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WWE RAW
FEBRUARY 24, 2003
LIVE FROM TORONTO, ONT.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

-Eric Bischoff announced at the start that Steve Austin was banned from the arena, and instead introduced Rock as a new member of Raw.

-Rock carried a 15 minute in-ring segment at the start of the show by ripping on Canadian fans creatively and establishing his heel character. Great segment.

-Chris Jericho put Stacy in his Walls of Jericho while Test was handcuffed to the middle rope. Shawn Michaels made the save, setting up their WrestleMania singles match.

-Booker T eliminated Rock to win a 20 man battle royal and thus earn a shot at Triple H's title at WrestleMania. Triple H was not on the show.

RUNDOWN OF THE SHOW

-Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and talked about Steve Austin's return at the PPV the night before.

-Eric Bischoff came out to the ring with his left arm in a sling and his face bandaged and battered. Ross said he doesn't feel sorry for Bischoff at all. Bischoff bragged that he was still able to walk despite what Austin did to him last week. Bischoff said if the crowd was expected to see Austin, they'd be disappointed since he banned Austin from the arena. He then announced the TV main event - a 20 man battle royal with the winner getting a title shot against Triple H (or whomever is champ at the time) at WrestleMania. He added that Austin wouldn't be in the battle royal, but would be welcome back at next week's Raw in Uniondale, N.Y. at Nassau Coliseum next week. He said this week he was welcoming the biggest star in the history of sports entertainment. Rock's new intro music began to play. The crowd didn't react, which apparently means most of them hadn't seen the PPV the night before. Then when Rock's face appeared on the video wall, the crowd popped. The Rock walked out slowly, then entered the ring and milked the moment, as if he was waiting for the booing to get louder. The fans, though, were quiet, apparently in anticipation of his first words. He did his "Finally, the Rock has returned to..." but, but then stopped when the fans began cheering and told them they ought to wait to hear what he has to say before cheering him. He talked about beating Hulk Hogan the night before. Then he did the standard cheap pop bit where he said "Toronto," then he mocked the fans in a hilarious moment for getting giddy about hearing the name of their hometown mentioned by a wrestler. He said the "mother Canuckers" turned on him. He described them as "maple syrup sucking candy asses." He said his bitterness with fans began when they voted for Steve Austin as "Superstar of the Decade" at the Raw anniversary special rather than him. He said he doesn't love Steve Austin like the fans do, and declared himself the one and only true Superstar of the Decade. Very good heel promo by Rock. He is on a plateau with very few others when it comes to carrying a 10 or 15 minute segment on his own in the ring in such entertaining fashion.

[commercial break]

1 -- JAZZ vs. JACQUELINE

Steven Richards and Victoria joined Ross and Lawler at ringside for commentary. Neither came across as being all that comfortable in that role. They fought at ringside briefly, then in the ring Jackie got in one kick before Jazz took over and applied a Boston Crab for the win. After the match, the lights flashed off quickly and then Trish's music played. She charged the ring and attacked Jazz. Three referees separated them, but they escaped and fought again. Good, spirited brawl that gives fans the impression they'll tear each other apart if those two wrestle at their local house show.

WINNER: Jazz at 2:25 via submission.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- It was okay. Good intensity, but too short to amount to much.

-A video aired featuring Joe Francis from Girls Gone Wild welcoming Test arriving at a trailer containing a bunch of "girls about to go wild." Video footage aired of them dancing by rubbing their breasts in Test's face and rubbing his chest. They went to live footage of Test and Maven watching the video backstage. Test said he couldn't believe Stacy hooked him up with that. "You are easily the luckiest man in the world," Maven said. Test said Stacy didn't know what GGW meant, but now that she realizes it stands for Girls Gone Wild, she's upset. Stacy walked into the room and scolded Test because he had claimed before that "nothing happened." Chief Morley walked in and said that because those two disrespected Eric Bischoff, they would have to take on Christian & Chris Jericho in a tag match. Test was upset, but promised Stacy that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

-Ross said Bischoff's desire for revenge has gone too far.

[commercial break]

-After clips aired of Goldust getting electrocuted, Jim Ross did a sitdown interview with Goldust. Goldust said after being electrocuted, you either live or you die, and since he was alive, he felt lucky. Ross asked Goldust if Booker was accurate in saying that he now has neurological problems. Goldust said he felt great, but be began having involuntary head jerks and stutters. He said doctors told him if he takes his medication, things will work out. Ross asked what he has to say to Randy Orton and Batista. He told them they don't know what it feels like to be on the edge of death, but when he's done with them, they will. Now fans will have reason to go to house shows - to see Goldust wrestle, so they can point and laugh at his "neurological difficulties." This is a strange idea.

2 -- LANCE STORM vs. KANE (w/Rob Van Dam)

Kane dominated the match and chokeslammed Storm twice without releasing and then scored the pin. There was no new tension between Kane and RVD, but Ross and Lawler talked about the miscue between them the night before at the PPV.

WINNER: Kane at 2:23.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Too short to develop into much. It makes sense that Kane would win clean, but only because they seem to be willing to relegate Storm to a mundane tag team with William Regal rather than attempt to get more out of him as a singles wrestler. When that time comes, though, he has the dry wit (yes, I used the word "wit" with Storm) to produce a good singles character with some second-tier potential at least.

-Randy Orton talked to Batista backstage. He said that when he threw Goldust into the electrical box, he thought he threw out his shoulder, but later decided he actually knocked it back into joint. He said his doctor told him his shoulder is at 99 percent. Ric Flair then walked into the room and gave them a brief pep talk about showing the world in their upcoming tag match that they are "the evolution of the business."

[commercial break]

3 -- BOOKER T & SCOTT STEINER vs. BATISTA & RANDY ORTON

Scott Steiner went from being treated as a star near the level of Steve Austin or even Shawn Michaels to someone who gets second billing to Booker T in a tag match. The announcers barely made mention of Steiner, and instead focused on Booker. Ross said Booker has more will to win than virtually any wrestler he's ever seen. Orton looked slim and cut. At 3:00 Booker fought back with a series of spirited chops to Orton's chest followed by a spinebuster and a spin wheel kick. A frazzled Flair jumped onto the ring apron and frantically leaned into the ring like a monkey reaching for a banana on tree to distract the ref. The ref ordered him back to the ground. Batista tagged in and took control of Booker. Orton tagged back in at 4:30. Booker fought back and hit a scissors kick on Orton. Batista entered the ring illegally, so Booker sidekicked him to the mat. Booker then crawled to his corner, but the heels cut him off and dragged him back to their corner. They double-teamed Booker, prompting Steiner to enter the ring and make the save. He pressed Orton and dropped him behind him. Flair threw a fit on the ring apron, so Steiner yanked him into the ring and put him in the Recliner. That gave Batista a chance to hit Flair from behind, then he speared Booker T. Batista went to ringside to continue to beat on Steiner. Booker struggled to get back to his feet, but Orton surprised him with a flying crossbody block. Booker rolled through and scored a three count.

WINNER: Booker T & Steiner at 7:45.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Good action. What Orton did looked good, and Booker seemed especially inspired. They sure are protecting Steiner now, who isn't being asked to do much of anything, including bumping.

-Highlights aired of Rock's promo from earlier in the night, catching up viewers who might have missed the first hour and just tuned in for the second hour. They showed a graphic featuring all 20 wrestlers in the battle royal" Rodney Mack, Jamal, Rosie, Test, Hurricane, Christian, Al Snow, Steven Richards, BatistA, Randy Orton, Maven, Booker T, Lance Storm, William Regal, Rob Van Dam, Kane, Jeff Hardy, Scott Steiner, Chris Jericho, and Rock. Those who the graphic artist was least kind to were Christian, whose face looked like a paper Halloween mask, and Rob Van Dam, who looked like somebody who was drowning under water.

-If viewers still thought Austin might show up, they removed all doubt by running a commercial plugging Steve Austin's return to Raw next week.

4 -- CHRIS JERICHO & CHRISTIAN vs. TEST & STACY

The heels doubled Test for the first minute, then he rebounded with a double clothesline off the ropes. Jericho then hit Test with a chair to end the match. After the match they handcuffed Test to the middle rope, and then threw Stacy into the ring. Test struggled to break loose as Jericho put Stacy in the Walls of Jericho. Stacy screamed in pain believably. After about 30 seconds Jeff Hardy attempted to make the save, but Christian gave him a Shutdown. Shawn Michaels then charged to the ring and superkicked Christian and prompted Jericho to release the hold and escape. Jericho grabbed the key and released Test. Jericho walked back toward the ramp with a proud smile on his face. Michaels leaned on the ropes and yelled at Jericho, vowing revenge.

WINNER: Test & Stacy via DQ at 1:14.

STAR RATING: 1/4* -- No time to develop into much of a match (which has been the trend of the show so far). Good segment at adding heat to Jericho and Christian's heel characters.

[commercial break]

5 -- JEFF HARDY vs. CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI

Jeff Hardy was already at the ring, attempting to recover from his failed attempt to save Stacy moments earlier. Christopher Nowinski then came out to his intro music with a mic in hand. He talked into the mic, but the mic wasn't on. He kept talking, hoping that the mic was working on TV at least if not over the house speakers. They eventually turned his mic on. He told Jeff he failed at his save attempt and classified him as a failure. Hardy gave Nowinski a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb for a three count at just 0:18. Afterward, Hardy kept punching Nowinski, so the ref reversed the decision.

WINNER: Nowinski via DQ at 0:18.

STAR RATING: 1/4* - Hardy's two moves looked good. It was a nice carry over to show him frustrated over his failure to effectively save Stacy in the previous segment.

[commercial break]

-Kane said he can't believe the nerve of Rock to walk himself back onto Raw as if he owns the show and enter himself in the battle royal. Kane said he can't wait to eliminate Rock and march to WrestleMania. RVD agreed that they'd eliminate Rock, but disagreed with who would win. He said he'd win. Kane said he'd see him out there.

-Rock was on his cell phone backstage on a couch. He said if Austin didn't like what he had to say, he can march his way to the ring and tell him to his face. He told the person on the phone, whom he kept calling "baby," to stop calling him at work because the "lovin' will have to wait until business is done." Rock then took out an acoustic guitar and sang: "Every since The Rock came into town, everybody's tried to bring him down. Canadians have no class, that's why they can kiss the People's Ass." Hurricane interrupted. He said, "The Rock used to be an idol, an icon loved by millions and millions, yet tonight you come out and trash the people. What's up wi'dat!?" The crowd popped. Rock said: "Who in the green hell are you? Don't answer that. The Rock knows. You're the Hamburglar, you're the guy who works for McDonalds. Go get me a cheeseburger. The Rock knows who you are. The Rock will remind you of something. Every superhero can whip the Hurricane's ass." He listed a bunch of superheros, but Hurricane took offense when he said Aquaman. Hurricane said he knows of one superhero he can beat - the Scorpion King. He said Brandon Frasier beat him. Rock said it was just a special movie effect. Hurricane asked if Rock could fly. Rock said yes. Hurricane said he would send his candy ass flying over the top rope in the battle royal. Hurricane then "flew off." Rock said, "It was a special effect for the movie!" The fans laughed. Very funny segment. Well written and executed.

[commercial break]

6 -- JERRY LAWLER vs. CHIEF MORLEY

Lawler got in some offense, but for the most part Morley controlled the match. Eventually the Dudleys came to the ring through the crowd and interfered on Lawler's behalf with a 3D. Because Bischoff and Morley made the match "no DQ," the ref didn't DQ Lawler. Lawler followed up with a fistdrop off the second rope and scored the pin.

WINNER: Lawler at 4:50.

STAR RATING: * -- Mostly a bunch of punches. The Dudleys interference fit the storyline well and garnered a good pop. The no-DQ stip backfiring was a good way to foil the heels, too.

[commercial break]

-Ross and Lawler plugged the battle royal again.

-Flair gave Batista and Randy Orton another pep talk backstage. Orton said Booker T would be his.

-They showed Rock approaching the entrance backstage.

-Chris Jericho's intro took place first. They're doing a good job keeping Jericho as a top-of-the-second tier force on Raw, giving him small nudges such as letting him be the one to put Stacy in the Walls of Jericho, getting the front-and-center position on the battle royal graphic, and now getting the first entrance for the battle royal.

-Three Minute Warning came out next, followed by RVD. As RVD came to the ring, they cut away to a final commercial break.

[commercial break]

7 - BATTLE ROYAL for a WrestleMania Title shot.

Jericho and Christian eliminated Test in the opening few seconds, but then when Test went after him, Jericho eliminated himself and ran away through the crowd. Ross mentioned that the last battle royal on Raw was Oct. 23, 1995 won by the late Owen Hart. Jamal was eliminated in the opening minute, also. Lawler pointed out that Christian was using one of his old strategies - sitting in the corner hiding. Dreamer was eliminated by Rock at 2:20. Rock clotheslined Maven over the top rope at 2:30 in probably one of the top three moments of his career so far. Who wouldn't rather say they were eliminated by Rock rather than Jamal? Steiner eliminated Steven Richards. Rock slapped Steiner's chest in the corner of the ring at 4:45. Ross stressed his amazement at seeing Rock in a Raw ring. They didn't adequately address how Rock was able to jump from Smackdown to Raw just because Bischoff wanted it that way. Didn't they explain a couple months ago that all jumps in the future would have to involve a trade or be agreed to by both g.m.s? Al Snow was eliminated. Batista and Orton eliminated RVD at 5:30. Ross refereed to them as Evolution. Then Hurricane eliminated eliminated Rodney Mack. Rock and Hurricane got into a brief mid-ring scuffle, but Rock quickly threw Hurricane over the top rope. I would have liked a little more interaction between those two, including a comedy spot for Hurricane, since their skit earlier was so strong, it deserved more attention in the actual match. Rock and Booker then began fighting. Rock walked up the rampway and joined Ross and Lawler at the announcers' table. He put on a headset and said he's too smart to fight the entire match, but instead would wait until the right moment to reenter. It gave Rock a chance to get in some more mic work during the overrun, which began just as he put on the headset. Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Scott Steiner, and Batista were eliminated in rapid-fire fashion. The final six were Rock, Rosie, Kane, Booker T, Christian, and Lance Storm. Kane clotheslined Rosie over the top rope at 10:00 followed by Storm. Kane then gave Booker a chokeslam, at which point Rock said it was his time to go kick some ass. Kane turned his attention to Christian, giving him a big boot. Christian fought back with a sleeper. Rock then eliminated both Christian and Kane from behind, leaving Rock and Booker T as the two finalists at 11:10. Rock, with a big cocky smile on his face, lifted Booker, but Booker immediately went to work on Rock with a spirited series of chops. Rock fought back with a DDT and then mocked Booker T's bit of staring at his hand. Rock rammed Booker in the turnbuckle, but then Booker turned the tables out of nowhere and eliminated Rock over the top rope. The finish came suddenly. Rock sat on the floor and applauded Booker for eliminating him. Booker celebrated in the ring as Ross screamed that Booker T is going to wrestle for the WWE Title.

WINNER: Booker T at 12:22.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- It was a battle royal, and its rare that battle royals are any good. This wasn't very good. Having Booker eliminate Rock was a good step to building Booker into a top tier challenger in time for WrestleMania. The battle royal could have been booked better, though, with more Rock-Hurricane interaction, more suspense at the end (by leaving RVD in there until near the end because he's a fan favorite and would have been a believable potential winner), and building at least one other side-story into it besides Test-Jericho at the start. It seemed to be thinly booked with nothing in mind other than filling 15 minutes and ending with Booker celebrating over Rock. Giving Rock time to do mic work was a good touch, though, that helped pass the time during the random kicks and punches in the ring in a more entertaining fashion.

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