Raw - October 15, 2001

• It's time to bust out the picture-in-picture function on your TV sports fans. Game 5 between the A's and Yankees and a Monday Night Football game that's like a train wreck (you don't want to watch, but you can't look away). But those are topics for other writers. I'm here as always to fill you in Craig David style on Raw from Ottawa. I believe that's in Canada somewhere. But I kid SLAM! Wrestling. Let's get to it.
• The sound of a car collision can only mean one thing: "new" WWF commissioner Mick Foley is on his way to the ring, clutching a copy of his new children's book. Why has Mick returned after getting canned by Vince McMahon during his previous stint as the commish? According to Mick, it's not Vince, or the money or a chance to plug his new book. He's doing it for the fans. Foley gets his cheap pop, then is interrupted by music we haven't heard in a while. Hint: it's a Canadian. Hint: it's not Tiger Ali Singh. It's Trish Stratus, who claims Foley came back to see her and events like the upcoming Lingerie Match at No Mercy. Trish reveals some lingerie of her own, leaving Foley to promise more T&A and more great matches during his term. Just another HPIC: Head Plugger In Charge.
• A hush falls over the Alliance as Stone Cold Steve Austin addresses the assemblage. The Rattlesnake claims he is cool with Rob Van Dam getting in on the WWF title match between himself and Kurt Angle at Unforgiven. Instead, he's focused on tonight, when he and a partner of his choosing will take on Angle and a partner of Kurt's choosing. Austin's come up with a novel way to pick his partner too, as he will let the Alliance members vote. Democracy in action is a beautiful thing.
• The APA and Jacqueline take Tough Enough female winner Nidia on a guided tour of the backstage area, including such landmarks as catering, a dressing room and the ever popular hallways. They also want Nidia to be ringside for their match against The Hurricane, Mighty Molly and Lance Storm later tonight. Speaking of the super heroes, Helms and Molly want to show the APA what happens to people who charge others protection money to buy beer. The Hurri-Cycle destroys the APA office, leaving Bradshaw in a foul move.
• Match 1 - Dudley Boyz vs. Big Show Despite rampant double teaming and Stacy Keibler's presence, Show holds his own. D-Von finds himself the victim of a chokeslam, then Big Show gets the idea to set up a table of his own. Keibler shows some tail to the ref, allowing both Dudleys to attack and pin their large foe. Tajiri runs down to help but is quickly outnumbered. The Dudleys look for a 3-D, but Tajiri foils it with some Green Mist in Bubba's eyes. Show revives and gets a measure of revenge by chokeslamming Bubba through a table.
• Surrounded by Debra, William Regal, Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Austin decides it's time to go to the ring to count the Alliance's votes. Debra has a last-minute vote to turn in, but it ends up crumpled on the floor when Stone Cold reads it.
• As promised, the Alliance members gather in the squared circle to hear the results. But first, we have to hear Steph whine about her mother's firing of Regal as the WWF commissioner. When she's through, Shane introduces Regal as the very first Alliance commissioner. Willie gives way to Austin, who begins reading the votes aloud. Guess this wasn't a secret ballot thing. He calls out several votes for Booker T and only one for RVD, so Austin decides it isn't worth counting the rest of the box. Booker gets the nod, and he's happy to finally get some respect. Austin ridicules Van Dam for receiving only one vote, but says RVD should get a title shot... against The Rock. Regal gladly books the WCW title shot, making it look like the Rattlesnake may slither out of facing RVD at No Mercy.
• Match 2 - The Hurricane, Mighty Molly and Lance Storm vs. The APA and Jacqueline Molly seems to be more brainwashed than ever as she wants to go toe to toe with Bradshaw, who simply laughs and tags in Jackie. The APA attacks Storm, so Hurricane tries to come to the rescue off the top rope. Bradshaw catches Helms and executes a fallaway slam, then hits a vicious Clothesline From Hell to end things rather quickly.
• Back in the locker room, deep thinker Billy Kidman comes to the conclusion that the voting process was rigged. No way! Tazz catches Kidman sharing his hypothesis with RVD and challenges him to match. Naturally, mellow Rob tells Billy not to worry.
• The Coach wants to know who Angle has picked as his partner, but the Olympic hero is still weighing his options. The Undertaker stops by and makes Angle's decision a whole lot easier by making it clear that he would like the spot. Meanwhile, Michael Cole asks Chris Jericho if he'd rather face The Rock or RVD at No Mercy. Jericho wants Rocky, and is busy poking fun at The Rock's mannerisms when the WCW champ walks up. Obviously not amused, The Rock tells Y2J to stay out of his way.
• Match 3 - Rob Van Dam vs. The Rock - WCW Title Match Thank goodness for low ratings. Without them, we'd never see this match on free TV. Jericho looks on from the announce table as Rob gains the early advantage. Rob shows off a little and goes for a split-legged moonsault, but Rocky rolls away and hits a DDT that forces RVD to kick out. Van Dam escapes from a Rock Bottom but isn't as fortunate with a spinebuster; a quick rally ends with Rolling Thunder that can't find the mark. The Rock tosses RVD to the outside and smashes his head into the announce table. Out of nowhere, Rhyno appears and crushes the WCW champ with a Gore. RVD goes for the Five Star, but Jericho knocks him off the turnbuckle and the ref calls for the bell. Rhyno and RVD put the boots to the People's Champ, but Jericho respects The Rock's wishes and stays away. Nice.
• Hey, I just realized we haven't had too much Steph tonight. Oops... spoke too soon. SMH vents her frustrations with Jericho to Rhyno, who promises Y2J won't make it to No Mercy.
• Match 4 - Tazz vs. Billy Kidman Not much to this one. Kidman hits an elbow from the top rope that can't put Tazz away, then weathers a short rally. Billy's new modified facejam move is enough to get the pinfall.
• Match 5 - Rhyno vs. Chris Jericho Rhyno scores a near fall with a big spinebuster, then hits an airplane spin drop but misses a second rope splash. Jericho fires back, but Rhyno dodges a Lionsault and connects with a belly-to-belly suplex. An inside cradle turns into the Walls of Jericho, and Rhyno looks like he might tap when Mike Awesome and Raven hit the ring. The ref calls for the bell, and The Rock runs down and clears the ring of Alliance members. Then he turns and hits Jericho with a Rock Bottom.
• Flashing his mysteriously white teeth at the WWF New York crowd, DDP promises he won't let the terrible Canadians or New Yorkers get to him. He's going to get us all to like him, remember?
• Match 6 - Edge vs. X-Pac A fast-paced opening ends when Pac hits a nice baseball slide kick to the outside. Several spinning heel kicks force Edge to kick out, but Pac's luck ends when he tries for a Bronco Buster and receives a spear instead. More two counts are exchanged, then Edge hits a flapjack and shrugs off one final kick before hitting the Impaler for the win. As Edge celebrates, J.R. leaves his table and whispers something to the victor. Edge looks concerned as he sprints up the ramp and the show goes to commercial.
• Edge sets his differences aside and goes to find his brother to deliver the bad news that their mother has been in an accident. As they go to leave the arena, Hugh Morrus and Chuck Palumbo help Christian assault his brother. You guessed it: it's a setup. A gleeful Paul Heyman climbs on the announce table to formally introduce Christian as the newest addition to the Alliance. Backstage, Undertaker knocks on Angle's door to summon him for the main event. Angle sports some shades and an American flag bandana, but he's flexible about taking them off when 'Taker presses the issue.
• And that's all for this week folks. Oh, I'm sure there was one heck of a main event, but in my neck of the woods, TNN went black right after Booker T was introduced and didn't return until Raw was over. Hopefully the SLAM! editors can fill in the blanks and Aaron Henry can catch you up with his Smackdown! report. Talk to you after No Mercy.
• [Editor's RAW Report] Match 6 - Booker T & Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle & Undertaker Booker T comes out first, then Austin, 'Taker and finally Angle. Lots of tags and close calls under 'Taker sends Booker T into ref Tim White. Shortly thereafter, Test runs in and chops at 'Taker's knee, and gives a big boot to Angle. Kane chases Test through the crowd, followed by Booker T and 'Taker, leaving Angle and Austin in the ring. The Rattlesnake hits Angle with the title, and ref Charles Robinson comes running down but is too slow -- Angle kicks out. Low blows by each wrestler follow. RVD races to the ring, mounts the turnbuckle and prepares to leap ... but onto who?? He hits Angle with the Five Star splash and Austin scores the win as Nick Patrick counts 1-2-3.