August 4, 2008 – Knoxville, Tennessee
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
DARK MATCH: Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) defeated ???? & ????..
DARK MATCH: D-Lo Brown defeated ??????..
ON STAGE
General Manager Mike Adamle + John Bradshaw Layfield + Chris Jericho: The show started with some announcements from new General Manager, Mike Adamle. Adamle compared himself to Ronald Regan, a b-rated actor who went on to become one of the grestest Presidents of the USA. Adamle said we all make mistakes, but it’s important that we all grow from those mistakes. Adamle said there was a petition on the WWE.com message board asking for his resignation. Adamle said he was sorry about what happened to Michael Cole but was not sorry for injecting some excitement into the show. Adamle said there would be three championship matches tonight, including Rhodes & DiBiase vs. Cena & Batista for the World Tag Team titles. John Bradshaw Layfield interrupted and sympathized with Mike Adamle. JBL said Adamle’s booking of Cena vs. Batista at SummerSlam was a blockbuster announcement. JBL said let’s make it two in a row, and asked Adamle to book him against C.M. Punk for the World championship. Chris Jericho skipped out onto the stage and he wanted a World title match at SummerSlam too. JBL and Y2J started arguing over who deserved it more, until Adamle booked C.M. Punk vs. JBL & Y2J in a Handicap match where if either man pins Punk they get the title shot. But if John Cena wins, then neither of them will get a title shot!
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Kofi Kingston defeated Paul Burchill w/Katie Lea to retain the WWE Intercontinental title: After the match, Katie Lea slapped Kofi Kingston across the face! Paul Burchill charged at Kingston, who moved and sent Burchill tumbling outside of the ring. Kingston and Burchill brawled away from the ring as WWE Women’s champion Mickie James made her way to the ring..
WWE WOMENS TITLE MATCH
Mickie James defeated Katie Lea Burchill to retain the WWE Women’s title: After the match, former WWE Women’s champion Beth Phoenix hit the ring and attacked Mickie James and left her unconscious in the middle of the ring! Santino Marella was shown applauding the carnage from the stage. Beth sauntered up the ramp and grabbed Santino’s butt. Beth turned around and Santino gave her but a light smack. Beth turned around and grinned before heading backstage…
GENERAL MANAGERS OFFICE
Mike Adamle + Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix: Mike Adamle was on the phone thanking Stephanie McMahon for “thinking outside the box” and congratulated her on the new baby. Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix came in and congratulated Mike Adamle on becoming G.M. of RAW. Santino said he and Beth thinks they should both have title matches at SummerSlam. Adamle said there was only room for one more match, so he’ll let Santino & Beth decide. Santino wanted his IC title shot, but Beth wanted her Women’s title shot. Adamle booked Santino & Beth vs. Kofi & Mickie with both titles on the line!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & Batista: Batista said he was happy about getting a shot at the Tag Team titles but not happy about having to team with somebody he has to wrestle at SummerSlam. Batista said he would rather be wrestling for the World Heavyweight title and warned John Cena to stay out of his way.
WWE.COM EXCLUSIVE (EARLIER TODAY)
Jamie Noble & Layla El: Jamie Noble was smothering Layla El, acting as if Layla was his girlfriend. Layla said it wasn’t working out and she doesn’t associate herself with LOSERS!
IN THE RING
Layla El + “King” William Regal + Jamie Noble: Layla El did some dancing as we broke away from commercials, but she was interrupted by William Regal (wearing a suit). William Regal said he wanted to remind everyone that he is the KING, a title that he earned by winning the King of the Ring. Jamie Noble hit the ring and tackled King Regal, trying to make a good impression on Layla El and prove that he was NOT a loser!
HANDICAP MATCH (10:00 TIME LIMIT)
John Bradshaw Layfield & Chris Jericho defeated World Heavyweight champion C.M. Punk: Before the match, Mike Adamle came up on the screen and said there was a ten minute time limit, and if the match ends in a draw then there will be a triple threat match at SummerSlam. I think at that point everybody on the planet expected the match to end in a draw. We were swerved, because Jericho inadvertently flung JBL on top of Punk with four second left on the clock – just enough time to score the 1-2-3 and earn himself a shot at the World Heavyweight title at SummerSlam!! Sweet finish.
INTERVIEW VIA SATTELITE
Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler with Shawn Michaels (in Texas): Shawn Michaels said he’s been better and there was some serious damage done to his eye. Michaels said before Chris Jericho pats himself on his back, he should know what he’s going through is a culmination of several injuries throughout his career. Michaels talked about many of his injuries that he’s going to feel for the rest of his life. Michaels said he has a doctor’s appointment on August 15th and he will go to SummerSlam to make a public announcement about his future. Michaels said for the first time in his career, he is going to listen to the doctor’s advice. Michaels said if the doctor tells him his sight is in danger, then he’s prepared to walk away. Michaels said he enjoyed working for the WWE, but there is one thing he loves more – his family. Michaels said he might take Jericho’s advice and spend more time loving his wife and his children.
STRIKERS CLASSROOM
Matt Striker: Matt Striker thanked Mike Adamle for finally using him as an active member of the RAW roster. Striker was quickly interrupted by the explosions that announce the presence of KANE!
SQUASH MATCH
Kane defeated Matt Striker: Kane was carrying his mystery burlap sack with unknown contents. After Kane squashed poor Striker, he jumped out of the ring and made the announcers and ringside crew so nervous they ran away. Kane grabbed the microphone and rolled back into the ring. Kane said he has been in a bad place lately but he’s better now. Kane held up the mystery burlap sack and proclaimed, “he’s not alive, he’s dead!”
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Todd Grisham & John Cena: After showing an intense video package featuring Batista highlights, John Cena said that really helps to put it in perspective. Cena talked about he and Batista rising to stardom at the same time, and knowing that one day they would face off – and that day is SummerSlam!
GENERAL MANAGERS OFFICE
Mike Adamle & Kelly Kelly (so nice they named her twice): Kelly Kelly came in to congratulate Mike Adamle on a great first night as General Manager. Kelly mentioned Kane and said that he was really scary. Mike Adamle said he was going to find out what was in the burlap sack and just go up to him and take it next week!
WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
John Cena & Batista defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. & Cody Rhodes to win the World Tag Team titles: Batista encouraged John Cena from their corner, but when Cena got close enough to make the tag, Batista would not tag into the match. Eventually, Cena tagged Batista in with a slap across the face! Batista channeled his aggression to take out both DiBiase & Rhodes to send a message to John Cena. Despite the tension between the two super stars, Batista & Cena managed to defeat the young studs, DiBiase & Rhodes, to capture the World Tag Team titles!!!!! Batista grabbed both belts and presented one to John Cena. Cena held his up, then Batista held his up, but both made sure not to take their eyes off the other. The mood lightened up and both men played to the crowd, seeing which one could get the biggest reaction. Cena was the favorite by a slight margin.