Post by fknkobe on Aug 12, 2024 6:12:44 GMT 1
Denver, Colorado. | 11 000 people SOLD OUT | 4.72 TV Rating
Week 3, January 2004
Week 3, January 2004
Monday Night Raw kicks off with Vince McMahon, accompanied by Kane. The Chairman addresses the events of the previous week and announces that, effective immediately, Mick Foley is fired and is no longer the General Manager of Monday Night Raw. Vince declares that he is now in charge and will make all decisions until a new person is found. Triple H and Evolution appear to congratulate the boss, referencing the matches that Mick Foley had set up involving Chris Jericho and Evolution. Vince McMahon states that these matches will remain on the card, and tonight, Batista will face Chris Jericho. Grade: A+
Matt Hardy & Rob Van Dam defeat Sylvain Grenier & Rob Conway | This match didn’t have much of a story, as the new Monday Night team of Hardy and RVD completely dominated, defeating the members of La Resistance in just six minutes. Grade: C+
After the victory, as Hardy and Rob Van Dam are celebrating, Vince McMahon appears once again and announces that he liked their performance and wants to offer them an opportunity. If they can defeat the Dudley Boyz, they will earn their spot to compete for the Tag Team Championships at the Royal Rumble. Hardy and RVD smile. Grade: B-
Shawn Michaels is in his locker room when he is confronted by Chris Jericho. The tension rises, and Jericho states that he will do whatever it takes to be at the Royal Rumble and take away Michaels’ dream championship. Shawn responds that he doesn’t care if Jericho is there or not because he will defeat him, crush Triple H, and become the world champion. Grade: A
Maven is in the hallway laughing at the fact that La Resistance lost. Curiously, Conway, Grenier, and Dupree appear out of nowhere and furiously attack him, reminding Maven that they will not be a laughingstock on Monday Night Raw. Grade: C-
Lita is tired of talking and talking. She wants Trish Stratus in the ring as soon as possible and demands that she come out so they can settle things once and for all in the ring. Stratus appears and is ready for action, but they are interrupted by McMahon, who states that he has other plans for both Divas. At the Royal Rumble, they will face off, with the winner earning a shot at Molly Holly's championship. Grade: C+
Kane defeats Garrison Cade. A match without much story that only lasted over four minutes because Kane enjoyed toying with Cade's lifeless body. The violent attacks demonstrated Kane's superiority, and a match that could have ended in just over a minute was prolonged to four minutes, just so Kane could savor Cade’s blood on his hands. Grade: C+
Molly Holly defeats Miss Jackie. An interesting encounter, but ultimately, it served to show how prepared Holly was for the Royal Rumble and her upcoming match against Gail Kim at the end of January 2004. The contest lasted seven minutes, and the champion emerged victorious. After the match, Gail Kim appeared, but Holly simply pointed to her belt, signaling that she would remain champion no matter what Kim tried. Grade: C-
Evolution approaches McMahon in his office. Triple H says there’s no need to face another person at the Royal Rumble, and they can end the situation—McMahon just needs to end Chris Jericho's journey. McMahon comments that the only way to end it is for Batista to defeat Jericho tonight, and there’s no need for him to get involved. Grade: A-
Chris Jericho defeats Batista. A huge match between two wrestlers who gave their all, and a bout that will likely be among the best of the year. Jericho showcased all his skill, while Batista displayed all his fury. In the final part of the match, Randy Orton tried to interfere to affect Jericho's performance and help Batista win, but Jericho managed to overcome all of Evolution’s tricks. With a Codebreaker, he ended the match, which lasted seventeen minutes. 1... 2... 3... Now, only Randy Orton stands between Jericho and a spot at the Royal Rumble. Grade: A+
Triple H enters the ring with Orton and Ric Flair, ready to settle the score with Jericho. However, to save the match winner, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley appear. The six wrestlers exchange glances, and no one makes a move. Then McMahon appears with Kane and declares that if they want action, they will get action. Kane will join Triple H and Randy Orton to face Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match. Grade: A-
Kane, Triple H & Randy Orton won by DQ against Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley. It was an intense match; Kane showed his dominance, but on the other side were two very experienced wrestlers. The match was evenly matched, despite Michaels and Foley being outnumbered. However, just as it was about to end and seeing how difficult it was, Batista, now recovered from his match, tried to interfere but was unsuccessful because Goldberg appeared out of nowhere! He attacked everyone—Kane, Triple H, Orton, and even Ric Flair—causing the match to end with everyone on the ground. The victory went to Kane and Evolution, and the only one left standing was Goldberg. Grade: A-
