WHEEL OF FORTUNE ... FOR JERICHO?
Nov. 24, 2003

One week ago, RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff announced that Salt Lake City would be the home of RAW Roulette because, in Bischoff’s estimation, the site of RAW was too boring for a traditional show. On RAW, Salt Lake City was not only the Capital of Utah, but it was the Capital of action and excitement as well. The presence of Bischoff’s Wheel of Fortune (or misfortune) meant that anything could happen at any time … and it just about did!

By evening’s end, Chris Jericho could have been the greatest beneficiary of RAW Roulette as a Bischoff’s Choice Match allowed Y2J to not only gain a measure of revenge on his most recent arch-enemy, but perhaps a night he has been dreaming of as well. After announcing that the rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Batista would culminate in a match at Armageddon, Bischoff spun the wheel to determine how the two could meet in the ring on RAW. Upon the wheel landing on the Bischoff’s Choice Match, the GM chose Batista and Ric Flair against Michaels and Jericho. While Bischoff and Jericho had visions of a rough night for Michaels, the plan was thwarted by Jericho’s new love interest, Trish Stratus, who made it clear that if Jericho would do the right thing and aid Michaels, he would be properly “rewarded” by Stratus, but the reward would not be present if Jericho sought revenge. Jericho may just have gained both his revenge and night of passion when a kick to Michaels’ face led to HBK landing on top of Flair and scoring the pinfall win. Jericho had a huge smile on his face as he left the arena but whether his actions warranted a reward from Stratus were not clear. Was RAW Roulette a “Wheel of Fortune” for Jericho? RAW next week could have the answer!

What was clear at the end of RAW was that Michaels is in for quite the challenge at Armageddon as Batista seems more angry than ever before. After the match ended, the Evolution member unleashed a vicious assault on Michaels that led to a choking and Michaels coughing up blood. With more than two weeks to go until Armageddon, the road to Orlando could be very dangerous for both men!

In other action on RAW, Randy Orton continued his string of legend killing when he defeated the legendary Sgt. Slaughter in a Legend Killer Match that was set up thanks to RAW Roulette. Orton not only landed the RKO to score the pinfall victory, but he also avenged two generations of Orton defeat at the hands of Slaughter as both Orton’s father and grandfather were unsuccessful in their efforts against Slaughter. Heading into his Intercontinental Championship Match against Rob Van Dam at Armageddon, Orton could be the hottest Superstar on the RAW roster! However, Orton’s win was perhaps the night’s only highlight for Evolution as Triple H was unable to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. His match with Goldberg ended in a No Contest when Kane interfered for the second week in a row. However, at Armageddon, there will be no interference as Goldberg, Triple H, and Kane will meet in a Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship!

RAW also saw history made as for the first time in RAW history, there was a Women’s Steel Cage Match when Molly Holly’s turn at RAW Roulette led to a Cage Match between Lita and Victoria. The match seemed to be going Lita’s way until ex-boyfriend Matt Hardy slammed the door to their relationship, literally, by slamming the cage door on Lita’s head and allowing Victoria to escape the cage and earn the win.

It was a night that filled with twists and turns that will not be forgotten for a long time to come. If Bischoff’s goal was to spice up the evening in Salt Lake City, he certainly accomplished his goal. And with two more airings of RAW before Armageddon, the surprises may only be starting. What will happen next? Only one way to find out … watch RAW next Monday at 9/8 CT on Spike TV!

Match Results:
Victoria defeated Lita in a Steel Cage Match

Randy Orton defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a Legend Killer Match

Bubba Ray Dudley & Garrison Cade defeated Christian & Matt Hardy in a Strange Bedfellows Match

Goldberg and Triple H ended in a No Decision

Mark Henry defeated Booker T in a Salt Lake City Street Fight

Jim Ross won the Capture the Midget Match

Scott Steiner & Test defeated Rob Van Dam in a Singapore Cane Handicap Match

Trish Stratus defeated Miss Jackie in a Bra and Panties Match

Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho defeated Ric Flair & Batista in a Bischoff’s Choice Match