World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 3/3/2003
From: Uniondale, NY
In the parking lot, Eric Bischoff is with Rico, Jamal and Rosey. They have weapons and are dubbed the Eric Bischoff welcoming party. They are Bischoff’s first line of defense and wants Austin to feel how he felt at No Way Out. Bischoff wants them to crush his skull and wants to welcome Austin back to RAW personally. Bischoff has a goal of making tonight Austin’s final appearance.
Booker T makes his way out to the ring to cut a promo. Booker is the current number one contender to the RAW World Championship after winning the battle royal last week. Booker knows they know who he is and tells the world that he’s a 5x WCW World Champion. Booker mentions that he has gotten a trip straight to WrestleMania after winning last week. However, RAW World Champion Triple H makes his way out to the ring alongside Ric Flair.
HHH looks Booker up and down and says Booker is a bit confused about his role in life here. HHH tells Booker that he may go to WrestleMania, but “somebody like you doesn’t get to be a World Champion.” HHH says that Booker doesn’t deserve it and he is a man who deserves to be a champion. HHH tells Booker that he’s an entertainer and not a champion. HHH suggests Booker dance for him. HHH doesn’t want Booker to be embarrassed. HHH believes that Booker is there to make him laugh. HHH admits that Booker is good at making him laugh and notes Booker has nappy hair. HHH laughed thinking about Booker challenging him for the World Championship. HHH understands Booker’s history, but says WCW was a joke. HHH asks Ric Flair about David Arquette and Vince Russo also being champions during the same era. HHH thinks that Booker drove WCW into the ground as champion. HHH admits that Booker has had his moments such as eliminating Rock last week. HHH puts himself over as the greatest wrestler on the planet and Booker challenging him on the biggest stage isn’t something to take lightly. HHH believes that Booker will lose because “that’s what people like you do.” Booker chimes in and says some of that may be true, but he’s going to WrestleMania and somebody like him is going to beat HHH for the World Championship. HHH tells Booker that he’s going to need luck. HHH wishes Booker luck in his match tonight against Scott Steiner. HHH tells Booker that he might be lucky if he makes it to WrestleMania after wrestling Steiner tonight.
Back to the parking lot, Jamal thinks they need to hide while waiting for Steve Austin and they proceed to hide behind cars.
Opening Contest: Jeff Hardy vs. Christian: Hardy attacks before the bell with strikes in the corner. Christian strikes Hardy and tries for a slam, but Hardy tosses Christian to the apron. Hardy drops Christian onto the apron face first followed by a baseball slide and a crossbody off the top leading to a near fall in the ring. Christian crotches Hardy on the top rope and drops Hardy gut first over the ropes for a two count. Christian knee strikes Hardy and delivers strikes to the ribs. Christian puts an abdominal stretch on Hardy, but doesn’t get a submission. Christian avoids a jawbreaker with a knee lift and plants Hardy with a reverse DDT. Christian chokes Hardy over the middle rope. Hardy strikes Christian several times and delivers a spinning mule kick for a near fall. Hardy tries for a double leg drop, but Christian countered with a rollup for a two count. Hardy hits the double leg drop and heads to the top rope. Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind for a near fall. Christian holds the ropes to avoid a neckbreaker. Christian spikes Hardy with the Un-Prettier to pickup the clean victory. (**. A decent match and a fairly good win for Christian especially managing to pull off a clean victory.)
Backstage, Eric Bischoff talks with Lance Storm. Bischoff says the first line of defense is in the parking lot. Bischoff is going to have Storm and Chief Morley as their second line of defense. Bischoff gives Storm a pipe to use if Austin makes it past the first line of defense. Storm promises to give Austin a warm welcome.
Chief Morley comes out and cuts a promo. Morley can make his matches as interesting as he wants them to be. Morley announces that if Spike Dudley beats him tonight then he’ll reinstate the Dudley Boys. However, if Bubba or D-Von get involved then they will remain suspended.
Second Contest: Spike Dudley vs. Chief Morley: Spike runs into the ring and hammers away on Morley before Morley gains control with overhand strikes to Spike’s back. Spike strikes Morley into the corner. Spike boots Morley in the corner and bites Morley’s forehead. Spike stomps Morley in the corner and tries for the Dudley Dog, but Morley counters with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Spike counters for a near fall. Morley stomps Spike and pummels Spike with right hands on the mat. Morley chops Spike in the corner several times. Morley sends Spike chest first into the corner. Morley hits a vertical suplex several times. Morley hits a slingshot suplex and heads to the top rope hitting the Money Shot for the win. (*. It’s amazing that Morley can’t get over as a heel. Of all the heels associated with Bischoff, Morley is the only one that can’t generate much crowd reaction.)
Backstage, Christian is talking to Chris Jericho and is bragging about his victory tonight. Jericho tells Christian he’s got a surprise for Test tonight. Eric Bischoff enters the scene and talks about having several lines of defense when it comes to Steve Austin. Jericho says it would be their honor to help Bischoff with Austin. Jericho will put the Walls of Jericho on Austin just as he did to Stacy Keibler last week.
Third Contest: WWE Women’s Champion Victoria & Jazz vs. Jacqueline & Trish Stratus: Victoria and Jazz argue to start and Stratus hit a double bulldog. Jacqueline flapjacks Jazz for a two count. Jacqueline kicks Jazz a few times, but Victoria causes a distraction allowing a dropkick by Jazz. Jazz delivers a running powerslam for a two count. Jacqueline stops Jazz with a jawbreaker and Victoria enters accidentally kicking Jazz in the corner. Victoria boots Jacqueline in the corner and delivers a side slam for a near fall. Victoria strikes Jacqueline a few times followed by a snap suplex for a two count. Victoria shoulder rams Jacqueline in the corner, but misses a running spear and hits the corner. Stratus gets the hot tag and kicks Victoria followed by right hands and chops. Stratus pummels Victoria after a Thez Press and knocks Jazz onto Richards at ringside. Jacqueline baseball slides both on the floor. Victoria strikes Strartus and avoids a head scissors attempt. Stratus gets a bridging rollup and pins Victoria for the win. (*. I’m not sure where the division is going. I feel like there’s interest in a Jazz/Victoria match, but Stratus needs to be involved since she’s the only true top face in the women’s division.)
Backstage, Lance Storm and Chief Morley are waiting for Steve Austin. Morley wants first crack at Austin.
Backstage, Coach knocks on the Rock’s locker room door to conduct an interview. Rock asks if Coach is on crack. Rock tells Coach he shouldn’t knock on his door and asks if Coach has an appointment. Rock tells Coach that he’ll talk to him Wednesday. Coach leaves the scene as Rock enters his locker room and has a big night as millions of his fans are waiting for him. Rock pulls a curtain back and Hurricane is sitting there. Rock doesn’t believe his eyes, but Hurricane jumps out and calls Rock a hypocrite. Hurricane says Rock has Bischoff doing all his dirty work. Rock asks how long Hurricane had been sitting in there. Rock claims he was going to look for Hurricane. Rock jokes about how Hurricane could kick Scorpion King’s ass and reminds Hurricane he eliminated him in the battle royal. Hurricane recalls Rock screaming, but it was when Booker T tossed Rock to the floor. Rock denies Booker eliminated him and claims he slipped. Rock reminds Hurricane that he’s nothing and isn’t a superhero. Rock pokes fun at Hurricane for having braces. Hurricane insults Rock for having a tiny penis. Rock denies that claim and gets defensive. Rock asks what Hurricane wants. Hurricane believes Rock is a coward and is afraid of Steve Austin. Hurricane thinks that Rock is full of Brahma Bullcrap and flies out. Rock isn’t afraid of no man.
Chris Jericho cuts a promo before the next match. Jericho issues an apology to Stacy Keibler. Jericho is sorry that Keibler hooked herself to a guy like Test, who is a liar. Jericho shoves footage from Girls Gone Wild ten days ago. Test signs a girls chest. We see Stacy Keibler confronting Test backstage and Test dismisses Stacy being upset. Test tells Keibler that he’s going to be there in ten days. Test is frustrated with Stacy nagging and demands that Stacy stay backstage. Jericho laughs that there’s some issues between Test and Stacy.
Fourth Contest: Test vs. Chris Jericho: Test runs into the ring and pummels Jericho with several strikes. Test press slams Jericho coming out of the corner and drops Jericho to the mat gut first. Test pummels Jericho with more strikes, but here comes Christian stalking Stacy Keibler to the ringside area. Test punches Jericho in the corner and clotheslines Christian on the floor. Test tosses Christian over the barricade into the crowd. Jericho elbow drops Test and continues with right hands. Jericho hits a back suplex and taunts the crowd before stomping Test. Test hits a tilt a whirl side slam followed by a clothesline. Test clotheslines Jericho in the corner and tries for a slam, but Jericho takes Test down to the mat and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Test uses his legs to spin Jericho away. Test plants Jericho with a powerbomb for a near fall. Test waits in the corner to deliver a big boot. Jericho puts the referee in the way and Christian hits a reverse DDT while the referee is distracted. Jericho tries for a cover, but Test kicks out at two. Jericho exposes the top turnbuckle and grabs Stacy on the apron. Stacy slaps Jericho and Test hit a full nelson slam. Test big boots Christian off the apron. Jericho low blows Test before hitting the Breakdown to win the match. (**. A decent match, but the crowd reaction may have been impacted by Test clearly acting as a heel a little bit before the match. Test didn’t come across likable with how he snapped at Stacy and that is likely teasing a heel turn for Test. I’m not sure that is a good direction to go in at this point.) After the match, Jericho rolls Stacy into the ring and has a chair with Christian also having one. Test saves Stacy from a con-chair-to. However, Test suffers the fate instead. Shawn Michaels runs into the ring and make the save. Michaels hits the Sweet Chin Music on Christian, but Jericho smashes Michaels with a chair shot and that busts Michaels wide open. Jericho says that Michaels tried to be the hero one too many times. Jericho wants to end Michaels career. Jericho raises the chair, but stops. Jericho wants to end Michaels career on a bigger stage. Jericho challenges Michaels to a match at WrestleMania.
In the parking lot, 3 Minute Warning are getting a little impatient, but Rico insists that Steve Austin will be here. A car comes speeding up and it’s Goldust. Goldust continues to spazz out and asks if they’ve seen Booker T, but he’ll find Booker on his own.
Christopher Nowinski is in the ring to cut a promo. Nowinski can’t wait to see Steve Austin and see what Austin has coming to him. Nowinski talks about Austin defying rules and flipping off his boss. Nowinski believes that leads to anarchy. The Dudley Boys enter the ring from behind and hit the 3D on Nowinski. (Where’s security?)
Backstage, Chris Jericho is bragging to Christian what he did to Shawn Michaels. Christian is happy they took care of Test and Jeff Hardy, too. They are preparing for Steve Austin to arrive.
Fifth Contest: Booker T vs. Scott Steiner: Booker puts a hammerlock on Steiner, but is elbowed into the ropes. Steiner chops Booker against the ropes and delivers a heel kick. Booker continues with chops and a knee lift. Steiner counters a heel kick and slams Booker to the mat. Steiner hits a belly to belly suplex and flexes for the crowd. Steiner drops Booker to the mat gut first and continues to work over Booker in the corner with chops. Steiner clotheslines Booker coming off the ropes and delivers an elbow drop. Steiner does a few pushups and continues to trade chops with Booker. Booker decks Steiner to the mat followed by a heel kick for a two count. Booker pummels Steiner with strikes in the corner. Booker heel kicks a charging Steiner in the corner. Steiner decks Booker to avoid breakdancing. Steiner locks in the Steiner Recliner, but gets distracted by HHH and Ric Flair. Steiner is bleeding from the eye. Steiner chops Booker in the corner, but Booker gets a rollup out of the corner to win the match. (1/2*. I’d honestly cut bait on Steiner. He’s not good and nowhere near the hype that he had just three years ago.)
Backstage, The Rock is talking to a production assistant and demands they get Eric Bischoff to his room right now. Following a commercial break, Rock plays guitar in his locker room. Rock sings an original song where he puts himself over a bit. Eric Bischoff enters the room and Rock asks if Bischoff is trying to make him look bad. Rock doesn’t like the welcoming committee idea and isn’t happy if someone other than him greets Austin. Rock threatens to go back to Smackdown. Bischoff leaves the room to take care of something.
Backstage, RVD kicks a trash can that Kane was holding. They are competing in a hardcore tag match next.
Main Event: Kane & Rob Van Dam vs. Al Snow & Tommy Dreamer in a hardcore match: They start brawling on the floor to kickoff the match. Kane punches Snow, but Dreamer hit Kane with a trash can lid. RVD hits a moonsault off the apron onto both men. RVD rolls Snow into the ring and delivers a spinning leg drop. Dreamer hits RVD with a kendo stick, but Kane leaps off the top to hit a flying clothesline. Snow nails Kane with a trash can lids to save Dreamer. RVD and Kane are beaten down with several trash can lid shots. Snow drop toe holds Kane onto the trash can, but Kane sits up. Kane is met with more weapon shots to the head. Kane delivers a double chokeslam and RVD leaps off the top to hit both men with a Five Star Frog Splash. RVD covers both men to win the match. (1/2*. Obviously a weak main event and this should cement Kane and RVD as a duo on RAW.)
In the parking lot, Eric Bischoff is with his entire welcoming committee. Another car is approaching and doesn’t stop. It’s Steve Austin in a truck and has a tire iron. Bischoff holds off everyone and they are all pissed.
Steve Austin makes his way out and is met with a loud positive reaction. Austin talks about all the things he could talk about, but instead he’s out here to say thank you to everyone. Austin recalls telling McMahon seven months to take the job and shove it. Austin brought a can of whoop ass with him and he’s going to open it on all the wrestlers backstage. Austin promises to raise hell, but that’s when The Rock’s music hits.
Rock says it’s nice to see Austin. Rock tells Austin that the fans will turn on him at a snap of a finger. Rock insults the fans for not having class to live in Manhattan. Rock has done it all, but he hasn’t beaten Austin at WrestleMania. Rock challenges Austin to a match at WrestleMania. Before Austin can answer, Eric Bischoff comes out with Chief Morley. Bischoff is out there to give Rock options. Bischoff books Rock in a match next week where Rock will wrestle Booker T. If Rock wins, then he’s got the choice of either Steve Austin or the RAW World Champion Triple H. Bischoff says the show is running about three minutes too long. Three Minute Warning come out and attack Austin, but Austin delivers a stunner to Rosey and Jamal. Rico tries to get involved and Austin pummels Rico with right hands. Austin delivers another stunner. Austin tosses Rico to the floor. Rock gets in the ring and has a standoff with Austin. Rock tries to cheap shot Austin, but fails. Rock avoids the stunner and bails to the floor to regroup. That’s how the show comes to an end.
Final Thoughts:
In-ring wise this show is not very good, at all. The segments involving Rock were the best parts of the show and the segment between Rock/Hurricane was a highlight. Jericho/HBK, Booker/HHH and Rock/Austin comes across as a strong RAW side for WrestleMania matches. However, this weeks episode of RAW gets a thumbs down from me.
Thanks for reading.