Raw Recap 03.03.08

Raw recap from Indianapolis. IN:

Raw opened with Triple H, Randy Orton and John Cena shown backstage side by side. William Regal addressed them and says he has a great idea for their Triple Threat match. Regal said for the next 3 weeks, one of them will be in charge of the Raw show to pick the main event. Regal said it will start tonight and John Cena is in charge to pick the main event.

Orton suggested that they make a pact and whoever is in charge just gives the other two the night off. Triple H joked about it saying he doesn't trust either Cena or Orton. Cena told them that after being Pedigreed and RKO'd in consecutive weeks he would come up with an extremely satisfying main event tonight.

Big Show vs. Brandon "The Thrill" Hill
Mixed Martial Arts Exhibition

Pin, submission or knockout would be the only ways to win the match. Floyd Mayweather shown watching the Big Show's match live from Las Vegas. Before the ref could go over the rules, Show walked up to the much shorter 5'7 Hill and bumped him with his chest. Show continued to stare the man down and shoved him before the bell. As the bell sounded, Show went after Hill but Hill ducked under the ropes scared. Hill finally came at Show in the center of the ring and was punching away at the midsection. Show picked up Hill with both hands and tossed him to the corner, then delivered a huge boot as Hill came at him. Show followed up with a vicious choke slam, slamming Hill onto the mat. Show placed one foot on Hill's chest and scored the pinfall victory.

After the win Show got on the mic to banter with Mayweather who appeared on the Titantron from Vegas. Mayweather claimed he'll break Show's jaw next time. The two kept jawing at each other, then Show grabbed his opponent from the match and pressed him overhead, then tossed him over the top rope.

Winner: Big Show wins via pinfall over Brandon Hill.

Jerry Lawler and Ross discussed how Flair will face Shawn Michaels at WM24 in the Career Threatening match. Tonight the two would be teaming up in a match.

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An advertisement for the Triple H King of Kings DVD coming March 25th was shown.

Shawn Michaels & Ric Flair vs. Cade & Murdoch

Flair worked on Murdoch early with chest chops in the corner. Murdoch knocked Flair down eventually but missed on an elbow drop, allowing Flair to tag in HBK. Cade & Murdoch started to doubleteam HBK, keeping him away from Flair. Michaels was able to put a foot up in the air as Murdoch jumped at him off the ropes. Michaels and Murdoch both got up and made the tags to their partners. Flair cleared the ring of Murdoch and went to work on Cade. Cade grabbed Flair for a sleeper hold, but Flair quickly reversed it and locked a Figure Four on Cade. Murdoch tried to make the save but HBK ran in to knock him down. Michaels put a Figure Four on Murdoch as well, and finally Cade tapped out to Flair.

After the match, HBK grabbed a mic and told Flair he doesn't want to fight him at WM24 anymore. Michaels said he's the "Showstopper" and if Flair keeps pushing for the WM24 match he will be "stopping Flair's show". HBK left the ring and walked up the ramp leaving Flair in the ring.

Winner: Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels win via submission over Cade & Murdoch.

William Regal shown backstage on a cell phone telling someone that Cena's in charge tonight and "they didn't like it". Cena told Regal for tonight he will have the main event match as Orton versus Triple H. Regal asked Cena if he was just taking the night off. Cena said he no because has some unfinished business to attend to with Mr. Kennedy. Cena told Regal he can leave the office now because it's his.

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Next week's Raw will be a Wrestlemania Rewind featuring matches from Wrestlemanias of past. The show will feature Randy Orton, John Cena, Undertaker, Edge, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk and more competing in matches. Next week Raw will have a start time of 8PM EST and be a 3 hour special.

Super Crazy vs. Umaga

William Regal sat at ringside to watch Umaga, his representative for WM24. Umaga absolutely dominated and decimated Super Crazy, tossing him around the ring like a rag doll, then using the Samoan Spike. Umaga scored the pinfall as Regal told the commentators Raw will be the superior brand at WM24.

Winner: Umaga wins via pinfall over Super Crazy.

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Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel

Jericho announced his show had returned after a long time off. Jericho said his show trumps all other WWE attempts, Carlito's Cabana, Cutting Edge, Are You Smarter than a Snitsky and Cooking with Goldberg. Special guest Jeff Hardy came down to the ring and fans chanted "Hardy" for him. Y2J had footage shown of how he beat him last week to qualify for Money in the Bank. Y2J told Hardy there's nothing he or anyone else can do to stop him from winning at WM24. Hardy told Jericho he's going to do everything it takes to win the match and become WWE champion.

Y2J reminded Jeff that he was a former champion, and that Jeff is no longer his friend, but is now an opponent. Jericho said from here until WM24, anything goes. Hardy said he agreed and put a hand out to shake. Y2J accepted the handshake, but suddenly Jeff kicked him in the gut, then hit the Twist of Fate on him. An angry Jericho looked out from the ring, holding his head as Jeff made his way up the ramp.

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Commercial shown with Carlito and Maria eating outside in Florida. As Carlito tried to smooth talk Maria, all of a sudden a seagull attcked Carlito, causing a huge scene. Carlito wrestled the gull down to the ground then started to punch it, leaving a bunch of feathers in his hair. As the Wrestlemania 24 ad ended, a pigeon crapped on Carlito's shoulder and Maria shook her head. A postcard was shown for Wrestlemania 24, March 30, 2008 from Orlando, Florida.

Mr. Kennedy vs. John Cena

Slam of the week showed Mr. Kennedy grabbing Cena for the Mic Check then quickly leaving him in the ring with Triple H.

Early on, Cena was able to leapfrog Kennedy after coming off the ropes, then brought him down to the mat in an armhold. Kennedy got to his feet as Raw went to a commercial break. Raw returned with Cena whipping Kennedy to the corner then hitting the bulldog on him. Kennedy escaped outside the ring and Cena chased him. Kennedy slid into the ring then back out. As Cena tried to grab him from over the ropes, Kennedy yanked him down against the ropes. Kennedy proceeded to DDT Cena on the apron, then mocked him outside the ring.

Kennedy beat Cena up outside the ring and threw him back into the ring to try a pin. Cena kicked out and the match continued. Kennedy knocked Cena to the corner then delivered a running boot at him. Another failed pinfall and Kennedy tried to keep beating Cena up. Cena battled back from Kennedy's hold, but Kennedy dropped him back to the mat. Kennedy kept dominating and went for a 3rd pinfall. Cena finally escaped to clothesline Kennedy, then Cena gained control. Cena landed a leg drop onto the back of Kennedy's head from off the corner ropes, then put him into the STFU. Kennedy tapped out giving Cena a win.

Winner: John Cena wins via submission over Mr. Kennedy.

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Maria shown backstage with Candice Michelle. Jerry Lawler said the two divas will head out to the ring to unveil Maria's Playboy cover, next.

Maria's Playboy Cover Unveiled

Jerry Lawler was in a specially decorated red ring with the Playboy logo on it. Lawler introduced Maria to the crowd with Candice Michelle. Jim Ross informed fans that the Bunnymania match at WM24 wil lbe MC'd by Snoop Dogg, and it will be a Lumberjill match.

Maria told the crowd it's been a great honor to be featured in Playboy. Lawler congratulated Maria and then had a red sheet pulled off the extra large sized cover in the ring. The cover was revealed, but showed Santino Marella's face on Maria's face and her private areas. Lawler asked what this was about, and just then Santino Marella came to the ring, mic in hand.

Marella apologized but said Maria left him no choice. He said she wouldn't listen to him so he had to take action. Marella told Maria "let's go", and Maria said "No". Marella tried to tell maria that he is the man and makes the decisions. Maria told Marella she will make this decisionm and wll let fans see her in Playboy. Maria tried to grab Maria as she said "No", but Lawler shoved Marella down, causing him to roll out of the ring. Candice Michelle took the mic and then had the real Playboy cover shown. A huge banner like poster fell from the rafters, showing Maria in short black short and a silver top, with WWE ring ropes behind her.

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Footage shown of yesterday's UAW-Dodge 400 NASCAR race, where big WWE fan Carl Edwards won it. Carl Edwards teamed with John Cena on the Gilette Racing reality TV show last season. Edwards won a belt for winning the Dodge 400 race and remarked maybe he'd give it to John Cena at some point.

Carlito vs. Cody Rhodes
Money in the Bank Qualifying

Early on both wrestlers tried for pinfalls on each other. Carlito eventually gained control, slamming Rhodes to the corner. Carlito hit Rhodes with a swinging neckbreaker, but failed again at the pinfall attempt. Both guys continued to try to pin each other, and Rhodes gained control. After continuing to try to roll each other up, Carlito was able to hit a quick "Backstabber" on Rhodes, driving Rhodes' back into his knees. Carlito picked up the pinfall and will now head to Wrestlemania 24.

Winner: Carlito wins via pinfall over Cody Rhodes to qualify for the Wrestlemania 24 Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

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Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler interviewed Floyd Mayweather live via satellite from Las Vegas. Footage was shown of Show annihilating his boxing opponent earlier, who Lawler noted outweighs Mayweather. Mayweather said he plans to be the best he can when he does anything whether it's MMA, boxing or WWE. Lawler asked Mayweather if what Show will do to him is worth 20 million. Mayweather said he's the true king and they will change WWE to MME, "Money Mayweather Entertainment".

WWE reporter Mike Adamle talked near the crowd at Raw and introduced footage of the 3 WWE Hall of Fame inductees so far, Flair, Rocky Johnson and Maivia. Adamle then introduced the next person to be inducted into the Hall, longtime female wrestler and diva, Mae Young. Miss Mae Young has been a WWE competitor for almost 8 decades and has appeared in numerous skits and matches as she's become older. Footage was shown of all sorts of Mae's antics on Smackdown, Raw and Pay Per Views. Also shown were interview footage from Brisco and other WWE personalities.

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Footage of the Steel Cage incident two weeks ago on Raw was shown for the "Raw Rewind". JBL decimated Hornswoggle inside the cage with a helpless Finlay cuffed to the rope to watch and yell at JBL.

Finlay came to the ring with new theme music which sounded like an upbeat, slightly rock version of Hornswoggle's song. With shilaleigh in hand he awaited JBL to arrive to the ring. First up, Mr. McMahon came out with a mic in hand to the top of the ramp. Vince asked for someone to give Finlay a mic, because Vince had questions for him before JBL. Vince asked Finlay if he conspired with members of the McMahon fmaily, and Finlay said yes. Vince asked if it was true that Finlay is Hornswoggle's father. Finlay said it's true and he is proud of it. Vince said Bradshaw had traffic problems but would appear on the Titantron.

JBL showed up on the Titantron, but he was at the hospital with Hornswoggle. JBL talked about how he enjoys preying on the innocent, like Hornswoggle. JBL also said he will face Finlay but on his terms, at WM24. JBL then slapped Hornswoggle in the face. JBL said he doesn't think Finlay or the fans need to see what he's going to do to Hornswoggle and shut off the light. A bunch of noise including crashing trays and metal was heard along with Hornswoggle's screams. Finlay just stood in the ring staring out as Raw left for a commercial.

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Randy Orton vs. Triple H

John Cena joined JR and the King at ringside to call the match. Cena discussed the strengths and greatness of his two opponents for WM24. Early on Orton grappled with HHH into the corner. The ref broke it apart and Triple H stared straight into Orton. They went to the other corner where the ref broke things again but HHH slapped him. HHH gained control, dropping Orton down to the mat for a headlock. HHH continued using a headlock takedown with Orton countering it using a headscissors around HHH's neck. At one point, Orton was down near the ropes. HHH went over to him and Orton grabbed the tights to pull HHH out of the ring.

Orton followed HHH outside the ring to begin beating him up. HHH recovered and slammed Orton face first to the steel steps. Back in the ring, Orton hit an iverted bacbreaker on HHH. The crowd got behind the Game after he kicked out of a pinfall. Orton began to stomp on HHH's body parts while he was down and drove a knee into HHH's sternum. HHH was able to elbow a charging Orton at the corner and the two began trading punches. HHH took control and managed to knee Orton down. Orton rolled to the outside, but HHH followed him out to attack. The two got back into the ring, and HHH hit a Spinebuster. Orton rolled to the outside, grabbed his belt and began to walk around the ring.

John Cena left the announce table and confronted Orton about leaving the match. Triple H came out and ran at Orton from behind smashing him into Cena. Cena and Orton hit the floor. Orton finally got back into the ring but HHH set him up for a Pedigree. An angry John Cena slid into the ring and hit HHH from behind, then waited for him to stand up and gave him an F U. Orton was back to his feet fast and hit the RKO on Cena out of nowhere. Orton staggered around then picked up his WWE title to hold up as Cena and HHH lay on the mat.

Winner: Triple H wins due to disqualification when John Cena entered the ring.

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