RAW results -- March 4, 2002
With just 13 days remaining until WrestleMania X8 takes Toronto by storm, RAW kicked off live from Austin, Texas! As the show began, Mr. McMahon greeted fans with a few announcements. Ric Flair would not be at the show "due to circumstances beyond Mr. Flair's control." Therefore, Mr. McMahon said, he was declaring RAW "Fan Appreciation Night," which would be highlighted by Triple H against Kurt Angle in a steel cage!
Fittingly, Stone Cold Steve Austin started the show in his native state, facing Booker T in one-on-one action. Booker and the Texas Rattlesnake traded blows at the start of the match. Austin heavily favored his left knee, which was smashed with a cinder block courtesy of Scott Hall just one week prior. The injured extremity slowed Austin and allowed Booker T to stomp the Rattlesnake into the corner. Booker then clutched Austin in a chin lock in the center of the ring.
Suddenly, all three members of the nWo stormed down and began to assault Austin! The Rattlesnake fought back valiantly, but succumbed to the three men. Scott Hall grabbed a wrench tucked away beneath the ring and clobbered Austin on the head, which produced a stream of blood.
The annihilation continued with each member of the nWo delivering a series of cheap shots.
With Austin completely decimated, the nWo turned and left, but Hall's mood soured without warning and he stormed back into the ring and dropped Austin with a Stunner!
Austin was still rolling around the ring bloody and in pain when RAW resumed following a commercial break. Referees tried to help Austin stagger to the back, but Austin insisted on walking alone.
Scotty 2 Hotty and Albert danced to the ring next. Test appeared beneath the TitanTron and said that since his usual partner, Booker T, already had a match, Test had gone out and found the "Perfect Replacement." Mr. Perfect came out and the two strutted their way down the ramp to begin the match. Test started things off against his former tag partner, Albert. Test softened Albert and brought in Mr. Perfect, who was quickly thrown to the mat. Scotty entered the fray and took down Mr. Perfect, then dropped Test with a Superkick.
Albert regained strength and slammed both opponents into the corner. While Albert then concentrated on cracking Mr. Perfect outside the ring, Scotty hit Test with the Worm! But Mr. Perfect dashed back in and crumpled Scotty with a PerfectPlex and got the 1-2-3! The two teams continued to trade shots after the bell rang when out of nowhere, Rikishi came down and helped out Scotty and Albert! The Phat Man delivered a Stink Face to Mr. Perfect, then embraced his former partner, Scotty 2 Hotty, before leaving.
Backstage, Coach caught up with Kurt Angle. Angle said he was glad it was Fan Appreciation Night because he was a fan and he appreciated watching the nWo demolish Austin. He was also appreciative that Mr. McMahon had ordered a Steel Cage Match for the evening that would pit Kurt Angle against Triple H. Angle said that he's a man with nothing to lose, and warned Triple H to be wary.
Following the break, the new Hardcore Champion, Goldust appeared in the ring and was interviewed by Lilian Garcia. Goldust said that like the people in attendance, Maven was stupid. He said that nobody had been dumb enough to attack the Undertaker and take advantage of the 24/7 rule, and nobody would dare attack him -- Goldust.
Tazz came to the ring and an impromptu Hardcore Championship Match took place with Jackie as referee. After subduing Tazz in the corner, Goldust pulled out a trash can and headed back between the ropes. Tazz fought back, and latched Goldust in the Tazzmission!
But Goldust smashed Tazz with a garbage can lid and got the 3-count to retain his title.
Backstage, the nWo indulged on the contents of Stone Cold's personal beer cooler. Kevin Nash said he was getting a little bored and suggested the men take a short walk.
Coach caught up with Rob Van Dam and said that at WrestleMania he would nail William Regal with his Five Star Frog Splash and take the Intercontinental Championship. Lance Storm suddenly burst upon the scene and said that he was upset that RVD had beaten him on HEAT. He said the two had a rematch later that night and he took the event very seriously. RVD told Lance he needed to lighten up. Storm responded with a stinging slap across RVD's face. RVD recoiled and came back looking very pissed off. But his scowl turned back into his trademark smirk and he calmly told Storm they'd settle everything in the ring.
DDP helped Christian beef up his positive attitude in the locker room. DDP had Christian recite a number of inspirational phrases, when Christian's cell phone suddenly rang. Christian told the person on the phone to "pull the plug" because "the faster she goes, the faster I cash in." Christian hung up and explained that his grandmother was just about to go. DDP looked completely taken aback and suggested the two retreat to step 1.
On their walk backstage, the nWo stumbled upon a crewmember who was wearing a Stone Cold "What?" T-shirt. Led by Scott Hall, they savagely beat the poor crew member -- especially after Hogan and Nash claimed that they saw him flip Scott Hall the bird. Having completely wrecked the defenseless worker, the nWo turned and left.
Trish Stratus came down to the ring for her title shot against Jazz for the Federation Women's Championship. Trish is one of the lovely Federation Divas that will be featured on the Divas "Sex on the Beach" special, which airs next Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on UPN!
Jazz came to the ring and immediately stepped up to Trish. Jazz smacked Trish around the ring then picked her up by the hair and slammed her down. Jazz then locked Trish into a crossface, but Trish clawed her way to the rope and broke the hold. Trish mounted her own offensive, scoring a stiff kick to the back of Jazz's head. She then tried for a bulldog, but Jazz countered and again tossed Trish to the canvas from the hair. Jazz picked Trish up and whipped her down again, tearing off the blonde's shirt in the process! A furious Trish locked Jazz into the STF and wouldn't let go once Jazz reached the rope! The match ended in disqualification, but Trish got in another smack across Jazz's face and left while trying to hold herself in her bra!
Backstage, Stephanie McMahon was engaged in a heated phone conversation with Chris Jericho -- who was apparently trying to find Stephanie's house in Greenwich, Conn. Stephanie berated Y2J for not being able to find her special hand lotion. While she was spouting off about how valuable she is to the Undisputed Champion, Triple H came up behind her bearing a box loaded with several of her items. Triple H said he was returning several items because he wanted her out of his life -- and "since it's your box, it's appropriately quite large."
He emptied the box at her feet and Stephanie was overjoyed to find her special lotion, which she eagerly spread all over herself. Triple H stared at her then left when Stephanie got more annoyed ...
