SmackDown officials were quick to sign the match. It would be The Undertaker versus Sting at the Great American Bash, SmackDown's first head to head pay per view against Raw.
The next few weeks leading up to the big showdown were filled with psychology. The Undertaker held a funeral for a dummy Sting. Sting just sat in the rafters and watched it take place. The Undertaker's dressing room had a black crow inside it one night. The two men still hadn't put a hand on one another since Undertaker's attack, but the hope that they would got fans to tune in every week. The symbolism and mind games were great!
They were so great in fact that SmackDown's ratings began to top the ratings of Raw. This didn't sit well with Eric Bischoff. He was going to do something about it.
The Raw ring was filled with the members of Evolution, Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin. Referees were keeping the parties from tearing each other apart. This was certainly out of the ordinary, until Kane joined them in the ring. He was followed by Bischoff, who stood on the ramp with a microphone and a piece of paper in his hand.
"I was just looking over the contract for the Great American Bash. And it says here in the fine print that the match between The Undertaker and Sting is going to be a Lumberjack match. Now, what does this have to do with all of you? I'll tell you.
A few weeks ago, Sting and The Undertaker came on my show. They came on our turf, and they disrespected and attacked you Kane, you Shelton, and you, Evolution! The Undertaker certainly didn't help matters either. So, since you were all involved in their little Raw appearance, I think it's only fitting that you all go to the Great American Bash, and act as lumberjacks!"
"What?!" asked Jerry Lawler.
"My god, is he serious?!" screamed Jim Ross, overreacting as always.
"There's nothing in the contract that says the lumberjacks have to be from SmackDown" Bischoff continued. "So get ready SmackDown, because Raw is coming to your show next! Oh, and need I remind you that you're all going to be representing my show at the Bash. And should you do ANYTHING to disgrace Raw, such as fighting with one another, YOU'LL ALL BE FIRED!"
The participants in the ring were shocked. Their jaws all dropped at almost the same time. They yelled their disapproval up the ramp about having to share ring space during the pay per view during which time they couldn't kill each other, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.
Backstage, Vince McMahon was smiling.
His two television shows just became even more interesting.
The next few weeks leading up to the big showdown were filled with psychology. The Undertaker held a funeral for a dummy Sting. Sting just sat in the rafters and watched it take place. The Undertaker's dressing room had a black crow inside it one night. The two men still hadn't put a hand on one another since Undertaker's attack, but the hope that they would got fans to tune in every week. The symbolism and mind games were great!
They were so great in fact that SmackDown's ratings began to top the ratings of Raw. This didn't sit well with Eric Bischoff. He was going to do something about it.
The Raw ring was filled with the members of Evolution, Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin. Referees were keeping the parties from tearing each other apart. This was certainly out of the ordinary, until Kane joined them in the ring. He was followed by Bischoff, who stood on the ramp with a microphone and a piece of paper in his hand.
"I was just looking over the contract for the Great American Bash. And it says here in the fine print that the match between The Undertaker and Sting is going to be a Lumberjack match. Now, what does this have to do with all of you? I'll tell you.
A few weeks ago, Sting and The Undertaker came on my show. They came on our turf, and they disrespected and attacked you Kane, you Shelton, and you, Evolution! The Undertaker certainly didn't help matters either. So, since you were all involved in their little Raw appearance, I think it's only fitting that you all go to the Great American Bash, and act as lumberjacks!"
"What?!" asked Jerry Lawler.
"My god, is he serious?!" screamed Jim Ross, overreacting as always.
"There's nothing in the contract that says the lumberjacks have to be from SmackDown" Bischoff continued. "So get ready SmackDown, because Raw is coming to your show next! Oh, and need I remind you that you're all going to be representing my show at the Bash. And should you do ANYTHING to disgrace Raw, such as fighting with one another, YOU'LL ALL BE FIRED!"
The participants in the ring were shocked. Their jaws all dropped at almost the same time. They yelled their disapproval up the ramp about having to share ring space during the pay per view during which time they couldn't kill each other, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.
Backstage, Vince McMahon was smiling.
His two television shows just became even more interesting.