RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion Thread - 21st Jan, 2008

[Kellie]

Thanks to his nemesis, Mr. McMahon, Triple H has a second chance at the Royal Rumble. But what is the Chairman up to and why would he give one of the men he hates most another chance at glory?

Mr. McMahon had The Game where he wanted him. Thanks to William Regal causing his disqualification loss to Ric Flair, The Game was out of the game. Triple H was out of the Royal Rumble Match and a potential opportunity at a World Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV – an honor the Chairman knows The King of Kings covets more than anything.

The Cerebral Assassin may want to beware. If Triple H wins his match on Monday night, he will be in the Rumble, but the Chairman wouldn’t divulge the identity of his opponent. He wouldn’t reveal what type of match Triple H must compete in.

Knowing Mr. McMahon’s loathing for The Game, the challenge certainly won’t be easy. Who will the Chairman use as a roadblock to Triple H’s Royal Rumble dreams? And is he really giving him another opportunity or just setting him up?
Sweet Chin Music or a Mic Check in HD

Also on Raw, Shawn Michaels and Mr. Kennedy will tangle once again. Even before he won his Royal Rumble qualifying match last week against Trevor Murdoch, Michaels was chomping at the bit to face off against his rival. This week, not only does The Showstopper get the chance to battle the Green Bay, Wis., native, he also gets to do it in HD when WWE broadcasts the match in high-definition. Will HBK lull Mr. Kennedy to sleep with crisper, clearer Sweet Chin Music? Or will the self-proclaimed “Future of Sports-Entertainment” throw Michaels a sharper Mic Check?
Rivalry Reaches New Heights

In other Raw action, Jeff Hardy was out for revenge last week when he squared off against Randy Orton in what was supposed to be an Intercontinental Championship match. Instead, after a low blow from Orton, Hardy lashed out at the Legend Killer and took his skills to new heights – literally. The high-flyer climbed a rigging tower and dropped an incredibly dangerous Swanton Bomb onto Orton, sending both men out of the arena on gurneys. Just how far is Hardy willing to go to avenge his brother, Matt, after Orton punted his head? And just how will Orton respond to the challenge?

Find out all this and more when WWE goes HD for the first time as Raw emanates from Hampton, Va., live on USA Network at 9/8 CT.


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



RAW Results - 21st Jan, 2008
Location -
Announcers - Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

Shawn Michaels is the first to come out on the new set and the first superstar to enter in HD. It's actually a very cool looking set up now. Kennedy is out next. He throws his shirt at HBK, who proceeds to wipe his crotch with it.


Shawn Michaels vs. Ken Kennedy

Kennedy gets HBK down with an arm drag. Michaels takes Kennedy down and gets a front facelock. Kennedy reverses into a hammerlock. Michaels with a shoulderblock and a leg sweep for two. Side headlock takedown by HBK. The two trade reversals. Michaels with two near falls. Rights from Kennedy, who then takes down HBK with a reverse elbow for two. Kennedy with some crossfaces into a chinlock. He punches Michaels in the back of the head and hits a neckbreaker/backbreaker combination. He drives Michaels neck into his knees a couple more times, then pounds him with more crossfaces for two. Kennedy with a right hand. He hits HBK in the corner, then drives his head into another corner. Michaels tries to chop back, and hits a swinging neckbreaker to knock both men down.

They get up at the same time and trade chops. Michaels with a flying forearm and an inverted atomic drop. Some rights and another atomic drop. Scoop slam and HBK goes to the top rope. He drops the elbow on Kennedy and tunes up the band. Kennedy runs out of the ring, but Michaels is quick to follow when he dives over the top rope. Commercial.

Back from the break, Kennedy has the advantage thanks to a slingshot that sent Michaels head first into the ring post. He stomps away in the corner and talks trash before delivering a face wash to HBK. Michaels chops back in the corner. Kennedy whips him hard to the corner, but Michaels rebounds with a clothesline. Kennedy goes for the Mic Check, but Michaels block. Kennedy runs Michaels into the corner. He puts HBK on the top turnbuckle and goes for a superplex. HBK punches him to the mat. He goes for another elbow, but Kennedy gets his knees up. He hits a somersault senton with Michaels on his back, but HBK kicks up at two. Kennedy barely dodges Sweet Chin Music and kicks Michaels off the submission attempt. HBK quickly recovers and hits Sweet Chin Music for the win. Great opener with a good finish that effectively played off Michaels' new finisher.

Winner: Shawn Michaels!


Backstage
Randy Orton is in the back nursing his neck. He's upset that he has to shake Hardy's hand tonight, by order of Vince McMahon. Vince says that's exactly what he wants. Orton also nurses his ribs and says he took a vicious fall off the stage before Hardy climbed "thirty feet" to Swanton his unconscious body. He refuses to shake hands. McMahon asks if Orton knows how many hands Vince has had to unwillingly shake, which is why he carries hand sanitizer around. Like USA's Monk! Vince doesn't care if Orton doesn't mean it. He tells Orton to look Jeff Hardy in the hands so that Hardy wonders what he has to do to win...and when he looks into Orton's eyes, he'll realize he can't.


Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James

The two lock up before the Glamazon gets the advantage with a wristlock. Beth elbows out of a hammerlock. Phoenix powers Mickie to the mat for a near fall. Mickie wraps her legs around Beth's head and punches her. Mickie ducks a punch and gets a Lou Thesz press. She kicks Phoenix into the corner, but Beth gets the advantage again. She knocks Mickie off the apron and to the floor, then rams her into the ring for two. Mickie fights back and scores two with a roll up. The two trade elbows. Mickie with a flying forearm. Mickie with a rana out of the corner for two. She goes for the DDT, but Beth hangs her on the rope. Beth hits her Fisherman's Suplex for the win.



Winner:Beth Phoenix!


Backstage
Todd Grisham is in the back with Triple H. He asks if HHH knows who is opponent is tonight. Hunter replies that no he doesn't. He takes some shots at Vince needing make up to appear on HD cameras. HHH reminds us that many of the most recent Royal Rumble champions have gone on to become champions at WrestleMania. He vows to be in the Rumble on Sunday and says that it is a guarantee. Extreme close up of The H's eyes!

Brian Kendrick is in the back congratulating Cody Rhodes on making the Rumble. Kendrick mentions his own qualifying match tonight on RAW. Holly interrupts and asks if Cody has his back tonight against Carlito. Some MySpace related humor (lulz at Holly not knowing what it is).

Video package on Randy Orton, including clips from OVW and from his debut on Smackdown. It moves on to his feat of becoming the youngest world champion of all time, followed by a Legend Killer music video.


Finlay & Hornswoggle vs. The Highlanders

Finlay scores two with a cannonball on Rory for two. Robbie distracts him and Rory takes advantage. Rory tries to bully Horny, but Finlay comes to his aid. Horny takes Robbie out of the equation as Finlay helps set up Rory for a Tadpole Splash. Horny jumps onto Rory for the win.



Winners: Finlay & Hornswoggle!


Finlay takes on The Great Khali in a Belfast Brawl this Friday night on Smackdown.

Replay of JBL's overly long segment last week and the beating JBL put on Jericho two weeks ago.

Jericho comes to the ring for the first time since he was attacked. Jericho mentions that JBL refused to come to the building after hearing Jericho would be there. He calls JBL a coward. Jericho mentions watching RAW with his children and his four year old son asking if he was really a coward. Jericho replied no, but the child still had doubt in his eyes. Y2J says it's personal now. He says he'd never been dragged around an arena like that before, but he is still there. And Sunday in Madison Square Garden, Jericho is only interested in a fight.


Backstage
Jeff Hardy is in the back being scolded by Vince McMahon. Vince tells him not to risk his or anyone else's life. He wants them to shake hands like the are boxers who touch gloves, or politicians who wish each other luck. He says it will get people wondering. Jeff tells Vince that he plans on going out there and giving everyone something to talk about.


Brian Kendrick comes out for his Royal Rumble Qualifying Match. Regal gets on the screen and tells him he has to defeat someone who has already qualified if he wants in on the Rumble. Out comes...


Umaga vs. Brian Kendrick

Umaga was the first to qualify for the Rumble this year. Umaga knocks Spanky down a couple times. He chops him to the mat. Kendrick dodges a splash and kicks Umaga's legs. Umaga with an uppercut. Umaga puts Spanky in the Tree of Woe, but misses a headbutt. Spanky kicks Umaga and hits a missile dropkick off the top. He kicks Umaga a couple times with enziguris, but can't get the Samoan down. Umaga tosses Kendrick in the air and catches him for a Samoan Drop. He lifts Kendrick in the air and hits the Samoan Spike.



Winner: Umaga!


Backstage
Mickie is in the back crying when Maria asks what is wrong. Mickie says she is frustrated that she can't beat Beth Phoenix. Ashley comes up and wants to know WHAT'S UP, GUYS? Mickie walks off. Ashley says she was at a party at the Playboy Mansion and she has a good idea she wants to talk about with Maria. Santino comes up and says Maria doesn't need a Playboy subscription. After all, "Why buy the cow when you have someone who milks you for free?"



Sneak peek at Vince appearing on The Celebrity Apprentice. Trump calls Vince the finest promoter he has ever known. I'd rather see Vince say "You're fired!"

Jeff Hardy gets his own video package.


Carlito w/ Santino Marella & Maria vs. Bob Holly w/ Cody Rhodes

I totally forgot that Holly and Rhodes were Tag Champs until they came out with the belts. Holly with a shoulderblock and full nelson slam for two. He chops Carlito in the corner. Carlito blocks a charge and hits a clothesline. Carlito with a left and some shots in the corner. Back elbow by Carlito for two. Carlito with a chinlock. Holly punches out and chops him some more in the corner. Suplex by Holly gets two. Carlito pulls Holly's head down on the top rope for two. Holy punches back and knocks Carlito down. Back Body Drop to Carlito. He kicks Carlito in the nuts and goes for the Alabama Slam. Santino gets on the apron to distract him and Carlito hits the Backstabber for the win.



Winner: Carlito!


They show a clip from the 2002 Rumble, with HHH beating Kurt Angle. Triple H comes out for the match. Regal announces that for Triple Haitch to qualify for the Rumble, he has to face as many as three opponents in an over the top gauntlet match.

His first opponent is Snitsky. Man, I am so thankful I don't have HD right now. HHH punches him right away. Snitsky kicks back. HHH with a high knee. He goes to dump Snitsky. Snitsky with a side slam. Elbow drop by Snitsky. He tries to dump HHH. HHH slides off and punches Snitsky. HHH dodges a Big Boot. Snitsky gets hung up on the top rope. HHH clotheslines Snitsky from the ring.

Out next is Smackdown's Mark Henry. HHH punches Henry and hits a facebuster. Henry knocks The H down. Henry tries to dump Trips, but HHH punches back. Henry with a headbutt and a backbreaker. He tries to dump HHH. Henry misses a charge in the corner. HHH lifts him up, but Henry falls on him. Henry hits a splash in the corner. He charges Trips, but HHH pulls the top rope down to eliminate him. It will be funny when they try to act like it takes three or four men to get Henry out on Sunday.

Regal waves someone off and runs into the ring. He punches HHH and lifts him on his back. He tries to dump Triple H, but H punches out. He hits a Spinebuster on Regal and dumps him from the ring.



Triple H has qualified for the Royal Rumble!


Vince McMahon comes out first for the Handshake Ceremony.



He introduces Randy Orton first. Jeff Hardy comes out and the crowd loudly chants his last name. Vince kind of astutely says this match doesn't need any hype. He says the question is what kind of match will this be? More risk taking, death defying dives? Or devastating kicks to the head? He knows it will be two athletes leaving it all on the mat before it is all over.

He brings them together as professionals and world class athletes to shake hands, asking for some last minute comments from both. Orton says Hardy has done some amazing things, but he's never come close to being WWE Champion. He admits to underestimating Hardy, though, and every time he closes his eyes, he says Hardy crashing on to him from 30 feet in the air. He says Hardy won't win the title, but he has won Orton's respect.

Hardy takes the mic and says he doesn't care about earning Orton's respect.



He didn't do the 30 foot Swanton to impress Orton...he did it to hurt him. He did it for Matt. He did it because he's waited too long for this opportunity. He did it to show that he will do whatever it takes to win. He says there is a long line of people he respects more than Orton. He goes out to shake JR, Lawler, and Lillian's hand. Then he shakes the hand of some fans. Like Ethan! Like Wayne! He gets back in the ring and the two stare down. Orton offer his hand.



Jeff kicks him in the stomach and hits the Twist of Fate. He stands over Orton to end the show.




UOWForums will have Diva WOW Caps up ASAP in the Diva Show Caps Forum!!

[Black Widow]

sneak peek at new raw HD set here


cant wait to see the actual set hopefully it looks good

[LionDen]

I hope a wrestler uses a HD camera to smash an opponent lol Yeah, I can not wait to see how it looks in HD and what the new set looks like. Should be a good RAW with Royal Rumble this weekend.

[solidsnake105]

Someone tell me that wwe should have mad hardy v orton a stretcher match at the Rumble they should have had the hardy jump weeks ago bc on wwe.com they keep pushing the line 'are more stretchers in hardy and orton's future'....idk just a suggestion.

[Kellie]

The updated Raw preview for tonight:

*Vince McMahon has ordered WWE champion Randy Orton and WWE Intercontinental champion Jeff Hardy to agree to a one night truce and shake hands.

*Chris Jericho will speak out for the first time since he was attacked by JBL.

*Triple H vs. a mystery opponent - Royal Rumble Qualifying match.

*Shawn Michaels vs. Ken Kennedy

[LionDen]

I don't see Orton and Hardy having a truce lol. It has been an excellent build up to their match, better than most have been as of late. Seems like an old school build up with the taunting and backstage dramas and the matches.

[LionDen]

Pic of new RAW set

[Flair Country]

So far there have been just a few "digital glitches" during fast moving parts, but overall WWE looks pretty damn good in HD! I really like the new set too. All of the LED lights really brighten it up over the old set.

[LionDen]

It does seem alot brighter and more clearer, even on streams.

[LionDen]

lol that would be awesome being on a train and all the WWE wrestlers came on and starting knocking each other around.