WWE Raw Recap 04.07.08

Raw recap from Albany, NY:

Raw GM William Regal was in the ring to kick off the show, then announced the Backlash WWE Title match. Regal introduced Randy Orton the WWE title holder to the ring. Orton came into the ring, posed with his title and shook Regal's hand. Regal then introduced Orton's opponent, JBL. JBL's white limo came out at the top of the ramp, and then Bradshaw made his way to the ring. JBL shook Regal's hand then extended his hand to Orton. Orton stared back at JBL and refused to shake.

Regal began to discuss the Backlash match with Orton and JBL, but just then HHH's music came on. The Game made his way out from backstage then came down to the ring. HHH asked Regal if he was out of his mind setting up the main event he did. Triple H reminded Orton that he really didn't beat anyone at WM24, and that he just took advantage of a situation to pin Cena. HHH asked Regal why JBL is #1 contender after the biggest thing he's done recently is slap around a midget. Regal told HHH he'd have to earn a spot in the Backlash match by being in a handicap match tonight against JBL and Orton. Regal said if HHH wins it will be a Triple Threat match at Backlash for the WWE title, but if he loses tonight HHH is out of the title picture.

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Val Venis vs. Umaga

Prior to the match Jim Ross informed fans of a IBF Light Heavyweight Championship match between Antonio Tarver and Clinton Woods for this Saturday night.

Umaga knocked Val down early, but then missed on a headbutt. Umaga recovered and tossed Venis to the cover, with Val moving as Umaga charged at him. Umaga recovered again hitting Venis with an uppercut, then tossing him shoulder first into the ringpost. Umaga stomped on and hit Venis, then used a vice grip on his shoulder area several times.

Venis got to his feet and punched Umaga a few times before running off the ropes. Umaga picked up Venis and slammed him back, then drug the fallen Venis to a corner. After punching on Val, Umaga ran at the seated Venis to hip splash him hard. Umaga followed up with a Samoan Spike to level Val Venis then took the pin.

Winner: Umaga wins via pinfall over Val Venis.

Jim Ross asked fans to vote whether Shawn Michaels did the right thing or not with regards to Ric Flair and the career ending match. Text YES or NO to 44993 to vote, charges apply. Lawler added that Batista and Michaels will be both be guests on tonight's Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho.

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Ashley & Mickie James vs. Melina & Jillian Hall

Early on in this diva tag match, Ashley jumped on Jillian with a hurricanrana to take her down. Ashley tried to climb the corner and punch away on Jillian, but Melina ran over on the apron to knock her off. Melina soon tagged in to try to beat up Ashley more. Melina charged at Ashley in the corner, but Ashley ducked then jumped over to tag Mickie in. Mickie took control over Melina, knocking her to the mat, then dropkicked Jillian off the apron. Jillian tried to jump into the ring and onto Mickie to break up a pin, but Mickie moved away. Ashley came in and took Jillian to the outside. With Melina isolated in the ring, Mickie hit a DDT to finish her off.

Winners: Mickie James & Ashley win via pinfall over Melina & Jillian.

Jim Ross announced that coming up next, WWE fans can relive the sights and sounds of Ric Flair's farewell address.

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Wrestlemania 24 was revisited from 8 days ago, where Shawn Michaels ended Ric Flair's career via a Superkick. On the following night's Raw, Flair made his Farewell Address to the WWE fans, wrestlers, divas and personalities. Triple H came to the ring and told Flair more than just the WWE fans want to thank him. Flair's longtime rivals and wrestling friends came to the ring such as Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Dean Malenko and the Four Horsemen. Current superstars such as Batista, Jericho and John Cena came to the ring to hug Flair. Flair's family came down to the ring as well. At the end of the show, Flair received a standing ovation from everyone chanting "Thank You Ric!"

An ad was shown for Wrestlemania 25. The Silver Anniversary of Wrestlemania will take place in Texas from Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009.

Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Brian Kendrick & Paul London

Early on Murdoch tossed Kendrick out of the ring, and Cade started to work on London. Cade went for an elbow drop, but London rolled away. Murdoch came in to attack, but London dropkicked him, then flipped with a moonsault onto Cade. Cade kicked out of the pinfall, then Murdoch grabbed London's leg as he ran against the ropes. Murdoch and Cade began to dominate London with Kendrick finally back on the apron. Cade threw London face first into the corner then started to punch him more. Cade tried to run against the ropes and charge London. London moved away and Cade tagged Murdoch. Murdoch charged at London who moved away and made the quick tag.

Kendrick came in to begin running around the ring knocking Cade and Murdoch down. The ref eventually began distracted by London on the apron. Cade & Murdoch got the doubleteam with the ref turned away. Cade hit a powerbomb type slam on Kendrick, but Kendrick rolled up Cade with a surprise pinfall.

Winners: Kendrick & London win via pinfall over Cade & Murdoch.

Backstage JBL entered the locker room to talk to Randy Orton. Orton was preparing for the match. Randy told JBL that he knows he's there to say they need to work together, but he can save it. Orton said he's beaten Triple H before and will do it again tonight. Orton warned JBL to stay out of his way during the match, then left the locker room.

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Triple H vs. JBL & Randy Orton
2 on 1 Handicap

Up for grabs in this match was a chance to get into a WWE title shot match at Backlash for Triple H. Orton and Triple J started the match off. Orton used uppercut shots on Triple H, sending him to the corner where JBL was. JBL grabbed Triple H, but the Game fought back punching both Orton and JBL back and forth. JBL soon tagged in to face HHH. The 2 men began to get in each other's faces. Triple H eventually gained control over JBL, taking him down to the mat in a headlock.

JBL stood up and backed HHH to the corner to tag Orton in again. Orton started to pound away on HHH in the corner. The ref became distracted with Orton and JBL started kicking away at HHH. Orton began to stomp on the body parts of a fallen Triple H. JBL and Orton started to work as a team to wear the Game down. Orton continued punching on Triple H in the corner, but HHH started punching back. Triple H ran off the ropes with momentum, but Orton grabbed him for a quick slam.

Orton tagged in and kept HHH in a standing headlock. HHH eventually fought out then was able to gain some momentum. JBL gave a boot to HHH in the corner. As JBL ran against the ropes near Orton, Orton slapped his back to make a tag. Orton got into the ring and JBL turned to start arguing with him. Triple H took advantage as he shoved JBL into Orton. HHH was able to hit the Pedigree on Orton as the ref attended to JBL. The ref turned back to count the 1-2-3 pinfall for HHH's win.

William Regal got into the ring announcing there will be a Triple Threat match at Backlash. Just then, John Cena's music came on and Cena came to the ramp with a mic. Cena congratulated Triple H but then reminded fans how he's beat HHH at the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania. Cena said he's beaten JBL and Orton at several PPV's. Cena proposed to Regal that there be a Fatal Fourway for the WWE title match at Backlash. Regal told Cena he would also have to earn his spot in the Backlash match by defeating Triple H and JBL tonight.

Winner: Triple H wins via pinfall over JBL and Randy Orton to earn a spot in the WWE title match at Backlash.

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Carlito & Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly

Cody Rhodes took control of Carlito then made a tag to Holly for a double armbar takedown. Carlito escaped to make the tag to Santino. Holly quickly knocked Santino down after hitting Carlito on the apron.

Hardcore picked Santino up and went for the Alabama Slam. The ref was distracted by Rhodes on the other side of the ring, allowing Carlito to kick Holly in the stomach. Holly kicked out as Carlito tried for the pin.

Santino tagged back in and started beating on Holly in the corner before tagging Carlito in again. The duo started to doubleteam Holly. Holly started to fight back against Carlito and managed to slam him to the mat. Holly was able to kick Santino away to tag Rhodes. Rhodes had momentum and climbed the corner ropes to get Santino. With Carlito and Holly both down and out, Santino shoved Rhodes off the corner down to the mat. From the ropes Santino dropped down to punch Cody and pick up the surprise win.

Winners: Carlito & Santino Marella win via pinfall over Rhodes and Holly.

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Cryme Tyme cut a Wrestlemania 24 clearance sale ad backstage. The tag team presented Rocky Johnson "Shaker of Soul", an autographed Maria Playboy and a pair of Kim Kardashian's underwear from the Hall of Fame. Big Shad told JTG that he didn't go into Kim's dressing room but Mae Young's instead. Cryme Tyme started a "Money Money, Yea Yea!" chant as the promo ended.

JR and Lawler revisited highlights from last week's Raw confrontation between Big Show and Great Khali in the ring. The two stared each other down before Khali exited the ring. Big Show came out to confront Khali on Smackdown after Khali beat up Miz, Morrison, Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore. Show told Khali he was getting in his face just like he did to him on Raw.

In the locker room, Triple H was preparing for his upcoming handicap match with he and JBL against Cena. JBL entered the locker room and told HHH that the WWE title match is a numbers game, they have a better shot at winning Orton's belt in a 3 man match instead of a 4 man. JBL asked if HHH is on the same page. Just then HHH looked at JBL and pulled an earplug from his ear, asking if JBL said something. JBL asked why nobody listens to him, and left the locker room. HHH said pretty much because JBL's an ass.

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Maria vs. Beth Phoenix

The Women's champ took on Maria in a non-title bout. Early on, Maria showed agression by slapping and punching back at Phoenix. Maria went for a handstand kick on Beth, but Beth nailed her in the back. After slamming Maria down, Beth started kicking away. A low dropkick sent Maria into the ringpost and outside the ring.

Beth retrieved Maria and tossed her back into the ring. Beth used an interesting submission hold on Maria which turned into a finisher type move. Maria held her back and crawled on the mat, then surprised Beth with a pinfall attempt. Beth kicked out and eventually regained control of the match.

Maria gave a good fight as she was able to slide off Beth's shoulders to avoid being slammed, then DDT Beth to the mat. Beth still kicked out of the pin and eventually hit her standing Fisherman's suplex on Maria for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Maria.

Batista and Shawn Michaels shown on split screens walking backstage on their way out for Jericho's "Highlight Reel" show in the ring.

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Highlight Reel with Batista & Shawn Michaels

Jericho came to the ring for his show and introduced the Animal, Batista and the "Man who ended Ric Flair's career", Shawn Michaels. Jericho revealed the results of the fan cell phone poll about "Did Shawn Michaels do the ring thing?" and 65% said "YES". Jericho began talking about what Michaels did, and HBK started to defend himself for what he did, because Flair asked for the match. Jericho had a highlight from the match show where Michaels tried to backflip onto Flair at the commentators table from off the ropes. Flair moved away and Michaels crashed into the table. Jericho said he's heard HBK has cracked ribs and is out for several weeks.

Jericho confronted Michaels about nearly killing himself trying to beat Flair. Michaels began to speak and Batista interrupted. Batista said it was HBK's ego that forced him to finish off his pal Flair. HBK asked Batista where his friendship for Flair was in the weeks prior to the match and the day of Wrestlemania, since Batista didn't talk Flair out of the match. HBK told Batista that Flair didn't ask him to wrestle him because he knew Batista didn't have the nerve. HBK said he has the character to carry this burden the rest of his life, but Batista doesn't. The two continued to argue and finally Shawn Michaels exploded, telling Batista if he wants a piece of him to "Do Something about it". Michaels took off his coat and got up in Batista's face ready for a fight. Batista paused for a bit, then told Michaels he's already done something about it. Batista dropped the mic and exited the ring with Michaels standing there.

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Raw GM William Regal was shown backstage on a cell phone as Randy Orton came in to talk to him. Regal hung up the phone and told Orton that Vickie Guerrero from Smackdown just called to confirm the next Backlash match, Shawn Michaels vs. Batista. Orton began to complain about how his title match at Backlash keeps adding opponents. Orton demanded more respect from Regal. Regal reminded Orton as champ he needs to "take on all comers" and next week he can face Regal himself in a match to learn respect.

John Cena vs. Triple H & JBL
2 on 1 Handicap

As the bell rang, Randy Orton made his way down the ramp to come watch the match. JBL attacked Cena from behind to start it off. JBL started to dominate Cena then mocked HHH by not tagging him in. JBL kept beating on Cena and delivered a DDT to the mat.

Again, JBL walked over to HHH and pretended he was going to tag, then backed off. Cena started to punch JBL and got him to the corner, then whipped him to the other. Cena charged at JBL who moved out of the way causing Cena to hit the corner. JBL walked to HHH again, looked at him but wouldn't tag. As Cena stood, JBL charged and threw a shoulder into him. Back on his feet, Cena punched JBL down. JBL grabbed Cena's shorts and tugged him out of the ring. JBL went to the outside to smash Cena face first to the mat and clotheslined him down.

Back in the ring, Cena kicked out of a pinfall attempt. JBL applied a submission hold vice grip to Cena's trapezoid shoulder area. Cena maneuvered around to get on his feet, and lifted JBL's hands off him. JBL tried to whip Cena to the ropes and Cena clotheslined JBL down. JBL finally tried for a tag as Cena had momentum, but HHH backed away this time to signify JBL was on his own. Cena hit the 5 Knuckle Shuffle as Randy Orton was enraged outside the ring. JBL stood and tried to tag HHH again, but HHH backed away. Cena tried for 2 FU's but JBL got out of both attempts, then delivered a boot to Cena.

A frustrated JBL finally tried to punch HHH over on the apron. The two men began to punch back and forth and spilled outside the ring near Orton. JBL went to punch HHH and accidentally hit Orton with his fist. JBL and HHH got back into the ring with Cena getting to his feet. Orton was upset over JBL hitting him so he snuck into the ring and delivered an RKO on him. Cena took advantage of this by tossing Orton out of the ring then taking a pin on JBL for a victory.

The Backlash PPV will now feature a Fatal Fourway title match of John Cena vs. JBL vs. Triple H vs Randy Orton for the WWE title.

Winner: John Cena wins via pinfall to earn a spot in the Backlash WWE Title match.

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