Raw Report 11/26/2007
Submitted by Donny Anderson on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 11:12 PM EST





Raw Report 11/26/2007

We begin with a recap of last week's return of Chris Jericho. After that, the credits roll, and Raw begins LIVE from Charlotte, NC, only on the USA Network!

Triple H's music hits, and the Game comes down to the ring ready for action. JR tells us that the Main Event is going to kick off the show tonight!

HHH and Jeff Hardy v. Snitsky and Umaga

Hardy starts off against Snitsky, and is quickly overpowered by the monster. He tags in HHH, who locks up with Snitsky, and cheap shots HHH with a shoulderblock in the corner while the ref asked him to break the hold. HHH gets the upper hand, tags in Hardy, and Hardy takes the advantage, only to get knocked down quickly by Snitsky. Hardy hits a baseball slide on Snitsky out of the ring, pulls the top rope down so a charging Umaga goes over the top, and hits a plancha over the top rope on both men. HHH then dives off of the apron on to all three men, and Raw heads to commercial with the good guys on top...

-commercial break-

Hardy has the advantage when we come back, but he runs right into a sidewalk slam. Umaga tags in Snitsky, who picks up Jeff and delivers a big suplex and gets a 2 count. Snitsky with a double underhook front-facelock, but Hardy powers out, only to come off the ropes and catch an elbow from the big Ugly. Umaga is tagged in, and he goes to work on Hardy, delivering big kicks to Jeff's chest, followed by a spinning heel kick which gets a 2 count. Umaga tags in Snitsky, who goes for a pumphandle slam, but Hardy gets out of it and delivers a dropkick to Snitsky's back. Jeff hits a mulekick and tags in HHH while Snitsky tags in Umaga. HHH takes it to Umaga with a big clothesline, but only gets a one count. Triple H hits a facebuster, followed by a spinebuster. He goes for the pedigree, but Snitsky interferes. Snitsky nearly gets pedigreed, but Umaga hits him. Snitsky and HHH brawl to the outside while Jeff and Umaga fight in the ring. Umaga puts Jeff in a corner, but misses a wrecking ball when HHH pulls him away. Jeff hits the Whispers in the wind, HHH hits the pedigree, and Jeff hits the Swanton for the win!

Your Winners: HHH and Jeff Hardy

Match Rating: A- (Whoa, what a way to kick off Raw! For a 20 minute match, this thing flew by. Good pace, good psychology, and great ending with Jeff picking up the win.)

William Regal comes out post-match and congratulations both men. He says at Armageddon, he'd like to see both men in action. Jeff will have the fight of his life, but will not put his IC title on the line, against none other than Triple H. The partners stare down.

In the back, a limo pulls up, and out steps the Nature Boy!

-commercial break-

WHOO!

The music hits, and the Nature Boy comes out for what may be the final time.

Flair picks up the mic and says "Thank You." Flair says there has been alot of discussion as to why he chose his hometown of Charlotte to make this announcement. Flair says it's because they've been so good to him, as has every city he's competed in all over the world. There's a reason he hasn't been on Raw for 6 months, and thats because his wrestling career can't go on forever. So, he's spent time pondering his future. He knows that sooner or later, he'll have to retire. He compares himself to Cal Ripken, Jr, and Brett Favre. Tonight, in front of the world, Ric Flair announces that he will NEVER retire! He will only retire when he's dead in the ring. He's got too much juice left, and he's still the Nature Boy! He loves the business, and he's going nowhere.

Vince's music hits, and the Chairman hits the ring. Vince says Flair had him going for a bit there. Vince is very happy because he's a good piece of property, and he hopes he goes on forever - so long as he keeps on winning. Vince says it's true: the first match Flair loses, his career is over. Whether it's via countout, submission, pinfall, or anything, the next time Flair loses, he must retire. Vince wishes him luck, and tells him he hopes he doesn't die anytime soon.

Orton's music hits, and the Champ comes out, walking towards the ring. Orton says he came out here to thank Flair for all of the advice he gave him early in his career. Orton wants to thank Flair in advance, for the pleasure of ending his career tonight. VKM says Randy Orton versus Ric Flair, tonight.

-commercial break-

Hardcore Holly, Cody Rhodes, Jim Duggan and Super Crazy v. Cade, Murdoch, and the Highlanders.

Super Crazy starts off against Rory, and gets the upper hand early. SC tags in Duggan, who works on Rory's arm. Duggan tags in Rhodes, but Rory hits a headbutt and tags in Cade. Cade tosses Rhodes shoulder first into the turnbuckle and pounds away on young Cody. Murdoch in now, and he gives Rhodes a snapmare and an armlock. Cody powers out of it, puts Murdoch into the ring post, and tags in Holly. Murdoch gets the tag into Robbie, but Holly takes advantage with a series of clotheslines. A big dropkick by Holly gets a 2 count, and it is interrupted with all men hitting the ring. Holly and Robbie are left in the ring, with Holly hitting the Alabama Slam for the win!

Your Winners: Holly, Rhodes, Duggan, and Crazy

Match Rating: B (Pretty much an unexpected treat that wasn't given much time, but enough to be a cool twist in the card.)

-commercial break-

Grisham is in the back with Jeff Hardy. He asks about HHH, and Jeff says it's an honor to face the Game. He hopes Armageddon doesn't get in the way of their... Triple H says "our what, friendship? I'm not real good with the whole Friendship thing." HHH says he's an 11-time world Champ not because he's made friends, but because he's the best. At Armageddon, Hardy isn't stepping in the ring with a buddy, he's stepping in the ring with the Game.

After that, JR gives us a recap of the Kennedy/ Shawn clash last week. Kennedy is now in the back, and he's pimping Shawn's new DVD. Kennedy gives us his take on things. Not only does Shawn lose matches on the dvd, he also loses his "smile." Kennedy looks disgusted, and says there is some triumph - we get to see Michaels whining, complaining, politicing his way into Main Event status even though there are hungrier individuals out there who have surpassed him. After a career of highs and lows, Kennedy says nothing will compare to the low that HBK will feel when he steps in the ring with him.

-commercial break-

Ric Flair is in the back with Arn Anderson and Barry Windham talking. It's almost a Horsemen reunion.

The countdown starts, and Y2J's music hits. The returning Jericho comes out to a massive pop. He hits the ring and grabs a mic. He says that the 2nd coming of Y2J is here, and there's only one way to rock, and Jericho rocks. He says there's only one reason he came back, and that is to save us from Randy Orton, and become the new WWE champion. He says everyone knows Y2J wants a title match, except Orton. He says that he's been waiting for an answer, but Randy hasn't given it yet. He says that at first he though Orton was a coward, but now realizes that Orton is just too stupid to understand. He puts it in terms even Orton can understand "Me Want Title Match", using the help of visual aides. He says that he'll wait all night for an answer, and says that everyone wants to know if Orton will give him a title match. Santino Marella's music hits, and Marella comes out to address "KYJ". Marella says that things have changed. He says that Jericho can't come in here with his Lindsay Lohan haircut and demand a title match. Jericho asks who Santino is. He says that he knows Lillian, Stu the cameraman, and the time keeper. After a hilarious exchange between the two with Santino trying to tell Jericho who he is, Santino says that he could beat up Y2J himself. Jericho is ready, and calls for a ref. Santino says that he'll fight tonight, but first he needs to warm up. Before he leaves, Santino says he wants to give something to remember him by, and turns to jump Jerry Lawler behind the announce booth. After beating down the King, Marella leaves says that it's what he'll do to Jericho, while Y2J stands in the ring. Jericho is gold on the mic

-commercial break-

Santino Marella v. Chris Jericho

They lock up, and Chris puts Santino in a headlock. Y2J floors Marella with a big punch, and then puts him in the corner, choking him with the boot. Suplex by Jericho, and Marella gets back to his feet, and both men rake each other's eyes. Jericho hits a back body drop, and hits a springboard dropkick that sends Marella outside. In the ring now, Marella kicks Marella around, but misses a dropkick. Marella takes control, pounding Y2J with fists and forearms. Marella gets a 1 count, lifts Jericho up and hits a belly to back suplex. Marella locks in a chokehold, but Y2J gets back to his feet hits a forearm, and then a big arm drag. Jericho then hits an atomic drop, and a bulldog. Jericho lines up Marella and hits the Codebreaker (a back-stabber to the front, hitting the face against the knees).

Your Winner: Chris Jericho

Match Rating: B+ (Not a total squash, and this match was heavy in the "mark-out" factor. The new finisher is pretty awesome, and Jericho looks to be in great shape. The duelling microphones prior to the match were a classic Raw moment as well. Here's to hoping they wait on the Title Shot, as the build-up will be very, very exciting.)

Jericho calls in Jerry Lawler to come and finish off Marella. King gets in the ring while Jericho hops on the announcing table. Lawler hits Marella with a series of punches and 2 knee lifts, before climbing the ropes and hitting a fist drop off the second rope.

Jericho calls his finisher "The Codebreaker."

In the back, Shawn walks up to Ric Flair and gives him a hug. HBK says he's here just to see Flair. Shawn says that he's not ready to imagine a wrestling world without Flair. Randy's on a roll, but Ric is the Nature Boy, and this is Charlotte, and he is the 16 time world champion... he is the one and only legend this industry will ever have, and he is still the wheelin dealin son of a gun. To be the man, you've got to beat the man, and tonight, HBK doesn't think Randy can do it. Ric Flair says for all that admiration and the bond they've had, he'll do all of that and more. If he loses, he'll go out in a blaze of glory. Shawn smiles, but as Ric walks away, Shawn frowns.

-commercial break-

Brian Kendrick v. Mr. Kennedy

The two men lock up, with Kennedy forcing Kendrick to the ground. Kennedy then smacks Kendrick, but gets hit with a dropkick. Kennedy hits an aggressive clothesline, then hits a slingshot against the bottom rope. Kennedy then hits a reverse STO for the win.

Your Winner: Mr. Kennedy

Match Rating: B- (Squash. Kennedy's firing on all cylinders heading into his match against Michaels)

Kennedy gets on the mic and says that this was a taste of what we'll see when he fights Shawn Michaels at Armageddon. Who will win that match? Mr. Kennnnnedy. KENNEDY.

We get a recap of Edge, Vickie Guerrero's heel turn, and everything going on in the world Smackdown!

-commercial break-

Vince is in the back talking to Hornswoggle about the luck of the Irish. VKM talks about Hornswoggle's wins over Carlito, and last friday on Smackdown when Finlay was attacked by Khali. Vince says since Finlay loves a fight, he'll put Finlay and Khali in a match at Armageddon. Vince sends Hornswoggle for an ice cream sandwich, and picks up a walkie talkie, saying "Mr. Rogers has left the neighborhood." Hornswoggle sees a door that says "Free Ice Cream Sandwiches." Carlito is standing in the room, and says it's time to teach Hornswoggle a lesson. Hornswoggle busts out a spray can and draws a door in the wall. He runs around Carlito and then, apparently, into the wall. Carlito looks on in amazement, tries it himself, but gets knocked silly. Ron Simmons walks in, and gives the "Damn!" WTF was THAT?

-commercial break-

Mickie James v. Melina

Beth Pheonix is in the ring, apparently to watch this match as the winner will face the Glamazon at Armegeddon.

They start with a tie up, with Melina twisting Mickie's arm, to which Mickie replies with a forearm to the face. Melina manages to knock Mickie down, and stomps away before a two count. Mickie reverses a hairpull and puts Melina into the corner. Mickie gets Melina to the top, and throws her clear across the ring. Mickie hits a Thesz press for a two count. Melina hits a rollup, but Mickie kicks out. Mickie hits a spinning headscissors, and hits a spike DDT for the win.

Your Winner: Mickie James

Match Rating: B (Good for what it was, and now we have the long awaited Mickie/Phoenix feud.)

Flair is walking in the back, on his way to his match, when he runs into the entire Raw roster who start to applaud. Triple H is there, and hugs the Nature Boy. He wishes Flair luck tonight, and the 16 time champion walks away to continuing applause from the roster.

-commercial break-

Randy Orton v. Ric Flair

Lilian tells us that this is a non-title match.

We start with Flair delivering his patented chops, and a big back body drop. Orton into the corner, and another big chop, followed by even more big chops, and a back elbow that sends the Champ to the ground. Orton puts Flair into the corner and rains a few punches down, sending Flair to the canvas. A European Uppercut by Orton sends Flair down, and Orton gets a 2 count. Flair into the ropes, and now Orton hits a big back bodydrop, but only manages a 1 count. Orton now picks up Flair, but Flair gets an inside cradle for a 2 count. Orton gets up quick and hits a clothesline, but Flair gets back to his feet and hits some more chops. Orton puts Flair back down and starts stomping away on the Nature Boy. The crowd is chanting "Nature Boy" as Flair rolls out of the way as Orton misses a knee drop. Flair puts Orton into the ropes, but Orton counters and hits a dropkick. Orton hits a standing dropkick that sends Flair down, and the Champ gets a 2 count. Orton now locks in a chinlock, and Flair is fading. Back to his feet, Flair fights out with some elbows and hits a few big chops before Orton sends Flair ot the outside. Orton jumps outside, and Flair chops him a few times before Orton hits a suplex on the outside. Orton slaps his hands together and gets back in the ring, as Flair struggles to get back in the ring. Flair gets in at the 8 count, but Orton meets him with an atomic leg drop, followed by a cover. Flair kicks out at 2, but Orton locks in a sleeper. Flair gets back to his feet and hits a back suplex. Orton gets back to his feet and goes for the RKo, but Flair pushes him away. Flair with a couple of chopblocks to Randy's legs, followed by a kneedrop. Flair snaps on the Figure Four, and Randy can't reach the ropes! The Crowd is going crazy as Flair torques it as much as he can. Finally, Orton grabs the ropes. Flair tries for the Figure Four again, but Orton kicks Flair away and hits the RKO. Both men are down, but Orton goes to Flair and covers him. Flair puts his hands on the ropes to get out of the pin. Orton mounts Flair and hammers Flair with some big fists. Orton locks in a front facelock, and puts Flair in a neckvice. Y2J runs down to the ring, and while the ref is looking away, Flair hits a low-blow, cradles Orton, pulls the tights, and gets the pin!

Your Winner: Ric Flair

Match Rating: A (Vintage Ric Flair, with a great ending that prolongs the career of the Nature Boy at least one more week. THAT was an awesome main event, and the crowd was way into it. Orton comes away looking strong, Jericho plays the savior, and Flair is still standing. What more can you ask for?)

Raw goes off the air as Orton and Jericho stare at each other, with the Nature Boy victorious.

Final Grade: A-

This was the best Raw in a long time...or at least sense last week. Great matches, Hilarious moments, and a real sense of drama with the Ric Flair storyline. The only parts that dragged were the Hornswoggle thing, and the Kennedy squash. Ah well, they didn't hurt the night at all, really. I've had people that haven't watched wrestling in 6 or 7 years tell me they've started watching again, and as long as this keeps up, I can't blame them. It's a good time to be a wrestling fan, and as the seeds are planted for Wrestlemania 24, it looks like some awesome things are on the horizon.

Comments, Questions, and Concerns can be sent to DonnyAnderson@gmail.com. Thanks, and I'll see you all next week!










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