WWE RAW
December 31, 2007
Greensboro, North Carolina
results thanks to: wwe.com
Promise Kept
By Greg Adkins
December 31, 2007
GREENSBORO, N.C. – On a night like New Year’s Eve, most people wait until
midnight to pop the champagne. But Mr. Kennedy just couldn’t contain himself.
The loudmouth from Green Bay, Wisc. celebrated early this year after defeating
his rival Shawn Michaels.
Kennedy had promised to prevail over HBK before the end of 2007, and he did just
that with only a couple of hours to spare.
After succumbing to Sweet Chin Music at Armageddon, the bleached blonde bomber
vowed that he’d had enough. But it was only Monday night, however, that Kennedy
was finally able to keep his End of Year resolution.
Royal Entrance
New Year’s Eve brought with it the first qualifying match for the Royal Rumble
pitting “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan against Umaga. Chants of “U-S-A” were drowned out
by the revving of the Samoan Bulldozer as Umaga pounded Hacksaw to secure a spot
at the Rumble on Jan. 27.
Gashed Hopes
The sparks continued to fly between JBL and Chris Jericho. During the Lonestar
Loudmouth’s showy Raw debut, Y2J charged in and the two exchanged blows, which
opened a nasty gash across JBL’s nose before a throng of officials were able to
pull him away.
Three Times a Lady
In a Triple Threat Title Match, Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix defended her gold
against Melina and Mickie James. In a topsy-turvy contest, the Glamazon finally
managed to toss Mickie from the ring and pin Melina after an impressive
Fisherman’s Suplex.
Brass Kisser
In another test of “tough love” arranged by Mr.
McMahon, William Regal battled the Chairman’s bastard son, Hornswoggle. But when
punch came to shove, the Raw General Manager just couldn’t bring himself to
break the little guy’s face with a pair of brass knuckles handed to him by Mr.
McMahon.
In the end, Hornswoggle waddled from the ring and left Regal to take a verbal
thrashing from his boss.
Brother’s Keeper
No line is too brash to cross for Randy Orton. As Jeff Hardy prepared to
divebomb Santino Marella during their match Monday night, the WWE Champion came
on the Titantron to show Hardy that he had just leveled his brother Matt with a
shot to the elder Hardy’s post-surgery appendix. The concerned Intercontinental
Champion sprinted to his brother’s aid and was reminded of just how low Orton is
willing to go to keep his title.
Life Goes On
In his Win-or-Retire Match against Triple H, Ric Flair managed to survive
another day by defeating his longtime friend and protégé. The Nature Boy had a
little “help” when William Regal, perhaps hoping to please Mr. McMahon, wailed
on Flair with brass knuckles causing the seasoned veteran to win by
disqualification.
Matches
Mr. Kennedy def. Shawn Michaels
Umaga def. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan (Royal Rumble Qualifying Match)
Women's Champion Beth Phoenix def. Melina and Mickie James
Hornswoggle vs. William Regal (no contest)
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Santino Marella (no contest, non-title)
Ric Flair def. Triple H
(disqualification)