Folks it happens once a year…and it always makes me sick. In the words of Salvatore Rinauro…”No I’m not talking about Kane and Katie Vick,” I’m talking about my beloved Denver Broncos meeting the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football. I’m not paid to cover MNF…I’m paid for Raw, so I have to start my tape in the third quarter once Raw ends. It is always my favorite football game every year, both of them are…and this year, I’d say the Dolphins game even in a loss may end up being in there as well. The boys are atop the AFC West, this is the win they want…this is the win I want. But enough, I’m going to try and forget about it, but don’t think for a second I won’t be flipping during commercials…it might be hard to keep focused on Raw even when it’s hot, but I have a job to do and do it I shall. Raw emanates from Cincinnati, Ohio, with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler at the table for the call. This is the final Raw brand show prior to the Survivor Series, and plenty of work needs to be done tonight. Expect the Elimination Chamber to be crammed down everyone’s throat tonight, and obviously that’s what has to happen. GO BRONCOS!
(Oh yeah one other thing….Raiders/Broncos is number 500 for MNF. You know what that means? That means that the deciding minds know what the best matchup in football is…and yeah I’m biased, but it gets no better than Denver vs. Oakland, and you can take that to the bank.)
Tonight’s main event…Triple H vs. Booker T in a non-title matchup. In the back, someone has a paper in front of their face and then puts it down before standing up. It’s Shawn Michaels…looking relaxed but we know there’s something more to it.
MATCH 1: KANE & ROB VAN DAM VS. CHRIS JERICHO & CHRISTIAN (World Tag Team Championship) Three Chamber participants in there to kick things off…along with Christian. Jericho came out to the “Break Down the Walls” Saliva song that was the backdrop for the Desire video last week, I’m a big fan of that one and it’s great music for his entrance I’ve discovered as well…also on Anthology, released tomorrow. Fans are real hot early for Rob as things are beginning with a nice bang. RVD got over big early with tons of major offense, then tagged in Kane to a HUGE pop as these fans sound like Raw is at the Allstate Arena in Chicago early on. Jericho was getting killed by Kane and Van Dam for two minutes, Christian ran in to attack Kane and ended up on the floor…then Kane pressed Chris over the top onto Christian on the floor…THEN Rob flew over with a somersault plancha onto both as that was a flawless way to get the crowd even more frenzied. Choke slam from Kane on Jericho but the referee was on the outside with Christian and RVD…Kane went to choke slam Christian but a low blow changed it and finally the Champs mounted some offense. Rob was untouchable, hitting everything once he tagged in and outsmarting both Champions…Jericho finally caused a distraction as Rob ascended to the top…shoving him off to the floor nastily face first into the barrier…looked great, hopefully he’s alright. The Champs cut the ring off on RVD, nearly pinning him on numerous occasions as folks, this one was an outstanding wrestling match. RVD caught Christian and Jericho napping and negotiated both of them simultaneously to crawl to Kane and make the tag. Big Red Machine just killing the opposition with power shots, heaving Jericho over the top as he tried to charge…nailing the top rope lariat on Christian and signaling for the choke slam…Jericho intervened and they hit a double suplex…Rob hit a double crossbody off the top rope, then a choke slam on Christian. Jericho clocked Kane with one of the title belts as Nick Patrick was with Rob…RVD leapt up top…leaping over Kane’s prone body to crush Christian with the Five Star Frog Splash…3/4 of the way across the ring…legitimately may have pained his knee. Jericho crushed Kane with a chair as he went for the pin…DQ…a hard one for RVD and then several to the back of the fallen Kane and a few more for Rob. Jericho then attacked the post with the chair in a blast from the past as he looked to have lost it…he’s trying to injure his competition for Sunday. RATING: 9, Tremendous with killer heat. MEMORABLE: Christian thrown to the floor…Jericho press slammed on top of him from the ring…Rob leaps on both / the hellacious splash. CROWD: 10, Unreal how hot they were. OUTCOME: Rematch after the Chamber hopefully, that was fantastic…best opener this year on Raw, right up there with Pac/RVD. At the Chamber, none of these three will win…but all will play key roles. WINNER(S): KANE AND ROB VAN DAM BY DQ AT 9:18
Plugs for SD brand shows in Columbus, Baltimore, NY for the Series on Sunday, Hartford for SD next Tuesday.
IN the back, Jericho tells Terri he’s singlehandedly softening up every single “ass clown” in the Elimination Chamber on Sunday. Nobody will win it but him. Chris leaves and Christian tells her that the best part is if someone can’t make it, Bisch has said Christian gets their spot and then he can win the Title. Jericho then gloms him with the chair once and screams no one will win it but him. (Jericho has FINALLY been booked right on Raw, it’s been great so far.)
Video package of Shawn since the minute he took the sledge in the back… he accepted the Chamber after costing Triple H the casket match a few weeks back.
In the back, Booker T as ace reporter Gregory Helms comes up to ask him about the Elimination Chamber match. “Check it out, I’ve been doing more thinkin’ than Abraham Lincoln.” Tonight though, he’s thinking about kicking Triple H all over the place…”You dig?” Helms says “I dig…I’m down.” He turns around to see Goldust, saying his microphone appears to be as big as Greg…then he says that the green and gold will take it to Steven Richards and Test tonight. He then says the Testicles are getting stronger than ever though…not talking about his fans, about his “golden globes.”
Jeff Hardy stares at his ridiculous body paint…which does at least look more artistic and less junky this week…in the mirror as he heads to the ring to take on Lance Storm. That’s next.
WWE REWIND (SD – Shut Your Mouth PS2): Last Monday, Dreamer had Lance pinned but Regal booted him right in the face and it was enough to cause the loss.
MATCH 2: LANCE STORM VS. JEFF HARDY Storm started off quickly but of course…Jeff’s quicker, and showed it early on, scoring with a nice second rope leg drop to the back of the head after faking Lance out on a springboard. Storm would take the advantage soon after, holding it until Jeff hit a hot shot and flying forearm. Whisper in the Wind found the mark but Storm kicked out of it at 3:20. Jeff on the floor hit the barricade run, clotheslining Lance after landing…then Regal gave him a few shots. Tommy Dreamer ran out and put him down and as Storm watched that instead of Jeff…he ended up down for the three after the Swanton. RATING: 6.5, Not terrible…Storm looked good, Jeff looked lost at times. MEMORABLE: Whisper in the Wind found the mark tonight. CROWD: 8, Still super hot. OUTCOME: Tag rematch coming next week probably, or Dreamer against either Regal or Storm. WINNER(S): JEFF HARDY AT 5:12
F-View from last Monday that showed an irate Victoria throw Terri into a door and strip her after hearing criticism she didn’t care for. Bischoff back live smiling as he saw that, seemed pleased with the entertainment. Terri comes in as Bisch had apparently asked for her…he’s beaming thinking about the Elimination Chamber on Sunday. He lets her know he’s booked her against Victoria tonight…on the screen behind Terri, Victoria is enterting the ring and picking up a microphone. “Terri, Terri…I know you’re back there…so why don’t you please bring the pretty little blond hair out to the ring. You have pretty little eyes and pretty little puppies…just like Trish Stratus. You see, I have a hardcore match with Trish for her Women’s Championship at Survivor Series. So, since Trish and Terri have so much in common, so many pretty little things in common…I’m going to start tonight by annihilating you Terri.” Terri tells Bisch she’s completely demented after watching that, saying she will not wrestle her. Eric says she has a few options…she has a daughter at home depending on her. Two choices, either go out and convince Victoria she doesn’t want the match or tell Dakota there will be no Christmas because “mommy got fired.”
Survivor Series plug runs into the ad for Super Tuesday tomorrow night on UPN. Ten man Raw tag, triple threat SmackDown match, and a bikini contest.
We come back live after the break to an irate Victoria in the ring staring the empty stage down. Terri’s music hits and out she comes, holding a microphone and not ready to wrestle, of course she never is. “You know, Victoria, I may be very small in stature but I’m a big enough person to admit that you’re the better woman and last week you proved your physical dominance over me and the way I see it, there’s really nothing left to prove. I mean you’re the better woman. Let’s just call this match off and that’s it.” Victoria says the match is off…”But Terri, that doesn’t mean I won’t rip your head off.” Victoria pounds her down and rips off her top, revealing the bra and smelling the top, seeming to gain strength. Terri hit her with her shoe and tried to fight back, but was “outhorsed.” Victoria dumped her to the outside and slammed her on the ramp, then bounced her off the steps. Back in the ring as we were all looking for Trish. Victoria low blowed Charles Robinson and threw him through the ropes to the floor for trying to stop it…then brought out a ladder! The big painter’s ladder as a matter of fact. She rolled it in…and then came Trish, catapulting it into her face and dropping her with a hard kick. Trish all over Victoria on the floor, sending her hard off the steps and having to be restrained by officials. Victoria standing up and laughing, enjoying the pain and the fight.
(Comment: This is the best Raw in decades… so far it’s been total perfection. What a great angle Trish/Victoria has quickly become as well.)
In the back, Dave Batista walking as he steps into Ric Flair…who introduces himself and says it’s an honor to meet him…Batista doesn’t shake his hand. “I’m really impressed. It’s great to have you on Raw. I mean what a physical specimen. You might even be bigger than the Champ…Triple H. I just want to wish you good luck.” Batista speaks…”Thanks.”
MATCH 3: D’LO BROWN VS. DAVE BATISTA D’Lo tried to attack as Batista wanted to pose on the ropes, but it didn’t work. High back body drop, then a front roll slam (Storm used one earlier, Fit Finlay trademark among others). Brown then got turned inside out with a clothesline after throwing a few more shots. Running corner clothesline as Batista looked absolutely frightening. Hard spinebuster as Brown charged at the wrong time, finishing his work with the sit out powerbomb. RATING: 4, Served it’s purpose for Batista, who looked terrifyingly strong as Brown made him look good…same as Credible last week. MEMORABLE: Clothesline looked good. CROWD: 6, Pretty much just “oooooooohs” and “aaaaaaaahs” as the fans don’t know what to make of Batista yet. OUTCOME: Batista walks through the lower card for a while. WINNER(S): DAVE BATISTA AT 1:33
Shawn Michaels makes his way down the ramp to the ring to his usual respect and aweful ovation…he deserves every bit of it. Some of the best music ever…truly. “By now, all of you know the belief system of Shawn Michaels. You know that I believe in my God. You know that I believe in my family and I believe in myself. You know that I believe in each and every one of you. But I’ve got to be honest with you boys and girls, I’m human. I also believe in retribution. This Sunday at Survivor Series, I will be one of six men to compete in the first ever Elimination Chamber match. Now I don’t even know what an Elimination Chamber match is…but then again, I didn’t know what a ladder match was…and I was the first to compete in one of those. I didn’t know what a Hell in the Cell match was, but I was the first to compete in one of those. And I didn’t really know what a marathon match was but I said what the heck, I’ll be the first to compete in one of those. So I figure, how tough can it be, it’s only been four years. It was only a career ending back injury. It was only partial paralysis. What’s to keep me from becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion? I mean, it could happen…then again, maybe it won’t. For the first time in four years I’m going back to Madison Square Garden and I told you once and I’m going to tell you again…I’m no longer the Heartbreak Kid, I’m no longer the Showstopper, I’m just me, I’m just Shawn Michaels. But I figure that ought to be plenty, that ought to be plenty to make sure that Triple H does not work out of Madison Square Garden the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H and I have been good friends for a long time. We have traveled the same roads, but we have taken different roads in our lives. Triple H you tried to take my livelihood and that I cannot forgive, so I don’t care if it’s Chris Jericho, RVD, Booker T, or Kane…who has the honor of wearing the World Heavyweight Championship…I will do whatever is in my power to make sure that Triple H does not walk out of Survivor Series the World Heavyweight Champion. The word of God says all things are possible to those that believe…and quite honestly, I believe that this Sunday night, the World Heavyweight Champion will be me.”
Triple H’s music hits at about that moment and out he comes…in full Triple H Shopzone warmup attire. “You believe huh? You believe that you can become the World’s Heavyweight Champion because God said so? Well let me tell you this, in this arena, I’m god. (Ross is right, that is hideous. Shawn had already dropped the mic, he simply raised a fist to greet his chant.) Incase you didn’t hear me, I said in this arena, I’m god. And I believe I’m going to come to that ring and I am going to kick your ass.” Hunter drops his microphone and starts strutting down the ramp nice and slowly…he takes off the jacket and charges in. It’s on in the ring as Michaels wins the fistfight but walks into a double reverse whip short clothesline. Fans are SO loud chanting for Shawn as he goes down to a Pedigree in the center of the ring. Triple H jaws at him the way Austin used to, standing over him in the ring looking maniacal. He then looks outside the ring, smiles, and makes a move…guess what it could be? Hmmm…could it be, yes, it could…the old sledgehammer. Earl Hebner runs out and grabs the hammer as the rest of the refs, Arn and Terry Taylor pull Triple H out of the ring to keep him away from the fallen HBK. Hunter smirks and laughs as he is pulled up the ramp.
(Comment: Another “cha ching” moment for tonight’s show, which is a 10 thus far. Michaels’ promo was great as well.)
During the break, Michaels walked up the ramp, favoring the back of his head and his neck area, but still looking focused.
MATCH 4: BUBBA RAY & SPIKE DUDLEY (W/ Jeff Hardy) VS. ROSEY & JAMAL (W/ Rico) Just found out that at Survivor Series, Bubba, Spike, and Jeff will meet the Three Minute Warning in a six man tables match. Started with an all out fight but quickly Spike became the whipping boy for the Samoans. Bubba tagged in and tackled Jamal down, very impressive looking…as on the outside Jeff was giving Rico a few shots. Three count on Bubba after the Samoan drop. After the bell, Jeff hit a dual dropkick on both Rosey and Jamal, then went for the Swanton on Rico but the boys pulled him to safety. Belly to back on Jeff and then Rico fired in a table as the Dudley duo had already left. Spike came back in but got nailed and then laid next to Jeff on the table…the familiar splash from Rosey off the top put them both through, setting them up to lose on Sunday. RATING: 4, Nothing special, hot three minute builder for Sunday. MEMORABLE: Aftermath and the crowd once again. CROWD: 8, These guys are just off the charts. OUTCOME: Six man table match on Sunday won by Jeff and the Dudley duo. WINNER(S): THREE MINUTE WARNING AT 2:50
(We’re in a fight, just as I knew we would be, Raiders up 13-7 but Portis is playing superb…just as we knew he would when Shanahan picked him up in the draft. He’s going to be a special player for years to come.)
Saturday on Confidential…it’s Scott Steiner apparently according to King and JR letting the cat out of the bag on which brand he’s joining. Moves to a new Steiner video, this one with shots obviously taped in Stamford of the familiar poses, and yes the chain headdress is still around…got to love it.
MATCH 5: CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI VS. AL SNOW Nowinski comes out with a book in his hand…doesn’t want to make fun of Cincy, he wants to talk about something closer to him. “You don’t have to be a Harvard graduate to know that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.” He gets them to cheer if they want him in and they do, then he laughs as the fans go crazy. “How stupid can you guys be? I knew I could make you sheep cheer. You guys know that I just manipulated you? You guys…leave it to me the student to manipulate the teacher, Tough Enough teacher Al Snow…he wants me to teach him a wrestling lesson.” Snow’s music interrupted and Al wanted to attack…Christopher said he didn’t want to fight, he wanted to give “dad” a wrestling lesson. Snow took him down, then Al pretty much took him to school, showing how good most of us know he is. Nowinski tried to cheap shot and outsmart Al, who punched him right in the ear but got pinned when Nowinski rolled through a crossbody and used feet on the ropes to win it. RATING: 4, Not really a match but more of a story advancer…and an entertaining story…question is…is Maven really on Snow’s side? MEMORABLE: Maven has ALWAYS gotten massive ovations, he’s just such a likable guy. CROWD: 7, Great heat for Nowinski after the Rose deal…which was great. OUTCOME: Maven vs. Nowinski will be a nice angle, match might not be spectacular, but it will be entertaining…where does Maven’s allegiance really lie is my question. WINNER(S): CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI AT 1:34
After the bell, Snow got in Chris’ face and Nowinski hit him with the book he had earlier. Out ran Maven, knocking Nowinski out with a few right hands that send Christopher to the back, but with a win. Maven went over to check on Al Snow.
Video from last week of how Shawn Michaels helped Booker T beat Triple H in the tag match. Shawn hasn’t left the building…and tonight it’s Hunter and Booker one on one.
(At the half, Oakland up 21-7 and looking strong, despite not running the football much at all…use Charlie Garner, I dare you…he’s the most underused guy in the league and is SO talented. Raiders would be undefeated had they given him Faulk like carries.)
At the World in Times Square on Sunday, catch Saliva performing “Always” live on the PPV telecast.
Eric Bischoff makes his way to the top of the ramp with a smile. “You know, I’m going to answer everybody’s questions about the Elimination Chamber in just a few moments, but before I do I want to talk about Super Tuesday.” He talks about the exclusive Raw ten man tag and the interpromotional bikini contest between Raw’s Trish Stratus and SmackDown’s Torrie Wilson. “But enough about Super Tuesday on UPN. Let’s talk about the Elimination Chamber.” He looks up to the Tron that shows a construction worker saying he’s never seen anything like it before. No give, no flex, no getting out…two miles of chain….sixteen feet from the roof to the floor, thirty six feet in diameter. “It will hurt you when you hit it.” “So here’s how it’s going to work. Two men are going to be chosen at random to start the match…the other four locked in individual chambers. Every five minutes, one of those chambers will be opened at random. Once a man is pinned, he is eliminated. Once again, Eric Bischoff will prove he is the
On F-View, Stacy Keibler prepping her legs as Steven Richards comes in. He congratulates her on the great job she’s doing with Test. He wants her to do the same for him. She says with changing his look and his growing Testicles, her hands are full. He at least wants her to motivate him for the match….by giving him a cane shot on the rear. Test comes in…and she hands it to him, and he crushes Steven in the back. They laugh and Steven leaves, then Stacy gives a little posterior shot to the cameras and to Test.
RNN Breaking News with Randy Orton once again…saying that his rehab has suffered a setback, the shoulder sling has been chafing him, but now it has padding to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It really got him down but thanks to the fans, he was helped through it. Keep sending the emails to GetWellRandy@WWE.com.
Anthology Cuts shows Trish putting over her Lil’ Kim music and how well it fits her.
BOOT OF THE WEEK (Lugz): Last Monday Test over Hurricane and then “I love my Testicles!”
MATCH 6: TEST & STEVEN RICHARDS (W/ Stacy Keibler) VS. HURRICANE & GOLDUST Richards came out with them favoring his back and rear thanks to his partner…Stacy wearing the high boots is a good thing, a very good thing. Somebody apparently had a sign saying “I’m a Big Testicle” because Jerry brought it up as the bell rang and Test was dominating Goldust. Richards nearly got pinned after a variation of a flying wizard but Test broke it up and then dumped Goldy over the top. Steven crushed Test with a forearm to the back accidentally as Cane moved but Test kicked out of the Eye of the Hurricane. Choke slam coming up for Test but that would not happen…the Test Drive did and that was it. After the bell, Steven went to celebrate, groping Stacy…eventually taking a big boot. “Don’t you ever touch one of my Testicles!” RATING: 5, Okay, too short though. MEMORABLE: Flying wizard variation, Test Drive looked devastating. CROWD: 6, Pretty into it, not as much as the rest of the show though. OUTCOME: Test/Keibler deal continues. WINNER(S): TEST AND STEVEN RICHARDS AT 2:14
Triple H along with Flair are on their way to the ring for the match…they walk past Booker T who is with Hebner. “Triple H, just want you to know something. Elimination Chamber, you walking out…slim and none…slim just left the damn building. Whether I win really don’t make no difference, but um, whether you win I think it does. It won’t just be me in there, you got ah…five guys, five guys, five guys, five guys, five guys whipping your punk ass…now can you dig that? ‘You know something Book, you’re right, this Sunday Elimination Chamber, I do have five opponents. Thing is, one by one, I’m going to beat them all until it comes down to just you and me, now can you dig that?’” Hunter was taking the five fingers down to one…and that last one had an Austin feel to it, if you know what I mean. Booker had to be restrained, but he’ll get his shot in just a few seconds.
MATCH 7: TRIPLE H (W/ Ric Flair) VS. BOOKER T (Non-Title) Lawler pokes fun at Ross for OU losing to A&M on Saturday, but JR says they’re still in the game, then predicts that Triple H will lose the gold on Sunday, he just feels it. Booker T all over the Game even before the bell, taking him to the floor and dropping him with a suplex as he was massively intense until Hunter reversed him into the steps. Ric Flair then fired him back to the inside as the Game was waiting to pounce. Booker would fight back but thanks to Ric Flair, the Pedigree got the three count. As soon as the bell rang, out ran Shawn Michaels, laying the Game out. Flair ran in and went down to Sweet Chin Music. Shawn all over Triple H until Chris Jericho ran out, assaulting Michaels and helping in a double team. Out ran Kane and Rob Van Dam, now all six were out there for the first time. Kane knocked the Game down, then went down as RVD took Kane down with a top rope martial arts kick as Jericho moved…Kane threw Rob over the top, then was one on one with Hunter, who put him down with a spinebuster. Jericho scored with a missile dropkick on Booker T and then it was Jericho and Hunter jawing…Kane sat up and clotheslined them both once he stood up. He crushed them both with corner shots, choke slammed Jericho, then turned around and caught Sweet Chin Music from Michaels. He then tuned up the band to strike the Champion, but Hunter caught the kick, went for the Pedigree. Back drop counter…then Michaels put the Game down with a Pedigree as he was the only man standing at the end…nope, his music hit but he turned around to get absolutely killed by Jericho, who’s music did play to end a fabulous show. RATING: 5.5-6, Disappointingly short, but there will be another day for this match, this was to give the visual of all six guys to close the show. MEMORABLE: The aftermath was great. CROWD: 8-10, Aftermath was off the charts. OUTCOME: Chamber is going to be special folks. WINNER(S): RIC FLAIR AT 5:04
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: Best Raw in a long time, very good…by the way, the Broncos are playing the Raiders…ie I got to go NOW. Survivor Series is going to be a very entertaining show, the Chamber match is going to be something to see, maybe a little much with all the stips but it will still be a good spectacle with at least one highly memorable moment, most likely five or ten. Shawn Michaels was brilliant on the stick tonight and I can’t tell you how great it is to have him on television, I hope he’s going to come back more regularly, but I know what he said…this is supposed to be it…”one more and I’m done” but Mania seems to be a lock for at least one more. I’m hoping for a lot more. Talk to you guys in my columns this week, plus a full PPV preview on the weekends and the SD recap on Thursday. Survivor Series report will be up about a minute after the show ends on Sunday evening as well. Come catch me in Cornelia for NWA Wildside on Friday as I’ll be your announcer, and who knows, perhaps this week will be my TV debut…we will see. GO BRONCOS! By the way, the way the show ended was perfect, exactly what I was hoping for…great and man did Jericho look good tonight. Him and Michaels could have a great one if Shawn can do it.
RATING: 9, Entertaining and well put together.
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Jericho/Christian vs. RVD/Kane, Main event aftermath.
STAR OF THE NIGHT: Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels
SPOT OF THE NIGHT: Five Star frog splash over Kane onto the opposition.
Credit: Jason Martin