Raw Recap 07.14.08

Raw Recap from NC State University:

Raw opened with highlights of last week's Fatal Fourway match between Batista, Kane, JBL and John Cena. The winner would become #1 contender for CM Punk's World Heavyweight title. It ended up with Kane in the ring missing a move on Batista, allowing the Animal to hit a running Spear for the win. Batista moves on to face Punk at the Great American Bash. After the match, Kane snapped and went wild outside the ring. Kane eventually screamed at Michael Cole "Is he alive or dead?" several times, and brought Cole into the ring. Kane was about to strike, when Jerry Lawler ran in for the save. The show ended with Kane attacking Lawler and continuing to question "Is he alive or dead?"

Shane and Stephanie McMahon appeared in a pre-recorded message to the Raw roster as Raw's opening. Both of them urged WWE superstars to try better to work together, or they would be forced to take action if the chaos on the show continues in Mr. McMahon's absence.

The cameras cut to Shawn Michaels attacking Chris Jericho at the bottom of the ramp. Lawler and Cole said Michaels didn't want to hear what Y2J had to say in the ring. Lance Cade rushed down to aid Jericho, attacking Michaels. Eventually, the refs and WWE officials pulled everyone apart, but Michaels was still visibly upset.

Kane immediately came down the ramp, walked around the ring and went towards Lillian Garcia. Garcia and several other stuff ran off so Kane couldn't harm them. Kane then turned his attention to the commentators' table. Michael Cole stood up and got behind Lawler to hide. Kane walked over and stared at him then yelled "I'm Sorry!" twice. Kane was also carrying a bag but the item inside wasn't shown.

Mickie James vs. Katie Lea

Paul Burchill accompanied his sister to the ring for the matchup. Lawler noted that Katie has defeated Mickie twice in matches now, but not for the title. In this match, Katie seemed to be in control, but Mickie turned the tide. Mickie was able to get a headscissors on Katie near the corner, and tossed Katie across the ring. Mickie climbed the corner then jumped onto Katie to hook her legs for a pinfall.

After the bell, Paul Burchill came into the ring and grabbed Mickie, holding her so Katie could strike her several times. Kofi Kingston ran down for the save, driving Burchill and Lea to the ramp. Katie encouraged Burchill to head back to the ring and challenge Kofi as Raw went to commercial.

Winner: Mickie James wins via pinfall over Katie Lea.

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Kofi Kingston vs. Paul Burchill
Intercontinental Title match

As Raw returned, a match was in progress with the IC title on the line. Mickie James stayed at ringside to cheer Kingston on in the match. As Kingston started to gain momentum, Burchill's sister got up on the side apron to try to distract him. Mickie James ran around the ring then grabbed Katie's legs and yanked them out from under her, causing Katie to hit her face/chin on the apron. Kingston seized the opportunity to deliver his high roundhouse Buzzsaw kick to Burchill for the win.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Paul Burchill to retain the Intercontinental Title.

Backstage, Santino Marella was talking to Matt Striker. Marella told Striker he issued an open challenge to all the members of the Raw roster. Striker said that was interesting, then walked off, leaving Marella with Kane standing behind him. Marella told Kane he didn't mean for him to be part of the challenge. Kane asked Marella where CM Punk is. Marella joked about it then said to try the locker room. An angry Kane headed off in search of Punk.

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Raw returned with Kane in the locker room, confronting Punk. Kane told Punk he needs a match against him in the ring tonight. Punk eventually accepted the challenge, saying he wants to prove to the world he's not a fluke champion. Punk asked Kane what's in the bag, but Kane just snickered then backed out of the locker room laughing.

Todd Grisham interviewed John Cena backstage, asking about the New York City Parking Lot Brawl he was challenged to by JBL for the Great American Bash. Cena said he's tried to be neutral and upbeat as the McMahon's asked of the Raw roster, but can't do it anymore because of JBL. Cena said his PPV match will be a war involving automobiles and whatever they can get their hands on. Cena discussed his long running feud with JBL dating back to Wrestlemania 21, and said he will be happy to Bash JBL's Great American body down to the concrete. Cryme Tyme came in to stand by Cena for the interview. Cena challenged JBL to a six man tag with him and Cryme Tyme for tonight's Raw.

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Santino Marella vs. Beth Phoenix

Santino was in the ring as Raw returned and asked on the mic who accepts his open challenge. Beth Phoenix appeared to shock Santino. Beth was able to land several impressive moves including a slam to the mat, showcasing her strength. Santino kept yelling out "I'm a man, I have the power!", but at one point Beth whipped him hard to the corner, then grabbed him to roll him up in a pinfall.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Santino Marella.

Kelly Kelly was shown backstage doing stretches to prepare for her match on Raw.

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"Move to the Music" by American Bang was announced as the official theme song for the Great American Bash.

Kelly Kelly came down to the ring ready for a match. As Kelly awaited her opponent, the World tag team champs, Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes came down to the ring in street clothes. Dibiase said nobody cares that she had a match scheduled for tonight. Dibiase told Kelly to leave so they could talk on the mic.

Rhodes spoke about how he and Dibiase have outdone their fathers. Rhodes said they are talented enough to not have to pay dues. Dibiase said they are still young and in 10 years will reach their prime. Dibiase said he and Rhodes are the future. Just then, Hacksaw Jim Duggan came down to the ring to interrupt the speech.

Hacksaw said he's known Rhodes and Dibiase since they were kids, and has been in the ring with their fathers. Duggan told the tag champs they have a lot of growing up to do. Rhodes said Duggan seems to be trying to relive his glory days, which weren't all that glorious to begin with. Dibiase quoted Stone Cold Steve Austin "Unless you think you have what it takes to be a champion, then you shouldn't be in the WWE". Dibiase asked Duggan if he has what it takes to win a title, because he still carries around the same 2x4 and uses the same lame chants. Dibiase called Duggan patchetic and said he's the one who should grow up.

As Rhodes and Dibiase began to walk up the ramp, leaving Duggan downtrodden, JBL appeared on the Titantron. JBL said he was impressed by their speech and wants to offer them the opportunity to main event on Raw tonight, teaming with him to face Cena and Cryme Tyme. Dibiase and Rhodes acknowledged the offer, smiling as they walked up the ramp.

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WWE Slam of the Week covered last week's Fatal Fourway on Raw between JBL, Kane, John Cena and Batista. Batista was able to elude Kane jumping at him off the corner ropes. Batista ran and delivered a massive Spear to take the pinfall on Kane.

CM Punk vs. Kane

Kane came down to the ring first, and glared over at Michael Cole again from in the ring. During the match, the burlap sack Kane had been carrying around was shown in the corner of the ring.

In the matchup, Kane appeared to be taking out some aggression on Punk. Punk gained momentum and delivered a roundhouse kick to Kane, eventually knocking Kane out of the ring. Punk got on the side apron and jumped at Kane with a clothesline. The ref continued counting both men out, but Punk had the presence to roll back into the ring and beat the 10 count, causing Kane to lose.

Kane snapped after the loss and began tossing steel chairs into the ring. Punk dodged the chairs as they flew at him. Kane got back into the ring and beat Punk down, then began to put a chair around his throat in preparation of a move. As Kane climbed the ropes to jump, all of a sudden Batista came charging down to the ring. Batista was able to fight off Kane, smashing a chair on him to drive him out of the ring.

Batista helped Punk to his feet, and Punk extended his hand to shake Batista's hand for saving him. Batista shook his head then told Punk he's not his friend. Batista signaled that he'd be wearing the title belt soon, then patted Punk on the face, mockingly to wish him good luck. Punk took exception and shoved Batista saying "don't ever put your hands on me again". Batista grabbed Punk and delivered a huge Spinebuster to drop him to the mat, then smiled as he left the ring.

Winner: CM Punk wins due to countount of Kane.

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Paul London vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho arrived to the ring with Lance Cade in his corner. Cade grabbed a steel chair to patrol the outside for any sign of Shawn Michaels. Footage was shown of the earlier brawl involving Michaels pummeling Jericho at the bottom of the ramp. Michael Cole noted that Paul London idolized Shawn Michaels while he grew up.

Jericho began to seriously dominate London and had him down on the mat, then put him into the Walls of Jericho to get London to tap out. After winning, Jericho grabbed a microphone to confront London about his wrestling career.

Jericho told London to seriously consider the path he wants his career to take. Y2J said London can choose the career path of Jericho which is an honorable one or the painful, regretful path of a Shawn Michaels. All of a sudden, Shawn Michaels appeared on the ramp. Michaels told Jericho he'll never change his career path no matter what and at the Great American Bash, the worst is yet to come.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via submission over Paul London.

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Backstage, Jamie Noble talked to Layla about how she's been eyeing him since coming to Raw. Jamie suggested they need to hook up and become Raw's power couple. Layla laughed saying she doesn't date short men. Noble said he'd prove to her that he's worthy and beat down the next wrestler to come by. Layla laughed again and pointed as Snitsky was now behind Noble. Snitsky told Noble to keep the noise down. Noble agreed and Snitsky left. Layla asked if that was proof. Noble called Snitsky back over and confronted him for yelling at him, then challenged him to a fight in the ring.

Noble took Layla by the hand and lead her to the ring as Snitsky followed after. In the ring, Snitsky dominated early on, but ran into Noble's boot in the corner. Noble jumped off the corner ropes and Snitsky hit him with a huge boot to level him, then used his finisher to slam Noble to the mat. Snitsky glared over at Layla, then left Noble laying in the ring.

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John Cena & Cryme Tyme vs. JBL, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase

In the six man tag main event, Dibiase, Rhodes and JBL did a good job of playing keep away with JTG, so he couldn't make a tag for quite some time. Dibiase worked to wear Chad down near the opposite corner using a hold to strain his leg. JBL eventually tagged in to go to work on Chad, as the tag champs held Chad in their corner. Cena tried to enter the ring but the ref held him back. JBL eventually ran over to punch Cena on the apron.

Cody Rhodes tagged back in to go to work on Chad. Rhodes went for a bulldog from the corner but Chad managed to shove him away causing Rhodes to fall to the mat. Rhodes quickly was back up and ran over to knock Cena down off the apron. Rhodes went to showboat by climbing the corner ropes for a backflip, but Chad eluded it causing Rhodes to hit the mat. Chad managed to crawl over and hit the tag to Cena.

Cena got in the ring and went wild, taking down both Rhodes and Dibiase. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Dibiase in the center of the ring, then delivered the FU on him. Rhodes came over and Cena was able to knock him down again, then climbed the corner ropes for a leg drop on the back of Rhodes' head. Cena grabbed Rhodes on the mat and locked in the STFU, but JBL got back in the ring and kicked Cena in the head. The ref promptly called for the bell to disqualify JBL for what he did.

JBL exited the ring and backed up the ramp, then started to call out Cena as JBL continued to leave the arena. Cena chased him backstage and then through the corridors. Cena exited the arena through a security door then began to check around the area for JBL but couldn't see him anywhere. Cena cautiously continued his search outside. Cena began to look at a white car parked outside and all of a sudden JBL attacked him from behind. JBL knocked Cena down and out, then placed him seated against the white car. JBL followed up by getting into a maroon car of his own then driving straight at Cena. JBL smashed into the white car, but Cena was not shown afterwards as Raw left the air.

Winners: John Cena & Cryme Tyme win due to disqualification of JBL, Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase.