(Sources: WWE.com)
PLEASE NOTE: I attended this event last night and will be posting a report about it tomorrow afternoon at some point. I also have some good (and some bad) live pictures that I’ll be putting up tomorrow as well! Please check back for our coverage!
Last week, Shawn Michaels shocked the world and laid out the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan with a dose of Sweet Chin Music. One week later, Chris Jericho and Carlito argued over who would get to interview HBK and find out the reason for the dastardly deed, but they were interrupted. None other than WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper announced that he would have HBK later in the evening and it wouldn’t be on the Highlight Reel or the Cabana – it would be on the legendary Piper’s Pit.
As RAW was drawing to a close, Piper delivered on his promise and brought HBK to explain his actions from last week. Michaels told the fans that for 20 years he came out with one intention – to give the fans something they wouldn’t forget. He said he literally broke his back for them, and when he heard the chants at the Hall of Fame ceremony of “One more match!” for Hogan, he decided to sacrifice himself one more time for the fans. By giving Hogan Sweet Chin Music last week, he said he guaranteed that Hogan would have one more match and that it would be against HBK himself. With that, Michaels said that immortality has a price and laid out the challenge to Hogan – The “Immortal” Hulk Hogan vs. The Showstopper Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam.
Before Michaels left, however, Piper demanded to know the real reason for blindsiding the Hulkster. HBK tried to leave again, but Piper called him a coward. With that, just as swiftly and unexpectedly as last week, HBK laid out another Hall of Famer as he floored Hot Rod with Sweet Chin Music.
Earlier in the evening, the RAW Diva Search Contest continued. Elisabeth won immunity last week, but the other remaining Diva hopefuls were up for elimination. After moments of suspense, The Coach broke the news that Alexis was eliminated. Sadness soon turned to excitement, however, as the remaining contestants participated in a talent contest. Each Diva hopeful had a few moments to show their greatest talent. Ashley demonstrated her wrestling skills with a move on Christy Hemme; Leyla started to give a special dance for referee Earl Hebner but then gave him a low-blow, paying him back for disqualifying her last week and covering her with a towel; Summer demonstrated her athletic prowess with some gymnastics maneuvers including backflips and splits; Kristal got artsy with some bodypainting; Elisabeth showed off her moves with a provocative dance routine; Simona demonstrated how she would fend off threatening men; and Cameron stripped down to her bra and panties and gave Christy a lap dance. Go to http://divavote.wwe.com/ to vote for your favorite contestant now!
WWE Champion John Cena greeted his New Jersey Chain Gang members and soon worked the crowd up into a frenzy challenging Chris Jericho to “come get some.” RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff came out before Jericho could answer the challenge and informed the champ that only the GM could make championship matches. Jericho also came out, but Bischoff told him not to come to the ring. Instead, the GM said that Jericho would have his shot at the WWE Championship at SummerSlam against John Cena. Jericho left with a smile on his face, but the same couldn’t be said for Bischoff as Cena welcomed him to the “new RAW” with an F-U.
Plus, Kurt Angle introduced his Angle Invitational to RAW for the first time. In the Angle Invitational, Angle puts his Olympic Gold Medal up for grabs to any “hometown hero” who thinks he has what it takes to last three minutes with the Olympic Gold Medalist. Matt Striker, the same man who has been in headlines for calling in sick from his teaching job to wrestle, answered the call. Striker gave Angle his biggest scare ever. No one had ever come close to taking Angle the distance when he was on SmackDown!, but Striker kicked out of an Ankle Lock attempt and reversed an Angle Slam. But Angle eventually got the Ankle Lock hooked, and Striker tapped out with just one second to go.
Carlito also faced Shelton Benjamin in an Intercontinental Championship rematch from Vengeance. Carlito tried everything, but couldn’t put Benjamin away. After being knocked out of the ring, Carlito simply walked away, taking a count-out loss, but retaining the Intercontinental Championship since a Championship cannot change hands on a disqualification or count-out.
In another re-match from Vengeance, Edge took on Kane. Before the match, Edge promised that if Snitsky would help him in his battle against Kane, then he would let him have some time with Lita’s feet to satisfy his foot-fetish. Snitsky made good on his word and came to the aid of Edge as Kane was gaining control and caused a disqualification. Also in action, Chris Masters made Tajiri submit to the Master Lock.
Thank you for choosing TBL!
Joe
