TasteyPies, why on Earth are you seeking out FFVII spoilers when you've not even played it yet? Way to spoil the greatest FF plot of all time... oh well, as long as you don't find out the really deep, secretive stuff like (SPOILER)Vincent's secret feelings for Scarlett or (SPOILER)the origins of the technology used in the Proud Clod or (SPOILER)Sephiroth's connection to the artefacts in Dio's showroom, then there should at least be one or two surprises left for you.

And now, for something completely different.
TEH POINT!

Beating Rapps is tough, but not impossible. Even without Materia, you can use some magic - just stock up on items like Bolt Plumes, and those other items that get dropped by a lot of the monsters in the area around Wutai. Rapps is vulnerable to powerful spells; those items give you the spells. Vincent's Limit Break helps, too. Galian Beast is very strong against Rapps.