TONIGHT: It's a very special Christmas RAW! What's special about it? We're not gonna tell you anything about it in the Walker hype spot, other than the fact that Triple H & Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley are in the building! Come back at the top of the hour!

Stephanie McMahon's wearing a Santa hat! She and Triple H are on a sofa while the Mean Street Posse (in tuxes) stand behind them - Hunter says it sure seems like only he and she have the holiday spirit at the moment. How can we rectify this? Guess it's time to once again give. Hunter promises that tonight it'll be a very RAW Christmas

Opening credits - note the new, prominent placement of the Helmsley couple - note also the closed captioned logo

FIREWORKS WHEEEEE are LIVE from the Compaq Center in Houston, TX 20.12.99 and it WILL be a very RAW Christmas

TEST v. NEW AGE OUTLAWS in a Handicap match - Let Us Take You Back to SmackDown! where Stephanie disqualified Test for using the closed fist against Kurt Angle, then led him into a DX beatdown culmniating in a rebroken nose. Test wears a protective mask tonight a la Laimbeer (f'r instance) Dogg tries to distract Test with his mic stylings, but Test clotheslines the charging Mr. Ass and cleans house until the doubleteam can kick in. Ass opens up the face for a punch from the Dogg. Kick in the face from Ass. Backstage, we see the Hardys and Edge & Christian (oh, and Terri) looking on. Dogg with a dropkick to the nose - Ass covers - 2. I'm pretty sure nearly EVERY shot in this match has served to help work over Test's broken nose here. And yet, he won't give up. Wotta MAN! off the ropes, double backdrop attempt is countered by Test into a double DDT. Ass and Test up - Iblockyourpunchyoudon'tblockmine, big boots to both men. Gutwrench into a powerbomb for Ass, pumphandle - but Ass dropkicks and Dogg lands on him in a cover - kickout at 2! Jackhammer from Ass, pumphandle by Dogg - the mask is removed - Fame'Asser! Dogg covers - 1, 2, 3. (3:27) We look backstage, where Stephanie says "Merry Christmas, Test!" The Posse enters the picture, having brought Edge, Christian and the Hardys with them. Ahh, so the reason the Helmsleys are hard on THESE guys is because they were GROOMSMEN at the wedding! Of COURSE! Anyway, they're tired of fighting each other, they say. Stephanie whispers in Triple H's ear, and they decide that tonight, instead of fighting each other, Matt & Edge will take on Christian & Jeff in a tag team battle.

"Stone Cold's Hell Yeah" and WrestleMania XV DVD ad

Kurt Angle meets with the Helmsleys. Stephanie still seems kinda sweet on him. Triple H tells him he's booked tonight against Viscera.

RAW is WAR is brought to you by Snickers, Sony PlayStation, and Western Union Money Transfer!

MATT HARDY (with Terri) & EDGE v. JEFF HARDY (with Terri) & CHRISTIAN -

Meanwhile, back in the Helmsley dressing room, the Posse has brought Moolah and Mae Young. Stephanie says she and Hunter would like to give them a present - a nice bottle - Young lunges for it but Hunter pulls it away. He's actually got a better present for them - a match - a tag team triple threat match between them, the Acolytes and the Dudley Boyz. Moolah gives Stephanie a tongue-lashing and storms off. Hunter says he can't wait to hear JR call that one - Stephanie says that reminds her, it's time to give JR HIS gift. JR: "Oh, no..."

The Slam of the Week is brought to you by 1-800-COLLECT! From SmackDown!, Jim Ross stops short of actually SAYING "bitch," but Stephanie slaps him anyway.

Here's an exterior of the Compaq Center.

The WWF was ranked #5 in the "best entertainers of the year" in this week's Entertainment Weekly. Here's a look at the photo of Vince McMahon and the Rock!

TREBLE H & STEPHANIE McMAHON-HELMSLEY walk to the ring. Have I mentioned the pretty green patina given the chyron scaffolding tonight? How many people need that sentence clarified, you think? Heh heh. Anyway, Stephanie invites LARRY KING into the ring, claiming to come in peace. Ross, who ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer, complies, entering the ring. Triple H says "Shut up!" to stoke the fire before handing THE STICK over to Stephanie. "What - what's with this, you know, Entertainment Weekly, you're talking about Vince and the Rock, and they're the greatest entertainers. Obviously you're a little late, I mean HERE are the two GREATEST entertainers of 1999!" "You know, Steph, I can't help but think - Entertainment Weekly kinda - they kinda missed the boat on that whole thing, don't you think? Couple of weeks late. I mean, this is the deal, and although this place LOOKS rather festive...there just seems - hey, don't go anywhere. You stand right here, I'm not done talking to you - you got it? This place seems to be lacking in direction, so I'll tell you what, Kevin Dunn - you put it up - NOW." "Are you ready?" the two screens to the side of the EntertainmentTron change to giant photos of Stephanie and Triple H.

"WIWF" "Man in the Moon" ad

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST & CELEBRATED REAL ATHLETE KURT ANGLE v. VISSSSSSSSSSSCERA - "First of all, your Olympic hero would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. As the holiday season is fast approaching, I have a great idea for a New Year's Resolution for all of you. As all of you know, I've had success my whole entire life, and I continue to have success here in the World Wrestling Federation, and why? Because I follow MY simple set of rules that I call the three I's. Yes, that's right - intensity, integrity and intelligence. And if you follow MY three I's, and make it part of YOUR New Year's Resolution, you too can accomplish anything you want to, and you too can have the happiest New Year you could ever imagine possible." We take a look back at Stephanie and Hunter - Stephanie's sulking while Hunter's saying "Merry Christmas." Lockup, Viscera shoves him to the canvas. Viscera's de facto face, who'da thunk it? Lockup, gobehind, angle tries a takeover, Viscera shakes his head and bulldogs Angle to the mat. Double choke, and dropped down. Head to the buckle. Kneelifts in the corner. Angle ducks out and pounds on him. Whip into the corner is reversed, into the opposite corner, Samoan Drop (!). Off the ropes, Alleged Spinning Heel Kick is ducked. Angle with a dropkick, there's two, Viscera on one knee - climbing up to the top - top-rope missile dropkick takes him to the mat! Angle with a brief celebration. Here's STEVE BLACKMAN come out with a kendo stick. Angle occupying the attention of referee "Blind" Chad Patten while Blackman - WHACKS the back of Viscera's head. Angle over and there's a semi-fireman's carry - cover - 1, 2, 3. (1:54) Angle into the histrionics while Blackman nods knowingly. We go backstage, where Stephanie wonders aloud howEVER Steve Blackman would come out to come to the aid of "Kurt Kute?"

Mae Young and Fabulous Moolah prepare for their big match. Oh boy, jumping jacks!

The Dudley Boyz - ARE - WALKING!

Elsewhere, the Acolytes are - ALSO - WALKING!

FABULOUS MOOLAH & MAE YOUNG v. DUDLEY BOYZ v. ACOLYTES in a Triple Threat tag match - D-Von works the crowd and counts off the three commandments. They RUSH the old folks! Backstage, we see Mark Henry watching on a monitor. The Acolytes' music starts, so the Dudleyz let Young & Moolah escape so they can be ready for the Acolytes. Pier Four Brawl IS on, paired off by race, with D-Von and Faarooq on the outside. Bradshaw holding Buh Buh Ray for Moolah & Young to come back in and punch him! Buh Buh Ray's trick knee acts up, breaing the hold, and both women go down with one blow. Bradshaw with a clothesline. Bradshaw out to chen con Moolah, but Buh Buh Ray is back up - scoop and a slam on Young. Then he holds her legs apart for D-Von to headbutt her in the groin! Buh Buh Ray covers Young in the 69 position - 1, 2, 3. (1:40) SEXUAL CHOCKLIT MIZARK HENRY runs out and does a bit of housecleaning with the Dudleys, then tends to his woman. The Acolytes regard all this with a small measure of confusion.

The Helmsleys laugh, then when the Posse laughs, Hunter tells 'em to shut up - "Hey, that stuff's not funny!" Hunter presents a present to Stephanie - this'll tell us who Mankind's Boiler Room Brawl opponent will be. Stephanie unwraps the present - but it's a Santa doll. Mankind will take on Santa Claus in the Boiler Room - NEXT!

MICHAEL KING COLE interviews Mankind, who doesn't feel too good about having to wrestle Santa tonight. Rodney interrupts proceedings, distracting him just long enough for Pete "Gas" and Joey Abs to strike. They deposit him in the Boiler Room and shout "Merry Christmas!" before closing the door.

MANKIND v. SANTA CLAUS in a Boiler Room Brawl - "Wait, did I just get my ass kicked by the Mean Street Posse? That's embarrassing!" Spying Santa, Mankind walks over and tells Santa he's gonna turn his back so he can leave and win the match. "Don't worry, I'll put ya over!" But before this can happen, THREE MORE SANTAS jump Mankind. But Mankind manages to take them all out, with the help of a garbage can. He goes into the Santa bag, which is filled with frying pans for some reason, and whacks on the garbage can one of them is wearing. Before he can get out, TWO MORE SANTAS appear between Mankind and the door. Actually, these two are the Outlaws. Mankind put through a table.

Let Us Take You Back to Moments Ago as the Helmsleys and the Posse watch the replays along with us. There's a knock at the door, and it's Al Snow - he demands a Brahma Bullrope match with the Rock. Helmsley says he NEVER comes in and makes demands, but he'll give him the match anyway. "I'm gonna take that bell, I'm gonna polish it up real nice, I'm gonna turn it sideways, and then I'm gonna BEAT HIM ON THE HEAD REPEATEDLY-" "Al! Can you describe it outside, please?"

GODFATHER (with twelve - no, six ho's, RAW credits & TV-14-DLV ratings box) v. CHRIS MONDAY JERICHO for the Intercontinental championship - Godfather need only say "It's time once again" and the crowd can fill in the rest. Godfather, by the way, is a fun loving guy who loves to have fun. I am SHOCKED that the ref isn't Tim White. Lockup, into the corner, clean break, Godfather punches away, off the ropes, duck, big boot from the Godfather. Off the ropes, elbowdrop misses. Jericho with knees, into the ropes, reversed, back elbow, Jericho pulls the top rope and Godfather goes outside. Springs off the top rope with a dropkick and then goes out after him. Punching and kicking - going for a piledriver, but Godfather reverses into a backdrop. Godfather charges but Jericho ducks and runs him into the post. Back into the ring we go - top rope, nope, punch buried in the gut. Godfather with a clothesline. Scoop ... and a slam. Thrust kick by the Godfather. THAT SLUT CHYNA is walking to the ring. Jericho gets the boots up to stop the charge, then HE charges - and ends up face-first into the top turnbuckle. It's time once again for the Ho Train, but Chyna's in the ring and there's a Golota. Referee "Blind" Chad Patten misses this as all six ho's have inexplicably climbed onto the Jericho covers - 1, 2, 3. (2:45) Jericho acts confused while Chyna makes faces.

Triple H says women are crazy one more time to annoy Stephanie. "It's just a figure of speech!" Terri and BB are in the room and Triple H tells them they'll be accompanying Hardcore Holly and Val Venis is the first-ever Holiday Topless Top-Rope Match. Every time a guy's thrown over the top rope to the floor, his girl removes a piece of clothing. First topless girl loses. The winning guy gets an IC title shot Thursday. "May the breast women win!" Stephanie seems annoyed with this, snapping at the Posse yet again.

BB and TERRI are out for the next match

VAL VENIS v. HARDCORE HOLLY (with Crash and Scale Holly) in a Holiday Topless Top-Rope match - "Hello, ladies! You know something ladies, you women are a lot like Christmas trees, you know, you smell good, you're pretty to look at, but you never really feel special until I plug it in and light you up!" Wait, is he a face or a heel this week? Ross makes fun of Lilian Garcia for saying "opponent and challenger" again. Before the match starts, "My Time" starts for the hundredth time and out walks TREBLE H to lend an MC vibe to the proceedings. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first ever holiday topless top-rope match! Let the games begin!" Lockup, arm wringer, pounding on the back. One more rotation, headlock, Venis powers out into a side headlock of his own. To the ropes, shrugged off, shoulderblock, off the ropes, leapfrog, kicks from Venis, duck, Venis has him in the powerbomb position, Holly punching to block it, to the ropes, Holly head scissors and they BOTH go out. "Okay - gentlemen have hit the floor - ladies, start removing - Terri...SHOES are not considered clothing - so let's get to takin' off the dresses! Come on, we don't have all day, I'm sure if you just grab the bottom and pull it will come off over your head. Go. Your JOBS are on the line." Both women remove their dresses to reveal the standard bra and panties - and I can't TELL you how happy I am that Michael Hayes is sitting in for Jerry Lawler this week. "I am a god among men - continue." Back to the ring (huh?) - punches exchanged, off the ropes, reversed, shoulderblock by Venis, off the ropes, up and over, best dropkick in the business by Holly. Right, right, scoop, Venis goes behind, Holly reverses as well. Off the ropes, rollup, but Venis holds on. Off the ropes, Holly takes him over, but Venis holds on. Holly keeps him from skinning the cat by sliding under to the outside, grabbing Venis, and dumping him into the front row. (2:02) "There you have it - Val Venis has touched the floor - Terri you are excused. BB, it seems that you only have one article of clothing in which to remove...BB, don't anger me now, let those puppies free. I will say it again, your job is on the line - let them free." As BB removes her bra, Triple H stands in front of her and opens his leather jacket so as to keep everybody else from seeing anything. "Oh my God! That is unbelievable! You have got to be kidding me!" BB covers her tits with her hands and runs backstage. "Hey, I will let you in on it - THAT was magnificent! And what's that old Christmas carol, 'Do You See What I See?' No you don't! Because you're a bunch of idiots, and I'm the only one that gets the show!" Anyway, Hardcore Holly gets a shot at Jericho on Thursday - that match should be pretty cool. Venis still has his European title, so don't feel TOO bad for him.

Let Us Take You Back to SmackDown! and Al Snow and Mankind's hardcore match, which goes a bit of the way towards explaining tonight's match between Snow and Rock. If you don't know why, go find the report.

The Rock - oh my God - is - WALKING!

Back in the dressing room, the Posse crowds the TV to get a better look. Then Rodney accidentally knocks over a vase, spilling water on Triple H and Stephanie's nice shoes. Instead of goind ballistic, Triple H demurs and says he'll give them a match as a Christmas bonus. "No, it's not the Acolytes. The three of you tonight against the two members of Too Cool....I tell you what, if you ever dump water on me again though, you'll get the Acolytes every night for a year."

Tori is ranting and raving when we come back. Helmsley says in order to mend the fence, he'll give Kane a title shot against the Big Show tonight - oh, but if Kane loses, then Tori has to spend the holidays with X-Pac.

Triple H and Stephanie marvel at their "mistake" - then promise to themselves (and the camerman, and millions of viewers) that the upcoming title match will have PLENTY of mistakes...

And now Lugz presents the WWF Boot of the Week! From SmackDown!, Tori suffers an X Factor from X-Pac.

1-800-COLLECT proudly sponsors the WWF Royal Rumble - 23 January 2000 from the sold out Madison Square Garden - you be watchin' it on pay-per-view if you don't have the tix by now!

KANE (with Tori) v. WELL IT'S A BIG SHOW for the WWF Championship - for the thousandth time, "My Time" plays - this time TREBLE H & STEPHANIE McMAHON-HELMSLEY both appear - looks like their recliner has been set up. Kane strikes first. Show reverses a whip, Kane ducks and hits a big boot. Show comes back with a Russian legsweep. There's an elbowdrop and a 2 count. Kane punches, Show headbutts, repeat. Show catches a boot, Kane hits an enzuigiri and Show goes outside to the floor. Kane on the top turnbuckle - flying clothesline to the floor! Kane with an uppercut. Head to the barricade is blocked and Show takes KANE'S head to the barricade instead. Now dropping him on the barricade.