Raw is War

Cleveland, Ohio
May 15, 2000

The capacity crowd in Ohio was on its feet as RAW IS WAR kicked off and Shawn Michaels' music played throughout the arena. Fans appeared to be shocked to see the return of the Heartbreak Kid. However, what HBK told the fans was even more shocking. Michaels told the fans that he would be resigning from his job as commissioner. He then showed a clip from SmackDown last August when he aided in a Triple H victory over The Rock. Before HBK could go any further, Mr. McMahon made his way to ringside to say that he was surprised to see him, especially since he was never invited back. Michaels told McMahon that he was in fact invited. Linda McMahon, who also made him the official spokesperson of the WWF, in addition to the official in the Iron Man match between Triple H and The Rock at Judgment Day, had invited him. A shocked McMahon then questioned HBK's resiliency. An upset Michaels then shoved McMahon to the mat.

After the commercial break, the Dudley Boyz took on Steve Blackman and Al Snow, who appeared to be more serious than ever before. During the match, X-Pac, Road Dogg and Tori watched from underneath the Titan Tron. Despite their more serious approach, Blackman and Snow fell victim to the Dudleys. After the match, DX attacked the Dudleys. Their assault was brutal, which was highlighted by Tori diving from the top turnbuckle onto Buh Buh Ray who was outside on a table.

An emotional Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley then came out and berated Rikishi for almost executing a Stinky Face on her. She also alerted Rikishi that he would have to face Kurt Angle tonight on RAW. The match started immediately, and despite Rikishi's enormous size, the action was fast and furious. The match came to an end when Edge and Christian interfered on behalf of Kurt Angle. Soon thereafter, Too Cool ran to the ring to help Rikishi. Afterwards, the threesome danced their way into Cleveland's hearts.

The Hardcore Championship was on the line next as Crash Holly defended his title against the Godfather. During the bout, an interfering D'Lo Brown sidelined Godfather's attention. It was then that one of the Godfather's ladies made her way into the ring and pinned Crash. With the pin, she became the first-ever woman to hold the Hardcore Championship. Her title reign was short, however, Crash quickly rolled her up and regained his title.

Next up, Vince McMahon, Triple H and Stephanie made their way to the ring. Vince announced that The Rock would later face Chris Benoit in a submission match. Triple H then took the mic from McMahon and questioned whether or not The Rock had the ability to beat him in an Iron Man Match. He then guaranteed that HBK would have no future in this business should he not call the match down the middle.

The Rock's music then hit the arena to a deafening ovation. The Rock told Triple H that he was going to officially kick his ass at Judgment Day. However, he did mention that he smells a rat in allowing HBK to officiate the Iron Man match, especially since the last time these three superstars were in the ring together, Michaels cost The Rock the WWF Championship.

In a hardcore match, Chris Jericho took on Hardcore Holly. Holly, who is tougher than a two-dollar steak, had his hands full with the energetic Jericho. Just when it appeared that Y2J was going to earn the victory, Chris Benoit Pearl Harbored Jericho. Holly then nailed Jericho with a steel chair. The chair shot proved to be enough, as Holly covered Y2J for the victory.

After the commercial break, Shane McMahon addressed the fans. He told them that as a result of their chanting, he decided to look up a certain word in the dictionary. Upon his research, Shane learned that the word pussy actually means cat. Shane then thanked the crowd for their compliment, because he is in fact as quick as a cat and as fierce as a lion. Shane went on to challenge Big Show to a match at Judgment Day. However, before they would lock horns this Sunday, Show would have to face both members of T and A on RAW. T and A were disqualified when Shane snuck behind Big Show and hit him with a steel chair.

Eddie Guerrero and Chyna took on Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko in a fast paced tag team encounter. In the end, it was Saturn and Malenko who got the victory after some miscommunication between Eddie and Chyna.

Edge and Christian, who claim to be the fightingest champions of all-time, defended their titles against the Acolytes and the Hardys. In the end, it was Edge pinning Matt Hardy after a reverse DDT.

In the final match of the evening, The Rock battled Chris Benoit in a submission match. Neither The Rock's WWF Championship nor Benoit's Intercontinental Championship was on the line. However, what was on the line was a great deal of pride. Triple H and his wife, Stephanie, watched at ringside as the two superstars competed. Also watching at ringside was Mr. McMahon. It appeared as though The Rock was severely outnumbered. And it proved to be fact when Mr. McMahon ordered for the bell immediately after Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface, much like he did at Survivor Series '97 and '98. Nonetheless, Benoit was awarded the match. After the match, a melee broke which also included Y2J, the Dudleys and DX. When it was all said and done, Triple H was put through a table at the hands of The Rock.