World Wrestling Entertainment presents RAW
Date: 4/14/2003
From: Richmond, VA
Kevin Nash makes his way down to the ring to kickoff RAW. Nash is not using Diesel music this week. The crowd erupted for Nash’s entrance. Nash plays to the crowd with a full pyro treatment. Nash says nine months is a long time, but he’s glad to be back. Nash is also not so glad to be back at the same time. Nash notes that Triple H and Shawn Michaels called him while he was hurt. Nash recalls watching the show as he recovered and they are trying to kill each other despite them all being best friends. Nash rehabbed hard to get back and be with his friends. Nash talks about being in the middle of the issues between HHH and HBK last week. Nash talks about the promise they made each other to never let anyone get in between them. Nash says they are friends and they need to get this together and doesn’t care about Eric Bischoff.
RAW World Champion Triple H makes his way out to join the segment. It is noted on commentary that a six man tag match has been booked for Backlash. RAW World Champion Triple H teaming with Ric Flair and Chris Jericho against Kevin Nash, Booker T & Shawn Michaels. HHH embraces Nash and they share a hug and seem to be friendly. HHH says it is great to see Nash is back and admits the misunderstanding from last week. HHH wants to explain something to Nash. HHH understands where Nash is coming from, but promises it will never be over between himself and Michaels. HHH can’t stand Michaels and they will never be friends again. Nash tells Nash that Michaels could kiss him on the ass, and nothing would change. HHH would rather slap Michaels across the face than shake his hand.
Shawn Michaels makes his way out to join the segment and gets in HHH’s face. Nash gets in the middle to prevent an altercation. Michaels tells Nash that HHH is right they will never bury the hatchet. Nash tells them to stop it because he didn’t come back for this. Nash asks if they can just get along. HHH says Nash has to deal with this and says Nash has to make a choice between them. Nash doesn’t understand why it has to be that way. HHH tells Nash he’ll shoot straight with him and tells Nash he stands one step behind him. HHH is the man around here whether they like it or not. HHH is the leader and calls the shots. HHH says at least he’s shooting it straight. HHH doubts HBK will be honest with Nash and says HBK will undercut Nash from behind as he always does. HHH thinks HBK can’t help but steal the thunder and spotlight. HHH doesn’t want Nash to be influenced by the fans. HHH thinks they could be unstoppable if Nash joins him. HHH tells Nash if he goes with Michaels then he becomes part of the world he is against. HHH leaves the ring and tells Nash to think about one last thing. HHH reminds Nash that the most success they had in their careers was when they both left Michaels. Nash stares at Michaels, who backs off to end the segment.
Backstage, Stacy Keibler is looking through Test’s bag and there’s a big bottle of lotion and wipes. Stacy is disgusted by a towel and sees the Playboy magazine that Torrie Wilson is in. Test enters the room, but Stacy walks off in disgust.
Coach is on commentary with Jerry Lawler instead of Jim Ross. Ross quit last week.
Opening Contest: Chris Jericho vs. Test: Jericho works over Test in the opening moments of the match in the corner with strikes. Jericho chops Test in the corner, but Test isn’t bothered. Test counters and chops Jericho several times. Test charges out of the corner to clothesline Jericho and rams Jericho on the mat a few times. Jericho begs off and apologizes. Test strikes Jericho, but misses a clothesline. Test sends Jericho over the ropes, but Jericho pulls up and Test grabs Jericho to hit a press slam. Test misses a spear and hits the ring post shoulder first. Jericho stomps Test on the mat. Jericho sends Test shoulder first into the post again. Jericho yanks on Test’s arm. Jericho wraps Test’s arm over the middle rope. Jericho splashes onto Test back as Stacy is signing a fans sign at ringside. Jericho taunts Stacy, but Test responds with strikes. Jericho drives Test down to the mat with an arm breaker. The fans are cheering for Stacy throughout the match. Jericho controls Test with an arm bar on the mat. Test elbows Jericho, but Jericho strikes Test only to run into a side slam. Test runs over Jericho with clotheslines and strikes. Test runs into a boot in the corner. Test hits a tilt a whirl slam for a near fall. Test strikes Jericho, but Jericho kicks Test. Test delivers a full nelson slam for a two count. Test strikes Jericho against the ropes and delivers a kick. Jericho avoids a powerbomb and almost wins with a sunset flip. Jericho works over Test as Stacy is showing her butt to the fans on the ring steps. Test kicks Jericho coming off the middle rope. Jericho sends Test into the corner chest first and tries for the Walls of Jericho, but Test breaks free. Test throws Jericho into the corner and hits a running clothesline. Test plants Jericho with a pump handle slam, but Jericho reaches the ropes. Stacy shows her butt some more, and Test is not happy. Jericho bulldogs Test and hits the Lionsault for the win. (**. They’ve completely ruined any momentum that Test had as a babyface. The fans do not care for Test and want to boo him now that he’s been treating Stacy poorly and would seemingly rather be with Torrie. Test trying to get fired up for his offense got zero reaction from the crowd. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Jericho won here since he’s in the main event picture now and Test is floundering.) After the match, Test yells at Stacy, who is storming backstage. Test slaps the fan at ringside and proceeds to attack the fan, who is obviously a plant. Test throws the fan over the ringside barricade.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff cuts a promo about firing Steve Austin. Bischoff says due to the support for Austin, Bischoff plans on doing the right thing for Stone Cold fans everywhere.
Backstage, Test argues with Stacy. Test is sick of Stacy being jealous about Torrie. Test puts over Stacy being hotter and Wilson being okay, but not as hot as Stacy. Test puts over Torrie’s breasts as being really big, but Stacy’s… well Stacy walks off pissed and Test says “well, two out of three ain’t bad!”
Second Contest: WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus & Ivory vs. Jazz & Victoria: Victoria works over Ivory to start the match, but Ivory fights back with right hands. Victoria powerslams Ivory coming off the ropes for a two count. Ivory head scissors Victoria and tags in Stratus. Stratus forearms Victoria a few times. Victoria knee strikes Stratus in the corner, but Stratus hits a hurricanrana for a two count. Stratus forearms Victoria several times. Stratus comes off the ropes to hit a Thez Press and pummels Victoria with right hands. Victoria nails Stratus from behind and Jazz tags into the match. Jazz lifts Stratus into the air and drops Stratus to the mat face first. Jazz kicks Stratus on the mat as Ivory tries to get the crowd into the match. Jazz misses a splash in the corner and Stratus forearms Jazz followed by kicks in the corner. Jazz nails Stratus with a dropkick out of the corner for a two count. Jazz jabs Stratus a few times and decks Stratus to the mat before taunting the fans. Stratus blocks a splash by getting her knees up and Ivory gets the hot tag. Ivory clotheslines Jazz a few times and tosses Victoria into the ring. Ivory rams Victoria and Jazz into each other before hitting a faced buster on Jazz for a two count. Stratus enters and chops Jazz several times. Stratus forearms Jazz in the corner, but Victoria decks Stratus from behind. Stratus backdrops Victoria to the floor. Jazz knocks Ivory off the ropes and Ivory lands over the ropes. Stratus hits a hurricanrana on Jazz off the top. Jazz tosses Stratus to the mat face first and locks in a single leg Boston Crab. Jazz switches to an STF forcing a submission. (**1/4. A solid match with Jazz getting an impressive cleans submission on the champ. Jazz tends to be entertaining and I wouldn’t mind her winning the title again.)
Backstage, Goldberg is on the phone when someone tells him that someone is there to see Goldberg. The person claims a relative is there to see Goldberg. Goldust enters the scene and shakes hands with Goldberg. Goldust welcomes Goldberg to the WWE. Goldust has a gift for Goldberg and has a wig. Goldberg asks what is he going to do with the wig. Goldust puts the wig on Goldberg. Goldberg appreciates the gift, but says the wig looks better on Goldust than him and gives the gift back to Goldust. Goldberg tells Goldust to never put that on his head ever again. Goldberg leaves and Goldust yells that he just soiled his pants.
Backstage, Kevin Nash is sitting contemplating his decision.
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s music hits, but instead of Austin out comes the RAW GM Eric Bischoff. Bischoff laughs that he tricked the fans again. Bischoff says the fans are so easy to trick and can’t believe the fans would think he’d bring back Austin to RAW. Bischoff notes that Austin isn’t forgotten. Bischoff has a merchandise offer to allow fans to remember Austin forever. Bischoff offers a special t-shirt that says Alcohol Fueled, and a Bullet Proof shirt. This is a sales pitch for Austin merchandise that costs $39.95. A special WrestleMania XIX program will be part of the deal. Austin says the program is special because it is Austin’s final WrestleMania ever. The first person to order will get a bottle of JR’s BBQ sauce with a goofy cowboy hat.
Booker T comes out and confronts Bischoff. Booker tells Bischoff he has a damn good deal for Bischoff. Booker wants a match with Triple H tonight for the World Heavyweight Championship. Booker tells Bischoff to think about that and calls Bischoff a sucka before departing the scene.
Backstage, RAW Tag Team Champions Kane and Rob Van Dam are heading toward the ring for their title defense.
Third Contest: RAW Tag Team Champions Kane & Rob Van Dam vs. Chief Morley & Lance Storm in a no disqualification match: Storm and Morley brawl with the champs until Kane tosses Storm to the floor and RVD clotheslines Morley to the floor, as well. RVD and Storm start the match, but this is no disqualification, so why are there rules? Storm works over RVD in the corner, but RVD hits a middle rope crossbody for a two count. RVD kicks Storm in the ribs. RVD sends Storm into the ropes, but ducks a heel kick and drops Storm with a heel kick for a near fall. Kane tags into the match and strikes Storm followed by a clothesline. Kane punches Storm against the ropes, but Storm responds with an uppercut only to run into a big boot. Kane misses an elbow drop off the ropes. Morley tags into the match and strikes Kane over the back. Kane sends Storm to the floor and strikes Morley into the corner. Kane clotheslines Morley in the corner. Kane works over Morley in the corner with strikes and drops Morley to the mat. Kane runs into a boot in the corner, but Morley punches Kane several times. Morley tries for a fisherman suplex, but Kane counters with a front suplex. Storm leaps off the top to deliver a flying clothesline out of nowhere on Kane. Kane is taken over by a double suplex for a two count. Storm clubs Kane over the back, but RVD strikes Storm from the apron. Kane slams Storm and RVD hits a slingshot leg drop from the apron for a two count.
Storm stops RVD with a jawbreaker. RVD drop toe holds Morley followed by a dropkick. RVD ducks a clothesline, but Morley elbows RVD. RVD manages to get a rollup for a two count. RVD forearms Morley in the corner followed by strikes. RVD chokes Morley in the corner for a moment. RVD nails Morley with a spinning leg drop for a near fall. RVD strikes Morley into the corner and tries for a monkey flip, but Morley drops RVD over the top turnbuckle. Morley stomps RVD on the mat several times. RVD fights out of the corner with strikes and nails Morley with a step over heel kick for a two count. RVD pump kicks Morley against the ropes. Storm hits RVD with a trash can from the floor and Morley plants RVD with a DDT. Kane decks Storm on the floor and rams Morley into the ring steps. Kane grabs the ring steps, but Storm whacks the steps with a trash can causing the steps to land onto Kane. RAW goes to commercial as Morley gets a two count on RVD.
Storm keeps a headlock on RVD, but RVD elbows free. Morley enters to help Storm, but RVD delivers a double DDT. Kane gets the hot tag and cleans house with strikes. Kane backdrops Morley and side slams Storm to the mat. Kane sends Morley into the corner and clotheslines Storm and Morley in opposite corners. Kane tilt a whirl slams Storm for a two count. Kane heads to the top rope and hits a flying clothesline on Storm, but Morley breaks the cover. RVD kicks Morley and continues with right hands. Kane sends both Storm and Morley into the corner. RVD monkey flips Storm out of the corner and Kane clotheslines Morley. RVD hits the rolling thunder on Morley. Kane press slams Storm over the top to the floor onto Morley. RVD hit a somersault dive onto both Storm and Morley. Kane is ready in ring for Morley to stagger, but Bubba Ray Dudley attacks Kane and plants RVD with the Bubba Bomb. D-Von Dudley comes out and argues with Bubba Ray Dudley. Morley gets in the ring and tries to smash D-Von with a chair. Bubba stops Morley and Morley wants the chair. Bubba tosses the chair to Morley and RVD kicks the chair into Morley’s face. Kane chokeslams Storm and drags Storm to the corner where RVD hits the Van Terminator kicking a chair into Storm’s face. Kane covers and pins Storm to retain the titles. (**1/2. It always bugs me whenever they do a no disqualification match, but then there are tag rules. This should have been tornado rules. The angle with the Dudley Boys could easily confuse people, but the fans in Richmond seem to understand that the Dudley’s don’t want to be helping Morley and Storm. They got plenty of time, but they didn’t use the no disqualification aspect all that much.)
Backstage, RAW World Champion Triple H and Ric Flair are talking with Bischoff. HHH and Flair can’t believe Bischoff is thinking about giving Booker T a rematch. The Hurricane jumps into the scene and says there are three reasons Booker T should have a rematch. Booker T just pinned HHH last week. If it weren’t for Ric Flair, Booker would have won the title at WrestleMania. The last one, Hurricane says “if you don’t, what’s up with that?” towards Bischoff. HHH tells Hurricane adults are trying to have a discussion. HHH asks what Hurricane is even doing there. Hurricane stands for truth and justice and calls HHH a biotch. HHH threatens to send Hurricane out of the room. Hurricane offers a Booker vs. Flair match where if Booker wins he gets a title shot. HHH suggests he wrestles Hurricane. Bischoff chimes in and makes a tag match where Booker teams with Hurricane to take on HHH and Ric Flair where if Booker and Hurricane win then Booker gets a title shot next week. Hurricane tells Flair some people don’t need a jet to fly and jumps out the scene.
The Rock joins the show via satellite as Rock couldn’t make it to Richmond. Rock wishes he could have been there live for the millions and millions of his fans. Rock insists he has something important to announce and doesn’t like being called a big shot. Rock has a guitar and begins to play it a little it. Rock has one more concert in mind for next week for Atlanta. Coach mentions Atlanta is Goldberg’s hometown. Rock has nothing to prove and that’s why he said no to a match with Goldberg. Rock claims Goldberg has done nothing. Rock isn’t afraid of anyone and says he’s smack Goldberg around the ring. Rock mocks Goldberg and says he’s not afraid. Rock proceeds to accept a match with Goldberg at Backlash. Rock promises he’s not next, but rather Goldberg is next.
Backstage, Christian is on the phone with Rock saying he loved the interview and says he’s going to beat Goldust the same way he’s going to beat Goldberg at Backlash. Christian gets annoyed with workers trying to listen to his phone call. Christian claims the spear from Goldberg didn’t hurt last week. Christian says Richmond is nasty.
Fourth Contest: Goldust vs. Christian: Goldust shoulder blocks Christian followed by an atomic drop and clothesline for a two count. Goldust drops down and punches Christian before tossing Christian to the floor. Christian grabs a steel chair, but Goldust cuts Christian off. Christian low blows Goldust and the referee calls for the bell. Christian grabs a chair and whacks Goldust over the back knocking Goldust to the floor. (NR)
Christian grabs a microphone asking if Rock is watching and says that is owning the room. Christian knows Rock wants Goldberg for Backlash, but Christian is going to call out Goldberg right now. Christian says if Goldberg is done playing dress up and take off his bra and panties to face him like a man. Goldberg heads to the ring without music and proceeds to spear Christian to prevent usage of a chair. Goldberg hooks Christian and hits the Jackhammer.
Jerry Lawler hosts the Great Debate between Scott Steiner and Christopher Nowinski. The topic is Iraqi Freedom. Steiner is debating for while Nowinski debates against it. Nowinski starts the debate. Nowinski believes the US is trying to bully other countries with their military. Nowinski wonders if we invade countries don’t believe in our politics or if they have oil. Nowinski thinks the war is unnecessary. Steiner says he’s wrestled a lot of countries, but America is the best. Steiner says they have freedom of speech, but opinions are like assholes and everyone has one. Steiner says terrorism started this and Iraq has been known to train terrorism. Steiner believes they’ll get even and finish it. Steiner supports the real heroes and anyone that doesn’t support them then can go to hell, or France, because there’s no difference. Nowinski says the only warning Steiner understands is three minutes. Steiner attacks Nowinski, but Three Minute Warning and Rico enter the ring to attack Steiner. Rosey delivers a swinging slam and Jamal hits a big splash off the top to leave Steiner laying. Nowinski mocks Steiner by doing pushups.
Rene Dupree and Sylvan Grenier vignette airs saying they are coming to teach WWE fans a lesson. It’s the same vignette we’ve seen over the past several weeks.
Main Event: Booker T & The Hurricane vs. RAW World Champion Triple H & Ric Flair: Booker and Flair kickoff the main event tag match. Booker sends Flair into the ropes, but Flair shoulder blocks Booker. Booker hip tosses Flair and they mess up a second one so Booker settles for a clothesline and Flair begs off in the corner. Flair chops Booker in the corner a few times, but Booker counters with chops of his own. Flair elbows Booker in the corner, but Booker press slams Flair off the top to the floor. Flair eye pokes Booker and HHH runs in, but is met with a spinebuster. Booker tries for a cover managing a two count. Booker tags in Hurricane to deliver an axe handle off the ropes. Hurricane strikes HHH and hits a head scissors. Hurricane hits a neckbreaker on HHH for a two count. HHH plants Hurricane with a spinebuster. Hurricane is double teamed in the corner. Flair keeps control before tagging in HHH. HHH forearms Hurricane to the mat for a near fall. HHH stomps Hurricane in the corner and mocks Booker on the apron. Hurricane delivers a side Russian leg sweep causing Flair to tag in. Booker tags in and Flair chops Booker in the corner. Booker chops Flair into the corner and backdrops Flair out of the corner. Booker forearms HHH coming off the ropes. Booker heel kicks Flair and does the same to HHH. Booker heels kicks Flair, but HHH breaks the cover.
HHH delivers a face buster and Hurricane tags into the match. Hurricane missile dropkicks HHH. Hurricane nails Flair with a shining wizard for a two count as HHH makes the save. Booker clotheslines HHH to the floor. Hurricane is stopped by Flair on the top rope. Booker kicks Flair and hits the scissors kick. Booker does the spinarooni, but HHH pulls Booker to the floor where Booker decks HHH. Hurricane regains his footing, but misses the blockbuster. The referee stops HHH from using a chair. Flair knee drops Hurricane and works over the knee. Shawn Michaels slides into the ring and nails Flair with Sweet Chin Music. Hurricane covers Flair and manages to get the three count on Flair! After the match, Michaels and HHH trade strikes until Jericho runs out and decks Michaels. HHH plants Hurricane with a Pedigree as Jericho delivered a backbreaker to Michaels. HHH has grabbed a spinebuster. Jericho holds Michaels, but Kevin Nash marches down to the ring. HHH and Nash have a stare down and begin to laugh. Nash yanks the sledgehammer away. HHH backs off in the corner. Booker walks up from behind and Nash decks Booker with a forearm! Booker nails Michaels with a forearm on accident, too. Booker walks up the aisle as Nash stares Booker down to end the show. (**1/2. It’s kind of a crazy visual to see Hurricane pinning Flair on live TV even with Michaels helping. Booker seemed to have mistimed his spot at the end as HHH screamed for them to do the spot or get in position. I thought it was a fine tag match and the aftermath teasing friction between the babyfaces is fine with me.)
Final Thoughts:
There’s some decent wrestling on the show, so it’s not a complete drag. The main event was enjoyable and the tension between the babyfaces is intriguing. Next week, it’s Booker vs. HHH and I’m looking forward to that. I’ll consider this a thumbs up episode.
Thanks for reading.