By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
MAY 26, 2003
LIVE FROM MOBILE, ALA.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

-Ric Flair turned on Hunter and agreed to team with Shawn Michaels against Hunter in the TV main event. Flair turned on Michaels in the TV main event. A mystery masked man attacked Michaels and Nash and was revealed to be Randy Orton.

-Flair vs. Michaels, Goldberg vs. Jericho, and RVD & Kane vs. La Resistance were officially added to the Bad Blood PPV line-up.

-Chris Jericho sprayed Goldberg with pepper spray during his Highlight Reel interview. He then speared Goldberg and ran to the back.

-Jericho announced The Rock would be his guest on next week's Highlight Reel.

RUNDOWN OF THE SHOW

-Extended highlights of last week's angle with Triple H and Ric Flair aired. Then the Raw opening montage played followed by a live introduction from Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.

-Shawn Michaels came to the ring to his music. He introduced Ric Flair, who came out to his music. Lawler wondered what Michaels was doing introducing Flair. Michaels told Flair he has wanted to do this for years. He went on to tell him that he is everything that is great about the pro wrestling industry. He said he inspired him to become a wrestler and he inspired him to be great. Both he and Flair welled up. Michaels asked Flair if he thinks he is in his league. "It would be my honor and my pleasure, one-on-one, HBK and the Nature Boy Ric Flair. What do you say, Naitch?" Michaels said. He then handed Flair the mic. Ross raved about the possibilities of that match.

Flair thanked Michaels for reminding him "in a private moment" of who he needed to be. How private was it when a camera was a foot away from their faces and aired everything they said. Anyway... Flair told Michaels that he surpassed Flair and took it to a whole new level. "Let's go out there tonight and find out, I'm excited, thank you," Flair said.

Hunter's music then played and he walked out with a mic saying, "Enough, enough, enough," he said. "Please stop with the mutual admiration society. You're making me sick." He said he was the one who told Flair six months ago he needed to be "The Nature Boy" and go back to being The Man. "Please tell me you are now not going to turn you back on me?" Hunter said to Flair. "Please tell me you are not going to turn around and bite the hand that feeds you."

Flair said HBK reminded him last week that he is Ric Flair, not a subservient jerk who follows him around everywhere. He said he is his own man standing there. "Listen here you old bastard," screamed Hunter. "I am the one who kicked the crutches out from under your wrinkled ass. I picked you up off the ground and made you what you are today. I am the one who brought you back to being The Nature Boy Ric Flair. And Ric, trust me when I tell you, and you can ask Shawn Michaels if you don't believe me, you do not want to run up against me. Your window of opportunity is closing fast here, Ric. Do not make me make this decision for you."

Eric Bischoff's music played and he walked out. Bischoff said when he looks in the ring, he sees three of the biggest egos in the wrestling industry. Everyone nodded. Bischoff said he would love to see HBK vs. Flair on Raw, but "it's just much too big for a burgeoning metropolis like Mobile, Ala." Bischoff then announced that Flair would face HBK at "Eric Bischoff Present Bad Blood." Bischoff said he would book Michaels teaming with Flair versus Hunter in a handicapped match. Hunter looked Bischoff's direction and screamed in anger at him. Flair and Michaels shook hands and smiled. Ross said, "I have a little different opinion of Eric Bischoff right now. That's a hell of a main event." He said this is the first time he can remember those two ever teaming up in the last 30 years. In other words, maybe they teamed up when Michaels was 8 years old or something.

Two things bother me about this otherwise stellar opening segment. For one, there just isn't enough talk about what exactly Flair has accomplished. There is talk in generalities, but why not get past the petty "nothing that happened outside of the WWWF/WWF/WWE matters" policy and talk about Flair's NWA Title reigns and his accomplishments as the top wrestler not in the WWF in the '80s? Also, this could change as the show progresses, but it seems Hunter is being positioned as someone capable of taking on both HBK and Flair. It's a "no-lose" situation for Hunter, because he's outnumbered. It's a time-honored tradition that main event heels, when facing main event babyfaces, are never outnumbered. Usually babyfaces are outnumbered because it creates sympathy for them. Otherwise, though, really well done segment.

-Ross plugged Goldberg in the Highlight Reel later and Steve Austin coming up later.

[commercial break]

-Ross and Lawler talked about the previous segment, then plugged a poll on WWE.com with the question: Will Goldberg spear Jericho during the Highlight Reel? Okay, that's not exactly a "controversial question" where I'm curious about hearing "what fans think" regarding that subject. However, it is a clever way to get people thinking about a major segment scheduled for later.

-Booker T came out to the ring. Ross plugged that he will be challenging Christian for the IC Title at Bad Blood. Already there are more PPV matches getting plugged on Raw in meaningful segments because of the brand split than usual, and we're several weeks away from the PPV. The curious element is how Smackdown is going to fill its time without a PPV to plug all-out yet.

1 -- BOOKER T vs. TEST (w/Stacy)

Lawler and Ross talked about how Stacy has given up on the idea of Test and Scott Steiner being a cohesive tag team. Booker went for a scissors kick, but Test sidestepped it. A moment later Booker had Test down and went for the Spinarooni, but Test attacked him as he stood up and attempted to toss him over the top rope. The spot seemed messed up, because they went to an out-of-place sequence in the ring followed by the same move by Test, tossing Booker successfully over the top rope. Booker went for a slidekick on Test at ringside, but Test yanked Stacy into the path of the kick. Ross criticized Test for having no conscious. Booker came back with a scissors kick and scored the pin. Scott Steiner came out and carried Stacy to the back.

WINNER: Booker T at 5:12.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Not a smooth match.

-Backstage Steve Austin commented that Booker "is finally starting to come around." Hunter approached Austin and asked him about his black eye. Austin said he slipped in the shower. Hunter laughed, then congratulated Austin for doing a great job as assistant GM for Raw. "Thank you, but the match is still on," said Austin. Hunter complimented Austin's new "Stunner Inc." t-shirt. Austin thanked him again, but said once again the match was still on. Hunter grew frustrated, then complimented Austin for looking buffed. "Are you working out?" he said. He almost seemed to be coming on to Austin, an approach I'd suggest wouldn't work. Austin told him the match is still on, so Hunter got in his face and said he is a piece of trash. "You always wanted to be like Triple H, but you never could," he said. He complained about the two-on-one match and the Hell in a Cell match against Nash at Bad Blood. "You can do anything you want, but I'm going to come out on top because that's what I do. That's what I always do," he concluded. Austin stared blankly ahead and told him the match is still on. Hunter, who especially in this skit seems to have aged ten years in the last year, had to hold himself back from getting physical with Austin; then he stormed away.

[commercial break]

2 -- VAL VENIS vs. STEVEN RICHARDS (w/Victoria)

Trish joined Ross and Lawler at ringside for commentary. Before the match, Val offered Victoria a position in his new XXX film company. He said he would call it "Victoria's dirty little Secret." Richards attacked Val for the proposition. Not sure who's the babyface here, if either of them. Val won with the Money Shot.

WINNER: Val at 1:52.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Not much too it, but okay.

[commercial break]

-Ross plugged Nash vs. Hunter at the PPV.

-Johnathan Coachman interviewed Kevin Nash. Coachman said he's been a bit out of control lately. Nash said he was because his best friend turned on him. Nash calmly said it looks like Hunter's world is unravelling and at the PPV he's going to bloody him up and take his title. He added that he hopes Flair and Michaels kick Hunter's ass. He said he'd sit back and enjoy it. He was super super low key during the interview.

-Terri interviewed Christian, who wondered why Mobile named themselves after a gas station. He made fun of the fans. He complimented his haircut. Goldust asked Christian, "Why are you such a dic... dic... dictator?" He told him Booker is going to take his title. Christian said the "C" on his pants stands for "Champion." Booker interrupted and cut a promo on Christian predicting victory at the PPV, closing with "Can you dig that, sucka!?"

-They cut to Bischoff talking to Austin backstage about how proud he was of the match he booked for the TV main event. Austin said he liked the match, but complained about him calling it "Eric Bischoff Presents Bad Blood." He said it is "Steve Austin Present Bad Blood." Bischoff complained about Austin letting anyone with a valid military ID in for free at the PPV. Austin complained about Bischoff's bad breath and then said Bischoff makes him sick for being so cheap. Bischoff proposed that there should be a way for them to compete against each other at Bad Blood in some form or fashion. Austin agreed. They shook hands. Austin said he was headed to the ring to pay tribute to the military personnel in the crowd.

[commercial break]

-Lillian Garcia began singing "America the Beautiful." You know where this was going. A few seconds in, La Resistance interrupted with their music and came to the ring bashing the U.S. over the house mic for sticking their nose in other countries' business. They said we could learn from the French. "We are peaceful people," not the police force of the civilized world. Austin interrupted and walked to the ring. He threw Granier out of the ring and gave Dupree a Stunner.

Austin then thanked veterans for helping protect his ability to drink beer. He insisted on signing "America the Beautiful" with Lillian even though he admitted he couldn't sing "worth a damn." He told the crowd to sing along, too. Lillian stopped singing mid-way into the song, giving Austin a chance to solo. Austin's singing voice sounded a bit like a broken down chainsaw, but he sure didn't hold back. He poured a beer down Lillian's throat afterward, then went to ringside to shake hands with some Naval officers.

-They showed Ric Flair warming up backstage in front of a mirror. Then he walked away. The

[commercial break]

3 -- CHRISTIAN vs. GOLDUST - non-title match.

Christian wore new sparkling yellow full-length trunks. At 2:45 Christian escaped from the Curtain Call. He then slammed Goldust to the mat and scored a near fall. Goldust went for the Golden Globe, but the ref stepped in to stop him. Christian booted Goldust and then charged at him, but Goldust turned it into a surprise powerslam for a quick three count. Christian bailed out of the ring clutching his belt. Strange Ross line of the night: "He's holding onto that belt like it's a kidney, a liver, an organ."

WINNER: Goldust at 4:04.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Solid short match.

[commercial break]

4 -- BUBBA RAY DUDLEY vs. RODNEY MACK (w/Teddy Long)

Lawler said he doesn't think Mack and Long had Bubba in mind as this week's "White Boy Challenge." Bubba charged hard at the start, but Mack fought back right away with forearms and stomps. Bubba sunset flipped Mack for an early two count. At 2:00 Bubba hit the Bubba Bomb for a two count. He barely got any height on the Bubba Bomb. Long then distracted the ref at which point Christopher Nowinski hit Bubba from behind with an object. Mack then put Bubba away with a submission hold.

WINNER: Mack at 2:30.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Good intensity.

-Ross plugged the WWE.com poll.

-La Resistance complained to Bischoff about being attacked by Austin. "We thought America was freedom speech (sic), " said Grenier. Bischoff gave Genier a singles match against RVD with the special stip being it's a flag match. If Grenier won, the colors of France would fly above the ring and they'd earn a tag title match at Bad Blood.

[commercial break]

-Highlights aired of last week's Goldberg-Lance Storm storyline and match. Lawler and Ross revealed that 81 percent of those voting believe Jericho is going to get speared tonight.

-Hunter approached Flair backstage and told him that he's changed. Flair said he hasn't, then went into his signature hyper cliches. "All right, old man, I'm going to give you something to cry about," said Hunter.

[commercial break]

5 -- ROB VAN DAM (w/Kane) vs. SLYVAN GRENIER (w/Rene Dupree)

At 3:00 RVD stopped Genier from getting the flag, then dove off the top rope toward Grenier, but he hit the ref by mistake instead. RVD hit a wheel kick and then went for the U.S. flag. He fought off Dupree and grabbed the flag. Ross declared RVD the winner, not making the obvious observation that the ref was down and couldn't make a judgement. Both members of La Resistance attacked RVD, so Kane entered the ring and evened the odds. Kane got a shot to the throat with the U.S. flag pole. Dupree put the U.S. flag back on the pole. La Resistance then gave RVD a Flapjack. Grenier then grabbed the French flag as Ross said, "No, not on Memorial Day!" The ref came to and called for the bell.

WINNERS: La Resistance at 5:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Solid action leading up to the predictable, but well-executed finish.

[commercial break]

-Chris Jericho's "Highlight Reel" took place next. At the start, Jericho announced that his guest next week would be The Rock. They're in San Diego, Calif., close enough to Rock's L.A. base to make it a quick trip for him. Jericho recounted his history with WCW. He talked about how he was frustrated watching Goldberg surpass him. He said he wanted an opportunity to face Goldberg, but he wasn't considered a big enough star to get one. He said as a result he joined WWE and went on to become the biggest star ever, the first-ever Undisputed Champion. He said he has been waiting five years to face Goldberg. He said he would tattoo his name on Goldberg's ass so he'd never underestimate him again. He challenged him to a match in that ring. Goldberg charged out to the ring, so Jericho bailed out to ringside. Goldberg asked Jericho to make millions of people happy by jumping into the ring so he could wipe the mat with him. Goldberg told Jericho to be careful what he wishes for. He accepted his challenge for a match at Bad Blood. "You want it, you got it!" He said it took him a while to figure it out, but he did realize back in their WCW days that "Chris Jericho is nothing but an ass." Jericho asked if he had the audacity to just call him an ass in the middle of his very own show. He told Goldberg to get out of the ring because if he didn't, he might beat him out of it. Jericho then said, "Then again, maybe I won't." He tried to hop off the ring apron, but Goldberg grabbed him by the throat. Jericho then sprayed him in the eyes with mace or pepper spray. Goldberg writhed in pain as Jericho trash-talked him. Jericho then speared Goldberg and ran to the back.

[commercial break]

6 -- RIC FLAIR & SHAWN MICHAELS vs. TRIPLE H

Michaels and Hunter had some exchanges early. Michaels imitated Flair's strut and Flair ate it up and gave a "Whoo!" from the ring apron. Hunter came back and set up the Pedigree. Flair shouted "No!" Hunter spit at him. Michaels backdropped out of the Pedigree attempt and then superkicked Hunter. Michaels crawled over toward Flair. He hot-tagged Flair in. Flair turned and immediately sucker punched Michaels. Ross was speechless. They cut backstage where a masked man attacked Nash backstage. Hunter then gave Michaels a Pedigree for the three count. After the match, Flair and Hunter doubled on Michaels. Nash came to the ring and punched away at both Flair and Hunter. Nash looked virtually immobile. The masked man came out and nailed Nash's right knee with a chair. Flair then unmasked the wrestler revealing Randy Orton. Flair put Michaels in a figure-four and used the top rope for added leverage.

WINNER: Hunter at 3:12.

STAR RATING: * -- Fine, but short match. The angle makes sense to add tension to the Flair-Michaels feud. The return of Orton helps deepen Raw's heel roster, too. Technically, since Flair tagged in legally before turning on Michaels, Michaels wasn't the legal man in the ring when the pin took place.

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