RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread

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Triple H clearly relished his night in charge last week.

After punishing John Cena and Randy Orton by pitting them against the entire Raw roster last week, The Game added injury to insult by laying out both of his WrestleMania foes with Pedigrees. With less than two weeks before The Granddaddy of Them All, what will the three warriors poised to compete for the WWE Championship do this week to get a leg up on their competition at the main event?

In other Raw action, The World’s Largest Athlete sent his WrestleMania opponent, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, another message by manhandling eight-time Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho just a week after tossing The World’s Greatest Fighter from the ring. The intimidation game has escalated dangerously in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania. Just how far are the WBC welterweight champion and the former WWE Champion willing to go to gain an edge?

Also, JBL continued to provoke his WrestleMania opponent, Finlay, when he pummeled the Irishman’s fellow countryman, Colin Delaney. Having already stooped to new lows, what will the self-proclaimed “wrestling god” do next? And just what steps will Finlay take to exact his revenge?

To find out the answers to these questions and more, tune into Monday Night Raw at 9/8 CT on USA Network.
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Please feel free to discuss RAW here. No need to wait for updates!

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RAW Results - 24th Mar, 2008
Location - Columbia, South Carolina
Announcers - Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Tonight is the final edition of Raw before Wrestlemania and we might be seeing the final appearance of Ric Flair as an active wrestler. Will he confront his opponent on Sunday, Shawn Michaels, or will Flair get the chance to bask in the glow of Flair Country. What will happen when four of the participants in the Money in the Bank Match square off in tag team action? Will we see a preview of the Bunnymania and if so, will our ditzy Maria return or will Santino have to save the segment again? It is also the final time for the three participants in the WWE Title Match to make their play to get the upper hand before Sunday. Which wrestler will get the upper hand and which one will be the 'favorite' for Sunday? Will YOUMANGA confront Batista if he is in the building tonight? Will we see Fit Finlay or his son Hornswoggle tonight since we did not see the little Irish guy on his special day last week.

We are live from Columbia, South Carolina and your announcers are Jim 'You gotta have Solie' Ross and Jerry 'when will my matches in the AWA start airing on ESPN Classic' Lawler.

The show starts off with John Cena’s music and he comes to the ring and he has something to say. John asks if everyone feels the energy. He says that after weeks of FUs, RKOs, Pedigrees, promises, and other things it is time to point to the sign for Wrestlemania. He points out that Wrestlemania is on Sunday. He says that he will walk into Orlando as the number one contender but he will walk out of Orlando as the WWE Champion.

Before Cena can continue, Big Show interrupts him. Show says that regardless of who wins Cena’s match at Wrestlemania, the pay per view will be known for him ending the boxing career of Floyd Mayweather. People might be split about who they want to win Cena’s match, everyone wants Show to win, even Floyd’s family. Show says that when he knocks out Mayweather, it will replace Hogan slamming Andre as the most played Mania clip.

Bradshaw’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Bradshaw says that he will be the one to make history. He was the one to reveal the true identity of Hornswoggle and exposed his father. He was the one to put the little mutant in the hospital. Bradshaw says that he will deliver the greatest beating in the history of Wrestlemania because there are no rules.

Cena tells Bradshaw that he was not listening to Bradshaw because he was thinking about how he beat Bradshaw at Wrestlemania 21.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEY, Randy Orton comes out and he says that everyone needs to remember one thing about Wrestlemania. Some think that Show will knock out Mayweather. Some think that Bradshaw is going to beat up Finlay. Some people think that John Cena or Triple H will walk out as champion. Nobody thinks that he will retain his title. That is the way he likes it because he feeds off of that. He will be the one who everyone is talking about after he wins the Triple Threat Match.

Orton is interrupted by YOUMANGA who comes to the ring. Umaga grabs the mic and he utters Batista’s name and then he probably talks in Samoan.

John Cena says that he is fluent in Samoan and it is time for Cena to return to his bathroom humor promos.

Cena is interrupted again and this time it is Triple Haitch who comes to the ring with yet another mic. Hunter points out that he is wearing the new Triple H shirt. Hunter says that everyone is making convincing arguments about their place in history. Hunter says that there is one reason why they all get up in the morning, and it is for the WWE Title. Hunter says that they are holding the pay per view in Orlando, with no roof because the Triple Threat Match would blow the roof off. Hunter says that the King of Kings goes back on his throne.

It is time for everyone to talk but William Regal comes out and says that they all have a claim to be the standout attraction at Wrestlemania. The main event will be a Wrestlemania Showcase Match. There will be an eight man tag match. Randy Orton, Youmanga, Bradshaw, and Big Show will face John Cena, Triple Haitch, Shawn Michaels, and Ric Flair. We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Shawn Michaels saves Ric Flair’s bacon against Vince McMahon in a Street Fight.

Before the match starts we see what Chris Jericho did to Montel Vontavious Porter on the VIP Lounge on Smackdown.

Chris Jericho and CM Punk versus Carlito and Montel Vontavious Porter in a 56 percent of the Money in the Bank Preview Match

Porter and Punk start things off and Porter tries for a kick but Punk blocks it and connects with a leg sweep. Punk with a jumping leg lariat to Porter and then he slams Porter before tagging in Jericho. Porter tags in Carlito and Jericho with a punch and running back elbow. Jericho with a forearm to Carlito but Carlito with a rake of the eyes and then he tries for a back body drop but Jericho but Jericho drops Carlito on the top rope and then he hits a springboard drop kick to knock Carlito to the floor. We go to commercial.

We are back and Carlito kicks Jerich in the corner. Carlito misses a clothesline and Jericho with a drop toe hold and a splash into the ropes. Jericho with a bulldog to Carlito and then he slams Carlito. Jericho tries for a Lionsault but he lands on his feet when Carlito moves. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Porter comes in and Porter is put in the Walls of Jericho. Carlito sends Jericho out of the ring and then Porter attacks Jericho on the floor. Carlito with a cover for a near fall. Carlito works on Jericho’s back. Carlito with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Porter tags in and he punches Jericho followed by a snap mare and knee. Porter with a cravate on Jericho. Porter follows that with forearms. Porter misses the running boot into the corner and Jericho hits a flying forearm. Punk tags in and he kicks Porter in the head followed by a flying forearm. Punk with a power slam for a two count. Punk with knees to Porter followed by an Irish whip and knee to Porter in the corner. Punk hits Carlito on the apron before hitting the bulldog. Punk misses the springboard clothesline. Jericho tries for an enzuigiri on Porter but Porter ducks and Jericho hits Punk allowing Porter to get the three count.

Winners: Montel Vontavious Porter and Carlito

After the match
Carlito points to the sign and we go to commercial.

We are back and it is only six days until Wrestlemania.

Ken Kennedy is in a pre-recorded segment and he says that Wrestlemania gets better and better every year. Kennedy says that history will be made this year. Ric Flair will retire, Undertaker’s undefeated streak will end, and he will win the Money in the Bank Match and he will cash in his chance. The story of Wrestlemania will Mr. Kennedy.

Jim Ross talks about how this might be the final time that we see Ric Flair on Raw. It is time for an amazing Ric Flair video package.

We see Ric Flair’s family in the crowd and then we see Flair in the locker room. We go to commercial.

We are back with another Big Show video package where we see him train and beat up guys to prepare for Floyd Mayweather.

Bob Holly versus Great Khali

Khali pushes Holly and then Holly tries for punches but Khali blocks them. Khali pushes Holly down one more time. Khali with kicks in the corner and then he connects with a Kevin Nash-esque back elbow in the corner. Khali with a big chop to the top of the head and then it is time for Khali to raise him arms for no reason. Khali with a nerve hold on Holly. Holly gets out of the hold but Khali with another chop. It is time for the vertical choke and Khali gets the three count.

Winner: Great Khali

We go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: More footage from the Street Fight from last week. It looks a lot like the Slam of the Week to me.

It is time to start off hour number two with a wooooo as Ric Flair comes to the ring. Flair thanks everyone and he is glad to know that somewhere in the world, people respect Ric Flair. For the last week, people have come from all over to tell him that he beat Vince McMahon, but he does not know if he beat Vince McMahon because Shawn Michaels came out to save him. He wanted Shawn Michaels to be Mr. Wrestlemania. After last week, he does not think that Shawn Michaels has any confidence in him so he is losing respect for Shawn Michaels. Flair wants Shawn Michaels to come out so they can talk man to man and eye to eye.

Shawn comes to the ring and he tells Flair that he is sorry to hear that Flair lost respect for him. Michaels says that he is sorry to hear that Flair thinks that he lost faith in him. He did not come out last week to do anything. Ric Flair is the dirtiest player in the game and he always had back up. He was doing what he thought Flair would do. Flair will always be ‘The Naitch’ to him. He will always be the sixteen time World Champion. He will always be the limousine riding, jet flying . . .

Flair interrupts Michaels and he says that he hates hearing it. He does not need anyone to tell him who he is anymore. Flair says that he is feeling tood tonight and he wants to show Michaels something. Flair pulls out the NWA World Heavyweight Title belt and he says that he won it in 1981. It was what Shawn Michaels grew up admiring. Flair runs through the list of wrestlers that he faced for the title. Flair says that if Michaels was twenty years older, he would have faced Flair. Flair says that he picked Michaels to wrestle him at Wrestlemania because he wants to prove on the grandest stage of them all that he can be the Nature Boy. He wants Michaels to bring out the best in him. He needs one more night and he asks Michaels if that is too much to ask for.

Michaels assures Flair that he will give him everything that Flair needs. He will give Flair everything. On Sunday, Flair will walk in the ring with Mr. Wrestlemania.

Flair says that he expects nothing less from Michaels.

Michaels tells Flair that before he goes, to make sure that Flair will get everything, he has a story for Flair. Michaels talks about Old Yeller and even though they loved their dog, they had to take him out back and finish him off. Michaels says that he will take Flair behind the woodshed on Sunday and put him out of his misery.

Flair kicks his jacket into the crowd and he slaps Michaels twice. He wants Michaels to take him behind the woodshed now. Flair begs Shawn to do it now. Michaels says that he will put Flair out of his misery and then he leaves the ring.

It is time to go from the match that all wrestling fans want to see to a Floyd Mayweather video package. Can you smell the contrast. We go to commercial.

We are back with a video package of Big Show’s appearance on Conan O’Brien.

Maria versus Melina with Beth Phoenix

Melina with a kick to the midsection and Irish whip but Melina charges into a boot. Beth knocks Maria off the turnbuckles and Melina punches Maria.

From out of nowhere, the Ghost of Playboy Covers Past, Ashley Massaro comes into the ring.

Santino Marella comes out and Jerry Lawler joins the fun and it is a five and a half person brawl.

Regal comes out and he says that it is time for an intergender six man tag match.

We go to commercial.

Ashley Massaro, Jerry Lawler, and Maria versus Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix, and Melina

The match is joined in progress and Santino comes off the turnbuckles into a punch. Lawler with a back body drop to Santino followed by a drop kick. Lawler with an atomic drop and he tags in Melina. Melina wants Lawler to hit her and he decides to tag in Ashley. Melina with forearms to Ashley and Ashley with an Irish whip and she charges into the corner with a running clothesline. Maria tags in and it is time for a Bunny Bronco Buster. Melina with forearms to Maria but Maria with a knee. Beth tags in and Beth hits a spinebuster on Maria. Santino wants to tag in and Beth allows him. Maria backs into the corner and Santino knocks Lawler off the apron. Maria slaps Santino and then Ashley and Maria make it one and a half on one until Santino goes out of the ring and Lawler with punches to Marella. While the referee was distracted, Beth and Melina attack Maria and Santino gets the three count.

Winners: Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix, and Melina

Backstage
John Cena is talking to Cody Rhodes and Val Venis but Triple H stops by. He points out that two years ago, Cena beat him at Wrestlemania. Hunter says that he knows that he was not beaten by the better man. He says that he is better than Cena. He says that injuries happen but when he came back, the Royal Rumble was his shot but Cena got in the way. Then in the Elimination Chamber, he defeats five other guys and Cena is standing in his way. Hunter tells Cena that if he gets in his way he will mow him down.

Cena says that he will be standing in Hunter’s way. He tells Hunter that the championship comes home at Wrestlemania. We go to commercial.

We are back and we see John Legend playing the piano. It is a coincidence that he will be singing America the Beautiful at Wrestlemania.

It is time to run through the Hall of Fame nominees and it is time for the final member to be announced . . . tomorrow night on ECW.

It is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.

Now we go to a video package for the participants in the Triple Threat Match

Randy Orton, YOUMANGA, Big Show, and Bradshaw versus Ric Flair, John Cena, Triple H with GameFountain, and Shawn Michaels

Orton and Michaels start things off and Orton with a wrist lock but Michaels with a reversal. Orton backs Michaels into the corner and then Orton punches Michaels instead of a clean break. Michaels responds with a chop. Michaels with more chops but Orton with a kick and he returns to the arm and turns the wrist lock into an arm bar.

Fit Finlay’s music plays and he comes out and he has his shillelagh. Bradshaw confronts Finlay and Finlay hits Bradshaw with the shillelagh. Bradshaw and Finlay battle as we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton punches Michaels. Umaga tags in and he connects with a head butt. Umaga punches Michaels but Michaels with chops. Umaga with a kick that sends Michaels to the mat. Umaga punches Michaels in the corner and it is time for the running butt splash and he hits it. Umaga sets for the Samoan Spike, but he hears Batista’s music and instead of winning the match, he goes after Batista. Batista with a spear.

Big Show and Michaels are in the ring and Show with a biel and Flair tags in. Show knocks Hunter and Cena off the apron. Flair chops Show and then he gets press slammed by Show. Show with a chop to Flair. Show chokes Flair with his boot and it is time for what might be the final Flair Flop on Raw. Show with a back body drop to Flair. Orton tells Show to finish off Flair but Show tells Orton to stop yapping his mouth. Cena and Hunter come in and both men attack Show, but when they try for a double suplex, Show blocks and hits a double suplex of his own. Orton does not want to tag in but Show brings Orton into the ring and he choke slams Orton. Show leaves the ring so it is now four on one.

Hunter and Cena both try to pin Orton and Cena with the STFU. Hunter and Cena fight outside the ring and Hunter punches Cena. Flair gets ready to put Orton in the figure four but Michaels punches Flair. Michaels sets for his figure four, but Flair with a low blow to Michaels. Flair puts Orton in the figure four and Orton flips around like a fish, some might even say a shark. Orton taps out.

Winners: Ric Flair, Triple Haitch, John Cena, and Shawn Michaels

We go to credits

RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 24th Mar, 2008