Full Credit: James Caldwell, PWTorch.com
WWE Raw Live Report
October 27, 2008
Tucson, Ariz.
The show started with an “In Memory of” for S.D. Jones. … A recap video package took us back to the main event of Cyber Sunday to see how Batista took the World Title from Chris Jericho. They gave away a lot of information here instead of teasing for the PPV replays.
Four minutes into the broadcast, Michael Cole welcomed us to the show with a long-winded description of Raw’s greatness in episodic entertainment TV universes. Without any music, Chris Jericho stormed the ring in his heel suit to a chorus of boos. Lillian Garcia announced him as the former World Hvt. champion, which Jericho took offense to. Jericho instantly proclaimed last night as the biggest screwjob in WWE history. He said Mike Adamle wanted Batista as champion and he did everything possible to make it happen. Jericho said Steve Austin changed the rules in the middle of the match, bullied him, and didn’t count a three for him when he was supposed to. As a result, Batista is new champ. Fans cheered, then chanted that he sucks.
Jericho said that Batista should be ashamed to call himself World champ because it took an entire army of hypocrites to beat him last night. And now Adamle wants to make a tag match main event, which is fine with him, because he’s dying to get his hands on Michaels and Batista tonight. But, he needs more! Jericho said he will use his championship re-match clause next week to regain his World Title.
The Raw theme music interrupted, then Adamle strutted out to the ring like a happy peacock. Adamle told him to hold on a sec because he wants to make sure there is no outside interference in that World Title match. Therefore, it’ll be a steel…cage…match. Crowd liked that. Jericho thought it over, then he nodded his head several times before storming past Adamle, including a little bump on the shoulder on the way out of the ring.
Randy Orton‘s music then hit, and Orton walked out past Jericho on the way to the ring to have a chat with Adamle. Orton asked him if he’s satisfied with himself after sending him out last night as an emergency referee because it’s inexcusable that he took a Stone Cold Stunner from Austin last night. He said he is not fully recovered and he could not properly defend himself. Orton vowed to make sure Adamle does not get away with this. He then walked to the edge of the ring and addressed the hard camera. Orton told Stephanie and Shane to show up next week on Raw to fire Adamle. He said if they don’t, then he’s going to walk. Fans loved that. Orton said he’s going to quit and the WWE needs him a heck of a lot more than he needs WWE. Intense.
Orton started to leave, then he spotted Adamle staring at him. Orton stormed over to Adamle and got in his face to cut him down to size. He called him an utter failure – as a commentator, as an announcer, and as a GM. Orton said he could probably go home to Chicago and find out from his wife and kids that he’s a failure as a husband. Adamle became hotter and hotter as his face turned red, then he slapped Orton across the face. Adamle stood tall as Orton got back in his face, but Orton didn’t do anything. He then slipped out of the ring huffing and puffing while Adamle breathed a strange sigh of relief. Intense opening segment! A little more fire than the drab, predictable Raws we’ve seen the last few weeks.
Video package: They showed a clip from Unforgiven when Priceless and Randy Orton took out C.M. Punk, causing him to lose the World Title. Up next, Punk and Kofi get the tag champs for the belts.
[Commercial Break]
[Q2]
In-ring: C.M. Punk came out first for the tag title match to kick off the show. Kofi Kingston then followed out as his partner.
1 — World tag team champions PRICELESS (TED DIBIASE, JR. & CODY RHODES w/Manu) vs. C.M. PUNK & KOFI KINGSTON — World tag title match
Gotta love the dudes dressed up as WWE referees standing in the front row facing the hard camera. Well, depends on your perspective. Punk, in his Halloween-themed trunks, landed a running jawbreaker on Cody to start things off. Cody then came back with a jawbreaker of his own to bring in Teddy, who suddenly accepted a drop toe hold into a submission hold from Punk. Kofi and Punk then cleared the heels to the outside before Kofi launched Punk over the top rope onto Cody and Ted. Nice camera shot of Manu staring back into the ring at the challengers before checking on his buddies as they cut to a break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from breaker, Punk teased the Go 2 Sleep on Cody, but Cody slipped out. Kofi then took a hot tag and flew onto Cody with a leaping dive. Kofi knocked Ted off the apron with a flying smash, but then Ted recovered and yanked Kofi off the top rope when he tried a high-flying move. Cody rammed Kofi into the guardrail before tossing him back into the ring to begin a focused attack on Kofi. Crowd came to life as Kofi fired back on Cody, but Cody ducked a clothesline and landed a drop toe hold to keep Kofi in the heel corner. Nice.
[Q3]
At 11:00, Punk rallied the crowd for another Kofi comeback attempt. Suddenly, Kofi caught Cody by surprise with a head scissors from the mat and he hot-tagged to Punk, who cleaned house on DiBiase with roundhouse slaps and kicks. He then nailed the high knee in the corner before kicking Manu off the ring apron. Action broke down, then Kofi jumped over Punk to take Cody over the top rope with a huracanrana in amazing display of athleticism. Ted then tried to surprise Punk with a punch and Russian legsweep, but Punk grabbed the top rope to block. Ted then fell into Punk’s grasp for a G2S in center ring. Punk made the cover and we have new tag champs. Arena exploded, then Kofi re-entered the ring to celebrate with Punk. They stayed with this for a good minute, with shots of Priceless arguing about what happened on stage.
WINNERS: Punk & Kofi in 13:00 to capture the World Tag Titles. Nice tag match. Great action and athleticism with a hot crowd to help things out. Punk & Kofi looked inspired in the ring, obviously since they were winning the belts. Interesting to see where Priceless goes from here. (**1/2)
– A John Cena video aired.
[Commercial Break]
Ringside: Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talked about WrestleMania coming to Houston soon, then Lawler talked excitedly about Randy Orton in the opening segment and the tag title change. Lawler said it’s been like a train wreck! I think he meant that in a positive way.
In-ring: Lillian Garcia introduced Roddy Piper, way-out-of-shape Goldust, and Honky Tonk Man as guest commentators for the next contest. Everyone gets two paydays. Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix then came to the ring. Santino has a few things to ay. First, the Honk-a-Meter. Honky pointed his finger at Santino as he called out the 64 weeks vs. 11 weeks race. Santino said that when he catches Honky, he’s going to be the greatest of all the times. He then looked at all three sitting at the announce table and told all the pregnant women to take a good look at them. That’s what happens when you do drugs… when you’re pregnant. He could have just stopped short there.
Santino turned his attention to Beth to talk her up in glowing terms. This a-woman redefines grace and dignity. Suddenly, Beth’s music hit and out walked Charlie Haas dressed as Beth. Cleavage was in all the right spots. Piper suggested that Goldust might be able to help us out here. Beth was not pleased, then Haas did the Beth intro of holding a replica Women’s Title over his head and doing the back flip into the ring. So awesome.
Santino was incensed and he flung Haas over the top rope. He blasted Haas in front of the announce table before sucker-punching Honky. Piper and Goldust surrounded the ring as Santino tried to leave, then Santino turned around and accepted a guitar shot to the head from Honky. Michael Cole with a Guitar Hero reference. Oh my. The legends pointed down at Santino and had a good time before Beth checked on Santino in the ring to close the segment. Bell never rang, so a match was not official here.
Plugs: Six-divas tag match and Rey Bourne vs. Evan Mysterio. OK, I slipped there. It’s Rey Mysterio vs. Evan Bourne for the first time tonight. … Another random Mike Knox video package aired to plug… Raw. Was there a draft that we missed? Oh wait, the brand split is extinct.
[Q4]
[Commercial Break]
Did You Know: WWE’s website has more hits than NFL.com, UFC.com, Maxim.com, FHM.com, and NASCAR.com. Wow, a UFC reference on Raw. Takes you back to the Ken Shamrock days about ten years ago.
In-ring: Michael Cole announced Batista as the new World Hvt. champion. Batista came out dressed for a night at the club and he posed in the ring to a strong reaction. Batista said he’s had to scratch and claw to get back to this position as new champ. Batista thanked the fans, then said this belt isn’t going anywhere for a long time. Cole brought up Jericho’s re-match clause and the steel cage match next week. Is he concerned that the title reign might be short-lived? Batista laughed and said he has no concern. He said a steel cage is his home, his playground, and his comfort zone. That way, Jericho has nowhere to run or hide. No more excuses and he will still be World Heavyweight champion. Batista’s music hit to cap off an emphatic, short-and-sweet promo from Big Dave.
Backstage: They showed Candice, Mickie, and Kelly holding hands and bouncing their way to the ring for the six divas tag match.
Smackdown plug: On the Halloween edition of Smackdown, they’re bringing back the casket match. Obviously, Undertaker is involved. Opponent TBA.
FIRST HOUR EVALUATION: A much, much more inspired effort all-round in an attempt to counter a potential World Series clinching game and Monday Night Football featuring the All-American American Jack Swagger Peyton Manning.
[Commercial Break]
ECW plug: Tune in for The Miz, then Scare Tactics.
WWE 24/7 plug: They showed a video package on Shea Stadium, which hosted its last New York Mets game this year. After showing clips of various stars who played and performed at Shea, they went to an extended package on the Showdown at Shea in August 1980 where they claimed 50,000 fans. Wow, not even close. They focused on the stars in the match and named Pat Patterson, Ivan Putski, Tony Atlas, the Wild Samoans, and Bruno Sammartino. Plenty of clips of Sammartino vs. Zbyszko in the cage. Of course, they focused on the Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan match. It was an undercard match since Hogan wasn’t nearly Hulkamania at the time, but it’s been played up like a huge match for historical purposes to build up the mythological status of WrestleMania III.
[Q5 — second hour]
In-ring: Kelly Kelly, then Candice, then Mickie James came to the ring for a six-divas tag match. Jillian Hall’s music hit to bring out Jillian, Layla, and Katie Lea. No singing from Jillian, fortunately.
3 — CANDICE MICHELLE & MICKIE JAMES & KELLY KELLY vs. JILLIAN HALL & LAYLA & KATIE LEA
By the way, a three-hour special next week, according to a randomly placed graphic. Suddenly, the whole thing broke down at 3:00 with divas flying on the outside. Kelly and Katie were left in the ring where Kelly nailed the K2 rocker dropper on Katie for the pin and the win. The babyface divas hugged it out in the ring, then Jillian dragged Katie to the outside to recover.
WINNERS: Team Kelly in 3:00. Fine action. Candice was at least serviceable and Kelly delivered her usual dose of high energy. Felt like a waste of Layla, though, as her storyline with Regal against Noble seems to have disappeared. (1/2*)
Backstage: JBL looked into the camera at the interview set and said Shawn Michaels ruined a good business deal for him. He said he would have had the next title shot at Jericho if he helped Jericho retain the belt last night. JBL described the money that comes with holding the gold, so now Michaels will pay tonight for costing him a lot of money.
Raw 800 plug: Next week, the main event will be Batista vs. Jericho in a steel cage. Three hours of Raw. Hey, some classic WWF Raw clips with the siren blaring and Vince McMahon screaming. Ah, good times.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Rey Mysterio came to the ring for the match against Bourne. … Earlier today: Grisham asked Rey Mysterio about facing Kane last night. Rey said wrestling Kane will change you. Some men are destroyed while others push through. He said he has no limitations because he is a Latin Warrior. Suddenly, Evan Bourne stepped in and said he’ll be the underdog tonight. He gladly accepts that tonight and he looks forward to beating him tonight. They shook hands. … Evan Bourne then came to the ring representing ECW.
[Q6]
4 — REY MYSTERIO vs. EVAN BOURNE
They get their own quarter hour here, so it will be interesting to see how this rates. Match started off with a headlock exchange, then they busted out some rapid-fire counters that ended with Bourne nailing a head scissors takeover. Rey got up and stared back at Bourne, then Rey snapped off a sick head scissors takeover after a few revolutions. Bourne then recovered against the ropes while catching Rey’s eye for a look of mutual respect. Awesome to start. Bourne came back with an arm drag that took Rey to the floor, then Bourne teased a baseball slide kick, but Rey moved. They ran back into the ring together and had another stare down. Rey smiled while Bourne had a great intense look. Let’s grab a break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Bourne was in control. They showed some clips of during the break when things became physical, including a majestic springboard moonsault by Bourne onto Rey on the floor. Back live, Rey and Bourne exchanged slaps before Rey turned the tables on Bourne and slingshot him through the ropes to the outside. Rey then ran off the apron with a nice leaping dive onto Bourne right in front of the camera for a tight shot. Back in the ring, Bourne came back with a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Rey then tried a springboard move, but his knee gave out and he crashed to the mat. Bourne recovered nicely and tried a pinfall for a nearfall. He then tried to work over the knee, but Rey escaped and fired off a dropkick.
Rey followed with a springboard dive, then he wanted a running move, but Bourne popped up and nailed an enziguiri kick. What a counter. Bourne with a cover at 10:00 for a nearfall. Bourne followed with a sick standing moonsault for a two count, then he wanted to go up top for the SSP, but Rey threw him down. Rey then flung Bourne onto the middle rope and nailed the 619. Rey wanted to end it with his springboard sentaun, but Bourne sat up and ducked. He then tried a Jack Evans reverse huracanrana, only to have Rey counter into a victory roll and trap Bourne for a three count. Beautiful. Afterward, Rey looked down at Bourne with respect, then they shook hands.
WINNER: Rey in 12:00. What a match. That was special. Bourne is unbelievably gifted with the “it” factor and he continues to take advantage every time WWE hands him the ball to make a run. Rey was in his element and delivered a great performance. (***)
Post-match: As Rey and Bourne shook hands, Kane’s music hit and he stormed the ring. Rey told Bourne he’s got this, as it’s his business. Rey tried to charge Kane, but Kane kicked him in the face. Kane beat on Rey, then Bourne tried to make the save. They doubled up on Kane as the crowd cheered them on, but Mark Henry showed up. Bourne kicked him away, then tried a springboard splash, but Henry caught him in mid-air. Meanwhile, Kane delivered a chokeslam on Rey as the crowd gasped. Henry rolled Bourne back into the ring and delivered the World’s Strongest Slam. Rey and Bourne were laid out as the monsters stood tall to close the segment. Great heat segment to build up the monsters and build sympathy for the babyface comeback. Nicely done.
[Q7]
[Commercial Break]
Announcers: Cole and Lawler plugged Survivor Series and said John Cena returns at the PPV in Boston. They showed a video package on John Cena growing up in Massachusetts wanting to be a wrestler and be part of the action. Clips of him bodybuilding, then playing football blowing people off the line as center. Some early clips of Cena as a wrestler with a crazy California surfer haircut. June 27, 2002 – Cena debuted on Smackdown against Kurt Angle. A graphic then covered Angle that read: “John Cena Returns.”
On-stage: The Miz & John Morrison walked out on stage in street/club clothes. Miz said some people think they crossed the line referring to DX as geriatric-X last week. Morrison said their sophisticated sense of humor might be too much for their taste. Miz said the fans are intimidated by them. Morrison said they’ve evolved and they will prove it next week when they face Shawn Michaels & Triple H. Oh snap. Miz told us to join them on ECW tomorrow night for a very special edition of the Dirt Sheet. He waited through the “You suck” chant before saying they will examine the rise and imminent fall of this pre-historic pair. Morrison said that after they beat Michaels and Hunter, they will have two words: Be Jealous.
Backstage: Goldberg…er…Batista was shown pumping himself up with the title belt glimmering around his waist. Main event tag match is next.
[Commercial Break]
Earlier tonight: A confrontation between Orton and Adamle. What will Shane and Stephanie do next week?
[Q8]
In-ring: Chris Jericho came to the ring first for the tag team main event. Suddenly, they cut backstage where JBL was beating the crap out of Shawn Michaels. JBL put him on a traveling case and tried to toss him into the wall, but Michaels’s head banged into a fluorescent light on the ceiling. JBL continued the beating, then he tossed him through a side door and walked off. Back in the ring, Jericho was all-smiles watching the beating. JBL’s music hit, then JBL walked out sans limo. Jericho gave a slow clap for JBL, who smirked on the way to the ring. Cole and Lawler debated whether Batista will have to go at it alone, then Batista came out to face the smug heels. Oh man, he has tape on the left knee. Cue up the extended work on the knee during the match. Lawler said he’s getting word that Michaels is not going to be part of this match. Batista was not pleased, while JBL smiled at Batista. Ref Mike Kiota explained the situation to Batista, who just shrugged his shoulders and said let’s go.
5 — World Hvt. champion BATISTA vs. JBL & CHRIS JERICHO
Batista shoved Jericho down, then Jericho tagged out to JBL. The big men battled in the ring with Batista nailing a clothesline and a big suplex. Batista with a suplex? The heels tried to double-team Batista, but Batista fought them off and sent JBL to the floor. He then flung Jericho onto the apron and ran from the opposite side of the ring to bounce Jericho off the apron with a clothesline into the announce table. JBL stared back at Batista in disbelief while Batista screamed at them to come on. Cut to break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, JBL and Jericho were taking turns working over Batista in their corner. Batista then rolled to the floor to recover, but Jericho landed a baseball slide dropkick that sent Batista flying into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Batista fired back on Jericho with a clothesline as they reached the top of the hour.
[Q9 – over-run]
Batista landed a Black Hole Slam on Jericho, then he knocked JBL off the apron. Batista tried to finish off Jericho with the Batistabomb, but Jericho slipped out and nailed the codebreaker. Jericho couldn’t make a cover, though, as he sold an injury, so Batista kicked out of the eventual cover. JBL then tagged in and wanted the Clothesline from Hell, but Batista ducked and nailed a spear. Suddenly, Shawn Michaels emerged 12 minutes into the match. He hobbled down to the ring clutching his ribs, then Michaels went to the babyface corner. Michaels took the tag, but the ref didn’t see it, as Jericho had the ref occupied. Ref disallowed it, then Jericho tried to use the belt on Batista, but Batista ducked. JBL was supposed to take the accidental shot, but Jericho missed him. Michaels then feigned a superkick on Jericho, but Jericho moved and bailed to the floor. Awkward sequence, but they recovered with Michaels scaring Jericho away. Batista then finished off JBL with a Batistabomb and made the cover for the win. Afterward, Jericho bailed to the stage while Michaels helped Batista up. Batista and Jericho stared back at each other from a distance while they plugged next week’s three-hour show to close the show.
WINNER: Batista in 13:00. Fine main event match. Hectic ending that looked sloppy, but the professionals covered for any perceived mistakes and took it home to get the point across for Batista vs. Jericho in the cage next week. Cole had some good points throughout the match to add an extra layer of intrigue to the match. (**)
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