Raw Recap 12.31.07

Raw recap from Greensboro, NC:

Raw opened with highlights of Randy Orton, and a narrator discussing how Orton was the greatest superstar this past 2007 for all of Raw, The show opened with Orton already in the ring with the spotlight on him. Orton discussed his plan to still be WWE champ at the end of 2008, Just then, the #1 WWE title contender, Jeff Hardy came down to the ring to interrupt Orton.

Jeff told Orton the one thing he doesn't have lately is momentum. Hardy had the highlight shown from their tag match, where Jeff scored the pinfall on him. Hardy said it proves he can beat him. Orton told Jeff he was going to show him how momentum can take a quick turn. Orton dropped his mic and got in Hardy's face, then went for a quick RKO. Hardy escaped it and hit the Twist of Fate, knocking Randy down to the mat. Jeff posed up on the corner on the ring, then left up the ramp with Orton still down in the ring.

Highlights were shown of Ric Flair's recent win or retire saga. Jerry Lawler then said tonight we will see Flair in another "Career Threatening Match", but this time against Triple H. Jim Ross said next up, Shawn Michaels will face Mr. Kennedy/

Ad shown for next Monday night's Raw at Mohegan Sun. Next week fans will be treated to Raw roulette, where matches are decided by a spin of the wheel.

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Jeff Hardy shown backstage and Matt came walking up to him. Matt discussed how he may be back in action for the Royal Rumble, then mentioned having an opportunity to face Jeff for the WWE title when he wins.

Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Kennedy

Early on Michaels used several armbars and takedowns, until Kennedy backed him to the corner. HBK sent Kennedy to the opposite corner. Michaels did a slide towards Kennedy in the corner and went outside the ring. HBK grabbed Kennedy's feet and yanked him to the mat, then slammed his knee against the mat. Back in the ring, HBK put Kennedy into a Half Boston Crab. Kennedy eventually escaped the hold and with Michaels on his feet, Kennedy charged right at him, tackling him through the ropes. HBK was left outside the ring as Kennedy got back in. HBK barely beat the count back in. Raw headed to a commercial with Kennedy kicking HBK.

Raw returned with Kennedy and HBK battling in the corner. Kennedy connected on a knee to HBK's head in the corner, knocking him down. The two continued to battle in the ring. HBK had Kennedy down on the mat and started using elbow drops on him but Kennedy eventually escaped. Kennedy picked up Michaels and slammed him into the corner, then hung him upside down. Kennedy continued to focus on the low back of HBK, and climbed the ropes. HBK knocked him off, but Kennedy got back up again and was able to suplex Michaels off the ropes.

HBK took control again but was unable to connect on the elbow drop. Michaels and Kennedy continued their battle and each went for pins on the other several times in the center of the ring. Kennedy was finally able to grab Michaels and slam him down face first to the mat to pickup the pinfall victory.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy wins via pinfall over Shawn Michaels.

Todd Grisham interview HHH backstage and asked his thoughts on tonight's match vs. Flair. Triple H said tonight Flair is right, that when he loses he will lose to the best. Vince McMahon walked up behind HHH with William Regal. Vince told Regal to let HHH know what happens if he loses against Flair, and Regal informed HHH it will mean he doesn't participate in the Royal Rumble match.

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Jillian Hall, Big Dick Johnson and Ron Simmons where shown backstage and presented a Happy New Years song to the fans, with Jillian singing and Johnson dancing. Simmons stopped them then exclaimed "DAMN!".

Vince McMahon told Regal backstage he would start his New Year with a great match tonight. Vince said Regal can face Hornswoggle in a Tough Love match tonight, and Regal said he could teach him a thing or two.

Ross and Lawler presented last week's highlights from WWE's Tribute to the Troops. Vince McMahon and other superstars such as Jeff Hardy, Layla, Kelly Kelly, Maria, Rey Mysterio and John Cena were shown hanging out with the troops.

Jerry Lawler said tonight we will see the arrival of JBL to Raw to begin his new wrestling career.

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Footage shown from the very first Royal Rumble, where Hacksaw Jim Duggan won after being the 13th man to enter the match.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs Umaga

This was a Royal Rumble qualifying match with the winner being entered into the big PPV match. Umaga gave an uppercut early knocking Duggan down. Umaga pummeled Hacksaw in the corner, leaving him seated. The Samoan Bulldozer backed up and then charged from the opposite corner, connecting on the hip splash. Umaga picked up a bleeding Duggan in the center of the ring and delivered the Samoan Spike, then picked up the quick victory.

Winner: Umaga wins via pinfall over Hacksaw Jim Duggan to qualify for the Royal Rumble.

Flair shown backstage talking to Cody Rhodes and Bob Holly. Vince came in and the tag team left. Vince asked Flair if he's ready for tonight to be his final walk down the ramp because after tonight, it's over. Jim Ross said we may see a heartbreaking situation for Flair later tonight if he has to end a career.

Highlights shown from Armageddon WWE title match, with JBL interfering to cause the DQ and cost Jericho the win. Up next JBL is set to arrive to the ring on Raw.

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JBL's white limo drove out onto the ramp with red and black balloons and streamers falling from the rafters. JBL got into the ring and a series of pyrotechnics went off to celebrate his arrival to Raw. JBL continued to pose in the ring, raising one arm, as more fireworks went off at the ramp. JBL's music continued to play and sparklers went off from the corner ring posts.

JBL said on this New Year's day, history was made because JBL has returned. JBL said he didn't have to return, but he loves to dominate and own people by squashing them. JBL continued to talk about money, but just then Jericho's music hit. Y2J came charging down to the ring and JBL got outside. Jericho rammed JBL into the crowd barrier and the two went down to the floor fighting. Several refs and WWE personnel got involved to try to break them apart. Once separated, JBL was visibly bleeding on his forehead and enraged. Raw headed to commercial break.

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Backstage JBL berated the WWE refs and officials saying they will treat him with respect.

Mickie James vs. Melina vs Beth Phoenix
Triple Threat Title match

The 3 divas faced off with the Women's Title on the line. Beth hit Mickie early with Melina watching from the corner. Mickie started to punch Beth in the ring, and Melina came over to grab Mickie. The two started to fight in the corner of the ring, with Beth grabbing Mickie and slamming her to the mat.

Mickie and Melina eventually teamed up a bit to dropkick Beth and take her down to the mat. Mickie went for a pin afte rshe hit Melina to the mat, but Beth was able to get up and break it up. Melina and Beth doubleteamed Mickie off the corner ropes, then Melina tried to roll up Beth for the pin. Mickie ran over to bulldog Melina and prevent the pinfall.

Eventually Melina and Mickie tossed Beth to the outside then did a double dropkick from the ring. With Beth knocked outside the ring, Mickie tried to finish off Melina and take the pin. Beth quickly re-entered the ring and kicked Mickie, then tossed her out of the ring. Melina was still laying flat on the mat, so Beth took advantage using a suplex on Melina. Mickie rushed into the ring to try to break the pin but was too late.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Melina to retain the Women's title.

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Vince McMahon and William Regal made their way down to the ring for the Tough Love match.

Hornswoggle vs. William Regal

Vince gave his son a hug prior to the match and had the two men shake hands. Regal fought in his suit clothes and dress shoes. The two locked up and Regal walked Hornswoggle to the corner. The ref broke them apart and Regal locked him up again as Hornswoggle came back. Again Regal backed him to a corner with the ref breaking it apart. Regal took down the leprechaun and threatened to punch him. Vince McMahon got onto the apron and motioned for Regal to come over. Vince gave Regal instructions, but Hornswoggle ran over and hit Regal's leg. Regal turned around and knocked him down then threatened to punch again. Vince retrieved brass knuckles from Regal's jacket pocket and told him to use them.

Regal threatened to punch the leprechaun but wouldn't do it as Vince yelled for him to. Eventually, Regal let him go and Hornswoggle rolled out of the ring. Vince entered the ring and slapped Regal. Vince said that match was a test of Regal and he failed. Vince angrily ordered Regal to leave the ring. and Regal walked off up the ramp.

Winner: No contest as the match ended with no winner.

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Jeff Hardy vs Santino Marella

Marella arrived to the ring with Maria and Carlito. Jeff backed Santino to a corner early and then backed off. Santino managed to take control after a slap to Jeff's face. Marella knocked Hardy to the mat and tried for a quick pin. Jeff was able to elude Marella trying to send him to the ropes, then knocked Marella to the corner. Jeff ran at Marella and delivered a dropkick on him. Jeff got up on the corner ropes for the Swanton. Just then, Randy Orton appeared up on the Titantron. Orton said Jeff will have to ring in the New Year bringing his brother to the ER. Orton had Matt down and then delivered a kick to his head backstage. Jeff took off from the ring to go check on his brother.

Winner: Santino Marella wins due to countout of Jeff Hardy.

Raw returned with JR and Lawler discussing the attack by Orton on Matt. JR said Matt hadn't been cleared medically to compete after his appendectomy.

Flair and HHH talked backstage. HHH seemed to guarantee victory. Flair said he felt like he was looking a mirror 20 years ago. Flair said he expects HHH to be the man and they're always best friends. Flair told HHH he isn't the man yet until he puts him away. HHH told Flair he's always strived to be the man Flair was and is.

Ric Flair vs. Triple H
Career Threatening Match

HHH and Flair pulled each other's arms behind their backs early. After a brief takedown to the mat, both men got up again, this time with HHH forcing Flair back down. HHH used a headlock but Flair shoved him to the ropes. Flair was able to score an armbar takedown and HHH layed against the ropes nodding that the match was now on.

HHH got back up and into Flair's face and began to punch him down. HHH got Flair to the corner and they traded punches and chops. HHH and Flair fought again in another ring corner, with Flair chest chopping the Game around the ring. Flair sent HHH to the ropes, but HHH landed a facebuster knocking Flair's face into his knee. After a failed pin by HHH, he began to punch Flair in the corner again.

HHH failed at another pin after a suplex. Flair continued to use chest chops, and HHH sent him to the ropes to deliver a spinebuster. Triple H waited for Flair to stand and set up a Pedigree. Flair reversed and slid HHH to the mat for a pin. HHH kicked out and the match continued. HHH applied a sleeper hold and Flair went down to the mat. Flair was able to gain the strength to stand, and slammed HHH back. The ref counted with both men down on the mat but they eventually stood up.

HHH irish-whipped Flair to the corner and charged but was met by Flair's elbow. Flair went to the top corner and HHH came at him. Flair was able to knock HHH off and deliver a clothesline from the corner ropes. Flair took out HHH's leg when he stood up several times, then went to put the Figure Four on. HHH kicked him to the corner. As Flair came back, HHH went for a sleeper hold. Flair countered and dropped HHH's knee onto his, then applied the Figure Four. HHH tried to stretch for the side ropes with Flair holding the Figure Four. HHH eventually was able to pull himself back and grab the bottom rope. With a wounded leg, HHH was able to get up briefly and hit the Pedigree on Flair. HHH crawled over to make the pin. Just then, William Regal came down to the ring. Regal reached into the ring and grabbed Flair then hit him with the brass knuckles. The ref immediately called for a DQ, awarding the win to Ric Flair. Triple H was enraged and screamed at the ref.

Raw closed out with HHH helping his friend Flair to his feet as Flair's music played on.

Winner: Ric Flair wins due to disqualification when William Regal interfered in the match.