RAW finally wins a battle

By GLENN COLE -- Toronto Sun Bret Hart couldn't do it.

Shawn Michaels didn't do it.

Steve Austin did.

For 83 long weeks, Monday Night Raw, the World Wrestling Federation's flagship program was No. 2 behind the rival World Championship Wrestling's Nitro.

For 83 weeks, WWF owner Vince McMahon had to listen to Eric Bischoff, the WCW vice-president he loathes, gloat.

And don't kid yourself, McMahon played a huge part in Raw winning the battle this past Monday.

Right off the top, Austin challenged McMahon to get into the ring for a bout. For one hour and 50 minutes, they built the drama that finally McMahon was going to get his from Austin, the kick-butt champion.

But McMahon may have made a mistake. In fact, McMahon spoiled the whole show with his carefully scripted ending.

Dude Love (Cactus Jack, Mick Foley, Mankind if you prefer) interfered and then laid a whuppin' on Austin, who had his right hand tied behind his back.

And you will find out this week that it was all pre-planned, just in case you had not guessed.

Ah well, at least we know who Austin will fight at the pay per view a week tomorrow and it won't be McMahon.

Drama over. Change the channel.

TROUBLE IN DODGE: There is more than a little loss in the ratings for Bischoff and WCW to worry about.

There are rumors that popular veteran wrestler Ric Flair is on the outs and may head for the WWF if he can get out of his three-year deal.

There are rumbles, much of it coming from WWF supporters, that there is great unhappiness among several of the WCW's performers. That Kevin Nash-Hulk Hogan heat is more real than you think.

Sting stinks as a champion and really has done little since gaining the title. And how much of a pay-per-view title defence will he have to put up as he faces Randy Savage, who has a knee injury, tomorrow in Denver?

HERE AND THERE: RWA holds its next card next Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club of Brantford, 2 Edge St., in Brantford. There will be a 15-man battle royal as well as five other matches, including Gord Rease against Danger Boy Derek Wylde. Bell time is 7 p.m. ... Former WCW TV champion Steven Regal has signed with the WWF and will make his in-ring debut in a couple of months ... Vader has recovered from eye surgery and will be wrestling in Japan for a little bit ... Is Steve McMichael WWF bound? ... Flash Funk and Terry Funk as a tag team? Give us a break ... The best match at Spring Stampede tomorrow (Viewer's Choice, 7 p.m.) could be Edmonton's Chris Benoit against Booker T in a no-time limit match for the TV title ... Goldberg will battle either Dallas Diamond Page or Raven for the U.S. title on the next Nitro.