Raw Recap 05.05.08

Raw recap from Toronto, Ontario

Raw opened with highlights of William Regal as the new King of the Ring. Regal announced that as King and GM he is the most powerful entity in all of WWE. Mr. Kennedy interrupted last week's official coronation ceremony for Regal, prompting a brawl between the two in the ring. Later on during the main event match for the WWE title, Regal extracted revenge on WWE fans since he was disrespected. Regal screamed at a WWE production staff to pull the plug on the match, leaving fans with a pitch black ending for Raw.

The show opened with WWE chairman Vince McMahon standing at the top of the ramp, mic in hand. Vince spoke of how Regal did something nobody has done before by pulling the plug on the main event match. Vince said fans flooded WWE with email, letters and calls, demanding he appear on Raw to address this. Vince then added that Regal's actions were innovative and visionary, reminding him of himself. Vince said he fully endorses Regal as King and GM. Lillian Garcia was in ring and introduced the King and GM.

Regal arrived down to the ring while fans screamed and booed him. Regal said the fans will respect him, then asked if he has it. Fans booed and yelled no. Regal said he is prepared to turn the lights out at his discretion. Fans chanted Regal sucks, so Regal ordered the arena lights shut off. A dark arena was shown with chants of "Regal sucks" still going. Regal instructed for the lights to be turned back on. As Regal continued to speak, suddenly Mr. Kennedy's music hit and Kennedy came down to confront him.

The two stared each other down in the ring. Kennedy told Regal if he wants respect then he needs to go one on one with him tonight. Regal told Kennedy he's his superior and Kennedy asked him to prove it. Regal said tonight Kennedy will be featured in the main event against the entire ECW roster. Regal said this will promote ECW's 100th episode tomorrow night. Just then, HHH's music came on and The Game came down to the ring.

Triple H congratulated Regal on his new found position of power and gave him the advice to not make mistakes, like turning the lights out on his match. HHH said Regal does not want to go to war with him. Regal said HHH has a steel cage match in 2 weeks at Judgement Day, but tonight's main event will now be the entire ECW roster against Triple H & Kennedy.

---

Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James
Women's title Lumberjack Match

All of the current WWE divas surrounded the ring for The Glamazon's attempt to recapture the Women's championship. Early on Beth shoved Mickie to the mat to start it off. Beth continued to show her power, using a hard shoulder block to knock Mickie down, then tossing her out of the ring for heel divas to attack. The other divas came over to break it up and rescue Mickie from the attack. Victoria tossed Mickie back into the ring.

Mickie fought back and eventually countered a Beth move to get a neckbreaker. Jillian interfered prompting Mickie to exit the ring. Another diva brawl broke out, and Mickie rolled back in the ring. Beth attempted a pin as Raw hit commercial break. Raw returned with Beth holding Mickie's arms back on the mat to wear her down. Mickie eventually stood up, then dropped down to kick Beth in the face. Mickie was able to kick her way out of Beth's attempted slam move. Mickie was able to get to the corner ropes after kicking Layla away, then jumped off to land on Beth in the ring. Mickie continued to kick away, eventually kicking Beth out to the face divas.

The face divas attacked Beth then Maria tossed her back in. Beth took exception and pulled Maria into the ring. Meanwhile, Melina had snuck into the ring behind Mickie and went to hit her with a boot. Mickie moved out of the way and Melina hit Beth. Mickie knocked Melina out of the ring then rolled up Beth for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Mickie James wins via pinfall over Beth Phoenix to retain the WWE Women's Championship.

Backstage, William Regal was in an office and Chris Jericho entered. Regal asked Jericho if he's sure that Shawn Michaels is faking an injury. Chris Jericho said he was 100% sure. Regal said tonight Michaels and Jericho get to face the WWE tag champs, Morrison and Miz. Regal said if Michaels isn't hurt then Jericho has nothing to worry about.

---

Backstage, Trevor Murdoch was singing a country song to a WWE female staff. He turned around and Trish Stratus was there looking on in disbelief. Before Trish could say anything, Ron Simmons appeared. After a moment of looking at Trish, then Trevor, Ron Simmons exclaimed "DAMN!"

Jim Ross extended congratulations to Ron Simmons for being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Todd Grisham interviewed Randy Orton back in the locker room. Grisham asked for Orton's thoughts on last week's WWE title match which Regal cut short. Orton said he doesn't necessarily agree with the decision but Regal is King and GM so he respects it. Orton said later tonight he will show CM Punk what's in store if he ever cashes in MITB on him, then in 2 weeks at Backlash the "age of Orton" resumes.

John Cutler vs. Paul Burchill & Katie Lea
2 on 1 Handicap match

Prior to the brother and sister taking on Cutler, William Regal appeared on the ramp and ordered Jim Ross' mic turned off. Regal said another man who's been disrespected like he has will provide commentary. Mike Adamle, ECW commentator came out from backstage and then joined Jerry Lawler to call the match.

The match started with Katie shoving Cutler. Burchill knocked him down the started to attack. Burchill continued choking Culter on the ropes, and Katie delivered a solid kick to his head from the apron. Katie crawled on the mat and seemed to delight in Burchill's headlock on Cutler. Cutler eventually hit Burchill away then grabbed Katie to trip her. Burchill recovered and knocked Cutler back down. Burchill held Cutler up in on his knees while Katie jumped off the ropes and landed with her feet stomping onto his back. Burchill finished Cutler off with a foot on his back to drive him face first into the mat. Katie Lea took the pin.

Winner: Paul Burchill and Katie Lea win via pinfall over John Cutler.

Mike Adamle exited after the matchup, with Lawler telling him he won't complain about his commentary because the line's too long.

Shawn Michaels shown lacing his boots up backstage when Chris Jericho entered. Jericho said he'd start the match but expects Michaels to have his back. Shawn told Y2J he can doubt him all he wants, but he really has a legit injury. Shawn said he will still do his best out there. Jericho nodded still seeming to doubt HBK before leaving.

---

Shawn Michaels & Chris Jericho vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Michaels limped down the ramp to the ring, with Jericho looking out at him from the ring in disbelief. Jericho started off against Miz and took the upperhand. After a dropkick sent Miz to the mat, Morrison tagged in. Jericho continued to stay in control and tried to run at Morrison in the corner. Morrison moved away causing Y2J to hit the corner. At one point, Jericho tried for the Walls of Jericho. Miz was near him on the apron. Jericho ducked a clothesline by Miz and then jumped off the ropes to kick him off the apron. As Jericho got up, Morrison did a similar move to kick Jericho down.

Miz and Morrison began to play keep away with Jericho, so he couldn't tag Michaels. After both men tagged in and out, Jericho managed to get Walls of Jericho on Miz. Morrison delivered a kick to the back of Y2J's head to break it up. Morrison ran over and hit HBK in the face with a forearm. As Morrison stood up Y2J for a finisher, Michaels was back on his feet and delivered Sweet Chin Music. Jericho followed with a Lionsault off the ropes to take the pin. Michaels started to limp up the ramp as Y2J has his arm raised in victory.

Winners: Chris Jericho & Shawn Michaels win via pinfall over John Morrison & The Miz.

---

CM Punk vs. Randy Orton

Mr. Money in the Bank took on the Legend Killer in a match set up by William Regal to promote ECW's 100th episode tomorrow night. The match started with Orton shoving Punk down. Back on his feet Punk stared down Orton. Orton was able to knock Punk down again with a shoulder block off the ropes, but Punk delivered a kick to his face. Punk knocked Orton out of the ring, then tried to jump at him from the apron. Orton got up and yanked Punk's foot out causing him to fall on his back outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Orton took control, stomping all over Punk on the mat. Orton went to jump on Punk's head with his knee. Punk moved away to escape. Punk went for a high risk move which Orton avoided, then tried for a pinfall. Punk finally gained momentum, delivering several kicks and a bulldog on Orton. Regal came out to the top of the ramp and told the audience that due to their lack of respect he was ordering the lights shut off. Regal called the match "officially over" to show his authority.

Winner: No winner as GM William Regal ordered the match officially over.

---

An angry Randy Orton was shown screaming at Todd Grisham backstage. Orton shouted that this is 2 weeks in a row Regal has ended his match. Orton said he's going to Regal's office now to find out what is going on.

Carlito's Cabana w/Roddy Piper

Carlito had footage shown of last week when Santino came up to Roddy Piper backstage. Santino made several remarks including an insult of Cyndi Lauper, then received a slap in the face from Piper. Carlito said it's time to clear the air now, and introduced Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Carlito welcomed Piper to the Cabana. Carlito confronted Piper for taking things too far by slapping Santino. Piper said that's how he's been his whole life. Carlito interrupted Piper and said Santino's his partner and a future tag team champ, and Carlito would have slapped him back. Piper insulted Carlito's hairstyle, and the two got ready to fight. Just then, Santino's music came on and Marella arrived down to the ring.

Santino told Carlito not to lay a hand on Piper, because he's all his. Santino reminded Piper it took him 8 years to win the Intercontinental title, but only took Santino 1 night. Piper told Santino he needs to get himself a designated driver. Carlito and Santino started to get ready to go at Piper, but just then Cody Rhodes came out to the ramp. Carlito told Cody to stay out of it, and Rhodes said he knows 2 guys dying to meet Piper. Cryme Tyme emerged from backstage and ran to the ring with Rhodes, chasing Marella & Carlito out.

With Santino & Carlito up the ramp, Big Shad took the mic and said tonight it's not about that "Money Money" but that "Rowdy Rowdy". Cryme Tyme and Rhodes led the crowd in the chant, while they all danced with Roddy in the ring.

---

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the two known Judgement Day matches, with HHH and Orton for the WWE title in a steel cage, and JBL taking on John Cena. JBL was shown backstage standing at his white limo. JBL said for the first time in history fans will now get to see what it's like to ride in his limo complete with full bar and high speed internet. JBL got into the back seat and delivered a message to John Cena about Judgement Day, as the limo made its way out to the ramp. JBL continued talking on the mic as he got the ring and said he wished it was Cena in the ring, but instead he'll beat up a Canadian. JBL told DH his daddy, Davey Boy, Bret Hart and God can't help him now.

DH Smith vs. JBL

JBL immediately kicked DH in the gut and began to assault him. JBL used a ferocious attack to send Cena a message. JBL beat up DH on the mat, delivered two huge clotheslines and several elbow drops before using the Clothesline from Hell.

After the bell, JBL stood up DH and put him in the corner, then started to punch and kick away at him. JBL continued to pummel Smith in the corner with punches. Four referees got involved to help restrain JBL from a further attack.

Winner: JBL wins via pinfall over DH Smith.

---

Backstage, William Regal was in the locker room to talk to the ECW roster. Armando Estrada was present as Regal told the ECW wrestlers to put their differences aside for tonight and teach Kennedy & HHH a lesson in the ring. Regal told them he fully expects a victory and won't turn the power off on the match.

Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross looked at the Smackdown Rebound which covered Undertaker's title match against Khali last Friday. GM Vickie Guerrero came to the ramp with Edge and told Undertaker that his choke hold is illegal and he's been hurting too many wrestlers. Vickie said in order to protect other wrestlers, Taker's hold is banned and his title is stripped. Taker refused to bring the title to her, so she sent Khali down and get the title. Undertaker proceeded to kick Khali down, then applied the Triangle Choke. As he was distracted, Ryder & Hawkins snuck into the ring and grabbed Taker's title, then ran it up to Vickie and Edge.

Mr. Kennedy & Triple H vs. The ECW Roster
14 on 2 Handicap match

A match arranged by ECW GM Armando Estrada and Raw GM William Regal to promote ECW's 100th Episode tomorrow night. Nunzio, The Miz, John Morrison, Bam Neely, Chavo, Shelton Benjamin, Matt Striker, Kofi Kingston, Mike Knox, Tommy Dreamer, Stevie Richards, Elijah Burke and ECW champion Kane all arrived to the ring. Kane came down last and stood in the ring facing Chavo and Neely, then his pyro erupted from the ring corners as Raw hit commercial.

Kennedy started off with Burke, eventually able to clothesline Burke down. Triple H soon tagged in as did Matt Striker, who wound up on the receiving end of Triple H punches. Kennedy tagged back in and eventually Mike Knox got in to get the better of him. Chavo entered next to continue the assault, followed by Kofi Kingston. Tommy Dreamer came in to suplex Kennedy then elbow drop on him, but couldn't take a 3 count. The ECW roster did a good job of keeping Kennedy away from HHH. Shelton made a blind tag on Kofi's back, then ended up being hit in the face as Kennedy ducked Kofi's flying move.

Shelton tossed Kofi out of the ring then went at Kennedy. Kennedy managed to counter and slam Shelton back, but in came Nunzio with the tag. Kennedy finally escaped from Nunzio and crawled towards HHH. Chavo Guerrero tagged Nunzio then ran over to try to punch HHH. Eventually HHH got in the ring and a bunch of ECW wrestlers went at him. Kane got into it and delivered a high chokeslam on Kennedy. Chavo climbed the ropes to Frogsplash. Kane grabbed Chavo around his neck, and Bam Neely came over the knock Kane out of the ring.

Chavo jumped off the corner ropes as the legal man to Frogsplash Kennedy and take the pinfall. After the bell, Triple H went wild and started to beat up charging ECW members. The Miz and Tommy Dreamer tried to hold HHH while Mike Knox brought a chair into the ring. Triple H fought out of the hold and grabbed the chair then started bashing several ECW stars over the head. All of a sudden with HHH in the middle of the ring, the lights went out on the arena. When the lights came back, Randy Orton was in the ring and delivered a quick RKO to drop HHH. Orton stood menacingly over HHH as Raw ended.

Winner: The ECW Roster wins via pinfall over Triple H & Mr. Kennedy.

---