Raw Recap 06.16.08

Raw Recap from Salt Lake City, Utah

Raw opened with John Cena arriving to the ring to loud fanfare from the crowd. Cena spoke about the various moments in history that all fans remember, such as Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant, or Stone Cold giving his first ass whooping. Triple H interrupted Cena's speech to come to the ring and confront Cena for costing him the match vs. Jeff Hardy last week. Cena threw it back at HHH for tripping him on the commentators' table. The two continued trash talking and Cena shoved HHH. Both men got ready to fight. All of a sudden, Vince McMahon showed up on the ramp and sent a referee down to the ring. Vince told Cena he'll be fighting, but not against HHH tonight. Instead, VInce told Cena he gets to open Raw by facing Umaga in a Street Fight. HHH got on the mic and wished Cena good luck before his exit.

John Cena vs. Umaga
Street Fight

In the vicious match, the action spilled outside the ring then back inside. At one point Cena used a mic to hit Umaga on the head. Cena kept trying to finish off Umaga to no avail. Finally, Umaga had Cena down and grabbed some steel steps. As Umaga went to hit Cena, Cena avoided him and scored the FU to get the pinfall victory.

Winner: John Cena wins via pinfall over Umaga.

Vince McMahon awarded $125,000, the first cash prize of the night to a man in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The password for Raw's giveaway was "Watch Raw and Win". Vince then introduced a diva bikini contest, and Maria and Eve arrived to the ring.

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Summertime Beach Bikini Blowout

An in-ring diva bikini contest was held with Charlie Haas as the host. Last week, Charlie kissed WWE diva Maria on the ramp to help a viewer win extra prize money. Haas was then attacked by Mae Young who continued to tackle him and kiss him to the ground.

In tonight's bikini contest, Layla, Lena Yada, Eve Torres, Melina, Maryse, Jillian and Maria competed. Each diva removed their robe to reveal a bikini, then danced for the crowd. Jillian grabbed the mic from Charlie Haas on her turn and told the crowd they were there to hear her sing. Jillian began screeching out a tune, then Haas grabbed the mic back to continue the contest. Eve went next followed by Maria. Haas asked the crowd to cheer as judges for each diva, and Maria received the loudest cheers, making her the winner.

Winner: Maria wins the Summertime Bikini Beach Blowout.

After the divas contest, Vince McMahon dialed up another Raw viewer and gave them $100,000. The divas danced in the ring to celebrate.

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When Raw returned from a break, Chris Jericho was shown backstage oiling himself up and talking to a WWE female staff member. Jim Ross introduced highlights of last week's "Highlight Reel" on Raw where Jericho attacked Shawn Michaels during the show. Jericho kicked Michaels in the groin for a low blow, then later smashed Michaels face first int othe flat screen TV in the ring. JR said later tonight Jericho will explain his actions.

Vince McMahon was at the top of the ramp for another giveaway and called Hacksaw Jim Duggan out. Duggan came out in a tuxedo with his 2x4. Vince attempted to dial a viewer, but their voicemail picked up, so he left then a message they just missed $50,000. Vince dialed the next person and awarded $50,000, then had the person give a Hacksaw "Hooo!" imitation.

Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito

Highlights shown from last week where Jeff leapt over the top rope to crash down on both Cena and Triple H. Jeff was coming off the win against Triple H last week, thanks to Cena's interference. In tonight's match vs. Carlito, Jeff went to the corner ropes and jumped off towards Carlito. Carlito avoided him, but Jeff landed on his feet. Since Jeff had his back to Carlito, Carlito went for the Backstabber. Jeff countered and hit Twist of Fate to plant Carlito to the mat. Jeff followed with a Swanton Bomb for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Carlito.

At the top of the ramp, Vince McMahon dialed up another Raw viewer in Minnesota and gave them $125,000, then had them sing a few lines of the National Anthem. The caller told Vince that Night of Champions is on his birthday, and Vince gave a strange look before hanging up.

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Chris Jericho came down to the ring to discuss his actions last week on the Highlight Reel. Jericho had the footage shown again of his attack on Shawn Michaels in the ring. Jericho told the fans the reason he did it is because of the fans. Y2J said the fans cheer a coward and backstabber like HBK, yet when Jericho does the right thing and is honest they boo him. Jericho said now Michaels will pay for the fans' sins and the fans have Michaels' blood on their hands. As Jericho continued to disrespect and trash talk about Michaels in the ring, a huge suprise occurred as Ric Flair's music came on. The Natureboy came out to the ramp and down to the ring. Since there was a commercial break, Jim Ross informed the audience at home that Flair received a 3 and a half minute standing ovation.

In the ring, Flair yelled at Jericho for insulting Michaels and attacking him last week. Flair said he's now retired but that won't stop him from fighting Jericho. Flair challenged Jericho to a fight in the parking lot. Flair exited up the ramp removing his suit jacket, with Jericho following him. The two went backstage. Flair went out an Exit door to leave the arena. Jericho opened the door to follow him out, but stopped in his tracks. Jericho stood for a moment then backed up, as HHH was there. HHH told Jericho he's been waiting for an opportunity to face Y2J in a match ever since the "Save US" campaign. Jericho backed away and left the area.

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Raw returned from a commercial to find Ric Flair yelling at HHH for getting involved in his situation with Jericho. Vince McMahon walked up and shook Flair's hand, then told him he's a great ambassador, but no longer a wrestler. Vince had security come by and had Flair leave the arena, despite fans booing loudly. HHH asked Vince what his problem is. Vince told HHH he will have the problem, because tonight HHH will face Jericho in the main event.

Cryme Tyme vs. Rhodes & Holly

In a very quick match, Ted Dibiase Jr. came down the ramp just as the bell was ringing. Cryme Tyme became distracted as they looked out towards Dibiase. With JTG's back turned, Hardcore Holly was able to roll him up for a very quick pinfall victory.

Winners: Rhodes & Holly win via pinfall over Cryme Tyme.

Vince McMahon awarded a North Carolina Raw viewer the next prize. Vince told her in honor of Ric Flair's 16 times as champ, she won an astounding $16!

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WWE Rewind showed highlights of last week's match between Paul Burchill and Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy scored the Mic Check for the win, but was confronted by Katie Lea afterwards. Katie ended up slapping Kennedy. While he became upset, Paul Burchill attacked Kennedy from behind and used his finisher.

Mickie James & Mr. Kennedy vs. Paul Burchill & Katie Lea

In a mixed tag match, Mickie James seemed to gain control against Katie Lea. Paul Burchill came over on the apron to try to help Katie out, but Mr. Kennedy entered the ring, ran and speared Burchill outside through the ropes. With both men outside, Mickie went to the corner to jump at Katie. Mickie missed the jump at Katie who was able to grab her and score a backbreaker for the pinfall victory. JR remarked that Katie has now beaten Mickie James two times.

Winner: Paul Burchill & Katie Lea win via pinfall over Mr. Kennedy & Mickie James.

Vince McMahon phoned a female Raw viewer from Illinois and awarded her $174,984, after she told Vince he is the most handsome of all WWE superstars.

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Raw returned from commercial break with Mr. McMahon up at the top of the ramp. This time Vince called a New York resident watching Raw and gave him $75,000.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the Night of Champions card including the recently announced match for the tag team titles with Hornswoggle & Finlay facing the Miz & John Morrison. Also included will be Michaels vs. Jericho for the IC title, Cena vs. HHH for the WWE title and Batista vs. Edge for the World Heavyweight.

Triple H shown leaving his locker room backstage en route to the next match. Cena was waiting for him and told him "good luck and don't get hurt out there".

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Vince McMahon awarded the night's final prize, a grand prize of $300,000 to a man in New Jersey. Vince said he's decided to give away another $1 million dollars on next week's 3 hour Raw for the WWE draft.

Chris Jericho vs. Triple H

In a battle of the WWE champ against the Intercontinental champ, both men gave it their all for the main event. Jericho countered a Pedigree. Jericho was able to hit HHH onto the side apron then went to jump off the ropes for a kick. HHH ducked and Jericho flew to the outside. The two began to brawl outside the ring. All of a sudden, Lance Cade came charging down the ramp and attacked HHH. He and Jericho tossed the Game back in the ring and continued the beatdown. The crowd began to roar as John Cena came rushing down into the ring to save HHH. Cena punched down Jericho then tossed Cade out of the ring. Cena threw Jericho out next. Triple H got up and tackled Cena thinking he was there to attack him. As the two fought, Jericho and Cade re-entered the ring. Cade used a vicious powerbomb like move to slam Cena flat to the mat. Jericho used the Codebreaker on Triple H to lay him out as well. As Raw ended, Jericho stood in the ring applauding the work of Lance Cade and grinning. Cena and HHH both lay flat on the mat as the show ended.