Jerry Lawler & Jonathan Coachman opened the show by putting over Backlash. Lawler accused Coach of having been anti-Goldberg during the Goldberg vs. Rock main event, which was funny because it was actually Lawler who ragged on Goldberg during that match.

Chris Jericho came down to the ring, where there were two chairs waiting for him. He said he turned on the TV recently and saw a huge stomach walking around wearing a kilt, and realized it was Roddy Piper. Jericho said if Piper, at age 175, can revive Piper's Pit on Smackdown, then he can host a younger, cooler show on RAW called "The Hi-Lite Reel". His first guest, whom he described as an old friend from their WCW days, was Goldberg. A "Goldberg" chant started up. Goldberg came down to the ring and took a seat. Jericho said Goldberg destroyed Rock at Backlash, though he added that he himself has destroyed Rock on several occasions. He kept referring to Goldberg as an "old buddy" and "old pal", but then noted that he challenged Goldberg to a match back in WCW, but Goldberg refused to fight. This was a shoot comment based on the fact that Goldberg did nix a planned Goldberg vs. Jericho feud back in WCW. Goldberg sort of smiled and said he was ready to fight anytime Jericho wanted. Jericho backed down and said that at the moment he was an interviewer and not out there to wrestle, and that he had a lot of other questions to ask. He then demanded to know why Goldberg waltzed into WWE unannounced, and speared Rock for no reason, acting like he owned the place. He asked why Goldberg didn't stay in Japan, or stay home with his 57 pet animals. Goldberg started to say something but was immediately cut off by Christian, who had come out on the ramp top. Christian claimed to be Rock's favorite wrestler, and said that makes him the new people's champion while Rock's away. He asked Goldberg how it felt at Backlash to be booed out of the arena by the fans, noting that the booing occurred even though Massachusetts fans are dying for something to cheer for since their baseball team hasn't won anything since 1918. Goldberg said the fans pay their hard earned money to see the show and can boo or cheer whomever they wish. He said he's there to earn his stripes and will beat anyone they put in the ring with him. That was a good answer. Goldberg noted that he got cheered two weeks in a row when he speared Christian. Jericho told Goldberg that no one paid to see him spear anyone, and that rumor on the street and in the locker room is that no one wants him there in WWE. That was another shoot based on legit locker room resentment at Goldberg. Christian said Jericho was right, and to prove it he brought out Rosey, Jamal, Rico, Victoria, and Steven Richards, claiming that all of them want Goldberg out of WWE. Richards got on the mic and confirmed that, saying it was wrong for Goldberg to be put in a PPV main event so soon after signing while guys such as himself didn't even get on the show. Guess they've been reading 1westling. The crowd chanted for Goldberg again. Christian shouted that he's a nine time tag champ, a former IC, European, and Hardcore champ, and he also didn't get to be on the PPV. All six started down to the ring, vowing to kick Goldberg's ass. However, when they got there, five of them halted, intimidated by Goldberg. Richards, not knowing the other five halted, went in the ring. He challenged Goldberg, not realizing the others weren't backing him up. Goldberg speared the hell out of him. Jericho looked worried. Everyone else retreated. This was a long opening segment but a very good one which did what it set out to do.

After a break they replayed Goldberg's spear on Richards, and showed Richards being helped to the back by referees.

Hurricane beat Chief Morley in 5:39. Morley mocked Hurricane's superhero pose. Hurricane responded by wrapping his cape around his waist like a towel and mocking Val Venis' crotch thrusts. Morley attacked Hurricane and pounded him. Hurricane came back after a beating with a lariat and a neckbreaker. He missed a shining wizard when Morley ducked. Morley hit a powerbomb. Morley went for the money shot but Hurricane moved. Morley crashed to the mat and Hurricane nailed him with his flying neckbreaker for the pin.

Ric Flair was reading the new RAW magazine when Triple H came in. Flair pointed to HHH's picture on the cover and began praising HHH as the greatest champ of all time. HHH said it was an honor to be praised by Flair since he's been world champ 16 times. HHH said he'd like to see Flair with gold around his waist again, so he reported that he asked Eric Bischoff for a tag title shot against Rob Van Dam & Kane, and that Bischoff agreed to the match. Both looked forward to capturing the tag belts. Whooooo!

Rodney Mack defeated another Unidentified White Jobber in 1:57. Theodore Long ran down Larry Bird, saying if he'd been black he would never have been given a chance in basketball. LOL! Long said that unlike whitey, he believes in giving everyone a fair shot, so the Unidentified White Jobber would have an opportunity to compete against Mack. Long did color commentary for the almost two minutes of the match. After Mack won with his running powerslam, Long got in the ring and praised Jazz, his other wrestler, for winning the women's title at "Blacklash". She came out and joined Long & Mack for an in-ring celebration, including balloons dropping on the ring.

Bischoff, as usual, was on the phone with someone. Trish Stratus came in and asked for a rematch against Jazz for the title. Bischoff said her contract didn't include a rematch clause. Trish said Jazz cheated to win, and that she'd do whatever it takes to get the rematch. Bischoff got that evil grin on his face at this point. He challenged Trish to a match with the stips that if she wins, she gets a shot at Jazz next week for the title, but if he wins, she has to come to his hotel room after the show and put out for him. He said Long may have screwed her at Backlash, but that he'd screw her in a different way. Believe it or not, Trish accepted the challenge. Hey, she put out for Vince McMahon, didn't she?

Test and Stacy Keibler argued again. Test agreed that Stacy doesn't have a thing for Scott Steiner, claiming it was impossible for any female to prefer Steiner to him. He again denied being infatuated with Torrie Wilson. He demanded to know why Stacy had signed for him to team with Steiner again. Stacy said she thought Steiner could help him in his career and that they could be tag champs. Test said Steiner can do nothing for him, but agreed to team with him if it would make Stacy trust him again. Stacy said she'd like to trust Test, but in a voice that indicated she doesn't.

Hour two began with RVD & Kane defeating HHH & Flair to retain the RAW Tag Titles in 15:47. Flair got a big pop for his strut. Flair chopped Kane, who came back with a bodyslam. RVD came in and kicked HHH, who bumped out. RVD hit a plancha on HHH & Flair. HHH laid RVD out with a lariat. At this point, they cut to the back where Shawn Michaels was on the phone with someone, telling them HHH was in the ring and thus was a sitting duck. They then went to a commercial break, and when they came out Kane & RVD were working HHH over, scoring some twos on him. Flair tagged in and put a beating on RVD. HHH hit RVD with a high knee lift. Flair wrapped RVD's knee around the post. HHH hooked a version of the death lock but RVD made the ropes. RVD finally escaped and made the hot tag. Kane came in, throwing lariats like crazy. He was about to chokeslam HHH but Flair made the save. He then tried to chokeslam Flair, with HHH making the save. Flair put Kane in the figure four. RVD missile kicked HHH and rescued Kane. HHH gave RVD a DDT and then pedigreed Kane. Victory seemed assured for HHH & Flair, but suddenly Kevin Nash ran in with a sldegehammer (making it obvious who Michaels had been talking to, if it wasn't already). HHH fled with Nash in hot pursuit. Well, make that lukewarm pursuit because even with a bad leg and a lot of bulk, HHH is Jesse Owens compared to Nash. Flair was left alone, and ended up chokeslammed by Kane and frog splashed by RVD for the pin. Very good TV match!

HHH continued running from Nash backstage. He had to stop every so often for Nash to catch up, but otherwise it was a fun chase. HHH made it to his limo, but Nash managed to break two windows out with the sledgehammer before it drove off. Lawler said Nash had gone off the deep end.

Steiner & Test defeated Christopher Nowinski & Rico in 3:55. Steiner juiced early for no apparent reason. He dominated Nowinski until Rico distracted him. The heels doubled on Steiner as Test ignored the action, arguing with Stacy instead. Steiner suplexed both foes and tagged Test. Test went in and was almost wild in his aggression, as he was trying to show Stacy he was the dominant male. He pretty much beat down both opponents, but Steiner tagged himself back in and scored the pin on Nowinski with a neckbreaker. Test was frustrated that Steiner scored the pin. Stacy hugged Steiner, so Test got jealous again. She claimed she was just happy they won. Test & Stacy walked out, arguing the whole way back to the locker room.

Steiner stayed in the ring and started cutting his standard promo about all his freaks. He was interrupted by Sylvan Grenier & Rene Dupree. They identified themselves as "La Resistance". They reminded Steiner of his debate with Nowinski a couple of weeks ago, and had a clip shown on the TitanTron where Steiner defended the war and ridiculed France. A "USA" chant started. La Resistance said the French are both lovers and fighters, and went to the ring saying they wished to discuss their differences with Steiner in a peaceful manner. Once there, they tried to attack him. Steiner briefly held both of them off but eventually they beat him down and left him laying to start their first WWE feud. They were both pretty good here.

Morley told Bischoff the Dudleys have been suspended without pay again for their actions at Backlash. Bischoff was pleased. Bischoff boasted about his upcoming match with Trish, saying the "do not disturb" sign is already hanging on his hotel room door. Morley indicated he had taken some actions to help assure a Bischoff win.

Trish was shown doing warm-up exercises. They sure warmed up Lawler.

Goldberg encountered Booker T backstage. Booker praised Goldberg as a guy who was always straight with him back in WCW. He said he was the new WCW kid on the block in WWE a couple of years ago, and it was hard at first to get established, but now he has a strong following and is comfortable there. He told Goldberg to just stay on track and he'll make it there. They hugged.

Booker beat Christian by DQ in 5:35. Booker hit Christian with a lariat, kicks, and chops to score a near fall. Christian sent Booker to the floor and rammed him into the stairs. Christian scored some twos with brawling tactics. Booker sidestepped Christian, who came off the top, and took him down for a near pin. Booker blocked an unprettier and hit a scissor kick. He did a spinaroonie, but at this point Rosey & Jamal & Rico attacked Booker for the DQ. It interrupted a solid match, but it made sense as part of the rehab of Goldberg. The crowd began chanting "Goldberg" as Booker got pounded four-on-one. Goldberg ran in and cleaned house. He speared Rico, jackhammered Jamal, and sent Rosey bumping to the floor. He then speared Rosey on the floor and it sent Rosey crashing through the security barrier, leaving a gaping hole. This was great! Christian fled in terror. Goldberg left through the crowd to a huge babyface reaction, so they did a masterful job restoring his babyface aura.

After a break, they repayed Godberg spearing Rosey through the barrier, and showed security taping up the broken section.

Bischoff beat Trish in 3:17. Before the match began, Bischoff announced that it would be fought under no-DQ rules. He did the "Karate Kid" movie martial arts poses. Trish kicked him in the head. But before she could go after Bischoff any further, Victoria ran in and attacked her. Trish disposed of her, only to be attacked by Jazz, who was cheered on by Theodore Long. I guess it's okay to help a powerful white man if it keeps Trish from getting a rematch. Jazz destroyed Trish until Bischoff told her it was enough. He joked that he needed to keep her conscious, for obvious reasons. Bischoff pinned Trish, boasting that she bit off more than she could chew. That was a bad choice of words, considering what he had planned. Suddenly, a limo pulled into the parking area and Linda McMahon emerged. Bischoff stopped boasting and smirking, and instead pretended to be concerned about Trish, ordering some refs to help the poor injured girl to the back.

So Linda came out to the ring. She said she represents the board of directors, so it's her responsibility to monitor upper management, including Bischoff. Bischoff praised her as being beautiful, elegant, radiant, etc. He said he wasn't really going to have sex with Trish, claiming that stip was just a TV gimmick to make the show more compelling. In fact, he claimed to prefer "mature women". Linda told him he was making her job a lot easier by his behavior. Bischoff looked scared. She said his actions as General Manager have been unprofessional, abusive, harassing, and ego-maniacle. Guess she's been watching the show. She said half of the board wants him fired as GM, but in the end they settled on a compromise where Bischoff will share control of RAW 50-50 with someone more in tune with the fans and who knows right from wrong. I thought Sam Muchnick and Giant Baba were deceased, but it turned out she was talking about "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Austin came out to a big pop as Bischoff looked totally deflated. Austin asked Bischoff a ton of rhetorical questions to the requisite "whats". He offered to shake Bischoff's hand. Bischoff was afraid to do it, so Austin asked the crowd if Bischoff should shake his hand and agree to start working together as of tomorrow morning. The crowd shouted "hell yeah!". Bischoff cautiously shook hands, saying he hoped they could work together as a team. Austin then noted that he said they could start working together tomorrow, and gave him a stunner. It was a good angle, though we've obviously been through this 50-50 partner stuff before. Since Austin can't wrestle, I guess this gives him a role, so we'll see how it works out. Anyway, it was a good show this week.

(Credit: 1wrestling)