WWE RAW
There Is A New Era On RAW Too!
After the WWE opening credits air on television, a video package airs the highlights of last week's RAW, where RAW lost Triple H to SmackDown!, but gained a new Franchise Player in Edge, much to the shock of Paul Heyman, who protested the draft pick. All the other RAW draftees were also mentioned in the video package, as well. Also, the Backlash main event was announced as a World Heavyweight Championship match between Chris Benoit © vs. Shawn Michaels. Then the RAW opening credits air with "Across The Nation" by Union Underground, followed by the cameras cutting to the arena where the pyro & fireworks go off, the fans are going nuts, as Jim Ross & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to this week's show, and RAW General Manager, Eric Bischoff is in the ring.
Jim Ross: Welcome everyone to WWE RAW, where a brand new era in Sports Entertainment has begun. Thanks for letting us into your home, this week. I'm Jim Ross, along with my broadcast partner and friend, Jerry "The King" Lawler. And King, like I stated before, it's a brand new era, here on RAW.
Jerry Lawler: You're absolutely right, JR, and while I still cannot believe that we lost HHH, and that The Game is over for RAW, we got new big time player in Edge. But, right now, JR, Eric Bischoff is in the ring, and he's got the mic.
Jim Ross: Well King, with that said, let's go to the General Manager of RAW.
The cameras cut to the ring, where RAW GM, Eric Bischoff is standing by with a microphone.
Eric Bischoff: Welcome to the number one brand in sports entertainment, Monday Night RAW!
*crowd cheers for RAW*
Eric Bischoff: Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems that last week, my brand was in a serious situation as part of the WWE Draft Lottery. We may have lost HHH to SmackDown!, but that's not gonna stop RAW, not by a longshot. Paul Heyman may have "hit the jackpot" in the draft, but we didn't do so bad in the draft, either, because RAW drafted some extremely talented performers from SmackDown!, and without any further ado, let's bring out our draft picks from SmackDown! Come on down, people, and welcome to RAW.
"Across The Nation" hits, and nine out of the 10 all around draft picks from SmackDown! come down to the ring. The World's Greatest Tag Team, The FBI tandem of Palumbo & Stamboli, A-Train, Rhyno, Tajiri, Sable, Nidia, Torrie Wilson, & Dawn Marie enter the ring, and join Bischoff at the forefront. Everyone is noticing that one draft pick is missing, as does Eric Bischoff, who then speaks again as the music fades.
Eric Bischoff: Well, I see that some of my draft picks are out here. But, much like these fans out here, I see that we're missing someone, here. But, don't worry, because I made sure that I saved the very best for last. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the all-time biggest draft pick in the Draft Lottery for RAW, let's bring out RAW's "Rated R Superstar", EDGE!
The crowd cheers, as "The Hunter" by Dokken hits, as the smoke rises from the stage. The camera cut to the entrance, as Edge makes his long awaited return to the WWE on RAW, much to the delight of the RAW fans. Edge soaks in the fans cheers, as he makes his way to the ring, wearing a black leather jacket with gold stripes on it, black leather pants, black t-shirt, and shoes, complete with black sunglasses. Edge enters the ring, and continues to revel in the cheers from the fans, as he joins his fellow draftees & Eric Bischoff in the ring.
Eric Bischoff: Welcome to RAW, Edge, and welcome to RAW to everyone else I acquired in the Draft Lottery. Now, much like Paul Heyman did on SmackDown!, we are gonna pass the mic around to all of you, and I'd like to hear how you guys and girls feel about being on your NEW home on RAW. First off, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, The World's Greatest Tag Team.
The mic is handed to Charlie Haas.
Charlie Haas: Well Eric, to be honest, Shelton & I are extremely honored to be on RAW, because this here is the big time in Sports Entertainment, and Eric, we promise not to let you down.
Shelton Benjamin: Yeah, Eric. We're gonna light up the RAW tag team division, and bring RAW's tag team division back to the promised land.
The mic is then passed to A-Train.
A-Train: Eric, your show is the best. RAW is now the home of the biggest and the baddest, and when you talk about the biggest and baddest, you gotta talk about ME, the A-Train, baby, because I'm as big and bad as they come. You can bet your life on that..
The mic is then passed to Tajiri, who basically spoke to Eric Bischoff in his own native language of Japanese. Eric nods in acceptance, regardless.
The match is then passed to Rhyno.
Rhyno: Eric Bischoff, I'll tell you one thing. Now that I'm on RAW, everyone here is gonna feel the....Gore.....Gore..........GORRRRRRRREEEEEEE!
Rhyno looks intense as ever, as the mic is then passed to The FBI.
Chuck Palumbo: Eric Bischoff, much like everyone else, we are deeply honored to be on RAW, now, because this is where the best of the best are seen, and we gonna seize the opportunity, tonight.
Johnny Stamboli: Yeah Eric, and thanks a lot for giving us a main event match tonight against the World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels in a tag team match, tonight, and much like Haas and Benjamin stated before, we too won't let you down, either.
The mic is then passed down to Sable:
Sable: Mr. Bischoff, I'm speaking right now for all of the Divas that you drafted to RAW, myself, Torrie, Dawn, & Nidia, that we are very pleasured to be on RAW, which of course is truly the home of the DIVAS.
Torrie, Dawn, & Nidia all nod in agreement with Sable.
The mic is then passed back to Eric Bischoff, who then speaks to Edge.
Eric Bischoff: Edge, welcome to RAW, my man. Please, the forum is now yours.
They shake hands, as Edge takes the mic.
Edge: Thanks, Eric Bischoff.
He then turns to his fans.
Edge: Well, it's great to be back, eh? I really missed everyone in the WWE, and now, after being out of action with neck surgery, I'm back, and I'm in better shape than ever. But, the reason why I've been out on the shelf for over a year is because of jackass' cowardly attack on me, over a year ago at WWE No Way Out 2003, and in case you're all wondering what I'm talking about, let me direct your attention to the RAW Titantron, because I'm gonna show you all what happened, right now. Guys in the truck, roll it.
On the Titantron, the footage plays from last year's No Way Out. Edge was on SmackDown! back then, and Edge was seen laying down on his back, motionless after being attacked from behind by some unknown attacker. Edge was carried out on a stretcher and into an ambulance, and was never seen again, until now.
The cameras go back to Edge, who is seething with rage, as he speaks again into the mic while looking into the TV camera.
Edge: Alright. You know the d**n drill. Ok? I want whoever broke my neck, and took a year out of my life to SHOW HIS FACE out here, right now. I don't care if I have to wait all day, I'm gonna find out who did this to me, tonight. Now, I'm not asking for you to get out here, I'M DEMANDING THAT YOU GET OUT HERE, RIGHT NOW, DAMMIT!
As Edge continues to wait for an answer, he is soon answered when "Line In The Sand" by Motorhead hits, and all three members of the new Evolution that's led by Randy Orton, who holds the IC Title over his shoulder. World Tag Team Champions, Ric Flair & Batista are with him, as well. Orton has a mic of his own, but he can barely speak, because of his surgery.
Randy Orton: Well, well, well. Welcome back to the WWE, Edge, and welcome to OUR show, which of course, is RAW. Now, we know you're still wondering who put out of the WWE for over a year. I'll tell you who is was. It was us, Edge. Evolution. It was me, Flair, & Batista doing the dirty work of a man who paid us big money to take you out, and not only that, Edge, but also, that man is now our newest member.
JR: WHAT?
King: We could have a huge announcement coming, JR.
Randy Orton: But, you know what, Edge? We're not gonna tell you, right now. We're gonna make you sweat it out, first.
Batista & Flair both nod in agreement, as Edge is now furious.
Edge: Let me tell you what's gonna happen, Evolution. What's gonna happen is, I'm gonna take out over a year of anger, rage, and frustration out on your asses, and make your lives a living Hell! I'll tell what I'm also gonna do. I'm also gonna beat the answer out of you, and make you tell me who put that bounty on my head to make you take me out. That man is gonna pay dearly, as well. Evolution, consider your days NUMBERED!
Eric Bischoff takes the mic, and tries to calm down the situation.
Eric Bischoff: Ok, ok, ok, guys. Edge, just cool yourself down, and I'll think of how you can settle your differences with Evolution. But, for now, I'll get you comfortable in your new VIP Room, and everything.
When Bischoff said that, Evolution was seen obviously protesting that Edge was getting his own VIP Room, backstage. Bischoff is seen trying to settle down the chaos, as we then go to a commercial break.
World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) vs. La Resistance (Rob Conway and Slyvain Grenier) for the #1 Contendership for World Tag Team Titles
- Match starts off fast with Haas and Benjamin hitting dual dropkicks (Haas from top rope and Benjamin from ring rope) on La Resistance as the first move of the match.
- Shelton Benjamin apparently messes up a springboard move half way through the match and fall flat on his face. Shelton is hurt it seems as Charlie Haas takes on the rest of the match.
- Ending saw Charlie Haas knock Grenier over the top rope and hits Conway with a clothesline and locks in the Haas of Pain to win the match and claim #1 Contendership for WGTT.
Congratulations
After the World's Greatest Tag Team defeated La Resistance to become the # 1 contenders for the World Tag Team Titles, "I'm Back" hits, and RAW GM, Eric Bischoff come out onto the stage with mic in hand, and congradulates both Haas & Benjamin on their victory.
Eric Bischoff: Well, Charlie and Shelton. Congratulations on becoming the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championship, and you know what? By way of your victory tonight, you two will challenge Evolution members, Ric Flair & Batista for the World Tag Team Titles at our upcoming RAW pay per view, BACKLASH! Good luck, guys. You'll need it at the pay per view.
With that said, Eric takes his leave as we then go automatically to another break.
Kane vs. Tajiri
- This was your basic squash, filler match. Basically to show off another draftee in Tajiri.
- Kane wins with a Chokeslam and a rare, rare tombstone.
- After the match, the lights go out and we hear a Gong. Lights come back on and Kane is gone leaving King and JR wondering what happened.
The Ladies Cream For the "Rated R Superstar"
A scene opens inside the Divas locker room where Sable, Torrie, Dawn Marie, Nidia, & several others are chatting with each other.
Sable: Yeah, you ain't kidding. But, how about that Edge? Oh God, that hunk turns me ON.
Torrie: Yeah, absolutely.
Lita: He is so Hot, man. Let me tell ya.
Miss Jackie, Dawn, Nidia, and all the other Divas continue talking about Edge, until Trish Startus walks into shot.
Trish Stratus: Ugh, is that all you girls can talk about is Edge? Please. You want to talk about a REAL man, talk about Christian, because HE knows how to play hard.
Lita: You know what, Trish? Whoever it was that put Edge out of action for over a year is gonna pay dearly.
Trish Stratus: Oh, is that so, Lita? Well, let me tell you this. I know who it was that paid Evolution to take Edge out, a year ago. But, I'm not telling, and niether is Christian. Later.
Trish walks away, as the Divas go back to talking about Edge, and other things, while Lita watches Trish leave, thinking about what she just said.
*commercial*
Randy Orton © vs. Maven vs. Lance Storm in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
- This Triple Threat was ordered by Bischoff.
- The match started out all Orton with headlocks and European uppercuts to both of the opponents.
- Orton hits the RKO on Maven, but when Orton goes for the pin, Edge comes running to the apron side and Orton rolls off of Maven and goes to the apron to argue with Edge.
- While they are arguing Lance Storm rolls back in the ring and knocks Orton over the ropes and goes and locks the Maple Leaf (Texas Cloverleaf) on the down and out Maven.
- Edge shows his football linemen skills as he blocks Orton from rolling into the break up the submission as the ref calls for the bell. Lance Storm is the new Intercontinental Champion.
- As soon as the bell had rang, Edge lays out Orton with a hard right hand and stands over him and tells him, "Revenge is a b*tch."
The Partners Are Seeming Unstable
Backstage, we see World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit talking to his challenger at RAW's Backlash PPV, Shawn Michaels. They seen to be having a very mutual conversation.
Chris Benoit: You know, Shawn. I know that you and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. But, I do know that both of us can agree that RAW will be much better now that Triple H is now on SmackDown!
Shawn laughs: Yeah, Chris. The bottom line is that justice has finally been served here, and we're all ready to move on, and speaking of moving on, that brings us to our title match at Backlash. In your hometown of Edmonton, both you and I have a date with destiney, and that destiney is the World Heavyweight Title. Let me remind you, Chris, that I beat you before on RAW, and at Backlash in your own hometown, it's gonna happen again, like De Ja Vu. Sweet Chin Music, and ol' HBK will become a 5-time champion, here in the WWE.
Chris Benoit: See, Shawn. That's where you're wrong, because unless you have a major ace up your sleeve, you're not gonna have a chance on my home turf, because at Backlash, with my hometown family, friends and fans behind me, I will do whatever it takes to make you TAP OUT.
Shawn Michaels: Yeah, we'll see about that.
Both men end the segment with a staredown, as we go to another segment.
Evolut-PISSED!
After losing his title without getting pinned, Randy Orton is seen going INSANE backstage, destroying things and cursing Edge for what happened out there.
Randy Orton: I cannot believe this! I lost my title without being pinned? This is a d**n travesty, dammit! Edge, ARRRRRGHHH, EDGE!
Randy then favors his aching throat which had his tonsciles removed, as Flair & Batista come in and console their new leader.
Ric Flair: Champ, take it easy. Randy, you were robbed out there, man. Edge screwed you. You should still be the champ, because you never got pinned. You're still the man.
Batista: Yeah, but Edge has now started a war in which he won't survive. He is gonna PAY for this! We're gonna make him pay!
Randy Orton: Yeah, Dave. He is gonna pay, and you know how we're gonna make him pay? Next week, we reveal who it was that paid us to take Edge out, and we're gonna officially bring him into Evolution. MY Evolution.
Randy Orton calms down, as we go to another commercial break.
Jericho Wants Payback
When RAW comes back, we go to Eric Bischoff's office, where Bischoff is talking with The Coach.
Coach: Hey Eric, did you see what happened out there with Edge and Randy Orton? Edge just cost Orton his Intercontinental Title, and Orton wasn't even pinned. Something's gotta be done about that.
Eric Bischoff: You know, Coach? Believe it, or not, I'm not in any way, shape, or form angry at Edge, nor am I gonna punish Edge for what happened out there, tonight.
Coach: But, what about Evolution?
Eric Bischoff: Well Coach, let me tell you this. I'm gonna make a huge announcement, next week, concerning Edge's return to the RAW ring, which will take place at Backlash. It's gonna be huge, trust me.
Suddenly, Chris Jericho barges in.
Eric Bischoff: Can't you learn to knock?
Chris Jericho: No Eric, because I'm in here for one reason, and that is to get a chance to finally settle my feud with Christian, and that filthy, dirty, disgusting, brutal, bottom-feeding, trashbag ho named Trish Stratus. I want a Wrestlemania rematch with Christian, and soon.
Eric Bischoff: Oh, you want revenge on Christian, huh? Well, I'll tell you what, Chris. Next week, you'll get your rematch against Christian on RAW. How about that?
Jericho nods: Good.
Eric points to the door: Now, get out of my office.
As Y2J leaves the office, we then go to the ring for another match.
Rhyno vs. A-Train
- Another match to show off the new draftees.
- Rhyno gets the win with the Gore and pinfall.
- After the match, A-Train wakes up and gets a revenge attack on Rhyno, possibly setting up a feud.
Forget-A-Bout-It
We then go backstage to the RAW locker room, where Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli, The FBI are seen getting ready for their match in the main event against Chris Benoit & Shawn Michaels, tonight.
Chuck Palumbo: Hey Johnny, what do you think our chances are of winning tonight, huh? These guys are the cream of the crop, here on RAW.
Johnny Stamboli: Yeah, man. But, let me tell you this. These two guys are gonna be going at it for the World Heavyweight Title at Backlash in Benoit's hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. But, you know something? I saw their conversation, earlier on, and their not concerned about tonight's match. Their concerned about Backlash, and that's gonna spell their downfall, tonight.
Chuck Palumbo: Yeah, tonight, we are gonna seize that opprotunity, and when we win this match, tonight, we're gonna be catapulted into top contention for the World Tag Team Titles, here on RAW.
Johnny Stamboli: Yeah, man. I tell ya what. Let's go to the ring, and get this thing done, tonight.
The FBI leaves their locker room, as we go to another quick break.
Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit vs. The FBI (Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli)
- The FBI enter as a team while Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels enter seperately.
- Shawn Michaels works hard in the opening part of the match, but soon gets double teamed by Johnny Stamboli and Chuck Palumbo and what looks like, lands on his head and cause a conncession it seems.
- But, he ends up hitting the Sweet Chin Music on Palumbo and crawls to his corner and makes the hot tag to Benoit as Palumbo gets to the Stamboli.
- Benoit starts the fury and ends up locking in the Crossface.
- Palumbo runs in the ring and breaks it up and they double team Benoit with no Michaels to be found anywhere around the ring.
- Palumbo gets Benoit on his shoulders while Stamboli climbs the ropes and hits the flying cross body on Benoit off Palumbo's shoulders in what they are calling the "Forget-A-Bout-It." Stamboli rolls up Benoit and gets the three count and the big upset win.
- After the match, Benoit finds HBK out cold on the side of the ring and he snaps locking HBK in the crossface on the outside.
Benoit's Murder-like Rampage
After getting defeated by The FBI, Benoit still has the Crossface locked on HBK, as he starts yelling about the mis-cue between them. He keeps it locked on till HBK is bleeding from the mouth and is completely knocked out, until several RAW officials pour out of the locker room to try and break it up. Eric Bischoff & Coach also come out try and calm down the chaos, as JR & King start talking about the tensions between the champion & challenger, how Benoit just snapped, and they start hyping up their title match, and more, at RAW's upcoming PPV, Backlash.