PWTorch.com - 5/19 Raw review: Guttman's "alt perspective" review

TV REPORTS
5/19 Raw review: Guttman's "alt perspective" review

May 20, 2003 - 1:56:00 AM

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By James Guttman, Torch Team Contributor

WWE Raw
May 19, 2003
Live from Greenville, SC atthe Bi-Lo Center
Broadcast live on TNN

Last week my laptop joined Al Wilson and Katie Vick in eternal rest. It's been quite strange to be able to take a vacation from the World Wide Web, but it's allowed me time to devote to other projects. For example, last night I finally got the Flex Capacitor working on that supped up DeLorean. I decided that I was going to go back to 1997 to tell my former self about all the advancements in professional wrestling. Space-Time Continuum be damned!

So I revved that baby up to 88 miles per hour and traveled back to the late nineties. When I arrived, I found my 1997 self passed out on a dorm room floor. Figuring I'd opt for the fright effect, I shook former-James awake. He sat up and stared directly at me. I did my best impression of a ghost.

"Ohhh�.Boooo�Jaaaammmmeeesss�..I've come from the future to tell you about the world of wrestling. The Monday Night Wars are over."

1997-me stared in disbelief. Knowing former-James, I had a feeling he'd rather guess on his own. I continued.

"Tonight was a pay-per-view. It wasn't too bad. Eric Bischoff had some funny moments and the show featured Hulk Hogan meeting Roddy Piper, not to mention Kevin Nash challenging for the World Title."

Former-James looked distraught. His face dropped as he spoke.

"Oh, I guess WCW won."

I let out a laugh. I could see how he would make that mistake. I shook my head and spelled it out for him.

"Haha, no�WWE won."

"What the f**k is WWE?!"

I wanted to explain but it was too depressing. Besides, the lightening bolt was about to hit the Clock Tower and I had to be back in 2003 to do this Raw Report.

So here I am, back in present time. Much like 1997, Judgement Day is now in the past. But in its wake so many questions were left unanswered. What challenges await the new Intercontinental Champion Christian? Will the no-time, no-time, no-time, no-time, no-time IC Champ Booker T be on the hunt for revenge? Have Test and Stacy settled their lover's quarrel and learned to co-exist again or has Big Poppa Pump made Miss Hancock his newest Freak? How is Bill Goldberg doing? Was he able to watch Six Feet Under last night? Can Stone Cold Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff continue to co-exist as General Managers? Where did Triple H find such purdy purple boots for his encounter with Big Daddy Cool Kevin Nash last night? Will the Game get payback on his former best friend with benefits for powerbombing him through a table? What would you call Kevin Nash if he quit wrestling and devoted his life to growing tomatoes? Do you think D-Lo Brown used to get teased whenever they came to the "Bi-Lo" Center? The answers to all these questions and more can be found on the New TNN. Yup�they've got Pop. But we've got�Raw!

Raw Theme Plays � Here to sing his rendition is Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuben Studdard!

We kick things off with the Ringmaster of tonight's festivities, Stone Cold GM Steve Austin. Seems that the ol' Rattlesnake had himself some fun last night at the pay-per-view. He downed some brews. He ate some food. In fact, the high point of the entire evening is that he got to do some bonding with his partner in grime Eric Bischoff. He had so much doggoned fun with Uncle Eric, that Greasy E blew Chunks. Then after Chunks left, Bischoff threw up. Let's watch Easy E toss his cookies in slow motion.

Video of Bischoff vomiting at last night's pay-per-view. Now I know what it must have been like at one of those old Nitro parties.

So let's count the Bisch out of tonight's festivities and focus on the Stunning half of the new Power Twins, Stone Cold. You see at next month's pay-for-this-show-or-you-can't-see-it, Badd Blood, things will be different. It will be "Stone Cold Steve Austin presents Badd Blood" (JG Note: What about Clearasil and Sour Starburst?). When Steve has his name on sumptin' you best believe it's good. The man who says "don't trust anybody" gives us his word. Let's get things rolling for that show, shall we? Last week someone drove a car right into Bill Goldberg's limo door. The Hollywood Blonde can relate. He was run over by a thong wearing Sunday Driver himself. We're handing out guarantees so tonight Mr. Austin will get to the bottom of things and name the culprit. When he does, he'll sign that person up for a match against Buffalo Bill at Badd Blood. Speaking of matches, let's bring out Mr. Pantene Pro-V, Triple H.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley emerges from the back. I keep hoping for Henry Godwin to come out and pour slop on his head.

Stone Cold cuts Helmsley's entrance short and informs him that no one wants to see him spit his stupid water. I'm pretty much indifferent to it. He orders Hunter to take his rotten sunglasses off so he can glare right into his beady little eyes. Austin reminds the Champ of his trouncing last night at Kevin Nash's hands. He then expresses displeasure at how the Game held on to his title by striking the senior official, Earl Hebner for an intentional DQ. (JG Note: No joke, when he said "You hit Senior�Official Earl Hebner", I thought he was going to call Kevin Nash a senior citizen.) Look Steve, you know the deal � ok? Trips has stroke around here. Didn't you notice last night as you toasted the bubbly with Easy E that Triple H is still the Champion? Tonight the Game is hurt. He's beat up. He isn't in the mood for any of the GM's crap. No go on a match tonight. Consider this the Cerebral Veto. Well, funk dat, buddy boy. You are wrestling tonight. But let's make things fair. You get to pick your challenger. One catch, he has to have held the WWF/E Title. That means it can be either: Kane, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho or Kevin Nash. Notice how between this and the IC Battle Royal, wrestler's resumes are starting to mean something again? It's about time we got rid of the 400 other Championships around here. Resumes, eh? Well if the opponent has to be a former Champ then Mr. H has a selection. He choo-choo-chooses his butler, Ric Flair! Perhaps the Greatest Champion ever! We've been foreshadowing this for a while. Ric, listen to Reverend Slick � You are a man! As for Triple H, my girlfriend thinks he should remember to bring Frizz-Ease next time he's in a warm climate. As for you, you buy stuff? Watch this�

Commercial Break. It takes a lot of gall to do a commercial that says "You know what you never see in car commercials? Real cars." Then in the same shot, in fine print have "Professional driver. Do not attempt." You know what I never see in car commercials? Real drivers.

Jim Ross and the King urge you to log on right now to WWE.com and vote for who you think tried to run over Goldberg. I though they considered the Internet evil.

(1) The Dudley Boys defeated Three-Minute Warning when Bubba pinned Rosey 3MW is the perfect example of why the wrestling industry really needed ECW. If this was any other time period in history, Rosey and Jamal would have been in Philly months ago. By now they would have hit their strides and been ready for a second shot fresh. Instead it's 2003. So the Warning get stuck. The Dudleys hit a "Wassup" and Jim Ross quips that it will change your dating plans for the night (JG Note: Could you imagine? "Hi�.uh�Suzy? I can't stay over tonight. Yeah, well this guy at work rammed his head into my groin. Then he got wood. Hello? Suzy? Hello?") Guess what? Jamal obliterated a table after missing a splash on D-Von and then Rosey received a 3D. Finito. Them damn Dudleys get another notch in their cap. Good match. With Rosey and Jamal, it's not a matter of them not being able to deliver a good match. It's a matter of them not having any heat at all. I think they could come up the ramp and club a baby seal to death and people will be like "Eh."

Eh is right as Rico brings his sideburns and spandex into the ring. How could you two embarrass him again? That's it. It's about time Rico saw other people. He's done with you. This dejected team needs some help. The Stylist takes his leave as his old song "You Look So Good To Me" plays. Luxurious�

Commercial Break. Sour Starburst � Use Responsibly. You know, don't choke anyone to death with it.

Eric Bischoff is doing his best Ted Kennedy impression as he recovers from last night's chugalug with his partner, Steve Austin. Lightweight Schoff is still hungover and explains that he's dying as Austin barks at him to get up. Uncle Eric is dragged to his feet and runs down all the food he ate last night that contributed to his vomiting. Stone Cold has a solution, Bisch. You need to drink some more! (JG Note: I knew so many people like Steve Austin in college.) He puts the beer below EB's mouth and the GM throws up again. Only this time it's graphic chunky vomit. Really disgusting. Seeing that Sleazy E hath soiled his own portrait, the Bionic Redneck laughs and leaves. For some reason, when Eric is playing sick his hair looks better than when he's normal.

Big Daddy Cool Kevin Nash interrupts Steve's chuckles. Kev is wearing his new T-shirt with a hood ornament-like symbol on the front featuring a contorted "BD" inside. The only problem is that it looks like it says "BO." Psst�Diesel's smelly, pass it on. Austin stops Nash's thought and informs him that he saw his beating of Trips last night. Tell ya what, Oz, you get the winner of the Hunter/Flair match at Badd Blood. Cool? Cool.

Meanwhile, back at the Huntercave�

The World Champ is taking off his jacket when he bombarded by the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Gawd, Hunts. How can Ric thank you? I mean, to have the confidence in him to be able to match up with you means a lot. Tonight, the best versus the best. Thank you Hunter. Thank you�Wait, Ric. Trips didn't pick you tonight so that he could have a good match. He wants you to lay down and let him pin you. He's beaten up, remember? Now be a stand-up guy. Do the right thing. Hunter pats him on the shoulder and returns to his business. Besides the Hogan/Nash one-finger angle, has the whole "you're gonna lay down for me" plan ever really went off too well?

Still to come � Goldberg versus whomever we think it is. Vote now! Book our show!

Commercial Break. For Dry Red Eyes�use WhiteOut.

Step in the arena and break the walls down� The Shockmaster?

Here comes the King of the World himself, Chris Jericho. Chris's facial hair is like his personal toy. Goatee. No goatee. Beard. No beard. Sideburns. No sideburns. One day he's going to show up with Disney Characters shaved into his face. But that's for another report. Tonight it's the Highlight Reel for Jericho and he has himself a fresh new set, complete with a monitor that costs more than most of our homes. (JG Note: I just want to point out that Chris Jericho provided one of the funniest moments I've seen in a while. Last night at Judgement Day, when Roddy Piper confronted him, Jericho inquired as to what happened to Tenacious Z Zach Gowan's real leg. He patted Piper's belly, grinned and asked "Did you eat it?" I've never gone from one extreme to another on my feelings for a performer like Jericho. When I started doing these reports for PWTorch.com, I couldn't stand him. He's really turned his character around. Good work, Fozzyface.) Hey, you want to know what this monitor is used for? Well, it's used to illustrate points like last night's battle royal for the Intercontinental Title. You remember, the one where his good friend Christian stabbed him in the back. Check it out�

Christian tosses Jericho to the floor That monitor costs more than my house? Y2J got ripped off.

Christian! Christian! You don't have girl's hair any mo-oh-ore!

Here comes Mr. Christian and he's got a spiffy new do. I will call him Mini-Test. It was so strange and took me about two minutes to fully register it. I mean, for years I've seen this guy and he's always had crazy long hair. Now he's like a different guy. He still dresses like a woman at Lillith Faire, but he looks like a person now. Fozzy goes on the attack as the IC Champ enters the ring. He lays into him for tossing him out of the Battle Royal. But in typical heel form, smiles and shakes his hand for a job well done. Come on, Sister Christian, Y2J is a heel too. He would have done the same. Edge's clean-cut little brother proclaims his victory for the peeps and informs us that above Clay and Ruben he should be the American Idol, despite his Canadian Citizenship of course. But what about your cheating ways, Broodboy? Don't you remember that you obtained that strap after some chicanery? Let's go to the JerichoMonitor again.

Christian takes advantage of a ref bump and rolls back into the ring after being tossed to the floor. He hits Booker with the strap and dumps him over the rope Quick Question: I can understand that the ref was knocked down and couldn't see the elimination of Christian. But why couldn't he hear them play Booker T's music? Hmmmm�.

The Christian Champ watches the video and admits that he did cheat to win. He gives Booker credit though. He's a tough kid who might one day make it to the top. But not today. Today is Christian's day to shine. It's his time to chant his name�

Hey, why does RVD's pyro create so much smoke?

Dude, he doesn't use pyro.

But how could�.oh�.

One of a kind!

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion and ECW TV Champion for 19 years, Rob Van Dam enters the ring and confronts the Canadian Chrises. Look, Gothic Guy, Robby V gets you. You want to cut your hair and be all slick. But you need a better catchphrase. How about:

"You've got the belt,
You're making big bucks,
But everyone still knows
That Christian Sucks."
- Rob Van Dam 9:47PM � Def Poetry

You want to be a real champion, Christian? Then you need to be a fighting champion. How about tonight you defend the gold against Mr. Monday Night? You know something, Van Dam? You had no right to interrupt Christian's victory party. Don't you have other things to think about, Rob? You know what we do to party crashers? We kick their arse. Bam! Pow! Boom! Team Chris(tian) Jericho assault the Whole Dam Show with punches and kicks.

From Hell, Fire and Brimstone (JG Note: OK, the dressing room. From the dressing room) comes Kane. He stands beside his tag partner in ridding the ring of both the short haired and long haired Chrises alike.

But as the duo retreats, Steve Austin appears on the TitanTron. While the Rattlesnake admires Christian's competitive nature and will overlook his cheating ways last night, he wants to see a match tonight. How about Christian and Chris Jericho get their ish together and clean the ring out so they can hook it up with Team Burn Out for the tag titles. How long will it take to empty the ring of the Highlight set? How long are commercial breaks?

Commercial Break � Snickers seems to be the answer to all of life's unfortunate side effects. That must be why Roddy Piper is never grumpy or tired.

(2) World Tag Team Champions Rob Van Dam & Kane defeated Chris Jericho & Christian via disqualification A good match that came about in an unexpected way. I definitely liked the on-the-fly match making that they've had Austin do this week and last (Flair/Helms). It adds an element to the show that they had when they were at their peak. Match appeared over when Kane chokeslammed Christian and RVD went for a Frogsplash but was tossed from the buckle by Jericho. Following a reverse DDT that failed to secure a victory, Christian and Jericho opted to be DQed and attacked their foes with chairs.

As they lined up Kane's head in between two chairs and set up for the Concerto, Booker T ran into the fray. He cleared the ring of the Canadians and offered up a Spinaroony with Kane and Van Dam by his side. Good match, good stuff. Hey BT, if you really want to know a way to achieve your goals, I know how you can be Intercontinental Champion.

Ric Flair is doing some deep soul searching when he's approached by the Boy Toy who found religion, Shawn Michaels. HBK tells Ric that he's not here to fight. He's here to tell you that "15 years ago you came out on TV�(JG Note: What?!) �and you told the world that you were the measuring stick. You were the standard that every guy in this business should aspire to be." (JG Note: Oh. I was thinking "How'd I miss that?") HBK did just that, Naitch. He worked hard to be just like you. Slick Ric is touched by the Hallmark moment as his eyes swell with tears. Do you really think he can do it, Shawn? Do ya think that maybe, just maybe�this old dog still have enough fight left in him to go and save the day? Why Ric, you just have to believe in yourself. You had the power all along. Click your heels together. Win one for the Gipper. Give em hell. May the force be with you and of course � Cry endlessly. Tears roll down Flair's face as we get a tissue and bawl along with the�

Commercial Break. I once rode a Greyhound cross-country, but by the time we got to California it could hardly walk. I miss Fido.

Let me holla at you, playa! He must hear Scott Steiner.

Rodney Mack and Teddy Long hit the ring and take the mic. Tell me, Rodney, as you look into the crowd, what do you see? Well, Mack sees white bigots. (JG Note: Teddy, I want to tell you my secret. I see dead people.) Long will give in to you all on one point, Rowdy Rodney Mack's past White Boy Challengers have been less than credible. He even destroyed two at once! But tonight he's going to change all that. Tonight he challenges any credible pale faced performer in the dressing room to accept his invitation to be the White Boy of the night! Whoever comes out will not be someone you should envy. It will be Big Mack's first stepping stone. One man goes up, one man goes down. I'll go tally the votes.

The first person voted off the island�Spike Dudley. Spike, I need you to bring me your torch. Sorry, Spike, the tribe has spoken.

(3) Rodney Mack defeated Spike Dudley via submission at 4:59 in a White Boy Challenge Theodore joins in on commentary and again cracks me up. He reminds me of George Jefferson with his delivery of some lines. He has a timing that most wrestling promos lack. I'm glad to see him out of the ref position. Before Jim Ross can even get a word out, Long says that he did some research on Good ol' JR as well. In fact, Jim, didn't you have a maid who was of color? Ross denies it. (JG Note: Let's do a Confidential about JR's black maid.) A pretty good match which sort of makes me want to see Mack against other top level challenges. Rodney is pretty brutal in the ring and reminds me a lot of Perry Saturn. With mere seconds to go, Mr. Mackey locks a Cobra Clutch on Spike Dudley which he calls the "Blackout." With one second remaining, Spike tapped out. Silly considering that this isn't the type of move that people usually tap out of. Normally they just pass out. Tap out, pass out, it doesn't really matter. Spike's luck just ran out.

Who's next? We don't know! Tonight!

Commercial Break � I have no doubt that Big Show eats Stacker 2s. I was under the impression that he ate everything.

Recap of Trish Stratus doing an impression of a pogo-ball with her face last night.

Easy E is still in pain when his Stone Cold partner torments him. The Ringmaster screams in Bisch's ear with a megaphone and pounds a garbage can lid all to annoy his greasy little friend. But that's all in fun, Bisch. Here, look. Stunning Steve brought you some ladies. Eric says he isn't in the mood for women. (JG Note: No drinking, no eating, no women � are they sure that's Eric Bischoff?) The Bionic Redneck is gonna change your mind, Bisch. You're a wild and crazy guy! Here are the fox-es! Moolah and Mae Young run into the room and mob Eric like schoolgirls. Uncle Eric tosses them out of the room and slams the door behind them. If he were drunk, he would have let them stay � wink wink.

Commercial Break. I can't imagine renting furniture. I wouldn't mind renting out my furniture. That's a good idea actually. Going out for a few days? Rent your couch.

Ric Flair is posing in a mirror while wearing his robe. He's still sobbing. Ric cries a lot.

Cue La Resistance's music...

Look at all the fans who lined up to get tickets and meet Scott Steiner. Before the day's end, he'd killed most of them.

(4) La Resistance defeated Test & Scott Steiner when Sylvan Grenier pinned Test I wasn't too impressed by Renee and Sylvan last night and thought the match was just off. I don't want to say it's inexperience, but it could be. I also think it's a bad booking decision to take a hot button like France, stick it on a low-mid level team and have them feud with two men who are dealing with another side story. Who knows how long the French issue will be considered current. Strike while it's hot. Send them to Smackdown and have them disagree with Mr. America defending a one-legged fan. Have them join McMahon's quest to unmask him. It would be more productive than giving them a Three-Minute Warning position with Test and Scotty. Finale saw Test tossed into Scott Steiner and rolled up for the win.

Following the finish, Freakzilla confronted his Testicular Partner and took him to task for his recent errors. You know something, Test, Big Poppa Pump is gonna keep hitting the gym, Scott is going to get bigger and bigger and he's never teaming with you again. Well, words turn to shoves and the two go at it with Stacy stuck in the middle. When they attempt to play tug of war with each of her arms, enough is enough. She's not going with Andrew. She's not going with Steiner. She's out of here. It's manager quitting day.

Stone Cold had a cardboard sign on a door that reads "Interrogation Room." But who will be interrogated? Hmmm�

Who ran down Goldberg? Viewers choices are shown with percentages. Frontrunners in the WWE.com poll are The Rock, Christian and Triple H. I voted for P.N. News.

Commercial Break. Couldn't Milky Way also cure the unfortunate side effects of hunger?

Steve Austin is in the Interrogation Room. He circles a lamp, lecturing his prisoner as to the attack on Big Bill. As the camera pans down to the uncooperative suspect, we learn that it's Mr. 4% Lance Storm. What's the deal, Lance? Where were you when the crime went down? Were you reading a book? It was your rental car. What's that all aboot? Funky Fresh Stormy Storm concedes that it is indeed his ride that rammed the limo door of Goldberg. But�but, the accelerator was stuck. DJ Lance continues his fibbing by making the claim that Canadians drive on the other side of the road. This doesn't make the Bionic Ringmaster happy. Lying? Fess up, Crewcut. Finally the UnAmerican admits that he did the deed at the request of another. But Steve doesn't care. Tonight it's The Canadian Librarian meeting the Oklahoma Monster. You shouldn't let your friends get you in trouble, Lance. Look who got punished. I hope you've learned your lesson from all this.

Wet head, purple tights, it can only mean one thing � Hunter Hearst Helmsley. The Corporate Champ is getting his midsection taped up and preparing for his cakewalk with Slick Ric. As the Cerebral Assassin takes a seat and begins to enjoy Freddie Blassie's book, the crazy old guy in sequins, Ric Flair, approaches him. Naitch has something to say to you, Hunter. It was only six months ago that you came up to him and inquired as to where his killer instinct had gone. You wanted him to be the man. Flair then claims that H told him, "I want to see you � pardon the pun - in the Game. (JG Note: He said, "pardon the pun" so he obviously picked up that it had a double meaning. If you put bars around them, this would be a scene from Oz.) Well those words lit a fire in this Stylin' and Profilin' furnace. Ric then goes off on a classic Flair flip-out, lambasting the Game and promising to never lay down for anyone again! Trips's world crumbles as his now-former friend lets out an old school "Woo!"

Commercial Break. Considering all of the stupid disclaimers on commercials nowadays, how long before Gatorade adds the fine print reading "Gatorade does not make you sweat fluorescent colors?"

Bill, it's time to avenge your limousine door's honor.

Lance, it's time to�uh, it sucks to be you.

(5) Bill Goldberg pinned Lance Storm after a Jackhammer Wham, bam, thank you Lance. Ready? Here's the rundown (All offensive moves for Bill): Kneelift, Kneelift, Irish Whip, Powerslam, Kneelift, Pumphandle Slam, Spear, and Jackhammer. Six moves. I think he ran out. Stormy, if I can be serious for a minute�that wasn't a good sign.

Following the bell, Goldberg took the mic and choked out his Canadian prey. Who put you up to this? Tell him, Lance! Who?! As the Goldbergler tightens his vice-like grip on the Impact Player's throat, he finally squeezes a name. He did it�he did it for Chris Jericho. Goldy smiles. It's on.

Up next � Ric Flair faces the greatest champion in the history of this business! Then, if we have time, he'll fight Hunter.

Commercial Break. I wasn't aware that the "FU" was ever out of "Fun."

Johnny Coach is in the parking lot and he has Chris Jericho cornered. Hey Chris, where ya goin'? A Tesla concert perhaps? No JC, Y2J+3 had his show tonight. He did his thing. Now he's taking off. He openly admits that he hired Spoonie Lance to run down Bill Goldberg. That's an issue he'll deal with next week. Why? Because next week, BG Gold will be Mr. Jericho's guest on the Highlight Reel. Oh, the plot thickens�

Mr. Flair, you're on. Mr. Flair, please stop crying

Slick Ric struts his way to the ring and Jim Ross stands on his feet to honor the great champion (JG Note: He also stood up because he had to pee and was dying for a cigarette)

Those are the purple boots I was telling you about. Triple H has purple boots now. Straight from the Adrian Adonis/Model Rick Martel collection.

Recap of Master Blaster Steel putting Terra Ryzin through a table.

(6) World Champion Triple H pinned Ric Flair after a Pedigree. We start it off with an out-stretched hand from the Nature Boy. When the Game tries to shake, Ric pulls back and pats his hair. Classic spots by both men with Naitch responding to H's mocking "Wooo" with a thumb to the eyes early. I say it every week. Flair is timeless. Seriously, Ric Flair didn't jump off of any ladders tonight. He didn't do kung fu or moonsaults. Hell, I'm not sure if he's ever made it off that top rope without getting caught. He didn't do any of those things. He just wrestled. I think the fact that Flair is still able to generate a good reaction from an audience proves that the fans, at heart, enjoy wrestling. I'm not saying that other things can't be thrown in (JG Note: I'm gonna rip your mask off�I screwed your brains out�These are bisexual lesbians�Chuck, will you marry me?�He tore his leg off!), but pure ability will always be respected. Some close calls for Captain Prenup as Slick Ric had him nearly defeated on a number of occasions. In fact, following a ref bump he waffled the Game with the World title and covered him for a close near fall. But he is the Game and he makes the rules. You lose. Flair gets planted with a Pedigree and Triple H takes the victory. I wonder if Triple H is going to start wrestling people who were born after the Kennedy Assassination any time soon.

After the bell tolled, Kevin Nash came out from the dressing room and walked into the ring. Thinking on his feet, Hunter realizes that he can run away because there's no way that Big Daddy Cool is chasing after him. But as the Champ collapses at the top of the ramp, the Texas GM steps out and towers above him. Congrats, H Cubed. Badd Blood � you got yourself Kevin Nash�in a Hell in a Cell! Triple H shakes his head and Vinnie Vegas grins as we fade to black.

All in all� not bad. Again I want to explain that I'm not a fan of the direction the main level feud is going (Hunter/Nash 2). But, I found the show to be well put together with enough focus on other storylines and situations. A major part of that is the reinstated Intercontinental Title.. For the first time in a long time, mid carders had something to do that seemed constructive. I liked the feel of the show and can't help but think that this episode was a bit of a turning point for the Raw brand. Instead of putting all our eggs in one basket and centering the entire program on one angle, it was spread out. If one thing doesn't do it for you, something else will. So for all you "Internet people complain all the time" peeps, read this � good show. I won't say it's the best Raw I've ever seen, but it kept my attention and piqued my interest for next week. Well, that's that and there ain't no more. I'll be back in the LOUNGE on Thursday with Insult to Injury and here on Monday for Raw. Tune in next week to find out if Ted DiBiase will get his Million-Dollar Belt back from Jake Roberts. Also, Brother Love's special guest � the Earthquake. Oh, sorry, wrong tape. Just tune in next week.

E-Mail James at: Jguttman@PWTorch.com