August 11, 2008 – Richmond, Virginia
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
DARK MATCH: Gene Snitsky defeated ?????..
DARK MATCH: D-Lo Brown defeated Charlie Haas..
IN THE RING
John Cena (1/2 of the World Tag Team Champions) + Batista (the other half of the World Tag Team Champions): John Cena started the show (as he does so often) talking about Mike Adamle booking him against Batista at SummerSlam for the FIRST TIME EVER. John Cena said he never had a problem with Batista, but poof out of thin air he suddenly has a match with Batista. Cena talked about he and Batista winning the World Tag Team titles last week. Cena said Mike Adamle asked him how they can hype the Cena/Batista match tonight. Cena said he told Adamle that the match doesn’t need hype, and all it needs is John Cena and the Animal in the ring right now. Batista came to the ring wearing his half of the tag team championship. Cena said they have a rematch with Rhodes & DiBiase tonight, and if they don’t work together they will lose their titles. Cena said that he’s been watching Batista for six years and saw Batista get groomed by two of the best in the business, Triple H and Ric Flair. Cena said that he didn’t have that advantage but every week he came out and turned critics into believers and every monday he stands before a nation that goes to battle with him! Cena said they have answered a lot of questions, but they have never answered the question of who is better between he (Cena) and Batista. Both men stood back, asking the fans to voice their opinion. Cena said on Sunday they will answer the question – adding “and it’s gonna be me.” Batista said he has been watching Cena too, and they have been working two different sides of the same coin. Batista said they both won the Royal Rumble and both have won WrestleMania main events. Batista said he’s seen Cena get standing ovations, but he’s also been booed out of the building. Batista said Cena has never changed who he is and he respects that. Batista added, “personally I wouldn’t be caught dead doing some of the things you do.” Batista said certain people over the age of 15 want to see him beat Cena senseless. Batista said he plans on beating Cena senseless at SummerSlam. Batista said they will ask the question of who is better on Sunday. Batista said he is going to answer the question, and the answer is going to be “ME” (Batista). Cena and Batista glared at each other with clinched fists but then shook hands to seal the deal. They’re also doing a text vote for fans to text their opinion on who is better between John Cena and Batista.
DIVAS MATCH
Beth Phoenix w/Santino Marella defeated Kelly Kelly: Santino Marella accompanied his girlfriend to the ring, but joined Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler on commentary for the match. After the match, Santino said he wanted to see Beth crush Kelly again. Before Beth could destroy poor little Kelly, Kofi Kingston & Mickie James hit the ring to make the save! Santino bailed and said “I challenge you to a match right now!” Kofi gladly accepted the challenge, but Santino clarified that he wasn’t talking to Kofi; he was talking to Mickie James! Kofi wouldn’t go for it, but Mickie grabbed the microphone and said “I accept!”
INTERGENDER MATCH
Santino Marella w/Beth Phoenix defeated Mickie James w/Kofi Kingston: During the commercial break, Santino insulted Mickie’s parents who were sitting in the front row. They taped it and posted it on WWE.com – in case you wanted to see it. After some comedy spots, Santino rolled up Mickie James and pinned her to win the match. Santino celebrated by running around the ring like he had just won a Gold medal at the Olympics. He also jumped into the arms of Beth Phoenix. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that Santino Marella is going to win the Women’s title at SummerSlam – OR better yet, Beth Phoenix might win the WWE Intercontinental title!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Mike Adamle & Todd Grisham + Kane: Mike Adamle was telling Todd Grisham about his philosophies when Kane burst in for a meeting with the General Manager. Adamle booked Kane against Chris Jericho tonight. Kane agreed to the match as long as that is all Adamle has planned tonight. Adamle said as long as Kane hands over the burlap bag, and ordered Kane to hand over the bag right now. Kane said “you are making a huge mistake” and left the room with the burlap bag with mystery contents.
BACKSTAGE PROMO
Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr.: After a WWE 24/7 highlight reel featuring Tito Santana & Ivan Putski winning the WWF Tag Team titles, Cody Rhodes said he and DiBiase respect history and learn from it. Rhodes said Putski & Santana won the titles because they worked and acted like a TEAM. Rhodes pointed out that Cena & Batista are not a TEAM. Rhodes said they were evoking their rematch claus tonight. Ted DiBiase said that he and Rhodes were already further along in their careers than any of the Hall of Famers. DiBiase said they will earn Cena’s, Batista’s, and everyone elses respect when they win back their tag team titles.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) defeated The Highlanders (Robbie & Rory McAllister):
IN THE RING
John Bradshaw Layfield + World Heavyweight champion C.M. Punk: C.M. Punk told JBL to shut up, and said he has listened to the same arguement since he won the World title. Punk said he is World champion because he earned it, so for all the doubters like JBL who think he doesn’t deserve it, he will defeat JBL and still have his World Heavyweight championship. JBL said Punk’s journey to the World title was a fluke, and he has six days left as champion. JBL challenged Punk to a drinking contest (even though Punk doesn’t drink). JBL said if Punk drinks one shot he will declare Punk the winner of the contest. JBL explained that if Punk didn’t drink it that means he would become champion at SummerSlam. Punk said he’s not JBL, he’s C.M. PUNK! And is willing to check his body at the door at SummerSlam but is not willing to compromise his beliefs because they’ve made him extremely successful and made him World Heavyweight champion. Punk put the drink down and said “thanks, but no thanks!” JBL picked up the drink and said he would toast to the end of C.M. Punk’s pathetic run as World Heavyweight champion. Punk said he changed his mind, and tok the drink out of JBL’s hands. Punk said “here’s to you JBL, sometimes it’s what you don’t do that makes you who you are!” and then threw the drink right in JBL’s eyes! Punk followed up by giving JBL a knee-smash to the head! The champion lives by his own rules! See kids, NOT DRINKING IS COOL!
SUMMERSLAM MATCH
Chris Jericho w/Lance Cade defeated Kane w/Mystery Burlap Sack: Mike Adamle billed this match as a “SummerSlam” match because it was SummerSlam-worthy and there wasn’t enough room for it on the Pay-Per-View. Midway through the match, Mike Adamle came down with eight security guards and surrounded the ring. Kane was thrown off his game and grabbed the burlap bag and clutched it against his chest. Chris Jericho hit the Code-breaker and scored the 1-2-3 to win the match.
IN THE RING
Mike Adamle & Kane: General Manager Mike Adamle got into the ring and told Kane “we need to resolve this and I am here to help.” Adamle claimed to know what was in the bag and knows who Kane is refering to when he asks if he is alive or dead. Adamle said Kane is refering to the monster inside of himself. Adamle said when Kane declared that he was dead it meant Kane could lead a normal life. Adamle said Kane can lead that normal life by giving up the bag. Adamle said the people deserve to know what is in the bag. Adamle said it was time to stop fooling around. Adamle compared this moment to when Ronald Regan told Mikal Gorbechev to “TAKE DOWN THAT WALL!” Adamle asked Kane to hand over the bag. Kane took the microphone and admitted that there was a mask inside the bag and the man who wore it has been scared and tortured and damaged beyond all human recognition. Kane said the problem was that it is not HIS mask. Kane opened the bag and pulled out a Rey Mysterio mask. Kane started laughing maniacally and threw the mask in Mike Adamle’s face! Editor’s Notes: Indy workers Preston Quinn, Damien Wayne, Pharoah, Phil Brown, Dirty Money and Jake Manning were all used as security in the Kane segment.
SQUASH MATCH
“King” William Regal defeated Jamie Noble: William Regal absolutely completely totally destroyed “little” Jamie Noble.
WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr. defeated John Cena & Batista to recapture the World Tag Team titles: Batista & John Cena argued over which one would start the match. Cena let Batista start, but tagged himself in as soon as the bell rang. The taunting continued throughout the match, and Cody Rhodes took advantage and clipped Batista’s knee! Batista recovered and tagged John Cena in by slapping him across the face! Cena got in Batista’s face, and DiBiase shoved Cena into Batista and rolled Cena up for the 1-2-3 to reclaim their World Tag Team championship!!!!!!
POST MATCH ACTION
John Cena & Batista: John Cena & Batista had a confrontation but then decided to take their frustrations out on Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr. – John Cena started to leave and Batista jumped into the ring and challenged John Cena to come back. Mike Adamle sent his team of security guards to the ring to keep Cena and Batista apart and preserve the “1st Time Ever” main event at SummerSlam. Batista and Cena broke through several times and engaged in an intense pull-apart brawl for a minute before RAW went off the air!