Raw Recap 09.15.08

Raw recap from Memphis, TN:

As Raw opened in Memphis, the steel cage was lowered down around the ring. Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole spoke about the big-fight atmosphere the arena had tonight for this contest.

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho
World Heavyweight title
Steel Cage Match

The title matchup kicked off Raw with Punk arriving first, then Jericho with a bandaged arm. Highlights were shown from Unforgiven where Orton confronted Punk backstage, then Punk was attacked by Rhodes, Dibiase & Manu. Orton finished off Punk with his trademark punt kick to the head. The concussion forced Punk out of the Championship Scramble and allowed Chris Jericho, his replacement, to win the title.

Early on both men had opportunities to scale the cage wall, but were pulled back in by their opponent. After a commercial break, Jericho was able to gain the upperhand and got Punk into the Walls of Jericho. Punk struggled for a while and was able to crawl over to the open cage door. Punk began to pull himself out of the ring with Jericho still holding on. Eventually Jericho grabbed the door and slammed it on Punk's back and head. Jericho continued to stay in control as he pounded away and kicked Punk on the mat.

Jericho went for a springboard backflip off the ropes but Punk put his knees up. With Jericho stunned and down, Punk got up and began kicking at him, eventually kicking his head. Jericho avoided a running knee from Punk in the corner, causing Punk to crash into the cage wall. Jericho made several more attempts to escape the cage by climbing out, but Punk brought him down both times. Both men were down on the mat. Punk began to crawl over towards the cage door again, but Jericho followed and crawled over Punk. The two continued to battle it out near the door, with Jericho on the apron and Punk inside. Jericho managed to knock Punk away, then Y2J fell out the door to win it.

Winner: Chris Jericho escapes the Steel Cage before CM Punk to retain the World Heavyweight championship.

As Jericho staggered up the ramp, Michael Cole announced another match coming later on Raw will be Kane facing Rey Mysterio.

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Raw returned from commercial to show images of the destruction Hurricane Ike caused to various areas. A number for Red Cross was given so fans can make donations to the support & relief efforts: 1-800-REDCROSS or go to REDCROSS.ORG for more info.

Backstage, Mike Adamle was talking to Kelly Kelly when a new superstar named Dolph came up and introduced himself to Adamle and Kelly. Dolph walked off just as Chris Jericho came walking up with his title. Adamle congratulated Jericho on his victory and told him he needs to focus on the upcoming No Mercy PPV. Jericho told Adamle that he needs to take care of Y2J since he's his most valuable asset and he's been through alot in the past 8 days. Jericho told Adamle they needed to go talk now in his office.

Kane appeared backstage wearing his old mask. Kane said years ago he was forced to remove the mask, and took the mask off so he could be accepted by the fans. Kane said that never happened and got him nothing. Kane said he dislikes being ridiculed, and knows people are repulsed by him. Kane said Rey Mysterio hasn't had the courage to take his mask off yet, because all of the fans hide behind their own masks; happiness, caring, self-righteousness. Kane said the fans only care about themselves. ECW star Evan Bourne came up to Kane and told Kane that Rey is courageous and he can't wait to see Rey defeat Kane later on. Kane just started laughing maniacally as Bourne left.

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Jillian Hall vs. Candice Michelle

Jillian came out to the ramp wearing her microphone headset and began belting out Elvis' "Nothin but a Hounddog" to the disgust of fans. Jillian continued her performance in the ring but Candice Michelle made her entrance to stop the awful singing. Beth Phoenix made her way down to the ring with her Women' s championship to watch the matchup.

Jillian took control for a bit as she had Candice down in a headlock then stood her up with the Full Nelson. Candice broke free from the hold then kicked Jillian from the mat. Candice took control as she started to knock Jillian around the ring. Jillian whipped Candice to the corner, but Candice jumped up over Jillian to avoid her charging. Jillian was able to regain control with a side slam then whipped Candice to the ring corner. Jillian did a cartwheel flip into Candice in the corner, but Candice grabbed her arms and twisted from there to slam Jillain to the mat for the pin.

Candice motioned for Beth to get in the ring and fight afterwards. Beth got up and into the ring, but as she was entering through the ropes, Candice dropkicked her to the outside. Beth left carrying her belt up the ramp, staring back at Candice.

Winner: Candice Michelle wins via pinfall over Jillian Hall.

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Tommy Dreamer vs. JBL

JBL walked down the ramp, arriving from his white limo parked next to the ramp. Michael Cole said JBL is in one of the worst moods he's ever seen him in this past week.

JBL was in control as he pummeled Dreamer in the corner with a series of punches. JBL then whipped Dreamer to the opposite corner and ran at him, but Dreamer stuck a boot in his face. Dreamer used a swinging neckbreaker, but couldn't capture the pin. As JBL got up near the corner, Dreamer ran at him. JBL avoided the hit, and then came off the ropes to deliver the Clothesline from Hell on Dreamer.

After the win, JBL left the ring and grabbed a steel chair. JBL was going to go after Dreamer but the ref intervened. JBL set up the chair and sat down in it, then asked for a mic. Dreamer rolled out of the ring and JBL sat back down. JBL told GM Mike Adamle he is not leaving the ring until he is made the # contender for the World Heavyweight title. Raw took a commercial break with JBL still sitting in the ring.

Winner: JBL wins via pinfall over Tommy Dreamer.

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Raw returned from a commercial break with JBL still seated in the ring, awaiting GM Mike Adamle to come out and make him #1 contender. JBL continued to yell that nobody has better credentials than him to be #1 contender. All of a sudden, Randy Orton's theme music came on and Orton walked down to the ring. Orton told JBL he's not much of a contender for the title compared to Orton. Orton said he continues to heal his shoulder and he will again become world champ. As Orton continued speaking, Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix came down to the ring to interrupt.

Santino confronted Orton for insulting him and Beth as champs. Santino said Orton is always injured just like his father. Santino said he and Beth represent the new age of champions and demanded that Orton apologize. JBL told Orton to apologize to him, not Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix. JBL began to talk of how last week he took out Batista with a single clothesline. Batista came out from backstage next as fans cheered his arrival.

Batista took the mic and said the 4 superstars in the ring are the most pathetic site he's ever seen. Batista insulted Santino and Beth, then told JBL he will fight him tonight for the #1 Contender spot at No Mercy. As JBL got into Batista's face, all of a sudden Mike Adamle came onto the Titantron. Adamle said he'll make a decision as to who will face Jericho at No Mercy, after the Mysterio vs. Kane match.

Batista said he was going to plead his case right now, and attacked JBL. Santino tried to attack Batista from behind, but ended up receiving a Spinebuster. JBL escaped from the ring to the ramp. Beth Phoenix stood up to Batista and began screaming at him, before slapping him in the face twice. Batista stared her down then used a Spinebuster to slam her on top of Santino.

Backstage, Randy Orton was walking and came up to Manu, Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase. They stared each other down then walked off in separate directions.

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"All Nightmare Long" by Metallica will be this year's No Mercy theme song. The song is produced by Rick Ruben who is also a huge WWE fan.

Kofi Kingston, Jerry Lawler & Jim Haas vs. Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase & Manu
Six Man Tag Match

Charlie Haas came down the ramp wearing a Sooners jersey wearing a cowboy hat just like JR. Haas cut a promo prior to the bell for JR's BBQ Sauce. During the match, Haas left the ring and went over by Michael Cole to do some quick commentary. In the ring, Jerry Lawler escaped from Cody Rhodes and tagged in Haas. Haas began delivering right hands to Dibiase then clotheslined him down. Haas did a huge splash on Dibiase but it was broken up by Rhodes and Manu. Lawler and Kingston came in and took Rhodes/Manu to the outside. Meanwhile, Dibiase was able to gain the upperhand on Haas and slammed him back to the mat for a pin.

Winners: Manu, Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase win via pinfall over Kofi Kingston, Jerry Lawler and Jim Haas.

Smackdown Rebound covered what went down at Unforgiven, with Triple H leaving the PPV still champion. HHH won by a slim margin over Jeff Hardy who had a pinfall at the exact same time. The two confronted each other in the ring on Smackdown, with HHH saying Hardy lets his personal problems prevent him from winning the big one. Later in the night, a Fatal Fourway went down with Hardy, MVP, Benjamin and Kendrick. Jeff Hardy won it with a Swanton onto Kendrick and Benjamin. Jeff Hardy will go on to face HHH at No Mercy for the WWE title. After Jeff's victory, Vladimir Kozlov came down to the ring and attacked Hardy to announced Jeff as his latest opponent.

Back in the locker room, JBL spoke to Jericho about how they were an impressive team last week. Jericho told JBL he cost him the title last year against Randy Orton. Jericho told JBL that Adamle respects his opinion way more than JBL's. Jericho said he's not investing in any future JBL title opportunities.

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Raw Rewind showed last week's match between William Regal and Jamie Noble with Layla at ringside. Regal won this match and then left with Layla on his arm.

Jamie Noble vs. Paul Burchill

Burchill came to the ring along with his sister Katie Lea. Noble began the match with some offense, until Burchill took control. Burchill missed a charging opportunity as he ran at Noble in the corner. Noble jumped from over the side apron and brought Burchill down to the mat into a submission hold. As Noble wrenched Burchill's arm, Burchill tapped out in agony, giving Noble the win.

Layla came out to the ramp and got on the mic telling Jamie she's sorry it took her so long to realize that he's not worthy of her. Layla introduced the man who is worthy of her, William Regal. Regal told Noble it's "nobility" that Layla wanted.

Winner: Jamie Noble wins by submission over Paul Burchill.

GM Mike Adamle was talking to Lance Cade backstage as Batista barged in. Batista asked Adamle if he's going to be the #1 contender or not. Cade confronted Batista asking what makes him think he'll be #1 contender. Batista grabbed Cade and threw him against the office door then said he didn't ask his opinion on anything. Batista stared Cade down then left the office.

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Rey Mysterio vs. Kane

Kane came to the ring without a mask on, then Mysterio came out next. Kane took control early on and kicked Mysterio down by the ropes. Next, Kane tossed Rey out of the ring but Mysterio landed on his feet. Rey slid back in the ring just as Kane went out after him. Rey quickly dropkicked Kane through the ropes, right before Raw went to commercial.

Raw returned with Kane keeping Mysterio down in a headlock. Mysterio got up and escaped it, then tried to gain momentum off the ropes. Kane caught Mysterio and slammed him down, then went for an elbow drop, but missed it. Rey had Kane in the corner and kept charging, jumping up and punching away at Kane. Kane shoved Rey down to the mat, and eventually threw him across the ring into a steel post.

The two continued to battle it out, with Rey eventually able to deliver a kick to Kane's head causing Kane to fall against the ropes. Rey went for the 619 but Kane was quick to get up and level Mysterio with a clothesline. Kane repeatedly kicked at Rey in the corner and wouldn't listen when the ref told him to stop. The ref eventually called for the bell, awarding Rey the win. Kane continued to assault Rey, trying to pull the mask off. Out of nowhere, Evan Bourne rushed down to the ring and began to attack Kane. The two superstars delivered several moves, with Rey eventually dropkicking Kane to the mat. Bourne and Rey stood near the bottom of the ramp looking up at Kane in the ring.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins due to Kane's refusal to heed referee's warning to stop.

Chris Jericho and Lance Cade were shown walking backstage, with Jericho carrying his title. New superstar Dolph walked up and introduced himself, extending a hand to Y2J. Y2J looked at him and didn't shake. Lance Cade shook the guy's hand then he and Jericho continued walking on their way to the ring. Jerry Lawler said next we will find out who is # 1 contender for Jericho's belt.

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Chris Jericho and Lance Cade arrived to the ring. Jericho got on the mic and thanked Mike Adamle for respecting his opinion as a champion as to who will be #1 contender. Jericho said in his opinion neither JBL or Batista are worthy of a title shot. Jericho said he proposed that JBL and Batista can face off at No Mercy, beat each other down, and then he can come down to beat the winner. Y2J said it might sound unfair to have 2 matches for 1 man in the same night, but he's done it before at Unforgiven.

Raw GM Mike Adamle came out to the top of the ramp next. Adamle said Chris' idea is a good one to have Batista face JBL for #1 contender status. Adamle told Chris he has a slight problem with having the challenger fight twice on the same night. Adamle said he needs a title match as well and another superstar approached him with a novel idea for a match. Adamle went backstage to get Jericho's opponent for No Mercy.

After a long pause with Jericho and Cade in the ring, Shawn Michaels' theme music came on and fans went wild. HBK came out onto the ramp with a mic in hand. HBK said he came up with a way to top themselves from their previous matches. HBK said it's a match that some say he revolutionized, then had WWE staff set up a ladder on the ramp. HBK climbed to the top of the ramp and sat down announcing he'll face Jericho for the title at No Mercy in a Ladder Match. Raw went off the air with Michaels staring down to the ring at Jericho.

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