Raw Results--7/16/2007
Submitted by Donny Anderson on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:23 PM EST





Last week Bobby Lashley, with some help from Jeff Hardy, took King Booker and Mr. Kennedy down a peg. Will the two would-be contenders attempt to extract some measure of revenge? What role will John Cena, who was absent last week, play as the road to the Great American Bash continues. Find out tonight as the USA Network presents WWE Monday Night Raw, live from Corpus Christi, Texas.

Raw begins with Triple H's music hitting!!! The crowd is going insane (I'm getting chills). A shadowy figure emerges from the back, but it is soon revealed to be King Booker. The crowd boos to a deafening volume. Booker asks if they were expecting someone else. He says that he saw the promo hyping Triple H's return, and that it is blasphemy for Triple H to call himself the King of Kings when there is only one king in the WWE. Sharmell chimes in with a "King Booker!". Booker goes on to say that he is stripping Triple H of his title "King Of Kings". He reiterates that there is only one king, "King Bookah!". He then says that there is one more issue to be handled, that of Jerry Lawler. He asks Jerry to remove the title "King" from his name. The crowd starts chanting "Jerry" as Lawler picks up the mic. Lawler says that he's respected Booker for years, but that Booker has been King for a short time, and that he has been King for over 30 years. He says that there's no reason they can't coexist. Booker says that there can only be one King. Lawler says that if it means that much to him, then he won't refer to himself as "the King" on the show, though he can't control what the fans and JR call him. Booker says that as a sign of submission, he would like Jerry to kiss the royal ring. Lawler stands up, and says he won't kiss Booker's ring. Booker says he's not asking, he's ordering him to kiss the ring. Lawler says that he's telling him no. Booker cheapshots Lawler, but Lawler fights back sending Booker to the ground. Lawler is being held back by officials, as Booker is saying that he'll get him. Lawler's music hits as Booker backs away in anger. The crowd is going nuts for Lawler as we go to commercial.

After the break, JR and King recap what just took place between Booker and King, before recapping Marella getting destroyed by Umaga. Lillian then announces the next match is a four-way elimination match, with the winner getting a shot at Umaga's Intercontinental Championship. Jeff Hardy's music hits, the crowd goes wild, and Hardy makes his way to the ring. Hardy is followed by Shelton Benjamin, who is being accompanied by Charlie Haas. Benjamin is followed by Santino Marella, who really needs to get better music. The final competitor is William Regal, and this match is underway.

Four-Way Elimination for a shot at the Intercontinental Title

The match starts with Hardy and Benjamin going to the outside, and Marella taking it to Regal. Marella manages to get an armbar on Regal, but Regal rolls to the outside, and takes Marella with him. Hardy and Benjamin are back in the ring, and Hardy has control. Benjamin and Hardy hit a double crossbody block, and Regal gets in to take it to both of them. Marella comes in and rolls up Regal, but Regal kicks out at two. Marella is blind sided by Benjamin. The two start to fight, with Marella landing some good shots. After an attempted roll-up, which Benjamin fights out of, Regal runs by and brings his knee across Marella's head. Regal goes for the cover, and Marella can't kick out. Santino Marella has been eliminated. Now Regal and Benjamin start fighting, but it soon turns into a Hardy-Benjamin fight, as Regal gets to the outside. Benjamin hits an electric chair drop on Hardy. Regal gets back in the ring, and all three men are starting to look fatigued as we go to a break.

We come back to see Hardy getting double suplexed into the ring by Regal and Benjamin. They try a double cover, but Hardy kicks out. Regal and Benjamin start to argue, but Regal says that Benjamin can make the cover. As Benjamin turns, Regal starts to attack, eventually getting Benjamin to the ground. Regal now starts to focus on Hardy, but is blind sided by Benjamin. The two fight to the corner, but wind up doing a side elbow to each other. Hardy takes advantage, sending Benjamin to the outside, and focusing on Regal. Hardy misses a Whisper in the Wind, and Regal tries to go for the running knee, but Hardy dodges, and hits the Twist of Fate. Hardy covers, and Regal is eliminated. It's now Benjamin and Hardy. Hardy turns around, and Benjamin comes flying off the top rope for a blockbuster. Benjamin covers, but Hardy kicks out. The two fight it out, and Benjamin gets sent to the outside. Hardy flies over the top rope, crashing into both Haas and Benjamin. Hardy gets Benjamin back into the ring, and after getting him to the ground, goes for the Swanton. Benjamin rolls out of the way, and Hardy hits the canvas hard. Benjamin covers, and Hardy kicks out at two. Benjamin is in disbelief. As he goes to work on Hardy some more, Hardy manages to roll him over and hold him down long enough for the victory.

Your Winner: Jeff Hardy

Hardy celebrates his win and his new #1 Contender spot for the Intercontinental Title and we go a break.

Match Rating: B+ (Awesome match. Hardy was great as usual, and Regal was great. I wouldn't mind seeing Regal get pushed a bit. Hardy vs Umaga at the Great American Bash is a match that we've seen before, but I think we may see Hardy come out on top this time. I still say that Marella needs a gimmick change, and a music change, but that may not happen for a while.)

We come back from a break to see Todd Grisham talking to Randy Orton. Grisham says that Orton has challenged Cody Rhodes to his first match ever in WWE, and Cody has accepted. Orton says that Cody had a lot of guts slapping him last week, and that he'll end his career tonight before it starts. He says that Cody should bring Dusty to ringside, so he can see his son's career end before it starts.

Santino Marella and Maria are in the back now. After Marella does a cheap Transformers plug (That movie with the cars that transform, that was a miracle, he says) Marella laments that he's always losing. Maria says it's okay, and Marella says that she's why he stays. They then make plans to make pancakes, and we go to a break.

After a break Snitsky's music hits, and he comes out for what will probably be another squash match. His opponent tonight is Val Venis, who actually gets a pretty good pop from the crowd.

Snitsky vs Val Venis

We start with Snitsky pushing Val into the corner and running at him, but Venis gets his boot up just in time. Venis comes off the top rope, but is caught by Snitsky, and slammed into the corner. Snitsky works on Val's lower back, but Val manages to get an offense with a reverse elbow. Val hits the ropes to capitalize, but Snitsky hits a massive clothesline. Snitsky gets Venis up, and hits the pump-handle slam for the win.

Your Winner: Snitsky

Snitsky picks Val up, and hits another pump-handle slam on an already beaten Val Venis before leaving the ring.

Match Rating: C- (I hate having to give a Val Venis match such a low rating, but it was too short, and lacked the rag-doll effect that other squash matches have. Still, it does good for Snitsky, building him as a huge monster. I still wish Val had done more. Oh well.

Todd Grisham is in the back and introduces Cody Rhodes, saying he's only moments away from his first match on Raw against Randy Orton. Cody says that unlike Orton, he respects his father. He says that at the Great American Bash, there is no RKO that can defeat the legend that is his father. He actually does a pretty good job on the mic. He hugs Dusty and the two walk off camera as we go to break.

After a break, Jerry Lawler is in the ring. He says that at the Great American Bash there will be a Texas Bullrope match. He explains that the two men will be tied to a rope, and hanging on the rope is a cowbell. In the match, anything is legal, including the rope and the bell. Lawler says that there's no one better than Dusty Rhodes at a Texas Bullrope match, but come Sunday, someone will get their bell rung. Orton's music hits, and Lawler clears the ring as the Legend Killer comes out for his match. JR and King hype the "Orton Concussion Tour", leading one to think that either Dusty or Cody is going to get it sometime tonight or at the PPV. As Orton is in the ring, Cody Rhodes' music hits, and he comes out accompanied by his father. He's wearing old-school looking tights that look a lot like the ones Flair and Dusty used to wear back in the 70s and 80s.

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton

The match starts with the two men staring at each other from across the ring. Orton goes on attack, but Cody gets behind him, only to get his with an elbow from Orton. Orton get Cody into the corner and goes for a clothesline, but Cody dodges. Cody hits a punch, much like his father, and irish-whips Orton into the opposite corner, which is reversed by Orton. Cody grabs the top rope and pushes himself over Orton, but Orton hits a clothesline. Orton now begins to beat down Cody, while giving evil looks to Dusty. Eventually, Orton sends Cody to the outside, but is distracted by Dusty. Cody attacks, getting Orton back to the inside. After some punches from Cody, Orton gets the upperhand with some punches of his own. After a nice offense with a back body drop, and a suplex, Orton gets Cody in a reverse chin lock. Cody fights out, but Orton puts his knee into Cody's gut, sending him back to the ground. Orton is picking Cody apart with kneedrops and mounted punches. Cody suddenly comes back with some punches, in true Rhodes fashion. After a nice hit in the corner, Cody hits a missle dropkick from the top rope. Cody covers, but Orton kicks out at two. Orton hits a European Uppercut, followed by the inverted backbreaker. Orton sizes him up, and gives some looks to Dusty, before hitting the RKO for the win.

Your Winner: Randy Orton

Orton stands back as Dusty is tending to his fallen son. Orton decides to attack, running to kick Cody in the head. Dusty turns just in time to get in Orton's face and save his son. Dusty chases Orton off. Orton backs up the ramp, and Dusty stands in the ring helping his son as we go to break.

Match Rating: B (A well put together match. Cody did well on his first time out. You can tell that he's the son of the American Dream. Orton played the villain very well. His whole "devoid of feelings" gimmick they have him doing is working really well, from my perspective. I can't wait for these two to meet again in the future, as they could really do well.)

We come back from a break to see Melina come out with Beth Pheonix. Mickie James' music hits, to a fairly nice pop, and she comes out for this match. Before the match starts, though, Candice Michelle's music hits, and the Women's Champ comes out to help even up the odds for Mickie.

Melina vs Mickie James

Melina is distracted by Candice, and Mickie hits the victory roll, but Melina kicks out at two. Melina fights back with an arm lock, but Mickie fights out, and hits some good moves on Melina. Mickie gets on the ropes, but is distracted by Beth Pheonix. She comes off the top rope to be met by a dropkick from Melina. Melina covers, but Mickie kicks out at two. Melina starts working on Mickie, and locks in a modified chinlock. Mickie fights out, and starts to fight back. She hits a neckbreaker and covers, but only gets a two count. Mickie manages to hit a spinning hurricanrana, but is distracted by Beth Pheonix. Mickie hits a dropkick through the ropes on Beth, but is attacked from behind by Melina. Melina hits her split-legdrop move for the win.

Your Winner: Melina

Candice tends to Mickie as Melina and Beth leave the arena.

Match Rating: C- (*sigh* It's depressing to me that Mickie James has been delegated to losing every match she's in. At lease it seems that way. I really wish they'd put the belt back on her. She is far and away the most skilled female wrestler they have on the roster, and the crowd goes crazier for her than anyone else. Granted, Candice has come a long way since she started. I just wish they had more for Mickie to do than job out to Melina of all people.)

After a break we see Jim Duggan in the back. He kisses the American flag and places it in his locker. Regal comes in and says that Coach has requested that the 2x4 be bronzed. Regal asks to hold the wood. Duggan says that no one touches his hardware, and Regal shouldn't make it any harder than it has to be. Regal shouts, demanding that Duggan puts his big piece of wood in his hands right now. Duggan has an odd look on his face, and Ron Simmons walks up. Duggan walks away, and Simmons gives a nice "Damn!" to Regal before we go to break.

After the break Carlito's music hits, and he comes out for his match tonight. As he stands in the ring, Sandman's music hits. He comes in through the crowd, like usual. After some beer bashes this match is ready to start.

Sandman vs Carlito

We start with Sandman kicking Calito and twisting Carlito's arm. Carlito grabs the ropes, and the hold is broken. Sandman sends Carlito into the ropes, and Carlito is brought down by Sandman in what appears to have been a botched swinging neck break by Carlito. Carlito takes control of the fight by pounding on Sandman. After some good shots, Carlito locks in a neck vice. Sandman fights out, and hits a bodyslam. Sandman climbs to the top rope, and looks to fly off the top, but Regal comes in and attacks Sandman, giving Sandman the victory by DQ.

Your Winner: Sandman

Carlito and Regal double team Sandman, but Jim Duggan's music hits. "Hacksaw" comes out to save Sandman, and the two men stand in the ring as Carlito and Regal flee.

Match Rating: C (A good match, but nothing stellar. I do like Sandman, though, and Carlito. I wouldn't mind seeing a Regal-Sandman feud when this Carlito feud ends. The two put on a really good match last week, and I would like to see more of the brawler vs brawler stuff. Carlito needs something else to do besides sit in limbo with feuds that do nothing for him. I'd like to see him get in the IC picture sometime.)

After a commercial Mr. Kennedy's music hits. Kennedy comes out, and does the standard intro (I love this guy). After the second "Kennedy", Super Crazy's music hits, and he comes out for the match.

Mr. Kennedy vs Super Crazy

Super Crazy wastes no time in attacking Kennedy, but the ref breaks them up. A collar-elbow tie-up starts the match officially, with Kennedy powering Crazy into the corner. Crazy pushes him away and hits a spinning heel kick. Kennedy uses his power against Crazy to gain the upper hand, throwing Crazy to the ground. After getting Crazy in the corner, Kennedy beats him to the ground before driving his foot across Crazy's face. Kennedy covers, but only gets a two. Crazy tries to fight back, but Kennedy puts his knee into Crazy's mid-section. After gouging the eyes in the corner, Kennedy locks in an abdominal stretch. Super Crazy starts to fight out, and drives his elbow into Kennedy's thigh. Kennedy turns it into a roll up, but only gets a two count. Kennedy gets beats down Crazy some more, but gets caught with a knee by Crazy on an attempted splash. Crazy goes on the attack, hitting some nice moves before hitting a springboad moonsault. Crazy climbs the ropes and hits a moonsault, then climbs for a third moonsault, but Kennedy pushes him down. Crazy is crotched on the turnbuckle, as Kennedy climbs up and hits a massive reverse suplex from the top rope for the win.

Your Winner: Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy grabs the mic from the ceiling and announces himself as the winner. He then leaves the ring, with Crazy still down in the ring, very proud of himself.

Match Rating: B (Pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Kennedy did a great job, and Crazy never disappoints. I wonder if Kennedy will utilize the top rope reverse suplex from now on, or if it was just a one time deal. Regardless, the more I see him, the happier I am that he's finally on Raw.)

JR and King go over the matches on the card for the Great American Bash. It honestly looks like a pretty strong PPV, to be honest. Kinda wish I could see it. Oh well, that's what online live-coverage is for. We go to break with the promise of the Face-Off between John Cena and Lashley for when we come back.

After the break we get a quick video recap of Triple H hurting his leg, and subsequently, a hype for his return (this one has a Six Million Dollar Man twist to it). I really can't wait for his return.

Back in the ring, Coach's music hits, and he comes out to mediate the Face to Face with Cena and Lashley. Coach introduces Lashley, who gets a sizable pop. Lashley comes out and plays the crowd a little bit before taking his place in the ring. Coach then introduces Cena (a 10 month reign? Jeez it seems like so much longer, but I'm not complaining). Cena gets a usual mixed reaction, but it's a big reaction regardless. Cena makes his way to the ring and takes his place in the ring. Coach says that both men will be asked a series of questions, with the answers directed at their opponents. Coach refreshes Cena's memory of Lashley spearing him a few weeks ago. Coach says that Cena has never faced anyone like Lashley before, and asks if he feels that his championship reign will end on Sunday. Cena says it a great question very sarcastically. Cena says yes, faking crying. He says that Lashley speared him and it hurt. It hurt him, and he realized there was no way he could win the match, and the worst thing is, he never learned to read (ala "Wayne's World"). He says that was the worst question in history, he is awarded no points and may someone have mercy on his soul (ala "Billy Madison"). Cena says that at the Great American Bash Lashley will get Cena's best. Coach asks what message Lashley was trying to send. Lashley says that he's had to fight his way to where he is, but he's never talked about it. He says he's not going to answer any questions, but he can let the "hype man" do it, and he motions to Cena. He says that Cena can do it, and that when he's done, Lashley will be ready to fight. Coach says that this is his face off. Lashley says he's going to do something he should have done a long time ago. He starts walking toward Coach, who says that if Lashley touches him, he'll lose his title shot. Cena says that Lashley's aggression will be his downfall, and that he always wants to fight, no matter who it's with. He says that if Lashley keeps it up, he'll leave the ring on Sunday just like tonight, without a title. Lashley moves towards the ring, but some officials come and escort him to the back. Cena says that Lashley is a former All-American, former US Champion, and former ECW Champion. He says that some people have said that Lashley is invincible. Cena says that on Sunday, he'll put that to the test, because the Champ is here. Lashley comes out from the back, and the two come face to face just outside the ring. The officials try to hold them apart, but they come to blows. Raw goes off the air with the officials trying to restrain Lashley as Cena tells him that he'll get his best on Sunday.

Quick Results:
Jeff Hardy def. Santino Marella, Shelton Benjamin, and William Regal for a shot at the Intercontinental Title
Snitsky def. Val Venis via pinfall
Randy Orton def. Cody Rhodes via pinfall
Melina def. Mickie James via pinfall
Sandman def. Carlito via Disqualification
Mr. Kennedy def. Super Crazy via pinfall

Overall Rating: B (A pretty good Raw. The matches sometimes left a little to be desired, and held it back from being a stellar Raw. The segments made it tonight. Some of the things going on are getting a little old, such as the Carlito-Sandman feud. Both those guys would be better used in other feuds. There are some angles that could really get going in the future, such as Cody-Orton. I'm still not sure about which way they're going to take the Cena-Lashley match on Sunday. At this point, I could see it going either way, though my gut says Cena will still Champ in one week. Only time will tell.)


Well, that's it for another week. Tune in next week to see the results of the Great American Bash. Will Cena still be Champ? Will Dusty Rhodes beat some respect into Randy Orton, or join RVD and HBK on Orton's list of victims? Find out next week. Again, if you have any questions, concerns, or general comments, you can email me at mande042@odu.edu. For this week, so long and goodnight.








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