8. The Contract Signing Gives Taker A New Stipulation
Advertised for the next week's Raw is The Undertaker and Shane facing off for the first time in a contract signing. This is WWE's opportunity to pop a rating, and although the contract concept is overdone, it does serve the purpose of getting word out that Taker and Shane will be in the same building. Vince McMahon oversees proceedings, saying that the contract is necessary given the "control of Raw" stipulation. If Shane loses, he's gone for good. The stakes are high. Then The Undertaker's music hits. He heads to the ring before Shane has even arrived on the scene. Staring at Vince, he says he wants a stipulation of his own. "If I win, I get any opponent, in any match, at any time or place of my choosing." Vince agrees. Storyline wise, this gives Taker the motivation to win. Both characters need to have something on the line in any great conflict. Raw then goes to a commercial break as the announcers await the arrival of Shane McMahon.