Monday Night Raw

February 11, 2008 – Recap by Sassy

Monday Night Raw is broadcast

on the USA Network.

Ringside announcers: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Ring announcer: Lillian Garcia

No Disqualification Match

Hornswoggle

Vs.

Vince McMahon

Chairman of the WWE Board

Audience favorite: Hornswoggle

My favorite: Hornswoggle

Obviously not a fair fight with the size difference. IT’S A NO DQ HORNSWOGGLE!  USE A LOW BLOW! USE A LOW BLOW! I don’t think he can hear me. McMahon drops to one knee to make fun of Hornswoggle. McMahon tells Hornswoggle to hit him but Hornswoggle can’t seem to do it. McMahon thinks it’s funny and then Hornswoggle delivers a slap and looks a little surprised that he did it. McMahon takes off his belt and has Hornswoggle cowering on the mat when suddenly McMahon bails out of the ring because Finlay has entered the ring. McMahon comes back in with a mic and reminds Finlay he will be fired if he doesn’t get out of the ring, that this is punishment for Hornswoggle and Finlay shouldn’t stick his nose in family business. McMahon tells Finlay that he has his own family and he’s about to throw their livelihood away because of Hornswoggle. McMahon orders Finlay out of the ring and Finlay appears to be leaving the ring but he changes his mind and delivers a shot to McMahon’s head with a shillelagh after McMahon calls Finlay a coward. Finlay encourages Hornswoggle to deliver the tadpole splash and pin McMahon for the win.

Winner

Hornswoggle

With a little help from his friend Finlay

It wasn’t really a match but I do like Finlay and Hornswoggle. McMahon doesn’t look happy as Finlay and Hornswoggle go up the entrance ramp, celebrating as they go.

Replay of the end of the match.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, General Manager William Regal is backstage with McMahon who now has an icepack on his head. He has quite a lump, too. Regal is very angry with Finlay and Regal wants to fire Finlay. McMahon tells Regal to get some dismissal papers because tonight they are going to fire Finlay.

John Bradshaw Layfield from New York City

Before JBL’s opponent is introduced, replay of parts of the Royal Rumble match between JBL and Y2J Chris Jericho. Jericho was disqualified during that match.

Vs.

Y2J Chris Jericho weighing 226 lbs.

Audience favorite: Chris Jericho

My favorite: Chris Jericho

As it appears to be when these two are in the ring, it is a brawl versus a wrestling match. I’m having trouble deciding if JBL actually knows any wrestling moves. If he does he never bothers to use them. Jericho has JBL in the Walls of Jericho but JBL gets to the ropes. Jericho responds by deliver a sliding kick that sends JBL out to the floor. JBL does some pretty decent thumbs to the eye but not much else that impresses me. Jericho goes for a springboard kick to JBL on the ring apron, but JBL catches Jericho with a boot to the face.

COMMERCIAL BREAK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MATCH!

THAT’S ONE!

Back from commercial break, JBL has delivered a clothesline and Jericho is on the mat. We see a few seconds of what happened during commercial break. Jericho manages to get back in the match but JBL goes for a sleeper hold. Jericho is fighting it but he is in the middle of the ring and now he’s down on the mat. JR reminds the audience that he has hired Umaga to protect him until No Way Out. JBL goes for the cover but Jericho kicks out. Jericho is sitting on the top turnbuckle, JBL climbs up and attempts to take Jericho off the turnbuckle, but Jericho delivers a head butt, and then delivers a flying forearm to the back of JBL’s head. Both men are now down on the mat. Jericho throws an arm over JBL but only gets a two count before JBL gets a shoulder off the mat. The ref is counting and makes it to six before both men are back to their feet. Jericho is using the ropes and high kicks before coming off the second rope with a missile drop kick. Jericho goes for the cover but only gets a two count before JBL kicks out. JBL catches Jericho coming off the ropes, but Jericho counters and delivers a DDT to JBL, goes for the cover and only gets a two count before JBL gets a foot on the ropes. Jericho charges at JBL and receives a boot to the face for his efforts. JBL comes off the ropes and goes after Jericho but Jericho sidesteps him and manages bring JBL down on both of Jericho’s knees, goes for a cover, and gets the three count.

Winner

Y2J Chris Jericho

After the match, Umaga enters the ring and attacks Jericho from behind. Jericho is down on the mat but as JBL gets back to his feet, Umaga goes after JBL. All three of these men will be in the Raw Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out.

Promo for WWE Championship match at No Way Out, Cena versus Orton.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, JR reminds the audience that tonight it will be John Cena versus The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry.

Mike Adamle is in the audience and is talking about John Cena and his efforts to regain his WWE Championship. We see the film clip from October 1, 2007 where Cena receives his torn pectoral injury that took him out of action for four months. Cena returned as the last entrant in The Royal Rumble Match, winning the match and the option of going to Wrestlemania in a title match. Cena decided to go for the championship at No Way Out versus Wrestlemania.

GM William Regal is backstage knocking on McMahon’s dressing room door. He tells McMahon that he has the papers ready to fire Finlay. Regal offers to beat up Finlay and drag him back to McMahon. Regal shows the audience the lump on McMahon’s skull. McMahon says they aren’t going to fire Finlay but next week it will be McMahon versus Hornswoggle in a steel cage match.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, return of John Cena to WWE and Monday Night Raw:

No Special Effects

No Second Takes

No Shortcuts

No Drugs

No ‘roids

World Wrestling Entertainment

Reminds You

There Are no Shortcuts

To Your Goals

JR reminds the audience that tonight it will be HBK Shawn Michaels one on one with Jeff Hardy, the WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Paul Burchill from London, England, weighing 247 lbs.

Accompanied to the ring by his sister, Katie Lea Burchill

This is the debut of Paul Burchill in the WWE.

Katie Lea takes the mic and tells the audience that Paul is the most brutal and beautiful man in the world.  He is also his big brother. Paul says that every brother loves to make his little sister happy.  Whatever Katie wants, Katie always gets.

Vs.

Brian Kendrick from Olympia, WA, weighing 185 lbs.

Audience favorite: Brian Kendrick

My favorite: Brian Kendrick

If my sources are correct, the Burchill siblings are preparing for a WWE incest storyline (and you though the Vickie Guerrero-Edge storyline on Smackdown was bad!). Let’s hope my sources are wrong.

After having seen Brian Kendrick outside of the WWE ring actually working, I find it difficult to believe that WWE continues to use him as a jobber. Kendrick does a great job in the wrestling arena when allowed to do so. I was not impressed with this match.

Winner

Paul Burchill

John Cena is backstage making his way to the arena. His match against Mark Henry is next.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, replay of the arm wrestling match last week between John Cena and Mark Henry. It appears Cena won the match before Orton entered the ring and attacks Cena from behind. Orton was about to get the fu when Henry interfered. Cena instead fu’d Mark Henry.

Randy Orton, WWE Champion, enters the arena to sit ringside with JR and Lawler. Whatever you do, don’t give him a mic – too late, he has a mic…

The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry from TX, weighing 410 lbs.

Vs.

John Cena from MA, weighing 240 lbs.

Audience favorite: John Cena

My favorite: I like them both but prefer Cena since Henry aligned himself with Orton

Orton gets to his feet as Cena enters the ring but he doesn’t get near the ring. We all know Orton fears Cena – in fact, I’m certain Orton fears everyone, including Hornswoggle. In the ring, Cena is having a little trouble with Henry. There is quite a weight difference in this match up. Henry rips the pad off of one of the top turnbuckles but when he turns, Cena is back to his feet and fighting back. Henry gets Cena in a full nelson. Henry makes the mistake of getting sent into the exposed turnbuckle, Cena puts Henry in a submission hold and Henry taps out. Cena stares down Orton who is still sitting outside the ring.

Winner

John Cena

After the match, Cena goes to the announcer’s table and faces Orton to tell Orton how it’s going to be at No Way Out. Cena tells Orton he doesn’t have to look at him, but tells him to shut the hell up and listen to what he has to say. Orton doesn’t look at Cena once during the time Cena is saying his piece and doesn’t bother to look up or open his mouth until Cena goes to the top of the entrance ramp on his way out of the arena and then whines when Cena leaves the arena. That is one thing that Orton excels in – whining.

Promo for The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin DVD which is available on Tuesday.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, promo for WWE Wrestlemania XXIV, 48 days away.

Mr. Kennedy enters the arena dressed in his street clothes. He will face Ric Flair at No Way Out in a Career Threatening Match. Kennedy has given Flair till tonight to decide to forfeit the match at No Way Out.

Flair enters the arena and the ring in order to tell Kennedy that he will be at No Way Out. As Flair is taking, Kennedy takes a cheap shot and goes after Flair’s legs, injured last week by MVP during a match.

Promo for Elimination Chamber Matches at No Way Out.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, replay of the match between McMahon and Hornswoggle where Finlay interferes and not only saves Hornswoggle for a beating, assists Hornswoggle in winning the match. Next Monday night in Anaheim, it will be a Steel Cage Match with Hornswoggle facing McMahon.

Melina from Los Angeles, CA

Accompanied to the ring by Jillian Hall

Vs.

Maria from Chicago, IL

Accompanied to the ring by Santino Marella

Audience favorite: Maria

My favorite: Melina

Marella sits down at the announcer’s table to let everyone know that he doesn’t want Maria to pose for Playboy. Can’t Hefner pay for ads somewhere else?  JR tells Marella he doesn’t understand the issues Marella has with Playboy and Marella says that it is not for his girlfriend.

In the ring, we sort of have a match. I would prefer Melina to not scream so much in the ring. Maria delivers a bulldog but Jillian grabs the mic and pretends to sing before delivering a big smooch to Marella. As Maria tries to figure out what is going on, Melina delivers a roll up and gets the three count.

Winner

Melina

With a little help from Jillian

After the match, Maria is mad at Marella because Jillian kissed him. Marella tells Maria that is what happens when she associates herself with Playboy. He says it is the Playboy curse: Candice Michelle, injured; Torrie Wilson, injured. Marella says he doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to Maria. Marella says he needs to know if it is Playboy or Santino Marella. He tells her she has one week to make up her mind. Marella delivers a smooch to Maria before exiting the ring and the arena.

Promo for WWE ECW, tomorrow night on the Sci-Fi Channel.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, promo for commercial with John Cena and Nascar drivers.

JR reminds the audience about the championship match between Cena and Orton at No Way Out.

Other matches scheduled for No Way Out:

Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match

Big Daddy V vs. MVP vs. The Great Khali vs. The Animal Batista vs. Finlay vs. The Undertaker

Winner faces the WWE Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania.

Career Threatening Match

Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Match

Edge, Champion vs. Rey Mysterio, Challenger

Raw Elimination Chamber Match

Y2J Chris Jericho vs. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. HBK Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Hardy vs. The Game Triple H vs. Umaga

Winner faces the WWE Champion at Wrestlemania.

Promo for The Game Triple H in the Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out.  Triple H recently missed Monday Night Raw due to the death of his brother in law. This website wishes to send its condolences to Triple H and family.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, Candice Michelle returns to Raw promo.

Main Event

HBK Shawn Michaels from San Antonio, TX

Vs.

Jeff Hardy from Cameron, NC, weighing 225 lbs.

WWE Intercontinental Champion

Audience favorite: I think they like them both

My favorite: I know I like them both

You have to know this will be a decent match no matter how the two opponents work it. These two wrestlers are great in the ring and should be able to work well off of each other. While Jeff is an extreme risk taker, both men know their wrestling moves and are capable of taking hard knocks. We have a slapping contest on the floor before Jeff rolls back into the ring. HBK is back in the ring and the two lock up in the center of the ring. HBK goes for a sleeper but Jeff turns it around into a back suplex. Jeff now has HBK is down on the mat but HBK makes his way back to his feet. Jeff goes up to deliver a suplex off the top rope but HBK turns it into a cross body block. Both men are now down on the mat. Jeff has HBK in a headlock. Jeff goes over the top rope, but catches himself and is back in the ring but is hit by a clothesline by HBK. HBK goes out to the floor and Jeff delivers a baseball slide to send HBK down to the floor. HBK delivers a power slam to Jeff on the floor.

COMMERCIAL BREAK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MATCH!

THAT'S TWO!

AND IT’S THE MAIN EVENT!

Back from commercial break, HBK has Jeff down on the mat and is working on his lower back. We see what happened right before commercial break to show how Jeff’s lower back became injured. Jeff is bleeding, looks like a split lip. HBK goes for the cover but he only gets a two count before Jeff powers out. HBK sends Jeff into the ring post with an Irish whip and then continues to work on the lower back with a stretch submission maneuver. Jeff refuses to tap out to the bow and arrow. Jeff manages to nail HBK twice with an elbow to HBK’s face and he breaks the hold. HBK picks Jeff up by the hair and delivers a back breaker, then again goes for the cover but again only gets a two count. The two exchange blows in the center of the ring but HBK delivers a neck breaker off the ropes and again goes for the cover. Again HBK gets a two count before Jeff kicks out. HBK goes up to the top turnbuckle, he comes off, Jeff pick up a foot, HBK catches it and turns it into a half Boston crab. Jeff is trying to get to the ropes but he is in the middle of the ring. Jeff reaches for the bottom rope, tries to grab HBK by the hair, and finally makes it to the bottom rope. HBK is back to his feet but Jeff is still down on the mat. HBK picks Jeff up and Jeff delivers blows to HBK’s abdomen before delivering a kick to the back of HBK’s head. Both men are down on the mat but HBK uses the ropes to get back to his feet. Jeff is up and he goes after HBK in the corner. HBK charges Jeff and runs shoulder first into the corner post. Jeff has HBK up on the top turnbuckle and he appears to be trying for a suplex. HBK delivers an elbow and sends Jeff to the mat. HBK comes off the top ropes with an elbow but Jeff rolls out of the way and HBK meets the mat. Jeff goes for the cover and gets a two count before HBK’s shoulder is off the mat. Jeff delivers a lariat, sending HBK back down to the canvas. Again both men are down on the canvas. Both men are back to their feet, Jeff sends HBK into the corner before delivering both feet to HBK’s chest. Jeff again goes for the cover but HBK powers out before the three count. Jeff comes off the top rope with whisper in the wind, goes for the cover but can’t get the three count. Jeff is back to his feet and works the crowd for support. Jeff tries for a neck breaker but HBK delivers a face buster. HBK comes off the ropes and delivers a clothesline. HBK is back to his feet first, delivers an inverted atomic drop and a scoop slam before going up to the top turnbuckle. HBK comes off and nails Jeff with the elbow. HBK tunes up for his patented super kick while Jeff struggles to get to his feet. Jeff is up, ducks the super kick, HBK locks in the figure four and Jeff is again a long way away from the ropes. Jeff made it to the ropes and HBK has to break the hold. HBK is back to his feet but Jeff is still down on the mat. Jeff is on his feet and he delivers the twist of fate before going up top and delivering the Swanton bomb, goes for the cover and gets the win.

Winner

Jeff Hardy

The win in this match may have astonished everyone but I felt Jeff deserved the win. Michaels is good but Jeff is fantastic. It was worth watching the entire hour to see this match between these two wrestlers.

Replay of parts of the previous match including Jeff’s victory over HBK.

 

 

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