December 22, 2008 – Toronto, Ontario
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
IN THE RING
Kane & Kelly Kelly: Kane walked to the ring, followed by Kelly Kelly. Kane said he was politely asked by Stephanie McMahon to apologize to Kelly for what happened last week. Kane looked directly into Kelly’s eyes and begrudgingly said “I apologize to you! But you should apoligize to me for leading me on and lieing to me. You are not in love with the Miz, and some day you will regrete not telling me the truth!”
RACE TO THE RUMBLE – QUALIFYING MATCH
Shawn Michaels defeated Kane: Shawn Michaels came out and the commentators remarked that he was looking like himself for the first time in weeks. After Michaels won the match, they showed JBL watching backstage with no expression on his face.
SINGLES MATCH
Kofi Kingston defeated Manu w/Cody Rhodes: Before the match, they showed a pre-taped message from Kofi Kingston wishing his family and fans Happy Holidays!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Cena & Kelly Kelly: John Cena was shown talking to Kelly Kelly and they shook hands. They will team up against Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix tonight!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Randy Orton & Sim Snuka + Cody Rhodes & Manu: Sim Snuka made his case for joining Randy Orton’s group of second generation wrestlers. Cody Rhodes & Manu showed up and Orton scolded them. Orton told Snuka that they would talk later, adding “maybe we could use a new member.”
VIGNETTE: Triple H & Shawn Michaels plugging some DX merchandise on WWE Shop Zone. They also plugged the Elimination Chamber play set and the History of the Intercontinental championship DVD. The announcers made sure to note that these segments were taped before Michaels went to “work” for JBL.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Shawn Michaels & C.M. Punk + Triple H: C.M. Punk was talking with Shawn Michaels about his experience in Iraq when Triple H showed up to talk to Michaels. Triple H asked why Shawn didn’t come to him if he was having problems. Shawn said if he had to go to HHH for help it would always hang over their friendship like a cloud. Shawn said he got himself into this and he will get himself out of it. HHH protested, and Shawn said he had to do this his way. Shawn told HHH, “trust me, I know what I’m doing!”
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Mickie James & Melina Perez defeated Jillian Hall & Layla El: Jillian Hall came out and sang some Christmas Carols with an English accent in honor of her tag partner, Layla El. Mickie & Melina came out very hyper during their entrance, even leap-frogging each other in the isle. I thought they hated each other in real life. Melina pinned Jillian after a Flip-Sunset-Power-bomb.
RACE TO THE RUMBLE – QUALIFYING MATCH
John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Rey Mysterio by DQ: Mike Knox was given the night off by Stephanie McMahon to keep him away from Rey Mysterio. Isn’t it obvious that JBL is going to win and join Shawn Michaels in the final four? Midway though the match, Shawn Michaels ran down and pulled JBL out of the ring, saving him from the 619. Shawn then made sure the referee was watching before slapping JBL accross the face! The referee disqualified Rey Mysterio and awarded the match to JBL! JBL looked pissed, but started to grin after he was announced as the winner!
RACE TO THE RUMBLE – QUALIFYING MATCH
Randy Orton defeated Batista by forfeit: After Randy Orton’s entrance, a referee ran down and informed the ring announcer that Batista was unable to compete due to the assault from Orton last week. Randy cut a promo about how satisfying it was to kick Batista in the head last week. Orton talked about winning his first World title in that very same building four years ago. Orton said the next day, Batista was so jealous that he ambushed him. Orton said he has been dreaming about kicking Batista in the skull for the last four years – the same dream every night, four straight years. Orton asked Batista how it felt to have his career cut short? Orton said Batista is in the same place he started – taking a backseat to him! Orton said Batista had his time, and his time is over. Orton said next time you see me I will once again be the World champion.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Kelly Kelly & Dolph Ziggler + Mike Mizanin & John Morrison: Dolph Ziggler introduced himself to Kelly Kelly and they shook hands and then she went back to doing her hair. Mike Mizanin (with John Morrison) confronted Kelly about feeding him to the wolves (Kane) last week. The Miz said he knew they had problems in ECW, but didn’t know Kelly was so vengeful. The Miz asked if Kelly was in love with John Cena. Kelly said Cena just asked her to be his tag team partner tonight, that’s all. The Miz & Morrison said they heard somebody trashed a Superstar’s hotel room and the rumor was that it was Kelly’s room. Happy Holiday’s Kelly.
RACE TO THE RUMBLE – QUALIFYING MATCH
Chris Jericho defeated C.M. Punk: At times, the Canadian fans started to get behind the Canadian-born Chris Jericho! C.M. Punk countered the Lionsault into a Go-To-Sleep, but Jericho countered the GTS into the Walls of Jericho – excellent! Punk tried to roll-out or reach the ropes and managed to escape the submission! Jericho tried to reapply, but took a stiff knee-lift to the face! After some more back-and-forth action, Punk leveled Jericho with a kick to the head. Punk went for a Springboard move, but Jericho connected with the Code-breaker for the 1-2-3! The crowd went crazy for Chris Jericho!! Next week it will be Shawn Michaels vs. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho with the winner facing John Cena at the Royal Rumble.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Todd Grisham & Kelly Kelly: Kelly Kelly was bolting out of the building, when Todd Grisham asked her about the tag team match with John Cena. Kelly said she talked to John and he understands – she is sorry but she has to go!
HIGHLIGHT REEL: From Tribute To The Troops..
IN THE RING
Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix + WWE Champion John Cena: Beth Phoenix was carrying her WWE Women’s championship belt, and Santino was carrying Beth’s “Diva of the Year” Slammy award. The crowd was totally into Santino Marella. Santino pointed to the “Glamazon in Training” girl in the front row and said he name was Rosa Mendez – calling her the World’s Biggest Santino Marella fan. Rosa shouted, “no, Beth! Beth, no, Beth!” Santino said “yes, I know, Beth is my girlfriend.” Santino said that makes Rosa the second biggest Santino fan. Santino said second place isn’t so bad, like the Canadians are second place to the United States in pretty much everything. Santino turned the crowd against him like a total pro! Santino said they are all behind Italy, that goes without saying. Santino said after Glamourella beats John Cena and a Diva of his choosing, he would reveal a secret about Santa Clause. Santino said he wasn’t going to wait, and was about to reveal the secret (presumably that Santa isn’t real) but he was interrupted by the entrance of John Cena! Cena said he found out the secret and said it’s amazing. Cena said that the secret was that Santa Clause was here tonight! Cena pointed to Santa in the front row, and said Santa gave him the one thing he needed, a tag team partner – TRISH STRATUS!!!!!!!
INTERGENDER TAG TEAM MATCH
John Cena & Trish Stratus defeated Santino MArella & Beth Phoenix: How frickin’ awesome is it to see Trish Stratus back in a WWE ring!!!! She is hotter than ever! Cena and Marella started out, but then Santino tagged out so Cena tagged Trish in! Trish was spot on with her timing and showed absolutely no ring rust! Trish did her famous Matrix and Thesz press on Beth Phoenix. Michael Cole pointed out that retired as WWE Women’s champion. Trish got in some exciting offense, but eventually Beth took over and brutalized her with some power moves. John Cena and Santino tagged back in and Cena won with an FU. Cena hugged Trish (lucky) and celebrated their victory.