Monday Night Raw

Monday Night Raw

August 4, 2008 – Recap by Sassy

 

Last week on Raw

 

In an Intergender Tag Team Match, Santino Marella & The Glamazon Beth Phoenix

defeated D’Lo Brown & Kelly Kelly.

In a WWE World Tag Team Championship Match, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase retained their titles by defeating Jerry “The King” Lawler & Michael Cole in 4 minutes. Hacksaw Jim Duggan was replaced by Michael Cole at the insistence of the new Raw GM.

Kofi Kingston, WWE Intercontinental Champion, defeated Jamie Noble with Layla in 2 minutes.

CM Punk, WWE World Heavyweight Champion, defeated William Regal in 6 minutes.

Punk took a nasty hit to the face during the match.

Mickie James, WWE Women’s Champion, defeated Jillian Hall in 4 minutes.

In a Tag Team Match, John Cena & Batista defeated Kane & John Bradshaw Layfield in 9 minutes.

 

Monday Night Raw is broadcast on the USA network at the University of Tennessee

 

Ringside announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler

Ring announcer: Lillian Garcia

Backstage interviews: Todd Grisham

 

Mike Adamle is at the top of the entrance ramp with a mic, introducing himself as the new General Manager on Raw. Adamle is getting the “you suck” chant from the audience. Adamle starts off by talking about President Regan and says that first impressions can be deceiving and that everybody in this world makes mistakes – like calling Jeff Hardy “Jeff Harvey”. Adamle mentions the petitions on the WWE.com message boards asking for Adamle’s resignation. Adamle brings up his football career. Has anyone told Adamle this is wrestling? Adamle gets the audience’s attention when he tells them there will be three championship matches tonight: Ted Dibiase & Code Rhodes will defend their titles against John Cena & The Animal Dave Batista for the World Tag Team Championship. John Bradshaw Layfield appears and interrupts in order to kiss up to Adamle. JBL gets the same “you suck” chants. Adamle hasn’t bothered to get rid of all the talk that opens Raw. JBL wants Adamle to announce John Bradshaw Layfield versus CM Punk for the WWE Heavyweight Championship at Summerslam. Before Adamle can respond, Chris Jericho appears in suit and tie but JBL tells Jericho that this does not concern him but Jericho says that he ended the career of Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels and Jericho should be the one who gets the title match against Punk. Is this heading where I think it’s heading?  JBL versus Jericho – again. We have a battle of egos on the mic between JBL and Jericho. Adamle tells them to stop arguing and his idea is to have a 2 on 1 Handicap Match: Chris Jericho and JBL versus CM Punk. If either of them defeats Punk, that wrestler will get the title match at Summerslam. If Punk wins, neither of them will get a title match. We go to commercial break.

 

WWE Intercontinental Match

 

Kofi Kingston from Jamaica weighing 218 lbs.

Champion

Vs.

Paul Burchill from Chelsea, England weighing 247 lbs.

Challenger

With Katie Lea Burchill

 

Burchill can wrestle, he just chooses to work at beating down his opponents. Kingston is very much an active risk taker but if he can’t stay off the mat, he’s in trouble. Kingston goes for a cover but Burchill kicks out at the count of two. Katie Lea grabs Kingston by the leg and distracts Kingston, giving Burchill a chance to deliver a neck breaker. Burchill goes for the cover and gets a two count before Kingston kicks out. Kingston goes for a roll up but Burchill kicks out at the count of two. Burchill loses his temper and walks right into a boot. Kingston takes to flying and delivers a cross body block but he only gets a two count. Kingston delivers a trouble in paradise and gets the three count. Time: 7:18 -

 

Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston with a trouble in paradise

 

After the match, Katie Lea gets in Kingston’s face, Burchill charges but Kingston moves out of the way and Burchill goes through the ropes to the floor. Burchill grabs Kingston by the leg and Kingston delivers a double boot kick that sends Burchill flying backward and goes out after him, chasing Burchill out of the arena. As Katie Lea stands in the ring, Mickie James’ entrance theme begins, James enters the arena and we go to commercial break.

 

WWE Women’s Championship Match

 

Mickie James from Richmond, VA

Champion

Vs.

Katie Lea Burchill from Chelsea, England

Challenger

 

When we come back from commercial break, the match has already begun and James appears to be in charge. James is great in the ring and Burchill bails out of the ring trying to get out of the line of fire. James charges out onto Burchill  but the darned referee backs James up and Burchill gets the upper hand. Burchill goes for the cover but James gets a shoulder off the mat at the count of two. Burchill applies a submission move but James isn’t giving up, she rolls over and covers Burchill, getting a two count before Burchill kicks out. James is back in the game, delivering a neck breaker and going for the cover but Burchill kicks out at the count of two. Burchill delivers a jawbreaker and a suplex, getting two count before James kicks out. James delivers a DDT and goes for the cover, getting the three count. Time: 4 minutes.

 

Winner and still WWE Women’s Champion: Mickie James

 

That may have been a short match but James and Burchill worked hard. Burchill may just have what it takes to join the actual wrestling females in the WWE. After the match, The Glamazon Beth Phoenix appears to blindside James. James comes back but Phoenix delivers a slam, sending James face first to the mat. Santino Marella appears at the top of the entrance ramp to applaud for Phoenix. And we have our next love angle with some butt grabbing going on.  John Cena is backstage with Shad & JTG of Cryme Tyme and we go to commercial break.

 

Mike Adamle is on the phone but Phoenix & Marella appear. Marella wants both he and Phoenix to have title matches at Summerslam. Adamle says there is room for only one championship match at Summerslam and the two of them can decide. Marella and Phoenix can’t seem to decide. Adamle says at Summerslam it will be Kofi Kingston & Mickie James will face Marella & Phoenix for the Intercontinental and Women’s Championship.

 

Michael Cole introduces a video of John Cena. Todd Grisham is backstage with The Animal Batista who has been watching Cena on the monitor. Grisham wants to know about Batista’s match tonight. Batista says he has the same advice for Cena this week that he had for him last week – stay out of Batista’s way. We go to commercial break.

 

Layla is in the ring doing her dance thing and we see a video of earlier in the day between Jamie Noble and Layla. Noble tells her that he has made reservations for them at the waffle house for tonight but Layla says that this “thing” between them isn’t working. Layla says that every time Noble opens his mouth, he gets his butt kicked. Layla says she doesn’t date losers. While Layla is finishing her dance in the ring, William Regal, in a suit, appears and heads to the ring. Regal says that he has something to say. Regal says that he has just come out to remind everyone that his name is William Regal and he is The King because he won the King of the Ring Tournament. Jamie Noble appears and heads toward the ring. Noble enters the ring and goes after Regal. Three refs enter the ring to break them up but Noble is right back after Regal. CM Punk is heading toward the arena and we go to commercial break.

 

2 on 1 Handicap Match

 

John Bradshaw Layfield from New York City

(who must be ashamed of his weight because it is never announced)

&

Chris Jericho weighing 226 lbs.

CM Punk from Chicago, IL weighing 222 lbs.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion

 

I realize that the idea of this match is a good one, but I’m sure Punk would argue that. Jerry Lawler informs the audience that Lance Cade is not with Jericho tonight because Cade suffered a broken nose. Adamle appears on the monitor and he says he forgot to mention that this match is slated for 10 minutes and if no one wins in that amount of time, it becomes a triple threat match for the championship at Summerslam. That is so not fair! With a longer time frame, Jericho & JBL could kill each other and Punk could stay out of the line of fire. The bell rings and it’s an argument between Jericho & JBL so Punk goes after both of his opponents. Punk & Jericho go after Punk and Punk is in trouble. Jericho goes over the rope and down to the floor and it’s Punk and JBL in the ring. Punk comes off the ropes but gets caught. JBL delivers a throwaway slam and goes for the cover but Punk kicks out at the count of two. JBL has Punk down in the corner with the ref pulling JBL out of the way. JBL delivers a neck breaker and again goes for the cover, getting a two count before Punk kicks out. JBL goes out of the ring after Jericho but Jericho sends Punk into the steel steps and Jericho is in the ring going after Punk. Kick his butt, Punk! Punk is down and Jericho goes for the pin getting a two count. Jericho has Punk in a headlock and the audience is cheering for Punk. Punk is back to his feet but as he comes off the ropes, Jericho nails him with a knee in the gut. Jericho comes off the second rope with a knee and goes for the cover, getting another two count. Jericho goes back to the top turnbuckle but Punk is back on his feet and he cuts Jericho off. Punk goes up to the second rope but Jericho rakes the eyes and sends Punk down to the mat. Jericho comes off the top and nails Punk with an elbow but Punk kicks out of the cover. Jericho applies an abdominal stretch – come ON Punk, do SOMETHING! Punk sends Jericho over to the mat but JBL is back in the ring and he goes after Punk, delivers a clothesline and goes for the cover but Jericho pulls him off. Jericho goes for the cover and now it’s Jericho and JBL fighting it out and there is 4:01 left on the clock. JBL sends Jericho to the mat and sends Punk head first into the announcer’s table. Jericho delivers a lionsault and goes for the cover but JBL pulls Jericho out of the ring and slams him head first into the steel steps. Everyone is back into the ring but it’s JBL and Jericho battling it out. Punk comes off the ropes and catches JBL. Jericho charges but Punk sidesteps Jericho and Jericho nails himself on the ropes. Punk goes after Jericho and then JBL, delivering a bulldog. JBL and Jericho collide and Punk delivers the GTS to JBL and goes to the cover but Jericho delivers a drop kick to break the count at the count of two. Punk covers Jericho but Jericho kicks out at the count of two. Jericho misses the dropkick as Punk comes off the ropes, JBL gets sent to the floor, Punk goes for a roll up and Jericho kicks out. Punk tries for a GTS but Jericho rakes the eyes and locks in the walls of Jericho. Less than a minute – HOLD ON PUNK! Punk tries to get to the ropes but Jericho pulls him back into the ring. JBL is back into the ring. JBL delivers a kick to Jericho’s head and there’s 20 seconds left. Jericho hangs JBL up on the ropes, but JBL falls backwards and lands on Punk, the ref counts to there and JBL wins the match.  Time: 10 minutes.

 

Winner – if you can call that a win – John Bradshaw Layfield

who will face CM Punk at Summerslam

for the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

I’m not worried.  Punk can beat JBL. Punk needs to be able to pull every dirty trick he knows out for that match because you know JBL isn’t going to work any match without cheating. Punk vs. Jericho would be a better match. We go to commercial break.

 

The audience sees a video of Great American Bash match: Y2J Chris Jericho vs. HBK Shawn Michaels. Michaels is on the monitor from his home in San Antonio. Michaels says there was severe damage done to his eye and his doctors are monitoring that. Michaels says that Jericho hasn’t ended Michaels’ career.  Michaels says that for the last four months he has been wrestling with broken ribs and he has suffered many injuries over the years. Michaels says that he will be at Summerslam and announce what his future holds.  He says he will listen to his doctors and do what they tell him he needs to do. We go to commercial break.

 

Matt Striker and his chalkboard are in the ring. Striker thanks Adamle for allowing him to compete as a member of the Raw roster. Striker says that he is sure Adamle will choose an appropriate opponent, and Big Red Machine Kane enters the arena and heads to the ring.

 

Matt Striker

Vs.

Big Red Machine Kane

 

I don’t know if I should even bother to time this one. Striker should have written S.O.S. on that blackboard. Striker does his best to get over on Kane but his blows have no affect. Kane delivers a boot and sends Striker into the corner. Kane delivers a sidewalk slam and goes up to the top turnbuckle, coming off with a clothesline that sends and already reeling Striker back to the mat. Striker is back to his feet and he walks into the choke slam delivered by Kane. Kane goes for the cover and gets the three count. Time: 2 minutes.

 

Winner: Big Red Machine Kane with a choke slam

 

That match lasted a minute longer than I thought it would. Kane nears the announcer’s table and Lawler & Cole get to their feet. Kane heads toward another table and the men sitting there bail out. Kane grabs a mic and rolls back into the ring. Kane tells the fans he has been in a bad place lately but he’s better now. Kane is holding up that bag again. Kane says “he’s not alive, he’s dead”. Maybe next time Kane will tell the fans who is referring to. We go to commercial break.

 

The audience sees a video of Batista. John Cena is backstage watching the monitor. Grisham appears to ask Cena how he feels about his match against Batista at Summerslam. Cena says that Cena vs. Batista is the ultimate showdown for Summerslam. Cena could have been a preacher. We go to commercial break.

 

Adamle is in his office and Kelly Kelly appears to congratulate Adamle on his job so far. Adamle says that everyone has been asking what is inside Kane’s bag and next week Adamle is going to find out even if he has to take the bag away from Kane to do it. Adamle then invites Kelly to watch the main event with him.

 

WWE World Tag Team Championship Match

 

Ted Dibiase

&

Cody Rhodes

At a combined weight of 454 lbs.

WWE World Tag Team Champions

Vs.

John Cena from MA weighing 220 lbs.

&

The Animal Batista from Washington, DC weighing 290 lbs.

Challengers

 

Although I’m not certain it will happen, Cena & Batista as tag team champions would be different. Unfortunately for them, Rhodes & Dibiase are good wrestlers, even if they haven’t been with WWE as long. Cena delivers a bulldog to Dibiase and goes for a cover but Dibaise kicks out at the count of two. Cena tags in Batista and Dibiase tags in Rhodes. Batista comes out with a show of power, shoving Rhodes across the ring. Rhodes comes back with a knee to the abdomen and forearms. Rhodes tries for a roll up but Batista sends Rhodes back to the corner. Batista delivers a back breaker and goes for the cover getting a count of two. Batista tries to set up for a power bomb but Dibiase is in the ring putting a stop to that. Rhodes sends Batista into the corner, shoulder first and we go to commercial break in the middle of the main event. Back to the action, Rhodes has Batista in an arm bar working on the arm and shoulder Batista damaged going into the ring post. Batista works his way out of the hold and tags in Cena. Cena takes down Rhodes and knocks Dibiase off of the ring apron. Cena picks up Rhodes and slams him to the mat, then delivers the five-knuckle shuffle. Dibiase blind tags when Rhodes is up on Cena’s shoulders for the FU. Cena is outside on the floor with Rhodes working him over until the ref breaks it up. Dibiase goes out to the floor and sends Cena into the steel steps. Dibiase sends Cena back into the ring. Dibiase and Rhodes keep Cena away from Batista. Dibiase goes for the cover but Cena kicks out at the count of two. Dibiase tags in Rhodes and Rhodes goes for the cover getting a two count before Cena powers out. Rhodes applies the sleeper hold to Cena. Cena tries to get to the corner but Batista isn’t taking the tag. Dibiase comes in and helps Rhodes pull Cena back in the ring. Rhodes goes for the cover but Cena gets a should off the mat and Rhodes tags in Dibiase. Dibiase applies the sleeper hold on Cena and Cena is trying to power out of the hold. He does, sends Dibiase into the ropes and applies the sleeper hold to Dibiase but Rhodes breaks it up. Cena walks over to the corner and slaps Batista in the face. The ref gets in the middle as Batista goes after Dibiase. Batista sends Rhodes down to the floor and delivers a spine buster to Dibiase. He catches Dibiase with a spear. As Rhodes tries to enter the ring, Cena knocks Rhodes out of the ring and Batista goes for the cover, getting the three count. Time: 12 minutes.

 

Winners and new WWE World Heavyweight Champions:

 The Animal Batista & John Cena

 

After the match, Batista is complaining about being slapped in the face. Cena holds up his title belt to the roar of the crowd and then Batista holds up his title belt to the roar of the crowd. Cena holds up his title with both hands to the roar of the crowd and then Batista does the same. We have another battle of egos, this time seeing who can get the loudest cheers from the crowd. I can’t tell who is winning.

 

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