TJR Retro: WWF Raw Deal 04/03/00 Review (Raw After WrestleMania)
This is the Raw after WrestleMania 2000, which was a show that disappointed a lot of people especially in the main event with Triple H retaining the WWF Title thanks to the help of Vince McMahon. It set the stage for a huge post match angle with The Rock wanting revenge on Vince for screwing him out of the WWF Title. The good news is that even though WrestleMania 2000 was a letdown, the next PPV was Backlash 2000 (I have already reviewed it on the site if you search for it) and that’s one of my favorite PPVs ever. I’m looking forward to seeing how Raw and Smackdown were in the build-up to that because if I recall correctly, this is when things in the year 2000 really got good in the WWF.
Vince McMahon turning on The Rock set the stage for the storyline that would dominate the rest of 2000 in the WWF: The Rock fighting against the McMahons. Some things never change, pal.
The synopsis for this episode is: “After betraying The Rock at WrestleMania, Mr. McMahon vows to push The Great One out of WWE. Plus, WWE Champion Triple H, Tazz, and more!”
Check out our WWF TV in 2000 archives in case you missed anything from earlier in the year. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport and tweet me to talk about this show or anything else. Let’s get to it.
WWF Raw #358
April 3, 2000
From Staples Center in Los Angeles, California
This show has a TV-14 rating and the dreaded “S” for Sexual Content on WWE Network.
The Raw intro video aired. No highlights or images from WrestleMania 2000 one night earlier.
Pyro went off in the sold out Staples Center and there were signs all over the place. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcomed us to the show.
Analysis: What I don’t get is why they would hold WrestleMania in Anaheim and Raw in LA. The Staples Center was a new arena at this point and LA is the bigger city. It doesn’t matter, but holding it in LA would have made more sense.
Let’s Hear from Shane McMahon…and others
Shane McMahon made his entrance alone to the “No Chance In Hell” song that daddy Vince used. The crowd was booing Shane as he stood in the ring.
Shane said he would like to publicly apologize to his father Vince. He said that what happened last night, was truly his father’s greatest accomplishment. Shane said he was so proud to be his son and to have the McMahon name for what his father did, which led to “Rocky” chants. Shane said that he wants his dad to know that his son will always love him, very, very much. (Less than a year later they had a major feud, but I digress.)
Shane continued talking by saying that he wants to go one on one with The Rock. Shane asked if Rock wanted the match. The fans cheered and Shane said he wanted to know.
Triple H, the WWF Champion, entered along with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, who is the Women’s Champion. They were booed. Triple H won the WWF Title in early January, so this was about three months into his reign. Stephanie was limping a bit selling The Rock’s attack on her at WrestleMania.
Stephanie was greeted with the all too familiar “slut” chants. Stephanie said she’ll never forgive or forget what The Rock did to her at WrestleMania. She said she’s a 135-pound woman and she admitted to slapping Rock, but he deserved it. She said she didn’t deserve the Rock Bottom (cheers from the crowd) or the People’s Elbow (more cheers). She complained about her back, neck and chest (cough) is so sore while saying that she felt like she was being in a skiing accident. She said any normal woman wouldn’t be out there right now, so the fans chanted “slut” again.
Triple H took over saying that is his wife, Shane said it’s his sister. Hunter said that The Rock put his hands on her, so he wants The Rock tonight. Fans cheered, but Hunter said he won’t put the WWF Title on the line. He said he’s proved to the world that The Rock can’t beat him. Hunter said that this is a personal issue. Hunter said that since Rock put his hands on Stephanie, Hunter will hurt him. Hunter asked if The Rock was a man that would fight him? Fans chanted “Rocky” again.
It was time for “No Chance In Hell” again and here comes the WWF Chairman Vince McMahon, who turned heel on The Rock at WrestleMania. His face run only lasted a few weeks with JR calling Vince “Satan” just like old times. Vince gave Stephanie a big hug when he got in the ring. Hunter and Vince shook hands. Vince and Shane did a handshake as well as a hug, so they were back on the same page. JR: “The McMahons back together, is that what we are seeing here?”
Analysis: Yes JR, that’s what we are seeing. It was the new direction with the McMahons united again while Triple H was the WWF Champion. Vince and Hunter shaking hands meant that it was the first time they were on the same page since Hunter beat Vince in a match at Armageddon in December 1999 where Stephanie turned on Vince. Now they are all together again.
Vince said it appears that they had a problem. Vince said that Hunter wants The Rock and Shane wants The Rock. Vince said that the match he had in mind for The Rock was “The Rock vs. Vince McMahon.” That meant it was the third challenge for Rock tonight. Vince said that we all want an answer as to why he scrambled The Rock’s brains at WrestleMania. Vince said that since he didn’t have to answer to anyone and he said he’s not inclined to answer. Vince claimed that Rock had something in common with people in the arena and Los Angeles because they are vain, egocentric and narcissistic. Vince said that what you’re going to see are phony people and the fans booed. Vince said that many of you have fake hair, fake teeth and fake boobs, which led to happy squealing from Jerry Lawler. Just so you don’t think I’m lying, let’s turn on closed captions for this one.
Vince said that people have done face lifts, tummy tucks and said that they are not real human beings and they are just a bunch of phonies. Vince said that they might think he’s just talking about people in the entertainment business and fans called him “Asshole.” Vince said he hasn’t been called that word by so many “Assholes” (they bleeped it) in his life. He said that if you’re not in the entertainment business, you’re what they call bottom feeders. He said they’re waiting for a Hollywood agent to make them a star. Vince said that there was “no chance in hell” of Rock becoming WWF Champion just like the people in the crowd wanting to be a Hollywood star. Vince said that whether it’s Shane, Triple H or Vince vs. The Rock, one of us will attempt to beat Rock and out of the WWF into a profession he’s more suited for…waiting tables. Vince’s music played to end it.
Analysis: That was a masterful heel promo from Vince. He’s such a great talker especially as the evil boss. This was more of the cheap heat style heel promo by ripping on the crowd for a few minutes. They teased a big match later with one of them facing The Rock, but there was no specific match announced. It’s a way to keep things a mystery during the show.
This week on Raw: Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero for the European Title, Hardcore Holly vs. Crash Holly for the Hardcore Title and Chris Benoit vs. Tazz for the Intercontinental Title. There’s also Rikishi vs. Big Show.
A limo was shown pulling up to the arena and it was The Rock.
Analysis: The reason they did that is to explain why The Rock didn’t go out there to kick some ass when he was called out. It’s a little thing, but it helps tell the story.
(Commercial)
Chyna made her entrance. Chris Jericho was up next as the European Champion in his first title defense.
Eddie Guerrero of the Radicals was next as he entered with a microphone. Eddie told “mamacita” Chyna that he knows that she wants some Latino Heat because she was coming out of her pants at the sight of him. Eddie said that he’s going to make his ancestors in Spain proud by becoming European Champion.
European Championship: Chris Jericho (w/Chyna) vs. Eddie Guerrero
Pre-match notes: Jericho was the face that won the Euro Title one night earlier at WrestleMania. Guerrero was a heel. Chyna was an ally of Jericho going into the match.
Jericho launched a charging Guerrero into the turnbuckle followed by a clothesline. Jericho whipped Guerrero into the ropes leading to a slam into the mat. Guerrero with a sunset flip followed by a clothesline and a low dropkick. Guerrero with a running elbow smash on Jericho. Sleeper by Guerrero, Jericho broke free, Guerrero applied a chinlock and Jericho hit a belly to back suplex. Guerrero dumped Jericho out of the ring. For some reason, there was an odd cut to a room where Stephanie was talking to somebody…maybe Vince. Eddie and Chris got into a chopfest outside the ring, then Guerrero with a thumb to the eye and a knee. Back in the ring, Guerrero was in control with a vertical suplex followed by a wink at Chyna. Guerrero up top, he jumped, Jericho moved, Guerrero rolled through and Jericho with a powerslam. Jericho with a running bulldog for two. Guerrero with a kick to the chest, Jericho with a drop toe hold and Eddie went crashing into referee Tim White. Jericho with two Powerbombs on Guerrero. Jericho with the Lionsault off the ropes, but there was no referee to count. Chyna went into the ring and hit the mat three times as if she was the referee. Chyna raised Jericho’s hand and then she DDT’d Jericho in the ring. Huge reaction for that turn by Chyna and she put Guerrero on top of Jericho. Chyna left the ring, put the referee in the ring and Tim White counted the pin. New champion at 5:39.
Winner and New European Champion: Eddie Guerrero
Analysis: **1/2 Good match with a big turn by Chyna. Her pairing with Eddie wasn’t booed that much by the fans. It is still a turn in the sense that she was Jericho’s friend and then she cost him the match. I thought the finish could have been a bit better because we see DDTs all the time, yet Jericho had to sell that DDT for like 30 seconds as if it was a deadly move. It just felt weak to me. Jericho’s Euro Title reign lasted just one day. I doubt he cared too much about losing that title.
Post match, Chyna picked up Eddie and put the European Title in his shoulder. He did a celebratory shake and hugged her. Eddie left with Chyna with a big smile on their faces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61hHk3qCb28
Analysis: It was the start of a new pairing in WWE that became an odd couple that had some entertaining moments in the weeks to come.
(Commercial)
There was a shot of Vince and Stephanie in their office. She asked if he was proud of her as the Women’s Champion and he said yes. She said she wanted to talk to Vince about Triple H and she wanted Triple H to face The Rock tonight. She thinks it’s right that Triple H can avenge what Rock did to her. She said that it’s not his job to protect her and told him to think about it. Then she kissed Vince on the lips…that’s awkward for an adult woman to do that. Just saying.
A replay aired of Chyna turning on Jericho to help Guerrero win the European Title.
The DX group of Road Dogg, X-Pac and Tori made their entrance to the Run DMC version of the theme song. Road Dogg did the usual pre-match promo. The team of Test and Albert aka T&A entered with my favorite Trish Stratus. Obligatory Trish pic. She’s shiny.
Degeneration X – Road Dogg & X-Pac (w/Tori) vs. Test & Albert (w/Trish Stratus)
Pre-match notes: They were both heel teams.
The match started with X-Pac spitting water in Albert’s face and then Albert hit a press slam on X-Pac. Dogg got in a cheap shot in a spot that looked like it was messed up a bit and X-Pac hit a spin kick on Albert. Dogg worked over Albert with punches and Albert hit a scissors kick to knock Dogg down. Test whipped Albert into Dogg and Test with a boot to the face for a two count with X-Pac making the save. Test with a Full Nelson Slam on Dogg. Test missed a running kick, X-Pac kicked him down, X-Pac tagged in and worked over Test with chops. Test missed a corner attack, but he came back with a sitout slam. X-Pac came back with a belly to back suplex on Test. Dogg with a jumping attack on Test’s back and an elbow drop for two with Albert breaking it up. Dogg gave Test a back body drop over the top to the floor. The ref was distracted by that, Dogg hit a low blow on Albert, X-Pac with an X-Factor on Albert and Dogg covered Albert to win at 3:35.
Winners by pinfall: Road Dogg & X-Pac
Analysis: **1/4 It was solid for the time given and they worked a faster pace than you would expect from most of the guys in this match. The finish was booked well. Since T&A were knew, I thought that maybe they should have gone over to establish them as a team, but at Backlash it was Dogg and X-Pac challenging the champs, so it makes sense to build them up more.
Kurt Angle was backstage talking to Howard Finkel. Angle complained about losing both titles at WrestleMania without being pinned or submitted. Finkel said he respected him, but he is no longer a champion. Angle shook his hand and then Angle put the Crossface Chickenwing on Finkel while yelling that he is a champion.
Analysis: That was so random and hilarious at the same time.
(Commercial)
Shane McMahon showed up in Vince’s office saying that he should take on Rock tonight. Vince said he’ll work it out, Shane said he’ll take that as a yes and Vince said it’s not a yes, but he’ll work it out.
Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit vs. Tazz
Pre-match notes: Benoit was the heel Intercontinental Champion and Tazz was a face.
They got into a slugfest to start the match leading to Tazz hitting and a head and arm suplex. Benoit ran off the ropes leading to a shoulder tackle followed by a suplex for two. Benoit dumped Tazz out of the ring. Benoit whipped Tazz into the barricade, then back in the ring, a bodyslam and an elbow drop. Benoit slapped on a Sharpshooter submission on Tazz, who tried to fight it and Benoit just let go of the hold. Tazz came back with a Tazzmission on Benoit. Saturn went down to the ring, so Tazz hit him with a suplex off the top. Tazz hit a clothesline that sent Saturn out of the ring. Benoit came back with a bridging German Suplex on Tazz for the pinfall win at 3:21.
Winner by pinfall: Chris Benoit
Analysis: *3/4 The match was okay with the referee doing nothing about Saturn trying to interfere. I know he didn’t touch Tazz, but the reason Tazz lost is because of the interference, so I thought it was a weak finish. Despite the bad finish, the work was fine.
After the match, Tazz put the Tazzmission on Saturn, Benoit broke that up and Tazz went after Saturn as they went to the back.
There was a closeup of Rikishi’s ass (no!) backstage as he prepared for a match with Too Cool.
(Commercial)
Big Show and Shane McMahon were talking backstage. Show thanked Shane for his help and said if he ever needs him, he’ll be there. Show said he liked Hollywood and he’s going to be a star. Shane was confused by that, but wished him well.
Analysis: It was a way to separate them as a duo with Show becoming a face soon after.
Let’s Hear from Edge and Christian
Michael Cole was in the ring and he introduced the new Tag Team Champions, Edge and Christian. Instead of walking in through the crowd like they did for matches, they walked down the ramp while selling the injuries from the WrestleMania tag team match. Edge grabbed the microphone and said that they can take it from here.
Edge said that they were great at WrestleMania with Christian adding that they were “really great.” Edge claimed that as great as they were last night, Christian emphasized that they were really great. Edge said that you need great opponents, Edge said it’s good of him to realize that and Edge called out the Hardy Boyz.
The Hardy Boyz made their entrance with a limp as they sold their injuries and Christian urged the crowd to give them a round of applause. Edge said that they did a great job last night, Christian said there’s nothing wrong with being second best or third best (cue the Dudleys).
As the Dudleys made their entrance, E&C hit the Hardys in the back with the Tag Team Titles to knock them down. The Dudleys sent E&C into the ring. Bubba hit Christian with a clothesline out of the ring. The Dudleys hit a 3D on Edge. The Hardys went back into the ring and they got into a brawl with the Dudleys. Referees went down to the ring to break it up. Meanwhile, Edge & Christian backed up the ramp with their titles. The Hardys music played as the wrestlers were separated.
Analysis: It was a cocky heel promo from the new champions who bragged about their win to get some heat from the crowd. This was the start of E&C becoming the best heel tag team in the company, which was teased a bit before WrestleMania and it was furthered here. I thought it was well done.
(Commercial)
A replay aired of the brawl with the tag teams.
Eddie Guerrero and Chyna were shown walking in the parking lot and they went into a low rider car.
The entrances of Big Show and Rikishi took place with Too Cool joining Rikishi for the match.
Big Show vs. Rikishi Phatu (w/Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay)
Pre-match notes: Show was a heel going into the match, but he was on his way to becoming a face. Rikishi was a face. Please keep this match short.
Show with a boot to the face followed by a clothesline with Rikishi doing a flip bump. Show did a moonwalk and his own version of the Worm, but he missed the elbow. It did draw a big pop from the crowd because it was funny. Rikishi hit a sloppy looking Samoan Drop. Rikishi hit the stinkface against the turnbuckle. Show was up against the ropes, Sexay pulled Show’s throat against the top rope and the referee DQ’d Rikishi for it. What a lame finish at 1:17.
Winner by disqualification: Big Show
Analysis: 1/4* Bad match with a terrible finish. Thanks for keeping it short. This was about showcasing Show’s new fun persona that led to him becoming a face.
Post match, Scotty did the W-O-R-M into the elbow drop on Show. Rikishi danced with Too Cool. Big Show walked away and looked back at them as if he wanted to join them in dancing.
The Rock’s locker room door was shown.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon where the guys pulled straws to see who will face The Rock. Shane grabbed the shortest straw, so he gets Rock.
Big Show was back in the ring for a promo. He said that all of his life, people have told him he’s a great athlete with people saying he’s a monster that’s completely unstoppable. Show said there’s more to him on Saturday Night Live and if you did, then you know he’s a funny. Show said he’s talented guy and he’s entertaining. He said there’s more to him than just headbutts and Chokeslams. Show said ask his fiancée because he’s got layers upon layers while adding that sometimes he feels like fighting, sometimes he feels like relaxing and sometimes he feels like dancing. Show told them to hit the music, so the Too Cool dance music played. Big Show did his dance routine as the crowd cheered and urged him on. The crowd chanted “go Big Show” for him. The music stopped to end it.
Analysis: That was fun. As I mentioned above, Big Show’s new gimmick was a fun babyface after they tried booking him as a nasty heel for his first year in the company. Show did do very well on Saturday Night Live, so I think WWE used that performance to try to see what they could get out of him as a face. The gimmick only lasted a few months, but at least they gave it a try.
The Rock was interviewed backstage by Michael Cole, who mentioned Shane will face Rock on Raw. Rock said that it’s truly amazing that with all the great decisions that Vince McMahon has made in his lifetime like starting WrestleMania and the infamous penis implant in 1991, which is pretty funny, but when Vince attacked Rock at WrestleMania, he made the worst decision of a lifetime. Rock said that he’ll whip Shane McMahon’s candy ass, then he mentioned hitting a Rock Bottom on that “slut” Stephanie and Rock made a promise to become WWE Champion. The fans chanted “Rocky” for him. Rock ended it with “if ya smell what The Rock is cooking” as usual.
Analysis: Great promo from Rock as usual. I feel repetitive in saying that every time he does a promo, but it’s always well done. It was more of a serious promo this time although he got some funny lines in there too.
(Commercial)
Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay were backstage laughing about Big Show’s dancing with Scotty saying Show was pretty good for a big guy. Sexay said that the worm more liked a whale. Sexay kept on mocking Show.
Hardcore Championship: Hardcore Holly vs. Crash Holly
Pre-match notes: These guys were both tweeners in some ways, but I would say Crash was a face and Hardcore was a heel, who won the title at WrestleMania although that finish was botched.
Crash hit Hardcore with the Hardcore Title to the head. Crash hit Hardcore with a cookie sheet to the head. Hardcore slammed Crash onto the cookie sheet. Hardcore grabbed a broom from under the ring and broke it over Crash’s back. Hardcore grabbed the fire extinguisher, Crash charged and Hardcore sprayed it in Crash’s face. Hardcore sent Crash into the ring and grabbed a chair. Hardcore back in the ring, Crash kicked him in the ribs and Crash with a front suplex on the chair on Hardcore. Crash with a clothesline that sent Hardcore over the top to the floor. The Acolytes duo of Faarooq and Bradshaw went to ringside as Hardcore hit Crash with a candy jar to the head. Bradshaw with a clothesline on Hardcore. Acolytes hit a double team spinebuster on Hardcore and Crash covered for the cheap win at 3:02.
Winner and New Hardcore Champion: Crash Holly
Analysis: ** A cheap win for Crash to win back his Hardcore Title. They worked hard with some creative spots in there. The title changed hands so much that it lost a lot of value, but it was mostly there for comedic purposes.
Post match, Crash shook the hands of the APA to show that he paid them to help. The Mean Street Posse trio showed up to attack Crash on the stage, then they fought eachother and Crash left.
Shane was getting ready for his match and Triple H showed up to offer advice since he knows Rock the best. Hunter said that now that he thinks about it, he told Shane to be careful and watch out. Shane complained about that being all of his advice.
Analysis: Too many backstage segments. They don’t need to do as many as they did on this show.
(Commercial)
Big Show went up to Grandmaster Sexay in the locker room to ask if his dancing wasn’t that bad. Sexay said it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t that good. Show punched Sexay and splashed him through a table. Show stole Sexay’s goggles and hat as you can see below. The fans cheered that.
Val Venis made his entrance for a match as the camera showed pretty women in the crowd. Most of them were pretty, just saying. Venis tried doing a promo, but he was cut off by Kurt Angle’s music.
Kurt Angle said that this is without a doubt one of the darkest days in WWF and US history. He said that it was ridiculous to lose two titles without being pinned while adding that parents called him to say that kids didn’t want to go to school because of it. Angle wondered how the WWF would survive without him as the EuroContinental Champion. It’s true, it’s damn true. Angle said he went from owning two titles to being forced to wrestle a film star. Angle wanted to put on sanitary gloves, but Venis attacked.
Kurt Angle vs. Val Venis
Pre-match notes: Venis was a face and Angle was a heel.
Venis stomped away on Angle against the turnbuckle followed by an elbow drop and a knee drop. Venis with a clothesline that sent Angle over the top to the floor. Angle got back into it by whipping Venis back first into the steel steps. Venis draped Angle over the top rope. They went back in the ring with Angle hitting a DDT while some fans were chanting “USA” for Kurt since Venis was Canadian. Angle whipped Venis into the turnbuckle two times. Angle with a suplex. Venis came back with a neckbreaker. Angle charged in, Venis got a boot up to stop him and Venis hit two corner clotheslines in a row. Venis with a double arm suplex that got a two count. Angle set up Venis on the top rope, he wanted a superplex, Venis blocked it and shoved Angle down. Vince up top, he jumped, but Angle moved and Venis hit the mat. Angle slapped on the Crossface Chickenwing that Bob Backlund used to do and Venis quit at 4:17.
Winner by submission: Kurt Angle
Analysis: **1/2 Solid match with Venis getting more offense than I expected. Angle gets a win back after losing the two titles at WrestleMania. Venis wasn’t being pushed at this point in his career. Angle’s next PPV opponent was Big Show at Backlash.
Shane was in the locker room getting ready with daddy Vince asking if he was ready. Vince said he’s got Shane’s back and they hugged.
(Commercial)
Kane entered with daddy Paul Bearer. Bull Buchanan was the opponent with Big Boss Man by his side.
Bull Buchannan (w/Big Boss Man) vs. Kane (w/Paul Bearer)
Pre-match notes: Buchanan was a heel and Kane was a face. Please keep this match short.
Kane worked over Buchanan with punches followed by a boot to the face. Kane whipped Buchanan into the turnbuckle, Bull jumped to the top and slipped, so he missed his clothesline spot. There’s a botch. The crowd laughed about it. Kane whipped Buchanan in again, so Buchanan just punched him down to do the spot. Buchanan up top, Kane back up and Kane hit Buchanan with a Chokeslam for the pinfall win at 1:15.
Winner by pinfall: Kane
Analysis: -* Thanks for being short. Still a shitty match. I found it odd that they would have Buchanan in this match when they were trying to build him up, yet here he is losing in just over one minute.
Post match, Boss Man attacked Kane with the nightstick and they left the ring. Buchanan joined the fun, so he didn’t really the Chokeslam. Boss Man and Buchanan handcuffed Kane to the turnbuckle cable. Paul Bearer hit Buchanan in the back with a chair, so Buchanan punched Bearer and Buchanan hit Kane’s hand with a chair. Boss Man and Buchanan left.
Analysis: I guess that’s why the match was so short since they did the post match angle. It’s not like the match made me want to see Kane wrestle Buchanan again. It would have been nice if Buchanan sold the Chokeslam for more than five seconds.
The Rock was shown getting ready for the main event up next.
(Commercial)
Shane McMahon made his entrance for the main event wearing a Rock-like “Layeth The Smacketh Down” shirt with Lawler saying Shane was trying to avenge this sister. Shane did a Rock impression by posing on the ropes. Vince McMahon made his entrance to support his son.
The Rock ran down to the ring. Rock got his hands on Vince, but Vince managed to get out of the ring. The crowd was on fire cheering for Rock. Shane ran up the ramp, Rock grabbed him and Triple H showed up to save Shane with a cheap attack. Triple H sent Rock down to ringside and whipped him into the steel steps. Stephanie showed up holding the titles that she and Hunter have. The bell rang to start the match.
The Rock vs. Shane McMahon (w/Vince McMahon)
Shane hit an elbow drop off the middle ropes for a two count. Shane whipped Rock into the ropes, Hunter pulled the top rope down and Rock was sent over the top to the floor. Vince hit Rock with a clothesline that sent Rock over the announce table. Vince sent Rock back in the ring while referee Earl Hebner was distracted by Triple H. Shane with a jumping back elbow that knocked Rock down again. Hunter got in a cheap punch followed by a forearm to the chest while Shane distracted the ref. Shane did his dance routine leading to two punches. Rock came back with a spinebuster to a thunderous ovation. Vince on the apron, Rock knocked him and the referee down, so Triple H hit a Pedigree on Rock and put Shane on top. Hunter tried to wake Hebner up, which led to the snow Hebner count for two as Rock got his left shoulder up. Lawler complained about the slow count. Vince into the ring while Hunter grabbed the referee, so Rock punched Vince and Shane. Hunter went in the ring and hit Rock in the back with a forearm to the head. The referee didn’t call for a DQ. Hunter shoved Hebner on his ass. Rock managed to hit Hunter with a Rock Bottom and Hebner counted the pin even though Hunter wasn’t in the match. It went about 5:35.
Winner by pinfall: The Rock? (I guess?)
Analysis: *1/2 It’s tough to rate all of that because as a storyline it was entertaining with Rock having to overcome three enemies at once, but there was a lack of logic in the ending since Triple H took the pin even though he wasn’t officially in the match. They did follow up on it on Smackdown later that week, which I’ll be reviewing soon and most of you probably remember a famous Triple H/Hebner story with Jericho later in April 2000. As a story, I was entertained by most of this.
After the match, the trio of Vince, Stephanie and Shane were mad about what happened. That visual is the main image of this post.
Rock grabbed the WWE Championship and posed with it. The McMahons were pissed off about it and Rock was talking trash to them. That’s how the show ended.
This episode of Raw had a runtime of 1:31:47 on WWE Network.
Three Stars of the Show
- Vince McMahon – I loved his heel promo. The highlight of the show.
- The Rock – Once again he was the centerpiece of this episode.
- Eddie Guerrero – This was when he was really starting to come into his own in WWE and develop as a character, so it was great to watch that again.
The Scoreboard
This Raw episode gets a 7 out of 10.
I thought it was a pretty good show. It was easy to get through and I had fun watching it while the crowd was into everything they did. They had some decent matches in there, which is better than some weeks when there were no good matches. I liked the story development. The main event was a bit crazy, but it was nice to see The Rock get some revenge.
It’s typical of WWE to do some changes on the Raw after WrestleMania. On this show, they had Chyna join Eddie in what appeared to be a heel turn, but they were so entertaining that people liked the duo. Big Show turned face after a year of being a heel. We saw Vince turn heel at WrestleMania too.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
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