WWE Raw "Alternative Perspective" Rundown
June 9, 2003
Live from Miami, Florida
Aired on TNN
Report by Mallory Mahling, Torch Team Contributor

Top Five Items from the Program

(1) Not surprisingly, the return of Mick Foley was the highlight of the show. And he sure hasn't lost the ability to take a bump.

(2) Conspicuous by his absence during the first two hours of this two hour and four minute show was Kevin Nash. By the time he finally hit the ring, he was almost a bit player in a much larger drama.

(3) The Test/Stacy/Scott Steiner storyline has turned abusive. It's a disturbing turn of events and is no more palatable on WWE than it is on NWA-TNA.

(4) Goldberg and Jericho were busy playing mind games tonight. What kind of match will that translate into at Bad Blood?

(5) Only one event of the Redneck Triathlon was announced - a pie eating contest. Poontang pie, that is. Now how in the world are they going to televise that? Or should I ask?

Review of the Program

Quarter Hour 1

The show opened with Austin in his dressing room. Triple H barged in and demanded to know who the special guest referee for the Hell In a Cell match would be. Austin said he was trying hard to keep his composure, and told the Game he'd find out when everyone else did. As Triple H started to leave, Austin wished him a nice day. Hmmmm. A hint?

Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed viewers to Raw, live from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

The cell for Sunday's match was hanging over the ring.

As Goldberg headed out for his match, footage was shown of last week's devastating spear to referee Charles Robinson.

Before the match could get underway, Chris Jericho's music hit and he came out with a steel chair and parked himself at the top of the ramp.

(1) Goldberg over Rosie of Three Minute Warning. The crowd thought somebody was an "asshole," but it was hard to tell which of the three they were referring to. This match was not pretty, and J.R. excused Goldberg's lack of wrestling moves by saying he was an aficionado of mixed martial arts. Jericho ran down with his chair, but Goldberg was ready with a big boot. Rosie ended up with a spear and a sloppy jackhammer, and Goldberg took the win. Getting big Rosie off his big feet, however, was a rather impressive feat.

Viewers were invited to log onto wwe.com and vote for who they thought would be the special guest referee.

(Commercial break)

Quarter Hour 2

Prior to the next match, footage was shown of Stone Cold's motivational speech to Kane.

(2) Rob Van Dam over Rene Dupree. Kermit the Frog missed an early spot and pulled a Jackie Gayda by flopping into place for a Van Dam aerial maneuver. Loud "USA" chant. Rolling Thunder by RVD, followed by a Frog Splash that missed. Rob Van Dam took the win, but was immediately attacked by Sylvain Grenier. A beat down ensued, but Kane was no where to be found, and Van Dam had to fend for himself against both members of La Resistance.

(Commercial break)

Eric Bischoff was standing in front of a roulette wheel, sort of a Wheel of (Mis)Fortune, explaining to Stone Cold that they'd spin the wheel to select the events for their Redneck Triathlon.

The first event would be a pie eating contest. Bischoff, who never met a pie he didn't like, looked pleased, but Austin told him it wouldn't be strawberry pie or cherry pie. It would be the Rock's favorite, poontang pie. Bischoff seemed taken aback, but said he could handle it.

Eric tried to get Austin to tell him who the special guest referee would be, but Austin's lips were sealed.

Freddie Blassie's last appearance on Raw was shown. "D-Von, get the tables," he'd said. Vince and Stephanie McMahon, J.R., Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and the Rock all shared fond memories of Blassie.

(Commercial break)

Quarter Hour 3

Kane was backstage moping when Rob Van Dam caught up with him. RVD was irate that Kane had left him to get the snot beaten out of him by La Resistance. Kane didn't seem to care and walked away.

(3) Trish Stratus & Ivory over Victoria & Jazz (w/Theodore Long). Teddy started to talk, but Jazz grabbed the mic for a little haterizing. But the Bitch, who's back, ended up getting her ass handed to her by Trish early in the match. Victoria tagged in and Trish got a couple of near falls. Ivory and Trish managed to send both opponents to the outside. The action returned to the ring, and Jazz tried her best to pin Ivory. Victoria tagged in and tried to take a bite out of Ivory. Jazz tagged in and wanted revenge for last week, but Ivory managed to pin her once again. Jazz and Victoria were furious. Good match.

Backstage, Chris Jericho said he was leaving the building since he'd already driven Goldberg crazy this evening. Christian wanted him to stay and see what he had in store for his Miami peeps, but Jericho was more interested in getting out of Dodge.

(Commercial break)

Quarter Hour 4

Seated at ringside several members of the Miami Dolphins.

Highlights were shown of last weekend's British pay per view, Insurrextion. (You've got to figure there's some jet leg in the dressing room. The superstars have covered a lot of miles in the past few days.)

(4) Scott Steiner (w/Stacy Keibler) pinned Lance Storm. Midajah Stacy was in Steiner's corner, and Test came out to keep an eye on her. Test joined J.R. and the King for commentary, and made catty remarks about Stacy. The match got little attention until Test stomped down to ringside and yanked Stacy by the arm. Steiner went to her rescue and Storm got a brief advantage. Steiner pinned him for the win anyway. Another short match.

After the match Test climbed into the ring and began to beat Steiner senseless with a chair. Then he backed Stacy into a corner. He apologized, and said she didn't have to be his girlfriend anymore . . . because this Sunday he was going to make her his whore. Then he planted a big, unwanted kiss on her. She started to slap him, but he twisted her arm. Do they really need to imitate one of NWA-TNA's worst storylines? Is this entertainment? NO! It's disturbing.  

(Commercial break)

The cell was being lowered, and J.R. said Austin's special guest referee had arrived at the building.

The results of the survey were announced, and 62% of those responding thought it would be Mick Foley.

Austin came out to a huge pop, and introduced the hardcore legend, Mick Foley. The crowd went wild as Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy headed to the ring. (Loud "Foley" chants.)

Quarter Hour 4

He said there were times he thought he was done with wrestling, but "you can take Mick Foley out of WWE, but you can't take WWE out of Mick Foley." He recalled how he'd proudly walked away from the Hell In a Cell match that had made him a legend. But at Bad Blood, no matter how bad it gets between Triple H and Kevin Nash, the only thing he needs to do is count to three.

Triple H came out and said what goes on between The Game and Big Kev was none of Mick's business. Foley was just an ordinary guy with an ordinary life.

Foley pointed out that the crowd was calling Triple H an asshole. Hunter could talk all he wanted about how he'd retired Foley, but Mick intended to make the three count on Sunday.

The Game suggested that Foley listen to reason and reconsider his decision to referee the match. Triple H said he would give Mick less than an hour to make the right choice. And if he didn't like Mick's decision, Triple H would drag him to the ring and make it for him.

(Commercial break)

An elegant Ric Flair styled and profiled his way to the ring. "Whooo," he said, then introduced Randy Orton, who came out to Flair's music.

(5) Randy Orton pinned Hurricane. Hurricane started down the ramp, then turned and left. When he came back, Shawn Michaels was with him.

Quarter Hour 6

Good back and forth action from these two. A Shining Wizard by Hurricane and a near fall, but Flair pulled him off. Randy Orton got the winning pin. Good match, but way too short.

After the match, Orton and Flair tried to double-team Michaels, but HBK battled back. He managed to pull Flair's shirt off and Flair was busted open, but Michaels continued to mop up the floor with him. Flair's hair was Steve Corino red in a matter of moments.   

Backstage, Spike Dudley welcomed Foley back, but questioned his decision to referee the PPV match.

(Commercial break)

Elsewhere backstage, Triple H was in an animated conversation with Eric Bischoff - just out of range of the microphone. How convenient.

The King announced the first ever Spinaroonie Challenge. Out first was Booker T, the originator of the Spinaroonie. Christian headed out next.

Before the contest got underway, Booker said the Miami crowd would like to see the first ever Kingaroonie. Hopefully, that will be the last ever Kingaroonie. Christian said Lawler looked like Shemp from the Three Stooges.

Then Christian went for the Peeperonie. White men can't dance, as the saying goes. And they can't do Peeperoonies, either.

Booker said it was pathetic, and started to do a Spinaroonie. Before he could finish it, Christian came after him with the Intercontinental belt. Booker saw it coming sent Christian running back up the ramp. Before leaving the ring, Booker gave the crowd a classic Spinaroonie.

Christian caught up with Booker at the top of the ramp and smacked him in the head with the belt. Tune in to Bad Blood to see the next chapter of this feud.

Quarter Hour 7

(Commercial break)

(6) Rodney Mack (w/Theodore Long & Christopher Nowinski) over D-Von Dudley (w/Bubba Ray Dudley) via submission. Teddy joined J.R. and the King on commentary. Teddy talked about why Nowinski had decided to Back the Mack. Ignoring the obvious, Teddy said that D-Von wasn't a black man, he was a brown man. What does that make Mack, who is several shades lighter than D-Von?

Teddy ran down to ringside to argue with the referee. Nowinski tried to interfere, but D-Von and Bubba double-teamed him. In the end, thuggin', buggin' Rodney managed to win the match via submission.

Backstage, Terri confronted Goldberg with a flurry of stupid questions. All Goldberg said was that Jericho was next. A chair shot came crashing down on Goldberg. The camera panned back, and it was Jericho wielding the chair. Goldberg turned and smiled a demented smile, and Jericho took off running.

(Commercial break)

Quarter Hour 8

Austin was searching for Mick Foley backstage, and sent a production assistant to find him.

Foley admitted that he might be afraid, but Austin wasn't buying it and gave Mick one of his motivational speeches. He told Foley to make his mind up about being the referee. (Whoops. Just moments ago a graphic for the Hell In a Cell match had shown Foley in black and white referee stripes. Duh!)

(Commercial break)

Back from commercial, the cell was still dangling over the ring.  It began to lower, and it was Time to Play the Game.

Mick Foley came out to give Triple H his answer. Foley said he appreciated the opportunity, but he'd decided to return to his ordinary life. Triple H had a self-satisfied smile on his face. Then Foley dropped the other shoe. He would return to his ordinary life next Monday, after he'd refereed the Hell In a Cell match. Triple H might beat him up in the parking lot or kick his ass in front of his kids, but Foley's decision was to take the ass-kicking. And he'd take it right there in Miami.

(7) Triple H destroyed Mick Foley. The match was on, with a Cactus Jack bang, bang for good measure.

Quarter Hour 9

Foley was slammed into the ring steps and battered with a steel chair. Triple H started to leave, but Foley wasn't through. He taunted Triple H with a three count. He should have left well enough alone, because Hunter came back into the ring a Pedigreed Foley on a steel chair.

Again, Foley counted to three. Triple H came back to the ring, and this time Randy Orton and Ric Flair were with him. They began to destroy Foley, but Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels came out to even the odds.

Big Kev and Triple H finally paired off, and Nash jack knifed the champ as Foley counted to three.

"Foley's heart and soul didn't retire," shouted J.R. as the show went off the air.

The Wrap Up Conspicuous by his absence during the first two hours of this two hour and four minute show was Kevin Nash. Kevin who? Could they have any less confidence in him? Mick Foley was the undisputed highlight of the show. Good build-up for Bad Blood, but not a great one. That special something just seemed to be lacking.      

Comments? You can reach me at mmahling@pwtorch.com. See you in The Lounge on Saturday.

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