WWE RAW
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 2008
Results thanks to pwtorch.com
The show started with a recap of John Cena
winning the World Title at Survivor Series, then going ape wild on Chris Jericho
last Monday after snapping on him. Great piece of video business to set the
stage for tonight's show.
Live in the arena with no pyro or anything, they showed an AWA - John Cena style
- logo t-shirt on the merchandise table. Chris Jericho was heard off camera,
then Jericho said Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect used to be valuable, but Cena is
a hypocrite. Jericho was then shown surrounded by black-shirted security guards
who escorted Jericho down through the crowd from the top of the 100 level.
Jericho said he has morals and values that none of these hypocrite Cena fans
have or understand.
Jericho slowly made his way down the entrance ramp and stopped to point at a fan
for having the audacity to touch him. Jericho finally entered the ring and
soaked up the loud chorus of boos. He told the fans to keep cheering Cena all
they want because none of them are worth it to him. Jericho said one fan he
needs to save, though. That would be his son. Jericho took us back three years
ago when Cena caused Jericho to be fired from WWE.
He said his son didn't realize how great he was when his son was two years old.
Suddenly, his son started to watch Raw and he became a Cena fan between the ages
of two and the current five. Jericho said his son use to parade around the
living room shouting Cenaisms. Jericho rhetorically asked how it must have made
him feel to know his son was cheering the man who caused him to get fired.
Jericho said he banned WWE from the household so he wouldn't see Cena ever
again. He said his son didn't see Survivor Series when Cena stole the World
Title from him, nor did his son see last week when Cena disgraced him. But, he's
going to lift the ban starting at Armageddon because he wants his son to see his
hero take a beating and hear the gasps of disappointment when Cena loses the
title. Jericho then smiled at the thought of this happening before they cut to
the usual Raw intro.
Arena: Back live, the pyro shot off before Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler
introduced the show. Cole hyped Cena vs. Kane tonight before plugging the IC
Title #1 contender tournament bracket. Miz vs. Rey and Morrison vs. Finlay
tonight. And we're starting with Rey vs. Miz. Unfortunately for Rey, when he
came to the ring first, Mike Knox was standing on the entrance ramp staring him
down. Rey tried to attack Knox, but Knox attacked him when Rey fell down hard on
the edge of the ramp. Knox finally let up with ref Scott Armstrong pushing him
back. Rey in danger as they cut to break.
[Commercial Break]
[Q2]
Arena: Cole and Lawler recapped the previous segment, then they sent it back to
the WWE training room for an update. Todd Grisham stopped Stephanie McMahon
coming out of the office and asked what's up. Stephanie said it appears Rey has
torn some ligaments in his elbow. Stephanie started to walk off, then Layla
stepped in and said Rey should be out of the tournament if he's injured.
Stephanie said she couldn't agree more. She walked off and Layla was surprised
at how easy that was.
In-ring: C.M. Punk came to the ring for a match of some sorts. They showed clips
of Punk in the Thanksgiving Day parade in Chicago over the weekend. Kofi
Kingston then came out as his tag partner. Hey, there are the tag champs. Yes,
shocking news. Cody Rhodes and Manu then came out as the opposition in a
non-title bout while Randy Orton was shown watching on a backstage monitor.
1 -- World tag team champions C.M. PUNK & KOFI KINGSTON vs. MANU & CODY RHODES
-- non-title match
A little back and forth to start, then Kofi went for a slingshot splash on the
outside on Cody. He connected, then Manu attacked him from behind to give
Priceless the advantage heading to break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Punk was in control on Cody. Wow, what a reverse with the heels
in control into the break and the babyfaces in control out of the break. That
didn't last long, though, a Manu quickly took control on Punk at 6:00 with a
body blow and leaping headbutt. Cody then tagged in and slapped on a
bow-and-arrow-like submission on Punk before knocking him down again with a
clothesline. The heels continued to corner Punk, who tried to escape with body
strikes.
Punk eventually scored with a knee to the nose on Cody before tagging into Kofi,
who came in like a house of fire. Kofi delivered a Russian legsweep on Cody,
then he marched around the ring before delivering the boom-boom leg drop for a
nearfall when Manu broke up the pin. Punk came in, though, and dropped Manu with
a bulldog. Kofi then avoided a victory roll attempt and nailed Cody with the
Jamaican buzzsaw kick for the pin and the win. Afterward, they showed Cody and
Manu recovering on stage while Orton looked on backstage.
WINNERS: Punk & Kingston in 12:00. Ah, that was nice to see Kingston actually
score a pin for once. I nearly forgot what his finishing move was because it had
been so long since he won a match with a pinfall. Meanwhile, Cody and Manu get
to regroup with Orton to continue that program. Fine match. Not great, but
serviceable. (*3/4)
[Q3]
[Commercial Break]
ECW: Join Matt Hardy on his quest for some stuff to happen. Oh, and then we'll
end the show with a promo for Cha$e.
DX promo: Shawn Michaels and Triple H were backstage again for another pre-tape
DX merchandise promo. Triple H plugged the Elimination Chamber as the ultimate
play set for the holidays. Michaels sarcastically said pain and suffering make
for a great way to spend the holidays. He then evaluated how tough it would be
to put the sonofagun toy together. Michaels ranted about wanting his kids to
have a little patience as he puts the dang thing together. Hunter tried to calm
him down, but Michaels stormed off the set. He regrouped and tried to plug more
merchandise, but Michaels stormed back on the set to complain about the kids
only wanting to play with the box and not the actual toy. Hunter then held up
the box and said it's a nice box.
Backstage hallway: Cody and Manu were staring each other down, then they walked
up to Randy Orton. Cody asked Orton what he's looking at since he didn't win his
match last week. Orton said they can go back and forth all day long, but the
fact remains that at Survivor Series, they were on the same winning team. Orton
said he sees potential. Tonight, how about we have a little chat about forming
something. He told them to join him if interested.
Elsewhere backstage: Chris Jericho, in his full suit, walked up to the locker
room door with a red light pulsating out on screen. He tentatively walked in to
find Kane before telling him the word on the locker room is that people think
Cena is going to take out Kane tonight. With a performance since he's a
performer. Dance recital maybe? Jericho said peeps think Kane is going to tap
out to the STFU. Kane told Jericho not to play mind games. He's going to take
out Cena on his own terms and not for him. Kane said he's going to put on a show
for these people because he loves them like they love him. Halfway delusional
from Kane there. Kane told Jericho not to ever approach him like that again.
[Commercial Break]
Announcers: Cole and Lawler set up a video recap of Stephanie and Shane
McMahon's sister vs. brother rivalry that started last week's show. They focused
on the part about Shane referencing Stephanie sleeping with another WWE wrestler
to get to the top of the company.
[Q4]
In-ring: Jillian Hall was butchering a Britney Spears song, I believe. Melina
interrupted to come out for a match, but before anything could go down,
Santino's music hit. Santino then came out with Women's champion Beth Phoenix.
Apparently Santino is on commentary for the match.
2 -- MELINA vs. JILLIAN HALL
Jillian quickly knocked Melina to the outside while Santino explained they're
out here scouting new talent for Beth. Suddenly, the screen went blank then back
to the ring where Jillian worked on Melina with a mat hold and screamed in her
ear. Jillian then tried a corner handstand, but Melina blocked and nailed the
"Last Call" modified Canadian Destroyer on Jillian for the win.
Afterward, Santino said he wasn't impressed. He tried to escort Beth out of the
ringside area, but Melina got on the mic and said she's going to take Beth's
most precious accessory, the Women's Title. Santino held Beth back, then took
the lead on responding. After calling her Melanie, Santino said she thinks she's
so hot to trot with her little entrance. Santino said he's even going to do the
entrance himself.
Beth tried to hold him back, but Santino insisted. He hitched up his britches,
then got one leg up on the apron. Hitch up the britches again. He then got the
other leg up just a touch on the apron before falling down flat on his back in
sheer pain. He instantly held his groin. Santino shook and shook on the floor
while Melina tried not to crack up laughing. "Is there a Slammy for goof of the
year?" Cole asked. Won't go there on Cole. Beth then helped Santino up and asked
why, oh why did he injure himself there? Santino shaking was moment of the year.
So great.
WINNER: Melina in 3:00. Post-match was great and even enhanced the future Beth
vs. Melina feud for the Women's Title. (3/4*)
Backstage: They showed JBL walking with a scowl on his face. Maybe a little
business to attend to.
[Commercial Break]
Backstage locker room: Santino had ice bags on his lap to ice down the pain. A
couple of hands were rubbing his shoulders to help him out. He thought it was
Beth, but they ran the ole Goldust trick play with Goldust coming up behind him.
Santino finally realized what was up, then he stormed off with the ice bags
covering his groins. Yes, groins, as he said.
In-ring: JBL came to the ring for a street fight. He was in slacks and a dress
shirt. JBL said he made a proposition to Shawn Michaels last week, but he has
yet to hear back from Michaels. So, now he's challenging Michaels to a street
fight.
[Q5 -- second hour]
After a pause, Michaels came out dressed in street clothes, which was camo and
jeans. JBL then cut a promo about Michaels losing money during the economic
struggles of the past year. He said he was making money while Michaels was
following the herd and losing money.
JBL went to the wife angle and said that when he sees his wife and kids, he must
think, 'How in the world am I going to send my kids to college?' JBL said
Michaels can come work for him or become one those sad wrestlers wrestling into
his 50s selling Polaroid photos in a high school gym. JBL said all the revenue
Michaels can make off his DX revenue won't match his offer. He said one more
slightly off bump through a table could end it all for Michaels. He's done.
Nothing left.
JBL asked Michaels if there's anything else he could possibly do in the ring. He
said he's offering him a chance to put his kids through college by joining his
"corporation" of sorts. Nothing from Michaels. JBL said ever since Michaels
stepped into the ring, he's wanted to punch him in the face, so why not just do
it. Michaels started twitching as JBL egged him on. Michaels set up for the
superkick while also appearing to fight back tears. JBL said if he listens to
the fans and takes the shot, the offer is off the table forever.
JBL leaned over to give Michaels a target, but Michaels simply stood there with
his leg cocked. No bullets in the gun. Maybe Plaxico should have been paying
attention. Michaels then started to walk away while the fans booed, then he
stepped out of the ring and JBL grinned from ear to ear. JBL called out after
Michaels that he's looking forward to doing business with him. Michaels paused
on the entrance ramp, then reflected. He then left through the stage.
[Commercial Break]
Geico commercial rip-off: Jen Bloodsworth is a real WWE customer. And they hired
a real WWE superstar to tell her story. Unfortunately, they hired Jim Duggan to
play the "celebrity" role. Jen said she went to WWEShop.com and made all of her
purchases in 10 minutes. Duggan screamed about the lack of foam 2x4s then
paraded around the room shouting "U-S-A." They are ridiculously desperate for
revenue on the site to make the fourth quarter numbers.
In-ring: Batista came to the ring in his hometown to a strong ovation. Dolph
Ziggler then came out as the opposition, but he wanted to introduce himself,
rather than Lillian Garcia.
3 -- BATISTA vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER
The bell sounded, then Dolph wanted a handshake. Batista smiled, then Dolph
re-introduced himself and slapped Batista across the face. Batista was ready to
rip his head off, but Dolph bailed to the outside several times to avoid
Batista. Dolph then waited for Batista to lose his cool and he nailed an awesome
step-up enziguiri kick. Batista was briefly stunned before taking Dolph back
into the ring. Suddenly, Dolph executed a leaping neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Nice.
[Q6]
Batista then tried a spear, but Dolph moved and nailed a kick to the left knee.
Dolph introduced himself to Batista again, then he went to the second rope, but
Batista caught him in mid-air for a spinebuster. Batista had enough and wanted
to end it. This time, Dolph couldn't escape the Batistabomb, giving Batista the
pin and the win.
WINNER: Batista in 4:00. Nice showing from Dolph, who made the most of his
opportunity to rub shoulders with Batista and get in some offense. Well done.
(*)
Post-match: Randy Orton came out on stage and sarcastically congratulated
Batista on the win. He said that one day, though, it will be them one-on-one.
Batista chuckled once he picked up a mic, then he said it's funny you mention
that 'cause he talked to Stephanie McMahon earlier today. And it will be them
against each other at Armageddon. Orton tried to act confident, saying he can't
wait until Armageddon. Batista then went back to celebrating.
[Commercial Break]
Backstage: They showed Randy Orton walking around, then Chris Jericho approached
him. He suggested they let Kane do his business, then they both get to Cena
after the match. Orton said Jericho knows what side he's on regarding Cena, but
he's not fighting Jericho's battles for him. Orton started to walk off, then
Jericho talked him back into the conversation about Orton becoming an
after-thought because of Cena. He told Orton to think about that. Jericho then
quickly walked off, leaving Orton to think things over.
In-ring: John Morrison came to the ring for a #1 Contender match in the IC Title
tournament. They cut to Layla on the cell phone backstage watching Morrison's
entrance on a monitor. Apparently she was on the line with William Regal
describing Stephanie agreeing with them on Rey Mysterio. Finlay then came out
with Hornswoggle to face Morr.
4 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) -- #1 Contender to the IC Title
tournament first round match
Back and forth they went to start things off while Cole and Lawler recapped
everything happening in WWE Storyline Land. Finlay caught Morrison with a series
of hard clotheslines at 3:00, then he landed a big butt seated splash for a
nearfall.
[Q7]
Finlay clotheslined Morrison over the top rope to the floor, then Hornswoggle
approached Morrison, but Morrison shoved Horny down to the floor. Finlay became
concerned, allowing Morrison to kick Finlay head-first into the ring steps. Back
in the ring, Finlay sold a head injury that Morrison exploited with the
springboard enziguiri kick on Finlay for the pin and the win. Afterward,
Hornswoggle was distraught over how things went down.
WINNER: Morrison in 4:00 to advance in the tournament. Not a whole lot to this
one. Audience wasn't particularly receptive for the ECW match. Still no
resolution on the Rey-Miz issue in the tournament. (*)
[Commercial Break]
Promos: Three-hour Raw next week. Slammys and Stuff. ... Video package: They
aired a trailer for the "Behind Enemy Lines" DVD release featuring Mr. Kennedy.
Looks like The Marine 2. Lots of explosions and blow-ups and such.
In-ring: Stephanie McMahon came out on stage with a tight shot to make sure we
don't see anything other than her torso. Stephanie then announced the nominees
for WWE Superstar of the Year. Edge, Batista, Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Triple
H, and World champion John Cena round out the field. Coincidentally, these stars
will be in action against each other next week. She started to say her husband's
name, but the graphic had Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy. She claimed to pull a
Mike Adamle there. Other two matches... John Cena vs. Edge. Triple H vs.
Batista. Wow, they're giving away quite the PPV line-up next Monday six days
before an off-brand PPV.
Video recap: Cole and Lawler recapped Mike Knox taking out Rey Mysterio earlier
on the show. The medical update is that Rey is still insisting on being in the
IC Title tournament even if he's not 100 percent medically cleared. The Miz then
came out for the match against Rey.
[Commercial Break]
[Q8]
In-ring: After a pause, Rey Mysterio's music hit and Rey came out to the ring
with his right elbow heavily taped up. Miz licked his lips in anticipation of
going right after the injury.
5 -- THE MIZ vs. REY MYSTERIO -- #1 Contender to the IC Title tournament first
round match
Suddenly, Rey busted out the 619 less than 20 seconds into the match. He then
went up top for the finishing dive, but Miz rolled out of the way. Miz then went
on the offensive trying to score a pin working on the elbow, but Rey kicked out
of several pin attempts. Miz eventually went for the Reality Check, but Rey
blocked and rolled up Rey with one good arm to score a pin for the win.
Afterward, Miz was left very confused by how he lost this one.
WINNER: Rey in 3:00 to advance in the tournament. So now it's Kingston vs. Rey
and Morrison vs. Punk in the semi-finals of the tournament. Match was pretty
rushed and didn't really take advantage of the Rey injury for maximum effect of
building heat for a "spirited comeback."
Backstage: They showed Kane preparing to face John Cena next. They sure aren't
leaving a lot of time for the match. ... Tomorrow on ECW: Matt Hardy vs. MVP.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Four minutes before the top of the hour, Kane came out for the main
event. After a pause that had a few boos, John Cena's music hit and Cena came
out to the ring in his HLR merchandise. Strong reception for Cena, but you could
sense an anti-Cena vibe just because the crowd hasn't been into the product much
tonight.
6 -- World Hvt. champion JOHN CENA vs. KANE -- non-title match
They cut out the babyface shine to start things off and went right to Kane
dominating Cena. That's what happens when the bell sounds two minutes before the
top of the hour. Fans had the dueling chant of "Let's go Cena" vs. "Cena sucks."
[Q9 -- over-run]
Cena teased an FU at the top of the hour, but Kane cut him off and settled into
more matwork focusing on the surgically-repaired neck. Kane then inexplicably
went up top and Cena ducked before slapping on the STFU in center ring.
Suddenly, Chris Jericho stormed ringside so Cena released the hold and attacked
Jericho on the outside. Kane then used the distraction to set up Cena for a
chokeslam in center ring, but Cena slipped out and lifted Kane up for the FU. He
connected, then made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Cena in 5:00. Basic TV match to set up the post-match. (*)
Post-match: Cena stared down Jericho, who was on the floor, then Jericho started
to run away, but Cena chased him down on the floor. Cena rammed him into the
guardrail on the floor before dragging him up toward the stage area. Suddenly,
Cody Rhodes and Manu stormed Cena to double-team him. Kids and women screamed in
horror as Cena battled all three men. Out of nowhere, Randy Orton stormed the
ringside area and kneed Cena in the head fore dragging him onto the stage to
pummel and pummel away on him.
Orton then dragged Cena into position for his trademark horizontal DDT, this
time taking him off the stage face-first into the concrete floor. All four men
stared down at Cena, then Jericho rolled up his sleeves and went back to
pounding on Cena with right hands. Fans chanted for Batista, but no one was
coming down to help. Jericho then put Cena's lifeless body into the Walls of
Jericho and placed a knee on the back of his neck for added pressure on the
neck. Jericho screamed at Cena, the announcers went silent, then they ended the
show Cena's look of pain on his face. Excellent ending with Jericho here. Really
set up the Armageddon PPV title match to see Cena get his revenge.