WWE Raw Recap 03.17.08

Raw recap from The Cajundome:

Raw opened with the new Intercontinental champion, Chris Jericho hosting the "Highlight Reel". Chris introduced his first guest, the Intercontinental title belt. Jericho said it's now his 8th time as the champ. Jericho then introduced his guest for tonight, The Big Show.

Show came to the ring in a black Wrestlemania XXIV T-shirt. Jericho had a highlight of last week's Raw weigh-in shown which ended with Show throwing Mayweather out of the ring onto several WWE Superstars. A brawl followed in which Shane McMahon was knocked down by Mayweather's posse members. Mayweather got up holding his arm. Show began to talk about how nobody likes Floyd Mayweather in WWE, fans or wrestlers.

Show then spoke to Y2J saying Jericho outweighs Mayweather and is more talented as a wrestler, but that Y2J can't compete in the ring with Big Show. Jericho took offense to the ribbing and called Show a jackass, then discussed how he's beaten The Rock and Stone Cold both in the same night. Jericho told Show that Mayweather will break his jaw. Show called Jericho arrogant and disrespectful then stood up and talked down to him. Big Show challenged Jericho for his IC title and asked for the match tonight. Jericho said it's on and then showed Big Show the belt as Show left the ring.

JR and Jerry Lawler announced there was big news from Vince McMahon earlier today. Footage was shown of Vince from earlier discussing his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction. Vince said he's now a huge star, the WWE stock has gone up and he's a proud father of several children. Vince said he needed to top all of his achievements tonight though, and he would do that by ending Ric Flair's career. Vince then announced a street fight match with Flair and himself for later tonight. Vince continued to brag, saying he will retire Flair tonight.

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Video highlight package shown for Triple H's brand new 3 disc special edition DVID "Triple H The King of Kings". The Game's DVD is available next week.

CM Punk vs. Carlito

Two Wrestlemania 24 Money in the Bank match members squared off in this match. Punk took control early with kicks to Carlito, until Carlito knocked him out of the ring. Carlito began to dominate Punk in the ring using a dropkick with Punk seated in the corner. Punk finally fought back in the corner but Carlito regained control. Carlito had Punk down in a headlock for a bit, until Punk was able to fight out.

Punk missed a pin attempt then tried to springboard off the ropes. Carlito caught Punk with a dropkick mid air, then tried to grab Punk for a Back Stabber. Punk managed to grab the ropes. Carlito hit a swinging neckbreaker and Punk kicked out of the pin. Punk was able to land a spin kick to Carlito's head. Both men staggered to get up, and this time Punk caught Carlito mid-air near the ropes on his shoulder, then hit him with the Go To Sleep for the pinfall.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over Carlito.

Jerry Lawler said he's looking forward to Bunnymania at Wrestlemania with WWE Divas Candice Michelle and Maria teaming up against Melina and Beth Phoenix. Guest emcee for the match is Snoop Dogg whose new album is Ego Trippin. Earlier footage was shown with Snoop reading from a cue card script saying Maria shouldn't have posed for Playboy out of respect for her boyfriend. Snoop then said "cut" and he wouldn't read this stuff. Santino Marella came over as if he was a director and reminded Snoop to read his lines. Snoop told Santino that Maria can do whatever she wants and that he's on his way to Wrestlemania 24, then left the set.

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Jim Ross announced that the CNN Larry King Live "WWE Night" will be this Wednesday evening.

Raw GM William Regal stood at the top of the ramp and discussed the Brand Superiority match for Wrestlemania 24. In the ring were Kendrick & London. Regal told them they will face the Raw representative for the WM24 match, Umaga.

Kendrick & London vs. Umaga

Highlight footage shown from Smackdown where Umaga interfered in Batista's US title match against MVP. Umaga attacked Batista leaving him down for a pin from MVP, costing Batista the US title.

Kendrick and London used a quick flurry of kicks on Umaga, Umaga picked up London on his shoulders then Kendrick tried to jump on him. Umaga grabbed him on top of London then slammed both men down. Umaga continued to pummel both men as he choked Kendrick with a foot in the corner of the ring. Umaga ran at London who was seated in the opposite corner and hip splashed him hard. Umaga turned then ran at Kendrick, but Kendrick slid out of the ring. Kendrick left London behind in the ring for Umaga to pick up and do the Samoan Spike. The crowd booed as Kendrick walked off up the ramp and Umaga took the pin.

Winner: Umaga wins via pinfall over Paul London & Brian Kendrick.

William Regal smiled as he watched the match ending on a TV. Triple H walked in and Regal said he has no way of making sure Orton and Cena team up tonight. Triple H told Regal his stipulations for the main event match where Cena and Orton will face the Raw roster. If Orton doesn't team up with Cena, he's stripped of the WWE title. If Cena doesn't stay with Orton for the match, he won't be included in the WM24 Triple Threat match. Regal asked HHH why he doesn't just strip Orton of the title and face Cena for it at WM24. HHH said he won't just have the title handed to him.

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Highlights shown of Triple H's injury which sidelined him for Wrestlemania 23, the return of Triple H at Summerslam 07', and his brief title reign until Randy Orton beat him in a Last Man Standing match. Triple H said he will fight for the title like his life depends on it, and it will be "Game On" for Cena & Orton.

Jerry Lawler introduced footage of Vince McMahon getting his star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony this past Friday had Triple H and Shane McMahon as guest speakers. Vince accepted the star on behalf of the WWE Superstars and the fans, but most importantly himself. Vince received a star right next to the Muppet, Kermit the Frog.

Shawn Michaels shown in a locker room watching the Vince Hollywood piece. Flair walked in and asked HBK why he's there tonight if he's not wrestling. Flair told Michaels he knows he's there to intervene in the Career threatening match he has against Vince McMahon tonight. Flair told HBK he doesn't want to see him until Wrestlemania, and he will be there. Flair said Vince has "No chance in hell" to beat him tonight.

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Commercial shown to announce that Wrestlemania 24 is just 13 days away.

Colin Delaney vs. JBL

JBL arrived in his white limo for the matchup as JR introduced comments from Finlay from this past week's Smackdown. Finlay vowed JBL will never be the same after their WM24 match. JBL took the mic in the ring and said he was looking forward tonight to confronting Finlay. JBL said Hornswoggle is having complications so Finlay has to "take care of his freak son". JBL said in honor of St. Patrick's Day, he will face the 2nd toughest Irishman in the company, Colin Delaney. JBL baited Colin as he came to the ring with no theme music or fireworks.

In the match, JBL taunted Colin early on to hit him, and Delaney delivered one punch. JBL threw a punch back, knocking Colin to the mat, then began the beatdown. Colin layed lifeless on the mat as JBL punched, kicked and slammed him. JBL stood Colin up then ran off the ropes to deliver the Clothesline from Hell. JBL picked up the mic again and told Finlay to remember what his ancestors were told when they came to the US: "Irish need not apply".

Winner: JBL wins via pinfall over Colin Delaney.

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JR introduced footage of Flair on Raw 4 months ago when he said "I will never retire", but Vince McMahon came down to deliver a stipulation. Flair needs to win matches, or the next match he loses will end his career.

Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon
Career Threatening Street Fight

Flair knocked Vince down to the mat early and began stomping on him, then pushed him out of the ring. Flair began to beat on Vince on the announcer's table, causing JR and Lawler to stand up and move away. Fair continued to beat up Vince into the audience. Vince finally was able to stop Flair from whipping him to the ringpost, as he sent Flair head first into the post. Vince grabbed a TV from ringside and clocked Flair on the head.

Flair began to visibly bleed on the forehead as Vince started to punch away at him near the crowd. Vince tossed Flair back in for a pin attempt, but Flair kicked out. Vince kept punching Flair then went out of the ring to get a trash can. Vince brought in the metal can and smashed it over Flair's head. Flair kicked out of another pin. Vince grabbed a Kendo stick and cracked it over a very bloody Ric Flair's head, twice. Flair kicked out of the pin again. Vince retrieved a steel chair next and gave Flair a shot with that. The ref went down to count, but just then HBK came running to the ring and pulled the ref out. Since there were no DQ's the match continued. Vince went out of the ring and got a table next.

Vince set up the table in the corner of the ring but as he turned to get Flair, Flair delivered two low blows. Flair put Vince on the table and punched at him, then climbed the ropes. Off the corner Flair splashed onto Vince, breaking the table. Flair grabbed the pinfall for a tough, bloody victory. A ref assisted Flair in getting backstage as Vince held his chest in the ring.

Winner: Ric Flair wins via pinfall over Vince McMahon. Flair continues his wrestling career.

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Footage shown of Cena discussing what Wrestlemania means to him after he's made an early comeback from his injury to be a part of this year's event. Cena said he's now part of the biggest match of the PPV and at Wrestlemania his time will come, again.

Jerry Lawler introduced a special guest in the audience, Jared from Subway. Jared said he's a huge WWE fan, and has lost over 200 lbs with his diet. Jared gave a Subway sandwich and drink to Lawler, saying he had fun working with John Cena.

Maria & Candice Michelle vs. Jillian Hall & Victoria

The WWE Divas prepared for their WM24 Bunnymania match. Before the match could begin, Santino Marella down to sit with JR and Jerry Lawler.

Maria started off against Jillian and hit her with a handstand kick. Maria went off the ropes but Victoria hit her in the back, then Jillian began to dominate. Jillian tagged in Victoria to start beating up Maria. Victoria grabbed Maria by the hair and tossed her onto the mat, then went to do a backflip onto Maria. Maria put her knees up to get Victoria in the midsection, then kicked her away. Candice tagged in and started to take it to Victoria and Jillian. Candice hit a spin kick on Victoria, but Victoria managed to regain control. Jillian tagged in and tried for a backflip off the ropes but Candice moved away. Candice ended up hitting an impressive face first slam move on Jillian Hall to take the pin.

Santino told JR and Lawler that these divas cheated to win. Lawler told Santino to just leave. Santino took offense and grabbed Lawler's drink then threw it in his face. Marella then grabbed Lawler's Subway sandwich and took off up the ramp with Jillian and Victoria.

Winners: Candice Michelle & Maria win via pinfall over Jillian Hall and Victoria.

Highlight footage shown of 39-0 pro boxer, Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather. Money Mayweather said he's been a boxer, been on Dancing with the Stars, and now will be wrestling in Wrestlemania 24. More footage was shown about the match between Mayweather and Show, with interview sound bytes from other boxers, Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones, Jr.

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Highlight piece shown for the WWE's 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony which includes inductees Ric Flair, Jerry & Jack Briscoe and Mae Young. Jim Ross said we will learn the next inductee's name on Tuesday night's ECW on Sci-Fi.

Big Show vs. Chris Jericho
IC Title match

Before the match, JR said that Big Show will be a guest on Friday night's Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC.

As the match started, Show gave a huge (size 18 with six E's) boot to the face of Jericho, knocking him down. Show slapped away at Jericho then kneed him in the midsection. Show picked up Jericho on his one shoulder then tried to drop him to the mat. Jericho landed on his feet, then grabbed the top rope down as Show charged at him. Show went outside and Jericho tried for a slide dropkick. Show caught Jericho by the legs then slammed him against the crowd barrier.

Show climbed the ropes with Jericho in the corner. Show tried for a drop down splash from off the ropes, but Jericho rolled away. Y2J capitalized using a Lionsault off the ropes, then tried for a pin. Show shoved Jericho off him causing Jericho to fly out of the ring. Y2J quickly grabbed his IC title belt and re-entered the ring, then hit Show in the face. The ref called for the bell, and Y2J ran at Show again with the belt. This time Show gave a huge right hand punch to Jericho's face knocking Jericho out on the mat.

Winner: Big Show wins due to disqualification of Chris Jericho.

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JR and Lawler continued to show a replay of Show's huge punch to the face of Jericho and Y2J needing assistance to get backstage. JR said he can see the headlines after Wrestlemania "Big Show knocks out Mayweather!"

Special backstage footage of WM24 hostess Kim Kardashian was shown. Kim said that only the coolest, hippest and the best will be allowed into the event. Just then, Big Dick Johnson came in wearing a speedo and started dancing near Kim. Kim gave him a look then said "he's not allowed", but see you all at Wrestlemania.

Highlights shown of WWE champion Randy Orton defeating opponents like Cena, Michaels and Jericho in matches. Orton said he's a combo of Cena and Triple H, but he has one thing they dont: the WWE title.

Orton shown backstage in the locker room with his title on the shoulder. Cena came in and discussed a plan for the upcoming match versus the Raw roster. Orton told Cena it's obvious Triple H wants them both to just get hurt. Orton suggested that Cena just allow himself to be pinned, since Orton is the champ. Cena said he refuses to go out and just lose on purpose and won't take advice from a guy who caused his injury, took the WWE title and kicked his father in the face. Just then, Triple H came in and put his arms around Cena and Orton. Triple H told them it's going to be tough to win because they will need to pin each wrestler from the Raw roster to do so.

Commercial shown for ECW which will have CM Punk, Jesse & Festus facing The Miz, John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin in the main event six man tag match.

Cena & Orton vs. The Entire Raw Roster

Lillian Garcia announced it as a "17 on 2 Elimination Handicap Match". Orton came out, then Cena, and then the 17 WWE Superstars from the Raw roster. Notably missing were Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Triple H and Ric Flair. Included in the roster of 17 were Snitsky, Carlito, Paul Burchhill, Charlie Haas, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, the Highlanders, Cody Rhodes and Bob Holly, Kendrick and London, Santino, Super Crazy, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, JBL and Umaga.

Snitsky started off against Cena and gained the upperhand. After Snitsky slammed Cena down, Santino slapped Snitsky's back and tried to splash Cena. Cena moved away then scored a quick pin to eliminate Marella first.

Cena grabbed Trevor Murdoch after withstanding his attack and put him in a STFU. Murdoch tapped out, then his partner came in to try to attack Cena. Orton intervened and hit an RKO on Cade, giving Cena another easy pin. Just as Orton and Cena turned around, Umaga was in the ring and delivered a double clothesline. Raw went to commercial break with the two men down.

Raw returned with JBL pummeling Orton in the ring. JBL went for a pin with Orton kicking out. During the break, Orton hit an RKO on Super Crazy to eliminate him by pinfall. Hacksaw tagged in next to beat up Orton a bit, then tagged in Cody Rhodes, followed by Burchill then Val Venis, then Carlito. Hardcore Holly tagged in and knocked Orton to the mat for a pin attempt.

Orton finally escaped hitting Robbie of the Highlanders. While Robbie was stunned, Orton tagged in Cena. Cena hit a leg drop off the corner and took the pin. DH Smith came in but Cena made quick work of him hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then a F-U. Cena tagged in Orton who hit back to back RKO's to eliminate Burchill and Val Venis. Cena got into the ring and grabbed Cody Rhodes as he tried to fly at Orton. Cena turned and tossed Rhodes up for Orton to RKO down for a pin.

The rest of the roster got into the ring to attack Cena and Orton. The ref called for the bell for a DQ as the brawl continued. Cena left the ring to retrieve a steel chair and then eventually cleared the ring of all superstars except Orton, JBL and Umaga. Umaga grabbed Cena and hit a Samoan Spike knocking him to the mat. JBL Umaga picked up Orton for JBL to come at him with the steel chair. JBL misfired on the chair shot, hitting an angry Umaga.

Umaga delivered the Spike to Orton then turned to go after JBL. JBL quickly ran out of the ring and up the ramp with Umaga chasing after. Just then, HHH's music hit and The Game made his way to the ring, with Cena and Orton down. HHH looked them over. As Orton got to his feet, Triple H grabbed him for a Pedigree, hit the move. Cena stood up afterwards. Triple H kicked him in the gut, then Pedigreed Cena down to the mat. With both men down, Triple H stood in the ring surveying his future opponents. A ringside official handed Triple H the WWE title. HHHH held the title then pointed at the Wrestlemania 24 sign hanging from the arena ceiling.

Winner: John Cena and Randy Orton win due to disqualification of Carlito, Snitsky, Bob Holly, Charlie Haas, Brian Kendrick, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.