Raw (emanating from Madison Squared Garden in New York City)
A Warning comes up that reads “This program may contain scenes of violence, vulgar language and partial nudity, parental advisory is advised.”
A brand new video for Raw is shown highlighting stars like Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Trish Stratus and Undertaker. The Pyros go off as a cheering crowd awaits the outcome of the first Event since the Draft.
JR: “Ladies and Gentleman welcome to Monday Night Raw!”
King: “I’m so excited JR, we have a new GM, new roster and we will crown a new World Heavyweight Champion tonight! I just want to know how Shane McMahon will handle the vacant tiles.”
JR: “We won’t have to wait long, because here comes Shane O’Mac now.”
“Here comes the Money” is heard as the audience goes crazy for the new GM of Raw. Shane McMahon dances on the ramp for a bit before walking down the aisle towards the ring.
Shane McMahon: “Thank you for the huge ovation and welcome to the best show of sports entertainment, Monday Night Raw! (crowd goes crazy again) You know, it’s been more than a year since I was last seen on television and I missed it out here. My last match was that horrendous ambulance match against Kane back in late 03. But I’ve recovered and decided I’d come back to my father’s company in a more formal position. But enough about me, we have some business to attend to before the action starts. As you all know, I’m not the only one who has returned to the WWE, lots of other people have returned as well, and not just to Raw either, some less talented people have decided to pursue the easy route on Smackdown. Speaking of Smackdown, Eric and I had a little arrangement with the guidance of my father and we’ve decided that since there are still a lot of talent not placed yet, some time during each of our shows we will pick another talent to join our program. Seeing is how Raw airs before Smackdown, this gives me the first pick, which I will make later in the broadcast. Also, there appears to be a lot of naked waists on Raw, meaning that there are no champions. Well I’m here to fix that problem one week at a time. And here on Raw, we are going to fix that problem right away. Tonight, for the pleasure of all the Raw fans around the world, there will be a 20 man over-the-top-rope Battle Royal for the World Heavyweight Championship (huge pop). The contestants will be named seconds before the match, and the participates may compete twice tonight. In other business, we will have a World Tag Team Title match tonight for the vacant titles. The Self Proclaimed World’s Greatest Tag Team (decent pop) will be facing off against the newly re-united Tag Team of Matt and Jeff Hardy (huge pop). In another title match, RVD (good pop) will be going for the Intercontinental Championship against Eddie Guerrero (good pop). In the women’s division, Trish Stratus (huge heat) will be defending against Molly Holly (good heat) and Lita (huge pop) in a triple Threat Match. So sit back and enjoy Raw. Thank you and…”
Shane McMahon is interrupted by “No Chance in Hell” as Vince struts to the ring (huge pop).
Vince: “Well Shane, it looks like I made the right choice in putting you in charge of Raw. I felt that Eric was growing stale of Raw but still a good job, so I put him on Smackdown. I just came here to get you to sign this contract here which prohibits you and all your talent from interfering with Smackdown for the first two months. This contract expires the day after Judgment Day. This is just a formality to make sure we don’t have an all out war between the shows given your history with Eric.”
Shane: “I’ll sign it if you get Eric to sign it, I don’t trust him.”
Vince: “Well don’t worry, I’m here for the duration of the evening doing paperwork and if anyone interferes in a match of yours from Smackdown, that person will be fired on the spot no questions asked. Now if I could get you to sign it, I’ll be on my back to my office.”
Shane signs the contract. Vince and Shane shake hands as it cuts to a commercial break. (12:29 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
JR: “Well King, it looks like Shane McMahon has great plans for Raw and I have no complaints.
King: “Well I have to admit, Shane did do a good job of making matches, the only complaint I have is that Trish won’t be competing in a Bra and Panties match so I could see some Puppies!”
JR: “Is that all you think about…wait don’t answer that. We have Maria standing by, take it away.”
King: “Maria, who is she with?”
Camera goes to Maria who is standing with The Rock
Maria: “Wow Rock, just standing here with you is overwhelming; I just have one question how do you feel about being back on Raw?”
The Rock: “Finally, the Rock has come back to Monday Night Raw. Make no mistake about it, The Rock loved Hollywood, The Rock loved making movies for the Millions…and Millions of the Rock’s fans. But the big screen just isn’t the same as being out there live every week. As far as being back to Raw is concerned, it feels great. The Rock is ready to Lay The Smackdown on Raw’s Candy Ass, If You Smelllllll…what the Rock…is Cookin.” (the rocks music hits as the crowd goes crazy) (20:03 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
JR: “Well King, up next we have a match for the World Tag Team Titles, and although we’ve never experienced Charlie Haas on Raw, we’ve seen Shelton Benjamin in action and he can certainly hold his own against anyone. This match should be interesting.”
King: “Also, the return of Jeff Hardy to Raw will make a very interesting match, assuming both teams play by the rules.”
JR: “Yes and here we go!”
The WGTT come out to a decent pop showing as much energy as they did a year ago at Wrestlemania. The Hardy Boys come out with Lita as if they never missed a day. They all looked great and seemed in perfect unison.
Match 1: WGTT vs. The Hardyz for the World Tag Team Championship.
Match Start: Matt and Charlie start the match off. They exchange side headlocks each showing their speed and agility. The tie up in the middle of the ring and Charlie goes behind with a hammerlock. Matt quickly reaches between his legs and trips Charlie Haas, then dives on his head with a front face lock. Charlie forces Matt to Stand up with him and drop toe holds Matt. Charlie then grabs Matt’s head in a side headlock. Matt stands up and throws Matt against the ropes. Matt ducks down as Charlie jumps over him and arm drags Charlie on the rebound. Charlie, quickly to his feet runs at Matt and is arm dragged again. Charlie, again to his feet quickly, runs at Matt a third time, this time sliding between Matt’s legs and tripping him. Matt kicks Charlie Haas in the face and gets up at the same time as Charlie to a huge pop.
Mid-Match: Jeff and Charlie are in the ring now with Jeff on the top ropes waiting for Charlie to turn around. Charlie turns around to a huge cross body off the top ropes, but Charlie rolls through for a 2 count. Charlie is quickly to his feet only to be dropkicked in the face. Jeff grabs Charlie’s legs, separated them and does a double leg drop to the inside thighs. Charlie rives in pain as Jeff tags in Matt. Jeff picks up Charlie and whips him into the Hardy Corner. Matt gets on his hands and knees as Jeff runs and does the Poetry in Motion. Charlie falls back in the corner sitting down dazed. (31:42 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
Match Finish: Matt and Shelton are in the ring now and have been for a few minutes. Matt is in a neutral corner Shelton Benjamin charges at him fir a Stinger Splash. Matt gets out of the way but Shelton lands on the top rope. Jeff runs along the apron and pushes Shelton off the turnbuckle to the outside barricade. Jeff gets off the apron and throws a hurt Shelton in the ring. Matt covers for a 2 count due to Hass’s interference. As the ref tries to get Charlie Haas out of the ring, the Hardyz drag Shelton to their corner. Matt tags in Jeff and Jeff climbs the turnbuckle. Matt goes for a twist of fate, but is thrown into the turnbuckle head butting Jeff in the groin, causing him to fall off. Shelton throws Matt out of the ring and picks up Jeff. Shelton grabs Jeff for the T-Bone, but Lita gets on the apron. Distracted, Shelton is countered into a small package for two as Lita gets off the apron. Shelton quickly gets up and tries to kick Jeff, but Jeff catches Shelton’s foot and whirls him around, only to get a dragon whip. Shelton covers for a 2 count before Matt interrupts the cover. Charlie Haas gets in the ring now and the ref has lost all control. Haas and Benjamin double team Matt Hardy with a duel super kick which sends Matt out of the ring. Lita is back on the apron as Charlie Haas has Jeff on the top rope by his neck. Lita gets off the apron as Benjamin runs towards her and is tripped by Lita. Jeff flips Haas over the top ropes and skins the cat to get back in the ring. Shelton gets up sort of groggy and looks at Lita. Jeff grabs Shelton’s back and gives him a Russian leg sweep into a Compactor for the three count.
Winner and New World Tag Team Champions: The Hardyz
Camera goes Edge and Christian in their dressing room
Edge: “Well little brother, this could be our big break in winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Maybe with this new General Manager I’ll finally be givin the recognition I deserve.”
Christian: “Yeah Bro, this totally reeks of Awesomeness! Finally all my peeps will get to see their leader, Captain Charisma, with championship gold around my waist.”
Edge: “What do you mean “Captain Charisma with championship gold?” If either of us is winning that Battle Royal, which we are, it’s going to be the winner of the 2001 King of the Ring, Edge.”
Christian: “I’m afraid your confused dear brother, for it will be I, Captain Charisma winning the Battle Royal.”
Edge: “Well, we’ll see in the ring, won’t we?”
Christian: “I guess we will, see in the ring.”
Christian leaves the locker room with Edge smiling. (51: 15 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
JR: “Well, an interesting confrontation between Christian and Edge a few minutes ago, and for all they know, their not even in the Battle Royal.”
King: “I didn’t think of that JR, but can you imagine what it will do to both their ego’s if they’re not in the main event, they’d go crazy.”
JR: “Well one things for sure, they won’t be leaving here with the Intercontinental Championship, but either RVD or Eddie Guerrero will, and here comes RVD now.”
Lillian Garcia introduces RVD as he makes his way to the ring, shaking the hands of his fans until his name is called to which he does the RVD thumbs. Van Dam slides in the ring and hopes ninety degrees four times with his hands in the air until “Viva La Raza” is heard and Eddie Guerrero drives down to ringside in his low-rider, pumping the shocks several times before leaving his car. Guerrero slides in the ring as Lillian leaves and the Bell sounds.
Match Start: Both Rob and Eddie were cautious at the beginning circling around the ring until they tie up in the middle of the ring. Eddie backs RVD in the corner and backs up after the ref counted to four, giving Van Dam a clean break to a good pop. RVD, a little surprised hooked back up with Eddie, this time going behind him, tripping him, floating over and messing up Eddie’s hair. Eddie got up a little PO’d and ran at RVD, who side stepped Eddie and dropkicked him in the back, rolling him up for a 2 count. Eddie slid under the bottom rope to regroup.
Mid-Match: RVD had the advantage now just hitting a split-legged moonsult for a 2. Eddie was feeling really frustrated by now. RVD sent Eddie into the ropes and did the splits as Eddie jumped over him then was monkey flipped by Van Dam. Eddie got up in a corner where RVD was standing and he drove his shoulder twice in Eddie’s gut, did a back flip and went for a third one, but Eddie jumped up, rolled down RVD’s back and school boyed him for a 2 count. RVD, quick to his feet, went to kick Eddie; Eddie caught the foot, ducked the ensiguri, but was kicked in the face on the way back. (64:52 in show)
~~Commercial Break~~
Match Finish: RVD had Eddie out in the middle of the ring and he was perched on the top ropes. RVD dove off the top ropes looking for a Five Star Frog Splash, but Eddie rolled out of the way, leaving RVD to crash and burn. The referee got to a count of 6 before Eddie stood up. RVD slowly made to his feet only to be but in a front face lock by Eddie for the Three Amigos. This time it was Eddie going to the top ropes looking for a Frog Splash and RVD rolling out of the way just in time. The referee got to an 8 count this time before RVD made it to his feet. Both men standing and groggy, they exchanged right hand from Eddie to Right forearms from RVD for several seconds, until RVD ducked a punch just hitting the referee on the chin causing him to turn around holding his mouth when Eddie kicked RVD in the groin and rolled him up. The referee turned around and counted to 3
Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Eddie Guerrero.
The camera then fades to John Cena walking down the hall when he stops dead. The camera turns around and we see why John stopped. Stacy Keibler is doing toe touches facing the opposite direction. John appears to be fighting the urge to do something when he says “Damn!” Stacy straightens up and turns around.
Stacy Keibler: “Huh? Oh, hi John, did you say something?”
John Cena: “…….What? Me, say something…um yeah, I said Hi”
Stacy Keibler: “Well, hello John, I was glad to hear that we were finally going to be on the same show, I just love hearing your rap, it shows so much talent.”
John Cena: “Thanks Stacy, that means a lot coming from such a talented young diva as yourself. I hope we get to spend more time together in the future.”
Stacy Keibler: “Yeah, I’ll see you around John.”
Stacy walks off with John watching her leave smiling. (76:12 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
JR: “Another interesting encounter backstage, eh King?”
King: “I’ll say, that John Cena might be the luckiest man in the locker room, especially if he leaves here with the World Heavyweight Title around his waist.”
JR: “What do you think John Cena will do to the World Title should he win it tonight?”
King: “I hope he doesn’t make a mockery of it like he did the U.S. Title.”
Molly Holly’s Theme is played as she walks down to ringside to a wave of boos. Trish Stratus was next to come to the ring, to a chant of “slut!” Lita came to the ring to a huge ovation.
Match Start: Molly quickly clotheslined Trish through the ropes leaving her and Lita in the ring. Lita ran at Molly with a dropkick landing Molly on her back. Molly quickly got back up and was kicked into the corner. Lita mounted Molly in the corner and began to punch Molly’s head until Trish got on the apron and pushed Lita to the mat.
Mid-Match: Trish and Molly had been double teaming Lita for the better of three minutes before Lita began to fight back. Lita dropkicked Molly down, then Trish, Then Molly again. Lita ran to clothesline Trish, but Trish leaned back all the way, but Lita dropped an elbow on Trish’s stomach. Lita pinned Trish for a two count before Molly broke it up. Molly threw Lita against the ropes, ducked and had her hair grabbed and whipped to the mat face first by Lita. Trish grabbed Lita and gave her a German Suplex into a bridge for a 2 count.
Match Finish: Molly was on the top turnbuckle, getting ready to deliver the Molly Go Round on Lita when Trish pushed her into the turnbuckle, causing Molly to fall to the outside and Lita to fall to the mat. Trish picked her up, but her in a side headlock and put her hand up, running at the ropes. Trish springboarded over Lita who countered the Stratusfaction. Lita ran at Trish for a clothesline, Trish ducked and Trish went for the Chick Kick that was sidestepped and Lita hit the Kiss Of Death for the three count.
Winner and New Women’s Champion: Lita
JR: “Well how about that, what a day for Team Extreme, taking the Tag team gold and the Women’s title. But coming up next for the World Heavyweight Championship, a twenty man, over-the-top Battle Royal.”
King: “Yeah, I can’t wait for this one, it sounds great”
JR: “And It’s coming up next!” (85:42 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
After the warning, Shane McMahon was in the ring the was surrounded by 14 superstars from Raw; Farooq, Bradshaw, X-Pac, Eddie Guerrero, RVD, Rhyno, Mark Jindrak, Bubba, D-Von, Spike, Kane, Christian, Eugene and The Hurricane.
Shane: “Edge!” (Huge Heat)
Edge comes to the ring
Shane: “Kurt Angle!” (Biggest Heat of the night with “You Suck” chants blaring.)
Kurt Angle comes to the ring
Shane: “Shawn Michaels!” (Huge Pop)
Shawn Michaels comes to the ring
Shane: “John Cena!” (Huge Pop)
John Cena goes to the ring
Shane: “The Undertaker!” (huge pop)
The lights go out as The Undertaker heads to the ring. The Undertaker gets on the steps, raises his arms and the lights come back on.{/I]
Shane: “And Finally, The Rock!” (biggest pop of the evening)
Shane leaves the ring as it fills up with 19 superstars leaving Eugene running around the ring.
Match Start: Within 15 seconds, Kane through The Hurricane, eliminating him. The Dudleyz were working over the APA 3 on 2 until Mark Jindrak came out of nowhere and threw out Spike, and then Jindrak was flipped over by Kurt Angle. Undertaker eliminated Rhyno and X-Pac virtually at the same time.
Mid-Match: The Dudleyz and APA were eliminated by Kane and Edge, and Eddie was eliminated by RVD seconds before he was eliminated by Christian. Eugene had finally come in the ring and eliminated Kurt Angle while he was working over HBK. Angle had tried to get back in the ring but the referees got him out of there with the help of security. Christian had taken the time to go and get two chairs and put them in the ring. John Cena has being beaten in the corner by Kane. Kane uppercutted Cena and he fell to the mat. Cena grabbed his chain and popped Kane in the head with it, then threw him over the top ropes eliminating him. The Rock was on the Undertakers shoulders being threatened to be eliminated, but he rigged Undertaker’s eyes and rolled down, then punched The Dead Man four times, then a fifth which backed Undertaker to the ropes. Rock ran for a clothesline, but Taker ducked and Rock landed on the apron. Edge ran at Taker for a spear, taker moved and Edge speared The Rock right out of the match, eliminating him.
Match End: With the match down to 6 people, the pace was slowing down. Eugene ran at Edge, Edge ducked and Eugene hit the turnbuckle. Edge grabbed Eugene’s chin and drove him backwards for the Edge-O-Matic. Undertaker had Cena’s chain and was hitting him in the gut with it. Undertaker gave Cena an uppercut with the chain eliminating him, and then Shawn Michaels ran up behind Undertaker and dropkicked him in the back, sending him out of the ring. Both Edge and Christian had a chair and Eugene was getting up between them. Both Edge and Christian swung their chairs together and hit each other’s chair as Eugene had ducked a second sooner. Eugene, enraged at this punched Christian down, then Edge, the Christian, then Edge. Christian got up and Eugene did the Rock Bottom to Christian and went for the Stunner on Edge, but Edge pushed Eugene into Shawn Michaels’s Sweet Chin Music that was headed for Edge. Edge ran HBK and clotheslined him over the top roped eliminating him. It was down to Edge and Eugene. Edge looked down at Eugene and smiled. Edge slowly walked over to Eugene and grabbed his head. Edge began to pick up Eugene when Eugene overpowered Edge and kicked him in the gut, then stunned Edge. Eugene dragged Edge to the center of the ring where he began to imitate Hulk Hogan and ran against the ropes, delivering the Hogan Leg Drop to Edge. Eugene ran around the ring with his arms spread out like he was a plane. Eugene then walked over to Edge and pinned him. Eugene waited a second looked around and counted to three himself. Eugene stood up and ran around again like an airplane. Edge began to get up now and Eugene saw it. Eugene picked Edge up like a body slam and walked over to the top ropes. Edge grabbed on to the top ropes but Eugene still tried to dump Edge over. Kurt Angle came out of nowhere an eliminated Eugene. It took Eugene a few seconds to realize what had happened, and when he did, he chased after Angle and chased him up the ramp and to the back.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Edge (114:12 in the show)
~~Commercial Break~~
When we get back to the show, Edge is in the ring with Shane McMahon.
Shane: “Well Edge, I don’t like how you did it, but you did win the Battle Royal, and you are the new World Heavyweight Champion. And here to present you with your title is the newest member to the Raw Family, my sister Stephanie McMahon!”
“I’m all grown up” is heard as Stephanie comes down the ramp holding the World Heavyweight Title.
Shane: “Welcome to Raw Stephanie, I believe you have something to say to Edge?”
Edge just stared at the title he had worked so hard for.
Stephanie: “Thank you Shane, and to Edge, congratulations on becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion and I wish you a long and success title reign.”
Stephanie handed Edge the World Title and kissed him on the cheek. The Show goes off the air with Edge holding his title in the air. (120:00 in the show)
