WWF RAW is WAR: 04-17-01
Location: Knoxville, TN
Commentators: Jim Ross & Paul Heyman
Report by: Fred Cook of IOWrestling.com

RAW is WAR opened with a recap of the events that led to Jeff Hardy capturing the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Triple H. Highlights of Triple H�s comments on Sunday Night Heat were also shown where Triple H promised to destroy Jeff Hardy and take back what he claims is rightfully his.

The sold-out crowd in the University of Tennessee arena exploded alongside the weekly pryo opening as Vince McMahon marched to the ring to address the crowd about his wife�s comments from last Monday that she wanted a divorce. Vince stood in the middle of the ring and ordered Lillian Garcia to bring him a microphone.

Vince asked the crowd if they could believe it that one week ago he was in the very same ring � and was interrupted by an asshole chant � that he was on his knees trying to reason with his wife Linda that she asked for a divorce. He said that was the reason he was out in the ring tonight. He wanted to share his thoughts on the sacred institution of marriage. Vince said that when people vow to marry, that they should literally last until �death do the couple part�. He said that divorce should be illegal and blamed half of the world�s marital problems on divorce. He asked the crowd to remember the effects of divorce on families and children. He also said to think of having to divide marital assets. Vince said he knew Linda was watching on TV at home, and he addressed her and told her that people look to Vince as a role model, and he would not grant her a divorce. Vince said he would do whatever it took to make their marriage work.

Debra then made her way to the ring and Vince looked shocked as she walked down the ramp to the ring. As Debra entered the ring, JR questioned why she would interrupt Vince. Debra proceeded to declare that she didn�t believe a word he had said. She blamed Vince for the negative influence on her husband Stone Cold Steve Austin. Vince told her not to blame him for the actions of the Texas Rattlesnake lately. Vince said that the teaming of Triple H & Austin together was not his idea. He also said that the beating that JR took was not his fault. He also washed his hands of the Lita incident last week on RAW. Vince said that Stone Cold was a great man and that he was proud of his personal accomplishments. He said that he is proud of Stone Cold Steve Austin for what he has become. Vince even went as far to say that behind every great man is a great woman. But Vince said she is the exception to the rule.

Debra then said she blamed not only Steve for his actions, but she also blamed Mr. McMahon as well, and she slapped the WWF Owner straight across the face!! As Vince stumbled in shock around the ring, Debra walked out of the ring. After regaining his senses, Vince stared at Debra in disgust as she left the ringside area.

After running down the matches for the night, Jim Ross said that the WWF Tag Team Titles would be decided in the first contest on RAW is WAR!

Coming back from the break, we were shown a replay of the �slap heard around the WWF�. Paul Heyman then stated he abhorred men on women violence.

Backstage, Vince McMahon left the arena in his limo, and screamed out in disgust �WOMEN!!� He then shook his head and left the parking lot.

Stone Cold Steve Austin escorted his wife back to his dressing room and asked her if she realized what she just did. Debra said she did, and Austin ordered her not to leave the dressing room.

Tonight�s Tag Team Title match was supposed to take place last Thursday on Smackdown!, but thanks to the goring of Crash by Rhyno, it did not take place. Hence the match tonight.

Before the match could take place, Rhyno entered the ring and �gored� Hardcore Holly out of his boots! The bell then rang, and Edge covered Hardcore for a near fall. Edge continued to pound on Hardcore Holly with kicks and stomps. Edge backed Hardcore into the corner and punched him repeatedly. Edge then tagged in Christian and he attempted to work over Hardcore Holly, but he fought back and punched both Edge & Christian repeatedly. It didn�t last long, and Christian regained the momentum and continued the beating of Hardcore Holly.

After a few tags, Christian re-entered the ring and attempted a powerbomb, but Hardcore reversed it into a back bodydrop. Edge tagged in and clamped a reverse chinlock on the fallen Holly. Hardcore was whipped to the ropes, and ducked the clothesline, and nailed a clothesline of his own on Edge. Hardcore inched over to his corner and tagged in Crash, who immediately took out Christian and hit both men with a bulldog. Edge speared Crash, but Molly climbed the ropes and took out Edge, allowing Crash to gain a near fall.

Edge recovered enough to grab the tights and pin Crash to retain the WWF Tag Titles.

Winners & Still WWF Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian by pinfall

Backstage, the Hardys were shown entering the arena, and they were interviewed by Michael Cole. Cole asked Jeff if he was ready to defend the title against Triple H. He said he was and that what happened to Lita was a crime, and that they would correct the wrong tonight. The two then left the interview and we went to a commercial break.

Lugz WWF Boot of the Week : Albert delivering a Baldo-Bomb on Spike Dudley on Smackdown last Thursday.

Backstage, the �WCW-1� Limo pulled up and Shane McMahon exited the car to the delight of the crowd.


Match 2 : Justin Credible (w/X-Pac & Albert) vs. Buh Buh Ray Dudley (w/D-Von Dudley)Justin Credible tried to jump start the match, but Buh Buh Ray side stepped him and smashed his face in the top turnbuckle. After whipping Credible to the opposite corner, Buh Buh nailed Justin with a slap across the chest as the crowd chanted �WHOOOOOO!�

X-Pac tried to interfere in the match, and D-Von attempted to stop him, but was taken out by Albert with a superkick. Back in the ring, Justin Credible choked Buh Buh Ray on the bottom rope. After being forced to break the hold, Credible nailed Dudley with a DDT. But Buh Buh Ray battled back and scored with a few shots to the head of Justin Credible. Buh Buh then nailed a �Buh-Buh Bomb� on the former ECW wrestler, and backdropped him to the canvas. As Credible backed into the corner, he begged for mercy, but would find none. Buh Buh Ray then climbed the ropes to nail a high risk centon bomb, but he missed. Justin Credible went up top and was caught in a �Buh Buh Cutter�. As the referee was distracted by Albert, X-Pac nailed the X-Factor on Buh Buh. As the referee turned around, Justin covered Buh Buh for a two count. X-Pac and Albert tried to enter the ring and was stopped by the referee, D-Von went up top and nailed the top-rope headbutt on Justin Credible�s exposed groin, and Buh Buh Ray covered him for the win!

Winner: Buh Buh Ray Dudley by pinfall

Backstage, Grandmaster Sexay greeted Shane with much props and asked what the status of WCW was. Shane played along until Big Show came along and asked Shane if he was here to see his match against Kaientai. Big Show used what appeared to be a racial slur against Kaientai, which won�t sit well with the Asian community! Shane said that since he was going to leave because he came to confront his father, he would stick around to see the match.

Coming back from the commercial break, Jonathan Coachman interviewed Steven Richards about what happened to the Right To Censor on Smackdown, where the group turned on each other in frustration about the lack of initiations in the past few months to the group. Steven promised to bring home the WWF Hardcore title tonight.

Edge & Christian were shown backstage talking to Kurt Angle. Angle was ripping William Regal to shreds, and didn�t notice the WWF Commissioner standing behind him. Regal asked Kurt to come with him to his office to discuss the problem.

Michael Cole tried to interview Stone Cold Steve Austin but was promptly told to shut up and mind his own business when it comes to business regarding HHH, Vince McMahon, or his wife. Austin then talked about how it took two men to defeat HHH for the IC Title last week, when Matt Hardy attacked Austin from behind for beating the hell out of Lita last week during their 6-person match on RAW! After a wild pull-apart, Austin screamed at Matt Hardy and called him a �son-of-a-bitch!�.

As usual, we were treated to a recap of what happened to Steve Austin as Matt Hardy jumped the WWF Champion from the blindside. JR said that it was a shame that Matt couldn�t beat on him longer.

In their dressing room, Hunter & Stephanie expressed disgust at what happened to Austin. Austin then entered the room, and asked HHH to join him in beating down the Hardys. HHH said it was the plan of the Hardys to have Jeff taken out so he wouldn�t be able to defend the title. HHH asked SCSA to leave the arena, and let him deal with the Hardy Boyz. Austin complied and left the room.

Back in the arena, Steven Richards entered the ring and threw a couple of steel garbage cans in the ring in preparation to face Kane in a Hardcore Title match!

Match 3 : WWF Hardcore Title Match
Steven Richards vs. Kane (c)Steven started the match by giving Kane a few shots to the head with a trash can, and nothing fazed the champ. Kane threw Richards to the floor outside the ring, and the two men fought up the aisle and back through the curtain to the backstage area.

Backstage, Kane peppered Richards with lefts and rights. Kane hurled the RTC leader into a steel door, and then into a steel guardrail. As Steven crawled around in pain, Kane continued to nail Richards with thunderous shots. Kane picked up a 2x4 and tried to hit Steven Richards but missed. All of a sudden, Kane was overwhelmed by the rest of the RTC. As the beat Kane up, The Undertaker entered the area, and evened the score. Steven Richards tried to escape but was launched like a lawn dart, headfirst into the trailer that was parked backstage.

After the match, the Undertaker admonished Steven to forget about �fighting the good fight�, and told him it was easier on his health if he were to �get a woman�.

Winner & Still WWF Hardcore Champion:Kane by pinfall

In another area of the backstage area, Kurt Angle was shown warming up for his match against Chris Jericho, as we headed to another commercial break.

Another recap of the ending of the Hardcore title match was shown coming back from the break, as the Undertaker assisted his brother in his fight against the RTC.

Back in Stone Cold�s locker room, Debra was shown pacing back and forth. All of a sudden, Steve Austin stormed into the room and ordered Debra to prepare her things to leave. The two then grabbed their bags and left.

A recap of Jericho & Benoit trapping Kurt Angle & William Regal in their respective submission holds on Smackdown last Thursday.

Before Kurt Angle could address the sold-out crowd, Y2J�s music interrupted the former Olympic Gold Medalist. Y2J got on the mic, and told Angle to shut the hell up after insulting him.

Match 4 : Kurt Angle vs. Chris JerichoAngle tried to attack Kurt Angle and was whipped to the ropes, and taken into a armdrag takeover into an armbar. Angle fought back and made his way to his feet and forced Y2J into the corner and proceeded to kick him in the face! Angle then whipped Jericho to the opposite corner but was reversed into a hiplock takeover. Y2J then knocked Angle to the outside with a dropkick, and then nailed him in the face with a baseball slide kick to the back.

The two made their way over to the timekeeper�s table, and Angle used the ringbell to nail Jericho. Heyman then tried to get the men away from their table by saying �Hey�Leave our table alone! We�re not spanish!!� Heh Heh!

Back in the ring, Angle nailed a perfect suplex for a two count. Angle went back for a quick pin for another two count. Angle then irish whipped Y2J into the corner and nailed a belly-to-belly suplex! Angle celebrated when he should of pinned Jericho. Angle went back to the mat and slapped a sleeper on Jericho. Y2J slowly fought his way to his feet and attempted to whip Angle to the ropes, but Angle reversed it. Y2J bounced off the ropes and rolled up Angle in a quick suprising move. After a two count, Angle got mad and slapped on an ankle lock, which was broken up when Y2J grabbed the ropes.

After some wild action back and forth, Jericho almost pinned Angle with a victory roll. Y2J then nailed a flying forearm. Angle went for the Angle Slam, and Jericho slipped out of it and nailed a bulldog on Angle. Y2J then tried to hit the Lionsault, but Angle rolled out of the ring. Jericho followed him out and was attacked by William Regal. But the attack didn�t last long as Jericho trapped Regal in the Walls of Jericho. As Angle re-entered the ring, Y2J released the hold, and took down Angle and nailed the Lionsault. But he was soon outnumbered and trapped in the Regal Stretch and the Angle Ankle Lock!!

All of a sudden, Chris Benoit ran in and broke up the attack and took out both Regal and Angle! Benoit took out both men by German Suplexing Angle on top of Regal as we headed to another break.

Winner : Chris Jericho by DQ

Coming back from the break, highlights of Chris Benoit was shown coming to the aid of his new �ally�.
During the break, footage of Benoit helping Jericho to the back.

William Regal yelled at Chris Benoit to get out to the ring as he challenged the Crippler to a match. Kurt Angle remained in the ring, as the WWF Commissioner awaited the answer to his challenge. Y2J came back out to back up Benoit. A Wild brawl then occurred as the bell rang.

Match 5 : William Regal vs. Chris BenoitJericho made short work of Angle and Benoit focused his attack on Regal, and the two men proceeded to made short work of their enemies. After knocking Regal to the canvas, Benoit went for the top-rope headbutt but missed the move. Regal pounded on Benoit in the corner, and then suplexed him out of the corner for three quick 2-counts. After repeated failed pinfall attempts, Regal buried his knees into the chest of the Crippler, and went for a suplex. Benoit countered into a crossbody and almost pinned his opponent. Regal stretched Chris Benoit with an unorthodoxed �stretch move�. Regal released the hold and waved to the crowd. He then returned to stomping his opponent. The crowd chanted �Regal Sucks� and Regal showed distain towards them. Regal went for another lateral press for a two count.

Regal returned to a reverse chinlock with his knee buried into the spine of Chris Benoit. Benoit battled out and trapped Regal with an inside cradle for a near fall. In the corner, Benoit reverse-chopped Regal�s chest until it was bright red. Benoit then nailed two German Rolling Suplexes. After Angle tried to interfere, Y2J stopped him from entering the ring. Y2J then entered the ring and reversed the �Regal Stretch� into the �Crippler Crossface� and the WWF Commissioner tapped out!

Winner : Chris Benoit by submission

Backstage, Test & Billy Gunn asked Raven why he agreed to tag up to face the Radicalz. After a confusing diatribe about Fate & Destiny, Raven walked away and agreed to tag with them. Test & Billy Gunn asked each other what the hell he was talking about as we headed to yet another break.

The Hardys were shown preparing for Jeff�s Title defense against Triple H. Jeff said he couldn�t believe what Matt did to Austin, when all of a sudden Lita entered the room. Matt told her she was to stay in their hotel room, but she couldn�t resist being at the arena with all the action going down.

Match 6 : The Radicalz vs.Test, Billy Gunn & RavenTest and Billy Gunn jumped into the ring and started the match without Raven, who quickly ran out to help his teammates out. The Radicalz were driven from the ring to the outside. Dean Malenko opted to start the match against Test. Test whipped Malenko to the ropes, who came back and kicked Test in the face when he dropped his head. Test then tagged in Billy Gunn, and Malenko tagged in Guerrero. Gunn beat on Guerrero in the Radicalz corner, which allowed Eddie to make a blind tag to Saturn. Saturn entered the ring and nailed Billy Gunn from the blindside.

The Radicalz tagged frequently and kept Billy Gunn in their corner, cutting the ring in half. As Eddie worked over Billy�s throat over with his foot, he moved to distract the ref by drawing Test into the ring. As the ref tried to keep Test and Raven out of the ring, Saturn slammed Gunn�s back into the ringpost outside the ring. Saturn then entered the ring and worked over �The One� a little more. As Saturn attempted a reverse belly-to-back suplex, Gunn blocked it and whipped Saturn to the ropes and nailed the tilt-a-whirl slam. Saturn tagged out, but so did Billy Gunn, as he tagged in Raven!

Raven nailed Eddie with a bulldog headlock, and tried to pin him for the fall, but was stopped. Test then entered the ring and hit Saturn in the face with a big boot. In the end, Eddie tried a swanton from the top and missed, and Raven nailed the Evenflow DDT for the win!

Winners:Raven, Test & Billy Gunn by pinfall

Backstage, Kevin Kelly asked Big Show for his thoughts on Kaientai�s challenge to a match. He said that the match would be a squash, because he wanted to impress Shane McMahon. He also said he had something to prove, and hurled an anvilcase across the hallway into a steel door! Big Show then stormed away as another commercial break was upon us.

A video highlight package of Kane & The Undertaker was shown set to a new song by Marilyn Manson called �The Fight Song�.

Match 7 : Handicap Match
Kaientai vs. Big ShowKaientai said that they tricked Big Show and told him not to mess with �true evil���Indeed�! And the APA made their way out to the ring as Kaientai celebrated an early victory. Bradshaw nailed the clothesline from hell on Big Show right at the start of the match, and the APA took Big Show out with a double spinebuster. They then left the ring and let Kaientai hit tandem top-rope moves on the fallen giant. They celebrated too early however, as the Big Show rose from the canvas to chokeslam both Taka & Sho Funaki for the pinfall victory.

Winner: The Big Show by pinfall

Coming back from the break, Trish Stratus was shown arriving at WWF New York to host the RAW is WAR party. JR talked to Trish and said she was in the eye of controversy lately, and asked her what her status was. She admitted she was attracted to Vince McMahon. But it was his millions she was interested in, not his grapefruits! She found out what kind of man Vince really was, and took Linda off her medication, and she fully supports Linda in her divorce to Vince and hopes she gets what�s coming to her. She then closed by saying that down deep, she is a nice person, but she can also be naughty when she needed to be.

JR & Paul Heyman showed highlight�s of Jeff Hardy defeating HHH for the IC Title on Smackdown last Thursday, and HHH�s promise to end Jeff�s career during their match on RAW. Other highlights included the mugging of Stone Cold by Matt Hardy from behind!

Triple H & Stephanie were shown making the long walk through the hallway. As the Hardys made their way along the adjacent hallway, William Regal told Matt Hardy he was barred from ringside due to his attack on Stone Cold earlier in the evening. Matt told Jeff he could do it alone, and wished him luck. Lita and Jeff then headed towards the backstage area as we headed to our final commercial break.

JR plugged the XFL Championship game coming up this weekend before heading to our main event.

Match 8 : WWF Intercontinental Title Match
Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) vs. Jeff Hardy (c) (w/Lita)Jeff Hardy entered the ring and was quickly met with a flurry of kicks and was driven into the corner. HHH shoved the referee away, and picked up Jeff and dropped him with a punch to the face. Triple H took Jeff Hardy into the corner and proceeded to nail him with repeated shoulderblocks to the stomach. Jeff crumpled into the corner, and was picked up again and whipped into the ropes. As he shot back towards the center of the ring, Triple H threw him up in the air and let him crash to the mat face first. Matt watched backstage on the monitor as Triple H went for another pinfall attempt.

Triple H hit Jeff Hardy with a couple of shots to the head with his fist, and tried to suplex Jeff, but the IC Champ slipped out and tried to mount a comeback. Triple H easily fought off the advances of the weakened IC Champ and threw him to the floor. After ramming the head of Jeff Hardy into the steel ringsteps, HHH threw him back in the ring. Jeff Hardy tried to fight back, but HHH nailed a �big-time� clothesline. HHH pinned Jeff again, but only for a two count as the young stallion kicked out at the last second.

Triple H then put Jeff hardy in the abdominal stretch, as Lita pounded on the mat in encouragement. Jeff Hardy fought out and nailed HHH with a jawbreaker. But it wouldn�t last as HHH hit the facebuster. As HHH tried to pin Jeff, Lita grabbed the leg of HHH and pulled him under the ropes. Stephanie then ran over and confronted Lita and the two briefly fought until they were seperated by the referee. Jeff Hardy then nailed HHH over the commentators table with the IC title when the ref was distracted by the two fighting women. Jeff then rammed HHH�s head into the post, and then into the steps. After slamming his head on the table, Jeff threw HHH back in the ring and hit a top rope dropkick. Jeff almost pinned �The Game�, and was immediately trapped in the pedigree, but found a way to counter the move.

Jeff went for the �whisper in the wind� twisting moonsault, but missed. Triple H went to the top turnbuckle, but Jeff nailed him, and HHH fell into the top cable. Jeff nailed the hurracanrana from the top rope and attempted to hit the Swanton Bomb, but HHH moved.

Backstage, as Matt watched the match, Stone Cold attacked Matt from behind with a steel chair. At ringside, Lita saw the attack and attempted to go to Matt�s aid, but was stopped as Austin backed her down the ramp. Triple H then pinned Jeff Hardy as the cameras were on Austin. In the replay, Triple H nailed the Pedigree on Jeff Hardy for the title change.

Austin then removed his belt and beat Jeff like a dog. Matt Hardy ran down and received a beating for his efforts. Austin the wrapped his belt around the neck of Jeff Hardy and dragged him around the ring! HHH beat down Matt with the chair as Lita cried on the outside. Stephanie then threw Lita inside the ring, and the lights went down with Limp Bizkit blaring over the speakers!!

Hellfire and Brimstone erupted as Kane & The Undertaker made their way out to save the Hardys! As they approached the ring, HHH & Austin left the ring in an act of cowardice. The two teams jawjacked back and forth as RAW is WAR went off the air!

Winner & New WWF Intercontinental Champion: Triple H by pinfall

EXTREMELY HOT UNRELEASED Photos of Trish Stratus and Lita Uncensored **CLICK HERE**

Thanks for reading,
Fred Cook

[This report is not to be used in ANY way by ANYONE for ANY site without proper credit to Fred Cook and IOWrestling.com.]

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