Raw Recap 07.21.08

Recap of Raw from Mohegan Sun Casino:

Raw started off with highlights of last night's World Heavyweight title match at the Great American Bash. Batista was able to gain the upperhand after delivering a Spinebuster on Punk outside the ring. However, Kane appeared and attacked both Batista and Punk, causing a double DQ. As Kane left ringside, he was carrying the mysterious burlap sack asking "Is he dead?" Batista was shown in the production room of Raw watching the footage of Kane. The Animal stormed out of the room slamming the door.

Batista came down to the ring to start off Raw. In the ring, Batista addressed the crowd saying he had planned to come out tonight as new champ, but Kane changed that plan. Batista said since no McMahon's are present, he's putting himself in charge, and he's scheduled one match; CM Punk defending the title against Batista. Batista then issued a warning to Kane saying he better find him first, because Batista is looking for him. JBL appeared up on the Titantron telling Batista he lost last night and can't just demand a title match tonight. JBL said he won last night against Cena making him #1 contender for the World Heavyweight title.

Batista called JBL down to the ring, but JBL said he will have the title match at Summerslam. JBL suggested that Batista go find Kane if he wants a match tonight, but just then CM Punk came out from backstage and down to the ring. Punk said as the champ he's the king right now so he doesn't have to listen to JBL. Punk then turned to Batista and agreed that Kane screwed both of them last night. Punk said he wants to prove he can beat Batista and defend the title, so it's on for tonight. JB: tried to protest, but Batista ordered WWE staff to mute him. Batista agreed to the title match then left up the ramp.

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Jenny McCarthy appeared to promote Saturday Night's Main Event for August 2nd at 9PM EST on NBC. The event will also focus on McCarthy's charity for autism.

Paul London vs. Lance Cade

Shawn Michaels' theme music came on and the crowd went wild. After several seconds with no sign of HBK, Lance Cade's music came on and Cade came to the ring. Cade addressed HBK in the ring saying HBK used to be his idol growing up. Cade invited HBK to come down to the ring at some point tonight. Cade said if Michaels does come to the ring they will have words.

During the match, London leapfrogged over Cade but Cade was able to knock him down with a shoulder block. Next, Cade tossed London into the corner of the ring causing London to hit his ribs into the post. Cade then pulled London to the center of the ring to use his Powerbomb finisher, slamming London onto his back.

Winner: Lance Cade wins via pinfall over Paul London.

Cade then called out Michaels again. Cade introduced the man who possibly ended Michaels' career, Chris Jericho, and Y2J came down to the ring as Raw went to commercial.

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As Raw returned, Chris Jericho was handed a mic in the ring by Lance Cade. Jericho informed the fans that Michaels won't be showing up on Raw tonight. Jericho introduced footage from last night's Great American Bash match where he delivered a solid elbow to Michaels face, busting him open. In the ring, Jericho continued to pound and kick Michaels in the face to make him bleed even more. Finally the match was stopped as the ref decided HBK couldn't continue in his condition.

Jericho blamed the fans for what happened to HBK, saying the fans inspired HBK to wrestle despite an injury. Jericho said HBK is now paying for the sins of the fans, and his blood is on their hands. Y2J said the fans chose to side with an egomaniac liar and now Michaels will regret his decision to wrestle for the rest of his life. Jericho added that Michaels career is likely over because he has cracked ribs, internal bleeding and a detached retina. Jericho chastised the fans for not embracing his return to the WWE and said he's proud of what he did to Shawn Michaels at the Bash. Jericho said by ending Michaels' career he now considers himself saved.

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WWE Rewind showed highlights of Santino Marella's open lockerroom challenge on last week's Raw. Santino came to the ring and asked for an opponent and Beth Phoenix came to the ring. Beth was able to defeat Santino after he charged at her in the corner and missed.

Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

Kelly showed improvement in her skills early, delivering kicks and punches to Beth. Beth proved too strong though and hoisted Kelly onto her shoulder before running across the ring into the opposie turnbuckle. From here Beth started to dominate, trying to wear Kelly down on the mat. Kelly escaped and mounted a brief offense, using a roundhouse kick to injur Beth's shoulder, then using a spinning headscissors. Kelly tried for a backflip towards Beth in the corner, but Beth grabbed her. From here Beth tried to pick up Kelly for a face first slam, but Kelly rolled Beth up. Beth reversed the pin and picked Kelly up then slammed her face first into the mat.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Kelly Kelly.

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Hacksaw Jim Duggan was in the ring as Raw returned. Hacksaw said he knows there's a match coming up, but wanted to make a quick announcement. Hacksaw said he's considering hanging up his boots to retire. Duggan said he considered what Rhodes and Dibiase told him last week, that it is a younger man's game in the WWE. As Duggan was preparing to leave the ring, Jerry Lawler stopped him and came to the ring. Lawler told Duggan there's no age limit for WWE and not to listen to Rhodes or Dibiase. Lawler reminded Duggan he has the ability to make thousands of fans chant "U-S-A!"

Duggan thanked Lawler for the speech and said he doesn't want to leave WWE. Just then, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase made their way down to the ring wearing their tag title belts. Dibiase said it's funny to see Lawler giving career advice to Duggan. Rhodes then said he was only 2 1/2 when Duggan won the 1st Royal Rumble, and he wasn't even born when Lawler slapped Andy Kaufman on the Letterman show. Lawler gave Rhodes an example of how it went by slapping Rhodes in the face. Dibiase had to hold Rhodes back and said they'd take care of Lawler and Duggan another day. Just then, JBL's music came on as JBL came down for the six man tag match.

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

Cena came to the ring with his elbow bandaged due to injury from last night's Parking Lot Brawl. During the match, JBL, Dibiase and Rhodes started to keep JTG away from a tag to his partners. JTG looked to escape against Dibiase after a dropkick, but Cody Rhodes was quick to tag in and elbow drop on JTG. Rhodes missed on a move in the corner and fell on the ropes, allowing JTG to finally jump to Cena for a tag in.

Cena came in the ring and started to knock Dibiase around the ring, then went for a Five Knuckle Shuffle. JBL came in to try to attack Cena, but Cena tackled him down. JBL quickly retreated out of the ring and into the crowd to get away from the enraged Cena. Cena then beat up both Rhodes and Dibiase and charged into them in the corner of the ring. From there, Cena hoisted both men up on his shoulders for a double FU to win it.

Winners: John Cena & Cryme Tyme win via pinfall over JBL, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase.

Backstage, Lance Cade and Chris Jericho were shown walking to leave the arena. As they went through an exit door, they stopped suddenly. Kane was shown and backed them up then walked by with the mysterious bag he's been carrying around.

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Michael Cole discussed "Generation Rescue" a charity Jenny McCarthy helps with to dedicate money for autism. McCarthy was shown with Jim Carrey and other celebs such as Britney Spears at a function to discuss her charity.

Mickie James & Kofi Kingston vs. Katie Lea & Paul Burchill

Emotions ran high in the match as just a week ago both Mickie and Kofi were victorious over their respective opponents. In tonight's match, Burchill exploited an injured leg of Kofi Kingston. As things got out of control, Kingston started to gain momentum, punching away at Burchill in the corner of the ring. Katie Lea got onto the apron to distract, but Mickie ran over to knock Katie to the outside. Mickie then jumped off the apron and got on Katie punching away at her. Burchill had Kingston down in the ring, then went outside to pull Mickie off Katie Lea. Kingston rolled out to shove Burchill into the ringpost. Kofi went for a kick to knock Burchill down, but Burchill moved and Kingston hurt his leg even more. Burchill tossed Kofi back into the ring, then was able to hit his finisher to win it.

Winner: Katie Lea & Paul Burchill win via pinfall over Mickie James & Kofi Kingston.

Backstage Jamie Noble was shown talking to diva Layla. All of a sudden, Batista came up to Noble asking if he's seen Kane. Noble tried to crack a joke and Batista picked him up with both hands saying if he sees Kane to let him know he's looking for him.

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CM Punk was interviewed backstage by Todd Grisham. Punk was discussing his upcoming match with Batista when JBL showed up to interrupt. JBL accused Punk of being a transitional champ, and added that he's going to defeat whoever is the champ at Summerslam. Punk reminded JBL that his first successful title defense came against him.

Highlights were shown from the Great American Bash match between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels. Jericho won the match due to referee's decision as Shawn Michaels was too bloody to continue.

Santino Marella vs. D-Lo Brown

Santino spoke prior to the match saying his challenge last week was towards males not females. Santino delivered several insults about females and then asked for an opponent. D-Lo Brown made his surprise return to the ring after 5 years off from WWE.

Prior to the match starting, Beth Phoenix made her way down to the ring to observe. In the match, D-Lo was able to deliver several trademark moves including the Sudden Impact clothesline with Santino seated on the mat. D-Lo finished off his return with a Low Down splash off the turnbuckle to win it.

As D-Lo celebrated in the ring, Beth Phoenix got into the ring and looked down at the fallen Santino. D-Lo left the ring and as Santino got up, Beth attacked him with a punch to the face. Santino and Beth began to trade grapple moves, grabbing each other around the midsection. Finally the two stopped fighting and stared at each other. After a moment, the two began to kiss. Santino and Beth looked confused after the moment. Santino left Beth in the ring and walked up the ramp.

Winner: D-Lo Brown wins via pinfall over Santino Marella.

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Batista vs. CM Punk
World Heavyweight title

Batista came down to the ring pumped up for the match. As Batista was posing in the ring, all of a sudden Kane came out from backstage and down to the ring. Kane came into the ring and attacked Batista, then hit him with a Chokeslam. As Kane continued to attack, CM Punk came rushing down to the ring to save Batista. Eventually, the refs near the ring were able to hold Kane off and force him to head backstage. Raw went to commercial as Punk and Batista prepared to wrestle.

Punk seemed to dominate most of the match due to the fact Batista was attacked by Kane before things started. At one point, Punk went for a springboard off the top rope at Batista. Batista quickly caught Punk in the air and delivered a Spinebuster. From here, Batista started to mount offense, charging Punk in the corners. Punk hit Batista with a boot in one corner, but Batista was able to spear Punk down. As Batista was preparing to win it, JBL came charging down to attack.

Batista left the ring to go at JBL and the ref called for the DQ. Batista tossed JBL into the ring, but as the Animal returned into the ring, JBL delivered a Clothesline from Hell. JBL was ready to continue the attack, but John Cena came rushing to the ring to fight JBL. In the ring, Cena went for a running clothesline at JBL. JBL moved away and Cena clotheslined Batista instead. As Batista shook it off, JBL got out of the ring. Batista went towards Cena and kicked him in the gut, then set up the Batista Bomb. Cena countered to put Batista into an FU. Batista slid off and the two men continue to battle as Raw left the air.

Winner: Double DQ due to JBL's attack. CM Punk retains the World Heavyweight title.

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