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The following report was originally published 20 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…
WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 20, 2003
LIVE WILKES-BARRE, PA.
-The show opened with a photo of Road Warrior Hawk stating the show was in memory of him.
-A brief package aired hyping Shawn Michaels vs. Goldberg and the Triple H bounty, then the opening montage aired. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped the main event.
-Steve Austin came out and said somebody left an antagonizing note for him. He asked who would be crazy enough to do that. Out walked Stacy and Test. Test was on crutches. Ross mentioned that Shane broke the match at a “big live event recently in Louisville, Ky., an Anything Goes match that Stone Cold Steve Austin signed.” Ross added that anything can happen at “those live, non-televised events.” Ross then complained about Test treating “that angelic young woman like a dog.”
Test said he wrote the note because there’s nothing he’d like to do more than kick his ass. “I can’t, because of you and your reckless match-making, Test now has a broken foot. So the way I see it, since this is your fault, I want an apology. And while you’re at it, I want an apology for what you did to my piece of property last week.” Austin if he wants two apologies, he’ll give them to them. He then gave Test and Stacy the middle finger gesture. Austin said injuries happen to everyone. “That goes with the territory,” he said. “So what you need to do is do your rehab, heal your little broken foot, and shut the hell up.”
Austin said he didn’t want to Stun her last week, but he wanted to teach her a lesson. He said he now needed to quiz her. “When Stone Cold Steve Austin offers you a beer in the middle of this ring, you (a) respectfully decline; (b) you ignore him and walk away; or (c) you drink your ass off until you pass out.” The crowd booed the first two options and then cheered the third. Nice life lessons Austin is teaching here, huh? When Stacy began to answer Austin, Test shoved her aside and said he is the star, not her, and she is to speak only when he says it’s okay. Test then taunted Austin, asking if he was going to beat up a crippled man.
Austin said he’d like to beat up any man. He begged him to provoke him so he could. Austin called him a “dumb son of a bitch.” Test said he would except for his bad foot. Test turned and ordered Stacy to leave. Stacy shoved Test into Austin. Test begged off, but Austin gave him a Stunner. Of course, Stacy illustrated this week by showing up unscathed that Stunners aren’t that big of a deal. She should have at least had a neck brace on this week or seemed somewhat harmed from the move.
Bischoff then interrupted on the big screen. He said the physicality rule is killing him and he thinks it is keeping him from doing his job. Bischoff proposed that at Survivor Series they each assemble a team of five for a classic Survivor Series tag match. He said if Austin’s team won, the physicality rule would be gone, but if he lost, he’d give up his co-GM role.
Bischoff said he already got the match approved, so all he had to do was say yes. Bischoff said he has two volunteers who are more than happy to be a part of his team. The camera panned back to reveal Chris Jericho and Scott Steiner. Jericho antagonized Austin. Austin said, “When you put it that way, the decision is easy. Three words: Oh hell yeah.” Stacy then intercepted Austin’s beer and cracked it open and chugged it with a smile. They chugged a few beers together. The crowd popped. I still think the angle is stupid. It made the Stunner seem weak, and the whole lesson of drinking beer when asked or get beat up if you don’t is really an irresponsible message to promote, even in the context of a wrestling angle. It’s one thing to send the message WWE does about steroid use, but how many kids really face peer pressure to take steroids? But almost every kid faces pressure to drink or do drugs and Austin has just endorsed that weaker kids do exactly what big bullies pushing booze and drugs on them tell them to do.
[Commercial Break]
1 — THE DUDLEYS vs. LA RESISTANCE (Rene Dupree & Rob Conway)
Lawler, when talking about the TV main event, said Ross should go after the $100,000 bounty because, after all, he beat Coach. Ross said it was a lot of money, but in reality it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to Ross’s salary and stock options value. Lawler brought up The Road Warriors and said the Dudleys fashioned a lot of their style after them. Bubba had a Road Warrior armband on his arm. He pointed at it before he and D-Von used the Road Warriors top rope clothesline Doomsday Device finisher to beat Conway. Lawler said, “Hopefully somewhere Hawk is smiling about that.” Ross said, “God bless you, Hawk!” It was strange that they suddenly referred to Hawk as a member of The Road Warriors rather than the Legion of Doom.
WINNERS: The Dudleys at 6:15.
STAR RATING: *
[Commercial Break]
-Ross and Lawler plugged Jericho & Steiner vs. Lance Storm & Rob Van Dam for later on Raw.
-Bischoff told Jericho and Steiner how serious their tag match is later because they have to prove to Austin how dominant of a team they can be. Jericho said as long as Steiner follows his lead, they’ll be fine. Steiner said Jericho should follow his lead. Bischoff tried to break up their argument. Jericho told Steiner he’s just jealous because he has the biggest arms in the world.
-Terri interviewed Ric Flair and Randy Orton. Orton said Terri “wanted him.” Flair said that’s true, but she can’t have him. Terri laughed and asked what they wanted the interview time for. Orton said Evolution had a guarantee, and that is that Goldberg would be taken out and the bounty would be collected tonight. Flair added that he was ready for Maven. Flair ended by saying, “Maven, wherever you are, strap on your jet pack because the Nature Boy is coming. Whooo!”
After Flair and Orton walked away, Booker T entered the picture. Orton interrupted Booker’s spirited promo about having a major declaration to make later. Orton told Booker he could make a name for himself if he collected the bounty. Why is Orton trying to get Booker to collect the bounty. Didn’t he and Flair just declare that they guaranteed it would be collected later? They already had a plan, apparently. Booker asked Orton if he was a former tag, IC, and five-time WCW champ. When Orton turned to Terri and asked if he talking to him, Booker too offense and slapped him. They set up an impromptu match.
[Commercial Break]
2 — BOOKER T vs. RANDY ORTON
The match was in progress after the break. Orton was in dress pants, selling that this was a last-second match. Lawler talked more about the bounty. He said, “Some people say money can’t buy happiness. They just don’t know where to shop.” When Booker got the momentum and nailed Orton with a scissors kick, Orton bailed out and got counted out on purpose.
WINNER: Booker via countout in 3:00.
STAR RATING: 3/4* — Short, but good action.
-Booker declared in the ring he is back and he wanted to be part of Austin’s team at Survivor Series.
-They plugged that Michaels vs. Goldberg was up next.
[Commercial Break]
Ross asked during Michaels’s ring intro whether Michaels could become World Champion for the fifth time. As Goldberg came out of the locker room, Mark Henry attacked him. he threw him through a locker room door, knocking the door off its hinges. Teddy Long told Henry they should go collect their bounty. They cut to a commercial as the crowd booed.
[Commercial Break]
-After replaying Henry attacking Goldberg, they showed trainers checking on Goldberg backstage. Michaels was present, and he explained to Austin what happened. The trainers said they didn’t know if Goldberg would be able to wrestle. Austin went looking for Henry.
3 — LANCE STORM & ROB VAN DAM vs. CHRIS JERICHO & SCOTT STEINER
Ross jokingly referred to Storm as a charismatic guy, then said seriously he is a great athlete. Storm got in some offense on Jericho and let out a “whoo” and then did a little dance. The fans didn’t pop for it all that much, though. I think everybody is waiting for Storm’s heel turn when he gets mad at the fans for not accepting him even after he decided to show enthusiasm in his matches and cater to them because the “smiling, whooing” Storm just doesn’t seem like it really is going to stick in the long-run. Jericho knocked Storm off the ring apron and he took a great looking bump face-first into the ringside barrier.
Steiner then threw Storm into the ringside stairs. Jericho continued to beat on Storm in the ring. Ross said if Goldberg couldn’t compete, they wouldn’t have the advertised title match and Henry would be a 100 grand richer. Ross said that would be a shame. I’m not crazy about the way the bounty angle is being handled because it’s not specific enough. What exactly has to be done to collect the bounty? It’s too abstract. Does costing Goldberg a chance to lose his title to Michaels count as “taking him out”? Or do you need to injure him badly enough that he can’t wrestle for 30 days and loses his title by forfeit? Or do you have to end his career? It’s never been explained and I think the angle is less effective without that criteria. It’s like playing a football game without keeping score or time, but just telling viewers to be into and they’ll let them know when it’s over.
Storm came back with a nice leap into the corner and flew off with an elbow to Jericho. Then he tagged out to RVD. RVD threw some kicks at Jericho. When he went after Steiner, Jericho surprised him with a roll-up from behind. RVD nailed Jericho with his split-legged moonsault. Steiner broke up the pin attempt. Storm launched himself over the top rope onto Steiner at ringside. Steiner reversed Storm into the steps at ringside. Jericho scooped up RVD and attempted to apply the Walls of Jericho. RVD powered out. Steiner then hit RVD with a chair as he bounced into the ropes. Jericho then rolled up RVD for the win. After the match, Jericho and Steiner beat up Storm, including Jericho hitting a Lionsault. Lawler said perhaps Bischoff’s team would be good enough to end Austin’s GM reign. Ross said if that happens, he’d probably be fired, “quite frankly.”
WINNERS: Steiner & Jericho at 10:06.
STAR RATING: **1/2 — Good TV tag match.
-Bischoff asked the trainers if Goldberg would be able to defend his title. They said they didn’t know yet. Bischoff said Goldberg is just trying to get out of his title defense. Goldberg grabbed Bischoff and said, “It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than that to keep me out of a title match.” Ross declared the match was back on.
[Commercial Break]
-Ross and Lawler talked about the legacy of The Road Warriors and Stu Hart. A video feature then aired on Stu. Vince McMahon narrated a montage on Stu. It talked about Stu and Helen having 12 children who all in one way or another were involved in pro wrestling. McMahon said their thoughts and prayers are with them and their family. “The legacy of Stu Hart lives on,” he concluded. The crowd applauded. Those claps turned to whoos as Flair was shown on the big screen.
-Flair told Long that his man didn’t get the job done so he won’t get the money because Goldberg is still going to wrestle. He smiled and said there is still another plan.
-They showed security backstage just in case Kane decided to show up.
-Jericho approached Trish backstage. She said she really appreciates what he did for her last week. She thanked him. Jericho said all that stuff last week wasn’t just about sending a message to Austin, he really respects her. He got all tongue-tied and starry-eyed. Cute storyline, although many fans know about Jericho and his wife recently having a baby, so they have to be wondering what his wife is thinking.
-Backstage, Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak entered Evolution’s locker room. They said they were there about the bounty. They said they had another plan on how to get the money. Orton said there is only one way – take out Goldberg. They said that’s not true. They attacked Orton and grabbed the briefcase full of cash. Orton got up and swore (it was bleeped) and then chased after them.
[Commercial Break]
-Flair and Orton bumped into each other backstage. Orton didn’t have the guts to tell Flair what happened. Flair was enthusiastic about plan B. Lawler said Orton should just find all the cops who were there in case Kane showed up and tell them about the theft.
4 — LITA & TRISH STRATUS vs. VICTORIA (w/”Leapin'” Steven Richards) & MOLLY
Lawler said: “The best things in life are free. You don’t have to pay a dime to look at Trish Stratus.” Ross mentioned during ring introductions the new Lita auto-biography, adding that her real name is Amy Dumas. Lawler complimented Molly’s backside. Ross said Richards “kinda follows Victoria around; he’s her trailer.” Lots of insinuations throughout the match by Ross and Lawler that Richards “isn’t into girls” and “must be a good cook.” Richards interfered to help Victoria pin Trish. Ross said Richards has no business putting his hands on Victoria. “He probably doesn’t put his hands on Victoria very often.” Not sure what that whole angle is about.
WINNERS: Molly & Victoria at 4:03.
STAR RATING: *1/4 — Good action from the four. Lita is getting her timing back.
After the match, Christian saved Lita from a post-match attack. Lawler and Ross said that’s another surprise when someone unexpected made a save for one of the women. Trish took a hard fall on the finish. She was on Victoria’s shoulders setting up a huracanrana I assume when Richards yanked her hard to the mat. She didn’t get up and was just kind of rolled to the side during the post-match Christian angle.
[Commercial Break]
5 — RIC FLAIR vs. MAVEN
Flair took some early bumps and sold it huge, but then came back at 1:00 with some chops in the ring. He then went to a chinlock at 1:45 which showed a lot of light at the end as Maven was elbowing out of it. Flair whoo’d in the ref’s face as he continued to beat on Maven. Maven came back with a series of punches to offset Flair’s chops. He showed some nice fire and ring presence in his comeback. He nailed Flair with a jump spin wheel kick. Ross and Lawler agreed Flair wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his match if he knew that the 100 grand was stolen. Maven his a nice old-school top rope crossbody block for a near fall on Flair. Flair poked Maven in the eyes, but Maven rolled him up anyway. Flair then reversed the roll-up and with a hand full of tights scored the three count. Maven kneeled in the ring and contemplated how he got outsmarted by Naitch. Ross said he likes Maven’s upside and he gave a great effort.
WINNER: Flair at 4:05.
STAR RATING: *1/4 — Nothing special, but a nice four minute match because of Flair’s energy and Maven’s enthusiasm.
-They showed Orton backstage freaking out over losing the money. Flair came backstage in a celebratory mood. He gave out a big whoo. Orton then told Flair what happened. Flair’s mood changed drastically and he freaked out as only Flair can. Flair is much more fun without Hunter dominating. What a great example this is of Hunter’s negative influence on others around him. Suddenly all of the cops ran past Flair and Orton in a panic and surrounded Kane who had just shown up backstage. Ross wondered what this meant for Shane McMahon whom Ross said was present, also.
[Commercial Break]
-Kane was standing in the ring. The police guarded the walkway to the ring. Kane haad scabs all over his face and a few on his chest from the car crash. Kane said he had some words for Shane that he should listen to. He said his mother thought she could control him, but she found out differently when he grabbed her by the throat and looked into her eyes and saw pure fear. “And then I hoisted her up on my shoulder and she squirmed, she squirmed to get free, she squirmed for her very life. And then she started to whimper and begged ‘no, no, no.’ He said he learned a long time ago that no really means yes.” (Sounds like a Steve Austin Lesson for the Kids for next week’s show.)
He said chokeslamming her “felt goooood!” He said inflicting pain turns him on. He said there is nothing that can stop him, not a car crash or a burning trash bin. He said he will have another chance at Survivor Series. “There is no line I will not cross, there is no amount of suffering that I will not inflict in order for you to feel my pain. I won’t hessitate to reach inside your guts, rip out your intestines, and jam them down your throat,” he said. “Shane, Survivor Series will be the end for you. But your pain has just begun.”
-They went backstage to Jindrak and Cade trying to escape from the arena with the brief case, but they were met with a two-by-four. The camera panned up from the ground and showed Triple H. “What is he doing here?” asked Lawler. Hunter entered the arena as they cut to a break. Yep, without Hunter around, Flair and Orton are bumbling idiots, so Hunter had to return to save the day.
[Commercial Break]
-Flair was freaking out backstage to Orton about what happened. Huntered entered the room. Flair immediately sold out Orton, stating, “He lost the money.” The crowd laughed at Flair’s quick sellout. Hunter said if Goldberg is still scheduled to wrestle, that means nobody has collected the money yet. He then presented Orton with the briefcase. Flair and Orton were relieved to see the money. Hunter then sat down on the couch, self-satisifed that he had saved the day. He told them to sit back and enjoy Michaels vs. Goldberg.
6 — GOLDBERG vs. SHAWN MICHAELS — World Hvt. Title match
The match began at about five before the top of the hour, giving it around 10-15 minutes to develop into a full-fledged match. Goldberg shoved Michaels to the mat twice in the opening seconds. Michaels got up and slapped Goldberg. Goldberg smiled and grabbed Michaels by the throat. Michaels threw some elbows to Goldberg’s face to take control. Goldberg, though, shoved Michaels to the mat again. Michaels kicked at Goldberg’s left leg to bring him down, then dropkicked him in the face as soon as he dropped to his knees. Miuchaels leaped off the second rope with the move that always backfires, the double axe handle. Goldberg knocked Michaels to ringside. Michaels rammed Goldberg into the steps at ringside twice.
The fans were into the match, but not really taking strong sides against either wrestlers. There were probably more HBK chants than Goldberg chants early in the match. Michaels knocked Goldberg to the mat inside the ring, then nipped up. He came off the top rope and hit Goldberg with a big elbow. Goldberg powered out at two, knocking Michaels several feet off. Michaels signalled for Sweet Chin Music at 5:00, but Goldberg got up and knocked him down before he could deliver the kick. Goldberg powerslammed Michaels. Goldberg sold a left forearm injury, but still managed to power Michaels into the air with a full press and then turned it into a powerslam. Goldberg then set up his Spear. The ref Earl Hebner was obviously in the bad position as Michaels moved and the ref took the Spear. Michaels then blindsided Goldberg with Sweet Chin Music.
Ref Charles Robinson replaced Hebner and began counting both Michaels and Goldberg on the mat. Batista then attacked yanked Michaels out of the ring and rammed him into the stairs. He then entered the ring and attacked Goldberg with a Spinebuster (not the smoothest of spinebusters, either, which shouldn’t be a shock consider the styles of both Batista and Goldberg). Batasta followed with a sitdown powerbomb. Goldberg screamed in pain. Batista then grabbed a chair and entered the ring with the chair. Strangely, he immediately kicked the chair out of the ring to ringside. Then he went to fetch it again. He placed the chair around Goldberg’s ankle and stomped on it. Goldberg screamed in pain. Ross said Goldberg’s lower leg has to be shattered. “Goldberg is suffering like never before,” screamed Ross.
The Evolution music began and Hunter, Flair, and Orton stepped out. Batista joined them on the stage and they all held each other’s hands in the air to end the show. Obviously, the decision was finally made to add Batista (not Maven or Jindrak) to Evolution after all.
WINNER: No decision at about 6:00.
STAR RATING: ** — Good action for a first portion of a TV match. Goldberg looked as good as he has, thanks obviously in great part to Michaels being a great hand to work with.
RECOMMENDED NEXT: 20 YRS AGO – WWE Live Event Results (10-11-2003): Lesnar vs. Undertaker, plus Eddie Guerrero, Angle, John Cena, Big Show, Rey Mysterio
OR CHECK THIS OUT AT PROWRESTLING.NET: McGuire’s Mondays: LOL, TNA
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