Full Credit: Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com
This week’s Raw emanated from Tampa, Florida and opened with a video package reviewing last week’s “You’re Fired Match” between WWE champion John Cena and Chris Jericho, which featured the WWE departure of Jericho and Kurt Angle’s attack on Cena. They then aired the Raw opening video.
WWE Intercontinental champion Carlito Caribbean Cool came to the ring for this week’s installment of Carlito’s Cabana. Carlito said that now that his good friend Chris Jericho has been fired, there’s no more Highlight Reel, and that’s cool. He then introduced Shawn Michaels as his special guest this week. Michaels came to the ring dressed in a suit and tie. Cool said that he hates to admit it, but he admires Michaels. Cool said the things Michaels have done and accomplished in the ring have paved the way for the things that Carlito has accomplished in WWE. He asked Michaels if it was ironic that he was now a guest on Carlito’s Cabana, “in awe” because Carlito is the Intercontinental champion. Carlito said that he used to look up to Michaels, but now it’s the other way. Michaels called him an egomaniac and asked that he be sympathetic because Michaels can’t deal with any more ego in his career, taking a shot at Hulk Hogan. Michaels then asked Carlito how long he’s been Intercontinental champion. The crowd chanted “Hogan” and Michaels quipped that he wouldn’t be coming back until he needs another payoff. Michaels asked if people are talking about Cool’s matches and said that they aren’t because they are still talking about his matches ten years ago. He told Carlito that he hasn’t had any matches to speak of and said that it’s the man who makes the title, not the other way around. He asked Carlito when was the last time he defended the Intercontinental championship, but Carlito ducked the question saying that no one has the cajones to face him. Carlito claimed that even Ric Flair backed down from him. He told Michaels that, “Guys like you need to learn there’s a pecking order around here…a ladder so to speak.” Carlito said that he was at the top while Michaels was down on the bottom. He grabbed an apple and saying that by Shawn coming on his show and insulting him, that’s not cool. Michaels warned him that if he took a bite of the apple, Shawn would kick it down his throat.
Carlito asked him to calm down and said that he had another guest tonight, introducing Chris Masters. Michaels took his suit jacket off and loosened his tie. Masters said that Michaels talks tough but would pass out to the Master Lock. Michaels said that after 21 years in wrestling, he’d be “smart enough not to get into these situations” and attacked Masters and Cool. Cool DDT’d Michaels and Masters called for the Master Lock. Before he had the chance to do so, Ric Flair hit the ring in street clothes and made the save. Michaels clotheslined Masters over the top. Michaels and Flair embraced after running off their foes.
When they returned from commercial, Carlito and Masters were complaining to Eric Bischoff. Bischoff ruled that he was putting off the Masterlock Challenge until next week, and announced Michaels & Flair vs. Carlito & Masters for later tonight. Masters and Cool didn’t look happen.
Big Show vs. Steve Madison & Buck Quartermain in a handicap match
Jim Ross said that Show, who was growing his hair in, was having problems finding opponents of late. They both attacked Show. He flung Madison away as Buck went for his legs. Show chopped the hell out of Buck in the corner. He then did the same to Madison. He hit Madison with a huge hiptoss, then hit the same on Buck and Madison retreated to the floor. Show pulled them up on the apron but they kicked him and snapped him throat first over the ropes. They tried to suplex Show together but he reversed it. An angry Show cleaned house on both and called for a double chokeslam. He hit it and scored the pin. Your winner, The Big Show.
Gene Snitsky attacked Show immediately after the bell. Show knocked him out of the ring but Snitsky jumped back in and cracked Show with the ring bell from behind. He hit Show in the back of the head, knocking him out. Snitsky stood over the fallen Show and celebrated. The crowd chanted, “You Suck” at Snitsky.
They showed a replay of last week’s attack on Ashley by Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle.
Wilson and Michelle came to the ring, wearing matching silver outfits. It appeared they were trying to outdo Melina’s entrance with Michelle coming up between Wilson’s legs. Wilson said that last week they shocked everyone by coming to Raw and no one more then the woman they “initiated” last week, Ashley. They asked her to come out, in a not so sincere manner, saying they felt bad and wanted to apologize. Ashely came to the ring. Michelle said that she and Wilson were really sorry and she wanted to apologize from the bottom of her heart. She asked for forgiveness. Ashley said she was skeptical but that if they were serious, she accepts. They said that they wanted to show how sorry they were by pulling some strings with Eric Bischoff getting Ashley her very first wrestling match tonight. They said that they “had total confidence” in you. Ashley said that she knew what was going on and asked who she was facing. They told her she wasn’t facing them, but Victoria.
Ashley Massaro vs. Victoria
Ashley shoved Wilson and Michelle down and kicked Victoria through the ropes as she got to the ring. She unleashed a series of punches but Victoria came back and dragged her into the ring. Ross said Ashley was “still in training” and this wasn’t fair. Victoria hit the Widow’s Peak and scored the pin. All three looked down at the beaten Ashley.
They aired a vignette of TNT in a bar promising they were coming to be WWE World Tag Team champions. Trevor Murdoch, who was doing shots, really looks like Dick Murdoch. I like that as Murdoch was one of the all time great characters in the business and was pretty entertaining.
Edge was sitting with Altarbridge, which performs his theme song. They were playing a song and Todd Grisham tried to ask Edge a question. He asked where Lita was and Edge said that she was running an errand for him. Edge said he feels great about his Street Fight and said he would finish what he started at Summerslam. He said Matt Hardy can go back to his website and his whining postings and his “podunk independent shows that no one has ever heard of” after tonight because Tampa will be the burial site of his wrestling career.
Backstage, Matt Hardy was pacing the halls. Lita showed up and said that she wanted to warn him before his match because she spent a long time “warming Edge up.” She unzippered her shirt and asked what it felt like to know that he’ll never experience her body again. She said that it probably feels pathetic because he is pathetic and told him to go to hell. Hardy looked at her for a long time and smirked. He said he’s going to hell but he’s taking Edge with him. He walked off, leaving a worried Lita behind.
When they returned from commercial, they showed several members of the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at ringside.
Backstage, someone ran up to Shawn Michaels and said Ric Flair was down. They ran over to find a bloodied and unconscious Flair. Michaels was upset and screaming. I am guessing it was Triple H.
Edge vs. Matt Hardy in a Streetfight
Edge came out wearing jeans like an old school NWA Streetfight. He and Hardy both looked intense as they came to the ring. Hardy unloaded with a series of rights and backed Edge into the corner. They went to the floor where Hardy threw him into the crowd. They brawled back and forth. They battled up the arena stairs. They returned to the ringside area, where Hardy nailed Edge and then pulled out a ladder. As they went to commercial, Edge nailed Hardy.
When they returned, they showed clips of action from the commercial including a superplex. The ladder was propped in the corner. Edge went to spear Hardy off the apron but was hit with a trash can lid. Hardy whipped him into the ladder. Hardy and Edge battled atop of the ladder. Hardy knocked Edge off then hit a legdrop from the top of the ladder. He scored a two count. Hardy went to hit Edge but was nailed then struck with a Kendo Stick. Edge grabbed a steel chair and laid Hardy atop of it. He grabbed a second chair and went for a conchairto, but Hardy took his legs out from under him. Hardy and Edge pulled themselves up and stared at each other from opposite corners. Hardy went after Edge but was flapjacked into the ladder. Edge nailed him with the trash can lid several times. The referee pulled Edge away and asked Hardy if he could continue. Hardy said he could. The referee kept checking on Hardy. Edge began battering him with rights and Hardy, who had just gotten to his feet, went back down. Edge hit a Yakuza Kick to Hardy’s face., The referee was going to stop the match but Hardy begged him not to. Edge hit him again. The crowd began chanting for Hardy. Edge put Hardy’s head next to the stairs and went for a Yakuza Kick but Hardy moved at the last minute. On the floor, Edge tried to DDT Hardy on the steps but Hardy fought him off and hit a DDT of his own.
Hardy battered Edge’s head into the ring steps several times and grabbed a chair. Lita hit him from behind with Edge’s briefcase. Hardy went after her but Edge took Hardy down. Edge and Hardy battled on the floor. Hardy rolled Edge back in the ring, grabbed the ladder and ran it into Edge several times like a battering ram. He pulled Edge over the ladder, which was laid out across the mat. Hardy went for a moonsault but Edge moved. They both rolled to the floor and began brawling again. Edge got a trash can and beat it over Hardy’s back. They brawled up the ramp and Hardy threw Edge into the Titantron wall. Lita went after Hardy. They teased Hardy was going to piledriver her out of respect for Tommy Dreamer’s legacy but Edge stopped him. Hardy tried to throw Edge off the stage but he saved himself. Edge tried to spear Hardy off but Hardy moved and Edge saved himself. Hardy grabbed Edge and hit the sidewinder off the stage onto “electrical equipment” which sparked after they hit it. The referees were screaming to have the power turned off and neither man got up. Eric Bischoff and all the officials came out. They were putting collars on both men’s necks as they went to commercial. I guess that means it’s a no contest. A really great brawl with an awesome spot at the end. This was the followup they needed to put some buzz back into the storyline after their Summerslam bout.
They returned from the commercial break with both men being checked by officials. A somber Jim Ross said that Edge was complaining of neck pain and noted his previous neck surgeries. They replayed the big bump at the end of the match. They had the EMTS carting both men to the ambulances with Lita consoling Edge. They replayed the spot again before going back to commercial. The follow up was great and just exactly the heavy type of angle that has been missing from WWE’s version of sports-entertainment of late. It was a really good intense brawl with a serious followup to the major bump that ended it.
When they returned to the show, WWE champion John Cena made his way to the ring. Cena said that last week he was attacked by Kurt Angle and that’s the bad news. He said the good news was that he saved a bunch of money on his car insurance. He then said the great news is that after last week, the champ is still here. He challenged Angle to come to the ring if he wanted some of Cena.
Angle’s music began to play and Angle came out on stage. Angle said that he must have hurt Cena’s brain more then he thought he had, if Cena is calling out Angle. He warned Cena that he didn’t want anything of Angle and showed the footage from last week. Angle said he wasn’t going to get in the ring and risk losing his PPV title shot. He said that with all due respect, he wasn’t Chris Jericho and ran down his collegiate and Olympic wrestling credentials. He said that Cena has been wrestling for 5-6 years while Angle has been wrestling his entire life and is at the top of his game. He ran down his recent wins including Shawn Michaels, Eugene, and Shelton Benjamin. The crowd chanted, “A******” at Angle. Angle said he’s never been more vicious in his life and he wants the WWE title more then any other time in his career. He says he doesn’t care about anyone or anything that gets in his way. Cena tried to speak but Angle told him to shut his mouth. Angle said at Unforgiven, he was going to end Cena’s charade and make him tap out, calling him a “low life street punk.”
Cena began reciting Angle’s accomplishments back to him and said he might be the baddest man alive, but “I’m still calling your a** out.” He took off his shirt. Angle asked him if he really wanted a piece of him, walking slowly to the ring. Ross called Angle a “Blue Eyed Demon.” That’s an AWESOME nickname for Angle. Angle teased getting in the ring, then walked out. Angle stopped and began arguing with the fans and began walking back to the ring. He got up on the apron and had a staredown with Cena but got back down and walked away.
Cena said that he forgot that Angle likes “to hit guys from behind.” Cena said that no one is judging him and turned his back to Angle, saying he was “putting the vibe out there” and Angle can do anything he wants. He said, “Nobody’s watching us.” Angle tackled Cena and took him down, then turned him into the Ankle Lock. Cena kicked him off and knocked him out of the ring. He jumped up and dared Angle to return to the ring. The referees stopped Angle from getting back in and walked him to the back. Cena’s music played and he played to the crowd.
They showed boxer Ronald “Winky” Wright at ringside. Jim Ross said that Ric Flair, Matt Hardy, and Edge have all gone to the hospital tonight.
Tyson Tomko vs. WWE World Tag Team champion Rosey.
They showed highlights of Tomko’s recent wins on Sunday Night Heat, putting over that he’s been on a role. Hurricane came to the ring with Rosey. They locked up and Tomko shoved off Rosey. Tomko took Rosey down and hit him with a series of knee strikes to the back and neck. Rosey shoved him off and went to the ropes but Tomko kicked him in the gut as he was in the air. Rosey was knocked out and they stopped the bout. Tomko kicked and knocked out Hurricane after the bell. That does wonders for the Tag Team straps. Your winner by knockout, Tyson Tomko.
They showed clips of Carlito’s Cabana from earlier tonight. They said that due to Flair going to the hospital, Michaels would be facing Carlito and Masters in a handicap match.
Shawn Michaels vs. WWE Intercontinental champion Carlito Caribbean Cool & Chris Masters – Handicap Match
Michaels and Carlito started out with Michaels evading Carlito after he was backed into a corner. Michaels locked up Carlito with a wristlock, but was decked. Masters tagged in and they doubleteamed Michaels in their corner. They both stomped Michaels before Masters got out of the ring. Carlito continued the assault, kneeing Michaels in the solar plexus. He worked over Michaels with chops in the corner and then whipped Michaels into the ropes, nailing him with an elbow as he rebounded for a two count. Michaels made a comeback and chopped Cool into the corner. He attempted to shoulderblock Carlito in the corner, but he moved. Michaels’ shoulder hit the ringpost. Carlito peppered Michaels with punches. Michaels hit a back suplex on Cool. Cool whipped Michaels into the ropes but Michaels hit a swinging neckbreaker as he came off the ropes. Michaels hit an inverted atomic drop and a clothesline. He knocked Masters off the apron and clotheslined Cool over the ropes. Michaels skinned the cat and then backdropped Masters out of the ring as they went to commercial.
When they returned, Michaels was coming off the ropes with a flying forearm while rebounding off the ropes. Michaels hit an elbow off the top ropes and began signalling for Sweet Chin Music. Chris Master cut him off and whipped him into the corner, getting a two count. Masters hit a backbreaker over his knee on Michaels, then nailed another. He tried to force a submission by forcing Michaels’ back backwards over his knee but Shawn broke free with several punches. Michaels and Masters fought back and forth in the corner. He whipped Michaels into the corner, where he did a flip bump, and then gorilla pressed and slammed Michaels.
Masters went for the Masterlock, but Shawn turned and hit a series of rights. Michaels hit a big DDT on Masters. Flair, bandaged up, ran to the ring in his street clothes to the ring and tagged in going off with offense on Carlito and Masters. Flair chopped Masters and worked him over with punches. Flair went for the figure four on Masters, but Carlito struck a low blow. Michaels tossed Carlito out of the ring and hit a plancha to the floor. Masters locked the Masterlock on Flair, who was still feeling the effects of the low blow in the middle of the ring. Flair tried to fight it off but faded fast and went out. The referee called for the bell. Your winners by submission, Carlito Caribbean Cool and Chris Masters. As they went off the air, Jim Ross pushed that Michaels would be in next week’s Masterlock Challenge.
