Raw Recap 11.03.08

Raw Recap from Tampa, FL:

Tonight's Raw was the 800th celebration episode of Monday Night Raw. Raw opened with highlights from some of its 800 episodes in its 16 year run. Raw is the longest running weekly TV show in history. The Raw TV program has outlasted hit shows like ER, Mash, The Simpsons and Seinfeld. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler opened things up discussing the big tag match between Miz/Morrison and DX, as well as the Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight title. Lawler said there will be a first tonight, a 16-diva tag team match.

Randy Orton came down to the ring to open the show. Orton discussed the ultimatum he gave to Shane & Stephanie McMahon last week, that either they fire Mike Adamle as GM, or Orton walks. Orton said he's not leaving until the McMahon's come out to address the issue. Orton left the ring and sat in a steel chair at ringside.

The Hardys vs. MVP & The Brian Kendrick

Michael Cole discussed the bitter rivalry earlier this year between Orton and Hardy. Highlights were shown where Jeff did a Swanton off the scaffolding down onto Orton to close out an episode of Raw. Both men left the arena on stretchers.

As the match moved towards its finish, it was Matt Hardy against MVP. MVP was worn down and jumped to tag Kendrick. The ref was busy keeping Jeff Hardy out of the ring and didn't see Kendrick tag in. Kendrick began arguing with the ref, and then his bodyguard Ezekiel got up on the apron to argue as well. As the two were arguing, Matt delivered a Twist of Fate on MVP. Jeff climbed to the turnbuckle and jumped off for a Swanton Bomb onto MVP. Matt covered MVP. Jeff quickly rolled out of the ring, and as the ref turned he jumped down to the mat to count the pinfall.

Winners: The Hardys win by pinfall over MVP & The Brian Kendrick.

A montage of various highlights was shown from the first episode of Raw back in 1993 at Madison Square Garden. Included in the footage were superstars such as Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, Shawn Michaels, Doink the Clown, Max Moon and Yokozuna.

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Raw returned with highlights from the Razor Ramon vs. 1-2-3 Kid match on Raw back in 1993 (Episode #17). Kid did a reverse flip off the turnbuckle to crash down onto Razor and took the pin for a surprise victory.

8 Man Battle Royal

Included in the competitors: Cryme Tyme, Dibiase & Rhodes, Manu, Jamie Noble, William Regal and Snitsky. The winner of this match would receive an Intercontinental championship match next week on Raw. Current champ, Santino Marella, arrived down to the ring prior to the match along with his girl Beth Phoenix. Santino and Beth joined the commentators to watch the match.

Early on Team Priceless was able to dump Snitsky over the top rope. Ted Dibiase then pushed Manu and Rhodes over to eliminate them. Next up, Noble went at William Regal near the ropes. Noble fell over the ropes but went onto the apron, then dropped onto the floor with his feet. Noble yanked Regal to the outside to begin beating him up, but the refs separated them and told Noble to head backstage.

It came down to just Cryme Tyme versus Ted Dibiase. Dibiase was able to avoid their double team, then dumped JTG over the top rope as he charged at him. Dibiase and Shad started to fight, with Shad overpowering Dibiase. Shad tried for the running slam with Dibiase on his shoulder. Dibiase slid off Shad's shoulder and shoved him. Shad tried for a huge boot, with Dibiase avoiding it and shoving him into the ropes. Dibiase then hit a huge dropkick to knock Shad out of the ring. Dibiase thought he was the winner, but Regal was still legal. Regal came charging out of nowhere and shoved Dibiase over the top rope to take the win.

Winner: William Regal wins the 8 Man Battle Royal to become #1 Contender for Intercontinental title on next week's Raw.

A limo pulled up in the arena garage. The chaffeur opened the door and out stepped Shane and Stephanie McMahon. The two began walking and Stephanie told Shane he should handle this on his own, since he knows what to do. Shane said it's not how he planned to celebrate Raw's 800th, but headed on his way to the arena.

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Raw returned to show footage from Episode #409 in 2001. Vince McMahon was discussing how he will own the contract for WCW at Wrestlemania, and will bury the organization. Just then, Shane came up on the Titantron from Panama City, live on WCW's Monday Nitro. Shane informed his dad that he now owned WCW as he had bought the company.

Orton got back into the ring to address the issue of Mike Adamle and how he put his health in jeopardy. Orton again demanded that either Adamle goes or he goes. Shane McMahon came down to the ring to talk to Orton. Shane told Orton he doesn't respond to threats and ultimatums well. Orton told Shane that his father would fire Adamle by now. Shane was about to start addressing the issue when Mike Adamle arrived to the ring to interrupt.

Adamle told Shane that every GM of Raw seemed to have an agenda, but he wanted to try to stay neutral. Adamle said the job of Raw GM corrupts individuals and he doesn't want it to happen to him. Adamle made the announcement as of this moment he is resigning as General Manager of Raw. Adamle shook Shane's hand and left the ring, walking up the ramp. Orton got on the mic and yelled to Adamle that he owes him an apology for last week. Shane said Orton is the one who owes the apology. Shane went on to say he spoke to Orton's doctors and he was medically cleared to compete. Shane told Orton he will therefore compete later tonight against CM Punk.

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Footage of episode #778 was shown which included prerecorded videos from presidential candidates John McCain & Barack Obama.

Bret the Hitman Haas vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Haas came to the ring to Bret Hart's entrance song wearing full Hitman gear. Prior to the match, Haas got on the mic to tell Kozlov "the fans didn't screw Vladimir Kozlov, Vladimir Kozlov screwed Kozlov".

In a very quick match, Haas had very little offense if any. Kozlov shoved Haas against the ropes then did a hip toss. Kozlov shoved Haas to the ropes then used a battering ram type move to knock Haas down to the mat.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins by pinfall over Bret the Hitman Haas.

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Raw returned to show a replay of Batista defeating Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight title at Cyber Sunday. Last week, Jericho invoked his rematch clause to set up tonight's Steel cage match.

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Batista asking about his level of confidence tonight. Batista said it took him a long time to win the title back and he's not about to lose it tonight. Batista said at the end of the night, Jericho's still going home empty-handed.

Episode #258 of Raw from 1998 was shown, where D-Generation X members HHH, Chyna, Roaddog, Billy Gunn and X-Pac invaded the enemy lines of WCW. DX rode a miniature tank around and HHH yelled out at the WCW fans in line using a megaphone.

Shawn Michaels and Triple H were shown backstage in DX gear heading out to the ring.

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D-Generation X vs. The Miz & John Morrison

Prior to the match, Michaels and HHH forgot they had pyrotechnics as they took to the mics. As HHH was delivering the classic "Are you ready?" line, HBK said he wasn't ready. HBK had footage rolled on the Titantron of Miz and Morrison's mocking of DX last week on ECW. Shawn Michaels pointed out how big HHH's nose has gotten according to the footage. HHH said it's the camera because it puts on 10 pounds. Michaels then said nobody mocks his chaps, that's crossing the line. HHH brought up how Miz and Morrison were still in high school DX started revolutionizing the wrestling industry. HHH had several geeky B&W pictures of Miz and Morrison shown from high school.

During the match, Miz and Morrison continually tried to mock DX arrogantly. At one point, HBK was knocked to the outside, leaving HHH alone to fight Miz & Morrison. Morrison did a mock version of HBK's Sweet Chin Music to kick HHH down to the mat. He tagged in Miz and the two did the DX crotch chops as they stood over HHH. Miz slapped HHH in he head, then set him up for a Pedigree. HHH was able to counter and flipped Miz over his back to the mat. Morrison rushed in to try to knock HHH down, but HHH ducked and Michaels was back on the apron to pull the rope down. Morrison fell out of the ring to the floor. In the ring, HBK entered and delivered Sweet Chin Music to Miz. A stunned Miz, turned and was kicked in the gut by HHH, then Pedigreed to the mat.

Winners: D-Generation X wins by pinfall over The Miz & John Morrison.

Backstage, JBL and Shane McMahon were watching Raw on a TV set. JBL proposed a business proposition to change as Mike Adamle had left Raw leaderless. JBL suggested he should be the new GM of the show. Shane said he'd consider it, but then said he felt a man of JBL's stature needs to be in a high profile match. JBL suggested he be in the Steel Cage match for the title. Shane said instead he'd have JBL facing The Undertaker.

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Footage was shown from Episode #243 in 1998, involving the Stone Cold Steve Austin confrontation in the ring with Mike Tyson. Austin gave Tyson the double middle fingers causing the two to explode into a brawl. WWE refs and officials held the two apart as Vince McMahon yelled at Austin.

Mickie James, Candice Michelle, Maria, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Brie Bella, Eve Torres, Tiffany and Mae Young vs. Lena Yada, Layla, Katie Lea, Jillian Hall, Natalya, Victoria, Maryse & Beth Phoenix
16-Diva Tag Match

Kelly Kelly started off against Beth Phoenix and was able to gain the upperhand. Kelly went over for a tag and Mae Young demanded to be tagged in. Mae came in and began to knock down the various heel divas as they each tried to get into the ring. All the divas started to get involved, and things moved outside the ring. Mae Young was looking out in the confusion and Beth Phoenix, still the legal diva, was able to steal a pin by rolling Mae up near the ropes.

Winners: The heel divas win by pinfall over the face divas.

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Footage was shown from Episode #202 of Raw in 2002. Hollywood Hulk Hogan was in the ring causing a stir, when The Rock came down to the ring to interrupt. The Rock challenged Hogan to a headlining match for Wrestlemania and the two shared a classic staredown in the ring.

CM Punk vs. Randy Orton

Footage was shown from Unforgiven where Randy Orton delivered the punt kick to Punk's head, costing him the World Heavyweight title. Tonight's match saw Punk out for revenge.

In the match, Punk gained the advantage on Orton as he sent him to the corner. Punk hit a running knee into Orton's face, then went for a bulldog, but Orton shoved him off causing Punk to hit the mat. Orton got down and waited for Punk to get up for the RKO. Out of nowhere, Ted Dibiase came charging into the ring and ran over to clothesline down Punk. Orton became enraged and saw Manu and Rhodes on the apron, then started screaming at them for interfering. Orton ran over with his Punt Kick to Dibiase's head. Dibiase fell over to the mat, and Punk rolled out of the ring. Rhodes and Manu got in the ring to check on Dibiase as the crowd chanted "R-K-O".

Winner: CM Punk wins due to disqualification of Randy Orton when Ted Dibaise interfered in the match.

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Raw returned to replay Orton's kick to Dibiase's head in the ring. During the break, Dibiase was taken away on a stretcher by paramedics. Backstage, Manu and Rhodes confronted Randy Orton for what he did to Dibiase. Orton said he was moments away from winning his first match back until Dibiase interfered. Orton said he was trying to kick some sense into their partner, then screamed at Manu and Rhodes to try something right now. Orton got in their faces, but Manu and Rhodes held off. Orton said they were smart and there might be hope yet.

Highlights of Episode #772 of Raw from 2008 were shown involving the Weigh-in between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The weigh in ended with Big Show picking up Mayweather and tossing him out of the ring onto various WWE wrestlers.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon was confronted by former GM Mike Adamle. Adamle said part of the problem he had being GM was that Stephanie was constantly contradicting everything Shane had told him. Adamle told Stephanie that motherhood hadn't helped her at all. Stephanie angrily told Adamle that controlling Raw is part of her birthright as a McMahon, then wished Adamle good luck. As Adamle left, Shane came in and told Steph he has a major Survivor Series announcement to make. Stephanie asked him to let her in on it, but Shane said to trust him, he'd handle it.

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Footage was shown from Episode #475 of Raw in 2002, when Jeff Hardy faced Undertaker in a Ladder match for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Hardy baasehd Undertaker with a steel chair several times and began to climb the ladder. Taker was quickly back up and up the other side of the ladder where he chokeslammed Hardy off, then grabbed the belt hanging above the ring.

Former Raw commentator Jim Ross made his way down the ramp and joined his commentary partner Tazz for the next match.

JBL vs. The Undertaker

Undertaker began to dominate the match and had JBL up on his shoulder for a running slam. JBL escaped it and was able to come off the ropes to knock Undertaker down. The impact caused JBL to fall back and outside the ring. As the ref counted JBL out, all of a sudden Taker sat up Deadman style and gave JBL a look. JBL backed off up the ramp and the ref eventually counted him out. Undertaker stared out at him. Shawn Michaels came running down the ramp and tossed JBL into the ring. Undertaker was able to hit the Tombstone Piledriver to leave JBL layed out on the mat.

Winner: Undertaker wins due to countout of JBL.

Backstage in an office, Chris Jericho was shown pacing. Shane McMahon came into the office and asked Chris what he wanted to talk about. Chris said he heard Shane has a Survivor Series announcement and assumed it's about the World Heavyweight title. Chris said since he'll be the champ after tonight it will involve him. Shane said that the match will be whoever is World Heavyweight champ defending the title against John Cena. Chris said he expects to be champ after tonight and will defend successfully at Survivor Series.

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Footage was shown from Raw episode #304, were Stone Cold Steve Austin drove a Budweiser truck down to the ring and hosed down The Rock and Vince McMahon with beer in the ring. Austin climbed on top of the truck to pose as the fans went wild.

The arena was dark and when the lights came on, Kung Fu Naki was in the ring. Fu Naki started doing kung fun moves to his theme music. Hornswoggle appeared from under the ring and then came into the ring to start dancing. Next, the Boogeyman appeared from under the ring and came in the ring, and all 3 men started to dance around. From there, Jesse & Festus, Goldust, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Lillian Garcia and commentator Michael Cole all got into the ring to dance around to Fu Naki's theme music. Cole danced with Lillian and then Goldust started dancing with him. As the music stopped, Ron Simmons appeared at the top of the ramp. Simmons paused for a while before finally yelling out "DAMN!"

Footage was shown of Raw Episode #775 which was the farewell episode for Ric Flair. Various superstars came to the ring to say farewell to Flair including HHH, John Cena, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels.

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Footage was shown from Episode #630 of Raw in 2005, the wedding ceremony of Edge & Lita. During the ceremony, Kane burst through the bottom of the ring and attacked the couple, destroying their wedding. Lita and Edge escaped, but Kane grabbed the minister and did a Piledriver on him.

Kofi Kingston & Rey Mysterio vs. Kane & Mark Henry

At a pivotal point in the match, Kingston had Henry in the corner and rammed into his gut. Kingston tried to whip Henry out of the corner, but Henry reversed it to whip Kofi into the corner. Henry rushed at Kofi to try to splash him, but Kofi kicked out of it. Kofi climbed the ropes and tried to jump off at Henry, but Henry caught him in the air. Mysterio came in and tried to help Kofi, but Kane took out Rey. Henry did the World's Strongest Slam on Kofi and then took the winning pinfall.

After the match, Kane tossed Mysterio out through the ropes to the floor. Suddenly, The Great Khali's theme music came on, and Khali walked down the ramp with Runjin Singh. As Kane prepared to chokeslam Rey at the bottom of the ramp, Khali walked over and chopped Kane down. Khali got in the ring and beat Mark Henry up until he fell against the ropes. Rey got back into the ring and saw Henry, then ran across to do a 619. Henry stumbled back and Khali chopped him down. Khali smiled at Rey Mysterio who looked puzzled at what was going on.

Winners: Mark Henry & Kane win by pinfall over Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston.

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Raw returned with Michael Cole introducing footage of the emergence of John Cena. John Cena's first match was against superstar Kurt Angle. Cena had an impressive debut although it was a loss. Cena's brothers and friends discussed how Cena had always been into hip hop, launching his rapper persona in WWE.

Backstage in an office, Stephanie told Shane to keep the surprises between them at a minimum since they run things together. Shane agreed and then remarked how their dad would be proud of them right now.

The steel cage began to lower down around the ring in preparation for the main event.

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Footage was shown from Raw's Episode #761 in 2007, a Tribute to the Troops for the holidays. Various WWE superstars went overseas to do a special episode for the Troops serving and lifted their spirits.

Chris Jericho vs. Batista
World Heavyweight Title Steel Cage Match

At one point, Jericho was crawling out the door and almost reached the floor, but the Animal pulled him back in. Jericho began to attack Batista's left leg where his knee had been hurt. Batista fought back and caught Jericho for a side slam off the ropes. The two continued battling with Batista about to deliver a Spinebuster. Batista's leg gave out and Jericho escaped the move. Jericho went for the Code Breaker, but Batista caught him in the air and tossed him against the cage wall/ropes.

As Jericho used the ropes to get up, Batista ran at him for a Spear. Jericho avoided him and Batista crashed into the cage wall, falling down. Jericho took advantage and quickly climbed up the cage walland over. Jericho came down the other side of the wall near the door, and the Animal smartly opened the door and grabbed Jericho, preventing him from getting to the floor.

The two men continued battling in the ring, eventually going up the cage wall towards the steel cables which lowered the cage down. Jericho pulled a metal piece off the cables and cage and started hitting Batista in the head with it. Batista began to bleed profusely and slumped down in the corner on the turnbuckle as Jericho managed to escape the cage and dropped to the outside, surprisingly re-claiming the World Heavyweight title. Jericho celebrated up the ramp with a sly grin holding up the belt as a bloody Batista still looked out of it in the ring.

Winner: Chirs Jericho wins the Steel Cage match against Batista to become the new World Heavyweight champion.

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