WWE Raw Flashback - 5 years ago
April 14, 2008

THE BIG STORY: JERICHO ADDED TO MICHAELS-BATISTA

We're still not quite sure where we're being led as viewers of the Shawn Michaels vs. Batista feud, and now a third babyface has been added to the mix. Chris Jericho interjected himself into the Michaels-Batista situation and ended up being added as a special referee for the match at Backlash. He wanted to be added to the match as a wrestler, but G.M. William Regal didn't give him exactly what he wanted. Jericho came across heelish, as if to suggest Michaels and Batista might each walk away from Backlash as babyfaces without a turn, whereas Jericho will be the one to turn heel and end up either moving to Smackdown to feud with Batista to stick around Raw to Michaels his next main opponent this year to feud with throughout the summer.

Michaels made a full ring entrance. Ross said he's looking forward to Michaels vs. Batista as much as any match in years. He said the last thing he wanted to do was come out there and have to once again address the issue between he and Batista. He said it seems no matter what country he goes to, that's all anyone wants to talk about. He said Flair asked, no demanded, that he be the man who wrestled him at WrestleMania. "We had a match for the ages, I gave him my best, I beat him, he hugged me, and he thanked me," he said. "That, my friends, is closure. It's finished. And everybody within the sound of my voice is able to accept that - everybody, that is, except Batista."

He said it will be tough for Batista to no longer have his friend and mentor, Ric Flair, in his life, but on Smackdown they got to the real issue - that he, Michaels, is what's bugging him. "Imagine that." He said Batista accused him of holding people down and backstabbing people on his way to success. "I've got a little news flash for you, Batista. It takes a little more than that to make it in this line of work."

He said in 1998 a doctor told him he'd never wrestle again, but in 2002 he proved them wrong "when I returned and I exceeded everyone's expectations, and I continue to do it until this very day." He said it's pretty simple - it's because he loves the job and he was built to do it. He said he's apologized countless times for his past actions, but he's done it enough. He said Batista accuses him of retiring Flair to boost his ego, but that's not true. He said what will boost his ego is kicking his teeth down his throat. Ric Flair's music interrupted Flair. Michaels turned to the big screen.

Ross said maybe we're about to hear what Flair thinks of the Batista-Michaels conflict. Lawler said we'd get some closure from Flair. Those over-eager assumptions from Ross and Lawler gave away that Flair would not actually be stepping out onto the stage. Instead, Chris Jericho walked out to a chorus of boos.

Jericho apologized for misleading him with music. He said it's his fault that they will never hear that music again. In a cocky tone, he said Dr. Jericho has thought this through and he's decided he's a phony. He said at least that's Batista's conclusion. He said Michaels is a fan of Michaels more than anything else. "Deep down inside you enjoyed retiring Ric Flair," he said. "You thrived on retiring Ric Flair. We all know you thrived on screwing Bret Hart. It's the same way you thrived on superkicking Marty Jannetty, throwing him through a plate glass window like a piece of glass. It's what you were built to do. You just said it. Admit it. If you'd just admit it, Batista would respect you, Shawn." Michaels just stared at him. Jericho said he doesn't have to say anything since his eyes say it all. Jericho said Batista is being irrational in complaining about Flair being gone, but he's not being irrational about not liking him.

Jericho suggested Michaels probably suggested to Mr. McMahon that he create that retirement stipulation. He told him to admit it. Instead, Michaels nailed him with a superkick. Michaels stood over Jericho with the mic and said, "I'll admit this. That felt pretty darn good." His music played and strutted out of the ring. The crowd was totally behind Michaels. Interesting mix of personalities without a clear-cut heel, although Jericho certainly seemed heelish there.

RATINGS DROP, BUT WHY?

This show did not do well in the ratings, with an 11-year-low for an April Raw drawing a 3.2 rating. Why? First, no John Cena, as he's filming a movie. Second, it took place in London, and WWE has established with viewers that overseas editions of Raw aren't usually the most newsworthy or intricately booked. It could have a little to do with NHL playoffs (just a little) and a little to do with not being live and some viewers (it only takes 3 percent to drop the rating 0.1) reading the results online and not seeing it as "must-see."

The result of an 11-year April low rating this week means hot-shotting next week right before Backlash. It could mean the return of Mr. McMahon. It could mean the brand extension is dropped and all talent is combined (the ratings impact of that would be minimal in the short-run and hurt in the long-run, eliminating "special appearances" and trades/jumps to start interest and create truly fresh talent match-ups). It could mean WWE talks Flair into returning with an on-air role to mediate the Michaels-Batista situation. The King of the Ring tournament scheduled for next week's three hour Raw doesn't promise strong ratings. No wrestlers or brackets were announced, no issues established between wrestlers, not much of anything was done to make this tournament seem like must-see TV.

KELLER'S RAW RAMBLINGS

JBL needs promo time. The Raw audience is not buying him as a top heel. He was seen as the flabby big-talking top heel over on the secondary brand a couple years ago, then he retired. What has been done to reestablish him or, for that matter, introduce him to the current Raw audience? He needs to unleash on Triple H, Cena, and Orton next week and sell some tickets and boost interest in that match or Backlash could be a disappointment in PPV buys... They need to build trust with viewers that Santino will get more TV time each and every week, too... Good to see Mickie James get the win. I just wish she had some character development leading up to it recently so viewers could better celebrate the win with her...

Raw Box Score Basics by Wade Keller

JBL interrupted William Regal's tea-time backstage in the show-opening scene. The crowd in London chanted Regal's name. JBL ripped on London, then complained about his one-on-one title match becoming a four-way. Regal asked what he wanted to do. JBL said he wanted a private jet back to New York. He said Regal should protect him as a top commodity. Regal booked him against Triple H instead.

The Raw opening aired and pyro blasted. Shawn Michaels then made a full ring intro. He was interrupted as he talked more about his peace with Ric Flair's retirement by Flair's music. Chris Jericho walked out and acted heelish. Michaels superkicked him.

Ross announced the three-hour Raw next week would feature a King of the Ring tournament.

(1) Carlito & Santino Marella beat Paul London & Brian Kendrick in 4:00 to become no. 1 contenders for the tag titles.

Santino & Carlito cut a promo aired at Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly, the champs. Santino said he and Carlito are "the real wieners." Carlito corrected him and acted embarrassed.

(2) Mickie James pinned "Glamazon" Beth Phoenix to win the WWE Women's Title in 5:00. Ross and Lawler talked about Glamazon winning as inevitable, building her up as unbeatable. Mickie celebrated with incredible enthusiasm and emotion. (*1/4)

After the break, as Mickie celebrated on the stage, other babyface divas joined her. Mickie kissed Todd Grisham in celebration.

Mike Adamle interviewed Regal backstage. Jericho walked in and tried to get Regal to add him to the Michaels-Batista match at Backlash. Regal did, as a referee. Then he booked Jericho against Umaga in an IC Title defense later on the show.

A video feature aired for Mick Foley's role in the movie with William Dafoe, "Animorph."

(3) J.T.G. (w/Shad) beat Trevor Murdoch (w/Lance Cade). Cade gave Murdoch a "you better win" pep talk before the match, then just patted him on the shoulder like an understanding parent afterward. (1/4*)

(4) Randy Orton pinned William Regal in 6:00 after an RKO to retain the WWE Title. It started off really slowly paced and picked up to be okay. (*1/2)

Umaga cut a gibberish promo backstage.

(5) Chris Jericho beat Umaga in 11:00 to retain the IC Title with his feet on the middle rope for leverage. Umaga dominated, but Jericho avoided a Samoan Spike late and leveraged Umaga's shoulders down with his feet on the ropes. (**1/2)

(6) Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lea) pinned "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in 1:00.

The open invite to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton aired again. Scenes of London aired throughout the show coming in and out of breaks.

Grisham interviewed Triple H. When he asked about his strategy against JBL in the main event, Triple H said it wouldn't be very cerebral of him to give away his strategy right before match time. He said JBL should have kept his cushy announcing job.

(7) Triple H beat JBL via DQ in 6:00. The match was joined in progress after the break at six minutes before the top of the hour. This began with Regal pacing. At 3:00 Triple H went for a Pedigree. It was premature as JBL was pretty fresh, so he easily battled out of it. He applied a full nelson mid-ring. Hunter powered out and gave JBL a knee driver, then clotheslined JBL over the top rope to the floor. As they brawled up the aisle, Orton attacked Hunter, prompting a DQ. Afterward, Orton and JBL double-teamed Hunter, then JBL turned on Orton with a clothesline. Really disappointing. (3/4*)

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