Raw Recap 1.07.08

Raw recap from Uncasville, CT:

Raw kicked off with highlights from last week's showdown between Ric Flair and Triple H. The match looked to be over with Triple H crawling over to try to pin Flair. William Regal came down and pulled Flair away then punched him with the brass knuckles. Flair won due to the disqualification and Triple H lost his spot in the Royal Rumble.

William Regal was shown backstage. An angry Vince McMahon walked in to the office. Regal said he needed to talk and Vince told him it would wait. Vince said tonight's the first Raw of 2008 and the fans are expecting something big. Vince unveiled the Raw Roulette wheel full of the various matches. Regal apologized to Vince for not hitting Hornswoggle last week. Regal said he thought taking HHH out of the Royal Rumble would make up for it. Vince said it did, but he'd be happier seeing HHH injured tonight. Vince said Regal could face HHH, then he spun the wheel. A first blood match came up on the wheel. Vince sent Regal out of the office, where HHH happened to be. HHH immediately attacked Regal and tossed him around backstage. Finally, referees and officials stepped in to hold the Game off with Regal on the ground.

Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Kennedy

Replay shown from last week's match where Mr. Kennedy cleanly beat HBK with a pinfall victory. Before that, HBK beat Kennedy at Armageddon. Kennedy grabbed the mic as the spotlight came on him in the ring. Just then Vince came on the Titantron to spin the wheel for the match. The wheel stopped on "Strange Bedfellows" meaning Michaels and Kennedy would team up tonight.

Shawn Michaels & Mr. Kennedy vs. Charlie Haas & Trevor Murdoch

Two teams made of wrestlers that were unlikely to pair up. Early on, Kennedy took it to Haas, and taunted HBK, pretending to tag but pulling his hand away. Michaels eventually hit Kennedy's back when he went against the ropes. With Michaels the legal man, he kicked Kennedy in the guy then tossed him over the ropes.

During the match, Michaels tossed Haas outside the ring. Haas grabbed a luchador type wrestling mask and put it on, then started posing for the crowd. Murdoch and the masked Haas started to doubleteam and beat up HBK. Michaels crawled over towards Kennedy for the tag but Kennedy dropped off the apron. Michaels was left in the ring where he pulled the mask off Haas, then started to knock him around the ring. HBK went to the top of the corner, landed an elbow drop on Haas, then hit Murdoch off the apron with Sweet Chin Music. Kennedy managed to tag Michaels' back. Mr. Kennedy waited for HBK to hit Haas with Sweet Chin Music, then he entered. Kennedy grabbed Michaels and slammed him back with his finishing move, then grabbed the pin himself on Haas.

After the win, Kennedy crawled over and got in Michaels' face to taunt him while he was down.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy and Shawn Michaels win via pinfall over Charlie Haas & Trevor Murdoch.

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Hardcore Holly vs. Carlito
Trading Places Match

In this match the wrestlers had to dress as each other. Carlito came out with a blond wig on and Holly wore a huge fro wig to look like Carlito. Cody Rhodes and Santino Marella watched from ringside.

An angry Carlito knocked Holly to the mat and started to stomp and kick away at him. Carlito suplexed Holl to remain in control of the match. Holly eventually took over in the corner using chest chops, then whipped Carlito to the ropes. Holly flipped Carlito over his back, then dropkicked him down. Santino got onto the side apron to distract the referee. Cody Rhodes gave Holly an apple which he began to chew up. Holly spit the apple in Carlito's face with the ref turned away. After the Alabama Slam, Holly picked up the pinfall victory, then put his afro wig back on.

Winner: Hardcore Holly wins via pinfall over Carlito.

Mr. McMahon was shown backstage with Maria at the Raw roulette wheel. Vince told Maria she could spin the wheel to determine the match for the divas for tonight. Maria's spin came up with a Submission match. Vince told Maria to close her eyes, then he moved the wheel to "Lingerie Pillow Fight". Vince told Maria the divas would wear sexy lingerie and bring their own pillows to the ring. Maria told Vince her pillows are all natural.

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Highlights from the Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton ongoing feud were shown. These included Jeff defeating HHH to earn the title shot at the Royal Rumble, as well as Orton kicking Jeff's brother Matt in the head backstage. Jeff left the ring after seeing this on the Titantron, causing him to be counted out.

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Jeff Hardy to ask how Matt's doing. Jeff said he's not well and that he spent the night at the hospital with him last week. Jim Ross said it doesn't look too good for Jeff tonight either because the wheel was spun and he will have to face Umaga in a steel cage later on Raw.

Hornswoggle was shown backstage spinning the wheel and running around. Vince came up to his son but there were technical difficulties. Jim Ross apologized for the inconvenience as Vince's dialogue with his son couldn't be heard.

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Raw returned and they showed Vince's taped conversation with Hornswoggle backstage. Vince told his son that in 1999 a McMahon won the Rumble, and it would be great to see him win it this year. Vince said he would need to win a qualifying match tonight to get into the match. Vince said Hornswoggle and a partner could face another team. The winning team would earn spots in the Rumble.

Diva Lingerie Pillow Fight

Melina, Mickie James, Jillian Hall and Maria all were involved in the contest which Vince set up earlier. In the ring was a bed with pillows on it. The first diva to score a pinfall would win it. After the 4 divas were in the ring, Ashley Massaro made a surprise appearance and entered the match.

The divas started to jump around up on the bed and then began to hit each other with the pillows. Jillian and Melina tried to take the bed spread and hide under it in the corner. Maria, Ashley and Mickie took control over their 2 heel opponents. Ashley appeared to be down from an injury, but quickly got up and went after Jillian. Melina and Jillian eventually doubleteamed Ashley on the bed, putting her under the bed spread and hitting her with pillows. Eventually Maria and Mickie grabbed Melina and tossed her over the bed. Melina rolled out of the ring. Maria and Mickie grabbed Jillian on the bed and held her down. Ashley went to the corner and jumped off to land an elbow on Jillian. Ashley took the victory in her surprise return!

Winner: Ashley Massaro wins via pinfall over Jillian Hall to win the diva lingerie pillow fight.

Triple H was shown walking backstage on his way out for the First Blood Match. A commercial for the brand new WWE HD was shown. WWE Raw in 2 weeks will be broadcast in Hi Definition on TV.

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Backstage Hornswoggle was shown looking for his tag team partner. Super Crazy told Hornswoggle "I am super but I'm not that crazy". Super Crazy walked off, and Hornswoggle headed off with an idea.

William Regal vs. Triple H
First Blood Match

HHH immediately went on the offensive, attacking Regal both in and out of the ring. HHH tossed Regal face first into the steel steps. While Regal was down he grabbed the brass knuckles. HHH continued to beat Regal up smashing him against the tables and steps outside the ring. HHH tried to cut Regal's forehead against the steps. Regal finally gained control outside the ring and slammed HHH face first into the steps.

Regal tossed HHH back into the ring and took over, slamming the Game to the mat. Regal removed the corner turnbuckle cover as well. HHH started to punch back at Regal when he came over. Regal tossed HHH face first into the exposed corner, but HHH still wasn't bleeding. Regal continued to punch away on his forehead. HHH finally recovered and took control. HHH hit Regal with a facebuster, then set up for the Pedigree. Regal countered and was able to catapult HHH into the corner of the ring. Regal staggered back against the ropes then delivered a running knee to HHH's face.

Regal brought out the brass knuckles then went to go hit HHH. HHH cut him off and slammed Regal down to the mat. The Game started to furiously punch away at Regal's forehead and the blood eventually started to flow. HHH picked up the win, gaining revenge over Regal for last week's DQ. After the win, HHH stood Regal up and Pedigreed him down for the crowd.

Winner: Triple H wins the First Blood Match over William Regal.

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Hornswoggle tried to plead with Santino Marella backstage to be his tag team partner tonight. Marella told Hornswoggle he didn't want to risk his Rumble spot or disappoint his father, Mr. McMahon. Marella said most importantly that little people "creep him out".

Jim Ross and Lawler reviewed the interference by JBL in the Jericho vs. Orton WWE title match at Survivor Series. Jericho called out JBL in the ring on Raw the next week. JBL came on the Titantron and eventually told Jericho he'll return to the wrestling ring on Raw to prove he's still a wrestling God. The two men got into it last week on Raw when JBL made his debut on the show. JBL came to the ring for a grand celebration, but Jericho came down to the ring to gain revenge and beat him up. JBL and Jericho will face off at the Royal Rumble in a singles matchup.

Jericho made his way out to the ring. The camera cut to Vince spinning the wheel backstage, and Jim Ross said we'd find out Y2J's opponent and type of match after the break.

Chris Jericho vs. JBL & Snitsky
Handicap Match

After Snitsky got to the ring, JBL arrived on the ramp in his white limo. Snitsky started to deliver the beatdown on Jericho. Jericho managed to elide Snitsky off the ropes, but Snitsky soon clotheslined him back down. Snitsky slammed Jericho to the mat then ran at him. Jericho avoided it and Snitsky got caught up on the top of the ropes. Y2J then jumped off the rope and kicked Snitsky, causing him to fall outside the ring. JBL entered the ring and quickly knocked Jericho out of the ring.

Outside the ring JBL began to beat up Y2J visciousy. JBL used the ring bell to clock Jericho over the head then shoved the ref away. JBL continued the punishment by slamming Y2J face first into the steel steps, then wrapping a cable around Jericho's neck. JBL drug Jericho by the cable around the ring then up the ramp area. JBL continued with beating up Y2j slamming him face first into a crowd barrier then kicking him around. JBL eventually climbed up a metal scaffold out near the crowd and hung part of the cable up there as if he was going to hang Jericho. A group of refs and WWE officials came out to prevent JBL from doing any more damage.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via disqualification over JBL & Snitsky.

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An ad was shown for tomorrow night's ECW show. Tomorrow night will feature a Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk rematch. If Chavo wins he will earn a shot at Punk's ECW title.

Jerry Lawler had his laptop open with a look at various wrestlers who have qualified for the Rumble during live WWE events. Umaga, Hardcore Holly, Snitsky, John Morrison and The Miz were shown as contestants to qualify so far.

BH Jordan & Hornswoggle vs. The Highlanders

Hornswoggle's partner was an etremely skinny, unknown wrestler. All of a sudden a car crashing sound effect was heard, and out came Mick Foley. Foley told the amateur in the ring to head backstage as he became Hornswoggle's new partner.

Foley started to beat up Rorie early on, Hornswoggle tagged in and was able to kick Rorie in the head, dropkick him and jump on him. Robbie tagged in and quickly threw Hornswoggle down to the mat. Foley came in to break up his pinfall attempt. After Foley tagged back in, he was overcome by the Highlanders who started to keep him in their corner and beat him up. Foley eventually was able to hit Robbie out of the ring through the ropes and then pulled out Mr. Socko. Robbie got back to the ring on the top ropes as Foley was preparing to go after Rorie. Foley turned and shoved Socko into Rorie's mouth as he jumped off the ropes.

After tossing Rorie out of the ring, Foley tagged in Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle was able to land the tadpole splash off the corner ropes to pickup a pinfall victory. Hornswoggle and Foley earn spots in the 2008 Royal Rumble!

Winner: Mick Foley & Hornswoggle win via pinfall over The Highlanders to earn spots in the Royal Rumble.

The steel cage began to lower down from the ceiling for the main event match between Umaga and Jeff Hardy.

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Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga
Steel Cage Match

As Umaga got into the cage, all of a sudden Randy Orton's music hit. Orton came out to the apron with his belt, then down to ringside. Jeff kept his eye on Orton as the match started.

Early on, Umaga began to knock Jeff around the ring, slamming him down fiercely. Jeff was able to slide under Umaga's legs from off the ropes. Umaga tried to sit down on Hardy, but Jeff moved. Despite Jeff gaining brief momentum, Umaga quickly knocked him back down. Umaga tossed Hardy to the corner then charged at him. Jeff moved and Umaga hit into the corner. Jeff took control of the match briefly again. Off the ropes Jeff ran at Umaga who flipped him up towards the cage wall. Jeff grabbed the wall and started to climb up. Umaga saw Jeff making the escape and grabbed his leg, then yanked him down to the mat hard. Raw went to commercial with Jeff down and Orton yelling to Umaga.

Raw returned with Orton seated at ringside watching Umaga choke Jeff down on the mat. During the break, Umaga did a side slam on Hardy to the mat. Umaga started to beat up Jeff and held him to the mat. Orton stood around the sides of the cage yelling to Umaga to destroy Hardy. Jeff willed his way to his feet finally. Umaga tossed him to the ropes but Hardy fought back. A second time, Umaga did a backdrop throwing Hardy into the cage wall over the ropes. Umaga started to headbutt Hardy and slam his head against the cage wall. Umaga then ran off the ropes and splashed onto Jeff against the wall.

Umaga went for a pin but Jeff put a leg up on the bottom ropes. Orton went wild outside the ring and began to grab steel chairs to toss into the ring. After 3 chairs were thrown over the top of the cage, Umaga took one and smashed it across Jeff's back. Umaga went for the pin on the fallen Hardy but Jeff barely kicked out. Umaga started to climb the cage wall with Jeff still down. Jeff finally got up and grabbed Umaga causing him to fall onto the top rope on his groin. Jeff set up one of the chairs, ran off the ropes and jumped at Umaga to hit him with his legs.

Umaga gained the upperhand again after escaping a new Twist of Fate. Orton continued to stalk around the outside of the ring as Umaga set up Jeff seated in the ring corner. Umaga ran and went for the hip splash with Jeff moving away. From here, Jeff started to take control, throwing a chair at Umaga, then DDT'ing him face first onto one. Jeff tried for a pin with Umaga kicking out. Jeff went for the door exit, but Orton slammed it on his face. With Jeff down, Umaga put an arm on him for the pin. Jeff barely kicked out. Umaga stood Jeff up and went for the Samoan Spike, but Jeff countered to hit the Twist of Fate.

Jeff climbed up the cage wall with Umaga down. Orton ran over to where Jeff was trying to exit. As Jeff got to the top he saw Orton below. Jeff opted for a Whisper in the Wind and flipped back into the ring landing on top of Umaga. Jeff picked up the exciting pinfall victory. Raw ended with Jeff climbing the cage wall to look down at Randy Orton outside the ring. Jim Ross said it will be "one hell of a year we're gonna have!"

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Umaga in the Steel Cage Match.