LAST ... BUT NOT LEAST
Jan. 19, 2004

It may be a new year, there may be a new sheriff in town, but near the end of RAW, it appeared as if nothing had changed. Evolution is still in control of every championship that a male RAW Superstar can hold, thanks to the efforts of Triple H. When it seemed as if the Dudley Boyz were mere seconds from their 18th run as Tag Team Champions, the World Heavyweight Champ was there to distract the referee long enough for Batista & Ric Flair to gain the upper hand and retain the World Tag Team Championship.

Interim General Manager Jonathan Coachman began RAW by issuing a challenge to all 15 WWE Superstars who will represent RAW in the Rumble on Sunday: After a series of Advancement Matches, the winners would end the evening with a #30 Over The Top Rope Challenge to determine the final entry at the Rumble. The final field was narrowed before the Challenge even began when Spike Dudley – who scored an upset over Kane via disqualification – could not enter the Challenge because of a brutal post-match assault by Kane.

The #30 Challenge quickly narrowed down to the final three – Randy Orton, Mark Henry and Goldberg. Despite suffering a beating throughout the match, Goldberg was able to eliminate Henry, leaving himself one-on-one with Orton. Despite the presence of Evolution cohorts Ric Flair and Batista at ringside, Goldberg not only eliminated Orton for the win, but he did it as only he knows how – an incredible Press Slam from the center of the ring, all the way over the top rope and on top of Flair and Batista. Although the elite from both RAW and SmackDown! will enter the Rumble on Sunday, can anybody throw one of the most dangerous men in the history of sports entertainment over the top rope when he will be the final to enter the ring? Watch Royal Rumble and find out!

In other action, the stakes between Randy Orton and Mick Foley were raised when Stone Cold Steve Austin entered the mix. After witnessing a brutal Randy Orton: Hardcore Legend commercial, Austin entered the ring and offered an ultimatum to Foley – arrive at Royal Rumble to defend his honor, or Austin will personally go to Foley’s home and literally drag him to Philadelphia! One week ago, Foley refused to go to RAW in his own backyard despite a free ticket and transportation, will he answer Austin’s challenge and travel nearly three hours to the Rumble? Only one way to find out … watch Royal Rumble exclusively on pay-per-view!

RAW also saw build-up to the Tables Match between the Dudley Boyz and Batista & Ric Flair take a new twist when the Dudleys showed exactly how quickly and proficiently they can send somebody crashing through a table. After Randy Orton defeated the Hurricane in an Advancement Match, Rosey entered the ring to check on his tag team partner. While Flair & Batista celebrated with Orton, they began to attack Rosey, bringing the Dudleys to the ring. During the brawl, the Dudleys brought a table into the ring and attempted to send Flair through it, but he was saved by Batista. The events brought an angry Coachman to the ring to demand the Dudleys put the table away and leave. For his troubles, Coachman was sent crashing through the table himself, courtesy of a 3-D! Clearly the Dudleys are willing to put anybody through a table at any given moment ... does this give them the edge heading into Royal Rumble? Find out on Sunday!

2004 has begun with a bang and the first pay-per-view promises to be even more explosive. Who will be the last man standing? Will every member of Evolution still have a Championship after Royal Rumble? Will Mick Foley answer Austin’s call? Only one way to find out … watch Royal Rumble exclusively on pay-per-view and tune into RAW next week at 9/8 CT on Spike TV!

Match Results:
RVD & Booker T defeated Christian & Matt Hardy in an Advancement Match Chris Jericho defeated Rene Dupree in an Advancement Match
Mark Henry defeated Rico in an Advancement Match
Spike Dudley defeated Kane via disqualification in an Advancement Match Goldberg defeated Test and Scott Steiner in a Triple Threat Advancement Match Jazz defeated Lita
Randy Orton defeated Hurricane in an Advancement Match
Goldberg won the #30 Over The Top Rope Challenge