Raw is War

Detroit, Michigan
April 12, 1999

Shane McMahon shocked the world at the beginning of RAW from the sold-out Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shane asked his sister Stephanie to come out to the ring, saying "Stephanie I need you." It turned out that Shane really wanted to talk to his father. Shane said a new era has come in the Corporation and there was no longer any need for the stooges--and he fired Mr. Patterson and Mr. Brisco. Mr. McMahon said that Shane was merely on a power trip and if Shane wanted power, he needed to "earn it with respect." Shane responded "respect this" and he slapped his own father! As Mr. McMahon walked away with Stephanie, Shane told him, "you don't have my respect" and he then he said Vince is no longer his father! Shane said Mr. McMahon would now be known only as Vince. Ken Shamrock, who was angry that none of the Corporation came to his of Ryan's aid last week, left the ring and went with Vince. Stephanie, the stooges and Vince then left the building immediately in a limo, as Vince said he just wanted to get the night over with.

Sable came out next, accompanied by Nicole Bass, for what was supposed to be the first ever Fatal Four Way for the Federation Women's Championship. But after Sable's opponents--Tori, Ivory and Jacqueline-came out, Bass beat them all down! The match didn't even get underway!

As Sable and Bass made their way back to the locker room, the lights went out and the Undertaker appeared on the Titan Tron and said that since Vince and Stephanie had left the building, another innocent victim would be sacrificed later on RAW!

Stone Cold Steve Austin came out next and said he couldn't wait two weeks until Backlash and he wanted his custom made championship back on RAW! He ordered The Rock to come out and give it to him or he promised to kick his roody poo ass all over the arena! The Rock appeared on the Titan Tron standing on a bridge with Austin's gold-just like Austin had done with The Rock's Intercontinental Championship a year and a half ago. The Rock said he wasn't going to throw the belt into the water like Austin had, but he wanted Austin to come and find him! Austin said he intended to do just that!

The Big Show Paul Wight came out next, followed by all three members of the Brood. However, it was unclear just which member of the Brood would be facing Wight. The Undertaker's voice suddenly blared over the arena speakers. The Lord of Darkness ordered Gangrel and Edge to leave the ring immediately, saying it would be Christian that would face The Big Show. Apparently the Phenom wanted Christian to prove his worth to the Ministry. Of course, the former Light Heavyweight Champion was no match for the 500-pounder, who finished him off in about a minute with a chokeslam.

In singles competition, Badd Ass Billy Gunn took on Val Venis. After Mr. Ass had been tossed out of the ring, Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart attacked him! Owen and Jeff will face the New Age Outlaws at Backlash in a number one contender match--the winner earns a shot at the Tag Team Championship. After the Road Dogg came out and he, Billy and Val and fought off Owen and Jeff, Debra was left alone in the ring-and she was checking out the adult film star! The Big Valbowski went back in the ring and strutted over to Debra, but Jarrett and Owen came back out and dragged Debra away. Both Debra and Val seemed disappointed.

Shane had sent his two Mean Street Posse buddies, Pete Gas and Rodney, to the boiler room to take care of Mankind. But Mankind assaulted both men and tossed them through the door and out of the boiler room. After they were tossed out, the room went silent, and the sound of a woman weeping could be heard.

Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart were in action next as they took on the Acolytes. The entire Ministry of Darkness came out and assaulted Jeff and Owen. As the Ministry held Hart and Jarrett in the corner, the Undertaker grabbed Debra and said since he couldn't have Stephanie, Debra would have to do. But Ken Shamrock came out with a baseball bat and ran off the Ministry. The Undertaker revealed the Ryan was in the boiler room!

The Intercontinental Champion was on the line as Goldust was supposed to defend against the Big Boss Man. But before the match got underway, the Godfather came out with five of his finest hos. The Federation's resident pimp had a little offer for the Boss Man. Since nothing was settled in the Goldust-Godfather match last week on RAW, the Godfather wanted a rematch. If the Boss Man would step aside, the Godfather offered to let him pick one of the hos. Boss Man said he wanted all five hos-and the Godfather wanted the match so bad that he agreed! So Goldust took on the Godfather. Goldust unlaced the top turnbuckle in the one corner, but the plan backfired when the Godfather reversed and sent the Bizarre One flying into the corner! After a Pimp Drop, the Godfather covered and got the three count to become the new Intercontinental Champion!

In the boiler room, Ken Shamrock found Ryan sitting with Mankind, who had apparently found her earlier and been comforting her. But the whole thing was a trap, as the Ministry of Darkness had also gone to the Boiler Room and they attacked both Mankind and Shamrock. After knocking him unconscious, the Ministry dragged away Ken, saying they were going to make him one with the Darkness.

The Hardcore Championship was up for grabs as D'Lo Brown challenged Hardcore Holly. It was announced that Al Snow, who joined Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler for guest commentary, would face the winner of the match for the Hardcore Title at Backlash. Al said he was at ringside to protect his investment-he wanted to keep the title around Holly's waist. He even handed Holly a glass, which the champion promptly broke over D'Lo's head! When D'Lo had Holly set up on a table and was set to give him the 'Lo Down through the table, Snow moved Holly and D'Lo went through the table himself. Holly covered him for the victory-with a large assist from Al Snow.

After the commercial, the Ministry was out at ringside with Ken Shamrock tied to the Undertaker symbol. The Lord of Darkness, still apparently upset with Christian, picked him up with both hands by the neck and then dropped him. He turned to Gangrel and Edge and ordered them to tie Christian to the symbol, but they refused. When Midian and Viscera began tying him to the symbol, Gangrel and Edge jumped them from behind! While the Brood battled with the Ministry, Ken Shamrock untied himself and Mankind emerged from the back! The Brood, Shamrock and Mankind battled Viscera, Midian and the Acolytes as the Undertaker stood on the side and watched. Then the Undertaker began sinking through the entranceway, and he disappeared below.

X-Pac and Kane defended the Tag Team Championship for the second time in as many nights as they took on Test and Triple H, accompanied by Chyna. Kane was tagged in and he knocked both his opponents out of the ring. HHH threw Test back in the ring and walked away with Chyna! Test was immediately Tombstoned and pinned!

Shamrock came back out to the ring and called out the Undertaker. The lights went out and when they came back on the Undertaker was standing behind Shamrock. The "World's Most Dangerous Man" pummeled the Lord of Darkness until the Ministry gang attacked him. Triple H and Boss Man came out and pulled Shamrock from the ring, but then as Shane looked on from the ramp, HHH and Boss Man assaulted Shamrock as well!

Out on the bridge somewhere in Detroit, Stone Cold Steve Austin arrived and immediately went toe to toe with The Rock. The Corporate Showpiece picked up the Rattlesnake and threw him over the bridge down into the water! Then he took Austin's smoking skull championship and threw it into the water as RAW went off the air!