World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 2/24/2003
From: Toronto, Canada
RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff makes his way down to the ring with his arm in a sling and has a noticeable limp. Bischoff isn’t bending his right leg. This is because of his match with Steve Austin last night at No Way Out. Bischoff’s face is swollen, as well. Bischoff proclaims that he’s still standing despite what Austin tried to do to him last night. Bischoff announces that he’s banned Austin from the building. Bischoff says that Austin is going to miss out on the battle royal main event where the winner becomes the number one contender to the RAW World Championship at WrestleMania XIX. Bischoff says Austin may not feel his wrath tonight, but he will next week. Bischoff says there will be a welcoming committee next week in Long Island to greet Austin. Bischoff focuses on a different star, a bigger star in the industry. That brings out… The Rock!
The Rock makes his way down to the ring and does his usual taunts for the crowd. Rock taunts Toronto at the start by not finishing his catchphrase. Rock notes that he’s on RAW now, but JR doesn’t know why since he was drafted to Smackdown last year. Rock did Vince McMahon a favor last night after beating Hulk Hogan. McMahon did Rock a favor saying Rock can do whatever he wants and go wherever he wants. Rock decided he wanted to go to RAW, but then mocks the fans for the fans cheering that he said Toronto. Rock says it all started in Toronto. Rock notes that the people in Toronto turned on him. Rock recalls WrestleMania X8 last year where the fans booed him out of the building. Rock wasn’t going to forget that and let it slide. Rock continues to insult fans in the front row. Rock notes there was one thing that bothered him more than anything else. Rock recalls the RAW 10th Anniversary Show where Rock wasn’t voted Wrestler of the Decade, which Austin won. Rock throws shade at the Maple Leafs, which really pisses off the crowd. Rock promises he’s going to win the battle royal tonight and win the World Championship at WrestleMania.
WWE Women’s Champion Victoria and Steven Richards have joined commentary for the opening bout.
Opening Contest: Jacqueline vs. Jazz: Jazz forearms Jacqueline followed by a scoop slam to start the bout. Jacqueline head scissors Jazz followed by a dropkick to send Jazz to the floor. Jacqueline drops Jazz over the apron face first and they get back into the ring. Jacqueline runs into a clothesline in the corner and Jazz delivers a leg drop for a near fall. Jacqueline punches Jazz several times, but Jazz knee lifts Jacqueline and drops Jacqueline face first to the mat. Jacqueline spin kicks Jazz in the midsection followed by an uppercut. Jaqueline kicks Jazz, but is stopped by a dragon screw leg whip. Jazz locks in a half Boston Crab, but switches to an STF and Jacqueline is forced to submit. (*1/2. Jazz was a little sloppy at one point, but this was a fine women’s match. I can absolutely get into a Jazz/Victoria match, but they are both heels making it a weird dynamic.) After the match, Jazz says she’s back, but Trish Stratus comes out and tackles Jazz to deliver right hands. Victoria leaves commentary and is kicked off the apron by Stratus. Jazz and Stratus are held apart by officials, but they break free to brawl some more.
Footage from Friday where Test met with Joe Francis, the owner of Girls Gone Wild. Test didn’t know who he was at first, but gets excited realizing who he is. Test is on a tour bus with a bunch of ladies. Francis says Test has to pick the finalist for the competition, but Test says he’s the best guy to pick the winner.
Backstage, Test and Maven are watching the segment. Test tells Maven that Stacy hooked up the appearance for him. Maven says Test is a lucky guy. Test says that Stacy isn’t happy about Girls Gone Wild. Stacy walks into the room and is upset about Test doing the appearance and having woman all over him. Chief Morley enters the room and tells them they are teaming up to wrestle Chris Jericho and Christian. This is because they were happy about what happened to Bischoff last night. Test is not happy and promises nothing is going to happen to Keibler.
A video package highlighting what happened to Goldust three weeks ago when he was attacked by Evolution and electrocuted.
Earlier this week, Jim Ross had a sit down interview with Goldust at the WWE Headquarters. Goldust asks JR how he’s doing after the beating JR took last week. Goldust says he lived from the beating and hopes to be back soon. Goldust has a cast on his left arm. JR says that Goldust has neurological issues, but notes people have said that he’s not right for years. Goldust has Tourette’s while speaking, and Ross says something is wrong. Goldust says the doctors don’t know what’s wrong with him. However, if he takes his medicine everything will work out. Goldust looks into the camera and says Orton and Batista don’t know what it feels like to be on the edge of death. Goldust says they will never forget the name… Goldust.
Second Contest: RAW Tag Team Champion Lance Storm vs. Kane: Storm gets on Kane’s back, but is rammed into the corner. Kane strikes Storm several times in the corner. Kane press slams Storm followed by a clothesline to send Storm over the top to the floor. Regal checks on Storm. Kane strikes Storm a few more times, but Storm delivers an elbow and runs into a big boot from Kane. Kane comes off the ropes to elbow drop Storm. Storm drops Kane over the top rope. Storm clubs Kane over the back several times. Storm boots Kane in the corner and hits a springboard dropkick for a two count. Storm comes off the ropes to dropkick Kane. Storm clubs Kane over the back, but is tossed across the ring. Kane pants Storm with a chokeslam twice. Kane covers and pins Storm for the win. (*. I feel like this made sense for Kane to dominate and cleanly pin Storm.) After the match, RVD enters the ring and smacks hands with Kane clearly being on the same page.
Backstage, Randy Orton and Batista are chatting. Orton asks if it’s a big deal that Austin is coming back and they don’t think it matters. Orton notes that he’s coming back after five months. Orton talked to his doctor about his shoulder after the Goldust beating and he’s at 99%. Ric Flair enters the scene and tells them they need to keep the winning streak going. Flair says they need to prove they are the Evolution of this business.
Third Contest: Booker T & Scott Steiner vs. Batista & Randy Orton: Booker and Orton kickoff the tag match. Orton backs Booker against the ropes and cheap shots Booker. Booker fights back with right hands and chops. Booker nails Orton with a leaping heel kick and a side slam for a two count. Booker chops Orton against the ropes followed by a forearm smash. Booker heel kicks Orton to the mat and continues with a forearm and chop against the ropes. Flair trips Booker from the floor and Steiner chases Flair around ringside. Batista plants Booker with a spinebuster while the referee was distracted. Orton stomps Booker and Batista tags into the match. Batista knee lifts and elbow strikes Booker in the corner. Batista clotheslines Booker in the corner leading to a near fall. Batista rams Booker into the corner and Orton tags into the match. Orton punches Booker several times in the corner. Orton powerslams Booker coming off the ropes for a two count. Orton knee lifts Booker, but Booker responds with right hands. Booker chops Orton against the ropes several times. Booker plants Orton with a spinebuster and heel kicks Batista. Flair gets on the apron to distract the referee. Booker is dragged to the corner and worked over by Evolution. Batista chokes Booker on the mat, but ends up putting a bearhug on Booker. Booker elbows free from a bearhug, but Batista knee lifts and clubs Booker over the back. Orton tags back in and pummels Booker over the back.
Orton puts a sleeper on Booker in the middle of the ring. Booker elbows Orton and comes off the ropes to deliver a scissors kick. Batista gets in the ring, but is met with a superkick. Booker is dragged away from the corner and rammed back first into the turnbuckles. Steiner enters the match to deliver clotheslines and overhead suplexs, but was not tagged in. Steiner press slams Orton. Steiner pulls Flair into the ring and locks n the Steiner Recliner, but Batista knocks Steiner to the floor and spears Booker. Batista rams Steiner face first onto the apron followed by strikes. Orton hits a top rope crossbody, but Booker rolls through and pins Orton for the win! (**. Steiner never legally entered the match and that signals to me that the WWE knows that he’s incredibly limited despite two PPV main event matches. The full pivot to Booker is official here and he’s likely going to be a challenger to HHH at some point. I’m honestly shocked Evolution lost here and lost cleanly.)
Fourth Contest: Chris Jericho & Christian vs. Stacy Keibler & Test: Test tries to go after Jericho, but Christian cuts Test off with right hands. Test plants Christian with a tilt a whirl slam and pummels Christian in the corner with right hands. Test backdrops Christian out of the corner. Jericho yanks Stacy off the apron and she hits her face on the apron. Christian tackles Test to the mat and Test is double teamed. Test comes off the ropes to hit a double clothesline. Test tries for a press slam on Christian, but Jericho jabs Test with a chair shot and whacks Test over the back causing a disqualification. Christian plants Test with the Un-Prettier. After the match, Test is handcuffed to the middle rope. Jericho grabs Stacy and rolls her into the ring. Test can’t do anything as he’s handcuffed. Jericho puts the Walls of Jericho on Stacy! Stacy says “you promised me!” to Test as Stacy continues to suffer in the Walls of Jericho. Test screams he’s going to kill Jericho. Jeff Hardy slides into the ring and tries to make the save, but Christian spikes Hardy with the Un-Prettier. Shawn Michales runs into the ring and superkicks Christian as Jericho lets go of the hold and bails. Michaels unlocks the handcuffs. (NR. I enjoyed that angle. I really did. Stacy telling Test he promised her while in the hold was a great added touch. I’d love to see a match between Jericho and Test, and it could easily main event RAW at this point.)
The Toronto Raptors, including Vince Carter, are shown in the front row watching the show.
Christopher Nowinski comes out with a microphone to cut a promo on Jeff Hardy, but the microphone isn’t turned on. Nowinski mocks Hardy for trying to help Stacy, but failed in what was a cruel twist of fate. Nowinski considers Hardy to be a failure.
Fifth Contest: Christopher Nowinski vs. Jeff Hardy: Hardy nails Nowinski with a reverse Twist of Fate and hits the Swanton Bomb to pin Nowinski quickly. After the match, Hardy attacks Nowinski seemingly snapped. However, the referee reveals he’s reversed the decision and Nowinski wins the match by disqualification. (NR. I’m not sure what they are trying to accomplish with Hardy. Nowinski can develop into a worthwhile and winning matches in this manner is going to help his heel persona.)
Backstage, Rob Van Dam is prepping for the battle royal. Kane enters the scene and complains about Rock’s behavior. Kane wants to throw Rock out of the match and face HHH at WrestleMania. RVD agrees with Kane, but says he’s going to WrestleMania to challenge HHH.
Backstage, Rock is on the phone and says Austin can march his ass to the ring next week and confront him face to face if he doesn’t like what he said. Rock tells a woman that the love making is going to have to wait. Rock grabs a guitar and plays it a bit. Rock sings a little bit and the fans vibe with the tune. Rock’s song is insulting Toronto. Hurricane swoops into the scene and tells Rock he use to be loved by millions of fans. Hurricane asks what’s up with Rock trashing the people. Rock asks who Hurricane is and says Hurricane is Hamburglar and asks for a burger. Rock tells Hurricane to never burst into his locker room ever again. Hurricane knows that he can beat one superhero. Hurricane knows he can beat the Scorpion King and notes that Brendan Frasier beat Scorpion King. Hurricane asks if Rock can fly and says he’s going to fly Rock over the ropes in the battle royal before flying out of the scene.
Sixth Contest: Jerry Lawler vs. Chief Morley in a no disqualification match: Morley works over Lawler with several right hands in the corner and stomps Lawler. Lawler charges and clotheslines Morley followed by strikes. Lawler backdrops Morley followed by a fist drop and more right hands. Lawler clotheslines Morley over the top to the floor. Lawler leaps off the apron to strike Morley on the outside. Lawler rams Morley face first onto the ring steps. Morley sends Lawler into the barricade and delivers a chop. Morley is sent into the ring steps. Morley sends Lawler face first into the ring post. Morley rams Lawler back first into the ring post before they return to the ring. Morley takes Lawler over with three vertical suplexs for a two count. Morley clubs Lawler over the back followed by a kick to the ribs. Morley sends Lawler into the corner chest first and keeps control with strikes. Lawler fights back with jabs and punches. Morley stops Lawler with a spinebuster. Morley heads to the top rope hitting a big splash, but doesn’t go for the cover. Morley grabs a steel chair and slides it into the ring. The referee kicks the chair out of the ring despite it being no disqualification. The Dudley Boys slide into the ring and hit the 3D on Morley! Lawler is sat on the top turnbuckle and Lawler hits the fist drop to pin Morley for the win. (*. Morley looks to be in great shape, but it came across as if the crowd didn’t care too much for Morley. The Dudley’s return got a good reaction, and they could possibly still be in the mix for a Mania match with the tag champs or Evolution in some capacity.)
Backstage, Ric Flair tries to hype up Orton and Batista to eliminate all the competition to Triple H. Orton says that Booker T is all his after what happened earlier. Rock is seen walking, as well.
Main Event: 20-Man Battle Royal to determine #1 contender to the RAW World Championship: Test is the first man eliminated and chases after Jericho, causing Jericho to eliminate himself all within the first five-seconds of the match starting. RVD leaps off the top to kick Jamal off the apron to the floor. Rock punches Dreamer over the top to the floor. Rock clotheslines Maven over the top to the floor. Steiner tosses Richards over the top to the floor. Batista and Orton throw RVD to the outside. Batista eliminates Al Snow. Hurricane hip tosses Rodney Mack to the floor. Hurricane punches Rock several times and tries for a chokeslam, but is met with a low blow. Rock eliminates Hurricane. Rock and Booker brawl on the floor, but neither is eliminated from the match. Rock decides to seemingly leave the battle royal and walks up the ramp. Rock goes over to the commentary table. Rock says he’s too smart to be in the ring. Rock is going to let the rest of the guys beat each other up. Orton backdrops Hardy, but Steiner eliminates Orton. Batista eliminates Steiner, but Booker eliminates Batista. Kane is double teamed in the corner by Rosey and Storm. Christian chokes Booker in the corner as Rock remains at the commentary table. Rosey splashes Kane in the corner. Rosey splashes Kane in the corner a second time. Kane avoids a third splash and clotheslines Rosey to the floor.
Kane, Booker, Storm, Christian and Rock are the final five. Kane tosses Storm over the top to the floor. Kane chokeslams Booker. Christian punches Kane as Rock heads back towards the ring. Kane big boots Christian coming off the ropes. Christian puts a choke on Kane, but Rock enters and dumps both Kane and Christian over the top to the floor. That leaves only Rock and Booker T. Booker chops Rock several times in the corner along with right hands. Booker takes his glove off to deliver more chops. Rock stops Booker with a DDT and mocks Booker. Booker manages to counter Rock and throws Rock over the top to eliminate Rock and win the match! Booker is going to WrestleMania XIX! After the match, Rock is surprised, but he’s on the floor clapping for Booker. (***. This was a good battle royal. Test/Jericho needs to be a big match on RAW since Jericho/HBK is the obvious direction for Mania. The Rock/Hurricane interaction was done well and the crowd responded well to Hurricane. That’s something to keep an eye on. Booker winning is the right call and I’m all for him chasing HHH for the title. It honestly makes sense dating back to his team with Goldust and how well they got over. At this rate, it’s probably either Booker or Kane who would be seen as the top babyface to chase HHH. I’m not counting Austin since he’s not a regular act.)
Final Thoughts:
I thought this was a good episode. The battle royal was a lot better than I expected it to be. Booker chasing for the gold has my interest and is far batter than when Steiner was chasing to start the year. Test/Jericho is catching my interest each week and the advancement this week was great. Hopefully the RAW build towards WrestleMania can remain consistently good.
Thanks for reading.