Wednesday, 6 August 2014

WWF Monday Night RAW- 7th January 2002

WWF RAW- 7th January 2002
Madison Square Garden, New York
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We kick off the first show of the new year with a huge announcement, after nine months on the sidelines, Triple H is returning to RAW tonight.
(B-)
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A graphic comes up announcing that we will see The Rock and Steve Austin take on Booker T and The Big Boss Man.
(B)
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Vince McMahon's music hits, and he struts to the ring in his usual fashion, but this time he is holding a present of some sort. McMahon places the present in the corner and grabs a microphone.
Vince: " Right. Tonight I have something to talk to you about that is more important than Triple H's return. Tonight I want to talk about the Ric Flair Vince McMahon match up at the Royal Rumble. Now I know the vast majority of you feel as though Ric Flair should not be in the ring with a man of my distinction, my calibre. Many of you feel, probably the vast majority as well, that Ric Flair doesn't deserve- as a matter of fact Ric Flair is just not only not the same calibre of Mr. McMahon, *fans start chanting WHAT?!* Please don't start with that "WHAT?!" crap. Ric Flair is not worthy of being in the ring with me, Vince McMahon. *WHAT?!" I disagree with that. I'm about to show you a montage, a collage of Ric Flair from the 80's and the 90's. You'll see highlights of Flair in action against names like Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, The Man They Call Vader, a whole list of individuals. Let's take a look at Ric Flair in action.

*Video package of Flair plays*

Vince: " Yeah that's impressive alright. Mr. Flair wasn't content on having one of the greatest Wrestling careers of all time. No no no, on November 19th Mr. Flair thought he would start a new career. Let's take a look at this footage, since you asked, from Charlotte, North Carolina."

*Footage plays showing how Flair bought 50% of WWF*

Vince: " Having bought the stock of my rotten kids Shane and Stephanie McMahon. A Couple of weeks ago, almost, Mr. Flair made another announcement, when he challenged me to a match at the Royal Rumble, then proceeded to bust me right in the mouth. I certainly didn't appreciate that, nor did I not appreciate what Mr. Flair did last Thursday night, when he caused me to have 3 stitches in my left eye. Well Mr. Flair has this old expression; "To be the man, you gotta beat the man." Well Flair, I am the man, and now I'm going to prove it." Vince walks over to the present, opens it up and pulls out a blonde Flair wig and puts it on. He then pulls out a Flair robe and puts that on. Following this, McMahon begins to strut around the ring like Flair, until Flair cuts him off.
Flair: " This is another example of what I was talking to you about a couple of weeks ago. Every time you take a part of my life and make it real. And make a tribute like that, like you just did to my career, I find that soft spot in my heart for you again. BUT THEN YOU DO SUMMIN' STUPID *Flair throws his jacket on the floor* LIKE PUTTING THAT WIG ON AND PUTTING MY ROBE ON! LIKE WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MCMAHON?! I'M RIC FLAIR, I'M THE NATURE BOY AND YOU WILL NEVER MAKE FUN OF ME OR EVER GET IN MY FACE EVER AGAIN, YOU GOT IT?! I'M RIC FLAIR AND YOU'RE NOT SO TAKE OF THAT DAMN WIG RIGHT NOW!"

Flair hits the wig of McMahon's head. McMahon goes to take of the robe but pulls out a pipe instead and slams it over the skull of Flair. Flair is busted open, and McMahon beats him up around Ringside for a little while.
(B)
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Commercial- 

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Rob Van Dam vs Test


Test pounds away to start but Van Dam comes back with a spinwheel kick to take over. Another spin kick is caught in a kind of powerbomb and the Canadian pounds away on the head. A clothesline in the corner gets two and it’s off to the chinlock already. Rob fights up and escapes a suplex before kicking Test’s leg out.


Van Dam kicks Test down but Test kicks the referee into the ropes for the crotch. The referee and Test get in a shoving match which gives Van Dam two. Test misses the big boot so Van Dam kicks him to the floor where Test grabs a chair. The referee is shoved down again and it’s the Van Daminator to set up the Five Star for the pin.

Rob Van Dam wins via Five Star Frog Splash in 3:45
(C-)
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Kurt Angle is backstage, waiting to address the crowd.
Angle: " All this attention, all this hype, all this talk, over a man who isn't even here. Triple H couldn't care less about you, it's true, it's true. In fact, I guarantee that Triple H won't be here tonight. He's sitting at home in Connecticut, his quads perfectly fine, just cashing his pay checks for doing nothing. To make up for this disappointment, I have my own announcement that I will share with you all later on, tonight."
(B)
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A camera cuts to WWF New York, where Trish and Terri are having an argument of some sort. Terri then challenges Trish to a Wet T-Shirt match later on tonight.
(C+)
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Commercial-
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The Zoo Crew (Scotty & Albert) vs Billy & Chuck

Billy and Albert get things going and it’s Albert taking over on both of the guys in red. We get the comedy spot of Billy being sent into the corner and falling face first into Chuck’s crotch. Scotty comes in with a neckbreaker for two on Chuck but Billy blasts him in the back to take over. The heels take over for a bit, but Scotty comes back with a DDT on Chuck to put both guys down/


There’s the hot tag to Albert as the fans are nearly comatose. A powerslam gets two on Chuck and there’s a splash in the corner to Billy. Chuck hits Billy by mistake and Scotty loads up the Worm. After a dancing accompaniment by Albert, the Worm gets two but Billy breaks it up. Chuck superkicks Albert down and the Fameasser is enough to pin Scotty.

Billy & Chuck win via Fame-asser in 3:45
(C-)
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We're in the backstage area where Sharmell is about to give an interview to WWF Undisputed Champion, Chris Jericho.
Sharmell: " Now Chris, your undisputed title is not on the line tonight- *Jericho cuts her off*
Jericho: " Hold on a second, Sharmell. First of all you address me the way I want and deserved to be addressed and that is the living legend, larger than life, the undisputed champion, Chris Jericho. Second of all, how gratifying was it seeing Mr. McMahon leave Ric Flair in a pool of his own blood. After all, it was Ric Flair who gave Rocky the opportunity to be #1 contender to my championship. Which gives me the opportunity to beat The Rock for the unprecedented, one, two, three, four, FIFTH time. It's also Mr. Flair who booked me in a non-title match against Rikishi. WHY? Because Ric Flair and everybody else wants to see Chris Jericho get the stinkface. Look at this beautiful gorgeous profile Sharmell, this picture perfect Picaso of a face huh? It's never been desecrated by the stinkface and it's not going to be desecrated by the stinkface tonight. So everybody watching who get's down on the knees and prays "Please god, let me be half as good looking as the undisputed champion, Chris Jericho." is going to be very, very disappointed tonight."
(B-)
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We're in the interview area with Michael Cole and Stone Cold Steve Austin
Cole: "Stone Cold Steve Austin here, with some issues to make about the 2002 Royal Rumble."
Austin: Cole *WHAT?!* Shut up *WHAT?!* You're a nerd *WHAT?!* And a dork *WHAT?!* now move over *WHAT?!* so Stone Cold can address his fans. *WHAT?!* *Austin pushes Cole back into the set and off camera* At the Royal Rumble *WHAT?!* I'm going take a guy *WHAT?!* and throw him over the top *WHAT?!* onto the floor *WHAT?!* and the next guy *WHAT?!* and the next guy *WHAT?!* and the next guy *WHAT?* one more guy *WHAT?* and the next guy *WHAT?* All 29 other guys *WHAT?* Give em' a Stunner *WHAT?!* Drink a beer *WHAT?!* Give em' another Stunner *WHAT?!* Drink another beer *WHAT?!* and win the goddamn Royal Rumbe. *POP* And that's the Bottom Line, 'Cause Stone Cold said so."
(A)
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Commercial- 

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We return to the air with the announcement that Jerry "The King" Lawler will emcee the Wet T-Shirt contest.
(C-)
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WWF Intercontinental Title-
Lance Storm vs Edge (C)
Edge is defending. Storm immediately jumps Edge and clotheslines him in the corner. They trade some fast rollups and Storm hooks the Canadian Maple Leaf (half crab). That goes nowhere so Edge elbows him in the face a few times and hits the Impaler to retain. This was barely a minute long.

Edge wins via Impaled DDT in 1:10
(C)
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William Regal jumps Edge as he leaves and it’s the Power of the Punch for the champion.
(C)
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This months issue of WWF Magazine is revealed.
(B)
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We head backstage to see Kurt Angle talking to Christian.
Angle: " I mean who the hell does this guy think he is? He think's he can just return and be loved by the fans instantly. I am the man that saved this company at Survivor Series, I am the man that is adored and loved by all the children. I mean I tore my quadricep this morning, and I'm here tonight! Hey Christian, just wait for my ground breaking announcement later."
(B-)
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The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Big Boss Man and Booker T

Booker and Boss Man are Vince’s cronies and they’re fighting the heroes. It’s a big brawl to start of course with Rock vs. Booker on the floor and a Thesz Press to Boss Man back inside. They switch partners and it’s Austin vs. Booker to start things off. A hot shot puts Booker down as Boss Man is rammed into the table a few times. Austin throws Booker to the floor so Rock throws Boss Man inside.

It’s time to stomp a mudhole as the Super Best Friends are completely dominant so far. Another clothesline puts Boss Man down and it’s off to Rock. The big jumping clothesline gets two for Rocky but Boss Man hits a kind of running clothesline in the corner to take over. Off to Rock who gets his face slammed into the mat, only to come back and send Rock to the floor. Back in and Booker stomps away but Rock pops up for a quick slugout.

A spinebuster puts Booker down but Boss Man breaks up the People’s Elbow. There’s the Book End but Austin comes in to break up something that hadn’t started yet. Boss Man comes in to fire off a knee to Rock’s chest and Booker adds a superkick for two. Austin comes in to break things up again and this time it’s enough for the hot tag to the Rattlesnake. Boss Man seems to have issues with any spot where he has to be lifted into the air. Everything breaks down for a third time and the Stunner pins Boss Man.

Rock and Austin win via Stunner in 8:22.
(C+)
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Rock and Austin share a couple of beers as we go to commercial.
(B)
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Commercial-

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Rikishi vs Chris Jericho

Non-title here. Rikishi shoves him around to start and loads up a quick Stinkface, only to have referee Nick Patrick block it for no apparent reason. We head to the floor where Jericho rips the padding off the barricade and whips Rikishi into it to take over. Back inside we go and Jericho gets two off a missile dropkick. The Lionsault misses though and Rikishi starts his comeback.

A kind of Alabama Slam puts Jericho down and there’s a Samoan Drop for no cover. Rikishi loads up the Banzai Drop but Patrick blocks it again. After shoving him away, Rikishi misses the Banzai and Jericho heads to the floor. He grabs one of the belts but the swing misses and Rikishi superkicks Jericho into Patrick. A Stinkface only hits the referee and it’s a belt shot to Rikishi’s head for the pin.

Jericho wins via Belt to the head in 3:27.
(B-)
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Big Show, Torrie and Tajiri are talking in the back about Triple H returning.
Show: So what'd you think of Triple H Torrie?"
Torrie: "Hmm, pretty cool. I can't believe it's this long since we've seen-" *Angle enters and cuts off Torrie*
Angle: "Guys, shut up. You're like a bunch of teenagers at a Ricky Martin concert or something. Listen hear closely. Nobody cares about Triple H anymore, I am the man of the moment, Kurt Angle. Oh, and I hope you are ready for my announcement later tonight."
Angle walks off and the three look confused.
Tajiri: "Living Lavida Loca!"
(B-)
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The WWF World Tag Team Champions are backstage, when they run into their opponents for tonight, Tazz and Spike. This match is for the titles.
(D+)
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Commercial- 
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WWF World Tag Team Titles- Hardcore Match

Tazz and Spike Dudley vs Team 3-D (Bubba Ray & D-Von) w/ Stacy Keibler


This is hardcore match and Stacy is with the Dudleys. It’s a brawl to start with Spike being sent into the steps. Bubba sprays him with a fire extinguisher as the fans want tables. Spike tries a sunset flip on Bubba, only to get blasted with the extinguisher again. A HARD trashcan lid to the face puts Tazz down and What’s Up Tazz? Bubba wants tables but whispers it because he’s evil right now.

Tazz is almost put through but Spike makes the save with a stop sign. There’s a Tazmission to D-Von but Tazz has to let it go to move a table. Stacy flashes Tazz to distract him but Bubba gets the view instead, allowing for a suplex onto a table. Spike puts him through the table with a Dudley Dog for the upset and the titles.

Tazz and Spike win via Dudley Dog in 3:45 to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles.
(C)
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We're backstage, where The Undertaker is waiting for us.
Taker: "January 20th, is my night. At the Royal Rumble, there is no friends, only enemies, just the way I like it. Austin, Angle, even Triple H, you haven't got a chance in being the last man standing. At the Royal Rumble, I will be the winner and headline Wrestlemania once again."
(B)
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Wet T-Shirt Contest

It’s time for the wet t-shirt contest now. Terri goes first and Jerry freaks out as you can see through her shirt. Trish leans against the ropes to get wetted down,
but Jazz runs in to beat her down and end the contest.
(B-)
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"TIME TO PLAY THE GAME"
The crowd goes absolutely nuts, as a shadowy figure stands atop the entrance way. He pours a bottle of water over his head and walks over to the fans who are still going crazy. He makes his way down to the ring, and does his famous water spit as the spot light hits him. HHH continues to pose for another good two minutes until he finally takes a microphone.
HHH: " In case you've forgotten, I'm about to tell you who in the hell I am. I AM THE GAME! AND YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS I'M BACK! And I am the guy that tonight, officially enters the Royal Rumble. And I-"

Angle interrupts. 

Angle: "Who the hell do you think you are? A quad injury kept you out for eight months, eight months! I won an Olympic Gold Medal with a broken freaking neck! If anyone deserves this time right here, right now, it's me! So you're on my time pal. But I'm glad you're out here, to hear my major announcement. Because it's even bigger than your big return. It's something that everybody's been waiting for. And my major announcement is... I Kurt Angle, will also enter the Royal Rumble! My first EVER Royal Rumble. And you wanna know why I didn't enter the Rumble last year Hunter? I think you know, 'cause I was too busy pinning your ass to the mat! What'd you think about that?" Angle drops his mic and Triple H charges towards him and takes him down, laying punches into his face. HHH beats on him in the corner, goes for the back body drop but Angle kicks him in the face, then gives him a German Suplex. Both men get back on their feet and HHH grips Angle by the throat and takes him down. HH releases and calls for the Pedigree! Angle stagger's up and gets planted face first to the floor. HHH's music hit's again as the show ends.
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END OF SHOW-

Overall Show Rating- B
Attendance- 15,000
Ticket Sales- $360,000
TV Revenue- $170,000
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Pretty awesome first show, hope you guys enjoyed it. I will update you through the week with either WWF.com articles (Kayfabe news) or Dirtsheets. Feed back is more than appreciated-

Favourite match and why?
Least favourite match and how to improve?
Favourite segment and why?
Least favourite segment and how to improve?
Show rating?

Thanks again for reading guys!









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