Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 17, 2000

RAW

WWE briefly acknowledges the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

It is announced that there will an exclusive report on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's three-hour spinal surgery and the implications it will have on his career tonight.

Cactus Jack shows up to start tonight's show. He says congratulations are in honor for Triple H, as he did something he believed could not be done: make Mankind mad. He then asks Triple H why he did it, as Mankind was friendly, funny and downright huggable, but he should have known that there was a sick S.O.B. waiting to be woken up deep inside his soul. He says Triple H woke up the S.O.B. when he cracked him open with the ring bell, and when he felt his blood run down his face, he would be lying if he said he didn't like it just a little bit, as he realized deep down inside that he was Cactus Jack all along. He says Triple H should remember him, and if he doesn't, then he should pull up a seat as he has a reminder from two-and-a-half years ago where he rocked his world. He says Triple H paid the price and will do so again, as he will make him suffer in such a way that September 1997 was just an inkling of what will happen to him. He says all of his faces took a beating for a long time, and there is no way a normal man should be walking around after the punishment that has been dished out, but he is not a normal man. He has spent the last year feeling he was not the man he used to be and asked for forgiveness, and the fans forgave him, for Mankind become "one entertaining son of a gun." He does not look down on Mankind, who he says will return one day to make people laugh, but Sunday will not be that day as there will be no laughter. At Royal Rumble, he will not be pretend to be the man he used to be; instead, he will be just a little bit better. He does not regret a single night in the ten-dollar motels, or a single night in the back of a 1978 Ford Fairmont, his wounds sticking to the seat and his ear getting ripped off, as all those things made him what he is, and what he is is "one bad son of a bitch." This Sunday, he will also be "one mad son of a bitch," and he will take it on Triple H's ass. When he sits backstage, gets goosebumps up and down his arms and laces up his boots, it will not be just a change of costume, it will be a change in mindset that says he will not be denied, and he will make Triple H suffer. He will lace the boots up and kiss "[his] pansy little ass." He cannot wait until Royal Rumble and his shot at the WWF Championship, but what he wants is a piece of Triple H's ass right away. He calls Triple H out, saying if he has the testicular fortitude, all he has to do is come to the ring. There will be no titles on the line, and it will just be the two of them. Triple H shows up, and says that for four days, he has thought of nothing else but Cactus Jack. At Royal Rumble, it will be the two of them in a street fight for the WWF Championship, and while that would not have been his first choice of match against him - as it was under duress - that is what it will be. They will pull out all the stops with the WWF Championship on the line, but as Cactus Jack stands in the ring and tries to convince himself and the people just how bad he really is, as sadistic as Cactus Jack can be at Royal Rumble, he will reach deep down into a place he has never reached in his life and be just that much more sadistic than Cactus Jack can ever be. Also, as sadistic as Cactus Jack is, Mick Foley hates Cactus Jack's guts, and he feels that Mick Foley just might be even a little bit afraid of him, as every time he has maimed and crippled people and become more sadistic, Mick Foley died a little inside as he couldn't stand him. When he reaches that level, he will love every second of it. Triple H tells Mick Foley to bring Cactus Jack and be scared and very afraid, for what he is bringing is more than he could ever dream of and more than he could every handle. Cactus Jack then has one question for Triple H for everyone who wants to see them go at it right now. Triple H tells Mankind that if he is asking him to walk down to the ring and party with him, he would love to, but he invites a few more guests in the form of the rest of D-Generation X (X-Pac, "Road Dogg" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn). Jack meets DX in the ring, but the numbers game quickly takes over. The Rock rushes to the ring and makes the save for Mankind, but Big Show is waiting near the stage and he goes after The Rock, taking him out of the ring and over the barricade before fighting DX off single-handedly. The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) also run in to fight Road Dogg and Billy Gunn, and everyone flees over the barricade and into the crowd except for Triple H and Cactus Jack. Cactus Jack gets a few shots in on Triple H, who eventually flees through the crowd.

The orange lights and logo appear as Test makes his way to the ring before the next match only to met head on by The Big Boss Man.

Test beats The Big Boss Man to become the WWF Hardcore Champion following interference from Prince Albert and Test using Boss Man's own nightstick against him as part of a top rope elbow drop.

Backstage, WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and D-Generation X (Triple H, X-Pac, "Road Dogg" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) plan revenge against everyone who got involved at the top of the show. Road Dogg and Billy Gunn have a tag team match with The Rock and Big Show, assuming they don't take each other out first. Meanwhile, Triple H and X-Pac face The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw). X-Pac wants nothing to do with them, but Stephanie tells him to trust her and Triple H, as they have everything under control.

Terri Runnels is seen admiring herself in a dressing room mirror.

Jonathan Coachman interviews The Big Boss Man, who says Prince Albert stuck his nose in his business. He plans to get revenge on Albert tonight.

The Godfather and D'Lo Brown beat Edge and Christian. During the match, one of The Godfather's hos gets on the apron only for D'Lo Brown to whip Christian into her, knocking her off. Christian goes for the tag, but Edge is checking on the ho. The distraction allows D'Lo Brown to hit the Sky High for the win. After the match, The Godfather gives Edge and Christian the hos for the whole night. Edge and Christian aren't exactly happy with the consolation prize, especially since Edge is engaged.

The Big Boss Man and Prince Albert are seen brawling backstage. Albert is thrown into the women's locker room, and Albert has to run away from an angry Tori.

Before the next match, Tori runs to Triple H and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, wanting a match between Prince Albert and Kane. Stephanie makes the match before Tori can even get the words out.

Before the next match, Kurt Angle says he has been told that tonight, he has a mystery opponent tonight. He is not sure who it is, but he is confident, as an Olympic hero, that he will come out on top because he knows each and every backstage like the back of his hand. He knows that with his 3 I's - intensity, integrity and intelligence - he will come out on top. He then finds out that his opponent tonight is "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman. We then find out that the "mystery opponent" idea comes from Triple H, and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley is none too happy.

Kurt Angle beats "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman after The British Bulldog - who hasn't been seen in months - crotches Blackman with his Kendo stick before whacking him in the back with it as Angle distracts referee Jack Doan. Backstage, WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley sticks it to Triple H by telling him that dog can still be man's best friend. Triple H tells her to keep going if she wans to see a temper.

Jonathan Coachman interviews Big Show. Big Show says it is no secret that he does not like The Rock, as what he did to The Rock was personal. He hopes he has earned the fans' respect, as he respect them. He also says The Rock is putting the cart before the horse by saying he is going to win the Royal Rumble Match, but The Rock will not win; he will. Tonight, all The Rock has to do is let him take care of The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) and stay out of his way.

The Kat is seen admiring herself in a dressing room mirror.

Terri Runnels, Luna Vachon, B.B., The Kat, Ivory, Jacqueline and Jerry "The King" Lawler (the last of whom is holding a copy of Raw Magazine) are in the ring. Lawler announces that at Royal Rumble, there will be the Miss Royal Rumble swimsuit competition. All of the women in the ring are participating. Lawler pulls out a centerfold of Terri in a red bikini and cowboy boots, and asks her how she is going to top that. Terri says that "less is more." The Kat, when asked about a strategy, asks Lawler if he remembers Armageddon. B.B. says the fans are ready to see "a much bigger show." Ivory calls Lawler a pervert, but Lawler doesn't care. Ivory then grabs the microphone and says everyone is a pervert, and that she will have nothing to do with the competition. Jacqueline takes the microphone away from her, and Luna tells Ivory that if they have to be in the contest, then show does see. Luna then rips her dress off, the rest of the women get on top of her. As referees and officials try to break this up, Mae Young shows up. As everyone leaves the ring, Mae Young gets in it, and says it is about time that everybody gets their money's worth, and announcing that she will show her "puppies." Mae takes her jacket off, but "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry, Harvey Wippleman and The Fabulous Moolah rush in, cover her up and take her to the back before she can bare her breasts.

WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley guests on commentary for the next match.

The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) beat D-Generation X (Triple H and X-Pac) by disqualification after The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) get involved and beat up The Acolytes with the help of Triple H and X-Pac.

We see footage from earlier today where Michael Cole interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Cole reports that Austin received spinal surgery today at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas to relieve chronic pain in his arms, neck and legs. The procedure was conducted by Dr. Lloyd Youngblood, who says that everything went as well as expected. We then hear from Youngblood, who states that everything went smoothly. He says the basic problem Austin had was some bone spurs in his neck that were pressing on his spinal cord, which caused pain and early signs of neurological problems. The procedure took longer than usual due to Austin being "more solidly built" than most people that the hospital operates on, causing the procedure to take two-and-a-half to three hours instead of the usual one to one-and-a-half. THankfully, Austin was stable throughout, and was also well-prepared for the surgery. Afterwards, Austin had a positive reception to the surgery and was able to get up under his own power. It will still take many months for Austin to get back in the ring, as the hospital is looking for solid bone healing. Once that happens, Austin will be able to get back in the ring.

The Rock is seen watching the show on a monitor backstage.

D-Generation X (Triple H, X-Pac, "Road Dogg" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley celebrate their attack on The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw). Triple H says that he is glad that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's surgery is successful, as he will suffer the same fate as The Acolytes when he gets back in the ring. Road Dogg then mentions that Big Show and The Rock have proven that they cannot co-exist together, and that they will beat them tonight.

Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock. He says he and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin have been thoguh a lot together, and if he was with him right now, he would give him a "hell yeah" and a beer toast to a successful surgery, as he can go fishing and hunting again as well as come back to the WWF. He then retracts his statement about Big Show, saying he is not a jabroni; instead, he is a seven-foot, 500-lb. steaming, stinking piece of monkey crap. He says he called him and 29 other people a jabroni, then spells out "jabroni" before saying it doesn't matter how you spell jabroni. He then says he will win the Royal Rumble Match, go on to WrestleMania and become the best damn WWF Champion there ever was. As for tonight, he makes Big Show famous when they team up, and syas he does not need or want him as a tag team partner. He says that if Big Show wants to say it is personal between them, then he can do something personal for him by staying on the apron, raising his hand and yelling. He then calls Big Show a jabroni.

Chris Jericho is seen backstage.

WAR ZONE

Jeff Hardy beats Buh Buh Ray Dudley after Matt Hardy fights D-Von Dudley at ringside. After the match, D-Von Dudley takes the boots to Jeff Hardy before he and Buh Buh Ray hit him with the Dudley Death Drop. Matt Hardy gets in the ring, but he also eats a 3D. The Dudley Boys then pull a wooden table out from underneath the ring. They place Jeff Hardy on top of it before Buh Buh Ray powerbombs Matt Hardy off the rop rope into Jeff and through the table. Referees have to check on

Backstage, The Hollys (Hardcore and Crash Holly) want to know what Chris Jericho is thinking defending the Intercontinental Championship against Rikishi Phatu tonight before defending it against Hardcore Holly at Royal Rumble, and Hardcore Holly feels like a fool asking Crash about it. Meanwhile, Chyna and The Kat are thinking about the same thing, and Chyna thinks that Jericho is not only going to lose the title, but that Jericho's ego "is about as big as Rikishi's butt."

Halftime Heat is Sunday, January 30th on USA Network!

Before the next match, Chris Jericho says he is defending the WWF Intercontinenatl Championship tonight because that is what honorable and legendary champions do, and in his eyes and those of the Jerichoholics, he is the undisputed Intercontinental Champion. As for Rikishi, waht he does not know is that he is a dancing machiine and that he will be happy to teach him a couple of movies such as "The Great Caesar's Ghost" and "The Electric Banana," but for now, he will have to destroy him Ayatollah-style.

Rikishi Phatu beats Chris Jericho by disqualification. During the match, Chris Jericho inadvertently hits the referee with a running cross body, and The Hollys (Hardcore and Crash Holly) rush in to attack Rikishi only to be overpowered. Rikishi is about to hit Jericho with the spike piledriver when Chyna runs in and hits Rikishi with a low blow before chewing Jericho out for defending the title. Rikishi then nails Chyna and Jericho with a double clothesline before hitting Chyna with a belly-to-belly suplex. Rikishi is about to hit Chyna with a Banzai Drop when Hardcore Holly attacks Rikishi with a steel chair, ending the match. Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) run in to fight The Hollys, sending them both out of the ring, with Crash falls victim to a spike piledriver from Rikishi. Too Cool and Rikishi then dance. Chris Jericho retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

Cactus Jack is seen talking to Big Show backstage. He tells him that he had his problems with The Rock once upon a time, and says Show needs to work it out and get beyond it. Show says he will not have someone like THe Rock calling him a jabroni, but Cactus Jack suggest they work it out given that they are both talented athletes.

Kane beats Prince Albert as The Big Boss Man watches the match on a television set backstage. After the match, Albert tells Kane that he likes to be dominated by a woman, and so does he.

Cactus Rock asks The Rock to work together with Big Show, as D-Generation X (Triple H, X-Pac, "Road Dogg" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) attacks in packs. The Rock says he does not care about Big Show or DX, but Cactus Jack insists that they work together. The Rock says he will work with Big Show, and tells Cactus Jack to watch the match.

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) beat The Rock and Big Show. The Rock attacks Big Show at the beginning of the match, and Triple H, X-Pac and WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley are seen watching the match from a recliner on the stage. Big Show is then seen standing at ringside near the barricade instead of the apron, sarcastically cheering The Rock on while berating the fans. Big Show eventually gets in the match, but as Road Dogg brings in a steel chair and distracts referee Earl Hebner, The Rock gets a steel chair of his own and hits Big Show in the head with it, giving The New Age Outlaws the win. After the match, The Rock hits Big Show with The People's Elbow.