Post by Jon Von Diesel on Sept 28, 2008 3:15:43 GMT
WWE RAW
September 22, 2008
Cincinnati, OH
Commentators: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Report by: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
The opening credits roll. The World Heavyweight Championship belt is hanging over the ring in darkness over a ladder. Chris Jericho’s music hits and he comes out to some absolutely hellacious heat.
Chris Jericho recapped the events of last week where Shawn Michaels challenged him to a Ladder Match at No Mercy for the title. Jericho said that HBK says he revolutionized the ladder match and like the brainless sycophants the people are, they believed what he said. He said just because HBK says something, doesn’t mean it’s true. Conversely, when he says something, it’s real. He’s an honest man and a good man, someone who always tells the truth. The truth was that he’s won three separate championships in ladder matches and has won more ladder matches than HBK had appeared in in his whole life. When the dust settles at No Mercy, the last thing they would all see was this: and Jericho removed the world title belt from atop the ladder.
Jericho said HBK already disfigured him. He said at the end of the night though, he walked out as the Champion because he was too good and surely better than Shawn Michaels. In his quest to feed his ego, HBK has requested a ladder match and all it did was put a destructive weapon in his hands.
Out of nowhere, Randy Orton’s music hit and he strolled down to the ring. Glory to god.
Jericho said it was only a matter of time before he came to speak to the world….. CHAMPION!? Orton interrupted. He said if it weren’t for him booting CM Punk in the head, Jericho wouldn’t be champion. Whomever won the match, it wouldn’t matter. They’d be on borrowed time.
Jericho said Orton was a dreamer just talking a lot of trash. He asked him what was preventing him from punching him in the mouth. He’d punch Orton just like he punched HBK’s wife. Orton said he’d love to see it, but no one would hit him per Mike Adamle. If they touched him, they’d be suspended. He said when you are the most valuable commodity on Raw, you get whatever you want.
Jericho said as far as he was concerned, he was the hottest commodity on Raw. He said he was tired of listening to Orton jabber and walked off. Orton chucked the ladder out of the ring as if he had proven something. As soon as Jericho was gone, CM Punk’s music hit.
Punk came out to the ring and after a brief confrontation, Punk smacked Orton into the corner. Adamle came screaming out of the back saying Punk defied one of his edicts. As a result of his actions, Punk was suspended. Punk was besides himself and arguing with Mike Adamle before Shane McMahon’s music hit and he danced on down to the ring. The hits just keep coming.
Shane said he’d usually respect Adamle’s edict, but what Punk did wasn’t a big deal and so tonight, he was overruling it. Orton went berserk before Shane cut him off and cooled him down. He booted Orton out of the ring telling him to go chill out. He said Orton’s little provision was on from here on out. He went on to announce the main event as being HBK & Batista v. JBL & Chris Jericho.
*****Commercial*****
CM Punk v. Cody Rhodes
Rhodes emulated a punt before the match. Ha.
The two locked it up and Cody backed Punk into the corner before Punk returned the favor. We had a nasty break before Punk missed a kick to Cody’s head. They locked horns again and went to the corner and again we got a surly break from both.
Cody grabbed a headlock before getting clocked right in the nose. Punk caught a kick and hit him with a brutal elbow to the temple. Punk hit a crescent kick before being dumped to the outside of the ring. Punk tripped Cody up on the ring apron before hammering him in the chest. He planted some kicks into Cody’s midsection before Rhodes fought back, smashing Punk’s head off the ring apron.
Rhodes went for a cross body off the top rope in the ring, but Punk rolled through for a two count. Punk mounted Rhodes and pounded him with right hands before booting him hard in the chest. Punk kept up the beat down in the corner before snap maring Cody and kicking him in the back like he was teaching him a lesson. Rhodes reversed an Irish whip though, enabling him to gain an advantage.
Cody hit some elbows to the back of Punk’s head before backing him into the corner and letting him have it with forearms. He went for a big right hand but Punk went for a GTS only for Rhodes to wiggle out and run for some cover.
****Commercial****
We came back to Rhodes controlling the former champion with a spinning toe hold. Punk fought his way to his feet and with Rhodes holding his leg, Punk hit some brutal knees to the head before transitioning into an awesome ankle lock spot. Punk hit his huge strike combo before kicking Cody square in the head. He hit his knee in the corner but Rhodes avoided the bulldog. Rhodes whiffed with a right hand and Punk caught him in and connected with GTS for the victory.
Winner: CM Punk via pin fall
After the match, Manu and Ted Dibiase came running to the ring to put a beat down on Punk. Kofi Kingston came running down to make the save.
****Commercial****
Mike Adamle was saying he felt a little embarrassed by Shane overruling him tonight. Shane told him to relax. He thought he was doing a fine job. Sometimes you just need to step on some toes. Kane came in and demanded a match with Rey Mysterio. Adamle said he’d have one at No Mercy. Kane thanked him and told Shane to say hi to his mom for him. Shane explained the history to an oblivious Mike Adamle.
Kelly was laughing at Santino’s face guard. Good lord. Something about Batista being a guerilla and dragging his knuckles. Beth said Santino was going to mess him up. Santino’s music played and he frantically ran off for his match.
*****Commercial*****
Honk-a-meter time!
And uh, Deuce still works here?
Santino Marella v. Deuce
Deuce wasted no time smashing Santino’s face into the corner before punching him the mug a couple of time. Deuce hit a kick to the face for a two count. Santino whipped Deuce before catching him with a back elbow. Deuce charged him in the corner but Marella ducked and hit some sort of roll up for the win.
Winner: Santino Marella via pin fall
Santino said that was just the first victory for the the Glamarella tonight. Kelly Kelly…………Kelly is going to lose her match tonight and Santino was going to go purchase some contraceptives.
Rey Mysterio & Evan Bourne are in the back. Rey’s telling him to stay focused.
****Commercial****
Kane v. Evan Bourne
The match started with a brief burst from Bourne with a huge leap frog and a step up enzeguiri. Bourne came at Kane with forearms and a drop kick to the knees but Kane soon imposed himself on Bourne, stomping and smashing away at him.
He missed an elbow drop and ate some kicks from Bourne who tried a sunset flip, only to get punched in the nose. Bourne rather stupidly tried an irish whip and had it reversed only for Bourne to get caught and perched onto the ring apron. Bourne caught Kane on the ropes and dumped him to the outside before hitting a huge moonsault off the top rope. He hit double knees to the chin for a two count.
Bourne came running at Kane only to get vaulted to the air and uppercutted right out of mid air. Kane gathered him in the corner and began pounding away, trying to grind Bourne into saw dust. Kane hit a brutal series of back breakers before slamming him upside down In the corner. Kane hit a running power slam and the end looks to be near.
Kane absolutely destroyed Bourne with a choke slam and despite the effort, Kane proves too much.
Winner: Kane via pin fall
Kane went to deliver a second choke slam until Rey Mysterio popped up to try and make the save but ate a thunderous boot to the chest. Kane pounded Mysterio on the mat before picking him up clean off the mat and choke slammed him to the mat.
Jamie Noble is pleading for a rematch with William Regal. Dolph Ziegler introduces himself again before Randy Orton pops up. Orton said what Shane did out there wasn’t cool despite how much he respects Shane. Shane told him to cool off and respected everything he has done but he had what was coming. Orton said he and Shane were the two most influential third generational stars in history. It’d be a bad thing for them to get on the wrong side of each other. Shane agreed before reminding Orton he was fourth generation.
****Commercial****
Beth Phoenix v. Kelly Kelly
Beth grabbed Kelly and bullied her into the corner before whipping her and missing with the follow up. Kelly tried to work Beth’s arm and did a nifty springboard arm drag. The fun didn’t last long though as Beth power bombed her into the corner before ripping and tearing into her face.
Beth slapped on a nasty looking key lock as Candice Michelle watches on TV. Kelly fought out of the hold and staged a little comeback but quickly got flung back to he mat. The two slugged it out in the middle of the ring before Kelly uncorked a lariat and a cross body block for a two count. Santino tried to interject himself but it backfired as Kelly was able to grab a roll up for the win.
Winner: Kelly Kelly via pin fall
Santino and Beth tried to double team Kelly after them match until Batista’s music hit. Beth stared down Batista again but Marella sucker punched him. Batista grabbed him and snapped his face guard off his nose and speared him. Beth doesn’t look to eager to take him on now.
****Commercial****
Cryme Tyme v. Miz & Morrison
Morrison & JTG started things off and JTG gained an advantage. Morrison taunted a bit allowing Miz to tag in and gain an advantage. JTG fired back with a right hand and a take down before slapping on a side headlock. Shaad caught a blind tag and hit a guerilla press before flat backing the Miz.
Miz fought back with some punches and a knee lift, but Shaad floored him with a big boot. Shaad vaulted JTG over the top rope onto the waiting heels as we head to break.
****Commercial****
We came back to JTG being held in an arm bar on the mat. JTG fought out of the hold only for Morrison to cut him off with a clothesline. He worked over JTG in the corner before sending Miz hurling into him for a two count. JTG fought back with more punches only for Miz to cut him off again.
Morrison stomped away on JTG on the mat before going back to the rear chin lock. Morrison hit a series of knees to the guy before JTG escaped and tagged Shaad. Shaad totally cleaned house before hulking up and hitting a huge running power slam on the Miz. They went for their finisher, but Miz wiggled out with some help from his partner and almost got a three count. Shaad caught the oncoming Miz and hit a huge reverse suplex for a great near fall.
Shaad fought Miz off again and threw him inadvertently into the referee, allowing Morrison to sneak up on the apron and hit a kick to the back of his head. Miz picked up the scraps and got the three count for the win.
Winners: The Miz & Morrison via pin fall
****Commercial****
Chris Jericho is in the back with Mike Adamle. He says Shane’s here to test Adamle and see what spin he’ll put on his ideas. He said he needed to talk to him about the main event…
Charlie Haas is doing a less than perfect impersonation of Mr. Perfect
****Commercial Break****
Lillian’s getting instructions from a ring lackey. This is a 3 on 2 handicapped match.
Chris Jericho, JBL & Lance Cade v. Batista & Shawn Michaels
Cade and HBK started this whole thing off and HBK backed Cade into the corner. It broke quietly enough, but got nasty quickly as Michaels and Cade began absolutely bludgeoning each other. Jericho tagged in and pounced on Michaels landing a flurry of rights before flooring Michaels with a right hand and a back suplex.
Jericho snap mared HBK and slapped on a rear chin lock. After a scuffle in the corner, Jericho fought off an HBK flurry and tagged in JBL. Layfield uncorked a nasty swinging neck breaker followed by an elbow for a two count. JBL connected with a big boot before gathering Michaels and slapping on a modified abdominal stretch.
Michaels fought out with a hip toss, but JBL gathered him and bullied him into the corner. Lance Cade tagged in and began smashing away on Michaels in the corner. JBL tagged in and put some boots in Michaels’ mid section in the corner before Michaels blocked a haymaker and connected with one of his own. Michaels bounded off the ropes only to get decked with a right hand. JBL hit a cheap shot on Batista before going for a quick cover for a two count.
Michaels again fought back and got caught in a fall away slam but HBK countered out and hit a swinging DDT. Batista is ready to go and he’s got a hot tag. He flat backed Jericho and bullied him into the corner and mauled him with a flurry of shoulder thrusts before catching him with a spine buster.
Batista tagged Michaels and delivered a power slam before HBK delivered the big elbow. HBK tuned up the band but whiffed on the sweet chin music. Jericho went for the walls but got rolled up for a fantastic near fall. Jericho missed a code breaker and Michaels got a two count.
All hell breaks loose as Batista was flung to the floor by JBL. Michaels staggered to his feet only for Jericho to hit the bulldog but cleanly missed with the lion sault. Cade tagged in and was flat backed by Michaels. Jericho and Cade are in opposite corners. Michaels went for sweet chin music on Jericho, but missed. He reeled back into Cade who hit his power bomb for the win.
Winners: Lance Cade, Chris Jericho & JBL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAW THOUGHTS
Show Thoughts-- Strong night tonight overall, although the show was a bit unspectacular.
One thing worth noting is the totally huge bumps the heels have been taking lately. That’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing, but just something that’s stuck out to me as sort of un-WWE lately.
Everything is sort of moving along at a good clip and they’ve been able to really blend a ton of stories together to present a pretty fluid show of late. Batista’s dabbling in the mid card a enough for good entertainment, but not enough to downgrade him. Punk’s got this thing going on with Orton while helping the Priceless guys earn a little credibility. Michaels is challenging for the belt, but laying down for guys like Lance Cade. Evan Bourne is interjected into the Kane-Mysterio issue and tag wrestling seems to be making a bit of a comeback.
All this while we’re missing the show’s top two stars in John Cena and Randy Orton. Not too shabby.
Mike Adamle is kind of great as the ‘bumbling yet somehow competent’ GM of the show. He helps heels out in acts of plain naivety, which is kind of a neat, new direction. Some may not like a weaker GM or a guy who gets pushed around, but it sort of lends itself to the style of show the WWE’s going for. All in all, I’ve really liked it.
And another side note, since when did the WWE get a memory? So many historical references of late. Just another thing that’s un-WWE, yet something that’s a positive sign.
I’m sure management is a little squirrelly about the ratings, thus we’re seeing the work rate bump up dramatically on TV. It’s sort of a funny thing that whenever ratings go down, smarks hem and haw, but the quality of the show usually is forced to go higher. IMO, Smarks should be cool with ratings being where they’re at.
Overall, as I said before, it was a strong night, but not totally spectacular or anything. They’re in a good spot heading towards No Mercy.
Overall Grade: B
Quick Results
CM Punk def. Cody Rhodes
Santino Marella def. Deuce
Kane def. Evan Bourne
Kelly Kelly def. Beth Phoenix
Miz & Morrison def. Cryme Tyme
Chris Jericho, Lance Cade & JBL def. Shawn Michaels & Batista
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?
Biggest Pops
1. Batista
2. Shawn Michaels
3. CM Punk
4. Cryme Tyme
Most Heat
1. Chris Jericho
2. Randy Orton
3. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
4. JBL
Match of the Night: Cryme Tyme v. Miz & Morrison **1/4
Power Rankings
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
World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho 18-15-1, 41 pts. (Last Week: World Heavyweight Champion)-- A very strong night for the champion. He holds his own with Orton in a great opening segment and then escapes with the hellish odds stacked in his favor win in the main event. A big night for Jericho.
Intercontinental Champion: Santino Marella 11-10, 18 points (Last Week: Intercontinental Champion) --Is this guy not the most ‘entertaining’ guy on the show? If he’s not Honkey Man re-incarnate, he’s something better. Just a gas.
1. Shawn Michaels 16-5-1, 23pts. (Last Week: 1) -- Wow, HBK takes the fall to Cade of all people tonight. No questioning his #1 spot here, but the little guy almost never gets the fall. A big surprise.
2. CM Punk 8-5-2, 23 Points (Last Week: 3) -- Punker regains his footing tonight with a great little match with Cody Rhodes. Seems to be neck and neck with Batista in terms of momentum and moves up a spot this week.
3. Batista 6-6-2, 14 Points (Last Week: 2) -- Kind of on cool down mode right now, or at least ‘on deck’. Is sort of loosely involved in a lot of important things going on right now but not fully invested enough to capitalize on any serious momentum.
4. JBL 16-22, 28 points (Last Week: 5)- - Pretty good in ring night and seems to have a bit of an edge back which is a good thing. Even though he didn’t have a ton to do with the big win tonight, it’s a move in the right direction for a guy who needs a couple of wins right now.
5. Kane 4-7, 8 Points (Last Week: 7) -- Just on a roll right now. Looks as good as he’s ever looked. Strong promo work and the ring work hasn’t been too shabby either.
6. Ted Dibiase, Jr. 7-4, 16 Points (Last Week: 4) -- See Rhodes.
7. Cody Rhodes 12-10, 20 points (Last Week: 5) -- Glad to see him in the ring as a singles wrestler if only for a night. He’s such a natural heel and was pretty solid tonight in the loss. He and his partner fall a bit tonight, but it’s only due to the really strong efforts of Kane and JBL.
8. Rey Mysterio 2-2, 4 Points (Last Week: 8) -- Rey was bumping like a nuts for Kane. I really like this feud thus far. Just smacks of awesome lucha cheese.
9. William Regal, 5-6, 13 points (Last Week: 9) -- Not in action tonight.
10. Kofi Kingston 7-5, 17 points (Last Week: 9) -- If not for the run in tonight, I’d have put Cade here. I’d like to see him start to pick up some wins.
September 22, 2008
Cincinnati, OH
Commentators: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Report by: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
The opening credits roll. The World Heavyweight Championship belt is hanging over the ring in darkness over a ladder. Chris Jericho’s music hits and he comes out to some absolutely hellacious heat.
Chris Jericho recapped the events of last week where Shawn Michaels challenged him to a Ladder Match at No Mercy for the title. Jericho said that HBK says he revolutionized the ladder match and like the brainless sycophants the people are, they believed what he said. He said just because HBK says something, doesn’t mean it’s true. Conversely, when he says something, it’s real. He’s an honest man and a good man, someone who always tells the truth. The truth was that he’s won three separate championships in ladder matches and has won more ladder matches than HBK had appeared in in his whole life. When the dust settles at No Mercy, the last thing they would all see was this: and Jericho removed the world title belt from atop the ladder.
Jericho said HBK already disfigured him. He said at the end of the night though, he walked out as the Champion because he was too good and surely better than Shawn Michaels. In his quest to feed his ego, HBK has requested a ladder match and all it did was put a destructive weapon in his hands.
Out of nowhere, Randy Orton’s music hit and he strolled down to the ring. Glory to god.
Jericho said it was only a matter of time before he came to speak to the world….. CHAMPION!? Orton interrupted. He said if it weren’t for him booting CM Punk in the head, Jericho wouldn’t be champion. Whomever won the match, it wouldn’t matter. They’d be on borrowed time.
Jericho said Orton was a dreamer just talking a lot of trash. He asked him what was preventing him from punching him in the mouth. He’d punch Orton just like he punched HBK’s wife. Orton said he’d love to see it, but no one would hit him per Mike Adamle. If they touched him, they’d be suspended. He said when you are the most valuable commodity on Raw, you get whatever you want.
Jericho said as far as he was concerned, he was the hottest commodity on Raw. He said he was tired of listening to Orton jabber and walked off. Orton chucked the ladder out of the ring as if he had proven something. As soon as Jericho was gone, CM Punk’s music hit.
Punk came out to the ring and after a brief confrontation, Punk smacked Orton into the corner. Adamle came screaming out of the back saying Punk defied one of his edicts. As a result of his actions, Punk was suspended. Punk was besides himself and arguing with Mike Adamle before Shane McMahon’s music hit and he danced on down to the ring. The hits just keep coming.
Shane said he’d usually respect Adamle’s edict, but what Punk did wasn’t a big deal and so tonight, he was overruling it. Orton went berserk before Shane cut him off and cooled him down. He booted Orton out of the ring telling him to go chill out. He said Orton’s little provision was on from here on out. He went on to announce the main event as being HBK & Batista v. JBL & Chris Jericho.
*****Commercial*****
CM Punk v. Cody Rhodes
Rhodes emulated a punt before the match. Ha.
The two locked it up and Cody backed Punk into the corner before Punk returned the favor. We had a nasty break before Punk missed a kick to Cody’s head. They locked horns again and went to the corner and again we got a surly break from both.
Cody grabbed a headlock before getting clocked right in the nose. Punk caught a kick and hit him with a brutal elbow to the temple. Punk hit a crescent kick before being dumped to the outside of the ring. Punk tripped Cody up on the ring apron before hammering him in the chest. He planted some kicks into Cody’s midsection before Rhodes fought back, smashing Punk’s head off the ring apron.
Rhodes went for a cross body off the top rope in the ring, but Punk rolled through for a two count. Punk mounted Rhodes and pounded him with right hands before booting him hard in the chest. Punk kept up the beat down in the corner before snap maring Cody and kicking him in the back like he was teaching him a lesson. Rhodes reversed an Irish whip though, enabling him to gain an advantage.
Cody hit some elbows to the back of Punk’s head before backing him into the corner and letting him have it with forearms. He went for a big right hand but Punk went for a GTS only for Rhodes to wiggle out and run for some cover.
****Commercial****
We came back to Rhodes controlling the former champion with a spinning toe hold. Punk fought his way to his feet and with Rhodes holding his leg, Punk hit some brutal knees to the head before transitioning into an awesome ankle lock spot. Punk hit his huge strike combo before kicking Cody square in the head. He hit his knee in the corner but Rhodes avoided the bulldog. Rhodes whiffed with a right hand and Punk caught him in and connected with GTS for the victory.
Winner: CM Punk via pin fall
After the match, Manu and Ted Dibiase came running to the ring to put a beat down on Punk. Kofi Kingston came running down to make the save.
****Commercial****
Mike Adamle was saying he felt a little embarrassed by Shane overruling him tonight. Shane told him to relax. He thought he was doing a fine job. Sometimes you just need to step on some toes. Kane came in and demanded a match with Rey Mysterio. Adamle said he’d have one at No Mercy. Kane thanked him and told Shane to say hi to his mom for him. Shane explained the history to an oblivious Mike Adamle.
Kelly was laughing at Santino’s face guard. Good lord. Something about Batista being a guerilla and dragging his knuckles. Beth said Santino was going to mess him up. Santino’s music played and he frantically ran off for his match.
*****Commercial*****
Honk-a-meter time!
And uh, Deuce still works here?
Santino Marella v. Deuce
Deuce wasted no time smashing Santino’s face into the corner before punching him the mug a couple of time. Deuce hit a kick to the face for a two count. Santino whipped Deuce before catching him with a back elbow. Deuce charged him in the corner but Marella ducked and hit some sort of roll up for the win.
Winner: Santino Marella via pin fall
Santino said that was just the first victory for the the Glamarella tonight. Kelly Kelly…………Kelly is going to lose her match tonight and Santino was going to go purchase some contraceptives.
Rey Mysterio & Evan Bourne are in the back. Rey’s telling him to stay focused.
****Commercial****
Kane v. Evan Bourne
The match started with a brief burst from Bourne with a huge leap frog and a step up enzeguiri. Bourne came at Kane with forearms and a drop kick to the knees but Kane soon imposed himself on Bourne, stomping and smashing away at him.
He missed an elbow drop and ate some kicks from Bourne who tried a sunset flip, only to get punched in the nose. Bourne rather stupidly tried an irish whip and had it reversed only for Bourne to get caught and perched onto the ring apron. Bourne caught Kane on the ropes and dumped him to the outside before hitting a huge moonsault off the top rope. He hit double knees to the chin for a two count.
Bourne came running at Kane only to get vaulted to the air and uppercutted right out of mid air. Kane gathered him in the corner and began pounding away, trying to grind Bourne into saw dust. Kane hit a brutal series of back breakers before slamming him upside down In the corner. Kane hit a running power slam and the end looks to be near.
Kane absolutely destroyed Bourne with a choke slam and despite the effort, Kane proves too much.
Winner: Kane via pin fall
Kane went to deliver a second choke slam until Rey Mysterio popped up to try and make the save but ate a thunderous boot to the chest. Kane pounded Mysterio on the mat before picking him up clean off the mat and choke slammed him to the mat.
Jamie Noble is pleading for a rematch with William Regal. Dolph Ziegler introduces himself again before Randy Orton pops up. Orton said what Shane did out there wasn’t cool despite how much he respects Shane. Shane told him to cool off and respected everything he has done but he had what was coming. Orton said he and Shane were the two most influential third generational stars in history. It’d be a bad thing for them to get on the wrong side of each other. Shane agreed before reminding Orton he was fourth generation.
****Commercial****
Beth Phoenix v. Kelly Kelly
Beth grabbed Kelly and bullied her into the corner before whipping her and missing with the follow up. Kelly tried to work Beth’s arm and did a nifty springboard arm drag. The fun didn’t last long though as Beth power bombed her into the corner before ripping and tearing into her face.
Beth slapped on a nasty looking key lock as Candice Michelle watches on TV. Kelly fought out of the hold and staged a little comeback but quickly got flung back to he mat. The two slugged it out in the middle of the ring before Kelly uncorked a lariat and a cross body block for a two count. Santino tried to interject himself but it backfired as Kelly was able to grab a roll up for the win.
Winner: Kelly Kelly via pin fall
Santino and Beth tried to double team Kelly after them match until Batista’s music hit. Beth stared down Batista again but Marella sucker punched him. Batista grabbed him and snapped his face guard off his nose and speared him. Beth doesn’t look to eager to take him on now.
****Commercial****
Cryme Tyme v. Miz & Morrison
Morrison & JTG started things off and JTG gained an advantage. Morrison taunted a bit allowing Miz to tag in and gain an advantage. JTG fired back with a right hand and a take down before slapping on a side headlock. Shaad caught a blind tag and hit a guerilla press before flat backing the Miz.
Miz fought back with some punches and a knee lift, but Shaad floored him with a big boot. Shaad vaulted JTG over the top rope onto the waiting heels as we head to break.
****Commercial****
We came back to JTG being held in an arm bar on the mat. JTG fought out of the hold only for Morrison to cut him off with a clothesline. He worked over JTG in the corner before sending Miz hurling into him for a two count. JTG fought back with more punches only for Miz to cut him off again.
Morrison stomped away on JTG on the mat before going back to the rear chin lock. Morrison hit a series of knees to the guy before JTG escaped and tagged Shaad. Shaad totally cleaned house before hulking up and hitting a huge running power slam on the Miz. They went for their finisher, but Miz wiggled out with some help from his partner and almost got a three count. Shaad caught the oncoming Miz and hit a huge reverse suplex for a great near fall.
Shaad fought Miz off again and threw him inadvertently into the referee, allowing Morrison to sneak up on the apron and hit a kick to the back of his head. Miz picked up the scraps and got the three count for the win.
Winners: The Miz & Morrison via pin fall
****Commercial****
Chris Jericho is in the back with Mike Adamle. He says Shane’s here to test Adamle and see what spin he’ll put on his ideas. He said he needed to talk to him about the main event…
Charlie Haas is doing a less than perfect impersonation of Mr. Perfect
****Commercial Break****
Lillian’s getting instructions from a ring lackey. This is a 3 on 2 handicapped match.
Chris Jericho, JBL & Lance Cade v. Batista & Shawn Michaels
Cade and HBK started this whole thing off and HBK backed Cade into the corner. It broke quietly enough, but got nasty quickly as Michaels and Cade began absolutely bludgeoning each other. Jericho tagged in and pounced on Michaels landing a flurry of rights before flooring Michaels with a right hand and a back suplex.
Jericho snap mared HBK and slapped on a rear chin lock. After a scuffle in the corner, Jericho fought off an HBK flurry and tagged in JBL. Layfield uncorked a nasty swinging neck breaker followed by an elbow for a two count. JBL connected with a big boot before gathering Michaels and slapping on a modified abdominal stretch.
Michaels fought out with a hip toss, but JBL gathered him and bullied him into the corner. Lance Cade tagged in and began smashing away on Michaels in the corner. JBL tagged in and put some boots in Michaels’ mid section in the corner before Michaels blocked a haymaker and connected with one of his own. Michaels bounded off the ropes only to get decked with a right hand. JBL hit a cheap shot on Batista before going for a quick cover for a two count.
Michaels again fought back and got caught in a fall away slam but HBK countered out and hit a swinging DDT. Batista is ready to go and he’s got a hot tag. He flat backed Jericho and bullied him into the corner and mauled him with a flurry of shoulder thrusts before catching him with a spine buster.
Batista tagged Michaels and delivered a power slam before HBK delivered the big elbow. HBK tuned up the band but whiffed on the sweet chin music. Jericho went for the walls but got rolled up for a fantastic near fall. Jericho missed a code breaker and Michaels got a two count.
All hell breaks loose as Batista was flung to the floor by JBL. Michaels staggered to his feet only for Jericho to hit the bulldog but cleanly missed with the lion sault. Cade tagged in and was flat backed by Michaels. Jericho and Cade are in opposite corners. Michaels went for sweet chin music on Jericho, but missed. He reeled back into Cade who hit his power bomb for the win.
Winners: Lance Cade, Chris Jericho & JBL
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RAW THOUGHTS
Show Thoughts-- Strong night tonight overall, although the show was a bit unspectacular.
One thing worth noting is the totally huge bumps the heels have been taking lately. That’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing, but just something that’s stuck out to me as sort of un-WWE lately.
Everything is sort of moving along at a good clip and they’ve been able to really blend a ton of stories together to present a pretty fluid show of late. Batista’s dabbling in the mid card a enough for good entertainment, but not enough to downgrade him. Punk’s got this thing going on with Orton while helping the Priceless guys earn a little credibility. Michaels is challenging for the belt, but laying down for guys like Lance Cade. Evan Bourne is interjected into the Kane-Mysterio issue and tag wrestling seems to be making a bit of a comeback.
All this while we’re missing the show’s top two stars in John Cena and Randy Orton. Not too shabby.
Mike Adamle is kind of great as the ‘bumbling yet somehow competent’ GM of the show. He helps heels out in acts of plain naivety, which is kind of a neat, new direction. Some may not like a weaker GM or a guy who gets pushed around, but it sort of lends itself to the style of show the WWE’s going for. All in all, I’ve really liked it.
And another side note, since when did the WWE get a memory? So many historical references of late. Just another thing that’s un-WWE, yet something that’s a positive sign.
I’m sure management is a little squirrelly about the ratings, thus we’re seeing the work rate bump up dramatically on TV. It’s sort of a funny thing that whenever ratings go down, smarks hem and haw, but the quality of the show usually is forced to go higher. IMO, Smarks should be cool with ratings being where they’re at.
Overall, as I said before, it was a strong night, but not totally spectacular or anything. They’re in a good spot heading towards No Mercy.
Overall Grade: B
Quick Results
CM Punk def. Cody Rhodes
Santino Marella def. Deuce
Kane def. Evan Bourne
Kelly Kelly def. Beth Phoenix
Miz & Morrison def. Cryme Tyme
Chris Jericho, Lance Cade & JBL def. Shawn Michaels & Batista
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?
Biggest Pops
1. Batista
2. Shawn Michaels
3. CM Punk
4. Cryme Tyme
Most Heat
1. Chris Jericho
2. Randy Orton
3. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
4. JBL
Match of the Night: Cryme Tyme v. Miz & Morrison **1/4
Power Rankings
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
World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho 18-15-1, 41 pts. (Last Week: World Heavyweight Champion)-- A very strong night for the champion. He holds his own with Orton in a great opening segment and then escapes with the hellish odds stacked in his favor win in the main event. A big night for Jericho.
Intercontinental Champion: Santino Marella 11-10, 18 points (Last Week: Intercontinental Champion) --Is this guy not the most ‘entertaining’ guy on the show? If he’s not Honkey Man re-incarnate, he’s something better. Just a gas.
1. Shawn Michaels 16-5-1, 23pts. (Last Week: 1) -- Wow, HBK takes the fall to Cade of all people tonight. No questioning his #1 spot here, but the little guy almost never gets the fall. A big surprise.
2. CM Punk 8-5-2, 23 Points (Last Week: 3) -- Punker regains his footing tonight with a great little match with Cody Rhodes. Seems to be neck and neck with Batista in terms of momentum and moves up a spot this week.
3. Batista 6-6-2, 14 Points (Last Week: 2) -- Kind of on cool down mode right now, or at least ‘on deck’. Is sort of loosely involved in a lot of important things going on right now but not fully invested enough to capitalize on any serious momentum.
4. JBL 16-22, 28 points (Last Week: 5)- - Pretty good in ring night and seems to have a bit of an edge back which is a good thing. Even though he didn’t have a ton to do with the big win tonight, it’s a move in the right direction for a guy who needs a couple of wins right now.
5. Kane 4-7, 8 Points (Last Week: 7) -- Just on a roll right now. Looks as good as he’s ever looked. Strong promo work and the ring work hasn’t been too shabby either.
6. Ted Dibiase, Jr. 7-4, 16 Points (Last Week: 4) -- See Rhodes.
7. Cody Rhodes 12-10, 20 points (Last Week: 5) -- Glad to see him in the ring as a singles wrestler if only for a night. He’s such a natural heel and was pretty solid tonight in the loss. He and his partner fall a bit tonight, but it’s only due to the really strong efforts of Kane and JBL.
8. Rey Mysterio 2-2, 4 Points (Last Week: 8) -- Rey was bumping like a nuts for Kane. I really like this feud thus far. Just smacks of awesome lucha cheese.
9. William Regal, 5-6, 13 points (Last Week: 9) -- Not in action tonight.
10. Kofi Kingston 7-5, 17 points (Last Week: 9) -- If not for the run in tonight, I’d have put Cade here. I’d like to see him start to pick up some wins.