WWE Raw Recap 03.31.08

Raw recap from Orlando, FL

Raw kicked off with highlights of last night's Career Ending Wrestlemania match involving Ric Flair. Flair taunted Shawn Michaels to give him all he had and Flair was superkicked down to the mat for a pin. A teary eyed Flair extended thanks to his family and fans following the match.

Jim Ross announced that tonight we will see Ric Flair's Farewell Address on Raw. John Cena;s music came on to open the show. After a minute or so and no Cena, Triple H's music started up for his entrance. Triple H did not show either as his theme song kept playing. Finally, Randy Orton's music came on and the WWE champ was soon on the ramp walking to the ring. In the ring Orton held up his belt for all fans to see. Orton asked the fans if they were expecting someone else, then reminded fans that all last week people wondered who would beat him, Cena or Triple H. Orton said nobody wanted to give him credit, but now they have no choice but to show respect. Orton listed off the names of all the men he's beaten like Michaels, Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Triple H and Cena.

Orton went on to say the Orton era is here and neither Triple H nor John Cena deserve any rematches. Just then, JBL came down to the ring. JBL said that Cena and Triple H don't deserve a title shot, but JBL does. JBL told Orton his whole title reign has been due to luck, while JBL's was due to dominance. JBL reminded Orton how he beat Finlay and Hornswoggle last night in their own match, a Belfast Brawl. JBL proclaimed e is the #1 Title Contender and wants the torch he passed back. JBL stormed out of the ring and up the ramp, causing Orton to become enraged. Orton screamed at JBL to get back to the ring. Just as he was facing the ramp, Matt Hardy came sliding into the ring behind Orton. Hardy began to attack Orton furiously in the ring, then it spilled to the outside. Eventually Orton was able to push Hardy against the crowd barrier, and Orton grabbed his WWE title to escape.

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Backstage, an angry William Regal came up to Matt Hardy backstage demanding an explanation for what just happened. Hardy said he hadn't forgot what Orton did to him several weeks back on Raw, causing a visit to the ER. Matt demanded a match tonight against Orton for revenge, and William Regal said he'd have to think about it.

Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Cryme Tyme

A surprise return for Cryme Tyme who had been out of the WWE months ago. Fans chanted "Welcome Back" to the tag team. Cade immediately attacked Big Shad, but was met with a clothesline off the ropes. JTG tagged in for an impressive double team move where he was flipped by Chad onto Cade. Cade took control of JTG then tagged in Murdoch. Murdoch continued to hit and chop away at JTG then knocked him down after throwing him against the ropes.

Murdoch and Cade started to doubleteam JTG, tagging in and out and keeping him nearer to their corner. Cade picked up Murdoch and dropped him on JTG for a leg drop. Murdoch missed when he ran at JTG in the corner. As Murdoch hit the corner hard, JTG grabbed him to roll him up for the surprise pinfall.

Winners: Cryme Tyme wins via pinfall over Cade & Murdoch.

Highlights of a NWA title cage match with Flair against Harley Race on Nov. 24, 1983 were shown. Both men became bloodied in a back and forth fight. Flair eventually pulled off the win to capture the NWA World Heavyweight title.

The man responsible for ending Flair's career, Shawn Michaels, was shown walking backstage on the way out to the ring. JR said he's heard Michaels is going to pour his heart out next.

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Shawn Michaels made his way down the ramp to the ring. Fans chanted H-B-K before Michaels began speaking. HBK said that he's feeling a lot of emotions, but none too good. Michaels spoke about how he had too much respect for Flair to give him any less than he did last night. HBK said being the man who ended Flair's career is a burden he has to carry the rest of his life and "Lucky Me". Michaels put down the mic and exited the ring, still seeming emotionally shaken.

Jim Ross announced we will see 2 of last night's MITB Ladder match competitors battle with Chris Jericho going against CM Punk. Jerry Lawler added that the Hardy vs Orton (non-title) match has been confirmed for later tonight.

Advertisement shown for WWE the Music Volume 8 which is now on sale. Features the theme music for Mr. Kennedy, Jillian Hall, John Morrison and more!

Shawn Michaels shown pacing backstage. WIlliam Regal came up and told HBK he did what he had to do and it should have been done a long time ago. Regal left and next the camera caught a shot of Batista who was standing near Michaels in the hall staring at him angrily. Michaels looked at Batista then walked off.

Kendrick & London vs. Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly

JR said that it appears Kendrick and London worked out the issues that occurred in their handicap match against Umaga. JR also added how the team reminds him of The Rockers.

Cody Rhodes took an early advantage over Kendrick with headlocks and takedowns, but Kendrick managed to escape then tagged in London. Rhodes tagged in Holly as well, and the two wrestlers grappled. London tried to get a quick move on Holly then ran to the corner. Holly avoided London's attack then continued to chop at his chest. London fell out of the ring holding his chest, with Holly going out to retrieve him. London escaped a near pinfall, and Holly tagged in Cody.

The action got fast and furious with Holly going towards the ropes. London pulled the top rope down and Holly fell out of the ring. Rhodes ran over to clothesline London out of the ring. With his back still turned, Rhodes was grabbed by Kendrick who rolled him up for a bridge pin.

Winners: Kendrick & London win via pinfall over Rhodes & Holly.

Highlights of the May 7, 1989 match between Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair were shown. Steamboat was current World champion at the time. Flair won the match by being able to reverse a Steamboat slam for a pinfall. Flair became World champion for the sixth time with the win.

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Jerry Lawler gave a special thanks to Rev Theory for providing the Wrestlemania theme song "Light it Up". Rev Theory shown sitting in the front row of the Raw crowd behind Ross and Lawler.

Highlights from Wrestlemania 24 were shown including Kane winning the ECW title, Snoop Dogg clotheslining down Santino Marella then kissing Maria, and the Belfast Brawl. Money in the Bank was also shown, where Matt Hardy made his surprise return to prevent MVP from winning. Highlights shown from Flair's last match, with Shawn Michaels defeating him by a Superkick. The Triple Threat match highlights were shown as well as Undertaker defeating Edge to win the World Heavyweight title.

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

Mr. Money in the Bank 2008 challenged the Intercontinental champ in this one. Highlights shown from last night's MITB match, with Punk beating out Jericho to get the briefcase. JR reminded fans that Punk can cash in his briefcase for a title match anyplace, anytime, meaning he can go for any title of any brand.

The two men rolled each other up early for pins with both men escaping. Punk started to punch away at Jericho then knocked him down for another pin attempt. Y2J eventually managed to kick Punk in the chest from the ropes, then clotheslined him down. Jericho started to dominate Punk with a sideslam and a kick to his head. Fans chanted for Punk and Jericho back and forth during the match. Jericho continued to deliver kicks to Punk, then suplexed Punk onto the top rope. Y2J tried to Leapfrog off the ropes at Punk, but Punk ducked down causing Jericho to fall.

Punk regrouped outside the ring as Jericho also got up. Y2J saw Punk standing up and went for a slide dropkick. Punk moved away then punched Jericho. The two got back in the ring for more fight. Jericho knocked Punk to the mat for a Lionsault attempt. Punk moved and Jericho landed bad on his knee. Punk took control and eventually tried for the GTS. Jericho reversed for the Walls of Jericho, but Punk escaped. After ducking a clothesline, Y2J was able to grab Punk and drop him with the Codebreaker.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall over CM Punk.

Highlights of 1992 Royal Rumble were shown, with Ric Flair winning the match to claim the WWE title.

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Jerry Lawler said later tonight we're going to see Maria facing Santino in a matchup.

Big Show made his way down to the ring. Show congratulated Floyd Mayweather for the win, as well as his manager, posse, steel chair and brass knuckles. Show said he came out because of the Hall of Fame though. Show said he was touched by Flair's comment from the ceremony that Big Show was the best big man in the business. Show started saying he was going to go back to doing what he's always done. Just then, the Great Khali interrupted and made his way down to the ring. The two giants began staring each other down in the center of the ring. Show dropped his mic after warning Khali to get out of his face. Show put his fists up to fight. The two men stared each other down more before Khali finally stepped out of the ring and backed up the ramp.

Highlights of the earlier incident between Matt Hardy and Orton were shown. Hardy shown pacing backstage in anticipation of the main event match.

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Santino Marella shown backstage doing calisthenics, when Maria walked up to him. Santino began to harass Maria about last night's match where she kissed Snoop. Maria pleaded with Santino to not go through with tonight's match. Santino said he was humiliated by being a part of last night's diva match and divas shouldn't even wrestle. Santino said he needs to blow off steam and asked Maria to help him. Maria slapped Marella and he angrily left.

Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton

Hardy and Orton traded shots early, with Hardy flipping Orton over his back off the ropes. Hardy gave a shot to Orton and Randy left the ring. Matt followed him outside to continue beating him up. Hardy threw Orton back in and landed an elbow drop on him. Matt kept kicking and punching Orton in the corners. The two men went back to the outside and Matt kept punching away.

Hardy went to the ropes at one point, but Orton yanked his feet away and Matt hit the mat. Both men down as Raw went to a break. When Raw returned, Orton had Hardy down in a headlock. Matt fought to his feet, but Orton hit him back down. Orton failed at a pin then took Matt back up to the corner ropes. Matt hit a moonsault on Orton but failed at a pin as well. Matt also hit the Side Effect, but Orton kicked out of a pin again. Matt signaled for Twist of Fate. Orton countered and gave an uppercut to Matt.

The two men went back outside the ring again and Matt hit Twist of Fate on Orton. The ref made a count as Matt picked up Orton and tossed him into the ring. As Matt got in the ring, Orton surprised him with a RKO to win the match.

Winner: Randy Orton wins via pinfall over Matt Hardy.

Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes gave his thoughts about Nature Boy Ric Flair. Rhodes said from this day forth Flair is a National Treasure.

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Wrestlers such as Edge and MVP shown giving thoughts about Triple H as a superstar. Triple H King of Kings DVD promoted via the ad.

Randy Orton shown resting in a back locker room just as JBL entered. JBL picked up the WWE title and looked at it, then dropped it back in Orton's lap before leaving.

Maria vs. Santino Marella
Anything Goes Rules

Marella tried to knock Maria around early on, but a bunch of angry divas came storming down to the ring. All the divas including Ashley, Victoria, Mickie James, Michelle McCool and Kelly Kelly got into the ring and knocked Santino down. Two divas held Marella's legs apart for Maria to headbutt him. Maria rolled up Santino for a pin, collecting the victory.

Winner: Maria wins via pinfall over Santino Marella.

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Ric Flair Farewell Address

Raw showed highlights again of Shawn Michaels defeating Ric Flair in the Career ending match at Wrestlemania XXIV.

2008 Hall of Famer Ric Flair made his way down to the ring for his Farewell Address. Flair told the crowd last night was indeed his final wrestling match. Flair said he's not sad about it and fans should rejoice in the fact he has had the greatest wrestling career in the history of pro wrestling. Flair thanked everyone for making him who he is today. As Flair's music came on and he "WOOOd!" all of a sudden Triple H's music came on. The Game came to the top of the ramp, paused a moment, then made his way to the ring.

Triple H told Flair that it wasn't just the fans watching in the arena and on TV who wanted to thank him. HHH hugged Flair in the ring, as tears streamed down Flair's face. HHH said there's several other men who want to thank him, and then the Four Horsemen came down to the ring. JR said it's the first time the group's been together since 88'.

Next up, Batista made his way down to the ring to hug Flair. Ricky Steamboat came down the ramp next and entered the ring to hug Flair. Harley Race was escorted to the ring down the ramp by Mickie and Michelle. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho and John Cena all came to the ring to hug Flair and wish him well. Finally, Flair's family came down the ramp to the ring. A visibly moved Ric Flair hugged all of them and stood center of the ring as fans and the wrestlers all applauded him. To top things off, Shawn Michaels made his way down the ramp. HBK hugged Flair as fans continued to clap. Triple H then invited anyone else backstage who wanted to come thank Flair to come to the ring.

All of the WWE wrestlers, officials, personalities and divas from ECW, Smackdown and Raw made their way out to the ring clapping for Flair. They stood bottom of the ramp applauding the legendary Flair for his career. "Thank You Flair" chant erupted and continued throughout the arena as a tribute to the greatest of all time.

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