IS THIS HOW IT ENDS?
Dec. 15, 2003

On a night when it seemed like a new beginning for RAW could be on the horizon, the career of one of the all-time greats came to an end – for the second time. Mick Foley is out as RAW Co-General Manager, out as an outside consultant, and just when it seemed like Eric Bischoff’s days as RAW Co-GM were numbered, his position has never been as strong as it is right now.

On the heels of Armageddon, when Bischoff’s power increased after Evolution captured every title a male RAW Superstar could hold, Bischoff entered RAW intent on extending his power even further. His plan was simple: Get Mick Foley out of retirement and in the ring for a winner take all challenge against Randy Orton. A Foley win would end Bischoff’s run as Co-General Manager and give Foley both his first reign as Intercontinental Champion and the opportunity to try to bring back Stone Cold Steve Austin with almost no opposition. However, an Orton victory would end Foley’s career with WWE. In a stunning turn of events, as Foley approached the ring for his first match in four years, apprehension set in, and Foley walked away. Despite attempts by Bischoff himself and Orton to get him back in the ring, Foley left the arena and is no longer the Co-General Manager of RAW.

If that was not bad enough, Bischoff was also able to rid RAW of Goldberg. Earlier in the evening, Goldberg attacked Jonathan Coachman during an interview and then both members of La Resistance, causing Bischoff to deactivate Goldberg from the RAW roster for the next 30 days. Without Goldberg and Foley and with Evolution in control in the ring, it appears that Bischoff has free run of RAW for the immediate future.

While the Tampa crowd was buzzing at the developing Foley-Orton situation, they were also treated to the fallout from Armageddon that led to much excitement on RAW. It appears that the saga between Chris Jericho and Trish Stratus is not over as Bischoff’s attempt to have round two of his Battle of the Sexes was thwarted by Jericho himself, who refused to continue the match after Stratus appeared to suffer an injury. Despite a challenge from Christian and Bischoff forcing Jericho to face Kane, Jericho appeared to be intent on making amends with Stratus and even tried to apologize in person. While Stratus refused Jericho’s efforts, it seems that Jericho will not let this situation rest.

Also on RAW, Evolution’s celebration was cooled a bit, thanks to the efforts of Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam. Originally, the two were supposed to team up with Goldberg to face Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair, but upon Goldberg’s deactivation, the match was made a Handicap Match by Bischoff. Thanks to the efforts of HBK and his Sweet Chin Music, Evolution was defeated when Michaels pinned Triple H. The match would take even greater significance when Foley announced in his final act as RAW Co-General Manager that in two weeks, Michaels will face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship in his own hometown, San Antonio!

Foley also announced that during that night on RAW two weeks from now, he would meet with the WWE Board of Directors to present more than one million signatures on the Bring Back Stone Cold Steve Austin petition and argue for Austin’s future on RAW. He also announced that Stone Cold himself was invited to appear that night as well. Will Austin make an appearance? Only one way to find out … watch RAW at 9/8 CT on Spike TV!

Note: RAW next Monday will be a Year in Review of all of the major events and highlights from RAW during 2003. Tune in at 9/8 CT on Spike TV for this very special event. RAW will next air live on Dec. 29 from San Antonio, Texas!

Match Results:
Chris Jericho & Christian battled Trish Stratus & Lita to a No Contest

Booker T & Maven defeated Mark Henry & Matt Hardy

Shawn Michaels & Rob Van Dam defeated Triple H, Batista & Ric Flair in a Handicap Match

Rico defeated Jon Heidenreich

Kane defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification

Randy Orton and Mick Foley ended in a No Contest