By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 6, 2003
LIVE FROM UNCASVILLE, CONN.

-The show opened with Triple H reissuing his bounty challenge of $100,000 to Bill Goldberg. He's sure found a clever way to keep himself in the picture, even when he's not around.

-After the opening montage, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the program.

1 -- KANE vs. ROSIE

Rosie got in some early offense, but Kane quickly took over. When Kane missed a top rope clothesline at 1:30, Rosie splashed him in the corner and gave him a DDT. He then dropped a twisting legdrop, then called for Kane to get up. Kane rose, then reversed Rosie into the ropes and came back with a chokeslam for the win.

WINNER: Kane at 2:09.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Just a squash. It accomplished its modest purpose.

-Hurricane charged to the ring after Kane's win, but he got beat up, too. Then Shane McMahon's music played. It might be time for a new theme song. Shane then attacked Kane from behind as Kane looked at the big screen. Shane then did a little dance after flooring Kane. When Kane got up, Shane fled to the back. Why didn't he just keep kicking his ass, just like at house shows?

[Commercial Break]

-They showed Kane huffing and puffing, looking for Shane backstage. He then barged into the production truck. A woman screamed and workers ran. He saw Shane across the parking garage. Shane then jumped into a limo. Kane tried to get inside the car. He bashed in the window and looked for Shane. Then he bashed in the sun roof. Shane crawled out of the front of the limo and then set the limo in motion into a semi trailer by shifting into drive. Shane said, "Have a nice ride!" The limo bashed into the truck, bashing in the roof entirely. The crowd chanted "Holy sh--!"

-Ross said, "We've just witnessed a horrific accident." Lawler said it was no accident, it was on purpose. They abruptly cut to a commercial. It'd be nice if we took this the least bit seriously, but here is a perfect example of where the visual is where the stunt ends because viewers have been conditioned not to expect any consequences, just like with Kane falling into the flaming dumpster. If history is any indication, Kane will be at house shows before you know it.

[Commercial Break]

-They showed replays of what happened before the break. Then they went backstage live to show chaos with someone yelling, "He's seriously hurt, we need an ambulance." Steve Austin barged in and wanted to see what was up. A fireman told him to back up and let them do their job. they showed firemen trying to pry the door open and a bloodied Kane inside.

-Ross said their emotions would be in the parking garage the rest of the night, but they'd try to focus on the rest of the show. Molly Holly joined Ross and Lawler at ringside. She said she was a bit speechless over what just happened. Clips then aired of Molly and Gail Kim bullying Lita last week. Molly defended their actions.

2 -- LITA vs. GAIL KIM

Kim dominated early with some high-energy offense and intense matholds. Lita came back. They had one spot where Kim ended up landed on her own head. Lawler covered by saying Kim shoved Lita into the mat. Lita the finished off Kim with a DDT of her own, although even the timing coming into that move seemed off. Not sure if Lita doesn't have her timing back and that's to blame, but it seemed to my eye that Kim was a step off.

WINNER: Lita at 6:15.

STAR RATING: *

-They went back outside to the fireman getting Kane out of the limo. He was lying bloody in the back. Eric Bischoff arrived at the arena and freaked out. He was held back by fireman who asked who he was. He said he is the general manager. Hey, they're treating this like a big deal. Good.

-They showed a segment from earlier in the day of a trail of hundred dollar bills leading to a brief case full of cash. Triple H sat next to it and said it was time for the question of the day. He said today's question is: "Who is it gonna be? Who's gonna be the guy who's gonna try to take the $100,000 today." He told Goldberg to imagine the things you could do with that kind of money. This is a bit patronizing since Hunter and Goldberg have each made more than twenty times that in one year. It's like he's talking to fifth graders who don't know the value of money and will jump through hoops for a free sucker. Yeah, it's a lot of money for the average person, but it shouldn't be for a wrestler who routinely earns six figures a year. As Pat McNeill wrote in his McNeill's Take yesterday, the bigger deal should be the title itself, which should be worth millions. Hunter did add that the winner of the bounty might even earn a spot in Evolution.

[Commercial Break]

-Shawn Michaels walked into Steve Austin's office. Austin told him it was bad timing. Michaels said he wanted Mark Henry and he wanted him tonight. Austin said he already booked Goldberg vs. Henry. Michaels said he is going to take matters into his own hands. Austin said, "Go do it."

-Scott Steiner and Stacy walked to the ring together. Stacy didn't look happy. Steiner said he only cares about two things, "his freaks (his women) and his peaks (his biceps)." Eric Bischoff then walked out onto the stage. He blamed Stacy for costing him matches, including against Test, forcing him to have to follow Test's orders. Steiner asked if it looks like he has to take orders from anybody. He said he gives orders, he doesn't take them, and then he insisted on an apology on her knees. "For goodness sakes," said a disgusted Ross. "That's too much." Before Stacy could do anything, Bischoff's music played. "What the hell is this now," said an even more disgusted Ross. Bischoff congratulated "the Steiner I know" for finally returning. Bischoff said after what he saw with Shane and Kane, he is damn glad to see him back. He said to be sure the rest of the night has his seal of approval, he is going to hand-pick his next opponent. He didn't announce it, though.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- SCOTT STEINER vs. SPIKE DUDLEY

Little Spike turned out to be the opponent. Steiner was beating up on him when a bloody Kane was stretchered into an ambulance. Ross and Lawler noted that he wasn't moving. Steiner manhandled Spike like Arnold with a woman in an elevator (sorry, had to squeeze that in there; just to be fair, I'll pick on Gray Davis later somehow).

WINNER: Steiner at 3:13.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Just a squash.

-Steiner kept beating up Spike, so Bubba and D-Von made the save and fended off Steiner and Test, who dragged Stacy to the back in safety.

-All three La Resistance members attacked Goldberg backstage. Goldberg successfully fended them off.

[Commercial Break]

-Bischoff asked an eyewitness backstage what happened. Bischoff said everything was on Austin's shoulders. He said if Kane dies tonight, it's Austin's fault. Bischoff said it's all because Austin kept pushing and pushing. Ross said that was "just Bischoff's opinion, quite frankly."

-Chris Jericho came out and blamed Austin for telling Kane to unleash his rage. Jericho said since they were in the backyard of WWE headquarters, he wanted to issue a plea that Austin be relieved of all of his duties. Lance Storm, Christian, and Coach stood in the ring. Jericho said they were each going to explain how Austin ruined their lives. Coach said he won the right to be lead announcer of Raw at Unforgiven, but instead Austin gave Ross a "ridiculous and unjust rematch," and so the most talented and best looking announcer is backstage doing interviews instead. "It's a travesty of justice," he said. Christian spoke next, complaining about a list of things culminating with last week's ladder match against RVD. Then it was Storm's turn. Jericho said nobody of Storm's talent deserved to be humiliated by having fans chant boring and coming to the ring to bad techno music. Storm then turned babyface, announcing that Jericho was dead wrong and Austin turned his career around. He said he used to have the charisma of Gray Davis, but Austin changed all that. Okay, he didn't say that, but I promised a Gray Davis reference. He said he's finally have a fun again. Jericho and Christian attacked Storm. Austin made the save. He cleared the ring. He then said since WWE executives were watching, he wanted them to hear the fans' opinion on whether he should be allowed to beat up people without physical provocation. The crowd chanted "Hell yeah!" and gave the middle finger salute. Austin encouraged it a second time. Then he booked Jericho & Christian against RVD & Storm right away.

[Commercial Break]

5 -- CHRISTIAN & CHRIS JERICHO vs. ROB VAN DAM & LANCE STORM

The match was joined in progress. In a nice spot, RVD propelled himself over the top rope onto Jericho at ringside. Then, on the opposite side of the ring, Storm propelled himself over the top rope onto Christian. There was a kid at ringside, about ten years old, stressed up as Road Warrior Hawk with face paint and the kid spikes they used to sell. Talk about a dated Halloween costume. Christian had his ribs taped and was selling the ladder match from the week before, which is a nice small touch. RVD gave both Christian and Jericho a Rolling Thunder. RVD had positioned Christian face-first over Jericho's crotch before executing the move. It seemed a bit contrived that Christian didn't move. RVD then hit Christian with a Five-star at 7:45. RVD sold that it knocked the wind out of him. Jericho then hit him with a Lionsault for a near fall. He followed up with the Walls of Jericho. RVD crawled to the corner and Storm tagged himself in. Storm then dropkicked Jericho and pinned him. Storm smiled as he and RVD celebrated.

WINNERS: Storm & RVD at 9:02.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Nice TV match.

[Commercial Break]

-They replayed the limo crash from three different angles, one of the angles twice. Not very sensitive to Kane's family, huh? They went live to the backstage area where the crushed limo was setting there. Ross said in 25 years announcing he's never seen anything like it. Ross asked what to expect of Shane given all of the things Kane did. Lawler said Ross is biased because Kane set him on fire. Lawler said all of the things Kane did doesn't add up to what happened to Kane tonight. I'll chime in and say Shane still isn't even. Forget about Linda, that testicle thing is the difference.

-Terri interviewed Teddy Long, Mark Henry, and Rodney Mack. Henry said he was going to collect his $100,000 and leave Goldberg lying at his feet. He said his ultimate goal would be to also win the World Heavyweight Championship.

-They showed Randy Orton and Ric Flair walking backstage ready for action. Orton arrogantly slapped a magazine while a woman security guard was reading it backstage. Funny.

[Commercial Break]

6 -- RIC FLAIR & RANDY ORTON vs. GARRISON CADE & MARK JINDRAK

Lawler pointed out to Jim Ross that Hunter offered the bounty to anyone, not just WWE Superstars. Ross said that covers a lot of ground and there are a lot of crazy people out there who would do something crazy to get $100,000. That is kinda scary if you're Bill Goldberg that he's become the new version of the Hardcore Champion, except instead of a silly title, there's a hundred grand at stake. I can see the high-profile lawsuit now that Goldberg's family files against WWE after Goldberg is crushed with a sledgehammer by someone outside a hotel who is trying to get out of gambling debts and earn Hunter's favor to earn a spot in Evolution. Jindrak celebrated hitting one of his high dropkicks on Flair, but then Orton surprised him with an RKO. Flair then rolled over onto Jindrak for the win.

WINNERS: Flair & Orton at 6:30.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Decent tag match, but three green guys and a fiftysomething does not a great match make.

-A highlight montage aired of Rock's various appearances (Tonight Show, Kilborn, CBS Morning Show, etc.) along with critics praise for Rock. Roeper from Ebert & Roeper said it was funnier than most comedies and the best escapist movie of the summer. Very nice segment. Rock is the most likable man in America right now. He's not old enough to be president, but in five or six years, you just wait.

[Commercial Break]

-Backstage, Maven and Trish were walking together. Maven, showing a lot more personality than usual, got in Flair and Orton's faces. He called them "legend" and "legend killer" and asked them when their rematch with Cade & Jindrak is. Maven said he is confident that he can beat Flair and challenged him to a singles match next week. Flair got intense and told him to bring it on. Hey, this has been a good show and a dose of vintage Flair sure helps. "I've had more championship belts than you've had women," Flair said. Lawler asked Ross how many championships Flair has had. Ross said sixteen (there is debate about how many title reigns count, by the way). Anyway, I think the majority of guys Maven's age (depending on your definition of "having women") are under 16, and probably the majority of men any age, so Flair's intended insult really only applies to athletes who travel on the road full time, in which case 16 is pretty low. It's like a month's worth, and for someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger, one night. Shoot, now I have to sneak in another Gray Davis joke just to be fair. It is a day before the election, after all.

7 -- MAVEN & TRISH STRATUS vs. STEVEN RICHARDS & VICTORIA

Maven got in some early offense against Richards, prompting Richards to tag in Victoria. Trish then also tagged. Goldberg should watch these two to learn how to do the little things with some intensity. Trish did her cool Matrix move and added to it with a follow-up head scissors takedown. Trish then threw some hard chops to Victoria's chest. When Richards tried to enter the ring, Trish kicked the middle rope into his nuts. When Trish went to head scissors Victoria off the top rope, Richards ran in and kicked Trish to the mat. Victoria then took over offense. In the end, Maven caught Richards with a top rope move driving Richards's face into the mat and scored the pin. After the match, Victoria rammed Trish into the ringside steps and the camera zoomed in on Trish gasping for air. Some people are going to loop that two second clip over and over again on a videotape for their pleasure.

WINNERS: Maven & Trish at 5:33.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- A really good five minute match. Good matches like this with hard-working mid-carders belong on Heat, not Raw. Raw is for corny angles, stale main eventers, and mid-carders pushed beyond their merits.

[Commercial Break]

8 -- GOLDBERG vs. MARK HENRY

Henry dominated the first minute including pressing Goldberg over his head and dropping him behind his back. Goldberg threw a knee into Goldberg, then nailed Henry with two clotheslines with Henry barely sold. Goldberg kept throwing elbows and knees. Henry still barely budged. He reversed Goldberg into the ropes, which Goldberg took like a rookie on his second day. Henry then powerslammed Goldberg. How many are looking for a Bret Hart Screwjob here? Henry scored a two count at 1:20. Goldberg finally took Henry off his feet at 1:50 with a clothesline. He followed up by seeing up a suplex, but Henry blocked it and drove Goldberg into the corner. He then charged Goldberg into the corner as Goldberg collapsed to the mat. There was a faint Goldberg chant that grew into a medium Goldberg chant. Henry then dove onto Goldberg's back and slide across his head to the floor, landing on his feet. Henry lifted Goldberg and gave him a shoulder breaker. He scored a two count. The ref counted even though Goldberg's legs were under the bottom rope. Henry followed up with an armbar. Goldberg fought out of it with some punches, but Henry then took Goldberg back to his knees. Goldberg armdragged Henry and then applied an armbar. Henry draped his foot over the bottom rope, choosing to crawl to one that was a few feet away rather than draping his leg over the rope that his leg was under. Henry then caught Goldberg and sideslammed Goldberg, who took the bump like a rookie on his second day, flailing in mid-air rather than going with it and landing flat. Goldberg made another comeback and attempted a bodyslam, but Henry blocked it. Lawler said Goldberg was dominated by Henry. Ross said he's not sure about dominated, but he sure was holding his own. Goldberg finally bodyslammed Henry and set up a Spear. Mack then charged to the ring and hit Goldberg from behind with a chair. As Henry went after Goldberg in the ring again, Michaels ran out and made the save and superkicked Mack at ringside. Goldberg went to give Henry a Spear, but Henry moved, so he gave Michaels the Spear by mistake. Goldberg then gave Henry the Jackhammer. He even went to hook the leg for a second, then realized the match is over. See, he's quick. Goldberg stood on the ropes to celebrate his DQ win as Ross wondered who would ultimately, if anyone, collect Hunter's $100,000 bounty.

WINNER: Goldberg via DQ at 5:21.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- I really enjoyed this match. They did a really nice job building up Henry as having the type of mass and strength to be able to counter Goldberg's typical strengths and gave Henry some credibility headed into future match-ups with Goldberg. Goldberg seemed vulnerable, which is good for a babyface champion like him since WWE doesn't exactly have a long list of potential heel opponents with great credibility with fans. (Just to be fair, I should say that a rerun of Gray Davis on Larry King Live last night put me to sleep.)

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