WWE Raw
Skyreach Centre
Edmonton, Alberta
May 27, 2002
Commentators: Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
We're done with Judgment Day and we're now on the road to the King of The Ring. Ric Flair's heel turn has him now doing the Vince McMahon role on Raw with Vince himself on Smackdown. Still, with the KoTR approaching, Raw is going to need some momentum to keep up with Smackdown. The Undertaker needs an opponent and a Hulk Hogan rematch seems unlikely. Let's see what happens. There were no dark matches so let's get to the action.
Chris Benoit's theme hits for the first time in damn near a year and sure enough, here he comes to a standing ovation. Apparently Benoit was on the cover of the Edmonton Journal that day. Ross says Chris Benoit is bigger than Wayne Gretzky to Edmonton wrestling fans....that's a bit of a stretch. The crowd is so loud that Benoit is choked up. He finally grabs a mic and says it feels good to be back. He says he was drafted to Smackdown but there was no way he was going to miss tonight in Edmonton. He says he's a few weeks away from being medically cleared and he's the best damn technical wrestler in the world today. Benoit says he's got a good reason for being here but he's interrupted by Intercontinental Champion "Latino Heat" Eddie Guerrero. Ross says Steve Austin was supposed to be here but hasn't arrived due to a family emergency. Guerrero says he missed Benoit but he missed his jealousy more. He claims Benoit's always been jealous of Eddie Guerrero and Eddie's the one with all the talent in the Radicalz. Eddie says he's the only one with Latino Heaattttttt. Lawler laughs and says "LATINO HEATTTT" thanks a lot Eddie. The crowd jeers Guerrero and Eddie says he's accomplished a lot since Chris has been gone. Ha, he only returned less than 2 months ago. Eddie says he's the IC champ and laid out Steve Austin. JR "From behind with a beer bottle!" Chris says yes, Eddie is the champion and that's a reality he can't change.....but RVD can." JR says its going to be a ladder match between RVD and Eddie later tonight. Benoit says tonight we'll find out if Eddie can have a better ladder match than him. Benoit says "it takes a real tough guy to hit someone from behind and run". JR agrees with Benoit's sarcasm as Eddie wants to hit Benoit now. Eddie squares up but Ric Flair's theme hits.
"Nature Boy" Ric Flair walks out to a chorus of boos. Ric "Well, well, well, Benoit can't you do anything civilized?" You'd think Flair would want to help his ex-Horseman. Flair accuses him of being a typical Canadian to start a fight. Flair asks if the fans wants to see Benoit vs Guerrero tonight and they cheer. He asks if they want to see Stone Cold here tonight and they cheer. Ric says "Too bad." Flair says JR revealed that Austin can't be here and Flair has a special welcoming party for Austin if he shows up. He's benched, but Benoit isn't. Flair says he's not going to let a Smackdown guy walk in here and go one on one with the Intercontinental Champion. Flair says unless he has a ticket, and he doesn't, get out of his ring. Eddie then says "Yeah, get out of MY ring." Benoit shoves Guerrero down as Flair shouts for security. Bet you didn't know you could get in the ring if you bought a ticket. Benoit stalks Guerrero around the ring as Lawler says to call the mounties. Benoit backs down Flair in the corner and leaves peacefully to a chorus of boos toward Flair. Security tells Benoit to get to steppin as JR says Austin will be here as we go to break.
Back from break we get out road schedule coning up. Tomorrow night WWE is in Calgary, Saturday night in Pensacola, Florida, Sunday night the Mississippi State Fair Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi. One week from tonight they're in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a week from tomorrow night they're in the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We're shown Benoit escorted out of the building during the break. On to our first match.
Match 1
William Regal and and Molly Holly vs Spike Dudley and Trish Stratus for the WWE European Championship and WWE Women's Championship.
Interesting concept here as both Regal and Trish's titles are on the line. We cut to a pre-match conference between Regal and Molly and Molly says this is the first time she's been in the ring with Spike since she broke up with him last year. She calls Spike a pervert for trying to go to second base with her and Regal calls Spike a "filthy, disgusting swine" (hahahahaha). Molly says she's too good for him and Regal says he'll take care of the "miserable little toe rack". They leave arm in arm....what a gentleman. Lawler "No wonder Spike has been in a bad mood." Ross "Molly left runners on base apparently." Lawler "How many runners were there?" Ross "I don't know." King "I'd like to slide into home with Trish". Good luck saying that today. Ross ignores King's last comment and goes over the title rules but Spike bumrushes Regal to start. Spike ducks the line and drops Regal with an elbow. Spike hits two dropkicks and goes up to the top rope. He hits what looks to be a whoopie cushion on Regal and covers for a one count. Spike punches Regal in the corner as Lawler keeps mentioning "second base." Ross "What the hell is second base anyway nowadays?" Oh Jim....you left a fastball right down the heart of the plate. Thankfully Lawler doesn't swing at it as Spike hits a bodypress on Regal for a two count. Spike hits a head scissors and a cradle for 1...2...no. Regal tags in Molly who slaps Spike in the face as soon as she gets in. Ross says Molly might steal third base (hahahaha) so Spike makes the call to the bullpen, tagging in Trish. Stratus ducks the line and unloads on Molly with forearms. Trish kicks away in the corner and gets whipped into the other corner. Trish drops Molly with a clothesline before covering for a deuce. Trish hits the Chick Kick and covers for 1...2...no. Trish chops Molly against the ropes as referee Mike Chioda is distracted by Spike. Molly whips Trish into Regal, who pulls her down by the hair. Spike is pulled back by Chioda so Regal knees Trish in the back. Molly covers for 1...2....no. Molly goes for the blatant choke and drops some elbows to the back. Molly also drags Trish down by the hand as Lawler says "Can you imagine someone that looks like Spike Dudley getting to third base with a girl?" Before King can answer, Trish hits a home run with a backslide for 1...2...3 to win the match. That was abrupt as Regal can't believe it. The home country hero gets the duke in a relatively quick match.
Time of match: 3:07
Winners: Trish and Spike by pinfall (Still Women's & European Champion)
After the match, Regal hands Molly the brass knuckles as Ross calls her a little wench. Regal knocks Spike outside and Molly belts Trish in the back of the head with the knux. Regal and Molly leave with some heel heat as they leave Trish laying. Ross complains about it as Lawler says Ross won't get to third base with that attitude. They go to the replay of Trish winning the match only to get waffled by Molly as we go to break.
Back from commercial we go to another replay of Regal handing Molly the knux as Lawler calls her a sore loser. Spike helped Trish to the back during the break and we cut to Terri Runnels interviewing WWE Hardcore Champion Steven Richards. Terri says Jazz is out with a knee injury and Steven says she's recovering well. Steven says they've become cute and cuddly and Jacqueline walks in to make fun of him. Jacqueline "She's cute and cuddly?? Give me a break." Steven calls her jealous and she wants him so she replies that he's half right. She boots him in the kneecap and waffles him with Terri's microphone. She covers Steven and referee Charles Robinson runs in for the 1...2...nooo, Shawn Stasiak pulls Jackie off. Shawn covers for 1...2.noooo, Big Bossman runs over and clobbers Stasiak with the nightstick. Bossman hits Richards with the nightstick too and covers but Shawn pulls him off. Bossman and Stasiak brawl out of camera view leaving Richards sprawled out next to Terri and Charles. Terri looks at Steven, then at Charles and covers Steven for the 1...2...3 to win the Hardcore Championship. Seconds later Richards rolls her up, including her dress for 1...2...3. Lawler yelps and even Ross says he wasn't looking at Terri's shoulders. The 24/7 gimmick may be stale but every now and then it does make for some funny bits.
Backstage X-Pac and Big Show shake hands as Booker T walks in and asks if Pac is ready for the big match coming up. Kevin Nash follows suit and says they better be ready. Nash says Big Show faces Bradshaw one on one, no run ins. Show say he's got this. Book and Pac will face the Hardy's, no run ins. Nash says you lose, you're out of the nWo and he'll kick their ass. Show laughs and Nash asks if he's got a problem. Show says Nash has to do what he's gotta do but Show's gotta do what he's gotta do. Booker says he's got a problem, he wants his old theme back because he doesn't like the nWo theme. "CAN YOU DIG IT SUCKAAAAAAA" Nash says if he wins "they'll do a remix SUCKAAAAAA" (hahahahahaha). Booker and Pac leave as Goldust is revealed to have been eavesdropping from the inside of a heated tub as we got to break.
Back from commercial, we cut to the outside of the arena where Jonathan Coachman is waiting for Steve Austin to arrive. On to the next match.
Match 2
The Hardy Boys (Matt & Jeff) vs the nWo (Booker T & X-Pac)
Its simple, lose and you're out of the nWo. Ross brings up the recent success the Hardy's have had against the nWo and they're four time tag champs. Matt starts with X-Pac at the bell and Pac gets an arm-drag to begin. Pac gets in a headlock but Hardy rolls through for a quick roll up. Hardy taunts that he was "this close" as Pac confers with Book. Pac rallies with a boot and right hands before hitting the three kick combo in the corner. Pac's charge in the corner eats boot and Matt hits the second rope leg drop. Booker gets in to break up the pinfall attempt then tags in legally, only to eat an arm drag. Jeff tags in for a double whisper in the wind, but the cover only gets two. Jeff hits the top rope and hits whisper in the wind a second time then covers for 1....2, no. Pac broke up the count and Jeff tags out to Matt. Matt charges but Book hits a stun gun off the top rope. Pac tags in and hits a spinning heel kick. He covers for two as Ross says Lita is healing from her broken neck. Hardy drops both men then tags in Jeff who flips into the ring. Jeff hits a dropkick to both dudes and a jawbreaker to Booker T. Jeff hits the legdrop between the legs of Pac as Matt gets in the ring. Jeff hits poetry in motion on both Booker and Pac in the corner. Booker hits Jeff with the axe kick when referee Nick Patrick tells Matt to get lost. Booker teases the spinaroonie but Pac tags himself in. Booker hits the scissors kick on Jeff and looks out at Matt on the floor. Pac hits the X-Factor on Jeff and covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Booker looks annoyed that Pac stole the pin even though X-Pac was the legal man. Kind of a rushed match but it got the result it wanted, Booker and Pac remain in the nWo.
Time of match: 3:42
Winners: Pac and Booker by pinfall
Post-match Booker grabs a mic and says cut the music. Booker says he came here to give the people what they want to see, so hit his music. Booker's theme plays and Booker does the spinaroonie. Pac says whatever and shakes Booker's hand as Lawler says that was a big pop.
Paul Heyman heads toward the trainer's room but he's cut off by Tony Garea. He asks how Trish is doing and Garea says she'll be fine. He tells Tony he looks good as Tony leaves. Tony was a spry 55 at the time, the same as HHH in 2025. Heyman goes to enter but Bubba Ray Dudley cuts him off and starts throwing him around. Bubba says he's been waiting 8 years to do this. He tells Heyman to shut up and says to stay away from Trish. Secondly, he wants a piece of Brock Lesnar before throwing Heyman down. Ross says Brock vs Bubba is later as we got to break.
Back from commercial Tommy Dreamer is in the ring and Ross has no idea why. Dreamer says he's a normal guy and then notices some guy eating a hot dog in the front row. He goes outside and asks for a bite, spilling it on the floor. Dreamer then climbs the barricade and steps on the hot dog. He picks it up and offers it back to the dude who's horrified. Dreamer eats it anyway and the crowd cheers. Why Vince wanted Dreamer to be the second coming of Bastion Booger is anyone's guess. Dreamer gets back in the ring and says he's just an average guy. Uh oh....here comes WWE Champion The Undertaker. Taker gets in the ring and grabs a mic. Taker says he's the WWE Champion and Dreamer is on his time now. Taker tells him to hit the bricks before he kicks his ass. Lawler brings up Rob Van Dam's plight from last week. Dreamer goes to say something but Taker cuts him off saying he retired Hulk Hogan and beat Rob Van Dam easily last week. Taker calls him a sideshow circus freak and asks why he's taking up his time. "In other words, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" Dreamer says fine and goes to leave. Taker says hold up why don't they have a match right here, right now. Dreamer says he'd like a shot and Taker says he ain't gonna get one because he's not worthy. On a personal note, Dreamer was booked as a hardcore never say die babyface in ECW. THAT Tommy Dreamer wouldn't take Undertaker's crap at all. WWE Dreamer, on the other hand, just stands there as Taker says nobody is worthy of him or poses a challenge to him. Taker says he's got something for him since he's a nice guy and Dreamer is disgusting. Taker grabs his cup of tobacco spit and tells Dreamer to drink it. Dreamer says that's really gross as King says "That's worse than toilet water." Taker says drink it or eat through a tube the rest of his life. Dreamer does as Ross calls Taker a bully, then he says he likes it. Taker drops Dreamer with a right hand then beats him down in the corner. Taker sends Dreamer off the ropes and hits a chokeslam before heaving Tommy outside. Taker grabs a chair and wraps it around Dreamer's head before sending Tommy into the ring post. Fans still cheer Taker as Ross can't believe fans are still cheering. Taker says on the mic "THAT'S disgusting" before he leaves. Ross says sarcastically that's our champion we all look up to. That took way too long just to establish Taker as a mean looking fella.
We cut to the back with Heyman who's now with Brock Lesnar. Heyman says when he got manhandled by Bubba, Bubba was seeing Brock instead of himself. In Bubba's mind, he pulled his punk card and Bubba doesn't think Brock is man enough to do anything about it. Heyman asks if Brock will be manhandled and Brock coldly says no as we go to break.
Match 3
Bubba Ray Dudley vs Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)
Brock has manhandled everyone he's been put in front of so far and Bubba would be his stiffest competition yet. Bubba gets right in and goes nose to nose with Brock before Lesnar shoves him away. They tie up to start and after Lesnar shoves him away, Bubba pops him right in the mouth. Bubba shouts to "come on" as Lesnar's expression shows he wasn't expecting that. Brock rallies with a boot to the ribs and forearms before shoulderblocking Bubba in the corner. Brock whips Bubba off the buckle who falls flat on his face. Heyman "HOW DOES THAT FEEL BUBBA?" Heyman tells Brock that Bubba was trying to punk him out. Bubba rallies with punches and chops to back Brock against the ropes. Bubba whips him off but Brock wisely slides outside to regroup with Heyman. Bubba in hot pursuit trades punches with Brock on the floor before sending him into the steel steps. Ross says Heyman should know what Bubba is capable of being an ECW alumni but King counters he was never the next big thing. Bubba chops Brock against the ropes as the crowd chants for tables. Bubba ducks a line and rallies with Dusty Punches followed by the bionic elbow. Bubba delivers a neckbreaker and covers for 1...2...no. Bubba catches Brock in a full nelson but Brock powers out of the Bubba Bomb attempt. Brock hits a very stiff forearm to the back you can hear a mile away to drop Bubba before executing a snap suplex. King asks how Ross could stand Heyman being his color guy for months and Ross says it wasn't easy. Brock locks in a bearhug as Heyman shouts "SQUEEZE!!!!" Bubba tries to fight out of it but fails the first time. Bubba then revives to break the grip, but runs into an overhead suplex. Brock covers for 1...2...no. Heyman "YOU COUNT TO THREE DAMMIT!" Bubba kicks Brock in the head and hits a released German suplex. Heyman shouts for Brock to get up as Bubba rallies with strikes before hitting a flapjack. Bubba hits him with a clothesline followed by a sidewalk slam. Bubba covers for 1...2....no. Bubba whips Brock into the corner, ducks the line and hits the Bubba Bomb. Heyman jumps up on the apron to distract the ref and Bubba chases him away. Ross "Heyman running like an old woman!" Bubba chases Heyman inside the ring and corners him. Brock goes to splash Bubba but crushes Heyman in the corner instead much to Lawler's delight. Bubba hits a german suplex and covers for 1...2....nooooo. The crowd chants "ECW" as Brock whips Bubba, who gets tripped up by Heyman outside. That was just enough for Brock to scoop up Bubba and hit the F-5. Brock covers for 1...2....3....to win the match. Lesnar remains undefeated but that was a hell of a match. Bubba had Brock on the run for the first time in his WWE run and was big enough to push him around. Great story told as well as well as the obligatory ending.
Time of match: 5:50
Winner: Lesnar by pinfall
Before we go to break Ross says he'd like to see a rematch and we get a graphic for Rob Van Dam vs Eddie Guerrero for the IC title coming up later. Back from commercial Jonathan Coachman is with Raven who's just chilling outside. He asks Raven if he knows anything about Debra's family emergency and Raven says its not Debra's family, its Austin himself. Austin can't conceal his pain no longer and he sees a troubled, tortured, tormented soul in the mirror. Raven says this is Austin's destiny and Raven feels for him. Ironically Raven wasn't far off in real life but I'll get to that another time. On to the next match.
Match 4
Big Show vs Bradshaw
If Show loses, he's out of the nWo. Ross says this match isn't going to be pretty and I'm gonna have to agree. Bradshaw bumrushes Show right out the gate and drops him with a clip to the knee. Bradshaw immediately goes after the left leg which is the smart thing to do. Show gets to his feet and Bradshaw goes for a whip, but Show blocks it before clotheslining him down. Show floors Bradshaw with a headbutt and kicks away at him in the corner. Show punches away in the corner and heaves Bradshaw across the ring. Show kicks away at Bradshaw in the corner as Ross says Raven needs couch time. Show continues to headbutt Bradshaw and scoop slams him. Show whips Bradshaw in the corner but a charge eats boot. They trade punches in the center of the ring before Bradshaw boots Show in the jaw. Bradshaw hits the clothesline from hell but Show just bounces off the ropes, still on his feet. Bradshaw goes for a big boot but crotches himself on the top rope. He turns around right into a chokeslam by Big Show. Show covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Short and sweet, which is a good thing. Raw was desperate for stars but having Show squash Bradshaw wasn't exactly what the doctor ordered....but then again, may as well build up Big Show again.
Time of match: 1:59
Winner: Big Show by pinfall
Before we go to break we get a vignette for Tough Enough 2, no need to talk about that. In the back, Booker T is mad that X-Pac stole his pin (I thought they shook hands after the match). Then Goldust walks in wearing nWo colors including black & white face paint. Pac "What the hell do you think you're doing man?" Pac tells Goldust he's dissing the nWo wearing that outfit while Booker tries not to laugh. Booker says Goldust looks like a freaky deaky oreo cookie (ha!) and laughs. Pac says he's going to tell Nash what Goldust is doing then leaves. Booker calls him a stooge as Ross mocks Pac on commentary.
We cut to The World with the four remaining Tough Enough 2 finalists with Al Snow. Kenny is going to arm wrestle Jake and Linda is going to arm wrestle Jackie. Jake defeats Kenny and Linda effortlessly defeats Jackie. Linda Miles might not have had the passion for wrestling but she was a hell of an athlete. Al Snow says this Thursday they're announcing the winners...yippie. We cut to Terri Runnels with Rob Van Dam. Rob congratulates her for winning the Hardcore championship as Terri says it was her 15 seconds of fame. She asks what he's feeling about the IC title ladder match and Rob says a ladder match is extremely dangerous, but worth it. Rob says he's going to climb the ladder of success and nobody gets as high as R...V...D.
Back from commercial a black pickup truck arrives to the arena (which is still daylight out even though we're approaching 11 at night in the East time zone) and Ross & Lawler say its Austin. Unfortunately for everyone, its just Howard Finkel who complains he got lost in Calgary and hitched a ride. Coach walks off disgusted as we head to the ring to our next match.
Match 5
Crash Holly vs Goldust
Ross says Austin will be here as Goldust enters in nWo colors. They circle to start and Goldust hits a few arm drags. Goldust gets a rake to the face followed by an uppercut. Crash catches Goldust with an inside cradle for 1....2....no. Crash rallies with a clothesline and a dropkick, but drops his head long enough for Goldust to hit another uppercut. Goldust goes for the Curtain Call and hits it. He covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Jesus, another squash match and that was even worse than Show/Bradshaw. The match itself wasn't bad per se, just short.
Time of match: 1:01
Winner: Goldust by pinfall
After the match, the nWo theme hits and out comes Kevin Nash. Goldust slides out of the ring as Nash gets in. He sends Crash off the ropes and hits a big boot. Goldust says nWo 4 life as he leaves with Nash staring a hole in him. What the hell was that about?
We cut to Ric Flair in his office as Eddie Guerrero walks in. Eddie is afraid of Austin interfering and Flair says not to worry, he's got the welcoming committee in place. Eddie leaves and Flair laughs, gee...wonder who's waiting for Austin. Before we go to commercial we get a vignette for WWE's new show Velocity. Its funny how it advertises all the Smackdown guys like The Rock, Hulk Hogan, etc and we all know they'll never appear on it. Back from break its on to our main event.
Match 6
Rob Van Dam vs Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match
Lawler plugs King of The Ring coming up on June 23 as Guerrero makes his entrance. Guerrero trash talks Rob as the bell rings, the duo trading strikes in the middle of the ring. Rob gets a spinning wheel kick to send Eddie to the floor. Rob goes for the plancha but Guerrero throws him down in mid-air. Rob sends Guerrero into the ring post and on top of the barricade. Rob hits the legdrop to the back and punches away at Eddie. Eddie reverses a whip and Rob crashes into the ladder that doesn't go down. Eddie hits a snap suplex on the ringside mat and throws the ladder on top of Rob. Eddie closes the ladder on Rob and throws RVD inside the ring. Eddie hammers away in the corner and drops him with a back elbow smash. Lawler "Latino HEATTTT, say it Ross." The crowd chants Eddie Sucks as Guerrero wraps RVD's leg around the ring post as Lawler points out Rob can't climb a ladder with a bad leg. Guerrero wraps his leg around the post again then takes a steel chair to the right knee. Eddie hits a back suplex as Ross is shocked Eddie has dominated the match so far. Eddie stomps away in the corner but Rob counters with a rolling monkey flip. He didn't get much on it and Eddie hits a powerbomb for his troubles. Eddie goes outside and grabs another ladder and goes to put it in the ring but RVD dropkicks it in his face. Van Dam goes for the second rope moonsault to the floor but Eddie gets the ladder up to block it. All of a sudden Chris Benoit walks through the crowd and shows the security guard a ticket. We go to commercial with Benoit heading to the front row. Back from break Guerrero nails Rob in the face with the top of the ladder and rolls it inside. Eddie sets it up in the center of the ring and climbs, but RVD dropkicks the ladder out from under Guerrero. Rob hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on the ladder and a cartwheel moonsault following that. Rob dropkicks Eddie on the mat and sets up the ladder in the center of the ring. They both climb up together and Eddie hits a sunset flip bomb off the ladder much to the crowd's delight. Eddie climbs the ladder and infamously a fan gets in the ring, knocking Eddie off of it. Eddie tags the guy for real with a right hand as security and referee Earl Hebner tackle the guy out of the ring. Lawler says typical Canadian as Ross says "Too much Molson." Lawler says Ross should get in there and get his lights punched out. Eddie goes back to the ladder and hits a hilo from off the top to Van Dam. Eddie goes outside and grabs a steel chair, bringing it inside. Eddie whacks Rob in the knee with it and sets it up in the corner. Naturally Rob sends Eddie into it and kicks away at him. Rob hits the Arabian Facebuster in the corner then puts the ladder on top of Eddie. RVD hits the split legged moonsault onto the ladder as Ross calls this an unbelievable match. Rob climbs the ladder but Eddie pulls him down and hits a snap suplex into the ladder. Eddie sets up the ladder in the corner and unloads in the other corner with right hands. Rob whips Eddie into the ladder and into the other corner. He goes for another monkey flip but Eddie blocks it. Van Dam goes for the top rope dropkick but Eddie moves. Rob monkey flips Guerrero into the ladder and puts it on top of him. Rob hits rolling thunder on the ladder before setting it up. Eddie dropkicks Rob in the shin and grabs the chair. Rob hits the Van Daminator and sets up the ladder in the corner. Rob goes for the 5 Star Frog Splash but falls off the top of the ladder. Eddie improvises by heading upstairs himself and Rob dropkicks him to the floor. Rob sets up the ladder, climbs it and retrieves the belt to become the new Intercontinental Champion in a hell of a match. It got a bit sloppy and the fan interfering was a bit of a damper, but that was one of the best matches on Raw all year by far. Hats off to both guys.
Time of match: 20:59
Winner: Rob Van Dam (new Intercontinental Champion)
The celebration is short lived as Guerrero bum rushes Rob after the bell, sending him to the floor. Steve Austin's music hits and sure enough, Austin himself sprints to the ring. Eddie runs for it but Austin catches him and stomps a mudhole in him in the corner. Ric Flair and Arn Anderson run in and both of them get walloped by Stone Cold. Austin drops all three with right hands and hits a backdrop on Flair. Austin kicks Anderson out of the ring as Benoit tears his shirt off and hops the guardrail. Benoit stands next to Austin and they stare down Eddie and Flair. Suddenly Benoit waffles Austin from behind and puts the boots to him as JR is completely confused. Benoit scoop slams Austin and Eddie Guerrero comes off the top with the frog splash. Where the hell did Van Dam go? Flair and Anderson laugh on the ramp as Lawler asks if this was a set up. Eddie and Chris put the boots to Austin as Benoit raises Eddie's arm in victory. JR asks what the hell is going on as we end the show.
Half of the show was good, the other half was rushed or pointless. Still, tonight was a landmark event although nobody knew it at the time. This was the last Raw appearance of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for nearly 9 months. The backstory is Steve was frustrated with creative (which was definitely in a flux following the end of the Alliance debacle) including getting beat down by Chris Benoit for really no reason. Then over the weekend, in a production meeting it was written that Steve was going to job to Brock Lesnar on Raw in the first round of the King of The Ring tournament with no hype or warning. Steve said that was idiotic because that was a ticket selling ppv match. He countered that he'd put over Brock in the Finals to cement him as a star. The story goes creative was adamant Brock go through Test and Rob Van Dam, including a Rob vs Brock final. Austin offered one final solution that he face Brock in the semis before he faces Rob in the final. Once again creative refused and Austin simply went home, middle fingers in the air. Steve would fulfil his house show commitments but then that was it. A far from a fitting end to the most popular WWE star of the late 90's. The next show after this will be this Saturday when the stars of Smackdown venture to New Orleans. I'll see you there.
