RAW
January 7th, 2002
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York
 
Dark Matches:
 
1. Brock Lesnar defeats Rico Constantino.
2. Randy Orton defeats Ron Waterman.
 
Actual Show:
 
We see the opening video for RAW.
 
Your hosts are Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler.
 
Vince McMahon comes down to the ring with a present and says that he has something to talk about that’s more important than Triple H’s return, and he wants to talk about his match with Ric Flair at the Rumble as many probably feel Flair shouldn’t be in the ring with someone like him. He says that most think that Flair isn’t the same caliber as him and is not worthy of being in the ring with him, and he says that he disagrees with that as he wants to show a highlight of Flair’s greatest matches and moments which he does. He says that Flair has had one of the greatest wrestling careers of all-time and decided to start a new career on November 9th as we see the footage from that RAW, and he says that Flair became his 50-50 business partner and then challenged him to a match at the Rumble a few weeks ago. He says that he didn’t appreciate that or what Flair did last week by attacking him from behind for no reason, and he says that he had to get stitches in his eye and at the Rumble, Flair has to beat the man to be the man as he is already the man and will prove it right now. He opens up the gift and pulls out a blonde wig which he puts on as he then pulls out a “Nature Boy” robe which he puts on as well, and he says that the robe is a bit tight and he does a strut to mock Flair who comes down to the ring. He takes the mike and says that this is another example of what he was talking to him about a few weeks ago, and he says that when Vince takes part of his life and makes it real like he just did, he finds the soft spot in his heart until he does something stupid by putting a wig and his robe on. He says that Vince will never make fun of him or get in his face again as he is Ric Flair and Vince is not, and he pulls the wig off of Vince and demands he take the robe off or he will kick his ass all over Manhattan. Vince goes to take the robe off only to pull out a lead pipe and he hits Flair in the head with it as he throws the robe down and stomps on it repeatedly, and we see Flair is busted open as Vince holds him up and parades him around the ring before throwing him to the outside. Vince goes outside and stomps on Flair as he rams him into the steps and kicks at him before ramming him into the post, and he pounds on Flair and throws him back into the ring as he heads to the back.
 
Commercial break
 
1. Rob Van Dam pins Test with the 5-Star Frog Splash at 3:44.
 
Analysis: We kick off this edition of RAW with a pretty interesting matchup. RVD has been cruising in the midcard and looks to get a win here over Test, who was cruising in the midcard as well and looks to get a win here. RVD gets a big pop from the crowd while Test was pretty hot as a heel. The two men lock up to start with Test getting a knee in and he pounds on RVD who flips over his back and ducks a shot, and he hits a spin kick on Test for a two count and pounds on him as he ducks a shot though Test blocks a spin kick with a powerbomb. He pounds on RVD on the mat and whips him into the corner as he splashes him and whips him into the other corner before splashing him again, and he throws him to the mat for a two count and hooks a submission on as RVD fights to his feet only for Test to get a shot in. RVD escapes a suplex attempt and hits a dropkick to the knee as he kicks at Test and pounds on him before hitting a springboard kick, and Test counters a whip with a knee and RVD escapes a pump handle powerslam attempt as he catches a kick attempt and hits a spin kick. He goes up top only for Test to shove the ref into the ropes as RVD gets crotched on the top rope and falls to the mat, and he goes for a pin and uses the ropes for leverage for a two count as he argues with the ref and they exchange shoves. RVD hooks a rollup for a two count and Test hits a clothesline as he looks for the big boot though RVD ducks and hits another spin kick, and Test rolls outside and brings a chair into the ring as the ref tries to take it from him and Test slings him to the mat. RVD hits the Van Daminator which drives the chair into Test’s face and he goes up top as he hits the 5-Star Frog Splash which gets the three and he wins the match. The match itself was decent as both men worked hard and put on a basic match. Both men were hitting their groove and had good chemistry as Test’s issues with the refs continues and it ends up costing him. The crowd was into the match and popped for RVD when he won. RVD gets the win over Test and both men move on. Grade: 1.5
 
Jonathan Coachman is in the parking lot as he says he is awaiting the arrival of Triple H until Kurt Angle comes up to him, and says that you would think Triple H got a key to the city and he should be the one interviewed as he has a big announcement to make though he will wait for Triple H to get here to prove this is his night.
 
Commercial break
 
We see a shot outside WWF New York and we go inside where Trish Stratus is as she says that there’s no better place to be, but then Terri Runnels comes out on the stage and says that it’s a thrill to be the new and better host of WWF Excess. Stratus asks why she’s here and Runnels says that Stratus looks pathetic as Women’s Champion as she doesn’t measure up to her, and she says that she’s better looking than Stratus and more athletic than her as she wants to challenge her. Stratus asks what kind of challenge she has like a Bra and Panties match or a Lingerie match or a mud wrestling match, and she says that she’s delivered in every challenge and Runnels says that they can have a wet T-Shirt contest as Stratus says she’s on.
 
2. “The One” Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo defeat Scotty 2 Hotty and Albert when Billy pins Scotty at 3:43.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is our first tag match of the night. Scotty and Albert have been cruising in the tag division and look to get a win here over Billy and Chuck, who were gaining steam as a team and look to get another win here. Scotty and Albert get a good pop from the crowd while Billy and Chuck had decent heat as heels. Albert starts off the match with Billy and they lock up with Billy hooking a headlock as Albert hoists Billy up and tosses him into the corner, and Billy gets a kick in and pounds on Albert in the corner as he stomps on him only for Albert to counter a whip with a clothesline. He knocks Chuck down and whips him into Billy in the corner as he splashes both men and Chuck falls to the mat with Billy hitting a falling headbutt to Chuck’s groin, and Scotty tags in and pounds on Chuck who reverses a whip as both men block a hiptoss. Scotty gets a shot in and flips over Chuck as he ducks a shot and hits a neckbreaker for a two count before pounding on him, and Chuck reverses a whip and Billy gets a shot in from the apron as Scotty knocks him down and Chuck hits a clothesline on Scotty. He stomps on Scotty repeatedly and pounds on him in the corner as he hoists him onto his shoulder only for Scotty to slide off and he sends Chuck into the corner, and he ducks a shot and gets a kick in as he hits a DDT on Chuck and Albert gets the hot tag. He fires up on Billy and Chuck as he hits a powerslam on Billy for a two count before avoiding an elbow from Chuck who hits Billy by mistake, and Albert knocks Chuck down and whips Billy into the corner as he splashes him and tags Scotty. Billy avoids the bulldog and holds Scotty from behind only for Scotty to avoid a shot from Chuck who hits Billy again by mistake, and Albert hits the pump kick on Chuck and Scotty hits the bulldog on Billy as he does the Worm and drops an elbow on Billy for a two count as Chuck pulls Scotty to the outside. He rolls back into the ring and hits the Jungle Kick on Albert as Scotty gets on the apron and nails Chuck before getting a shoulder in, and he flips over Chuck’s back and ducks a shot as Billy gets a kick in and hits the Fameasser which gets the three and he wins the match for his team. The match itself was decent as both teams worked hard and put on a basic tag match. Both teams were gelling well as teams and they had good chemistry here as Billy and Chuck get the win. The crowd was into the match and Scotty and Albert, but are not happy when Billy and Chuck win. Billy and Chuck get the win over Scotty and Albert as both teams move on. Grade: 1.5
 
Commercial break
 
We see a shot outside Madison Square Garden.
 
Sharmell interviews Chris Jericho, who says that it was gratifying seeing Vince McMahon leave Ric Flair in a pool of his own blood as Flair gave Rock the chance to be Number One Contender, and he says that he will beat Rock for the 5th time at the Rumble and Flair wants to see him get the Stinkface tonight from Rikishi. He says that he has a picture perfect face which has never been touched and despite everyone’s prayers, they will be disappointed tonight.
 
Michael Cole interviews Steve Austin, who says that he has three things to talk about which are he saw Triple H backstage and he knows that Triple H almost had his career ended, and he says that he won’t wish him good luck as he can’t wait to face him and he also wants to say that he is entering the Royal Rumble. He says that it is the match where you throw someone over the top rope which he will do and go onto WrestleMania, and he says that the third thing was tonight he is teaming with Rock as they will open up a can of whoop ass on Booker T and the Big Bossman. He says that he won’t let those two run over his good name and he will whip their asses which is the bottom line because he said so.
 
Commercial break
 
3. Edge pins Lance Storm with the Edgecution at 1:10 to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is our first title match of the night. Edge has been rolling as IC Champion and looks to have a successful defense here against Storm, who was cruising in the midcard and looks to become champion again. Edge gets a good pop from the crowd while Storm was pretty hot as a heel. The two men lock up to start with Storm going behind Edge and he pounds on him as he whips him into the corner, and he splashes Edge and throws him to the mat as he goes out to the apron and attempts a springboard only for Edge to catch him with a dropkick. He ducks a shot and hits a back elbow on Storm before hitting a clothesline and a backdrop as he gets a kick in, but Storm escapes an Edgecution and Edge catches a kick attempt as he blocks a rollup attempt for a two count and Storm rolls through before hooking the single-leg Boston crab on. Edge reaches the rope to force a break and Storm pounds on him as Edge hits a pair of back elbows and Storm goes for the leg again, but Edge escapes and hits the Edgecution on Storm which gets the three and he retains the title. The match itself was decent as both men did what they could for the 70 seconds they got and put on a quick title match. The crowd was into the match and popped for Edge when he won. Edge retains the title quickly over Storm and both men move on. Grade: .5
 
After the match, Edge heads to the back until William Regal nails him from behind and he stomps on him repeatedly, and he pounds on him before putting on the brass knuckles and he hits Edge in the face with them before heading to the back as officials help Edge to the back.
 
Commercial break
 
We see Kurt Angle and Christian backstage as Angle asks what the big deal is with Triple H returning and Christian says he doesn’t see it, and Angle says that he saved the WWF at Survivor Series and brings joy to children everyday as he asks where Triple H was during the Invasion.
 
4. Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock defeat Booker T and the Big Bossman when Austin pins Bossman at 8:21.
 
Analysis: Our next match on the card is our second tag match of the night. Booker and Bossman had beaten down Austin and Rock the previous week on Smackdown and now Austin and Rock come here looking for revenge. Austin and Rock get a huge pop from the crowd while Booker and Bossman were pretty hot as heels. Both teams waste no time and brawl on the floor to start the match as Austin throws Bossman into the ring and hits the Lou Thesz press before pounding on Bossman on the mat, and he drops an elbow on Bossman and pounds on him as he clotheslines him over the top to the floor. Rock throws Booker into the ring and Austin pounds on him as Booker hooks a headlock and knocks Austin down, and he ducks a shot only for Austin to hoist Booker up and hotshot him on the top rope as Rock rams Bossman into the announce table. Austin drops an elbow on Booker and pounds on him in the corner until Booker comes out with an atomic drop, but Austin no-sells it and hits a clothesline on Booker as he throws him over the top to the floor while Rock throws Bossman back into the ring. Austin pounds on Bossman in the corner and stomps on him repeatedly until Bossman rakes the eyes and Austin reverses a whip, and he hits a clothesline on Bossman and tags Rock who pounds on Bossman and ducks a shot as he hits a flying clothesline for a two count. Bossman reverses a whip into the corner and splashes Rock as he pounds on him and tags Booker only for Rock to hit a clothesline, and Booker reverses a whip and Rock catches him ducking by slamming his head into the mat as he pounds on him. Booker reverses a whip and Bossman pulls the top rope down as Rock tumbles over the top to the floor and Bossman jabs him in the ribs with the nightstick, and Booker goes outside and pounds on Rock as he throws him back into the ring and kicks at him repeatedly before getting a shot in on Austin. Rock ducks a shot and pounds on Booker who counters a whip though Rock ducks a side kick and Booker pounds on him, and Rock reverses a whip and hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Booker as he knocks Bossman to the floor and hits a spinebuster on Booker. He looks for the People’s Elbow only for Bossman to trip him up from the floor and Booker hits the Bookend on Rock, and Austin comes in and knocks Bossman off the apron to the floor as he hits a spinebuster on Booker and stomps on him before going out to the apron. Bossman tags in and hits a kneelift on Rock as he pounds on him in the corner and whips him into the other corner, and he drapes Rock on the top rope and hits a series of headbutts to the ribs as Rock battles back only for Bossman to reverse a whip and he hits a clothesline for a two count. Booker tags in and hits a side kick on Rock for a two count as Austin breaks it up and Booker pounds on Rock in the corner, but Rock battles back on Booker in the corner until Booker counters a whip by getting a knee in though he misses the scissors kick. Rock gets a kick in and hits a DDT on Booker as Austin gets the hot tag and he hits a pair of clotheslines on Bossman and Booker, and he hits a backdrop on Bossman and then he hits another clothesline on Booker before hitting a spinebuster on Bossman. He ducks a side kick and knocks Booker into the corner as he stomps on Bossman repeatedly in the other corner, but Booker nails Austin from behind only for Rock to pound on him and he knocks Booker over the top to the floor. Bossman grabs the nightstick only for Austin to duck a shot and he gets a kick in before hitting the Stunner which gets the three and he wins the match for his team. The match itself was pretty good as both teams worked hard and put on a solid tag match. Rock and Austin looked decent as a team as did Booker and Bossman, and they had good chemistry as Austin and Rock get the win to get some revenge. The crowd was into the match and popped for Austin and Rock when they won. Austin and Rock get the win over Booker and Bossman as both teams move on. Grade: 2.5
 
We see Chris Jericho admiring himself in the mirror.
 
Commercial break
 
5. Chris Jericho pins Rikishi with a belt shot at 4:27.
 
Analysis: Our last match before the main event is a pretty interesting matchup. Rikishi has been cruising in the midcard and looks to get a huge win here over Jericho, who was rolling as Undisputed Champion and looks to get a win here. Rikishi gets a good pop from the crowd while Jericho was red hot as a heel. Rikishi wastes no time and pounds on Jericho to start the match as he whips him into the corner and splashes him, and he whips Jericho into the other corner and splashes him again though the ref Nick Patrick keeps him from doing the Stinkface. Jericho rolls outside to regroup and Rikishi goes outside as well as he pounds on Jericho and rams him into the announce table, and he hoists Jericho onto his shoulder only for Jericho to slide off as he sends Rikishi into the post and catches him with a back elbow. He pulls the padding off the barricade and sends Rikishi into it as he throws him back into the ring and goes up top, and he hits a missile dropkick on Rikishi for a two count and kicks at him twice as he pounds on him only for Rikishi to knock him down. He catches Jericho with a back elbow only to miss a legdrop and Jericho hits a running bulldog though he lands on his feet on a Lionsault attempt, and Rikishi hits a clothesline and a spinebuster on Jericho as he slingshots him into the corner and then he whips Jericho into the other corner. He hits a Samoan drop and a legdrop on Jericho as he drags him to the corner though Patrick prevents him from going up to the middle rope, and he shoves Patrick away and goes up to the middle rope only to miss the Banzai Drop as Jericho rolls outside and grabs one of the belts. He rolls back into the ring only for Rikishi to duck the swing and he hits a superkick on Jericho who falls into Patrick in the corner, and Jericho rolls outside as Rikishi gives Patrick the Stinkface only for Jericho to hit Rikishi in the head with the belt which gets the three and he wins the match. The match itself was decent as both men worked hard and put on a decent match. Jericho was hitting his stride by this point while Rikishi was getting back into a groove, and they had good chemistry as Jericho steals the win. The crowd was into the match and Rikishi, but are not happy when Jericho wins. Jericho gets the win over Rikishi and both men move on. Grade: 1.5
 
Commercial break
 
We see the Big Show, Tajiri, and Torrie Wilson in the locker room talking about Triple H’s return as Show says Triple H sets the bar for everyone in the company, but then Kurt Angle comes in and says that everyone is acting like teenagers in regards to Triple H and he’s the only one that remembers Triple H made everyone’s life miserable.
 
We see Spike Dudley warming up backstage as the Dudley Boyz come up to him and he shoves D-Von away, and then Tazz comes up to them and says that the Dudleyz have held the belts so many times yet still have massive chips on their shoulders. D-Von says that Tazz should try to knock them off and Bubba says they’re too small to do so as Tazz forgot where he came from, and Tazz says that he will bring them to where they come from and they will take the tag titles from them.
 
Commercial break
 
6. Tazz and Spike Dudley defeat the Dudley Boyz (w/ Stacy Keibler) in a Hardcore match when Spike pins Bubba at 3:45 to win the WWF Tag Team Championships.
 
Analysis: After a fairly quick and interesting night of wrestling, we come to our main event. These two teams have traded wins over the last week and now they face off here with the titles on the line. Tazz and Spike get a good pop from the crowd while the Dudleyz were pretty hot as heels. The two teams waste no time and brawl on the ramp to start the match with Bubba throwing Spike into the ring, and he pulls Spike back out of the ring as D-Von throws Tazz into the ring and pounds on him while Bubba whips Spike into the steps. D-Von hits a jumping back elbow on Tazz and stomps him to the outside as Bubba throws various weapons into the ring, and he hits Tazz in the head with a trash can lid as D-Von pounds on him while Bubba whips Spike hard into the corner. He grabs a fire extinguisher only for Spike to get a shot in and he attempts a sunset flip though Bubba blocks it by spraying him in the face with the extinguisher, and D-Von throws Tazz back into the ring and Bubba kicks at him as he hits him in the back with a STOP sign. He pounds on Tazz and hits him in the head with the lid before hitting a slam as he holds his legs up, and D-Von goes up top and hits the diving headbutt to Tazz’ groin as Bubba whispers something to D-Von who goes outside. He pulls a table out and slides it into the ring as they set it up until Spike rolls back into the ring and hits a headbutt to Bubba’s ribs, and he ducks a shot and kicks at D-Von before hitting the Dudley Dog though Bubba pulls the table away in time. Tazz gets in the ring and Bubba catches him with a back elbow only for Spike to hit him in the head with the STOP sign, and Tazz hooks the Tazzmission on D-Von as Spike attempts the Dudley Dog on Bubba who throws him off though Tazz pulls the table away. He hits a clothesline on Bubba and sets the table up as Keibler gets on the apron and teases Tazz who avoids a shot from Bubba, and Bubba gets distracted by Keibler and Tazz hits a modified suplex onto the table though it doesn’t break. Tazz sets the table back up and Spike hits the Dudley Dog on Bubba which puts him through the table as he gets the three and we have new champions. The match itself was decent as the Dudleyz pretty much dominated the whole match until Tazz and Spike get the upset win and become unlikely champions. The crowd was into the match and popped for Tazz and Spike when they won. Spike and Tazz get the win over the Dudleyz and are the new tag champions, but this issue isn’t over yet. Grade: 1.5
 
We see Trish Stratus getting ready backstage.
 
Commercial break
 
We see an ad for the Royal Rumble.
 
The Undertaker says that tonight is the big night and the hype has been off the charts for Triple H’s return and the 8 months of rehab, and he says the people go crazy when they hear his name and Triple H thinks the fans respect him. He says that the fans don’t respect people like him and Triple H as they just want their blood and pain, and he says that the fans want Triple H to get hurt again though he doesn’t want to bring him down and to enjoy his night back. He says that he doesn’t want Triple H to forget who runs the yard and when he wins the Royal Rumble, he will be the only dog standing in the ring.
 
Jerry Lawler is in the ring as he says that he’s fantasized for months about this and seeing these girls in wet T-Shirts is the best, and he brings out Terri Runnels first as she comes down to the ring and then he brings out Trish Stratus who comes down to the ring. He says that the rules of the contest are that the fans will be the judges and he will soak both women down with the fans deciding who is the best, and he has Runnels go first as she takes her robe off and Lawler douses her with water from his water gun. Stratus then steps up and goes to take her jacket off only for Jazz to come out from under the ring and she nails Stratus from behind, and she hits a stiff DDT on Stratus and stomps on her repeatedly as she pounds on her on the mat until Lawler pulls her off. He checks on Stratus as Jazz hits a dropkick on him and he stalks her until she rolls out of the ring and heads to the back.
 
Commercial break
 
Final Fantasy X Royal Rumble Replay: Drew Carey entering the Royal Rumble last year
 
We see a shot outside Madison Square Garden.
 
Triple H comes down to the ring to a huge pop and says that in case everyone has forgotten, he will tell them who he is as he is the Game and he is back, and he says that he is the guy that is officially entering the Royal Rumble as Kurt Angle comes down to the ring. He asks who the hell Triple H thinks he is as a quad injury kept him out for 8 months while he won a gold medal with a broken neck, and he says that Triple H has come back for his big return though if anyone deserves this time, it’s him and Triple H is on his time. He says that he’s glad Triple H is here to hear his announcement which is bigger than Triple H’s return, and he says that the announcement is that he is also entering the Royal Rumble which will be his first ever. He says that he didn’t enter last year because he was too busy pinning Triple H to the mat and Triple H hits a spear on Angle, and he pounds on him on the mat and stomps on him repeatedly in the corner as he hits a clothesline only for Angle to catch him ducking with a kick. He hits a German suplex on Triple H and celebrates only for Triple H to take him to the mat with a choke, and then he gets a kick in and hits the Pedigree on Angle before heading to the back as we go off the air.
 
1/12 Jakked taping:
 
1. The Hurricane pins Funaki at 4:55.
2. Crash Holly pins Prince Nana at 4:13.
3. Perry Saturn forces John Jirus to tap out at 4:56.
4. Christian pins Low-Ki at 3:24.
 
Final Analysis: Overall, the first RAW of 2002 was a really memorable episode that featured a huge return and continue the build to the Rumble. After closing out 2001 on a pretty strong note, 2002 is already off with a bang and being in Madison Square Garden was a big plus with that as the crowd was hot the whole night. We did have two title matches as Spike and Tazz now rule the tag division and Edge retains his title while RVD, Billy, Chuck, Austin, Rock, and Jericho get big wins, and in terms of the matches they were pretty standard as it was all about Triple H’s return at the end. As mentioned, 2001 ended on a very strong note as we continue the build to the Rumble, we will see if 2002 can keep the momentum going. As for this show, it is a very good show with a memorable moment to kick off what will be an interesting 2002. Final Grade: B