The Great Simulation Do-over (Updated through WWE SummerSlam Preview: August 24, 2003)

General
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ONE MORE ROUND - STONE COLD CLOSES HIS TAB

On the September 1 episode of Raw, Stone Cold Steve Austin officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, stunning the WWE Universe. A two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, seven-time WWE Champion, and 1998 King of the Ring winner, Austin leaves behind a legendary career. His unforgettable battles against The Rock, Bret Hart, and Vince McMahon, along with WrestleMania classics against Savio Vega (XII) and The Rock (XIX), cemented his place in history. After enduring a 1999 neck surgery, Austin fought through pain for years but now steps away for good.

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WWE UNFORGIVEN PREVIEW - SEPTEMBER 21, 2003 FROM THE GIANT CENTER IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA

MAIN EVENT - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Booker T (c) vs. Yokozuna

WHO’S NEXT?
Goldberg vs. Triple H

TAG TEAM MATCH
Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Molly Holly & Gail Kim

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Christian (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Justin Credible

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH
Evolution vs. RVD & Kane

BATTLE FOR STACY KEIBLER’S MANAGERIAL SERVICES
Scott Steiner vs. Test

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

TAG TEAM TABLES MATCH
The Dudley Boyz vs. La Resistance

NOTES

  • The announcers are hyping up Bill Goldberg as ‘The man that retired Stone Cold Steve Austin’ but not having him say it into the mic as a way to try and keep him babyface
  • It’s also likely the reason for the Triple H match. To try and keep Goldberg strong and receiving a babyface reaction
  • Raw’s lack of depth seems to be apparent on the heel side with Yokozuna stepping into the main event heel slot a good 7 years after his first World title win.

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Booker T - 28 days
Intercontinental Champion: Christian - 62 days
World Tag Team Champions: Ric Flair & Randy Orton - 28 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 98 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Kurt Angle - 94 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 56 days
WWE United States Champion: - Billy Gunn - 28 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Matt Hardy (2) - 168 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Jerry Lynn - 39 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Scott Norton - 32 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 74 days

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POST Wrestling: WWE Unforgiven 2003 Preview

September 19, 2003

[INTRO]

John Pollock: Welcome to POST Wrestling. I’m John Pollock, alongside Wai Ting, and today, we’re breaking down WWE Unforgiven 2003, coming to you from the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this Sunday. Wai, a lot has changed in the past few weeks, and there’s a major void left on Raw with the shocking retirement of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Wai Ting: Yeah, John. Austin stepping away has reshaped the entire landscape of WWE. Booker T was already riding high after winning the World Heavyweight Championship, but now, without Austin, Raw is scrambling to fill the void. You look at this card, and it’s clear they’re trying to establish new top names while still relying on some old ones.

MAIN EVENT: WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Booker T (c) vs. Yokozuna

John Pollock: The main event of the night sees Booker T defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Yokozuna. Booker won the title at SummerSlam inside the Elimination Chamber, pinning Goldberg in the final moments. Since then, he’s had all the momentum, but now he faces a massive challenge—literally—in the former two-time WWE Champion, Yokozuna.

Wai Ting: Yokozuna is a two-time WWE Champion, but the big question here is whether he can still deliver on this stage.

John Pollock: His size alone presents a unique challenge. Booker has faced some powerful opponents before, but no one quite like Yokozuna. If Booker gets caught in a Banzai Drop, it could be lights out.

Wai Ting: That’s true, but Booker has been on a roll. Since winning the title, he’s looked like a real top guy, and the fans are behind him. I think he finds a way to retain, but the match itself will tell us a lot about where WWE sees Yokozuna in 2003.

WHO’S NEXT?

Goldberg vs. Triple H

John Pollock: WWE is branding Goldberg as “The man that retired Stone Cold Steve Austin,” but they’re doing it in a way that doesn’t turn the fans against him. Instead of cutting heel promos about it, they’re letting the announcers drive that narrative.

Wai Ting: And I get it. Austin’s retirement leaves a massive hole, and Goldberg is the biggest badass left on the roster. But that comes with a challenge—keeping him as a babyface while fans process Austin being gone.

John Pollock: His opponent is Triple H, who has had a rough stretch lately. He lost to Mark Henry at Bad Blood, and Evolution as a whole has taken some hits with Batista’s injury. Do you think this is a reset moment for Hunter, or is this all about keeping Goldberg strong?

Wai Ting: I think this is all about Goldberg. If they want him to be the next top guy, he needs a dominant win. Anything less than that risks cooling him off.

TAG TEAM MATCH

Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Molly Holly & Gail Kim

John Pollock: The women’s division on Raw has been really competitive, and you’ve got four of its best in this match. Trish has been champion for over three months now, and Lita has been in the mix as well.

Wai Ting: But let’s not forget Molly and Gail. Molly has been one of the most reliable in-ring workers, and Gail had a hot debut earlier this year. This could be a sleeper match if given time.

John Pollock: And with Jazz still lurking, I wouldn’t be shocked if she gets involved somehow. There’s still unfinished business with her and Trish.

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Christian (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Justin Credible

John Pollock: Christian’s reign has been solid, but he’s been vocal about feeling buried compared to Booker T.

Wai Ting: And you’ve got Mark Henry, who is being rebuilt as a real threat after beating Triple H at Bad Blood. Then there’s Justin Credible, who—let’s be honest—feels like he’s just here to take the fall.

John Pollock: I think Christian sneaks out with the win, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Mark Henry is positioned for something bigger after this.

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH

Evolution (Ric Flair & Randy Orton) (c) vs. RVD & Kane

Wai Ting: RVD & Kane shocked everyone when they won the titles in July, but Evolution quickly won at SummerSlam. With Batista still out, Flair & Orton are carrying the tag division.

John Pollock: Orton has been showing real promise. He’s only 23, but you can see they have long-term plans for him.

Wai Ting: RVD & Kane winning the belts back would shake things up, but I think Evolution retains.

BATTLE FOR STACY KEIBLER’S MANAGERIAL SERVICES

Scott Steiner vs. Test

John Pollock: This has been a weird one. Steiner was white-hot after WrestleMania, but ever since that quick loss to Flair and the 60-day suspension, his momentum has stalled.

Wai Ting: And now he’s fighting for Stacy Keibler like it’s 1999 again. The match should be fine, but the story feels outdated.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

John Pollock: This is my pick for match of the night. It looked like they might be headed for a singles match come WrestleMania season but instead Michaels just superkicked him out of the Rumble in no time at all and we thought this was over.

Wai Ting: But Jericho’s been dealing with some backstage heat, and that has to factor into how he’s booked. Is this the company’s way of trying to reintroduce him into the programming some more.

John Pollock: True, but Michaels is always motivated in matches like this. Expect a show-stealer.

TAG TEAM TABLES MATCH

The Dudley Boyz vs. La Resistance

Wai Ting: Another chapter in their feud. La Resistance got the win at SummerSlam but this time, it’s a tables match, so expect the crowd to be into this.

John Pollock: La Resistance has been solid as heels, but the Dudleys thrive in this environment. I don’t see this going any other way than Bubba & D-Von putting someone through a table for the win.

FINAL THOUGHTS

John Pollock: Wai, what’s your most anticipated match?

Wai Ting: It has to be Michaels vs. Jericho. It felt like we missed something great when they went the Rockers reunion route and we get another crack at it here.

John Pollock: I’m intrigued by the main event. I’m not sold on Yokozuna in this role, but I want to see how Booker T handles it.

Wai Ting: And the other big question—how does Raw move forward without Austin? Goldberg is the clear choice, but is he ready for that spot?

John Pollock: We’ll find out at Unforgiven this Sunday. We’ll be back next week to review the show, so stay tuned. For Wai Ting, I’m John Pollock. Thanks for listening to POST Wrestling!

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WWE UNFORGIVEN RESULTS - SEPTEMBER 21, 2003 FROM THE GIANT CENTER IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA

  • Yokozuna def. Booker T to win the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Triple H def. Goldberg
  • Molly Holly & Gail Kim def. Trish Stratus & Lita when Molly pinned Lita
  • Justin Credible def. Christian & Mark Henry to win the Intercontinental Title by pinning Christian
  • Evolution and RVD & Kane went to a brawling double countout. Evolution retain the World Tag Titles
  • Test def. Scott Steiner in a really strong match
  • Shawn Michaels def. Chris Jericho
  • The Dudleyz def. La Resistance when Bubba powerbombed Dupree through a table

NOTES

  • Triple H laughed off Goldberg after the match saying “you’re right, I was next”
  • The announcers hyped up Molly Holly as the logical next contender for Trish’s title on account of this victory but did question where Jazz has been
  • As per the stipulation, now Scott Steiner has to tag with Test and you have to wonder what happened behind the scenes here. Steiner is now stuck in absolute limbo

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Yokozuna - 0 days
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 0 days
World Tag Team Champions: Ric Flair & Randy Orton - 28 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 98 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Kurt Angle - 94 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 56 days
WWE United States Champion: - Billy Gunn - 28 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Matt Hardy (2) - 168 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Jerry Lynn - 39 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Scott Norton - 32 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 74 days

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POST Wrestling – WWE Unforgiven 2003 Review

September 22, 2003
Hosted by: John Pollock & Wai Ting

(INTRO MUSIC PLAYS – “POST Wrestling” Theme)

John Pollock:

Welcome to POST Wrestling! It’s Monday, September 22, 2003, and we are coming off WWE Unforgiven from Hershey, Pennsylvania. I’m John Pollock, joined as always by Wai Ting. Wai, how are you doing?

Wai Ting:

I’m doing well, John. We’ve got a lot to talk about—title changes, surprises, some questionable booking decisions, and a main event that left a lot of people talking. So, let’s get right into it.

The Dudley Boyz def. La Résistance in a Tables Match

John Pollock:

This opened the show, and it was exactly what you’d expect from a Dudleyz Tables Match—short, chaotic, and a loud reaction when Bubba put René Dupree through a table for the win.

Wai Ting:

Yeah, it was your standard Dudley Boyz plunder match. The crowd was hot for the finish, but I can’t help but feel like La Résistance has lost a ton of momentum. These guys were getting a legitimate push, and now they’re just getting fed to the Dudleyz again.

John Pollock:

I get keeping the Dudleyz strong, but at some point, if La Résistance is supposed to be the future of the tag division, they need a decisive win in a program like this.

Shawn Michaels def. Chris Jericho

Wai Ting:

Match of the night?

John Pollock:

I’d say so. These two had great chemistry, and this was Jericho’s first major singles match back on pay-per-view in months after what felt like an extended punishment period.

Wai Ting:

Yeah, ever since that backstage situation with Maven earlier this year, it felt like Jericho was pushed aside. He was working lower on the card, and it seemed like he had a long road back. But here, he delivered a fantastic match with Michaels, proving he still belongs at the top.

John Pollock:

And the crowd was into this. Jericho looked strong in defeat, but I’m curious where he goes next. Is he back in WWE’s good graces, or was this just a one-off moment?

Test def. Scott Steiner

John Pollock:

Wai, I don’t know if I’ve just been beaten down by weeks of bad Test-Steiner matches, but I was shocked—this was actually a damn good match.

Wai Ting:

It was! They had great chemistry here, the pace was much faster than their previous encounters, and they just went all out. Probably Steiner’s best match since coming to WWE.

John Pollock:

But the stipulation was whoever lost had to become the other guy’s tag partner—so now Scott Steiner is stuck teaming with Test. And based on everything we’ve heard about Steiner’s backstage frustrations, I can’t imagine he’s thrilled about this direction.

Wai Ting:

Yeah, this feels like punishment booking. Steiner was mega-over earlier this year, and now he’s teaming with Test? This just feels like the company has lost faith in him.

Evolution (Ric Flair & Randy Orton) vs. RVD & Kane – Double Countout

John Pollock:

They brawled all around ringside, the match never really got into second gear, and then we got a double countout. Just a flat finish.

Wai Ting:

Yeah, this felt like a way to extend the feud without having either team lose, but it didn’t really help anyone.

John Pollock:

And with Kane still playing the tweener role, you have to wonder when the inevitable split with RVD is coming.

Justin Credible def. Christian & Mark Henry to win the Intercontinental Championship

John Pollock:

Wai, did you have Justin Credible as your pick to leave Unforgiven as Intercontinental Champion?

Wai Ting:

Absolutely not! But here we are. Justin Credible pins Christian to become the new IC Champion in what has to be one of the most unexpected title wins of the year.

John Pollock:

And get this—the IWC is going crazy for him right now. Forums are blowing up with fans dissecting his old ECW run, people are talking about his promos, and he’s suddenly become this cult favorite overnight.

Wai Ting:

Which is wild, because management didn’t seem to have any plans for him until now. The real test is whether he can keep this momentum or if this is just a short-term experiment.

Molly Holly & Gail Kim def. Trish Stratus & Lita

John Pollock:

Molly gets the pin over Lita, which sets her up as the next challenger for Trish’s Women’s Title.

Wai Ting:

And where has Jazz been? She main-evented Raw not long ago, and now she’s completely out of the title picture.

John Pollock:

Yeah, I have no idea what’s happening there, but if they’re moving towards Trish vs. Molly, that should be a solid program.

Triple H def. Goldberg

Wai Ting:

Well, this felt like a burial.

John Pollock:

Oh, absolutely. Goldberg wasn’t squashed, but Triple H controlled most of the match, and then after the pin, he mocked Goldberg’s whole “Who’s next?” gimmick.

Wai Ting:

It definitely didn’t feel like Goldberg’s momentum was being protected at all. If anything, this loss makes him feel like just another guy.

John Pollock:

I get the sense that management isn’t as high on Goldberg as they once were. The rumors were that Austin vs. Goldberg was on the table, but with Austin retired, maybe they don’t see Goldberg as a priority anymore.

Yokozuna def. Booker T to win the World Heavyweight Championship

John Pollock:

Huge shocker here—Booker T’s reign ends at just one month, and Yokozuna is back on top as the World Champion.

Wai Ting:

It was a solid match, but this just feels like a step backward. Booker T was getting over big, he had a catchphrase catching on, and now it’s right back to Yokozuna?

John Pollock:

It feels like a panic move. They might have felt Booker wasn’t the guy, and Yokozuna is a safe choice because of his past dominance.

Final Thoughts

John Pollock:

Overall, Unforgiven was a mixed bag. Some good matches, some questionable booking, and a main event that leaves a lot of questions.

Wai Ting:

Best match of the night—Michaels vs. Jericho. Worst booking decision—probably Goldberg getting clowned by Triple H.

John Pollock:

As for who we need to see more of? I’d say Christian. He’s lost the IC Title, but he’s been consistently great this year.

Wai Ting:

And before we go—John, which brand is in better shape right now: Raw or SmackDown?

John Pollock:

Right now? SmackDown. Angle is a stronger champion, and their midcard feels fresher. RAW’s booking is all over the place.

Wai Ting:

Agreed. And with that, we’ll see you next time!

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The POST Wrestling TNA Report – September 2003

Hosted by Nate Milton
POST Wrestling – September 26, 2003

(INTRO MUSIC PLAYS – “The Kings” by Run-D.M.C. Instrumental)

Nate Milton:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and wrestling fans of all ages—welcome to the TNA Report here on POST Wrestling! I’m Nate Milton, and we are covering everything that went down in Total Nonstop Action during the month of September 2003.

TNA has been delivering some crazy moments, surprising returns, and some head-scratching decisions this past month, so let’s break it all down!

Jeff Jarrett Returns – September 3, 2003

Nate Milton:

Alright, let’s start with the big one—Double J is back in TNA. And look, y’all know I have mixed feelings on the King of the Mountain. The man can work, he’s got name value, but do we really need another Jeff Jarrett title chase?

He’s immediately been put back into the main event picture, and with Jerry Jarrett still calling a lot of the shots behind the scenes, you have to wonder if this is leading right to another title reign. But with Ken Shamrock, Jerry Lynn, and even Lex Luger of all people in the mix, I don’t know if the audience is ready to go back to 2002 all over again.

Ekmo Fatu Debuts – September 3, 2003

Nate Milton:

Yo! Who saw this one coming? We’ve got Jamal from 3-Minute Warning, but now he’s rolling into TNA as Ekmo Fatu.

I love this signing. This dude should have never been let go from WWE in the first place, and now he’s got a chance to prove what he can really do. And before you roll your eyes at “just another big man,” y’all need to go back and watch his work—this man can MOVE.

And he’s already making waves because—get this—they’ve paired him with Shark Boy in a comedy tag team.

Now, I don’t know what kind of fever dream booking this is, but I am intrigued. Can they make this work, or is this gonna be another weird TNA experiment gone wrong?

Scott Norton Destroys Rick Steiner – September 3, 2003

Nate Milton:

Scott Norton is the X-Division Champion. Just let that sink in.

This man has been wrecking dudes left and right, and Rick Steiner found out the hard way that age doesn’t stop Norton from throwing you around like a bag of groceries. Look, I love the X-Division, but I also respect the hell out of what Norton is bringing to the table right now.

Do I think he’s gonna hold onto this belt much longer? Probably not. I mean, at some point, you gotta put the title back on someone who fits that high-flying style, but for now, I can’t deny it’s been fun watching Norton just maul people.

America’s Most Wanted Defeat The Briscoes – September 10, 2003

Nate Milton:

Another great match from AMW, as they retain the Tag Titles over The Briscoes. These two teams beat the hell out of each other, and I gotta say—Mark and Jay Briscoe have been one of the most underrated acts in TNA this year.

That said, James Storm and Chris Harris continue to prove why they are the backbone of this tag division. They’re legit one of the best teams in America right now, and I don’t see anyone knocking them off anytime soon.

Ken Shamrock’s Insane Catch Spot – September 17, 2003

Nate Milton:

This was one of the wildest moments of the month—Ken Shamrock caught Jerry Lynn mid-air during a dive on the outside.

Yo.

This wasn’t some regular crossbody reversal—this man snatched Jerry Lynn from the air like a grizzly bear and planted him like a tree. Shamrock is still insanely strong, and I don’t know how long his TNA run is gonna last, but I’m here for these kinds of moments.

Lex Luger Defeats Jerry Lynn – September 24, 2003

Nate Milton:

And now for the most TNA thing possible—Lex Luger is back, and he just beat Jerry Lynn in a non-title match.

Now, if this was 1997, I’d be hyped. But it’s 2003, and I don’t know if Luger needs to be in a title program right now. Yet here we are, and next week, he’s challenging Jerry Lynn for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

If we come on here next month and Lex Luger is the champion, y’all might need to check on me, because I don’t know if my heart can take that.

Final Thoughts – Where is TNA Headed?

Nate Milton:

So, looking at TNA right now—we’ve got some exciting new faces, but we also have a lot of reliance on old names.

  • Biggest Surprise: Ekmo Fatu – I did NOT expect him in TNA, and I definitely didn’t expect him teaming with Shark Boy.
  • Best Match of the Month: America’s Most Wanted vs. The Briscoes – Great chemistry, high-energy, and another standout for AMW.
  • Most Concerning Booking Decision: Lex Luger potentially walking into a title shot in 2003.

TNA has a ton of potential, but they need to figure out if they want to be the land of new stars or a WCW-lite nostalgia act.

(OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS – “The Kings” by Run-D.M.C. Instrumental)

Nate Milton:

That’s it for this month’s TNA Report! I’ll catch y’all next time—same POST Wrestling time, same POST Wrestling channel!

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WWE NO MERCY PREVIEW - OCTOBER 19, 2003 FROM THE 1ST MARINER ARENA IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

MAIN EVENT - TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Kurt Angle (c) vs. Undertaker vs. Eddie Guerrero

WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Federation (c) vs. Force & Finesse

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Edge (c) vs. Billy Gunn

CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero

TAG TEAM MATCH
‘The Crusader’ Matt Hardy & Sean O’Haire vs. John Cena & Rhyno

TAG TEAM MATCH
The APA vs. The World’s Greatest Tag Team

MR. McMAHON’S BIDDING
Brock Lesnar vs. Jamie Noble

GRUDGE MATCH
Chris Benoit vs. Big Show

NOTES

  • Brock Lesnar is doing the will of Vince McMahon who clearly is wielding more power on Smackdown these days. It was discovered that Jamie Noble never did get accepted to the West Greenwich Country Club and on further discovery, it was revealed that Vince is the one who made the phone call that doomed it. Now he’s ordering Brock to ensure Jamie Noble never comes near him again
  • Undertaker managed to get himself into the Main Event with a non-title win over Kurt Angle in the preceding week. Eddie was hoping for a straight up 1 on 1 rematch. What does this mean now?
  • Edge beat Billy Gunn for the tag titles on Smackdown just this past Thursday. The rematch was made for No Mercy instantly by Stephanie McMahon
  • Rey Mysterio ended Matt Hardy’s reign after 186 days as Cruiserweight Champion and has vowed to be a champion proud of the belt he carries and the division he represents

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Yokozuna - 28 days
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 28 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 6 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 98 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Kurt Angle - 122 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 84 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 3 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio - 17 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Lex Luger - 11 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 4 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 102 days

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WWE NO MERCY REVIEW - OCTOBER 19, 2003 FROM THE 1ST MARINER ARENA IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

  • Undertaker def. Kurt Angle (c) & Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship by pinning Guerrero
  • Hulk Hogan & Vader make short work of Vader & Funaki to retain the tag titles when Hogan pins Vader
  • Edge def. Billy Gunn to retain the United States Championship in dominant fashion
  • Chavo Guerrero never slowed down as he beats Rey Mysterio to win the Cruiserweight Championship
  • John Cena & Rhyno def. Matt Hardy & Sean O’Haire when Cena pins O’Haire
  • The APA def. WGTT when Bradshaw pins Shelton Benjamin
  • Brock Lesnar def. Jamie Noble in surprisingly competitive match
  • Chris Benoit just outclassed Big Show in a technical masterpiece

NOTES

  • With a lot of quick matches on the card, the only matches to really meet PPV quality were Brock vs Noble, Cena/Rhyno vs. Hardy/O’Haire, and the Main Event
  • Angle and Eddie were both diplomatic in their post-match interviews but Kurt claimed he lost his title without being pinned while Eddie said he was owed a 1 on 1 rematch with Kurt. How is he punished for Kurt losing a non-title match
  • Vader & Funaki broke up after the match with Vader turning on Funaki in frustration saying that teaming with Funaki has made him weak
  • Chavo Guerrero is a big hit on wrestling message boards saying that it’s finally Chavito time
  • Bradshaw and Brock got into an altercation backstage after Bradshaw made a snide remark about how Brock’s not paying his dues.

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Yokozuna - 28 days
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 28 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 6 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 98 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Undertaker (6) - 0 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 84 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 3 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero - 0 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Lex Luger - 11 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 4 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 102 days

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TNA MONTH IN REVIEW: OCTOBER 2003

Jerry Lynn’s reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion was short-lived, as he lost the title to Lex Luger on the October 8 NWA-TNA pay-per-view. The rematch came after Lynn had defeated Luger on October 1, albeit with heavy interference from Jeff Jarrett. The title change marks Luger’s first recognized world championship reign in nearly a decade.

Abyss made his long-awaited return to TNA on October 7 after more than a year away, defeating Sonny Siaki on Xplosion. The company seems to be positioning him as a dominant force once again.

In a surprising move, Konnan captured the X-Division Championship on October 15, submitting Ace Steel in a four-way match that also featured AJ Styles and defending champion Scott Norton. Konnan’s win adds a different dynamic to the division, as he is not traditionally known for the high-flying style associated with the X-Division.

Meanwhile, TNA saw several departures as Mad Mikey (Crash Holly), Ace Steel, and Vampiro all finished up with the company as of November 1. It’s unclear if any of them will return, though Vampiro has outside commitments in Mexico, and WWE may have interest in bringing back Crash Holly.

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WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PREVIEW - NOVEMBER 16, 2003 FROM THE AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER IN DALLAS, TEXAS

MAIN EVENT - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Yokozuna (c) vs. Shawn Michaels

CASKET MATCH FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Undertaker (c) vs. Mr McMahon

AUSTIN’S CONTRACT ON THE LINE
Team Austin (Booker T, Justin Credible, Goldberg, Scott Steiner) vs. Team Bischoff (Ric Flair, Triple H, Christian, Sid)

WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Trish Stratus (c) vs. Molly Holly

REMATCH FOR THE WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero

WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Federation (c) vs. The APA

TEAM KURT vs TEAM BROCK
Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero & John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Nathan Jones & Matt Morgan

NOTES

  • Jim Cornette arranged that all non-wrestlers on RAW can lose their employment status if they lose a match in the ring or if a party (or parties) representing them lose a match in the ring. Bischoff used this to offer a Team Bischoff vs. Team Austin. Austin said that one of them’s gotta go. It turns out that although Bischoff is the RAW general manager. He was signed by Vince McMahon. This makes his contract a WWE contract and not a RAW contract. Only Austin’s job is on the line
  • After winning the title from Kurt Angle, Vince assumes that Undertaker will ‘fall in line’. However Undertaker is a man of principles and won’t be a puppet for McMahon. With Brock busy against Kurt at Survivor Series, Vince appoints himself the next challenger for Undertaker’s belt. The announcers question how this can be, it’s against the constitution of the WWE. He can’t sign himself up for a WWE Title match when Eric Bischoff reveals himself as the 3rd party that signed off on the match. Bischoff and Vince are helping each other. Undertaker no-sold it and said then he gets to choose the stipulation… a casket match
  • Molly Holly vs Trish for the women’s championship was made official and Teddy Long criticised another “white girl” getting a title shot before Jazz

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Yokozuna - 56 days
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 56 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 32 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 124 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Undertaker (6) - 28 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 112 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 31 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr - 28 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Lex Luger - 39 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 32 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 130 days

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WWE SURVIVOR SERIES RESULTS - NOVEMBER 16, 2003 FROM THE AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER IN DALLAS, TEXAS

  • Shawn Michaels def. Yokozuna (c) to win the World Heavyweight Championship
  • The Undertaker (c) def. Mr McMahon to retain the WWE Championship
  • Team Austin (Booker T, Justin Credible, Goldberg, Scott Steiner) def. Team Bischoff (Ric Flair, Booker T was the sole survivor. He and Austin had an uneasy beer bash after the match
  • Trish Stratus def. Molly Holly to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Chavo Guerrero (c) retained the Cruiserweight Championship over Rey Mysterio
  • The Federation def. The APA via Countout
  • Team Kurt (Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero & John Cena) def.Team Brock (Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Nathan Jones & Matt Morgan)

NOTES

  • It was a night of solid wrestling. No squashes but no really outstanding match - save for the Federation/APA match
  • Vince and Taker was good but went far too long
  • John Cena looked solid for Team Kurt. It was a breakout night

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Shawn Michaels - 0 days
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 56 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 32 days
Women’s Champion: Trish Stratus (4) - 124 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Undertaker (6) - 28 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The Federation (2) - 112 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 31 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr - 28 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Lex Luger - 39 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 32 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: America’s Most Wanted (2) - 130 days

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TNA MONTH IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 2003

November was a month of upheaval and unpredictability in TNA, with shocking title changes, major departures, and a historic shift in the NWA World Heavyweight Championship scene.

The month began with Mad Mikey, Ace Steel, and Vampiro exiting the company, trimming down TNA’s roster as it continued to reshape itself. Meanwhile, Lex Luger remained atop the mountain, successfully defending the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Raven on November 5 in a match that exceeded expectations, proving that Raven remained a top-tier competitor.

However, Luger’s reign took a wild turn when he lost a non-title match to The Sandman on November 12. Many assumed it was a fluke, but one week later, The Sandman shocked the world, defeating Luger for the championship in a decisive victory. Sandman, who had never been a serious world title contender in TNA before, cemented himself as the new face of the company with an aggressive, brawling style that fans embraced.

To cap off the month, Sandman dominated Raven in a Falls Count Anywhere match on November 26, decisively retaining his title. With Sandman reigning supreme and Lex Luger’s credibility shattered, TNA heads into December with more uncertainty than ever before.

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SHAWN MICHAELS HEADED TO REHAB: SURRENDERS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

On the November 17 episode of Raw, Jim Cornette announced that Shawn Michaels has entered rehabilitation for personal issues and will be stepping away from WWE, forcing the vacating of the World Heavyweight Championship. Eric Bischoff attempted to name Triple H the new champion, but Cornette rejected the idea, instead declaring that the 2004 Royal Rumble match will determine the new champion. This marks the first time in history that the Rumble will crown a World Heavyweight Champion, setting up one of the most unpredictable Rumbles ever as 30 men compete for WWE’s top prize.

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HULK HOGAN BIDS FAREWELL TO SMACKDOWN - FOR NOW

On SmackDown, Hulk Hogan addressed the WWE Universe, announcing he would be stepping away for a while but promising that Hulkamania will run wild again one day. The former WWE Champion reflected on his career and the battles he’s fought but assured fans that this wasn’t the end—just a pause.

In his farewell, Hogan put over several rising stars, calling John Cena “the kind of guy who can carry this business for the next generation” and praising Edge’s relentless drive to be the best. He acknowledged Brock Lesnar’s dominance but reminded him that he still has a long road ahead to cement his legacy. Hogan also gave a special nod to Rey Mysterio, telling the fans that “big things are coming for the biggest little man in the business.”

The crowd erupted as Hogan hit his signature poses one last time, soaking in the cheers before walking up the ramp. As he reached the stage, he turned back, pointed to the crowd, and declared, “I’ll be back, brothers!” While his in-ring future remains uncertain, Hogan’s presence looms large over WWE, and when the time is right, Hulkamania will rise again.

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WWE ARMAGEDDON PREVIEW - DECEMBER 14, 2003 FROM THE TD WATERHOUSE CENTER IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

MAIN EVENT - INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Justin Credible (c) vs. Christian

WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Jazz (c) vs. Trish Stratus

GRUDGE MATCH
Booker T vs. Mark Henry

TAG TEAM MATCH
The Dudley Boyz vs. Evolution (Ric Flair & Batista)

TAG TEAM MATCH
Rosey & The Hurricane vs. Scott Steiner & Test

WHO’S NEXT?
Goldberg vs. Goldust

WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
La Resistance (c) vs. Kane & Rob Van Dam

NOTES

  • Jazz got the title win on Raw over Trish just 6 days ago, necessitating her defence on PPV but can she get it done against the 4 time Women’s Champion Trish Stratus?
  • Justin Credible vs Christian is the Main Event. Is this enough star power to sell a PPV?
  • Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Goldberg were all on the precipice of huge things (in Booker’s case, a World Champion and had that great moment with Stone Cold last month), are they all now just lost in the midcard?

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Vacant - To be awarded to the winner of the Royal Rumble
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 84 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 60 days
Women’s Champion: Jazz - 6 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Undertaker (6) - 56 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: World’s Greatest Tag Team - 17 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 59 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr - 56 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Perry Saturn (2) - 4 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 60 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: Triple X (BG James & Ron Killings) - 11 days

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Whoa! Is there a behind the scenes reason within the simulation that made HBK take a break? Did the simulation “dice role” force him out?

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Chaos Theory in full effect - heartbreaking

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WWE ARMAGEDDON RESULTS - DECEMBER 14, 2003 FROM THE TD WATERHOUSE CENTER IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

  • Justin Credible (c) def. Christian to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • Jazz (c) def. Trish Stratus to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Mark Henry def. Booker T
  • The Dudley Boyz def. Evolution (Flair & Batista) when D-Von pinned Ric Flair
  • Rosey & The Hurricane def. Scott Steiner & Test by Countout
  • Goldberg just destroyed Goldust in a Squash
  • La Resistance def. Kane & RVD to retain the World Tag Team Titles when Rene Dupree pinned Kane

NOTES

  • Both the Main Event and Women’s title match were awarded 4 stars by Dave Meltzer
  • Kane looked angry at coming up short against La Resistance
  • Goldberg looked at the camera after the win and told the fans that the Royal Rumble was what’s next
  • Mark Henry is riding a hot wave of momentum with a new catchphrase “Respect Me”
  • After losing by countout to The Hurricane & Rosey, Steiner stormed backstage and was visibly frustrated. Sources say Test made a joke about Steiner getting pinned “in more ways than one,” referencing rumors that management had cooled on him since his suspension earlier in the year

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Vacant - To be awarded to the winner of the Royal Rumble
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 84 days
World Tag Team Champions: La Resistance - 60 days
Women’s Champion: Jazz - 6 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Undertaker (6) - 56 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: World’s Greatest Tag Team - 17 days
WWE United States Champion: - Edge - 59 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr - 56 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Perry Saturn (2) - 4 days
TNA X-Division Champion: Konnan - 60 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: Triple X (BG James & Ron Killings) - 11 days

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TNA MONTH IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 2003

TNA has seen a major championship shake-up this month, with Triple X (BG James & Ron Killings) claiming the NWA Tag Team Titles from America’s Most Wanted on December 3 when BG James pinned Chris Adams. The decision to put the belts on Triple X continues TNA’s investment in the duo, but AMW remains a top act in the company.

Meanwhile, Perry Saturn captured the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship for the second time, defeating The Sandman on December 10. Saturn’s victory adds to an already unpredictable world title scene.

Also happening in December, TNA lost The Briscoes, who finished up earlier in the month and are reportedly heading to Ring of Honor. ROH has been gaining momentum as an alternative promotion, and adding a team like The Briscoes only strengthens their future.

On December 17, A.J. Styles defeated Konnan to win the TNA X-Division Championship for the first time. Styles has been one of TNA’s most consistent in-ring performers, and his return to the X-Division from Hollywood signals a renewed focus on high-paced, athletic wrestling. With WWE’s Royal Rumble and WrestleMania XX approaching, the next few months could determine how TNA positions itself against the industry giant.

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WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PREVIEW - JANUARY 25, 2004 FROM THE WACHOVIA CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

30 MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH - FOR RAW’S WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Confirmed entrants include: Big Show, Billy Gunn, Bradshaw, Brock Lesnar, Booker T, Chavo Guerrero, Christian, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Goldberg, Goldust, Haku, Justin Credible, Ravishing Rick Rude, Ric Flair, Sycho Sid, Triple H, Undertaker, Vader, Yokozuna

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kurt Angle (c) vs. Chris Benoit

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Justin Credible (c) vs. Spike Dudley

WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Chavo Guerrero (c) vs. Billy Kidman

WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kane & RVD (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz

GRUDGE MATCH
Matt Hardy vs. Mark Henry

NOTES

  • Spike Dudley scored a shock victory over Justin Credible this week earning himself this championship opportunity
  • Kurt vs Undertaker had been promoted the last 2 weeks after Angle won the belt on an episode of Smackdown but Paul Heyman was forced to pivot when Chris Benoit scored a non-title win over Angle on Smackdown this week
  • It’s been a busy month over on Smackdown with the APA winning the tag titles just this week from WGTT and Chuck Palumbo def. Edge for the U.S. Title about a month ago.
  • In an interview with Michael Cole, Paul Heyman downplayed the loss of Hulk Hogan stating he’s not running a nostalgia show. He’d also go on to say that between Cena, Brock, Edge, Angle, Eddie, and O’Haire he has 6 guys who can carry the show (some are dubbing this lot the ‘Smackdown Six’) and that’s not even counting The Undertaker or Big Show. He said that all Raw has going for it is Kane and Goldberg
  • When pressed for an answer, Heyman called Cena the guy he most believes can carry the brand over the next decade but not to sleep on Brock Lesnar
  • Jim Ross sat down with Ric Flair who said he was entering the Royal Rumble match as he’s never been a world champion in WWE while also commenting that his belief in Triple H isn’t misplaced - Hunter’s just the victim of politics and circumstance
  • For what it’s worth, Nathan Jones has retired unexpectedly

RAW CHAMPIONS
World Heavyweight Champion: Vacant - To be awarded to the winner of the Royal Rumble
Intercontinental Champion: Justin Credible - 126 days
World Tag Team Champions: Kane & RVD (2) - 41 days
Women’s Champion: Jazz - 48 days

SMACKDOWN CHAMPIONS
WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (2) - 17 days
WWE Tag Team Champions: The APA - 3 days
WWE United States Champion: - Chuck Palumbo - 31 days
Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero Jr - 98 days

TNA CHAMPIONS:
NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Perry Saturn (2) - 46 days
TNA X-Division Champion: A.J. Styles - 39 days
NWA World Tag Team Champions: Triple X (BG James & Ron Killings) - 53 days