World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 4/7/2003
From: Milwaukee, WI
Opening Contest: WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus vs. Jazz: Jazz works over Stratus with strikes and a headlock. Stratus shoves Jazz into the ropes, but is met with a shoulder block for a near fall. Jazz takes Stratus down to the mat and gets another two count. Jazz stomps Stratus on the mat a few times, but Stratus responds with forearms. Jazz nails Stratus with a back elbow and taunts the crowd. Stratus kicks Jazz away and forearms Jazz followed by kicks. Stratus kicks Jazz through the ropes to the floor. Stratus leaps off the apron to Thez Press Jazz and delivers right hands. Jazz rams Stratus back first into the apron. Jazz sends Stratus into the railing back first. Jazz rolls Stratus into the ring and covers for a two count. Jazz clubs Stratus over the back and pulls back on Stratus arms. Jazz headbutts Stratus on the back a few times. Jazz elbows Stratus in the corner and delivers a middle rope axe handle. Jazz hits a fisherman buster, but Stratus reaches the ropes. Jazz puts a single leg Boston Crab on Stratus, but doesn’t get a submission. Stratus forearms Jazz several times and ducks a clothesline to deliver the Chick Kick for a near fall. Stratus elbows Jazz in the corner followed by strikes and kicks. Stratus sits Jazz on the top turnbuckle and hits a head scissors for a near fall. Jazz stops Stratus with a jawbreaker, but Stratus responds with a springboard bulldog, but Jazz gets her boot on the bottom rope, which the referee didn’t see. However, the referee counts the fall anyway. (**. A decent match between these two and I feel they usually have quality matches against each other. Stratus changes her approach against Jazz and becomes more of a strike focused wrestler, and they did a good job of keeping my interest. Starting off with the women’s title match may be a good direction moving forward to get the most crowd reaction instead of a dead crowd later in the evening.)
Backstage, The Rock has arrived to the arena. Rock walks into RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff’s office. Rock doesn’t care about what he did at WrestleMania. Rock wants to talk about last weeks RAW where Goldberg speared him. Rock is not happy about that. Rock asks who Goldberg think he is to ruin his night. Bischoff says Goldberg isn’t there yet. Rock tells Bischoff he’d slap Goldberg for doing what he did to him last week. Rock mocks Goldberg’s facial expressions. Rock is going to callout Goldberg tonight and whoop his ass. Rock storms out. Bischoff looks pleased.
Backstage, RAW Tag Team Champions Rob Van Dam and Kane are chatting. Kane says it is awesome they are tag champs. RVD reminds Kane that he’d say everything would be fine and they are the champs. RVD has been soaking up the positive energy. Kane found a skunk and brought it to his basement, but gets cutoff by RVD and they celebrate their title win some more.
Backstage, Teddy Long and Rodney Mack approach Jazz. Long says they saw what happened and they are there to help her. Long is recruiting Jazz to join them. Jazz quickly accepts and they walk off together.
Backstage, the Rock walks the hallway and sees WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus. Rock hits on Stratus asking if she’s sweaty and hot because she’s been thinking of the Rock. Stratus tells Rock it’s because of her match. Stratus is looking past Rock, which Rock notices. Eventually, we see Jeff Hardy standing behind Rock. Rock asks who Hardy is and isn’t signing autographs. Rock tells Hardy he never got his ass whooped by Goldberg and was going to call him out. Rock is now going to beat up Hardy later on in the show. Rock tells Stratus she can watch later. Hardy and Stratus chat to end the segment.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talk about Steve Austin being fired last week, for a moment. Ross promotes Austin’s ESPN commercial, and we see the commercial air. The commercial is Dan Patrick hitting Austin over the back wit a steel chair. (I honestly thought this was earlier than 2003).
Second Contest: RAW Tag Team Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Chief Morley: Morley backs RVD into a corner, but the referee gets involved. Morley knee lifts RVD followed by right hands in the corner and stomps RVD on the mat. RVD fights back with clotheslines and Morley regroups in the corner grabbing the ropes. Morley takes RVD to the mat with a waist lock, but RVD counters with a headlock quickly. RVD shoulder blocks Morley and ducks a clothesline to hit a German suplex for a two count. Morley regroups again in the corner holding his head. RVD punches Morley in the corner a few times. Morley stops RVD with a neckbreaker. Morley stomps RVD on the mat to maintain control followed by a vertical suplex and holds onto RVD to deliver three suplexs for a two count. Morley keeps RVD on the mat with a sleeper. RVD elbows free and runs the ropes, but is met with a knee lift. Morley covers for a two count. Morley punches RVD, but RVD floats over Morley and delivers a spin kick. RVD connects with another spin kick and shoulder rams Morley in the corner. RVD monkey flips Morley out of the corner and dropkicks Morley on the knee. RVD hits a standing moonsault and the rolling thunder. Lance Storm comes out to put Morley’s boot on the ropes. RVD gets a rollup on Morley, but Storm distracts the referee. RVD knocks Storm off the ropes and nails Morley with a step over heel kick. RVD kicks Storm off the apron and takes Storm out with a crossbody on the floor. RVD is held by Storm on the floor allowing Morley to spike RVD with a DDT to pickup the win. After the match, RVD fights off Morley and Storm. (**. Honestly, I was not expecting Morley to win even with the interference of Storm throughout the match. Morley is not connecting in this heel persona, and I’m not entirely sure why. I wish he’d go back to his 2000 style gimmick before joining RTC.)
Backstage, Shawn Michaels meets up with Booker T, who is getting his legged wrapped up. Michaels tells Booker that they are going to get even tonight. Booker is ready and Michaels says he’ll see him out there.
Scott Steiner makes his way out to the ring, and is scheduled to fight. Christopher Nowinski comes out, and he has a microphone. Nowinski tells Steiner that he’s reminded of America by looking at Steiner in the ring. Nowinski puts over America as a powerful nation and America is a dominating force on the field of battle. Nowinski believes that arrogance has made America vulnerable. Nowinski continues to talk about war. Nowinski is entitled to his opinion and is mad the fans are booing him. Nowinski says America was founded on freedom of speech. Nowinski insists they are entitled to their own opinions. Steiner leaps off the apron to deck Nowinski from behind and rams Nowinski into the apron and sends Nowinski into the guard railing. Steiner pummels Nowinksi and delivers a clothesline on the floor. Steiner carries Nowinski up the ramp and slams Nowinski on the ramp. Steiner locks in the Steiner Recliner before dropping Nowinski face first on the ramp. There’s no scheduled match now.
Backstage, Goldberg has arrived to the arena.
A video package promoting Goldberg is shown, obviously using his WCW footage to highlight him. They also use sound bites of Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan.
Backstage, Christian walks into The Rock’s locker room. Christian asks a favor of the Rock. Rock thinks Christian is trying to hit on him, but he’s not interested. Christian wants Rock to sign the Scorpion King DVD. Rock accepts and signs the DVD for Christian’s friend.. whose name is Christian. Rock tells Christian that he doesn’t seize the day or moment. Rock tells Christian he needs to grab the opportunity. Rock tells Christian to take advantage of the opportunities. Rock suggests Christian needs to own the room. Christian takes this as a born again Christian moment. Christian tells Rock people are saying Goldberg is going to kick Rock’s ass. Rock gets annoyed by that and tells Christian to watch him beat up Jeff Hardy and callout Goldberg.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy and Trish Stratus are walking when Stratus stops Hardy and gives him a kiss saying he’ll do great tonight.
Third Contest: The Rock vs. Jeff Hardy: Rock hammers away on Hardy with right hands to kickoff the match. Rock taunts the referee as the fans chant Rocky. Hardy tries to fight back, but Rock stops Hardy with an elbow as Hardy ran the ropes. Rock misses an elbow and clothesline. Hardy hits a crossbody and pummels Rock with right hands on the mat. Rock runs out of the corner to clothesline Hardy. Rock stomps Hardy on the mat followed by right hands. Rock chokes Hardy over the bottom rope. Rock mocks Hardy, but Hardy delivers a few right hands before being met with a Samoan Drop. Rock suplexs Hardy for a two count. Rock rams Hardy into the corner, but Hardy fights back with strikes. Hardy elbows a charging Rock and hits a missile dropkick off the middle rope. Hardy takes Rock down, but is kicked away. Hardy punches Rock a few times, but is tossed to the apron. Hardy drops Rock throat first over the top rope. Hardy hits a split legged moonsault and a double leg drop. Hardy decks Rock to the mat a couple of times. Hardy misses the Whisper In The Wind. Hardy delivers a neckbreaker after getting out of a back suplex. Hardy delivers a People’s Elbow. Hardy heads to the top rope hitting the Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Rock plants Hardy with a DDT and taunts the fans. Rock waits for Hardy to get to his feet looking for a Rock Bottom. Rock hits the Rock Bottom and covers Hardy for the clean win. After the match, Rock sends Hardy to the floor. (**1/2. A good TV match and Rock gave Hardy plenty of offense to keep this competitive. Hardy came across motivated, which shouldn’t be a surprise. Hardy puts forth good effort when he’s invested in what he’s doing. So, the potential is there, but he needs something to care about to perform to the level he can.)
Rock grabs a microphone and is waiting to speak in the ring as the crowd is chanting for Goldberg. Rock talks about the fans appreciating him last week. Rock mentions Goldberg ruined his night and tells Goldberg to bring it, bitch. Goldberg’s music hits and Rock is ready in the ring. Goldberg is seen walking towards the ring. Goldberg marches to the ring walking through his pyro. Goldberg circles Rock and they have a stare down. Rock declines having a match with Goldberg at Backlash by simply saying “nah” and walks out of the ring. Goldberg tells Rock he’s a punk. Goldberg spears Christian trying to attack from behind. Rock returns to the ring and strikes Goldberg. Goldberg isn’t overly bothered by that and Rock leaves the ring again.
During the break, Terri tries to talk to Rock, but Rock tells her to shut up and says it is not her business. Rock ends up saying he said no… because. Rock leaves the arena in his wrestling gear.
Fourth Contest: RAW Tag Team Champion Kane vs. Dudley Boys in a handicap match: Kane punches D-Von in the corner, but Bubba helps out. Kane clotheslines Bubba and D-Von to gain control. Kane takes Bubba over with a back suplex and side slams D-Von for a two count. Kane rams D-Von into the corner and misses a clothesline. D-Von hits a leaping clothesline and stomps Kane on the mat followed by right hands. Bubba tags into the match and strikes Kane. Kane fights back with right hands to back Bubba into the corner. Kane elbows Bubba followed by a throat thrust. Kane elbows Bubba, but is pulled down and into the post groin first by Bubba. Bubba kicks Kane in the ribs followed by a couple of elbow drops for a two count. Bubba clubs Kane several times on the mat and tags in D-Von. D-Von is kicked and Kane clotheslines Bubba followed by a clothesline to D-Von. Kane backdrops D-Von and plants Bubba with a spinebuster. Kane heads to the top rope hitting a clothesline on D-Von for a two count as Bubba makes the save. Kane kicks D-Von away and avoids a rollup by Bubba. Kane tries for a double chokeslam, but Dudley’s counter hitting the 3D! D-Von covers Kane for the clean win! After the match, D-Von goes under the ring to get a table. RVD runs down to kick D-Von. Bubba strikes RVD in the corner. RVD nails Bubba with a springboard kick. RVD heads to the top rope, but Lance Storm drops RVD over the top rope. Bubba side slams RVD. Morley comes out and heads to the top rope. D-Von whacks Kane with a chair shot. Morley hits the Money Shot on RVD. Storm springboard dropkicks a chair into RVD’s face. Dudley’s hit a 3D on Kane. (**. I’m honestly a bit confused on whether or not I’m suppose to hate the Dudley’s. Are they associated with Morley willingly or not? Even though this is a handicap match this is still an upset and to beat Kane cleanly is good booking. I’d assume that Dudley’s will get a title shot at Backlash, or at least a three way dance now. Kane and RVD are vulnerable and creates doubt for a title defense.)
Backstage, Test walks up to Goldust saying that Goldust got him in massive trouble. Test is pissed because he hasn’t had sex with Stacy because of Goldust, and that’s a long time. Test is going to bring Stacy into the room and have Goldust tell her that he wasn’t on the phone with Torrie. Goldust pinky promises. After a commercial, Test brings Stacy into the room. Goldust says it as a big misunderstanding and says he was looking at the Playboy. Test claims he’s never seen a Playboy magazine. Goldust says the duffle bag. Test grabs the WWE Magazine and doesn’t want to give it to Stacy. Goldust says it is a fake cover and Stacy looks through the magazine before storming off. Test is livid and walks off to go after Stacy. Goldust looks at the magazine and enjoys it.
Steve Austin’s music hits and we see a truck driving into the arena. However, it is not Steve Austin. Instead, it is RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff. Bischoff stands on the truck and does Austin’s taunt before getting on the ramp. Bischoff is also wearing Austin’s vest. Bischoff offers a special hello to Austin, who is watching at home. Bischoff misses Austin and promises that he does. Bischoff misses the look on Austin’s face when he fired him. Bischoff had no choice but to fire Austin for trying to keep his medical condition a secret. Bischoff considers Austin a liability and couldn’t afford the risk. Bischoff turns his attention to Jim Ross and notes that Ross had a few things to say about it. Bischoff asks Ross to get up there with him and say it to his face. We see footage from last week where Ross went off on Bischoff. Ross gets on the stage and confronts Bischoff as the crowd chants for Ross. Ross asks if he can defend himself before Bischoff does anything. Ross tells Bischoff that he meant every word of what he said last week. Ross calls Bischoff a lousy SOB. Ross tells Bischoff he can shove the job and proceeds to quit. Bischoff says Ross can’t quit and instead fires Ross, but Ross stormed off already.
Jerry Lawler is left alone on commentary and explains what we just witnessed. As usual, Lawler comes across lost as to what to do when he’s the only guy on commentary.
Fifth Contest: Goldust vs. Steven Richards: Richards attacks Goldust with strikes and chops in the corner. Goldust counters with overhand strikes to the chest. Richards sends Goldust into the corner chest first and delivers a neckbreaker. Richards stomps Goldust on the mat and chokes Goldust for a moment. Richards suplexs Goldust for a near fall and keeps control with a headlock. Coach has joined commentary at this point. Goldust bulldogs Richards, but Richards fights back with a few strikes. Richards decks Goldust to the mat, but Goldust drops Richards a couple of times. Goldust kicks Richards and delivers a strike. Goldust nails Richards with a leaping butt strike for a near fall. Goldust sets Richards up with the Shattered Dreams. Richards avoids it, but runs into a spinebuster for a near fall. Goldust tries for a reverse DDT, but Richards counters with a facebuster for a two count. Victoria grabs the ring bell, but Goldust hits a snap powerslam and pins Richards. After the match, Victoria enters the ring with a chair and argues with Richards. Goldust sends Richards and Victoria into each other to end the segment. (*. These two were doomed for the placement of the match. Goldust is over as a babyface, but I don’t think the fans cared about this match all that much. If it took place earlier, there’s probably a better crowd reaction.)
Backstage, RAW World Champion Triple H and Chris Jericho are staring at each other. Ric Flair walks up and tells them to ease up on the tension. Flair puts them over as the best in the business. Flair knows Booker and Michaels are ready tonight. Flair wants them to bury the hatchet and be a well oiled machine. Jericho will give HHH the benefit of the doubt tonight. Jericho will help HHH bury Booker T. HHH notes they can work together and make sure Michaels doesn’t survive either. They walk off seemingly as a unit for tonight.
Sylvan Grenier and Rene Dupree are sitting behind a desk saying they are coming to the WWE soon and they will not be pushed around. Dupree notes that the fans think they are sissies, but the Americans are according to Grenier. Dupree finishes off by saying don’t be afraid. The screen reads “Les Nouvelles” the World Update to end the segment.
Main Event: RAW World Champion Triple H & Chris Jericho vs. Booker T & Shawn Michaels: All four men are in the ring to kickoff the match. Booker and Michaels gain the advantage. Booker clotheslines HHH to the floor while Michaels works over Jericho. Michaels catapults Jericho over the top to the floor. Michaels hits a crossbody onto HHH and Jericho. Booker chops HHH in the corner as Michaels brawls with Jericho on the floor. Booker pummels HHH with right hands and avoids an atomic drop to clothesline HHH for a two count. Booker keeps arm control on the mat for a moment. Michaels tags into the match and axe handles HHH from the top rope. Michaels shoulder rams HHH a few times and drops HHH to the mat. HHH strikes Michaels and tags in Jericho, but Michaels arm drags Jericho. Jericho clubs Michaels over the back and tags in HHH. HHH stomps Michaels in the corner, but Michaels fights out with strikes. Michaels nails HHH with a flying forearm smash and waits in the corner. HHH staggers, but Jericho gets involved. HHH kicks Michaels, but Michaels backdrops HHH. Michales is pulled to the floor by Flair, who yanked the ropes down. Flair chokes Michaels with his jacket.
Outside, we see a limo has arrived to the arena. Coach and Lawler wonder who is in the limo as the show goes to commercial.
HHH nails Michaels with a high knee lift for a two count. Jericho tags into the match and pulls Michaels to the middle of the ring to choke Michaels with tape. Jericho elbow drops Michaels a couple of times and taunts the crowd before getting a two count. Jericho strikes Michaels in the corner before delivering a few chops and chokes Michaels. Jericho sends Michaels into the corner, but Michaels hits a crossbody for a near fall. Jericho decks Michaels with a clothesline. HHH tags into the match, but Michaels fires back with right hands. HHH knee lifts Michaels and puts a sleeper on Michaels. HHH keeps a sleeper on Michaels in the middle of the ring, but Michaels breaks free and puts a sleeper on HHH. HHH breaks free with a back suplex for a near fall. Jericho tags into the match and elbow drops Michaels on the knee. Jericho strikes Michaels into the corner, but Michaels fires back with right hands. Jericho delivers a spinning heel kick and taunts Michaels. Jericho comes off the ropes to bulldog Michaels and tries for a springboard moonsault, but Michaels got his knees up. Michaels crawls to the corner and tags in Booker as HHH gets tagged in.
Booker hammers away on HHH several times. Booker misses a clothesline, but forearm smashes HHH. Booker strikes HHH against the ropes several times. Booker backdrops HHH coming off the ropes followed by a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Booker avoids HHH in the corner and delivers a DDT for a two count. Booker flapjacks Jericho. Booker forearms HHH against the ropes and delivers a spinebuster to HHH for a near fall. Booker sends Jericho to the floor and clotheslines HHH to the floor. Booker does the spinarooni. Jericho is met with a strike coming off the top rope. Jericho ducks a heel kick and goes for the Walls of Jericho on Booker. Michaels enters to Sweet Chin Music Jericho. HHH clotheslines Michaels to the floor. Booker ducks a strike and misses a scissors kick. HHH kicks Booker, but Booker counters the Pedigree with a rollup for the win. (***. I enjoyed this main event especially when they ditched the tag format and it was mostly chaos to fill the time in the main event. Booker getting a clean win over HHH should likely make for a title match, but considering the aftermath, I’m doubting it will be a PPV title match at this point. A fun, entertaining match to end RAW.)
Ric Flair chop blocks Booker T on the left knee. Flair stomps Booker on the mat. HHH outs Booker’s leg over the middle rope and delivers a knee drop to Booker’s knee. Michaels attacks Flair and fights off HHH. Jericho slides in with a chair and whacks Michaels over the head! Michaels is handcuffed to the ropes by Jericho. The Hurricane runs into the ring and attacks Flair with right hands. Hurricane is beaten down by HHH and Jericho. HHH tosses Hurricane to the floor. Michaels has been busted wide open. Wait a minute…
KEVIN NASH makes his way out using Diesel’s music. Nash slowly makes his way down to the ring marking his return after nine months. Nash steps into the ring as HHH tells the guys to hold off. Nash big boots Jericho and Flair. Nash drops Jericho and Flair with strikes. Nash snake eyes Jericho in the corner followed by a side slam to Flair. HHH bailed to the floor long ago. Nash grabs Jericho and plants Jericho with the Jackknife. HHH comes back into the ring with a sledgehammer, but Nash has a chair and they stare at each other. Nash drops the sledgehammer and leaves the ring as Nash continues to stare down HHH to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
I’d consider this an enjoyable episode of RAW. It was quite refreshing that there wasn’t long winded promo at any point in the program. So there wasn’t a lull on the show and I feel as if they were able to fit a lot onto the show and keep it entertaining. Kevin Nash returning right after Goldberg’s debut is making this feel a little more WCWish. I mean, with Booker T and Scott Steiner on RAW we’ve almost got the entire WCW 2000/2001 main event scene on RAW. It was struggling in those years, and now we’re two years removed from that. It’s a fresher scene, so I’m not counting it out, but this could be short-term success in terms of interest.
Thanks for reading.