The Ruthless Aggression Era- Ep.1- The Original Draft RAW

Venue: Bryce Jordan Center. State College, Pennsylvania

Hello there and welcome to the first of hopefully many pieces on personally my favourite era in professional wrestling- The Ruthless Aggression Era. Now I know a lot of fans will say that The Attitude Era was the greatest era for them and they have a very valid point and they are entitled to their respective opinion. I wasn't old enough to grasp what the Attitude Era meant (heck I was two years old when Stone Cold drove a Zamboni into the arena) so for me my love of wrestling started when I was six years old just in time for the Ruthless Aggression Era to kick in. This era gave us the Smackdown six, Evolution, Kane's unmasking, the rise of Brock Lesnar, the debut of John Cena, Paul Heyman writing Smackdown (Road Dogg should go back and watch) and so much more.

I have decided to go back and watch what I consider to the start of The Ruthless Aggression Era and that was the original draft lottery. Now I know some people claim the Ruthless Aggression era started with Vince cutting that famous promo but for me the seeds were really planted here. This for me has and always be the best version of the draft, the whole occasion seemed so very real and it seemed as though you are watching an NFL Draft with all the suspense. More importantly each roster (RAW and Smackdown) got even picks which for me should have happened in the 2016 draft that way it doesn't leave one roster thin. Without further ado, here is the first review from the March 25th 2002 episode of RAW looking back at the Ruthless Aggression Era. Don't worry Smackdown will be covered to. I hope you enjoy!

Linda addresses the locker room

The first segment we are treated to even before the signature at the start of the show, is Linda McMahon addressing the locker room regarding the draft and how it will work. Ric Flair will pick for RAW and Vince McMahon will pick for Smackdown. Linda states that 20 superstars will be drafted live during the show and the rest of the superstars will be drafted through a lottery on WWF.com (similar in a way to the 2016 draft). Triple H, Chris Jericho and Stephanie McMahon are exempt from the draft as they are competing in a triple threat match for the WWF Undisputed Championship in the Main Event of that show. Stone Cold Steve Austin is also exempt from the draft due a contractual clause so that makes him a free agent and he will be allowed to choose to move to RAW or Smackdown. Linda then wishes the roster good luck on this historic first ever WWE Draft.

Opening Match- Tazz vs Mr.Perfect

Before the first entrance, the commentary team of Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler hype up the draft in front of a raucous crowd in Pennsylvania, as well as the triple threat match with Lawler emphasising that Stephanie could become the first ever female WWE Champion. Tazz comes out (his entrance music is fantastic) with the usual towel on his head. Mr Perfect comes out to a moderately good pop from the crowd and this match, this match turned out to be one of the last few Curt Hennig had on TV until his departure in May 2002 after the "plane ride from hell incident". Perfect cuts a promo telling the fans that he is going to show them, why he is the perfect pick and then blindsides Tazz with an elbow. Tazz then reverses an Irish Whip, to be then met by a dropkick from Perfect. 

Perfect works over Tazz in the corner until Tazz counters with some right hands of his own. Perfect then gets the upper hand and hits a Perfect-Plex on Tazz but Tazz gets his hand on the ropes. Tazz reverses from the corner and locks in a Tazzmission for the win. 

Match Rating: *. Lasted 1.53, was really a nothing match. The Tazzmission brought a decent pop from the crowd.

The first ever draft pick

We cut to Ric Flair and Arn Anderson discussing draft picks backstage in "Ric Flair's War Room" and then the camera cuts to Vince who abruptly leaves his office as the camera zooms in on a picture of Kurt Angle, hinting that he could be a pick for McMahon. Vince comes out to chants of "asshole" and he ultimately announces that his first pick will be none other than The Rock. This prompts The Rock to come out, to which Vince lays down some ground rules for (at the time) WWF Smackdown (until Vince tapped out to a Panda). Vince tells The Rock that he can't use any of his usual catchphrases and then the fans start chanting "asshole" again to which Vince replies "Hey he's my number one draft pick don't call him that" which to me was absolutely hilarious. As Vince is about to leave The Rock cuts him off.

The Rock proceeds to do what he is does best and that is verbally humiliate people. He talks about how he won the world title on RAW and how The Rock N Sock connection was formed on RAW and to get one over on Vince he talks about how he shoved McMahon's face into Rikishi's ass. The Rock is an absolute showman playing to the crowd saying the people made him and tells one side of the crowd to chant "You are" and the other side to chant "an asshole" at Vince if he ever screws with The Rock on Smackdown. The crowd start doing it which infuriates Vince to which he leaves and The Rock is stood there laughing. Very fun segment.

Ric Flair comes out to make the first ever draft pick for Monday Night RAW in which Lawler on commentary goes "Hey Jr, do you know he can't pick The Rock". Flair chooses The Undertaker and that ultimately triggers Taker into barging in Vince's office saying "I thought you said he wouldn't pick me and you better fix this"

Booker T and Christian vs Edge and DDP (Diamond Dallas Page)

Edge comes out first to in my opinion, his best theme song which is "Never gonna stop" performed by Rob Zombie. DDP is next to enter, followed by Christian and then Booker T (the man who along with Corey Graves worked the entire wrestling community the crafty buggers). The match begins with Edge and Booker T having a slug fest in the middle of the ring which Edge gets the better off and then works over Booker T in the corner. Edge whips Booker into the opposite corner but gets distracted by Christian and Edge gets hit with a Superkick by Booker T. Booker tags in Christian who then delivers a Powerslam to his former tag team partner Edge. Edge finds some momentum and hits a Spinebuster on Christian and DDP gets tagged in for the hot tag (I am using that term loosely). DDP avoids the patterned Booker T scissor kick and hits a diamond cutter and Christian breaks up the pin. Christian then hits Unprettier on DDP and him and Edge start brawling on the outside. Booker regains his footing and hits the Scissor Kick on DDP for the win.

Match Rating: *

The Draft Continues- Part 1

We go backstage into Vince's office where Kurt Angle is trying to persuade Vince to announce him as his next draft pick ahead of the NWO. Kurt says "think of the poison they will spread on Smackdown" and then Kurt starts listing his accomplishments. Vince acquiesces and there on the spot announces Kurt as his second pick to which Kurt responds by hugging him and then telling him "hey I should have been picked first" Flair responds by coming out and telling the crowd that he will try everything to sign Stone Cold Steve Austin. Flair announces that his second pick will be the collective unit of NWO (Hall,Nash and X-Pac) which infuriates Vince.

Vince is livid that he missed out on the NWO and The Undertaker claiming that Flair has swerved him twice and vows to get the better of him by signing free agent Stone Cold Steve Austin. Angle then suggests a superstar who isn't even there at the show and has been out for a while in Vince's ear. Vince then announces on behalf of Smackdown that Chris Benoit will be on that show. Benoit would actually make his return back on RAW rather than Smackdown.

Flair is talking to the NWO and X-Pac is the spokesperson here telling Flair that they only listen to Vince and that Flair should deal with the NWO now if he has something to say. Ric Flair then chooses Kane as his third pick who has started to have some run-ins with the New World Order as of late.

Trish Stratus vs Ivory

Trish comes out to a huge ovation with her old theme music which I completely forgot about. This is a match pitting a current Hall of Famer and one who is about to be inducted in Ivory. Ivory starts on the front foot, delivering a kick to the mid section on Trish. Ivory whips Trish into the ropes and Trish goes for a kick but was meant to catch Ivory but Ivory half ducked and Trish's kick barely connected and then takes down Ivory with a clothesline. Trish hits a crossbody on Ivory for the two count and it's refreshing not to hear the "Too Sweet" thing fans do after every two count on today's programming. Ivory avoids another crossbody from Trish, this time off the top turnbuckle. Ivory goes to work on Trish in the corner but Trish reverses and hits a Stratussphere followed by Stratusfaction for the win.

Match Rating :* (P.S I am not giving them 1* for the sake of it, there is literally nothing happening of note in the matches and not a single match has gone past the three minute mark yet. This is no fault of my own)

The Draft Continues- Part 2

Vince comes out to the podium which is placed on the left on the stage to chants of "You are an asshole" exactly like the chants The Rock conducted the crowd to sing earlier. Vince declares Hulk Hogan as his fourth pick and what is interesting about this, is that Hulk has custom music but the music being played on the Network is different to the one he had at that time. The music I believe was supposed to be "Voodoo child" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience but due to legal rights WWE can not have it on their own Network. Similar in a way to The Sandman not having "Enter Sandman" by Metallica on the Network. Flair then utilises his turn and picks RVD making the Intercontinental Title exclusive to RAW. Vince is outraged by this and sanctions a match between Angle and RVD in the hopes that Angle can bring the title over to Smackdown.

Another match is set up backstage in the locker room as Hulk Hogan and The Rock announce that they are going to fight the NWO in a 2 on 3 Handicap Match. Vince is back out again as the crowd consistently hurl abuse at him and Vince announces he has drafted the Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck (in which their manager Rico was also drafted).

Hollywood Hulk Hogan and The Rock vs The NWO (Nash, Hall and X-Pac)

Hogan is the first man out and what an ovation he gets from the Penn State, followed by The Rock who gets a similar ovation from the crowd. I could only imagine what it must have felt like to be at Wrestlemania X8 when these two squared off in Toronto and put on that iconic bout. The NWO come out to a reasonable reception from the crowd but early on you could tell that this crowd was here for Hulk Hogan.

The match starts out with a battle of strength between Hogan and X-Pac which Hogan gets the better of by throwing X-Pac over the top rope to the roar of the Penn State crowd. X-Pac tags in Scott Hall and he and Hogan engage in a lockup to which Hogan shoves Hall down and flexes those 24 inch pythons brother. It's then Nash's turn to try and outmuscle Hogan and he does, shoving The Hulkster down with ease. Nash starts landing these big shots to Hogan's lower back until Hogan pops up and proceeds to repeatedly strike Nash and then Hogan rushes to the corner and takes out Hall and X-Pac. Nash stops Hogan's attempt at a big back with a big forearm. X-Pac is tagged in as Hogan chants echo around the arena. Hogan makes the hot tag and The Rock lays the Smackdown on every member of the NWO before delivering a Rock Bottom to Nash and Hogan hits his signature leg drop before X-Pac breaks up the pin.

All three members of NWO start trying to corner Rock and Hogan before Kane's music hits and the Big Red Machine lays waste to everyone, hitting X-Pac with a big boot as well as Nash before delivering a Chokeslam to Hall. The outcome of the match is that the NWO win by DQ

Match Rating: **- Enjoyable but you could tell it was really rushed due to time constraints. Hogan was getting a god like reception from the crowd.

The Draft Continues- Part 3

After the break, Vince barges into Flair's office, furious at the fact that The Undertaker and the NWO were stolen from him and demands Flair to explain himself. Flair responds by saying "I don't have to explain anything to you anymore, we are 50-50" (referring to the split ownership storyline). Flair then chooses Booker T as his next pick, to which Vince responds by picking Edge. Flair then picks The Big Show and McMahon chooses Rikishi. Flair then says "Great. Maybe we will see him sit that great big ass of his in your face again"

Jeff Hardy vs Billy Gunn

Jeff Hardy comes out first along with the rest of Team Extreme, Matt Hardy and Lita. On a side note, it is surreal to think that 14 years later in 2016, Matt Hardy would be speaking to a giraffe named George Washington. Billy and Chuck along with Rico follow with Rico looking after Billy and Chuck's robes at ringside. Billy works over Jeff in the corner before Jeff reverses and springs off the ropes to hit a flying clothesline. Jeff goes for the Swantom Bomb but misses after a quick distraction by Chuck, Rico goes to grab the Tag Team Title belts but Lita hits him with a Hurricanrana. Jeff wins via a rollup on Billy Gunn.

Match Rating: * (hopefully these star ratings are consistent. This is my opinion)

The Draft Continues- Part 4

It's Flair's turn to pick as he hopes to bring the most dominant team in the WWF over to RAW, so he chooses Bubba Ray Dudley. Vince throws a spanner in the works and opts to pick D-Von and if you recall D-Von later becomes Reverend D-Von a spiritual advisor to Vince. The Dudleyz are upset but they both look at each other and embrace. In the middle of this Rikishi was suppose to face European Champion William Regal but Brock Lesnar attacked Rikishi before the match begun, laying Rikishi out with an F5. After seeing Brock destroy Rikishi, Vince comes out and chooses Brock until Flair reminds him it's not his turn. Vince tries to bends the rules by offering Flair two choices but Flair says no and picks Brock Lesnar. Vince responds by selecting the Worlds Strongest Man Mark Henry and Flair opts to choose European Champion William Regal (making the title exclusive to RAW).

Vince picks the Hardcore Champion Maven to which Maven is frightened at the prospect of working with Vince. The final pick of the draft goes to Flair and he picks Lita. Vince suggests that the only reason why Flair picked her is because he wants to sleep with her, which if you think about how Vince tried to get it on with his female roster (kayfabe) back in the day, it comes across as a bit hypocritical. Just a little bit.

Rob Van Dam vs Kurt Angle- Intercontinental Title

Up next is the first title match of the night between Intercontinental Champion RVD and Kurt Angle. If Angle were to win, he would bring the Intercontinental Championship over to Smackdown. As RVD is doing his typical pose in the ring, Angle sneaks up from behind and delivers and emphatic German Suplex. Angle works over RVD on the corner and whips him into the corner opposite before RVD leapfrogs over Angle. RVD lands some offence with his kicks before Angle reverses and delivers an overhead belly to belly suplex. The match ended by a disqualification as Angle threw Tim White the referee in the way of a Van Dam crossbody.

There were some cool spots with Angle hitting those back to back to back German suplexes so effortlessly. Van Dam put in some great offence particularly with the rolling thunder. They also continued the storyline brewing between Edge and Kurt Angle when Edge came out to make the save after RVD was put in an ankle lock after the bell. Again, this match was very short as tonight they focused less on the in ring work and more on the draft which was to be expected.

Match rating : **

HHH vs Chris Jericho vs Stephanie McMahon -Undisputed Title

Very solid opening ring work from HHH and Jericho as Stephanie played cheerleader role for Jericho and Stephanie actually tries to let Jericho pin her but HHH intervenes and breaks up the three count. There was a very well worked spot where HHH flung Jericho into the corner where Stephanie was, Y2J connects with Stephanie and Stephanie falls face first and inadvertently falls head first into Jericho's groin which looked great. Jericho and Steph start to target the surgically repaired quad of HHH before they both turn on each other. Jericho locks Steph in the walls of Jericho before HHH intercepts and breaks up the pin.

Hunter goes for the pedigree on Steph but Jericho hits with a missile dropkick. Y2J and Hunter hit each other with the titles (WWF Title and the big gold belt from WCW) which knocks them both out and as they are down, Steph goes to pin Hunter but Hunter kicks out, same with Jericho.

The finish of the match was that HHH hit Jericho with the pedigree and Steph broke up the pin to which HHH hit Steph with a spinebuster for the 1-2-3.

HHH retains and Stephanie is banished from RAW

Overall it was a good show I thought. The draft itself certainly meant more in 2002 than it did in 2016 because of how historic it was at that time. Bit disappointed with how long the matches went but that was expected.

7/10