Raw Deal - Raw recap for March 22, 1999

RAW

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin makes his way to the arena, and looks at a Coors Light truck. The driver stops him to get his autograph, but Austin, pressed for time, promises him something better: a seat at tonight's show.

The Rock and WWF co-owners Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon show up. Vince says it is a privilege to stand before the fans tonight between "two great WWF champions" in the form of Shane and The Rock who will walk in and out of WrestleMania 15 as title holders. He gives the floor to the WWF European Champion, Shane McMahon. Shane says he has X-Pac's number and can take him, and at WrestleMania 15, it will be an honor and privilege to embarrass him in the ring. He cannot wait that long, because if X-Pac has the cojones, he challenges him to a Greenwich Street Fight outside of the arena tonight. Vince says the McMahon family is confident, as well they should be, for they are very secure, and when The Undertaker shows up, he will be busy with The Big Boss Man "and others." Vince says he has this all figured out, as The Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin are conspiring together to divide his attention so he could not devote the proper amount of attention to preventing Austin from becoming WWF Champion again. He says that nothing will stop him from his appointed rounds, then gives the floor to the WWF Champion, The Rock. The Rock says he is focused six days before WrestleMania 15, when he goes into Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and ends Austin's career. Austin is seen watching from a monitor backstage, and that is seen on the TitanTron. The Rock is not surprised that Austin is watching him, as he says there is something about him that draws Austin towards him, and says Austin cannot wait until WrestleMania to go at it with him. When all is said and done, The Rock says there is no way that Austin will ever beat him to become WWF Champion. Austin walks away from the monitor and leaves. The Rock tells Austin to leave the building and get some fresh air, as he lives for two things: entertaining the millions - and millions - of his fans and to kick Austin's monkey ass all over God's green earth. Vince then says that as far as tonight is concerned, Austin will be facing "The Big Show" Paul Wight, which the fans will think is unfair. To make sure that Austin is six feet under and that everything is fair tonight, he appoints a special guest referee for that match: The Rock. Suddenly, Mankind shows up, and says he has a better idea: since he's the best referee there is, was and ever will be, he suggests that he and The Rock get in the ring tonight, with the winner becoming the special referee for Austin vs. Big Show. Vince says that Mankind has been having too many beers with Austin, but Mankind then proposes the idea to The Rock. The Rock tells Mankind to kiss his ass, but Mankind says he gave that up for Lent. He then says "he" would make Austin vs. Big Show and make The Rock the special guest referee for it, so he went to San Antonio, Texas, met with WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and signed a contract that makes The Rock vs. Mankind to decide the special guest referee for Austin vs. Big Show official. Mankind leaves, and Vince asks The Rock if he doesn't mind taking Mankind apart again. The Rock says he will lay Mankind on his candyass. Suddenly, Austin shows up, but instead of walking to the ring, he drives the Coors Light truck into the ring. The driver from earlier rides shotgun before Austin gets out and flips the bird with both hands on the top of the trailer. Austin asks the crowd to give him a "hell yeah" if they're ready for WrestleMania, and says he has been jerked around long enough. With or without Paul Wight as special guest referee, the WWF Championship is coming with him after WrestleMania. Austin says that for the last few weeks, he has heard The Rock talk and talk, and tells him to get serious as he will take his ass to Philadelphia, check into the Smackdown Hotel, roll right into room 3:16 and "burn that son-of-a-bitch to the ground." When the bell rings and the match is over, he will become the WWF Champion. Austin then says he will be drinking a lot of beer after WrestleMania, but suggests that he should share a pre-match beer right now. Austin gets off the truck, pulls out a hose, and sprays Vince, Shane and The Rock with it.

Before the next match, we see the "JR Is War" frat party (which can be seen as a parody of the Nitro Parties of the last few weeks), where Jim Ross, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and members of the local Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett vs. The Brood (Gangrel and Edge) ends in a no-contest. During the match, Christian and Edge switch places the match, and the referee strangely allows for it. Owen gets Hart in the Sharpshooter, then Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Flyboy Rocco) get involved only for all four men in the ring to toss them out. The lights around the ring then start flashing red as the rest of the lights go out, and when they come back on, Debra is the next victim of a Brood bloodbath. Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) say they will be competing who is the best of the best tonight. Both men say they will take the other's title and retain their own.

WWF co-owner Vince McMahon tells WWF co-owner Shane McMahon to take his frustrations out on X-Pac tonight. Vince asks Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco for a cup of coffee. Shane complains about everything smelling like beer.

"Road Dogg" Jesse James vs. "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn for the WWF Intercontinental and Hardcore Champions ends in a no-contest when Vel Venis, Al Snow and Goldust attack both men only for Road Dogg and Billy Gunn to fight back. When the match begins, it is announced that X-Pac has accepted WWF co-owner Shane McMahon's challenge to a Greenwich Street Fight for later tonight. "Road Dogg" Jesse James retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship, and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn retains the WWF Hardcore Championship.

Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco are seen getting coffee for WWF co-owner Vince McMahon. Suddenly, they are confronted by someone off camera.

Backstage, Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco and referee Jimmy Korderas are tended to by referees and officials. We find out that during the break, Patterson and Brisco were attacked by L.O.D. 2000 (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), who are now accompanied by long-time manager Paul Ellering again. Animal and Hawk have taken offense to Patterson and Brisco mocking them during their match with WWF co-owner Shane McMahon last week.

Before the next match, The Blue Meanie comes to the ring with a steel chair and calls out "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock, saying he is sick and tired of Shamrock sticking his nose in his and Ryan Shamrock's business. He says that the WWF is not big enough for the both of them, and says that he is taking a stand and calling him out. Instead of getting Ken, he gets Ryan instead, and Ryan gets in the ring to receive a spanking. She almost gets it before Ken shows up, but Goldust rushes into the ring and attacks him from behind. Ken gets Goldust in the ankle lock, but The Blue Meanie hits Ken in the back with a steel chair. The Blue Meanie, Goldust and Ryan Shamrock head back to the back together. Ken runs after them.

Jim Ross and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams are seen at the "JR is War" frat party again. He blames Hardcore Holly for him not being at ringside tonight.

We see a black-and-white shot of a 1950's style house complete with a 1950s-era car. The mailbox has the words "Cleavage" on it, and happy music plays throughout.

The Ministry of Darkness is seen backstage.

Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco try to tell WWF co-owner Vince McMahon about their being attacked by L.O.D. 2000 (Road Earrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), but Vince demands to know where his coffee is.

Before the next match, Sable says the match is for "the women who want to be and the men who come to see me." It is also announced that after WrestleMania 15, the Home Shopping Network will play host to a plethora of WWF merchandise and special Superstar appearances. D'Lo Brown guests on commentary, and it is announced that "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn will be defending the WWF Hardcore Championship against Al Snow and Hardcore Holly. Suddenly, P.M.S. (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline) show up, and Terri Runnels slaps D'Lo Brown for telling her to "get [her] two-dollar slutty ass out of here. D'Lo Brown is then seen confronting Terri Runnels at ringside.

Sable beats Ivory. During the match, Jacqueline trips Ivory, allowing Sable to hit Ivory with the Sable Bomb. After the match, Tori rushes into the ring, but Sable sees her coming and beats her up before tying her up in the ropes. Tori manages to free herself and fire back at Sable, who runs away with the Women's title.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen in the locker room preparing for his match against "The Big Show" Paul Wight for later tonight.

WAR ZONE

Mankind beats The Rock by disqualification. During the match, Mankind accidentally knocks out referee Tim White. When Mankind gets Mr. Socko ready, "The Big Show" Paul Wight shows up and choke slams Mankind from the apron. At this point, referee Tim White is coming to and see this, and The Rock is disqualified. As per pre-match stipulation, Mankind is the special guest referee for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. "The Big Show" Paul Wight for later tonight. After the match, The Rock gets out and argues with The Big Show as Mankind gets into the ring with a steel chair.
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"The Big Show" Paul Wight is seen angrily throwing stuff backstage, while "Stone Cold" Steve Austin waits for his match in the locker room.

Kane vs. Goldust ends before it can begin with Goldust pulls out a flamethrower and shoots a fireball into Kane's face. Goldust then takes his robe off only to reveal that Goldust is in fact "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley in disguise (even though it is obvious from "Goldust's" entrance that his arms are bare and he is wearing different facepaint). Triple H attacks Kane as referees and officials try to restore order.

Jim Ross and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams are seen at the "JR is War" frat party. Jim Ross asks for predictions for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. "The Big Show" Paul Wight, then Hardcore Holly shows up and announces that he is screwing up his party in revenge for Jim Ross screwing up his match. Steve Williams immediately brawls with Hardcore Holly, and the camera cuts in and out as both men fight all over the frat house. The cameraman is eventually knocked out, as is the satellite feed.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mankind meet backstage. Austin tells him to call it right down the middle and to stay out of his way, because he wants to get his hands on "The Big Show" Paul Wight.

Available now at newsstands: four collectible TV Guide covers of The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Sable and Mankind!

X-Pac meets Shane McMahon for the Greenwich Street Fight when he is attacked by Pete Gas, Rodney, Willie Green and Billy P, friends of Shane McMahon's from Greenwich, Connecticut. All four men hold X-Pac down so Shane can hit him with a low blow, then all five men flee into waiting Corvettes and speed off.

The Corporation (Test, The Big Boss Man, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) vs. The Ministry of Darkness (The Undertaker, Faarooq, Bradshaw) ends in a no-contest after both teams brawl their way into the crowd and the lights go out.

WWF co-owner Vince McMahon shows up. He appreciates the fact that the fans are having so much fun (sarcastically) that he replays the footage of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin spraying him, The Rock and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon with beer. He says he hopes Austin enjoyed that, because he guarantees that Austin will not enjoy what he is about to experience. He says there is no chance in Hell of Austin becoming the WWF Champion at WrestleMania 15, and announces that The Rock will walk both in and out of WrestleMania with the WWF Championship before announcing that The ROck will be special guest commentator for the next match. He then introduces the man who will be the special guest referee for the WWF Championship match at WrestleMania and hopefully teach Austin a lesson tonight, "The Big Show" Paul Wight.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats "The Big Show" Paul Wight in a match with Mankind as the special guest referee. During the match, The Big Show confronts Mankind after sending Austin over the barricade. As Big Show continues to stare Mankind down, Austin removes one of the top turnbuckle covers. It ends up being used against him after trying to ram Big Show's head into the exposed turnbuckle bolt fails and Big Show pushes him into it after he goes for an early Stone Cold Stunner. Big Show then confronts Mankind again, and Mankind punches him in the face. Later on in the match, Mankind gets a steel chair and carries it as he tells Big Show to get Austin back into the ring after Big Show dominates Austin outside of the ring for a few minutes. Austin eventually takes advantage of this chair, which is left in the ring, and uses it to weaken Big Show enough to hit him with the Stone Cold Stunner. After the match, Paul Wight attacks Mankind, and The Rock and Austin brawl until The Rock hits Austin with a Rock Bottom to end the show.