TJR Retro: WWF Raw Deal 08/14/00 Review

Welcome to another WWF in 2000 review as the WWF was just two weeks away from SummerSlam. The prior week’s Raw was a great show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. We also learned on the previous edition of Smackdown that the main event of SummerSlam would see The Rock defending the WWF Title against Triple H and Kurt Angle in a triple threat match.

Here is the synopsis for this episode on WWE Network:

“Commissioner Mick Foley puts Kurt Angle, Triple H and Shane McMahon in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against The Dudley Boyz and WWE Champion The Rock. Plus, DX’s Road Dogg Jesse James & X-Pac battle Rikishi in a Handicap Match, Val Venis defends his Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho, and much more. / 14+ (D,L, V) “

Also newsworthy this week was the news from the Wrestling Observer that Steve Austin was cleared to return to action in about eight weeks after this. That was big news obviously.

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 #377
August 14, 2000
From Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island

The Raw intro aired to begin the show. That was followed by the usual insane pyro display and a shot of the crowd in Rhode Island, which was full of fans holding many signs. It was another sold out show just 13 days before SummerSlam.

A video package aired recapping the ongoing issues between Triple H and Stephanie McMahon with Kurt Angle involved. Angle accidentally elbowed Hunter in a tag team match, then Angle got pinned in the tag team match and when Stephanie checked on Kurt, she was nearly attacked by The Rock, so Hunter saved his wife. Hunter ate a Chokeslam and Rock Bottom from The Undertaker and The Rock for that.

Let’s Hear from Kurt Angle

The “King of the Ring” Kurt Angle made his entrance to start the show. After Angle said a word, somebody blew an airhorn so that made me laugh. Angle said that it’s a pleasure to be in Rhode Island even though America sees them as an insignificant, nothing state, Angle claims he didn’t see it that way. That drew boos. Angle complained about how Hunter left him alone in a tag team match. Angle mentioned somebody from his Olympic days, Tonya Harding, even though she’s from the Winter Olympics and he was in the Summer Olympics. Angle said that what Hunter did is what Tonya did to poor Nancy Kerrigan. I’m not going to go into that reference. Google it if you need to, kids. It was a big thing in the 1990s. That led to Kurt asking “why me, Hunter?”

Angle said that Hunter has never liked him and that he never gave Kurt a title shot when Hunter was the WWF Champion. Angle said it’s because of jealousy. Angle said in nine short months, he accomplished things that took Hunter years to accomplish. Angle said in his first nine months he’s won titles, he’s won tournaments and the accolades go on and on. Meanwhile, Hunter was doing Hogpen Matches in his first nine months. Angle said that Hunter is a bitter and jealous man, so it pains him to see “my friend” Stephanie saddled with a loser like Hunter.

That led to Triple H walking down to the ring with some intensity, but there’s Shane McMahon sliding in the ring to keep them separated. Angle had a smirk on his face while Shane kept Hunter back.

Shane told them that they were killing Stephanie because of how they are bickering back and forth. Shane said that Stephanie was almost Chokeslammed by The Undertaker last Thursday and then almost Rock Bottomed in this ring as well. Shane said he didn’t know if Stephanie was going to show up. Shane said that Hunter was wrong to leave his tag team partner. The fans were chanting “Shane’s a pu**y” although it didn’t get that loud. Shane said it was wrong for Angle to call Hunter a loser. Shane said that Angle would never do anything to break up the marriage between Hunter and Stephanie. Shane said that Stephanie would never marry a loser. It’s not like the marriage was her choice! Anyway, Shane said that the focus will be on The Rock at SummerSlam, which led to “Rocky” chants.

The Commissioner Mick Foley joined the promo party as he walked out there in a Dudley Boyz shirt. Mick was greeted with “Foley” chants.

Foley said that he is touched by Shane trying to bring the family together. Foley said he agreed with Shane because Angle and Hunter should join forces to take on The Rock. Foley mentioned Providence for the typical cheap pop in the promo.

Foley said that it’s going to be Angle and Hunter teaming up together against The Dudley Boyz and The Rock. Shane complained, so Foley said there’s only one man strong enough to keep the team together – Shane McMahon. That’s a six-man tag team match for the main event. Foley said that if Hunter or Angle walks out of this match then they lose their number contender spot at SummerSlam. Foley left.

Analysis: It was the typical opening promo segment to set up the main event for later in the show. It’s the formula WWE has loved for well over 20 years now and there’s no sign of that formula slowing down. The question is can Angle and Hunter work together? Find out later.

Chis Benoit was shown arriving at the arena with his bags, he knocked on a door and Chris Jericho was there, so they got into a brawl in the hallway. Jericho sent Benoit into the wall a few times and punched him repeatedly until referees broke it up.

Analysis: The rivalry was very intense, so this was fitting for the story they were telling.

(Commercial)

Chris Benoit was shown walking down a hallway where Shane went up to him and told Benoit to focus on facing The Undertaker tonight.

The Kaientai duo of Taka Michinoku and Funaki were at the APA office. They said they were sorry about a bad check. They want to make up with them with money and beer. Taka and Funaki wanted to take them out for some beer, so the APA guys said okay let’s go. The check bouncing happened on Heat.

Eddie Guerrero (w/Chyna) and Steve Blackman vs. Test & Albert (w/Trish Stratus)

Pre-match notes: Guerrero and Blackman were faces although Blackman got no reaction. Test and Albert were the heels, but I could never boo having Trish on my screen.

Blackman with a kick to Test and a running clothesline. Blackman tried getting a weapon even though it’s not a Hardcore Rules match. Blackman choked Test on the top rope, then Eddie tagged in and hit a senton splash on Test. Albert with a knee to Guerrero’s back and Test with a spinning slam. Albert splashed Eddie against the turnbuckle while Test hit a boot to the face. Albert with two backbreakers on Guerrero followed by a spinning slam for a two count. Guerrero came back with two dropkicks to Albert, Blackman tagged back in and hit a kick on both T&A guys. Blackman with a spin kick to Albert, Guerrero with a missile dropkick to Albert and Blackman with a pump kick on Test. The referee tried getting Eddie out of the ring, Albert grabbed a kendo stick, Chyna on the apron, so referee Chad Patton was distracted by her and Albert hit Blackman in the back of the head with a kendo stick. Test covered Blackman for the pinfall with Guerrero a moment too late to break it up at 2:35.

Winners by pinfall: Test & Albert

Analysis: *1/2 A cheap win for the heels due to a referee that was blind and deaf apparently. Since T&A were the regular team, having them win makes a lot of sense. Blackman won a lot of matches as the Hardcore Champion, so it was a rare instance of him getting pinned and it was due to the cheap shot.

Kurt Angle was in the parking lot with an umbrella because it was raining. When Stephanie McMahon arrived in a limo, Kurt was there to greet her. Angle got her bag out of the back of the limo. Hunter was shown watching on a TV backstage. Angle thanked her for checking on him on Smackdown and he kissed her on the cheek. Hunter was pissed off as Stephanie left.

(Commercial)

Stephanie was shown walking backstage when she ran into Triple H, who asked about Kurt Angle kissing her on the cheek. Hunter complained about it some more as he noted that she didn’t leave with him on Smackdown because she was checking on Kurt in the ring. Hunter didn’t think they were just friends. Stephanie said maybe she shouldn’t be there and Hunter thought maybe she was right.

Right to Censor entered as we got highlights from last week when The Goodfather gave Victoria a Powerbomb through a table on Raw. Then on Smackdown, Victoria said she would sue The Goodfather for that.

Steven Richards of RTC said they are groups out there that care about your children and know what’s best for your children, even if you do not. Richards said they’ll clean things up. Richards complained about the sexuality and violence that occurs in the WWF. Richards said that laws will be passed to stop that stuff. Richards said that they’ve challenged the unwholesome trio of The Hardy Boyz and Lita. Richards ripped on Lita showing her undergarments, so they say “no more” and that drew boos.

The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) and Lita vs. Right To Censor (The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan) (w/Steven Richards)

Pre-match notes: The Hardys and Lita were the faces while the RTC guys were the heels. I’m not sure why Richards was on the floor to make this a 3 on 2 match instead of 3 on 3, but that’s what it is.

The Hardys hit a double elbow and double splash on Goodfather. Big clothesline by Goodfather on Matt. Bull picked up Jeff and tossed him over the top to the floor. Goodfather sent Jeff into the apron. Goodfather and Bull hit a double boot to the face followed by Goodfather stomping on Jeff’s throat. Goodfather hit a belly to back suplex for two. Bull with a press slam on Jeff, then a running clothesline and Jeff avoided a corner attack. Matt with a jumping clothesline on Goodfather, then he sent Goodfather into the match and a punch to Bull. Jeff went into the ring for the Poetry in Motion double team move and a back body drop to send Bull out of the ring. Jeff jumped off the top on Bull, but then Jeff went down because Steven punched him. Matt hit a double DDT on the RTC boys. Lita tagged in for the first time, she went up top and hit a moonsault where her feet knocked down Goodfather. Lita went up again and jumped on Bull on the floor. However, Richards hit Lita in the face with a superkick. Goodfather finished off Lita with a shoulderbreaker for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Right To Censor (The Goodfather and Bull Buchanan)

Analysis: **1/2 The RTC guys didn’t have good matches, so this was as good as it gets because of how skilled the Hardys were especially against bigger opponents. Even though the Hardys would get a title shot at SummerSlam, they did the job here because RTC was getting a big push. The key spot was Steven’s superkick on Lita on the floor to set up the finish.

Post match, the Hardys went after RTC. Edge and Christian went into the ring with chairs, but Matt saved Lita and E&C hit their chairs into eachother. Christian hit an Unprettier on Matt on the chair. The champs Edge and Christian left looking proud.

Analysis: The cheap attacks from E&C continue.

The Acolytes and Kaientai were at The Friendly Tap bar, which was owned by WWF referee Tim White. The APA made Kaientai pay for the drinks.

Stephanie McMahon was shown getting in a limo as she left the arena. Shane talked to his sister saying he wanted her to stay, but then Stephanie insisted, so Stephanie left.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Edge and Christian

Edge and Christian made their entrance in street clothes along with the WWF Tag Team Titles and they each had a steel chair with them.

Edge wondered if actions speak louder than words and said you just saw their actions, so now hear their words. Edge said they are totally out there to stage a sitdown strike against WWF Commissioner Mick Foley. They showed footage from Smackdown when Edge & Christian were attacked by the Hardys and Dudleys with tables and ladders involved. Edge said that Foley did nothing about it just like the people of this city do nothing with their lives. Good cheap heat. Edge continued to complain about it.

Christian said that’s why they did what they did to poor Matthew Hardy. Christian said that they aren’t moving until they get a big bowl of “Justice Soup.” Christian complained about how they have been receiving unfair treatment and it will end…pause…because if doesn’t end there will so be “extreme rami-precussions.” He made up a word. I think Christian forgot a line there or something just based on how he had to turn to Edge, who said something to him.

The Commissioner Mick Foley showed up on the ramp for a cheap pop by mentioning Providence. Foley said after seeing their heinous acts against people like the Dudley Boyz, Hardy Boyz and what they tried to do, they are so lacking in testicular fortitude. Foley said while those heinous acts were going on, there were times when Foley was eating cotton candy and scratching himself.

Foley said that at SummerSlam, the Hardys and Dudleys cannot interfere with tables and ladders in their match. Edge and Christian liked that with Foley even doing a long-distance high five. Foley informed E&C that the Hardys and Dudleys will be in their match at SummerSlam with tables and ladders. Foley told them to bring their chairs because “at SummerSlam it’s going to be Edge & Christian against the Hardys against the Dudleys in a TLC Match…tables…ladders and chairs…oh my!” Foley said it again. Edge and Christian weren’t happy about that as Foley repeated it.

Analysis: And that, my friends, is how the first TLC match was born. I remember the promo well because of how Foley repeated it. They were taking the great triple threat ladder match from WrestleMania 2000 and upping the ante by adding tables (for the Dudleys) and chairs (for E&C) to go along with the Hardys with the ladders. It was also comeuppance for E&C because they were intentionally getting disqualified to keep their titles while also doing heinous attacks on their rivals, so that’s why you have a babyface Commissioner to put them in their place. The story made a lot of sense. I love it when things make sense! By the way, the “tables, ladders and chairs…oh my” bit is a parody of “lions, tigers and bears…oh my” from the Wizard of Oz movie. It’s pretty popular, kids.

Triple H was back in the dressing room with Shane complaining about a TLC match for his buddies Edge & Christian. Hunter said he didn’t care. Hunter complained about how he can’t work with Kurt Angle and said that Stephanie left crying because of Kurt. Shane said that everything is going to be fine. They’ll take care of it. Shane said he’ll talk to Angle about it.

The Undertaker was shown driving his motorcycle backstage because he’s in a match up next.

(Commercial)

Shane was backstage with Benoit, Edge and Christian. Since Edge and Christian were angry, Shane told them to take the rest of the night off, so they left.

The Undertaker made his entrance on the motorcycle as we get the dubbed song to mess up with the audio. This was also shortly after Undertaker married Sara and got a tattoo on his neck for his new wife. Chris Benoit was up next with Shane McMahon by his side.

The Undertaker vs. Chris Benoit (w/Shane McMahon)

Pre-match notes: The Undertaker was a face and Benoit was a heel. These two men did not have a meaningful rivalry together in their careers.

Undertaker opened with punches, Benoit got the boots up and worked over Taker with kicks. The fans chanted “Benoit sucks” and I think that ended up being very true. Taker with a corner clothesline followed by a sidewalk slam. Benoit avoided an elbow drop along with boots and an enziguri kick to the head. Benoit went up top and hit a headbutt to the shoulder of Taker for a two count. Taker came back with a boot to the face followed by a back body drop. Taker with a clothesline. Taker went for the Last Ride Powerbomb, but Shane went into the ring with a steel chair and hit Taker in the back for the blatant DQ at 2:54. Shane with a leaping chair shot to Taker’s head.

Winner by disqualification: The Undertaker

Analysis: *1/4 It was fine for the time they got, but it was more about the angle that took place here. Benoit was great bumping for the bigger guys so he made Taker look impressive and Taker liked working with the shorter guys. They just didn’t have enough time to do more.

Post match, Chris Benoit slapped on the Crippler Crossface on Taker. Kane showed up for the save after being injured for a few weeks. Big pop for Kane as Shane and Benoit got out of there.

Kane helped Undertaker up, people thought they were on the same page and then…Kane with a throat grab leading to a Chokeslam on his “big brother.” It’s another HEEL TURN~! For Kane. What’s funny is they did this spot with Kane hitting a Chokeslam where the ring was supposed to break. It didn’t break. Kane picked up Taker again and hit another Chokeslam in the same spot and this time the ring broke. JR: “Why? Why Kane? Why turn on your brother?”

After Kane left the ring, he went on Undertaker’s motorcycle and drove it up the ramp.

Analysis: Kane turned a lot in his career. This one felt pretty random because he was a face for a couple of years and he took a Chokeslam from Big Show through the stage on Smackdown, so you would think he want revenge for that. Instead, Kane went after Undertaker. This would set up Kane vs. Undertaker at SummerSlam 2000, which was a terrible match with a shitty ending.

(Commercial)

They showed Michael Cole at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles as they continue a “non-partisan campaign.” The goal was to try to get young people to vote. The Rock and Chyna would be there and they showed then-WWF CEO Linda McMahon there as well.

A replay aired of Kane’s heel turn on The Undertaker that led to Taker getting a Chokeslam through the ring.

The Undertaker was shown backstage check on his arm and looking angry about it.

There was a shot of the locker room with Shane McMahon talking to Kurt Angle. Shane said he didn’t like where things were going between Kurt and Stephanie. Shane said he likes Kurt professionally, but don’t screw up their marriage. Kurt said that Shane is questioning his integrity and he said he needs to be alone.

It was back to the Friendly Tap bar with Kaientai hanging out with the APA guys. Two random guys said they wanted to kick Kaientai’s ass, but APA said they were cool. JBL said: “They know Bruce Lee.” That’s comedy. I didn’t say good.

A replay was shown again of the Kane attack on Undertaker. That replay was from a good angle.

(Commercial)

Tazz made his entrance. They showed Jerry Lawler leaving the ringside area since he is wrestling Tazz at SummerSlam. Tazz yelled at JR wondering where his buddy is. Crash entered for the match.

Tazz vs. Crash

Pre-match notes: Tazz was the heel and Crash was a face.

Crash sent Tazz in the ring since Tazz was yelling at JR. Tazz with a clothesline and Crash hit a leaping forearm. Crash went up top and hit a missile dropkick for two. Tazz caught Crash coming off the ropes as he hit an Alabama Slam followed by some choking. Tazz ducked a clothesline and slapped on the Tazzmission submission for the tapout win at 1:12.

Winner by submission: Tazz

Analysis: 1/2* A short match that was fitting for the height of the two wrestlers. Sorry for the short joke. I couldn’t resist. Anyway, Tazz was in a SummerSlam match with Lawler while Crash was doing nothing, so Tazz winning was the obvious call here. The crowd was quiet for the match.

I hope Geri appreciates the thanks.

Tazz got in JR’s face and shoved him on his ass while putting JR’s hat on. That led to Jerry Lawler running out for the save as he punched Tazz and then officials showed up to break it up.

Kurt Angle was in the locker room talking to himself wondering why a guy can’t be friends with a girl. Just Joe showed up to give Angle some news that somebody wants to meet him in the parking lot in about 30 minutes. Joe said he didn’t know who it is and Joe left.

(Commercial)

Jerry Lawler was back on commentary saying he’ll make Tazz pay at SummerSlam. Road Dogg and X-Pac entered for a match with Dogg doing the babyface introduction even though they are heels. Rikishi is the opponent in a handicap match.

Here’s a fan sign completely butchering the spelling of the name Rikishi. The color is like that because that’s how it was during Rikishi’s entrance.

Wow. “REIKEISHI”? Drugs are bad, mmmkay.

Rikishi vs. Road Dogg and X-Pac

Pre-match notes: Rikishi was the face here while Dogg and X-Pac were heels. The story was Dogg and X-Pac had a friendly rivalry to try to see who was the better man.

Rikishi shoved both guys down, he went to sit on X-Pac, but Dogg saved his partner with a clothesline and they knocked Rikishi down against the turnbuckle. X-Pac hit the Bronco Buster on Rikishi. Dogg worked over Rikishi with some jabs to the face, but then Rikishi ducked and Dogg hit X-Pac by mistake. Dogg and X-Pac hit a double clothesline followed by a double weak looking vice grip on the shoulders. Rikishi came back with a Samoan Drop, then a running splash and a superkick on X-Pac. Rikishi hit the Stinkface on Dogg with X-Pac laughing about it at ringside. Dogg had no idea X-Pac was laughing, but the camera was on X-Pac, who took a Stinkface last week. It was a long Stinkface from Rikishi. X-Pac back in the ring, Rikishi punched Dogg and X-Pac hit a spinning heel kick on Rikishi for the pinfall win at 3:41.

Winners by pinfall: Road Dogg and X-Pac

Analysis: *1/2 This was decent with Rikishi trying to fight back, but lost due to being at a disadvantage in the numbers game. I think the whole point of the match was just to have X-Pac laugh about Rikishi taking the story. It wasn’t that interesting of a storyline. Meanwhile, Rikishi wasn’t doing much and we all know the heel turn was coming soon.

Post match, X-Pac and Road Dogg stomped on Rikishi some more, so Too Cool made the save and punched the DX guys out of the ring. That led to Too Cool and Rikishi dancing to make the fans happy.

There was a video from the Democratic National Convention with Linda McMahon and Michael Cole. Linda announced they have registered 10,000 voters in the last week. Linda and Vince are Republicans, but they have Cole saying “non-partisan” at the start of this. The goal was to push the company’s “Smackdown Your Vote” campaign.

Triple H was warming up in his dressing room. Just Joe said that in ten minutes there is somebody that wants to see him in the parking lot. Hunter thought it was his wife and Joe said he can’t say. Hunter said he’ll be there while threatening Joe that this better be legit.

(Commercial)

The current issue of TV Guide had The Kat, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle and Rikishi on the cover. I can understand most of them, but The Kat was not a big deal.

Kurt Angle was in the parking lot waiting for whoever is going to meet him.

Chris Jericho entered for a match as we saw highlights of Jericho attacking Chris Benoit in the backstage area. Val Venis was up next as the Intercontinental Title match with the lovely Trish Stratus. This is a title match.

Intercontinental Championship: Val Venis (w/Trish Stratus) vs. Chris Jericho

Pre-match notes: Venis was a heel IC Champion while Jericho was a face that was a former IC Champion. Jericho was advertised for a SummerSlam match with Chris Benoit at this point.

Jericho was in control early with punches, they fought out over a sleeper and Venis hit a sitout powerbomb. Venis worked over Jericho with chops followed by a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Venis hit a delayed vertical suplex for two. Venis with a chinlock, then a jump on the back. Jericho came back with an enziguri kick to the head. Jericho with a boot to the chest, then to the apron and Jericho went up top with an elbow to the face for two. Venis with a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle or close to it. Jericho wit ha kick to the gut and a running bulldog. Jericho hit the Lionsault, but then Chris Benoit was in the ring, so the referee called for the DQ finish at 3:56.

Winner by disqualification: Chris Jericho (Val Venis remains champion)

Analysis: ** Jericho controlled most of it and hit one of his finishers, so the story was he was about to win, but Benoit cost him the title. Venis wasn’t booked like a strong champion here since he was on the defensive for most of the match.

Post match, Jericho hit Benoit with a clothesline and then Venis knocked Jericho down with a punch. Benoit sent Jericho into the top rope, so he crotched him on the top rope. Referees went into the ring, Benoit stomped on Jericho and Benoit shoved the referees away. Benoit left to boos. Jericho was announced as the winner by disqualification. Benoit went back in and slapped on an STF-like submission on Jericho.

Analysis: It was revenge for Benoit after Jericho attacked him earlier in the show. They really built this SummerSlam match up well in terms of how intense both guys were going into it.

Kurt Angle and Triple H got face to face in the parking lot. There was a limo that drove up to them and we would have to find out after a break.

(Commercial)

The show returned with the announcers telling us that Angle and Triple H were in the limo.

It was back to The Friendly Tap bar with Bradshaw and Faarooq dealing with Funaki and Taka. Funaki was passed out due to being drunk while Taka was gently slapping the APA guys in the chest. Funaki puked on the APA guys, so APA beat up Kaientai. Bradshaw tossed a pinball machine onto Taka, but we couldn’t see it actually land on him. The APA guys left.

Analysis: These segments were mildly funny, but not that interesting. It was referee Tim White’s bar, so it was a way to promote it and get it on TV.

They showed Al Snow at WWF New York hanging out with fans.

There was a replay from earlier in the night with Kane turning on Undertaker and hitting him with a Chokeslam through the ring.

It was back to the limo with Triple H and Kurt Angle getting out of the limo. It was Vince McMahon, who was making his return after a few months off. Vince said he didn’t give a damn which one of them becomes WWF Champion. Vince said that neither of them will traumatize his daughter and he said that Stephanie was crying on the phone to him. Vince warned them and told them good luck in the six-man tag. Vince left rather than watch his show.

The Dudleys were shown walking down a hallway and their partner The Rock also walked down another hallway for the main event.

(Commercial)

The introductions took place for the main event with everybody moving fast to get into the ring because there were about ten minutes left in the show. Remember, this was back when the WWF would end Raw at around 11:07pmET most weeks, so they were starting this a few minutes before the 11pmET hour. The team of Kurt Angle, Shane McMahon and Triple H entered individually as the first. The Dudleys were next followed by the WWF Champion The Rock, who got the loudest pop of the night as usual.

The Rock and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) vs. Kurt Angle, Triple H and Shane McMahon

Pre-match notes: The Rock and Dudleys were the faces while Angle, Hunter and Shane were the heels.

There were only about seven minutes left as the match began with D-Von hitting a back elbow on Hunter. Bubba tagged in with a back body drop followed by a clothesline on Hunter for two. Hunter came back with a neckbreaker on Bubba. Shane tagged in with a leaping clothesline, but then Bubba hit a Bubba Bomb. Rock tagged in to a huge pop, so Shane tagged both of his partners, Rock told them both to “Just Bring It” and Rock worked over Angle with punches followed by a back elbow and clothesline. Rock with a side Russian legsweep for two. Hunter pulled down the top rope, Angle with a whip and D-Von bumped over the top to the floor. The fans chanted for tables, but D-Von was taking a suplex by Angle. Hunter with a clothesline on D-Von. Shane back in with punches to D-Von, then D-Von came back with a running forearm and Rock got the tag against Angle. Rock was on fire with punches, a Samoan Drop, a DDT and he brought Shane into the ring with the fans screaming in excitement again. Rock got Angle with a belly to belly overhead suplex with Hunter breaking up the pin. Bubba with a body slam on Hunter where Hunter’s legs knocked down the referee Tim White to set up the Whassup Headbutt by D-Von off the top where he headbutted the groin of Hunter. That’s why they did the ref bump. Anyway, the fans loved that. The Dudleys grabbed a table from under the ring. Shane punched Rock in the back, Rock grabbed Shane by the shirt and tossed him over the top to the floor. Bubba wanted a Powerbomb on Shane through the table, but then Edge and Christian hit the Dudleys with chairs including a Conchairto to Bubba’s head. That looked rough. Rock went after E&C, but then Shane punched Rock as E&C went to the back.

Back in the ring, Angle hit Rock with an Olympic Slam. The referee was still down. Let’s just call it a No Contest at around 6:30 or so.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: *** A fun main event even with a non-finish. The crowd was absolutely on fire for Rock as usual and the Dudleys were so popular, so the fans loved seeing them with Rock as well. The referee bump was ridiculous, but they had to do that to set up the Whassup Drop that is a blatant low blow. Rock working with Hunter, Angle and Shane was always fun to watch since they bumped their asses off for eachother and there was great chemistry between all of them.

Following the Angle Slam by Angle, Triple H hit Rock with a Pedigree as well. The heel trio of Hunter, Angle and Shane posed over Rock. JR pointed out that Hunter and Angle destroyed Rock when they were on the same page, so if they do that at SummerSlam then we might have a new WWF Champion. They continued to attack Rock as the show ended there.

Analysis: That’s why JR is the best announcer ever. He said exactly what needed to be said in the final scene. It was all about showing how good Angle and Hunter can be if they work together, so that’s what that was. It all came together after Vince’s speech. That’s good storyline advancement, I’d say.

This episode of Raw had a runtime of 1:35:53 on WWE Network.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Triple H
2. Kurt Angle
3. Edge & Christian

Final Thoughts

This Raw episode gets a 7 out of 10.

A strong show for storylines, but weak for matches. If they had some better matches I would have loved it more. There was a lot of Kurt Angle and Triple H on the show as usual. I certainly didn’t miss Stephanie being off the show for most of the night. A lot of the key storylines for SummerSlam were advanced well, especially as it concerns the tag team division with the setup for the first TLC match. There was a lot of talking between the in-ring promos and the backstage segments, but I wasn’t bored by the show at all. Foley doing the TLC announcement was a big deal for sure. I thought that was great.

The frustrating thing about a show like this is that even though they presented this interesting main event match, they didn’t even book a finish. The referee was down for five minutes after boots to the face and then there was no result in the match. I just wish they booked a finish in a situation like that.

It’s not like present-day WWE where the stories are lacking interesting characters. The crowd is so into everything, even feuds like Lawler vs. Tazz, and it just makes you care more about the storylines even though I’m writing this 20 years after it took place.

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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