Welcome everybody to my first RAW report. Hopefully, you guys enjoy it. If not, I'll get better over time. I will try to keep my opinions short but I think it adds to the report. Any thoughts or suggestions go ahead and send me some feedback at the e-mail below or PM me on the LOPForums.com

 

Monday Night Raw (07/07/08)
Live from New Orleans, Louisiana
 

The show opened with a video recap of CM Punk shocking the world and cashing in his money in the bank briefcase to defeat Edge and win the World Title. A recap is shown of JBL declaring marshal law on the WWE and then losing to Punk in his first title defense.

Stephanie McMahon comes on the screen to say that it is more vital then ever for the WWE to work together while Vince is out. She then begs all of the WWE staff to work as one.

The show starts off with Vickie Guerrero in the ring. She says that she is here to protest CM Punk becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. She says she will not leave the ring until CM Punk surrenders his title and apologizes to her. CM Punk comes out on cue. He’s bragging about being the champion. Vickie says that Punk is responsible for Edge’s world falling apart and for Edge calling off the wedding. Punk says that she did Vickie and Edge a favor by breaking up the wedding. Punk says what goes around, comes around. Punk tells Vickie to “chillax”. He tells Vickie not to worry that Smackdown has plenty of hot guys to manipulate into marrying her, like The Great Khali. Vickie then stands up and slaps Punk. Punk says that she just bought herself a one way ticket back to RAW. As Punk tries to wheel out Vickie JBL’s music interrupts them. JBL says that Punk just bought himself a ticket to the end of his championship reign. JBL then challenges Punk to a championship shot tonight. Punk tells Bradshaw that he had his shot and he blew it. Cena’s music hits and tells JBL to deal with it. Cena says in 2 weeks Great American Bash and Punk needs a challenger. Cena then challenges JBL to a match to decide who the number one contender is. Batista music then hits and he comes down to the ring. (To prolong this segment) After ripping on Vickie Guerrero, The 3 men agree to a triple threat match later tonight with the winner going to the Great American Bash to face CM Punk. Just as we are about to move on Kane comes out.
Kane makes it very simple and says “I want in to.” The 4 men agree to a Fetal Four Way with the winner facing CM Punk for the title at the Great American
Bash.

 

Match 1: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Santino Marella
Rey Mysterio makes his RAW in ring debut against Santino Marella. Before the match starts they show a recap of Santino making a fool out of himself last week. Santino pushes Rey to start the match. Rey fires back with an eye poke. Rey tries to whip Santino but Santino whips Rey into the ropes and Rey catches Santino with a corkscrew hurricarana. Santino whips Rey into the corner and Rey try’s to use the ropes to spring over Santino but Santino catches him and slams him face first down to the mat. Santino hits Rey with an elbow and goes for a cover but only gets a 2 count. Santino puts Rey into a cobra clutch. Santino keeps working on the back of Rey. Rey counters the cobra clutch by pushing Santino into the ropes. Rey goes for the 619 but is cut off by Santino who catches him with a clothesline. Santino covers Rey for a 2 count. Santino whips Rey to the ropes and goes for another clothesline but Rey slides under. Rey connects with some kicks and then knocks Santino down with a shoulder block. Mysterio jumps on Santino’s chest and gets a 1 count out of it. Rey then jumps off the top rope with a top rope plancha. Santino stumbles into the ropes and Rey connects with a 619. Rey then hits a top rope splash for the win.
Rey Mysterio gets the win after the 619 over Santino

2.5 Out of 5. Not a bad debut for Rey but the biggest surprise was the face that Santino got in some offense. It’s nice to see that they actually let Santino do a few moves. Who knew?

 

Commercial break…

 

Todd Grishim is backstage with CM Punk asking him who he would rather face. Before Punk can answer a light falls down and 2 stage hands pick it up. CM Punk says that he’s pulling for something tonight but before he can finish Snitsky interrupts him. He says he has been on RAW for a year and still hasn’t gotten a title shot. Punk challenges Snitsky to a match tonight.


Cena and Mickie are shown backstage shooting the shit. Kelly Kelly shows up and Cena asks if Kelly Kelly got out of her ECW contract and Kelly Kelly responds with “We have contracts?” Diva tag team match is next…


Commercial break…
 

Match 2: Jillian Hall and Layla vs Kelly Kelly and Mickie James
Back from break Jillian is in the ring singing. Thankfully for all of us Kelly Kelly interrupts her song. Kelly Kelly has officially been moved to RAW. Mickie and Jillian start it off. Jillian goes to work on Mickie’s arm but Mickie counters with a headstand and takes Jillian down with a headlock. Jillian gets Mickie in a scissor lock but Mickie jumps up to her feet. Jillian kicks Mickie in the stomach and whips her to the ropes. Mickie kicks out Jillian’s knees and then connects with a dropkick to the face. Mickie knocks Layla off the canvas. Jillian goes for a back body drop but Mickie counters with a spin kick to the stomach. Mickie tags in Kelly Kelly and she jumps over Jillian turning it into a pinning combination. Jillian kicks out at 2 and whips Kelly Kelly to the ropes. Kelly Kelly connects with a spinning head scissors. Kelly Kelly hits a hurricarana and goes for a pin on Jillian. Jillian kicks out at 2 and throws Kelly Kelly out of the ring but Kelly Kelly holds on but Layla blind slides her and knocks her to the ground. Layla whips Kelly Kelly back in and Jillian throws Kelly Kelly around the ring by her hair. Jillian goes for a pin but Kelly kicks out at 2. Jillian starts to snap and stretches Kelly Kelly’s back out. Kelly reverse it by throwing Jillian down but Jillian jumps right back on the attack. Jillian whips Kelly into the turnbuckle. Jillian then runs at Kelly but Kelly counts by getting on Jillian’s head. She then hits a roll up and gets the 3 count!
Kelly Kelly and Mickie James win after Kelly Kelly pins Jillian with a rollup

2 out of 5. Not a bad Diva match. Accomplished what they were trying to do which was show off Kelly Kelly to the RAW audience. I would say Kelly Kelly has improved a lot since she first showed up in ECW. Layla didn’t come in at all. Disappointing.


JBL’s music hits and the Fatal Four Way is next.
 


Match 3: JBL vs Batista vs Kane vs John Cena for a shot at CM Punk at the GAB
Back from commercial and the limo showed up before the break but it didn’t have Bradshaw in it. He walked around the limo looking confused. He can’t open the limo as it’s locked. Cena then gets out of the limo with a microphone and a crowbar. Cena says he brought JBL’s limo back out for his own protection.
JBL says that the limo wouldn’t pass inspection at the Louisiana department of motor vehicles. He says not to worry though as he knows two guys who can help. Cryme time then come out with bats. Cryme Time chases Bradshaw up the ramp. Cena and Cryme Time then slowly destroy JBL’s limo. Breaking out the windows, the mirrors, and the windshield. Cryme Time and Cena then spray paint sayings all over JBL’s limo.
Fatal Four way isn’t till later.

 

Commercial break…

 

Match 3: CM Punk vs Snitsky
Both men lock up and Snitsky throws Punk into the corner. Snitsky comes charging at Punk but Punk counters with an elbow. Punk the follows it up with a few kicks and then he tries to whip Snitsky into the ropes but Snitsky throws Punk into the corner. Punk catches a running Snitsky again this time with a boot to the fact. Punk goes for a dive off the top rope but Snitsky catches him and slams him back into the turnbuckle. Snitsky then starts putting the boots to Punk in the corner. Punk fights back with a few punches but Snitsky connects with a knee that takes Punk down. Snitsky follows it up with a body slam and two elbow drops. Snitsky covers Punk for a 2 count. Snitsky then puts Punk in a bear hug. Punk fights his way out and runs into the ropes but Snitsky catches him with an elbow. Snitsky goes for a legdrop but misses. Punk then gets back to his feet and connects with some more kicks. Snitsky whips Punk to the ropes but Punk slides threw his legs and connects with an enzaguri to the back of Snitsky’s head. Punk then hits a spring board clothesline off the top rope on Snitsky. Punk the hits his trademark Knee to the face in the corner followed up by the Bulldog. Punk struggles to get Snitsky up but finally does. Punk connects with the Go 2 Sleep on Snitsky and Punk picks up the win.
CM Punk defeats Snitsky with the GTS

I’ll give this a 2 out of 5 and that’s being very generous. It wasn’t Punks fault though. He tried to do everything he could to carry this bout but Snitsky was just stinking it up big time. Snitsky did look like he got legitimately hit with the GTS since he didn’t know how to sell it. Nice win for
Punk to bad it couldn’t have been a better match.

 

HBK is walking to the ring backstage before we head to a commercial break…

 

Back from break and we are treated to a recap of the whole HBK/Jericho saga. HBK makes his way to the ring and grabs a mic. Michaels says he knows Jericho
challenged him to a match at the Great American Bash. HBK says he just has 2 words for him “I accept”. Jericho’s music the hits and Jericho along with Lance Cade make there way down to the ring. Jericho says he was counting on HBK accepting his challenge. He says he knew that his ego wouldn’t allow him to turn the match down. Jericho says he found that out when HBK got destroyed by Batista. Jericho says he knows that HBK is hurt but yet he still accepted his match at the Bash. Jericho says he knows he has to be a legend to the fans but at what sacrifice? For them? Jericho says if you end up in the hospital are they going to pay your mortgage? Are they going to pay for your kid’s college? NO! Jericho says if you want to be a martyr to the fans that’s fine but eventually you’ll be forgotten. HBK says that Jericho knows there is nobody more real then him. He says he could leave this business today and he would be remembered forever. Jericho says it’s not fair that Shawn always gets a pass. HBK says your right it’s not fair but he says lets look at you. He tells Jericho that he is the epitome of success. He has held every title there is to hold and sold out arenas all over the world. He says you’ve accomplished everything you wanted to accomplish in this business but in spite of all that Jericho has no peace. HBK says in light of everything that Jericho has done he will never be HBK…

Awesome promo. Shows why these 2 men are 2 of the best the WWE has to offer

 

Commercial break…

 

Match 4: Charlie Haas vs Kofi Kingston
The two lock up and Haas puts Kofi into a headlock. Kofi throws Haas into the rings and Haas hits Kingston with a hard shoulder block. Haas runs towards the ropes again and Kingston drops under Haas then goes over Haas with a leapfrog and then finally connects with an arm drag. Haas pops back up and connects with some punches. Haas starts choking Kingston on the middle rope before he has to break for the 5 count.  Haas kicks Kingston in the head a few times and then brings Kingston to his feet. Kingston connects with a few punches and whips Haas to the ropes but Kingston puts his head down and Haas connects with a forearm to the back of the neck. Haas then goes to work on the neck of Kofi Kingston. Haas connects with a vicious kick to the back of Kingston and then another vicious kick to the chest for good measure. Haas goes for a pin but only gets a 2 count. Haas grounds Kingston with a headlock but Kingston starts to fight out. Haas lets go of the hold and starts to connect with some more stiff punches and kicks. Haas goes for a punch and Kingston runs under him and leapfrogs to the 2nd turnbuckle and hits a cross body on Haas. Kingston with a clothesline and a dropkick to Haas. Kingston then hits his double leg drop move to the chest of Haas. Kingston connects with his spinning kick to the face and covers Haas for the 3 count.
Kofi Kingston defeats Haas with a spin kick to the face
Kingston is legitimately busted open. While Kingston is celebrating, Paul Burchill shows up from behind and hits the reverse neck breaker to Kingston and then gives Kingston the curb stomp.

Seems to be the theme of the night but another 2 out of 5. Nothing overall impressive here but mostly just another chance to let the fans get to know Kofi Kingston. I like the idea of a Burchell/Kingston feud. I think that could be a nice PPV match.


Batista is shown in the back getting ready for his match and a fan runs in front of the camera and impersonates Batista before running away from security.

Commercial break…

 

Match 5: Batista vs JBL vs Kane vs John Cena for a shot at the title against CM Punk at the Great American Bash
Cena is the last to hit the ring and JBL goes right after Cena. JBL hits Cena with a big boot and goes for a quick cover but Kane and Batista both break it up. Batista throws JBL out of the ring while Kane and Cena go at it in the corner. We go to a commercial break…back from break and all 4 men are in the ring. Kane has Cena in a choke hold and Batista is beating on JBL. Cena tries fighting out of the choke hold but Kane levels Cena with a big elbow. JBL hits Batista with a vicious clothesline in the corner and Kane connects with another elbow on Cena. JBL runs to the ropes and Batista connects with a spinebuster! Batista goes for a cover but Kane break its up. Kane grabs Batista and hits the chokeslam! Cena breaks up the pin at 2. Kane goes for a chokeslam on Cena but Cena counters and gets Kane up for a FU. Before Cena can connect with the FU, JBL kicks Cena’s head off. JBL and Kane exchange punches and both connect with a big boot at the same time. All 4 men are down in the ring. JBL and Cena are the first 2 men to there feet. JBL goes for the
clothesline from hell but Cena ducks and nails a clothesline of his own on JBL. Cena kicks Kane in the gut and hits a blockbuster on Kane. Cena then gets Batista up for a FU and connects! JBL barley breaks up the count. Another commercial break…Back from break and Cena connects with a backdrop on JBL. Cena goes for the five knuckle shuffle but Kane blindsides Cena out of nowhere with a clothesline. Batista attacks Kane with some punches. Batista whips Kane into the corner and hits a clothesline of his own. JBL tires to interrupt but gets a punch to the fact for his troubles. Batista hits another Clothesline on Kane. Batista then levels JBL with an elbow. Kane comes running at Batista but he counters with a drop toe hold. Kane tries to sit up but Batista connects with a running boot to Kane. Cena comes charging at Batista but Batista hits another spinebuster! Batista is starting to feel it now and starts to shakes the ropes. Batista turns around and JBL takes his head off with the Clothesline from Hell! Cena takes JBL down with a drop toe hold and puts JBL in the STFU! Kane sits up and grabs Cena by the throat while he has JBL in the STFU. JBL gets back up and Kane grabs him by the throat also. Before Kane could connect with a double chokeslam Cena and JBL whip Kane into the ropes. They connect with a double shoulder block to Kane. Cena and JBL then exchange punches and roll to the outside. JBL whips Cena into the steel steps. Meanwhile in the ring Batista tries to connect with a Batista bomb but Kane rams Batista into the corner. Kane then throws Batista shoulder first into the steel ring post. JBL grabs the steel steps on the outside and nails Cena in the face with them. Kane comes to the outside and starts connecting with some uppercuts to JBL. Kane ends up throwing JBL over the railing into the crowd. Kane climbs back into the ring where Batista is starting to get up. Kane climbs up to the top rope and Batista dodges the clothesline. Batista with a spear on Kane! Batista covers Kane and picks up the win!
Batista defeats Kane to earn a title shot against CM Punk at the Great American Bash

 
3.5 Out of 5. This was a really fun match to watch. It was given time and all 4 men were able to produce a quality product. I’m not a fan of Batista but the win makes the most sense. This was a fun match to write. Lots of action.

 
Batista is shown raising his hand while walking up the isle. Kane is shown in the ring really upset. Kane rolls out of the ring and tosses the steel steps around. Kane pounds on the announce desk and starts talking to himself. Kane snaps and kicks the time keeper in the face. Kane chases after Lillian but she runs away. Kane throws another member of the production staff around. Kane starts screaming to Michael Cole to tell him if he’s alive or dead. He keeps screaming to tell me!!! Kane throws Cole in the ring and Cole says he has no clue what he’s talking about. Kane goes for a chokeslam on Cole but the King runs into the ring and saves Cole. Kane then grabs the King and takes him down screaming the same thing he said to Cole. Kane starts to beat on the King before finally stopping to give him one last boot to the head. Kane leaves the ring and walks to the back as the show fades to black…

 

Well, it looks like Kane’s heel turn is in full affect. I think he was screaming something about is he alive or dead but it was hard to make out so don’t quote me on that. All in all this wasn’t a bad RAW at all. While it didn’t have a ton of outstanding matches almost all the matches were passable and the fast paced main event more then made up for it. I would give tonight’s show a 7 out of 10. The matches were understandable mostly squash matches as they are trying to get new talent over.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed my first RAW recap. Like I said earlier if you have any comments or suggestions go ahead and E-Mail them to me at MSN1983@yahoo.com or PM me on the LOPForums.com. Also since I am a plug whore if you get a chance go ahead and check out my newest column.

Shuffle Up and Deal Vol. 14, Burnt Out