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By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

WWE Raw Live Report
July 14, 2008
Raleigh, N.C.

The show started with a recap of last week's ending with Kane snapping on the announce crew and asking whether He is alive or dead.

WWE studios: Shane and Stephanie McMahon were shown in Stamford for one more message to the WWE crew to get the show straight with Vince out of commission. Stephanie told the crew to work together as one or else drastic measures will happen. Shane had to get the last word in, saying they'll be watching.

Live in the arena: Suddenly, they cut to the ringside area where Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho were brawling. Lance Cade then tried to make the save while refs stepped in to save the day.

With HBK and Jericho ushered to the back, Kane's music suddenly hit. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler sat upright in their chairs while Kane came to ringside holding a bag. He frightened away the ringside crew before turning his attention to Lawler. "I'm ... sorry," Kane muttered to Lawler before turning to leave. ... Suddenly, they went backstage where Michaels and Jericho were still being separated.

In-ring: Mickie James came to the ring for the opening match. Almost an Impact-like opening to the show with a ton happening in one segment. Katie Lea then came to the ring with Paul Burchill to face Mickie. Not clear whether the title is on the line, as Cole keeps beating around the bush on whether the belt is up for grabs.

1 -- Women's champion MICKIE JAMES vs. KATIE LEA -- non-title match

Basic back-and-forth to start things off. They're really hot with the red lighting on the ringside fans. Mickie won with a top rope Thesz Press with the crowd hot for the finish. Post-match, Katie and Burchill double-teamed Mickie until Kofi Kingston made the save for Mickie. Heels left the ring, then Kofi laid down the IC Title belt and told Burchill to come get some right now. They cut to break with Burchill walking back to the ring. Lawler teased a title match after the break.

WINNER: Mickie in 4:00. Solid Women's match. Probably won't be remembered overall on the show, but it held its own for the spot on the line-up. (3/4*)

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

2 -- IC champion KOFI KINGSTON (w/Mickie James) vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea) -- Intercontinental Title match

Divas were ringside cheering on their respective men with the match joined in progress out of the break. Kofi was in control to start off with, but Burchill went on the attack to work over Kofi's midsection. He made his comeback and hit the boom-boom leg drop before Mickie attacked Katie on the outside to cut off any potential interference. Kofi then finished off Burchill with the Jamaican Buzzsaw kick for the pin and the win. Mickie celebrated with Kofi as the crowd ate it up with a loud ovation.

WINNER: Kofi in 6:00 of TV time to retain the IC Title. Burchill certainly isn't going to be taken credibly if he can't win a significant match on TV. I'm not saying he should have won the IC Title here, but he needs a decent win over a quality babyface opponent before anyone cares about his non-pirate act. Kofi and Mickie certainly had the crowd hot post-match. Great tandem. (*)

Backstage: Santino Marella and Matt Striker shared a moment. Striker looked lost. Santino said he's doing an open challenge tonight after what Rey Mysterio did to him last week. Striker left, then Kane entered the shot and stared down at Santino. Kane wanted to know where Punk is. "Did you try the Pepsi machine?" Santino asked. So great. Kane asked again, then Santino suggested the locker room. Kane stormed off, then Santino popped some pills to calm his nerves. Tums, that is.

ECW preview: Hardys re-re-re-re-re-re-unite on ECW this week to do anything to make the show interesting.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage locker room: Kane found C.M. Punk and said deep down inside, he knows that he (whoever he is) is dead. Kane said they've been tag team partners before, but he needs Punk in the ring tonight. Punk said he has the biggest match of his life in six days, and he can't have this match against Kane. Kane said he needs this match. Punk said he needs to prove the nay-sayers wrong, so Kane has his match. Punk wanted to know what's in the bag. Kane simply smiled and walked away.

[Q3]

Announcers talked about tonight's text message poll. ... Backstage: John Cena was shown facing the camera. OK pop live. Todd Grisham then asked Cena a question about facing JBL in the NYC street fight at the PPV. Cena said he's tried to put a smile on his face the last few weeks, but he simply cannot do that this week after JBL issued the challenge. He said this match isn't even match; it's a war. Cena said it's two men in the parking lot where anything goes. He said they won't find out who the best man is, but rather whether bones will be broken. Cena said he doesn't like JBL, JBL doesn't like him, and they have history dating back to WrestleMania 21.

Cena looked into the camera and said he can't wait to pick up a Great American and Bash him into an automobile or two. He said he will take great pleasure in ripping off a car door and smashing him in the face until he sees real fear. Cena said JBL didn't pick a fight with any old babyface, but rather an angry sonofabitch. He said he won't predict victory, but give fact.

At the Bash, he'll come at JBL with the rage of a thousand pitbulls and he won't stop. Cena went Revelations on JBL and said he accepts JBL's challenge. Cena then brought in Cryme Tyme, who looked into the camera with a serious look. He said he found two guys who like to fight as much as he does and who also hate JBL as much as he does. Cena told JBL to find two partners and meet him in the ring for a six-man fight. Cena told JBL that if he wants some, he needs to come get some. That, my friends, is a money promo. No poopy. No spraypainting. Just a cold, hard promo.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Santino asked who has the guts to accept his open challenge. Beth Phoenix's music interrupted and we have a Beth Phoenix sighting. Santino was shocked by this abrasive challenge, leading to a match.

3 -- SANTINO MARELLA vs. BETH PHOENIX

Santino found himself flat on his back with Beth in prime position to land some hard right punches. Fans encouraged her to take it to Santino, then she obliged with rapid-fire blows. Santino tried to come back, but Beth rolled him up with a small package for the pin and the win. Santino complained to anyone who would listen while the crowd ate up Beth's victory. Beth smiled as Santino left the ring.

WINNER: Beth in 2:00. Babyface push for Beth? Interesting approach to pushing Beth, but it seems like a short-term deal unless WWE has something in the works. (n/a)

Backstage: They showed Kelly Kelly warming up in the locker room. No ditzy stuff here, as she had a serious look on her face.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

In-ring: Kelly Kelly came to the ring for a match, but Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr. interrupted by coming to the ring in street clothes. DiBiase took the ring and said they don't care about Kelly having a match scheduled for tonight. He told Kelly to hit the bricks. Fans booed as Kelly took off. Cody started off the promo by saying they're not like their fathers; they're better. Cody said that when you're this talented, you don't pay dues. DiBiase followed by saying ten years from now, they'll just be entering their prime. DiBiase called their team the future. Suddenly, Jim Duggan interrupted and wobbled to the ring with his 2x4.

Duggan said he came out here to talk to them from the heart. He said he's known them since they were kids and he knew their pops. Duggan said he teamed with Dusty and the Million Dollar man. He respects them because they're old school. Duggan said as people, they have a lot to growing up to do. Cody cut him off and said Duggan certainly makes some valid points, but when it comes to "growing up," he pictures a 54-year-old man in his gym shorts trying to live off the glory days.

DiBiase said that personally, he thinks about something Steve Austin once said. He said that unless you think you have what it takes to be champion, he shouldn't even be in the WWE. DiBiase asked Duggan if he really thinks he could win a title. He said Duggan is pathetic doing the same act from 25 years ago. Duggan had his puppy dog eyes of dejection to get sympathy from the crowd. DiBiase said that if anyone needs to grow up, it's him. Cody and Ted left the ring, leaving Duggan alone to cry.

JBL then showed up on the Titantron and said they're right about not needing to pay any dues. He offered them a chance to team with him in the six-man tag tonight. Cody said absolutely. They agreed and JBL nodded in approval.

[Commercial Break]

[Q5 -- second hour]

In-ring: Kane came to the ring for the semi-main event match, followed by C.M. Punk.

4 -- World Hvt. champion C.M. PUNK vs. KANE -- non-title match

Kane lost his sense of purpose a few moments into the match and left the ring to breath heavily toward the announcers. Cole and Lawler debated whether Kane is struggling with the voices in his head. Back in the ring, Punk hit a cross-body block for a nearfall, then went for the G2S, but Kane blocked. Kane tried a chokeslam, but Punk kicked him in the face, only to be knocked off the apron to the floor. Kane followed to the outside, but Punk gave him a running bulldog on the floor. Ref's ten count reached nine as Punk re-entered the ring. Kane was counted out, giving Punk the win.

Post-match: Kane started tossing chairs into the ring. Punk didn't leave the ring, instead he tried to dodge the flying chairs. Kane then smashed Punk with right hand blows before stomping away on him. Kane tried to smash Punk's neck in a chair, but Batista's music interrupted. Batista stormed the ring and speared Kane before smashing him with a chair shot to the head. (Kane had enough time to protect his face.)

After clearing Kane out of the ring, Batista picked up Punk and helped him to his feet. Punk extended a hand for a shake, but Batista only glared at him and said it was only business to protect his investment. Batista refused to shake and talked some smack. He playfully slapped Punk on the cheek, which upset Punk. He shoved Batista in the chest, but Batista dropped him with a spinebuster. Punk was left holding his neck in the ring while Batista left. The announcers recapped what happened, then Punk was shown standing in the ring with his title belt with egg on his face.

WINNER: Punk via count-out in 7:00. Well, Punk looked like punk here. This wasn't the booking for a long-term champion, unless they play up the Taylor over Kong card at the PPV with Batista losing by a slip on the banana peel or a count-out on the floor. It's been a nice little run for Punk to excite the TV audience and breathe new life into the Raw show. His title reign will be looked at as a catalyst for a show that was stale for several weeks. (*)

[Commercial Break. A local promo aired for the NWA show at the Arena Theatre in Houston on July 26. Unfortunately for the NWA, TNA hurt the market for wrestling for a little while after last night's PPV finish.]

Smackdown promo: Tune in for the wedding of the century with Edge and Vickie.

[Q6]

In-ring: Chris Jericho and Lance Cade came to the ring for a match of some sort. Announcers recapped the opening moments of the show with Michaels and Jericho tearing into each other. Paul London has the assignment tonight of facing Jericho. He's the Bryan Danielson fill-in for the Michaels protégé program.

5 -- CHRIS JERICHO (w/Lance Cade) vs. PAUL LONDON

Jericho quickly flung London to the ringside area, with London hitting the mat hard. Jericho smashed London into the guardrail before flinging him back into the ring. Jericho totally dominated this and finally put London in the Walls of Jericho to end the match with a submission.

WINNER: Jericho in 4:00. Just a squash for Jericho to get across his point about whooping on Michaels at the PPV. (1/2*)

Post-match: Jericho took the mic and told London to use this loss to change his future. He said London could follow Jericho's road to honor and integrity, or he could follow Michaels's path of deceit and lies that leads to nothing but disgrace and pain. London writhed on the mat until Shawn Michael's music hit. Michaels came out on stage as Cade assumed the position ringside with steel chair in hand. Michaels said he can't change Jericho's mind, but Jericho will never change his mind. Michaels said Jericho doesn't know the meaning of righteousness and truth, but there is one thing they both agree on. He said this Sunday at the Bash, the worst is truly yet to come. Nice, tight camera shot of Michaels's facial expression. Great piece of TV.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

Backstage: Jamie Noble eased up to Layla and said this is their chance to hook up as Raw's power couple. Layla shot back that she doesn't date short men. Noble told Layla to look it up on Google that the average height for a male in America is 5'6". He said he'll prove he's The Man in the ring when the next guy walks over here. Snitsky walked over and told Noble to keep the noise down. Layla told Noble that's his chance. Noble stepped up and told Snitsky, who was sporting a big bruise for his broken nose from last week, to meet him in the ring for a one-way ride on the Pain Train to Noblesville. That was so great. Layla suddenly had second thoughts about encouraging Noble to get involved with Snitsky. Noble took Layla by the hand backstage to the ringside area, telling her he's The Man on Monday nights.

They entered the ring where Snitsky attacked Noble until Noble had a brief comeback. Snitsky then landed a pumphandle slam in center ring and his music hit. No ref here, so it wasn't official. Snitsky left the ring while Layla surveyed the damage done to Noble. Lawler said he knows Layla doesn't date short people, but what about unconscious people? Layla opted to hop off the apron rather than help out Noble to close the segment.

[Commercial Break]

WWE studios: They replayed the Shane & Stephanie co-message from earlier in the night.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler revealed the results of the text poll. 55 percent of people believe Punk is most in jeopardy of losing the World Title. Triple H had 25 percent. Henry had 20 percent. Thanks to Tommy Dreamer's friends and family for voting. Cole and Lawler then broke down the PPV card.

In-ring: JBL led out The Future for the six-man tag main event.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: JBL and his boys were standing in the ring after the break, then Cryme Tyme came out ahead of John Cena to a strong reaction. CTC stormed the ring, sending the heels to retreat on the outside.

6 -- JOHN CENA & CRYME TYME (J.T.G. & SHAD GASPAR) vs. JBL & World tag champions CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE, JR.

Cryme Tyme worked over Cody early on, then Cody tried to channel Dusty with a flip-flop-fly, but JTG cut him off with a clothesline. JBL got involved to give the heels the advantage, leading to double-team work on JTG. Fans chanted for Cena as the champs continued to isolate JTG in their corner. JBL then tagged in and worked over JTG's back. Cole played it safe sending the show to commercial break without saying anything about it being the final break.

[Commercial Break]

They returned with the heels now working over Shad, who took a hot tag during the break. Cena was itching for a tag, as were the fans. Heels continued to work on Shad until Shad shoved Cody across the ring to block a bulldog. Really nice tease of the sure-bet hot tag to Cena, with Cody suddenly coming to life and knocking Cena off the apron to block the tag. Crowd was at 9/10 ready for a tag.

[Q9 -- over-run]

DiBiase and Shad traded blows until DiBiase took Shad back into the heel corner. Crowd at 5/10 anticipating Shad breaking free. They slowly went to 6/10 chanting for Cena. Cody talked smack to Shad, then he tried a top rope moonsault, but Shad moved and the crowd went to 7/10 waiting for Cena. Shad milked it and the crowd went back to 9/10 until Cena took the hot tag for 10/10. Nice match layout. Cena cleaned house, then called for the Five Knuckle Shuffle on DiBiase. Cena delivered, then he went for the FU and connected. Cody tried to intervene, but Cody took a Blockbuster. Cena then went up top and nailed the guillotine smash on Cody. He then slapped on the STFU in center ring. Cody fought the hold, but JBL broke it up and the ref called for a DQ.

WINNERS: Cena & Cryme Tyme via DQ in 15:00. Fine tag match. Good build to the hot tag, but with an unsatisfying finish that led to a bizarre post-match to distract from selling the PPV. (**) ...

Post-match: JBL left the ring and stared into the ring waiting for Cena to meet him on the floor. Cena simply stared at him until bolting from the ring to chase JBL backstage. JBL led him through the backstage area past the Pepsi machine until arriving at the exit door where a security guard stood by. Cena kicked the door open and went into move thriller mode trying to avoid the obvious trap by JBL. He looked around and around and around, but he couldn't find JBL. This was some long TV as Cena auditioned for Marine the Sequel until JBL attacked him from behind.

JBL dragged Cena over to a parked car and propped him up against the car door. JBL then hopped into a car a few feet away and drove the car into the side of the car where Cena was. No camera shots of Cena leading up to impact, and since there wasn't any noise beyond one car hitting another car, the crowd didn't pop for the "unknown" of whether Cena was hit. JBL then hopped out of his car and kinda surveyed the scene. He looked slightly distraught with questions in his head. It could be interpreted as either JBL realizing he took things too far trying to kill Cena or them playing up the deal that Cena obviously escaped and JBL simply being upset that Cena escaped the plot. Lame attempt at shock TV, especially with a PPV on Sunday, but it appears to be part of the larger theme of the McMahons having enough of anarchy ruling Raw and doing something about it next week. Whether that makes for good long-term TV or not remains to be seen.

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