World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 3/24/2003
From: Sacramento, CA
Lilian Garcia sings the national anthem to begin RAW.
Steve Austin makes his way out to the ring to kickoff the show with a promo. The crowd is going nuts for Stone Cold. Charles Robinson is telling Austin he shouldn’t be out there, but Austin flips him off. Austin recalls last week where he was minding his own business when the Rock gave him a stunner and a Rock Bottom. Austin is pissed about that happening. Austin says he’s going to stay in the ring until the Rock comes out and they get something straight between them. Austin has been pissed off by Rock, but he enjoys being pissed off. Austin wants Rock to bring a guitar out and sing him a song.
Test makes his ay out with Stacy Keibler. Apparently, Test was booked to be in a match in this spot instead of Austin’s promo according to Jim Ross. Test tells Austin that Bischoff sent him out there. Test just wants to kick some ass. Austin nails Test with a stunner and leaves the ring to sit at the timekeepers table. Austin tells Garcia to sit down. Lance Storm runs into the ring and yells for the referee to get in the ring, but Austin rolls in and stops counting at two. Austin hits Storm with a stunner, too.
Eric Bischoff makes his way out and has a bunch of officers with him. Bischoff has had enough of Austin and declares that RAW is his show. Bischoff is going to make sure that Austin doesn’t lay another finger on Bischoff again. Bischoff reveals a restraining order and tells Austin he’s ordered to leave the arena. Bischoff says failure to do so may subject Austin to mandatory arrest. Officers make their way toward the ring as the fans chant for Austin. Austin walks up the ramp to confront Bischoff, who taunts Austin. Bischoff threatens to have Austin arrested if Austin touches him. Austin walks off without incident. Bischoff tells the fans they can thank him for getting rid of the distraction. Bischoff promotes the Rock’s concert taking place later tonight.
Steve Austin is walking backstage with the officers by his side. Austin stops when he hears a guitar playing and the Rock appears behind Austin taunting Austin with “Jailhouse Rock.” Officers prevent Austin from going towards Rock.
Opening Contest: WWE Women’s Champion Victoria & Steven Richards vs. Jeff Hardy & Trish Stratus: Richards starts off with strikes on Hardy to gain the advantage. Hardy kicks Richards away and delivers a double leg drop to the lower midsection of Richards. Richards eye pokes Hardy followed by a chop and rams Hardy in the corner. Hardy sends Richards into the corner and delivers a dropkick. Richards tags in Victoria. Victoria taunts Hardy to hit her, but Stratus enters and forearms Victoria several times. Stratus ducks a clothesline to deliver a kick. Hardy nails Richards with a kick and a crossbody to the floor. Victoria kicks Stratus followed by a swinging side slam for a near fall. Victoria misses a standing moonsault. Stratus forearms Victoria, but runs into a knee in the corner. Stratus hits a head scissors off the middle rope. Stratus backdrops Richards and hits a springboard bulldog on Victoria for the win. After the match, Jazz attacks Stratus on the aisle as it looked like Stratus and Hardy were going to share a kiss. Jazz also kicks Victoria on the aisle. (*. Well, that was a rather short match. Victoria looked good for the brief outing. Hardy didn’t get much shine in the brief outing as it was clear the purpose was for the women, which doesn’t happen often.)
Backstage, Eric Bischoff is on the phone saying he handled the situation perfectly. Coach enters the room, but Bischoff says he’s busy. Coach tells Bischoff that security has an emergency and they need Bischoff. Bischoff walks off with Coach.
Backstage, Goldust is looking at Playboy when Booker T enters the room and asks Goldust if he’s ready for tonight. Goldust says he’s proud of Booker for fighting for the title at WrestleMania. Goldust calls Triple H a dictator. Goldust is confident that Booker T will win the World Championship at WrestleMania. Booker notes that Goldust doesn’t sound good to compete. Goldust assures that he is and says Booker’s catchphrase.
Backstage, Coach and Bischoff walk up to the security situation. Bischoff is shown footage of Steve Austin outside one of the entrances of the arena. Austin is pacing in front of his truck. The security guy notes that the restraining order is good for only outside the arena and Austin is outside the arena. Bischoff tells Coach he’s going to make Austin’s life a living hell. Bischoff wants Coach to tell Austin that directly. Coach tells Bischoff he’d rather not go out there since Austin looks really mad. Bischoff tells Coach he can either go out there and tell Austin, or he’s fired. Coach agrees to go outside, but he’s not thrilled.
Second Contest: Scott Steiner vs. Christian: Steiner tosses Christian through the ropes to the floor to start the match. Christian ducks an elbow and Steiner clotheslines Christian followed by an elbow drop. Steiner taunts Christian with a few pushups. Steiner press slams Christian to the mat gut first. Steiner chops Christian followed by overhand strikes in the corner. Steiner drives Christian into the corner while over his shoulder. Christian counters with a reverse DDT for a two count. Christian stomps Steiner on the mat and chokes Steiner. Christian strikes Steiner over the back. Christian kicks Steiner and delivers a neckbreaker. Christian covers Steiner for a near fall. Christian chokes Steiner again for a moment. Steiner blocks being rammed into the corner and strikes Christian a few times. Christian clubs Steiner over the back, but Steiner hits an overhead suplex followed by a clothesline. Steiner backdrops Christian for a near fall. Christian eye rakes Steiner and boots Steiner in the corner. Christian nearly wins with his feet on the ropes. Steiner backdrops Christian to the apron, but Christian drops Steiner over the top rope throat first. Steiner stops Christian on the top rope and hits a middle rope Samoan Drop. Steiner covers and pins Christian for the clean win. (*1/2. There wasn’t much to this one. Steiner doesn’t have any meaningful direction marking his run as lasting less than three months before he became just another guy and stuck in the midcard.)
Outside, Coach approaches Austin in his truck. Coach tells Austin Bischoff’s message. Austin simply stares at Coach, and Coach decides to simply leave and assure Bischoff that Austin got the message.
Backstage, Terri interviews Chief Morley and Lance Storm. Morley notes that William Regal and Lance Storm are no longer the tag champions due to Regal’s injury and they haven’t defended the titles. Morley announces that Bischoff has allowed him to crown new champions, which are Morley and Storm. RVD and Kane walk into the scene. RVD thinks they deserve a tag title shot at WrestleMania since they won last week against them. Morley says they haven’t had time to prepare for such a match. RVD thought Morley would have more balls. Morley promises they aren’t afraid of RVD and Kane. Morley notes that there’s another tag team deserving and reveals the team as being the Dudley Boys. Kane says they have a score to settle with the Dudley Boys. Kane wants them tonight where the winners get a tag title shot at WrestleMania. Morley seemingly accepts the idea. Kane slaps Storm on the neck before walking off.
Third Contest: RAW World Champion Triple H & Ric Flair vs. Booker T & Goldust: Flair and Goldust kickoff the tag match. Flair taunts Goldust by strutting and playing to the crowd. Goldust backs Flair into the corner and delivers a strike a couple of times. Goldust backdrops Flair coming out of the corner. Goldust taunts Flair and they have a standoff. HHH tags into the match as Goldust fights out of the corner with right hands. Goldust manages to tag in Booker causing HHH to back off. HHH puts a headlock on Booker, but Booker sends HHH into the ropes and is met with a shoulder block. HHH runs the ropes and is met with a hip toss. HHH retreats to the corner to regroup again. HHH knee lifts Booker to gain the advantage followed by a strike. Booker nails HHH with a heel kick. Booker chops HHH against the ropes. HHH kicks Booker to avoid a backdrop attempt. Flair tags into the match and chops Booker in the corner several times. Booker clubs Flair several times in the corner. Flair staggers and falls flat to the mat. Booker side slams Flair for a near fall. Flair stops Booker with an eye rake. HHH tags into the match and Booker hits a heel kick. Flair takes Booker down with a chop block. HHH focuses his attack on the left knee. Booker and HHH trade strikes until HHH kicks Booker and tosses Booker to the floor. Goldust prevents Flair from messing with Booker on the floor as the show goes to commercial.
Flair has the figure four on Booker, but Booker refuses to stay down on the pin attempt. Booker manages to turn over onto his stomach to reverse the pressure. Flair removes the hold and chops Booker. Booker responds with strikes to drop Flair to the mat. Goldust gets the hot tag and backdrops Flair out of the corner. Goldust nails HHH with a leaping butt strike. Goldust clotheslines Flair, but holds his arm allowing HHH to deck Goldust. Goldust delivers strikes to both men and atomic drops Flair and does the same to HHH. Goldust ducks a clothesline by HHH, but misses a crossbody and crashes to the floor. HHH follows to the floor and sends Goldust into the ring steps. Flair enters the match and low blows Goldust. Flair chokes Goldust on the mat to allow HHH to keep control. HHH works over Goldust in the corner with stomps. HHH taunts Booker and returns to working over Goldust. Goldust fights back with strikes. HHH plants Goldust with a neckbreaker for a two count. Flair tags into the match and drops Goldust with a right hand followed by a knee drop for a two count.
Flair chops Golduat, but Goldust responds with strikes and tries to tag out to Booker, but the referee doesn’t see it. HHH enters the match and stomps Goldust in the corner. The referee didn’t see HHH tag in, but allows him to remain. HHH strikes Goldust, but runs into a boot. Goldust avoids a clothesline and tags in Booker. Booker decks HHH with strikes. Booker nails HHH with a spin kick and does the same to Flair. Booker spin kicks Flair coming off the ropes. Booker strikes HHH in the corner, but Flair knee strikes Booker from behind. Booker tosses HHH over the top to the floor. Booker sends Flair face first into the middle turnbuckle. Booker rams HHH onto the ring steps, and HHH is busted wide open. Booker nails HHH with a flying forearm. Goldust and Flair brawled into the crowd, but returned to ringside. Flair chops Booker, but Booker scissors kick Flair, but Flair isn’t the legal man. HHH clubs Booker with a forearm strike. HHH tries for the Pedigree, but Booker counters and catapults Booker into the corner chest first. Booker hits the scissors kick and pins HHH in the middle of the ring. (**1/2. A decent tag match and a huge clean victory for Booker T. I feel like this tends to mean that Booker is not going to win the title at WrestleMania, but it adds to the potential that Booker could beat HHH because he proved that he can do it.)
They are going to show the Hulk Hogan/Vince McMahon contract signing in full from Smackdown.
Backstage, a bloodied HHH is looking at his championship while Flair is saying that it was a fluke. Flair tells HHH that he’s the better man and the best the world has to offer. Flair declares that Booker T doesn’t stand a chance at WrestleMania. HHH tells Flair that nobody told Booker T that.
Chris Jericho makes his way out to the ring to cut a promo. Jericho says everyone is talking about his match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania. Jericho notes a lot has happened between them since December when Michaels first superkicked him. Jericho wants Michaels to come to the ring and talk to him face to face. Shawn Michaels makes his way out and plays to the crowd for a moment. Jericho talks about the legacy video they aired for Michaels last week and it reminded Jericho why he wanted to get in the business. Jericho grew up wanted to be like Shawn. Jericho shows a video of him copying Michaels with a moonsault and a standing hurricanrana. Jericho shows a top rope crossbody off the top and copying a picture that Michaels had taken. Jericho was dubbed the next Shawn Michaels, which was a compliment, but it is not anymore. Jericho stopped wanting to be Michaels and focused on being the first Jericho because he’s better than Michaels. Jericho took the spotlight Michaels when Michaels left the company. Jericho became the man the fans paid their money to see every night. Jericho dubs himself the highlight of the night. Jericho reminds us that he’s the first undisputed champion. Jericho has never been more excited to wrestle someone and beat them. Jericho believes there match will be a classic. Jericho says Michaels will have to admit that Jericho is better than him at WrestleMania. Jericho slaps Michaels for not looking at him. Michaels laughs and slaps Jericho back. They get in each others faces smiling and talking smack as the segment ends and the show goes to commercial.
Backstage, Rock walks into Bischoff’s office and says he’s looking forward to tonight. Bischoff says that every time Rock has an idea Bischoff gets his butt kicked. Rock wonders why Austin hasn’t left the area yet. Rock thinks Austin doesn’t want to miss his concert. Rock suggests putting speakers outside to allow Austin to hear the concert. Rock tells Bischoff to have Morley do it. Bischoff seems to agree.
Main Event: Dudley Boys vs. Kane & Rob Van Dam in a number one contenders match: All four men are in the ring brawling. RVD spin kicks D-Von while Kane strikes Bubba to the mat. Kane works over Bubba in the corner and clotheslines D-Von on the apron. Bubba stops Kane with a German suplex. D-Von tags into the match and works over Kane with a strike to the ribs. D-Von ducks a clothesline and delivers a leaping clothesline followed by an elbow drop for a two count. Kane big boots D-Von and delivers a scoop slam. RVD hits a slingshot leg drop for a near fall. RVD forearms D-Von in the corner and hits a standing hurricanrana. RVD scoop slams D-Von and hits a rolling thunder splash for a near fall. D-Von avoids RVD in the corner and hits a middle rope neckbreaker. Bubba tags into the match and elbow drops RVD several times for a near fall. Bubba snapmares RVD and puts a neck vice on RVD, but doesn’t get a submission. RVD elbow strikes Bubba, but is yanked down to the mat. RVD nails Bubba with a step over heel kick. D-Von and Kane get tagged into the match with Kane hitting clotheslines. Kane backdrops D-Von followed by a clothesline in the corner and punches Bubba off the apron. Kane powerslams D-Von for a near fall. Kane big boots Bubba and misses a top rope flying clothesline attempt. Bubba decks RVD off the apron and clubs Kane to hit a double flapjack. RVD leaps off the top to kick D-Von and spin kicks Bubba. Bubba stops RVD with a hip toss turned into a neckbreaker.
RVD springboards off the middle rope to kick Bubba. Chief Morley comes out and Lance Storm accidentally heel kicks D-Von. Bubba is pissed at Storm. Kane kicks Storm while RVD kicks Bubba to the floor. Kane plants D-Von with a chokeslam. RVD hits the Five Star Frog Splash to pin D-Von and win the match. (**. A decent tag match and it was a bit obvious that Kane and RVD would win. There’s no way they’d keep RVD and Kane off WrestleMania.)
Outside, a few workers are setting up speakers in front of Austin’s truck so that Austin can hear Rock’s concert.
The Rock makes his way out to perform his concert. Rock can’t way to leave Sacramento in about an hour. Rock proceeds to sing about how the women are ugly and he’l say no to the women. Rock thinks the fans are insane to be living in Sacramento. Rock will be sure to come back to Sacramento when the Lakers beat the Kings in May. We see Steve Austin sitting in his truck getting frustrated. Rock thinks Austin should smoke some weed. Eventually, outside we see an ambulance driving into the arena and Austin drives in behind it. Rock demands security get involved. Hurricane is seen having been the man driving Austin’s truck and Rock goes back to singing after getting Hurricane arrested, but Austin was hiding in the back of the truck. Austin attacks Rock with strikes and stomps in the corner. Austin decks Rock with a clothesline and Rock bails to the floor. Austin destroys Rock’s guitar to end the program.
They show the McMahon/Hogan contract signing from Smackdown. We also see Kurt Angle injuring Lesnar’s ribs, too.
Final Thoughts:
I don’t think this show added any interest into WrestleMania for me. Booker T beating Triple H certainly gives the viewer hope that he can do it at Mania, but RAWf failed to generate much additional buzz for Mania. Rock’s concert was fine, but it probably went a little longer than it needed to go.
Thanks for reading.