The fireworks went off in the arena and Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler kicked it off on commentary, welcoming us to the first RAW of 2004 and the World Tag Team Titles are on the line when Ric Flair and Batista defend against the Dudley Boyz, plus, the Women's Title will be on the line!
Theodore Long's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the General Manager for tonight and he took the mic and said that tonight, he is in charge now you betta believe dat. He hears everyone booing, but he wants everyone to know that they're not booing him, they're booing because they can't accept the fact that a black man has the power. A lot of people here in Memphis saying that he isn't talking to them because they're not racist. Well you see, that's typical because one thing he does know is that every white man from New York City from Memphis would like to say that he's not a racist, but what Theodore does know is that he is a racist. Understand this, Memphis has a black mayor, but he isn't really a black man because if he was, this city wouldn't be filled with illiteracy, poverty and crime! Jerry Lawler stood up and he told Theodore that he can be in charge if he wants to be but Memphis is his hometown and he's proud of it and he isn't going to listen to Theodore Long run it down. Jerry Lawler got out of his seat and headed to the ring and Theodore called Jerry a white man who thinks he's a king. He's not a king to Theodore, he's just another cracka with a crown. Now Theodore is the new king of Memphis and the best thing for Jerry to do is to start bowing down. Jerry Lawler got in the ring and he exchanged words with Theodore Long and Jerry shoved Theodore and then he turned around and walked into an RKO by Randy Orton! Theodore Long quickly got out of the ring and Randy Orton arrogantly left as the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
Randy Orton and Theodore Long were shown talking backstage and Randy bragged about what he did to Lawler and then he told Theodore Long to wait and see what he has in store for that coward Mick Foley. Mark Henry showed up and Randy asked him what he's looking at? Mark said he's looking at what he wants and that's the Intercontinental Title. Mark told Theodore to make a title match and Randy said that he isn't going to do this because Randy just saved his ass out there. Theodore told Randy that what he did, he did it for himself so tonight, Randy Orton will defend the Intercontinental Title against Mark Henry! Theodore Long and Mark Henry went on their way and they ran into Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin told Theodore that he has to understand that Austin is the law. Austin heard the match he just made but there might be someone else a little more deserving of that shot and that might be the man that never got his rematch for the Intercontinental Title, Rob Van Dam. Theodore said he's already made the match between Mark Henry and Randy Orton. Austin agreed and he said the law is fair and Sheriff Austin is a fair man and he's listening, so he has a match for him tonight. It's going to be Mark Henry vs. RVD and the winner of that match will meet Randy Orton next week on RAW for the Intercontinental Title. Theodore said that they're going to play it Austin's way tonight but Theodore told Austin not to get in Mark Henry's way anymore tonight. Austin said that he is the law and if he sees fit, he can open up a can of whoop ass on them just like that. Now you believe that. After Austin left, Theodore Long expressed his anger towards Austin at Mark Henry, saying that he's the General Manager and he can't talk to him like that.
Spike Dudley vs. Rene Dupree
La Resistance made their way out to the ring and this is a one on one contest with Rene Dupree facing the returning Spike Dudley.
Rene Dupree and Spike Dudley exchanged words and Spike jumped on Rene and gave him a number of right hands and Rene shoved Spike down to the mat and Spike hopped back up and jumped back on Rene to give him more right hands until Rene shoved Spike right back down to the mat.
Rene Dupree pressed Spike Dudley up over his head but Spike got out of it and countered it into a sunset flip pin for the three count to get the victory!
Winner - Spike Dudley
Bubba and D-Von Dudley came out to the ring and celebrated with Spike as he just defeated Rene Dupree. As Bubba and D-Von held Spike up over their shoulders, Flair and Batista came out and attacked the Dudleys from behind and Evolution dominated Bubba and D-Von until a number of WWE officials made their way out to break up the fight. With this attack, you gotta wonder how the Dudley Boyz are going to compete for the World Tag Team Titles later tonight!
Chris Jericho was shown backstage and Christian entered the room and Chris asked him what the hell he wanted? Christian said that he came to apologize for the way he acted last week. He doesn't know what's going on with Chris and Trish but it's none of his business. What he does know is that he and Chris were a great tag team but more than that, they were better friends. So all of this crap, Christian is sorry. Chris said what he has to say to that is that he's sorry, too. He's right, they are great friends and a great tag team. They went through TLC matches and last year, they threw Shawn Michaels out of the Royal Rumble. Christian said that he just came from Theodore Long's office and he said that there's a tag team match next with their names on it if he's in. Chris said that he's in and he said that this show needs an injection of vitamin C! A pumped up Chris Jericho and Christian went on their way, saying they're next.
Jerry Lawler's music hit in the arena and he made his way back out to the arena and Coach and Lawler got in an argument and Theodore Long came out and told Lawler that he's the man that's in charge. If Lawler thinks he's going to come out here and stop an innocent black man from doing his job, he's wrong. Theodore told Coach that if he even looks at him the wrong way or threatens him, he'll fire his ass in front of his hometown, now believe dat! Theodore Long left and Coach arrogantly remained by JR's side.
Chris Jericho and Christian vs. The Hurricane and Rosey
Chris Jericho's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a tag team contest with Christian against the Hurricane and Rosey. As Jericho made his way out to the ring, Jerry Lawler sat down with Coach and Ross to form a three man announce team for the night.
Rosey started the match off in the ring against Christian and Rosey went to lock it up with Christian but Christian ducked under it and put Rosey in a side headlock. Rosey whipped Christian off the ropes but Christian slid under Rosey and went to kick Rosey in the gut but Rosey caught his foot and knocked Christian down with a clothesline.
Christian and Chris Jericho went for a double team clothesline on Rosey but Rosey rolled under it and came back with a double clothesline of his own to knock Jericho and Christian down to the mat.
Rosey knocked Chris Jericho to the outside of the ring and the Hurricane climbed to the top rope and launched himself onto Chris Jericho on the outside of the ring.
In the ring, Rosey gave Christian a power slam and then a pin for a two count as Christian got his foot on the rope.
Rosey went for a shoulder block on Christian in the corner but Chris Jericho pulled Christian out of the way and then slammed Rosey's head into the ring post and then Christian planted Rosey with a reverse DDT and then pinned him to get the three count.
Winners - Christian and Chris Jericho
Steven Richards vs. Test
Steven Richards made his way out to the ring along with Victoria and this is a one on one match with Steven Richards against Test in a rematch from last night's edition of Sunday Night Heat.
Test got in the ring and said something to Victoria and then he knocked Steven down with a hard right hand. Test then chased Victoria out of the ring and up the ramp. Test got back in the ring and grabbed Richards but Richards fired back on Test with a number of right hands as Victoria returned to ringside.
Steven Richards rolled up Test and pinned him but only got a two count. Richards then gave Test a face buster and then he went for the super kick but Test blocked it and went for the pump handle slam but Victoria hopped up to the ring apron to distract Test. Steven then rolled Test up but only got a two count.
Test gave Steven a full nelson slam and then he grabbed Victoria's hand and pulled on it and then he went back to work on Steven. Test went for the pump handle slam but Steven got out of it and then? Test gave Steven an elbow to the head.
Test went for the boot on Victoria but she hopped down from the ring apron and then Steven rolled Test up for the three count!
Winner - Steven Richards
Test got back up and gave Victoria the big boot as she celebrated with Steven. Steven then mounted Test and gave him a number of right hands and knocked him out of the ring and jumped on him with a dive through the ropes. Steven continued to give Test right hands as WWE officials came out in an attempt to break it up. Test finally left and Steven got in the ring and attended to Victoria, who he refers to as "Flower."
In ring promo: Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the "law" of RAW! Austin said that he said last week there's a new sheriff in town and there is. His name is Sheriff Stone Cold Steve Austin and he also said last week that he thought Shawn Michaels deserved a rematch. So talking about that rematch, at the Royal Rumble, it will be...
Triple H's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring to interrupt the Sheriff of RAW. Triple H asked Austin if he's lost his mind? Sheriff Austin. Apparently the ads are true, alcohol does kill brain cells because Austin has lost it. Triple H laughed at Stone Cold, comparing him to Deputy Dog, Barney Fife and Rosco. Is he going to come out here next week with dogs with big ears named Flash? Triple H asked Austin to do that laugh? Austin gave Triple H the finger and then Triple H said apparently the super kick from Shawn Michaels last week was a lot more devastating than he thought because he woke up last week and all the sudden he was in Mayberry. Is he going to come out here next week with Goober and Floyd and start making some rules? Triple H took a look at Austin's badge and he asked him if he's wearing a badge? In all seriousness, did that come with a little plastic belt with some cap guns in it and a little plastic hat because he had that same set as a kid. He used to love that, playing cops and robbers. It was a blast. Austin asked Triple H if he's through wasting his time? Austin said what this badge means is yes, he is the sheriff and he will uphold the law anyway he sees fit. If he sees fit to stun Triple H's ass for flapping his gums, then he will. If he sees fit to strip Triple H of that title, then he will. Hell, if he sees fit to take a steamy, smelly, creamy crap on those fancy goochie shoes of Triple H's, then he will because as the sheriff, he will uphold the law and that's Stone Cold's law and he will see fit to make Triple H's life a living hell. Now if Triple H will allow him to finish what he was saying, he will. Based on the match last week, Shawn Michaels deserves a rematch because from what he saw, Shawn Michaels had Triple H pinned and beat. To make it real simple, in Austin's opinion and he is somewhat of an expert, Shawn Michaels whipped Triple H's ass. Austin will tell him right now, he can't wait to see a man whip Triple H's ass again. Triple H told Austin that before he gets himself all carried away making his rematches, let's take a look at Triple H's track record. He's beaten everybody they put in his path and when it came to Shawn Michaels, he put his World Title on the line. He walked in as the World Champion and walked out with the title so as far as he's concerned, the thing with Michaels is a dead issue. What's it going to take to get it into Austin's thick redneck head of his, what does he have to do to prove that he is the greatest wrestler alive today? HBK's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring.
Shawn took the mic and the fans heavily chanted "HBK, HBK" and Shawn said that Triple H proved that he was the greatest but personally, Shawn Michaels wants to see him prove it just one more time. Austin said he's going to get a chance at the Royal Rumble because it will be Triple H defending his World Title against HBK, Shawn Michaels and that's the bottom line because Stone Cold said so. Austin left and went up the ramp and said that there is one thing he forgot to mention. Shawn's rematch at the Royal Rumble with Triple H won't be just a regular Championship match. This will be a Last Man Standing Match! Shawn Michaels got a smile on his face and Triple H kicked Michaels in the gut and planted him with the Pedigree and the fans heavily booed Triple H.
Non Title Match
Trish Stratus vs. Molly Holly (c)
Molly Holly made her way out to the ring and she's scheduled to defend the Women's Title against Victoria but after what happened earlier tonight to Victoria, this match is uncertain. Molly took the mic and said just to be clear, since Victoria can't compete tonight but Molly can, then she guesses Victoria loses her title shot and Molly officially becomes the winner by forfeit. Molly then asked Lilian to declare Molly the winner. Theodore Long appeared on the Titantron and he said no one declaring anything. Victoria can't go, but there's nothing he likes better than a couple white girls beating the hell out of each other. Molly won't be defending the title tonight but she will be in the ring with another white girl and they'll be getting it on right now! Trish Stratus then made her way out to the ring and this is a non title match.
As Trish tried to get in the ring, Molly charged at her and knocked her down from the ring apron with a hard knee. Molly then got out of the ring and grabbed Trish and rolled her into the ring to officially start the match.
Trish went for the Stratusfaction but knowing that Molly was going to counter it, Trish gave Molly a sunset flip into a pin for a two count.
Trish went to the top rope and Jazz came out and shoved Trish down and then beat up on her and then Molly grabbed Trish by the head and slammed it into the mat.
Winner as a result of a disqualification, Trish Stratus
Jazz held onto Trish for Molly but Jazz kicked Molly in the gut and tossed her out of the ring. Jazz then lifted Trish in the chicken wing and then dropped her right down to the mat. Jazz then put Trish in the STF and Chris Jericho hit the ring to scare Jazz out of the ring. Trish then got up and looked at Jericho and let the ring upset, saying she's not stupid and that she's not going to fall for Jericho's trap again.
Number One Contendership Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Mark Henry
Rob Van Dam's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a one on one match against Mark Henry and this match will determine the number one contender for Randy Orton's Intercontinental Championship and that match will take place next week on RAW! Theodore Long, tonight's General Manager of RAW accompanied Mark Henry out to the ring as his manager as usual.
Mark Henry and RVD locked it up in the center of the ring and Mark shoved Rob Van Dam right into the corner and then the two exchanged words. RVD then went off the ropes and jumped at Henry with a shoulder block but Mark didn't budge and RVD went plunging down to the mat.
Rob Van Dam went to the top rope and came off with a kick to the chest of Mark Henry to send him down to the mat. Mark bailed out of the ring and RVD hit him with a baseball slide and then he hopped to the ring apron and came off with a moonsault and Mark attempted to catch RVD but couldn't and both men fell down to the ground.
Theodore Long gave Mark Henry a steel chair and Rob Van Dam came off the ring apron and Mark nailed RVD in the head with the chair and the referee called for the bell to end the match but Theodore Long took the mic from Lilian Garcia and told her that he's in charge tonight and he makes the rules. Theodore then made this match a No Disqualification Match! Restart the match, right now! Theodore told Charles Robinson over and over again to restart the match and Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit and he made his way out on a quad and he revved it up and drove down to the ring on it and chased Theodore Long around the ring a couple times and then he chased him up the ramp to the backstage area with Long on foot and Austin on wheels!
Rob Van Dam wrapped his legs around Mark Henry's head in an attempt to choke him out and then he released the hold and kicked away on Mark Henry and then gave him a flipping leg drop.
Rob Van Dam kicked a chair into the face of Mark Henry in the corner and after that, an angered Mark Henry got back to his feet and knocked RVD down with a vicious clothesline.
RVD then gave Mark Henry the Van Daminator and then he went to the top rope for the frog splash and came off with it and then pinned Mark Henry for the three count to pick up the win!
Winner - Rob Van Dam
As Rob Van Dam celebrated his win, Stone Cold chased Theodore back out into the arena and Theodore walked into Rob Van Dam and RVD shoved Theodore into Austin who got off of the quad. Austin then rolled Theodore Long into the ring and Theodore begged off as the fans heavily chanted for Austin. Austin told Theodore to get back on his feet and Theodore extended his hand to Austin to shake and Theodore got down on his knees and begged and Theodore got back up and Austin shook his hand, kicked him in the gut and gave him the Stone Cold Stunner and then celebrated with some beers!
Chris Jericho was shown knocking on Trish's door and he told her she has to come out and talk to him. They can't keep going on this way. Chris said if she's not coming out, he's coming in. Chris said that he sees she's in the shower, so he's not going to look. Chris said this all started out as a bet and a joke but the joke was on Chris because somewhere along the way, he really fell for her. All the moments they shared were real for him and he doesn't blame her if she doesn't want to talk to him or believe him. He was a jerk and he apologizes. He just wants to be a part of her life. He just wanted to come and tell her this and get it off his chest. He can't keep going on like this. Chris said that he had to tell her this, he had to tell her how he really feels about her. Unfortunately for Chris Jericho, someone else was in the shower and it was none other than Mae Young. Mae said that she didn't know Chris felt like this and she started coming onto Chris but Chris got grossed out and he left the room.
In ring promo: Kane's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring. Kane took the mic and said that in less than three weeks, there's an event called the Royal Rumble. The winner gets a World Title shot at Wrestlemania and Kane has never won the Royal Rumble and that angers him because he should have won every Rumble that he's entered. But he's made simple mistakes. In the past, he was always worried about being cheered by the fans, a bunch of insects. But that's not a mistake that he'll make again. And then last year, he made another mistake. He trusted someone. Take a look... They showed footage from last year's Royal Rumble where the Undertaker and Kane were seen in the ring and Kane seemed to trust his brother but the Undertaker grabbed Kane and launched him out of the ring. Kane said that last year, he should have won the Royal Rumble. It should have been him wrestling for the World Title at Wrestlemania but because of the Undertaker, Kane got nothing! But that's never going to happen again because his brother the Undertaker is gone because Kane buried him alive! But then there's the man who got his World Title shot at Wrestlemania last year, Booker T. Well last week, Kane sent a message to Booker T. He used Booker T to make a statement that this year, he will not be denied. He will enter the Royal Rumble and he will win the Royal Rumble and then he will take his rightful place at Wrestlemania and there's not a soul alive who is going to stop him.
Booker T's music hit in the arena and he stormed to the ring and hammered away on Kane with a number of right hands until Kane fired back with a hard right hand of his own. Kane backed Booker T into the corner and gave him some elbows and right hands and then he whipped Booker to the other side of the ring and grabbed him by the throat and went for the choke slam but Booker gave Kane a low blow and then went off the ropes and kicked him in the chest. Booker then charged at Kane to knock him out of the ring with a hard clothesline. Booker took the mic and said that nobody makes an example out of Booker T. Check it out, it's on. This year, he enters the Royal Rumble with two goals. One, to throw Kane's big Uncle Fester looking ass over the top rope. Second goal is winning the Royal Rumble and heading straight to Wrestlemania as the top dog. Now can you dig that, sucka?!
Bubba and D-Von were shown backstage and they're up next in a Tag Team Title match and D-Von said let's take care of business tonight and Bubba said better yet, let's make it 18 times. Bubba and D-Von then went on their way to the arena.
Tag Team Championship Match
The Dudley Boyz vs. Ric Flair and Batista (c)
Ric Flair and Batista made their way out to the ring, collectively known as Evolution and they are up against the Dudley Boyz in a Tag Team Title defense!
Bubba Ray and D-Von stormed to the ring and Batista and Flair bailed out of the ring. D-Von legally started it off in the ring against Batista and D-Von hammered away on Batista with a number of right hands until Batista knocked D-Von down to the mat.
Ric Flair put Bubba Ray Dudley in the figure four leg lock and Bubba Ray struggled in pain but was able to turn the figure four over. As soon as Bubba turned it over, Flair reached to make the tag to Batista and Batista got in the ring and nailed Bubba in the back of the head with a clubbing blow.
D-Von Dudley knocked Batista out of the ring with a clothesline and then he went to the second rope for a clothesline on Ric Flair but Flair rolled out of the way and then he went for the figure four on D-Von but Bubba got in the ring and gave Flair some left hands and then a hard elbow to knock him down into a roll up by D-Von but Batista broke up the pin.
The Dudley Boyz gave Ric Flair the Dudley Death Drop and before they could make the pin, Triple H came out and distracted the referee and then Batista kicked D-Von in the gut and gave him a power bomb and then Triple H hopped down from the ring apron and Flair rolled over and pinned D-Von for the three count to get the win.
Winners and still Tag Team Champions, Ric Flair and Batista
Triple H got in the ring to attend to Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels stormed to the ring and knocked Triple H down and out with a super kick and Batista went after him but Michaels bailed out of the ring in time to escape. Shawn Michaels then went up the ramp, signaling that he'd be winning the Championship at the Royal Rumble! And with that, the show went off the air.
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com