Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler
RAW Report
A shot of the RAW locker room was shown and tonight, we will witness the Draft Lottery and the WWE RAW and Smackdown! rosters will be shaken up as a result of tonight's draft lottery!
Paul Heyman was shown standing face to face with Eric Bischoff and Heyman had a neck brace on and McMahon showed up and said that tonight will be the first ever draft lottery in WWE history and this is the way it's going to go down. There's going to be a bin of Smackdown! Superstars and Eric Bischoff gets to choose from the Smackdown! roster and Paul Heyman will choose from the RAW roster. They will have 12 picks each and at the end of the night, if they're not satisfied with their picks, they can trade anyone they wish, as long as they do so by 12 midnight tonight. That's the deadline and at the end of the night, we're going to have a new Smackdown! and a brand new RAW. Eric asked about the Champions on RAW. Clearly, they're exempt? Vince McMahon stated that no one is exempt. No one on either roster is exempt. It doesn't matter if they aren't here because they are still a part of the draft. It doesn't matter. Everyone is eligible. Paul Heyman thanked Vince McMahon, as did Eric Bischoff and after Vince left, Heyman and Bischoff stood face to face in the backstage area.
The fireworks went off in the arena for the start of WWE RAW and Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler kicked off the show on commentary, live from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan! Michael Cole and Tazz were also on hand at ringside and they are there to represent the Smackdown! brand and they are wondering what RAW Superstars will be joining them Thursday night on Smackdown!.
Eric Bischoff was introduced into the arena and he came out onto the stage and stood at the RAW podium and Paul Heyman came out and he will make the first pick of the draft lottery! Paul Heyman got on the mic and said that his name is Paul Heyman and he is the General Manager of the premiere brand in World Wrestling Entertainment and that is Paul Heyman's Smackdown!. Before he begins this evening, a personal note if you don't mind. (The fans were all over Heyman, chanting 'you suck, you suck') Paul said that this past Thursday night on Smackdown!, he was physically assaulted by the Undertaker. Now instead of moaning, crying and complaining to the board of directors like Eric Bischoff would do, this Thursday night on Smackdown!, Paul Heyman promises everyone he will deal with the Undertaker in his own personal way. And now ladies and gentlemen, the good news, it is time for Paul Heyman's Smackdown! to procure it's very first Superstar away from Monday Night RAW.
With that, Paul Heyman spun the tumbler and picked out a ball and he opened it with a smile on his face and he laughed when he read who it was. Paul said that he's so terribly sorry but Paul Heyman's Smackdown! has to make the announcement that one of the premiere groups on RAW has been broken up! Paul said that he hereby welcomes Rene Dupree to Smackdown!. Sylvan Grenier and Rob Conway were extremely disappointed to see a member of La Resistance taken from the RAW brand and moved to the Smackdown! brand.
Rene Dupree entered the arena with the French flag and he got his picture taken with General Manager Paul Heyman and then he made his way out to the ring as the crowd chanted "USA, USA!" Rene Dupree went out to the ring and he took the mic and spoke in French, telling the fans to shut the hell up. Rene said that it seems that he has been drafted to the Smackdown! roster. But he will die in hell before he has his last memory in a RAW ring being Stone Cold Steve Austin giving him a stunner. So Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff, he demands one final match here in Detroit, Michigan.
Rene Dupree entered the arena with the French flag and he got his picture taken with General Manager Paul Heyman and then he made his way out to the ring as the crowd chanted "USA, USA!" Rene Dupree went out to the ring and he took the mic and spoke in French, telling the fans to shut the hell up. Rene said that it seems that he has been drafted to the Smackdown! roster. But he will die in hell before he has his last memory in a RAW ring being Stone Cold Steve Austin giving him a stunner. So Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff, he demands one final match here in Detroit, Michigan.
Chris Jericho vs. Rene Dupree
Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman met on the stage and Bischoff didn't seem too happy and Heyman said that it's all his. Rene then issued a challenge to the RAW jabronis in the locker room to face the French phenom, Rene Dupree! Chris Jericho's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the opponent of Rene Dupree in Dupree's final match on WWE RAW!
Chris Jericho and Rene Dupree locked it up in the center of the ring and Rene shoved Chris back and then the two locked it up once again and Rene powered Chris Jericho into the corner and then Rene slapped Chris across the face and Chris responded with a hard right hand to send Dupree down to the mat.
Chris Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho on Rene Dupree but Dupree was able to fight out of it and get to the ropes. Rene stood up on the ring apron and Chris Jericho knocked him down to the outside of the ring with a springboard drop kick.
While Rene Dupree danced around the ring, Chris Jericho rolled Dupree up and pinned him for a two count.
Chris Jericho knocked Rene Dupree down to the mat with an Enziguri and then he pinned Dupree for the three count to pick up the win.
Winner - Chris Jericho
An angered Rene Dupree grabbed the microphone and said that he is not going to be cheated like this. He demands respect! He is the French phenom! Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring on his ATV and he got in the ring and extended his hand to Rene Dupree and Rene reluctantly shook Stone Cold's hand and Stone Cold laid Rene Dupree out with the Stone Cold Stunner!
Rico's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring along with Miss Jackie and Eric Bischoff was introduced to make the first pick for RAW. Bischoff said that if Paul is so convinced that Smackdown! is the superior brand, why did Mr. McMahon choose RAW here tonight to hold this lottery? Eric Bischoff then spun the wheel and grabbed a ball and he smirked as he read the wrestler's name. Eric said that he has great news for Paul Heyman. He is no longer going to have to deal with the issue of whether or not to call them the World's Greatest Tag Team or the self proclaimed greatest tag team because Eric Bischoff and RAW have the only definition for them now and that is ancient history. RAW is pleased to announce the acquisition of a fine young charismatic athlete that happens to be an all American from the state of Minnesota, welcome Shelton Benjamin! In the back, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas didn't seem too happy because that broke up the World's Greatest Tag Team.
Kane vs. Rico
Kane's music hit in the arena as Eric Bischoff stood on the stage with a RAW shirt to hand Shelton and Kane made his way out to the ring as the opponent of Rico in this one on one match.
Rico got on Kane right as he got in the ring with a number of right hands and kicks and Kane fired back with a big boot to knock Rico down to the mat.
Kane planted Rico with a choke slam and then he pinned him for the three count to get the easy win.
Winner - Kane
As Kane left the ring, he went to Heyman and Bischoff and told them to listen close because he's only going to say this once. It doesn't matter where he winds up, but he better not be on the same show as the Undertaker!
Paul Heyman asked Bischoff why he doesn't have a little control of his Superstars? Heyman noted that he doesn't want to be on the same show as the Undertaker either. Now it's time for Paul Heyman to take it's second Superstar away from RAW. Heyman spun the tumbler and he smiled and laughed and then he apologized because it appears that Paul Heyman's Smackdown! has broken up another super group on RAW. Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, JR will no longer be able to call this gentlemen and say "There goes a blue chipper" because Paul Heyman's Smackdown! hereby welcomes Mark Jindrak! Mark Jindrak stood up in the backstage area and Cade and Jindrak didn't seem too happy as that's another tag team that has been broken up. In the background, Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair laughed as they were once again happy to hear that Evolution is safe, so far.
The World Tag Team Championship will be decided tonight and Rob Van Dam and Booker T will meet Ric Flair and Batista!
And it's RAW's turn to swipe another Superstar and Eric Bischoff spun the tumbler and took a ball and he said that if it wasn't so obvious that RAW is the home of good looking people, this next pick is going to really bring it home for everyone because ladies and gentlemen, RAW's next pick is Nidia! Rey Mysterio seemed a bit disappointed as Nidia got up and left the Smackdown! brand. Nidia came out to the arena and Eric Bischoff congratulated her and welcomed her to the real home of the Divas and the Women's Championship and he'd like to present this shirt to her and he told her to wear it with pride. Nidia thanked him and she said that she's so excited because now she can finally go for the women's title. Nidia took her Smackdown! shirt off and put the RAW shirt on and the crowd popped as Nidia has quite the body.
Paul said congratulations Nidia and he hopes she goes blind again. Paul said that it's time again for Smackdown! to take a piece of RAW history away from Eric Bischoff. Before Heyman can spin the tumbler, John Cena's music hit and he made his way out as the United States Champion! The fans heavily chanted "Cena, Cena!" and he said that the franchise is crashing this party and he said that Heyman is wearing a neck brace because he's blown the whole lottery. Cena said that he is the lottery pick they both want to get their hands on. This ain't no junior high dance, so keep your pants on. Cena said that if you draft him, safe the t-shirts because he isn't kissing their butts. Cena said that Heyman is the General Manager but he's making the next pick, he's giving him one ball but he's still got no ****. Cena took a ball out and gave it to Heyman and Heyman tried to say that it wasn't a real pick because he didn't pick it. Bischoff got in Heyman's face, telling him that's his and he has to take it. Paul said feel lucky he's an injured man because if he wasn't an injured man, what he would do to Bischoff is something... Heyman opened up the ball and he asked Bischoff if he's sure he wants him to read this out loud? Bischoff told him to do it and Heyman said that since Mr. Bischoff insisted that Paul Heyman takes this pick, ladies and gentlemen, Paul Heyman's Smackdown! is very pleased to welcome Triple H! A shot of Triple H was shown in the backstage area and he was absolutely SHOCKED as he spit his water out all over everyone.
During the break: The entire RAW locker room chanted "Na, na, na, na, na, na, hey hey, goodbye!" at an infuriated Triple H!
Christian vs. Spike Dudley
Christian's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring along with Trish Stratus and this is a one on one contest with Christian facing Spike Dudley.
Spike Dudley got right in the ring and Christian went for a clothesline but Spike ducked it and came back off the ropes with a headbutt to the mid section and then he immediately pinned Christian but couldn't get the three count.
Trish Stratus hopped to the ring apron and Spike went after her and rolled her into the ring but before he could do anything to her, Christian got on Spike Dudley.
Spike Dudley knocked Christian down to the outside of the ring and then he went to the top rope and came off with a cross body on Christian on the arena floor. Spike then got Christian back in the ring and Spike headed back to the top rope but Christian slowed him down and then climbed the ropes and hooked Spike in a front face lock and he went for a super plex but Spike bit Christian and then shoved him down to the mat. Spike then came off the top rope with a stomp on Christian and then a pin for a two count.
Christian shoved Spike Dudley into the ring post and then he pulled him to the center of the ring and planted him with the Unprettier and the pin for the three count to get the win.
Winner - Christian
Trish Stratus got in the ring and celebrated with Christian.
Eric Bischoff took the mic and said that this isn't fair; he has to find Mr. McMahon and he went to the backstage area as Paul Heyman remained in the arena, gloating as he now has Triple H as a part of the WWE Smackdown! roster!
Eric Bischoff was shown backstage with Vince McMahon and Bischoff was complaining about Triple H's move to Smackdown! and he said it wasn't legal because Cena made the pick and they can't lose Triple H to Smackdown!. Vince said that he understands but once a pick is made, it's official. Paul Heyman showed up and he said that he has a hot one. He knows Eric isn't used to progressive ideas on Monday nights but tonight on RAW, the WWE Title gets defended by Eddie Guerrero. Good idea, right? It gets even better because Eddie Guerrero defends the WWE Title against Smackdown!'s newest acquisition, Triple H! Bischoff didn't seem to like that and Vince asked Paul if he's out of his mind? Paul said that he's doing what Vince McMahon would do. Eddie Guerrero may not be on Smackdown! anymore after tonight and he's looking after his brand. Vince said that he has to look after both brands and he said that the match will in fact happen tonight. By the way, everyone is waiting for the next picks.
Eric Bischoff went back out to the arena and he said that he has news for everybody. He is not about to be upstaged by Paul Heyman. Paul Heyman is not the one who is known for aggressive forward thinking, Eric Bischoff is. Vince McMahon wants to shake things up, well Bischoff is going to shake things up with this next pick. What he's going to do is pick a name out of there and he doesn't give a damn if it's Big Show or Michael Cole, whoever he picks is going to face the World Champion Chris Benoit right here tonight! Eric Bischoff then made his pick and he smiled as he read it off and said this ought to be very interesting. His next pick is a man who he's had a tremendous amount of admiration for, for a long time. A man who can match the intensity of Chris Benoit any day, anywhere but this man just happens to be from the Motor City of Detroit. Tonight, facing Chris Benoit for the World Title is Rhyno! In the backstage area, Rhyno got pumped up as he's getting a shot at the World Title, tonight! Rhyno got in Cena's face and poked fun at him with the "can you see me now" taunt. Eric Bischoff pulled out a RAW shirt for Rhyno and Rhyno came out and took off the Smackdown! shirt and tossed it right at Paul Heyman and took the RAW shirt and headed to the back.
Tag Team Championship Match
Ric Flair and Batista vs. Booker T and Rob Van Dam (c)
Booker T and Rob Van Dam made their way out to the ring as the World Tag Team Champions and they are up against Ric Flair and Batista in this Tag Team Championship Match!
Booker T legally started the match off in the ring 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 whipped Booker off the ropes and Booker came back with a hard shoulder block to knock Flair down to the mat.
Rob Van Dam got the tag and he came off the top rope with the frog splash on Ric Flair and then he pinned Flair but only got a one count as Batista got in the ring and RVD quickly got out of the ring to avoid getting nailed by Batista.
Booker T planted Batista with the Book End and then he performed the spinaroonie in the center of the ring and Ric Flair got up and Booker knocked him right back down to the mat with a side kick. Booker then nailed Batista with the scissors kick and then he pinned Batista but only got a two count as Flair pulled Booker T off Batista.
Rob Van Dam went for a springboard kick on Batista but he nailed Booker T to send him down to the mat. Batista then knocked RVD out of the ring and then he grabbed Booker T and planted him with the sit down power bomb and a pin for the three count to pick up the win!
Winners and new Tag Team Champions, Batista and Ric Flair
Evolution grabbed the Tag Team Titles and celebrated their win as RVD was extremely disappointed at he and Booker T's Tag Team Title loss.
Paul Heyman took the stage and he pulled a ball out and he took a look at who he picked and he said that he said that Tazz is going to love this; the extreme reunion this Thursday night of the mad genius of Paul Heyman and Mr. Thursday night, Rob Van Dam!
Booker T and Rob Van Dam were shown and Booker was talking about a rematch clause in their contract and Rob seemed disappointed at their loss. The Coach showed up, telling them that they have no need to argue and there's no rematch because Rob Van Dam just got drafted to Smackdown!. Rob asked Coach if he's serious? Coach said that RVD is gone and Booker T said that he isn't going to Smackdown!. They're a team. Rob Van Dam and Booker T just looked at each other as we cut back to the arena.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Rhyno vs. Chris Benoit (c)
Chris Benoit made his way out to the ring as the World Heavyweight Champion and this is a one on one match with Chris Benoit defending the World Heavyweight Title against Rhyno!
Chris Benoit and Rhyno locked it up in the center of the ring and Rhyno backed Benoit into the corner and gave him some right hands to the mid section until Benoit fired out of the corner with some kicks and punches on Rhyno.
Rhyno put Chris Benoit in the sharpshooter in an attempt to force Benoit to tap out but Benoit refused to tap out to the sharpshooter as he fought to get to the ropes to break the hold.
Minutes later, Chris Benoit pulled Rhyno down to the mat and went for a sharpshooter of his own but Rhyno was too close to the ropes and the referee forced Benoit to break it up.
Chris Benoit gave Rhyno a series of German suplexes and then he went to the top rope and came off with the flying headbutt and then a pin for a two count.
Rhyno planted Chris Benoit with a spinebuster and then he went to the corner and set up for the Gore but Chris Benoit side stepped it and sent Rhyno into the middle turnbuckle and then Benoit put Rhyno in the Crippler Crossface to pick up the win!
Winner and still World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit
Eric Bischoff was shown looking on as Chris Benoit celebrated in the ring and Shawn Michaels showed up behind Eric Bischoff. Shawn said that it looks like the World Heavyweight Championship is safely intact, around the waist of Chris Benoit. As much as he wants a shot at Chris Benoit, this thing between he and Triple H is far from over. In light of his trade, Eric Bischoff has one of two choices. Either trade him to Smackdown! or... trade him to Smackdown!. Eric Bischoff said that he's not going to do that, but he's going to do one better. He's going to go behind Michaels 100%. RAW's next pay per view, Shawn Michaels is going to be headlining that pay per view and providing that Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels are still a part of RAW, Shawn is going to get his shot at Chris Benoit. Shawn said that he may have just solved his problem. What better way to get back at Triple H than to take the very title that Triple H wants, the World Heavyweight Championship from Benoit? And for Chris Benoit, this time it's one on one with the showstopper. But this time, the kick is gonna stick!
Eric Bischoff said it is now time to welcome another Smackdown! Superstar to RAW! Eric Bischoff made his pick and he said that it's the Japanese Buzzsaw, Tajiri! Akio and Sakoda didn't seem too pleased with Tajiri's leaving Smackdown! and neither did Tajiri but Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler had nothing but good things to say about Tajiri.
Paul Heyman told Bischoff to skip the shirt and cap routine and he said that Smackdown! is glad to welcome Mr. Theodore R. Long to the Smackdown! brand! Jazz didn't seem too happy with that one and Theodore Long said that he has to do what he has to do and he walked off.
Eric Bischoff said that as long as Paul Heyman wants to pick up the pace here, his next pick is a former Intercontinental Champion, a former Tag Team Champion and he's been out for a while and when he comes back, he's coming back to RAW and that's Edge! Paul Heyman seemed none too pleased with that, asking how he can pick Edge? He's on the injured list! Paul Heyman continued, saying that it can't happen because Edge is on the injured reserve list. But to pick up the pace like they do on Smackdown!, ladies and gentlemen, Smackdown!'s final pick this evening, Paul Heyman is very proud and privileged to welcome to the Smackdown! roster... Paul got angry and tossed the paper aside and Eric Bischoff picked it up and revealed that Paul Heyman got Spike Dudley. Eric sarcastically congratulated Heyman, putting Spike Dudley over as a joke.
Paul Heyman said that Eric Bischoff may think it's funny that he picked Spike Dudley, but at least he'll have someone to pick on now. Paul then told Eric to pick the final member of the Smackdown! member so they can get this over with! Eric Bischoff made his pick and he said that he can't believe this. Vince McMahon said everyone and that means everyone is eligible for the lottery draft and he picks Paul Heyman! With that, the Smackdown! locker room celebrated as it looks like they've done away with Paul Heyman! In the RAW locker room, the Superstars were none too pleased and Eric Bischoff said this is going to work out great because as it turns out, he can use some help. He's got some laundry that he needs taken care of, he has a car he needs washed and he can't think of anybody better than Paul Heyman to take care of these things! Paul Heyman said that he built ECW with both Eric and Vince on his back and then Smackdown! what it is today. And Paul could do the same for RAW, except he's unwilling to appear before these animals that Eric Bischoff calls a Monday Night RAW audience. And most of all, he would never sell his soul to a piece of slime like Eric Bischoff. So let him spell this out so that even Eric Bischoff can understand this; "Eric Bischoff, screw you, I quit!" With that, Paul Heyman stormed away from the scene and Eric Bischoff made his way out to the ring, saying goodbye. He wants to make one thing very clear, it should be obvious to each and every one of these people, he's been able to withstand two General Managers and he's even stood up to Stone Cold Steve Austin. He wants to make it clear to the talent on both rosters that Eric Bischoff is back in a damn big way and that's his way. Edge's music hit in the arena and he made his way out and the fans went absolutely nuts for Edge! Edge immediately got in the ring and he speared Eric Bischoff right down to the mat and then he stood tall on the ropes and next, it's Eddie Guerrero vs. Triple H for the WWE Title!
WWE Heavyweight Championship Match
Triple H vs. Eddie Guerrero (c)
Triple H's music hit in the arena and he made his way out wearing a RAW shirt and he tore it off, revealing a Smackdown! t-shirt underneath. Triple H then made his way out to the ring and this match is for the WWE Heavyweight Championship with Eddie Guerrero defending the title against Triple H!
As Eddie Guerrero made his way to the ring, the fans seemed to be pretty dead but once Eddie got in the ring, you could hear some fans chanting "Eddie, Eddie!" and it's apparent that the fans in attendance want to see a RAW BRAND match as opposed to a Smackdown! match.
Eddie Guerrero extended his hand to Triple H to shake and Eddie pulled his hand back and that didn't make Triple H too happy. Triple H and Eddie Guerrero then locked it up in the center of the ring and Triple H put Eddie Guerrero in a side headlock and then he backed Eddie Guerrero into the corner. Eddie Guerrero shoved Triple H out of the corner and Triple H shoved Eddie back into the corner.
Triple H put Eddie Guerrero in an abdominal stretch in an attempt to force him to tap out but Eddie Guerrero refused to do so. Triple H used the ropes for leverage but Eddie Guerrero just refused to give it up. Triple H grabbed the ropes again but referee Brian Hebner saw it and yelled at him for it. Triple H then released the hold, dropping Eddie Guerrero down to the mat.
Triple H later went for a sleeper hold but Eddie Guerrero countered it into a back suplex and then a pin for a two count on Triple H.
Eddie Guerrero jumped at Triple H from the second rope and pulled him down to the mat with a DDT and then he pinned Triple H but was unable to get the three count.
Triple H went for the Pedigree on Eddie Guerrero but Eddie Guerrero countered it, pulling Triple H down to the mat and then he gave Triple H a slingshot into the second rope. Eddie Guerrero then hooked Triple H in a front face lock and then he gave Triple H a series of vertical suplexes. Eddie Guerrero got ready for the frog splash but Ric Flair and Batista made their way out to the ringside area and distracted Eddie Guerrero. Triple H then planted Eddie Guerrero with a DDT and then Flair distracted the referee and then Batista grabbed the WWE Championship and handed it to Triple H. Cena and Mysterio came out to the ring and beat up on Batista and Ric Flair as Triple H grabbed the Championship and got ready to hit Eddie with it. Shawn Michaels stormed to the ring and knocked Triple H down and out with the super kick and then he jumped on Mysterio, Cena, Flair and Batista on the outside of the ring.
Eddie Guerrero went to the top rope and Christian came out to the ring and knocked him down and the referee called for the bell to end the match in a disqualification.
Winner by disqualification and still WWE Champion, Eddie Guerrero
Rob Van Dam came out to the ringside area and hammered away on Christian and the RAW and Smackdown! locker rooms poured out into the arena and they all brawled on the outside of the ring as Eddie Guerrero and Triple H continued to go at it in the ring. Stone Cold's music hit in the arena and he made his way out on his ATV and he signaled for more RAW Superstars to come out to the ring and he and the RAW Superstars got it on with the Smackdown! Superstars in and out of the ring and all hell has broken loose as the show went off the air!
Results by Kevin Gregg of PowerWrestling.com
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com