Raw is War

Dallas, Texas
January 14, 2002

Just six days before Royal Rumble, RAW emanated live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas!

The crowd rose to its feet as World Wrestling Federation co-owner Ric Flair strutted to the ring. The Nature Boy talked about the history of wrestling in Dallas, specfically in 1984, when he wrestled Kerry Von Erich in Texas Stadium. Flair said he was about to make history once again, because at the Royal Rumble, he would wrestle Vince McMahon. He said that in recent weeks, he had been humbled by Vince. He then showed the crowd the clip of Vince McMahon mocking him on last Monday's RAW, and also the clip of Vince nailing him with a steel pipe, busting him wide open. Flair then showed the clip of Vince's twisted interview from SmackDown!, where Vince admitted that he liked destroying lives, and promising he would destroy Flair's life at the Rumble.

Flair said that it had been hard to walk around the past seven days knowing what Vince had done to him. Naitch said it got his engine going. Flair said it was time for him to exercise his power -- he said their match at the Rumble would be a street fight -- no rules! He said they would bleed, sweat and pay the price until one man walked out a winner. He guaranteed the fans they would indeed see a winner.

Flair said one other thing was getting under his skin. Vince had said last week that to be the man, you had to beat the man. Flair then took his jacket off, and after doing some strutting around the ring, said he didn't want to wait until the Rumble -- he wanted Vince now! Flair called out the Federation chairman!

Instead of Vince, however, out came Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Champion Chris Jericho. Y2J grabbed the microphone from Flair and asked if he had disappointed the Nature Boy, since Flair was expecting someone else. Jericho said there used to be a time in this company when it revolved around just one man, and it wasn't the owner, it was the champion. Y2J pointed out that he was indeed the champion, and that meant that the entire World Wrestling Federation revolves around him, and that the entire world revolved around him! Most importantly of all, Y2J said that Flair's entire life revolved around him! After all, said Y2J, why else would Flair face McMahon at the Rumble? Jericho said it was because Flair wanted to prove that he still had what it took to be champion. Y2J said that speaking as Undisputed Champion and as the man who would beat Rock this Sunday, Jericho said that Flair doesn't have what it takes anymore!

Y2J said that it was clear that he had what it takes, since he's got the class, the style and the raw charisma! Y2J said you could even call him the anti-Texan! He pointed out he had no cowboy hat, no cowboy boots, no chaw in his craw, and he had never said "Howdy!" in his entire life! Jericho said he had nothing in common with Texas, but Flair did. Jericho said that Flair had something in common with the most powerful Texan in the world, President Bush, saying that both Flair and Bush have a lot of power, both Flair and Bush had a lot of accolades, but on Sunday, Jericho said that like Bush did, Flair would choke!

Flair then decked Y2J in the face and chopped away at him, but Jericho battled back! Flair nailed Jericho with a couple of low blows, and locked him in the figure-four leglock!
Suddenly, Mr. McMahon ran down with a steel pipe and nailed Flair in the head with it! Mr. McMahon proclaimed that Flair was unconscious, just like he would be at the Rumble. Vince then said that on behalf of the ownership of the Federation, he apologized to Jericho for putting his hands on him. He told Y2J to help Flair up, which Jericho did. Vince slapped Flair across the face and mocked him. Vince said he would kick a field goal through the uprights at the Rumble, and he then went to kick Flair down low, but Flair blocked it. Flair went to attack Vince, but Jericho grabbed him, and Vince again nailed Flair with the pipe.

Vince and Jericho celebrated as Flair writhed in pain in the ring.

Christian and Lance Storm talked backstage, and they were approached by Jericho. They congratulated Y2J on what a good job he had just done. They asked Y2J how his leg was, and he said it felt great. Bradshaw then approached them, and said that he wasn't letting Jericho come to his home state and insult his people. He challenged the three men to meet him and two partners tonight on RAW!

Footage was shown from during the break, of Mr. McMahon leaving the arena! The Federation co-owner was clearly in a huge hurry!

The first match on RAW pitted Bubba Ray Dudley -- accompanied by D-Von Dudley and Stacy Keibler -- against his younger brother Spike, who was seconded by Tazz. The bout was a pre-cursor to the Tag Team Championship match between the two teams this Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Stacy got on the apron to distract the ref, and D-Von went for the double-team, but Tazz broke that up. Spike then pinned Bubba with a victory roll!

A limo arrived backstage at the arena, and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley complained about being late to the arena due to getting bad directions from a bell clerk. Her husband, Triple H, got out of the other side of the limo, and seemed to be frustrated with his wife. She told Triple H she wanted him to kick the bell clerk's ass, and Hunter told his wife to calm down, saying he was going to kick some ass tonight, but it wasn't going to be a bell clerk's. So Stephanie instead yelled at the limo driver for not opening her door!

Tag action was up next, as Billy & Chuck took on The Hurricane and Tajiri, who were accompanied to ringside by Torrie Wilson and Mighty Molly. Prior to the bout, Billy said that he and Chuck had a double-date for the night before, but after Hurricane's actions last night on HEAT, they had to cancel! He said that if anyone had the physique to be a superhero, it was them, because even Superman couldn't touch them! Hurricane responded by saying "Holy tall tales, Tajiri! These two with hot chicks -- What's up with that? And the only superhero you have anything in common with is the Human Torch -- flame on!" Billy & Chuck isolated Hurricane, who finally made the tag to Tajiri! Billy soon hit Chuck by accident, and Hurricane nailed Billy with a cross body! Tajiri locked Chuck in the Tarantula, and Billy threw Hurricane out of the ring. Tajiri nailed Billy with a kick, but Chuck met Tajiri with a thrust kick and pinned him for the win!

In the parking area, the Undertaker rolled in on his Harley.

At WWF New York, Scotty 2 Hotty and Albert welcomed fans, and it was announced that both men would be in the Rumble match this Sunday!

Michael Cole interviewed Kurt Angle, and said that some would say that Angle was saved from certain defeat at the hands of Stone Cold last week on SmackDown! Angle took exception to that, as the crowd chanted "What?" at his every statement, aggravating the Olympic hero! He said he had Austin right where he wanted him, until Kane interfered! He said Kane had messed with the wrong guy. Angle yelled at the Texans for chanting "What?" at him, and said Kane shouldn't try to mess with him. He quoted Shakira, saying "Whatever, whenever." He said the people weren't hip like him. Kurt talked about Kane's impressive Rumble performance last year, but said Kane had no gold medals, because being a big red freak wasn't an Olympic sport. Kurt promised to make an example out of Kane, just as he did the last time they wrestled, when Kane tapped and cried like a baby. He said it would be worse tonight, because he would break his ankle, and it would be tough for Kane to throw 29 superstars over the top with a broken ankle.

Stephanie yelled at the Federation agents for not giving her a backstage pass, and Debra walked by to say hi to the agents. Stephanie got nose-to-nose with Debra, and they argued over whose husband would do better in the Rumble. Debra said that Stone Cold would throw Triple H over the rop, and Stephanie said that it would be The Game eliminating the Rattlesnake! The two shoved reach other around, and slapped each other around, before getting into a cat fight on the floor! The two had to be separated by the agents! Debra even slapped Harvey Whippleman in the melee!

Trish Stratus headed to ringside to provide commentary for the No. 1 contenders bout for her Women's Championship, as Jazz battled Jacqueline for the right to face Trish for the title this Sunday at the Rumble! Hometown girl Jackie got a huge ovation from the crowd, but Jazz wasted no time in going right after the Dallas native. Jazz scored with a fisherman's suplex for the win, and after the bout, she went to the announce table and shoved Trish down! The two divas had to be pulled apart!

Just six days before both men enter the Royal Rumble match, Kurt Angle went one-on-one with Kane on RAW. The superstars were soon fighting on the outside, and back in the ring, Angle gained control by keeping the 7-foot Kane off his feet. But the Big Red Machine roared back, hitting Angle in the corner, and choking the gold medalist. Angle took Kane down with a fireman carry takeover, and continued to assault him. But Kane wasn't feeling the effects of Angle's punches. Kane downed Angle with a side suplex, and went up top. But as he went for the clothesline, Angle caught him up top and armdragged him off the top! Angle laid the boots into the Big Red Machine and went for the ankle lock, but Kane battled out. He went for it again, but Kane nailed the enziguiri! Kane downed Angle with a boot to the face, and laid into him with punches.

Kane hit a powerslam and again went up top, this time nailing the flying clothesline! The Big Red Machine the signalled for the tombstone, but Angle tried for a suplex, which Kane powered out of. Kane then went for the chokeslam, but Angle countered and locked on the ankle lock! Kane struggled to get to the ropes, and finally did, but Angle pulled him back to the center of the ring! Kurt held on the hold for nearly a minute before Kane finally got to the ropes once again, and the ref broke the hold. Angle set Kane up and nailed the Angle slam, but Kane kicked out! Kane sat up as Angle threw a temper tantrum!

Kane caught the gold medalist for a chokeslam, but Angle pulled referee Charles Robinson between them, so Kane just chokeslammed both men at the same time! Kane then locked Angle in his own ankle lock, and Angle tapped, even though there was no ref to see it! Kane let go and went to revive the ref, and then knocked Angle down and again locked on the ankle lock! But Kurt reversed out of it into a pin combination, and Kurt held onto the ropes and pinned Kane to win the match!

Triple H was getting ready backstage as Stephanie complained about Debra, and how she had messed up her hair and make-up. The Game finally had had enough, and said he didn't need these distractions! Stephanie said she had been standing up for her husband after Debra had claimed that Austin would beat Hunter. The Game said he had beaten Austin before, and if Austin got in his way at the Rumble, he would do it again.

From a ringside seat, NFL Hall-of-Famer Tony Dorsett enjoyed RAW!

The APA were playing cards backstage, and talking about who they should get for a partner against Y2J, Storm and Christian. Suddenly, Big Show walked in, and they offered him a beer. Booker T suddenly wandered into their office and asked where the training room. Bradshaw poked fun at Booker, and Big Show said they were talking about kicking ass, not licking ass, like Booker did to Rikishi on SmackDown! Booker suggested that Show needed his ass kicked, and they decided to face off later on the show!

As Big Show and Booker walked away, Bradshaw then said that he had an idea for a partner.

Intercontinental Champion Edge teamed with Rob Van Dam against William Regal and Test. Prior to the bout, referee Nick Patrick made sure to check Regal for foreign objects, and as he did so, Test attacked Edge & RVD from through the crowd. And with the action beginning in the ring, Regal reached under the ring and grabbed a pair of brass knucks! During the bout, J.R. announced that RVD and Test would both take part in the Royal Rumble match this Sunday. Test and Regal tried to isolate RVD, but Van Dam regained the advantage with his educated feet, and soon got the tag to Edge! Edge dominated Regal, who this Sunday will challenge him for the IC Title. Regal soon got out the brass knucks and coldcocked RVD across the face with them. Edge speared Regal and gave Test the Edge-ecution. But Regal met Edge with the brass knucks across the jaw, and pinned him to win the bout!

Y2J, Christian and Storm talked backstage, and Christian was worried about what Bradshaw was up to. Y2J said not to worry, but Storm then showed them a monitor, where the APA were recruiting Rikishi to be their partner!

Next up, Booker T went one-on-one with Big Show, and it was announced that Booker T would be taking part in the Royal Rumble match. Prior to the bout, Booker took the turnbuckle pad off one of the corners, exposing the steel. Booker downed Show by taking out his leg, and soon hit the scissors kick, but only for a two-count. Moments later, Show tossed Booker into the corner, where Show's head smashed off the exposed turnbuckle! Booker then pinned Show for the win! After the bout, Booker celebrated with a spinerooni!

Michael Cole talked to Stone Cold Steve Austin (What?) about what had happened earlier in the night with Stephanie, Debra and Triple H. Austin said that he and Triple H had differing opinions. He told Cole a story about a man named Stone Cold, who rolled into Dallas the night before, and he was really thirsty so he went to a beer and started drinking and having some fun. He said he started a fight, and whipped everyone's ass, until the bartender started yelling and asking why he had thrown everyone out of the bar, and Austin had said he was getting ready for the Royal Rumble! He said the bartender has asked about Triple H coming back, and Austin said he drank some beer, looked the bartender in the eye, and said, "What?" Austin said no way would Triple H ever win the Rumble! Austin said Triple H could train all he wanted, but he would never throw Stone Cold Steve Austin over the top rope!

Austin told the bartender he was working on his bartender right now, and showed the bartender his beer belly -- by lowering his center of gravity, he said it would make him tougher to throw him over the top, and that was his strategy! Austin said he was going to get a few What?-a-burgers, some more beer, some fries, and some more stuff to work on his beer belly, and he would roll into the Rumble one pissed-off son of a bitch! Stone Cold said the bottom line was that he was going to win the Royal Rumble and go on to WrestleMania, and that was the bottom line, because Stone Cold said so!

In six-man action, Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho teamed with Christian and Lance Storm against Rikishi and the APA. It was announced that the APA, Rikishi, Christian and Storm would all be in the Rumble match this Sunday! Bradshaw nailed Christian with the Clothesline from Hell, knocking him to the outside. Faarooq downed Y2J with a spinebuster, but Storm distracted the ref. Jericho then hit the Breakdown on Faarooq for the pinfall.

Backstage, Stephanie was looking at her wedding ring as Triple H paced. The Game said he was heading to the ring, and that he was going alone. Stephanie didn't look happy to hear that she would have to remain backstage.

The sold-out crowd at the American Airlines Center rose to its feet as Triple H's music hit, and The Game himself headed to the ring! The Game said that last Monday, he had walked down the ramp after eight long months and got in the ring, even after everyone said he'd never come back. And 22,000 people at Madison Square Garden had stood on their feet to show respect. He said his comeback was nowhere near complete, however. He said he hadn't gone through all he'd gone through just to be another superstar. He said he'd done it all for one reason, and that was to come back to be the best. He said this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, 30 men will compete for the honor to go to WrestleMania for the opportunity for the Federation Championship, which Triple H said was the one thing that showed that you were the best. This Sunday, The Game proclaimed that he would win the Royal Rumble. He said it didn't matter who you were, even if it was Stone Cold Steve Austin. Triple H said he could back up every word he says because he is The Game, and he is that damn good!

Suddenly, Stone Cold's music hit, and down to the ring came the Texas Rattlesnake! Austin ascended two turnbuckles to salute the crowd, but as he went for the third, The Game got in his way! The two stared each other down, and then slugged it out! Triple H went for the Pedigree, but Austin backdropped him. Out of nowhere, Taker came and nailed Triple H with a chair! Austin hit Triple H with a Stunner, and then Taker nailed Austin with a chair! The American Badass stood tall as RAW went off the air!