The 1st Edition of Raw Roulette
While I try to figure out what to cover first on the way to the 2019 Royal Rumble, and before I cover the next episode of the Guest Host era, I figured let's go off the beaten path with the Raw Roulette. It was a simple concept conceived, at least in kayfabe, by Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff, in the stipulation for every match for the night would be decided by the spin of a wheel. Simple and for the most part it worked. WWE would feature this for a few years whenever Raw took place in Vegas.
That being said, let's get into the first edition, on the October 7, 2002 edition of Raw.
We get a quick little video package highlighting Vegas and the Roulette wheel, then cut to Eric in his office, alongside some showgirls. The wheel features such matches as a Hot Lesbian Action Match... er OK, moving on, Bischoff's Choice, Kiss My Ass and others. With that said, let's find out our first match. We get to kick off with a Steel Cage Match.
We get Raw's intro (god I miss this theme song), we're live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Sin City, J.R. and the of course are on commentary, the cage having already been lowered to the ring. So let's get it started.
Steel Cage Match: Booker T vs The Big Show
Lilian announces that this cage match can only won by escape, so no pinfals or submissions in this one. J.R. tells us Big Show's been pissed off ever since losing to Jeff Hardy last week by countout, so Booker's in for hell.
Big Show controls the match for the most part, throwing Booker around and into the cage. Commentary mention that these two last met in a No DQ match back in July with Booker getting the upset win. Show has several chances to escape and win but he clearly only cares about taking out his frustrations.
We learn Lawler has volunteered to compete tonight, all giddy to be a part of Raw Roulette, so we'll see where that goes. Show finally goes to make his escape, but Booker's back up, pinning Show between the cage and ropes and nails a side kick, then a Scissors Kick as Show is now draped over the top rope. Booker goes to climb but Show makes his way back up, allowing Booker to nail a Scissors Kick from the top rope. Booker starts to climb but Show s after him, until Booker knocks him back to the mat, allowing him to climb over the top to the floor for the win in 8:07. Not a great match, felt this dragged on a bit too long.
Booker begins to celebrate but Jericho attacks from behind, throwing Booker into the cage. He rips the top off the barricade to reveal the steel underneath, slamming him into it face first and busting him open, once more into the cage. Jericho opens him up some more with some shots to the head as he talks some trash and heads to the back, officials running down to check on him.
Cut backstage to Eric calling Booker a casualty as he talks to Kane and Hurricane, the Tag Champions. Kane has a World Heavyweight title shot against HHH at No Mercy, but Eric announces they're gonna put the tag titles on the line, and it's gonna be... a TLC Match? Well now things are getting interesting. Hurricane with a holy Mick Foley, Bischoff shakes their hands and wishes them luck, Kane says luck is for losers and they leave.
Back to the arena as officials finally help Booker to his feet and up the ramp before commercial.
We get a replay of Jericho's attack before we cut to backstage, Terri Runnels asking Jericho why he attacked for no reason. He calls her an ass clown, and is sick of being treated like a second-class citizen and being overlooked by jackasses. He's pissed about Golduust saying Fozzy sucks, and is sore about Booker saying he sucks and "costing" him the IC Title last week. He shows Booker's blood on his knuckles and says anyone who gets in his way will suffer the same fate.
Back to Bischoff's office and the wheel lands on a Blindfold Match, panning to HHH who's pissed about having a match not being able to see. HHH says Kane's will never be the same again by the time this night ends. Eric brings in some ladies as a gift to Eric before they leave. William Regal comes in telling Eric he's lost his mind with the matches he's made tonight, and Goldust is not far behind. He begs for a regular match, but Eric spins the wheel for a... Las Vegas Showgirls Match? Regal obviously thinks that the showgirls will be joining them at ringside, but Eric explains that he and Goldust will have to wrestle a match dressed as showgirls. This is gonna give me nightmares for weeks isn't it? Goldy says Regal's country has a queen, and now he can be one too as he leaves.
Back from commercial we get a promo video for Batista showing off his strength in the gym, who's on his way to Raw in the near future.
HHH is in action now.
Blindfold Match: World Heavyweight Champion HHH (w/ Ric Flair) vs D'Lo Brown
J.R. mentions that there's only ever been one other Blindfold Match in WWE history, between Jake "the Snake" Roberts and Rick Martel. There's a reason for that.
If you've never seen a blindfold match, you really aren't missing anything. The blindfolds are sacks with a string to tighten it.
The whole match is them trying to find each other in the ring. I mean there are some funny moment where HHH thinks he's talking trash to D'Lo but he's talking to an empty corner, and D'Lo almost nails Hebner but again, there's a reason you don't see this match... well, ever.
D'Lo hits a Sky High, but can't capitalize. Flair goes over to HHH and whispers something to him, before running to the other side of the ring to distract the ref. HHH pulls off the blindfold to hit the Pedigree on D'Lo, puts it back on in time for Hebner to turn around and make the 3 for the win in 2:36. This didn't last long at least.
Cut to Eric pep talking Christian, Bubba Ray and Jeff Hardy for tonight's TLC Match. Christian doesn't want to do it, but Eric threatens suspension, and tells them they can pick their own partners for tonight. They walk off pissed. We get a preview of Goldy in a showgirl costume before commercial.
Las Vegas Showgirls Match: Goldust vs William Regal
Goldy is already out there as we come back. Regal takes forever to come out, until security drag him out. Jesus Christ, this is.... disturbing to say the least. Regal's usual music gets replaced by showgirl music as he tries to walk down with one heel on, Goldust loving every second. This goes on a painfully long time before Goldy pulls him into the ring to start this thing.
Goldy already tries to set up for Shattered Dreams, but Lance Storm is out to run interference and cause a distraction. Regal nails Goldy with brass knucks, hidden in his "bra" while the ref's distracted and gets the win in 51 seconds, thank god it was short.
We get a replay of the finish as Regal and Storm head to the back.
After commercial we cut to Christian and Terri, asking if he's found a partner. He claims he single handedly won 2 TLC matches and is interrupted by Jericho, saying the only one he didn't win was the one he won on Smackdown. He volunteers to be Christian's partner and he accepts.
Back to Bischoff, and the wheel has landed on a _____ on a Pole Match, between Trish and Stacy Keibler. Eric makes it a Paddle on a Pole Match with Trish's title on the line. Eric spins again for double or nothing and adds Bra & Panties to the match. First person to strip their opponent to bra and panties wins the title, and gets to use the paddle on the loser. So basically the On a Pole stipulation is completely pointless.
Cut to Bubba recruiting Tommy Dreamer for TLC, but Spike is right there, and says he wants it instead and gets Tommy's spot, so we got two teams now.
Bra & Panties Paddle on a Pole Match for the Women's Championship: Trish Stratus (c) vs Stacey Keibler
Like the Thong Stinkface match from Summerslam '00, I'm not covering this. Trish wins and retains in 2:30. Again, thankfully short.
Trish gets a few spanks in before Stacey rolls out and gets some more, but Victoria has made her way out, her and Trish start to brawl at ringside. Victoria kicks Trish's ass the most part as Trish eats a kick to the face and a slam to the mat, and a nice moonsault . Victoria throws her hard into the steps as the ref "tries" to get her to back off. So that makes up for it at least. We go to replays of the finish to the match, then Victoria's moonsault and the throw into the steps as she heads up the ramp.
Coach is backstage with Jeff asking about the TLC Match, bringing up his opponents tonight, and he brings out his partner RVD. This match is gonna be fantastic.
Back from commercial and see more replays of the post match beatdown before Coach catches up with Victoria, asking her why. She says she's done it to show who Trish really is, bringing up some kind of secret past they have.
Back in the ring we have Test who has a match with... Al Snow? He's been doing Tough Enough so this is a rare appearance. Eric shows up on the Titantron and spins the wheel. It's gonna be:
Las Vegas Street Fight: Test vs Al Snow
Alright, it's about time we get to something fun on this show. Eric tells them the ring's been stocked with plenty of weapons for them to use, and they quickly slide out as the match begins.
They begin filling the ring with trash cans and signs, before Test comes from behind and cracks Snow across the back with a road sign. He tries to enter the ring over the top but he gets crotched, Snow low blowing him with some dice before a shot with a handicapped sign off the top rope, but Test stops him with a stop sign for a near fall. Test wedges a trash can in the corner and goes for another sign shot, but eats a trash can himself off a drop toe hold for another near fall.
Snow with right hands in the corner, but Test whips him back into it, before nailing Snow with a trash can lid for another near fall. Crowd starts a USA chant, perching Snow on the top rope before setting the trash can from the corner on the mat near the corner. Test tries a superplex but Snow sends him ribs first into the can, catching Test with a cross body for another near fall.
Test off the ropes but catches Snow for a powerbomb attempt, Snow flipping back and uses a trash can lid to escape. Test sat up in the corner recovering and Snow gets an idea. He pulls a bag out of the ring, a tacky bowling shirt bowling ball from inside it, giving Test time to attempt a running boot. Snow ducks and tries to nail him with the bowling ball, but Test ducks, off the ropes into a leg sweep. Snow starts nailing him with trash can lid shots to the head. Al picks the bowling ball back up and nails Test in the head, giving him the victory in 5:40. Kinda reminded me the good part of the Hardcore Title matches from a few years prior, and the crowd were into it, so a fun match. Kinda disappointed we didn't see Head but nonetheless.
Al quickly heads to the back before commentary hype the TLC match. Lawler's match is up next. He's obviously hoping for an HLA match and he's excited, until J.R. brings up a valid point that it could be an Inferno Match, and now King is worried.
King is in the ring with Steven Richards. Eric appears on the Tron and the wheel lands on... It's Legal in Nevada? Color me confused. Godfather's music hits, and I'll say Lawler has the goofiest smile on his face and it's one of the better parts tonight, even if he is a pervy old man. Godfather comes out with his hos and explains that the winner of this match gets to ride the Ho Train for the night.
It's Legal in Nevada Match: Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Steven Richards
Is there any doubt who wins this match? Lawler wins with a roll up out of a piledriver reversal in 2:25. Decent little match. I will say this, I remember seeing this match when it first aired as a 6 year old. I never really got the whole pervy old man side to this, so when I saw Lawler win, I couldn't help but feel happy for the guy. Even now, there's something... I wouldn't call it satisfying, but to see him finally fulfill his dream of riding the Ho Train is kind of special in its own way.
Jerry looks like he's died and gone to heaven right now. He dances and celebrates with Godfather and the hos, and the crowd are even into this. J.R. seems to be under the impression that Lawler's fun doesn't start until after the show, but Lawler leaves with the hos, leaving J.R. to call the main event by himself tonight.
After commercial we get a promo package for Randy Orton's arrival on Raw sometime in the future. Randy Orton is at WWE's The World (formerly WWF New York). Back to the arena as the crew are setting up the furniture for the match, titles already hung above the ring.
Cut to Terri with IC Champ and half of the tag champs Kane, asking if he thinks he's gonna have a disadvantage come No Mercy. He says he's been fighting the odds a long time, and that he has the chance to make history, to be the first man to hold the IC, Tag and World title at the same time. He knows HHH knows he can do it too, and despite HHH's threats he will do it. They get interrupted by Coach who informs Kane that HHH and Flair are beating up Hurricane.
Cut to that happening as Kane quickly runs off towards them. Officials finally get in between them and they even remove his mask, Looks like Kane's gonna go it alone tonight.
Back from commercial for a replay of what just happened, J.R. speculating to if this is what HHH was alluding to earlier in the night.
It's time for our main event.
Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the World Tag Team Championship: Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy vs Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley vs Chris Jericho & Christian vs Intercontinental Champion Kane (c)
This is the first TLC Match ever on Raw and the fourth in WWE history. It would also be the last for 4 years until Flair and Edge would have one for the WWE Title on Raw.
Wild brawl to start the match between the seven men. Already a ladder from Jericho and Christian as they climb but they quickly get pulled down.
Action spills to the outisde, while Bubba starts doing the helicopter with a ladder before Kane knocks him down, RVD off the top with a kick. Jeff and RVD take Kane to the outside. E&C set a ladder up on of the corner and send Spike into it face first, following with double team action on Bubba. Jericho accidentally knocks Christian down before Bubba gets his shots in and knocks Jericho out, Kane with a clothesline off the top onto Christian.
Bubba with a ladder now, swinging it into Kane before setting it up, but doesn't get far before eating a chokeslam. Spike runs in and goes after Kane but quickly gets slammed down, before being thrown over the ropes onto RVD. Jericho takes advantage and rams a ladder into Kane's face, knocking to the outside to eat an inverted DDT from Christian. Kane on a table now as E&C set something up, but RVD catapults a ladder into them. Jeff setting up a ladder now beside Kane, a chair to the chest, while Jeff sets up another ladder next to it. Jeff with a leg drop on Kane off the ladder through the table for a nice little spot.
Back in the ring and Bubba is back up, Bubba climbing up but Christian is back in time, nailing a powerbomb off the ladder before we cut to commercial.
Bubba is standing tall once again, RVD and Bubba start to climb seperate ladders, then E&C follow suit.. Jericho nails a bulldog on Bubba and Christian nails RVD with a neck breaker off their respective ladders while Spike is back up, making the climb. Christian yanks him down and tosses him back out of the ring.
Christian and RVD going at it now before Christian starts to make the climb, but Kane is back in, pushing the ladder over and crotching him on the top rope. Jeff off the top but eats a powerslam. Kane with some fire now as he clears the ring and sets up a ladder, but Spike is at it again, until he eats a ladder right to the head and face. Jericho from behind with a chair on Kane, then on Bubba, before eating a spinning heel kick from RVD. Jeff with Poetry in Motion off Bubba's back, Kane sat in the corner as Jeff holds the chair in place, allowing RVD to nail a Van Terminator on Kane.
Jericho back in the ring, attempts to suplex Jeff onto a ladder but reverses with a suplex of his own. Jeff sends Christian off the top, lower back landing on the ladder as he just barely lands on it. Jeff now up the ladder to grab the titles, but Bubba is back in and follows him up the other side, After a bit of back and forth Bubba nails a superplex off the top of the ladder, while J.R. quips for someone to call the EMTs. We get a nice overhead view of the superplex, and oddly enough they don't cut J.R.'s audio and he ends up talking over himself.
RVD up the ladder now and nearly has the titles but Bubba is back up and knocks RVD off, only to fall off himself. Jericho is up now and starts the climb, talking some trash to RVD before Spike comes back in to half Y2J. Jericho takes a nasty looking fall to the outside over the ropes as Spike tilts the ladder forward, Jesus Christ.
Spike now seeing his chance starts the climb and nearly has the titles but Christian is in. Spike goes for a Dudley Dog but gets tossed over the ropes through a table at ringside. Christian eventually starts the slow climb now but Bubba is back up, setting a ladder up beside Christian, allowing Bubba to nail a Bubba Bomb from atop the ladders. RVD up top now and he nails a 5-Star Frog Splash on Christian. Jeff up top now and goes for a Swanton on Bubba but he rolls out of the way. Jeff runs at Bubba but he sends him over the ropes with a back drop through a table. Van Daminator on Bubba.
RVD up the ladder now but Jericho nails him in the lower back with a chair. Jericho makes the climb now and applies a Walls of Jericho on the ladder. I've always loved this spot. RVD off the ladder and to the floor, Jericho inches away but Kane is back up. Chris fights back as best he can, but he delivers a chokeslam off the ladder to the mat. Kane back up and makes the climb now, taking the titles down to retain the titles in 22:07. Damn that was a fantastic match.
Now if the show had ended here I could say this was an alright show, but no, this show decides to end on the lowest of low notes.
As Kane goes to set off his pyro, Kane and Ric are out with a mic. Long story short: He sets up the Katie Vick storyline to end this show, because of course he does.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's probably because I was 6 when I first saw this show, but this show was not as good as I remember it. Slow boring match to start and awful gimmick matches follow. A good Street Fight and an oddly satisfying Lawler victory and of course the fantastic TLC IV, which would go on to win Raw Match of the Decade at the 10th Anniversary Show in January, but it's hard to look past that Katie Vick set up at the end. All in all, this is a pretty skippable show.
Kane would go on to lose to HHH at No Mercy, and the IC Title would merge with the WHC. It would disappear until Stone Cold brought it back when he became co-GM in the next year.
We wouldn't see a TLC Match for another 4 years, which I covered a week or so ago, and I can't say I remember what everyone else did after this show.
That being said, let's get into the first edition, on the October 7, 2002 edition of Raw.
We get a quick little video package highlighting Vegas and the Roulette wheel, then cut to Eric in his office, alongside some showgirls. The wheel features such matches as a Hot Lesbian Action Match... er OK, moving on, Bischoff's Choice, Kiss My Ass and others. With that said, let's find out our first match. We get to kick off with a Steel Cage Match.
We get Raw's intro (god I miss this theme song), we're live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Sin City, J.R. and the of course are on commentary, the cage having already been lowered to the ring. So let's get it started.
Steel Cage Match: Booker T vs The Big Show
Lilian announces that this cage match can only won by escape, so no pinfals or submissions in this one. J.R. tells us Big Show's been pissed off ever since losing to Jeff Hardy last week by countout, so Booker's in for hell.
Big Show controls the match for the most part, throwing Booker around and into the cage. Commentary mention that these two last met in a No DQ match back in July with Booker getting the upset win. Show has several chances to escape and win but he clearly only cares about taking out his frustrations.
We learn Lawler has volunteered to compete tonight, all giddy to be a part of Raw Roulette, so we'll see where that goes. Show finally goes to make his escape, but Booker's back up, pinning Show between the cage and ropes and nails a side kick, then a Scissors Kick as Show is now draped over the top rope. Booker goes to climb but Show makes his way back up, allowing Booker to nail a Scissors Kick from the top rope. Booker starts to climb but Show s after him, until Booker knocks him back to the mat, allowing him to climb over the top to the floor for the win in 8:07. Not a great match, felt this dragged on a bit too long.
Booker begins to celebrate but Jericho attacks from behind, throwing Booker into the cage. He rips the top off the barricade to reveal the steel underneath, slamming him into it face first and busting him open, once more into the cage. Jericho opens him up some more with some shots to the head as he talks some trash and heads to the back, officials running down to check on him.
Cut backstage to Eric calling Booker a casualty as he talks to Kane and Hurricane, the Tag Champions. Kane has a World Heavyweight title shot against HHH at No Mercy, but Eric announces they're gonna put the tag titles on the line, and it's gonna be... a TLC Match? Well now things are getting interesting. Hurricane with a holy Mick Foley, Bischoff shakes their hands and wishes them luck, Kane says luck is for losers and they leave.
Back to the arena as officials finally help Booker to his feet and up the ramp before commercial.
We get a replay of Jericho's attack before we cut to backstage, Terri Runnels asking Jericho why he attacked for no reason. He calls her an ass clown, and is sick of being treated like a second-class citizen and being overlooked by jackasses. He's pissed about Golduust saying Fozzy sucks, and is sore about Booker saying he sucks and "costing" him the IC Title last week. He shows Booker's blood on his knuckles and says anyone who gets in his way will suffer the same fate.
Back to Bischoff's office and the wheel lands on a Blindfold Match, panning to HHH who's pissed about having a match not being able to see. HHH says Kane's will never be the same again by the time this night ends. Eric brings in some ladies as a gift to Eric before they leave. William Regal comes in telling Eric he's lost his mind with the matches he's made tonight, and Goldust is not far behind. He begs for a regular match, but Eric spins the wheel for a... Las Vegas Showgirls Match? Regal obviously thinks that the showgirls will be joining them at ringside, but Eric explains that he and Goldust will have to wrestle a match dressed as showgirls. This is gonna give me nightmares for weeks isn't it? Goldy says Regal's country has a queen, and now he can be one too as he leaves.
Back from commercial we get a promo video for Batista showing off his strength in the gym, who's on his way to Raw in the near future.
HHH is in action now.
Blindfold Match: World Heavyweight Champion HHH (w/ Ric Flair) vs D'Lo Brown
J.R. mentions that there's only ever been one other Blindfold Match in WWE history, between Jake "the Snake" Roberts and Rick Martel. There's a reason for that.
If you've never seen a blindfold match, you really aren't missing anything. The blindfolds are sacks with a string to tighten it.
The whole match is them trying to find each other in the ring. I mean there are some funny moment where HHH thinks he's talking trash to D'Lo but he's talking to an empty corner, and D'Lo almost nails Hebner but again, there's a reason you don't see this match... well, ever.
D'Lo hits a Sky High, but can't capitalize. Flair goes over to HHH and whispers something to him, before running to the other side of the ring to distract the ref. HHH pulls off the blindfold to hit the Pedigree on D'Lo, puts it back on in time for Hebner to turn around and make the 3 for the win in 2:36. This didn't last long at least.
Cut to Eric pep talking Christian, Bubba Ray and Jeff Hardy for tonight's TLC Match. Christian doesn't want to do it, but Eric threatens suspension, and tells them they can pick their own partners for tonight. They walk off pissed. We get a preview of Goldy in a showgirl costume before commercial.
Las Vegas Showgirls Match: Goldust vs William Regal
Goldy is already out there as we come back. Regal takes forever to come out, until security drag him out. Jesus Christ, this is.... disturbing to say the least. Regal's usual music gets replaced by showgirl music as he tries to walk down with one heel on, Goldust loving every second. This goes on a painfully long time before Goldy pulls him into the ring to start this thing.
Goldy already tries to set up for Shattered Dreams, but Lance Storm is out to run interference and cause a distraction. Regal nails Goldy with brass knucks, hidden in his "bra" while the ref's distracted and gets the win in 51 seconds, thank god it was short.
We get a replay of the finish as Regal and Storm head to the back.
After commercial we cut to Christian and Terri, asking if he's found a partner. He claims he single handedly won 2 TLC matches and is interrupted by Jericho, saying the only one he didn't win was the one he won on Smackdown. He volunteers to be Christian's partner and he accepts.
Back to Bischoff, and the wheel has landed on a _____ on a Pole Match, between Trish and Stacy Keibler. Eric makes it a Paddle on a Pole Match with Trish's title on the line. Eric spins again for double or nothing and adds Bra & Panties to the match. First person to strip their opponent to bra and panties wins the title, and gets to use the paddle on the loser. So basically the On a Pole stipulation is completely pointless.
Cut to Bubba recruiting Tommy Dreamer for TLC, but Spike is right there, and says he wants it instead and gets Tommy's spot, so we got two teams now.
Bra & Panties Paddle on a Pole Match for the Women's Championship: Trish Stratus (c) vs Stacey Keibler
Like the Thong Stinkface match from Summerslam '00, I'm not covering this. Trish wins and retains in 2:30. Again, thankfully short.
Trish gets a few spanks in before Stacey rolls out and gets some more, but Victoria has made her way out, her and Trish start to brawl at ringside. Victoria kicks Trish's ass the most part as Trish eats a kick to the face and a slam to the mat, and a nice moonsault . Victoria throws her hard into the steps as the ref "tries" to get her to back off. So that makes up for it at least. We go to replays of the finish to the match, then Victoria's moonsault and the throw into the steps as she heads up the ramp.
Coach is backstage with Jeff asking about the TLC Match, bringing up his opponents tonight, and he brings out his partner RVD. This match is gonna be fantastic.
Back from commercial and see more replays of the post match beatdown before Coach catches up with Victoria, asking her why. She says she's done it to show who Trish really is, bringing up some kind of secret past they have.
Back in the ring we have Test who has a match with... Al Snow? He's been doing Tough Enough so this is a rare appearance. Eric shows up on the Titantron and spins the wheel. It's gonna be:
Las Vegas Street Fight: Test vs Al Snow
Alright, it's about time we get to something fun on this show. Eric tells them the ring's been stocked with plenty of weapons for them to use, and they quickly slide out as the match begins.
They begin filling the ring with trash cans and signs, before Test comes from behind and cracks Snow across the back with a road sign. He tries to enter the ring over the top but he gets crotched, Snow low blowing him with some dice before a shot with a handicapped sign off the top rope, but Test stops him with a stop sign for a near fall. Test wedges a trash can in the corner and goes for another sign shot, but eats a trash can himself off a drop toe hold for another near fall.
Snow with right hands in the corner, but Test whips him back into it, before nailing Snow with a trash can lid for another near fall. Crowd starts a USA chant, perching Snow on the top rope before setting the trash can from the corner on the mat near the corner. Test tries a superplex but Snow sends him ribs first into the can, catching Test with a cross body for another near fall.
Test off the ropes but catches Snow for a powerbomb attempt, Snow flipping back and uses a trash can lid to escape. Test sat up in the corner recovering and Snow gets an idea. He pulls a bag out of the ring, a tacky bowling shirt bowling ball from inside it, giving Test time to attempt a running boot. Snow ducks and tries to nail him with the bowling ball, but Test ducks, off the ropes into a leg sweep. Snow starts nailing him with trash can lid shots to the head. Al picks the bowling ball back up and nails Test in the head, giving him the victory in 5:40. Kinda reminded me the good part of the Hardcore Title matches from a few years prior, and the crowd were into it, so a fun match. Kinda disappointed we didn't see Head but nonetheless.
Al quickly heads to the back before commentary hype the TLC match. Lawler's match is up next. He's obviously hoping for an HLA match and he's excited, until J.R. brings up a valid point that it could be an Inferno Match, and now King is worried.
King is in the ring with Steven Richards. Eric appears on the Tron and the wheel lands on... It's Legal in Nevada? Color me confused. Godfather's music hits, and I'll say Lawler has the goofiest smile on his face and it's one of the better parts tonight, even if he is a pervy old man. Godfather comes out with his hos and explains that the winner of this match gets to ride the Ho Train for the night.
It's Legal in Nevada Match: Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Steven Richards
Is there any doubt who wins this match? Lawler wins with a roll up out of a piledriver reversal in 2:25. Decent little match. I will say this, I remember seeing this match when it first aired as a 6 year old. I never really got the whole pervy old man side to this, so when I saw Lawler win, I couldn't help but feel happy for the guy. Even now, there's something... I wouldn't call it satisfying, but to see him finally fulfill his dream of riding the Ho Train is kind of special in its own way.
Jerry looks like he's died and gone to heaven right now. He dances and celebrates with Godfather and the hos, and the crowd are even into this. J.R. seems to be under the impression that Lawler's fun doesn't start until after the show, but Lawler leaves with the hos, leaving J.R. to call the main event by himself tonight.
After commercial we get a promo package for Randy Orton's arrival on Raw sometime in the future. Randy Orton is at WWE's The World (formerly WWF New York). Back to the arena as the crew are setting up the furniture for the match, titles already hung above the ring.
Cut to Terri with IC Champ and half of the tag champs Kane, asking if he thinks he's gonna have a disadvantage come No Mercy. He says he's been fighting the odds a long time, and that he has the chance to make history, to be the first man to hold the IC, Tag and World title at the same time. He knows HHH knows he can do it too, and despite HHH's threats he will do it. They get interrupted by Coach who informs Kane that HHH and Flair are beating up Hurricane.
Cut to that happening as Kane quickly runs off towards them. Officials finally get in between them and they even remove his mask, Looks like Kane's gonna go it alone tonight.
Back from commercial for a replay of what just happened, J.R. speculating to if this is what HHH was alluding to earlier in the night.
It's time for our main event.
Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the World Tag Team Championship: Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy vs Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley vs Chris Jericho & Christian vs Intercontinental Champion Kane (c)
This is the first TLC Match ever on Raw and the fourth in WWE history. It would also be the last for 4 years until Flair and Edge would have one for the WWE Title on Raw.
Wild brawl to start the match between the seven men. Already a ladder from Jericho and Christian as they climb but they quickly get pulled down.
Action spills to the outisde, while Bubba starts doing the helicopter with a ladder before Kane knocks him down, RVD off the top with a kick. Jeff and RVD take Kane to the outside. E&C set a ladder up on of the corner and send Spike into it face first, following with double team action on Bubba. Jericho accidentally knocks Christian down before Bubba gets his shots in and knocks Jericho out, Kane with a clothesline off the top onto Christian.
Bubba with a ladder now, swinging it into Kane before setting it up, but doesn't get far before eating a chokeslam. Spike runs in and goes after Kane but quickly gets slammed down, before being thrown over the ropes onto RVD. Jericho takes advantage and rams a ladder into Kane's face, knocking to the outside to eat an inverted DDT from Christian. Kane on a table now as E&C set something up, but RVD catapults a ladder into them. Jeff setting up a ladder now beside Kane, a chair to the chest, while Jeff sets up another ladder next to it. Jeff with a leg drop on Kane off the ladder through the table for a nice little spot.
Back in the ring and Bubba is back up, Bubba climbing up but Christian is back in time, nailing a powerbomb off the ladder before we cut to commercial.
Bubba is standing tall once again, RVD and Bubba start to climb seperate ladders, then E&C follow suit.. Jericho nails a bulldog on Bubba and Christian nails RVD with a neck breaker off their respective ladders while Spike is back up, making the climb. Christian yanks him down and tosses him back out of the ring.
Christian and RVD going at it now before Christian starts to make the climb, but Kane is back in, pushing the ladder over and crotching him on the top rope. Jeff off the top but eats a powerslam. Kane with some fire now as he clears the ring and sets up a ladder, but Spike is at it again, until he eats a ladder right to the head and face. Jericho from behind with a chair on Kane, then on Bubba, before eating a spinning heel kick from RVD. Jeff with Poetry in Motion off Bubba's back, Kane sat in the corner as Jeff holds the chair in place, allowing RVD to nail a Van Terminator on Kane.
Jericho back in the ring, attempts to suplex Jeff onto a ladder but reverses with a suplex of his own. Jeff sends Christian off the top, lower back landing on the ladder as he just barely lands on it. Jeff now up the ladder to grab the titles, but Bubba is back in and follows him up the other side, After a bit of back and forth Bubba nails a superplex off the top of the ladder, while J.R. quips for someone to call the EMTs. We get a nice overhead view of the superplex, and oddly enough they don't cut J.R.'s audio and he ends up talking over himself.
RVD up the ladder now and nearly has the titles but Bubba is back up and knocks RVD off, only to fall off himself. Jericho is up now and starts the climb, talking some trash to RVD before Spike comes back in to half Y2J. Jericho takes a nasty looking fall to the outside over the ropes as Spike tilts the ladder forward, Jesus Christ.
Spike now seeing his chance starts the climb and nearly has the titles but Christian is in. Spike goes for a Dudley Dog but gets tossed over the ropes through a table at ringside. Christian eventually starts the slow climb now but Bubba is back up, setting a ladder up beside Christian, allowing Bubba to nail a Bubba Bomb from atop the ladders. RVD up top now and he nails a 5-Star Frog Splash on Christian. Jeff up top now and goes for a Swanton on Bubba but he rolls out of the way. Jeff runs at Bubba but he sends him over the ropes with a back drop through a table. Van Daminator on Bubba.
RVD up the ladder now but Jericho nails him in the lower back with a chair. Jericho makes the climb now and applies a Walls of Jericho on the ladder. I've always loved this spot. RVD off the ladder and to the floor, Jericho inches away but Kane is back up. Chris fights back as best he can, but he delivers a chokeslam off the ladder to the mat. Kane back up and makes the climb now, taking the titles down to retain the titles in 22:07. Damn that was a fantastic match.
Now if the show had ended here I could say this was an alright show, but no, this show decides to end on the lowest of low notes.
As Kane goes to set off his pyro, Kane and Ric are out with a mic. Long story short: He sets up the Katie Vick storyline to end this show, because of course he does.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's probably because I was 6 when I first saw this show, but this show was not as good as I remember it. Slow boring match to start and awful gimmick matches follow. A good Street Fight and an oddly satisfying Lawler victory and of course the fantastic TLC IV, which would go on to win Raw Match of the Decade at the 10th Anniversary Show in January, but it's hard to look past that Katie Vick set up at the end. All in all, this is a pretty skippable show.
Kane would go on to lose to HHH at No Mercy, and the IC Title would merge with the WHC. It would disappear until Stone Cold brought it back when he became co-GM in the next year.
We wouldn't see a TLC Match for another 4 years, which I covered a week or so ago, and I can't say I remember what everyone else did after this show.
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