TJR Retro: WWF Raw Deal 07/31/00 Review (The Rock and Lita vs. Triple H and Trish)

Welcome to another WWF in 2000 review a big episode of Raw that took place in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It was rare for the WWF to do Raw in a dome, but they did it sometimes and part of the reason they used the Georgia Dome is because WCW used it when they were doing well a few years earlier as well. You may recall that the famous Goldberg WCW Title win over Hulk Hogan was in the Georgia Dome two years earlier. It was a hot period for the WWF, so it made sense to run a bigger stadium occasionally.

There were a couple of guys missing after injury angles the previous week on Raw and Smackdown. The Undertaker and Chris Jericho were taken out with injuries because each guy got married. The Undertaker got married on July 21 (to second wife Sara) and then was off for his honeymoon. The neck tattoo appeared soon.  Chris Jericho got married to Jessica on July 30 and they had him do an injury angle on the previous Smackdown from July 27. Jericho is still married to Jessica, so congrats to them on 20 years together. They have a son and twin daughters together. It also meant that two of the top babyfaces were off this edition of Raw.

Here is the synopsis for this episode on WWE Network:

“After being caught in a very precarious situation with Trish Stratus on SmackDown, Triple H tries to salvage his marriage with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley with a heartfelt apology. But when Commissioner Mick Foley orders him to team with Stratus to take on Lita and WWE Champion The Rock, The Game finds himself in another compromising position. / 14+ (D,L,S,V) “

Check out our WWF TV in 2000 archives in case you missed anything (Raw, Smackdown and PPV reviews) from earlier in the year. Also, make sure to visit TJRWrestling.net daily for my reviews of the current WWE shows, plus historical columns and all the relevant current news in the wrestling business. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport and tweet me to talk about this show or anything else. Let’s get to it.

WWF Raw #375
July 31, 2000
From Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia

The show began with a graphic saying they this show was In Memory of Gordon Solie 1929-2000. He died of throat cancer on the Friday prior to this Raw with Jim Ross calling him his friend. I didn’t grow up with the NWA, but I’ve seen enough and I know for sure that Solie was one of the best wrestling announcers ever.

A video package aired showing Triple H’s problems from Smackdown with Stephanie McMahon walking in on Hunter having Trish bent over while showing wrestling holds, so Triple H left the show.

There was a long limo shown driving up to the stadium with Triple H walking out of the limo on his own. No Stephanie with him. The Raw intro video aired after that.

There was a big pyro display in the Georgia Dome that felt longer than usual and the fans were going crazy. It was an incredible visual to see that many people at Raw. Jim Ross said the attendance was 25,135 fans.

The Degeneration X team of Road Dogg and X-Pac entered as we got highlights of Steve Blackman beating each guy on Raw and Smackdown last week. Steve Blackman was shown backstage earlier in the day saying he didn’t need a partner and it was Al Snow, who was singing “united and it feels so good.” Blackman wasn’t happy about it. Blackman entered with Snow.

Hardcore Match: Steve Blackman and Al Snow vs. Degeneration X (Road Dogg and X-Pac)

Pre-match notes: Blackman was the Hardcore Champion that was a reluctant partner of Al Snow in this match. They were babyfaces while Degeneration X were heels.

Blackman and Snow attacked with cookie sheets to start the match. Snow beat on both opponents with a street sign while Blackman brought a chain and trash can into the ring. X-Pac threw some powder into the eyes of both opponents as Dogg hit Snow in the head with a street sign. X-Pac hit Snow with the chain that was in the ring. Blackman beat up both DX with a trash can lid. X-Pac came back with a dropkick on Blackman. Snow with a trash can lid to both opponents and Dogg hit Snow with the trash can lid as well. Snow hit a suplex on Dogg on the floor. X-Pac jumped off the top onto Snow with a punch to the head. Blackman had nunchuks, but X-Pac hit him with a spin kick and then a trash can to the head. X-Pac brought in a bag, Blackman hit Snow with a trash can and he hit X-Pac with a trash can as well. Snow back in the ring with a nunchuk shot to the head of X-Pac. Snow brought in a bowling ball and rolled it into Dogg’s groin.

That drew a big pop from the crowd. X-Pac came back with a trash can to the head of both opponents. X-Pac with a kendo stick, then he lost it and Blackman got sticks while X-Pac was handed the kendo stick again. Blackman blocked kendo stick shots, then Blackman used the sticks and hit X-Pac in the body repeatedly. Blackman picked up X-Pac into a sitout slam for two as Dogg broke up the pin. Snow had a trash can lid, he swung it at Dogg, who ducked and Snow hit Blackman in the back of the head. X-Pac hit the X-Factor on Blackman on a chair and pinned him for the win at 6:14.

Winners by pinfall: Degeneration X (Road Dogg and X-Pac)

Analysis: **3/4 A physical match with some big shots taken by all four guys. I like that it was done in a way where it was tornado tag team rules and they didn’t bother doing tags or anything like that. Good flow to the match with the heels winning because Snow accidentally hit Blackman and that led to a rare loss for Blackman, who was on a big winning streak as the Hardcore Champion.

There was a shot of a limo arriving in the parking lot. It was Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley on her own.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Triple H

Triple H made his entrance with a dozen red roses in his hand along with some bandages on his left arm due to the very physical Fully Loaded match with Chris Jericho eight days earlier. There was a bandage on his head too. Hunter had a serious look on his face.

Hunter said that he is a man that makes very few mistakes, almost never and when he has made mistakes in the past, his pride has stood in the way of accepting those mistakes. Hunter said today he’s out there…and fans chanted “Asshole” at him. Hunter said that he was there to admit that he made a very big mistake. Hunter called out wife Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley to say that what she walked in on last week looked bad, but it was innocent and there was nothing between Hunter and Trish Stratus and never will there be. Hunter said that Stephanie was his true love (poor Chyna). Hunter said when Stephanie saw what she saw, she exploded and rightfully so, but she never let him explain. Hunter said he didn’t mean what he said last week. Hunter said he was there to apologize to Stephanie and he wants her to accept the apology, so he can tell her how much he loves her.

Stephanie McMahon made her entrance with the WWF Women’s Title on her shoulder and she entered the ring with her husband as fans chanted “slut” at her.

Stephanie said that Hunter has no idea how much he hurt her. Stephanie asked how Hunter would feel if she was bent over in front of some guy…like Kurt Angle and how would that make him feel? Stephanie said she can’t get the image of Hunter and Trish out of her mind and it makes her sick to her stomach. Stephanie said that Hunter was so obsessed by Chris Jericho that he didn’t pay attention to her, but he did pay attention to Trish.

Hunter said there was nothing to that. Hunter told her that she can trust him, he would never like to her and there will be nothing between him and Trish. Hunter said that against Jericho, he was defending Stephanie because he called her the worst possible things on Earth, so he defended her…he did it for her. Hunter said that he loves her while noting that she’s the most important thing in his life. Hunter spoke about how he was a bloody mess, how he endured pain and it was nothing close to the pain that he would feel if Stephanie left him. Hunter said he’s out there in front of the world admitting that he did things he shouldn’t have done, he is sorry and he knows they love eachother. Hunter wanted the world to know that he is sorry, that he loves her and if she forgives him then he will be the happiest man in the world. Stephanie smiled and they kissed…to huge boos from the crowd.

Commissioner Mick Foley showed up with a lot of water on his face to try to show make a joke of the situation as if he was in tears at the sight of this. Foley stood on the ramp for a promo. Foley joked that he just can’t stop crying because what just took place in that ring is the biggest load of horsecrap that he’s ever seen. Huge pop! Foley said there’s a time and place in the world for everything, except that because that was hideous. Foley said he can understand the pain while saying they all remember it, so Foley brought footage of what happened with Stephanie walking in on Hunter having Trish bent over in front of him while Hunter was showing Trish some holds.

Foley said that Hunter’s personal life is his business while noting that he finds paint dry more interesting than Hunter and Stephanie. Foley said when you start letting your martial spats get in the way of business then it becomes Mick’s business. Foley noted that Hunter walked out of a match that was already set on Smackdown. Foley told Hunter he would fine him $5,000 for that and he told Hunter to consider it a warning because if he walks out of a match that Foley sets up then Hunter is out of the WWF.

Foley told Hunter he can redeem himself with a husband and wife tag team match right here in Atlanta, Georgia (cheap pop). Foley said that the match will see Hunter and Stephanie face Lita and since Chris Jericho isn’t there tonight, Lita’s partner will be The Rock. Hunter was pissed off about that.

Analysis: It took a while to get through that apology by Hunter, who felt the need to summarize everything, which is something he always did in his long winded promos. It was smart to book Foley in that spot to turn around the boring heel segment into more of a feel-good situation with Foley setting up the big match for later on Raw.

There was a segment from earlier in the day where two women were outside leading the fans in “Save The Ho’s” chant. One of the women was the future Victoria before she was a regular in the company.

(Commercial)

Here’s a “Bomb Canada” sign.

As a Canadian, I’d say that’s mean, but then I turn on the American news for about 20 seconds and it makes me thankful to be Canadian. Don’t get mad at me for making a joke. That guy wants to bomb my country! Speaking of Canadians…

My fellow Canadians Edge and Christian were in the ring for their Tag Team Title match. Christian was going to make tasteless jokes about John Rocker, but they won’t do that because it’s the home of the Atlanta Braves. Christian said that they are winners of countless National League pennants, maybe the best team of the last decade and then Edge said that the Braves were the New York Yankees personal bitches. That drew boos. They did a pose that they called the Bitchlanta Braves! You can’t see it in the photo below, but Edge had on a Yankees jersey and Christian had a Braves jersey. The fans booed loudly.

The Hardys entered with Lita to a big pop. JR gave us injury updates saying The Undertaker had a severely injured knee and Chris Jericho had internal injuries. In reality, both guys were on honeymoons after getting married.

WWF Tag Team Championships: Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) (w/Lita)

Pre-match notes: Edge & Christian were the heel Tag Team Champions and the Hardys were the face.

Jeff avoided an attack from Christian on the floor, Jeff with a dropkick and Jeff hit a cross body block over the top onto Jeff. The Hardys hit a double team splash/fist drop on Christian. Edge tagged in (JR called him Christian by mistake), Matt knocked Edge down and Matt hit a leg drop off the middle rope for two. Christian with a distraction, so Edge punched Matt out of the ring. E&C hit a double team flapjack on Matt for a two count. Matt ran the ropes leading to a collision that knocked Edge and Matt down. Matt did a cool spot bouncing off the ropes leading to a DDT on Christian on the floor. Matt with a Russian legsweep on Edge. Jeff tagged in with a dropkick, double leg drop and Poetry in Motion attack on Edge against the turnbuckle. Matt dumped Christian out of the ring. Lita jumped off the apron to give Jeff a headscissors on the floor. The referee didn’t see it. Matt hit a Twist of Fate on Edge, Jeff went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb on Edge for two as Christian pulled the referee Jack Doan out of the ring. Christian punched the referee as well. The bell rang shortly after that for the DQ finish. Let’s call the match at 4:35.

Winners by disqualification: The Hardy Boyz (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) – Edge & Christian remain champions

Analysis: **1/2 It was the usual good match between the teams before it ended abruptly with the blatant DQ by the heel champs. The fans bought into the idea that the Hardys were about to win, but then Christian attacked the referee for the obvious DQ there.

Post match, Christian sent Matt out of the ring and Edge hit Jeff in the back with a chair. Edge and Christian with a double chairshot, later known as a Conchairto, to Jeff Hardy. JR ranted about how E&C blatantly got disqualified.

Analysis: The seeds were planted for the TLC match at SummerSlam.

The heel group of Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Big Show and Shane McMahon were watching backstage. Shane talked about intensity, Angle said it was one of his 3 “I’s” and Mick Foley showed up. Foley told Show he has to face Kane while Angle and Benoit had to team up against the Dudley Boyz. Shane said all of that was fine.

(Commercial)

There was yet another Earlier Today clip with the Ho’s leading the fans in “Save The Ho’s” chant.

It was backstage to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in their dressing room with Hunter saying as long as they’re together everything is going to be fine. There was a knock on the door, it was the lovely Trish Stratus and she said she was there to set the record straight. Trish said there was a complete misunderstanding. Stephanie said Hunter explained, so it’s okay. Trish asked if she would accept her apology, Stephanie shook her hand and it was accepted. Trish left. Stephanie complained about Trish being a “plastic, conniving bitch” and said that Trish was looking at Hunter with certain intentions. Steph told Hunter he didn’t like how he was looking at Trish either. Hunter was frustrated again.

Analysis: I assume Stephanie said “plastic” due to the fake boobs of Trish. Well, it was about a year after this when Stephanie joined the club, so to speak. That was covered plenty on television too.

Jeff Hardy was shown getting checked on by doctors backstage.

Edge & Christian were interviewed backstage by Jonathon Coachman, but then Matt Hardy showed up to attack both guys. Edge and Christian managed to get the advantage back when referees showed up to break it up.

(Commercial)

They showed a video of Chris Benoit attacking Chris Jericho backstage on Smackdown. Jericho was off for his wedding as I mentioned earlier and it would also set up their SummerSlam match.

Kurt Angle entered as they showed highlights of when Undertaker was taken out by Angle and friends last week on Raw. Chris Benoit was joined by Shane McMahon. The Dudleys got a big pop as the faces.

Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit (w/Shane McMahon) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)

Pre-match notes: Angle and Benoit were the heels while the Dudleys were the heels.

D-Von started with Benoit with an elbow to the chest. Bubba tagged in for a double team shoulder tackle and elbow drop. Angle tagged in with Bubba hitting a powerslam for two, then some hard chops and a punch to the back. Bubba hit a powerbomb on Angle, a punch to Benoit, which distracted the referee and D-Von hit the top rope headbutt on Angle’s groin, which drew a big pop. Shane distracted the referee, so Benoit got in cheap shots on both Dudleys as the heels took over again and Angle hit a suplex on D-Von for a two count. Benoit back in with a running back elbow. D-Von ran right into a Crossface, so Bubba broke it up with a unique dropkick. D-Von hit a reverse suplex into a slam on Benoit, which looked great in this instance and that’s not always the case. Bubba tagged in against Angle with a back body drop, a DDT and Full Nelson Bomb on Benoit. Bubba went up top for the top rope clothesline called the Dudley Device for a two count as Benoit broke it up. D-Von knocked Benoit out of the ring. Bubba and Kurt messed up a spot where Bubba was going for a back body drop that Kurt was going to turn into a sunset flip, but Kurt slipped and they both went down. Bubba just picked up Kurt and hit a Cutter. The referee was distracted by D-Von for a long time, so Shane went up top to drop an elbow on Bubba’s back. Angle covered Shane for a two count. Benoit did something to D-Von no the floor that we never saw on camera. Bubba charged, Angle pulled the referee in front of him, so the referee went down and Benoit hit two German Suplexes on Bubba. D-Von went back in the ring as the Dudleys hit 3D (Dudley Death Drop) on Benoit. No referee, so the Dudleys went for a table. Big Show went down to the ring and punched D-Von in the back to take him out. Big Show gave Bubba a Chokeslam and Shane placed Benoit’s back onto Bubba for the pinfall win (as the referee woke up) at 7:21. The legal men were Angle and Bubba, but that didn’t seem to matter.

Winners by pinfall: Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit

Analysis: *** It was a pretty good tag team match. The heels cheating to win to beat the regular tag team makes sense because it protects the Dudleys and keeps them strong as title contenders. Angle and Benoit got help to win the match, so it got them some cheap heat while also picking up the win. If you’re going to cheat, it might as well be that blatant because it pisses the fans off with Angle and Benoit getting more heat as the heels that WWE wanted to push at this time.

There was a scene in the dressing room with Triple H and Stephanie talking about wrestling holds with Stephanie asking Hunter for some advice. While Hunter explained some holds, Stephanie grabbed a headlock and Hunter coughed to sell it. Stephanie asked Hunter to show the move that he was teaching Trish, but Hunter didn’t think that was a good idea. Stephanie said that this was business. Hunter showed her the hammerlock, Stephanie was bent over and Hunter said she was a lot taller. Stephanie asked what he meant with Hunter saying it meant nothing. Hunter said she was built wonderfully, he loved her and then Hunter had her in the move again, he said…”Trish I mean Steph” so she was angry again. Hunter said she was nervous. Stephanie left with her luggage and her title.

Analysis: The marital woes continue.

(Commercial)

The “Save The Ho’s” ladies were in the arena with their signs as we got a replay of Stephanie leaving her husband in their dressing room.

Stephanie was shown leaving in a limousine. Hunter didn’t want her to leave, but she said “to hell with you” and she left.

The trio of Steven Richards, The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan made their entrance as we saw the ho’s at ringside. Goodfather said that you don’t understand what they are trying to do for the fans. Goodfather wanted the fans to listen to Steven. Richards said that they had the right to bear arms, the right to free speech, the right to religious freedom and their country fought hard for those rights. Richards said that they had the right to censorship. Richards wanted security to arrest the ho’s. There was actually a fan in the ring at this point, but he must have been taken out quickly because he was gone when they went to that camera angle. Here’s an image of that fan.

Richards said that if the WWF will not to clean up their act then the Right to Censorship (shortened to Right to Censor) will do it. Richards went over the types of things they will censor while saying it was for our own good. Richards noted that if anybody had a problem with that then they can enter this ring…and here comes the APA.

Bradshaw of the APA said that there are some rights they forgot: The right to drink a lot of beer, they can consort with half naked women and have a right to kick their censoring ass. JR said “Right to Censor” so there’s the official name.

Right to Censor (The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan) w/Steven Richards vs. APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq)

Pre-match notes: Goodfather and Buchanan were heels while APA were faces.

Bradshaw whipped Goodfather into the steel steps. APA hit a double team spinebuster on Bull. Faarooq missed a shoulder tackle as Bull hit a punch to the ribs and Goodfather tagged in for a double suplex. Bradshaw went in illegally with a clothesline to Goodfather and a kick to Bull. Goodfather knocked Bradshaw out of the ring after a distraction from Richards. Bull jumped off the top on Faarooq, who hit a powerslam for the pinfall win at 1:27.

Winners by pinfall: APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq)

Analysis: 1/2* It’s not a surprise that this was short because they weren’t guys that were known for having long matches. This also felt rushed like they were told to end it quickly.

Post match, the RTC guys attacked APA with punches and kicks as their music played to lose it.

Analysis: They lost, but they stood tall, so I guess that’s what matters.

There was a clip of Michael Cole at the Republican National Convention. There’s no need for me to recap this.

(Commercial)

There was a “message to politicians” that was shown saying that 14 million WWF fans watch WWE programming every week. If that’s counting average Raw and Smackdown audience it likely counts many people twice, but it’s not like they’re going to say that.

Rikishi entered for a grudge match with Tazz after multiple cheap attacks from Tazz.

Tazz vs. Rikishi

Pre-match notes: Tazz was the heel while Rikishi was the face.

Rikishi met Tazz outside the ring and threw him into the steel steps. Rikishi sent Tazz into the ring with a punch to the head. Rikishi went for a Stinkface in the ring, but Tazz hit a low blow punch that blind referee Teddy Long didn’t see, so Tazz took over. Rikishi took over with a belly to belly suplex and a running butt splash against the turnbuckle. Rikishi backed the ass up for the Stinkface, which drew a big pop from the crowd. Tazz took the turnbuckle pad off, which the referee didn’t see as he spoke to Rikishi. Tazz punched Rikishi’s injured ribs, Tazz sent Rikishi into the exposed turnbuckle and hit a suplex for a two count. Tazz slapped on the Tazzmission, Rikishi sold it for a bit and hit a Samaon Drop into a pinfall win at 3:34.

Winner by pinfall: Rikishi

Analysis: *1/2 A quick match to put Rikishi over Tazz to give Rikishi some revenge after all the cheap shots. They tried to get Tazz over with repeated attacks, but then he lost a short match like this, which didn’t help Tazz get more momentum as a heel. Rikishi was losing momentum at this point too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKsEL7mTMas

Post match, Tazz looked like he would attack, but then Too Cool went into the ring to join Rikishi for a post match dance.

Triple H was in Mick Foley’s office that had some cactuses (cacti?) in there. Hunter said he thought that without Stephanie there then perhaps this match should be postponed. Foley said that a lot of the crowd was there to see him. Hunter said he’ll have a handicap match, so Foley said no way and the partner will be Trish Stratus. Hunter wasn’t happy about that.

(Commercial)

There was more footage from the Republican National Convention. Spoiler: George W. Bush won. They were at both conventions. Anyway, the reason the WWF did this was to try to get people to register to vote.

Eddie Guerrero entered with Chyna for a tag team match. On Heat, Perry Saturn attacked Chyna, but then Eddie and Chyna were able to take out Saturn. That led to Saturn entering as the European Champion with Terri. Val Venis, the Intercontinental Champion, was Saturn’s partner.

Chyna and Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn (w/Terri) and Val Venis

Pre-match notes: Chyna and Eddie were faces while Saturn and Venis were heels.

Eddie with a hurricanrana on Venis, then Saturn went in illegally with a clothesline and Venis took over with a sitout powerbomb. Eddie came back with a Tornado DDT off the turnbuckle. Chyna tagged in with clotheslines on Saturn followed by a flapjack and a sloppy looking powerslam. Venis was back in the ring with a clothesline to slow down Chyna. Saturn with a backbreaker on Chyna and a double team backbreaker from the heels got a two count. Chyna hit a sleeper drop on Saturn that looked bad, but he sold it anyway. Eddie back in with a Northern Lights suplex on Saturn for a two count. Chyna took out Venis with a clothesline while Eddie hit a headscissors into a pin on Saturn for the win at 3:32.

Winners by pinfall: Chyna and Eddie Guerrero

Analysis: *1/2 This was decent for the time given. Some of the Chyna spots did not look smooth because she was awkward at times and some guys didn’t seem to want to work with her. Eddie was terrific when he was in there.

Chyna and Eddie left the ring as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

It was back to Philadelphia for the Republican National Convention with Linda McMahon talking to Michael Cole about how WWF fans are passionate, enthusiastic and they should Smackdown Your Vote.

There was a shot of WWF New York with Dean Malenko sitting in a booth having drinks with some busty ladies.

Triple H was in the dressing room again with Trish Stratus asking Hunter if they were going to work on some moves, so Hunter yelled at her to get out.

Big Show and Shane were walking backstage for Show’s match up next.

(Commercial)

Kane made his entrance, but then Big Show showed up from behind with a clothesline to the back. JR called it a cowardly attack. Kane fought back and threw Show into the steel steps. Kane threw Shane into the ring. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit showed up, so Kane hit a Chokeslam on Benoit. Kane was outnumbered as Show, Angle, Shane and Benoit held him down. The Dudleys showed up with steel chairs as the faces retreated.

Analysis: This felt very rushed like they were told to go through all of the spots quickly and they didn’t let anything breathe. It was too rushed. There was going to be a Kane vs. Big Show match, but we didn’t get it. That’s fine since their matches were usually shitty. Sorry to their fans, but it’s true.

Triple H and Trish Stratus were shown walking backstage with Hunter not looking happy about having to team with her. As for me, I’m always happy to see Trish. Meanwhile, The Rock and Lita were also shown walking backstage.

(Commercial)

Triple H made his entrance and Trish Stratus was with him even though he wasn’t happy about it, so he made her go to the ring first. Lita was up first for the face team as I am reminded that she had a generic song at this point. The Rock got a massive ovation as usual. It was the loudest reaction of the night.

The Rock and Lita vs. Triple H and Trish Stratus

Pre-match notes: The Rock was the WWF Champion teaming with Lita and they were both faces. Triple H and Trish were the heels.

Rock and Hunter started with punches leading to a neckbreaker by Rock while Hunter bailed to the floor.  Trish got in the ring with Rock, so Lita got the tag with Lita with a double leg takedown followed by some dreaded head bouncing on the mat. Lita with a suplex. Lita bounced off the ropes with a clothesline. Hunter grabbed Lita by the hair, so Rock punched Lita, the referee Earl Hebner made Rock leave the ring, so Hunter hit Lita with a clothesline. Trish hit a running bulldog. Hunter tagged in, punched Rock off the apron and Rock was back in with a forearm to Hunter. Lita was unable to make the tag because Hunter brought her to his side of the ring. Trish tagged in with Lita hitting a running forearm. Hunter and Rock got the tag at the same time with Rock unloading with punches along with a DDT for two. Hunter came back with a neckbreaker. Rock came back with punches, but Hunter stopped the momentum with a jumping knee to the face. Hunter with a facebuster into the knee, Hunter charged and Rock hit him with a spinebuster. Trish jumped on Rock’s back and raked his eyes followed by a slap to the face. Hunter wanted a Pedigree, Rock countered and Rock did a catapult that sent Trish into the turnbuckle. Rock punched Hunter out of the ring followed by Rock with a spinebuster on Trish to a huge pop. Lita got the tag, Hunter pulled Rock out of the ring and Lita hit a big moonsault in the middle of the ring for the pinfall win at 6:08.

Winners by pinfall: The Rock and Lita

Analysis: **3/4 Fun match with the faces getting the win after Rock dominated Hunter and Lita got the glory with the moonsault. Trish didn’t get that much offense in the match, but she fit her role well while Lita continued to get the advantage over Trish on a regular basis.

Post match, The Rock grabbed a steel chair while Hunter stood over Trish and Rock hit Hunter in the back with the chair, which led to Hunter falling on Trish in the 69 position. Huge reaction for that. Rock was even laughing about it. Rock celebrated the win while the announcers talked about Triple H had big problems because of this and that was the end of Raw.

Here’s a GIF of it:

Analysis: That was a memorable moment for sure. It’s an interesting way to end the show with a comedic visual like that. Also, I don’t think I ever hated Triple H more than I did at that moment. True story! Maybe.

This episode of Raw had a runtime of 1:35:26 on WWE Network.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6cqp25

Here’s some information from the Wrestling Observer on how the main event drew a huge rating for the second week in a row.

“Raw ended with a 6.39 rating (5.75 first hour; 6.96 second hour) and a 10.2 share. The Raw main event drew an 8.46 over-run with a 15.4 share, which translates into 9,965,000 viewers, making it the fifth most-watched wrestling match in the history of cable television. The top four are and June 28, 1999 match with Undertaker vs. Austin at 10,721,000; The May 1, 2000 match with Rock vs. Shane McMahon at 10,576,500; the May 10, 1999 match with Rock & Austin & Vince vs. Undertaker & Shane at 10,452,000; the April 24, 2000 match with Benoit & HHH vs. Rock & Jericho at 9,984,000.”

Huge numbers. Keep in mind that the main event wasn’t even announced until they were well into the show, so it just how much the audience was interested in what happened.

If you want even more information about this episode of Raw, Jim Ross and Conrad Thompson did a podcast episode all about it. Check that out below.

Three Stars of the Show

1. The Rock
2. Kurt Angle
3. Triple H

Final Thoughts

This Raw episode gets a 6.5 out of 10.

It was a huge crowd for this show and I liked some of it, but some parts just felt off to me. There was too much Triple H even though I said he was one of the top stars. How can he not be when he’s on the whole show? I like the guy. However, there were so many backstage segments with him in addition to the long-winded promo and the main event. It just felt like too much of him. The Rock ended up having the last laugh on Hunter while Lita and Trish got to main event Raw for the first time. I know that when they did it four years later in a singles match it was a big deal, but it’s still pretty cool that they got to main event Raw in their first year in the company.

A lot of the stories advanced in a way that made sense. I didn’t really have a problem with the angles. It was just that some of the matches felt rushed or too short in general or simply felt like an afterthought.

—

Check out our WWF TV in 2000 archives for my reviews of every other previous Raw, Smackdown and PPV from 2000 as well.

Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport