WWE Raw
Anaheim, California
February 18, 2008
results thanks to wwe.com
Outrage in a Cage
By Greg Adkins
February 18, 2008
ANAHEIM, Calif. – For anyone with a sense of family — or decency — having to
watch a distraught Finlay carry Hornswoggle’s tiny, unmoving body from the ring
Monday night must have left them with icy chills and a sad, sick feeling in the
pit of their stomach.
A week prior, a humiliated Mr. McMahon arranged a Steel Cage Match with his
bastard son after losing to Hornswoggle in a No Disqualification Match. In that
bout, Finlay had intervened on behalf of his lucky charm despite threats by the
Chairman that he would be fired if he did.
This week, Mr. McMahon ensured solitude for him and his bastard son and dished
out the most brutal form of “tough love,” thanks to the confines of the steel
cage and of all people, JBL. With despair haunting in his eyes, Finlay could
only plead in vain to end the cruelty.
But JBL stomped his boot down on the Irishman’s plan, attacking him and
handcuffing him to the ring ropes. The Lonestar Loudmouth then lumbered into the
cage, where he rammed Hornswoggle against the unforgiving steel. The brutality
proved so great that even Mr. McMahon was take aback.
Only after the Chairman and JBL had moved from the ring, did Finlay, in a moving
display of compassion, free himself and carry his fallen friend to the locker
room, where Hornswoggle was evaluated with head trauma and internal injuries (WWE.com
will have more updates on his condition as they become available).
Bank Shot
The night after nearly winning in the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out, Jeff
Hardy flew into Raw to prove that he is far from grounded. The “Rainbow-haired
Warrior” conquered the yuck-mouthed ogre, Snitsky, to qualify for this year's
Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
Hall Monitor
Shawn Michaels did the honors as he announced that Ric Flair will become the
first member of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008. The Nature Boy also becomes
the first active competitor to be inducted.
Sibling Revelry
Paul Burchill sure knows how to please his sister, Katie Lea. For the second
week in a row, the British brawler defeated his opponent. This week, Super Crazy
was sacrificed for Katie Lea’s delight.
Big Showdown
After having his nose crushed at No Way Out, the returning Big Show was fuming
and ready to confront the man who bloodied him, WBC welterweight champion Floyd
Mayweather. As the two exchanged unpleasantries, Big Show challenged the “Pretty
Boy” to a match, which Mayweather accepted. Stay tuned.
Banking On It
Mr. Kennedy may not have retired Ric Flair in their Career Threatening Match at
No Way Out, but he did make a statement the following night on Raw. The
loudmouth from Green Bay, Wis., defeated Val Venis in the night's second Money
in the Bank qualifying match.
Playboy 1, Santino 0
WWE fans rejoice! Maria will be posing for Playboy sometime this Spring. In a
cynical play, her boyfriend Santino Marella agreed to let her pose if she could
defeat Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix. The tall order looked impossible until
Candice Michelle made her long-awaited return to Raw, and, in an attempt to
avenge herself against the Diva who put her on the shelf for four months, she
distracted The Glamazon long enough for Maria to take advantage and secure the
pinfall.
Three’s Company
After Randy Orton robbed John Cena of a chance at the main event at WrestleMania
XXIV by slapping the referee and getting disqualified in their match at No Way
Out, Raw General Manager William Regal arranged a non-title bout between the two
Monday with Triple H serving as guest referee. As “The Champ” pinned Orton, The
Game intensely stared him down and reluctantly gave him the three-count. Cena’s
win sets up a Triple Threat Title Match for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
Matches
Jeff Hardy def. Snitsky (Money in the Bank Qualifying Match)
Paul Burchill def. Super Crazy
Mr. Kennedy def. Val Venis (Money in the Bank Qualifying Match)
Mr. McMahon vs. Hornswoggle (No Contest)
John Cena def. Randy Orton