World Wrestling Entertainment - 2003

[Guest HYA]

Monday Night Raw

February 3rd, 2003

- Triple H vs Spike Dudley

Our World champion hit the ring to kick off RAW, ready to face one of his biggest challenges yet in the form of little Spike Dudley! To absolutely nobody’s surprise, this was nothing but a blatant squash that came to an abrupt end after “The Game” levelled the runt of the Dudley litter with the Pedigree. After the match he levelled Spike with a second Pedigree, just to make sure that we all knew he was a bad guy. [**¼]

- Booker T comes down to the ring and talks about his brawl with Scott Steiner last week after RAW’s main event. Booker says that Steiner was obviously looking for a fight, leading to Booker challenging “Big Poppa Pump” for later in the evening. Steiner is quick to answer the call, accepting the match. The two have a brief war of words before another scuffle breaks out as officials try to keep the two apart. [78]

- Eric Bischoff is in his office when Lillian Garcia approaches and asks him how he was going in his quest to keep his job by “turning RAW around” before No Way Out. An overly stressed Bischoff snaps at Lillian, screaming at her to get out immediately. I take it he hasn’t made much progress yet. [77]

- Dave Batista vs Jeff Hardy

While it was clear that Batista remained in the driving seat throughout the match, this proved to be his toughest one on one encounter in some time with Jeff Hardy throwing everything he had at “The Animal.” Despite an admirable effort however, Batista would prove to be too much for Hardy, finishing things off with his trademark sitout powerbomb. After the match Batista left Hardy lying with a second powerbomb, leaving his mark on the former Team Xtreme member. [**¾]

- A pre-taped promo is shown of another RNN update. Randy Orton says that his injury is now healed and his shoulder is at 100%. He goes on to say that he’ll make his in-ring return to RAW next week. About bloody time too, these things had been growingly tiresome in recent weeks. [86]

- In the back we see Christian and Chris Jericho leaving someone’s locker-room. The cameras follow in, eventually revealing Lance Storm and William Regal in the room. Regal and Storm agree that the world tag team champions would make an excellent choice for partners in their eight man tag this evening. Well I thought it was going to be 3MW or something, so Y2J & Christian are a pleasant surprise. [87]

- The Dudleyz, Kane & Rob Van Dam vs Lance Storm, William Regal, Chris Jericho & Christian

The stipulations here were as follows. The Dudleys and Storm & Regal were able to choose two partners of their choice for an eight-man tag match. The winning team gets to choose the stipulations for their match at No Way Out. This was an enjoyable brawl, particularly the exchanges between RVD and Jericho. The finish came when RVD scored with the 5 Star Frog Splash on Christian for the one two three. This meaning that the Dudleyz will choose the stipulations for their encounter with Storm and Regal at No Way Out. You know what would be a crazy thought? To do something OTHER than a tables match with the Dudleyz. [***¼]

- Triple H is being interviewed by Coach in the backstage area about his upcoming title defence against Booker T and Scott Steiner at No Way Out. H mentions that both opponents were champions in WCW, but this was the WWE. This was the World Heavyweight title, the most important piece of gold in the history of the business. H says that the two are simply not at his level, and sure as hell weren’t world champion material. Tripper said he looked forward to watching the two beat the hell out of each other in the night’s main event, which is NEXT. [86]

- Scott Steiner vs Booker T

This was an intense, hard hitting brawl reminding us of their heated encounters in the late days of WCW. After fifteen minutes of back and forth action, the match was hanging in the balance. Enter Triple H. “The Game” made his way down to the ring and interrupted the match, destroying both Steiner and Booker with a series of vicious sledgehammer shots. After ensuring that neither man was getting back to this feet, Tripper posed over his fallen No Way Out opponents while raising the world title in the air as RAW faded to black. [***½]

Overall Rating: 81

TV Rating: 5.80

Attendance: 10,025

[Guest HYA]

SmackDown!

February 6th, 2003

Announcers: Michael Cole & Tazz

Chris Benoit d. Chavo Guererro

This weeks show kicked off with an outstanding contest where both men’s partners were banned from ringside. With no uncle at ringside looking out for him, Chavo was forced to rely on his own wrestling ability and we saw a much more aggressive style from the younger of Los Guereros. This highly competitive match came to an end at the sixteen-minute mark when Benoit forced Chavo to tap to the Crossface in an exciting opener. (****¾)

- Segment 1: Kai En Tai appeared on the titantron to discuss their recent altercations with cruiserweight champion Billy Kidman. While the language barrier didn’t allow for great depth, their limited vocabulary managed to get the point across. TAKA wanted the cruiserweight title, and was challenging Kidman to a title match at No Way Out. (67)

Team Angle d. Too Cool

Too Cool had the fans on their side as Scotty 2 Hotty returned from injury to team up with his old dancing buddy Rikishi to take on up and comers Team Angle. Late in the match Rikishi looked to drop the stink face on Haas, but he snuck in a low blow that would lead to Benjamin nailing a picture perfect super kick to score the win. (**¾)

- Segment 2: Kurt Angle made his way to the ring without his young protégés by his side to address Shawn Michaels. Angle said that HBK had got the better of him over the last couple of weeks, but that was all going to change tonight. Angle said it was time to get serious and remind HBK why he is an Olympic gold medallist, as well as the greatest WWE champion of all time. This lead to HBK coming out, who said that it sounded like Angle was looking for a fight. HBK proposed to have a little WrestleMania preview tonight, which the WWE champion agreed to. (91)

Big Show d. Tajiri

Tajiri went down for the count once again, this time to the Big Show. Show basically dominated the match, minus a few stiff kicks from the “Japanese Buzzsaw.” Show eventually scores the win after a Chokeslam and I throw my remote at the TV in anger at the recent jobbing of Tajiri. (**)

- Segment 3: After the match Big Show started putting the boots to Tajiri before setting up for another Chokeslam. However, The Undertaker came sprinting down to the ring and fought Show off. An intense Taker unleashed a furious ass whooping on Show, eventually causing him to scurry to the back. Before Show made it to the back, Taker got on the mike and challenged him to a match at No Way Out, giving him a week to respond. (84)

Edge vs Eddie Guererro

Like the evening’s opener, team-mates were banned from ringside for this one. While it was not quite on the level of the show opener, it was an entertaining match none the less. The finish came when Guererro dodged a Spear from Edge and rolled him up in a pinning combination, getting his feet on the ropes for leverage and scoring the tainted three count for the victory. (***½)

- Segment 4: After the match, Edge began brawling with Eddie which led to Chavo coming down to the ring and then eventually Benoit to even the numbers. The two teams slugged it out when Matt Hardy joined the fray and forced a three on two situations. He and Los Guererros took the upperhand with numbers on their side, before eventually Rey Mysterio came sprinting down to the ring and cleared house in his first appearance since being attacked by Matt Hardy a few weeks ago on SmackDown! (85)

Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels

Few were stupid enough to believe that WWE would really give their WM main event away on free TV. After an exciting three minute opening to the match, featuring an excellent chain wrestling sequence, Team Angle hit the ring and attacked Michaels, causing the DQ. What was to come was a horrendous three on one ambush from Team Angle, who left HBK a bloody mess. Angle taunted a bloodied Michaels with the WWE title and slapped him in the face several times, as the fallen HBK struggled to retain consciousness. (***)

- Segment 5: Brock Lesnar came down to the ring and looked for someone to answer his challenge for No Way Out that he had made on last week’s edition of SmackDown! Soon enough the lights went out and after a short time they returned, with The Rock standing in the ring behind Brock with a steel chair! Lesnar turned around and was nailed with a steel chair to the skull! Rock posed over Brock’s fallen body as SmackDown! went off the air. (93)

Overall Rating: 79

TV Rating: 5.85

Attendance: 10,010

[Guest HYA]

Monday Night Raw

February 10th, 2003

Announcers: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler

Chris Jericho vs Spike Dudley

RAW got underway with the runt of the Dudley litter on job duty, this week to one half of the world tag team champions, Y2J Chris Jericho. Late in the match Spike looked for the Dudley Dog out of nowhere but it was reversed by Y2J. Jericho then forced Spike to tap out to the walls of Jericho, putting an end to a short contest. As the ref called for the bell Jericho refused to release the hold until eventually being run off by Rob Van Dam. (***)

- Segment 1: Eric Bischoff was again questioned about his progress in coming up with something to turn RAW around before No Way Out. Bischoff seemed much more relaxed this week and promised that he had a major surprise that was going to shake RAW to it’s very foundations. (84)

Randy Orton vs The Hurricane

The show continued with Randy Orton competing in his first match back from a shoulder injury against the superhero of RAW, The Hurricane. Late in the match Hurricane looked for a flying body press but Orton somehow managed to turn it into a Diamond Cutter, which JR referred to as the “RKO.” This was enough to get the three count and signal a successful return for Orton. (***¾)

- Segment 2: Ric Flair was standing by with his client Batista in the back. Apparently Jeff Hardy had requested a rematch with Batista after their encounter last week. Flair said that Hardy really must have been insane to ask to get back in the ring with Batista. Flair promised that tonight Batista would send a message, showing what happens when you get involved with “the animal.” (94)

Batista vs Jeff Hardy

For the second week in a row Jeff Hardy remained competitive with the big man Batista but would eventually go down for the three count. Late in the match it looked like an upset was on the cards when Hardy set up for the Swanton Bomb, however, Flair shoved Hardy off of the ropes and allowed Batista to score with the sitout powerbomb for the victory. For the second week in a row, Batista left Hardy lying after the match, this time powerbombing him through the Spanish announce table! (**¾)

- Segment 3: Chris Jericho confronted Eric Bischoff in the back. Y2J said that he’d heard a rumour about Bischoff’s announcement and tried to convince him against it. Jericho said that this would be the worst move he’d ever make, and that it would make his, and everyone else on RAW’s life a living hell. (100)

Christian vs Kane

Kane came out fired up and got off to a great start, but Christian was able to turn the tide after a low blow and slow the match down. Late in the bout Chris Jericho came down to the ring and tried to take out Kane with a steel chair. Kane ducked however and the chair nailed Christian. He then booted the chair into Y2J’s face before nailing Christian with the Chokeslam for the win. After the match Y2J and Christian began double teaming Kane, but RVD quickly sprinted to the ring for the save. For the second time in the nigh, RVD had spoiled Jericho’s plans. (***¼)

- Segment 4: The Dudleyz cut a promo on their opponents at No Way Out, Lance Storm and William Regal. The Duds said that they wanted a match where there would be no interference from Chief Morley or anyone else. They also wanted a match where they could put their long-time foes through tables. Luckily, Bubba came up with the perfect solution – a Cage/Tables match. Basically, it’s a cage match, with a few tables attached to the side of the cage. (64)

Booker T vs Triple H

The night’s main event saw an entertaining brawl between two of the men that will compete for the world title at No Way Out. Late in the bout Booker looked for the Scissors Kick, but Triple H avoided contact and scored with a low blow, allowing him to score with the Pedigree for the win. After the match Scott Steiner came down to the ring and stared at both men, before going on to attack Booker T. After laying out Booker with a press slam, Triple H thought Steiner may had made a choice and proposed an alliance of sorts. Steiner thought about it for a brief second, before clotheslining Triple H and locking him in the Steiner Recliner as RAW went off the air. (***¼)

Overall Rating: 84

TV Rating: 5.74

Attendance: 10, 016

[JStarr]

Closed and moved to the deep Web.