WWE Monday Night RAW - Monday 31st March 2008
In a dark match Chris Harris defeated Snitsky and smashed a beer bottle over the head of a ringside fan. The World Wrestling Entertainment are trying a 'drunk' gimmick for Harris. He wrestled under the name 'Chris Harris'
As the dust started to settle on the WWE's twenty-fourth annual Wrestlemania PPV, the 'slithering python' that is Randy Orton emerged from the smoke ridden entrance set clutching onto the WWE Championship like a new born child. Orton got straight onto the stick and claimed that he pulled a fast one on the WWE Universe last night because nobody imagined to see him walking out of Wrestlemania with the WWE Championship. While this was true, the crowd disagreed, knowing that Randy Orton would do anything to keep hold of the belt. With Orton's victory speech drawing to a close, the fans in Orlando erupted at the sound of John Cena's fiery entrance music. Cena took a different approach to the Champion, making it clear that he earned his stripes at Wrestlemania. Still not taking a liking to the 'Legend Killer' John Cena made it clear that he still wanted a shot at the WWE Championship, and that he wouldn't stop until he had it tightly in his grasp.
Cue Hunter Hearst Helmsley. The Game Triple H walked out with his expressions being masked by his custom made shades. As the game removed them ever so slowly, it became apparent that he only had one thing on his mind, and that was getting back the WWE Championship. Hunter wasted no time in claiming that he had the triple threat match won at Wrestlemania, until Randy Orton pipped him at the post. With Champion Orton playing the bystander, Mr. Money In The Bank and ECW superstar CM Punk decided to make his presence known. Waltzing to the ring with his custom made 'straight edged' briefcase. Punk wasted little time in reminding everyone that he was the only one on RAW, Smackdown and ECW that had a guaranteed Championship shot, whether it be for Randy Orton's WWE Championship, The Undertakers World Heavyweight Championship, or Kane's ECW Championship. Having made it clear to everyone, Punk decided to tease Randy Orton that if he wanted to, he could easily cash in his Money In The Bank contract for a title opportunity right here tonight.
However, that was not to be. Raw General Manager William Regal showed his authority and told CM Punk that he would do no such thing, the reason being, Regal had booked a huge main event for tonight's show. One that would see WWE Champion Randy Orton team up with the man that brutalised Finlay last night at Wrestlemania, John Bradshaw Layfield, to take on the tandem of John Cena, Mr. Money In The Bank CM Punk, and The Game Triple H. Having made his announcement clear, RAW General Manager William Regal decided to leave the ring area, leaving all four superstars in turmoil.
***COMMERCIALS***
Shawn Michaels was nothing more than a broken mess tonight on RAW. It was no surprise considering he was forced to end the illustrious career of The Nature Boy Ric Flair last night at Wrestlemania. Michaels was spotted on several occasions backstage, but no one wanted to go up to him in case he snapped.
Unfortunately for RAW interviewer Todd Grisham, that was his job. He asked Michaels for some comments on his match with Flair, but Michaels couldn't speak. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Except the tears dripping down from his eyes.
When Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes won the World Tag Team Championships in December of last year, no one would have thought to see so much animosity between the pair. But the sad thing was, there was more to come. They went into this non-title match looking like anything could happen, and when the music of the returning Cryme Tyme blasted across the arena, it really didn't look good at all. The match itself was a fairly competitive bout, with young Cody Rhodes showing improvement, and veteran Hardcore Holly showing just who's boss.
The turning point however came when Cryme Tyme started to dominate Hardcore Holly. Cody Rhodes shot through the ropes into the ring and jumped at JTG. With the referee not wanting to end the match, he made sure that Cody Rhodes stood in his corner and held onto the tag rope. Hardcore Holly obviously frustrated by Rhodes and his actions walked over to him to ask him what he was thinking. This proved to be the nail in the coffin as JTG rolled Holly up and grabbed the tights for extra leverage. Giving Cryme Tyme a non-title victory over the World Tag Team Champions.
As the overjoyed Cryme Tyme dissapeared behind the curtain, Hardcore Holly clung onto his World Tag Team Championship belt before yelling in Cody's face. Holly took all of his pent up anger out on Rhodes and gave him a stern shove, causing Cody Rhodes to stumble backwards onto the canvas. The World Tag Team Champions were certainly going through hard times at the moment on RAW.
Tonight on Monday Night RAW, Jerry The King Lawler steps into the ring with Santino Marella in a one on one encounter
After clips of the opening promo played through, the scene switched to a more fitting backstage setting. Having heard of his teaming with WWE Champion Randy Orton, John Bradshaw Layfield was quick to claim his right as number one contender to Orton's WWE Championship. He admitted that teaming up with Orton for one night wouldn't be a problem, but he's got just as much right to the title as John Cena, Triple H and Mr. Money In The Bank CM Punk. Before ending the segment, John Bradshaw Layfield told the WWE Universe, and those four men to consider themselves warned.
***COMMERCIALS***
After putting his body through absolute hell at Wrestlemania in the Money In The Bank Ladder match, and coming out with nothing, Chris Jericho decided to take it easy on RAW, that was however until he watched RAW General Manager William Regal publicly big up The Samoan Bulldozer Umaga in the middle of the ring.
Chris Jericho wasted no time in telling RAW General Manager Regal that Umaga did nothing at Wrestlemania, he got beat by Smackdown's Animal Batista, and doesn't deserve to be praised. Regal quickly pointed the finger back at Jericho asking him if he won at Mania. Jericho was quite obviously at a loss, but he still got the better of Regal telling him that he didn't need to win the Money In The Bank Ladder match, because he'd already saved most of the WWE Universe from juniors like him (Regal). As Regal was about to speak, Jericho cut him off claiming that Umaga deserved nothing but an ass kicking after his efforts last night.
After listening very closely to Jericho's last comment, William Regal decided to use his power yet again to book another match. A match that would see Y2J Chris Jericho take on The Samoan Bulldozer Umaga. Or Youmanga as Regal liked to put it.
Not one to back away from a fight, Jericho gave everything his body could give, almost picking up the win with a Walls Of Jericho. However his body couldn't hold on, and the hold had to be broken when Umaga reached the bottom rope. The match did come to an end eventually though. But unfortunately it didn't favour Jericho. Umaga launched Jericho to the outside and proceeded to beat him with his own bare hands. The referee got to a count of ten and both superstars were counted out ending the match in a no-contest. However the onslaught continued with Umaga busting Chris Jericho wide open.
After Umaga had destroyed Jericho with a Samoan Spike, RAW General Manager William Regal thought it fit to show up, stopping the savage beast from doing any more damage, knowing that the damage was already done to a stretcher bound Chris Jericho.
Tonight on Monday Night RAW, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels speaks out, plus in the huge main event, John Bradshaw Layfield teams up with WWE Champion Randy Orton, to take on the tandem of John Cena, ECW's Mr. Money In The Bank CM Punk and The Game Triple H
***COMMERCIALS***
It was no surprise to see Santino Marella back to his usual tricks again. He seemed to be cosying up to Maria, the girl he now despises for unveiling her Playboy cover live on Monday Night RAW. However when a sexist comment slipped out about Maria and the other women of the world having to stay in kitchens where they belong, instead of distracting men at ringside, an enraged Maria lashed out at Santino with a massive open palmed slap. Santino had the look of disbelief as Maria pranced off down the corridor.
Hightlights of Wrestlemania twenty-four then shot out onto the television sets, focussing on The Big Red Machine Kane winning the ECW Championship after defeating former Champion Chavo Guerrero in under ten seconds. This lead into an ECW advertisement for tomorrow night, hyping up the return of the monster Kane as a World Champion.
A new Champion Rises From The Ashes tomorrow night on ECW
***COMMERCIALS***
Santino Marella was forced into a match with RAW Colour Commentator Jerry The King Lawler. It was a match that Marella had in the bag, until his girlfriend Maria came down and gave The Italian Stallion a low-blow. Feeling that a lo-blow was simply not enough, Maria slapped Santino, all of which went on while Maria's best friend Ashley distracted the referee. With Santino down and out, King rolled him up in a School Boy pin and got the three count.
It was as clear as day why Maria did that, because Santino treated her like crap over her Playboy Cover, and this was just sweet, sweet revenge.
Just mere moments after King's celebrations ended, WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix and pal Melina strolled down to the ring and got into a fist, or should I say cat fight with Maria and Ashley. With all four divas brawling Santino stood on the entrance ramp a happy man. Especially when he left to the back afterwards with Champion Beth Phoenix and Melina. Bringing Santino and Maria's relationship to an abrupt end.
World Wrestling Entertainment Presents WWE Backlash. Live Sunday April 27th 2008 from The 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Wrestlemania is over, but the Backlash has just begun
***COMMERCIALS***
It was hyped up throughout most of the show that The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels would be coming to the ring to speak about Wrestlemania, and when that eventually happened the WWE Universe were shocked with the outcome. The atmosphere at Wrestlemania was awesome, but tonight it just seemed tense. Michaels paused for several seconds not really knowing how to compose himself for such a big thing. Once Mr. Wrestlemania finally opened his mouth, the crowd gave him an ear tingling standing ovation for being man enough to do what Ric Flair wanted last night at Wrestlemania.
Michaels appreciated the applause but mentioned that it wasn't the right time, or place to be cheering. He stated that he had once again lost his smile after everything that had happened in the last few months. He informed everyone of never again seeing The Nature Boy Ric Flair in a WWE ring, thus causing the fans to boo intensely. Shawn Michaels then implied that it wasn't only his smile that he'd lost, but he had also lost his faith, his beliefs, his everything. Michaels claimed that his world was turned upside down last night at Wrestlemania, and because of what happened, he can't stay in this business. Michaels said that he couldn't be a WWE superstar while the thought of ending Ric Flair's career ate away at his mind.
With that, Michaels declared himself nothing more than 'The Heart Broke Kid' before leaving the ring. Bringing this short and sweet promo to an end, earlier than most RAW fans expected.
***COMMERCIALS***
During the commercial, The Heart Broke Kid Shawn Michaels was shown leaving the arena, with all of his luggage by his side. It left the tangy question 'Is Michaels gone for good?'
The hard times ultimately got worse later on in the broadcast for World Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes. As the two World Tag Team Champions settled down in the locker rooms, an irate Hardcore Holly pinned Cody Rhodes up against the wall for saying 'it was just one match' stating that Champions never lose matches. Hearing about their recent troubles, RAW General Manager William Regal couldn't help but drop by to make a little, or rather big announcement. Next week live on Monday Night RAW, Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes would be defending the World Tag Team Championships against Cryme Tyme. Regal soon left knowing that his business was done.
Jeff Hardy competed in one of his most competitive matches to date next against the apple spitting Carlito, with the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line. Both men went at it for more than ten minutes with close calls here, there and everywhere. Jeff Hardy managed to get the fans on his side as always by hitting high flying moves off the top turnbuckle. However when he missed a Whisper In The Wind, Carlito gained all the momentum, only for Hardy to kick out after a pin attempt. In the end it came down to Jeff Hardy driving the wind right out of Carlito with the Swanton Bomb to pick up the three count.
***COMMERCIALS***
As Hardy celebrated with his Intercontinental Championship, Carlito announced the return of Carlito's Cabana next week on RAW whilst being interviewed by Todd Grisham. And it was only too fitting that his first guest would be none other than WWE Intercontinental Champion, Jeff Hardy.
To make things even more exciting for the women's division, Beth Phoenix dropped an announcement of her own whilst with Santino and Melina in the locker room. Stating that next week on RAW she was offering Maria a WWE Women's Championship match. That is surely one thing Maria doesn't want to turn down. With that, Santino Marella and Melina left with WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix, The Glamazon, down the corridor.
Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch kept their role intact after defeating Paul London and Brian Kendrick in tag team action. Saying that, it did take them over seven minutes to do. London and Kendrick also got some decent offence in, but it was nothing more than a filler match. Trevor Murdoch picked up the three count for his team by slamming Brian Kendrick down to the canvas with a massive Powerbomb. After the match Murdoch sang a song while Lance Cade attacked London and kendrick some more. As the song came to a climax Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch peered over London and Kendrick with sick smiles on their faces, signalling that they were the greatest tag team on RAW, and that they were destined for the World Tag Team Championships.
Up next on RAW, the huge tag team main event. JBL and WWE Champion Randy Orton against John Cena, ECW's Mr. Money In The Bank CM Punk and The Game Triple H
***COMMERCIALS***
The main event was running smoothly, or so it seemed. John Bradshaw Layfield and WWE Champion Randy Orton used every trick in the book to gain the momentum in the early going. While one distracted the referee the other would beat up their opponent. However, things like that just got the crowd in favour of Cena, Punk and Hunter. About halfway into the huge main event was when the controversy began. John Bradshaw Layfield calmy stepped out of the ring and headed back up the entrance ramp. Leaving the WWE Champion Randy Orton to fend for himself against three men gunning for the Title. Cena, CM Punk and Triple H. Not wanting any part of it, Randy Orton grabbed a steel chair from the time-keeper, folded it and dented it with an imprint of Triple H's cranium.
With that wreckless act, the referee had no other alternative but to end the match and give the victory to the team of Cena, Punk and Triple H.
The python-like Champion Randy Orton slithered up the ramp with his evil eyes burning a hole through everyone, while Cena and CM Punk checked on a hurt looking Triple H in the ring. RAW faded off the air with a shot of Randy Orton's eyes burning a hole through everyone in the ring. The cowardly Champion then smirked slightly knowing that what he just did was smart.
***END OF THE SHOW***
