WWE Monday Night Raw 12/8/08 From Philadelphia, PA
The narrator welcomed to the 2008 Slammy Awards as footage over the last year was shown. The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. There were large Slammy statues on the stage. Michael Cole so solemnly welcomed us to the show. Jerry Lawler plugged Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho. Jim Ross and Tazz promoted Triple H vs. Batista. Cole and King then put over the John Cena vs. Edge match.
Lillian introduced Maria and Festus to present the first award. There was a podium on the stage as well. Festus was wearing a pair of overalls with a tie while Maria handled the talking. The category was Tag Team of the Year. Carlito and Primo, Priceless, Miz and Morrison, and Cryme Tyme were the nominees.
Tag Team of the Year: The Miz and John Morrison
Miz and Morrison came out and overdid the celebration. Miz mocked Festus and sent him to the back. Morrison gave his acceptance speech and mocked crying. Both men thanked a bunch of random people, like Mr. T and Chuck Norris. Miz called them the best tag team of the 21st century. Morrison then made his entrance for his match.
1. C.M. Punk defeated John Morrison (with The Miz) in an Intercontinental Championship Tournament semifinal match in 8:17. William Regal was shown watching the show with Layla. Looks like The Miz is not in Morrison's corner. Kofi is nowhere to be found either. The show went to commercial when Punk hit a springboard high crossbody onto Morrison, causing both men to crash to the floor.
-commercial-
Punk hurt his ankle during the break. Back from commercial, Punk hit a hurricarana from the top rope. After first look, it seemed like Punk landed on his head, but the replay showed him landing hard on the ankle. Morrison took advantage and in a sweet spot, hit a reverse roundhouse kick as Punk missed a roundhouse kick of his own.
Punk hit the springboard forearm for a two count as Regal looked on. Morrison countered a GTS with a victory roll for a very nearfall. Punk then hit a huge kick to Morrison's face and followed up with the GTS for the win.
Footage was shown of John Cena defeating Kane last week, followed by the extended beatdown of Cena by Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Manu, and Randy Orton.
John Cena cut a promo mocking Jericho's promo from last week, saying his dog was a Jericho fan and he banned him from watching Raw. He turned his tone to serious and told Jericho he was coming after him tonight. He said he would teach him the meaning of the word respect.
-commercial-
Candice Michelle and Cryme Tyme came out to present "Best Finishing Maneuver." Cryme Tyme put over the Stunner, Rock Bottom, Figure Four, and Sharpshooter. Undertaker's Hell's Gate, Orton's RKO, Evan Bourne's Shooting Star, and Big Show's Knockout Punch were the nominees. Cryme Tyme tried to steal the award and Candice was left alone to present it.
Finishing Move of the Year: Evan Bourne's Shooting Star Press
Candice informed us that Evan was not in attendance due to his injury. Mike Knox came out and abducted the award from Candice.
Randy Orton came out and said he was WWE Champion for four months and won the main event at Wrestlemania, but he is not a nominee for Superstar of the Year. Orton cut a promo on Triple H and Batista. He challenged H and Batista to a handicapped match vs. him, Rhodes, and Manu. "Tonight, The Legacy is born.".
MVP stood in the middle of the ring and said he was a real MVP. He called out MVP and World Series champion Jimmy Rollins at ringside. MVP said he was better than Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and all of Philadelphia.
MVP's music hit again and Charlie Haas came out as "MVC." He actually had "MVC" on the back of his wrestling gear.
2. MVC (Most Valuable Charlie) defeated MVP in 3:11. MVP dominated the match but missed the Driveby. Haas rolled up Porter for the win.
The award for Extreme Moment of the Year is coming up next. A commercial for the Kane three DVD set was shown.
-commercial-
Tiffany and Matt Hardy came out to present the award. Hardy said it was great to be in the birthplace of extreme. JBL vs. Cena in a Parking Lot Brawl, Undertaker crashing through the tables in a ladder match vs. Edge, Jericho putting HBK through the Jeritron, and Jeff Hardy's Swanton from the scaffolding onto Randy Orton were the nominees.
Extreme Moment of the Year: Jeff Hardy's Swanton onto Randy Orton
Hardy said it all started on a trampoline in North Carolina and he then gave Matt a high five. He said whether he walks or crawls, he is leaving Armageddon the WWE Champion. He then made his ring entrance and Jericho did the same.
-commercial-
3. Chris Jericho defeated Jeff Hardy in approximately 5:51. The match was already in progress coming back from commercial. Jericho knocked Hardy to the floor early and Hardy struggled to get back into the ring before the ten count. As Jericho had Hardy grounded, JR put over Jericho beating Stone Cold and The Rock in the same night and was not sure Cena could beat Jericho. Never mind that Cena has beaten Jericho about a hundred times in a row.
Hardy hit a couple of moves for a nearfall and Cole announced that Todd Grisham and Matt Striker won "Announce Team of the Year." Hardy went to the top and missed a Swanton Bomb. Jericho immediately hit the lionsault for a two count. He then went for the Walls of Jericho but Hardy powered out using his leg strength.
Hardy hit the delayed corner dropkick on Jericho. Hardy hit an awkward Whisper in the Wind as if he hurt his leg. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate, but Jericho countered with the Codebreaker for the win. After the match, Jericho retreated to the back and looked over his shoulder for Cena.
Kelly Kelly and Kane came out to present "Couple of the Year." Kelly said love was a wonderful thing. "The last time I was involved in a relationship, I tombstoned a priest," said Kane. Glamorella, Edge and Vickie Guerrero, William Regal and Layla, and Finlay and Hornswoggle are the nominees.
Couple of the Year: Edge and Vickie Guerrero
Vickie walked out to accept the award. Her "excuse me" line garnered a lot of heat from the live crowd. She gave her acceptance speech and on her way out, Santino's music hit and Glamorella came out. Santino stopped at the podium and called Vickie "Cougar of the Year." He said his "special someone" did not "love him, hate him, or have The Undertaker try to send him to hell." He said they challenged any of the other couples to a match.
-commercial-
4. Finlay and Hornswoggle defeated Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix in 1:16. Before the opening bell, Finlay placed his hat on Beth. She took it off, stomped it, and slapped Finlay in the face. Finlay retaliated by slapping Santino. Horny tagged in, hit a tornado DDT and a tadpole splash on Santino for the clean win.
As Beth checked on Santino, Melina and Teddy Long were introduced to present the Diva of the Year. Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, and Michelle McCool are the nominees. After Beth was announced, she threw Santino to the mat and ran to the stage to accept her award. She slapped Melina and the two fought. Beth accidentally headbutted Santino in the balls. Santino acted like he was going to throw up.
Diva of the Year: Beth Phoenix
Cole and King informed us the Triple H vs. Batista match is now Triple H and Batista vs. Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Manu.
-commercial-
Footage aired of the interaction between JBL and Shawn Michaels last week.
Joey Styles and Alicia came out to present the "Oh My God Moment of the Year." Styles dropped his signature phrase. C.M. Punk cashing in Money in the Bank, Undertaker sends Edge to hell, Floyd Mayweather breaks Big Show's nose, and John Cena wins the Royal Rumble are the nominees.
Oh My God Moment of the Year: C.M. Punk cashes in MITB and wins the World Heavyweight Champion
Punk said he wanted to win the world title, the tag titles, and the IC title in the same year. Punk took out a list and thanked a bunch of random people, and concluded with Rocky Balboa. He brought out Styles to say, "Oh My God!!!" again. Joey hesitated at first but complied.
5. Rey Mysterio defeated Kofi Kingston in an Intercontinental Championship tournament semi-final match in 3:12. An impressive early sequence include Rey trying a hurricarana but Kofi countering it into a handstand. Kofi worked on the injured left arm of Rey. Kofi hit a dropkick for a two count as Rey was trying to hit the 619. Kofi missed a high crossbody and Rey rolled him for the surprise three count.
Kofi shook Rey's hand after the match as King filled in the tournament bracket. Cole plugged Punk vs. Rey at Armageddon. He then said the Match of the Year Slammy would be presented after the break.
-commercial-
Mr. Kennedy and Eve Torres came out to present the Match of the Year Slammy. Kennedy did his microphone spot and Eve provided the repeat. Money in the Bank, the Royal Rumble, Undertaker vs. Edge HIAC from Summerslam, and Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair are the nominees.
Match of the Year: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair at Wrestlemania XXIV
Michaels came out to accept the award. Michaels put over Flair as his friend and his inspiration. JBL came out and accepted the Slammy Award on behalf of Shawn Michaels. He said his victory over John Cena at the Great American Bash was the match of the year. JBL walked away as Michaels stood behind and listened to chants of "You sold out."
-commercial-
6. Cody Rhodes, Manu, and Randy Orton defeated Triple H and Batista in a handicapped match in 10:09. H and Batista worked well together as a team early on in the match. They threw Manu into Rhodes and both men tumbled to the floor. Orton tried to sneak up on them but thought otherwise and slithered out to the floor as well.
-commercial-
Orton was dominating Triple H coming back from commercial. The heel trio worked over Triple H before Batista tagged in and took over the match. Orton tagged himself in tried to RKO Batista, but he countered it. Batista attempted a Batista Bomb, but Rhodes hit him from behind, allowing Orton to hit the RKO on Batista for the win.
Cole and King plugged the main event and the rest of the Slammy Awards.
-commercial-
Ron Simmons and Mickie James came out to present the award for "Damn! Moment of the Year." The Khali Kiss Cam, Punk surprises Chavo Guerrero, Sailor JR, and Santino messing up Melina's entrance are the nominees.
Damn! Moment of the Year: The Khali Kiss Cam
Khali and Ranjin Singh came out in suits. Khali cut a promo about how material possessions don't matter and how we need to save our national resources for our children. He was about to kiss Mickie when Jillian came out and sang that song from Titanic. Kung Fu Naki, Howard Finkel, Sgt. Slaughter, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan came out and swayed to the beat. Mickie and Khali made out.
-commercial-
Footage aired once again of the attack on John Cena last week. Cole and King ran down those who have already won Slammy Awards.
R-Truth made his entrance through the crowd.
7. Dolph Ziggler defeated R-Truth in 3:55. Ziggler tried to introduce himself to Truth but Truth was not having it. The announcers did a nice job of putting over Ziggler's debut vs. Batista last week. With Truth on the apron and Ziggler on the floor, Ziggler used the apron as a springboard to kick Truth to the floor. He slid into the ring for the countout win.
After the match, Ziggler introduced himself to the crowd.
King told us the Superstar of the Year would be announced next.
-commercial-
Stephanie McMahon stood alone to present the Superstar of the Year. Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Batista, Edge, Triple H, and John Cena are the nominees. Stephanie smugly announced Jericho as the winner.
Superstar of the Year: Chris Jericho
Jericho came out and kept his head on a swivel looking for Cena. "First of all," Jericho said at the podium before taking off toward the ring. Jericho said he was ecstatic that the fans did not cast votes for any of the awards. He told the fans they would sit there and listen to his accolades. He called himself a three time world champion for the year, the third time coming this Sunday at Armageddon.
Jericho said he lost something this year too, and that was his Y2J persona. He said he lost it when he threw Michaels through the Jeritron and he could not be happier. He said he used to be what John Cena currently is: someone who panders to the crowd and cares about what they think and want. John Cena's music hit and he ran Jericho off. Edge immediately made his entrance soon after.
8. Edge vs. John Cena in a champion vs. champion match ended in a no contest in just under eight minutes. Cena came out like a house of fire and quickly knocked Edge to the floor.
-commercial-
Edge hit a neckbreaker during the break and continued to work on the neck. Edge scored a two count after a flapjack. Cena came back and hit the flipping neck breaker, but Edge followed it up with a big boot. He went for a spear but Cena hit a series of shoulder blocks. He hit the five knuckle shuffle and both men traded nearly hitting their finishers. Cena locked in the STFU but took off when Jericho appeared.
Cena and Jericho fought to the back. With Edge in the ring, Triple H and then Jeff Hardy came out and the three attacked each other. Triple H cleared the ring of his PPV opponents and looked on as Hardy attacked Edge. Edge took off, Hardy stayed for awhile in the aisle, and Triple H's music hit as he stood tall in the ring.
A replay of what just went down with all five men was shown as the show went off the air.
