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Just before the ball drops in Times Square to ring in 2008, Raw Superstars will ring the bell for a thrilling night of action in Greensboro, N.C.
As ordered by Mr. McMahon, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair's legendary career will be on the line once again – this time against his friend, protégé and former Evolution teammate, Triple H.
With 27 World Championships and a mentor-student bond shared between The Game and "Naitch," will the dirtiest player in the game be able to survive the King of Kings' onslaught? And what will The Cerebral Assassin do? Is the 11-time World Champion willing to battle his mentor and end the career of a man who has been such a great influence in his life?
One shining light – the Greensboro Coliseum is traditionally "Flair Country," giving the Nature Boy a hometown advantage. And in past weeks, with Flair's career on the line against Randy Orton and Umaga, he's been resourceful enough to come out victorious. But will Nature Boy’s winning streak run dry in his home state, ending his legendary, championship-filled career?
Also, after John Bradshaw Layfield attacked Chris Jericho in Iraq during Tribute to the Troops, will Y2J be out for revenge on the Texas tycoon as he makes his promised Raw debut?
Find out live on New Year's Eve, as Monday Night Raw airs 9/8 CT on USA Network.
Please feel free to discuss RAW here. No need to wait for updates!
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RAW Results - 31st Dec, 2007
Location - Greensboro, N.C
Announcers -
Tonight is the final night of 2007, but will tonight be the final night for Ric Flair in the WWE as he faces one of his best friends, Triple H. What is next for Jeff Hardy as he prepares for his WWE Title Match against Randy Orton? Will we see anything new between Ken Kennedy and Shawn Michaels? What fun and games are in store for Hornswoggle at the hands of his father Vince McMahon? Will we see Hornswoggle dressed up like Baby New Year? What is next for Bradshaw now that he is no longer an announcer? Will Chris Jericho have any surprises for Bradshaw? Will we find out any matches for the Royal Rumble or any participants in the Royal Rumble Match?
We begin with a look back at the man who rose to the top of the WWE in 2007, Randy Orton. We see Orton taking care of many different wrestlers and legends during the year.
We are live on tape from Greensboro, North Carolina and your announcers are Jim 'Happy Woooo Year' Ross and Jerry 'Ring in the New Year with the King' Lawler.
Randy Orton is in the center of the ring as his music plays and there is a spotlight on him. Randy says that 2007 can be summarized in three letters, R. . . K . . . O. He went from being the Legend Killer to a one man dynasty. In 2008, he is going to be more ruthless and dominant than ever. He says that he will start off the New Year as the WWE Champion and he will end the year as the WWE Champion.
Jeff Hardy’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Jeff stands face to face with Orton he tells Randy that he can talk about his year all he wants, but right here and right now it means nothing. It is about what Randy has done lately. Jeff says that Randy does not have any momentum. We go to footage from two weeks ago when Jeff pinned Orton.
We are back and Randy says that only proved that Jeff got lucky in a tag match. Jeff says that proves that he can beat Randy. It says that if anyone has momentum going into their match, it is Jeff Hardy. Randy tells Jeff to ask Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena about what he has done lately. Orton tells Jeff that nobody has beaten him for the WWE Title and neither will Jeff Hardy. Orton talks about how momentum can change and he gets nose to nose with Hardy. Orton tries for an RKO but Hardy escapes and he hits a Twist of Fate. Hardy leaves the ring while Orton is down in the ring.
We take a look back at the events leading up to tonight's match between Ric Flair and Triple H. We see Ric Flair's announcement that he will never retire along with Vince's declaration that if Flair loses a match, his career is over.
We go to commercial with Shawn Michaels walking in the back.
We are back and Raw Roulette is back next week.
Jeff is walking in the back and he runs into his brother. Matt says that he came to support his brother and wanted to get out. Matt says that he is proud of Jeff and what he has done. Jeff asks how Matt is doing. Matt says that he hopes to be ready by the Royal Rumble. Matt says that he wants the first chance once Jeff wins the title at Royal Rumble. Matt and Jeff talk about it as they walk away.
Ken Kennedy versus Shawn Michaels
They lock up and Michaels with an arm bar into a top wrist lock. Kennedy with a single leg take down but Michaels with a side head lock take down. Kennedy with a head scissors but Michaels gets out of the hold and returns to the side head lock. Kennedy tries for another head scissors but Michaels gets out. Michaels with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Michaels with arm drags into an arm bar. Kennedy backs Michaels into the corner and Kennedy punches Michaels in the ribs. Kennedy with a forearm to the face. Michaels with an Irish whip and then he pulls Kennedy down and teases pulling him into the ring post but instead he slams Kennedy’s knee to the mat. Michaels continues to work on the knee as Kennedy fights Michaels off. Michaels with a modified single leg crab with extra pressure on the lower leg. Kennedy makes it to the ropes. Michaels continues to work on the leg and then he tries to slam Kennedy but Kennedy gets out of the hold and then he connects with a spear that sends both men to the floor as they go through the ropes. Kennedy rolls back into the ring and he has the referee start his count. Michaels returns to the ring and Kennedy kicks Michaels as we go to commercial.
We are back and Michaels and Kennedy battle in the corner as Kennedy starts to work on the leg. Kennedy with a running boot to the head and Kennedy gets a two count. Kennedy with a slam to Michaels and then he gets a near fall. Kennedy with boots to Michaels’s head. Michaels avoids a short arm clothesline and then he puts Kennedy in the crossface but Kennedy escapes the hold. Kennedy with a boot to Michaels’s chest followed by an elbow drop. Kennedy runs Michaels into the ring post and puts him in the tree of woe. Kennedy with a forearm to the back and then he sets for a super belly-to-back suplex but Michaels knocks Kennedy off the turnbuckles. Kennedy with a punch to Michaels that staggers him on the turnbuckles. Kennedy with punches and then he sets for a superplex and he hits it. Kennedy gets a two count and then he works on Michaels’s back again with a seated abdominal stretch. Michaels punches Kennedy in the leg and then he kicks Kennedy in the leg. Michaels with forearms to Kennedy. Michaels with a flying forearm and then he kips up. Michaels with a reverse atomic drop followed by punches and another reverse atomic drop. Michaels with a slam and then he goes up top for the elbow drop but he misses. Kennedy with a rollup for a two count. Michaels with a sunset flip but Kennedy counters. We see a number of near falls as we see a series of reversals. Kennedy gets Michaels on his shoulders but Michaels escapes the hold. Kennedy with a flatline for the three count.
Winner: Ken Kennedy
Backstage
Todd Grisham is in the interview area with Triple H. Todd asks Hunter about his match against his friend and mentor and how he feels about possibly ending Ric’s career. Hunter says that he is in a dilemma. He goes into every match with losing not an option. At least Flair will know that he lost to the best.
Hunter is interrupted by Vince McMahon and William Regal. Vince talks about the match between Hunter and Flair with Flair’s career on the line. Vince wonders what would happen if Triple H loses. Regal says that Hunter will not be a part of the Royal Rumble Match if he loses tonight. Vince wishes Hunter a ‘Happy New Year’ as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jillian Hall sings Auld Lang Syne while Big Dick Johnson dances. They are joined by Ron Simmons for a DAMN moment.
William Regal and Vince are talking and he is interrupted by a phone call. Vince asks Regal about his new year. Vince suggests that he change things and prove himself tonight in a match against his son Hornswoggle. Vince wants Regal to teach him some tough love. Regal asks about Finlay and Vince says that Finlay is in Northern Ireland. Vince reminds Hornswoggle to use tough love.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talk about the tough love. We go to some highlights from the Tribute to the Troops show.
We go to commercial with the promise that Bradshaw is making his return to Raw.
We are back and Jerry Lawler talks about how the Royal Rumble has sold out. We go to footage from the 1988 Royal Rumble which was won by Jim Duggan who beat the One Man Gang.
im Duggan versus Umaga in a Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
Duggan starts a USA chant and then he punches Umaga but Umaga with a punch of his own. Umaga punches Duggan in the corner and then he continues the attack after being admonished by the referee. Umaga sets for the running butt splash and he hits it. Umaga sets for the Samoan Spike but Duggan is basically out on his feet as he hits the Spike for the three count.
Winner: Umaga
Backstage
Ric Flair is in the locker room with the World Tag Team Champions when he is interrupted by Vince McMahon. Vince asks Flair if he is ready to walk that aisle one more time and for one last Woooo. Vince tells Flair that it is over.
We return to Ross and Lawler and Ross says that Vince could be right and this could be the final match of Flair’s career.
We see footage of Chris Jericho bumping into Bradshaw at Armageddon that led to Bradshaw’s interference in the match between Orton and Jericho. We go to commercial.
We are back and the JBLimo has returned to Raw. We see red and black balloons fall from the ceiling. Bradshaw has pyro as he raises his fist in the air and it puts Jericho’s pyro to shame. Bradshaw gets three more sets of pyro that dwarves the others. Bradshaw says that they are waiting for a ball to fall from the sky in the city he lives in. There is one thing that this day will be known for, it is the day that Bradshaw returns to Raw. It is so momentous that you can smell it. Bradshaw says that he does not have to be here because he is a millionaire many times over. He likes power, he likes domination, he loves owning people and squashing them under his thumb because he can. Bradshaw says that money comes to money. If he cannot buy it he will take it.
Bradshaw is interrupted by Chris Jericho and they fight around ringside Referees come out to separate them. We see that Bradshaw is bleeding from his nose as we go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Bradshaw being interrupted by Chris Jericho.
Bradshaw is yelling at Tony Garea and he tells him that nobody treats Bradshaw like that. He says that everyone will treat him with respect. Bradshaw leaves.
Melina versus Beth Phoenix versus Mickie James for the WWE Women’s Title
Melina starts off by standing to the side but she pushes Mickie into Beth. Beth gets a near fall but Mickie with a back kick and Louise Thesz Press. Melina breaks up the cover but Mickie with a kick to Melina. Beth gets Mickie up for the double chicken wing but Melina with the cover and Beth is not happy. Melina slaps Beth but Beth picks Melina up by the hair. Mickie and Melina exchange punches to Beth. Melina and Mickie hit enzuigiris while they fight over who covers Beth. Melina and Mickie exchange forearms. Mickie with a neck breaker to Melina and Beth breaks up the cover. Beth sends Mickie into the corner and then she throws Melina out of the ring. Beth with a forearm to Melina on the apron. Mickie with a head scissors to Beth and then Melina with a head scissors to Mickie in the corner. Melina with a seated senton for a two count on Beth. Mickie with a drop kick to Melina for a near fall that is broken up by Beth. Beth runs Mickie into the corner but Mickie moves on the charge and she gets a near fall with a rollup. Melina with a two count on a rollup on Mickie. Melina and Mickie throw Beth out of the ring. Melina and Mickie knock Beth off the apron to the floor. Mickie hits the Implant DDT but Beth breaks up the cover. Beth throws Mickie to the floor and then Melina with a Fisherman’s suplex to Melina for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
We go to commercial.
We are back and there is NO CHANCE as Vince McMahon does his stunt walk to the ring and he is accompanied by William Regal for Regal’s match. Before the match, Vince has a few words for HIS SON Hornswoggle and then they hug. Vince wants them to shake hands and they do.
William Regal with Vince McMahon versus Hornswoggle
The lock up and Regal backs Hornswoggle into the corner for a clean break. They lock up again and Regal backs Hornswoggle into the corner and the referee makes them break. Regal takes Hornswoggle down and then he lets go of the hold. Vince gets on the apron as Regal appears to get ready to punch Hornswoggle. Vince tells Regal to come over to talk to him. Vince talks to Regal about strategy but Hornswoggle kicks Regal in the leg. Regal pushes Hornswoggle down and gets ready to punch Hornswoggle. Vince tells Regal to do it and then he gives Regal his brass knuckles. Vince tells Regal to use them and tosses them to his general manager. Regal refuses to hit him and Hornswoggle leaves the ring.
Vince enters the ring and he slaps Regal in the face. Vince says that was a test for Regal, not Hornswoggle. Vince tells Regal that he failed him. He never wanted Regal to hit Hornswoggle and when he had the chance he refused to do it. Vince tells Regal to get out of the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back with an Earlier Tonight Moment of Randy Orton’s confrontation with Jeff Hardy in the ring and Jeff Hardy’s Twist of Fate on Orton.
Jeff Hardy versus Santino Marella with Maria and Carlito
They lock up and Hardy backs Santino into the corner and Hardy with a clean break. Hardy with an arm drag and Santino misses his attempt at an arm drag. Santino with a knee to Hardy followed by a forearm. Santino with a single leg take down and he gets a near fall. Hardy with a mule kick and then he hits the delayed baseball slide. Hardy goes up top for a Swanton, but
Randy Orton appears on the TitanTron and he says that he will have to spend the New Year in the emergency room since he kicked Matt where his appendix was and then we see Matt get kicked in the head by Orton.
We see Jeff show up to check on his brother. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of what Randy Orton did to Matt Hardy.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talk about what happened to Matt.
Backstage
We see Hunter in the locker room with Ric Flair and Hunter says that they had some good times. Hunter wonders how Flair will act when he ends Flair’s career. Hunter wonders if Flair stands a chance in the ring with him. Flair says that he is talking to himself twenty years ago. He says that is how good Hunter is and how good he was. Flair tells Hunter that Hunter will be his friend for the rest of his life. Flair tells Hunter that he is his best friend. He tells Hunter that he wants Hunter to be at his best tonight. Flair points out that Greensboro is Flair Country. Flair says that he is not going down with his head between his leg. Flair says that Hunter is the man, but he is not the best until he puts Flair down. Flair tells Hunter to bring the Game. Hunter says that he has strived every day to be the man that Flair was and still is. Flair says that there is no sympathy and for one night, he will rise to the occasion. Hunter tells Flair to be the man and he will beat the man. We go to commercial.
Triple H versus Ric Flair in Ric Flair’s Potential Final Match Match
Hunter with a side head lock after a woooo from Flair. Hunter with a hammer lock but Flair reverses with a side head lock take down. Hunter with a rollup in the side head lock and Flair holds on to the ropes and then he struts and woooos some more. Hunter with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up again and Hunter with another side head lock and shoulder tackle. Flair with a hip toss and chop. Hunter with a clean break and Flair does the same. Hunter with a punch to Flair and then he punches him again. Hunter stomps on Flair. Hunter punches Flair in the corner but Flair responds with a chop. Hunter with punches but Flair with chops. Flair with more punches and chops but Hunter with a back elbow and high knee. Hunter with a knee drop to the back of Flair’s head. Flair backs himself into the corner and then he slams his head into the turnbuckles followed by punches. Flair chops out of the corner followed by punches and more chops. Hunter with the facebuster but he can only get a near fall. Hunter with a neck breaker for a two count. Flair with chops and punches to Hunter. Hunter with a spinebuster to Flair and then he sets for the Pedigree but Flair counters with a back slide for a two count. Hunter with a sleeper to Flair. Flair gets back to his feet and he hits a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Hunter punches Flair but Flair chops and punches Hunter. Flair with a butterfly suplex to Hunter and then he chops Hunter. Hunter charges into an elbow and Flair goes up top. Hunter grabs Flair for a press slam but Flair with a rake of the eyes and Flair hits a double sledge from the top for a two count. Flair starts to strut and then he hits the rolling knee drop and then he clips Hunter. Flair sets for the figure four but Hunter kicks him off. Flair is able to apply the figure four on Hunter and Hunter tries to get out of the hold and to the ropes but Flair keeps him in the center of the ring. Hunter finally gets to the ropes. Hunter with a kick and then he hits a Pedigree but Hunter is unable to get up because of the damage from the figure four. William Regal pulls Flair to the apron and then he punches Flair with the brass knuckles. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Ric Flair by disqualification
After the match
Hunter cannot believe the referee’s decision. Hunter pulls Flair up and the crowd gives Flair and Hunter an ovation. We go to credits with the two friends hugging in the center of the ring.
