Las Vegas, Nevada
July 26, 2003
THE TWF ENTERTAINMENT LOGO IS DISPLAYED FOLLOWED BY THE FBI AND COPYRIGHT WARNINGS. THE SOUND OF A CLOCK IS HEARD. TICK TOCK.... TICK TOCK. AS THE SHOT OPENS, A SINISTER TUNE IS FAINTLY HEARD. SEVERAL CREATURES FROM PREHISTORIC TIMES ARE SHOWN GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES WHEN SUDDENLY.... A LOUD CRASH IS HEARD WHEN A METEOR STRIKES AND A BALL FULL OF FLAMES AND SMOKE COVERS THE SCREEN. THE TUNE GROWS LOUDER AS OLD PHOTOGRAPHS FALL ONTO A WOODEN TABLE THAT HAS THE ANARCHY LOGO CARVED INTO IT. ON THE OLD BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES ARE THE FACES OF ADOLPH HITLER, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE AND GENGHIS KHAN. Narrator: "Throughout time, several rulers have reared their ugly heads. ANOTHER LOUD BOOM IS HEARD. But failure overcame them. MORE PHOTOS ARE SHOWN IN COLOR OF ALL 8 MEN WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE RULER OF RAW TOURNAMENT. THE TWF LOGO NOW APPEARS CARVED INTO THE TABLE UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF A DESK LAMP. Tonight, one man will stand out above all the rest. One man, for whom failure will not be an option, will become the Ruler of RAW"! THE TWF RAW LOGO IS STAMPED ONTO THE SCREEN AS CAMERAS GO INTO THE LOUD AND SOLD OUT THOMAS & MACK CENTER. FIREWORKS OF MANY COLORS POUND THE ARENA AND PYRO SHOOTS UP AS WELL.
Jim Ross: "Las Vegas is pumped up and ready for the first ever RAW only pay-per-view! Can you feel the building rockin' King"?! Jerry Lawler: "I can't hear a thing J.R.! These people are amazing"! J.R.: "They're hear to find out who will be the Ruler of RAW and to see if Bahamut is what he says he is.... better than Strife"! JOHN CENA's SELF COMPOSED THEME "THUGANOMICS" HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A MIXED RESPONSE. HE IS WEARING A THROWBACK DOMINIQUE WILKINS ATLANTA HAWKS JERSEY. Lawler: "Who's to say this man won't win this tournament J.R.? He's young, he's primed and he's ready"! J.R.: "He's a talented young man, I give him that! But he's up against one hell of a challenge tonight"! Lawler: "Wait, he's got a mic"! John Cena: "Yo, yo, yo. This is to all you gamblers up here in Vegas. I know you put odds on who will be the ruler and when it comes to John Cena, ain't nobody cooler. The deadman, he talks a big game. But when it comes to taking control, yo the punk's really lame. I mean he's what, seventy two? That makes it all the more easier for me to leave his ass black and blue! Now to ya'll in the gambling hall, keep one thing in mind. The Undertaker's here to play second fiddle, he ain't one of a kind! It'll be like when he lost the world title to Strife, John Cena's the one to put your money on.... word life"! Lawler: "Ahahahahaha! That was great"! "DEADMAN WALKIN'" IS HEARD NAD RED LIGHTS FLASH OVER THE CROWD AS THE UNDERTAKER COMES OUT TO HIS MUSIC AND A THUNDEROUS POP. J.R.: "Well it is true, The Undertaker is the oldest man in the tournament but King, he's the most experienced and I think the Doctor of Thuganomics, as he calls himself, is about to get a huge lesson taught to him"! Ruler of RAW Quarterfinals: The Undertaker vs. John Cena The bell sounded and Cena ducked a right hand from The Undertaker and fired back with a string of overhand rights. Cena then whipped him to the ropes and delivered a hard back elbow before putting the boots to his chest. But he missed an elbow after bouncing off the ropes and the veteran Undertaker took over. After a hard kneelift, 3 hard rights knocked Cena to the corner and The Undertaker then moved in with some hard reverse elbows. Then he delivered a vertical suplex before hitting a leg drop. He covered Cena but only had enough for a 2 count. Undertaker then whipped him to the ropes but Cena hit a swinging neckbreaker when he put his head down too early. Employing a different strategy, Cena scissored his legs around Undertaker's body and pulled his left arm behind him. The Undertaker was in a lot of pain and fought the hold for over 2 minutes. Finally, he was able to punch his way out of the hold and come back with his soup bone right hands. He then whipped him to the ropes and put a big boot right in Cena's face before locking in his standing dragon sleeper. But Cena had the presence of mind to grab the top rope and referee Mike Sparks called for a break. The Undertaker questioned Sparks about the break which allowed Cena to set up and hit a nice spinebuster. He covered The Undertaker and hooked his leg but only got a 2 count. He then hit his old Cena-Plex manuever but again, couldn't keep the deadman down. Cena then went out and got a steel chair and folded it over. But when he brought it into the ring, Sparks tried to take it from him. Cena flung Sparks to the mat but when he turned around, The Undertaker kicked the chair right into his face. He then waited for him to get up and when he did, he delivered the Chokeslam from Hell to get the 1.....2......3. Match Time: 9:52 Lawler: "What the heck? The Undertaker used a steel chair"! J.R.: "Cena's plan backfired right in his face, literally and the odds the Undertaker becomes Ruler of RAW just went up King"! Lawler: "Cena will be back J.R.! Tonight wasn't his night but he's still one of RAW's top superstars"! PARKING LOT.... CAMERAS SHOW A SPARKLING RED CUSTOM LOWRIDER PULL INTO THE ARENA WITH THE MEXICAN FLAG ATTACHED. EDDIE GUERRERO IS BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CHAVO GUERRERO IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY PULL UP TO A CREW MEMBER BACKSTAGE. Eddie Guerrero: "What's happening homes? Are we in Kansas yet"? Chavo Guerrero: "You'll have to excuse him. Come on Eddie, we've got a match tonight". EDDIE PULLS FORWARD AND THE CAMERA SHOWS AN EMPTY BOTTLE OF TEQUILA IN THE BACK SEAT. BACK AT RINGSIDE, BLACK SMOKE BEGINS THE SET WHICH HAS A HUGE ANARCHIST SYMBOL ON TOP OF IT. SPAWN's MUSIC HITS AND HIS MASK APPEARS IN THE CLOUD OF SMOKE. HE THEN SLOWLY MAKES HIS WAY OUT. J.R.: "The Guerrero's have that big flag match and I hate to say it King but Eddie doesn't seem ready"! Lawler: "Oh of course he's ready J.R. and here's another guy who's ready! High Octane take a good look"! J.R.: "Spawn and Akasha, who have formed this Reign of Darkness on RAW are both in the final eight of this tournament King and believe it or not, it could come down to them in the finals"! AN ENGINE REVS AND THE CROWD COMES TO THEIR FEET AS "DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS" HITS AND HIGH OCTANE HOBBLES OUT WITH HIS ANKLE WRAPPED. Lawler: "Well knowing those two, they want it that way but this man could prevent it right now"! J.R.: "Fans if you notice the right ankle of High Octane is heavily wrapped and it will be a key factor in this match. It occured when he defeated Eddie Guerrero in a highly competitive match to qualify for this tournament". Lawler: "And last week on RAW, Shawn Michaels held him out of a six man tag and that may have done him a lot of good"! J.R.: "Well the competitive spirit inside High Octane didn't feel that way but tonight he's up against a much different opponent. Spawn is a former Toughman champion and he's got a huge size advantage". Lawler: "I don't know J.R., I don't know if he can overcome the odds"! Ruler of RAW Quarterfinals "High Octane" Damion West vs. Spawn As the bell sounded, it was clear that Octane planned on utilizing his tremendous quickness but with his ankle not at 100 percent, he ran into trouble. He struck Spawn with several kicks to the body before going to the top rope but when he jumped off, Spawn caught him in mid air with a bear hug. After wearing him down with that, he clubbed him across the back 3 times. The lower back of Octane became Spawn's immediate target. He delivered a hard backbreaker and held on, picking him back up and dropping him with a sideslam. Octane grabbed his back in pain before Spawn grabbed his right leg and rolled him over with a half crab. With the move still on, he hit Octane's ankle with a closed fist, making it that much more painful. Showing pure guts and determination, Octane was able to struggle to the ropes even with the near 300 pounder on his back to break the hold. The damage had been done but Octane did his best to battle back, hitting Spawn with 3 quick shots to the gut but Spawn slowed him down with a hard kneelift followed by a headbutt. He then picked Octane up on his shoulder and walked him to the ropes, looking to hit the snake eyes but Octane slid off and dropkicked him in the back of the knee, a very smart move. He then grabbed him around the neck and ran to the ropes for a tornado DDT but Spawn threw him off and charged with a clothesline. Octane ducked and drilled him with the "Head on Collision" but he fell back as well. The crowd cheered loudly for West to get over and make the cover and finally, he did. Referee Chad Patton began the count 1........2......, but no, Spawn got his right arm off the mat. Octane set up to deliver the shot again but this time, Spawn ducked and caught him with a hard clothesline. Spawn then set up for the "Spawn Driver" but Octane escaped and put a spinwheel kick right on the nose. He then went to the top rope again for a high risk move and came off with a beautiful missile dropkick but when he landed, he tweeked his ankle and grabbed it in agony. Spawn then got up and picked him up for a tombstone piledriver. Octane was out but Spawn then locked in a standing ankle lock, almost pulling the right ankle out of the socket and Octane had no choice but to tap out. Match Time: 12:28 J.R.: "Just like the man he's drawn comparison to, Shawn Michaels, High Octane fought to the very end"! Lawler: "Yeah but in the end J.R., Spawn was too much for him to overcome"! SPAWN SLOWLY WALKS AWAY TO THE SOUND OF HIS MUSIC AS THE TRAINER CHECKS ON HIGH OCTANE. J.R.: "Spawn has advanced to the next round to face The Undertaker and that'll be one hell of a slobberknocker"! Lawler: "Conditioning is so important in a tournament like this J.R. and when you come in under one hundred percent, you're putting yourself into a huge hole"! THE FANS COME TO THEIR FEET IN CHEER AS OCTANE SLIGHTLY PUSHES THE TRAINER AWAY AND WALKS UP THE RAMP UNDER HIS OWN POWER. J.R.: "Well you gotta give this kid credit and these people are showing their respect for his gutsy effort"! J.R. STANDS UP AND CLAPS HIMSELF. Lawler: "Oh sit down J.R.". BACKSTAGE.... JONATHAN COACHMAN IS SHOWN WITH CIVIL RIGHTS. Teddy Long: "You better make this quick Coach because brother Killings has a match with that Australian wonder Nathan Jones who's gonna find out that the truth is, he would've been better off staying in Boggo Road"! Jonathan Coachman: "Well that remains to be seen but I wanted to get your reaction to the match that has been signed for the next RAW, D'Lo Brown versus Shelton Benjamin". D'Lo Brown: "I got this one Teddy. Ya see Coach, Shelton made a big mistake. In one year, we're all gonna be struggling to remember who he was and on RAW, I'm gonna start the downhill turn for him"! JUST THEN, STEPHANIE McMAHON COMES OVER. Stephanie McMahon: "Excuse me boys, I couldn't help but overhear this interview and I forgot to tell you one minor detail". Long: "What"? Steph: "Hulk Hogan will be in Shelton's corner for that match"! STEPHANIE WALKS AWAY AS D'LO AND KILLINGS ACT AS IF THEY'RE HOLDING TEDDY LONG BACK. "BLACK RAIN" BY EVE HITS AND BLACK SMOKE AGAIN FILLS THE ENTRANCE AS AKASHA MAKES HER WAY OUT TO A LOT OF HEAT. J.R.: "She is the only woman to qualify for the Ruler of RAW tournament and after just watching Spawn advance, she's gotta have all the confidence in the world"! Lawler: "Listen J.R., I've got all the respect in the world for the angel with black wings. But we all know that RAW is a predominantly male show"! "IN MY DARKEST HOUR" BY MEGADEATH HITS AND THE SILHOUETTE OF A MAN APPEARS HOLDING A BASEBALL BAT. NEMESIS THEN STEPS OUT WITH HIS USUAL STOIC LOOK ON HIS FACE AND SLOWLY MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE AISLE. J.R.: "Here comes the twisted Nemesis and King, you gotta figure this guy is a favorite to win this thing". Lawler: "Well the situation between Akasha and Nemesis has been well documented but J.R., I think Akasha may've bitten off more than she can chew here"! J.R.: "Akasha has no doubt not forgotten when Nemesis chokeslammed her after her attempt to recruit him to the reign of darkness was unsuccessful. A spot in the semi-finals of this tournament awaits the winner". Ruler of RAW Quarterfinal Nemesis vs. Akasha From the opening bell, the bigger, stronger Nemesis had his way with Akasha. After a flurry of right hands, he whipped her to the corner and slammed into her with a hard clothesline before bouncing off the ropes and delivering a running boot to the face. It seemed like it was already over but Nemesis chose to inflict more punishment. After a hard shoulderbreaker, he went into a reverse armbar. Akasha did her best to hang in but Nemesis finally released the hold. He then whipped her to the ropes and caught her with a flying lariat followed by a big legdrop. He went into a cover but Akasha kicked out at 2. Nemesis pounded her with more right hands before sending her to the corner but when he charged in, Akasha stuck her feet in his face. She then exploded out with a clothesline before showing her power and suplexing Nemesis. Nemesis reversed an irish whip attempt but Akasha hit the ropes and flew back with her Mortician Slam. The tide was taking a dramatic turn when Nathan Jones came out to a lot of boos. He grabbed a steel chair and swung it but Akasha ducked and he inadvertently drilled Nemesis! Akasha patiently waited for him to get to his feet and when he did, she hit the "Cloud of Darkness" and hooked the leg for the 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 11:31 J.R.: "Oh my gosh! An errant shot with the steel chair by Nathan Jones has allowed Akasha to pick up a huge upset victory"! Lawler: "I can't believe it J.R.! We've got a woman in the final four"! J.R.: "We sure do and get this, she might face Nathan Jones there"! BACKSTAGE NATHAN JONES IS SHOWN DESTROYING HIS DRESSING ROOM IN ANGER WHEN TEDDY LONG AND D'LO BROWN COME IN. Teddy Long: "Nathan, Nathan, come down my man! JONES STOPS AND LOOKS AT LONG WITH A FEROCIOUS LOOK IN HIS EYES. Listen man, my brothers and I were talking and we came up with an idea. Even though you and the Truth have a match tonight, what would you say to joining Civil Rights? You could be the muscle of the group, ya feel me"? JONES GETS RIGHT IN LONG's FACE. Nathan Jones: "I want nothing to do with your group or your beliefs! And the truth is this. Ron Killings has never met someone like the Collossus of Boggo Road"! JONES WALKS AWAY. OTHER SIDE OF THE ARENA... DRESSING ROOM.... TRIPLE H AND MALICE ARE SHOWN WITH THEIR TAG TEAM TITLES OVER THEIR SHOULDERS. Triple H: "Don't sweat it man. Billy Gunn and that freak Steiner, they're way past their prime. But us, we're in the prime of our careers my man. And when we defend these titles tonight, that's all gonna come out. Those two chumps, they've got nothin' on us". CIVIL RIGHTS' LOGO APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON AND THEIR THEME MUSIC HITS AS TEDDY LONG COMES OUT WITH HIS MEN, D'LO BROWN AND RON KILLINGS. Lawler: "Here comes the truth"! J.R.: "After a failed attempt to gain the services of Nathan Jones, Ron Killings has now gotta face him"! NATHAN JONES' MUSIC HITS AND HE MARCHES DOWN THE RAMP WITH A PURPOSE. D'LO BROWN GETS IN HIS WAY BUT JONES KNOCKS HIM DOWN WITH A KICK TO THE FACE. REFEREE MIKE CHIODA THEN POINTED AT D'LO AND POINTED TO THE BACK. Lawler: "What's this"? J.R.: "Chioda's sendin' D'Lo to the back! He's gonna make this one on one"! JONES GOT INTO THE RING BUT WAS BLINDSIDED BY KILLINGS AS THE BELL SOUNDED. Lawler: "Well, this one's underway"! Ruler of RAW Quarterfinals Nathan Jones vs. Ron "The Truth" Killings w/ Brother Long Killings' attack could not slow down the daunting Jones who blocked a right hand and lifted him up with a military press, dropping him to the mat. He then whipped him to the ropes and caught him with a kick to the gut that knocked him through the ropes and to the floor. Long came over to help Killings regroup and Chioda made Jones stay back. Killings got to the apron and dropped Jones down with a guillotine but when he came in with a flying clothesline, Jones ducked and then scooped him up for a running powerslam. He then bounced off the ropes and delivered a crushing elbow but his nonchalant cover only got him a 2 count. Killings was feeling the wrath of Jones and could do little about it. But after ducking a clothesline, he blitzed him with a flying forearm. He then did the splits and caught Jones with a nice dropkick before hitting a springing elbow drop from out of the corner. He made a cover but had little contact and Jones easily kicked out. Killings' run of offensive moves was quickly shut down however when Jones knocked him silly after a reverse spin kick to the side of the head after Killings missed with a calf kick. He fell to the mat face first like a ton of bricks and Jones hooked the leg for the 3 count. Long got up on the apron but quickly got back down when Jones turned around as Chioda raised his arm. Match Time: 7:26 Lawler: "Wow, what a shot"! J.R.: "And now Jones will move on to face Akasha but King, Killings hit him with a lot and it hardly phased him". Lawler: "You're right J.R.? Who can stop Nathan Jones"? BACKSTAGE.... TOMMY DREAMER IS BACKSTAGE TALKING WITH A FEW MEMBERS OF SECURITY WHEN EDDIE GUERRERO COMES UP, HIS FACE BEET RED. Eddie Guerrero: "Odule homes, what's happening Tommy? DREAMER GRABS HIS SINGAPORE CANE. No essa, there's no need for that vato. I came to offer my apologies for attacking you homes, I don't know what came over me! Eddie: "Simon vato. We're gonna teach those french chumps what la raza is all about"! CHAVO GOES BACK TO DREAMER AND SHAKES HIS HAND. DRESSING ROOM A CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES INTO A DRESSING ROOM WHERE A MAN SITS WITH HIS BACK TO THE CAMERA. HIS BLACK, STRINGY HAIR AND TORN LEATHER SHIRT DISPLAYED. IT IS NAILS. AS THE CAMERA MOVES CLOSER, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT HE HAS HIS HOCKEY MASK IN HAND, LOOKING AT IT WITH GREAT INTENT. Nails: (to himself) "Anarchy Rulz. These people don't know the meaning of Anarachy. It's time to show them what Anarchy, Inc. is all about". BACK AT RINGSIDE, LA RESISTANCE's MUSIC HITS AND THEY COME OUT WITH WILLIAM REGAL. RENE DUPREE IS WAVING THE FRENCH FLAG AS THE TRIO IS LOUDLY BOOED. J.R.: "Here is one of the matches I have been most looking forward to. The French flag versus the Mexican flag and King, this one has been building for quite some time"! Lawler: "It sure has, almost since the debut of these guys but they have one thing Los Guerrero's don't, William Regal"! Sylvan Grenier: "You people here in Vegas are pathetic! THE CROWD LOUDLY BOOS. I mean, what is your claim to fame, the fact that you have a bunch of casino's"? Rene Dupree: "It is clear, you Americans can do no right. One of the biggest tourist sites in the country is a place that lures people here with something as filthy as gambling. Where as in France, you can come see something as pure as the Eiffel Tower or..... "VIVA LA RAZA" HITS AND EDDIE AND CHAVO COME OUT IN THEIR CUSTOM LOWRIDER WITH THE MEXICAN FLAG TO A HUGE POP. J.R.: "Thank god"! Chavo: "Hey homes, that may be the way it is in France, but whether in Mexico or the USA, Los Guerrero's have always made a habit out of doing one thing"! Eddie: "And that's kicking ass homes"! THE CROWD POPS LOUDLY AS LOS GUERRERO's JUMP OUT OF THE CAR AND THE FLAGS ARE PLACED IN OPPOSITE CORNERS. Lawler: "Big words from the Guerrero's"! J.R.: "First team to grab their respective flag wins folks and even though we're in Las Vegas, these people are strongly pulling for Eddie and Chavo"! Flag Match Los Guerrero's vs. La Resistance w/ William Regal Chavo started the match with Grenier and it was Chavo who would get the best of the exchange. After landing on his feet off a backbody drop, Chavo delivered an armbar DDT and then locked in a reverse top wrist lock. Grenier got back to a vertical base but Chavo kept enough distance so Grenier couldn't punch his way out of it. Chavo then twisted the arm around but Grenier flipped over and whipped Chavo to the mat. Tags were made on both sides and Dupree was in their with the much more experienced Eddie. Eddie grabbed him in a side headlock but Dupree backed him to the ropes and sent him in. But when they slammed into each other, Dupree went to the mat. Eddie then hit a textbook dropkick and went to the apron but slipped and William Regal pulled him to the floor and delivered a clothesline. In the ring, Dupree and Grenier pulled Chavo in and stomped away at him in the corner. Referee Charles Robinson warned Regal that he could be barred from the ring and Eddie rolled back in. But Dupree picked up where he left off, dropping Eddie with a suplex. He then tagged in Grenier who went down to one knee and he bodyslammed Eddie right across the knee. Grenier then locked in a bow and arrow like hold and Eddie was in a lot of trouble. Chavo came in but Robinson cut him off, allowing another double team by La Resistance. After an irish whip, they lifted Eddie into the air with a throw and he hit the mat hard. Regal then got on the apron distracting Robinson as Grenier used both hands to choke him. Grenier then tagged Dupree who grabbed his hands and tried to flip him onto Eddie but he rolled out of the way. He then ducked a clothesline from Dupree and kicked him in the gut, hitting a sit down powerbomb. Eddie then slowly made his way up the turnbuckle, trying to get the flag but Chavo screamed for a tag. Dupree recovered and climbed up with him. He brought him off with a backdrop suplex but Eddie reversed his position in mid air and landed on top of Dupree. "EDDIE" chants rang through the arena as Eddie squirmed to his corner, finally making the tag. Grenier ran in as Dupree made a dash for his flag but Chavo hip tossed him and pulled Dupree down. He ducked a clothesline and backdropped him over the ropes and he landed on the hood of the lowrider. William Regal got on the apron but Eddie ran over and knocked him to the floor with a right hand. Grenier came from behind and put Chavo down with a neckbreaker drop and began making his way to his flag. But Eddie came into the ring behind Robinson's back and broke the tequila bottle over his head as shards of glass went everywhere. Chavo was then able to ascend the turnbuckle and pull down the Mexican flag as "Viva La Raza" hit and the crowd went nuts. Match Time: 10:34 Lawler: "Come on ref! You had to have seen that"! J.R.: "The Guerrero's have resorted to any and all tactics to pick up the win and this has to be a huge blow to the ego of La Resistance"! Lawler: "This is a huge miscarriage of justice J.R. and if I know William Regal, he'll come up with something"! BACKSTAGE.... AKASHA AND SPAWN ARE SHOWN IN A VERY SECLUDED PART OF THE ARENA. Akasha: "Did you see what I did to Nemesis my Spawn? SPAWN NODS HIS HEAD. Half of our mission is complete and by the time the night is over, everyone will realize that the true ruler of RAW is the Reign of Darkness". AKASHA LAUGHS AS THE CAMERA GETS A CLOSE UP OF THE MASK OF SPAWN. "DEADMAN WALKIN'" LEADS INTO THE UNDERTAKER's THEME "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" WHICH IS ACCOMPANIED BY A FLASHING RED LIGHT. THE UNDERTAKER COMES OUT TO A TREMENDOUS POP. J.R.: "The Reign of Darkness is growing more confident by the minute King but this man could sure throw a wrench into their plans"! Lawler: "The Undertaker is definitely the pick of this crowd but he has to chop down a big redwood here"! BLACK SMOKE FILLS THE ENTRANCE AS SPAWN COMES OUT TO LITTLE REACTION. HE LOCKS ON WITH THE UNDERTAKER AND MAKES HIS WAY INTO THE RING, STOPPING ABOUT A FOOT IN FRONT OF HIM. J.R.: "Would you look at this folks! We're gonna have an explosion here and the winner gets a spot in the finals"! Lawler: "Hold on fans, this is gonna be wild"! Ruler of RAW Semi-Final The Undertaker vs. Spawn The bell sounded and Spawn asked for a test of strength. But the crafy veteran wouldn't fall for it and kicked Spawn in the gut before unloading on him with his soup bones. He then sent him to the ropes but Spawn speered him into the mat. He then picked him up and showed some uncanny strength with a delay suplex before just dropping him into the mat. He then bounced off the ropes and dropped a huge leg across his throat. The Undertaker was in a lot of trouble as Spawn draped him over the middle rope and used all of referee Jack Doan's 5 count to cjoke him. He then bounced off the ropes and dropped a big leg across the back of his neck. Spawn then picked him up onto his shoulder and dropped him on the turnpad with the snake eyes. He made the cover but the crowd let out a big cheer when The Undertaker got a shoulder up at 2. Spawn pushed the weakening Undertaker into the corner and blasted him with a reverse elbow before driving his shoulder into his abdominal region. Spawn then went to the opposite corner andset Undertaker up for a crash but when he charged in, the deadman got out of the way and watched him post his shoulder. He then grabbed his right arm and twisted it back before climbing the turnbuckle and hitting Old School which breathed new life into the crowd. Spawn quickly sat up but The Undertaker bounced off the ropes and hit a beautiful flying lariat which went right into a cover but Spawn powered him off. Undertaker smacked the mat in disbelief before whipping Spawn to the ropes. Spawn ducked a big boot and threw a right hand but Undertaker brushed it away and slapped his right hand around his throat before hitting the Chokeslam from Hell. He went right into a lateral press and hooked the leg but Spawn kicked out at 2! Undertaker had to reach down deep and then tried to put a few knots on Spawn's head with some more right hands but Spawn twisted his arm back when he went for an irish whip and caught him with a powerslam throw. He hooked the leg but again, Undertaker kicked out at 2. Spawn shot him to the far corner and followed in but this time, Undertaker moved and bounced right into the ring rope and drilled him with a running boot to the face. He then made a throat slashing gesture as just about everyone in attendance came to their feet. When Spawn recovered, The Undertaker used everything he had left in the tank to lift him up and drop him with a devastating Tombstone. He crossed both arms of Spawn and got the 1......2......3. Match Time: 9:30 J.R.: "That tombstone had Spawn's name on it and now it says rest in peace King"! Lawler: "The Undertaker had to pull out a few tricks from deep inside his bag but he has defeated Spawn and he's now in the finals"! J.R.: "The fans here in Vegas are firmly behind the deadman and if he can get one more, he'll be the first ever Ruler of RAW"! BACKSTAGE.... BAHAMUT IS IN HIS ROOM DOING SOME BENCHPRESSES WHEN SECURITY LETS A MAN WEARING A TWF SHIRT IN. Bahamut: "Joey Fatoni. Long time no see". Joey Fatoni: "What's up man? Hey, I dropped by tonight because I know I'm not the only fan who feels that you and Strife should blow this whole match off and reform the best tag team the TWF ever saw. And as your childhood friend, you should listen to me". Bahamut: (laughs) "Joey, that's great. But do you remember when we all played kickball at recess"? Fatoni: "Well yeah". Bahamut: "And who was the best"? Fatoni: "Well you were man". Bahamut: "Okay and what about when we all went out for baseball in high school? Who was all state"? Fatoni: "You were man, I get your point". Bahamut: "Well if you get my point, you'd realize I'd have a point to prove here tonight. What I do is wrestle now and Strife has the World title even though I'm the best wrestler in the TWF. So no, I won't be calling the match off. Tonight is about showing everyone what's been the reality since we all met in first grade.... I am Strife's superior". Fatoni: "Alright man, well good luck". THE FAMILIAR ENTRANCE OF AKASHA STARTS UP AND SHE APPEARS AS "BLACK RAIN" IS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND AND SHE COMES OUT TO A LOT OF BOOS. J.R.: "Well ironically, it was the man Akasha will meet in this match that helped her get here. Nathan Jones sent Nemesis into next week with an errant chair shot earlier and King, she's the only remaining hope for the Reign of Darkness". Lawler: "Well Spawn didn't go out without a fight and I don't expect Akasha to either. But what's up with this guy who just talked to Bahamut"? J.R.: "There are still many TWF fans who wanna see the reformation of Strife and Bahamut but the sometimes friends, always rivals are at it again and tonight it will be for all the marbles"! NATHAN JONES' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO MOSTLY BOOS. Lawler: "Well speaking of all the marbles, the winner here advances to the finals of the Ruler of RAW tournament"! J.R.: "I don't know if Akasha could've ran into a tougher opponent but she's not gonna back down, that's for sure". Ruler of RAW Semi-Final Akasha vs. Nathan Jones As the bell sounded, Akasha moved right at Jones with several hard shots to the body but Jones just pushed her back with a pie face. The match didn't see one technical move but it was important all the same. Jones trapped Akasha in the corner and kicked her in the gut but she absorbed the abuse and came back with several kicks of her own before catching him with a european uppercut. Jones' immense size seemed to much for Akasha to overcome however and she resorted to desperate tactics. After catching him with a drop toe hold that finally took him off his feet, she went for the "Cloud of Darkness" but Jones twisted her arm back and brought her in with a short clothesline that nearly beheaded her. He covered her and hooked the near leg for the academic 3 count. Match Time: 7:30 J.R.: "And just like that, the once imprisoned Nathan Jones has advanced to the finals"! Lawler: "Imagine that story J.R., from the bottom to the top in a hurry"! AKASHA WAS SHOWN USING THE ROPES TO GET TO HER FEET AS JONES WALKED UP THE RAMP WITH HIS ARMS RAISED AND A CYNICAL SMILE ON HIS FACE. J.R.: "A great effort from Akasha but Jones proved to be too much and the Reign of Darkness will now have to head back to the drawing board". BACKSTAGE.... STEPHANIE McMAHON's OFFICE.... CAMERAS SHOW WILLIAM REGAL TALKING WITH STEPHANIE WHO IS AT HER DESK WHEN A BOISTEROUS EDDIE GUERRERO ENTERS. Eddie: "Exactly what is the meaning of this mamacita? What is this vato doing in here"?! William Regal: "I'm writing a wrong Mr. Guerrero". Eddie: "Oh is that right essa? Well for your information, there ain't no rematch on the table vato"! STEPHANIE STANDS UP. Steph: "No Eddie, there's not. But Mr. Regal here brings up a good point. You did use a bottle of tequila to help your team to victory out there and as the owner of RAW, I can't stand idly by and let that happen. So I have granted La Resistance another match with you guys next week on RAW". Eddie: "No, you can't do that! CHAVO COMES IN AND STARTS TO PULL EDDIE OUT WHO IS THROWING A FIT. William Regal: "It's a shame. We're going to embarass them". OTHER SIDE OF THE ARENA.... JACKIE GAYDA IS WALKING DOWN THE HALL WHEN GOLDUST POPS OUT IN A GOLD LINGERIE SET, STARTLING HER. Jackie Gayda: "Can I help you"? Goldust: "Oh yes Jackie, yes you can. I love this outfit but in my opinion.... it would look so much better on you". JACKIE SMILED AS CAMERAS SWITCHED BACK TO RINGSIDE WHERE "I GOT IT ALL" HIT AND BILLY GUNN CAME OUT TO A GOOD POP. J.R.: "The RAW tag team titles are about to be put on the line and King, here comes one of the most successful tag team wrestlers of all time"! Lawler: "He is that J.R. but this has gotta be his biggest challenge tonight and he and his partner have had limited experience as a team"! SIRENS BLARE AND A RED LIGHT FLASHES AS "HOLLA, IF YA HEAR ME" IS HEARD AND SCOTT STEINER's MUSIC HITS. HE COMES OUT WITH HIS FREAKZILLA T-SHIRT AND CHAIN HEAD GEAR. J.R.: "You do have a point there King but there opponents haven't been around the world together either"! "THE GAME" BY MOTORHEAD HITS AND MALICE COMES OUT WITH A TAG TEAM TITLE BELT IN EACH HAND. TRIPLE H THEN APPEARS TO A MIXED REACTION AND POURS A BOTTLE OF WATER OVER HIS HEAD. HE SHAKES IT OFF AND GRABS ONE OF THE BELTS AND THE TWO HEAD DOWN THE AISLE TOGETHER. Lawler: "Well here come those opponents J.R. and if you're a bettin' man here in Vegas, I'd put your money on these two"! J.R.: "It's a toss up as far as yours truly is concerned but with the implications involved, it's hard to go against the game"! RAW Tag Team Title Match Challengers.... Scott Steiner and Billy Gunn vs. Triple H and Malice Triple H and Malice decided that the big man would start the match with Steiner and after a collar and elbow tie up, Malice got in a big kneelift followed by a couple straight right hands. He then whipped him to the corner and Steiner grabbed his lower back before being backdropped high into the air. Malice then tagged in HHH who came in to pick up the pieces, dropping a flying knee on Steiner's forehead. He went for a cover but Steiner kicked out at 2. When they got up, Steiner blocked a right hand and fought back with some of his own before hitting a nice belly to belly suplex. He then tagged in Billy Gunn who was charged up against his one time friend. After a few short jabs, he whipped him to the ropes and caught him with a great dropkick. He then shot him to the corner and followed in with a hard body splash before climbing up to the middle turnbuckle and delivered right hands as the crowd counted along. Triple H then fell face first to the match and Gunn made the tag to Steiner who picked him up and delivered a belly to belly suplex. He went for the cover but Malice came in and stomped on his head to break the cover. Steiner went after Malice but it gave HHH valuable time to recover. Steiner hit him with 2 more right hands and then whipped him to the ropes but Triple H ducked a clothesline and came back with a flying knee. He then tagged in Malice who was fresh and he hit Steiner with a big clothesline before knocking Gunn off the mat with a cheap shot. After a walking sideslam, Malice made the tag back to the game who wore Steiner down with several kicks to the gut and a vertical suplex. He then delivered a shin breaker before going into an Indian deathlock. With the hold applied right in the center of the ring, Steiner was in a lot of trouble. Recognizing this, Gunn came in and broke up the hold. But it also allowed Triple H and Malice to double team Steiner. Triple H clapped his hands, acting as if a tag was made and Malice stayed in there with Steiner, working on his lower back. But off an irish whip, he put his head down too early and Steiner kicked him in the chest before locking his arms to the side of his body and hitting an overhead belly to belly. Steiner threw crawled over as the crowd began to really come alive. The hot tag was made and Gunn came in. He whipped Malice to the corner and caught him with a flying body splash. Triple H came in but Gunn blocked a right hand and caught Triple H with another quick jab. He then tagged in Steiner and all 4 men were in the ring. After ducking a HHH clothesline, Gunn jumped in the air and hit Malice with the "Fame Asser". Steiner then knocked Triple H over the top rope with a Steiner Line and then turned to see Malice down on the mat. Steiner then locked in the "Steiner Recliner" and with no other alternative, Malice tapped out. Match Time: 10:44 J.R.: "Scott Steiner and Billy Gunn have climbed the mountain and the unlikely team has claimed the gold tonight"! Lawler: "I can't believe it J.R.! This was supposed to be a team of destiny! Triple H hand picked Malice"! TRIPLE H WAS SHOWN PULLING HIMSELF UP USING THE BOTTOM ROPE AS STEINER AND GUNN WALKED AWAY TO A HUGE CHEER. J.R.: "Ironically, Triple H could've had either Gunn or Steiner as his co-champion and he chose Malice! Ya think he'd like to rethink that one"?! BACKSTAGE... THE ROAD WARRIORS ARE SHOWN TALKING WHEN PSYMIN COMES UP TO THEM. Psymin: "Hawk, Animal, you gotta come quick, someone broke into your car"! Lawler: "What"? PSYMIN LEADS THE ROAD WARRIORS WHO FOLLOW IN A HURRY BUT NAILS AND ZEROEX COME OUT OF NOWHERE, EACH WIELDING BAMBOO STICKS AND THEY CLOBBER HAWK AND ANIMAL. AS HAWK AND ANIMAL WRITH IN PAIN, ANARCHY, INC. STANDS OVER THEM. Nails: "We told you two.... your days were over. You didn't take our advice so we are going to put you out for good". THEY EACH GIVE HAWK AND ANIMAL ONE MORE SHOT WITH THE BAMBOO STICKS BEFORE WALKING OFF, LEAVING THEM LYING. BAHAMUT's DRESSING ROOM... BAHAMUT IS TAPING HIS WRISTS WHEN A-TRAIN ENTERS. A-Train: "Hey Bah, I thought you might want this". HE PULLS OUT A CHAIN. Bahamut: "Thanks Train, but I'm gonna do this one on my own tonight. I'll make that punk Strife suffer in other ways". NATHAN JONES IS SHOWN PACING IN THE RING WHEN "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" HITS AND THE UNDERTAKER COMES OUT TO ANOTHER THUNDEROUS RESPONSE. J.R.: "This has gotta be one of the most intriguing matches I can remember and King, it's gonna be hard hitting and these two are gonna lay it all on the line"! Lawler: "Nathan Jones has only been part of the TWF for about six months but he could gain a lot under his belt with a win here"! J.R.: "A win would propel him towards the top of the ladder here on RAW and for The Undertaker, a win would add to his tremendous list of accolades"! Ruler of RAW Final The Undertaker vs. Nathan Jones Jones seemed to have taken less punishment from the previous two rounds and he won a tradeoff of right hands before catching Undertaker with a sidewalk slam. He then dropped consecutive elbows but soon, his inexperience began to show. After missing with a clothesline in the corner, The Undertaker teed off as if working against a punching bag, catching Jones in just about every spot possible and capping the flurry with a hard uppercut. As Jones stumbled out of the corner, The Undertaker hit him with a running boot to the face. He then grabbed his arm and made his way towards the ropes as the fans came to their feet. But Jones countered Old School by flinging Undertaker to the mat. He then locked in what appeared to be a painful nerve hold but Undertaker stood up and caught him with 2 back elbows. Jones however ducked a third and delivered a nice release northern lights suplex. He went for the cover but 2 was all he could get from referee Brian Hebner. Jones used both arms to lock in a front facelock but The Undertaker fought back with some very quick punches before rocking him with his soup bones. He then whipped him to the corner and charged in with a hard clothesline. But Jones just smiled and charged out with a clothesline of his own. Jones then positioned the deadman for a powerbomb but Undertaker countered with a backdrop but he missed an ensuing legdrop and Jones caught him with a shoulderbreaker. He then set him up for his roundhouse kick but The Undertaker ducked and bounced off the ropes, catching him with a perfect jumping DDT. Undertaker rolled over on Jones and hooked the leg for the 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 9:59 J.R.: "He got him! The highly revered deadman has become the Ruler of RAW"! Lawler: "It was a valiant effort from Nathan Jones but the experience of The Undertaker paid off again". THE CROWD WENT WILD AS "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" BLARED OVER THE LOUDSPEAKERS AND HE STOOD IN THE RING, POSING FOR THEM ALL. J.R.: "It's a perfect ending to one hell of a tournament as another chapter in the deadman's legacy has ended in success"! A PROMO FOR MELTDOWN IS RAN. DR. EVIL AND MINI-ME FROM THE AUSTIN POWERS ARE SHOWN STANDING IN FRONT OF A HUGE CANNON. Dr. Evil: "Thirty seconds from now Mini-Me, I will launch our laser and control will be ours! We will watch the Earth melt away"! DR. EVIL's HAND IS ON THE TRIGGER WHEN SUDDENLY, JORDAN ROCKWELL KICKS THE DOOR DOWN. Dr. Evil: "Get him"! MINI-ME RUNS OVER BUT GETS BOOTED ACROSS THE ROOM BY ROCKWELL WHO MOVES IN AND NAILS DR. EVIL WITH "EXTREME MEASURES". HE THEN SHUTS OFF THE CONTROLS TO THE CANNON AND LOOKS DOWN AT THE TWO WHO ARE LYING NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE GROUND. TWF MeltDown. Live and only on Pay-Per-View in August! Don't miss being part of one of the TWF's biggest events of the year"! A LONG VIDEO PACKAGE IS SHOWN CHRONICOLING SEVERAL KEY EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF STRIFE AND BAHAMUT. "BOMBSHELL" BY POWERMAN 5000 HITS AND BAHAMUT COMES OUT TO A MIXED REACTION. J.R.: "He says he has a point to prove! He says this has been coming to him but King, he's got one heck of a task ahead"! Lawler: "This has been coming to him J.R.! We've known for years that Bahamut was the better wrestler of the two and tonight, it's gonna be proven"! "GET OFF MY TRACKS" BY POD HITS AND STRIFE COMES OUT TO A WILD POP WITH THE WORLD TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. J.R.: "Well speak for yourself King, I think they're both superior athletes and Strife has been one of the better champions we;ve seen! But notice how Strife wants to let his action do his talking! He hasn't once said he was better than Bahamut"! Lawler: "We've seen these two go at it more than once J.R. but this is by far their most important encounter"! J.R.: "They both use similar styles and for years, they have been at the top of the TWF but tonight, there can only be one"! TWF World Title Match Challenger.... Bahamut vs. Strife This was a terrific match that saw everything each man had. Bahamut started out on the offensive but Strife knew his style so well, he could do little harm. After scoring with a big clothesline, Strife went into a waistlock but Bahamut used his body to whip him over. He then whipped him to the ropes and went for a back elbow but Strife ducked and came off the other side with a huge boot to the face, the first big move of the match. The pace began to quicken as Strife drove his fist into Bahamut's head but Bahamut fought back with the same ferocity. After a kick to the gut, Bahamut whipped him to the ropes and delivered a backbody drop and Strife hit the mat with a thunderous slam. Bahamut then lifted him up to the top rope and climbed up with him. The crowd rose to watch a superplex and both men hit with a thud. Bahamut was able to roll over and drape an arm over his chest but only got a 2 count. Bahamut did not wanna let his momentum slip away and he dropped the champ with a powerbomb. He again made the cover but Strife got his shoulder up just in time. Every time he could muster one, Strife threw a right hand but it was clear that Bahamut had him on the ropes. But when he went for a DDT, Strife held the top rope to block it and then caught him with a stiff right hand that knocked him to the corner. He then whipped him to the corner and charged in but Bahamut roared out and they each connected with a clothesline. Strife seemed to get the worst of it as Bahamut stirred first, stopping Earl Hebner's count at 8. But then Bahamut unchracteristically went to the top rope. Strife got to one knee and fell into the ropes, knocking Bahamut to a strddling position. Strife then got up and grabbed Bahamut's arms, bringing him down with the "Derailer" which got him the 1.......2........3. Match Time: 11:49 J.R.: "Bahamut ventured onto the tracks and he just got ran over King! Strife has retained the title"! Lawler: "I don't believe it! Can you imagine how much money those people in the casinos just lost"?! "GET OFF MY TRACKS" LOUDLY PLAYED AND STRIFE WENT AND GRABBED A FANS SIGN WHICH HAD A GREAT DRAWING OF A TRAIN AND STRIFE STANDING ATOP IT HOLDING THE WORLD TITLE BELT. HE BROUGHT IT INTO THE RING AND STOOD ON ONE OF THE TURNBUCKLES HOLDING IT UP AS HEBNER HANDED HIM THE BELT. J.R.: "Bahamut has to swallow his statement about being better because tonight, Strife was the better man! Good night folks"!
