By Wade Keller, Torch editor

The following was originally published at PWTorch.com five years ago...

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
NOVEMBER 18, 2002
LIVE FROM BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

What You Need To Know...

(1) Shawn Michaels teased retirement, saying his body couldn't handle a championship schedule, but then said he's never been wise and he'll be a fighting champion after all. RVD won a three-way main event over Booker T and Chris Jericho to earn a title shot next week live on Raw against Shawn Michaels.

(2) Scott Steiner hasn't announced whether he's going to sign with Raw or Smackdown, but he did cut a promo in center ring and also interfered in the main event, attacking Jericho and Christian.

(3) The Batista-Flair connection took another step as Batista attacked Kane right before Kane was scheduled to face Flair in a singles match.

(4) Triple H was advertised as "rumored to be on his way to the arena" after being hospitalized with the throat injury, but he never did make an appearance.

(5) The Dudleys reunited in a six-man tag and beat Three Minute Warning... Stacy introduced new t-shirts for "Testicles"... Victoria aligned herself with Steven Richards. They attacked Stacy and Trish. Test is overseas on a publicity tour for WWE... Val Venis jumped to Raw and is going to have a new name and gimmick. He told Bischoff not to ever call him Val Venis again. They had a private discussion in Bischoff's office...

Complete Detailed Rundown

-Eric Bischoff stood outside the arena as a black limo drove up. He was happy to see the limo, but unhappy when he realized it was Ric Flair inside. Bischoff wondered where Triple H was. Flair said he suffered a throat injury and accused Bischoff of caring only about Raw, not about Triple H's condition. Bischoff agreed and said for old time's sake, he's going to put Flair in the ring against Kane. Flair said he wasn't scared. Not the most energetic or compelling opening two minutes of Raw we've seen, but it did set the stage quickly for Triple H's absence. The news that Triple H might not be on the show doesn't have the same kind of impact that it used to mean when Austin wouldn't be on Raw when he was the centerpiece of the promotion.

-The Raw opening montage aired.

-Jim Ross welcomed viewers to Raw as Shawn Michaels came out with the title. In another cost-cutting move, no fireworks show this week other than some in the background during Michaels's entrance. It's good to see the show open with the new champ coming to the ring. It's vital that World Title changes are treated as the biggest news possible. Ross compared Michaels's title win to if Michael Jordan returned and led his team to the NBA Championship. The difference is Jordan was a top draw in the NBA wherever he went, whereas Michaels's main event stint came before WWE's late-'90s boom period.

-Michaels said he didn't plan to bore the fans with a long acceptance speech about how he's so thrilled to be the new champ. He said that he wishes he could be a fighting champion and defend the title every week on TV, but at this stage of his life his body can't handle that. He said he knows he's a shell of his former self. He hinted at retiring, saying that the smart, savvy, wise thing to do would be to hand over the World Title belt and retire as champion. But, he said, he's never been any of those things, so he's going to keep the title and be a fighting champion as best he can.

Rob Van Dam's music played and he walked out. He complimented Michaels, saying he grew up watching him (there's not a big difference in their ages, only a few years). He said if he couldn't win the Chamber match, he's glad it was Michaels. He proposed the "show stopper" make his first title defense against "the whole damn show." Michaels seemed agreeable, at which point Eric Bischoff's music started.

-Bischoff came out and said he runs the show and he dictates who gets title shots. He said if RVD is going to get a title shot, he has to earn it. He booked a three-way title defense for later with RVD vs. Chris Jericho vs. Booker T with the winner facing Michaels live on Raw next week.

-Michaels said Bischoff may be the G.M., but as champion he is going to do his best to change the tone of Raw. He said there wouldn't be any more necrophilia angles. Bischoff mockingly said, "Did that offend you as a Christian?" Michaels responded, "No, it upset me as a wrestling fan." Good job trying to establish that the lead babyface champ was upset by that crap in the same way that many viewers obviously were (as evidenced by the ratings). Michaels closed by asking Triple H what it felt like to be watching Raw from a hospital bed.

-They did their best to establish a persona for Michaels beyond the "gosh golly, I'm not as good as I used to be, but if you insist, I'll try to put on a great match for you" persona that he's been leaning on during his hype before SummerSlam and Survivor Series. That only goes so far, and the Christian angle isn't going to be something to build around, either. The crowd clearly wasn't into Michaels's act during the beginning of his interview, but I think he won some of them over with his expressed desire to be a fighting champion. RVD actually gave Michaels some rub by being in the ring with him. I really think Michaels will do a lot to win over fans when he has a great singles match with someone like RVD or Jericho, whom the fans see as "today's stars" worthy of the attention he has been getting. Michaels needs to prove he can still do it to the masses, not just the PPV audience. This segment seemed to acknowledge some of Michaels's problems right now connecting with the fans and is attempting to address them. It's good news that Michaels will be wrestling next week on Raw so he can show what he can still do against someone other than one of his Clique buddies.

[commercial break]

Jim Ross announced that the company is on the verge of celebrating the ten year anniversary of Raw. A "Raw Retro" clip aired from the first Raw at Manhattan Center in New York City from January 11, 1993.

1 -- BUBBA RAY & SPIKE & D-VON DUDLEY vs. THREE MINUTE WARNING (Rosey & Jamal & Rico).

The Dudleys did all of their key spots

WINNERS: The Dudleys when Bubba pinned Rico after a 3D at 4:17.

STAR RATING: * -- The official reunion of the Dudleys kind of breezed by without the hype it deserved. The Dudleys are considered a huge act over the past five years and their reunion should have been treated as bigger news than just being thrown out there in a four minute opening match. They got in their spots, but otherwise it was forgettable and a bit of a lost opportunity to sell their return as something "worth staying tuned for later." Some backstage promos with the Dudleys celebrating their reunion would have a nice touch to cement in viewers' minds that their reunion is a big deal. On the bright side, we never have to listen to the Reverend D-Von entrance music again.

-Backstage Stacy was working on a laptop computer and said to herself, "Do you know how many testicles there are in the world?" Then her phone rang. She answered, "Hello, Andrew!" He told him she has designed his first Testicle t-shirts and will go to the ring later and reveal the logo and see what all the Testicles think of it.

[commercial break]

-Freeze-frames aired highlighting the Survivor Series main event.

-Bischoff welcomed another limo, assuming it was Triple H, who was said to be on his way to the arena from the hospital. Instead, Bischoff was especially pleased to see Scott Steiner step out. Bischoff said they could work together again and take over the world. Bischoff said he can have anything he wants as long as he signs on the dotted line. Steiner walked away without saying anything or giving away his reaction to what Bischoff said. Steiners's arms are bigger than Bischoff's head. They are doing a very good job making Steiner's entrance seem like a huge happening. This is one example of how the brand split gives them opportunities to treat incoming wrestlers as something very special as both shows attempt to sign him before the other does.

[commercial break]

-Stacy showed off three prototype t-shirts. They said: "I'm a Testicle, Rub me the Right Way," "Be a Testicle, Take a Test Ride," and "I love my Testicles." She said the third one is clearly the fans' favorite. She shot some t-shirts to the crowd with the t-shirt blaster that's used at NBA and NFL games. Seeing her shoot off that gun was meant to be erotic and suggestive. Steven Richards walked out and interrupted her. "Stop this insanity now!" he said. He told Stacy that she set him up last week. He said the biggest testicle of them all is way over in India (i.e. Test is doing a publicity tour overseas), so its time for him to get some revenge. She shot the t-shirt blaster into his crotch. New women's champ Victoria then attacked Stacy from behind. Ross finally got around to announcing that the women's title changed hands, just throwing that info in as an aside during her attack of Stacy. If we're supposed to pay to see potential title changes and then care after they happen, when a title changes hands the announcers have to treat it as a bigger deal. Victoria yelled, "These people didn't come to see you, they came to see me. I'm the champion!" She then bit her fingers. Stacy looked at her hand at ringside and appeared to be worried about breaking a nail. It appears that Victoria and Richards are together now. Not a bad match-up of two strange people.

[commercial break]

-Bischoff told Stacy that instead of Trish getting a title rematch against Victoria, he was giving her a title shot. Stacy didn't like that at all.

2 -- LANCE STORM & WILLIAM REGAL vs. TOMMY DREAMER & JEFF HARDY.

-In the highlight of the short match, Jeff leaped off the ring apron on Storm at ringside. After the match Storm and Regal double-teamed Dreamer, giving him a drop toe hold throat-first onto a chair.

WINNER: Storm & Regal at 1:50 when Storm pinned Dreamer after Regal kicked him in the face from ringside.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- This was just a filler match without much of a purpose. The finish with Regal kicking Dreamer didn't seem serious enough to justify the sudden pinfall. The post-match attack on Dreamer gives Dreamer a reason for sympathy and revenge presumably in upcoming house show matches.

-Highlights aired of Scott Steiner attacked Matt Hardy and Christopher Nowinski at Survivor Series including shots of the crowd going nuts for him. It was clever for Steiner to be booked beating up one wrestler from each show as not to tip their hand about which show he is more likely to end up on. They showed Steiner headed toward the entrance to the arena bowl as they cut to commercial.

[commercial break]

-Steiner came to the ring. Ross gave Steiner's credentials and background, then said that giving him a live mic is always dangerous. Steiner said fans must be wondering where he's been and what took him so long to get to WWE. He said he's been busy because he only cares about his "freaks and his peaks" (women and biceps, for those of you not hip to Steiner's world). The way he talks about his performance in bed, he must be overcompensating for something. He said watching WWE at home has sometimes made him want to puke. He said there are wrestlers acting like stars who aren't stars. He said on Smackdown some wrestlers say they're going to be the greatest of all time when in fact he is the greatest of all time. He said whether he decides to join Raw or Smackdown, he isn't in WWE to make friends. He will prove nobody can compare with the power of the Genetic Freak. Chris Jericho's music started as Steiner began kissing his biceps. Jericho said he doesn't care about his freaks or his peaks. He every one of the jackasses in the crowd knows that there isn't a better body in the world than "this gorgeous piece of meat." He then flexed to show off his physique. Fans started an "asshole" chant. He said he is a superstar and a rock star. He called HBK the "Has Been Kid." (I wish I had thought of that in my "This Week" article in the latest Torch. The best I came up with was "HB401K" or "Heart Pacemaker Kid," which don't have the same ring to it as "Has Been Kid." Jericho said he is busy tonight in the main event otherwise he'd challenge him to a match. Steiner said he'd be watching his match to see if he's as good as he claims. Steiner then finished with his catchphrase about being the fans "hook up" and to "holler of if you hear me."

-Steiner's persona fills a gap in WWE's roster by having a personality that appeals a lot to a certain demographic that likes his brashness and tough guy attitude, something that Austin displayed early on and that Rock touched on at times, but that hasn't been present lately. Brock doesn't project that rebelliousness and unhinged quality that is Steiner's appeal.

-They showed Stacy looking worried backstage about facing Victoria next.

[commercial break]

3 -- STACY vs. VICTORIA.

WINNER: Victoria with a cool neckbreaker finisher at 1:19. Stacy got in some offense before losing.

STAR RATING: 1/4* -- Too short to amount to much, but the camera angles were sure to catch crotches and breasts whenever possible. After the match Trish saved Stacy from continued attack by Victoria. Steven Richards walked out and gave Trish a face-first suplex.

[commercial break]

4 -- AL SNOW vs. CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI in a hardcore match.

-Nowinski did pre-match mic work bragging about how brains beat brawn every time. He wore a Harvard suit and a backpack to the ring. They used a skeleton and a bowling ball as weapons during the brawl.

WINNER: Nowinski at 4:44 after Snow went for a moonsault off the top rope, but Nowinski moved so Snow landed on four chairs instead. Solid short hardcore match.

[commercial break]

-Backstage Eric Bischoff gave Big Valbowski a pep talk backstage and said it's great to have him on Raw. He called him Val Venis. Val interrupted and told him not to call him that ever again. He said he has a new job and new responsibilities and he'll be a good detail person. Bischoff invited him into his office to "work out the details." Ross said, "What the hell was that?"

5 -- KANE vs. RIC FLAIR

-Flair walked out in a suit. Lawler said he didn't have his wrestling gear because he wasn't expecting to wrestle. Flair retracted his statement earlier that he wasn't scared of Kane. He said Triple H would kick his ass if he touched him. Batista then ran out and attacked Kane, giving him a great powerbomb.

WINNER: No match actually took place, but good showing by Batista who hasn't gained much steam in recent weeks due to listless squash wins.

-F-View made its first appearance of the night, eavesdropping on a conversation between Christian and Chris Jericho where Jericho bragged about what he was going to do in the main event.

-Booker T came to the ring to his music. He said he listened to the show backstage and was upset that there wasn't one mention of him, but plenty of talk about Triple H, HBK, Y2J, and RVD. Ross and Lawler got a bit nervous about ignoring Booker. "It was an oversight," Lawler said. Booker said, "It's all right because after tonight I'll be the no. 1 contender for the world title. Now can you dig that, sucka!" Pretty to-the-point, but a nice touch to at least give him something resembling TV time. Just a "single" promo, and his inability to hit "doubles" all that often, much less ever even enter the "triple" or "homerun" range is a factor holding him back. He does need to be better produced and involved in something that he can sink his teeth into. He was good with the Goldust segments, but they were light comedy, not money-drawing segments.

[commercial break]

6 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. BOOKER T vs. CHRIS JERICHO.

RVD and Booker knocked Jericho out of the ring in the opening minute, then fought each other for a minute. Jericho reentered the ring with a tag title belt, RVD got the belt and went to hit Jericho; Jericho ducked and it his Booker instead. RVD leaps off the top rope with a dropkick on Jericho. In a nice spot at 4:10 Booker nailed Jericho with a series of relentless chops, then applied the Walls of Jericho on Jericho. RVD entered the ring and kicked Booker in the gut to break the hold. RVD nailed Booker with an axe kick. Jericho leaped off the top rope onto RVD with a Five-Star Frogsplash. Jericho scored a two count. At 7:00 RVD went for a flip splash onto Jericho at ringside, but Jericho moved, but RVD landed on his feet. Jericho followed with a DDT on RVD at ringside. Booker then hit Van Dam with an axe kick. Back in the ring Booker gave Jericho a flapjack style move for a two count (the director inexplicably cut away right as the ref was counting to three, missing the kickout by Jericho). Jericho gave Booker a bulldog, but missed his moonsault. Booker gave Jericho a wheel kick, then did the Spinarooni. Christian then nailed Booker from behind with a chair. Jericho scored a two count. Jericho then applied the Walls of Jericho as fans chanted "RVD, RVD." Steiner ran out and attacked Christian from behind on the rampway, then attacked Jericho in center ring at 10:00. Christian ran to the ring, and Steiner gave him a stiff clothesline, then pressed him several times and dropped him tot eh mat. He gave Jericho a belly-to-belly suplex. He then gave Jericho his underhook powerbomb followed by a bunch of pushups and trash talking. He then left the carnage in the ring. "Just like at Survivor Series, he whipped ass and then left," Ross said. RVD struggled to the top rope and hit Jericho with a frog splash and scored the pin.

WINNER: Rob Van Dam at 11:36 after a Five-Star Frog Splash.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Good three-way match that went longer than ten minutes and helped set the stage for next week's main event of RVD vs. Michaels.

-Michaels walked to the ring as RVD celebrated. Ross hyped that next week would feature Michaels's first Raw match in over five years. Michaels offered his hand to RVD. They shook hands, then Michaels raised his arm. They had a show-ending staredown. No Triple H, despite the "rumors" that he'd be there at the show. Strange. We'll try to find out if he was scheduled to be there and didn't make it, or they just teased him for the sake of ratings (as if it'd make a difference at this point), but never had him booked.

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