Location: Bakersfield, California
The RAW fireworks went off in the arena and we are on the Road to Wrestlemania and Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler kicked it off on commentary! Tonight, the World Tag Team Titles will be on the line as Ric Flair and Batista of Evolution take on the challenging Rob Van Dam and Booker T!
Triple H's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the World Heavyweight Champion.
Triple H got in the mic and he said that he came straight to this ring from Eric Bischoff's office where he asked him the question who he will be facing at Wrestlemania. And Eric Bischoff didn't have an answer for him today but that's just not good enough because he has Chris Benoit breathing down his neck after winning the Royal Rumble, jumping ship to the big leagues by coming to RAW and laying claim that he's got a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. And then he has Shawn Michaels, who super kicked Chris Benoit and then signed his name on the contract that says Shawn Michaels has the legal right to face Triple H for the title at Wrestlemania and the lawyers can't make a decision as to who is right. Triple H can see where this is going and this doesn't take a genius to figure it out. It goes back to Wrestlemania X; Yokozuna defended the title against two different opponents and ended up losing the World Heavyweight Championship. Well that will not happen at Wrestlemania this year. Because this is Wrestlemania XX, the biggest event in the history of this industry. 20 years in the making, the biggest of all time so he is demanding as the standard bearer of this business, as the World Heavyweight Champion, he is demanding that Eric Bischoff come to this ring and show him the respect that he deserves and tell him who he will be facing at Wrestlemania. This is live TV and he isn't going to wait out here all night but he will wait until Bischoff comes out. Eric Bischoff came out and angrily walked to the ring. Eric told Triple H that he has every right to be agitated. Every right in the world and quite frankly, Eric agrees with Triple H. There is no way the World Heavyweight Champion should be expected to defend that title twice in one night and that's why he's been talking to the attorneys. Triple H said screw the lawyers, he wants an answer and he wants it now. Eric said he's been thinking about this. What if he cancels tonight's match between Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels? The fans heavily booed and Eric Bischoff asked them to hear him out. Eric said that he'll replace that match with a match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H asked Eric what he's talking about? Eric said to hear him out and think about it. Triple H is the Champion and he'll have his choice. He can either take on Chris Benoit or Shawn Michaels; it's totally up to Triple H! And the winner of tonight's match will go onto Wrestlemania XX and defend that title. It's all figured out, so Eric asked the fans if they want to see Triple H defend the World Heavyweight Championship right here live tonight? The fans popped big time, wanting to see a Title Match and Triple H didn't seem too enthused. Triple H said he doesn't know, people seem to really want that. Is that what they'd really want? To see him defend the World Heavyweight Title right here tonight in Bakersfield? Triple H said that's not a bad idea, except for one thing. He's obviously mistaken Triple H for somebody who gives a crap what these people think! Triple H does what he wants to do when he wants to do it. The fans heavily chanted "you suck, you suck!" at Triple H and Triple H said that he wants Bischoff to give him an answer. What is he going to do at Wrestlemania because he doesn't give a crap what these people think, it doesn't matter to him.
Chris Benoit's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the man who won the Royal Rumble match to earn the right to go to Wrestlemania against the World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H told Benoit to hold on. He understands he's upset, but he's upset at the wrong guy. Triple H isn't the guy who super kicked Chris Benoit in the face. Chris snatched the mic, telling Triple H to shut his damn mouth. Chris has listened to Triple H run his mouth but now this is about Chris Benoit and he has one thing to say; Chris Benoit nailed Triple H and then he backed him into the corner and took him down to the mat and beat the tar out of him! Triple H fired back on Chris Benoit with some right hands but Benoit backed Triple H into the corner and chopped away on him. Triple H and Chris Benoit continued to go at it and Chris Benoit put Triple H in the Crippler Crossface until the rest of Evolution came out to the ring to chase Benoit out of the ring.
Backstage:
Evolution was shown in the backstage area and they were pissed off about what just happened and Randy offered his services to find Benoit and Triple H calmed them down, saying they have all night long to find Benoit and he's sure he'll get his. Batista and Flair have a tag team title match tonight and Triple H told Randy to make sure nothing else goes wrong. Flair and Batista left and Randy Orton told Triple H that he has it all under control. After Randy left, Triple H started knocking things over in anger.
Tag Team Championship Match
Booker T and Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair and Batista (c)
Booker T's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a tag team match with Rob Van Dam against Ric Flair and Batista with the World Tag Team Titles on the line! Randy Orton accompanied Ric Flair and Batista out to the ring to be in their corner during this Tag Team Title match.
Booker T started it off against Ric Flair and the two locked it up in the center of the ring and Booker put Flair in a side headlock and Flair pushed Booker into the ropes and the referee called for a break and he got just that. Flair and Booker locked it up once again and Flair put Booker in a side headlock and Booker whipped Flair off the ropes only to get knocked down by a hard shoulder block by Flair.
Rob Van Dam hopped to the second rope and he jumped at Batista with a forward flip to knock him down to the mat and then he gave Ric Flair a cheap shot. RVD went to the top rope and came off with a kick to the chest of Batista and then he went for the rolling thunder but Orton hopped to the ring apron. RVD knocked Orton down to the arena floor with a kick.
Booker T went for the scissors kick on Ric Flair but Randy Orton grabbed Booker by the leg and pulled him to the ring apron and slammed his leg into the ring apron. Batista then grabbed hold of Booker T in the ring and gave him a spinebuster and then Flair covered Booker but only got a two count.
As the match was going on, Mick Foley stormed out to the ringside area and he went at it with Randy Orton, putting the Mandible Claw on Orton. Batista went over to break it up but Foley bumped Orton into Batista to knock him silly as Ric Flair had Booker T in the figure four leg lock in the middle of the ring.
Rob Van Dam went to the top rope and came off with the five star frog splash on Ric Flair to break the figure four leg lock and then Booker T covered Ric Flair for the three count to win the Tag Team Titles!
Winners and new Tag Team Champions, Rob Van Dam and Booker T
Rob Van Dam and Booker T celebrated their win in the ring and hugged and then they got out of the ring as Batista got in the ring to check on Ric Flair who was down and out. Batista looked over at Booker T and Rob Van Dam and he couldn't believe what he saw with Booker and RVD now carrying the Tag Team Gold!
In the Arena: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler congratulated Eddie Guerrero on his title win at No Way Out and then they talked about Goldberg's appearance at No Way Out and showed footage of what went down just last night on pay per view.
Stone Cold was shown with Eric Bischoff and Austin was talking about what went down at No Way Out. Eddie Guerrero won the WWE Title with the help of Goldberg and they have everything in line on their side, but what about the RAW title? Eric said that he'll figure it out, but give him some time. Austin said he'll give him some time but he has to figure it out before the end of the night because if he doesn't, he'll be in clear violation of Stone Cold's law. If he hasn't gotten it figured out by the end of the night, Austin is going to drag Bischoff to the ring, stomp a mud hole in him and walk it dry! Austin asked Bischoff if he makes himself clear? Bischoff said "crystal" and then he left the room and came across Randy Orton. Randy said that it's time to end the stuff with Foley. He's going to the ring and he's going to call Mick Foley out and when Mick Foley gets to that ring, they're going to have themselves a fight whether Bischoff likes it or not. Bischoff said "fine, but it's not sanctioned." Randy told Bischoff that tonight, Mick Foley won't walk out of Bakersfield.
Chris Jericho was shown backstage and Christian showed up and said that he heard Chris is wrestling Kane tonight. Why? Chris said that Bischoff is screwing with him, so he has to have the match. Chris said that he's friends with Christian, right? He's going to tell him something that he hasn't told anyone else. He wants to be more than friends with Trish. It may be a little cheesy but he's going to give her a rose as a happy belated Valentines Gift. What does Christian think? Christian said he might be making a mistake. Who's to say Trish isn't interested in something else? Christian said that he's just saying and Chris asked him if he's heard anything and Christian said that he hasn't. Christian tried to tell Chris to forget about the stuff with Trish because he has Kane tonight and he needs to get focused. Chris said that he is focused, he's going to take Kane downtown to Chinatown and then he's going to tell Trish how he feels. Chris gave the rose to Christian and asked him to hold it and Christian remained in the locker room, thinking about something.
Chris Jericho vs. Kane
Chris Jericho's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a one on one contest against Kane and you have to remember that Chris Jericho's knee is damaged as a result of what went down between he and Kane just a few short weeks ago on RAW. Despite Chris Jericho's knee injury, he was forced into this one on one match by Eric Bischoff.
Kane went to lock it up with Chris Jericho but Chris gave Kane a drop kick to the legs and then he kicked away on his legs to try to chop him down but Kane easily knocked Chris Jericho down to the mat with a clothesline.
Chris Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho in an attempt to end the match early but Kane used his leg strength to get out of it. Chris charged at Kane to try to get back on him but Kane gave Chris a hard thrust to the throat to knock him down to the mat.
The referee called for the bell to end the match preemptively due to Chris Jericho's leg injury but Kane didn't give a damn as he grabbed Y2J and tossed him over the top rope.
Winner - Kane
Kane got ready to set his pyro off but decided to go back at it with Chris Jericho. Kane got out of the ring and grabbed Chris Jericho and drove his knee into the ring post and this could be the end of Y2J, at least for a while. Kane took the mic and said "and let that be a lesson to you Jericho and whoever has been playing the super natural mind games with him." If you think he's gullible enough to think the Undertaker is behind this, he's not. Kane buried the Undertaker alive! The Undertaker no longer exists to him; he is dead, dead, dead! Kane then set off the pyro and arrogantly got out of the ring but the lights went dark and everything turned purple and another video played on the Titantron and it said in 27 days, the dead will rise again. Kane walked to the top of the stage and at the top of the stage, it started lightning and raining all over Kane as it was darkened in the arena and an Undertaker "gong" went off to further frighten the Big Red Machine!
Evolution's music hit in the arena and the Intercontinental Champion, Randy Orton made his way out to the ring. As he made his way to the ring, Jerry Lawler informed us that Chris Jericho is on his way to a medical facility to have his knee checked out. Randy took the mic and said he's going to make things real simple. Last week, Mick wants to challenge him to a fight at Wrestlemania? Reality check, it's not going to happen. It just wouldn't be fair. Look at Randy, he is the Intercontinental Champion and he's only 23 years old! He hasn't even reached his prime yet. And look at Mick, he's fat, disgusting, he's all broken down, he's a glory hound and he's blinded by his own ego as to the fact that his time is over. But if it's a fight Mick wants, then Randy is there. If he wants a fight, let's go. If Randy has to beat it into Mick's skull that in the year 2000, he might have been the Hardcore Legend but tonight, he's just Randy Orton's bitch!
Mick Foley's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as Randy Orton was ready for a fight. Mick got in the ring and the fans heavily chanted "Foley, Foley!" Mick and Orton exchanged right hands and Randy backed Mick into the corner but Mick turned the tables on Randy Orton by putting him in the corner and nailing him with a number of hard right hands. Mick Foley and Randy Orton went back and forth at it and when Foley got Orton down, Ric Flair and Batista made their way out and Mick did his best to take care of them but Randy Orton gave Mick Foley a low blow from behind to send him down to the mat. That gave Evolution the opportunity to triple team Mick Foley. Evolution beat down Mick Foley and Randy Orton planted him with the RKO and the fans heavily booed as the three members of Evolution stood tall over the Hardcore Legend Mick Foley.
Mick attempted to get up off the mat but Evolution got right back on him, triple teaming him and beating the life out of him. Referee Earl Hebner came out to the ring in an attempt to send Evolution to the back but they ignored him and continued the brutal beating on Foley. During the entire beating, the crowd heavily booed the three members of Evolution out of the building, not liking what they were seeing at all. Randy Orton and Batista gave Mick Foley a double power bomb and then Randy got in Mick's ear, yelling to him that it's over and he yelled at him to stay down. Randy then stood tall over Mick Foley showing his dominance and then he grabbed the Intercontinental Title and posed in the corner to get tremendous heat from the crowd in attendance.
During the Break: Mick Foley was put on a stretcher and carted out of the arena and the fans chanted "Foley, Foley!" as he was stretchered out of the arena.
Shawn Michaels was shown in the backstage area taping up his wrists and Chris Benoit showed up, telling Shawn that he has no idea what he wants to do to him right now but he will. Because tonight, Chris Benoit is going to show Shawn the same respect that Shawn showed him last week. Chris told Shawn that he wants him to think about that and then he left the room.
Backstage: Eric Bischoff was shown with Stacy Keibler and Jackie Gayda and Stacy and Jackie were complaining about who was chosen for Playboy. Sable said that they don't have any class? Jackie showed that they have some class and Stacy said she's sure they would have sold more copies than them. Eric said that if they could do that, Hugh Hefner would love to hear from them. So why not give him a call? Jackie and Stacy left the room to call Hugh Hefner.
Stone Cold Steve Austin showed up as Eric Bischoff was thinking and Austin asked him what he's doing about the main event of Wrestlemania? Eric said that he's working on it. He has his hands full now and he's got girls who want to be on the cover of Playboy. Stone Cold said that's fine but he needs him to do something and he needs him to do it now. Austin was watching the Monday Night War DVD and he made a statement on that DVD. Remember the time he challenged Vince McMahon to a fight? Basically, he said he could whip that man's ass. Eric said that he did and he thinks he could. Think about it, look at Vince McMahon's track record. When it comes to getting his ass kicked, he's the Champ. And second, Eric Bischoff is a lot younger than Vince. When it comes down to it in a street fight, Eric has that karate thing going on. Vince McMahon showed up behind Eric as Eric was talking about how he can kick Vince's ass and Austin took a look at Vince. Eric turned around and Vince angrily said "You can what? You can kick my ass!?" Vince asked Eric if he remembers what he said last week? Eric said that he does and Vince said that he's not going to get his ass kicked tonight but next week, Vince McMahon has a blockbuster announcement for Wrestlemania and he's going to make that announcement in his wrestling gear and that's when they're going to find out if Eric Bischoff can kick his ass!
Trish Stratus and Victoria vs. Molly Holly and Jazz
The music of Trish Stratus hit in the arena and she made her way out to the ring for a tag team contest with Victoria, who was accompanied to the ring by Steven Richards and they are up against Molly Holly and Jazz. Victoria was sporting a new outfit that you just had to see to believe. As Jazz made her way out to the ring, Jim Ross informed us that Mick Foley has been taken from the arena to a hospital and he's obviously suffered some serious head trauma.
Trish started the match off in the ring against Jazz and the two locked it up and Jazz shoved Trish Stratus down to the mat and then she backed Trish into the corner and hammered away on her.
Molly went for a suplex on Victoria but Victoria got out of it and kicked Molly in the gut and planted her with the Widow's Peak and then she pinned her for the three count to pick up the victory!
Winners - Victoria and Trish Stratus
Steven Richards got in the ring and celebrated with Victoria as Trish bowed out of the ring and Test stormed to the ring and knocked both Steven Richards and Victoria down to the mat. Trish jumped on Test's back and Test shoved her down to the mat and went to power bomb her out of the ring but Christian hit the ring and went at it with Test. Christian knocked Test out of the ring and Christian turned around and took a look at Trish and then he got out of the ring to make sure Test wouldn't return. Christian got back in the ring with Trish and the two exchanged words and Trish seemed thankful that Christian came to her aid.
Christian was shown backstage and Trish showed up and thanked him. Christian said he didn't want to see her get hurt. Trish thanked him and she said that she's going to see how Jericho is. Christian suggested that they go together because he was going there too. Christian went into his locker room to grab something and he came out with it behind his back. Christian gave Trish the rose and said it's a little cheesy but this is for her. He didn't mention that the rose was really from Chris Jericho.
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit
Shawn Michaels made his way out to the ring and this is a one on one match with Shawn Michaels against Chris Benoit for the very first time EVER!
Chris Benoit came out to the ring and stood face to face with Shawn Michaels and Shawn tapped his right foot on the mat in an attempt to intimidate Benoit. Benoit responded with a hard shot to the face of Michaels and then he took Michaels down by the legs and hammered away on him.
Chris Benoit went for the Crippler Crossface but Shawn Michaels quickly got to the ropes to stop Benoit from locking it in.
Shawn Michaels knocked Chris Benoit down to the mat with a flying forearm and then he nipped up to his feet and the fans booed Michaels as he got to his feet. Michaels gave Chris Benoit a body slam and then he went for a flying elbow drop but Chris Benoit rolled out of the way and Michaels went crashing down to the mat.
Shawn Michaels whipped Chris Benoit off the ropes and Shawn ducked under Benoit as he came back and when Benoit bounced off the opposite rope, Shawn got up and charged into him and both men went crashing down to the mat. The referee started the count but both men were able to get back to their feet.
Chris Benoit perched Shawn Michaels on the top rope for a super plex but Shawn fought out of it and shoved Benoit down to the mat. Shawn then came off the top rope with a flying elbow drop and connected with it this time. Shawn got up and went to the corner and tuned up for the sweet chin music and the fans were well behind Michaels at this point. Shawn went for the super kick but Chris Benoit countered it and went for the Crossface but Michaels fought out of it.
Chris Benoit pulled Shawn Michaels down to the mat by the legs and put him in the Sharpshooter and Shawn looked to be in a lot of pain as Benoit sat back on it. Shawn struggled to get to the ropes but Benoit pulled Shawn to the center of the ring. Shawn Michaels eventually got to the bottom rope to break it up.
Shawn went for the super kick once again but Chris Benoit blocked it and grabbed Shawn and gave him a series of German suplexes.
As the match was going on, Triple H made his way out as the World Heavyweight Champion and Chris Benoit set his sights on the Champ and he signaled that he'd be going to Wrestlemania for the title. When Benoit turned around, he walked into a super kick by Shawn Michaels and then Shawn pinned Benoit for the three count to get the win!
Winner - Shawn Michaels
Triple H arrogantly got in the ring and he helped Shawn Michaels up and then he kicked him in the gut and planted him with the Pedigree! Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit in the arena and he rode his ATV out to the ring and Austin told Triple H that it turns out that Eric Bischoff made a decision regarding the World Title at Wrestlemania but he was afraid to tell Triple H to his face because it might piss him off. But since Austin doesn't give a rat's ass what he thinks, he'll come out here and make that announcement himself. So for the first time in the history, the World Heavyweight Championship will be decided at Wrestlemania in a Triple Threat Match! Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels and that's the bottom line because Stone Cold said so!
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com