Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - October 20th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

October 20th, 2003

Wilkes Barre, PA

World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg (since 9/21/03)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (since 9/21/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

In Memory of Road Warrior Hawk Video Package airs… 

To open the show, Stone Cold Steve Austin comes out. He says there was a note on his desk to meet someone in the ring so here he is. Out comes Test and Stacy Keibler. Test is pissed about last week and the fact that he got injured at a house show in a match Austin booked. Austin tries to get Test to provoke him. Stacy ends up bumping Test into Austin and Austin cracks him with a stunner. Eric Bischoff comes up on the screen and says this shit is pathetic and proposes a Team Austin vs. Team Bischoff match at Survivor Series. If Team Austin wins, the physical provocation rule will be void and if Bischoff wins, Austin will no longer share GM responsibilities with him. Austin is down and toasts and STACY JOINS IN THIS TIME!!!

Backstage, Shane McMahon is standing around. 

1) The Dudley Boyz vs. La Resistance (Rob Conway & Rene Dupree) 

The only thing this is good for is them Dudleyz hitting a Doomsday Device in tribute to Road Warrior Hawk. Take er home boys. 

Match rating - *1/2

Backstage, Ric Flair and Randy Orton are talking when Booker T walks up. They get into it about who’s here to prove themselves more and Book slaps him and challenges him to a match NEXT. 

2) Booker T vs. Randy Orton 

My review of this match kept getting ate, it rocked, though. But I am not about to write up anything again so here's the rating.. Book wins via contour in sub 5 mins. 

Match rating - **3/4

3) Rob Van Dam & Lance Storm vs. Chris Jericho & Scott Steiner 

“What is ice?” -Jim Ross 

This was a good Monday Night Raw tag team match. Jericho & Storm naturally work well together. Steiner & RVD play their roles well. Steiner continuously pulls Storm out and slams him into the steps and shit. Just good basic rudo shit. Steiner even ends up using a chair on Van Dam’s back behind the ref’s back and it allows Jericho to hit the lionsault for the win.

Match rating - **3/4

After the match, Jericho & Steiner add insult to injury by continuing to assault Van Dam & Storm.

Back at the commentary table, JR & King pay tribute to Hawk and also queue up a Stu Hart memorial video with a monologue by Vince.

Meanwhile, Chris Jericho is all worked up and starts flirting with Trish Stratus. They both seem to have a thing for each other and awkwardly walk off. The crowd was chanting “We Want Puppies” through this whole thing. 

Over in the Evolution locker room, Randy Orton gets ambushed by Lance Cade & Mark Jindrak. I AM SCREAMING. This shit was hilarious. They steal the brief case with the Goldberg bounty money in it and run off. Orton chases after them as we go to commercial. 

Back from commercial, Orton is still running and he runs into Ric Flair. Flair doesn’t realize Orton lost the money so Orton plays it off. Flair says “you got the money right?” And Orton says yes and Flair tells him to go flaunt it front of Shawn during his match. Flair walks off WOO’ing and Orton looks concerned as fuck cause his dumbass lost the money. 

4) Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Molly Holly & Victoria (w/ Steven Richards)

“These two, they’re a potato salad and baked beans away from a tailgate party.” -Jim Ross 

JR says Molly has a bullseye on her backside and Jerry gets horny. He then says Stevie Richards is Victoria’s TRAILER. These fuckers have got to STOP LMAO. Stevie ends up being the determining factor of this match as he helps Molly & Victoria get the victory. After the match, they attack Lita while Trish is down and… Christian? comes down to make the save. 

5) Maven vs. Ric Flair

Flair basically lets Maven get a chance to shine and he doesn’t necessarily shine. He holds steady and does stuff and it’s passive and fine, but when you d got Naitch in there and he’s doing his schtick and letting you get stuff in, you have to nail it. I guess it’s better than shitting the bed, but in a way, you got a chance to wrestle Flair and all I could say was good here was Flair bumping around for you.. hm. Anyways. Flair wins using the tights, once again making Maven look better than he could make himself look here. 

Match rating - *3/4

Backstage, Flair approaches Orton stoked on his win. Orton still can’t find the money so he tells Flair that Cade & Jindrak jumped him and stole the money. Flair spazzed the fuck out and they go to find the money when a bunch of cops and security come running through and BY FUCKING GOD ITS KANE STANDING IN THE GARAGE WITH A TOWEL ON HIS HEAD. JR exclaims “MY GOD….” with a growl that made me howl. 

SURVIVOR SERIES coming in 4 weeks to Dallas, Texas and holy fuck that video package just made me so nostalgic. Man… I miss my childhood. I gotta find that song somewhere. (it’s Build a Bridge by Limp Bizkit)

Back from commercial, Big Kane is here. JR is still unloading. Kane walks us through his thoughts when he beat up Linda. He explains that inflicting pain turns him on. He says Shane can’t do anything to stop him. Fire couldn’t, a tractor trailer crash couldn’t, but at Survivor Series, he will give him one more shot. Kane says Survivor Series will be the end of Shane, but for now, his pain has just begun. 

Meanwhile, Triple H catches Cade & Jindrak with a 2x4 as they are trying to escape the arena with the briefcase full of money. H approaches Orton & Flair in the locker room and says Orton best not lose the money again because Shawn Michaels is about to beat Goldberg and collect the bounty up next..

6) Goldberg (c) vs. Shawn Michaels - World Heavyweight Championship Match

This doesn’t go too long before Goldberg accidentally spears the referee. Shawn superkicks him and another referee runs down. Before anything can happen, BATISTA jumps the railing making his first appearance in a long ass time. Batista hits the spine buster and the Batista bomb on Goldberg then snaps his leg in a chair while Jim Ross puts him over like crazy on commentary. “THIS GUY IS BIGGER THAN GOLDBERG!!!”” Batista leaves the ring and Evolution comes out to meet him at the entrance to deliver him his bounty for destroying Goldberg. This closes the show. 

BATISTA HAS COLLECTED THE BOUNTY.....

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE No Mercy Review - October 19th, 2003

WWE No Mercy 

October 19th, 2003

Baltimore, Maryland 

WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar (since 9/18/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (since 9/18/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Tajiri (since 9/25/03)

Taz & Michael Cole welcome us in after the opening video package highlighting Steph/Vince and Angle/Cena and then introduce the Spanish announce team. 

1) Tajiri (c) vs. Rey Mysterio - Cruserweight Title Match 

I buckled up for this one. They do some limb work that is good, but inevitably this breaks down into spots and stuff. Great opening match type shit, though. Rey seems to be building a comeback when two “fans” try to run in and it distracts him and Tajiri hits a buzzsaw kick and pins Rey to retain. 

Match rating - ***

Backstage, Josh Mathews interviews Mr. McMahon… he says anyone who tries to interfere tonight in his match with Stephanie will be fired. 

2) Chris Benoit vs. A-Train

These two are just awesome together and this was no different. In this one, A-Train gets the upper hand early and dominates the Rabid Wolverine. Train tosses him around and Benoit’s mouth ends up busted open which is a great visual. After getting dropped head first on a chair, Benoit somehow manages to fire up and drop Train with some suplexes after a cross face attempt false finish. A-Train regains control momentarily and sets up a chair in the corner, he ends up accidentally kicking it when Benoit moves and his leg gets caught in it. This gives Benoit a target. Dragon screw into sharpshooter and Train has no choice, but to tap. 

Match rating - ***1/2 

Backstage, Heidenreich has Shannon Moore jacked up against the wall. Matt Hardy walks up. Heidenreich is pissed because “Little Jimmy” told him about them throwing his tape away. Hardy says it was misinformation and it was actually a “Best of Shannon Moore” tape that they threw away so Heidenreich lets Shannon go. 

3) Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore) vs. Zach Gowen 

This shit ain’t fun no more. Gowen doesn’t die and it’s boring. Shannon interferes. Hardy plays chicken shit. Gowen gets his first ever win in WWE and also his lamest showing ever. Greeaaaatttt. 

Match rating - ** 

4) The Bashams vs. APA (Bradshaw & Farooq) 

This all stems from Bradshaw and the clothesline from hell he hit on Shanequa a few weeks back (I think). This happens and it isn’t Great. Near the end, after Bradshaw hits the last call on one of them Basham boys, Shanequa shows up with a bat while the ref is down off an unintentional Farooq bump and hits Bradshaw which allows the Bashams to get the upset victory. 

Match rating - *1/2 

Backstage, Shanequa says Bradshaw’s clothesline the other week caused her tits to swell and that doctors say IT MIGHT BE PERMANENT. Doug and Danny Basham are horny and gripping her waist. Shanequa says they’ve been doing such a good job and deserves a reward. Doug says “yes mistress” and they go to “whip it good”… what a segment. 

5) Mr. McMahon (w/ Sable) vs. Stephanie McMahon (w/ Linda McMahon) “I Quit” Match

If Stephanie loses, she is no longer Smackdown GM. This is a fucking mess. Horrible Vince melodrama. Cringy. Stupid. Gross. All the Things. I’m not recapping anything that happened in this shit because it is not worthy of such. Vince wins after Linda throws in the towel while her daughter is being choked. 

Match rating - 1/2*

After the match, Vince takes shit a step further and shoves his wife of 37 years, Linda McMahon to the mat and then proceeds to make out with Sable on the ring apron. Cameras shift to Cole & Tazz as they ponder the future of Smackdown without Stephanie as GM and emphasize how fucked everything Vince just did was. 

6) John Cena vs. Kurt Angle 

This match lowkey rocks. It is no masterpiece. It is no all timer, but it bangs. The street fighting dynamic against the Olympic gold medalist was awesome and these two worked it super well and made it the full story of the match. I say it a lot in these reviews, but it’s so easy to see why WWE saw so much in John Cena in these early years and pushed him toward what he would become. Unfortunately, it goes into Kurt formula and he wins with the ankle lock.

Match rating - ***

7) Eddie Guerrero (c) vs. The Big Show - United States Championship Match 

The build to this was phenomenal and set the stage for a story that was super easy to follow. Eddie’s back is all taped from the glass that cut him up on Smackdown. Show chops not only the chest, but also the back which cause blood to begin to drip from the bandages on the champion’s back. Eddie fights from underneath which is always good. It’s a little more one sided than I anticipated and Eddie ends up eating the loss and we have a new US Champion. Crowd was also kinda dead for this after Cena/Angle. 

Match rating - **3/4 

After the match, Chavo tries to comfort Eddie and remind him they are still tag champs, but Eddie isn’t having it, he wants his US Title back. 

Backstage, Big Show hoots and hollers about how he told everyone he would destroy Guerrero and now he’s done it and is our new United States Champion. 

8) Brock Lesnar (c) vs. The Undertaker - Biker Chain Match for the WWE Championship 

Off the jump, I’ll say this felt more like a TV main event than a PPV main event. A lot of the early time felt sort of wasted to kill time til the FBI interference and the build toward the grabbing of the chain by Taker. The crowd pops and wakes up huge for these moments, though. Taker gets the chain after fighting off interference, but once he does, Mr. McMahon shows up and crotches Taker on the top rope. DAMN. This allows Brock to scoop the chain and scoop the victory and retain the title. Vince flees the ring and it’s funny as fuck how scared he is of Taker even when he’s on his ass. 

Match rating - **1/2 

 

The show closes with Lesnar celebrating with the title. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - October 16th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

October 16th, 2003

Cincinatti, Ohio 

WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar (since 9/18/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (since 9/18/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Tajiri (since 9/25/03)

Commentators - Michael Cole & Tazz

The show opens with John Cena’s music playing, but Kurt Angle walks out. Angle is dressed as Cena and raps and mimics him and calls out “Kurt Angle” and out walks a midget dressed as Kurt Angle that ends up beating up “Cena” and locking him in the ankle lock. The real John Cena comes out and gets in Angle’s face with some FIRE. The midget low blows Cena and Angle hits him with an angle slam to a huge pop from the crowd. 

1) Chris Benoit vs. Doug Basham (w/ Danny Basham)

This sure does happen and the crippler taps out the freak. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - October 13th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

October 13th, 2003

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg (since 9/21/03)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (since 9/21/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators - Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler

The broadcast begins with Ric Flair in the back trying to fire up a broken Shawn Michaels. Flair says that he still has it and he needs to go out there and show the entire wrestling world that the Heartbreak Kid still exists. Flair says if not for himself… do it for the $100,000 in the brief case that Randy Orton is holding. My god.. Flair is trying to get Michaels to take out Goldberg. 

Back at ringside, JR & King start showing the footage again of Kane’s accident last week. Christian and Chris Jericho are in the ring and interrupt the footage. Jericho says this is a prime example of Stone Cold needing to be removed from his position as general manager. Jericho then directs his anger towards Shane McMahon and shows a clip of Shane breaking Test’s foot at a house show in a no DQ match that Stone Cold was responsible for booking. This brings out Shane who says none of this is Stone Cold’s fault and he takes proud responsibility for causing Kane’s accident last week. La Resistance comes out and says this IS Austin’s fault. They agree with Christian and Jericho that none of them want Shane around either. This turns into a 4 on 1 assault when THE DUDLEYZ MAKE THE BIG SAVE AND GOD DAMN THEIR RUN INS FUCKING RULE. Bubba & D-Von clean house, but meanwhile…

A fucking car tries to run over Goldberg in the parking lot LMAO. This show is truly INSANE. 2003 baby. 

1) Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Scott Steiner (w/ Stacy Keibler) - Intercontinental Title Match

It ain’t long before this shit goes to a DQ finish when Steiner uses a chair on Van Dam. This brings out motherfuckin Stone Cold because Steiner looks like he’s gonna go after Stacy. Austin runs off Steiner and gets tossed some beers. Austin shares one of the beers with Stacy, but she doesn’t want it. She tries it anyway after a toast and hates it and BY GKD SHE EATS A DAMN STUNNER. 

Back from commercial, Ric Flair joins the commentary team for the following match. He’s on crutches due to an injury at a house show last night. 

2) Maven vs. Rico (w/ Jackie) 

Flair on commentary says the reason he didn’t face Maven tonight after he challenged him last week is because he’s injured. This match doesn’t go long before Maven gets the win and as soon as he does, Flair runs to the ring and cracks Maven with one of his crutches. 

Back from commercial, Rosey approaches Hurricane and tries to change into his superhero outfit in a phone booth and gets fucking stuck. 

Meanwhile, The Dudleyz are in their locker room letting Shane McMahon know that Stone Cold approved them for a Tables Match against La Resistance & Christian.

Also backstage, Goldberg is describing the car that tried to hit him earlier and shit starts falling from the fucking ceiling HAHAHAHA. 

This leads the World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg to the ring. He shoots straight and says if there’s anyone who wants to take Triple H’s bounty.. they can come out right now. Shawn Michaels comes to the ring. Goldberg immediately questions Michaels’ trust and motives. HBK says he isn’t just interested in $100k… he still has a score to settle with Goldberg over the World Title. Tommy Dreamer runs in right as things are getting heated and cracks Goldberg with a kendo stick. Shawn backs up and watches, but Goldberg fights off Dreamer. Ric Flair and Randy Orton run down. Flair is yelling for Shawn to hit Goldberg and just as it looks like he’s about to… we hear “HOLD UP PLAYA” I thought this was Smackdown in 05 and we were about to get a tag match, but no. It’s Mark Henry with Teddy Long. Henry wants another shot at the bounty, to which Goldberg says..  

“BRING YOUR BIG ASS ON!” 

It’s fucking chaos. Eric Bischoff comes out and makes a handicap match for later… HBK & Goldberg vs. Flair, Orton, & Henry. 

3) Chris Jericho, Christian, & La Resistance vs. The Dudley Boyz, Shane McMahon, & Booker T - Tables Match 

I don’t know how in the hell these guys did it, but they made an almost 20 minute long, 8 man tag tables match absolutely BANG. I mean, it ain’t perfect, but this is a rare good TV match and with some of these names and the time length, you’d probably be surprised. Booker hits the Bookend on Rene through a table for the victory after 18 minutes of good shit. Hell yea. Plus, this was Book’s return match sUCKAAAA!! The good guys prevail. 

Match rating - ***1/4

Backstage, Rosey is still stuck in the damn phone booth. People are walking by and no one gives a fuck. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - October 9th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

October 9th, 2003

Hartford, Connecticut 

WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar (since 9/18/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (since 9/18/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Tajiri (since 9/25/03)

Before the opening package, we see replays of Vince challenging Steph to a match last week and body slamming her. 

TONIGHT: John Cena vs. Kurt Angle in a RAP BATTLE

LINDA MCMAHON makes an unannounced appearance to start the show. She says the family has always been crazy but now seeing what Shane is doing to Kane on Raw and what Vince did to Steph last week.. things are only going to get worse and she wants to talk some sense into Stephanie and HERE COMES STEPH. Steph is fired up and before she can get many words out, Vince himself comes out. He’s accompanied by Sable. Shit gets heated and Sable kicks Linda in the stomach and she & Vince leave the ring. 

Back from commercial, Rey Mysterio comes out to join the commentary team for the following match.

1) Tajiri vs. Ultimo Dragon 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - October 6th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

October 6th, 2003

Mohegan Sun, Connecticut 

World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg (since 9/21/03)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (since 9/21/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler 

1) Kane vs. Rosey 

This is honestly a solid lil big man match. Kane gives Rosey a decent bit even if he no sells a good bit of it by sitting up and shit. This isn’t a complete squash and I vibe with that. Rosey has a flurry that seems like he could finish Kane off, but gets caught in a chokeslam and eats the three count. 

Match rating - **

Post match, Hurricane runs down. He eats a chokeslam as well. Kane goes to do his pose and pyro, but Shane McMahon’s music hits instead. Shane runs in from behind and tackles Kane through the ropes and then flees the scene.

Back from commercial, Kane is running through backstage and the production truck looking for Shane. Shane lures Kane into a limousine after Kane busts the damn windows out and rigs it to speed into a parked semi-truck causing a crazy ass collision that would’ve killed Kane if he was actually inside the shit. The live crowd chants holy shit and is in shock. JR & King are also. 

After another commercial, they replay what happened about five times and talk about how no one, not even Kane, deserves what Shane did to him.

2) Lita vs. Gail Kim 

Molly Holly is on commentary for this. Love both these girls, but this isn’t the best. They start off holding it together for the most part, then it gets messy as dog hell. Lita wins with a spike DDT thing. 

Match rating - *

Meanwhile, they’re in the parking lot trying to pull Kane out of the torn up ass car. Eric Bischoff runs up to check on him and they yell for him to leave. 

“Earlier today”.. Triple H talks about how much money and gold he has. Fast cars and FASTER women. H says whomever takes out Goldberg can also join Evolution. And like a wise man once said, everyone has a price. 

Shawn Michaels is walking backstage in his Jesus shirt. He walks into Stone Cold’s office. Shawn wants Mark Henry tonight, but Henry already has Goldberg tonight. Shawn says he’s gonna take matters into his own hands, then. 

Scott Steiner is out next. He talks about his peaks and his freaks. He says he serves nobody, but people serve him. He demands Stacy apologize to him ON HER KNEES right now. Eric Bischoff comes out and he’s happy to see the true Scott Steiner that he used to know has finally returned. 

3) Scott Steiner (w/ Stacy Keibler) vs. Spike Dudley 

I guess Scott’s treat for this was getting a match with Spike. So this happens. The cameras cut in the middle of the match to see Kane being loaded into an ambulance backstage. Back in the ring, Scott destroys Spike. 

Match rating - *

Backstage, La Resistance try to attack Goldberg for the $100k, but get their ass beat instead.

Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff is in the parking lot yelling and saying that all this stuff with Kane and the limo incident is all on Stone Cold’s head and entirely his fault. 

Back in the arena, Chris Jericho comes out next. He brings Christian and Lance Storm out. He wants them both to tell the world how they really feel about Stone Cold Steve Austin. He wants to give them the platform and support they deserve. Christian dogs Austin out, but Lance Storm shockingly defends Austin. Christian and Jericho attack Storm so Stone Cold comes out to raise some hell and make a tag match out of this son of a bitch. 

4) Chris Jericho & Christian vs. Rob Van Dam & Lance Storm 

Here's the real honest to god truth. I lost my review of this match twice and by the time I realized I had lost it the second time, WWE took all the Raw's off of Peacock sooo yeah. We fucked on this one boys. And what sucks is I remember it being good and all reviews say it was also, GOOD. So yeah. Storm & Van Dam win. 

Backstage, Ivory is with Mark Henry and Teddy Long. Henry says he’s gonna collect the 100,000 and leave Goldberg laying at his feet. Teddy says that when Goldberg is laying flat on his back, Henry needs to take it a step higher and become the World Heavyweight Champion. 

5) Randy Orton & Ric Flair vs. Garrison Cade & Mark Jindrak 

This is actually solid. A lot of it is Cade and Orton and the commentators point out them two of the most talented young stars in quite some time, but King thinks Orton is levels above Cade. I think he’s just levels above Jindrak, but anyway. Flair guides all these fellas to a good TV tag and Orton looks great along the way. He & Naitch get the win. 

Match rating - **1/2

Backstage, Maven & Trish Stratus are headed toward the ring when they run into Randy Orton and Ric Flair. Flair and Maven get into it and Maven challenges him to a match next week. Flair says he can jump on if he wants, but it’s not as easy to jump off and reminds him that he’s had more World Titles than he’s had women. LMAO. 

6) Victoria & Stevie Richards vs. Trish Stratus & Maven 

Victoria’s theme and Maven’s them are both so fucking nostalgic bro. That shit really hit me here. Things get going and Richards takes a cheap shot on Trish which allows Vic to get the advantage and work over Trish for a bit. Trish & Maven make a comeback and get the dub. 

Match rating - ** 

7) Goldberg vs. Mark Henry 

MARK HENRRY WANTS THAT $100k. 

Another one that got ate by this god awful laptop I'm using for these reviews. Goldberg wins via DQ in five minutes after Henry whooped his ass for awhile and Rodney Mack cut off the comeback. Shawn Michaels makes the save and accidentally gets speared by Goldberg. 

“GOLDBERG HAS LIVED THROUGH THIS MONDAY NIGHT RAW….”

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - October 2nd, 2003

WWE Smackdown

October 2nd, 2003

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar (since 9/18/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (since 9/18/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Tajiri (since 9/25/03)

Commentators: Michael Cole & Tazz

TONIGHT: Taker/Angle vs. Brock/Cena .. LETS FUCKING GO

1) Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chavo Guerrero) vs. Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore) - United States Championship Match 

More great Eddie work here. Not to discount Matt, though because he’s fantastic around this time, too. Eddie has just been killing it in these last few weeks and months. Eddie’s ribs come into play naturally here. Matt hits a nasty powerbomb on him and hangs him stomach first on the ropes. Just a lot of good shit. Eddie makes his comeback. Hardy tries to cheat, so the Guerrero’s do their thing and do it back and Eddie hits the frog splash off a belt shot to retain! 

Match rating - ***

WRESTLEMANIA XX TIX WENT ON SALE and they got clips of people buying them and shit at the venue to hype it up even though we are like 6 months away.

Josh Mathews catches John Cena walking into the arena earlier tonight. Josh says Cena had some dope rhymes last week and Cena gives him some more shitting on Kurt Angle ahead of their tag match tonight. 

Backstage, Eddie & Chavo are celebrating and talking. They walk up on The Big Show. Show says he doesn’t like them or “they’re kind” and yeah this gets racist as fuck. Show tosses them to the ground, laughs and walks away. 

Back from commercial, Eddie is furious and pushes Chavo up against the wall and says he’s gonna take care of this Big Show shit. 

2) Bradshaw & Ron Simmons vs. The Basham Brothers (w/ Shanequa) 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - September 29th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

September 29th, 2003

Chicago, Illinois 

World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg (since 9/21/03)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (since 9/21/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler 

TONIGHT: Christian defends the IC Title against Rob Van Dam in a Ladder Match ++++ HBK/Goldberg vs. Randy Orton/Ric Flair 

Al Snow and Jonathan Coachman are introduced as commentators again to start the show. How wonderful. 

The show begins with The Highlight Reel. Chris Jericho’s guest tonight is his “close, personal friend” Eric Bischoff. Bischoff has an announcement to make and it is apparently that Stone Cold is suspended for the next month. Jericho then brings out his other guest for the night… GOOD OL JR. Coach & Snow are taunting him as he walks down the ramp and Coach says “god, I can’t wait to whip his ass later tonight” so yeah this turns into a whole charade. Bischoff lets Coach pick the stip for his match with JR later. He picks a “country whippin” match and Jericho sympathizes with him because he just got burned by Kane, then proceeds to mock him for it. JR says they both better hope he loses tonight and that they are just like Coach & Snow,, they both SUCK. Jericho says Bischoff can’t touch the talent, but he can and locks JR in the damn Walls of Jericho. He has it in for a while before STONE COLD STONE COLD. THIS FUCKER IS POSED TO BE SUSPENDED. He throws chairs out the ring and up the ramp at Bischoff & Jericho as they flee. Bischoff sends officials to remove him from the building. They grab his arms and he asks that they allow him to remove himself from the building. They let him go and drops both of their honky asses!! GOD DAMN RIGHT.

“Yanno, after I’m doing whipping JR’s ass… I might just try a piece of Steve Austin.” -Jonathan Coachman

1) The Dudley Boyz (c) vs. Test & Scott Steiner (w/ Stacy Keibler) - World Tag Team Title Match

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - September 25th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

September 25th, 2003

Philadelphia, PA

WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar (since 9/18/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (since 9/18/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

The show opens with Mr. McMahon & Sable in the ring ready to present Brock Lesnar with the WWE Championship and celebrate his victory over Kurt Angle last week. Vince goes to introduce Lesnar, but we get Kurt Angle instead. Vince cuts him off and says he knows he’s out here to either complain about Brock screwing him last week or ask for a rematch, but that he should be here to congratulate him. Angle says he wants to fight Brock right now and if he doesn’t come out there, he will go in the back and find him. Another unexpected surprise comes of this as John Cena’s music hits. Cena comes out and does a problematic rap on Kurt. This pisses Kurt off and he swings on Cena and Cena flees to the back. Angle says since Brock isn’t coming out, he’s gonna go to the back AND FIND THAT STUPID SON OF A BITCH. 

Angle jumps out of the ring and trots to the back. He finds Brock’s dressing room, but he’s not in there. On his way out, Cena is hiding in a closet and jumps out and lays Kurt out then flees the scene.

Back from commercial, John Cena flees the arena in a car. Kurt comes hobbling out of the garage and threatens Vince’s limo driver to drive him after him or he’ll beat his ass. They peel off after Cena. 

1) Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero) (c) vs. Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore - WWE Tag Team Title Match

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - September 22nd, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

September 22nd, 2003

Washington, DC

World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg (since 9/21/03)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: The Dudley Boyz (since 9/21/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler 

The broadcast begins with Lillian Garcia pointing out the army service men and women at ringside in attendance. 

Jonathan Coachman & Al Snow come out next. They won the right to be the new announce team for Monday Night Raw so they take their seat at the booth and immediately begin being obnoxious. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Unforgiven Review - September 21st, 2003

WWE Unforgiven 

September 21st, 2003

Hershey, PA

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators - Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler 

Video package hyping H/Goldberg airs. They make sure to show Bret Hart when H says a line about watching Goldberg in WCW beating a “bunch of nobodies.”

1) La Resistance (Rene Dupree, Rob Conway, & Sylvan Grenier) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley) - Tables Match for the World Tag Team Titles

To win this, you have to put every member of the opposing team through a table. This was a decent little opener and went probably about how you’d expect. D-Von goes through a table a few minutes in and Bubba fights from underneath. Somewhere in here, Bubba throws some randomly sick overhand chops while fighting up. D-Von recovers and he & Bubba put every member of La Resistance through tables to become the new World Tag Team Champions. 

Match rating - **1/4

Video package highlighting the Test/Stacy/Steiner saga. This feud has sucked but the video pack with “Suffocate” by Cold as the soundtrack was HARD and nostalgic af. 

2) Test vs. Scott Steiner - Winner gets Stacy Keibler 

“When you go to Hooters, do you get takeout?” -Jerry Lawler 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - September 18th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

September 18th, 2003

Raleigh, North Carolina - NC State University 

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 7/27/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (since 7/3/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

The show begins with Mr. McMahon hyping up the iron man match main event. He is interrupted by The Undertaker. Taker says he knows that Vince orchestrated the interference in his title match, but he isn't gonna mess up the title match tonight. He just wants Vince to know that he doesn't forget... or forgive. Take says he respects the title, but not Vince himself.

1) Chris Benoit & Rey Mysterio vs. Tajiri & Rhyno 

This absolutely rocked. 5 minutes or whatever and not a moment wasted. Everything crisp and does its job to hype Rey/Tajiri for next week more and also touch on the bad blood between Benoit & Rhyno. I would watch this go 10-15 any day of the week. Benoit & Mysterio get the win and leave the heels reeling. Perfect little opener, I just wanted a little more time. 

Match rating - ***

TONIGHT: Los Guerreros defend the Tag Team Titles against Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin 

Backstage, it’s Stephanie, Big Show, Vince, and Sable. Vince is shocked Steph didn't quit last week, but he's not gonna fire her, he's just gonna make it even more rough on her since she wants to play it this way.

“From the GQ cover guy to the Playboy cover girl…” -Michael Cole’s transition from promoting The Rock on the cover of GQ to the following match 

2) Torrie Wilson & Nidia (w/ Dawn Marie) vs. Shaniqua (w/ The Basham Brothers) 

Another Shaniqua squash. She even destroys Dawn too after the match. 

3) Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (c) vs. Eddie & Chavo Guerrero - WWE Tag Team Title Match 

The review I had written this for match mysteriously disappeared so just enjoy my rating and know that it was really fucking good :) .. Los Guerreros win the straps too!!! YEAH!!!

Match rating - ***3/4

MEANWHILEE.... IT'S POKER TIME BACKSTAGE BEFORE DA MAIN EVENT

4) Kurt Angle (c) vs. Brock Lesnar - 60 Minute Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship

I have seen this match a handful of times. I loved it on first watch probably a decade ago. I watched it again a few years ago and I thought it was good, but not above a 4 star effort. I think my tastes are much different and more refined now, so I think my take on it in this moment will stand the test of time. Things can change, though. But as of this writing.. I fucking loved this match. Brock's dominance and control and the entire way he paced this match was just brilliant. You do see some of Kurt's flaws here in minor ways. Nothing big enough to hinder the match to a detrimental extent, and nothing Brock's strengths couldn't hide and make you forget. This is an all time Brock performance and one that everyone should see. Just absolutely phenomenal when on top and also when selling Kurt's comebacks. Kurt's selling is hit or miss as always, but he does a decently better job than you may expect. They made 60 minutes fly by and put Kurt down multiple falls due to some ref bumps and Brock blatantly cheating. Everything works, though. Somehow, it all fucking works and never drags or feels overbooked. I can't quite explain it and don't wanna try to break this down too much and over explain. I just know this was a ride. And that's what a match like this HAS to be. You can't run an exhibition for 60 minutes, you have to work these style of matches a certain way and god damn if they didn't lay out a phenomenal blue print for iron man matches to come. Kurt fighting from under almost the entire time and still coming up short at the end made the last stretch of this a fucking nail biter. At the end of this, I was still wanting more. 

Match rating - ****1/2

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - September 15th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw 

September 15th, 2003

University of South Carolina - Columbia, South Carolina

WE IN MY HOMETOWN TONIGHT BABY. 

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

The broadcast opens with Triple H walking backstage with his title over his shoulder. He runs into Eric Bischoff. Bischoff reminds H how much he supports him and knows he will win on Sunday. H says he needs one more favor from Bischoff.. he wants to throw a going away party for Goldberg tonight. Eric asks what they’re gonna do if Goldberg shows up, H says “…invite him to the party” as he smirks and walks off. 

TONIGHT: Last Man Standing Contract Signing between Kane & Shane McMahon 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - September 11th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

September 11th, 2003 

Birmingham, Alabama 

“SMACKDOWN HAS COME TO THE DEEP SOUTH…”

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 7/27/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (since 7/3/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

TONIGHT: John Cena vs. Eddie Guerrero in a Parking Lot Brawl plus Chris Benoit vs. Rhyno

In the parking lot, they’re setting up the garage for the Parking Lot Brawl later on. 

1) Rey Mysterio & Billy Kidman vs. Tajiri & Nunzio 

Golden era Rey continues. This is just a load of fun. It’s all about Tajiri looking strong as he gets the pin on Rey in this super short sprint. After the bell, he smashes Rey with the belt for good measure. 

Match rating - **1/4

In Vince’s office, he’s sitting with Sable. Big Show is behind them tearing up a magazine. Vince is on the phone about to send the family of Zach Gowen some flowers. Steph walks in and asks if he’s proud of himself for what he did last week. Vince says he’s not responsible for what Brock did to Gowen and Steph refuses to believe him. Steph says Brock deserves to be in JAIL. And up walks Brock behind her. Brock wants a warmup match for his Iron Man with Kurt next week. He suggests a handicap match against Kurt Angle, The Undertaker, & Zach Gowen. None of them are here tonight. Brock says he still needs a fight, but everyone in the room he’s wrestled already… except Stephanie. Vince says that’s a money match, but he gives Steph an option.. face Brock or step down as general manager. What the FUCK lmao. 

Torrie Wilson & Nidia walk up to Dawn Marie backstage about her match with Shaniqua coming up. Nidia says “it’s suicide, baby”.. but Dawn says she has to stop her tonight. 

2) Shaniqua vs. Dawn Marie 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - September 8th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

September 8th, 2003

Huntsville, Alabama 

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Commentators - Jim Ross & Jerry "The King" Lawler

1) Rob Van Dam vs. Kane - Steel Cage Match

This was a good cage match. Van Dam charges Kane at the bell and mounts an early flurry. Eventually, Kane overpowers him and this becomes just a straight up assault on RVD. Van Dam gets some color and bleeds a bit. This was just an awesome.. almost squash, but moreso just a complete annihilation of Van Dam. Kane chokeslams him off the middle of the top rope off the cage for the win. Cool spot.

Match rating - ***

2) Rico (w/ Jackie Gayda) vs. Lance Storm (w/ Goldust)

Rico cuts a promo on Storm beforehand and says he’s always gonna be nothing but BOOORING. Storm fires off at him and this match is pretty much about him trying to prove he’s not boring. Storm kisses Jackie on the apron and pins Rico soon after. 

Match rating - *

3) Trish Stratus & Jacqueline vs. Molly Holly & Gail Kim 

“You think Jackie has to have a permit to carry those 38’s?” -Jerry Lawler 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - September 4th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

September 4th, 2003

New Orleans, Louisana 

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 7/27/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (since 7/3/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

TONIGHT: Kurt Angle defends the WWE Championship against The Undertaker plus The Bourbon Street Bikini Contest 

1) World’s Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas) (c) vs. The APA (Bradshaw & Farooq) - WWE Tag Team Title Match 

Haas & Benjamin charge the ring and this gets underway as soon as the bell rings. WGTT get Farooq and isolate him from Bradshaw for a minute or two. Bradshaw gets a hot tag and cleans house. Things sort of break down from here and go back & forth for a bit before Benjamin uses the tights on a roll up to pin Bradshaw following a belt shot from Haas behind the ref’s back. 

Match rating - **1/2

Backstage, Eddie Guerrero is polishing up his US Title on the hood of his car. A limo pulls up and it’s Big Show, Sable, & Mr. McMahon. Brock Lesnar walks up and asks what the hell is going on because he hasn’t heard from Vince since SummerSlam. Vince says it’s because Brock tapped out. This pisses Brock off and Vince tells him to chill and come to his office so they can talk about it. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - September 1st, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

September 1st, 2003

Lafayette, Louisiana 

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Replays of Shane killing Kane via arson last week. Yeah, man. It’s 03 baby. 

Jerry Lawler is out first for his match with Jonathan Coachman. God help us all. 

1) Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Jonathan Coachman

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - August 28th, 2003

WWE Smackdown 

August 28th, 2003

El Paso, Texas 

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 7/27/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (since 7/3/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

FOUR DAYS REMOVED FROM SUMMERSLAM AND WE ARE IN EL PASO TEXAS AND HERE COMES EDDIE GUERRERO WITH HIS UNITED STATES TITLE. 

Eddie pulls up in a red car in the parking lot.. or as Michael Cole would say “the US Champion has arrived IN STYLE.” Guerrero enters through the crowd and it’s an awesome visual. Cole & Tazz meet him at the ringside and Eddie puts a huge sombrero on Cole. This was monumental. Eddie soaks it all in and begins cutting a prom on how his mom came to America and was harassed by a HONKY COP and cheated on her citizenship test. John Cena ends up coming out and cutting a pretty racist promo about Eddie and latino people. Cena says Eddie is the US Champ, but isn’t even American. Eddie gets super pissed and they get heated and into it. Eddie says Cena must be confused because he’s got about 12,000 of his homies and family here tonight. Cena shit talks his way into a US Title match for later and says it’s a shame they’re in El Paso because after he takes his title, he’s gonna take his sister and EDDIE THROWS A PUNCH AND SENDS CENA REELING TO THE FLOOR. Awesome fucking segment. After Cena leaves, Eddie puts on his Jersey and hat and imitates him. Cena tries to come after him, but Eddie tosses him to the floor again. This was a huge segment for both men. 

1) Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Nunzio - Cruserweight Title Match 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Monday Night Raw Review - August 25th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw 

August 25th, 2003

Tucson, Arizona 

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

Replays of Goldberg’s bloody ass being helped out of the chamber at SummerSlam last night are shown. He was mauled by Evolution after the Elimination Chamber match. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE SummerSlam 2003 Review - August 24th, 2003

WWE SummerSlam 2003

August 24th, 2003

Phoenix, Arizona

World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H (since 12/15/02)

Intercontinental Champion: Christian (since 8/10/03)

World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance (since 6/15/03)

WWE Women's Champion: Molly Holly (since 7/28/03)

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 7/27/03)

WWE United States Champion: Eddie Guerrero (since 7/27/03)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas (since 7/3/03)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio (since 6/5/03)

Commentators - Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, & Tazz

The show opens with Lillian Garcia singing the national anthem. She kills it.

Opening video package is amazing. Maybe my favorite of the year? Although.. it sort of doesn’t fit the Summerslam vibe, it was very dark. But so so so good so I can’t complain. 

Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler welcome us. The 2nd ever Elimination Chamber match is tonight. Cole & Tazz speak for a minute then they send it to the Spanish announce team. 

1) La Resistance (Sylvan Grenier & Rene Dupree) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von) - World Tag Team Championship Match