MONDAY NIGHT RAW
PREVIEW | Monday November 26, 2001 | Oklahoma City, OK
STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN RETURNS TO MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
After being given an ultimatum to return by the end of SMACKDOWN last week by Vince McMahon, the WWF Champion, Stone Cold Steve Austin, made his return in the nick of time to avoid being stripped of his title and fired from the WWF. On his return, all hell broke loose as many of the favourites to win the Undisputed WWF Championship caused chaos in the ring but it was the Rattlesnake who closed the show on top as he hit two significant Stone Cold Stunners – one to Booker T, the man charged with making sure he returned, and one to Austin’s biggest nemesis in the World Wrestling Federation, The Rock. Tonight, we have word that Stone Cold will be appearing on RAW and will be speaking about the demise of the Alliance, his return to the WWF and his future plans in the business. Will Austin officially set his sights on becoming the new Undisputed Champion of the WWF? And what will he have to say about the different issues surrounding his failure to ensure the survival of the Alliance?
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE GAME!
Tonight also sees the official opening of the WWF Undisputed Championship tournament with four pre-qualifying matches. Eight men will do battle but only four men can join all the current singles champions in the WWF and the men who fought for Team WWF at Survivor Series in the final qualifying round. This also signals the return of the Cerebral Assassin himself, “The Game” Triple H. Sidelined for over seven months with a torn quadriceps injury suffered in a Tag Team Championship match on RAW, Triple H’s return sees him face Test with a place in the qualifiers up for grabs. On SMACKDOWN last week, we heard from the former WWF Champion and he set his sights on returning and winning the Undisputed WWF Championship at the UNDISPUTED PPV. However, he should not take his opponent lightly tonight; Test is on a roll right now and is immune from being fired for twelve months after he won the “Immunity” Battle Royale at Survivor Series. He has been on a mean streak and it appears he will do whatever it takes to win tonight. Could Test upset “The Game” on his return tonight? Or will Triple H march on towards the UNDISPUTED PPV with his eyes firmly set on becoming the Undisputed WWF Champion?
PRE-QUALIFYING FOR THE WWF UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS!
As well as Triple H facing Test in the pre-qualifying round here tonight, there are three more matches which could signal the start of the journey towards the Undisputed WWF Championship for somebody here tonight. Former WCW superstars, Diamond Dallas Page and Rey Mysterio, clash in one match; we are familiar with DDP and his twisted antics during the “Invasion” but Mysterio is making his WWF debut here tonight. Could the high-flying 5 foot 6 superstar begin his WWF career with victory over the more established Page? Both Hardy Boys are also in singles competition tonight after their recent Tag Team problems; Matt faces Booker T who looked impressive in defeating Al Snow on HEAT last night whilst Jeff faces William Regal who should be recovered from the ordeal of facing the Brothers of Destruction in a Handicap match on SMACKDOWN. Which four men will make it into the qualifying round on SMACKDOWN later this week?
BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION SEEKING REVENGE!
After their Handicap match with Regal last week, the Brothers of Destruction face another Handicap match this week as they team together once more to face three men; X-Pac and Albert of the X-Factor and Chris Jericho. Last week on RAW, after defeating X-Pac, Taker was attacked by Albert and Jericho before Kane, trying to rescue his brother, took a beating as well. Jericho appears to be upset with Undertaker taking exception to him at Survivor Series when he inexplicably attacked The Rock with a Breakdown and almost cost the WWF big time. With many problems last week between the five men, tonight sees them have chance to put these issues to bed so that, for Undertaker, Kane and Jericho at least, focus can be switched to the tournament later this week. Will Undertaker and Kane take revenge? Or will Jericho and the X-Factor work well together once more to send a message to the two WWF mainstays?
DUDLEY BOYS TO LEAVE THE WWF AFTER WRESTLEMANIA X-8?
In an astonishing revelation last week on SMACKDOWN, the Dudley Boys revealed that they are planning to leave the World Wrestling Federation – with the Tag Team Championships – after WrestleMania X-8. After claiming that there is little competition in the Tag Team division for them, Bubba Ray and D-Von’s comments have not been accepted well in the locker room. A senior WWF official has revealed that all the Tag Teams in the WWF have been told to step up and prove themselves, in the wake of these comments from the Dudleys, and ensure that the Tag Team Championships remain right here in the WWF. Who will be the first to step up and show that the Dudley Boys’ comments are false?
CONFIRMED:
Test vs. Triple H (Pre-Qualifier)
DDP vs. Rey Mysterio (Pre-Qualifier)
Booker T vs. Matt Hardy (Pre-Qualifier)
Jeff Hardy vs. William Regal (Pre-Qualifier)
Chris Jericho & X-Factor vs. Kane & Undertaker (3 vs. 2 Handicap match)
PLUS …
Stone Cold Steve Austin speaks!