WWF Year In Review 2002: Raw & Smackdown Week 2

Introduction:
Welcome back to the Year in Review right here on CrazyMax. Last week we saw The Rock become the number 1 contender on Smackdown while the Game Triple H returned on Monday Night Raw. This week we are starting off again with Smackdown as they are back in Madison Square Garden for another episode of television. What does the WWF have in store for us this week as we are getting close and closer to the Royal Rumble! Lets get Smackdown under way.

Smackdown Event Information:
Date: January 10th, 2002
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City
Main Event: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle

Show Opening:

Show opens up with a highlight package of Triple H returning from Monday Night Raw. They also show what happened between himself and Kurt Angle from Raw. They then show a graphic saying that Triple H returns to Smackdown tonight. They then head inside as we get our first segment underway.

Backstage Segment: Debra & Stephanie McMahon

Debra is backstage talking with someone about something when Stephanie walks by looking hot as hell. Stephanie has her backstage pass this time around. Stephanie says that the Game is back and her husband is in the Royal Rumble. Stephanie tells Debra that her husband Triple H is going to kick Steve Austin’s ass at the Rumble. Stephanie then walks off as Debra says that nobody is going to kick her husbands butt as they head into the opening video package for Smackdown.

In Ring Segment: Stephanie McMahon

Stephanie is walking down the aisle and getting into the ring showing off her wedding ring just to remind everyone that she is married to Triple H. Stephanie says she couldn’t wait to get to MSG to thank everyone for showing her husband the respect he deserved. Stephanie says Hunter isn’t there yet but she knows she can do whatever she wants because the Game is back and she is the Game’s wife. Stephanie says without her brains Triple H would never be the success he has been in the WWF. Stephanie says Hunter would have never been a 4 time WWF champion without her passion and dedication. Stephanie says HHH would have never returned without her by his side.

Stephanie says that Triple H appreciates her and appreciates what she is capable of and with her by his side he will go and win the Royal Rumble as well as become the Undisputed champion. Stephanie says that Hunter appreciates her and that her brains will take him further than any other superstar has gone. Stephanie says that the Game is back in the WWF and she is the Game’s wife. Stephanie says she points her finger and Triple H destroys. Stephanie says no one in the WWF what’s her to point her finger at them, especially Ric Flair. Stephanie says that if Flair would have listened to her in the first place he wouldn’t be laid up in a bed somewhere with a concussion.

Stephanie says she believes in second chances so she hopes that Flair understands that he doesn’t want her pointing her finger at him because Triple H will destroy him. Stephanie says that goes for anyone of the fans. Security then comes out to escort Stephanie out of the building. Stephanie says the Game is back and so is she.

Backstage Segment: Lance Storm & Christian

Christian and Storm are walking down the hallway and Christian is telling Storm that there has never been a better opportunity for Storm to win some gold or for him to win some more gold than tonight. Christian then says that with Tazz and Spike as the tag champs its like come on really? Christian says it is a gimme and its money in the bank. Christian says it is going to be easier to beat than in the Garden than it is to beat the Knicks. Storm says “yeah Americans suck at hockey.” Storm walks off and Christian says that they suck at basketball too.

WWF Slam of the Week:

They show Tazz and Spike Dudley winning the tag team titles from Monday Night Raw.

Match 1: WWF Tag Team Title Match: Tazz/Spike Dudley (c) vs. Lance Storm/Christian

This one starts off quick with all 4 guys in the ring until Spike dumps Christian out of the ring. Storm ends up dropping Tazz with a super kick and this sends Tazz to the outside. Storm ends up outside and Spike goes off the top rope with a splash to Storm on the outside. We finally get the match started with Spike and Christian in the ring. On commentary Cole tells us that there are 4 returning WWF wrestlers that are going to be entering the Royal Rumble and we will find out who they are later tonight.

Anyways, back to the match. Storm tags in and he gets a rolling senton on Spike for a 2 count before he tags Christian back in. Christian and Storm continue to control the match with double teaming and quick tags. Spike slows down the momentum with a head butt to the mid-section of Storm that allows him to get the tag to Tazz. He comes in and lays in the clotheslines and multiple suplexes to both Storm and Christian. Christian goes for the reverse DDT but Tazz comes in and sinks in the Tazz-Mission and Christian taps out. Your winners by submission and still WWF Tag Team Champions….Tazz & Spike Dudley!

After the match is over the Dudley Boyz come out and attack Spike and Tazz. Spike and Tazz end up getting the upper hand with a bulldog on Bubba and a suplex on to D-Von as they hightail it out of the ring with their titles.

Royal Rumble Return: Val Venis

They show a highlight video on the returning Val Venis who will be an entrant in the Royal Rumble.

Match 2: WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Edge (c) vs. Boss Man

We start this one off with the old tried and true collar and elbow tie up for a minute until Boss Man just picks Edge up and tosses him across the ring. Boss Man drives Edge into the corner and tosses him across the ring again as he gets the advantage early. Boss Man does his old school slide under the bottom rope and nails Edge with a vicious right hand as he continues to control the match.

Edge finally gets a little bit of control with a nice drop kick and then a spinning wheel kick. Boss Man quickly stops that with a spine buster and then talks shit to the crowd as he heads to the outside to get his trusty night stick. Long grabbed the night stick and distracted the Boss Man until Edge blasts him with a spear. Edge thinks about using the night stick but thinks twice about it as Boss Man comes charging in and misses Edge. Edge then nails the Boss Man with the Edgecution for the 1-2-3. Your winner and still WWF Intercontinental Champion….Edge!

After the match William Regal shows up on the video wall and gives Edge a round of applause and congratulates him on keeping the Intercontinental Championship. Regal then said that Edge did a great job to try and ruin his ruggedly good looking face. Regal says that he has had to have 3 surgeries to fix his face and that is a lot of blood. Regal says his blood is 100% English blood and that makes him an evil bastard. Regal says that if you gamble with the devil, the devil always wins. Regal then says that the devil is coming to collect.

Edge says if Regal wants something then he needs to speak English and tell him what he wants. Regal then challenges Edge for the IC title at the Rumble if he is man enough. Edge says that well he isn’t the one going around stuffing things down his pants in order to win his matches. Edge says that Regal needs those brass knuckles because he doesn’t have brass balls. Edge then says he accepts the challenge and that he hopes Regal’s big nose is fully healed because he is going to need it to smell him reeking of total awesomeness.

Royal Rumble Return: Goldust

They show a highlight video on the returning Goldust who will be an entrant in the Royal Rumble.

Backstage Interview: Kurt Angle

Lilian tells Angle that we just saw that Goldust is back and will be in the Royal Rumble. Angle says that’s all we need around here is more freaks. Angle says if he wants to see more freaks and weirdos he would just step out in mid-town Manhattan. Angle says on Raw he made an important announcement and that he will be entering his first ever Royal Rumble. Angle says that Triple H tried to steal his thunder because that’s the type of person he is. Angle then gets frustrated with the stupid what chant and says that this is getting to him. Angle then tells the fans to stop it. Angle says it’s rude and he is an Olympic Gold Medalist and that they shouldn’t do that to him. Angle then says “please don’t say what again.” As the crowd does it again. Angle continues to play with the crowd and then says if the crowd says it again he is going to challenge Austin to a match tonight and kick his butt as the crowd chants what over and over. Angle says Austin is his tonight and then says what over and over again and then says he hates this stinking city.

Backstage Segment: Booker T in the Bath Room

Booker goes into the bath room to brush his teeth and somebody is in the bath room farting and going to the rest room. Booker says he is just trying to brush his teeth. Rikishi then walks out of the stall as Booker starts spraying him down with cologne. Booker then asks Rikishi who he has tonight and Rikishi says he will be backing his ass up on Booker. Booker then said “tell me he didn’t just say that.” As we head to break.

WWF Overdrive of the Night:

They show highlights of RVD beating Test from Monday Night Raw.

Match 3: The Rock/Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho/Test

This one starts off with Rock going after Jericho but he hightails it out of there and Test ends up attacking Rock from behind. Rock then blasts Test with a flying clothesline and then gets up immediately to tell Jericho to just bring it. Rock then tosses Jericho into the ring before Test attacks him from behind again. Test and Jericho continue to work the midsection of the Rock in between quick tags and double teams. Rock finally stops the momentum with a botched looking samoan drop as both guys are laid out. Rock finally tags in RVD. He comes in and lays out Test and Jericho both.

We get the typical RVD type offense with his kicks and whatnot. We also get a rolling thunder onto Jericho. RVD heads up top for the 5-Star Frog Splash but Jericho comes into the ring so RVD hits him with a jumping flip instead. RVD nearly gets the pin until Jericho breaks it up. Jericho then sends RVD to the outside and hits him with a front suplex onto the announce table as Jericho and Test get control once again. Jericho and Test continue the control with some quick tags as they keep RVD from getting to his partner for the tag. RVD goes for a cross body off the top but Test catches him and goes for snake eyes but RVD slides down and hits a crescent kick on Test to stop all the momentum. RVD ends up tagging in the Rock as Test tags in Jericho.

Rock comes in and lays in the right hands to Jericho and then an over head toss. Rock then spits on the hand and blasts Jericho with it. Rock then drops Jericho with the Rock Bottom and goes for the cover but Test breaks up the pin. Test then goes for the big boot on Rock but he misses and gets dropped with a DDT. Jericho drops Rock with the WWF Title and then RVD drops Jericho with a springboard kick as Rock and Jericho are both laid out. RVD and Test fight on the outside. RVD and Test end up jumping the rail and fight through the fans as they basically leave the match.

Jericho hits the bulldog on the Rock and goes for the lionsault but the Rock gets the knees up to block it. Both guys go back and further with punches until the Rock goes for the Rock Bottom but Jericho blocks it. Rock then hits Jericho with a spine buster and then gets Jericho into the Sharpshooter and Jericho taps out immediately. Your winners by submission….The Rock and Rob Van Dam!

Sit-Down Interview: Vince McMahon

Vince tells JR to relax and that he can ask him anything he wants. JR asks Vince about the reception Triple H received. Vince said it was overwhelming. JR says he thinks this could cause a major problem for Vince and Vince asks him in what respect. JR says that he is married to Stephanie and the fact that Vince and Stephanie are estranged. JR thinks there would be some animosity there between he and Triple H. Vince says that he is not going to discuss his personal life tonight and if he JR would talk about what they agreed upon then they can proceed.

JR says that, in his view, his actions against Ric Flair from Raw were reprehensible and he wants Vince’s thoughts on it. They show highlights of what happened between Flair and Vince from Raw. When they come back Vince has this shit eating grin on his face and it was great. Vince begs to differ that his actions were unprovoked. Vince says that November 19th will be one of the worst days of his life because that is when Ric Flair came out and publicly humiliated him. Vince asks what kind of business man does something like that. McMahon says that Flair is an underhanded business man and then Flair turns around and challenges him for a match at the Rumble. Vince then says that Flair is no gentleman and that he had no business punching him in the jaw. McMahon says he doesn’t need anymore provocation for what he is going to do to him at the Royal Rumble.

JR says that he has known Flair for 20 years and he knows him pretty well. JR says that Flair has been called the dirtiest player in the game for a reason and that he doesn’t think Vince is ready for the retribution he is going to receive at the Rumble. JR asks Vince if he is ready for the price he is going to pay at the Rumble. Vince says he is ready and that he doesn’t think JR knows him very well. Vince says he is the type of guy that when you think you know them, you find out you don’t know a damn thing about them. Vince says he is ready to pay the price.

Vince says he is a calculated risk taker and that you can call him a bad guy. Vince says he hopes Flair is there with his family ringside because he wants his family and the whole world to see what he does to Ric Flair. Vince says he enjoys destroying lives……it turns him on especially an icon like Ric Flair. Vince says after that match when his hand his raised in a token of victory when Flair has lost to McMahon. Vince says he is going to destroy Flair from the inside out and he will be humbled at the Rumble. Vince says he hopes his wife and children are crying after what he does to Flair. Vince then says that Flair will beg him to buy his stock. Vince then tells JR good job and that he has enjoyed this interview.

Royal Rumble Return: Mr. Perfect

They show a highlight video on the returning Mr. Perfect who will be an entrant in the Royal Rumble.

Match 4: Booker T vs. Rikishi

Booker is a little apprehensive as this one gets going. He’s going to do what he can to avoid the stink face. A nice little angle to put some heat on this one. We start off quick and Booker goes for a sunset flip but Rikishi starts smacking his ass and Booker high tails it out of there. They continue to go back and forth on offense until Rikishi drops Booker with a power slam for a 2 count. Booker ends up going off the ropes but Rikishi ends up dropping him with a samoan drop as Rikishi gets control of the match.

Booker ends up hitting Rikishi with a side kick as Rikishi comes in to the corner. Booker then hits the ax kick on Rikishi and goes into the spin-a-rooni. Booker gets up and gets dropped with a side kick. Booker then falls down int ht corner and gets hit with the stink face. Booker then rolls out of the ring and throws up right on Michael Cole as Lawler is dying laughing. That is disgusting. Cole ends up throwing down his head set and walks off as Lawler is yelling that he got puked on. Anyways it looks like Booker got counted out or hightailed it out of there. Your winner by count out….Rikishi!

They head to the announce table where Jim Ross has replaced Michael Cole to finish out the show.

Backstage Segment: Booker T in the Bathroom Again

They show Booker T in the bath room again and he is throwing up some more and then DDP shows up with his smile. DDP tells Booker he needs to know that receiving the stink face from Rikishi is not a bad thing….it’s a really bad thing. DDP says its really really bad, horrible, disgusting but at least it didn’t happen to him…D…D…P and that’s a good thing.

Royal Rumble Return: The Godfather

They show a highlight video on the returning The Godfather who will be an entrant in the Royal Rumble.

Backstage Interview: The Rock

Coach tells the Rock big win tonight but the real question is can the Rock beat Jericho 1 on 1 at the Rumble for the Undisputed champion. Rock says he has been walking New York City for 5 days and he hasn’t said “Finally the Rock has come back to New York City.” Rock says Jericho got his ass whopped by the Rock and come Royal Rumble it’s not going to change. Rock says that Jericho calls himself a living legend and larger than life. Rock says Jericho doesn’t know about large you see the Rock has something that is large and something that is huge. The Rock then stops and looks at the Coach who was looking down.

Rock then asks Coach what in the blue hell he is smiling at the sick freak. Rock tells the Coach to keep his eyes up and locked in on the Rock’s eyes. Rock says what he was referring to was his size 14 boot and shove it up and then pull it up 2-3 times and then he is going to rub it all over the Coach’s face because he likes it and then he is going to take a big step back and shove it straight up Jericho’s candy ass. Rock says the countdown is on tick tock, tick tock, if you smell what the Rock is cookin!

Match 5: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle

They start with a stare down where Austin is making fun of some of the mannerisms of Angle until Austin flips him off. This one starts a little slow with some ties up and some basic wrestling holds. They are having a nice wrestling type match when the crowd starts chanting “What” “Kurt Angle Sucks” over and over and it’s great. We head to the outside where Austin is laying in some vicious sounding chops to Angle. We get back in the ring as Austin and Angle exchange chops until Angle goes for a shoulder block in the corner and Austin moves out of the way and Angle goes flying into the post. Austin then goes outside and continues to work the bad arm of Angle by using the post and steel steps.

We get back in the ring and Angle ends up stopping Austin’s control of the match with a knee to the midsection of Austin. Angle continues to work the mid-section of Austin as he keeps control of the middle portion of this match. We get some back and forth action until Austin goes for the triple German suplexes. Austin gets 2 of them in before Angle reverses it and drops Austin with a German of his own. Angle then slows down Austin with a low blow and then goes to the top rope and hits a picture perfect moonsault for a 2 count. What a beautiful looking moonsault that was.

Austin ends up going for the Stunner but Angle catches him and goes right into the Ankle Lock in the middle of the ring. Austin nearly gets to the ropes but Angle drags him back to the center of the ring. Angle holds on to the ankle too high and Austin rolls out of the hold. Angle goes for the Angle Slam but Austin slides down and drops Angle with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin is favoring his leg when Kane’s music hits and he comes out and hits Austin with a chokeslam. Angle thinks Kane is out there to help him but Kane drops Angle with a chokeslam as well.

Big Show’s music hits and he comes out and confronts Kane who is waiting for him. They each go for a chokeslam on each other until Big Show gets the upper hand and drops Kane with a chokeslam. Triple H’s music then hits and he comes out and takes his sweet ass time getting to the ring to square off with Big Show. Big Show goes for the chokeslam but Triple H goes low and stops it. Triple H then hits another low blow and then the Pedigree on the Big Show as Triple H takes off his shirt and poses for the crowd as JR hypes the shit out of the Rumble. Triple H gets off the turnbuckle and turns around where Undertaker is standing on the stage just staring Hunter down as the show goes off the air.

Show Recap:
This was a decent show. Not as good as last weeks but not to bad overall. The matches were short but good for the most part especially the tag match and the main event. Getting JR on commentary at the end was a great idea because he really sold the hell out of the Royal Rumble and hyped it up like no one else can. The last segment with the guys coming out really put the emphasis on the Rumble match itself and it really makes you want to get the show because of the surprise element that the show has.

One of the things I didn’t really like is they had Stephanie come out at the start of the show but they didn’t do anything else with it. I know where the feud is going but I didn’t think it took 2-3 shows before they actually got it going. I wish they would have had Triple H talk a little bit more on this show but that was a minor issue more than anything.

The Booker stuff, as cheesy as it is, was a decent way to get some heat on their match and add something to it instead of just having them fight it out. The main event was really good with Angle and Austin. It started off a little slow but I liked it because Austin was trying to outdo Angle at his own game. Austin doing the german’s was another sweet looking spot and goes to show that Austin can go with the best of them when he wanted to. All in all this show as entertaining and with the way it ended it wants me to see what happens on Raw so lets get to it.

Raw Event Information:
Date: January 14th, 2002
Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Main Event: Chris Jericho/Lance Storm/Christian vs. Rikishi/APA

Show Opening:

Show opens up with a highlight video of what happened from Smackdown. They showed highlights of the Austin/Angle match as well as all the guys coming out staking their claim that they are one to be feared in the Royal Rumble. We then get the opening video followed by all the pyro to get this thing kicked off. Man do I miss the pyro every week. It adds a dimension and makes the show feel super important even though it is a weekly show. That cheapskate bastard Vince McMahon.

In Ring Segment: Ric Flair & Chris Jericho

Flair comes out and talks about his match with Kerry Von Erich back in 84 to get his promo started by hyping up Dallas. Flair says he is about to make history again because at the Royal Rumble he is going to wrestle Vince McMahon. Flair said in recent weeks he has been humbled by the great Vince McMahon. Flair says he has been brought to his knees and left laying by McMahon. Flair says he has been humbled but not so humbled where he can’t see it again. They then show highlights of what happened a week ago on Raw. They also show highlights of Vince McMahon’s interview from Smackdown.

Flair says that he is honored that McMahon at least called him an icon. Flair said you can only imagine what it has been like walking around the last 7 days carrying the burden of what McMahon done to him a week ago. Flair said it didn’t turn him on but it got the engine going. Flair says he is going to abuse his power by making his match with McMahon at the Rumble a street fight. Flair says nothing will stop the match and at the Rumble they are going to fill their boots, sweet, bleed, and pay the price. Flair says guaranteed you are going to see a winner at the Rumble. Flair said one other thing that has been bothering him is the fact that McMahon said to be the man you have to beat the man. Flair said he is right and then drops an elbow and a knee to the microphone. Flair says now instead of at the Rumble. Flair says why wait since Vince has grapefruits the size of Dallas. Flair says lets do it right now and then Chris Jericho’s music hits.

Jericho comes out and asks Flair if he disappointed him. Jericho asks Flair if he was expecting someone else. Jericho says that there used to be a time in this company when it revolved around one man and one man only and it wasn’t the owner but the champion. Jericho then says guess what jackoffs he is the champion. Jericho says the entire World Wrestling Federation revolves around Jericho. Jericho says Flair’s life revolves around him. Jericho said why else would he challenge McMahon to a match at the Royal Rumble and it’s because he wants to prove he still has what it takes to get the job done. Jericho says Flair wants to prove that he still has the goods to be champion.

Jericho says speaking as the Undisputed Champion of the world and the guy who at the Rumble he is going to be the Rock for a 5th time. Jericho says Flair doesn’t have what it takes anymore. Jericho says he has what it takes because he has the class, the style, the raw charisma, and as a matter of fact you can call him the anti-Texan. Jericho says he has nothing in common with Texas but Flair does. Jericho says Flair has something in common with George W. Bush. Jericho says Bush is not his leader. Jericho says both Flair and Bush have a lot of power, a lot of accolades, but on Sunday Flair is going to do the exact same thing Bush did the day prior and that is he is going to choke.

Flair then acts like he is going to walk off and then he turns around and decks Jericho with a right hand. Flair then lays in the chops to Jericho as they start to brawl. Flair drops Jericho with a low blow and then follows that up with another low blow. Flair then gets Jericho in the figure four leg lock. Vince then comes out of no where and blasts Flair in the head with the pipe again. Vince hops on the mic and says Flair made wrestling history again by being laid out in Texas again. Vince then apologizes to Jericho for the actions of the co-owner Ric Flair. Vince and Jericho then beat up on Flair and leave him laying again. Vince goes for a low blow on Flair but Flair catches his foot and drops McMahon before Jericho attacks him.

Backstage Segment: Christian, Lance Storm, & Chris Jericho

Christian says that Jericho made a complete fool out of Flair. Jericho then shows up and Christian says that was a thing of beauty and then made fun of Texans again. Jericho says that he and McMahon taught Flair a lesson. Jericho says wait until the Rumble when he teaches the Rock a lesson. Storm asks Jericho about the leg and Jericho says he is okay and that he never felt a thing. Bradshaw then comes in and interrupts Jericho and asks him what the hell his problem is. Bradshaw says Jericho is coming into his home and his state and saying something about his people. He then looks down Storm and tells him he will beat his ass. Bradshaw says if Jericho wants to run down George W, the same guy who is giving Jericho his freedom. Bradshaw then challenges Jericho, Storm, and Christian to a match and that he will find him some friends to help him.

They show Vince McMahon hightailing it out of there during the commercial break.

Match 1: Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Spike Dudley

This one starts as soon as Spike gets in the ring and Bubba attacks him. Bubba had Spike in a gorilla press but Spike gets out of it and gets a 1 count. Bubba goes for a Vader type splash in the corner but Spike rolls out of the way and slows down his momentum. D-Von gets up and holds Spike but Spike moves and Bubba hits D-Von instead of Spike. Spike goes for the Dudley Dog but Bubba sends him flying across the ring instead. Stacy then gets on the apron and distracts the ref for Bubba but Tazz interrupts it up and allows Spike to get a victory roll on Bubba for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Spike Dudley!

Backstage Segment: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon Arrive

Stephanie gets out of the limo on a tirade over the bell clerk at the hotel. Stephanie says she hates being late. Triple H then gets out of the car and just stares Stephanie down. Stephanie tells Triple H to get back into the car and go kick the bell clerk’s ass. Triple H tells Stephanie to calm down or take a walk. Triple H then tells Stephanie he is going to kick someone’s ass tonight but it won’t be some stupid bell clerk. Stephanie then goes off on the limo driver and tells him to get her bags as the segment ends.

Match 2: Billy & Chuck vs. Hurricane Helms/Tajiri

Before the match starts Billy gets on the mic and cuts a promo. Billy says that he hopes Hurricane is happy because after their match on Heat they were both set up and ready to go on this double date with two hot chicks. But after what Hurricane did they had to cancel their dates. Billy asks what is Hurricane’s deal. Billy says if there is anyone around here that has the physique to be a super hero its them. Billy then says that superman can’t touch this. Hurricane’s music then interrupts as they head out to the ring. Hurricane gets on the mic and says holy tall tales Tajiri. These two with hot chicks…whats up with that? Hurricane says that the only super hero they have anything in common with is the Human Torch…flame on.

Billy and Chuck attack Hurricane and Tajiri after that comment as we get this one started. Billy gets the upper hand early with and then he rams Hurricane head first into Chuck and tags him in. Chuck continues to work over Hurricane in the corner and then drops him with a big right hand and gets a 2 count out of it. Billy gets tagged in and he comes in and lays in some more right hands. Seems to be a theme for this one. Hurricane finally gets some offense with a spinning DDT that lays out both guys. Billy tags in Chuck but Hurricane can’t get to Tajiri.

Hurricane gets a neck breaker on Chuck and then tags in Tajiri who comes in and lays in the kicks to Chuck. Chuck gets Tajiri in a full nelson and Billy goes for a forearm but he hits Chuck instead. All hell is breaking loose as Billy dumps the Hurricane outside. Billy gets hit with a back kick by Tajiri but when Tajiri turns around he gets floored with a vicious side kick as Chuck goes for the pin and gets the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall….Billy & Chuck!

They show the Undertaker arriving at the building.

Backstage Interview: Kurt Angle

Cole says that people are saying Angle got saved by Kane with his match with Austin on Smackdown. Angle said that just because he was stunned he wasn’t on the verge of losing. Angle said he had Austin right where he wanted until Kane and his burnt off nose interrupted. Angle asks Kane if he thinks he is going to win the Rumble. Angle says that he is going to make a statement and said that Kane messed with the wrong guy. Angle asks if Kane wants to go toe to toe with Angle. Angle then quotes a Shakira lyric and then says that the Texans are not hip enough to know who she is. Angle says that Kane nearly won the Rumble last year but he wants to know if he has one of these and he holds up his gold medal. Angle says he doesn’t have one because being a big red freak isn’t an olympic sport. Angle says if Kane wants to make an example out of him then tonight he is going to make an example out of Kane. Angle says the last time they wrestled Angle made Kane tap and he was crying like a baby. Angle says tonight is going to be worse because he is going to break his ankle. Angle says it is going to be difficult throwing 29 people over the top rope with a broken ankle. It’s true.

Backstage Segment: Stephanie McMahon Confronts Debra

Stephanie is trying to get backstage passes when Debra walks by and everyone says hi to her. Stephanie then questions Debra and asks her if she said something. Stephanie says she thought she heard Debra say something about the Rumble and Debra said she does have something to say. Debra says that her husband is going to kick Stephanie’s husbands butt. This goes back and forth as they argue over who’s husband is better. They start shoving each other and then they slap the shit out of each other and then they start brawling not he floor. Lombardi and other officials break it up as they are trying to get at each other. Harvey tells Debra to calm down and she tells him to shut up and then slaps him in the face.

Match 3: WWF Divas Title #1 Contenders Match: Jazz vs. Jacqueline

Jazz gets in the ring and goes right after Jacqueline by throwing her down and laying in the boots. Jacqueline gets up and lays in some right hands and eventually hits her with a spinning kick. Jazz then hits Jacqueline with a body slam and then a jumping leg drop for a 2 count. Jazz gets a double undertook suplex and then misses a splash. Jacqueline then hits a flap jack on Jazz followed up by a clothesline. Jazz slows Jacqueline down with a clothesline and then the fisherman brain buster for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall and the #1 Contender….Jazz!

After the match is over Jazz goes out after Trish, who is doing guest commentary. Jazz shoves Trish down but the ref gets in between them and break it up.

Match 4: Kurt Angle vs. Kane

This one starts with both guys staring each other down in the middle of the ring until Angle starts laying in a few right hands but Kane does nothing. We head outside where Kane controls the action until he throws Angle back into the ring where Angle catches him with a basement drop kick. Angle charges at Kane but Kane catches him with a power slam to keep control fo the match. Kane continues to dominate the match with a two handed choke slam but he goes for an elbow and ends up missing and Angle takes control temporarily. Kane continues control with a big back drop and a sidewalk slam before he heads to the top rope for his clothesline but Angle runs up and suplexes Kane off the top rope. Angle puts Kane in the Ankle Lock but Kane quickly pushes him off.

Kane ends up dropping Angle with another tilt a whirl slam and then back to the top rope and this time he ends up hitting Angle with the clothesline. Kane then picks up Angle for the Tombstone but Angle slides down and goes for a German suplex but Kane fights out of it. Kane goes for a chokeslam but Angle drops down and rolls into the Ankle Lock right in the middle of the ring. Kane nearly gets to the ropes but Angle pulls him back to the middle of the ring. Kane finally gets to the ropes and breaks the hold. Angle then picks up Kane and drops him with the Angle Slam but Kane kicks out at 2.

Angle goes charging at Kane but Kane catches Angle and is about to choke slam him but Angle grabs the ref and pulls him in and they both end up getting choke slammed. Kane then puts Angle into the Ankle Lock and Angle taps out immediately but the ref is knocked out so this one continues on. Kane lets go of the Ankle Lock to wake up the ref. Kane then gets Angle back in the Ankle Lock when the ref is awake but Angle kicks out of it and ends up rolling up Kane and grabs the ropes to get the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Kurt Angle!

Backstage Segment: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Hunter is getting things out of his bag when Stephanie shows up and is complaining about what Debra did to her. Stephanie is mad about her and her face. Hunter finally has had enough and told her enough. Stephanie told Hunter that Debra said Austin is going to kick his ass at the Rumble. Stephanie said she was sticking up for Hunter. Hunter says lets put it this way I have kicked Austin’s ass before. Hunter said at the Rumble if Austin wants to get in his way he will have no problem doing it again.

Backstage Segment: APA Looking For Partner

Bradshaw asks Farooq who they are going to get as their partner. Bradshaw says that Storm, Jericho, and Christian need their ass kicked. Farooq says whoever our partner is needs to kick ass. Big Show then shows up and sits down and opens up a beer when Booker T shows up and says he is looking for the training room. Bradshaw says training room, he needs a damn barber. Bradshaw then tells him this is their office and he needs to knock on the door instead of coming in the back door. Booker asks them what they are doing and Big Show says we are talking about kicking some ass unlike him when he fought Rikishi where he was licking a lot of ass. Hilarious. Big Show then gets up and Booker says that maybe Big Show is the one who is going to get their ass kicked and Booker will be the one to do it. Booker says it’s on like neck bones. Bradshaw then says he has an idea for a partner.

Match 5: Edge/Rob Van Dam vs. William Regal/Test

The ref is on the outside checking Regal and Test ends up coming up from behind and attacking RVD and Edge. Test and RVD are going at it in the ring while Regal grabs a pair of brass knuckles that were stashed on the steel steps. Test ends up slowing RVD down with a full nelson slam before he tags in Regal. Regal and Test take turns beating up on RVD with punches and kick as they tag each other in a few times. Test stays in a little to long and he ends up going for a suplex on RVD but he rolls through and ends up hitting Test with a spinning wheel kick. RVD and Test end up tagging in their partners as Edge comes in a house of fire.

Edge hits Regal with a nice back drop and then drops Test with a side slam type move. Edge then hits a sit down neck breaker for a 2 count before Test breaks it up. Regal then puts the brass knuckles on his hand and drops RVD with a right hand. Edge then drops Regal with a spear and the Edgecution on Test. When Edge gets up Regal drops him with the brass knucks for the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall….William Regal & Test!

Backstage Segment: Chris Jericho, Christian, & Lance Storm

Christian says that he APA is up to something. Storm is then looking at the TV and they show APA get Rikishi as their partner. Jericho and Christian are like great we have to deal with Rikishi as Storm doesn’t look to happy either.

Match 6: Booker T vs. Big Show

Booker starts this one off quickly with a flying forearm and some right hands but he goes for a cross body and Big Show catches him and drops him with a power slam. Booker goes for an irish whip on Show but Show catches him and drops him with a sidewalk slam. Big Show comes charging at Booker but Booker drops down and Show ends up going flying over the top rope. We get back in the ring and Booker ends up hitting Big Show with a chop block and the scissor kick for a 2 count.

Big Show ends up dropping Booker with a chop block and a clothesline. Big Show then hits Booker with a splash in the corner. The middle turnbuckle is exposed in the corner. Booker then hits Big Show with a kick and then hits him with a knee to the stomach and Big Show falls face first into the exposed turnbuckle for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Booker T!

Backstage Interview: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Cole said there was some interesting things said but Triple H earlier tonight and he wanted to get Austin’s thoughts. What? And we go through that 2-3 times. Austin then says that he has differing opinions on what’s going to happen at the Royal Rumble. Austin then tells Cole he is going to tell him a story. Austin says he rolled into Dallas Texas the night prior and he was thirst so he went to a bar. He said he drank some beer, more beer, more beer and so on. Austin then says he started throwing darts and playing pool. Austin said he started riding a mechanical bull all different ways until he got it shut down. Austin says he started drinking more beer and he started a fight with everyone in the bar.

Austin says he kicked all their asses and threw everyone of them out the door. Austin says the bartender said “Stone Cold, Stone Cold, Stone Cold” and Austins response was “What?” The bartender asked Austin why he is throwing everyone out of the bar and Austin says he is getting ready for the Royal Rumble. The bartender then tells Austin that he heard Triple H is coming back to win the Rumble. Austins says he drank his beer and told the bartender “nah uh”. Austin says he is going to do a lot of things in his life and he made a big comeback. Austin says he looks great, phenomenal, he’s the Game, he’s that damn good. Austin says he can do all the bench presses, shoulder presses, lat pull downs, barbell curls, tricep extensions, squats, deadlifts, bent over rows, sit ups, crunches, leg lifts. Austin says he can do all that but one thing he will never do is throw Steve Austin over the top rope.

Austin says he is working on his strategy. Austin asked the bartender if he sees his waste and Austin told him its a beer belly. Austin says by lowering his center of gravity it is harder to throw him over the top rope. Austin says after he drinks all of the beer and works on his beer belly he is going to go down to What What What Whataburger and get a Whataburger with cheese, a Whataburger without cheese, French fries, and more French fries. Austin says he is going to roll into the Rumble one pissed off son of a bitch. Austin says if Triple H has a problem with that he will say it to his face, side, back, other side, or say it right to his face. Austin says the bottom line is he going to go to the Rumble and win the son of a bitch and go on to Wrestlemania because that’s the bottom line, what, because Stone Cold Said So!

Match 7: Chris Jericho/Lance Storm/Christian vs. APA/Rikishi

This one starts with all 6 guys brawling in the ring until we get settled down with Rikishi and Jericho starting it off. Rikishi hits a samoan drop on Jericho and drops Storm with a back elbow. Rikishi nearly gets Jericho in stink face but Christian pulls Jericho out before Rikishi can do it. Storm drops Rikishi with his super kick and some punches before he tags in Jericho. Rikishi drops Jericho with a belly to belly suplex before Rikishi tags in Bradshaw while Jericho tags in Storm. Christian comes in and gets caught with a fallaway slam and while Bradshaw is carrying around Christian Jericho gets dropped with a big boot. Storm comes off the top with a clothesline and slows down Bradshaw as all three take turns working him over in the corner.

Christian goes off the middle rope and Bradshaw catches him with a power slam. Bradshaw tags in Farooq and Christian tags in Jericho. Farooq comes in and drops Jericho and Christian with spine busters. All hell breaks loose and Bradshaw ends up destroying Christian with a clothesline from hell and then Farooq hits Jericho with a power slam but Storm distracts the ref so no pin was made. Farooq gets up and drops Storm but Jericho grabs Farooq from behind and hits him with the skull crushing finale and gets the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall….Chris Jericho, Lance Storm, and Christian!

Backstage Segment: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Hunter tells Stephanie he will be back. Stephanie asks him where he is going and Triple H said he is going to the ring. Stephanie says she is going with him but Hunter tells her no that he is going alone.

In Ring Segment: Triple H

Triple H said last Monday he walked down that ramp after 8 months of everyone telling him that he couldn’t do it. Hunter said like Ross said 22,000 fans at MSG all got on their feet and cheered. Hunter said whether they loved him or hated him they all roared to show that they respected for The Game. Hunter said that Ross was wrong in saying that the comeback was complete. Hunter said if you think that he spent 8 months of his life going through hell, living like a hermit, 10 hours a day in the gym busting his ass doing what the doctors told him couldn’t be done so that he could come back and stand in this ring one time just to be like he could be “one of the boys” he was wrong. Hunter said if you thought he did all of that so he could be another face in the crowd or be another WWF Superstar.

Hunter said he went through all of that every second, every hour, every day, every week, every month for one reason and one reason only and that was to comeback here to be the best. Hunter said that 30 men will compete for the honor to go to Wrestlemania to win the one thing that separates everybody, to win the one thing that says that beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are the best that there is and you have no equal. Hunter says this Sunday he will win the Royal Rumble and it’s not going to matter who you are, or what your name is. Hunter says he doesn’t care if your name is Stone Cold Steve Austin. Hunter says that may sound a little cocky but like the song says “it aint bragging if you can back it up.” Hunter says he can back up everything he says because he is the Game and he is that damn good.

Stone Cold Steve Austin’s music then hits and he comes out and confronts Triple H in the middle of the ring. Austin is doing his rope gimmick when Triple H cuts him off going to his third turnbuckle. Austin tries to get around him and Hunter stays with him and prevents him from getting on the turnbuckle. They then exchange lefts and rights with each other. Hunter gets the upper hand but Austin ends up going for the Stunner but Triple H pushes Austin off. Hunter then goes for the Pedigree but Austin back drops him out of it. Undertaker, out of no where, blasts Triple H with a chair and then Austin drops Triple H with a Stunner. Undertaker then gets in the ring and blasts Austin with a chair as he stands over his fallen victims as the show heads off the air.

Show Recap:
This show did a really great job of promoting the hell out of the Royal Rumble. That was the sole focus of all the major players and it really got you hyped for the Royal Rumble match. The matches themselves on this card left a lot to be desired but I don’t expect much out of these TV matches. Angle and Kane had the best match on the card, which is not surprising at all. All of the segments with Stephanie were great because she played her role perfectly. She was that entitled bitch type character and when she is not getting her way she really put it into over drive. Just solid work all around by her. The Rumble itself is being built around the 3 big names of Austin, Taker, and Triple H and you can’t go wrong with that at all. The last segment with those 3 was pretty damn awesome and really got you pumped to watch the Rumble.

One thing that stuck out about this show was no Rock on it. It makes the Undisputed Champion seem 2nd rate because his opponent wasn’t even there to promote the match. Jericho is clearly playing second fiddle to the top guys because he wasn’t quite at the same level as them. He was parading around as champion but it was more or less a transition game than anything else. Anyways, a solid show with a great build up for the Rumble. I can’t wait to see what they do on the go home Smackdown to get that last little build up to the Rumble. Should be a fantastic show coming up so I hope you come back to us here at CrazyMax and continue to enjoy this trip down that 2002 memory lane.

WWF Year In Review 2002: Raw & Smackdown Week 1

Introduction:
Welcome everyone to a new project here at CrazyMax. What I am starting here is a Year in Review series where I choose a specific company and a specific year and do all the major shows as well as some TV to give you the complete year in review. To start this off I plan on doing every Raw, Smackdown, Pay Per View, and UK Show from WWF in the year 2002. Instead of going into major detail with the shows I am just going to recap the matches, give you more of the segments, and then a show recap at the end. I will also be combining all of the Raws and Smackdowns for the week into 1 post so you will get both shows in one review. I will then do the Pay Per View once it comes up and so on and so forth. It is quite the task that I am embarking on but it should be a fun one that I am really looking forward to. So without further ado lets get right to it with the first WWF TV from 2002 and that is Smackdown from January 3rd.

Smackdown Event Information:
Date: January 3rd, 2002
Location: MCI Center in Washington, DC
Main Event: The Rock vs. Booker T (#1 Contendership Match for Undisputed Title)

Show Opening:

Show opens up with your typical Smackdown video and they pan across the crowd and show off the signs. We get right into the action as the Dudley Boyz music hits to get this one started.

Match 1: WWF Tag Team Title Match: Dudley Boyz (c) vs. Spike Dudley/Tazz

Match starts off with just Spike out there taking on both Dudleys until Tazz comes out and joins his partner. Dudleys keep control of the match early until Spike gets his feet up in the corner and then a double foot stomp on to D-Von. Tazz and Bubba get tagged in and Tazz comes in and dumps Bubba and D-Von with some nice suplexes and judo tosses. Stacy gets up on the apron to distract Spike and Spike ends up pulling down Stacy’s skirt and she shows off her wonderful ass in some nice blue panties.

Bubba runs into Stacy on the apron but D-Von catches her as we head toward the finish. Tazz gets Bubba in the Tazzmission from behind but Bubba hits a low blow on Tazz. Spike goes for a Dudley Dog on D-Von but D-Von catches him and puts up on Bubba’s shoulders. Bubba then power bombs Spike off the middle rope for the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall and still WWF Tag Team Champions….The Dudley Boyz!

Backstage Interview: Jazz

Lilian welcomes Jazz to the WWF and she says it is so exciting to finally have her in the WWF. Lilian just keeps rambling and Jazz finally interrupts her and asks if she is done. Jazz says she isn’t here to get interviewed but she is here to make a statement. Jazz says tonight it all begins with Mighty Molly. Jazz says she is not like all the other bleach blonde sluts here in the WWF who sleep their way to the top. Jazz says she fights her way to the top because she can and because she will and there is no woman in this federation that can stop her. Jazz says the interview is over and Lilian starts talking again so Jazz goes after her and asks her if she thinks she is funny or amusing. Jazz says she might just forget about Mighty Molly and make an example out of Lilian and then she calls her a bitch as she pushes her.

WWF Slam of the Week:

They show what happened between Ric Flair and Vince McMahon from last weeks show. Flair said he looked over the contract and McMahon is not only the owner but he is a wrestler so Flair challenges him to a match at the Royal Rumble. Vince asks who has the balls to step into the ring with him and Flair decks him with a right hand and says he does.

In Ring Segment: Vince McMahon & Stone Cold Steve Austin

Vince comes out and wishes everyone a happy new year. Vince says his primary new year’s resolution is to embarrass Ric Flair at the Royal Rumble, to annihilate Ric Flair at the Royal Rumble, to beat Flair beyond recognition at the Rumble. The crowd is doing the What chant and it is already annoying as shit. Vince then says his next order of business is the Time Magazine Person of the Year. Vince says he was in consideration for Time Man of the Year as well. They then show a picture of Vince McMahon on the cover of the magazine. Vince then goes off on the fans and says he is going to take action if they say What again.

Vince says he dares the fans to say it again and they do so he starts turning the lights off in certain sections of the crowd. Vince has all of the lights off in the building and he cuts the rest of his promo. This is classic and awesome. Vince dares them to say What again and they do and all of the lights are now out in the building. Vince is going on and on how he is powerful and he can make them all watch in darkness. Then Stone Cold’s music hits and he is already in the ring behind Vince who has no idea he is in the ring with him. Vince finally has the lights back up and Austin is standing behind him with his What shirt on.

Austin gets on the mic and just says what over and over and over and over again. Austin then asks Vince if he called himself the Person of the Year. Austin then says if you think Vince is the jackass of the year then give him a hell yeah. He runs through the what gimmick about dumb stuff. Austin made some new years resolutions of his own and it is drink more beer, whiskey, tequila, vodka, and even red wine. Austin says the first time he saw Vince this year he was going to knock Vince flat on his ass. Austin tells McMahon to take his jacket off but Booker T and the Boss Man come out to help out McMahon.

Austin is waiting in the ring for them but McMahon hits Austin from behind but Austin turns around and floors McMahon. Booker and Boss Man then attack and they end up leaving Austin laying and they bust him open with the microphone. These shots by Boss Man with the microphone are some of the worst things I have ever seen. It just looks terrible.

Match 2: Jazz vs. Might Molly

Jazz gets in the ring and goes right after Molly and drops him with a short arm clothesline. Molly hits a terrible head scissors take down and gets a 2 count. Jazz does a couple of moves where she drops Molly throat first across the top rope and then we get a head lock before Jazz hits three straight double under hook suplexes. Molly gets the upper hand with a drop kick but she goes for a body slam that Jazz slides out of and quickly picks up Molly and drops her with a brain buster DDT for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Jazz!

Backstage Segment: Stephanie McMahon Trying to Get Into Building

Theres a guy allowing people into the backstage area. Stephanie says she forgot her pass and then the guy tells her that she is no on the list. Stephanie tells him to look again but he says she is not on the list. Stephanie said that Flair and her spoke earlier in the week and they were working on a business proposition and she tries to get in but the guy stops her. He tells her two more times that she can’t get in the building and there is nothing else he can do. Stephanie then says that Triple H is coming back in 4 days and in case that dude didn’t realizes it he is the husband of Stephanie. Stephanie says she is going to be in a position of extreme power and the first thing she is going to do is fire this guy.

Backstage Segment: Test, Christian, Lance Storm, & Chris Jericho

Test said he hooked up with this hot Swedish broad. Christian asked him what her name was and Test said like he even asked her. Test then said he told her that it doesn’t matter if she speaks any English because he has a language she can understand as he acts like he is about to unzip his pants. Storm ends up stopping him before he can expose himself. Storm asked what we are doing here and they have no clue until Chris Jericho comes in. Jericho says these 3 are the Undisputed Champions best buddies.

Jericho has gifts for each of his friends. Jericho says he couldn’t ask for a better bunch of guys. Jericho then gives each of them their gifts. Christian asks Jericho if this festive joy is because Triple H is coming back on Raw is it? Jericho says that Christian is a kidder and a whack job. Jericho says that is not why he is giving them gifts but it’s because they deserve them. Jericho then runs down the accolades of Test, Christian, and Lance Storm. Jericho says he has a match to get ready for so he asks his friends to leave.

Backstage Interview: Undertaker

Coach runs through everyone that Undertaker has run through since he became Hardcore champion. Coach then reminds Taker what happened after he destroyed Tajiri when Big Show came out and challenged him to a match. Coach says Taker responded by just driving away. Taker gets offended by this and asks Coach if he thinks he is some kind of smart ass. Taker asks Coach if he thinks he is afraid of the Big Show. Taker says it is called psyching your opponent out and Taker wants to know who the hell is the Big Show to be calling Taker out. Taker says he has been around for 11 years and for 11 years he has been taking people like the Big Show and busting them up.

Taker says that there are a lot of people around here like Coach and the Big Show that need to learn some respect. Taker says he is going to ride his bike down to the ring and then get in the face of the Big Show and teach him the word respect. Taker says after it is over we will find out who is scared of whom and then he asks Coach if he makes himself clear.

Backstage Segment: Test and Torrie Wilson

Test tells Torrie that he got her a new years present. Test tells her to open it up and check it out. Torrie opens it up and it is a Jericho shirt. Test says it is the thought that counts anyways. Test then asks Torrie if later on she would want to go up to the nations capitol and partake if she knows what he means. Torrie declines and tells him that she is already taken. Test says he doesn’t want to be her boyfriend. Test then tells Torrie to check him out and asks her if she is going to pass him up and he tells her that if once she gets Test then she will forget about the rest. Torrie restates that she has a boyfriend and his name is Tajiri. Test then tells Torrie to tell Tajiri to meet him in the ring later and he will show him what a real man is all about.

WWF Boot of the Week:

They show the destruction that Undertaker has left behind the last few weeks to Spike Dudley and the Hardy Boyz.

Match 3: Hardcore Title Match: Undertaker (c) vs. Big Show

Undertaker is on his bike heading back up the ramp and Big Show goes chasing him while he is on his bike. Big Show grabs Taker off of his bike as this one gets going quickly. We head back to the ring and Big Show starts throwing in all of the weapons as Taker regroups. We head outside where Big Show goes for a big boot in the corner but Taker moves out of the way and Big Show gets hung up on the post where Taker rams the steps into the knee of Big Show.

Big Show hits a chokeslam but he can’t get all of it because of his bad knee so Taker kicks out. Big Show punches the chair into the face of Taker and then Big Show drops the straps. Big Show is going for the Last Ride but Taker hits a low blow on Big Show and then gets him in a Dragon Sleeper, or TCB (Taking Care of Business) as Big Show taps out. Your winner by submission and still WWF Hardcore Champion….The Undertaker!

Backstage Segment: Stephanie McMahon Trying to Get Into Building Part 2

Stephanie shows up again this time with James Dudley, the McMahon limo driver, and she knows that Dudley is on the list but Stephanie still is not on the list. Stephanie then starts hitting on the guy saying that what he is doing is turning her on. Stephanie says that if he lets her in then she will make it worth her while. Billy and Chuck then show up with their bags and the Event Staff guy marks out for them. He then says if Billy and Chuck ever come out with a calendar it would be unbelievable as Stephanie scampers off angry as hell.

Match 4: Chris Jericho/Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam/Edge

This one starts off with Edge vs. Angle. We start off quickly with Edge and RVD making some quick tags but Angle quickly puts a stop to it before RVD shows off the athleticism and hits a nice rolling spring board cross body for a 2 count. RVD was so smooth and so good in the ring. RVD heads up top for the 5-Star Frog Splash but Jericho ends up pushing RVD off the top rope as Angle and Jericho get control of the tag match. Angle and Jericho continue to work over the midsection area of RVD for the majority of the match here.

Angle goes for a belly to belly off the top but Angle gets pushed off and RVD hits the 5-Star but after it was over Jericho grabs RVD and drops him across the top rope to slow down Rob. We get the hot tag to Edge while Angle ends up tagging in Jericho. Edge comes in and takes out both guys until Edge gets Angle in the Ankle Lock but Jericho breaks it up. Jericho then hits the bulldog and goes for the Lionsault but Edge moves out of the way and Edge drops him with the spear but Angle breaks up the pin. RVD comes in and misses the split legged moonsault. Edge then hits Jericho with the Edgecution and then Angle hits the Angle slam on Edge. RVD clotheslines himself and Angle over the top rope as Jericho gets the pin on Edge. Your winners by pinfall….Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle!

Backstage Segment: Ric Flair and Arn Anderson

Arn says he doesn’t want to put Flair down and then Arn asks Flair where he has been. Arn tells Flair that McMahon, Booker, and Boss Man injured Austin. Flair confirms that Vince did all of this and then he says watch this and he tells Arn he is heading out to the ring.

In Ring Segment: Ric Flair & Stephanie McMahon

Flair asks the crowd if Vince has been acting up again. Flair says he endorses the Rock tonight in his campaign to fight Jericho at the Rumble. Flair tells McMahon to get in front of a monitor and listen to the Nature Boy. Flair says McMahon has a date with destiny at the Rumble when he faces the Nature Boy. Flair says that Vince thinks he can live in an ivory tower and play with peoples live’s like pawns and he says that’s fine but now he has to walk that aisle. Flair says McMahon is going to get poked in the eye, kicked in the balls, and get his nose broken.

Flair says it is time for McMahon to pay the price to be a wrestler. Flair asks McMahon what makes him think he could be like the Nature Boy. Stephanie then jumps the rail but Security stops her immediately. Flair then tells the security guards to back off and to let her in the building. Flair asks Stephanie if she wants to talk to him and Stephanie says she does. Stephanie says that she is impressed with Flair. Stephanie says that she has been impressed with Flair for a very long time and that she is a Ric Flair fan like a lot of the fans here. Stephanie says when she was a little girl she had a crush on the Nature Boy. Stephanie says as she got older that crush turned into respect.

Stephanie then sings the praise of Flair and Stephanie says that she respects him so much that she and Shane sold their shares to him. Stephanie says Flair is a general in the ring but in business he isn’t very good. Stephanie says when it comes to business she is the man. Stephanie says that Flair needs her to be there business wise. Flair then drops elbows and knee drops on his jackets. Flair then grabs the mic and tells Stephanie to tell everyone that she came here to get a shot at the title. Flair is sliding all over the place and Stephanie just nails him with a vicious slap and Flair goes stumbling backwards. That was an awesome sell job by Flair there.

Flair gets up like he is about to deck Stephanie. Stephanie asks what Flair thinks this is one big party. Stephanie reminds Flair that Vince will take a chance to slit his throat and end up. Stephanie then tells Flair that he needs her again but Flair only has 4 days left to make his decision. Stephanie then reminds us that Triple H will be back in the WWF and come this Monday the Game will really begin.

WWF Blast of the Night:

They show what happened between Test and Rikishi from Sunday Night Heat. Test was about to do something to Molly but Rikishi ends up coming out and dropping Test with a big kick and Hurricane picked up the win.

Match 5: Test vs. Tajiri

Test gets in the ring and starts clubbing Tajiri in the back and getting control early. Test then goes out after Torrie as she takes off running. Tajiri slows him down with a kick to the face and then throws him back inside. Tajiri goes for his spring board elbow but Test catches him and drops him with a nice full nelson slam. Tajiri ends up going for the Tarantula but Test blocks it and drops him across the top rope stomach first. Test goes for the big boot but Tajiri ducks and hits Test with a back kick for a 2 count.

Tajiri goes for another kick but Test moves and ends up tripping up Tajiri. Tajiri then hits the ropes but Test gets up and drops Tajiri with a brutal sounding big boot for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Test!

Backstage Segment: Vince McMahon, Boss Man, & Booker T

Boss Man asks McMahon if he is concerned if Flair brings Stephanie back into the fold. Vince wants to know what that serious business Flair was talking about. Booker T then walks into the locker room and Vince starts hyping him up. Booker says he is going to out and become the #1 contender. Booker then asks Vince McMahon who he is facing. Booker then says who like 4-5 times. Booker asks if they are getting it and then Booker says he is going to go out and become the #1 contender and introduce his new catch phrase all in the same night. Booker says t-shirts are going to be selling like hot cakes. Booker then leaves and Vince says Who while Boss Man says What.

Backstage Interview: The Rock

Coach asks the Rock how his New Year was and the Rock just stares him down like what the hell are you asking me. Finally the Rock has come back Washington, DC. Rock says his new year was simply electrifying. Rock asks the Coach how his new year was. Rock asks Coach if he sat around all day playing pocket pool like he usually does or if he watched himself on excess like he usually does. Rock asks the Coach if he sat around and listened to music and he asked if he liked some of the Rocks favorites like Mystikal, Jay-Z, and Destinys Child. Coach then says that he likes Barry Manilow. Rock asks the Coach if he likes the Copa and Coach says yeah he does so the Rock tells him to Copa his ass on out of here.

Rock says that he is going to start the new year like he ended the last one and that is stopping at nothing to become the WWF Champion again. Rock says that Booker T is failing to realize that the Rock is ready to roll, that he was born to roll, and that he came out of his momma’s womb ready to roll. Rock says the doctor held up the baby Rock and he was about to spank his bottom but the Rock stopped and said this isn’t just any baby bottom but this is the people’s baby bottom. Rock said he turned around and the nurses were gawking at the Rock and there eyes were wide with amazement. Rock says he looked at them and said that it is not the umbilical cord but it is the people’s strudel. Rock says Booker won’t be seeing the baby’s bottom, the peoples strudel, but he will be seeing the people ass whooping if you smell what the Rock is cooking!

Match 6: #1 Contenders Match: The Rock vs. Booker T

Booker goes after the Rock early but Rock ducks and starts laying in the right hands as this one is off. Rock starts off quickly with a big clothesline and then a samoan drop for a 2 count. Booker slows the momentum with a nice spine buster as he gets control of this one. Booker continues control of the match after he drops the Rock with a nice side kick when the Rock was on his way back in control. Booker goes for the ax kick but Rock moves out of the way and lays in 4-5 right hands and the last one sends Booker up and over to the outside.

Vince comes out of no where and attacks the Rock from behind while the ref checks on Booker in the ring. Vince hits Rock with a low blow and then throws Rock back into the ring as Booker hits the ax kick but he only gets a 2 count. Rock hits a float over DDT as both men are laid out. Rock goes for the pin but Vince pulls the ref out and then Flair comes out and he nails Vince with a big time right hand. Vince and Flair continue to brawl on the outside. Vince ends up getting busted open with the right hand right under his eye. That didn’t look good. Flair and Vince continue to brawl all the way through the crowd and to the back.

Rock hits a flying clothesline on Booker and then the spine buster. Rock goes for the People’s Elbow but Boss Man comes out and distracts the Rock as Booker nails him with a clothesline. Rock then throws Booker into the Boss Man and then drops him with the Rock Bottom. Rock goes for the cover and gets the 1-2-3. Your winner and #1 Contender for the Undisputed Title….The Rock!

After the match is over Boss Man attacks the Rock and drops him with the Boss Man slam. Booker then hits the Rock with a Book End. Austin then comes out and cleans house of Boss Man and Booker T. Booker then heads outside and gets a chair and he comes in and floors Austin with it as the show heads off the air with Austin and Rock both laid out in the ring. This helps set up the main event on Raw where its Rock/Austin vs. Boss Man/Booker T.

Show Recap:
This was a solid show where they continued all of their storylines. I am a fan of a lot of segments that help progress a story instead of having long drawn out matches on television. To me you do storylines on TV so you make people pay for the matches. Thats one of the big issues with todays WWE, every show is the same and nothing makes Raw different than a Backlash PPV. You need to take your TV time to develop stories, characters, and anything else that would make people tune in to the product. After you get them to tune in then you make them want to pay to see the goods. When you give it match after match on Raw every week it becomes meaningless. Thats why watching these shows now make them entertaining. They do a good job of advancing stories as well as reminding you what happened leading up to the episode that you are in.

The matches themselves were quick and entertaining for the most part but they were nothing special. The tag match was a decent opener and then the main event was decent as well. If you are going to watch these shows and expect classic after classic then you are going to be in for a rude awakening because you are not going to get that. If you want stories that are coherent and progress week to week, with some of the biggest names the company has ever had, then you would want to tune into this. So far I really like the feud with Flair and McMahon. I also like the fact that Stephanie is trying to get her power back by offering her services to Flair but only until Triple H comes back. Theres a lot of layers to the stories they have going and they are interesting and they make me want to tune in to find out what happens.

I feel like this was a good set up to Raw to where you want to see what the Rock and Austin were going to do to get their revenge against Booker and Boss Man. Also, I want to know what’s going to happen between Flair and Stephanie. At this point that is all TV was meant to do and that’s bring you in to the next show and I feel like this show accomplishes that. So with that being said, lets get to the Raw!

Raw Event Information:
Date: January 7th, 2002
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City
Main Event: Stone Cold Steve Austin/The Rock vs. Booker T/Big Boss Man

Show Opening:

Show opens up with the opening video and then they show us that The Rock and Stone Cold will team up to take on Booker T and the Big Boss Man. We then head back into MSG when ‘No Chance’ hits and out comes Vince McMahon.

In Ring Segment: Vince McMahon & Ric Flair

Vince comes out holding a Christmas gift. He gets in the ring and says he has something to talk about that is more important than Triple H’s return and it’s his match with Flair at the Rumble. Vince says a lot of people feel that Flair shouldn’t be in the ring with a guy the caliber of himself. Vince says that a lot of people think that Flair is not only not the same caliber as Vince but he is not worthy of being in the ring with him. Vince says he doesn’t agree with that.

They then go to a highlight video on Ric Flair where they are showing some of his most memorable moments in his career. The dubbed in music for this is terrible from the network version.

We head back to Vince and he says it is pretty impressive. Vince says Flair was not content in having one of the best careers of all time but he also wanted to change his career. They then show Flair’s return to the WWE from November 19th, 2001. They show Flair challenging Vince to a match at the Rumble from 2 weeks ago on Smackdown where Flair dropped Vince with a right hand. They show Flair attacking Vince from last weeks Smackdown. Vince says he got 5 stitches on the outside and 3 stitches on the inside.

Vince says Flair has the expression that to be the man you have to beat the man. Vince says he is already the man and he is going to prove it. Vince then opens up the box and puts on a Flair type wig and a Flair robe and starts strutting around the ring. This prompts Flair to come out to go after Vince. Flair steals the mic from McMahon and tells McMahon every time he takes a moment and makes a video on Flairs career he ends up finding the soft spot in his heart for McMahon again. Flair then says that after that Vince ends up doing something stupid like putting that wig on and the Flair robe on. Flair asks Vince who the hell he thinks he is. Flair says Vince will never make fun of him or mock him.

Flair tells McMahon to take off the damn wig and Vince just stands there so Flair slaps it off. Flair then tells McMahon to take off his “God damn” robe or he will beat him from one side of Manhattan to the other. Vince ends up taking off the rope but he takes out a pipe and blasts Flair in the head with it. Vince then stomps on the robe of Flair while Flair tries to get up. Flair is busted open bad. Vince then throws Flair out of the ring and Vince goes out after him and throws him into the steel steps. McMahon starts laying in the boots to Flair as he talks shit to him the whole time. Vince throws Flair back into the ring and then walks off calling Flair a piece of crap as we head to a commercial break.

Match 1: Rob Van Dam vs. Test

Crowd is really pumped up for RVD’s debut inside of MSG. RVD starts off quick with some kicks and some attempted pin falls but he goes for one to many kicks as Test catches him and drops him with a slam. Test controls a portion of the match with some high impact clothesline and a couple of rest holds before RVD drops him with a spinning leg kick. RVD jumps up to the top rope but Test shoves the ref into the rope and causes Red to rack himself on the ropes. Test goes for a cheap pin by putting his feet on the ropes but RVD kicks out anyways.

Test goes for his big boot but RVD gets out of the way and hits Test with a front kick to the face. Test gets frustrated and goes out and grabs a chair. The ref tries to stop him but Test throws him down. RVD then hits Test with the Van Daminator and then nails the 5-Star Frog Splash for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Rob Van Dam!

Backstage Interview: Kurt Angle

Coach is down in the parking lot awaiting the arrival of Triple H when Kurt Angle shows up behind him and he finally cuts off the Coach. Angle asks Coach what the heck he is doing and Coach tells him he is waiting for Triple H. Angle is confused as to why he is waiting for Triple H. Angle asks the Coach to interview someone who has the decency to show up on time. Angle asks where Triple H is anyways. Angle says the way people are acting then Mayor Rudy Giuliani gave him the key to the city or something. Coach corrects Angle and tells him it is Mayor Bloomberg now and Angle tells the Coach to shut up and tells him not to correct him.

Angle says he is the one with the big announcement to make. Coach asks him what his announcement is but Angle tells him that he is not going to stand here and answer his pity question. Angle says when Triple H shows up then Coach needs to start spreading the word that tonight is Angle’s night.

WWF New York Segment: Trish Stratus & Terri

Trish says what’s up New York and Lawler says that he is up. Terri then comes out and interrupts Trish. Terri says it is great to be back in New York and Trish is upset that she interrupted her. Terri says she is the brand new and better host of Excess. Trish asks Terri what she is doing here. Terri says that Trish is pathetic with her Women’s title strutting around. Terri says that Trish doesn’t measure up to her and that she is more talented than her, better looking than her, and more athletic than her. Terri says she is here to challenge Trish.

Trish asks Terri what sort of challenge she has for her. Trish asks if it is a bra and panties match, a lingerie match, or the ever exciting mud wrestling match. Trish says every challenge she has accepted she has delivered 100% Stratusfaction guaranteed. Terri then challenges Trish to a wet t-shirt contest unless Trish is afraid she is going to lose. Trish then accepts the challenge.

Match 2: Billy & Chuck vs. Scotty 2 Hotty/Albert

Before the match starts Billy hops on the mic and asks if he heard it right that Trish and Terri are going to have a wet t-shirt contest. Billy says if anyone should be in a wet t-shirt contest then it should be Billy and Chuck because of their fabulous physique. Billy then says if you don’t believe then then Chuck can pull out his hose and show all these people. At this point Scotty 2 Hotty’s music hits and interrupts them. What a gimmick Billy and Chuck were. They were pretty damn awesome and their gimmick really did work.

Billy and Albert start this one off with a head lock but Albert just picks him and tosses him. Albert ends up whipping Chuck into the corner and then Billy into the same corner. Albert then splashed Chuck into Billy and this caused Chuck to fall down backwards. Billy then gets wobbly and ends up falling head first into the penis area of Chuck. What a great spot with the gimmick involved. Hilarious.

Scotty comes in and works over Palumbo and hits him with a neck breaker for a 2 count. Billy ends up distracting Scotty and this allows Billy and Chuck to get the advantage of this one. Scotty drops Chuck with a DDT and then we get the dual tags as Albert comes in and just destroys both guys over and over. Scotty gets the tag and he goes for the Worm on Billy. Chuck ends up breaking up the pin and then comes in and nails Albert with a brutal looking super kick. Billy comes in and drops Scotty with the Famouser for the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall….Billy & Chuck!

Backstage Interview: Chris Jericho

Jericho tells Sharmell to address him the way he deserves to be addressed and that is as the “living legend, larger than life, Undisputed Champion…Chris Jericho.” Jericho then talks about how great it was to see Vince leave Flair laying in his own pool of blood. Jericho says Flair was the one who named the Rock the #1 contender. Jericho says he gets the opportunity to beat The Rock for the unprecedented 5th time. Jericho also said Flair is the one who booked him in a match with a Rikishi tonight because everyone wants to see him get a stink face.

Jericho then tells Sharmell to check out his profile and how great it is. Jericho calls it a picture perfect Picasso. Jericho says he will not get a stink face. Jericho says all of the people who get on their knees and pray to God asking him to make them look half as good as him will be disappointed when he doesn’t get the stink face.

Backstage Interview: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Michael Cole is talking about how great it has been so far here in MSG but Austin interrupts and keeps on saying What. Austin says he has 3 things he wants to talk about. First thing he wants to talk about is the man he saw backstage tonight and it was Triple H. Austin says he is not here to wish Triple H good luck. Austin said he had to return under the same sort of circumstances and that Triple H’s career was nearly over. Austin says he can’t wait to look at him right in the eye face to face.

Austin then says he is entering himself into the Royal Rumble. Austin says he is going to throw a man over the top rope, then another, then another, then another, another, another…you get the idea. I hate this what shit. Austin tells Cole that he gets the picture and he is going to throw 29 sumbitches over the top rope and go on to Wrestlemania. Austin then talks about his match tonight where he is teaming with the Rock. He says they are going to open up a big ol can of whoop ass on Booker T and the Big Boss Man. Austin says tonight 2 sumbitches at least 4 or 5 times are going to get their ass kicked because that’s the bottom because Stone Cold said so.

Match 3: WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Edge (c) vs. Lance Storm

This one starts off fast with Storm hitting some stiff shots to the back, a right to the face, and a clothesline in the corner. Storm goes for a slingshot clothesline but Edge drops him with a drop kick. Lawler on commentary talking about the wet t-shirt contest says “I’ve wanted to squirt on Terri and Trish forever, this is going to be wonderful.” Lol classic. Edge ends up blocking a roll up in a pin but Storm kicks out and Storm quickly turns that into his single leg Boston Crab but Edge gets into the ropes to break it up. Edge then drops Storm with the Edgecution out of no where for the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall and still Intercontinental Champion….Edge!

After the match Edge is walking up the ramp when William Regal returns and lays Edge out. Regal then got the brass knocks out and floors Edge with them and knocks him out as the refs send him to the back.

Backstage Segment: Kurt Angle & Christian

Angle is in the back talking to Christian about how he doesn’t understand what the big fuss is about Triple H coming back. Christian doesn’t see it either. Angle asks who is the guy who saved the WWF at Survivor Series. Christian says it was Angle. Angle asks who is the guy that brings happiness and joy to all the little children across the world every single day. Christian says it is Angle. Angle asks where Triple H was during the invasion anyway. Christian says that he was probably at home spinning U2 albums or something. The network version suddenly leaves that and goes straight to Booker T’s music. Seems like something was cut out there.

Match 4: Stone Cold Steve Austin/The Rock vs. Booker T/Big Boss Man

This one starts off quickly as Rock goes out of the ring after Booker and Austin goes out after Boss Man. Austin gets Boss Man into the ring and he hits the Thesz press and then an elbow. Austin then dumps the Boss Man out of the ring with a clothesline. Booker gets tossed into the ring as Austin ends up catching him and drops him with the Stun Gun. Booker goes for an atomic drop but it doesn’t work as Austin flips him off and drops him with a clothesline before throwing him out of the ring.

Rock finally gets tagged in and he lays in some rights and a flying clothesline on the Boss Man for a 2 count. Boss Man ends up pulling down the top rope and this sends the Rock over the top rope and back first into the announce table. Boss Man then goes out and blasts the Rock with his night stick to the gut. Rock ends up getting in control with a toss and then a spine buster on Booker T. Rock then goes for the People’s Elbow but Boss Man trips him up and Booker T hits the Book End on the Rock but Austin comes in and hits Booker with a big time spine buster before Booker could tag the Rock.

Boss Man comes in and works the mid section of the Rock. Booker comes in and he lays in some chops on the Rock but Rock turns it around and lays in the chops of his own. Booker goes for the scissors kick but Rock moves and ends dropping Booker with a DDT as both guys are laid out. Boss Man and Austin both get the tag. Austin comes in and lays out both guys with big time clotheslines and a back drop on Boss Man.

Booker ends up missing a side kick as Austin goes after Boss Man with kicks in the corner. Rock takes care of Booker and sends him flying over the top rope with a right hand. Austin then drops the Boss Man with a Stone Cold Stunner and gets the 1-2-3. Your winners by pinfall….Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock!

After the match Austin gets in the face of the Rock and ends up handing him a beer as they celebrate their victory.

Match 5: Chris Jericho vs. Rikishi

This one starts off with Rikishi dominating the match and eventually tries to go for the stink face but Nick Patrick stops him from doing so. They head outside where Rikishi bashes Jericho’s head into the announce table and tries to do it in the post but Jericho ends up pushing Rikishi into the post to get control. Jericho gets Rikishi back into the ring and ends up hitting him with a missile drop kick off the top rope for a 2 count. Jericho hits the running bulldog and goes for the lionsault but Rikishi moves out of the way and hits him with a clothesline and then an Alabama slam to stop Jericho’s momentum.

Rikishi is heading up to the middle rope for his bonsai drop but Jericho moves out of the way and Rikishi misses. Jericho then grabs his title from the outside and tries to hit Rikishi with it but Rikishi ducks and hits Jericho with a super kick right into the ref in the corner. Rikishi goes for stink face but Jericho moves and Rikishi does it to Nick Patrick instead. Jericho then hits Rikishi with the WWF Title and gets the 1-2-3. Your winner and still WWF Undisputed Champion….Chris Jericho!

Backstage Segment: Big Show, Tajiri, Torrie Wilson, & Kurt Angle

Big Show says since HHH is back the competition is going to go up. Torrie said she has never met Triple H but she is excited to. Big Show says he has had his ups and downs with Triple H and Triple H sets the bar for everyone in the company. Kurt Angle then walks in and says that these guys are acting like teenagers at a Ricky Martin concert. Angle doesn’t understand why everyone is freaking out over Triple H being back. Angle asks if he is the only one that remembers that Triple H made life miserable for everyone in the WWF before he got injured. Angle says they are unavailable. Tajiri then gets excited over Ricky Martin and starts dancing and singing his song.

Backstage Segment: Dudley Boyz, Spike, and Tazz

They show Spike working out in the back. D-Von and Bubba show up and try to bully Spike until Tazz shows up. Bubba asks Tazz if he should be getting ready for Sunday Night Heat or choking out his mother or something. Tazz says the Dudleys have held the tag titles a million times but still have massive chips on their shoulders. D-Von asks Tazz to come and knock the chip off their shoulder. Bubba says they can’t do that because they are too small. Bubba says that Tazz’s problem is he forgot where he came from. Tazz says next he is going to take the Dudleys back where they came from. Bubba says see if you remember this and he says beat us if you can as Tazz says survive if I let you. That was pretty damn awesome.

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Dudley Boyz vs. Spike Dudley/Tazz

Tazz and Spike head right out after the Dudleys as they are walking down the ramp. Bubba takes a trash can lid and just smashes Tazz with it on the outside. Bubba and Spike are in the ring going at it while D-Von and Tazz brawl on the outside. Spike goes for a sunset flip but Bubba uses the fire extinguisher on him. D-Von does the what’s up drop to Tazz while Spike is outside laid out. Bubba tells D-Von to get the tables. Spike gets back in the ring and hits a diving head butt into the gut of Bubba. He then goes for the Dudley Dog through the table but Bubba moves the table out of the way so he only gets the Dudley Dog on the mat.

Tazz gets in the ring and gets met with an elbow. Spike takes the stop sign and blasts Bubba in the face with it and then Bubba falls face first on to the sign. Spike goes for the Dudley Dog again but Tazz moves the table and Bubba just launches Spike across the ring. Tazz is working on the table when Stacy gets on the apron and lifts up her skirt to distract Tazz but Tazz moves and Bubba gets distracted instead. Tazz then hits a suplex on Bubba on to the table but it didn’t break so Spike hits the Dudley Dog on Bubba through the table and gets the 1-2-3. Your winners and new WWF Tag Team Champions….Tazz & Spike Dudley!!!

Backstage Promo: The Undertaker

Undertaker says tonight is the big night for Triple H. He says the hype has been off the charts with all of the special videos. Taker says the mere mention of Triple H’s name makes the crowd go crazy. Taker says Triple H must think that the people really respect him. Taker says that they don’t respect him because they don’t respect people like us because they use them. All the people want from people like them are his blood and their pain. Taker says the people just want Triple H to re-injure his leg. Taker says he is not here to rain on his parade but Triple H needs to remember who runs the yard. Taker says at the Rumble he will be the last one standing and he will be the only dog in the yard.

Wet T-Shirt Contest: Trish Stratus (c) vs. Terri

There really isn’t much to this. Lawler gets all his jokes in and then sprays down Terri with the super soaker. She prances around the ring looking pretty hot with her wet shirt and thong. Trish is about to go for her turn but before she can get her jacket off, Jazz attacks her from behind and leaves her laying. Instead of just talking about this I will just show you it in gif form. Enjoy!

Royal Rumble Replay

They show Drew Carey being in the Rumble from 2001. They show the interaction between he and Kane.

Triple H Returns

The pop Triple H gets when his music hits and he walks out is insane. The fact it lasted as long as it did was awesome as well. You get goosebumps every time you see it. I am not a huge Triple H guy but I still remember this show from when it aired because of the response he got. What a better place to come back than Madison Square Garden? Just awesome shit all around here.

“Just in case you’ve forgotten, let me tell you who just the hell I am. I am the Game and you can bet your ass I am back.” What a great returning line. He then enters himself into the Royal Rumble and after doing that Kurt Angle’s music comes on and he comes out to interrupt Triple H. Kurt Angle asks Triple H who the hell he is. Angle says the quad injury kept him out for 8 months while he won a gold medal with a broken freakin neck.

Angle says that he deserves this time and not Hunter and that Hunter is on Angle’s time. Angle says his announcement is bigger than Triple H’s return. Angle then tells us all that he will be in the Royal Rumble as well. It will be his first ever Royal Rumble. Angle says he wasn’t in the Rumble last year because he was busy pinning Triple H to the mat. Angle then asks Triple H what he thinks of that and then Hunter attacks Angle. They brawl for a little bit until Triple H nails Angle with the Pedigree as the show goes off the air.

Show Recap:
This was a solid show from start to finish. They always went a little above and beyond while being inside of MSG and this show as no different. It started off hot with the Vince McMahon/Ric Flair angle to start the show and ended with Triple H coming back. They developed some storylines that will head into the Royal Rumble such as Taker, Hunter, Austin, and Angle all announcing they will be in the Rumble match. They also continued the feud between the Dudleys vs. Tazz/Spike Dudley with them getting the title win here. Everyone who needed to be on the show was on the show and did something that was useful so you can’t really complain there.

This show is obviously memorable because of the return of Triple H but there are some other things on here that are worth checking out as well. Its an entertaining hour and a half and one worth checking out every once in a while to get a reminder of the good ol days of the WWF Attitude Era. I hope you have enjoyed this run down of the week in WWF Television from 2002. I like this format and I feel like I can get things done a lot quicker doing it this way so we will see how far we can take this. Look forward to the next set of Smackdown and Raw as we head down this long journey of the Year in Review for WWF in 2002.