Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Jazz and Molly Holly
Trish Stratus' music hit in the arena and she made her way out to the ring and The Coach came out and joined Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler for commentary. Coach said that tonight on RAW, he's going to do something only the Coach can do and that's bring Shawn Michaels and Triple H in the ring tonight for a live interview! Lita's music then hit in the arena and she made her way out to the ring as the tag team partner for Trish Stratus and they are up against Jazz and Molly Holly in this tag team contest. Theodore Long, last week's special General Manager of RAW accompanied Jazz out to the ring as her manager.
Trish went right after Jazz and Molly nailed Trish from behind and then Lita grabbed Molly and the two legally started it off in the ring as Trish Stratus and Jazz battled it to the outside of the ring.
Molly Holly grabbed Lita by the arm and wrenched away on it and Lita reached for the tag but Jazz got in the ring to distract the referee while Lita made the tag and since the referee didn't see the tag, he forced Trish out of the ring with Lita remaining in the ring. Molly immediately made the tag to Jazz and she got in the ring and went to work on Lita.
Lita took Molly over the top rope with a modified Litacranrana, leaving Trish and Jazz in the ring. Trish took Jazz down to the mat by the hair and then Theodore Long got on the apron to distract Trish and then Jazz grabbed Trish from behind, hooking the tights to pick up the three count.
Winners - Jazz and Molly Holly
Trish immediately got up and hammered away on Jazz and Theodore got in the ring and broke it up by pulling Trish by the hair. Jazz then went off the ropes and gave Trish a big splash and then Theodore held onto Trish for Jazz to slap but Chris Jericho stormed to the ring and put Theodore Long in the Walls of Jericho. Mark Henry then came out to the ring to make the save and beat Chris Jericho down until the referee sent Mark Henry to the back.
In ring promo: Matt Hardy's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring. Matt got in the ring and took the mic and said all his life, people have tried to steal his spotlight. His brother Jeff, his girlfriend Lita and now of all people, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Is it a coincidence that Matt Hardy hasn't been seen or heard from since Stone Cold's return? Matt doesn't. Shame on the board of directors. Shame on them for caving in on Austin and all of the ignorant fans. Oh wait, it's fine though right? Because no longer is Stone Cold a Co General Manager, he's a Sheriff. But we all know Sheriff is a fancy way of saying that he's a Co General Manager that's allowed to kick ass. But where is Matt Hardy's chance to kick some ass? He came out here for some action and to kick ass and he's not leaving this ring until he gets to!
Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring on his Stone Cold quad and the fans went nuts for the Texas Rattlesnake! Austin said that if you all came to Monday Night RAW tonight to raise some hell, give him a hell yeah. The fans yelled "hell yeah" and Austin said he's going to make something clear right now. When he came back to RAW, he didn't come back to be no Co GM. He came back to settle the law, enforce his law and that's all he's got to say about that. So let him clear things up. If Eric Bischoff is running around here ruining this show because of his ego then he's breaking the law. If there's a man out here getting his ass whipped, he's not breaking the law. As a matter a fact, he encourages as much ass whipping as possible. That's not breaking the law. But if you have a mealy mouthed slick haired son of a bitch out here running his mouth, pissing, moaning and crying about not getting any action, that's breaking the law. So tonight's Matt's lucky night. He wants some action? Austin said that he's standing around not doing a thing and he's been wanting to whip somebody's ass for a long time. Matt said good because he's ready to get it on. Austin told him to put the mic down and they'll get it on. Matt said not with Stone Cold Steve Austin. You see, the whole reason that Matt Hardy came to RAW was to have unique matches and new opponents. He wrestled Stone Cold before, so there's no way no how he's getting it on with Austin tonight. Austin said not only is that a way of being a coward, but he should write him a ticket for that. Austin told Matt that if he wants some action, he'll give him some action. If there's somebody in the dressing room that has never wrestled Matt Hardy, please step on out here and accept this challenge. Austin said he knows there's somebody back there that's going to accept this challenge.
Goldberg's music hit and he made his way out to the ring to accept the challenge of Matt Hardy! As Goldberg got in the ring, Austin got on his quad and left the ringside area.
Matt Hardy vs. Goldberg
Matt Hardy attacked Goldberg in the corner to try to get the advantage on him but Goldberg shoved him right down to the mat out of the corner. Matt got back up for some more right hands on Goldberg but Goldberg once again shoved him down to the mat.
Goldberg gave Matt Hardy a vicious pump handle over the head slam and then Matt got up and backed into the corner and Goldberg charged at him but Matt kicked him in the face and then gave him the side effect by jumping off the second rope. Matt then pinned Goldberg but was unable to get the three count.
Matt Hardy went for the Twist of Fate but Goldberg shoved Matt into the ropes and then caught him by the throat and pressed him over his head into a power slam. Goldberg then backed up and went to the corner to set up for the spear and as Matt Hardy got to his feet, Goldberg plowed through Matt Hardy with a devastating spear.
Goldberg then called for the jackhammer and he hooked Matt Hardy in the front face lock and then lifted him up in the jackhammer and pinned him for the three count to pick up the win. Matt Hardy wanted some action and he got it!
Winner - Goldberg
After the match, Goldberg took the mic and said that's right, he's back. And he's back with a damn purpose. Right now, he declares himself a participant in the Royal Rumble and after and he does mean after he wins, he goes on to regain his World Title belt at Wrestlemania!
Eric Bischoff was shown backstage and he confronted Austin, asking him what the hell he thinks he's doing. He can't bring Goldberg back, he deactivated him. Austin asked Eric if he filled out all the paper work and did anything officially? Because if he didn't do that, he was never deactivated. Eric said that he didn't and Austin said technically, he's not deactivated. Eric said he's got him, Goldberg is back. But let's talk about the law. He talked to the board of directors and the Last Man Standing Match at the Royal Rumble will take place but Austin doesn't make matches. Austin said that his job is to make sure Eric Bischoff does his job and he doesn't stick his finger in his face. It's simple, if Eric follows the rules, he won't piss him off. Bottom line, don't piss off Stone Cold Steve Ausitn.
A video package was shown for Mick Foley but was shown in a negative view, calling Mick Foley a coward. The package was apparently paid for by Randy Orton. After the package aired, Randy Orton was shown standing in the backstage area and Randy said that right now, he'd like to address an individual that lives 15 minutes from this arena. A man who walked out on a fight with Randy Orton. That's right, he's talking to Mick Foley. Randy does have something for Mick and that's a ticket to sit at ringside. This will be his seat for tonight, right in the front row. This is his chance to rectify his act of cowardness that's never been displayed in WWE history. Randy Orton is the legend killer and he's going to start what he finished and he's going to do that tonight. And if Mick Foley isn't a coward and he comes to the arena, he takes his ticket and takes his seat and witnesses what he does to RVD and after he beats RVD, he wants Mick to get out of his seat and get in that ring because Randy Orton wants him one on one tonight!
D-Von Dudley vs. Batista
The music of the Dudley Boyz hit in the arena and Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley made their way out to the ring for one on one action with D-Von Dudley facing Batista, who was accompanied to the ring by Ric Flair.
Batista attacked D-Von as he got in the ring and he knocked him down to the mat and stomped away on him to display dominance over one half of the former WWE Tag Team Champions in the early goings.
Bubba Ray Dudley hopped to the ring apron and Ric Flair went over and knocked Bubba Ray down and hammered away on him as D-Von Dudley came off the top rope with a diving headbutt on Batista. D-Von then pinned Batista but only got a two count.
Batista planted D-Von Dudley with the sit down power bomb and then pinned him for the three count to get the victory.
Winner - Batista
Ric Flair got a table out from under the ring and slid it into the ring and Batista set it up as Flair stomped away on D-Von. Bubba Ray quickly got in the ring and knocked Batista out of the ring and then Flair chopped away on Bubba. Bubba fired back and went to power bomb Ric Flair through the table but Batista made the save and flipped the table over to make sure it couldn't be used by the Dudleys. Batista and Flair then bailed out of the ring and left as the World Tag Team Champions and you gotta believe that the Dudley Boyz will get a shot at those very titles sometime in the near future.
Randy Orton was shown backstage and he said that he's been informed that Mick Foley is yet to pick up his ticket. He knows that being a Hardcore Legend that he's taken many blows to the head. So Randy has hired a limo to pick Mick up in front of his home, that way there's no excuses. He can't say that he ran out of gas or that he got lost on the way to the arena. Randy is doing this for Mick so they can finish what they started. Pick out your best flannel, hop in the limo, take a ride and come to the arena. Because Mick doesn't want to go down in wrestling history as being known as a coward, does he? Randy then tapped on the limo, telling the driver to go ahead and pick up Mr. Foley.
Backstage: Mark Henry and Jazz were shown and they were talking about some gold and Theodore Long showed up and he said he just got finished talking with Eric Bischoff and he gave him a piece of his mind because he set Theodore Long up last week. What he didn't tell Theodore was how much power Austin had around here. What he did was dump all his problems on the black man. Before you know it, he's being chased around the ring by a quad and being stunned in the ring for no reason at all. Eric said he couldn't make up for what happened last week so he's going to try to make up for it tonight by making a match between Mark Henry and Chris Jericho tonight. Chris Jericho is a white boy who Mark Henry can let out his frustrations out on. He wants Chris Jericho to know that he made the biggest mistake of his life by interfering in their business. Tonight, they win by any means necessary.
Goldberg was shown walking through the backstage area and Scott Steiner showed up, saying he heard Goldberg talking trash about winning the Royal Rumble. Incase he forgot about their history, he can't beat Steiner, so Goldberg isn't going to win the Royal Rumble, Steiner is and he's going to Wrestlemania. Goldberg said he can't beat him? Who the hell wants to wait until the Royal Rumble? Why don't they get it on tonight? Steiner said that Goldberg just got finished wrestling and he wants him at 100% so he has a week to prepare. Goldberg told Steiner that he does know what that means, doesn't he? It means that he's next!
In the arena: The Coach stood up on the announcer's table in the arena, saying that it's time for the exclusive interview that only he can bring us and that's Shawn Michaels and Triple H and that's up next!
The Coach got in the ring with the red carpet rolled out and two chairs and a small table and he said that it's time for The Coach's exclusive interview with Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Coach then introduced the greatest World's Champion alive today, Triple H! Triple H's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the World Heavyweight Champion and at the Royal Rumble, he'll meet Shawn Michaels in a Last Man Standing Match! And ladies and gentlemen, the man who will face Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Championship, the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels! Shawn Michaels took the mic and tossed the table out of the ring and he said that he doesn't mind doing this, but they're going to do this the way they always do. Man to man and face to face. Let's get rid of the WWE furniture, shall we? Shawn called Coach a nimrod and he said let's have it. Coach said that he's going to start with Shawn first. He's looking forward to the match but back in 1997 and 1998, Triple H and Shawn Michaels were the best of friends, forming one of the greatest groups ever in the WWE. How did he become such great friends with that man? Shawn asked if that's how they're going to start this? Triple H interrupted, saying that Shawn doesn't want to talk about that, huh? He doesn't want to talk about how they used to be best friends and how at one point in his life he even considered him like a brother. Too far back for him? Shawn said they talked about it plenty and Triple H said they can talk about it again. The fact that he considered him a brother and Shawn never considered him anything but a sidekick. Shawn said that he always treated Triple H with respect. He treated him as an equal and Triple H said that's a load of crap. The reason he never defended the fact that the fans called Triple H a sidekick was because Shawn believed it. It's more like Triple H was Shawn's kickstand. He is the one that held Shawn up when he couldn't get the job done. Triple H was the one pulling the wagon. Shawn Michaels said for years and years, he carried this huge wagon all by himself and he loved every second of it and when Shawn went down with a broken back and couldn't pull the wagon anymore, Triple H picked it up and ran with it. Triple H said that's bullshit. He grabbed the wagon and started to drag it but he's been dragging it all along. Finally, Shawn wasn't around to stand in his way and get the fans to say it was Shawn all along. Triple H told Coach to ask him about his back injury and how he sat in the hospital? Shawn said the success Triple H had while he was gone bothered him but that's not why he came back. He came back for reasons Triple H couldn't possibly understand. Triple H said that it burned a hole in him so bad that four years later, he finally had to come back and drag his broken ass out of bed and had to come back here and he had to try to prove to everybody that he was the man and better than him, right? As a matter a fact, they ended up right here didn't they and Shawn said that he proved it here in Long Island. He proved in a street fight that after four years that he was still better than Triple H. Triple H said that Shawn didn't prove he was better than him. That night, Shawn beat Triple H but who walked out of the ring and who got carried out of the ring? Triple H walked out that night and Shawn was taking a ride in an ambulance. Triple H was the last man standing that night and at the Royal Rumble, he'll be the last man standing again; no doubt about it. Triple H said to face the facts, none of this is about whether they used to be friends and who made who or who started what. Between Triple H and Michaels, it's always been about one thing and one thing only and that's who's the best. That's what it comes down to again this time. It's always full circle with he and Shawn. One more time they get in the ring and they try and find out who's the best. Triple H told Shawn to look him in the eyes because he's going to do something he doesn't do often. Everybody knows that Triple H is the ultimate student of this game. He's seen them all. In one way shape or form, he's seen them all. He's either been in the ring with him or he's studied them each and every day of his life. He knows them all like the back of his hand and he puts Shawn Michaels at the top of that list. There's maybe one or two guys in the history of this business that have been as good as Shawn Michaels. Shawn is the best of the best and he's not just saying that. He is at the top of the list few can only dream of. But as good as Shawn Michaels is, Triple H is that much better. Right now, there seems to be a bit of controversy over the World Heavyweight Title. Some say Shawn Michaels should be the World Heavyweight Champion and some say that Triple H should be the World Heavyweight Champion. But all that controversy over who should be the Champion and who's the best will all come to an end at the Royal Rumble in the last man standing match. And Triple H doesn't care if it comes down to one second. Just for one second if Triple H is on his feet and Shawn is on his back, it will mean that Triple H is better than Shawn. In that one second, he will prove that he is the World Heavyweight Champion and in that one second, he will prove that he is the best and more importantly than all of that and he does mean this, once and for all, he will know in his heart that Shawn Michaels knows that Triple H is better than him. Shawn said and so it goes with Triple H and HBK. They've reached that level, haven't they? The only thing that's going to make the difference is one second. One second to Triple H and Michaels can last an eternity but in reality, it's here in one second. Shawn turned around and knocked Coach down and out with a super kick and then he told Triple H that it's one second and it's gone the next. See ya at the Royal Rumble. The fans heavily chanted "HBK, HBK" as Triple H and Shawn Michaels stared each other down and at the Royal Rumble, it's going to be a hell of a confrontation when Shawn Michaels meets Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title in the Last Man Standing Match on January 25th!
Booker T vs. Kane
Booker T made his way out to the ring to his new song "Can you dig it" from the WWE Originals CD and he's set for one on one action against Kane!
Kane and Booker T locked it up in the center of the ring and Booker gave Kane a number of right hands as Kane powered Booker into the corner. Kane went for a clubbing blow but Booker ducked under it and shoved Kane into the corner and gave him some right hands.
Booker T went for the scissors kick but Kane caught him in mid air and then he straddled Booker T on the ropes and gave him a big boot to knock him to the arena floor. Kane got out of the ring and he grabbed Booker and whipped him into the steel steps.
Kane grabbed Booker by the hair and slammed him into the steel steps once again and the referee called for the bell to end the match.
Winner as a result of a disqualification, Booker T
Kane grabbed a steel chair and went to hit Booker T in the head with it but Booker moved out of the way. Kane then stomped Booker and rolled him back into the ring and gave him a hard right hand to the back of the leg to take him off his feet. Kane then scooped Booker T up and planted him with the tombstone piledriver and then he left the scene as a number of WWE officials attended to Booker T as he was in a lot of pain in the ring.
Mick Foley, Hardcore Legend?
A video package was shown, asking who Mick Foley is. He claims to be a Hardcore Legend but is he really? The package then showed many of Foley's silly moments, asking if these are the actions of a legend? "Hardcore Legend? I don't think so." The package then showed the face of a "true" Hardcore Legend in Randy Orton. Again, this promo was paid for by Randy Orton.
Chris Jericho vs. Mark Henry
Mark Henry's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring, accompanied by Jazz and Theodore Long and this is a one on one match with Mark Henry against Chris Jericho.
Mark Henry started it off by talking some trash to Chris Jericho and Chris Jericho responded by charging at Mark Henry with some right hands but Mark was able to over power Chris Jericho to knock him down to the mat and gain the early advantage.
Chris Jericho used his speed to his advantage and got Mark Henry to chase him out of the ring and Chris slid right back in the ring and kicked Mark Henry in the chest with a baseball slide.
Mark Henry put Chris Jericho in a back breaker submission and he told the referee to ring the bell, assuming that he had the match won but Chris Jericho was able to fight out of the submission hold to stay in the match.
Mark Henry put Chris Jericho in the bear hug and Chris fought back with a shot to the head and then Mark tossed Chris down to the mat and then he went off the ropes for an elbow drop but Chris Jericho rolled out of the way. Chris then went for the Walls of Jericho but Mark powered out of it.
Chris Jericho rolled Mark Henry up and then he tried to turn it into the Walls of Jericho but Mark Henry kicked Chris Jericho into the ropes. Chris Jericho then gave Mark Henry a bulldog from the second rope and you could see Mark Henry's hair fly across the ring and then he went for the lionsault but Jazz tripped Jericho up. Trish Stratus then stormed to the ringside area and went at it with Jazz and then Chris Jericho knocked Mark Henry down to the mat once again and put him in the Walls of Jericho but Jazz and Trish got in the ring and distracted the referee as Mark Henry tapped out.
The referee got Trish and Jazz out of the ring and Chris released the hold, thinking he won the match but the referee didn't see the tap out. Mark Henry then gave Chris Jericho a power slam and a pin for the three count to pick up the win!
Winner - Mark Henry
Backstage: Stacy Keibler and Trish Stratus were shown and Stacy said that she is not the biggest Jericho fan but he obviously cares about Trish. Trish needs to tell him exactly how he feels because if she doesn't, this is only going to get worse. Trish admitted that Stacy was right and we cut back to the arena with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
Royal Rumble Preview:
The official theme song is "Nothing Left to Lose" on Puddle of Mudd's new album "Live on Display.
Confirmed for the Rumble -
- Tag Team Titles: The Dudleys vs. Ric Flair and Batista (c) [Tables Match] - World Championship: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (c) [Last Man Standing Match]
Plus from Smackdown!, we'll see -
- WWE Heavyweight Title: Hardcore Holly vs. Brock Lesnar (c)
And the following wrestlers will be included in the Royal Rumble match -
Christian, Goldberg, Kane, Booker T, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Scott Steiner, Chris Benoit, Billy Gunn, Kurt Angle, John Cena plus more!
Chris Jericho was shown backstage and Christian showed up, asking Chris where his head is? He's been doing all this for Trish and getting nothing in return and now Trish is costing him matches. Christian tried to tell Chris Jericho that she's trying to screw him over to get even with him. He's not saying this to hurt his feelings but because he's his best friend. Trish doesn't care about him. So what they're going to do is get showered out and go out and do up this town sexy beast style. And after tonight, the last broad on his mind will be Trish Stratus. Chris Jericho told Christian that he's right and they went on their way. After they left, Trish Stratus went to Chris Jericho's locker room and knocked on the door only to find out that he's not there anymore.
Backstage: Evolution were shown in the parking lot and Randy Orton said that Mick Foley is on his way, he can feel it. As for RVD, no problem. Triple H said that when Foley gets here, the three of them are going to escort him to his seat. As far as RVD, he knows Randy has it but just incase, they have his back. Randy said that if Mick isn't going to make it, the driver has his number and he'll call. Stone Cold Steve Austin sped up on his quad and Triple H asked him what the hell his problem is? Austin told them that if they're thinking about going down to the ring with Orton, they're breaking the law. If they go out there, Austin is going down there with the four wheeler to run them over. Triple H told Austin that he's full of crap and Austin tried to run them down to prove it and they scattered to avoid Austin.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Randy Orton (c)
Randy Orton's music hit in the arena and he was introduced to the ring as the Intercontinental Champion and the new Hardcore Legend and this is a one on one match with Randy Orton defending the Intercontinental Title against Rob Van Dam!
Randy Orton quickly got out of the ring and Rob chased right after him and Randy got back in the ring and as RVD tried to get in the ring, Randy kicked him in the shoulder to keep him out of the ring.
Rob Van Dam bounced Randy Orton's head off the ring post and Randy went down on the outside and he remained down and when he got up, his head was noticeably busted opened. Rob Van Dam then got out of the ring and set Randy Orton up on the security wall and then RVD came off the ring apron with a spinning leg drop on Orton to knock him down into the seat reserved for Mick Foley.
A shot of the parking lot was shown and the limo was shown arriving and Jim Ross speculated that it's Mick Foley in the limo was the show went to a commercial break.
Rob Van Dam went to the top rope and Randy Orton got up and shoved Rob Van Dam forward right into the security wall and the fans heavily chanted "Holy shit" as RVD held onto his shoulder and chest in agonizing pain. Randy Orton then got out of the ring and rammed Rob Van Dam's head into the ring post and then he slammed his head into the security wall.
RVD mounted Randy Orton in the corner and gave him a number of right hands and then he gave him a northern lights suplex out of the corner and pinned him but only got a two count. RVD continued on Orton, hitting his trademark moves like a springboard kick to the chest and the rolling thunder, followed by the split legged moonsault.
Rob Van Dam went for a heel kick on Orton but Orton ducked it and the referee caught the heel kick. Randy Orton then gave Rob Van Dam a low blow and then a modified back breaker and a pin but there was no referee there to make the count. Orton then laid down on the mat and called for the referee to wake him up and the referee started the ten count and if this ends in a double count out, Randy Orton retains the Championship. Rob Van Dam finally got up and Orton quickly got up and went for the RKO but RVD kicked Orton right in the face to break it up. RVD then pinned Orton but only got a two count.
Rob Van Dam went to the top rope for the frog splash but Orton hit the ropes to make RVD straddle the ropes and then Randy Orton put Rob Van Dam in a front face lock and gave him a vicious DDT from the ropes and then pinned him for the three count to get the win.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion, Randy Orton
Triple H comes out to pose and that's it.
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com