Tonight's WWE Raw will feature John Cena vs. Sheamus in a WWE Title match to close 2009 and the decade. In the 2000s, the WWE Title has only changed hands four times on Raw. We're looking back at the four episodes of Raw with a new WWE champion.

WWE RAW FLASHBACK
January 3, 2000
Triple H wins the WWE Title on Raw
Originally published Torch Newsletter #583
Report by Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net editor

[Q1] Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show... Rock came to the ring for a promo as the announcers hyped the beginning of a new millennium. Rock said, "Finally, the Rock has come back... home." Rock pointed out musician Ziggy Marley sitting in the front row. Rock said his New Year's resolution is that he will be the best WWF Champion of all-time. Rock mentioned Mick Foley and said the way he was forced to leave the WWF was wrong. Rock called Triple H to the ring. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walked onto the ramp. Triple H said he'd love to beat Rock in his hometown, but Rock didn't have anything he wanted. Triple H said he has a similar New Year's resolution as Rock, but added that his would come true later in the show when he wrestles Big Show. Triple H said Rock would have to take part in the first ever "Handicapped, you're fired match." Triple H said Rock would have to beat three men or be fired and added that anyone who interfered would be fired. Rock asked Triple H whom he had in mind for his opponents. Triple H started to answer, but Rock cut him off by saying, "It doesn't matter..." Triple H congratulated Rock and his "Pavlov's dogs" for the line. Triple H introduced the rest of DX as Rock's opponents. Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, and X-Pac ran in, attacked Rock, and left him lying...

[Q2]... [C] (1) The Dudleys beat Too Cool (w/Rikishi Phatu) by DQ at 3:16. The Dudleys came out wearing new camouflage outfits which are a big improvement (we don't have to look at Buh Buh's legs!). Late in the match, the Posse ran down to ringside and attacked Rikishi. The Acolytes ran out and chased the Posse to the back. A short time later, Rikishi ran in and attacked the Dudleys for the DQ... Backstage, the Acolytes claimed they could beat the Posse with one hand tied behind their backs... Inside the McMahon-Helmsley office, Triple H and Stephanie watched the Acolytes' promo and decided to make a match out of their boasting. Steve Blackman walked into the room and Triple H told him if he hit Kane with the kendo stick during his match against Kurt Angle, he would be fired. Triple H said his second New Year's resolution was to end Kurt Angle's winning streak... [C]

[Q3]... (2) Kurt Angle beat Kane (w/Tori) by DQ when Steve Blackman interfered at 2:26. Late in the match, Angle tried to leap off the top rope and hit Kane with a double-axe-handle, but Kane caught him and set up for a chokeslam. Blackman ran in and hit Blackman with the kendo stick for the DQ. A really bad match... Backstage, Stephanie denied to Triple H that she had anything to do with Blackman's behavior. If you haven't figured out by now, Stephanie is paying Blackman to keep Angle's winning streak alive... [C] Stephanie came to the ring with two referees for a promo. Stephanie addressed the Intercontinental Title situation. Stephanie asked one of the refs who he thought was champion. The referee told her "Without a doubt, Chyna." Chyna and the Kat came to the ring. Stephanie asked the second ref who he thought won the match. The second ref replied, "Most definitely, Chris Jericho." Stephanie called Jericho to the ring. Stephanie said she and Triple H decided that both Chyna and Jericho are the Intercontinental Champion. Stephanie said that only one of them could defend the title at a time, but if one lost a match, both would lose the title. The Hollys walked onto the stage. Hardcore said he doesn't care who the champion is but said he wants a title match...

[Q4]... (3) Chyna (w/Kat) beat Hardcore Holly (w/Crash Holly) at 1:54 to retain the Intercontinental Title when Chris Jericho interfered. Jericho sat in on commentary. In the end, Jericho hit Holly which enabled Chyna to score the pin. After the match, Jericho walked to the back with the title belt... Backstage, Triple H told Prince Albert and Big Bossman they would be wrestling Test and two partners... Highlights aired of the Big Show vs. Triple H feud... Backstage, Michael Cole attempted to interview Big Show, but Big Show threw him aside...[C] (4) Triple H beat Big Show at 7:05 to win the WWF Title. Stephanie and the rest of DX watched the match from the stage. Early in the match, both men fought their way to ringside.

[Q5]... Back in the ring, Big Show no-sold a series of Triple H's punches. Big Show came back with a headbutt and a side-slam for a nearfall. Big Show followed up with a powerslam for another nearfall. Big Show hit a chokeslam and went for a cover, but Triple H got his foot on the ropes. A short time later, X-Pac distracted the ref while Triple H hit Big Show with a kick to the groin. Triple H followed up with the Pedigree and scored the pin. Afterward, DX and Stephanie ran to the ring to celebrate Triple H's win. Fireworks exploded as balloons fell from the ceiling in celebration. The WWF should use the fireworks whenever the WWF Title changes hands. Not only does it add prestige and a major-happening feel, but fans would really buy into false finishes the first couple of times the fireworks were used prematurely... [C] Lawler bragged that Triple H won the title without interference from DX. Ross complained that Triple H's low-blow was key to the match and that when X-Pac distracted the ref it saved Triple H from being DQ'd...

[Q6]... (5) Prince Albert & Big Bossman beat Test & Mae Young & Moolah at 1:41. In the end, Bossman hit Test with the nightstick which allowed Albert to get the pin. After the match, Mark Henry and Harvey Whippleman made the save. Moolah and Mae were fun while they lasted, but the joke is over... [C] Backstage, DX celebrated Triple H's win with a champagne party... A shot aired of Big Show leaving the building... (6) The Acolytes beat the Mean Street Posse by DQ at 0:29 when the Dudleys interfered. The match never really got started as the Dudleys helped the Posse attack the Acolytes. Lame... Backstage, Road Dogg suggested that Triple H give the Acolytes a bonus... Howard Finkle introduced a DX movie called "Have a Bad Day" which aired on TitanTron. The movie had "Mankind" (X-Pac doing a great imitation) requesting unemployment from a worker named "Harry Sack" (Triple H). "Mankind" tried to get Sack to find him a job and said his credentials include being able to take repeated chairshots to the head. The skit was short, but funny. At least it didn't go two minutes too long like every Saturday Night Live skit... [C]

[Q7]... (6) Jeff Hardy (w/Terri, Matt Hardy) beat Al Snow at 6:41 in a cage match. Snow attacked Jeff before the bell and threw a chair into the ring. Snow locked the cage door with himself, Jeff, and Terri inside. Early in the match, Snow hit a Diamond Cutter-like move off of the top of the cage. Late in the match, Snow whipped Jeff into the ropes and then lay down on all fours for no reason. Jeff springboarded off of Snow and over the top of the cage for the win. An unrealistic finish. Afterward, Matt ran in with a chair and saved Terri from Snow... Finkle introduced part two of the DX movie. Never mind what was previously written about the skit not going on too long. This time, "Mankind" went to a children's hospital. At the hospital, "Dr. Hung Low" (Triple H) told him that kids don't want to see him. Lame...

[Q8]... Backstage, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco said goodbye to Rock. Rock chewed them out for not believing in him... Finkle introduced part three of the DX movie. "Mankind" sat at an empty book-signing and was confronted by "B. Dalton" (Triple H) who fired him. Cheesey, but as heels, maybe that is what DX was looking for... Inside DX's locker room, Triple H discussed strategy for the three-on-one match against Rock. Suddenly, Rock ran in, threw a few punches at DX, and fled the room... [C] (8) Rock beat Road Dogg & Billy Gunn & X-Pac at 9:13 in a three-on-one match when Mick Foley interfered. Before the match, Triple H and Stephanie walked onto the stage and took their seat in their recliner. Just before the match began, Triple H announced that the match would have no disqualifications nor countouts. The DX members attacked Rock at ringside and beat on him for a couple of minutes. Later, Rock got in his first hope spot by fighting off all three men briefly, only to lose his momentum. The majority of the match featured DX beating up Rock at ringside. Rock continued to sell everything DX threw at him with occasional hopespots.

[Q9]... Finally, the match returned to the ring as all three DX members continued beating up on Rock. At 6:45, Rock made his comeback. Rock punched out all three DX members and then hit Road Dogg with the People's Elbow. Rock went for the pin, but Billy Gunn woke up and pulled the ref out of the ring. Later, Road Dogg went to ringside and grabbed a chair. Mick Foley ran out of the crowd, hit Road Dogg, and stole his chair. Foley hit X-Pac and Gunn with chairshots. Triple H ran in to help DX, but Foley hit him with a chairshot. Rock hit Gunn with the People's Elbow and scored the pin. After the match, Rock hobbled up the stage as Triple H threw a fit in the ring. A predictable, but hot finish... Overall, the show was weak. With the exception of one or two guys, the mid-card wrestlers don't appear to be being elevated... The McMahon-Helmsley era is just like the days of the Corporation... Road Dogg, X-Pac, and Gunn are being wasted for Triple H... [JP]

We suggest these recent related articles...

WWE FLASHBACK: Kane character debuts 18 yrs. ago today in first-ever Hell in a Cell match - Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

HIAC FLASHBACK: Kane beats Undertaker in HIAC match 5 yrs. ago today, plus Randy Orton vs. Sheamus for WWE Title

ROH FLASHBACK: The aftermath of Joe vs. Kobashi 10 years ago today