Raw Report 11/12/2007
Submitted by Donny Anderson on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 11:10 PM EST





Raw Report 11/12/2007


With Survivor Series less than a week away, how will the November classic shape up? Tonight we should find out as the USA Network presents RAW, live from Topeka, Kansas!

We begin with the music of the Animal, Batista making a surprise appearance here tonight! The crowd goes crazy, the pyro heats the place up, and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring.

Batista grabs the mic and says it's good to be back on Raw, although he's grown quite fond of Smackdown. He says he was invited by William Regal to take on some Raw competition. Although he appreciates the invitation, Regal made a mistake - Batista is gearing up for Survivor Series, for Hell in a Cell, and for the Undertaker. He'll be locked in a cell with a man who wants to kill him, but there are no rules - and weapons are not only welcome, but allowed. So, before his victim comes out, Batista has a message for the Undertaker...

DONG! The bells ring and the Undertaker arrives on Raw! Taker makes his way to the ring and takes his coat off, ready to fight. The men square off, but Regal's music hits. Regal says he invited both of them for competition, but it's not against each other. Tonight, they'll be partners against the finest tag team on Raw. Cade and Murdoch's theme hits, and the World tag-team champs come down to do battle with the Animal and the Dead Man.

Batista and Undertaker vs. Cade and Murdoch

Taker starts by attacking Cade, delivering shoulderblocks, and Old School! As he sizes Cade up for a chokeslam, Batista tags himself in. He puts Cade in the turnbuckle and hits him with his shoulder. Cade catches Batista with a big boot, and gets Murdoch in. Murdoch starts hammering away on Batista, flooring him with a clothesline. He tags Cade back in, and they do the atomic leg drop on Batista, resulting in a 2 count. Batista powers back to his feet, and delivers a spinebuster to the charging Cade. Taker tags himself back in, grabs Cade and delivers a chokeslam. Undertaker gets a 2, as Murdoch interferes. Batista spears Murdoch, as Undertaker measures up Cade and delivers a tombstone for the 1, 2, 3!

Your Winners: Batista and Undertaker

Batista grabs Murdoch and delivers the Batista-bomb. The Animal and the Dead Man stare each other down in the center of the ring.

Match Rating: B- (Great surprise seeing these guys on Raw, which boosts the grade. This was nearly a Squash match though, which is unfortunate for the Tag Team Champs. Why are they fodder for super-teams? First DX, now this. Hmm. Interesting psychology with Batista and Taker delivering their finishers towards the end, but I would have liked to have seen someone else from Raw come down and defend their Raw brethren from the Smackdown invaders. Ah well, it was entertaining.)

-commercial break-

Beth Phoenix v. Maria

Beth stalks Maria, slamming her down. Maria gets Beth in the corner, and puts a boot in her face. Beth strikes back, throwing Maria down into the splits, then kicking her a few times. Maria comes back a stiff boot to the head, followed with a head scissors, but Beth reverses into a standing surfboard. Beth drops Maria once more, and picks her up and puts her in the fisherman's suplex for the win.

Your Winner: Beth Phoenix

Match Grade: B- (Surprisingly, not a squash! Maria put up a believable fight for what she is capable of. That kick to Beth's head landed with a thud, which was awesome. It wasn't a classic by any means, but it was a good way of keeping Beth on track, while not completely burying Maria. This is how squash matches should be.)


Santino comes down as Beth leaves, and grabs the mic. He says Maria will be ok, but last week he was attacked by Stone Cold Steve Austin. Santino says it wasn't funny, and Stone Cold can't take criticism for his poor acting. Steve Austin owes Santino an apology, and demands he comes out. Stone Cold isn't there, so Santino turns to JR. Santino said last week he got so mad when he saw JR's stupid crooked smile, and he demands an apology. King stands up instead of JR and takes his headset off. Santino invites Lawler into the ring. The King looks at the crowd, and heads towards the ring. Santino promises to give Lawler the first punch. Lawler climbs into the ring and floors Santino with a thunderous right hand. Santino rolls out of the ring holding his jaw as the King celebrates in the ring and heads back to the commentating desk.

-commercial break-

Santino is walking in the back. Grisham asks Santino about what happened before the break. Santino says he shouldn't have given King the first punch, but he's tough. He challenges King to a match tonight. Back at ringside, Lawler accepts!

We now get a recap of the HBK/Orton feud, called "Five weeks of Sweet Chin Music."

Afterwards, we get Matt Hardy's music, and Matt comes do the ring for a six-man tag contest, followed by Rey Mysterio's music, and finally Jeff Hardy's music.

-commercial break-

The Hardy Boyz and Rey Mysterio vs. MVP, Finlay, and Kennedy

Finlay starts off against Matt Hardy, as the two lock up with Matt getting the advantage early. Finlay then gets a headlock, and hits Matt with a clothesline. Finlay tags in Kennedy who gets some offense in, and tags in MVP. Matt and MVP stare off... but MVP tags in Kennedy. Matt and Kennedy exchange blows for awhile, until Kennedy buries Matt with a knee. Kennedy sends Matt into the ropes only to get caught with a crossbody by Matt. Finlay comes in but gets sent over the ropes and to the outside by Matt. Kennedy grabs Matt from behind and throws him out of the ring to join Finlay as we go to break.

-commercial break-

We come back to Kennedy with Matt in a sleeper. Matt gets to his feet, but Kennedy tries to do the green bay plunge, but Matt kicks out and hits a modified side-effect. Kennedy crawls and tags Finlay, as Matt gets to his corner. Matt lands the hot tag to Rey, who begins going after Finlay with dropkicks. Rey misses a springboard crossbody, and Finlay capitalizes with a few nasty boots, tagging in MVP. MVP works on Rey's ribs with a few kicks and locks in a seated abdominal stretch. MVP tags in Finlay who gets a 2 count, and delivers a backbreaker. Finlay cheapshots Jeff Hardy, who runs into the ring and chases Finlay away. Finlay tags in Kennedy who delivers a double backbreaker, and begins stretching out Rey over his knee. Rey begins punching and kicking his way out of it, forcing Kennedy to break the hold. Rey tries to get a tag, but Kennedy drags him away and tags in MVP. MVP goes to work on the ribs once more. MVP sends Rey into the ropes, but Rey reverses and hits a DDT on MVP. Rey gets the tag onto jeff, who lays out MVp, clears the corner, hits a whisper in the wind, and gets a 2 count when Kennedy comes in. Jeff droptoeholds both Kennedy and MVP into the ropes, Rey hits a double 619, and Hardy hits the swanton on MVP for the win!

Your Winner: The Hardyz and Rey

Match Rating: A (This is EXACTLY what the WWE needed to get me psyched for Survivor Series. This was an exciting match with the faces finally overcoming the heels after being beatdown hard. Great work by six great competitors.)

We get another Mystery promo, it says 6 days, 23 hours - X+1=Y, J=9+1 - Break_the_Walls. So, there you have it folks. Y2J, next Monday on Raw. Way to drop the ball on the mystery, WWE.

-commercial break-

Vince is in the ring. He talks up the Survivor Series match between Randy Orton and HBK, and then introduces HBK. Shawn comes out to the usual crowd reaction. Vince then introduces Randy Orton, who gets resounding boos. Both men face each other in the ring, with Vince there to moderate. HBK says that he's aware of the stipulations for their match, and he's aware of who come up with them. Orton reiterates what the rules are, and HBK interupts and says that he knows the rules. Orton says that he is sick of being told that he intentionally disqualified at Cyber Sunday when he just defended himself. HBK says that the reason Orton got the Super Kick banned was because Orton has been feasting on it for the last five weeks, and at Survivor Series, it would have been number six. Orton says that HBK doesn't care about the belt near as much as revenge, and that without the super kick, HBK doesn't stand a chance. HBK says that for years people have said that "if HBK hits the kick, it's over", and says that he doesn't know if that a compliment or an insult. He asks if the last 20 years has been a fluke, or luck. He says that what if he won at Survivor Series with a wrestling move, or a submission hold (sharpshooter anyone?). He asks Orton how he would feel to be the only guy to lose to HBK when there wasn't even the option of the super kick. HBK then says that he doesn't need it, and all he needs is the memory of Orton trying to end his career, of his wife crying, and his kids being fearful for their father. Orton responds saying that HBK can tell his wife and kids to have the same feelings at Survivor Series. HBK is distracted by Vince, but turns to try a super kick on Orton, who cowers on the ground. HBK then turns to hit Vince with the kick, but is brought down from behind by Orton with a shot to the leg. HBK is down, and Orton proceeds to beat him senseless, and goes for the head punt. Vince stops him, saying that there will be a time for that on Sunday. HBK staggers to his feet to get planted with an RKO. Orton holds up the belt to a resounding boos and leaves as HBK lays in the ring, and we go to a break.

-commercial break-

Melina, Layla, and Jillian v. Mickie, Michelle, and Kelly

Michelle starts off against Melina, dragging her around the ring, and getting a tag to Kelly who hits a double axle-handle off the top. Melina counters a punch by dragging Kelly to the corner and tagging in Jillian. Jillian hits a backbreaker, and goes for a somersault splash, but Kelly puts up her knees. Kelly tags in Mickie, who hits a headscissor takedown on Jillian and clears out the corner. Mickie charges Jillian and hits a neckbreaker, but Layla interferes. All divas in the ring now. The Divas clear out leaving Mickie in the ring with Layla. Mickie kisses Layla and hits a sick crosskick that knocks Layla out. Mickie gets the pinfall.

Your Winners: Mickie, Michelle, and Kelly

Match Rating: B (Another Survivor Series hype match, and while not as good as the Hardys/Rey Match, this was a pretty decent affair. The Mickie kiss/kick was a surprise; perhaps it's a new finisher of hers. Enjoyable match.

Lawler stands up after the match, JR wishes him luck, and his match with Santino is up after the break!

-commercial break-

Jerry Lawler v. Santino Marella

Santino starts off on top, until Jerry hits a back bodydrop. Jerry punches Santino, dazing him, until Santino hits a kick that changes the momentum to Marella. Marella hits a few right hands of his own, then a snapmare into a sleeperhold. Jerry powers out, but Marella puts him in the corner, hitting another snapmare, but missing a kneedrop. Jerry back to his feet, hitting kicks to Marella's leg, and pounding away on the corner. Marella kicks away a corner splash, knocking the King down. Marella starts taunting King, who rolls up Santino and gets the win with an inside cradle.

Your Winner: Jerry Lawler

Match Rating: B- (It was okay for what it was. Santino is awful in the ring, but since Lawler is far past his prime, they worked well together and wisely kept it short. Nothing spectacular, but at least it moves Santino on to a new feud.)

-commercial break-

After the break we're taken to a pre-taped training session for Hornswoggle to prepare for his match against Great Khali. Khali's music hits, but Coach comes down in a wig, pretending to be Khali. Coach throws the wig down and says its ridiculous. Regal tells him to pick it up; he's not Coach today, he's the Great Khali. Runjit Singh (some white guy) starts talking in a bad, but hilarious, Indian accent. Regal says it's a training session, so Coach should just be a dummy. The bell rings, and Hornswoggle kicks Coach in the shins. Coach tells Hornswoggle to stop, but Hornswoggle bites his finger. Coach then gets pushed down by Regal, over a waiting Hornswoggle. Coach gets up and is furious, but Hornswoggle pantses him. Coach falls, Hornswoggle hits the Toad Splash, and gets the win. Hornswoggle grabs the wig and takes off up the ramp, as Coach has a disgusted look on his face. (We, the viewers, have a disgusted look on our faces too; especially after this tedious sketch).

Todd Grisham welcomes HHH in the back. Grisham asks for HHH's comments on Survivor Series. HHH says when it's all said and done, if there's only one man standing, it will be him. As far as Umaga, he'll be lucky to make it to Survivor Series, because tonight he brings his guys to the ring to face Umaga in a lumberjack match. HHH says the final chapter of Umaga/HHH happens tonight, and it will be written by the one true conqueror, the King of Kings.

-commercial break-

Triple H vs. Umaga

Lumberjacks:

Jeff Hardy
Matt Hardy
Kane
Rey Mysterio

MVP
Matt Stryker
Big Daddy V
Finlay
Kennedy

Triple H gets distracted by Umaga's lumberjacks, and Umaga takes advantage. HHH comes back with a few punches, only to get tosses outside of the ring. Stryker tries to attack, but the Game counters it and hits him. HHH gets back in the ring, and goes to work on Umaga, but they end up exchanging blows. Umaga charges, but HHH pulss the top rope down. Umaga's team helps him up, but HHH dives out of the ring into all of them. Triple H and Umaga get back in the ring after Umaga eats ring steps. Triple H goes for the Pedigree, but Umaga stands up sending HHH to the outside. The lumberjacks attack HHH, but his team comes to his rescue. The two teams of lumberjacks are squaring off as we go to break.

-commercial break-

Triple H and Umaga are in the ring trading blows, with HHH getting the upper hand after blocking an Umaga corner splash with a big boot. Umaga catches HHH and hits a sidewalk slam, followed by a banzai drop. Triple H is reeling as Umaga hits yet another banzai drop. Umaga starts pounding away, so the ref pulls him away. The lumberjacks take advantage, as Finlay pounds HHH's head. Back in the ring, Umaga pulls Triple H into the middle of the ring and hits a big splash, and then a kick to the back of the Game's head. Umaga continues his assault, but Triple H puts his knees up, blocking a Banzai drop. HHH tries to bodyslam Umaga, but Umaga just falls backwards on the Game for a 2 count. Umaga now with a nerve hold, but the crowd cheers as Hunter starts to power out of it. Umaga pounds HHH's back as the Game tries to power out, with headbutts, fists, and big kicks. Umaga with the nervehold again, but the Game is hulking up. Hunter gets hit with an uppercut, and he's down in the corner. Kennedy starts attacking HHH in the corner, while Umaga sets up for the wrecking ball. He misses! Umaga goes for a big splash. He misses again! HHH sends Umaga into the ring post. The Game hits a DDT and gets a 2 count. Facebuster by Triple H, but as he tries to follow it up with a pedigree, Umaga picks him up and hits the samoan drop. Umaga sets up for the Spike, but HHH dodges it and hits the spinebuster. At this point, Finlay interferes, causing Rey to interfere, causing Kennedy to interfere, causing the Hardyz to interfere, and suddenly the whole ring erupts into bedlam. Raw goes off the air with both teams brawling.

Your Winner: No Contest

Match Rating: C+ (Wow, what a let-down. This match was SLOW. I don't know if they're saving themselves for the pay-per-view, or what. Everything went in slow-motion, and it seemed like both competitors were mailing it in. The lumberjacks weren't really involved until the very end, which was a little predictable. Ahh well.)

Final Grade: B

A good, but not great, Raw. I'm marginally excited for Survivor Series, but mostly for the Hell in a Cell match. It was nice to see some Smackdown guys on Raw tonight instead of the usual filler. Two divas matches was a bit much, but overall the night seemed to move quickly. The only really bad part of it all was the Hornswoggle segment that slowed the whole show to a grinding halt. The main event was disappointing, however, the six man tag earlier in the night was by far and away a treat, and the match of the night. Apparently, Jericho comes back next week, so I can't to see that.



As always, comments and questions can be sent to DonnyAnderson@gmail.com! Thanks, and see you all next week!








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