FOLEY RETURNS; BENOIT DROPS A BOMBSHELL
Jan. 26, 2004

For seven weeks, Randy Orton mocked Mick Foley. He called him a coward. He discredited Foley’s status as Hardcore Legend. His claims were so strong and so loud that even Foley’s friends began to wonder if Orton was telling the truth. On RAW, it became clear that Orton’s efforts did not put to rest the legend of Mick Foley … all Orton did was awaken a raging beast. Now Mick Foley is back, but this time he has hatred in his heart. And if Orton and Evolution thought they had their hands full the last time Foley was around, they may be in for the shock of their lives.

In an outburst reminiscent of the Mick Foley from several years ago, Foley called Orton’s claims of Hardcore Legend status “one big pile of crap,” and proceeded to back up his words with actions … namely, Foley took on Orton, Ric Flair and Batista, forcing all three from the ring with a steel chair. As they retreated up the ramp, the looks on the faces of the Evolution members said one thing – the Hardcore Legend has returned.

While Foley did not make his intentions clear as to whether he would again compete in the ring, it was clear that he would stop at nothing to defend himself from all of Orton’s verbal and psychological assaults. Foley proved that he is no coward, as Orton claimed, and appeared to be intent on taking on anybody who would try to prove otherwise. Does this mean that Foley is back for good? Watch RAW to find out!

In other action on RAW, just when it seemed as if the rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Triple H was about to open yet another chapter, a new and unprecedented twist appeared that shook the very foundation of RAW. While the two were in the process of challenging each other after their draw at the Royal Rumble, Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared and laid down the law – saying that Royal Rumble winner Chris Benoit, a SmackDown! Superstar, had the right to challenge for either Championship and called Benoit to the ring to make his decision. Benoit stunned the Hershey crowd by saying that he would face the World Heavyweight Champion – a RAW Superstar – at WrestleMania XX, whomever that Champion may be. It now appears as if the battle for the World Heavyweight Championship has three prime contenders with Triple H, Michaels and Benoit engaged. As Benoit’s appearance on RAW suggested, with seven weeks remaining until WrestleMania, anything can happen!

While Benoit seemed to be in all of his glory after his performance at Royal Rumble, one man who did not share Benoit’s joy is Eric Bischoff, who was fuming after a SmackDown! Superstar won the Rumble for a second consecutive year. On RAW, Bischoff’s growing tension with SmackDown! General Manager Paul Heyman grew even further when Heyman threatened a lawsuit if Benoit appeared on RAW. What will Bischoff do to diffuse this situation? Tune into RAW to find out!

The Royal Rumble may be over, but the shockwaves from that event have not died down by a long-shot! Goldberg claimed once again that SmackDown! Superstar Brock Lesnar is next, what does he have in mind? What is next for the ongoing saga between Mick Foley and Randy Orton? Who is the next challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship? Will Eric Bischoff find a way to avoid legal action due to Chris Benoit’s decision to meet the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XX? Only one way to find out … tune into RAW next week when Chris Jericho & Christian have a match to determine No. 1 Contender for the World Tag Team Championship at 9/8 CT on Spike TV!

Match Results:
Ric Flair, Randy Orton & Batista defeated Rob Van Dam & Chris Jericho
Victoria & Lita defeated Molly Holly & Jazz
Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Kane by disqualification
Rico defeated Rob Conway
Goldberg defeated Jonathan Coachman