WWE at Toledo Sports Arena (10/27/02)

Toledo Sports Arena

Toledo, Ohio

October 27, 2002

It was a busy Sunday for WWE. The stars of Smackdown were still on their European tour while the stars of Raw were on their mid-west swing. Also later tonight would be Sunday Night Heat. But let's get to the Raw roster's Toledo card first. If you've been following the past few house shows, the exact same card had been used during this run only with different finishes. It would be no different tonight as the same matches are presented. Mark Jindrak and Johnny Stamboli against Justin Credible and Steven Richards. Tommy Dreamer vs Rico, Redd Dogg vs Batista, Lance Storm and William Regal against Spike Dudley and The Hurricane, Chris Jericho and Christian defending the tag straps against Jeff Hardy and Bubba Ray Dudley, Jacqueline and Trish Stratus against Molly Holly and Victoria, D-Lo Brown vs Raven, Rob Van Dam vs Test and Kane vs World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. Let's get to the show.

Match 1

Mark Jindrak and Johnny Stamboli vs Justin Credible and Steven Richards

ECW vs WCW as we got Jindrak and Johnny against Justin and Steven. Both teams split the last two house shows but Richards and Credible get the duke on this night.

Winners: Credible and Richards

Match 2

Redd Dogg vs Batista

As mentioned in previous writeups, Batista was Deacon Bautista in a repackaging that was for the better. Redd Dogg was a good hand in Ohio Valley Wrestling after working for ECW at the end of their run. Batista took it with what would eventually be called the Batista Bomb, look for Redd Dogg to be renamed somewhere down the line.

Winner: Batista by pinfall

Match 3

Tommy Dreamer vs Rico

These two split the last two house shows and in the rubber match.....Rico takes it with a spinkick. So much for Dreamer.

Winner: Rico by pinfall

Match 4

William Regal and Lance Storm vs Spike Dudley and The Hurricane

Kind of an odd pairing in Spike and Hurricane as they take on the remnants of The Unamericans. Basically after The Unamericans split, Regal and Storm still teamed together while Christian won the tag belts with unofficial member Chris Jericho while Test turned babyface on his own. Dudley got the victory with an Acid Drop on Lance Storm

Winners: Spike and Hurricane by pinfall

Match 5

Raven vs D-Lo Brown

As mentioned in the previous writeups, D-Lo was about to get a repackaging so he was getting a few wins on the house shows while Raven was wrestling out the remainder of his contract. Naturally D-Lo got the win here with Sky High.

Winner: D-Lo by pinfall

Match 6

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

These four had been feuding on the house show circuit and it looked like Victoria would get the next crack at Trish on television with Molly still milling around. Apparently it was a double pin on both Molly and Victoria.

Winners: Trish and Jackie by pinfall

Match 7

Bubba Ray Dudley and Jeff Hardy vs Christian and Chris Jericho for the World Tag Team Championship

Once again the makeshift team of Bubba and Jeff team up to face the tag champs. Once again Jericho wins it for his team, pinning Jeff with the lionsault.

Winners: Jericho & Christian by pinfall (still World Tag Team Champions)

Match 8

Test vs Rob Van Dam

Test was in the middle of a face turn being paired with Stacy Keibler while Van Dam was cooling off after his World Heavyweight title chase. Still, Van Dam won it with the 5 Star Frog Splash.

Winner: Van Dam by pinfall

Match 9

Kane vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

The good news was the Katie Vick garbage doesn't really carry over to house shows but the bad news was these two were still going at it at least until Survivor Series. As with the other shows, the finish was Kane going berserk with a chair and taking out the roster as Triple H made his getaway.

Winner: Triple H by disqualification (still World Heavyweight Champion)

Another house show that was exactly the same as the previous few. In the days of limited internet and no smart phones, the guys worked the same match every night because chances are those who were there in Wichita the night before wasn't going to be in Toledo the following night....unless you're Vlad The Superfan. Still, this was the fallout of No Mercy and last week's Raw, maybe Monday will bring new storylines for the crew to work with on the house show circuit. Still, Vince was insane for having two crews work every single night for so long. As mentioned in the intro, on this night the Smackdown crew was in Sheffield, England while Sunday Night Heat featuring Raw guys would be shown on American television. I'll see you in Sheffield.

WWE at Kansas Coliseum (10/26/02)

Kansas Coliseum

Wichita, Kansas

October 26, 2002

It was a busy day for WWE. While the stars of Smackdown were in London for the Rebellion pay-per-view, the stars of Raw were in Wichita for a house show. It was pretty much the same card as yesterday's show in Topeka with a few alterations. Instead of Trish vs Molly one on one, NOW its a tag match with Trish and Jacqueline facing Molly and Victoria. Apart from that, its the exact same card from Topeka. May as well get right to it.

Match 1

Mark Jindrak and Johnny Stamboli vs Steven Richards and Justin Credible

The exact same match to open the show in Topeka opens the show in Wichita. Only this time, Jindrak and Stamboli get the victory. Both these guys would be in WWE....eventually.

Winners: Stamboli and Jindrak by pinfall

Match 2

Redd Dogg vs Batista

Just like yesterday, the repackaged Batista takes on Redd Dogg from OVW. Just like yesterday, Batista takes it with the sit out powerbomb.

Winner: Batista by pinfall

Match 3

Rico vs Tommy Dreamer

Yesterday Rico defeated Tommy Dreamer with a roll-up. Today Dreamer wipes out Rico with the Death Valley Driver. Least they're switching it up today.

Winner: Dreamer by pinfall

Match 4

Jeff Hardy and Bubba Ray Dudley vs Christian and Chris Jericho for the World Tag Team Championship

A rematch from yesterday's show with the makeshift team of Jeff and Bubba against the tag champs. Jericho clocked Jeff with one of the tag belts then hit the lionsault for the three count.

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

Match 5

Rob Van Dam vs Test 

Stacy Keibler was the special guest referee for this one. Even though she was being groomed as the manager for Test, Rob Van Dam took the match with a five star frog splash.

Winner: Rob Van Dam by pinfall

Match 6

Raven vs D-Lo Brown

As mentioned yesterday, D-Lo was about to be brought back on television for a push so he needed some wins to let the crowd know he was still there. He got the win here.

Winner: D-Lo Brown

Match 7

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

Yesterday Trish faced Molly one on one with the others in their corners, now its a straight tag match. Molly and Victoria got the win when Molly rolled up Jackie and hooked the tights.

Winners: Molly Holly and Victoria by pinfall 

Match 8

Lance Storm and William Regal vs Spike Dudley and The Hurricane

Same match from yesterday only with a slightly different result. Spike pinned Storm with a crucifix to win the match.

Winners: Spike and Hurricane by pinfall

Match 9

Kane vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

Same match from yesterday with the same ending. Kane went absolutely nuts with a chair to get himself disqualified. Then he started fighting off the guys on the card until Batista pulled Triple H out of the ring. At least that's more entertaining than what was going on during Raw.

Winner: Triple H by disqualification (still World Heavyweight Champion)

Almost the exact same show as yesterday only with slightly different results. As mentioned earlier, Smackdown was far and away the better roster but without the god awful storylines on Raw, at least the house shows probably were better to sit through. Kane vs Triple H was coming to an end but the Katie Vick angle pretty much ruined it. Still, things were about to get a little better because an old star was coming back to active duty. As mentioned earlier, later on that night was the UK ppv Rebellion but first, we got Velocity. I'll see you there.

WWE Velocity (10/26/02)

Pyramid Arena

Memphis, TN

Aired October 26, 2002

Commentators: Michael Cole & Tazz

This is going to be an interesting Velocity because later on tonight is the British pay-per-view Rebellion featuring the stars of Smackdown. This was shown an hour early for whatever reason. This was also taped before Smackdown despite not airing until this date. We got a main event of Nidia vs Torrie Wilson in a bikini match.....great. We also have Crash Holly vs Funaki, Albert vs Chuck Palumbo and a tag match with Reverand D-Von and Ron Simmons against Chase Sevens and Big Bully Douglas. Let's get to our dark matches first.

Dark Match 1

Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas vs Val Venis and Bill Demott

The future meets the past as Ohio Valley Wrestling stars Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin continue to get tryout matches, this one against the two veterans Venis and Demott. Shelton Benjamin was a track and wrestling star at the University of Minnesota and actually mentored Brock Lesnar when Lesnar joined the wrestling team. Benjamin and Lesnar were a tag team in OVW but Lesnar got the call first. They stuck Charlie with Shelton and they just clicked. Venis pinned Haas with the Money Shot but the good news was WWE brass liked what they saw from Shelton & Charlie.

Winners: Demott and Venis by pinfall

Dark Match 2

Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Redd Dogg

Another tryout match only with Redd Dogg. Dogg had worked the Kansas show the day before and here is taking on Jerry. Lawler won the match with his signature fist drop but WWE brass liked what they saw from Dogg, he'd be getting the call eventually.

Winner: Jerry Lawler

Now let's get to the show.

Match 1 (3rd overall)

Crash Holly vs Funaki

Ironically these two would be meeting at the Rebellion pay-per-view but this was obviously taped in advance. They lock up to start and Funaki starts with an arm-ringer but Crash reverses it. Funaki and Crash trade headlock takeovers and Funaki wants a handshake. Crash shakes it then stops everything to pull a Japanese headband out. He mocks Funaki with mock karate moves and Funaki punches him in the face. Funaki dropkicks Crash and chases him outside. Funaki beats him back into the ring then kicks Crash in the gut. Crash hits a stun gun on Funaki then ditches the headband. Crash slams Funaki but eats a sunset flip for a two. Crash nails Funaki through the ropes to the outside as Crash goes outside to retrieve him. Back inside Crash covers for a two then kicks Funaki in the back after applying a surf-board. Crash lands a forearm to the back but misses a charge in the corner. Funaki lands a bulldog then a drop toe hold. Funaki hits a dropkick to the face and covers for 1...2...nope. Funaki goes upstairs and hits a crossbody, but Crash rolls through for 1.....2..nope. Crash kicks away at the back of Funaki then blocks a victory roll for 1...2...., no Funaki rolls through into a victory roll for 1...2...3 that's it. Crash goes nuts in the ring as Funaki slides out the winner. Tazz says Funaki isn't just Smackdown's number one announcer but also has great skills. Good opener even if it was short.

Time of match: 4:19

Winner: Funaki by pinfall

Cole and Tazz hype up the bikini match as we go to commercial.

Match 2 (4th overall)

Albert vs Chuck Palumbo

Time for a hoss fight as Palumbo comes out with short hair now that Billy Gunn is on the shelf with a separated shoulder. As Albert makes his entrance, Cole and Tazz plug the Jackass movie coming out. Cole jokes he should dress as Albert for Halloween and Tazz says Albert eats meals bigger than Cole. They lock up to start and they roll into the corner. Palumbo ducks under a punch and unloads with right hands of his own. Albert whips him into a corner and hits two consecutive avalanches. Albert hits a big splash to the back, rolls him over and covers for 1. Albert clotheslines Palumbo and taunts the crowd. Palumbo rallies with right hands but Albert rams his head in the buckle and fights back with strikes. Albert manhandles Palumbo and chases referee Brian Hebner away. Tazz "While he shaves his back, he should shave his chest too." Albert slingshots Palumbo under the second rope and covers for 1.....2...nope. Albert locks in a chinlock as Cole asks Tazz about Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker in Hell in A Cell last Sunday. Who the hell told them to talk about THAT in the middle of the hoss fight? Cole says up next they'll be taking a look at Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle, that's better. Palumbo fights out of it with right hands then sends Albert into the corner. Albert counters with a bicycle kicks and covers for a deuce then drags Palumbo into the corner. Albert hits a Vader bomb and covers for 1..2...,Palumbo grabs the bottom rope. Albert misses a charge and Palumbo goes back to the right hands. Palumbo hits a belly to belly suplex and a superkick. He covers for 1.....2...nope, Albert grabs the rope this time. Palumbo fires away with right hands and goes for the Razor Punch but Albert pulls Hebner in the way. Hebner moves and Albert gets a thumb to the eye before hotshotting Palumbo off the top turnbuckle. Palumbo staggers into the Baldo Bomb and he covers for 1...2.....3 to win the match. That was a solid effort by Albert but holy crap does Palumbo know how to do anything else but punch? I know he can do better but that was terrible strategy. Still, not much you can expect out of a hoss fight but at least it was entertaining.

Time of match: 5:05

Winner: Albert by pinfall

Up next is the recap portion with highlight's of Smackdown. We get the love/hate relationship between Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle as in they love to hate each other. Cole and Tazz also hype up the Bikini Match later....yippie. We're shown highlights of the number 1 contender match for the tag straps where Edge & Mysterio defeated Los Guerreros in a damn good match to become the top contenders for Benoit & Angle. Speaking of which, we segue into them not getting along on Smackdown, fighting over the trophy and facing each other in the main event. After the highlights we go to commercial hyping up the Undertaker/Lesnar confrontation and the damn bikini conest. Back from commercial we get a 90 second video package of the post Hell In a Cell video between Taker and Lesnar, so much for the Smackdown confrontation. What was the point of that? Onto the next match.

Match 3 (5th overall)

Reverand D-Von and Ron Simmons vs Chase Stevens and "Big" Bully Douglas

No idea why Faarooq went back to being Ron Simmons for no rhyme or reason but that's okay. Who are the job guys? "The Natural" Chase Stevens was trained by Tracy Smothers after being a former Golden Gloves boxing champion. He made his TNA debut earlier this year and now he's on WWE television. Bully Douglas was a local guy who was 6'6 300. Simmons starts with Bully as Tazz reminisces of the APA with Bradshaw. Cole calls Douglas a "Will Sasso lookalike" and Simmons stuns him with a shoulderblock. Douglas walks into a big boot but counters with a jawbreaker. Stevens tags in with right hands but misses a dropkick. Simmons goes for the Dominator but Stevens slides out into forearms to the back. Simmons kicks him in the ribs and tags in D'Von. D'Von continues the onslaught with right hands in the corner as referee Jimmy Korderas tells him to get out of the corner. D'von chops Stevens in the corner and delivers a back elbow smash. D'Von knocks Douglas off the apron and tags in Simmons. Ron slams Stevens and delivers a falling headbutt. He covers but stops the count himself at two twice. D'von tags in and knocks Douglas off again before slapping Stevens. Stevens tries to rallies with right hands and a crossbody for 1...2...nope. D'Von damn near takes Chase's head off with a lariat and hits a powerslam. D'Von tags in Simmons who covers for 1...2..he stops it again. Simmons hits a spinebuster and tags in D'Von for the flying headbutt. Simmons nails Douglas as D'Von covers for 1..2....3 that's it. Total squash by D'Von and Simmons and these two did work together well, but something was missing clearly. D'Von delivers last rites as Simmons stomps the poor guy for good measure.

Time of match: 4:04

Winners: D'Von and Simmons

As we got to commercial we get another hype clip for the Bikini match. We come back to a Smackdown Your Vote ad highlighted by Chuck Palumbo saying "vote to end discrimination". We are then shown highlights of Smackdown of Big Show being traded there although no one knows who went to Raw in return. Then we get the Undertaker/Brock confrontation where Lesnar and Taker basically respect each other. We go to commercial with one last hype video for Nidia vs Torrie Wilson. When we come back from commercial we get highlights of the latest Tough Enough where "Jill" quit the first day. I know its just a reality show but good lord what a waste of time. FINALLY let's get to the main event.

Match 4 (6th overall)

Torrie Wilson vs Nidia in a Bikini Match

So this is not a bikini contest, only that they're going to wrestle in bikinis. The Divas era was notorious for this kind of stuff. Nidia has on a polka dot bikini but Torrie has a golden one. Nidia starts with an arm-ringer before switching to a headlock takwndown. Torrie counters with a headscissors and Nidia slaps her. Torrie slingshots Nidia into the ringpost then rolls her up for a two count. Torrie cradles Nidia for a two count then clotheslines Nidia down twice. Torrie hits an inverted neckbreaker but Nidia gets the upperhand with knees to the ribs. Nidia hits a snap suplex and covers for a two count. Nidia whips Torrie into the corner and hits a shoulderblock before snapmaring Torrie down. Nidia stomps between the legs but Torrie drop toe holds to the bottom rope. Torrie slaps her but runs into a lariat. Nidia covers for 1....2...nope. Nidia gets kicked in the head and chopped by Torrie before Wilson kicks her in the corner. Nidia whips Torrie into the other corner but Torrie rolls over Nidia and rolling prawns her for 1..2.....3 that's it. Torrie wins it as Cole & Tazz sign off, telling us to join us for Smackdown this Thursday. Wasn't the worst match I've seen but definitely "divas" style. Torrie had only been in the business for 3 years and Nidia about a year, can't really judge too harsh for the inexperience.

Time of match: 3:03

Winner: Torrie Wilson by pinfall

Pretty standard Velocity which once again ends with a divas match hyped up all night shades of the debut episode. At least if if you watched this through to the end you got caught up on some of Smackdown's events. Brock Lesnar is still your WWE champ with Big Show hot on his trail and Benoit can't get along with Angle. As for the matches on this show, not much to whine about. Palumbo needs to do more than just punch but that's about it. Like I mentioned earlier, Rebellion was that night so I'll see you there.

WWE at Four States Arena (10/19/02)

Four States Arena

Texarkana, Arkansas

October 19, 2002

Of all the places Vince McMahon could book the night before a pay-per-view, he goes to a county fairgrounds in rural Arkansas? I know the ppv would be in Little Rock, but still. Anyway the stars of Raw made their way to Texarkana with the same card they had been running for a week now. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

Redd Dogg vs Al Snow

Once again we're in Redd Dogg's trial run before making his Raw or Smackdown debut. Al Snow gets the duke here, gotta pay your dues Dogg.

Winner: Snow

Match 2

Johnny Stamboli, Mark Jindrak and Charlie Haas vs Justin Credible, Rosey and Jamal

Stamboli, Jindrak and Haas were on their trial runs just like Redd Dogg earlier and they face 3 Minute Warning and Credible here. Credible and the Samoans get the win.

Winners: Rosey, Jamal and Credible

Match 3

Steven Richards vs Batista

Batista was on his way to Raw on television but for now he was piling up wins on the house shows. Steven was his victim here. 

Winner: Batista

Match 4

The Hurricane and Spike Dudley vs William Regal and Lance Storm.

No Kane tonight for Hurricane so he tags with Spike instead against the remnants of the Un-American. Hurricane and Spike win.

Winners: Spike & Hurricane

Match 5

Test vs Kane

Speaking of Kane, here he is in singles action against Test. Kane wins it. Needed that one going into No Mercy.

Winner: Kane

Match 6

Raven vs D-Lo Brown.

The Sunday Night Heat mainstays do battle once again in the middle of Arkansas. D-Lo wins it.

Winner: D-Lo Brown

Match 7

Molly Holly and Victoria vs Trish Stratus and Jacqueline

The same women's tag match that had been going on through the circuit comes to us again. Trish and Jackie win it.

Winners: Trish and Jacqueline

Match 8

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

This was going to be part of the No Mercy card so may as well warm up on a house show. Christian and Jericho win.

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

Match 9

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs Rob Van Dam

This match would also be on the No Mercy card tomorrow night. This is the main event here since HHH didn't want to work apparently. Van Dam wins it.

Winner: Rob Van Dam

The same card that had been going on the past few weeks remained the same here. Although the concluding storylines at No Mercy should give us fresh cards next week. We only have one hurdle to get through before we get to No Mercy and that is this week's Velocity. I'll see you there.

WWE at HSBC Arena (10/13/02)

HSBC Arena

Buffalo, New York

October 13, 2002

The stars of Raw continued their trek through upstate New York with a house show in Buffalo. Its funny how No Mercy was just seven days away but the only official match signed was Kane vs Triple H. Ric Flair vs Rob Van Dam looked like it would be on the card but hasn't made official yet. Kurt Angle, Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo were still on loan from Smackdown with Chris Jericho, Lance Storm and Christian in Canada for the Smackdown shows. Let's get started.

Match 1

Rico vs The Hurricane

Same match from yesterday with the exact same result. Hurricane pins Rico after a crossbody.

Winner: Hurricane by pinfall

Match 2

Justin Credible vs Deacon Bautista

Credible was wrestling out his contract while Bautista was about to be brought to Raw. The writing is on the wall for this one. Batista wins it with a spinebuster.

Winner: Bautista by pinfall

Match 3

Mark Jindrak, Charlie Haas and D-Lo Brown vs Raven, Steven Richards and Red Dogg

Charlie Haas and Red Dogg were getting their tryout run while Jindrak was already being featured on C shows. D-Lo pinned Raven with the sky high.

Winners: Jindrak, Haas and D-Lo by pinfall

Match 4

Booker T vs The Big Show

Not only was Booker being jobbed out on Raw for no good reason, he didn't fare any better on the houses either. Big Show wins it with the chokeslam.

Winner: Big Show by pinfall.

Match 5

Kurt Angle (With Stephanie McMahon) vs Kane for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

So not only was Kurt brought in for the New York house run but Stephanie came with him for this.  Kane wins it with the chokeslam.

Winner: Kane by pinfall (still IC champion)

Match 6

William Regal vs Jeff Hardy

Standard match until the end. Apparently Test did a run in and Hardy won with the Swanton Bomb. With The Unamericans breaking up, it was unclear who Test attacked.

Winner: Hardy by pinfall

Match 7

3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) with Rico vs Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo

Gunn and Palumbo had been winning these house show matches and this one was no different. Billy and Chuck win this one as well.

Winners: Billy and Chuck

Match 8

Rob Van Dam vs Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship

The rematch from Unforgiven main evented this house show in Buffalo. HHH hit Van Dam with a chair and then the pedigree to win the match.

Winner: HHH by pinfall (still WHC)

Too bad about Billy Gunn, although his injury would indirectly lead to Chuck getting a push in a few months with other people. As for the rest of the card, standard house show stuff. Kane was being built for HHH and HHH looked unstoppable as the WHC. We got seven days until No Mercy with no matches official other than HHH vs Kane. Hopefully tomorrow night on Raw will shed some light on what's coming up. While this show in Buffalo was going on, Smackdown was holding their own house show in Calgary, Alberta, home of the Hart Dungeon. I'll see you there.

WWE at Blue Cross Arena (10/12/02)

Blue Cross Arena

Rochester, New York

October 12, 2002

The stars of Raw were in Utica last night for a house show and today they're in Rochester to continue the tour. The Katie Vick stank is hanging over Raw like a dark cloud but the house shows aren't storyline related. We do have a special guest though, Kurt Angle of all people will be in the main event against Kane. Smackdown had their own show that night with Christian and Lance Storm on the card due to it being in Canada so my guess is Kurt was sent to Raw to fill out the card. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Rico vs The Hurricane

STAND BACK! The tag team champion is coming through. Hurricane had spent the last few weeks as a hilarious sidekick to Kane and here he faces the manager of 3 Minute Warning. Hurricane wins it with the chokeslam.

Winner: Hurricane by pinfall

Match 2

Raven, Justin Credible and Red Dogg vs D-Lo Brown, Deacon Bautista and Mark Jindrak

Here's an interesting hodge podge with some bit of trivia. Dogg and Jindrak were doing their trial runs while Bautista was about to jump to Raw. The sad part is, Mark Jindrak was originally going to be given a push that later went to Bautista. I'll let you guess what that means. Bautista pinned Credible after a spinebuster.

Winners: Brown, Bautista and Jindrak by pinfall

Match 3

Jeff Hardy vs William Regal

Lance Storm is in Edmonton tonight leaving Regal by himself. Then again, Matt Hardy was in Edmonton too so Jeff has a technical beef too. Regal wins by using the brass knuckles.

Winner: Regal by pinfall

Match 4

3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) with Rico vs Billy and Chuck

Why are Billy and Chuck here? Chris Jericho, Lance Storm and Christian are in Edmonton tonight. May as well continue the feud. Billy wins it with the fameasser.

Winners: Billy and Chuck by pinfall

Match 5

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs Rob Van Dam

Last night's main event is the fifth match on the card tonight. Rob Van Dam wins it with the five star frog splash.

Winner: RVD by pinfall

Match 6

Charlie Haas vs Steven Richards

Kind of weird to have what should be a dark match on TV to be this close to the main event but Charlie is in the middle of his trial run on the house shows. Richards gets the duke with the Stevie Kick.

Winner: Richards by pinfall

Match 7

Goldust vs The Big Show

You know the drill, Big Show has 10 minutes to beat Goldust or else he'll kiss his ass. Big Show wins with 30 seconds left.

Time of match: 9:30

Winner: Big Show by pinfall

Match 8

Test vs Booker T

Why isn't Test in Edmonton? He's Canadian too. Talk about drawing the short end of the stick. Worse, Booker wins it with a scissors kick.

Winner: Booker by pinfall

Match 9

Kurt Angle vs Kane for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Yes you read that right, Kurt Angle makes the jump from Smackdown to face Kane for the IC strap. They had to replace Jericho, Christian and Storm so Kurt, Billy and Chuck did it. Kane wins it with the chokeslam.

Winner: Kane by pinfall (Still IC Champ)

Kind of a weird card with matches out of order but with some of the guys in Edmonton, they had to make due. Kurt making a rare Raw appearance was good even if it was just a house show. Still, imagine the surprise of the fans expecting to see Raw guys and Kurt Angle shows up. As grueling as the house show schedule was, it was stuff like that which added excitement to the cards. As mentioned a bunch of times already, the stars of Smackdown were in Edmonton for a Saturday night house show. I'll see you there.

WWE at Utica Memorial Auditorium (10/11/02)

Utica Memorial Auditorium

Utica, New York

October 11, 2002

The stars of Raw descended upon the Utica Memorial Auditorium for a Friday night house show after the god awful Raw Roulette. We finally have some new matches after having the same card for about a week and a half. Let's get to our card.

Match 1

Red Dogg and Justin Credible vs Charlie Haas and Deacon Bautista

Lot going on here as Haas and Red Dogg were getting their trial runs before being used on TV while Bautista was on his way to Raw. Bautista wins it for his team with a spinebuster on Dogg.

Winners: Haas and Bautista by pinfall

Match 2

Steven Richards vs Mark Jindrak

Jindrak had been used on C shows but still was looking for his Raw or Smackdown debut. He defeats Richards with a crossbody.

Winner: Jindrak by pinfall

Match 3

Raven vs D-Lo Brown

This match had already been seen on Heat and most likely other house shows. D-Lo Brown takes it with sky high.

Winner: D-Lo by pinfall

Match 4

3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) with Rico vs Billy & Chuck

Unlike the others, this match had been on the circuit with almost the same result every time. Gunn pins Jamal with the fameasser.

Winners: Billy and Chuck by pinfall

Match 5

Goldust vs The Big Show

If Big Show doesn't win within 10 minutes, he has to kiss Goldust's ass. Naturally Big Show wins with the chokeslam 9 minutes in.

Winner: Big Show by pinfall

Match 6

William Regal vs Booker T

After the Unamericans broke up, William Regal and Lance Storm stayed together as a team. Naturally their TV opponents are most likely Booker T and Goldust. Regal did have one hilarious sequence with Booker T during World War 3 1996 where Booker T poked him in the eyes and called him a sucka. Book wins it with the scissors kick here.

Winner: Booker T by pinfall

Match 7

Test vs Kane for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

The battle of the big boys as Test goes for the gold. Unfortunately for him, Kane wins with a tombstone. Guess stars weren't allowed to use the tombstone on TV but houses were fair game.

Winner: Kane by pinfall (still IC champ)

Match 8

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs Rob Van Dam

The main event stems from the main event of Unforgiven where Flair cost RVD the World Heavyweight Championship. Van Dam wins with the 5 star frog splash.

Winner: RVD by pinfall

Kind of an interesting card with some dark match quality matches and Smackdown guys Billy and Chuck working with 3 Minute Warning. Usually these kind of show matches were previews of TV matches so most likely some of these matches will be on Raw eventually in one form of another. The only good news about these cards is worthless TV storylines like Katie Vick don't apply. Still, that stigma is still hanging over Raw like a dark cloud as we head closer to No Mercy. Tomorrow is Saturday which means a double shot for house shows and Velocity. Raw is heading to Rochester, New York so I'll see you there.