On Monday, February 4, 2008 at 11:26 PM EST WWE RAW
February 4, 2008
Austin, TX
Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Reported By: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
WWE Champion Randy Orton is in the ring with a table and whatnot. Orton soaked in the massive amount of boos and ‘you suck’ chants. Orton said what he had here was an official WWE Championship match contract. He said last week John Cena accepted his challenge to apply his Royal Rumble win to a championship match against him. But the thing of it is was that John Cena’s word meant nothing to him.
He said he wanted it in writing. He said there would be no way Cena could back out in two weeks. He said there was no way John Cena could claim he wasn’t fully recovered. He said he wanted this contract signed so that for John Cena, there was no way out. Oh nifty.
He said his lawyers drew up this contract which he had already signed. He demanded Cena come out and sign the contract. He could wait until Wrestlemania if that’s what Cena wanted. The titan tron showed Cena walking out to the ring as Orton sat in the chair and put his feet up on the table.
Orton said his attorneys as well as his looked this over. He said all he needed was for Cena to sign. Cena signed the contract and that was that. Orton said that was easy and he guessed he’d see him in two weeks, but just so he knew, tonight if something happened with Mark Henry to that injured shoulder, that he’d still have to face him.
Henry came running down to the ring and distracted Cena just long enough for Orton to sneak around the table and plant him with an RKO. Orton stood over Cena with his title belt before leaving the ring.
****Commercial****
Mark Henry and Randy Orton are in the back talking before Todd Grisham pops up and asks them why they set Cena up. Orton says something sinister about he’s not responsible. Henry just says something badass because he can.
Kelly Kelly & Mickie James v. Victoria & Beth Phoenix
Kelly Kelly is getting a wrestling lesson here.. Am I the only one who’d LOVE to see Victoria-Beth?
Kelly and Victoria started it off and Kelly ate a headlock take down before grabbing a head scissors. Kelly showed some nice chain wrestling stuff that was punctuated with a roll up but then she got punched in the face. Yay.
Victoria got all mean and what not and ripped Kelly up over her shoulders by her hair a few times before slamming her to the mat. Kelly had enough and Mickie tags in.
Mickie started doing her fun old head scissors and a hangman’s (or woman’s) neck breaker. Mickie went to the top rope but Beth wiggled her off shaking the rope.
Beth came in and began tossing Mickie all about but almost got tapped on a nice guillotine choke. The hell ensued shortly thereafter though as Beth tossed Mickie to the corner. She tagged Victoria who dumped Kelly to the outside. Beth was still dazed on the outside and Victoria taking her eye off the proverbial ball cost her, as Mickie hit the implant DDT for the win.
Winners: Mickie James & Kelly Kelly via pin fall
Regal was imploring Hornswaggle to be proud of smooching Vince’s ass.
****Commercial****
Shawn Michaels is in the ring talking about making it to the main event of Wrestlemania. He said he came close to winning the title last year, but second place sucks. He said he’s done everything, won all the titles and heck, he even sings his own theme song. He said still though, he was unsatisfied. He said he was putting everyone on notice. At No Way Out……. Chris Jericho’s music hit and he came out to the ring.
Jericho said he couldn’t disagree with anything HBK said except for one thing, which was that he would win the WWE title. Jericho said he’d been in more elimination chambers than anyone. He said he knew what it was to headline Wrestlemania and his passion to get back to it was second to none. He said his destiny would manifest itself an no one would beat him…. Jeff Hardy’s music hit.
Hardy’s pop was enormous. Hardy looked at both and he said he thought it was great both wanted to go to the main event at Wrestlemania. He said him personally, he’d never been but he’s so close and he can taste it. He said he’d sacrifice his body and do whatever it took, even if that meant taking the five biggest bucks on the Raw roster.. Out.
JBL’s music hit and he came down to the ring. JBL said he had to move away from Texas to live in NYC and live in the home of a champion. He said these people didn’t cut it and needed to shut up while he was talking. He said they all had the resume, but they forgot that JBL always gets what he wants. Whether he buys it or takes it, he gets what he wants in the end. He said Umaga didn’t speak English well, but he understood the language of money and he’d guarantee his safe passage to the Wrestlemania main event.
Umaga’s music hits and I can’t help but imagine him being able to count. Cookie Monster… move over. Umaga looked at JBL kind of funny. Snitsky’s on his way out now and what in the blue hell is he doing here? Snitsky said all these people had their chances and he deserved to be in the match. He said if they didn’t give him one of their spots, he’d take it himself.
He said the six of them couldn’t agree on anything, but if there was something they’d agree with, that Snitsky didn’t deserve anything. Now all of a sudden we’ve got a fight.
William Regal came out to the ramp and magically, we’ve got a match for later tonight.
****Commercial****
Mr. Kennedy v. Super Crazy
The two tied it up and went into the corner. We got a clean break before Kennedy hit a drop kick to the knee and began dropping knees on Super Crazy’s legs. Kennedy began hitting knees to the head before Super Crazy flailed back but it was to no avail. Kennedy began dismantling the legs some more, ripping them out at the hip and whatnot.
Kennedy dragged Crazy out to the ring post and slammed it off it before coming back into the ring and dropping the elbow. Kennedy ripped away at the leg on a reverse toe hold before Super Crazy eventually kicked him off. Kennedy pounced right back on him though, slapping on some sort of reverse figure our for the tap out win.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy via submission
Kennedy got on the mic and directed us to the titan tron where he showed MVP being a big jerk face to Ric Flair. Kennedy said he knew he was hurt and knew Flair saw what he did to Super Crazy. He said he was going to take it easy on him and let him come out next week and forfeit the match. He said he knew that wasn’t Flair’s style, but he said if he goes through with the match, he’s going to lose. He said not only will he end his career, but he’ll make him limp for the rest of his life.
****Commercial****
A video aired putting over the Elimination chamber.
Santino Marella & Carlito v. London & Kendrick
Carlito and Kendrick started it off. Kendrick hit some kicks and punches before heading into the ropes where he connected with a nice standing drop kick for a two count. Kendrick kept up the pressure and hit a running forearm and some wheel kicks. Kendrick went to the ropes again, but Marella yanked the ropes up and Kendrick crashed and burned. London chased Santino around the ring while Carlito collected Kendrick and nailed a back snapper for the quick win.
Winners: Carlito & Santino Marella via pin fall
Vince is in the back getting his ass shined up by a buffer. He asked the dude buffing him if he brought the ass cream. Oooh, that’s cold. He said imagine that, Mr. McMahon’s ass in HD.
****Commercial****
Mr. McMahon came down and I have a feeling there’s going to be some lovely ass kissing. McMahon said all employers should think about having a kiss my ass club. He said tonight though, it’s not about him being an employer, it was about being a concerned parent. He said many of the people didn’t give a damn about their kids and never disciplined them. He said they were too concerned about themselves, and not about giving tough love to their offspring. He mocked people trying to reason with their kids and said they were pathetic. He said you told your kids what to do.
He said let’s talk about the children. Vince asked all the kids to stand up and be recognized. He said everyone of the kids was a spoiled brat after all the camera shots were kids. He said the parents made them spoiled brats. He said the only way to discipline their kid so that they didn’t screw up again was to literally make them kiss their ass.
Speaking of that…. He said Hornswaggle was going to kiss his ass. Hornswaggle came out to the ring.
Vince said that Hornswaggle knew he loved him and that it would hurt Vince more than it’d hurt him. Vince said we’d get on with it. Vince got in position and it’s terrible looking. Hornswaggle teased the ass kissing a few times before Finlay’s music hit and he came down to the ring.
Vince said since Finlay was out here, he could kiss his ass too, because he signs his paycheck. Vince got back in position and again they teased something happening. Vince progressively got angrier and angrier. Vince said he’d jam his sheleighleigh up Finlay’s butt if he didn’t kiss his ass. Hornswaggle puckered up and instead of kissing his ass, he took a big bit right out of McMahon’s ass. Vince is beside himself and goes about ripping the crowd. He said since the Crowd liked it so much, they’d love the match between him and Hornswaggle next week. He said he was going to beat the holy hell out of his bastard son in a No DQ match. He said if Finlay gets involved, he gets fired. No one’s laughing now.
****Commercial****
Cade & Murdoch v. Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly
Murdoch’s wearing a silver flamed jacket to the ring. Murdoch should only wear Carhardt.
Holly and Murdoch started things off and Holly kicked him in the nuts. Yay. Murdoch must have a vagina because he pretty much no sold it and went into the clothesline and big boot thingy before tagging in Cade who pretty much did his clobbering thing before hitting an awkward looking side Russian leg sweet for a two count.
Holly finally hit a drop kick and hot tagged Rhodes who hit a flying axe handle and a bulldog for a one and a half count. Cody whipped Murdoch but ate a back elbow and a jaw breaker before back body dropping Murdoch. Cade came into the ring and Holly made the quick save allowing Rhodes to hit the DDT for the win.
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly via pin fall
Wow that was BRUTALLY bad match. Carlito comes out with Santino and they’re the new #1 contenders for the tag titles. He said they had as much of a chance of keeping the titles as Maria did of posing in Playboy. Title match at some point in the future.
****Commercial****
JR and King ran down the No Way Out card.
WWE Championship
Randy Orton v. John Cena
World Heavyweight Championship
Edge v. Rey Mysterio
Ric Flair v. Mr. Kennedy
Elimination Chamber--Raw (Title shot at WM on the line)
HBK v. Triple H v. Jeff Hardy v. JBL v. Umaga v. Chris Jericho
Elimination Chamber-- Smack down (title shot at WM on the line)
The Undertaker v. Big Daddy V v. The Great Khali v. Finlay v. MVP v. Batista
Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho v. JBL, Umaga & Snitsky
Umaga’s starting things off with Michaels. Crowd likes it. HBK opened up with some chops but got whipped. HBK managed a roll up attempt and avoided the sit out with a low dropkick for a one count. Jericho tagged in and grabbed an arm wringer but that didn’t really work as he got buried with an Umaga head butt.
Snitsky tagged in and brush your teeth chants ring out across the land. Ironic, Texas fans talking about teeth. They’re just jealous. Jericho grabbed the advantage with a springboard drop kick and Hardy’s tagged in and he and Jericho hit a Hardy like tag team move.
Hardy celebrated a bit only got get body slammed by Snitsky and it’s baby face in peril time. JBL comes in and drops a big axe like blow on Hardy’s back before just beating Hardy like a foster child in the corner. Hardy managed to hit a mule kick and a double leg drop for a one count, but didn’t get much.
JBL flat backed Hardy and tagged Snitsky back in who blew an elbow drop attempt. HBK gets the hot tag and Michaels hit the flying forearm only got eat a clothesline. Snitsky missed the big boot and Michaels tried to lock in that nasty submission move. Snitsky rolled around for a little while before Umaga nailed him with the diving head butt.
Umaga missed a charge and clattered to the outside and oh crap, everyone’s in there. All three faces hit dueling planchas and the crowd’s going nuts.
****Commercial****
We came back to Jericho being down and out on the mat with Snitsky. Snitsky recovered first and hit a body slam followed by an elbow drop for a two count. Umaga tagged in and the heels distracted the ref while they behaved badly. Umaga grabbed a bear hug and the crowd’s trying to get behind Jericho.
Umaga managed a Samoan drop and got another near fall before going right back to the bear hug. JBL tagged in and dropped some elbows, like ten of them for another two count. Jericho fought back only to get completely cut off with a big boot to the dome for yet another near fall.
Snitsky tagged in and resumed the beat down, stomping Jericho in the gut and grabbing a bear hug of his own. Jericho willed his way out of the hold only to eat a shot to the back from Umaga and a Snitsky back elbow. Umaga tagged in and hit some terrible strikes on Jericho. Jericho responded in kind and he isn’t winning this battle either and got floored with a throat thrust. Umaga climbed the top rope and missed the diving head butt.
The crowd rallied Jericho to the corner and sure enough he got there, tagging Hardy. Hardy came in and cleaned Snitsky out with a big whisper in the wind only for JBL to cut him off with a big boot. Spike, Code Breaker and then sweet chin music. Hardy and Snitsky are left and he hit a twist of fate before hitting the Swanton for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy via pin fall
****Commercial****
A video putting over the return of Candice Michelle aired.
Arm Wrestling Contest
John Cena v. Mark Henry
Both men came down to the ring and we get some great stalling from Henry. Both guys are belligerent and we’re ready to get this thing going. Henry treating Cena with no respect is great. Here we go.
AWESOME struggle here. Henry’s pretty swank here, too. All of a sudden, Henry holds his hand down and Orton runs in. Orton goes for an RKO but Cena ducks out and chases Orton out of the ring. Henry rushes him and Cena picks him up and FU’s him. Holy smokes awesomely simple segment.RAW THOUGHTSShow Thoughts-- Well despite not offering a whole lot in the in ring department, it was absolutely fantastic in virtually all of it’s segments. A very fun, good pay per view building Raw.
The Orton-Cena feud really is just as good as it gets. The two best in the industry right now in a great feud. Confident champion, determined challenger. Sinister evil doer, crusader for good-ness. Orton didn’t look like a chump but looked smart. Cena looks like a train coming down the tracks. Sure, I’m disappointed we’re not getting this at Wrestlemania, but honestly, I’m stoked we’re getting it period.
The name of the game was simplicity. The lack of wild theatrics made the contract signing bit one of the better ones they’ve done and that was about as good a way to use an arm wrestling contest as you get. Great, great stuff from both tonight.
Vince’s lecture on parenting was probably the funniest McMahon promo I can remember in a long time and the butt-buffing was monumentally hilarious. This definitely looks like it’s headed to some sort of Hornswaggle/Finlay tag match against a McMahon team at Wrestlemania. Despite this angle not being received too well at it’s inception, you’ve got to tip the cap to Vince in how they’ve been able to just sort of run with it all.
The elimination chamber build was done well, and all three baby faces were super fantastic in their match. The heels performed well, too, but Jericho and Hardy stole the show. Great job getting THOSE guys over and nice job to Triple H for standing back and letting all the other guys in the match build it up like they’ve got a crack at winning.
And the Kennedy promo was good, even though the squash match was ridiculously over-done. It’ll be a solid curtain jerker at what’s bound to be a tough show to book.
Overall though, again, I was really pleased with Raw tonight from a build perspective even though we got some pretty bad wrestling in spots. It’s a positive step towards No Way Out.
Overall Grade: B
Quick Results
Mickie James & Kelly def. Beth & Victoria
Mr. Kennedy def. Super Crazy
Santino Marella & Carlito def. London & Kendrick
Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly def. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho & HBK def. JBL, Snitsky & Umaga
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?
Biggest Pops
1. Jeff Hardy
2. John Cena
3. Shawn Michaels
4. Chris Jericho
Most Heat
1. Randy Orton
2. JBL
3. Umaga
4. Mr. Kennedy
Match of the Night: Six Man Tag match **1/2
Power Rankings5 Points= Title Win
4 Points= World Title defense/win
3 Points= Singles PPV Win
2 Points= Tag PPV Win
2 Points= TV Singles Win
1 Point= TV Tag Win
0 Points= Loss
WWE Champion: Randy Orton 3-1, 5pts. (Last Week: WWE Champion) --Orton is so the man right now, he really is having trouble sucking at all. His mannerisms and facials helped make two really good segments with Cena. Here’s to hoping he keeps the belt against Cena.
Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy 3-2, 5pts. (Last Week: IC Champion)— Good lord, Hardy’s over. Like getting to should-be-in-main event at Wrestlemania levels over. The crowd was molten for him tonight.
1. Shawn Michaels 5-0, 7pts. (Last Week: 1) —Michaels was more or less just ‘there’ tonight, even though it’s kind of difficult to knock him. He keeps on winning though, so for the purposes of this, my criticisms are moot.
2. Ken Kennedy 3-1, 7pts. (Last Week: 3)-- Good lord that squash match was a little too elaborate. He could’ve just cracked the knee a couple of times and got the submission. Didn’t need 5 full minutes of leg work to get the point over.
3. Triple H 3-1, 5pts.(Last Week: 2) -- No Triple H tonight which was really surprising.
4. Chris Jericho 2-3, 3pts. (Last Week: 5)-- Jericho’s really trying out there and it’s starting to stick again. I thought his selling was the easy highlight of tonight’s six man tag match. Letting Snitsky make him his woman was pretty fun.
5. Ric Flair 2-0, 4 points (Last Week: 4) -- Not in action tonight.
6. John Cena 1-0, 3 points. (Last Week: 9) -- That FU was completely awesome at the end. The Orton feud is right back to where we left off and I’m loving every minute of it.
7. JBL 2-2, 4 points (Last Week: 6) -- Seems to be doing his HBK impression of being there but not really doing a whole lot. They’re obviously sitting on him here and he’s playing the hard heel in the EC build. Good move.
8. Umaga 1-3, 2 points(Last Week: 7 -- For some reason, Umaga despite not doing much of note, really worked the aura well tonight and the brief glare at JBL got a good reaction. Umaga as an enforcer could work.
9. Carlito 3-1, 5 pts. (Last Week: 8) -- Can’t complain about him and Santino. It’s been a while since we had a cheat all the time team in the mold of the Midnight Express. I think because of it, they’ll stick out especially being booked with the gooey team of Holly and Rhodes.
10. Hardcore Holly 2-1, 2pt.. (Last Week: 10) — Holly’s team gets another win, so I’m not knocking him out of the top 10 as no one /* that did something topped what he did, so Holly stays, but barely.
OTHERS :
Cody Rhodes 1-1, 1 point (Last Week: NR)
Jerry Lawler 0-0 points (Last Week: NR)
Lance Cade 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Santino Marella 1-0, 1 point (Last Week: NR)
Paul London 0-1, 0 points(Last Week: NR)
Brian Kendrick, 0-3, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Trevor Murdoch 0-3, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Super Crazy 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
William Regal 0-2 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Bobby Lashley 0-0, 0 points (Last Week: INJURED)
Ron Simmons 0-0, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Harry Smith 0-0, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Jim Duggan 0-0, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Rory 0-2, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Charlie Haas 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Robbie 0-2, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Mick Foley 1-0, 1 point (Last Week: NR)
Sgt. Slaughter 0-0. 0 pts. (Last Week: NR)
Val Venis 0-0 0pts. (Last Week: NR)
Snitsky 1-3, 2 points (Last Week: NR)