WWE Raw Recap 09.17.07

Raw recap from Nashville, TN:

Raw opens with highlights of Orton attacking Cena's father with a boot kick to the head after Cena's match. Orton tried for the same last night at Unforgiven, but this time John Cena came to the rescue, spearing Orton and putting him in the STFU. Cena's dad then ran at Orton and kicked him in the head to get sweet revenge. Afterwards, Johnathan Coachman told Cena's father that John Cena will defend his title in a "Last Man Standing" match. Cena came up and shoved Coach down saying "you mess with him you mess with me".

John Cena came out with his WWE title to start the show. Cena spoke to the crowd from in the ring, despite a mix of boos and cheers. Cena said for the past several weeks he's had pent up aggression and anger, but tonight he feels fabulous. Cena discussed losing to Orton by DQ, and then the match set for No Mercy, a "Last Man Standing" title match between he and Orton. Cena said when he gets his hands on Orton at No Mercy, he can do just what he wants and will tear through him.

Coach came on to the ramp and told Cena he's lucky he still has a job after what happened last night. Coach told Cena he's made a match for tonight, Orton vs. Cena, because everyone wants to see it. Coach then said he met with Cena's dad earlier today and informed him he was going to strip Cena of the WWE title. Coach said Cena's dad agreed to be the Cena who faces Randy Orton tonight in the ring .

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JR and Jerry Lawler discussed the matchup scheduled beween Cena's dad and Orton with Lawler saying Cena's father brought this on himself.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy (Intercontinental Title)

Highlights shown of last week's beatdown that Hardy received at the hands of Great Khali in their match on Raw.

Shelton took over early, tossing Jeff to the corner then slamming him back. Shelton continued to punch Hardy around the ring then missed a clothesline off the ropes. Hardy took control, dropping Benjamin to the mat then dropkicking him. Benjamin eventually was able to wrap up Jeff's left arm in a hold, with Jeff reversing and dropping Shelton back to the mat. Shelton was able to recover and ran at Jeff near the ropes, and Jeff flipped him over. Shelton landed on the apron and tried to attack Hardy but ended up receiving a strong kick from Jeff, knocking him off. Jeff then jumped over the top rope, landing on Shelton as Raw went to break.

When Raw returned, Shelton was applying a headlock to Hardy on the mat. During break, Jeff missed a flip from off the ropes and Shelton used a kick to knock him down. Jeff started to build momentum and ran at Shelton who picked him up and dropped him face first. Shelton continued to dominate focusing on Jeff's head, due to last week's Khali vice grip attack. Shelton tried to keep Jeff down with a headlock until Hardy got to his feet briefly. Again, Shelton knocked him down. Shelton stalked Hardy and when both men got to their feet, they ended up clotheslining each other down. Jeff then seized momentum after Shelton missed a kick from the corner. Jeff went for the Twist of Fate, but Shelton reversed to use a backbreaker. Shelton continued to have near pinfalls.

Hardy eventually went to the corner ropes with Shelton climbing up as well. Shleton tried for the suplex, but Jeff pushed him off the ropes then did the Swanton Bomb on him to score the pin.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Shelton Benjamin to retain the Intercontinental title.

2007 WWE Diva Search volleyball competition shown, with the blondes competing with the non-blondes. Competition #2 will be "Diva limbo" and premieres tomorrow. Head over to WWE.com to vote for your favorite contestant and see more info/videos.

Vince McMahon shown seated in the back of a limo, as the door opens and Coach gets in with him. Coach tried to calm Vince down over the whole illegitimate son situation. Vince asked Coach if "the plan was set", and Coach said the plan is all set. Just then the camera cut to Hornswoggle seated in an infant seat and eating Lucky Charms from the box. VInce told Coach to take care of Hornswoggle tonight. Hornswoggle left the limo with Coach as McMahon looked disgusted.

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Raw rewind shown of Santino Marella attacking Ron Simmons as he was talking to Maria. Marella then took Maria by the hand and led her away.

John Cena show backstage in a lockerroom with his father. Cena told his dad he does not need to risk his health over the WWE title. Cena's dad said he will not allow Coach to strip his son of the title. Cena's dad said like it or not he will be wrestling tonight.

Santino Marella shown knocking on the Diva's locker room door. Jillian came out and told Santino that Maria doesn't want to talk to him after what happened last week. Jillian gave Santino a way to impress Maria saying they could sing a country music duet. Jillian began to sing "Achy Breaky Heart" and Santino stopped her. Santino said he had a better idea, then left.

Vince and Coach shown walking backstage, with Coach saying he couldn't catch Hornswoggle because he was too quick. Irish music was distinctly playing and Vince went with Coach to his office to check it out. Vince's office was decorated with various green Irish decorations and boxes of Lucky Charms. Vince was enraged and yelled at Coach to find Hornswoggle. Just then,Hornswoggle appeared from behind a table of gold coins and slipped by Coach. Coach ran after him out the office door. Vince turned around and saw a horse with a golden unicorn spike, then backed away out of the office.

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Daivari vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan (Flag Match)

The object of the match was to capture the flag from the pole hanging above your corner. Daivari immediately tried to climb the corner ropes but Duggan pulled him off then slammed him down. Duggan went for his US Flag, but Daivari pulled him down and attacked. Daivari tried to make his way to his flag again and got up onto the poll. Duggan yanked him down by his tights and Daivari landed on the turnbuckle. Duggan then punched Daivari off. Duggan limped over and climbed up to his flag. Daivari ran over and climbed up with him. The two started to battle with Duggan smashing Daivari's head against the pole, causing him to fall to the outside. Duggan grabbed his flag for the victory.

Winner: Hacksaw Jim Duggan wins by grabbing his US Flag first.

Backstage, Cody Rhodes begged Coach to put him into the match with Randy Orton instead of Cena's dad. Coach said no and he'd let him know if he was needed. Then John Cena walked up and told Coach to stop the match. Coach told Cena he has a match as well tonight and if he can win it, then his dad will not have to face Orton. Coach told Cena that his dad's fate will be in his hands.

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WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon came down to the ring looking like all business. Vince discussed the surprising revelation that a leprechaun is his illegitimate child. Vince then introduced his new son, Hornswoggle who came dancing down the ramp to the ring. Vince got down on 1 knee to talk to his son. Vince said that the thing about being a McMahon, is that if Vince dies, Hornswoggle will get a lot of money. Vince said its not all about money though and he has some legal papers for him to sign, because Vince is putting him up for adoption.

Vince then introduced Hornswoggle's new parents, and the couple came down to the ring. Hornswoggle begged Vince not to put him for adoption. Hornswoggle attacked the man who was trying to adopt him, pulling his shorts down. Hornswoggle then bit the woman on her butt and pushed her to the ropes. The couple ran off up the ramp. Vince angrily looked at Hornswoggle and told him "stay the hell away from me". Vince yelled at Horswoggle and sent him backstage, teary eyed.

As Vince continued to yell at the crowd, Triple H's music came on and The Game came down to the ring. Triple H told Vince he went through a lot of trouble today to decorate Vince's office and it was hard to find a unicorn in Tennessee. Triple H discussed Vince not being so much a "Genetic jackhammer" as he is a "Genetic Jackass". Triple H continued to make jokes about Vince and his son, causing Vince to get visibly upset. Vince told HHH he might have problems, but HHH will have his own problems now in a handicap match against the tag team champs.

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Commercial with highlights of Unforgiven was shown. Undertaker was featured with highlights of his arrival to the ring and his match against Mark Henry.

Triple H vs. Cade & Murdoch (Handicap Match)

Raw came back from commercial with Cade and Murdoch trying to doubleteam HHH. Triple H ducked their clothesline then knocked both down, and flipped them over the top ropes. Carlito came out and stood at the top of the ramp eating an apple and looking at HHH. Cade tried to attack HHH from behind, but HHH intercepted him. Cade was able to use a neckbreaker off the ropes to take HHH down.

Murdoch tagged in and started to hammer away at HHH in the corner, then whipped him to the other. Murdoch jumped off the ropes to knock HHH down again. Cade came back in an HHH tried to gain momentum. Cade used a jumping heel kick and knocked HHH down, then tagged in Murdoch. Murdoch tried to jump off the ropes but HHH put a foot up and caught him. Both men got to their feet, with Murdoch tagging in Cade. HHH took control and began to clothesline both men down as Murdoch got in the ring. The two then tried to doubleteam HHH but HHH escape Cade's grip then threw Murdoch out of the ring. HHH used a spinebuster on Cade and then grabbed the pinfall victory.

Immediately, Carlito ran down to the ring and started to attack along with Cade and Murdoch. Kendrick and London came rushing to the ring from backstage and chased Cade/Murdoch out. Carlito remained in the ring with HHH. As Carlito looked out at the tag teams, the Game stood up behind him. Carlito turned and HHH delivered a spine buster. Carlito rolled out of the ring. Just then Kendrick and London returned and offered handshakes to HHH, like they were all cool. HHH shook each man's hand then proceeded to punch each and Pedigree both down. Kendrick and London in the ring. HHH shrugged as he looked at both wrestlers laying in the ring.

Winner: Triple H wins via pinfall over Cade & Murdoch.

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The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix was standing near the commentator's table. JR and Lawler reviewed highlights of the Beth vs. Candice match from Unforgiven last night with Candice picking up the surprise pinfall victory.

Melina & Jillian Hall vs. Candice Michelle & Mickie James

Melina forced Mickie to the corner early, but Mickie recovered and started to attack both opponents. Mickie and Melina spilled off the top ropes allowing Melina to gain control and tag in Jillian. Jillian continued to beat up Mickie, tossing her by her hair Melina and Jillian continued to work together beating up Mickie. Mickie and Melina caught each other in a double clothesline, eventually allowing Mickie to get up and jump for the tag to Candice. Candice came in and began to dominate Melina, with Beth Phoenix looking on.

Candice tried for a bridge pin, but Jillian entered the ring breaking it up. Jillian eventually got in the ring and Candice used her finisher the "Candy wrapper" to knock down Jillian. Candice made the pin for the victory. Just then, Beth Phoenix entered the ring with the Women's title and handed it to Cnadice, staring her down. Beth shoved Candice back, then left the ring staring at Candice as she backed up the ramp.

Winners: Candice and Mickie win via pinfall over Melina and Jillian.

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Behind the scenes of "The Condemned" shown with Stone Cold discussing his role and the story.

Vince walking backstage with Coach discussing the match John Cena has tonight. Vince asked Coach what happened to Hornswoggle. Coach said nobody has seen him, so he must have scarred him for life. As Vince got in his limo and it began to leave the garage, the trunk door opened and Hornswoggle popped out waving "bye Coach!". Coach yelled "Mr. McMahon" but it was too late as the limo left the arena garage.

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JR and Jerry Lawler announced that Triple H and Carlito will have a steel cage match next week on Raw.

John Cena vs. Santino Marella

Cena's chosen opponent was revealed to be Santino Marella. Cena laughed as he asked the ref it this was for real. Cena took control verly early using a suplex and then the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Marella. Santino rolled out of the ring to recover. Cena went out after him and tossed him back in, then set up for the F U. Just then, Randy Orton ran down and entered the ring, causing a disqualification on Marella. Santino grabbed Cena and helped Orton beat him up. The two men isolated Cena in the corner of the ring, then Orton produced a pair of handcuffs. Orton handcuffed Cena to the bottom ring rope and pushed him out of the ring.

Coach came out onto the ramp and told Cena he failed to mention one detail, that Cena needed to win his match by pinfall or submission, not DQ. Coach said Cena's dad will still face Randy Orton in a match, next. Cena, cuffed to the bottom rope started shouting at the ref to find a key.

Winner: John Cena wins due to disqualification of Santino Marella.

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John Cena's Dad vs. Randy Orton

With Cena still cuffed to the bottom rope, Orton came down to the ring with a cold stare. John Cena grabbed his dad's arm as he went to get in the ring, but his father brushed it off and entered the ring. Orton grappled with Cena's dad briefly then looked at Cena as he shoved his dad down. Orton began to kick and stomp on Mr. Cena then stepped on his hand and foot. Cena yelled at Orton to look into his eyes. Orton continued to beat up Cena's dad. Just then, Cody Rhodes ran down to the ring and caused for the ref to ring the bell. Rhodes tried to intervene and attack Orton, but Orton got the upperhand and tossed him out of the ring. Orton went out after Rhodes and whipped him into the steel steps. The ref ran over to break things up, and Orton re-entered the ring to deal with Cena's dad some more.

Orton RKO'd Cena's dad down then prepared to beat him up in the corner. Cena managed to pull apart the bottom rope and get into the ring, chasing Orton off. Orton retreated up the ramp and stared back at John Cena, as Cena kneeled down to look at his fallen father.

Winner: Randy Orton wins due to disqualification when Cody Rhodes intervened.