~ WWE: The Blueprint ~

[Stojy]

I have to admit, whilst I'm sure the match will be fun at Mania, I'm not sold on the booking of the TLC match. For one, these teams as a foursome have really only just all come together last week. Just feels like a lack of hype and a forced stipulation for the sake of Mania. Plus unfortunately for you the tag division isn't very strong on SD at the moment, so teams like The Bashams and Scotty/Rikishi just make it feel even less exciting. With that being said, hopefully post Mania, the titles can focus on where the money is (WGTT vs. London/Kendrick).

Much like in real life, looks as if Cena is going to get his crowning moment against show at Mania which is fine.

I've enjoyed the introduction of JBL here, and I like that you're turning his issue with Faarooq into a bigger thing. It just makes sense. The way they brushed over that to rush him into the title picture in real life was a bit so and so. I mean his title run was awesome, but yeah, Faarooq battle makes sense. Considering JBL hasn't really done anything in his singles career yet, the wrestling god catchphrase doesn't really fit with this version of JBL yet. I'm pretty sure he intro'd that during his title reign, and it made more sense then. Not so much here. I know that's a tiny thing, and I like the booking overall, but it's just something that caught my attention.

'Taker/Kane feud progressing fine here with Kane kidnapping and threatening Bearer. The issue when these two feud is that it's basically all been done before. Still, this is fine for what it is. Inferno Casket match is a ridiculous stipulation really, but I think you're just going to utilize it to bring a masked version of Kane back after he's burnt.

Eddie promo gets a thumbs up from me. Good stuff.

Edge/Brock hype here was pretty generic but fine. I do really like the idea of Brock almost losing due to interference and then clicking into monster mode. Does a nice job of making him look unstoppable.

I'm also really curious to see if you have the guts to unmask Rey...

Things are chugging along nicely here.

 

[WrestleWizard]

BTB Schedule Update: Transitioning to Monthly Format​

Hey everyone,

I hope you're all doing well and continuing to enjoy the world of WWE Be The Booker! I wanted to take a moment to address some changes coming to this BTB that I think will benefit both the quality of content and my ability to keep this storyline alive and thriving.

The Change​

After much consideration, I've made the decision to step away from weekly show coverage. Managing two BTBs simultaneously while maintaining the weekly format has proven to be an overwhelming workload that's honestly unsustainable for me in the long run (I bit off a little more than I can chew). Rather than let this BTB fade away entirely, I'm pivoting to a new format that will allow me to keep delivering the storytelling you love without burning myself out.

New Format: Monthly Recaps + Full PPV Coverage​

Moving forward, this BTB will operate on a monthly recap system for regular television programming, combined with full pay-per-view coverage. Here's how it will work:

• Monthly TV Recaps: Instead of weekly Raw and SmackDown shows, I'll provide comprehensive monthly recaps that highlight all the major storyline developments, feuds, and character progression from both brands
• Full PPV Events: Pay-per-views will continue to be posted in their entirety with the same detailed coverage you're used to
• Special Event Coverage: Major storyline moments and special episodes will still receive dedicated attention

This approach allows me to maintain the narrative continuity and character development that makes this BTB special, while giving me the breathing room to produce quality content consistently.

Here's what you can expect in the coming weeks:

Monthly March Recap of Raw and SmackDown​

A comprehensive look back at all the major happenings from both brands throughout March, setting the stage for WrestleMania season.

WrestleMania XX Match Previews​

In-depth individual match previews for every contest on the WrestleMania XX card, featuring:

• Detailed storytelling and background for each feud
• Predictions from WWE.com journalists
• Exclusive interviews with superstars
• Historical context and stakes analysis

WrestleMania XX Countdown Show​

A special pre-show event building the final hype before the Grandest Stage of Them All.

WrestleMania XX​

The full event coverage of WrestleMania XX - the culmination of months of storytelling.

WrestleMania XX Post-Show and Press Conference​

Complete fallout coverage including backstage reactions, interviews, and setting up the post-WrestleMania landscape.

I believe this change will ultimately result in better content and a more sustainable posting schedule. The monthly recaps will ensure no important storylines get lost, while the PPV coverage maintains the excitement and detail of the biggest shows.

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding. I'm excited about this new direction and can't wait to share the upcoming WrestleMania XX coverage with you all!

Stay tuned for the March TV recap coming soon!

 

[WrestleWizard]

​

---

MARCH TO IMMORTALITY
(March 1st-March 25th)​

---

Monday Night Raw – March 1, 2004​

As the March 1st Raw opened, the haunting riff of Evolution’s theme roared through the speakers, drawing a wave of boos. Out strode Triple H, dressed in a black suit with the World Heavyweight Championship strapped defiantly across his shoulder. Flanking him were Ric Flair, eyes twitching with fury, and the silent tower of rage that is Batista. Triple H stood at the center of the ring under a harsh spotlight. His jaw clenched, voice like gravel soaked in venom, he addressed the world—not just as a champion, but as a man betrayed.

“We created Randy Orton. We made him the Legend Killer. We put him in the spotlight. And now… now, he bites the hand that fed him?”

The venom was palpable. Triple H seethed as he vowed to crush the legacy of the very man he once mentored. He scoffed at the notion that Orton could exist without Evolution, calling him a “genetic fluke with delusions of grandeur.”

But then…

“Medal” hit the arena like a war cry, and the crowd exploded. Kurt Angle, intense and unapologetic, marched down the ramp like a man who feared no empire. Wearing his red, white, and blue warm-up gear, Angle entered the ring and stared down the World Champion….

“You talk a big game, Hunter,” Angle said, eyes locked. “But last week, everyone saw the look in your eyes when I had you in the ankle lock. You had the look of a scared man, a look of desperation. That wasn’t an accident, and it won’t be the last time it happens. At WrestleMania, you’re going to feel that pain again—only this time you’ll tap out and it ends with me as World Heavyweight Champion.”

Triple H laughed, mocking the “washed-up Olympic hero,” but Angle didn’t flinch. Words quickly turned to fists. Angle launched the first strike, but Evolution pounced like a pack of wolves. Ric Flair chopped and clawed. Batista mauled. Triple H hit a knee facebuster, and the assault was relentless. The moment turned grisly. Batista hoisted Angle up and delivered a thunderous Batista Bomb, rattling the canvas. The Olympic Hero lay motionless, Evolution standing tall. The Game leaned over Angle’s broken body, whispering, “You’ll never make it to WrestleMania.”

Later in the night, Raw featured a fast-paced and unpredictable Triple Threat Match between Mark Jindrak, Rosey, and Booker T. Booker, the seasoned veteran and former World Champion, brought the crowd to life with his charisma and striking offense. Rosey, using his size advantage, bulldozed through both men at times, dominating the middle stretch of the bout. But it was Jindrak who stole the show. The former WCW standout used his agility and ring awareness to capitalize on the chaos, springboarding off the ropes and catching Rosey with a dropkick that sent him sprawling. After Booker flattened Rosey with a spinebuster, Jindrak threw Booker out of the ring and quickly pinned the groggy Rosey for the win. It was a signature moment for the young star, signaling he was ready to play with the big boys.

Backstage, Chris Jericho had a quiet smile on his face as he approached Trish Stratus. Their chemistry had been undeniable in recent weeks, and Jericho clearly expected their connection to deepen. But Trish, wearing an apologetic expression, delivered heartbreaking news. She gently told Jericho that she needed to take a step back—not just from him, but from the confusion. She needed to refocus on her wrestling career and her goals. Jericho, visibly stunned, tried to mask the heartbreak, brushing it off and telling her he understood. But the camera lingered as Trish walked away, and Jericho slumped against the wall, pain written across his face.

Suddenly, Raw took a chilling turn as it cut to grainy footage from what looked like a boiler room deep in the bowels of the arena. Flames flickered in the background, casting monstrous shadows on the walls. There stood Kane, his head twitching, his eyes bloodshot with madness. In front of him, bound and helpless, was Paul Bearer. The longtime manager whimpered as Kane accused him of betrayal—of leaving him, of favoring Undertaker, of never truly loving him. The Big Red Machine lit a gasoline-soaked rag, holding it mere inches from Bearer’s face. “You left me in the darkness,” Kane growled. “Now I’m going to burn away everything that ever meant anything to you.” The screen then cut to static. Viewers were left horrified, uncertain of Bearer’s fate.

Later that night, Chris Jericho came down to the ring to face Kane, still visibly rattled by Trish’s rejection. The match was a massacre. Jericho tried to fight back, landing a few chops and a Lionsault attempt, but Kane no-sold everything. He grabbed Jericho by the throat and planted him with a brutal chokeslam, pinning him with one hand on his chest. Kane then grabbed a mic and knelt beside Jericho’s broken body, issuing a warning to The Undertaker: “Paul Bearer is almost gone. And at WrestleMania, you’ll be next.”

In the women's division, tensions between Lita and Women’s Champion Molly Holly reached a fever pitch. Molly, in a backstage interview, declared that she brought elegance and class to women’s wrestling—something she said Lita would never understand. Lita later responded with an impassioned rebuttal, saying she represented risk, passion, and heart, and that Molly’s so-called dignity was just a mask for her cheating and insecurity. The two had to be physically restrained as they nearly came to blows backstage, with Lita screaming that at WrestleMania, she would expose Molly for what she truly was.

Meanwhile, the Dudley Boyz found themselves in a heated tag bout with La Resistance. The French Canadians tried to isolate D-Von, using cheap shots and quick tags. But when Bubba Ray got the hot tag, the match turned into a firefight. Bubba lit up the ring with brawling fury, and after an intense final exchange, the Dudleyz hit Rob Conway with the 3D to score the pin. Post-match, they stared down the camera, mouths foaming with intensity, sending a direct message to every other team lined up for Tag Team Turmoil: they were coming for gold.

The match had already been building to a fever pitch. Randy Orton, still nursing the emotional and physical scars from betraying Evolution the week prior, fought with focused fury. His movements were crisp, his counters precise. Christian, smug and opportunistic, tried to bait Orton into mistakes with cheap shots and theatrics, but Orton wouldn’t bite. The crowd was fully behind the young Legend Killer, rallying with every stiff European uppercut and powerslam he connected with. As the clock ticked closer to the ten-minute mark, Orton dropped Christian with a beautiful snap scoop slam and began coiling into position, pounding the mat with his fists in classic RKO fashion. Just as Christian staggered up, groggy and dazed, ready to be finished, the arena lights flickered—and Batista’s theme hit. The distraction was immediate. Orton’s eyes darted to the stage. His body tensed as he turned toward the ramp, fully expecting a charge from the Evolution enforcer. But no one emerged. Christian, like a vulture sensing a kill, crawled up behind Orton and hooked him into a schoolboy roll-up, his hands grabbing a full fist of tights. The referee never saw it. One. Two. Three. Gasps filled the arena. The bell rang, and Christian instantly rolled out of the ring, arms in the air, wide-eyed with disbelief and a cocky grin etched across his face. He had stolen the Intercontinental Championship.

Orton sat in the ring, stunned, the moment sinking in. But he barely had time to react.

Suddenly, from the crowd side of the arena, Ric Flair slid into the ring. Batista followed from the timekeeper’s area. And last, stalking from behind Orton like a predator, was Triple H, sledgehammer in hand. The crowd’s boos erupted into sheer chaos as Evolution descended on their former ally. Flair struck first, booting Orton in the ribs. Orton tried to scramble to his feet, but Batista caught him with a heavy right hand, rocking him into the ropes. Orton lashed out, catching Flair with a desperation punch, but the numbers were overwhelming. Triple H slid into the ring and leveled Orton in the back of the knee with the head of the sledgehammer, dropping him like a stone. The referee tried to intervene but was shoved violently out of the ring. The attack was surgical. Orton was kicked, stomped, and tossed into the turnbuckle like a crash dummy. Flair tore at Orton’s shirt and held his arms down while Triple H got in his face and screamed: “You think you’re bigger than Evolution?!” Orton spat in his face. Batista responded with a spine-rattling Spinebuster, and the sound of Orton’s body hitting the mat echoed like a car crash. Triple H then placed the World Heavyweight Title belt on the canvas and ordered Batista to finish it. With one motion, Batista scooped Orton up and planted him with a devastating Batista Bomb onto the belt. The crowd chanted “Orton! Orton!” in desperation, but no help came. Orton twitched, barely conscious, as Triple H stood over him. With a slow, deliberate motion, The Game placed the sledgehammer’s head against Orton’s temple and crouched beside him, speaking words that were picked up faintly by the ringside mics: “You could’ve been great… but you had to go against the family.”

As the final segment of the night began, the arena darkened and spotlights panned across the crowd. The unmistakable sound of “If Ya Smell…” hit, and the roof blew off the building. The Rock, dressed in a designer button-down and jeans, guitar slung over his shoulder, made his way to the ring with all the swagger of a man who owned the place. It had been nearly a year since his last Rock Concert, and the WWE Universe buzzed with anticipation. Once in the ring, The Great One soaked in the adulation before launching into a trademark verbal lashing—this time aimed directly at Shawn Michaels. With his signature smirk and smooth strumming, Rock unleashed lyrical insults with stinging precision. He mocked HBK’s cowboy attire, his "born-again phase," and even joked that Michaels was still living off the WrestleMania XI check. The crowd howled with laughter as The Rock riffed on Michaels’ hairline, his emotional interviews, and how he always “found his smile” right around big paydays. “Here’s a little song for the Showstopper,” Rock quipped, tuning his guitar. “It’s called ‘You Ain’t The Main Event No More.’” The fans roared. Just as The Rock leaned in for the chorus, HBK’s theme music hit like a bolt of lightning. The atmosphere shifted instantly from comedy to confrontation. Shawn Michaels stormed down the ramp, jaw clenched, not even pausing to posture. Rock stood up, still holding his guitar, chuckling at the interruption—but the smirk vanished in a flash. Michaels slid into the ring and BLASTED The Rock with Sweet Chin Music, the kick landing with an echo that reverberated through the stunned arena. The guitar flew from Rock’s hands and shattered on the canvas as he collapsed in a heap. HBK stood over the downed Rock, breathing heavily, his expression not one of joy, but cold resolve. Without a word, he raised his arm and pointed at the WrestleMania XX sign above the ring. No banter. No comeback. Just violence and intent. The show ended not with a laugh or a punchline—but with a message from Michaels: at WrestleMania, the Rock’s mouth would finally be shut.

Monday Night Raw – March 8, 2004​

“Lines in the Sand”​

The show began with a spotlight on the squared circle, and standing at the center of it was none other than Kurt Angle, pacing like a caged lion. The Olympic Gold Medalist wore his warm-up gear but looked ready for war. With a microphone in hand and intensity burning in his eyes, Angle demanded Triple H come face him like a man. He replayed the footage of the week prior—Angle tapping out the World Heavyweight Champion—and reminded the world that it wasn’t a fluke. “You can have Batista and Ric Flair surround you all you want,” he said, “but at WrestleMania, it’s just you and me. No excuses. No escape.” Angle didn’t care if Evolution tried to break his body. He declared that Triple H’s empire was crumbling—and he would be the man to finish it.

His challenge didn’t go unanswered.

Evolution’s music hit like a thunderclap, and Triple H appeared on the stage alongside Ric Flair and Batista. Though still nursing bruises from Angle’s previous assaults, the World Champion looked smug and dismissive. He clapped mockingly for Angle, calling him delusional and saying that he was stuck living in the past. Triple H told the crowd that Angle’s body was breaking down—that he wouldn’t even make it to WrestleMania. But before the Game could get the final word…

Randy Orton struck.

The crowd erupted as Orton emerged from the crowd, steel chair in hand. He blindsided Evolution from behind, cracking the chair across Flair’s back and swinging wildly at Batista. Chaos broke out. Triple H bailed, pulling Batista to safety, as Orton stood tall in the ring beside Angle. The young outlaw, eyes blazing, declared on the mic, “I’m not done with Evolution—I’m just getting started. And tonight, I make your lives hell.”

Backstage, the camera caught Chris Jericho sitting alone in a dim locker room, shoulders hunched, his hair slicked back but unkempt. The pain from last week still weighed on him—his loss to Kane, Trish Stratus walking away from their budding relationship—it all simmered just beneath the surface. Suddenly, a smug voice broke the silence. Christian, newly crowned Intercontinental Champion, strolled in polishing his title, exuding a grating arrogance. He taunted Jericho mercilessly—mocking his “little heartbreak,” calling him yesterday’s news, and bragging that not only did he steal the title, but he was the face of Raw now. Jericho didn’t respond with words—he responded with fists. The two erupted into a vicious backstage brawl that saw chairs toppled, walls rattled, and officials scrambling to pull them apart. Eric Bischoff entered the chaos with a sinister smirk. “Since you two want to kill each other so badly, fine,” he said. “At WrestleMania—it’s going to be Christian vs. Chris Jericho… in a 3 Stages of Hell match.” The crowd watching at home erupted. And to “test Jericho’s resolve,” Bischoff booked him later in the night against the one man who embodied Evolution’s power: Batista.

Meanwhile, a pre-taped vignette aired from a film set in Los Angeles. Dressed in designer shades and a leather jacket, The Rock stood in front of cameras, clearly annoyed. “Last week,” he sneered, “I was trying to give the people a little entertainment, a little music—and what does HBK do? He storms the ring and kicks The Rock in the face. That’s not just disrespect. That’s career suicide.” The Brahma Bull promised to return to Raw next week and confront Shawn Michaels face-to-face. This wasn't just about showmanship anymore—it was personal. “HBK wants to talk about who stayed and who left? Well, at WrestleMania, the only thing people will talk about is The Rock laying the smack down on HBK’s candy ass.”

Later that night, Chris Jericho stepped into the ring to face Batista, and the look on Jericho’s face said it all—he was barely holding it together. But when the bell rang, the former Undisputed Champion unleashed a flurry of strikes, channeling his frustration into offense. Batista, however, absorbed the punishment and methodically began to break Jericho down. As the match wore on, Ric Flair wandered to ringside and tried to distract the referee. Jericho knocked Flair off the apron and nearly stole the match with a roll-up, but the momentary distraction gave Batista an opening. He caught Jericho in mid-run and delivered a thunderous Batista Bomb, driving him into the canvas and scoring the win. Post-match, Christian emerged and hit the Unprettier on the already broken Jericho, standing over him with his title held high and a wicked grin on his face.


In tag team action, Rob Van Dam & Booker T faced Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade in a non-title match designed to preview the chaos of WrestleMania’s upcoming Tag Team Turmoil. The champions worked like a well-oiled machine, dazzling the crowd with double-team maneuvers and high-octane spots. Jindrak and Cade brought the fight, trying to make a name for themselves, but in the end, RVD hit the Five-Star Frog Splash on Cade to secure the win. After the match, The Dudley Boyz stormed the ring, staring down the champs in a tense moment—until La Resistance jumped both teams from behind. Seconds later, Hurricane & Rosey joined the brawl, and within moments, the ring became a battlefield. Bodies flew over ropes, tables shattered, and referees couldn’t contain the madness. The WrestleMania Tag Team Turmoil was going to be pure carnage—and this was just a taste.


Later in the show, Lita delivered a backstage promo that brought goosebumps. She stood alone, her voice low but determined. “Molly Holly can talk all she wants about class and tradition, but I’m not here to play safe. I’m here to fight. I’m here to prove that I belong at the top. And at WrestleMania, I’m walking out as the Women's Champion.” Meanwhile, Molly Holly, joined by Jazz, faced Victoria in singles action. Molly scored the win after Jazz interfered, but the victory celebration was short-lived. Lita hit the ring like a tornado, taking out Jazz with a spinning headscissors, then dropping Molly with a Twist of Fate. The crowd roared as Lita climbed the ropes and hit a moonsault on Jazz while Molly retreated, holding her title to her chest like a shield. WrestleMania was going to be the reckoning.

Earlier in the night after the opening segment of Raw, General Manager Eric Bischoff made it official: tonight’s main event would see Kurt Angle and Randy Orton team up for the first time ever to take on Ric Flair and Batista of Evolution. The stakes were clear—not championships, but pride, vengeance, and momentum as WrestleMania loomed large.

The bell rang, and chaos unfolded. Flair started the match, but Orton wanted him. The two circled, and Flair, cocky as ever, tried to slap Orton across the face—but Orton fired back with a stiff European uppercut. The crowd came alive as Orton unloaded weeks of frustration, stomping Flair in the corner and tagging in Angle. Angle exploded into the ring with suplexes for days, dropping Flair with a German, then grabbing Batista off the apron and hitting a belly-to-belly overhead throw that sent the powerhouse crashing into the barricade. As the match wore on, the tide turned. Batista grounded Angle with his brute force, clubbing him down and tagging in Flair, who chopped Angle’s chest raw. But Angle wouldn’t stay down. He fired up, reversed a back suplex, and dove to tag Orton. The roof blew off the building as Orton came in hot. Dropkick to Flair. Clothesline to Batista. Powerslam. He was on fire. He caught Flair with the RKO, but Batista broke up the pin at the last second. Angle re-entered, tackled Batista, and the brawl broke loose. The final sequence was pure intensity. Batista went for the Batista Bomb on Angle, but Angle countered into the Ankle Lock and yanked him down. As Batista screamed in agony and rolled out of the ring, Flair staggered to his feet—right into a picture-perfect RKO from Orton.

One… two… three.

As Orton secured the emphatic three-count over Ric Flair, the crowd erupted, sensing the tide finally turning against Evolution. Kurt Angle joined him in the ring, slapping the mat with fired-up energy, pointing to the WrestleMania XX sign overhead. For a fleeting moment, the rebels stood tall—Randy Orton and Kurt Angle, united by revenge and momentum, victorious against Evolution’s loyal lieutenants.

But the celebration was cut short.

Triple H, the World Heavyweight Champion sprints to the ring and immediately rolled into the ring and immediately charged at Kurt Angle, swinging the sledgehammer like a man possessed. But Angle ducked—narrowly avoiding catastrophe. The momentum sent Triple H spinning—and right into a perfectly timed RKO from Randy Orton that shook the ring and set the crowd ablaze. The fans were on their feet as Orton slammed the mat, his eyes wild, while Angle quickly moved in and grabbed Triple H’s ankle, yanking him into the Ankle Lock dead center in the ring. The crowd chanted “TAP! TAP! TAP!” as Triple H writhed in pain. But Triple H, ever the escape artist, rolled through—sending Angle chest-first into the turnbuckle—and slid out of the ring in a hasty retreat, clutching his ankle and dragging the sledgehammer like a wounded king fleeing battle. Before Triple H could fully escape, Batista, who had recovered from the earlier brawl, lunged at Orton. The two heavyweights collided in the center of the ring, fists flying wildly as referees poured in, trying to separate them.

They couldn't.

Orton and Batista spilled out of the ring, trading brutal haymakers. They fought up the ramp, into the aisleway, and then off the side through the crowd. The camera followed them as they tore through the audience, smashing through barricades and vendor tables like two unchained beasts. Chairs scattered. Security failed to contain them. The audience roared, swarming around the chaos. Inside the ring, Kurt Angle stood tall, chest heaving, as he watched Triple H limp back up the ramp—both men locking eyes, their hatred boiling over. Angle pointed to the WrestleMania sign, shouting, “I’m going to make you tap again!” Triple H, sweat-drenched and furious, just glared as the show began to fade. The final shot of Raw wasn’t triumph. It wasn’t peace. It was war. Triple H escaping with his title. Orton and Batista locked in a feral brawl through the arena. And Kurt Angle, standing tall, promising pain and redemption on the grandest stage of them all.

---

Monday Night Raw – March 15, 2004​

“No Turning Back”​

---

With WrestleMania now visible on the horizon, the tension on this week’s Raw was palpable from the very first frame. The camera opened on the brooding faces of Evolution—Triple H, Ric Flair, and Batista—already standing in the ring. There was no slow entrance, no music, no smug swagger this time. There was only rage. Triple H stood with the World Heavyweight Championship clutched tight against his chest, his brow furrowed in fury as the crowd rained jeers down upon him. He wasted no time getting to the point. “Last week,” he growled, “Randy Orton stuck his nose in Evolution’s business again. And now? Now, we finish what we started.” He turned his attention to Kurt Angle, mocking the Olympic Hero’s resolve and physical well-being. “Your neck’s held together with duct tape and luck, Kurt. And at WrestleMania, I’m going to tear it apart one more time—until your entire career ends the way it should have years ago: in agony.” But before the champion could continue, Kurt Angle’s music hit, and the former Olympian stormed down the ramp, jaw clenched and eyes burning. He didn’t wait for formalities. He slid into the ring and stood nose-to-nose with Triple H. The animosity was thick between them—two alphas with no room left for words. Angle grabbed a mic and made a bold proposal. “Let’s stop the sneak attacks. Let’s level the playing field.” He turned to Batista. “You. Me. Tonight. And if I win, Evolution is banned from ringside at WrestleMania.” The crowd exploded at the stipulation. Batista laughed and stepped forward, nodding eagerly—Triple H quickly grabbed a mic and said “and if Batista wins…..Your Wrestlemania title match with me is OFF.” Batista and Angle get face to face as Raw goes to commercial break. Back from break and Bischoff made the match official for Wrestlemania XX…..Batista vs. Randy Orton ONE on ONE

Elsewhere in the show, the bitter animosity between The Rock and Shawn Michaels finally exploded into its most visceral and violent moment yet. The crowd came unglued as The Rock’s music hit and the arena bathed in gold and blue light. Dressed in a sleeveless leather vest, black jeans, and his signature sunglasses, The Rock strutted to the ring with the swagger only he could summon. But this time, there was no smirk—only simmering disdain. Grabbing the mic, he stood center-ring as the fans chanted his name, then cut the cheers short with a single raised eyebrow.

“2 weeks ago,” he began, his voice sharp as steel, “the so-called 'Showstopper' tried to make a name for himself at my expense. He strutted down here, flailing that ponytail around, thinking one kick to The Rock’s face makes him the man.”

The Rock yanked off his sunglasses and stared straight into the camera.

“Shawn… for years you’ve had a chip on your shoulder. You looked at The Rock and saw the man you could never be. You stayed in the ring because you had nowhere else to go. Meanwhile, The Rock took this business, flipped it upside down, and made Hollywood beg for more. You want to talk about respect? The Rock doesn’t owe you a damn thing.”

Before he could continue, the sound of HBK’s theme music shattered the arena. Shawn Michaels, jaw clenched and eyes ablaze, marched down the ramp like a gunslinger in the Old West. No pyro. No showboating. Just fury. Michaels entered the ring and got nose-to-nose with Rock, the tension palpable. The crowd, fully split between "HBK" and "Rocky" chants, roared as the two icons stared daggers into one another.

“You’re damn right I have a chip on my shoulder,” Michaels snapped. “Because for years, you acted like you were above everyone in that locker room—including me. But here’s the truth, Rock: while you were off doing movie cameos and talk shows, I stayed here. I bled in this ring. I carried this company while you were off playing make-believe.”

The Rock didn’t blink. “You carried it? Shawn, the only thing you carried was your broken ego. This isn’t 1996 anymore. The spotlight doesn’t belong to you—and at WrestleMania, The Rock’s not coming to steal the show… he’s coming to end it.”

A hushed silence fell over the crowd as the words hung in the air. Then—HBK struck.

Shawn threw a lightning-fast Sweet Chin Music, but The Rock ducked, spun behind him, and drilled Michaels with a thunderous Rock Bottom that shook the mat. The crowd lost it as Rock stood tall, towering over the fallen Showstopper.

With sweat glistening on his brow, Rock leaned over Michaels’ battered body and whispered loud enough for the camera to hear:

“Hollywood may pay the bills… but WrestleMania pays in legacy. And you’re looking at the most electrifying legacy this business has ever seen.”

The Rock stood up, ripped off his vest, and pointed to the WrestleMania XX sign above the ring as Raw cut to commercial, the camera focused on HBK lying flat, staring at the lights with fury and disbelief. For the first time in this war, The Rock had left Michaels lying—and the balance had shifted.

Christian strutted to the ring to host his twisted parody of the Highlight Reel—“The Peep Show.” Dressed in a custom suit and Intercontinental Title draped over his shoulder, Christian gloated about how far he’d come. “I’ve got the gold, the spotlight, and I don’t have emotional baggage like some washed-up crybaby.”

He then introduced a cruelly edited video package mocking Jericho’s failures—his brutal loss to Kane, Trish rejecting him, and his recent defeats. The audience responded with boos, but Christian smiled wider with every clip. Suddenly, the screen switched to live footage—Jericho, not in the arena, but in a dimly lit hotel room. The camera zoomed in on his face—unshaven, eyes wild. Behind him, out of focus, was a blurred silhouette that some speculated might be Trish.

“I’ve been quiet this week, Christian,” Jericho said. “But I’ve been thinking. Obsessing. And I’ve realized something—some things are just meant to be broken.”

He grabbed a vase of flowers off a nightstand and smashed it against the wall.

“Your face is going to be one of them at WrestleMania.”

Christian, watching from the ring, was no longer laughing.

The Tag Team Division continued its spiral into chaos with a Triple Threat Match that encapsulated the madness of the upcoming Tag Team Turmoil. The Dudley Boyz, La Resistance, and Hurricane & Rosey tore into each other in a wild, no-rules, non-title brawl. Fists flew and bodies crashed inside and outside the ring. The match broke down into pure anarchy, with Bubba Ray taking a nasty spill off the apron and Rosey crushing Grenier with a Samoan drop. In the end, the Dudleyz nailed the 3D on Rene Dupree to pick up the win, but the celebration didn’t last. Suddenly, every other team scheduled for the WrestleMania Turmoil match hit the ring—RVD & Booker T, Jindrak & Cade, and even more. A wild brawl ensued, steel chairs flying, finishers delivered, and chaos reigning supreme. It took nearly a dozen referees to separate them all as Raw cut to commercial with total pandemonium.

Later in the evening, Molly Holly and Lita met in a tense debate segment moderated by Jonathan Coachman. The Women’s Champion was smug and venomous, once again emphasizing her “traditional values,” her “dignity,” and how Lita was an embarrassment to the division. Lita didn’t hold back. “You’re not traditional, Molly. You’re a coward. You hide behind rules and cheat every time you’re in danger. The fans want a champion who will fight with fire—not curl up and run.” The tension boiled over as Molly suddenly slapped Lita across the face. Lita tackled her to the mat and the two erupted in a brawl, throwing wild punches until agents and referees pulled them apart. The fans chanted “LITA! LITA!” as the challenger shouted, “Your time is up!”

A huge main event ended March 15th’s Raw seeing Kurt Angle take on Evolutions Batista. The match began with both men trading heavy shots—Batista using raw power to pummel Angle into the corner, while Angle used quickness and precision to target the legs. The Olympian ducked lariats and hit drop-toe holds, trying to chop the big man down. He worked over Batista’s knee, applying kneebars and an early Ankle Lock, but Batista muscled out every time with primal strength. As the bout wore on, Ric Flair and Triple H circled ringside like hyenas. The referee grew increasingly distracted, repeatedly warning Flair and HHH to back off. At one point, Angle went for a German suplex—but Batista elbowed out and launched Angle shoulder-first into the ring post. Angle collapsed to the mat, writhing in pain. Sensing his opening, Triple H slid a steel chair into the ring behind the ref’s back. The referee turned just in time to eject the weapon, missing Flair dragging Angle’s foot as he tried to get up. The match continued amid the chaos—until the ref took a nasty spill. As Angle hit a desperation Angle Slam, the official got caught in the crossfire and was sent tumbling to the outside, unconscious. The crowd gasped as Angle crawled to make the pin—but there was no referee to count.

That’s when the predators struck.

Triple H slid into the ring, his eyes filled with venom. Angle struggled to stand—but Triple H kicked him in the gut and delivered a devastating Pedigree, planting the Olympian dead center. The crowd booed viciously as HHH barked at Batista to finish the job. Batista picked up Angle’s limp body and hoisted him high into the air. With a monstrous roar, he drove Angle into the mat with a ring-shaking Batista Bomb. Angle’s body went limp.

Triple H turned to check on the referee—but then the roof blew off the building.

Randy Orton sprinted down the aisle and slid into the ring.

Triple H spun around and charged for a clothesline—but Orton ducked, popped up behind him, and nailed him with a sudden, spine-jolting RKO! The crowd went nuclear. Triple H rolled out of the ring in a daze. Batista stormed toward Orton like a freight train—but Orton struck again, leaping into the air and dropping him with a second RKO, perfectly planted in the middle of the ring. Orton popped back up, stared at Ric Flair as Flair bolted up the ramp. Orton smirked then darted through the ropes and escaped through the crowd like a ghost. The referee, groggy but coming to, slid back into the ring just as Angle—barely moving—draped an arm across Batista’s chest.

ONE…
TWO…
THREE.

Kurt Angle wins.

The crowd erupted in pure chaos as the bell rang. The stipulation was now set in stone: Evolution is banned from ringside at WrestleMania XX.

Angle, bloody-mouthed and barely conscious, rolled over and stared up at the rafters as the crowd chanted his name. On the outside, Triple H was screaming in rage, tearing at his hair, slamming his fists against the steel steps. Batista, lying flat, didn’t move. Flair paced, stunned. Orton stood midway up the stairs through the crowd, arms raised in defiance, nodding with smug satisfaction. The camera lingered on him for a long moment—his hand pointed at the WrestleMania sign—before fading out.

Monday Night Raw – March 22, 2004​

“One Last Breath Before the War”​

As the final segment of the last Raw before WrestleMania XX arrived, the arena grew quiet with anticipation. The lights dimmed slightly, the camera focused on the WrestleMania banner hanging high above the ring. The air was heavy—because this was it. The final face to face before Wrestlemania XX but this time just Triple H alone face to face with the challenger, Kurt Angle.

“Triple H,” he said, “I know you're back there. And I know you're not going to wait until Sunday to try to get in my head. So why don’t you walk down that ramp, look me in the eye, and say what you’ve been dying to say all year?”

The crowd buzzed.

Then, the familiar sound of “Time to Play the Game” hit and the entire arena erupted in boos. Out stepped Triple H, dressed in a tailored black suit, the World Heavyweight Championship gleaming over his shoulder. His face was a storm of disdain, but beneath it, there was something else—tension.

Triple H took his time walking down the ramp. He grabbed a microphone and slowly stepped into the ring. For a full thirty seconds, the two men just stared. No movement. Just heat.

Then, Triple H spoke first—calm and cutting.

“You know, Kurt, for all the medals, for all the accolades, for all the ‘hard work’ you’ve put in… you still don’t get it, do you? This isn’t the Olympics. This isn’t amateur hour. This is the top of the mountain, and at the top… you either rule with an iron fist, or you get pushed off.”

Angle leaned in, unimpressed.

“Is that what you’ve been doing, Hunter? Ruling? Because from where I’m standing, you’ve spent the last year hiding. Behind Evolution. Behind politics. Behind smoke and mirrors. But at WrestleMania, none of them will be out here. No Flair. No Batista. Just you. And me. And the title.”

Triple H stepped forward, nose to nose with him now.

“You’re damn right it’s just me. And that’s all it’s ever taken. You keep talking about the match like it’s a foregone conclusion—like you’re the inevitable comeback story. But here's the truth: I don't give a damn about your journey. You want validation. I want domination. That’s the difference.”

Angle smirked slightly. His voice was quiet now, but deadly.

“You’re scared.”

The crowd reacted instantly. Triple H flinched ever so slightly.

“You’re scared because for the first time in a long time, no one’s going to bail you out. You’re scared because you know I made you tap. And deep down… you know I can do it again.”

Triple H stepped back, his voice rising.

“You didn’t make me tap. That was a cheap shot. I wasn’t ready. WrestleMania? I’ll be ready. I’ll be surgical. And I’m going to do something no one’s ever done to you, Kurt—I’m going to break you down piece by piece until you don’t get back up.”

“And when I’m done, this—” He raised the World Heavyweight Title, “—this stays right where it belongs.”

Angle looked at the title, then back into Triple H’s eyes.

“On Sunday… I take that title. I take your pride. And when you tap again in the middle of that ring, the whole world’s going to know—Kurt Angle is the greatest wrestler alive. And you? You were just a placeholder.”

Triple H’s jaw clenched. Angle dropped the mic first. Hunter glared at him, stepped forward—and raised his title right between them then out of nowhere, the two titans exploded into a wild slugfest, fists flying as referees and officials sprinted down the ramp to intervene. Triple H gained the upper hand early, tackling Angle into the turnbuckles and unloading with stiff shots. He ripped off his blazer and roared as he stomped Angle into the corner.

But Angle fought back. He slipped behind Triple H, grabbed the arm—and took him down hard.

ANKLE LOCK.

The crowd went nuclear as Angle twisted Triple H’s ankle, wrenching it with violent precision in the middle of the ring. Triple H’s face twisted in pain as he clawed at the mat, reaching for the ropes, the apron, anything—but there was no escape. Security dove into the ring, tackling Angle and trying to pry him off. It took four men to finally separate them. Triple H rolled out of the ring, clutching his ankle, breathing like a man who had just stared death in the face. As the officials held Angle back, The Game limped toward the announce table and snatched up the World Heavyweight Championship. He backed up the ramp, hair disheveled, suit torn, belt clutched tight to his chest. Inside the ring, Kurt Angle ripped off his warm-up jacket and stood tall, seething, pointing to the WrestleMania XX sign hanging above.

“You can’t run Sunday, Hunter! You’re mine!”

Triple H, standing at the top of the ramp, looked back with a mix of rage and dread. He hoisted the title into the air with one hand—but his eyes never left Angle.

Later, Eric Bischoff stood on stage flanked by security and announced the official order of the 3 Stages of Hell match between Chris Jericho and Christian at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Championship will be as follows:

1. Standard Singles Match
2. Street Fight
3. Steel Cage Match (if necessary)

Moments later, Christian entered the ring for one final promo. The “CLB” gloated that he’d beat Jericho two falls straight. He mocked Jericho’s mental breakdown last week, laughing that “the only thing Y2J’s locking in these days is heartbreak.”

But the arena dimmed again—and Chris Jericho’s music hit.

This time, there were no mind games. Jericho marched straight down the ramp, wearing street clothes and a look of pure vengeance. He slid into the ring and tackled Christian to the mat, fists flying. The brawl spilled out of the ring, over the announce table, and into the timekeeper’s area. Jericho finally locked in the Walls of Jericho on the announce table, bending Christian in half. The crowd screamed in delight—until suddenly, Trish Stratus ran down the ramp. She hesitated, yelling for Jericho to let go. When he didn’t—Trish slapped Jericho across the face. The crowd gasped. Jericho released the hold, stunned. Christian scrambled away, clutching his back. Trish stared at Jericho with a mix of guilt and anger—then turned and walked away without another word. Jericho stood frozen, devastated, his heart broken all over again—this time with WrestleMania days away.

Later in the night, following the explosive Jericho–Christian brawl, WWE cameras caught up with Trish Stratus backstage. She stood alone in the interview area, her arms crossed, visibly frustrated and emotionally drained. Standing beside her was Jonathan Coachman, ready to press her for answers.

“Trish,” Coachman began, “after what happened out there tonight between Chris Jericho and Christian—and your unexpected slap to Jericho—everyone wants to know… where do you stand?”

Trish sighed, shaking her head.

“Where do I stand?” she repeated. “I stand alone.”

The crowd in the arena reacted audibly through the monitors.

“I didn’t come out there for Christian. And I sure as hell didn’t come out there to hurt Chris. I came out there to stop two guys I care about—cared about—from tearing each other apart. But Chris wouldn’t let go… and in that moment, I did what I thought I had to do. And yeah—maybe I regret it. But I’m not picking sides.”

She took a beat, brushing her hair out of her face.

“Let me make something really clear—Christian? You’re a smug, selfish jackass. And Chris? I never wanted to hurt you. But this isn’t about you anymore. This isn’t about either of you.”

Trish looked directly into the camera now.

“For too long, I’ve been caught in the middle of someone else’s story. But now, it’s time for me to write my own. I’m done playing sidekick to someone else's spotlight. At WrestleMania XX, I'm stepping into the ring—not for Jericho, not for Christian—but for me.”

Coachman leaned in, surprised. “Are you saying… you’ll be in a match at WrestleMania?”

Trish nodded with conviction.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. This Sunday, I’m issuing an open challenge to any woman in the WWE locker room. You want to make your mark at WrestleMania? Come try to make it on me. Because I’m not just here to break hearts anymore—I’m here to break records. I’m going to become the best woman this company has ever seen.”

With that, Trish turned and walked off, her expression sharpened with purpose. No music. No entourage. Just a woman with a new focus—and a WrestleMania challenge waiting to be answered.

As Raw entered its final stretch before WrestleMania, the war between Randy Orton and Evolution reached a personal peak. Eric Bischoff, ever the opportunist, had sanctioned a match between Orton and the man who once called him “the future of this business”—“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The bell rang, and the emotion poured immediately into the action. Flair chopped Orton’s chest raw early on, shouting insults the whole time. “You were like a son to me, dammit!” he yelled mid-chop, only for Orton to slap him across the face and scream, “You used me!” The match went back and forth—Flair using every veteran trick in the book, even poking the eyes and going for the ropes on a figure-four attempt. Orton, though, was sharp and focused, evading with agility and responding with crisp dropkicks, powerslams, and a perfectly executed backbreaker. Late in the match, Flair went low with a sneaky chop block and locked in the Figure-Four Leglock. The crowd reached a fever pitch as Orton screamed, his hands hovering above the mat—until he twisted his body, reversing the pressure and forcing Flair to break the hold.

Flair staggered up… and walked right into an RKO out of nowhere. Orton covered.

One… Two… Three.

Randy Orton had just pinned Ric Flair.

The crowd erupted as Orton sat up, wincing but victorious. His expression was a complex mix of triumph and pain—he had finally laid one of his demons to rest. But he had no time to celebrate.

Because Batista charged the ring.

The Animal bulldozed Orton from behind, knocking him flat with a clubbing forearm. He didn’t pause—he didn’t pose. He just pounced. Clubbing blows. Knee strikes. A spinebuster that shook the canvas. And then, as Orton tried to crawl to the ropes, Batista grabbed him by the neck, hoisted him up, and delivered a vicious Batista Bomb that left Orton motionless in the center of the ring. Flair pulled himself up in the corner, smirking through the pain, as Batista stood over the fallen Orton, breathing like a dragon.

“This Sunday,” Batista growled, “you’re mine.”

Orton didn’t move. Officials stormed the ring, checking on him. The crowd was left buzzing—if that’s what Batista could do now, what the hell would happen at WrestleMania?

Backstage, the Tag Team Turmoil competitors erupted into chaos.

Short interviews throughout the night showed each team—RVD & Booker T, The Dudley Boyz, La Resistance, Jindrak & Cade, Hurricane & Rosey—cutting passionate promos declaring dominance. But when all the teams crossed paths in the hallway, tensions boiled over into a massive brawl. Tables were flipped, fists were thrown, referees and officials tried to separate bodies. The message was clear: WrestleMania’s Tag Team Turmoil wasn’t going to be a match. It was going to be a war.

In the ring, Molly Holly and Lita sat at a table for the official Women’s Championship contract signing, moderated by Eric Bischoff.

Molly, cold and composed, talked about dignity and tradition. “This title deserves a champion who acts like a lady, not a tramp in combat boots,” she spat.

Lita stayed calm, signing the contract before speaking.

“This title deserves a champion who fights. Who falls and gets back up. Who represents every woman told she wasn’t good enough. That’s me.”

Molly hesitated, then signed.

They stood to shake hands—but Molly pulled Lita in, trying to attack. Lita blocked it, lifted Molly high, and DDT’d her right through the table. The crowd went wild as Lita grabbed the Women’s Title and stood over Molly’s motionless body.

​

Thursday Night Smackdown – March 4, 2004​

Edge endures brutal ambush as Brock Lesnar tightens grip on the WWE Championship

SAVANNAH, Ga. — With WrestleMania XX drawing near, SmackDown opened with a fired-up Edge demanding a face-to-face confrontation with WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Citing Lesnar’s cowardly ambush the week prior, Edge accused “The Next Big Thing” of fearing a fair fight. But instead of Lesnar, Paul Heyman arrived to gloat and declared that Brock wasn’t in the building. Heyman added insult to injury by placing Edge in a 2-on-1 handicap main event against A-Train and Rhyno. Despite an impassioned effort and a mid-match surge of momentum, Edge fell victim to the numbers game—his rally cut short by Lesnar’s entrance music. The distraction allowed A-Train to capitalize with a devastating Derailer before Lesnar entered the ring and delivered an emphatic F-5 to his WrestleMania challenger. The show closed with Lesnar towering over a fallen Edge, WWE Championship raised high—a cold and calculated statement of dominance from the reigning champion.

In one of the most disturbing scenes in recent memory, SmackDown viewers were subjected to a haunting video from a grim, boiler room location. A bound and terrified Paul Bearer was seen pleading for mercy as Kane stood over him, lighter in hand and gasoline-soaked rag nearby. Kane condemned Bearer for “abandonment” and vowed vengeance through fire. Before the act could unfold, the feed cut to static. Backstage, The Undertaker was seen stalking the arena halls, expression grim and unflinching, clutching Bearer’s urn. The mind games from Kane reached a fever pitch on this night, setting the stage for the unforgiving Inferno Casket Match at WrestleMania—a clash where only one brother may walk away.

Rey Mysterio added fuel to the fire ahead of his WrestleMania Title vs. Mask encounter with Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. by scoring a decisive victory over Chavo Guerrero Sr. on SmackDown. But post-match, Rey found himself ambushed by Chavo Jr., who launched a brutal assault and tried to unmask the lucha legend. In a testament to his resilience, Mysterio fought back and sent Chavo scrambling with a blistering springboard dropkick. While the mask was saved for now, tensions between the Guerreros and Mysterio continue to escalate in what is quickly becoming one of SmackDown’s most deeply personal rivalries.

John Cena took to the ring in classic freestyle form, tearing into United States Champion Big Show with a fiery rap that ignited the Savannah crowd. Cena pulled no punches, mocking Big Show’s intelligence, speed, and credibility. Show responded from backstage, dismissing Cena’s words while enjoying a feast at catering. Later in the night, Cena secured a swift victory over Chuck Palumbo with the FU, but Big Show attempted to strike from behind. Cena, ever the opportunist, narrowly evaded a post-match chokeslam and taunted the giant from the ramp, proving once again that he's quicker than Big Show both on the mic and in the ring. With WrestleMania looming, Cena remains undeterred and unshaken.

The path to the WWE Tag Team Championship TLC Match at WrestleMania took a chaotic turn as Paul London and Brian Kendrick scored a shocking upset victory over The World’s Greatest Tag Team. Shelton Benjamin accidentally struck his own partner, allowing Kendrick to capitalize with a pinfall that rocked the division. The celebration was cut short when The Basham Brothers stormed the ring and launched a savage post-match assault on the underdogs. But the chaos didn’t stop there—Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty made the save, clearing the ring to stand tall alongside London and Kendrick. Momentum is shifting rapidly among SmackDown’s top tandems, and with ladders, tables, and chairs on the horizon, every team is preparing for all-out war.

JBL, now fully transformed into a pompous Wall Street powerhouse, attempted to rebrand his past on SmackDown. In a slick backstage interview, JBL mocked Farooq as a relic from a bygone era. But the former APA enforcer wasn’t done with his longtime partner. Appearing via TitanTron, Farooq stood beside JBL’s prized limousine—lead pipe in hand. In a moment of symbolic destruction, Farooq smashed the car’s windows before being dragged away by security. JBL’s smug façade crumbled as he watched the carnage unfold. Their Falls Count Anywhere, No Disqualification Match at WrestleMania promises to be less about rules and more about retribution.

Just as the WWE Universe anticipated a response from Eddie Guerrero, Goldberg made his presence felt in a different way. The former World Champion stormed the ring and delivered a cold, scathing promo declaring Guerrero’s previous victory over him a “fluke.” Goldberg promised to dismantle Guerrero on the grandest stage of them all, proving that heart and grit mean nothing against unrelenting power. Later in the night, Eddie was seen being attended to by medical personnel after an apparent backstage attack—suspicion immediately falling on Goldberg. With WrestleMania drawing near, the stakes and the aggression between these combustible forces are reaching a boiling point.

Thursday Night Smackdown – March 11, 2004​

In a moment that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, SmackDown came to a dramatic and unexpected close with the thunderous return of Mr. McMahon, who promptly and publicly fired Paul Heyman as General Manager. Throughout the night, Paul Heyman strutted around like a man in complete control, reveling in the carnage he had orchestrated—specifically, a calculated three-on-one assault on Edge by A-Train, Rhyno, and his handpicked enforcer, Matt Morgan. In Heyman’s mind, Edge had been neutralized, and his prized client, Brock Lesnar, would coast into WrestleMania without resistance.

But the chairman had seen enough.

As Heyman and Lesnar basked in their self-congratulatory moment, watching the ambush footage and laughing in Heyman’s office, Mr. McMahon’s iconic entrance music hit. The arena exploded in disbelief as the Chairman of WWE marched down to the ring, jaw clenched, eyes full of fury. Without hesitation, McMahon summoned Heyman to the ring and delivered a blistering indictment of his leadership. He accused Heyman of corrupting SmackDown, of abusing his power to protect one man, and of turning the blue brand into a one-man fiefdom. Heyman pleaded his case with frantic, sycophantic desperation, arguing that his decisions were "in the best interests of SmackDown." McMahon cut him off cold. “SmackDown was built to be the land of opportunity—not the kingdom of Paul Heyman. You turned competition into favoritism. You turned the GM’s office into a throne room. And you’ve turned my stomach.”

Then came the immortal words: “You’re fired!”

Security dragged a panicked Heyman from the ring as Brock Lesnar looked on, stunned and fuming. McMahon wasn’t done. He addressed the locker room and the fans directly, declaring that the next General Manager of SmackDown will lead with fairness, integrity, and a commitment to competition—not manipulation. With the power vacuum now open, one question looms large: Who will step in to lead SmackDown toward WrestleMania XX?

Earlier in the night, Edge was ambushed in a dimly lit corridor by three dangerous men—A-Train, Rhyno, and the monstrous Matt Morgan, all operating under Heyman’s orders. The brutal beatdown was merciless, with Edge left gasping for air amid overturned crates and shattered equipment. It seemed Heyman’s plan to eliminate the No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship was complete.

Backstage later, Heyman and Lesnar watched the attack gleefully on a monitor, trading arrogant smirks and laughs.

But the celebration was premature.

In one of the night’s most explosive and cathartic moments, Edge—bandaged and bruised—caught Lesnar off guard in the hallway. Without hesitation, Edge launched into a full sprint and speared Lesnar through a catering table, sending silver trays and bottled water flying as the WWE Champion collapsed in shock. Lesnar writhed on the ground, clutching his ribs as Edge rose to his feet, hair wild, breathing hard, defiant as ever. No words were needed. The message was clear: Edge is still in this fight, and Brock Lesnar’s road to WrestleMania will be anything but easy.

For weeks, the sinister grip of Kane has loomed over SmackDown, and on this night, his twisted vendetta reached a boiling point. Midway through the broadcast, Kane emerged from a cloud of red light and smoke with a bound and terrified Paul Bearer at ringside. Dressed in chains and seated beside a casket, Bearer quivered as Kane circled him like a predator. Gripping the microphone with his gloved hand, Kane snarled that it was time to "close the lid" on the past—and on his brother’s legacy. He promised to lock Bearer inside the casket and set it ablaze, ensuring that there would be no salvation left for The Undertaker come WrestleMania. Just as Kane began dragging Bearer toward the open casket, the arena went black. The sound of a lone gong shook the rafters. As eerie blue lights bathed the ring, The Undertaker materialized on the ramp, a storm of rage in his eyes. Kane paused—but only for a moment—before shoving Bearer toward the Deadman and slipping out through the crowd with a haunting smile. The Phenom helped Bearer to his feet, then slowly turned his gaze to the flickering casket. He placed one hand on the lid, as if sensing the battle to come. The Inferno Casket Match is no longer just a fight—it’s a reckoning.

Though their journeys to WrestleMania are distinct, Edge and John Cena found themselves standing shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy: the oppressive authority of Paul Heyman. After Edge’s brutal ambush earlier in the night, all signs pointed to him being removed from the WrestleMania equation. But Edge proved otherwise, not only returning to spear Lesnar through a table but sparking a chaotic brawl that spilled over into the rest of the show. Meanwhile, Cena—who had been on commentary during a Big Show squash match—took the opportunity to confront Lesnar directly when the chaos escalated. As Lesnar tried to regroup from Edge’s assault, Cena stepped up, chain in hand, ready to throw down. A pull-apart melee ensued, with referees and security flooding the scene. For one moment, Edge and Cena stood tall, side-by-side, staring down Lesnar and Heyman from opposite ends of the hallway. The message was undeniable: The locker room is no longer afraid.

The animosity between Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Rey Mysterio reached new heights this week as the Cruiserweight Champion showed just how low he’s willing to stoop to maintain his gold — and rob Rey of his very identity. Chavo Jr., flanked by his father Chavo Guerrero Sr., faced off against Rey’s longtime ally Billy Kidman in a fast-paced matchup that showcased the tenacity of the cruiserweight division. But despite Kidman's heart and agility, the numbers game proved too much. As Kidman climbed the turnbuckle to attempt the Shooting Star Press, Chavo Sr. pulled his leg, crotching him on the ropes out of the referee’s view. Chavo Jr. capitalized instantly, hitting a brainbuster and scoring the cheap pin. After the match, the Guerreros weren't done. Microphone in hand, Chavo Jr. towered over Kidman and fired a venomous verbal volley at Rey Mysterio. He mocked Rey’s mask as a “cheap piece of cloth” hiding a “lesser man” and swore to expose Rey as a fraud in front of the entire world at WrestleMania. “Your mask is your soul,” Chavo hissed. “And at WrestleMania, I’m going to rip it off your face — and rip your soul from your body.” The crowd booed mercilessly as Chavo Sr. proudly raised his son’s hand. Though Mysterio didn’t appear, his silence spoke volumes — he’s saving his response for WrestleMania, where Title vs. Mask will determine far more than gold.

The SmackDown tag team division exploded into a frenzy of dysfunction, distrust, and declarations of war, all orchestrated by the now-deposed Paul Heyman. In an effort to “test” the teams involved in the upcoming Fatal Four-Way TLC Match at WrestleMania, Heyman booked an eight-man tag team bout, pairing bitter rivals together in the name of “cohesion.” The Basham Brothers and The World’s Greatest Tag Team were forced to coexist against the high-flying duo of Paul London & Brian Kendrick and the power-and-dance pairing of Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty. From the opening bell, the dysfunction was palpable. Shelton Benjamin refused to tag Danny Basham. Charlie Haas kept barking orders that no one followed. The faces, on the other hand, flowed as a well-oiled unit, tagging in and out with crisp rhythm and energetic bursts of offense. The match descended into chaos when all eight men stormed the ring simultaneously, leading to a melee of finishers, dives, and near falls. In the end, Rikishi planted Danny Basham with a crushing Banzai Drop, sealing the win for the babyfaces. But the aftermath was the true story: Benjamin shoved Haas, the Bashams stormed off angrily, and London & Kendrick posed with ladders at ringside. The TLC stipulation at WrestleMania just became more than a contest — it’s a civil war between combustible powder kegs, and the fuse is already lit.

The bitter feud between former APA partners took a deeper, more personal turn as John “Bradshaw” Layfield continued to wash his hands of the man he used to be — and Farooq reminded him just how real those roots still are. Dressed in a thousand-dollar suit and seated in a pristine backstage interview set, JBL addressed the WWE Universe with all the smugness of a man who believed his reinvention was complete. He scoffed at Farooq’s barroom brawling, calling him “the past incarnate,” a man too stubborn to evolve, too ignorant to elevate. But just as JBL leaned back in his leather chair, Farooq appeared on the TitanTron — not in a suit, but in a gritty, smoky bar, surrounded by old friends and cold beers. Farooq raised a glass and declared, “This is who we were. This is who you used to be. You can hide behind that suit, John, but deep down, you’re still one of us.” Suddenly, a barroom brawl erupted, with Farooq hurling punches and pool cues, reminding JBL — and everyone watching — that no matter how much money you have, you can’t erase history. Their Falls Count Anywhere, No DQ match at WrestleMania isn’t about winning — it’s about reclaiming identity.

Despite being battered, bruised, and still reeling from Goldberg’s backstage ambush the previous week, Eddie Guerrero limped to the ring on SmackDown with a microphone in hand and a fire in his soul. There was no swagger, no bouncing low-rider, no lies or cheats — just truth. Clutching his ribs with one arm, Eddie addressed the WWE Universe with raw emotion, vowing that he wasn’t afraid of Goldberg, even after being blindsided and left for medical staff last week. “Goldberg thinks power wins matches. He thinks muscles beat corazón,” Eddie said. “But I don’t fight with my fists first — I fight with my heart. I fight for every Latino kid, every underdog, every person who’s ever been told they weren’t enough.” As the crowd erupted in “EDDIE! EDDIE!” chants, Guerrero pointed to the WrestleMania XX sign and promised that whether he has to lie, cheat, steal — or simply survive — he will not go quietly. Goldberg didn’t show his face tonight, but Guerrero's words hit harder than any spear: he’s not broken. He’s just getting started.

Thursday Night Smackdown – March 18, 2004​

Just ten days before WrestleMania XX, SmackDown took a bold new step into its future — and left the chaos of Paul Heyman’s regime behind — as Mr. McMahon officially named a new General Manager for the blue brand. With the SmackDown locker room still reeling from Heyman’s termination one week earlier, Mr. McMahon walked to the ring under an atmosphere thick with uncertainty. His tone was serious, but resolute.

“I built SmackDown to be a proving ground — a place for competition, not corruption,” McMahon stated. “Paul Heyman lost sight of that. He turned this brand into his personal chessboard, with Brock Lesnar as his king. That ends now.”

He acknowledged the chaos that followed Heyman’s removal — rampant ambushes, main events ending in disqualification, and Lesnar continuing to exploit what little power structure remained. “This show needs order,” McMahon declared. “It needs leadership. And it needs someone who knows what it means to fight for opportunity, not abuse it.” With the crowd hanging on every word, Mr. McMahon revealed the new General Manager of SmackDown would be none other than…

Teddy Long.​

The arena erupted as Long made his way to the stage in a sharp suit and a signature grin. Once a manager, once a referee, now given the keys to the SmackDown kingdom, Long stepped into the role with confidence and clarity.

“I ain’t here to play favorites, playa,” Teddy Long said. “I’m here to make sure everyone gets a fair shake. I’m here to make sure that everybody — whether you’re a legend, a rookie, or the WWE Champion — earns their keep.”

He immediately laid down new policies: no more surprise handicap matches, no more executive-protected champions, and no more unchecked brutality. “You step outta line,” he warned, “you’ll be feeling’ the consequences. Holla holla!”

Later in the show, Long’s first executive action was to book tonights and next week's Smackdown Main event: Tonight, Edge will face the Big Show, and next week Lesnar & Big Show vs. Edge & John Cena. "Let’s see how tough Lesnar is," Long added, "when he doesn’t have anyone pulling the strings." The McMahon Era may have removed the puppetmaster, but under Teddy Long’s new regime, SmackDown just became a level playing field — and the game has changed heading into WrestleMania XX.

One week after delivering a thunderous spear through a catering table, Edge stepped back into the ring on SmackDown with bruised ribs, bandaged shoulders, and an iron will. Paul Heyman may be gone, but the chaos he sowed continues to burn — and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar was eager to pick up where Heyman left off. In the night's main event, Edge was booked to face the colossal Big Show, a man who rarely shows mercy — especially when Lesnar is lurking nearby. Despite being physically compromised, Edge fought valiantly, trading heavy blows and pulling out bursts of speed to counter Show’s size. The crowd rallied behind him as he mounted a comeback, evading a Chokeslam and planting Big Show with a desperation Edge-O-Matic. Just when it seemed Edge might shock the world again, Brock Lesnar stormed the ring with malicious intent. The bell rang for a DQ as Lesnar attacked Edge mid-pinfall. A brutal post-match beatdown ensued, with Lesnar targeting Edge’s midsection — the same ribs injured in the Heyman-planned ambush weeks prior. But before Lesnar could hit the F-5, John Cena sprinted to the ring, launching a flurry of fists and igniting a massive brawl that spilled to ringside.

With Lesnar and Big Show retreating, Edge stood tall once again — bruised, breathing hard, but unshaken. WrestleMania is now two weeks away, and if Lesnar thought Edge would crumble under pressure, he learned tonight that Edge refuses to break.

The mind games between the Brothers of Destruction took an eerie turn this week as The Undertaker, now reunited with Paul Bearer, appeared in the ring under a chilling blue light to send one final warning to his younger brother. Speaking in a low, methodical tone, Undertaker recounted every betrayal, every flame, every buried secret. “You left me to burn. But I walked through fire, Kane,” he growled. “And now, the fire walks with me.” As Undertaker vowed that Kane’s sins would be punished in the Inferno Casket Match at WrestleMania, flames suddenly erupted from the ring posts. Kane appeared on the TitanTron, laughing maniacally beside an empty coffin engulfed in controlled fire. He promised that this time, there would be no return — not for the Deadman, not for Bearer, and not for the legend of The Undertaker. But Undertaker didn’t flinch. He slowly drew a throat-slashing gesture across his neck, locking eyes with the screen. Fire may have birthed this feud — but it will be consumed by it at WrestleMania XX.

Momentum shifted rapidly in the crowded tag team title scene as SmackDown hosted a pair of singles matches featuring competitors from the Fatal Four-Way TLC Match scheduled for WrestleMania XX. In the first bout, Shelton Benjamin picked up a razor-thin victory over Paul London in a lightning-fast match loaded with reversals, roll-ups, and aerial wizardry. Benjamin used his strength advantage to keep London grounded and scored the win after countering a Shooting Star Press into a mid-air superkick. Later, Danny Basham squared off against Scotty 2 Hotty in a more grounded, methodical bout. Despite Scotty’s energy and crowd support, Basham executed a textbook distraction from his brother Doug to steal a roll-up victory. But neither face team went quietly. Post-match, brief brawls erupted on both occasions — and each time, the face teams held their ground. Commentary emphasized the looming threat of the TLC stipulation. With tables, ladders, and chairs in play, teamwork means nothing — it’s about survival.

In a scene straight out of the Attitude Era, Farooq reminded JBL that he’s not just fighting a man at WrestleMania — he’s fighting a legacy. As JBL made his usual stock-market-flavored entrance and headed backstage, Farooq launched a surprise attack from behind with a steel pipe. The two brawled into the catering area, knocking over tables, trash cans, and stacks of chairs as stunned crew members scattered. The fight culminated with Farooq hitting a Dominator through a catering table, leaving JBL writhing in food and debris. “That’s for forgetting who you are,” Farooq muttered before walking off. The message was clear: you can rebrand yourself — but your past still knows how to hit.

In a spirited tag team match, Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman picked up a huge win over Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Chavo Sr., giving Rey critical momentum just 10 days before his high-stakes Title vs. Mask match. The crowd came alive as Rey used his speed and resilience to overwhelm Chavo Jr., despite repeated interference from Chavo Sr. The finish came when Mysterio hit a 619 on both Guerreros in tandem, followed by a springboard leg drop for the pin on Chavo Jr. Post-match, the Guerreros attempted another ambush, but Rey saw it coming. He countered and sent Chavo Jr. retreating through the ropes. Then, in an emotional moment, Rey raised the Cruiserweight Championship in one hand and held up his spare mask in the other — a powerful image symbolizing that he’s fighting for something far deeper than gold.

Goldberg sent a violent reminder of his presence by annihilating a local enhancement talent in under 60 seconds, finishing the match with a thunderous Spear and Jackhammer combination. The display wasn’t about the win — it was about sending a message. With his opponent motionless on the canvas, Goldberg grabbed a mic and pointed directly to the WrestleMania sign. “Eddie Guerrero… this is your future,” he snarled. “You can lie, cheat, steal all you want — but there’s no escape when I bring destruction.” Later in the show, Eddie Guerrero appeared via satellite, sitting in a dim room, still favoring his ribs. But his eyes burned with fury.

“You think that’s all it takes to scare me, Holmes? A Jackhammer on some rookie? You want to scare me? You’ll have to kill me. Because I don’t run — I fight. And at WrestleMania, I’m gonna outthink, outfight, and outlast you. And that ain’t a lie — that’s the truth.”

Thursday Night Smackdown – March 25, 2004​

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The final SmackDown before WrestleMania XX ended not with celebration, but absolute destruction, as WWE Champion Brock Lesnar and United States Champion Big Show unleashed a career-shortening assault on their respective challengers — Edge and John Cena — leaving both men broken, bloodied, and barely breathing just 72 hours before the biggest night of the year. In a lawless No Holds Barred tag team war ordered by new SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long, the two champions collided with their WrestleMania opponents in a chaotic, no-rules collision. Cena and Edge brought the fight early — Cena with steel chains, Edge with unrelenting rage — and for a moment, it looked like momentum was shifting toward the challengers.

But momentum died the second Brock Lesnar got serious.

After Big Show sent Cena crashing through a table with a thunderous Chokeslam on the outside, Lesnar turned the tide inside the ring. He dodged Edge’s Spear and crushed him with a spine-shattering German suplex before isolating Cena. With Show dragging Edge’s lifeless body to the floor, Lesnar hoisted Cena onto his shoulders and hit a vicious F-5 in the center of the ring for the emphatic three-count.

And then all hell broke loose.

The bell rang, but Lesnar and Show weren’t done — not even close.

As the referee tried to raise Lesnar’s hand, he was shoved to the mat like a rag doll. Big Show rolled Cena back into the ring as Lesnar threw Edge in after him. And then the destruction began:

• Big Show relentlessly assaulted Cena, delivering a brutal KO Punch that dropped him instantly. As Cena attempted to rise, Show hit a second KO Punch, causing blood to trickle from Cena's forehead. Big Show then lifted Cena high for a Chokeslam, followed by a second, shouting, "YOU WANT WRESTLEMANIA?! HERE IT IS!" He finished with a third monstrous Chokeslam, leaving Cena motionless. Simultaneously, Brock Lesnar executed Edge, scooping him up for a second F-5, folding him in half. After a sneer, he dragged Edge up again for a third F-5 onto a steel chair. Lesnar stood over the wreckage, unbothered and unsympathetic.

As officials, referees, and even agents flooded the ring trying to restore order, Lesnar and Big Show stood tall, surrounded by chaos — champions not just by title, but by brute force. Edge and Cena were left motionless, EMTs swarming with stretchers, blood staining the mat. WrestleMania wasn’t just being hyped anymore. It was being declared.

And the declaration was this:

“No one can stop us.”

What began as a moment of triumph for Eddie Guerrero quickly spiraled into all-out chaos — and possibly the most intense face-to-face confrontation of the WrestleMania season. After outsmarting and outlasting Rhyno in a gutsy back-and-forth battle, Eddie stood in the ring exhausted but victorious. Favoring his ribs, he raised his arms high as the crowd erupted in "EDDIE! EDDIE!" chants. It was the kind of win that said: Eddie Guerrero still had something left.

But then the lights shifted.

The crowd's cheers turned to unease as Goldberg’s music hit and the powerhouse stomped onto the stage. He was all fury, no words — until he slowly raised a microphone and spoke with venom.

“That? That was your victory lap? Surviving a guy like Rhyno? That’s cute. But Sunday, you’re not going to survive me. I’m not Rhyno. I will end careers. And at WrestleMania, I’m ending yours.”

Eddie, still winded, leaned against the ropes and snarled. He didn’t back down — he called Goldberg forward.

“You think I’m scared of you, ese? You think just because you’re built like a tank, I’m gonna roll over? You don’t get it. You can’t break what’s already broken. You’re gonna have to kill me, cabrón.”

Goldberg dropped the mic. Eddie dropped his title.
And then they charged.

The ring became a war zone as the two collided in a furious fistfight. Goldberg tackled Eddie into the corner, ramming shoulder after shoulder into his ribs. Eddie raked the eyes and hit a dropkick to the knees, staggering the juggernaut. Referees swarmed the ring — but they couldn’t hold them apart. Eddie leapt over the officials to land right hands to Goldberg’s jaw. Goldberg shoved three men off him, tackled Eddie through the ropes, and both men spilled to the floor. Chairs went flying. Timekeepers ran. Security poured out from the back.

Still they fought.

Eddie was busted open above the eye. Goldberg’s lip was split from a wild forearm. They threw punches through lines of security, screaming curses in each other’s faces.

“WrestleMania! You’re mine!” Eddie shouted through gritted teeth as he was dragged back.

“I’ll rip your spine out!” Goldberg howled as he was pulled in the opposite direction.

It was not a match. It was not a segment. It was a spiritual collision.

In the final face-to-face before their deeply personal Inferno Casket Match at WrestleMania XX, The Undertaker and Kane met in the ring under flickering lights and rising flames. Flanked by druids and accompanied by a solemn Paul Bearer, Undertaker stood across from his deranged brother, whose laughter echoed through the building as he rolled out a freshly built casket painted in scorched red and black. Kane claimed he had “freed” Bearer as an act of twisted mercy but promised that on Sunday, the only mercy would be fire. “You may have risen from the ashes, brother,” Kane hissed. “But I control the flame now.” Undertaker, unblinking and unmoved, stepped forward and placed his hand on the casket lid, whispering, “You will rest… in fire.” Suddenly, the arena lights cut to black and when they returned, Kane was gone — but the casket had erupted in flame. The chilling visual burned into the minds of everyone watching: this will not be a match. This will be a reckoning.

The Falls Count Anywhere, No DQ match between Farooq and JBL just got even more personal. Midway through SmackDown, JBL hit the ring to deliver what he called a “financial state of address,” boasting about stock growth, real estate holdings — and his “untouchable” legacy. But he was cut off by a live feed to the parking lot, where Farooq was standing beside JBL’s limo — hoisted high on a tow truck. With a baseball bat in hand, Farooq stared into the camera and laid out one final challenge: “You beat me Sunday, fine. But if I beat you? You’re Bradshaw again. APA. Bar brawls. Beer baths. For one full month.” JBL exploded in anger and reluctantly accepted to save his car — only for Farooq to slam the bat into the windshield anyway, shouting, “See you at WrestleMania, partner!”

In a segment designed to psychologically destroy his WrestleMania opponent, Chavo Guerrero Jr., joined by Chavo Sr., hosted a grotesque “Lucha Libre Disrespect Ceremony.” Inside the ring was a masked enhancement wrestler chained to the corner. The Guerreros taunted the man, removed his mask, and declared that Rey Mysterio would be next. But they were interrupted — by Mysterio himself, storming down to the ring with unrelenting fury. He hit a 619 on Chavo Sr. and then sent Chavo Jr. tumbling through the ropes with a top-rope seated senton. The crowd erupted as Rey knelt beside the unmasked man, then removed a spare mask from his tights… and gently placed it over the wrestler’s face. That moment said more than words ever could: Rey Mysterio is fighting for a culture, not just a title.

The four teams set to battle for the WWE Tag Team Championships in a Fatal Four-Way TLC Match each had their final word — and in some cases, final swing — before Sunday’s war. The show featured two squash matches — one where Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty defeated local talent with ease, finishing with a Worm and a Banzai Drop, and one where Paul London & Brian Kendrick dazzled with double dropkicks and stereo suicide dives to pick up a decisive win. After both matches, the other teams struck. The Bashams jumped Rikishi and Scotty from behind, tossing them into a ladder and powerbombing Scotty through a table. The World’s Greatest Tag Team confronted London & Kendrick during their celebration, ending in a staredown with chairs held high. Later in the night, all four teams were interviewed separately with ladders, chairs, and tables displayed beside them. Rikishi promised pain. Benjamin guaranteed strategy. London promised flight. And the Bashams? They simply whispered, “We don’t need to talk. We’ll break them all.”

********THIS SUNDAY********​

WRESTLEMANIA XX FINAL CARD​

• WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Edge
• World Heavyweight Championship Triple H (c) vs. Kurt Angle (Evolution is banned from ringside)
• HBK vs. The Rock
• Eddie Guerrero vs. Goldberg
• Inferno Casket Match: Undertaker vs. Kane
• United States Championship: Big Show (c) vs. John Cena
• Intercontinental Championship: 3 Stages of Hell
  1st fall: Singles, 2nd fall: Street Fight, 3rd fall (if necessary): Steel Cage
  Christian vs. Chris Jericho
• WWE Tag Team Championships: Fatal Four-Way TLC Match - The Basham Brothers (c) vs. World's Greatest Tag Team vs. Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick
• World Tag Team Championship Tag Team Turmoil Match
• Women’s Championship: Molly Holly vs. Lita
• Falls Count Anywhere, No Disqualification Match: JBL vs. Farooq
• Cruiserweight Championship - Title vs. Mask Match: Chavo Guerrero (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
• Batista vs. Randy Orton
• Trish Stratus Open Challenge