• ON THIS DAY IN WWF HISTORY (June 4, 2001) – WWF RAW IS WAR
On this day in 2001, the World Wrestling Federation aired another LIVE episode of their weekly TV show ‘WWF RAW IS WAR’.
It was broadcasted from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and featured matches, interviews & segments, on the road to the ‘WWF King of the Ring 2001’ PPV.
Here’s the card:
1. Kane vs. Christian
2. KOTR Qualifying Match: Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
3. Hardcore Holly, Crash Holly & Kurt Angle vs. The Dudley Boyz & Spike Dudley
4. Chris Benoit vs. The Big Show
5. KOTR Qualifying Match: Rhyno vs. Tazz
6. Bra & Panties Match: Trish Stratus vs. Terri
7. Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho
• WWE Hall Of Famer Comments On The Undertaker Having Confidence Issues
While speaking to WrestlingInc, 2-time WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair talked about returning to WWF after WCW folded, not wanting to face Vince McMahon at Royal Rumble 2002, The Undertaker having confidence issues these days & more.
Below are the highlights:
On people being dependent on Vince McMahon:
“I walked up to him when I first got there and I said, ‘Man, how do you handle all of this?’ He said, ‘I can’t take time away not to handle it because 300 people are dependent on me every day.’
He was referring to talent, staff, office and that’s the truth. We’re all dependent on him even to this day. I am too as I just re-signed, so I’m dependent on him.
This wrestling business – whether you like it or don’t like it – is the most insensitive business in the world. We all get into it knowing full speed. Everybody gets their chance and if you don’t make it, you can’t find blame and need to look at yourself.”
On not wanting to face Vince McMahon at Royal Rumble 2002:
“First of all, I had no self-confidence and Hunter helped me with that. [Vince] was overwhelmed that he was getting to wrestle me. He goes, ‘This is such a huge honor’ and I’m going, ‘Oh my God! This is not what I’m looking for. I need you to tell me that we don’t have to do this [laughs].’ I was cosmetically insecure and mentally insecure.”
On WWF officials telling him he wouldn’t have to wrestle when he returned:
“That took a whole load off me. As far as my self-confidence with talking, I’m great. Getting in the ring – zero [self-confidence]. I get there in November and in January Shane asks, ‘What do you think of wrestling my dad at the Royal Rumble?’ I’m thinking that’s not what we agreed upon [laughs]. Sure enough, here we are.”
On The Undertaker opening up about his confidence issues on The Last Ride docuseries:
“Mark and I talked about it. I was texting him while watching it and he was doing an interview on ESPN where he alluded to me.
My self-confidence was mental while Mark’s was physical. I have had physical issues but I’ve come back from them. But Mark is 6’10” and 330 pounds and throws himself around the ring. He’s done stuff over the top rope that even Rey Mysterio does.
He’s had injury problems and I’m glad that they’re showing what our guys go through. They think the injections and all of that are just for Football or Basketball. Take that times 20 as our guys are on the road 200 days a year.
It was worse for Mark in his heyday in the early 90s as we were out for 60 days at a time. Mark’s one of those guys – and this is what I’m so proud of [Charlotte] about – they’re gonna go out there at a house show with 100 people and give them a match. That’s what separates the greats from the people who are just getting through.”
