WWF Raw is War, September 24th, 2001.
Live from the Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio.
Commentators: Jim Ross and Paul Heyman.


Unfortunately, I'm typing this recap with pretty much one hand since I was in a life-threatening accident earlier today, so bare with me if I leave anything out. Everything should be better in a week or two.



The show starts off with clips of Kurt Angle's WWF Championship victory last night at Unforgiven.



The cameras head to the parking lot, awaiting the arrival of the former WWF champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin.



Four matches have already been announced for tonight's show. In a six-man tag, the Undertaker and Kane team up with Bradshaw against the Dudley Boyz and Test. Also, Christian puts his newly won Intercontinental Title on the line against Chris Jericho, and Rhyno puts his newly won U.S. Title up against Jeff Hardy. Plus, the Big Show, Spike Dudley and Molly Holly will take on The Hurricane, Lance Storm and Ivory in six-person intergender action.



The stage is set aflame and Rollin hits the arena and here come the WCW Tag Team Champions, The Undertaker and Kane.



And their tag team partner, one half of the APA, Bradshaw.



The pyros hit the stage and here come the opponents, first, the WWF Tag Team Champions, The Dudley Boyz.



Test, Test, this is a Test. Their tag team partner is indeed, Test.



The Undertaker, Kane and Bradshaw vs. The Dudley Boyz and Test
Bradshaw and Test start out, Bradshaw with right hands and then a body slam. Test with a clothesline. Test with right hands and then D-Von tagged in. D-Von runs into a fallaway slam and then Bradshaw makes the tag to Kane. Kane with right hands to D-Von. D-Von runs into a boot from Kane and then Kane knocks down Bubba on the apron. Kane with a sidewalk slam on D-Von and then a knockdown to Test. Kane goes up top and hits D-Von with the flying clothesline. Bubba Ray runs in and walks into a back body drop. Test is back up and hits Kane with the Big Boot. D-Von covers Kane for 2 count. D-Von sends Kane outside and Bubba and Test toss Kane into the ring steps. Bradshaw and Bubba Ray get into a scrap as Bubba is tagged in and the ref sends Bradshaw to his corner as Bubba hits elbows on Kane for a 2 count. Bubba tosses Kane into the Alliance corner and in comes Test. Test with right hands, boots and elbows to Kane in the corner. Test chokes Kane with his boot. Kane fights back with right hands and then Kane with a powerslam. Both men are down. Test tags D-Von, Kane tags Taker. Taker takes down the Dudleys with right hands. Taker with a splash to Bubba in the corner and then a boot but Test with a clothesline to Taker. Kane chases Test away and D-Von bounces off the rope. D-Von is about to run into a Chokeslam but Bubba makes the save. The Dudleys go for the 3D on Taker but Taker with boots to D-Von. Bradshaw with the Clothesline from Hell to Bubba. Taker sets D-Von up for the Last Ride and hits it for the win.
Winners: The Undertaker, Kane and Bradshaw



They show Torrie Wilson's dressing room. Stacy Keibler comes in and asks Torrie what she sees in Tajiri. Stacy points out that he's in the WWF and that he's so short and not that much of a man. Torrie says it's none of her business what she sees in Tajiri. She says at least she has a man. Stacy says she can have a man. She likes them dark, tall and handsome. She sees she can just snap her fingers and she can have one. She says tonight she'll find a man to take on Torrie's man, Tajiri. As Stacy leaves, Torrie says they don't call Tajiri the Japanese Buzzsaw for nothing.



-Commercial-



1-800-HELPNOW is encouraged to be called. The Red Cross needs your help.



A limo arrives at the arena and inside is Christian. Christian is carrying his Intercontinental Champion. Christian needs to be escorted to his dressing room and be assured not to be touched by hordes of fans. Then he wants the escort to bring his bags to his room. He tells two nearby people to contain themselves, he'll sign their autographs. The people look confused.



They show the Alliance locker room. Shane says that when Austin walks through the door, they should shake his hand and give him a standing ovation. Shane says Austin did NOT LOSE the title and he has a tape to prove it. Shane says that Austin tapped with his left hand and grabbed the bottom rope with his right, therefore the hold should have been broken. Shane also said that Shane and Booker T were screwed by Earl Hebner. Booker looks irate. Shane says their attempts were thwarted. Shane says tonight is all about revenge. Steph comes into the locker room and asks if everyone is here for her birthday. Shane asks how she can be thinking about her birthday after what happened to them last night. Steph says tonight is not about revenge, but about leadership by example. Steph says that one person showed her he is a leader, and did everything he said he would do. That man is ROB VAN DAM. She says tonight the WCW Championship will be on the line, and her birthday present will be The Rock vs. Rob Van Dam. Shane agrees with Steph. Shane says that Booker will show leadership by example and Booker T will bring home the WWF Championship when Booker T takes on Kurt Angle!



-Commercial-



Tajiri, accompanied by Torrie Wilson is out next. Who did Stacy find to be her man?



13 flashes on the Titantron and accompanied by Stacy Keibler, it is TAZZ.



Stacy gets on the mic and says two out of three ain't bad. (Of her "tall, dark and handsome" comment. I wonder which one she's implying that Tazz is lacking. Hmmmmm.)



Tajiri vs. Tazz
Tajiri with stiff kicks to Tazz and bounces Tazz off the ropes and hits Tazz with a heel hick. Tazz backs Tajiri into a corner and then Tazz with a clinching suplex. Tazz with boots to Tajiri's injured ribs. Tajiri is up with more kicks to Tazz but Tazz with a takedown. Tazz whips Tajiri off the ropes but Tajiri nails Tazz with a stiff kick. Tajiri with a handspring elbow and then locks Tazz in the Tarantula. The ref makes Tajiri break the hold and then Tajiri goes for a stiff kick on Tazz. Stacy is up on the apron however and puts the lip-lock on Tajiri! Stacy kisses Tajiri until Torrie heads over and pulls Stacy off the apron. Torrie and Stacy argue and as Tajiri is distracted, Tazz locks on the Tazzmission on Tajiri. Tajiri submits
Winner: Tazz



Shane talks to Booker. Shane says he was screwed out of the WCW Championship, but it could have been a blessing in disguise. He says Booker has been focussing on the wrong title and he could be a first-time, first-time, first-time WWF Champion. Booker says he can dig that. Shane says he'll see Booker out there because he has one more thing to take care of.



-Commercial-



Still awaiting the arrival of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Shane McMahon is barred from ringside in Booker T's match with Kurt Angle tonight by order of Commissioner William Regal. Rock vs. Rob Van Dam is official, of course.



Out comes the new WCW U.S. Champion, Rhyno.



And here comes the challenger, Jeff Hardy.



WCW U.S. Championship: Rhyno vs. Jeff Hardy
Rhyno and Jeff lock up. Jeff with an arm wrench but Rhyno counters and hammers Jeff down to the mat with right hands. Jeff with a knee to Rhyno's sternum and then Jeff tosses Rhyno to the outside. Jeff slides through the ropes and hits Rhyno with a Hurricanrana. Jeff tosses Rhyno back in the ring but Rhyno with a massive spinebuster to Jeff. Rhyno goes up top and goes for a big splash but Jeff moves. Jeff with a reverse muel kick and then a leg drop for a 2 count. Rhyno hits Jeff with a belly to belly suplex. Jeff with a chinbreaker and then goes up top and hits Rhyno with a corkscrew moonsault. Jeff goes down low and hits Rhyno with his low blow double legdrop. Jeff goes up top and looks for his Swanton Bomb but Rhyno has it scouted and moves. Rhyno goes for the Gore but Jeff sidesteps. Jeff heads up top for another corkscrew moonsault but Rhyno hits Jeff with The Gore in mid-air. Jeff is down and out and Rhyno gets the win.
Winner and still WCW U.S. Champion: Rhyno



Hurricane is talking to Citizen Ivory and Citizen Storm. Hurricane asks if they're strategizing about their match tonight. He says evil comes in all sizes, what's up with that!? Ivory says they were strategizing and Hurricane says SILENCE! His Hurrisenses are tingling. When they beat Show, Spike and Molly tonight, Molly will see that she should give in to the Hurripowers. Storm sadly shakes his head and agrees. Hurricane says it's time for Hurri-action and he sticks out his fist for the Hurripose. Hurricane says "Super". He says they'll come in like a Hurricane. Storm reluctantly mutters "and in like an ice Storm." Hurricane nods and flies out towards the ring.



-Commercial-



Kanyon is shown talking to RVD. Kanyon says he needs RVD's advice cause he's a leader. Kanyon says when Austin gets here, what if Austin takes out his frustrations on him? RVD tells Kanyon to take a chill pill and everything will work out. RVD says he's all worked up over nothing, he says he has a match with Matt Hardy he needs to get ready for. Kanyon thanks RVD for being such a leader, who betta than RVD?



STAND BACK, THERE'S A HURRICANE COMING THROUGH. Here comes Ivory, Lance Storm and The Hurricane.



Wellllll..Well it's the Big Show. And the opponents, Big Show, Spike Dudley (in a Big Show outfit) and Molly Holly



Ivory, Lance Storm and The Hurricane vs. Big Show, Spike Dudley and Molly Holly
Hurricane stands toe to toe with Big Show. Hurricane and Show lock fingers and Show sends Hurricane squealing to the mat and steps on Hurricane's hands. Show lets out a laugh and then Hurricane chops Show across the chest. Show grabs Hurricane by the face and tosses him down. Hurricane goes and tags Ivory. Ivory charges at Show and Show holds Ivory by the head and tags Molly. Molly with a dropkick for a 2 count. Ivory takesdown Molly by the hair and then Ivory with an elbow drop for a 2 count. Ivory slaps Molly and Ivory goes for a press slam but Molly with a roll-up for a 2 count. Ivory tags Lance Storm. Ivory holds Molly but Molly with a hip toss to Ivory and then ducks a clothesline from Storm before tagging Spike. Storm with dropkicks to Spike. Storm with a scoop slam. Storm tags Hurricane. Hurricane puts on his cape and climbs up to the top rope. Hurricane with a flying cross-body on Spike for a 2 count. Hurricane whips Spike into the corner but runs into a boot from Spike. Spike with a neckbreaker. Spike tags Show. Hurricane tags Storm. Show dominates Storm and Hurricane. Storm and Hurricane go to double suplex Show but Show headbutts them both. Show goes to Chokeslam Hurricane but Ivory hits Show with a low blow. Hurricane is looking to powerbomb Big Show but of course he cannot. Storm runs into a boot from Show. Show tags Molly Holly and Molly climbs up on Big Show's shoulders. Molly, with a good 7 foot leverage, hits Storm with the Molly-Go-Round from off of Big Show's shoulders for the win.
Winners: The Big Show, Spike Dudley and Molly Holly



Earl Hebner comes into Shane's locker room. Shane says that Booker and Shane were screwed by him, a WWF official in a WCW Championship Match. Hebner also screwed Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shane says. Shane shows a video of Austin grabbing the apron underneath the bottom rope as Austin tapped. Hebner says it's an honest mistake, but his decision stands and Austin is still WWF Champion. Shane says he better not make anymore mistakes, and when Austin gets to the arena, Hebner better make himself scarce.



-Commercial-



The music of the new WWF Champion, Kurt Angle, hits the arena. Here comes the champ for the WWF Championship Match.



Can you dig it sucka? Here comes the challenger, Booker T.



WWF Championship: Kurt Angle vs. Booker T
A huge USA chant before the match even starts. Booker and Angle lock up. Booker with elbows but Angle with belly to belly suplex for a 2 count. Booker whips Angle off the ropes and walks into an elbow block and Booker gets the 2 count. Booker with right hands but Angle rolls-up Booker for another 2 count. Booker with a chinlock on Angle but Angle breaks free. Angle tosses Booker off the ropes but Booker with a shoulder knockdown. Booker goes to pick up Angle but Angle locks Booker in the Ankle Lock. Booker reaches the ropes. Angle stands Booker back up and Booker with an enzuguri to the back of the neck of Angle. Booker with more clubs to Angle's injured neck. Booker picks Angle up and goes for an arm wrench and then a clothesline to Angle for a 2 count. Angle with right hands to Booker but Booker blocks with a knee to the gut. Booker with a knee drop to Angle's neck. Booker chokes Angle across the middle rope now and then Booker with more boots to Angle. Booker now choking Angle along the bottom rope with the neck pressed against the rope. Booker with a takeover and then a chinlock. Booker keeps the lock on for quite some time until Angle fights back with elbows. Angle bounces off the rope but Booker hits Angle with a spinning forearm to the head for a 2 count. Booker with hard right-edge chops to Angle in the corner. Angle fights back iwht right hands and then an elbow block. Angle catches Booker with a belly to belly suplex. Booker goes for a clothesline but Angle catches him now with a belly to back suplex. Angle gets the 2 count on Booker. As Booker is back to his feet, Angle goes for the Olympic Slam. Booker counters and then intentionally knocks down the referee before hitting Angle with a side kick. Booker heads outside and gets Angle's WWF Championship. Booker blasts Angle with the WWF Championship Title Belt. The referee registers the count but it's only a 2 count. Booker goes for a Book-End on Angle but Angle counters into a bridge suplex for a 2 count. Booker with another kick to the neck of Angle and then Booker with the Spinneroonie. Booker goes for the superkick but Angle counters with the Ankle Lock. Booker reaches for the ropes but doesn't quite make it and submits to the pain.
Winner and still WWF Champion: Kurt Angle



-Commercial-



They show clips of Christian's shady defeat over Edge at Unforgiven for the WWF Intercontinental Championship.



Kanyon is shown talking to Lita. Kanyon offers Lita to come spend some hours with him after the match. He says she'll find out who is actually better than Kanyon, and that's nobody! Lita gets Kanyon to repeat that. Kanyon does so. Lita says he really does have a speech impediment.



Christian! CHRISTIAN! At last you're on your own. Here comes the new Intercontinental Champion.



Christian gets on the mic, greetings to all his fans in Columbus. Speaking of Columbus, just like that chumpstain Christopher Columbus discovered America, the whole world discovered just who the superior brother was last night when he defeated Edge to become the Intercontinental Champion. He says now, something he's been waiting for his whole life, his first-ever alone solo five second pose. For the benefit of those with flash photography



Jericho's music hits and Jericho makes his way down to the ring.



WWF Intercontinental Championship: Christian vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho attacks Christian. Jericho with knees to Christian in the corner. Christian runs into a reverse elbow from Jericho and then Jericho goes up for a missle dropkick on Christian. Jericho with knife-edge chops but Christian with a backbreaker. Christian with boots to Jericho. Christian stands Jericho up and then knocks him down with forearms. Christian sets Jericho up in the corner and more knife-edge chops to Jericho in the corner. Christian with a body slam for a 2 count. Christian bounces off the ropes to Jericho but Jericho slings Christian up and onto the top rope and then hits Christian with a flying forearm. Christian heads outside and grabs the ring bell. Christian gets up on the apron and blasts Jericho with the ring bell. The match is over, well, there's no bell to ring, but it's over.
Winner via Disqualification: Chris Jericho



Christian retains his title via the disqualification. Christian heads back outside and grabs 2 chairs. Christian puts a chair under Jericho's head and is ready to hit Jericho with the one-man Con-Chair-To and smash that chair down onto Jericho's head but Jericho rolls out of the way and locks on the Walls of Jericho. Christian taps and Jericho does not release the hold until the referees run down and break it up.



X-Pac is shown on a telephone in Regal's office. X-Pac says he's not getting enough TV time to the person on the phone but Regal comes in and asks what the hell X-Pac is doing here. X-Pac says he wanted to sit around here and feel what it's like to be the commissioner and doing absolutely nothing. X-Pac says he needs some challengers, he has two championships, and he's not getting any TV time! He says the only reason he went out to the ring last night to congratulate Angle was to get his face on TV. X-Pac says this is mistreatment of greatness. X-Pac continues to complain but Regal starts screaming at X-Pac. Regal says X-Pac will be facing him tonight if he wants a challenger and tells the miserable little creature to bugger off.



-Commercial-



They show clips of Jennifer Holliday singing "America the Beautiful" last night at Unforgiven.



They show Rob Van Dam preparing for his match, doing stretches. Raven comes in and says he's been depressed that he lost to Saturn, the mop-loving maniac. He says he doesn't know what to do. RVD says that Raven is always negative, he needs to snap out of it and be positive. Quoth the Raven, nevermore, etc. Raven thanks RVD and leaves. Steph comes in and says RVD is a natural leader by helping Kanyon and now Raven. Steph says when he beats Rock, he will be the Alliance leader. RVD says he's psyched about fighting for the WCW Championship and showing The Rock he's the whole damn show. Steph nods in approval and tells him not to let her down.



The Hardy Boyz music hits and here comes Matt Hardy, accompanied by the lovely Lita.



WHO BETTER THAN KANYON? Here comes Kanyon.



Matt Hardy vs. Kanyon
Kanyon shoves Matt down but Matt with a forearm to knock Kanyon down. Matt goes up top and flips over Kanyon for a cover and a 2 count. Kanyon ducks outside and hits on Lita. Lita slaps Kanyon and then Matt with a flying clothesline to Kanyon from the inside. Matt tosses Kanyon back into the ring but Kanyon bodyslams Matt and chokes him on the mat. Kanyon with an inverted pancake and then an unorthadox lateral-press cover for a 2 count. Kanyon moves his hips for Lita but Matt rolls-up Lita for a 2 count. Side-russian leg sweep to Kanyon. Matt goes up top for a leg drop but Kanyon is up and stops Matt. Kanyon goes to Superplex Matt but Matt shoves Kanyon down. Matt hits his legdrop on Kanyon and then Kanyon rolls to the outside. Matt chases after him. Kanyon advances on Lita but Lita hits Kanyon with a Hurricanrana. Matt tosses Kanyon back inside and Matt goes for the Twist of Fate on Matt but Kanyon shoves Matt at Lita who was standing on the apron. Lita goes flying off the apron. Matt is distracted as Lita is hurt and Kanyon takes advantage by hitting Matt with the Flatliner for the win.
Winner: Kanyon



-Commercial-



DDP is shown just standing there and smiling. DDP says it's me, it's me, it's D-D-P! He says last time they saw him, he was recieving a beating from the Undertaker. DDP says no matter how many times you get knocked down, you have to get right back up. He says he's found the real DDP, and he likes himself. He says he's going to help us like ourselves as well. DDP smiles a wide smile as I'm sure a lot of people at home are as confused as I am as to where this will be heading. Self-help? Uh oh.



Al Snow is at WWF New York. Al is there with the five finalists of Tough Enough. Nidia says she would fit in with the beautful women of the WWF. Taylor says it's about women kicking ass. Chris says he's taller, bigger and stronger than Josh, so he should win. Maven says he has intelligence, athleticism and charisma. What better choice? Josh says he's being used in other people's promos to get them over, so the people know who to pick. Al Snow questions whom will win. This Thursday on Tough Enough, we'll find out.



Michael Cole is interviewing The Rock now. Finally The Rock has come back to COLUMBUS. Rock says he walked in Unforgive the WCW Champion, and walked out the WCW Champion. He says tonight will mark the first time he will defend his WCW Championship against Rob Van Dam. He also says from this night, 25 years ago, from the testicles of Vince McMahon himself, came the terrifying Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley which sent chills up every man's spine. Rock says if Steph chooses to get involved in his match tonight, just like the doctor did 25 years ago when he wiped all the baby goo off her body, he will smack her million dollar candy-ass! Rock says he's happy it's her birthday however, he has a song for her. "Happy Birthday to Steph, you're a ho with big breasts. So take the night off from hooking, if you smell what The Rock is cooking."



-Commercial-



X-Pac coming out to new music. The Uncle Cracker theme has been finally put out of its misery.



And here comes the Commissioner, William Regal.



X-Pac vs. William Regal
X-Pac and Regal lock up. Regal with a hip toss to X-Pac. X-Pac with a chinlock to Regal. Regal with a double knee to the face of X-Pac and then whips X-Pac off the ropes and into a back body drop. Regal with right hands to X-Pac on the mat and then Regal whips X-Pac off the ropes again. X-Pac hits Regal with a heel kick and then X-Pac chokes Regal on the mat. X-Pac with a suplex and then a 2 count. X-Pac with chops to Regal in the corner. Regal charges at X-Pac with a high knee and then Regal whips X-Pac off the ropes once more. X-Pac hits Regal with a spinning shoulder block and then a 2 count. X-Pac kicks Regal down in the corner and then X-Pac hits Regal with the Bronco Buster. Regal pops back up and then Regal with a hasty modified twisting neckbreaker for the unexpected 3 count.
Winner: William Regal



-Commercial-



Rob Van Dam's music hits and here comes the Hardcore Champion for the WCW Championship Match..ROB..VAN..DAM!



IF YA SMELL..WHAT THE ROCK..IS COOKIN! Here comes the WCW Champion, The Rock!



Stephanie's music hits and now Stephanie is making her way to the ring.



WCW Championship: Rob Van Dam vs. The Rock
RVD and Rock lock up. Rock with a chinlock and Rock with a shoulder block takedown and then knocks RVD down with a right hand and then a hip toss. RVD back to his feet now. Rock and RVD lock up again and this time RVD with the knockdown. Rock goes for the Rock Bottom but RVD fights back with elbows and then a reverse heel kick. RVD clotheslines Rock over the top rope. RVD heads outside but runs into a right hand from the Rock. RVD whips Rock into the barricade but then Rock explodes back with a clothesline. RVD hangs Rock up on the security wall and then is up on the apron for the leg drop to Rock on the security wall. RVD rolls Rock back into the ring and then RVD heads up top and hits Rock with a flying kick for a 2 count. Both men up to their feet and Rock with a bridge suplex for a 2 count. Rock with a half nelson for another 2 count. RVD with a leg sweep for a 2 count of his own. RVD sends Rock outside and then bounces Rock's head off the ring steps. RVD clears the announce table. RVD charges at Rock but Rock with a back body drop to RVD and RVD smears on the top of the table. Rock sends RVD back into the ring and Rock hits RVD with a spinebuster for another 2 count. Rock tosses RVD into the corner but Rock runs into an elbow from RVD. RVD with a scoop slam to Rock and then a springboard moonsault to Rock. Both men are down and Rock rolls over onto RVD for only a 2 count. Rock is back on his feet and Steph slaps The Rock from the outside and RVD rolls up Rock for a 2 count. Rock is back up now and right hands to RVD. Rock hits RVD into the corner with right hands and then Rock with a DDT. Rock locks RVD in the Sharpshooter but Steph has the ref distracted on the apron. Rock chases Steph all the way up the entry ramp and then Rock drags Steph into the ring. Rock is about to Rock Bottom Stephanie but RVD comes from behind with a forearm. RVD with a slam and then RVD is going for the Five-Star Frog Splash. RVD is standing on the top rope and Steph is arguing with the referee. Steph shoves the referee and then the referee is sent into the ring ropes. This causes RVD to lose his balance and fall off the top. Rock then measures RVD for the Rock Bottom. Rock hits the Rock Bottom for the 3 count.
Winner and still WCW Champion: The Rock



Steph is crying and pouting on the top of the ramp as Rock poses on the turnbuckles as the show comes to an end. Where was Austin?



End of show.





Still open for feedback, comments and suggestions.