Location: Tampa, Florida
Tonight on RAW, Goldberg, Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam will take on Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista in a six man tag team slobber knocker!
Battle of the Sexes II
Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Chris Jericho and Christian
Trish Stratus made her way out to the ring for the Battle of the Sexes II teaming up with Lita against Chris Jericho and Christian and this is a rematch from last night's pay per view of Armageddon!
Chris Jericho, who didn't look happy at all started the match off in the ring against Trish Stratus and Trish said some stuff to Y2J and he backed off and made the tag to Christian, who arrogantly got in the ring and turned towards Lita and Lita slapped him, giving Trish the opportunity to roll Christian up for a two count.
Chris Jericho was later tagged into the match and he didn't hold back at all on Lita as he gave her a hard body slam and then he grabbed Lita by the hair and made the tag to Christian, who got in the ring and slammed Lita's head into the top turnbuckle.
Christian perched Lita on the top rope and Trish distracted Christian and then Lita knocked Christian down and went for a moonsault but Christian was on his feet and Lita screwed up the moonsault, seemingly hurting her head and immediately making the tag to Trish.
Christian gave Trish Stratus the Unprettier and then he pinned her for a two count as Chris Jericho got in the ring and broke up the pin. Chris argued with the referee, telling him to end the match and he did just that and Christian and Chris Jericho argued with Chris Jericho shoving Christian on his ass.
Winners - No contest
Charles Robinson checked on Trish Stratus as did another WWE official and trainer and Eric Bischoff's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring as the Co General Manager of RAW. Eric took the mic and asked Chris what in the hell he's doing, stopping his Battle of the Sexes match? Does he have any idea... Chris Jericho took the mic and told Eric Bischoff to shut the hell up! Chris asked Eric if he has any idea how much of a jackass he is? Chris has been trying to tell Eric all week that this match should have never happened. He never wanted it to happen in the first place and now he made it twice. Is this how he wanted it to end? Chris told Eric that he hopes he's satisfied and then he called him a stupid son of a bitch. Eric asked Chris what he's talking about? He made this match for Chris Jericho and this is how he shows his gratitude? Maybe it's just because Chris Jericho is a little frustrated. So he doesn't want to wrestle in a girls match, so how about Eric Bischoff puts Chris Jericho in a match tonight in this very ring with someone who's equally as angry and equally as frustrated, Kane! Eric told Chris to think about that next time he spouts off to him! Now, let him take care of some other very important business and this concerns Mick Foley. You see, Eric Bischoff has an idea that is going to reshape the very face of RAW forever and it concerns Mick Foley, so come on down and hear what Bischoff has to say.
RAW went to a commercial break and Eric Bischoff remained in the ring, continuing to call out Mick Foley. Eric Bischoff told Foley that he doesn't want to miss this opportunity. Mick Foley's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring. Mick took the mic and said he's not sure just what Eric's idea is, but it's not as important as Foley's idea because that idea has to do with the return to RAW of Stone Cold Steve Austin. You see, they've now got over 1 million signatures on his Stone Cold petition and two weeks from tonight, he's called a meeting with the board of directors where he will personally plead his case for the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin. But even better, he's invited the Texas Rattlesnake himself so that he can make his case for his return to RAW. Eric congratulated Mick, saying that he really is making a difference around here. But let's face it, at the end of the night, he's nothing but a disappointment. Don't get him wrong, these people love Mick Foley. But they don't love him as Mick Foley, Co General Manager. They love him as Mick Foley, Hardcore Legend. Did he feel the energy when he stepped in the ring last week with The Rock? Does he know why? Because for one shinning moment, he gave the fans the man they know and love. Not the guy in the suit and tie. He gave them this man; and with that, they showed a video package, highlighting the career of Mick Foley in the WWE. The fans in attendance heavily cheered the video piece and they chanted "Foley, Foley!" Eric said that the problem isn't him. The problem is Mick Foley. See, these people don't want to see Mick Foley, Co General Manager. These people want to see Mick Foley, Hardcore Legend as an active participant in the ring, that's what these people want to see. Is Bischoff right? The fans cheered in agreement and Mick said he sees where Eric is going with this. He puts together a wonderful video and then he tries to make him look bad by challenging him to get in the ring when he's not ready. Mick has been toying with the idea of returning to the ring one day and maybe even against Bischoff. If and when he returns to the ring, it will be under Mick's terms, not Bischoff's. Bischoff said he knew Mick was going to go there, which is why he has this proposition in the first place. Eric had to put up with Stone Cold for six grueling months and he made up his mind that he was never going to do that again. So why don't we settle this tonight? Eric proposed that tonight in this ring, we see Mick Foley, Hardcore Legend an active participant in one corner and not Eric Bischoff but an opponent of Eric Bischoff's choosing in that other corner and that opponent would be the Legend Killer, Randy Orton. But here's the good part and this is what this is all about. See, if Orton loses, Eric Bischoff walks, he's done and he'll quit tonight as Co General Manager. But if Mick Foley loses, then he's done because let's face it; this company isn't big enough for both of them. Mick Foley went over the stipulations and the fans were well behind Foley and Foley told Eric Bischoff that he's got no deal. No deal... unless. Mick knows how bad Eric wants this match. Eric wants something from Foley but Foley needs something from Eric. Foley isn't a fool. He can almost guarantee how this match will turn out. There's Mick Foley after a lengthy absence from the ring, kicking Randy Orton's ass all over Tampa, Florida and then along comes Evolution. Down comes Batista, Flair and Triple H and out goes Mick Foley and Eric Bischoff lives on. No, it's not going to go down like that. If Eric wants this match to take place here tonight, then give him what he needs. Mick asked for a referee of his choosing and that's referee Earl Hebner to raise his hand. Eric said that's done but Foley said he needs something else. He needs Evolution banned from ringside, which means if Batista sets foot on that ramp or if Triple H peeks through the curtain, Bischoff is done. Foley's hand is raised and Bischoff walks and Foley stays. Bischoff said it's done. Foley said but he's not finished. He needs one more thing. He needs Eric Bischoff banned from ringside, which means if he sees the slightest tint of that smirk peeking out at him, Hebner raises his hand and Foley wins. If they agree to all of those conditions, then they give the fans what they want to see and that's the return of Mick Foley, the Hardcore Legend as an active participant, right here in Tampa, Florida! Eric Bischoff agreed to it and there you have it, Foley returns to the ring, TONIGHT! Mick said that he just thought of something, he saw his career flash by and he realized he never got a chance to hold the Intercontinental Championship, so in his capacity as Co General Manager of RAW, he's going to make tonight's match a title match! Have a nice day!
Booker T & Maven vs. Mark Henry & Matt Hardy
Booker T's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring for a tag team match with Maven against Mark Henry and Matt Hardy!
Maven and Matt Hardy started it off in the ring and the two locked it up and Matt put Maven in a hammer lock and then he shoved him forward and held his arms in the air as if he had just won the match but Maven took exception to that and hammered away on Matt Hardy with some right hands.
Booker T was tagged into the match and he got in the ring like a house of fire on Matt Hardy and then he knocked Mark Henry down from the ring apron and gave Matt a spinebuster and then he did the spinaroonie. Mark Henry got in the ring and charged at Booker but Booker ducked down and Mark fell to the outside of the ring. Maven then went to the top rope and came off with a high cross body on Mark Henry on the outside of the ring.
Matt Hardy went for the Twist of Fate on Booker but Booker got out of it and nailed Matt with the scissors kick and then he pinned him for the three count to pick up the win!
Winners - Booker T and Maven
The Coach was shown backstage and he said that he's about to get the 411 on what it's like not to be a Champion anymore. His exclusive interview with the former World Heavyweight Champion, next!
After a commercial break, Coach opened Goldberg's locker room door and he said that they're going to get the scoop like only the Coach can. Goldberg pulled the door shut and Coach said that nobody disrespects The Coach like that, especially a former World Champion. Coach then entered the room and shut the door and you could hear Coach getting dominated and then Goldberg tossed him through the closed door and then Goldberg walked off as Coach was left rolling around in pain in the backstage area.
La Resistance made their way out to the ring for tag team action. Rene Dupree took the mic and he asked the fans if they were hoping for their little hero? You know, Rocky, Rocky. Unfortunately, Rocky isn't here tonight. How could he be, everyone saw last week as La Resistance kicked his ass. Unfortunately, there's one thing that Rocky said that pissed La Resistance off. He had the nerve to insult them and they're not what he said they are. Rob Conway said that Mick Foley is just like America, he's loud, obnoxious and he's always sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Which is why tonight, they pledge their full support to Randy Orton! Lilian Garcia started to announce the opponents of La Resistance but Goldberg's music hit and he made his way out to the ring.
Rob Conway got out of the ring with the French Flag and he went to hit Goldberg with it but Goldberg knocked him down with a kick and then Goldberg got in the ring and Rene Dupree hammered away on Goldberg but Goldberg quickly fired back and speared Rene Dupree. Rob Conway got in the ring and Goldberg gave him the spear as well and then he picked him up and gave him the jackhammer. Goldberg then popped up and got out of the ring and grabbed the French Flag and snapped it in half and then he grabbed an American flag from a fan in the audience and held it in the ring as the fans heavily chanted "USA, USA!" Eric Bischoff then started talking on the stage and he said he's real touched by Goldberg's patriotism and all, but does he have any idea what he's just done? He not only comes out here and reeks havoc on Bischoff's show but he beats the hell out of his top announcer, Coach? He's out of control and is a loose cannon and he can't have that, which is why for the next 30 days, Goldberg is deactivated! He is off the active roster! As RAW went to a commercial break, you could see Goldberg getting extremely pissed off in the ring.
Mick Foley was shown backstage and he said here he is doing something he swore he'd never do and he wants to know one thing. Is it possible to step back in the ring just once or is this business like an addiction that you have to feed? Shawn Michaels was standing there and Shawn said a year and a half ago, he came back for just one more match and look at him, here he stands. This place is like the MOB. Every time you think you're out, they pull you back in. Mick asked Shawn one little question; when Shawn came back for his first match against Triple H at Summer Slam and tore the house down and laid in the first punch and saw Triple H buckle, was that moment worth it? Shawn paused, smiled and said yeah, it was worth it. Mick then asked Shawn to do him a favor, hand him that flannel shirt because he's got a match to wrestling!
Handicap Match
Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair, Batista and Triple H
Lilian Garcia announced that as per Eric Bischoff's orders, the following contest is now a Handicap Match. Rob Van Dam's music then hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring and it was scheduled to be Rob Van Dam, Shawn Michaels and Goldberg against Evolution but after Eric Bischoff's decision to bench Goldberg for 30 days, he has been taken out of this match, making it a Handicap Match.
Batista started the match off in the ring against Rob Van Dam and Batista wanted some of Michaels and Rob Van Dam turned to Michaels and tagged him into the match. Michaels went to lock it up with Batista but Batista gave him a knee to the mid section and then he drove his knee into Shawn's head.
Triple H went for a clothesline on Shawn Michaels but Shawn ducked it and Triple H quickly turned around and knocked Shawn down to the mat with a high knee. Triple H then pinned Michaels but only got a two count.
Ric Flair went to the top rope but Shawn Michaels caught him before he could jump and Shawn pulled Flair down, slamming him into the center of the ring.
Rob Van Dam gave Batista a spin kick to send him into the referee and then he gave Batista a couple shoulder blocks in the corner and on the third one, Batista moved and RVD nailed the referee. Batista then went for the power bomb but RVD was able to get out of it.
Moments later, Rob Van Dam hit Batista with the five star frog splash and then he pinned Batista and Ric Flair grabbed the referee and pulled him to the other side of the ring and Triple H gave Rob Van Dam the Pedigree and then he lifted Shawn Michaels up and dumped him to the outside of the ring. Triple H then woke the referee up as Batista covered Rob Van Dam and the referee made a very slow two count with RVD somehow kicking out of it.
Ric Flair came into the ring off the tag and he put Rob Van Dam in the figure four leg lock and the show went to a commercial break as Flair had RVD in the figure four. Returning from the commercial break, Batista and Rob Van Dam were in the ring with Batista covering RVD for the two count.
Shawn Michaels gave Triple H a body slam and then he headed to the top rope and came off with the flying elbow on Triple H. Shawn then got back to his feet and started tuning up for the super kick but Ric Flair distracted the referee and then Batista got in the ring and grabbed Shawn Michaels, giving him the sit down power bomb. RVD then got in the ring and hammered away on Batista.
Triple H hooked Shawn Michaels in the Pedigree position but Shawn got out of it with a back body drop and then he went for the super kick but Triple H blocked it and spun Shawn around and then Shawn surprised Triple H with the super kick and the pin for the three count to win the match!
Winners - Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels
The Aftermath: Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam celebrated their win in the ring together and then the two left the ring together, coming out of an awesome match.
Rico vs. Jon Heidenreich
Rico's music hit in the arena and he made his way out to the ring along with Miss Jackie for a one on one contest against Jon Heidenreich, which is a rematch from last night's edition of Sunday Night Heat!
Rico went behind Jon with a waist lock but Jon broke it up and then he put Rico in a waist lock of his own and Rico bent over and Jon got freaked out and shoved Rico forward, breaking his own waist lock on Rico.
Jon got Rico in a bear hug and Rico started hugging and feeling Jon and Jon tossed Rico into the corner, spine first.
Rico put Jon Heidenreich in a sleeper hold to wear him down and you could hear some fans chanting "boring, boring." Jon picked Rico up and rammed him into the corner to break the sleeper and then he gave Rico a side walk slam.
Rico went for his neck breaker but Jon got out of it and whipped Rico off the ropes and knocked him down with a hard shoulder block.
Miss Jackie slammed Jon's head into the turnbuckle and that went undetected by the referee and then Rico gave Jon his version of the neck breaker and then pinned him for the three count to pick up the victory.
Winner - Rico
Backstage: Chris Jericho was shown in front of the women's locker room and he knocked on the door, looking for Trish. Trish angrily opened the door and Chris asked her if she's OK? Trish said she's not OK. You know what, it doesn't matter because now she knows the real Chris and the real Chris Jericho is an asshole. And you know what's going to make her feel better? If he never talks to her again! Trish went back in the locker room and slammed the door shut and Chris walked off, an unhappy man.
Backstage: Kane was shown walking through the backstage area and he's up next against Chris Jericho in a one on one match made by Eric Bischoff earlier in the night.
Kane vs. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho's music hit in the arena and he made his way out for this one on one match against Kane and as Chris got in the ring, he had an extreme look of concern on his face, not only for his own well being against Kane tonight but for Trish.
Kane chased Chris Jericho out of the ring and Chris got back in the ring and as Kane tried to get in the ring, Chris gave him a drop kick to the leg to knock him down. Chris Jericho then backed Kane into the corner and chopped away on Kane until Kane shoved Jericho down to the mat.
Kane grabbed Chris Jericho by the throat but Chris countered it into a roll up and into the Walls of Jericho but Kane kicked Jericho into the corner to avoid it.
Kane grabbed Chris Jericho in a military press and then he tossed him over the top rope to send him crashing to the arena floor. Kane then got out of the ring and continued the brutal beating on Y2J and Chris Jericho grabbed a steel chair but was unable to use it on Kane.
Kane rolled Jericho back into the ring and Chris got out of the ring and grabbed the chair and nailed Kane in the head with it and the referee called for the bell to end the match in a disqualification.
Winner as a result of a disqualification, Kane
The Aftermath: Chris Jericho got in the ring with the steel chair but Kane gave Chris a big boot to knock him down and then Kane lifted Chris over his shoulders and put him in the tree of woe position in the corner and with Chris hanging upside down, Kane stomped away on him and then he got out of the ring and grabbed a wire and choked away on Jericho with it. Kane then released Chris Jericho and got in the ring and planted him with a high impact choke slam to leave him for dead. After Kane left the scene, Christian jogged out to the ring and he helped Chris Jericho up, took a good look at him and then shoved him right back down to the mat and left him laying.
Eric Bischoff was shown backstage and Randy Orton showed up. Eric said he wanted to talk strategy. First of all, this is chess, not checkers. So let's look at what we have to work with. Randy Orton is in the best physical condition of anyone in the WWE and they have to take advantage of that. So make Mick Foley chase him. Tire him out and ignore the locker room rumors. Randy got upset, asking Eric what he's talking about? Eric said he's only saying this because he's his friend. Think of him as a mentor. Guys are saying he has a lot of potential but he doesn't have what it takes. Randy said screw the guys. He's one of the hottest young talents in this business today and everybody knows it. Eric said the fact they're saying Randy Orton doesn't have what it takes to get to the next level doesn't matter? Randy said the proof is right there with the Intercontinental Title and Eric said that tonight is the night that Randy Orton walks out in that ring and steps out of the shadow of his father and grandfather. Tonight, he casts his own shadow! Randy said he's going to go out there and prove he's one of the hottest talents in this business and he's going to beat Mick Foley's ass!
Mick Foley was shown walking through the backstage area and a number of Superstars wished Mick the best of luck and the Dudley Boyz said after the match, they need to talk about their Tag Team Titles and Mick agreed. Mick came across Shawn Michaels and he wished Shawn luck in his match in two weeks time in San Antonio, Texas against Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title! Mick's making that match now and he's going to be there in two weeks to witness it!
Intercontinental Championship Match
Mick Foley vs. Randy Orton (c)
Evolution's music hit in the arena and Randy Orton made his way out to the ring as the Intercontinental Champion and that very title is on the line as Randy Orton defends the title against the returning Mick Foley. If Mick Foley loses this match, he's gone from the WWE as the Co General Manager but if he wins, Eric Bischoff is gone.
The fans heavily chanted "Foley, Foley!" and a nervous Mick Foley got out of the ring and slapped himself in the face to pump himself up for this match. Mick walked around the ring and he backed up the aisle way and the commentators questioned whether or not he's having second thoughts. Foley turned around and walked towards the backstage area and Orton seemed very confused. Orton grabbed the Intercontinental Title and walked up the ramp and to the backstage area and we could see Foley go into his Co GM office and shut the door. Foley grabbed his bags and started to leave but Eric Bischoff caught up with him and asked him where he's going? He's walking out? He's leaving? If he walks out of here, he's gone. Bischoff smiled at Foley and Foley ignored him and walked off with his head down. Randy Orton followed him and asked him what he's doing? Orton asked him if he's leaving? Orton arrogantly said he's leaving and then he asked what about their match? He's just going to walk out? Orton asked if he's got a tear in his eye? Is Mick Foley going to cry? Orton then told Mick that legends don't cry. Legends don't walk away. Mick Foley, you're not a legend, you're a coward! Orton then spat right in the face of Mick Foley and Foley dropped his bags and wiped his face off and walked outside, leaving the scene of RAW as the show went off the air.
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com