WWE RAW
Detroit, Michigan
May 12, 2008
DETROIT – Monday was a night of returns as both
John Cena and Jeff Hardy appeared on their first edition of Raw after lengthy
absences.
Hardy began his comeback by addressing our fans, explaining that he made a
mistake and he paid for it.
“Now that I’m back,” he said, “I have a lot of things to do.”
Before he could announce his plans to regain the Intercontinental Championship,
Raw General Manager William Regal turned off his microphone and instantly threw
him into a match against Umaga. Despite being caught off guard, Hardy rose to
the challenge and surprised the Samoan Bulldozer and the general manager with a
victory.
Monday marked Hardy's first appearance since WrestleMania XXIV. No doubt Hardy
has expectations for at least an Intercontinental Championship on the way to
WrestleMania XXV.
Golden “pipe” dreams
Carlito & Santino Marella entered the first match of the evening with the
opportunity to win the World Tag Team Championship from Hardcore Holly & Cody
Rhodes. Despite not seeing eye-to-eye lately, Santino invited WWE Hall of Famer
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper to watch from the best seats in the house at the announcers’
table. Unfortunately for “Can-tino” and his partner, that wasn’t close enough
for Piper, who spoiled the tag team’s dreams for the gold.
During the contest, Hot Rod decided to get involved, offering a metaphoric slap
in the face to go along with the physical one he provided two weeks earlier. It
was distraction enough for Rhodes to take advantage and pick up the victory to
retain the titles.
Marella met up with Piper in the locker room later in the night, promising the
Legend that he will get payback.
Swan song
Lance Cade hasn’t been shy about his frustrations with Trevor Murdoch and the
tag teams’ lack of recent success. The sun shined on Cade & Murdoch on Raw,
though, as Murdoch notched the three-count to defeat Cryme Tyme in quick
fashion, appearing to be back on the winning track. Murdoch sang Kenny Rogers’
“The Gambler” in celebration. Cade seemed to enjoy his teammate’s spirit, but
the mood soon changed when he took out all of his pent up aggression on Murdoch,
ending the concert early and leaving Murdoch licking his wounds.
High tension
A week after Beth Phoenix took an apparently accidental boot to the face from
Melina, the two Divas had a chance to put water under the bridge and prove they
could coexist against a Playboy cover girl and the Women’s Champion. But Maria &
Mickie James were as hot as ever, and so was the tension between Melina & Beth.
Maria & Mickie coasted to victory after Beth left Melina’s side. When Melina
approached her tag team partner afterward, The Glamazon accused her of hitting
her with the boot last week on purpose. Melina attacked in response, but Beth
took control until Jillian and multiple referees pulled her off.
Mind games and fat lips
Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho offered his apologies to Shawn Michaels
for accusing him of feigning an injury. He also gave him a chance to back out of
their match this Sunday at Judgment Day. The apology turned out to be too soon,
though. HBK joined Jericho in the ring, only to admit he in fact did fake his
knee injury. When Y2J thought Michaels was simply playing mind games, The
Showstopper backed up his confession with some Sweet Chin Music, assuring that
their Judgment Day confrontation would happen.
Talking the talk
Mr. Kennedy was loud as ever after consecutive weeks of cutting off William
Regal with his notorious antics on Raw. Kennedy defeated Snitsky in convincing
fashion and is not likely to leave Regal alone anytime soon, as the Superstar is
still upset he was not included in the King of the Ring tournament that the
general manager won.
Rainy return
Our Detroit fans were lucky enough to see John Cena’s first Raw since Backlash
after receiving a punt in the head from Randy Orton in the WWE Championship
Fatal Four Way Elimination Match.
Cena made waves when he confronted Regal to kick off the evening, but that ended
in the main event contest between Cena and Orton. Guest referee – and Cena’s
Judgment Day opponent – John “Bradshaw” Layfield called a quick three-count to
give Orton the win, spoiling Cena’s homecoming. Orton’s celebration didn’t last
for long, though, as WWE Champion Triple H got involved to spoil the party
Matches
World Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes def. Carlito & Santino
Marella
Mr. Kennedy def. Snitsky
Maria & Ashley def. Melina & Beth Phoenix
Jeff Hardy def. Umaga
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. Cryme Tyme
Randy Orton def. John Cena