WWE Raw Results: 1/19/04 By: Rob Morris on 01/21/04
Coach held a meeting with all the boys to announce that Bisch is away this week, leaving Coach as interim GM. With that in mind, Coach books a series of matches to determine who gets to participate in an Over the Top Rope Challenge in the main event, for the #30 slot in the Rumble.
1) RVD / Booker T def Christian / Matt Hardy. Hardy even got his whole entrance this week. Booker was selling the beating he endured at the hands of Kane last week. The heels got the heat on him until he managed to make the hot tag to Van Dam, who (surprise) ran wild. It broke down and they tried to double team RVD but Booker hit them both with a huge axe kick, and the Frogsplash ended it.
They announced that Goldberg vs Steiner now included Test, and it was a Triple Threat. I didn't have high hopes for that match before, but now its that much worse....
Coach joined the commentary team yet again.
2) Jericho def Rene Dupree. Big pop for Jericho, who played straight babyface. He carried young Rene to a decent match. Walls of Jericho for the tap out finish.
Christian asked Jericho in the back to use his Survivor Series favour to let Christian be in the main event tonight, but Jericho refused, wanting the opportunity for himself.
An awesome video package for Hunter/Shawn at the Rumble aired.
3) Mark Henry def Rico. Lots of Rico shenanigans, including kissing Teddy Long's bald head. It was all downhill from there though, as Henry took over and eventually won with his Slam.
Evolution were bebopping in the back, as Flair put everyone but himself over (as usual) and revealed that Hunter wanted an all-Evolution WrestleMania main event with himself vs Orton.
4) Spike def Kane via whacky DQ. Kane kept yelling at the ref, so Spike shoved the ref and he thought Kane did it, so he DQ'd Kane and Spike got to advance to the main event. Kane was none too pleased and destroyed Spike, but the refs actually saved someone for once and dragged the littlest Dudley to safety.
5) Goldberg def Steiner and Test. Sloppy with some heads getting dropped. Goldberg almost lost poor Scotty on a press slam but miraculously held on. Steiner and Test worked as a team until the end when both wanted the pin. Test kicked Steiner's head off but left himself open for the Spear and Jackhammer for the finish.
A new Orton propoganda vid aired about Foley. Another gem too. Austin was watching and looked disgusted, then tore off on his ATV, nearly killing Cade and Jindrak (remember them??).
Austin came out. He called out Mick Foley, saying Orton was spitting in the face of the business by spitting on Mick. Austin ordered Foley to show up at the PPV, and if not voluntarily then Austin would tie him to the ATV and drag him to Philly personally. Austin played his part here perfectly, seeming really frustrated with the situation. He even called a ringside fan a punk for interrupting.
We joined Molly and Trish in mid-conversation. Then Molly left. Okay. Christian showed up and showed Trish pics from last week of him and Jericho partying with some rats. She wasn't happy but put on a brave face.
6) Jazz def Lita. The only match of the night not to do with the mini-Rumble. Jazz hit this great dropkick to the back of Lita's head at one point. Otherwise the offense was almost all Lita until Teddy distracted her while going for the Moonsault, and Jazz rolled her up using the tights for the win.
Hurricane was interviewed about his match with Orton to get to the mini-Rumble. It started typical cartoony Hurricane, but then he switched mid-stream and cut a really good promo about believing in himself. Too bad it doesn't mean anything coming from Hurricane.
7) Orton def Hurricane. It was a nice thought but the crowd didn't buy that Hurricane had a chance at winning. He took the whole match before an RKO out of nowhere ended it. Flair and Batista came down to celebrate, when Rosey showed up to see to his mentor and got an ass-kicking for his troubles. The Dudleys hit the ring and were about to put Flair through a table but he was saved by Evolution. Coach hit the ring and ordered the Dudleys to leave, but of course he ate the 3D through the table.
Jericho and Henry were jawing backstage, and Henry burned Jericho about Trish. Personally I don't want to think about Henry's "stank".
They announced that Spike was out of the main event. So that whole angle was pointless.
8) Goldberg won the Over the Top Rope Challenge. Here's the eliminations, in order: Booker elim RVD; Jericho elim Booker; Orton/Henry elim Jericho; Goldberg elim Henry; Goldberg elim Orton. Bill looked a bit shaken up after spearing Orton, which drew Flair and Batista to ringside, but they did nothing aside from catching Randy as he flew over the top rope. I thought for sure Orton would win through some chicanery, but what do I know?
Grade: B+. As usual, the show before the Rumble gets that event over like crazy. Now we know that Benoit is #1 and Goldberg is #30. Should be an interesting PPV.
