Raw Recap 09.08.08

Raw Recap from Fort Wayne, IN:

Raw opened with Lillian Garcia introducing new World Heavyweight Champ Chris Jericho. Jericho came to the ring all smiles carrying the belt. Jericho discussed his evening at Unforgiven, and then removed his shirt to show off the welts Shawn Michaels gave him in their match. Jericho called Michaels a hypocrite and said the crowd loved what Michaels did to him, but HBK didn't really win anything. Jericho then showed the crowd what he accomplished last night, winning the championship belt. Jericho said fans will now be forced to recognize and respect him for what he achieved.

Mike Adamle came onto the ramp saying congrats to Jericho, and then informed fans that CM Punk was ineligible to compete last night after suffering a concussion. Adamle said Punk lost his title with no chance to defend it. Adamle said Punk isn't at Raw tonight, but will be back next week, and will get a chance to wrestle Jericho for the title. Adamle said the match will be in a 15 foot high steel cage to prevent outside interference. Jericho said he's fine with that, but now he just wants to take his title and go home. Adamle said he needs a main event for tonight, so Jericho can face Batista in the ring.

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Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix
WWE Women's Title Match

Candice Michelle arrived down to ringside to watch the match. Cole said Candice will face the winner of tonight's match for the title at No Mercy next month.

Beth Phoenix looked dominant in this match as she sent Mickie James into the corner. Beth charged at her, but Mickie put up a foot. Despite Beth grabbing Mickie's foot, Mickie was able to use the ropes to do a headscissors style move and send Beth down to the mat. Mickie started to run off the ropes knocking Beth down. Beth was whipped to the corner, where she countered a move by Mickie and tossed her out through the ropes. Mickie held onto the ropes and stayed on the apron, then tried to do another headscissors style move using the ropes. This time Beth grabbed Mickie and put her on her shoulder, then slammed her down agains the mat. Beth rolled up Mickie for the pinfall cover and retained her title as Candice stared at her from her ringside seat.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Mickie James to retain the WWE Women's Title.

Backstage, Jamie Noble told Layla she is like his personal lucky charm, and he needs her at ringside, just like when he faced William Regal last week. Layla said she was impressed by his victory and really surprised. Noble said that was the real deal, and he had a surprise for her now. All of a sudden, Jillian Hall was shown nearby and sang the Eric Clapton song "Layla" in her awful voice. Noble sent Jillian away and started to sing his own song to Layla, but she stopped him and said she'd be out at ringside for him tonight.

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Raw Rewind showed Jamie Noble's victory over William Regal last week, with Layla seeming impressed at ringside.

Jamie Noble vs. William Regal

Regal arrived to the ring still looking angry over losing to Noble last week. In tonight's match with Layla watching from ringside, Regal took out his frustration as he whipped Noble hard to the corner. Regal walked up to Noble but Noble started to kick back, then came off the second rope with a dropkick. Noble delivered a kick to the back of Regal's head. Regal stumbled back falling into the corner. Noble ran and tried to flip into Regal, but Regal put a knee into his back. Regal followed with a knee to Noble's head knocking him down for the pinfall.

After his victory, Regal took a mic and asked Noble what he expected since happy endings only happen in fairy tales. Regal left the ring and went over to stare down Layla. Regal put his arm out, and Layla got up and left with him seeming bewildered. Layla turned back several times as they walked up the ramp checking on Noble still down in the ring.

Winner: William Regal wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

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CHL vs. JBL

JBL arrived in his white limo prior to the match. Charlie Haas came out of a white limo next, dressed up just like JBL. Haas said his name's CHL, "Charlie Haas Layfield", then proceeded to mock JBL as a businessman, making fun of his Mama Juwamba energy drink. The crowd erupted in a CHL chant as Haas came face to face with JBL. JBL called Haas a disrespectful punk and told him he will respect him. As the bell sounded, JBL exited the ring as if he wouldn't be in the same ring with Haas. The ref eventually counted JBL out giving Haas the victory.

Winner: CHL wins due to countout of JBL.

JBL was shown walking backstage and came up to Kelly Kelly who was laughing with Batista. JBL asked what was so funny as Kelly exited. Batista remarked that Charlie Haas' mockery of JBL was funny. JBL said he and Haas have nothing in common. Batista added that Charlie Haas also won his match tonight.

Todd Grisham interviewed Rey Mysterio backstage. Mysterio talked about Kane's attack on him that left him out of action for weeks. Rey said Kane can never crush his spirit.

Evan Bourne & Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Mike Adamle was shown back in his office watching the match on a TV set along with ECW GM Teddy Long and assistant Tiffany.

In the match, Rey Mysterio and Bourne started to take control of things, but Miz and Morrison used several tricks to stay alive. Miz delivered a serious knee to Bourne, knocking him out of the ring. As Mysterio was getting to his feet, Morrison went for a kick off the second rope by springboarding backwards. Rey avoided it and Morrison caught Miz with the kick. Rey came off the ropes and got a spinning headscissors on Morrison, sending him to the ropes. A 619 followed, then Rey tagged in Bourne for a Shooting Starpress off the corner turnbuckle.

As Bourne and Rey were still in the ring celebrating, all of a sudden flames erupted near the top of the ramp and the arena grew dark. Kane appeared on the Titantron telling Rey he will face him next week, and everyone will understand why Rey is a victim. Kane said they will understand why he chose him next week, and as a hint held up his old Kane mask.

Winners: Rey Mysterio and Evan Bourne win via pinfall over The Miz and John Morrison.

Randy Orton was shown walking backstage on his way out to the ring.

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Footage was shown of last night's attack on CM Punk as he was confronting Orton backstage. Ted Dibiase, Cody Rhodes and Manu all tripled teamed Punk. Kofi Kingston ran in to try to aid Punk, but was beaten down also. Orton ran and delivered his Legend Killer kick to CM Punk's head causing the concussion which kept him out of the title match.

Randy Orton walked down to the ring looking purposeful. In the ring Orton discussed his return and how he took out Punk with one arm. Orton also told Jericho he wouldn't have won the title if Orton was eligible to compete. Orton vowed to beat Jericho once he is eligible to compete again. All of a sudden, Orton was interrupted by Dibiase, Rhodes and newcomer Manu.

Rhodes told Orton that the 3 of them were responsible for beating Punk down, allowing Orton to punt kick him in the head. Manu spoke next, saying Orton isn't the only one with a father who was a legend. Manu said his father Wild Samoan Afa is also a hall of famer. Dibiase started to speak next about Orton slapping Punk in the face, calling it impressive. As Dibiase kept talking, Orton slapped him in the face and got out of the ring. The 3 men became enraged, but Orton just backed up the ring with a slight smirk.

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Kofi Kingston & Cryme Tyme vs. Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase & Manu

Big Shad was on a roll in this one, as he pressed Rhodes up then let him drop to the mat. JTG came in and Shad threw him at Rhodes who was against the ropes. The two crashed over the ropes and to the outside. Meanwhile, back in the ring Shad went to work on Dibiase, whipping him to the ropes for a powerslam. Manu made a blind tag as Dibiase' came against the ropes, and then came in the ring to strike Shad from behind. Manu followed with his impressive finisher to slam Shad to the mat for a pinfall.

Winners: Manu, Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes win via pinfall over Kofi Kingston & Cryme Tyme.

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WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand showed footage of 1983 NWA Starcade. 1983's NWA Starcade showed Ric Flair facing Harley Race in a steel cage for the NWA title. The ref became accidentally knocked out during the contest. Flair was able to jump off the corner onto Race for a bodypress, then pinned him as the ref recovered to count it.

Snitsky vs. Santino Marella

Marella arrived to the ring with Beth Phoenix. Before the match, Santino showed the "Honk-a-meter" and said he's got 61 weeks left to prove he's the greatest IC champ ever. Santino demanded that they sent out a knucklehead opponent, but it was an angry-looking Snitsky.

Snitsky dominated from the start of this one. At one point, he tossed Santino into the corner, then ran at him with a high boot. Marella avoided it and Snitsky was hit into the corner. Snitsky fell back and Marella rolled him up for a quick surprise win over Snitsky. As Santino celebrated with Beth on the ramp, Snitsky stared out angrily at them.

Winner: Santino Marella wins via pinfall over Snitsky.

Backstage, Mike Adamle spoke to Kelly Kelly about what happened last night with the World Heavyweight title Scramble. Kelly said she felt so bad for CM Punk, but Adamle assured her he'll be back to fight next week. Chris Jericho came in to interrupt and Kelly took off. Jericho told Adamle it's unfair he had 2 matches last night and now gets to face Batista tonight. Adamle said he did Jericho a favor last night putting him in the Scramble, so now he will compete, and he'll do it next.

Batista vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho came to the ring with his protege Lance Cade. In this one, Batista dominated from the onset, as it seemed Jericho was still nursing injuries from last night's encounter with HBK. At one point, Jericho rolled out of the ring for a timeout. Mike Adamle came to the ramp with a mic and informed them to stop the match. Adamle apologized to Batista, saying he misdiagnosed Jericho's condition. Adamle said he needs a main event that's star-driven and competitive, so he made it a 2 on 1 Handicap match, adding JBL as Jericho's tag team partner.

Winner: Match stopped by Raw GM Mike Adamle with no winner.

Batista vs. JBL and Chris Jericho
2 on 1 Handicap Match

Jericho and JBl tried to give Batista a beatdown in this one. With Batista down, Jericho came into the ring to slap Batista around. Batista finally regained composure and fought back, knocking Jericho down, then running over to knock JBL off the apron. With JBL out of the ring, Batista set up Jericho for a Batista Bomb, but Lance Cade got onto the apron. Batista shoved Jericho down and went after Cade, knocking him down on the apron. The ref went over and became distracted by Cade on the apron, just as JBL got back in the ring. Batista turned and ate a Clothesline from Hell by JBL, then Jericho ran over to steal the pinfall.

After the bell, JBL ordered Lance Cade to hold Batista for him. JBL delivered several punches to Batista knocking him to the mat. JBL screamed at Batista, then Lance Cade got several more punches in. The heel duo tried to send Batsita to the ropes for a double move, but Batista came off with a double shoulder into both men. Batista then speared JBL down, and hit a massive Batista Bomb on Lance Cade. Batista stared up the ramp at Jericho holding the belt smiling.

Winners: Chris Jericho and JBL win via pinfall over Batista.

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