Showing posts with label Molly Holly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Molly Holly. Show all posts

Saturday, November 16, 2002

WWE at Santander Arena (11/16/02)



Santander Arena
Reading, PA
November 16, 2002


We are one day away from Survivor Series but there's some unfinished business to get to first. The stars of Raw ventured to Reading, Pennsylvania for a Saturday house show. Its been established that Triple H was virtually unbeatable and nobody else but Shawn Michaels had a chance to beat him in the elimination chamber. Christian and Chris Jericho were still the World Tag Team Champions despite Jericho hitting him with a chair on Monday. Let's get to the action.


Match 1

Batista vs Steven Richards

Raw's newest star takes on poor Steven who was humiliated by Test this past Monday. Batista wins it with a spinebuster.


Winner: Batista by pinfall



Match 2

Victoria (with Molly Holly) vs Trish Stratus (with Jacqueline) for the WWE Women's Championship

Same match as the past week with the same results. Trish gets inside cradle, Molly pulls Victoria on top. Jackie rolls Trish on top for the 3 count to retain.


Winner: Trish by pinfall (still Women's champion)



Match 3

Al Snow vs Christopher Nowinsky

Mentor vs pupil again with the same result. Nowinsky gets the Flair Pin for the victory.


Winner: Nowinsky by pinfall



Match 4

Raven and Johnny Stamboli vs The Hurricane and D-Lo Brown

D-Lo and Raven's perpetual feud on Heat and house shows continues only they have partners this time. Hurricane pinned Stamboli after Eye of The Hurricane.


Winners: Hurricane and D-Lo by pinfall



Match 5

Kane vs William Regal

Talk about bottom of the barrel for Kane. Nothing against Regal but Kane went from Tag & IC Champ and legit threat to Triple H to a mid-card match with Regal. Kane takes it with the chokeslam.


Winner: Kane by pinfall



Match 6

Justin Credible vs Tommy Dreamer

The ECW guys go at it in this random match in Reading, Pennsylvania. Dreamer wins it with the Dreamer Driver.


Winner: Dreamer by pinfall



Match 7

Lance Storm vs Rob Van Dam

Just like Kane, Rob Van Dam goes from the main event of Unforgiven to a mid-card match with Lance Storm. Nothing against Lance, its just the state of Raw. Van Dam takes it with the five star frog splash.


Winner: RVD by pinfall



Match 8

The Dudley Boys (Spike and Bubba Ray) and Jeff Hardy vs 3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) and Rico

A preview of tomorrow night's tables match with all six men going at it here. Jamal pinned Bubba with the samoan drop to win the match.


Winners: Rosey, Jamal and Rico by pinfall



Match 9

Goldust and Booker T vs Christian and Chris Jericho for the World Tag Team Championship

Guess Christian forgives Jericho for hitting him with a chair because they team up to face Goldust and Booker. Jericho pinned Goldust after hitting him with a tag belt. The heels win to end the night.


Winners: Christian and Chris Jericho by pinfall (Still World Tag Team Champions)



Kind of a lame house show just one day before Survivor Series but that might be the point. No Triple H or Ric Flair...or Shawn Michaels for that matter. The problem with booking HHH over everyone is the rest of the roster is just filler. Still, the matches might have been interesting if you saw this live. On the exact same day of this show, the stars of Smackdown were in Baltimore, Maryland for their own Saturday house show. I'll see you there.

Sunday, October 27, 2002

WWE Sunday Night Heat (10/27/02)



Gaylord Entertainment Center
Nashville, TN
October 27, 2002


Commentators: Jonathan Coachman and Lita

Ring Announcer: Howard Finkel



Welcome to another edition of Sunday Night Heat featuring the stars of Raw. As usual, this was taped before Raw went on the air this past Monday and aired six days later. Tonight we got Raven taking on young prospect Cassidy O'Reilly, ex-WCW star Mark Jindrak against Mike Owens, Steven Richards going up against another ex-WCW star Johnny Stamboli and the main event has Molly Holly taking on Jacqueline. We don't waste any time, we get right to the first match.



Match 1

Raven vs Cassidy O'Reilly

Raven was finishing out his contract while the 26 year old O'Reilly gets a look at in this one. O"Reilly comes out to the song Drew Carey used at the 2002 Royal Rumble as the announcers babble on about that week's events rather than introduce O'Reilly. Raven tells O'Reilly to just leave but Cassidy says no. Raven wins a tie up and beats Cassidy in the corner with fists and boots. Raven hits a backdrop and puts the boots to Cassidy before sending him off the ropes. Cassidy lands on his feet and goes for a superkick but Raven blocks it. Cassidy ducks a line and rolls up Raven for a deuce before Cassidy punches Raven. Cassidy up and overs in the corners before they exchange go behinds, only for Raven to throw Cassidy down by the hair. Cassidy does a 360 on a clothesline as Coachman babbles on and on about what happened on Raw. Raven taunts the crowd, whips Cassidy off the corner and drops him with a clothesline. Raven snapmares O'Reilly and locks in a nerve hold as Coachman hypes up tonight's main event. Cassidy goes for a plancha off the top rope but Raven moves and puts the boots to O'Reilly. Raven drives Cassidy into the mat face first with a top rope knee and covers for 1...2...no! Another snapmare and chinlock by Raven as Lita lets us know Cassidy grew up around this area and its somewhat of a homecoming. See? THAT'S what they should be talking about. Coachman ignores Lita and talks about Survivor Series coming up. Raven gets whipped in the corner and Cassidy hits a springboard elbow in the corner. O'Reilly goes for the tornado DDT but Raven blocks it. Cassidy and Raven collide as it looked like Cassidy wanted a crossbody and Raven wanted a clothesline. Whoops! Raven looks like he's going for the Evenflow but then clubs Cassidy in the back with forearms. Cassidy then hits a springboard crossbody (good audible by Raven) for 1.....2...nope. Cassidy charges in the corner but eats knee. Raven finally hits the Evenflow and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Cassidy had a future but that botch didn't help his case. He'd resurface in TNA but as for now, Raven gets the victory.


Time of match: 4:25

Winner: Raven by pinfall



Back to Coach and Lita who bring up what could happen at Survivor Series and hypes up tonight's Divas match. I'm guessing there was supposed to be a recap here but its not on this copy of the show I'm watching. Instead when we get back from commercial, we go right to the next match.



Match 2

Mark Jindrak vs Mike Owens

Another tryout match so to speak as ex-WCW guy Jindrak takes on Mike Owens. Who's Mike Owens? He's a Memphis local known as Flex. Actually, Jindrak was being groomed for a big push.....that ended up not happening. Bell's gone and once again Coach babbles on about Chris Nowinsky and Al Snow. Owerns gets the upperhand with a go-behind and Jindrak drops him with a toe-hold. Jindrak drops Owens with a shoulderblocka and a hiptoss. Jindrak hits a tilt-a-whirl slam and gets a two count while Coach once again babbles on about everything except the match. Jindrak misses a stinger splash and Owens kicks away at Jindrak. Lita talks about her training as Owens hits a russian leg sweep and covers for a deuce. Owens drops an elbow and covers for another two count before Owens locks in another chinlock. Coach once again babbles on about Tough Enough as Lita tries to talk about the match. Jindrak rallies to cut Coach off with dropkicks and a backdrop then covers for 1...2...nope. Owens goes for an O'Connor roll for a two count then ducks the line. Owens hits a powerslam and covers for 1...2...nope. Owens whips Jindrak in the corner but eats boot. Jindrak does a springboard clothesline off the second rope and covers for a deuce. Jindrak hits a sit down powerbomb for 1...2...3 and that's it. Like I said earlier, good match and Jindrak was being groomed for better things.....but got the rug pulled out from under him. I'll tell the story another time, as for now Jindrak gets the duke.


Time of match: 4:16

Winner: Jindrak by pinfall



Next up are highlights of the latest episode of Tough Enough Season 3.....won by the ill-fated Matt Cappoteli and the future John Morrison. After this, we get a recap of Shawn Michaels' return to Raw coming out of his wheelchair ready to return to active duty. At least we got Shawn coming back to look forward to. Let's get back to the ring.



Match 3

Steven Richards vs Johnny Stamboli

Post Right-To-Censor Steven is still searching for an identity while Stamboli is still the same character he was in WCW, only without a crew. Still, this should be a good match.....key word should. Bell's gone and Coach goes right into Shawn Michaels' return rather than call the action. A tie-up goes nowhere but Richards celebrates anyway. Lita gets a kick out of it as Stamboli throws Steven halfway across the ring. Once again Coach ignores Lita just to talk about Shawn Michaels some more. Worst part is its not even Coach's fault, he's probably got Vince McMahon or Kevin Dunn in his ear telling him to do it. Steven kicks Stamboli and chops him in the corner before unloading with right hands. Stamboli backdrops Richards and rallies with a scoop slam before covering for a two count. Once again Coach just babbles on and on about Triple H as Stamboli goes upstairs and catches Richards with a clothesline. A cover gets a two and Stamboli takes over with a headlock. Stamboli drops Richards with a shoulderblock, leapfrogs over but gets dropped inti the second rope with a drop toe hold. Richards covers for a deuce and stomps away. Richards sheds his elbow pad and kicks Stamboli in the head. Richards calls for a suplex and hits it before covering for 1...2...nope. Richards takes over with knee drops and a chinlock. Stamboli stands straight up and drops Richards backwards to a nice pop before he ducks the line. Stamboli catches Richards mid-air and powerslams him but can't capitalize. Lita rationalizes that Richards took too much out of Johnny. Johnny and Richards trade punches and Stamboli rallies with clotheslines. Stamboli hits a back elbow smash and a stinger splash. He goes for a second attempt but eats boot. Richards charges but walks into a tilt-a-whirl slam. Stamboli covers for 1...2...nope. Stamboli goes for his finisher but instead does a gorilla press powerslam. Stamboli jumps from the ring to the top rope but misses the leg drop off the top. Steven hits the Stevie Kick and covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Damn good match for 5 minute crash style even if the commentary took too long getting into it. Steven screams "I showed you! I showed you!" Richards wins although its a wonder why Stamboli isn't getting a push, his athleticism was on full display there. Maybe someday.


Time of match: 5:27

Winner: Richards by pinfall


Another Raw recap of Triple H's godawful shenanigans I don't want to mention again. All you need to know is Katie Vick....ugh. We also see Big Show getting traded to Smackdown, which turned out to be a great thing. Let's get to the main event.



Match 4

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly

Its kind of funny how Smackdown had the best men's roster but Raw had the best women's wrestling. At least this match will be serviceable. Jackie gets a nice pop from the crowd as Molly looks mad. Coach speculates what Eric Bischoff's Elimination Chamber will be like as Molly starts with an armringer. They trade arm-ringers and Jacqueline cradles her up for a two count. Coach talks about Spike and Bubba Ray Dudley getting a tag title shot on Raw as Jackie caters to the crowd. Molly gets in a headlock and a shoulderblock before eating a hiptoss & arm drag. Molly bails to the outside and claims her arm is broken. Charles Robinson throws up the X sign as other officials get to ringside to help her. Molly then breaks free and rams Jackie's head into the steel steps showing she was playing possum. Molly hits a rollover suplex for 1..2...nope. Molly rakes the eyes as Coach babbles on and on about Shawn Michaels and Triple H as Molly locks in a nerve hold. Jackie powers out of it and hits a crossbody for a deuce. Molly drops Jackie to quel the momentum and covers for a two count. Molly continues to get near falls then uses the ref's 5 count to rake the eyes repeatedly. Molly chokes Jackie on the second rope and sends her into the corner, but a charge eats elbow. Jackie rallies with clotheslines and a dropkick before delivering a back elbow smash. Jackie covers for a two count and kicks away at Molly. Jackie goes for a tornado DDT but Molly blocks it. Jackie goes for ten punches in the corner but Molly powerbombs her and puts her feet on the ropes for 1...2....3 to win the match. Lot of cheating by Molly in this one but at least it was a good match between two veterans. Molly taunts the crowd up the rant as we go off-air. 


Time of match: 4:43

Winner: Molly by pinfall



Typical C-show but at least it got something done by showcasing guys who haven't had a WWE run yet like Mark Jindrak and Johnny Stamboli. Jackie vs Molly was pretty good as well even if the commentators just yapped about that week's Raw....which is par for the course with all these C shows. Too bad for the Cassidy O'Reilly botch otherwise he might have been featured in higher profile matches. Anyway tomorrow night is Raw, I'll see you there.

Sunday, October 6, 2002

WWE Sunday Night Heat (10/6/02)

 


WWE Sunday Night Heat
Compaq Center
Houston, Texas
October 6, 2002


Commentators: Jonathan Coachman and Lita

Ring Announcer: Howard Finkel


To show how bad Raw was these days, there's barely any recap and there's FOUR matches tonight on Heat. Not only that, D-Lo Brown's replacement on commentary is none other than Lita, who's still out recovering from her broken neck. Its ECW night as Spike Dudley takes on Justin Credible, Steven Richards faces The Hurricane and Raven faces D-Lo Brown. Also Jacqueline faces Molly Holly. The matches should be at least watchable. Let's get to our first match.



Match 1

Steven Richards vs The Hurricane

One half of the tag team champs Hurricane takes on the demented Richards in the opening contest. We get shown a highlight of Kane and Hurricane winning the straps before the match starts. Coach brings up how Hurricane is similar to the Hardy Boys and Lita has to bring up that he, Shannon Moore and the Hardys are the North Carolina connection. Hurricane offers a hand shake to start but Richards slaps it away.....wazzupwitdat? Hurricane gets a hilarious thumb to the eye and hits a shoulderblock before hitting a victory roll for a deuce. Richards makes fun of Hurricane but eats an armdrag. Hurricane comes off the top with a bodypress but only gets a two count. Hurricane locks in a headlock but Stevens counters with a modified t-bone plex. Richard stands on The Hurricane and clubs away at him in the corner. Hurricane rallies back with right hands and another bodypress, but Richards stops the momentum with an elbow smash. Richards taunts Hurricane to get up and hits a vertical suplex. Richards holds Hurricane in a neckbreaker lock. Hurricane powers out of it using the corner and ducks the line. Hurricane hits a neckbreaker and hits a jumping lariat. Hurricane hops on the second rope and hits a flying neckbreaker before covering for 1...2....nooooo. Richards eats an inverted atomic drop then Hurricane hits a big crescent kick. Hurricane covers for 1...2...no, foot on the rope. Richards blocks Eye of The Hurricane and hits Emerald Flowsion (???). He covers for 1.....2....and no. Richards sets up for the Stevie Kick but Hurricane catches the foot. Hurricane finally hits the Eye then calls for the chokeslam. Richards blocks it and stuns Hurricane with an elbow. Richards rolls up Hurricane and grabs the rope for 1...2.....3 to win the match. Richards steals one and the crowd is irate. Not bad and Richards winning was kind of a shock since Hurricane is being given somewhat of a push as Kane's lackey lately.


Time of match: 6:04

Winner: Richards by pinfall


Back to Coach and Lita who sings her praises. Coach says D-Lo Brown will face Raven in the main event and goes to commercial. Back from break we get a pre-recorded interview from a while ago with Lita talking about her neck injury. On to the next match.



Match 2

Spike Dudley vs Justin Credible

ECW! ECW! These two are no strangers to each other for obvious reasons. Coach asks Lita when she'll be back and she says 7 months....which means next May? Bell's gone and Spike backs Justin in the corner and Justin punches & kicks Spike. Credible slides into the corner but runs into two arm-drags and a neckbreaker. Credible bails but Spike catches him and throws him back inside. Credible begs off but Spike bites his hand. Spike boots Justin in the head but his second rope axehandle is countered by a superkick by Credible. Justin covers for a deuce and goes to work in the corner. Justin sit down powerbombs Spike for 1...2...nope. Spike catches Credible with a bodypress for a two count as Coachman says they're taking a red eye flight to Las Vegas for Raw. Love how they desperately are trying to convince people this is a live show.  Justin locks in a chinlock as Coach says imagine if Justin Credible and Spike Dudley have to wrestle in a Bra & Panties match. Of all the divas on the roster and you're thinking of those two guys? Spike goes for the sunset flip but Credible punches him in the head. Lita says she'll bring extra bra & panties for that...good lord. A double shoulderblock puts both men down as Coach starts babbling about Eric Bischoff. Spike rallies with forearms and lands an inverted atomic drop. Spike gets a bulldog and covers for 1..2...nope. Spike dropkicks Justin into the corner and he stomps on him. Spike takes a Bret Hart style sternum bump in the corner and Credible sets up for the superkick. Spike blocks it and executes an Acid Drop then covers for 1...2...3....to win the match. Short and sweet and Spike gets thrown a bone for once. Spike chills with some kids before we cut.


Time of match: 4:44 

Winner: Spike by pinfall



We cut to Terri Runnells who's with Raven. She asks him about his history with D-Lo Brown and Raven says the time is finally at hand. He closes his chapter with D-Lo and opens another one. For two years he's been scorned and scoffed at by people. Raven says the picture is complete and the time for his voice to be heard is now. He says his masterpiece will be revealed. Great, Raven Cezanne over here. Back from commercial our recap is Bubba Ray Dudley vs HHH, nice to see Bubba get some main event time. Before we go to break our Boot of The Week is Victoria clocking Trish with a chair on Raw. That's not a boot. Another commercial break and when we get back we get the Burn of The Night which was 3 Minute Warning terrorizing Lita before Jeff Hardy made the save. FINALLY, we get to our next match.



Match 3

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly

Two experienced women who know what they're doing, this should be good. Bell rings and instantly Coach talks about 3 Minute Warning beating up Jeff Hardy on Raw. Molly gets taken down and Lita literally has to say out loud she's trying to pay attention to the match but says Rosey and Jamal are scary. Again, don't blame Coach, blame the idiot in his ear telling him "Talk about Raw! Talk about Raw!" Molly gets decked with a shoulderblock and Jackie hits a nothern lights suplex for a two count. Jackie gets a backslide for a two count and Coach has to deviate from calling the match to talk about Victoria and Trish. I'm about 3 seconds from hitting the mute button and its not even Coach's fault. Molly throws Jackie over the top rope and Jackie skins the cat back in, ducks under Moly and hits a double underhook suplex. She covers for 1...2...nope. Molly drops Jackie on the second rope as Lita says we haven't seen THAT Victoria yet. Molly throws Jackie into the barricade outside but Jackie fights back inside the ring. Molly puts the boots to Jackie and rams her head into the mat. Molly hits a side backbreaker and covers for 1...2...nope. A charge in the corner by Molly eats elbow but Jackie throws Molly into the corner. A roll up gets a two count and Jackie drops Molly with forearms and a dropkick. Jackie decks Molly with a back elbow smash and covers for a two count as Coach then goes back to 3 Minute Warning....oh for Christ's sake. Jackie hits a huge spinning heel kick and covers for a deuce. Molly sets up Jackie on the top rope but Jackie hits a tornado DDT and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. That match was AWESOME with no rest holds and its a shame Coach was instructed to bring up as many Raw events as he could. As they say, don't hate the playa, hate the game. Great match and kudos to both women. Coach and Lita go to the replay and that was a great spot at the end.


Time of match: 3:57

Winner: Jackie by pinfall



Coach hypes up the main event of D-Lo vs Raven when we come back. Back from commercial the next recap segment is Kane beating Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Championship. We got commercial again and when we come back, we get a Randy Orton promo done in NFL Films style. Least it was unique. Finally let's get to our main event.



Match 4

D-Lo Brown vs Raven

What's the masterpiece Raven is talking about? D-Lo grabs a mic and says what up to all the dawgs in the D-Lo Nation. D-Lo says the only masterpiece will be Raven in the Sky High hall of fame. Bell's gone and Raven gets the upperhand in the corner then puts the boots to him. D-Lo reverses it and pounds away on Raven. D-Lo goes for a tackle but Raven keapfrogs him and D-Lo goes shoulder first into the ring post, falling to the floor. Raven outside hits a russian leg sweep into the barricade. Raven throws D-Lo inside and gets in a front facelock. D-Lo powers out of it and shoulderblocks Raven into the corner. Raven drops a knee to the back of D-Lo and covers for a deuce. Raven gets drop toe holded into the middle turnbuckle. D-Lo unloads with right hands and a dropkick. D-Lo does a scoop slam and drops the leg. D-Lo covers for a deuce then punches Raven in the corner. Raven ducks and uses the distraction to powerbomb D-Lo and go for the Flair pin for 1...2...nope.  Raven runs right into Sudden Impact (??) and D-Lo covers for 1...2....nooo. Raven staggers into the corner, D-Lo charges but eats boot. Raven charges but D-Lo goes for the Sky High. Raven blocks it and intentionally throws himself into referee Nick Patrick. With Patrick turned around, Raven uppercuts D-Lo in the gonads. Raven hits the Evenflow and covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Interesting how this was supposedly the feud ender and Raven gets the duke. Raven had less than 3 months to go on his contract but got a bone here. That wasnt as good as the women's match but still decent for crash style.


Time of match: 3:15

Winner: Raven by pinfall


Coach signs off and tells us to watch Raw Roulette tomorrow night live from Las Vegas. Amazing how we had four matches here when usually there's only three. I like it, the more wrestling and less recaps the better. In the old days, recap shows were useful because there was no internet too look up results so you either taped the live show or had to wait for the recap show. By 2002 the internet was evolving so the recap portions of Velocity and Heat were kind of moot. Richards vs Hurricane was okay, Spike vs Credible was okay, Molly vs Jackie was great and Raven/D-Lo was good. At least none of the matches sucked anyway. While Monday Night Raw is tomorrow night in Las Vegas, the stars of Smackdown had a house show in Tuscon, Arizona. I'll see you in Tucson.

Monday, September 23, 2002

WWE Monday Night Raw (9/23/02)



Oh are there changes aplenty for the roster of Monday Night Raw. The fallout of Unforgiven and the march to No Mercy begins tonight. Last night The Unamericans angle came to an unoffical end after Booker T, Goldust, Kane and Bubba Ray Dudley defeated the three Canadians and Englishman. 3 Minute Warning ended up defeating Billy and Chuck but Eric Bischoff got his comeuppance thanks to Rikishi in drag....yeah. Chris Jericho retained his Intercontinental championship against Ric Flair which inexplicably caused Ric to turn heel on Rob Van Dam and help Triple H retain the World Heavyweight Championship. We have a new Women's champion as Trish Stratus defeated Molly Holly to get back on top of the mountain. So where do we go from here? Let's find out. 


WWE Monday Night Raw
September 23, 2002
Arrowhead Pond
Anaheim, CA


Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler

Ring Announcer: Lillian Garcia


We don't waste any time, we get right to the first match.


Match 1

Molly Holly vs Victoria vs Trish Stratus for the WWE Women's Championship

Trish defeated Molly last night to win the title and show she has to fend off not only Molly but the insane Victoria as well. JR hypes up tonight's card which has Lance Storm and Christian defending the WWE Tag Team Championship against Kane and a mystery partner. We also got The Union Underground performing the Raw theme live with the Divas dancing....my how times have changed. Victoria doesn't even wait for Molly to make her entrance as she attacks Trish right from the get go. Molly sprints to the ring and throws Trish down. Trish gets double teamed and scoop slammed by Molly. Victoria does a Sabu style leg drop and Molly is impressed, very nice. Victoria kicks Molly by accident and Trish rolls up Victoria for a deuce. Victoria executes a back slide but Molly kicks Victoria off. They shove each other but deliver a back elbow to Trish. Victoria whips Trish into the corner and Molly does her handspring elbow and Victoria does a shoulder tackle in the corner. Victoria slaps Trish down but Trish ducks the line and delivers a double clothesline. Trish rallies against both of them and does a neckbreaker to Victoria. Chick Kick drops Molly and she does Stratusphere to Victoria off the top. Trish goes for the Stratusfaction but gets thrown over the top to the floor by Molly in a nasty bump. Victoria sneak attacks Molly and covers for 1....2..nope. We got to the replay of the bump as Victoria delivers a vertical suplex. Victoria goes up top but misses the moonsault. Trish slides back in and O'Connor rolls Molly for a two before Molly reverses it for a deuce. Trish kicks Molly into Victoria and rolls her up again for 1...2....3 to win the match. Short and sweet but that was great for crash style. Trish used the heels incompetence against them to walk out still the champ.


Time of match: 3:18

Winner: Trish Stratus by pinfall (still Women's champion)


Backstage Goldust and Booker T are in front of a monitor with Booker T saying they have a special presentation for the babyface locker room. In the crowd are Jeff Hardy, Big Show, Kane, Bubba Ray Dudley and Steven Richards. Booker says they got something scary and hideous, Stank Wars: Rikishi's Ass Strikes Back. Its basically last night's Unforgiven with Eric getting his comeuppance from Stephanie McMahon and Rikishi. Everyone loves Eric getting kicked and stink faced by Rikishi. Big Show "Oh that's nasty." Goldust "I haven't seen anything that bad an unbearable since Chris Jericho's last Fozzy concert." Hahahaha. Goldust says as a special bonus he's brought a portrait of Rikishi's ass imposed on a picture of Eric Bischoff. All of a sudden Rico sticks his head through the curtain (??) and says "That's disgusting, that's despicable, I'm telling Eric!" Bubba throws an empty wrapper at him and he leaves. The babyfaces are happy but for how long?

Back from commercial Eric Bischoff welcomes someone to the Raw roster but we don't know who it is. Rico walks in as the person walks off and says "What's he doing on Raw? I thought he was on Smackdown?" Guess Bischoff made a trade. Eric "THERE YOU ARE!" Eric screams at Rico for taking off last night. Rico squeals on Booker T and Goldust and says everyone was laughing at him. Eric says he's going to put an end to that right now. Jim Ross calls Rico a tattletale as we cut to ring side. Ross calls him an opportunist. Here comes an angry Eric to the ring for a chat. Eric yells at the fans and says when he had Stephanie laid out by 3 Minute Warning, the Smackdown stars ran out to save her but last night he got beat up by Rikishi and no one saved him. Well, he DID send 3 Minute Warning away. Eric says he got a call from Vince McMahon as the crowd chants "asshole!". Vince has put a freeze on the contracts meaning no more jumping between shows unless there's a trade. Eric says he cut a couple of deals before the deadline which means if you're on Raw, you belong to him. Eric says he wants Booker T out there now. Booker hits the ring in street clothes and laughs at him. Eric asks if he thinks this is funny and Booker says "You damn skippy hippie. Just because you let Rikishi use your face for toilet paper, don't blame me." Eric says he doesn't know who he's dealing with and Booker says he's sorry and asks "After last night, does HLA still stand for hot lesbian action or huge lumpy ass?" Booker "Step back, your breath is heinous like a fat man's anus, NOW CAN YOU DIG THAT SUCKAAAAAAA." Eric tells him to stop laughing and to show some respect. All of a sudden Rosey runs in and starts attacking before Eric could give the 3 minutes cue. Jamal hits the ring too and Booker wards them off but Rico attacks from behind. Booker takes him down but the numbers game becomes too much and they kick his ass. Goldust hits the ring to save Booker and he delivers a double clothesline but Rico holds his legs. They beat down Goldust too as the crowd boos. 

We cut to commercial and we come back to Eric celebrating with 3 Minute Warning in the back and saying that's what he wants to see. Eric says he's putting Booker and Goldust into singles competition and Rico volunteers to take out Booker. Chris Jericho walks up and is mad at Goldust for making fun of Fozzy. Eric says he's putting Chris against Goldust in an IC title match and says let's go celebrate. Eric, Rico, Jamal and Rosey walk off but Jericho stays behind stunned Eric made it a title match. Jericho "I never said anything about an Intercontinental championship match, Eric!" On to the next match.



Match 2

Jeff Hardy vs Big Show.

These guys were sitting next to each other like 10 minutes ago and now they're going at it. JR asks who Kane's mystery partner is for later as Show makes his entrance. Jeff attacks at ring side before Show can even get in. Show headbutts him and throws Jeff down. Show throws him inside but Jeff hits a suicide dive. Jeff continues to attack but Show press slams him down. Referee Nick Patrick tells them to get in. Big Show rolls Jeff in and finally gets in to officially start the match. Show clubs away at Jeff and delivers a slingshot front suplex on the top rope. Show drops a knee and stands on Jeff for 1....2....nope. Jeff dropkicks Show in the knee twice to knock him down and clubs away. Jeff goes upstairs and hits the Swanton. He rolls Show over and covers but Show heaves him off. A charge in the corner eats boot but Jeff ducks the line. Jeff just bounces off him as Ross says when motivated, Show can take out anyone. Show executes a rib breaker and chops him in the corner. Show does a backbreaker and does a double leg drop. Big Show does a big boot and sends Jeff into the corner who goes for a whil o whisp but Show catches him mid-air. Show turns it into a choke slam and covers for 1....2....3 to win the match. Hardy had no chance and Show pretty much squashed him. It did tell a story with Jeff attacking him before the bell to take Show off his game but it didn't work. If they were building up Big Show for Triple H in the future, they're doing a good job.


Time of match: 3:25

Winner: Big Show by pinfall


We go back two weeks to Christopher Nowinski getting his ass handed to him by Tommy Dreamer. King complains that Christopher was unarmed and we go to Christopher for an interview. Chris is in a classroom and says if Dreamer has the balls to face him, he'll be there to teach him a lesson; don't mess with a Harvard graduate. We go to a commercial where Pete Rose yells at kids trick or treating as wrestlers until the real Kane shows up. They squeezed that gag for years. Back from break Kane is doing pushups as King says Dreamer has answered the call. Nowinski wastes no time and beats up Tommy with the singapore cane. Dreamer fights back and they brawl all over the place. Dreamer dumps a bookcase on him and rams his head through the ceiling tiles. JR "I've never seen a course like this." King "He should be expelled." Nowinski gets the upper hand but Dreamer throws him almost through the wall. Dreamer hits him right in the jaw with the cane and says "Class dismissed." Way to keep the hardcore without the actual matches. JR says he'll be in the ring to introduce the newest Raw superstar when we come back from break. Back from break, Steven Richards gets in the ring for a match and JR gets in to introduce his opponent.....22 year old Randy Orton. 



Match 3

Steven Richards vs Randy Orton

Guess the guy Eric was talking to earlier was Randy Orton because he's Steven Richards mystery opponent. King sings the praises of Orton as he goes around slapping hands. If they were trying the Rocky Maivia route, this is NOT going to work. JR and Orton shake hands as JR leaves. Bell's gone as King calls Steven a whacko. Steven "I'll show you" and they lock up. Steven gets the upper hands with forearms and a right hand. Orton arm drags and scoop slams Steven then delivers a dropkick. Randy covers for a deuce as JR sings the praises of Orton. Randy misses a charge and eats a back suplex. JR "He's 6'5, 245 and only 22 and if he doesn't get injured he's only the third second generation wrestler." Oh he'll get injured alright, but that comes with the territory. King brings up the cast on Bob Orton Jr's arm he had forever as Steven goes to work on the back of Orton in the corner. Referee Jack Doan yells at Steven as JR compares Orton to The Rock. Writing this over 20 years later, Orton did reach the top of the mountain of WWE but wasn't quite on The Rock's level, mostly due to he was much better as a heel, which is no shame at all. Back to 2002, Orton rolls up Steven for a deuce but eats a clothesline. Steven stomps on Randy and does a sidewalk slam for a two count. Richards does a snap mare and locks in a full nelson clutch. Ross and King bring up Randy going AWOL in the military and learned from his mistakes. JR says losing Randy is a blow to Smackdown as Steven goes for a rude awakening but Randy counters with a back suplex. JR "I don't have a tattoo on my back! What are you looking at my back for anyway, dirty old man!" Orton almost takes Steven's head off with a lariat and backdrops Steven. Orton goes for the babyface come back but the crowd chants "we want puppies!" Orton really is pulling a Rocky Maivia as he does his signature side backbreaker. He covers for 1....2....noooo. Randy eats an elevated DDT and Steven covers for 1....2....nope. Orton catches Steven with a powerslam but the cover only gets two. Orton eats a Stevie Kick and Steven covers for 1..2....nooooo. Steven covers again for a two count and he throws a temper tantrum, ripping his elbow pads off. Steven chokes Orton in the corner and sends him across the ring, but eats knee. Steve whips Orton up and over to avoid a charge and Randy hits the top rope crossbody for 1...2....3 to win the match. King "This kid is phenomenal."  JR sings Randy's praises again and its only going to get better for Randy. The babyface act isn't going to work but once he gets a character, the sky is the limit.


Time of match: 7:01

Winner: Orton by pinfall


We cut to the back to Ric Flair walking and JR says he owes us an explanation. Back from commercial, Lillian Garcia introduces The Union Underground performing Across The Nation, the Raw theme. As badass as Thorn In Your Eye was, that song was recorded in 1995 and its 2002, they needed a new theme. The band performs with the Divas dancing. Terri Runnells doesn't really look into it since its not a really a song to dance to while Jacqueline does her best. Lillian looks like she's just enjoying the song but Stacy Keibler being the former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader steals the show. Tremendous camera work has Stacy grinding on top of the camera to a huge pop. I know Jackie, Terri and Lillian were there for support but they were better off with just Stacy. That was essentially a waste of 5 minutes as King creams his pants, but at least Stacy made it worth watching. 

Here comes Ric Flair for a chat about his actions last night. Flair says Triple H made him realize something. He said Flair had lost his passion, his guts and his instinct. He even looked him in the eye and said he was pathetic. Flair says Triple H was right because he cared more about the fans than he cared about himself. He was trying to be a mentor to guys that didn't want his help or advice anyway. Flair says Triple H grew up wanting to be just like him which makes a hell of a lot more sense than him "idolizing Hulk Hogan" back in April. Flair sings Triple H's praises and says its his job to take him to another level. Flair and HHH are gonna ride as high as he can go if he wants it. Flair goes into classic Ric and says he's gonna teach him how to be the World Heavyweight Champion as long as he wants. He just wants to be by his side so he can end his career the way he started it, on top. A pissed off, taped up Rob Van Dam makes his way out as Flair laughs at him. Ric "You found out first hand why I'm the dirtiest player in the game." HHH attacks RVD from behind and sends him into the steel steps. Flair and Hunter double team Rob in the ring. HHH grabs a mic and says "You don't get it do you? You can't win, you are done." Bubba Ray Dudley runs in to help his ECW buddy and gets taken down by HHH and Flair as well. Bubba is sent outside and they continue to assault Rob Van Dam. Bubba grabs a chair and the heels retreat. What made this work was HHH always was better at being a classic heel just like Flair and having him as a mentor extends his cerebral assassin character. With Stephanie on Smackdown, DX gone and Vince off TV, HHH needed another heel to draw heat with and Flair fits perfectly.

Back from break Jonathan Coachman catches up with an irate Bubba Ray Dudley. Bubba says "enough is enough and he's tired of hearing and seeing Triple H. This is not the Triple H or Ric Flair show, this is Raw. This is the fans show. I'll be damned if I have to sit through one more HHH or Ric Flair speech." Rob walks out and says let's go kick their asses. The ECW guys walk into Bischoff and Eric says its MY show. Eric says they'll face HHH and Flair in tag team action tonight. There's our main event. Eric makes a crack that Rob's ribs will be a target for Hunter and Flair. On to the next match.



Match 4

Goldust vs Chris Jericho for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Jericho stepped up to defend Eric Bischoff's honor and takes on Goldust even though he's not happy Eric made it a title match. King says Goldust may not be 100 percent after being attacked by 3 Minute Warning but no matter. Bell's gone and they circle to start. Its funny how these two went parallel to each other as Dustin left WCW a year before Jericho got there and Goldust left to back to WCW in June of 99 a few months before Jericho made his WWF debut. Goldust slaps Y2J to start and delivers a drop toe hold. He hiptosses Chris and hits him with Ass To Mouth. Jericho gets a thumb to the eye and chops Goldust against the ropes. Chris goes for a dropkick but Goldust counters with a slingshot into the corner. King brings up Goldust is no stranger to the building as he fought Roddy Piper here at Wrestlemania 12. Hard to believe these days but Wrestlemania up until 2008 were held in normal arenas including the Hartford Civic Center, Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden and Arrowhead Pond. King brings up Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart as Jericho does a reverse neckbreaker. Jericho goes to a nerve hold as King quips JR about Fozzy. Jericho clubs away at Goldust in the corner but Goldust fights out of it. Jericho drops Goldust with an elbow to the face and trash talks him. Y2J stuns Goldust onto the top rope and chokes him on the middle one. Jericho jumps on Goldust as JR hypes up the main event and Kane's mystery partner. Jericho stomps away at Goldust in the corner but a charge eats elbow. Another neckbreaker gets a two with Y2J's feet on the ropes and they slug it out again. Chris eats a huge lariat and then another clothesline. Jericho runs into a modified Bossman slam for a two count. The Goldust Uppercut stuns Chris but Chris rolls through the Curtain Call. A powerslam by Goldust gets a long two count and he counters Jericho's bulldog attempt by crotching him on the second rope in the corner. Goldust goes for Shattered Dreams but Chris pulls the ref in the way. Goldust throws the ref out of the way as JR says that wasn't smart. Chris catches Goldust with an enziguiri and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Goldust almost makes it to the ropes but Y2J pulls him back to the center of the ring. Goldust gives it up and Jericho retains. Good effort by Goldust but Y2J wins it. Good match even if it was a spur of the moment type decision.


Time of match: 6:39

Winner: Jericho by pinfall (still IC champion)


Back from break we see Meredith Brooks in the crowd who had a number 1 hit "Bitch" back in the 90's. Some idiot next to her photobombs her which is kind of funny. The Unamericans hit the ring with William Regal in tow. Kane comes out and his mystery partner is.....The Hurricane?



Match 5

Kane and The Hurricane vs Lance Storm and Christian (with William Regal) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Apparently The Hurricane has jumped ship from Smackdown which kind of renders what Eric said about Vince being unhappy with the brand switches useless. Either way we got a title match so let's get to it. Bell rings as JR brings up Kane's crew beating The Unamericans last night. Hurricane slugs it out with Christian and Hurricane sends him into the corner. Hurricane gets in a blockbuster on Christian and a neckbreaker on Storm. Kane tags in and cleans house, slamming Christian on top of Storm. Kane rocket launches Hurricane into the heels and Hurricane slugs away at Christian. Regal trips up Hurricane and pulls him outside only to get decked. Christian hits a baseball slide and they quickly triple team Hurricane. Back inside Christian gets a foot on Hurricane's neck. Storm tags in and the crowd loudly chants USA. The champs double team and isolate Hurricane and Christian gets a backbreaker on him. Kane breaks up the pinfall attempt and Christian locks in a chinlock. Hurricane powers out of it but eats a boot to the stomach. Christian delivers a reverse backbreaker and covers for a deuce. Hurricane rallies with right hands and delivers the Hurricane Elbow. Storm tags in but Hurricane gets the tag to Kane. King asks why Kane chose HIM of all people and Kane gets double teamed by Christian and Storm. Kane drops both with a double clothesline and goes upstairs. He hits the flying clothesline on Storm and signals for the chokeslam. Suddenly Test hits the ring to distract referee Nick Patrick and Regal waffles Kane with the title belt. Shouldn't the mask block the impact? Storm covers for 1.....2...nope. Regal and Test can't believe it. They go to rush the ring but Nick Patrick steps between them and throws them both out. Referees Jack Doan and Charles Robinson run out and shoo Regal & Test away. Back inside Christian stomps away on Kane but Hurricane hits a Hurracarana off the top. Storm hits a dropkick on Christian by accident and Kane and Hurricane do a double chokeslam. Kane covers Storm for 1...2....three and we got new tag team champions. Love how The Unamericans were on TV for two months and Hurricane beats them on his first night. JR calls them The Green Machine and the Big Red Machine. Kind of a weird match but it served its purpose as we have new tag team champions. The Unamericans storyline was coming to an end while Kane was being elevated for a reason we'd find out eventually...ugh.


Time of match: 6:27

Winners: Kane and Hurricane by pinfall (new tag team champions)


Backstage Terri is with the new champ and she asks why Kane chose him. Hurricane says they're the perfect match. They both wear masks, use the chokeslam and have great physiques. "Wazzupwitdat!" Hurricane says he's been looking for a sidekick then says he's only joking when Kane puts his hand over Hurricane's mouth. Kane says he picked him because he's a freak just like him and the Kane-enites. Kane says freaks are cool and Hurricane wants to celebrate. Kane kisses Terri and screams happily, yikes, don't tell Goldust. Hurricane says "All Ameri-Kane" and runs off with him. Kane being treated as a joke doesn't really work long term but it sure is funny. Coach is in the heel locker room with The Unamericans and asks what happened. Christian says the belts were stolen by American incompetence and they're not gonna take it. Regal says the only ones to blame are themselves and they don't want to whine like Americans. "Its time to regroup". Regal says the interview is over and PISS OFF! Ha! On to the next match.



Match 6

Booker T vs Rico

3 Minute Warning attacked Booker and Goldust earlier and now Booker gets his hands on Rico. Rico still has the Billy & Chuck theme but Booker attacks him at the bell. Rico slugs it out but walks right into an axe kick. Booker punches away at Rico and King says Rico is tougher than he looks and Rico punches back at Booker. Rico goes to work in the corner with punches and kicks and does the X-Pac Kid. Rico covers for a deuce and King says he wants to see a Rico-roonie. Rico continues to kick away at Booker but eats an elbow smash. Booker rallies with knock down blows but gets a thumb to an eye. Rico goes off the ropes but Booker counters with the axe kick. Booker does the spinaroonie and does the scissors kick. He covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Booker has no time to celebrate as Rosey and Jamal attack. Booker holds his own until the numbers game gets too much. Rico holds back the ref, Rosey holds Booker and Jamal hits the top rope splash. Goldust runs in and gets beaten up again in a mirror image of earlier in the show. Goldust does rally and uses miscommunication to get the upper hand on Rosey and Jamal. Goldust does manage to hit Shattered Dreams on Rico much to the crowd's delight but Rosey and Jamal once again gets the upperhand. 3 Minute Warning leaves Goldust and booker sprawled out for the second time tonight to establish that they're mean fellas.



Time of match: 2:06

Winner: Booker T by pinfall


Back from break Goldust and Booker are being hauled off by the referees. Eric taunts them and says Raw is coming to Houston next week and puts them against 3 Minute Warning. Booker says "You are what you eat and I think you're an asshole." King "He can't say that?" JR "He just did." We cut to Bubba Dudley and RVD talking about their match. Rob says he's passionate about facing HHH and Ric. "They took my IC title and my shot at the World Championship. They took everything." He says it doesn't matter if he's hurt, he's got nothing left to lose. Bubba is down with it as we cut to commercial. Back from break, its time for the main event.



Match 7

Bubba Ray Dudley and Rob Van Dam vs World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

The ECW guys face Hunter and Ric as JR says Rob's got a busted gut from the sledgehammer shot. Bell's gone and referee Earl Hebner tells everyone to clear out. HHH attacks Bubba in the corner but gets reversed in the corner. Bubba hits a backdrop and knocks Flair off the apron. Flair tags in and its been 4 months since Flair worked heel in London against the departed Steve Austin. Flair is wearing black tights with purple boots, so much for coordination. Bubba drops Ric with right hands and goes to tag in RVD to get him some, but Ric retreats to the corner to tag in The Game. HHH rallies with right hands in the corner on Bubba and tags in Flair. Ric chops Bubba in the corner but Bubba counters with chops of his own. Flair flips in the corner then eats a backdrop. Bubba tags in Rob and Rob goes to work with right hands and a spinning heel kick. Rob slugs away at Ric in the corner and shoulderblocks him. He monkey flips Flair and goes upstairs. He hits a dropkick off the top then drops an interfering HHH. He hits rolling thunder on HHH but sells his injuries. Flair gets a thumb to the eye and Triple H drops him with a clothesline. Flair leaves without tagging out and Hunter sets Rob up for a back suplex off the top. Rob knocks him off with an elbow but misses the split legged moonsault.  Rob does an enziguiri as both men make the tag. Bubba drops Flair and knocks HHH off the apron. Bubba backdrops Flair and delivers a samoan drop on HHH. He hits a sidewalk slam on Flair and covers but HHH breaks up the count. Bubba does a double clothesline and does double Dusty punches and a Dusty elbow to both men. Flair is no stranger to that. Bubba clotheslines HHH over the top to the outside and scoop slams Flair. Rob comes off the top with the wazzup leg drop and Rob says to get the tables. Bubba gets a table and throws it inside as Flair begs off. Bubba and Rob set the table up and put Flair on it. Rob goes upstairs but HHH sends him crashing to the barricade. Bubba punches HHH on the apron but Ric delivers a knee to the back. HHH snaps Bubba off the top rope and Flair rolls him up for 1....2...3 to win the match. Big win for Flair as a heel but Bubba gets up quickly to beat up HHH. Flair chopblocks Bubba and throws him outside. HHH throws Rob in the ring and gets the sledgehammer.  Bubba hits a low blow on HHH and heaves Flair over the top. Bubba powerbombs HHH off the side of the table....whoops! Rob saves face by putting HHH on the table and does a top rope legdrop through the table. Good to keep to kayfabe by not hurting his ribs and instead going for the legdrop. Bad match but it does set up the future with Flair and HHH as top heels, something Flair is very familiar with.


Time of match: 7:08

Winners: HHH and Flair by pinfall


We fade to black with HHH laid out and that was a pretty good Raw all things considering. We got two new faces in Randy Orton and The Hurricane and Eric is on the warpath after being humiliated at Unforgiven. We do have new potential opponents for HHH in Big Show and Bubba Ray Dudley as we head for No Mercy....and I wish we stayed on this path. Instead, Vince McMahon called an audible and what we got for No Mercy was 10 times worse than what this Raw was heading toward. But that's a story for another time. As of now we got new top heels, new tag team champions and two new faces. Smackdown's in ring work was second to none and Raw had to respond with characters. Kind of like WWF vs NWA in the 80's, which is what SHOULD have happened a year earlier. We also got Trish on the run from Victoria and Molly Holly and a feud between Tommy Dreamer and Chris Nowinski developing. We got a Smackdown and Velocity taping in two days but no house shows in between, so I'll see yall on Smackdown as they have their fallout show after Unforgiven.

Saturday, September 21, 2002

WWE at Selland Arena (9/21/02)



Selland Arena
Fresno, CA
September 21, 2002


We are just one day away from Unforgiven but there's some unfinished business to attend to first. We got a Saturday double shot of house shows and the stars of Raw comes to live from Fresno. Our Unforgiven card from the Raw side of things is set so let's see what happened the day before.



Match 1

Steven Richards vs Spike Dudley

ECW alumni to start the show and Steven blocks the Acid Drop, taking it with the Stevie Kick.


Winner: Richards by pinfall



Match 2

Tommy Dreamer vs Raven

More ECW to start the night as Dreamer wins it with the Dreamer Driver. Hey wait, wasn't the whole schtick that Dreamer couldn't beat Raven?


Winner: Dreamer by pinfall 



Match 3

Trish Stratus and Jacqueline vs Victoria and Molly Holly

Stacy Keibler is the special guest referee and Trish's team wins it. Trish pinned the champ after the Stratusfaction.


Winners: Trish and Jackie by pinfall 



Match 4

Rob Van Dam vs Chris Jericho for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Kind of weird to put your pay-per-view main eventer against the IC champ one day before the show. Even stranger is Jericho wins with the Walls. Good thing this wasn't on TV.


Winner: Jericho by submission (still IC Champion)



Match 5

Shelton Benjamin, Johnny Stamboli and Mark Jindrak vs Justin Credible, Shawn Stasiak and Christopher Nowinsky

Six man tag mostly for filler than anything else. Benjamin got the pin with a dragon whip on Stasiak.


Winners: Benjamin, Stamboli and Jindrak by pinfall



Match 6

Big Show vs D-Lo Brown

D-Lo goes from Raven to Big Show and it does not end well. Big Show wins it with the chokeslam.


Winner: Big Show by pinfall



Match 7

Jeff Hardy vs William Regal

Same match as last week only not as short. Hardy wins it with a roll-up.


Winner: Hardy by pinfall



Match 8

Goldust and Booker T vs Lance Storm and Christian for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match

Same match as last week's circuit with almost the same result. Christian pins Booker with Storm holding the foot down for the first fall. Booker pinned Christian 15 seconds later with the axe kick and Christian pinned Goldust after Test interfered, hitting Goldust with the big boot.


Winners: Storm & Christian by pinfall (still tag team champions)



Kind of weird to have the exact same card as last week's circuit but then again, we got a PPV tomorrow night so they're probably going to implement new matches for next week's circuit. They're trying like hell to get Shelton Benjamin over on the houses and it definitely worked. While this show was going on, the stars of Smackdown were in San Jose for their own show. I'll see you there.

Sunday, September 15, 2002

WWE Sunday Night Heat (9/15/02)



WWE Sunday Night Heat
Hilton Coliseum
Ames, IA
September 15, 2002


Commentators: Jonathan Coachman & D-Lo Brown

Ring Announcer: Howard Finkel



We are one week away from Unforgiven and the big showdown between WWE Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. We really don't have other matches signed but maybe Heat will tell us something tonight. Now I couldn't find the recaps to this one so it'll be straight matches. Let's get to it.



Match 1

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly for the WWE Women's Championship

This has been the match featured on the house shows leading up to this one, only no Stacy Keibler or Victoria on television. Jacqueline circles as Coachman IMMEDIATELY starts babbling about Raw and even Smackdown. Jackie rolls up Molly for a deuce and she gets a good cheer for that. Jackie gets a headlock and shoulderblocks Molly down. Jackie blocks a hiptoss and hits one of her own. Jackie hits a headscissors on Molly and Holly begs off. Molly rams Jackie into the buckle and delivers a dropkick, Molly hits a suplex and covers for two as D-Lo says Chris Nowinsky can't seal the deal with Molly. Molly chokes Jackie on the second rope then the top rope before delivering a snap mare. Molly covers for a deuce and hits a big forearm. Jackie catches her with a sunset flip for 1...2..no. Molly drops Jackie with a clothesline and taunts the irate crowd. Molly kicks away at Jackie and hits a side backbreaker. Molly covers for 1..2....no. Molly misses the handspring elbow and Jackie does her comeback with clotheslines. Jackie hits a flying back elbow and covers for 1..2...no. Jackie rams Molly's head in the buckle and goes to the second rope. Jackie does five punches but Molly trips her up and gets the Flair pin for 1..2...3 to win the match. That was great for crash style and its nice to see a straight women's match without Trish pulling Molly's pants down or one of the other divas stinking up the ring. Ironically this was the same ending as the house shows, good stuff.


Time of match: 3:44

Winner: Molly by pinfall (still Women's champion)



We cut directly backstage to Raven with Howard Finkel. Last week Howard was trying to get in Raven's good graces. This time Howard is talking trash about Lilian Garcia and Raven is bored out of his mind. Thankfully Johnny Stamboli shows up and Raven says Howard is harmless. Stamboli says he took out D-Lo Brown for money and now he wants it. Raven says he paid him in opportunity to display ruthless aggression, not money. Raven wants to be paid instead and he puts his arm around him. Raven says he likes Johnny and he's giving him a chance to do it again, only this time, he faces Raven himself. Stamboli says consider it done and he says Raven will pay him today. He slaps Raven in the face and says "capice?" Raven did NOT like that. Coming up later its going to be Shawn Stasiak against D-Lo Brown. Since we got no recaps on this one, its on to our next match.



Match 2

Justin Credible vs Shelton Benjamin

Shelton beat Shawn Stasiak last week and now he gets the former ECW Champion Justin Credible here. Coach and D-Lo say Credible NEEDS a win here. Shelton's theme song is "All about the Benjamins", not exactly his 2004 iconic theme but still catchy. Hell, Coach says there's no stopping Benjamin. Credible attacks at the bell but Shelton sees him coming, rallying with right hands. Justin begs off until getting a thumb to the eye. Justin gets a headlock and drops Shelton with a shoulderblock. Shelton rallies with arm drags and a scoop slam. Shelton rams Credible's head into the mat and covers for 1..2...no. Shelton hits an armdrag and D-Lo compares it to Ricky Steamboat's. The front row starts an ECW chant as Credible chops Shelton in the corner. Credible misses an up and over and walks into a gorilla press slam. Shelton covers for 1...2...no. Shelton punches away in the corner and Credible hits the superkick to drop Benjamin. Credible covers for 1...2...no, Coach says he waited too long. Credible kicks away at Shelton and knees him in the ribs. Justin shoulderblocks in the corner and hits a stomachbreaker. Credible covers for a one count and stomps away at him. Credible does an abdominal stretch as Coach brings us the rest of tonight's card. Shelton hiptosses out of it but Benjamin hits a Russian leg sweep. D-Lo admires Shelton's quickness and Shelton rallies with right hands. Shelton hits a flying back elbow and a big inverted atomic drop. He covers for two but a charge in the corner eats Credible's boot. Shelton hits the t-bone taz plex and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Good showing by Benjamin who's definitely going to be on the main roster sooner or later.


Time of match: 4:04

Winner: Benjamin by pinfall



Up next is Raven vs Johnny Stamboli and without the recaps, we go right to it.



Match 3

Raven vs Johnny Stamboli

Least there's somewhat of a story here with Stamboli working as a mercenary for Raven against D-Lo Brown only for Raven to deny payment. Stamboli is here to collect. We're shown Big Show throwing Stambolia cross the room on Raw for some stupid reason. You're supposed to build him up on this show, why show that? Bell's gone and they go nose to nose to start. Coach brings up how Bradshaw tore his bicep on Raw and will be out 4 to 6 months. Stamboli forearms Raven in the corner as Bradshaw jokingly told Coach that he tore his left bicep so he can still drink beer with his right. Ha! Stamboli drops Raven with right hands and a press slam into a stomach breaker. Stamboli clotheslines Raven over the top rope to the floor as D-Lo roots for Stamboli. Coach then babbles on about the gay wedding from Smackdown as Stamboli's charge into the corner back inside, eats boot. Raven slingshots Stamboli into the bottom rope and pounds away on the forearm. Coach says they need to take a red eye flight to Colorado which is hilarious since this was taped 6 days ago. Raven gets in a side headlock and Stamboli powers out of it, kicking Raven in the ribs. Stamboli kicks away but Raven hits a drop toe hold that sends Stamboli outside. Raven does a Russian leg sweep against the barricade and rolls him inside. Raven does the top rope knee to the neck and covers for 1...2....no. Stamboli catches him with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Stamboli fires away with right hands and an atomic drop. Stamboli hits a heel kick and sends him into the corner. Stamboli hits a clothesline and a neckbreaker from the second rope. He covers for two but Stamboli hits a tilt-a-whirl slam, covering for 1...2...no. Stamboli goes for a spinebuster but Raven turns it into the Evenflow in mid-air. He covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. THAT was good! D-Lo scoffs on commentary but gotta give the devil his due. That final spot was pretty cool.


Time of match: 5:13

Winner: Raven by pinfall



With no recaps, we go right to our main event.



Match 4

Shawn Stasiak vs D-Lo Brown

D-Lo leaves the broadcast booth for this one and gets a decent pop. Bell rings and D-Lo circles with Shawn. Coach says Stasiak has pretty much dumped the Planet Stasiak gimmick as D-Lo gets a huge pop. Stasiak shoulderblocks D-Lo down and taunts the irate crowd. Coach hypes up Unforgiven next week as Stasiak hits another shoulder block but runs into a hiptoss. D-Lo hits an armdrag and dropkick to big cheers. Stasiak punches away as Coach gives a shoutout to 9/11 survivors on the one year anniversary of it. D-Lo misses a charge in the corner and Stasiak pounds away on D-Lo. Coach says Eric Bischoff is going to be in rare form tomorrow night on Raw after his HLA stunt and gay wedding crash last week. Stasiak gets a cover for 1...2...,no. Stasiak stomps on the left arm of D-Lo and locks in an arm-bar. D-Lo pounds a mat to get a clap/chant for him. D-Lo runs into a back elbow smash and Shawn covers for 1...2..no. Shawn punches away at Brown and gets a knee to the ribs. D-Lo ducks the line and hits a reverse neckbreaker. D-Lo rallies with a clothesline, dropkick and scoop slam. Coach gets excited for the Shaky Shaky leg-drop and D-Lo covers for 1.....2..no. Stasiak hits an inverted DDT and covers for 1...2..no. D-Lo slingshots Stasiak in the corner but Shawn counters the sky-high with a knee to the ribs. Shawn punches away in the corner and hits a powerslam for 1...2....no. Stasiak can't believe it and goes for a line but D-Lo ducks hit, hitting a stun gun. Stasiak walks right into Sky High for 1...2...3 to win the match. D-Lo gets a big pop in a decent match. Coach says join us next Sunday for Unforgiven as we sign off.


Time of match: 5:04

Winner: D-Lo Brown by pinfall



That was a solid show all around with good crash style matches and a little bit of a story with Stamboli/Raven. That's all you need sometimes. Like Velocity has the big four of Albert, Funaki, Kidman and Tajiri every week, Heat has D-Lo Brown, Raven, Stamboli and Stasiak. Unlike Velocity, at least Heat has just enough story to make it interesting. How long that lasts? Who knows. The next show after this is a special Smackdown house show in Salt Lake City, Utah. I'll see you there.

WWE at Laramie Arena Auditorium (9/15/02)



Laramie Arena Auditorium
Laramie, WY
September 15, 2002


The stars of Raw made their way to the middle of Wymoming for this special Sunday house show. Why Vince had these guys in Wyoming instead of home with their families is the cross he has to bear. Rob Van Dam is the number one contender to Triple H at Unforgiven and the Unamericans added William Regal to the mix. Let's see how this one plays out.



Match 1

Steven Richards vs Tommy Dreamer

Same match as yesterday with the exact same result. Dreamer wins with a DDT.


Winner: Dreamer by pinfall



Match 2

William Regal vs Jeff Hardy

Same match as the last two days with the same result, Hardy wins quickly with a roll up.


Winner: Hardy by pinfall



Match 3

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly for the WWE Women's Championship

Same match as the last two days with the same stipulations. Victoria was the guest referee and Stacy Keibler was the guest ring announcer. Molly wins with her feet on the ropes in plain view.


Winner: Molly by pinfall (still Women's Champion)



Match 4

Ric Flair vs Chris Jericho in a Street Fight

Same match as the last two days with the same result. Jericho wins with the Walls of Jericho.


Winner: Jericho by submission



Match 5

Spike Dudley and Jeff Hardy vs 3 Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey)

Same match as yesterday because of the same situation. Bradshaw was supposed to be Spike's partner but he tore his bicep. Hardy was attacked by Regal setting up Spike to be pinned by Jamal. Bubba Ray Dudley came out to even the odds following the match.


Winner: Jamal & Rosey by pinfall



Match 6

Shawn Stasiak, Justin Credible and Christopher Nowinsky vs D-Lo Brown, Shelton Benjamin and Johnny Stamboli

Same match from the last two days with the same result, D-Lo pins Stasiak with the Sky High.


Winners: D-Lo, Shelton and Stamboli by pinfall



Match 7

Test vs Bubba Ray Dudley

The number two contender to Triple H takes on the muscle of the Unamericans again. Bubba wins with the Bubba Bomb.


Winner: Bubba by pinfall



Match 8

Booker T and Goldust vs Lance Storm and Christian in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the World Tag Team Championship

Same match as the last two days with the same result. Storm pinned Booker with Christian holding the leg for the first fall. Booker took the second fall with a scissors kick on Christian. Test then interfered and hit Goldust with the big boot allowing Storm to get the pin.


Winners: Lance and Christian 2 falls to 1 (still WWE Tag Team Champions)



Match 9

Kane vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

With HHH busy with Rob Van Dam at Unforgiven, they feed Kane to Hunter on the house shows. HHH wins it after hitting Kane with a chair.


Winner: HHH by pinfall (still World Heavyweight Champion)



That concludes the house show circuit on the Raw end for the weekend. They can officially write Bradshaw off since he's out with a torn bicep. This Monday night will bring new matches now that we're a week away from Unforgiven. While this show was going on, the stars of Smackdown were in Billings, Montana for their own house show. I'll see you there.

Saturday, September 14, 2002

WWE at Casper Events Center (9/14/02)



Casper Events Center
Casper, WY
September 14, 2002


Shockingly Smackdown did NOT have a Saturday house show so the stars of Raw ended up in Casper, Wyoming of all places for their Saturday show. Last night's card seemed interesting so tonight's card should be more of the same, just in Wyoming. Let's get to it.



Match 1

Steven Richards vs Tommy Dreamer

Same match from last night, Dreamer wins it with a DDT.


Winner: Dreamer by pinfall



Match 2

Jeff Hardy vs William Regal

Same match as last night with the same result. Hardy beats Regal in a minute with a roll up.


Time of match: 1:00

Winner: Hardy by pinfall



Match 3

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly for the WWE Women's Championship

Stacy Keibler is the special guest announcer and Victoria is the special guest referee. Just like last night, Molly wins with her feet on the ropes in plain view of Victoria.


Winner: Holly by pinfall (still Women's champion)



Match 4

Spike Dudley and Jeff Hardy vs 3 Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey)

This was supposed to be Bradshaw and Spike but Bradshaw tore his bicep and was out. Spike brought out Jeff Hardy to be partner....which now makes sense as why he only went one minute with Regal. Same result from last night, Regal takes Hardy out of this match leaving Spike by himself. Jamal pinned him after the top rope splash but Bubba Ray Dudley made the save after the match.


Winners: 3 Minute Warning by pinfall




Match 5

Ric Flair vs Chris Jericho in a No DQ Match

Same match from last night only they're not in St. Louis, so they just named it a No DQ match. Jericho takes it with the Walls of Jericho.


Winner: Jericho by submission



Match 6

Shawn Stasiak, Justin Credible and Christopher Nowinski vs Johnny Stamboli, Shelton Benjamin and D-Lo Brown

Same match as last night with the same result, D-Lo pinned Stasiak after a Sky High.


Winners: Brown, Benjamin and Stamboli by pinfall



Match 7

Test vs Bubba Ray Dudley

Same match as last night with the exact same night.


Winner: Bubba by pinfall



Match 8

Booker T and Goldust vs Lance Storm and Christian in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships

Same match as last night with a slightly different result....the first fall anyway. Storm pinned Booker for the first fall, Booker pinned Christian with the scissors kick for the second fall and Test interfered to hit the big boot on Goldust. Christian pinned Goldust to win the match.


Winners: Christian and Storm 2 Falls to 1 (still Tag Team Champions)



Match 9

Kane vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

Same match from last night with the same result. Kane hit with a chair, HHH gets the pin.


Winner: HHH by pinfall (still World Heavyweight Champion)



Same card from last night with only minor changes including match placement. Made more sense to have Hardy come out later for the tag match rather than directly after, even though it was a one minute effort against Regal. Without the worthless storylines and Bischoff's non-stop mugging for the camera, this would have been easier to sit through than a standard Raw going on at the time. The next show after this is tonight's Velocity. I'll see you there!

Friday, September 13, 2002

WWE at Savvis Center (9/13/02)

 


Savvis Center
St. Louis, MO
September 13, 2002


The stars of Raw made their way to the Savvis Center in the heart of St. Louis. Last Monday's Raw established Rob Van Dam as the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship while still holding the Intercontinental Championship. The Unamericans added William Regal and 3 Minute Warning is wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Let's see how this weekend's circuit looks like.



Match 1

Steven Richards vs Tommy Dreamer

The ECW alumni go one on one again. Dreamer wins it with the DDT.


Winner: Dreamer by pinfall



Match 2

Shawn Stasiak, Justin Credible and Christopher Nowinski vs Johnny Stamboli, Shelton Benjamin and D-Lo Brown

Mix of veterans and rookies in this hodge podge. Spoiler alert, only two of these guys would still be here 10 months from now. D-Lo pinned Stasiak after a Sky High.


Winners: Brown, Benjamin and Stamboli by pinfall



Match 3

Jacqueline vs Molly Holly for the WWE Women's Championship

Stacy Keibler is the special guest announcer and Victoria is the special guest referee. Naturally Molly wins with her feet on the ropes in plain view of Victoria.


Winner: Holly by pinfall (still Women's champion)



Match 4

Test vs Bubba Ray Dudley

The muscle of the Unamericans takes on the Number 2 contender behind Rob Van Dam. Bubba wins it with the Bubba Bomb.


Winner: Bubba by pinfall



Match 5

Ric Flair vs Chris Jericho in a St. Louis Streetfight

Ric Flair is no stranger to St. Louis, wrestling for years at the Kiel Auditorium. Unfortunately for him, Y2J wins it with the Walls of Jericho.


Winner: Jericho by submission



Match 6

William Regal vs Jeff Hardy

This match was short and sweet as one minute into the match, Regal dug in his tights for the brass knuckles but Hardy rolled him up for the pin.


Time of match: 1:00

Winner: Hardy by pinfall



Match 7

Spike Dudley and Jeff Hardy vs 3 Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey)

This was supposed to be Bradshaw and Spike but Bradshaw tore his bicep and was out. Spike brought out Jeff Hardy to be partner....which now makes sense as why he only went one minute with Regal. Speaking of Regal, he took Hardy out of this match leaving Spike by himself. Jamal pinned him after the top rope splash but Bubba Ray Dudley made the save after the match.


Winners: 3 Minute Warning by pinfall



Match 8

Booker T and Goldust vs Lance Storm and Christian in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships

Old school tag title match with 2 out of 3 falls. Storm pinned Goldust for the first fall with Christian holding the foot down, Booker pinned Christian with the scissors kick for the second fall and Test interfered to hit the big boot on Goldust. Christian pinned Goldust to win the match.


Winners: Christian and Storm 2 Falls to 1 (still Tag Team Champions)



Match 9

Kane vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

Naturally Rob Van Dam is named number one contender and isn't even on the card. HHH hit Kane with a chair and rolled him up for the pin.


Winner: HHH by pinfall (still World Heavyweight Champion)



Kind of an interesting card and it must have been a lot better without the god awful storylines that plague television these days. The street fight might have been fun, 2 out of 3 falls always tell a story and the main event was definitely foreshadowing. Still, the lack of talent on Raw was a problem that wouldn't be addressed for a long time. Shockingly Smackdown did NOT have a Saturday house show so the next show would be Raw's trip to Casper, Wyoming. I'll see you there.

Sunday, September 8, 2002

WWE at US Cellular Arena (9/8/02)



US Cellular Arena
Cedar Rapids, IA
September 8, 2002


The stars of Raw head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a house show on this Sunday evening. Raw's main event for the upcoming Unforgiven pay-pew-view might be Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam vs World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. Let's see what else Raw has to offer on the house show circuit.


Match 1

Spike Dudley vs Johnny Stamboli

Same match from last week with the same result. Spike wins with the Acid Drop.


Winner: Dudley by pinfall



Match 2

Justin Credible vs Shelton Benjamin

Same match from last week and Benjamin wins it with the dragon whip.


Winner: Benjamin by pinfall



Match 3

D-Lo Brown vs Raven

Same match as all week and this time D-Lo wins it with the Lo Down.


Winner: D-Lo by pinfall



Match 4

Steven Richards vs Bradshaw

The ECW alumni gets his head taken off by the clothesline from hell. Bradshaw wins.


Winner: Bradshaw by pinfall



Match 5

Trish Stratus and Jacqueline vs Victoria and WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly

Stacy Keibler was the special guest referee and Molly wins it with the Flair pin on Trish.


Winners: Victoria and Molly by pinfall



Match 6

Bubba Ray Dudley vs Chris Jericho

Same match as last week with the same result. Jericho wins it with the Walls of Jericho.


Winner: Jericho by pinfall



Match 7

Test vs Jeff Hardy

This was an interesting match as Test got physical with referee Charles Robinson. Test pushed Charles and Charles pushed back....right into a Hardy roll up for the win.


Winner: Hardy by pinfall



Match 8

William Regal and Christopher Nowinski vs Booker T & Goldust vs Lance Storm & Christian for the WWE Tag Team Championship in an elimination match

Elimination match meaning one team survives. Booker T took out Nowinski with the scissors kick but Test interfered to hit Goldust with the big boot, aiding Storm & Christian to victory.


Winners: Storm and Christian by pinfall (still tag team champions)



Match 9

Tommy Dreamer vs Big Show in a No Disqualification Match

Years later this would be an "extreme rules" match but for now its simply No-DQ. Show wins it with a chokeslam on a garbage can.


Winner: Big Show by pinfall



Match 10

Rob Van Dam vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

As was the standard, the main event of a ppv would be on the house show circuit to build chemistry for the two involved. Rob's IC title was not on the line in this match. Triple H hit a low blow then the pedigree for the victory.


Winner: HHH by pinfall (still World Heavyweight Champion)


If you're wondering why this was the same card as last week, the internet was in its infancy and camera phones didn't exist. Facebook and Myspace didn't exist so unless you had a Geocities or Angelfire page, nobody knew these matches existed. They could run the same card on each house show and nobody would be the wiser. Still, a 10 match card featuring almost the whole roster is nothing to sneeze at. The stars of Smackdown were in the Gund Arena in Cleveland on this night for their own house show. I'll see you there.