Welcome to another RAW recap. Should be a good show with a few weeks left till Summerslam. Hopefully they will shed some light on the Kane angle tonight.

Monday Night Raw (07/28/08)
Live from Washington, D.C.

A recap is shown of last week's main event between Punk and Batista for the World Title. JBL interfered and attacked Punk resulting in Punk winning by DQ.

The show opens with John Cena coming out to the ring. Cena grabs a mic and says that he is not perfect. He said he made a mistake last week and the way he was raised was if you make a mistake you accept the consequences. Cena says he socked Batista in the mouth and he knows that has some consequences. Cena calls Batista out and says that they can settle those consequences right now. Batista's music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Batista tells Cena that nobody knows more then him that things happen in the heat of the moment. Batista says he knows that Cena didn't mean to hit him and everything's cool. Batista says that when he beats CM Punk at Summerslam for the title John Cena will be the first person he defends it against. Cena tells Batista that he already had 2 chances to defeat CM Punk and couldn’t get the job done. Cena says that a lot of guys deserve a shot and he doesn't think it's him. Batista says the reason he isn’t the world champion right now is because somebody keeps interfering in his match. Batista says that CM Punk can’t beat him and neither can John Cena. Cena tells Batista that there is no law and order around here. Cena says that he and Batista should headline Wrestlemania but what if Wrestlemania happens tonight? Cena challenges Batista to a match for tonight. Batista says that he has never faced Cena one on one and he is in his hometown and has tons of family who would love to see him whip Cena’s ass.

Shane McMahon's music hits and he comes out on the ramp. Shane says that his sister and he have appointed a new general manager of RAW and he will introduce them later tonight. He says that the new GM has already made several matches for tonight including CM Punk against one of the hottest free agents in the business today. Shane says that everybody would love to see Batista and Cena wrestle against each other but not tonight. Shane O'Mac says that Batista and Cena will face JBL and Kane tonight in the main event. (A pretty nice way to open RAW. Shane saved the promo though. Batista kept stumbling his lines over and over. Wonder who the new GM is?)

Cut to commercial...

Match 1: Kelly Kelly and D-Lo Brown vs Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella
The match starts off with Santino and D-Lo Brown. Santino goes for a cheap shot on D-Lo but D-Lo catches Santino's leg and gives him an atomic drop. D-Lo pushes Santino into the ropes and Santino jumps over D-Lo and Santino hits a sunset flip on D-Lo but D-Lo rolls threw onto his feet and hits the Sudden Impact. D-Lo goes for a cover but Santino kicks out at 2. D-Lo connects with an uppercut to Santino. D-Lo whips Santino into the corner but Santino moves out of the way as D-lo runs into the corner. Santino then nails D-Lo with a neck breaker. Santino tries to pick up D-Lo on his shoulders but D-Lo is too heavy. Beth tags herself in and shows Santino how to pick D-Lo up. Beth picks D-Lo up onto her shoulders but D-Lo gets to his feet and tags in Kelly Kelly. Kelly comes running in off the ropes and connects with a forearm to Beth. Kelly runs to the ropes again but this time Beth catches Kelly in mid-air and nails a backbreaker on Kelly. Santino is calling for the tag saying “I got her!” Beth tags in Santino. Santino goes for an elbow but Kelly rolls out of the way. Santino cheap shots D-Lo before Kelly Kelly can make a tag. Santino rolls Kelly up and gets a 3 count. Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella defeat Kelly Kelly and D-Lo Brown when Santino pins Kelly Kelly with a rollup Santino starts celebrating like he just won the biggest match of his life. He goes for a hug on Beth but then shakes her hand. Both start to act awkward in the ring. Beth grabs Santino by his hair and nails Santino with a big kiss. Santino has a goofy smile on his face and looks like he’s going to faint. (Well the match really wasn’t that good at all but I do love where this Santino/Beth thing is going so Ill let the match slide a bit and give it a 2 out of 5.)

The final Highlight Reel will be tonight...

Cut to commercial...

Cut back from commercial to a picture of Vince McMahon. The camera zooms out and we see Shane McMahon and JBL. JBL says that Vince was and is a great match. Shane asks JBL how he can help him. JBL says that Batista does not deserve a 3rd chance and Cena is a joke. JBL tells Shane not to do this to the fans. JBL says that he deserves to face CM Punk at Summerslam. Shane says to take it up with the new GM. JBL starts to bring up Kane but Shane's cell phone starts to ring which his ringtone is Shane's theme song. Shane says that it is the new GM and that they should get here quickly. Shane says excuse me for a second and walks off the screen.

Match 2: Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Jerry Lawler vs Priceless for the Tag Team Championship
Before the match starts a ref comes out with a card he gave to Lillian. Lillian says that be orders of the new general manager Jerry Lawler's tag team partner will not be Hacksaw Jim Duggan. It will be Michael Cole.
(Ugh...WTF?)

Cut to commercial...

Match 2: Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole vs Priceless for the Tag Team Championship
Jerry Lawler and Ted DiBiase Jr. start the match. Michael Cole is still in a suit on the ring apron. DiBiase and Lawler lock up. DiBiase gives Lawler a clean break in the corner. The 2 lock up again and DiBiase breaks the lock up but Lawler smacks him. Lawler tries to whip DiBiase into the corner but DiBiase reverses it. DiBiase comes charging into the corner and is caught by the boot of Lawler. DiBiase connects with a big clothesline on Lawler. DiBiase connects with a few punches to the head of Lawler and tags in Cody Rhodes. Lawler connects with a right to Rhodes. Rhodes back Lawler up into the corner and starts unloading with punches to the head of Lawler. Lawler throws Rhodes into the corner and connects with punches of his own. Rhodes kicks Lawler in the gut and hops up to the 2nd turnbuckle. Rhodes hits a bulldog on Lawler. Rhodes covers Lawler but only gets a 2 count. Rhodes puts Lawler in an armbar. Rhodes breaks the armbar and punches Lawler in the face. Rhodes goes for an elbow off the top rope but Lawler moves. Lawler connects with some jabs to Rhodes. DiBiase runs into the ring but Lawler pops him with a right. Lawler goes for the piledriver on Rhodes but DiBiase breaks it up with a punch to the back. Rhodes flips Lawler over the top of him. Rhodes pushes Lawler into Michael Cole and it counts as a tag. Rhodes cheap shots Lawler and throws him out of the ring. Rhodes pulls Cole into the ring. Cole punches Rhodes in the face. Cole tries to do it again but Rhodes blocks it. Rhodes connects with a vicious clothesline on Cole. Rhodes covers Cole and gets the 3 count. Priceless defeats Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler after Rhodes pins Cole with a clothesline. (Uhm..I don't really know what the point of this was. The only thing I can think of is to get heat with the new GM and maybe use it as an excuse to get J.R. back to the announce table. I can’t pass this match. 1 out of 5 and that’s being nice.)

Cut to commercial...

Back from commercial and Mike Adamle is at the announcing table. He says he got a call earlier in the week from the WWE front office saying to be here on Monday Night. Lawler walks over to the booth and puts the headset on. Lawler says obviously the new general manager likes to play games.

Jamie Noble is in the ring with Layla. He says that the new general manager needs to learn he’s the best looking guy on the roster. Jamie Noble says that he is going to prove to Layla and the world that he is the next Intercontinental Champion. Noble says he challenged Kofi Kingston to a match earlier.

Match 3: Jamie Noble vs Kofi Kingston in a non-title match
Both men lock up in the middle of the ring. Noble pushes Kingston into the corner and connects with 2 kicks to the mid section of Kingston. Noble picks up Kingston and gives him a body slam. Noble goes for a pin but Kingston kicks out before 1. Noble whips Kingston into the corner and Kofi connects with a boot to the fact. Kofi hits Noble with a punch and spins and connects with another punch. Kofi hits a big standing double leg drop kick. Kingston comes off the ropes with a big forearm to Noble. Kingston then catches Noble with a Russian leg sweep. Kingston then connects with the BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!. Kingston connects with a few kicks to the legs of Noble then jumps to the 2nd rope and connects with a cross body block. Noble rolls threw and gets a 2 count. Kingston goes for a punch but Noble ducks and picks Kingston up onto his shoulders. Kingston fights out of it with some elbows to Noble's head. Kingston connects with the Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere to Noble. Kofi Kingston defeats Jamie Noble with the Trouble in Paradise (This was a short match but really good for the time it was given. I would love to see these 2 get a 10-15 minute match. 3.5 out of 5 which is one of the best ratings I have given to a match since I started a few weeks ago.)

Cut to commercial...

Back from commercial and JBL is at ringside to do commentary during the next match. CM Punk makes his way to the ring and waits to see who his opponent will be. William Regal's music hits and we have ourselves a match!

Match 4: CM Punk vs William Regal
Both guys lock up and Regal puts Punk into a headlock. Punk fights out and puts Regal in an arm bar. Regal gets out of it and hits a drop toe hold and rolls onto Punk and puts a crossface on him. Punk reverses it into an arm bar. Regal rolls out of it and flips Punk over. Regal goes for a cover but Punk kicks out at 2. Regal locks Punk up into another headlock. Punk fights out of it by giving Regal a jawbreaker. Punk connects with a big kick to Regals face. Punk puts Regal into an arm bar. Punk breaks the hold and connects with some kicks. Punk backs Regal up into the corner and connects with some more kicks. The ref tries to back Punk out of the corner and Regal connects with a cheap shot to Punk. Regal throws Punk into the corner and starts unloading on him with punches. Regal hops to the outside of the ring and puts Punk's head next to the ring post. Regal kicks Punk head into the ring post. Punk is bleeding from the mouth. Regal starts dropping knees onto the head of CM Punk. Regal goes for a cover but Punk kicks out at 1. Regal puts Punk into a full nelson. Punk tries to fight out of it but Regal throws Punk onto the ropes. When Punk bounces back Regal nails him with a big right. Regal starts grinding his forearm into Punk and goes for a quick cover but only gets a one count. Regal puts Punk in a half nelson now. Punk fights out of it and connects with a rollup but Regal kicks out at 1. Regal hits another punch on Punk. Regal starts hitting forearms to the back of Punks head. Regal puts Punk in another half nelson. Punk is bleeding pretty badly. Punk tries to fight out of it but Regal starts to counter back with punches and kicks. Punk finally gets the upper hand and connects with some kicks to the side of Regal. Regal blocks a big kick from Punk but Punk connects with a spinning back hand. Punk then nails Regal with the kick to the head. Punk goes for a cover but Regal kicks out at 2. Regal puts Punk in another half nelson but this time he nails him with a big reverse suplex. Regal tries to put Punk into another half nelson but out of nowhere Punk picks Regal up onto his shoulders and delivers the Go 2 Sleep! Punk covers Regal for the 3 count! CM Punk defeats William Regal with the Go 2 Sleep JBL gets into the ring and is about to attack Punk when Kane's music hits. Kane gets into the ring and just decks JBL with an uppercut out of nowhere. CM Punk connects with a big kick to the side of Kane’s head. Punk turns around and JBL nails a big boot on Punk. Kane and JBL stare each other down in the middle of the ring. (It's nice to have William Regal back. He didn’t look to rusty tonight. Lots of rest holds but I liked the pace of the match. 3 out of 5)

Cut to commercial...

Back from commercial and Jericho is in the middle of the ring for the very last highlight reel with Lance Cade. Jericho says that he has done what nobody else here has which is grow up. Jericho says that he has matured. He has moved on and taken his career to a whole new level. He says that Jericho use to be looked at as an entertainer. Jericho says he gladly played that part because that's what the fans wanted. He said that's not what he wanted though. Jericho says that he decided he would rather host his own talk show rather then try to be champion. He says it was pathetic and he was wrong for doing that. Jericho says he will never settle for second best again. He says tonight is the last highlight reel that the fans will ever see. Jericho says that he is going to show a highlight package of a man you will never see in this ring again. And its not HBK because the man he is talking about is Y2J. Jericho shows a highlight of himself as Y2J. Jericho says you miss that guy huh? Well he doesn't. Jericho says he is embarrassed to watch that. Its time for him to move on. He says he learned from HBK that he could of entertained him for years and years but he would of never respected him the way they respect Shawn Michaels. Jericho says that he had to take matters into his own hands so he put HBK's head threw the Jeri-tron, he damaged his eyesight beyond repair and defeated him in the ring. He says those highlights mean more to him then anything in his career. Jericho says that when he destroyed HBK he destroyed each and everyone of the fans in his head. Jericho hands Cade the mic. Lance Cade says its obvious that these people don't appreciate him. Cade says that he does but because before Jericho took Cade under his wing he was nothing. He says that Jericho saved him and he will be forever grateful. Jericho says that he appreciates that and he appreciates the fact that HBK has no eyesight. Jericho tells Shawn Michaels to stay home and move on with his live, hold on to his wife and raise his precious children. Jericho says enjoy your new life away from the wrestling business. Jericho says that HBK should be thankful he has anything left. Jericho says he has moved on and he here’s Batista, Cena, and JBL crying over title shots. Jericho says its obvious that if there is a title match at Summerslam that nobody deserves it more then him. (AWESOME PROMO! Jericho has truly turned a corner with his character and it is great to see. Serious heel Jericho > Goofy heel Jericho. 5 out of 5.)

Cut to commercial...

Back from commercial and J.R. is coming to the ring. J.R. says that he got a call that he was suppose to be here.

Match 5: Mickie James vs Jillian Hall
Both women lock up and Jillian connects with a kick to the ribcage. Jillian whips Mickie into the corner but Mickie wraps her legs around Jillian's head. She tries for a headscissors but Jillian blocks it and pulls Mickie forward. Jillian goes for a cover but Mickie kicks out at 1. Jillian slams Mickie face first into the ground. Jillian starts pulling Mickie by her hair. Jillian whips Mickie into the corner and hits a headstand elbow to Mickie. Jillian snaps Mickie's neck and goes for a pin but Mickie kicks out at 2. Jillian puts Mickie in a dragon sleeper. Mickie fights out but Jillian starts attacking Mickie. Jillian goes for a kick but Mickie reverse it with a rollup. Jillian kicks out at 2. Mickie connects with a right on Jillian but Jillian fights back with a knee. Jillian whips Mickie into the ropes but Mickie nails a Lou Thez Press. Mickie hits 2 diving forearms on Jillian. Mickie goes for a chick kick but Jillian ducks out of the way. Jillian tries for a facebuster but Mickie counters that. Mickie nails Jillian with her spinning DDT. Mickie goes for the cover. 1..2..3! Mickie James defeats Jillian Hall with the spinning DDT Mickie goes to give her dad a hug who is in the crowd but Katie Lea blindsides Mickie. Katie Lea whips Mickie into the ring post. Katie Lea connects with a beck breaker and blows a kiss to Mickie’s dad. Katie Lea grabs the mic and says that she wants everyone to take note of the next women's champion. (Not so hot of a match for the diva's tonight. Mickie can usually carry most of them to a better match but just a disappointing match all around. 1.5 out of 5.)

After they show a Smackdown recap it cuts to Shane and Todd Grishim in the back. Todd asks Shane who the new general manager is. Todd asks when the GM will be here and Shane says they are already here. He says just relax that he will learn when everybody else does later tonight.

Cut to commercial...

Back from commercial and Cena is backstage talking to Cryme Tyme. Cryme Tyme asks if Cena wants them down there and he says he will be fine. Cryme Tyme tells Cena that you can't trust Batista. Batista walks up behind Cryme Tyme. Cena asks Cryme Tyme if they can have a moment for a second (how romantic) Cena tells Batista that they should just get threw tonight and whatever happens, happens. Batista says he doesn't trust Cena and he knows Cena doesn’t trust him. Batista says the best thing Cena can do is stay out of his way. Cena say you took the words right out of my mouth.

Cut to another commercial...

Match 6: JBL and Kane vs John Cena and Batista
Cena and JBL start the match. JBL catches Cena with a kick to the gut followed by clubbing blows to the back of Cena. JBL tries to whip Cena but Cena counter with a kick to JBL's gut and then hits a blockbuster off the ropes. Cena goes for a cover but JBL kicks out at one. Batista tags himself in. Batista hits JBL with a kick to the stomach. Batista backs JBL into the corner and nails some shoulder blocks. Batista whips HBL into the ropes and puts his head down and JBL hits him with a clubbing blow. Batista shakes it off and picks JBL and nails a running powerslam. Batista goes for a cover but Kane comes in and breaks it up. Cena clotheslines Kane out of the ring and JBL rolls out of the ring. Batista and Cena stare at each other as we cut to commercial. Back from commercial and JBL nails Cena with a neckbreaker. JBL hits another neckbreaker on Cena. JBL tags in Kane. Kane kicks Cena in the stomach and hits a dropkick to Cena on the mat. Kane goes for the cover but Cena kicks out at 2. Kane puts Cena into the corner and starts working him over with elbows. Kane pulls Cena out of the corner and hits a big body slam. Kane goes for a pin but Cena kicks out at 2 again. Kane puts Cena into a choke hold. Cena fights his way back to his feet but Kane pulls Cena back into his corner and tags in JBL. JBL connects with some big boots to Cena. JBL hits a big right on Cena. JBL tags back in Kane. Kane with a big punch to Cena's stomach. Cena tries to fight back with some haymakers but Kane whips Cena into the corner. Cena catches Kane with an elbow but then Kane grabs Cena and gives him a big side slam. Kane goes for a cover but Cena kicks out at 2 again. Kane goes to the top rope and goes for a diving clothesline but Cena rolls out of the way. Cena hits a DDT on Kane. Both men are down in the middle of the ring. Kane tags in JBL and Cena dives to tag Batista in. Batista unloads onto JBL. Batista whips JBL into the corner and hits a big clothesline. Batista whips JBL again into the corner and hits another big clothesline. Batista whips JBL into the ropes and JBL goes for a clothesline but Batista ducks and nails the spinebuster! Batista kicks Kane out of the ring and JBL connects with a big right. JBL whips Batista into the ropes and Kane pulls the rope down as Batista hits it and goes flying to the outside. JBL goes to the outside and starts pounding on Batista. JBL rolls Batista in and goes for a cover but Batista kicks out at 2. JBL tags in Kane. Kane hits a big elbow. He follows it up with a boot to Batista's face. Kane hits another big kick to the ribcage of Batista. Kane puts Batista in a body scissor leglock. Batista fights out of it by decking Kane with lefts and rights. Kane tags in JBL who cuts Batista off with a elbow drop. JBL starts unloading on Batista in the corner with stiff punches. JBL whips Batista into the corner but Batista reverses it and send JBL into the corner. JBL hits Batista with a big boot and runs off the ropes to hit the clothesline from hell but Batista counters with the spear! Kane tries to get in but Batista hits a big kick on Kane. Batista turns around and gets a big boot from JBL. JBL tries to punch Batista but he ducks and JBL clocks Kane. Kane comes into the ring and grabs JBL by the neck. Batista spears Kane out of nowhere. Cena picks up Kane and nails a F-U! Cena covers Kane. 1..2..3! John Cena and Batista defeat Kane and JBL after a F-U to Kane (Decent match but it really didn't serve any purpose other then to put the 4 men in the main event. Id say 2.5 out of 5)

Shane comes out to announce the new general manager. Shane says to hold on a second. Isn’t this how we started tonight. Shane introduces us to the new RAW general manager. No Music plays and then Shame McMahon says Mike Adamle!. Adamle is in the middle of the ring. Adamle says as general manager he is proud to announce at Summerslam, it will be John Cena vs Batista. The show fades to black with Cena and Batista staring each other down.


What a disappointing ending to RAW. I guess I will give Adamle a chance but come on. There was so many better candidates but whatever. Its something different I guess and that's a good thing so Ill give it a chance. As for this RAW though I would say the best word to describe it would be inconsistent. You had a entertaining opener with Beth and Santino and then the show had some really bad matches. Jericho then redeemed it with his awesome promo and a good match from both Noble/Kingston and Punk/Regal but then it got dragged down by another crappy diva’s match. I'll be generous and give this show a 6.5 out of 10.

That will do it for me this week. As always if you have any feedback or suggestions drop me a line at MSN1983@yahoo.com. Hope you enjoyed the recap, see you next week.