Monday Night Raw: May 21, 2001

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Opening Promo Time with Stone Cold Steve Austin
Austin puts himself over, gloating about driving HHH out of the WWF
He got rid of the Rock. He got rid of Triple H. Hell, he’ll get rid of anybody who stands in his way.
The Hardy Boys interrupt. They can’t help but notice that no matter how hard Austin tries, he can’t get rid of them.
He points out that since Linda has no more power, getting rid of them just got a hell of a lot easier.
The Dudley Boys are out. They challenge Austin to not play politics, but instead to let his ass cash his checks. Tonight they’ll stand beside the Hardy Boys to take on Austin, Regal, Angle and Show.
Austin accepts the challenge.

COMMERCIAL

Back from the break, Austin finds William Regal and Kurt Angle and tells them to forget about last night, they got to get their heads in the game. Tonight, they’ll get revenge on the Hardys.

WWF Hardcore Title: Albert vs. Rhyno ©
6-minute match
Lots of weapons get used in this one including a street sign and a trash can.
In the end, Albert sets up Rhyno for a trash can lid shot, but Rhyno Gores him for the 3.

In the back, WCW 1 limo pulls up and Shane McMahon has arrived.

Elsewhere Perry Saturn catches up with Dean Malenko in the back. He wants to know why Dean has been avoiding his calls. Dean tells him it’s because he’s become a shell of his former self and a joke amongst the boys in the back. Eddie is gone and Benoit has moved up the ladder. It’s time for them to go their separate ways too. William Regal walks into the scene. He is glad Dean feels this way, because tonight qualifying starts for the King of the Ring Tournament and the first match is Perry Saturn vs. Dean Malenko and it’s next.

COMMERCIAL

Stone Cold gives The Big Show a pep talk. Reminding him that he is a monster.

King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Perry Saturn vs. Dean Malenko
7-minute match
Technically sound with each guy trying to outwrestle the other
Saturn goes for a shot off the second turnbuckle, but Dean is able to kick him in the gut
Double underhook Powerbomb followed by the Texas Cloverleaf and Perry has no choice but to tap.

Regal and Austin are in Vince’s locker room discussing their plans for the Hardys when The Undertaker arrives. He wants to know where Vince is. They assure him they don’t know.

COMMERCIAL

In the back, Christian and Edge reek of awesomeness and their 8th tag team title. William Regal congratulate the two of them and tells them both they will have a chance to qualify for KOTR. They are very excited. Regal tells Edge he will get his shot tonight. One on One with Hardcore Holly.

WWF European Title: X-Pac vs. Test ©
7- minute match
X-Pac uses martial arts and some aerial moves, but Test is able to counter with his power stuff.
X-Pac misses the Bronco Buster.  Test gets the full-nelson slam and hits the flying elbow for 3.

Turn of the Hour Promo Time with The Undertaker
The Undertaker wants Vince McMahon out here right now.
Vince does come out and looks pissed.
He wants to know what the hell The Undertaker was thinking last night. He should fire him right now. Does the Undertaker forget who he works for?
The Undertaker didn’t forget anything, he just doesn’t give a damn anymore. He wants to be WWF Champion and he suggests Vince makes that happen or he’ll have hell to pay.
Vince says do what he wants. He can’t hurt his loved ones, he doesn’t love anybody. He has majority power in the WWF again, which means he is in charge. And as long as that is the case, The Undertaker will never receive another shot at the WWF Title.

In the back Austin and the other loyalists have a good laugh about this situation, when Kane walks in and stares each of them down. They all cower a little.

COMMERCIAL

Vince joins the Loyalists. He tells Show, Regal and Angle that they will all have chances to qualify for the King of the Ring as a reward for their loyalty. As for Stone Cold, at King of the Ring, he will go one on one with a cold Steveweiser and watch the show from Vince McMahon’s private suite.

King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Edge vs. Hardcore Holly
7 -minute match
Very fast paced match with some comedy spots mixed in
Hardcore gets Edge in the corner and begins throwing fists, but Edge scoops the legs and pins him with his feet on the ropes.

In the back, The Undertaker catches up to Kane and tells him he’s got a plan

COMMERCIAL

In the back, The Hardys and Dudleys promise to have each other’s backs tonight despite their past differences.

Elsewhere, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley arrives.

The Career retrospective of Triple H is shown again. This time there is additional footage of Triple H getting a standing ovation when he got up last night.

COMMERCIAL

King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Christian vs. Kane
5 minute semi-squash
Christian gets an advantage near the end but goes to the top.
Kane catches him with a goozle coming off the top. Chokeslam finishes it.

Stephanie McMahon Helmsley is walking in the back, she’s coming towards the ring

COMMERCIAL

Stephanie wishes her husband could be here tonight, but obviously that isn’t going to be the case any longer.
She has made a decision of her own and would like her dad to come out to hear it.
Vince complies, with a smile the whole time.
She loves this business, but it has brought her too much pain lately. She wants to go home and spend time with her husband, until he decides what to do next in life.
Vince says that’s the right decision. He thought this might happen. So he happens to have legal paperwork with him signing over Stephanies control of WWF to Vince McMahon.
Stephanie says that would not be legal, since she no longer has 25% control of the WWF.
Vince doesn’t understand
“Here Comes the Money” Shane is happy to announce that the Chairman of WCW now has
50% control of the World Wrestling Federation.
Vince is devastated.
Shane: “Oh and Dad, since you hadn’t signed a WWF Title match for KOTR yet, I went ahead and did so. I told you I was all about making the WWF better. Just to show I have no bias, I’m not giving the shot to a WCW competitor. I’m giving it to the rightful number one contender. At King of the Ring Stone Cold Steve Austin will defend the title against The Undertaker.

COMMERCIAL

Stone Cold, Kurt Angle, The Big Show & William Regal vs. The Dudleys and The Hardy Boyz
Shane McMahon stays out to help call the match.
12- minute match, very fast paced with lots of tags and high spots.
The Undertaker and Kane make their way out and Stone Cold leaves through the crowd.
The Dudleys fight with Show and Angle outside.
Jeff pins Regal on the inside with the Swanton Bomb
After the match The Hardyz and Dudleys celebrate.
Shane cuts the music and gets in the ring.
He is proud to announce the first WWF competitors to sign a WCW contract.
Jeff takes the mic and says they’re flattered, but they already told Shane that they’re not interested.
Shane says it’s them.
Suddenly the Dudley Boys attack the Hardyz.
3D for both men.
JR wonders aloud who the hells side Shane McMahon is on.

Fade to Black…