WWE Raw Flashback - 10 years ago
February 25, 2002
Aired on TNN (later Spike TV)
Build-up to WrestleMania - Rock vs. Hogan
Raw Report by Jason Powell

(Live from Providence, R.I.)... Hosts: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.

-A shot aired from WWF New York of Val Venis partying with a group of women.

-The NWO walked out for a promo. Hall pushed a wheelbarrow covered with a black towel to ringside. Hulk Hogan said he heard that Rock was planning to make an appearance at the show. He said Rock's injuries are more severe than the WWF is letting on, and asked, "Watcha gonna do, brother, when Hulkamania runs wild on you at WrestleMania?" Hall took the mic and complained that Austin treated him like an animal on Smackdown. "I'm a man," Hall said. "I'm all man." Hall challenged Austin to a match at WrestleMania and vowed to humiliate him. Hall said he would be willing to call a truce with Austin until the PPV if he agreed to the match.

-A WrestleMania ad aired for Hogan vs. Rock.

-A clip aired of the WWF's appearance on "Fear Factor."

(1) Billy & Chuck beat The Hardys (w/Lita) to retain the WWF Tag Titles at 3:37.

-Chris Jericho and Stephanie McMahon arrived in a limo. Jericho handed the driver a video tape and instructed him to give it to the production team, saying it would embarrass Triple H.

-Backstage, Michael Cole tried to interview Debra, asking what Austin's response to Hall's challenge was. Debra took offense that Cole didn't ask her how she was doing and stormed away. Elsewhere, Christian complained about his losing streak to Arn Anderson. Dallas Page entered the room and said the key to solving the problems is smiling. Anderson flashed Christian a Page-like smile, which was the funniest moment of the show. Page and Christian headed off to talk.

-Backstage, Michael Cole caught up to Austin for an interview. Austin accepted Hall's WrestleMania challenge.

(2) Rob Van Dam beat Lance Storm and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at 2:21 to earn an Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania. Show dominated the match, but Van Dam came back with a Van Daminator and a frogsplash for the win. Regal did commentary.

-Backstage, Booker T rehearsed lines for a Japanese shampoo commercial and talked with Test.

-Bradshaw arrived at the APA "office," but the "door" was locked. Faarooq told him to use the key, so Bradshaw reached around the door and tried to grab the key, but it fell to the floor. Bradshaw walked around the door, grabbed the key, walked back around, and unlocked the door before entering the room. Funny. Bradshaw said the duo had been invited to return to the Friendly Tap bar, where they once had a bar brawl.

(3) Booker T beat Rikishi at 2:38. Before the match, the announcers explained that Booker and several other WWF wrestlers are up for the Japanese commercial. Lawler said Booker would clinch the role by winning the match. In the end, Booker caught Rikishi with a side kick for the win.

-Highlights aired of Mark Henry winning Arnold Schwarzenegger's strong man competition.

-Jericho and Steph walked to the ring and aired footage of Triple H suffering the quad injury that kept him out of action for eight months. The footage also showed Jericho locking Triple H in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho claimed he knew that Triple H was injured, and took credit for doing further damage. Jericho suggested that Triple H may have been able to truly impregnate Steph if he hadn't suffered the injury. Steph said she didn't think so because Triple H always came up short in the bedroom. Triple H walked to the ring and said he wouldn't have come up short if he wasn't playing on such a big field. Kurt Angle walked onto the stage and interrupted. Angle said Vince McMahon felt that he (Angle) was screwed the week before, and was making it up to him by giving him a title shot later in the show. Angle suggested that he and Steph could form a partnership after he won the title, but Steph shook her head no.

-Backstage, Jonathan Coachman interviewed Mr. Perfect, who claimed to have a perfect won-loss record. He said the Kane loss was "just an exhibition."

(4) Jazz beat Mighty Molly with a brainbuster to retain the WWF Women's Title at 3:42.

-After the break, several WWF officials, including Arn Anderson, were helping Molly at ringside. Undertaker walked out and attacked Anderson, who bladed heavily. Ross pointed out that it was Ric Flair's birthday. A shot aired of EMTs tending to Anderson.

(5) Chris Jericho (w/Steph) beat Kurt Angle to retain the Undisputed WWF Title at 9:05. Late in the match, Kane ran out and attacked Angle. Kane rolled Angle back inside the ring, where Jericho pinned him. The match featured a couple of missed spots, but was still solid. The crowd was quiet during the opening minutes of the match, but picked up as the match went on.

-The APA arrived at the bar and discovered it had turned into a gay bar since their last visit. A transvestite approached Bradshaw and asked him for a dance. Suddenly, Billy & Chuck attacked the APA from behind.

-Hogan entered Rock's dressing room and cut a promo on a cardboard cut-out of Rock. "You're a fad, Rock," Hogan said before slamming his belt into the cut-out. A lame segment.

-Backstage, the NWO members wished Mr. Perfect luck in his match against Austin.

(6) Steve Austin beat Mr. Perfect at 5:02. Austin carried a crowbar to the ring with him for protection against the NWO. Austin dominated the bulk of the match. The live crowd didn't react to Perfect's offense and didn't seem to take him as a serious threat to Austin. In the end, Austin hit the Stunner and scored a clean pin.

-Afterward, Hall pushed the wheelbarrow filled with cement blocks to the ring. Hall pushed the wheelbarrow over (onto a cameraman's ankle) and started brawling with Austin. Nash and Hogan ran out to help Hall, who came up bleeding above his eye. Nash and Hogan got the better of Austin and wrapped his legs around the ringpost. Hall grabbed one of the cement blocks and smashed it over Austin's knee. The block crumbled into dust and was obviously a prop. Ross and Lawler sold the attack by dropping their headsets and leaving the announcers table. Hall, Nash, and Hogan walked onto the stage, where Hogan said, "He (Austin) ain't nothin', brother," to end the show...

***

-Overall score (5.0): A standard Raw that set the stage for several WrestleMania matches, but didn't provide memorable follow up to last week's hot NWO angle. Scott Hall and Kevin Nash just aren't as fun without the witty (shoot) comments they were known for in WCW. The WWF is forcing the group to play true heels, which eliminates a major element that made the NWO so successful in WCW. While no one is suggesting the WWF let Hall and Nash get out of control, they need to loosen the reigns a bit.

-High Point: Van Dam earned an Intercontinental Title match. Although that means we'll probably have to watch him wrestle William Regal, at least we won't have to sit through another Regal-Edge match.

-Low Point: The APA bar skit just wasn't funny. In fact, the entire Billy & Chuck gimmick has zero comedy appeal, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed the West Hollywood Blondes gimmick. Speaking of the Blondes, will someone please call GLAAD (the organization that convinced Time Warner to ban Lenny & Lodi) on Billy & Chuck

[Torch art & photos (c) PWTorch.com]

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