Raw is War

University of Tennessee at Knoxville
April 16, 2001

Tensions were running high as RAW rolled into the Thompson/Boiling Assemble Center in Knoxville, Tennessee!

As RAW opened, World Wrestling Federation Chairman Vince McMahon made his way out to the ring. Mr. McMahon said that it was just one week ago, in that very ring, that his wife Linda told him she wanted a divorce. Vince said that marriage was a sacred vow and that that vow should last forever - literally till "death do us part!" Mr. McMahon said that he believed that divorce should be illegal - it caused nothing but hardships and heartache, plus you were required to divide you assets! Vince then told Linda, who he said was watching at home, that he would not grant her a divorce! He promised to fight it in order to make his marriage work!

Just then, Stone Cold Steve Austin's wife Debra came out to the ring, with a large smile on her face! She told Vince she didn't believe a word he just said! Debra said she knew one thing - that Vince had a negative influence on her husband! Vince retaliated by saying it was all Stone Cold's idea, not Vince's, and she couldn't blame him for Austin's actions. Mr. McMahon said he was proud of Austin, because now we know the real Stone Cold. Vince added that behind every great man was a great woman, and Debra must be the exception to the rule!

Debra said she did blame Steve, but she also blamed Vince, and then she hauled off and slapped him right across the face!

Moments later, Mr. McMahon climbed into a limo, muttering under his breath. Elsewhere, Stone Cold Steve Austin dragged Debra into his locker room! Austin asked Debra what she was thinking, slapping her boss like that! Her told her to "sit her little ass down" and not move until her told her to!

Edge and Christian put their Tag Team Championship on the line against the Holly cousins, Hardcore and Crash, who were accompanied to the ring by Molly Holly. Before the match even started, Rhyno Gored Hardcore! The bell rang, and the referee banished Rhyno to the locker room. E&C ended up retaining their titles after Edge pinned Crash!

In the back Kevin Kelly asked Jeff Hardy about his rematch against Triple H later. Jeff said that what Triple H and Austin did to Lita last week was wrong, but Jeff realized that giving the Game his rematch was the right thing to do. But first, the Hardys said they had a little unfinished business to attend to.

Back in the parking area, a limo with a license plate reading "WCW1" pulled in carrying Shane McMahon!

In singles action, Justin Credible, who was accompanied to the ring by X-Pac and Albert, took on Bubba Ray Dudley, who was joined by D-Von. After some liberal interference by X-Pac and Albert, Justin nearly pinned Bubba. As Albert distracted the referee, it allowed Bubba and D-Von to hit the Waaasaap! on Justin, and Bubba made the cover for the win!

As Shane walked through the back hallways, GrandMaster Sexay spoke to him, and Shane told Sexay he'd talk to him later. Then the Big Show came up and told Sexay to get lost! Then, Show asked Shane if he was going to check out his match later. Shane said that he was actually at RAW to confront his father. Show again told Shane he should watch his match against Kaientai later. Shane walked away and told Show that he would catch it from the hotel. As Shane continued to walk, Show hollered after him that he had a few ideas he wanted to run by him later!

Elsewhere, Coach asked Steven Richards about a possible split-up within the Right to Censor. Steven said that what happened last week was simply frustrations boiling over after months of failed recruitment. Steven said that by defeating Kane in a Hardcore Match later, he would bring back unity to his group - even if he had to sacrifice himself for his beliefs!

Kurt Angle told Edge and Christian that he thought Commissioner Regal was losing it, making matches featuring Angle vs. Chris Jericho and Regal against Chris Benoit. Angle said he was the one that should be fighting Benoit. After Kurt said that Regal's accent was fake, the commissioner walked up and asked Kurt to come to his office with him.

Michael Cole then asked Stone Cold Steve Austin about his last few days, since Triple H lost the Intercontinental Title and Debra slapped Mr. McMahon. Austin said that it took two men to beat Triple H, and as he went on, Matt Hardy ran in and attacked the Rattlesnake! Matt continued to beat on Austin until officials pulled them apart.

Triple H and Stephanie watched the replay from their dressing room when Stone Cold stormed in. Austin demanded that Triple H join him in beating up the Hardys. Triple H said that he wouldn't do that because he didn't want to blow his shot at Jeff later! Austin said he'd help the Game later, because he couldn't just sit on being beaten by Matt! Triple H said that he didn't want Austin to cost him the title later, so he told him to go to the hotel and calm down! Austin reluctantly agreed.

Kane put the Hardcore Championship on the line against Steven Richards of the Right to Censor. As the match began, Steven pounded on Kane with a garbage can, but they had no effect! The Big Red Machine just stood there! At that point Steven realized he was in trouble and ran towards the back area, and Kane followed. When they got back there, the rest of the Right to Censor attacked Kane, but the Undertaker came and ran the group off. That allowed Kane to pin Steven and retain his title. After the match, Taker told Steven to forget about the good fight and find a good woman.

As Debra paced in Austin's locker room, he stormed in and told her to grab her little suitcase, because they were getting out of there.

In a match made by Commissioner Regal, Kurt Angle took on Chris Jericho. Immediately, the two men both went on the offensive, trying to catch each other off guard. Jericho eventually got the upper hand and started pounding on Angle outside the ring. As Angle crawled away, he grabbed the ring bell and pounded Jericho with it! Angle then dragged Jericho back into the ring and continued to pound on him. When Kurt went for the ankle-lock, Jericho scratched and clawed his way to the ropes to break the hold. Jericho knocked Angle down and went for the Lionsault, but Kurt rolled out of the ring and started walking up the ramp! When Jericho chased after him, Commissioner Regal ran out and attacked Y2J from behind!

Jericho dragged Regal back to the ring, but Angle followed, and Regal and Kurt began pounding on Jericho! As the double-team went on, Chris Benoit came out and took out both Angle and Regal! He even suplexed Angle right on top of Regal!

Afterwards, William Regal and Kurt Angle remained in the ring! Regal demanded that Benoit return for a match immediately! At that point, Benoit returned and brought Jericho with him! Jericho went after Angle as Benoit entered the ring against Regal. The two men brutally went after each other and both showcased their technical abilities. Regal locked Benoit into the Regal Stretch, but Jericho broke it up! Benoit then locked on the Crossface, which forced Regal to tap out! After the match, Benoit and Jericho raised each other's hands in victory!

Test asked Raven why Billy Gunn was teaming up with them, Raven said it was his fate, destiny and his pain to team with them against the Radicalz. Test and Billy Gunn had no clue what Raven meant, but they assumed it was okay!

In the Hardys locker room, Matt pumped Jeff up for his match against Triple H when Lita walked in. Matt told her it wasn't safe for her there, but she said they couldn't keep her away from the arena on this night!

The Radicalz faced off against Billy Gunn, Test and Raven. Raven pinned European Champion Eddie Guerrero to pick up the win for his team.

Kevin Kelly asked Big Show about his handicap match against Kaientai. Show said that he was going to give it to Taka and Funaki - quick, fast and furious - not because he wanted to, but because Shane McMahon was watching, and he had something to prove.

That match was next, and as Kaientai stood on the stage, Taka said that Big Show had fallen into their trap. Big Show may be Godzilla, but he was no match for cash. Funaki added, "Indeed." Then, the APA came out to the ring and started pounding on Show! Faarooq and Bradshow both took out the Show and left! Then, Kaientai entered the ring and started jumping on Big Show! Show eventually got up, gave both Taka and Funaki chokeslams and then pinned them both!

Live from WWF New York, J.R. asked Trish Stratus what she has been up to. Trish said that she may be a naughty girl - she was attracted to Mr. McMahon - more attracted to his billions than his grapefruits. She said she'd do anything for the right cause - and the right cause was taking Linda McMahon off her medication. Trish also added that she would support Linda in the divorce proceedings! Trish finished by saying she may be nice, but she loves being naughty!

As the Hardy Boyz and Lita walked through the back, William Rgeal came up to Matt and told him that due to his actions against Stone Cold earlier, he was barred from ringside! Matt protested, but it was useless. As Regal walked away, Matt told Jeff that he didn't need him out there, and that Jeff could do it on his own!

The night's main event pitted Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy against Triple H. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley accompanied her husband to the ring, and Lita joined Jeff as Matt watched on from the back. The match began with the Game pounding on Jeff, throwing shoulders into his midsection, causing Jeff to double over in pain. Jeff struggled to recover and Triple H continued to pound on him. Just when it seemed Jeff was fighting back, Triple H flattened him again with a thunderous clothesline! The Game went for a Pedigree, but Jeff countered with a jaw-breaker. Triple H came back with a face-buster and went for the pin, but Lita pulled him off! The match spilled outside the ring, where Jeff smacked the Game with the Intercontinental Title! The referee didn't see it, so the match continued, and Jeff started tossing Triple H face-first into the ring steps! Jeff tossed Triple H into the ring and nailed him with a sky-high drop kick, but Triple H kicked out at two! Triple H began to climb the ropes, but Jeff followed him up and hit the Game with a Hurricanrana off the top rope! Hardy then tried for a Swanton Bomb, but the Game rolled away!

As Matt Hardy watched on in the back, Stone Cold attacked him! Lita saw what happened on the TitanTron, and she began to go back to help Matt, but Stone Cold met her at the entrance! He began slowly stalking her out to ring side, and meanwhile, Triple H pinned Jeff Hardy after a Pedigree to regain the Intercontinental Title! Afterwards, Matt ran out, but Austin and Triple H continued to put a beating on both Hardys! Stephanie then tossed Lita into the ring, and just as Austin and Triple H were about to go after her, Undertaker and Kane came out to the ring!

Austin and Triple H ran to the back as Taker and Kane entered the ring!