Tonight: Fall-out from Judgment Day, including the Championship controversy (Khali’s foot was under the rope as he tapped out?); plus: is HBK’s career over?; and: Mr. McMahon, still ECW champ; what’s the next hurdle for Lashley?.
-WWE opening.
-Highlights from Judgment Day, including Vince walking away with the world title.
-Cold open shows to RAW live in the Quad Cities, just as Lashley’s music hits. See, he’s coming to the ring smiling- shouldn’t he be pissed off? Lashley, with the crowd behind him, proposes Vince vs. Bobby tonight. That draws out Vince and company. Vince says, “no.” Lashley had his return match and didn’t get it done. Vince says he’ll defend next at One Night Stand against the #1 contender, ECW Original…..The Blue Meanie. “He’s still alive?” asks Lawler. Shane steals the mic from Vince and says his dad is invincible in street fights, running down those he’s beaten. Shane grants Lashley the street fight match. “Bobby, Bobby” chants. Vince says “you’re on.” That was too easy. But there is one stip- Lashley has to beat each of his opponents tonight in a gauntlet match.
-Tonight, we’ll get an update on HBK’s condition.
[break]
(1) Ric Flair vs. Carlito Flair chops at the already bruised chest of Carlito. Snap-mare, then a stomp. Carlito follows with a back-body drop, then stomps away at Naitch in the corner. He starts working on the left arm of Flair. Carlito works with a hammer-lock as JR gives us the injury history of Flair’s shoulder. Flair does a lot of yelling, then kicks Carlito away. More chops ensue. Springboard back-elbow by Carlito misses and Flair hits more chops, then a chop-block and works the left leg. Thumb to the eye by Carlito. Both go over the top on a Carlito clothesline. Flair tries to get back in but Carlito keeps beating on him, which results in a double count-out.
Winner: Double Count-Out at 5:02. Post-match, Carlito continues his assault. He then spits his apple in Flair’s face.
-Up next, Candice takes on Melina.
[break]
(2) Melina vs. Candice Michelle This is non-title. Melina starts with a kick, then goes to a choke. Modified surf-board by Melina, then a pull of the hair. Another choke in the ropes, but this time, she misses a follow-up. She comes up a little lame, holding her hamstring. Candice works the back. Nice clotheslines and a drop-kick. Rake of the face by Melina, but Candice shrugs her off and gets a roll-up for the win.
Winner: Candice Michelle by pinfall at 3:52.
-Khali is backstage, arguing with his interpreter, no doubt about the title controversy last night.
-Lashley is backstage, heading to the ring for his gauntlet match, which is NEXT!
[break]
-Clips of Stone Cold doing the mainstream media thing for his movie. Gotta be frustrating to make all the rounds in the media and still have the movie bomb.
(3) Lashley vs. Chris Masters Vince is watching backstage. Ugh, why don’t they just have the Brooklyn Brawler fight Lashley? Bobby gets a take-down and quick cover. He runs shoulder-first into the ring-post, then Masters gets an arm-bar take-down for two. Lashley runs into an elbow. Master-Lock is applied, but Lashley gets to the ropes. The two trade punches and Lashley hits a back-body drop, then a powerslam. Lashley misses a charge again, but hits a spear for the three.
Winner: Lashley by pinfall at 3:21.
-Tonight, an update on HBK.
-The Hardyz are backstage, heading to the ring for their match.
[break]
(4) The Hardy Boyz vs. Johnny Nitro and Kenny Dykstra TWGTT are at ring-side to take in the match. Nitro’s distraction puts Kenny on the offensive against Matt right away. Nice double-team offense by the heels. Nitro is in, getting an uppercut, but Matt gets a take-down and tag. He goes after both men with his high-flying offense. Face-first suplex by Jeff, who then goes to the top, but is harassed by Nitro. Nitro gets tossed off, and Jeff hits a sunset flip from the top for the win.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz by pinfall at 3:26. Criminally short here. Benjamin and Haas attack after the match, but Cade and Murdoch make the save. I smell an old-fashioned eight-man tag match!
-Great Khali is bush-whacking his way to the ring from backstage.
[break]
-The Great Khali and his translator are out. Khali thinks he was cheated last night. Apparenlty, he was screwed. Then we get video footage of that fact. Also, Khali was never knocked off his feet by Cena, the champ had to use the stairs to do it. Khali says he can defeat Cena everywhere but in a house with a mouse, or in a train or on a plane. Before we can really know though, Cena’s music hits. Cena acknowledges that he was scared of Khali, but not anymore. He says his feet were under the ropes, but he also tapped out. Cena wants a re-match but Khali takes him down with the chop, then the two-handed chokeslam. Cena is down in the ring as Khali leaves.
[break]
-Moments ago, Cena got Champwned.
(5) Lashley vs. Viscera Viscera backs Lashley into the corner, but Lashley escapes and works on the arm. Short-arm clothesline by Vis, then a shoulderblock. Bodyslam for two by Lashely. Vis hits a clothesline, then stands on Lashley by the ropes. Back on his feet, Lashley pounds away, but he runs into a side slam for a two-count. Lashley fights back after Viscera taunts, but gets hit with a spin-kick for two. That move still looks terrible. Into the buckle, Vis misses a splash and Lashley hits the spear for the cover and pin.
Winner: Lashley by pinfall at 3:21.
-Timbaland’s world premiere video, featuring the WWE Divas is next.
[break]
-JR says at One Night Stand, Cena faces Khali in a street fight for the title.
-Torrie, Maryse (making her first in-arena appearance, I believe), Leyla, Kelly, Brooke and Ashley come out to introduce the Timbaland video. I’d critique it, but I didn’t watch it.
[break]
-JR brings up Shawn’s concussion from last night.
-Randy Orton comes out. He says he regrets what Micheals’ wife went through last night. We get Judgment Day clips, along with RAW from last week. Orton says he did what anyone else would’ve done last night. He beat HBK because he’s the legend killer. Did I miss the update on Shawn’s condition?
-Vince talks to Umaga backstage, talking him up, because he’ll face Lashley next!
[break]
(6) Lashley vs. Umaga Big clothesline from Umaga, then a splash. He works some deliberate offense in and even gets a back rake in there. Umaga catches a boot from Lashley, but the Samoan grabs a bear-hug. Lashley hammers out of it but gets dropped with a Samoan drop for a two-count. After some chops to the throat, Umaga misses a second-rope headbutt, or at least got a piece of it (hard to tell from the camera angle). Lashley with some punches then an elbow and Umaga misses a splash in the corner. Lashley follows-up with a shoulderblock as Umaga tumbles out of the ring. Lashley tries a high-risk maneuver, but Umaga kicks him in the sternum on the way down. He throws timekeeper Mark Yeaton out of his chair like a rag doll, then hits Lashley with the chair, drawing the DQ.
Winner: Lashley by DQ at 5:56.
-Vince and Shane are walking backstage, and it looks like Shane is Lashley’s next opponent.
[break]
(7) Shane McMahon vs. Lashley Shane hammers away once Lashley gives referee Chad Patton the OK to start the match. Shane gets a baseball slide, pushing Lashley into the ring post. Umaga has a chair but Vince and Shane are telling him no. Patton wants Umaga outta there. Vince sends him back as Shane uses some clenched fists, but Lashley pushes him off and gets a roll-up for two. Big spinebuster for two. Lashley hits some forearms, but Shane floats over for a nice DDT for a near fall. He lays some elbows into Lashley’s back. Boston Crab is applied by Shane. Lashley powers out, but Shane continues to work on the lower back, including an elbow from the second rope. Pin attempt comes up short. Camel clutch by Shane (insert Iron Sheik joke here). Lashley is able to stand up and back Shane into the corner. Right hands by Lashley. He can’t hit the powerslam, as his back gave out. To the top goes Shane, but Lashley spears him in mid-air and pins him for the victory.
Winner: Lashley by pinfall at 6:12.
-Lashley stares at Vince from inside the ring and we’re out.
Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff (from the random quote I got at the bottom of this thread)Ripped from 411.com: Kanyon jobs to Funaki? WTF? And do you think they can squeeze in any more Vince/Hogan stuff? By my count, there's *6.5* segments dealing w/ Vince and/or Mr. America. Why does this storyline get so much air time?
So how about 4 matches and the opening interview segment of McMamania tonight? Since this is one of two Raws available to set up ECW One Night Stand, I think Vince is right on pace for a traditional ECW PPV with a card finalized around 2pm the day of the show..
As to the actual show, my condolences to the live audience, but a series of Lashley matches is only going to be so exciting. The crowd seems to be staying with Bobby for now, but I wonder how he's going to keep his heat when this program plays out - I presume we start finding out in June.
The rest of the lot makes it appear that we will now be treated to a series of rematches from Judgment Day, which of course was heavily rematches from Backlash, a PPV that was loaded with rematches from WrestleMania. These matches must be working great, if people keep spending $40 a month for them.
Can't help out with the HBK update, the Timbaland segment put me to sleep, I think until the Umaga chair shot. Tag division continues to be interesting, mostly because it's not a WWE formula program we're getting. My hope is that they are using the Hardys to build up a number of teams that can carry the ball when Matt and Jeff go back to singles - I'm not holding my breath though.
Apparently they decided that everyone was going to be watching the 24/Heroes/Bachelor/Two and a Half Men/etc. finales and thought, "oh, fuck it, let's phone it in tonight"
Originally posted by TheOldManThe rest of the lot makes it appear that we will now be treated to a series of rematches from Judgment Day, which of course was heavily rematches from Backlash, a PPV that was loaded with rematches from WrestleMania.
There were only three rematches from Backlash last night, two of which won't be taking place again (Benoit/MVP, the handicap match).
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by Kane Is UglyAm I the only one who rather see Vince vs the Blue Meanie than Vince vs Lashley?
Shouldn't it be a 3 Way Dance though, as what did Meanie do to lose the title shot he has earned? And, am I the only one who thinks Vince defending the ECW Title against former champion Jimmy Snuka would have more interest than Vince defending against former Champion Bobby Lashley? When RAW is ECW, it shows the roster depth on RAW is almost non-existant. With all the top tier talent that has jumped ship, been moved or is injured, a viable case could be made that the man Cena should defend the RAW Title against at SummerSlam is Ric Flair. The Khali program should be over by then, it is tough to trust Orton, who knows what faith they have in Carlito and they have none in Shelton Benjamin. That means, Flair's hanging around could pay off yet again.
'Ric Flair wishes he was Paul Roma.' Congratulations Paul on winning the Idiotic Comment of the Decade Award.
Lashley again proved he should never say a word. Vince offers his logic for why Bobby won't get another title shot. Bobby says "why not me," and Vince answers with "I thought I just explained that." Give this man a manager to do his talking. He doesn't have the gift of gab. This is why Shane and Vince and Estrada have taken turns to carry the feud.
I thought it was an interesting attempt by JR to draw parallels to Shawn's concussion. He first said it's a very timely injury and then name-dropped Aikman and Young, two NFL QBs who haven't played for at least five years. Yes, of course. Timely. We saw two examples of the same "face wrestler waves of the ref, takes a licking" spot, and they came just two weeks after we saw Kennedy do this and lose his MITB contract. We haven't sen him since he took many head shots from the briefcase after the match. Why not simply say he had a concussion? Lashley's efforts would have a bit more urgency if JR would connect the dots between Kennedy, Shawn, and Bobby -- three guys who should have known when to stop, two out of action for a while because of it.
But I did like the Shane match because Shane will make an effort. Nice floatover DDT (used to be The Rock's Laying the SmackDown finisher) and a good ending spot off the ropes. The Viscera/Bobby match was the best of the night; I forget that Big Vic can bust out some interesting moves. Awesome leapfrog from Lashley there too.
It must be nice to be Randy Orton. He gets in trouble, and they continue to push him to the moon. Someone else should have gotten the Shawn injury rub, despite it fitting with Randy's legend-killer gimmick.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Man, was that the Lashley show, or what?? I know they need to push someone with Shawn and others out, but man. Can't you push more than one guy? Or one that isn't feuding with Vince?
Orton is the luckiest man in wrestling, getting this totally undeserved push. Why not take a chance with Carlito, or Nitro? Taking out HBK could immediately get a fresh guy over as a mega heel.
With this rash of injuries, I expect to see Foley being trotted out for his annual comeback. It's needed, actually.
I like the idea of Flair getting one last push against Cena, but how loud would those boos be for Cena? Cena has been champ since, what, October? I think it is time for a title change to freshen things up, even if it is Flair for a short reign.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
Originally posted by kentishI like the idea of Flair getting one last push against Cena, but how loud would those boos be for Cena? Cena has been champ since, what, October? I think it is time for a title change to freshen things up, even if it is Flair for a short reign.
Flair and Vince, each holding a world title at the same time? Hey, why not? It would give those young, inexperienced wrestlers in their 40s and 50s something to aspire to....
Y'know, I became a fan of wrestling in the early-to-mid 80s mostly because of Flair (old NWA mark), so I wouldn't mind giving the Nature Boy a final lap in the victory lane.... but for all the WWE fans younger than 30, I don't know if Flair would be taken seriously as a champion -- or if it would just cheapen the title, ala Vince as ECW champ.
As much as I love Flair, he really doesn't look the part of a world champion anymore...
I think the fans would totally buy one last reign for Flair as world champion. 'Realistically,' it would make the most sense to have him in the title in a multi-man match or battle royal or something. A perfect retirement angle would be for Flair to win the belt, but then gradually become obsessed with keeping it and he reverts back to his old heelish ways before he's finally bested by a popular up-and-comer (or, failing that, Triple H).
But enough fantasy booking. Raw was average. I'd complain about the roster being wafer-thin at the moment, but Smackdown had to deal with a thinned-out talent base for about two years and ECW has had the problem for its entire run. Let the 'A brand' try to be creative with the talent they have, for a change.
I wasn't planning on watching RAW at all because of the 24 and Heroes finales but I decided to DVR the second hour in case something important happened.
What an appalling show. I flew through it in less than 10 minutes.
Four Lashley matches? One is too many! Much less three in the second hour. I only watched the one against Shane and I'm thankful my recording ended at 11:05. I don't care that I didn't see how the show ended.
The Timbaland video sucked. Randy Orton sleepwalked through his promo and said nothing of import. Only Cena getting beat up again amused me for a moment.
The top card of RAW has been decimated and yet they refuse to reshuffle the roster to elevate some people and give them a chance to get over. Instead they just fill half the show with Lashley, who's not even on the RAW roster.
I'm sorry I missed the tag team angle in the first hour because Cade and Murdoch continuing to be sportsmen and play by the rules is the only interesting angle on RAW. And I like Johnny Nitro and the World's Greatest Tag Team, all of whom tend to be disposable fodder when they could be big time players.
Originally posted by kentishI like the idea of Flair getting one last push against Cena, but how loud would those boos be for Cena? Cena has been champ since, what, October? I think it is time for a title change to freshen things up, even if it is Flair for a short reign.
Flair and Vince, each holding a world title at the same time? Hey, why not? It would give those young, inexperienced wrestlers in their 40s and 50s something to aspire to....
Y'know, I became a fan of wrestling in the early-to-mid 80s mostly because of Flair (old NWA mark), so I wouldn't mind giving the Nature Boy a final lap in the victory lane.... but for all the WWE fans younger than 30, I don't know if Flair would be taken seriously as a champion -- or if it would just cheapen the title, ala Vince as ECW champ.
As much as I love Flair, he really doesn't look the part of a world champion anymore...
Yes, they are both old, but Flair holding the belt is not quite the same as Vince. Mostly, I just want Cena to drop the belt, not that Flair is the best choice. I wouldn't mind that much as a final hurrah for Ric, as long as that is what it was, but we know how that goes. I am not trying to bash Cena, even though I am not a fan, but title reigns beyond 6 months tend to bore me these days. It's not like in 1988 when you only saw the camp on TV once a month, and PPV 3 times a year.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
Originally posted by Big BadI think the fans would totally buy one last reign for Flair as world champion. 'Realistically,' it would make the most sense to have him in the title in a multi-man match or battle royal or something. A perfect retirement angle would be for Flair to win the belt, but then gradually become obsessed with keeping it and he reverts back to his old heelish ways before he's finally bested by a popular up-and-comer (or, failing that, Triple H).
But enough fantasy booking. Raw was average. I'd complain about the roster being wafer-thin at the moment, but Smackdown had to deal with a thinned-out talent base for about two years and ECW has had the problem for its entire run. Let the 'A brand' try to be creative with the talent they have, for a change.
[Fantasy booking hat]Twenty-man over the top rope battle royal, where the last man standing gets a shot IMMEDIATELY against John Cena for the title. Last two, Flair and Carlito. Through hook or by crook Flair tosses Carlito, who reenters the ring as Cena comes down the ramp and kicks the crap out of Flair with a chair. Cena saves Flair, and Carlito attacks Cena. WWE officials come out to drag Carlito to the back as Flair lays in a heap in the corner. Cena enters the ring hesitant, not wanting to wrestle Flair in such a situation but Flair motions for the bell to ring. Bad idea for Cena, as replays after the fact would show that when the officials dragged out Carlito one of them -- with initials AA -- left behind a set of brass knucks that Flair uses to knock out Cena and win the title. Optional part: the Carlito/Flair feud is demonstrated to be a ruse to fool the masses and make people feel sorry for Flair so he could sneak up on the champ unaware.[/Fantasy booking hat]
I marked out when Vince announced the Blue Meanie as the number one contender. That's the ECW I want to see.
I swear, Lashley spends more time on Raw than anyone else nowadays, why don't they just put him on that show and have HIM challenge for Cena's title?
I don't like Vince as champ, but I would have preferred it if he wore that ugly hat when wrestling as opposed to that ugly do-rag. At least, there'd be some comedy to it.
I've seen FIVE movies so far this year: Because I Said So - (2*); Borat - (5*); Children Of Men - (4*); The Last Mimsy - (4*); Spiderman 3 - (4.5*)
I would like to be Great Khali's interpreter. I would do a better job than that dude they're using now. Granted, I don't speak Urdu or Hindi, but I'm pretty sure the Great Khali doesn't either. Sounds more like Bear to me.
Originally posted by Hogan's My DadI would like to be Great Khali's interpreter. I would do a better job than that dude they're using now. Granted, I don't speak Urdu or Hindi, but I'm pretty sure the Great Khali doesn't either. Sounds more like Bear to me.
Ooooh, maybe you could do the Funaki (or was it Taka?) gimmick with The Great Khali, only in reverse; he'd be saying a bunch of things all angry-like and you'd interpret it as "Great Khali wants to be your friend and go out to have ice cream with you."
We'll make millions!
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." --Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
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Originally posted by Hogan's My DadI would like to be Great Khali's interpreter. I would do a better job than that dude they're using now. Granted, I don't speak Urdu or Hindi, but I'm pretty sure the Great Khali doesn't either. Sounds more like Bear to me.
Ooooh, maybe you could do the Funaki (or was it Taka?) gimmick with The Great Khali, only in reverse; he'd be saying a bunch of things all angry-like and you'd interpret it as "Great Khali wants to be your friend and go out to have ice cream with you."
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