By Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor

WWE Raw virtual time ongoing review
Aired July 14, 2003
Live from Indianapolis, Ind.
Broadcast live on TNN

Ongoing ''Virtual Time'' Review of Raw

This is an ongoing ''virtual time'' report on tonight's Raw. I will update this report with results and commentary every 10 or 15 minutes throughout the show. You may have to hit refresh in order to see our latest update.

5th Quarter Hour

(3) Triple H & Ric Flair & Randy Orton beat Bubba & D-Von & Spike Dudley in an elimination match at 14:38. After Spike had been eliminated, Triple H grabbed a La Resistance's flag from ringside and hit D-Von with it. Triple H rolled Randy Orton onto D-Von for the win, leaving Bubba to battle Evolution on his own. D-Von started to head up the ramp, but stopped when Bubba called for him to grab the tables. D-Von tried to oblige Bubba's request, but several referees prevented him from doing so.

[Commercial break]

The heels worked over Bubba, who put up a good fight before being pinned by Orton. Lawler dubbed Evolution "the past, present, and future of wrestling"...

Coachman and Lawler aired still-shots of Tommy Dreamer and Rico after they were left lying by Kane...

Backstage, Rob Van Dam entered Bischoff's office and demanded a match against Kane. Bischoff agreed to the match, but tried to talk RVD out of it. RVD would have none of it and vowed to finish Kane next week...

[Commercial break]

6th Quarter Hour

Backstage, Chris Jericho led La Resistance, Rico, Jackie Gayda, Christian, Lance Storm, Steven Richards, and Victoria to sign a petition to force Steve Austin to resign from his post as Raw's co-general manager. Tommy Dreamer entered the room and shook his head in disbelief after hearing Jericho's spiel...

(Commentary: The funny thing about this angle is that Konnan actually started a legit backstage petition in WCW in hopes of buying Vince Russo more time as the creative director.)

Teddy Long and Rodney Mack walked to the ring for a pre-match promo. Long said he and Mack signed Jericho's petition and would like to see a black man replace Austin as the co-general manager. Long said he would take the position, but he's too busy running the day to day operations of Playa's Incorporated. Long suggested Johnny Cochran, Snoop Dogg, and Marion Barry as possible candidates to replace Austin. Long then tried to lead the crowd in an anti-Austin chant, which was picked up by Jericho and heels backstage...

[Commercial break]

(4) Rodney Mack (w/Teddy Long) beat Rosey at 0:55. Mack made quick work of Rosey by scoring a rollup pin. Afterward, Hurricane came out and ran Mack and Long backstage...

7th Quarter Hour

Backstage, Jericho asked Evolution (wearing their new t-shirts) to sign his petition to have Austin removed from his post. Triple H thought about it and decided that life would be easier without Austin around, so he signed it...

[Commercial break]

(5) Booker T beat Christian to retain the WWE Intercontinental Title at 7:50 following a false finish. Coachman explained the storyline that Christian had an automatic rematch clause in his contract. Later, Lawler did a nice job of explaining the petition storyline by blaming Steve Austin for Kane's recent actions. Lawler's logic was that it was Austin who pushed Kane to become the monster he was once. At 5:00, Booker accidentally hit the referee from behind. Christian took control and went for a cover, but it took too long for Nick Patrick to run out and replace the other referee. Later, Christian rolled up Booker and held the top rope for leverage while the ref made the three count. Afterward, the two referees started arguing with one another over the finish. Steve Austin and another referee walked to the ring. Austin told the other two refs to go backstage if they wanted to argue, and then restarted the match with the new referee. A few seconds later, Booker scored the pin. Afterward, Christian got upset and attacked the third referee. Austin returned to make the save and left Christian lying after a Stunner. The otherwise solid live crowd was incredibly flat at the start of this match and never really picked up until Austin came out...

(Commentary: Coachman explained early in the match that it was important to Christian because there's no guarantee as to when his next title match will come. That's a nice line that should be used more often, especially when babyfaces are challenging heels for title belts.)

Backstage, Bischoff took a phone call from "Linda." The announcers assumed it was Linda McMahon...

8th Quarter Hour

In the WWE studios, Jim Ross greeted Kane and told him that he would be able to say whatever he wanted during their interview. Kane presented Ross with a red gift box as they sat down to prepare for the interview...

(6) Gail Kim beat Molly Holly to retain the WWE Women's Title at 3:13. After some solid work, Kim went from a huracanrana into a rollup...

(Commentary: I wish this match was a launching pad for Molly's character. Unfortunately, I suspect that WWE used her in this role because she's among the top female wrestlers in the company and is most likely to carry the green Kim to a good match.)

At the WWE studios, Ross opened the gift Kane gave him. "What the hell?" asked Ross upon seeing the gift. Kane pulled a gasoline can from the box and threatened to set Ross on fire if he made fun of him...

[Commercial break]

Ross and Kane (wearing the towel over his head) sat on separate black leather chairs during the interview. Ross introduced the video piece that aired at the start of the show in hopes that they would lead Kane to comment on his recent actions. After the video aired, Ross asked Kane for his reaction. "Anger, hatred," Kane answered. "J.R., I was a normal happy child until a fire turned me into a hideous monster. And now RVD and Steve Austin want me to be myself and to expose the hideous monster to the world." Kane asked why his friends would want to put him through the pain of showing his face. Ross noted that Kane wears the towel over his head to cover his face, but everyone who has seen his face knows that there's nothing wrong with it. Kane said his doctors tried to tell him to seek therapy for the same reasons. Kane removed his towel and referred to himself as a monster. Ross said he sees a man who needs help. "Then help me, J.R., help me." Ross said he knows what it's like to be picked on. He said Kane needs to get to the point that he doesn't care about what other people say. Kane said Ross is just like the others because he'll laugh about Kane's face once he leaves the room. "I told you, J.R., don't make fun of me."

9th Quarter Hour

Steve Austin's music interrupted Kane, who heard it over the television monitor. Austin walked to the ring and said everyone is simply trying to help Kane get over his problems. Back in the studio, Kane grabbed Ross and said he needs to feel his pain. Kane shoved Ross to the ground and then poured lighter fluid over Ross. The WWE production crew began pleading with Kane to stop. Kane lit Ross on fire and left the room. Austin's clothes burned for several seconds until the crew members put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. Back in the ring, Austin stood with a shocked look on his face. Eric Bischoff walked out and blamed Austin for Kane's actions. Bischoff said he just got off the phone with Linda McMahon, whom he claimed will be showing up next week in Hollywood to fire Steve Austin...

This concludes tonight's Virtual Time coverage of Raw. Check the "Torch Feedback" section momentarily for reader reviews of tonight's show. If you would like to contribute, see below for details.

***

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