the match, Jazz drops Molly to the mat face first and puts another STF on Molly for a moment.
Outside, Jim Ross gets a phone call from Steve Austin. The call is quick and Fink comes over and asks if Ross was talking to Austin, but it was his friend Steve from Oklahoma.
Fourth Contest: Three-Minute Warning (Jamal & Rosey) vs. Kane & Rob Van Dam: Jamal and RVD start the match with Jamal delivering a scoop slam, but misses a knee drop. RVD leg sweeps Jamal followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. Jamal runs into an elbow in the corner, but shoves RVD off the top rope and RVD hits the barricade chest first. Rosey tags into the match and splashes RVD for a near fall. Rosey clubs RVD over the back several times and chokes RVD over the top rope. Jamal returns to the match and they deck RVD to the mat. RVD is nailed by a superkick from Jamal, who decks Kane off the apron. Jamal accidentally clotheslines Rosey and Kane gets tagged in. Kane cleans house with clotheslines. Kane big boots Rosey and side slam Jamal. Kane heads to the top rope hitting a flying clothesline on Rosey. Kane grabs Jamal, but Rosey makes the save. Kane clotheslines Jamal and big boots Rosey. RVD climbs to the top and leaps off hitting a side kick. RVD hits the rolling thunder on Jamal, but Rosey makes the save. Kane strikes Rosey to the floor. Jamal misses a splash in the corner and RVD springboard kicks Jamal. Kane grabs Jamal and delivers a chokeslam. RVD baseball slides Rosey and leaps off the top hitting a Five Star Frog Splash for the win. (*1/2. RAW’s tag division doesn’t have a lot of true tag teams as it would appear that Kane and RVD are replacing the spot that had belonged to Booker and Goldust.)
Outside, Jim Ross remains on the phone as a limo has arrived. Vince McMahon exits the limo and asks what Ross is doing in the parking garage. McMahon walks over to chat with Ross.
Vince McMahon makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo. McMahon says that sometimes he’s got to make difficult decisions, but that’s not the case tonight. McMahon considers this a fun occasion. McMahon calls out Morley and Bischoff to join him. Bischoff and Morley walk down to the ring without theme music. McMahon thinks this is going to hurt him more than it will hurt them. Bischoff tries to speak, but McMahon stops Bischoff quickly. McMahon notes that he told Morley if he didn’t meet certain quotas than he’d be fired and Morley admits he hasn’t and thus McMahon thinks he should fire him. However, McMahon isn’t going to fire Morley and he’s changed his mind. McMahon says that Morley can decide his own fate and if he wins the next match he’s involved in then he’s safe, but if he loses then he’s fired. McMahon books Morley in a handicap match against the Dudley Boys, Bubba, D-Von and Spike. Morley looks terrified as he’s walking to the backstage area to prepare. McMahon asks Bischoff if he’s signed Steve Austin for No Way Out. Bischoff tries to avoid saying that he hasn’t signed Austin, but admits he hasn’t. McMahon considers that the wrong answer and admits he hates Austin. McMahon says Bischoff would still have his job if he had signed Austin. McMahon would have enjoyed trying to control Austin. Bischoff asks for McMahon to hear him out and insists that he loves his job in the WWE. Bischoff thinks the fans enjoy him being on RAW, too. Bischoff says that McMahon is a man of action and offers to give McMahon some HLA. Bischoff reveals they are bisexual lesbians. McMahon tells them that he’s all business tonight and kicks them out of the ring, which disappoints Bischoff. McMahon tells Bischoff that he’s ran out of time. McMahon fires Bischoff. McMahon leads the audience in singing “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye.”
Backstage, Vince McMahon is met by William Regal and Lance Storm who credit McMahon for firing Bischoff. McMahon teases announcing a new General Manager tonight and it will be surprising.
Fifth Contest: Dudley Boys vs. Chief Morley in a three on one handicap match: Spike pummels Morley in the corner with several strikes. Morley tries to backdrop Spike, but Spike is caught. Morley is met with a double flapjack. Bubba chops Morley in the corner followed by strikes. Spike clotheslines Morley in the corner followed by D-Von. Bubba plants Morley with a Samoan Drop. Morley is stomped by all three Dudley’s until rolling to the floor. Bubba tosses Spike over the top onto Morley. D-Von sends Morley into the ring steps and pummels Morley with right hands. D-Von slams Morley face first onto the ring steps. Bubba also rams Morley face first onto the ring steps. Bubba grabs the ring steps and rams the steps into Morley’s face. Bubba slams Morley and Spike delivers a double stomp from the top. Bubba jabs Morley several times followed by an elbow strike. Spike hits the Dudley Dog and Morley stumbles into the 3D leading to Spike pinning Morley. (*. Considering the Dudley’s have been treated poorly for the last couple of months this was a fitting conclusion to the angle. This is the kind of segment that gives off a vibe that they’re killing off the Morley character.) After the match, Bubba powerbombs Morley off the middle rope through a table.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff is staring at Jim Ross in the parking lot. Bischoff asks if Ross has even heard from Steve Austin, but Ross hasn’t. Bischoff tells Ross that nothing was personal and was just trying to do his job. Bischoff offers his hand, but Ross declines and suggests Bischoff clean out his desk.
Sixth Contest: Batista vs. Tommy Dreamer: Dreamer enters from behind and hits Batista with a kendo stick several times, Batista stops Dreamer with a spear. Batista delivers the Batista Bomb and pins Dreamer to win the match. (NR. Batista is great. What a stud.) After the match, Flair knee drops Dreamer on the groin. Booker T runs down to the ring and makes the save attacking Batista. Randy Orton enters the ring and pummels Booker with strikes in the corner. RAW World Champion Triple H comes down to the ring, as well. Booker is held by Evolution as Flair pummels Booker with strikes. HHH taunts Booker and strikes Booker several times after telling Booker to not get involved in their business. Scott Steiner comes down to make the save and cleans house on Evolution. HHH tries to use a crutch, but Steiner sees it and clotheslines Orton to cause Evolution to retreat.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy walks up to Shawn Michaels and nods his head before walking off, which Michaels smiles at.
Backstage, Test and Stacy Keibler are talking. Test asks about why Jeff Hardy was there, but Keibler says Test’s career is on the rise. Keibler tells Test that she’s booked him with GGW and it will be great exposure.
Backstage, Bischoff is cleaning out his office when the Dudley Boys enter the room with a belt. Bischoff tells them that he has great respect for them. Bischoff tries to leave, but Spike prevents him before signing the same song from earlier.
Main Event: Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy: Jericho puts a headlock on Hardy and takes Hardy down to the mat for the early advantage. Hardy counters with a top wrist lock, but they trade wrist control. Hardy decks Jericho with a right hand and strikes against the ropes. Hardy backdrops Jericho followed by a head scissors for a one count. Hardy forearms Jericho against the ropes, but Jericho decks Hardy with a clothesline. Jericho chokes Hardy with a towel. Jericho chops Hardy against the ropes several times. Jericho tosses Hardy over the top to the floor and Jericho taunts the crowd. Jericho springboards off the ropes and misses a crossbody crashing to the floor. Hardy takes Jericho out with a springboard moonsault. Hardy sends Jericho shoulder first into the ring steps. Hardy rolls Jericho into the ring and tries for a cover managing a two count. Hardy stomps Jericho in the corner and overhand chop. Jericho leaps off the middle rope, but is met with a dropkick in midair. Hardy heads to the top rope, but Jericho sends the referee into the ropes and crotches Hardy. Jericho denies wrongdoing to the referee. Jericho forearms Hardy several times over the top rope. Jericho slaps Hardy on the top turnbuckle and tries for a suplex. Jericho tosses Hardy with an overhead suplex. Jericho tries for a cover, but Hardy kicks out at two. Jericho stomps Hardy on the mat and delivers a backbreaker. Jericho continues with another backbreaker.
The fans are focusing on something else in the crowd, which may be a female fan doing something. Hardy punches Jericho against the ropes and tries for a sunset flip, but Jericho nearly counters with the Walls of Jericho. Jericho gets out of an inside cradle and clotheslines Hardy. Jericho chokes Hardy over the middle rope. Jericho splashes onto Hardy’s back. Jericho snapmares Hardy and keeps control with a chin lock. Hardy elbows free and sends Jericho shoulder first into the ring post. Hardy forearms Jericho and delivers a facebuster. Hardy continues with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Jericho nails Hardy with a kick to the head after ducking a clothesline. Jericho covers, but Hardy kicks out at two. Jericho chops Hardy in the corner and continues with a forearm strike. Jericho clotheslines Hardy in the corner followed by strike. Hardy nails Jericho with the Whisper In The Wind, but Jericho kicks out at two. Jericho manages to get the referee in the way and puts the Walls of Jericho on Hardy. Hardy manages to reach the ropes to break the hold. Hardy backdrops Jericho to the apron, but Jericho forearms Hardy and goes to the top, but Hardy hits a suplex. Hardy climbs to the top rope hitting the Swanton Bomb, but Jericho gets his boot on the bottom rope. Hardy sends Jericho into the corner, but is met with a boot. Jericho counters a hurricanrana attempt and locks in the Walls of Jericho again. Jericho pulls Hardy to the middle of the ring and Hardy taps out. (**. A decent match, but probably disappointing. Hardy hasn’t been in the right head space lately on RAW and his in-ring appears to have suffered as a result.)
Backstage, Evolution walk past McMahon and Flair says they are going to party. HHH says they know what to do with bisexual lesbians unlike McMahon. McMahon is going to reveal the new General Manager for RAW. McMahon says that there will be a tag match where Triple H teams with Batista to take on Scott Steiner and Booker T.
Vince McMahon is in the ring to reveal the new RAW General Manager. McMahon says the person is fair and qualified for the job. McMahon thinks the fans will like him. McMahon brings out the new general manager, and Jim Ross walks down, but McMahon says it’s not Ross. Eric Bischoff is behind Ross coming to the ring. Ross tells McMahon that he’s talked to Steve Austin and it’s promised that Austin will be at No Way Out. It’s a done deal according to Ross. McMahon says that since Austin is reinstated then Ross should be reinstated as well. Ross heads back to the commentary table. Bischoff thinks that Chief Morley and himself should have their jobs back. McMahon announces Bischoff as the new General Manager. McMahon reminds Bischoff that he said he’d do anything to keep his job. McMahon asks if Bischoff would join a certain club. McMahon wants Bischoff to join the Kiss My Ass Club. McMahon drops his pants and tells Bischoff to hurry up and kiss his ass. Bischoff gets a microphone and says he can’t kiss McMahon’s ass and apologizes. McMahon threatens to fire Bischoff or kick his ass, too. Bischoff says he’ll take an ass kicking to keep his job. McMahon says he’s thought about ripping Bischoff’s head off and spitting down his throat before. McMahon reveals that at No Way Out Bischoff will be competing in a match. That match will see Eric Bischoff wrestling Stone Cold Steve Austin! Bischoff freaks out and pleads with McMahon as RAW goes off the air.
Final Thoughts:
I’m not even kidding that I totally forgot that Steiner was getting a title shot at No Way Out and found myself invested in HHH/Booker T after the Batista segment. That can’t be a good sign for Steiner. I was mostly bored by the episode as the in-ring action continues to be rather boring. The Bischoff/McMahon was entertaining for a bit, but the tease of a new GM only for Bischoff to keep his job was a bit underwhelming.
Thanks for reading.