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RAW is WAR: 4/2/2002
RAW is WAR was live at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. As RAW kicked off, Michael Cole interviewed Ric Flair, asking why Flair had tore up the agreement on SmackDown! which would have given his 50 percent of the World Wrestling Federation to Vince McMahon. Flair said he'd been having second thoughts all week, but he stood by his decision. Cole asked about the nWo, and Flair said if Vince McMahon were to bring them in, there would be huge problems.
As the show kicked off in the arena, Triple H's music sounded, and out came The Game! Triple H strutted to the ring wearing his wrestling gear, and addressed Kurt Angle's attack on him on SmackDown!, when Kurt tried to break his ankle. Triple H said Angle had made two big mistakes - one, not getting the job done, and two, screwing with the wrong guy. Triple H said he'd waited four days but he wouldn't wait any longer, and The Game called Kurt Angle out to the ring! The Game taunted Kurt to come out and play - but instead, out came Booker T!
Booker told Triple H that they had something in common - he said Triple H was full of rage, and so was he. But he said Triple H was a loser, and he is a winner! He said last week, he had kicked Triple H's ass, and he would do it again right now! Booker walked to the ring, and The Game met him halfway!
The two superstars slugged it out, with Triple H tossing Booker into the ring steps, and tossing him into the barricade! In the ring, referee Tim White called for the bell, and the match was on, with Booker looking to pin The Game, as he did last week on RAW. Booker soon had the advantage, and he pounded on Triple H, scoring with huge kicks to the face. Booker was about to go for the Book End, but The Game reversed into a spinebuster. The Game soon scored with a kneelift and went for the Pedigree, but Booker battled out and went for the scissors kick. But Booker missed, and Triple H scored with the Pedigree. But as he went for the pin, Kurt Angle ran down and attacked The Game, ending the bout in a disqualification! Kurt downed Triple H with the Angle Slam and left him lying!
Backstage, an irate Triple H demanded to know where Kurt Angle was, and someone told him Kurt had gone to Mr. McMahon's locker room.
In the ladies' locker room, Torrie Wilson got mad because Stacy Keibler was using her lipstick. Stacy said the lipstick didn't have Torrie's name on it, and besides - Stacy was next! Suddenly, Billy & Chuck entered their locker room and asked why anyone would want to look at the women when they had a prototype for their own 2002 Billy & Chuck calendar! Torrie said they were great pictures on the calendar, but said it hardly blew their calendar out of the water.
Stacy said they could do the poses better than Billy & Chuck, and Chuck suggested that they have a posedown this Thursday on SmackDown, and let the audience decide! Stacy agreed. Billy said they had a Tag Team Title match tonight, and said they would be posing with the titles!
Triple H continued to look for Angle backstage, and saw cops in front of Mr. McMahon's door. Triple H called out Angle, saying he was a bigger wuss than he thought for getting cops to guard the door. Angle said he had good news for Triple H - Mr. McMahon had informed him that Kurt and The Game would be fighting at No Way Out, and that The Game's title shot at WrestleMania would be on the line! This made Triple H irate!
The sold-out crowd in Las Vegas rose to its feet as Rob Van Dam headed to the ring to take on Bubba Ray Dudley, who was accompanied to ringside by D-Von Dudley and the Duchess of Dudleyville, Stacy Keibler. Bubba layed into RVD with punches as the "RVD" chants began. RVD nailed Rolling Thunder, but as he went for the pin, Stacy distracted the ref. The Dudleys went for the "Wassap!" headbutt, but the ref told Stacy and D-Von to go back to the locker room! Bubba hit a Bubbabomb, and then hit a neckbreaker for two. Bubba continued the assault, but missed a splash from the second rope. RVD hit him with a kick, and nailed the Five-Star Frog Splash for the pinfall!
After the bout, Goldust's music hit, and the Golden One appeared on the screen, singing "When you wish upon a star." Goldust congratulated RVD on being the rising star he's been talking about for weeks - but said Van Dam's dreams wouldn't come true, because they were about to be shattered, courtesy of a man whose name he would never forget - Goldust!
All of a sudden, Goldust attacked RVD from behind in the ring, decimating Van Dam! He even gave RVD the "Shattered Dreams" kick to the groin and a brutal neckbreaker!
Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley had a big smile on her face as her husband complained to her about being attacked by Angle and having to put his WrestleMania title shot on the line. The Game asked why she was smiling, and Stephanie said she had some great news, news that would change his whole world. She said she had a big surprise, and she would announce it tonight! He asked what the news was, and she said he would have to wait and see!
Backstage, Michael Cole approached Undertaker to get his reaction to getting a Rock Bottom through a table on SmackDown! Taker asked Cole who in the hell he was to ask his reaction. He asked Cole what was wrong, sensing fear. He asked if Cole feared him, because he said he liked that, since fear and respect go hand in hand. Taker said he felt disrespected by The Rock, and said that tonight, he would take Rock and teach him the word respect. And after Rock, he would teach Stone Cold some respect.
As Taker spoke, he was approached by Chris Jericho. Y2J said that no one respected Taker more than him, but said that tonight's match was a tag match, not a handicap match, and that Taker's partner was the Undisputed Champion. He said if Taker had any problem teaching Rock and Austin about respect, he would have his back.
The next match was for the WWF Tag Team Titles.
In the arena, Billy and Chuck's theme hits and out they come to the ring for their Tag Team Title matchup against the Wolfpack. Billy and Chuck enter the ring, posing as they bragged about how they will beat the Wolfpack and put an end to their dominance and undefeated streak lately.
OOOOOOWHOOOOOO!
'Oh, ah, ah, ah, ah! Get up, come on get down with the sickness!'
Down with the Sickness plays to a huge pop from the crowd as the Wolfpack walks out, Bladewolf back in normal gear instead of his Demon Bladewolf gear like he was at the Royal Rumble. Trish was by their side as always now.
"And here comes the Wolfpack!" JR said. "King, this has been one impressive team as of late. They've not been beaten since November, and have been defending their titles as much as possible, putting them on the line nearly every RAW and SmackDown they wish to do so. Jackal was impressive on his own for a bit as well."
"i agree with you, JR. This duo is unstoppable." Jerry said. "They've dominated the Tag Team Division and I think they will do so for a long time."
The Wolfpack walk down the ramp, Bladewolf and Jackal looking amused as Billy and Chuck gesture to the titles around their waists and shout how they will beat them. Bladewolf takes off his coat and hands it to Trish before he pecks her lips and he and Jackal then slide into the ring and stand up, taking their titles off and handing them to the referee.
"Tag Team Titles on the line, it's Wolfpack against Billy and Chuck." JR said. "I have to admire Billy and Chuck for challenging the Wolfpack to this match when bobody so far has been able to beat them since November."
"Well, we may see it tonight." Jerry pointed out.
The referee holds the WWF Tag Team Titles up then hands them to someone at ringside before calling for the bell.
'Ding! Ding! Ding!'
Jackal gets out onto the ring apron as does Billy, so it will be Bladewolf and Chuck starting off for their teams. Cuck runs and unloads on Bladewolf with lefts and rights which barely hurts the Demon Wolf who uppercuts Chuck, knocking him down.
"Nice uppercut from Bladewolf." JR said.
"That hurt." Jerry winced.
Bladewolf picks Chuck up and gets him into a powerbomb position..BEFORE HITTING A POWERBOMB ON CHUCK!
"Nice powerbomb there on Chuck. the Wolfpack beginning their dominance." JR said as Bladewolf tags in Jackal and they stomp away on Chuck. "Just like I said."
They pick Chuck up, Irish whip him off the ropes...AND HIT A DOUBLE SPEAR! Billy had enough and ran into the ring only to be grabbed by the throat by Bladewolf, lifted up...AND PLANTED WITH A CHOKESLAM!
Jackal covers Chuck! ONE! TWO! THREE! THE WOLFPACK RETAINS ONCE AGAIN!
'Ding! Ding! Ding!'
Down with the Sickness plays and The Wolfpack duo are given their titles as Trish joins them, pecking her boyfriend's cheek. All three raise their titles and head to the back.
Backstage, a demonic-looking Mr. McMahon strutted towards the ring.
Moments later, the Federation co-owner walked to the ring, and it was clear he was not in a good mood, after the way he was humiliated on SmackDown! by Ric Flair and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Mr. McMahon talked about last week's SmackDown!, when Flair was supposed to sell him back his stock in WWFE. But Mr. McMahon said that the "lying S.O.B." had changed his mind. Vince asked what possible explanation Flair would have for changing his mind, and he demanded that Flair come to the ring and give him an explanation.
It didn't take long for the Nature Boy to head to the ring. A smiling Flair walked to the ring, and the two co-owners looked like they wanted to beat the hell out of each other. Vince said that last Thursday, Ric had stood in the ring with the tears flowing from his eyes, and how it was the last time we'd see Flair in the ring, but then Flair had changed his mind. Vince wanted to know why, and said he had a theory - because down deep, Flair is a liar. He said Flair lied to himself just as easily as he lied to everyone else. He said Flair wasn't going to sell his stock for the welfare of superstars and fans - the real reason, said Vince, was because Ric is selfish. Mr. McMahon said Flair had to be Flair - a limousine-riding, jet-flying son of a gun. He said all of a sudden Flair's dream had come true to own the Federation, and Flair couldn't give it up. Vince told Flair to tell the truth for once, but Flair shook his head no.
Vince said the only other explanation was that Flair had listened to Stone Cold, and Flair again said no. Vince then asked what force had gotten Flair to change his mind.
Flair simply said it was the fans - and the sold-out crowd gave the Nature Boy a standing ovation for his answer!
Vince said the fans had no idea what was good for them, just like Flair had no idea. Vince said Flair and the fans couldn't stop anything now - and couldn't stop that Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were on their way to the World Wrestling Federation, and that if anyone were to get in their way, there would be No Way Out!
Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco were walking backstage, talking about what a bad idea it was to bring in the nWo. They stopped by Arn Anderson and asked his opinion, and Arn said he knew first-hand that the nWo was poison. Arn said he'd known Ric Flair for a while, and thought Flair made the wrong decision last Thursday on SmackDown!
The Intercontinental Championship was on the line as Rikishi challenged William Regal. Prior to the bout, referee Teddy Long searched Regal for brass knuckles, but found nothing. The Phat Man took it to Regal in the early going, but the IC Champion fought back and regained the advantage. As the crowd chanted "Regal sucks," the champ locked Rikishi in the Regal stretch to wear him down, and also locked him in a modified sleeperhold. Rikishi soon caught Regal with a kick to the face and a sit-down splash.
He dragged the champion to the corner and went for a banzai drop, but Regal moved. Regal then reached into his tights for knucks, only to have Edge run down to attack Regal! It took half a dozen referees to pull Edge off the Intercontinental Champion! As Edge left the ring, Rikishi gave a prone Regal a Stink Face!
Speaking from WWF New York, new European Champion Diamond Dallas Page greeted fans - and that's a good thing!
Coach knocked on The Rock's locker room door, and moments later, he interviewed the People's Champion. Rocky apparently had a big announcement of his own. He said his announcement didn't concern Hall, Nashor Hogan - it concerned the Undertaker. Rock said that Taker had cost Rock his shot at the Undisputed Championship two weeks ago, and said that in two weeks, he wanted to face Taker one-on-one at No Way Out! He asked why Taker had interfered in Rock's match - because Rock had brought up that Maven eliminated him, or because Rock had made Coach do the Charleston? Rock said he wasn't the Taker's Champion, he was the People's Champion. Rock said he could go and prepare for his tag match tonight - but not until after he sang his favorite song, "Viva Rock Vegas!" But he said if it was up to Taker, he would just walk away. Rock said the choice was obvious, and he walked away!
Coach started talking, and Rock walked back and shook his head. He told Coach to go away, and he took the microphone, and sang "Viva Rock Vegas" as the crowd cheered!
Still with a huge smile on her face, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley headed to the ring. The Billion-Dollar Princess called her husband down to the ring because it was time for her big surprise! The Game joined his wife in the ring, but didn't look like he was too enthused by whatever she had to say.
Stephanie said that last week on SmackDown, she had an epiphany, and although she hated to admit it, she saw that J.R. was right about a couple of things. She said it did seem like their marriage was falling apart, and there was only one way to prove their love for each other. She said that next week on RAW, they should renew their wedding vows! She said she waited to make the announcement until they were in Las Vegas, since that's where they got married in the first place! She asked Triple H what he thought, and The Game said it was the stupidest idea he'd ever heard! He asked what was the matter with her, and why did everything have to be on live TV? He asked why everything they did all had to be in front of the world, no matter how private. Stephanie said it was because of the fans, who all doubted her, and thought she was a failure in life. She said the fans thought she was just hanging onto Triple H's coattails, and she said her reputation was on the line, and that Hunter had to do this for her.
Triple H asked if this Monday on RAW she wanted him to renew their wedding vows and to stand in front of the world and to express his love for her. Stephanie said yes, and The Game said no. Stephanie said he couldn't say no, and that he had to do this for her. Triple H then snapped, asking why he had to do it for her! He said she always got her way, and that it was all about her! Stephanie began to cry as The Game began to walk out on her - and she then revealed that she is pregnant! She said she didn't want to reveal this in front of everyone. She said that's why she was so moody and argumentative. She said it didn't matter what anyone else thought, and that she knew how bad he wanted to be a dad and how bad she wanted to be a mom. She said that's why they should renew their vows - so they could be a family. She said not to do it for her or for him - to do it for the baby.
The Game pondered for a few moments, and then got a huge smile on his face! He hugged his wife and gave her a big kiss to celebrate the news!
Next up, Trish Stratus defended the Women's Championship against Jazz. As the bout began, Triple H and Stephanie were seen backstage leaving the arena, and the two were once again quite the happy couple. Trish missed a top-rope bodyblock early, and Jazz took advantage, assaulting the champion. The challenger hit a huge legdrop for two, and then slugged Trish in the face repeatedly. Jazz then wrenched Trish into an STF submission maneuver. Trish tried to fight out of it, and was soon able to make it to the ropes. Jazz lifted Trish above her head and dropped her, but Trish battled back and took it to Jazz. She went for the Stratusfaction, but Jazz countered into a suplex and hooked on a fisherman's suplex, pinning Trish to win the Women's Championship!
As Trish sat at ringside, her boyfriend the Bladewolf came down and picked her up, hugging her close knowing she was upset she lost the title. they went to the back as Jazz celebrated her win.
And that's it for this chapter. And if you have noticed, ever since winning the titles for the third time, Wolfpack has been undefeated lately.
