WWE Raw Recap 12.03.07

Raw recap from Charleston, SC:

Raw started off with highlights of Y2J's return to WWE including his posing the question to Randy Orton for a title match. Also shown were highlights of Flair's return to WWE Raw including his match last week against Randy Orton. Y2J interfered in the match and Flair gained the win due to his distraction.

Y2J started off the show by arriving down to the ring and speaking to the crowd. Jericho said since Orton wouldn't answer his challenge for a title match he had to take matters into his own hands and force Orton to answer. Footage was shown on the Titantron of Orton in the ring after his match with Flair last week. Orton agreed to give Jericho a title match at Armageddon due to the fact he interfered in his match. As Jericho continued to speak all of a sudden, Randy Orton came down to the ring, title belt on his shoulder.

Orton and Jericho got into each other's faces in the ring and as they prepared to battle, William Regal came to the top of the ramp to intervene. Regal said he didn't want the Armageddon match to happen early so tonight Y2J and Orton will choose each other's opponents. Orton told Y2J he can face the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga tonight. Jericho chose Shawn Michaels to face Orton tonight.

Maria and Mickie James shown walking backstage on the way out for their match.

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Mickie James & Maria vs. Melina & Beth Phoenix

Maria started off with Melina and Maria was able to jump off the ropes onto her. Melina reversed things down on the mat and began to punch Maria. Beth tagged in and went to beat up Maria, but Maria was able to escape and tag in Mickie. Mickie tried to go to the corner ropes but Beth pulled her off to the mat. Beth ran over and knocked Maria off the apron then went back to punish Mickie. Beth put Mickie on her shoulder then slammed her down followed by a fishermen's suplex. Beth captures a quick pinfall over Mickie James for the win.

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

Todd Grisham interviewed Shawn Michaels backstage about his match later tonight against Randy Orton. Michaels said he'll go up against Orton yet again and this time Sweet Chin Music is legal. Michaels said he's knocked Orton's head off many times in the past. Just then, Mr. Kennedy showed up on a TV behind Michaels. Kennedy told HBK he needs to start thinking about their Armageddon match. Kennedy said next up HBK can watch a blast from the past that just might break his heart.

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Advertisement shown for Armageddon with the Jericho vs. Orton title match highlighted.

Mr. Kennedy arrived to the ring and grabbed the mic to tell Shawn Michaels to pay attention to the next matches. Kennedy said he invited 3 of HBK's friends to come out to the ring so they could discuss HBK. Kennedy called out Marty Jannety first saying Michaels refused to share the spotlight with him. Out came another guy posing as Jannety. Next up Kennedy introduced "Razor Ramon" and another fake came to the ring dressed as Razor. Lastly Kennedy introduced "Diesel" and yet another fake came down to the ring.

Kennedy then invited Shawn Michaels to the ring and a fake dressed up as HBK came to the ring carrying a sparkler in his hand. Kennedy asked each man to give one word to describe Michaels and they called him "egotistical", "chump" and "traitor". Kennedy then told the fake HBK he was a "loser". Just then, HBK came down to the ring and Kennedy rolled out. Michaels kicked and knocked down the 3 impostors and faced his impersonator in the ring. The man quickly rolled out of the ring and HBK stared down Kennedy who was standing outside the ring.

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An advertisement was shown for next week's 3 hour Raw to commemorate 15 years of RAW.

Vince McMahon shown in an office backstage with Coach. Vince finished a cell phone call and said Hulk Hogan will be at next week's Raw and Coach said Trish Stratus will also be there. They also discussed Eric Bischoff, Stone Cold and Mick Foley being there. Just then Hornswoggle showed up standing at Vince's leg. Vince say Hornswoggle down and told Coach to leave. Vince told his son next week in the ring they will have a McMahon family portrait done in the ring including Stephanie, Shane, Linda and Hornswoggle. Vince called Coach back in and told Hornswoggle he will be facing Coach and Carlito in a match tonight with Finlay not present. Coach said "good luck kid" before leaving the office. Hornswoggle found a cell phone as Vince and Coach left.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed how last week Jeff Hardy and Triple H were announced as opponents for Armageddon. Triple H shown in a back locker room and Regal entered. HHH asked Regal what was behind him setting up the match with Jeff Hardy. Regal told HHH his whole career is based on beating people he despises. Regal said HHH doesn't hate Jeff Hardy. HHH told Regal he'd Pedigree his own grandmother or even father in law. Regal also mentioned the winner of this match will receive a title match at the Royal Rumble.

Umaga shown angrily walking backstage on his way out to the ring.

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Highlights of Jericho's match against Santino Marella last week. Jericho finished off Marella with double knees to the face to capture the pinfall win.

Chris Jericho vs. Umaga

Jericho got Umaga down to the mat in a hold and began to elbow him in the head. Umaga was able to flip Jericho up and then tossed him over the ropes to the crowd barrier. As Jericho climbed back in Umaga knocked him to the mat then splashed him. Umaga continued to hammer away at Jericho while he was down then applied a vice grip to Jericho's shoulder. Jericho struggled to get out of the hold and got to his feet. Jericho managed to catch Umaga off guard and knock him to the corner. Y2J then ran at Umaga but got a foot to his face. Umaga started to beat up Jericho from corner to corner of the ring.

Umaga left Jericho seated in one corner and ran at him for the hip splash. Jericho moved away and then jumped off the ropes to hit a stunned Umaga. Both men were down on the mat as the ref counted. Jericho and Umaga both got to their feet and started to go at it. Jericho ducked Umaga's punch attempt then ran off the ropes to bulldog him. With Umaga down on the mat, Y2J did a springboard flip off the ropes onto Umaga. Umaga escaped a pin attempt and tried to run at Jericho in the corner. Jericho avoided it and was able to do the double knees to Umaga's face.

Just as Jericho was preparing for a pin, Randy Orton came down to the ring and kicked Jericho in the stomach. Orton followed it up with a RKO and stared down at a fallen Jericho.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins due to disqualification when Randy Orton interfered.

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Jim Ross and Lawler discussed next weeks big 3 hour show saying that Vince McMahon will select the top superstar in Raw history.

Hornswoggle vs. Carlito & Coach

Carlito and Coach got on their knees in the ring to mock Hornswoggle's height as he came to the ring. Hornswoggle went over to Lillian and whispered into her ear. Lillian then said for the match Hornswoggle hired protection. The APA came down the ramp and Simmons and JBL went into the ring at Coach and Carlito. Carlito was quickly tossed from the ring and APA turned their attention to Coach. With Coach down on the mat Hornswoggle went out to the apron. JBL clotheslined Coach down hard with the Clothesline from Hell off the ropes. Hornswoggle climbed the corner ropes and then APA helped toss him off onto Coach for the splash.

Hornswoggle exited the ring up the ramp and JBL took the mic. JBL said the APA is available for help but only if you have enough money to pay for it. JBL said people can see him nightly with Neil Cavuto at 6PM and Friday night on Smackdown. Ron Simmons tried to speak into the mic several times but JBL kept pulling it away to talk. Simmons finally snatched the mic from his hand. Simmons looked at JBL for a moment then yelled "DAMN!" in his face.

Winner: Hornswoggle wins via pinfall over Coach and Carlito.

Backstage Todd Grisham talked to Snitsky about his Intercontinental title match against Jeff Hardy tonight. Snitsky said pain is his pleasure and it will be his pleasure to leave the ring as new IC champ tonight.

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WWE Rewind shown with Triple H and Jeff Hardy facing Umaga and Snitsky last week on Raw. Hardy captured the win with a Swanton Bomb after HHH Pedigreed Umaga.

Snitsky vs. Jeff Hardy
IC Title Match

Snitsky and Hardy grappled with Snitsky pushing Jeff to the ropes. Jeff slid under Snitsky and was then whipped to the corner. Snitsky ran at him and Jeff jumped up. Snitsky was able to catch Jeff up on his shoulder then ran to the other corner to ram Jeff into it. Snitsky began to beat up Jeff around the ring and started to choke him with a boot to the neck in the corner. Snitsky put a submission type hold on Jeff in the center of the ring to wear him down. Jeff was able to knee Snitsky in his leg and ran off the ropes at him. Snitsky with a side slam and Jeff barely escaped a pin.

Snitsky continued to treat Jeff like a ragdoll knocking him around the ring. Snitsky landed a vertical suplex on Jeff but then missed on a leg drop off the ropes. Jeff mounted an offense flying at Snitsky off the ropes with a low dropkick. Jeff got the Whisper in the Wind knocking Snitsky back. Jeff's pin failed so he went for Twist of Fate. Snitsky shoved Jeff to the corner then ran at him with his boot but Jeff moved. Jeff was able to climb the top rope and did a Swanton Bomb on Snitsky to pickup a pinfall victory.

After the win Snitsky knocked Jeff down from behind. Snitsky grabbed a steel chair from ringside and came in to further punish Jeff. Just then, HHH's music hit and the Game came walking down the ramp with a sledgehammer in hand. Snitsky looked ready to go at him with the chair, then rolled out as HHH entered. HHH helped Jeff to his feet and grabbed him by the hand. HHH looked Jeff in the eyes squarely and said something to him before exiting up the ramp.

Winner: Jeff Hardy retains the IC title via pinfall over Snitsky.

JR and Lawler reviewed earlier highlights of Jericho vs Umaga with Randy Orton coming down to interfere in the match.

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Smackdown Rebound highlighted Edge's interference in the Undertaker vs. Batista "Hell in a Cell" match at Survivor Series as well as the relationship between Vickie and Edge. Also show was the title match between Edge and Batista on Smackdown. Batista had the upperhand and prepared to spear Edge down but just then the lights went out. Undertaker appeared in the ring with his hand on Edge's throat. Batista ran and speared Edge down, so Undertaker chokeslammed Batista to the mat. Then Teddy Long came out from backstage and announced that all 3 men will meet at Armageddon.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the matches for Armageddon including Kennedy vs. HBK, HHH vs. Jeff Hardy, and Finlay vs. Hornswoggle.

Backstage in an office Jillian Hall was singing Christmas carols to Vince McMahon. Jillian exited as Regal showed up to inform Vince that Stephanie was on her way to the arena.

Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton

Michaels started with chest chops on Orton, and Orton quickly ran out of the ring to recover. Michaels went out to chase him and Orton rolled back in. As HBK rolled in Orton took advantage and hammered down on him. Orton whipped Michaels to the rope and put his head down and Michaels landed a neckbreaker. Michaels dropped Orton to the mat for a headlock. HBK held the hold tightly on Orton, but Randy got to his feet. Orton was able to come off the ropes and hit an elbow on Michaels knocking him to the mat.

Orton then began to stomp down on Michaels on the mat. Orton went to suplex HBK but he countered and flipped over Orton's back. Orton tried for a RKO but Michaels pushed him to the ropes. Orton came off and tried to roll up HBK in a pin. Michaels escaped and grabbed Orton's ankle for an ankle lock. Orton was able to crawl on the mat and eventually used his leg to flip HBK off to the mat. Orton went for a pin, but HBK escaped to apply yet another ankle lock. Orton was able to crawl to the bottom rope and the ref broke the hold. Orton rolled out to the outside floor as Raw hit commercial break.

Raw returned with Michaels chest chopping Orton in the ring. Michaels got behind Orton and put a hold on, but Orton escaped. Orton went back to the ropes and HBK clotheslined him out to the floor. With Orton down near the time keeper at ringside, HBK went for a Superkick. Orton moved away and Michaels kicked the timekeeper in the face. The man went down to the floor unconscious. Michaels checked on him then went back into the ring to face Orton. Orton was able to grab Michaels as he tried to enter the ring and DDT'd him off the middle rope. Orton began to stomp on HBK down on the mat. Orton put Michaels in a headlock down on the mat. Michaels got to his feet and started to chop Orton. Orton was able to whip him to the ropes and HBK flew off with a clothesline. Michaels went for a backslide pin but failed.

Michaels slammed Orton to the mat and then did a flying elbow off the top ropes. HBK set up the Sweet Chin Music. As HBK prepared he spotted Kennedy outside the ring. HBK flew over the top rope on top of Kennedy. The two men began to brawl and HBK was counted out. HBK and Kennedy continued to fight as they went into the crowd. Orton grabbed a mic to announce himself as winner and WWE champ. Just then Chris Jericho came running down the ramp and into the ring to attack. Jericho jumped on Orton and started beating him up. Back on their feet, Orton went for an RKO but Jericho reversed it to put Orton into the Liontamer. Orton grabbed the bottom rope and managed to escape to retreat up the ramp.

Winner: Randy Orton wins due to countout of Shawn Michaels.

Backstage Vince was shown in his office with Stephanie. Stephanie said she was there to talk to him out of concern because he invited a lot of people to the show who despise him next week. Stephanie said Vince should consider not being there next week and Vince said everyone can go straight to hell.

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