Raw is War
Tacoma, Washington
July 2, 2001
History was made on the July 2 episode of RAW IS WAR, as WCW stars competed on World Wrestling Federation programming for the first time in the history of sports entertainment!
As the show kicked off from Tacoma, Wash., Mr. McMahon strutted to the ring, as the sold-out crowd tried to boo the Federation chairman out of the arena! The chairman said that July 22 would be the greatest single day in sports-entertainment history -- the day that finally the Federation would take on WCW!
Mr. McMahon said it wouldn't be an Invasion, but instead an annihilation! He said you couldn't even compare the Federation to WCW -- it was like comparing Washington D.C. to the state of Washington! McMahon then compared Federation Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to WCW Champion Booker T -- saying Booker was a sneak without integrity, and Austin was a champion among champions!
The chairman was then about to make a guarantee for Invasion, but he was interrupted by Kurt Angle! Your Olympic Hero apologized for interrupting the owner, but he said Vince's words were so moving, he just couldn't help himself! Angle said Vince was right about everything -- including his lack of integrity. Angle said the WCW Champion was also lacking intensity and intelligence.
Angle then pointed out how Booker T has made Stone Cold look like a jackass as of late -- and out to the ring came the Federation Champion! Angle calmed down Austin, and made a personal vow to make sure that Booker T never attacked Austin or McMahon ever again. Stone Cold asked Angle if he was supposed to be a bodyguard -- and asked how Angle would do a damn thing with Austin's foot wedged up his ass!
Austin said the problem wasn't Booker T -- it was Kurt Angle! Stone Cold said he and McMahon were a team, and they didn't need or want Angle. The Rattlesnake told Angle he thought he was a complete jackass, as did McMahon and the crowd! Austin then told Vince to tell Angle he was a jackass! But Angle defended himself, saying he was a hero, not a jackass! The two men went back and forth, screaming at each other!
McMahon then stopped the men, and challenged them to beat the hell out of each other! As they were about to, Angle gave Vince a hug! Austin then gave Vince a hug! A shoving match ensued, until Shane McMahon's theme music began playing!
The Boy Wonder came out to the stage to a huge ovation! Shane asked why a gold medalist and the Federation Champion were competing for hugs! He asked if this was RAW or Sesame Street!
Shane said tonight was all about Invasion. He told his father that WCW would be the underdogs at Invasion, and that's how they liked it.
Shane then issued a challenge -- for Vince to take his best guys, and put them on one side of the ring, and he would do the same, in the first-ever Inaugural Brawl!
Shane said he had the power to make the main event on RAW -- and that history would be made on RAW, when WCW Champion Booker T defended the title against Buff Bagwell! The Boy Wonder then reminded his father that Linda McMahon and her attorneys were watching, and they would be very upset if Stone Cold or anyone else were to get involved!
The APA talked backstage, questioning who Shane McMahon was thanking for a tip-off last Thursday on SmackDown! Bradshaw suggested that there was a mole in the Federation locker room, and the two went off to go mole-hunting.
Just four days after winning the Intercontinental Championship from Kane, Albert defended his newly won title against Kane's brother -- the Undertaker. The two super-heavyweights shook the ring in the battle for Intercontinental gold. Taker nailed Albert with a chokeslam, and the Badass was about to go for the Last Ride when DDP attacked the Taker with a chair, ending the bout in a disqualification! Page then hit a Diamond Cutter on the Undertaker! As DDP left, Sara ran up behind him and shoved him! As Sara and DDP mouthed off in the aisleway, Kane snuck up behind Page and beat the hell out of him! Moments later, Sara kicked Page where the sun doesn't shine!
Sara and Kane then threw Page into the ring -- right to the Undertaker!
Albert ran into the ring to save Page, and the Brothers of Destruction double-teamed the Intercontinental Champion, as DDP ran away like a scalded dog.
The sultry Torrie Wilson entered the arena in Tacoma, and met Howard Finkel. He asked her if she was a part of the Federation family, and she said that's why she was there -- she needed to talk to Vince McMahon! Fink directed her to the owner's office.
In a battle of cousins, Crash Holly -- accompanied by Jacqueline -- took on Molly Holly, who was seconded by Spike Dudley. Spike soon got up on the apron and distracted the ref, allowing Jackie to get in the ring and set up Molly on the top turnbuckle. But it was a set-up -- Jackie hung Crash up on the top rope, and Molly hit the Molly-go-Round for the pinfall over her cousin Crash! After the bout, Jackie kicked Crash's ass!
Vince, Austin, Angle and Debra talked in their locker room, and suddenly Torrie Wilson entered. She asked Mr. McMahon if they could finish up their conversation, and Vince said now was a good time. Mr. McMahon and Torrie then went off to talk contract. Debra said she thought Mr. McMahon said he had changed, and Austin said he had -- he just didn't want to talk in front of Kurt! Kurt said it wasn't him -- Vince just didn't want to talk in front of Debra! Austin said that Angle had a point!
Edge & Christian talked backstage about the King of the Ring tournament, and Christian said he wanted to win the Light Heavyweight Championship on RAW so they each had a singles accolade.
William Regal and Tajiri talked in the commissioner's office, and said Tajiri had better be ready for the Worm later in the night. The Dudley Boyz then entered the office and asked Regal why they were against Chris Jericho. Regal said there was a rumor before King of the Ring that Jericho might jump to WCW had he won the Federation Championship, and he wanted to punish Y2J. Regal asked the Dudleys to put Jericho through a table, and the Dudleys said OK.
The APA asked Hardcore Holly if he was the mole, and Holly said no way. Faarooq said they weren't blaming him -- but they needed to find out who was letting the WCW guys into their arena. Holly said they should think about who wasn't there, instead of who was there.
Mr. McMahon and Torrie talked in a shower -- hey, it was the only way to get away from Austin, Angle and Debra -- and Torrie asked if they could get together over the weekend, because she really wanted to be a superstar. She said she would be willing to do anything to get to the top. Vince asked her how badly she wanted to be a Federation Superstar -- and as she started rubbing her fingers through his hair, over came Stone Cold Steve Austin! The Rattlesnake said he wanted to talk about Invasion, and when he left to get some coffee, Mr.
McMahon suggested to Torrie that they go someplace more private.
Scotty 2 Hotty made his return to RAW, as the youngster took on Tajiri, who was accompanied to the ring by Commissioner Regal! Tajiri soon locked the Tarantula onto Scotty, but Scotty roared back, and soon had Tajiri in place for the Worm! But as Scotty went for the move, Regal distracted the ref, and Tajiri spit the green mist right into Scotty's face! Tajiri then picked up the pinfall, much to the delight of the commish!
Mr. McMahon and Torrie then talked in a mop closet! The owner told Torrie that it wasn't a mop closet, but instead a shangri-la! As Mr. McMahon kissed Torrie's neck, Kurt Angle barged in, and showed Torrie his gold medals! As Torrie and an irate Vince left, Kurt was heard to say, "I think she likes me!"
As Booker T bought a soda backstage, he ran into Test. He asked Test if Test would ever come to WCW -- and Test said it just depended on the competition, and more importantly, the money.
In a Handicap Match, the Dudley Boyz took on Chris Jericho. The Tag Team Champions double-teamed Y2J from the get-go, looking to fulfill the commissioner's request that they put Jericho through a table. The resilient Y2J battled back, and eventually locked D-Von in the Walls of Jericho. But before D-Von could tap out, Bubba Ray pulled the ref out of the ring. Bubba then grabbed a table, and down to the ring ran Spike! Spike gave Bubba Ray a Dudley Dogg right onto D-Von!
Moments later, Jericho hit a Lionsault onto D-Von and pinned him to pick up a huge win!
Mr. McMahon and Torrie were talking in a bathroom, when they started kissing. She then asked Vince what cologne he was wearing, and said it was a little strong. Suddenly, Perry Saturn came out of a bathroom stall, and said "Doodie." As Mr. McMahon and Torrie grimaced and walked away, Saturn said, "You're welcome."
A highlight package then aired of Chris Benoit's neck surgery, which will keep him out of action for anywhere from six months to a year.
In a battle for the Light Heavyweight Championship, X-Pac defended against Christian. For the first time since winning King of the Ring, Edge carried his own trophy to the ring prior to the match. A miscommunication between Edge & Christian allowed X-Pac to nail Christian with the Light Heavyweight Title and retain the championship via pinfall.
The APA searched out the man they assumed was the stooge -- Test! They asked referee Jack Doan where Test was, and Doan said he was getting ready for his match with Rhyno! Doan also said the last time he saw Test, Test was talking to Booker T. Faarooq and Bradshaw said it was time to have an emergency meeting.
In a match to determine the No. 1 contender for Mike Awesome's Hardcore Championship, Rhyno took on Test. The winner would face WCW star Awesome for the title at Invasion.
As the match began, the APA and all their troops walked down the entranceway towards the ringside area, surrounding the ring. Test looked to have the match won after a big boot, but the troops distracted the ref, as Bradshaw hit the Clothesline from Hell on Test! Rhyno then hit a Gore and pinned Test to move on to Invasion! The Federation troop beat the hell out of Test after the match!
In an intergender tag match, Matt Hardy and Lita took on the Big Show and Trish Stratus. Lita and Trish didn't waste much time in renewing their rivalry from last summer. As the fight spilled outside the ring, Show took out both Hardys. Inside the ring, Trish nearly pinned Lita after a bulldog. Moments later, Show was about to chokeslam Lita, but Matt and Lita hit a double DDT on the Show. Lita then hit a Twist of Fate on Trish, and then nailed the moonsault to win the bout! After the bout, an irate Big Show bad-mouthed Trish, until Jeff Hardy hit a missile dropkick from the top rope!
Mr. McMahon and Torrie were walking backstage, and McMahon said that as much as he'd like to consummate their deal at the arena, maybe they should meet up later in the night to do so. Torrie said she had an idea, and there was a place neither one of them had thought of -- and the chairman had a big smile on his face as Torrie led him off!
Backstage, Shane ran into Buff Bagwell and wished him luck. Buff said he didn't need luck -- just skill, because he is Buff and he is the stuff!As the Federation troops celebrated backstage with a beer, the APA told the men to keep their eyes open. Suddenly, Sgt. Slaughter walked in, and said he had a tip about who the mole was. He said it wasn't Test -- Sarge said that Test had been at his post the whole time. The APA and troops were left more confused than when they started.
After RAW IS WAR became RAW IS WCW, the arena was filled with fireworks and WCW logos!
WCW chairman Shane McMahon walked to the ring and introduced everyone to WCW! Shane then introduced the special guest ring annoucner for the main event -- Stacy Keibler -- and WCW announcers Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson! Stacy introduced the ref for the match -- Nick Patrick.
Before she could continue, however, Federation Commissioner Regal came out to the stage. Regal said he understood there had to be a WCW match on RAW, but it didn't say anything about Shane having to be a part of it. Regal then was going to have security escort Shane out of the building. Shane said that was fine -- because the WCW promotion would never be run around him, anyway -- it would always be about the stars.
The main event on the July 2 episode of RAW pitted WCW Champion Booker T against Buff Bagwell in the first WCW bout in over three months!
The two WCW stars got in on from the opening bell, much to the delight of the sold-out crowd in Tacoma, Wash.! Booker soon nailed Bagwell with a spinning heel kick, and a number of other power maneuvers. But Buff battled back, nailing Booker with a suplex and a reverse chinlock.
The crowd was ripping into Buff, who told the masses to shut up! Bagwell continued to work on the champ, but Booker battled back, nailing Buff with a flying forearm and an axe kick to the back of his head!
Suddenly, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle attacked Booker T, and Buff joined in on the attack! The trio abused Booker, as the announcers speculated that Bagwell had jumped ship!
As RAW was about to go off the air, Mr. McMahon told Torrie backstage that he thought that one day she would be a huge superstar. As they chatted in the laundry room, Torrie began taking Mr. McMahon's clothes off! She took off the chairman's pants and then told him to close his eyes, because she had a big surprise for him! The owner did just that -- and turned around to find his estranged wife, Linda! The owner mumbled and then fell over in a heap, as his wife just stared at him.
The triple-teaming continued on Booker T, and Austin, Angle and Bagwell threw Booker out of the arena. Bagwell then tried to act as if the three were friends -- and Austin and Angle started pounding on Bagwell, tossing him out of the arena as RAW went off the air!