Raw Recap 08.04.08

Raw recap from University of Tennessee:

Raw opened with the brand new General Manager, Mike Adamle at the top of the ramp. Adamle introduced himself to the fans as the new GM on Raw, then gave a speech. Adamle gave an example of a man who wasn't taken seriously at his job and performed in a "circus-like atmosphere". Adamle discussed how Ronald Reagan went from B list actor to president of the US. Adamle said everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is to grow from them. Adamle also informed everyone that there's a petition on WWE.com asking for his resignation, and that it's their right as Americans.

Adamle went on to state how he set up three championship matches for tonight's show. Adamle announced the Cena & Batista vs. Rhodes & Dibiase match for the World Tag Team titles. As he was speaking, JBL came out to the ramp to interrupt. JBL shook Adamle's hand and congratulated him, then spoke of his accomplishments. JBL said he and Adamle are alike, born winners, with everything they do turning to gold. JBL said Adamle has a chance to schedule a second great match for Summerslam tonight: JBL vs. CM Punk. Adamle started to speak, but just then Chris Jericho came running out to the ramp.

Jericho and JBL began to argue in front of Adamle about who should get the World Heavyweight title match against CM Punk at Summerslam. Adamle stopped them both and said he had a novel idea. A 2 on 1 handicap match with JBL and Jericho taking on Punk. If either man wins they earn themselves a World title shot at Summerslam. Before leaving, Adamle added in that if netiher Y2J or JBL win, then neither of them face Punk at Summerslam.

Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole announced that Shawn Michaels will make his first speech tonight on Raw since being injured by Y2J at Great American Bash. Also tonight as mention, Cena & Batista will face Rhodes & Dibiase for their World tag titles.

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Paul Burchill vs. Kofi Kingston
Intercontinental title match

Burchill was accompanied to the ring by his sister Katie Lea. During the match, Lea did her best to try to cheer on Burchill and even got up onto the side apron to stop Kofi's momentum. Kofi went to kick Katie Lea off the apron, but Katie ducked, then Burchill clubbed Kofi down to the mat from behind. The match continued and Kofi took control eventually with a double leg drop and then the Jamaican Buzzsaw kick to win it.

After the win, Kofi was celebrating while Katie got into the ring to check on Burchill. Katie went up to Kofi and got in his face, then Burchill tried to attack Kofi. Kofi avoided the attack and sent Burchill flying through the ropes. Burchill grabbed Kofi's leg and tried to yank him out of the ring, but Kofi dropkicked him to the bottom of the ramp. Kofi grabbed his belt and chased Burchill up the ramp leaving Katie Lea in the ring alone.

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

As Katie Lea was left in the ring by Burchill, all of a sudden Mickie James' theme music came on. Mickie rushed to the ring and Katie Lea exited quickly. Raw went to commercial but Michael Cole announced that the Womens championship will be next.

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Katie Lea vs. Mickie James
WWE Womens title match

Both Mickie and Katie Lea fought hard, gaining the upperhand on each other. Katie seemed to feel as if she had victory in her reach, and put Mickie into a submission, hoisting Mickie up on her knees. Mickie escaped the move and countered to pin Katie. Katie kicked out and sent Mickie to the corner for more of a beating.

Mickie was able to escape the corner and used a headsissors to toss Katie across the ring. Mickie scored a vicious neckbreaker, but it only provided a 2 count on Katie. Katie went for a suplex into a pinfall, but Mickie escaped. Mickie finally was able to give a kick to Katie in the gut then delivered a hard DDT to the mat to win it.

Winner: Mickie James wins via pinfall over Katie Lea to retain the WWE Women's championship.

Following Mickie James' victory, Beth Phoenix quickly rushed into the ring and knocked Mickie down. Beth beat up Mickie out of the ring then tossed her back in. Mickie started to fight back, but as she came off the ropes Beth grabbed her around the waist, then picked her up for a face first slam to the mat. As Beth smiled down at Mickie her theme music came on. Santino Marella came to the ramp and began to clap in admiration. Beth went to the top of the ramp and smiled at Santino. The two exchanged playful moves to one another.

John Cena was show backstage talking to Cryme Tyme.

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Footage was shown from the September 8, 1997 episode of Raw, which was during the Attitude era, and the ratings war against WCW's show. Vince McMahon was in ring to interview WWE commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. Stone Cole Steve Austin burst into the arena and came to the ring to tell Slaughter he'd break every law he made for WWE. Stone Cole finished off Slaughter with a Stone Cold stunner before briefly getting into it with Vince McMahon.

Mike Adamle spoke on his cellphone in an office to Stephanie McMahon, congratulating her on the new baby, and saying he was looking forward to the new GM position. Santino and Beth Phoenix came into the office. Santino congratulated Adamle on the GM job, then began to plead his case that he should go for the IC title at Summerslam and Beth Phoenix should fight for the Women's title. Adamle said there can only be one more title match for Summerslam. Santino and Beth started to argue about who should have it. Adamle interrupted and scheduled a tag team match for Summerslam. Beth and Santino will face Kofi and Mickie. If Santino and Beth win, they win their respective titles.

Footage was shown highlighting the career of John Cena in WWE.

Todd Grisham caught up with Batista in a locker room backstage. Grisham asked about his thoughts on teaming up with Cena tonight, who will be his opponent in several weeks. Batista said he welcomes the opportunity to fight for the tag team gold, but advises Cena to stay out of his way, just like last week.

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Raw returned from a commercial break with Layla performing a dance routine to music in a darkened arena. Footage was shown from earlier in the day with Jamie Noble trying to get Layla to go to dinner at Waffle House with him after the show. Layla told Noble he keeps getting beat each week and she doesn't hang with losers.

As Layla continued her routine in the ring, she was interrupted by William Regal. Regal came down to the ring and reminded everyone he is still the King of WWE. Regal continued to brag, but was suddenly interrupted by Jamie Noble who rushed into the ring to attack Regal. WWE referees rushed into the ring and held the two men back from any further brawling.

WWE Rewind showed last week's main event tag match with Cryme Tyme, Cena and Batista vs. Rhodes, Dibiase, JBL & Kane. The ring cleared out except for Cena, JTG and Dibiase. With Dibiase flat on the mat, Cena tagged in JTG and then launched him off the corner ropes. JTG took the pin, but the ref informed him the legal man for the other team was JBL. JBL yanked Cena to the outside and smacked him into the ringpost, then got into the ring to hit JTG with the Clothesline from Hell.

JBL & Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk

Before the match could begin, Mike Adamle appeared on the Titantron. Adamle added the stipulation that the match has a time limit of 10 minutes and if nobody wins in that time, it will be a Triple Threat match at Summerslam for the World Heavyweight title.

Both JBL and Jericho took turns in the ring wearing down Punk as the clock ticked down. At one point Punk rolled to the outside while JBL and Jericho began battling in the ring. With the clock under 4 minutes, JBL knocked Jericho down in the ring then went to the outside to toss Punk back in. Jericho seized the opportunity to hit a Lionsault off the ropes for a pinfall. JBL yanked Jericho's leg and pulled him out of the ring then smacked him face first into the steel steps.

The match continued under 3 minutes with all 3 men in the ring. Punk began to fight back taking it to both opponents. Punk had JBL and Jericho in opposite corners then went for a bulldog on each. As Punk went to Bulldog Jericho, JBL rushed at him. Punk ducked and JBL ran into Y2J knocking him down. Jericho eventually knocked JBL outside the ring. Punk continued to battle Jericho in the ring, and went for the GTS. Jericho raked Punk's eye and then set him up for the Walls of Jericho.

Punk screamed out and fought to try to get himself to the ropes to break the submission. As the clock ticked under 1 minute, JBL finally got into the ring and was able to deliver a boot to Jericho's head. JBL tried to knock Jericho to the outside. Jericho remained on the apron fighting with JBL. Jericho went for the take down, yanking JBL down against the top rope but it caused JBL to fling backwards and fall onto CM Punk. JBL took advantage of the moment hooking Punk's leg for a pinfall with 1 second left on the clock!

Winner: JBL wins via pinfall over CM Punk to become #1 contender for the World Heavyweight title at Summerslam.

Backstage Shawn Michaels was shown being prepared for his live interview.

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Raw returned showing footage of just 2 weeks ago at the Great American Bash. Shawn Michaels was outside the ring fighting Chris Jericho but Y2J delivered a solid elbow which caught Michaels' already injured eye. HBK began bleeding profusely, and a kick from Lance Cade did even more damage. Y2J continued to assault Michaels in the ring attacking his face until Michaels couldn't continue the match. Y2J won due to the ref's decision.

Shawn Michaels appeared live via satellite from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Michaels said his eye injury is serious and he'll never have the same sort of vision as before. Michaels said regarding Jericho's claims that he ended HBK's career, it's in the doctors' hands now. HBK said he plans to attend Summerslam to make his future plans known. Michaels said if the doctors say he can compete even in a limited way, he'll do so. HBK added that if he's told not to wrestle any longer, he's prepared to walk away.

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Matt Striker appeared in the ring with a chalkboard. Striker thanked the new GM Mike Adamle for allowing him to wrestle his first match on Raw. Striker continued talking, trying to insult the University of Tennessee, but his opponent soon made himself known. Flames burst out from the sides of the top ramp and Kane came down to the ring to fight Striker.

Matt Striker vs. Kane

Kane made quick work of Striker, as he completely dominated the match. Kane delivered punches and kicks, finally sending Striker against the middle rope. As Striker staggered back, Kane grabbed him for a Chokeslam to win it.

After the match, Kane retrieved his burlap sack from the corner of the ring. Kane went to the outside and up to the commentators' table, causing Cole and Lawler to jump back. Kane grabbed a mic and slid back into the ring. Kane said he's been in a bad place lately but is better now. Kane finished by holding up the burlap sack and saying "he's not alive, he's dead", then left the ring.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Matt Striker.

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Highlights were shown from the Cutting Edge on this past Friday's Smackdown. Edge brought Mick Foley into the ring as his guest. Edge told Foley he's the one man who can help him defeat Undertaker in Hell in a Cell. Foley gave Edge the advice to find the older version of Edge, not the one who was lovestruck by Vickie Guerrero. Edge told Foley he understood, then attacked Foley in the ring. Edge proceeded to destroy Foley around the ring and outside the ring, eventually putting Foley on a table in the ring, then jumping off a ladder onto Foley to smash through him.

John Cena was interviewed backstage by Todd Grisham regarding the upcoming tag team match.

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Mike Adamle was shown backstage working on some papers, when Kelly Kelly came into the office. Kelly congratulated Adamle on doing a great job on Raw tonight. Kelly said the title matches were a great touch tonight and then made a comment about Kane and the mystery bag he has. Adamle said next week he's going to attempt to get Kane to reveal what's in the bag.

John Cena & Batista vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
World Tag Team titles match

Cena was the legal man and had the advantage against Rhodes. As Cena hoisted Rhodes up for the FU, he was close to Dibiase who slapped Rhodes for a tag. Dibiase got in the ring and dropkicked Cena down. From here, Dibiase was able to kick Cena out of the ring and began beating him up more on the outside. Rhodes and Dibiase continued to doubleteam Cena in the ring as Batista just watched from the apron.

Rhodes and Dibiase hit a double elbow on Cena off the ropes, then Rhodes was able to jump on Cena's back for a sleeper hold. Cena began to fall to the mat on his knees being worn down by the hold. Cena finally fought back and tried to stretch to his corner for a tag to Batista. Batista ignored Cena's attempt and backed away. Cena finally got away from his opponent and went over to slap Batista in the face for a tag.

Batista rushed into the ring clotheslining Dibiase down, then knocking Rhodes out of the ring. Batista continued to take out his frustration on Dibiase and hit the Spinebuster, then stared down Cena. Batista hit the Spear on Dibiase then signaled for the Batista Bomb. Rhodes ran into the ring and tried to stop Batista, but Cena got in and headed him off. With Rhodes out of the picture, Batista hit a huge Batista Bomb. The ref turned and counted 1-2-3, awarding the belts to new tag champs!

After the victory, Batista picked up both belts then tossed one at Cena. Cena and Batista began to hoist up their tag team titles to the crowd to see who get the biggest pop. Raw ended with the two future opponents for Summerslam holding their belts but staring one another down.

Winners: John Cena & Batista win via pinfall over Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase to become the new World Tag team champs.

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