Raw

Card Information:
 Held in: FIRST UNION SPECTRUM
Location: PENNSLYVANIA, UNITED STATES
          on January 2004 at 9:00pm

3-Man Battle Royal with Special Referee Brian Kendrick:
Jamie Noble won a 3-man Battle Royal:
         x Noble defeated Tajiri after a power bomb in 0:19:58
         x Noble defeated D. Malenko after a tiger driver in 0:23:26
Rating: *** 1/2

Brian Kendrick raised Jamie Noble's hand after the match, but it was clear that
both men were ready for their contest at the Royal Rumble.


The Road Warriors and Eddie Guerrero and Lance Storm battled to a
double countout in 0:14:25.
Rating: * 1/2

A disappointing match-up, which could have ended in a much better way.  The
a.P.a. will hope for a better performance from Eddie and Lance at the Rumble.


Interview:
Hogan prepares the arms...
Click here to see highlights.

Hulk Hogan is ready for his arm wrestling match with Scott Hall.  A ringside
shot shows the table all prepared for the match.


[Arm Wrestling Challenge]: Arm Wrestling Match:
Hulk Hogan defeated Scott Hall in an Arm Wrestling.
Time of Match: 1 Minutes and 38 Seconds.

Hogan got the win...twice!  Afterwards, Hall tried to slam Hogan's head into
the table, but the Hulkster blocked it, and reversed the move.


The Rock pinned Chris Jericho with the People's Elbow in 0:11:48.
Rating: *** 1/4

The Rock's surprise return drew a fantastic crowd reaction, and an excellent
match against Chris Jericho.  Afterwards, The Rock announced that he would be
a part of the star-studded Royal Rumble matchup.


Interview:
Austin comments on the tag match...
Click here to see highlights.

Steve Austin, ready for his tag team main event tonight, will also be in the
Royal Rumble.

Triangle Match:
Mankind defeated Jeff Jarrett and Triple H when Mankind made Jarrett submit to
the Mandible Claw with Mr. Socko in 0:25:21.
Rating: ***

Mankind was initially disqualified early on, but the match was allowed to
continue.  Mick then, ironically, picked up the win.  All three of these men
will be in the Royal Rumble match.


Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart and Chris Benoit when
S. Austin pinned B. Hart with the Stone Cold Stunner in 0:18:27.
Rating: ** 3/4
Click here to see highlights.

Austin's losing streak came to an end for now, when Stone Cold pinned Bret.
However, a better match was expected considering who the participants were.



Card rating: ** 3/4


Match observations: 

Pretty much a surprise-free card, as things started to hot up, leading into
the Royal Rumble.

Aside from four title matches, there will be the Royal Rumble match itself.  It
promises to be the most star-studded Rumble ever, with the following names all
confirmed to appear:

The Rock, Steve Austin, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Jericho,
Chris Benoit, Mankind, Jeff Jarrett, The Undertaker, Kane, Kurt Angle, Kevin
Nash, Ric Flair, Brock Lesnar and Randy Savage.

Further entrants will be announced on Smackdown.

Next Show: Smackdown