Though SummerSlam was just weeks ago, there is only one thing on the mind of WWE Superstars: Unforgiven. With a Championship Scramble set to feature five of Raw’s most powerful and intense competitors, and multiple matches set on Monday night, tensions are running high.
After General Manager Mike Adamle announced that John Cena’s recently sustained herniated disk in his neck would prevent him from competing in the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble, he claimed that he would have a suitable replacement for the Chain Gang Commander. That replacement turned out to be another former World Champion, Rey Mysterio. But Mysterio has been missing from Raw for months, due to a brutal attack by Kane, if the Big Red Monster is to be believed. Will Mysterio be in good enough physical condition to compete at Unforgiven? And what type of mental state will the Ultimate Underdog be in?
Meanwhile, the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble’s other four competitors competed against one another on Monday night, with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk proving his mettle against JBL while Batista’s match with Kane ended in a disqualification when the Big Red Monster introduced a steel folding chair into the match. With Punk and JBL nursing a long-time rivalry, and Batista keeping Kane in his sights because of the Big Red Monster’s treatment of Mysterio, emotions are running high amongst the Scramble competitors. With Unforgiven scant weeks away, will these competitors’ intensity even allow them to make it that long without exploding?
Also on Raw, Chris Jericho accepted a challenge from Shawn Michaels to an Unsanctioned Match at Unforgiven. Both men went on to make clear their intent to seriously injure their opponent, as their rivalry has grown intensely personal over the last few months. With the injured HBK looking to extract an “eye for an eye,” will the coming weeks see the two men clash before their Unforgiven match?
On Monday night, Raw’s resident golden couple, Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella and Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix, had a brief lovers’ spat, due to Santino distracting Beth during a match against Kelly Kelly and The Glamazon’s subsequent loss. While “Glamarella” appears to have reconciled, could this signal a rocky period for Santino and Beth?
Please feel free to discuss RAW here. No need to wait for updates!
RAW Results - 1st September, 2008
Location - St. Louis, Missouri
Announcers - Michael Cole and Jerry 'The King' Lawler
We are less than a week away from Unforgiven and the trifecta of title scramble matches. Who will walk out of the ring with the World Title. With Raw in St. Louis, will we see anybody who lives in the area make an appearance? What is next for the most powerful couple on the Raw brand? What will Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase do to get their titles back from Cryme Tyme? What will happen during the contract signing between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho?
We begin with a graphic in memory of Walter Kowalski, who passed away over the weekend.
We are live on tape from St. Louis, Missouri and your announcers are Jerry 'Gateway Arch' Lawler and Michael 'Why is everyone calling me Eckstein' Cole.
Randy Orton comes out and his arm is in a sling. He enters the ring and he has something to say. Orton says that he is still injured and the crowd is pleased. He says that he wanted to wait until he was 100 percent but he has something to get off his chest. He says that a brand is only as strong as its champions. Orton says that when he was champion, Raw was the top brand in the WWE. Now Raw is a joke. The womens champion Beth Phoenix walks around like a love sick teenager. Randy says that this is not 90210 and she is embarrassing herself. Now it is time to talk about the weakest Intercontinental Champion in the history of the WWE. Randy says that he could beat Santino with a broken clavicle. At least he has a title. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes dont even have their titles. They should be called Worthless. Randy says that if someone took his title, he would beat that person to a pulp. The real problem on Raw is there is a guy who is disgracing the World Heavyweight Title and his name is CM Punk. Four years ago, when he won his first world title, Punk was wrestling in no name towns, wrestling in a no name company. Then he climbed a ladder and lucked into a title match. That is how he became champion. Orton says that insults everything he stands for. Randy says that he would love to challenge CM Punk tonight to take back what is his. Orton says that he cannot do that because he is not medically cleared. When he is cleared, and it wont be long. He will challenge Punk for the title and he will reclaim his show. Orton says that he will make everyone forget about the sorry history of Raw known as CM Punk.
Speak of the devil, CM Punks music plays and he comes to the ring. Punk gets in Ortons face and he says that he got a headache listening to Randy talking. He says that he does not want to live in the past. Not everyone has daddy and granddaddy to usher them into the WWE. Some people have to earn it. It doesn’t matter how he got the title, he is the champion. Punk says that he does not drink, he does not smoke, and he does not take joyrides on his motorcycle at three in the morning. He went from the Age of Orton to an afterthought. Punk says that Orton is jealous.
Orton says that Punk is the most pathetic champion, but Punk tells Orton that he is not going to get a shot at the title. Punk says that he has a battle royale to win tonight, and a Championship Scramble on Sunday. Then he wants Orton to walk down the aisle and tell him who the joke is. Punk says that there is one person in the ring who is pathetic and it is not him. Orton says that this conversation will have to continue at a later time. Orton leaves the ring. Punk tells Orton that he will do everything to hold on to the title until Orton comes back.
Punk is interrupted by John Bradshaw Layfield who walks to the ring. Bradshaw has a mic and he tells Punk that he does not get it. Fairy tales are not real. In six days, it will strike midnight for Cinderella. The fluke of a title run will be over. There is an eighty percent chance that Punk loses the title. Bradshaw says the odds are higher because out of nowhere, the Clothesline from Hell can hit and he will be the champion. Bradshaw says that he would love for it to be Punk to take the Clothesline, it does not have to be him. It could be Batista, Kane, or Rey Mysterio.
Bradshaw is interrupted with Kane and he is without his child scaring sack. Kane asks Bradshaw about the Clothesline from Hell. Kane says that he has been in hell and he has not seen the clothesline. He says that Rey is in hell and regardless of what Adamle says, Rey Rey will not be there on Sunday. Kane says that he made sure that Rey will not be here tonight. That means that there is one less person in the Scramble.
Batista cannot be left out of this gabfest and he comes to the ring. Batista spears Kane and then he spears Bradshaw while Bradshaw goes after Punk. Batista then spears Punk. Batista leaves the ring and there are bodies in and around the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole and Lawler talk about the battle royale. Cole says that there will be some ECW wrestlers on the show tonight. There is an ECW battle royale with the Scramble participants.
John Cenas music plays and he has turned into Charlie Haas. We see the footage from last week when Charlito debuted. Charlie says that Cena might not be here, but the Haas is here and you cant see him.
Charlie Haas vs Kofi Kingston
They lock up and Haas with a knee but Kofi with a monkey flip. Kofi sends Haas into the turnbuckles. Haas with a punch and it is time for the five knuckle shuffle, but Kofi with a kick and punch. Kofi with a drop kick and flying forearm. Kofi with a cross body and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep. Kofi with the leaping leg drop. Haas with a punch and he gets Kofi up for the FU but Kofi escapes the hold and tries for a rollup. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go to commercial.
Backstage
We are back and Randy Orton is with the tag team champions. Cody reminds Orton that they are the tag team champions. Orton asks Cody if he remembers the first time they met. He asks if he remembers Randy slapping Codys father. Randy slaps Cody. Randy says that they are the toughest in the locker room, but they lost to John Cena and then they got their titles taken from them. Randy tells them to grow a set.
Mike Adamle is with Teddy Long and The Tiffany. Mike thanks them for attending tonights show. Mike mentions the scrabble participants from ECW and the ones from Raw. Mike suggests a Labor Day tradition. Maybe it could be like the Jerry Lewis Telethon without the sick kids.
Kane enters the office and he talks deliberately saying that Adamle was wrong to announce that Rey was coming back. Kane asks Mike why he would do that, while reminding Mike his name. Mike says that he was hoping that Rey would come back and accept the invitation. Maybe Rey will be here tonight. Kane says that Reys body and soul has been massacred.
ECW Scrabble Scramble Contender Battle Royale featuring Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero with Giant Bam Neely, Finlay with Hornswoggle, The Miz, and Mark Henry with Tony Atlas
Everyone surrounds Henry and they go after him to try to eliminate the champion. Henry pushes everyone off and Henry with punches to everyone. Miz and Hardy with a double DDT to Henry and Miz and Hardy with elbow drops. Miz with a clothesline to Hardy. Finlay slams Chavo onto Henry. Finlay gets Chavo up for a firemans carry slam. Hardy with a Side Effect to Miz and Miz is sent to the apron. Finlay and Hardy with a double clothesline and both men are down. Miz and Chavo discuss strategy but Chavo tries to eliminate Miz. Henry eliminates Miz and Chavo at the same time. Henry with a splash to Finlay followed by a boot to Hardy and a clothesline. Hardy with a boot to Finlays head and it is time for a splash in the corner. Henry tries for one to Hardy but Matt moves. Hardy with punches and then Finlay and Hardy try to eliminate Henry. Henry eliminates Finlay and then Hardy with clotheslines to Henry but Henry does not go down. Hardy with an elbow from the second turnbuckle and then he tries for the Twist of Fate but Hardy is sent to the floor by Henry.
Winner: Mark Henry
We go to commercial.
Backstage
We are back and Chris Jericho is reviewing paperwork for the Unsanctioned Match with Lance Cade and another unnamed man.
Jamie Noble is in the ring and Layla is at ringside with him. Noble says that he wants to prove to her that he has what it takes.
Jamie Noble vs William Regal
Regal with punches to Noble and the referee pulls him off. Regal with an Exploder and then he chokes Noble by the ropes. Regal with a full nelson but Noble stomps on Regals foot. Regal with a cover, but Noble rolls through for a two count. Regal with a punch to Noble and Noble goes down. Regal with an Irish whip and then he charges into the corner. Regal kicks Noble in the corner. Regal hits a half nelson German suplex. Noble with an inside cradle for the three count
Winner: Jamie Noble
After the match
Noble goes over to Layla and Layla seems to be impressed.
Backstage
Mickie James and Kelly are in the back and they are having an awkward conversation while random Diva music plays. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jillian is in the ring and she is going to perform for the crowd. Jillian starts to scare the kids and she is interrupted by Mickie James’s music. Beth tells Randy Orton to take a look at this. She reminds Orton that she is the Glamazon and she is the most beautiful Diva to enter the ring. There is no one who can match her power or her beauty.
Jillian Hall, Katie Lea, and Beth Phoenix vs Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, and Candice Michelle
Kelly and Katie start things off and Katie with a hammer lock and a pull of the hair for a near fall. Kelly gets flipped over and then Kelly hits a drop kick. Mickie tags in and hits a Thesz Press and punches Katie. Mickie with a drop kick for a near fall. Jillian tags in and they send Mickie into the corner. Jillian charges into a boot and then Mickie fights her way out of the corner. Mickie tries for a head scissors but Beth pulls Mickie down by the hair. Jillian with a biel by the hair. Beth tags in and she hits a slingshot suplex for a near fall. Beth sends Mickie into the turnbuckles and then she tags in Katie. Katie kicks Mickie in the ribs and then she chokes Mickie in the ropes. Katie with forearms to the back and then Jillian is tagged back in. Katie with an Irish whip but Jillian misses a charge into the corner and Mickie hits a clothesline on Katie. Mickie with a neck breaker to Jillian. Candice and Beth tag in and Candice with forearms. Candice with a jawbreaker to Beth and then she sends Jillian and Katie to the floor. Candice with a breakdown and then she punches Beth. Candice goes up top but Jillian and Katie hold Candice. Mickie and Kelly take care of Jillian and Katie. Candice with a cross body but Beth rolls through and gets Candice up. Candice with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winners: Candice Michelle, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly
Cole and Lawler talk about the situation between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. Video package time.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Santino Marella makes his way to the ring. First, he has something to say to Randy Ortan the sommanagun. He says that Orton insulted him and his girlfriend. He will prove that he is greatest Intercontinental Champion. He wants the Honk-a-Meter. Santino says that the Honkydonkey Man was the champion for 64 weeks while Santino has been champion for two weeks. That means in 62 weeks he will be the greatest of all time
D'Lo Brown vs Santino Marella
Santino with a kick and punches followed by shoulders in the corner. D'Lo with a punch but Santino with punches of his own. Brown with a drop kick and a running clothesline into the corner. Santino misses a drop kick when Brown hold on to the ropes. Brown with a Shining Wizard and then he goes up top and misses a frog splash and Santino gets the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
Backstage
Shawn Michaels is staring into space as he focuses on the Unsanctioned Match Contract. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand Moment. In September 1997, Raw was in Madison Square Garden and we saw Steve Austin start stunning people left and right. That night, Vince McMahon got his first Stunner.
John Morrison and The Miz vs Cryme Tyme
Miz and Morrison confront Shad and JTG and they start fighting on the floor. The referee separates them. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase attack Cryme Tyme and then DiBiase hits Shad with the title belt. Rhodes and DiBiase wait for JTG in the ring and Rhodes with a DDT onto the title belt. Rhodes and DiBiase reclaim their title belts.
We go to commercial.
Backstage
We are back and Ted and Cody are walking in the back. They see Orton in the hall and they walk past him without saying anything.
The St. Louis Rams are in the crowd and they hit more than they did during last season.
Time to go to the Republican Convention and Mickie James and Ken Kennedy join Josh Mathews. Kennedy talks about why people should vote. Mickie talks about the issues that she feels are important.
Todd Grisham is with Batista and he is done spearing people. Todd asks Batista about Rey and whether he will be here tonight. Todd asks Batista about his game plan tonight and for Sunday. Batista says that his game plan is to destroy everyone.
We run through the card for Unforgiven
We also get the latest 'We are watched by a lot of people' factoid.
Randy Orton is watching the action from the general area of the announce table.
Raw Brand Connect Four Scrabble Scramble Battle Royale featuring Batista with Wonder Woman spin, John Bradshaw Layfield with JBLimo, CM Punk, Kane, and Rey Mysterio
Kane goes after Batista while Punk goes after Bradshaw. Batista with a flying shoulder tackle to Bradshaw and Kane. Batista with a spinebuster to Kane followed by a running clothesline to Bradshaw and Punk. Batista with a spear to Bradshaw. Batista tries to eliminate Punk but Punk kicks him off. Batista with a spinebuster to Punk but Kane with a big boot when Batista tries for a Batista Bomb. Punk clotheslines Batista over the top rope to the floor. Punk does the same to Bradshaw when Bradshaw charges at him. Punk and Kane circle each other in the ring and Punk with kicks to Kanes legs followed by forearms. Kane with an uppercut and then he slams Punks head into the turnbuckle. Kane with a punch and Irish whip followed by a running clothesline in the corner. Kane tries to eliminate Punk, but Punk with forearms to the back. Kane with a boot to the head and Punk goes down. Kane with a side slam while the fans chant 619. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Punk with three knees in the corner but Kane does not go down on the bulldog. Kane with a boot to Punk. Punk tries to get Kane up for the Go To Sleep but Kane is in the ropes. Kane tosses Punk to the apron and Punk tries for a springboard move and Kane tosses Punk over the top rope to the floor.
Winner: Kane
After the match
Punk gets in Ortons face at the announce table. Punk throws water at Orton.
Rey Mysterios music plays and he comes out. Rey with double sledges to the leg followed by a kick and then he clips Kane. Rey with forearms aplenty to Kane. Kane charges and Rey with a drop kick and Kane strategically falls into the ropes but he goes to the floor before Rey can hit the 619. Rey with a drop kick to Kane and then he tries for a rana but Kane catches him. Rey sends Kane into the ring post and then Rey hits a 619 using the ring post. Kane grabs Rey by the throat but Rey stands on the ringside barrier and he sends Kane into the front row.
We go to commercial and the contract signing for the Unsanctioned Match is next.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and Rebecca Michaels at SummerSlam.
It is time for the Feature Main Event Segment of the Night. Jerry Lawler and the 'attorneys' for Shawn and Chris are in the ring while security surrounds the ring. Chris Jericho comes out. Lawler says that he was asked by Mike Adamle to moderate the contract signing for the Unsanctioned Match. All liability will be waived in the match and the WWE will not be subject to any legal action resulting from the match. Shawn Michaels comes out next.
Lawler says that both lawyers have reviewed the contracts. Lawler says that if there is any physicality in the ring during the contract signing, the match will be off. That is according to Mike Adamle. Chris signs the contract first followed by Shawn. Lawler thanks both men, but Jericho cuts off Lawler.
Chris asks Shawn why they need the security. Does he need someone to protect him. Why would he want to throw away his shot at the chance to end Shawns career. Shawn says security is not his idea. Jericho says that he does not need to be watched like an animal in the cage. Shawn agrees that there is no need for security because the contract has been signed. Lawler is asked to leave and the attorneys leave as well.
Chris tells Shawn that he followed Shawns advice. He asks Shawn to remember when Shawn told him to sit down his wife and kids to tell them that he would not be like Shawn. Chris says that he sat them down and forbade them from watching Unforgiven because of the brutality that will result. Chris says that he will not let up because of what happened to Shawns wife. He will end Shawns career on Sunday. He will show everyone what happens when you live your life like him. Chris says that he is going to put Shawn out of his misery. Chris says that he will not say that he is sorry, like Shawn said to Ric Flair. With no legal restrictions, he is going to finish off Shawn forever. Chris reminds Shawn that he asked for this match. He tells Shawn to remember that when he sees his disappointed wife and children who think he is a failure, it is all Shawns fault.
Shawn says that he takes comfort in the fact that Chris's family will not be watching. He says that his family will not be watching either. He will tell them about how their father was so close to walking away. While it is good to walk away, sometimes you have to look evil in the face and spit in its eye. All of the pain and suffering will rain down on Jericho at Unforgiven with absolutely no remorse. Shawn says that he will not apologize for what he has done and he will have no regrets for what he will do to Chris. Shawn says that the name is appropriate because he will never forgive Chris for what he has done. Shawn hopes that God will forgive him for what he is going to do to Chris.
Shawn and Chris stare each other down and then they get up. Shawn takes off his jacket and then we see Lance Cade try to attack Shawn, but Shawn sees him out of the corner of his eye. Shawn goes after Jericho and then he turns around and kicks Cade in the head. Jericho attacks Cade in the ring and we go to credits
