411’s LIVE Raw Coverage 08.09.04 | Matt, Lita, Kane, JR & A Mediator In… “Fear The Metal Briefcase!”

There’s a red carpet, a desk, two chairs, a metal briefcase presumably containing a contract, and a mediator in the ring. Jim Ross is in it, too. “Ladies and gentlemen… Kane!” Out he comes. “And his opponent at Summerslam…” Matt Hardy‘s music hits and he comes out. Lita follows.

Kane is feeling particularly jolly tonight, smiling and laughing. Kane sits down. Lita sits down. The mediator is a WWE attorney, we’re told. The stips for Sunday, according to JR: “If Matt wins, Kane agrees to cease any physicality with Matt and Lita, thus allowing Matt and Lita to wed if they so choose. However, if Kane beats Matt Hardy at Summerslam, then Lita has agreed to marry Kane.” Lita has to sign first. She does it, then looks up with the “oh God” face. Kane signs in a jolly fashion. Matt has to bring it home. He paces around, staring at Kane, and approaches his seat. Kane taunts him, still smiling, still nodding. Matt goes to the last page and starts signing… then backs away. He paces some more. He goes to the last page, punches the table… and signs. Kane grabs the mic from JR: “Now, Matt, everyone knows the truth! Hahahahahahahahahaha! It looks like I’m more man than you’ll ever be!” More laughter. Matt shoves the table and knocks Kane over. He grabs the metal briefcase and clocks Kane. Matt stands over him: “You will be mine!”

Matt leaves… and Kane sits up.

Believe it or not, I was actually feeling the tension here. The crowd started to get solidly behind Matt as it went on, and this wasn’t a bad way to salvage somewhat the build to the PPV match.