Welcome one and all to the start of a new series of mine. I, Stitch, will be travelling through every bit of WWE content (RAW, Smackdown & PPV’s) reviewing each and every segment for you lovely lot. I will use my magic Stitch rating system to decide the best and worst of each show as we go on a journey like no other. Join me as we witness some RUTHLESS AGGRESSION.

Lets go all the way back to June 20th edition of Monday Night RAW. We’re one day removed from King Of The Ring where Brock Lesnar emerged victorious beating Rob Van Dam, elsewhere The Undertaker retained his undisputed world championship against Triple H, and Kurt Angle defeated Hulk Hogan.

WWE was in a period of transition with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin being the most notable departures in the company, Austin especially considering his fallout with McMahon following Austin no showing an event. WWE was marching on though, at this point we’re months removed from the first ever WWE Draft with the WWE holding some pretty big names (Taker, Ric Flair, HHH, NWO) but, they needed a refresh and new stars to be built and this RAW is where it started. There’s a long way to go but lets get into it the beginning of the Ruthless Aggression era.

Cue Across The Nation for our intro before Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to RAW live in Cleveland, the ring is full of superstars but no one knows why.

Vince McMahon Ruthless Aggression Promo

Mcmahon makes his entrance immediately addressing his superstars, he bigs up his “unqualified success” and shares the secret to his success: Ruthless Aggression. He goes off about kicking every competitors ass (and the court of law) all because of Ruthless Aggression. He gets big ‘asshole’ chants from the crowd as he challenges every superstar to show their Ruthless Aggression to become a star. McMahon addresses Brock Lesnar (who is not in the ring) McMahon tells RVD, who Lesnar beat in the KOTR finals, that Lesnar won because of Ruthless Aggression.

Mcmahon struts round the ring, before he books a match between Bubba Ray and Eddie Guerrero (Bubba cost him last night) and he also books Jeff Hardy in a match against the Undertaker. McMahon asks his roster who wants it because if they don’t want it he doesn’t want them.

The NWO interrupt, of course the NWO at this point was Kevin Nash, Big Show, Shawn Michaels and X-Pac. I’m sure I will rant about these decisions many times to come but Vince once again lauding his Monday Night War win in everyone’s face by further trashing the NWO (admittedly NWO had already done that themselves). So back to it, Shawn offers to take out the “trash in the ring” for McMahon as the NWO brag about how great they are. Booker T raps about the NWO having to go and Goldust makes a tight joke about himself and Booker T. Goldust also says they are basically married which was funny but also stupidly unnecessary.

Booker T wants a match with Shawn but Vince says no as he’s an icon and has Ruthless Aggression, he also says it won’t be Nash as he’s injured but does tell Nash that if he doesn’t meet expectations he’ll be on the unemployment line with his buddy Scott Hall. Vince finally announces Booker T & Goldust v X-Pac & The Big Show with Nash and Michaels banned from ringside. Booker T calls Mcmahon a sucka (so true) then hits a spinaroonie to finish the segment.

I thought I’d share some thoughts about this promo given how monumental it is and wow is this made better by its’s reputation. There are some good parts in there, Booker T pretty much carries it by constantly bickering with Goldust about being close to him and snatching the mic off Vince McMahon about five times. There’s also a lot of Vince bragging about how great he is and how many companies he destroyed which at this point, especially in 2024 (the year of writing this article) with what we now know.

Bradshaw & Spike Dudley v Christopher Nowinski & William Regal

Pre Match Thought’s: So this match comes after Bradshaw saved Spike from an attack from Nowinski and Regal last week. I’m not expecting a lot here so lets see what we get from a Bradshaw who is a couple years away from his career changing gimmick JBL.

Stitch’s Summary: Bradshaw and Nowinski start with Nowinski really not getting any offence in whatsoever, when Spike tags, in Regal hits Spike, whilst the referee is distracted, to change the momentum. Regal is in to work on Spike before tagging out again, this leads to Spike getting the hot tag to Hardcore Champion Bradshaw (yep). After clearing house he hits a Clothesline from hell on Regal but Nowinski sneaks in with the rollup for the win.

Winners: Christopher Nowinski & William Regal By Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating. N/A Too short. Barely a match that only served to give a Nowinski a cheap win over Bradshaw and continue that story. It didn’t help that JR and Jerry Lawler bickered for the entire thing about whether Nowinski attending Harvard is a good thing or not.

Vince McMahon talks with Sgt Slaughter

Vince tells Slaughter he wants to take out the deadweight, this being ECW talent Raven and Tommy Dreamer. He says they’ll fight tonight with the loser leaving RAW. Jackie Gayda meets Vince next and gets a tag match. This follows some uncomfortable scenes between the two which I won’t now or ever get into on this blog because it’s just so sad it happened.

The Undertaker is the third person to talk to McMahon in this segment, The Undertaker is angry that The Rock showed up and very nearly cost him the title (The Rock’s making less appearances at this time but is still around now and again) at King Of The Ring. Vince says Rock isn’t here but to beat Hardy like he is The Rock.

Bubba Ray Dudley v Eddie Guerrero

Pre Match Thought’s: This match comes from the aforementioned match where Bubba cost Eddie in a match against Ric Flair last night. I’m hoping this match gets time, it could be really good but I fear it will be far too short as every match was at this point.

Summary: This begins with Bubba Ray getting a table set up at ringside and Eddie Guerrero cutting a backstage promo on the lack of respect he receives. The match begins at a quick pace as both men get to do their thing. Bubba goes for a bubba bomb after trying to get a table but Eddie rolls Bubba up for the three (sigh).

Stitch’s Rating. N/A Too short. Why, why, why why? Expected but whyyyyyyyyy????

Eddie sets up the table in the ring but has no clue Bubba is back on his feet, Guerrero takes the powerbomb into the table from Bubba until Benoit runs in and locks in the crossface on Bubba refusing to release him until the referees force him off.

We get a Rey Mysterio promo with the words he’s coming, all I can think about is Veer here which is funny. Speaking of funny, Goldust is dressed as someone from the Australian outback. Armed with a toy crocodile he breaks into the NWO locker room making a nature documentary on them which is hilarious. He calls Big Show and X-Pac creatures before X-Pac chases him out of the dressing room. Just when I thought the NWO couldn’t be anymore of a joke. That is until X-Pac ran into Booker T and a trash can lid…for some reason?

We’re also in the transition period from WWF to WWE so we get a video package about that.

Tommy Dreamer v Raven – Loser Leaves RAW

Pre Match Thought’s: What is there to be said about this, further burial of ECW (and we’re not even at the revival yet) here as Dreamer and Raven have to fight for their jobs because Vince thinks they are deadweight. It’s so sad and nonsense too especially given their legendary rivalry (I’ll eventually get round to that in my ECW reviews) but I know there will be a lot of that to come. Dreamer gets no tv entrance and Raven marches down to the ring looking livid.

Summary: The two hit some quick holds, as well as a nice DDT from Dreamer but essentially nothing happened till Dreamer won with a Death Valley Driver in two and a half minutes.

Stitch’s Rating. N/A Too short. Wow, just wow. Raven is “banished” but I believe he’s not quite done with WWE yet (but will be soon). Of course this leads to Ravens epic Ring Of Honor run but it’s so sad given his talent that he was treated this way. Raven is also attacked by Matt Hardy on his way out to add insult to injury.

King Of The Ring Coronation Ceremony

JR stands in the ring with Paul Heyman and announces Brock’s award will be the main event of Summerslam with a shot at the Undisputed Champion. Paul Heyman brags about it being his idea before introducing Brock Lesnar.

Paul Heyman hypes up Brock Lesnar and declares Lesnar the answer to Vince McMahons questions, he says no one wants it more than Brock Lesnar, no one has the desire, hunger, obsession or the craving for success that, the next big thing, Brock Lesnar has. Lesnar asks the fans to put aside their envy and applaud the King of the Ring which some actually do. This is interrupted by Rob Van Dam who takes out Lesnar as revenge for his loss at King Of The Ring.

Post Break Paul Heyman is in Vince’s office complaining about Rob Van Dam ruining his show, after asking what Paul wants him to do, Heyman demands a title match for the intercontinental championship tonight which he gets.

The Undertaker v Jeff Hardy

Pre Match Thought’s: An interesting match here and non title. This is a story that has been going on for the last few weeks where Jeff has been targeting The Undertaker to recapture his extremeness. I know this is not the end of their feud so I’m assuming shenanigans or something here.

Summary: The Undertaker starts as you would expect, throwing Jeff Hardy corner to corner before just beating Jeff down. The big boot leads to an attempt at the leg drop on the apron which misses. Hardy hits a crossbody on Taker before another aerial attack off the railings is countered into a chokeslam on the outside.

Taker takes Jeff back into the ring before hitting a Last Ride for the three.

Winner: The Undertaker by pinfall

As Undertaker rides up the ramp Jeff takes the mic, he tells Undertaker that he can beat his ass time and time again but he’s not done. Jeff wants a match for the WWE championship in a ladder match next week, Taker agrees.

Stitch’s Rating: Stitch’s Rating. N/A Too short. So another squash match but at least one that sets up something exciting for next week. This was destruction but they presented Jeff well with his inability to stop fighting. I look forward to next week.

Trish Stratus & Linda Miles v Molly Holly & Jackie Gayda

Pre Match Thoughts: Not expecting much here in terms of time but lets see. Jackie and Molly are both from Tough Enough and Molly Holly is the new champ after beating Trish Stratus. Holly cuts a promo on Stratus before the match about how hard Trish worked for the title with Trish promising to beat her.

Summary: Trish takes the match to Molly, before both teams make the tag. Linda gets Jackie caught working on the arm and takes out Holly before exchanging tags with Trish. The two continue to work on the hand before Miles is taken down by Holly with the kick from the outside behind the referees back.

Molly Holly tags in and starts beating down Miles, Holly and Jackie isolate Miles as Trish tries to get the crowd to cheer on her partner. Jackie goes up high but Miles counters getting the hot tag to Trish who very nearly gets a three count with a hurricanrana but Molly breaks it up. Trish and Molly finally meet as Trish hits the Stratusfaction for the win.

Winners: Trish Stratus and Linda Miles by pinfall

Stitch’s Rating: 5/10. It went just under 5 minutes so It gains a rating in my mind, I really didn’t mind this it was clear Trish and Holly were carrying but thats okay given the circumstances. A short but fine match that did what it meant to which was move the Trish/Holly story on.

Rob Van Dam cuts a promo telling us he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, Heyman enters screeching about giving Rob everything but Lesnar interrupts telling RVD himself that he’ll show him the meaning of Ruthless Aggression.

On their way to the ring Nash tells X-Pac and Big Show to show him something or he’s gonna kick their ass’ himself when they return. Lots of shouty men shouting here.

The N.W.O (Big Show & X-Pac) v Booker T & Goldust

Pre Match Thoughts: Has the potential here to be solid, we know all four of these guys can go but we’ll see how much shenanigans there are and how long they get to do their thing.

Summary: The Big Show and Booker T start here with Show using his power to take down Booker, we also get (prepares trumpet) The Big Show Big Chop Show!!!!

Booker tries to get in some offence but Show easily takes him down with a side slam, X-Pac tags in which leads to Booker taking control and tagging in Goldust. Goldust hits a bronco buster on X-Pac to a ridiculously huge pop from the crowd before taking down X-Pac with his ass. Those pesky NWO X-Pac and Big Show use shenanigans to regain control and work on Goldust, Show is back in and is firmly in control.

Goldust gets a near fall on X-Pac with a backslide as X-Pac fights back. Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash are watching in the back as Big Show is back in nearly getting a three on Goldust with an elbow but Booker breaks it up.

X-Pac misses the Bronco Buster in the corner and crawls over to Show to tag him in, Goldust manages to make the hot tag but Booker is immediately grounded by Show. Booker T fires up and lands a scissor kick before we get a Spinaroonie!! Goldust is back in and they hit the double suplex on Show. Goldust goes for the low blow but gets caught by Big Show with the chokeslam which gives the NWO a win.

Winners The Big Show & X-Pac by Pinfall

Stitch’s Rating: 6/10. A solid tag match that went about ten minutes. It’s a respectable win for NWO which was needed against opponents that can take the loss here. I think it dipped a little in the middle but on the whole a enjoyable tag match that delivered as a sub headline match.

Brock Lesnar v Rob Van Dam

Pre Match Thought’s: This has all the makings to be a good match, I’m not convinced Lesnar will win the belt here but there also seems to be no way he loses so it will be interesting to see how they manage this.

Summary: Brock Lesnar begins viciously with shoulders and clotheslines in the corners, he shouts Ruthless Aggression whilst he does this which surely has to be remixed somewhere on the internet right? As Lesnar beats down RVD, Heyman stands at ringside with his hands out wide like Jesus and it is just hilarious.

Rob Van Dam fights back with his kicks and even manages to get Lesnar out the ring but his cross body attempt is caught by Lesnar who throws RVD into the ring post. Every time RVD goes for the kicks to get an advantage Lesnar catches it and slams RVD viciously. Despite this Lesnar can’t keep RVD down.

Lesnar hits a belly to belly suplex before going back to the corner with stiff shoulders, another belly to belly overhead gets a two as Lesnar continues to run riot. Lesnar hits a backbreaker as he really zones in on RVD’s back. RVD gets some momentum with a kick to the knee but once again Lesnar slows him down and then locks in a bear hug.

Rob Van Dam kicks out of the pin following the bear hug and continues to fight despite struggling to get any offence in. As Lesnar goes to throw RVD into the corner RVD reverses, kicking Lesnar into the second turnbuckle face first. RVD hits the spinning leg drop and rolling thunder as the comeback is on. Heyman grabs RVD’s foot but is chased away by RVD, he once again intervenes to stop the frog splash but again the match goes on. RVD hits the split legged moonsault but Heyman attacks the ref for the DQ win for Rob Van Dam.

Winner: Rob Van Dam By DQ

Lesnar and Heyman try to take out Rob Van Dam but it ends in Heyman taking the frog splash, just as the show is about to end Lesnar returns to powerbomb RVD through the table to end the show.

Stitch’s Rating: 6.5/10. I enjoyed this match, the chemistry was there, the storytelling was there and the psychology was simple but effective. I’m excited we’ll get to see more from these two going forward because they work so well, this was all about Rob van Dam surviving and refusing to quit where as Lesnar is just a monster. A nice main event here.

Final Rating: 6/10. This show was okay for me, nothing really blew me away but there were some good moments. The first half was largely forgettable minus the Ruthless Aggression Promo and you could tell there was a lack of direction here in the storytelling. Definitely not the worst RAW ever but slightly above average for me here.