July 14, 2008 – Raleigh, North Carolina
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
DARK MATCH: D-Lo Brown defeated Matt Striker..
DARK MATCH: Charlie Haas defeated Jeff Lewis..
KICKOFF
Shane McMahon & Stephanie McMahon: In a show of unity, both Shane and Stephanie appeared in a taped message to plead for all WWE employees to work together to put on a good RAW. Shane and Stephanie said they couldn’t physically be at RAW, but if the chaos doesn’t decrease, they will be forced to show up and restore order. Stephanie finished by saying “Thank you, and have a great show.” while Shane warned, “we’ll be watching.”
IN THE ARENA
Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho + Lance Cade: Without missing a beat, RAW started fast and furious with Shawn Michaels brawling with Chris Jericho until Lance Cade showed up to pull Jericho to safety. Not a good way to start, people!
RINGSIDE
Kane + Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler: Kane’s pyro hit before the previous segment was even finished, and Kane walked out making Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler very nervous and causing Lilian Garcia & Mark Yeaton run for their lives. Kane leaned over the announce table and apologized to both Cole & Lawler, who he brutally assaulted at the end of last week’s show.
BACKSTAGE
Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho: The heat continued to increase backstage as Shawn Michaels found Chris Jericho and they did some more brawling as referees and officials desperately attempted to pull them apart.
WWE WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH
Mickie James defeated Katie Lea w/Paul Burchill to retain the WWE Women’s title: After the match, Paul Burchill & Katie Lea double-teamed Mickie James until WWE Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston made the save! Kofi laid the belt down in the ring and challenged Burchill to come into the ring!
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Kofi Kingston w/Mickie James defeated Paul Burchill w/Katie Lea: After the match, Kofi Kingston & Mickie James celebrated their victories by dancing in the ring together.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Santino Marella & Matt Striker + Kane: Santino Marella told Matt Striker that he issued an open challenge to anybody in the locker room so everybody will forget what Rey “Mastrio” did to him last week. Kane showed up and bullied Santino, asking him “where is Punk?” and Santino directed him down the hall to the locker room.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Kane & World Heavyweight champion C.M. Punk: Kane said “deep down inside, I know he’s dead.” and C.M. Punk asked “who are you talking about?” Kane said they have been partners before, but he needs to wrestle C.M. Punk tonight. Punk agreed to the match even though he was wrestling Batista in six days at Great American Bash. Kane was carrying a burlap bag, but would not tell Punk what was inside the bag.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & John Cena: John Cena said he has tried to do what the McMahons have asked, and go to the ring every week with a smile on his face. Cena said he was not smiling now, because he will be taking on JBL in a Parking Lot Brawl at Great American Bash on Sunday. John Cena cut a long promo accepting JBL’s challenge, and was then joined by Cryme Tyme in challenging JBL to find any two partners and meeting them in the ring tonight!
SANTINO’S OPEN CHALLENGE
Beth Phoenix defeated Santino Marella: Santino Marella went to the ring to issue his open challenge, which was accepted by “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix! For the second week in a row, Santino was issued the ultimate humiliation!
IN THE RING
Kelly Kelly + Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr. + “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan + John Bradshaw Layfield: Kelly Kelly bounced out to the ring for her scheduled match, but she was interrupted by the World Tag Team champions, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr.. Rhodes & DiBiase rudely dismissed Kelly, and said people have said they turned bad – but they are not bad people, they are realistic people. Cody said they were not their fathers – they are better. Cody said when you’re this talented, you don’t have to pay your dues. Ted said they were still in their early twenties, and in ten years they will be entering their prime. The egomaniacs were interrupted by HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, who told the boys that he has known both of them since they were kids. Duggan said he knew their dad’s, and they are just like him – old school! Duggan said they respected and appreciated those who paved the way. Duggan said they were both very talented, but as people they have a lot of growing up to do. Cody said that Hacksaw was coming out and trying to relive his glory days when they weren’t all that glorious to begin with. Ted quoted Stone Cold Steve Austin, “unless you think you have what it takes to become a champion, then you shouldn’t even be in the WWE.” Ted asked Duggan if he thinks he has what it takes to be a champion. Duggan hung his head and started to cry. Ted said Jim Duggan was pathetic and if anybody needs to grow up, it’s him. Rhodes & DiBiase left Duggan standing in the middle of the ring. As the champs were leaving, JBL came up on the big screen and offered Rhodes & DiBiase the opportunity to team with him in the main event against John Cena & Cryme Tyme. JBL stroked their egos and said it would be the first of many main events the two would be involved with.
NON (WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT) TITLE MATCH
World Heavyweight champion C.M. Punk defeated Kane by Countout: Kane was an emotional wreck, and carried the mysterious bag with unknown contents down to the ring with him. C.M. Punk hit Kane with a Bulldog on the floor, and slid back in the ring in time but Kane did not. Kane snapped and started throwing chairs into the ring and then tackled C.M. Punk and bashed him with a berrage of punches and kicks. Kane picked up a chair and wrapped it around Punk’s neck! Kane climbed to the top rope, but Batista hit the ring to make the save! Batista speared Kane and crushed Kane’s skull with a chairshot to the head! Batista helped C.M. Punk up to his feet, and Punk offered a handshake to Batista. Batista did not accept the handshake, but told Punk he only saved him so he could take the belt on Sunday. Punk shoved Batista, so Batista gave him a Spine-buster in the middle of the ring!
MATCH
Chris Jericho w/Lance Cade defeated Paul London by Submission: After the match, Chris Jericho told Paul London (another Shawn Michaels student) to take the loss and use it to change the path his career is on. Jericho said he could follow his road to greatness and legendary status, or he can follow Shawn Michaels’ path – which leads to nothing but disgrace and pain. Shawn Michaels walked out to the stage to address Chris Jericho verbally. Michaels said there was one thing they do agree on; this Sunday at Great American Bash…. the WORST, is truly yet to come!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Jamie Noble & Layla El + Gene Snitsky: Jamie Noble told Layla El that this was their chance to hook up and be the power couple of RAW. Layla said she doesn’t short men, but Noble denied being short and added that he is way above average in a lot of different places – like in the wrestling ring. Jamie Noble said the next guy to come through he will snatch them up and take them to the ring to prove why Jamie Noble is THE MAN! Gene Snitsky showed up and told Noble to keep the noise down and shut his mouth. Layla pushed Noble’s button’s and Noble called Snitsky out to the ring!
IN THE RING (FIGHT)
Gene Snitsky destroyed Jamie Noble: Jamie Noble dragged Layla to the ring, and Snitsky followed them out for an unsanctioned fight with no referee in sight. Snitsky destroyed Noble and left. Layla actually showed up sympathy for Jamie Noble.
SIX MAN TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT
John Cena & Cryme Tyme (JTG & Shad Gaspard) defeated John Bradshaw Layfield & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr. by DQ: After a long match, JBL got himself disqualified and then lured John Cena out into the parking lot. Cena chased JBL out to the parking lot – you know something bad is going to happen – and Cena hesitated just before walking out the back door. Cena began searching for JBL, but was attacked by JBL from behind with a crowbar. JBL leaned the unconcious John Cena against the side of a white car. JBL got into his own vehicle and rammed the white car, supposedly “squashing John Cena into thousands of bits and pieces.” Absolutely RIDICULOUS! JBL got out of the car and looked at the damage. The expression on his face might have implied that Cena somehow disappeared before impact. Hopefully.