Monday Night Raw

February 18, 2008 – Recap by Sassy

NO WAY OUT WINNERS

The pay per view aired last night on pay per view.

Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match

Winner

The Undertaker

NOTE

Although the winner of this match was fairly predictable, everyone does seem to live The Undertaker.

Raw Elimination Chamber Match

Winner

The Game Triple H

NOTE

I realize Triple H is the son-in-law of the WWE Chairman of the Board but I was rooting for Jeff Hardy in this match.

Career Threatening Match

Winner

The Nature Boy Ric Flair 

NOTE

 WOOOOO! I knew Mr. Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy couldn’t stop the Nature Boy! I’m not sure there is anyone out there who CAN stop the Nature Boy!

WWE EWC Championship Match

Winner

Chavo Guerrero

NOTE

I think Punk is the greatest but I do like Chavo.

WWE Championship Match

Winner

John Cena  via disqualification

allowing Orton to retain the WWE Title

NOTE

Why has no one has had the sense to demand a title match against Orton with the stipulation allowing the title to change hands if Orton gets himself disqualified – again.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match

Winner

The Rated R Superstar Edge

NOTE

I had my fingers crossed for Mysterio. It would have been nice to see him with the gold around his waist.

Big Show made his return to WWE at the end of this match which also involved boxer Floyd Mayweather, a friend of Mysterio. With any luck at all, we will be seeing Show tonight on Raw. I understand from eyewitness reports that he is in great shape and ready for his return to the wrestling ring. Shane McMahon also appeared at No Way Out after this match.

We had previously reported that Rey Mysterio was injured during a WWE match in a tour of South America and that it was a possible bicep tear. We were a little concerned that Mysterio might not be able to make it to the pay per view but we understand that he did make it, bruises and all. Hopefully his injury was not serious and will not require him to be out of action for any length of time.

It was reported that Candice Michelle made an appearance throwing t-shirts to the fans in the audience.

It is our understanding that Big Show and HBK Shawn Michaels both sustained broken noses during the action in the ring – or the Elimination Chamber as the case may be.

I’ve read several opinions of the No Way Out pay per view. While most people had positive things to say, some of the fans in attendance reported that Orton was yelling how the match was supposed to go to the referee and doing it loud enough for the front seating area to hear him. Personally, after seeing the results, I was not surprised by the outcome of any of the matches.

BREAKING NEWS!

It has been reported that Rey Mysterio did sustain a bicep tear injury the week before No Way Out. Although Mysterio toughed it through the pay per view title match, he will need surgery to repair the damage to his arm and may be out of action for at least four, maybe six, months.

Monday Night Raw is broadcast from Anaheim, CA

on the USA network.

Ringside announcers: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Ring announcer: Lillian Garcia

Expect a show full of fallout from yesterday’s pay per view event.

The Number One Contender for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XXIV, The Game Triple H, enters the arena. He is dressed in street clothes, not wrestling attire, although he does have a bandage on his forehead. Triple H enters the ring in his usual fashion and reaches for a mic. Triple H says he is pretty happy tonight. Last year at this time, he was in a wheelchair getting ready to go Wrestlemania and watch from behind the scenes. He says The Game is back, back where he belongs, back in the main event at Wrestlemania and you can bet he will become a twelve time WWE Champion. Triple H is interrupted by the current WWE Champion Randy Orton’s entrance theme.

Orton enters the arena and walks down the ramp as JR complains that Orton is showing total disrespect for Triple H. Orton enters the ring, mic in hand, to the enthusiastic boos of the live audience. They get louder with “You Suck” chants when Orton tries to talk. Orton reminds Triple H that he beat Triple H for the WWE title. Orton claims Triple H is jealous of him because he is better than Triple H. Orton is interrupted by John Cena’s entrance theme.

John Cena enters the arena and walks toward the ring. Cena grabs a mic and tells both of the men in the ring to wait one minute. Cena introduces WWE Champion Randy Orton, a very unique individual because he is the first WWE Champion to be both a liar and a loser. Cena says Orton is the only champion to lose his way into Wrestlemania. Cena wants a rematch tonight for the WWE Championship. The audience is all for it. Since the winner of the match will face Triple H at Wrestlemania, Triple H doesn’t have any complaints.

Orton tries to drag Triple H into the equation but Triple H says he doesn’t care who has the title because when it comes time for Wrestlemania, all he knows is that he is going to face the champ and he will beat whoever it is.

All three men in the ring are interrupted by Raw General Manager William Regal’s entrance theme. Regal enters the arena and says he will resolve the dispute. Regal says Triple H will be going to Wrestlemania – that has already been decided. Regal tells Orton he got himself intentionally disqualified in his match against Cena last night by hitting the referee in the face. Regal says that does not reflect well on the Raw brand and it does not reflect well on Regal. Regal says that tonight, since Cena won last night, it will be a rematch, but a non-title match, John Cena versus Randy Orton, with the winner going to the main event at Wrestlemania in a Triple Threat Match. Triple H tries to interrupt but Regal says that if Cena wins tonight, it will be John Cena versus Triple H versus Randy Orton for the WWE title.

Triple H says that doesn’t work for him, but Regal says that tonight in the main event match between Cena and Orton, the one who will decide the winner will be a special guest referee and it will be The Game Triple H.

Twenty minutes and no wrestling yet but we do go to

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, replay of the confrontation between boxer Floyd Mayweather and Big Show at No Way Out. Mayweather will be on Raw tonight.

Lawler reminds the audience that tonight it will be Hornswoggle facing his father, Mr. McMahon, in a Steel Cage Match.

 

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match

 

Jeff Hardy from Cameron, NC, weighing 225 lbs.

WWE Intercontinental Champion

 

Vs.

 

Snitsky from PA, weighing 307 lbs.

 

Audience favorite: Jeff Hardy

 

My favorite: Jeff Hardy

 

Jeff Hardy was in the Elimination Chamber match last night. Poor Jeff didn’t go through enough last night? He has to face big bad Snitsky tonight. JR reminds the audience that every winner of the Money in the Bank match has gone on to become champion. Jeff is going to have a problem wrestling in this match up. Snitsky is just throwing him around the ring. Jeff turns things around but he’s acting stiff and sore and he moves too slowly getting up on that top turnbuckle. Jeff goes off the top and down to the floor and we go to

COMMERCIAL BREAK IN

THE MIDDLE OF THE MATCH!

ALREADY???

Back from commercial break, Jeff and Snitsky are back in the ring and Snitsky has Jeff in a huge bear hug. If Jeff wasn’t sore before this match, he will be after this match. Jeff does break free from the bear hug but it doesn’t last and Snitsky goes for the cover. He doesn’t get the three count and he continues to deliver boots to a downed Jeff Hardy. He drops an elbow and again goes for the cover but only gets a two count before Jeff gets a shoulder off the mat. Snitsky has Jeff up against the ropes then back down on the mat. Snitsky picks Jeff up and slams him back first into the corner post and then drops another elbow and then two more before going for another cover but Jeff manages to get out before the three count. Snitsky goes to work on Jeff’s neck. The audience is behind Jeff and I’ll bet he’s wishing they were in the ring instead of him right now. Jeff makes it back to his feet. Snitsky slams him back to the mat, comes off the ropes with an elbow and Jeff rolls out of the way. Snitsky meets the mat. Jeff back to his feet, delivering forearms before landing with a cross body block. He goes for the cover but Snitsky powers out. Jeff goes up to the top and delivers a whisper in the wind, which takes Snitsky down to the mat. (NOTE: It appeared from the angle that I saw, Jeff did not connect with Snitsky on his way down to the mat.)  Jeff goes for the pin and gets a two count before Snitsky gets a shoulder off the canvas. Jeff tries to set Snitsky up but Snitsky delivers a big boot to the face and goes for the cover. Again Jeff gets his shoulder off the mat. Snitsky picks Jeff up off of the mat and sets up for what appeared to be the pump handle. Jeff slides out of the hold, shoves Snitsky back and catches Snitsky in the twist of fate. Jeff heads up to the top turnbuckle again to deliver a Swanton bomb. He nails it, goes for the cover and gets the three count.

 

Winner

Jeff Hardy

Qualifies for the Money In The Bank Match at Wrestlemania

 

Film clip of the Mayfield/Big Show face off last night with JR giving the audience a description of what transpired. Big Show shoved Mayfield backward into his “posse”(?), then Big Show got down on one knee and Mayfield used Big Show’s face as a punching bag. No WONDER Show got a broken nose!

Floyd Mayfield and Rey Mysterio are backstage talking.

 

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, Big Show’s return to WWE at No Way Out. Big Show attacked Rey Mysterio and Floyd Mayweather was not happy about it. Big Show invited Mayweather into the ring and he took Show up on the offer. Big Show did have a bloody nose after the shots by Mayfield.

Film replay of the Raw Elimination Chamber Match and the Smackdown Elimination Match at No Way Out last night. There will be special encore presentations of No Way Out on pay per view all week long. Contact your cable company for more information.

 

Mike Adamle introduces HBK Shawn Michaels. HBK enters the arena also dressed in street clothes, not wrestling attire. HBK is also sporting a bandage on his forehead. Triple H eliminated HBK during the Elimination Chamber match last night. HBK has a mic and he tells the fans that Wrestlemania is right around the corner and there can’t be a Wrestlemania without the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. HBK then presents the first inductee into the 2008 Class Hall of Fame. The audience is chanting for The Nature Boy Ric Flair with WOOOOOOS!

 

And the audience is right. Video of the wrestling career of The Nature Boy Ric Flair. On March 29, 2008 Ric Flair will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. HBK then delivers a WOOOO! (not quite as good as Flair can do it) and asks the audience to give a round of applause to Ric Flair.

 

JR reminds the audience that tonight it will be The Game Triple H as the official and the match will be John Cena versus Randy Orton. It is Cena’s last chance to make it to Wrestlemania. 

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, JR tells the audience that the 10 top WWE Slammy Moments of All Time will be on www.wwe.com this Saturday night.

 

Paul Burchill from Chelsea, England, weighing 247 lbs.

Accompanied to the ring by Katie Lea

 

Vs.

 

Super Crazy from Mexico, weighing 200 lbs.

 

Audience favorite: I’m not sure

 

My favorite: Super Crazy

 

Before the match begins, JR tells the audience that earlier today he had a chance to get a few words from Paul and his sister, Katie Lea. A split screen appears and I’m not sure what it was about but whatever.

 

The bell rings and I have a feeling Super Crazy is going to get beat down here. He starts off great but it Burchill switches it around and begins to work over Super Crazy all over the ring. The audience is doing their best to get Super Crazy back in the match but it isn’t working. Burchill goes for the cover and gets the win.

 

Winner

Paul Burchill

 

JR reminds the audience that tonight there will be a Steel Cage match tonight between McMahon and Hornswoggle.

 

Big Show and Shane McMahon are backstage.

Promo for Wrestlemania XXIV featuring Kelly Kelly as a lifeguard. Baywatch theme, folks. Live Sunday March 30, 2008 on pay per view.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, promo for WWE ECW tomorrow night on the Sci-Fi channel.

Triple H is backstage on his cell phone when Orton interrupts him. Orton says the match at Wrestlemania can’t be a Triple Threat Match. Orton reminds Triple H that at Wrestlemania John Cena made Triple H tap out. Orton says it should just be the two of them at Wrestlemania without Cena. Orton says he knows Triple H will call it the right way. Triple H asks Orton if he is trying to play mind games with him. Triple H says he will call it the way he sees it and if it favors anyone, it will favor Triple H. Orton does not look happy as he leaves the locker room. Triple H doesn’t look happy either as he glares at Orton’s back.

JR tells the audience that Mysterio did have a torn bicep but he was in the match against Edge in spite of that injury. The replay is shown of the confrontation between Floyd Mayweather and Big Show in the center of the No Way Out ring. That first shot looked real, really real!  It rocked Show’s head back. After Mayweather played his version of patty cake on Show’s face, he took off through the audience with Show in hot pursuit. Mayweather may be smaller but I think he was a little faster than Show. Shane gets in Show’s way and stops him from following Mayweather out of the arena.

 

Big Show enters the arena and makes his way to the ring. Show has a bandage on his know and a black right eye. Show says he was asked to come out to apologize for his actions at last night’s No Way Out pay per view. Show said that he knew what he was doing. Show says he is here to make a formal public apology and he asks Floyd Mayweather to come to the ring.

 

Mayweather enters the arena surrounded by his “team” (or is it posse?) and enters the ring. If I was Mayweather I’d be careful. Show has one hell of a reach!  Mayweather enters the ring, mic in hand. Mayweather says that he loves publicity and he has been a fan of the WWE for many years. He says he is sorry that things had to happen that way last night but Mayweather is the best fighter in the world and when someone calls him out, he has to retaliate.

 

Show says that he wasn’t calling Mayweather out; he was trying to show the audience the size difference between the two of them. Show says he wants to tell Mayweather man-to-man and face-to-face that he is sorry. Show holds out his hand for Mayweather to shake.

 

Mayweather shakes Big Show’s hand and backs out of the ring. As Mayweather and his troop stars up the entrance ramp, Show calls him back and says that he has done what he was supposed to do, but now he wants to get a little something off of his chest. Show says that the only way Mayweather could hurt Show was if Show was on his knees and even on his knees, Show is still bigger than Mayweather. Show says that he could take Mayweather out in two minutes. Show says he let Mayweather leave the ring last night just like he’s letting him leave the ring tonight. Show challenges Mayweather to a one on one match.

 

Mayweather is at the top of the entrance ramp thinking about it when he suddenly breaks into a run and charges into the ring. Mayweather’s troop is right behind him and Mayweather takes off his jacket and takes the mic. Mayweather accepts Big Show’s challenge, acts like he’s going to throw a punch backing Show up, and then leaves the ring and the arena.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, promo for Wrestlemania, 41 days away.

JR and Lawler go over what just happened between Big Show and boxer Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather is 39-0? I may be watching the wrong show.

JR gives the audience a run down of the history of the money in the bank match, along with a video of parts of a few matches.

 

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match

 

Mr. Kennedy from Green Bay, WI, weighing 243 lbs.

 

Vs.

 

Val Venis from Las Vegas, NV, weighing 255 lbs.

 

Audience favorite: I’m not sure

 

My favorite: I like them both

 

It’s great to see Venis back in the ring, but he’s not having much luck against Kennedy in this match. Venis is down on the mat, but he’s fighting back. Kennedy sends Venis back down to the canvas and goes for the cover but doesn’t get the job done. Kennedy goes after Venis’s elbow. For those who don’t remember, Venis had surgery on that elbow last year. Venis is back to his feet, sends Kennedy into the ropes, Kennedy comes off and delivers a face plant, goes for the cover and gets the three count.

 

Winner

Mr. Kennedy

Qualifies for the Money In the Bank Match at Wrestlemania

 

JR reminds the audience about the main event match tonight and the Steel Cage match coming up next.

Promo for The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin available now on DVD.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, replay of last Monday night’s Raw when Finlay saved Hornswoggle from a beating by McMahon and helped Hornswoggle win the match.

 

Steel Cage Match

Win by Pinfall, Submission, or Escaping from the Cage

 

Mr. McMahon

WWE Chairman of the Board

 

Vs.

 

Hornswoggle

Accompanied to the ring Finlay.

 

This won’t really be a match but I’m wondering how Finlay is going to help his buddy Hornswoggle out of this mess. Finlay gets in the ring with Hornswoggle and appears to be arguing with McMahon and the referee, but the ref makes Finlay leave the steel cage. As Finlay is exiting the cage JBL appears and slams the cage door into Finlay. JBL is in the ring beating on Finlay in the ring. JBL has handcuffed Finlay to the ropes and is beating on him. JBL then stares down Hornswoggle. McMahon and Hornswoggle face off in the middle of the ring and McMahon is taking off his belt. McMahon smacks Hornswoggle with the belt with Finlay yelling for McMahon to stop. McMahon then hits Finlay with the belt before going after Hornswoggle again. The ref is trying to talk to McMahon and McMahon exits the ring leaving JBL in the ring with Hornswoggle. JBL has Hornswoggle by the throat and then he slams him head fist into the steel cage. If JBL wasn’t a hated WWE roster member before, he is now. He continues to pound on a defenseless Hornswoggle. JBL delivers an elbow to Hornswoggle’s chest, then picks him up and then slams him into the steel cage. McMahon is standing outside the ring watching what is going on but does not stop JBL. McMahon finally calls JBL out of the ring with Finlay screaming that JBL will pay for what he has done. McMahon suddenly calls for some help in the back to remove Hornswoggle from the ring. Finlay, still handcuffed, tells McMahon and JBL that both of them will pay. McMahon and JBL leave the arena to the loud boos of the audience.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break, promo for WWE ECW – Ric Flair will appear tomorrow night.

Replay of what just happened in the ring to Hornswoggle. Not worth repeating. During the break, Finlay carries Hornswoggle up the entrance ramp and to the back. JR says it is one of the most disturbing things he has ever seen – then why are we showing it?

Santino Marella and Maria enter the ring. The big question of the night is whether or not Maria should pose for Playboy.  The big question SHOULD be, can she wrestle and if she can’t why is she in the ring? Last week Marella told Maria that if she posed for Playboy it was over between the two of them and she had until tonight to decide. Marella says that Maria is going to pose in Playboy magazine and tonight Maria will face The Glamazon Beth Phoenix.

 

Maria

Accompanied to the ring by Santino Marella

 

Vs.

 

The Glamazon Beth Phoenix

WWE Women’s Champion

 

Audience favorite: I’m not sure

 

My favorite: The Glamazon Beth Phoenix

 

Marella says that in the contract there is stipulation that says she can only pose for Playboy if she beats Beth Phoenix tonight. The bell rings and as low as Maria’s pants are, she won’t need to pose for Playboy.  You’ll be able to see her on Monday night Raw. For whatever reason, chuckle chuckle, Beth seems to be unable to beat Maria tonight. Candice Michelle shows up at ringside long enough to distract Beth allowing Maria to get the roll up and the win.

 

Winner

Maria

With a little help from Candice Michelle

Replay of the end of the match as Candice shows up at ringside.

Triple H is backstage getting on his referee attire for the main event match coming up next.

Replay of Big Show’s return and the punches thrown by Floyd Mayweather. Replays of the Elimination Chamber Matches at the No Way Out pay per view.

Commercial break.

Back from commercial break.

 

Non-title Match

If John Cena wins

 he will go to the main event at Wrestlemania XX IV

 

Special Guest Referee

Triple H

 

Randy Orton from St. Louis, MO, weighing 245 lbs.

WWE Champion

 

Vs.

 

John Cena from MA, weighing 240 lbs.

 

Something tells me even Orton isn’t going to be stupid enough to slap this referee. You’ll notice no one said Orton couldn’t get himself disqualified – again. The bell rings and the two lock up in the center of the ring. The audience is backing Cena and getting vocal about it. Cena needs to change his game plan.  He’s not doing well right now against Orton. Orton is using fists and Triple H isn’t stopping Orton. Cena comes back with fists of his own but then is met with a dropkick delivered by Orton. Orton stops to show off for the crowd, then sends Cena off the ring apron and head first into the announcer’s table. JR thinks Cena may be out and we go to

COMMERCIAL BREAK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MATCH

AGAIN!

WHAT IS WITH THIS SHOW?

THAT’S TWO

I DON’T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH SHOW

LEFT FOR ANY MORE COMMERCIALS DURING MATCHES!

Back from commercial break, Cena is back in the ring and fighting back against the fists thrown by Orton. Cena drops Orton to the mat, delivers an elbow and goes for the cover but Orton kicks out before the three count. Orton rolls out of the ring and up against the announcer’s table but Cena goes after him, as Orton appears to be going over the guardrail and away from the ring. Cena slams Orton’s head into the announcer’s table and rolls Orton back into the ring. Orton catches Cena coming through the ropes, drops him to the mat with a DDT and goes for the cover. Cena powers out at the count of two. Both men are back to their feet and the audience is now chanting “RKO”. I wish they would make up their minds. Orton catches Cena coming off the ropes and delivers a power slam, goes for the cover but still can’t get the three count. Orton goes for Cena’s wrist and then Cena’s ankle. He continues to work on. Orton again goes for the cover but Cena gets a shoulder off of the mat. Orton goes to work on Cena’s neck but Cena gets back to his feet and slams Orton to the mat. Both men are down. Orton uses the ropes to get to this feet, Cena charges, Orton sidesteps and Cena meets the corner post. Orton goes for the pin but Cena kicks out. Orton has Cena against the ring post, pounding on him with fists and slamming his head into the top turnbuckle. Orton delivers a boot to the abdomen but Cena comes back with a fist and the two exchange blows. Cena comes off the ropes and takes Orton down with shoulder block before picking Orton up and slamming him to the mat. Cena hits the five-knuckle shuffle and picks him up for the fu but Orton grabs the ropes. Cena sends Orton over the top rope; Orton lands on the ring apron and then jumps off the apron, taking Cena into the ropes. Orton charges across the ring, Cena brings down the top ropes and sends Orton down to the mat outside the ring. Cena goes out after him and we have a battle on the floor as Orton sends Cena shoulder first into the steel steps. JR says that Triple H is taking his time with the count out. Orton rolls Cena back into the ring and then climbs in after him. Orton is sizing Cena up for the RKO. He goes for the RKO, Cena sends him into the ropes and delivers a drop toehold as Orton comes off the ropes. Cena locks in a submission hold in the center of the ring but Orton is hanging on and not tapping. Orton makes it to the ropes and Triple H makes Cena break the hold. Cena and Triple H have a few words when Cena doesn’t immediately break the submission hold and now they are nose to nose. Orton tries to take advantage, but Can nails Orton with the fu and gets the three count.

 

Winner

John Cena

Cena will be in the main event at Wrestlemania

making it a triple threat match

for the WWE Championship!

 

After the match, Triple H delivers a pedigree to Cena and now both Cena and Orton are down in the ring. Triple H has the championship belt in his hand as he stands over his two Wrestlemania opponents. Orton uses the ropes to get back to his feet and Triple H drops the belt to deliver a pedigree to Orton as well. Triple H takes off his referee shirt, again picks up the belt and holds it over his head.

 

The end.

 

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