The RAW Report (07/17/06): Shane O'Mac vs. HBK; John Cena vs. Umaga
Submitted by Chad Matthews on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 11:11 PM EST





The Raw Report (07/17/06)

The show opened with a public service announcement brought to you by Degeneration X. Then, a video played featuring all of DX’s antics from over the last six weeks, including the parody of the McMahons, the manure, and the wins over the Spirit Squad (to name a few).

DX proceeded to make their live entrance to quite an ovation from an arena full of fans sporting DX signs. As chants of DX rang out, HBK and HHH went through a spiel in an attempt to sell their classic and new T-shirts. HBK got his words mixed up, prompting Trips to refer to him as the Miz. They talked about Vince being upset and sarcastically tried to think of a reason as to why. Trips mixed up his words, and said, “It’s live TV, gimme a break” (w/ a smile). They got the cheap pop as they mentioned the idea of them wrestling the McMahons right there in San Antonio, TX. Since the crowd liked the idea, DX tried to make the match official and pondered the idea of who would stop them. That prompted the McMahons to come to the ramp. Vince said that they were just degenerative juvenile delinquents that damn sure didn’t run things. As “You Suck” chants filled the arena, Vince said they were sick and tired of being made fun of and that as far as their challenge was concerned…they’d get a variation of it. It’d be HBK vs. Shane. Vince handed the mic to Shane, who looking slightly surprised, told the fans chanting “HBK” to shut up. Shane said that HBK’s impression of him from a few weeks ago sucked. He said he had more talent than both members of DX combined and that to spice up the match, he’d allow HHH to be in HBK’s corner while Vince was in his. Shane concluded that after tonight, the San Antonio faithful wouldn’t just remember the Alamo, but would remember when Shane O’Mac beat their hometown boy, HBK. (CMV1 note- decent opening segment…we’ll see where this goes tonight, but I’d rather they go ahead and announce DX vs. McMahons)

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler hyped the Cena vs. Umaga match for later.

Highlights of the mixed tag match b/t Trish/Carlito and Nitro/Melina aired from SNME.


Match 1: Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin in a #1 contender’s match for the Intercontinental Title
-(CMV1 note- Todd Grisham called this a CW #1 contender match). A lock-up to start turned into a headlock from Benjamin into a takedown. Shelton followed w/ an armbar into an armdrag back into an armbar, but Carlito got two quick near falls with two different roll-ups. Carlito then used a quick back flip off the top rope to evade an oncoming SB, but the former wrestling All-American read it and caught him with a front kick. Benjamin then tossed Carlito straight up into the air, sending the Cool one crashing face first to the mat. Shelton utilized a sleeper hold to wear down Carlito. Carlito came back with a knee lift and a clothesline before following with a springboard back elbow for a near fall. Shelton tried to come back with a dragon whip, but Carlito ducked it and went for the Back Cracker. Benjamin countered, though, and went for a rolling clutch pin. The finish came when Carlito countered the roll-up into one of his own and used the ropes for leverage to get the win. Carlito became the #1 contender to Nitro’s IC title at 3:30. (CMV1 rating- *) (CMV1 note- good action, but way too short. It certainly didn’t do Benjamin any good…and that’s not good)

Ross and Lawler again plugged the Cena-Umaga match, but then showed a video recap of the Edge-Cena match from SNME, where Lita helped screw Cena out of the title and Cena retaliated by hitting an FU on Edge off the ring steps and thru the announce table.

Tomorrow night on ECW, Big Show faces Undertaker w/ the ECW title on the line.

Backstage, Trish approached Carlito. Carlito wished her luck and, after watching her leave, said that was cool…


Match 2: Torrie Wilson and Trish vs. Women’s Champion Mickie James and Victoria
-(CMV1 note- Candice Michelle was guest referee). Torrie and Mickie started it off, with Torrie gaining the upper hand early. Victoria came in and blasted her from behind, though. James took advantage, took control, and tagged Victoria. Victoria bodyslammed her and hit a standing moonsault. Unfortunately for her, Torrie got her knees up, and then ran over and tagged Trish. Stratus came in and hit a few knife edge chops and tried to follow with a Lou Thesz press. However, Victoria countered and rammed her into the turnbuckle. Mickie came in for a double team, but Trish came back and took control. The finish came when Candice kind of turned face by throwing the heel Mickie out of the ring, allowing Trish to hit the Stratusfaction on Victoria for the win at 2:49. (CMV1 rating- ¾ *). (CMV1 note-)

Backstage, Maria interviewed Umaga and Armando Alejandro Estrada, who told everyone to listen, ha ha, to him. He said Umaga would beat Cena. Maria asked if this was Umaga’s biggest match of his career. Estrada said that Cena would fall to the wrecking ball, the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga.

From WWE Studios in Stamford, CT, Mick Foley commented on Ric Flair and the comments the Nature Boy made concerning their match at Vengeance. Foley said he wasn’t trying to win that match, as he set out from the get-go to destroy him and leaving him lying. In regards to Flair wanting a rematch, Foley said he didn’t want to face him at any time, any place, or anywhere…no rematch!

JR and the King showed footage from Charlie Haas and Viscera teaming up to take out Lillian Garcia. Backstage, Maria interviewed the two men about their actions. Haas said they certainly could explain their actions, but Viscera said they weren’t going to.

A video recap of Bikini Boot camp, which was the first Diva Search competition on SD last week, aired. Layla won, so she’s got immunity from getting eliminated.


Match 3: The Highlanders vs. Two Jobbers
-The jobbers attacked from behind as the bell rang, but the Highlanders quickly took control. The men weighing in at 430 stones used a combo of headbutts to knock one of the jobbers senseless. Teamwork continued with a drop toehold-elbow drop combo, followed by a flapjack. The finish came when the Highlanders won with the Scot Drop at 1:51. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *). After the match, Rory challenged the World Tag Team Champions, the Spirit Squad. (CMV1 note- well, the match was, again, nothing to make you all that impressed w/ the Highlanders, but certainly wasn’t bad either. The challenge to the Squad was inevitable, as that’s simply what all new tag teams do. Since there’s no tag division, all new teams beat a few jobber teams and then face the tag champs).

Backstage, the Highlanders walked up to DX, who welcomed them to the US. HBK and HHH thought they should go introduce themselves to Vince, but make sure to talk really loud in his left ear (b/c he didn’t hear very well) and give him a lot of hugs, plus taps on the butt. And off the Highlanders went…

In the ring, Matt Striker, “our teacher,” had Edge > Cena written on his blackboard (CMV1 note- that’s a fact). Striker insulted the Texas crowd and brought out his guest…the former WWE Champion, John Cena. The Doctor of Thuganomics came to the ring. Striker pointed to the blackboard and told Cena that after SNME, it’s now mathematical fact that Edge was better than Cena. Cena took the mic from him and called him a stupid bastard. He said that what it really meant was that Cena dominated Edge, but the Rated R-Superstar’s stupid whore g/f cost him the title. Cena said he needed to kick someone’s ass…He started in toward Striker, but Umaga came out for their match…


Match 4: John Cena vs. Umaga (w/ A.A. Estrada)
-Cena attacked right off the bat with a belly-to-belly suplex, a running double-handed facebuster, and several shots in the corner. Umaga took control, though, and tossed Cena thru the blackboard. The match then officially started, as Umaga began to dominate with simplistic, but high impact headbutts and chops. As the crowd got behind Cena, Umaga slammed him and hit a running knee drop. Cena came back with a running DDT, the offense was short-lived. Umaga placed Cena in the tree-of-woe and hit him with a running/diving headbutt. The Samoan tried to follow with a running knee strike, but Cena moved out of the way. Edge and Lita showed up at that point, prompting Cena to run to the ramp and go on the attack. Umaga came out and stopped the assault, though, before tossing Cena into the steel ring steps. Back in the ring, Umaga went for a diving body splash from the top rope, but Cena moved. Cena came roaring back with a diving shoulder tackle, followed by the Prototype spinning back drop. He then connected on the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He was unable to go for the cover, though, as Edge came into the ring and got involved. The ref tended to getting Edge out of the ring, but the distraction was enough to open the door for Umaga. The finish came when Umaga defeated Cena via the Samoan Spike at 6:03. (CMV1 rating- * ½) (CMV1 note- a decent and competitive match, actually. That’s pretty wild that Umaga went over the new golden boy. There had been talk of a feud b/t the two back in the spring. This definitely could have been the start of that…or it could’ve just been used to continue the Edge-Cena feud. Summerslam is coming up in just about one month…time to shape up that card, Vin Man)

In McMahon’s office, the Highlanders were eating Vince’s catered food when VKM came in and asked him what the hell they were doing. They introduced themselves (loudly…in Vince’s ear), but Vince threw them out.

The WWE Rewind featured highlights of Vince trying to pull a fast one on DX last week.


Match 5: Randy Orton vs. Eugene
-(CMV1 note- RIP Bob Orton, Sr.). Orton grabbed a headlock, switched it into a drop toehold, and taunted the crowd. The crowd chanted Hogan, as Eugene got in a kick before mocking Orton’s pose. Randy got mad, hit his patented backbreaker, and connected on the RKO for the squash win. Orton defeated Eugene at 1:39. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *). After the match, Orton told Eugene never to take advantage of the McMahons. Randy said that he would never take advantage of Brooke Hogan, despite her being very pretty. He said her new song was one of his favorite hits, but that his all-time favorite hit was him hitting the RKO on Hogan at SNME. (CMV1 note- Eh, a fair at best way to hype the Hogan-Orton match at Summerslam. I’m a Hogan mark…I can’t help it…thus, I’m actually looking forward to the match. It’s fun to be a mark sometimes)

Back in WWE Studios, Foley talked about Melina’s talent and Flair’s match against Big Show on ECW. He said he was impressed w/ Flair’s effort, but still was giving him no rematch. He quoted a Michael Jackson song to stress that the Nature Boy was out of his life.

Ric Flair then came to the ring, Woo-ed, and cut a promo about getting his ass kicked by the Big Show last Tuesday. However, he said it wasn’t his first and wasn’t his last ass kicking, but that Foley damned sure didn’t kick his ass at Vengeance. He said he wanted the Hardcore Legend in a Hardcore Rules match at any place and time. Intercontinental Champion Johnny Nitro and Melina then came to the ring. Nitro said what’s up and said that he and Melina were friends of Mick Foley. He said he doesn’t think Flair gets it…no rematch…he’s out of Foley’s life. So, said Nitro, Flair can talk all he wants, but he isn’t going to get an answer out of Foley. Nitro proceeded to cheap shot Flair. Flair came right back with a chop block, but eventually knocked Nitro into Melina, who got knocked off the apron and appeared to injure her ankle. Flair apologized, but told them to reiterate his challenge to Foley. (CMV1 note- Foley vs. Flair could be a really good hardcore match, as Naitch can still go in the gimmick bouts. Unfortunately, both those two and Hogan are taking up spots on the Summerslam card that could be better used on younger guys…but hey, as long as they produce in the ring…)

Captain Douche Bag, the Miz, came out to introduce the Diva Search contestants. Amy was eliminated and started to cry, but that didn’t stop her from throwing some of her thongs into the crowd.

Backstage, Vince told Shane that someone needed to bat clean up and that tonight they’d clean up the mess that was DX. Vince had a sign taped to his back that read, “I love cocks,” while Shane had one on his back that read, “Me too.”


Match 6: Shawn Michaels (w/ Triple H) vs. Shane McMahon (w/ Vince McMahon)
-Prior to the bout, DX did their usual pre-match schtick on the mic. The match started during a commercial break, but when we finally got to see the match, HBK was controlling with back drops and a clothesline that took Shane to the outside. HBK skinned the cat and looked for a plancha over the top. Shane dodged, but HBK landed on the apron and hit him with an Asai moonsault instead. Back in the ring, HBK came off the top rope looking for a double axe-handle, but Shane punched him in the gut. Shawn came back, but Vince got involved, allowing Shane to hit a jumping back elbow. Shane then hit an inverted atomic drop and followed with a couple of clotheslines and a body slam. McMahon had a hard time figuring out what corner he wanted to climb, but he eventually headed up to the top and gave HBK a flying elbow drop. Shane proceeded to mock HBK’s Sweet Chin Music set-up (w/ the stomping), but when he went for the superkick, HBK countered and clobbered him with a right hand. Shawn followed with a flying forearm and continued his comeback routine with a scoop slam. Michaels then went to the top rope and connected on a flying elbow drop of his own. As the band tuned up, Shane tried to get up. HBK tried to go for the kick, but Vince grabbed his foot. Trips ran him off, but the distraction allowed the Spirit Squad to attack HBK, five-on-one. HHH came back to the ring to try and clean house, but the Squad tossed him out of the way and tried to hit their five-man pull-and-drop on Michaels. HBK landed on his feet after the first one and tried to make a comeback, but the handicapped disadvantage proved to be too much for him. They eventually did hit the pull-and-drop on HBK. Shane, meanwhile, slammed HHH in the back with a chair on the outside. The Squad was about to use two chairs to put HBK away, but Trips recovered and grabbed his sledgehammer. He went on to clean out the ring of all the heels, once again leaving DX with the upper hand as the show went off the air. HBK and Shane wrestled to a no-contest around the 7-minute mark. (CMV1 rating- * ¾) (CMV1 note- It was solid action, but for some reason I feel like I’ve seen all of this before throughout 2006. Geez, I’m ready to see someone else come in and challenge DX, as this whole routine w/ the Squad is getting old. Please, just go ahead and announce DX vs. McMahons for Summerslam and get it over with. Also, it’s about time that the McMahon-led group gets the advantage on DX. The heels have been made to look foolish for 6-7 straight weeks, including on a PPV and at SNME. Time to change it up, boys!)




All in all…Another lackluster show, in my view. I feel as if we are in the Attitude Era again, as not only are DX and the McMahons the focal point of every show, but there’s never a really good wrestling match given away on Monday nights. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying DX, but it’s time to take them in a new direction. The McMahons have been way too much a focal point in 2006 and I’m growing tired of it. Anyhow, the rest of the show left me with nothing that stood out in my mind as a really good segment. I thought the Cena-Umaga match was surprisingly entertaining, though…Shelton vs. Carlito was annoyingly short…oh, and just a month and three days out from Summerslam and we’ve got Orton vs. Hogan as the only announced match. I wish at least the DX-McMahons match would’ve been made. Time to get the ball seriously rolling…That all being said, I was kind of bored tonight, and thus I’ll give this a 5/10 and call it a night …





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