Raw Recap 06.02.08

Raw recap from Bakersfield, CA:

Raw opened with the WWE champion Triple H making his way down to the ring. Highlights were shown from last night's Last Man Standing match where Orton was shoved over the top rope by Triple H. Orton suffered a broken clavicle, then was hit by a sledgehammer from Triple H. Orton was unable to stand up and lost the match. In the ring Triple H informed the fans that "the age of Orton is officially broken". Triple H said Orton is watching from a hospital room tonight, and with Orton out of the way he doesn't know who's next. Just then, John Cena's theme music hit and Cena came down to the ring to fans cheering and booing. Cena took a mic and told Triple H "the future is now". Cena said he and HHH see eye to eye on most things except the WWE title. Cena told HHH he has conquered all opponents except Cena. Cena said with the draft looming he wants to know if Triple H is ready to fight him. Triple H responded with Cena's classic line, "you want some come get some". Just then, Jeff Hardy's music came on and Hardy limped down the ramp.

Hardy got in the ring with Cena and HHH. Jeff Hardy told them that they are the 3 men from Raw who won matches last night at One Night Stand. Jeff told Cena that they are both in line for HHH's title. HHH said he doesn't care who he faces and beats, so they should work it out. Hardy said tonight he'll face Cena for the #1 contender spot. Just then, Vince McMahon appeared up on the Titantron. Vince said what the fans really want is details on how he'll give away $1 million dollars next week on Raw. Vince said he likes Jeff's idea, so tonight Jeff Hardy will face John Cena. The winner becomes #1 contender and faces HHH at Night of Champions. Jerry Lawler and JR added that the Intercontinental title will be on the line tonight as Chris Jericho faces JBL.

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An ad was shown for the 2008 WWE Draft coming June 23rd on Raw. The show will be 3 hours long and held in San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Kennedy vs. Umaga

Highlights were shown from last week's Raw where Paul Burchill sneak attacked him in the ring. Burchill and Katie Lea planned the attack because Kennedy beat William Regal to get him fired.

Burchill came out to the top of the ramp with his sister Katie Lea. Burchill said he can't compete tonight because Katie Lea has her first divas match tonight, and he has to help her prepare. Burchill said he found a suitable replacement and Umaga came down to the ring.

In the matchup, an angry Umaga came to the ring with taped up ribs. However, during the contest Kennedy targeted the injured ribs Umaga sustained from One Night Stand. Umaga went to throw Kennedy over the top rope, but Kennedy landed on the apron on both feet. Umaga followed with a shot to the face knocking Kennedy over to the commentators' table. Umaga got on the apron and went to jump at Kennedy. Just as he jumped, Kennedy moved away and Umaga crashed into the commentator table. Umaga struggled to get back in the ring but couldn't get in before the ref's 10 count. As Kennedy stood victorious in the ring, he was once again victim of a sneak attack from Paul Burchill who knocked him down to the mat.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy wins due to countout of Umaga.

A man in a business suit was shown carrying a huge case full of cash, with several other people accompanying him backstage. WWE superstars were standing around backstage in awe as the cash moved through the halls.

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WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon made his way out to the ramp as several people in business suits stood down the ramp. Vince welcome everyone to "Mr. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania" and then had $1 million in cash brought to him. Vince riled up the audience as he took the cash out and smelled it, then transferred it to another case. Vince told the audience there's armed security around so don't try anything funny. Vince said the money is all his until next week when he gives it away on Raw. Vince said by the end of next week he'll have given all the money away. Vince said to get involved all you have to do is register at WWE.com with your name, address and phone number. Vince added you must be a US resident to win. Vince added his purpose in giving the money away is to attract more people to the product. Vince said there's some people that won't be caught dead watching Raw, and they look down on the WWE fans. Vince said the WWE fans are a cross section of America. Vince said the marquee at Raw should read "No Snobs Allowed". Vince had the audience stand and yell to show the snobs what they're missing. Vince reminded fans to register at WWE.com for their chance at the money.

Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly vs. Carlito & Santino

Jerry Lawler reminded fans how Santino will challenge Cousin Sal from Jimmy Kimmel's show on Smackdown this Friday.

Prior to the match, Cody Rhodes took the mic and said they needed a timekeeper before they could start the match. Rhodes said he just remembered there's a special timekeeper for this one, and Roddy Pipper came down the ramp to ring the bell.

As the match started Carlito and Santino gained a quick advantage on Cody Rhodes. Rhodes did a cross body onto Santino off the ropes, but Santino was able to regain control. Carlito tagged in to work on Rhodes, but Rhodes began to punch back. Carlito hit a Power Bomb on Rhodes then tagged Santino in again. Santino missed Rhodes off the ropes, allowing a tag to Holly. Holly came in and started knocking Marella round the ring, then tossed him over his back for a slam. Santino made a bit of a comeback until Roddy Piper came over to the ring to distract. Marella began to yell at Piper and the ref became distracted by it. Holly grabbed Marella for the Alabama Slam, but Carlito came in the ring and kicked Holly in the gut. Marella was able to roll up Holly and the ref turned around to count the pinfall.

Winners: Carlito & Santino win via pinfall over Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly.

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Backstage, Santino told Carlito we are winners. Carlito said congrats to his partner and good job before leaving. Todd Grisham came up to interview Santino about his Smackdown match against Cousin Sal this Friday. Santino said he prepared something in honor of Jimmy Kimmel. Santino pulled out a Top 10 list regarding Cousin Sal, but Grisham told Santino that's Letterman. Next, Santino said he had a headline, but Grisham told him that's Jay Leno's thing. Santino then used a reference to Comic the Insult dog from Conan O'Brien, so Grisham thanked him for his time.

Cody Rhodes was back in the locker room as Hardcore Holly rushed in. Holly asked Rhodes why he didn't tell him that Piper would be involved. Rhodes said it's not a problem because the titles weren't on the line so they're still champs. Holly said if this keeps up, they won't be champs. Holly rushed out, and just then Ted Dibiase Jr. came into the locker room. Dibiase Jr. told Rhodes he's 3 weeks away from becoming 1/2 of the new tag team champs. Dibiase Jr. said when they lose their titles, the looks on their faces will be "priceless" just like him.

JR interviewed Chris Jericho regarding the Stretcher match between Batista & Shawn Michaels. Jericho said he encouraged Michales to do his best last night. Jericho then said he hasn't defended his IC title quite so much, but that ends tonight. Jericho said he's going to defend the title as much as possible, starting tonight with JBL on Raw. Jericho said he dedicates tonight's match to Shawn Michaels as he recovers.

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WWE Slam of the Week showed highlights from last week's Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho rematch. Jericho sent Michaels out of the ring and put him into the Walls of Jericho submission. The ref finally counted both men out. Y2J grabbed a steel chair and was about to use it on Michaels, but held back.

JBL vs. Chris Jericho
Intercontinental title match

Prior to the match Jim Ross informed fans of a press conference at 12 noon tomorrow from Staples Center in Los Angeles. The event will cover Mr. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania and will have HHH, Cena and Maria on hand as well.

In this Raw match, Y2J put his IC title on the line against familiar foe, JBL. During the contest, JBl was able to lock a full nelson onto Jericho. Y2J fought to break out of it, using his elbows to hit JBL. JBL quickly hit Jericho back down to the mat, then picked him up to seat him in the corner. JBL tried to punch Jericho in the corner, but Y2J used leverage to hit a DDT on JBL. Jericho took control and knocked JBL down several times with shoulder blocks. Jericho tried for Walls of Jericho but JBL countered it, so Y2J tripped him down to the ropes. After jumping on JBL, Jericho continued to dominate.

JBL was able to recover when he caught Jericho jumping at him from the corner, then slammed Jericho to the mat. JBL waited for Jericho to stand and went for the Clothesline from Hell. Y2J ducked it and continued to fight back. Both men eventually went outside the ring with Jericho down. JBL went for a steel chair with the referee warning him. JBL shoved the ref prompting the ref to call for the bell. Jericho was able to escape JBL's chair shot and the chair ended up hitting JBL in the throat. With JBL layed out, Jericho grabbed the chair but held back from hitting his fallen opponent.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins due to disqualification of JBL.

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A promo was shown for Mr. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania. The ad reminded fans to register at WWE.com for their chance to win.

As Raw returned the million dollars was shown up on the ramp as "Money Money" theme music played. Just then, Beth Phoenix' theme music came on and The Glamazon came to the ramp. Highlights were shown from Beth Phoenix' One Night Stand match against Melina. Beth forced Melina to yell I Quit after applying a vicious submission hold.

Melina & Mickie James vs. Katie Lea & Beth Phoenix

Melina looked beat up as she came down the ramp holding her lower back. Katie Lea started off against Mickie, but the Women's champ gained the upperhand against the rookie diva. Mickie tried to reach back to make a tag at Melina, but Melina seemed to just be staring across the ring at Beth Phoenix. Mickie was unable to make a tag, and Katie Lea kicked her in the gut. Beth Phoenix sooned tagged in to try to dominate Mickie.

Mickie James was able to escape from Beth as she flipped over her back then kicked her several times. After Mickie landed a dropkick to knock Beth down, Melina screamed for a tag. Mickie slapped her hand and Melina charged into the ring, jumping on Beth. The two divas eventually spilled outside the ring. Katie Lea came over to assist Beth with Mickie coming to get Melina. Melina tried to run back at Beth but was clotheslined down by the Glamazon.

Katie Lea tagged in to try to take advantage of the beaten up Melina. Melina was able to escape Katie Lea briefly in the ring, and tagged in Mickie. Mickie began to use quick moves to knock down Katie including a jump off the top ropes. Katie was able to score a kick on Mickie off the ropes, then ran over and elbowed Melina off the apron. Mickie tried to set up her finisher but Katie shoved her away towards Beth Phoenix' corner. As the ref rushed over to check on Melina who was outside the ring, Beth got into the ring and hit Mickie from behind. Katie took the quick pin for the victory.

After the win, Paul Burchill came down the ramp applauding his sister's performance for her first win. All of a sudden, Mr. Kennedy rushed down the ring and attacked Burchill. Kennedy brought him in the ring to continue the beatdown. Burchill eventually escaped and backed up the ramp with his sister Katie Lea.

Winners: Katie Lea & Beth Phoenix win via pinfall over Mickie James & Melina.

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Cryme Tyme made their way out the ramp and started eyeing the case full of $1 million dollars. JTD went towards the case but his partner held him back and pointed out the plain clothes security standing near the ramp. Jerry Lawler tried to show fans how to register for the million dollar prize on WWE.com, but the site said "Temporarily Unavailable" meaning fans were flooding the site to enter.

Lance Cade vs. Trevor Murdoch

Former tag team champions faced one another here in a new feud. Before the match Trevor took the mic and sang a country tune before the bell.

Early on the match spilled out of the ring with Trevor in control. Cade was able to reverse thing and did a backdrop slamming Trevor down. Cade set Murdoch's head against the ringpost then ran over and kneed his head. Cade began to take control in the ring applying a chinlock type move to keep Murdoch down. Murdoch got up and dropped down to escape Cade's hold. Murdoch started to take control and used a huge boot off the ropes, but couldn't get the pin.

Murdoch had Cade down on the mat so he climbed the corner. As Murdoch jumped, Cade stood up and punched him in the midsection, then leveled him with a side slam finisher for the pin.

Winner: Lance Cade wins via pinfall over Trevor Murdoch.

Jeff Hardy shown backstage in a cage type apparatus preparing himself for the match against Cena tonight.

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Advertisement shown for the upcoming new DVD about The Rock which comes out next week.

When Raw returned, Jim Ross said last night's Pay Per View included a shocker, with Edge against Undertaker. The match was a TLC match for the World Heavyweight title with Taker's career on the line as well. Taker was able to deliver the Last Ride off the ladder and smash Edge through tables in the ring.

Taker avoided the attack of La Familia and began to climb the ladder. Edge got up in time to shove the ladder against the ropes, causing Taker to spill out of the ring and crash through several tables. Edge climbed the ladder and grabbed the title. Michael Cole announced that the career of Undertaker is dead, but his legacy lasts forever. After the highlights, Jim Ross said Taker won't be eligible for the draft in 3 weeks.

Mickie James was getting checked on backstage after her tag team divas match. John Cena came in to check on her, and apologized for all the gossip going on about them. Cena said he can understand why they do it since Mickie's an attractive diva and they assume things. Mickie said Cena's hot too and it wasn't a problem. Cena also returned a pair of panties to Mickie who blushed then said she had to go get ice on her injury.

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Jeff Hardy vs. John Cena
To Determine #1 Contender for WWE title

In a first ever meeting, John Cena took on Jeff Hardy with the winner getting to face Triple H at Night of Champions. During One Night Stand, Hardy pulled off an impressive Swanton from atop a huge WWE production truck. Hardy won the falls count anywhere match against opponent Umaga.

Early on during the match a fan jumped into the ring. Security quickly pounced on him as Cena had Hardy down in a headlock. The fan was seen being carried out by security. Cena and Hardy both got into separate corners with both men smirking about what just happened. Hardy and Cena went back to grappling with Hardy getting control of Cena in a headlock. Cena got up and shoved Hardy to the ropes, leapfrogged him then used an armbar takedown.

Cena tried for a pin after an elbow drop, but Hardy escaped it. Cena tried to keep Hardy down for a while, but Jeff soon got to his feet and used armbar takdowns of his own to bring Cena to the mat. After a suplex on Cena, Hardy tried to keep Cena grounded. Cena was able to escape and eventually trip Hardy down. Cena went to grab Jeff's leg, but Jeff kicked him away out of the ring. After using the ropes to dropkick Cena, Jeff jumped over the top rope to crash down onto Cena outside the ring. Cena was layed out as Raw headed to commercial.

When Raw returned, Hardy was in control in the ring taking Cena to the mat. Cena kicked out of a near pinfall. Jeff tried to whip Cena from one corner to the other, but Cena reversed it sending Hardy to the corner. After a suplex, Cena went for the pin but Jeff kicked out at 2. Jeff was able to stand up in the corner and avoid a charging Cena, then clotheslined him down for another near pinfall.

The two men got back to their feet and this time Cena was able to stun Jeff then used a back buster to knock him to the mat. Jeff kicked out of yet another pinfall by Cena. Jeff was able to gain momentum again and hit a face first suplex on Cena. Jeff climbed the corner and went for a Swanton, but Cena rolled out of the way. Both men were down on the mat as the ref counted. When they got up, Cena took control and knocked Jeff down, then hit the FIve Knuckle Shuffle on him. Cena waited for Jeff to stand then hoisted him up for an FU. Jeff fought out and began to use his quickness to knock Cena around, eventually dropkicking him to the corner and in the corner.

Jeff was able to hit Whisper in the Wind and tried for a pin, but Cena got his shoulder up before 3. Cena and Hardy got to their feet again. Cena was able to get Jeff up for the FU, but it was near the ropes and Jeff escaped. Jeff went for a flying bodypress off the corner ropes, but Cena caught him in the air. In an impressive feat of strength, Cena held Jeff then flipped him onto his shoulders to FU him down to the mat. Cena pulls off the pinfall victory in a tough match.

Winner: John Cena wins via pinfall over Jeff Hardy to become the #1 Contender for Triple H's WWE title.

After Cena's victory, Triple H's music came on and The Game came out onto the ramp. Cena walked up the ramp to HHH and pointed as his title to let him know he's next in line. Triple H held up his belt for all to see as Raw left the air.

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