Raw Recap 11.17.08

Raw Recap from Atlanta, GA:

Raw opened with Jerry Lawler welcoming fans to the show on TV. In the ring were all off the superstars and divas from Raw, with several red pedestals set up in front of them. In the ring, Michael Cole told everyone to welcome Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie arrived at the top of the ramp to a podium where she addressed everyone. Stephanie said she would be addressing questions via an open forum tonight since Mike Adamle has resigned.

Orton was the first to step up and take a mic. Orton demanded to know why John Cena was given the #1 Contender spot for the World Heavyweight title. Orton asked what made him special. Steph remarked that Cena was a top contender prior to his injury sustained and that Cena is a 3 time WWE champ. Cody Rhodes stepped up next asking why Orton was not suspended for his actions against Ted Dibiase. Steph said that she believes all superstars are responsible for themselves on Raw, and that Orton also kicked CM Punk in the head. Steph added that Orton will have to face Punk in a match tonight on Raw, a 30 Man Lumberjack match.

Santino Marella asked a question next, pointing out that he saw singer "Acorn" (Akon) in the audience. Santino proceeded to deliver a humorous rap song about how he lost the IC title and wants a rematch. Akon was shown in the crowd laughing. Steph told Santino he lost 2 rematches overseas last week, but maybe he'll get a shot again. Then, JBL stepped up to ask a question. JBL asked Stephanie where Vince was, since he needs to talk to him about Shawn Michaels. Steph told JBL that right now her and Shane are running the show.

Shawn Michaels interrupted from the back and came out to ask if he had to wait 6 days until Survivor Series to get revenge on JBL. Steph told him to be patient. HBK said he's responsible for his actions as Steph said, then turned and jumped onto JBL attacking him. The ring cleared of everyone, as JBL rolled out. Michaels stayed in the ring staring out at JBL as the other superstars looked on.

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Kelly Kelly vs. Victoria

Michael Cole informed fans that 5 Raw divas will face a team of 5 Smackdown divas at Survivor Series. As a preview, Raw's Kelly Kelly faced Smackdown's Victoria tonight.

Kelly started off with momentum, but Victoria soon gained the advantage. Victoria hoisted up Kelly in a new finisher, where she put her on her shoulders then dropped to the mat, dumping Kelly down. Cole referred to it as "Arachnophobia". Kelly managed to kick out. The two divas continued to go at it with Victoria attempting to get Kelly onto her shoulder. Kelly flipped off and was able to grab a surprise rollup pinfall for the win.

Kelly rolled out of the ring all smiles as she celebrated her win, but Victoria followed and attacked from behind. Victoria tossed Kelly back into the ring and ten performed the Widows Peak on her. All of a sudden, Mickie James, Jillian and Candice charged down to the ring to defend their fellow Raw teammate. Victoria slid out of the ring and backed up the ramp. All of a sudden, Beth Phoenix charged down and hit Victoria from behindm then tossed her into the ring. The divas beat down Victoria, then Beth Phoenix performed her finisher on her.

Winner: Kelly Kelly wins via pinfall over Victoria.

Lawler and Cole reviewed the other Survivor Series matches. Team Batista (with CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy and R-Truth) will face Team Orton (with William Regal, Cody Rhodes, Shelton Benjamin, and Mark Henry). Team HBK will also face Team JBL, in addition to the divas match and main event title fights.

Batista was shown walking down the hall backstage on his way to the ring for a match with Manu.

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Batista vs. Manu

WWE Rewind showed last week's incident where Batista beat Cody Rhodes in a quick match. Manu got in the ring after the win by Batista, but was promptly speared down, with Randy Orton watching from the ramp.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler remarked about how Manu is the son of Afa of the Wild Samoans who won numerous WWE tag team titles. Randy Orton came out onto the ramp to watch the match as it started.

Early on, Manu displayed an impressive counter to Batista attempting the Batista Bomb, as he lifted the Animal up on his shoulders and quickly slammed him back. Manu followed with a jumping kick at Batista off the ropes, but failed to get the pinfall. Manu shoved Batista shoulder first to the steel post, then used a vice grip on the hurt shoulder. Manu continued to dominate, and eventually hit a flying headbutt on Batista's shoulder. Batista escaped a pin, then kicked Manu in the face to knock him down. Batista mustered up serious offense, then signaled for a Batista Bomb. Manu, flipped him over his back to counter. Manu tried to rush at the Animal, but Batista turned it into a Spear, then finally hit the Batista Bomb to win.

Batista and Orton stared at one another from ring to ramp. Cody Rhodes got on the apron as if he was going in to face Batista, then eventually dropped down and walked off with Manu. Batista grabbed the mic and told Orton for 3 years he's wanted to beat him down for all his trash talk. Batista said to stop worrying about Cena's comeback and who's next in line, but instead worry about Survivor Series.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over Manu.

Stephanie McMahon came to the ramp and asked the crowd to welcome WWE Hall of Famer, Chief Jay Strongbow. Strongbow came out onto the ramp waving to the crowd. Cole and Lawler ran down some more of Survivor Series matches, including Big Show vs Undertaker in a Casket Match, and a possible Triple Threat for the WWE title.

In the back locker room, Orton rushed up to ask Cody Rhodes why he backed out of a fight with Batista. Orton said he can tell Stephanie to take Rhodes off his team if that's his attitude. Rhodes said Orton didn't exactly rush down to the ring either. Orton reminded Rhodes he's the captain of their SS team, and later on Orton will defeat Punk in the Lumberjack match. Rhodes told Orton to keep talking since he's best at that.

Todd Grisham appeared on the ramp and introduced highlight footage of Evan Bourne, who hurt his ankle on a flip move during a match. Bourne arrived out to the ramp on crutches to talk with Todd. Todd asked how the ankle's doing. Bourne began saying it's taking some time but he'll return to pick up where he left off. Mike Knox came out from backstage to stare down Bourne, interrupting the interview for several moments, before heading backstage.

Backstage, Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio were heading out for their upcoming tag match. HBK told Mysterio he's made the walk with several other stars including HHH, Marty Janetty and even Hulk Hogan, but this is his first walk with Rey. Michaels confessed that he's nervous, but Rey told him take it step by step. The two superstars made their way slowly step by step down the hall and ran into Dolph Ziggler. Michaels and Rey shook his hand, then HBK delivered the line that he and Rey would face Miz and Morrison first time ever, up next.

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Rey Mysterio & Shawn Michaels vs. The Miz & John Morrison

In this matchup four of the men involved in the Team HBK vs. Team JBL Survivor Series match faced off. Cole covered the earlier highlight of HBK jumping on JBL to attack him during the Q&A session.

In the tag match, Mysterio was battling Morrison and managed to gain momentum, sending Morrison to the ropes for a 619 attempt. As Rey ran against the ropes, Miz grabbed his foot to trip him. Mysterio responded by dropkicking Miz down outside the ring, before HBK jumped out onto him. Mysterio jumped out at Morrison and rammed him into the commentators' table.

The match continued with Mysterio again getting into the ring and going on a rampage. Mysterio was able to knock Morrison off the apron, but Miz grabbed his arm and ran Mysterio into the steel post. Rey fell to the outside holding his shoulder. Morrison got Rey back into the ring and began pounding on him on the mat. Miz and Morrison continued to doubleteam Rey. Rey finally escaped after being whipped to the corner, when Morrison tried for a kick off the ropes, Rey was able to dropkick him down out of the air. Both men struggled to crawl over and tag in their partners. HBK went wild against Miz, gaining control and going to the turnbuckle for a flying elbow . Michaels landed it, then set up Sweet Chin Music. Miz dropped to the mat to avoid it. From here a melee ensued in the ring, with Morrison getting knocked outside. Rey hit a 619 on Miz and HBK followed with Sweet Chin Music. Morrison rushed back into the ring with the ref distracted and hit a Sweet Chin Music of his own on HBK. After Morrison ran over to take out Rey to the outside, Miz was able to get the pinfall by barely covering HBK.

Winners: The Miz & John Morrison win via pinfall over Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler discussed this week being "Green Week" and how everyone needs to do their part. Cole reminded fans we are 6 days away from Survivor Series and the return of John Cena. A video was shown highlighting John Cena with the music "This Could be the Year" by Ryan Star.

Backstage, Chris Jericho was standing with Stephanie McMahon watching the Cena video on a TV. Jericho told Steph that the return of Cena will make things chaotic for the Raw brand and that he's a bad influence. Jericho said he knows everyone including her hopes that Jericho still has the title come next week.

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Todd Grisham interviewed CM Punk backstage about his upcoming match with Randy Orton. Punk remarked that Orton probably attacked him at Unforgiven to get attention. Punk said Orton brought Punk's miracle year to a halt with the kick to his head. Punk said 30 men will surround the ring, ensuring that Orton doesn't try to get away. Punk vowed to get payback later tonight.

Kane approached JBL in a locker room asking if he had any advice for their tag match tonight since JBL's the captain at Survivor Series. JBL asked how they could be compatible. Kane told JBL they operate differently, and if JBL upsets him, he'll face a full scale mutiny at Survivor Series.

Cryme Tyme vs. Kane & JBL

During the break, Cryme Tyme went to the crowd for their "Money Money" chant with Akon. Akon pulled out a wad of cash as the chant continued.

In the match, the Big Red Machine gained control against JTG, using a Sideslam. Kane rushed over to deliver a boot and knock Shad off the apron, then got to the turnbuckle to jump at JTG with a clothesline. Kane signaled for a chokeslam, but was right near JBL who tagged Kane's back to get into the match. JBL promptly finished off JTG with a Clothesline from Hell, then pinned him. An angry Kane got into the ring as the ref held up JBL's hand. JBL quickly exited and backed up the ramp with Kane staring out at him.

Winners: Kane & JBL win via pinfall over Cryme Tyme.

Backstage, Kofi Kingston wished Evan Bourne a speedy recovery, hopefully in time for Royal Rumble. Out of nowhere, Mike Knox rushed in and knocked Kingston down, giving him a beat down. Evan Bourne was also knocked down and tried to get up using a crutch and a nearby dumpster. Knox kicked Bourne down then grabbed one of his crutches. Bourne begged Knox not to do it, but Knox smashed the crutch down against Bourne's injured ankle.

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Michael Cole and Lawler revisited what just happened to Kofi and Bourne backstage due to Knox's attack.

William Regal made his way down to the ring, as highlights were shown of his IC title win against Santino in the UK. Regal remarked how a rap star (Akon) got more applause than then IC champ did tonight. Regal said this is why the UK receives more praise from the world than the US. As Regal finished his speech, Matt Hardy made his way out for the match.

Matt Hardy vs. William Regal

The champ vs. champ, non-title match eventually spilled to the outside. Regal and Matt kept each other from re-entering the ring and continued beating on one another as the ref counted them out. After Lillian announced the double countout, Regal and Hardy continued to go at it, with WWE refs separating them.

Winner: No winner due to a double countout.

Jericho was shown backstage on his way out to the arena to address the crowd.

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Chris Jericho came to the ring in a suit carrying the World Heavyweight title. Jericho made comments regarding his match at Survivor Series against Cena. Jericho talked of his start in 2001, achieving legendary status by defeating The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the same night and become 1st undisputed champ in WWE history. Jericho remarked this was done a year before Cena even set foot in WWE.

Jericho also reminded fans of his win at the Championship Scramble against Batista, Kane and Rey Mysterio, to win the title. Jericho also reminisced about defeating HBK in a Ladder Match, Batista in a Steel Cage match in the past weeks while Cena was at home resting. Jericho said all the hype has gone to Cena, but Jericho is the one holding the title and he'll continue to do so as the best in the business today. Jericho said once he defeats and eliminates Cena, Raw will be saved.

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CM Punk vs. Randy Orton
Lumberjack match

A variety of superstars from Raw, Smackdown and ECW surrounded the ring for the main event Lumberjack match. Batista stared down Orton as he entered the ring for the match. Punk arrived next and the match got underway as the two locked up.

At one point in the match, Orton was shoved outside by Punk. Orton hit Jamie Noble with a cheap shot, prompting Hardy, Finlay, Ortiz and Batista to attack him. Orton got thrown back in and eventually knocked Punk outside. Heels went to attack Punk with several other wrestlers stepping in telling them to just toss Punk back in. Mark Henry picked up Punk and carried him to the apron, then dumped him into the ring.

The match continued with Punk gaining the eventual advantage. Punk delivered a kick to the back of Orton's head. Orton barely escaped a pinfall and came back to knock Punk down. At one point, Orton was caught in the face with a kick and held his face. Orton ran to one side of the ring and saw Batista. The distraction allowed Punk to grab Orton and hoist him up for a GTS. Orton slid off and managed to take Punk down with a backbreaker. The action continued with Orton going to the outside. All of the Lumberjacks converged on him, and Punk dove over the ropes out to land on Orton in a pile of other wrestlers. Punk got back in the ring and became distracted by William Regal grabbing at his feet. As the ref warned Regal, Punk was also looking out and Orton snuck up behind him for the RKO.

Orton prepared to deliver another punt kick to Punk as he was trying to get up. Batista slid into the ring and quickly delivered a Spear to prevent Orton's kick. All of the Lumberjacks ended up getting into a brawl in the ring as Raw left the air.

Winner: Randy Orton wins via pinfall over CM Punk.

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