 The events leading up to this match began on the June 23 episode of "Raw", when Kane took his mask off and exposed his face in front of Van Dam and the crowd after he lost to Triple H during a World Heavyweight Championship match before chokeslamming Van Dam.On the July 7 episode of "Raw", Kane attacked Van Dam backstage.On the July 14 episode of "Raw", Eric Bischoff granted Van Dam a standard match against Kane, which took place on the July 21 episode of "Raw" and ended in neither wrestler winning the match.