RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 3rd November, 2008

[Kellie]

Please feel free to discuss RAW here. No need to wait for updates!

RAW Results - 3rd November, 2008
Location - St Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
Announcers - Michael Cole and Jerry 'The King' Lawler

Tonight is a special night for Raw. Tonight, Raw celebrates its 800th episode and they are going to have a few interesting things to commemorate this honor. First, Chris Jericho will get his chance to win back the World Heavyweight Title against Batista and it will take place inside a steel cage. We will also see a rare, for the last few months, reunion of Degeneration X. This time, they will try to stop the disrespectful punks known as John Morrison and The Miz. Will Morrison and Miz join the Spirit Squad in mothballs after messing with Degeneration X or will they succeed where other have failed? Will Randy Orton succeed in getting Mike Adamle fired by Shane and Stephanie McMahon or will Randy become the biggest free agent in wrestling? Will the former tag team champions do anything to the new champions? What is next for the Honk-A-Meter? Since tonight’s show is only a few miles from where FCW trains, will we see any of the wrestlers on television tonight?

We begin tonight’s show with highlights over the last 799 (or so) episodes of Raw. We are also told that it has outlasted some of the most successful shows in the history of television.

We are live from Tampa, Florida and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

We see the steel cage over the ring as Jerry Lawler talks about the match between Batista and Chris Jericho.

Randy Orton walks deliberately to the ring. Orton has a mic and he has something to say. Randy says that last week he gave Shane and Stephanie an ultimatum. Either they fire Mike Adamle as Raw general manager or he walks. In typical McMahon fashion, Shane and Stephanie have decided to make us wait to make their announcement. Orton says that he will wait until they come out. He tells anyone who doubts him to try him.

We see footage from episode 764 when Jeff hit the Swanton from the scaffolding of the Titantron.


Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy vs Montel Vontavious Porter and The Brian Kendrick with Ezekial Jackson

Porter and Jeff start things off and Porter with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Porter with a forearm and slam but he misses a knee drop. Jeff with a kick to Porter and then Porter misses a boot. Jeff with a leg drop after a double leg take down and Jeff gets a near fall. Matt tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a somersault leg drop from Jeff and a fist drop from Matt. Matt gets a near fall.

Jeff tags back in and they hit Poetry in Motion on Porter for a near fall as Kendrick distracts Jeff. Jeff misses the drop kick into the corner and Kendrick tags in and hits a slingshot boot to the back. Kendrick with a near fall and then Kendrick with kicks to the back and punches to the head. Kendrick with a drop kick to stop Jeff from making the tag. Kendrick with a reverse chin lock and then he drops Jeff to the mat. Kendrick tries for Sliced Bread #2, but Jeff lands on his feet. Jeff with a sit out gourdbuster and both men are down.

Porter and Matt tag in and Matt with punches to Porter. Matt with a back elbow and Irish whip followed by a clothesline. Matt with a bulldog to Porter and he also hits a clothesline on a charging Kendrick at the same time. Matt goes to the second turnbuckle for the screaming elbow to the back of the neck. Matt with the Side Effect for a near fall that is broken up by Kendrick. Matt tries for the Twist of Fate but Porter pushes him off. Both men hit clotheslines and they are down. Jeff gets in and he deals with the referee. That keeps the referee from seeing the tag and the referee sends Kendrick back to the apron. Matt hits the Twist of Fate and then Jeff hits the Swanton to allow Matt to get the three count.

Winners: Matt and Jeff Hardy


We take a look back at the first episode of Raw from 1993. We see Sean Mooney and Bobby Heenan outside the building with Heenan trying to get in.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at Episode 17: The 1-2-3 Kid Strikes Back as he defeats Razor Ramon.


Battle Royale for a Shot at the Intercontinental Champion featuring Cody Rhodes, Manu, Ted DiBiase, Jamie Noble, Shad, JTG, William Regal, and Gene Snitsky

Before the match starts, Santino comes out with Beth Phoenix to watch the match. Santino’s unibrow is expanding at a geometric rate.

The bell rings and while Regal and Noble fight alone and the other six are in the opposite corner. Regal goes after Manu while Noble rolls back in. Manu with a head butt to Regal and he tries to eliminate him. DiBiase helps Manu. Rhodes with a head scissors to Noble but they both roll back in. DiBiase and Rhodes continue to work on Regal while Snitsky and JTG fight. JTG is sent to the apron and he avoids Snitsky who is then eliminated by Manu, Rhodes, and DiBiase. DiBiase eliminates Rhodes and Manu, and they are not happy. Noble is eliminated by Regal and then he pulls Regal out of the ring. DiBiase has JTG in the ropes and Shad makes the save. Shad slingshots JTG in but DiBiase moves. DiBiase eliminates JTG.

DiBiase and Shad with punches. Shad with a clothesline and then he tries for a power slam but DiBiase avoids it. Shad is caught in the ropes and DiBiase with a drop kick to eliminate him. Regal gets back into the ring and he eliminates DiBiase.

Winner: William Regal


After the match
Layla comes out to celebrate with her man.

They point out that Raw is in Manchester, England next week.


Backstage
We see a long limo arrive and Stephanie McMahon emerges with her brother Shane. Stephanie tells Shane to handle this one. Shane says that this wasn’t how he wanted to celebrate Raw’s 800th, but he will do it. We go to commercial.


Randy Orton is in the ring and he has his mic. He says that now that Shane and Stephanie are finally here, it is time to address this. Last week, Mike Adamle put his livelihood and well-being in jeopardy. To make things worse, Adamle slapped him in the face. Either Adamle goes or he goes.

Shane McMahon comes out with the Shane-O Shuffle and he goes to the ring. Shane has a mic and he tells Randy that he does not react well to aggressive tones. He is not going to let Orton make any threats. Randy says that if Shane’s father was here, he would make sure that his top superstar was taken care of. Shane tells Randy to understand his position in the company.

Mike Adamle comes to the ring and he has a mic. Mike tells Shane before he continues, he has something that he needs to say. Since the beginning of Raw, whoever has been in charge has had an agenda. Some were good and some were bad. Mike says that he wanted to be different. He wanted to be neutral and not have to choose sides. Mike says that is what made him special. Adamle says that he is not going to let it happen to him. Mike says that he is getting a little emotion. Last week, he let Randy Orton get the best of him and he slapped Randy in the face. He became what he did not want to become. He says that this job corrupts and he does not want to let that happen to him. Mike says that is why he is resigning as the general manager of Raw. Mike thanks Shane and Stephanie for the opportunity. Mike leaves the ring.

Randy wants Mike to give him an apology. Shane says that if anyone owes someone an apology it would be Randy owing one to Adamle. He talks about Randy’s excuse and how he complains about his shoulder. At Cyber Sunday, Orton looked at his best. Shane says that he talked to his doctor and Orton has been cleared to wrestle for weeks, but he decided not to tell anyone. Shane wonders when Randy was going to let someone know. Orton suggests that he was waiting for Survivor Series. Shane says that Survivor Series is a few weeks away, so why not tonight. Tonight, Randy Orton will compete in the ring since he is Raw’s Biggest Commodity. Randy says that he would love to wrestle in the ring because he does not have his gear. Shane says that he has everything taken care of. Tonight, Randy will be facing the man he kicked in the head and cost the World Title. Randy will be wrestling CM Punk.

We Shuffle into commercial.

We are back with a look back at Episode 778 when Politics Collide. We only see the comments from McCain and Obama.


Vladimir Kozlov vs Bret Haas

Before the match, Haas asks Kozlov if the fans screwed him by not voting for him at Cyber Sunday. Haas says that Kozlov screwed Kozlov. Haas says that he is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

Haas with a kick but Kozlov with a kick of his own. Kozlov with a belly-to-belly suplex followed by the head butt of doom for the three count.


Winner: Vladimir Kozlov


We see Kozlov stare at the ring and then we go to commercial.


We are back and Wrestlemania tickets are almost on sale.

We go back to Cyber Sunday when Chris Jericho lost the World Title to Batista.

We see the steel cage over the ring.


Backstage
Todd Grisham is in the interview area with Batista. Todd asks Batista about how confident he is going into the match tonight. Batista says that it took him a while to win the title and he is not going to give it up so quickly. Jericho will have no excuses for when he loses.

Cole and Lawler talk about the return of DX. We go to the Invasion of WCW during Episode 257.


Backstage
Shawn Michaels and Triple H are walking in the back. We go to commercial.


We are back with video game footage from Smackdown vs. Raw 2009.

Shawn and Hunter come to the ring. After some pyro, Shawn does a few laps around Hunter and he gives Hunter the mic. Hunter says that it has been a while and they forgot they had pyro. Hunter asks everyone if they are ready or if they are rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrread y. Shawn says that he is not ready. He says that he was watching ECW last week and he saw Miz and Morrison mocking them. He suggests that Hunter should see this. We go ECW from Tuesday and see Morrison and Miz attack two ‘fake’ DX members. Shawn and Hunter are in shock. Shawn says that it could have been them last week. Shawn says that it is revolutionary to do that. Hunter says that happened in segment four. Shawn says that Hunter has a big nose. Hunter says that it is not that big and the camera adds ten pounds. Shawn tells Hunter the part that sends him over the edge. They did the unforgiveable. They mocked the chaps. You can mock his kids, you can punch his wife in the face; but you don’t mock the chaps. Hunter says the part that made him mad was when they got on Shawn for losing his hair. Shawn puts his hat back on and he says that he does not recall that part. Shawn says that they will never speak of this again. Hunter says that those guys said they were in high school when they were doing this in the ring. While DX was revolutionizing the industry, we see the high school photos of Miz and Morrison. Hunter says that they looked like guys who were beaten up every day in high school and tonight is going to be no different. Hunter asks Shawn one more time if he is ready and Shawn is finally ready. Now it is time to see if Miz is ready. We see Miz getting a lap dance from Big Dick Johnson at No Mercy 2006 while he was blindfolded. Hunter suggests that Miz and Morrison are a couple and hope to marry some day.


Shawn Michaels and Triple H vs John Morrison and The Miz


We are back and Morrison gets a near fall on Hunter as we join the match in progress. Morrison with a side head lock. Hunter with a clothesline to Morrison. Miz tags in and so does Michaels. Michaels with a punch and flying forearm followed by a nip up and reverse atomic drop and punch. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop and then he sets for Sweet Chin Music. Morrison stops Michaels from the apron and then Miz with a clothesline to Michaels and Michaels is flipped over. Miz with punches to Michaels on the mat and then he catapults Michaels into a punch from Morrison and then Morrison with a slingshot elbow onto Michaels who rests on Miz’s knees. Morrison with a choke using Michaels’s arm. Michaels with a chop to Morrison but Morrison with an Irish whip and Michaels with the Michaels flip into a clothesline for a near fall by Morrison. Miz tags in and he kicks Michaels and then he Irish whips Michaels into the corner and hits the running clothesline into the corner. Miz tries for the Reality Check, but Michaels with a back slide. Miz with a clothesline and then he tags in Morrison. Morrison slaps Michaels but Michaels with an enzuigiri and both men are down.

Hunter tags in and he punches Morrison followed by the high knee. Hunter knocks Miz off the apron. Hunter with a facebuster and he sets for the Pedigree. Hunter with a spinebuster to Miz. Morrison with the springboard spin kick but Michaels breaks up the cover. Morrison knocks Michaels out of the ring. Morrison with a flying forearm and he mocks Michaels with a nip up. Morrison sets for Sweet Chin Music and he hits a super kick on Hunter. Miz tags in and then they do a crotch chop instead of going for the cover. Miz sets for a Pedigree on Hunter but Hunter powers out of it and he hits a back body drop. Morrison misses a clothesline and Morrison goes to the floor. Michaels with a super kick and Hunter with a Pedigree to Miz for the three count.

Winner: Shawn Michaels and Triple H


Backstage
Bradshaw and Shane are in the office and Bradshaw says that the beating from last week wasn’t enough for Shawn Michaels. Bradshaw says that he has a business proposition for Shane. With the end of the Mike Adamle era, Raw needs a leader to bring change. Why not have a self-made millionaire at the helm. Bradshaw says that he wants to be the general manager. Shane says that he thought Bradshaw should be in front of the scenes in a high profile match. Bradshaw likes the idea of a Triple Threat Match for the title. Shane says that he was suggesting that Bradshaw face the Undertaker tonight. Bradshaw does not really like the idea, but it would be a match up of titans. Shane says that he is glad they had this talk.

We go to commercial.


We are back with a look at Episode 243 when Mike Tyson came to Raw and confronted Cold Stone.


Sixteen Diva Tag Match

There are only fifteen divas in the ring and the final participant comes out and it is Mae Young.

Beth attacks Kelly at the start of the match and works on the arm. Kelly with forearms and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Mae tags in and she punches Beth followed by a forearm. Natalya comes in and goes down with a forearm. Victoria does the same and so does Jillian and Layla. We see a series of spears. Mae throws Katie Lea out of the ring. Beth with a school girl for the three count on Mae Young.

Winners: Heel Divas


After the match
Santino comes out to celebrate with Beth.

It is time for the Smackdown Rebound.

We go to commercial.


We are back with footage from Episode 456 when The Rock confronted Hollywood Hogan in 2002.

We see footage from Unforgiven when Randy Orton kicked Punk in the head to force him from the Championship Scramble.


CM Punk versus Randy Orton


Punk with a kick to Orton but Orton avoids it. Punk with an enzuigiri to Orton and then he punches him in the corner. Punk with knees in the corner followed by Irish whips but Orton with a clothesline and kick to the chest. Orton with the Garvin Stomp and he poses in the middle of the stomp. Orton with the reverse chin lock and forearm. Orton with an Irish whip and he avoids the charge into the corner. Punk with a springboard clothesline followed by kick and slaps. Punk with a back hand slap and kick to the head. Punk with a leg lariat and then he hits the running knee into the corner. Orton avoids the bulldog and then he sets for the RKO with Orton push ups. From out of nowhere, Ted DiBiase attacks Punk and the referee calls for the bell.


Winner: CM Punk by disqualification


After the match
DiBiase attacks Punk and Orton with the running kick to DiBiase’s head. Orton leaves the ring while Rhodes and Manu watch him leave. Orton watches from the ramp as they check on DiBiase in the ring. We go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Randy Orton kicking Ted DiBiase in the head and we see DiBiase being stretchered from the ring.


Backstage
Manu and Rhodes see Orton in the back and Cody wants to know what he was doing. Manu points out that Ted is on a stretcher. Randy understands that they want revenge on Punk, but he was a few seconds away from winning his first match back. He tried to kick some sense into DiBiase. Orton tells Rhodes and Manu to do something if they have a problem with what happened out there. They don’t do anything and Randy says that was smart and that there might be some hope for them.

Time for Raw Flashback from Episode 772 when Floyd Mayweather is turned into a lawn dart.

Stephanie McMahon is on her phone possibly texting for Cyber Sunday. Mike Adamle enters the office and Stephanie says that his speech was eloquent and to the chase. Mike says that they know why he is leaving. Every time he comes up with a good idea, she changes things. No wonder he looked lost out there because it was different than what Shane told him. He calls Stephanie a megalomaniac. Stephanie wishes Mike well.

Shane enters the office and he says that he has a major decision for Survivor Series. He tells Stephanie to trust him.

We go to commercial.


We are back and it is time for another 800 Moment: From Episode 475: Jeff Hardy versus the Undertaker in a ladder match.

Jim Ross comes to the ring and he joins Tazz at the Smackdown table.

We see footage of the Undertaker’s entrance from the first episode of Raw.


John Bradshaw Layfield vs Undertaker

Taker with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Taker punches Bradshaw and connects with a head butt. Taker goes Old School and connects with it. Bradshaw with a clothesline to Taker and he slams his head into the turnbuckles. Bradshaw with punches in the corner followed by a kick. Bradshaw with more punches but Taker responds with punches of his own. Taker with an Irish whip followed by snake eyes and a running boot. Taker with a leg drop for a two count. Taker with a choke slam and he tries for the Tombstone but Bradshaw gets out of the hold. Taker and Bradshaw bump heads and Bradshaw falls out of the ring. Taker sits up and Bradshaw backs away and he gets counted out.


Winner: Undertaker


After the match
Shawn Michaels rolls Bradshaw back into the ring and Taker hits the Tombstone.


Backstage
Chris Jericho is in the office and Shane enters. Shane asks where Stephanie is. Chris says that he is looking forward to Shane’s big announcement because it will be about him as the World Champion. Shane says that the World Title will be defended against John Cena. Chris says that karma has a way of righting things. Shane wishes Chris luck and we go to commercial.

We are back with more Raw 800 Moments: Episode 304 from 1999 with the Steve Austin beer truck attack.

Funaki is in the ring and he is doing some karate. He is joined by Hornswoggle. Then the Boogeyman comes into the ring with his smoking stick. They are joined by Goldust, Jesse, and Festus. Next into the ring are Jim Duggan, Sergeant Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, Teddy Long, Lillian Garcia, and Michael Cole. Jerry Lawler stays outside the ring. Cole dances with Lillian and Goldust cuts in to dance with Cole.

Ron Simmons appears under the TitanTron for his DAMN cameo.

More 800 Episode Moments: Episode 775 when Ric Flair says farewell after Wrestlemania.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at Episode 630 when Edge and Lita got ‘married’ in 2005 only to be interrupted by Kane.

We see some members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the front row.

We see footage of Evan Bourne suffering an ankle injury last week on ECW since he was supposed to be Rey’s tag team partner.


Kane and Mark Henry with Tony Atlas vs Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston

Rey and Kane start things off and Kane kicks Rey followed by a rare uppercut. Kane with an Irish whip but he charges into boots from Rey and Rey with a rana. Kane with a side slam to Rey. Henry tags in and he presses Rey over his head and then drops him behind but Rey lands on his feet. Henry with a body block and then he misses an elbow drop. Kofi tags in and he hits a springboard forearm and more forearms but Henry does not go down. Henry tosses Kofi into the corner. Kofi punches Henry in the corner after knocking Kane off the apron. Henry misses a splash and he runs into a boot. Kofi with a cross body but Henry catches him. Rey tries for a drop kick to the back but Henry stays up. Rey tries for another one but Kane comes in and clotheslines Rey. Henry with the standing power slam for the three count.

Winners: Kane and Mark Henry


After the match
Rey Mysterio is tossed from the ring.

The Great Khali comes out with Runjin Singh. Kane grabs Rey by the throat for a choke slam but Khali with a chop to Kane’s head. Khali attacks Henry and Mark falls into the ropes in the 619 waiting position. Rey enters the ring and he hits a 619 on Henry who turns around into a chop from Khali.

We go to commercial.


We are back with the opening video package.

It is time for the official cage lowering music of the WWE. Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole talk about how John Cena will be coming back to wrestle for the title at Survivor Series. It is time to take a look back at his start in the WWE. We then see some of Cena’s raps.


Backstage
Shane McMahon is in the office and Stephanie joins him. Stephanie says that she loved the announcement. Stephanie wants to be in the loop together and keep the surprises at bay. Shane says that he wishes their dad was here. Stephanie says that their dad would have been proud of them.

We return to the arena and the cage lowering music continues as it is lowered from the rafters to the ring. We go to commercial.

We are back with the Tribute to the Troops from 2007 when it was Episode 761.


Steel Cage Match for the World Title
Chris Jericho vs Batista

Chris Jericho versus Batista for the World Title in a Steel Cage Match
The bell rings Batista sends Jericho down to the mat two times so Jericho slaps Batista. Batista runs Jericho into the corner and he connects with shoulders. Jericho climbs the cage but Batista keeps him on top and then he brings Jericho back into the cage. Batista with a running power slam and a clothesline for a two count. Batista slams Jericho’s head into the turnbuckles and follows it with punches and kicks. Jericho with a kick to Batista and then Jericho is sent into the cage by Batista. Batista uses the cage to his advantage and he sends Jericho into the cage again as we go to commercial.

We are back and Jericho is trying to put Batista in the Walls of Jericho and he succeeds. Batista grabs Jericho’s leg and he is able to get out of the hold. Jericho is sent towards the open cage door, but he gets caught in the ropes and Batista keeps him inside the cage. Jericho gets his hand on the floor but Batista holds on. Batista grabs Jericho by the tights and pulls him back in. Batista punches Jericho and then Jericho pulls Batista partially out of the cage and closes the cage door on Batista’s injured leg. Jericho does it again. Jericho with an elbow drop to the knee. Batista punches Jericho but Jericho kicks Batista in the leg. Batista with the Bossman Slam for a two count. Batista with an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Jericho with a kick but Batista with a spinebuster. Jericho gets a two count. Jericho waits for Batista to get back up and he tries for the Codebreaker but Batista holds Jericho up and runs him into the cage. Jericho is by the door and Batista misses a spear and goes into the cage. Jericho climbs the cage and he gets up top. Batista has the door opened. Batista grabs Jericho and he pulls Jericho back into the door. Batista with a spinebuster and then he gets ready for the Batista Bomb but Jericho blocks it. Jericho gets on the cage and he climbs to the top again. They fight on the top rope and Batista punches Jericho but Batista falls and crotches himself. Jericho climbs to the top of the cage. Batista climbs up top and he pulls Jericho back into the cage for a super Batista Bomb but Jericho hits Batista with a part of the cage to stop Batista. Batista is dazed and Jericho goes over and after being choked for a second, Jericho kicks Batista off and he hits the floor.

Winner: Chris Jericho


After the match
we see Jericho celebrate while we see Batista bleeding in the cage.

We go to credits.

[JohnCenaFan28]

WWE Adds a 16 Diva Match to Tonight's 3 Hour Raw:
WWE has announced a huge 16 Diva match that will take place tonight on Raw's 3 hour special. It's being billed as the "biggest diva's wrestling match in history."

In addition to that match, Chris Jericho will be facing Batista in a steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship, John Morrison and The Miz will take on DX in an tag match, and Randy Orton's ultimatum will be answered by Stephanie and Shane McMahon.

:drool:

[ryanasd]

I'm so excited

[ArJay]

wooo at Jericho bein champ again!!!!!!!

[Swinny]

Wow, I definitely didn't see that coming. Very happy though, I don't understand the point however, Cyber Sunday turned out to be quite pointless, but I can't complain, I'm glad Jericho's back with the title again, even though he'll probably lose it to Cena at Survivor Series.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Jericho won He may not be CM Punk but he's better than Batista n why do we get the same moments recapped over n over again???? The rest of it was predictable including Regal's win but not orton kicking DiBiase's brains out

[tommy]

Jericho was a very boring champ, I don't know why they gave him back the title. Ratings were high with Punk, and they have plummeted ever since Jericho won the belt. Giving it back to him was just moronic.

[Swinny]

Jericho was a very boring champ, I don't know why they gave him back the title. Ratings were high with Punk, and they have plummeted ever since Jericho won the belt. Giving it back to him was just moronic.

And do you really think Batista would have been any better, or help the ratings any? I don't. Jericho is one of the best the WWE has right now, and I think he makes a great champ.

[Bad Boy]

Jericho champ again? lol, Batista turned out to be a transitional champ... an ok Raw, was quite entertainin

[tommy]

And do you really think Batista would have been any better, or help the ratings any? I don't. Jericho is one of the best the WWE has right now, and I think he makes a great champ.

I do think Batista could have done better. Jericho is a better wrestler yes, but ratings wise, his new character drives people away. I used to be a huge Jericho fan, but it's just not entertaining watching him anymore. Yes, he's a heel and we are supposed to dislike him, but there's a point when ratings fall under 3.0 that you have to stop and question why this man is leading Raw instead of someone more deserving.