Written by Richard Gray on Apr 14, 2008 - 11:05:10 PM
WWE Raw Results - 4/14/2008
London, England
Report by: Richard Gray
Backstage Segment:
We're backstage with William Regal who appears to be sipping tea. Enter John "Bradshaw" Layfield who says that he doesn't care that Regal is in his home country or that he is wrestling Randy Orton but he is a spineless puppet. JBL says that Triple H and John Cena shouldn't be in his title match at Backlash - he says that they had their chance. William Regal says thank goodness it happened so the people didn't have to see Layfield vs. Orton.
Regal says that he is going to show some more authority tonight and tonight JBL is going to be in a match against Triple H. Cue Raw intro video.
Raw Opener:
The pyros explode and we are live from tape on the USA Network. Jim Ross welcomes us to the show as he announces the attendance of 17,363 at the O2 Arena in London, England. Cue Shawn Michaels entrance music, he comes out in a white button down and blue jeans along with cowboy hat. Lilian Garica formally welcomes him to ringside.
In the arena:
Shawn Michaels gets on the mic and says that the last thing that he wants to do is discuss his issues with Batista. Batista gets booed heavily. Michaels says that Ric Flair asked, no demanded, that he faced him at WrestleMania. Michaels said that he did his best and Flair did his best but he ended up beating him. He said that Flair hugged him and thanked him and that is closure. HBK speaks directly to Batista calling him Dave and says that he knows it's going to be hard without his friend and mentor Flair but he found on Friday on SmackDown what Batista's real problem was - his real problem is with Shawn Michaels.
Michaels talks about doctors telling him in 1998 that he would never wrestle again only for him to prove everyone wrong and return in 2002. Michaels says that he was able to return because he loves this job and he knows more than anything that this is what he was built to do. Michaels says that he is not proud of a lot things that he has done but he is sick and tired of apologizing for his past. He says even though Batista thinks that the only reason he ended the career of Ric Flair is to end boost his ego - he says that is not true. Michaels says come Backlash he is going to kick Batista's teeth down is throat.
Ric Flair's music and entrance video plays. Chris Jericho emerges to a course of boos. Jericho has a mic and tells Shawn that he is sorry that he confused him with that music but he had to get his attention. Jericho says that we will never ever here Flair's music again because of Michaels. He calls Michaels a phony and then says that is at least what Batista thinks. Jericho says that deep down he thinks that Michaels thrives on retiring Ric Flair. Jericho says that we all know that Michaels thrived on screwing Bret Hart. He talks about Michaels super kicking Marty Jannetty and says that Shawn just needs to admit to his faults.
Jericho accuses Michaels of being the guy that suggested the Flair retirement stipulation to Vince McMahon and he needs to admit to it. He eats a super kick from Michaels. Michaels says he knows this - that felt pretty damn good.
Richard Reacts: From the reactions there it looks like Chris Jericho and Batista will both be working as heels with Michaels as the babyface. That is my initial impression as the crowd jeered Jericho completely. Decent segment but nothing overly noteworthy.
[Commercial Break]
Back From Commercial:
We return with shots of outside of the arena as Jim Ross says that he enjoys the hospitality of the people in England. It is announced that the King of the Ring tournament will return on next Monday's three-hour Raw from Greenville, South Carolina.
Number One Contenders Match For WWE World Tag Team Titles
- Santino Marella & Carlito vs. Brian Kendrick & Paul London
The Start:
The bell rings with Santino Marella in the ring against Paul London. London takes Marella down with a kick and a side headlock. Marella gets back to his feet but London counters with a heel trip. Carlito tags himself in. London avoids Carlito's shots with his speed. Kendrick tags himself in. He kicks Carlito to go on the offensive.
Mid-Match Notes:
Carlito finally counters when Kendrick went for a high risk maneuver. Marella is tagged in as he hits a sit down spinebuster. Carlito is tagged back in to work over Kendrick. He tags in Marella who gets a two count. Santino slams Kendrick's head off the turnbuckle as he tags in Carlito. Carlito delivers one blow and tags in Santino. Right hands from Marella. Kendrick finally counters with a drop kick. Quick tags from both. It's Carlito and London. London uses his speed and an inverted atomic drop to gain control. London hits a standing hurricanrana. Carlito counters but London nails a spinning heel kick.
The Finish:
London goes for the cover, Santino in for the save. Kendrick gets tossed to the outside when he tries to come in. Carlito ends up pinning London for the three count.
Winners - Carlito & Santino Marella to become the number one contenders for the WWE World Tag Team Championships
After the Match:
After the match Carlito cuts a promo in Spanish on Cody Rhodes and Bob Holly. Marella says that to be tag team champions you need international superstars and that Holly and Rhodes are not. Marella says that he and Carlito are the real wieners. Carlito corrects him and says "winners". Marella says, "right" as they embrace.
Richard Reacts: Fine tag action which looks to be the beginning of the Marella & Carlito push.
[Commercial Break]
WWE Kids Magazine:
We're back with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler showing off the all new WWE Kids Magazine with Rey Mysterio on the cover. They plug the fact that it debuts in stores tomorrow.
WWE Women's Championship Match
- Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix (c)
The Start:
After both enter, Lilian Garcia gives formal introductions for each of the competitors. The opening bell rings and Mickie and Beth circle one another. They lockup, Beth picks up Mickie and throws her into the turnbuckles. Mickie battles back with right hands and kicks. Beth kicks Mickie in the midsection. Beth delivers a running slam on Mickie into the turnbuckles.
Mid-Match Notes:
Beth gets a cover for a two count. Hard kick from The Glamazon to Mickie right in the midsection. Beth applies a submission hold on the mat, the crowd cheers Mickie back to life. Mickie uses knees to try and break the hold. Beth hits a suplex and gets another cover for two. Beth reapplies the submission maneuver. Mickie fights her way out, throwing hard right elbows. Mickie bounces off of the ropes and ends up in a painful submission maneuver at the hands of the Women's Champion. The referee checks for submission.
Once again Mickie is able to break the hold with elbows. Beth tries to keep her in check but Mickie pushes her off. Mickie slams Beth's head into the top turnbuckle. Mickie nails several kicks on Phoenix followed by right hands. Mickie goes off the ropes and connects a head scissors take down. Mickie goes for a DDT, Beth counters by throwing her into the corner. Beth takes advantage of Mickie in the corner, the referee pulls her out of there. Beth sets Mickie up on the top rope, Mickie connects with knees to the face of the Women's Champion.
The Finish:
Mickie hits a bulldog off the top rope onto The Glamazon. Mickie gets a two count. The Glamazon regroups and picks Mickie up but out of nowhere Mickie regroups for the roll up and the three count.
Winner - Mickie James to become the WWE Women's Champion
Richard Reacts: A good women's match for television with a surprising ending. WWE did not kill Phoenix's momentum as they made it look like Mickie stole the win with a roll up.
[Commercial Break]
During The Break:
The video package inviting Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to next week's three-hour Raw airs.
The Aftermath:
We're back on the air as Maria and Ashley celebrate with the new WWE Women's Champion Mickie James on the ramp. Todd Grisham asks Mickie what it's like to be the Women's Champion - she says it's unbelievable and kisses him.
Announce Table:
Jerry Lawler congratulates Mickie James. Jim Ross plugs the Fatal Four-Way main event at Backlash.
Backstage:
We're backstage with Mike Adamle asking William Regal (who is stretching) why he picked to face the best in the world in Randy Orton. Regal says because he wants to show that he is capable of beating the best. Chris Jericho comes in and says that he wants to be part of Michaels vs. Batista at Backlash. Regal says that he can be the special guest referee for the match. Regal then says that Jericho will face Umanga tonight in a match for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Commercial Break]
Back on the air:
We return to Raw with a promotional piece highlighting Mick Foley acting in the movie Anamorph.
Pre-Match:
JTG says what's up to London. Shad says that people like to make that Money... Money.. or those Euros... Euros... Trevor Murdoch & Lance Cade's music interrupts them.
We go to a backstage video of Lance Cade telling Trevor Murdoch that he is not letting him down and that he is talented and good and that is going to get that win tonight.
Singles Match
- JTG w/ Shad vs. Trevor Murdoch w/ Lance Cade
The Start:
JTG goes on the offensive first but Murdoch counters and is able to get a cover for a two count. Murdoch hits a stiff boot the to face of JTG for another near fall. Murdoch locks a reverse chin lock. The partners of each try to pump the other from the outside.
The Finish:
Murdoch nails a cross body off the top rope onto but JTG counters perfectly and is able to get the three count for the victory.
Winner - JTG
The Aftermath:
After the match Lance Cade gets in the ring and looks disappointed in Murdoch. He walks out on him.
Backstage:
We see footage of Randy Orton walking to ringside with the WWE Championship belt. JR plugs the upcoming match.
Richard Reacts: Very basic match that was done to advance story lines or at least tease a possible breakup between Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.
[Commercial Break]
During The Break:
It is announced that WWE World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker and Kane will team together on tomorrow night's edition of ECW on Sci-Fi. Their opponents were not named.
Next week's King of the Ring tournament is also promoted.
Pre-Match:
Randy Orton says that at WrestleMania everyone thinks that he go lucky. He says that you can call him lucky but he prefers WWE Champion. Orotn says that he beat Triple H and took out John Cena. He says that after Backlash is over he will have taken out Triple H, John Cena, and JBL all in one night. He says that tonight he will get a bonus - he gets to beat the General Manager William Regal in his own country. Orton says that it doesn't matter what continent you're on - we are all living in the age of Orton.
Non-Title Match
- WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. William Regal
The Start:
The crowd is heavily behind Regal as they chant his name. The bell rings and the two lockup. Both struggle for opening control as the crowd gets louder for the Raw General Manager. Regal nails Orton with several right hands. He pulls him back in a side headlock. Orton counters to break the hold. He applies an overhand wrist lock. Regal counters with a bridge to a heel trip. Regal gets a cover but only for a one count.
Mid-Match Notes:
Regal tries to apply a submission hold on Orton but Orton gets to his feet. Orton sends Regal to the mat but Regal applies body scissors on the Champion on the mat. Orton slams Regal's head off the mat twice to break the hold. Both back to their feet as Orton applies a side headlock. Regal gets Orton to the ropes and the hold is broke after three.
Orton hits an inverted back breaker on Regal off the ropes, sending him to the mat. Orton stands over Regal but eats a foot the face. It doesn't have much affect as Orton gets on Regal with some rights. Orton continues to assault Regal but has to stop for a rope break. Orton applies another headlock on Regal on the mat.
Regal is able to get to his feet still in the hold. Regal hooks the right leg of Orton for an inverted suplex, dropping Orton on his head. Regal gets a two count that is broke because Orton's foot was on the ropes. Orton goes to the outside to regroup.
The Finish:
He gets back on the apron only to be greeted by Regal. Regal suplexes him back in the ring and gets a two count. Regal hits another suplex and runs off the ropes to hit Orton with a knee to the Champion's face. Regal gets a cover but Orton gets his feet on the ropes at two.
Out of nowhere Orton hits the RKO for the victory. Orton covers Regal for the pinfall.
Winner - WWE Champion Randy Orton
Later Tonight:
Triple H vs. JBL - JR says if you like it physical you will get it in tonight's main event.
Backstage:
Umaga speaks in his native tongue apparently about tonight's match for the Intercontinental Championship against Chris Jericho.
Richard Reacts: William Regal can still go - he proved it tonight. That was a very good television match that was very entertaining with the crowd so into it. Props to Regal as he surprised me with how well that he worked.
[Commercial Break]
During The Break:
WWE World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker vs. Batista for this week's SmackDown is plugged.
Pre-Match:
We are shown a replay from earlier tonight of Shawn Michaels super kicking Chris Jericho.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
- Umaga vs. Chris Jericho (c)
The Start:
Lilian Garcia gives the formal title match introductions. The bell rings and the two lockup. Umaga backs Jericho down with several hard shots to the face, followed by right hands, sending Jericho to the mat. Umaga picks Jericho up and gives him another hard right. Umaga puts his foot on the face of Jericho, he breaks it at the count of three for a rope break. Umaga continues to work over the face of Jericho then whips him off the ropes.
Jericho uses his speed to counter and nails a low dropkick. He follows with a variation of a leg drop. Jericho hits several right hands. Umaga just shoves Jericho down to the mat. Umaga picks him up and gives him a headbutt as the crowd chants "Y2J". Jericho counters with right hands, he whips off the ropes and runs into the big fist of the Samoan Bulldozer.
Mid-Match Notes:
Umaga slams Jericho's head off the turnbuckle. He whips Jericho into the ropes and hits a clothesline. Umaga gives Jericho a splash on the mat and gets a two count. Back on his feet, Umaga gives Jericho a right hand. Jericho counters again with a huge drop kick. Jericho goes off the ropes but Umaga picks him up and tosses him out of the ring.
[Commercial Break]
Back from commercial, Jericho has Umaga in the ring against the turnbuckles and he is delivering right hands. Umaga throws him off and nails another splash on Jericho on the mat. Umaga locks a nerve hold on the trap muscle of Jericho. Jericho struggles to his feet and backs Umaga off with right elbows. Umaga pushes Jericho back as Jericho pulls the rope down and sends him to the outside. Jericho runs off the ropes and hits a baseball slide on Umaga on the outside. Jericho follows Umaga on the outside, runs at him, and is hit with a clothesline.
Umaga rolls Jericho back in the ring and cover him. He gets a two count. Umaga goes off the ropes for a butt first splash. He goes for another one but Jericho puts his knees up, hitting Umaga in the groin. Jericho picks Umaga up to slam him but drops him. Umaga gets a two count. Diving headbutt from Umaga onto Jericho. He follows with a kick to the spine of Jericho. Umaga picks Jericho up and slams him back down to the mat.
The Samoan Bulldozer follows with a kick to the face of the Intercontinental Champion. Umaga continues to work on the jaw of Jericho. He whips him into the turnbuckles, sending him back down to the mat. Umaga whips Jericho to the other side into the turnbuckles, he falls back to the mat. Umaga comes over and picks Jericho up - hits a body slam. Umaga drags Jericho to another corner of the ring and hits him with right hands. Umaga is instructed by the referee to take Jericho out of the corner.
Umaga takes a run at Jericho but doesn't connect. Jericho goes off the top rope and nails a big right hand to the back of the head of Umaga. The referee starts the double count out. At six both performers are back to their feet as Umaga whips Jericho into the ropes. Jerihco counters and goes for a bulldog, Umaga slams him to the mat and tries another splash. He misses, Jericho hits a low drop kick.
The Finish:
Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho. Umaga won't let him apply it. Jericho kicks Umaga in the face, Umaga still ends up slamming Jericho on the mat for another near fall. Umaga goes off the ropes, gets a kick from Jericho, but it doesn't affect him. Umaga goes for the Samoan Spike, he misses. Umaga lunches forward at Jericho, Jericho moves, Umaga eats ring post. Jericho capitalizes and puts his feet on the ropes to get the three count on Umaga.
Winner - Chris Jericho to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Richard Reacts: Another good TV match. Jericho sold his spots well and the finish was exactly what needed to happen. The match laid the ground work for a potential program.
[Commercial]
During The Break:
An advertisement runs promoting the Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Championship at Backlash. Backlash is two weeks away.
Singles Match
- "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. Paul Burchill w/Katie Lea
Squash Match:
The match starts with Burchill blindsiding Duggan. He immediatly takes him to the mat. Burchill goes to the outside and handles Duggan who is on the inside from under the bottom of the ropes. He gets back in and kicks Duggan in the midsection. Burchill whips Duggan into the turnbuckles and back to the middle of the ring. Burchill pulls Duggan's hair, driving his head into the mat. Burchill makes the cover for the pinfall.
Winner - Paul Burchill
[Commercial Break]
During The Break:
A promotional piece airs for the new Triple H DVD.
Back On Raw:
We are shown more footage from outside of the arena.
Backstage Segment:
We're backstage with Todd Grisham and Triple H. Grisham plugs the Triple H DVD with one in his hand and asks Triple H what his strategy will be against JBL. Triple H asks Grisham if he wrote his questions himself. Triple H says he can't tell Grisham his game plan as that would not be very cerebral right before he goes out to face him. Hunter plugs the Fatal Four Way match at Backlash. He says the best will emerge. Triple H says that as for JBL, he should have kept his announcing job because tonight it's time to play the game.
Backlash:
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler run through the Backlash pay-per-view card:
Shawn Michaels vs. Batista w/ Chris Jericho as special guest referee
WWE World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker vs. Edge
The Great Khali vs. Big Show
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena vs. JBL in a Fatal Four Way Match
Pre-Match:
Before Triple H vs. JBL begins Jim Ross says that this is the first time that Hunter and JBL have faced each other in a singles match. Lawler says that it is going to be a slobber knocker.
[Commercial Break]
During The Break:
It is plugged again that ECW Champion Kane and World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker will team together on ECW tomorrow night.
Backlash Opponents Collide
- Triple H vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield
The Start:
Back from commercial, we're already underway. Triple H has JBL on the mat in a side headlock on the mat. JBL gets back to his feet, whips The Game off the ropes. Triple H hits him and does a crotch chop. Both men circle one another. Triple H tells JBL to bring it on as they lockup. JBL tries to gain leverage on Triple H by pushing him into the turnbuckles. The referee calls for a break.
They start to talk trash to one another in the ring. They lockup again. Triple H pushes JBL into the turnbuckles, JBL reveres, pushing Triple H into the turnbuckles. Back to trash talk as JBL delivers some blows to Triple H.
Mid-Match Notes:
Triple H ends up countering with a clothesline and several right hands. He bangs JBL's head off one of the top turnbuckles then buries his face in Bradshaw's midsection. Triple H hits a neckbreaker and gets a cover for the count of one. Hunter locks a quick submission hold but JBL gets back to his feet. Triple H goes for an arm bar but Bradshaw fights him off.
JBL whips Triple H off the ropes, bends down, and nearly gets a pedigree. JBL counters and ends up hitting a shoulder block. JBL hits hard right hands on The Game. Bradshaw nails more right hands on Triple H in the corner. He connects his version of a swinging neck breaker and locks a full nelson hold with Hunter on his feet. JBL wrenches back as Triple H screams in pain.
Hunter uses his strength to break the hold but JBL counters. Both go off the ropes and Hunter hits JBL with a high knee. Hunter hits some right hands, goes off the ropes and nearly gets a pedigree on JBL. Hunter nails a big time clothesline on Bradshaw, sending him to the outside.
The Finish:
Triple H follows him to the outside. An all out brawl ensues up the ramp. Triple H throws JBL into the steel railing. Here comes Orton as the referee calls for the bell.
Winner - No Contest
The Aftermath:
Randy Orton beats Triple H all the way into the ring. Triple H hits a spinebuster and goes for the pedigree. JBL comes in and breaks it up. He hits a boot to the face of Triple H and beats him in the turnbuckle. JBL holds Triple H back so Orton can nail right hands on Hunter. Orton hits an RKO on Triple H. JBL points to Orton as the crowd chants for John Cena. JBL tells Orton to kick Hunter in the head.
JBL holds Triple H in place, Orton goes for the kick and eats JBL's clothesline from hell. Bradshaw picks up the WWE Championship belt and raises it above his head. Hunter finally gets up and eats a clothesline from hell. Bradshaw raises up the belt again to a course of boos. Raw goes off the air with Hunter and Orton laid out in the ring with JBL standing tall in the ring with the WWE Championship belt.
Richard Reacts: It's still hard for me to believe that's the first time that JBL and Triple H have faced each other in singles competition. Nonetheless I enjoyed the main event although it was more of a brawl than a wrestling match. I like JBL's physical style and feel that it meshes well with what WWE is trying to accomplish. The closing sequence was predictable but needed build for Backlash. Cena didn't make the trip overseas as he is filming 12 Rounds. Thanks for joining me for my first Raw report in ages! Send me feedback at this email address if you would like. Goodnight everyone!
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