The Rock Trashes Vince’s Limo & The Day I Decided to Quit WWE – Raw Review 5/22/00
This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 22, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR from Indianapolis. It’s the fallout from Judgment Day, and while Triple H is the new champion, The Rock is on a warpath!
In a candid moment, Tommy reveals that this was the specific week he first considered quitting the WWF creative team due to burnout and the chaotic backstage environment. We discuss the mindset of the writing team during this period and how the “machine” kept rolling despite the lack of long-term planning.
We also dive into:
– The Rock’s hilarious and violent assault on Vince McMahon, culminating in him smashing a trash can lid over Vince’s head inside a limo.
– The Raw debut of The American Badass Undertaker and his new biker persona.
– Kurt Angle’s hilarious “cheap heat” promo on the Indiana Pacers and Bobby Knight.
– The odd pairing of Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle forming a comedic heel alliance.
– A controversial intergender match where Dean Malenko pins Chyna after a rose-based distraction.
– Hardcore Holly delivering one of the stiffest chair shots of the era to Chris Benoit.
Join us for a fascinating look behind the curtain at a pivotal time in WWF history, both on-screen and in the writer’s room.
0:00 – Intro / “The Day After Judgment Day”
1:27 – Tommy Reveals: “I Think I’m Going to Leave Wrestling”
5:03 – The Burnout of Writing for the Attitude Era
13:20 – The Revolving Door of WWE Writers
15:03 – RAW Recap Starts: No Recap Video?!
21:56 – Vince McMahon’s Opening Promo
25:28 – The Rock DESTROYS Vince McMahon & His Limo!
29:59 – Trish Stratus & T&A Promo
31:50 – Match 1: The Hardy Boyz vs. T&A (w/ Trish Stratus)
32:53 – Backstage: D’Lo Brown Returns & Wants TV Time
36:55 – Match 2: Eddie Guerrero vs. D’Lo Brown (European Title)
39:18 – The Rock Attacks DX Backstage
39:36 – Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian Mock Indiana (Cheap Heat!)
42:02 – The “Bobby Knight” 5-Second Pose
42:21 – Match 3: Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian vs. Too Cool & Rikishi
42:51 – Rikishi’s Stink Face Hygiene Question
45:18 – WWE in Business Week Magazine
47:35 – Shane McMahon Arrives & Gets Attacked by The Rock
49:22 – Match 4: Val Venis vs. Chris Benoit
49:54 – Hardcore Holly KILLS Benoit with a Chair Shot
52:19 – Chris Jericho Attacks Hardcore Holly
52:43 – Match 5: The Dudley Boyz vs. Boss Man & Bull Buchanan
53:34 – Crash Holly Demands a Refund from the APA
54:43 – Match 6: Crash Holly vs. Bradshaw (Hardcore Match)
55:07 – Triple H & The Rock Backstage Reveal
55:38 – Shawn Michaels Denies Screwing The Rock
56:34 – Essa Rios dumps Lita for The Godfather’s Hoes
57:28 – Match 7: The Godfather & Essa Rios vs. Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn
58:43 – Lita Turns on Essa Rios!
59:17 – Main Event Promo: The Rock vs. Triple H?
1:01:25 – The Undertaker Returns on RAW!
1:02:08 – The Rock Puts Triple H Through a Table
1:03:52 – Final Thoughts: The “Hold Pattern” Era
1:08:35 – Fan Feedback & Outro
