Post by VinMan on Apr 17, 2009 1:05:16 GMT -5
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT
MONDAY NIGHT RAW
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 19, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the last Raw is shown including the chaos that ensued during the ten man tag team main event.
Coach: With six days until the hotly anticipated Royal Rumble, we welcome you to Monday Night Raw. I’m Jonathan Coachman along with Rowdy Roddy Piper at ringside. Hot Rod what a night this is going to be.
Piper: You’ve got that right Coach. Tonight it’s a ten man tag team elimination match featuring all of the Superstars involved in last week’s ten man debacle. I can’t wait.
Coach: Right now though we are kicking things off with Cruiserweight action as we determine the number one contender to Paul London’s Cruiserweight Title.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH
GREGORY HELMS VS. BRIAN KENDRICK
Helms applies the headlock on Kendrick. Kendrick sends him in, but is knocked down as Helms comes off the ropes. Helms goes to the ropes and Kendrick leaps up and over and then drops down under and then takes Helms over with a Mexican arm drag. Kendrick comes off with the ropes with a cross body and then sends Helms into the corner. Kendrick roll sup Helms, but only gets a near fall. Kendrick goes to the ropes again, but this time Helms connects with a big boot.
Coach: Gregory Helms is a former Cruiserweight Champion while Brian Kendrick only recently debuted here in the WWE, but has been successful thus far in his career. One of these two men will get the opportunity to face Paul London for the Cruiserweight gold in the very near future.
Helms stomps on Kendrick and nails him with elbow shots. He sends Kendrick to the corner and pounds on him. Helms then delivers a neck breaker. Helms forearms Kendrick back into the corner. He lifts him up, but Kendrick spins around and out and then connects with a side Russian leg sweep into a cover for a near fall. Helms comes right back with a dropkick and then a leg drop for a two count.
Piper: Gregory Helms has his wits about him Coach and he did not let Kendrick’s counter effect the rest of his game plan as he is right back on his opponent. Helms wants this title shot.
Helms applies a front face lock and then lifts Kendrick and plants him into the mat. Helms uses another leg drop for a near fall. Helms whips Kendrick for the ride and connects with a hard reverse elbow. Helms then drops an elbow, but Kendrick moves. Kendrick splashes Helms and makes the cover, but he kicks out. Kendrick goes to the ropes, but Helms catches him with a power slam for a near fall.
Coach: Brian Kendrick continues to try and get out of these predicaments, but Gregory Helms gets him right back down on the canvas. Gregory Helms not only wants a Cruiserweight Title shot, but he will be among the sixty Superstars competing for a shot at the WWE or World Title at WrestleMania in the Royal Rumble match this Sunday.
Piper: Yeah well this Sunday, Gregory Helms will have to contend with a whole lot of heavy hitters and one Rowdy son of a gun.
Helms gets set for the Shining Wizard, but Kendrick slips under and then pushes Helms into the ropes, but Helms shoves Kendrick back. Kendrick charges at Helms and connects with a cross body taking both men over the top to the floor. Brian Kendrick rams Helms into the side of the ring and then pushes him back in. Brian Kendrick springs in off the top diving onto Helms and getting a near fall. Kendrick kicks away at Helms and then nails him with a heel kick. Kendrick goes to the top turnbuckle. He comes off with a big moonsault, but Helms moves out of the way. Helms uses an Oklahoma Roll, but Kendrick kicks out. Helms knees Kendrick and sends him in, but Kendrick reverses. Kendrick drops under Helms an then lands a huracanrana.
Coach: Brian Kendrick has a fire lit under him right now.
Kendrick comes off the ropes with a big forearm. He comes from all sides nailing Helms. Kendrick then plants Helms with a DDT. Kendrick has the cover, but only gets two. Kendrick gets Helms set for Sliced Bread #2, but Helms pushes him off. Helms follows in, but Kendrick moves and this time lands his finisher and gets a three count.
Result: Brian Kendrick over Gregory Helms via pinfall.
Coach: Brian Kendrick picks up the huge victory here and earns himself a shot at the Cruiserweight Title.
Piper: Speaking of the Cruiserweight Title, here comes the Champion Paul London.
London jumps into the ring and shakes Brian Kendrick’s hand and then holds up the Cruiserweight Title belt.
Kurt Angle is in Eric Bischoff’s office.
Bischoff: Kurt, don’t get so bent out of shape. Don’t worry about Ken Shamrock. He’s not under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment. He’s not going to do a damn thing to you or anyone else here. Just worry about tonight’s main event and your World Title defense this Sunday at the Royal Rumble.
Angle: Eric don’t confuse my anger for being worried. Ken Shamrock doesn’t worry me. He angers me that he is coming to our shows and getting attention for himself. He’s a has-been at best or a never-was in pro wrestling and now he’s looking to get back in the spotlight by having a presence during my matches on live television. I just hope you have security around to make sure he doesn’t’ show his face again. Because if he does there is no telling what I might do to him.
Angle walks out of Bischoff’s office.
Coach: As Kurt Angle prepares to be involved in our huge ten man tag team elimination main event, still to come tonight Randy Orton goes one-on-one with Sycho Sid and up next it’s Carlito and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake head-to-head! Stay tuned!
-Commercial Break-
WWE REWIND: Carlito and Brutus Beefcake fight to a double count out previously on Monday Night Raw.
BRUTUS “THE BARBER” BEEFCAKE VS. CARLITO
As Beefcake is removing his ring jacket, Carlito hits him with the Backstabber. The referee argues with Carlito and out comes Hulk Hogan. Hogan hit’s the ring and punches Carlito. He then clotheslines him out of the ring. Monty Brown runs out and nails Hogan with the Pounce.
Coach: My God we just witnessed a whirlwind of events in a matter of seconds here. So much for a one-on-one match or any match for that matter. Beefcake just got the Backstabber from Carlito which brings out Beefcake’s long time friend Hulk Hogan who then finds himself on the canvas thanks to a Pounce from the Alpha Male Monty Brown.
Result: No Contest.
Piper: Emotions are running high with everyone right now Coach. Everyone’s on edge waiting for Sunday’s Royal Rumble not only for the high stakes in wanting to headline WrestleMania, but because of the luck of the draw also determining where we will all find ourselves next week. I could be in ECW next week. You could be on Smackdown.
Coach: Well Hot Rod right now standing by is Gene Okerlund.
Gene: My guest at this time is third-generation Superstar Randy Orton. Randy in just a few moments you will go one-on-one with Sycho Sid and then this Sunday you will be participating in the 60 man Royal Rumble match. Your thoughts?
Orton: Mean Gene, I think you’ve seen my resume. I am a former WWE Champion. My grandfather and father both succeeded in this business, but it took me to win the big one. This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, I don’t care who I have to go through. I don’t care what I have to do. I will be the last man standing and I will be going on to WrestleMania to once again become Champion. As far as Sid is concerned. I’ll take him out tonight and he won’t even make it to the Rumble. Then it will be one down and fifty-eight to go. Destiny is calling me and I am going to answer that call this Sunday in Philadelphia.
-Commercial Break-
WRESTLEMANIA FLASHBACK: King Kong Bundy defeats Special Delivery Jones in record time at the very first WrestleMania.
SYCHO SID VS. RANDY ORTON
Sid fires away at Orton. He knocks Orton to the canvas. He nails him again. Orton is sent for the ride. Sid knocks him down with a clothesline. Sid makes the cover, but Orton kicks out at one. Sid runs Orton into the turnbuckle and then whips him across to the far corner. Sid follows in with a clothesline.
Coach: Sid’s using what brought him to the dance and that’s his strength.
Piper: Sid’s never been a finesse wrestler, but he can overpower just about anyone. But don’t take anything away from Randy Orton. He’s as crafty as they come.
Sid slams Orton and then drops a couple of elbows. Sid goes to nail Orton, but he ducks under and kicks Sid. Orton goes to the ropes, but Sid catches him with a side slam for a near fall. Sid delivers a suplex and then sends Orton to the ropes. Orton hangs on as Sid misses a big boot. Orton then connects with a standing dropkick. Orton follows with a knee drop and stomps away at Sid.
Coach: Randy Orton is very calculated on his attack here on the bigger Sid. Both of these men have a chance to headline WrestleMania XX when they compete in the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Orton plants another knee and gets a near fall. Orton hammers away at Sid and then goes to the ropes, but Sid lifts Orton and drills him into the canvas. Sid sends Orton in and connects with a big boot. Sid then gets set for the choke slam, but Orton slips out and lands the RKO. Orton covers Sid and picks up the win.
Piper: The RKO comes from out of nowhere and Randy Orton has done it again Coach. This is a man who will not be denied.
Result: Randy Orton over Sid via pinfall.
“On Sunday January 25, World Wrestling Entertainment presents the Royal Rumble. A championship opportunity in the main event of WrestleMania XX is at stake when sixty superstars collide for their chance at immortality. Plus the luck of the draw will determine which superstars find themselves in the land of the extreme. It’s the WWE Royal Rumble live only on pay per view.”
-Commercial Break-
Coach: Welcome back to Monday Night Raw. Still to come our huge ten man tag team elimination match main event. Right now however we are gong to send you over to Mean Gene Okerlund.
Gene: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome at this time my guest, the Immortal Hulk Hogan.
Hogan: Well you know something Mean Gene. It seems to me that Monty Brown has come here to make a name for himself at the expense of Hulkamania. Well now that Mr. Brown is in town, it’s time for him to see that Hulkamania is still running wild and that the strongest force in the universe will crush the Alpha Male. I know the Rumble is this Sunday brother and if we cross paths among the sea of sixty Superstars I will be glad to throw you’re a$$ over the top. But Monty Brown how about you and I step into the ring next Monday Night one-on-one? It’s time for you to see just what you’ve gotten yourself into. So whatcha gonna do when Hulk Hogan and the 24 inch pythons take Mr. Brown downtown and run wild all over you!
Gene: The challenge has been issued. Will Monty Brown accept? Back to you Jonathan Coachman and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Coach: Wow what a main event we could have right here next week if Monty Brown accepts the challenge from Hulk Hogan.
Piper: There is a question that has to be brought up here though Coach. What happens if Hulk Hogan and Monty Brown are no longer on Monday Night Raw after the Rumble?
Coach: Well that is a good question Hot Rod and I don’t know the answer to that one. Things are really going to be shaken up to say the least at a history-making Royal Rumble this Sunday. The Royal Rumble takes place at the sold out Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will air live exclusively on pay per view. The World Heavyweight Title will be on the line as Kurt Angle defends in a triple threat match against “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Chris Jericho. Will we crown a new Champion or will the Olympian overcome two of the best in the business?
Piper: Then the WWE Championship is on the line as Bret “Hit Man” Hart puts the gold up for grabs against a very hungry Brock Lesnar. Lesnar has proven that he can beat the Hit Man, but when the title is at stake will Lesnar’s power overmatch the heart of a Champion?
Coach: The Intercontinental Title will also be decided when Captain Charisma Christian defends against Muhammad Hassan. The odds are stacked against the Champion as Hassan’s comrade Daivari will be the acting official for that contest. What chance does Christian have at retaining the title come Sunday?
Piper: Then it’s time to set the table. Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley will take on Tommy Dreamer and legendary Terry Funk in a tag team tables match. The only way to win is to put both opponents through a table. Bring the tweezers because there will be plenty of splinters in this one.
Coach: Then it all comes down to the 60 Man every man for himself Royal Rumble match. The winner will go onto the main event of WrestleMania XX for a shot at either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship. Prior to the Rumble there will be a random drawing to determine the order of entrance for the 60 Superstars. Those same Superstars will also be randomly selected to one of three WWE rosters which will go into affect next Monday. They could wind up here on Raw, on Smackdown, or in the new ECW. Superstars confirmed for the Rumble match are: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Batista, the Big Show, U.S. Champion Booker T., Carlito, John Cena, Goldust, Chavo Guerrero, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sycho Sid, Rob Van Dam, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Finlay, Goldberg, Mark Henry, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Edge, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Hulk Hogan, the Alpha Male Monty Brown, Matt Hardy, Diesel, Tito Santana, Cruiserweight Champion Paul London, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, the man sitting next to me Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chris Masters, Razor Ramon, Rhyno, Jim Brunzell, B. Brian Blair, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Rey Mysterio, Irwin R. Schyster, Sabu, Dean Malenko, the Sandman, Gregory Helms, King Kong Bundy, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Paul Orndorff, and Rene Dupree. The final five participants will be revealed this Sunday.
Piper: This Sunday is going to be a wild night Coach and I can’t wait to be part of the Royal Rumble.
Coach: I also can’t wait for our huge main event. It’s ten man tag team elimination action and it’s next on Monday Night Raw!
-Commercial Break-
WWE REWIND: Footage shows the conclusion of the ten man tag team match from last week’s Raw.
Coach: As we get set for our main event, I can confirm that next week here on Raw regardless of what happens at the Royal Rumble it will be the Alpha Male Monty Brown one-on-one with Hulk Hogan.
Piper: I just hope I’m here to see it Coach.
10 MAN TAG TEAM ELIMINATION MATCH
RIC FLAIR, ARN ANDERSON, TULLY BLANCHARD, BARRY WINDHAM, & CHRIS JERICHO VS.
KURT ANGLE, SHELTON BENJAMIN, CHARLIE HAAS, TREVOR MURDOCH, & LANCE CADE
Murdoch and Flair start for their respective teams. Murdoch goes for the headlock, but Flair sends him off to the ropes. Murdoch knocks Flair down. He goes to the ropes, Flair catches him with a hip lock and then takes him to the canvas with a side headlock. Murdoch pushes Flair up, but he takes him back over. Murdoch pushes Flair up again. Flair chops Murdoch and then gives a “woooo” directed at Kurt Angle. Flair chops Murdoch again and then nails him with a hard right hand and makes the cover, but Murdoch kicks out. Flair tags in Barry Windham.
Coach: This is an all important match here especially as it relates to gaining some momentum going into the Royal Rumble this Sunday. These ten Superstars could in fact all be pulled in three different directions after the Rumble.
Piper: The Rumble is going to change the entire WWE landscape.
Windham kicks Murdoch and pounds on him. He nails Murdoch with forearm shots and then slams him down. Windham drops an elbow and gets a near fall. Windham punches away at Murdoch and then plants him with a bulldog. Windham gets another near fall. Windham sends in Murdoch, but he reverses it. Windham comes back with a sunset flip for a two count. Murdoch nails Windham and then rams him into the corner and tags in Lance Cade.
Coach: Murdoch finally gets the tag to a fresh man in his partner Cade. Remember once a man is eliminated here he must return to the locker-room and the match will continue to one entire team has been defeated.
Cade delivers a back breaker to Windham and then lands an elbow for a near fall. Cade sends Windham in and nails him with a dropkick. Cade drops an elbow off the middle rope, but Windham moves. Windham then goes up top and comes off with a big lariat and covers Cade for three.
Coach: Well our first elimination has occurred here as Barry Windham pins Lance Cade with that huge lariat. It is now five-on-four in favor of the Horsemen and Jericho.
Shelton Benjamin enters the ring. Windham takes him over with a hip lock, but Benjamin lands on his feet and then nails Windham with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Windham tags out to Tully Blanchard.
Coach: Like him or not, Shelton Benjamin is arguably one of the most athletic individuals in the WWE today. Benjamin and Haas of course are former Tag Team Champions and would like nothing better than to get another opportunity to wear the gold currently around the waists of Blanchard and Anderson.
Benjamin charges at Tully, but he gives him a drop toe hold. Blanchard applies the front face lock, but Benjamin slips out and then takes Tully over with an arm drag. Blanchard nails Benjamin with elbow shots and goes for the ropes. Benjamin kicks Blanchard, but he catches his foot, only Benjamin flips back over and then connects with a DDT for a near fall. Benjamin then tags in Charlie Haas. Benjamin sends Blanchard to the ropes and Haas connects with a clothesline. Haas plants a knee and goes for a suplex, but Tully blocks it. Tully hooks Haas and delivers the Sling Shot Suplex and covers him for a three count.
Piper: Wow that was shocker. Charlie Haas barely had a cup of coffee in this match and Tully Blanchard caught him quickly and now it is down to five-on-three. Kurt Angle’s team is in trouble.
Kurt Angle jumps into the ring and quickly chop blocks Blanchard. Angle hooks Tully and delivers a German suplex. He delivers two more. Tully gets to his feet, but Angle chop blocks him again and this time he applies the ankle lock. Tully Blanchard taps out.
Coach: Kurt Angle is a man possessed. The World Champion quickly does away with one half of the World Tag Team Champions and helps his team get back into the game here. It is now four-on-three in favor of Flair and company.
Arn Anderson enters the ring and he starts to pound on Angle. Anderson sends Angle in and catches him with a power slam. Arn runs Angle into the turnbuckle and then delivers a back suplex. Anderson then drills Angle into the corner. He goes for it again, but this time Angle hit’s a knee lift. Angle connects with a belly to belly suplex and gets a near fall. Angle delivers uppercuts to Arn and then sends hi in, but Arn reverses him into the corner. Angle reaches out and tags Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin comes in, but is caught by a Double A spine buster.
Coach: Both men are down on the mat now. Whoever can get up first should head for a fresh man in their respective corners.
Benjamin gets to his feet and goes to the top turnbuckle. Anderson gets up as well, but Benjamin leaps off the top and slams Anderson’s face into the canvas and covers him and gets a three count.
Piper: Wow the sides have now been evened up. We are back to square one.
Chris Jericho comes in and quickly nails Benjamin with a dropkick. He nails him with another. Jericho nails Murdoch on the apron and then goes for Angle, but he avoids contact. Jericho chops Benjamin and sends him in, but he reverses him. Jericho comes back with a flying forearm. Jericho then drills Benjamin wit a face plant to the mat. Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Benjamin moves. Jericho lands on his feet. Benjamin goes for a DDT, but Jericho pushes him through the ropes and both men land on the outside. Jericho rams Benjamin into the ring post and then pushes him back into the ring. Trevor Murdoch tries to grab Jericho’s leg from the outside, but he kicks Murdoch. Benjamin then hip locks Jericho back in. Benjamin leaps up top, but Jericho shoves him off and he goes flying to the outside landing on top of Trevor Murdoch. Jericho then springs off the top rope and dives out onto Benjamin and Murdoch. Jericho rolls back in, but Kurt Angle hits Jericho with a suplex. Ric Flair comes in and chops away at Angle who rolls out of the ring. Benjamin is back in and he stomps on Jericho.
Coach: You knew things would break down here. I don’t know if the referee is going to be able to keep trouble of this match.
Benjamin goes for a suplex, but Jericho blocks. Jericho goes to suplex Benjamin, but he goes all the way over and connects with a neck breaker. Benjamin gets a near fall. Benjamin hit’s a back breaker and then tags Murdoch back in. Murdoch drills Jericho with elbows. Murdoch sends him in. Jericho slides under a big boot and dropkicks Murdoch in the leg. Jericho leaps over into his corner tagging out to Ric Flair. Flair elbows Murdoch on the inner thigh and then hooks on the Figure Four. Murdoch taps out.
Piper: Great team work by the two challengers for the World Title. Now it’s three-on-two.
Angle is back in, but Flair chops him. Angle fires back with forearm shots. The two men go back and forth. Flair chops again. Flair knocks Angle down and goes for the Figure Four, but Angle kicks him off. Angle connects with a clothesline. Angle goes for a back suplex, but Flair punches Angle and gets free. Flair fires away, but Angle ducks and hit’s a German suplex. Angle connects with the Angle Slam on Flair. He makes the cover, but Barry Windham makes the save. Angle then tags Shelton Benjamin back in. Angle holds Flair. Benjamin goes up top. Flair gives Angle a low kick and then knocks him into the ropes causing Benjamin to get crotched on top. Benjamin falls into the ring. Flair tags Barry Windham. Windham hit’s the lariat on Benjamin and scores a pinfall.
Coach: Kurt Angle is all alone now against Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, and Barry Windham. Not a good time to be the World Champion.
Angle is back in and Windham fires away. Windham sends him in for a back drop and nails him with two dropkicks. Windham sends Angle into the corner. Windham sends Angle, but he reverses it and then whips him back into the corner. Windham gets a boot up and then bulldogs Angle for a near fall. Windham rams Angle to the buckle and lifts him up top. Windham climbs and goes for a superplex, but Angle blocks it and knocks Windham down. Angle leaps off the top with a moonsault landing directly on Windham and hooking the leg for three.
Piper: That was perfectly timed and beautiful looking on the part of Kurt Angle.
Coach: Angle doesn’t often hit that move, but when he does it is effective. Now Angle has his two Royal Rumble opponents left to contend with.
Chris Jericho is in and nails Kurt Angle. Jericho sends him in, but Angle reverses. Jericho comes back with a flying forearm and then power bombs Angle into a back breaker. Jericho sends him in and connects with a heel kick and goes for the Lionsault, but Angle moves. Angle delivers a belly to belly overhead suplex. Angle goes for the ankle lock, but Jericho kicks him into a corner. Jericho charges in, but Angle moves and Y2J gets posted. Angle grabs Jericho by the leg, but Jericho holds onto the top rope. Angle drops Jericho down to the mat and goes for the ankle lock again, but Ric Flair comes in and chop blocks Angle. Flair goes for the Figure Four, but Angle kicks Flair through the ropes to the floor. Jericho quickly hit’s the Lionsault before Angle can get up and covers him for the three count.
Coach: Jericho times it perfectly waiting for the opportune moment and he picks up this huge win over the current World Heavyweight Champion which will give him some all important momentum heading into the triple threat match this Sunday at the Royal Rumble.
Result: Chris Jericho over Kurt Angle via pinfall.
Jericho gets his hand raised by the official as Ric Flair glares in from the outside.
Coach: Ladies and gentlemen we hope you will join us this Sunday for the Royal Rumble. Good night from Long Island.
MONDAY NIGHT RAW
(AIRDATE: JANUARY 19, 2004)
WWE logo appears on screen.
Footage from the last Raw is shown including the chaos that ensued during the ten man tag team main event.
Coach: With six days until the hotly anticipated Royal Rumble, we welcome you to Monday Night Raw. I’m Jonathan Coachman along with Rowdy Roddy Piper at ringside. Hot Rod what a night this is going to be.
Piper: You’ve got that right Coach. Tonight it’s a ten man tag team elimination match featuring all of the Superstars involved in last week’s ten man debacle. I can’t wait.
Coach: Right now though we are kicking things off with Cruiserweight action as we determine the number one contender to Paul London’s Cruiserweight Title.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH
GREGORY HELMS VS. BRIAN KENDRICK
Helms applies the headlock on Kendrick. Kendrick sends him in, but is knocked down as Helms comes off the ropes. Helms goes to the ropes and Kendrick leaps up and over and then drops down under and then takes Helms over with a Mexican arm drag. Kendrick comes off with the ropes with a cross body and then sends Helms into the corner. Kendrick roll sup Helms, but only gets a near fall. Kendrick goes to the ropes again, but this time Helms connects with a big boot.
Coach: Gregory Helms is a former Cruiserweight Champion while Brian Kendrick only recently debuted here in the WWE, but has been successful thus far in his career. One of these two men will get the opportunity to face Paul London for the Cruiserweight gold in the very near future.
Helms stomps on Kendrick and nails him with elbow shots. He sends Kendrick to the corner and pounds on him. Helms then delivers a neck breaker. Helms forearms Kendrick back into the corner. He lifts him up, but Kendrick spins around and out and then connects with a side Russian leg sweep into a cover for a near fall. Helms comes right back with a dropkick and then a leg drop for a two count.
Piper: Gregory Helms has his wits about him Coach and he did not let Kendrick’s counter effect the rest of his game plan as he is right back on his opponent. Helms wants this title shot.
Helms applies a front face lock and then lifts Kendrick and plants him into the mat. Helms uses another leg drop for a near fall. Helms whips Kendrick for the ride and connects with a hard reverse elbow. Helms then drops an elbow, but Kendrick moves. Kendrick splashes Helms and makes the cover, but he kicks out. Kendrick goes to the ropes, but Helms catches him with a power slam for a near fall.
Coach: Brian Kendrick continues to try and get out of these predicaments, but Gregory Helms gets him right back down on the canvas. Gregory Helms not only wants a Cruiserweight Title shot, but he will be among the sixty Superstars competing for a shot at the WWE or World Title at WrestleMania in the Royal Rumble match this Sunday.
Piper: Yeah well this Sunday, Gregory Helms will have to contend with a whole lot of heavy hitters and one Rowdy son of a gun.
Helms gets set for the Shining Wizard, but Kendrick slips under and then pushes Helms into the ropes, but Helms shoves Kendrick back. Kendrick charges at Helms and connects with a cross body taking both men over the top to the floor. Brian Kendrick rams Helms into the side of the ring and then pushes him back in. Brian Kendrick springs in off the top diving onto Helms and getting a near fall. Kendrick kicks away at Helms and then nails him with a heel kick. Kendrick goes to the top turnbuckle. He comes off with a big moonsault, but Helms moves out of the way. Helms uses an Oklahoma Roll, but Kendrick kicks out. Helms knees Kendrick and sends him in, but Kendrick reverses. Kendrick drops under Helms an then lands a huracanrana.
Coach: Brian Kendrick has a fire lit under him right now.
Kendrick comes off the ropes with a big forearm. He comes from all sides nailing Helms. Kendrick then plants Helms with a DDT. Kendrick has the cover, but only gets two. Kendrick gets Helms set for Sliced Bread #2, but Helms pushes him off. Helms follows in, but Kendrick moves and this time lands his finisher and gets a three count.
Result: Brian Kendrick over Gregory Helms via pinfall.
Coach: Brian Kendrick picks up the huge victory here and earns himself a shot at the Cruiserweight Title.
Piper: Speaking of the Cruiserweight Title, here comes the Champion Paul London.
London jumps into the ring and shakes Brian Kendrick’s hand and then holds up the Cruiserweight Title belt.
Kurt Angle is in Eric Bischoff’s office.
Bischoff: Kurt, don’t get so bent out of shape. Don’t worry about Ken Shamrock. He’s not under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment. He’s not going to do a damn thing to you or anyone else here. Just worry about tonight’s main event and your World Title defense this Sunday at the Royal Rumble.
Angle: Eric don’t confuse my anger for being worried. Ken Shamrock doesn’t worry me. He angers me that he is coming to our shows and getting attention for himself. He’s a has-been at best or a never-was in pro wrestling and now he’s looking to get back in the spotlight by having a presence during my matches on live television. I just hope you have security around to make sure he doesn’t’ show his face again. Because if he does there is no telling what I might do to him.
Angle walks out of Bischoff’s office.
Coach: As Kurt Angle prepares to be involved in our huge ten man tag team elimination main event, still to come tonight Randy Orton goes one-on-one with Sycho Sid and up next it’s Carlito and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake head-to-head! Stay tuned!
-Commercial Break-
WWE REWIND: Carlito and Brutus Beefcake fight to a double count out previously on Monday Night Raw.
BRUTUS “THE BARBER” BEEFCAKE VS. CARLITO
As Beefcake is removing his ring jacket, Carlito hits him with the Backstabber. The referee argues with Carlito and out comes Hulk Hogan. Hogan hit’s the ring and punches Carlito. He then clotheslines him out of the ring. Monty Brown runs out and nails Hogan with the Pounce.
Coach: My God we just witnessed a whirlwind of events in a matter of seconds here. So much for a one-on-one match or any match for that matter. Beefcake just got the Backstabber from Carlito which brings out Beefcake’s long time friend Hulk Hogan who then finds himself on the canvas thanks to a Pounce from the Alpha Male Monty Brown.
Result: No Contest.
Piper: Emotions are running high with everyone right now Coach. Everyone’s on edge waiting for Sunday’s Royal Rumble not only for the high stakes in wanting to headline WrestleMania, but because of the luck of the draw also determining where we will all find ourselves next week. I could be in ECW next week. You could be on Smackdown.
Coach: Well Hot Rod right now standing by is Gene Okerlund.
Gene: My guest at this time is third-generation Superstar Randy Orton. Randy in just a few moments you will go one-on-one with Sycho Sid and then this Sunday you will be participating in the 60 man Royal Rumble match. Your thoughts?
Orton: Mean Gene, I think you’ve seen my resume. I am a former WWE Champion. My grandfather and father both succeeded in this business, but it took me to win the big one. This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, I don’t care who I have to go through. I don’t care what I have to do. I will be the last man standing and I will be going on to WrestleMania to once again become Champion. As far as Sid is concerned. I’ll take him out tonight and he won’t even make it to the Rumble. Then it will be one down and fifty-eight to go. Destiny is calling me and I am going to answer that call this Sunday in Philadelphia.
-Commercial Break-
WRESTLEMANIA FLASHBACK: King Kong Bundy defeats Special Delivery Jones in record time at the very first WrestleMania.
SYCHO SID VS. RANDY ORTON
Sid fires away at Orton. He knocks Orton to the canvas. He nails him again. Orton is sent for the ride. Sid knocks him down with a clothesline. Sid makes the cover, but Orton kicks out at one. Sid runs Orton into the turnbuckle and then whips him across to the far corner. Sid follows in with a clothesline.
Coach: Sid’s using what brought him to the dance and that’s his strength.
Piper: Sid’s never been a finesse wrestler, but he can overpower just about anyone. But don’t take anything away from Randy Orton. He’s as crafty as they come.
Sid slams Orton and then drops a couple of elbows. Sid goes to nail Orton, but he ducks under and kicks Sid. Orton goes to the ropes, but Sid catches him with a side slam for a near fall. Sid delivers a suplex and then sends Orton to the ropes. Orton hangs on as Sid misses a big boot. Orton then connects with a standing dropkick. Orton follows with a knee drop and stomps away at Sid.
Coach: Randy Orton is very calculated on his attack here on the bigger Sid. Both of these men have a chance to headline WrestleMania XX when they compete in the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Orton plants another knee and gets a near fall. Orton hammers away at Sid and then goes to the ropes, but Sid lifts Orton and drills him into the canvas. Sid sends Orton in and connects with a big boot. Sid then gets set for the choke slam, but Orton slips out and lands the RKO. Orton covers Sid and picks up the win.
Piper: The RKO comes from out of nowhere and Randy Orton has done it again Coach. This is a man who will not be denied.
Result: Randy Orton over Sid via pinfall.
“On Sunday January 25, World Wrestling Entertainment presents the Royal Rumble. A championship opportunity in the main event of WrestleMania XX is at stake when sixty superstars collide for their chance at immortality. Plus the luck of the draw will determine which superstars find themselves in the land of the extreme. It’s the WWE Royal Rumble live only on pay per view.”
-Commercial Break-
Coach: Welcome back to Monday Night Raw. Still to come our huge ten man tag team elimination match main event. Right now however we are gong to send you over to Mean Gene Okerlund.
Gene: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome at this time my guest, the Immortal Hulk Hogan.
Hogan: Well you know something Mean Gene. It seems to me that Monty Brown has come here to make a name for himself at the expense of Hulkamania. Well now that Mr. Brown is in town, it’s time for him to see that Hulkamania is still running wild and that the strongest force in the universe will crush the Alpha Male. I know the Rumble is this Sunday brother and if we cross paths among the sea of sixty Superstars I will be glad to throw you’re a$$ over the top. But Monty Brown how about you and I step into the ring next Monday Night one-on-one? It’s time for you to see just what you’ve gotten yourself into. So whatcha gonna do when Hulk Hogan and the 24 inch pythons take Mr. Brown downtown and run wild all over you!
Gene: The challenge has been issued. Will Monty Brown accept? Back to you Jonathan Coachman and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Coach: Wow what a main event we could have right here next week if Monty Brown accepts the challenge from Hulk Hogan.
Piper: There is a question that has to be brought up here though Coach. What happens if Hulk Hogan and Monty Brown are no longer on Monday Night Raw after the Rumble?
Coach: Well that is a good question Hot Rod and I don’t know the answer to that one. Things are really going to be shaken up to say the least at a history-making Royal Rumble this Sunday. The Royal Rumble takes place at the sold out Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will air live exclusively on pay per view. The World Heavyweight Title will be on the line as Kurt Angle defends in a triple threat match against “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Chris Jericho. Will we crown a new Champion or will the Olympian overcome two of the best in the business?
Piper: Then the WWE Championship is on the line as Bret “Hit Man” Hart puts the gold up for grabs against a very hungry Brock Lesnar. Lesnar has proven that he can beat the Hit Man, but when the title is at stake will Lesnar’s power overmatch the heart of a Champion?
Coach: The Intercontinental Title will also be decided when Captain Charisma Christian defends against Muhammad Hassan. The odds are stacked against the Champion as Hassan’s comrade Daivari will be the acting official for that contest. What chance does Christian have at retaining the title come Sunday?
Piper: Then it’s time to set the table. Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley will take on Tommy Dreamer and legendary Terry Funk in a tag team tables match. The only way to win is to put both opponents through a table. Bring the tweezers because there will be plenty of splinters in this one.
Coach: Then it all comes down to the 60 Man every man for himself Royal Rumble match. The winner will go onto the main event of WrestleMania XX for a shot at either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship. Prior to the Rumble there will be a random drawing to determine the order of entrance for the 60 Superstars. Those same Superstars will also be randomly selected to one of three WWE rosters which will go into affect next Monday. They could wind up here on Raw, on Smackdown, or in the new ECW. Superstars confirmed for the Rumble match are: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Batista, the Big Show, U.S. Champion Booker T., Carlito, John Cena, Goldust, Chavo Guerrero, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rick Martel, the Mountie, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sycho Sid, Rob Van Dam, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Finlay, Goldberg, Mark Henry, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Edge, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Hulk Hogan, the Alpha Male Monty Brown, Matt Hardy, Diesel, Tito Santana, Cruiserweight Champion Paul London, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, the man sitting next to me Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chris Masters, Razor Ramon, Rhyno, Jim Brunzell, B. Brian Blair, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Rey Mysterio, Irwin R. Schyster, Sabu, Dean Malenko, the Sandman, Gregory Helms, King Kong Bundy, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Paul Orndorff, and Rene Dupree. The final five participants will be revealed this Sunday.
Piper: This Sunday is going to be a wild night Coach and I can’t wait to be part of the Royal Rumble.
Coach: I also can’t wait for our huge main event. It’s ten man tag team elimination action and it’s next on Monday Night Raw!
-Commercial Break-
WWE REWIND: Footage shows the conclusion of the ten man tag team match from last week’s Raw.
Coach: As we get set for our main event, I can confirm that next week here on Raw regardless of what happens at the Royal Rumble it will be the Alpha Male Monty Brown one-on-one with Hulk Hogan.
Piper: I just hope I’m here to see it Coach.
10 MAN TAG TEAM ELIMINATION MATCH
RIC FLAIR, ARN ANDERSON, TULLY BLANCHARD, BARRY WINDHAM, & CHRIS JERICHO VS.
KURT ANGLE, SHELTON BENJAMIN, CHARLIE HAAS, TREVOR MURDOCH, & LANCE CADE
Murdoch and Flair start for their respective teams. Murdoch goes for the headlock, but Flair sends him off to the ropes. Murdoch knocks Flair down. He goes to the ropes, Flair catches him with a hip lock and then takes him to the canvas with a side headlock. Murdoch pushes Flair up, but he takes him back over. Murdoch pushes Flair up again. Flair chops Murdoch and then gives a “woooo” directed at Kurt Angle. Flair chops Murdoch again and then nails him with a hard right hand and makes the cover, but Murdoch kicks out. Flair tags in Barry Windham.
Coach: This is an all important match here especially as it relates to gaining some momentum going into the Royal Rumble this Sunday. These ten Superstars could in fact all be pulled in three different directions after the Rumble.
Piper: The Rumble is going to change the entire WWE landscape.
Windham kicks Murdoch and pounds on him. He nails Murdoch with forearm shots and then slams him down. Windham drops an elbow and gets a near fall. Windham punches away at Murdoch and then plants him with a bulldog. Windham gets another near fall. Windham sends in Murdoch, but he reverses it. Windham comes back with a sunset flip for a two count. Murdoch nails Windham and then rams him into the corner and tags in Lance Cade.
Coach: Murdoch finally gets the tag to a fresh man in his partner Cade. Remember once a man is eliminated here he must return to the locker-room and the match will continue to one entire team has been defeated.
Cade delivers a back breaker to Windham and then lands an elbow for a near fall. Cade sends Windham in and nails him with a dropkick. Cade drops an elbow off the middle rope, but Windham moves. Windham then goes up top and comes off with a big lariat and covers Cade for three.
Coach: Well our first elimination has occurred here as Barry Windham pins Lance Cade with that huge lariat. It is now five-on-four in favor of the Horsemen and Jericho.
Shelton Benjamin enters the ring. Windham takes him over with a hip lock, but Benjamin lands on his feet and then nails Windham with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Windham tags out to Tully Blanchard.
Coach: Like him or not, Shelton Benjamin is arguably one of the most athletic individuals in the WWE today. Benjamin and Haas of course are former Tag Team Champions and would like nothing better than to get another opportunity to wear the gold currently around the waists of Blanchard and Anderson.
Benjamin charges at Tully, but he gives him a drop toe hold. Blanchard applies the front face lock, but Benjamin slips out and then takes Tully over with an arm drag. Blanchard nails Benjamin with elbow shots and goes for the ropes. Benjamin kicks Blanchard, but he catches his foot, only Benjamin flips back over and then connects with a DDT for a near fall. Benjamin then tags in Charlie Haas. Benjamin sends Blanchard to the ropes and Haas connects with a clothesline. Haas plants a knee and goes for a suplex, but Tully blocks it. Tully hooks Haas and delivers the Sling Shot Suplex and covers him for a three count.
Piper: Wow that was shocker. Charlie Haas barely had a cup of coffee in this match and Tully Blanchard caught him quickly and now it is down to five-on-three. Kurt Angle’s team is in trouble.
Kurt Angle jumps into the ring and quickly chop blocks Blanchard. Angle hooks Tully and delivers a German suplex. He delivers two more. Tully gets to his feet, but Angle chop blocks him again and this time he applies the ankle lock. Tully Blanchard taps out.
Coach: Kurt Angle is a man possessed. The World Champion quickly does away with one half of the World Tag Team Champions and helps his team get back into the game here. It is now four-on-three in favor of Flair and company.
Arn Anderson enters the ring and he starts to pound on Angle. Anderson sends Angle in and catches him with a power slam. Arn runs Angle into the turnbuckle and then delivers a back suplex. Anderson then drills Angle into the corner. He goes for it again, but this time Angle hit’s a knee lift. Angle connects with a belly to belly suplex and gets a near fall. Angle delivers uppercuts to Arn and then sends hi in, but Arn reverses him into the corner. Angle reaches out and tags Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin comes in, but is caught by a Double A spine buster.
Coach: Both men are down on the mat now. Whoever can get up first should head for a fresh man in their respective corners.
Benjamin gets to his feet and goes to the top turnbuckle. Anderson gets up as well, but Benjamin leaps off the top and slams Anderson’s face into the canvas and covers him and gets a three count.
Piper: Wow the sides have now been evened up. We are back to square one.
Chris Jericho comes in and quickly nails Benjamin with a dropkick. He nails him with another. Jericho nails Murdoch on the apron and then goes for Angle, but he avoids contact. Jericho chops Benjamin and sends him in, but he reverses him. Jericho comes back with a flying forearm. Jericho then drills Benjamin wit a face plant to the mat. Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Benjamin moves. Jericho lands on his feet. Benjamin goes for a DDT, but Jericho pushes him through the ropes and both men land on the outside. Jericho rams Benjamin into the ring post and then pushes him back into the ring. Trevor Murdoch tries to grab Jericho’s leg from the outside, but he kicks Murdoch. Benjamin then hip locks Jericho back in. Benjamin leaps up top, but Jericho shoves him off and he goes flying to the outside landing on top of Trevor Murdoch. Jericho then springs off the top rope and dives out onto Benjamin and Murdoch. Jericho rolls back in, but Kurt Angle hits Jericho with a suplex. Ric Flair comes in and chops away at Angle who rolls out of the ring. Benjamin is back in and he stomps on Jericho.
Coach: You knew things would break down here. I don’t know if the referee is going to be able to keep trouble of this match.
Benjamin goes for a suplex, but Jericho blocks. Jericho goes to suplex Benjamin, but he goes all the way over and connects with a neck breaker. Benjamin gets a near fall. Benjamin hit’s a back breaker and then tags Murdoch back in. Murdoch drills Jericho with elbows. Murdoch sends him in. Jericho slides under a big boot and dropkicks Murdoch in the leg. Jericho leaps over into his corner tagging out to Ric Flair. Flair elbows Murdoch on the inner thigh and then hooks on the Figure Four. Murdoch taps out.
Piper: Great team work by the two challengers for the World Title. Now it’s three-on-two.
Angle is back in, but Flair chops him. Angle fires back with forearm shots. The two men go back and forth. Flair chops again. Flair knocks Angle down and goes for the Figure Four, but Angle kicks him off. Angle connects with a clothesline. Angle goes for a back suplex, but Flair punches Angle and gets free. Flair fires away, but Angle ducks and hit’s a German suplex. Angle connects with the Angle Slam on Flair. He makes the cover, but Barry Windham makes the save. Angle then tags Shelton Benjamin back in. Angle holds Flair. Benjamin goes up top. Flair gives Angle a low kick and then knocks him into the ropes causing Benjamin to get crotched on top. Benjamin falls into the ring. Flair tags Barry Windham. Windham hit’s the lariat on Benjamin and scores a pinfall.
Coach: Kurt Angle is all alone now against Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, and Barry Windham. Not a good time to be the World Champion.
Angle is back in and Windham fires away. Windham sends him in for a back drop and nails him with two dropkicks. Windham sends Angle into the corner. Windham sends Angle, but he reverses it and then whips him back into the corner. Windham gets a boot up and then bulldogs Angle for a near fall. Windham rams Angle to the buckle and lifts him up top. Windham climbs and goes for a superplex, but Angle blocks it and knocks Windham down. Angle leaps off the top with a moonsault landing directly on Windham and hooking the leg for three.
Piper: That was perfectly timed and beautiful looking on the part of Kurt Angle.
Coach: Angle doesn’t often hit that move, but when he does it is effective. Now Angle has his two Royal Rumble opponents left to contend with.
Chris Jericho is in and nails Kurt Angle. Jericho sends him in, but Angle reverses. Jericho comes back with a flying forearm and then power bombs Angle into a back breaker. Jericho sends him in and connects with a heel kick and goes for the Lionsault, but Angle moves. Angle delivers a belly to belly overhead suplex. Angle goes for the ankle lock, but Jericho kicks him into a corner. Jericho charges in, but Angle moves and Y2J gets posted. Angle grabs Jericho by the leg, but Jericho holds onto the top rope. Angle drops Jericho down to the mat and goes for the ankle lock again, but Ric Flair comes in and chop blocks Angle. Flair goes for the Figure Four, but Angle kicks Flair through the ropes to the floor. Jericho quickly hit’s the Lionsault before Angle can get up and covers him for the three count.
Coach: Jericho times it perfectly waiting for the opportune moment and he picks up this huge win over the current World Heavyweight Champion which will give him some all important momentum heading into the triple threat match this Sunday at the Royal Rumble.
Result: Chris Jericho over Kurt Angle via pinfall.
Jericho gets his hand raised by the official as Ric Flair glares in from the outside.
Coach: Ladies and gentlemen we hope you will join us this Sunday for the Royal Rumble. Good night from Long Island.