Raw Recap 08.11.08

Raw recap from Richmond, Virginia:

Raw opened with highlights of the John Cena and Batista feud, leading to Summerslam and their first ever match. Last week's World Tag Team match was highlighted where Batista and Cena defeated Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase to become the new champs. During the match, Batista moved away from a tag attempt by Cena. Later as Cena walked over to Batista, he slapped Batista in the face for the tag. The two ended the match each holding up their tag title to the crowd's cheers.

John Cena came down to the ring wearing his tag team title belt to start off Raw. Cena discussed the match set between him and Batista for Summerslam. Cena said the new GM Mike Adamle is all about hype and that's why Batista and Cena were put in a tag title match last week that they won. Cena said Adamle asked him how to hype the Summerslam match even more. Cena called for Batista to come down to the ring, and within a minute Batista's theme music came on.

Batista made his way down to the ring wearing his tag title belt. Cena told Batista they managed to win the tag titles last week and now have a rematch where they'll have to coexist. Cena said it won't be that way at Summerslam, because it's a match six years in the making. Cena said they both have impressive resumes but there's one question unanswered: between them who's better? Cena said it's him and their Summerslam match will answer that question. Batista said he plans on beating Cena senseless at Summerslam and he'll answer the question of who's better, him. Cena and Batista exchanged a handshake and stared one another down, before Cena exited the ring.

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Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

Beth came to the ring accompanied by her new boytoy Santino Marella. Santino joined Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole at ringside for commentary. During the match Kelly was able to score some impressive attacks including a handstand kick. Kelly couldn't capture the pinfall, and Beth was able to drop Kelly to the mat as she came at her off the ropes. Beth failed on a pinfall but then pressed Kelly up overhead. Kelly was able to slide down Beth's back and roll her up for another pin attempt.

Kelly tried to run at Beth from the corner ropes, but Beth grabbed her arms and held them behind Kelly's back. As Beth lifted Kelly in the air she quickly slammed her face first to the mat for the pinfall win.

After the victory, Santino got in the ring with a mic and told Beth to send a message to Kofi Kingston and Mickie James by slamming Kelly again. As Beth prepared to do so, all of a sudden Mickie James and Kofi Kingston rushed to the ring to chase them off. Outside the ring, Santino continued to brag and then issued a challenge for a match against Mickie James, saying he needs to know where he can and can't put his hands. Kofi interjected saying no way, but Mickie accepted since she was in her hometown.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Kelly Kelly.

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Santino Marella vs. Mickie James

During the match, Santino began to nurse a leg injury near the ropes where Kofi Kingston was on the outside. The referee came over to make sure there was no foul play. As the ref was distracted, Beth Phoenix got into the ring, grabbed Mickie and tossed her into the corner ringpost shoulder first.

Winner: Santino Marella wins via pinfall over Mickie James.

Backstage, Raw GM Mike Adamle was commending Todd Grisham on his work on ECW so far. Just then, Kane came into the office looking angry. Adamle said he wanted to see him to schedule another "Adamle Original" a Summerslam Spectacular match for tonight's show between Kane and Chris Jericho. Kane said he'd wrestle as long as that's all that's planed. Adamle said after the match he expects Kane to hand over the burlap bag. Adamle said he doesn't want kids going to school this year carrying burlap bags around. Kane told Adamle he's making a big mistake, then left the office.

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Footage was shown of Ivan Putsky and Tito Santana winning the tag team titles years ago. Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase were shown in a backstage locker room. Rhodes said he and Dibiase will work together just like Putsky and Santana, two WWE hall of famers. Rhodes added that Cena and Batista aren't true tag partners. Dibiase said he and Rhodes are only in their 20's and their careers are still young. Dibiase vowed to win back everyone's respect tonight when they win back the tag titles.

Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole noted that JBL has a challenge for CM Punk later on tonight. In addition, the match between Chris Jericho and Kane will be later on.

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Cryme Tyme vs. The Highlanders

Rhorie of the Highlanders had the advantage on JTG in this match as he tried to wear him down with a sleeper hold/headlock. JTG managed to escape and made the tag to his partner, just as Rhorie went over to tag in Robbie. Chad began to clothesline down Robbie, then did a longstanding suplex to bring him to the mat. After a kick to knock Rhorie off the side apron, Chad delivered a strong finishing move to slam Robbie to the mat for a pin.

Winners: Cryme Tyme wins via pinfall over the Highlanders.

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JBL's Challenge to CM Punk

Raw returned with the ring sporting a red carpet and table in it, with a covered object on the table. JBL's white limo arrived near the ramp and JBL soon made his way to the ring. Highlights were shown of JBL winning last week's 2 on 1 handicap match against CM Punk to become #1 contender for the World Heavyweight title. CM Punk made his way down to the ring next, revving up the crowd.

JBL began to tell Punk how he's a transitional "paper champ" but Punk interrupted him to say that he earned the World Heavyweight title. Punk said he's watched Summerslam since he was young and it will be a big moment in his career when he walks out still as champion. Punk also said with all due respect to Cena and Batista he's the man. JBL said he held the championship on Smackdown longer than both Cena and Batista. JBL called Punk a "Cinderella" for managing to win the title. JBL said Punk has just 6 days left as champion now, despite the talent he has.

JBL lifted the cover up on the table to reveal a bottle of Jack Daniels. JBL challenged Punk to a drinking contest, and said if he drinks just one drink, he'll concede to Punk that he won the contest. JBL told Punk to demonstrate that principles and morals don't matter and he'll do anything to win. Punk told JBL he's not like JBL and he won't compromise his beliefs to win the contest. Punk set the shot glass down and told JBL "no thanks".

JBL said instead he'd make a toast to Punk's short lived title run and went to drink. Punk stopped JBL and said he changed his mind, and that as the champ he'll make the toast. Punk took the shot glass and splashed the drink in JBL's face, then ran at JBL in the corner to hit him with a knee to the face. An angry JBL looked out at Punk as he backed up the ramp holding his title.

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Chris Jericho vs. Kane

Chris Jericho came to the ring along with Lance Cade. Michael Cole reminded fans that Shawn Michaels will make his intentions known for his future at Summerslam. Kane came to the ring with the mysterious burlap sack he's been carrying for weeks. During the match, Kane took control and was able to knock Jericho to the mat.

With Kane about to go for a chokeslam, GM Mike Adamle came down the ramp accompanied by about 10 or more security personnel. Kane became distracted by them as they surrounded the ring, but continued to fight Jericho. Kane turned his attention looking out towards Mike Adamle and the guards, then went to grab his burlap sack. Jericho took advantage of the situation to quickly hit the Code Breaker on Kane and take the pinfall victory. Kane continued clutching the burlap sack down on the mat.

After Jericho and Cade left the scene, GM Adamle got in the ring to talk to Kane about the burlap sack. Adamle talked to Kane about knowing what's in the bag, that it represents the monster that's inside Kane. Adamle assured Kane he can have a normal life if he hands over the bag for everyone to see what's in it. Adamle ordered Kane to hand over the bag, and Kane took the mic to speak.

Kane told Adamle that there's a mask inside the bag. Kane said the man who wore the mask has been damaged and scarred beyond recognition. Kane said the problem is it's not his mask, then opened the bag to reveal Rey Mysterio's mask. Kane laughed maniacally, tossed the mask at Adamle, then exited the ring.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall over Kane.

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Jamie Noble vs. William Regal

Highlights were shown from a week ago when Jamie Noble and William Regal got into a brawl in the ring with Layla at ringside. During tonight's match, Regal began to display the brutal nature that helped him win 2008 King of the Ring. Regal attacked Noble outside the ring then tossed him back inside. Noble was able to gain some momentum as he hit a cross body from off the corner ropes. Regal escaped the pinfall then used a hip toss to bring Noble down. Regal came off the ropes and kneed Noble in the head, then took the pinfall.

Winner: William Regal wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Smackdown Rebound showed this past Friday's show which saw members of La Familia being mysteriously attacked backstage one by one. All that remained were Chavo and Vickie, who believed Undertaker was behind the attacks. As the two talked things over in Vickie's office, Edge came in and told them they'd have to trust him to handle this. Edge, Vickie and Chavo went to the ring where Edge tried to call out Undertaker. With a chair in hand, Edge baited Chavo into picking a chair up off the mat. Edge took advantage by smashing the chair across Chavo's back. Afterwards, Edge dumped Vickie out of her wheelchair into the corner of the ring and screamed at her that the original Edge is back.

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Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ran down the Summerslam lineup including Matt Hardy vs. Mark Henry for the ECW title, Triple H vs. Great Khali, Cena vs. Batista and CM Punk vs. JBL.

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

Before the match even could start, Cena and Batista aruged over who should start the match. Cena allowed Batista to start things off, but as the bell sounded, Cena slapped Batista's back from behind to tag in. Dibiase and Rhodes soon pounced on Cena in their corner to start things off. When Cena took control against Cody Rhodes, he walked over to Batista and signaled the "You Can't See Me" before hitting a Five Knuckle Shuffle on Rhodes. Cena gave a mocking salute to Batista as Raw went to commercial break.

Raw returned with Cena being dominated by Dibiase. Cena was soon able to escape a hold and managed to tag in Batista. Batista ran wild in the ring attacking Dibiase, eventually getting a Spinebuster. Batista signaled for the Batista Bomb and gave a double thumbs down to Cena. Batista went over and set up a Batista Bomb, staring over at Cena. Cena got in the ring and shoved Dibiase away, then got in Batista's face. As the two stared each other down, the ref got in between. Cody Rhodes snuck into the ring and clipped Batista's leg, taking him down. As the ref turned back, Rhodes tagged in and began to attack Batista. Rhodes took control and exploited the leg injury but was unable to capture a pinfall.

Batista escaped from Rhodes and went over to tag Cena. Instead of a tag, Batista slapped Cena in the face as payback for last week. Cena got into the ring then went right over to get in Batista's face. Meanwhile, Ted Dibiase tagged in and rushed across to knock Cena into Batista. Batista fell off the side apron and Dibiase rolled up Cena for the pinfall victory.

Cena remained in the ring and motioned for Batista to come back in and fight. Batista got in and went up to Cena, but Rhodes and Dibiase returned to the ring. Batista and Cena went after each of them, taking them to the outside of the ring for a beatdown. Cena walked off up the ramp, but Batista was in the ring and called for Cena to return. WWE referees and security rushed to the ring to prevent Cena and Batista from a brawl in the ring. Mike Adamle came to ringside as well to check on things. Batista and Cena managed to break through the security and go at each other several times. Raw ended with a brawl in the ring, as a small preview of what's to come at Summerslam.

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

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