World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 3/10/2003
From: Cleveland, OH
Backstage, Eric Bischoff talks to the RAW roster saying he made a mistake wanting Steve Austin to be taken out. Bischoff wants the roster to welcome Austin to the show. Bischoff doesn’t want Austin to be an enemy. Bischoff is going to bury the hatchet with Austin when he arrives tonight. The roster departs and Morley asks if Bischoff wants to do this. Bischoff assures Morley he knows what he’s doing. The Rock appears and walks over. Rock asks Morley to excuse them. Bischoff says it’s nice to see Rock and asks if Rock is getting ready for his match with Booker T later on. Rock tells Bischoff the match is not going to happen. Rock tells Bischoff wrestling for the world title is important, but not now. Rock has entertained and kicked ass like nobody else. Rock’s goal right now is beating Steve Austin at WrestleMania. Rock tells Bischoff the match with Booker T is off tonight. Bischoff tells Rock that he has sponsors and millions of fans expecting Rock to compete tonight. Rock agrees to compete, but not against Booker T. Rock promises to find an opponent for tonight.
Opening Contest: Kane & Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho & Christian: RVD and Christian kickoff the tag match. Christian controls RVD with a headlock for a moment and shoulder blocks RVD. RVD monkey flips Christian followed by a kick for a two count. Christian knee lifts RVD and tags in Jericho. RVD spin kicks Jericho, but Jericho comes off the ropes to deliver a forearm smash. Jericho continues with a back suplex and chops RVD in the corner. RVD sends Jericho into the corner and dropkicks Jericho in midair. Kane tags in and clotheslines Jericho several times. Kane backdrops Jericho and punches Christian off the apron. Kane big boots Jericho and heads to the top rope. Kane leaps off hitting a clothesline on Jericho for a two count. Kane runs into a boot in the corner. Kane stops both Jericho and Christian looking for a double chokeslam, but they fight free. Kane backdrops Jericho to the floor and boots Christian in the corner. RVD leaps off the top to kick Christian. RVD dropkicks a kneeling Christian and hits the rolling thunder. Jericho drop toe holds Kane face first onto the ring steps. Jericho is knocked off by Christian. RVD spin kicks Christian and hits the five star frog splash. Jericho takes advantage hitting a Lionsault to steal the match! (**. A quick bout, and I was not expecting Jericho to get a clean win. However, since Jericho is feuding with Shawn Michaels and having a Mania match it makes a lot of sense. I like the booking and it gives Jericho some momentum.) After the match, Shawn Michaels nails Jericho with Sweet Chin Music on the stage. Michaels tells Jericho he’ll see him at WrestleMania.
Booker T makes his way out to the ring to cut a promo. Booker says he’s a bit disappointed because Rock doesn’t want to fight. Booker wants to set the record straight. Booker says HHH tried to embarrass him last week and called him an entertainer. Booker recalls HHH wanting to see him dance and saying that people like him are there to lose to HHH. Booker says he’s an entertainer for the people. Booker loves every minute of being an entertainer. Booker says he’s the youngest of eight kids and grew up in a single parent household as his father passed away at a young age. Booker notes that he got in a lot of trouble as a kid and ended up in jail. Booker talks about being arrested for armed robbery, but when he got out he needed to make a stand or he’d fall for anything. Booker says HHH doesn’t know anything about him. Booker wants HHH to walk dow the aisle and he’ll dance all over HHH’s punk ass.
Ric Flair makes his way out to join the segment. Flair tells the fans to shut up. Flair says Booker T isn’t Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and damn sure not Triple H. Flair says nineteen months in jail makes Booker bad to the bones. Flair tells Booker that his card doesn’t say World Champion. Flair says HHH asked him to explain to Booker that HHH is the greatest wrestler alive and a class act who will not lower himself to Booker’s level. Flair tells Booker next week in St. Louis he’ll have two choices to meet HHH at the airport and carry their bags which is what Booker is qualified to do. Flair says Booker can make a mistake and show up uninvited and get an ass whooping of a lifetime. Booker responds by decking Flair with a right hand and leaves the ring.
Backstage, Booker T is looking for HHH’s locker room. Booker barges into the locker room and confronts HHH in the bathroom. Booker asks if HHH has something to say to him. HHH throws a dollar at Booker and tells Booker to get him a towel. Booker punches HHH and slams a door into HHH’s face. Booker leaves HHH laying.
Backstage, Ric Flair meets up with Triple H and HHH says he never saw Booker coming as he was attacked from behind. They leave the room promising to kick Booker’s ass.
Second Contest: Jeff Hardy vs. Rico: Hardy arm drags Rico as we see Steve Austin has arrived to the arena and he bumps into a woman who spills drinks over herself. Rico kicks Hardy and delivers a mule kick. Rico twists Hardy’s neck with his legs. Hardy misses a clothesline and is kicked on the back. Rico delivers a backstabber for a two count. Rico rams Hardy into the corner, but Hardy hits a Whisper In The Wind. Hardy dumps Rico over the top to the floor where Rico is rolled into the ring. Hardy leaps off Rico’s back to take 3MW out on the outside. Hardy gets a rollup and pins Rico for the win. (1/2*. That didn’t accomplish much for entertainment purposes. Rico is capable of having a good match and it was never given a chance.)
Backstage, HHH and Flair are searching for Booker T. HHH walks by Maven talking to someone. The audio isn’t working for the segment and slaps the random guy. Maven tells HHH that the guy wasn’t even on Tough Enough and calls HHH “numb nuts.” HHH chokes Maven and challenges Maven to a match in a half hour.
Backstage, Steve Austin is walking when Goldust walks up and tells Austin that Bischoff wants to call out Austin tonight. Goldust has a few spaz attacks during the promo. Goldust is looking out for Austin and Austin shoves a hot dog into Goldust’s mouth before leaving.
Backstage, The Rock sits in his locker room and says no wonder Jim Thome left and suggests LeBron James stay in school and not get drafted by Cleveland. Rock plays his guitar and sings a song insulting Cleveland. Rock says Cleveland sucks. Someone enters the room and Rock asks if they are ready to go one on one with the Great One. The camera pans out and it’s The Hurricane. Hurricane asks if Rock is ready to go toe to toe with the superhero. Rock says Hurricane has been a pain in his ass for three weeks. Rock puts over their match as the biggest match in RAW history since it is superhero vs. superhero. Rock reveals their match is a no disqualification match. Rock insults Hurricane for not having superpowers. Hurricane says he has Hurripowers and calls Rock a bitch. Hurricane makes another little penis joke, but Rock dismisses that. Rock tells Hurricane it is the biggest night of his life. Rock offers a handshake and then punches Hurricane.
Third Contest: Trish Stratus vs. Jazz in a number one contenders match: Jazz goes right after Trish with a kick. Stratus stops Jazz with a head scissors off the top rope. Victoria comes out and hits both women with the WWE Women’s Championship. Victoria screams that the championship is hers. (NR. Victoria is crazy and probably doesn’t realize she’s likely going to face both women now at WrestleMania.)
RAW GM Eric Bischoff makes his way out and is greeted with jeers from the crowd. Bischoff talks about having Austin beaten to a bloody pulp and how he was embarrassed at No Way Out. Bischoff apologizes for allowing his personal feelings get in the way of business. Bischoff also apologizes for firing Austin by FedEx in WCW. Bischoff also apologizes for saying Austin wouldn’t be successful. Bischoff apologizes for smashing JR’s skull with a cinderblock. Bischoff believes the fans shouldn’t hate him and Austin shouldn’t hate him either. Bischoff takes credit for Austin’s success because it would never happened if he didn’t fire Austin. Bischoff gives Austin credit for returning and saving his job. Bischoff believes they need each other and they are very similar. Bischoff notes they both wear jeans instead of a suit. Bischoff says they reinvented the industry and they also drink alcohol. Bischoff wants to bury the hatchet.
Steve Austin makes his way out to join the segment. Bischoff offers his hand to bury the hatchet like men. Austin tells Bischoff to say “yes sir” when talking to him. Austin asks that Bischoff wants him to forget what he’s done to him. Bischoff is asking for friendship, but Austin responds with a middle finger to the face. Austin refuses to shake Bischoff’s hand. Austin could only think of one word listening to Bischoff and it was ‘boring’. Austin backs Bischoff into a corner and Bischoff says he hears Austin, but doesn’t say ‘yes sir.” Austin wants to bury his foot in Bischoff’s ass.
The Rock makes his way out to the stage to confront Austin. Austin tells Rock there is 15,000 people saying Rocky sucks. Rock doesn’t want to be Austin’s friend and wants to slap Austin’s face instead. Austin suggests Rock come to the ring and slap his face. Rock says he’s done it all in the business, but he’s never beaten Austin at WrestleMania. Austin recalls whipping Rock’s ass twice. Rock believes that Steve Austin is nothing. Austin thinks that Rock is scared and is hiding behind his sunglasses. Austin lays on the mat and wants Rock to run into the ring and pin him. Rock decides against running to the ring. Rock declares he’ll kick Austin’s ass, but only at WrestleMania. Austin isn’t leaving the arena without whipping someone’s ass and stomps Bischoff in the corner. Rock slides into the ring, but backs off from Austin.
Fourth Contest: RAW World Champion Triple H vs. Maven in a non-title match: HHH taunts Maven with the championship before the bout started. HHH decks Maven over the back of the head and strikes Maven over the bottom rope. HHH slides Maven under the ropes to the floor. HHH rams Maven into the ring steps back first. HHH rolls Maven into the ring, but Maven kicks HHH away. HHH decks Maven with a clothesline. HHH gouges Maven’s face and presses his forearm into Maven’s face several times. HHH kicks Maven several times in the midsection. HHH chokes Maven over the top rope and taunts Maven some more. Maven fights back with strikes in the corner, but HHH stops Maven with an atomic drop. HHH strikes Maven to the mat with a right hand and taunts Maven by slapping his head. Maven elbow strikes HHH a few times, but runs into a sleeper hold. HHH drops Maven who appears to be knocked out. Maven stops HHH with a jawbreaker and a several strikes in the corner. Maven boots HHH in the corner, but runs into a spinebuster. HHH hits the Pedigree and pins Maven for the win. (*. There wasn’t much of a hope spot for Maven. HHH getting a clean, dominating win is the right direction heading toward the Mania match with Booker.) After the match, HHH throws Maven into the ropes and Maven get his head caught in the ropes. Al Snow comes out to check con Maven, but HHH clotheslines Snow and hits the Pedigree on Snow.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff can’t believe Steve Austin spat in his face. Chief Morley tells Bischoff that Vince McMahon never tried to make amends with Austin (that’s not true). Bischoff has a great idea. Bischoff can do anything he wants since McMahon is busy with Hulk Hogan on Smackdown. Bischoff announces that next week on RAW he’s going to wrestle Steve Austin.
Backstage, Stacy Keibler is on the phone with Test saying she’ll be okay since Jericho got laid out by Shawn Michaels. Keibler hears a woman in the background. Keibler reminds Test that Girls Gone Wild isn’t until Thursday and promises she’s not mad.
Backstage, Terri runs up to Steve Austin who is talking with Scott Steiner. Austin laughs at the thought of wrestling Eric Bischoff. Austin likes it. Steiner doesn’t say a word.
Chief Morley and RAW Tag Team Champion Lance Storm come out. Morley says only one Dudley will be competing tonight and it will be D-Von Dudley in a handicap match. There are three police officers with him. Morley says if D-Von loses he remains suspended. If D-Von wins the match they are reinstated. Morley warns Bubba that if Bubba or Spike interfere then they will remain suspended. Bubba tries to punch Morley, but D-Von stops him. The officers escort Bubba out of the ring.
Fifth Contest: D-Von Dudley vs. Chief Morley & Lance Storm in a handicap match: Storm and Morley attack D-Von from behind to start the match. D-Von tosses Storm to the apron and sends Morley into Storm leading to a two count with a rollup. D-Von nearly wins with an inside cradle and pummels Morley with strikes. D-Von clotheslines Morley in the corner. D-Von plants Morley with a DDT, but Storm makes the save. Storm tags into the match and works over D-Von with strikes. D-Von clotheslines Storm for another two count. D-Von clotheslines Storm in the corner and delivers a flapjack for a two count. D-Von powerslams Storm for a two count. Storm eye rakes D-Von. D-Von fights out of the corner, but Morley strikes D-Von over the back. Morley knee strikes D-Von from the apron and heads to the top hitting the Money Shot to win the match. (*. Morley is incredible uninteresting. They are dragging out this Dudley Boys suspension storyline.)
Jerry Lawler is in the ring to host a wet t-shirt contest. Stacy Keibler makes her way out to join the segment along with three other random females. Keibler talked to Test earlier and got a little bit upset, but realized she’s just as wild as anyone else. Keibler isn’t competing, but rather getting the women wet. Michelle is the first woman to get soaked and Alexis is second. The third woman is Colette. There’s a fourth woman named Dasia. They are wearing orange tops, which make it not so see-thru. Keibler says that she’ll be at the Girls Gone Wild PPV and she’ll show how wild a diva can be. Keibler wants to get wild right now. Keibler tells Lawler to get her wet. Keibler offers her ass in white shorts to get soaked. Lawler happily soaks Keibler. I’m guessing Keibler won.
Main Event: The Rock vs. The Hurricane in a no disqualification match: Rock slaps Hurricane across the face and sends Hurricane into the corner to deliver another slap. Hurricane punches Rock several times, but Rock bails to the floor to regroup. Hurricane rolls Rock back into the ring and continues with strikes. Rock plants Hurricane with a Samoan Drop. Rock grabs Hurricane’s cape and puts it on. Rock stomps Hurricane on the mat several times. Rock hooks Hurricane to hit a suplex and covers for a two count. Rock chokes Hurricane over the middle rope. Rock stomps Hurricane and rams Hurricane into the corner followed by right hands. Hurricane strikes Rock several times. Rock nails Hurricane with a clothesline. Rock snapmares Hurricane to the mat and keeps control with a sleeper. Hurricane elbows Rock to break free, but an eye rake stops Hurricane. Hurricane nails Rock with a neckbreaker. Hurricane blocks right hands and staggers Rock with punches. Rock runs off the ropes, but is met with a clothesline. Hurricane nails Rock with the shining wizard and heads to the top rope hitting a crossbody for a two count. Hurricane elbows Rock in the corner and hits a middle rope neckbreaker for a near fall. Rock plants Hurricane with a DDT and taunts Hurricane. Rock tries for the Rock Bottom, but Hurricane breaks free. Hurricane tries for a chokeslam, but Rock breaks free. Hurricane low blows Rock and delivers the chokeslam! Hurricane crawls for the cover, but Rock kicks out at two. Rock plants Hurricane with a spinebuster. Rock goes for the People’s Elbow, but Steve Austin comes out. Austin distracts Rock. Hurricane gets a rollup on Rock and picks up the three count to pin Rock! After the match, Austin flips off Rock from the floor. (**. Rock gave a lot more to Hurricane than I ever expected. Rock is aware that he’s able to make lower card wrestlers look good and still maintain his heat and popularity. I sure hope there’s some kind of followup on Hurricane because he seems to be a character fans want to be support. It’s moments such as this where I wish the Intercontinental Championship was still active because Hurricane would fit in that division very well.)
Final Thoughts:
The obvious focus on Booker’s race and not being a capable or worthy champion continues to be rather uncomfortable. I can see how HHH saying it’s about him being in WCW and that not counting was the intention, but that message is being poorly told. Action wise the show leaves a lot to be desired, but the segments were actually enjoyable for the most part. I’d consider this an average episode for RAW.
Thanks for reading.