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This report was published originally five years ago on PWTorch.com...

WWE Raw Brand house show review
September 21, 2002
Fresno, Calif at Selland Arena
Report by Ross Iaconis, PWTorch.com correspondent

The last time the WWE was here was back on my birthday, if you remember I wrote a report for that show too back in June. This show was quite good, but attendance was VERY disappointing. The lower levels were pretty full but upper levels were just about completely empty. We are talking only a two or three thousand here. Maybe people couldn't afford this and Unforgiven, but I digress.

The Fink came out to "Welcome to the Jungle", and the show began.

(1) Steven Richards defeated Spike Dudley. Richards came out to some good heat, and Spike got a nice little pop. Spike sold a shoulder injury the entire match. Don't know if it was legit or not. Richards flipped Spike out of the Dudley Dog and connected with a superkick for the win.

(2) Tommy Dreamer defeated Raven. OK match. Both men tried to go for their DDT finisher but to no avail. Dreamer gets the win the Death Valley Driver.

(3) Trish Stratus & Jacqueline defeated Molly Holly & Victoria. Stacy Keibler (looking hotter than ever) was the special guest referee, and called the match right down the middle. Decent ladies match (although Victoria badly botched a sidewalk slam), with Trish hitting all her spots, like the handstand huracanrana. She pinned Molly after the Stratusfaction bulldog.

(4) Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Test. Not bad with who was involved. Before the match Bubba got a U.S. flag from under the ring for a huge pop and "U.S.A." chant. Test did hit the big boot, but then wiped his ass with the flag for major heat. Bubba got back up and eventually nailed a DDT for the win. Bubba celebrated with the flag afterwards.

(5) Chris Jericho defeated Rob Van Dam to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship. RVD got the biggest pop of the night. Jericho came out to an initial pop, but then got boos after calling everyone jackasses on the mic. Best match of the night with Y2J and RVD hitting all their spots. Jericho hit Van Dam with a low blow and locked in the Walls of Jericho for the tapout. Jericho started to head to the back, but came back and got a chair. He charged Van Dam but got a VanDaminator. RVD then hit the 5-Star Frog Splash for a big pop. Intermission followed.

(6) Johnny Stamboli & Mark Jindrak, & Shelton Benjamin defeated Justin Credible & Shawn Stasiak & Chris Nowinski. A very good 6-man. There were a few comedy spots with Justin the old partner's-head-to-the-crotch spot, as well as an unintentional 69. Benjamin and Stamboli were especially impressive in this match. Everyone nailed their finishers, and Shelton nailed Stasiak with a beautiful spin kick to get the win for his team.

(7) Big Show defeated D-Lo Brown. Big Show got a big face pop. D-Lo played the cowardly heel in this match, trying to walk out at one point. D-Lo was creamed, but had a couple of minutes of offense before Show put away D-Lo with the chokeslam.

(8) Jeff Hardy defeated William Regal. Okay match, but worst of the night. Jeff hit a nice-looking Whisper in the Wind though, and got the surprise win with a sunset flip. The match was longer than expected, considering other house show reports on this match.

(9) Lance Storm & Christian defeated Booker T & Goldust in a Best 2-of-3 Falls Match to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship. Second best match of the night. Christian tried to rip on the crowd but was interrupted by Goldust's music. The Book soon followed. The UnAmericans won the first fall when Booker T attempted to suplex Christian into the ring, but Lance held Booker's foot as Christian fell on top for the three. The second fall lasted all of 15 seconds as Booker T hit Christian with his crescent kick for the pin. BookDust was on a roll, but Test ran in and hit Goldust with the boot and Christian crawled on top for the deciding fall.

Afterwards, Booker and Goldust attacked Storm and Christian, with both of them getting Shattered Dreams and then an Double Axe Kick by The Book. Goldust asked the crowd if they wanted a spinaroonie, and of course the crowd said yes, and Booker T performed one to everyone's delight. Booker then got on the mic and asked if they wanted to see the Goldaroonie. The crowd agreed, and Goldust preformed an impressive spinaroonie (although it looked nowhere near as good as Booker's). Booker and Goldust celebrated with the fans around ringside as the show ended.

A good show, but very very very disappointing attendance. I can't say it enough, Stacy looks so freaking hot in person. She is by far the most beautiful woman ever in professional wrestling. It was a good effort by all involved, and I can't wait for the next show.

Biggest Pops:
1. Rob Van Dam
2. Booker T/Goldust
3. Bubba Ray Dudley when he brought out Old Glory
Jeff Hardy and Big Show got some nice pops as well.

Most Heat:
1. All of the Un-Americans
2. Chris Jericho (after his heel promo)
3. Steven Richards

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