Raw Recap 07.23.07

Recap of Monday Night Raw from Sacramento, CA:

Coach appeared on screen stating Great American Bash was a huge success last night thanks to Coach's genius work as the GM of Raw. Coach said they are now 5 weeks away from Summerslam so a new #1 contender needs to be made. Coach said he will watch each match and determine who the #1 contender will be for Cena by the end of tonight. Coach then announced tonight's main event, a Champions Only match where John Cena and Candice Michelle will team up to face Umaga, Cade & Murdoch.

King and JR said in addition to the Champions Only match tonight, Cody Rhodes would face Randy Orton. A regal set up was then shown in the ring, complete with plates of food and a King's chair. King Booker and Queen Sharmelle then made their way to the ring. A replay was shown of last week where Jerry Lawler fought back against Booker after he asked him to kiss his ring.

King Booker then sat down in the chair in the ring and addressed Jerry Lawler as "Jerome". Booker invited Lawler into the ring so the two of them could discuss their differences as gentlemen. Lawler left his position at the announce table and sat down at the other end of the table in ring with Booker. Booker then discussed why he is the only King in WWE today, saying he rightfully earned his title by winning last year's "King of the Ring" tournament.

Booker said Jerry Lawler shouldn't be considered a King and also mentioned Triple H, "King of Kings", saying he should not be called a king either. As Lawler went to respond on the mic, Booker stood up and Sharmelle yelled "all hail King Booker". Lawler responded by saying the people determine a king, and the people in the crowd seem to see Booker as a pompous, idiotic and self-delusional royal pain. Booker became enraged by King's comments and walked towards him. Booker asked King to look him in the eyes and make his point. Lawler responded by knocking Booker down and out of the ring, then tossing a plate full of food out at him. An angry Booker backed up the ramp with Queen Sharmelle.

Mickie James & Maria vs. Beth Phoenix & Melina

Maria came down to the ring accompanied by Santino Marella who took a seat at the announcer table with Ross and Lawler. Beth Phoenix and Mickie started things off with Mickie getting the upperhand briefly. Phoenix rammed Mickie into the corner with Melina and tagged out. Melina and Mickie traded shots, until Mickie knocked her down and tagged in Maria. Maria tried to get a move on Melina near the ropes, but Phoenix kicked Maria in the head. Santino urged Maria on as he watched Beth Phoenix put her up in a doublearm chicken wing and toss her to the mat.

Melina and Beth continued to punish Maria in the ring, keeping her down and away from Mickie. Maria finally escaped to tag in Mickie who ran around the ring knocking down Phoenix and Melina. Mickie went against the ropes where Beth Phoenix interfered. Mickie recovered and tossed Melina to the corner then flipped her up into the ring. Maria jumped onto Melina off the ropes for a near fall. The ref's attention got turned away as Mickie got knocked out of the ring. Santino got up, then went and tripped Melina and Beth Phoenix as they went off the ropes at Maria. Maria used a bulldog move on Melina, driving her face first into the mat for a pinfall victory.

Winner: Maria and Mickie James win via pinfall over Melina and Beth Phoenix.

Highlights shown from last night's title match between John Cena and Bobby Lashley. Cena used the F-U on Lashley off the corner ropes to score the victory.

Replay shown from last night's Bullrope match where Orton was about to hurt Dusty Rhodes further until Cody Rhodes ran down to save his father.

Cody Rhodes backstage getting tips for his upcoming match with Orton, just as Orton came up behind him. Cody told Orton he's afraid to beat up his father. Orton told Cody he should be the one who's afraid, because tonight he's going to do some things to him with serious consequences in the ring.

Snitsky seen backstage with dark music playing behind him. He asked if it makes him a bad person if when he hurts people he feels no remorse? Snitsky said others' pain is his pleasure.

Todd Grisham interviewed Cena backstage. Grisham congratulated Cena on his victory last night at the Bash and asked Cena his thoughts on tonight's Champions Only match. Cena told Grisham to close his eyes and envision Candice walking up to him to be his partner for a wrestling match. Cena said then imagine you have the cast of Brokeback Mountain and Umaga facing you in the ring. Grisham was disturbed by the image. Grisham asked about Cena's thoughts for his next contender for his title. Cena said Coach can name whoever he wants the #1 contender to be for Summerslam. Cena said for whoever it is "if you want some, come get some!"

Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Sandman vs. William Regal & Carlito

Sandman came walking down to the ring through the crowd carrying his Singapore cane. Regal started off the match beating up Sandman a bit, til Sandman turned things around and knocked Carlito off the apron. Sandman grappled with Regal who was able to pull Sandman back and tag in Carlito. Coach shown backstage in an office scouting the competitors in the match. Carlito started kicking Sandman around a bit before another tag. Sandman was able to finally get over to tag in Hacksaw who tossed Carlito around the ring a bit. Regal and Sandman got into it outside the ring. Meanwhile, Hacksaw went for the football stance and charged at Carlito in the ring. Carlito reversed things and dropped Hacksaw back first onto his knees. Carlito scored the pinfall victory for his team.

Winners: Carlito and William Regal win via pinfall over Sandman and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

Promo shown for WWE Magazine including the return of Rey Mysterio and the 6 1 9.

Carlito and William Regal shown talking backstage. Carlito said if Coach wants a #1 contender, Carlito is the one. Carlito said things are finally going his way, then took a bite from an apple. Carlito made a funny face then spit out the apple. The camera turned to show Carlito had just spit in the face of Lashley. Carlito then ran from Lashley all the way out to the ring. Carlito grabbed the mic and said accidents happen so he shouldn't have to apologize. Carlito told Lashley he was sorry and if he accepts he doesn't have to say anything. Carlito smiled thinking everything was ok, but just then Lashley's music came on and Lashley came down to the ring.

Carlito tried to head off Lashley at the ring apron, knocking him off. Carlito jumped down to attack Lashley outside the ring and tried to throw him into the steel steps. Lashley jumped over the steel steps then caught Carlito as he tried to run away up the ramp. Lashley brought Carlito down to the ring on his shoulders and slammed him face first into the apron. Lashley beat Carlito up more in the ring then exited up the ramp as his music played on.

Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Highlights shown of Orton beating Rhodes in last night's Bullrope match, then Orton getting ready to deliver a hard kick to Rhode's head. Just then Cody Rhodes ran down to save his father from Orton.

Orton slapped Cody early on, but Cody returned the gesture with a dropkick to Orton. An enraged Orton began to hammer away at Cody in the ring with fury. Cody tried to do several moves off the ropes and corner of the ring, but Orton continued to beat up the young newcomer. Orton dropped Cody down to the mat while holding him around his neck. Orton then started kicking and stomping Cody down on the mat. Cody finally got up and started to fight back, until Orton dropkicked him off the ropes. Orton continued stomping on Cody, then whipped him hard to the corner. Cody continued to show resilience, as he kept getting back up to fight. Orton knocked Cody down again with a hard clothesline. Cody gained momentum again knocking Orton down. Cody tried to jump off the ropes at Orton but Orton dodged him. Orton waited for Cody to stand up then RKO'd him down quick to get the pinfall victory.

After the match ended, Orton prepared to finish off Cody. Just then, Dusty Rhodes ran down to the ring and punched away at Orton, driving him out of the ring. Dusty tended to his fallen son briefly near the ropes. Orton snuck back into the ring and ran at Dusty, kicking him hard in the head. With Dusty knocked out, Orton prepared to do the same thing to Cody. About 5 referees came into the ring and prevented Orton from the attack. Cody and WWE med staff attended to Dusty Rhodes, who was then taken out on a stretcher.

Winner:Randy Orton wins via pinfall over Cody Rhodes.

Back from break, Ross and Lawler showed footage from the previous match, and showed Dusty Rhodes being taken away on a stretcher as his son looked on.

Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy grabbed the mic from overhead before his match and told the crowd as well as Coach to look no further than here for the #1 contender, Mr. Kennedy. Jeff Hardy came down to the ring looking a bit beat up from his match versus Umaga last night.

Kennedy and Hardy grappled early with Hardy forcing Kennedy to the corner. Kennedy then slapped Jeff in the face to taunt him. Kennedy briefly gained the upperhand punching away at Hardy and attempting a pinfall. Hardy then took control of the match after Kennedy missed a spinning kick move. Hardy had Kennedy's arm held behind his back, but Kennedy was able to twist his body down and toss Hardy out of the ring. Kennedy then tried to slide at Hardy when he stood up, but Jeff got back in the ring then dropkicked Kennedy down outside the ring. Jeff followed up by jumping over the ropes onto Kennedy as RAW took a commercial break.

Back from break, Kennedy smashed Jeff Hardy down in the ring onto his back, then tried a pin. Jeff kicked out at 2. Kennedy continued to dominate and Jim Ross remarked that Coach has to be impressed with Kennedy in this match. Kennedy with a neckbreaker on Jeff and another failed pin attempt. Jeff Hardy fell off the corner ropes after trying to attempt whisper in the wind. Hardy fell to the mat and Kennedy tried for a pin, but Hardy kicked out. Hardy then able to land the Whisper in the Wind on Kennedy, gaining momentum.

Hardy dropkicked a fallen Kennedy in the corner of the ring then tried for a pin, but Kennedy grabbed the bottom rope. Jeff managed to slam Kennedy face first into the mat, then clibmed the ropes for the Swanton Bomb. Kennedy rolled out of the ring. Hardy saw him and got out of the ring, then ran the side crowd barrier and jumped off at Kennedy, clothslining him. The two wrestlers fought outside the ring as Jeff Hardy tossed Kennedy into the side ramp area. Jeff then ran back to the ring and got in just in time to beat the 10 count.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins due to a countout of Mr. Kennedy.

Jim Ross spoke again about Dusty Rhodes getting injured by Randy Orton earlier. Jerry Lawler said this has to have a serious psychological effect on Cody. Footage was then shown of Cody accompanying his father's stretcher into the ambulance.

A promo shown for Triple H's return, billing him as "built better than before". The promo stated Triple H will return at Summerslam.

Kendrick & London vs. World's Greatest Tag Team

Kendrick showed early high flying and quick moves on the offense, until he was dropkicked outside the ring. Shelton Benjamin kept Kendrick down to the mat in a chokehold. Shelton able to land a solid kick to Kendrick's head and tried for a pin. Kendrick finally able to escape the doubleteam of Haas and Benjamin. London came in and began to attack both Haas and Benjami, ultimately knocking Haas down. Kendrick got up and the two did a double dropkick on Benjamin. Kendrick then flew over the ropes but Benjamin moved away causing Kendrick to land outside the ring.

Haas then grabbed London and put him face first on the top rope. As Haas held London there, Benjamin came into the ring, ran off the ropes and jumped onto London's back. Haas then slammed London backwards into a pin for the victory.

Winners: World's Greatest Tag Team wins via pinfall over Kendrick & London.

King Booker appeared on the ramp with Queen Sharmelle. Sharmelle spoke on the mic and told Jerry Lawler his earlier actions were uncalled for. Sharmelle said due to this Lawler will pay a hefty price, and handed the mic to Booker. Booker said next week on Raw he will face him in the ring and beat him like the dog he is. Booker said Lawler's reign of blasphemy is over.

Coach shown exiting his office backstage as Todd Grisham came up to him and asked if he's made his decision on who will face Cena for the WWE title. Coach said he will go announce the decision in a moment. Just then Candice Michelle came running up to Coach, asking him to reconsider having her in the Champions Only match. Candice said she doesn't want to face Umaga because he's a monster. Coach said this match is all about champions so he needs her to represent as a champion. Coach wished Candice good luck and then walked off.

Slam of the week replay shown of Umaga decimating Jeff Hardy last night at the Great American Bash to retain the Intercontinental title.

Candice Michelle & John Cena vs. Umaga, Cade & Murdoch

The Champions Only challenge on Raw set up by Coach which featured every title holder on Raw in a no DQ match. Candice stood at the top of the ramp hesitant to go down to the ring. Cena came out to his theme music, looked at Candice and handed his title to her. Cena then ran down into the ring to start the attack. Umaga, Cade and Murdoch triple teamed the champ. Candice came down to stand on the apron. Ross said Cena would not allow Candice to be put into harm's way. Umaga, Cade and Murdoch continued to gang up on Cena as Candice stood in the opposite corner. Cena started to fight back out of the heels' corner briefly until Murdoch punched him down. Cena gained a burst of momentum and took down Cade and Murdoch who then rolled out of the ring. Umaga came in and Cena went at him. Cena tried to do a flying bodypress off the ropes onto Umaga, but Umaga caught him, then slammed him down hard. Outside the ring Cade and Murdoch came over towards Candice on the apron, causing her to escape into the ring. Candice saw Umaga standing there and she tripped, falling back into the corner of the ring. Cade and Murdoch them held Candice's arms back so that Umaga could run at her.

Just then, Jeff Hardy ran down to the ring for the save with a steel chair, bashing it across Umaga in the ring and all the way up the ramp. Hardy tossed the chair at Umaga hard twice, then chased him backstage. Back in the ring, Cena beat up Lance Cade in the ring and delivered the F-U on him. Cena gained the pinfall victory.

As Cena stood up with his title to celebrate, Randy Orton had snuck into the ring behind him. Orton waited for Cena to turn around then RKO'd him down to the mat, knocking Cena out. Coach appeared at the top of the ramp with the mic and announced Randy Orton as the new #1 contender for Cena's title at Summerslam. Orton stood smiling as he looked down at the champ laying on the mat. Jim Ross remarked about how many legends Randy Orton has destroyed and asked if Cena will be next at Summerslam.

Winners: John Cena and Candice Michelle win via pinfall over Cade, Murdoch and Umaga.