Raw Recap 05.26.08

Raw recap from Denver, CO

Vince McMahon opened Raw discussing how the fans deserve to be shown appreciation. Vince said tonight he's going to make sure the fans get that appreciation even if it means he does something that's never been done before. Vince said he'll even consult with the WWE superstars for their ideas tonight, but before the night's over the fans will get appreciation.

Face Off - HHH & Randy Orton

Todd Grisham hosted an in ring face off between the two stars involved in this Sunday's Last Man Standing match. Grisham brought up Orton's title win over HHH in their previous Last Man Standing match, and asked him about the fact he competed twice, while HHH competed three times. Orton asked why people don't give him the respect he deserves, but instead put an asterik next to all his wins. HHH remarked how Orton keeps coming out week after week trying to convince people he's great, but maybe he's trying to convince himself. Orton brought up how HHH goes after anyone who threatens him, and brought up Evolution. HHH said the goal of he and Flair was to help Orton develop his potential, but now he's on his own because it's about the title. Orton said Sunday at One Night Stand he'll beat him until he can't get up, and Orton will be Last Man Standing. Orton turned to leave the ring, and HHH said that's not the last word, the last word will be unspoken on Sunday. HHH vowed to leave Orton within an inch of his life and laying in the ring. HHH exited to the apron and had Grisham hand over the WWE title, then held it up in Orton's face before leaving.

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Jim Ross announced there will be a first ever WWE Divas match at One Night Stand. The match will feature Melina versus Beth Phoenix in an I Quit match.

Melina vs. Jillian Hall

Beth Phoenix joined JR and Lawler at ringside for commentary. Jillian sang an awful rendition of Mr. McMahon's theme song "No Chance in Hell" to tell Melina about her chances of beating beth on Sunday. Melina came out to interrupt.

In the matchup, Jillian took control early, after tackling Melina. Jillian continued to beat Melina around the ring until they went to the corner. Melina countered Jillian's attempt to toss her by the hair, and dropkicked her to the corner. Jillian had Melina on her shoulders, but Melina slipped off. The two rolled each other up for pinfalls on the mat, until Melina rolled it into a submission hold. Jillian tapped out giving Melina the victory. After the win, Beth stood up outside the ring and Melina stared her down.

Winner: Melina wins via submission over Jillian Hall.

Chris Jericho met with Vince McMahon backstage and told him he had an idea for a match tonight. Jericho suggested a rematch between he and Shawn Michaels. Vince said he liked the idea so it's on for tonight, without the Intercontinental title on the line. Y2J started to suggest Vince change up his theme song's style, when Cryme Tyme entered the office. Cryme Tyme launched into a song of their own saying they were there for that "auction, auction...yeah yeah" before walking off with a few paintings from the office walls.

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When Raw returned they showed footage of Cryme Tyme's auction with the audience during the break. As they were chanting their "Money, Money" chant, Ron Simmons showed up on the ramp to exclaim "DAMN!"

Kendrick & London vs. Rhodes & Holly
World Tag Team title match

Rhodes and Holly dominated early on. After a Holly clothesline, Rhodes tagged in to work on Kendrick. Kendrick was able to escape Rhodes' jump attempt off the corner ropes. London and Holly tagged in, with London using quick moves to knock down both Holly and Rhodes. The ref became distracted with Rhodes as Holly went for the Alabama Slam on London. Kendrick ran into the ring while the ref was distracted, and dropkicked Holly down, causing London to land on him for a pin. As the ref turned to count, Holly just kicked out at 2. All four men got into the ring with Kendrick getting clotheslined out by Rhodes. London ran over and clotheslined Rhodes out then hung onto the ropes as they went over. As London tried to flip himself back in, Holly was there to put him on his shoulders for the Alabama Slam, capturing the win.

After the match had ended, the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase's music hit as he made his way onto the ramp with a mic. Dibiase told the tag champs congratulations on their win because their days as title holders are numbered. Dibiase introduced everyone to his wrestling son, also named Ted Dibiase. The younger Dibiase took the mic and put the tag champs on notice, saying everyone has a price and he is "priceless". The younger Dibiase said he plans to take the tag titles in his first match against them, but didn't name a partner.

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly win via pinfall over Kendrick & London to retain the World Tag team titles.

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WWE Slam of the Week showed last week's mock "Piper's Pit" hosted by Santino Marella dressed up as Piper. Santino had Cousin Sal from Jimmy Kimmel's Late Night show as his guest and threatened to shove a birthday cake in his face if he didn't apologize for what he did to Santino. Roddy Piper appeared in the ring behind Santino and then he and Sal shoved the cake into Santino's face before tossing him out of the ring. An angry Santino challenged Sal to a match on Smackdown next week, which Piper accepted for Sal.

JR and Lawler introduced footage of Roddy Piper training Cousin Sal in a gym's ring. Piper slapped Sal in the face prompting Sal to say he would come back next week. Piper told him no they'd train now. Just then, Jimmy Kimmel showed up to watch the session as Piper beat Sal around the ring. Jimmy Kimmel sat down eating popcorn to watch as Piper continued using various wrestling moves on Sal.

Mickie James pitched her idea to Vince McMahon backstage about a "Diva for a Day" contest, where school kids send in tapes about why they like WWE Raw. The winner would get a diva for a day at their school. JBL walked in and interrupted saying that Mickie's idea sounded like the Divas are entertaining like an "escort service". JBL then told Vince he'd like to give the fans something for appreciation at One Night Stand, Cena's blood. JBL insulted Mickie before leaving the office, claiming she was Cena's girlfriend and has exchanged enough fluid with him to know.

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Raw returned with several troops stationed in Iraq sending out greetings to their friends, family and WWE fans for Memorial Day.

John Cena & Jeff Hardy vs. JBL & Umaga

Highlights were shown from last Monday's Raw where Umaga decimated Hardy outside the ring, leaving him to be checked on by WWE staff.

Cena and JBL were about to face off, but JBL backed up and tagged Umaga in. The two faced off in the center and Cena started to punch away. Cena went for a quick F-U, but Umaga's weight was too much and dropped him to the mat. Umaga began to pick apart Cena, punching him around the ring to JBL's delight. Umaga tried to charge at Cena in the corner but Cena avoided him. Umaga caught Cena off the ropes and was able to hit a massive sideslam, but couldn't get the pin. Raw headed to break with Cena down.

The match continued with Cena managing to get the tag to Hardy. Umaga stood up and Jeff began the attack. After elbowing Umaga in the corner Jeff went to the corner. JBL came over on the apron to try to interfere, but Jeff kicked him down. As Jeff went to jump at Umaga from the apron, the Samoan Bulldozer shoved him down out of the ring. JBL attacked Jeff on the outside before tossing him back in for Umaga.

Umaga tagged in JBL who took control over Hardy in the ring. The two began to fight in the center of the ring with JBL throwing Jeff to the corner. Jeff ran up the corner and landed the Whisper in the Wind to crash down on JBL. Jeff crawled over and tagged Cena, who came in to clothesline JBL down several times. Cena slammed JBL down then ran over to punch Umaga on the apron. Cena delivered a Five Knuckle Shuffle on JBL, but Umaga ran in and knocked Cena out of the ring. Jeff had made a blind tag and went for a Swanton on JBL, but JBL avoided it. As Jeff staggered to his feet, JBL delivered the Clothesline from Hell to take the pinfall, before Cena could get back in.

Winners: JBL & Umaga win via pinfall over Jeff Hardy & John Cena.

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Shawn Michaels spoke to Vince McMahon backstage and told him it's hard for him to think of Vince as doing anything "decent". Vince told Shawn he's going to show his appreciation and by the end of the night even HBK will have to "give the devil his due".

Highlights were shown of the WWE in Mexico including Super Crazy, Mr. Kennedy, Shawn Michaels & Triple H.

Carltio vs. Mr. Kennedy

Highlights were shown from last week's show where Kennedy defeated William Regal in a "Loser Gets Fired" match. Kennedy introduced himself prior to the match as the man who singlehandedly got Regal dismissed.

In the matchup, Carlito took control as he choked Kennedy against the ropes then used a chokehold down on the mat. Kennedy made a comeback as he clotheslined Carlito down off the ropes. Kennedy used his boot on Carlito's head near the ropes several times, but Carlito got up and slammed Kennedy down. As Kennedy stood up, Carlito prepared for the Backstabber, but Kennedy rammed him back into the corner. Kennedy was able to hit the Mic Check on Carlito and collect the victory.

As Kennedy stood victorious in the ring, Katie Lea appeared from backstage and began to walk down the ramp with a mic. Katie told Kennedy that some of the WWE roster was not happy with Kennedy getting Regal dismissed. As Katie continued to talk, all of a sudden Paul Burchhill showed up behind Kennedy in the ring. Burchhill attacked Kennedy from behind and beat him down to the mat. Katie Lea appeared in the ring and asked Burchhill to do his finisher, so he picked up Kennedy then rammed his knee into Kennedy's back to slam him face first to the mat.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy wins via pinfall over Carlito.

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Backstage Trevor Murdoch was singing a country version of Mr. McMahon's theme song to him. Vince told Murdoch to make sure every WWE superstar, referee and staff was present out in the arena following the next match. Trevor said no problem, then left the office singing.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler ran down the lineup for One Night Stand including Edge vs. Undertaker for the World Heavyweight title, JBL vs. Cena in a 1st Blood match, and Triple H vs. Orton in the Last Man Standing match for the WWE title. A video highlight package was shown of all the events leading up to the Orton vs. HHH feud.

Chris Jericho was shown walking backstage on his way out to the ring.

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Various military personnel were shown giving their greetings for Memorial day to family, friends and the WWE.

Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

Y2J and HBK grappled to start things off, taking each other down to the mat where they countered one another's moves. Back to their feet, this time Michaels got a wrist lock on Jericho Jericho reversed for his own wristlock. HBK was able to shove Jericho to the ropes then used an armbar takedown. Jericho was able to knock Michaels onto the apron, and went for a flying kick off the ropes. Michaels moved away causing Jericho to crash into the commentators' table. Raw headed to break with Y2J recovering outside the ring.

Raw returned with Y2J keeping Michaels down on the mat in a headlock. Michaels got back to his feet to fight out and ran off the ropes to try a bridge pin. After Jericho kicked out he hit a spin kick and knocked Michaels back down. The two went to the corner where Jericho gained the advantage. Jericho went for a bulldog from the ropes, but Michaels shoved him to the corner. Michaels threw Jericho to the ropes then ran off to hit him with a flying clothesline.

Michaels flipped up to his feet, but Jericho also got up and tried to use the Walls of Jericho. Michaels escaped it, so Jericho went for the Lionsault, which HBK also avoided. HBK went to the corner for the flying elbow drop, but Jericho rolled out of the way. Jericho got to the corner opposite Michaels and waited for him to stand. Jericho ran at Michaels for the Codebreaker, but Michaels pushed him down. Michaels waited for Jericho to get up and then went for the Sweet Chin Music.

Jericho ducked Michaels' kick attempt then put him into the Walls of Jericho. Michaels struggled for a while and finally crawled to get the bottom rope. An angry Jericho knocked Michaels to the outside and put him into the Walls of Jericho as the ref counted both men out. Jericho kept the Walls of Jericho locked on after the bell, until the ref broke it up. Jericho went to put the hold on again, but the ref pulled him away. This time Y2J grabbed a steel chair and got ready to smash it onto HBK. Jericho stopped himself from hitting Michaels, then offered his hand to HBK. Jericho helped Michaels to his feet and tossed the chair down, then walked away as HBK recovered near the commentators' table.

Winner: Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels fight to a double countout.

Vince McMahon shown walking backstage on his way to the ring.

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Vince McMahon's Epic Announcement

The entire Raw roster was shown standing at the top of the ramp as Vince McMahon strutted down to the ring. Vince reminded fans that he would show the ultimate appreciation. Vince said the 2008 WWE Draft will occur in several weeks to mix up the roster and bring new divas, superstars and rivalries. Vince then said he knows appreciation is all about "cash money" and asked the fans what they thought about him giving money away each week on Raw. Vince then told the fans each week he plans to give away the sum of not $1,000, or $10,000 but the sum of $1 Million dollars. JR, Lawler and the fans were in shock as Raw ended with Vince's theme music playing and the chairman smiling in the ring.

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