Raw Recap 09.01.08

Raw recap from St. Louis. Missouri:

Raw opened with an "In Memory of Walter "Killer" Kowalski 1926-2008 display. The Legend Killer made his re-appearance on Raw, coming to the ring wearing a sling on his left arm. Orton informed the crowd that he's still injured and didn't want to return until he was 100%. Orton said when he was champ, Raw was the strongest brand, but now it's a joke. Orton proceeded to chastise and insult each of Raw's current champs, Beth Phoenix, Santino, Dibiase & Rhodes, and then CM Punk.

Orton said Punk has been the biggest disgrace as World Champion, because he used to be a nobody. Orton said Punk's championship insults all he stands for. Orton said he would love to challenge Punk tonight for the title, but he can't do it since he's not cleared medically. Orton vowed that once he's healthy again, he will reclaim the title from Punk. Punk's music came on and he came down to confront Orton in the ring.

Punk told Orton it doesn't matter how he won the title, all that matters is he's the current champ. Punk brought up Orton doing tricks on his motorcycle and getting thrown 300 feet to delay his return. Punk called Orton jealous and the two got into each other's face. Punk said he's got a Battle royal to win later on and a Scramble to win on Sunday. Orton exited the ring, saying this conversation would come at a later time. As Orton continued up the ramp and backstage, Punk continued to yell at him on the mic. All of a sudden, JBL's music came on and JBL arrived down to the ring.

JBL told Punk his fairy tale reign as champ is going to end on Sunday at Unforgiven. JBL said it will only take 1 move for Punk's title to change hands. As JBL continued talking, Kane came down to the ring to interrupt. Kane told JBL he's been down to hell and hasn't seen JBL's Clothesline anywhere. Kane also said he saw Rey Mysterio in Hell, and he won't be there Sunday. As Kane started to proclaim he'd be champ, all of a sudden Batista's music came on and the crowd went wild.

Batista got to the ring and yanked the mic out of JBL's hand. Batista stared straight over at Kane who kept talking trash. Batista dropped his mic, then proceeded to spear Kane. JBL attacked CM Punk, but Batista speared JBL down next. As Punk, turned to face Batista across the ring, the Animal decided to complete the trifecta and speared Punk to the mat.

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Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler discussed tonight's matchups including a Battle Royal involving the Championship Scramble competitors, CM Punk, Kane, JBL, Batista and Rey Mysterio. Also, the competitors from ECW's Scramble will compete in a Battle Royal.

John Cena's theme music came on and the crowd went into a frenzy. Charlie Haas came out to the ramp dressed as Cena, and continued to mimic Cena's entrance and mannerisms. Haas got on the mic and told the crowd Cena might be injured but "the Haas is here, and you can't see me!" Kofi Kingston's theme music came on and Kofi came down to interrupt.

Charlie Haas vs. Kofi Kingston

Kofi started the match on a roll,using his quickness to fly around the ring and knock Haas down. Kofi hit a double leg drop on Haas' gut. As Kofi got up and charged at Haas in the corner, Haas stuck a boot in his face. Haas put Kofi on his shoulders for a mock FU, but Kofi slid off. The two rolled each other up in pinfall attempts getting to the ropes. Haas tried to get up and clothesline Kofi, but he ducked, then hit the spinning Jamaican Buzzsaw kick to win it.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Charlie Haas.

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Raw returned with Jerry Lawler announcing "Rock Out" by Motorhead as the official theme song of Unforgiven.

Backstage, Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes confronted Orton. Orton reminded Rhodes how he slapped his father right in the face, then slapped Rhodes in the face. An angry Rhodes was held back by Dibiase. Orton yelled at them about letting a bunch of thugs steal their titles from them. Orton suggested they get some courage, because until they do he's standing by everything he said.

Backstage, Mike Adamle met with ECW's GM Teddy Long and his assistant Tiffany. Adamle said they could make the ECW Battle Royal a Labor Day tradition, then made a joke about the Jerry Lewis telethon. All of a sudden, Kane burst into the office to face Adamle. Kane asked Adamle why he lied about Mysterio's presence. Adamle said he wanted to send a message out to Rey that Raw needs him. Kane laughed continuing to state that he got rid of Mysterio.

ECW 5 Man Battle Royal

The 5 men from Sunday's ECW Championship Scramble faced off in an over the top rope battle royal. Finlay, Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero, the Miz and the champ Mark Henry took to the ring to compete prior to this weekends Unforgiven PPV. Outside the ring, Hornswoggle, Tony Atlas and Bam Neely took to various sides of the ring to cheer on their respective wrestlers.

Everyone surrounded Mark Henry to start things off, and began to pummel him. Henry erupted and pushed them all off then knocked them down one by one. Hardy and Miz started working together and hit a double DDT on Henry. At one point in the match, Chavo and Miz went at it, with Chavo trying to send Miz over the ropes. Miz went over but held on to the top rope from the apron. Mark Henry came over and dumped both men out, then turned to go work on his remaining 2 opponents.

Henry went at Finlay and Hardy each separately, knocking them down. After knocking Matt to one corner, Henry splashed Finlay in the opposite. Henry charged at Hardy in the corner, but Matt moved away then started to beat on him. Finlay and Hardy started working together to pick up Henry and put him over the ropes. Henry was too heavy and got back to the ring, then picked up Finlay and dumped him out. It came down to Matt Hardy vs. Henry. Matt got serious momentum and went for Twist of Fate. Henry countered it, picked up Matt and dumped him over the top rope to win it.

Winner: Mark Henry wins the 5 man ECW Battle Royal.

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Raw returned to show Chris Jericho seated at a table with Lance Cade and an attorney, reviewing paperwork for the signing of his Unforgiven match contract later on.

Jamie Noble vs.

Prior to the match, Noble said he had the love of his life, Layla, come to ringside to watch him prove himself to her. William Regal's music came on to interrupt Noble. Regal immediately started attacking Noble with Layla looking on from ringside. Regal delivered a vicious right hand to knock Noble to the mat then tossed him to the corner for more punishment. Out of nowhere, despite Regal dominating, Noble rolled him up into a small package for a surprise pinfall victory.

Afterwards, Noble left the ring, still beaten up, and Layla looked impressed by his win as the two left up the ramp.

Winner: Jamie Noble wins via pinfall over William Regal.

Kelly Kelly and Mickie James were shown backstage all smiles as they awaited their upcoming divas tag match.

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A USA commercial was shown for Psych which will feature WWE Diva Mickie James this Friday at 10 PM EST.

Mickie James, Kelly Kelly & Candice Michelle vs. Jillian Hall, Katie Lea and Beth Phoenix

Prior to the match, Jillian Hall tried to sing in her usual style, but Mickie James came out to interrupt. Beth Phoenix came down to the ring and got on the mic to dispel what Orton said about her earlier. Beth said there's no diva as strong or tough as her in WWE. All of a sudden, Candice Michelle's theme music came on and the diva made her return to Raw, surprising Beth.

The heel divas took over at one point, dominating Mickie James and keeping her away from her partners. Mickie continued to battle it out and escaped Beth Phoenix to make the tag to Candice. Candice came in and attacked Beth Phoenix. After knocking Katie off the side apron, Candice continued to pummel Beth then went to the apron. As Candice climbed the corner she hesitated since she injured herself once before, falling from there. Katie Lea and Jillian both got on the aprons to go for Candice, but Kelly and Mickie ran over and yanked their legs out.

As both divas fell to the outside, Candice got to the top rope and did a flying bodypress onto Beth. Beth escaped the pin attempted and picked up Candice on her shoulder. Candice slid off, and as the two divas battled, Candice was able to roll her into a small package.

Winners: Kelly Kelly, Mickie James & Candice Michelle win by pinfall over Katie Lea, Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix.

The history of the Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho feud was reviewed. Emphasis was placed on the encounter they had at Summerslam where Jericho knocked out HBK's wife by mistake. Michaels came onto Raw last week and confronted Jericho saying he wanted a match at Unforgiven to settle things. Jericho accepted and tonight will see the two sign the official contract.

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D-Lo Brown vs. Santino Marella

Santino had the "Honk-A-Meter" put up on display which showed the Honky Tonk Man's former IC title reign of 64 straight weeks. Santino said he's had the belt for 2 weeks now, with just 62 left to go. D-Lo Brown came down to the ring to start the match off.

D-Lo started things off attacking Santino, and whipping him to the corner for a vicious clothesline. After a failed pin, D-Lo went against the ropes and held himself so Santino couldn't dropkick him. D-Lo hit a head kick then went to the top rope for a Frogsplash. Santino rolled out of the way then came over to take the pinfall.

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

Backstage, Shawn Michaels was shown seated in a locker room staring straight out as an attorney read over details from his Unforgiven match contract with him.

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Episodes of Raw were shown where Stone Cold Steve Austin came out and delivered a Stone Cold Stunner to King Jerry Lawler, JR and the Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. Vince McMahon attempted to restore order by getting into the ring with Austin. Austin listened to Vince's speech for a bit then kicked him in the gut to deliver a Stone Cold Stunner. More episodes of WWE 24/7 are available On Demand.

Cryme Tyme vs. The Miz and John Morrison

Miz and Morrison were posing in the ring as Cryme Tyme came down to attack them. The two teams fought outside the ring, but all of a sudden Dibiase and Rhodes charged down to attack. Rhodes and Dibiase took JTG into the ring where Rhodes hit a DDT on JTG right on a tag team title belt. Dibiase and Rhodes scooped up their belts, taking their gold back from Cryme Tyme.

Winner: Match never got started due to Dibiase and Rhodes' interference.

Backstage, Rhodes and Dibiase were shown walking through the back halls and came up to Randy Orton. The duo held up their reclaimed tag team titles for Orton to see, then walked by. Orton smirked as if to approve their guts to get the titles back.

Members of the St. Louis Rams were shown in the front row of Raw.

Footage was shown of WWE at the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Kennedy and Mickie James were there along with roving reporter Josh Matthews.

Backstage, Todd Grisham talked to Batista about the main event match tonight. Todd asked Batista his game plan for the Battle Royal tonight. Batista told Grisham his game plan is "Destroy everyone".

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ran down the list of matchups for Unforgiven, including the 3 Championship Scrambles and the unsanctioned match of Jericho vs. Michaels.

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World Heavyweight Battle Royal

Raw's competitors for this Sunday's Championship Scramble all faced off in this over-the-top-rope Battle Royal. Batista, JBL, Kane and CM Punk squared off, with Rey Mysterio absent at the start of the match. Randy Orton sat near ringside to watch the match.

Batista and Kane squared off and CM Punk went at JBL. JBL eventually broke free to go after Batista. Batista got out of it and took down Kane. The Animal started to gain momentum, splashing JBL in one corner, then Punk in another. Batista displayed impressive power as he splashed Punk again then hit a Spinebuster. CM Punk was eventually able to overcome Batista and kncoked Batista over the top rope. Next up was JBL who tried to go at Punk. Punk dumped JBL over the top rope then faced off with Kane.

Punk battled Kane to a ring corner, with Kane striking back and beating up Punk. The two continued battling with kane gaining the advantage. Kane tossed Punk over the top rope, but Punk held on. Punk was able to get onto the apron, then springboard into the ring at Kane. Kane was ready and caught Punk in a Chokeslam grip. Kane shoved Punk at the ropes causing him to spill out of the ring.

Outside the ring Orton smirked down at Punk, then the two stood face to face. Punk smirked back, then grabbed a bottled water off the commentators' table and splashed it on Orton. Referees got in the middle before the two could face off. Just as the confrontation was being broken up, Rey Mysterio's theme music and video came on. Mysterio charged down to the ring with fans cheering, then proceeded to attack Kane in the ring. Mysterio continued to pummel Kane, then dropkicked him in the leg. Mysterio went for the 619, with Kane rolling out of the ring. Mysterio dropkicked Kane through the ropes then went to jump on him. Kane caught Rey in the headscissors and was going to Powerbomb him, but Mysterio slid off causing Kane to hit the ringpost.

The two continued to battle outside the ring with Rey climbing onto the crowd barricade. Kane slapped his hand around Rey's neck to go for a Chokeslam, but Rey kicked out of it. Mysterio proceeded to jump at Kane with a headscissors and threw Kane over the barricade into the crowd. Mysterio got back in the ring to pose from the ring corner for the fans.

Winner: No winner as neither Mysterio or Kane officially were thrown over the top rope.

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Michaels vs. Jericho Contract Signing

Jerry Lawler was in the decorated ring with a table for Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho to sign off on their "Unsanctioned Match" for Unforgiven. Jericho arrived first in a suit and took a seat at the table. Lawler said GM Mike Adamle asked him to moderate tonight's signing to make their match completely unsanctioned. This means Jericho and Michaels waive all liabilities of what they may do to each other, absolving WWE of all legal ramifications.

Michaels came to the ring next to the cheers of fans. Michaels was all business as he walked to the ring and took a seat across from Y2J. Michaels continued to stare forward at Jericho, who looked away guiltily. Lawler informed them if there's any physicality between them tonight, their Unforgiven match will be called off. Jericho took the contract first, signing off on it, but still refusing to look into Michaels' eyes. HBK took the contract next and signed off on it.

Lawler thanked both men for signing off on the match, but Jericho grabbed the mic. Y2J asked Michaels why he asked for security to be present. Michaels said they weren't by his orders. Jericho and Michaels agreed that they'd talk one on one in the ring, so Jericho told everyone to leave the ring. The guards around the ring left as did Lawler and the two attorneys. Jericho started trying to incite HBK, talking about hitting his wife at Summerslam. Jericho promised that he'll end Michaels career for good at Unforgiven. Jericho said he's going to put him out of his misery, like HBK did to Flair at Wrestlemania.

Michaels continued to stare down Jericho as he tried to incite him. Michaels finally spoke saying that all the pain and suffering Jericho has put him through will rain back down on Jericho with no remorse. Michaels said he'll never apologize for the life he's lived and will have no regrets for what happens to Jericho at Unforgiven. Michaels said he hopes someday God can forgive him for what he's going to do to Jericho at Unforgiven.

As the two men stood up and removed their jackets, they stared one another down. All of a sudden, Lance Cade ran down to the ring to attack Michaels. Jericho quickly left the ring, as Michaels began to beat up Cade. Jericho came over to the side to try to pull cade out, but Michaels dove at him. Michaels pulled Cade back into the ring, continuing his attack, and continuing to stare out at Jericho as he backed up the ramp.

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