Re: WWE 2004: Road to WrestleMania XX
WWE Raw Draft Lottery Show
July 12, 2004
Raw opens with Raw superstars in their locker rooms and the Smackdown superstars in their locker rooms. They are wondering just like how we all are which one of them could be drafted. Tonight is the 2004 WWE Draft Lottery, where lives could be altered, superstars finding new homes, and the very foundation of the WWE will be rocked to its very core.
The cameras then turn to the back and Vince McMahon is standing by Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman. Vince McMahon then goes over the rules of the draft lottery. There will be a tumbler beside Eric Bischoff and a tumbler besides Heyman. There will be a total of 12 picks altogether, each brand will receive 6 picks. If someone is not here then they are still part of the draft, everyone is eligible. Bischoff asks what if someone isn’t here do they still count? Vince says you mean like Big Show, Kane, Christian, Shelton Benjamin. He makes himself clear, it doesn’t matter if they’re not here, EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE. He wants Bischoff and Heyman to clearly understand that once a pick is made tonight, it’s final. Heyman asks about the rule of a champion getting drafted because he plans on stripping them of the belt. Vince tells him that won’t happen. If a champion gets drafted then they will be taking the belt with them but if one member of the tag team champions gets drafted then yes Heyman can strip them of the belt. At the conclusion of the draft, the two GMs would then be allowed to trade anyone on the roster that was not included in the draft. Bischoff will be allowed to trade 3 Raw stars for 3 Smackdown stars, and the same rule applies for Paul Heyman. For example if Coach is the first draft pick, then he will not be eligible for the trade so Bischoff will not be able to trade him back.
Heyman and Bischoff agree to the rules and Vince tells them both to shake hands. They refuse to shake hands and Vince orders them to shake hands. They shake hands. Vince then flips a coin to decide who will pick first. Heyman wins the toss and he will receive the first pick. The draft lottery will begin after our first match. Vince then says he forgot to tell them that he promised Eugene that if he won his match tonight then he would allow him to pick a name from the tumbler. Bischoff was furious but Heyman laughed at the idea and said it’s not like Eugene’s going to win. Vince gets pissed off and scolds Heyman for laughing at his idea so Vince changes his mind and says If Eugene wins tonight then he will make a pick for Paul Heyman. Heyman was shocked and pleaded with Vince to change his mind. Vince then wishes them good luck and he will see them out there later on in the ring for their match. Bischoff and Heyman stare at each other as The Raw intro begins.
Match 1
8 Man Tag: Evolution vs John Cena, RVD, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker
The Raw and Smackdown announcers welcome the fans to the show as tonight will be a special 3 hour draft lottery show. Evolution’s music hits as they make their way down to ringside. John Cena then comes out and cuts a rap promo on Evolution, taking shots at all members of Evolution. He waits outside the ring and then RVD comes down followed by Rey Mysterio. Then the lights go out and then The Undertaker makes his entrance. The bell rings and Randy Orton starts off with RVD. Orton became Intercontinental Champion back in December when he defeated RVD for the title and Orton is still champion. They lock up and Orton gets the upper hand at the start but RVD comes back by knocking Orton down with a spinning heel kick. RVD sends Orton into the turnbuckle and delivers a monkey flip and follows up with the rolling thunder. He goes for the pin and gets a 2 count. He tags in Cena and here we go Orton vs Cena. Cena sends Orton into the ropes and a diving shoulder block by Cena. Orton reverses a whip and catches Cena with an elbow to the face. Orton hits his inverted headlock backbreaker and gets a 2 count. He tags in Batista. Batista hits a couple of clotheslines. He whips Cena into the turnbuckle and runs into a boot. Cena goes to the top and hits a guillotine legdrop across the neck of Batista and gets a 2 count. He tags in Rey Mysterio. Mysterio bounces off the ropes and hits a dropkick on Batista. Mysterio then bounces off the ropes and goes for a crossbody but Batista catches him and slams him down. Batista then begins to hammer away at Rey with lefts and rights. He tags in HHH. HHH delivers a suplex and gets a 2 count. Evolution then begin to exchange tags and wear down Mysterio. Flair is now in and chops away at Rey. Flair tries going to the top rope but Mysterio gets to the top and knocks Flair down with the legscissors. Both men are down and Flair tags Orton. Mysterio makes the hot tag to The Undertaker Orton wants no part of The Undertaker and bails out of the ring. Taker follows, Orton gets back in and Taker is now back in and Orton stomps away at Taker. Orton sends Taker into the ropes and misses a clothesline and Taker bounces off the ropes and hits a flying clothesline on Orton. Orton goes to his corner and tags in Batista.
Batista starts flexing his muscles and goes for a right hand, Taker blocks and hits Batista with a right hand. They exchange rights and lefts until HHH gets a cheapshot on The Undertaker allowing Batista to take control. Spinebuster by Batista and he gets a 2 count. He tries ramming Taker’s head into the turnbuckle but it has no effect on Taker so Taker throws Batista into the corner and hits him with lefts and rights. He then hits old school on Batista. Taker tags Mysterio in. Mysterio takes Batista down with a hurracanrana and follows up with a running reverse tornado DDT. Orton gets a cheapshot on Mysterio and Batista tags in HHH. HHH works over Mysterio in the corner with all Evolution members taking shots at Mysterio. HHH delivers a high knee and gets a 2 count. He tags in Orton. Orton delivers a European uppercut. He goes to the top rope and hits a flying crossbody and Mysterio rolls through and gets a 2 count. Springboard Arabian press by Mysterio and Orton kicks out at 2 ½. Mysterio then hits the 619 and goes for the west coast pop and he hits it. 1..2.. and HHH breaks it up. Orton tags Flair in. Flair work on Mysterio’s leg and goes for a figure four. Cena comes in for the save to break the hold. Flair then sends Rey into the ropes and Rey delivers a springboard crossbody and gets a 2 count. Tag made to Cena. Cena then hits the five knuckle shuffle on Flair for a 2 count. Flair tags Orton in. Orton and Cena go at it exchanging lefts and rights, Cena whips him off the ropes and hits a diving shoulder tackle. Cena sets up for the F-U and Orton slips out and hits a neckbreaker for a 2 count. The match goes back and forth with Evolution taking control for most of the match until Mysterio makes a comeback against Batista. He sets up for the 619 but Orton clotheslines Rey. Cena runs in and starts brawling with Orton. Now all 8 men in the ring going at it and now the action spills to the floor. Batista sends Rey back in and Rey ducks a clothesline and sends Batista into the ropes. Here we go 619 from Rey.
Rey then sets up for the west coast pop but Batista counters the springboard hurracanrana into the Batista Bomb. 1..2..3. He got him. Evolution win.
Result: Winners Evolution
Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman make their first picks
Lilian Garcia first introduces The Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff as he heads over to the podium. She then introduces The Smackdown General Manager Paul Heyman as he heads over to his podium. Bischoff introduces himself to the fans and gets booed. He vows to humiliate Paul Heyman tonight, not only will he raid his Smackdown stars just like he raided his ECW stars, he’s going to beat him in the ring tonight. Smackdown GM Paul Heyman introduces himself to the fans who boo him heavily and Heyman talks trash about the audience. Heyman says he may be in bad shape but he’s more of a man than Bischoff is. If Rhyno remains on Smackdown then he will deal with him on Smackdown. Bischoff cuts him off and tells him to stop boring the audience and get along with the first pick. Heyman then tells Bischoff that it’s now time for Smackdown to take away a star from Raw. Eric looks concerned. Heyman picks out a ball from the tumbler, opens it up and starts smiling and tells Bischoff that he’s breaking up a group on Raw. This causes some major concern in the locker room. We see a split screen of the Raw locker room and Heyman about to announce his first pick.
Smackdown’s 1st pick is Rene Dupree.
Wow what a pick for Smackdown, the youngest star in the WWE, Rene Dupree is now a Smackdown star. Evolution are relieved but Sylvan and Conway are stunned. Dupree says au revoir to his La Resistance team mates and comes out to the stage. He shakes Heyman’s hand and pulls on a Smackdown t-shirt. Rene takes the mic and the fans boo him and he tells them to shut up and some some respect. While he enjoyed his time here on Raw, this is now his time to shine on Smackdown the land of opportunity. Dupree vows to become a major star on Smackdown. He does the French tickler and leaves. Heyman gloats about his draft pick and tells Bischoff that payback will be a bitch because just like Bischoff once raided his top stars in ECW, he’s going to raid Bischoff’s top Raw stars.
It’s now time for Eric Bischoff to make his pick. Bischoff tells Heyman that his pick will top anything Smackdown gets. He has a big smile on his face and tells Heyman that Raw has started off with a bang and what a draft pick this is. He is the future of the WWE.
Raw’s 1st pick is Edge.
Heyman can’t believe it. He doesn’t like this at all and Edge taunts Kurt Angle in the locker room and Kurt is held back by some superstars. Edge says I’ll see you in the ring tonight. Edge is pleased not to be on the same brand as his rival Kurt Angle so tonight’s match between Edge and Kurt Angle will be a Raw vs Smackdown match. Edge comes out on the stage to huge heat as Heyman looks on disappointed. Edge shakes Bischoff’s hand and starts talking about his time on Smackdown and promises to become a huge star on Raw and he will achieve his goal here by becoming the world heavyweight champion. Edge leaves.
Backstage Evolution are celebrating their win and then they are getting worried especially knowing that one of them could be drafted over to Smackdown. Whatever happens in the draft, they will still be a unit and that even if one of them gets drafted, they will stick together. They enter the locker room and several stars boo them. Mr McMahon then enters the locker room and informs the Raw stars that he just spoke to the Smackdown stars. If anyone is unhappy with their current position on their brand, well if they don’t get drafted then they can request to be traded. Finally if he finds out about any trouble in the locker room then there will be serious fines and suspensions. So this means Regal/HHH and several other rivals can not cause any trouble tonight in the locker room. Vince then leaves.
It is now time for the GMs to make their next picks. Before they make their picks Heyman and Bischoff take pot shots at one another talking about just who is the better GM out of the 2 of them and how they have basically made their shows what it is today. Heyman then says he hopes that he takes away one of Bischoff’s superstars like Benoit, Orton, Jericho, HHH, The Rock, or even Shawn Michaels for that matter while Bischoff is saying how he hopes to draft either Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, JBL, Rey Mysterio, or hell he will even take Dawn Marie on for size. Heyman then says if he drafts Coach, he will personally make Coach his slave. Then they get to talking about their match with Heyman saying the reason why he's still wearing the neck brace is because he isn't fully healed especially after what Rhyno did to him but that he will still kick Bischoff's ass no problem. Bischoff responds back and says even with his foot the way it is now, he can still beat Heyman even on one foot. Heyman then makes his second draft pick. Heyman seems pleased here because he says he’s broken up another tag team. The Raw locker room is shown and you can see the tension on the face of the Raw superstars.
The second draft pick for Smackdown is Bubba Ray Dudley.
Bubba and D-Von look at each other, shocked. They hug and Bubba heads to the Smackdown locker room. Heyman laughs and says at this rate, Bischoff may not have a tag team division left but at least Bubba has Spike on Smackdown so that gives Smackdown another tag team.
Bischoff then makes his second pick, he takes out a ball and open it up and starts laughing. He is pleased with his pick. He tells Heyman that he may have lost an ex ECW guy but he just gained a better one. He wished he signed him back in WCW and after what he did on Smackdown this past Thursday, he’s become one of his favourite stars.
Raw’s receives Rhyno.
Rhyno is pleased to move to Raw and starts roaring in the locker room and makes his way out on the stage. Heyman looks stunned. He taunts Heyman and Heyman starts backing away. Rhyno takes his Smackdown shirt and throws it in Heyman’s face and wears the Raw t-shirt. Rhyno leaves and Heyman says in some way he’s glad to get rid of him but now he can’t teach him a lesson for putting his hands on him. He hopes he fails on Raw but Bischoff said that’s not going to happen because he’s appreciates good talent like Rhyno and he’s not going to waste him on Raw.
Match 2
Raw Tag Team Champion vs Smackdown Tag Team Champion
Chris Jericho vs Paul London
Chris Jericho’s music hits as he makes his way down to the ring. Jericho is not in a good mood tonight. Last night he failed to capture the world title in a great match against his tag team partner Chris Benoit. Paul London then comes out without his tag team partner Kidman and manager Dawn Marie. It looks like London wants to do this by himself but he seems pretty confident. Lock up to start, Jericho sends London into the ropes and goes for a backdrop, London lands on his feet and takes Jericho down with a tilt-a-whirl sit out facebuster and gets a 2 count. London then bounces off the ropes and delivers a dropsault. Jericho then reverses an irish whip and knocks London down with an elbow to the face. Jericho backs London into the corner and starts delivering some knife edge chops to London. Jericho is in a foul mood tonight and he’s more than aggressive. He sends London into the ropes and hits a flying forearm. He follows up with a running insiguri and goes for the pin but breaks it up at 2. Jericho goes up top and hits a diving back elbow to the face of London. He then hits a butterfly suplex. Jericho goes for a back suplex, London elbows Jericho to the face and knocks him down with an insiguri. He follows up with a standing moonsault and gets a 2 count. London then dropkicks Jericho out of the ring and follows up with a diving somersault plancha. This youngster really surprising Jericho here. He sends Jericho back in and delivers a flipping senton and gets a 2 count. London whips Jericho into the ropes but Jericho counters with a spinning heel kick. He waits for London to get up and drops him with a release german suplex. He then follows up with a clothesline sending London over the top rope. London back in on the apron and Jericho knocks him back down with a springboard drop kick. Jericho then sends London back in. Jericho whips him face first into the turn buckle, Jericho bounces off the ropes but runs into a superkick by London. That’s gotta be it. 1…2…and Jericho kicks out. Dropsault by London. Here we go London going for the 450 splash, he comes flying through the air and Jericho gets his knees up. Jericho then hits the lionsault and then goes for the walls of Jericho and London submits. Jericho refuses to let go of the hold and finally does. What a match up here. Jericho then leaves. Very impressive performance from Paul London. After the match Bischoff says wow, now there’s a young talent he would love to have on Raw.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Paul Heyman makes his third pick and receives Maven.
Maven is glad to move to Smackdown as he heads over to the Smackdown locker room.
Bischoff makes his next pick and receives Kane.
Paul Heyman says that must be a mistake because Kane was sent for his last ride and hasn’t been seen since The Undertaker gave Kane his last ride. Bischoff then says to Heyman that Mr McMahon said to them that anyone is eligible to be drafted from either brand but that Heyman does have a point, Kane was sent for his last ride and Bischoff then says to Heyman that since he picked Kane, he gets to pick again. Heyman says Bischoff can not do that and that Bischoff drafting Kane is an official pick and that it is his pick, so he should stick with it, he has no choice. Heyman tells Bischoff that Kane is exactly like his brother The Undertaker, you never know when he will rise again. Heyman laughs and Bischoff tells him he can't wait to kick his ass later on because when he does, then maybe by the end of the night Heyman could end up working for him on RAW. Maybe Heyman can be his laundry man or that Heyman can wash Eric Bischoff's car and basically be his slave. Heyman then tells Bischoff not to get too comfortable because Bischoff could get drafted over to Smackdown and if Heyman should pick him, then he promises Bischoff that on Smackdown he will make Bischoff's life a living hell or that he could personally fire Bischoff.
Match 3
Edge vs Kurt Angle
Edge’s music hits as he makes his way down to the ring. Edge was the 1st draft pick for Raw and now this is a Raw vs Smackdown match. Kurt Angle then comes down to the ring. The bell rings and both men are beating the hell out of each other exchanging lefts and rights at the start. Kurt sends Edge into the ropes and hits a clothesline. Edge bails out of the ring. Kurt follows, Edge slides back in and starts putting the boots to Kurt. Edge whips Angle into the turnbuckle but runs into a clothesline by Kurt. Angle goes for the angle slam early but Edge slips out and counters with the Edge-O-Matic for a 2 count. Edge gets a chinlock on Kurt, Kurt gets back to his feet and elbows out of the hold and hits a belly to belly suplex for a 2 count. Kurt then clotheslines Edge over the top rope. They fight outside and Kurt goes for a suplex but Edge blocks and DDTs Angle on the floor. Edge gets back in and Angle just makes it in by 8. Edge then begins to wear down Angle. He mounts him on the top rope for a 10 count punch but Angle counters into an atomic drop and follows up with a clothesline and gets a 2 count. Angle works on Edge’s leg and goes for the ankle lock but Edge rolls through and pins him for a 2 count. Angle gets back up and Edge ducks a clothesline and Edge scores with a back suplex which gets a 2 count. Edge goes for the edgecator but Angle manages to get to the ropes with Edge having to break the hold but Edge has until the count of 5 to break it but Edge breaks it at 4. Then Edge begins to work on Angle's legs and his back by stomping repeatedly on his back and legs trying to soften up Angle. He tries whipping Angle into the turnbuckle but Angle reverses and sends Edge into the turnbuckle.
Angle tries going to the ankle lock but Edge boots Angle in the face and rolls out of the ring. Kurt follows and they brawl outside and Kurt sends Edge back in at 8. Angle back in sends Edge into the ropes and gets a sleeper hold on Edge. Edge counters with a jaw breaker. Edge waits for Angle to get up and mocks Kurt by going for the Angle slam, he goes for it, Kurt slips out and hits a german suplex which gets a 2 count. He goes for another german suplex but Edge elbows Kurt to the face and hits the edgecution. He goes for the pin and Angle kicks out at 2 ½. They go back and forth with several counters and near falls and then Edge goes up to the top rope and delivers a missile dropkick and gets a 2 count. Edge sets up for the spear, he goes for it, Angle side steps Edge and Edge goes into the post. Angle rolls Edge up and gets 2 ½. Kurt pulls the straps down and hits an Angle slam but gets 2 ½. Kurt goes for the ankle lock but Edge is able to get to the ropes. Angle goes up to the top rope but Edge bounces off the ropes to crotch Angle on the ropes as Angle falls to the floor. Edge follows and goes for a suplex, Angle blocks and delivers a suplex while the referee is counting. Angle starts hammering away at Edge and the ref has counted both men out. Edge then low blows Kurt and manages to escape up the ramp. Edge then starts posing and taunts Angle telling him that this is over as he’s now on Raw.
Result: Double Count
It’s now Paul Heyman’s turn to make a selection. He has a grin on his face and says well it’s time to break up another tag team. The Raw locker room is shown and you can see the tension on the face of the Raw superstars especially Evolution and now Bischoff seems concerned. Heyman says well the way how it’s going between them it seems like this star won’t have a problem in breaking up with his partner. Bischoff yells at Heyman and demands to know who it is. Heyman then announces the next pick for Smackdown.
Smackdown receives Chris Jericho.
Chris Jericho is shocked and Trish Stratus is absolutely loving this. She starts waving goodbye at Jericho as he looks at her and then looks at Benoit who is stunned. Bischoff demands that Benoit and Jericho come out to the ring right now because since Jericho has been drafted, he’s going to strip them of the belts. Jericho storms out of the locker room and comes out on the stage. Instead of wearing the Smackdown t-shirt he goes straight to the ring and tells Bischoff he has something important to say.
Jericho and Benoit surrender the tag team titles
Chris Benoit then makes his way down to the ring. Jericho begins to talk about how Vengeance was supposed to be his night, how he was going to walk out the new World Heavyweight Champion but that Benoit just got lucky last night by rolling him up to get the victory. He was going to make history but last night his dream was shattered and now he has to relinquish his tag team title. Benoit is saying that he wants the both of them to at least go off with a high note and that at Vengeance it was every man for himself out there and that had you been in my shoes, you would have done the exact same. Eric Bischoff cuts them off and makes his way down to the ring and demands that they surrender the tag team belts right now. Bischoff tells Benoit as Jericho’s been drafted, this does not mean Benoit can still be tag team champion, he’s not going to even allow him to have a replacement. Infact he will come to a decision on the belts very shortly. Benoit hands over the tag team title to Bischoff. Jericho refuses to hand the belt over and Benoit tells him to hand it over and be a man. Jericho then says to Benoit when he did he become such a poor excuse of a liar because you know as much as I do, I had you beat and I could beat you again but now that I can't, this is something that I've been wanting to do for a long time and this will be my final memory of Raw. Jericho has his belt and he is about to hand it over to Bischoff but then out of nowhere hits Benoit levelling him right in the head with the World Tag Team Championship and then he leaves the ring to boos. Heyman is loving this while Bischoff doesn’t actually care about Benoit but he’s glad to have the tag belts in his hands. Jericho is now on the stage and pulls on a Smackdown t-shirt and leaves to huge heat.
When we return from the break, Bischoff makes an immediate decision on the tag team belts. Next week on Raw we will have an 8 team tag tournament and the 1st round takes place next week. Heyman says this is a ridiculous idea since he’s broken up most of the top teams from Raw. Bischoff says when you break teams, you can always create more teams and says even though he may have lost some teams, his tag division is far more superior than Heyman’s tag division. As for the teams in this tournament they will be announced on wwe.com this week. Heyman tells Bischoff we haven’t got all day so please make the next pick.
Bischoff then makes his next pick and receives Jamie Noble.
Noble celebrates as he heads over to the Raw locker room. Bischoff likes this pick and he’s pleased to steal a cruiserweight from Heyman but tips Noble for bigger success on Raw.
A run down of the draft picks so far is shown:
Raw
Edge
Rhyno
Kane
Jamie Noble
Smackdown
Rene Dupree
Bubba Ray
Maven
Chris Jericho
Match 4
Eugene vs Matt Hardy
Eugene comes down with William Regal. He meets Bischoff on the stage and hugs him. Regal is still banged up from last night and that’s why he’s not competing tonight but he’s there to cheer Eugene on. Bischoff tells Eugene that he better not let him down. Eugene heads to the ring. Matt Hardy comes down. Lots of trash talking from Hardy at the start and the bell rings. They lock up and Hardy gets a wrist lock on Eugene, Eugene counters. Hardy elbows Eugene to the face and knocks him down with a clothesline. Hardy does his v1 taunt. They lock up again and Hardy whips Eugene off the ropes and goes for a hiptoss, Eugene lands on his feet, pokes Hardy in the eye and delivers a dropkick. Hardy gets back up and Eugene gets a hiptoss on Hardy. Hardy comes charging into Eugene and a nice drop toehold by Eugene. Eugene starts clapping. Hardy gets up and hits Eugene with a knee to the gut. Hardy targeting the ribs of Eugene, Eugene is still reeling in pain from last night. Suplex from Hardy. He places Eugene on the ropes and bounces off the ropes and jumps on Eugene’s back and mocks Eugene as Hardy does his v1 sign. Scoop slam by Hardy. He goes up to the top for a legdrop but nobody home as Eugene moves out the way. Eugene hits Hardy with lefts and rights and whips him off the ropes but Hardy drops him with a richochet and gets a 2 count. Hardy lifts Eugene up for his aeroplane spinning neckbreaker, Eugene slips out and lifts Hardy up and does an aeroplane spin of his own and drops Hardy down on the mat and Eugene falls down. Both men down.
Eugene gets up first and Hardy is now up and Eugene runs into a side effect from Hardy and gets a 2 count. Hardy tries ramming Eugene’s head into the turnbuckle but it has no effect on Eugene. Eugene points at Hardy and imitates Hulk Hogan. He hits Hardy with some right hands and whips him off the ropes and lands a big boot to the face of Hardy. Eugene then drops a legdrop and pins Hardy for a 2 count as Hardy gets his foot on the ropes. Eugene then dumps Hardy out of the ring with a clothesline.
Dawn Marie makes her way down and Eugene gets distracted as he can’t take his eyes off Dawn. Regal tells him to focus as Hardy gets back in and hits Eugene with a clothesline. Eugene then reverses an irish whip and delivers a back body drop. Dawn gets on the apron and tries seducing Eugene. Hardy tries to attack Eugene from behind, Regal points at Eugene to watch out, Eugene sidesteps Hardy and Hardy nails Dawn knocking her off the apron. Hardy can’t believe it as he turns around and Eugene hits the stone cold stunner. He pins Hardy for the 3 count. Bischoff is loving this and Heyman can’t believe it. Eugene and Regal celebrate and then on the ramp. Eugene hugs Bischoff. In the ring Hardy is pissed and Dawn gets back in the ring and berates Hardy. Dawn slaps Hardy and Hardy grabs her by the hair and drops her with a twist of fate which gets a big pop and fans start a Hardy chant. Hardy leaves and Val Venis is going berserk in the locker room. On the ramp Heyman berates Hardy and Hardy taunts him by doing his v1 sign.
Eric Bischoff starts laughing at Heyman and tells Eugene to make the next pick for Paul Heyman. Paul Heyman really doesn’t want Eugene to do this and Eugene gets a ball from the tumbler. Bischoff laughs and hopes that it’s someone like Lilian Garcia. Heyman grabs it off Eugene and tries putting the ball back but Bischoff says that counts, he’s not allowed to put it back. Heyman did the same thing to him when he picked Kane so if this ends up being Eugene, Lilian Garcia or Jim Ross he doesn’t give a damn, this counts. Heyman decides to go ahead with the pick. Bischoff starts laughing and Heyman starts laughing so Bischoff stops laughing. Heyman goes over to Eugene and starts hugging him. Bischoff is confused so Heyman says he’s going to let Eugene read out the name.
Smackdown’s 5th pick is HHH.
HHH spits out water from his bottle and he is stunned. Heyman is going nuts because he can't believe it as he is so happy that HHH is on his show. He's literally jumping for joy laughing in a maniacal way as Bischoff can't believe it as he's going nuts saying there's no way and that this can't happen while in the back, the RAW locker room they are cheering singing Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye to HHH while HHH gets even more angrier and has his water bottle as he throws it trying to hit one of the RAW superstars but it ends up hitting a referee. HHH ends up having to be restrained by Flair, Orton, and Batista as they leave with HHH. Bischoff berates Eugene and orders him to leave. Eugene pulls a sad face and Bischoff gets booed. Heyman says thanks Eugene, that’s the only greatest thing he’s done in his career. Bischoff calls for a time out and goes to the back.
Chris Benoit is backstage still angry about what Jericho just did to him but then Eddie Guerrero the WWE Champion comes into the scene as he then tells Benoit that he just saw what happened and that unlike Jericho, he actually wants to face Benoit. He will actually do it like a man and not blind-side Benoit like how Jericho just did. He is so proud of Benoit, both of them are still champions. As for later on tonight when they do face off, that no matter what happens between them, they will still be friends and that they will shake hands in the ring regardless of the outcome
Backstage Bischoff and Heyman are backstage with Vince. Bischoff pleads with Vince to over rule the pick. Vince refuses and says If Bischoff is thinking of trading HHH back to Raw, it’s not going to happen because that’s not part of the rules. Now he wants both the GMs to get back and continue the draft and he will see them out there in the ring later on.
Backstage HHH gets calmed down by Evolution team mates and they wish him the best of luck on Smackdown. They have a group hug.
On stage the GMs are back. Bischoff is pissed off and says he’s not going to let Heyman have the upper hand over him and says whoever the next pick is, will receive an Intercontinental Title shot next week on Raw. He pulls out the name from the tumbler.
Raw receives Tajiri.
The Japaneese Buzzsaw is shocked. He hugs his former team mates Kyo Dai. Bischoff loves this pick because Tajiri sprayed green mist in Heyman’s eyes. Tajiri comes out on the stage looking dejected and unhappily takes a Raw t-shirt from Bischoff. Bischoff says at this rate Heyman may not even have a cruiserweight division. Bischoff is very pleased to have Tajiri on Raw while Heyman is also pleased to get rid of Tajiri. Bischoff promises to utilise Tajiri on Raw. Bischoff bows at Tajiri and Eugene bows back. Bischoff guarantees success for Tajiri on Raw.
Match 5
Booker T vs Charlie Haas
Booker T comes down first and he’s not in a great mood tonight, Tajiri caused a major upset win over Booker this past Thursday on Smackdown. Charlie Haas then comes down to the ring. Lock up and Booker T knees Haas to the gut and sends him into ropes and hits a clothesline. He whips Haas into the turnbuckle and comes charging into Haas, leapfrog by Haas and rolls Booker up for a 2 count. Booker gets up and goes for a right hand, Haas blocks and gets a wrist lock on Booker. Booker catches Haas with a reverse elbow to the face and delivers a vertical suplex and gets a 2 count. He then goes for a chinlock and Haas is able to get up and breaks out of the hold and hits a northern lights suplex and gets 2. Haas then hits a dropkick on Booker and follows up with a suplex. He whips Booker into the turnbuckle and Haas runs into a boot. Booker hits a sidekick on Haas and gets a 2 count. Booker then drops Haas with a spinebuster. Spinaroonie time and here we go Booker showing off by doing the spinaroonie. He brings Haas back to his feet and Booker hits his arm twist kick and gets 2. Booker goes for the scissors kick, Haas ducks and delivers an exploder suplex and Booker kicks out at 2 ½. Haas then hits a german suplex and gets a 2 count. Haas then applies the Haas of Pain on Booker, it is locked in but Booker is near the ropes and gets to the ropes. Haas goes for another german suplex but Booker catches him with an elbow to the face and whips Haas hard into the turnbuckle and then drops Haas with the Book End and pins Haas for the 3 count.
Winner: Booker T
The Rock was shown arriving to the building.
It is now time for the General Managers to make their final picks.
Smackdown’s sixth and final draft pick of the night is Lita.
Eric Bischoff is not happy to lose a diva to Smackdown but in the locker room, Trish taunts Lita and waves goodbye to her and Lita doesn’t seem too happy about her move. Now it’s time for Eric Bischoff to make his final pick. Bischoff picks out the name and says this is very interesting. He tells Heyman well since you took away a huge superstar from Raw, it’s time for Raw to take away a huge superstar from Smackdown.
Raw’s final pick is Kurt Angle.
In the locker room Kurt Angle yells woooo and in the Raw locker room Charlie Haas is pleased with this pick. This is going to be reunion with his former mentor. Edge can not believe it. Edge thought he escaped from Kurt but now he has to deal with Kurt on RAW. Heyman is pissed off and leaves since he has to get ready for his match. Kurt Angle comes out on the stage and gets a mic and sends a message to Edge that Edge tried to run but he can’t hide and now that he’s on Raw, he’s coming after Edge. It’s not over between them, it’s just getting started. Kurt tells Bischoff since he still has unfinished business with Edge, he wants a match with him at SummerSlam. Bischoff tells Kurt you want it, you got it. Kurt’s music hits as he leaves. Bischoff then makes his way to the back.
Backstage Paul Heyman takes off his neck brace and Bubba Ray confronts him. He complains about being drafted to another brand from D-Von and demands that D-Von gets traded to Smackdown. Heyman says that’s also a good suggestion and he will think about it.
Match 6
Chavo Guerrero vs Tajiri
Chavo Guerrero comes out and said since he wasn’t drafted, the cruiserweight belt is still on Smackdown so Raw gets no cruiserweight division. He says he’s better than the Raw stars but since none of them deserve the cruiserweight title, he’s not going to put his title on the line. He issues a challenge to any Raw star in the back. Tajiri’s music hits and Raw’s newest draft pick comes out and accepts Chavo’s challenge. Chavo starts making fun of Tajiri and tells him that he beat him to become champion and he would have no problem in beating him again. Chavo gets a cheapshot on Tajiri and asks the ref to ring the bell. The bell rings and the match begins. Chavo whips Tajiri into the ropes and Tajiri hits him with a handspring elbow. Suplex by Tajiri and gets a 2 count. He sends Chavo into the corner and goes for the tarantula and then breaks the hold. Chavo then reverses a whip and catches Tajiri with a dropkick. Chavo then hits a brainbuster and gets a 2 count. He goes for the gory bomb but Tajiri counters with a flip over DDT. Tajiri then measures Chavo up and blasts him with the buzzsaw kick. Tajiri celebrates as he makes quick work of Chavo. Chavo is up and throws a tantrum, he’s kicking the ropes and gets in Tajiri’s face and Tajiri sprays the green mist in Chavo’s eyes. Tajiri then climbs on the turnbuckle celebrating his win.
Winner: Tajiri
Backstage Teddy Long confronts Eric Bischoff and demands to be traded to Smackdown. Bischoff says he can make Long’s life a living hell on Raw but he simply doesn’t want a whiner and complainer like Long on Raw so he’s going to think about it. Long says you better make the right decision playa.
Up next Shawn Michaels will explain his actions from last night.
Shawn Michaels and The Rock confrontation
HBK’s music hits as Shawn Michaels comes down to a mixed reaction. HBK gets a mic and explains his actions from last night. There is a reason why he cost The Rock the World Heavyweight Championship and that is because he has never liked The Rock. HBK feels that The Rock has not paid his dues as much as HBK has and that The Rock has always tried stealing HBK's spotlight for as long as he could remember. HBK says that he always rises to any occasion while The Rock is nothing more than a cheap imitation of HBK. Michaels says he thrives on being in the spotlight, he thrives on being number one. He goes out there every single night and work’s his ass off while The Rock who comes back, leaves, comes back tries to steal his thunder. HBK is all about stealing the thunder. HBK states that no one and he means no one in this business can touch him. The Rock’s music hits as he comes out to a huge pop. Rock then says finally The Rock has come back to Manchester. The Rock then gets down to the point by talking about how HBK and him have never seen eye to eye and last night Michaels cost him the opportunity of going to SummerSlam to compete for the world title. Rock then talks about the past. He talked about the politics HBK played when Rock was starting up as a rookie. How HBK tried to hold him down because HBK knows that deep down in his heart that he's jealous of The Rock's success. Even the millions….and the millions of Rock’s fans know that HBK is jealous of Rock’s success. The fact that he has done so much in this business in the short time that he's been here in the WWE than HBK has certainly ever done in his career. The Rock says he’s become a greater icon than that of HBK and it eats away at you Shawn, the fact that he is the true People's Champion while HBK is nothing more than a glorified liar who would stab anyone in the back as long as it suited him as HBK only cares about HBK and no one else while The Rock cares about the people. Huge pop from the fans.
Michaels fires back and calls Rock a hypocrite. He brings up the fact that Rock arrived late here and he only cares about himself. Shawn says he has more passion for this business than The Rock. Rock never shows commitment, while HBK goes in there every night and puts on as show like no other. Rock then fires back and says wrestling is in his blood. What HBK has done, The Rock’s done better, he’s taken this company to heights that it’s never seen before. At Vengeance the real reason why HBK cost him the match is because he was about to become World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam and if The Rock had won the title, then HBK knows that he could never beat The Rock and that with Benoit, Rock did something that HBK could never do and that's beat Chris Benoit. Rock says he had that punk ass Randy Orton beat but HBK knows that he can’t beat Orton but The Rock can. Now all Rock cares about is whooping HBK's candy ass and taking HBK down Knock Your Role Boulevard and checking that ass of his straight into the Smackdown Hotel. Michaels says he doesn't feel that he is better than The Rock, he knows he's better than The Rock because there is no bigger icon in this business than The Icon himself, the headliner, the show stopper and the main event. In this business no one can touch him, he’s beaten the very best.
He’s laying down the challenge to Rock at SummerSlam and since it’s in Canada, the country where he put Canada’s hero Bret Hart out of his misery, he’s chosen SummerSlam as the event to send Rocky back to Hollywood.
Rock tells HBK he sees his vision, a dream match come true. Main event, with fans going crazy. It is an electrifying match, quite possibly the greatest match ever. Huge money, two of the greatest athletes of all time. The Rock has done it all but the one thing the Rock hasn’t done is whoop Shawn’s candy ass. Rock accepts Shawn’s challenge and you’re gonna get the jabroni beating, pie eating, trail blazing, eyebrow raising peoples champ The Rock whooping your ass all over Toronto. Michaels says all Rock is good for is running his mouth, he can just talk the talk but he can’t walk the walk. HBK is known for stealing the show and he will steal the show at SummerSlam. He’s put many guys who run their mouth in their place. At SummerSlam, I’m going to kick your teeth down your throat and send you packing to Hollywood. If ya smelllllll what The Heartbreak Kid is cooking. Michaels has a smirk on his face and drops his mic and leaves the ring and taunts Rock. Rock tells HBK to just bring it and at SummerSlam, The Rock is going to do what he does best and that’s to entertain and electrify the millions…and the millions of the Rock’s fans and at SummerSlam HBK, you’re gonna feel the electricity like you’ve never felt before when The Rock lays the Smackdown on your candy ass. IF YA SMELLLLLLLL What The Rock is Cooking. The Rock’s music hits as HBK stares down The Rock from the ramp and what a dream match it is going to be at SummerSlam.
Backstage Lita ran into Matt Hardy and they say hi to each other. Matt asks her how she’s doing, it’s great to see her again, he welcomes her to the Smackdown brand. She says she’s doing fine. Matt then talks about their past and how they used to be a great couple. He’s had his ups and downs with her and he apologises to her for his actions over the past few months. He’s made mistakes but now he regrets this and wants to make it up to her. Maybe it’s time that Matt Hardy and Lita get back together. Lita tells Matt thanks for the kind words but she remembers how Matt treated her last year. Matt wants her to give him another chance. He wants to make things right between them and with Lita by his side she can guide him to the top. Lita says she needs time to think about it because the last time she trusted Matt he broke her trust. Matt asks her can they at least be friends again? He asks for a hug but Lita just looks at him and walks past him. Matt seems disappointed and then says he will always be there for her as she walks off.
Backstage a split screen is shown with Paul Heyman and Bischoff walking through the halls with their lumberjacks. They tell their lumberjacks to protect them and their match is up next.
Match 7
Lumberjack Match
Eric Bischoff vs Paul Heyman
Special Guest Referee: Vince McMahon
Mr McMahon comes out first. He has a tough job on his hands. Paul Heyman then comes down with the Smackdown lumberjacks. Eric Bischoff comes down with the Raw lumberjacks including Coach, Eugene, Regal. Vince rings the bell and here we go Heyman charges right into Bischoff taking him down with both men exchanging lefts and rights. Bischoff knocks Heyman down with a right hand and Heyman gets back up and throws Bischoff to the outside. Bischoff gets attacked by Bubba Ray and he throws him back in the ring. Then Heyman was thrown on the outside Rhyno and Tajiri attacked him and tossed him back in the ring. Bischoff hits a karate chop on Heyman, followed by a karate kick knocking Heyman down as Heyman is now outside the ring surrounded by Raw lumberjacks. Heyman tells the Raw lumberjacks not to touch him. Heyman gets a thumb to the eye of Bischoff and slams him down and goes for an elbow drop and misses. Bischoff whips Heyman hard into the corner. He gets a headlock on Heyman. Heyman then reverses an irish whip and clotheslines Bischoff. He goes for a pin but Coach puts Bischoff’s foot on the ropes. Heyman is furious and goes outside and argues with Coach and the Raw guys throw him back in. This leads to an argument between the lumberjacks and leads to a huge brawl. Vince calls for the bell as this match quickly ends. Vince bolts out of the ring. This is complete chaos as the ring filled up as all the lumberjacks entered and got into a huge brawl. Heyman and Bischoff get out of the ring and Coach gets tossed over the top rope and lands on Bischoff and Heyman. Bischoff, Heyman and Coach get the hell out of there. Suddenly KANE’S music hits as Kane makes his return.
Kane beats up a few guys outside the ring and then gets in the ring and JBL tries attacking Kane but gets chokeslammed. Kane cleans house and demolished everyone leaving them in a pile. Chokeslam after chokeslam. He’s the only guy standing alone in the ring. Kane does his in-ring fire taunt and what a statement he’s made, he is back and the good thing for Kane is that he’s not on the same brand anymore as his brother The Undertaker.
Result: No Contest
Backstage Todd Grisham interviews Trish Stratus. Trish says she doesn't need to explain her actions from last night because Candice got what was coming to her. As for tonight she's very happy for many reasons. 1)Chris Jericho has been drafted to Smackdown. 2)She remains on the same brand as her boyfriend Christian. 3)Lita’s been drafted to Raw. 4)The women’s title is still on Raw so when she returns to action next month she vows to become the women’s champion again.
The announcers recap the draft picks that were made tonight.
To Smackdown: Rene Dupree, Buh Buh Ray, Maven, Chris Jericho, Triple H and Lita
To Raw: Edge, Rhyno, Kane, Jamie Noble, Tajiri and Kurt Angle
Jim Ross informs the fans to check back tomorrow on wwe.com to see which superstars have been traded.
Main Event
Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
The bell rings and the two men shake hands. The match begins with a collar and elbow tie up and both men countering each other's holds until Benoit sends Eddie into the ropes and knocks him down with a reverse elbow. Eddie then reverses a whip and delivers a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and gets a 2 count. Eddie whips Benoit off the ropes and when Eddie tries to hit a German Suplex on Benoit, Benoit comes in from behind Eddie and counters the German Suplex attempt into one of his own as he gives Eddie a German Suplex with a bridge to pin Eddie 1....2...Eddie kicks out at 2. Benoit hits Eddie with some knife edge chops and then whips him off the ropes but Eddie catches Benoit with a hurracanrana and gets a 2 count. Benoit then reverses a whip and sends Eddie into the turnbuckle knocking Eddie down. Benoit tries going for the sharpshooter but Eddie blocks and kicks Benoit into the corner. Benoit comes charging into Eddie who droptoeholds Benoit. Eddie proceeds to lock in the Lasso from El Paso hold as Benoit is fighting it as he's struggling but he is able to break the hold himself without having to get to the ropes and Benoit pulls Eddie Guerrero in as he counters out of the El Paso and reverses it into the Crippler Crossface. Benoit is going for it early as he has it locked in on Eddie who is trying to fight out of it as he is struggling and struggling but ends up rolling on his back countering out of it trying to pin Benoit as the ref makes the pin 1....2...2 1/2 Benoit just gets the shoulder up. Eddie and Benoit are now back on their feet as both men are fighting it out as the fans are loving this but they are split 50-50 as they are chanting Eddie, Eddie as the other half are chanting let's go Benoit as they are exchanging rights and lefts with each other. Eddie misses a right hand and Benoit drops him with a back suplex and gets a 2 count.Benoit then tries to hit a Snap Suplex on Eddie but Eddie knowing what was coming turns the Snap Suplex attempt into the Three Amigos.
Eddie then hits the hilo and gets a 2 count. Eddie then takes Benoit up for a superplex but Benoit knocks Eddie down sending Eddie crashing down to the mat and Benoit hits a diving headbutt on Eddie and gets a 2 count. Benoit whips Eddie into the turnbuckle and comes running at Eddie but Eddie moves out the way as Benoit goes face first into the turnbuckle. Benoit is down on the mat. Eddie sees this as his opportunity to go for the Frog Splash as Eddie then goes up to the top rope and he goes for it but Benoit just rolls out the way just in time as Eddie misses the Frog Splash and eating the canvas as Eddie is now down on the canvas. Benoit then hits a german suplex and follows up with 3 more and goes for a 5th one and gets it. Benoit then goes for the crossface, Eddie desperately trying to make the ropes and he does. Eddie tried to fight the pain and get to the ropes. Benoit goes for another german suplex but Eddie catches Benoit with an elbow to the face and drops him with a DDT. Eddie then tries going up to the top rope again but Benoit gets up and runs up to the top rope taking Eddie down with a superplex with both men down eating canvas as they essentially take themselves out. The ref starts counting as Benoit is the first to revive and then goes over to Eddie and locks in the Sharpshooter on Eddie as Eddie is trying to fight it and fight it and he is about to tap out. Eddie fights out of the Sharpshooter that Benoit has him locked into and Eddie is back on his feet as him and Benoit are fighting it out as Eddie from out of nowhere hits an enzuigiri on Benoit taking him down on to the canvas. Benoit is down on the canvas and Eddie sees this as his opportunity to go for the Frog Splash as he goes up to the top rope and Eddie connects with the Frog Splash as Eddie goes to make the cover 1...2...2 1/2 Benoit just kicked out and Eddie can't believe it.
Eddie brings Benoit back to his feet where Eddie it looks like he's pulled his hamstring is looking like he's injured tries to muster all of his strength to whip Benoit off the ropes but when Benoit is coming in, Benoit is going for a clothesline but Eddie with the same idea is also going for a clothesline as both men when they are coming into each other take each other down to the canvas with a double clothesline. The ref is counting down from 10 as both men look to be out of it as the count begins 1...2...3..4..5 Benoit gets back up and then he is about to get Eddie back on to his feet, Eddie drops back down to the canvas. Eddie looks to be out of it as the ref goes over to check on Eddie, Benoit doesn't know what to do but wait Eddie's eyes are open as he slowly puts his head up, has a smile on his face and puts his finger to his lips and tells the audience to keep quiet as he then he puts his head down back on the mat and pretends being motionless, he's using his lying cheating stealing tactics. Benoit then comes over to try to check on Eddie but it was all a ploy as Eddie suckered Benoit in and rolls him up for an inside cradle to pin him 1...2..3. The match is over, Eddie has done it.
Eddie laughs but Benoit is not amused here but Eddie gets up and tells Benoit not to be like Jericho, and tries telling him he did whatever it took for him to win and he did by outsmarting Benoit. Benoit still down on the mat looking at Eddie, Eddie offers a handshake, Benoit is hesistant at first but decides to shake hands with Eddie. But wait what the hell, it's the WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton and Triple H of Evolution, what are they doing here? They come into the ring to attack Eddie and Benoit but wait it looks like Eddie and Benoit are fighting back as they are taking the fight to Triple H and Orton sending them over the top rope as Triple H and Orton are scurrying up the ramp but not before they stare down Eddie and Benoit. Eddie then extends his hand to Benoit as the 2 friends shake hands and hug in the middle of the ring showing true form of sportsmanship. They then raise their belts in the air and stare down HHH and Orton as Raw comes to a close.
wwe.com
Trade Announcement
WWE.com has learned that RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff and SmackDown General Manager Paul Heyman have agreed on a 8 person deal that will likely have a big impact on both rosters. There were some deals that the GMs could not agree on but they came to an agreement for a deal on the following stars:
RAW brand gets:
Mark Jindrak
The Basham Brothers
Scotty 2 Hotty
Smackdown brand gets:
Theodore Long
Steven Richards
D-Von Dudley
Johnny the Bull Stamboli
The trades are not really major deals, I didn't want to shuffle the rosters around too much with major trade deals. I will post the new rosters soon.