WWE RAW News (Page 15)

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

The show opened with HBK. He was sporting a band-aid across his forehead. Shawn Michaels grabbed a mic and let out several loud groans. He said that last week he learned he could still feel “it,” the ability to overcome the biggest odds. He suggested that he had been trying to suppress those feelings for years, but that he was not doing that anymore. He said that the Showstopper was back and he believes that he can once again be the WWE Champion. This Sunday, the Road to WrestleMania 23 begins with the Royal Rumble…and HBK’s new, reborn passion will lead him to victory over 29 other men.

At that point, Edge came out to the ramp wielding a microphone, and said that he had a feeling that HBK would have a feeling of “close, but no cigar” after this Sunday. Edge said he’d be winning the Royal Rumble and main-eventing Mania. HBK told him to shut up and come down to the ring so he could tear him apart. Michaels called him a gutless coward. Edge took off his sweatshirt and head to the ring. HBK met him halfway and the two began a brawl around the ringside area. They fought into the first row at ringside. The obligatory group of random refs came out to pull them apart. After the refs separated them initially, HBK broke away and jumped toward Edge once again. We then got a commercial break, but when we returned to live action, HBK and Edge were still going at it backstage. Coach ran onto the scene and screamed at the refs to keep HBK away.

Match 1: Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Joey Mercury (w/ Melina and Nitro)
- Joey, still sporting the face protector, got caught with a Jeff Hardy plancha to start the match. In the ring, Jeff hit a running One and Only and tried for a jawbreaker. Joey countered, though, and scored with a knee lift to the chin. Nitro, meanwhile, stripped the padding off the ringside area, prompting the ref to send him and Melina to the back. Mercury continued to build momentum with hard clotheslines. The crowd chanted for Hardy, who came back with a diving clothesline and the Whisper in the Wind (just barely). Jeff then hit the Twist of Fate for the win. Hardy defeated Mercury at 2:36.

Backstage, Coach told McMahon he wanted to throw HBK and Edge out of the arena. Vince suggested that HBK and Edge wrestle tonight’s main-event under the Street Fight stipulation.

Vince McMahon came to the ring, with the Coach following close behind. VKM said that last week he read Donald Trump’s letter, so this week he’d like to read his letter to Donald. Coach handed Vince his reading glasses. Vince’s letter talked about how he should be a special guest star on the Apprentice to get the ratings to go up. He said that he’s been on TV for 35 years and wherever he goes, people follow to watch. Vince claimed that his presence was the main reason for USA’s spot atop the cable TV rankings. He tricked the crowd into responding “WHAT” after he told them “If you’re an idiot say what.” Anyhow, he said that people love him all over the world and that he wanted to show them that he loved them, too. He decided to postpone his show of affection until next week.

At that point, WWE Champion John Cena came to the ring and asked what the hell happened to Vince…when did he become Brother Love? Cena called him out on his unwillingness to listen to the fans. He said that Vince’s latest obsession is Donald Trump…and Vince’s obsessions don’t turn out to well. Like the time he wanted to take out DX and got his head shoved up Big Show’s ass and the XFL, for instance. Cena called Vince and Donald egomaniacs, shameless self-promoters, and the expensive hair/suits/jets that they use to overcompensate for “something.” Coach responded by saying that Donald had a bigger ego, did more self-promoting, and had more money than McMahon. Vince didn’t like the sound of that and said that there wasn’t anything that Donald had more of than Mr. McMahon. McMahon then booked Cena vs. Coach for later tonight.

Match 2: Chris Masters vs. Super Crazy
- Masters took early control with a series of lumbering blows before tossing Crazy over the top turnbuckle. Crazy came back with a cross body over the second rope, but Masters regained momentum with a wheelbarrow suplex. Masters followed with a backbreaker and a rear chinlock. Crazy tried to fight back again, but Masters botched a clothesline and regained control. The Masterpiece threw Crazy to the ground to try and make up for the botched spot. The insane luchadore made a comeback with a series of dropkicks, highlighted by one of the top rope. Crazy then connected on a standing moonsault for a near fall. He tried to follow with a running splash in the corner, but Masters moved out of the way and applied the Masterlock. Crazy got his feet on the second rope and pushed backwards, sending Masters to the mat in a pinning position. 1…2…3! Crazy beat Masters at 3:48.

Backstage, Maria interviewed Kenny Dykstra, who this Sunday will be in his first Rumble match. Kenny said he’d be the youngest Rumble winner ever. Maria looked puzzled. Kenny said he didn’t care who he has to go thru…2007 is the year of Kenny Dykstra.

Further backstage, a banged up Randy Orton showed up in Edge’s locker room. He reminded Edge of how he left him for dead to get drilled with a conchairto last week. Edge tried to reason with him and get him to help him out against HBK tonight. Orton told him to go out there and wrestle HBK…and then they’d see what happens.

Match 3: WWE Champion John Cena vs. Coach
- Coach came to the ramp and put Cena in a match with a bunch of random superstars. Cade and Murdoch were first. They double-teamed the champ and taunted the crowd. Cena fought back and connected on all his signature moves, including an FU that sent Murdoch over the top rope. He gave Cade a Five Knuckle Shuffle and tossed him over. Haas, Benjamin, and Viscera joined the fray, as Murdoch and Cade came back in the ring. The Great Khali got involved, as well, but he took out all of the other superstars before turning his attention to Cena. He got quite the face reaction for taking out TWGTT, Cade, Murdoch, and Viscera. He no sold a top rope shoulder tackle from Cena and tossed him over the top rope. Khali went on to toss Cena into the ring steps and give him a devastating chop to the head.

Coach then ran in to score the quick pin on Cena, but the champ kicked out! Cena got back to his feet, but Umaga ran in and blasted him in the back of the head. Umaga gave him a spin-out Rock Bottom. Armando and Coach set Cena on a table in the center of the ring. Umaga splashed Cena thru the table to end the segment. Cena and Coach fought to a no-contest.
Continue Reading...

With no Monday Night Football competing against it, this week's WWE RAW saw a significant ratings increase.

It earned a 4.1, way up from last week's 3.7 rating. Could be a sign of good things to come as WWE heads into the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania 23.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

The show opened with WWE Champion John Cena coming to the ring, where the Coach was waiting for him with a contract waiting to be signed. Coach said it may be the last time that Cena was ever introduced as the champion, for at the Royal Rumble, the champ would be facing Umaga. Umaga proceeded to come to the ring, accompanied by Armando Estrada. The crowd started a loud “Cena” chant. Coach said he knew Cena wanted to get all this over with, but he needs to know that the match would be no ordinary match.

He gave match-making power to Estrada, who decided that Umaga-Cena II would be a Last Man Standing match. Estrada said there would be no way that Cena would win and retain the title. AAE signed the contract. The crowd again chanted for Cena. The champ signed the contract, but first pondered the thought that he may not be crazy enough to sign a contract for a Last Man Standing match against a monster. Turns out he was crazy enough…and also full of surprises, as he jumped Umaga and fought him to the outside. Cena blasted Umaga with the steel steps and put AAE thru a table (in the ring) with the FU.

Match 1: Johnny Nitro and Melina vs. Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy and Maria
- Hardy and Nitro started us off, while the crowd chanted for Hardy. Nitro took early control with a series of European uppercuts and a spinning elbow drop. Hardy came back and went for the Twist of Fate, but Nitro countered and pushed Jeff into Maria. Maria and Melina had to wrestle each other. Melina got a wrestling lesson, as Maria dominated her with a series of quick offensive moves and a bulldog out of the corner. Nitro interfered and allowed Melina to take control, though. Melina wrapped Maria up in the ropes before dragging her to the center of the ring and applying a Camel Clutch. Maria came back with a back breaker counter into a head scissor. Melina tagged Nitro, who tried to wrestle Maria. Maria stomped Nitro’s foot, as Jeff came flying into the ring. Hardy connected on a flurry of offense, highlighted by the Whisper in the Wind. He went to the top for the Swanton, but Melina prevented it. Maria pushed Melina away, allowing Hardy to regroup and hit the Swanton Bomb for the win.
Winners: Hardy and Maria at 4:01

Backstage, Vince McMahon ignored the Coach and asked for Donald Trump on the phone. The person on the other end of the line said that Donald was eating dinner. Vince said the matter was urgent.

Edge and Randy Orton came to the top of the ramp, each with a mic in hand. DX’s music started to play, but it was cut short with the sound of a heart monitor flatlining. Orton said that was the sound of the death of DX. The Legend Killer demanded the flatline be replayed, as the crowd chanted “You Suck.” Orton said that the point of Rated-RKO was to take out DX for good, and tonight they’d get the opportunity. He said nobody could stop them from ending DX once and for all. Orton said Trips couldn’t help. Compared to what they were going to do to HBK, Triple H got off easy. Edge said that HBK’s TV debut happened right here in Cajun Country.

In a fitting end, HBK’s last TV match would take place in Cajun Country here tonight. He said that there might be some guys in the back that might want to do the right thing and help HBK tonight. Orton and Edge disappeared to the back and dragged out Hacksaw Jim Duggan, citing that Duggan and Michaels had been friends for years. The crowd chanted “USA.” Edge said that if you help HBK, you’ll suffer the same fate as Duggan. Rated-RKO proceeded to set-up and drill Hacksaw with a conchairto.

Match 2: Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra
- A lock-up started us off, with Flair taking control with a series of chips. Naitch used a headlock takedown to ground the 20-year old, but Kenny came back with a dropkick to the knee. Dykstra then worked over Flair’s injured limb before giving him a slightly delayed vertical suplex. Kenny went back to work on the knee and locked on the Figure Four. Flair got to the ropes to break the hold. Kenny tried to re-apply the hold, but Flair pushed him out of the ring. Flair came back with a series of chops and punches, followed by a back drop and another series of chops and punches. Kenny tried to regain some momentum, but Flair caught him with a back elbow. Flair went to the top, but Kenny caught up to him. The Nature Boy countered, though, pushing Kenny away and then coming off the top with an elbow smash. The two proceeded to trade near falls, with each grabbing the ropes for leverage, but both kicked out. The finish came when Flair reversed a cheap pin attempt and defeated Kenny with his feet on the ropes.
Flair defeated Dykstra at 3:34

Further backstage, McMahon still hadn’t gotten a call back from Trump. Coach asked what was so urgent. Vince read a letter from “Donald.” The letter said that the skit last week was poorly produced, lame, and not up to the WWE’s standards. It also called the skit a poor attempt at comedic satire and said that the WWE fans would rather watch the wrestling stars do compelling things in the ring. Vince said if Donald wanted compelling TV, he’d give him compelling TV.

A video promo hyping Wrestlemania 23 was shown.

Vince McMahon came to the ring. He addressed the Rosie-Donald skit and even showed footage from it. Vince called the segment “brilliant” and showed a slow-motion recap of the finish. Anyhow, he said that he and Donald share a lot of similarities, but while Donald asks his audience what they want and gives it to them, Vince tells us what we want and expects us to like it. McMahon addressed Miss USA, the person who started the whole Donald-Rosie thing in the first place. Torrie Wilson, dressed as Miss USA, came to the ring.

She looked uncomfortable as McMahon barked orders at her to smile and hurry up. Torrie read off a cue card that she was “Miss USA” (Tara Conner) and she’d been a “very bad girl.” She asked what she could do to make it up to America’s favorite billionaire, Mr. McMahon. Carlito came to the rescue and made his way to the ring with a determined look. McMahon was not happy and asked him what he was doing. Carlito said he knew McMahon was the boss, but he said that despite what he might think, Vince isn’t cool and the Rosie-Donald thing was really bad…in fact, it sucked. CCC said that the people don’t want to see stupid skits or hear McMahon talk; they want to see people fight. Vince, looking pissed off as ever, said he’d give Carlito a fight…against the Great Khali. Khali came to the ring, no sold Carlito’s offense, ignored the crowd’s chants for CCC, and destroyed him with ease. Vince said that was cool.
Continue Reading...

Today on The Howard Stern show, Howard played some clips from Monday Night Raw's Rosie vs. Trump face off. He wasn't a fan.

Stern began playing the clip and immediately asked what happened to Vince's voice, JD (part of the show's crew) came in and explained how Vince was in his "Mr. McMahon" character. Howard played more of the clip where Vince meets Rosie in the dressing room; about 20 seconds in, the host stopped the clip and started going off on how boring it was and how he couldn't believe people actually watched wrestling.

Stern then played another clip hoping it would be more entertaining: Vince was introducing Rosie to the ring and you could hear Jim Ross commentating as Rosie made her entrance. At this time, Stern finally stopped the clip for good, again asking how people actually found WWE entertaining.

Some of the other studio crew started to make fun of how bad the WWE clips were and then JD went on to mention how the Rosie vs. Trump match was actually booed by the fans at the arena.

This week's Monday Night RAW cable rating (3.7) dropped from last week's 3.9. It earned a 5.4 share.

In the WWE's defense, the show was competing against the college football national championship game airing on FOX.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com ...

John Cena’s music hit and he came out to a pretty big reaction. He told everyone the champ was here, but in a far more reserved tone than normal. He said no one today can lose a fight and move on. He said Estrada got on WWE.com and told him that Cena’s win was a fluke. He said it wasn’t a fluke. He said Umaga dominated him last night and REALLY put over Umaga as a machine. He said he made it, albeit barely. He said all things considered it was about winning matches so he was happy.

Coach’s music hit and he came out and said it was very brave of Cena to take the re-match but he had already given Umaga the night off. Cena said he knew that was all a bunch of garbage and he knew he’d get attacked at some point. Coach said it still meant Umaga had the night off, but Cena wouldn’t.

He introduced us all to the newest member of the Monday Night RAW roster, the Great Khali. They’ll have a non-title match tonight. They stared each other down before Khali slowly left the ring.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy v. Kenny Dykstra
- The two locked up in the middle of the ring Jeff Hardy backed him into the corner. The referee broke up the hold and Dykstra hit a boot to Hardy’s cut. He rammed Hardy’s head of f the turnbuckle and after an Irish whip, missed a follow up and got drop kicked for it. Hardy hit his springboard double stomp in the corner before sending Kenny to the outside.

Eventually, Kenny went for a move off the top ropes but Hardy caught him with a kick to the gut. Hardy came off the ropes but was held up by Johnny Nitro. Kenny waited to pounce on Hardy, but Ric Flair showed up and low blowed him. Hardy lined him up for a twist of fate and connected and made the cover for the win.
Winner and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy via pin fall

JR came back talking about Triple H’s injury last night at New Year’s Revolution. JR confirmed it was a quad injury and that he’d be out 4-6 months. Rated RKO will have a victory celebration apparently, later tonight.

Maria & Mickie James v. Melina & Victoria
- Melina and Mickie started the match off. The two locked up and Mickie caught an arm bar and flipped Melina over on her duff before bringing in Maria. Maria hit her broncobuster but after a little too much fun, found herself bum rushed into the corner. Melina tagged in Victoria. Maria and Victoria traded blows before Victoria completely cold-cocked the not so smart face and then tagged in Melina.

Melina clamped in a mean looking (seriously) head scissors before dragging Maria over to the corner and tagging in Victoria. The two hit a double clothesline, but by that time, Mickie had had enough and came in to try and clean house. While Mickie was clowning around with Victoria on the outside, Maria went for a roll up but only got a two count. Melina hit a kick to the gut and hit some sort of springboard face buster-like thing and got the three count.
Winners: Melina & Victoria via pin fall

Rosie O'Donnell v. Donald Trump
- Donald Trump clamped on a side headlock. Rosie O'Donnell flung him off and hit a shoulder block. Trump ran at her, but Rosie hit a Lou Thesz press and began whaling away at Trump on the mat. The crowd began chanting ‘boring’ but Rosie kept playing to it, posing for the crowd and listening to the crowd like Hulk Hogan. Rosie smashed Donald’s head off the buckle before Donald snapped and began hitting hair-filled head butts. Donald went for a body slam, but Rosie was too big and got a near fall.

Trump hit her in the gut and went to the outside and grabbed the ice cream cake and nailed her in the face with it. He mounted the second rope and hit a flying head butt to score the pin. There were incredibly audible TNA Wrestling chants during the match.
Winner: Donald Trump via pin fall

Continue Reading...

The decision to move the Great Khali from ECW to RAW was made in the last twenty-four hours, following Triple H's injury. The WWE felt it was necessary to fill the void that Triple H has left.

As we previously reported, the original plan for Khali was to challenge Lashley for the ECW World Title at WrestleMania 23. Khali is scheduled to make a final appearance on ECW tonight, wrestling Tommy Dreamer and ending that feud.

The revamped Gene Snitsky is expected to debut for ECW soon; he may be the one who fills the role that Khali leaves behind. As for Daivari, it remains unknown whether or not he will stay with ECW.

Despite WWE claims that Monday's RAW and 2007 are off to a strong start, this week's show only drew a 3.9 rating overall.

That's considered a disappoint considering the hype surrounding the John Cena/Kevin Federline match.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

Match 1: WWE Champion John Cena vs. Kevin Federline
- K-Fed wore a boxer’s robe to the ring, but wrestled in a white T-shirt and khaki shorts. He got on a mic before heading to the ring and said that the Coach had made a little change to their match…it’s now no-DQ (and still non-title). He then introduced his personal trainer and friend, Johnny Nitro.

The champ picked K-Fed up and placed him on the second turnbuckle. Nitro tried to get involved, but Cena easily disposed of him. Federline snuck up and gave Cena a low blow, but Cena no-sold it and put him in FU position. At that point, Umaga and AAE showed up. Umaga beat the hell out of Cena and blasted him with the championship belt. The crowd chanted for Cena, but it didn’t prevent Umaga from blasting the champ right b/t the eyes. Estrada screamed that they’d see Cena on Sunday. K-Fed made the cover and scored the pin. Federline defeated Cena at 4:55.

In K-Fed’s dressing rom, the Coach showed up and joined the party. Coach said it was a New Year and that Cena would spend the year being embarrassed by all of them. Thus, he made a 4-on-1 handicap match, pitting Cena against Umaga, Nitro, Coach, and Armando.The Miami Heat were in the house!

Match 2: Cryme Tyme and The Highlanders vs. TWGTT, Cade, and Murdoch
- Cade and Rory started off the match, with Rory scoring with an early cross body off the second rope. JTG tagged in and used a drop toehold to take Cade to the mat. Murdoch then got involved and allowed Cade to come back with an elbow drop to the back of the head. Haas tagged in and whipped JTG hard into the turnbuckle. He followed with a butterfly suplex before tagging Shelton. Some tandem offense followed from TWGTT. Cade and Murdoch proceeded to connect with a double team of their own. Cade ascended to the second rope for a flying elbow drop, but JTG moved and tagged Shad. Shad cleaned house, using a running big boot and a back suplex to take out Cade and Murdoch. Benjamin came in and blasted Shad with a roundhouse kick. All hell broke lose, leaving Shad and Murdoch alone in the ring. JTG, meanwhile, snuck up behind Murdoch and snapped his upper back across the top rope. Shad got the pin soon after. Shad, JTG, Robbie, and Rory won the 8-man tag at 3:16.

The Wrestlemania Recall featured Hogan vs. Andre the Giant

Match 3: Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Rob Conway
- Conway cut a pre-match promo about his New Year’s Resolution…that being to be a winner. He said that if he doesn’t win, he’ll quit RAW. Conway took early control once the match got underway, as the crowd chanted for Hardy. Jeff scored the pin out of nowhere with a roll-thru sunset flip out of the corner. Hardy defeated Conway in 25-seconds.

After the match, Vince McMahon came to the ring dressed comfortably and shook Conway’s hand. He said that it was that time of year again to make New Year’s resolutions. He said that most people break those resolutions, but he doesn’t break his. Vince claimed that he wasn’t going to be so nice in 2007 or allow people to take advantage of him…guys like Donald Trump, who’s got his hands full right now with Yokozuna (Rosie O’Donnell). He said that Trump likes to claim that the phrase “You’re Fired” is something he made popular. Well, that brought him to Conway. He said he wasn’t going to allow Conway to quit. Rather… “Rob Conway…YOU’RE FIRED!!!”

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Kenny Dykstra and asked him why he didn’t shake Flair’s hand two weeks ago. Kenny said that it wasn’t about clas; it was about Flair saving face and keeping the attention on himself. Dykstra said that he was the future of Raw and that death comes in fous: Saddam Hussein, Gerald Ford, James Brown, and Ric Flair’s career.

Degeneration X came to the ring. HHH tried to do the usual schtick, but HBK wouldn’t let him finish. Michaels said that he couldn’t pretend like nothing had happened. He said that he and Trips had faced everyone that the WWE had placed in front of them…be it the rising stars, the best wrestler of a particular generation, etc. Shawn claimed he was still waiting to face that great wrestler of the generation, by the way.

He then turned his attention to Orton and Edge, reminding them that DX transcends time. HBK and HHH are the great constant in the WWE, and Shawn said that for Rated-RKO to take them on, it took balls. Michaels said that they nearly beat Flair within an inch of his life and then managed to take out DX…and their set grew a little bigger. He said that at New Year's Revolution, Edge and Orton would find out the difference between having a set and knowing what to do with them.

Continue Reading...

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Kevin Federline is scheduled to open Monday Night Raw tonight live from Miami, Florida.

Tonight will be the final push for the New Year's Revolution PPV on January 7, so expect more from DX and Rated RKO, Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro, Mickie James and Victoria and more.