Raw Results 5/21/2007
Submitted by Donny Anderson on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 11:15 PM EST





Raw Results 5/21/2007

It is the day after Judgment Day, and who still stands? We will find out tonight as Raw comes to you Live on the USA Network, from Moline, Illinois!

Raw opens with a recap of Judgment Day, showing Lashley beating Vince McMahon, only to have the title stolen away from him. He won the handicap match, but not the championship, because he failed to beat Vinnie Mac.

Lights are up, and we are live from the Mark of the Quad Cities!

Lashley's music hits as the Dominator makes his way to ringside for our opening segment. Lashley proposes a challenge tonight, for the ECW World Title, one on one, VKM vs. Lashley. VKM's music hits, as Vince, Shane, and Umaga stand at the top of the ramp. Vince says no to Lashley's challenge, because Lashley had his match, and couldn't get the job done. Vince says he's on to bigger and better things: One Night Stand. He says at ONS, he will go one on one in a street fight against the number one contender for the ECW Championship, "The Blue Meanie." Lashley asks "Why not me?" but Vince tells him he has "no chance in hell." Shane grabs the mic, and rips Lashley for questioning Vinnie Mac. Shane refers to Stone Cold, Undertaker, Triple H, Ken Shamrock, himself, and even Stephanie as people that Vince has defeated. Shane accepts for Vince! Vince looks nervous, and starts pacing back and forth. Vince finally accepts, but makes the stipulation that tonight, Lashley must run the gauntlet tonight and defeat every opponent thrown at him in order to earn the title shot against Vince at ONS.

JR promises an update on Shawn Michaels' condition following a commercial break...

Raw returns with Ric Flair's legendary music hitting, as the Nature Boy struts his stuff to the ring. Carlito's music hits thereafter, and Carlito makes his way to the ring for a rematch from last night's Judgment Day showdown.

Ric Flair vs. Carlito

The match begins with Flair putting Carlito into the corner and handing out the chops. Carlito gains control with a back body drop, and takes control, stomping Flair, and working on Flair's left arm. Carlito continues to torque Flair's arm, wrapping his legs around Flair's shoulders, and locking in an armbar. Flair breaks the hold by getting his foot to the ropes, as Carlito continues to stomp away. Flair counters the stomps, gets back to his feet, and mounts a comeback with those knife-edge chops. Flair sends Carlito into the ropes, as Carlito jumps for his patented back elbow, but he misses. Flair then dives at Carlito's knee, and then attempts the figure four. Carlito gets out of that by kicking Flair, gets back to his feet, and after punishing Flair with a few punches, puts Flair into the ropes and clotheslines him. Both men fall out of the ring, and continue brawling. The crowd begins the count, and in 10 short seconds, this match is over with a double-countout. Carlito continues attacking Flair, giving him two back-crackers and an apple-spit for good measure. Flair is writhing in pain, as Carlito leaves for the back, and we go to a commercial.

Your Winner: No Contest

Match Rating: C+ (By no means was this either of these competitor's greatest match, but the twist of the count-out was cool. We don't see those much anymore. Carlito's music doesn't fit with his "angry young man" gimmick, but the crowd seemed hot for an otherwise underwhelming opening match.)


After the break, Melina's music hits, as we get ready for our weekly foray into Diva-ville. Candice Michelle's music hits soon after, as we get ready for this non-title contest.

Melina vs. Candice Michelle

Melina nails a kick to the stomach, and begins throwing knees into Candice's face. Melina chokes Candice with the ropes, and puts Candice into a modified surfboard maneuver. She then puts her foot in the back of Candice's neck, and pulls her hair. Ouch. Melina puts Candice into the ropes again, but Candice reverses a Bronco buster and takes over, delivering a beautiful backbreaker and dropkick. Melina grabs the ropes, and Candice picks up her legs and lets her slam into the mat. Melina gets back up and rakes Candice's eyes, but Candice responds by working her way behind Melina and getting the bridge for the three-count

Your Winner: Candice Michelle

Match Rating: B (Holy cow, Candice looked amazing in the ring tonight. I don't know who she has been training with, but that person should work with all of the divas. This was a short match, as all Diva matches tend to be, but it was a good showing by both performers.)

After the match, we are taken to the back as Khali speaks jibberish to his translator. After that, we see Lashley walking in the back, as King announces the gauntlet after a few commercials...

We come back and, as we were promised, Lashley's music hits as he makes his way down to the ring to a pretty good pop from the crowd.

Lashley's Gauntlet

Opponent 1: Chris Masters

Both men lock up, as Lashley drives Masters to the mat. He puts Masters into the corner, but Masters dodges as Lashley slams into the ring post. Masters goes for a cover but only gets one. Masters begins to work on Lashley, dropping a leg on Lashley's injured arm. The crowd starts chanting "Bobby!" as Lashley works his way back to his feet, only to get put down by an elbow from Masters. Masters locks in the Masterlock, as Lashley begins to fade. Lashley hulks up though, and makes his way to the ropes, breaking the hold. Lashley then fires back with some lefts to Masters, and hits a big clothesline, followed by a back-body drop, and soon after, a nice powerslam. Lashley's in control as he whips Masters into the corner, and after a quick countering elbow from Masters, Lashley nails a spear on the rebound for the win.

Your Winner: Lashley

(I'll wait until the Gauntlet is over to rate these, giving it one overall grade. It was a strong opening to the Gauntlet though, with Masters walking away still looking strong.)

Before the break, we are shown a recap of HBK's concussion last night, and the ensuing injuries to HBK. After that, JR tells us that the Hardys are in action next!

After the break, the Worlds Greatest Tag Team are at the announcers table as the Hardy Boys make their way to the ring for the next match.

The Hardys vs. Nitro and Kenny

The match starts with Kenny and Matt squaring off. Nitro smacks Matt on the back of the head to distract him, and Kenny takes advantage. After beating down Hardy for a while, he tags in Nitro. Nitro nails a sick elbow drop on Hardy, who is propped on Kenny's knees, and starts to hammer away. Matt fights back with a clothesline and tags in Jeff. Jeff quickly goes into action taking on both Nitro and Kenny. Hardy with a face first suplex, and mounts the ropes for the Swanton. Kenny tries to knock Jeff off the top rope, but Matt takes care of Dykstra. Nitro meets Jeff on the top rope, but Jeff knocks him off, and lands a top rope sunset flip for the win.

Your Winners: The Hardys

After the match, WGTT jumps into the ring and begins beating down the Hardys, with Nitro and Kenny joining in. Cade and Murdoch run down to the ring and clear the ring of Haas, Benjamin, Nitro, and Kenny. The Hardys are left in the ring with Cade and Murdoch, and they shake hands.

Match Rating: B- (The match was way too short, but the save by Cade and Murdoch was unexpected and awesome. For the love of God, push Nitro. It's sad to see a once great IC champion relegated to sub-Benjamin levels. Are we building towards a WGTT/Redneck feud? Who knows. It's got my attention though.)

The Great Khali is in the back with his translator talking more jibberish as we go to commercial.

After the break, Khali's music hits, and the big man comes down to the ring with his translator. The translator takes the mic and introduces to the crowd the Great Khali. Khali takes the mic says something. THe translator says that Khali says he was cheated at Judgment Day and that Khali has never given up in his life. He says that Khali's foot was under the rope the whole time, and that the ref, the fans, and John Cena all screwed the Great Khali. Khali again on the mic. The translator says that John Cena never knocked Khali off his feet, and that Cena had to resort to using the ring steps to beat Khali. The translator says that Khali can defeat the coward known as Cena anywhere, anytime; he's quickly interrupted by the familiar music of John Cena, who enters saluting the crowd, and comes down to the ring. Cena says he's not down there to complain. He says that at Judgment Day, Khali's foot was indeed under the bottom rope, but he still made him tap out. So, Cena came down here to address Khali calling him a coward. He says that until Judgment Day, he WAS afraid of Khali; he wasn't worried about winning, only surviving. He says he won, and that he could win again, and is not scared of Khali anymore. Cena says he can beat Khali anywhere in the building, and that Khali is not the only one that wants a rematch. Khali responds by knocking Cena over the head, and doublehand chokeslamming Cena. Khali stands Cena, raises his arms, and leaves with the translator.

(Khali's translator needs a name. He looks like the Bollywood Eric Bischoff. That's what I'll call him. B.E.B. Khali and Beb. Lets go with it.)

We are back from a commercial with Lashley in the ring, ready for the next step in the gauntlet.

Lashley's Gauntlet

Opponent 2: Viscera

Big Vis is looking a bit lighter, but overpowers Lashley as soon as he gets in the ring. Lashley takes control, pounding away on Vis, only to get smashed by a clothesline, and then a shoulderblock. Lashley gets HUGE air, leapfrogs Big Vis, and slams Viscera! Viscera gets back up, and starts pounding Lashley. Lashley starts firing back, but misses a clothesline, only to be sidewalk slammed by Big Vis. Viscera now punishes Lashley by choking him on the ropes, and smacking Lashley around. Lashley tries a comeback, only to be hit by a spinning heel kick by Viscera. Vis with a two count, but Lashley kicks out, so Vis continues the assault. Viscera whips Lashley into the turnbuckle, but misses the big splash. Lashley runs into the ropes, hits the spear, and gets the win!

Your Winner: Lashley

After the commercial break, Timbaland's new music video "Throw it On Me" will be shown.
(This means it's time to grab a snack, use the bathroom, or find something better to do for the next segment. Sorry, Timbaland's a better producer than rapper, hands down, and I haven't really dug music/wrestling since I was 6, watching Randy Savage drive the purple cadillac, chasing Junkyard Dog, while listening to Flock of Seagulls on "Rock n' Wrestling Connection" every Saturday morning.)

Additionally, J.R. announces that John Cena vs. Khali will take place at ONS, in a falls count anywhere match for the WWE Championship, as we go to commercials...

As we come back from break, Torrie Wilson, Maryse, the Extreme Expose girls, and Ashley come down to the ring. Ashley talks about the music video. The music video starts as I find something better to do...

We go to a commercial break with the promise of an update on HBK next. (Finally.)

As we return, JR talks about HBK's concussion, relating it all the way back to Shawn's first concussion in 1995. As he and King are talking about it, Randy Orton's music hits.

Randy says he regrets that HBK's wife Rebecca had to endure what happened last night. The titantron then shows a recap of the events that led up to last night, from Khali slamming HBK through the table, to Orton's assault last week, to Judgment Day. Back in the ring, Randy asks if that was the last match in Shawn's career. He says HBK's injury was a target, and he took advantage of the bullseye. Orton did what any professional would have done. He says he beat HBK, not because Shawn suffered a concussion, but because he's the Legend Killer.

Backstage, Vince is talking to Umaga. He says that Masters wore Lashley down, Viscera took him to the limit, and that Umaga will finish Lashley. That match is up next as we go into a break.

Back from the break, Lashley is standing in the ring, ready for the next Gauntlet match, as Umaga's music hits, and the Samoan Bulldozer makes his way down to the ring.

Lashley's Gauntlet

Opponent 3: Umaga

The match starts with Umaga kicking, punching, and punishing Lashley with a clothesline and a big splash for a near-fall. Lashley is being dominated by Umaga as chops are delivered to Lashley's head. Lashley starts firing back, only to have his eyes raked. Umaga then whips Lashley into the turnbuckle, but catches a boot by Lashley. Lashley runs at Umaga, but Umaga catches him and gives him a Bear Hug, bringing the exhausted Lashley to his knees. The crowd begins chanting as Lashley starts powering out, and delivers elbows to Umaga's head, breaking the hold. Lashley hits the ropes, but once again gets caught by Umaga who delivers a Samoan Drop. Umaga gets a two-count. Frustrated, Umaga continues hitting Lashley with blows to the head and neck, and a headbutt. Umaga climbs the ropes, and goes for the headbutt, but Lashley rolled away. Both men are down, as the Ref starts counting. At the 7 count, both men are up, and Lashley catches a boot from Umaga only to reverse again and deliver a clothesline to Umaga. Lashley throws Umaga out of the ring, and as Lashley dives towards Umaga, Umaga catches him with a kick in mid-air. Umaga then grabs a chair and smacks Lashley, getting disqualified.

Your Winner: Lashley via DQ

As Lashley lies unconscious, Shane-O-Mac is seen in the back with Vince, walking towards the ring.

Opponent 4: Shane McMahon

As we come back from break, Lashley is in the ring, out cold. Shane's music hits, Shane enters the ring, and begins to stalk Lashley. Vince and Umaga stand at ringside. Lashley is back to his feet, telling the Ref that he can continue. Shane begins throwing punches and kicks at Lashley in the corner. Shane chokes Lashley with the bottom rope as the crowd cheers for Lashley once again. Lashley is on the ground in the corner, and Shane hits a baseball slide. Shane punishes Lashley by slamming him into the ringpost. Umaga grabs a chair, but the McMahons take the chair from him, not wanting to get DQ'd. The match continues, with Shane still throwing right hands at Lashley. Lashley comes back by rolling up Shane, but only getting a 2 count. Lashley then nails a clothesline, and a massive spinebuster, but only gets a 2 count. Lashley drives Shane into the turnbuckle and punishes him with right hands. Shane blocks a right, spins around and gives Lashley a DDT, picking up another 2 count. Lashley is being punished with stomps to the lower back. Shane puts Lashley in a Boston Crab, with shades of Rick Martel. Lashley powers out of it, but Shane keeps pounding away on Lashley. Shane climbs to the middle rope and hits a flying elbow to Lashley's back. Another 2 count for Shane, and more punishment by Shane, with Lashley being put in a camel clutch, paying homage to the Iron Sheik. Lashley powers out of it, and backs Shane into the corner, a la Hogan/Sheik. Lashley starts hitting Shane, but after attempting to pick up Shane, fell to his knees. Lashley's back gave out. Shane got on the top rope to finish it off, but Lashley speared him in mid-air, and picks up the win. Lashley is going to One Night Stand to face Vince, as Raw goes off the air!

Final Gauntlet Rating: B (I gave an A to the Viscera match, 2 B's to the Masters and McMahon matches, and a B- to the Umaga Match. The Viscera match was really outstanding, with both competitors looking very good. If Viscera had a better gimmick, he could really do special things. The Masters match was a nice reminder of Lashley breaking the Masterlock, and the Shane match was pretty good. The DDT that Shane pulled off was sweet. The Umaga match was a letdown, considering that these two have put on much better matches. It did, however, take the whole segment to that next level, putting Lashley in peril, but still giving him the win. Overall, a decent idea to put Lashley over with the crowd, and to build up the main event at ONS.

Quick Results:

Ric Flair vs. Carlito: Double Countout
Candice Michelle def. Melina via pin
Lashley def. Chris Masters via pin
The Hardys def. Nitro/Kenny via pin
Lashley def. Viscera via pin
Lashley def. Umaga via DQ
Lashley def. Shane McMahon via pin

Overall Grade: B

Overall, a little too much Lashley tonight. I understand what they're trying to do, and I enjoy it, but it seemed like overkill. The segments were better than the matches, but it seems like they did more review than progression. Still, they're in a tough position in trying to build up One Night Stand in just two weeks. I look forward to next week, especially to see how the Hardy feud continues. I'm really, really, really missing Edge and HBK already. It's not bad, but it just seems that Raw really doesn't know where to go right now. Let's all cross our fingers and hope for some direction here next week.


As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at DonnyAnderson@gmail.com. Have a Great Week and I'll see you next week for Raw, live on Memorial Day!














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