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TV REPORTS
CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 10/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live USA Network broadcast

Oct 6, 2008 - 10:05:12 PM
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By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

WWE Raw Live Report
October 6, 2008
Seattle, Wash.


The Raw after No Mercy started with Chris Jericho's theme music and a chorus of boos. Heavy boos over his theme music. Jericho then strutted out in a three-piece business suit with a significant bruise on the left side of his cheek. Looked like he smeared some lipstick before coming out. Actually, yeah, looked like the smeared-make-up look for Heath Ledger's Joker character. Jericho waited out the boos and said Mike Adamle isn't here tonight after having a high-profile meeting with Shane and Stephanie earlier today. As a result, he's taking Adamle's place tonight to make decisions.

Which brings him to the No Mercy ladder match against Shawn Michaels last night. He pointed out that Michaels lost to him, but Michaels was successful in permanently disfiguring him. Jericho lifted his lip to show a cracked tooth that he said he has to live with for the rest of his life. Can't he just buy a new tooth? Jericho said the irony is that every time he sees the tooth, he will smile knowing he beat Shawn Michaels. He said he brutalized, embarrassed, and defeated Michaels in a match he supposedly could not lose. Jericho said Michaels is here tonight, but he's done with Michaels for good. He then made Michaels vs. Lance Cade for tonight in an Anything Goes, No DQ match tonight. Jericho said he has nothing left to prove to anyone, making the fans forced to admit that he is the real, true World champion and he is the best, most-dominant performer in the world today.

Batista's music had something to say about that, and out came Batista to follow-through on the interruption. Michael Cole said Batista is the new #1 contender and out came Batista for a word with Jericho. Batista got right to the point and told Jericho to pick the number of days until they have their World Hvt. Title match. 7 days? 14 days? To-day? Crowd like that one. Jericho said he figured Batista would come out here and do some posturing, but he told him to be careful for what he wishes for. He said he might still be in pain from last night, but he would still find a way to beat Batista tonight. Jericho said he's a real animal because he does whatever necessary to win and survive. He said when this is said and done, he will make sure the name Batista is synonymous with failure.

Jericho then sternly told Batista to get out of his face and get out of his ring right now. Batista had a good chuckle at the Joker, then Batista made it clear Jericho is defending that title. And second, Batista let his actions do the talking with a rapid-fire spinebuster in center ring to a strong reaction. He then left the ring, leaving Jericho to grab his head in pain. Announcers then plugged Matt Hardy & Rey vs. Henry & Kane for tonight.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

After the break: They returned to recap the opening segment before showing Jericho cutting a promo during the commercial break. Jericho booked Batista vs. JBL in a #1 Contender re-match with Batista's contendership back on the line. He announced himself as the special referee. Stack the deck.

Ringside: William Regal was chilling on his throne with Layla standing over his shoulder. William Regal and Mickie James then came out as tag partners in a mixed tag deal. Out as the opposition was Glamarella, with Santino possessing a mic. Santino said he has one things to say. He has been criticized for being too ethnic and not American enough. So, he has made an effort to be more American just for the people. He's adopted a new NBA team: the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oh man, way too soon in Seattle after the Sonics just left town for OKC. Santino even busted out the t-shirt for the new team. Santino said a good city like Oklahoma (lol) finally has an NBA team. Santino told "Mickie Noble" that this thunder known as Glamarella will rain down on them. So great.

1 -- GLAMARELLA (IC champion SANTINO MARELLA & Women's champion BETH PHOENIX) vs. MICKIE NOBLE (MICKIE JAMES & JAMIE NOBLE)

Very quick match with Santino sneaking out a three count on Noble after Beth became involved with the ref's back turned. Afterward, Santino did his trumpet-blowing celebration. He then bailed into the front row when Noble chased after him. Regal then tried to attack Noble, but Noble flipped him over the guardrail to the front row. Regal suddenly snapped and tried to tackle Noble, but the ref held Regal back. Mickie then grabbed Noble by the hand and led him away from ringside.

WINNERS: Glamarella in 2:00. Quick match with a finish out of nowhere to set up a worked shoot approach to the next advancement in Regal vs. Noble. Either that, or something went haywire. Interesting, but we need more. (1/2*)

Backstage: Todd Grisham brought in Shawn Michaels, who was staring straight ahead to a corner of the locker room. Grisham asked Michaels for his thoughts following last night. Michaels said he could go talk to Jericho about being tired, sore, and having pain from top-to-bottom to get out of his match against Cade, but the reality is that Jericho is feeling the same pain, yet he won't put his title on the line tonight. So, he's going to show he's the better man and take on Cade while on the brink of insanity and high on adrenaline. Michaels then rolled his eyes into the back of his head and walked away.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

In-ring: Kofi Kingston came to the ring out of the break. Ted DiBiase, joined by Priceless, then came to the ring as the opposition. Before the bell sounded, C.M. Punk came to the ring for a closer look at the action.

2 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. TED DIBIASE, JR. (w/Cody Rhodes and Manu)

Interesting match-up here. Kofi wanted the boom-boom leg drop at 2:00, but Cody hopped onto the apron to distract Kofi. Punk came into play and knocked Cody off the apron, but Ted caught Kofi from behind with the Million Dollar Dream into a Russian legsweep for the decisive pin and the win. Afterward, Priceless celebrated on stage while Punk checked on Kofi.

WINNER: Ted in 3:00. Man, another too-short match here. They obviously don't trust the attention span of the viewer up against football and baseball playoffs. (3/4*)

ECW plug: They have an eight-man tag match with Punk & Kofi & Bourne & Ricky vs. Miz & Morrison & Cody & Teddy. Nice tease for tomorrow night.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: The camera focused on Chris Jericho's busted lip, then Jericho started talking to someone off camera. The camera then pulled back to reveal Randy Orton, who wanted to know what Jericho wants from him. He said Orton has been injured for so long that he's going to put him to work. And...end scene.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler name-dropped John Cena to update us on his status. Cole called him the incomparable John Cena, then they went to footage from Summerslam when Cena was injured against Batista. WWE's "Rough Cut" included Batista talking after the match about having no idea what kind of strength Cena had. Ref Mike Kiota said Cena was powerbombed into one corner of the ring where it's very hard. Batista chuckled and said Cena severely injured his neck, but he still kicked out of the powerbomb. They went to clips of Cena doing rehab with the doctor saying he should be able to return to full activity in three-to-four months.

Backstage: They showed Kane and Mark Henry preparing to walk to the ring with the Raw theme music blasting. Dolph Ziggler interrupted, though, and introduced himself. Kane, Henry, Tony Atlas, and the Raw theme music wanted nothing to do with Dolph. He was left standing as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

Video package: Jim, Susie, and Billy didn't want No Mercy last night. Big Mistake. They cut to footage from last night to hype the replay available this week. A unique, fresh way to sell the replay.

In-ring: Rey Mysterio's music hit out of the break to set up the near-the-top-of-the-second-hour main event. Hopefully it'll be longer than two minutes. No medical update on Rey, though, as we recall from last night that Rey couldn't feel his legs at the end of the match against Kane. So much for that, and out came ECW champion Matt Hardy as his tag partner. Henry, then Kane came out as the opposition tonight.

3 -- REY MYSTERIO & ECW champion MATT HARDY vs. KANE & MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas)

Hot start here, as Rey and Matt cleared the heels to the outside with some impressive tag team work. Again, less than two minutes before a break in the action, this time with a commercial rather than a pinfall. Feels like Impact tonight.

[Commercial Break]

They returned from break with Kane working on Hardy with a chinlock on the mat. Henry and Kane then started their attack working on Hardy in the heel corner. Hardy then wanted a big splash, but Hardy predictably moved and rolled over to his corner to tag out to Rey. Rey landed a little offense, but Kane blasted him with a big punch to the head to cut off Rey's momentum. Henry then dragged Rey back to the heel corner to set up Kane for an attack on Rey.

[Q5 -- second hour]

They rolled over to the top of the second hour with Kane striking Rey between the eyes with a chop to cut him off again. Kane then went up top, but Rey ducked underneath a clothesline and whipped Kane into the corner. Rey then crawled over to Hardy for a hot tag. Hardy landed a swinging neckbreaker, then he kicked Henry off the apron with a dropkick to the knees. Back to Kane where Hardy landed a top rope bulldog before calling for the end. Henry stepped in, though, and ran distraction. The whole deal broke down before Henry caught Rey on the floor and launched Rey into the turnbuckle to crotch Hardy, who was standing on the top rope. Kane then took advantage with a chokeslam on Hardy for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Kane & Henry in 11:00. Competitive match with a furious finish that made for good TV building anticipation for the eventual finish. Kane continues to be the dominant, smart, aggressive heel that works much better than the clunky, lovable losing Kane. (*1/2)

Backstage: They showed Shawn Michaels gingerly walking with his cowboy hat hung low over his eyes.

[Commercial Break]

WWE 24:7 clip: We went to March 29, 1998 for Pete Rose's appearance at WrestleMania to take a Tombstone from Kane. Plenty of Red Sox references pre-World Series victory. Maybe not a good call to remind viewers that a Red Sox playoffs game is currently on TBS just a few stations away.

In-ring: Shawn Michaels stoically walked to the ring, then Lance Cade did his Cadewalk to the ring to his generic rock music. That music has got to go. Sounds like something from Shotgun Saturday Night or an opening act on Velocity.

4 -- SHAWN MICHAELS vs. LANCE CADE -- Anything Goes, No DQ

They traded blows after the opening bell, then Cade pounded Michaels to the outside. He whipped out a table on the floor, then set it up next to the dude sporting the awesome Astros 1980's rainbow jersey on the front row. Cade measured Michaels, then he quickly put Michaels through the table with a modified Rock Bottom slam. Michaels sold it as if every muscle in his body was frozen, then Cade rolled him into the ring and grabbed a steel chair. Cade took too long with the chair, then Michaels tackled him and landed right hand blows. Michaels managed to grab the chair in the scrum, then Cade accepted a chair shot to the head with time to get his hand up to block. Still a pretty clean blow. Michaels then pounded the crap out of Cade with multiple chair shots to every inch of Cade's body. Michaels, on the verge of insanity, spun around as if he were chasing his tail, then he covered Cade for the pin and the win.

Michaels had his hand raised, then he spun into the corner and stared down at Cade as he writhed on the mat. Michaels remained completely motionless with his shoulders shrugged up near his neck while snorting down at the mat. Announcers speculated Michaels was envisioning Cade as Jericho. Michaels then suddenly grabbed the steel chair and pounded away on Cade some more. Michaels sneered and convulsed while the crowd chanted his name. Michaels's music hit, then he stepped out of the ring satisfied with the damage done. Michaels then started walking down the entrance ramp with an unchanged expression of determination.

WINNER: Michaels in 3:00. Well, the match was short, but at least it made a very, very clear point about Michaels's state of mind and level of aggression right now. Great theater at the expense of Cade and the chair. (*)

[Q6]

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole hyped Smackdown's debut ratings on MyNet last Friday night, then he plugged Triple H vs. Big Show this week for the WWE Title.

In-ring: Jerry Lawler mentioned Santino Marella's claim that he is the greatest IC champion of all time. Plugging Cyber Sunday in three weeks, Lawler said WWE fans can choose Santino's opponents. And the three potential opponents are... Roddy Piper, Goldust, or Honky Tonk Man. There you go.

After Lawler finished his plug, Lillian Garcia was set to announce the next match, but Great Khali interrupted with Singh. Lawler said Khali has been ranting and raving about his confrontation with Johnny Knoxville on a recent episode of Knoxville's show and he wants to confront him on this. And now Take 3 on involving Knoxville in a WWE angle. Khali took the mic from Lillian, then cut a promo on Knoxville. I think he said Jackass. Singh translated that he's going to roll a clip from the deal.

From the video, they showed Knoxville asking Khali if his penis is in the same proportion as the rest of his body. Khali was offended by the line of questioning. Singh said that's completely inappropriate, then Khali and Singh stood up to leave the interview. Worked shoot! Back live, Khali cut a promo inviting Knoxville to Raw next week to show him the true meaning of... entertainment. Ooh. Singh then announced Khali will be hosting the Kiss Cam right now.

Cue up some crazy kids on the Titantron to kiss. Khali mumbled some stuff while people made out. Lillian was then shown inside the heart on the screen and Khali walked over to her. Khali took her by the hand, then leaned down to plant a big wet one on Lillian. Singh quipped that Khali will call her. Khali then raised his arms in victory as if he won a match. He slowly left the ring while Lillian was in near tears. Well, there are no words.

[Q7]

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Miz and Morrison were ringside for commentary, then Jillian sang a Kurt Cobain number. Still too soon. Kelly Kelly came out as the opposition, sporting some odd combo of black pants and a hat like something Ashley would wear. Shad and JTG also came out with Kelly before joining commentary to talk trash against Miz and Morrison.

5 -- KELLY KELLY vs. JILLIAN HALL

There was a lot of CROSS TALK between Cryme Tyme and Miz & Morrison with Lawler and Cole silenced into not being able to call the action between Kelly and Jillian. Just back and forth chatter while Jillian worked over Kelly in the ring. Kelly then slipped out of a side slam and landed a victory roll for the pin and the win. Cryme Tyme gave props to Kelly, then gave Miz and Morrison a final parting word before celebrating with Kelly in the ring.

WINNER: Kelly in 4:00. That was rough. There was some entertaining moments listening to the four adolescents make fools of themselves on purpose, but the whole segment was pretty much a train wreck. (n/a)

Backstage: They showed Batista warming up for the #1 Contender match.

[Commercial Break]

WWE Rough Cut: They returned to Part 2 of John Cena's story where he showed up at the SD/ECW taping after his surgery to greet the WWE wrestlers. He was operated on at 10:00 a.m., then at 4:00 p.m., he wanted to go to the arena to say hi. Two hours later, he was at the arena acting like nothing happened. Doctor said he thought Cena was going to his hotel room to rest. Triple H said you might think he's just trying to create an image doing something like that, but it's just who he is. It's his life, wife, and kids: WWE.

[Q8]

In-ring: Chris Jericho, the temporary GM who booked the previous train wreck segment, came out as the special referee for the main event #1 Contender match. They replayed what happened in the opening segment, then JBL was introduced as the first competitor in the match. No limo for JBL, who had it jacked by Cryme Tyme tonight. JBL slowly walked to the ring as if his mind were on other things, then Jericho whispered something in Lillian's ear before introducing Batista. Out came William Regal as the special guest timekeeper. Jericho wasn't done. Next was a special guest commentator, Randy Orton, who Jericho was putting back to work. Cole, Lawler, and Orton. Quite the trio.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Lillian finally introduced Batista while Orton mumbled something. Batista came out on stage looking determined, then he did his machinegun intro and stormed the ring.

6 -- JBL vs. BATISTA -- #1 Contender match

Bell sounded and the announcers asked Orton why he was out there. Orton said he has no idea, but maybe Jericho thought they were doing a lousy job. Orton said he doesn't care who wins, just that he gets his title shot when he's healthy. Batista dominated this thing early on, even slappin on a figure four at 2:00. Jericho checked on JBL, who tried to get the ropes. He got a finger tip on the ropes and Jericho demanded a rope break. The argument gave JBL an opening to take advantage and score a few nearfalls, opening up the question of why the heel ref doesn't just call a three count and ring the bell. Lame. Batista came back with a suplex and had a pin, but Jericho refused to count. The action spilled to the floor, then Jericho pretended to admonish JBL allowing Regal to smash Batista into the ring apron.

[Q9 -- over-run]

Batista countered a suplex with a side belly-to-back suplex, then Jericho encouraged JBL to get up. Lawler interjected the logic that Jericho must think he has a better chance of beating JBL than Batista. "I dunno," Lawler concluded. The action broke down with Regal getting involved, then Batista had enough and gave both Jericho and JBL a double spear. Suddenly, Mike Adamle showed up on the stage and sent down referee Mike Kiota to the ring. Kiota counted a nearfall, then Batista made his full attack with a spinebuster and Batistabomb on JBL for the pin and the win as Jericho could only watch from ringside.

WINNER: Batista in 8:00. Hectic match based around the loose-with-the-logic heel special referee stipulation. Just never ever a fan of that concept. Batista made the most of it with an energetic victory to get the crowd excited. (*)

Post-match: Adamle took the mic and said it's rather ironic that Jericho booked himself as special ref tonight because that's one of the ideas pitched by Shane and Steph to change things up around Raw. He announced Jericho vs. Batista at Cyber Sunday for the World Title. And the stip is that the fans get to pick the special referee. Is it... Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, or Steve Austin? Huge pop for Austin, followed by an "Austin, Austin" chant. Lawler's voice did a typical high-octave jump in excitement for Austin. Adamle told the WWE Universe it's in their hands. Batista then posed in the ring and stared down at Jericho to close the show.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, click here.


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