Raw Recap 03.24.08

Raw recap from University of SC:

John Cena charged down to the ring to kick off Monday Night Raw. Cena told the crowd that after weeks of Pedigrees, F-U's, muscle injuries and more that on Sunday "we dance". Cena reminded the audience that Sunday is Wrestlemania and he's ready to go. Just then, Big Show's music hit and Show came down to the ring. Big Show told Cena that this Wrestlemania will go down in history because he'll end Floyd Mayweather's boxing career. Show said his moment will replace Hogan slamming Andre the Giant as single most replayed moment in Wrestlemania history.

JBL came out next to interrupt saying he's the one who makes history and did so when he revealed the identity of Hornswoggle's true father. JBL said his match has no rules and he will deliver the biggest beating of the night. JBL asked Cena if he knew what he meant and Cena said he wasn't paying attention because he was remembering how he beat JBL at Wrestlemania 21. Just then, Randy Orton made his way down to the ring with a mic. Orton told everyone he's going to still be champ and retain his title at Wrestlemania. Just then, Umaga came down to the ring and began staring down Orton, JBL and Big Show. Umaga snatched the mic from Orton's hand and began yelling in Samoan. Cena told everyone he can interpret and he agrees with Umaga, that Randy Orton will no longer be WWE champ after Wrestlemania.

To top things off, Triple H's music hit and The Game came down into the ring. HHH with mic in hand said he's wearing the brand new HHH T shirt and it's awesome. Triple H said everyone made convincing arguments about Wrestlemania and their history. HHH said there's one reason they are all in this business, the WWE title on Orton's shoulder. Triple H said the event's being held at a venue with no roof because if there was a roof Orton, Cena and HHH would blow it off. HHH vowed that at Wrestlemania "the King of Kings goes back on his throne". Everyone began arguing in the ring, but William Regal came to the ramp with a mic. Regal said tonight's main event will be a 8 man No DQ match featuring Orton, Umaga, JBL and Big Show facing Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair.

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Raw Rebound showed highlights from last week's Flair vs. Vince McMahon Career Threatening street fight match. Shawn Michaels came down to aid Flair and pulled the ref away from a pin by Vince, allowing Flair to eventually win it. Flair's career goes on and he will head to WM 24 to face Shawn Michaels.

CM Punk & Chris Jericho vs. MVP & Carlito

Jim Ross mentioned Y2J's altercation with MVP on Friday night Smackdown. JR also mentioned there will be a Wednesday press conference at Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, 12 PM EST.

The tag match featured all 3 brands of WWE, with 4 of the 7 men from this Sunday's MITB Ladder match. Punk gained the early advantage on MVP before tagging in Jericho. Y2J came in to clean house, eventually knocking the legal man Carlito out of the ring. Jericho stared down MVP in the ring as Raw went to commercial.

Raw returned with a change in momentum as Carlito was using chest chops on Jericho in the corner. Jericho managed to escape off the ropes and tripped Carlito into them, then delivered a bulldog. Jericho went for a springboard Lionsault off the ropes with Carlito moving. Jericho went for the Lion Tamer and MVP came into the ring. Jericho grabbed MVP and put him in the Lion Tamer, but Carlito intervened to hit Jericho out of the ring. MVP went out and attacked Jericho before tossing him back in for Carlito.

Jericho eventually built up momentum against MVP and began to crawl towards Punk for a tag. MVP got up just as Punk came in to attack. Punk scored a powerslam and near pinfall on MVP, then started to kick him. Punk hit MVP with a knee in the face, then used the bulldog. Punk went for a springboard off the ropes, but MVP moved. Jericho got into the ring to try to help, but MVP ducked a Y2J kick which hit Punk, knocking CM to the mat. MVP took advantage by grabbing the pin on Punk, as Carlito pulled Jericho out of the ring.

Winners: MVP & Carlito win via pinfall over CM Punk & Jericho.

Commercial shown for WWE Hall of Fame ceremony which will be televised this Saturday on USA at 11PM EST.

Advertisement shown for the latest installment of WWE the Music Volume 8 which features the theme songs of ECW, Jesse & Festus, John Morrison and more!

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Mr. Kennedy backstage interview was shown, with Kennedy saying Wrestlemania is better every year. Kennedy says this year Flair retires, Undertaker's streak ends and most importantly Mr. Kennedy wins the MITB match to cash in and become champ. Kennedy said he will be the story of Wrestlemania 24. JR discussed the MITB match and then Ric Flair who may end his career at WM24. "Leave the Memories Alone", music by Fuel was played along with Flair career highlights. Ric Flair's family shown in attendance at Raw. Flair shown sitting backstage in a locker room and JR said Flair wants to confront Michaels tonight.

Footage shown of Artie Artwell, Big Show's trainer and Big Show training. Also shown was footage of Show discussing how he has a major advantage in height and size over Mayweather, making him easy to beat. Show said he will pick up Mayweather and throw him. Show also guaranteed that Mayweather will never box again. Show's trainer said "it's gonna be bad weather for Mayweather".

Hardcore Holly vs. The Great Khali

JR and Lawler discussed how Khali is one of the 24 men in the battle royal at Wrestlemania, with the winner getting to face Chavo Guerrero for his ECW title.

Early on, Khali shoved Holly to a corner and began to kick and elbow him. Khali put the vice grip on Holly's shoulder, keeping him down on the mat. Holly got to his feet and started to fight back until Khali gave a huge chop to knock him down. After Khali picked up Hardcore with both hands and slammed him down, Holly was down for the count.

Winner: The Great Khali wins via pinfall over Hardcore Holly.

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WWE Rewind showed the Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon Street Fight from last week. Vince had Flair pinned, but HBK came down to pull the ref away. Flair's career was saved and Flair crashed down onto Vince on a table to make the pin.

Ric Flair made his way to the ring wearing a grey suit. The Nature Boy thanked the crowd, then told them he's glad to know people respect him. Flair said for the past week people have been approaching him all over to congratulate him on beating Vince last week. Flair said Shawn Michaels interfered though to save him and Flair is now losing respect for Michaels. Flair asked HBK to come down to the ring to talk it over.

Michaels came to the ring to face Flair. HBK told Flair and everyone that he was only giving Flair backup, because he thought that's what Flair would do in a similar situation. Flair told Michaels to shut up and removed his suit jacket. Flair said he doesn't need anyone telling him who he is. Flair took out a championship belt from a bag, saying it was the NWA championship that Flair won back in 81'. Flair listed off all sorts of legends he fought, such as Larry Zabisco, Sting and Ricky Steamboat. Flair said he wants to prove he can still beat the best in Shawn Michaels at WM24. Flair asked HBK if he's asking too much for him to bring his A Game.

Shawn Michaels said he'll be there to give him the headliner, the main event and without choice, The Showstopper. HBK said come Sunday Flair will step into the ring with Mr. Wrestlemania. Flair said he expects nothing less. The two shook on it, but before HBK left the ring he reminded Flair of the story of Old Yeller, where the old dog had to be put out of its misery. Flair ripped open his shirt and went crazy. Flair was enraged and went up to Michaels, slapping him in the face twice and telling him to do it now. Michaels repeated "I'm putting you out of your misery", then exited the ring with Flair still there.

Footage shown of Floyd Mayweather punching on a bag and discussing his matchup with Big Show at WM24. Mayweather discussed his money and his fanbase.

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Footage of Big Show on Late Night With Conan O'Brien was shown. Conan discussed the Mayweather match as well as Show throwing Mayweather out of the ring.

Maria vs. Melina w/ Beth Phoenix

Jim Ross said it's going to be tough for Maria to survive Bunnymania without a partner this Sunday, since Candice Michelle has a clavicle injury she just had surgery for.

Melina charged Maria in the corner but Maria avoided her. Maria climbed to the ropes but Beth Phoenix tripped her from outside the ring. Just then, Ashley came charging down to the ring and started to yell at the divas. Beth Phoenix argued as well. Santino Marella came down to the ring, and Jerry Lawler got into it as well. William Regal came out from backstage and announced they would have a six person inter-gender tag match.

Jerry Lawler, Ashley & Maria vs. Melina, Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella

Lawler battled Marella in the ring using dropkicks to knock Marella to the mat. Lawler continued to school Marella and he went over to tag Melina. Melina challenged Lawler to hit her in the face. With Melina turned away talking to Beth Phoenix, Lawler tagged in Ashley. Ashley walked right over and punched Melina in the face.

It ended up with Beth Phoenix tagging in Marella to face Maria. Santino went over and knocked Lawler off the apron. Maria slapped Marella in the face, and Ashley gave him a slap as well. Marella ended up out of the ring with Lawler. As the ref was distracted, Beth and Melina managed to knock down Maria in the ring. Santino rolled back in the ring and took the pin on his ex-girl, Maria.

Winners: Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix & Melina win via pinfall over Ashley, Maria & Jerry Lawler.

John Cena shown backstage joking with Cody Rhodes & Val Venis. Triple H walked up to them and told Venis and Rhodes it's ok to leave because their won't be a fight here. Triple H told Cena he's been on a path towards the WWE title every since losing to Cena 2 years ago. Triple H said Cena's been standing in his way every step of the way to the WWE title. HHH said if he stands in his way at WM24, he will mow Cena down. Cena told HHH to try watching someone carry the WWE title for 6 months that never won it from you. Cena said at WM24 the title will be coming home.

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Footage shown of R&B singer John Legend playing piano and discussing his Wrestlemania 24 debut which will be an experience like no other. John Legend will sing "America the Beautiful" at WM24.

Jim Ross and Lawler discussed the Class of 2008 for WWE Hall of Fame. Jim Ross said there will be a final inductee named tomorrow night on ECW on Sci-Fi.

JR & Lawler ran down the card for Wrestlemania 24 including Show vs. Mayweather, MITB Ladder match and the Belfast Brawl. Jerry Lawler announced that Ashley will replace Candice as Maria's partner for the Bunnymania match.

Video package shown of the 3 competitors in the Triple Threat match each discussing their road to Wrestlemania. Triple H and Cena discussed returning from injuries and wanting their title back. Orton proclaimed he is still WWE champ.

Cena, Triple H, Michaels & Flair vs. JBL, Umaga, Orton & Big Show
No DQ Match

In a Wrestlemania 24 showcase, 8 WM24 competitors faced off prior to the big event. JR also mentioned that on Wednesday AM's Today Show both Floyd Mayweather and Big Show will be guests.

Michaels started off against Orton and the two grappled. HBK yanked on Orton's arm to pull him to the mat, and held his own for a while until Orton turned the tides with a kick to HBK's face. As Orton was in control, Finlay's music hit and Finlay came to the ramp. Finlay stood there with hsi shilaleigh. JBL began to walk up the ramp and Finlay charged down to ram the shilaleigh into JBL. JBL kicked back at Finlay and the two WM24 opponents started to beat each other up ringside.

Raw returned with Orton pounding away on HBK in the ring. Umaga tagged in to continue beating on Michaels. JBL was now absent from the heel side leaving Umaga, Orton and Show. Umaga was able to seat HBK in the corner and run over to hip splash him. Umaga pulled Michaels up for a Samoan Spike but then Batista's music came on. Batista stormed down to the ring and Umaga rolled out. Thw two men began to battle near the crowd barriers, up the ramp and backstage. Meanwhile in the ring, Big Show tossed Michaels over to Cena, Flair and HHH. Flair tagged in and Show knocked Cena and HHH off the apron. Show picked up Flair overhead and slammed him down to the mat. Show continued to punch and chop away on Flair in the corner then started to choke Flair with a boot.

Flair got back up and started to chop at Show. Flair ran at Show from the corner and Big Show picked up Flair and tossed him back. Orton barked orders at Show and the two men started to argue. Just then Flair tagged out and Cena and Triple H came in to battle Show. The two men tried to suplex Show but he countered and suplexed them both back. Orton continued to yell for Show to decimate the opponents. Show walked over and grabbed Orton then tossed him into the ring. Show chokeslammed Orton down to the mat, then walked over him before leaving the ring.

Cena and Triple H both went to do their finishing moves on Orton as he was down, but then ended up fighting each other. Cena and HHH continued fighting out of the ring and up the ramp. Flair got into the ring and went to put a Figure Four on Orton, but Michaels came in and punched him down. Michaels went to do a Figure Four of his own, but Flair got behind him and used a Low Blow. Michaels fell to the mat and rolled out of the ring. With just Orton and Flair remaining, Ric Flair slapped a Figure Four on Orton and made him tap out. Flair celebrated before the University of South Carolina crowd as Raw left the air. Jim Ross asked will the same magic of tonight be replicated this Sunday at the Citrus Bowl?

Winners: Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and John Cena win via submission over Randy Orton, JBL, Umaga and Big Show.

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Get ready for the big event!...Check out Wrestlemania 24 the Merchandise!