June 23, 2008 – San Antonio, Texas (2008 WWE DRAFT)
Announcers: JR & The King, Cole & Foley, Adamle & Tazz
DARK MATCH
Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) defeated Deuce & Domino:
RINGSIDE
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler (RAW) + Michael Cole & Mick Foley (SmackDown!) + Mike Adamle & The Tazz (ECW): All three brands were represented by their announcers, who each opened the show, and got over the fact that any one of them could be split up tonight!
DRAFT MATCH (WINNER EARNS A DRAFT PICK FOR HIS BRAND)
Triple H (RAW) defeated Mark Henry (SmackDown!): Jim Ross (RAW) & Mick Foley (SD!) announced the match. Triple H finished Mark Henry off with a Pedigree to earn the first draft pick for RAW.
DRAFT PICK #1 – TO RAW
Rey Mysterio!: Rey Mysterio walked to the ring, looking to be in great shape, and shook hands with Triple H before posing for the crowd.
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($100,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon & Kelly Kelly: Vince McMahon said tonight’s password is NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS – Vince explained that there will be five $100,000 winners tonight, followed by one very lucky $500,000 winner! Vince brought out ECW’s Kelly Kelly to help him give away his first $100,000. Kelly dialed and Christal Vega of Bronx, NY answered and gave the correct password, but Vince didn’t hear her and called her a LOSER. Kelly informed senile old Vince that she did, in fact, give the correct password – so Mac Daddy gave her $100,000. Kelly did a slutty dance to end the segment.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Triple H & Rey Mysterio + John Cena: Triple H welcomed Rey Mysterio to RAW and said he always wanted to work with Rey. John Cena showed up and also welcomed Mysterio to RAW, and then asked to talk to Triple H alone. Cena said he tried to help HHH last week but he ended up getting beat up. HHH said he didn’t need Cena’s help. HHH said obviously this is personal now. HHH said he hasn’t gotten over Cena beating him two years ago because Cena isn’t as good as him. Cena said maybe it was a fluke, but if HHH wants to be the man, HHH has got to beat the man. HHH said until Cena takes the WWE title from him, he’s nothing!
DRAFT TAG MATCH (WINNERS EARN A DRAFT PICK FOR THEIR BRAND)
Fit Finlay & Hornswoggle defeated Santino Marella & Carlito Cool: Adding insult to humiliation, Santino Marella was pinned by Hornswoggle after a Tadpole Splash!
DRAFT PICK #2 – TO SMACKDOWN!
Jeff Hardy!: Jeff Hardy came out to the stage and acknowledged Fit Finlay & Hornswoggle in the ring, as Hornswoggle did Hardy impressions out of respect. Randy Orton (with his arm in a sling) was shown watching on a monitor backstage).
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($100,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon & “The Legend Killer” Randy Orton: Vince McMahon called out Randy Orton to help him give away his second $100,000. Randy Orton said he was forced to be there, but sent a message to John Cena & Triple H – he doesn’t care who wins but they both better hope they are drafted off of RAW because he is coming back for his WWE championship. Orton apologized to Vince, saying he wasn’t in the mood to give away $100,000. Vince dialed the next number and Samira of Hamtramck, MI gave the correct password to win $100,000. Samira predicted that Triple H was going to defeat John Cena at “Night of Champions.”
DRAFT TAG MATCH (WINNERS EARN A DRAFT PICK FOR THEIR BRAND)
Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes (RAW) defeated Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely (ECW): Ted DiBiase Jr. joined Mike Adamle & Jerry Lawler on commentary for the match.
DRAFT PICK #3 – TO RAW
C.M. Punk!: Anybody with half a brain could have seen that one coming. C.M. Punk came out waving his “Money in the Bank” briefcase around.
IN THE RING
Chris Jericho + Lance Cade (on screen) + Shawn Michaels: Chris Jericho said the fans around the World have been brain-washed into thinking Shawn Michaels was a decent human being. Jericho scolded the fans for treating him so badly. Jericho said it won’t be long before Michaels turns on the fans too. Jericho showed clips of Michaels turning on Marty Jannetty (1992), Diesel (1994), Hulk Hogan (2004), John Cena (2007), and Batista (2008). Jericho refused to allow anybody to cheer for him because he is a good person. Jericho said there is only one other man like him, and that man’s name is Lance Cade! Lance Cade came up on the big screen and said he was Shawn Michaels’ greatest student. Cade said when he made it big, he knew Shawn would pretend to be his friend, and then turn on him. Cade said he won’t give Michaels a chance to turn on him. Cade said the fans may not appreciate Jericho, but HE does. Jericho said he didn’t have an opponent yet for Night of Champions, since Shawn Michaels isn’t available. Jericho showed clips of him assaulting Shawn Michaels two weeks ago and said Michaels had an injured eye. Shawn Michaels sprinted to the ring and brawled with Jericho until Jericho tripped Michaels face-first into the announce table. Jericho wanted to pounce, but showed a measure of concern for Michaels before his face turned from frown into a slimy grin.
DRAFT TAG MATCH (WINNERS EARN A DRAFT PICK FOR THEIR BRAND)
John Morrison & Mike Mizanin (ECW) defeated Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy (SmackDown!): John Morrison & Mike Mizanin’s entrance was interrupted by SmackDown! General Manager Vickie Guerrero (oh my God, Vickie on LIVE TV). Vickie said she has pulled Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder from the match and, due to recent developments, replaced them with the Hardy Boyz!
DRAFT PICK #4 – TO ECW
Matt Hardy!: I sort of saw this coming. Matt clearly found it ironic, but accepting the luck of the draw – and apparently will be taking the WWE United States championship to ECW with him.
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($100,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon & “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair: Vince McMahon brought out Ric Flair to help him give away another $100,000. Vince dialed and Donna from Selden, NY answered and gave the correct password to win $100,000! Ric Flair celebrated the moment with a triumphant WOOOOOOO!
ANNOUNCERS ONLY DRAFT PICK MATCH
Victoria & Natalya Neidhart (SmackDown!) vs. Mickie James & Melina Perez (RAW) ended in a Double DQ: Melina Perez took a bad bump off the ropes to the floor and hurt her ankle pretty bad – probably legit. Mickie James went out to check on her, but Victoria jumped out and they all started to fight until the referee threw out the match. The referee ruled that BOTH RAW & SD! would get a draft pick.
DRAFT PICK #5 – TO SMACKDOWN!
Jim Ross!: Truly bizarre.
DRAFT PICK #6 – TO RAW
Michael Cole!: Predictable, but highly irregular. Michael Cole was stunned, pointing out that he’s called every single episode of SmackDown! except for two.
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($100,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon & The Great Khali: Vince McMahon called out the Great Khali to help him give away another $100,000. Vince said the Great Khali was starring in “Get Smart” with Dwayne Johnson (aka the Rock) and plugged the new WWE “Rock” DVD. Vince dialed and the dumbass who answered said “WRONG NUMBER” and hung up. Vince dialed another number and Justin of Somerset, NJ answered and gave the correct password to win $100,000! The Great Khali was hilarious during this segment, yelling stuff at the phone.
DRAFT MATCH (WINNER EARNS A DRAFT PICK FOR HIS BRAND)
John Cena (RAW) defeated Edge (SmackDown!) by Countout: Edge decided to leave the match and get himself counted out. After the match, Batista came down to get a piece of Edge, but Edge squirmed out and escaped the wrath of Batista.
DRAFT PICK #7 – TO RAW
Batista!: Another shocker… as usual, they are stacking the RAW roster and screwing SmackDown! and ECW. John Cena was the most surprised by Batista’s jump to RAW.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Edge & Vickie Guerrero + Vickie Guerrero: Edge & Vickie Guerrero were glowing over Batista being drafted away from their brand. Vince McMahon came in and said Batista would still challenge Edge for the World Heavyweight title at Night of Champions. Vince suggested that Edge might get drafted later tonight and Vickie started whining that she didn’t want to lose Edge.
DRAFT MATCH (WINNER EARNS A DRAFT PICK FOR HIS BRAND)
Montel Vontavious Porter (SmackDown!) defeated Tommy Dreamer (ECW):
DRAFT PICK #8 – TO SMACKDOWN
Umaga!: No surprise. Umaga came out and destroyed Tommy Dreamer & Colin Delaney.
DRAFT MATCH (WINNER EARNS A DRAFT PICK FOR HIS BRAND)
John Bradshaw Layfield (RAW) defeated Kofi Kingston (ECW):
DRAFT PICK #9 – TO RAW
Kane!: This is getting absolutely ridiculous. Kane returns to RAW and brings the ECW World championship with him! JBL didn’t seem very happy that Kane was coming to HIS show.
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($100,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon: Vince McMahon dialed and Vanessa (who was actually live at the show) answered and gave the right password to win $100,000 – really cool!
15-MAN TRI-BRANDED BATTLE ROYAL FOR FINAL TWO DRAFT PICKS
SmackDown!’s Edge wins the Battle Royal: RAW team included Triple H, John Cena, Batista, Kane, and C.M. Punk – ECW team included Matt Hardy, John Morrison, Mike Mizanin, Shelton Benjamin, and Chavo Guerrero – SmackDown! team included The Big Show, Edge, The Great Khali, Jeff Hardy, and Montel Vontavious Porter. Late in the match, Batista and Edge both went for a spear and they rammed heads – looked unintentional – and Batista came up a bloody mess. The final four were Triple H, John Cena, Edge, and The Big Show. HHH & Cena dumped Big Show. Edge rammed Cena into HHH, sending HHH over the top rope. Edge tossed Cena out to win the match for the SmackDown! Brand!
DRAFT PICK #10 – TO SMACKDOWN
Mr. Kennedy…. KENNEDY!: Returns to SmackDown!..
DRAFT PICK #10 – TO SMACKDOWN
Triple H!: That was the only pick that could have saved SmackDown!..
MILLION DOLLAR MANIA ($500,000 GIVE-AWAY)
Vince McMahon: Vince McMahon dialed and some guy answered and gave the correct password to win a whopping $500,000!!!! Suddenly, out of nowhere, a lighting fixure fell from the ceiling about 10 feet away from where Vince was standing. Then the stage collapsed and Vince hit the floor. Vince stood up, only to have part of the set fall down on him. Some crew members, along with Triple H, John Cena, and some others ran to rescue their boss and lift the structure. Vince was fitted with a neck brace and strapped to a stretcher as he screamed “Paul!?” (son-in-law Triple H’s real name), “what happened?” and “I can’t feel my legs!” – obviously staged, but incredible stunt!