Raw Report 10/8/2007
Submitted by Donny Anderson on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 11:12 PM EST
Raw Report 10/8/2007
After showing No Mercy last night, how will Randy Orton's reign as Champ be during Raw? Perhaps as tumultuous as his first night? Will we finally find out about the cryptic messages? We'll find out as the USA Network presents WWE Raw, Live from Grand Rapids, Michigan!
We start of with "No Chance" as VKM makes his way to the ring and grabs a mic. He says that his word is his bond and he proved it last night at No Mercy. Vince shows us a recap of No Mercy, with the WWE Championship on the line three times, eventually ending up in the hands of the Legend Killer. Back in the ring, Vince says that history will be made once again tonight, if for no other reason than that every WWE superstar will come out at the same time to shake the hand of Randy Orton. VKM says that Randy's first title defense will be at Cyber Sunday. Vince is interrupted by the music of HHH. Vince tells HHH to calm down, as the Game stalks Vince around the ring. HHH tells Vince to shut up, and says that nobody cares about Cyber Sunday. They care about tonight, so he's invoking his rematch clause. Vince tells HHH to be careful what he wishes for, but tonight, Triple H gets his rematch. Vince stops, and says, while that's true, it's a handicap match, with Triple H against Randy Orton and his tag-team partner, Umaga.
-commercial break-
Beth Phoenix's music hits, and the new Women's champ comes out for the 6-man tag Diva's match of the night!
Beth Phoenix, Melina, and Jillian v. Candace Michelle, Mickie James, and Maria
Candace, Mickie, and Maria all show up wearing matching pink outfits. How Cute... Melina starts things off by assaulting Maria, but Maria counters and tags in Mickie, who hits a baseball slide dropkick. Mickie finds herself tangled up in the ropes, so MElina gets the upper hand and begins delivering vicious kicks to the side. Melina tags in Beth, and Beth delivers a modified knee drop, tagging in Jillian, who makes a quick tag to melina, and they doubleteam mickie. Melina with a 2 count, and works Mickie with a leglock, only to get kicked away. Mickie misses an enziguiri, and Jillian comes in, but Mickie fights both off and gets the hot tag to Candace. Candace with clotheslines, clearing the ring. Northern lights suplex gets a two count, when Beth Phoenix interferes. Maria and Mickie james throw Beth out of the ring, but Beth grabs Mickie on the way out and powerbombs her on the outside. Jillian in the ring has Candace in the corner, but Candace gets on Jillian's shoulders and hits a victory roll for the win!
Your Winners: Candace, Mickie, and Maria
Match Rating: B (Solid B; this was a good match by 6 chicks who have really come a long way. The Diva division is stronger now than it has been in some time, and with a heel champ in Beth Phoenix, the storylines can only get better. They're getting more in-ring time, so their skills are really starting to gel. This was a good opening match for Raw, and much better than the pre-main event Diva Filler that we usually get.)
-commercial break-
Coach is in the back with Regal. Coach says a lesser man wouldn't be here, but he doesn't feel sorry for what happened to John Cena. Coach is now walking with a cane. Coach asks about the photos, and the camera shows photos of Elton John, Queen Elizabeth, and George Michael. Coach says all three are Queens, much to Regal's chagrin. VKM shows up and asks Regal if he's taking care of Hornswoggle. Regal says Hornswoggle is napping, but is a little darling. Vince says that Hornswoggle is Regal's responsibility now. Regal tells Coach to check on Hornswoggle. When Coach opens the door, he says Hornswoggle isn't there. Regal blames Coach for losing him, and sends Coach to go find him.
-commercial break-
Santino Marella's music hits, and the Irritating Italian comes down to the ring for our next contest. They show a recap of last week's assault by Marella on Val Venis.
Santino Marella v. Val Venis
Val Venis is looking heavier these days. Santino immediately gets out of the ring and grabs the mic from Lilian Garcia. He introduces Lilian and says her band will be playing tonight. Marella says he can't fight Venis tonight, he's got a previous engagement. He says that William Regal has a formidable substitute opponent, and Snitsky's music hits.
**Snitsky Squash Alert**
The bell rings, and Snitsky goes right after Val's knee. Snitsky throws Val into the corner and continues working that bad knee with stomps and kicks. Huge slam by Snitsky, followed by an elbow drop. Val starts to get some offense in, but kicks Snitsky with his bad leg, which causes him to pause and tend to it. Val catches a big boot, and after a double underhook vice, Snitsky puts the pumphandle slam on Venis for the win.
Your Winner: Snitsky
Match Rating: C+ (Not a bad squash, and this was the way of re-introducing Snitsky to RAW after what may have been a suspension. Val looked out of shape compared to his former self, but still sold the moves well. Ring psychology in a squash is rare, but the "hurt knee" angle did it's job.)
-commercial break-
After the mystery commercial, JR introduces John Cena via satellite.
Cena says it will be 7-12 months before he comes back, and that it was painful, but he's not thinking about it: just getting back in the ring. After being asked about Orton's comments last night, Cena says it's better to fight and lose than to not fight at all. Orton should not worry about Cena, but about HHH, and every WWE Superstar. JR thanks Cena, and the interview wraps up.
Orton's music hits, and the Champ comes out for the handicap match that Vince announced earlier.
-commercial break-
After the break, Orton still stands in the ring, waiting for Umaga to join him. He doesn't have to wait long, as Umaga's music soon hits, and the Samoan Bulldozer stomps his way to the ring. All that's left now if for Triple H to emerge from the back, which he does to the usual deafening pop.
Orton and Umaga v. Triple H
HHH attacks Umaga, but Orton jumps in and both men are attacking the Game. Orton goes for the RKO early but HHH pushes Orton into Umaga, sending the Bulldozer outside of the ring. HHH with a DDT on Orton, and a 2 count, but Umaga pulls HHH out and throws him into the guard rail. Umaga pounds away on HHH and throws him back in the ring. Both men assault Triple H; Orton then mounts HHH and sends punches to the Games head. HHH is busted open. Headbutt splash by Umaga. Two on one, as Umaga throws Triple H into a dropkick by Orton. Orton now holds HHH while Umaga hits him with punches. Samoan drop by Umaga, and Orton directs Umaga to the top rope. HHH kicks Orton into Umaga, who crashes from the top rope. HHH with a facebuster on Orton, but as he sets up for the pedigree, Umaga interferes. HHH sends umaga to the outside, and gets ready for the pedigree on Orton, but Umaga runs back in with a chair and gets DQ'd when he hits the Game.
The Game is out, as both men assault him, ending with Orton hitting an RKO, and Umaga setting Triple H up for a butt-smash as Orton leaves. HHH gets hit with 2 butt-smashes, and Umaga goes to the top rope and hits a big splash. A Samoan spike puts an exclamation point on it, and the crowd is hating every minute of this. Refs come and try to carry him away, but HHH pushes them away, and the King of Kings tries to walk back on his own. He falls on the ramp, and Raw goes to a commercial with Triple H being assisted by the refs.
Match Rating: B+ (This was basically a squash, but it was still a lot of fun. The crowd was hot, and after Triple H being put over massively last night, this definitely turns everything back to the advantage of the heels. The match wasn't as great as the dramatic aftermath, and this fued, for being thrown together at the last minute, suddenly has good legs on it. Say what you want about Triple H, he's definitely not boring me at the moment.)
-commercial break-
After the commercial break, Triple H is still being helped away. JR, in super-somber mode, speculates on internal injuries. We get it, JR. VKM comes up to the refs and asks HHH if he's hurt; he didn't see the match. Vince tells HHH he better still come out and shake Orton's hand tonight, and he'll be the first to do it, even if it's on a stretcher.
London and Kendrick v. Highlanders
Rory starts out against London, pounding him with firsts, but London strikes back, attacking both Highlanders and hitting a kick that sends Rory out of the ring. Kendrick and London go over the ropes and hit both Highlanders. Rory strikes London back in the ring now, and Robbie gets tagged in and has the advantage. Rory is tagged back in, and holds London in a reverse chinlock. London powers out and hits an armdrag, and Rory tags Robbie, followed by a hot tag from London to Kendrick. Kendrick with a series of flying moves, and Kendrick gets a two count. Rory gets thrown from the ring when he tries to interfere, and London hits a moonsault on the outside. In the ring, Robbie catched Kendrick in the corner, and gets his feet on the ropes. The ref doesn't see it, so the Highlanders get a cheap victory.
Your Winners: The Highlanders
Match Rating: C+ (Pretty standard fare, with some good back and forth action. The victory was a surprise, to be honest, and the heel Highlanders now have a little bit of credibility. Not bad, but not great. "Ho-Hum" is a good description. Where were Cade and Murdoch?)
Coach is walking in the back, and asks a guy if he's seen a Leprechaun. The guy asks what Coach has been smoking. Coach then asks Cody, and Cody, after describing Hornswoggle, says he hasn't seen him. Regal comes up and tells Coach to try harder in the search for Hornswoggle.
-commercial break-
We come back to Lilian's band playing the song. It's time for a smoke break, everybody. Doesn't "Queiro Vivir" mean "I want to live"? If so, one of you photoshop guys get on making a fake cover of her huddling in a corner with OJ or Jason Voorhees standing over her with a knife. That would be classic.
Wait, Santino comes out again. He interrupts them at the end, and says he has a song of his own. He starts singing about how much he hates the Condemned. Where IS Steve Austin when ya need him?
-commercial break-
After the commercial Kennedy's music hits, and he makes his way to the ring and grabs the mic from the ceiling. He says that actions speak louder than words, and that he'll prove he is the future of sports entertainment...MISTERRRRRRRRRR KENNEDYYYYYYYYYY!!! KENNEDY! Jeff Hardy's music hits to the usual great pop, and the Intercontinental Champion comes out to face Kennedy.
Jeff Hardy v. Mr. Kennedy
A "Hardy" chant starts, as the two men tie up with Kennedy locking in a side headlock. Hardy turns it into a waistlock, but Kennedy soon gets Hardy away and hits a shoulder block. Hardy responds in kind, and hits a nice inverted atomic drop. Hardy with the cover, but Kennedy kicks out, and soon hits a northern-lights suplex and covesr, but Hardy kicks out. Hardy dives at Kennedy, and both men go out of the ring. Kennedy seems to be less affected than Hardy, and takes advantage by slamming Hardy's face into the ring, and then rolling Hardy back into the ring. Hardy quickly regains his composure, and lauches himself over the top rope, only to have Kennedy side-step the attack. Hardy lays on the ground, and Kennedy looks to capitalize as we go to a commercial break.
-commercial break-
We come back to see Kennedy make a cover for a two count. After Hardy kicks out, Kennedy locks in a nice single-legged Boston Crab, but Hardy manages to kick him away. A "Let's go Hardy, Let's go Kennedy" chant breaks out. Hardy manages to gain some momentum with a clothesline, but Kennedy gains control once again with a dropkick to Hardy as Hardy is on the top rope. Kennedy locks in the single-legged Boston Crab again, but Hardy makes it to the ropes. Kennedy now uses the ropes to add leverage as he stomps on Hardy's leg. Hardy manages to kick Kennedy to the outside, and after a quick struggle, Kennedy gets back in the ring and hits Hardy from behind with a sick looking chop block. Kennedy can't stay in control for long, as Hardy starts hitting a wrap around clothesline, but Kennedy manages to get Hardy down and then tries a backslide pin, using the ropes as leverage, but Hardy kicks out. Hardy hits a russian leg sweep, and goes for the Twist of Fate. Kennedy reverses the move, and tries for a standing Green Bay Plunge, but Hardy reverses it into a facebuster. Hardy goes up top, but misses the Swanton. Kennedy goes for the pin, but is turned over by Hardy for the 1...2...3!!!
Your Winner: Jeff Hardy
Kennedy looks very upset to say the least, and Hardy celebrates his win. The real winners in this case, though, were the fans.
Match Rating: A+ (Holy... Best match that I've had the pleasure of viewing since I began writing this here Raw Report. This match had everything: the big main event feel, the great ring psychology, and a perfect ending. This is why I love wrestling. The commercial break was bothersome, but it took NOTHING away from it. This match was awesome. Match of the Year candidate, right here tonight.)
Vince and Regal are in the back and Vince says he wants no exceptions as to everyone being out there to greet Orton. Vince says he even wants Hornswoggle present, and asks about his whereabouts. Regal covers and says that Hornswoggle is napping. Coach then comes in and says he can't find "him". Vince gets irrate, suspecting they are talking about Hornswoggle, only to see Hornswoggle climb out of a trunk in the corner. He was asleep the whole time. As Vince and Regal leave, Hornswoggle starts attacking Coach, and then laughs as Coach runs for cover.
-commercial break-
Vince is in the ring, and with the Raw roster on the stage. Orton is called, and the champ walks down in a suit, ready to receive his props for becoming the Champ. Vince is the first to congratulate him, as he stands on an elevated platform in the ring. Orton takes the mic and says that there is one truth: nobody deserves to be Champion as much as him. He is the perfect combination of size, speed, and skill. He says he sees alot of jealous faces, because they realize that the one man dynasty has only just begun. He demands that they come to the ring and say "Good luck, Champ" to him.
Vince says to get the show on the road. He asks where Triple H is, because the Game is nowhere to be seen. Vince says that if Triple H isn't out there, then Randy is going to go to the back and drag him out there. Randy walks....OH $&%@, HBK'S MUSIC HITS!
SHAWN MICHAELS IS BACK. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!
THE SHOWSTOPPER IS BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
SHAWN SPEARS ORTON! MICHAELS HAMMERS ORTON, AND BOOM, SWEET CHIN MUSIC!
Shawn celebrates as Raw comes to a close...
Final Grade: A (Apologies for the markout moment, but this was AWESOME. The final hour of this Raw was the strongest that I remember for a loooong time. The night after pay-per-views are always decent shows, but this blew the lid off for me, especially the surprise ending. No, it's not Y2J... not yet, at least... but HBK returning was incredible. There is simply noone like the Heartbreak Kid. Combine this with a better than average Divas match, some great comedy with Regal, and a MOTY candidate in Kennedy/Hardy, and there you have it, an A rated show.
Questions, Comments, and anything else can be sent to DonnyAnderson@gmail.com. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you all next week. It's truly great to be back!
- Jeff Hardy Skips Court Appearance & WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Rumored Names (think FACEPAINT)
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