By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
APRIL 21, 2002
LIVE FROM ATLANTA, GA.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

-Hunter retained the WWE Title against Booker in the main event.

-After the match Hunter kicked Nash from behind and said he was sick of waiting for him to choose sides.

-Rock brought out Gillbert to make fun of Rock.

-Rock gave Goldberg a Rock Bottom mid-way through the show. Later, Rock attacked Golberg with a series of chairshots.

-Lita announced she was given clearance to begin training for her return to the ring. Eric Bischoff came out and fired her for not being ready to wrestle yet, calling her worthless.

RUNDOWN OF THE SHOW

-The show began with a close-up of Ric Flair's left cauliflower ear, which was scary. He then began pacing back and forth with Eric Bischoff casually reading a magazine while sitting on a couch in the background. Flair told Bischoff that he brought Kevin Nash back to WWE on the pretense that he, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H would reform The Clique. Bischoff said there was more to it than that, but he was onto the basics. Flair then asked why Bischoff put together a six man tag with Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash on the opposite team of Triple H. Bischoff said it makes for compelling television. Flair yelled at Bischoff for also booking Booker vs. Hunter. Bischoff said the special referee would be Shawn Michaels. Flair got especially upset. Bischoff assured him everything would be just fine and asked Flair to calm down. "I'm just doing my job," Bischoff said. They set the table well in this segment in terms of laying out the issues at stake in the main event.

-The Raw opening montage then aired. Fireworks then shot off as they panned the signs of the crowd quickly. Johnathan Coachman and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and plugged The Rock Concert II and the World Title match with Hunter vs. Booker.

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. HURRICANE

Lawler told Coachman he's doing a good job, but he misses J.R. Coachman talked up Hurricane's streak of success lately. Lawler asked if that meant he believed he really had super powers. Coachman just said that if someone believes himself enough, amazing things can indeed happen. That was a good exchange at getting across the spirit of Hurricane's persona. Jericho applied a Walls of Jericho at 3:30, but Hurricane reached the bottom rope to force a break. Coachman plugged a couple of Fozzie appearances this weekend in the region of where Backlash was taking place. Jericho went to a chinlock and facelock, which wouldn't have been tolerated by management until recent months when they've made a conscious decision to work holds more and slow down the style in order to preserve the bodies of their wrestlers. Hurricane fought back with two spirited leaping clotheslines followed by a neckbreaker for a two count. Hurricane missed a flip off the ropes, but then rolled out of Jericho's path on a Lionsault attempt. Hurricane followed with a roundhouse kick to the back of Jericho's head for a two count. Hurricane caught Jericho in mid-air and went for a Walls of Jericho himself. Jericho blocked it. Hurricane gave Jericho his Hurrichokeslam (bad name) and scored a two count. Jericho then put Hurricane in the Walls of Jericho forcing a tapout. After the match Flair attacked Hurricane and put him in the figure-four leglock.

WINNER: Jericho at 8:01.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Really good TV match. It told a good story, the transitions were believable, and the execution was smooth with just believable enough offense for Hurricane to put him over without hurting Jericho.

-The Rock got out of a limo backstage and announced outloud it was time for The Rock Concert II.

[commercial break]

-Teddy Long came out with Rodney Mack. He said "The Man" is trying to keep his man off of Raw. He issued the "Five Minute White Boy Challenge." He said he will beat any "white boy in five minutes or less that The Man sends out there." A jobber stood in the ring as Long yapped some more about what Mack was going to do to him.

2 -- TEDDY LONG vs. UNNAMED "WHITE BOY"

Long joined Coachman and Lawler on commentary. A clock on the screen counted down from five minutes. Long brought up that last week Lawler talked about how he was good friends with the black mayor of Memphis. Long asked if he was such a good friend, why did he run against him try to remove him from office. Lawler said that is true, but he's since become good friends with him. Coachman scolded Long for sending a racist message with the wording he chooses. Long asked Coachman if he's been drinking, then adding that Coachman must have been drinking "Hater-aid."

WINNER: Mack at 1:36.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Mack showed good aggression in the match, although they cut away to the announcers often enough to take focus away from the match.

-They cut backstage to Booker T who walked into Shawn Michaels's locker room. He asked him what's the deal with him being special ref later. Michaels said he is as surprised by it as he is. Booker said last week when he nailed him, it was an accident. Michaels asked if it was an accident. He brought up that last June in the same arena Michaels superkicked him and almost knocked his head off. Booker said, "The way I see it, we're even." Michaels said, "Are we, Book?" Booker said he expected him to call it right down the middle, "so can you dig that?" Michaels said he could dig it.

-They showed footage of Goldberg at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta, Ga. at a military base.

-Coachman stood in the ring where he said it was his honor and privilege to introduce one of the greatest female wrestlers in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment (I still cringe at that choice of a new name with a passion; what were the McMahons thinking?). Lita came out and said it's been a long, long year for her. Fans chanted "Lita, Lita." She said it's been far too long since she has wrestled in the ring. She said as of last week she has clearance. Just then Bischoff's music played and he walked out to interrupt her. Lawler said he heard Lita was able to begin training for a return to the ring. Bischoff, who has lost considerable weight since his first return, asked Coachman to leave the ring. He complimented him for doing a much better job than J.R., called him an asset to Raw, and asked him to keep it up. Bischoff told Lita she is amazing and asked the fans to "give it up" for her. Bischoff then seemed to begin coming on to her, telling her how much she impresses her. "We've seen over the last year you've got talent that goes beyond wrestling in the ring," he said, while looking her over seductively (well, as seductive as Bischoff can get). He said it's about time to "expose her unseen talents." He said he heard that she is looking forward to get back into the ring, but it will take a couple months of training first. He said as of right now since she can't wrestle, "you're worthless, but that's okay. He said that's okay because he has a solution to that problem. He asked maybe Lita could get the same type of publicity for Raw that Torrie Wilson got for Smackdown. Lita said it's great that Torrie chose to be on the cover of Playboy. Lita said if she does Playboy, it will be on her terms, not because her boss forced her. Bischoff said he would never force anybody to do anything, but began walking around her, checking her out. He said he would never force her to be in Playboy before seeing her goods himself. Bischoff said perhaps after the show she can stop by his hotel and give him a "private audition." He asked her to give him a really, really good reason to make the pitch to Playboy. "Why don't you think about giving me every reason to keep you on the payroll." Lawler said that was getting uncomfortable. (Has Lawler read his own book?!) Lita responded: "Since you put it that way... Go to hell!" Bischoff asked who she thinks she is. He said she will never come back to Raw or Heat if she walks out on him. "Lita, you're fired!" he proclaimed. That's a creative way to shift her over to Smackdown, assuming that's the plan, so she can travel with Matt Hardy.

[commercial break]

-Flair updated Hunter on what he told Bischoff earlier. Hunter said his problem isn't with the match, it's the fact that Bischoff made Michaels the special ref. He said he doesn't care about Booker getting a title shot as much as Bischoff screwing with him. (That's Hunter putting all the heat on his buddy Michaels and discounting the importance of Booker in the process.) Flair said there must be a way to get insurance. Hunter said there is and he'll make it happen. Flair smiled and said, "That's why your the World Champion." Just once I'd like to see Hunter defer to Flair in terms of asking for his advice or acknowledging his history and experience. Hunter's character is all-knowing all the time when it's be perfect as a heel for him to show some vulnerability and help justify their relationship if he actually leaned on him occasionally.

3 -- SCOTT STEINER & TEST vs. THREE MINUTE WARNING

Christopher Nowinski joined Coachman and Lawler at ringside. Clips aired of the Nowinski-Steiner debate from last week and the Three Minute Warning attack on Steiner. Lawler told Nowinski that he must agree that Stacy is hot. Nowinski dryly said he is attracted to women for their personality and brains. Good straight-faced delivery. He went on to say Stacy is a liability because the focus should be on the ring. Nowinski said Test could have picked a better partner "because you need intelligence to win wrestling matches." Test powered up Rosie and slammed him which popped the crowd. It looked like he had a tough time with it, but that made it look all the more impressive. Rico interfered. When Stacy tried to stop him, he shoved her tot he mat. Steiner made the save and tended to her at ringside. Test noticed Stacy hugging Steiner and got upset. That let Rosie blindside Test. Steiner then tagged himself in and finished off a cocky Rosie quickly for the pin. After the match Steiner slapped hands with fans at ringside while Test chewed out Stacy.

WINNER: Scott Steiner at 3:43.

STAR RATING: 3/4* -- Not much to it, but it got its points across. Nowinski was at his best on commentary. His understated calm matter-of-fact cockiness really worked.

[commercial break]

-Test chewed out Steiner for deciding to tag himself in because he had the match in hand. Steiner said he should thank him for doing what he did to win the match and saving "his freak." Stacy said, "What Test is trying to say is thank you." Steiner said you welcome to Stacy, but then looked at Test and spit.

-Kevin Nash approached Bischoff backstage. He said when Bischoff brought him back, it was under the guise of putting him back together with Michaels and Hunter as a team. Bischoff said people change and he can't control everyone. Nash said Bischoff is not going to con or manipulate him, but he got him in the middle of this mess. Bischoff said nobody knows better than Nash how to get himself out of a situation. Nash was upset that Bischoff may have been telling him what to do. Bischoff acted intimidated, but then explained himself. Nash said he was right, he needs to pick a side. He said he'd pick a "winning side."

-They showed workers setting up the ring for The Rock Concert II. They cut backstage to Rock warming up. Terri walked up and asked him what to expect from The Rock Concert II. The Rock said he has a surprise for the fans tonight. He said he is going to walk away, but warned Terri not to look at his booty too long because it gets hot.

[commercial break]

-Rock came to the ring, making a big production of himself before he sat down. He kissed Lilian Garcia's hand and then made various body gestures before sitting on his stool. Coachman and Lawler drooled over Rock's charisma. You got the feeling that Coachman and Lawler, two of the most proud-and-loud heterosexuals in WWE, would have slept with Rock at that moment. Rock began singing "Georgia" without his guitar (with the usual "hick" comment aimed at the fans), then shifted the lyrics to "Goldberg." Rock got giddy at the thought of whipping Goldberg's ass. Rock asked the fans if they really showed up to cheer their hometown boy Goldberg. Rock said Goldberg didn't want to be there actually, but he insisted Goldberg to come so he could hear every note in The Rock Concert. He then invited Goldberg to the ring. Out came Gillberg, who was sprayed with a fire extinguisher as he walked out, mocking Goldberg's ring entrance. The fire extinguisher bit cracked me up. He asked Gillberg what he had to say to the fans. Gillberg intensely muttered gibberish. He called Gillberg "ol' giggle panties." He then sang another song for Gillberg: "

He rewrote "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" as "The Rock Went Down to Georgia." His lyrics incorporated a shot at the Atlanta Braves. He also told Goldberg in response to saying "You're next," to "shove it right up your candy ass." Gillbert began a humiliating dance in the ring at Rock's request. He called his mother a "big fat ho." Goldberg arrived backstage. Rock got upset that fans cheered his arrival. Rock said he wasn't supposed to be there. Rock called for security to line up in front of the ring to guard him. Rock began scaring Gillberg by saying he's in trouble for making fun of Goldberg for years. He said Goldberg doesn't have "the balls" to come out and face him. Goldberg of course then made his way to the ring at that point. Rock said he doesn't blame him for wanting to kick Gillberg's ass. Gillberg had the fear of god written all of his face. Rock then said: "If you think you're tough and don't want to wait until Sunday at Backlash to get your ass kicked, get your whisker-biscuit monkey ass in here and I'll whip your ass all over Atlanta."

Goldberg speared his way past security and charged into the ring. Rock bailed out of the ring. Security surrounded Goldberg. Rock escaped up the rampway. Rock told security to keep him in check. Goldberg began twitching, then he began taking down security guards. Gillberg then attacked Goldberg. Rock then attacked Goldberg from behind and gave him a Rock Bottom. Goldberg sold it and stayed on the mat. Rock strutted his way out of the ring as his music played. Good segment overall. Rock's performance was great. Gillberg was hilarious. They did a nice job getting across that Rock is more than a charismatic talker by establishing that his Rock Bottom can hurt Goldberg. Goldberg did get up eventually and jog to the back toward Rock.

Backstage they showed Rock running around backstage toward his hummer. As the hummer drove off, Goldberg chased after him. He got in his car and it looked like we were in for a good ol' 70s car chase. Hey, Raw is an "action-adventure series," after all. However, his car wouldn't drive. He got out of the car and ran out of the arena. Rock then showed up, revealing he never actually left the arena, but instead tricked Goldberg into leaving. Rock gave himself a self-satisfied smile.

[commercial break]

-In a taped segment, The French-Canadians (Rene & Sylvan) preached about how world problems should be solved by the UN, not the Oval Office. They said: "You say democracy, we say imperialism . You say world peace, we say world resentment. You Americans will learn the hard way." I want to buy a ticket and boo them. What they say does ring true in terms of world perception of our role in international affairs, which is why it stings to hear it, and thus makes them a good heel since they seem so smug about their opinion.

-Spike Dudley and Trish Stratus came to the ring. Chief Morley revealed their opponents are The Dudleys. He said they proved their loyalty to the Bischoff administration for accepting this match. He said they are the hand-picked challengers for Rob Van Dam & Kane at Backlash.

4 -- SPIKE DUDLEY & TRISH STRATUS vs. BUBBA RAY & D-VON DUDLEY

Spike and Trish looked upset and uncomfortable with the situation. Before the bell, Bubba powerbombed Spike with force. D-Von, though, refused to go after Trish, who begged off in the corner. Bubba rammed into her. Morley cheered on Bubba and told him to finish the job by putting her through a table. D-Von yelled at Bubba, "Get your own table!" As the Dudleys argued, Morley grabbed a table from under the ring and slid it into the ring. D-Von got in Bubba's way. RVD and Kane charged the ring. RVD dropped D-Von with a jump reverse sidekick. Kane chokeslammed Morley. D-Von and RVD fought at ringside as Kane beat up Bubba at ringside. Long and Jazz then ran out. Jazz slammed Trish onto the table. Another good segment. It forwarded the Dudleys dispute, set up the tag title match at the PPV, and in the end logically gave Jazz a chance to give Trish reason for revenge at the PPV. Sound booking.

WINNER: No decision since the match never officially began.

-Backstage Rock told a worker to ready the ring for his encore.

[commercial break]

-The camera caught Nash and Hunter having a friendship discussion in a staircase. Bruce will have a field day with this in his Mojo report!

-Rock entered the ring and bragged that it only took him two seconds to outsmart Bill Goldberg. He said it take him half that long to beat him at Backlash. How will he win in less than three seconds? I guess he's going for a one second submission. Goldberg snuck to the ring and attacked Rock, clotheslining him and then tossing him over the top rope to the floor. Goldberg whipped Rock into the ringpost. As Goldberg set up a spear in the ring, Christian attacked Goldberg from behind. He stomped away at him, but Rock stopped him so he could stomp on him. Christian left the ring. Goldberg launched a clothesline at Rock. Christian re-entered the ring, but Goldberg speared him. Rock nailed Goldberg with a chair from behind and then across the head. He wound up and stiffed Goldberg with another chair to the head and then bashed him across the back numerous times. Lawler said that is just another example of what fans will see at Backlash. Coachman said (with his usual forced, insincere passion), "This is the match we never thought we'd see." He then noted that Goldberg had gotten up despite the beating and said it was amazing. Goldberg did stand and began shaking off the effects of the multiple chairshot beating. I can only imagine the negotiating session that took place backstage over how long Goldberg was willing to wait before getting up from the beating.

-Coachman and Lawler ran down the PPV line-up (including Big Show vs. Rey Mysterio). Coachman referred to "the Smackdown side of WWE." I don't remember hearing it referred to as "a side of WWE," but rather "the other brand."

-Nash knocked on Michaels's locker room. Nash told Michaels someone wants to talk to him and to keep an open mind. Michaels looked surprised and leery to see Hunter, but did let him enter his locker room.

-They showed Booker approaching the entrance tunnel backstage. They plugged the World Title match.

[commercial break]

-Another commercial spot aired this week stating "Mr. America is Coming."

5 -- TRIPLE H vs. BOOKER T -- World Heavyweight Title match.

Shawn Michaels came out first to referee the match, then Triple H followed by Booker T. They did a good job throughout the show building the intrigue over Michaels's role in the match without overdoing it. Michaels told Booker and Hunter before the match that he was going to call it right down the middle. Coachman said knowing Bischoff, this might be Booker's last title shot. He admitted when pressed by Lawler that he would like to see Booker win. Booker took a shot at Flair at ringside at 2:20, then dropped Hunter over the railing. At 2:50 Jericho walked out to the ring. Booker hit Hunter with a wheel kick, then walked out to the ring apron to yell at Jericho. Hunter nailed Booker from behind.

[commercial break]

A methodically paced match continued with Hunter suplexing Hunter at 8:15 followed by a kneedrop. Coachman noted how Jericho and Hunter have never gotten along well, so he didn't know what was up with him at ringside. Booker escaped a Hunter chinlock at 12:00. Booker ducked a Hunter clothesline and took him down with a sidekick. There was missed communication at 12:45 as Booker whipped Hunter into the ropes, but Hunter was expecting to reverse Booker, but Hunter recovered reasonably well. Hunter caught a charging Booker with an elbow. When he came off the ropes, Booker caught Hunter with a wheel kick for a two count. The crowd popped for the near fall. Booker nailed Hunter with a top rope missile dropkick at 14:00, but Hunter grabbed the bottom rope to stop the count. Hunter surprised Booker with a DDT for a two count at 14:20. Jericho yelled at Michaels that it was a three count. Coachman said Michaels was calling the match down the middle. Hunter sidestepped Booker's scissors kick attempt, then set up his Pedigree, but Booker escaped and nailed his scissors kick. Booker did the Spinaroonie. Coachman declared that we were going to see a new World Champion crowned, cementing the fact ahead of time that there would be no title change. Why can't announcers just enthusiastically declare that "it looks like we'll have a new champion." Why do they have to proclaim there will be when there's no way of knowing. Why exaggerate and ruin the moment when the pattern is so well-established that it's just a lame ploy to "get viewers really excited" before the fall. It's not Coachman's fault necessarily since he's told how to announce by the boss. Flair leaped onto the ring apron, but Booker knocked him down. Booker covered Hunter for a near fall (and thankfully Coachman didn't declare it a three count before the kick out). Booker then went to the top rope at which point Hunter yanked down Michaels's snap-up workout pants and shoved him into the ropes to knock Booker off balance. Hunter covered Booker for a near fall. Hunter set up a Pedigree, but Booker backdropped out of it. Booker then hit another scissors kick. Jericho nailed Booker with the title belt. Coachman did his best to sound breathless at this point, but because it was manufactured, it didn't add drama to the match. Michaels accused Hunter of hitting Booker with the belt. Flair jumped onto the ring apron. Michaels hit him. He then kicked a charging Hunter and then tossed a charging Jericho over the top rope. Booker draped his arm over Hunter. As Michaels began to count, Jericho and Flair attacked Michaels to stop the count. Nash then strode to the ring, climbed over the top rope, and stood center-ring as everyone else bailed out. Nash got no pop, but a small "Diesel" chant did begin. Nash helped Hunter to his feet. Hunter attempted to convince Nash that Michaels threw the first inappropriate punch. Nash went to Michaels and checked with him on what happened. Hunter then kicked Nash between the legs from behind. Hunter yelled: "You want to know where I stand? That's where I stand. I'm sick of waiting for you to make decisions." Hunter then took a shot at Michaels before departing.

WINNER: Booker T via DQ at 17:16.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Good at times, but a bit low-energy and plodding at other points. The finish was a "TV finish," which was expected, but not exactly a satisfying conclusion to a long title match.

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