Kansas City, Missouri
January 20, 2003
RAW GOES LIVE "ACROSS THE NATION" HITS AND THE SUPERSTARS OF RAW ARE FEATURED ON THE MONTAGE VIDEO. THE NEARLY SOLD OUT KEMPER ARENA COMES INTO VIEW AND THE NOSIE LEVEL IS DEFEANING. ONE FANS' SIGN SAYS "I WANNA PLAY ON TRIPLE H AND STEINER's PLAYGROUND" WHILE ANOTHER SAID "CIVIL RIGHTS IS A JOKE". Jim Ross: "Kansas City, Missouri at the Kemper Arena is the final stop before the Royal Rumble and tonight King, we've got a lineup that will directly effect that event"! A PROMO PICTURE WITH THE RAW LOGO POPS UP. ON ONE SIDE IS KEVIN NASH AND ON THE OTHER IS TRIPLE H. Jerry Lawler: "Oh you ain't kiddin' J.R., look at this one! The game versus Big Sexy"! J.R.: "The problems between those two have been well documented! But they're gonna have to stay focused because the winner of the match gets to select from numbers twenty through thirty for the Royal Rumble and have good odds of winning it". Lawler: "And there's just one other thing J.R., it's no dqs"! ANOTHER PROMO PICTURE POPS UP. THIS ONE HAS STRIFE AND ZEROEX ON ONE SIDE AND BAHAMUT AND NAILS ON THE OTHER. J.R.: "I know and I don't like it a bit. But you wanna talk slobberknocker folks? This tag team match here is gonna be one of those"! THE CIVIL RIGHTS LOGO APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON AND THE CROWD IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO BOO AS THEIR MUSIC PLAYED AND THEY ALL CAME OUT IN TRENCH COATS. Lawler: "Well we all know what today is J.R."! J.R.: "Yes and I must admit, I had and still have all the respect in the world for Martin Luther King but these guys are insane"! Teddy Long: "Ya know, today is a very special day to myself and Civil Rights. Today is the day we celebrate Martin Luther King! But I have one question for all the big boys in the back. Where the heck was the tribute to the King to start the broadcast tonight"? J.R.: "Oh for cryin'...... Lawler: "He's kinda got a point there J.R.". Long: "Well guys, guess what? Since I knew you would fail to show the proper respect that you should tonight, I brought along with me a video package that I personally had created of the great Martin Luther King. Production, put it on"! JUST THEN, A 5 MINUTE FILM PACKAGE IS SHOWN CHRONICOLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARTIN LUTHER KING. Now Martin was a great man, as you just saw by all his accomplishments, but unfortunately, most of you people are still the same way against blacks. I mean, no member of Civil Rights was entered into the Royal Rumble match and you can bet I contacted my attorney on that and Ms. McMahon might be paid a visit. As long If we all would've followed the dream, we would all be in a much happier, safer world and as long as the TWF keeps it's prejudice stance, racial equality will never exist in this company". J.R.: "Oh come on, I don't know about that". Long: "So tonight, since the big boys are afraid to do it, we, Civil Rights are dedicating this night on RAW to the great Martin Luther King. So with that said, I'd..... JUST THEN, A HIP HOP TUNE INTERRUPTS LONG AND THE FANS POP WHEN KIVIN "SLEDGE HAMMA" SLEDGE COMES OUT ON STAGE. Kevin Sledge: "Teddy Long, I can't take much more of your crap. I mean, last week, you got my little cousin to attack me and now you're trying to fill people's head with this crap". Long: "Crap? Do you realize what you are calling crap? Kevin Sledge, and I mean this honestly, you are a disgrace to the black race"! Sledge: "Teddy, coming from you that doesn't affect me. But why don't you all quit wasting these people's time and hard earned money and put your money where your mouth is in a match against me tonight, any one of you. Now I know Teddy Long has no balls so that leaves one of you four". D'Lo Brown: "Nah, hell nah! I'll be damned if you're gonna come out here and disrespect us like that on the King's birthday! I'll accept your challenge! But don't smile too hard boy because I'm gonna rip that afro right off your head"! SLEDGE's MUSIC HITS AGAIN AND HE DROPS THE MIC. J.R.: "That match is set, D'Lo Brown vs. Kevin Sledge for tonight but what about the Royal Rumble coming up soon? A PROMO PICTURE WITH THE ROYAL RUMBLE LOGO IS SHOWN. IT FEATURES MR. PERFECT AND CHRISTOPER NOWINSKI ON ONE SIDE AND SHAWN STASIAK AND CHUCK PALUMBO ON THE OTHER. That match was just signed today King and it will be for the RAW Tag team titles"! Lawler: "Why, cause Perfect and Nowinski told Palumbo's sister to visit Jenny Craig"? CHUCK PALUMBO IS SHOWN GRABBING THE ROPES TO STRETCH AS HIS MUSIC PLAYS. THE HARVARD FIGHT SONG PLAYS AND CHRISTOPHER NOWISKI COMES OUT TO A LOT OF BOOS. J.R.: "Well this will be one on one folks, let me reiterate that fact"! Lawler: "This is gonna be a one on one preview J.R."! Chuck Palumbo vs. Christopher Nowinski As the bell sounded, Palumbo came out with a new agressiveness, taking it to Nowinski with some very hard right hands. Nowinski was not ready for such an onslaught from Palumbo but after avoiding a big superkick, Nowinski took him down with a football-like tackle. After driving several fists into Palumbo's forehead, Nowinski whipped him to the ropes but Palumbo ducked a clothesline and came off the ropes with one of his own. That led to a running powerslam and Palumbo went for the cover. But he got off Nowinski when he saw Mr. Perfect on the apro. Palumbo knocked him to the ground with a right hand as Shawn Stasiak came out to his aid. Referee Jack Doan saw the brawl outside and tried to seperate it but somehow Perfect had managed to get his title belt into Nowinski seconds earlier and he dropped Palumbo and made the cover as Doan turned to count the 3. Match Time: 5:42 Lawler: "Ahahahaha! See J.R., that's why these two are the best, they outsmart everyone"! PALUMBO HOLDS HIS JAW AND IS STOOD OVER BY STASIAK IN THE RING AS THE CHAMPIONS WALK UP THE RAMP WITH THEIR BELTS. J.R.: "Well something tells me that won't work at the Rumble! They better be prepared for a serious fight that night"! BACKSTAGE.... STEPHANIE's OFFICE.... STEPHANIE IS HURRIEDLY JOTTING SOMETHING DOWN ON PAPER WHEN GOLDUST VERY QUIETLY ENTERS WITHOUT HER HEARING. Goldust: "Why hello, princess". DEEP IN CONCENTRATION, STEPHANIE IS VERY STARTLED. Stephanie: "Oh my god Goldust, you scared me". Goldust: "Well I'm sorry. But I came to ask you about the Royal Rumble. I want to be a part of that event so that everyone in Japan will remember of the name of.....ohhhhh.....Goldust". Stephanie: "Well Goldust, unfortunately, all the spots for RAW are full. However, I did book you in a match tonight against Sam Wilde". GOLDUST GETS A GRIN ON HIS FACE. Goldust: "Me and Sam Wilde, in the same ring"? Stephanie: "Uh, yeah". Goldust: "I bet I can find a way to make that work". GOLDUST TURNS TO LEAVE AS STEPHANIE GIVES HIM A WEIRD LOOK. COMMERCIAL BREAK...... A COMMERCIAL IS SHOWN FOR TRIPLE X..... NOW ON DVD. RETURN FROM BREAK.... BACKSTAGE... AS RAW RETURNS, JOHNATHAN COAHMAN IS WITH HIGH OCTANE. Johnathan Coachman: "Welcome back to RAW as I am with the man who has challenged Big Poppa Pump to a one on one match at the Royal Rumble. Now High Octane, we saw you get rid of Nidia, but who is gonna be in your corner at the Royal Rumble"? High Octane: "Well Coach, I know it's your job and all to ask me that but for the sake of my gameplan, I'm not gonna reveal that at this time. I will say this, he has a big beef with Steiner". HIGH OCTANE TURNS AND WALKS AWAY. Coachman: "Alright J.R., there ya have it, back to you and the King". 24 KARAT PRODUCTIONS APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON AND GOLD CONFETTI BEGINS TO FALL FROM THE CEILING AS GOLD PYRO SPRAYS INTO THE AIR, LEADING GOLDUST DOWN THE AISLE IN HIS GOLD ROBE AND LONG BLONDE WIG. J.R.: "Well that could be anyone here on RAW King cause I think just about everyone has a problem with Scott Steiner"! Lawler: "I don't"! SAM WILDE's MUSIC SUNG BY THE PHILADELPHIA BOYS CHOIR HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A GOOD POP. J.R.: "Well I've always said that Goldust is cookier than a pet coon but he's as tough in that ring as anyone I've seen. Sam Wilde's got his work cut out for him". Lawler: "You bet he does J.R.! I think this should be for a spot in the Royal Rumble like the one we're gonna see a little bit later"! J.R.: "Well you heard Stephanie say that match is full as far as RAW is concerned but what we do have next, is Austin Pyromania, live via telephone to give us the latest on his condition"! Lawler: "Big deal! Let's just watch Goldust teach Sam Wilde a wrestling lesson"! Goldust vs. Sam Wilde Goldust looked a little rusty as he made a few mistakes against the up and coming Wilde but he used his unorthodox attack to keep himself in it. Wilde reversed an irish whip attempt to the corner and charged in but Goldust got a foot to the face and after a big uppercut, Goldust dropped him with a clothesline. Goldust then taunted Wilde with his signtaure gesture but Wilde capitalized by taking Goldust down by the foot and locking in an ankle lock. Th8at opened up a submission arsenal where Wilde put Goldust in hold after hold. But off an irish whip, Wilde put his head down to early and Goldust fell on his back and punched him right in the mouth and followed that up with a nice powerslam. Goldust then set up Wilde for the Shattered Dreams but referee Tim White got in his way to prevent it. Goldust finally pulled Wilde down and whipped him to the ropes. But Wilde avioded Goldust's butt bump and hit the "Testament to Wilde" out of nowhere to get the 3 count. Match Time: 4:00 J.R.: "Sam Wilde has picked up a hard fought win, spoiling Goldust's return to RAW"! Lawler: "Look out for Goldust"! JUST THEN, WILDE IS LOWBLOWED FROM BEHIND BY GOLDUST. AS WILDE CRUMPLES TO THE GROUND IN PAIN, GOLDUST BEGINS TO PERVERTEDLY CRAWL OVER HIM UNTIL NEMESIS COMES RUNNING OUT. GOLDUST REACTS TO THE FANS CHEERS AND EXITS THE RING IN A HURRY. J.R.: "Thank god for Nemesis! What in god's name is Goldust doing"? Lawler: "I don't know J.R., you said he's cookier than a pet coon"! J.R.: "Well everyone, we have Austin Pyromania on the phone reporting on his ankle injury".
Lawler: "I wonder if he saw RAW last week J.R.".
J.R.: "Hello Austin, how are you doing"?
Austin Pyromania: "Well J.R., I'm doin' fine. Other than the fact that I have been on these crutches for a week now and boy, after a while your arm pits start to hurt".
J.R.:(laughing a bit) "Yeah I know what you mean. But back to your condition, when are you set to return"?
Pyromania: "Well, I am set to return the night after the Royal Rumble so I guess I can't be in it".
King: Austin, did you by any chance see RAW last week"?
Pyromania: Yeah, I saw about the first half hour but then I had to go get my crutches so I missed the rest".
J.R.: Well we thank you for taking some time to call us on the phone to give us a report on your ankle".
Pyromania: Well your welcome and remember everyone, dont mess with a Pyromaniac you might just get burned"! HE HANGS UP. Lawler: "He only saw the first half hour J.R.. That means that.... J.R.: "Yeah, I know what it means and I'm glad you didn't bring it up". BACKSTAGE THE FANS CHEER LOUDLY WHEN STRIFE AND ZEROEX ARE SHOWN IN A SECLUDED AREA OF THE ARENA. Strife: "Hey man, I gotta say, that was a great way to return last week, beating Nails down and all". ZEROEX NODS HIS HEAD. Strife: "But tonight, you and I are on the same team in a tag match. Now I know you were once part of the Hardcore Revolution and I was part of the group trying to destroy it. But one of the guys in that group with me was Bahamut. He threw our friendship down the drain because he is a selfish son of a bitch! And if I have to trust you tonight to have my back, long enough to whip his ass, I will". STRIFE STICKS HIS FIST OUT AND ZEROEX HITS IT WITH HIS FIST WHICH IS COVERED BY HIS TRADEMARK BOXING GLOVES AS THE SCENE SHIFTS BACK TO THE ANNOUNCE POSITION WHERE J.R. AND THE KING ARE SHOWN. J.R.: "That's gonna be one hell of a collision tonight as Strife and Bahamut will be trying to gain as much momentum as they can heading into what I think will go down as the greatest Royal Rumble match ever". A LONG SOUNDING HORN IS HEARD AS A-TRAIN COMES OUT TO MOSTLY BOOS. Lawler: "Not only that J.R., but it was confirmed today by Stephanie McMahon that ZeroEx will challenge Nails for the Toughman title at the Royal Rumble as well"! J.R.: "Well it's shaping up to be one hell of an event but speaking of a collision, here comes the A-Train"! SABU's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A MIXED REACTION. Lawler: "You're right J.R., the winner of this match will get the last spot for RAW in the Royal Rumble match"! J.R.: "Well Sabu was a guy I once had a lot of respect for but I lost that respect last week when he attacked his partner Tommy Dreamer just for not picking him as his partner in that tag team title match"! Winner gets RAW's last Royal Rumble slot Sabu vs. A-Train As the bell sounded, Sabu tried to lock up with the big man but had no luck, getting slammed to the canvas. A-Train then went for his big scissor kick but Sabu moved and nailed him with some quick right hands before a wicked series of knifedge chops. But an angered A-Train flung him into the corner and crushed him with his 350 pound frame. After a hard backbreaker, A-Train went for the cover but was only able to get a 2 count. A-Train then delivered a hard shoulder breaker and signaled for the finish. He grabbed Sabu by the throat, looking for the "Baldo Bomb" but Sabu escaped after a kick to the gut. He then ducked a clothesline and hit the "Arabian facebuster" out of nowhere to get the 1...2.....3. Match Time: 4:35 J.R.: "Sabu is going to the Royal Rumble after a huge win over the A-Train"! Lawler: "And if he could draw a good number, I think he'd be tough to get out, trust me, I've wrestled Sabu". J.R.: "Oh wait a minute, there's Tommy Dreamer"! JUST THEN, SABU TURNED AROUND AND CAUGHT A KENDO STICK IN BETWEEN THE EYES FROM TOMMY DREAMER WHICH BROUGHT THE CROWD TO THEIR FEET. DREAMER THEN SET SABU UP FOR THE "DREAMER DRIVER" BUT SABU SLIPPED OFF AND SLID OUT OF THE RING, BLOOD STREAMING FROM THE BRIDGE OF HIS NOSE. Lawler: "Oh wow, look at that J.R.". J.R.: "It's a nasty lookin' gash but I can't say Sabu didn't deserve it! He and Dreamer were friends and he turned his back on him. Why? Cause he didn't pick him"? SABU WALKS UP THE RAMP BACKWARDS AS HE AND DREAMER JUST STARE EACH OTHER DOWN. Lawler: "No, I think there's more to it than that J.R.".
PRIOR TO COMMERCIAL.... BACKSTAGE..... CAMERAS CATCH JACKIE GAYDA AND MATT TAYLOR SERIOUSLY MAKING OUT AGAIN. J.R.: "Oh my, we need to take a commercial break, now". Lawler: "Ahhh! Are you watching now Pyromania? Apparently the Koo Bear doesn't care if he gets burned"! JACKIE's SHIRT IS LIFTED OFF AND THEN THE SCREEN FADES OUT. COMMERCIAL BREAK..... A COMMERCIAL FOR TRUTH.COM IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A SNICKERS COMMERCIAL FEATURING NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY. RETURN FROM BREAK... TRIPLE H & SCOTT STEINER's DRESSING ROOM... AS RAW RETURNS, A HAND IS SHOWN KNOCKING ON A CLOSED DOOR WHICH HAS TRIPLE H's LOGO AND THE SUPERMAN LOGO. THE DOOR OPENS AND TRIPLE H IS STANDING THERE. Triple H: "Can I help you"? Female voice: "Well, I was wondering if you guys would like some inside information". Triple H: "What kind of inside information"? Female voice: "Well, I think I know who's gonna be in High Octane's corner at the Royal Rumble". Triple H: "Come on in". TRIPLE H OPENS THE DOOR ALL THE WAY AND NIDIA COMES INTO VIEW AND ENTERS AS THE DOOR CLOSES. BACK AT RINGSIDE, "POEM" BY TAPROOT IS PLAYING AS JACKIE GAYDA AND MATT TAYLOR AWAIT SPAWN IN THE RING. Lawler: "Nidia is gonna give High Octane's secret away! Who is it J.R."? J.R.: "I have no idea, what I wanna know is who these two think they're fooling. We have cameras all over our arenas guys"! GREEN RAYS OF LIGHT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ARENA AS THE SOUND OF A CREAKING DOOR OPENING IS HEARD FOLLOWED BY SPAWN's EERIE MUSIC. HE APPEARS ON THE RAMP AND BEGIN TO SLOWLY WALK DOWN TO THE RING. Lawler: "If Pyromania's watching at home, he might even be rooting for this guy right now"! J.R.: "Well I don't know that anyone roots for him except for Akasha but you have to recognize what he's done in short deal of time hear in the TWF. He's virtually indestructable so far". Lawler: "Well both these men are in that Royal Rumble match J.R. and a win here could provide them with a lot of momentum"! Spawn vs. Matt "Koo Bear" Taylor w/Jackie Gayda With Jackie in his corner, Matt Taylor was energized yet focused. He came out and went right after Spawn, not backing down an inch. Spawn didn't seem to be expecting much of a challenge and after a third clothesline knocked him to the mat, Taylor scored with a hard ddt. He rolled on top and hooked the leg to get 1.....2..., but Spawn kicked out. Taylor was relentless though as he whipped him to the corner but when he charged in, Spawn caught him around the throat by his hand and lifted him into the air, driving him to the mat with a chokeslam powerbomb. Spawn then blatantly choked Taylor before stomping directly on his face. After a gorilla press slam, Jackie got on the apron. Spawn noticed her and made his way towards her when Taylor came from behind with a schoolboy and got another near fall. Taylor got up and charged Spawn but ran right into a big boot. Spawn whipped him to the ropes but Taylor ducked a vicious clothesline attempt and nailed him with a flying back elbow after bouncing off the other side. Taylor then went to the top turnbuckle and came off with a cross body block. But Spawn caught Taylor, who is no small man, in mid air and dropped him over the top turnbuckle with the snake eyes. That led to the "Spawn Driver" as Spawn picked up yet another victory. Match Time: 8:18 J.R.: "Well we were a shade away from seeing an upset tonight folks and it seems that Jackie and Koo Bear have become a little closer than friends". Lawler: "Well he lost the match, but he's not the same Koo Bear! What are he and Jackie doing off camera"?! J.R.: "Well you would wanna know but what about Spawn? Who's gonna throw that man out of the Rumble"? SPAWN IS SHOWN WALKING THROUGH THE CURTAIN. BACKSTAGE.... LOS GUERRERO's DRESSING ROOM.... THE GUERRERO's ARE WATCHING THE ACTION ON A MONITOR. Eddie Guerrero: "So what'd she say Chavalito"? Chavo Guerrero: "Stephanie said there's no more roon for the Royal Rumble man, only one Guerrero could get in and that's you uncle Eddie. But did you just hear what J.R. said? Who's gonna throw out Spawn"? Eddie: "Si vato". Chavo: "Well it's gonna be you essa! You're gonna throw that big freak out if he gets in your way"! Eddie: "You're right homes, it will be me"! Chavo: "Listen Eddie, the entire Guerrero family will be watching, you gotta make them all proud". Eddie: "Oh don't worry Chavalito, uncle Eddie will make everyone proud. Last year, I was the runner up in the Royal Rumble. This year, I'm taking it all! Trust me vato loco, trust me". A FAMILIAR AUSTRALIAN VOICE IS HEARD AS A MAN IS SHOWN READING A NEWSPAPER. Voice: "They don't have to know, there's no reason for them to know what's inside. My therapist told me it's not there anymore, but it is. If I can fool her, I can fool them". THE CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS IN ON THE MAN READING THE PAPER, THE ENTIRE SHOT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE. AS THE HEADLINE ON THE PAPER COMES INTO VIEW IT READS "JONES TO SPEND 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ARMED ROBBERY". Voice: "I am Nathan Jones, g'day". NATHAN JONES COMING TO THE ROYAL RUMBLE BACK TO RINGSIDE, THE CIVIL RIGHTS LOGO APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON AND THEIR MUSIC HITS AS D'LO BROWN, MALICE AND SHELTON BENJAMIN COME OUT WITH TEDDY LONG. Lawler: "What's up with this Nathan Jones guy J.R."? J.R.: "I don't know a lot. What I do know is that he did spend time in jail and he's gonna be a handful in the Royal Rumble. He's seven feet tall and over three hundred pounds". Lawler: "Wow". J.R.: "But here comes Teddy Long and his boys and Ron Simmons is not out here we are told because he is on the phone with Coretta Scott King who called him to say thank you for their support of Martin Luther King and to wish him good luck at the Royal Rumble. Yeah right, I believe that about as much as I'd believe any of the garbage coming out of Teddy Long's mouth"! Lawler: "How do you know J.R.? These guys are becoming huge role models". J.R.: "Oh yeah right". Teddy Long: "Before D'Lo squashes that punk Kevin Sledge again, I just wanted to address an issue I recently learned of. I was told that Missouri is one of the most racist states in all of America. What is wrong with you people? What did our forefather's ever do to you? This is exactly why I formed...... JUST THEN, KEVIN SLEDGE's MUSIC HITS AGAIN AND HE COMES OUT TO A BIG POP, JOINED BY MIKE MARCELLUS WHO IS SPORTING A ST. LOUIS BLUES HOCKEY JERSEY. Lawler: "That's twice in one night J.R."! J.R.: "Go Sledge Hammer"! Kevin Sledge: "Ya know Teddy, you called me a disgrace to my own race. Well I wanna know what race you belong to because there are thousands of people in this crowd who think you're of piece of crap"! D'Lo Brown: "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sledge Hamma, I told you about talking to Mr. Long that way. If you got something to say, bring your little pal Crazy bitch down here with you and we'll see who's a piece of crap"! Lawler: "Oh boy"! J.R.: "That did it"! SLEDGE DROPPED THE MIC AND HE AND MARCELLUS RAN DOWN THE RAMP AND INTO THE RING. LONG JUMPED OUT AS D;LO AND MALICE TOOK ON MARCELLUS AND SLEDGE. BENJAMIN DID NOT GET INVOLVED. FINALLY, REFEREE CHAD PATTON GOT IN BETWEEN THE MEN WHEN THERE WAS AN OPPURTUNITY AND SENT MALICE, BENJAMIN AND MARCELLUS TO THE BACK, IN ORDER TO HAVE A CLEAN MATCH. Kevin "Sledge Hamma" Sledge vs. D'Lo Brown As the bell sounded, D'Lo asked Patton to frisk Sledge and check him for weapons, which Patton did. But as he did, D'Lo sneak attacked Sledge to get the early advantage. D'Lo delivered some hard right hands but Sledge took them well and after blocking one, he got in several hard rights of his own as the fight resembled a street fight more than a wrestling match. After gouging Sledge's eyes, D'lo scoop slammed him and hit the shaky, shaky legdrop but was only able to get a 2 count. D'Lo then whipped him into the ropes and went for a hip toss but Sledge blocked it and wet for a leg-o-matic which D'Lo countered but Sledge landed on his feet and kicked D'Lo right in the face. That lit Sledge up as he began to ferociously take it to D'Lo, hitting him with a tilt-a-whirl slam and a springboard dropkick, both of which drew 2 counts. After a swinging neckbreaker, Sledge went to the second turnbuckle but Teddy Long grabbed him pant leg. As Patton came over to argue with Long, D'Lo pulled Sledge down. But Sledge reversed an irish whip and hit a devastating spinebuster. The crowd counted to at least 7 but Patton was distracted. Suddenly, the rest of Civil Rights, including Ron Simmons came out but Mike Marcellus wasn't far behind.... with a hockey stick. He came out and hit Simmons, Malice and Benjamin with the stick and then got on the apron, swinging it at D'Lo. But when D'Lo ducked, he accidentally nailed Sledge and D'Lo covered him as Long yelled at Patton to make the count which he did to end the match. Match Time: 6:26 Lawler: "D'Lo got him! That'll teach him to interrupt these guys"! J.R.: "I wanna go back and count how many matches these guys have won without cheating! I don't think we'd get very many"! OUTSIDE THE RING, SIMMONS DELIVERED HIS 1 HANDED SPINEBUSTER ON THE FLOOR TO MARCELLUS. AS THEY ALL WALKED UP THE RAMP TO THEIR MUSIC, THEY ALL RAISED THEIR ARMS WHEN A PICTURE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING APPEARED ON THE TWF TRON. Lawler: "Oh, look at that! It's the King himself"! J.R.: "And I bet he's just so proud of these guys! I mean, they're such classy individuals"! Lawler: "Watch it J.R., you don't wanna be like the rest of these Missourians"! PRIOR TO COMMERCIAL.... BACKSTAGE.... THE COACH IS WITH LITA AS THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERS FROM INSIDE. Johnathan Coachman: "Lita, it's so nice to see you here tonight. Can we get some thoughts on your Women's title match with Akasha at the Royal Rumble"? Lita: "Ya know Coach, I'd love to, but I'm just not feeling right. I've been sick since I got here tonight and I've had a really unlucky week. I think I'm just gonna take off and go to my hotel and get some rest, I'm sorry". LITA WALKS OFF LEAVING COACH WITH A SUSPICIOUS LOOK ON HIS FACE. COMMERCIAL BREAK..... A COMMERCIAL FOR THE NEW NIKE SHOX IS SHOWN. RETURN FROM BREAK... BACKSTAGE.... JOHNATHAN COACHMAN IS STANDING WITH KEVIN NASH OUTSIDE HIS DRESSING ROOM. Coachman: "Kevin Nash, last week on RAW, after you were told he wasn't even in the same state, Triple H attacked you with a sledge hammer after a big win over Bahamut. Tonight you get him one on one and the winner gets to draw a number no worse than twenty for the Royal Rumble". Kevin Nash: "Ya know Coach, the Royal Rumble hasn't even entered my thought process yet. Because whether I enter at number thirty or at number one, Big Sexy's gonna be the toughest guy to get out of that ring. But tonight, my focus is on kicking Triple H's ass". Bahamut and Nails vs. Strife and ZeroEx This was a very intense match which the crowd was very into. Bahamut started things off with ZeroEx and after taking several kicks from the kickboxing champion, Bahamut grabbed his leg and brought him in for a hard clothesline. He then turned and knocked Strife to the floor with a cheap shot. Bahamut then tagged in Nails who came in with a headbutt that knocked ZeroEx flat on his back. Nails then dug several right hands into the face of Nails before lifting a knee into his chest. Nails showed an intensity rarely seen from him as he viciously beat ZeroEx around the ring. After a barrage of right hands, ZeroEx kicked one of Nails' punches away and caught him with a left jab-right hook combo that knocked him to the mat. He then scored with a reverse roundhouse to the head before dropping him with a clothesline. The tag was then made to Strife who yelled for Bahamut to get into the match. Bahamut tagged in and the crowd went wild as the two former best friends traded blow for blow in the center of the ring. Finally, it was Bahamut who hit Strife with a punch in the esophagus and then a big knee to the gut. After an irish whip, Bahamut lifted the big man in the air with a backbody drop. Bahamut then whipped him to the ropes but Strife ducked a backhand and almost took Bahamut's head off with a running boot. Slowly, Strife made it to his corner and tagged in ZeroEx but Nails was in the ring to cut him off. As the two went at it, Strife and Bahamut got into it again until Strife clotheslned him at the same time ZeroEx used a back footsweep. They then double clotheslined Nails out of the ring. Bahamut charged Strife but Strife grabbed him and hit a full nelson slam. ZeroEx covered Bahamut and hooked the leg for the win. Match Time: 11:40 J.R.: "Strife and ZeroEx battled back in this match to get the win and after all that, you gotta believe Strife is a favorite to win that Royal Rumble King"! Lawler: "Not only that, I'm worried about Nails' being able to beat ZeroEx"! STRIFE AND ZEROEX ARE SHOWN IN THE RING, TALKING TRASH BACK TO NAILS AND BAHAMUT. J.R.: "Well they are just like Strife and Bahamut, two old friends who know each other well"! PARKING LOT LITA IS SHOWN WALKING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT TO HER CAR. SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND GETS IN BUT IS ATTACKED BY SOMEONE WHO CAME FROM THE OTHER SIDE AND SLAMMED THE DOOR AGAINST HER. IT's AKASHA! LITA IS LAYING ON THE PARKING LOT, IN PAIN. Akasha: "So you've had a bad week, huh Lita? I told you to remember the black angel dust". AKASHA WALKS AWAY, LEAVING LITA LAYING AND HOLDING HER RIGHT ARM. BACK AT RINGSIDE, "THE GAME" BY MOTORHEAD HITS AND TRIPLE H COMES OUT TO A MIXED REACTION AND DOES HIS USUAL PRE-MATCH RITUAL. J.R.: "Is Akasha saying that that black dust has done something to Lita"? Lawler: "I think that's exactly what she's saying J.R."! J.R.: "Well as things seem to get more complex, it's time for what should be a hard nosed brawl from start to finish"! A HOWL IS HEARD AND LEADS INTO THE WOLFPAC THEME HITS AND KEVIN NASH COMES OUT TO A BIG CHEER, A SERIOUS LOOK IN HIS EYES. Lawler: "The winner here gets to pick numbers twenty through thirty for that Royal Rumble J.R. and order of entry is always the key"! J.R.: "That makes this match even bigger and you can bet that this man is ready after what happened to him last week at the hands of Triple H"! Lawler: "Don't forget either J.R. that no dq rules apply tonight"! No Dqs/Winner gets to draw #'2 20-30 for the Royal Rumble Triple H vs. Kevin Nash As the bell sounded, these two met in the center of the ring and an exchange of right hands occured. But Nash got the better end of it, knocking Triple H back to the corner which set up his elbow attack. After several elbows, Triple H fell flat on his face. Nash then bounced off the ropes and went for a big legdrop but Triple H rolled out of the way. He then got on Nash and rifled him with several hard right hands. Triple H then kept the big man on the mat, working on both his legs. Moments later, Triple H pulled Nash to the corner and jumped out of the ring before wrapping his right leg around the steel post. Referee Earl Hebner warned him not to do it again but Triple H did it 3 more times, since there were no dqs. Triple H then straddled Nash over the middle rope and stood on the back of his neck for over 10 seconds. After several more blatant chokes, Triple H went out and grabbed a steel chair. He brought it in and blasted Nash in the back with it. But when he raised the chair up again, Nash reacted with a sidewalk slam. The crowd came alive just as Nash did and after an irish whip, Nash hit a big boot to the face when Scott Steiner came out carrying a sledge hammer. But as Nash grabbed Steiner, the hammer fell into the ring. High Octane came running out and he and Steiner began brawling on the floor. Meanwhile in the ring, Nash had the game set up for the Jacknife when Triple H went to 1 knee and lowblowed him with the hammer. That led to the Pedigree and Triple H got the 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 8:44 STEINER THEN BLASTED HIGH OCTANE WITH A STEEL CHAIR AND CAME INTO THE RING WITH TRIPLE H. SUDDENLY, NIDIA APPEARED IN THE ENTRANCEWAY WITH A BIG SMILE ON HER FACE. Lawler: "Triple H has gotten a number between twenty and thirty J.R.! No one's gonna beat him at the Rumble"! J.R.: "He's got a hell of an advantage! But what is Nidia doing"?! Lawler: "She knows High Octane's surprise! RAW is Triple H and Steiner's show and no one can stop them"! COMMERCIAL BREAK.... A PREVIEW FOR THE MOVIE BIKER BOYZ IS SHOWN. RETURN FROM BREAK.... RINGSIDE.... J.R.: "Well we're back on RAW fans and we're almost out of time but we do have time to go over the Royal Rumble with you one last time". Lawler: "Well J.R., it's gonna be a great way to start the 2003 pay-per-view season as...... JUST THEN, THE CIVIL RIGHTS LOGO APPEARS AND THEIR MUSIC HITS AS THE ENTIRE GROUP MAKES THEIR WAY OUT TO A LOT OF HEAT. J.R.: "Ah what now? Haven't we had enough of these guys"?! Teddy Long: "Before we leave tonight, I just wanted to remind you all here in Missouri what tonight is about and maybe the fact I talked about earlier will start to change. CROWD LOUDLY BOOS. Now, I am going to invite any one of you to come into this ring right now and stand before us in honor of the great Martin Luther King. Shelton, go pick out one of these people". SHELTON PICKS OUT A BLACK MAN SITTING IN THE FOURTH ROW ON THE FLOOR. SECURITY HELPS HIM OVER THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE RING. J.R.: "What are they gonna do"? Long: "Okay, how are you tonight sir"? LONG SHAKES THE MAN's HAND. Man: "I'm fine". Long: "Alright good. Well you look like you're in your mid to late forties, so I presume you know all about the great Martin Luther King". Man: "Oh yeah". Long: "Was he great"? Man: "Oh yeah, I loved him, still do". Long: "Alright, now that's what we like to hear. Now if you will, we'd like you to stand here with us in silent prayer in hopes that the world gets better with it's discrimination against our color". Man: "Sure". THEY ALL BOW THEIR HEADS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. Long: "Alright, there's just one last thing sir. How big a wrestling fan are ya"? Man: "Oh huge, been watching since the seventies". Long: "Okay, so you know all about our movement here in the TWF"? Man: "Yeah, I see you guys every week". Long: "Okay, so who's your favorite TWF superstar". RON SIMMONS STEPS UP. Man: "Uh, well, I would have to say The Undertaker". Lawler: "Oh no"! J.R.: "Oh yeah, you got good taste! Good for you"! Long: "Wait a minute, did I just hear this man right? Did he say The Undertaker"? Ron Simmons: "I'll be damned"! Long: "Sir, you know what that means"? LONG GRABS THE MAN BY THE COLLAR WHEN "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" HITS AND THE UNDERTAKER COMES OUT TO THE BIGGEST POP OF THE NIGHT. J.R.: "Business has just picked up! Let him go"! THE UNDERTAKER IS ASSUALTED BY THE ENTIRE CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP WHO GET THE BETTER OF HIM. BUT HE BEGINS TO FIGHT BACK AND CATCHES THEM ALL WITH SOME HARD RIGHT HANDS BEFORE DRILLING SIMMONS WITH A CHOKESLAM! HE LOOKS OVER AT TEDDY LONG WHO LET's GO OF THE FAN AND LEAPS OUT OF THE RING AS "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" AGAIN PLAYS. UNDERTAKER HOLDS THE FAN's HAND IN THE AIR AS THE CROWD IS GOING BERSERK! J.R.: "The Undertaker has had the last laugh on Martin Luther King day"! Lawler: "And he just kissed the title away in the process"! J.R.: "You can't miss the Royal Rumble folks! It's got the makings of a classic"! OFF AIR.....
