WWE Raw Flashback - 10 yrs. ago
May 6, 2002
Originally Published: PWTorch Newsletter #704

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-Hosts: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.

-A new opening introduction clip aired featuring the new WWE logo.

-An ad aired of a man trimming his hedges in the shape of the new company logo. A graphic appeared with the slogan, "Get the F out."

-The announcers introduced the show as World Wrestling Entertainment Raw. Ross delivered the slogan, "New look, same attitude," but never explained the reasons behind the change.

(1) Jazz (w/Steven Richards) beat Trish Stratus in a no DQ match to retain the WWE Women's Title when Richards interfered. Late in the match, Trish went for the cover and appeared to have the win, but Richards ran in and broke up the pin attempt. Richards superkicked Trish, which enabled Jazz to score the pin.

-After the previous match, Bubba Ray Dudley ran out and attacked Richards. Bubba gave Richards his finisher and pinned him to temporarily win the WWE Hardcore Title. Seconds later, Raven ran out and hit Bubba with a the cover of a trash and pinned him to win the belt. Justin Credible ran out and ended up pinning Raven. Hardcore Holly ran out and pinned Credible, only to lose the belt to Trish. Jazz sprayed a fire extinguisher at Bubba, who mistakenly powerbombed Trish through a table and rolled into a corner. Richards covered Trish to regain his title. After Richards and Jazz left the ring, Bubba picked up Trish and carried her backstage as the crowd cheered.

-Scott Hall, X-Pac, and Big Show came to the ring for a promo. Show said he turned on Steve Austin because of petty jealousy. Show explained that he went from main-eventing WrestleMania 16 to signing autographs at WrestleMania X-8. Ric Flair walked onto the stage and apologized for messing up the finish of last week's NWO vs. Austin & Bradshaw match, which he ref'd. Hall took the mic and warned Flair that he and the NWO would deliver a surprise "that will change the history of this company forever."

(2) William Regal beat Spike Dudley to win the WWE European Title. Before the match, highlights aired of Spike suffering an ankle injury, but still beating Regal at the U.K. PPV. Regal offered Spike the chance to forfeit the match, but Spike attacked him. Regal quickly gained control and put Spike in an ankle lock for the submission win. Afterward, Regal referred to himself as the greatest European Champion off all-time before attacking Spike. D-Lo Brown ran out and made the save.

-Backstage, Flair told Arn Anderson he was going to the NWO locker room to find out what they had planned.

-Footage aired of Booker T hanging out at a 7/11 store. Goldust, dressed in a Knicks hat and jersey, caught Booker by surprise and asked to reconcile.

-Flair found an APA hat in the NWO dressing room.

-Backstage, Undertaker told a crew member to watch his motorcycle.

(3) Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) beat Shawn Stasiak at 2:03. A total squash, which Lesnar won while putting his foot on Stasiak while pinning him.

-Backstage, Undertaker found out that Hulk Hogan had stolen his motorcycle.

-Undertaker's music played, but Hulk Hogan came to the ring on Taker's motorcycle to a huge pop. Hogan posed for the crowd in the ring, and then returned to ringside and sat on Taker's bike. Taker walked onto the stage and complained that Hogan should know better than to steal another's man's bike. Hogan invited Taker to take his bike back, but then attempted to chase Taker on the bike. In an unintentionally hilarious moment, the bike stalled half-way up the ramp. Hogan got off the bike and chased Taker on foot while the announcers talked at ringside. Hogan came back out, started the bike, and drove it backstage. In a pre-taped segment, Hogan searched for Taker on the bike, but couldn't find him. Hogan parked the bike in front of a semi-truck, got off the bike, and climbed inside the truck. After a commercial break, Hogan ran over the bike with the semi-truck.

(4) Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy beat Booker T & Eddie Guerrero. Late in the match, Goldust ran out and tried to interfere, but Jeff threw him onto Booker. In the end, Van Dam and Hardy climbed onto opposite turnbuckles. Hardy hit the Swanton and Van Dam followed up a second later with the Five Star Frogsplash on Guerrero for the win.

-Backstage, Jonathan Coachman interviewed Terri.

-Backstage, Flair showed Anderson the APA hat he found in the NWO dressing room. Flair pointed out that no one witnessed Big Show attacking Bradshaw two weeks ago on Raw. Anderson remained silent throughout the segment.

-Jerry Lawler hosted the swimsuit contest, which Terri ended up winning via crowd applause. Molly wore an old-fashioned swimsuit with a bathing cap.

-Inside Bradshaw's locker room, Flair found the Kane mask that X-Pac has been wearing.

-Backstage, Flair knocked on Austin's door, but Debra told him that Austin wasn't inside. Bradshaw approached Flair and told him he didn't owe him an explanation.

-Backstage, Undertaker found his motorcycle and threw a fit. Meanwhile, Kevin Nash arrived in a limo. The announcers made a big fuss over Nash's appearance, but he never made another appearance.

(5) Scott Hall & X-Pac & Big Show fought Steve Austin & Ric Flair & Bradshaw to an apparent no-contest when Flair turned on his partners in 15:00. Bradshaw volunteered to start the match. His partners initially let Bradshaw enter the ring, but Austin tagged Bradshaw from behind before the match started. Later, Austin went for a Stunner on Show, but Show fought him off and bumped the ref. Flair entered the ring with a chair, but Show grabbed him by the throat. Austin saved Flair by low-blowing Show. Austin hit the Stunner on Show and went for a cover, but the ref was still bumped. Flair recovered and picked up the chair. Instead of hitting Show with it, Flair used the chair as a weapon on Austin. Flair hit Austin repeatedly with the chair as the match apparently ended in a no-contest.

Flair grabbed the mic, told a fan to shut up, and announced that he and Show vs. Austin in a handicap match at Judgment Day. Flair locked Austin in the figure four as Hall and Show took turns holding his arms for leverage. Flair released the hold and joined Show in raising his arms to end the show.

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