Monday
Night Raw
April 7, 2008 – Recap by Sassy
Last week on Raw
Cryme Tyme made their reappearance on Raw defeating Lance
Cade and Trevor Murdoch in a tag team match.
In a non-title match, Brian Kendrick and Paul London
defeated Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly.
In a Money in the Bank Rematch Y2J Chris Jericho, WWE
Intercontinental Champion defeated CM Punk, winner of the MITB match at
Wrestlemania XXIV.
Matt Hardy was defeated by Randy Orton in a one on one
match.
In an Intergender Anything Goes fiasco, Maria and the
entire WWE women’s locker room defeated Santino Marella.
Ric Flair gave his Farewell Address to his WWE fans
worldwide and was honored by former WWE wrestlers, including the Four Horsemen,
and the entire WWE roster from Raw, ECW and Smackdown.
Monday Night Raw, broadcast from Albany, NY
On
the USA Network.
Ringside announcers: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King”
Lawler
Ring announcer: Lillian Garcia
General Manager William Regal is in the ring, mic in hand. Regal says that the next WWE Championship match, held on April 27 at Backlash, will be Randy Orton, WWE Champion, defending his title against John Bradshaw Layfield. Regal introduces both men and they enter the ring – separately, of course. JBL is having quite a bit of trouble figuring out who he is feuding against these days. JBL holds out his hand for Orton to shake but Orton refuses. Regal begins to talk about how fierce their match is going to be and the audience hears the entrance theme for Triple H.
Triple H enters the ring and even I would prefer to listen to
him instead of JBL or Orton. The live audience appears to prefer seeing Triple H
and “Triple H” chants begin. Triple H has the mic and he says that he is a
little bit confused. He asks Regal if he is out of his mind. Triple H says that
while Orton says he is finished with Triple H and even though Orton won the
match at Wrestlemania, Orton really didn’t beat anyone. Orton argues and
Triple H asks Orton what the big move Orton hit Cena with right before he got
the 1,2,3 was. Triple H says Orton didn’t do anything. Orton took a cheap shot
and was lucky enough to fall on Cena and get the win. Triple H then turns his
attention to JBL and wants to know how someone who has spent the last two years
retired as an announcer on Smackdown get to be the number one contender since
his biggest claim to fame since he has been back was slapping around a midget.
Triple H says that everyone, including him, thought the midget thing was pretty
funny but it certainly doesn’t put JBL in line for a title shot. JBL argues
with Triple H but Regal breaks in and says that if Triple H wants to be in the
main event at Backlash, he will have to earn his way into it and tonight Triple
H will be in a Handicap Match against JBL and Randy Orton. Regal says if Triple
H wins, then a Triple Threat Match will take place at Backlash but if Triple H
loses, he’s out of the main event at Backlash. JBL and Orton aren’t happy
with the Triple Threat Match that could happen at Backlash.
Commercial break.
Umaga from the Isle of Samoa, weighing 350 lbs.
Vs.
Val Venis from Las Vegas, NV, weighing 255 lbs.
Audience favorite: I’m not sure
My favorite: I like them both
Val Venis comes off an elbow injury and gets put in some of
the worst squash matches.
This match is no different. Val does try to fight back but
Umaga is a hard man to take down. Umaga drags Val over to the corner in order to
back across the ring, charge and deliver a squash and follows up with the Samoan
spike, goes for the cover and gets the three count.
Winner
Umaga
At what point did Val Venis sign a contract with WWE to
become a jobber? He had talent
once…I remember it. We just never
get an opportunity to see him in wrestling action.
Commercial break.
Tag
Team Match
Jillian Hall
&
Melina
Vs.
Mickie James
&
Ashley
Audience favorites: Mickie James & Ashley
My favorites: Mickie James & Melina
I am not a fan of Ashely.
I don’t care how many times she has posed for Playboy. I am not a fan
of Jillian Hall. I don’t care whether or not she can really sing.
I am, however, a fan of Mickie James and could not believe she was not in
the match at Wrestlemania. I am not that taken with Melina’s wrestling skills
although she has been improving but she does make one great heel.
Did I mention that Melina is a great cheater on top of being
an excellent heel? Mickie finally
gets into the ring and does a little high flying before she is stopped by Melina.
The match ends with Ashely and Jillian battling it out on the floor while in the
ring Mickie James delivers a DDT and gets the win.
Winners
Mickie James
&
Ashley
Commercial break.
Lawler informs the audience that tonight Y2J Chris
Jericho’s guests on the Highlight Reel will be Batista and Heartbreak Kid
Shawn Michaels.
The audience sees the end of the Wrestlemania XXIV Career
Threatening Match in which Nature Boy Ric Flair was defeated by HBK Shawn
Michaels, part of the Farewell Address Flair delivered last week on Monday Night
Raw and the former WWE Wrestlers and current WWE Wrestlers who came out to pay
tribute to Flair.
Commercial break.
Tag
Team Match
Lance Cade
&
Trevor Murdoch
At a combined weight of 532 lbs.
Vs.
Paul London
&
Brian Kendrick
At a combined weight of 382 lbs.
Audience favorites: I’m not sure
My favorites: I like them all
These two tag teams couldn’t have more different styles.
Kendrick and London are quick and use high risk maneuvers while Cade and Murdoch
are more of a brawling, bullying tag team. I have to ask this – does anyone
else notice that Murdoch appears to have gotten himself a little sun since last
Monday night?
Murdoch doesn’t need a microphone for the audience to hear
him. And, as I guessed, Cade and Murdoch are bulldozing their way over their
opponents. Lawler notices Murdoch’s tan, too, and mentions it during the
commentary. Cade and Murdoch have a problem keeping up with the speed of
Kendrick and London but Cade and Murdoch do a much better job of being sneaky in
the ring, doing what they need to do and then getting caught before they get out
of the ring. It backfires as the referee is trying to get Cade back out of the
ring and Kendrick catches Murdoch in a roll up to get the win.
Winners
Brian Kendrick
&
Paul
London
After the match, Cade gets in Murdoch’s face.
If I recall correctly, last week Murdoch got pinned and Cade was not
happy with the loss. This time the two of them have words in the middle of the
ring before exiting.
Orton is backstage and JBL approaches him. JBL wants Orton to
listen to him but Orton says that JBL needs to listen to him. Orton says that he
has beat Triple H before and he will beat him again.
All JBL needs to do is stay out of Orton’s way. Translation:
If JBL beats Triple H, Orton take you out with a sneak attack and get the
three count.
Commercial break.
Main
Event
2
on 1 Handicap Match
The Game Triple H from Greenwich, CT, weighing 255 lbs.
Vs.
John Bradshaw Layfield from New York City, NY
&
Randy Orton, from St. Louis, MO, weighing 245 lb.
WWE Champion
Audience favorite: Triple H
My favorite: Triple H
JBL and Orton were already in the ring when Triple H made his
entrance. I’m not sure why that was just announced as the main event. There is
still quite a bit of time left for the show to continue.
Triple H should be able to outwrestle Orton and I don’t
believe Triple H would have a problem taking on JBL in a brawl since JBL has
appeared to be out of shape since he returned to the ring. William Regal is
seated in front of the announcer’s table watching the match. I’m holding my
breath hoping Finlay shows up to take out JBL and Cena shows up to take out
Orton. That would be a nice Game Over. JBL and Triple H spend a few minutes
standing toe to toe and trying to intimidate each other. The live audience
certainly doesn’t care for Orton and they don’t hesitate to tell him so. JBL
and Orton are working well in the ring as a team even though the aren’t up
against another tag team. Triple H is taking a beating in this match as Orton
and JBL take turns keeping him down. The audience begins a very loud “Triple
H” chant and it does seem to help Triple H fight his way out of the corner.
Body slam by Orton and an attempt at a cover but he only gets a two count. Orton
tags in JBL. JBL and Triple H exchange blows in the middle of the ring before
JBL sends Triple H into the ropes. As Triple H comes off the ropes, JBL applies
a sleeper hold and the audience again begins the “Triple H” chant. Triple H
fights back and delivers a face buster. Triple H makes the mistake of running
into JBL’s boot. Orton’s been having fun tagging himself into the match and
this time JBL takes exception to Orton’s actions. Orton gets in the ring,
argues with JBL and goes for the RKO. Triple H shoves Orton and he slams into
JBL, knocking JBL down to the mat. Orton turns back around and gets caught with
a pedigree delivered by Triple H. Triple H goes for the cover and gets the three
count.
Winner
The
Game Triple H
Qualifies for WWE Championship Match at Backlash
After the match, Regal is in the ring with a mic. Regal tells
the audience that at Backlash it will be Triple Threat for the WWE Championship.
John Cena’s entrance theme begins and Cena enters the
arena. Cena congratulates Triple H
for winning a spot in the WWE Championship Match at Backlash. Cena has a
proposition Cena reminds Triple H that he beat Triple H at Wrestlemania last
year and that he beat JBL for the championship and then he beat JBL again and
made him quit. Cena reminds everyone that last year he beat Orton. Cena tells
Regal it should be a Fatal Four Way match for the WWE Championship at Backlash.
Orton is still down on the canvas but JBL is telling Regal no way. And the live
audience who was delivering “You suck” chants to Cena as he got into the
ring is now chanting “Cena”. Regal
says that Cena has given him a fantastic idea. Regal tells Cena that if he wants
to be in the main event at Backlash, he will have to do the same thing that
Triple H did. He will have to be in a Handicap Match tonight against JBL and
Triple and if he wins, the WWE Championship Match at Backlash will be a Fatal
Four Way.
Wait a minute. We
just had the Main Event and now we have another match?
I thought the Main Event was the last match of the show.
Commercial break.
Tag
Team Match
Hardcore Holly
&
Cody Rhodes
At a combined weight of 462 lbs.
WWE World Tag Team Champions
Vs.
Santino Marella
&
Carlito
At a combined weight of 447 lbs.
Audience favorites: I’m not sure
My favorites: Hardcore Holly, Cody Rhodes and Carlito
Cody Rhodes can be a true wrestler and I enjoy watching him
when he gets a chance to show it. Hardcore Holly has been a favorite of mine and
he and Rhodes do have a certain chemistry as a tag team. Carlito has talent as
well but he never seems to be in matches that show the fans how well he can work
in the ring.
Carlito puts himself in the ring, sends Marella out and then
gets caught by the ref – no tag. Carlito gets sent back out on the ring apron.
Holly is having a tough time in this match. Carlito and Marella work him over
and continue tagging each other in and keeping Holly away from his own corner. I
don’t believe it! Marella
delivers a diving head butt off the top turnbuckle, covers Cody and gets the
three count.
Winners
Santino Marella
&
Carlito
Commercial break.
Cryme Tyme is on camera. They are having a Cryme Tyme
Wrestlemania Clearance Sale. They
have a Rocky Johnson Shaker of Soul, an autographed copy of Playboy featuring
Maria – and then decide not to
sell, they tout Kim Kardashi’s underwear, but it appears they actually belong
to Mae Young.
JR gives the audience a rundown of the feud that is brewing
between The Great Khali and The Big Show.
Triple H is backstage and his is approached by JBL. JBL tells
Triple H they have a better chance at Backlash if they eliminate Cena.
Unfortunately Triple H has earplugs in and doesn’t hear a word JBL says.
Commercial break.
Maria from Chicago, IL
Vs.
The Glamazon Beth Phoenix from Buffalo, NY
WWE Women’s Champion
Audience favorite: I’m not sure
My favorite: Beth Phoenix
Are we really going to call this a match?
Or will it be more of a squash? JR messes up and calls Maria “Melina”.
Melina should be insulted. A slam by Beth, a cover and a three count.
Winner
The Glamazon Beth Phoenix
WWE
Women’s Champion
Batista and HBK Shawn Michaels are heading to the ring for
Y2J Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel.
Y2J Chris Jericho enters the arena with his WWE
Intercontinental Title in tow. He welcomes the crowd to the Highlight Reel and
introduces his guests. First out is The Animal Batista. Then Heartbreak Kid
Shawn Michaels enters the ring. Jericho informs Michaels of the results of the
test message poll WWE took during the event
Did Shawn Michaels do the right thing at Wrestlemania?
The
fans voted:
Yes
65%
No
35%
Jericho then shows clips of the match Michaels had against
Nature Boy Ric Flair Michaels says he is sorry about what he did but Batista
breaks in and that he doesn’t believe Michaels is truly sorry. Jericho asks
Batista if he wouldn’t have done the same thing and Batista said he would not
have done what Michaels did. Michaels tells Batista that he had a lot of chances
to talk Flair out of the match against Michaels before the match took place and
he didn’t do it. As the two men get into a verbal confrontation, the audience
appears to be split between loyalty for the two of them. Michaels tells Batista
that if he doesn’t like what he did to do something about it. Batista says
that he already has and exits the ring.
Commercial break.
William Regal is backstage on his cell phone and is
approached by Orton. Regal says that he just got off the phone with
Smackdown’s General Manager, Vickie Guerrero and at Backlash it will be HBK
Shawn Michaels versus Batista. Orton says that he isn’t worried about that
match. He tells Regal he
overstepped his bounds by giving them a Triple Threat or a Fatal Four Way Match.
Regal says that he will teach Orton about respect and next week on Raw,
Orton’s opponent will be William Regal.
2
on 1 Handicap Match
John Cena from West Newbury, MA, weighing 240 lbs.
Vs.
John Bradshaw Layfield from New York City, NY
&
The Game Triple H from Greenwich, CT
Audience favorite: Cena got a nice round of applause when
he entered the arena & Triple H
My favorites: John Cena & Triple H
JBL and Triple H can’t seem to decide who will begin the
match. Orton appears on the entrance ramp and walks down to ringside, giving JBL
a chance to attack Cena from behind. JBL began the match but he refuses to tag
in Triple H when Triple H asks for a tag. Orton is standing outside the ring
mouthing off at Cena who is down on the mat. JBL again refuses to tag in Triple
H. Cena ends up out on the floor. JBL get himself in trouble and tries to tag in
Triple H but this time Triple H refuses the tag. Cena hits the five-knuckle
shuffle, JBL gets back up and tries to tag in Triple H but Triple H refuses the
tag. JBL takes a shot on Triple H, Triple H blocks it and comes into the ring
after JBL. Orton is on the floor
and tries to hold Triple H but JBL nails Orton in the face instead. Orton comes
in the ring after JBL and delivers an RKO; Cena shoves Orton through the ropes
and out of the ring and goes for the cover to get the win.
Winner
John
Cena
Qualifies for WWE Championship Match at Backlash.
It was a fairly entertaining match although I think most fans
knew where it was headed. The battle for the WWE Championship at Backlash will
now be a Fatal Four Way: Randy Orton, WWE Champion, defending his title against
John Bradshaw Layfield, The Game Triple H and John Cena. I am looking forward to
GM William Regal taking out Orton next week on Raw.
WWE SMACKDOWN / APRIL 4
Wrestling Bodyslam . Com