Raw Recap 01.14.08

Raw recap from Mobile, AL:

Highlights were shown from last week's Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga steel cage match. Jeff Hardy managed to win after landing a Whisper in the Wind off the top of the cage down onto Umaga. Randy Orton was ringside to witness Hardy's victory. Raw ended with Jeff up on top of the cage staring down at Orton.

Raw opened with Jeff Hardy coming out to the ring carrying his Intercontinental Title. Jeff addressed the crowd and told them he's excited about his WWE title shot in 2 weeks. Hardy said he's also promised to take out Randy Orton and it's going to happen tonight. Hardy called out Orton to the ring. Orton eventually appeared at the top of the ramp, belt on his shoulder. Orton said Hardy can have him, but with one condition. Orton said only 2 men have held the WWE title and the IC title at the same time. Orton said he wants to be the third and challenges Jeff for the IC title tonight. Hardy accepted the challenge and said he'd take Orton out tonight.

Footage shown from 2 months ago, when Ric Flair said he will never retire, and Vince McMahon told him the next time he loses, his career's over. Jerry Lawler announced Flair will face William Regal tonight in a Career Threatening Match.

Ashley, Maria & Mickie James vs. Jillian, Melina & Beth Phoenix

Prior to the match Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed how WWE.com has superstar advice for Britney Spears.

Early on the heels took control of the match as they dominated both Ashley and Maria. Maria finally escaped Beth Phoenix to tag in Mickie James. mickie used a headscissors to take Beth out of the ring briefly. Mickie went over and knocked both Melina and Jillian off the apron. Mickie was able to get back into the ring and jump off the ropes onto Beth. The two divas continued to battle. Mickie eventually did a leapfrog over Beth, but Beth was able to pick her up for a fisherman's suplex. Beth Phoenix dominates yet another opponent for the win.

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

Backstage Regal told Vince McMahon he will end Ric Flair's tonight. Vince gave a gift to Regal and insulted Mobile, Alabama in the process. Snitsky appeared in the office and told Vince he has been waiting forever and wants the chance to hurt some more people. Vince told Snitsky he can face Triple H tonight.

Commercial shown for Raw which will be in Hi-Def next Monday.

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Footage shown from last year's Royal Rumble which came down to Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in the ring. Undertaker was able to toss HBK over the ropes to earn a title shot at Wrestlemania.

Shawn Michaels vs.Trevor Murdoch
Rumble Qualifying Match

Prior to the match HBK took the mic and asked if he really needed to have a qualifying match. HBK said he was last year's runner up and has won the Rumble on two occasions. Michaels said rules are rules so he won't sidestep WWE's authority. HBK said his match will be against Mr. Kennedy, who he came out to challenge. Just then Trevor Murdoch's music came on and Trevor came to the ring for the qualifying match.

Murdoch knocked HBK around the ring early on using a boot to the face and an Irish Whip to knock him down. Michaels fought back and was able to take Murdoch down off the ropes. HBK landed a flying clothesline off the ropes, then slammed Murdoch to the mat. HBK climbed the corner ropes and connected on the elbow drop, then set up Sweet Chin Music. Murdoch fell back when he saw HBK come at him with the kick. HBK grabbed Murdoch's legs and put on a Figure four submission causing Murdoch to tap out.

After the match, footage of Mr. Kennedy came on the Titantron. Kennedy said Michaels can't handle the fact that he beat him in the past few weeks. Kennedy said HBK's ego can't let it go that someone's better than him. Kennedy said as for HBK's challenge, he doesn't really need to fight him or prove anything. Mr. Kennedy said out of respect he'll beat him one more time next week on Raw.

After Kennedy went off the Titantron, Trevor Murdoch tried to attack HBK from behind but Michaels turned and hit him with the Superkick.

Winner: Shawn Michaels wins via submission over Trevor Murdoch.

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Footage was shown from the legendary match at Wrestlemania VI with Intercontinental Champ the Ultimate Warrior facing WWE champion Hulk Hogan. It was title for title and the Ultimate Warrior defeated Hogan to take both titles, becoming the first in WWE history to do so.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler ran down the matches for Royal Rumble so far including Jericho vs JBL, and Hardy vs Orton.

Backstage Vince was with Hornswoggle. Vince said he's concerned about him being in the Rumble. Vince said he wants to give him some experience tonight with a "mini Royal Rumble" match. Vince said Mr. Kennedy will be the first participant, then Mankind, then Batista and a surprise or two. Vince said if Hornswoggle's successful tonight he just may have a chance to win the real Royal Rumble. Vince grabbed Hornswoggle around the neck and choked him a bit and reminded him his last name's McMahon and not to forget it.

Triple H shown walking backstage on the way out to the ring to face Snitsky.

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WWE Rewind showed Raw from two weeks ago where Triple H and Flair competed. Flair got the win but only thanks to interference from William Regal who caused a DQ.

Triple H vs. Snitsky

Snitsky took control early on by slamming Triple H face first to the corner. Snitsky whipped HHH to the opposite corner, but HHH came back to clothesline him. Snitsky went to clothesline HHH over the top rope, but HHH dropped down and pulled the rope. Snitsky spilled out of the ring as Raw hit break. When Raw came back, Triple H received a boot to the face from Snitsky in the ring. Snitsky began to ram HHH in the corner of the ring then whipped him across to the other side. Snitsky used a sideslam but HHH managed to kick out of the pin attempt. HHH got up and started battling back, then ran off the ropes. Snitsky caught him in a bear hug. HHH finally got the energy and strength to break out of the bear hug.

Snitsky picked up HHH on his shoulder but HHH slid off. The game used a DDT and knocked Snitsky to the mat. Both men layed on the mat then got to their feet. Snitsky whipped HHH to the ropes and HHH used a facebuster then a spinebuster on him. HHH went for the Pedigree but Snitsky was near the ropes and flipped him over.Snitsky exited the ring then tossed HHH into the steel steps. Snitsky removed the top steps and placed HHH on the others. Snitsky went to slam the steps on HHH but the Game moved. HHH picked up a steel chair and smashed it across Snitsky. The ref called for the bell, disqualifying HHH.

HHH was upset after the loss and brought the sledgehammer into the ring. HHH rammed it into Snitsky's gut, then used the Pedigree to slam him to the mat. As HHH walked up the ramp, Vince appeard on the Titantron and a screen near the top of the ramp. Vince advised HHH to calm down. HHH with the sledgehammer still in hand smashed it into the screen causing sparks and an explosion. Smoke came from the broken screen as HHH posed for the crowd.

Winner: Snitsky wins due to disqualification of HHH.

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Commercial shown for the Armageddon DVD which is on sale tomorrow. Raw returned with the Titantron screen still smoking from the ramp. Backstage Vince McMahon screamed in HHH's face. Vince asked what other havoc he's gonna cause. Vince said he can't trust HHH so he's putting him back into the Royal Rumble match as long as he wins next week. Vince wouldn't mention who HHH will face.

Footage shown from Raw two weeks ago, when JBL arrived to the ring. Chris Jericho came out to spoil the celebration by attacking Bradshaw down near the ring.

JBL arrived to the ring in his suit with balloons falling from the rafters. JBL said there was supposed to be a "savior" for WWE. JBL showed footage of what he did to Jericho last week on Raw choking Y2J with the cable and dragging him up the ramp by it. JBL said the savior is at home now where he should have stayed before. JBL talked about how much he enjoys power. JBL delivered a message for Y2J to the camera. JBL said he had a message for Jericho's kids, and told them to notice the marks around Jericho's neck. JBL said he's bigger, stronger and better than Jericho. JBL told Jericho to let his kids know how much of a coward he is. As JBL left the ring several pyrotechnics shot off and JBL raised one arm in the air.

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5 Man Mini Rumble Match

Hornswoggle came to the ring and then a miniature version of Mr/ Kennedy came to the ring. The mini Kennedy tried to grab a mic from overhead, but couldn't reach it. The two began to compete and mini Kennedy started taking control with a kick to Hornswoggle in the corner. Just then mini-Mankind came dow and entered the match. Hornswoggle whipped mini Kennedy into Mankind. Mini Mankined was able to knock down Hornswoggle then went for his own socko. Hornswoggle was able to throw mini Mankind out, then pressed mini Kennedy over head to toss him over the ropes. A mini Batista came out next and posed to Batista's normal explosives display. Hornswoggle ran at mini Batista near the rope but tripped.

Time ran down and a mini Kane came to the ring. Mini Batista managed to use a spinebuster on the mini Kane, then Batista Bombed him to the mat. Hornswoggle got up and started to kick mini Batista. Finally, Hornswoggle threw out the mini Batista and then fought with the Kane. Mini Kane was able to clothesline Hornswoggle off the corner ropes then went for a chokeslam. Hornswoggle blocked it twice then did a backdrop slam to eliminate the miniature Kane. Just then Khali's music hit. This time it was no miniature and the real Khali came to the ring.

Khali got into the ring and put his hands on Hornswoggle. Just then, Finlay came running down to the ring and attacked Khali. Finlay smashed a shilaleigh on Khali several times and Khali rolled out of the ring. With Khali's manager in the ring still, Finlay went in and kncoked him to the mat.

Winner: No winner due to Khali and Finlay getting involved in the match.

Backstage, Finlay confronted Vince McMahon about what just happened. Vince said he had no part in Khali going out to the ring. Finlay grabbed Vince. Finlay mentioned "their deal" and Vince angrily told Finlay he could blow off his steam on Smackdown in a match against Khali this Friday. Finlay called Vince a liar before leaving the office.

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Ric Flair vs. William Regal
Career Threatening Match

Raw came back from a commercial, match in progress. Regal grabbed Flair's leg and tried to make him submit down on the mat. Flair escaped from the ring and pulled Regal's leg out. With Regal down on the mat, Flair smashed Regal's leg against the ringpost. Flair got back in the ring and was able to slap the Figure Four onto Regal. Regal stretched and crawled over to grab the bottom rope.

Regal went for a rollup pin on Flair and pulled on Flair's tights. The ref noticed and stopped the count. With Regal protesting, Flair rolled Regal up and used the same trick, pulling Regal's tights. Flair captured the pinfall victory.

Winner: Ric Flair wins via pinfall over William Regal.

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Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
IC Title Match

Randy Orton delivered a lowblow to Hardy to start the match off. With Jeff down on the mat holding his groin the ref called the bell quickly for the DQ. Orton grabbed a mic from outside the ring and said the show's not over. Orton threw Jeff through the ropes out onto the ramp. Orton then exited the ring and ripped all the mats off the concrete floor. Orton went for the RKO on Hardy but Jeff was able to fight out of it. The two men started fighting up the ramp. Jeff punched away at Orton driving him to the top of the ramp. Orton tossed Jeff face first into the Raw set at the top of the ramp.

With Jeff down, Orton ran at him near the top of the ramp. Jeff was able to flip Orton up and off the top of the ramp. Orton was left laying in a boxed off section down below. Jeff went down then tossed his shirt off and climbed the scaffold. From the top of the scaffolding Jeff did the Swanton and landed on top of Orton. Several referees and WWE officials rushed over with a stretcher to remove both fallen wrestlers. Raw went off the air with Jeff and Orton being removed by officials and medical personnel. As Jeff was being wheeled away on the stretcher he raised his hand up to signal to the fans that he was OK.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins due to DQ to retain the Intercontinental Title.